South Africa: Work to protect health facilities from load shedding continues Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says governments work to shield health facilities from load shedding is continuing. The Minister was delivering the address for the ministrys Budget Vote in Parliament. Government has already identified some 213 hospitals that can be excluded from load shedding, with 76 already not experiencing power cuts and work on a further 46 underway. The remaining hospitals have sufficient backup power supply from diesel generators. Nevertheless, diesel costs remain a major expenditure driver, especially during higher load shedding stages. Apart from the diesel costs, the electricity costs are significant. An embedded generation option for health facilities (hospitals) will reduce operating costs whilst providing security and quality of supply, he said. The Minister said the ministry has already set in motion costing scenarios for the installation of alternative energy sources for hospitals to address the impact of load shedding and mitigate the impact of high diesel costs on medical facilities. Based on the Department of Health figures, to cover 137 hospitals (varying between small and large), R10.1 billion capital expenditure will be required to provide a combined solar, battery and inverter solution. In contrast, for the same 137 small hospitals, diesel generators will cost R89.1 million in capital costs, whilst large hospitals will cost R411 million (capital costs). However, the operating cost (primarily diesel purchase) will cost R3.3 billion and R655 million annually for large and small hospitals, respectively. A rapid deployment of embedded generation or 'micro-grid' solutions, including roof-top solar for hospitals, other critical installations, and economic hubs, will be possible through an aggregated power purchase agreement, he said. Protecting jobs Ramokgopa said while government continues to turn the tide against load shedding, work also continues to support the most vulnerable against the impact and support businesses and industry, protecting jobs and our economic prospects. The Land Bank has established a R2.5 billion fund for farmers to invest in alternative energy solutions to support energy security. This will provide a mix of grant and loan funding, with the grant component ranging from 30 - 70%. National Treasury is finalising adjustments to the Loan Guarantee Scheme to establish an Energy Bounce Back Scheme. The Ministry of Electricity is working with the Government Employees Pension Fund to develop a facility to support low-income workers in the Public Sector to afford the upfront capital costs of solar solutions and other load management systems, Ramokgopa said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-06-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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 A package of bills seeking to tighten sexual assault reporting and enforcement in the National Guard received a public hearing Wednesday, four years after an investigation found a litany of failings in how the Guard handled sexual assault and harassment allegations between 2009 and 2019. The bills were produced by a study committee of legislators, Guard members, veterans and advocates in response to a scathing 2019 report by the National Guard Bureaus Office of Complex Investigations, which found the Guards policies and procedures for handling allegations of sexual misconduct are out of date, ineffective, understaffed and in violation of federal rules. The study committee identified a number of areas in which legislation will complement the Guards continuing efforts to ensure that the men and women who volunteer to serve our state and nation are able to do so in an environment that takes their safety seriously, Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, who chaired the study committee, said before the Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. The federal review stemmed from allegations that officers with the Guards 115th Fighter Wing, based at Madisons Truax Field, had dismissed at least six incidents of sexual assault or harassment. The 2019 report led to the almost immediate resignation of then-Guard Adj. Gen. Donald Dunbar at the urging of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who would almost certainly sign the bills into law. The report found that the Guards decision to use its own investigators for sexual assault allegations, instead of referring them to local law enforcement or other external authorities, violated Department of Defense and National Guard Bureau policies. It also found that Guard officials failed to properly track sexual harassment allegations and that the Guards sexual assault prevention policy hadnt complied with federal law since 2014. One of the bills, AB 177, would clarify that local law enforcement, not the National Guard, has jurisdiction over sexual assaults. The measure also would prohibit officers from making sexual advances on trainees or recruits enlisted under a delayed entry program. A second bill, AB 178 requires Guard officials to submit data annually on sexual assault allegations. Under the bill, the data must include a summary of training materials the Guard administers to prevent sexual assault and a summary of policies designed to prevent sexual assault. Another bill, AB 179, would require the Guard to manage and track all misconduct cases. The Guard would have to determine what misconduct means under the bill. I am hopeful these bills will become law in a bipartisan manner and that we continue this focus on preventing misconduct and supporting survivors of sexual assault, Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard, D-Madison, said after the hearing. We must send a clear message that our government recognizes, believes and always stands with survivors. The measures appeared to receive bipartisan support from the Assembly Veterans Committee. One point of disagreement in the public hearing came from a lawmakers objection to a section of AB 177 that would amend a provision that prohibited conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, by stripping and a gentleman from the language. The move is in line with the federal military justice codes removal of gender-specific language. My concern is for a thousand years the idea of gentlemen, gentlepeople leading our military has been part of the culture of the military, Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers, said, adding that he would like to keep the word gentleman in Wisconsin law and add gentlelady. Kurtz responded that in todays modern military the same standards apply to everybody, adding that prohibiting conduct unbecoming an officer is sufficient. SEOUL, South Korea North Korea's attempt to put its first spy satellite into space failed Wednesday in a setback to leader Kim Jong Un's push to boost his military capabilities as tensions with the United States and South Korea rise. After an unusually quick admission of failure, North Korea vowed to conduct a second launch after it learns what went wrong. It suggests Kim remains determined to expand his weapons arsenal and apply more pressure on Washington and Seoul while diplomacy is stalled. South Korea and Japan briefly urged residents in some areas to take shelter after the launch. The South Korean military said it salvaged an object presumed to be part of the crashed North Korean rocket in waters 125 miles west of the southwestern island of Eocheongdo. The Defense Ministry released photos of a white metal cylinder it described as a suspected rocket part. A satellite launch by North Korea is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban the country from conducting any launch based on ballistic technology. Observers say North Korea's previous satellite launches helped improve its long-range missile technology. North Korean longrange missile tests in recent years demonstrated a potential to reach all of the continental U.S., but outside experts say the North still has some work to do to develop functioning nuclear missiles. Editors note: This feature first ran May 27, 2021, in the Times-News and at Magicvalley.com. In 1916, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Pennywell left her two sons, Harold Lovelace, 12, and Lynn Lovelace, 11, with a Mrs. Tolman when the couple took a train to Montana to find work. While in Mrs. Tolmans care, the two boys burglarized a neighbors home and made off with numerous items. When F. Thomas Hamill arrived back at his ranch the following day, Aug. 15, he found his cabin near Rogerson had been ransacked. Hamill later found the Lovelace boys a mile away at Louise Smiths home. Hamill rounded up his belongings and walked the boys back to his ranch, where he made them return his items to where they found them. He and the boys then headed back toward the Smith home. But the boys ditched Hamill on the trail and returned to his cabin, where they began packing provisions for their escape. As Hamill, 33, arrived back at the cabin, the boys pointed two of Hamills firearms out the window at him. Hamill convinced the boys that he was hungry and Harold took Hamill a plate of food while Lynn covered the rancher with Hamills own rifle, a .32-40 Winchester repeater. While reaching for the plate Harold offered, Hamill grabbed the older boy and told Lynn to drop the rifle, according to the boys account. Shoot him, Harold told Lynn. I dont want to shoot him, Lynn argued. Shoot him, Harold insisted. The younger boy shot at Hamill as he crouched behind Harold. The slug passed through Harolds leg and hit Hamill in the right eye, killing him instantly. The Lovelace boys finished packing Hamills wagon full of can goods and other provisions, left Hamills body in his cabin, then started on what would days later become a 120-mile wild goose chase covering the western half of Twin Falls County. Sheriff Frank Kendall described the boys and their flight from justice. They were clad only in shoes, burst out with their toes sticking through, ragged, patched overalls, shirts in a similar condition, ragged coats and battered hats, Kendall told the Twin Falls Weekly Times. Kendall and his posse didnt know who they were chasing. Of course, all this time we were not looking for the boys, Kendall told the Times. But after following that terrible trail, we thought perhaps we were on the trail of an insane man. TWIN FALLS Bright orange flames poured out of the aircraft with blistering heat. A fire truck operated by the Twin Falls Fire Department sped across the tarmac to reach the aircraft and immediately began directing a jet of water toward the flames, sweeping side to side. It was only a drill, and the exercise was repeated several times over three days this week at Joslin Field, Magic Valley Regional Airport. Firefighters who drive any apparatus in Twin Falls are required to get an annual certification to operate the special firefighting trucks at the airport. Normally firefighters have to travel to facilities elsewhere to get the certification each year. But this year, the department brought in a mobile aircraft replica that simulates fires. The Salt Lake City-based company 139 Fire builds and operates all kinds of props for firefighter training. For this aircraft simulation, an aircraft fuselage has been fitted with propane pipes to allow different fire simulations, such as landing gear fire, engine fire, exterior fire as well as interior fire. Deputy Fire Chief Mitchell Brooks said that bringing in a mobile training structure made for a more realistic experience eliminated the headaches of arranging travel for 12 firefighters with different schedules. What it does is it affords us the ability to train on our own equipment, train in our own backyard, come up with our own scenarios, incorporate our own dispatch center, Brooks told the Times-News. So it really completes the loop of an actual incident. Brooks said this is the first time the department has brought in a mobile training structure to the airport. In years past crews would go to Boise, Salt Lake City and Helena, Montana. The company, 139 Fire, has made a range of props for firefighter training, from passenger vehicles, to a full replica of a Boeing 777 airliner. They also build training structures, buildings, towers and everything in between. Training officer Capt. Jesse Bowman said in order for the 12 drivers to complete their annual required certification to operate the Aircraft Rescue Firefighting vehicles, each driver will face several kinds of fire scenarios. We try to incorporate different scenarios, different fire attacks, Bowman said. The final simulation of the three-day training is a coordinated interior attack between the apparatus and a crew on the ground. Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Vehicles ARFFs allow a single operator to drive while deploying a variety of firefighting agents. During the training, operators used water to put out the flames. Under real circumstances, the ARFFs are equipped with foam and chemical agents to extinguish fires related to aviation. Its built so one operator can extinguish a fire if needed, Bowman said. It has foam capabilities, like a fire extinguisher, and has three substances to use as needed. The airport is one of the regular stops for firefighters in the department. Drivers are stationed at the airport for a month at a time, and are available 24 hours a day. In addition to any aircraft-related incidents, they also respond to medical emergencies, structure fires and brush fires. Were training, were prepared, Brooks said. We hope there never is but if there was an incident, were prepared. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Magic Valley Regional Airport has a single daily flight. It's 'pay-to-play' to keep it. Magic Valley Regional Airport has been slow to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic, and a combination of circumstances continue to hamper ambitions to grow services to and from Twin Falls. PHOTOS: Firefighters train on a mock aircraft Knocking down fires at the airport Knocking down fires at the airport Knocking down fires at the airport Knocking down fires at the airport Knocking down fires at the airport Knocking down fires at the airport Fire training with mock airplane As a proud Vandal, I know the value of a University of Idaho education. Growing up in the hallways of Memorial Gym and being part of the energy and excitement of this university inspired me to plant my roots here at the U of I. Idaho invested in me, and my accounting degree from the U of I opened doors providing rewarding career opportunities that I did not imagine possible. After a long career in accounting, global banking, consulting and international law firm management, those roots brought me back to my alma mater to bring energy, innovation and a new way of doing things to a very staid, traditional education model. This is why I am excited about the opportunities available through affiliation with arguably the biggest name in online education, the University of Phoenix. Higher education is changing. For institutions like the U of I, we must understand the coming changes in our traditional audience. Fewer children were born during the Great Recession. That smaller generation is nearing college age and the pipeline is about to fall off the proverbial cliff. This is compounded by a demographic whose trajectory was changed by a global pandemic. This means even fewer young people are going directly to college. Universities across the nation cannot meet the markets demand for an educated workforce now, and it is about to get a lot worse. Failure to mitigate this decrease in potential students is a failure by those of us leading our institutions. The University of Phoenix has long focused on adult education. They bring degrees, individual classes to help with career advancement, and skills training to working adults. In the last few years, and with a change in leadership, they have refocused on the success of these students. The organization's leaders purposefully trimmed the business down to what it does best deliver online education to working adults. Delivering online education to all students is vital to Idaho. To quote Board President and U of I Regent Linda Clark, your address should not determine your access to education. Training a place-bound working adult is just as valuable to the Idaho economy as training a recent high school graduate. Developing a scalable, flexible and effective online system for delivering education to people where they are is no small feat. While we offer a handful of high-quality online degrees and will continue to do so the possibilities for online delivery through our affiliation with the University of Phoenix are endless. The University of Phoenix has world-class systems. There is a reason they have 85,000 online students. Their systems are intuitive, easy to use and effective. We will be able to leverage this technology for the benefit of students across the state. As with any business, creating new revenue streams to build and grow strategic pathways is vital to success. While we certainly appreciate the support of our state Legislature, we also know that the demands on state money are immense. We cannot expect limited state dollars and tuition from our students to be the sole income streams for our university, especially if we want to build out big ideas that benefit the industries of our state. The affiliation reduces future risk by diversifying revenue sources. The operation generates tens of millions of dollars of free cash flow annually. By moving the University of Phoenix into a not-for-profit status, this money can be reinvested in all students. That is a win for Idaho. There is misinformation out there and there will be more to come as this transaction is politicized by those outside our great state. That the details of the transaction are complex, there is no doubt. I would not have moved forward with this transaction without full trust in the deep due diligence of professionals who do this work every day. I welcome your questions and will work to answer them to the best of my ability. But more than that, I hope all Idahoans will join me in dreaming of a brighter day for higher education in our state. A day when industry has not only the plentiful workforce it deserves but one trained to our high Idaho standards. This is a chance to break beyond the norm and use collaborations in higher education that have worked for years in the private sector. Our students deserve it. The political extremists who took control of North Idaho College in the 2020 trustee election wasted little time trying to destroy what had been the jewel in Idahos community college crown since its founding in 1933. The hostile takeover of NICs board of trustees was engineered by Brent Regan and his collection of far-right extremists. They falsely claimed in the election that NIC was run by a bunch of radical liberals who were essentially brainwashing the students. Nothing could have been further from the truth but Regans candidates carried the day. Regan chairs the so-called Idaho Freedom Foundation, which deplores public education. IFFs president has said: I dont think government should be in the education business. It is the most virulent form of socialism (and indoctrination thereto) in America today. OUR VIEW: What's happening at North Idaho College could happen anywhere even here OUR VIEW: North Idaho College, one of the state's original building blocks of higher education, is dangerously close to collapse. If it could happen there, it could happen here. This attitude would explain why Regans trustees have driven the college to the brink of disaster. Unless things take a dramatic turn very soon, NIC will lose its accreditation and just be a fond memory of the thousands who were educated in its hallowed halls. Quote Regans plan is to turn Idaho colleges into indoctrination mills, forcing them to preach his hateful and divisive dogma. Regans trustees fired one NIC president after taking control, prompting a lawsuit and settlement. The trustees attempted to fire a second president, Nick Swayne, who was reinstated by the judge. Swayne remains on the job despite repeated efforts to dislodge him. Luckily for Swayne, the trustees hired a lawyer last December who is better at cranking out hefty billings than providing good legal assistance. It is a clear demonstration that when you hire an attorney who will tell you what you want to hear, instead of what you need to hear, you are headed into legal trouble. When the lawyer claimed Swayne was hired in violation of Idahos open meeting law, the no-nonsense judge correctly shot down that specious argument on a number of grounds. Judge Cynthia Meyer ruled that the contention was about four months too late and not done in good faith. She also indicated that the intended conclusion of the lawyers investigation of the matter was evident from the beginning. The combination of a competent, courageous judge and bumbling lawyer have thus far frustrated the effort of Regans trustees to dump Swayne. In what might be a hopeful sign at an April 26 meeting, one of the three trustees supported by Regan joined with the two reasonable, capable trustees, Brad Corkill and Tarie Zimmerman, to hire a qualified attorney to replace the bumbler (although the same trustee reversed his decision on the replacement attorney two days later). Some actual business conferring tenure upon a number of faculty members was also accomplished during the meeting. And a recent evaluation indicates some progress in addressing accreditation problems. The efforts of the concerned citizens group, Save NIC, to push back against the destructive antics of the Regan trustees may be bearing fruit. They have awakened the community as to the danger posed by the Regan bunch. With the help of other good folk in the community, they might be able to save this treasured community college from destruction at the hands of Regan and his Freedom Foundation acolytes. The rest of the state cant rest easy, thinking it wont happen elsewhere. Just last November, there was an unsuccessful effort by right-wing extremists to take over the board of trustees of the College of Western Idaho. In 2016, an anti-refugee candidate ran for the board of trustees of the College of Southern Idaho and came close to a win. Regans plan is to turn Idaho colleges into indoctrination mills, forcing them to preach his hateful and divisive dogma. Our colleges have done a fine job over the decades of educating our children and preparing them to meet the challenges of the future. We dont need interlopers coming in to wreck them with scare tactics and vague promises of reform. Idahoans must rise up to support public education, like the pro-education folks in Save NIC. Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have given at least 80 billion more reasons to hate the Internal Revenue Service, which has never been in danger of winning popularity contests. Thats how many more dollars the IRS is spending to crack down on tax cheaters and otherwise make life miserable for those who dont cheat and get caught up in the tangled web of tax audits. Chris Edwards, a tax and budget specialist with the Cato Institute, has written about the end result for most of us. More aggressive enforcement would mean more paperwork, more lawyer fees, more time consumed on tax matters and more anguish and uncertainty for taxpayers. It could also result in less privacy and personal financial security. This isnt about the IRS going after rich people. The IRS target could include those making less than $400,000 a year. Dont underestimate the agencys ability to show those Washington politicians that they are getting their $80 billion worth. Crapo, the ranking member of the Finance Committee, is asking for transparency and accountability. Unease about super-sized IRS enforcement hiring has nothing to do with supporting evasion by wealthy tax cheats, but comes from fear that the IRS will waste untold taxpayer dollars chasing speculative or marginal revenue recoveries, while hardworking Americans and small businesses end up in a dragnet, Crapo wrote in a recent op-ed. The majority of the $80 billion funding boost for the IRS was earmarked for aggressive enforcement, while just a sliver was set aside to improve customer service. Says Risch: It (the IRS) did not use these additional staffers to expedite your returns or ease your filing experience. Im concerned how the IRS is treating Americans. In the last few years, President Biden empowered the IRS to bully hardworking Americans into settlements under the threat of financial penalties. Some of that $80 billion could go to other purposes if Congress approves the budget deal worked out between Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. But the IRS still has plenty of extra funds to work with. The Idaho Republicans wont have to look far for a presidential candidate to sign on with their cause. Earlier this year, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who recently announced his bid for the GOP nomination, joined Crapo and Risch on on their legislative efforts to prohibit the IRS from financial surveillance. Of course, theres no chance of getting Republican-sponsored bills of that nature through the Democratic-controlled Senate. Its also curtains for the IRS Accountability and Taxpayer Protection Act, pushed by Crapo and Risch. But for Scott, one of a growing list of Republicans trying to spare us from Donald Trump, taking aim at the IRS isnt a bad platform for a presidential run. Edwards, in his piece for Cato, makes some good points about the pitfalls that go with more aggressive enforcement by the IRS. Supporters think that greater enforcement would be good policy because the expected higher tax revenues would outweigh the cost of higher IRS spending, he wrote. But that ignores the higher costs that would be imposed on the private sector, including tax compliance burdens and the loss of civil liberties. Believe it or not, the IRS makes mistakes perhaps as much as 90% of the time on tax audits, according to one expert. Which the agency gets away with because many taxpayers wont challenge them, says Edwards. Good luck in getting the IRS, and its army of lawyers, to admit to making a mistake, says Edwards. More IRS enforcement means more targeting of people who end up being innocent. Individuals and businesses will have to invest more time and more money in lawyer fees to defend against false IRS claims. Crapo points out that the IRS code requires the agency to act in accord with codified taxpayer rights, including the right to be informed; the right to quality service; the right to challenge the position of the IRS and be heard; the right to privacy; and the right to confidentiality. Idahoans have time-and-again seen the IRS fail to meet these obligations and rightly concerned about the vitality of their taxpayer rights, Crapo wrote. The senior senator has justifiable reservations about the IRS and its bulging budget. But with Democrats in control of the Senate and White House, theres little that he can do aside from writing convincing op-eds. Semirara Mining and Power Corp. plans to deliver its second trial coal shipment to Japan this month, as it expands its market across Asia while reducing dependency on the Chinese market. The company will export 50,000 metric tons of Semirara coal to Shikoku Electric Power Corp. to partly power its 700-megawatt coal fired ultra-supercritical power station. China is still our main foreign buyer but with their industrial output growing slower than expected, we want to develop other Asian markets like Japan, said SMPC president and chief operating officer Maria Cristina Gotianun. Semirara coal shipments to China declined by 50 percent in the first quarter to 1.1 million MT from 2.2 million MT. These shipments accounted for 72 percent of the companys exports. South Korea was a steady market at 300,000 MT, representing one-fifth of export sales. The rest of the exports went to Japan and Brunei, accounting for 5 percent and 3 percent, respectively. SMPC first made a trial shipment to Japan in January 2023, bringing over 78,410 MT of mid-grade coal to J-Power, a utility company that operates coal, hydroelectric, wind and geothermal power stations. For 2023, we are targeting to export around 30 percent of our full-year sales target of 15 to 16 million MT, Gotianun said. Standalone coal revenues sank by 40 percent in the first quarter from P25.7 billion to P15.5 billion due to high base effect of record production, shipments and selling prices. Standalone reported net income dropped 51 percent from P14.2 billion to P7 billion on topline weakness and slower decline in cash costs. Consolidated revenues contracted 29 percent in the first quarter to P20.7 billion from P29.1 billion a year ago on weaker coal contribution. This was offset by all-time high revenues from the power segment. SMPC is the largest coal producer in the Philippines. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Indonesian tycoon Dato Sri Tahir has donated about P41.6 million to the Philippines, with a pledge to support social welfare and healthcare programs of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Malacanang announced Thursday. Tahir, the founder of Indonesian conglomerate Mayapada Group, handed over the P41.6 million donation to Mr. Marcos during a meeting at Malacanan Palace in Manila on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said. This, as the President briefed Tahir on his administrations social welfare programs for children and the elderly, as well as on the ongoing housing projects. We have a program that we are going to start for the street children. Unfortunately, we still have people who are homeless. So, we are trying to look after them, Mr. Marcos said, adding that the government also aims to provide financial and medical assistance to senior citizens. So, this is how we view social work in the Philippines. As much as possible, we would like people not to become dependent on the government. And Filipinos, I think, have that attitude. So, thats a good situation. So, thats more or less how we are approaching a new way of doing social work, he added. Mr. Marcos said his administration is also being very aggressive in its housing program to address the countrys backlog of about 6.5 million and fulfill its goal of building 1 million units every year. That is a very important part of our agenda. It causes so many social problems if we dont have available housing. Its very hard for people to be productive if they do not have their own home, he told Tahir. Even if they are just paying for it, its different from being informal settlers, squatters. Thats why its a big priority. So, housing is moving well. Tahir vowed to assist the Marcos administration in improving the lives of the Filipino people through social work and the provision of low-cost housing. He said he is also interested to build a hospital in the Philippines, noting that he is active in providing healthcare support to countries in crisis situations. He added that he has donated about USD40 million to the US government, assisted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and extended support to countries such as Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and Turkey. Vince Lopez We are running the largest private hospital in Indonesia. So maybe if we can invest also in hospital here Anything regarding humanitarian, Im interested in that, Tahir told Marcos. We have been working in the region. So, I hope that, with your permission, with your support, let me arrange to explore [the Philippines], he added Mr. Marcos said he would discuss Tahirs proposals with concerned government agencies. Tahir founded the Mayapada Group, an Indonesian conglomerate, with businesses in the financial, healthcare, hotel and real estate, specialty retail, media and mining industries. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns powerful sister said Thursday that Pyongyang would correctly place a spy satellite into orbit soon, a day after their first attempt crashed. Pyongyang has pitched its military satellite as a necessary counterbalance to the growing US military presence in the region, pointing to Washingtons ongoing joint drills with Seoul as one example of many. North Koreas new Chollima-1 rocket lost thrust and plunged into the sea with its satellite payload on Wednesday, state media said in a rare same-day announcement following the failed launch. Kim Yo Jong, who also serves as a spokesperson for the regime, said a second attempt would soon be made. It is certain that the DPRKs military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put on space orbit in the near future and start its mission, she said Thursday, referring to North Korea by its official name. Pyongyang also released photographs of what it said was the new Chollima-1 rocket taking off from a seaside launch site surrounded by flames and smoke. The rocketnamed after a mythical winged horse that often appears in Pyongyangs propagandafeatured a bulbous nose, apparently used to carry the satellite payload. The United States, South Korea and Japan slammed the launch, saying it violated UN resolutions barring Pyongyang from any tests using ballistic missile technology. Kim Yo Jong said such critiques were a self-contradiction, given that the United States and other nations have already launched thousands of satellites. The US is a group of gangsters who would claim that even if the DPRK launches a satellite in space orbit through a balloon, it is illegal and threatening, she said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. A Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Derek Douglas, then-vice president for civic engagement at the University of Chicago, attends a City Club luncheon in Chicago in 2017. He is now the president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune) For the first time in its 146-year history, the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago is tackling crime, looking to bring business leaders to the table in a bid to make the city safer. The influential organization, which has spearheaded everything from the citys parks system to modernization of OHare International Airport, is outlining a plan to reduce homicides and gun violence in Chicago over the next decade with the backing of the broader business community. Advertisement The issue of public safety is the No. 1 issue for pretty much everyone in the city of Chicago, said Derek Douglas, who became the first Black president of the Civic Committee in August. And the business community is no different. A former University of Chicago administrator and Barack Obama presidential adviser, Douglas assembled a public safety task force last fall, seeking a platform for business leaders to work with city government, community groups, nonprofits and academics to reduce violence across the city. Advertisement The initiative includes community violence intervention, enhanced policing and criminal justice reforms, hiring more broadly from underinvested communities and investing directly in those neighborhoods. The Civic Committee task force has been in touch with the new administration and is looking to sit down with Mayor Brandon Johnson to discuss the role business can play in improved public safety, Douglas said. Sometimes when people have this discussion of public safety, they either turn to long-term root causes, and thats what we should be focused on, or they say the house is on fire, lets just focus on the immediate, Douglas said. The approach that were taking is we need to focus on both. Like many large cities, Chicago saw a spike in crime during the pandemic, peaking at 804 homicides in 2021, mostly from gun violence. While homicides declined to 695 last year, theft and carjackings continued to rise, according to data from the Chicago Police Department. The Chicago area also saw some high-profile departures of corporate headquarters in 2022, including investment firm Citadel, which moved to Miami along with its billionaire founder, Ken Griffin; Caterpillar, which relocated from north suburban Deerfield to Irving, Texas; and aerospace giant Boeing, which moved to Arlington, Virginia, after more than 20 years in the West Loop. Griffin, who at the time he announced the relocation decision was funding an ultimately losing campaign for governor by Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, cited growing crime as a major reason why Citadel and co-owned trading firm Citadel Securities opted to leave Chicago after more than three decades in the city. Jim Crown, chairman and CEO of Henry Crown & Co., the privately held Chicago-based investment firm, was tapped to head up the public safety task force. He said maintaining Chicago as a nexus of corporate activity was a catalyst for the initiative. We have to do our best to stay attractive to the corporate community because of all the benefits that happen for all the citizens here, if weve got a stable employment base and employers that are succeeding, Crown said. With remote and hybrid working disrupting the corporate world, Chicago offices were at 52% of pre-pandemic occupancy levels in May, according to the latest weekly study by Kastle Systems, which tracks entry badge swipes. That flexibility has made it easier for businesses and workforces to relocate in the post-pandemic landscape, Crown said. Advertisement Chicago has benefited from some of those relocations. When Kellogg Co. announced last year plans to spin itself off into three separate companies focused on cereal, plant-based foods and snacks, the snack company chose Chicago for its headquarters. Google, which has its Midwest headquarters in Fulton Market, last summer bought the James R. Thompson Center and plans to open operations there in three years. But Chicago cannot afford to lag other cities in addressing crime, Crown said. The perception of Chicago as a place with public safety issues, and the reaction to that perception, whether its tourism or businesses moving here, or just worker safety downtown, that has gotten worse, Crown said. And its gotten worse for us in Chicago relative to New York or Los Angeles, where they have done a better job, population adjusted, than we have, if you look at the numbers for the last two decades. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot frequently called on the business community to help the city address public safety, noting neighborhoods with high concentrations of poverty and unemployment also experienced higher violent crime rates. The long-term initiatives in her Our City, Our Safety plan involved efforts to target those at highest risk of involvement with violence for workforce development programs and remove barriers to employment for those with criminal records. Founded in 1877, the Commercial Club is best known for commissioning the 1909 Plan of Chicago, the make no little plans vision of architect Daniel Burnham, which shaped the development of the city, its parks system and its open lakefront for more than a century. The Civic Committee was created in 1983, spearheading such initiatives as education reform, building Stroger Hospital and the modernization of OHare. The task force has set the ambitious goal of making Chicago the safest big city in America, bringing homicides below 400 in five years, and under 200 within the next decade. It is seeking to reduce shootings, which peaked at 3,561 in 2021, down to 2,000 in five years and below 1,000 within 10 years. Advertisement This initiative is not sort of the answer thats going to solve the public safety crisis in the city, said Bob Boik, the CPDs former head of constitutional policing, who is now working with the Civic Committees task force. But we are coming to the table to do our part. And we want to break down those traditional silos and operate under one common set of goals and objectives. Both Boik and Crown are on Johnsons transition team. Crown, who cited many of the Commercial Clubs visionary achievements over its long history, said fighting crime is a new role for the organization. But as Chicago struggles to recover from the pandemic, making public safety their business has become a priority, just like preserving a recreational lakefront was more than a century ago. In some ways, we are newcomers into a conversation thats been going on for quite a while, Crown said. Maybe weve got the ability to organize our voices and the political heft that the business community can sometimes have, and help mobilize policy action. rchannick@chicagotribune.com A Swiss appeals court will on Thursday hand down its verdict in the case of a former Liberian warlord accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Alieu Kosiah was found guilty in June 2021 of multiple atrocities committed during the first of Liberias back-to-back civil wars, in which around 250,000 people died between 1989 and 2003. Switzerlands Federal Criminal Court in the southern city of Bellinzona found him guilty of violating the laws of war. The verdict marked the first time a Liberian was convicted either within the west African nation or anywhere else of war crimes committed during the conflict. Kosiah, who settled in Switzerland in 1998 and was arrested in the country in 2014, appealed the verdict. The 48-year-old maintains he is innocent and has requested a full acquittal. He has always contested the facts, his lawyer Dimitri Gianoli told AFP. He is confident he will be acquitted. But the proceedings held earlier this year at the Federal Criminal Court appeals chamber provided an opportunity for the prosecutor to add crimes against humanity to the charges. It marked the first time that the most serious charge has been tried in Switzerland, made possible by a 2011 law change. Like war crimes, crimes against humanity refer to atrocities, including murder, torture and rape. Instead of isolated or sporadic events, it is for incidents carried out in a widespread or systematic way. In the 2021 verdict, Kosiah was found guilty of a slew of war crimes committed as commander of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO) rebel group. He ordered or participated in the killing of 17 civilians and two unarmed soldiers, as well as rape, and deploying a child soldier, the court ruled. He had also ordered lootings and repeatedly ordered, or had himself inflicted, cruel and humiliating treatment of civilians, and mishandled corpses, according to that verdict. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison the maximum sentence possible in Switzerland at the time the crimes were committed. If the appeals court finds him guilty of crimes against humanity, he could in theory face a life sentence. The revised charges presented during the appeal emphasised that most of the crimes were part of a generalized and systematic attack on civilians, justifying the crimes against humanity charge. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. UNO Digital Bank and 1Sari Financing Corporation partnered to help 1.3 million sari-sari store owners get access to secure, reliable, and affordable loan services (L-R) Francis Eric T. Chao, Co-founder & Chief Sari Officer; Dindo T. Velasquez, Co-founder, and Chief Finance & Risk Officer, 1Sari Financing Corporation; John Gilbert Madarang, Co-founder and President, 1Sari Financing Corporation; Manish Bhai, Founder, President, and CEO, UNO Digital Bank; Amit Molhatra, Chief Business Officer, UNO Digital Bank; and Mr. Manny Ocampo, Managing Director, Investment Capital Corporation of the Phils. In the Philippines sachet economy, there are 1.3 million sari-sari stores patronized by 94% of the population. Despite these numbers, many of these sari-sari stores struggle and find it hard to grow their business because of lack of capital. To address this problem, UNO Digital Bank has partnered with 1Sari Financing Corporation to help sari-sari store owners expand and have a more sustainable business. UNO Digital Bank is one of the six digital banks licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), while 1Sari Financing Corporation provides support to MSME business owners primarily sari-sari store owners, and owners of other retail stores such as groceries and supermarkets. SMEs are a major driver of the Philippine economy. This partnership with 1Sari will help us drive credit inclusion for this very important segment. This is a good starting point for UNO Digital Bank in making Lending simpler and more accessible. We would like to offer loans both to the salaried class and self-employed through a combination of general-purpose loans, inventory, financing loans and working capital loans. This partnership with 1Sari Financing Corporation is just the start of our focus towards inventory financing, Manish Bhai, UNO Digital Bank CEO and Founder. This partnership will give us a boost in providing loans to interested applicants. We are hopeful that with this, more and more sari-sari store owners will be able to expand and grow their business, John Madarang, Co-founder, and President of 1Sari Financing Corporation said. The potential for the sari-sari stores growth is also supported by data stating that they transact 70% of all manufactured goods in the country. Sari-sari stores are primarily cash-based businesses. They manage their cash flow on a day-by-day basis, which can limit their potential earnings. Therefore, loan access is crucial for these business owners. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) 2021 Financial Inclusion Study states that 57% of Filipinos still obtain loans through informal credit, mainly from relatives and informal loan providers. Rigid documentary requirements and the difficulty of the application process are two major reasons why borrowers choose not to apply for a loan from formal financial institutions, says the study. UNO Digital Bank, a full-spectrum credit-led digital bank, aims to reduce informal lending practice by increasing loan access to more Filipinos. Today, only 11% of Filipinos borrow from the formal sector (Financial Institutions and Banks). We want to take that number up. We believe credit inclusion is a very important part of financial empowerment, Manish Bhai said. UNO Digital Bank wants to promote responsible lending. Aside from this partnership with 1Sari, UNO is also working with Proxtera in their SME Financial Education Program. UNO is sponsoring the certification courses of 10,000 SMEs and those who successfully complete the program can avail themselves of accelerated onboarding and other exclusive offers from UNO. Through the use of proprietary algorithms, UNO can also make loan offers directly to those who currently only borrow from the informal sector. This is a prime example of using technology for good. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Heres what happened locally on June 1 over the past century, as reported in this newspaper, which went from being called the Henry Bulletin to the Daily Bulletin to the Martinsville Bulletin: 100 years ago: Final action was taken by acting Mayor J.W. Booker, Jr. Tuesday evening in disposing of the charge against Clyde Self for assaulting Dr. C.P. Smith on Thursday evening of last week. The acting Mayor had previously announced that it was his purpose on further consideration, to reverse his judgment at the first hearing. The Clyde Self case was disposed of by a fine of $25. 75 years ago: Spero Koumpas, proprietor of the Coney Island Lunch, has received information from Greece that his sister, who was believed to have been killed by Communists, is still alive. In a letter received recently by Koumpas, it was said that his sister escaped death by hiding in a cave for about two weeks. She is a resident of a village about five miles from Karpensisia, the former home of Koumpas, in northern Greece. 50 years ago: Martinsville city officials denied today reports that they plan to challenge in court the constitutionality of the state-imposed moratorium on annexation. However, a reliable government official said the city definitely had plans to make a test case out of annexation proceedings that would bring a sizable piece of land on Figsboro Road within the city limits. 25 years ago: Martinsville school nurses Carolyn Carr and Vicky Utt know a little something about the magic of stickers. Place a Great Checkup sticker on a 6-year-old, and watch as a gap-toothed smile appears. Give a preschool student a Snoopy Band-Aid, and hear the laughter that ensues. Carr and Utt have handed out hundreds of stickers to the 243 students who have gone to them for physical examinations this year as Project Health Net. An elderly Henry County man was found alive after an all-night search Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Mason McCarty Preston, 89, of 1579 Evergreen Drive in Spencer, was found around 7 a.m. Thursday morning after rescue workers and neighbors combed the woods throughout the night. He was located early this morning, approximately 200 yards from his home, Col. Wayne Davis, chief deputy with the Henry County Sheriffs Office said Thursday morning. He was transported to SOVAH Health in Martinsville for treatment. The Henry County Sheriffs Office received a call about Preston being missing at 9:36 p.m. on Wednesday. After deputies were unable to locate Preston during the initial search, additional manpower was called to assist and the search was expanded, a release stated. Members of the Henry County Department of Public Safety, Virginia State Police, Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office, Virginia Department of Energy Management and residents in the neighborhood divided into teams and began searching the area, the release stated. Preston was found lying in a creek in a heavily wooded area, but was conscious and alert, the release stated. The National Elections Commission (CNE) of Guinea-Bissau is still awaiting the availability of part of the funding promised by ECOWAS for Sundays parliamentary elections, said Wednesday the spokeswoman, who assured that the holding of elections is not in question. Speaking to journalists at the CNE headquarters after a meeting with Alberto Carlos, chief observer of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), Felisberta Moura Vaz said that 300 million CFA francs (457,000 euros) are at stake to finance the electoral operation. We are prepared for the vote on the 4th, although we are waiting for the financial part that ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] will transfer to us, she said, adding that this will not jeopardize the vote on Sunday. The spokeswoman added that this amount is intended to finance the electoral operation, namely to pay the people who are going to work in the field and reiterated that the logistics are ensured so that the electoral schedule can be fulfilled. The head of the CPLP mission also referred to the financial constraints, but said he had been told by the CNE that there are organizations that are already ready to finance the missing amount. Questioned about whether the holding of the elections is at stake, the Timorese ambassador said that he has no information to that effect. We have had several meetings and so far we have not felt that, but we are positive about holding this election, he said. Nearly 900,000 voters are registered to vote in Sundays legislative elections, in which 20 parties and two coalitions are running. The electoral campaign ends on Friday. The Sudanese army on Wednesday suspended negotiations under the aegis of the United States and Saudi Arabia on a truce intended to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to the famine-threatened country, accusing the paramilitaries of failing to respect their commitments. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhanes army and General Mohamed Hamdane Daglos Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, who have been at war in Sudan since April 15, have regularly committed to truces that have never been respected. The latest truce began on May 22 and was extended for five days on Monday. But even on Tuesday, fighting raged in Khartoum and in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The war has already claimed more than 1,800 lives, according to the NGO ACLED. On Wednesday, the army suspended its participation in the negotiations taking place in Saudi Arabia, a Sudanese government official announced on condition of anonymity. The army, represented in Jeddah by figures known for their hard line against the RSF, took this decision because the rebels have never implemented one of the points of the temporary truce agreement, which provides for their withdrawal from hospitals and homes, he explained. The army is ready to fight until victory, said General Burhane on Tuesday, visiting his troops in Khartoum. 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: Brandon Jutras and Kathryn Hayes found new candidates for the treatment of syphilis with several being more effective than the current treatment options. Photo by Max Esterhuizen for Virginia Tech. Credit: Virginia Tech Since 2000, sexually transmitted infection rates have been on the rise. Syphilis, a disease that was nearly eradicated in the United States at that time, now affects more than 18 million people worldwide each year with few options for effective treatment. One challenge that has plagued syphilis researchers for decades was the inability to culture and study the disease-causing agent in a laboratory setting. "The incredible efforts of our colleagues and collaborators produced a faithful system to propagate the disease-causing agent in vitro, or in a laboratory setting. Being able to culture the bacterium opens new doors in terms of understanding it in terms of how it causes disease, ways we can prevent infection, and in efforts in which we may be able to intervene," said Brandon Jutras, the principal investigator of the project, an assistant professor of biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and affiliated faculty of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute and the Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens. Virginia Tech researchers set out to determine if there were possible treatment options that could serve as an alternative for the millions of people impacted by the disease each year. What the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences researchers discovered exceeded all expectations. Not only did they find another treatment option to benzathine penicillin G, but they found two antimicrobial agents that were more effective in treating the disease-causing agent Treponema pallidum in a laboratory setting. The research was published today in npj Antimicrobials and Resistance. These drugs are already approved by the Food and Drug Administration, so they are safe for humans, which could accelerate the rollout. "It's a disease for which we have very few therapeutic options," said Kathryn Hayes, the lead author and Ph.D. candidate in Virginia Tech's Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health program. "We were able to do the first large-scale drug screen for syphilis treatment alternatives, efforts that would not have been possible without an in vitro culture system." Now, hear directly from the researchers on their project: What inspired you to carry out this research? Hayes: I have a huge passion for sexual health and a nerdy interest in infectious diseases. This research allowed me to combine these two interests as syphilis is a disease that has been around for centuries but little is known about it due to the difficulty of growing the bacteria in a lab setting. Having more data and research on the disease is a pressing clinical need. What spurred your interest in sexual health? Hayes: My own queer identity and how disproportionally impacted the queer community is by sexually transmitted diseases motivated me. The other is the stigma around sexually transmitted infections [STIs]. People will talk about how they have the flu, or even COVID-19, but no one will say they have syphilis. Education, or lack thereof, around sexual health, particularly STIs, has impacted how people talk about it and has continued to reinforce the importance of this research. The research team of Kathryn Hayes and Brandon Jutras found two antimicrobial agents that were more effective in treating the syphilis disease-causing agent Treponema pallidum in a laboratory setting. Photo by Max Esterhuizen for Virginia Tech. A year and 100 days: Can you describe the process you used to culture syphilis? Hayes: The reason it is so hard is that the bacteria require very strict microaerophilic conditionsa low oxygen environmentwhich, in this case, means exactly 1.5 percent oxygen. We have an incubator that uses nitrogen to force out the excess oxygen so it keeps that exact percentage. The day before I culture, I take a supportive mammalian cell line and put it onto traditional plates, because they still need a co-culture to support growth. I have to make fresh media for the culture myself. We have a few components that I make quarterly, and then every week I have to combine 12 ingredients to make the media, which then have to equilibrate overnight in our special incubator. On average it was a two-hour prep the day before at minimum and then anywhere from like three to seven hours the day of depending on the number of bacteria I'm working with in that culture. As of last week, it has been a year and 100 days of culturing. How did you conduct the drug screening? Jutras: We started with nearly 100 antibiotics of a particular class, and two tetracyclines, which are in a different class of antibiotic, used as a cross-comparison. We incubated the bacteria with the antibiotics at an extraordinarily low concentration (five nanomolar) to get an initial reading of how effective they were at preventing growth. From there, we took our top 25 percent of compounds and retested them to ensure that our analytical methods were accurate. The top 10 percent were further investigated using sophisticated microscopy techniques in conjunction with antibiotic treatment. In essence, we could watch these compounds in action In addition, we determined their minimum inhibitory concentrations, and that's where we further confirmed that new candidates Azlocillin and Mezlocillin were more effective than our current standard of care, in vitro. This research could have major implications. What's next in the process for you? Jutras: This project was a big risk. Addie could spend all this time and perform all this incredible research just to have discovered that nothing worked better than benzathine penicillin G. The surprising thing is that she found multiple options that work better. Hayes: I want to look at modeling how these antibiotics are affecting bacteria. So, looking at protein drug interaction and how those interactions affect overall drug efficacy. I think that's a very interesting mechanistic step because once you understand what's happening to the bacteria on a molecular level, you can synthesize compounds that are very similar, but slightly different, to create more effective treatments. 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: Test in the Bletterbach Gorge (South Tyrol, Italy). Credit: Eurac Research/Annelie Bortolotti Eurac Research and Mountain Rescue South Tyrol tested the use of drones to locate and rescue accident victims in Bletterbach Gorge. The results are in, drones save valuable time and increase safety for rescue services in inaccessible areas. The Eurac Research-led team simulated 24 missions at different locations in the Bletterbach Gorge. Locations were chosen where, according to reports from the South Tyrolean Mountain Rescue, accidents have actually occurred in the past decade. From traumatic injuries such as fractures and dislocations to bruises, the conditions in the gorge are ideal for testing the use of drones in locating and providing first aid to injured people in difficult-to-access terrain. Emergency physician at Eurac Research Michiel van Veelen explains: "It is particularly difficult to locate injured people here. Cell phones don't have reception and the area is difficult to access." The tests The tests compared response times with and without the drones and at the same time, recorded the rescue teams' vital functions such as heart and respiratory rates, skin temperature and ECG curves. "The data provides information about the stress everyone is exposed to," explains Giacomo Strapazzon, director of Eurac Research's Institute for Mountain Emergency Medicine. 'We want to know if drone-assisted rescue operations actually give the people involved a greater sense of efficiency and safety." For this evaluation, rescuers had to fill out a questionnaire before and after the operation. In addition to the camera, the drones can also carry small packages containing radios, thermal blankets, personal protective equipment and first aid supplies which are delivered near the accident scene. Giacomo Strapazzon points out the main advantages of using a drone: a fast location of the accident site and the use of telemedicine. In fact, once the package has arrived in the vicinity of the injured person, first responders can already begin rescue thanks to the instructions they receive via radio from 112 personnel. Tests in the Bletterbach Gorge (South Tyrol, Italy). Credit: Eurac Research/Annelie Bortolotti The results of the study are now available as a publication in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. After evaluation, the following data was discerned in drone-supported missions there was a reduction of 30% in the time needed to locate the casualty. The average time needed to begin treatment was also reduced by an average of 30 % thanks to the drones. This was especially true for cases of traumatic injuries and cardiac arrest, where time gained can be critical to survival. In bad weather However, drones are not always infallible, and this was shown by the 4 missions that failed due to technical problems. Because of this, electronic engineers have also been involved in the project with the aim of further developing drone sensor technology to locate victims more quickly in bad or adverse weather conditions. In a recently approved follow-up project, emergency physicians and electrical engineers from Eurac Research are collaborating with the NOI Techpark-based start-up MAVTech to develop a first aid drone for cases of cardiac arrest in mountainous areas. For this purpose, these drones are equipped with a defibrillator that can be easily handled by anyone. In Stockholm, such drones have already been successfully tested in the city, says Michiel van Veelen. "In the case of cardiac arrest, going from life to death is just a matter of minutes, and in South Tyrol there are an average of 50 cardiac arrests a year in hard-to-reach areas," van Veelen further explains. All the data (including timing) for several previous cardiac arrest rescue missions which actually occurred in mountainous areas is available and with this information, re-enactments with a drone are taking place for the follow-up project. In order to equip these airborne rescue technologies for all weather conditions, the MAVTech company drones were exposed to extreme conditions in the terraXcube and adapted accordingly, making it possible for them to be used even in adverse weather conditions in the future. More information: Michiel Jan van Veelen et al, Drones reduce the treatment-free interval in search and rescue operations with telemedical supportA randomized controlled trial, The American Journal of Emergency Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.01.020 Journal information: American Journal of Emergency Medicine Provided by Eurac Research 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: Proportion of respondents in each age group with positive responses, as a percentage of those with positive or negative experience.# #The number of missing or uninformative responses excluded from calculation was: Q1=660 (17.0%); Q2=77 (2.0%); Q3=195 (5.0%); Q5=107 (2.8%); Q6=83 (2.1%); Q7=65 (1.7%); Q8=249 (6.4%); Q9=80 (2.1%); Q10=22 (0.6%); Q11=623 (16.0%). *Overall 2<0.0001, Mantel-Haenszel 2<0.0001. **Overall 2=0.36, Mantel-Haenszel 2=0.35. Credit: BMJ Open Gastroenterology (2023). DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2022-001066 A new study has found that bowel cancer patients under 50 often experience delays in diagnosis, despite rates of bowel cancer markedly increasing in this group in recent decades. Despite the rate of bowel cancer almost tripling in young Australians aged 15-24, and one in 10 new bowel cancer cases occurring in people under 50, new research shows that younger patients take longer to get diagnosed, and are more often diagnosed at a later stage in the disease. Research published in the BMJ Open and BMC Primary Care by a team headed by Dr. Klay Lamprell, from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation at Macquarie University, is the first to investigate advice from people with early-onset bowel cancer on managing health service barriers to diagnosis. "Our research found that some younger people spent between three months and five years seeing multiple doctors, some making ten or more visits to their GP before they were diagnosed," says Dr. Lamprell. She says that because bowel cancer typically affects people aged over 50, doctors may shape their diagnostic practices around low suspicion of bowel cancer even when symptoms are ongoing and worsening in younger patients, despite bowel cancer rates climbing by 266 percent in 15 to 24 year olds over the past 30 years. Since 2006, Australia's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program has mailed a free test every two years to all Australians aged 50 to 74, reducing bowel cancer mortality by an estimated 40 percent and leading to far earlier diagnoses. Australians aged under 50 years are not included in regular, free bowel cancer screening programs so timely diagnosis is dependent on those people seeking help for symptoms but that is only part of the story, says Dr. Lamprell. Patient stories Dr. Lamprell and her colleagues explored 273 different self-reported patient stories about their diagnoses, and their perceptions of heath service factors that delay diagnosis, via bowel cancer support group websites in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. "Overwhelmingly, people who experienced delayed diagnoses expressed frustration and a sense of not being heard, or reported disagreement with their doctors over symptom seriousness," says Dr. Lamprell. "Most of these patient stories contained a plea, to other patients, health systems and doctors, to understand what they had gone through to get a diagnosisand more than half also gave advice to other people about how important it is to self-advocate, by clearly communicating concerns, asking for cancer screening, seeking second opinions and being involved decision-making." Dr. Lamprell points out that patients may not have grasped the systematic processes that GPs need to go through to provide the best care"which includes not jumping to a diagnosis of cancer straight away, there's a number of other investigations to rule out far more common explanations, which have to occur first." This approach is especially relevant when patients present with broad symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea, fluctuating bowel habits, anemia and fatigue, though research is indicating that these may be symptoms of bowel cancer in younger people in early stages of the disease, she says. However, because younger patients still make up the minority of people with bowel cancer, even when there are red-flag symptoms such as blood in stools, or rectal bleeding, other conditions are more likely to be explored, she says. "Patients experiencing blood in their poo who were otherwise healthy reported being investigated and treated repeatedly for hemorrhoids or gynecological conditions," she says. Time constraints in consultations, and a lack of understanding around doctors' obligations to provide value-based care potentially contributed to patients' negative experiences, Dr. Lamprell says. "Young people who experienced delays in diagnostic pathways due to doctors' ongoing low suspicion of cancer perceived an age bias impacted diagnostic decision-making." "Shared decision-making and clear communication about the reasons for diagnostic decisions may have resolved some of the frustrations expressed by patients who felt that they were not being heard by their doctors," says Dr. Lamprell. Positive diagnostic experiences In a complementary study, the researchers also analyzed the experiences of 3889 people in the English National Cancer Patient Experience Survey and found that older patients were 10 to 15 percent more likely to report positive experiences than people aged under 55, suggesting there is likely room to improve the experiences of younger patients. Dr. Gaston Arnolda, an epidemiologist and Senior Research Fellow at Macquarie University who co-authored the research, said that more recent clinical guidelines, such as the revised Australian clinical practice guidelines in 2018, have provided much clearer guidance on management of younger patients. "While bowel cancer is still very rare in younger patients, one in ten new bowel cancer cases are now occurring in people under age 50, and this proportion is steadily increasingly." Dr. Arnolda adds that because older people make up the majority of bowel cancer patients, communication and information packages may be less likely to address the concerns of a younger group, such as how treatment might impact fertility. Call for screening With health authorities worldwide seeing a rise in early-onset bowel cancer, Dr. Arnolda says that there are conversations underway around increasing population-wide screening to occur from age 45. This reduction in age threshold has been recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force, and has been found to be cost-effective in Australia, but is not currently underway. "Up to half of bowel cancer is preventable, with screening a key element of preventive care, so steps are needed to support GPs to improve the screening participation rate of over-50's," says Dr. Arnolda. "With screening not available for under 50's, GPs also need support to improve the diagnostic experiences of symptomatic patients under 50, for example, by improving the speed of access to colonoscopy for those with red flag symptoms," he says. There's good reason to be concerned about the increase in early-onset bowel cancer and delays in diagnosis, says Dr. Lamprell. "Younger people are more likely to be diagnosed in later stages of the disease, and when a diagnosis is delayed, there's more opportunity for cancer to advance or spread, which can affect survival rates," she says. "Bowel cancer detected in its early stages has a very high chance of survival, but delayed diagnosis increases the risk of aggressive surgeries and treatments, at a time when younger people are establishing relationships, raising families and building careers," she says. "Timely diagnosis is crucial to this fast-growing patient population." More information: Syeda Somyyah Owais et al, Age-related experiences of colorectal cancer diagnosis: a secondary analysis of the English National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, BMJ Open Gastroenterology (2023). DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2022-001066 Klay Lamprell et al, People with early-onset colorectal cancer describe primary care barriers to timely diagnosis: a mixed-methods study of web-based patient reports in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, BMC Primary Care (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-01967-0 Journal information: BMJ Open 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 hippocampus is a region of the brain largely responsible for memory formation. Credit: Salk Institute While it's known that sleep plays a crucial role in strengthening memory, scientists are still trying to decode how this process plays out in the brain overnight. New research led by scientists at UCLA Health and Tel Aviv University provides the first physiological evidence from inside the human brain supporting the dominant scientific theory on how the brain consolidates memory during sleep. Further, the researchers found that targeted deep-brain stimulation during a critical time in the sleep cycle appeared to improve memory consolidation. The research, published June 1 in Nature Neuroscience, could offer new clues for how deep-brain stimulation during sleep could one day help patients with memory disorders like Alzheimer's disease, said study co-author Itzhak Fried, MD, Ph.D. This was achieved by a novel "closed-loop" system that delivered electrical pulses in one brain region precisely synchronized to brain activity recorded from another region. According to the dominant theory for how the brain converts new information into long-term memories during sleep, there's an overnight dialogue between the hippocampusthe brain's memory huband the cerebral cortex, which is associated with higher brain functions like reasoning and planning. This occurs during a phase of deep sleep, when brain waves are especially slow and neurons across brain regions alternate between rapidly firing in sync and silence. "This provides the first major evidence down to the level of single neurons that there is indeed this mechanism of interaction between the memory hub and the entire cortex," said Fried, the director of epilepsy surgery at UCLA Health and professor of neurosurgery, psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "It has both scientific value in terms of understanding how memory works in humans and using that knowledge to really boost memory." The researchers had a unique opportunity to test this theory of memory consolidation via electrodes in the brains of 18 epilepsy patients at UCLA Health. The electrodes had been implanted in the patients' brains to help identify the source of their seizures during hospital stays typically lasting around 10 days. The study was conducted across two nights and mornings. Just before bedtime, study participants were shown photo pairings of animals and 25 celebrities, including easily identifiable stars like Marilyn Monroe and Jack Nicholson. They were immediately tested on their ability to recall which celebrity was paired with which animal, and they were tested again in the morning after a night of undisturbed sleep. On another night, they were shown 25 new animal and celebrity pairings before bedtime. This time, they received targeted electrical stimulation overnight, and their ability recall the pairings was tested in the morning. To deliver this electrical stimulation, the researchers had created a real-time closed-loop system that Fried likened to a musical conductor: The system "listened" to brain's electrical signals, and when patients fell into the period of deep sleep associated with memory consolidation, it delivered gentle electrical pulses instructing the rapidly firing neurons to "play" in sync. Each individual tested performed better on memory tests following a night of sleep with the electrical stimulation compared to a night of undisturbed sleep. Key electrophysiological markers also indicated that information was flowing between the hippocampus and throughout the cortex, providing physical evidence supporting of memory consolidation. "We found we basically enhanced this highway by which information flows to more permanent storage places in the brain," Fried said. Fried in 2012 authored a New England Journal of Medicine study that for the first time showed that electrical stimulation can strengthen memory, and his work has continued to explore how deep brain stimulation could improve memory, now moving into the critical stage of sleep. He also plans to study whether artificial intelligence can help pinpoint and strengthen specific memories in the brain. "In our new study, we showed we can enhance memory in general," Fried said. "Our next challenge is whether we have the ability to modulate specific memories." Yuval Nir of Tel Aviv University co-supervised the study with Fried. Other authors include lead author Maya Geva-Sagiv, as well as Emily Mankin, Dawn Eliashiv, Natalie Cherry, Guldamla Kalender and Natalia Tchemodanov from UCLA, and Shdema Epstein from Tel-Aviv University. Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. David Kolata, of the Citizens Utility Board, answers questions from the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board in 2016. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune) Empowered by the end of a 10-year legislative surcharge for the pipeline replacement program, the Citizens Utility Board is working to cut more than $110 million from a record Peoples Gas rate hike request, which is pending before state regulators. Targeting everything from the mismanaged pipeline project to high residential heating costs, the consumer watchdog group recommended slashing $63 million from the proposal, with the Illinois attorney generals office expected to seek $49 million in additional reductions. Advertisement Peoples Gas customers have been suffering for years under rapidly rising bills, as the company rakes in record profits, David Kolata, CUBs executive director, said in a news release Thursday. This rate hike is unjust and unreasonable, and we urge state regulators to hold the utility accountable. Peoples Gas filed for the $402 million rate increase in January with the Illinois Commerce Commission. If approved, it would add $11.83 per month to the average residential customer bill beginning next January. The rate request includes $207 million to continue the pipeline replacement program, which is set to lose funding at the end of the year. Advertisement Last month, CUB submitted testimony to the ICC from energy consultants Brubaker & Associates that challenged Peoples request for a 10% return on equity for shareholders, arguing for a more reasonable 9.5% profit rate, which would reduce the proposed increase by $14 million. In addition, CUB seeks to reduce the cost for financing infrastructure projects by $18 million. The watchdog group also argued against bonuses for Peoples Gas executives tied to shareholder return. That would cut the proposed rate hike by another $9 million. Its unfortunate that CUB continues to make incorrect claims, Peoples Gas spokesperson David Schwartz said in a statement Thursday. If approved by state regulators, our request is not expected to increase the typical customers bills from last year. With natural gas prices falling, bills are expected to stay largely flat as new rates take effect in 2024. Peoples Gas has more than 884,000 customers in Chicago and its co-owned North Shore Gas has about 164,000 customers in the north suburbs. The utilities were acquired by Milwaukee-based WEC Energy Group in 2015. While Peoples has legislative approval to automatically charge customers $15 per month to fund the pipeline program through December, CUB said customers currently pay about $50 per month in fixed costs before using any gas making it hard for a large number of Chicago residents to afford their heating bills. In April, more than 1 in 5 Peoples Gas customers were more than 30 days behind on bills totaling $134 million, CUB said. Speaking at a City Hall news conference Thursday, Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin said the proposed Peoples Gas rate increase would hurt Chicago residents who could least afford it. At the same time that they are bringing in record profits, lets take a closer look at who will bear this burden, Conyears-Ervin said. The working people of Chicago, people of color, who struggle already to make ends meet. Advertisement It is the first rate increase request for Peoples since 2014, when the utility was granted legislative approval to fund its massive pipeline replacement program and pass costs along to customers for 10 years. Launched in 2011, the System Modernization Program to replace 2,000 miles of aging iron pipes below Chicago streets was plagued from the outset by delays and budget overruns. More than a decade later, the pipeline replacement program is 36% complete, and Peoples Gas says it will take until 2040 and cost about $8 billion to finish. It was originally projected to cost $2.6 billion and take 20 years to complete. Consumer watchdog groups have been advocating for several years to end the built-in surcharge, putting Peoples spending under more regulatory scrutiny and forcing the utility to get infrastructure improvements approved through traditional rate cases. Last week, CUB filed testimony with the ICC seeking to reduce ComEds proposed four-year, $1.47 billion rate increase by more than 60%. rchannick@chicagotribune.com 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) recently discovered that extremely thorough "deep sequencing" of the genome in tissue samples and cell-free DNA of patients with potentially life-threatening vascular anomalies captured several genetic variants related to disease that were not captured with conventional genetic sequencing methods. More than 60% of patients saw an improvement in their condition after being placed on targeted therapies related to these newly found genetic variants. The findings were published June 1, 2023, in the journal Nature Medicine. Vascular anomalies describe a variety of conditions that affect the veins, arteries and lymphatic system that can be classified as either vascular tumors (benign or malignant) or vascular malformations. While certain vascular anomalies naturally resolve over time, others can cause visible deformities, impede critical organ functions such as swallowing or breathing, or cause severe pain. Some vascular anomalies can even be life-threatening. In a prior study also published in Nature Medicine, CHOP researchers were the first to discover a genetic variant that was responsible for a vascular anomaly affecting the lymphatic system, which allowed the clinical team to repurpose an existing drug to treat a patient that improved his breathing capacity and dramatically reduced swelling of his legs, side effects of his condition. The research team suspected that other patients affected by vascular anomalies might also have mutations driving diseases that would benefit from targeted therapies. However, a lack of access to affected tissue samples or insufficient genomic sequencing information meant that the gene variants responsible for these issues may not be captured by conventional genetic testing. "While some patients have inherited variants that you can find in a blood sample, about 90% of patients with vascular anomalies have acquired somatic mutations, or mutations that are not inherited, which are usually present in very low frequencies and only in certain cell or tissue types," said senior study author Hakon Hakonarson, MD, Ph.D., director of the Center for Applied Genomics and co-principal investigator of the Comprehensive Vascular Anomalies Frontier Program at CHOP. "In many cases, the disease-causing variant in the mutated gene of interest is present in frequencies of less than 1%, which makes them hard to detect with conventional sequencing approaches." To better capture the underlying genetics behind these more severe vascular anomalies, researchers studied DNA from CD31+ cells or cell-free DNA isolated from lymphatic fluid or plasma from a cohort of 356 patients, including 104 with primary complex lymphatic anomalies. The isolated DNA underwent deep sequencing, which involves repeatedly sequencing certain areas of interest in the genome several times, and uncovered several somatic variants that were identified for the first time. This deep sequencing achieved a variant allele frequency of 0.15%, meaning that deep sequencing could detect variants that had a frequency as low as 0.15% in a particular specimen. By identifying these variants, the researchers and clinical team were able to provide a molecular diagnosis, including previously undescribed genetic causes, in 41% of patients with primary complex lymphatic anomalies and 72% of patients with vascular malformations. As a result, 69 patients received or planned to receive a new medical therapy, and 63% of patients experienced marked improvement in their symptoms. "The ability to link a patient's phenotype to the causative genotype of the vascular anomaly has been critical for patients," said study author Denise Adams, MD, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and Director of the Comprehensive Vascular Anomalies Program at CHOP. "This has enabled treatment with directed medical therapy that has significantly improved the quality of life of our patients. We are fortunate to work with a wonderful interdisciplinary team that has helped to move this forward for our patients." "Importantly, our study comprehensively demonstrated the bedside to bench and back approachfrom the molecular studies that found the low allele frequency variants to the functional studies in organoids and zebrafish that ultimately benefited the patients by directing medical therapy," said study co-leader Sarah Sheppard, MD, Ph.D., a tenure track investigator at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and clinical geneticist for the Comprehensive Vascular Anomalies Program at CHOP. "Our findings pave the way for future applications of cfDNA technology to be an innovative, non-invasive molecular diagnostic for all patients with vascular anomalies," said study co-leader Dong Li, Ph.D., an assistant professor within the Center for Applied Genomics at CHOP. "We believe the time is right to transform the understanding of these complex diseases and identify and test new therapies for these life-threatening and life-altering conditions." More information: Li, Sheppard et al, Genomic profiling informs diagnoses and treatment in vascular anomalies, Nature Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02364-x Journal information: Nature Medicine 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: INESC Brussels HUB A new study presents an innovative approach to the crucial detection of pre-cancerous lesions using large, high-res images. A team of researchers from Portugal developed a machine learning solution that assists pathologists in the detection of cervical dysplasia, making the diagnosis of new samples completely automatic. It's one of the first published works to use full slides. Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer among women, with an estimated 604,000 new cases in 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, it is also among the most successfully preventable and treatable types of cancer, provided it is early identified and properly managed. Hence, screening and detection of precancerous lesions (and vaccination) are crucial to prevent the disease. But what if we could develop machine learning models to help the subjective classification of lesions in the squamous epitheliumthe type of epithelium that has protective functions against microorganismsusing wholeslide images (WSI) containing information from the entire tissue. In this sense, a team of researchers from the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) and from the molecular and anatomic pathology laboratory IMP Diagnostics, in Portugal, developed a weaklysupervised methodologya machine learning technique that combines annotated and non-annotated data during model trainingto grade cervical dysplasia. This is particularly useful, given that pathology data annotations are difficult to obtain: the images are huge, which makes the annotation process very time-consuming and tedious, in addition to its high subjectivity. This type of technique allows researchers to develop models with good performance, even with some missing information during the model training phase. The model will then grade cervical dysplasia, the abnormal growth of cells on the surface, as low (LSIL) or high-grade intraepithelial squamous lesions (HSIL). "In the detection of cervical dysplasia, this was one of the first published works that use the full slides, following an approach that includes the segmentation and subsequent classification of the areas of interest, making the diagnosis of new samples completely automatic," explained Sara Oliveira, a researcher at INESC TEC. This process of classification is complex and can be subjective. Therefore, the development of machine learning models can assist pathologists in this task; moreover, computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) plays an important role: these systems can serve as a first indication of suspicious cases, alerting pathologists to cases that should be more closely evaluated. Sara Oliveira reinforced that even the development of CAD systems for decision support in digital pathology is far from being completely solved. "In fact, computational pathology is still a relatively recent area, with many challenges to solve, so that machine learning models can effectively approach clinical applicability," she mentioned. There's also a compromise at play in using WSI, and the most common approaches focus on the manual clipping of smaller areas of the slides. WSI are usually large, high-resolution images (often larger than 50,000 50,000 pixels); therefore, they're not easily adaptable to the graphics processing units (GPU) used to train deep learning models. "Despite promising results, the fact that these approaches require manual selection of the areas to be classified, focusing only on small regions (taking into account the size of the slide), makes them more fragile from an implementation point of view," said the researcher. Training the segmentation model The framework comprises an epithelium segmentation step followed by a dysplasia classifier (nonneoplastic, LSIL, HSIL), making the slide assessment completely automatic, without the need for manual identification of epithelial areas. "The proposed classification approach achieved a balanced accuracy of 71.07% and sensitivity of 72.18%, at the slidelevel testing on 600 independent samples," clarified the lead author of the study. To train the segmentation model, the researchers used all the annotated slides (186), with a total of 312 tissue fragments. The results show that "only very rarely does the model fail to recognize a large part of the epithelium or misidentify a significant area." After the first step of segmentation, the researchers used the identified ROIs to focus on for the classification, allowing the use of non-annotated WSI for training, and the automatic diagnosis of unseen cases. Then, the classifier can diagnose the dysplasia grade from tiles of those areas. This solution used 383 annotated epithelial regions to train the classification model, divided into training and validation sets. The researchers tested different models and, after choosing the best one, in an attempt to leverage the classification learning task, they re-trained the version by adding some individual labeled tiles to the training set (263). By combining the selected tile of each epithelium area, that only has the label of the correspondent bag, with tiles that have a particular label associated, the tile selection process was improved. Finally, to take advantage of the complete dataset, the team re-trained the model by adding bags of tiles from the non-annotated slides (1198). The lead researcher of the paper reinforces that future work could aim to refine both parts of the model (segmentation and classification), as well as evaluate a fully integrated approach. The test set of 600 samples, used in the current study, was selected from the IMP Diagnostics dataset and is available "upon reasonable request." "At IMP Diagnostics we are invested in improving cervical cancer diagnosis and, thus, women's health. This tool is a step closer to a more efficient detection of pre-malignant lesions," concludes Diana Montezuma Felizardo, Pathologist and Head of R&D at the IMP Diagnostics. The findings are published in the journal Scientific Reports. More information: Sara P. Oliveira et al, A CAD system for automatic dysplasia grading on H&E cervical whole-slide images, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30497-z Journal information: Scientific Reports Provided by INESC Brussels HUB 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2023 annual meeting has found that objectively measured short sleep duration partially moderates the association between impulsivity and mature-rated media usage in early adolescents. The research abstract was published recently in SLEEP and will be presented Tuesday, June 6, during SLEEP 2023 in Indianapolis. Results show that higher impulsivity was predictive for more R-rated movie watching, and shorter sleep duration was predictive for more mature video gaming and R-rated movie watching one year later. Only 19% of participants slept more than 8 hours on average. Structural equation modeling found that sleep duration moderates the association between impulsivity and R-rated movie watching after controlling for bedtime screen use, parental monitoring, and demographic covariates. "We found that impulsive adolescents with shorter sleep duration are more likely to be exposed to R-rated content," said lead author Linhao Zhang, who is a doctoral student in the department of human development and family science at the University of Georgia in Athens. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health. Teens should sleep 8 to 10 hours on a regular basis. The three-year longitudinal study involved 2,757 early adolescents between the ages of 9 and 13 years; 50.7% were male. Their average age at the three-year follow-up was 12.9 years. Participants wore a Fitbit watch for at least seven days at the two-year follow-up to provide an objective estimate of sleep duration. They completed a questionnaire about impulsivity at the two-year follow-up, and questionnaires about R-rated movie watching and mature video gaming at both the two-year and three-year follow-up. According to the authors, exposure to mature-rated media in youth is associated with decreased empathy and aggressive behaviors later in life. Shorter sleep duration is associated with decreased emotional regulation and attention span, making it a potential target to improve mental health, mood, and behavior in teens. "Our results show that sleep duration may be a modifiable factor for prevention and intervention efforts, especially in adolescents at higher risk for excessive mature-rated media usage," said Zhang. The study involved a collaboration between research teams at the University of Georgialed by Assaf Oshri, who has a doctorate in developmental psychologyand SRI International, led by postdoctoral fellow Orsolya Kiss. More information: Linhao Zhang et al, 0214 Sleep Duration Moderates The Link Between Youth Impulsivity And Mature-Rated Media Usage One Year Later, SLEEP (2023). DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad077.0214 Journal information: Sleep 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The federal government is reconsidering a decision that breast cancer patients, plastic surgeons, and members of Congress have protested would limit women's options for reconstructive surgery. On June 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans to reexamine how doctors are paid for a type of breast reconstruction known as DIEP flap, in which skin, fat, and blood vessels are harvested from a woman's abdomen to create a new breast. The procedure offers potential advantages over implants and operations that take muscle from the abdomen. But it's also more expensive. If patients go outside an insurance network for the operation, it can cost more than $50,000. Furthermore, if insurers pay significantly less for the surgery as a result of the government's decision, some in-network surgeons would stop offering it, a plastic surgeons group has argued. The DIEP flap controversy, spotlighted by CBS News in January, illustrates arcane and indirect ways the federal government can influence which medical options are availableeven to people with private insurance. Often, the answers come down to billing codeswhich identify specific medical services on forms doctors submit for reimbursementand the competing pleas of groups whose interests are riding on them. Medical coding is the backbone for "how business gets done in medicine," said Karen Joynt Maddox, a physician at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis who researches health economics and policy. CMS, the agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid, maintains a list of codes representing thousands of medical services and products. It regularly evaluates whether to add codes or revise or remove existing ones. Last year, it decided to eliminate a code that has enabled doctors to collect much more money for DIEP flap operations than for simpler types of breast reconstruction. In 2006, CMS established an "S" codeS2068for what was then a relatively new procedure: breast reconstructions with deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, or DIEP flap. S codes temporarily fill gaps in a parallel system of billing codes known as CPT codes, which are maintained by the American Medical Association, a physician group. Codes don't dictate the amounts private insurers pay for medical services; those reimbursements are generally worked out between insurance companies and medical providers. However, using the narrowly targeted S code, doctors and hospitals have been able to distinguish DIEP flap surgeries, which require complex microsurgical skills, from other forms of breast reconstruction that take less time to perform and generally yield lower insurance reimbursements. CMS announced in 2022 that it planned to eliminate the S code at the end of 2024a move some doctors say would slash the amount surgeons are paid. (To be precise, CMS announced it would eliminate a series of three S codes for similar procedures, but some of the more outspoken critics have focused on one of them, S2068.) The agency's decision is already changing the landscape of reconstructive surgery and creating anxiety for breast cancer patients. Kate Getz, a single mother in Morton, Illinois, learned she had cancer in January at age 30. As she grappled with her diagnosis, she said, it was overwhelming to think about what her body would look like over the long term. She pictured herself getting married one day and wondered "how on earth I would be able to wear a wedding dress with only having one breast left," she said. She thought a DIEP flap was her best option and worried about having to undergo repeated surgeries if she got implants instead. Implants generally need to be replaced every 10 years or so. But after she spent more than a month trying to get answers about how her DIEP flap surgery would be covered, Getz's insurer, Cigna, informed her it would use a lower-paying CPT code to reimburse her physician, Getz said. As far as she could see, that would have made it impossible for Getz to obtain the surgery. Paying out-of-pocket was "not even an option." "I'm a single mom. We get by, right? But I'm not, not wealthy by any means," she said. Cost is not necessarily the only hurdle patients seeking DIEP flaps must overcome. Citing the complexity of the procedure, Getz said, a local plastic surgeon told her it would be difficult for him to perform. She ended up traveling from Illinois to Texas for the surgery. The government's plan to eliminate the three S codes was driven by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, a major lobbying organization for health insurance companies. In 2021, the group asked CMS to discontinue the codes, arguing that they were no longer needed because the American Medical Association had updated a CPT code to explicitly include DIEP flap surgery and the related operations, according to a CMS document. For years, the American Medical Association advised doctors that the CPT code was appropriate for DIEP flap procedures. But after the government's decision, at least two major insurance companies told doctors they would no longer reimburse them under the higher-paying codes, prompting a backlash. Physicians and advocacy groups for breast cancer patients, such as the nonprofit organization Susan G. Komen, have argued that many plastic surgeons would stop providing DIEP flap procedures for women with private insurance because they wouldn't get paid enough. Lawmakers from both parties have asked the agency to keep the S code, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who have had breast cancer, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). CMS at its June 1 meeting will consider whether to keep the three S codes or delay their expiration. In a May 30 statement, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association spokesperson Kelly Parsons reiterated the organization's view that "there is no longer a need to keep the S codes." In a profit-driven health care system, there's a tug of war over reimbursements between providers and insurance companies, often at the expense of patients, said Joynt Maddox, the Washington University physician. "We're in this sort of constant battle" between hospital chains and insurance companies "about who's going to wield more power at the bargaining table," Joynt Maddox said. "And the clinical piece of that often gets lost, because it's not often the clinical benefit and the clinical priority and the patient centeredness that's at the middle of these conversations." Elisabeth Potter, a plastic surgeon who specializes in DIEP flap surgeries, decided to perform Getz's surgery at whatever price Cigna would pay. According to Fair Health, a nonprofit that provides information on health care costs, in Austin, Texaswhere Potter is basedan insurer might pay an in-network doctor $9,323 for the surgery when it's billed using the CPT code and $18,037 under the S code. Those amounts are not averages; rather, Fair Health estimated that 80% of payment rates are lower than or equal to those amounts. Potter said her Cigna reimbursement "is significantly lower." Weeks before her May surgery, Getz received big newsCigna had reversed itself and would cover her surgery under the S code. It "felt like a real victory," she said. But she still fears for other patients. "I'm still asking these companies to do right by women," Getz said. "I'm still asking them to provide the procedures we need to reimburse them at rates where women have access to them regardless of their wealth." In a statement for this article, Cigna spokesperson Justine Sessions said the insurer remains "committed to ensuring that our customers have affordable coverage and access to the full range of breast reconstruction procedures and to quality surgeons who perform these complex surgeries." Medical costs that health insurers cover generally are passed along to consumers in the form of premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses. For any type of breast reconstruction, there are benefits, risks, and trade-offs. A 2018 paper published in JAMA Surgery found that women who underwent DIEP flap surgery had higher odds of developing "reoperative complications" within two years than those who received artificial implants. However, DIEP flaps had lower odds of infection than implants. Implants carry risks of additional surgery, pain, rupture, and even an uncommon type of immune system cancer. Other flap procedures that take muscle from the abdomen can leave women with weakened abdominal walls and increase their risk of developing a hernia. Academic research shows that insurance reimbursement affects which women can access DIEP flap breast reconstruction, creating a two-tiered system for private health insurance versus government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Private insurance generally pays physicians more than government coverage, and Medicare doesn't use S codes. Lynn Damitz, a physician and board vice president of health policy and advocacy for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said the group supports continuing the S code temporarily or indefinitely. If reimbursements drop, some doctors won't perform DIEP flaps anymore, she said. A study published in February found that of patients who used their own tissue for breast reconstruction, privately insured patients were more likely than publicly insured patients to receive DIEP flap reconstruction. To Potter, that shows what will happen if private insurance payments plummet. "If you're a Medicare provider and you're not paid to do DIEP flaps, you never tell a patient that it's an option. You won't perform it," Potter said. "If you take private insurance and all of a sudden your reimbursement rate is cut from $15,000 down to $3,500, you're not going to do that surgery. And I'm not saying that that's the right thing to do, but that's what happens." 2023 KFF Health News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Delores Lowery remembers vividly the day in 2016 when she was working in a weaving plant near her home in Bennettsville, South Carolina, and the world around her seemed to go dim. She turned to her co-workers. "And I asked, I said, 'Why y'all got it so dark in here?' They said, 'Delores, it's not dark in here.' I said, 'Yes, it is. It's so dark in here.'" She landed in the hospital. Her A1C level, which shows the average percentage of sugar in someone's blood over the past few months, was 14%. A reading of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. Lowery's home in Marlboro County is at the heart of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls the "Diabetes Belt"644 mostly Southern counties where rates of the disease are high. And of those counties, NPR found that more than half have high levels of medical debt. That means at least 1 in 5 people have medical debt in collections. That's much higher than the national rate, which is 13%, according to the Urban Institute, a social-policy nonprofit. In Marlboro County, 37% of people have medical debt in collections. NPR measured the overlap of Diabetes Belt counties and high medical debt counties by merging the institute's medical debt database with the CDC's list of Diabetes Belt counties. Urban Institute economist Breno Braga said medical debt, like diabetes, is concentrated in the South. "The single most important predictor of a county's medical debt is the prevalence of chronic conditions. So it's basically the share of the population that has disease, such as diabetes, hypertension, and other types," he said. That finding is from an analysis conducted by the Urban Institute for KFF Health News and NPR as part of an investigation into medical debt published last year. The investigation found, among other things, that 100 million people in the U.S. have some kind of health care debt, a burden that can be devastating for people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cancer. Lowery has been dealing with both the medical and financial challenges of Type 2 diabetes, and much more. The years since her diagnosis have been extremely difficult, with one life-changing event having overwhelming health and financial consequences. In 2017, she came home one day to find her daughter, Ella Shantrica, on the floor, stabbed to death. The body of her granddaughter, 8-year-old Iyana, was found 12 days later in a nearby creek. In February, a man was found guilty of the killings and sentenced to life in prison. In an interview in the front room of that tidy single-family home in Bennettsville, Lowery said it took time before she could bring herself to return to the house. "Every day, 24 hours a day, that incident is in my head," she said. "It will never, ever go away." She credits her church's pastor with helping her go back to the house, which she shares with grandson Tyreon, a teenager on the autism spectrum. With her daughter gone, Lowery said, she is Tyreon's sole caregiver. Paying for diabetes care along with bills for food and housing has been a constant financial strain that eventually put her in debt. "The cost of living was so extremely high in trying to raise my grandson that I just got behind," she said. Many Americans are facing similar hardships. In addition to NPR's findings, research from the American Diabetes Association said people with the disease have more than twice the medical expenses annually as those without the disease. "Because diabetes is a chronic illness, there are always six-month appointments," said Donna Dees, who lives in Georgia and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2008. "Every six months, go to the doctor, you've got lab work. So that's how the costs keep building up and building up." Dees built up thousands of dollars in medical debt and got help from RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit group that says it has wiped out more than $8 billion in medical debt. Lowery will tell you that she gets high-quality and compassionate health care from a local provider. But the financial challenge of living with diabetes has put her health into decline. A drug that once helped her, Ozempic, is now too costly for her. She said the medicine had been helping bring her diabetes under control. She was getting it delivered to her home, but she didn't meet her copays, and the bills piled up as unpaid debt. Soon, the deliveries stopped and Lowery tried to renew the prescription at the local pharmacy. "I went to get it and the woman told me, 'I don't think you're going to be able to afford this.' I said,'Why not?' She said, 'Because it's seven hundred and some dollars.'" Worse, as the drug's profile skyrocketed in recent months as a treatment for weight loss among celebrities, demand increased and a shortage developed. Lowery said this year that she hadn't been able to get Ozempic for several months and that her diabetes was getting worse. Her insurance company has been of no help. "Nobody is willing to work with me with Ozempic. I don't know what to do," Lowery said. "They won't send me the medicine." She and her provider even talked about getting physician samples, but given Ozempic's growing popularity, that didn't work. A changing economy In Lowery's hometown, others are struggling too. More than 1 in 3 residents of the surrounding county have medical debt in collections, and 1 in 3 live in poverty. It wasn't always this way, locals told NPR. The area once hummed with manufacturing companies, restaurants, and other amenities. There were plenty of good jobs to go around. But one by one, employers moved out. Today, downtown Bennettsville is pretty quiet. South Carolina as a whole has nearly 100,000 fewer manufacturing jobs than it did in 2000. "Bennettsville used to be a more thriving community years ago," said Lowery's health care provider, nurse practitioner Pat Weaver. "With a lot of our plants leaving for, you know, overseas in the last 15-20 years really made a devastating impact. We used to have a hospital here and now we no longer have that. It is very poor." Weaver works for CareSouth, a nonprofit health center that has a federal government designation as a safety-net provider. As she walks the halls of the clinic, checking on colleagues and patients, she says that of the 3,300 appointments she takes every year, more than 90% of the people she treats have Type 2 diabetes. She and others point to Bennettsville's changing economic fortune as a source of health problems in the community. Half the households in the city have an income of less than $32,000. Lower-income residents often can't or don't choose the kinds of healthy meals that would help them control their diabetes, she said. "The fast foods don't help at all, and a lot of people just eat it every day, and that's a problem. It truly is," Weaver said. "But we have programs to help them. We even have a program where we take patients to the grocery store and we teach them what to buy." CareSouth takes other steps, too, to fight the effects of poverty and disease in Bennettsville. The center has a sliding-fee scale based on ability to pay and an in-house pharmacy that uses a federal program to keep drug prices down. For Lowery, having a medical provider like Weaver has been a lifeline. "She's seen me through so much," Lowery said. "She tried different medicines to get my diabetes intact." Finding Weaver came at a time when her family's murders threw her into depression, her finances spiraled out of control, and her diabetes worsened. Weaver, she said, helped get her into counseling. "When she found out what had happened, I honestly believe in my heart that she cried just like I cried," Lowery said. "She did so much for me." South Carolina's choice on Medicaid While there is no easy solution for Lowery, who is over 65 and enrolled in Medicare, the Urban Institute and others say a simple policy change could prevent others from getting to such a difficult stage in their disease and finances: Expand Medicaid. "Seventy-nine out of the 100 counties with the highest levels of medical debt are in states that have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA," the Urban Institute's Braga said, referring to the Affordable Care Act. Also known as Obamacare, the ACA offered states the option to expand their health insurance programs for the poor. South Carolina is one of 10 states that have declined to do so, and where NPR identified more than two dozen counties that fall within the Diabetes Belt and have high rates of medical debt. There's evidence from other states that people became healthier and owed less money to medical providers after Medicaid expansion. A Boston University researcher looked at health centers just like CareSouthmore than 900 of them serving nearly 20 million patients. The centers in states that did expand Medicaid reported better diabetes control than those in states that didn't expand the program, and the effect was quickwithin three years of the expansion. Those improvements happened consistently among Black and Hispanic patients, who have higher rates of diabetes. A study in Louisiana found that people who gained Medicaid coverage after an expansion there had reduced medical debt. Lowery said that going forward she will continue to rely on her faith and her church community to help her through the tough times. Still, she worries about the possible worsening of her diabetes and the financial stress of daily life. "I wish things would get better," she said. "I think I would sleep a little better, because sometimes it's kind of hard for me to try to keep some food on the table." 2023 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Study setting along the Salton Sea and its lcation in the US-Mexico Borderlands. Credit: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20116023 In the United States, low-income immigrant and minority children often live in environments that have highly polluted air. A study led by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, and published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health demonstrates this among the Latinx and Purepecha immigrant children and caregivers living along Inland Southern California's Salton Sea, a highly saline drying lakebed surrounded by agricultural fields. The Purepecha community is an Indigenous group from the Mexican state of Michoacan. "Children of Latinx and Indigenous Mexican immigrant families living near the Salton Sea are especially vulnerable to the sea's environmental impact on chronic health conditions," said Ann Marie Cheney, an associate professor of social medicine, population, and public health in the School of Medicine. "Our study uniquely focuses on caregivers' understanding of the Salton Sea's impact on the health of children diagnosed with asthma or chronic respiratory health problems." According to Cheney, caregivers offer a unique perspective of Salton Sea impacts on children's health conditions as they pay attention to the environment and climatic changes, anticipating how they will affect child health. "While they intimately understand children's vulnerabilities to environmental and climatic conditions, they often do not have a platform to advocate for their children," she said. "Through research, we can elevate their voices, what they understand in terms of the effects of the environment on health, and advocate for change to public health policy." Cheney and her team engaged with 36 people who participated in either focus groups or one-on-one interviews. Participants lived in the northern part of the Salton Sea and were Latinx and Indigenous Mexican caregivers of children with asthma and respiratory problems. The study, which used principles of community-based participatory research, was from fall 2019 to spring 2021. Participants characterized the Salton Sea's environment as toxic. They said it included sulfuric smells, dust storms, chemicals, and fires, which contribute to children's chronic health conditions, including respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. In the interviews, participants: shared that during the hot summer months, the Salton Sea emits sulfuric smells, affecting children's health noted that dust storms are pronounced during the hot summer months and increase respiratory symptoms and allergies, such as irritated and watery eyes, in children expressed concern about children's exposure to agricultural chemicals from the nearby agricultural fields worried about local agricultural practices in which growers dump chemicals into the Salton Sea talked about the burning of garbage on nearby tribal lands and its effects on air quality explained how daily exposure to the Salton Sea environment contributed also to allergies and nosebleeds and noted that when they remove their children from the Salton Sea's environment, their symptoms improve. "Our study has important public health implications for vulnerable child populations," Cheney said. "The Salton Sea and its effects on the children and families living along its border offer a preview into what is to come in the next several decades because of climate change. Without intervention, children, such as those in our study, will be especially vulnerable to respiratory health consequences of climate change and the effects of poor air quality on health." Cheney was joined in the study by Gabriela Ortiz, Ashley Trinidad, Sophia Rodriguez, Ashley Moran, and Jair Chavez of UCR; Andrea Gonzalez of UCLA; and Maria Pozar of Conchita Servicios de la Comunidad in Mecca, California. More information: Ann Marie Cheney et al, Latinx and Indigenous Mexican Caregivers' Perspectives of the Salton Sea Environment on Children's Asthma, Respiratory Health, and Co-Presenting Health Conditions, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20116023 Journal information: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 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 results collectively demonstrate that lymphoid depletion lesions observed in the spleen serve as a crucial factor reflecting mortality rates. Lymphoid depletion accompanied by reduced APC function was a specific feature observed in the Wuhan and Delta types of SARS-CoV-2 but not in other infections such as Omicron and influenza A and had the greatest prognostic value for disease severity in mice infected with the Wuhan and Delta variants. DCs, dendritic cells; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; APCs, antigen presenting cells. Credit: The American Journal of Pathology Individuals who are immunocompromised are considered at higher risk for severe or longer disease with COVID-19. Understanding the systemic immune response is vital for research efforts to reduce its effects on multiple organs. A new study in SARS-CoV2-infected mice reported in The American Journal of Pathology found lymphoid depletion lesions in the spleen that may form the groundwork for novel therapies to restore defective antigen-presenting cell (APC) functions in humans to trigger the cellular immune response and potentially reduce the severity of COVID-19. The severity of COVID-19 varies considerably from no symptoms at all to severe disease with fatal complications. The risk of developing severe disease has been associated with dysregulated immune responses in patients. COVID-19 is known to impact not only the lungs but also non-target organs, leading to long-term complications and, in severe cases, multi-organ dysfunction. In particular, lymphopenia and lymphoid depletion in lymphoid tissues has been associated with poor disease outcomes. Lead investigators Je Kyung Seong, DVM, Ph.D., Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center (KMPC), Seoul National University, and Jun Won Park, DVM, Ph.D., College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, explained, "The mechanisms involved in the development of severe disease remain elusive, partially due to the limitations in evaluating immunologic factors of clinical samples, which could be affected by various circumstances, such as underlying diseases, age, sex, exposed environments, and eating habits." They added, "Investigating the factors underlying the risk of developing severe disease in terms of immunodynamics under well-controlled infectious conditions based on animal models is essential to understanding the mortality and immunologic factors that contribute to disease severity. Therefore, gaining insight into the systemic immune response, beyond just the lung-related lesions, is vital for research efforts focused on reducing the effects of COVID-19 on multiple organs and lessening the long-term consequences." In this study, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (K18-hACE2) transgenic mouse models susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19, were used to investigate the characteristics and determinants of lethality associated with the lymphoid depletion observed in COVID-19. Dr. Seong noted, "The K18-hACE2 mouse model is extensively employed in preclinical trials for the development of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. Our research group has performed numerous preclinical studies using this model. During these experiments, we discovered a strong correlation between the mice's mortality rate, fatal brain infections, and lymphoid depletion observed in their spleens." Dr. Park added, "As similar splenic lesions are also found in patients with severe COVID-19, it is crucial to characterize lymphoid depletion in this lethal mouse model. Doing so will enable a better understanding of the factors contributing to COVID-19 patient mortality and aid in the development of effective therapies to mitigate these outcomes." The infected mice exhibited a diverse range of disease severity in terms of weight, temperature, lung pathology, spleen pathology, and brain infection. The correlation between these parameters was then analyzed to define the lethality induced by COVID-19 in the mouse model. The results indicated that, in addition to lung lesions, brain viral load is a major determinant of mortality in this mouse model. The results collectively demonstrate that lymphoid depletion lesions observed in the spleen serve as a crucial factor reflecting mortality rates. Lymphoid depletion accompanied by reduced APC function was a specific feature observed in the Wuhan and Delta types of SARS-CoV-2 but not in other infections such as Omicron and influenza A and had the greatest prognostic value for disease severity in mice infected with the Wuhan and Delta variants. Dr. Seong commented, "Thus, we demonstrated that lymphoid depletion associated with suppressed APC function characterizes the lethality of COVID-19 in mouse models." Dr. Park observed, "Our study may form the groundwork for novel therapies to restore defective APC functions in patients with COVID-19 and possibly prevent its severe progression by enhancing APC functionality." Accordingly, the investigators recommend evaluating the spleen in K18-hACE2 mice to assess vaccine and therapeutic efficacy in preclinical testing. More information: Yu Jin Lee et al, Murine Coronavirus Disease 2019 Lethality Is Characterized by Lymphoid Depletion Associated with Suppressed Antigen-Presenting Cell Functionality, The American Journal of Pathology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.03.008 Journal information: American Journal of Pathology 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: While many of us have put the Covid-19 pandemic behind us, researchers warn that the situation is still very dynamic. Credit: blvdone, Shutterstock.com Regular life may have resumed for most people, but the pandemic rumbles on as researchers keep a watch on new variants and increase efforts to better identify patients at risk. Everyone, it seems, is more than ready to move on from COVID-19, but virus experts say it's still too early for us to lower our guard. That's because the pandemic, they insist, is far from over. Indeed, in a typical week, 180 000 new cases are still being reported across Europe. So, while regular life has resumed for most of usand the World Health Organization has dropped the status of COVID-19 as a 'global emergency' (the highest level of alert)scientists remain vigilant. "We might have good control over the pandemicand the vaccine has played a major role in achieving thisbut the virus continues to persist, and the situation is still very dynamic," said Professor Giuseppe Pantaleo, head of Immunology and Allergy at the Swiss Vaccine Research Institute. The virus causing COVID-19 is an artful opportunist, endlessly evolving to evade our defensesand with each significant mutation comes the threat of a new wave of infection. According to Pantaleo, a time is likely to come when our current defenseswhether built up through infection or acquired by vaccinationwill no longer effectively counter the virus. Complacency could be a costly mistake. "It's critical for us to keep monitoring populations for new variants," said Pantaleo. "We need to know the impact each mutation has on the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments so we can be prepared for what is coming next and put in place new measures to control the spread." Active surveillance Pantaleo coordinates CoVICIS, a three-year COVID-19 surveillance program due to end next year. CoVICIS involves researchers in Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, South Africa and Ethiopia. African involvement is essential for the project to fulfill its ambition of evolving into a surveillance platform with a global reach. Most countries on the African continent lack the infrastructure to monitor infections within their borders. Moreover, much of Africa's population remains unvaccinated, said Pantaleo, meaning the virus has more opportunity to spread and mutate (a fact that probably explains why several variants, including Omicron, first emerged in Africa). For good reason then, monitoring the evolution of COVID-19 in Africa is a pressing concern. However, Pantaleo hopes the program will set the stage for collaborations with an even wider reach. "This pandemic has taught us that when it comes to dangerous pathogens we are all connected. We need to establish a new type of research infrastructure so, when it's time to deal with a new virus, we can quickly mobilize the world's scientific community and work as one," he said. Identifying risk Since the earliest days of the pandemic, scientists have been looking for new means to predict how any given person is likely to respond to a COVID-19 infection. The way some experience the virus as a mild cold while others die can seem almost random. Though there's no doubt that having a comorbidity or an underlying non-diagnosed condition puts a person at higher risk, little is known about why some healthy individuals develop severe COVID-19. There are two types of at-risk patients the researchers hope to identify: those who are hit hard during the acute phase of illness and those who are saddled with the debilitating symptoms of long-COVID. "What we must remember is that for many people, the virus causing COVID does not simply infect the lung cells, cause a few pulmonary problems and then go away," said Dr. Yvan Devaux, leader of the Cardiovascular Research Unit at the Luxembourg Institute of Health. "For a substantial number of people, an infection leads to problems that affect the entire body and persist long-term." What has become clear from the work by Devaux and others is that COVID-19 can be bad for your heart. One study of 160 000 unvaccinated people found that infected patients in the acute phase of their illness are four times more likely than uninfected individuals to develop a major cardiovascular diseaseand 40% more likely in the 18 months that follow. Taken to heart This is true regardless of age, sex, race or pre-COVID-19 health status and whether an infection is mild or severe. However, the worst cardiovascular outcomes are experienced by COVID-19 patients who end up in intensive care and people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. In other words, serious infections increase the likelihood of developing heart conditions and pre-existing heart conditions increase the likelihood of dying from COVID-19. The problem is, cardiovascular disorders have an uncanny ability to remain hidden: a heart attack is often the first sign of an underlying problem. For this reason, finding reliable ways to expose cardiac problems before they become critical has long been a research priority within the EU. Devaux and his collaborators have been trying to find new tests to diagnose cardiovascular conditions for many years. The pandemic simply spurred them on. New tests to pre-empt complications In March 2020the same month the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemicthe team decided to find a way to identify COVID-19 patients who were most likely to develop heart complications after an initial infection. "We had good reason to believe there would be a strong link between COVID infection and coronary heart conditions," said Devaux, 'and we wanted to be part of the international effort to save lives." The COVIRNA project is devising a test to predict who is most likely to develop cardiovascular complications. The hope is that an affordable blood test will soon be ready to roll out to hospitalized COVID-19 patients. It will measure a specific type of free-floating RNA molecule that has been linked to cardiovascular disease. The researchers have collated RNA data from 2,000 study participants and are currently using artificial intelligence to analyze this information and create a reliable tool to predict an individual's risk. High-risk patients will then receive personalized care to monitor their health and, if necessary, receive treatment to degrade the troublesome RNA molecules. "Patients would get the test a few days into the disease and doctors would then be able to tailor their carefor instance, by sending them for a heart MRI scan when they otherwise wouldn't have one or by redirecting them to a cardiologist to be watched closely," said Devaux. "We might not be able to close the last page on COVID quite yet, but this test could be considered a good output of the pandemic." 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: Cumulative COVID-19 deaths per 100,000: January 1 to November 30, 2020. Credit: Canadian Studies in Population (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s42650-023-00073-x While the overall mortality ratesthe number of deaths per 100,000 peopleduring the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic were higher in the United States compared to Canada, a new study at the University of Missouri finds some surprising similarities in mortality rates between certain U.S. states and Canadian provinces. The findings offer a more nuanced look at the effectiveness of public health strategies like masking and social distancing before vaccines were widely available, and the findings can help inform public health response strategies at the state and local level to combat future pandemics or infectious diseases. Tyler Myroniuk, an assistant professor in the MU College of Health Sciences, and his team compared trends in COVID-19 mortality rates between U.S. states and Canadian provinces from January 2020 to November 2020. "Before the vaccines became available, the only mitigation strategies we had were things like masking and social distancing, and deaths are the ultimate marker of a health care system," Myroniuk said. "The federal governments of both the U.S. and Canada gave autonomy to individual states and provinces to make their own health care decisions regarding mitigation strategies, and we found some surprisingly similar trends between certain U.S. states and Canadian provinces that many would not expect." For example, the Canadian province of Quebec had high mortality rates during this time period and showed very similar mortality trends compared to the U.S. states of Michigan and Delaware. In contrast, the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia had low mortality rates during this time period and showed very similar mortality trends compared to the U.S. states of Maine and Vermont. Myroniuk said the findings were surprising due to several differences when comparing the locations, including population density, age, weather and climate, racial and ethic diversity, socioeconomic conditions, cultural preferences, infectious disease mitigation strategies, and health care systems. "Now that we have identified these similarities, the next step could be to look further into what specific factors contributed to these similarities in trends that may seem at first unnatural or random," Myroniuk said. "While it may be easier to say Canada handled the pandemic better in general, what we found by looking at the data is that there is a lot of nuance involved, and that nuance is important for tailoring localized response strategies whenever the next pandemic might come around." Myroniuk added that while overall comparisons between how different countries responded to the pandemic have been researched extensively, this is the first study to identify specific similarities at the state or provincial level, which could lead to more effective, localized solutions in the future. "Adapting to the specific needs of a population is going to be key moving forward rather than painting with a broad brush or having a one-size-fits-all approach, especially given the demographic diversity in massive countries like the U.S. and Canada," Myroniuk said. "Similarities in COVID-19 mortality between Canadian provinces and American states before vaccines were available," was published in Canadian Studies in Population. Co-authors on the study include Michelle Teti, Enid Schatz and Ifeolu David. More information: Tyler W. Myroniuk et al, Similarities in COVID-19 Mortality Between Canadian Provinces and American States Before Vaccines Were Available, Canadian Studies in Population (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s42650-023-00073-x 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Blood pressure is closely monitored in hospitalized patients. Severely high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or damage blood vessels and organs including the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes. However, most hospitalized patients experience transiently elevated blood pressure without signs of organ damage, also referred to as asymptomatic hypertension, which is sometimes treated with blood pressure medications. However, little evidence exists to guide such treatment decisions. In a retrospective cohort study, physician-researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), examined the treatment of elevated blood pressure in more than 66,000 older adults who were hospitalized for non-cardiac conditions. The team found that receiving intensive antihypertensive treatment as an inpatient was linked with greater risk of adverse events, particularly for patients receiving the medication intravenously as opposed to orally. The findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, do not support treating asymptomatic elevated blood pressure in hospitalized older adults and highlight the need for further study of best practices for management of inpatient blood pressure. "While the benefits of lowering chronically elevated blood pressure in the outpatient setting are clearly defined and include reductions in mortality and cardiovascular events, better evidence is needed to inform clinical decision-making regarding inpatient blood pressure management," said corresponding author Timothy S. Anderson, MD, MAS, a clinical investigator in the Division of General Medicine at BIDMC. "In the hospital, blood pressure is often elevated due to pain, fever, anxiety, new medication and other hospital factors. It is not clear that treating transient elevations with blood pressure medications is helpful, it may instead result in overtreatment." Using clinical and pharmacy data from the national Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Anderson and colleagues compared outcomes of hospitalized patients with elevated blood pressure who received intensive blood pressure treatment in the first 48 hours after admission to those who did not. The primary outcome was a composite of adverse effects including inpatient mortality, acute kidney injury, cardiac injury, stroke, and transfer to the intensive care unit. The cohort included 66,140 older adults, primarily male, who were hospitalized for non-cardiac reasons and had elevated blood pressures in the first 48 hours of hospitalization. One in five patients (or more than 14,000 patients) received intensive treatment for blood pressure, defined as additional antihypertensive medications the patient had not been taking at home prior to hospitalization. Of this group, 18 percent (or more than 2,500 patients) received antihypertensive medication intravenously. Compared to hospitalized patients with elevated blood pressure who did not receive intensive treatment within the first 48 hours of hospitalization, patients who received antihypertensive medication were at greater risk for adverse clinical outcomes, including cardiac injury, acute kidney injury, and ICU transfer. Receiving antihypertensives intravenously further heightened the risk. "These findings suggest that the common practice of acutely treating asymptomatic inpatient blood pressure could be harmful and the use of intravenous antihypertensives in particular should be discouraged," said Anderson, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Until we have more definitive randomized clinical trial data, our findings suggest that the safest path forward is likely to rethink the underlying reason for inpatient blood pressure measurement and reorient clinical practice. In combination, these findings suggest that pharmacologic treatment of asymptomatic elevated inpatient blood pressure should be the exception rather than the rule." More information: Timothy S. Anderson et al, Clinical Outcomes of Intensive Inpatient Blood Pressure Management in Hospitalized Older Adults, JAMA Internal Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.1667 Journal information: JAMA Internal Medicine Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Its Thursday, Chicago. After a gorgeous long weekend, you may be welcoming the summer sun of June with open arms. Or, you may be strapping on high heels or sneakers to wait in long lines at Soldier Field to buy Taylor Swift merch, as the star kicks off three nights of the Chicago stop of her Eras Tour on Friday. Advertisement To help line up your summer calendar, weve compiled the most-anticipated food festivals, concerts, movies and other outdoor fun to get on your schedule. But you can also keep it laid back and low-key like me just pick your favorite Chicago beach to lounge at, and you already have the perfect summer day on deck. Enjoy the weekend, well see you again next week. Advertisement Lauryn Azu, deputy senior editor Taylor Swift performs at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on May 26, 2023. (Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet/The New York Times/NYT) The sold-out shows promise sparkling nights of pure bliss for Chicagos wonder-struck Swifties. Despite the Ticketmaster drama that left many fans broken and blue, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Taylor Swift in Chicago this weekend. Read on here. A vendor prepares a plate of lamb chops on a pita at the 29th African/Caribbean International Festival of Life in Washington Park on July 2, 2022, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Quash your street food cravings at two Chicago food fests this weekend Greek cuisine and hot dogs will be on display and get the rest on your calendar for splendid summer eats. Read more here, but dont if youre hungry! Cathy and Tim Hoffman of Glen Ellyn relax beside a sculpture titled Hear: With an Ear to the Ground, by artist Olga Ziemska, at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle on May 24, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Polish American environmental artist Olga Ziemska will become the first woman to have a major sculpture installation at the Morton Arboretum. The exhibition features female-formed sculptures made of rocks, tree branches and other natural materials. Read more about the installation here. Seven varieties of Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce, seen here in 2013. (Carolyn Van Houten/Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) As you slather Sweet Baby Rays on grilled meat this summer, take a moment to appreciate its storied Chicago past and latest honor. Dave Raymond, the creator of the barbecue brand, was inducted into the American Royal Associations Barbecue Hall of Fame. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Read about Raymond and his journey in barbecue, as told to Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger, here. Fall Out Boy takes the stage at Wrigley Field in September 2018. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Your one-stop shop for fun in Chicago this summer is here. Read on for recommendations for summer blockbusters, must-see shows, movies in Millennium Park and more, here. Brett Goldstein, from left, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt in Ted Lasso. (Apple TV+) The show was the anti-Succession (which also had its series finale this week) and it dared to ask: What would it look like if people actually cared about one another? Like, genuinely cared, Tribune critic Nina Metz writes. At the series close, Metz examines the lighthearted shows impact, and where this season lost momentum, here. Advertisement Carly Rae Jepsen performs at We Day on Oct. 1, 2015, in Toronto. (Arthur Mola) A few lucky Chicagoans will experience their first concert this weekend at one of Taylor Swifts shows. Tribune reporter Christopher Borrelli reminisces about taking his 6-year-old daughter to see Carly Rae Jepsen at the Aragon Ballroom for her first concert, and offers some helpful tips to first-timers and their caregivers. Read more here. Jessica Drew, left, and Miguel O'Hara in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." (Sony Pictures Animation/Sony Pictures Animations/TNS) Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse comes out this weekend after 2018s Into the Spider-Verse, and the animation in the sequel is just as exciting and unafraid as the first movie. The movie may be a product and just another IP machine, but it feels human-made, and genuinely witty, Tribune critic Michael Phillips writes. Read more about Miles Morales next adventure here. An employee of Ramsays Kitchen greets people after the restaurant opened in downtown Naperville on May 30. (H. Rick Bamman/Naperville Sun) Gordon Ramsays new restaurant Ramsays Kitchen in Naperville is the third to be opened in the U.S. by the Michelin-starred chef and television personality. Read more about how you can sample pan-seared scallops, beef Wellington and a Chicago-inspired burger here. Dogs at a Hilton hotel. As people increasingly travel with their four-legged friends, hotels are stepping up with more amenities. (2023 Hilton via The New York Times/2023 Hilton via The New York Times) You dont have to dump your dog at a kennel before your summer escape take him along for the ride instead. More luxury destinations are catering to pet parents and offering pet-menities like specialty beds and blankets and gift bags. Get inspired for your next vacation with Fido here. PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said he is not bent on imposing a total ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs... THURSDAY, June 1, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) is noninferior to open distal pancreatectomy (ODP), according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held from June 2 to 6 in Chicago. Mohammed Abu Hilal, M.D., Ph.D., from the Instituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza in Brescia, Italy, and colleagues conducted a noninferiority trial involving patients with resectable pancreatic cancer from 35 centers in 12 countries. Participants were randomly assigned to MIDP (laparoscopic or robotic) or ODP (131 and 127 patients, respectively). The modified intention-to-treat analysis population included 117 in the MIDP group and 114 patients in the ODP group. The researchers found that a radical resection (R0, <1 mm free margin) occurred in 73 and 69 percent of patients in the MIDP and ODP groups, respectively (difference, 4 percent). The groups had a comparable median lymph node yield (22.0 and 23.0 nodes for MIDP and ODP, respectively) and a similar rate of intraperitoneal recurrence (41 and 38 percent for MIDP and ODP, respectively). Other postoperative outcomes were also similar in the groups. "For pancreatic cancer, we have proven for the first time that minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy is as good as open surgery," Abu Hilal said in a statement. "Our research provides reassurance for surgeons and can help patients by giving them the information they need to have a conversation with their doctor about how they want to be treated." A severe shortage of quality, affordable child care affects almost every segment of life in Montana, from a worker shortage to stunted educational development. One local nonprofit took a big step this week toward addressing the issue. The Missoula Family YMCA held a groundbreaking on Thursday for the new $4 million Phyllis Washington Early Child Care Center. The new facility at the Y's Russell Street campus is just the first phase of construction for its Here for Good capital campaign, a multiyear effort to raise $19.3 million to completely revamp the campus. "I'm kind of overwhelmed today with what is going on and where we're at," said Missoula YMCA CEO Heather Foster. "Truly, we have been dreaming, strategizing, planning and hustling for this for so long." She said the campus serves over 15,000 people every year. An aging, small yellow building has been home to the child care program for many years but doesn't have the capacity to keep up with demand. Rendering of YMCA Childcare Center A rendering of what the new child care center will look like. "We know we are a place of transformation, a place of belonging, a place of community and the buildings that we have here are really just a tool that we use," Foster said. "We also know what well-built intentional spaces mean, and this new child care center we are building starting today is going to be a space intentionally built for children. A place where imagination is sparked, learning is created, where families can come together and children can learn and grow and thrive." Officials with the YMCA and other organizations say there's a critical lack of infant and toddler care in Missoula, and the new facility will allow the Y to double the number of kids ages 0-5 that it serves. Set to be completed in the fall of 2024, the new 6,600-square-foot center will feature: A breastfeeding room for working moms to connect with their infants during their workdays. A therapy and family meeting room for kids needing additional services. Indoor/outdoor experiential learning spaces to expand on traditional learning methods. A large kitchen built to provide nutritious meals to children three times a day, along with another, smaller kitchen. Space to expand so that as the community grows, the Ys child care capacity can grow along with it. "Many people don't know that the Y is one of the largest provider of free, nutritious meals to Missoula kids," Foster said. "These kitchens will allow us to serve our earliest learners, but also to care for our school-aged children so that when kids leave our programs, they always have full bellies." Phyllis Washington, who calls Missoula home and who is married to industrial magnate Dennis Washington, was a local elementary school teacher. The Washington Family Foundation's donation to the project was crucial, as were donations from many others, Foster noted. Mark Thane, a state lawmaker who also volunteers on the Y's capital campaign committee, said the Missoula YMCA is the largest licensed child care provider in Montana. "Right now in the state of Montana, 27,000 parents are out of the workforce because of a lack of available or affordable child care," Thane said. "And that's significant. And this new facility will be transformative in the expanded capacity and that's a huge economic driver for the city of Missoula." The capital campaign still needs to raise $5 million to get to the finish line, he said, mainly because of the escalation of construction costs over the last few years. The second phase of the project will include a complete "renovation and refresh" of the main YMCA building along with construction of a new family locker room, a new fitness studio and a new youth innovation center. After that, the YMCA is contemplating building an all-abilities playground, a splash deck and a multi-court covered "airnasium" as the final phase. This marks the start of a major transformation for our Y and the result of our community stepping up for one another, said Jorge Watson, Missoula Family YMCA board chief volunteer officer. Missoula is growing, and the Y is here to grow right along with it. Our Y is committed to continuing to provide high quality education and health and wellness programs for all. For more information visit ymcahereforgood.org. A Missoula couple operating a local massage parlor face a slew of human trafficking charges following accusations that they were running a commercial sex business at their building near Blue Mountain Road. Court filings show that Yanbin Bao, 52, is charged with six felonies: three counts of promoting prostitution involving a victim of human trafficking, and three counts of trafficking of persons. Richard R. Bushey, 64, is also charged with six felonies: three counts of promoting prostitution involving a victim of human trafficking, and three counts of trafficking of persons. The two suspects will enter pleas to the charges at their arraignment on June 6 in Missoula County District Court. Bushey and Bao are in custody at the Missoula jail, each with bail set at $1 million. Affidavits for Bao and Bushey filed on Wednesday lay out the case. The charges are connected to allegations that employees were forced to perform sexual acts at the Missoula business, but law enforcement alleges its likely the case is part of a larger, international trafficking scheme. On Monday, a 911 call was made from Soul Massage, located at 5000 Highway 93 South in Missoula County. The caller was a woman who only spoke Mandarin. She was transported to a local hospital to speak with a translator. When deputies investigated the parlor, they reported seeing a sleeping area, a cooking and eating space, a makeshift closet with clothes and a TV, and a security camera on the wall. Conditions were unsanitary with dirty linens and floors, according to the affidavit. Investigators noted its common for trafficking survivors to be required to live on the premises of where they're being trafficked. Soul Massages business listing on Google says its temporarily closed, and a phone call to their number online was met with a full voicemail inbox message. According to the affidavit, the witness reported there were two other women working at Soul Massage who had sex with customers on a regular basis. She estimated seven to 11 men were serviced daily, with some repeat customers visiting every two or three days, the affidavit stated. The witness arrived in Missoula on April 26, 2023, according to court documents. She told investigators she met a woman via WeChat, and was subsequently offered a dog-friendly place to live for $20 a day. The survivor identified the woman she was in contact with as Bao, according to the affidavit, and said Bao and Bushey were married. Detectives recognize WeChat as a social networking app used to recruit trafficking victims with promises of work and housing. Bao offered to let (the witness) live in the Soul Massage location in return for working there and paying Bao $20 per day, prosecutors wrote in the affidavit. When she got to the massage business, the witness said she was pressured into performing sexual acts on paying customers. The accuser told investigators Bao gave her lessons on massage techniques and how to perform sexual acts on customers. Bao allegedly also gave her instructions on how to evade undercover law enforcement agents who might come to the parlor. According to the witness, Bao used video surveillance to monitor the survivors interactions with clients. She reported Bao allegedly made her perform a sex act on a client who was a friend of Baos. Force and threats were allegedly used against the workers. The witness accused Bao of locking her in rooms at the business, and of hitting and attacking her when she refused to sexually engage with customers, court documents allege. The accuser reported Bushey wasnt often at the parlor, but Bao was there and pressured her daily about sexual interactions with clients, according to the affidavit. The accuser was the only one working at the parlor on Monday. She said the two other female workers were moved to a different massage parlor on May 21. Bao and Bushey have been investigated in South Carolina, also for allegedly running illegal commercial sex operations out of massage businesses. The case detective in Missoula believes there are numerous unidentified co-conspirators involved in trafficking the witness and other women from China to the U.S. Bao and Bushey were inside of the business when deputies arrived on Monday. Bao had $1,600 in cash on her person when she was arrested, according to court documents. Bushey told deputies Bao rents the building. Bao claimed she and Bushey left for Boise the day after the accuser arrived at Soul Massage, court documents state. Bushey reportedly said the accuser threatened Bao but didnt go into more detail. The affidavit alleges the suspects told deputies they flew into Missoula on Sunday to deal with the witness, who they said had done something to the security system at the business. They said at Soul Massage, the accuser blocked them from going in and a fight ensued. The witness subsequently called 911. Missoula Sheriffs Office Public Information Officer Jeannette Smith confirmed on Thursday the investigation is ongoing and active. In 2015, the Bozeman-based Cottonwood Environmental Law Center won a major Endangered Species Act lawsuit in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision required the Forest Service to reanalyze the environmental impacts of implementing several forest plans across Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Depending on who you talk to in the world of forest management, the Cottonwood Decision is either a four-letter word or a sign of integrity. As a former Forest Service employee that worked in the timber department for the Flathead National Forest, it is disheartening to watch Sen. Daines lead a campaign against science-based forest management. After Cottonwood won the lawsuit, Sen. Daines started calling Cottonwood members radical environmentalists that file frivolous lawsuits. Lawyers that file frivolous lawsuits are sanctioned. In the Cottonwood Decision, the Supreme Court denied the Forest Services petition to rehear the decisions from the District Court and 9th Circuit. I have asked Sen. Daines to invite me to testify before Congress about the Cottonwood Decision, but he refuses. I have asked the Forest Service to meet to discuss the Cottonwood Decision, but they refuse. The public deserves better. Sen. Daines has failed to tell the public that the Cottonwood Decision helped clean up corruption at the highest levels of the Department of the Interior. In 2007, the Interior Departments Inspector General found that a high-ranking official in the Department of the Interior, Julie MacDonald, had coordinated with lobbyists from extraction and development industries to strong-arm government scientists and influence Fish and Wildlife Service decision-making. MacDonald promptly resigned. During her tenure, MacDonald, who had no background in biology, successfully derailed the designation of special protections and critical habitat for many species including the Canada lynx. Under MacDonald, Canada lynx critical habitat was confined to only a few national parks places where mining and logging are prohibited. After MacDonald resigned, scientists for the Fish and Wildlife Service designated over 12 million acres of critical habitat on Forest Service land. Cottonwood Environmental Law Center then prevailed in court and required the U.S. Forest Service to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure forest management plans would protect the newly designated critical habitat. Requiring the Forest Service to re-consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the impacts of Forest Plans is important to ensure threatened species like Canada lynx continue to exist. There is only one reason why Canada lynx are threatened with extinction forest management plans do not contain standards that are protective enough. Sen. Daines now wants to eliminate the publics ability to require the Forest Service to revisit the adequacy of its Forest Plans. Sen. Daines has misled the public by telling them that the Forest Service analyzes the impacts of timber sales on Canada lynx for each individual project. A major problem with this approach is that individual projects only analyze whether the project will meet standards in the forest management plan, they do not analyze whether the standards in forest management plans themselves are protective enough. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized the importance of the programmatic analysis, but Sen. Daines continues to ignore it. Conversations with Sen. Testers office confirm Congress has appropriated the Forest Service enough money to update all its forest management plans across the entire United States. Many of our National Forests are managing our public lands using outdated forest management plans that make no mention of climate change. Now is the time for the federal agency in charge of managing 193 million acres of forest lands to update its management plans if threatened and endangered species are going to have a fighting chance for survival. It is imperative that forest management plans stay up-to-date if we want to protect threatened species like the Canada lynx from extinction. Congress has provided the Forest Service with the financial carrot to do what needs to be done. The Cottonwood Decision is the stick that will help ensure our National Forests are managed using science, not politics. At a time when our National Forests are faced with an onslaught of crises, we all scientists, loggers, politicians, agencies and yes, even lawyers need to join forces to ensure we have something left to fight about tomorrow. I served the Missoula Community as both a City Police Officer and County Deputy Sheriff for over 30 years. I retired from the Missoula County Sheriffs Office on Dec. 1, 2020. In mid-May of this year, I learned of Missoula Countys failure to pay correct wages to deputies between 2018 and 2022. State law defines that deputy sheriffs are paid a percentage of the sheriffs wage. In 2018, the county began paying additional salary to most elected officials including the sheriff and all three commissioners. They termed it Parity Adjustment, but did not include it in the sheriffs salary when calculating deputys wages. In late May, I was told by the attorney representing the deputies that I had initially been included in the lawsuit, but Missoula County demanded that I and some other deputies be removed from the lawsuit because we had left employment with the county more than 180 days prior to the lawsuit being filed. A freedom of information request revealed that twelve deputies that worked between 2018 and present were underpaid by Missoula County and did not receive back pay as part of the settlement. After learning that we had not been included, I along with another former deputy spoke with the sheriff. He stated that he felt we should be compensated, but it was up to the county commissioners and Erica Grinde, Director of Loss and Benefits. We then spoke with Grinde. She said she did not like the case in general and felt it was based on antiquated law. Grinde also said she felt the 180-day issue applied and she would not budge on this. Grinde did state that if we were to write a letter, she might give us a small percentage to make us go away. After a number of attempts to talk to the commissioners, I received a phone call from Commissioner Juanita Vero. She stated she was aware of the case and that we could only deal with Erica Grinde on this issue. The Missoula County Elected Officials Pay Plan shows that elected officials including the sheriff and all three Missoula County commissioners began receiving additional salary called Parity Adjustment in 2018. In fiscal year 2022, the pay plan shows that Parity Adjustment was removed and Certification Pay was added, close to the time that the deputies filed their lawsuit. During the commissioners' June 2, 2022 Administrative Public Meeting, they agreed to pay the lawsuit, but also made some demeaning comments about how the deputies were paid. Comments like it was immoral for deputies to share in the certificate pay that the sheriff had earned and that the county was enabling the deputies to double dip on certificate pay, yet the second half of fiscal year 2022 was the first time certificate pay appeared in elected officials wages. One wonders if Parity was changed to Certificate in an attempt to hide the additional wages paid to the sheriff so the county would not be liable for all of the back wages to deputies. Missoula Countys failure to properly pay deputies was a violation of Montana Law which makes that action a misdemeanor. However no one was ever charged with that crime. It is troubling that we, the deputies that did not receive back wages went to work every day, even during the COVID pandemic, not expecting anything special, and then we were cheated out of wages we were due, while the elected officials including the commissioners were paid their secret Parity pay in addition to their regular wage. Cynthia, drifty from pain killers, managed a wan smile. Her back had been turned to the charging moose, which meant Cynthia had no idea how narrowly she had escaped traumatic injury or worse. The only other witnesses were a newborn, two dogs, two moose and me. In January 1995, an angry cow moose protecting her yearling calf stomped a 71-year-old man to death on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. News reports said students had been throwing snowballs and harassing the moose and her calf for hours before the man tried to walk past the animals. Later, after the cow moose attempted to attack another man on campus, wildlife officials killed her, citing evidence of ill disposition. That would be an apt description of the cow moose we encountered near the cabin that evening. Moose require cold climates places like Alaska, Canada, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Hampshire and Maine. Favorite foods include native willows, aspen and balsam fir trees, along with aquatic plants. The National Wildlife Federation reports that climate change threatens moose populations with overheating, tick infestations and other habitat changes. A year or so after the close encounter with the cow moose, Will was sound asleep in a backpack when I set the pack down on the rocky shore of a mountain lake west of Anaconda. I turned to talk to hiking companions and the pack, with Will strapped securely within, tipped over, fell in the lake and sank. For a split second, he was fully submerged in the icy cold lake. Horrified, I retrieved Will. Aside from a vigorous wail, he was fine. Somehow, Will survived his Montana childhood. Hes now 28 years old and lives in Missoula. On a recent weekend, Will and I and our dogs went for a hike near Missoula. We stopped for a rest and a young man hiked by with a hefty moose antler strapped to his daypack. He said hed found it the day before. Will and I were envious and joked about strategies we might employ to unburden the guy from his find. We love moose. Seth Clayton, executive director of Board of Water Works of Pueblo, speaks during a meeting discussing the Southside diversion dam improvements project at the Rawlings Library on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Pueblo Water expects to begin reconstruction of the Southside Diversion Dam and Raw Water Intake facility behind City Park in early September, it announced Tuesday during a project update at the Rawlings Library. Reconstruction is expected to last around eight months before Pueblo Water begins a full commissioning of the rehabilitation project, which it announced in 2021 to improve safety on that part of the Arkansas River and create a passageway that would allow users to ride the river unimpeded. That commissioning is estimated to start in July 2024, with accessibility of the area to come after thats completed. The design is such that you can float down through that boat passage in an inner tube and be fairly sure that youre not going to run into an issue, said Seth Clayton, executive director of Pueblo Water. That creates additional recreational opportunities. Right now, we have that reach of the river split into two with that low-head dam, so this will open things up and make that reach of the river from below Pueblo Reservoir all the way to Runyon Lake fully navigable. The estimated cost of the project is $11 million. To cover that, Pueblo Water secured a $9.75 million low-interest loan from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the city, county and Pueblo Conservancy District each pitched in $325,000. Pueblo Water will cover the rest, Clayton said. Clayton also said Pueblo Water is unlikely to change its rates to help repay the loan. Why is Pueblo Water rehabilitating the dam? The dam, at times, has been a hazard for people who visit that area by water or land. In summer 2020, a father and son, Ricardo Valencia Sanchez, 46, and Jose Louis Valencia, 16, drowned after they were ejected from a raft on that stretch of the Arkansas River. Pueblo Water said these deaths accelerated the timeline of the project, which it had started design work for at the end of 2018, Clayton said. Because of that hazard, Pueblo Water called the safety of the community a primary driver for the project. This existing dam has about a 12-foot drop from upstream to downstream, said Scot Burbidge, transmission, distribution and engineering manager for Pueblo Water. What happens during different and higher flow conditions is the water is so efficiently passed to the downstream side, it creates a high velocity current that moves water with quite a force back toward the dam. Anybody that comes over the dam gets caught in that current. The Southside Diversion Dam that's located behind City Park. Burbidge added that even the strongest of swimmers could have great difficulty in swimming out of that situation because of the strength of the moving water. What does the design look like? There are a lot of parts to the design, but in addition to enhancing the safety of the area and incorporating a recreational element, the design includes small channels for fish to safely swim downstream through that area and maintains some of the dams key functions, including the ability to divert water to the Riverside Dairy Ditch, among others. More: Summer paving season has arrived. Here's what to know about this year's projects To make the area safe to navigate, a series of six drops, or pools, will be created along the north side of the river. Those will fall incrementally at a total of 12 feet, Burbidge said. At their deepest points, each of those pools will be about 3 to 4 feet, said Joe Cervi, public relations specialist for Pueblo Water. Theyll also feature a calm stream with beaches alongside them if people want to temporarily exit the water. A chute spillway will be built where the 12-foot drop is now and should provide a safer and less dangerous path downstream if people decide to take that route, which would operate like a lazy river, Clayton said. Pueblo Water constructed a model to simulate the flow of water through this design. It makes sure we dont create any different conditions upstream or downstream by the new construction, Burbidge said. Contractors will construct a new pedestrian bridge that will tie into a new trail system, which at certain points will connect to the existing one near the north end of the river. The existing pedestrian bridge in that area will be relocated upstream near Pool 3 and should provide access from the trail to people who want to recreate or fish in the area. An aerial view of the rehabilitation project for the Southside Diversion Dam that will include six drops, or pools, and a chute spillway that is designed to increase safety. Clayton said the project could potentially lead to other opportunities in the future such as the erection of a parking lot near Pueblo Boulevard, allowing people to walk to the area from their cars, or tying it in with the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Centers River Campus. I think its going to be a really tremendous project and amenity for a lot of people, Clayton said. Some residents who live around the area express concerns At Tuesday's project update, some attendees who live near the dam and project site cited infrastructure and stormwater concerns with the surrounding area. Others questioned what the impact will be on nearby residents with whats expected to be increased foot traffic in that area because of its recreational potential. Clayton was amenable to those concerns but said they are unlikely to alter the project in any way because they are exclusive of one another and the project. Pueblo Water owns the dam but none of the surrounding property. However, he said Pueblo Water has worked with the city regarding the planned trail system and new pedestrian bridge and that its open to joining, if need be, any community sessions that include those residents and the city. City Council President Heather Graham and councilor Larry Atencio each urged residents who might be impacted by the project to meet and discuss concerns so they can address them with the city. Chieftain reporter Josue Perez can be reached at JHPerez@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @josuepwrites. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: What we know about reconstruction plans for Pueblo's Southside dam The Morganton Womans Club announced the Beatrice Cobb Scholarships at its May meeting. The Scholarship Committee members Kay Lewis, Vivian Streater and Lonna Wilson received applications from all the Burke County high schools for the three $5,000 awards. The scholarships were made possible by the generous support of the Beatrice Cobb Trust. Miss Cobbs mother was a member of the Morganton Womans Club and she maintained an interest in the clubs activities over the years. The trusts annual award continues that support. The Morganton Womans Club was organized in 1920 and federated in 1921. Marsha Riddle, president, presided at the club meeting, which hosted the winners and their families. Winners of the 2023 awards are: Ella Huffman is an East Burke High School senior who plans to attend Wingate University to pursue a degree in nursing. Ella made the career choice after experiencing the support of the nurses who cared for her mother in her battle with cancer. One of her teachers commented in her application, Ella is just one of those students you love to have in your class. Ella and her family volunteer together on Christmas morning serving breakfast to others before opening their presents at home. Ella was unable to attend the meeting. Kelsey Burnett is a Freedom High School senior who plans to attend Western Piedmont Community College and North Carolina State University to pursue a degree in agriculture. She wants to be a teacher and is active in the farm life of her family. She is a member and officer of the Future Farmers of America. This experience has supported her leadership and public speaking skills and she has enjoyed being a team player in the organization. Her parents and brother attended the meeting with her. Joselyn Olvera-Salgado is an East Burke High School senior who plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to pursue a career in architecture. Joselyn will be a first generation Mexican-American in her family to attend college. One of her teachers commented in her application, Joselyn is perhaps one of the most intelligent students I have had the pleasure of teaching over my eight-year career. Joselyns parents attended the meeting with her. The Morganton Womans Club is always happy to award the Beatrice Cobb Scholarships to deserving high school seniors. Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Immigrants have left their imprint on Chicago since Jean Baptiste Point DuSable became the areas first nonnative settler in 1779. Yet its only in the past roughly 40 years that undocumented migrants some of whom escaped war, gang violence and failing economies and governments in their native counties have found protection from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) here. Advertisement Mayor Harold Washington signed an executive order in 1985 providing equal access to city services for all people, regardless of immigration status. The order also halted the citys cooperation with federal immigration authorities and prevented its police from detaining people solely on the belief that they are in the U.S. illegally. [ Timeline: Chicagos more than 40-year history as a sanctuary city ] The city government has and will work closely with those agencies to endure that the public good is protected pursuant to law, Washington said on March 7, 1985. We draw the line, however, in the actions of any agency that impinges on peoples fundamental human rights. Advertisement Despite opposition, city leaders have continued to affirm Washingtons position. Chicagos sanctuary city status, however, often makes it a target. Chicago is a frequent drop-off destination for buses, chartered by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, containing migrants. People seeking asylum have overwhelmed the citys social services and are living at police stations while awaiting placement at shelters. Yesterday, Chicago aldermen voted to spend $51 million on migrant care this month, but the decision sparked a spirited debate among aldermen whose neighborhoods have been hurt by decades of disinvestment. As the city continues to grapple with this humanitarian crisis, heres a look back at the leaders and laws that have shaped Chicagos involvement with the sanctuary movement. How you can support this newsletter Become a Tribune subscriber: its just $12 for a 1-year digital subscription. Follow us on Instagram: @vintagetribune. And, catch me Monday mornings on WLS-AMs The Steve Cochran Show for a look at This week in Chicago history. Thanks for reading! Kori Rumore, visual reporter Chicago history | More newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Todays eNewspaper edition July 18, 1982: Church becomes first in Chicago to take in refugees People from El Salvador wear masks to hide their faces during a visit on Aug. 8, 1982, to the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. The church is giving them sanctuary even though the U.S. government considers them "illegal aliens" and could prosecute. Seated with them at left is James A. Corbett, one of the founders of the Sanctuary movement, which assists people fleeing civil war and seeking political asylum in the United States. (Arthur Walker/Chicago Tribune) The Wellington Avenue Church congregation votes to join the sanctuary movement becoming just the second church in the U.S. to harbor refugees who entered the country illegally. Read more here. Advertisement November 1982: Group becomes U.S. leader in sanctuary movement Protesting outside the Federal Building on Sept. 15, 1983, members of the Chicago Religious Task Force on Central America call for an end to U.S. involvement on the 162nd anniversary of five Central American countries' independence from Spain. (Jerry Tomaselli/Chicago Tribune) Recognized for its work in organizing and transporting refugees from El Salvador to a network of welcoming churches around the U.S., the Chicago Religious Task Force on Central America becomes the national clearinghouse for the sanctuary movement. Read more here. March 7, 1985: Mayor encourages equal access by all persons to city services, licenses Mayor Harold Washington, center, raises his hand as he talks about signing an executive order to assure that all residents of Chicago, regardless of nationality or citizenship, shall have fair and equal access to municipal benefits, opportunities and services on March 7, 1985. With Washington is his Latino Advisory Commission, including Jesus Chuy Garcia, third from right in background. (Carl Hugare / Chicago Tribune) Mayor Harold Washington signs an executive order ending the citys practice of asking job and license applicants about their U.S. citizenship and halting cooperation by city agencies with federal immigration authorities. Read more here. April 30, 1987: Feds offer immigrants ways to gain legal status A.D. Moyer, Chicago district director for Immigration Services, points out locations where undocumented immigrants can get help applying for legalization at a press conference at the Federal Building on April 30, 1987. (Walter Kale/Chicago Tribune) Less than 1 1/2 years after overseeing raids on taxi drivers in the U.S. illegally, Chicagos Immigration and Naturalization Service Director A.D. Moyer details plans to open four centers to help immigrants with paperwork to become legal U.S. residents. The effort is part of the Immigration Reform and Control Act, a law passed by Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan to offer a path to legal residence for people in the U.S. illegally since Jan. 1, 1982. Read more here. April 25, 1989: Daley adopts Washingtons sanctuary stance Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz, right, swears in Mayor Richard M. Daley, left, on April 24, 1989. Daley's family stands with him. Left to right are: son, Patrick, 13; daughters, Nora, 15 and Elizabeth, 5 and wife, Maggie. (Frank Hanes/Chicago Tribune) Shortly after taking office, Daley signs 13 executive orders including one that reaffirms fair and equal access to employment, benefits and licenses to all regardless of nationality or citizenship. Read more here. Aug. 15, 2006: Woman seeks church refuge to avoid deportation, reviving sanctuary movement Roberto Lopez, right, interprets for Elvira Arellano and her son Saul at a press conference at Adalberto Methodist Church in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2006. Arellano's lawyers introduced a new defense for her and her son. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune) Elvira Arellano and her U.S.-born son take refuge inside Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicagos Humboldt Park neighborhood. Read more here. Sept. 12, 2012: Welcoming City ordinance passes Mayor Rahm Emanuel, center, and Congressman Luis Gutierrez, left, announce a new ordinance that will make Chicago the most immigrant friendly city in the country at a news conference at Little Village High School on July 10, 2012. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune) Building on an existing ordinance that prohibits agencies from inquiring about the immigration status of people seeking city services, this ordinance also prevents local police from detaining people solely on the belief that they are in the U.S. illegally, and cooperating with federal agents when they suspect status is the only reason the warrant has been issued. Read more here. Advertisement Jan. 27, 2017: Chicago advocates condemn Trumps immigration ban People protest President Trump's executive order on refugees at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on Jan. 28, 2017. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) An executive order issued by President Donald Trump banning immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries sets off a tumultuous day at OHare as frantic relatives, hundreds of protesters and volunteer lawyers gather at the airport. Vintage Chicago Tribune Weekly The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune's archives featuring photos and stories about the people, places and events that shape the city's past, present and future. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Before a federal judge in New York ruled to block the U.S. from sending people out of the country under Trumps order, a few of those being held at OHare had already been released after hours of questioning. Read more here. April 30, 2020: Judges rule in favor of Chicago in sanctuary city fight with Justice Department A sticker supporting Chicago as a sanctuary city is found on Michigan Ave on Feb. 7, 2017. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Trumps Justice Department cant withhold federal grants from sanctuary cities such as Chicago that extend protections to undocumented immigrants, a federal appeals court ruled. The battle started in 2017, when Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the federal government would require sanctuary cities that want federal public safety funding to give notice when immigrants in the country illegally are about to be released from custody and allow immigration agents access to local jails. Read more here. May 9, 2023: Mayor Lightfoot declares state of emergency: Weve reached a breaking point 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. Migrants are living at police stations while awaiting room in a shelter. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) The executive order is in response to the thousands of migrants settling in the city, often under harsh living conditions, after crossing the U.S. southern border to seek asylum. It came nine months after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, began shepherding recent refugees from Central and South America onto one-way bus rides to Chicago, arguing that liberal sanctuary cities should readily take on more of the burden stemming from the border crisis. Read more here. Advertisement Join our Chicagoland history Facebook group and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicagos past. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com. The Uptown Butte Art Walk will be Friday at businesses throughout Uptown Butte and beyond. This event is from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month through September. Butte businesses will host numerous artists and musical events throughout Uptown. Several artists will showcase their work, including Stella Nall, Pat Ryan, Cara Murray and David Johnson, among others. Maps of the venues are posted online and can be downloaded from the Clark Chateau website, or find a map at participating uptown businesses which are listed below. For more details, contact Christine Martin at cmartin@bsb.mt.gov. 1. Clark Chateau, 321 W. Broadway St.: Stella Nalls Whimsy of the Wild West, paintings, printmaking and beadwork. 2. Carle Gallery in the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library: Lisa Faughts The Time is Always Now. 3. The Wine Cellar, 219 W. Park St.: Zahrah "Bella Art, paintings and drawings. 4. Paper Cranes, 15 S. Montana St., Butte: Selected Works. 5. Headframe Spirits, 21 S. Montana St.: Cara Murray, acrylic and watercolors. 6. Slainte, 8 S. Montana St.: David Johnson, "Spirits in the Woods" wood sculptures. 7. Stephen's Block, 142 W. Park St.: Jim Ward photography and live music with Chad Okrush. 8. Feathering Your Nest, 127 W. Park St.: Sallie Bowen, acrylic paintings and watercolors. 9. Imagine Butte Resource Center, 68 W. Park St.: Invisible Disabilities: Becoming Seen and the Montana Art Therapy Association. 10. Mainstope Gallery, 14 S. Dakota St.: Corners Visited: The Watercolors of Ray Campeau. 11. The Yoga Cooperative, 14 S. Dakota St.: Pat Ryan, Butte Tiny Prints and Paintings. 12. Hungry Hill Clay Center, 14 S. Dakota St.: open studio tours. 13. Square Peg, 66 W. Park St.: Sarah Dunn, crafted jewelry and painted jewelry boxes. 14. The Abode, 22 W. Park St.: selected works. 15. Lobby of NorthWestern Energy, 11 E. Park St.: We Wear Orange Gun Safety Awareness Student Art Show and Contest. 16. Whiteheads Cutlery, 73 E. Park St.: Marlys Granlund, paintings and watercolors. 17. Isle of Books, 43 E. Broadway St.: Thomas Pomerico in Retrospect and Maria Falbo art; music by Platinum Street Jazz. 18. Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives, 17 W. Quartz St.: PLAY! summer history exhibit opening that showcases different forms of play in Butte from 1895-2020. 19. Career Futures, 55 W. Granite St.: Ken Torpey, landscapes in oil. 20. KBMF, 156 W. Granite St.: Art Makers Market with the extended KBMF family of DJs and volunteers. 21. How Novel Story Lorry, 156 W. Granite St.: Nicole Pontier-Carrels, paintings and mobile bookshop. 22. Ghetto Gallery, 654 S. Montana St.: Patricia Schaeffers Abstract Art. 23. Zen Medicine, 628 E. Front St.: selected works. 24. Homestake Pub, 1107 Utah Ave.: Noble Lion prints by Chelsea Smith. With the passage of SB 178 this past legislative session, Montana has taken a bold step forward in welcoming the booming cryptocurrency industry to the Big Sky state. This legislation was approved by both the House and Senate on a bipartisan vote with overwhelming support across the political spectrum, from conservatives and libertarians to Butte Democrats and members representing our tribal nations. They all understood the power behind putting a predictable regulatory framework in place for cryptocurrency mining and the potential it holds for everyday Montanans. For years, we had hoped that leaders in our nations capital would step forward and enact the kind of legislation that passed here in Montana. Because of their inaction, we have both introduced similar bills over multiple sessions to place the welcome mat for innovators in the crypto space to invest in our state. The new law enacts several important protections for digital asset miners and users and removes regulatory uncertainty. For instance, it allows the industry to flourish in Montana without being subjected to discrimination or unnecessarily onerous requirements. This means that local and county governments cannot pass rules that treat crypto mining operations differently than other data centers. They cannot prevent a digital asset mining business from operating in an area zoned for industrial use, nor prevent home digital asset mining at a private residence, except as related to existing noise ordinances. The bill makes clear that digital assets are personal property, and prevents the taxation of the transaction of such currency if used to make payments. These protections give digital asset miners and the general public an important understanding of the rules of the road as it relates to the industry in Montana. Gov. Greg Gianforte has said many times that Montana is open for business. We are pleased to echo his words by adding that it is now truly open for business for this tremendously entrepreneurial industry in particular. We want to welcome more crypto and digital asset businesses to the state where we envision a safe haven where major firms could set up their headquarters here. We herald the potential of this industry in helping to stabilize our energy grid, and believe that investment in digital asset mining can allow Montana to increase the production of our energy and digitally export Montanas energy across the world. And perhaps most importantly, we are thrilled to see a place in Montana for an industry that wont change our culture. Although content if Montana reaps the benefits of SB 178, we dont want to hoard all of the success. The U.S. Congress should use Montanas legislation as a model and pass a Federal digital asset protection law. The United States can and should be the leader in this field, and our leaders in Washington should be welcoming and encouraging the industry, not threatening it with taxes and unfair regulation. Lets do what we have done with many other new and innovate industries and give this industry a roadmap thats fair and that works, and let the innovators lead the way. Its that simple. We hope all members of our congressional delegation will speak up in favor of this commonsense approach. Montana is called the Treasure State for obvious reasons. But we dont need to physically mine the earth for every natural resource. We can add digital asset mining to the list of reasons Montana leads the way. By opening the doors to an industry that can bring about a more modern and financially fair economy for many Montanans, we hope that Washington, D.C., takes note of our efforts here in one of the laboratories of democracy. At least eight states this year have decided to seek federal approval to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage, leaving just a handful that have opted not to guarantee at least a year of health care for women during that critical period after pregnancy. The new states on the list include Montana, where lawmakers in the recently ended legislative session voted for a state budget that contains $6.2 million in state and federal funds over the next two years to extend continuous postpartum eligibility from 60 days to 12 months after pregnancy. That would ensure coverage for between 1,000 and 2,000 additional parents in the state each year, according to federal and state estimates. Maggie Clark, the program director for Georgetown Universitys Center for Children and Families, has been tracking statehouse bills to expand postpartum coverage under Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for low-income people. Whats driving the wave is the recognition by policymakers of all political affiliations that the U.S. is in a maternal health crisis, she said. Maternal mortality rates increased during the pandemic, particularly among non-Hispanic Black women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Whether youre conservative, liberal, or somewhere in between, people are really supportive of maternal health and helping moms and babies get a good start, Clark said. More than 4 in 10 births in the U.S. are covered under Medicaid. But the default postpartum coverage period is 60 days. State by state, momentum has been building to ensure that new mothers medical care isnt interrupted by loss of health care coverage. The American Rescue Plan Act made it easier for states to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage by allowing them to simply amend their Medicaid plans instead of applying for a full waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Besides Montana, legislators in Alaska, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming passed measures this year to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a year. States must submit amendments to their Medicaid plans to federal officials for approval. South Dakota officials submitted a proposed amendment to the states Medicaid plan in March. That amendment is pending with CMS, which has approved 12-month postpartum coverage plans for 33 states and Washington, D.C., as of May 30. New York and Vermont also have applications pending, and the states with newly passed measures are expected to submit theirs soon. It typically takes a couple of months for CMS to approve state Medicaid plan amendments to extend postpartum coverage, Clark said. Lawmakers in Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin are considering measures to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months. Three other states considered but failed to pass legislation this year that would have authorized 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage: Idaho; Iowa; and Arkansas, which has the nations highest reported maternal mortality rate, according to the CDC. Support in statehouses for such measures has been mostly bipartisan at a time of polarizing debate over reproductive health policy since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. Abortion has crept into the debate in some instances. The Texas House, for example, passed a 12-month postpartum coverage bill in April, only to see the measure amended in the state Senate to bar coverage for women after an abortion. After negotiations, the bill that passed said, Medicaid coverage is extended for mothers whose pregnancies end in the delivery of the child or end in the natural loss of the child, leading some to worry that federal officials wont approve the amendment to the state plan. The bill is headed to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has said he supports the measure. Extended postpartum coverage allows new parents to establish a relationship with their health provider and manage their care and chronic illnesses without a disruption in insurance coverage. Continuous care is particularly important in the first year after birth, when patients face an increased risk of post-pregnancy complications and a significant number of maternal deaths occur from suicide and substance use, said Annie Glover, a senior research scientist at the University of Montanas Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities. The year that follows the delivery is a very vulnerable year for the pregnant person, Glover said. They have a new infant in their family, and this is a time when they probably need health care more than ever. Its particularly important to provide access to mental health and substance use treatment, said Stephanie Morton, the director of programs and impact for the nonprofit Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: the Montana Coalition. We know that suicide and overdose combined are a leading cause of death for new mothers, she said. Montanas Republican governor, Greg Gianforte, included the postpartum coverage extension in his original budget proposal last fall. But a moment of confusion occurred on May 22 when Gianforte vetoed a bill that would have directed how certain provisions of the state budget are implemented, including the postpartum coverage extension. State health officials and the bills sponsor, Republican Rep. Bob Keenan, said the veto does not affect the ability of the state to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage. Supporting new mothers and infants by extending Medicaid coverage for up to 12 months postpartum was a top priority for the governor and his administration this session, said state Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton in an emailed statement. Were thankful for the Legislatures support. States were not allowed to drop most beneficiaries from their programs during the covid-19 pandemic, so parents losing Medicaid coverage after the birth of a child wasnt an issue. But states are reviewing their Medicaid rolls now that the public health emergency has ended. The Biden administration has estimated that 15 million people could lose Medicaid as a result. That could include some people who would qualify for postpartum coverage in states whose approval of the extension is pending. But state agencies have a lot of discretion in how they redetermine Medicaid enrollment, and Clark said she expects they will do what they can to make sure new parents dont lose coverage as part of whats being called the Medicaid unwinding. We hope the state agencies would honor the wishes of the legislature, she said. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. USE OUR CONTENT This story can be republished for free (details). A cold treat on a hot day gave the people of Muscatine a chance to help put an end to Epilepsy. On Thursday, (back) Elijah Chapin, and Carter Dorton, and (front) Jack Schroeder and Miranda Schroeder sold popsicles in front of Mulberry Elementary to raise money for Team Jack. The event is part of the Eastern Iowa Walk to End Epilepsy. Jack suffers from Epilepsy and has been having seizures for about five years. The group wont go to the actual walk, which is being held Saturday in Iowa City. Instead the family will walk around Weed Park, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. The public is invited to attend. WAPELLO Selena Gerst, of Wapello, was appointed county auditor on Tuesday by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors. Gerst served in the office as first deputy to previous County Auditor Sandi Sturgell, who presented a resignation letter announcing her retirement to the supervisors during their March 14 meeting. The supervisors later agreed to use the appointment process to fill the vacancy. No applications for the position were submitted, officials reported. Although Sturgell had set May 31 in her letter as her actual final day, during Tuesdays meeting she announced she had resigned early to allow any appointment by the supervisors to proceed without delay. Gerst reminded the supervisors during the discussion on her appointment that local voters could still petition the board for a special election. The petition would need to be signed by 356 eligible electors and submitted within the next 14 days. Supervisor Shawn Maine said he was hopeful voters would allow the appointment to stand, especially since a special election could cost nearly $8,000 to conduct. He also pointed out Gersts appointment is only for the completion of Sturgells remaining term, which expires Dec. 31, 2024, meaning voters will have an opportunity at the November 2024 election to vote on the position. Gerst was administered the oath of office by Supervisor chair Chris Ball following approval of her appointment. In other action during Tuesdays meeting, the supervisors held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the countys Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget; and following the hearing, which did not draw any comments, agreed to a resolution approving the amendment. According to the amendments public notice, $402,549 in additional total revenues and other sources will be added to the countys current budget. There are also $441,068 in additional total expenditures and other uses approved in the amendment. The $35,519 deficit will be added to the budgets previously approved $750,830 shortfall and will be covered through the budgets beginning fund balance of $3,652,124. That will drop the new ending fund balance to $2,862,775. The additional expenditures included corrections to the original sheriffs budget, new binder, employee payouts, van maintenance and waterline repairs. The additional revenue came from increased public health patients, grants, increased prisoner room and board fees, sale right of way by the conservation board and donations. The supervisors also approved fireworks permits for Lakeside Club, Inc. and David Hills, Columbus Junction. An application from Easter Iowa Light & Power Cooperative to install wire across O Avenue was also approved, following a report from County Engineer Adam Shutt. In the rest of his weekly update to the board, Shutt also reported it could be the end of June before work is completed on the County Road W66 bridge north of Cotter. He also reported earthwork on the County Road G44X/160 Street intersection near Grandview will likely begin next week and be completed by the end of June, with concrete work expected to start in September. PHOTOS: Davenport Mayoral Primary Recount 101619-qct-qca-recount-001 101619-qct-qca-recount-002 101619-qct-qca-recount-003 101619-qct-qca-recount-004 101619-qct-qca-recount-005 101619-qct-qca-recount-006 101619-qct-qca-recount-007 101619-qct-qca-recount-008 101619-qct-qca-recount-009 101619-qct-qca-recount-010 Although many students and families are focusing on their incoming summer break, its never too early to begin thinking about the following school year, which next year will include a new Christian education option in Muscatine. With its first school year set to start in fall 2023, the team at the Muscatine Christian Academy hope to provide interested parents, students and potential staff members with as much information as possible. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at First Baptist Church, 3003 Mulberry Ave., the school will hold a public community meeting for prospective and current parents of the school as well as donors, supporters of the school and potential staff. Were pretty excited about (this meeting), Hillcrest Baptist Pastor Dave McIntosh said. The meeting will include a facility tour, giving them a chance to see the classrooms as well as the overall educational environment where students will learn. While the campus for the academy will be hosted by First Baptist Church for its first year, there are already plans in place to find a more permanent facility for the school in the near future. Guests will also get a preview of the academys non-denominational curriculum and have the chance to ask questions during a Q&A. Those interested in joining the school as a staff member will also have a chance to fill out a job application and learn more about the offered positions. McIntosh expects the informational portion of the meeting to last about 45 minutes to an hour with the tours and curriculum overview being after that. As for the Q&A, he said that its length will depend on the amount of interaction they have. McIntosh hopes to give the families and students that have already enrolled a chance to see where they are at in the school opening process as well as giving them a preview of new school year. We also want to give general information, as there are still families who are looking at us and considering if our education model would fit their students goals, needs and desires, he added. Muscatine Christian Academy has been developing for more than a year, first being discussed in summer 2022, following a community interest survey. It is being headed by the launch team of McIntosh, Nathan Mather, Jill Mather and Danae Voigt. With its 2023-2024 year, the school will only serve kindergarten through sixth-grade students, although the team hopes to expand into seventh grade and beyond as soon as fall 2024. Both student enrollment and employment applications are still open. For more information on Muscatine Christian Academy, its application process for students or its currently available staffing or facility positions, go to its website at muscatinechristianacademy.org. Photos: Trinity Lutheran Church holds service for Texas school shooting victims Three people remained unaccounted for Thursday, city officials said in their third news conference since the apartment building at 324 Main St. partially collapsed. Officers contacted two of the five missing people previously reported, Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel said. One person had moved out and was found in Texas, Bladel said, and another was found locally in Davenport. Daniel Prien, 60, is still missing, as are Branden Colvin and Ryan Hitchcock, as previously reported. The apartments where Colvin, Hitchcock and Prien lived were among the parts of the building that collapsed Sunday, Bladel said. The city is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs on trying to locate Prien, Bladel said, and the city doesn't know of any family members to contact. The three are entered into the National Database of Missing Persons, but Bladel said of at least two of the three: "There's a high probability that they are within that collapsed space." "All the information provided to us is that that space is not sustainable for life," Bladel said. Bladel noted that the city is also working with social services agencies to account for transient populations or anyone who may have been in the building temporarily. Going off a tenant list, the city estimated just over 50 tenants lived in the 80-unit apartment building. A sweep of parts of the building Tuesday afternoon did not lead to any more people being found. Nine pets were rescued Tuesday. Wednesday evening, the city released hundreds of pages of documents related to the building, including engineering reports, tenant complaints and communications between city officials and engineering and contractor firms. Around 9 p.m. Wednesday, the city released a brief statement saying the engineering firm hired by the city, Shive Hattery, had been on the site during the day assessing damage and stability. City inspector resigns Questions abounded earlier this week when an inspection report online connected to a building permit issued for repair work on May 25 appeared to change from "pass" to "fail" after the fact. An inspector erroneously clicked "pass" on that inspection report when it's status should have been incomplete, said Rich Oswald, the city's director of development neighborhood services, because the work had just started. The employee then changed it to "incomplete" in the days after the building collapse, which displayed as a "fail" message because of what city officials called a technology "glitch" they're working to fix. That city employee resigned Wednesday, Oswald said. "We understand this was an administrative error," Oswald said. "But the magnitude of the situation and the error that was made the employee, the staff member gave their resignation yesterday. So they are no longer with us. I want the public to know that the status of incomplete is accurate. The repair work was never completed and never signed off on." Oswald pointed to Select Structural Engineering reports that determined in February the building was safe to occupy for tenants in February while work was being done and in May, days before the collapse the report did not include any recommendation to vacate. "At the time and the information we had, based on the engineering from Select Structural, there was no cause to think they shouldn't be (tenants living there.)" Oswald said. "So that was why that permit was issued for that repair work to be done." Davenport issued a citation in court against property owner Andrew Wold for failing to manage the building in a safe condition. The penalty listed was $300 plus court fees. Asked about the fine, City Attorney Tom Warner said the court action was meant to prevent Wold from transferring the property to evade paying demolition costs. "When we bring that building down, it's going to be costly," Warner said. "The last thing we want is for that owner to transfer that property and avoid that." The city is working on a timeline for demolition and reaching out to experts in taking down the building in a "dignified and respectful way" that treats the building as a "resting place," Mayor Mike Matson said. He declined to give any specifics on a timeline. There will be efforts to recover the remains during the demolition, he said. "That's the level that we intend to do because of what we believe we are dealing with," he said. Rescue personnel, including infrared and canine teams, have been in the building "numerous times," Matson said. He praised the first responders and search teams that have responded, which include local and state agencies. Matson said he could not answer whether the city could have prevented this. "This will be a conversation for a long period of time," he said. He said he had regrets about the tragedy. "Do I think about this every moment? Hell yeah," he said. "(...) It's on me." Those searching the building and city employees should not be the ones taking the blame, Matson said. Another news conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. today related to city assistance for displaced tenants, Matson said. Building collapse day 3 QUINCY, Ill. (AP) A jury Wednesday convicted a former contestant on the television game show Family Feud of first-degree murder and home invasion in the slaying of his estranged wife in western Illinois. Timothy Bliefnick, 40, was found guilty in the Feb. 23 shooting death of Rebecca Bliefnick. The Adams County Circuit Court jury in Quincy deliberated about four hours after Timothy Bliefnick did not testify and the defense did not call any evidence. Adams County sheriff's deputies took Bliefnick into custody immediately after the verdict was read. Bliefnick is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 11 The body of Rebecca Bliefnick, 41, was found by a family member inside her Quincy home after she failed to pick up her children from school. She had been shot multiple times. Timothy Bliefnick was arrested March 13, 12 days after his Quincy home was searched. The couple was separated and going through a divorce. In 2020, Timothy Bliefnick and some of his family members appeared on ABC's Family Feud," KHQA-TV has reported. One of the questions asked by host Steve Harvey was, What was the biggest mistake you made at your wedding? Bliefnick answered I do. He immediately told Harvey not mine to say, not mine to say. I love my wife. He also said, Im going to get in trouble for that, arent I? Harvey responded, Its going to be a lot of hell to pay at your house. Bliefnicks answer was second on the board with 20 out of 100 people polled giving the same answer. Getting sloshed was No. 1 with 30 answers. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A structural engineers report issued last week indicated a wall of a century-old apartment building in Iowa was at imminent risk of crumbling, yet neither the owner nor city officials warned residents of the danger days before the building partially collapsed, leaving three people missing and feared dead. The revelation is the latest flashpoint after Sundays partial collapse of the building in Davenport, where residents have lashed out at city leaders over what they see as an inept response. Do I have regrets about this tragedy and about people potentially losing their lives? Hell yeah. Do I think about this every moment? Hell yeah. Mayor Mike Matson said Thursday. I have regrets about a lot of things. Believe me, were going to look at that. City officials said Thursday that they did not order an evacuation because they relied on the engineers assurances that the building remained safe. The states search and rescue team, search dogs and cameras were used Thursday to continue combing the building for missing people. Matson said crews were also consulting with experts about how to safely bring down the structure, which remains extremely unstable, while being respectful of bodies that could be buried in the debris. The six-story building collapsed shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday. Rescue crews pulled seven people from the building in their initial response and escorted out 12 others who could walk on their own. Later, two more people were rescued, including a woman who was removed from the fourth floor hours after authorities said they were going to begin setting up for demolition. Earlier this week, authorities said five people were missing, but Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel said during a media briefing Thursday that two of them have since been accounted for and are safe. City officials named those unaccounted for as Branden Colvin, Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien. The city said all three have high probability of being home at the time of the collapse and their apartments were located in the collapse zone. Bladel said transient people also often enter the building but there is no indication anyone else was inside and missing. People living in the building will be eligible for $6,000 payments from the city and those meeting certain income requirements could get state payments of $5,000. Businesses near the collapsed building will also be eligible to receive payments. City Administrator Corri Spiegel said the building likely is filled with asbestos given its age and the city will develop a plan to protect workers and others when the structure is demolished. The city on Wednesday night released documents, including structural engineering reports, that show city officials and the buildings owner were warned that parts of the building were unstable. A report dated May 24, just four days before the collapse, suggested patches in the west side of the buildings brick facade appear ready to fall imminently and could be a safety hazard. The report also detailed that window openings, some filled and some unfilled, were insecure. In one case, the openings were bulging outward and looked poised to fall. Inside the first floor, unsupported window openings help explain why the facade is currently about to topple outward. Despite the warnings, city officials did not order some 50 tenants to leave the building. Rich Oswald, the citys director of development and neighborhood services, confirmed Thursday that the city's chief building official, Trishna Pradhan, resigned earlier this week in the aftermath of the collapse. Pradhan had visited the building on May 25, and erroneously reported it had passed an inspection in notes in the citys online permitting system, Oswald said. Pradhan attempted to change the inspection result to incomplete on Tuesday after the collapse but a technical glitch instead listed the outcome as failed, he said. Oswald said the incomplete status is the correct status since the repair work was unfinished. Though the error was administrative, Oswald said the "magnitude of the situation and the error that was made" led to Pradhan's resignation. Calls and text messages to Pradhan were not immediately returned. The city clarified later in the day that Pradhan had resigned voluntarily and not in lieu of termination. Under Iowa law, it is a confidential personnel matter and the city is not required to explain the departure. Matson promised to improve inspections and to investigate what happened. Andrew Wold, the buildings owner, released a statement dated Tuesday saying our thoughts and prayers are with our tenants. County records show his company, Davenport Hotel, L.L.C., acquired the building in a 2021 deal worth $4.2 million. As the building deteriorated, tenants repeatedly complained about a host of other problems they say were ignored by property managers, including no heat or hot water for weeks or months at a time, mold and water leakage from ceilings and toilets. City officials gave orders to vacate some individual apartments and tried to address other complaints, but a broader building evacuation was never ordered, records show. City officials ordered repairs after they found seven fire code violations on Feb. 6. They were told three weeks later by building maintenance officials that none of the work was completed, records show. Assistant City Attorney Brian Heyer said hes unaware whether earlier civil enforcement actions to protect residents were considered. Only after the collapse did the city file a civil infraction seeking a $300 fine against Wold for failing to maintain the structure in a safe manner. He will be required to pay for the cost of demolition, Heyer said. Heyer said an enforcement action the city filed that resulted in a $4,500 fine in March for repeated trash overflows came in response to complaints from downtown residents and businesses about the debris. Emails sent to an attorney believed to be representing Wold have not been returned. The documents released Wednesday outline numerous other concerns raised by engineers, a utility company and city officials. Among them, MidAmerican Energy, an electric and gas utility, complained to the city in early February about an unsafe brick wall at the west corner of the building. A city notice dated Feb. 2 said the wall was gradually failing and cited visible crumbling of this exterior load bearing wall under the support beam. The notice also said the exterior brick veneer had separated and allowed rain and ice to cause damage. The notice ordered Davenport Hotel to provide an engineers letter stating this is not an imminent danger and to take immediate steps to repair the problems. A Feb. 8 letter to the city from engineering company Select Structural said an engineer conducted an emergency site visit Feb. 2 and determined the crumbling wall is not an imminent threat to the building or its residents, but structural repairs will be necessary. City inspectors monitored progress at the site and learned Feb. 28 that the west wall has collapsed into the scaffolding." This story has been updated to correct the the name of one of the men still missing. His name is spelled Branden Colvin, not Brandon Colvin. Foley reported from Iowa City, Iowa. Associated Press reporter Summer Ballentine contributed from Jefferson City, Missouri. Regional economic engines require key ingredients like skilled workers, capable private sector partners, proactive economic development and elected officials. With the right leadership and vision, we can ride the wave of advanced manufacturing that will build on this regions historic manufacturing foundation. Our inventory is strong. We have a skilled workforce, anchored by the building trades labor unions. We have the QC Manufacturing Lab and Western Illinois University's School of Engineering & Technology. In recent years, the Rock Island Arsenals Joint Manufacturing & Technology Center has been busy developing new technologies to help strengthen Americas security. We have economic development groups, from the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and the Greater QC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to city economic development specialists across the region. We're a region battle-tested after shedding thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs in the 1980s and '90s and then making a spirited comeback. At the national level, the Biden Administration has ushered in a significant manufacturing agenda thats yielding new business investments into manufacturing. Gov. J.B. Pritzker embraces the value of investing in higher education, infrastructure and innovation to help grow regional economies across Illinois. From passing the Rebuilding Illinois infrastructure bill to increased investments in higher education, his emphasis is on energizing regional economies. His administration has invested new dollars into growing the Illinois Innovation Network, a statewide education and innovation network that includes all public universities. Regional economic growth also relies on a creative partnership between the private and public sectors. One key action to position our region for growth was building the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities Riverfront Campus. When then-IBHE Director Judy Erwin visited Moline, she praised our blueprint for a university that matches a curriculum with the regions business needs. One of the key arguments we made during the multi-year advocacy effort was that the new campus would create new educational opportunities and be a catalyst for new riverfront economic development in what we called a rivertech corridor. During my term on the governors Rural Affairs Task Force, we heard over and over about the need to connect the needs of businesses to community colleges and universities. That vision education-led economic development builds a workforce for the jobs of the future. Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, released some promising statistics during his "Manufacturing Matters Tour." He touted research that shows Rock Island County alone generates $4.9 billion in economic output each year, and roughly 13,050 total jobs are supported by manufacturing in Rock Island County. When I ran for state representative in 2010, I told members of organized labor that we needed to position this region for the new manufacturing jobs from building wind turbines and solar cell panels to modernizing our schools and buildings to manufacturing the new electric vehicle charging stations. If the clean-energy manufacturing jobs are landing overseas in China and across the globe, let's work harder to anchor them here in the Quad Cities. We have the ingredients. In 1927 John Deere manufactured its first combine that united harvesting and threshing methods into one operation. Heres to the next century of advanced manufacturing. In the end, this is about creating an economic opportunity region worthy of the next generation of workers and families. Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. A statue of Walt Disney and Micky Mouse stands in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Jan. 9, 2019. (John Raoux/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people are flocking to central Florida this weekend to go on theme park rides, mingle with costumed performers, dance at all-night parties and lounge poolside at hotels during Gay Days, a decades-long tradition. Even though Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers have championed a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws spurring the most prominent gay rights group in the U.S. and other civil rights organizations to issue warnings that the Sunshine State may no longer be safe Gay Days organizers are still encouraging visitors from around the world to come to one of Floridas largest gay and lesbian celebrations. Advertisement They say a large turnout will send a message that LGBTQ+ people arent going away in Florida, which is continually one of the most popular states for tourists to visit. If the hoped-for 150,000 or more visitors come to the half-week of pool parties, drag bingo and thrill rides at Orlandos theme parks and hotels, then thats the point, said Joseph Clark, CEO of Gay Days Inc. Right now is not the time to run. Its not the time to go away, Clark said. Its time to show we are here, we are queer and we arent going anywhere. Advertisement Unlike most of the country, which celebrates Pride in June, Orlando holds its Pride in October. Gay Days is a bonus celebration. Its not lost on the organizers that the highlight of the weekend will be a Saturday meetup of LGBTQ+ visitors at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, where the first Gay Days started as a single-day celebration in 1991. Traditionally, participants wear red shirts to identify themselves, and they meet for the afternoon parade in front of Cinderellas Castle. Currently Disney is embroiled in a legal fight with DeSantis over the governor and Republican lawmakers takeover of Disney Worlds governing district after Disney officials publicly opposed legislation that critics have dubbed Dont Say Gay. At first, the law banned classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity up to third grade, but this year it was expanded to apply to all grades. On top of that, Florida lawmakers recently passed bills making it a felony to provide gender-affirming health care to transgender minors, as well as banning people from entering bathrooms other than their sex assigned at birth, and prohibiting children from some performances, which takes aim at drag shows. The administration of DeSantis, who launched a campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination last week, also moved to revoke the liquor licenses of a Miami hotel and a performing arts center owned by the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation after they hosted drag shows where investigators claim minors were present. In response, some Florida cities, including St. Cloud near Orlando, have canceled Pride events altogether. These laws have created a climate of fear and hostility for LGBTQIA+ people in Florida, organizers for St. Clouds Pride events wrote to announce the cancellation. We believe that holding an LGBTQIA+ event in this environment would put our community at risk. Responding to Floridas new laws and policies, the Human Rights Campaign the largest LGBTQ+ rights organization in the U.S. recently issued a travel and relocation warning for the state, joining the NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Florida Immigrant Coalition and Equality Florida. Advertisement While the LGBTQ+ advocacy group said it wasnt calling for a boycott of all travel to Florida, it said it wanted to highlight new laws passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature that they said are hostile to the LGBTQ+ community and restrict abortion access, as well as make the state unsafe for many by allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit. Even before these travel advisories were issued, some regular Florida visitors were reconsidering their plans. Sara Haynes, who lives in metro Atlanta with her husband, decided not to visit the state after lawmakers started planning legislation to restrict treatment options for trans people. Its less a crusade and more like, Im not going to spend my money where bad things are going on, Haynes said. But the organizers of Gay Days and their supporters say that Orlando is as gay-friendly a city as they come, earning a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign index, which measures how inclusive cities are of LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. They say that tourists can support the LGBTQ+ community by visiting cities like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg, which also received perfect scores. We live in a bubble here in Orlando, where even with the chaos in Florida, we feel safe here, said Jeremy Williams, editor-in-chief of Watermark Publishing Group Inc., a Florida-based media company that is one of the sponsors of Gay Days. Gay Days has survived past challenges, including in the early years when Disney posted signs at the Magic Kingdoms entrance warning visitors there was a large gathering of gays and lesbians and offering passes to other parks for guests who might be offended. Over the last three decades, though, the theme parks and resorts have thrown down the welcome mats as Gay Days has become a profitable bounce between the spring break and out-of-school summer crowds. SeaWorlds water park, Aquatica, is a sponsor this year. Advertisement Other groups have adopted hostile attitudes in the past. During Gay Days in the 1990s, hundreds of anti-abortion activists with Operation Rescue protested outside Walt Disney World, and the Southern Baptist Convention cited the gathering in calling for a boycott of all things Disney. Some Christian groups tried to buy air time during Gay Days in the late 1990s to pressure people to renounce their sexual orientation, but mainstream TV stations in Orlando rejected the ads. If Clark, the CEO of the Gay Days business, had his wish, DeSantis would accept an open invitation to see one of the drag shows during this years festivities. Come on out and see that not everything you hear out there is reality, said Clark, as if he were directly addressing DeSantis. Theres a part of me that hopes that if he were to see a show, maybe his mind would change, or maybe he would see the people his actions are affecting. LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) The family of a Black Kansas City teenager who was shot by a white man after he mistakenly knocked on the man's door are frustrated with the prosecutor's handling of the case, attorneys for the family said Thursday. The complaints came after a preliminary hearing for 84-year-old Andrew Lester was set for Aug. 31-Sept. 1 and just days after a Clay County judge approved a request by Lester's attorney to seal documents in the case. Lester has pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, who knocked on Lesters door on April 13 while trying to pick up his young brothers, who were at a home a block away. Civil rights attorneys Benjamin Crump and Lee Merritt said in a Zoom news conference that they had previously asked Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson to step aside and let Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker be named as a special prosecutor in the case but that Thompson adamantly refused. The family is upset that Thompson did not more aggressively challenge the motion to seal court records and that the preliminary hearing was delayed for 90 days, which Thompson did not object to in court. We continue to encourage the prosecutor to zealously prosecute this case as he would had the dynamics been different, Crump said. We dont want any different form of justice or policy because we have a young teenage Black kid shot by an older white man. Thompson's office said in a statement that the focus of his office remains squarely on following the law and achieving justice. The shooting drew international attention amid claims that Lester received preferential treatment from investigators after he shot Yarl. President Joe Biden and several celebrities issued statements calling for justice for Yarl. Lester admitted that he shot Yarl through the door without warning because he was scared to death he was about to be robbed by the Black person standing at his door. He remains free after posting $20,000 10% of his $200,000 bond. The teens father, Paul Yarl, said after Thursdays hearing that he hopes Lester eventually serves jail time. The shooter was going to kill Ralph, Paul Yarl said. Its obvious, right? He shot him twice. His intent was to finish him off. So yeah, we need justice for that. Ralph Yarl, who has celebrated his 17th birthday since the shooting, suffered gunshot wounds to his head and wrist and continues to recover at home. His mother, Cleo Nagbe, said he is trying to get back some normalcy in his life. The longer we stretch this out, the longer it takes him to get that little bit of normalcy he needs to spend his teenage years just doing teenager stuff ... Ralph needs to be the teenager that he needs to be that Lester is stealing away from him," Nagbe said. Merritt said the appropriate circumstances to seal court documents have not been met and sealing them benefits Lester at the expense of Yarl and his family. The state's failure, Mr. Thompson's failure to make the appropriate objections to the seal is costing this family peace of mind," Merritt said. It's costing them access to equal justice under the law. On Tuesday, Clay County Judge Louis Angles granted a request from Lester's attorney to seal the court documents, saying the publicity led to threats against Lester, who his attorney says has been forced to move three times. He also said the publicity has made it more difficult for the case to be heard before a fair and impartial jury. The overwhelming majority of the reporting continues to assert that the alleged actions of (Lester) were racially motivated, which if believed, virtually eliminates the defense available to (Lester) related to the reasonableness of his actions, Angles wrote in the ruling. The judge noted in his order that Lester's personal cell phone number was posted on a public platform after the shooting, leading to several text messages calling him a murderer who should burn in hell. Others threatened to shoot up Lester's home, which has been vandalized since the shooting. In his reply to the motion, Thompson argued that legal precedents largely favored keeping court documents open to the public, but he did not directly oppose sealing the records. Nagbe and Yarls aunt, Faith Spoonmore, said the family was upset that some of the arguments for sealing court records focused on Lesters suffering health problems and being harassed since the shooting with little discussion about the continuing problems Ralph is facing. They said Ralph, who will be a senior in high school in the fall, has restrictions on playing with friends and playing his band instruments, while also suffering from the emotional trauma of the shooting. 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. Napa County faces a burning question as it crafts a 2023-24 budget how much can it spend on fuel reduction work to try to keep potential wildfires in check? The Napa Communities Firewise Foundation recently told the county Board of Supervisors that $10.9 million in work is planned. The nonprofit foundation has spearheaded the drive to create fuel breaks and thin vegetation along key evacuation routes. Thats what we need, Christopher Thompson of Napa Firewise told the Napa Valley Register two weeks ago. Thats not what were going to get. Napa Countys newly released draft budget proposes contributing $3 million not only less than $10.9 million, but a couple million less than the county contributed in each of the past two fiscal years. We have high hopes that the county will see a way forward to fund more than whats being proposed, rather than see some of the progress we have made over the last three years start to unravel, Thompson said on Tuesday. Firewise understands there is general belt-tightening in the state and beyond. But fire fuel mitigation is not a once-and-you're-done proposition. It requires attention each year, Thompson said. Since 2021, Napa Firewise has helped complete 58 projects in a county-approved, multi-year fire prevention plan, such as creating fuel breaks near Silverado, Soda Canyon, Circle Oaks and Angwin and trimming vegetation along evacuation routes. Actually, the draft county budget proposes to spend $5.5 million in general fund money for fire prevention, which is in line with recent years. But $2.5 million would go to activities other than the Firewise program, such as hiring a county fire administrator and beefing up the county Fire Marshals Office. Deputy Fire Chief Jason Martin said a fire administrator would manage and seek grants for fuel mitigation and help with grant reporting requirements. The administrator would supervise county employees in the Fire Marshal's Office. "It's a way to expand the fire prevention activities that we're doing throughout the county," he said. The Fire Marshals Office would add employees. It does such work as review building plans and conduct defensible space inspections. "Fire mitigation and fuels reduction is and remains a county priority," Board of Supervisors Chairperson Belia Ramos said. "We have provided money to Firewise which has not yet been expended. Additionally, the county has made state and federal budget requests." The county is providing support to Firewise on preparing environmental documents for upcoming fuel reduction projects. The fire administrator and expanded fire marshal staff will provide additional support, Ramos said. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold budget hearings on June 12 and 13. Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza said he wants to discuss how much money the Firewise work will receive for the coming fiscal year. We know the prevention work were doing is working, Pedroza said on Wednesday. Its no longer hypothetical. Fire officials have said a shaded fuel break near Soda Canyon helped firefighters control last years Old Fire in the hills northeast of the city of Napa. Thompson made the Firewise pitch at the May 16 Board of Supervisors meeting. He said Firewise since 2020 has received $15 million from Napa County, $20 million from California grants, and $3 million in donations from such sources as Napa Valley Vintners and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Napa County is presently seeking several fire prevention grants, including a $50 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant. But Thompson told supervisors not to count on grant funding. Grant funding is not a silver bullet, he said. We get turned down. The win ratio is unpredictable. On Tuesday, Thompson said its almost impossible to find grant money to maintain fuel reduction projects. Rather, the grants are available to create new projects. Napa Firewise helped craft the Countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which calls for specific fuel reduction projects year by year. The Board of Supervisors approved the plan in 2021. The plan for the upcoming year calls for $7.4 million in new projects. They include vegetation management near American Canyon, along Partrick Road near the city of Napa, and at Atlas Peak, Glass Mountain and Diamond Mountain. Also, the plan calls for $3.5 million to maintain fuel reduction work already done. That includes the fuel breaks at Silverado, Circle Oaks and Berryessa Highlands. Ramos said the proposed 2023-24 Napa County budget is balanced. "Certainly the board can make changes to the recommended budget," she said. "However, any new expenditures will have to be offset by either savings or reserve funds." Napa Countys proposed 2023-24 budget totals $668 million. Much of the money in the budget must go toward certain things, such as health and human services programs. Supervisors have the most control over the $271 million in recommended general fund spending. The recommended budget is for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. The countys general fund remains structurally sound, Interim County Executive Officer David Morrison wrote in the budget. Although it is important to keep a close watch on the state and local economy, our caution should not prevent us from taking actions that can provide long-lasting benefits for the public for years to come, Morrison wrote. Fire suppression and prevention services are listed under his "significant budget issues" category. Napa County, which contracts with Cal Fire to run its fire department, is working on an extension of that agreement while also reviewing how to best structure fire services. "The results of this comprehensive review of fire services may have important impacts on future budgets," he wrote. On the cover of the budget is Skyline Wilderness Park. The county last year set aside $7 million toward purchasing the 850 acres from the state, which could happen this coming fiscal year. If Lake Marie is part of the Skyline purchase, the county will have costs for monitoring and maintaining water releases for fish in Camille Creek, as well as maintaining the earthen dam, the budget said. Lake Marie is reached by using Skyline trails. Among the possible county undertakings mentioned in the budget are starting a county general plan update, completing four groundwater plans, developing a county master facilities plan, creating a regional climate action plan, and preparing a drought and water shortage plan. PHOTOS: Napa Valley College 2023 graduation ceremony For the past few months, May 31 had been a much-awaited, red-letter date on the calendar for the Land Trust of Napa County the day to buy the 2,300-acre Walt Ranch. 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. The nonprofit had the necessary $18 million lined up to buy the land from the Hall family by Wednesdays deadline for the deal to close. I dont see any reason it wont, Land Trust CEO Doug Parker said on Tuesday. You never know. Some last-minute glitches happen sometimes. Not this time. Late Wednesday, Parker announced that escrow indeed closed to make the Land Trust the official owner, though none of the parties involved mentioned any stumbling blocks that could cause the deal to unravel. The purchase ends the controversial saga of possible Walt Ranch vineyards and begins the saga of Walt Ranch as a nature preserve, ultimately with hiking trails. Parker rattled off the attributes of this property in mountains between the city of Napa and Lake Berryessa. He mentioned the presence of rare species, the amount of acreage, the proximity of other protected land, the wildlife corridor value and the watershed lands draining into city of Napas Milliken Reservoir. It really hits all the key points youre looking for in terms of conservation priorities, he said. This will be the second-largest land purchase the Land Trust has made, according to Parker. The largest was the 3,030-acre Dunn-Wildlake Preserve in the eastern mountains between Calistoga and Angwin in 2006. Napa County approved Walt Ranch in 2016 for 209 acres of vineyards and a total disturbed area of 316 acres. Opponents objected to the planned removal of 14,000 trees, among other things. Some feared the project could affect groundwater for the adjacent, rural Circle Oaks community. The county won a court case challenging the approval. Then, in January, the Land Trust and Craig and Kathryn Hall of HALL Wines announced the Halls would sell Walt Ranch to the Land Trust for $18 million after donating more than 25% of the lands value. Circle Oaks resident Sue Wagner was among the Walt Ranch opponents. On Tuesday, she applauded the Land Trust deal. Our community is beyond thrilled with this outcome, she said. It is just the best possible thing that can happen. Wagner said she has about 100 signs in her garage left over from protests against the proposed Walt Ranch vineyards. She expressed hope she'll never feel the need to unretire them to protest another project in the county. Mike Reynolds, a spokesperson for Walt Ranch, on Tuesday pointed to a statement he released in January on the sale. We have been in conversations with the Land Trust since we acquired the property in 2005, as conservation easements were always a critical part of our vineyard development plans, he said. Our recent discussions with the Land Trust about establishing a 1,000-plus acre conservation easement led to this acquisition and donation. We have long supported the Land Trust of Napa County and look forward to seeing how they protect this beautiful property. The close of escrow won't end the Walt Ranch funding saga for the Land Trust. The trust borrowed $7 million to close the deal, which Parker said is the most debt the nonprofit has taken on. But I will say our board was comfortable taking on $7 million in debt in order to close this important project, Parker said. In April, the Land Trust was awarded $7 million by the state Coastal Conservancy for the $18 million purchase. The Conservation Fund loaned $2 million. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation provided $9 million, of which $5 million is a loan and $4 million is a loan eligible for forgiveness. This is one of the most significant conservation acquisitions in the Bay Area over the last decade, said Dan Winterson, who manages the conservation portfolio at the Moore Foundation, in a statement. One possibility mentioned in a Coastal Conservancy report is that the state Wildlife Conservation Board might later this year provide a grant. Parker talked of finding another grant from some source. But thats not the end of the fundraising. Parker said the Land Trust wants to raise another $4 million for maintenance. There are miles of eroding roads to be fixed, invasive plant species to be removed and vegetation to be managed to lower fire risks. Its going to be an expensive property to be owned and managed, Parker said. The Halls came to Napa County in the 1990s, buying property near Rutherford for a vineyard. Craig Hall is a developer/investor from Texas and Kathryn Hall served as ambassador to Austria under President Bill Clinton. Around 2005, the Halls bought Walt Ranch for $8 million with the intent of planting Bordeaux varietal grapes, according to a Napa Valley Register story at the time. That meant first obtaining an erosion control permit from Napa County. The Halls under county laws could have built up to 34 homes on various Walt Ranch parcels, though their spokesperson in 2005 said there were no plans for houses. Walt Ranch became emblematic of Napa County's disputes over having woodlands and forests removed in the mountains for vineyards. The debate is over how to balance agriculture and watershed protections. Walt Ranch also became notable because of a controversy involving Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza. In December 2021, Pedroza cast a vote in favor of Walt Ranch plans to resolve court concerns over greenhouse gas mitigations needed for vineyard plans to go forward. Opponents said he should have recused himself because his in-laws had recently bought potential vineyard land next to Walt Ranch, with Pedroza at one point involved in ownership. They also pointed to campaign donations that Craig Hall had legally made to Pedroza. Pedroza denied any conflict of interest, but said he would recuse himself from Walt Ranch matters. The Board of Supervisors took the Walt Ranch greenhouse gas mitigation vote over again without Pedroza. The state Fair Political Practices Commission in March 2022 announced it would investigate the conflict-of-interest allegations made by some community members against Pedroza. Pedroza has expressed confidence the results will be favorable to him. And now, in the latest Walt Ranch twist, the property is to become a nature preserve with public access on trails. PHOTOS: American Canyon Memorial Day Ceremony 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. SACRAMENTO California lawmakers have advanced more than a dozen bills aiming to address the fentanyl crisis, including some that would impose harsher prison sentences for dealers, ahead of a critical deadline this week. Legislators in the Assembly and Senate debated measures on Wednesday as they tried to wrap up several hundred pieces of legislation before Friday the last day a bill can pass out of its original chamber and get a chance to become law later this year. Fentanyl overdoses are killing roughly 110 Californians each week, officials said, and lawmakers are divided on how best to stem the crisis. Some Democratic lawmakers support policies that focus on education, prevention and treatment, while Republicans and more moderate Democrats want more enforcement against fentanyl dealers. State lawmakers across the country, including in Democratic-controlled legislatures such as Oregon and Nevada, have also considered harsher penalties on drug dealers a tactic that many say would backfire. But the majority of 16 fentanyl bills that advanced this past week in California focused on education, prevention and treatment of fentanyl overdoses. As fentanyl deaths climb, California bill would require drug education in schools In 2021, more than 800 Californians under age 25 died of fentanyl poisoning an 18-fold increase from five years ago. One would require public places such as schools, stadiums and concert venues to carry naloxone, a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses. States that have made naloxone accessible, such as Massachusetts, are seeing a drop in overdose deaths, said Democratic Sen. Anthony Portantino of Burbank, who authored the bill. Our schools and other impacted places must have the tools needed to save lives, and parents should not have to worry if emergency treatments are available to help in the moment of crisis, Portantino said in a statement. Lawmakers in the Assembly also passed a bill that would increase penalties for dealers for possessing more than a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fentanyl. Republicans and moderate Democrats have authored other public safety bills aiming to impose harsher sentences, but many of those didn't make it out of committee. While we continue to provide resources for drug treatment and education, we cannot neglect the trafficking that spreads this poison throughout our community," Democratic Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua of Stockton, who authored the bill, said in a statement. One pill does kill; it only takes one time. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher of Yuba City, a vocal critic of his progressive Democratic colleagues on the fentanyl issue, said passing the bills is a step in the right direction. Still, more needs to be done, he said in a statement. "Without accountability for those selling poison in our communities, the killing is going to continue. The bills will now head to the second chamber. A look at other actions taken by lawmakers: HUMANS IN SELF-DRIVING TRUCKS The state Assembly passed a bill that would require human drivers in self-driving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds. The bill is a priority for labor unions, who worry drivers could lose their jobs. The bills author, Democratic Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry of Winters, said the primary purpose was to keep people safe. Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover of Folsom opposed the bill, arguing it would make it harder to develop the self-driving technology. The bill now heads to the state Senate. HPV VACCINES IN SCHOOLS The state Assembly passed a bill that would require school districts to tell students they are expected to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer. The bill does not require students to be vaccinated to attend school. Republican Assemblymember Joe Patterson of Rocklin opposed the bill, saying parents should discuss the HPV vaccine with doctors instead of school officials. The bill now heads to the state Senate. STREAMLINING THE HOUSING PERMITTING PROCESS The state Senate passed a bill that would eliminate the expiration of a landmark housing law to streamline construction in cities that have not met the state-mandated housing goals. Since the original bill took effect in 2018, it has helped fast-track 18,000 homes, with roughly 75% of them being affordable housing. The new bill would also remove the requirement to hire skilled and trained workers, which could limit who could be hired for those projects. The bills author, Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, opted for a prevailing wage in the new bill instead a move that angers several powerful trade unions. The bill, one of the most contentious pieces of housing legislation this year, passed with bipartisan support. The bill now heads to the state Assembly. FREE CONDOMS IN SCHOOLS The state Senate passed legislation requiring that free condoms be made available at all public high schools in the state. Democratic state Sen. Caroline Menjivar of Burbank, who authored the bill, hopes it will help prevent sexually transmitted infections among teens. The bill would also ban stores from making someone prove their age before selling condoms to them. Vermont passed legislation in recent years requiring schools to have free condoms available for middle and high school students. The bill now heads to the state Assembly. Photos: Advocates boost opioid rescue drug access to save lives SACRAMENTO For most of the year, California's quest to rid itself of fossil fuels seems on track: Electric cars populate highways while energy from wind, solar and water provides much of the power for homes and businesses. Then it gets hot, and everyone in the nation's most populous state turns on their air conditioners at the same time. That's when California has come close to running out of power in recent years, especially in the early evenings when electricity from solar is not as abundant. 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. Now, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to buy massive amounts of renewable energy to help keep the lights on. The idea is to use the state's purchasing power to convince private companies to build large-scale power plants that run off heat from underground sites and strong winds blowing off the coast the kinds of power that utility companies have not been buying because it's too expensive and would take too long to build. We laid out the markers on solar and wind, but we recognize thats not going to get us where we need to go, Newsom said during a news conference last week. The issue of reliability has to be addressed. Theres a lot at stake, not just for the future of clean energy, but for Newsom himself. The Democratic governor, now in his second term and widely seen as a future presidential candidate, insists California will be carbon-neutral by 2045. But this goal is often mocked in the summer when, to avoid rolling blackouts, state officials turn on massive diesel-powered generators to make up the states energy shortfall. Demand for electricity in California has increased as the state takes steps to move away from fossil fuels, including banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. California will need to add about 40 gigawatts of new power over the next 10 years, according to the California Independent Systems Operator, which manages the state's power grid. One gigawatt is enough to power about 750,000 homes. If the state buys lots of power from offshore wind and geothermal sources, it could mean it doesn't need those emergency diesel-powered generators anymore. Wind is typically strongest in the evenings, and geothermal energy is available all the time. That would be a big change for California, where up to now utility companies have been responsible for buying their own power. Customers would have to pay for the new power the state buys through a new, still undetermined, charge on their electric bills. Californians already pay some of the nations highest energy bills. But one consumer advocacy group said Newsoms proposal could be better for customers in the long run. State regulators would not decide what the charge will be until the power projects are up and running potentially several years away. There's nothing free here, it's just a question of what's the most efficient way to develop resources, said Matthew Freedman, staff attorney with The Utility Reform Network, a group that advocates for affordable and reliable energy. Its our hope that this arrangement will result in lower total costs across the state. Newsom's proposal has the support of some of the state's largest investor-owned utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric Co. PG&E spokesperson Lynsey Paulo called Newsom's proposal likely the most efficient way to achieve a clean energy future, saying that the state should make sure the power it buys is distributed fairly among utilities in the state. Publicly owned utilities, like the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, fear the state's entrance into the energy market will create new competition, potentially increasing prices for everyone in a market already struggling with a lack of supply. Patrick Welch, legislative director for the California Municipal Utilities Association, said if California starts buying power the state would be competing with utilities and that could further drive up prices. In the past two or three years, the market for new resources has gotten incredibly tight, he said. That tightness is really impacting the price of energy and particularly during the summer months. Democratic lawmakers have changed Newsom's proposal to ease some of those concerns. While Newsom wanted the state to buy any type of power, lawmakers say it should be restricted to offshore wind and geothermal two power sources that the utility companies currently aren't buying. The proposal is pending in the Legislature. When you leave stuff vague, then it creates uncertainty. And at this point in time, uncertainty is not good in the investment world," said Assemblymember Steve Bennett, a Ventura Democrat and chair of the budget subcommittee that is vetting Newsoms proposal. Advocates say California is in a prime position to try something like this. Last year, five companies spent more than $750 million to lease areas off the California coast for offshore wind projects. Those projects could collectively generate close to 5 gigawatts of energy, according to Alex Jackson, director of American Clean Power Association, which represents these companies. That's enough to power more than 3.5 million homes. If approved, the next step is getting the permits and building the turbines and the infrastructure necessary to transport the power to the grid. It would be easier for those companies to sell all of their power to the state instead of selling pieces of it to multiple utilities. We do think there is real advantages of having a single buyer, Jackson said. Another area ripe for new energy development is the Salton Sea, a large saltwater lake in Southern California that has been slowly drying up. Beneath the surface of the lakebed, heat from the Earth warms underground water. Geothermal power plants use steam from this water to spin turbines that generate electricity. The water also contains lots of lithium, which is used to make batteries that power cellphones and electric cars. There are only a few companies capable of building such large, complex power plants that take many years to build. This isnt the Field of Dreams. You need to know that there is a customer for that power, said Assemblymember Jim Wood, a Healdsburg Democrat who supports the proposal. Otherwise, youre not going to be able to appeal to investors to be able to pull down the resources to invest the billions of dollars its going to take. Here's what the most popular electric vehicles cost the average driver to own Intro #10. Hyundai Kona Electric #9. Tesla Model S #8. Porsche Taycan #7. Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback #6. Nissan Leaf #5. Volkswagen ID.4 #4. Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV #3. Ford Mustang Mach-E #2. Tesla Model 3 #1. Tesla Model Y Armenia MFA: Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs will meet in Washington on June 12 Date of first court hearing in case into Armenia security guard murder by Azerbaijan soldier is announced 1st court session kicks off in case into abducting Armenia PM Nikol Pashinyan's son Armenia FM on CSTO: Better not to make any statement than to make one that legitimizes Azerbaijan talk FM: We have concerns that there is deliberate attempt to tear off new territories from Armenia Karabakh MOD: Azerbaijan violated ceasefire again Azerbaijan FM announces another meeting with Armenia in Washington in near future Azerbaijan MFA announces refusal to delimit borders with Armenia based on maps Mirzoyan: No final agreement on specific map regarding Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation FlyOne Armenia: Impossible to use Turkey airspace when flying to west Armenia, Azerbaijan recognizing one anothers territorial integrity are political statements, Mirzoyan says Armenia FM: We did not receive Karabakh 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performed only by Armenia services Ukrainians will meet with success in counter-offensive Armenia Security Council chief: There is chance for peace treaty with Azerbaijan by years end 500 mil people rally in Warsaw against government Rally in support of Artsakh in Georgia $15 mil investment implemented in Jermuk Stoltenberg: Sweden has fulfilled its obligations Iraq, Syria FMs discuss tackling cross-border drug trafficking Muammar Gaddafi son on hunger strike Armenia PM sends condolences over train crash in India Peskov: Russia must finish the special operation Former Armenia president sends condolences to Indian PM New Finance Minister Simsek: Turkey must return to rational ground Erdogan, Stoltenberg meet in Istanbul Expert: Iran turns into Middle East gas hub Artsakh Defence: Azerbaijan distorts reality, tries to justify ceasefire violation Russia is the only country in Europe where food prices fell Belgian PM knocked out after falling off bike Uganda reports 54 peacekeepers killed in Somalia attack Germany to send two warships to Indo-Pacific Second floor of Yerevans SAS food court caught on fire India's railway minister names train crash cause Poland's opposition party holds anti-government rally Man falls under train and dies in Alaverdi China accuses Washington of 'maintaining hegemony' Governor Aksyonov: Crimea attacked by 9 UAVs 18-year-old Spitak resident found with cold weapon 44 parties, coalitions seek participation in Greek parliamentary elections Chinese warship nearly collides with US destroyer in Taiwan Strait Iran VP Mohammad Mokhber calls Turkey important strategic neighbo Death toll in India's train crash passes 300 Cavusoglu to be replaced as MFA Ombudsperson publishes report on aggression towards Armenians by Azerbaijani Armed Forces Death toll in India's train crash reaches 288 Armenia PM attends inauguration of Turkish President Erdogan RA President sends condolences regarding India train crash Armenian-American metallurgical plant is being built in Yeraskh Fresno State University students visit Armenian Genocide Memorial Delegation of 2 Argentina Parliament chambers visits Armenia RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrives in Turkey Ambassador to Belaus: Russia has no intention to cooperate with EEU countries to detriment of others Zelenskyy: Ukraine is ready for counterattack India investigates causes of major train disaster EU Ambassador to Armenia and Committee of Ministers members discuss RA justice reforms US envoy who caused Erdogan's displeasure to attend inauguration Death toll in India's train crash rises to 261 Typhoon hits Japan US State Secretary to visit Saudi Arabia Worst train crash in 40 years cancels nearly 50 trains in India Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry demands citizens not to visit Iran Over 80 country reps to take part in Turkish presidents inauguration Armenian community of Bulgaria rejects Armenia's position on Artsakh issue 53-year-old woman hit by car dies 15 schoolchildren face Gabriel Sargissian in open-air simultaneous display RA President and Synopsys Armenia head discuss IT industry development IOC President arrives in Baku Largest in last 40 years train crash in India MFA of Armenia saddened by tragic train accident in India Armenia MoD: Azerbaijani Defense Ministry's message is another disinformation Indian PM calls meeting over tragic train crash At least 288 dead in India train crash Agreement reached on Yeraskh-Julfa-Meghri-Horadiz route restoration Armenian Defense Minister speaks with U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Political Affairs Russian Defense Ministry records ceasefire violations in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian Ministry of Defense: Azerbaijan spread disinformation again Armenias new Meghri border checkpoint groundbreaking ceremony held Armenias Pashinyan to attend inauguration ceremony of Turkeys Erdogan Team Telecom Armenia is undertaking its initial public offering (IPO) Meeting of Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan deputy PMs working group underway in Moscow Red Cross transports 18 medical patients from Karabakh to Armenia President meets with Karabakh MPs Russia presidential spox on Armenia PM statement: It is important, we take note of it Armenia premier questioned as witness within high treason criminal case framework About 19,600 people receive Armenia citizenship in 2022 Armenias Dilijan city police criminal investigation department head is charged for beating teen boy Baku not going to give up bellicose rhetoric, Azerbaijan MFA confirms A delegation led by the head of the Argentina-Armenia Friendship Group of the Argentine Senate, Guillermo Andrada, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan. Andrada laid a wreath at the monument commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide, and then the members of the delegation placed flowers at the Eternal Flame and observed a minute of silence to honor the innocent victims of this genocide. Subsequently, the guests also toured the Armenian Genocide Museum, after which the members of the delegation signed the museums book of honored guests. Human Rights Defender (Ombudsperson) of Armenia Anahit Manasyan and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) MP Paul Gavan from Ireland discussed matters related to human rights violations as a result of the ongoing Azerbaijani blockade of Lachin corridor. During the meeting held in Yerevan on Wednesday, the Defender noted that the created situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has made the protection of human rights susceptible. Manasyan specially emphasized that the children of Artsakh are also affected by the Azerbaijani actions, as they have actually been deprived of their right to education. The ombudsperson reflected also on prevailing humanitarian crisis, and presented the problems of Artsakh Armenians as a result of the aforesaid blockade and the setting up of a checkpoint by Azerbaijan on the Lachin corridor. In addition, the Defender touched upon Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian policy, which is manifested at all levels. Manasyan presented the special reports documenting the activities and facts of the Defender's institution in this regard, and spoke about the violations of the rights of the people of Armenias border settlements as a result of the actions by the Azerbaijani armed forces. Paul Gavan is in Armenia on a fact-finding mission to prepare a report on Addressing the humanitarian consequences of the blockade of the Lachin corridor. Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. In a standing-room-only crowd Wednesday night, Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, led a meeting alongside city officials at which he presented a proposal to turn the Diplomat Motel into transitional housing with a variety of on-site services for homeless residents of the ward. Through the proposal, the Diplomat Motel at 5230 N. Lincoln Ave. would be redeveloped following in the steps of a pilot project in 2020 by which a handful of downtown hotels, including Hotel One Sixty-Six in the Gold Coast, were transformed into supportive housing for 259 individuals. Advertisement The purpose of this model is to pair housing plus services, to position people to become able to live independently in the community, said Matt Richards, deputy commissioner for behavioral health at the Chicago Department of Public Health (CPDH), who helped with the project for hotel housing during the pandemic. City officials have touted that pilot project as a success, saying it allowed homeless people to find jobs, stable housing and more permanent health care during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, an estimated 65,611 people experienced homelessness in Chicago in 2020, an estimate different from that offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development because it takes into account people living doubled up or temporarily staying with others. Advertisement Conversations about social services for homeless Chicagoans have collided with citizens concerns over the arrival of thousands of migrants being flown and bused from the U.S.-Mexico border into the city since late August. Most of these asylum-seekers have had to set up camp at police stations since at least January as city services and homeless shelters are overwhelmed. At Wednesdays community meeting in the auditorium of Swedish Hospitals Anderson Pavilion, these tensions were evident between ward residents as an attendee interrupted Vasquez before the presentation and complained about migrants, evoking applause and boos alike from the audience. I was pretty clear at the outset: this is not for the refugees or the migrants. These are folks who are experiencing homelessness and need the support systems, Vasquez said later on. So its not that this (plan) is going to deal with the refugees that need services its that the city doesnt have the infrastructure for any of them, period. Richards also reiterated that the Diplomat Motel plan is not meant to address the migrant crisis in Chicago. That is certainly an important part of the housing challenge in the city this program is not specifically addressing that challenge, he said. The housing crisis in Chicago exists in a continuum, he added. In that same vein, he argued that congregate housing may be challenging for anyone with a serious mental health, substance use or physical health condition. So the plan for the Diplomat would be to turn its 46 rooms into 40 individual living units and offer residents additional services such as mental health support and medical care during a three- to six-month stay. Most fundamentally, were trying to create a pathway out of homelessness for people that are currently homeless and are living with untreated physical health and behavioral health conditions and that was the primary reason they became homeless in the first place, Richards said. One of the goals of the program is to address homelessness among people who already live in the 40th Ward, and possibly residents from adjacent communities who might benefit from the model, Richards said. To be eligible to live in the redeveloped Diplomat Motel, a person has to: be experiencing homelessness, be identified as someone who would benefit from integrated health care, be at high risk if they acquired COVID, be someone who cyclically uses emergency services or be living with a behavioral health condition. Advertisement Meredith Muir, program manager for the Chicago Recovery Plan at the citys Department of Housing (DOH), said her department has been gathering information for the past six months from staff on the front lines of homelessness and people who have experienced homelessness. Seventy percent of the people who have experienced homelessness (that) weve talked with have indicated this need for higher level of services, Muir said. She quoted an interviewee as saying, I still need services. For me, I need the housing where they can keep an eye on you. Me, personally, I dont trust myself out there. I just want the services and my own space. I need the connection. Since May 5, the 40th Ward office and city officials have asked city partners to bid on the project. Their proposals will be evaluated by the CDPH and the DOH to determine what delegate agency which could also be a partnership among agencies is best equipped to offer a wide range of nonnegotiable services including health care, case management, care coordination, property management and security. The proposals will be evaluated in the next two weeks. After the agency selection, the city would work to acquire, zone and rehab the building. This would mean going through City Council for acquisition authority in June and July and for appropriate zoning in September, as well as working with an architect to renovate the motel. The hope is that the program would start operating by the end of the year, Muir said. There will also be another community meeting in August. During the Q&A portion of the meeting, some residents expressed concerns for their safety if the Diplomat does become transitional housing. An attendee said homeless people with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia might be more prone to violence, but Richards quickly shut down that notion. 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 > A very, very, very consistent finding in research is actually the opposite of that is true. People living with (a mental health condition) are more likely to be victimized, and not perpetrate, violence, said Richards. If somebody had a history of violent behavior, they would not be appropriate for this setting if we thought it was going to represent a risk to other residents or to staff. Advertisement Being a licensed clinical social worker himself, Richards said, he believes the gift and challenge of his work is caring enough about people to journey with them when theyre struggling, he said. So this model is really about powerfully journeying with people and helping them make important changes in their life. Maureen Carroll, 81, a resident of the 40th Ward since 1967, said she has a family member who has been homeless for two decades mainly because of a mental health condition. We have people in our ward already, who live here, who grew up here, who were born (here) and through no fault of their own now have problems that their families, myself included, cannot solve, Carroll said. But I cannot help them. This sort of program, if it is feasible and if it works, is something we need. In response to other comments and questions about public safety, Vasquez introduced Capt. Carlin Morse from the Police Departments 20th District, which is headquartered a couple of blocks from the motel. Morse assured attendees that Chicago police will closely work with the city, the 40th Ward office and the selected agencies to draw up safety plans. Remember, were all in this together. We may not all agree, we may get excited over various understandings and misunderstandings of what the plan is, Morse said. But were here because we love our community. We just want to make sure that were all here ... helping individuals transition on to greener pastures. adperez@chicagotribune.com The Investigative Committee of Armenia has launched a murder investigation, shamshyan.com reports. The investigation was launched in connection with a report the Yerevan police had received from Muratsan University Hospital on May 28. At around 7:50am on that day, the aforesaid medical center had informed the police that a dead child was brought to them. The police and investigators found out that the deceased was a 3-month-old girl from Yerevan, who was taken to the hospital by paramedics from a home in the Armenian capital. The 23-year-old mother of this child told the police and investigators that her baby girl had no health problems. A forensic medical examination of the body has been ordered. At its Cabinet meeting Thursday, the Armenian government approved the draft on approving the agreement between the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee of Armenia and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission on the exchange of technical information and cooperation on nuclear safety. The aforesaid agreement was signed on March 14 in Washington. The new agreement provides for the extension of the operation period of Armenias nuclear power plant, assistance for safety analysis and assessment in the licensing phases of the construction of a new nuclear plant in the country, as well as for the implementation of safety of radioactive materials and waste, environmental monitoring, and development of security regulatory documents. The Armenian government, by its aforementioned decision, considers the approval of the aforementioned agreement expedient for the further development of atomic energy use in Armenia. The next step is the agreements ratification by the parliament and signing by the President of Armenia. Four investigators from Yerevan have been detained. Gor Abrahamyan, spokesman of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, informed about this in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am. A criminal investigation has been launched under the Criminal Code articles on illegal drug trafficking, as well as abusing and exceeding the official powers by an official, added Abrahamyan. He did not give any other details, but noted that the criminal investigation was being carried out by the National Security Service. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, will have a very important meeting today, as he will meet with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Michel himself told about this to reporters during Thursdays opening ceremony of the second Summit of the European Political Community, in Moldovan capital Chisinau. The European Council head added that they have made some progress, and he hopes that at this meeting they will confirm the common will to normalize the relations between the two countries. Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that a five-way meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Charles Michel, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is planned on the margins of the aforesaid summit. This meeting is planned to kick off at 4:30pm Armenia time. We have to get Azerbaijan to talk about the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue because otherwise, a favorable situation for the very same Azerbaijan will not be created. Armenian National Assembly (NA) speaker Alen Simonyan told this to reporters at the NA yard Thursday. "There will be a big gap that cannot be closed constantly for years, maybe decades. If it [i.e., Azerbaijan] does not sit down and talk to the Armenian population living in Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], our wound will bear its fruits," said Simonyan. In response to the question of what if Azerbaijan does not agree, he urged not to talk with "ifs." "Nevertheless, [peace] talks are taking place [between Armenia and Azerbaijan], international partners are announcing it, and this means that we have support by the international community," Simonyan said. The Armenian NA speaker noted that the respective position of the international community is very important. "Before starting the 2020 war, the same Azerbaijan started the war by predicting all possible actions internationally and creating an atmosphere. The international factor, international pressure plays a big role. In that sense, we are succeeding today," Simonyan emphasized. In his conviction, if the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue does not take place, the Karabakh issue will not be resolved. "The other alternative is genocide, which of course we will not allow to happen. The authorities of Azerbaijan should understand that this issue is much more important for them than us," said the Armenian NA speaker. Georgia supports the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan; they are in the interests of the entire Transcaucasia. Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili told this to reporters at the second Summit of the European Political Community, in Moldovan capital Chisinau. "I believe Georgia has played and is playing a neutral, impartial role in strengthening stability and peace in our region. We [i.e., Georgia] have excellent relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Georgia played a very important mediating role in 2021, after the Karabakh war [in 2020]. In essence, we support the peace talks that are underway between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and we believe that it is in the interests of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the entire region," Garibashvili said, TASS news agency reported. Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Police work the scene where an off-duty officer was shot on the 2200 block of West Maypole Avenue on May 31, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) An off-duty police officer was shot on the Near West Side of the city Wednesday night, according to the Chicago Police Department. At approximately 9:16 p.m., the officer was confronted by multiple individuals who fired shots in the 2200 block of West Maypole Avenue. The officer suffered a gunshot wound to the arm but he was able to return fire. He was then transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition. Advertisement Photos from the scene Wednesday night show West Walnut Street -- just around the corner from Maypole Avenue -- cordoned off by police tape and a white SUV with a bullet hole on the left side of the windshield. An off-duty Chicago police officer sustained a gunshot injury in the 2200 block of W. Maypole and transported to Stroger Hospital. Condition unknown. PIO in route. Additional details to follow. Chicago Police Communications & News Affairs (@CPD_Media) June 1, 2023 Police recovered a weapon at the scene but no arrests had been made as of Wednesday night. Detectives are investigating the shooting. Advertisement The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is also investigating. The officer involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days, according to police. adperez@chicagotribune.com After the change of power in 2018, when it became obvious that a wrong choice had already been made, the Armenian people have found themselves in a cycle of non-stop humiliation. It seemed that a heavy defeat in the 44-day [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war [in 2020] was the pinnacle of humiliation; but it turned out not to be, when [Armenian PM] Nikol Pashinyan surrendered Artsakh to Azerbaijanfirst verbally and soon, no doubt, in writing. Former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian on Thursday wrote this on Facebook. He added as follows: "Yesterday another drop of humiliation was added when the United States welcomed [Azerbaijani president] Ilham Aliyev's good will to grant pardon the authorities of Artsakh. "I want all of us to take a moment and understand what it means. So, the most corrupt and authoritarian leader of the world pledges to grant pardon the elected ones of the people who have lived on their historical land for generations (millennia), to the people against whom the most brutal violence has been applied for decades, trying to cut them off from their own historical land which has never been part of independent Azerbaijan. And the US welcomes this move? "The United States should not be blamed [for this]. There is one guilty here; it is the current authorities of Armenia. The only way to get out of this humiliation and drastically change the situation is to force the resignation of these authorities through popular pressure. I believe that all Armenians today have no other priority issue than raising their voice against these historical injustices being committed by the Armenias authorities and the demand to abandon the process of handing over Artsakh [to Azerbaijan]. "There are more than 90 countries that are members of the UN, which have entered that organization with certain borders. Currently, there are more than 50 territorial disputes in the world, which means that there are at least two dozen twin countries that have unresolved territorial issues. With the exception of a few, all these twin countries have diplomatic relations; mostly normal friendly ties as well. "At the moment, Nikol Pashinyan is in Chisinau. I don't know whether he will sign a document or not, but the outcome of those talks is decided for everyone. "I believe that today Armenia has an opportunity to avoid signing any document with Azerbaijan. There are valid reasons for that, which is very understandable and comprehensible for everyone. If Nikol Pashinyan, nonetheless, wants to sign a document, he should sign it with a reservation regarding the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh. If Pashinyan signs what he has verbally said, it will be an irreversible national tragedy for the Armenian people." There are villages, territories that are under Armenian control. We, naturally, do not talk about them, and there are parts from the sovereign territory of Armenia that are located in the occupied territories; if I am not mistaken, it is 150 square kilometers. Armenian National Assembly (NA) speaker Alen Simonyan told this to reporters at the NA yard Thursday. "It is natural; the withdrawal of troops should take place. After the [border] demarcation, delimitation, what will be on the territory of the Republic of Armenia based on the maps, the Azerbaijani troops must and will leave. What is from the territory of Azerbaijan, is natural, the Armenian troops will withdraw," he said. Simonyan assured that these points are very important for Armenia. "I don't know if they will find a place in the [future peace] treaty, or if they will be resolved by some other act. It is excluded that a peace treaty will be signed beyond the 29,800 square kilometers [of Armenia], more or less; we have always said that. We have sounded out the number of 29,800 square meters, the [Armenian] prime minister has drawn a red line from the NA podium, and we have brought that 29,800 square meters to the agenda," said Simonyan. "I can say the same about the corridor. We have said many times that there will be no corridor; there can be no such thing. We have taken out the talk of the corridor and drawn a red line," he added. And to Armenian News-NEWS.am's question as to what the guarantee will be that Azerbaijan will withdraw its troops from the sovereign territory of Armenia after the signing of the peace treaty, Simonyan responded: "If they don't leave, we won't leave the area where our troops are standing now because there are some areas that are under our control." Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) President Arayik Harutyunyan on Thursday held an extended working consultation at the government. Issues related to the military, political, and socioeconomic situation around Artsakh were on the discussion agenda, the Artsakh President's office informs Armenian News-NEWS.am. The heads of the sectoral departments reported on the progress of the implementation of the instructions previously given by the President Artsakh. Presenting the latest regional developments to the participants of the consultation, Harutyunyan noted that security risks, the long-term presence of the ongoing Azerbaijani blockade, energy crisis, and several other circumstances should be the basis of all the work and developed programs in Artsakh. In that context, the President gave a number of new short- and long-term instructions in order to face the security risks, the blockade, and to overcome the problems caused by the energy crisis. On the International Day for Protection of Children, it is imperative to raise awareness about the challenges and deprivations that 30,000 children of Artsakh have to face today due to the ongoing 6-month-long blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, all children in this world have fundamental and inalienable rights. However, for almost six months now, Artsakh children continue to be deprived of their most fundamental and basic rights, such as education, healthcare, development, family reunion, psychological and mental integrity, adequate standard of living, access to basic necessities, leading to adverse consequences for their wellbeing, stable physical and mental development. Around 550 children have been deprived of their right to return home and reunite with their families in Artsakh due to the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan, staying devoid of their parental care, love and family environment. In total, more than 1820 children have been unable to see one or both of their parents due to the blockade, resulting in serious psychological suffering of children. The educational process in all institutions of Artsakh has been constantly disrupted due to the deliberate targeting of the vital infrastructure of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, leading to a general decrease of the level of childrens receptivity and attention. The lack of proper socialisation, disrupted education, as well as separation with families and relatives, lead to the increase in visits of children to psychologists and neurologists by 47% during the blockade. Besides, because of the violation of the Artsakh childrens right to freedom of movement by Azerbaijan, the students from Artsakh cannot apply to educational institutions and access the educational opportunities outside Artsakh. Finally, in the absence of timely and sufficient foodstuff supplies to Artsakh, children, including newborns, suffer from malnutrition, deficiency of vitamins and minerals with other ensuing health problems. Child rights are human rights, and they should be universal, regardless of the childs origin or ethnicity. Artsakh children should enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other children in this world, which is, unfortunately, not the case today. In the 21st century, when the civilized world pursues sustainable development goals worldwide, Artsakh children are still struggling to have their basic rights protected and opportunities provided. In the face of the existential threats looming over the children of Artsakh, we once again call on the international community in the face of UNICEF to take action, protect the rights of Artsakh children and prevent the threats of the Armenophobic and authoritarian regime of Azerbaijan. The protection of the carefree present and future of all the children of the world, including the 30,000 children of Artsakh, is our universal responsibility. The statement disseminated by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of Azerbaijan claiming that the units of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Defense Army opened fireat around 10am Thursdayin the direction of the Azerbaijani positions located in the Azerbaijani-occupied territories of the Shushi region of Artsakh is another disinformation, Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned from the Defense Army. The Azerbaijan MoD, claiming about disruption of the engineering work being carried out in the Shushi and Martuni regions of Artsakh, once again distorts the reality, trying to justify the firing of its army units in the direction of Artsakh residents doing agricultural work. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday participated in the second Summit of the European Political Community, in Moldovan capital Chisinau. The leaders of more than four dozen countries were welcomed at the venue by the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, after which the summit began. Next, a photo session of the participants of this event was held. Also, Pashinyan participated in a roundtable discussion entitled "Energy, Connection." In addition, the Armenian PM had conversations with the leaders of a number of countries and the President of the European Council within the framework of the summit. A five-way meeting between the Armenian Prime Minister, the French President, the German Chancellor, the President of the European Council, and the President of Azerbaijan is also planned in Chisinau today. The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council will convene for a meeting in Sochi, Russia on June 7-8, BelTA reported, citing the press service of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). "The heads of government of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union [(EAEU)] will review the status of the first package of measures for cooperation between the EAEU states within the framework of the climate agenda, the further development of the integrated information system and the digital agenda of the union. The Eurasian Economic Commission will inform the members of the intergovernmental council about the results of monitoring the implementation of the plan of priority measures for the digitalization of freight rail transportation in the interests of trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU and its member states, on the one hand, and China, on the other," the EEC press service said. Members of the intergovernmental council will be informed about the results of internal coordination in the EAEU and the finalization of the draft amendments to the technical regulations "On Food Safety." The council will also look into the trial use of electronic navigation seals, the state of the EAEU internal market, the development of transport infrastructure in the EAEU member states in the East-West and North-South directions, including within the framework of the efforts to align them with the Chinese Belt and Road initiative. "The Eurasian Economic Commission will report to the intergovernmental council on the action plan for the development of electronic document flow at sea checkpoints of the EAEU countries for 2023-2025; monitoring the regulatory impact assessment of the EEC draft regulations in 2022; the Commission's annual report on the state of competition in cross-border markets and measures taken to curb violations of the general rules of competition in 2022," the EEC added. To note, Armenia also is a member in the Eurasian Economic Union. Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Officers near the scene after an argument erupted between police and residents after Latrell Allen was shot by CPD officers after he allegedly fired several rounds at two officers near the 5700 block of South Racine Avenue on Aug. 9, 2020. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Three years after he was shot by police a shooting that purportedly set off a round of looting in the downtown area an Englewood man was convicted of attempted murder of two Chicago police officers. A Cook County jury late Wednesday found Latrell Allen, 23, guilty of four counts of attempted murder and four counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to county court records. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11. Advertisement Prosecutors argued that on Aug. 9, 2020, someone called 911 to report a male with a gun in a park near 57th Street and Racine Avenue. Officers assigned to the Police Departments Community Safety Team chased Allen into a nearby alley, where they said he fired at them. The officers shot back, striking Allen in the shoulder. Allen then ran to his nearby home, where he was taken into custody and brought to a hospital. Advertisement In a statement issued Thursday, Allens attorney Danielle Pinkston said she planned to file post-trial motions requesting the court to correct the numerous reversible errors made before and during trial. 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 > There was not even a scintilla of Latrells DNA or fingerprints on the trigger, no gunshot residue was found on the weapon that was attributed to him, no gunshot residue was found on his body, nor on his clothing, all considering he was accused of firing not one, not two, but eight (8) rounds at two Chicago Police Officers who were part of the Community Safety Team, Pinkston said. The shooting occurred during the especially tense summer of 2020, in the wake of the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd, a few months after looting and violence broke out across the city. Another round of looting occurred after Allen was shot, and then-police Superintendent David Brown said at the time that the widespread theft was spurred by misinformation about the circumstances of Allens shooting. Posts on social media claimed that officers shot an unarmed child, Brown said. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability found that the two officers who shot Allen were justified in their use of deadly force, but the agency recommended a severe punishment for the officer who drove onto a sidewalk, records show. Brown agreed with COPA and called for the officer to serve a 180-day suspension. Prosecutors said last week that the suspension has yet to be served. Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: Before the meeting of the deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia in Moscow, RF [(Russian Federation)] Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said that the technical details related to the model for crossing the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia will be discussed. In Overchuks words, Armenia will get an opportunity to come out to Russia, EU, Iran through Nakhichevan, Syunik [Province of Armenia], Azerbaijan. "At the border there will be passport, customs, and all types of controls that exist at international borders." This is exactly the corridor that [Azerbaijani president] Aliyev demanded; it will just be called "road." In the last few days, there is talk in [Armenian] authorities circles that [PM] Pashinyan cannot refuse the provision of the corridor, which Russia demands more than Azerbaijan. But Pashinyan could provide the road in the short term, for 3 or 5 years. 14:07 A vacation bench of Justice S G Dige directed the makers and producers of the series, including Hansal Mehta and Netflix Entertainment Services India on whose platform the series has been released, to file their affidavits in response to Rajan's plea by June 7. The jailed gangster had on Thursday moved the court against the web series, saying that the use or misuse of the attributes of his personality without his prior consent amounted to infringement of his personality rights as well as defamation. When the court was informed that the series has been released and all the six episodes were available, Rajan's advocate Mihir Desai said the makers could be directed to remove his name and image from the series. Justice Dige, however, refused to pass any order granting any relief to Rajan. "The series is already released. All the episodes are published. We will see on the next date. Let reply affidavits be filed by all the defendants. List the matter on June 7," the court said. The bench also permitted Rajan to amend his suit to change the reliefs sought by him and also to justify how it was a matter of intellectual property rights. Senior counsel Ravi Kadam, appearing for Netflix, told the court that Rajan has been convicted in the case of murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey and the judgment is available in public domain. In such circumstances, anyone can use his name or image, Kadam said. The bench then asked what if he (Rajan) was acquitted in the appeal filed by him in the high court. To this, Kadam pointed out a Supreme Court judgment that said till the appeal is pending the lower court judgment convicting a person stands. Desai told the court that Rajan was not disputing the fact that he has been convicted in the case, but he is the only one whose real name and image has been used. "Everybody else's name and image is changed then why is it that only Rajan's name and image is used as is," Desai said, adding that Rajan has a copyright on his image. Justice Dige then jokingly said what happens in cases of twins. To this, Desai replied, fortunately or unfortunately Rajan does not have a twin. Rajan, who is presently lodged at Tihar jail, sought a stay on the release of the series and an order to take down the trailer. He also sought a permanent injunction restraining the makers of the series, including Hansal Mehta and Netflix Entertainment Services India, from infringement of his personality rights. Rajan has also sought damages of Re 1 to be paid to him or for the makers to deposit the money earned by them through the telecast of the trailer of the series, and for the amount to be used for "public good or upliftment of the society". The makers of the series were never permitted to use or misuse Rajan's name and image, associate him to any voice and/or any events, without prior permission, the petition stated. In June 2011, journalist Jyotirmoy Dey was killed. Rajan and 11 others, including journalist Jigna Vora, were accused in the case. In May 2018, Rajan and eight others were convicted in the case. Vora was acquitted. "Scoop", a six-episode Netflix series, is inspired by Vora's 2019 jail memoir "Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison". PTI Read the review here. The Bombay High Court on Friday refused to grant any urgent relief to jailed gangster Rajendra Nikalje, alias Chhota Rajan, who had filed a plea against web series Scoop, noting that the series was already released on Netflix. American composer Lionel Semiatin creates music on the beach at Normandy during World War II. (Photo provided) Concert to feature composer Lionel Semiatin, donation to SIUs Morris Library CARBONDALE, Ill. A chamber music concert that celebrates the work of American composer Lionel Semiatin, along with the dedication of a substantial portion of his work to Southern Illinois University Carbondales Morris Library Special Collections Research Center, is set for Wednesday, June 7. The Lionel Semiatin Collection Dedication Concert is at 3 p.m. in the librarys third-floor rotunda. Admission is free. Excerpts of the collection, featuring a variety of chamber ensembles of Semiatins works, will be performed by 24 members of the Southern Illinois Music Festival orchestra as part of the 2023 Southern Illinois Music Festival under the artistic direction of Edward Benyas, professor of oboe and conductor. Semiatin wrote a number of compositions during the Battle of Normandy in July 1944 and created much of his American Symphony" while on battlefields. He visited Carbondale in 2014, the year before he died at age 98, to hear three of his pieces performed at that years music festival during a D-Day 70th anniversary concert. One of the compositions to be performed on June 7 are two movements from the American Septet, which is Semiatins own arrangement for two winds, four strings and piano. An exhibit documenting Semiatins remarkable life and legacy will be displayed during the reception following the concert. Working with Benyas and Library Affairs Dean John Pollitz and Associate Dean Anne Marie Hamilton-Brehm, Semiatins family donated a substantial portion of the composers manuscripts of orchestral, chamber and sacred music and correspondence to the librarys Special Collections Research Center. Semiatins daughter and granddaughter will also perform in the June 7 concert. Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1917 to a Jewish family, Semiatin immigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was 3 and began composing music in his youth. Serving in the Army during World War II, he was sent to Normandy a week after D-Day and assigned to guard the fuel dump of the first air force fighter base there during the night. Because of his musical abilities, he was assigned to the chaplains office overseas and played the organ for troops during services for all denominations. After the war, Semiatin worked in fundraising for a Jewish organization before moving with his wife, Edith, to White Plains, where he worked at Temple Israel Center, serving as executive director from 1953 to 1982. Influenced by jazz, Semiatin studied the art and science of composition throughout his life, composing modern chamber and symphonic music that was performed by the Westchester Philharmonic, the Columbia University Orchestra, the Omaha Symphony, the Alexandria Symphony and other symphony orchestras around the United States and Canada. (Editors note: Lionel Semiatins last name is pronounced seh-mee-AHT-in) In another boost for Assam's civil aviation space, a new Guwahati-Silchar-Guwahati flight service was flagged off on Thursday in partnership with operator FlyBig. The maiden flight to Silchar, a key town in the state which is about over 300 kilometres away from the capital city, had a total of 63 passengers against its capacity of 72. As per the agreement, these flight services will be executed in non-UDAN routes and will have a far-reaching impact on the tourism industry by improving intra-state connectivity, said tourism minister Jayanta Mallabaruah. "ATDCL (Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd) will support FlyBig through viability gap funding and weekly operation of flights in both the sectors will be decided mutually by both the parties. These flights will follow a schedule of operating at 7.30 am to Silchar from Guwahati and it will have a return journey from Silchar at 8.30 am every day," the minister tweeted after the flagging off of the flight. Last month, too, another FlyBig flight service from Guwahati-Dibrugarh-Guwahati was started. The Assam government inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Big Charter Private Limited ( or Flybig) in March this year. Under the signed understanding, a decision was made to operate flights between Guwahati-Dibrugarh-Guwahati and Guwahati-Silchar-Guwahati routes on a daily basis. Assam has a total of six-to-seven operational airports. While the flight operations will be in line with the centre's UDAN scheme, the state government will provide viability gap funding to the operator. The services will give assured connectivity and assured price as in the agreement it was decided to keep a tab on the pricing at a maximum at Rs 4, 000 per head, and any additional prices will be borne by the state. Notably, the Ministry of Civil Aviation's flagship programme, Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), has meanwhile completed five years. The first flight was launched in April 2017. The scheme was initiated in October 2016 with the objective of fulfilling the aspirations of the common citizen, with an enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities. The government has approved the 'Revival of unserved and under-served airports' scheme for the revival and development of 100 unserved and under-served airports, helipads and water aerodromes by 2024. It is an ongoing scheme where bidding rounds are conducted from time to time for covering more destinations or stations and routes. (ANI) PNN New Delhi [India], June 1: Reputable Real Estate Development Company, Agrocorp, is pleased to announce that it is prepared to introduce resort-style villas, residential plots and senior homes after recently purchasing land parcels in Chikkaballapur and Chikmagalur through its subsidiary ALPL One (P) Limited, predicting an expected revenue of INR 340 crores. By the conclusion of the fiscal year 2023-2024, the business hopes to generate more than INR 300 crores in revenue, demonstrating its commitment to portfolio diversification and leveraging the rising demand for upscale residential projects. Agrocorp's continued dedication to sustainable growth and green development complements its entry into the real estate industry. Nearly 70 acres or 3 million square feet, of green-managed farm communities, have been successfully delivered by the company in Bengaluru over the last two years. Notable examples include Amari Farms, The Palm Reserve, and The Vineyard (In Final Development Stage). Agrocorp projects have transformed over 300 acres of deserted land into thriving green areas, demonstrating Agrocorp's dedication to reducing its carbon impact and fostering sustainable growth. Agrocorp prioritizes sustainable projects through a variety of green practices, including organic agricultural methods, rainwater collecting, waste management systems, and eco-friendly landscaping. The business devotes a sizable percentage of its budget to these initiatives because it is certain that making investments in sustainability helps not only its cherished customers but also the environment and society at large. In order to ensure that its projects meet the highest standards of sustainability and eco-friendliness, Agrocorp is still committed to keeping at the forefront of green technology and practices. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, Agrocorp intends to extend its residential projects to more cities, including Chikkaballapur, Goa, and Chikmagalur. Future developments in the Delhi/NCR region are now possible thanks to the recently approved farm community rules in Delhi and Haryana. Agrocorp's managed farm communities are in line with the shifting real estate trends towards green initiatives, mixed-use developments, affordable housing, and luxury projects. The COVID-19 epidemic has brought to light the need for residences with facilities for remote work and a connection to nature, which Agrocorp's farm community initiatives provide. Agrocorp seeks to redefine sustainable luxury and establish new industry standards as part of its commitment to green development and sustainability. Leading business Agrocorp is venturing into the residential plotted development category through its subsidiary ALPL One (P) Limited. Agrocorp is launching resort-style villa plots in key areas after successfully completing numerous green-managed agricultural communities. Through its environmentally responsible business practices, the organization is dedicated to quality, client happiness, and building a sustainable future. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) ATK New Delhi [India], June 1: In the world of cryptocurrencies, where fortunes are made and lost in the blink of an eye, robust security measures are paramount. Investors and enthusiasts alike seek assurance that their digital assets are shielded from potential vulnerabilities and threats. In this captivating article, we delve into the exciting universe of our top three cryptos: Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX), and the newest meme sensation, DogeMiyagi (MIYAGI). Dive into an enthralling exploration of their unique approaches to fortify the world of crypto with robust security measures. Solana - Unleashing the Potential At its core, Solana (SOL) is a high-performance blockchain platform designed to support decentralized applications and crypto ecosystems. Unlike its counterparts, Solana boasts remarkable scalability, delivering lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees. This crypto marvel stands tall against other projects, leveraging its cutting-edge technology to overcome challenges associated with congestion and scalability. Solana's security protocols are designed to withstand the relentless assaults of malicious actors. Utilizing the Proof-of-History (PoH) consensus algorithm, Solana achieves high network performance while maintaining airtight security. The combination of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) and PoH allows for increased resistance against common vulnerabilities such as double-spending and Sybil attacks. Furthermore, Solana's validators undergo rigorous selection processes, ensuring only the most reliable entities secure the network. Avalanche - Breaking Barriers In the realm of crypto ecosystems, Avalanche (AVAX) has emerged as a formidable player, offering unparalleled transaction speeds and throughput. Its innovative consensus mechanism, Avalanche Consensus, resolves long-standing scalability issues that have plagued other blockchain platforms. Avalanche aims to provide seamless interoperability and robust security for decentralized applications by utilizing a network of validators. Avalanche takes a multifaceted approach to bolstering security within its ecosystem. Through its Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) consensus algorithm, Avalanche ensures that the network remains resilient against malicious attacks. The platform also employs a novel mechanism called Avalanche Randomness, which introduces unpredictability in the validator selection process, mitigating the risk of collusion and centralization. By embracing these innovative security measures, Avalanche creates a safe haven for users and developers alike. DogeMiyagi - Meme Coin Turned Security Champion Introducing DogeMiyagi (MIYAGI), the hottest new memecoin making waves in the crypto sphere. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Mr. Miyagi from "The Karate Kid'' and infused with the spirit of Dogecoin, this community-driven project aims to revolutionize the world of decentralized finance. DogeMiyagi's commitment to community involvement extends beyond its meme-like exterior. By renouncing ownership upon launch, DogeMiyagi transforms into a fully-fledged Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). This shift empowers the community to actively participate in decision-making processes, ensuring a vigilant watch against scams and fraud. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, DogeMiyagi leverages the platform's renowned security features, including smart contract verification, regular audits, and bug bounties. By prioritizing secure wallet solutions, multi-signature functionality, and robust encryption techniques, DogeMiyagi creates an ecosystem where users can confidently transact and safeguard their digital assets. In the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies, Solana, Avalanche, and DogeMiyagi emerge as formidable contenders, armed with unique approaches to robust security measures. Solana showcases its unparalleled scalability and advanced security protocols, while Avalanche breaks barriers with its interoperability and novel consensus mechanism. As for DogeMiyagi, it transcends the meme coin status by prioritizing community involvement and incorporating top-notch security measures. For more about Dogemiyagi: Website: https://dogemiyagi.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Dogemiyagi_ Telegram: https://t.me/dogemiyagi (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) ATK New Delhi [India], June 1: Ever scratched your head about which crypto to throw your money at? With an ocean of cryptocurrencies swirling around, the quest to discover your "holy grail" can be as tricky as finding a needle in a haystack. However, in this article, we'll embark on a whirlwind tour of the best cryptocurrencies to buy in 2023, visiting the bustling cities of Ethereum and Chainlink, and then sneaking into the yet-to-be-unveiled world of an upcoming meme coin, Caged Beasts. Ethereum: Best Altcoin To Invest In 2023 Ethereum stands as a towering figure, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. But its size is not its only asset. It serves as the foundation for software processing through its token system, Ether, and is also the birthplace of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, one of the biggest achievements in the crypto sphere. Ethereum has an ambitious roadmap featuring improvements to increase scalability, security, and sustainability. Anticipate faster transactions, lower fees, and efficient resource utilization. Plus, we have the much-awaited Optimism upgrade, promising to reduce transaction fees and increase speed. And with influential projects such as MakerDAO and Sandbox flourishing under Ethereum's umbrella, this crypto giant shows no signs of slowing down. Discussing Ethereum's price forecast, One of the top sources predicts a significant leap from $2.6B network revenues to $51B by 2030. With Ethereum potentially capturing 70% of the market for smart contract protocols, they predict a token price of $11.3k by 2030, discounted to $5.3k today considering a 12% cost of capital. This future shines bright for Ethereum, demonstrating the potential for lucrative returns. Chainlink: Winning The Alt Season Next on our radar is Chainlink, a decentralized oracle network bridging the gap between on-chain and off-chain services, addressing one of the major hurdles in the blockchain world. Over 1700 projects, from startups to large enterprises, are leveraging Chainlink's services. Its solution has real-world applications, cementing its value in the rapidly advancing blockchain industry. Already popular and reliable, Chainlink's mainstream adoption could benefit most blockchain projects. Despite its significant growth to a $3.5 billion market cap in three years, like all cryptos, it's volatile and calls for careful investment decisions. When it comes to Chainlink's native token, LINK, AMB Crypto predicts an exciting journey ahead. Given Chainlink's steady growth and ecosystem developments, they anticipate LINK's price will hover around $39.38 by January 2030. Caged Beasts: The Next Pepe? Finally, we arrive at our last stop, the soon-to-be-revealed Caged Beasts. Created by Rabbit 4001, this isn't just another meme coin hopping onto the trend bandwagon. It's a revolution in the making! Each presale stage will see the release of a new beast, adding a fun twist to your investment journey. Meet the quirky cast of beasts, from Dr. Rabbit Hyde to Champagne Charlie, each with their own unique appeal. What's more? They've put a unique spin on referrals, too! Create a code, refer a friend, and both of you get a 20% instant bonus. Paired with an enchanting storyline, engaging community events, and 75% of funds locked for liquidity, Caged Beasts offers an investing experience like no other. With 25% of funds set aside for marketing, this meme coin is set to take center stage. So, keep an eye out, because you wouldn't want to miss the curtain rising on this one! Takeaway To conclude, the world of cryptocurrency investments is vast and varied. Ethereum, with its planned enhancements and existing robust platform; Chainlink, with its innovative solutions and expanding services; and Caged Beasts, with its fresh take on meme coins and unique community engagement strategies, each offer unique opportunities. As always, in the ever-fluctuating crypto market, proper research and strategic planning remain paramount. Invest wisely! Read All About Caged Beasts: Website: https://cagedbeasts.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/CAGED_BEASTS Telegram: https://t.me/CAGEDBEASTS (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 Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 1: While Ed-tech continues to be a fond sector for student led startups (12.7 per cent of the total inflow at Campus Fund); healthtech (10 per cent) and new-age tech startups (8.5 per cent) - Web 3.0, Crypto, Blockchain, have emerged as the new interest areas in the student startup ecosystem, Campus Fund said in its report titled 'State of Student Entrepreneurship in India - Edition II' (download here: https://hubs.ly/Q01Rr3rt0). The report gives an insight on 2,000 student-led startups evaluated by Campus Fund across the country from July 2021 to December 2022. The Indian education landscape is booming, now more than ever. According to UGC, there are 460 State Universities, 128 Deemed to be Universities, 56 Central Universities, 430 Private Universities and 161 Institutes of National Importance. Other institutions include 52,627 colleges as government degree colleges, private colleges, standalone institutes, and post-graduate research institutions functioning under these universities as reported by the MHRD in 2021. Academic Institutions, along with support from the Government are constantly working to create more fertile grounds to enable students to startup with more students looking to take the plunge. Karan Bhagat, Founder & CEO of 360 One said, "With a young population at a time when the world is ageing, India's youth holds the greatest competitive advantage a startup ecosystem could ask for - a hungry and energetic talent pool." The second edition of the Campus Fund report details some interesting trends and insights:- 1. Similar to the last edition, more than 2/3rd of the student founders originate from Medium Resource Colleges (MRCs) vs. 1/3rd from High Resource Colleges (HRCs). 2. Additionally, about 70 per cent of the student-led startups, operated in or from Tier 1 cities. Bengaluru accounted for 17.7 per cent (vs 21 per cent in Edition 1), followed by Delhi NCR at 16.5 per cent, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai were similar to the last edition at 11 per cent, 3.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively. 3. Further, 54 per cent of founders from Tier 1 cities started their ventures after they had graduated from their respective degrees whereas amongst founders starting up in non-Tier 1 cities, as high as 62 per cent of them started out earlier while they were still pursuing their degrees. This reinforces the fact that more and more student founders are looking at starting up as a viable career opportunity. 4. When coming to areas of interest and business models, 77 per cent of EdTech Startups were B2C in nature, while 70 per cent of the EdTech startups are being built in Tier 1 Cities. But when it comes to Food & Agriculture related startups 51 per cent are B2B in nature and overall 45% of them are being built in Tier 2 & Tier 3 Cities. 5. The report also mentioned that with Web3, we could witness a generational shift in mindset altogether - from centralised to decentralised systems. This shift is especially relevant for Indian student founders, who see an opportunity to own their content in a digital age where platforms traditionally have ownership over user data in Web2.0. According to the report, the next wave of startups from the student ecosystem will be potentially in areas aiding hybrid workforce, creator economy, social - but not just media, new-age money and Sustainability at large. Varun Thapar of the Karam Chand Thapar (KCT) group said, "Richa and her team has done an amazing job of identifying nascent talent in college dorm rooms and providing meaningful support during their early journey. Given their unique positioning, Campus Fund has successfully been able to discover those bold and fearless individuals who not only conceive of disruptive and transformative ideas but also convert them into business realities." The report concludes as follows - In the `70s and `80s, a group of computer science "nerds" decided to quit college, quit their cubicle jobs, and started writing lines of code from their garages. They were laughed at, called names, and their feverish dreams were readily dismissed by people. By the turn of the millennium, these same people became tech moguls, building products that their contradictors could never have imagined possible. The world accepted this change with open arms. Around the same time in a land far away, across oceans, a daring politician and his quietly brilliant Finance Minister had already ushered in the era of liberalisation that would change their country forever. "It is incredibly exciting to think that our country, and the world is on the cusp of another such tectonic shift, and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become catalysts in this process," said Richa, Founder of Campus Fund. (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) Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. The Reserve Management Group facilities on Feb. 16, 2022, in the East Side neighborhood of Chicago. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune) A clout-heavy scrap shredder should be allowed to operate in Chicagos heavily polluted Southeast Side, an administrative law judge ruled Thursday in a decision that scrapped one of former Mayor Lori Lightfoots key overtures to the environmental justice movement. The ruling by Administrative Law Judge Mitchell Ex noted a consultant hired by the city concluded Reserve Management Groups shredder at 11600 S. Burley Ave. would not pose unacceptable cancer risks defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as more than one case per million people during a lifetime. Advertisement Nor would the shredder increase the risk of other health problems, the citys consultant said. Ohio-based RMG obtained all but one of the permits and zoning decisions it needed for its Southside Recycling operation. Then the Biden administration urged Lightfoot to consider how the areas existing pollution problems epitomize the problem of environmental injustice in low-income, predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. Advertisement Faced also with a federal civil rights investigation and intense opposition from community activists, some of whom staged a hunger strike, Lightfoot short-circuited a 2019 deal she brokered with RMG to open the Southeast Side facility in return for closing the companys often-troubled General Iron operation along the North Branch of the Chicago River near wealthy, mostly white Lincoln Park. [ Reversing one of Emanuels last decisions, Lightfoot ensures clout-heavy scrap shredder leaves North Side by 2020 ] It would be unjust and unfair for the city to spring unforeseen requirements at the last minute of the regulatory process to thwart Southside Recyclings good faith reliance on the citys approval to construct the (Southeast Side) facility, Ex wrote in his 50-page opinion. Ex concluded Lightfoots administration failed to prove RMG would cause more problems for the Southeast Side. RMG has sued the city in local, state and federal courts. In a statement, the company said it would continue pursuing all of our rights and remedies ... to fully develop the facts supporting our claim for hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city will appeal Exs decision and continue our fight to uphold our authority under the law to make decisions that protect the environment, health and quality-of-life for residents of the 10th Ward and all environmental justice communities. Three neighborhoods near the RMG shredder East Side, Hegewisch and South Deering are scarred by 250 contaminated sites left behind when the steel industry abandoned the once-prosperous corner of Chicago during the 1980s and 90s, EPA Administrator Michael Regan noted in a May 2021 letter to Lightfoot. More than 75 polluters in the area have been investigated for Clean Air Act violations since 2014 alone, including companies that contaminated yards and playgrounds with brain-damaging manganese and lung-damaging petroleum coke. [ High manganese levels lead EPA to crack down on Southeast Side polluter ] Biden and Regan came into office pledging to address the nations long-standing racial disparities, in particular the concentration of dirty industries in poor communities of color. Advertisement 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 > In one of her last decisions as mayor, Lightfoot signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development vowing the city would overhaul its zoning policies, which over time have tended to concentrate polluting industries in low-income, predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. General Iron lost special zoning protections under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who backed the transformation of industrial properties along the North Branch of the Chicago River into the upscale Lincoln Yards development. RMGs shredder on the Calumet River, built on the ruins of the former Republic Steel mill, is in another Planned Manufacturing District that includes several of the citys biggest polluters. People living nearby breathe some of the citys dirtiest air, monitoring data shows. This is a classic example of environment racism in Chicago, said Cheryl Johnson, executive director of the nonprofit People for Community Recovery. This decision once again puts profits over people. As neighbors in Lincoln Park increasingly complained about metallic odors, General Iron and its former owners, the Labkon family, spread more than $500,000 in political contributions among Emanuel, aldermanic candidates and other local politicians, according to campaign finance records. The family also hired a dozen City Hall lobbyists, including John Borovicka, who worked for Emanuel when the former mayor was a congressman; Victor Reyes, a former political operative for Mayor Richard M. Daley; and John R. Daley, son of Cook County Commissioner John Daley and the former mayors nephew. Advertisement mhawthorne@chicagotribune.com NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 1: Tetra Pak, a leading food processing and packaging solutions company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cassio Simoes as Managing Director of its South Asia Markets. Simoes will be taking over the role effective from June 1, 2023, succeeding Ashutosh Manohar who will retire, following an illustrious corporate career of over four decades, including a 20-year stint at Tetra Pak. Cassio brings with him a wealth of experience having held various roles across different businesses at Tetra Pak over the past 20 years. Most recently, he was Managing Director of Tetra Pak Andina. With a strong track record of helping customers innovate for growth, his expertise will be instrumental in driving the company's growth and expansion in the South Asia region, which includes India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. "I'm delighted to welcome Cassio to lead Tetra Pak South Asia in this next phase of growth. His extensive experience and leadership skills will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our position as a leading provider of food processing and packaging solutions in South Asia. I'm confident that under his leadership, we will deliver great value to our customers, deliver food safely to consumers all over the region, and do this in a way that we do right by the planet," said Ashutosh. Commenting on his appointment, Cassio said that he is honored to have the opportunity to build on the great foundation set up by his predecessor Ashutosh Manohar and deliver value for the food & beverage customers in South Asia. "I am excited to be joining Tetra Pak South Asia at such a dynamic and transformative time in the company's history and look forward to working closely with our customers to understand their needs, build strong partnerships, and contribute to their growth," said Cassio. South Asia holds a strategic focus for Tetra Pak, and the appointment of Simoes further underscores the company's commitment to the region. With a dedicated local manufacturing presence in Chakan, Pune (Maharashtra), and a history of over thirty-five years in India, Tetra Pak delivers end-to-end solutions for its customers in the food & beverage industry. In his new role, Cassio will also be based in Chakan, Pune. "As an end-to-end solutions provider, we are uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of the food and beverage industry in South Asia. With an increasing focus on delivering world-class quality from the heart of India, I am confident that we will continue to strengthen our position as the preferred partner for our customers," added Cassio. Tetra Pak is a world leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working closely with our customers and suppliers, we provide safe, innovative and environmentally sound products that each day meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries. With more than 25,000 employees around the world, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business. Our promise, "PROTECTS WHAT'S GOOD," reflects our vision to commit to making food safe and available, everywhere. More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapak.com. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) ATK New Delhi [India], June 1: Decentralization and community development have become key factors in the success of blockchain projects. In this article, we will look into the fascinating realm of DogeMiyagi, Avalanche, and Solana, examining how these platforms intertwine decentralization and community development. With a focus on meme coin presales, we will explore the unique features and offerings of each platform and shed light on the impact they have in the crypto community. DogeMiyagi - Unleashing The Power Of The Meme Coin PresaleDogeMiyagi, a captivating new meme token, has emerged as a promising player in the crypto-verse. Inspired by the legendary martial arts master, Mr. DogeMiyagi, this token aims to harness the power of camaraderie and community spirit. By connecting your wallet and generating a unique referral code, DogeMiyagi allows you to easily share the opportunity with friends and family, enabling them to invest in $MIYAGI tokens. What sets DogeMiyagi apart is the generous 10% commission earned on every investment made using your referral code, automatically credited to your wallet. This innovative approach fosters community engagement and incentivizes users to actively promote the token. Avalanche - Empowering Decentralization And Community GrowthAvalanche, a prominent blockchain platform, stands out for its commitment to decentralization and community development. By providing an open-source framework, Avalanche offers developers the tools to create and launch their own decentralized applications (dApps) and tokens. With its high-performance consensus protocol, Avalanche enables rapid transactions and supports a wide range of applications. Avalanche's community-oriented approach encourages participation, governance, and decision-making, ensuring that the platform evolves in tandem with the needs and desires of its users. The integration of meme coin presale within the Avalanche ecosystem further strengthens community bonds and fuels the growth of unique and creative projects. Solana - Accelerating Decentralization And Community CollaborationSolana has gained significant attention for its scalability and speed, making it an ideal platform for decentralized applications and meme coin presales. Solana's architecture facilitates fast transaction confirmations and low fees, creating an optimal environment for seamless user experiences. The Solana ecosystem emphasizes community collaboration through various programs, such as grants and hackathons, which empower developers to build innovative solutions. By enabling easy access to the Solana blockchain, the platform encourages the creation of diverse and vibrant communities that fuel the growth and adoption of meme coins and other crypto assets. In the rapidly growing landscape of cryptocurrency, decentralization and community development have emerged as crucial components of successful blockchain projects. DogeMiyagi, Avalanche, and Solana exemplify the power of intertwining these concepts. DogeMiyagi's unique referral system creates a strong sense of community and incentivizes active promotion. Avalanche's commitment to open-source development empowers users to create and contribute to a decentralized ecosystem. Solana's scalability and collaborative programs foster growth and adoption within its community. These platforms offer distinct approaches to decentralization and community development, each with its own strengths and advantages. To explore the exciting world of DogeMiyagi and join its thriving community, visit the website below. Website: https://dogemiyagi.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Dogemiyagi_ Telegram: https://t.me/dogemiyagi (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 1: India's apex industry body for alternative assets, the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), held its first in-person learning session for #VC101, an industry-led knowledge-sharing programme for first-time fund managers (FTFMs), in collaboration with Price Waterhouse & Co LLP and IC Universal Legal as Knowledge Partners. With over 100 registrations, the Mumbai edition covered themes such as macro perspectives of the global VC landscape, strategies for success, and navigating the investment process. Spearheading the Mumbai edition were Rahul Khanna, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Trifecta Capital, and Co-Chair, VC Council, IVCA; Ruchi Khajanchi, Chief Financial Officer, A91 Partners; and Manish Kheterpal, Co-founder & Managing Partner, WaterBridge Ventures; and Lavanya Ashok, Partner, Trifecta Capital. Rahul Khanna, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Trifecta Capital & Co-Chair, VC Council, IVCA, said, "Venture capital plays a crucial role in driving innovation, growth, and economic development. By empowering FTFMs with the necessary knowledge, skills, and networks, we aim to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial landscape in India." He further added, "I am honored to lead the Mumbai edition of the first cohort #VC101 by IVCA, and the experience reinforced my belief that the emerging fund managers will play a crucial role in boosting India's investment ecosystem. The programme will help FTFMs build a strong foundation and bridge the knowledge gap between the old guard and the new." Through #VC101, IVCA aims to strengthen the environment for venture capital in India and push India as a leading fund management hub. Over the past decade in India, alternative investment funds have grown at an annual rate of 20%, and over 2021-22, the base of active micro-VCs has grown from 65 to 80+. The steady growth of such micro-VCs, domestic funds, and other small funds shows that it is necessary to build an empowered, engaged, and experienced generation of PE/VC fund managers in India. Commenting on his participation in #VC1O1, Tejesh Chitlangi, Senior Partner, IC Universal Legal, said, "I am delighted to serve as a mentor in the VC101 program, an initiative by IVCA designed to guide first-time fund managers. As a knowledge partner for VC101, IC Universal Legal is committed to provide comprehensive guidance to aspiring managers as they prepare to launch their own ventures. Our sessions will, inter alia, cover important topics such as fund structuring prerequisites, key considerations for specific investor categories and practical insights gained from our experience partnering with first-time fund managers as their legal counsel and whilst dealing with SEBI. Our aim is to equip participants with the knowledge and confidence they need to successfully launch their own alternative investment products in the Indian market." Himanshu Mandavia, Partner, Price Waterhouse & Co LLP, said, "Constant changes in the economic environment as well as the regulatory framework can be overwhelming for new entrants into the fund industry. The VC101 sessions being organized by IVCA would be a good platform to get a grip on many of these aspects and hear from industry experts on how they have navigated through this journey." The next two sessions of #VC101 will take place in Bengaluru and New Delhi where participating fund managers can expect to be mentored by Rajan Anandan (Managing Director, Surge & Sequoia Capital India LLP), Manish Kheterpal (Co-founder & Managing Partner, WaterBridge Ventures), Priyanka Chopra (Chief Operating Officer, Managing Partner, Seed Investing, CIIE.CO, IIM Ahmedabad, & Venture Partner, Bharat Innovation Fund), Sameer Brij Verma (Managing Director, Nexus Partners), and Sehraj Singh (Managing Director, India, Prosus Ventures). Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) is a not-for-profit, apex industry body promoting the alternate capital industry and fostering a vibrant investing ecosystem in India. IVCA is committed to supporting the ecosystem by facilitating advocacy discussions with the Government of India, policymakers, and regulators, resulting in the rise of entrepreneurial activity, innovation, and job creation in India and contributing towards the development of India as a leading fund management hub. IVCA members are the most active domestic and global VCs, PEs, funds for infrastructure, real estate, credit funds, limited partners, investment companies, family offices, corporate VCs, and knowledge partners. These funds invest in emerging companies, venture growth, buyout, special situations, distressed assets, and credit and venture debt, among others. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC) New Delhi [India], June 1: With its dedication to offering consumers all over India affordable and high-quality stationery products, Jainex Stationery India, a major player in the stationery industry, is revolutionizing the sector. Jainex Stationery, which was founded in 2013 by the creative team of Narpatlal Jain, Praveen Kumar Jain, and Arvind Kumar Jain, has quickly gained recognition for its cutting-edge approach and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Narpatlal Jain's journey with Stationery began in 1978, at the tender age of 16, when he joined his father, Late Shri Samratmal Jain, in the family business. Jain has seen firsthand how the stationery industry has changed and evolved over the course of four decades. His early entry into the industry gave him invaluable knowledge of the market dynamics and the changing needs and preferences of customers. Narpatlal Jain gained years of experience by adjusting to changes in the industry and seizing new opportunities. The company's growth was accelerated in 2007 when his eldest son, Praveen Kumar Jain, joined the family business after earning his B.Com. The pivotal moment occurred in 2011, when Arvind Kumar Jain, having gained priceless corporate experience, firmly decided to join his father and brother in achieving their shared vision of creating a stationery brand. The Jainex founders set out on an exploratory journey, traveling to markets around the world to gain profound insights into stationery trends, motivated by their innate passion for stationery products. The direction and inspiration of their father fueled their resolve to establish a low-cost stationery brand that catered to the discerning tastes of Indian customers. A one-rupee MRP eraser, though unassuming at first glance, was the cornerstone of Jainex Stationery's success. This modest beginning quickly won widespread acclaim, providing a strong foundation for the brand's future endeavors. The founders were greatly inspired to expand their product line by the sincere gratitude they received from customers who proudly associated the Jainex name with premium stationery. Currently, Jainex Stationery offers an impressive range of products, including crayons, sketch pens, coloring pencils, watercolours, glue, highlighter pens, marker pens, ink pen cartridges, mechanical pencils, non-sharpening pencils, wood-free pencils, leads, sharpeners, rulers, roller pen, fountain pen, and folders. The company also offers extensive coloring and craft options. Jainex Stationery's ethos is built around quality. To guarantee an unmatched user experience, every product goes through rigorous testing in challenging environments. Jainex Stationery has earned a reputation as an industry leader thanks to the company's unwavering dedication to excellence and affordable pricing. Narpatlal Jain, the creative force behind Jainex Stationery, firmly believes in three fundamental principles that promote market acceptance and trust: unwavering quality, aggressive pricing, and first-rate customer service. These values make up the very core of Jainex Stationery's DNA, which is represented by the three red dots on their logo. Jainex Stationery has set ambitious goals to reach every corner of the nation by 2025 in order to fulfill their mission of ensuring that stationery is accessible to everyone. The company has quickly increased its presence across 15 Indian states. Jainex Stationery used the COVID-19 pandemic's challenges as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of stationery products, emerging stronger and more resilient. The extraordinary success of Jainex Stationery can be attributed to its USP of providing high-quality products that provide an exceptional stationery experience at the most competitive prices. By concentrating on the MRP segment of Rs. 10, Jainex Stationery makes sure a variety of products are accessible to end users, regardless of their financial limitations. Consumers have responded favorably to this commitment to affordability without sacrificing quality, which has played a crucial role in Jainex Stationery's explosive growth and success. Jain understood the value of staying on the cutting edge thanks to his extensive knowledge and astute observations. In 2013, he founded Jainex Stationery India with the help of his sons Praveen and Arvind Jain. Their shared goal was to create a business that would not only meet the shifting needs of the Indian market, but would also raise the bar for quality and client satisfaction in the stationery industry. Jainex Stationery India has become a leader in the sector as a result of their unrelenting pursuit of excellence. The firm has won the trust and loyalty of a large customer base thanks to its dedication to offering top-notch products at affordable prices and top-notch customer service. With Narpatlal Jain's extensive knowledge of the industry and grasp of current trends, Jainex Stationery has been able to thrive and adjust to the changing requirements of professionals, hobbyists, and students. The legacy of Jain's journey, combined with the passion and dedication of his sons, has propelled Jainex Stationery to new heights of success. In conclusion, Narpatlal Jain's inspiring journey from working for his father's company at a young age to founding Jainex Stationery India exemplifies his profound dedication to the sector and his unwavering pursuit of excellence. His foresight and dedication have helped Jainex Stationery establish new standards for quality and client satisfaction in the stationery industry. The company's unwavering commitment to exceeding expectations and meeting customer needs remains the cornerstone of its success as it grows and develops. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC). ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire New Delhi [India], June 1: "Filled with memorable characters, The East Indian grapples with the brutal colonialism and indentured labor of the 1600s with warmth and wit. An entertaining novel that adds more heft to Brinda Charry's already impressive oeuvre." - Shashi Tharoor "What a vast and wondrous ocean of a novel this is - throwing up the unexpected and startling, the horrifying and utterly beautiful, moving from shore to shore with spectacularly skillful narrative poise. To journey with The East Indian is to journey through a world shapeshifting into the modern, a world being ravaged and transformed. It is to be reminded that amidst the rough sweep and scour of history, what remains precious are these timeless, enduring things - friendship, kindness, healing." - Janice Pariat ABOUT THE BOOK Meet Tony - compassionate and insatiably curious, with a unique perspective on every scene he encounters. Kidnapped and transported to the New World after traveling from the coast of India to the teeming streets of London, young Tony finds himself indentured on a Virginia tobacco plantation. Alone and afraid, Tony longs for home, and envisions a life after servitude full of adventure and learning. His dream: to become a physician's assistant, an expert on roots and herbs, a dispenser of healing compounds. Like the play that captivates him - Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, which Tony saw at the Globe during his short time in London - Tony's life is rich with oddities and hijinks, humor and tragedy. Set largely during the early days of English colonization in Virginia, Brinda Charry's The East Indian gives authentic voice to an otherwise unknown historical figure and brings his world to vivid life. Brinda Charry, the author, says: "The East Indian was inspired by an obscure figure named Tony who appears in the American colonial records - he might have been the first South Asian to reach what is now the United States, in the year 1635. The story follows him from his home on the Coromandel Coast to London and finally to the new English colony of Jamestown, Virginia. This aspect of the history of Indians traveling westwards in not widely known, either in India or elsewhere, and in writing Tony's story I wanted to create a narrative of discovery, displacement, loss and longing. The East Indian is an adventure novel, a coming-of-age tale, an exploration of the fraught nature of racial identity and a story about the beginnings of globalized modernity. Tony's world was a new world that was constantly making and remaking itself, much as he himself had to. While this is a work of fiction, I hope it engages as much as possible with the real, long-gone moment in which the people who inspired it lived. I also hope it will speak to modern readers of our historical moment, the one we inhabit today - a moment which bears the legacy of the world that was coming into being in the 1600s, when the first 'East Indian' arrived in America." PRAISE FOR THE EAST INDIAN "History comes alive in this brilliant, highly imaginative, and vivid novel. Immersive and revelatory - a stellar achievement." - E.C. Osondu, winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing, author of This House Is Not for Sale "Tony, the 'East Indian' of the title of Brinda Charry's utterly enjoyable debut novel, reads like a character straight out of Dickens. Based on an actual historical figure, the first person from India documented in the records of Colonial Virginia, Tony ventures into the entangled richness of a nascent America - a place he calls, 'this precarious edge of the world.' It is peopled by 'servants' - both white and black, female and male - who find themselves as bound to the New World as they are to the Englishmen who rule it. Picaresque in style, lyrical of voice, gripping and authentic, The East Indian is a real treat." - David Wright Falade, author of Black Cloud Rising "Marvelous ... Richly imagined characters and keen explorations of identity, place, and the power of imagination drive this luminous achievement." - Publisher's Weekly "The East Indian is a historical novel in the finest sense as it illuminates a time and place through the lives of fictional characters and imagined events with exceptional skill." - The New York Journal of Books "Few fictional narratives explore this era of American history and indentured servitude in the Colonies; Charry addresses this notable absence head-on, and her writing has a sophisticated elegance that aligns perfectly with the gravity of the novel's contents. The result is a necessary and ultimately triumphant addition to the chronicles of American colonialism." - Book Page ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brinda Charry went to the United States from India as a graduate student in 1999 and has been living there since. She is a novelist-turned-academic-returned-novelist. A specialist in English Renaissance literature (Shakespeare and contemporaries, with a focus on race, cross-cultural engagement in the 1600s and 1700s, and the early history of globalization), she has published a number of books and articles in that field. The East Indian is her first novel published in the United States. She currently lives in Keene, New Hampshire, with her husband. HarperCollins is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, having begun publishing in India in 1992. HarperCollins India publishes some of the finest writers from the Indian Subcontinent and around the world, publishing approximately 200 new books every year, with a print and digital catalogue of more than 2,000 titles across 10 imprints. Its authors have won almost every major literary award including the Man Booker Prize, JCB Prize, DSC Prize, New India Foundation Award, Atta Galatta Prize, Shakti Bhatt Prize, Gourmand Cookbook Award, Publishing Next Award, Tata Literature Live! Award, Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, BICW Award, Sushila Devi Award, Sahitya Akademi Award and Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Harvard University Press, Gallup Press, Oneworld, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover and Lonely Planet. HarperCollins India has won the Publisher of the Year Award four times at Tata Literature Live! in 2022, 2021, 2018 and 2016, and at Publishing Next in 2021 & 2015. HarperCollins India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], June 1: In today's dynamic world, emerging entrepreneurs are revolutionizing industries, challenging norms, and driving innovation. With their fresh ideas and relentless determination, they reshape the business landscape, leaving an indelible mark on various sectors. These visionaries are the driving force behind transformative change and economic growth. Pooja A Arambhan, Co-Founder & CEO at iiV Health Solutions Pvt Ltd, Mumbai "A winner is just a loser who tried one more time" - George A. Moore Jr. is a maxim Pooja has lived by. She prides herself on the pillars of Intention, Consistency, and Progress, which have propelled her professional growth. As the Co-founder & CEO of iiV Health Solutions, a women-led preventive health tech company, Pooja is committed to bringing Affordable, Accessible, and Accurate Preventive Health Tech to 50,000 locations across Urban & Rural India. Their focus is on early screening and detection of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), prevalent among diabetics. With the world's first non-invasive, affordable smart device, iiVH-FootPlus, leveraging remote diagnostics and AI/ML, they aim to tackle the underdiagnosed issue. Pooja's accomplishments include being recognized at the Indian Science Congress, showcasing her technology at TEDx, and receiving the Women Power in Health Tech Award. She continues to contribute to women's empowerment and serves as the youngest Vice-Chairperson at FICCI FLO, Mumbai, working towards fostering entrepreneurship. Shivangi Goel and Akshit Goel, CEO & Co-founder at TNW - The Natural Wash, Delhi Unveiling the Radiant Path: TNW - The Natural Wash's Entrepreneurial Journey In a world inundated with synthetic skincare options, TNW - The Natural Wash has transformed the industry with its nature-based approach. The dynamic duo of Shivangi Goel and Akshit Goel embarked on this journey 3.5 years ago, fuelled by their passion for natural skincare. Today, their resplendent success is evident through their remarkable monthly sales of 3.5 Crores. What makes their story truly remarkable is their bootstrapped beginning, etching them as the youngest skincare brand entrepreneurs. From personally fetching deliveries to save on freight costs to sun-drying ingredients, they have experienced the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Starting with just the two of them, TNW has now grown into a thriving team of 80+ employees. TNW's commitment to excellence has led them to expand their offerings, now including apparel, and further expanding to luxury beauty. TNW's entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration, urging us to dare to dream big. Naina Ruhail, Founder of Vanity Wagon, Delhi With a master's in business and over 11 years of experience in marketing-tech and beauty, is the driving force behind Vanity Wagon. She holds education credentials from the London School of Makeup and the London School of Styling. As the Creative Head and Co-CEO at Vanity Wagon, Naina leverages data and technology to understand the global demand for Clean Beauty, translating it into the life-holistic Clean Beauty Market. Under Naina's guidance, Vanity Wagon has grown rapidly over the last 4 years, establishing itself as a customer-focused leader in the Clean Beauty Industry in India. With an Army background and education from Army Public School in Pune, Naina's passion for beauty led her to become an influential international beauty influencer, inspiring countless women. Naina's goal is to make Vanity Wagon the largest Clean Beauty Retailer in the APAC region. Recently, she was honored with the Business World Well-being 40 Under 40 Award in March 2023. Dr Taruna Yadav, Founder at Wholistic Health, Faridabad Dr Taruna is a senior Ayurvedic doctor, integrated nutrition and lifestyle expert, author, speaker, and certified stress management consultant from the UK. She is also the founder of "Dr. Taruna's Wholistic Health," a preventive health and corporate wellness company. She combines her expertise in Ayurveda, nutrition, and stress management with her more than 15 years of experience in preventative and holistic health to help people attain their utmost physical and emotional well-being. She has also written two books on healthy eating and stress management. Her expertise has led her to be invited as a speaker at various prestigious forums and contribute to expert columns in esteemed media publications such as India Today, Newsweek, Vogue, Femina, Grazia, Elle, and more. Through her company, Dr. Taruna aims to provide authentic, research-based information and promote alternative health practices to help individuals manage lifestyle problems and attain holistic health. "Wholistic Health" has been recognized as one of the "10 most promising Corporate Wellness Providers 2023" by Silicon India magazine. Apoorva Bhatnagar, Founder of Garvili, Delhi Apoorva Bhatnagar, a passionate fashion designer and entrepreneur, embarked on her journey at a young age, driven by determination. Despite studying science, she followed her inner voice and pursued a career in fashion. Overcoming numerous obstacles, she was inspired to start her own clothing label. In 2019, armed with research and planning, she launched Garvili, a brand that fuses trendy styles with traditional elements, prioritizing comfort and affordability. Garvili stands out by embracing inclusive sizing and offering customization services, ensuring all women can find perfectly fitting outfits. With a commitment to sustainability, the brand follows a "Made to Order" model, reducing environmental impact. Garvili's exceptional collection includes outfits for various occasions, from formal to festive and wedding wear. Through their website, www.garvili.com, Garvili provides high-quality products at affordable prices, quickly establishing itself as a trusted brand in women's fashion. Sanotery Dilwalia, Founder- Dilwalia Technology Pvt. Ltd, Delhi Sanotery Dilwalia was born on 2nd April 1975 in a joint family of ten. Despite the societal norm of early marriages for girls, she became the first girl in her family to graduate among her siblings. After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree from Delhi University, she got married during her post-graduation in 2000. However, her in-laws and husband's lack of support forced her to abandon her studies and become a homemaker. Financial struggles plagued her life when her husband lost his job, and subsequent business attempts failed. In 2013, she worked as a teacher for a mere Rs2000 to make ends meet. Facing adversity, she borrowed money from her older sisters and made a bold decision to leave her in-laws' home. Determined to prove them wrong, she used the borrowed funds and established a successful educational institution. COVID-19 disrupted her progress, forcing her to restart and even sell her property. Amid the pandemic, she demonstrated her compassion by caring for stray dogs and establishing a veterinary clinic to aid their recovery. This year, on 15th May 2023, her veterinary clinic, IB Vets, completed its first year with the unwavering support of her son, Milind Dilwalia, and her husband. Jhoomar Mehta, Founder - Prod, Delhi Prod is a dynamic creative agency that supports key stakeholders in shaping India's development story. It specializes in crafting impactful narratives that resonate with the diverse Indian audience. The team's expertise includes strategic communications, visual design, branding, content creation, and digital outreach. Founder Jhoomar Mehta, with extensive experience in the development sector and a keen eye for emerging trends, has positioned Prod as an industry leader. Prod collaborates with renowned brands, helping them expand their conscious footprint globally. The team actively engages in policy discussions, guiding philanthropies, businesses, and governments. With a strong belief in the transformative power of storytelling, Jhoomar's mission is to empower client organisations and curate narratives that reflect a thriving India and inspire positive change. Join Prod as they redefine impactful communication and ignite meaningful action Kanchan Singh Satpathy, Director- Forte Point India Pvt. Ltd, Gurugram Kanchan Singh Satpathy, a 'Parallel' entrepreneur, defied her service-class family's expectations by becoming an architect and lawyer. As the director of Forte Point India Pvt Ltd., she has three decades of experience in designing and constructing exemplary realty and housing projects. Kanchan is an alumnus of BITs Mesra and IIM Ahmedabad, currently pursuing a master's in Psychology. A lifelong learner, she believes in constant evolution and avoiding stagnation. Known for her optimism, she lives by the motto, "if you lose, you learn; if you win, you learn." Kanchan is the founder and director of Reciprocity Pvt Ltd., empowering entrepreneurship through business networking. Additionally, she runs a book club and recently ventured into the FMCG sector with Spice Rack BY FPI Organics. Kanchan is an angel investor in India's pet care sector and serves as the president of Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WICCI's) entrepreneurship council in Haryana. She has received numerous awards, including the Global Triumph Foundation Women Excellence Summit and Women Power Inspirational Women in Business Award. Diversity and inclusion are her unbeatable strengths. Priyatham Kumar, founder - Homes247, Bengaluru Priyatham Kumar, the founder of Homes247.in, India's Favourite Property Portal, is a highly respected real estate veteran in India. As a noted technocrat, he is among the few in the country who envisioned a radical real estate shift driven by technology. With over 22 years of sales experience, including 12 focused exclusively on real estate, and armed with an engineering education and an IIM background, Priyatham Kumar serves as a mentor to many key players in today's real estate market. Homes247 is India's top PropTech platform, specializing in home buying, lead generation, and realty digital marketing. The firm is completely self-funded and bootstrapped, with the generated revenue reinvested to foster the company's growth. Originating from a humble background, Priyatham Kumar's tireless dedication and hard work are paving the way for Homes247.in to become a prominent real estate brand across major tier 1 and tier 2 cities in India, garnering significant attention. Rahul Mehta, Founder at Nandish Communication, Delhi Rahul Mehta, the founder of Nandish Communication, has made a significant impact in the advertising and media industry. With a diverse background in banking, recruitment, and advertising spanning over 15 years, Rahul's passion for effective communication led him to establish his own PR agency. Nandish Communication has emerged as a leading PR agency in India, serving over 500 satisfied clients. The agency's success can be attributed to its comprehensive range of services, including print, digital, events, radio, and outdoor media. With a network of over 200 leading publications, Nandish Communication provides clients with unparalleled access to strategic media placements, ensuring maximum exposure and engagement for their brands. The team's dedication and innovative approach have resulted in numerous successful campaigns, positioning Nandish Communication as a trusted industry partner. Rahul Mehta's vision and passion have transformed the agency into a go-to destination for businesses seeking effective PR solutions, redefining industry standards and helping clients achieve their communication goals. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Delhi NCR [India], June 1: GL Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management (GL Bajaj), a renowned educational institution in North India, has garnered praise from Bill Gates, Co-founder of Microsoft, philanthropist, and investor, for its exceptional commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among its students. During the Ramnath Goenka Memorial Lecture Series, presented by GL Bajaj, Bill Gates underscored the importance of fostering innovation through research funding and acquiring fundamental knowledge. He commended GL Bajaj for its efforts in nurturing and guiding students on their entrepreneurial journey. Gates highlighted the institute's role in providing the right kind of support at the right time, enabling students to achieve success in their startup ventures. With India emerging as a prominent startup hub, institutes like GL Bajaj are pivotal in shaping the country's entrepreneurial landscape. Pankaj Agarwal, Vice Chairman of GL Bajaj Educational Institutions, expressed gratitude for Bill Gates' recognition and acknowledged the significant impact Gates has made in technology and philanthropy. Agarwal lauded Gates' commitment to bringing about positive changes and offering solutions to socio-economic challenges. He further emphasized GL Bajaj's dedication to leveraging technology for the greater good of society and expressed interest in collaborating with Gates to address pressing global issues. Speaking on the importance of staying updated in a rapidly advancing technological landscape, Agarwal stated, "With technology evolving every day, it is essential to stay armed with knowledge and be prepared to face challenges. Being updated is the better choice, and listening to the changemakers of the world is the best way to gain knowledge." Agarwal extended an invitation to Bill Gates to visit the GL Bajaj Campus, aiming to explore potential synergies with the Gates Foundation and create a technological education ecosystem that positively impacts human life. At GL Bajaj, entrepreneurship is a key focus, and the institute has taken several initiatives to support student startups. It provides a generous grant of Rs. 2 Crore as seed funding, enabling students to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into reality. Additionally, GL Bajaj has received a grant of Rs. 3 Crore from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under the Nidhi Prayas scheme, aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students. The institute's dedication to entrepreneurship has earned it recognition as a Prayas Centre, a prestigious government initiative supporting institutions that promote entrepreneurship. GL Bajaj's efforts, coupled with its dedicated team of professionals, have contributed to the success of its students as young entrepreneurs. Several GL Bajaj alumni have been honored with prestigious awards such as 'The Best Electric Vehicle Innovation of the Year Award' and 'The Ericsson Innovation Award'. The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has also praised their innovative products. The GL Bajaj Centre for Research and Incubation (GLBCRI), the institute's incubation center, currently incubates 33 startups, the highest number among private colleges in Uttar Pradesh. The center provides students with state-of-the-art infrastructure and resources to develop their ideas and transform them into successful businesses. Furthermore, GL Bajaj offers mentorship and networking opportunities through its entrepreneurship cell, connecting students with industry experts and investors. GL Bajaj takes pride in its strong alumni network, which has facilitated fruitful connections between the institute and successful entrepreneurs. Many alumni entrepreneurs have returned to their alma mater to recruit talented students from GL Bajaj for their organizations. This strong alumni-institute relationship is a testament to the nurturing environment created by GL Bajaj, where students thrive and achieve their dreams. One of the most notable alumni entrepreneurs is Nikki Jha, the Co-founder of Saptkrishi Scientific Pvt. Ltd. He gained fame for his appearance on the hit television show "Shark Tank" and as a speaker for Josh Talks. In 2022, he was awarded the Outstanding Agri-Startup Award. Jha serves as an inspiration to many students at GL Bajaj and frequently visits the campus to motivate and hire students. Another successful alumni entrepreneur, Alok Tripathi, Co-founder of EV Minda, has established the EVM Centre of Excellence at the GL Bajaj campus. The center is dedicated to providing students with a firsthand experience of creating electric vehicles. This initiative allows students to gain practical experience in the field of electric vehicle creation and learn from Tripathi's expertise. The success of GL Bajaj's alumni entrepreneurs and their contributions to various industries showcase the institute's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among its students. Apart from its strong entrepreneurial support, GL Bajaj has consistently maintained an excellent placement record, enhancing the value of the education it provides. In 2023, the institute witnessed over 300 recruiters, with the highest package offered reaching Rs. 58 lakh and an average package of Rs. 7.12 lakh per annum. Top recruiters, including Palo Alto Networks, Intuit, Bosch, Capgemini, and Mindtree, have recognized the talent and caliber of GL Bajaj students. Many GLBians are now placed across the globe in esteemed companies like Facebook, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, earning packages of up to Rs. 2.5 Crore per annum. This remarkable achievement demonstrates that GLBians are destined for success. GL Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management continues to create an ecosystem that nurtures innovation, empowers entrepreneurs, and prepares students for a rapidly evolving world. The institute's dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and its collaborative approach with industry leaders like Bill Gates positions it at the forefront of shaping India's entrepreneurial landscape. For more information, please visit: www.glbitm.org. (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 Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 1: Pharmacy Bazar, India's Fastest growing and leading Health Care brand owned by M/S Krishma Exports (India) Ltd., is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Thyrocare, a renowned diagnostic and preventive care laboratory in India. This collaboration aims to provide enhanced diagnostic support to Indian citizens, ensuring convenient access to high-quality healthcare services. With a strong presence both online and offline, Pharmacy Bazar has established itself as a trusted brand in the healthcare segment. Offering a comprehensive range of services, including pharmacy delivery, doctor consultations, and diagnostic solutions, Pharmacy Bazar's e-commerce website (www.pharmacybazar.in) and mobile applications for Android and iOS platforms serve as a one-stop destination for all healthcare needs. Thyrocare Diagnostic Centre, founded in 1996 by Arokiaswamy Velumani, has emerged as a leading player in the diagnostic industry. With over 1,122 outlets and collection centers across India, as well as in parts of Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Middle East, Thyrocare has gained recognition for its wide range of diagnostic tests and preventive care packages. Accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) in the United States, Thyrocare ensures the highest standards of quality and accuracy in diagnostic testing. The company's ISO certifications further validate its commitment to excellence. Through this collaboration, Pharmacy Bazar aims to bridge the gap between Thyrocare and the customers seeking pathological and diagnostic support. Customers can now conveniently book appointments for diagnostic tests or request home sample collection services from Thyrocare through the Pharmacy Bazar website and application. The collaboration ensures affordable pricing and seamless access to Thyrocare trusted and accredited laboratories. "We are delighted to join hands with Thyrocare to enhance the diagnostic support available to Indian citizens," said Sujit Singh, Business Head at Pharmacy Bazar. "This partnership allows us to further our commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare services, ensuring that our customers can access high-quality diagnostics conveniently and affordably." Pharmacy Bazar and Thyrocare's collaboration represents a significant step towards improving the healthcare landscape in India. Together, they aim to empower individuals with easy access to essential diagnostic services, contributing to the overall well-being of the Indian population. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The '3 Idiots' actor is currently busy shooting for his upcoming project 'Test' in Chennai in which he will be seen opposite actors Nayanthara and Siddharth. Talking about having a working birthday, Madhavan said, "Birthdays are special, no doubt, but for me, my work is equally important. I feel fortunate to be doing what I love, and that in itself is the best birthday gift." The 'Tanu Weds Manu' actor recently received the best director award at the IIFA 2023 for his film 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect'. The film is a 2022 Indian biographical drama film written, produced and directed by R. Madhavan in his directorial debut and is based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, played by Madhavan, a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation. 'Rocketry' was released in six languages worldwide, including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. The movie was shot in India, France, Canada, Georgia and Serbia. Shah Rukh Khan and Suriya played cameos in the film. He will also be seen in the upcoming yet-to-be-titled supernatural thriller film alongside Ajay Devgn and Jyotika. This will be the first time Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan will be seen sharing screen space. Helmed by Vikas Bahl the film will go on floors in June 2023 and will be extensively shot in Mumbai, Mussoorie and London. (ANI) Hyderabad Police have rescued several exotic animals and arrested seven people including the owner of a pub who exhibited these animals. On May 30, the sleuths of Commissioner's Task Force (West Zone Team, Hyderabad) along with Forest Department officials conducted a raid at a pet store Styled as "Hyderabad Exotic Pets", Saidabad, Hyderabad for organizing and exhibiting wild animals at Xora Pub under the limits of Jubilee Hills police station. The Owner of Xora Pub & event organizers conducted an event in the name of 'Wild Night' on May 28 with DJ Ubba (Mumbai) for attracting customers. The accused are identified as Vinay Reddy (Owner of Xora Pub and organiser of the event), Varahala Naidu (Manager of Xora Pub), Tarun, Vamshi, Yaser and Karthik. Although, the accused Prudhvi absconded. According to an official statement, the police rescued 14 Persian Cats, 3 Bengal Cats, 2 Iguanas (Lizards), Pair of Cocktools, a Sun Congure (Parrot), and 2 Sugar Gliders. "Vinay Reddy, owner of Xora Pub, who resides at Road no. 36 under the threshold of Jubilee Hills organised an event in the name styled 'Wild Night', on May 28. The purpose was to capture the eyeballs of customers and do publicity for the club. His employees and event organizers Prudhvi (Operational Manager), Varahala Naidu (Manager of Pub), Tarun (owner of Happywag Pets, Hyderabad), Vamshi (Seller of pet animals), Karthik (Sells pet animals) and Yaser(Owner of Hyderabad exotic pets) organized and exhibited wild animals for the customers at the Pub. They displayed Bengal Cats, Ball Pythons, and Iguanas at the pub without any valid permission", said the police. Adding further, it said, "On information, the West Zone Task Force, Hyderabad along with Forest Department officials raided one store styled as "Hyderabad Exotic Pets, Saidabad, Hyderabad" and rescued the animals". The statement also said that the accused and the rescued animals have been handed over to the Forest Department Police for further action. (ANI) Days after the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Opposition to rise above petty politics while terming it the collective contribution of the nation to its founding fathers. Speaking with ANI, Hardeep Puri said, "The Opposition has been playing spoilsport now for much longer than we remember. I can tell you that the new Parliament, its conceptualisation, and its construction in record time, is the collective contribution of the nation, its workers to its founding fathers". "It is a temple of democracy. I think there was an opportunity for the Opposition in India to rise above the petty style of politics. Some (Parties) of them did," Puri, senior BJP leader added. "But some people over a period of time on account of certain factors which are quite well known. For instance, Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), or Lalu Prasad's Party. Their overall discourse has become shrill and it has become in fact and antagonistic," Puri said. He said that the nation did not even take note of that, referring to the boycott of over 20 Opposition parties who had accused the Central-led BJP government of sidelining President Murmu. Slamming the Opposition for boycotting the new Parliament Building, Puri said, "It was once- in- lifetime opportunity for the Opposition". Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the new Parliament House to the nation on Sunday. Earlier in the day, he installed the Sengol with Nandi at the top facing East-West direction in the new Parliament House. He also lit up the diya and offered flowers to the Sengol. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that there are few moments in every nation's history that are immortalized and said May 28, 2023, was such a day. "People of India have given themselves a gift for the Amrit Mahotsav", he said earlier. He said the new Parliament building was a symbol of the aspirations of the people for making India a developed country. Home Minister Amit Shah had said earlier that the new Parliament building will be a symbol of Amrit Kaal, an era that will witness the new India taking its rightful place in the world. 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) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin said on Wednesday that he has sought postponement of the meeting of leading Opposition parties in Patna on June 12, as he will be attending an inaugural ceremony on the same date. However, he confirmed the party's participation in the meeting, which is aimed at putting together a grand Opposition alliance against the BJP-led central government ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu CM said, "I will be attending the inaugural ceremony of Mettur Dam on the same date (as the Opposition meeting). It is an important event. Even the Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) will be held up at a different event and won't be able to attend the meeting on that day. So, I have asked for the meeting of Opposition parties to be pushed back. However, the DMK will surely participate in the meeting." The DMK chief informed further that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann will hold a meeting with him in Chennai on Thursday to discuss the contours of a grand Opposition alliance against the BJP at the Centre. "Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be meeting me tomorrow in Chennai. We have already started discussions on the formation of an anti-BJP alliance and we will get there," he said. On his recent visits to Singapore and Japan, the Tamil Nadu chief minister said his official tour was 'victorious'. "The meetings between Tamil Nadu and Japan went well. Rs 3,233 crore worth of MoUs were signed during my visits to these two countries. 5000-plus new jobs will be created soon in Tamil Nadu. I met with ministers of Singapore and Japan as well as other senior officials there. I held discussions on ways to take Tamil Nadu forward," he said. The CM stated further that Tamil Nadu will play host to a World Investor Meet on January 10 and 11, next year. "I invited the officials of Japan and Singapore to participate in the World Investor Meet to be held in Tamil Nadu next year. I hope they will participate in the event," he added. Earlier, on Wednesday, Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren confirmed his party's participation in the meeting of leading Opposition forces in Patna on June 12. To a question on whether his party would attend the meeting of Opposition forces in Patna, CM Soren said, "Since all Opposition parties have enlisted their participation at the meeting, we, too, would attend it." Earlier, on Sunday, Janata Dal (United) leader Manjit Singh said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will chair a meeting of leading Opposition players in the state capital on June 12. The Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has been spearheading efforts to bring all Opposition parties together against the BJP government at the Centre, with an eye on next year's Lok Sabha polls. As part of the effort to galvanise the Opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, he has already met the likes of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. (ANI) The chief minister said that when the state's legal fraternity was holding protests, demanding implementation of the Advocate Protection Act, he was in the Opposition and now that his government has come to power, the demand will be met. "The legal fraternity had staged a protest, demanding implementation of the Advocate Protection Act. I was an Opposition leader at the time. I had stood by them and supported their protest. Now that we are in power, we will definitely implement the Act," he said. CM Siddaramaiah was speaking at the farewell function of Justice B Veerappa, which was organised by the Bengaluru Advocate Association at the banquet hall of the Vidhana Soudha, the state Assembly. The Bengaluru Advocates Association also appealed to the chief minister to introduce an insurance scheme for lawyers. The CM assured them that his government will take necessary steps to launch the same after discussions. (ANI) The Kerala cabinet on Wednesday decided to grant an ex-gratia amount of Rs 25 lakh each to the family of Vandana Das, a doctor, and fireman Renjith JS, who died in separate incidents while discharging their duties. According to an official release, the decision was made at a cabinet meeting chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday. Dr Vandana Das was murdered while on duty when a 42-year-old patient she was treating stabbed her with surgical scissors at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital. The accused had been brought to the hospital for a medical examination. A fire and rescue officer, JS Renjith died while dousing a fire that had broken out at a godown of Kerala Medical Services Corporation in Kinfra Park, Thiruvananthapuram. The compensation amount to the family of Dr Vandana Das will be allotted from the CM's distress relief fund while the grant to the fire and rescue officer's family will be released from Medical Services Corporation's fund. Further, the cabinet meeting decided to give Rs 10 lakh in financial aid to the wife of SR Rajesh Kumar, a pump operator who died after falling into a water tank while working at the Kavalipuzha pump house under Kaduthuruthi subdivision of Kerala Water Authority. The meeting has also decided to avail the services of sign language interpreters in important state government programmes. Their services will be utilised in important events attended by the Governor, chief minister and other state ministers. It decided that government departments may utilise the services of sign language interpreters for meetings attended by persons with hearing impairment. An honorarium will be allowed amounting to Rs 1000 per hour. The release further said that the cabinet meeting also decided to impose a ban on trolling for 52 days. It added that a notification would be issued on the imposition of a ban on trolling for 52 days from June 10 to July 31 (midnight of June 9 to midnight of July 31) on the Kerala coast. (ANI) Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the United States on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the Congress leader is unable to digest a common man becoming the country's most powerful leader. Rijiju accused Rahul of verbally abusing PM Modi and defaming the country wherever he goes. The Union minister said, "Be it within the country or abroad, wherever Rahul Gandhi might be, he has just one job, verbally abusing Prime Minister Modi and defaming the country. I don't understand why he hates PM Modi so much and speaks against the country. He should know that this country gave his family everything, more than a common man can ever imagine. Rahul Gandhi is unable to digest a common man becoming the country's PM. Nobody takes him seriously." Earlier, on Wednesday, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur slammed Rahul over his remarks in San Francisco, California, saying that the Congress leader couldn't take the praise heaped on Prime Minister Modi by world leaders. "Rahul Gandhi always insults India during his foreign visits. PM Modi met almost 24 PMs and presidents of the world and held over 50 meetings during his foreign visit. Recently, the Australian PM said that 'PM Modi is the Boss', the PM of Italy said that PM Modi is the most popular leader in the world and the Prime Minister of a country greeted him by touching his feet," he said. "Today, the world sees hope in the leadership of India. This never happened in 75 years. The fact is that because of our leader, the respect of 140 crore countrymen is increasing. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party are unable to digest this," he added. Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday targeted the BJP-led government at an event in the US, saying "what is happening to Muslims in India today, happened to Dalits in the 1980s". Speaking at the 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' event in San Francisco, Rahul alleged that the impact of some actions of the BJP-led government was being felt by minorities and people from the Dalit and tribal communities and it has "to be fought with affection". "It is being felt by the Muslims most directly because it is done most directly to them. In fact, it is done to all communities. The way you (Muslims) are being attacked, I can guarantee Sikhs, Christians, Dalits, and tribals are feeling the same. You can't cut hatred with hatred, but only with love and affection," Gandhi said. "Also, this is a periodical thing. What is happening to Muslims in India today happened to Dalits in the 1980s. In the UP of the 1980s, this was happening to the Dalits. We have to challenge it, fight it with love and affection and not with hatred and we will do that," he added. The Congress leader was responding to a question concerning Muslims in India from the 'Bay Area Muslim community' and the steps the Congress plans to take to tackle the issues faced by them. During the event, Rahul Gandhi, who is on a six-day visit to the United States, also spoke about "economic inequality" back home, claiming that while some people were finding it difficult to make ends meet, about "five people have lakhs of crores". (ANI) Dikshit said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is aware that he will be sent to jail for at least 8-10 years if he does not get control of the Vigilance department. Speaking to ANI, Dikshit, son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, said, "I support the ordinance against the Delhi government. CM Arvind Kejriwal is very well aware that if he does not get control of the vigilance department, he will be sent to jail for at least 8-10 years." Earlier, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Telangana Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief K Chandrashekhar Rao extended their support to the Aam Aadmi Party convenor against the Centre's Ordinance on control over administrative services in Delhi. Notably, Kejriwal had on May 23 embarked on a nationwide tour to seek support from the Opposition parties against the Ordinance. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor has so far 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, soliciting their support. 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 circumvent the Supreme Court judgement in the Centre vs Delhi case. (ANI) Amid the controversy over the hijab case in the Damoh district of Bhopal, Minister of School Education Bhopal Inder Singh Parmar on Thursday said that action would be taken on the issue if the parents lodged an objection to the case. Following an uproar over the pictures of Hindu topper girls wearing hijab shared on social media by a local school in Bhopal, the Minister of School Education Bhopal stated that the uniform of the school was subject to public scrutiny and that the private schools had a right to decide on the uniform. "The uniform of the school is subject to scrutiny. As per the rules of the School Education Department, private schools have the right to decide on the uniform," he said. Parmar further added that action would be taken on the Damoh hijab case if the parents of the children studying in the local school would lodge an objection to the issue. "Action will be taken if the parents lodge the objection. Action will be taken as per the instructions by the Home Minister and Chief Minister," said Parmar. On May 31, posters of toppers from a private school began to circulate on the internet. The surprising aspect of these posters was that all of the female students shown were wearing hijabs. Some of these females were Hindus and Jains, which aroused outrage. Priyank Kanoongo, head of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), took cognizance of the situation and issued a notice to the District Magistrate (DM) on May 31 seeking an action report within a week. According to the notice, the major areas to be investigated were whether the school had permission to allow hijabs as a dress code. The commission also discovered videos of students reciting religious prayers, the authorities appear to be in violation of Article 28(3) of the Indian constitution, and the funding received by the institution. Notably, Hindu organisations had been criticising the school administration since 2021, claiming that Hindu girls were forced to wear hijabs, males were taught how to do Namaz, and these students were educated as if the school was a Madrasa. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday extended greetings to residents of Bhopal on the occasion of Bhopal Gaurav Diwas and announced a government holiday in Bhopal on June 1 from next year. "Today we celebrate Bhopal Gaurav Divas and also Independence Day. Bhopal did not get independence on August 15, 1947, the day on which India got independence. At that time the then Nawab of Bhopal refused the merger of Bhopal into India. After that, there was a movement initiated to make Bhopal independent," CM Chouhan told reporters here. He added that due to the strict stand of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and because of the public movement, the then Nawab of Bhopal was forced to merge Bhopal into India. "On June 1, 1949, Bhopal became an integral part of India, so it has been decided that Bhopal Gaurav Diwas will be celebrated every June 1. I pay tribute to all the freedom fighters and martyrs who were martyred in Boras in Raisen district. I extend greetings to all the residents of Bhopal on the occasion of Bhopal Gaurav Divas," the CM said. The true history of Bhopal should come in front of everyone, so we will create a research institute that will do research on Bhopal. Bhopal was formally merged in India on June 1, so Gaurav Diwas will be celebrated as well as there will be a government holiday on this day from next year. So that the children and the coming generation would know that Bhopal merged in India on June 1 and we could remember those revolutionaries and martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the merger of Bhopal, the chief minister added. (ANI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he was the first person to be given a "maximum sentence for defamation" and had never imagined something like him being disqualified from the Lok Sabha, could ever happen when he joined politics two decades ago.. Referring to his disqualification from Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament (MP), Rahul Gandhi who is on a 10-day tour to the US made the remarks at Stanford University in California on Wednesday. "I don''t think when I joined politics in 2004, I ever imagined what I see going on in our country. It was way outside what I had ever imagined," Gandhi said. "I was the first person to be given a criminal sentence for defamation and the maximum sentence to be disqualified from the parliament. I didn''t imagine something like this was possible. But I think it has given me a huge opportunity, probably much bigger than the opportunity I would have gotten sitting in the parliament, that''s just the way politics works," said Rahul Gandhi. His remarks come a day after he while addressing the Indian diaspora in San Francisco lashed out at the PM Modi. Rahul Gandhi in March was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha after a Surat court sentenced him to two years imprisonment in a defamation case filed against him over his ''Modi surname'' remark. The decision came pertaining to his remark made in April 2019, where he had said "how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname" at a Lok Sabha election rally at Kolar in Karnataka. The court approved Gandhi''s bail on a surety and stayed the sentence for 30 days to allow him to approach the higher courts. In his Stanford address, Gandhi said that opposition in India is struggling and the drama started months ago. "The drama started six months ago. We were struggling....The opposition is struggling in India. A huge financial dominance, institutional capture, struggling to fight the Democratic fight in our country. None of the systems were working," said Rahul Gandhi. "Democracy isn''t just about an opposition party. It''s about several institutions that support the opposition. Those institutions were either captured or were not playing the role they were supposed to play," he added. On Tuesday, addressing NRI''s in California, Rahul Gandhi took Taking a jibe at PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi said that some groups in India have the "disease" of being under the impression that they know everything. "In India, we grew up with people of different languages, different religions. And that is what is being attacked. The tradition in India, of people like Gandhi Ji and Guru Nanak Ji, has been that you should not be under the impression of knowing everything. It is a ''disease'' that some groups of India think that they know everything. Even if they have a conversation with God, they might explain to him," he said. Further adding to his remark, the Congress leader said, "And of course, Prime Minister is one of them. If you make him sit with God, he would start explaining to him (God) how the universe works...and God would get confused about what I had created." The remarks triggered a backlash from BJP who criticised the Congress leader of using foreign soil to tarnish the image of India. Rahul Gandhi is on a 10-day visit to the country. He will cover three cities-- San Francisco, Washington DC, and New York. (ANI) The Telangana High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to Kadapa MP Y S Avinash Reddy in connection with the Y S Vivekananda Reddy murder case. In its order, the high court directed Y S Avinash Reddy not to tamper with evidence, not to leave the country, and to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) every Saturday. The Advocate of Avinash Reddy, Nagi Reddy speaking to ANI, stated that anticipatory bail had been granted by the Telangana High Court. "Court directed Avinash Reddy to appear before CBI whenever necessary and also shall attend before CBI every Saturday till the end of June morning from 10 AM to 5 PM and also whenever necessary, on request by the CBI. It further directed the petitioner that he should not leave India without prior permission of the CBI till completion of the investigation," said Nagi Reddy. The bench of Justice M. Laxman observed that the entire case rests upon assumptive evidence. "As far as the findings are concerned, the defence could not give any proper replies regarding the proof of involvement of Avinash Reddy in this case. The entire evidence is hearsay evidence. There is no direct evidence. There is no admissible evidence before CBI to implicate Avinash Reddy," Nagi Reddy said further. The court passed orders on the bail application after hearing the both sides that is, petitioner Avinash Reddy and the other side on behalf of CBI and also Sunita, daughter of the deceased Vivekanand Reddy. The Court came to the conclusion that there is no prima facie case against the petitioner and passed an order granting bail to the petitioner Avinash Reddy on furnishing Rs.5,00,000 sureties with the two sureties of personal bond in the event of arrest, said Nagi Reddy. A month before the General elections in 2019, Vivekananda Reddy, a former MP, was found dead at his residence in Pulivendula on March 15, 2019. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the Central government has constituted a probe committee to be headed by a retired judge to investigate incidents of violence in Manipur that have led to the loss of lives and damage to properties. Shah, who concluded a four-day visit to the State today while addressing a press conference here said that a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team will investigate cases of violence in the State. The Union Minister said, "Central Government has constituted a committee to probe into these incidents headed by a retired judge of the rank of the chief justice of a high court. The Governor of Manipur will head a peace committee with members of civil society." "A probe panel will be set up to look into the reasons for the violence and to identify who was responsible for it," he said. The Union minister assured the people of Manipur that the investigations will be carried out without any bias and discrimination and the guilty will be punished. "Several agencies are working in Manipur to investigate violent incidents. High-level CBI probe in six incidents of violence that hint at a conspiracy. We will make sure that the investigation is fair," Shah said. The Union minister said that combing operation in the violence-hit areas in the State will begin tomorrow. Shah said assured of strict action to be taken against those who violate the SoO agreement (Suspension of Operation). "I urge citizens of Manipur to not pay heed to fake news. Strict actions will be taken against anyone violating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. Those carrying weapons must surrender before the police. Combing operations will start from tomorrow and if weapons are found with anyone, strict actions will be taken." The Union Home Minister said that education officials will reach the state and will have discussions to provide uninterrupted education facilities to students. Online education and examination will be held as per plan, he said. The Home Minister highlighted that a rehabilitation package and special provisions will be put in place to ensure that students do not fall back on exams and studies have been chalked out. "The next of kin of those who lost their lives in the violence will be given Rs 5 lakh by the central government and Rs 5 lakh by the Manipur government as compensation. This amount will be transferred to the victims through DBT. Special medical officers will ensure medical facilities in areas hit by violence," he said. The Home Minister expressed his condolences to the families of those died in the recent violence in the State "On behalf of the Government of India, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and on my own behalf, I express my deepest condolences to all those who have died in the recent violence. It is natural for all of us to feel sad when a citizen of the country dies," said Amit Shah. Shah said that he had visited various parts of the state in three days including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur and met with representatives of the Meitei and Kuki communities. "In the last one month, there have been some violent incidents reported in Manipur. I express my condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones in the violence. I have visited several places in Manipur in the last three days including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur and held meetings with officials to establish peace in the state. I have met CSOs of Meitei and Kuki communities," he added. He further added that the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government has done unprecedented work in the State and the last six years were known for peace and prosperity. Manipur witnessed violence on May 3 during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The march was organised in protest against the demand for inclusion of the state's Meitei community in the ST category, following an April 19 Manipur High Court directive. (ANI) Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday granted more time to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a supplementary charge sheet in the alleged land-for-a-job scam. Lalu Prasad Yadav's daughter Misa Bharti attended the hearing. Special judge Geetanjali Goel on Thursday granted more time to the CBI after being informed that some new facts have to be included. The Court while granting time, expressed displeasure with CBI and said it is continuously delaying the matter, and that it is not right. The next date of hearing in the matter is July 12. The court has asked the agency to expedite. Earlier, Bihar's former CM Rabri Devi along with RJD MP Misa Bharti also attended the court proceedings. Former Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had sought an exemption from appearance due to medical issues. On March 15, the same Court granted regular bail to ex-Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, ex-Bihar CM Rabri Devi, their daughter-RJD MP Misa Bharti and other accused in Land-for-Job alleged scam case. The CBI in its chargesheet filed earlier in connection with the alleged land-for-job scam stated that irregular appointments of candidates were made in Central Railway, violating the laid down norms and procedures of Indian Railways for recruitment. As a quid-pro-quo, the candidates directly or through their immediate relatives/family members, sold land to the family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav (then Union Railway Minister) at highly discounted rates up to 1/4th to 1/5th of the prevailing market rates, stated CBI. CBI further stated that investigation has revealed that Lalu Prasad Yadav during the period 2007-08. When he was Minister of Railways, Govt. of India with the intent to acquire the land parcels situated in Vill- Mahuabagh, Patna and Vill-Kunjwa, Patna which were situated adjacent to the land parcels already owned by his family members; entered into a criminal conspiracy with his wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misha Bharati, Officers of Central Railways namely Sowmya Raghvan the then General Manager, Kamal Deep Mainrai, the then Chief Personnel Officer, and residents of Vill-Mahjabagh, Patna and Vill-Bindaul, Bihta, Patna and Patna City namely Raj Kumar Singh, Mithlesh Kumar, Ajay Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, Dharmendra Kumar, Vikas Kumar, Abhishek Kumar, Ravindra Ray, Kiran Devi, Akhileshwar Singh, Ramashish Singh. According to the CBI, all the candidates after their engagement as substitutes were subsequently regularized. In lieu of getting them appointed in Railways, Lalu Prasad Yadav got the lands transferred owned by candidates and their family members in the names of his wife Rabri Devi and Misha Bharti for sale consideration which was much less than the prevailing circle rates as well as the prevailing market rates. Earlier, the court while taking cognizance of the chargesheet said, after going through the charge sheet and the documents and material on record, prima facie shows the commission of offences under Section 120B read with Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 IPC and Sections 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 (2) read with Section 13 (1) (d) of PC Act, 1988 and substantive offences thereof. Accordingly, cognizance is taken of the said offences. The CBI filed the chargesheet in October last year, against former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, their daughter Misa Bharti and 13 others in the land-for-job scam. "During the investigation, it has been found that the accused in conspiracy with the then GM Central Railways and CPO, Central Railways engaged persons as substitutes in lieu of land either in their name or in the name of their close relatives. This land was acquired at prices lower than the prevailing circle rate and much lower than the market rate. It was also alleged that the candidates have used false TC and submitted false attested documents to the Ministry of Railways," the CBI claimed in a press statement. The alleged scam occurred when Yadav was Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. Apart from the RJD leader, the chargesheet also includes the name of the then Railway General Manager. CBI stated that the investigation had revealed that the candidates were considered for their engagement without any need for Substitutes and there was no urgency for their appointment which was one of the main criteria behind the engagement of Substitutes and joined their duties much later from the approval of their appointment and they were subsequently regularised. There were several anomalies found in the applications of the candidates and the documents that were enclosed due to which the applications should not have been processed and their engagement should not have been approved but it was done. Further, in most cases, the candidates joined their jobs in their respective divisions on many later dates which defeated the purpose of appointment of Substitutes in some cases, the candidates could not clear their medical examination under the required category to which their engagement was made and subsequently, they were considered and appointed on the posts where inferior/ lower medical category was required, said the CBI. (ANI) Kanugolu is a member of the Congress "Task Force 2024", which was constituted in the view of 2024 Lok Sabha polls and worked behind Congress's success in the Karnataka election. In Karnataka Assembly Polls, the Congress won 135 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 66 seats, while Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) won only 19. Independents have won two seats while Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha have won one seat each. On May 20, Siddaramaiah and state Congress President D K Shivakumar were sworn in as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively along with eight legislators as Ministers. Siddaramaiah has said that the state government has taken a decision to implement all the five guarantees that the Congress party promised during election campaigns in the southern state. The grand old party had focused on five election promises targeting women, the unemployed and BPL families to make a comeback in the state. The five 'main' guarantees were 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti); Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi); 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya); Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (Yuva Nidhi) and free travel for women in public transport buses (Uchita Prayana). Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted that Congress doesn't make false promises and does what it says. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "Govt has taken a decision to implement all the five poll guarantees." He told this to media persons after holding a pre-cabinet meeting in Bengaluru, as quoted by ANI. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday urged people of Manipur not to pay heed to fake news and said strict action will be taken against anyone violating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. He said Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey will head a peace committee with members of the civil society. Amit Shah, who addressed a press conference here, announced relief measures for the people of the state in the wake of ethnic violence and said that those carrying weapons must surrender before the police while cautioning that not doing so will lead to strict action during combing operations from tomorrow. "Central Government has constituted a committee to probe these incidents headed by a retired judge of the High Court. The Governor of Manipur will head a peace committee with members of civil society," he said. "I urge the citizens of Manipur to not pay heed to fake news. Strict actions will be taken against anyone violating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. Those carrying weapons must surrender before the police. Combing operations will start from tomorrow and if weapons are found with anyone, strict actions will be taken," he added. The union minister assured the people of Manipur that the investigations will be carried out without any bias and discrimination and the guilty will be punished. "Several agencies are working in Manipur to investigate violent incidents. High-level CBI probe in six incidents of violence that hint at a conspiracy. We will make sure that the investigation is fair," he said. Amit Shah said the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the violence will be given Rs 5 lakh by the central government and Rs 5 lakh by the Manipur government as compensation. The amount will be transferred to the victims through DBT. Special medical officers will ensure medical facilities in areas hit by violence, he said. Joint Secretary and Joint Director level officers of the Home Ministry and other ministries will be present in Manipur to help people and take stock of the situation in the state. The Home Minister said that online education and examination will be held as per plan. "Education officials will reach the state and we will have discussions to provide uninterrupted education facilities to the students. Online education and examination will be held as per plan," he said Amit Shah said the central government has provided eight teams of medical experts including 20 doctors to Manipur to provide aid to victims of violence in the state. Five teams have already reached here and three others are on the way. The Home Minister expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the recent violence in the state. "On behalf of the Government of India, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and on my own behalf, I express my deepest condolences to all those who have died in the recent violence. It is natural for all of us to feel sad when a citizen of the country dies," Amit Shah said. The Home Minister said that he had visited various parts of the state in three days including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur and met with representatives of the Meitei and Kuki communities. "In the last one month, there have been some violent incidents reported in Manipur. I have visited several places in Manipur in the last three days including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur and held meetings with officials to establish peace in the state. I have met CSOs of Meitei and Kuki communities," he added. He said Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government has done unprecedented work in the state and the last six years were known for peace and prosperity. Opposition parties have said that nearly 100 people have died in ethnic violence in the state and many more have gone missing. They said over 2000 houses have been either burned or destroyed and around 10000 people, including women and children, are still living in relief camps and safer places without proper health and sanitation facilities. The ethnic violence took earlier this month and there have been sporadic incidence of violence. (ANI) Officials said that a case under sections 307, 326, and 34 of IPC was registered in connection to the alleged attack incident. According to police, on May 28, VBA leaders, Parmeshwar Ranshur and Gautam Haral were allegedly attacked by a group of unidentified men with a knife and rod in the Dadar area of Mumbai. During the attack duo got badly injured and were admitted to the hospital for treatment. Following the incident, a case was registered at Mumbai's Bhoiwada police station under sections 307, 326, and 34 of IPC. Party leader, Gautam Haral, one of the complainants, told the police that he had an altercation with a man named Jagdish after he allegedly used abusive words. Following the altercation, Haral and the party's youth president, Parmeshwar Ranshur approached the police and lodged a complaint against the man at Chunabhatti police station. Haral further told the police that this irked Jagdeesh, and he later planned an attack on them, the police said. The accused have been arrested, and further investigation into the matter is underway, they added. (ANI) In view of the tragic road accident in Jalukbari where seven students of Assam Engineering College lost their lives, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Thursday asked the Education Department for instituting a high-level enquiry committee to enquire into the circumstances leading to the accident and the premature death of the students. It may be noted that till the enquiry is completed and the report is examined by the government, the Principal AEC, Jalukbari and the Superintendent of the concerned hostel to which the ill-fated students belonged, would be asked to go on leave. Moreover, the Assam Chief Minister asked the Education Department to constitute a committee to look into the present system of election in colleges and universities and report regarding the need for reviewing the system in the wake of frequent clashes during the pre and post-election period amongst the student community. Further, to prevent the recurrence of any potential life-threatening incident in the student community, Chief Minister Dr Sarma also asked the Education Department to constitute another committee to strengthen discipline, rules and regulations in hostels of educational institutions. "The committee will also look into strict enforcement of, in and out the time of hostels, complete prohibition of alcohol etc. in hostel campuses and hostels and prohibition of an extended stay of ex-borders of hostels," said Himanta Biswa Sarma. He said that the committee will also recommend ways for the promotion of healthy community life within the hostels. (ANI) In a major reshuffle in the police leadership in the violence-hit Manipur, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Tripura cadre, Rajiv Singh, has been appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for the northeastern state. He replaced P Doungel, who has been transferred to the post of OSD (Home), according to an official order by the order from the Governor of Manipur. "Further, the Governor of Manipur is also pleased to order that Rajiv Singh. IPS (TR: 93) should take charge of the post of DGP, Manipur from Shri P. Doungel, IPS(MA:87) immediately upon joining the State Government. By orders and in the name of the Governor. (N. Geoffrey) Special Secretary to the Government of Manipur," read the order from the Governor of Manipur. 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. 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. Meanwhile, Union Home Amit Shah also visited the state to assess the situation and plan further steps to restore normalcy there. Shah said that the Central government has constituted a probe committee to be headed by a retired judge to investigate incidents of violence in Manipur that have led to the loss of lives and damage to properties. Addressing a press conference here said that a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team will investigate cases of violence in the state. The Union Minister said, "Central Government has constituted a committee to probe into these incidents headed by a retired judge of the rank of the chief justice of a high court. The Governor of Manipur will head a peace committee with members of civil society." "A probe panel will be set up to look into the reasons for the violence and to identify who was responsible for it," he said. The Union minister assured the people of Manipur that the investigations will be carried out without any bias and discrimination and the guilty will be punished."Several agencies are working in Manipur to investigate violent incidents. High-level CBI probe in six incidents of violence that hint at a conspiracy. We will make sure that the investigation is fair," Shah said. Manipur witnessed violence on May 3 during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The march was organised in protest against the demand for inclusion of the state's Meitei community in the ST category, following an April 19 Manipur High Court directive. (ANI) Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Dr Numal Momin on Thursday hit out at the Congress party and said that the party is only practising minority appeasement politics. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance and said that PM Modi is now known as the global leader and the entire nation is accepting his leadership. "Minority appeasement politics is the property of Congress and they have been doing this since the electoral politics start in India," Dr Numal Momin said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now known as the global leader and the entire nation is accepting his leadership. But Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is trying to malign the image of India at the global level. Congress is actually afraid of BJP and PM Modi. That's why Rahul Gandhi and his party are running propaganda against the Prime Minister and BJP," he added. He further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minorities, dalit, and tribal people of the country are now safe. The Assam BJP leader also said that Rahul Gandhi is trying to malign the image of India, but the world knows that, what is current India. He said, "India is the fifth economy of the world and in coming days India will become the third or fourth economy country. The world economy has collapsed, but the Indian economy has grown up high. Rahul Gandhi has a habit to say something bad against India. If he doesn't love India, we haven't said anything about him." Momin also said that Rahul Gandhi should change his mentality and if he is an Indian then it is his responsibility to focus on the country. "If he is an Indian, it is his responsibility to focus on India. But, every time he challenges the Modi government and tries to tarnish the image of India. He should change his mentality," he said. (ANI) With the completion of over 50 per cent of construction work, the much-awaited 44.96 km all-weather Sivok-Rangpo rail line project connecting West Bengal to Sikkim is expected to be completed by December 2024. From Sivok in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, the project would be significant as it would not only connect the two states through a railway line but also give a boost to the socio-economic as well as strategic portion with its railway route approaching the India-China border. The construction work on the Sivok-Rangpo rail line project to connect Sikkim with the rail network is showing perceptible progress as almost all tunnels and bridges on the route are almost in completion mode. "Over 50 per cent construction work of the Sivok-Rangpo railway line project is completed and the whole project is targeted to be completed by December 2024. Works on all sites are going on and the construction is in an advanced stage," Project Director of IRCON International Limited Mohinder Singh told ANI. Singh said, "We have completed almost 38.6 km length of the total 14 tunnels and breakthrough of six have already been done and lining there are being done as well". "We invested around Rs 2,300 crore in 2022-2023 and Rs 3,000 crore will be utilized in the current financial year in the project," said Singh, adding, "The total cost of the project is approximately Rs 12,000 crore," Singh further said. The IRCON Director further said, "We managed to get in-principle approval for taking up the project in June 2019 and the project took off only in October 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic induced a lockdown across the country in 2020. ." From Sivok to Rangpo, the total length of this railway line will be 44.96 km including 41.55 km rail line in West Bengal and 3.41 km in Sikkim. Of its total length of 44.96 km Sivok to Rangpo project, 38.65 km (86 per cent) is in tunnels, 2.24 km (5 per cent) in Bridges and 4.79 km (9 per cent) length in open cutting and filling of station yards. The foundation stone of the project was laid on October 30, 2009. The railway line consists of 14 tunnels with the longest tunnel of 5.30 km and the smallest tunnel covering 538 metres. Five stations including Sivok and Rangpo are planned on the proposed Railway Line. Four stations are proposed to be open crossing stations including Sivok, Riyang, Melli and Rangpo and one underground halt station Teesta Bazar. The construction work of the project is supervised by International Consultants so that Safety and Quality are ensured. IRCON is taking all the measures to ensure minimum disturbance to the Environment and forest. (ANI) As many as 10 sharpshooters of the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldie Brar gang have been arrested from Haryana's Gurugram, said the police on Thursday. According to Varun Dahiya, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Crime, Gurugram, the accused have been identified as Jogendra alias Joga, Harjot Singh alias Nila, Sinderpal alias Bittu, Sandeep alias Deep, Ajay Isharwalia alias Punjabi, Rakesh Kumar alias Anil, Prince alias Golu, Dharmendra alias Dharma, Deepak alias Dilawar and Bharat alias Karan. As per the police, seven out of the ten accused were arrested in Bhondsi, Gurugram where they had gathered on the instructions of Goldie Brar. "10 sharpshooters of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have been arrested. Seven of the 10 shooters were arrested in Bhondsi while they were planning to execute a crime. At the time of their arrest, these seven suspects were wearing police uniforms," said ACP Dahiya. "They had gathered in Gurugram on the instructions of Goldie Brar. The arrested shooters belong to Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan," he added. The police said that five of these sharpshooters have various criminal cases registered against them. Based on a tip-off, the Gurugram police of sectors 17 and 31 launched an operation and arrested 7 people from there. "When the police caught these people, all seven were present in the uniform of Haryana Police. After the interrogation of the arrested accused, it was revealed that they were not the real policemen but sharpshooters of Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar," said the police. ACP Dahiya further also mentioned that based on the information of the arrested accused, the police arrested other three companions and all these sharpshooters had come to Gurugram to execute some big kidnapping incident and extort crores of rupees as ransom. "Two vehicles have also been recovered from the possession of the accused," added the police. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI) The esteemed recognition was bestowed upon him at the ninth convocation of the University, held on May 31. The release said the degree was presented by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, S Abdul Nazeer, in the presence of JNTU-K Vice Chancellor, GVR Prasada Raju. CEO and MD of Greenko Group, Chalamalasetty's entrepreneurial journey spans over 25 years, during which he has made remarkable contributions to environmental sustainability and energy transition. "His relentless pursuit of creating a positive impact for future generations has established him as a key figure in India's sustainable development landscape," the statement informed. "Anil has been pivotal in positioning India as the only country among the G20 nations to meet its sustainability targets. His visionary leadership has been responsible for developing over 10% of India's renewable energy capacity, contributing significantly to the country's energy transition," it added. By catalysing the renewable energy storage sector, Anil has positioned Andhra Pradesh as the capital for energy storage, propelling the overall development of the state and India's ambitions to become a preferred destination for decarbonized manufacturing, it said. (ANI) At a time when the defence forces are moving towards creating theatre commands, military commanders of all three defence forces dealing with threats from the western front will meet next week in Mumbai, said an official. "Military commanders from all three forces including Army, Navy and Air Force would be meeting next week in Mumbai to discuss the threat from the Pakistan front and other security issues from that side", government officials told ANI. They said that the meeting is taking place at a time when Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan is working towards creating Theatre Commands which will be based on the threats faced by the country from different sides. The CDS has issued orders towards cross staffing among the three services and holding joint wargames in future to create more synergy between the forces. "The western front military commanders' conference will include the commanders-in-chief of the Army's Northern, Western, South Western and Southern Commands, IAF's Western, South Western and Southern commands along with the Navy's Western Command", said the sources. The commanders of the eastern front have also been meeting in the past along with the island territory commanders. The government created the new post of Chief of Defence Staff to hasten the process of increasing jointness among the defence forces which have 17 operational commands headed by commander-in-chief rank officers. CDS Gen Anil Chauhan has already visited the majority of these 17 formations and the steps being taken by the DMA in this regard. The theatre commands are planned to be raised to create joint warfighting formations ready to meet modern warfare's challenges. New formations like the Defence Cyber Agency, tri-services Armed Forces Special Operations Division and Defence Space Agency have been created to support the operations of theatres. (ANI) The Gujarat government has decided to move the High Court, challenging the acquittal of self-styled godman Asaram's wife, their daughter and his four disciples in a 2013 rape case in which he was sentenced to life imprisonment, an official said on Thursday. The State government's law department has decided to file an appeal in the High Court against the Trial Court's acquittal order of the six accused. A court in Gujarat's Gandhinagar in January this year sentenced self-styled godman Asaram to life imprisonment in connection with a 2013 sexual assault case. Asaram is sentenced to life imprisonment under Sections 376 & 377 in a sexual assault case. Court ordered Rs 50,000 ex-gratia to the victim, Public Prosecutor RC Kodekar said. The 81-year-old is currently serving a life sentence in a Jodhpur case in another case of raping a minor girl at his ashram in Rajasthan in 2013. In the 2013 case, a girl from Surat accused Asaram of rape. Statements from 68 people were taken in the case. There was a total of seven accused, including Asaram. Earlier there were a total of eight accused but one of them became a government witness. The octogenarian godman is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail and has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Jodhpur court. In the 2013 case, Asaram was accused of rape by a Surat girl, while Narayan Sai was accused of rape by her younger sister. Narayan Sai has been sentenced to life imprisonment whereas the verdict came on Asaram, in which he was found guilty. In this case, apart from Asaram, his wife Lakshmi, daughter Bharati and four female followers Dhruvben, Nirmala, Jassi, and Meera were accused. All of these were acquitted. The police have said that in this case, they had received strong evidence against Asaram. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday met with Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin here and got his support in their fight against Centre's ordinance on control over administrative services in the national capital. In a joint press conference, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said that DMK would strongly oppose the bill replacing the Delhi services ordinance and appealed to other leaders of the Opposition to support Aravind Kejriwal in his fight against the Ordinance. "Arvind Kejriwal is a good friend...Modi-led BJP government is pressuring Delhi Union territory and AAP government there, by using Lt Governor. BJP government will bring a bill(To replace the ordinance) on Delhi and DMK will strongly oppose it," Tamil Nadu CM Stalin said. "We had a discussion on other leaders' views and I appeal to all leaders to support Arvind Kejriwal," he added. Arvind Kejriwal thanked MK Stalin for his support. "Met with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin in Chennai, today, to seek his support against the unconstitutional and undemocratic ordinance brought by the Modi Government," Kejriwal tweeted after the meeting. "On behalf of the people of Delhi, I wholeheartedly thank Thiru @mkstalinfor his support. The DMK will extend its full support to the people of Delhi in the Parliament," Kejriwal added. In the Joint press conference, Kejriwal said that he had sought an appointment with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and its senior leader Rahul Gandhi for seeking support in the ordinance issue. "I have sought an appointment with Congress President Kharge ji and Rahul ji, and I am waiting for their response. I am confident that Congress will support us," he said. Kejriwal had on May 23 embarked on a nationwide tour to seek support from the Opposition parties against the Ordinance. Kejriwal will meet Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on June 2. "On June 2, I will meet the Chief Minister of Jharkhand Hemant Soren ji in Ranchi. Will seek their support against the ordinance passed by the Modi government against the people of Delhi," he said in a subsequent tweet. The AAP national convenor has so far 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. 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) Indian government is going big on the agriculture sector with its recent announcement of bringing a policy for the world's biggest foodgrain storage scheme under the cooperative societies sector. On the other hand, it has announced the formation of 1,100 new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the cooperative sector. The development is one of the many measures that the government is undertaking to increase the income of farmers Union Minister Anurag Thakur announced to term the proposed scheme as the "world's largest foodgrain storage programme" in the cooperative sector. The government will make an allocation of approximately Rs 1 lakh crore towards it, reported The Economic Times. "Under this scheme, a godown of a capacity of 2,000 tonnes will be constructed in every block. An inter-ministerial committee will be formed for this. This is part of a plan to expand foodgrain storage facilities in the country," the minister said. This will boost the cooperative sector, he added. The programme aims to raise India's foodgrain storage capacity by 700 lakh tonne in the cooperative sector. Currently, the grain storage capacity in the country is about 1,450 lakh tonne. In the next five years, the storage will expand to 2,150 lakh tonne Thakur said the move is aimed to reduce the damage of food grains due to a lack of storage, help in checking distress sales by farmers, reduce import dependence and create employment opportunities in rural India. This will boost food security in India, apart from helping farmers realise better prices for their goods, reported The Economic Times. On the other hand, a target of 1,100 additional FPOs has been allocated to 1,100 additional FPOs(NCDC) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare under its 'Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs' scheme. Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) was launched by the government in the year 2020 with a total budgetary outlay of Rs 6,865 crore. The motive behind this initiative was to leverage economies of scale, reduce the cost of production, and enhance farmers' incomes. Under the FPO Scheme, financial assistance of Rs 33 lakhs is provided to each FPO. Further, financial assistance of Rs 25 lakhs per FPO is provided to the Cluster Based Business Organizations (CBBO). Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), which have a member base of around 13 crore farmers and are primarily engaged in short-term credit and distribution of seeds, fertilizers, etc. will now be able to undertake other economic activities as well. Integration of PACS in the FPO scheme will enable them to expand their business in the areas of supply of production inputs; agricultural equipment like cultivator, tiller, harvester, etc. and processing, including cleaning, assaying, sorting, grading, packing, storage, transportation, etc. PACS will also be able to undertake high income generating activities like bee-keeping, mushroom cultivation among others. This initiative will ensure remunerative prices to farmers for their produce by providing them necessary market linkages. It would also lead to diversification in the economic activities of PACS, thus enabling them to generate new and stable sources of income. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday ordered a probe into the matter of purported posters of girls wearing Hijab in Damoh school. "No school has the right to compel any girl to wear anything which is not in their tradition. A matter has come to my notice of a school in Damoh and I have ordered an inquiry in this regard. After investigation, we will take action into the matter on the basis of facts," CM Chouhan told reporters here. Notably, a purported poster of a private school is going viral on social media in which a few hindu girls were allegedly seen wearing Hijab. Following which right-wing organisations raised the issue. Earlier, Damoh Collector said that a scarf was included in the school uniform in 2012. There was a complaint in the past as well but no violation of rules was found in the matter. Meanwhile, reacting to Congress leader Kantilal Bhuria's remark about comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Hilter and Saddam Hussein, Chouhan said, "The Congressmen are in a tantrum with the popularity of PM Modi. Due to which, they forget common courtesy and forget the dignity of the post of Prime Minister. Now they are not able to compete in the election field, so their feelings are expressed in abusive words." If someone tries to throw dust on the sun, then that dust will fall on its face. PM Modi is the symbol of development and public welfare in the world, the chief minister said. "I have said earlier that the Congress has become like a Vishkumbh (poison pot) and the Prime Minister is a Neelkanth. But the countrymen will never forgive the Congress party," Chouhan added. (ANI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday joined the two Arunachal Scouts in celebrating the battalion's 10 years of service to the state and the country here at Bomdila. The two Arunachal Scouts were raised on June 1, 2013, at Umroi Cantt under Col Neelesh Anand Pagulwar with the concept of 'Sons of Soil'. The infantry battalion was inducted to the Four Corps Zone on March 8, 2014, with its headquarters at Bomdila in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Congratulating the battalion on the completion of a decade of service to the nation, Khandu hailed it as flag bearers of Arunachal Pradesh in the Indian Army. "Arunachal Scouts is very close to our hearts as the battalion name itself raises the feeling of oneness. This is our battalion. This is Arunachal's battalion!" he said. He remembered his late father Dorjee Khandu, who as the then chief minister of the state had passionately pursued with the central government to raise a unit in the Indian Army, specifically for Arunachal Pradesh in the line of Ladakh Scouts and the Kumaon Scouts. "When the one Arunachal Scouts battalion was raised in 2010, my father had proudly attended the raising ceremony at Shillong. His dream for facilitating the youths of North East, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, to join the Indian Army in large numbers was fulfilled," he said. As a legislator of a constituency (Jang-Mukto) that sits on the border with Indo-Tibet in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu said he has always had respect and confidence in the Indian Army. "At least once a year, I make it a point to visit the border outposts of my constituency, especially the Mago-Chuna sector. Besides meeting the people there, I always take time out to spend some quality time with the jawans posted along the border," he informed. He said that the presence of youths of Arunachal Pradesh and other northeastern states donning Arunachal Scouts insignia made him swell with pride. Khandu lauded the army units posted in Arunachal Pradesh for their bonding with the civilian population. He felt people of Arunachal Pradesh, who are born patriots, have immense respect for the Indian Army and thus bond with them well in every sphere. "Here, no civilian program, be it a music festival, indigenous festival, health camp or any sporting event is complete without the participation of the Army. Likewise, no program of the Army is complete without the participation of the civilians," he said. Informing about the Vibrant Village Program of the central government to transform all villages along the border, Khandu sought the cooperation of the Indian Army and central armed paramilitary forces (CAPF) in its successful implementation. The chief minister said, "The Indian Army and CAPFs like ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles, are posted all along the border. Their cooperation will be of utmost importance in implementing the ambitious VVP of the central government." For the convenience of the troops posted on high terrains, Khandu assured that all efforts are being made to ensure connectivity in both road and telecommunication sectors. While roads are reaching all remote outposts, he informed, more than a thousand 4G towers are being installed all along the border. "We are also constructing about 50 small hydropower projects in the outposts under the border village illumination program. Several are already functioning and providing power to the nearby villages as well as Army units posted there," he said. Khandu noted that the state government is pursuing with the central government to strengthen the Arunachal Scouts with more companies besides raising an ITBP unit specifically for Arunachal Pradesh. He requested the Army and CAPF units posted in the state to provide training to local unemployed youths in preparation for recruitment drives conducted every now and then including those under the Agniveer program. The celebration was attended by West Kameng MLAs, Phurpa Tsering, Kumsi Sidisow, Dorjee Wangdi Kharma and Dongru Siongju, GOC 5 Mountain Division Maj Gen Ajay Kumar Singh, Commander, 311 Brigade, Brig Nikhil Deshpande, Deputy Commander, 311 Brigade, Col Anil Kumar, Commander, 2nd Arunachal Scouts, Col Bhaskar Pandey, Deputy Commander, 77 Brigade, Col RKN Maney, Deputy Commissioners of West Kameng and Tawang and others. (ANI) Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy Sanjay Kumar interacted with the Principals of CBSE-affiliated schools on Thursday in the capital. He was joined by Chairperson CBSE Nidhi Chhibber. Principals from across India and abroad joined live interaction through the CBSE YouTube channel while more than 250 Principals from Delhi and NCR region were physically present. Setting the context of the interaction, Nidhi Chhibber said, "As NEP 2020 was launched almost three years ago; it was desirable to know the school experiences to create a wholesome learning environment." Citing real-life examples of Art integrated activities, project-based assessments, experiential learning and fostering 21st-century skills in most of the CBSE schools. CBSE chairperson said that the schools play an important role in maintaining the educational ecosystem by transforming and keeping abreast with changes. "CBSE schools are playing an important role in strengthening the objectives of NEP 2020 by adapting and adopting the objectives underlined in the policy," she added. Sanjay Kumar expanded on the subject further and discussed the challenges of basic minimum proficiency to be attained by cohorts and enabling students to make informed choices based on interest and aptitude. He emphasized academic and skill subjects integration with long-term benefits to students and preparing them for the world of work and making them future-ready. Senior officers of the Department of School Education & Literacy had focused interactions on the Introduction of NCF-FS,( Foundational Skills), Progress on the Implementation of School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAF) for adherence to quality standards for accomplishing individual and institutional excellence, Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning (SAFAL: Conducting Key Stage Assessments in classes 3,5 and 8 to track achievement in core concepts & knowledge, higher order skills & its application in real life situations). "Holistic Progress Card (HPC: (Redesigning Report Cards to assess the holistic development of each child with a 360-degree multidimensional report that reflects progress in different domains as well as the uniqueness of each learner). RTE Act to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to quality education. The provision helps to reduce the gap between the educational opportunities available to children from different social and economic backgrounds besides promoting social inclusion and diversity in schools. The schools on their behalf affirmed the Implementation of the RTE Act. Redefining Competency Focused Teaching, Learning & Assessment" during interaction focus on these issues. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday tweeted a video informing that 90 square kilometres of forest land were reclaimed over the last two years. "In last 2 years, we have reclaimed 90 sq km of forest land," Sarma said while sharing a video in this regard on social media. The video shared by the Assam chief minister claimed that the state government "has been reclaiming forest areas on a mission mode". It further stated that over "7000 acres of Orang forest were retrieved following recent evictions". "It (eviction drive) was done with the cooperation of all stakeholders," the video added. Notably, evictions were carried out in forest lands falling under the Orang national park in Sonitpur and Darrang districts of Assam. (ANI) Assam Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on Thursday announced the completion of 50pc Functional Household Tap Connections under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Assam while chairing a meeting for the orientation of newly recruited Class III and Class IV Employees of the Public Health Engineering Department at Sri Sri Madhavedeva International Auditorium in Guwahati. Addressing the gathering at the orientation event, the Minister expressed confidence to provide potable water to each and every household by 2024. "A total number of 34,01,097 households out of 67,95,311 in Assam now have access to potable drinking water. The mission is relentlessly working to complete its target in Assam," Jayanta Malla Baruah said. The Assam Minister also expressed his views that the state of Assam had struggled with the progress of FHTCs initially, however, over the period of last couple of years, the state has been able to cope with the expected progress. He also mentioned that the state has also shown considerable progress in setting benchmarks including forming Village Water and Sanitation Committees. Earlier in the day taking to Twitter, Minister Baruah expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, stating that Prime Minister Modi has successfully transformed JJM into a Jan Andolan for water in the country and also thanked Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for their constant guide and support throughout the implementation phase. It is worth mentioning that ever since independence, households of Assam had only 1.64% of tap water connections, but in the last few years the proportion skyrocketed to 50.05% after Prime Minister Modi initiated the Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019. In the event, speaking to the newly recruited 239 Class III and Class IV employees of the Public Health Engineering Department, Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said that since the recruitment is carried out on the basis of merit, he asked the newly recruited employees to work with utmost dedication and enthusiasm towards achieving better results for the department and support the pace maintained in the progress achieved by Jal Jeevan Mission, Assam till date. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday chaired a meeting to prepare for organizing the Global Investors Summit. He directed officers that all the preparations for the Investors Summit should be completed on time. Chief Minister Dhami has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate this Investors Summit to be held in Uttarakhand in November this year. CM Dhami said that there are many possibilities for development in Uttarakhand. He said the Investors Summit is an excellent opportunity to increase the possibilities of investment in Uttarakhand. The state has good human resources and a good environment for setting up industries. A strong new industrial policy has been formulated to attract more and more investors to the state, the Chief Minister said. He said that the speedy expansion of air, rail and road connectivity in the state is attracting people from the industrial world to visit Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Under the Global Investors Summit, two roadshows are proposed at the international level and six roadshows are proposed at the national level. Apart from this, a mini conclave is also proposed to be organized in Mussoorie and Ramnagar. Under the Global Investors Summit, roadshows and other programs will be organized in the state for investment in tourism, industry, IT, health, higher education and various other sectors. (ANI) Deputy Commissioner Shimla, Aditya Negi, Chairman of the Summer Festival Organising Committee welcomed the Governor and honoured him by presenting a Himachali cap, a shawl and a Memento. The Governor also witnessed the cultural programme, it said. (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said that he has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pass a law in Parliament regarding social security across the country. "Rajasthan is doing all-round development. We have set a record in the field of education. Rajasthan ranks first in the field of health. Social security is our chief goal under which we are giving pensions to the people. We have requested the Prime Minister to pass a law in Parliament regarding social security across the country," Gehlot said after inaugurating various works of PWD. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various works of Public Work Department through video conferencing in Jaipur. Earlier in the last week of May, while mentioning various schemes launched by his government for the vulnerable sections, he asked the Central government to make a law related to social security and implement it throughout the country. The Chief Minister said that the "social security" act has been implemented for the vulnerable sections in many countries of the world. "In Rajasthan also we are giving social security pension to around 1 crore people and this time in the budget we have increased it to Rs 1000 per month," he said. (ANI) Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Franco Mulakkal as the bishop of Jalandhar after he was temporarily stripped of pastoral duties earlier following claims of rape by a nun, officials said on Thursday. The Bishop''s retirement comes one and a half years after he was acquitted in the rape case by a local court in Kerala last year. "Mulakkal who was relieved of his pastoral responsibilities by Pope Francis in 2018 following claims of rape by a nun, resigned as Bishop of Jalandhar on June 1," Vatican''s ambassador in India said. The Apostolic Nunciature of India stated that the resignation of the Jalandhar Bishop had been requested for the welfare of the Diocese. "Given the still divisive situation about the aforesaid matter in the Diocese of Jalandhar, the resignation has been requested by Rt Rev Mulakkal not as a disciplinary measure for the good of the Diocese which needs a new bishop," read a statement by Apostolic Nunciature, India. Earlier, on April 2022, the Kerala High Court admitted an appeal filed by the state government and the nun, seeking to quash the order acquitting Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the rape case. On January 2022, the Additional District and Sessions Court, Kottayam acquitted Mulakkal, who headed the Latin Catholic diocese of Jalandhar, from the case. In the complaint, the nun alleged that she was raped 13 times by Mulakkal between 2014 and 2016 when he was a bishop in the Missionaries of Jesus, Jalandhar diocese. The complaint was filed on June 27, 2018, and Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 on charges under 7 IPC sections including rape. The trial in the case began in November 2019. (ANI) Although Taliban leaders constantly asserted that they had stopped exporting these priceless antiques, the profitable clandestine trade is still well-liked in Afghanistan and the surrounding area. At least 12 antique artefacts have been found by officials in Afghanistan's central Bamyan province, according to a statement from the provincial information and culture directorate, reported Khaama Press. Artefacts and dust from the vicinity of Bamyan's demolished Buddha statues were reportedly confiscated at the Bamyan Airport while searching for foreign nationals, the Afghan news agency added. The artefacts and ancient items have been seized based on the orders of the Taliban-led Ministry of Information and Culture, Rahmatullah Rahmani, head of culture and art of Bamyan information and culture directorate, said. Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021 after the US exit from the country, the citizens of Afghanistan continue to live miserable lives as basic law and order of the country. According to the Taliban officials, of the objects found, 8 are antique artworks like pottery, precious stones, and carved iron plates. (ANI) Sudan's army has suspended its participation in talks over a truce and humanitarian access, sparking worries of further escalating the conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands, Al Jazeera reported. The talks with the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in early May in the Saudi port city of Jeddah and resulted in a declaration of commitments to protect civilians as well as two short-term ceasefire agreements that have been repeatedly breached. The army and the RSF agreed to extend a week-long cease-fire agreement by five days just before it was set to expire late Monday. The general command of the armed forces announced the suspension of talks in a statement on Wednesday, accusing the other side of a lack of commitment to executing any conditions of the agreement and a continual violation of the ceasefire. "The General Command of the Armed Forces has decided to suspend the current talks in Jeddah due to the rebel militia's attack lack of commitment to the implementation of any of the terms of the agreement and its continuous violation of the ceasefire," reported Al Jazeera, quoting a statement posted on Sudan News Agency website. In the statement, the RSF accused the army of interrupting the talks in Jeddah in order to weaken them and of breaking the truce by attacking its positions with airpower and heavy artillery. Later that day, the African Union (AU) stated that the suspension of discussions should not deter future attempts at mediation. Until late Tuesday, residents in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, reported fierce combat in all three neighbouring cities that make up Sudan's greater capital around the Nile's confluence -- Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North. According to Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall, the goal of the meetings in Jeddah was to help civilians "reorganise their lives", but the goal remained elusive. He added, "We have people still leaving Khartoum. We have people still trapped in their homes because (the) RSP, according to reports, is using civilians as human shields." Saudi Arabia and the United States arranged and remotely monitored the truce, which they claim has been breached by both sides but has allowed aid to be delivered. Alan Boswell, Crisis Group's project director for the Horn of Africa, told Al Jazeera that the negotiations have always "failed to gain any traction." He claimed that the army was apparently persuaded to join the discussions in order to "force or convince" the RSF to withdraw from various residential neighbourhoods of Khartoum, but "that wasn't happening." "The concern now is that if these Jeddah talks collapse, it confirms more or less that Sudan is basically in a freefall into a full civil war," said Boswell. "When I talk to diplomats, there is a growing sense of essential helplessness, as they feel like they're watching Sudan collapse, but they are unable to get the two to stop fighting," he added. The war has driven roughly 1.4 million people to evacuate their homes, with over 350,000 crossing into neighbouring nations. More than six weeks into the crisis, the UN assessed that more than half of the population, or 25 million people, required assistance and protection. The capital has been hit by widespread looting and regular power and water outages. The majority of hospitals have been put out of service. The United Nations, several relief agencies, embassies, and portions of Sudan's central government have relocated to Port Sudan, Sudan's Red Sea state, which has suffered little turmoil. Since former President Omar al-Bashir was deposed in a popular revolt in 2019, leaders of the army and the RSF have held the main seats on Sudan's executive council. They plotted a coup in 2021, just as the council was set to give over authority to civilians, before clashing over the line of command and reforming the RSF as part of the scheduled transition, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) The Iranian minister stated on Wednesday that peace and security have been restored in the area following recent occurrences at the Iran-Afghanistan border, reported Khaama Press quoting Tasnim News. Vahidi blamed the border clashes on Taliban troops and said that Iranian soldiers retaliated. He said, "The Afghans had begun shooting at the common border, and the Iranian forces naturally responded to the shots properly." The interior minister added, "We currently have direct interaction with Afghan rulers, and all misunderstandings and problems should be settled through dialogue and negotiation." According to Iranian officials as quoted by Khaama Press, one Iranian border guard was killed and two others were injured during last week's border confrontations with the Taliban. Meanwhile, Afghan security forces said during the clashes, one Taliban security force personnel and two Iranian border guards were killed, and many more were injured. The incident occurred near the border crossing between the southeastern province of Sistan and Balochistan and Afghanistan's Nimruz region, between the villages of Sasouli, Hatam, and Makaki, Khaama Press reported. (ANI) Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, during a meeting with family members of the 18 Afghan migrants who died while being smuggled into Bulgaria, called the sanctions imposed by foreign countries cruel, reported TOLO News. Muttaqi said, "The world countries should listen, they should not pursue their cases under the pretext that these people are being harmed here. They should not damage the Afghan academic figures. They should not evacuate them from Afghanistan." A family of a victim who was seeking to enter Bulgaria illegally was interviewed by TOLO News, an Afghanistan-based news network. 28-year-old Nai, was among the 18 Afghan refugees who succumbed in a container while in Bulgaria. Naim was a farmer and only had basic education. Naim's father said, "He said 'prepare yourself.' I asked him 'what for?' He told me 'our brother has been martyred but we did not tell you." Naim's brother said, "The reason was that he was unemployed and there was no work in Afghanistan. All the people are forced to leave, and they leave the country due to this." According to relatives of Naim, he left the country due to severe economic conditions and unemployment. "He called me one day and said that I made by decision and I am going to Turkey and France. Bring me USD 200. I told him, one my sons is in France, I will tell him.....This was his last word, I did not give him money," said a relative of Naim, reported TOLO News. Meanwhile, the acting foreign minister said that Afghanistan is a home for all Afghans, adding that "if someone likes the government or not, he/she has the right to live in this country -- invest in business and live a dignified life." The bodies of these 18 Afghan refugees were returned to Afghanistan on Tuesday, TOLO News reported. (ANI) A day after the failed attempt to launch a spy satellite, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister pledged that Pyongyang will "correctly" place a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit soon, Yonhap News Agency reported. Kim Yo Jong made the remark while slamming the United States for condemning North Korea's satellite launch, Yonhao reported quoting Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "If the DPRK's satellite launch should be particularly censured, the US and all other countries, which have already launched thousands of satellites, should be denounced," she said, adding, "It is certain that the DPRK's military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put in space orbit in the near future and start its mission," Kim Yo Jong said. DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. She added, "We confirmed once again that the enemies are most afraid of the DPRK's access to excellent reconnaissance and information means including reconnaissance satellite and, accordingly, we are aware that we should direct greater efforts to developing reconnaissance mean." "Kim serves as the vice department director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party, also called the UN Security Council's resolutions that restricts Pyongyang's use of ballistic technology as gangster-like and wrong for violating the North's right to use space," according to Yonhap News Agency. She said, "We have no content of dialogue and do not feel the necessity of dialogue with the US and its stooges... we will continue our-style way of counteraction in a more offensive attitude so that they should not but realise that they will have nothing to benefit from the extension of the hostile policy toward the DPRK." Earlier on Wednesday, a military spy satellite was launched by North Korea that crashed into the Yellow Sea owing to an engine problem. According to Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea launched "Malligyong-1," the military reconnaissance satellite mounted on a new-type rocket named "Chollima-1," at its rocket launching station on the west coast at 6:27 am (local time). The carrier rocket fell in the Yellow Sea "after losing thrust due to the abnormal starting of the second-stage engine after the separation of the first stage during the normal flight," said KCNA in an English-language dispatch. The failure was due to "the low reliability and stability of the new-type engine system and unstable character of the fuel used," read the KCNA report, citing a spokesperson of the state-run space development agency. North Korea also said that it would thoroughly investigate the serious defects that emerged in the latest satellite launch and take necessary measures to overcome them, pledging to "conduct the second launch as soon as possible through various part tests." Both South Korea and Japan issued emergency warnings advising the residents to take cover indoors if they were outside. Japan termed North Korea's projectile a "possible ballistic missile," reported Kyodo News quoting the Japanese Defence Ministry. According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong Un directed his country's space agency to finalise preparations for the launch of Pyongyang's first military reconnaissance satellite. Pyongyang alerted the Japan Coast Guard of three maritime hazard zones where objects may fall beginning Wednesday, two to the west of the Korean Peninsula and one to the east of the Philippines. All of these areas are not within Japan's exclusive economic zone, according to Kyodo News. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, Ri Pyong Chol, on Monday, said, "The North's military reconnaissance satellite is indispensable to tracking, monitoring, discriminating, controlling and coping with in advance in real time the dangerous military acts of the US and its vassal forces." Ri noted "the reckless military acts" by the US and South Korea, telling KCNA, "We steadily feel the need to expand reconnaissance and information means and improve various defensive and offensive weapons", according to Kyodo News. Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, while emphasising that Japan considers the launching of a rocket carrying a satellite equivalent to a ballistic missile test on the basis of historical precedent, warned that following through on the plan would be in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions. Sanctions have been imposed on North Korea for its weapons-related actions in accordance with United Nations resolutions. Pyongyang, which launched missiles a record 37 times last year, has continued to launch ballistic missiles this year, raising suspicions that North Korea is planning its eighth nuclear test in the near future, Kyodo News reported. (ANI) Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that the talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan were only possible if the latter "apologise to the nation for the May 9 riots," Pakistan-based ARY News reported. Speaking to a private news channel, Ishaq Dar said that the talks with Imran will only take place when the PTI chairman "admits to his mistakes and vows not to repeat them." He stated that Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will have to be persuaded for talks with Imran Khan. He said that Nawaz Sharif is of the opinion that talks cannot be held with perpetrators of violence. Ishaq Dar said, "Nawaz Sharif says talks cannot be held with preparators of violence." He stressed that the investigation is being made into May 9 incident and the elements involved in the incident that took place on May 9 will be brought to justice, ARY News reported. Dar noted that examples should be made so that incidents like May 9 do not take place again. He added that evidence has revealed that Imran Khan was involved in planning the riots, ARY News reported. Dar, however, said that the government does not believe in political victimisation. Responding to a question, he said that if Nawaz Sharif's daughter can be arrested then anyone's wife as "no one is above the law." Ishaq Dar further said, "Women involved in May 9 incidents cannot get relief." He stated that PTI chairman Imran Khan during his tenure did not play any role for the betterment of Pakistan, as per the news report. Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan had to face economic difficulties due to the wrong decisions of the PTI chairman. He said that International Monetary Fund has raised questions over political instability in Pakistan. He added that international financial institutions were keeping an eye on Pakistan politics. Earlier this week, 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. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 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, as per the news report. The committee comprises party vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pervez Khattak, Asad Qaiser, Hammad Azhar, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Murad Saeed and Aon Abbas Buppi. (ANI) Four Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force carried out a drill in the Indian Ocean Region simulating a scenario where they outmanoeuvred hostile warplanes to launch weapons at their target. "Four IAF Rafales flew a long-range mission for over six hours into the IOR. The aircraft "fought" through a large force engagement en route to their Weapon Release Point," Indian Air Force stated. The exercise was carried out a few days ago but the IAF released the information now. The exercise is seen as very important in the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Ocean serves as a strategic bridge with the nations in India's immediate and extended maritime neighbourhood. The national and economic interests of India are inseparably linked with the Indian Ocean. The role of India in the region is evident in its vision of 'SAGAR ', which means ocean and stands for "Security and Growth for all in the region". Moreover, China has also increased its presence and activities here to protect its large volume of trade taking place in the area. The mission lasted six hours and involved mid-air refuelling of the Rafales that have significantly boosted the capabilities of the IAF. India signed a government-to-government deal with France for the Rafale jets and all the aircraft have joined IAF. The Indian Air Force inducted the Rafale fighter aircraft in 2020 only a few months after the stand-off with China started and was quickly operationalised. The Rafale is a 4.5-generation aircraft and has helped India regain its supremacy over Indian sub-constituent skies with long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles along with advanced radar and electronic warfare capabilities. The French firm Dassault Aviation is also involved in the maintenance of the aircraft whose serviceability is over 75 per cent. The Rafale was inducted swiftly into the Indian Air Force at the peak of the conflict with China and started operating over Ladakh within a week of its arrival. The IAF also quickly fired and operationalized the long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles and the Scalp air-to-ground missiles. The IAF has also added the HAMMER missile to the Rafale's arsenal as it was required for carrying out precision attacks at shorter distances. (ANI) Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Thursday laid a wreath at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. He also wrote in the visitor's book at Raj Ghat. "PM @cmprachanda of Nepal paid solemn tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. Dahal alias Prachanda who assumed office in December last year is on an official visit to India from May 31-June 3. This is his fourth visit to India. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday. Upon arrival, he received a warm welcome from Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi. Informing about his arrival, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrives in Delhi, receives warm welcome by MoS Lekhi, PM @cmprachanda of Nepal arrives in New Delhi on his first overseas visit after assumption of office. Warmly welcomed by MoS @M_Lekhi at the airport. The visit will impart renewed momentum to the close and unique India-Nepal relationship." Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is on his first overseas visit since assuming office met National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday. As Nepal Prime Minister Dahal is set to meet his Indian counterpart PM Modi today, the engagement between the two Prime Ministers will be an opportunity to discuss the entire gamut of the multifaceted relationship between India and Nepal. In addition to the official engagements, he will also visit Ujjain and Indore as part of his visit. During the visit, both sides will build on the successes achieved by India and Nepal in the bilateral partnership during previous high-level visits [Prime Minister Deuba to New Delhi (April 2022) and Prime Minister Modi to Lumbini (May 2022).]During his visit, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka 'Prachanda' will call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Nepal ambassador to India Shankar P Sharma on Wednesday called Pushpa Kamal Dahal's trip to India a "goodwill visit" and added that it "will bring Nepal and India's relations to a good height." Speaking to ANI, he said, "This is basically the goodwill visit. I think we have done so many activities in the last year between Nepal and India. Some of them will be initiated this time and some of them will be inaugurated, some of them will be groundbreaking and some of them will be in agreement. So, there are so many things on the plate. We are hoping that this visit will bring Nepal and India's relations to a good height." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal's counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Thursday jointly unveiled the e-plaque of the Kurtha-Bijalpura section of the Railway. Both leaders jointly flag off the Indian Railway cargo train from Bathnaha in Bihar to Nepal Custom yard. PM Modi and Dahal jointly inaugurated the integrated check posts at Rupaidiha in India and Nepalgunj in Nepal, built with India's assistance. The two leaders also unveiled the integrated check posts at Sanauli in India and Bhairahawa in Nepal. PM Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Dahal jointly set into motion the Gorakhpur-New Butwal substation 400 KV cross-border transmission line. The two leaders laid the foundation stone of Phase II of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj Oil Pipeline between India and Nepal. The exchange of seven agreements took place between India and Nepal in the presence of PM Modi and Dahal on infrastructure development, connectivity and people-to-people ties. The exchange of MoU took place between the Institute of Foreign Affairs, Nepal, and the Sushma Swaraji Institute for Foreign Service, India. Exchange of MoU between two sides for the development of ICP at Dodra Chandani. An exchange of project development agreement of Lower Arun hydroelectric project. The two leaders inaugurated the projects after the delegation-level talks. The agenda in the talks included bolstering the ties between India and Nepal in the economy, energy, infrastructure, education and people-to-people contacts. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "Delegation level talks led by PM @narendramodi and PM @cmprachanda of Nepal get underway. Agenda includes bolstering our age old ties through enhanced connectivity in areas of economy, energy, infrastructure, education & people to people contacts." After PM Modi welcomed 'Prachanda' at the Hyderabad House, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "Deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation. PM @narendramodigreets PM @cmprachanda of Nepal as the latter arrives in Hyderabad House for bilateral talks." Earlier in the day, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' laid a wreath at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. He also wrote in the visitor's book at Raj Ghat. "PM @cmprachanda of Nepal paid solemn tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. Dahal alias Prachanda who assumed office in December last year is on an official visit to India from May 31-June 3. This is his fourth visit to India. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday. Upon arrival, he received a warm welcome from Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi. Informing about his arrival, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrives in Delhi, receives warm welcome by MoS Lekhi, PM @cmprachanda of Nepal arrives in New Delhi on his first overseas visit after assumption of office. Warmly welcomed by MoS @M_Lekhi at the airport. The visit will impart renewed momentum to the close and unique India-Nepal relationship." (ANI) Pakistan reeling under deep economic chaos on Wednesday saw a new window of hope to get stalled funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as the government promised a "relief budget" next week within the requirements of the Fund programme, according to Dawn. This comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's telephone conversation with Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the Washington-based lender, the previous weekend. "We are following the programme in earnest at this stage and strongly hope that issues with the IMF would be settled very soon as the prime minister, the Ministry of Finance and the entire government were committed to the IMF programme and its amicable completion," said Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Aisha Ghaus Pasha. Despite the fact that staff-level negotiations on the 9th quarterly review ended on February 9, according to Dawn, the programme has been hanging in the balance since October 2022. Talking to journalists after a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, Pasha said the prime minister had spoken to the IMF managing director and both sides were of the view that the programme should be completed at the earliest. "We are not even thinking anything without the (Fund) programme", although the finance ministry was not sitting idle with closed eyes as everybody had second plans as well, she said, adding that both the prime minister and IMF chief appreciated and agreed that non-completion of the ongoing Fund programme was neither in the interest of Pakistan nor the IMF, Dawn reported. Notably on Wednesday Pasha had advised IMF mission chief Nathan Porter not to "interfere in politically domestic" matters. While the IMF usually does not comment on domestic politics, in a statement on Tuesday, Porter said the IMF hopes "a peaceful way forward is found in line with the Constitution and the rule of law". His comments come as the country still awaits the much-delayed signing of a staff-level agreement that would unlock USD 1.1 billion in financing for the cash-strapped nation as part of a USD 7 bn IMF package. While the IMF is preparing to discuss Pakistan's budget plans for the coming financial year, Dr Ghaus said the finance ministry is preparing the budget considering that Pakistan is under an IMF programme and is "continuously engaged with it". Regarding a different IMF programme, Pasha stated that the immediate priority was the successful conclusion of the existing programme, and only then could it be decided how to proceed. (ANI) At least five people were killed and three others injured in an explosion inside a house in the Daira Din Panah neighbourhood of Punjab's Kot Addu, around 80 km from Muzaffargarh, the Pakistan-based The News International reported. According to the police, a person who works at a junkyard owned the home where the explosion took place. They said that three of the deceased were women and that all of the deceased belonged to the same family. As per details, the deceased were identified as Haseena Mai (40), Bilal (38), Iqbal (30), Shano Mai (28) and four-year-old Sadia Bibi, The News International reported. The injured were shifted to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Kot Addu. "Even at the time of the explosion, waste materials and scrap were being sorted," police said, The News.com.pk reported. However, the cause and nature of the explosion were not yet ascertained, the police said, adding that investigations were underway. They further stated that rescue teams, bomb disposal squad and other related security agencies had reached the spot soon after the explosion, The News.com.pk reported. According to Rescue 1122, the control room received a call at 8:44 am in which the caller informed that five people had been killed and three were injured due to the explosion of an "unknown object" in the house. The caller requested that an ambulance be sent quickly. "Rescue 1122 Control Room immediately dispatched three ambulances from Kot Addu Central Rescue Station to the accident site and also informed the police," a statement from the helpline said, The News International reported. When the rescue staff reached the location, eyewitnesses said that five people died on the spot and three people were injured due to the explosion of an unknown object in the room. While the rescue team has started rescue operations, the statement said, it would be premature to say anything about the nature of the explosion. Taking notice of the explosion, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Anwar has sought a report from Dera Ghazi Khan regional police officer, The News International reported. He also directed the Muzaffargarh district police officer to investigate the matter from all aspects. (ANI) Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for official visit to Himalyan nation. He said that he is looking forward to welcoming PM Modi in Nepal "soon." "I have extended a cordial invitation to PM Modi Ji for a visit to visit Nepal. I look forward to welcoming him in Nepal soon," Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal said during the joint press meet at Hyderabad House in Delhi. Speaking to reporters after his meeting with PM Modi, Dahal said that the ties between India and Nepal are "age-old and multifaceted." He said that Nepal is happy to see the growth of India's economy and political landscape under PM Modi's leadership. "This is my fourth visit to India as the Prime Minister of Nepal. I fondly recall my previous visit in September 2018 and then twice in September and October in 2016. I bring with me the greetings and good wishes of the government and the people of Nepal. We are happy to see the remarkable transformation of India's economy and political landscape under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Dahal said. He also congratulated PM Modi on completing nine years in the office and said that the ties between the two countries stand on the solid foundation built by the rich tradition of civilizational, cultural and socio-economic linkages. "I congratulate Prime Minister Modiji on completion this week of nine years in government with far-reaching achievements on many fronts. The relationship between India and Nepal are age-old and multifaceted. These relations stand on the solid foundation built on the one hand by the rich tradition of civilizational cultural socio-economic linkage and on the other, by the two countries firm commitment to the time-tested principle of sovereign equality, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation," Dahal added. Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that he and PM Modi made an extensive review of the progress in the India-Nepal ties and appreciated "Neighbourhood First" policy of India. He stated that they discussed on further strengthening cooperation between two nations. "Today, as Prime Minister Modiji mentioned, we made an extensive review of the progress in our relation and renewed our commitment to further extend this relation and cooperation. I appreciate Prime Minister Modiji's Neighbourhood First policy. In our meeting today, we discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas including trade, transit, investment, hydropower development, power, trade, irrigation, agriculture, connectivity including air entry routes, railways, bridge, transmission line, expansion of petroleum pipeline, construction of integrated checkposts as well as cultural and people to people contact," Dahal said. Dahal said that he and PM Modi discussed the boundary matter. He said that Nepal is happy to join India's multilateral initiative of the International Solar Alliance. "Prime Minister Modiji and I discussed the boundary matter. I urged Prime Minister Modiji to resolve the boundary matter through the established bilateral diplomatic mechanism. I commended the role played and initiative taken by Prime Minister Modiji during India's G20 presidency as well as SCO Chairmanship including for giving voice to the issues of concern to the global south. Nepal is happy to join India's multilateral initiative of the International Solar Alliance and more recently the International Big Cap Alliance," he said. He called India Nepal's "close neighbour" and important partner" for the development and prosperity. He congratulated India for its achievement as New Delhi celebrates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. "We also discussed about the establishment of fertiliser plant in Nepal in joint venture and we'll try our best to work together for the successful completion of the project. India is Nepal's close neighbour and important partner for the development and prosperity. As Nepal moves ahead on the path of graduating from LDC status by 2026, India's continued support and goodwill remains important for us," Dahal said. (ANI) Minister of State (MoS) for the External Affairs Minister V Muraleedharan met the ASEAN-India Business Council (AIBC)- Malaysia Chapter on Thursday in the Malaysian Capital Kuala Lumpur. "Happy to meet with the ASEAN-India Business Council (AIBC)- Malaysia Chapter, headed by Chairman Dato Ramesh Kodammal in Kuala Lumpur. Complimented AIBC-Malaysia Chapter for its efforts in actively promoting the ASEAN-India trade & investment linkages," Muraleedharan tweeted. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday for the last leg of his 4-day visit to two countries. After summing up his visit to Brunei, Muraleedharan reached Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Earlier in the day, he also visited the Ramakrishna Mission in Kuala Lumpur. "Feel blessed to visit the landmark Ramakrishna Mission in Kuala Lumpur & began my day with offering my floral tributes to Swami Vivekananda. The statue, unveiled by Hon'ble PM @narendramodi in 2015, is a standing testimony to rich Indian heritage and culture in Malaysia," he tweeted. After that he met the committee members of GOPIOMalaysia, GOPIO is a non partisan, secular global organization engaged in promoting the well being of People of Indian Origin (PIO), enhancing cooperation and communication. "Delighted to meet with committee members of @GOPIOMalaysia and GOPIO International. Lauded their engagement on matters related to PIOs in Malaysia. Thanked them for their participation in PBD events. Looking forward to joining inauguration of first ever PIO Day Malaysia tomorrow," he wrote on Twitter. "Delighted to arrive in the iconic city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Looking forward to my engagements with the Malaysian senior dignitaries, dynamic and vibrant Indian diaspora and leaders of the Indian community in Malaysia," tweeted Muraleedharan. During his visit to Malaysia, the MoS will privately meet Malaysia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Datuk Mohamad bin Alamin. The Malaysian Minister of Human Resources, V Sivakumar, will also call on the MOS. The MoS will also take part in the inauguration of the first-ever Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Day-Malaysia (Aprawasi Diwas) and launch the PIO International Festival, which is to be held from June 2-4. He will address the Indian community and diaspora at the 'Pravasiya Bharatiya Utsav'. With 2.75 million PIOs, Malaysia is home to the second-largest PIO population in the world. The MOS will also deliver a key-note address at an International Conference titled 'India-ASEAN Dynamics in the Emerging Indo-Pacific Order: Pathways to Cooperation beyond the Third Decade', organised by the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur in collaboration with the Centre for ASEAN Regionalism University Malaya (CARUM) and Asia Europe Institute (AEI), the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release. He will also interact with leaders of Indian community associations and leading business associations in India and Malaysia. Following the installation of a new Malaysian government in November 2022, this is the first ministerial visit from India to the country. (ANI) "Secy (East) @AmbSaurabhKumar met Vice Chairman Trinh Duc Hai of the National Boundary Commission of Vietnam today. Discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations including in the realm of defence, security and maritime cooperation," MEA Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted on Thursday. Recently, the MEA Secretary (East) met top officials of Cambodia and Vietnam on the last day of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference in Dhaka. He also met Secretary Generals of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), and of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). Both countries, India and Cambodia agreed to strengthen cooperation in development projects, and cultural cooperation including the restoration of temples, in Kumar's meeting with Dr Soeung Rathchavy, Secretary of State, MoFA Cambodia. MEA Official Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "Secy (East) @AmbSaurabhKumar met Secy of State, MoFA Cambodia, Dr. Soeung Rathchavy. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in development projects, cultural cooperation including restoration of temples, demining & defence exchanges." In his meeting with the Deputy Minister of Vietnam, Do Hung Viet, both countries expressed satisfaction at the progress in India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. "Secy (East) @AmbSaurabhKumar held meeting with Deputy Minister @MOFAVietNam Do Hung Viet. They expressed satisfaction at the progress in - Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Also discussed cooperation in areas of trade, investment, defense, energy," Bagchi added. (ANI) Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka 'Prachanda' on Thursday called on President Droupadi Murmu. Nepal PM, who is in India for a 4-day visit, met President Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The President welcomed Prime Minister Prachanda and congratulated him on his appointment as Prime Minister of Nepal. "She said that in view of his old association with India and his experience, India looks forward to a positive agenda in India-Nepal bilateral relations to take the age-old partnership to new heights. She expressed confidence that this visit would further strengthen the strong bond between the two countries," according to an official statement of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President remarked that bilateral cooperation between India and Nepal has grown recently. Even during the tough days of the COVID-19 epidemic, trade between the two nations was maintained. The President further said that the open border between India and Nepal has encouraged tourism from both sides. "She emphasised the need of reviving the spiritual tourist circuit to promote people-to-people contact and tourism. She said that Sister City Agreements and improvement in financial connectivity can also boost tourism between our two countries," the official statement read. The President said that Nepal is a priority for India, and added that New Delhi looks forward to a development partnership with the Himalayan nation, including early completion of important projects. Meanwhile, Prachanda also met Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, in Delhi. Taking to Twitter, the official handle of Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar wrote, "Hon'ble Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar was pleased to receive the visiting Prime Minister of Nepal Rt. Hon @cmprachanda today. Age-old cultural ties between India and Nepal continue to be the bedrock of our relationship as we make good progress in other areas of our engagement." Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Dahal 'Prachanda' held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House. "Deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation. PM @narendramodi greets PM @cmprachanda of Nepal as the latter arrives in Hyderabad House for bilateral talks," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted when PM Modi greeted 'Prachanda' at the Hyderabad House. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' laid a wreath at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. He also wrote in the visitor's book at Raj Ghat. "PM @cmprachanda of Nepal paid solemn tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. Dahal alias Prachanda who assumed office in December last year is on an official visit to India from May 31-June 3. This is his fourth visit to India. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday. Upon arrival, he received a warm welcome from Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi. (ANI) US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Thursday said he will prioritize working with India to build green energy solutions and support India-US growing bilateral effort to ensure a successful green energy transition. "As Ambassador, I will prioritize working with India to build green energy solutions and will support our growing bilateral effort to ensure a successful green energy transition," Garcetti said at the "Conversations on U.S. & India: Actions for Clean Air and Better Health" event at the India International Centre on Thursday. The US Ambassador said: "To safeguard global peace and prosperity, we need a bold agenda to confront global climate change. There is no issue that is more fundamental to the well-being of all our peoples than access to clean air," according to a release issued by the US Embassy in India. Garcetti said he is pleased to see business leaders and community leaders, parents, family members, young people here as advocates, because nothing changes if we don't advocate for our own health, our community health, our city and our world's health. The United States together with Delhi-based non-profit Lung Care Foundation on Thursday sponsored "Conversations on U.S. & India: Actions for Clean Air and Better Health". The US Ambassador during the event kicked off a half-day workshop that included more than 75 civil society leaders, policymakers, educators, healthcare professionals, journalists, and private sector representatives. The event marked the conclusion of Saaf Hawa Aur Nagrik - SHAN (Clean Air and the Citizen), a four-year comprehensive and multilingual air quality public education campaign in the Delhi-National Capital Region. Implemented by the Lung Care Foundation (LCF) through a USD 200,000 grant from the US Embassy, the campaign empowered individuals and communities with information and tools to protect themselves from the adverse effects of air pollution and raised awareness on how air pollution contributes to the climate crisis, according to the US Embassy release. During the event, the US Ambassador also said that the nice thing about the environment is it ignores the borders of human beings, whether it's climate change or whether it's air pollution. "Air pollution doesn't stop in the fields of Haryana before it gets to New Delhi. You have to work across state lines in order to solve these things. Sometimes when we have fires in the western United States, it blows all the way to East Asia and vice versa to pollute the air over the Pacific Ocean. So when we talk about an Indo-Pacific region, we literally are linked together in the air that we breathe," the US Ambassador said. Garcetti said the US is here to learn from India on "how to scale up community engagement, to see the campaigns that you have here, to be able to say there are lessons that India can teach us that we can take back to the United States and help share with the world together." Meanwhile, LCF Founder, Rajiv Khurana, with regards to the SHAN project's success, said: "Implementing a multi-pronged communication strategy, the program deployed a range of community outreach activities." "This included the creation of engaging wall art, conversations and learning sessions with under-served communities, establishing a community volunteer task force, and placing billboards. The initiative also utilized creative media and capitalized on collaborations with women's groups and resident welfare associations. These diverse methods successfully reached the target groups and increased their engagement in discussions and actions for clean air," he added, as per the official release. A global climate and health campaigner for Health Care Without Harm, Shweta Narayan, said: "Clean air is the essence of good health and a fundamental right for all humanity." "Achieving clean air requires a collective effort; it demands collaboration among governments, industries, civil society, and individuals alike. It necessitates bridging gaps, breaking silos, and fostering dialogue to develop holistic strategies that tackle pollution at its root," she said. (ANI) US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III will arrive on an official visit to India starting next week with an aim to expand defence industrial partnership. The US Defence Secretary will travel to New Delhi on an official visit to India as part of his four-nation tour. The visit holds particular significance considering Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to the White House in June. The Pentagon announced that Austin's first stop will be in Tokyo where he will meet with Japanese Defence Minister Yasukasu Hamada and other senior leaders and visit US troops stationed in Japan. Later, from Japan, he will fly to Singapore, where he is scheduled to address plenary remarks at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) 20th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. During his stay in Singapore, he will also hold key bilateral meetings to advance US partnerships across the region. Following his visit to Singapore, Austin will travel to New Delhi, on the third leg of his tour, which will prominently focus on advancing India-US new defence innovation and industrial cooperation initiatives and continuing with the efforts to expand operational cooperation between the U.S. and Indian militaries. The Pentagon while elaborating on the details of the Defence Secretary's visit, said, "After Singapore, Secretary Austin will visit New Delhi to meet with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders as the United States and India continue to modernize the US-India Major Defence Partnership." "This visit provides an opportunity to accelerate new defence innovation and industrial cooperation initiatives and drive ongoing efforts to expand operational cooperation between the U.S. and Indian militaries," the statement added. The Defence Secretary while speaking ahead of his four-nation tour, said: "I look forward to travelling to Japan, Singapore, India and France next week. We've made ground-breaking progress over the past year alongside our allies and partners towards advancing our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific." Also just before PM Modi's visit to the US, a powerful Congressional Committee has recommended strengthening NATO Plus by including India. This step is a move to deter China. The suggestion of including India in the five-member grouping has been made by the committee to win the "strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party". Presently, NATO Plus 5 is a security arrangement that works towards boosting global defence cooperation and comprises NATO and five aligned countries, Australia, Japan, Israel, New Zealand and South Korea. India getting included in NATO Plus would mean the facilitation of seamless intelligence sharing between these nations and India and access to the latest military technology with a minimal time lag, reported NewsonAir. The US House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the US and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at a meeting on May 24, made the resounding decision. The committee rolled out a policy proposal that aims to bolster Taiwan's deterrence capabilities, primarily by reinforcing NATO Plus with the inclusion of India. The meeting was led by Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, The Select Committee suggested: "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." (ANI) The Khaama Press News Agency is an online news service for Afghanistan. The Iranian Minister on Wednesday said that peace and security had been restored in the area following the recent incidents that occurred along the Iran-Afghanistan border, According to Tasnim News. Vahidi blamed the Taliban forces for last week's border clashes and claimed that the Iranian forces responded to them. "The Afghans had begun shooting at the common border, and the Iranian forces naturally responded to the shots properly," he said, as per Khaama Press. "We currently have direct interaction with Afghan rulers, and all misunderstandings and problems should be settled through dialogue and negotiation," the interior minister said. As per Iranian officials, during the border clashes with the Taliban that broke out last week, one Iranian border guard was killed, and two others were injured. Meanwhile, the Afghan security forces claimed that one Taliban security force and two Iranian border guards were killed, and several others were injured during the skirmishes. The incident occurred at the border crossing point between the southeastern province of Sistan and Balochistan and the Nimruz province of Afghanistan in areas around Sasouli, Hatam and Makaki villages. (ANI) TOLO News is an Afghan news channel. This comes nearly two years after the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. As per the bill, President Joe Biden must impose sanctions on the Taliban for their involvement in terrorism, drug trafficking, and violations of women's rights, Fox News reported. The report also said that all transactions involving Taliban-owned property would be blocked and outlawed, and any visas or other entry-permitting documents would be rendered invalid. Senator Jim Risch told Fox News: "Since the fall of Kabul in 2021, the Taliban has repressed Afghanistan's women, minorities, and youth, diverted aid from Afghans in desperate need, taken hostages to achieve political gain, and allowed Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists again. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration's response has failed to curtail Taliban abuses." The bill outlines several requirements the Taliban authorities must satisfy to avert more sanctions. According to Khaama Press, this entails cutting links with all terrorist outlets, allowing humanitarian organizations full access to their territory to care for its most vulnerable residents, enabling residents to leave their territory, and recognizing human rights, women's rights, and press freedom. The Taliban has since taking control of Afghanistan in August 2021, restricted women's rights, including education and employment. Meanwhile, the Taliban authorities reiterated that their government had completed the conditions for recognition. (ANI) Human Rights Watch has said that on the one hand, the Taliban continues to beg for recognition and foreign help, while on the other, they escalate repression of Afghan women and girls, Khaama Press reported. Taking to Twitter, the associate women's rights director at Human Rights Watch wrote, "that the Taliban are reluctant for meaningful talks." Barr stated on Twitter on Wednesday that she does not believe the meeting indicates the Taliban's willingness to engage with the international world. She believes this topic has only been highlighted primarily during a meeting between a senior Qatari official and Hebatullah Akhundzada, whatsoever, Khaama Press reported. Previously, the Taliban spokesperson stated that Mullah Hassan Akhund, the group's acting deputy prime minister, had asked Qatari authorities to play a significant role in developing confidence between Afghanistan and the international community at a meeting with his Qatari counterpart, as per the Afghan news agency. Despite Qatar's strong relationship with the Taliban, Doha has criticised the Taliban's gender policies targeting women. Since the takeover, Taliban leadership has consistently issued severe decrees restricting Afghan women and girls' access to education and employment, reported Khaama Press. Thousands of women have stayed at home since colleges and schools stopped accepting female students, and there are restrictions on the work that women and girls can do in local and international NGOs. However, some women and girls have started working, such as by picking up trades or other commercial endeavours, in order to make money. Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021 after the US exit from the country, women are not allowed to work in the fields of education with domestic and international organisations, in gyms, or in public spaces. (ANI) Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan met members of the Malaysian Armed Forces Sikh Veteran Association (MAFSVA) in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, appreciating their valour and courage. Muraleedharan tweeted, "Pleased to have met with committee members of Malaysian Armed Forces Sikh Veterans Association (MAFSVA) in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciate their valour and courage." During his visit, he also met and interacted with the office bearers of Netaji Welfare Foundation and Netaji Service Centre. The MoS commended their efforts in preserving the legacy of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose in Malaysia. Following the meeting, Muraleedharan took to his Twitter to post, "Happy to have interacted with the Office bearers of Netaji Welfare Foundation & Netaji Service Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Lauded their efforts in preserving the legacy of Netaji in Malaysia." The MoS also met with workers from India across various sectors in Malaysia. He interacted with them on their experiences and assured them of India's continued commitment to their welfare and well-being. "Happy to interact with workers from India working in various sectors in Malaysia. Discussed about their experiences at their workplaces and their overall welfare. Assured them of the Government of India's continued commitment to their welfare and well-being," Muraleedharan tweeted. Earlier in the day, he met members of All Malaysia Malayalee Association (AMMA) in Kuala Lumpur and lauded their role in promoting the socio-cultural connect between India and Malaysia. Taking to Twitter, the MoS wrote, "Happy to have met with committee members of All Malaysia Malayalee Association (AMMA) in Kuala Lumpur. Glad to hear AMMA's various activities in enriching lives of Malaysian Malayalee community." "Lauded their role in promoting socio-cultural connect between India and Malaysia," the MoS added. The MoS also met with the Deputy President of the Malaysian Indian Congress and the committee members in Kuala Lumpur, thanking them for their continued support towards nurturing closer ties between the two countries. "Happy to have met with Hon'ble Datuk Seri M Saravanan, Deputy President of @MIC_Malaysia and Committee members in Kuala Lumpur. Thanked them for continued support towards nurturing closer India-Malaysia ties & for their active participation in the PBD celebrations in India," the MoS tweeted. He also held interactions with committee members of the World Malayalee Federation, Malaysia Chapter, in Kuala Lumpur. The MoS tweeted, "Delighted to meet with committee members of World Malayalee Federation Malaysia Chapter in Kuala Lumpur Happy to note their activities towards promoting social & professional development of the Malayalee NRIs Appreciate them for promoting welfare of Malayalee NRIs in Malaysia." Muraleedharan arrived in Malaysia on the last leg of his 4-day visit to two countries. After summing up his visit to Brunei, Muraleedharan reached Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. (ANI) US President Joe Biden has said he is certain that Sweden will join North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) "as soon as possible," in spite of Turkey and Hungary continuing to obstruct the Scandinavian nation's entry into the alliance, reported Al Jazeera. On Thursday, Biden lauded NATO's unity in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine while speaking at the graduation ceremony for the United States Air Force Academy. The US President said, "NATO is more energised and more united that it's been in decades. It's now even stronger with the accession of our newest ally, Finland - and soon Sweden - to the alliance, as soon as possible. It will happen. I promise you", reported Al Jazeera. Biden's remarks came a few days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken appealed to Turkey to give its nod to Sweden's bid to become a NATO member. "From the perspective of the United States, the time is now to finalise Sweden's accession," Blinken told reporters in the northern Swedish city of Lulea on Tuesday. He also voiced hope that the process would get finished before an ensuing NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in July. The NATO countries must ratify new members. An attack on one NATO member state constitutes an attack on the entire alliance, according to Article 5 of the US-led bloc's collective defence pact, read a report published in Al Jazeera. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and its neighbour Finland started applying for membership in NATO. Sweden's application is still pending, while Finland's official affiliation with the alliance began in April. Sweden's accession is still pending in the absence of approval from Hungary and Turkey, but Ankara is thought to be the primary impediment. Turkey has charged Sweden of giving the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which it regards as a "terrorist" organisation, a safe haven. According to Sweden, it is addressing Turkey's concerns in accordance with a trilateral agreement that the two nations and Finland inked last year. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted to his Swedish counterpart on Thursday as the foreign ministers of NATO member states met in Norway, posting, "Fulfil your commitments arising from Trilateral Memorandum & take concrete steps in the fight against terrorism. The rest will follow", reported Al Jazeera. Biden said earlier this week that he brought up with the recently re-elected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the subject during a phone call. Referring to a push by Ankara to finalise a USD 20 billion deal for US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets, Biden said on Monday, "I congratulated Erdogan. He still wants to work on something on the F-16s. I told him we wanted a deal with Sweden, so let's get that done." Biden on Thursday refrained from mentioning Turkey when he voiced Sweden's NATO bid. However, he laid emphasis on the alliance continuing to stand united in response to the invasion of Ukraine, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin thought NATO would "crack". The US president reaffirmed US support for Ukraine's defence against the invasion. Since the war began last year, Washington has given Kyiv billions of dollars in humanitarian and military assistance. Biden said, "The US has rallied the world to stand strong with Ukraine and defend the values that the American people hold so dear - freedom, sovereignty, democracy, simple dignity." "The American people's support for Ukraine will not waver," Al Jazeera quoted him as saying in a report. (ANI) A 29-year-old man from Millsboro has been arrested in connection with a large fight that broke out after Sussex Central High School's graduation on Tuesday night, Delaware State Police said. There is currently a warrant out for the arrest of a 16-year-old girl who police say was also involved in the fight. Police said the girl started kicking, punching and yelling at a 48-year-old Millsboro woman at 8:40 p.m. outside the main gate to the graduation ceremony after it ended. The 29-year-old man was also seen punching people, including the 16-year-old, according to police. The girl then walked away across the softball field, state police said, where she began fighting again. Police did not say who she was fighting with when they broke up the altercation. The girl and her father refused to cooperate with police and left, and no one else stayed behind to report their injuries or tell officers what happened. MORE: Former UD student got $1.4M in CARES Act loans for fake businesses, cyberstalked, feds say State police said they were later able to identify the 48-year-old woman who was injured in the fight, and she and her 15-year-old daughter reported their injuries to police the following day. The woman had a scratch on her nose, according to police, and the 15-year-old had a black eye and swollen nose. They were both injured by the same 16-year-old girl, according to police, and there is a warrant out for her arrest on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of third-degree assault all misdemeanors. Neither of the girls were students at Sussex Central High School, state police said. GRADUATION: LGBTQ students fight for inclusion: 'We don't need to keep experiencing these 'hardships' The 29-year-old man also involved in the fight turned himself in and was charged with the misdemeanors of offensive touching and disorderly conduct. He was released on his own recognizance. State police are still investigating the incident, and anyone who was injured in the fight or who has information on it is asked to call Lt. M. DiSilvestro at 302-752-3818 or contact Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Sussex Central High graduation fight under investigation by police An adult and two children have died, and eight other people including seven children were hospitalized with serious injuries following a single-vehicle crash Wednesday evening in Sacramentos Northgate neighborhood, police and fire officials said. A vehicle crashed around 8:15 p.m. into a tree near the 900 block of San Juan Road, Sacramento Police Department spokesman Officer Cody Tapley said. First responders arrived to find 11 victims: two adults and nine children ages 3 through 8, Tapley said. Police and Sacramento Fire Department personnel immediately began to render medical aid. Two children, ages 3 and 5, died from their injuries Thursday morning, the Police Department said in a social media update just before 8:30 a.m. The surviving individuals have injuries ranging from serious to critical, police wrote. One of the adults, identified by police as a 25-year-old woman, died at the scene, Tapley said. All 10 other victims were transported to hospitals with serious injuries. The investigation remains very active as of Thursday morning, Tapley said, and detectives from the departments major collision investigations unit have taken over. The deceased victims identities had not been released by the Sacramento County Coroners Office as of Thursday morning. The deadly crash happened on a stretch of San Juan Road just north of Rio Tierra Park. There will be more information to come in the following days. As it becomes available we will share with the community, tweeted Sacramento City Councilwoman Karina Talamantes, who represents the Northgate area and said she joined first responders at the scene Wednesday evening. My heart goes out to all the families impacted by this tragic incident. Collision Update: MCIU Detectives continue working this investigation. We are sad to report that two more individuals involved in the collision, a 3-year-old and 7-year-old, have passed away. The surviving individuals have injuries ranging from serious to critical. We do not https://t.co/jpK4lVj040 Sacramento Police Department (@SacPolice) June 1, 2023 Road Closure: Officers are on scene of a major injury collision in the 900 block of San Juan Road. Multiple individuals have been transported to area hospitals. San Juan Road between Binghamton Dr and Bridgeford Dr are closed. Please use alternate routes. More information will pic.twitter.com/dR6z2enOfc Sacramento Police Department (@SacPolice) June 1, 2023 One person was killed and two others were injured late Wednesday afternoon in a shooting that unfolded near the checkout line of a Family Dollar in Kansas Citys North Hyde Park neighborhood, according to police. Officers were dispatched to the store around 5 p.m. on a report of a shooting as people were shopping inside, said Sgt. Jake Becchina, a Kansas City Police Department spokesman. Responding officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds in the business when they arrived, Becchina said. He was taken away by ambulance and pronounced dead at the hospital. Meanwhile, Becchina said, police learned two other gunshot victims a man with life-threatening injuries and a woman with less severe injuries had shown up at the hospital. They arrived there by a private vehicle, Becchina said. Early findings of the investigation pointed to a disturbance that began inside the store involving several people that escalated to a point where multiple shots were fired by more than one person, Becchina said. All three gunshot victims were injured inside the store, Becchina said, and detectives were still working out the precise order of events. Becchina said detectives were gathering information from surveillance video and witnesses as crime scene investigators processed the area for physical evidence. He added that police were still determining who all was involved and what roles they played in the shooting. The killing Wednesday marked the 77th homicide in Kansas City so far in 2023, according to data maintained by The Star. It also comes as the city experienced one of the greatest surges of violence this year over the Memorial Day weekend. Earlier Wednesday, city leaders Mayor Quinton Lucas, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker and Police Chief Stacey Graves gathered to publicly address the weekend violence. Seven families in our city have been changed forever, Graves said, referencing the seven homicides in the city between Friday night and Memorial Day. This is a call for action. Our department will continue to show up, but we need the community. Kansas City police were asking anyone with information about Wednesday afternoons homicide to contact detectives at 816-234-5043 or call the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. The Stars Glenn E. Rice contributed to this report. 1 shot in front of police near Spectrum Center. Its the third uptown shooting in 2 months One person is in the hospital after being shot in front of police in uptown Charlotte near the Spectrum Center early Thursday, police said. A person flagged down a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer after a disturbance at the Preferred Parking lot at 401 E 6th St. Thursday at 2:30 a.m., according to a CMPD news release. As the officer got out of the car, he heard a gunshot and saw a suspect holding a gun, police said. Paramedics took the victim to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and officers took the suspect into custody, police said. Police have not said if the two people knew each other or what caused the shooting. Authorities also did not release the name of the person they arrested. Recent uptown shootings Another man was shot and killed in uptown on West Third Street Saturday near Truist Field Saturday, police said. Joseph Sherman Crawford, 26, also shot at an unmarked police car that had a CMPD detective inside, according to police. Officers chased him from Gastonia to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where police said he was arrested and charged with 1st-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In April, two people were injured after a mid-day shooting in uptowns Romare Bearden Park. Police quickly detained a suspect. 10 Things in Tech: Amazon Prime versus Walmart Plus, BMW adds gaming to its luxury sedan, and Nvidia enters the trillion-dollar club Welcome to a new month, Junebugs. I'm Diamond Naga Siu, and I'm one of the 68 million people who are part of Gen Z. (Here's how to find out which generation you're part of, by the way). From a young age, many of us experienced a variety of life-altering events. My colleague Elana Klein highlighted seven of these defining circumstances (including how we don't really remember a time before smartphones). Before I go research some old phones they're actually pretty hip now let's dive into today's tech. If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here. Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk dances onstage during a delivery event for Tesla China-made Model 3 cars in Shanghai Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk dances onstage during a delivery event for Tesla China-made Model 3 cars in ShanghaiAly Song/Reuters 1. Elon Musk's royal treatment in China. The Tesla CEO reportedly arrived in Beijing via a private jet on Tuesday for a surprise visit his first in three years. Since landing, Musk was treated to a 16-course meal and has received high praise. Get the full story here. In other news: hand hovering over Amazon One palm-scanner Courtesy of Amazon 2. Amazon will soon let you pay with your palm. Amazon One is the company's latest gadget. The palm scanner is meant to make paying (and verifying your age) for alcohol a more seamless experience. Check it out here. 3. Salesforce's major restructuring is starting to pay off for investors. After cutting thousands of workers and shedding office space, its finances are starting to look rosier. More here. 4. Nvidia joined the exclusive trillion-dollar club and it has ChatGPT and AI to thank for its membership. More here. Bonus: Check out the booming finances of these five, trillion-dollar tech companies. 5. Google signs a $75 million deal with Runway. It's one of the buzziest generative AI companies around. And leaked documents revealed that the internet giant will soon provide a host of cloud services to the startup. Read more. 6. "I made $10,000 a month chatting with guys on dating apps." Nicole Miranda made up to $400 a day from dating apps Meete and ToChat. Some men had weird requests, but most just wanted to feel like someone cared. Check out her full experience on the apps. 7. Amazon Prime vs. Walmart Plus. Walmart Plus costs around $40 less per year and boasts a lower minimum fee for free grocery delivery. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime has more streaming content and access to its infamous Prime Day. Get the full head-to-head here. 8. BMW brings video games to its newest luxury sedan. Drivers and passengers will be able to use their phones as controllers to play games in the new 5 Series, which is available in electric, hybrid, diesel, and gas-powered options. Find out more about the latest gaming experience. Odds and ends: A close-up of the Carnival Magic cruise ship docked in Marseille. Carnival Cruise Lines ships in Marseille. A close-up of the Carnival Magic cruise ship docked in Marseille. Carnival Cruise Lines ships in Marseille.Gerard Bottino/Getty Images 9. Man who went overboard on a Carnival cruise ship is still missing. It was Ronnie Lee Peale Jr.'s first-ever cruise, and his fiance said life on the boat was his "happy place." He went overboard around 186 miles from Jacksonville, Florida. More on his story here. 10. $120,000 in debt: The financial road "nobody should ever go down." This couple laid bare their finances to budgeting podcast host Caleb Hammer. He told them that they had to change or they would be relying on their child in later life. Find out more. What we're watching today: Curated by Diamond Naga Siu in San Diego. (Feedback or tips? Email dsiu@insider.com or tweet @diamondnagasiu) Edited by Alistair Barr (tweet @alistairmbarr) in San Francisco and Nathan Rennolds (tweet @ncrennolds) in London. Read the original article on Business Insider 12-year-old falls 20 feet down well while playing at recess, Washington officials say A 12-year-old boy plunged 20 feet into a well when a concrete lid he was standing on at recess crumbled, Washington fire officials said. The child was playing at a church when he fell into the well at about 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, the Marysville Fire District said in a Facebook post. The boy clung to piping to stay afloat in the water because he couldnt reach the bottom of the well with his feet, fire officials said. Before reaching the child, rescuers had to remove the rest of the wells concrete lid covering, which was connected to chains, officials said. Firefighters then lowered a ladder into the well, and the child climbed up it. The boy had some cuts on his head, but he was able to follow directions from firefighters and put on a helmet, life vest and harness during the rescue, officials said. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition and is expected to be OK, firefighters said. Marysville is about 35 miles north of Seattle and about an hour south of Bellingham. Children among 5 injured when jet skis collide on Mountain Island Lake, rescuers say 2-year-old drowned in pool while left alone for hours, SC cops say. Woman is charged Dad killed when 5-year-old accidentally knocks truck out of gear, Utah cops say 13 celebrities who dyed their hair for an iconic role Riley Keough dyed her hair red to star in "Daisy Jones & the Six," but she's a natural brunette. Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Celebrities like Cynthia Nixon and Leighton Meester have dyed their hair to land a major role. Amy Adams said dyeing her strawberry-blonde hair a darker shade of red helped her get better roles. Sofia Vergara also dyed her blonde hair darker in order to please casting agents. When it comes to landing an iconic role, some actors are willing to go the extra mile and go to the salon. From Mandy Moore to Riley Keough and Sofia Vergara, these celebrities have all changed their hair color in order to pass an audition or portray a character onscreen. Some kept their new looks, while others later reflected on how damaging the drastic hair-color changes were. Here are 13 celebrities who dyed their hair for an iconic role. Sophie Turner dyed her naturally blonde hair red to play Sansa Stark in "Game of Thrones." Sophie Turner in 2019 and 2013. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images According to Refinery29, Turner had to dye her hair twice every week while filming the show to ensure no blonde hairs peeked through. "I feel different ways about each hair color," she told Refinery29 in 2019. "With my red, I feel very empowered, because with every character that I've played that has red hair, they've been such a strong and powerful character. I love it for that. But, my blonde hair gives me a new identity that's actually me. I feel more at home when I come back to my blonde hair; it also makes me feel a bit cooler and edgier." Cynthia Nixon of "Sex and the City" is another natural blonde who dyed her hair red for a role. Cynthia Nixon in 2018 and 2000 on the set of "Sex and the City." Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images; Hulton Archive/Getty Images "[I'm] not a redhead. [I'm] a natural blonde. A little enhanced at the moment, but a natural blonde," Nixon told the "Today" show in 2015. "Kim [Cattrall] and Sarah [Jessica Parker] were blonde, so we wanted to mix it up a little. Then it became like an emblem for the character she's so fiery; she's a redhead." Nixon sported gray hair for most of the first season of the "SATC" reboot "And Just Like That," but she dyed it back to her classic red in the finale. KJ Apa dyed his naturally dark hair a burnt-orange shade for his role as Archie in "Riverdale." KJ Apa in 2018 and 2022. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images "Probably the main thing I was really nervous about was seeing what I would look like with red hair and eyebrows," Apa shared with Teen Vogue in 2017. "It was definitely really weird to see, but now I can't really remember what it was like before. I heard that only 2% of the population of the world has red hair, so I'm feeling pretty good right now." Leighton Meester is a natural blonde, but she dyed her hair to land the role of Blair Waldorf on "Gossip Girl." Leighton Meester in 2003 and in 2007 on the set of "Gossip Girl." Albert L. Ortega/WireImage/Getty Images; James Devaney/WireImage/Getty Images Josh Schwartz, co-creator of "Gossip Girl," told The Hollywood Reporter in 2012 that they asked Meester to dye her hair darker when she auditioned in order to differentiate her character from bubbly blonde Serena. "Leighton was a blonde when she came in to read, but Blake was the blonde, so we asked her to color her hair," he said. "A risky move on her part in the middle of pilot season, but she did a sink-rinse dye job to audition as a brunette." Ariana Grande had curly brunette hair before she had to consistently bleach and dye it red for her role on "Victorious." Ariana Grande in 2008 and in 2012. Walter McBride/Corbis/Getty Images; Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images Grande has spoken openly about the damage she did to her hair with consistently bleaching and dyeing it to play Cat Valentine for four seasons. "I had to bleach my hair and dye it red every other week for the first four years of playing Cat as one would assume, that completely destroyed my hair," Grande explained on Facebook in 2014. "I wear it in a ponytail because my actual hair is so broken that it looks absolutely... absurd when I let it down." "My real hair, which is the humongous, curly, curly poof, is kind of, I don't know So few people get to see it and it's cute and it reminds me of me as a kid. But so is this," Grande told radio host Zach Sang in November 2020, gesturing to her signature ponytail. "I wear my ponytail all the time too, but the curls are definitely something that I don't bring around much." Bella Thorne is another actress who dyed her naturally blonde hair red for a role. Bella Thorne in 2008 and in 2015. Adam Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images; Mike Pont/WireImage/Getty Images "A lot of people don't know I'm not actually a redhead," Thorne told Allure in 2014. "I'm a blonde. I dyed it for 'Big Love.'" Thorne also explained how, at the start of her career with Disney, they wanted to make her blonde again which she wasn't excited about. "It started off more of a deep red, and Disney was like, 'Why don't we take Bella all the way to blonde again?' I don't know why, but I had a breakdown and so overreacted. I wanted to go back to red." Robin Lord Taylor dyed his light locks jet black to play Oswald Cobblepot on "Gotham." Robin Lord Taylor in 2011 and in 2017. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images; Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images Taylor joked to Glamour in 2014 about having to constantly keep up with his darker look. "When my roots come in, it starts to look like my hair is levitating off of my head," he said. "Because it's so light underneath, I'm like, 'Is my hair falling out? Oh no, I'm just blond.'" Kate Winslet dyed her blonde hair red to play Rose in "Titanic." Kate Winslet in 1996 and in a scene from "Titanic" in 1997. Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images; Paramount Pictures/CBS/Getty Images Dyeing her hair flaming red wasn't easy, however, especially when she was in the water so much. Winslet told InStyle, "It was quite damaged from all those water scenes and from re-dyeing it red so many times." Winslet dyed her hair lighter soon after the Hollywood blockbuster was released. Mandy Moore dyed her naturally blonde hair to get into character for her role in "A Walk to Remember," which would launch her acting career. Mandy Moore in 1999 and in a scene from the film "A Walk To Remember" in 2002. Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images; Warner Brothers/Getty Images Mandy Moore was born with sandy-blonde hair, though you might have thought she was actually a brunette. Amy Adams said dyeing her strawberry-blonde hair a darker shade of red helped her get better roles. Amy Adams in 1999 and in 2015. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images; Jeff Vespa/WireImage/Getty Images "Based on roles that I was getting called in for, people were responding to certain types of characters with me as a blonde and the minute I went red, it was quirky and fun instead of flirtatious and dumb," she said in an interview with The New York Times' TimesTalk in 2016. Riley Keough dyed her hair red to star in "Daisy Jones & the Six," but she's a natural brunette. Riley Keough dyed her hair red to star in "Daisy Jones & the Six," but she's a natural brunette. Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Maryann Hennings, the hair stylist on "Daisy Jones and the Six," told People that the process to take Keough's hair to red was extensive. Keough has been blonde, strawberry blonde, and her natural brunette hair over the years. "We made Riley this bright red. She's normally dark haired, so I lightened it, put this bright red on it, and then put a gloss over it that just made the whole thing shine," she said. "[Keough] would get it done every three weeks. Sometimes I would have a glaze or shades put over it to pop the red. I would use a lot of leave-in conditioners and products that left her hair in good condition." Sofia Vergara dyed her blonde hair darker in order to please casting agents. Sofia Vergara in 1999 and in 2002. Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images "I'm a natural blonde, like my siblings," she told Parade in July 2011. "When I started auditioning for American acting roles, they didn't know where to put me. A blonde Latina? In LA, they're used to Latin women looking more Mexican. But if you go to Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, everybody is blonde." Sydney Sweeney dyed her naturally blonde hair a light auburn for an upcoming role. Sydney Sweeney in January 2022 and March 2022. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images "We really wanted a major change for this role. Everyone knows blonde Syd, so when she booked this, we really wanted to go for it. Like, let's switch it up and give people a different side," her colorist Nikki Lee told Allure. "Initially, it was supposed to be a strawberry blonde, but after a couple flicks of the magic wand, we came up with this fun, fiery version." Read the original article on Insider 14-year-old with fiery spirit dies after ATV flips in Alabama, cops and family say A 14-year-old from Georgia died after the ATV she was driving ran off the road and flipped, Alabama officials say. Kyleigh Rampley was driving an ATV the afternoon of Friday, May 26, when the vehicle ran off the road, struck a telephone pole wire and overturned, Cherokee County Deputy Coroner Blake Madaris told McClatchy News. She was taken to the hospital where she died of blunt force trauma to her chest. An 8-year-old passenger was also on the ATV at the time of the wreck, according to a news release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. He was taken to the hospital for his injuries. Madaris said the passenger was Kyleighs younger cousin. Neither Kyleigh nor her cousin were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, state troopers said. Kyleigh was a seventh-grade student at Pepperell Middle School, the Rome News-Tribune reported. She had just been baptized on Mothers Day, her mom wrote on Facebook. As a parent there is no greater joy than watching your child trust in Jesus and it was such a gift to me that I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life, until Im reunited with my baby again, Mallory Rampley wrote. Im going to miss her contagious smile, fiery spirit, her desire to make everyone laugh but most of all Im going to miss the encouragement she provided me daily to be the best person that I could be. Other family members and loved ones shared tributes for Kyleigh on Facebook. My heart is hurting, Kyleighs aunt, Morgan Rampley, wrote in a Facebook post. I know you are the most beautiful and funniest angel. I will miss our laughs together the most. She was so incredibly sweet and goofy, one person commented. My heart aches for you and your family She was a spunky little girl when I had her at daycare, another person wrote. I know the pain [is] unreal and am so sad for your family. Cherokee County is about 90 miles northeast of Birmingham. 6-year-old dies days after car hits ATV he was riding with friend, Mississippi cops say 15-year-old riding ATV with friend dies after it flips on steep hill, SC officials say Body found after man crashes ATV into pond and never resurfaces, Texas officials say A community is mourning the death of a 14-year-old Floyd County girl who died in an ATV accident last week. On the afternoon of May 26, Kyleigh Rampley of Rome was critically injured after the ATV she was driving left the roadway and overturned after riding up a wire. Rampley was ejected and taken to a hospital where she died. An 8-year-old was also injured in the crash and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Neither Rampley nor the 8-year-old was using their seatbelts during the time of the crash. Alabama officials said they are going to continue to investigate. TRENDING STORIES: Rampleys classmates celebrated her life with a balloon release Tuesday night. Im going to miss her contagious smile, fiery spirit, her desire to make everyone laugh but most of all Im going to miss the encouragement she provided me daily to be the best person that I could be, her mother, Mallory Rampley wrote on Facebook. Rampley said Kyleigh was baptized two weeks before her death. As a parent there is no greater joy than watching your child trust in Jesus and it was such a gift to me that I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life, until Im reunited with my baby again, Ramply wrote. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Two men were charged Friday with attempted murder and other charges accusing them of shooting a man six times during a robbery in St. George in January. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Two men were charged Friday with attempted murder tied to a January robbery that turned into a shooting. On Jan. 23, police say a man arrived at St. George Regional Hospital after having been shot six times in the right arm. The man's car had 11 bullet holes in it. Seventeen 9mm casings and several jars of what is thought to be marijuana were found in the area of the shooting, according to a police booking affidavit. Investigators said the "main focus of the bullets were going in the direction of the driver's seat of the vehicle." Police identified eight people who they say were involved in the incident, some of whom told police Gavin David Williams, 19, and Lars Randal Albertsen, 19, planned a robbery with the intent to steal marijuana from the victim, the affidavit states. The others who were allegedly involved told police Albertsen took a picture of money and sent it to the man with the marijuana as proof that he planned to purchase it from him, even though he had no intent of buying it, according to the affidavit. Detectives learned that two of the eight individuals remained in the car while the rest approached together. At some point, the individuals sped away in their own vehicle and shots were fired at the victim in his car, police said. Albertsen and Williams were identified as the ones who shot at the man as they drove away, the affidavit alleges. Some of the people involved told police Williams allegedly made threats to them about their lives if they said anything about this incident. "Gavin also made phone calls to his girlfriend who was involved and told him that she had spoken to law enforcement and their involvement with this incident after a search warrant was served," according to the affidavit. During the recorded phone calls, police say Williams "asked her why she would tell the police they were there when they weren't" and he told the girlfriend to stop talking to detectives. Williams and Albertsen were charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery, first-degree felonies; plus discharge of a firearm causing bodily harm, criminal mischief greater than $5,000, and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, second-degree felonies. Williams is also charged with tampering with a witness, a third-degree felony. The men were arrested Wednesday. Williams has been charged in the past for other incidents of robbery, theft and assault. Albertsen was also arrested early Monday when he and another individual were allegedly found in a vehicle at the Tech Ridge outlook with marijuana, a stolen gun and two vape items. He was arrested for investigation of possession of weapon by a restricted person, possession of a stolen firearm, drug possession, drug paraphernalia possession, and interfering with an arresting officer.. 2 Georgia universities make list of top 20 public universities in the U.S. Two Georgia universities made it into the list of top 20 public universities in the United States. The University of Georgia and Georgia Tech were both on U.S. News & World Reports 2023 rankings of best public universities. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Georgia is one of only four states to have more than one institution in the top 20. UGA has made it onto the list for seven consecutive years. TRENDING STORIES: This outstanding news is another clear sign that the University of Georgia is solidifying its position among the very best public research universities in America, said President Jere W. Morehead. The consistency of our national ranking is a testament to the commitment of our talented faculty, staff and students; the generosity and support of our loyal alumni and friends; and the effectiveness of our vision and strategy to reach new heights of academic excellence. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] At the risk of stirring up that heated UGA/Tech rivalry, the universities were almost neck-and-neck. Georgia Tech came in at #15 and UGA came in at #16. The #1 public university on the list is the University of California at Berkeley. Two Tarrant County restaurants were closed during May 21-27 inspections when the inspector found live roaches at one and food safety issues at the other, according to county data compiled by the Star-Telegram. A1 Pho and Grill, located at 4228 E. Belknap St. in Haltom City, failed its inspection with 32 demerits on May 22. The inspector saw five or six dozen live roaches and house flies on food products, food equipment and in the storage area. Dirty cloths were stored on bean sprouts and a heavy mold-like formation was found on a cutting board and in the ice machine. The restaurant was closed until the violations could be corrected. A1 Pho and Grill passed inspection the next day with a perfect score of zero and was given permission to re-open. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen located at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport received 27 demerits on May 22. Employees didnt discard cooked chicken that had been out too long, and the inspector saw a mold-like substance in the ice machine. Both issues were repeat violations and the manager voluntarily closed the establishment until the corrections could be made. The establishment received 2 demerits on a follow-up inspection the next day. Flies were also found Lisas Chicken located at 5100 Broadway Ave. in Haltom City, and Chicken Express located at 8805 Clifford St. in White Settlement. Both passed inspection with 19 and 14 demerits respectively. Sazon Dona Mary at 820 Kelley Drive in Everman passed a follow-up inspection with a perfect score after failing twice in the previous round of inspections. Asian King Buffet at 953 Melbourne Road in Hurst and Smallcakes Keller at 721 Keller Parkway also passed follow-up inspections. Restaurants that receive more than 29 demerits require a follow-up inspection. Tarrant County Public Health inspects and scores all restaurants in Tarrant County except for those located in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills, which do their own inspections. Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants that Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) inspected for May 21st - May 27th, 2023. TCPH inspects and scores all restaurants in Tarrant County except for those located in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills. Scores are based on a demerit system. When the total exceeds 29, a follow-up inspection is required. To search the restaurant inspections, type in a keyword or restaurant name. You can also sort by score. The 2023 Hurricane Season could be much worse for property insurance Floridas homeowners insurance market was already mid-collapse when Hurricane Ian hit. Six weeks and one more hurricane later, the outlook got worse when Nicole made landfall. June 1 marks the start of the 2023 Hurricane Season, and there are deep concerns that if another hurricane hits, the situation will be worse than in 2022 for property insurance. In the hours before Hurricane Nicole hit, homeowners who were almost flooded out six weeks earlier by Hurricane Ian prepared for the worst. It seems late on the year to be having another hurricane, a Central Florida homeowner said before Nicole made landfall. That hurricane, Nicole, would hit Florida with 75 mph winds, storm surge, and heavy rain. Read: Spirit Airlines technical issue causes delays Thomas Cotton, the owner of Hugh Cotton Insurance in Orlando, explained the impact of Hurricane Ian on the insurance market. Certainly, Ian was a devastating blow to an already imperiled homeowners insurance market, " he said. What Hurricane Nicole delivered was mainly flood damage, not wind. A distinction that means the brunt of Nicoles damage fell under federal flood insurance, not private homeowners insurance This is a flood claim homeowners care, Cotton said. They are not going to be paying out hundreds of millions of dollars for this claim like they had for Ian. Read: Immigrants, supporters skip work to protest Florida immigration law Even still, the back-to-back storms took a market teetering on collapse and pushed it even further, with carriers doing the only thing they can, pass the costs along. Jeff Brandes, Former State Senator, said the system has failed on rates. The containment system has failed on rates, and rates are going through the roof, he said. They are all justified rate increases, especially Hurricane Ian and what is going on in the reinsurance space. Brandes spent years calling on Florida to fix the system, but lawmakers were slow to act, eventually holding two special sessions in 2022 after a half dozen carriers became insolvent. Meanwhile, state-backed citizens property insurance has more than 1.2 million policies, while homeowners on private insurance stare at double-digit rate hikes or worse. Read: Tropical Depression 2 forms in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico; what does that mean for us? Ashley Haering is an Orlando resident; she bought her house in 2021 and said finding insurance coverage for her property was not easy. I was actually afraid for a moment that I wasnt going to be able to find coverage at all, she said. Haerings house has a new roof, yet she knows all too well what could happen when its time for insurance renewal. Thats always in the back of my mind-- am I going to be dropped? she said. " Is my rate going to increase dramatically to the point where it makes it more difficult to afford it? Read: Hurricane season: Are you ready? Survey says many Floridians are not Tasha Carter is Floridas Insurance Consumer Advocate at the state Department of Financial Services, one of the state agencies that oversee insurance. She said a reduction in rates wouldnt happen anytime soon. We may not see a reduction in rates for about 18 to 24 months, she said. For consumers, thats just a long time to wait for financial relief. Carter noted even the state-backed citizens property insurance has had to ask for a 14% increase, 2% more than its state cap. Read: 2023 hurricane season begins: What names will storms have this year? Lawmakers, who have dumped billions into reinsurance while significantly limiting homeowners litigation options, had promised that private carriers would return to the state. So far, the number of new private carriers is one. Right now, Florida homeowners pay about six thousand dollars a year for insurance, almost four times the national average. One of the main problems is that almost all large nationwide carriers have pulled out of the state, leaving small carriers with fewer resources. 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 25-year-old man has been arrested in a Deep Ellum bar shooting that killed two people and injured another in March, according to the Dallas Police Department. Investigators identified Tommy Spell as the suspect they say fatally shot Rickey Gossett, 37, and Danielle Jones, 30. Spell faces a charge of capital murder. He is at the Dallas County Jail, where he is being held on unrelated felony charges. On March 15 at around 1:20 a.m. police responded to the shooting at the Bitter End bar in the 2800 block of Elm Street. Police found two victims, a man and woman, had been shot. Video obtained by police shows Gossett was on the patio of the business when he was approached by a man later identified as Spell who fired multiple shots at him. One of the rounds fired went through the business window and hit Jones, who was standing inside, according to police. Both victims died at a local hospital. The video shows Spell ran northbound on Elm Street from the scene of the shooting, police said. A third victim was injured when he was hit by a bullet fragment. He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His identity was not released by police. These 25 public elementary schools were named the best in Pennsylvania. See the list Pennsylvanias top 25 public elementary schools are all located near Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, according to Niche, a site offering data on schools and colleges across the country. Reviews and data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education, Common Core Data, Civil Rights Data Collection and more fuel Niches rankings. The Pittsburgh-headquartered school search platform ranks public elementary schools through the following categories: Academics grade, which is based on state assessment proficiency, district academics grade, student-to-teacher ratios and parent or student surveys on academics Diversity grade, which is based on a student racial diversity index, parent or student surveys on culture and diversity, economically disadvantaged percentages and gender diversity Teachers grade, which is based on the academics grade, parent or student surveys on educators, teacher absenteeism, salary index, the portion of teachers in their first or second year of teaching, average salary and student-to-teacher ratio Niche breaks down its overall grades into the following segments: Academics grade: 50% Teachers grade: 20% District overall Niche grade: 15% Culture and diversity grade: 10% Parent/student surveys on overall experience: 5% Pennsylvanias top 25 schools received A+ grades, though their strengths and achievements vary. Heres a brief look at how the institutions compared. 25. New Eagle Elementary School Location: Wayne, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity Niche calls New Eagle Elementary School a top-rated school with a 15-1 student-to-teacher ratio. The schools most recent standardized test scores showed roughly 82% of its 516 students are proficient in math, while about 92% of students are proficient or better in reading. 24. South Fayette Township Elementary School Location: McDonald, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and A- diversity Another top-rated school, South Fayette Township Elementary has a 17-1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche reports. The institutions latest batch of test scores indicated at least 98% of its 723 students are proficient or better in math, while about 96% are proficient or better in reading. 23. OHara Elementary School Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B diversity Niche reports a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio at OHara Elementary School. Its 671 students recently posted respective proficiency rates of 86% and 92% in math and reading, according to the latest test scores. 22. Baker Elementary School Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B- diversity Another Pittsburgh-based school, Baker Elementary School has a 16-1 student-to-teacher ratio with 433 students in its care. Its most recent batch of test scores reports proficiency rates of 87% and 92% for math and reading, respectively. 21. Swarthmore-Rutledge School Location: Swarthmore, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A+ teachers and B diversity Swarthmore-Rutledge School posts a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio with a student body of 561 students, Niche reports. Roughly 82% and 90% of the schools 561 students are proficient or better in math and reading, respectively. 20. Hosack Elementary School Location: Allison Park, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity Out in the Pittsburgh suburbs, Hosack Elementary School boasts a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Recent standardized test scores found at least 77% of the schools 373 students are proficient or better in math, while at least 87% are proficient or better in reading. 19. Wallingford Elementary School Location: Wallingford, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A+ teachers and B diversity This top-rated public school offers a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio. At least 77% of its 554 students are at least proficient in math, while roughly 90% of its students are proficient or better in reading. 18. Foster Elementary School Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B- diversity Back in Pittsburgh, this school boasts a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio spread across 252 students. Foster Elementary Schools most recent test scores indicated proficiency rates of 87% and 92%, respectively, for math and reading. 17. Markham Elementary School Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and C diversity Markham Elementary School joins Foster Elementary School in Pittsburghs Mt. Lebanon School District. With 305 students in its care, this school posts a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio and proficiency rates of 87% and 95%, respectively, in math and reading, according to the latest standardized tests. 16. Devon Elementary School Location: Devon, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and A- diversity Devon Elementary School educates 406 students and offers a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Its most recent test scores indicate proficiency rates of 82% and 92% in math and reading, respectively. 15. Fairview Elementary School Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B- diversity Another Pittsburgh School, Fairview Elementary School has a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio. The schools latest batch of standardized test scores indicate proficiency rates of 92% and 95% for math and reading for its 397 students, respectively. 14. Radnor Elementary School Location: Radnor, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity Back near Philadelphia, Radnor Elementary School has a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio with 595 students in its care. The schools students are at least 75% proficient in math and roughly 87% proficient in reading, according to test scores. 13. Hillside Elementary School Location: Berwyn, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity Hillside Elementary School boasts a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio throughout the school, which offers grades K through four. According to state test scores, 87% of the schools 428 students are proficient or better in math, while 92% are proficient or better in reading. 12. Cynwyd Elementary School Location: Bala Cynwyd, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity Cynwyd Elementary School, aptly named after its location, has a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio. At least 86% of its 560 students are at least proficient in math, while roughly 89% of its students are proficient or better in reading. 11. Peebles Elementary School Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A+ teachers and B diversity Peebles Elementary School boasts a 14-1 teacher-to-student ratio with 419 students in its care. Recent standardized test scores found at least 82% of the schools students are proficient or better in math, while at least 87% are proficient or better in reading. 10. Penn Wynne School Location: Wynnewood, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A teachers and A- diversity Penn Wynne School maintains a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio across a student body of 760 students. Its most recent standardized tests showed math and reading proficiency rates of 85% and 89%, respectively. 9. Wayne Elementary School Location: Wayne, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity Wayne Elementary School offers a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio spread across 537 students. Its most recent standardized test scores indicated proficiency rates of 76% for math and 87% for reading, Niche reports. 8. Penn Valley School Location: Narberth, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and A- diversity Penn Valley School boasts a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio covering 638 K through five students. Recent standardized test scores found proficiency rates of 81% in math and 87% in reading. 7. Merion Elementary School Location: Merion Station, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity With 579 students, Merion Elementary School offers a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Its most recent batch of standardized test scores indicated proficiency rates of 84% for math and 90% for reading. 6. Marshall Elementary School Location: Wexford, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and A- diversity Back near Pittsburgh, Marshall Elementary School has a 15-1 student-to-teacher ratio across 903 students. State standardized test reports indicate proficiency rates of 83% in math and 87% in reading. 5. Hoover Elementary School Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B diversity This top-rated Pittsburgh-area school offers a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio among 275 students. Hoover Elementary Schools students produced proficiency rates of 82% in math and 92% in reading through standardized tests, Niche reports. 4. Bradford Woods Elementary School Location: Bradford Woods, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity Bradford Woods Elementary School owns a 16-1 student-to-teacher ratio with 488 students in its care. A recent batch of standardized test scores showed proficiency rates of 87% and 91% in math and reading, respectively. 3. Franklin Elementary School Location: Sewickley, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and B+ diversity This top-rated school offers a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio with 377 students under its wings. According to standardized test scores, roughly 88% of Franklin Elementary Schools students are proficient or better in math, while 95% of students are proficient or better in reading. 2. The Souderton Charter School Collaborative Location: Souderton, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and A- diversity This charter school located in the Philadelphia suburbs hosts 235 students and has an impressive 10-1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche reports. About 82% of the Souderton Charter School Collectives students are at least proficient in math, while roughly 92% of them are at least proficient in reading. 1. Ithan Elementary School Location: Bryn Mawr, Pa. Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers and A- diversity Finally, the top-rated public elementary school in Niches Pennsylvania database is Ithan Elementary School, which hosts 470 students and offers a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Roughly 85% and 92% of its students are proficient or better in math and reading, respectively. On Thursday morning, cousins whod spent the last quarter century in Kansas prisons on murder charges finally walked free, paroled although not cleared, as they should have been. Their moms, who are sisters, were waiting for them outside the Norton and Winfield Correctional Facilities. And now, at age 52 and 46, Celester McKinney and Brian Betts will get the chance to not start over, but start again. Im praying for God to bless them both with long lives time to do something meaningful with their liberty, Brians mom, Ellen Betts, told me on Wednesday. I laid in bed last night thinking, This is it! Ive just been walking around the house, getting ready and thinking about so many things, its like Im having this conversation with him spiritually. Last December, following an October hearing in Kansas City, Kansas, a judge denied the two a new trial, saying their attorneys had not been able to prove that Roger Golubski, then a KCKPD detective, had coerced the key witness Betts and McKinneys own uncle, Carter Betts, who almost immediately recanted. Carter Betts has said for years that two police detectives and a prosecutor had threatened and pressured him into implicating his nephews in the 1997 murder of 17-year-old Greg Miller in KCK. But it was never revealed at trial that the victim was Golubskis wifes nephew, or that one of the two other witnesses was the detectives brother-in-law. Golubski, now 70, was indicted last year on federal civil rights charges that accuse him of sexual assault, kidnapping, and in separate charges, of conspiring with drug kingpins in a sex trafficking ring. Hes denied all allegations. There was no physical evidence tying either Betts or McKinney to the murder. No weapon was ever found, the two other witnesses besides their uncle repeatedly changed their stories, and the one related to Golubski, whose testimony just kept improving, could not possibly have seen what he said he did from his vantage point. He also claimed to be able to tell from the sound of gunshots what ammunition was used. Golubski testified at the hearing that he did not recall interviewing any witnesses in the investigation, which wasnt my case. And he had never coerced any witness, he said. I wasnt in the courtroom that day, so I cant say whether anyone laughed. But retired Judge Gunnar Sundby, who was acting in a senior judge role, decided that the uncle he did not find credible was Carter Betts, who identified Golubski as the heavy white cop with a mustache whod threatened him all those years ago. It would be easy, under this new cloud of doubt cast about Mr. Golubski, to use that as leverage to secure relief from conviction, Sundby said. I do not find his testimony to be credible. There was nothing in records kept by the KCKPD, where files seem to go to die, indicating that Golubski had been involved in the case. But then, if Golubski had any reason to cover his tracks, that his name isnt in the file is just what youd expect. Celester McKinney as a young man, with his mother, Patricia McCoy Kansas Court of Appeals granted hearing Sundby ruled that Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree did not have to turn over his full file to the defense team, though Kevin Shepherd, Betts attorney, told the judge that Betts and McKinney were being handcuffed by him and by the DAs office by having to pursue their innocence claims without seeing the entire file. When McKinneys lawyer, Sarah Swain, asked Dupree on the stand how his mostly theoretical Conviction Integrity Unit was coming along in reviewing all of Golubskis old homicide cases, the DA said they had looked at dozens of cases, and that there is no unit like his CIU anywhere in Kansas. That last part I definitely believe; hopefully, theres no unit like it anywhere. The murder victims relatives do believe Betts and McKinney are guilty, and urged officials to keep them in prison, saying they were just trying to use the situation of Golubskis arrest. But the evidence says otherwise. In October of 2020, the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled that the new context of Golubskis possible role in a case involving his own family should at least entitle McKinney to the evidentiary hearing on a new trial that was finally held two years later. Proving his involvement without access to all the records was not possible, but the evidence of McKinneys and Betts guilty was nonexistent. At McKinneys original trial, Detective Michael J. Shomin, who was called to the murder scene, was asked whether the main detective on the case was Detective W.K. Smith. He said, Detective Smith and I believe Detective Golubski. I believe. At trial, all witnesses changed their stories quite a bit from what theyd said when they were first interviewed in the early hours of Dec. 29, 1997. A boy named Greg Miller lost his life that morning, and McKinney and Betts, whove always said they were asleep in their nearby home at the time, lost life as theyd known it. Celester and his younger brother Dwayne McKinney had been in KCK only a few weeks. Theyd come up from Atlanta to help their Uncle Carter with his janitorial business. That night, Brian was in his separate apartment at the back of Carters house with his girlfriend and their new baby. Carter, Dwayne and Celester had been cleaning a car dealership in Raytown. They hadnt gotten home until almost midnight, and then had gone straight to sleep in the house they shared. Thats what Carter Betts told police the first time they asked that hed heard some shots, but since that was an almost-every-night occurrence in their neighborhood, hed gone right back to sleep. Later, that story turned into this one: He heard the shots around 3 a.m., then heard his front door open and close. When he went down to the basement to see what was happening, he found all three of his nephews with the murder weapons an SKS assault rifle and a shotgun, neither of which police ever found. Later still, after recanting, Carter testified that hed never even heard of an SKS until police told him to say that. In the version of the narrative that stuck in court, though, his three nephews all said theyd killed Miller because theyd suspected him of breaking into Brians apartment. Only, there was no such burglary. None of these men had ever been in any legal trouble, yet after a night of hard physical labor and caring for a newborn, theyd grabbed a rifle and a shotgun and shot a young neighbor 18 times in retaliation for something that never happened. The only door to the front part of the house was locked from the inside, all of the men said. Since only Carter Betts had a key and there were bars on the windows, Celester and Dwayne, who was also charged but was acquitted, said they couldnt have gone out that night if theyd wanted to. Golubskis brother-in-law, Jimmy Spencer, initially told police hed heard shots but had seen nothing. Later, he not only remembered hearing up to 16 to 17 shots but could tell that they sounded like a 12-gauge shotgun and an SK. According to court filings by attorneys for Betts and McKinney, Spencer told a friend that Golubski had fed him that information. By the time of the trial, hed remembered that after hearing the shots and running to the door I can see through a light that somebody was standing there shooting a gun and standing over his nephews body. Given where Millers body was found, that would have been impossible. Both before and since, Spencer has spent stretches in prison on multiple drug charges, and for breaking into and stealing from neighborhood churches. At the hearing, he testified that yes, hed been a drug dealer at the time of Millers murder. But no, he told Swain on the stand, he wasnt working in a drug house run by Golubski. A third witness, Alfred Burdette, initially told police hed heard shots as well, then saw two men running up an alley behind the Betts house. Later, he decided hed actually seen these men run into the house where Betts and the McKinneys were living. The testimony of both Spencer and Burdette, who is no longer alive, was so unbelievable that prosecutors have since acknowledged that the long recanted testimony of Carter Betts was really the only evidence in the case. Brian Betts with Shuron Betts and son Keyronta Hodge. Family party, reunion with grandchildren In February, the parole board granted both McKinney and Betts parole on their first try. And every one of the 86 days since they got that news, their loved ones have been texting their countdown to freedom. Im not going to sleep a wink tonight, Im so excited, and I know hes not, Patricia McCoy, Celesters mom, said on Wednesday. When I wrote about their case two years ago, Celester told me in a phone interview that he was working very hard not to dine on the past. The boy who was murdered, Greg Miller, was no one hed ever had any problems with, he said. He was just a kid, a decade younger than Celester. Hed come by to speak to me and talk about girls, but I didnt hang out with him. He was a baby when his uncle found him face down in the snow. After that first story ran in The Star, Brian Betts wrote to me. Every single day for the past 23 years has been torture to me, he said. I have been incarcerated since my son was eight months old. Now the youngest of my 3 grandchildren is close to that age. The thing that makes the pain intolerable is the fact that I am incarcerated for something I did not do and the evidence has pointed to this since prior to my being sentenced. I used to pray for the day to come that I will be blessed to be freed from this wrongful conviction and be able to be a daily presence in my sons life, helping to raise him. Now I say that prayer hoping for the opportunity to be there for my grandchildren. Hopefully that day is near. Now that it is not near but actually here, said his mother, Ellen Betts, nothing negative will be allowed in the door at the family party for 30-some of their loved ones on Thursday evening. Its going to be memorable and indescribable and Im going to be praying for healing and nothing negative, she said. Carter Betts will be there, too. Were all going to be looking forward. Brian already has a job lined up, she said. Hes going to be living with her initially, back in KCK, where hes already got a Friday appointment to get his drivers license. Hes got four grandbabies now, and I know thats at the top of his list, along with finally getting to work on clearing himself from the outside. By Friday, Celester will be on his way back to Atlanta with his mom, where she lives and where he has been given permission to relocate. He earned an associate degree while in prison, and wants to work in renewable energy. He keeps saying, I gotta get a job! Patricia McCoy said. Weve got some leads on some, and we were even talking about starting a family business. Hes going to live with us at home for a few months, but he wants his own place, and hes still young enough to have children. Hes got some nieces and nephews there hes never met, and were going to take some time and revisit Georgia with him. The plan for their initial Thursday reunion outside the prison, though, she said, was pretty simple: Were going to say a prayer, scream, and then hit the road. Three people, including a 9-year-old girl, were killed in a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Thursday that resulted in the highest casualty count from an attack on the capital in a month. Ukrainian officials said short-range Iskander ground-launched missiles were used in the attack, which coincided with events scheduled to celebrate International Childrens Day. They also said Ukrainian air defenses were able to shoot down all 10 cruise and ballistic missiles, but falling debris injured 16 people on the ground and killed the girl, her mother and another woman. Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska tweeted that another child was hospitalized from the attack, saying Russia has turned a day that was supposed to be about safe childhood, summer, life into one about its crimes against Ukrainian children. The planned events for the celebration were canceled. The attack comes after multiple drones hit residential buildings in Moscow on Tuesday. The drones caused some damage to the buildings and injured at least two civilians. Russia has accused Ukraine of being responsible for the attack, while the Ukrainian government has denied any involvement. The Kremlin has stepped up its attacks on Kyiv in the past month. Although Ukraine has been able to shoot down most of the missiles sent and become more effective at intercepting them, the attacks have created continued anxiety among the citys residents. The latest missile strikes also damaged apartment buildings, a medical clinic and a water pipeline. Reuters reported that Ukrainian police said they have opened an investigation into the attack. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said three school buildings and a police station were also damaged, according to the news service. The Ukrainian presidents office said seven civilians have been killed and 27 were injured in the past 24 hours from attacks. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Saturday marks three years since Charlotte City Council met in closed session for 3.5 hours to discuss Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers who kettled protesters during Charlottes George Floyd protests. Channel 9 Government Reporter Joe Bruno made a records request for the meeting minutes the day after the closed-door meeting. Nearly three years later, the city of Charlotte is still blocking the release of those records. READ MORE: More people join lawsuit accusing CMPD of excessive force during protests Video of the June 2, 2020 kettling incident by Queen City Nerve was widely circulated. After hundreds of protesters were hit with chemical munitions, the video showed the protesters trapped with no clear path to run. The video showed some protesters having to lift open a parking garage gate to escape the munitions. Body camera footage released by the city of Charlotte showed a CMPD sergeant laying out what was going to happen. Dance platoon is staged on College out of sight. Were gonna push their a---- straight up Fourth. As soon as I get up on Fourth because we have a bottleneck now, Rorys squad is going to step up and hammer their a--. they start running down and dance squad is going to step up and hammer their a-- with gas, the sergeant said. Wave goodbye, the sergeant said in another portion of the video. Theyre all about to get gassed. Charlotte City Council met in closed session for 3.5 hours the next day, which is significantly longer than most closed sessions. In a news conference shortly after, Mayor Vi Lyles said they had discussed the kettling incident. Both Lyles and City Manager Marcus Jones condemned the police response. The most important thing about that closed session is that councilmembers indicated their heartfelt feelings about that video, Lyles said. However, what was specifically said in that meeting remains a mystery to the public. Over the last three years, Bruno has been trying to obtain the minutes from that meeting to find out what elected and city officials said behind closed doors. Bruno made a records request the day after it happened. He didnt receive a response for more than two years. On June 29, 2022, he was officially denied. Bruno resubmitted his inquiry last month and was denied again. The June 3, 2020 emergency meeting closed session minutes contain information involving pending litigation and is protected by the attorney-client privilege, said media relations manager Lawrence Corley. At this time, it is not subject to public disclosure. The city of Charlotte says the pending litigation is Curlee v. the city of Charlotte. Dozens of protesters are suing the city of Charlotte for damages as a result of the CMPD response on June 2. While the city could release the records at any time in the name of transparency, the North Carolina Open Government Coalition says the city is legally able to hold on to them at this point. The closed session minutes may be withheld for so long as the disclosure would frustrate the purpose of the closed session, said N.C. Open Government Coalition Director Brooks Fuller. However, written communications by an attorney to a public body are made public after three years under NCGS 132-1.1. That does not include minutes, but would include letters or emails sent to the public body. Despite the denials, Channel 9 will continue to push for the records to find out as much as we can about the June 2, 2020 response and June 3, 2020, closed session meeting. The records may also be released to the public through the discovery process in the Curlee v city of Charlotte lawsuit. The lawsuit is ongoing. RELATED COVERAGE; Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with killing and consuming a beloved swan in a Syracuse, New York, suburb, and stealing four young swans this week, police said. A mature female swan named Faye and her four young swans, also known as cygnets, were reported missing from the swan pond Monday, police in the village of Manlius said. On Tuesday, authorities received tips that two of the cygnets were at a discount store in a nearby town, where one of the suspects worked, Manlius Police Captain Tina Stanton said during a Wednesday news conference. More information then led police to a second location where the remaining cygnets were found, Stanton said. An 18-year-old and two other juveniles aged 16 and 17 are facing several charges, including grand larceny in the third degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, conspiracy in the fifth degree and criminal trespassing in the third degree, Manlius Police Sgt. Ken Hatter said during the news conference. The three suspects surrendered to police Tuesday. The three friends, who attend the same high school, hopped over the fence surrounding the swan pond in the middle of the night, Hatter said. Two of the suspects held down Faye and captured her; she was killed at the pond and did not fight back because she was nesting, Hatter added. The family and friends did consume the adult swan, he said. The teenagers were not aware of Fayes significance to the community, Hatter added, and believed they hunted a very large duck. One of the suspects also said they were planning to raise the cygnets as pets, Hatter said. A biologist contracted by the village, and who helped raised Faye, is expected to care for the weeks-old cygnets for another six weeks before they are released back into the pond to take care for themselves, Manlius Mayor Paul Whorrall said during the news conference. Fayes mate Manny the father of the cygnets will also be removed from the pond because there are concerns he may become combative after Fayes killing and could harm the cygnets, Whorrall added, noting swans mate forever. This is not ending. We will continue to have swans, Whorrall said. Well let the four cygnets grow up and at that point, we are hoping that two of those cygnets will mate and we will be back to the way it used to be. The two juvenile suspects were released to their parents as they await their appearance in court, Manlius officials said in a news release. They are expected to appear in court Thursday and have attorneys assigned to them, Hatter told CNN. CNN has not been able to identify attorneys for the juveniles. The 18-year-olds next court date is June 15, Hatter said during the news conference. CNN has reached out to their attorney for comment. Hunting swans is legal in certain states, but not in New York, according to New Yorks Department of Environmental Conservation. The Village of Manlius is one of the only entities in New York that has a permit to have them housed, maintained, owned, and transport, and they cannot be removed from their location legally, Hatter said. The swans have been in Manlius since 1905, according to Whorrall, and the village cares for and feeds them. Whorrall also added that the pond is expected to be equipped with surveillance video to ensure the safety of the swans in the future. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Pad Thai is a thin rice noodle dish with tamarind paste, palm sugar, eggs, and tofu. The dish is traditionally made with fish and oyster sauce. Bean sprouts, peanuts, and a lime wedge are often included as a garnish. The great thing about Pad Thai it can easily be customized by adding seafood, chicken, or sticking with vegetables. Like many Asian cuisines, the meal combines a sweet and savory flavor. The Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, John F. King, announced the breakup of an insurance fraud crime ring and the release of arrest warrants for four women in Muscogee County. According to the OCI, the ring was led by a former employee of Aflac Insurance, a Columbus-based company. An official statement from OCI said the ringleader, Amber Miles, started sending claims to Aflac for medical treatment at multiple facilities in May 2018 through April 2021. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] OCI said Miles filed 52 different claims and submitted 36 forged documents as evidence, and using her knowledge of how Aflac handles insurance, procured more than $21,000 over the course of three years. Miles also encouraged and assisted three others to follow in her footsteps, and submit fraudulent medical invoices to Aflac that were never received, adding up to almost $18,000 across 19 claims. I am extremely proud of the Special Agents from our Criminal Investigations Division that have worked diligently to take this crime ring down, said Commissioner King. Insurance fraud hurts all Georgians by raising annual insurance costs and taking away payments from those who need it. TRENDING STORIES: On May 19, arrest warrants were taken out against the following individuals in Muscogee County: Amber Miles Ashley Simmons Shermekia Owens Tyria King At this time, all four are wanted. Anyone with information on the suspects whereabouts is asked to call their tip line at 404-463-6363. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: 4 young kids die when fire tears through TN apartment. Hurting my whole family Four children, including a 2-year-old, died after a fire ravaged their familys apartment in Tennessee, police and fire officials say. Crews responded at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, to find the building burning with heavy smoke showing, according to the Memphis Fire Department. The kids, all younger than 7, were found unresponsive in a back bedroom and died at the scene, firefighters said. Two of them were 4 years- old, one was 6, and the youngest was 2, firefighters told The Commercial Appeal. Family members said one of the children celebrated a birthday the day before, WREG reported. Im so hurt and sad that all of them had to go, the childrens great-grandma told the station. And this was a sad way for them to go. Four children. I cant understand it. But God, he knows best. Officials said it took about 50 firefighters to get the flames under control. In all, the fire caused an estimated $52,000 in damage, according to a news release. An investigation determined the fire was likely sparked by rigged wiring inside the apartment, a fire spokesperson told WMC. The blaze reportedly started between the kitchen and a bedroom, department officials told McClatchy News. Authorities said its unclear if the home had a working smoke alarm. A man, identified in news reports as the childrens father, was detained, but no charges have been filed, a police spokesperson told McClatchy News. Their grandfather, Patrick Davis, said the father was watching the children while their mother ran errands, WREG reported. It hurt me to see my daughter hurting and it hurts me, and its hurting my whole family, Davis told the station. 19-year-old very much in love dies in house fire on wedding day, Wisconsin mom says 7-year-old set massive fire as parents slept, West Virginia cops say. Child charged Landlord sets home ablaze while playing We Didnt Start the Fire, Minnesota cops say Commissioner Joe Carollos antics have finally caught up with him after 40 years in Miami politics. And it came with a big price tag: A jury ordered him to pay $63.5 million to two Little Havana businessmen who accused him of retaliation in federal court. Thursday, the six-member Broward County jury found that Carollo is liable for violating the First Amendment rights of William Fuller and Martin Pinilla by relentlessly trying to hurt their business interests after they supported his election opponent in 2017. This verdict is an overdue reckoning for a commissioner who has acted as if hes beholden to no one least of all Miami residents and above any norms of decorum. Carollos demeanor and vindictiveness have for too long hijacked the smooth running of Miamis City Commission, making some other elected officials, civil servants and everyday residents who come to speak at commission meetings afraid to cross him. Now that the legal system has held him accountable, who will do the same in Miamis toxic political world? This is a city that wants to be a hub of tech innovation, but whose politics are still run by a good ol boys club. Will other commissioners have the courage to stop Carollo from belittling citizens or monopolizing city business as he did when he orchestrated the firing of Police Chief Art Acevedo in a series of meetings that included video displaying Acevedos crotch area in a tight Elvis costume? A lot will depend on how Carollo takes this loss and hes all but sure to appeal the verdict. Will he learn a lesson or continue to act as if the lawsuit was a grand conspiracy against him as he declared in court? Likely the latter. The city has picked up the tab for his legal fees, which amounted to nearly $2 million before his trial even started in April, the Herald reported. The Herald Editorial Board asked the city on Thursday whether taxpayers would also be responsible for paying for the damages the jury ordered. We didnt get an answer to the question. Instead, a spokeswoman said in an email that there were issues during the trial and that the city anticipates that Commissioner Carollo will be exercising (and should exercise) full appellate rights, as provided for and protected under the American judicial system. Carollo has dismissed criticism and negative stories for most of his career. If accountability doesnt hit his own pocket, will he ever truly be held accountable? Thats a question the other four Miami commissioners tasked with safeguarding taxpayer dollars should be asking. Abuse of power Carollo and the city of Miami have long been intertwined. He first made a political splash in 1979 as a young Miami commissioner. Ever since, Carollo has been a powerful, and mercurial, politician. In 2001, then-Mayor Carollo was arrested, accused of throwing a cardboard tea box at his then-wife during an argument. The charges were eventually dropped. Hes been in and out of politics, losing another run for mayor before he was reelected to the Miami Commission in 2017, which planted the seeds for the federal civil case against him. Fuller and Pinillas lawsuit argued Carollo weaponized the citys code enforcement against them after they exercised their right to free speech by supporting his election opponent, Alfie Leon. Lawyers representing the businessmen painted a damning picture of a slighted politician so vindictive and fixated on ruining their livelihoods he went to great lengths to shut down their businesses and those of their associates. Carollos lawyers tried to convince jurors that Fuller and Pinilla wanted to operate their businesses with disregard for the rules and zeroed in on work performed at their properties without proper permits. They argued that Carollo was simply doing his job by protecting Little Havana residents, and the plaintiffs were trying to intimidate him by filing the lawsuit. Jurors didnt buy it, and they were right to be skeptical. Evidence and testimony from witnesses showed Carollo was relentless in his vendetta. Many, among them former Miami police chiefs, testified they were pressured to target Fuller and Pinillas business interests and properties. One of them said he was asked to measure the distance from the front door of one of the properties to a neighboring church in hopes the city could pull the clubs liquor license. A valet service operator testified Carollo told him, I am the law. His business, too, suffered the target of 36 inspections in one month because it was attached to Fullers Calle Ocho nightclub Ball & Chain, according to the plaintiffs lawyer. You dont want Carollo as an enemy, is what many of those who deal with him say. It took an out-of-town jury, protected by the law, to point out what we have known for years: Carollos political style damages Miami, its residents and its administration. Its time for more people, in and outside City Hall, to call him on it publicly. 5 children hit by van in California are preschoolers. 3 are seriously injured, CHP says Three of the five children hospitalized after being struck by a van Wednesday morning in a Pollock Pines crosswalk suffered major injuries, authorities said, as the tragic collision remains under investigation. The victims were students of a nearby Montessori preschool, according to the school, El Dorado County community leaders and a family member. Three of the five juvenile victims were taken to hospitals with major injuries, Sgt. Adam Croxton of the California Highway Patrols Placerville office said Thursday, and the other two had minor injuries. No updates on their conditions were available as of Thursday morning, Croxton said. CHP officials said an appliance repair van driven by a 21-year-old man hit five children who were within a crosswalk on Pony Express Trail near Willow Street. The children were students of Pine Top Montessori School, the school confirmed in a statement to KCRA. The school is on Pony Express Trail about two blocks east of the scene. Our hearts and prayers are with all our families, and we are sending our prayers for their speedy recovery, the schools statement read, in part. We remain in close communication with authorities and parents to address the issue. To ensure the safety of all children, we respectfully ask that only parents and their children visit our facility. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The driver stopped at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement; CHP Placerville spokesman Lt. Rick Hatfield on Wednesday said speed, drugs and alcohol did not appear to be factors. A verified GoFundMe page was set up Thursday for a 4-year-old victim who was hospitalized with significant head trauma, family members said. Jillian Leach wrote that her 4-year-old niece, Juniper, was going for a field trip across the street to a park when she and her preschool classmates were hit by a van. Juniper was airlifted to a hospital and is in a pediatric intensive care unit, Leach wrote on the crowdfunding page. She has significant head trauma and has been intubated and placed on a ventilator, Leach wrote. My sister and brother-in-law have been bedside with her since she arrived. The GoFundMe page had raised more than $10,000 as of midday Thursday. El Dorado County Supervisor Brooke Laine, who represents Pollock Pines, in a Facebook post Wednesday called the incident a tragic accident that involved preschool children. Pine Top Montessori serves children up to age 6, with programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, according to its website. The El Dorado Community Foundation, a Placerville-based nonprofit that raises funds for dozens of organizations, causes and for disaster relief in El Dorado County, established a fund within its community resource fund Thursday to aid victims of what it called the Pine Top Montessori Tragedy. While we dont yet know the full extent of the tragedy, we do know that there will be monetary needs for those affected, the foundation wrote in a news release. 5-year-old wandered from home and froze to death in park, cops say. Now mom arrested Months after a 5-year-old boy was found frozen to death in a park, his mother has been arrested, Michigan authorities say. Derricka Fleming, 24, was charged with involuntary manslaughter following the Jan. 23 death of her son in Clinton Township, the Macomb County Prosecutors Office announced May 31. The prosecutors office said Fleming put her son to bed in their apartment, then went upstairs to visit a neighbor. Thats when the 5-year-old wandered from the apartment and walked to a nearby park. Police were sent to the apartment when the childs parents realized the boy was not home, WDIV reported. The boy was wearing only an undershirt and underwear, the station said. The parents of the 5-year-old are going to be outside, walking around the building, the dispatcher said, according to WDIV. The mother is under the car ports crying. Officers found the boy in the park and he was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the prosecutor. The prosecutors office called the boys death tragic and preventable. It is alleged that she placed her child to bed and left him unattended, resulting in his tragic disappearance and subsequent discovery in a nearby park, prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement. The evidence suggests a severe breach of parental duty and neglect that led to this devastating outcome. Fleming was jailed on a $100,000 cash bond. Clinton Township is about 25 miles northeast of Detroit. Young brothers die after pulled from frozen pond, Illinois family says. Im broken Arbys manager froze to death in restaurant freezer, and son found her body, suit says Credit - illustrations for TIME by Brown Bird Design When Gillian Sandstrom was a graduate student in Toronto more than a decade ago, she encountered a stranger on the subway who was carrying a scrumptious-looking cupcake. Sandstrom had long considered herself an introvert and found small talk uncomfortable and even embarrassing. But drool-worthy desserts cant go unadmired, so she approached the woman. By the end of the conversation, she taught me that people can ride ostriches, she recalls. Thats what conversations do sometimesand I was hooked after that. The experience inspired Sandstrom, a senior lecturer in the psychology of kindness at the University of Sussex in England, to conduct some of the leading research on the benefits of casual interactions with strangers and acquaintances. These brief but pleasant exchanges can enhance health and happiness, lifting mood, energy, and overall well-being. They often promote learning, expand peoples world views, and contribute to a sense of belonging. Plus, theyre good for both parties: Sandstroms research indicates that people view minimal social interactions such as a smile, compliment, or quick chat as an act of kindness. You can maximize these benefits by making a point to talk to a wide range of people, additional research suggests. Chatting with your colleagues, barista, Uber driver, and the person surveying the ice-cream aisle with you builds whats called relational diversity, which is a unique predictor of well-being. Despite the benefits, many of us hate small talk. We often assume that the people around us arent interested in talking or wont like usbut research indicates that we tend to underestimate how much our conversation partners enjoy our company, a phenomenon called the liking gap. We all have this negative voice in our heads that tells us were not very good at this social stuff, Sandstrom says. But the data suggest that people actually like you more than you think they do. The more you do it, shes found, the more natural it will feel. One study by Sandstrom found that when people did a week-long scavenger hunt in which they had to find, approach, and talk to strangers, they grew more optimistic and confident about their conversational skills every day. We asked experts to share their favorite strategies for getting better at small talkbecause theres only so much you can say about the weather. Reframe the conversation as a treasure hunt Alison Wood Brooks gets excited about small talkand for years, it didnt occur to her that some people dreaded it. But when she started teaching a course on conversation skills at Harvard Business School, she realized she had hit a nerve. Even these high-achieving, brilliant MBA studentsso many of them hate small talk, says Brooks, whose forthcoming book is called Talk: The Science of Conversation and Art of Being Ourselves. Ive come to believe that Im the weird one. I think most people truly dread small talk and struggle to figure out how to manage it. One key to changing that is to first accept that these casual chats are inevitable. Its a social ritual that you actually have to engage in, especially with strangers or people you dont know that well, she says. Then, reframe it in your mind as a treasure hunt. Dive in, eager to discover what fascinating or juicy tidbit you might unearth. Who knows where the conversation might lead? Take advantage of free information Lean into your surroundings, says Debra Fine, an expert on communication skills and author of The Fine Art of Small Talk. If youre standing next to someone at a baby shower, for example, the fact that youre both there is what she describes as free informationso ask the person how they know the mom-to-be. If youre at a fundraiser, ask the stranger assigned to your dinner table how he got involved and what keeps him interested. Or ask the person squeezed into the airplane seat next to you if shes been to your shared destination before. If Im at a 5K race this summer, Ill say to the person next to me, Whats your best ingredient for success at these things? Or, Have you ever done this before? Fine says. Your shared reality is a terrific entry point and can lead to deeper conversation. Dont linger too long on low-priority topics Think of conversation topics as a pyramid, Brooks says. The foundation consists of the obligatory small talk anyone can master: How about that rain? How was your weekend? These topics are foundational, she saysyou often have to start conversations at the base of the pyramid. The mistake people commonly make, however, is lingering there too long. You get stuck talking about the weather for 15 minutes, and all parties become desperate to escape, she says. Instead, ascend the pyramid by selecting topics that are increasingly more personalized and tailored to your conversation partner. Say you ask a colleague how their weekend was, and they tell you they went to a Taylor Swift concert. As soon as you find that treasure, there are so many questions you can ask, Brooks says. For example: What was your favorite part of the show? And then all of a sudden youre sprinting up the pyramid away from small talk, because theyre going to talk about their emotions and peak moments, she says. Voila: small talk has evolved into deep talk. Compliment unique forms of personal expression Try not to comment on someones looks, which could come across as creepy, Sandstrom says. (For example: Avoid you have such beautiful eyes, which might make the recipient want to shuffle away as quickly as possible.) Instead, channel your curiosity about a form of personal expressionlike funky jewelry or hair color, or a striking outfit or baginto a compliment that might start a conversation. When you give someone a compliment, like Oh, I love your tattoo, they often interpret it as, Youre asking me the story about it, she says. Sandstrom once complimented a waitress on her earrings, and the woman told her how she collects a new set everywhere she travels. That particular pair happened to be shaped like sailboatsand had been made out of old boat materials. The exchange brightened each persons day, and remains vivid in Sandstroms mind. Skip questions about marriage, kids, and work When youre talking to strangers and acquaintances, its generally wise to steer clear of controversial topics (like religion and politics) and to avoid probing potentially sensitive matters (such as inquiring if someone is married or has kids). Another possible landmine: Asking someone what they do for work. Not only is it a tired line of inquiry, but it could thrust someone into the uncomfortable position of, say, disclosing they were recently laid off. Instead, try a question like: What keeps you busy outside of work or school? Fine advises. For acquaintances, use phrases like catch me up on or bring me up to speed. For example: You might ask a high-school senior to fill you in on their college search, rather than inquiring if they got into Dartmouth. When someone asks you a question, respond generously Think of conversation as a gameand aim to be an active player, which requires investing energy into it. If someone asks you how you are, and you simply respond good, youre being a lazy conversationalist, Fine says. Rather than a single-word response, offer a full sentence in return, like: I just watched the most recent episode of Ted Lasso, and I didnt think it was that great. That gives the person youre talking to plenty to work with if theyd like to continue to chat. Exit the conversation gracefully People often drag conversations on for too long because they cant figure out how to end them, Brooks says. While the exact circumstances will dictate how you navigate your exit, consider introducing the person to someone else, suggests Diane Windingland, author of several books on communication skills, including Small Talk, Big Results. Make a positive comment about why they should meet, and then say, Ill let you two get to know each other. If thats not possible, briefly recap the conversationI enjoyed hearing about your fishing adventuresand, if you want, mention something you could do together in the future. Then, Windingland recommends concluding like this: Please excuse me; I have to talk to so and so. Or, Its been great talking to you, but I dont want to monopolize your time. 'That 70s Show' actor Danny Masterson convicted on two rape counts (Reuters) -"That '70s Show" actor Danny Masterson was convicted on Wednesday of raping two women at his Hollywood Hills home. A jury deadlocked on another charge that Masterson raped a third woman between 2001 and 2003, said Greg Risling, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. Masterson, 47, got his breakout role as an adolescent rebel in the 1998 to 2006 television comedy series "That '70s Show." The actor had pleaded not guilty to the rape charges. Defense attorney Philip Cohen had urged jurors to acquit his client. According to City News Service, Cohen questioned the credibility of the alleged victims and said their stories had been tweaked over the years. The case drew attention in part because Masterson met the women through the Church of Scientology, and two of the accusers said the organization discouraged them from contacting law enforcement. The Church of Scientology has rejected that claim and said Masterson's religion should not have been an issue in the case. "The church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone, Scientologists or not, to law enforcement," the organization said in a statement. (Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Stephen Coates and Richard Chang) Danny Masterson - Netflix/Getty Danny Masterson, one of the lead actors in That 70s Show, has been found guilty on two counts of rape at a retrial in Los Angeles where questions were also being raised about the Church of Scientologys role in concealing the crimes. The 47-year-old, who played Steven Hyde in the comedy series, is facing 30 years in prison over the assaults which occurred at his Hollywood Hills home. Mastersons wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, gasped when the verdict on two counts of rape was read, and she wept as he was led away in handcuffs. The jury of seven women and five men reached the decision after deliberating for seven days. They could not reach a verdict on a third count, that alleged Masterson raped a longtime girlfriend. I am experiencing a complex array of emotions relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior, said one of the victims, whom Masterson knew as a fellow member of the Church of Scientology. Danny Masterson with That 70s Show co-stars Masterson had avoided conviction when a deadlocked jury led to a mistrial in December but prosecutors persisted and retried the actor. Jurors were told he drugged the womens drinks so he could rape them. Prosecutors said the actor used his prominence in the church where all three women were also members at the time to avoid consequences for decades. We want to express our gratitude to the three women who came forward and bravely shared their experiences, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement after the verdict on Wednesday. Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all. Masterson did not testify, and his lawyers called no witnesses. The defence argued that the acts were consensual, and attempted to discredit the womens stories by highlighting changes and inconsistencies over time, which they said showed signs of coordination between them. Danny Masterson and his wife Bijou Phillips - AP Photo The Church of Scientology played a significant role in the first trial but arguably an even larger one in the second. Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo allowed expert testimony on church policy from a former official in Scientology leadership who has become a prominent opponent. Tensions ran high in the courtroom between current and former Scientologists, and even leaked into testimony, with the accusers saying on the stand that they felt intimidated by some members in the room. Actor Leah Remini, a former member who has become the churchs highest-profile critic, sat in on the trial at times, putting her arm around one of the accusers. Remini said on Twitter: The women who survived Danny Mastersons predation are heroes. For years, they and their families have faced vicious attacks and harassment from Scientology and Dannys well-funded legal team, she posted. Nevertheless, they soldiered on, determined to seek justice. The Church of Scientology, which counts Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its many celebrity followers, denies engaging in any harassment. It is fighting against a civil lawsuit filed by two of the accusers. The judge kept limits on how much prosecutors could talk about the church, and primarily allowed it to explain why the women took so long to go to authorities. Danny Masterson in court The women testified that when they reported Masterson to church officials, they were told they were not raped, were put through ethics programs themselves, and were warned against going to law enforcement to report a member of such high standing. They were raped, they were punished for it, and they were retaliated against, Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller told jurors in his closing argument. Scientology told them theres no justice for them. You have the opportunity to show them there is justice. The church vehemently denied having any policy that forbids members from going to secular authorities. Victims allege they were drugged The charges date back to between 2001 and 2003, a period when Masterson was at the height of his fame as one of the core characters in That 70s Show alongside Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace. Masterson had reunited with Kutcher on the 2016 Netflix comedy The Ranch, but was written off the show when an Los Angeles Police Department investigation was revealed in December 2017. The two women whose testimony led to Mastersons conviction said that in 2003, he gave them drinks and that they then became woozy or passed out before he violently raped them. He knew both from social circles in the church. The third, Mastersons then-girlfriend whose count left the jury deadlocked, said she awoke to find him raping her, and had to pull his hair to stop him. The defendant drugs his victims to gain control, Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson said in her closing argument. He does this to take away his victims ability to consent. Masterson was not charged with any counts of drugging, and there is no toxicology evidence to back up the assertion. His attorney asked for a mistrial over the issues inclusion. The motion was denied, but the issue is likely to be a major factor in any potential appeal. 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. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday appointed former Secretary of State John Scott to temporarily serve as attorney general after the state House impeached Ken Paxton. John Scott has the background and experience needed to step in as a short-term interim Attorney General during the time the Attorney General has been suspended from duty, Abbott said in a statement Wednesday. His decades of experience and expertise in litigation will help guide him while serving as the states top law enforcement officer. Abbott, a Republican, made the interim appointment days after the state's GOP-controlled House voted 121-23 to impeach Paxton with 60 of its 85 Republican members, including Speaker Dade Phelan, supporting his suspension on charges that include bribery and misuse of office. Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years in connection with allegations that he abused his office to help a donor. He is also awaiting trial on an indictment alleging state securities fraud from 2015. Paxton, who has denied any wrongdoing, called the impeachment proceedings a politically motivated sham" in a statement Saturday. The House has delivered articles of impeachment to the state Senate, which will hold a trial to decide whether Paxton should be permanently removed from office. The trial is expected to begin no later than Aug. 28, with a jury that could include his wife, Sen. Angela Paxton. Abbott who did not refer to Paxton by name or comment on the impeachment in his statement appointing Scott touted Scott's record as an attorney, saying he has "handled cases at all levels of the justice system." Scott, whom Abbott appointed secretary of state in late 2021, resigned last year after he oversaw the 2022 midterm elections as the top elections official and presided over an audit of the state's 2020 election results. Scott previously served as deputy attorney general for civil litigation when Abbott was attorney general. Scott was also once appointed as the state Health and Human Services Commission's chief operating officer. Paxton, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump who was first elected attorney general in 2014, led a failed legal effort to overturn President Joe Bidens victory in four battleground states in 2020. He also backed Trump when Trump launched his White House re-election bid last year. Trump defended Paxton on his social media website, Truth Social, over the weekend, suggesting the proceedings were a form of election interference and a "very unfair process." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Some of the world's leading scientists handpicked by NASA held their first public meeting Wednesday in advance of their Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) report to be released in late July. The independent study team is composed of 16 experts from the scientific, aeronautics and data analytics communities. Led by astrophysicist David Spergel, the committee has the primary objective of putting together recommendations and a roadmap for NASA on how to study UAP. According to NASA, the final report will not be a review of previous UAP incidents. Rather, it will be forward-looking, informing NASA on what possible data could be collected in the future and how it can be collected to shed light on UAP. The committee addressed another concern regarding UAP extraterrestrial lifeforms. However, NASA stressed their stance on the issue during the meeting on Wednesday. "I want to emphasize this loud and proud that there is absolutely no convincing evidence for extraterrestrial life associated with UAPs," said Dan Evans, assistant deputy associate administrator within NASAs Science Mission Directorate and NASA official responsible for orchestrating the study. Evans made the distinction between the study of UAP and the search for other life in the universe. "The study of UAP is truly a distinct undertaking in its own right," he noted. "It has its own goals, its own methodologies, and that's primarily concerned with identifying the nature and origin of UAP, not necessarily connecting that with the search for extraterrestrial life." UFO SIGHTINGS TO BE STUDIED BY FORMER ASTRONAUT, HANDPICKED NASA GROUP The committee noted that they only used unclassified data in their research. Doing so was done to make their findings and collaborations as public and as widespread as possible, opening up opportunities for collaboration. NASA believes studying UAP is essential for both air safety and national security. According to Evans, one of the primary goals of the study is to enhance situational awareness, as the presence of UAP raises concerns about the safety of the skies. The agency noted that one of the challenges they face is the current lack of high-quality observations of UAP. This limitation makes verifying a sighting and determining what's behind it nearly impossible. They also noted the use of the term "UAP" versus the more well-known "UFO" and "unidentified aerial phenomena." HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER Evans noted that transitioning the language to "UAP" was done in part to help remove the stigma associated with studying UFOS. Additionally, using the term "anomalous" rather than "aerial" was done to expand their search beyond purely airspace and include near space and undersea phenomena, as well. "Its now our collective responsibility to investigate these occurrences with the rigorous scientific scrutiny that they deserve," Evans said. The report will be available to NASA and the public in late July. A woman who was seriously hurt in Tacoma last year when she was hit by a driver going by a protest outside The LeMay - Americas Car Museum was the victim of an accident, a jury found Tuesday. Stephen Tadla was acquitted of first-degree assault in a jury trial in Pierce County Superior Court. Jurors found him guilty of failure to remain at an injury accident, a class C felony. His attorney, Mark Treyz, told The News Tribune that Tadla admitted wrongdoing on that matter and that they did not contest the charge. He is to be sentenced July 7 before Judge Edmund Murphy. Treyz said his client is facing a sentencing range of three to nine months in county jail. According to court records, Tadla, 35, does not have any prior criminal history. The woman Tadla struck, Theresa Evans, suffered a shattered pelvis, a concussion and head lacerations that required staples as a result of the collision. She underwent multiple surgeries at Harborview Medical Center. The evening it happened, Jan. 26, 2022, a crowd of people was outside the car museum to protest for the rights of people experiencing homelessness while city and county government officials spoke inside about crime and safety with business owners and residents. Evans, who lives nearby in Eastside Tacoma, said she planned to walk there and spend 15 minutes at the protest before a virtual math tutoring appointment. A witness previously told The News Tribune that Evans was there for less than two minutes before he heard the sound of an accelerating engine and saw headlights. Tadla, driving a light blue pickup truck, knocked Evans to the ground, and people came to her aid. A KIRO 7 News photographer captured video of the truck driving away. In court filings, Tadlas attorney said the collision was an accident. The man was headed south on East D Street, driving home from getting food at a Jack in the Box, according to a trial brief. His lawyer wrote that when Tadla got to a curve in the road, his food and drink started to spill and he reached for it, causing his vehicle to swerve and hit the woman on the sidewalk. A pickup truck drove onto the sidewalk and struck a woman at a protest in #Tacoma, right in front of me and dozens of others, then drove off. I was able to catch the vehicle driving away on video. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/2r7G5ZDm1C Jonathan Simmons (@JSimmonsTVNews) January 27, 2022 Tadla noticed people were by the road, according to his lawyer, but he didnt know why they were there. The lawyer wrote that Tadla acknowledged he was driving too fast and had been inattentive to his surroundings. Woman who was hit disappointed by verdict In a phone call Wednesday, Evans said she was a little disappointed in the outcome of the trial, and she doesnt believe that Tadla accidentally hit her. She said shes lived in Tacoma for 23 years, and shes never seen an accident on that portion of road. The possibility, the percentage of that actually being an accident and that actually happening, is frankly nearly zero, Evans said of Tadlas story. The woman said she thought Tadla didnt mean to hurt her as badly as he did. Evans attended most of the trial, and she said when Tadla testified, he claimed he lost control of his vehicle near the bus stop on D Street. Evans said that would have been about 250 feet from where she was standing, and she didnt think a driver who spilled a little food that far away would hit someone. I dont think me being struck was an accident, Evans said. I believe me being harmed to that level was the accident. I wasnt supposed to be struck that hard. I wasnt supposed to hit his windshield. I wasnt supposed to be lying on the ground and have to spend 50 days in the hospital. That part was the quote unquote accident. Driver fled to Oregon after collision at protest After the collision, prosecutors said Tadla sold the truck hed been driving, relinquished his Washington drivers license and got an Oregon license. In court filings, his defense attorney said Tadla had been in the process of moving to Bend, Oregon, and had plans to leave the Friday after the incident. Instead, the lawyer said Tadla drove to Bend the same night. Upon reading the news of the incident and seeing all the hostility and anger directed at him online, he became even more frightened and anxious, and made the poor decision to remain in Bend and not notify the authorities of his involvement in the incident. He told no one, not even his girlfriend, with whom he was living, what had occurred, Treyz wrote. Tadlas attitudes toward homelessness were raised during the case. Tadla has made videos about homeless encampments in Tacoma, and the content of his social media accounts was the subject of motions from the defense and prosecutors. The defense made motions to exclude it from trial, but the state argued that at least one video from his YouTube channel was relevant, titled, Walking Through Tacomas Infamous Tent City - Homelessness Crisis - Drug Abuse - Tweaker Hunting The video shows Tadla walking through an encampment and talking with people. Prosecutors said his disdain for the homeless is obvious. The thumbnail for the clip states, you can smell this video. Tadlas YouTube channel includes a variety of content posted over the course of years, including motorcycle videos, various product reviews, one-on-one interviews and vlogs. In one, he hands out a wheelbarrow-full of beer to people at an encampment. The defense moved to admit one 15-minute video interview of a man who detailed his living situation and how he became homeless. Prosecutors argued it wasnt relevant and wrote that they believed the defense wanted to admit it to rebut the content of Tadlas tent city video. 'Across the Spider-Verse' and the Latino legacy of Spider-Man Spider-Man Miguel OHara, who first appeared in the 1992 comic series 'Spider-Man 2099,' was the first Latino superhero to assume a starring role. Marvel Database As a Latino literature and media scholar, a lifelong gamer and a Guatemalan-American girl whose dad read her comics every night, I quickly became a fan and then scholar of Miles Morales, the Afro-Puerto Rican Spider-Man who first appeared in comic book form in 2011s Ultimate Fallout #4. Just seven years after his introduction, Morales swung into theaters in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, a visually stunning, 3D-animated film that won an Academy Award for best animated feature. Now, its sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, features two Latino Spider-Men in starring roles. Irish-Latino Spider-Man Miguel OHara of Spider-Man 2099, voiced by Oscar Isaac, is jumping into the fray. And although he was a well-received Spider-Man as a Marvel comic book character in the 1990s, theres a good chance youve never heard of him. Breaking the mold Latino characters, particularly ones who have a starring role, have traditionally been underrepresented in mainstream comics. Marvels first Latino hero, Hector Ayala, debuted in 1975, after the success of Black Panther. Written by Bill Mantlo and drawn by legendary comic artist George Perez, Ayala, known as White Tiger, was a Puerto Rican college student living in New York. His powers came from a magical amulet that bestowed him with speed and martial arts expertise. As Latino comics scholar Frederick Luis Aldama argues, Mantlo and Perez avoided many of the stereotypes that plagued Latinos in comics, which often cast Latinos as criminals or drug dealers. Later iterations of White Tiger included his niece Angela del Toro and his sister, Ava Ayala. The first Marvel Latina superhero, also co-created by Mantlo, was Firebird real name, Bonita Juarez who first appeared in 1981. A Catholic social worker from New Mexico, she represented a departure from the Black and Latino comic characters who predominately come from big cities like New York. Spider-Mans web extends into Latin America In Latin America, Spider-Man has been a popular character since the hero first appeared in his own series, Amazing Spider-Man, in 1963. Marvel licensed Mexican publisher La Prensa to print Spanish translations of Spider-Man issues just a few months after its release in the U.S. La Prensa also extended Spider-Mans reach to Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Peru. In Mexico, Spider-Man quickly became more popular than any other Marvel character, save for his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy. So in the 1970s, La Prensa began to create its own Spider-Man stories on weeks when Marvel didnt release a new Spider-Man issue. These new stories, like an issue where Peter Parker dreams that he married Gwen Stacy, only appeared in Mexico. Perhaps Spider-Mans popularity in this part of the world is due to the fact that hes scrappy, hardworking, and trying to help his family. Or maybe Latin Americans love his luchador-esque costume Peter Parker did, after all, debut his Spider-Man title and threads as a professional wrestler. An Irish-Latino swings into the Spider-Verse Firebird and White Tiger never headlined their own series, though. And the Spider-Man who Latin Americans embraced in the 1960s and 1970s was white. So it was a big deal when Miguel O'Hara took on the mantle of Spider-Man in his own series, which ran for four years. While the multiverse is a recent development in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, multiple Earths each with its own versions of Marvel superheroes have existed for decades in the comics. This has allowed for different iterations of the same superhero. Peter Parker is the Spider-Man of Earth-616, the official Marvel universe. Miles Morales began as the Spider-Man of Earth-1610. Miguel O'Hara is the future Spider-Man of Earth-616 in the year 2099, a post-apocalyptic future run by greedy corporations. When OHara first appeared in 1992 as the main star of the 2099 series, fans embraced him, with little controversy. Its possible that O'Hara was uncontroversial because questions of race and racism didnt factor explicitly into the plots of each issue. And perhaps O'Haras light skin made it easy for readers to forget that he was Latino in the first place. Yet comics scholar Kathryn M. Frank argues in the collection Graphic Borders that the writers of Spider-Man 2099 were aware of their heros ethnic identity and subtly incorporated commentaries on race into the series. In the comics, O'Hara has an accent due to his elongated, spiderlike teeth, which may reflect the assumed foreignness of Latino citizens in the U.S. and the discrimination they suffer for it. He also embraces his difference in his own style. As fans have pointed out, his costume mixes a Day of the Dead skull with the classic spider insignia in an explicit connection to his Mexican heritage. Recasting Spider-Man as an Afro-Latino Then, in 2011, Marvel announced Miles Morales, the first Spider-Man who was both Black and Latino. This time, the responses were more polarizing. Former Fox News pundit Glenn Beck blamed then-first lady Michelle Obama for the creation of Morales, pointing to a clip of her saying, Were going to have to change our traditions. However, to some fans, recasting Spider-Man as Black made perfect sense. Walter Moseley, a popular crime novelist, has provocatively argued that the original Spider-Man of the 1960s is actually the first Black superhero, since his backstory raised by his extended family, growing up in poverty and demonized by the media was more relatable to Black New Yorkers. When Morales came on the scene, he wasnt merely a carbon copy of Peter Parker, though. He was raised by his African American father an ex-con who had turned his life around and Puerto Rican mother in Brooklyn. Actor Shameik Moore, who voiced Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, celebrates after the film won best animated feature at the Academy Awards in 2019. Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images How Morales race and ethnicity would play into the stories has been a point of contention. As English professor Jorge J. Santos, Jr. argues in the collection Mixed-Race Superheroes, the first comics series featuring Morales barely makes any mention of Miless ethnicity. He didnt seem to speak Spanish, nor did he have any Puerto Rican or Latino friends. He even resisted being seen as a Black Spider-Man. That somewhat changed in the following series, which came out in 2018 and was written by Saladin Ahmed and drawn by Javier Garron. In December 2022, Cody Ziglar, a Black comic writer, took over as the head writer of Morales story. Latino representation in the Spider-Verse is still somewhat lacking. Arana, a Mexican-Puerto Rican Spider-Girl conceived in 2004, is the only other major Latino Spidey character. Marvel has tried to highlight Latino diversity in its other comics. In 2021, the comics publisher released an entire collection showcasing Latino characters titled Marvels Voices: Comunidades #1. The sequel to Into the Spider-Verse is sure to make viewers of color in the U.S. cheer. As Latino media scholar Isabel Molina-Guzman argues, while race complicates Hollywood casting and writing, Black and Latino viewers reacted very positively to Morales. But she insists that the movie also invites longtime fans and audiences of all backgrounds to stand in Miles Moraless space and root for the mixed-race teen trying to save the world. To me, thats what makes superhero films starring characters of color so compelling. These characters are, in many senses, outcasts searching for community in their real lives and in costume. As Frank, the comics scholar, notes, these differences can lead to feelings of alienation. But they can also be a source of empowerment. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: Regina Marie Mills, Texas A&M University. Read more: Regina Marie Mills does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Conservative activists on Wednesday announced the formation of Jews Against Soros, a self-described grassroots coalition of Jews who oppose the "radical left-wing influence" of George Soros, a liberal billionaire and Democrat mega-donor, on American politics. "Jews Against Soros will fight back against the common left-wing smear that opposition to Soros and his sprawling network of political organizations is antisemitic," the group said in a statement. "Attacking Soros for his influence on American politics, to say nothing of his nefarious agenda in Israel itself, isn't antisemitic. It is simply a fact that Soros funds a huge proportion of the radical left in this country. And he must be stopped." Soros, 92, has become a favorite target of Republicans and conservatives for bankrolling a host of left-wing causes. According to the Soros-founded Open Society Foundations website, Soros "has given over $32 billion to fund the Open Society Foundations, which work in over 120 countries around the world." Last year, Soros reportedly spent $128.5 million in donations for the midterm elections. He also shelled out at least $131 million between 2016 and 2020 to influence 253 media groups, according to a study by MRC Business, part of the conservative Media Research Center. George Soros delivers a speech during the 2023 Munich Security Conference. Soros has backed the campaigns of progressive prosecutors across the U.S. GEORGE SOROS' SON HAS VISITED THE WHITE HOUSE AT LEAST 17 TIMES SINCE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE, RECORDS SHOW One of Soros' chief projects in recent years has been backing progressive prosecutors running for office across the country. According to a recent report, the billionaire funneled $40 million into district attorney campaigns nationwide to support left-wing candidates, and now his beneficiaries represent around 20% of Americans. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Critics have accused Soros-backed prosecutors of being soft on crime. One of the first left-wing prosecutors whom Soros supported, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, resigned from office earlier this month amid allegations of misconduct and neglecting her duties. Republicans and conservatives frequently attack Soros for such activity. However, prominent liberals and others have characterized their attacks as antisemitic, noting Soros is Jewish and claiming efforts to target him are reminiscent of antisemitism that portrays Jews as evil with outsized influence over society. Earlier this month, Twitter owner Elon Musk wrote that Soros "wants to erode the very fabric of civilization" and "hates humanity." He also compared Soros to "Magneto," a villain from the X-Men comic book franchise. Both Soros and Magneto survived Nazi occupation during the Holocaust in World War II. Some observers accused Musk of making antisemitic remarks, a charge which he rejected. TOP BIDEN OFFICIAL REPEATEDLY MET WITH SOROS' FOUNDATION, OTHER INFLUENTIAL LEFT-WING GROUPS, DOCS SHOW Less than two months earlier, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten came under fire for suggesting that anyone pointing out Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's ties to Soros is being antisemitic. Weingarten's claim came weeks after members of the Austin City Council accused the Texas city's police department of antisemitism after the local police officer union sounded the alarm about surging crime across the country and Soros' donations to left-wing district attorney candidates. Last year, journalists and Democrat members of Congress similarly hurled accusations of antisemitism against Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for saying Democrats blocked a measure he supported that, in his words, would "try and force Soros-backed prosecutors to put dangerous criminals in jail." Such claims seem to have prompted the formation of Jews Against Soros, which isn't alone in criticizing Soros for not only his political activities but also his alleged anti-Israel efforts. "George Soros has a long history of backing anti-Israel groups," the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the country's most prominent pro-Israel lobbying group, tweeted last year. "Now he's giving $1 million to help [J Street] support anti-Israel candidates and attack pro-Israel Democrats. AIPAC works to strengthen pro-Israel mainstream Democrats. J Street & Soros work to undermine them." Jews Against Soros is headed by Josh Hammer, senior editor at large of Newsweek, and Will Scharf, a former federal prosecutor who's currently running for attorney general of Missouri. George Soros GEORGE SOROS, OTHER INFLUENTIAL DONORS FLOCKED TO HAKEEM JEFFRIES AFTER HE BECAME TOP HOUSE DEM "Soros has dedicated his life to fomenting American anarchism, undermining Israel's territorial integrity, and destabilizing Western nation-states more generally," Hammer tweeted Wednesday. "It is absurd to criticize individuals many of whom, like Musk and Rubio, are great friends of the Jewish people or the state of Israel for criticizing one incredibly destructive, anti-Jewish, anti-Israel force in global politics who happens to be Jewish by birth." Scharf separately outlined on Twitter a host of causes that Soros has financially backed, such as stricter gun control, and called on Jews to stand up against his agenda. Soros didn't respond to a request for comment for this story. MINNEAPOLIS -- A number of Minnesotans are celebrating a big win, as adult changing tables are now law in new public spaces that are built in Minnesota. As WCCO has previously reported, some Minnesotans say using public restrooms has been a dehumanizing and disgusting experience, as they are forced to lie on the floor. When Linda Hood, a marathoner who lost the use of her legs from a virus, became Miss Wheelchair Minnesota in early 2022, she declared it her mission to get adult changing tables in public restrooms. She joined forces with Sarah St. Louis, who was struggling to change her beloved son Ezra, who has a traumatic brain injury and was too big for infant tables. Linda Hood and Sarah St. Lewis / Credit: CBS "The only places we had to change him were dirty public restroom floors. I realized that this is really undignified, it's not sanitary, it's not safe and it's humiliating to put your child on a dirty bathroom floor," St. Louis said. Four years ago she took on the momentous task of changing the law alongside advocates like Hood, who never gave up. "We got Sen. Liz Bolden and Rep. Kim Hicks to be respective authors. They spent about 15 hours over two days, and they finally voted 34 to 33 to pass it on. Just after midnight, they passed it, and then we got Gov. Walz to sign it last week," Hood said. She added it was quite emotional. "It just, it makes tears fall, it just makes tears fall," Hood said. / Credit: CBS "When I got home, I showed my son, and he was like, 'He signed it?' And I was like, 'Yes baby, he did!' He goes, 'We just changed the world!'" St. Louis said. "It just made me realize that we did something that meant something. We brought human dignity to Minnesota, finally." Hood said this most recent development won't be the end of the story, either. "I thought this is Minnesota and we did it, we have to make it possible for the other states," Hood said. "This is just the beginning, the beginning." The new law is set to go into effect in January. It will mean any large public buildings like movie theatres, malls, and stadiums will have to be built with adult changing tables. There is also up to $20,000 in incentives for existing businesses to update their restrooms, too. Watch Linda Hood's full story CBS News political panel on what voters can expect as GOP race for president intensifies Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan says "it's not good" for U.S. to fight over debt ceiling Good news about job market comes with possible economic headwinds on the horizon Deputy U.S Marshal Brandon Filla and other officials on Tuesday discuss Raul Meza's arrest. Police say Meza confessed to killing a man in Pflugerville this month and a woman in East Austin in 2019. Officials said they are looking into eight to 10 other homicide cases that might be linked to Meza. Raul Meza told police he was having a sexual relationship with an 80-year-old retired probation officer in Pflugerville that caused him to get mad at the man on the day he killed him, according to an arrest affidavit released Wednesday. Austin police said Tuesday that Meza, 62, is a serial killer responsible for the deaths of at least three people. Police said they are looking for links between him and up to 10 other unsolved homicides. Meza was arrested Monday without incident in North Austin. Officials said he had a backpack with him containing duct tape, zip ties and a .22-caliber gun. He was charged May 25 with capital murder in the death of Jesse Fraga, a retired probation officer who befriended him and allowed Meza to live with him at his Pflugerville home, police said. Meza also stole Fraga's truck, investigators said. He also was charged this week with murder in the death of Austin resident Gloria Lofton in 2019 after he called police and confessed to it on May 24, police said Tuesday. Officials were able to match DNA at the scene to Meza. Raul Meza Meza had been convicted of murder in the 1982 sexual assault and strangulation of 8-year-old Kendra Page. Fraga, the most recent person that Meza is accused of killing, had befriended him when Meza was first released from prison in 1993 and having a hard time finding a place to live, according to a lawsuit. Police learned of Fraga's death after his niece asked them to check on him May 20, the affidavit said. It said officers found Fraga's body in a bathroom and blood at the scene. When officers arrived at Fraga's house on Camp Fire Trail, there were two people there who said they knew Meza and Fraga. One of them said she was a friend of Meza's and said Meza was Fraga's caregiver, the affidavit said. Raul Meza The woman "stated that she got a feeling that something bad had happened to Raul and wanted to go by the house," according to the affidavit. It said Meza had made a statement that she interpreted "as a suicidal statement." The other person at the scene, a man, said the woman was his neighbor and Meza's girlfriend, the affidavit said. It said the man had picked up Meza on May 13 from a hospital where Meza was being treated for kidney stones. The man said that after he picked up Meza, Meza said "I f---ked" up!" according to the affidavit. "(He) then observed Raul make a gesture with his hand as if he was slicing someone's neck," the document said. More: Police: Raul Meza charged in two deaths, may be involved in 10 more Police said Fraga had a punctured neck and a broken cervical spine. Meza had agreed to move out of Fraga's house and did so on May 12, according to a search warrant. Lofton, who died in 2019, was strangled, police said Tuesday. Her death at the time was called suspicious because investigators were not able to determine how she died until Meza confessed to strangling her, police said. Some of Lofton's neighbors said this week they thought the 66-year-old died of natural causes at her home in the 4800 block of Sara Drive. More: Raul Meza, who killed girl in 1982, sought in slaying of 80-year-old man in Pflugerville They described her as a kind and trusting woman. She was private, they said, but she had a big heart, and she often let strangers live with her if they needed. She helped everyone she could, said Sergio Rodriguez, a friend and former roommate. She was a good lady, a tough lady. Rodriguez said he didn't learn Lofton had been killed until about a month after her death, when he spoke to her daughter about it. He had known her since he was a child because his family lived across the street from her house, and he used to help Loftons father with chores and errands. Years later, Rodriguez said, he was one of the many people who took shelter with Lofton. In the mid-2000s, he moved in with her and started paying rent. He lived there for about a year before a dispute over rent payments drove him to move next door with a roommate. Despite the move, Rodriguez said he maintained contact with her for years and admired her generosity. Eventually, Rodriguez said he started to worry whether that generosity extended too far. He suspected Lofton might have been developing memory issues, and said he grew increasingly concerned she was opening her door to people she couldnt trust. When he shared her concerns with her, Rodriguez said he was met with resistance. There were always people coming in and out of there, Rodriguez said. I told her to be careful, but she would always get mad. Rodriguez and other neighbors said they didn't know if Meza ever stayed with Lofton or if the two knew each other. According to public records, Meza once lived next door to Lofton. The case that Meza has been most notorious for is the murder of Page, whose body was found by a dumpster at Langford Elementary in 1982. One of Page's brothers, Kevin Page, said Wednesday that he can still remember the day his little sister died. "Me and my brother rode bicycles and saw her body before the cops did," he said. Kendra Page, in the front row between her parents, was killed at age 8 in 1982 in Austin by Raul Meza. On her right is her late father, Don Page, who died in 2007. Her mother, Glenda Page, is on her left. Her brothers and sisters are in the back row. Page said he was unable to go to work Wednesday after hearing that Meza had been accused of more murders. "I'm definitely angry," he said. "I'm heartbroken. I cried a lot yesterday because of the whole thing. It brings back a lot of memories." Page said Meza is a "sick man" who never should have gotten out of prison. "I just really feel like the judicial system didn't do their job." Another of Kendra's brothers, Cary Page, said Wednesday that he wasn't surprised Meza had been charged with other murders. "He is a serial killer, which I knew he would become all along," Cary Page said. "I saw what he did to my sister. Meza had piled a Christmas tree and a bike on top of Kendra Page's body to hide her." He said his family, including himself, had tried to persuade authorities to keep Meza in prison by going to his parole hearings. Meza was sentenced to 30 years after pleading guilty to Kendra Page's death, but he was released after the time he served plus additional time counted for good behavior equaled the length of his sentence under the state's mandatory supervision law, which has since been changed. Police were disappointed that Meza was offered a plea deal instead of standing trial, interim Assistant City Manager Bruce Mills said Tuesday. Mills was an Austin police officer when Kendra Page was killed. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Arrest affidavit for Raul Meza Jr. details death of Jesse Fraga An Afghan refugee in Lexington looks back at what has become of her country | Opinion In January of 2023, I began tutoring English to a 30 year old Afghan woman named Nargis Maiwand Zafary on humanitarian parole in the U.S. While she was eight months pregnant, Nargis and her husband who had worked for the U.S. military had to flee Kabul with just a few hours notice when U.S. troops pulled out of Afghanistan on August 19, 2021. She did not get to hug her parents good-bye, she did not get to withdraw her money from the bank, and she did not get to finish defending her thesis to receive her masters degree. Her dreams for her future were over. All she could do was leave the only country she knew to move across the world to a land she had never been where she knew no one except her husband. Her English was poor, but she herself was highly educated, thanks to U.S. presence in her country during her formative years. Here is what she has to say about the current situation in Afghanistan: In my country, girls cant continue studying after the change of government. Its been almost two years since the girls of my country had to leave school. I have three younger sisters. When I think about them, it makes me very sad and feel suffocated because they are very talented. Like my sisters, thousands of girls in Afghanistan are fighting with this situation, but they dont have another choice, and its very difficult. I really hate the Taliban and all of their ideas. I asked Nargis what going to school was like for her as a female in Afghanistan when the Taliban was not in control. Before the Taliban took control, all girls would go to school like me. We were educated just like the boys. We studied all subjects like the boys: mathematics, science, English, Arabic, Dari, history, geography, the Quran, painting, and writing. I used to love school, but now I just dont because I cannot help people with my education. In Afghanistan, as a lawyer, I used my education to help people with legal problems, but in the U.S. I cannot. Nargis Maiwand Zafary Then I asked her if she was aware that daughters of the Taliban are being sent to other countries to be educated now and what her your opinion of that fact was. I hear about how the Talibans girls continue to study in other countries like Qatar. They do not wear the hijab there. I am very angry about that because their [the Talibans] girls study while all other Afghan girls just stay at home. The Wall Street Journal reported that Taliban justice minister, Abdul Hakim Sharayi stated that the reason for the suspension [of education for females] stemmed in equal measure from Afghan culture and Islamic law and that the school curriculum needed to be cleansed of elements that didnt reflect Islamic values. Girls in Afghanistan were not learning things against Islam in schools. I know because I was educated in those schools. Also according to the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Sharayi said, The Americans not only invaded militarily, it was also an ideological invasion. They were trying to change our culture and morally destroy our society. I asked Nargis if she ever witnessed American military personnel trying to change her culture or morally destroy her society. She said: I do not think this is true. It is just politics. While I was in high school, President Obama helped my country a lot. According to the same article, other restrictions such as being barred from working for any nongovernmental organization and entering public parks, forced wearing of the hijab, and not traveling outside without a male chaperone have been placed on women. Here is what Nargis said about other restrictions: My mother was a teacher for boys before the Taliban took control. Now the Taliban has made new rules for women. They cannot teach boys, just young girls. Also, my female friends were legal prosecutors like me and now they just stay home. Its very hard because they made a lot of money before. Many men cannot work now, too. The Taliban have started closing restaurants because they are too dirty, but the Taliban are dirty people, not the restaurants. Eating in restaurants is very popular in Afghanistan but not now. The Wall Street Journal reported that the teacher of a secret school in Kabul had to stop her own education when the Taliban first took power in the 1990s and forced her out of school. She went back to school as an adult when they lost power. She said, If we stop teaching, learning, it is like we are dead. I want to be alive. When I heard that the Taliban was taking control, I thought I had died because on that same day, I had an appointment to defend my thesis for my masters degree and had paid a lot of money to do so. I was 8 months pregnant and it was very hot that day, so I did not go to school. Everything is gone now. When I look in the mirror now, I think I look older. Finally, I asked Nargis if she had any hope that her sisters and others like them would one day be able to attend school freely and openly. I hope all of the time, but when I talk to my sisters, they are very sad when they used to be vibrant and make very high grades. My [one] sister studies online with an American university and could still earn a degree, but she cannot go to school outside her house. Nargis Maiwand Zafary is just one of thousands of Afghan women whose dreams have died. My hope is that one day she will be able to help her sisters back home and that my tutoring her will hasten that rescue, that their dreams will find new life. Education is always the key. Debra MacQuown Debra MacQuown is a retired English teacher, native Lexingtonian, and Kentucky Refugee Ministries volunteer. Nargis Maiwand Zafary is a legal prosecutor from an intellectual Afghan family whose father wanted all of his children to be educated. Soldin, AFP's video coordinator in Ukraine, was killed in a rocket attack in the east of the country AFP held a memorial ceremony at its Paris headquarters Thursday for journalist Arman Soldin, killed last month in Ukraine at 32, and provided details of how he was killed. "Since the announcement of Arman's death on May 9, the emotion has not subsided. I even have the feeling it has grown as we all become aware of Arman's extremely endearing and sunny personality," said AFP chairman Fabrice Fries. Soldin, AFP's video coordinator in Ukraine, was killed in a rocket attack in the east of the country. His death sparked an outpouring of sympathy and tributes across the world. "Arman had the rare ability to find moments of life and even poetry amid the horror," France's Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak said at the ceremony. AFP global news director Phil Chetwynd gave details of the circumstances of his death in an email to employees. Soldin was part of a team of AFP reporters embedded with Ukrainian soldiers near the besieged city of Bakhmut, the epicentre of recent fighting and targeted daily by Russian forces. They were walking back to their car near the village of Chasiv Yar when they were targeted by a series of Grad rockets that grew increasingly close. A "warhead landed very close to Arman and he died almost instantly," Chetwynd wrote. "A soldier several metres in front of him managed to dive safely into a nearby trench. The rest of the reporting team were all within 20 or 30 metres of the strike and managed to throw themselves to the ground as per their training. They all escaped unhurt," he added. - 'Serious, focused' - Chetwynd emphasised that all of the team were wearing flak jackets and helmets, and were trained to identify the noise of incoming artillery and rockets, and how to take evasive action, as they had done several times that day. He confirmed that AFP would be gradually returning to frontline reporting in Ukraine next week and is investigating how best to adapt to the changing situation on the ground. But he added: "We assume a certain level of risk by choosing to report on this conflict, as we have done with conflicts throughout history." One of the reporting team, Emmanuel Peuchot, gave a blow-by-blow account of the experience at the ceremony. "No, Arman was not a madman who took reckless risks," Peuchot said. "On the ground, Arman was always serious, focused and always aware of the risks like all of us. Yes, Arman filmed as close as possible, because we don't film war from far away," he added. Soldin's colleagues were joined at the ceremony by Ukraine's ambassador to France and representatives of other media, as well as the parents of Frederic Leclerc-Imhoff, a French journalist killed in Ukraine last year, also at the age of 32. France has launched a war crimes investigation into Soldin's death. At least 11 journalists have been killed in Ukraine since Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022, according to figures from Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists. cgu-ac-er/gw Is Africa splitting and creating a new ocean and two new continents? This is what some scientists believe will happen in the future. According to the peer-reviewed journal Geophysical Research Letters, a new ocean may emerge, dividing the African continent and providing access to the sea for formerly landlocked nations such as Uganda and Zambia. Because of the East African Rift Systems ongoing tectonic activity, the Horn of Africa might separate from the rest of the continent and develop its own ocean basin. However, scientists warn that this process is expected to take millions of years. Nonetheless, recent seismic data published in Geophysical Research Letters support the possibility of these ongoing tectonic processes leading to the formation of a new body of water. How is Africa splitting? According to scientists, the East African Rift, which emerged around 35 million years ago, plays a significant role in initiating this process. Stretching approximately 2,000 miles from the Red Sea to Mozambique, this rift marks the initial stages of a potential new sea formation. It occurs at the convergence point of the African Nubian, African Somali, and Arabian tectonic plates, which have been gradually moving apart over time. In an interview with NBC News, Christopher Moore, a geologist from the University of Leeds, emphasizes the unique scientific research opportunities provided by the East African Rift. He highlights its significance as an intriguing subject for scientific investigation, as it offers a chance to study the transition from a continental rift to an oceanic rift. Understanding these geological processes can greatly advance our knowledge of Earths dynamics and help us comprehend the formation of new ocean basins. Africa Splitting: Evidence of the Tectonic Movement in the Region The formation of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden between East Africa and Western Asia provides evidence of the impact of tectonic movement in the region. These bodies of water have formed due to the ongoing separation of the Arabian and African plates. GPS monitoring confirms that the Arabian plate is gradually moving away from the African plate at a rate of approximately one inch per year. This continuous separation highlights the prolonged nature of the process and the potential for forming new oceans. Ken Macdonald, a scientist and professor emeritus of marine geophysics at the University of California, believes the increasing availability of GPS measurements will provide valuable insights into the dynamics between the Arabian and African plates. As our understanding of these geological processes expands, scientists can make more accurate predictions and analyses regarding the future formation of the new ocean. With GPS measurements, you can measure rates of movement down to a few millimeters per year, Macdonald told NBC. As we get more and more measurements from GPS, we can get a much greater sense of whats going on. Formation of a New Ocean Macdonald suggests that the eventual merging of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will likely result in the formation of a new ocean, encompassing the East African Rift Valley and the Afar region. If this event occurs, it will reshape the geographical and environmental landscape of Africa, creating new opportunities for economic growth and international trade. Because landlocked countries like Uganda and Zambia would suddenly gain coastlines, they may potentially benefit from increased trade and economic opportunities associated with having a coastline. While the formation of a new ocean in East Africa remains a distant possibility, the ongoing tectonic activity and the evidence provided by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden offer intriguing insights into the geological processes shaping our planet. Is Africa splitting? The question remains. However, some scientists continue to study and monitor the East African Rift System, collecting data and refining their understanding of this complex phenomenon. The Scene NAIROBI When Nyokabi Waweru returned home to Kenya after graduating from Jilin University in Changchun, northeast China, she expected to have improved her opportunities in the local job market with a degree from an international university and the ability to now speak fluent Chinese. But there werent as many options as she hoped. I went for an interview at an embassy and was dismissed as they said I lacked Kenyan experience, she told Semafor Africa. Waweru, 30, now works as a translator for a Chinese company and said many other Kenya students with whom she graduated ended up working as translators for Chinese clients in Nairobi and other cities. Some had studied engineering and had other technical skills usually sought after in Kenyas job market. Vivian Weiwei, 26, a political science graduate from Kenya who studied at Donghua University in Shanghai, said it was only easy finding a job by applying to Chinese firms in Kenya after she returned home in 2021. She soon landed a job at the Kenyan subsidiary of the Chinese mobile handset brand, Oppo. With the lack of employment opportunities in the country, the secret is in knowing where to look. I knew exactly where I could use my skills, she said. Know More There has been a surge in African students moving to China to study over the past two decades encouraged and enabled with affordable tuition fees, scholarships, and a more straightforward student visa process than many Western countries in recent years. But C. Geraud Byamungu, a lead researcher and the Francophone Africa Editor at media publication China Global South Project, said his recent research showed that over 77% of those who graduated from Chinese universities returned to their home countries immediately afterwards due to stringent rules for Chinese work visas making it an uphill task for foreigners. Returning African graduates are often not channeled into AfricaChina projects and they are also unable to compete in the job market, according to research published by China International Strategy Review in 2021. Returning African graduates are labeled "orphans of Chinese education" in their home countries as they remain unemployed for long periods. Muchira's view Exposure to the worlds second-largest economy should, in theory, open doors for graduates when they return to African countries. But many return to unemployment and skepticism about the quality of their education, with some employers preferring graduates from Western universities. Its a missed opportunity for African governments for whom partnering and negotiating with China has become essential to their economic development. George Kiptum, who graduated with an economics degree from Capital University in Beijing in 2016, told me his prospects of finding a government job since he returned home to Kenya, had proven to be something of a mirage. The problems are not unique to Kenya, say the experts I spoke with. It points to a disconnect in the way many African countries view their human capital, argues Dr. Tobi Oshodi, a researcher at Lagos State University in Nigeria. There lacks any clear strategy to hire Africans who return after their studies to utilize their expertise and knowledge in advancing Africa-China relations in their countries, he told Semafor Africa. Having graduates in more key government ministries and working with local African companies trying to export to China would be valuable for both sides, with the biggest beneficiaries likely to be African nations who have long been in a lopsided relationship with their Chinese counterparts. Countries that invest in understanding the relationship with Africas largest trading partner more holistically stand to gain a great deal in the long term. Room for Disagreement When it comes to job opportunities, "the issue for most African students is not where they got their degree but the lack of jobs at home," said Hannah Wanjie Ryder, the CEO of Development Reimagined, a global development consultancy. She also noted that more African embassies in China are retaining former students as junior diplomats. "So students are not just going home to work for Chinese companies or forgetting their China experience. Theyre also working for governments," Ryder told Semafor Africa. "This helps for example with translation but also appropriate cultural communications and networking." The View From SHANGHAI There is an increasing demand for Africans with knowledge of the Chinese language as more investors from China settle in the continent for economic or other reasons, Wei Qunshan, an associate professor at Donghua University, told Semafor Africa. He said Beijing would continue to provide opportunities for African students to study and work in Chinese institutions and companies on the continent. Notable "The African continent has cornered the market on 18- to 23-year-olds for the next 25 years," Lydiah Kemunto Bosire, the founder of an educational technology platform told U.S. publication the Chronicle of Higher Education in an article exploring exploring whether the continent is "the next big thing" in international university admissions. Many life factors impact our access to health care: insurance, age, availability of quality providers, out-of-pocket expenses, distance from a health care center, cultural norms and beliefs about modern medicine. Instead of trying to increase access by eliminating some or all of these barriers, our elected officials in Jefferson City are adding additional obstacles, leveraging their power to prevent a large group of Missourians from accessing much needed health care. When the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated Americans constitutional right to abortion access last summer, Missouri was the first state to activate its trigger law banning abortion, severely compromising reproductive health care for all Missourians. Providers are now experiencing fear and confusion about what they can and cannot say when counseling their pregnant patients. Patients are also subjected to similar fear and confusion, leading to an increased demand for long-acting reversible contraceptives, increased concern about irregular menstrual bleeding and a desire among young women to conceal information about their menstrual cycles. These fears threaten the quality of medical care throughout our state. Health care education in Missouri is also impacted. Students are hesitant to stay or relocate to Missouri to attend our prestigious medical schools and residency programs because they will receive significantly limited abortion care training and have limited access to such care for themselves. Several recent studies have shown that applicants wont even consider applying to states with strict abortion bans. Without access to abortion care, Missouri will become a state that has fewer diverse medical providers, with limited training and skills in the area of reproductive health care. This translates to poorer health outcomes, particularly for women. There is significant evidence that a majority of Missourians support a right to abortion, and on March 8, the political action committee Missourians for Constitutional Freedom submitted a citizen initiative petition to make access to abortion a constitutional right in our state. With access to abortion, Missourians would not have to travel to other states (often hundreds of miles) to seek the care they need, want and deserve. They would not have to miss work and potentially lose their employment when choosing to end a pregnancy. Women with medically complicated or dangerous pregnancies would be safer because they could access care closer to home. The right to abortion in Missouri would mean lower maternal mortality because women would not be forced to remain pregnant. Missouri currently ranks as the 12th highest state for maternal mortality in the U.S. (25.2 per 100,000), in a country that already has the highest maternal mortality rate among all developed countries. The right to abortion in Missouri would greatly improve health care for its residents. Unfortunately, the effort to make abortion a constitutional right for Missourians recently hit political obstacles. Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who was not elected by the voters (Gov. Mike Parson appointed him to complete U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitts remaining term) is not our state auditor, nor does his office have the legal authority to act on behalf of the auditor. Yet he refuses to accept Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatricks fiscal note for the proposed ballot initiative. Baileys actions are a political attempt not only to get attention in the press for his AG election campaign, but also to deny Missourians their constitutional right to the initiative petition process. Until a court orders Bailey to comply with Missouri law, the initiative petition will not move forward and will become significantly harder to get on the ballot and pass. This single unelected individual is interfering with democracy and impacting access to reproductive health care throughout the state. As long as Bailey and other politicians in our state use their political power to thwart attempts to broaden access to reproductive care, our elected officials in Jefferson City will remain the biggest threat to Missouri womens health. Jennifer B. Hillman is a board certified physician in pediatrics, internal medicine and adolescent medicine, and a member of Missouri Healthcare Professionals for Reproductive Rights, an unincorporated advocacy group that does not lobby. She lives and practices in St. Louis. Air defence and fighter jets coalitions will end Russian missile terror and bring us closer to peace Zelenskyy Within the framework of the coalition for Patriot anti-aircraft systems and advanced fighter jets, Ukraines partners will help to put an end to the Russian terror and bring peace closer. Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, at the summit of the European Political Community; European Pravda. The President reminded that three people, including one child, have died as a result of todays Russian missile attack on the city of Kyiv. "At the moment there are two decisive components: the Patriot coalition, which will put an end to the Russian blackmail with ballistic missiles, and the coalition of modern fighter jets that will prove that the terror against our cities stands no chance," Zelenskyy stated. He added that the speed of formation of these coalitions "is literally bringing peace closer". Background: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at the European Political Community Summit held in Moldova on 1 June. Zelenskyy has arrived at the Castel Mimi in the village of Bulboaca, where the European Political Community summit is taking place. He stated that he will develop "the fighter jets coalition" and suggest "the Patriot coalition" at the meeting. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The U.S. Air Force announced the permanent locations for more Space Command units Wednesday in Colorado, in a move likely to fan the flames of an ongoing battle with Alabama lawmakers over Spacecoms headquarters. Four of the permanent locations would be based in Colorado Springs, which is housing the temporary headquarters. Near the end of his administration, former President Trump selected Huntsville, Alabama to house the permanent headquarters. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), launched an investigation last week into the relocation delay of the Spacecom, amid reports the Biden administration is reconsidering the move to Alabama after strict abortion laws were passed in the state. These apparently sweeping unilateral changes to policies and posture seem to have been made with zero civilian oversight at the Department of Defense, Rogers wrote. The decision to base more units in Colorado Springs gives more weight to those fears, though Rogers said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told him he wasnt aware of any changes to the plan. The White House and Pentagon reportedly have said the Spacecom basing and abortion law are not directly linked. This weeks announcement also coincides with President Bidens trip to Colorado Springs, where he will deliver the commencement address Thursday at the nearby U.S. Air Force Academy. Alabama lawmakers from both parties are planning to introduce a provision in a key annual appropriations bill to block all Spacecom development until an official announcement of its relocation. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) wrote a letter in March to Biden saying his state has the infrastructure needed to continue housing the permanent location and that relocating could threaten our national security and military readiness. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said in a statement to the Associated Press he would use Bidens Thursday visit to push for the U.S. Space Commands permanent HQ in his state. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Kyiv is not able to launch attacks on dislocation points of operative-tactical complexes located in Russia since it would violate the commitments Ukraine made to its international partners. Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in a comment for Ukrinform Quote: "We do not attack targets located on Russian territory . The leadership of Ukraine insists that we have a strategy we have promised to our partners not to launch attacks [on Russia ed.] with the armament they are supplying us with." Details: Meanwhile, in cases where the missiles are launched from temporarily occupied territories, Ukraine will use all armament it has. Herewith, Ihnat remarked that Russia has a deficit in the Iskander missiles, otherwise more of them would be launched during attacks. "They have a deficit. Were they not saving them, they would use hundreds," Ihnat explained. For reference: The Iskander missile complex is designed for striking small-sized and planar targets with combat units in conventional equipment in the interior of the operative territory of enemy forces. It may be used as a transportation means for tactical nuclear weapons. Most likely targets of the Iskander are means of fire damage (missile complexes, multiple launch rocket systems, long-range artillery); means of anti-missile and anti-aircraft defence; aircrafts and helicopters on air bases; command points and communication centres; crucial civic infrastructure facilities. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Alabamians could soon see the first-ever reduction in the sales tax on groceries. The Alabama Senate voted 31-0 Thursday for a bill that would cut the state tax on most groceries from 4% to 3%, with a further reduction possible if the Education Trust Fund budget grows. The House concurred in Senate changes Thursday afternoon, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. This is going to be great for working Alabamians, said Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, who negotiated the terms with colleagues in the House of Representatives. Folks are struggling to put food on the table. I hear from constituents all the time that they are paying more for grocery taxes. I have said it many times, I will say it again, grocery tax receipts have gone up, not because the tax rates have changed but because inflation, prices on food have gone up, so people are paying more in taxes. That is untenable. Alabama is one of 13 states that taxes groceries, and one of three that taxes them fully. With local levies included, state residents can pay up to 10% on their groceries. Alabama is one of 13 states that taxes groceries, and one of three that taxes them fully. With local levies included, state residents can pay up to 10% on their groceries. Efforts to repeal the tax go back decades but have been stymied by the impact of the sales tax on the Education Trust Fund. The tax brings over $600 million a year to the ETF, currently standing at $8.2 billion. Legislators had been reluctant to replace the lost revenue with something else. But significant growth revenue in this years budget left an opening for legislators. HB 479, sponsored by House Ways and Means Education Committee Chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, would cut the state tax on groceries eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to 3% on Sept. 1. The state tax would be cut to 2% in 2024, if receipts to the ETF grow by 3.5% year over year. The House-passed version of the bill would have only required growth of 2%, but delayed implementation of the 2% tax rate to 2025. Under the Senate-passed version of the bill, a household paying $500 a month for groceries and living in a community with a combined 10% tax rate would see its yearly food tax bill drop from $600 to $540 under the 3% levy, and to $480 under the 2% levy. The bill would also freeze local sales taxes on SNAP-eligible food. Local governments could lower those taxes but would not be able to raise them over their current rates. Jones said Garrett originally wanted a growth rate of 6%, but Jones did not believe that would be sustainable. In exchange for reducing the growth cushion, Jones agreed to accelerate the reductions by a year. When the governor signs this bill, city and local rates will be frozen, Jones said. That will be the hard ceiling. They can decrease. If they change their mind they can come back, but not above the cap that will be in place as of her signature. Legislators had been having conversations about reducing the grocery tax for the past few months. However, legislation began to move only late in the session. The measure has enjoyed bipartisan support, with legislators on both sides of the aisle filing bill to at least reduce the grocery tax, if not repeal it outright. Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, and Rep. Penni McClammy, D-Montgomery introduced their versions. The most recent version passed the Senate with virtually no opposition. Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, who voted for the bill, did express some wariness about the local tax cap. When you tell my city, or any of our cities that because they want to do a humanitarian mission, on their own, and they want to reduce their portion of the tax, say 6 cents, then 4 cents, then they realize that they are in a financial crisis by doing that, revenues are gone, you are telling them that they cant raise it back up to the cap that they got, he said. Alabama Arise has been advocating for the grocery tax for years, calling for it once again even before the session began because of the impact that it has had on working families. It was one of the few bills that conservatives and liberal leaning groups could agree on. This grocery tax reduction will benefit every Alabamian, said Robyn Hyden, executive director of Alabama Arise, in a statement Thursday. And it is an important step toward righting the wrongs of our states upside-down tax system, which forces Alabamians with low and moderate incomes to pay a higher share of their incomes in state and local taxes than the wealthiest households. Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, an independent nonprofit website covering politics and policy in state capitals around the nation. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama lawmakers pass grocery tax cut; bill heads to governor By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman Prior to the running of the $500,000 American Turf S. (G2) on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs, there was buzz that the race would rank among the best of the busy weekend. A stellar field of 13 three-year-olds started in the 1 1/16-mile grass prize, and a thrilling finish saw the top three finishers separated by half a length. Those top three finishersWebslinger, Far Bridge, and Major Dudeare entered in three different turf stakes this week. And if handicappers are correct that the 2023 American Turf was an above-average race for its grade, then it's easy to envision it turning into a key race that produces a bevy of next-out winners, includingperhapsthree this week. Let's check out the races in which Webslinger, Far Bridge, and Major Dude are competing: Pennine Ridge S. (G2) on Saturday at Belmont Park Eight talented three-year-olds are slated to race about 1 1/8 miles over the Belmont Park inner turf course in the Pennine Ridge, a local steppingstone toward the Belmont Derby (G1). Inaugurated in 2014, the Pennine Ridge has compiled a decorated roster of winners during its brief history, with Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Oscar Performance and Travers S. (G1) hero Catholic Boy among the notable victors. One of the most accomplished horses in the 2023 Penning Ridge field is #4 Silver Knott, a Godolphin colorbearer conditioned by internationally renowned trainer Charlie Appleby. Appleby's stellar 23-for-54 record in the U.S. and Canada includes a staggering nine Breeders' Cup victories, six of them achieved since 2021. Silver Knott nearly gave Appleby another Breeders' Cup win when he traveled to Keeneland for last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, but the bay colt failed by a nose to outkick Victoria Road and settled for second place. It's hard to knock Silver Knott's Breeders' Cup performance, given that he rocketed his final quarter-mile in approximately :22.12 and finished ahead of graded stakes winners like Nagirroc, Mo Stash, and the above-mentioned Major Dude and Webslinger. And while Silver Knott disappointed in his 2023 debut, finishing 11th in the historic 2000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket, it's possible he didn't handle the soft groundlast year, he finished a distant third in the Champagne (G2) over soft ground, sandwiching that defeat between Group 3 stakes wins over good ground. I would consider Silver Knott a lock to win the Pennine Ridge if not for the presence of #8 Far Bridge, a beautifully bred son of English Channel out of the Kitten's Joy mare Fitpitcher. I believe Far Bridge is one of the most talented young turf horses in training, as I outlined after he effortlessly swallowed 11 rivals to win a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park. Far Bridge suffered his first defeat from three starts when beaten a nose in the American Turf S. (G2) at Churchill Downs last month, but I thought he ran well under tricky circumstances, rallying through tight quarters along the inside to narrowly miss against the wide-rallying winner Webslinger. Far Bridge has drawn the far outside post position in the Pennine Ridge, setting the stage for an unencumbered journey. On his best day, I believe he has a sharper turn-of-foot than Silver Knott, so I'm optimistic Far Bridge can use his acceleration to get the jump on Silver Knott and snatch top honors in the Pennine Ridge. Audubon S. on Saturday at Churchill Downs If I like Far Bridge to beat Silver Knott in the Pennine Ridge, then I have to like #7 Webslinger to beat an easier group of rivals in the Audubon racing 1 1/8 miles over the Churchill lawn. Webslinger may have been a 22-1 longshot when he beat Far Bridge in the American Turf, but there was nothing unremarkable about his form. The Mark Casse trainee won the Nownownow S. at Monmouth Park as a juvenile, competed in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (finishing 11th by four lengths), and entered the American Turf off top-three finishes in the Colonel Liam S. at Gulfstream Park and the Transylvania S. (G3) at Keeneland. In both the Colonel Liam and the Transylvania, Webslinger was gamely gaining ground down the homestretch, even while squaring off against tough competition. In the Transylvania, for example, he finished two lengths behind Mo Stash (fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf) and one length behind 2022 Futurity (G3) winner Nagirroc, who came right back to nab the James W. Murphy S. Webslinger has already defeated three of his six Audubon rivals, and his proven affinity for the Churchill Downs turf course is a positive. He's clearly the horse to beat while dropping into the ungraded ranks for the Audubon. Penn Mile S. (G2) on Friday at Penn National The Penn Mile has been known to produce upsets. Force the Pass (2015) and Moon Colony (2019) sprung 9-1 surprises in the one-mile grass contest, while Wow Whata Summer (2022) shocked the world at 83-1. But I don't see the 2023 Penn Mile producing an upset. In fact, I'll be a bit surprised if anyone manages to take down #2 Major Dude (8-5). The morning line favorite won the Pilgrim S. (G2) as a juvenile and nabbed the Kitten's Joy S. (G3) during the winter at Gulfstream, so he's already proven on a couple of occasions that he's capable of competing at the graded stakes level. Major Dude's last two races have been his best. He joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a respectable runner-up finish in a fast renewal of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on Tapeta, beaten only by next-out Kentucky Derby runner-up Two Phil's. Lacking enough qualifying points to guarantee a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, Major Dude instead opted to enter the American Turf, where he tracked the early pace before battling on down the homestretch to finish third by half a length against Webslinger and Far Bridge. Major Dude is sticking to turf for the Penn Mile, and four-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz retains the mount. What's not to like? His credentials are strong, and he's coming out of a key race. The only horse I can envision giving Major Dude a fight is #8 Candidate (5-2), who beat Major Dude by 1 3/4 lengths in the one-mile Dania Beach S. in January at Gulfstream. But Candidate subsequently finished behind Major Dude in the Kitten's Joy, and a sixth-place finish in the Transylvania ranks as his most recent start. He's eligible to bounce back with a stronger showing in his first start as a gelding, but Major Dude has improved since their meeting in the Dania Beach, so I'm inclined to think the Penn National will produce a reprise of the Kitten's Joy outcome, with Major Dude leading home Candidate. Now it's your turn! Who do you like in the turf stakes for three-year-olds this week? ***** Want to test your handicapping skills against fellow Unlocking Winners readers? Check out the Unlocking Winners contest pagethere's a new challenge every week! (Please note: older contest entries can be found here.) J. Keeler Johnson (also known as "Keelerman") is a writer, videographer, voice actor, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. A toddler playing with blocks with caregiver This article was originally published in Alaska Beacon. The waitlist at the child care center Lori Berrigan runs in Palmer doubled this last year. There are 250 children on it. Berrigan said shes running LifeWays at capacity, but the business is barely breaking even. Were not profitable, even with 250 kids on our waitlist, because were providing quality care. And you cant provide quality care without paying your workers well, she said. Berrigan said she had to increase wages 30-40% to retain her staff. That means she has to raise her rates 30% starting this June. She said pandemic-era federally funded stabilization grants helped keep her business afloat, but even with the significant increase in her rates, she would have to consider shutting down if it werent for help from the state. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Im hoping that this is going to continue to be a viable thing, she said. Im going to see how this year goes. And then I may have to make hard decisions. Advocates for child care contacted lawmakers about funding problems statewide and the effort appears to have had an impact. The Legislature put an additional $7.5 million towards grants for child care providers in the coming years budget bill. More work to be done The funding is half the amount advocates say it would take to boost wages and stabilize the industry. Some lawmakers say they have more work to do. Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, said shes hugely supportive of funding child care centers. Shes the leader of the bipartisan Senate majority caucus. She said that reliable, safe child care affects the mental health outcomes of the states population in the future. We save money by appropriating for these vital services now, she said. The Senate majority leadership certainly saw the need for that for next year. The Senate approved $15 million for child care, but that didnt get enough support among the Republican led House majority caucus. My goal is to spend a lot more time talking with House counterparts, Giessel said. I didnt communicate as effectively as I should have. The $7.5 million currently in the budget still needs to be approved by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has the authority to veto all or part of individual items in the budget. Rep. Julie Coulombe, R-Anchorage and a member of the House majority, supported the funding. She is the liaison of the Legislature on the governors child care task force that Dunleavy announced in early April. Coulombe wrote a bill aimed at boosting child care, which is co-sponsored by members of the mostly Democratic House minority caucus. The reason why Im trying to figure that out is because Im pro-life, and the governor wants to be a pro-family state, Coulombe said. I would hate for somebody to feel like they couldnt have a baby because theres no support once the babys born. So lets give them some support to do it. It didnt pass this year, but Coulombe said shes hopeful for more movement on the child care issue when legislators reconvene next year. Child care and the economy Blue Shibler is the executive director of the Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children. She said child care centers are struggling despite intense demand for services. Whether youre talking about rural Alaska or cities, every single part of Alaska has a child care shortage. And that in the heart of that sort of shortage is absolutely, simply that its not a good business model you cant make a profit. In fact, you can only suffer a loss, really, at this point, Shibler said. She said any funding is good, but more would be better. I think its going to help, she said. I dont think were going to see growth in the industry, which is a bummer, because we really feel like having more child care availability is what was going to be part of the answer to the workforce shortages. That sentiment was echoed by Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Cathy Munoz in April. The lack of affordable and accessible quality childcare is a significant workforce challenge, she said in a press release. According to one study, 77% percent of Alaska parents reported missing work because of child care challenges. Forty percent of Alaskans interviewed for the study said that they or someone in their household had left a job, declined a job offer, or changed jobs because of child care issues in the last year. Christina Eubanks has run a legacy child care center in Anchorage for the last 15 years. She said the last year has been the most stressful of her career even though demand is as high as its ever been. A woman said to me, As soon as I knew my pregnancy was viable, I started looking for child care, Eubanks recounted. Shes literally looking at losing her job. And shes a professional woman losing her career because she cannot go back to work. But to hire staff, Eubanks has had to raise wages the minimum she pays is $16 an hour. That pay hike for her workers means that shes raising her rate to nearly $1,700 a month per child this summer. Theres a limit to what people can pay, she said. Her child care center, Hillcrest, is considering scholarships for currently enrolled families that cannot afford the increase. She said the state funding is going to help her keep the cost to families down while she invests in retaining her staff. The $7.5 million in the state budget is the biggest boost shes seen from the state. It would translate to about $10,000 a month for her care center and she plans to put it all towards salaries. Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com. Follow Alaska Beacon on Facebook and Twitter. The shine of Amanda Gormans work cant be dimmed. Following a Florida school banning The Hill We Climb, sales have skyrocketed for the presidential inauguration poem as well as the poets Call Us What We Carry and Change Sings, according to Variety. The pieces of work have even taken over Amazons best-seller list. Plus, the pre-order for Gormans upcoming childrens book Something, Someday is No. 2 on Amazons list of best-selling new releases in childrens books on prejudice and racism, as of this writing. The Hill We Climb was banned after Daily Salinas, a parent of two students at Bob Graham Education Center in Miami Lakes, FL, filed a complaint that the poem, among other works, included references to critical race theory, indirect hate messages, gender ideology and indoctrination, per Miami Herald. Gorman shared on Twitter that she felt gutted after this one parents opposition to her inauguration poem has led to a ban. And lets be clear: most of the forbidden works are by authors who have struggled for generations to get on bookshelves, Gorman wrote. The majority of these censored works are by queer and non-white voices. I wrote The Hill We Climb so that all young people could see themselves in a historical moment. Ever since. Ive received countless letters and videos from children inspired by The Hill We Climb to write their own poems. She continued, Robbing children of the chance to find their 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. Variety reports that Penguin Random House, Gormans publisher, joined forces with PEN America to bring a lawsuit against Floridas Escambia County School District and School Board. The other pieces of work the parent wants to have banned from library shelves are Rio Cortezs The ABCs of Black History, George Anconas Cuban Kids, Kieran Walshs Cuba (Countries in the News II) and Tony Medinas Love to Langston. Hundreds of corporate Amazon employees walked out of the companys Seattle headquarters on Wednesday, protesting the companys climate issues and its return-to-office requirements. Organizers for the event said early Wednesday that more than 1,900 global employees had pledged to participate in the walkout, which started at noon local time, with some workers protesting virtually and with about 900 in Seattle. CNN reported that organizers said more than 1,000 corporate employees ultimately participated in the event but that Amazon estimated roughly 300 people participated. Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ) on Wednesday called the walkout a success. The protesters are raising concerns about Amazons climate pledge, which they argue the company isnt meeting. Amazon has faced criticism for its plastic waste and use of fossil fuels to power the vehicles that ship products worldwide. Theyre also speaking out about the companys new policy requiring workers return to the office three days a week. Previously, Amazon let team leaders decide work location. In a statement, Amazon said it supported workers expressing opinions. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In the Amazon region where pair was killed, neglect and allegations of harsh justice Maria de Fatima da Costa, mother of Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, who confessed to the killings of Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips, stands in the doorway of Amarildo's home in the Sao Gabriel community, Amazonas state, Brazil, March 1, 2023. Da Costa is also the mother of Oseney da Costa de Oliveira, also arrested and accused of the murders of Pereira, an expert on Indigenous communities and Phillips, a British journalist. (AP Photo/Fabiano Maisonnave) LADARIO, Brazil (AP) One year ago on a Friday afternoon, Bruno Pereira, an expert on Indigenous peoples, and Dom Phillips, a British journalist, motored along the Itaquai river in far western Brazil, to the settlement of Ladario. The line of wooden houses here marks a boundary between the sprawling Javari Valley Indigenous Territory in the Brazilian Amazon and the non-Indigenous world. They were greeted by the man everyone knows as Caboclo, Laurimar Lopes Alves. Pereiras relationship with people like him in these river communities had often been tense. Pereira had been a lead official with the nation's Indigenous agency until recently, and these non-Indigenous communities were frequent trespassers onto Indigenous land to hunt and fish. He had fought those practices fiercely, confiscating and destroying fishing gear. But Pereira now sought a different approach. He was on leave from the government, helping to build alternative livelihoods in these remote and desperately poor communities, which receive virtually no support from the government, although they are legally entitled to it. I told Bruno that by the end of the month, I would harvest 700 clusters of bananas. He said, I will go to Brasilia and come back with a solution for you to sell bananas, Caboclo told The Associated Press. But Bruno would not return. Within 48 hours, on June 5, 2022, he and Phillips, who was writing a book on how preserve the Amazon, would be ambushed and shot, their bodies burned, dismembered and buried in a shallow river grave. As the one-year anniversary of the killings approached, The Associated Press returned to the Javari Valley to describe the backdrop against which they took place and what unfolded next. Caboclo, 46, who cannot read and supports five children, did not find a new market for his banana harvest. Instead, the Federal Police came looking for him. They accused him of taking part in illegal fishing and took him to the nearby city of Tabatinga, where the prison is run by criminal organizations. Caboclo admits he had fished illegally in the past, but claims he stopped doing so years ago. RIPPLE EFFECTS IN A FORGOTTEN PLACE To pay for a lawyer, his mother-in-law had to sell her house. He now lives in the city of Benjamin Constant, far from the banana grove and cassava patch that provided his livelihood. In March, when the AP met him, his home detention allowed him out four hours a day, while his fields are five hours away. Their only income now for a household of ten is $240 per month from a federal benefit. Caboclo was charged with participation in an illegal fish organization and spent 124 days in prison without trial, which his attorney, Mozarth Bessa Neto, says surpassed the legal limit of 81 days. Upstream, the community of Sao Gabriel is just a few wooden houses, several of them empty. There, an AP reporter found Maria de Fatima da Costa, 60, knee-deep in the river, cleaning a wooden plank. Da Costa is the mother of Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, a fisherman who confessed to the killings and is in a maximum-security prison thousands of kilometers away. She agrees her son must pay for the crime he committed, but tears up recounting that her other son, Oseney da Costa de Oliveira, was also charged with murder, something he denies. He is just as far away, in a different prison. He is innocent. I am sure he is innocent. And his house is abandoned, his family is abandoned, everything is falling apart, she said, with tears in her eyes. Oseney has four children, who live with his wife in Atalaia do Norte. She cleans houses now. The other accused individuals say that Oseney is innocent," Goreth Rubim, Oseneys attorney, agreed. There is no concrete evidence in the federal case of his involvement in the murders, he said. The AP sent inquiries to the Federal Police but did not receive a response. In Sao Gabriel, there is no electricity or plumbing. Without internet access, the community relies on one public phone, which was out of service when the AP visited. The only government help comes from the city hall, which distributes food during flood season, when fish are scarce and there are no crops. The federal government promised things were going to be very different here. These river communities, of mixed African and even Indigenous ancestries, date back to the rubber era, which began in the late 1800s. That industry steadily declined after World War II and never recovered, leaving thousands of families in poverty across the entire Amazon region. Many rubber tapper descendants turned to logging, but when Indigenous lands were legally recognized in 2001, they were no longer permitted into that forest. Those who had built there, had to move. Although a main distinction of these settlers is that they are non-Indigenous, their actual ancestry is African and Indigenous, from other parts of the country, so they live with color-ranking racism. To address their conditions, in 2011, the federal government created a land reform project called the Lago de Sao Rafael Agroextractivist Project that on paper, seemed promising: 71,000 hectares of forest (175,000 acres), where they may fish and harvest. It was supposed to bring electricity, rural lines of credit, and technical assistance for managed fishing and acai-growing and other non-depleting ways of making a living. But none of this happened. The National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform, known as Incra, only allocated $5,100 for five families, it said. In other words, the Brazilian government spent $425 per year on average for a sustainable land reform project that covers an area four times the size of Washington, D.C. The closest Incra office is in Manaus, a 2-hour flight if a resident were able to get to the nearest airport. The governments absence is so profound here that 81-year-old Martins dos Santos, who actually founded the Sao Gabriel community, was unaware that he is living in an official settlement until he was informed of it by the AP. I have never seen an Incra official, he said. He wasn't aware the place is called Lago de Sao Rafael. When the AP mentioned the acronym for the government effort, PAE, which is well-known in some Amazon regions, he and other residents confused it with the Portuguese word for father, pai. The broader area, Atalaia do Norte, ranks third-worst among more than 5,500 Brazilian municipalities on the U.N. Human Development Index, scored on illiteracy, standard of living and health. STATE OF THE CASE Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira was not the only person to confess to the killings. Another fisherman, Jeferson da Silva Lima, did too, and is also in prison awaiting trial. Amarildo claims that military police suffocated him with a plastic bag to get his confession. Documents from a medical exam at the time show the two brothers had minor injuries after being arrested by Amazonas state police. The agency did not reply to questions about whether the claim was investigated. A Colombian businessman, Rubens Villar Coelho, stands accused of masterminding the crime, and is also in custody. As the owner of a floating fish warehouse outpost, he financed fishermen who ventured onto Indigenous land on trips that could last weeks. He denies any involvement in the killings. Some see the crime as a reflection of how much Brazil's Indigenous agency, Funai, was dismantled under far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who long opposed the very concept of Indigenous land rights. He wanted to open up the territories for economic activities such as mining and commercial agriculture. Experiencing that pressure firsthand in his job at Funai, Pereira requested a leave of absence and was working as an advisor for Univaja, an organization that brings together six Indigenous peoples living in the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory, when he was killed. It is an area roughly the size of Portugal and home to the worlds largest population of isolated Indigenous groups, at least 16. Pereiras intention for communities to raise their standard of living through legal activities remains a distant reality now. Recently a local fishermen's association reported that police were using harsh tactics against them, and managed to secure free federal legal assistance. The police and other officials "are entering homes without a warrant and confiscating fishing gear under the justification that they belong to illegal fishermen. Not all fishermen are criminals, but they are being treated as such, it said. The crime also changed Caboclos life. During the conversation with AP, he wept recalling his time in prison. I didnt know what a criminal gang was. Now I know. - Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. In the Amazon region where pair was killed, neglect and allegations of harsh justice Maria de Fatima da Costa, mother of Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, who confessed to the killings of Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips, stands in the doorway of Amarildo's home in the Sao Gabriel community, Amazonas state, Brazil, March 1, 2023. Da Costa is also the mother of Oseney da Costa de Oliveira, also arrested and accused of the murders of Pereira, an expert on Indigenous communities and Phillips, a British journalist. (AP Photo/Fabiano Maisonnave) LADARIO, Brazil (AP) One year ago on a Friday afternoon, Bruno Pereira, an expert on Indigenous affairs, and Dom Phillips, a British journalist, motored along the Itaquai river in far western Brazil, to the settlement of Ladario. The line of wooden houses here marks a boundary between the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory in the Brazilian Amazon, and the non-Indigenous world. They were greeted by the man everyone knows as Caboclo. Pereiras relationship with these river communities had often been tense. He had been the lead official with the nations Indigenous agency, and these non-Indigenous communities were frequent trespassers onto Indigenous land to hunt and fish. He had fought this, confiscating fishing gear. But Pereira now sought a different approach. He was on leave from the government, helping build alternative livelihoods in these remote and desperately poor communities, which receive virtually no support from the government, although they are entitled to it. I told Bruno that by the end of the month, I would harvest 700 clusters of bananas. He said, I will go to Brasilia and come back with a solution for you to sell bananas, Caboclo told The Associated Press. But Bruno would not return. Within 48 hours he and Phillips would be ambushed and shot, their bodies burned, dismembered and buried in a shallow river grave. As the one year anniversary of the murders approached, The Associated Press returned to the Javari Valley to describe the backdrop against which the murders took place, and the ripple effects. Caboclo, who supports five children, did not find a new market for his banana harvest. Instead, the Federal Police accused him of taking part in illegal fishing and took him to a prison run by criminal gangs. Caboclo admits he had fished illegally in the past, but claims he stopped doing so years ago. He spent 124 days in jail without trial, which his attorney, Mozarth Bessa Neto, said is illegal. Upstream, the community of Sao Gabriel is made up of a few wooden houses, five of them empty. There an AP reporter found Maria de Fatima da Costa, 60, knee-deep in the river, cleaning a wooden plank. Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, a fisherman who confessed to the murders and is in prison, is her son. She agrees he must pay for what he did, but tears up recounting that her other son, Oseney da Costa de Oliveira, was also charged in the murders, something he denies. He also has been imprisoned since then. He is innocent. And his house is abandoned, his family is abandoned, everything is falling apart, she said, with tears in her eyes. The AP sent inquiries to the Federal Police but did not receive a response. There is no electricity or plumbing in Sao Gabriel, even though the government promised things were going to be so different here. These river communities date back to the rubber era, which began in the late 1800s. The industrys decline left thousands of families in poverty across the entire Amazon region. Many rubber tapper descendants turned to logging, but when Indigenous lands were legally recognized in 2001, they were no longer permitted into those forests. In 2011, the federal government created a land reform project that on paper, seemed promising: 71,000 hectares of forest (175,000 acres), where traditional, non-Indigenous communities may fish and harvest. It was supposed to bring electricity, rural lines of credit, and assistance for managed fishing and acai growing. But that didn't happen. In the twelve years since, the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform, or Incra, allocated just $5,100 for the settlement of five families, it said. The governments absence is so profound here that 81-year-old Martins dos Santos, who actually founded the Sao Gabriel community, was unaware that he lives in an official settlement until told by the AP. STATE OF THE CASE Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira was not the only person to confess to the murders. Another fisherman, Jeferson da Silva Lima, did too, and is also in prison awaiting trial. Amarildo claims that military police suffocated him with a plastic bag to get his confession. Documents from a medical exam at the time show the two brothers had minor injuries after they were arrested by Amazonas state police. The department did not reply to questions. A Colombian businessman, Rubens Villar Coelho, stands accused of masterminding the crime, and is also in custody. He financed fishermen who ventured onto Indigenous land on trips that could last weeks. Some people say the crime also exposed how much Brazils Indigenous agency, Funai, was dismantled under far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who long opposed the very concept of Indigenous land rights. Experiencing that pressure firsthand in his job at Funai, Pereira requested a leave of absence and was working as an advisor for Univaja, an organization that brings together six Indigenous peoples living in the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory, when he was murdered. It is an area roughly the size of Portugal and home to the worlds largest population of isolated Indigenous groups. Pereiras intention for communities to raise their standard of living through legal activities remains a distant reality now. Recently a local fishermens association reported that police were using harsh tactics against them and managed to secure free federal legal assistance. The police and other officials are entering homes without a warrant and confiscating fishing gear under the justification that they belong to illegal fishermen. Not all fishermen are criminals, but they are being treated as such, it said. ____ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. "I move on. That's life," said the actress Neilson Barnard/Getty Amber Heard Amber Heard is perfectly content in Spain. The Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom actress, 37, relocated to Madrid, Spain, months after her Virginia defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp ended with a verdict on June 1, 2022. In a brief video circulating on TikTok, Heard answers questions from local reporters on the sidewalk, saying in Spanish, "I love Spain so much." When they asked if she plans on staying, she replied, "Yes, I hope so. Yes, I love living here." Saying goodbye to the people filming her, Heard said, "I hope you are well, ciao. And thank you, nice to meet you." After being asked if she has movie projects on the horizon, she confirmed that she does, adding, "I move on. That's life." Related: Amber Heard Smiles While Stepping Out in Madrid After Moving Overseas Post-Trial: Photos A source previously told PEOPLE that Heard "couldn't wait to leave the U.S. with her daughter" after the trial. Heard, who is mom to 2-year-old daughter Oonagh Paige, "has been living in Spain, where she gets more privacy," said the source. JIM WATSON/POOL/AFP/Getty "The trial was beyond stressful for her and she just wanted to start fresh out of the country," the source added. "She is excited about working and filming again. She was exhausted and disappointed about the trial. She felt she was mistreated. This is all behind her now, though." "She has new energy and is focused on things that she loves," the source said. 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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In December, Heard revealed that she and Depp reached a settlement and dropped their appeals to the Virginia verdict. She wrote in a statement that month, "It's important for me to say that I never chose this. I defended my truth in doing so my life as I knew it was destroyed. The vilification I have faced on social media is an amplified version of the ways women are re-victimised when they come forward." "Now I finally have an opportunity to emancipate myself from something I attempted to leave over six years ago and on terms I can agree to," Heard continued. "I have made no admission. This is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags with respect to my voice moving forward." Earlier this month, Depp, 59, was applauded as his French-language film Jeanne Du Barry opened the Cannes Film Festival, signing autographs before walking the red carpet. He later got emotional as the film received a standing ovation after its screening. Doug Peters/PA Images via Getty Images Johnny Depp at Cannes Film Festival During a press conference at the festival in France, Depp was asked about returning to movies after the highly publicized trial and whether he feels "boycotted by Hollywood." "Do I feel boycotted now? No, not at all. But I don't feel boycotted by Hollywood because I don't think about it. I don't think about Hollywood. I don't have much further need for Hollywood myself," he said. Added Depp, "I keep wondering about the word comeback because I didn't go anywhere. As a matter of fact, I live about 45 minutes away. So yeah, maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time. But no, I didn't go nowhere. I've been sitting around." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Mother of three Francesca Williams, 44, was shot dead during a home invasion at her farm in Ecuador last month (Facebook) A Colorado mother-of-three was shot dead while trying to protect her elderly father during a home invasion at her farm in southern Ecuador. Francesca Williams, 44, was killed when robbers burst onto the family property in the village of Vilacamba where she lived with her father John, husband Michael and the couples three teenage daughters on 20 May, according to reports. Michael Williams told KDVR that the first he realised the farm was under attack was when he was struck by a hard object in the head while standing outside and collapsed to the ground. Francesca had been hanging washing when the gunmen showed up, and was fatally shot in the back while trying to protect her birth father John, her adoptive mother Marianna Bacilla told NBC San Diego. John, who suffered from emphysema and dementia, was stabbed three times during there attack but is out of hospital and expected to make a full recovery. The couples daughter Rachel told KDVR that she had witnessed the gunfire strike her mother. I saw my grandpa on the floor with a strange man to the right, then I saw another man with my mom and she was scrambling after him, basically fighting him off, the teenager said. Then I saw two sparks of a gun and heard gunshots. The family reported hearing the men asking in Spanish for the large aunt, and believe they were at the wrong address. Francesca Williams, left, with husband Michael, centre front, father John, and their three children Rachel, Renee and Rebekah (GoFundme) Michael Williams told the news site he was tied up before the assailants ransacked the home taking any valuables they could find, including iPads and laptops. After they left he discovered his wife badly wounded and drove to the nearest medical facility, but she had already succumbed to her injuries. Her body has since been returned to her former hometown of Kremmling, Colorado, and a funeral is due to be held on 3 June. On a fundraising page set up to help the family, Ms Bacilla said they had moved several years ago to the farm in rural southern Ecuador where they were raising chickens, goats, horses, pigs, ducks and guinea fowl. It was their humble Shangri-La, she said. Francesca Williams was described as a devoted wife and mother, who graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in linguistics. She was fluent in French, Spanish and Lithuanian, worked as a translator and had recently published her first illustrated childrens book The Kings Magic. A few days after the attack, Michael Williams said the family were in a heightened level of anxiousness and security because we arent in a safe place. A GoFundme page has received nearly $30,000 in donations. Ammunition, modern tanks, hypersonic missiles what Ukraine really needs to defeat Russia Tom Cooper Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fire from the western 155-mm howitzer M777 The Ukrainian Armed Forces dont need F-16s, but artillery rounds and in huge numbers to change the situation at the front, Austrian military expert Tom Cooper argues in an exclusive interview with NV on May 29. Read also: What Does the F-16 Mean For Ukraine? opinion "In January, February and March, it was clearly demonstrated that above all you need a lot of artillery shells," Cooper said. I don't mean just sending you 100,000-200,000 or 300,000 rounds every month. I mean millions of shells a month until you have so many shells that your military doesn't have to think about wasting them. Read also: Russian Kinzhal missile production ramps up fivefold - Defense Express This is the most important need for the Ukrainian Armed Forces because "artillery kills Russians in large numbers; and the only way to force Russia to retreat from Ukraine is to destroy the Russian army," Cooper said. The second most important item is heavy infantry weapons, namely automatic grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. The third item is heavy equipment, including tanks, and armored personnel carriers. "Right now, you're still equipped with NATO Class 2 weapons," Cooper explained. "You're getting old tanks, you're getting old armored personnel carriers, you're not getting enough infantry fighting vehicles. You're just now getting some really modern infantry fighting vehicles from Sweden (CV90) that have a 40mm cannon. This is really fantastic equipment, and it is very well protected. This is exactly what you need for advancement and other operations." The fourth item is air defense systems like Patriot, like IRIS-T, like NASAMS, and more Hawk systems. After all, Ukraine needs an air defense system that the army can move along with the troops on the front. Read also: Ukraine needs to strengthen air defense systems ahead of winter, says Reznikov The fifth item is the Israeli-made, long-range Rampage fast hypersonic missile. "You launch it from, say, an F-16. It flies almost ballistic at a distance of 150 kilometers and hits the target accurately," Cooper says. This is a much better weapon than the long-range British Storm Shadow, HIMARS and other rockets, because they are all slow, Cooper argues. "Storm Shadow moves at a speed of 800-900 km/h," the military analyst explained. Read also: Ukraine uses Storm Shadow missiles to target Russian troops in occupied Berdyansk HIMARS rockets are also relatively slow. You need weapons that are faster, and you need them in large quantities. 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 Police are still investigating the cause of the sudden collapse Iowa surgeons had to amputate a woman's leg to free her from the rubble of a building that partially collapsed in the town of Davenport on Sunday. "In the blink of a second," Quanishia White-Berry was trapped beneath the concrete and waited for hours before rescuers reached her, her wife said. Two people are believed to still be trapped in a part of the building "not sustainable for life", Mayor Mike Matson said on Thursday. A third resident is unaccounted for. Additionally, a city employee who mistakenly marked a 25 May inspection of construction on the building as "passed" when it was incomplete has resigned, said Richard Oswald, Davenport's director of development. City officials gave their latest update on Thursday on the collapse of the sixth-story property. "This is something that we've never experienced before as a community, something that has impacted our entire community," Jeff Bladel, the city's chief of police said of the incident. By the city's count, seven people were rescued in the first hour of the collapse, local news reported. It was hours before first responders found Ms White-Berry. Ms White-Berry's wife, Lexus Berry, described to local media a chaotic scene as her apartment began crumbling around her on Sunday. "There was nothing left but where I was standing," she told The Quad-City Times. She said the couple was sitting in their fourth-floor unit when they noticed a disturbing crack above the bathroom doorway. They decided to grab their two cats and make a quick exit. Ms Berry reached the door. Her wife did not. "She was down there for seven hours," Ms Berry said. Surgeons and rescue workers eventually amputated her left leg above the knee to free her, Quad-City Times reported. She is now recovering in hospital. Five residents remained unaccounted for on Wednesday but that number has since been reduced to three, after one was found to be in Texas and another located in Davenport, Mr Bladel said. Police have contacted family members for two of three believed to be in the rubble. They are still searching for information on a third, identified as Daniel Prien. The building, a century-old former hotel, had 53 tenants, many who are now being housed in a nearby American Red Cross shelter. The property has continued to shift and will be demolished, city officials have said. Plans to bring the building down early this week were paused after a woman was found on Monday evening. Locals have raised concerns some people could still be pulled from the rubble. "We will continue to investigate," said Mayor Matson on Thursday. "We understand the significance and the terrible tragedy that families are going through." A gigantic tooth that once belonged to an ancient mastodon was discovered, lost and then found again over Memorial Day weekend, after a tourist saw and photographed it on a California beach without realizing what it was. The tourist, whom officials described as a visitor with ties to the Santa Cruz area, originally spotted the rare fossil at Rio Del Mar beach last Friday. She posted a photo of the tooth, which measured 1 foot long, according to the news station KRON-TV, to social media where it was then recognized by Wayne Thompson, the paleontology collections advisor at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. "This is (a) ... molar tooth of the Pacific Mastodon Mammut pacificus, and an extremely important find. Give me a call when you get a chance," Thompson wrote in response to her social media post, the museum said in a news release. An ancient mastodon tooth was found on a beach in northern California earlier this week. / Credit: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Dating back to the Ice Age, mastodons refer to a group of giant elephant-like species, including the mammoth, that became extinct around 10,000 years ago. Remains of the ancient creature have been found in Santa Cruz before. When Thompson returned to the spot on the beach where the tourist had originally seen the massive tooth, it had vanished. But the fossil was ultimately located again after a public call from the natural history museum asked community members for help in their search to recover it. "Only two other specimens of the Pacific mastodon have been recorded locally, both of which are held in our collections. This new discovery is of great significance for our developing understanding of life in the area during the last ice age," the museum wrote in a Facebook post shared on Monday. Jim Smith, a local resident who the museum said jogs regularly on Rio Del Mar beach, came across the tooth during a run the next morning. Smith called the museum to report his discovery after seeing images of the fossil on the news, officials said. "I was so excited to get that call," said Liz Broughton, a visitor experience manager at the museum, in a statement. "Jim told us that he had stumbled upon it during one of his regular jogs along the beach, but wasn't sure of what he had found until he saw a picture of the tooth on the news. He was so excited to hear it was a mastodon tooth and was eager to share it with the museum." The museum said it is "excited to support the curation and care of this specimen" and intends to make the tooth available for scientific study in addition to putting it on display in an exhibit. The other two mastodon remnants currently on display at the Santa Cruz history museum are a skull and another tooth. Thompson excavated the skull after it was found by a teenager in Aptos Creek in 1980, and spent years repairing it, according to the museum. Destruction from Russia's war on Ukraine revealed in new before and after satellite images The innovative effort to restore reefs Are orcas coordinating attacks on boats? Anger in Kyiv as 3 killed trying to get into closed bomb shelter Three people, including a young girl, were killed in Kyiv on Thursday while desperately trying to take cover in a closed bomb shelter amid fresh Russian strikes, in an incident that sparked anger in the Ukrainian capital. Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko condemned the incident as a crime in a statement shared by Ukraines National Police, adding that an investigation had been launched. Russia launched a total of 10 missiles at Kyiv early on Thursday morning, all of which were shot down, the Ukraine Armed Forces said. However, falling debris from the skies killed three people a 9-year-old girl, her 34-year-old mother, and a 33-year-old woman according to the national police. Fourteen others were injured. The husband of one of the women told public broadcaster Suspilne that when they heard the air raid alarm, people ran to the shelter but found it locked. People knocked They knocked for a very long time There were women, children. No one opened. My wife and child [were there]. The child is fine, but my wife died, he said. I just ran to the other side, calling for them to open. And just at that moment everything happened, at that moment something flew I dont know, fragments or something, the man, named Yaroslav, added. Another eyewitness named Kateryna Didukh said: They ran here to hide, but unfortunately it was closed. This is the largest bomb shelter. They were all standing at the entrance. There is a polyclinic and a kindergarten here, and it fell right between them. An image taken in the aftermath of the incident shows the grandfather of the nine-year-old victim, who was killed alongside her mother, watching over her body. The photographer, Serhii Okunev, said in a Facebook post the man sat on his haunches for several hours, then a chair was found for him. Lessons would have to be learned from the incident, minister Klymenko said in his statement. The 16th month of full-scale war. It would seem that during this time, responsible officials should have identified and fixed all the flaws in the issue of peoples safety. The enemy continues large-scale shelling of cities. But some shelters still remain closed during the air raid alarm. Closed bomb shelters during the war are not just indifference. It is a crime, he added, calling for shelters to be kept open around the clock. A damaged building is seen in Kyiv after a Russian aerial attack on a children's hospital and a residential building on June 1, 2023. - Oleksii Chumachenko/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images A woman stands over the body of her daughter, next to a Kyiv clinic that was damaged during a Russian missile attack. - Roman Pilipey/Getty Images Bomb shelter patrols In response to the incident on Thursday, Kyivs Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said police would now patrol bomb shelters in the city during night-time air-raid alarms to check they are open. In a Telegram post, Klitschko said a missile fragment fell near the entrance to a clinic in the Desnianskyi district of the capital, 4 minutes after the air raid alarm was announced. People were running to the shelter. Now the investigation is establishing whether the shelter was open. Whether there were people in it, he said. I gave a separate order to the heads of the capitals districts to immediately check all bomb shelters, he added. Klitchko said he had asked for the head of the Desnianskyi district to be removed from his duties while the investigation into the shelter at the clinic is underway, adding that the head of the medical institution should also be removed. Russia launched a total of 10 missiles at Kyiv early on Thursday morning, all of which were shot down, the Ukraine Armed Forces said. - Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters Belgorod strikes Ukraine, meanwhile, unleashed an early-morning strike on Russias Belgorod region Thursday, a day after Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov lashed out at Western countries for not condemning recent strikes inside Russian territory. Shebekino is under incessant fire: at 12 a.m., 3:40 a.m. and 5:15 a.m., the Ukrainian armed forces fired Grad missiles at the center and outskirts of the city, Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladlov said on Telegram. Gladkov added that of the five injured, three people have been hospitalized, one woman was treated at the scene, and there is information about a man who is unconscious with multiple shrapnel wounds. An ambulance team is transporting him to the hospital. Residential and administrative buildings were damaged in the strikes, according to Gladkov. Belgorod which borders Ukraines Kharkiv region has recently become a hotbed of straying violence, marking a new turn in a conflict that is increasingly coming home to the Russian people. In a regular call with journalists on Wednesday, before the overnight strikes, Peskov said the Kremlin was concerned about the situation in Belgorod. He said: We have not heard a single word of condemnation from any one from the collective West, so far. The situation is rather alarming. Measures are being taken. Meanwhile, the Russian Volunteer Corps a group of anti-Putin Russian nationals aligned with the Ukrainian army has denied shelling civilians as it claimed its second phase inside Russia had begun on Thursday. In a video message, a fighter from the Russian Volunteer Corps claimed they were once again fighting on Russian territory. The Freedom for Russia Legion posted a video online, claiming it shows the detonation of ammunition and mortar of the enemy after a precise artillery work on them. CNN has geolocated the video of an explosion to Shebekinsky District, in Belgorod, but cannot verify the claim of a successful strike. The Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday that together with the Federal Security Service (FSB) it had prevented an incursion across its border by Ukraine, saying tanks and two motorized infantry companies attempted to enter the Belgorod region. According to the daily briefing by the Russian MoD, around 3 a.m. Moscow time (8 p.m. Wednesday ET), after intensive shelling of civilian targets in the Belgorod region, Ukrainian terrorist formations with up to two motorized infantry companies, reinforced with tanks, attempted to invade the territory of the Russian Federation near the settlement of Novaya Tavolzhanka and the Shebekino international automobile checkpoint. The Russian military repelled three attacks by Ukrainian terrorist groups, MOD spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said, adding that terrorists of the Kyiv regime were pushed back, suffering significant losses. Violations of the state border were not allowed, he added. The governor of Russias Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, also denied these latest claims of a border incursion. There was no enemy on the territory of the Belgorod region and there is none, Gladkov said in a Telegram video message Thursday. There is massive shelling. Of course, the lives of civilians, the population is under threat. Mainly, in Shebekino and in the surrounding villages, he added. The Russian Volunteer Corps, alongside another anti-Putin group known as the Freedom for Russia Legion, last week claimed responsibility for an incursion into Belgorod. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Travis Goldtooth, a member of the Navajo Nation, was the reigning Miss Montana Two-Spirit in 2019. Katherine Davis-Young for The Washington Post via Getty Images Montanas Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte became the latest to sign several new anti-transgender laws, including one that will prevent gender-affirming medical care for minors. One thing these new laws do not take into account is that the 12 federally recognized tribes in Montana have historically recognized multiple gender identities, including transgender identities. Most Indigenous peoples recognize multiple gender identities that are believed to be the result of supernatural intervention. In this regard, Montana state Rep. Donavon Hawk, a Democrat from Butte who is Crow and Lakota, said, It surprises me that this country is only a couple hundred years old, and we are not able to function with LGBTQ people in our communities. Indigenous communities have incorporated LGBTQ+ peoples within their societies for centuries. As an Indigenous scholar who studies the history and religion of Indigenous peoples, I am troubled by how these new anti-transgender laws might affect religious expression and the rights of Indigenous communities, not just in Montana but across the nation. Indigenous ideas about gender Indigenous peoples have been in North America for at least 30,000 years. As their societies developed over time, hundreds of different ethnicities, languages, religious practices, gender expressions and identities emerged. Transgender individuals, an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity is not linked to the sex they were assigned at birth, have existed throughout history, including within Indigenous communities. I learned from my maternal grandparents about Blackfeet religion and history. The Blackfeet acknowledged and accepted individual gender expression and identity because it was granted by the divine. Personal gender identity was rarely questioned, because it was tantamount to questioning the divine. I first learned about Blackfeet ideas about transgender individuals as a young person from hearing oral history stories about famous Blackfeet religious leaders, warriors and adventurers who were transgender. They were viewed as having a direct connection to the divine. People often sought out these individuals for blessings, prayer or spiritual guidance. Indeed, anthropologists and historians have studied Blackfeet gender expression and learned that the Blackfeet recognized multiple gender identities, including what is defined today in Western societies as transgender. Two-Spirit and the divine The modern-day term that many Indigenous peoples in North America have begun to use as an umbrella term to describe the multiple gender identities within Indigenous communities is Two-Spirit. That includes transgender people. In many Indigenous communities, as the Indian Health Service notes, Two-Spirit identity is believed to come from the divine in visions or dreams and Two-Spirit people often filled special religious roles as healers, shamans and ceremonial leaders. Even though the term Two-Spirit does not encompass the wide variety of gender identities across Indigenous communities, many people embrace its use as a way to revitalize Indigenous traditions. Sadly, transphobia does exist within contemporary Native American communities. And anti-transgender violence is part of the life experience of Two-Spirit people. Some scholars argue this is because of the long history of colonialism and cultural genocide that forced the Western-defined gender binary and patriarchy on Indigenous communities. The laws might hurt Indigenous rights Montanas recent legislative session passed several anti-transgender laws, including one that allows health care providers to refuse patients based on conscience, prohibits drag story hours and defines biological sex as only male or female, in addition to preventing gender-affirming medical care for minors. Worried about how this last law will affect Montanas children, the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that taking away this care will, without a doubt, harm kids. Montana is not alone in its efforts to introduce and pass anti-transgender legislation. The nationwide civil rights group Human Rights Campaign states that in 2023 alone, more than 450 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures. Students and transgender rights activists staging a demonstration for trans rights on the University of Montana campus. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Investigative journalist Nora Mabie wrote in an article in May 2023 that Indigenous peoples and Native American tribes were being left out of this decision-making process as a result of racism, discrimination and partisanship in the Montana Legislature. By ignoring the long Indigenous histories of integrating multiple gender identities consecrated by the divine, legislatures are bound to cause both individual suffering and the diminishing of Indigenous peoples rights to practice their own religions. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters. It was written by: Rosalyn R. LaPier, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Read more: Rosalyn R. LaPier does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. A verified Twitter account mocking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has skyrocketed in followers and engagement over the last two days, with some help from Elon Musk. Twitter appeared to reinstate the once-banned account in May, with Musk soon interacting with it and boosting its following. Twitter has promoted the parody account in other ways, too, including ranking it first in search results for AOC, above Ocasio-Cortezs official account. On Tuesday, the account garnered wide attention on the platform after the real Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, FYI theres a fake account on here impersonating me and going viral. The Twitter CEO has engaged it, boosting visibility. It is releasing false policy statements and gaining spread. I am assessing with my team how to move forward. In the meantime, be careful of what you see. FYI theres a fake account on here impersonating me and going viral. The Twitter CEO has engaged it, boosting visibility. It is releasing false policy statements and gaining spread. I am assessing with my team how to move forward. In the meantime, be careful of what you see. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 30, 2023 Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., appeared to be referencing @AOCPress, which is marked as a parody account but looks close to identical to the congresswomans real account when users scroll through their feeds. Parody accounts are required to mark themselves as impersonators on their profiles, but that marking gets cut off when viewing the @AOCPress accounts tweets in the feeds of the mobile application. The account is fooling some of the people who read its tweets bringing to life some of the fears about Musks paid verification system that stripped legacy verified users of their blue check marks. In the replies, there is a mix of responses from people taking the tweets at face value and attributing them to the real Ocasio-Cortez, while others point out that its a parody account. The accounts most viral tweet plays into a sexist trope that Musk and other conservatives have embraced since his Twitter takeover that Ocasio-Cortez is secretly attracted to him. This might be the wine talking, but Ive got a crush on @elonmusk, the parody account tweeted on May 28. The next day, Musk replied with a fire emoji. The tweet has been viewed more than 26 million times, according to Twitters metrics, and has more than 60,000 likes. Among other viral tweets Ocasio-Cortez may have been referencing is one that pledged $3 trillion in reparations to the transgender community and another that suggested sending 10 million Americans to Ukraine. The parody account actually has existed since November 2018 but the following year, under Twitter founder Jack Dorseys leadership, it was permanently suspended for its misleading parody content. When Musk took over the company in 2022, the account was reinstated and some of the new policies have appeared to amplify it. According to Social Blade, a social media analytics tracker, the Ocasio-Cortez parody account had 85,000 followers in May 2019, the month it was suspended for impersonating the congresswoman. After the accounts restoration in May 2023, it immediately lost over 16,000 followers. Then, the account shot back up to over 80,000 followers on May 29, after Musk replied to it. On May 30, the day Ocasio-Cortez responded to the account, it gained over 100,000 followers. It has continued to climb, reaching over 292,000 followers as of publication. The @AOCPress account was first started by Michael Morrison, whose Twitter profile identifies him as a member of the New York Young Republicans Club. In May 2019, Morrisons personal account and the parody account were both permanently suspended. Morrison posted about the suspensions on his account on the conservative social media platform Gab, where he also posted from a parody of Ocasio-Cortezs official account between April 2019 and July 2019. The posts shared on Gab were more sexually explicit and the account reshared posts from other users that contained racist slurs. In November 2022, Morrison tweeted about his personal account being restored under Musks new leadership. The @AOCPress account wasnt restored until May 2023. When reached for comment over Twitter direct messages, Morrison told NBC News he no longer runs the @AOCPress account and that its run by what he believes to be a team of people. The parody account didnt respond to a request for comment. Another popular conservative tweeter, @catturd2, has played into rumors that he is behind the account, tweeting I cant confirm or deny that, but hey, you might want to follow on May 22, the day the account was restored. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Aras Amiri says her mind goes back everyday to the prison where she was held and the friends she made there Among the many thousands of political prisoners in Iran's jails are seven prominent environmentalists who were arrested in 2018. The former British Council employee, Aras Amiri, spent two and a half years imprisoned with two of them. She was released last year, and is now speaking out for the first time to draw attention to their plight. Aras Amiri has every reason to look forward in her life. Since coming back to the UK, she has married, moved to Jersey and is now six months pregnant. But every day, her mind takes her back to Evin prison in Tehran - and to those she left behind when she was released. Like other political prisoners, the former London-based British Council arts manager spent time in solitary confinement, where she was threatened, blindfolded and interrogated around the clock. Accused of working against the regime, she was given a 10-year sentence after declining to co-operate with Iranian intelligence, although she was eventually acquitted after appealing to Iran's Supreme Court. She still has nightmares about her ordeal. "It's an experience that breaks many people," she says. "And it has long-lasting effects on all of us." But it's not herself she wants to talk about. Niloufar Bayani (L) is serving a 10-year prison sentence, while Sepideh Kashani (R) was handed a six-year term Ms Amiri was held - together with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe - in the women's wing of Evin along with two environmentalists, Niloufar Bayani and Sepideh Kashani. "My heart burns for them," she says. "They were my best friends there. And it's just so unfair." Bayani and Kashani were arrested in early 2018 along with Kashani's husband, Houman Jokar, Amirhossein Khaleghi, Sam Rajabi, Taher Ghadirian and Morad Tahbaz, who also holds British and American citizenship - all members of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF). Its director, Canadian-Iranian dual national Kavous Seyed-Emami, died in suspicious circumstances while under interrogation shortly after his arrest. The group had been using cameras to track critically-endangered wild Asiatic cheetahs, but were accused of using their environmental projects as a "cover to collect classified information". The environmentalists were accused of spying while using cameras to track endangered wild Asiatic cheetahs Even though a committee of Iranian ministers concluded there was no evidence that they were spies, a Revolutionary Court convicted them in 2019 on various national security charges and sentenced them to between six and 10 years in prison. "Their arrest is part of a wider suppression of Iran's environmentalists," Ms Amiri says. "And there is no accountability. The whole process of the judiciary is a dark joke." Best known for their work trying to conserve Asiatic cheetahs, she says they also worked with Persian leopards, dolphins and turtles in Qeshm Island, Asiatic bears, as well as migratory birds. "They did such important work. Their projects were always supported by local people. It's a loss for the whole of Iran." The UN Environment Programme, where Niloufar Bayani had worked as a consultant for several years before joining the PWHF, has called for their release. Also in jail is Houman Jokar, Sepideh Kashani's husband, seen here with a sedated Persian leopard Ms Amiri says that Bayani and Kashani were "joyous" company in jail, despite everything they had endured, including two years of solitary confinement. "They are such generous souls - determined to make life beautiful. We still managed to laugh together. I was very lucky to have been held with them." She describes the psychological pressure exerted on them during their interrogations as "so appalling, it's difficult even to imagine". Bayani wrote to court that she was threatened with sexual assault, was forced to mimic the sounds of wild animals and was shown pictures of the body of Kavous Seyed-Emami and told she and her colleagues would suffer a similar fate unless they confessed. In a letter written from jail on the fifth anniversary of their arrest, Kashani said she had been interrogated in a room with "blood all over it", and threatened with hanging. Her interrogators told that her husband would die like Seyed-Emami. Aras was held in Evin prison along with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Niloufar Bayani and Sepideh Kashani Both women were held in the much-feared 2A section of Evin prison - controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guards - at the same time as the Australian academic, Kylie Moore Gilbert, who was accused of espionage and sentenced to 10 years before being freed in a prisoner swap. Released in 2020, Ms Moore-Gilbert dedicated her memoir of her time in jail to the two women, describing them as "sisters in suffering and injustice" who used to secretly share notes of encouragement and food with her at great risk to themselves. "Their love, solidarity and selfless care for me, a foreigner to whom they owed nothing, was the difference between surviving the mental torture of solitary confinement and succumbing to the deliberate cruelty and degradation of Iran's prison regime," she told the BBC. "The injustice of Nilou and Sepideh's imprisonment continues to torment me, and not a day goes by when I don't think of them and hope for news of their release." Aras Amiri got to know the women when they were transferred from 2A to the general women's wing of Evin. "They're loved so much by all the prisoners," she says. "And they really shared with us the love they have of nature. I just want them to be back with their families, back in nature, and back protecting Iran's wildlife again." Overview of the the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva GENEVA (Reuters) -Argentina's Celeste Saulo was appointed to head the U.N. weather agency on Thursday, a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) spokesperson said, beating three other candidates, including one from China. The WMO plays a key role in monitoring climate change and helps its 193 member states and territories meet their global commitments in the areas of disaster risk reduction. "In these times when inequality and climate change are the greatest global threats, the WMO must contribute to strengthening the Meteorological and Hydrological Services to protect populations and their economies, providing timely and effective services and early warning systems," Saulo said. Saulo, an expert in monsoon systems, is vice president of the Geneva-based organisation and director of Argentina's meteorological service. She will be the first female Secretary-General of the 73-year old organisation when she takes over from Finland's Petteri Taalas in Jan. 2024. Saulo obtained the required two-thirds majority from countries in the first round of voting, the WMO spokesperson said. Diplomats said there was heavy campaigning in recent weeks in what they described as a two-horse race between Saulo and her Chinese opponent Zhang Wenjian who is now Assistant Secretary-General. Other contenders included Swiss-Russian candidate Elena Manaenkova and Curacao's Albert Martis. (Reporting by Emma Farge, Writing by Miranda Murray; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) Arizona officials announced Thursday the state will no longer grant certifications for new developments within the Phoenix area, as groundwater rapidly disappears amid years of water overuse and climate change-driven drought. A new study showed that the groundwater supporting the Phoenix area likely cant meet additional development demand in the coming century, officials said at a news conference. Gov. Katie Hobbs and the states top water officials outlined the results of the study looking at groundwater demand within the Phoenix metro area, which is regulated by a state law that tries to ensure Arizonas housing developments, businesses and farms are not using more groundwater than is being replaced. The study found that around 4% of the areas demand for groundwater, close to 4.9 million acre-feet, cannot be met over the next 100 years under current conditions a huge shortage that will have significant implications for housing developments in the coming years in the booming Phoenix metro area, which has led the nation in population growth. State officials said the announcement wouldnt impact developments that have already been approved. However, developers that are seeking to build new construction will have to demonstrate they can provide an assured water supply for 100 years using water from a source that is not local groundwater. Under state law, having that assured supply is the key to getting the necessary certificates to build housing developments or large industrial buildings that use water. Many cities in the Phoenix metro area, including Scottsdale and Tempe, already have this assured water supply, but private developers also must demonstrate they can meet it. Thursdays announcement is an example of the law working as intended, according to an analysis by Arizona State Universitys Kyl Center for Water Policy. Growth in the Phoenix area will likely continue under the new restrictions, the analysis said, but the rate of growth will likely change. Its going to make it harder for developments to spring up on raw desert in the far-flung parts of town where developers like to develop, Sarah Porter, the director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy, told CNN. Its another impediment to that kind of development, like new subdivisions out in Buckeye or Queen Creek. Porter said the change wont necessarily curtail development in the booming Phoenix metro area, but it could push it towards bigger and older cities like Tempe and Scottsdale. Nor is it expected to curtail water use for industry and manufacturing an important distinction given Arizona is quickly becoming a hub for advanced manufacturing of technology, including semi-conductor chips. It really is only impacting housing subdivisions, Porter said. There will continue to be new homes built because they have already proved up their 100-year water supply using groundwater, and they were figured into the model. Theres this runway of continued development. But Porter likened Thursdays announcement to a big, flashing billboard telling private developers to find a new, more sustainable source of water or build elsewhere. Besides conserving water and projects recycling water, Arizona elected officials including Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat have advocated for creating new water supply through desalination, where ocean water is treated to remove the salt. Desalination is used in some water-scarce countries, but its been criticized for being expensive and energy-intensive. Giant so-called desiccation cracks are seen north of Kingman in northwest Arizona. These cracks form as underground water that supports the land is depleted. - David McNew/Getty Images Arizona and other Southwest states are facing water shortages on a number of fronts. In addition to Arizonas groundwater crisis, the state has also faced significant shortages of its surface water allocation from the Colorado River, which it shares with six other states. And while the groundwater supplies around Phoenix and other Arizona cities are regulated under state law, much of rural Arizona is unregulated allowing large corporate farms to use unlimited groundwater for crops. One of those farms, owned by a Saudi company, has gotten increased scrutiny from state officials, including Arizonas new Democratic attorney general Kris Mayes. Some rural areas of the state have passed groundwater regulations themselves or have successfully persuaded the Arizona Department of Water Resources to grant them some protections that stop unlimited water use. Kathleen Ferris, a former state water official and one of the architects of Arizonas landmark 1980 groundwater management law, told CNN last year that groundwater is akin to a savings account for those who live in the desert. Especially with a precarious situation on the Colorado River, its all the more important that were conscious of using our groundwater, Ferris said. This story has been updated with more information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FILE - Tourists look out from the South Rim at the Grand Canyon, May 4, 2023. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is urging President Joe Biden to use the Antiquities Act to designate the tribally proposed Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. In a letter dated Tuesday, May 30, Hobbs told Biden that shes committed to preserving cultural and natural treasures throughout Arizona and said the Grand Canyon is a culturally sacred place stewarded by Indigenous Peoples for centuries. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) PHOENIX (AP) Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is urging President Joe Biden to use the Antiquities Act to designate the tribally proposed Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. In a letter dated Tuesday, Hobbs told Biden that she is committed to preserving cultural and natural treasures throughout Arizona and said the Grand Canyon is a culturally sacred place stewarded by Indigenous Peoples for centuries. Hobbs wrote that in addition to tribal voices, her office has heard from people across the political spectrum including sporting groups, faith leaders, outdoor recreation businesses, conservation groups and others from a broad array of interests that support this monument designation. Hobbs also said she can think of no better use of the Antiquities Act than to protect our states namesake treasure. She said the Arizona Game and Fish Department will retain its existing authority related to the management, control and regulation of fish and wildlife so that this authority is clearly delineated prior to the years-long formation of a monument management plan. A Utah Highway Patrol vehicle in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. A 49-year-old man from Arizona was killed in a single-vehicle crash near Mexican Hat, in San Juan County, on Friday, troopers say. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News An Arizona man was killed and two children were severely injured in a single-vehicle crash near Mexican Hat on Friday, state troopers said. The Utah Highway Patrol on Wednesday identified the driver as 49-year-old Joel Ashike from Kaibito, Arizona. A black Kia Optima was traveling north on state Route 163 around 1:56 p.m., when the driver failed to navigate a 90-degree curve after crossing the James R. Workman Memorial Bridge over the San Juan River, according to UHP. The Optima hit a cliff wall, killing the driver and severely injuring two passengers; a 14-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy, who were both flown from the scene for medical care at a hospital. Investigators have not released the names of the two children, or provided an update on their condition. Former President Donald Trump Holds A Press Conference At Mar-a-Lago After Being Arraigned In New York Kari Lake, a Republican candidate for Arizona Governor in 2022, greets guests before the start of an event hosted by Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on April 4, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida Credit - Getty Images2023 Getty Images A few months ago, Kari Lake met with a trusted confidante. After refusing to concede her narrow loss for Arizona governor, the former news anchors legal effort to reverse Democrat Katie Hobbs victory was nearing its end, and she was thinking ahead to what would come next. She wanted to discuss her plans to run for the U.S. Senate. You really cant afford one more loss, warned the source close to Lake, who requested anonymity to speak freely, emphasizing the level of resistance she would face vying for a Senate seat in a swing state that could determine the balance of power in Washington. The Democrats might drop $50 million on you. They dont want a conservative firebrand, a female Ted Cruz, a female Mike Lee, who is telegenic and really well-spoken. They would probably spend a lot of money to destroy you. Lake threw her arms in the air and chuckled. Theyre going to come after me anyways no matter what I do, the source recalls Lake saying. She didnt really give a sh-t. It was a sign that Lake, 53, was near certain of her next steps, even as she was waiting for her legal fight to conclude before making it official. In the intervening weeks, as primaries have started to take shape around the country, the situation in Arizona is unusual, in part because Lake is still not finished with her litigation. A Maricopa County judge rejected her case for a second time last week, but Lake has already filed an appeal. She broke that news at a Scottsdale rally she held Thursday night, with hundreds in attendance, as all eyes in Arizona and Washington are on the MAGA darling who boasts a loyal following that sees her as the torchbearer of a populist crusade. More from TIME But a Senate announcement is not imminent, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. While her team once floated the idea of launching her candidacy in June, Lake has pushed a possible Senate campaign start to September or October. It would come after she goes on a nationwide book tour upon releasing her memoir on June 27. The delay is leaving the field of other potential GOP candidates stuck in a state of limbo as they await her decision. Lake remains highly popular among a plurality of Arizona Republicans, positioning her as the immediate frontrunner for her partys nomination. Several prospective Senate hopefuls have been holding back until they know for certain what the right-wing sensation known for her Trump-inspired theatrical fearlessness will do. Its creating an especially difficult dilemma for those with a smaller national profile, who would need more time to get their fundraising and field operation off the ground. Shes going to be like the Donald Trump of the GOP primary, Mike Noble, chief researcher at the independent Phoenix-based polling group Noble Predictive Insights, tells TIME. Its just really hard to get around that 40 or so percent of support. Shes still beatable, but its tough. Its super tough. Hence, why a lot of the field is frozen. Read more: How Kari Lake Went From Local Anchor to New Face of the MAGA Right Lakes deliberations come ahead of one of the most highly anticipated Senate races of next year. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who left the Democratic Party in December to become an independent, will be up for reelection. Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego is challenging her from the left. Sinema has not yet said she will run again, but she has been laying the groundwork to seek a second term, setting up a likely three-way race in a state that is 34% Republican, 34% Independent, and 30% Democratic, according to state data. Complicating matters for Arizona Republicans has been Lakes unwillingness to firmly commit to the race, even in private. Kari Lake remains laser focused on her court case, Caroline Wren, a senior adviser to Lake, tells TIME, noting her latest appeal filed on Thursday. You will see more filings in the coming days. Kari Lake is not stopping and she will never back down. The seeming ambivalence has led some to suggest that Lake has been dangling the possibility of a Senate candidacy to maintain relevance and media interest. That impression has been compounded by her habit of faking out possible launches. On her social media accounts, she recently teased out a Big Announcement, prompting widespread speculation that she was hopping into the Senate race. Instead, it was to advertise her upcoming book, Unafraid: Just Getting Started. Last week, she held a press conference the day after the judge ruled against her election case, promising another Big Announcement. This was to unveil a new ballot-chasing operation intended to boost Republican turnout in Arizona through mail balloting. Theres a little bit of toying with the media to be had, Brady Smith, a staffer on Lakes governor campaign, tells TIME. Smith insists her flirtation with a Senate bid is not a ploy. In all our talks, its looking extremely, extremely likely, he says. I wouldnt say 100%. But I really do think 99% is a very fair number. Over the last few months, Lake has been meeting with donors and gauging interest. Shes met twice with the National Republican Senate Committee. Sources say the GOPs Senate campaign arm has plainly recognized she would be difficult to beat in a nominating contest. Therefore, it is working to avoid, as best as it can, a repeat of last years bitter and bloody GOP primary for Arizona governor. Some conservatives suspect the $20 million in attack ads that wealthy businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson launched against Lake in the final weeks of the campaign hurt Lakes standing with moderate Republicans in the general election. Because Arizonas primary comes so late in the cyclein Augustcandidates dont have as much wiggle room to recover from internecine infighting as they do in other states. Not a lot of time for those wounds from the primary to heal, Smith says. As of now, there is only one Republican in the race: Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who is well-liked in conservative circles but not considered a formidable challenger to Lake. Robson, who lost to Lake by five points in the 2022 gubernatorial primary, said last week she wouldnt run. (Sources close to her say shes holding off to try again for governor in 2026.) Former Gov. Doug Ducey has shown no interest in a Senate run. Former solar executive Jim Lamon, who ran for Senate last year but lost in the GOP primary, has told associates he would run if no real challenger to Lake emerges. He has the means to self-fund his bid, but its unclear how much he would be willing to spend on what may well be a futile endeavor. The other wildcard is Blake Masters, the young venture capitalist who lost to Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly last year. Arizona Republicans have been impressed with Masters introspection since falling to Kelly by more than 100,000 votes in November. Hes made clear to party insiders his desire to seek public office again and has recognized a need to soften his image. Sources familiar with his thinking say he would prefer not to go up against Lake, but he wont wait on her to make his own decision. An April poll of registered Republican and undeclared voters conducted by J.L. Partners found Lake leading all potential rivals by double digits. The survey showed Lake with 38% support, compared to 10% for Robson, 8% for Lamb, and 7% for Masters. With the clock ticking, some Arizona political veterans are bracing for the possibility that Lake could run without a serious challenger. Thats a depressing likelihood, Steve May, a former member of the Arizona House who has a declared antipathy to Trump-affiliated pols, tells TIME. I dont know what polling Lamon and others are seeing. But I dont know what the path is for someone to beat her. If Lake does face a strong adversary, they are likely to argue that shes not electable in a conservative state that has spurned MAGA candidates in the last three election cycles, says Chuck Coughlin, CEO and founder of the Arizona consultancy HighGround. Her slim loss of 17,000 votes against Hobbs, who was widely viewed as having run a lackluster campaign, is evidence, he argues, that most of the states voters dont want election-denying America First adherents in office. She could have won if she bought a f-cking ticket to Hawaii and left, Coughlin tells TIME. Honest to God, if she just shut up, she would have won. Theres no doubt in my mind about that. She was consistently hurting herself, as shes consistently continued to do, by limiting her ability to appeal to a broader section of voters. For her part, Lake has been sending a message that there are some ways she would run her campaign differently. Most notably, shes set up a new ground operation to encourage Republicans to vote by mail, even as she still excoriates the voting method. Weve gotta stop the machines, she told a right-wing media personality Wednesday night. We have to stop the mail-in ballots. Since former President Donald Trump castigated mail ballots as rife with fraud, GOP voters have mostly flocked to in-person Election Day voting, a move that influential conservatives have increasingly come to recognize as a strategic blunder, especially after the partys poor national showing in the midterms. In Arizona, hundreds of thousands of Arizona Republicans who were sent mail-in ballots never returned them. That wasnt necessarily surprising; the party apparatus was far more invested in mobilizing Election Day turnout. But it marked a stark contrast to Democratic campaigns and activist groups that had operations in place to surgically target their own voters who were automatically sent mail ballots, thereby giving them a competitive advantage in a state where more than 80% of voters cast early ballots. I think Republicans now in Arizona have decided if you cannot beat them, you must join them, a source close to Lake says. By launching a ballot-chasing operation, Lake can not only raise funds for her nonprofit group and the initiative, her aides say, but convey to fellow Republicans that shes learned some of the lessons of the last election. This hopefully sends a signal to insiders and national committees that were not going to be bastardizing mail-in ballots. In fact, were going to be embracing them, Smith says. This is not a re-litigation of 2022. Were willing to make necessary changes to be victorious. Armie Hammer with Effie Actor Armie Hammer will not be charged with sexual assault due to a lack of evidence, prosecutors have confirmed. The Social Network star was accused two years ago of raping a woman in Los Angeles in 2017 and faced allegations of sending a series of explicit messages via social media. Mr Hammer, known for films including Call Me By Your Name, Hotel Mumbai and Death on the Nile, said he was very grateful to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office for their decision. He said he was looking forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name is cleared. Prosecutors said they conducted an extremely thorough review but had insufficient evidence to charge Mr Hammer. Sexual assault cases are often difficult to prove, which is why we assign our most experienced prosecutors to review them, Tiffiny Blacknell, director of the bureau of communications, said. In this case, those prosecutors conducted an extremely thorough review, but determined that at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr Hammer with a crime. As prosecutors, we have an ethical responsibility to only charge cases that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt Due to the complexity of the relationship and inability to prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter, we are unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Armie Hammer - Gregg DeGuire/WireImage The accuser, known as Effie, claimed that Mr Hammer raped her in 2017 and had subjected her to abuse on other occasions. I thought he was going to kill me, she told reporters. They had been in an on-and-off relationship for four years, according to reports. The accusations coincided with numerous claims that Mr Hammer had engaged in BDSM activities with other women who accused him of often taken things too far. Mr Hammer maintained that the relationships were consensual but has admitted that he behaved like an a--hole and the power dynamics were off. Every single thing was discussed beforehand, he told Air Mail during an interview. I have never thrust this on someone unexpectedly. Never. He spoke out about the allegations earlier this year for the first time, saying that he considered taking his own life and revealing that he was sexually abused as a teenager. The father of two was dropped by his agency and his role opposite Jennifer Lopez in the action comedy Shotgun Wedding was recast. Like dating Hannibal Lecter Screenshots of messages between Mr Hammer and various women were shared online. The alleged conversations included rape fantasies, the desire to inflict pain on his partners, and one where he said he was 100% a cannibal. Courtney Vucekovich, who dated Mr Hammer in 2020, said that being with him was like dating Hannibal Lecter. She claimed that he likes the idea of skin in his teeth and wanted her to remove a rib so he could eat it. He said to me, he wants to break my rib and barbecue and eat it, Ms Vucekovich told Page Six. F---, that was weird, but you never think about it again. He says, I want to take a bite out of you. If I had a little cut on my hand, hed, like, suck it or lick it. Thats about as weird as we got. Model Paige Lorenze also claimed that Mr Hammer spoke about eating her rib. He was telling me you can remove the bottom ribs so he could smoke them, cook them and eat them. He kept saying: You dont need them, she told Star Magazine. Ms Lorenze claimed that Mr Hammer carved the letter A, his initial, into the skin above her pubic bone with a knife. You can still see it. It was extremely painful and traumatising. He told me that he bragged about it to his friends, she said. 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. Armie Hammer: US actor will not be charged with sexual assault Hammer has appeared in Rebecca, Call Me By Your Name and Death on the Nile US actor Armie Hammer will not be charged over allegations of sexual assault, prosecutors have confirmed. The Social Network star was accused two years ago of raping a woman in Los Angeles in 2017. It was also alleged the 36-year-old sent a string of explicit messages on social media. Hammer said he is "very grateful" to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, following its decision not to charge him. The woman who accused the actor of rape, known as Effie, said she was "disappointed" with the decision not to prosecute him. Hammer said he was looking forward to "beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name is cleared". The actor, who has also appeared in Call Me By Your Name, Rebecca and Death On The Nile, had denied all criminal allegations against him. On Wednesday, the district attorney's office said prosecutors had conducted an "extremely thorough review" into the allegations, but that there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Hammer. 'Insufficient evidence' Tiffiny Blacknell, director of the bureau of communications, said: "Sexual assault cases are often difficult to prove, which is why we assign our most experienced prosecutors to review them. "In this case, those prosecutors conducted an extremely thorough review, but determined that at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr Hammer with a crime." She continued: "As prosecutors, we have an ethical responsibility to only charge cases that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. We know that it is hard for women to report sexual assault. "Even when we cannot move forward with a prosecution, our victim service representatives will be available to those who seek our victim support services. "Due to the complexity of the relationship and inability to prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter we are unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt." Hammer (left) shot to fame in 2010's The Social Network alongside Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg Following the announcement, Hammer wrote on Instagram: "I am very grateful to the District Attorney for conducting a thorough investigation and coming to the conclusion that I have stood by this entire time, that no crime was committed. "I look forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name is cleared." In the caption he added: "I would like to say a very special thank you to all of the people who have helped me get through this time. Onwards and upwards." His accuser, who is known as Effie, told BBC News: "I am disappointed with the LA County District Attorney's decision not to prosecute Armie Hammer. "I felt a duty to speak out and file a report. It has cost me a great deal to have spoken out "Since I came forward, I have received death threats, rape threats, countless attacks, and atrocious, incessant harassment." Following the initial allegation controversy, Hammer stepped down from his starring role opposite Jennifer Lopez in comedy film Shotgun Wedding, and was replaced by Josh Duhamel. He was also replaced by Miles Teller in the TV series The Offer, a drama about the making of The Godfather. Hammer married US TV personality Elizabeth Chambers in May 2010 and the pair share two children. The couple announced their divorce in 2020. In September, a three-part Discovery+ series titled House Of Hammer, produced by the actor's aunt Casey Hammer, showed on-camera interviews with two of Hammer's alleged victims in which they detailed some of their alleged abuse. Armie Hammer Christopher Polk / Getty Images for The Critics' Choice Awards Embattled actor Armie Hammer won't face sexual assault charges in Los Angeles, the district attorney's office has announced. Director of the Bureau of Communications Tiffiny Blacknell confirmed to CNN that prosecutors "conducted an extremely thorough review" into an allegation of sexual assault against the "Social Network" star "but determined that at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr. Hammer with a crime." In 2021, a woman identified as Effie alleged Hammer "violently raped me for over four hours" in 2017 and "committed other acts of violence against me to which I did not consent." She said she and Hammer had an on-and-off relationship. Hammer denied the allegations and told Air Mail that "this alleged rape was a scene that was her idea." The actor claimed he and Effie both agreed to "engage in what is called a 'consensual non-consent scene" and that "every single thing was discussed beforehand." "Due to the complexity of the relationship and inability to prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter we are unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt," Blacknell told CNN. Hammer said on Instagram he is "very grateful" to the district attorney and looks "forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name is cleared." Effie, meanwhile, told CNN she is "disappointed" with the decision not to prosecute Hammer, adding that she "felt a duty to speak out and file a report in order to try to hold Armie accountable for all the harm and trauma he has caused me and in order to protect other women from experiencing similar abuse." You may also like Why are so many seniors homeless in America? Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario' Fossils uncovered in Australia are 107 million-year-old pterosaurs bones, scientists say Atlanta police have arrested three organisers behind a nonprofit group that provides bail and legal support to arrested protesters involved with a monthslong campaign against a sprawling, multi-million dollar law enforcement complex. Marlon Kautz, Adele Maclean and Savannah Patterson all board members with the Atlanta Solidarity Fund were charged with one count each of money laundering and charity fraud on 31 May. If convicted on money laundering charges, the organisers could face up to 20 years imprisonment and tens of thousands of dollars in fines. Bail fund organisers and civil rights groups have warned that the arrests mark a rapid and unconstitutional escalation of law enforcement retaliation against demonstrators involved with the Stop Cop City movement. Atlanta activists also fear that prosecutors are planning to indict those arrested in connection with the protests as a criminal organisation under Georgias sweeping state-level statute that has been used to target organised crime. Lauren Regan, executive director of the Civil Liberties Defense Center, called the arrests an extreme provocation from Atlanta Police Department and state prosecutors. Bailing out protestors who exercise their constitutionally protected rights is simply not a crime, she said in a statement. In fact, it is a historically grounded tradition in the very same social and political movements that the city of Atlanta prides itself on. Someone had to bail out civil rights activists in the [1960s] I think we can all agree that community support isnt a crime. The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center project has been at the centre of Stop Cop City protests and occupations since its proposal in 2021, expected to occupy 85 acres in a historically and environmentally significant forest area owned by the city of Atlanta. The police training facility in the South River Forest has drawn widespread opposition from environmental groups and criminal justice reform advocates. Police have arrested dozens of people during protests, including more than 40 people facing domestic terrorism charges. The Atlanta Solidarity Fund among similar organisations across the country that provide bail support and legal aid has predated the Stop Cop City movement and provided grants to a number of groups in the Atlanta area. The fund also has provided legal aid and bail assistance to protesters facing excessively high bonds, with some as high as $300,000. A statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation accuses the three arrested organisers with committing financial crimes; an arrest warrant for Ms Patterson connects a money laundering charge to reimbursements from the nonprofit to a personal PayPal account for expenses including gasoline, forest clean-up, totes, [Covid-19] rapid tests, media, yard signs and other miscellaneous expenses. These arrests - which were a joint effort between the Atlanta Police Department and GBI -- are a massive escalation against people working to provide legal support and to oppose criminalization of protest. It's a massive escalation against the Stop Cop City movement as a whole 5/ Hannah Riley #StopCopCity (@hannahcrileyy) May 31, 2023 In a statement defending the arrests, Georgias Republican Governor Brian Kemp called bail organisers criminals who facilitated and encouraged domestic terrorism. As we have said before, we will not rest until we have held accountable every person who has funded, organized, or participated in this violence and intimidation, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said. The arrests of the bail fund organisers on 31 May comes roughly one week after news of the projects $67m price tag, more than double the $30m projected cost, and days before the Atlanta City Councils anticipated vote on 5 June on whether to fund the facility. In a written statement prepared in the event of an arrest, Kautz said that criminal charges against the Atlanta Solidarity Fund will have repercussions on the ability of movements to create change across the country, a tactic from a new playbook that criminalizes the coalition of advocates who are providing financial and physical support to movements. A construction site for the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center is pictured on 30 May. (AP) Fair Fight Action, a voting rights organisation founded by Stacey Abrams in 2018, stressed that legal aid groups and bail funds are, and have long been, critical resources for those seeking to make their voices heard in their communities. The timing of the state actions just one week before a controversial vote is not a coincidence, the group said in a statement condemning the arrests. Bail funds were integral during the Civil Rights Movement, oftentimes serving as the only path to freedom for arrested protesters. The incendiary rhetoric against and criminalization of these institutions by the Kemp administration represents an alarming escalation of tensions in the face of serious community concerns. Im deeply concerned about the raid directed by the Georgia Attorney Generals office today in Edgewood, a dense and thriving residential neighborhood in Atlanta. Im trying to get more information. pic.twitter.com/xMFpeRe3UV Rep. Saira Draper (@SairaForGeorgia) May 31, 2023 Sherilynn Ifill, former president and director counsel of the NAACPs Legal Defense Fund, said the arrests demand explanation from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta Police Department chief Darin Schierbaum. They may wish to recall that targeting the charitable status [and] legitimacy of groups involved in civil rights organizing has a long and ugly history in the South, she said. This is dangerous stuff. It is anti-democratic and menacing to organizing and protest core protected activity in a democracy. State Senator Josh McLaurin lambasted Mr Carr for what he called an attempt to score cheap political points by being reckless with peoples lives. This empty, 1990s-style tough-on-crime bull**** is tired and dangerous, he said. Georgia state Rep Saira Draper, whose district includes the area where the arrests were made, said she is deeply concerned about the case and the grossly excessive use of a SWAT team and helicopters to make the arrests. What I do know is weaponizing the powers of the state for political gain is abuse of power, she said. Atlanta City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari also said the case deserves the utmost scrutiny and sensitivity as it moves through the legal process. Arrest warrant issued for woman suspected in shooting of man, child at Blue Springs hotel Police are asking for help locating a 24-year-old Kansas City, Kansas, woman charged in the shooting of a man and child at a Blue Springs hotel nearly two weeks ago. An arrest warrant has been issued for Samantha J. Thrasher, who is wanted in connection with the shooting about 11:50 p.m. on May 20 at the SureStay Plus Hotel at 701 N.W. South Outer Road that injured a 36-year-old man and 7-year-old girl, according to Blue Springs police. Thrasher is considered armed and very dangerous, so do not attempt to apprehend but call the local police if she is seen, police said on Facebook. Thrasher was described as being 5-feet-4-inches tall, weighing 100 pounds. She was seen with a light brown 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. Thrasher allegedly assaulted the man by striking him with a closed fist and shooting him multiple times. She also allegedly shot the girl one time. The girls injuries were not life-threatening, according to police. The Jackson County Prosecutors Office has charged Thrasher with two counts each of first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Anyone who knows Thrashers whereabouts is asked to call their local police or 911. In England, hundreds of citizens joined forces to clean off a sculpture of a Black woman. A vandal targeted the piece in mid-May. The ten-foot-tall bronze statue called Seated, was originally installed by American artist Tschabalala Self in 2022. It was temporarily placed outside the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea on Englands south coast. According to a statement from the pavilion, the perpetrator covered the entirety of the womans skin with white spray paint. Community leaders invited volunteers o help clean off the paint as an act of peaceful resilience. No one expected the number of people who turned out. Saving The Sculpture About 300 people attended to clean the sculpture, according to a spokesperson from the pavilion. We had to extend the event to make sure everyone who had been queuing could participate due to the high turnout, they said. The statue was also professionally restored. It will officially re-open on June 3rd. Self took to Instagram to post the turn out. In her caption she shared her views on the vandalism. I am very disheartened that my sculpture Seated was targeted and attacked by vandals. Despite my disappointment I am not surprised as Black, female and especially Black female bodies are often targets for abuse, she explained. Seated proudly represents the beauty of both blackness and femininity, and for these very reasons she has been harmed: covered by her assailant with white spray paint in a futile attempt to erase her color and, in my mind, her strength. She added that she hopes the violence shown toward the sculpture further illuminates the persistent issues plaguing the global West. Painting the skin of my sculpture white is an obscene act and I feel horribly for individuals in Bexhill-on-Sea for whom this event may have shocked or frightened, the artist said. The post Artists Sculpture of Black Woman in England Vandalized appeared first on 21Ninety. Aryna Sabalenka was confronted by a Ukrainian journalist in a tense exchange at the French Open on Wednesday, where the Belarusian declined to answer questions about Russias invasion of Ukraine. Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion and world No 2, was asked by the reporter to condemn Belarus role in supporting Russias invasion and whether she personally supports authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko - who is a close ally of Vladimir Putin. After her first-round win over Ukraines Marta Kostyuk on Sunday, Sabalenka said, Nobody in this world, Russian athletes or Belarusian athletes, support the war. But as Sabalenka advanced to the third round on Wednesday, the Ukrainian journalist asked Sabalenka to condemn the invasion and the role Belarus is playing to support Russia in the conflict. Ive got no comments to you, Sabalenka said in response to the journalist during her post-match press conference. The 25-year-old also refused to answer when she asked if she supported Lukashenko, who celebrated Sabalenkas Australian Open victory in January during a national address. When the Ukrainian journalist tried to ask a third question, the press conference moderator stepped in and stopped the line of questioning. Sabalenka added: Youve got enough answers from me, and Ive got no comments to you. Kostyuk, who refused to shake Sabalenkas hand following the first-round match at Roland Garros, urged reporters to ask Sabalenka to condemn the war on Sunday. Kostyuk said: "She (Sabalenka) never says that she personally doesnt support this war, and I feel like journalists should change the questions you ask these athletes because the war is already there. When questioned on Sunday, Sabalenka had said: About the war situation, I said it many, many times: Nobody in this world, Russian athletes or Belarusian athletes, support the war. Nobody. How can we support the war? Nobody, normal people will never support it. An Asian American woman made a Hinge account, and heres how it went: Its 2023. Filter out the colonizers girl One creator is shining a light on how awful dating apps and dating in general can be for Asian American women. On May 28, Katie Dnos (@katiednos), a 24-year-old Korean American woman from the D.C. area, shared a video on TikTok documenting the aftermath of her decision to install hinge as an asian on the east coast. Needless to say, the results were cringey and racially charged. Set to the well-known DO A FLIP audio making its rounds on the digital platform, Dnos posted a series of screenshots, including a photo and prompt she settled on for her Hinge profile, followed by a response from an unlikely suitor named Dillon. a beautiful asian, just my type, Dillon writes, as 50+ Hinge likes are seen in the top-left corner of the screenshot. In the final screenshot of the 13-second video, Dnos contemplates deleting the dating app. Bro couldnt even wait til AAPI was over Unsurprisingly, TikTok users whove seen Dnoss video were equally appalled by Dillons comment. Imagine being the person whos like, yea, thats the opener thats going to get them to want to talk to me,' @matthew.tamasi wrote. Its 2023. Filter out the colonizers girl, @herbavore replied. Bro couldnt even wait til AAPI was over, @aguadesandiapapi responded, referencing Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Fetishization is not appreciation While Dnoes has managed to poke fun at the situation, the truth of the matter is that Asian American women, in particular, are often subjected to immense fetishization when it comes to dating. And if they arent being fetishized, theyre often overlooked or deemed not desirable enough to pursue. These differing ends of the spectrum can yield dangerous, sexually violent or aggressive behaviors. The idea that Asian women are desirable and exotic and passive isnt just an innocent stereotype or a desirable trait to envy, Nancy Wang Yuen, sociologist and author of Reel Inequality told USA Today. The shadowed side of that is they then become targets of hate, sexual violence and physical violence when they arent perceived as fully human and deserving of rights to be safe. Appreciation for a culture should not mean you assume that someone fits into your ideas of that culture or that someone will share your passion for the culture because theyre that race, Yuen added. In 2021, following the Atlanta shooting, Vox writer Rachel Ramirez published an article on the history of the fetishization of Asian women. In it, she cites film scholar Celine Parrenas Shimizu, author of The Hypersexuality of Race, who writes that the emergence of films and artwork after US-led wars in Asian countries is when the trope of hypersexual but docile Asian women really took hold in America. The idea that Asian women are domestic and sexual entities that exist to fulfill white male desires and fantasies has long been indulged. There was pornography that eroticized the relationship between the war brides coming back to the US after the Korean War, for example. And this was the first time that Asian women were in pornography that I saw, versus white women in yellowface, Shimizu said. They were romanticizing the compatibility of a docile war bride, as an ideal American wife, because she was sexually servile but also a domestic servant. Is it possible that were making too much of what was likely one mans attempt to be flirty? Maybe, but its comments like Dillons absurdly fetishizing but under the guise of appreciation that reinforce the idea that Asian women are commodities or experiences waiting to be had. To discount the racially degrading element of these types of comments would be to overlook the correlation between fetishization and racial hatred. The issue with fetishization is that those who resort to it often consider it as appreciation for a particular race but that isnt the case at all. At its core, the fetishization of a woman, of an Asian woman, is the objectification of an Asian woman. In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News follow us here! The post An Asian American woman made a Hinge account, and heres how it went: Its 2023. Filter out the colonizers girl appeared first on In The Know. More from In The Know: Man cries in the car while listening to Iris by Goo Goo Dolls, and TikTokers are right in their feels with him: 'crying in the car alone at night hits different' Photographer doesn't force little girls to smile in photoshoots, and TikTok is calling the results 'powerful' This $8 J.Crew tank top is so perfect and flattering, I bought multiples in all the different colors Taylor Swift can't stop wearing this $900 brown crossbody bag we found 6 lookalikes for under $130 Astonishing creature burrows under canals and lagoons. Its a new species, study says A new species of fish that burrows beneath the ground was discovered halfway around the world, researchers said. The fish, an olive-colored eel, was found lurking in bodies of brackish and fresh water in India, according to a study recently published in the journal Marine Biodiversity. Using box trap nets, researchers caught several eel specimens in a canal and adjoining lagoon in the countrys eastern state of Odisha. Researchers then used digital calipers and a measuring tape to take detailed measurements of the specimens, the largest of which was 30 inches long, Anil Mohapatra, one of the studys authors, told McClatchy News. The largest specimen of the new species was 30 inches long, Anil Mohapatra, one of the studys authors, told McClatchy News. Afterwards, some of the specimens were subjected to a more rigorous analysis involving tissue sampling for DNA extraction. Additionally, vertebrae counts were conducted via digital X-rays. Though initially confused with a similar species, Pisodonophis boro known as the rice-paddy eel molecular and physical differences indicated the eels were members of a distinct and previously unknown species. Researchers named the newfound species Pisodonophis kalinga after a historical reference to Odisha. The creature is described as having a rather robust and elongated body with irregular patches of teeth, researchers said. Interestingly, it burrows into the soft bottom of bodies of water tail-first. It has only been found in Odisha, though its possible it has a larger range. Additionally, it has been observed that the new species is abundant in the monsoon season, which occurs between September and November, researchers said. Pradip Burman, an environmentalist in New Delhi, described the newfound eel species as astonishing in a Twitter post. The species serves as a gentle reminder that (nature) possesses the resilience and ability to flourish independently, showcasing its inherent beauty and unyielding spirit, untouched by human intervention, Burman added. Dark purple creature hidden beneath rocks on Thai island discovered as new species Archaeologists near Roman site stumble on more recent and explosive find in Spain Rare fuzzy creatures born after their mom jumped into the wrong pen, UK farm says Audra Turnbull (center, standing) is shown with Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM president (right) as others congratulate her on professing final vows with the IHM Sisters. Audra Turnbull, IHM, professed final vows with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on May 21. The ceremony took place during the morning liturgy at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in downtown Detroit. A reception followed at the University of Detroit Law School. An additional celebration was held at the IHM Senior Living Community on Monday for the Sisters who were not able to attend in person. The Mass was also livestreamed. Turnbull grew up in Monroe City, Missouri. She attended elementary school at Holy Rosary Catholic School, where she first thought about religious life. I felt like a spotlight was on me every time we prayed for religious vocations, but I never seriously considered it until college, she said. She attended Monroe City R-1 High School. During the summers, she attended Catholic Heart Work Camp, a week-long mission trip to different cities around the country where teens do service projects for the poor. Thats where I really fell in love with serving the poor, says Turnbull. After high school, Turnbull attended Quincy University, a small, Franciscan college in Quincy, Illinois. She majored in communications with a concentration in broadcasting. It was during this time that she found the IHM Sisters while Googling nuns. I found A Nuns Ministry, she said. It was founded by IHMs, and I was invited to the IHM Motherhouse during my sophomore year in college. The rest is history. In 2013, she served at another IHM ministry, Compassionate Companions/Monroe County Guardians, advocating for those with physical and mental disabilities; she will continue in this ministry. Turnbull said about her upcoming religious life, Its going to be smaller for sure, but its an exciting time to be in religious life. Theres so much changing, and were really able to be in solidarity with our sisters and brothers on the margins. This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Audra Turnbull professes final vows with IHM Sisters Ben Roberts-Smith - Sam Mooy/Getty Images AsiaPac Australias most decorated living war hero has suffered a huge blow after a court ruled against him in a landmark case about alleged war crimes committed during the war in Afghanistan. Ben Roberts-Smith, became an Australian icon and a symbol of valour when he single-handedly stormed a machine gun post in Afghanistan in 2011, saving members of his SAS platoon. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions. But that image began to unravel in 2018 after three Australian newspapers published stories in which they alleged that Mr Roberts-Smith had murdered unarmed prisoners. The 44-year-old former SAS corporal sued the media outlets for defamation. But at the culmination of a month-long trial, a federal court on Thursday ruled that, of the six murder allegations that the newspapers made against Mr Roberts-Smith, four were substantially true. They included the killing of an Afghan farmer who was kicked off a cliff and then shot dead. In another killing, a Taliban fighter was shot in the back and his prosthetic leg was used as a drinking vessel and war trophy by soldiers. A Taliban fighter's prosthetic leg was used as a drinking vessel and war trophy by soldiers The federal court judge, Anthony Besanko, ruled that the Sydney Morning Herald, the Canberra Times and The Age had not been able to prove that the former soldier had assaulted his mistress, as they had claimed. But the judge ruled that other accusations of bullying were true. Murderer, war criminal, bully, was the headline that the Sydney Morning Herald ran on Thursday in the wake of the courts ruling, describing the saga as the biggest defamation case in Australian history. The former soldier has not faced any criminal charges over the allegations and no findings have been made against him in a criminal court. The defamation case was a civil proceeding with a lower standard of proof, namely the balance of probabilities rather than beyond reasonable doubt. Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with Ben Roberts-Smith who was awarded the Victoria Cross - JOHN STILLWELL/AFP He had argued during the trial that of the six alleged murders, five were legitimate killings of combatants in Afghanistan and the sixth had not happened. The journalists who wrote the stories said the court decision was a vindication of their work. One of them, Nick McKenzie, said outside court: Today is a day of justice; its a day of justice for those brave men of the SAS who stood up and told the truth about who Ben Roberts-Smith is a war criminal, a bully and a liar. Australia should be proud of those men in the SAS. They are the majority in the SAS and they stood up for what was right, and they have been vindicated. Today is a day of some small justice for the Afghan victims of Ben Roberts-Smith. Ali Jan was the man kicked off the cliff [in the village of Darwan in 2012]. Ali Jan was a father; Ali Jan was a husband. He was kicked off a cliff by Ben Roberts-Smith and he was murdered with Ben Roberts-Smiths participation. Theres some small justice for him. Theres justice for the Afghan villagers who stood up in court. We stand by all our veterans Martin Hamilton-Smith, the head of the Australian Special Air Service Association, which represents SAS veterans, said: This case has no bearing on whether anyone is guilty or not guilty of a war crime; it has been about whether or not Ben Roberts-Smith was defamed. Any soldier charged deserves the presumption of innocence. Special forces soldiers had been the victims of poor decision making at a military and political level, he said. (We) stand by all our veterans, those who have raised concerns about events on operations and who are subject to accusations of acting unlawfully, said Mr Hamilton-Smith. All were victims of a mismanaged war and poor decisions made in Canberra during and after the fighting. 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. Office of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia via Wikimedia Commons Australias most decorated living soldier murdered four unarmed prisoners when he served in the military in Afghanistan, a federal court judge found on Thursday. Ben Roberts-Smith lost his historic defamation case brought against three newspapers that had accused him of committing multiple war crimes. The civil trial in Sydney ended with Justice Anthony Besanko finding, on the balance of probabilities, that four accusations of murder made against Roberts-Smith were substantially true. Photos of Australian Soldiers Drinking From Dead Mans Prosthetic Leg Were Leaked by Angry Ex Wife They included one allegation that Roberts-Smith kicked a handcuffed farmer off a cliff in 2012. After the fall, which smashed out the victims teeth, Roberts-Smith allegedly ordered a subordinate to shoot the injured man dead. Another alleged murder in 2009 involved Roberts-Smith ordering the death of an elderly man found hiding in a tunnel. In the same operation, Roberts-Smith allegedly used a machine gun to kill a young disabled man with a prosthetic legthe leg was later kept as a souvenir by another soldier and was used by troops as a novelty vessel to drink beer. The 44-year-old veteran, who left full-time military service in 2013, has not been criminally charged for any of the allegations against him. He was not present in court for the judgment on Thursdayhe was not obligated to attendwith some local media outlets publishing pictures of him on a sun lounger in Bali, Indonesia. Today is a day of justice, Nick McKenzie, one of the journalists vindicated by the trial, said outside court on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Its a day of justice for those brave men of the [Special Air Service] who stood up and told the truth about who Ben Roberts-Smith isa war criminal, a bully, and a liar. Roberts-Smith joined Australias elite SAS in 2003 and went on to win the countrys prestigious Medal of Gallantry three years later on his first tour of Afghanistan for his actions as a patrol scout and sniper. In 2011, he received the Victoria CrossAustralias highest military honorfor acting with a total disregard for his own safety in single-handedly storming an enemy machine gun position. The award made him the most decorated living Australian soldier, but his reputation came into question in 2018. The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times began publishing articles alleging that he had committed war crimes, which also included ordering lower-ranking soldiers to kill civilians as a way of blooding the troops. Roberts-Smith sued the newspapers for defamation, setting off a year-long multimillion-dollar trial that also covered allegations that he had bullied his colleagues and committed an act of domestic violence against a lover. Justice Besanko found that the bullying allegation was substantially true, and while the newspapers failed to prove the domestic violence accusation, Roberts-Smiths reputation could not have been further harmed after he had been found to have been a war criminal. 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. FILE - Ben Roberts-Smith arrives at the Federal Court in Sydney, on June 9, 2021. Australias most decorated living war veteran, Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, committed a slew of war crimes while in Afghanistan including the unlawful killings of unarmed prisoners, a judge ruled on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File) SYDNEY (AP) Australias most decorated living war veteran unlawfully killed prisoners and committed other war crimes in Afghanistan, a judge ruled Thursday in dismissing the claims by Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith that he was defamed by media. Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko ruled that the articles published in 2018 were substantially true about a number of war crimes committed by Roberts-Smith, a former Special Air Service Regiment corporal who now is a media company executive. Besanko found Roberts-Smith, who was also awarded the Medal of Gallantry for his Afghanistan War service, broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement and disgraced Australia through his conduct. The ruling is regarded as a significant win for press freedom against Australia's extraordinarily restrictive defamation laws following a hard-fought trial over 110 court hearing days that is estimated to have cost more than 25 million Australian dollars ($16 million) in legal fees. Proven allegations included that Roberts-Smith, the son of a judge, used a machine gun to shoot a prisoner with a prosthetic leg in the back at a Taliban compound codenamed Whiskey 108 in Uruzgan province in 2009. He kept the man's prosthetic as a novelty beer drinking vessel. The man was one of two unarmed Afghans that Roberts-Smith's patrol had dragged from a tunnel. Roberts-Smith pressured a newly deployed and inexperienced soldier to kill the second, older man to blood the rookie, the court found. The proven accusations also included that Roberts-Smith killed an unarmed, handcuffed farmer named Ali Jan by kicking him from a cliff top and into a riverbed at the Afghan village of Darwan in 2012. Roberts-Smith then directed a soldier under his command to shoot Jan dead. Also found to be true were accusations that Roberts-Smith, who stands 2.02 meters (6 feet, 7 inches) tall, bullied soldiers and assaulted Afghan civilians. Two of six unlawful killings Roberts-Smith was accused of involvement in were not proven to the civil court standard of balance of probability, the judge found. Reports of domestic violence allegedly committed by Roberts-Smith were also found to be unproven and defamatory. But the judge found the unproven allegations would not have further damaged the veterans reputation. Had such war crime allegations been made in a criminal court, they would have had to be proven to a higher standard of beyond reasonable doubt. Roberts-Smith, 44, had denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers blamed corrosive jealousy by bitter people within the SAS who had run a poisonous campaign against him. The civil case made claims of defamation against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times over their articles. Nick McKenzie, one of the reporters responsible for the contentious articles, praised the SAS veterans who had testified against the national hero. Today is a day of justice. Its a day of justice for those brave men of the SAS who stood up and told the truth about who Ben Roberts-Smith is a war criminal, a bully and a liar, McKenzie told reporters outside court. Australia should be proud of those men in the SAS. They are the majority in the SAS and they stood up for what was right and they have been vindicated, McKenzie added. Roberts-Smiths lawyer, Arthur Moses, asked for 42 days to consider lodging an appeal to the Full Bench of the Federal Court. The case's legal costs have been underwritten by billionaire Kerry Stokes, executive chair of Seven West Media where Roberts-Smith is employed. Stokes has stood by Roberts-Smith, saying in a statement: The judgment does not accord with the man I know. I know this will be particularly hard for Ben who has always maintained his innocence, Stokes said. Roberts-Smith had attended every day of his trial but did not appear at the Sydney court for the decision. Media have published a photo of him sunning himself by a swimming pool Wednesday on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. Roberts-Smith is one of several Australian military personnel under investigation from Australian Federal Police for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The first criminal charge for an alleged illegal killing in Afghanistan was made in March. Former SAS trooper Oliver Schulz was charged with the war crime of murder in the death of an Afghan who was shot in 2012 in a wheat field in Uruzgan province. Australian Special Air Service Association chair Martin Hamilton-Smith described the ruling as a very disappointing day for the elite regiment. He said if more veterans were to be prosecuted for war crimes, they should be charged without delay. "The only way you'll get to the real truth of this is to get it into a criminal court where both sides of the story can be told and the facts established beyond reasonable doubt," Hamilton-Smith said. Roberts-Smith became a national hero in 2011 when he was awarded the Victoria Cross, Australia's highest award recognizing gallantry in the presence of an enemy. He met Queen Elizabeth II several times as a distinguished Australian. He was awarded the medal for attacking a machine gun nest during a battle at Tizak, Kandahar, in 2010. Roberts-Smith was credited with killing two machine-gunners and an insurgent about to launch a rocket grenade. No war crime allegations stem from that battle. ____ McGuirk contributed from Canberra, Australia. Journalist and author Victor Luckerson does not recall any specific instance when the history of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and its famous Greenwood district entered his consciousness. He likened his awareness of it to osmosis, absorbed from the seldom shared but palpable experiences of being Black in America rather than from his formal education. Then, in May 2018, The Ringer (an online publication) sent Luckerson, a staff writer at the time, to report on the infamous Greenwood District and its Black Wall Street. At the time, he had a grandiose vision of the town that overcame so much, especially given the tragedy of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre that nearly eradicated the black community that called (and still calls) the Greenwood District home. The anniversary vigil disavowed him of that vision. About 30 people attended while, across the street, hundreds of spectators streamed toward ONEOK Field to cheer on Tulsas minor league baseball team, The Drillers. Even the people who lived there didnt seem to be interacting with their history. Victor Luckerson By August 2018, Luckerson began committing two hours each morning to researching Greenwood while he still lived in Atlanta. He eventually moved to Tulsa and reported for The Oklahoma Eagle and pieced together what would ultimately become Built from the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa's Greenwood District, America's Black Wall Street (Penguin Random House May 2023). SMN: What was your journey to publication with Penguin Random House like? Luckerson: I had always dreamed of writing a book by the time I turned 30. As a journalist, a few agents expressed interest in my articles. Eventually, I signed with one and they suggested that the Tulsa story could be a book project. By 28, I had started on the proposal with my agent, which took nine months to draft. We sent it off to Penguin and they accepted it. SMN: Why is Greenwoods story important now? Luckerson: I remember being one of three Black guys at my high school in Atlanta sitting at a lunch table around the time 12 Years a Slave came out. One of my friends mentioned he was tired of seeing abuse of Black people in movies and media. Another brought up Black Wall Street and asked if we had heard about it. We had, but nothing too concrete back then. That moment exemplifies my desire to share stories of Black success with other Black people so we can move beyond the trauma. Also, to truly understand the depth of the atrocities you need the broader context of how Black people actually lived outside the threat of White violence. SMN: Why do you think many Americans, even Black Americans, only just became aware of Greenwood through its recent appearances in The Watchmen and Lovecraft Country? Luckerson: My parents, who were born in the 1950s, didnt want to burden their children with their trauma, even what they perceived as small injustices. I think thats common of many parents, though I do think that inclination has recently shifted thanks to more resources and diversity in media. For my part, I hired my cousin (who was 13 at the time) as a research assistant. He had never heard of Greenwood before he read my book proposal. I just interviewed him three months ago and he said that the stories of the generations that overcome so much, time and again, inspired and empowered him to address the issues of today. He just accepted an offer to attend Princeton in the fall! SMN: How many families did you interview from Greenwood? Luckerson: I worked closely with four families and framed the main narrative arc around the Goodwins, in particular Ed. His parents had come to Greenwood in search of better opportunities as had most Black families in the early 1900s. I tried to humanize historical figures as best I could and highlight how they impacted the legacy of the community. Dual Threats: Historic preservationists face new challenges as sea-level rise threatens Butler Island Land Fight: First Bryan Baptist Church puts Housing Authority on notice. We want our land back SMN: How do you see your book impacting communities beyond Tulsa, in places like Savannah for instance? Luckerson: The practice of redlining in the '30s negatively affected Black businesses. Greenwood was ultimately bisected by an interstate and largely destroyed. Both practices along with the threat of violence were not unique to Tulsa. Im originally from Montgomery, Alabama, which also faced these issues. A governments memory is longer than any individuals is. Having done the research for my book, I now know the steps others can take to discover how damaging practices like urban renewal and others truly were for Black communities across the country. SMN: What surprised you most along the journey of bringing this book into the world? Luckerson: I came across something called the The Policy Game, which was essentially like todays lottery. It was illegal until government entities came along and standardized it. I told my mom how members of the Goodwin family were involved the Policy Game and bootlegging. She then told me that my own grandfather was a bootlegger who bribed the police in our Alabama [community]. Our discussion helped me understand that even middle-class Black families had limited access to legitimate opportunities for growth. "Built From the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa's Greenwood District, America's Black Wall Street" by Victor Luckerson SMN: What stories do you see yourself telling next? Luckerson: I am always interested in stories that fill in the gaps in Black history, particularly between the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, where I feel Black people kind of disappeared from textbooks in my schooling. If You Go >> Author Talk: Victor Luckerson When: 5-6 p.m., June 8 Where: Senior Citizens Inc., 3025 Bull St. Info: $10, seniorcitizensinc.org This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Victor Luckerson's "Built From the Fire" mines Tulsa Race Massacre Experts of intelligence technology are warning of potential extinction events and are calling on governments to step up regulations. | Adobe.com Are emerging artificial intelligence tools destined to evolve into an existential threat at the same level as a potential global nuclear war or unforeseen biological disaster? Thats the contention of a new, single-sentence missive issued by the nonprofit Center for AI Safety on Tuesday thats earned the signatures of a wide-ranging group of distinguished scientists, academics and tech developers including Turing Award winners Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, and leaders of the major AI labs, including Sam Altman of OpenAI and Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind. Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war, the statement reads. The Center for AI Safety says the statement, which has accrued hundreds of signatories, has the support of a historic coalition of AI experts along with philosophers, ethicists, legal scholars, economists, physicists, political scientists, pandemic scientists, nuclear scientists and climate scientists who believe establishing the risk of extinction from advanced, future AI systems is now one of the worlds most important problems. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law hearing on artificial intelligence, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. | Patrick Semansky, Associated Press The San Francisco-based Center for AI Safety, an organization founded in 2016 by a group of academics, has a stated mission to reduce societal-scale risks from artificial intelligence by equipping policymakers, business leaders and the broader world with the understanding and tools necessary to manage AI risk. In press outreach accompanying the extinction statement, the group referenced concerns raised by J. Robert Oppenheimer, even as the theoretical physicist was overseeing the development of the worlds first operable nuclear weapons at the Los Alamos Laboratory in the 1940s. We knew the world would not be the same, Oppenheimer once recounted and later called for international coordination to avoid nuclear war, according to the Center for AI Safety. Related We need to be having the conversations that nuclear scientists were having before the creation of the atomic bomb, said Dan Hendrycks, director of the Center for AI Safety, in a press release. Hinton and Altman have also recently been sharing their personal concerns about where AI is headed and how to best manage the powerful systems as they become more advanced and, potentially, diabolical. Altman, the co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the ChatGPT chatbot, has become something of a de facto figurehead when it comes to generative AI tools. Thats thanks to the enormous response to the inquiry-based ChatGPT platform that went public last November and has since attracted over 100 million users. ChatGPT answers questions and can produce prompt-driven responses like poems, stories, research papers and other content that typically read very much as if created by a human, although the platforms output is notoriously rife with errors. Altman was among a panel of witnesses at a U.S. Senate committee hearing last month that was focused on AI concerns and potential new regulatory efforts. He readily agreed with members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law that new regulatory frameworks were in order as AI tools in development by his company and others continue to take evolutionary leaps and bounds. He also warned that AI has the potential, as it continues to advance, to cause widespread harm. My worst fears are that we, the field of technology industry, cause significant harm to the world, Altman said. I think that can happen in a lot of different ways. I think if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong and we want to be vocal about that. We want to work with the government to prevent that from happening, but we try to be very clear-eyed about what the downside case is and the work we have to do to mitigate that. Hinton is a British-Canadian scientist and researcher who is widely considered the Godfather of AI and recently quit his job working on Googles artificial intelligence program so he could speak more openly about his concerns over the new technology. Hinton said hes had a change of heart about the potential outcomes of fast-advancing AI after a career focused on developing digital neural networks designs that mimic how the human brain processes information that have helped catapult artificial intelligence tools. The problem is, once these things get more intelligent than us its not clear were going to be able to control it, Hinton said. There are very few examples of more intelligent things controlled by less intelligent things. In a March interview with CBS News, Hinton was asked if AI has the potential to wipe out humanity. Its not inconceivable, Hinton said. Thats all Ill say. Exactly what kind of measures are required to keep AI from sparking, or coordinating, some kind of extinction-level cataclysm, however, remains somewhat nebulous. The Center for AI Safetys director said the time to take action in anticipating, and mitigating, the potential harms of AI systems is now and its one that requires global participation. Pandemics were not on the publics radar before COVID-19, Hendrycks said in a release. Its not too early to put guardrails in place and set up institutions so that AI risks dont catch us off guard. As we grapple with immediate AI risks like malicious use, misinformation, and disempowerment, the AI industry and governments around the world need to also seriously confront the risk that future AIs could pose a threat to human existence. Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI will require global action. The world has successfully cooperated to mitigate risks related to nuclear war. The same level of effort is needed to address the dangers posed by future AI systems. The Yellowstone National Park visitor who "intentionally disturbed" a baby bison, causing its herd to reject the calf, has pleaded guilty, officials said. The Hawaii resident pleaded guilty to one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice District of Wyoming said in a news release. According to the violation notice on May 20, 2023, the man approached the newborn bison after the struggling calf had been separated from its mother when the herd crossed the Lamar River and pushed the baby up from the river and onto the roadway, the news release said. Park rangers tried to reunite the calf with the herd, but they were unsuccessful. Staff euthanized the calf because it was abandoned by the herd and causing a hazardous situation by approaching cars and people along the roadway, the release said. There was nothing in the report that indicated the man acted maliciously, the release said. The Hawaii resident was charged a $500 fine, a $500 community service payment to Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund, a $30 special assessment and a $10 processing fee, the news release said. Stay away from animals, park said Park officials said visitors are required to stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. Approaching wild animals can affect their well-being and their survival, the park service said. Why doesnt Yellowstone staff rescue wildlife? The park said its focus is to sustain "viable populations of native wildlife species, rather than protecting individual animals." The park adds the death of animals is a necessary part of sustaining our populations of predators, scavengers, decomposers and, eventually, herbivores. "Actions like feeding, husbandry and rehabilitation contradict the National Park Service mission by shielding animals from the forces of natural selection and creating a zoo-like atmosphere where animals require assistance or protection from people," the park service said. About 99% of Yellowstone is managed as wilderness, the park service said. When does Yellowstone staff intervene with wildlife? The park service said it only intervenes in "natural biological or physical processes" under these circumstances: When directed by Congress. When human life and property are at stake. When necessary to protect other park resources, facilities, human health and safety. To restore a natural ecosystem that has been disrupted by humans. More from the USA TODAY Network Baby bison euthanized: Yellowstone visitor pushed animal out of river, herd rejected it, park says Watch: Video shows bear breaking into a bakery in Avon, Connecticut, and eating 60 cupcakes Manlius: 3 teens arrested after New York town's beloved swan was eaten, officials say; 4 baby swans rescued Kiwi: Miami zoo deeply sorry for mistreating kiwi bird after video shows visitors petting it Video: Daring woman takes selfie with a resting bison inside a national park This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baby bison euthanized, Yellowstone visitor charged with federal crime Backyard Brawl: Kickoff time for Pitt vs. West Virginia announced The kickoff time for the 2023 Backyard Brawl has been announced! According to the schedule, Pitt vs. WVU is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start. The Panthers will travel to Morgantown on Sept. 16 for the 106th Backyard Brawl. Big Game. Big Spotlight. Big Brawl. The 106th Backyard Brawl ABC Saturday Night Football 9.16.23 7:30 p.m.#H2P #WeNotMe pic.twitter.com/lfWrIhcbSB Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) May 31, 2023 Pitt leads the series 62-40-3. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, July 6. Click here for more details. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: 150-ton superload moving from Allegheny County to Ohio to slow traffic Thursday Spirit Airlines technical issue causes delays Penguins name Kyle Dubas President of Hockey Operations VIDEO: Pittsburgh leaders announce plan to increase affordable housing options DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts New bar taking over Houston Street pub in downtown Fort Worth will keep rooftop patio A new bar is set to replace a Houston Street staple in downtown Fort Worth. Houston Street Bar and Patio announced in mid-May that the establishment was closing its doors at 902 Houston St. The bar, which opened in 2006, celebrated its final night on Tuesday with karaoke and one last cold beverage. However, the building will not stay vacant long with a new tenant set to start remodeling work later this week. A new bar called The Archibald is moving into the 902 Houston St. location and will begin two to three months of remodeling on Thursday, owner Keith Arias told the Star-Telegram. Arias described The Archibald as having a bar setting that will update the Houston Street building, but keep it approachable. The rooftop bar, a major draw to the locale, will be renovated and remain a key feature of the venue just minutes from Sundance Square. More information on The Archibald will be released over the next few months, Arias said. The plan is to open the new bar in late summer, around August. Were so excited, Arias said. 'Barbie' star Ryan Gosling defends his casting as Ken after some fans said he was 'too old' to play the character: 'Nobody cares about Ken' Ryan Gosling plays traditional Ken in "Barbie." Getty Images/Warner Bros Ryan Gosling defended his casting in "Barbie" against those who said he's "too old" to play Ken. "Barbie never fucked with Ken. That's the point," he said. No one is meant to care about Ken. Gosling's character in "Barbie" likes the beach, and that might be his only trait. Ryan Gosling addressed social-media users saying that he's "too old" to play Ken in Greta Gerwig's upcoming "Barbie" movie. In an interview with Gosling for GQ's summer cover story, reporter Zach Baron brought up the online discussion around Gosling's age. "I would say, you know, if people don't want to play with my Ken, there are many other Kens to play with," Gosling initially said in response, referencing the many other actors in the "Barbie" movie, like Simu Liu, who are playing alternate versions of the Ken doll. Later in the interview, Gosling returned to the topic and joked about how ridiculous it was that people suddenly cared about Ken at all. "Like you ever thought about Ken before this?" said Gosling of his character, whose job and pretty much entire personality is just "beach." Gosling as Ken and Margot Robbie as Barbie in "Barbie." Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures "And everyone was fine with that, for him to have a job that is nothing. But suddenly, it's like, 'No, we've cared about Ken this whole time.' No, you didn't. You never did," Gosling continued. "Barbie never fucked with Ken. That's the point. If you ever really cared about Ken, you would know that nobody cared about Ken." Gosling went on to joke that Ken's critics were being "exposed" and Ken's story "must be told." The GQ story directly referenced an article by the New York Post about the age criticism, titled "Gen Z 'Barbie' fans slammed for calling Ryan Gosling too 'old' to play Ken." The New York Post story cited a tweet calling Gosling "too old and dry" to play the doll and TikTok comments that referred to Gosling's character as "Grandpa Ken." Gosling had supporters, though. "Gen Z saying Ryan Gosling is too old to be Ken and calling him ugly ?? have y'all lost your minds," one Twitter user wrote. "i genuinely don't think ryan gosling is ugly at all and that's why all this discourse is making me mad. like he's kinda old looking, but ugly he is NOT. you guys are LYING," another Twitter user wrote. "I care about this dude now. I'm like his representative. 'Ken couldn't show up to receive this award, so I'm here to accept it for him,'" Gosling joked about defending himself and his character. Since the full "Barbie" trailer was released in May, we now know Barbie will leave the idyllic "Barbie Land" of the film and go to the real world to ponder questions about death, sexuality, and aging. Ken will be along for the ride, but so far all Gosling will reveal about Ken is that he likes the beach. "Barbie" will be in theaters July 21. Read the original article on Insider The News A Chinese fighter jet fly-by incident last week sparked yet another diplomatic crisis between Beijing and Washington. But they don't seem to have discussed it yet. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Wednesday called for setting up a direct line of communication between Washington and Beijing, emphasizing that a hotline was essential to de-escalate any future tension. China has so far refused. Former U.S. Under Secretary for Defense Michele Flournoy told ChinaTalk that Beijing has historically framed a hotline as a bargaining chip to advance its own interests. Semafor spoke with four experts about what a hotline negotiation would look like. Here's what they had to say. Know More Why is China pushing back on dialogue? Much of the Communist Party's foreign policy strategies rely on using "punitive" tactics to have foreign powers acquiesce to Beijing's demands, Orville Schell of the Asia Society said. But Beijing also wants to heighten its global image by portraying the U.S. as the more vulnerable actor in need of China's support. "If you seem like you want something less than the other side, you might as well get something for it," said Isaac Stone Fish, CEO of Strategy Risks. "It's a better negotiating strategy for Beijing." What does China want? Sam Bresnick, a research fellow at Georgetown University, said the bulk of any negotiations between the U.S. and China will likely focus on economic issues. He pointed at Trump-era tariffs and U.S. President Joe Biden's tech export controls as things China wants to get rid of. "Militarily, I think that China doesn't see much to be gained from dialogue," Bresnick said. "China wants to sort of keep the military side of things in a black box to increase their deterrence factor." Beijing could potentially push for Washington to drop sanctions against top military officials, including Defense Minister Li Shangfu, Carnegie analyst Nathaniel Sher said. But ultimately, China will not engage in explicit military "dialogue just for the sake of dialogue." "The Chinese side really wants a total change in U.S. policy," Sher said. "They view these guardrails and military dialogues really as an opportunity to kind of put a seatbelt around the relationship, which, in a sense, would maybe encourage more reckless driving on the part of the U.S., at least in their perception." What about Taiwan? It's unclear how much focus Taiwan will get in any potential talks, but Bresnick said that any breakthrough on cross-strait relations is unlikely because of Washington and Beijing's "broad disagreement" on the future of the island. Sher added that the Biden administration will never change its policy on providing Taiwan the means to defend itself, but Washington could hypothetically entice Beijing temporarily by slowing down or delaying arms packages to Taipei. Step Back China-U.S. relations dipped to an all-time low following the spy balloon fiasco this year, prompting Blinken to cancel a much-anticipated visit to China. But lawmakers and business leaders in both countries have sought in recent weeks to ease some of that strain, specifically on the economic front. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen last month said efforts to "decouple" from China would prove catastrophic for the global economy, instead calling on leaders to "de-risk" from Chinese industries that pose national security concerns. Military dialogue remains at a standstill, however. Beijing on Tuesday rebuffed an invitation for Li and Austin to meet in Singapore. Stone Fish said that this was significant because of Li's largely ceremonial role, showcasing China's hesitancy for the U.S. to even have a small breakthrough. He drives through fires and wades through floodwaters to bring us to natural disasters from the safety of our homes. Photographer Josh Edelson takes great personal risks to get the shot and shares his scariest moments behind the camera. "Today, humans feel like they've mastered the environment and that we can control anything and that we are the masters of our planet," Edelson told FOX Weather's Nick Kosir. "But I like the idea of feeling like we are at nature's mercy. That kind of piques my interest, and it drives me to go and capture those scenes." RESTORING MEMORIES: FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHER DESCRIBES HOW TO SAVE HURRICANE IAN FLOOD DAMAGED PHOTOS Residents scramble to retrieve belongings before floodwaters rise too high Merced, California, on January 10, 2023. You have probably seen those captured scenes on television and in newspapers. Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton retweeted his photos. One even took center stage in a press conference with President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom. IN A FLASH: LIGHTNING CHASER SHARES HOW TO CAPTURE NATURE'S FURY ON CAMERA Edelson's work at a press conference with Trump and Newsom. Fires are some of the riskiest situations he said when asked, "Has there ever been an instance where you go, Whoa, Im lucky to have gotten out of that?'" He said that he was driving between towns devastated by the 2021 Dixie Fire in Northern California. "I got to a place where there is just a wall of fire across the road I could not pass. So, I turned around, but the fire kind of pinched me in and crossed my path behind me as well," Edelson said. "And that was a gnarly situation." He said he couldnt see where the fire was through the tall trees. "So I kind of had to drive right through it, which was not an ideal situation," he continued. In 2020 while covering the North Complex Fire also in Northern California, fire again threatened. A law enforcement officer watches flames launch into the air as fire continues to spread during the Bear Fire in Oroville, California on September 9, 2020, part of the North Complex Fire. "That whole scene was just wild, like getting up to right where the flames were," he said. "I got to the bridge, and me and another photographer were a little nervous crossing it because we had to ask ourselves, 'What's the integrity of the bridge? Is this a bridge that could collapse because of the heat from the fire and are we safe to cross this?'" They waited and saw a few cars cross the bridge safely. So they nervously proceeded. "Then on the other side there was a clearing, and it was a good spot to kind of like catch our breath," he said. "And I got out of the car and that was the scene I saw." HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TV A boat motors by as the Bidwell Bar Bridge is surrounded by fire in Lake Oroville during the Bear fire in Oroville, California. Flames roared behind the Bidwell Bar Bridge in Oroville, California, and embers flew past him. Kosir also asked him how he stays calm in the chaos. Edelson said his camera functions as his emotional barrier between tragedy and himself. "That inner monologue can get so loud that I just don't really have the mental bandwidth or emotional bandwidth to really sink into what I'm experiencing," he admitted. "After I'm done shooting, when I'm running through the photos, and I start to reflect, and I think, Wow, that was a dangerous situation or that was an emotional scene." IMAGES OF 7 EARLY-UNIVERSE GALAXIES CAPTURED BY JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE A man helps a woman walk through floodwaters in Pajaro, California on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Residents were forced to evacuate in the middle of the night after an atmospheric river surge broke the Pajaro Levee and sent floodwaters flowing into the community. Lesson number one he gives to anyone aspiring to walk in his footsteps is, dont go where firefighters and other rescue personnel dont go. Use the professionals' training and experience to keep you out of trouble. "It's tempting to go into those disaster zones and take photos or videos or whatever you're going to do. It may garner likes and whatnot, but it is definitely dangerous," Edelson said. "So, in short, if you're going to go cover a disaster like that, please make sure that you're either with someone that's experienced or that you get trained up and that you're wearing appropriate gear." Edelson wants to take on hurricanes and volcanoes next. And that is not even his day job. He shoots corporate photos for a living. Cheryl Falzon, National Librarian and chief executive officer (CEO) of Malta Libraries, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Valletta, Malta, May 23, 2023. Falzon foresees closer cultural cooperation between Malta and China based on mutual understanding and appreciation. "China has a very rich history, civilization and culture, and I am sure many people would be interested to learn more about this," Falzon told Xinhua in a recent interview. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian) Cheryl Falzon, National Librarian and chief executive officer (CEO) of Malta Libraries, foresees closer cultural cooperation between Malta and China based on mutual understanding and appreciation. "China has a very rich history, civilization and culture, and I am sure many people would be interested to learn more about this," Falzon told Xinhua in a recent interview. She thinks highly of China's Global Civilization Initiative, which stresses the importance of respecting the diversity of civilizations and strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. Understanding other countries' cultures would help people accept, respect and integrate into a multicultural environment, she added. Malta Libraries has been collecting publications on various subjects to donate to Jinling Library in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. The aim is to offer Chinese people an opportunity to learn about Malta, a small island country which is also rich in history, culture and traditions, she said. Falzon expects these books to be transported to China in June. It will be the first time for Malta Libraries to donate books to a Chinese library. She hopes to further expand cooperation with Jinling Library in the future and to collaborate with more Chinese libraries as well. Malta Libraries is the entity responsible for the National Library of Malta, the National Library (Gozo), the Central Public Library, the Gozo Public Library, all regional and branch public libraries on the Maltese Islands as well as the National Bibliographic Office. As part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malta, Jinling Library donated more than 200 books to Malta Libraries in October last year, launching the first "Window of Chinese Books" program in Europe. The books cover fields such as ancient Chinese literature and art, history, geography, contemporary Chinese politics, economy, culture, tourism and food. Although Falzon has yet to visit China, she has a profound interest in Chinese culture. When these books were donated, she was the first to borrow one, she said. These books have helped both the Chinese community in Malta and other people to learn about various subjects, such as the history, culture and traditions of China. Many are available in English or bilingual, enabling those who are not fluent in Chinese to explore the richness of Chinese culture, Falzon said. Malta and China have a long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship, she said. Since 2018, Malta Libraries has been collaborating with the China Cultural Center in Malta. Falzon said she expected to strengthen cooperation with the center, noting that the various events organized there, targeting diverse audiences of different age groups, have significantly promoted cultural exchanges and deepened bonds between the people of both countries. Regarding future cultural cooperation between Malta and China, Falzon said, "I believe that we need to continue our collaboration and include each other in relevant cultural activities to strengthen the ties that are already present." Despite the geographical distance between Malta and China, she is confident that increased travel between the two countries will "bring our people and countries even closer together." Belarusians train to shoot drones with blanks but have not shown if they succeed Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet, has reported that the Belarusian military is training to shoot down drones with blank ammunition and shared a video from the Belarusian Ministry of Defence. Source: Belaruski Hajun Details: For instance, the Ministry of Defence of Belarus has shared a video showing the Armed Forces of Belarus and units of military command and maintenance "practising the downing and destruction of UAVs on the basis of the 43rd Missile and Ammunition Arsenal". A 23-mm ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun and a Kalashnikov rifle were used to down the drone. Belaruski Hajun has reported that in the video, a Belarusian soldier is seen firing at the UAV with a Kalashnikov assault rifle equipped with a blank-firing adapter. According to the rules of fire of an AK-74 assault rifle, it is strictly forbidden to fire live ammunition with a blank-firing adapter attached onto the barrel. Belaruski Hajun believes that the soldier could not have had live ammunition in his magazine. The Ministry of Defence of Belarus did not specify how a UAV could be "suppressed and destroyed" by firing blank cartridges from an assault rifle. Quote: "Taking into account the behaviour of the two cameramen (the first one filmed the attached video, and the second one can be seen in the background), we can state that they were not training to destroy UAVs, but filming another staged video. Obviously, the Ministry of Defence of Belarus does not plan to learn how to fight drones in real life (and not on camera), and will adopt the successful experience of the border guards of Belarus." pic.twitter.com/iwMfv6EWzI (@ukrpravda_news) June 1, 2023 Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russia says it repels new Belgorod border attacks, blasts rock the region Russia official says Ukraine shelling of border town injures four Russia says it repels new Belgorod border attacks, blasts rock the region Russia official says Ukraine shelling of border town injures four By Guy Faulconbridge and Felix Light MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said it had repelled an attempted incursion along its border with Ukraine on Thursday by what it casts as pro-Ukrainian militants, while heavy shelling and a suspected drone attack prompted a partial evacuation of civilians from the area. Ahead of an expected Ukrainian counter-offensive in the 15-month war, Russia has come under repeated attack in recent days, including a major cross-border incursion and the biggest ever drone attack on Moscow. Russia's defence ministry said it had repelled three cross-border attacks on Thursday near the town of Shebekino, and it accused Ukraine of using what it said were "terrorist formations" to carry out attempted attacks on Russian civilians. "The selfless actions of Russian servicemen repelled three attacks by Ukrainian terrorist formations," the Russian ministry said. "No violations of the state border were allowed." Ukraine denies its military is involved in the incursions into Belgorod and says they are conducted by Russian volunteer fighters. Moscow blames Ukrainian "terrorists" for targeting Russia's western border. Russian officials say the group of fighters is a proxy run by Ukraine. Russian army units, border guards and units of the Federal Security Service repelled the first attack at around 0100 GMT as two units with vehicles and tanks tried to penetrate the border near Novaya Tavolzhanka and Shebekino, the defence ministry said, adding there were three attacks from the Ukrainian side. More than 50 Ukrainian fighters were killed and four armoured vehicles were destroyed, the ministry said. It added that up to 70 fighters, five tanks and four armoured vehicles were involved in the attack. BORDER ATTACK Reuters was able to verify video footage which showed damaged military targets near Shebekino but not the date of the images. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin was being regularly briefed on the situation at the border and noted that Western powers had refrained from condemning the attacks on Russian territory that it said Ukraine had carried out. "As before, there is not a single word of criticism for the Kyiv regime - or any condemnation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The attacks on Belgorod, Peskov said, would have absolutely no impact on the course of what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Earlier, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), a far-right paramilitary group of ethnic Russians that supports Ukraine, said it was fighting on Russian territory. The group said it had advanced to the outskirts of Shebekino, though Reuters was unable to verify that independently. The group posted footage of its fighters firing weapons and photographs of armed soldiers inside a building. Another group, known as the Freedom of Russia Legion, posted footage of armed soldiers and vehicles. SHELLING AND DRONES In the Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukraine's armed forces had shelled Shebekino with Soviet-designed Grad 122 mm rockets, setting alight a dormitory and damaging an administrative building. At least nine civilians were injured in shelling across the region, he said. Video posted on social media showed plumes of smoke rising above a large building in Shebekino as flames licked through the destroyed roof. Later, a drone blast in the city of Belgorod injured two. Gladkov said the evacuation of residents to temporary accommodation would resume when the fighting calmed down. "The main issue, of course, is helping people, supporting the resettlement of those who need or want it," the Kremlin's Peskov said. Gladkov said hundreds of children, women and the elderly were already leaving the area, adding that he had given Putin an update on the situation. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow, Felix Light in Tbilisi, George Sargant in London and Milan Pavicic in Gdansk; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne, Gareth Jones and Nick Macfie) After waiting nearly a year for an evaluation assessing his competency to stand trial for a 2021 residential burglary charge, a Bellingham man was arrested last week and charged with threatening to shoot and kill employees, residents and police responding to a permanent supportive housing complex in downtown Bellingham. Michael Shawn Sullivan, 56, was charged May 24 in Whatcom County Superior Court with one count of felony harassment and one count of obstructing a law enforcement officer, a gross misdemeanor. Sullivan is also facing a charge of residential burglary, a felony, in a January 2021 case, according to court records. Court documents show Sullivan waited eight months, approximately 243 days, to receive a competency evaluation while he was out of custody for the 2021 case. He was arrested for making the alleged threats the same day a report was submitted to the court declaring him incompetent to stand trial in the 2021 case, the records show. Burglary case On Jan. 13, 2021, Bellingham police responded to East Sunset Drive for the report of a neighbor dispute. The victim told police that while he was sleeping, his neighbor, later identified as Sullivan, began pounding on the wall. Sullivan then began pounding on the windows and front door of the victims apartment, according to court records. Another resident who lived at the victims apartment opened the door and Sullivan shoved his way into the apartment, pushed the second victim aside and used a racial slur, court records state. Sullivan went to the first victims bedroom and kicked the door. The victim was afraid he was going to be assaulted, the records state. Sullivan then yelled at the victim about voices he was hearing in his head that were coming from the victim, according to court documents. Sullivan was charged with residential burglary in mid-January 2021 for his alleged actions. He was released from the Whatcom County Jail in mid-February 2021 on his personal recognizance, as he had received placement in a permanent supportive housing complex and was accepted into the countys Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program. The LEAD program is designed to help people struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges, substance use, homelessness and extreme poverty, who have frequent interactions with law enforcement and divert them from the criminal legal system and into intensive case management, according to the countys website. Sullivan was expected to stay at Francis Place, a permanent supportive housing complex on Cornwall Avenue, or Base Camp, an overnight emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness, while out of custody. His trial date in the case was continued multiple times throughout the rest of 2021 and the first seven months of 2022, court records show. Competency evaluation On Aug. 25, 2022, the court entered an order for Sullivan to receive an out-of-custody evaluation assessing his competency to stand trial in the burglary case. As a reasoning for the need for an evaluation, Sullivans public defense attorney, John All, stated that Sullivan believes magic was involved in the incident and is unable to assist counsel. Under state law, there is a target date of 21 days or less for when an out-of-custody competency evaluation and report should be completed. Sullivan did not receive a competency evaluation until eight months later, on April 25, 2023. A report assessing whether he was competent to stand trial in the case was not submitted to the court until one month later, on May 23, 2023, according to court records. In total, Sullivans 2021 burglary case has been stayed for nine months while he awaited an evaluation. Without the evaluation and report assessing his competency, Sullivan was unable to proceed with his case or seek treatment, his defense attorney wrote in court documents. The report submitted last week concluded that Sullivan, who meets the diagnostic criteria for unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder, was not competent to stand trial because he lacks the current capacity to assist in his own defense, court records state. The evaluating psychologist wrote that observed symptoms of Sullivans mental illness included delusional beliefs and disorganized thinking. Throughout the 75-minute evaluation, Sullivan referred numerous times to the facts of his case being related to witches, warlocks, sorcerers, human trafficking and law enforcement officers being influenced by a specific man. His defense attorney also had significant concerns and historical difficulties discussing the case with Sullivan because Sullivan would direct conversations to concerns he had about witches and persecutory delusions, court records show. The psychologist recommended that Sullivan undergo competency restoration treatment at a state psychiatric hospital and said it is reasonably likely that Sullivan will become competent after receiving treatment, court documents state. Harassment arrest The same day the report concluding Sullivan was not competent to stand trial was submitted to the court, he was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot staff, residents and responding police officers at Francis Place. Around 1:15 p.m. on May 23, 2023, Bellingham police responded to a call that a male resident, later identified as Sullivan, was making threats to shoot staff, other residents, and potentially any officer that might respond to Francis Place, according to court records. Once police arrived, a staff member informed them that Sullivan had gone back up to his fourth-floor apartment. While officers were creating a plan, the staff member told officers Sullivan was now in the elevator and headed down to the lobby where they were, the court records state. Officers positioned themselves in front of and on the sides of the elevator and attempted to detain Sullivan as he left the elevator. Sullivan attempted to get away from the officers stating that he had not done anything. Eventually, Sullivan began moving backward toward the elevator. At this point, officers subdued him and placed him in handcuffs. After Sullivan was detained, two front desk employees told police Sullivan was making threats to shoot another resident. One of the employees told officers that the resident fled the complex out the back door when (Sullivan) began ranting and threatening to shoot people, according to court records. Francis Place staff also went into lock-down due to Sullivans alleged threats, court documents state. Sullivans defense attorney, John All, declined to comment when asked by The Herald to address the delays in Sullivan getting a competency evaluation, whether the recent charges impacted his enrollment in the countys LEAD program or to provide a comment on his clients behalf. All said by email Tuesday that while he would like to help, he could not comment due to various privacy laws, rules, and regulations involved with ongoing legal and competency proceedings of this type. Upcoming hearing At Sullivans first court appearance in the felony harassment case on May 24, the court ordered Sullivan to receive an in-custody competency evaluation. Under state law, Sullivan is expected to receive a competency evaluation within 14 days of the courts order. His case is stayed in the meantime. Sullivan is currently incarcerated in the downtown Whatcom County Jail. His next court appearance, in which a judge is expected to rule on his competency to stand trial in the harassment case, is tentatively scheduled for June 8, according to court records. Bellingham students death on train trestle was likely accidental, police say Editors note: This story has been updated to include the name of the victim. Police are considering the death of a Bellingham High School freshman a horrific accident and not suicide or other cause, according to an interview. Investigations Lt. Chad Cristelli of the Bellingham Police Department told The Bellingham Herald that 15-year-old Lucy Guerra and a friend were walking on a railroad trestle above Squalicum Beach when Guerra was hit by a BNSF freight train about 5:10 p.m. Tuesday. The initial investigation is looking like it was a tragic accident. We dont suspect foul play and we dont believe it was intentional, Cristelli said. Neither teen has yet been named officially, but her family is allowing The Herald to use her name along with a photo and a link to a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $15,000 since Wednesday. Lucys friend survived, Cristelli said, but the incident was indicative of the dangers around railroad tracks. Lucy Guerra is shown in an undated family photo. The 15-year-old Bellingham High School freshman was killed in a train accident Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Bellingham, Wash. Her death was confirmed as an accident by the Whatcom County medical examiner, said Deborah Hollis, chief investigator. Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Herald that the teens might not have heard the train engineer sound the horn. There is a slight curve in the tracks approaching the trestle, likely making it difficult to hear the approaching train, Murphy said in an email. The BNSF tracks where a Bellingham High School student was killed Tuesday night. The trestle spans Little Squalicum Creek near Squalicum Beach with a length of about 550 feet, according to Google Earth measurements. Firefighters and a police officer found the injured girl but were unable to revive her, Cristelli said. Medics were first on scene and attempted life-saving efforts as well as one of our officers, he said. Police detectives and officers interviewed witnesses, and support officers arrived to comfort the girls friend and counsel the police officer and firefighters who tried to save the girl, he said. https://goo.gl/maps/3oHd7fXaiQMqeoh68 Their investigation was continuing, Cristelli said. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, he said. Family friend Aaron Booker told The Herald that Lucy Guerra was a light that shone brightly. She loved dance and played tennis and the piano. There are no words for the unimaginable grief that all of us are feeling with this profound loss to our community and to Lucys family, Booker said. Bellingham High Principal Marty Atkins sent an email to students and their families on Wednesday, expressing deep sorrow over the accident. Lucy made a positive impact on our school and in our community in a number of ways. She will be missed, Atkins said in the note, which was shared with The Herald. A BNSF freight train heads toward downtown Bellingham along the waterfront at Wharf Street in this file photo. School district officials provided counseling for students, staff and the girls family, spokeswoman Dana Smith told The Herald. We have communicated with staff, students and families this morning and have additional counseling support on site at Bellingham High School, Smith said in an email Wednesday. A BNSF Railway official confirmed the incident in an email to The Herald but didnt respond to additional questions about the trains length, cargo, destination and number of locomotives. BNSF spokeswoman Lena Kent told The Herald that its investigation is continuing. Australia's most-decorated living soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has lost a historic defamation case against three newspapers that accused him of war crimes in Afghanistan. The outlets were sued over articles alleging he killed unarmed prisoners. The civil trial was the first time a court has assessed accusations of war crimes by Australian forces. A judge said four of the six murder allegations - all denied by the soldier - were substantially true. These included: A handcuffed farmer the soldier had kicked off a cliff - a fall which knocked out the man's teeth, before he was subsequently shot dead A captured Taliban fighter who was shot at least 10 times in the back, before his prosthetic leg was taken as a trophy and later used by troops as a drinking vessel Two murders which were ordered or agreed to by Mr Roberts-Smith to initiate or "blood" rookie soldiers. Justice Anthony Besanko found the newspaper had not proven two other murder allegations; nor reports Mr Roberts-Smith had assaulted a woman with whom he was having an affair; nor a threat against a junior colleague. But additional allegations that he had unlawfully assaulted captives and bullied peers were found to be true. Mr Roberts-Smith, who left the defence force in 2013, has not been charged over any of the claims in a criminal court, where there is a higher burden of proof. The 44-year-old was not present for Thursday's judgement. After the decision, a Taliban spokesman said the case was proof of "uncountable crimes" by foreign forces in Afghanistan, but added he did not trust any court globally to follow them up. Australian troops were deployed to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles declined to comment on the case, saying it was a civil matter. Mr Roberts-Smith is Australia's most famous living war veteran and served with the country's elite Special Air Service Regiment (SAS). He received the country's highest military award - the Victoria Cross - in 2011 for having single-handedly overpowered Taliban machine-gunners who had been attacking his platoon. But his public image was shattered in 2018 when The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times started publishing articles about his misconduct between 2009 and 2012. The soldier argued five of the killings reported by the newspapers had occurred legally during combat, and the sixth did not happen at all. His defamation case - dubbed by some "the trial of the century" - lasted 110 days and was rumoured to have cost up to A$25m ($16.3m, 13.2m). More than 40 witnesses - including Afghan villagers, a government minister and a string of current and former SAS soldiers - gave extraordinary evidence about every facet of Mr Roberts-Smith's life. But the case also exposed some of the secretive inner workings of Australia's elite special forces. The trial heard from soldiers who said potential misconduct was rarely reported due to a "code of silence" within the regiment, and others defended their actions as necessary. Many giving evidence were there unwillingly, having been subpoenaed, and three refused to speak about some allegations fearing self-incrimination. Much of the evidence against Mr Roberts-Smith relied on eyewitness accounts and recollections of discussions among soldiers. Justice Besanko had to weigh the reliability of witnesses against each other, with the media outlets contending theirs had no reason to lie. Speaking outside the Federal Court in Sydney, the news outlets called the judgement a "vindication" for their reporting. "It's a day of justice for the brave men of the SAS who stood up and told the truth about who Ben Roberts-Smith is: a war criminal, a bully and a liar," said investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, who wrote the stories alongside Chris Masters and David Wroe. "[And] today is a day of some small justice for the Afghan victims of Ben Roberts-Smith." Journalist Nick McKenzie says their reporting had relied on the "moral courage" of other SAS soldiers The Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organisation also praised the role of investigative journalism in "uncovering the truth and raising public awareness" about what had taken place in the country. Media magnate Kerry Stokes - who employs Mr Roberts-Smith at rival outlet Seven West Media - said the judgement did "not accord with the man I know". "I know this will be particularly hard for Ben, who has always maintained his innocence," said Mr Stokes, who loaned the soldier money to fund his legal case. Mr Roberts-Smith had offered to hand in his Victoria Cross as collateral, local media reported. The case comes three years after a landmark report found credible evidence that Australian forces had unlawfully killed 39 civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2013. Accusations of war crimes have also been levelled at soldiers from the UK and US in recent years. Local media say dozens of Australian soldiers are being investigated for their roles in alleged war crimes. But so far charges have only been laid against one, Oliver Schulz. War historian Peter Stanley told the BBC ahead of the judgement that Mr Roberts-Smith's case was "a litmus test" for allegations of Australian wrongdoing in Afghanistan. "The Ben Roberts-Smith episode is just a precursor to the major series of war crimes investigations, allegations, prosecutions, and possibly convictions that we'll see over the next few years." Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products. You mightve seen password managers in the news recently because of the breach affecting LastPass customers. We need to trust that all of our logins, banking credentials and other sensitive information has been neatly locked away, only accessible by us when we need it. But most tech is fallible, and the benefits of unique, strong passwords across your online presence outweigh the risks. Password managers remain a great way to securely store all of the credentials you need on a regular basis. We tested out nine of the best password managers available now to help you choose the right one for your needs. How do password managers work? Think of password managers like virtual safe deposit boxes. They hold your valuables, in this case usually online credentials, in a section of the vault only accessible to you by security key or a master password. Most of these services have autofill features that make it convenient to log in to any site without needing to remember every password you have, and they keep your credit card information close for impulse purchases. But given that passwords are one of the top ways to keep your online identity secure, the real value of password managers is staying safe online. It's just not possible without a password manager to have unique, long and hard-to-guess passwords, Florian Schaub, an associate professor of information and of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, said. Common guidance states that passwords should be unique, with the longest number of characters allowed and uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. This is the exact opposite of using the same password everywhere, with minor variations depending on a sites requirements. Think of how many sites you have credentials on its an impossible task to remember it all without somewhere to store them safely (no, a sticky note on your desk wont cut it). Password managers are more readily accessible and offer the benefit of filling in those long passwords for you. Are password managers safe? It seems counterintuitive to store all your sensitive information in one place. One hack could mean you lose it all to an attacker and struggle for months or even years to rebuild your online presence, not to mention you may have to cancel credit cards and other accounts. But most experts in the field agree that password managers are a generally secure and safe way to keep track of your data, and the benefits of strong, complex passwords outweigh the possible risks. The mechanics of keeping those passwords safe differs slightly from provider to provider. Generally, you have a lengthy, complex master password that safeguards the rest of your information. In some cases, you might also get a security key to enter when you log in to new devices. This is a random string of letters, numbers and symbols that the company will send you at sign up. Only you know this key, and because its stored locally on your device or printed out on paper, its harder for hackers to find. These multiple layers of security make it difficult for an attacker to get into your vault even if your password manager provider experiences a breach. But the company should also follow a few security basics. A zero-knowledge policy means that the company keeps none of your data on file, so in the event of an attack, theres nothing for hackers to find. Regular pentests and security audits keep the company up to par on best practices, and other efforts like bug bounty programs or hosting on an open source website encourage constant vigilance for security flaws. Most password managers now also offer some level of encryption falling under the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). AES 256-bit is the strongest, because there are the most number of possible combinations, but AES 128-bit or 192-bit are still good. Who are password managers for? Given their universal benefit, pretty much everyone could use a password manager. Theyre not just for the tech-savvy people or businesses anymore because so much sensitive information ends up online behind passwords, from our bank accounts to our Netflix watch history. Thats the other perk of password managers: safe password sharing. Families, friends or roommates can use them to safely access joint accounts. Texting a password to someone isnt secure, and you can help your family break the habit by starting to use one yourself, Lisa Plaggemier, executive director at National Cyber Security Alliance, said. Streaming is the obvious use case, but consider the shared bills, file storage and other sites you share access with the people around you as well. Are password managers worth it? You likely already use a password manager, even if you wouldnt think to call it that. Most phones and web browsers include a log of saved credentials on the device, like the passwords keychain in the settings of an iPhone. That means youve probably seen the benefits of not having to memorize passwords or even type them out already. While thats a great way in, the downfall of these built-in options are that they tend to be device specific. If you rely on an Apple password manager, for example, that works if youre totally in the Apple ecosystem but you become limited once you get an Android tablet, Lujo Bauer, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and of computer science, at Carnegie Mellon University, said. If you use different devices for work and personal use and want a secure way to share passwords with others, or just dont want to be tied to one brand forever, a third-party password manager is usually worth it. How we tested We tested password managers by downloading each of the nine contenders on iPhone, Android, Safari, Chrome and Firefox. That helped us better understand what platforms each manager was available on, and see how support differs across operating systems and browsers. As we got set up with each, we took note of how they iterated on the basic features of autofill and password generators. Nearly all password managers have these features, but some place limits on how much you can store while others give more control over creating easy-to-type yet complex passwords. From there, we looked at extra features like data-breach monitoring to understand which managers offered the most for your money. Finally, we reviewed publicly available information about security specs for each. This includes LastPass, which more experts are shying away from recommending after the recent breach. For the sake of this review, weve decided not to recommend LastPass at this time as fallout from the breach still comes to light (The company disclosed a second incident earlier this year where an unauthorized attack accessed the companys cloud storage, including sensitive data). Password managers we tested Best password manager: 1Password 1Password Best password manager 1Password 1Password includes industry standard encryption, a secret key that only you know on top of your master password, a zero-knowledge policy, and other security features like frequent audits and a bug bounty program. $3 at 1Password Many security experts trust 1Password with their private information and, after testing it out, its clear why. The service includes industry standard encryption, a secret key that only you know on top of your master password, a zero-knowledge policy that means it keeps no data, and other security features like frequent audits and a bug bounty program. Plus, it has a pretty intuitive feel. A tutorial at download helps you import passwords from other managers onto 1Password so that you dont feel like youre starting over from scratch. It also clearly rates the strength of each password and has an open and fill option in the vault so that you can get into your desired site even more quickly. We also liked the option to scan a set up code to easily connect your account to your mobile devices without too much tedious typing. At $3 per month, the individual subscription comes with unlimited passwords, items and one gigabyte of document storage for your vault. It also lets you share passwords, credit card information and other saved credentials. If you upgrade to the family plan for $5 each month, youll get to invite up to five people (plus more for $1 each per month) to be a part of the vault. Number of tiers: 4 Pricing: $3/month for Individual, $5/month for Families, $20/month for Teams Starter Pack, $8/month per user for Business Best free password manager: Bitwarden Bitwardens free plan includes unlimited passwords on an unlimited number of devices, which is more than weve seen from some of its competitors. There are drawbacks like you can only share vault items with one other user, but we think thats a fair tradeoff. Bitwarden is based on open-source code, meaning anyone on GitHub can audit it, which is a good measure of security. On a personal level, it includes security audits of your information, like a data breach report, that can keep you in the know about when your passwords have been leaked and when it's time to change them. Plus, its widely available across the platforms we tested with a level of customization, options to access your vault and more. Bitwarden may be the best free password manager, but it does have a paid version and we do think its worth it. At $10 annually for individuals or $40 for families, you unlock encrypted file storage, emergency access, unlimited sharing and more. But the free version comes with the basics that can get anyone set up on password management easily. Number of tiers: 3 Pricing: Free, $3/month per user for Teams Organization, $5/month per user for Enterprise Organization Best cross-platform availability: NordPass NordPass Best cross-platform availability NordPass Most of the best password managers will be available cross many platforms, but NordPass makes it especially easy to access your vault across different devices and OSes. $2 at NordPass Across password managers we tested, cross-platform availability was relatively similar. Most are widely available across web browsers and different operating systems, including our other top picks on this list. But we wanted to give a nod to NordPass here because of how easy the service makes it to access your vault from any platform. NordPass has a free option with unlimited passwords and syncs across devices. A $2-per-month premium subscription keeps you logged in when switching devices, comes with security notifications and allows for item sharing. A family subscription comes with six premium accounts and only costs $4 per month. This makes it a pretty good budget option as well. Besides the pairing code to connect accounts, NordPass is a pretty standard password manager. Scanning a code gets me from my laptop to mobile device to work computer super easily. If youre constantly switching devices and those extra few seconds save your sanity, its worth considering. Number of tiers: 3 Pricing: Free, $2/per month for Premium, $4/month for Family Best for shared access: Dashlane Dashlane Best for shared access Dashlane Dashlane highlights secure sharing starting at its free level, which is a feature that some competitors keep behind a paywall. $3 at Dashlane Dashlane has four subscription options: A free user gets access to one device with unlimited passwords; an advanced user pays $3 per month to get upgraded to unlimited devices and dark web monitoring; for $5 per month, a premium user also gets VPN access and an $7.49-per-month family plan includes access for up to 10 people. It met all the criteria we looked for, but with a clear emphasis on sharing credentials. Dashlane highlights secure sharing starting at its free level, which is a feature that some competitors keep behind a paywall. Access for up to 10 members in a family plan is one of the bigger plans weve seen as well. While we were testing it, password sharing seemed front of mind with a tab dedicated to it in Dashlanes browser extension. Arguably the biggest caveat here, though, is lack of Linux support. President Joe Bidens journey on LGBT+ rights, from supporting restrictions to becoming the first top Democrat to come out in support of gay marriage, has been praised by a top US diplomat as a very American story and a beautiful thing. Mr Biden joined the chorus of outrage after the passing of Ugandas draconian anti-gay law, calling for its immediate repeal and threatening sanctions if no action is taken. The enactment of Ugandas Anti-Homosexuality Act is a tragic violation of universal human rightsone that is not worthy of the Ugandan people, and one that jeopardizes the prospects of critical economic growth for the entire country, he said in a statement on Monday. I join with people around the world including many in Uganda in calling for its immediate repeal. No one should have to live in constant fear for their life or being subjected to violence and discrimination. It is wrong. The bill was signed into law on Monday by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The law includes the death penalty for whats referred to as aggravated homosexuality meaning those having sex while being HIV positive, those having sex with minors or others considered to be vulnerable. Under the law, an individual found guilty of attempted aggravated homosexuality can be sent to prison for 14 years. Mr Museveni sent the law back to the national assembly in April, requesting amendments to clarify the difference between identifying as LGBT+ and taking part in homosexual acts. That prompted pushback from some legislators, who appeared concerned that Mr Museveni would veto the bill as he faced a pressure campaign to do so from abroad. The amended version of the bill was passed early last month. Under a law from the colonial era, homosexuality was already illegal in the East African country as being against the order of nature, and with a possible punishment of life behind bars. Mr Biden said that since the new law was introduced, reports of violence and discrimination targeting Ugandans who are or are perceived to be LGBTQI+ are on the rise. Innocent Ugandans now fear going to hospitals, clinics, or other establishments to receive life-saving medical care lest they be targeted by hateful reprisals. Some have been evicted from their homes or fired from their jobs. And the prospect of graver threats including lengthy prison sentences, violence, abuse threatens any number of Ugandans who want nothing more than to live their lives in safety and freedom, he added. This shameful Act is the latest development in an alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda. The dangers posed by this democratic backsliding are a threat to everyone residing in Uganda, including US government personnel, the staff of our implementing partners, tourists, members of the business community, and others. Mr Biden said he has asked the National Security Council to review what effect the new law will have on the US relationship with Uganda, including the ability of the US to safely deliver services under the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other forms of assistance and investments. The president said his administration is looking at possible sanctions and restricting entry into the US for anyone involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption. Mr Biden noted in his statement that In total, the US government invests nearly $1bn annually in Ugandas people, business, institutions, and military to advance our common agenda. As vice president, Mr Biden forced the hand of the Obama administration when he went off-message during a May 2012 TV interview, becoming the highest-ranking Democrat to publicly support gay marriage. Mr Bidens evolution on gay rights was a long time in the making. As a senator, he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, which blocked the federal recognition of same-sex marriages. Earlier in the 1990s, he voted to remove federal funding for schools that taught acceptance of homosexuality. In 1973, he was captured wondering aloud if gay people may be security risks while serving in government or military roles. In an interview with The Independent, the State Departments Chief of Protocol Rufus Gifford said that the presidents journey on gay rights is a very American story. I think about my own evolution on equality, I think about my parents evolution on equality. And its a beautiful thing, the 48-year-old said. The former US ambassador to Denmark describes his current role as the first handshake and the American welcome for leaders from around the globe. Mr Gifford advises the president and vice president on diplomatic protocol - and he travels with Mr Biden on all official international trips. Mr Gifford added that the president opened his heart and mind to new ideas. And isnt that all we want from our leaders? I mean, sure, lets debate the evolution to a certain extent. But lets lean into the fact that this evolution is real, its meaningful, and its actually impacting our lives, he said. By Richa Naidu, Emma Pinedo and Emilio Parodi MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish police raided three clandestine tobacco factories early this year, seizing nearly 40 million euros ($44 million) worth of tobacco leaf and illicit cigarettes. At one, in the northern town of Alfaro, they found 10 Ukrainian workers, five of them war refugees, who'd been put to work with no contracts and scant pay, police said. They worked all day for and lived at the factory, forbidden from leaving. This operation is one of dozens across the EU that regional policing and anti-fraud agencies say have driven seizures of illicit cigarettes to record levels. Crime groups, which have traditionally mainly sourced fake tobacco products from outside the EU, are increasingly setting up production facilities in western Europe to be closer to higher-priced markets, according to Reuters interviews with half a dozen specialists in the field, including enforcement officials, tobacco executives and industry analysts. The trend was revved up by the travel shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, which choked supplies from outside the bloc, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) said. It may have been further accelerated by the war in Ukraine, which for years has been a production hub and transit route for illicit tobacco, OLAF added. As well as the human cost, counterfeiting is a financial thorn in the side of the world's biggest tobacco companies at a time when they're facing a global decline in smoking that's spurred large investments in alternative products like vapes. "Criminal gangs have switched from importing counterfeit products into Europe to establishing illicit manufacturing facilities within EU borders," said Cyrille Olive, British American Tobacco's (BAT) regional head of anti-illicit trade. BAT - one of tobacco's global giants with Imperial Brands, Japan Tobacco and Philip Morris International - has seen increased counterfeiting since last year in France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Denmark and the Czech Republic, Olive added. Some campaigners have accused Big Tobacco of overstating the size of the illicit market to help lobby against higher taxes - something the companies deny. Nonetheless, the latest data shows seizures of illicit cigarettes are increasing. A record 531 million illicit cigarettes were impounded across the EU last year, a rise of 43% from the roughly 370 million seized in 2020, according to data from OLAF. About 60% of the cigarettes were from illicit production in the bloc while the rest were smuggled in. Europol told Reuters that last year would also likely set a record for the number of illegal cigarette factories that were reported shut down by national police forces, although the full-year data isn't yet available. TOBACCO INVESTIGATORS The industry has responded by hiring investigators to research illicit operations and share intelligence with European authorities, executives at Japan Tobacco, BAT and Imperial Brands told Reuters. The three tobacco majors declined to put a figure on the financial hit from the illicit trade. Japan Tobacco has, though, spent "hundreds of millions of dollars" gathering information on the counterfeiters which it then passes on to European authorities like OLAF, according to Vincent Byrne, head of the company's anti-illicit trade operations. "We have a dedicated function within the company to try and protect our assets, protect our brands, and combat illegal trade," said Byrne, a former detective who investigated organised crime in Ireland. BAT and Imperial Brands said they also had intelligence operations. Philip Morris International declined to comment for this article. PACK: LESS THAN A EURO TO MAKE Counterfeiters typically replicate popular cigarette brands, which include Japan Tobacco's Winston, Philip Morris' Marlboro, British America's Dunhill and Imperial Brands' Nobel. A packet of 20 cigarettes costs less than a euro to make, said Byrne, but trades at several times that, depending on the marketplace. Supplies from China and other parts of Asia - which used to be the biggest sources of counterfeit cigarettes that ended up in the EU - shrank during COVID-19 lockdowns, spurring increasing production in Europe itself, according to Alex McDonald, head of group security at Imperial Brands. Russia's invasion of Ukraine may have quickened that trend, said Ernesto Bianchi, OLAF's director of revenue and international operations, investigations and strategy, adding that the agency was "analysing how the fraudsters may have reconfigured their routes". Ukraine had been a hub for the manufacturing of illicit tobacco and a supply route for illicit and counterfeit cigarettes made in Russia and Belarus, activities that may have been disrupted by the war, Imperial Brands' McDonald said. Some counterfeiters are luring and coercing Ukrainian refugees to be workers. An illegal tobacco factory was dismantled last month in Roda de Ter, 80 km from Barcelona, Spanish police said on Thursday. Officers seized 11,400 kilos of tobacco and 7,360 packets of cigarettes. Six Ukrainians were found working there. In Italy, officials said in April last year they had found about 82 tonnes of counterfeit cigarettes inside a factory in the industrial area of the country's Pomezia municipality. Investigators said they found Russian, Moldovan and Ukrainian workers doing gruelling shifts in an unsafe environment where walled-up windows stopped fumes escaping. "A good many workers from Ukraine have been found in these illegal factories," Japan Tobacco's Byrne said about counterfeiting operations across the EU. "They're collected in a van at an airport, blacked out windows, driven around and swapped into another van," Byrne, said recounting a particular incident. "Eventually they're delivered to the factory. Mobile phones are taken from them. Essentially, it's a form of modern-day slavery." ($1 = 0.9310 euros) (Reporting by Richa Naidu in London, Emma Pinedo in Madrid and Emilio Parodi in Milan; Editing by Matt Scuffham and Pravin Char) Bishop acquitted of raping nun resigns as leader of Catholic diocese in Indian city FILE- Bishop Franco Mulakkal greets the media as he leaves a court in Kottayam, India, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. The bishop acquitted of raping a nun resigned as leader of the Catholic diocese in an Indian city on Thursday. Pope Francis accepted the resignation of 59-year-old Mulakkal, who was bishop of the Jalandhar Diocese in the northern state of Punjab. (AP Photo/File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) NEW DELHI (AP) A bishop acquitted of raping a nun resigned as leader of the Catholic diocese in an Indian city on Thursday. Pope Francis accepted the resignation of 59-year-old Franco Mulakkal, who was bishop of the Jalandhar Diocese in the northern state of Punjab. The Vatican did not provide a reason for the resignation or why Francis accepted it. The normal retirement age for bishops is 75. The nun accused Mulakkal of raping her multiple times during his visits to her convent in Kuravilangad in Kerala state, in a case that became a major issue amid allegations of sexual abuse in the church. Police charged Mulakkal with rape, illegal confinement and intimidation of the nun. A group of fellow nuns launched unprecedented public protests demanding Mulakkals arrest in 2018. He was detained and soon released on bail. A court acquitted Mulakkal in January last year. The nun has appealed the verdict to Keralas High Court. Mulakkal was the official patron of the nuns community, the Missionaries of Jesus, and had influence over its budgets and job assignments. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer is warning Bitwise Industries co-CEOs Jake Soberal and Irma Olguin Jr. that the technology and real-estate company is more than a year and half behind in paying its city business taxes and providing financial reports to City Hall. In a letter released late Wednesday afternoon, Dyer also reminded Soberal and Olguin of the companys obligations under California law to give employees as well as the city and the state advance notice of mass job actions such as Monday nights furlough of the entire Bitwise workforce in Fresno and across the U.S. It has been brought to my attention that Bitwise related entities have not reported any gross receipts nor paid City business taxes since September of 2021, Dyer wrote. Please provide an accounting to the City Controller within 30 days of the receipt of this letter. Failure to do so may result in further action against Bitwise and its Board of Directors. The revelation by Dyer that Bitwise is behind on its business taxes comes after reports that the company, which was founded in Fresno in 2013 and expanded to other states across the country in recent years, is also delinquent on county property taxes owed for buildings and land it owns in Fresno and other California cities. Some of those property tax delinquencies were detailed in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by a Texas company, NICbyte LLC, which accuses Bitwise Industries and subsidiaries of borrowing money against five separate properties in Fresno, Oakland and Bakersfield in which NICbyte has a 95% majority ownership stake. The suit also alleges that Bitwise and its affiliated entities listed for sale four of the five properties, including the historic State Center Warehouse building on R Street in downtown Fresno. NICbyte states in its lawsuit that the Bitwise entities had no legal authority to either take out the loans, totaling almost $30 million, or to list properties for sale. Dyer said Wednesday night that his office is trying to figure out why more than 18 months went by before the discovery that Bitwise was behind on its business taxes. Its not uncommon for businesses to go unnoticed for perhaps a year, Dyer said, but to go that long, over 18 months that those business taxes were in arrears, were having that looked into. (Its) certainly a blind spot that we have to make sure to fix. But how much is owed in those back taxes is uncertain. They havent told us what their gross receipts are, which would then determine what their taxes are, Dyer said. So were waiting for that to be provided to us. Dyer said he has tried, unsuccessfully so far, to reach Soberal by phone. But we are pursuing a couple of things, he added, including a possible City Council resolution related to the citys commitment of $1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to Bitwise to assist small businesses with technology literacy. We did our due diligence at the beginning and frankly gave only $500,000 of that, and the second $500,000 was going to be provided after proof of performance, the mayor said. Certainly that has not occurred. Dyer added that prior to this week, Bitwise had been able to account for about $120,000 in services the company had provided under the ARPA agreement, but he was uncertain about any services beyond that. No advance warning to employees of mass furloughs Dyer noted in his letter that Californias Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, Act, requires employers to provide advance notification to affected employees, as well as to the state Employment Development Department and the chief elected official of the affected community when a furlough of this magnitude is imposed. Californias WARN Act requires employers to give a 60-day notice to the affected employees and both state and local representatives before a plant closing or mass layoff, according to a summary from the state Employment Development Department. Advance notice provides employees and their families time to transition and adjust to the potential loss of employment, time to seek alternative jobs and, if necessary, time to obtain skills training or retraining to successfully compete in the job market. Soberal and Olguin Jr. told The Fresno Bee late Monday that they informed Bitwise employees of the furloughs Monday evening at the end of the three-day Memorial Day holiday weekend and that the furloughs took effect immediately. Some stunned employees posted on social media that they didnt learn they had been furloughed until they opened their email on Tuesday. The sudden and devastating employment action taken in recent days by Bitwise, reportedly classified as a furlough of approximately 300 Bitwise employees within the Fresno area, has sent ripple effects throughout our community, Dyer wrote. Many longtime supporters of your entrepreneurial presence in our community have reached out to express concern. Unfortunately, it appears that neither Bitwise employees nor the City of Fresno received any advance notice of this company-wide furlough, which has upended the lives of hundreds of Fresno residents and caused considerable anxiety based on this lack of communication, the mayor added. While the language of the WARN Act refers to layoffs, weve had the difference between layoff and furlough looked at by our city attorney, and we believe that the furlough does apply to the WARN Act, Dyer said Wednesday evening. Especially in light of the fact that the recent checks written to employees, they were not able able to cash them because there was no funding behind them. In essence, whether you call it a furlough or a layoff, people arent getting paid, he added. Because there was no advance notification, city and state agencies were therefore unable to prepare to offer immediate and essential support to the impacted employees, Dyer wrote. While it remains to be seen whether this furlough is temporary or results in permanent layoffs, the City reminds Bitwise that regardless, it has legal obligations to its employees, and to the City. The mayor encouraged Bitwise and its subsidiaries to immediately comply with all applicable state and federal law, including statutes regarding advance notice of qualifying employment actions. Dyer said Wednesday evening that the required advance notice would have given the city, local and state employment and workforce development officials more time to establish job fairs and other forms of support to affected workers. But, he added, as it stands now, were trying to play catch-up. He added that a job fair is already being planned for June 9 for the furloughed Bitwise employees. I can assure you that had we been notified 60 days in advance, those employees would have already been offered job fairs, unemployment benefits, and many of those employees would have successfully been able to land jobs in Fresno, Dyer said. We have openings in the city of Fresno, and were going to be entertaining applications from some of the folks that might be qualified. Tourists visit the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xin) An exhibition of artifacts from the Palace Museum and the Tibet autonomous region will continue until July 3 at the Meridian Gate Exhibition Hall of the Palace Museum in Beijing. A total of 108 sets of cultural relics are on display, including 13 sets from subordinate units of the Cultural Heritage Bureau of the Tibet autonomous region and the Sakya Temple Management Committee and 95 sets from the Palace Museum. With its large number of exquisite items, the exhibition is attracting many visitors. "I'm stunned by the exhibition. I've never been to Tibet before, but the Palace Museum has given me a chance to experience Tibit's unique culture," said Wang Lu, a tourist from Hebei province. Together with her son, Wang came to Beijing to spend the weekend, and the Palace Museum was their first destination. The large-scale comprehensive exhibition reflects the history of ethnic relations across three dynasties the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911). The exhibition reflects the scientific research of the Palace Museum on Tibet over the past five years. It explores the cultural implications behind the relics and showcases the history of the imperial court's exchanges and interactions with Tibet. "With a profound history and rich culture, Tibet deserves people's attention. I hope more exhibitions like this can be held to let more people learn about Tibet," Wang said. Bitwise Industries, a California technology training company that opened an El Paso office in April and has one in the works in Las Cruces, has furloughed its 900-person workforce and stopped operations in six cities. The Fresno-based companys board of directors decided Monday to furlough its workforce due to financial issues, The Fresno Bee newspaper reported Wednesday. Nine employees were in El Paso and one in Las Cruces in early April. But the company had big plans for the two cities, including having about 100 employees in each city in about a year. It specializes in providing technology courses and tech apprenticeships for people with low incomes and those without college degrees. It also operates a tech consulting business that hires some of its course graduates. Liliana Mireles, vice president of Bitwise Industries El Paso, stands April 24 in the California company's recently opened office and cowork space at 500 W. Overland Ave., Suite 210, in Downtown El Paso. Several critical (financial) transactions either did not materialize or materialized unfavorably, and the quantum of that is quite large, Jake Soberal, the companys co-founder and co-chief executive officer, told the Fresno newspaper. Soberal said he expected the furloughs to be "a very temporary action" while the board and executive team determine the next steps. The 10-year-old company received $200 million from several venture investment firms over several years to help fund its growth, according to Bitwise information provided to the El Paso Times in April. It has four offices in California, one in Ohio, and one in Downtown El Paso. It had four offices in development prior to the furloughs: Las Cruces; Greeley, Colorado; Buffalo, New York; and Chicago. Bitwise officials in El Paso and Fresno did not immediately respond to requests for comments. The company's social media platforms as of Thursday morning had no mentions about the company's problems. Kat Sanchez, recently hired to run the Las Cruces office, said she could not make public comments. Santiago Villegas, who handled media relations for the company, said in an email Wednesday that he no longer represented the company and advised sending questions to a Bitwise email address. A classroom for tech classes is empty in Bitwise Industries new Downtown El Paso office on April 24. The company opened a temporary El Paso office April 3 on a portion of the second floor of the Sotoa Building, a former factory turned into offices at 500 W. Overland Ave., in Downtown's struggling Union Plaza District. Bitwise officials planned to buy a Downtown-area building to renovate for its permanent El Paso location. One of its specialties is renovating buildings for its so-called tech hubs, which include cowork spaces rented to individuals and small businesses for various fees. More: Failures in Blue Flame Building HVAC system come 2 years after $52M renovation completed In Las Cruces, the company last fall bought the three-story Bank of the West office building in Downtown, where it planned to open an office and cowork space on a portion of the ground floor. Bitwise had planned to begin online technology classes in May in El Paso as part of a $7.4 million program run by Bitwise Impact, a nonprofit organization closely aligned with Bitwise Industries. El Paso City Council approved providing $1.6 million in federal funds for that program. The Las Cruces City Council last year approved giving $1 million to a partnership of Bitwise Industries and the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico to provide tech training and other tech services in Las Cruces. Vic Kolenc may be reached at 546-6421, vkolenc@elpasotimes.com and @vickolenc on Twitter. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Bitwise tech training firm stops operations in El Paso, other cities After six years working at a rental car company at the airport, Dayne Burns approached his 30s longing for a change. So, it felt like fate in early 2021 when he saw Morehouse College in Atlanta was offering online classes. In promotional materials, the school touted its mission to serve prospective students like Burns, one of the millions of Black men in America who started college but never graduated. Beyond offering a degree, Morehouse was offering a second chance. To help more men like you transform into the leaders they were meant to be, weve created an empowering, affordable educational experience thats accessible from anywhere in the country, said the Morehouse Online website. For Burns, the opportunity to complete his studies at one of the nations top historically Black colleges and universities from his home in South Carolina felt like a way to turn everything around. After being accepted, the setbacks started quickly and kept coming. Burns learned the advertised computer science degree wasnt ready. Only after starting classes did he discover that about half his college credits had not transferred, making him a freshman when he expected to be almost a junior. Confusion about the financial aid process led to Burns and others being dropped from classes a few weeks into his summer term. Dayne Burns left Morehouse Online after he said the advertised computer science degree he hoped to obtain never materialized. After a year in the program, with the computer science degree yet to launch, Burns decided he was done. This was a cash grab. I feel like they saw an opportunity and they knew that they could leverage their name, Burns said. One day, if they take it serious enough, this program could be something. But right now they wanted to get by on Were Morehouse. Give us your money. And well figure out the rest. Burns frustration is with Morehouse, but the school isnt solely responsible for the program. Morehouse Online is a partnership between the 156-year-old institution and 2U, a for-profit education tech company that helps operate degree programs at institutions including Yale; University of California, Berkeley; and Emerson College. Online program managers, of which 2U is among the most prominent, offer an enticing service for colleges looking to boost their enrollment numbers or add offerings because they take on much of the upfront work and cost of building an online program. The arrangements could be particularly alluring for HBCUs, which studies show have been chronically underfunded compared to other colleges. In return for footing the upfront costs, the company also at times keeps a majority of the revenue. Under its agreement with Morehouse, 2U receives 60% of the programs revenue for up to a decade, according to the college. Concerns over online program managers have been building for years. Critics say the revenue-sharing model incentivizes both partners to push for higher enrollment than a university can serve. Online program managers have less federal oversight than colleges, which education advocates say leaves them free to prioritize profits over student success. The U.S. Education Department in February moved to expand the definition of third-party servicers to include companies such as 2U, a step that would require universities to disclose when they work with online program managers and subject them to further regulations. 2U is suing to block the expanded definition, saying the label has traditionally applied only to parties involved in financial aid. The department is considering revisions to its guidance. Morehouse is the only all-mens historically Black college in the country and counts among its graduates Martin Luther King Jr., director Spike Lee and numerous congressmen and Cabinet secretaries. In launching the online program, the school and 2U offered returning students the opportunity to join that elite brotherhood and become a Morehouse Man for roughly half the price of an on-campus degree. Morehouse College launched Morehouse Online, the HBCU's first online program, in August 2021. The entrance of the college campus in Atlanta is pictured here in April 2019. More than 5,000 people inquired about the program within three days of the February 2021 announcement, a school official said at the time. Morehouse Provost Kendrick Brown told USA TODAY that the school had expected to enroll fewer than 100 online students that first year. Faced with such high interest, it accepted twice that number in the first semester alone. Morehouse and 2U have struggled to meet the demand, leaving students to pay the price. The school and 2U advertised the computer science major that caught Burns eye, only to shelve plans for the degree months later. Morehouse had intended to launch up to six majors within two years, but still offers just one: business administration. Even then, the school has yet to develop all the classes for that program and is filling in the gaps by sending students to other schools. One Morehouse adviser is responsible for all of the programs students. Current and former Morehouse online students who spoke with USA TODAY largely said they chose to share their frustrations because they support the college, believe the online program has potential and want to see improvements for future students. Even many with complaints praised the quality of the classes and said they have made meaningful connections with fellow students. Some students said the program has met their expectations. Im happy I did it, and Im going to stick through it and see it forward. I think its amazing, the platform for learning about my own culture and learning about myself, said Teddy Dukuly, a 32-year-old clerical associate at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. He cited a class on the history of Black entrepreneurship as particularly rewarding. But many students also described persistent problems and setbacks, including some that mean it could take them longer and cost more to graduate than they had planned. Last month, more than three-dozen online students signed a letter to Morehouse administrators saying that they were deeply concerned about a number of issues such as limited class availability, seemingly arbitrary acceptance of transfer credits and a lack of student support including high turnover among 2U-assigned advisers. The students asked for a meeting with administrators and a written plan to address the problems. We also ask that this plan give us a detailed sense even if the ideas are not final of where the online program is heading over the next 3 to 5 years with respect to projected enrollment, dedicated faculty and staffing, student support, degree program expansion and course offerings, the May 8 letter says. The following week, a few days after USA TODAY informed the school of its plans to publish this article, Brown acknowledged to online students in an email that the schools entry into online learning has progressed more slowly than initially planned. Morehouse College Provost Kendrick Brown said the school tried to be forthcoming with students about challenges in the online program. The college has since apologized and offered refunds to students who planned to enroll in the computer science major. The provost said the school always planned to roll out the program in phases but faculty had to adjust classes to account for the non-traditional, degree-completion learning needs of Morehouse Online students. He listed nine classes currently in development, four of them required for graduation. He has instructed the schools records department to accept transfer courses from accredited colleges, he said, to fulfill those requirements. Brown also said the school is hiring two program directors to support and advise students in the online program, and will launch a newsletter to keep students updated. I have appreciated the grace many of you have extended to us as we strive to continually meet your learning needs so that you can complete your education, he wrote. Christopher Chip Paucek, co-founder and CEO of 2U, praised the companys partnership with Morehouse and said it is normal for colleges to launch programs that are still being developed. But he stressed that Morehouse alone enrolls students, decides when a degree should be marketed and develops the curriculum. He said 2U launched the program on their timeline, with their approval. Its our job to support the students through the program, Paucek told USA TODAY. But you know, obviously, they control the development of the courses, they control the approval of the courses, they control the timeline of the programs. And in this particular case, are there challenges in setting up these programs? Of course. We stand behind our partner in trying to face those challenges. In a message earlier this week informing 2U employees of this impending article, Paucek said Morehouse Online was the colleges first entry into online learning and acknowledged that 2U has much less experience with undergraduate education programs conditions that resulted in some real operational challenges as the program was getting up and running. Paucek also criticized news coverage of his company as a predetermined narrative. He said that generally both Morehouse and 2U are pleased with the program, bumps aside. Morehouse and 2U officials both described the program as an innovative and, at roughly $14,000 for tuition annually, affordable way for Black men to finish their degrees. Students can go at their own pace, and most in the program are taking classes part time. So far, just over 600 men have been accepted and taken at least one class, with approximately 325 enrolled in the most recent semester, according to the college. Some students told USA TODAY they never thought they would be a Morehouse Man at this stage of their lives. For others those who started at Morehouse in their teens but didnt finish the online program is a chance to fulfill a long-stalled dream. Paul Carr, 48, dropped out of Morehouse a few credits shy of graduating in 1997 but still considers his Morehouse classmates family. His children refer to his closest Morehouse brothers as uncle. He called the school one of the last places in the country where young Black men can learn in a safe space, unapologetically, without being attacked for their race or having to apologize for being excellent. Carr recently skipped what would have been his 25-year class reunion because he wasnt really part of that graduating class. Not finishing had always stung. I wanted to finish my degree and have integrity, he said. But two years since enrolling in Morehouse Online, that hope has been replaced by disappointment. Im not done, he said. And I have no idea when Im going to be done. After big promises and a fast launch, growing pains On an earnings call the week after Morehouse Online was announced, Paucek stressed that 2U was aiming to get better and faster at launching new programs. You can see that in the case of an expectation of Morehouse to actually serve students this calendar year, even though we just announced it, Paucek said on the February 2021 call. If we can keep driving higher quality programs and get them rolling faster, thats better for our schools, better for our students. Within Morehouse, some faculty worried the company and university were moving too fast. Keith Hollingsworth, a business administration professor at the school, was chairman of a faculty committee that approved new courses. He said some faculty initially had concerns about working with an outside company. But they ultimately approved the business administration degree in May 2021, about three months after Morehouse and 2U announced the program. Meanwhile, the computer science degree languished in the universitys bureaucracy. Hollingsworth said faculty members were surprised at the demand for the business degree and wanted to assess the quality of that program before launching another. They also worried about offering a second degree while business classes were still being developed. The group ultimately sent the computer science proposal back to the computer science department for review. You cannot offer it if the faculty hadnt approved it, and the faculty were still talking their way through it, Hollingsworth said. I dont know how 2U felt about that, but it really didnt matter. We cannot offer things that have not been approved yet. The lack of faculty buy-in didnt stop Morehouse and 2U from continuing to promote the computer science degree. In marketing materials, they said the program would prepare students for graduate studies or entry into the workforce as a computer science professional at the highest level possible. Youll be more than just a leader in computer science, the schools website said. Youll be a Morehouse Man. Students planning to study computer science said they didnt find out the degree wasnt available until they were about to begin classes in August 2021. Several students told USA TODAY that those who planned to enroll in the program were assured the major was still coming and that they could transfer when it launched. It was just really upsetting because you guys accepted me to do this, Burns said. And even when they realized they didnt have the computer science program, they never stopped advertising about it. By September 2021, the school had added a disclaimer to its website that the major was pending approval by the Morehouse College Faculty and Board of Trustees, according to a digital archive of the programs website. Soon, after advertising it for roughly six months, computer science was no longer mentioned. The online landing page for Morehouse Online, shown here, attracts prospective students with the promise of becoming a "Morehouse Man." As the first students enrolled, the high demand and limited class options created a bottleneck. A Morehouse administrator notified students by email that some would likely see changes to their schedules. We are trying to maximize our course schedules based on the overwhelming response in registering in our new online program, the official wrote. With the increased response, we have found that our courses are filling up so we are trying to accommodate as many of you as we can. Kedric Benefield, a 47-year-old Morehouse Online student who lives near Atlanta and first attended Morehouse in 1993, said it has been unclear to many students what classes they need to graduate and when those classes will be available. From the start, he said, Morehouse did not lay out a clear path to graduation a phrase multiple students used in interviews with USA TODAY. Benefield persevered and is among the students nearing graduation in business administration in the programs second year. But he has gotten there by taking six classes at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, a neighboring public college, through a partnership Morehouse entered with the institution. He plans to take two of his last three classes at the Indiana Institute of Technology and Wesleyan College, a small womens college in Georgia, through another partnership Morehouse forged in April with an online course-sharing platform. In an email to students, the school said the option would allow them to graduate in a timely fashion. Whats really disappointing to me is my last classes that I need for graduation wont be from Morehouse, Benefield said. The one degree that youre offering, you dont have the classes. Brown, Morehouses provost, told USA TODAY that the first seven students graduated from the program last month. Brown said the school hopes to roll out two additional majors in the next academic year. As for the computer science major, Brown said it is not atypical for a program to be promoted ahead of final approvals, especially when approval appears to be imminent. But he said that ultimately the school wanted to ensure the integrity of the program and that faculty believed it wouldnt meet the needs of non-traditional students. Brown said the university tried to be forthcoming with students about the change in plans. He said the school apologized to students who signed up for the major and offered them refunds or the chance to enroll in the business administration degree. Morehouse is committed to delivering an exceptional educational experience and was therefore willing to forego offering a degree program to preserve the highest quality experience, he said in a statement to USA TODAY. Student advisers or call center employees? When 2U launched in 2008, there were few prominent universities online and even fewer companies helping them translate in-person classes to digital spaces. It went public six years later after signing up nine academic partners which the company says have multiplied to more than 185 today. It also acquired edX, a nonprofit focused on free online courses, for $800 million in 2021. As 2U has grown, so have criticisms of the company. Last month, graduates of the University of Southern Californias online masters in social work sued the school, claiming its program, in partnership with 2U, is a degree mill. The suit alleges that the university has largely hidden 2Us involvement. Though 2U is not named in the suit, its legal counsel Matthew J. Norden told USA TODAY the company reviewed the lawsuit and its internal records and said the claims are completely without merit. In a statement, university spokeswoman Lauren Bartlett said USC has one accredited Master of Social Work program that is, delivered through on-campus and online options. We look forward to defending this matter in court, Bartlett said. Ashley Bell, a former professor at Arcadia University, said that when 2U set up a virtual physician assistant program for the school, the company pushed the college to accept 65 students, beyond the typical class size for such programs, then failed to deliver the resources needed to serve the extra demand. The quality of the program was simply not a concern to the (online program manager), she said during public comments at the March Education Department listening session related to the agencys proposed regulations. At the same session, academic leaders also praised 2U. Helen Drinan, interim president of Pennsylvanias Cabrini University, said working with the company has allowed her institution to recruit students in new markets, bringing in much-needed revenue. She said that Cabrini couldnt have afforded to front the capital for online recruiting. We only pay for 2Us services once we enroll and then reenroll students, Drinan said. We and 2U are together engaged in supporting persistence to graduation because it pays off for our students, for the university, and for 2U. Among the services 2U provides its partners are student success advisers 2U employees who regularly check in with students in the program. Two former 2U advisers told USA TODAY that despite what their job title implied, they often felt powerless to provide meaningful assistance to students. They said they mostly acted as go-betweens, connecting students with university departments, and as quasi-therapists to students struggling with personal challenges, a role for which they felt unprepared. Because calls are recorded, they felt limited in how forthcoming they could be with students frustrated with their programs. The former employees, who USA TODAY agreed not to name because they signed nondisclosure agreements with 2U, said the company in recent years increased its focus on hitting metrics goals, a shift one described as going from providing whatever the student needs to telling students what they need to keep them enrolled. At times she told students more classes would be available from a university, she said, even if she did not know or believe that to be true. Students occasionally brought up taking a leave of absence from their studies. But even if the adviser felt that was in their best interest, she said she was required to follow guidelines and talking points aimed at keeping students enrolled. The other past adviser said she was required to call students on leave as often as every 30 days, a practice she found extremely invasive, especially since some were taking time off for medical reasons. I would safely say it felt more and more like a call center, she said. As at a call center, 2U employees use software that alters their area codes to local numbers a Georgia area code when calling Morehouse Online students. Employee emails end in online.morehouse.edu. Several Morehouse Online students told USA TODAY they were unaware when they were dealing with 2U staff, and some only learned from reporters that advisers they believed worked for the college actually worked for 2U. Oh, wow, Burns said. That would explain why it felt like all of our student advisers were clueless themselves. In his email last month to students, Brown pointed out that 2U employees are not academic advisers and said students should contact Morehouse staff with any academic questions. Paucek told USA TODAY the company has never hidden its role but that going forward it will recommend to its partners that employees identify themselves more clearly. He also rejected criticism that the companys business model can lead to over enrollment, or that that is what happened with Morehouse Online. He said it takes years for 2U to receive a return on the investment of setting up a new program, and that only happens if students succeed. This discussion, its a little forest from trees, he said. Were talking about a program that is 50% of the campus cost, creating access for people to attend one of the most important HBCUs ... in the United States. We hope it scales tremendously to help solve the problem. And we launched it on their timeline with their approval. And I think we did it pretty well. Jay Davis, a 44-year-old Morehouse Online student who lives in Los Angeles, said it often feels as though his 2U adviser is figuring out things about the program at the same time as he is once with disastrous consequences. A few weeks after he started classes in summer 2022, Davis said he got an email from the Morehouse financial aid office telling him to pay his balance due or be dropped. Davis, who believed that he had until the end of the term to pay, said his 2U adviser suggested the email was not a firm deadline. Davis missed the cut off. Soon after, he went to log in for a class and found he no longer had access. Burns told USA TODAY that he similarly was unexpectedly dropped during the summer 2022 term because of confusion over financial aid. A professor who taught Spanish that summer said that about half of his class was dropped because of the mix-up. Davis took the fall off to save money before reenrolling, an eight-month delay in his studies. For Davis, who had dropped out of Dillard University a small historically Black school in New Orleans in 2000 after he ran out of money, the poor guidance he received from his 2U adviser was about more than lost time. It was crushing, he said. Your mind starts replaying what happened to you 20 years ago, he said. And all that doubt starts rising up to the top: Oh, you know, this just wasnt for you. Youll never finish school. We want this program to succeed When Morehouse Online students get fed up with the programs growing pains, they often turn to one another for support through an online messaging group. Recently, the chat was flooded with students trying to piece together when classes they need would be available and venting about the school outsourcing courses to other institutions when they were promised a Morehouse education. Benefield and others also formed a nonprofit to streamline communication with the university. The group in February 2022 sent a letter to the university administration outlining issues including the lack of course availability. In response, university officials held a town hall. Fred Quinn, pictured here on the Morehouse College campus in 2021, said he and others in the online program reached out to administrators in hopes of working collaboratively to address students' concerns. But Fred Quinn, 31, an online student who first attended Morehouse in 2009, said a university official also responded by telling the group to stop fundraising using Morehouses name after they had gathered donations to support students in need, such as those who had family members pass away. We clearly love the school, said Quinn, who is transferring to another college this fall. We want this program to succeed, but there are brothers who are suffering in this process, and thats the last thing we need to come back to school to do. Many of the students earlier attempts to earn their degrees were waylaid by unexpected life events and the complexity of higher education. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 2.2 million Black men 25 or older in America have some college credits but no degree. Morehouse and 2U officials stressed the desire to serve this demographic when they articulated their vision for the program. Quinn said he failed to finish his first time at Morehouse when he missed a financial aid deadline following his grandfathers death in 2011 and returned from the funeral to find his belongings in the hallway outside his dorm room. Another student has taken classes for years at various institutions during breaks in military service but never had the time to fully commit to finishing a degree. Others said they became overwhelmed by the academic rigors and bureaucratic hurdles of higher education when they first enrolled. Carr, the online student who was a few credits shy of graduating from Morehouse College in 1997, left school when his girlfriend became pregnant. He planned to take a one-semester break. Then life picked up the pace marriage, two more kids, a career and one semester stretched into 24 years. Carr found success without a degree thanks to his grandmother, who started homes for at-risk youth and adults with mental illnesses in Detroit, a family business he now helps operate. But Carr never gave up on graduating. When Morehouse announced its online degree completion program, it seemed like a perfect fit. Carr assumed he would be able to complete the political science degree he had started in 1993, especially given assurances by both Morehouse and 2U staff that more majors would be added. I kept getting pitched that the political science department would be coming later, So just hold tight. Meanwhile, take these classes. And so thats what I did, he said. That included paying for a class that Carr said he was later told he shouldnt have been enrolled in because he had taken an equivalent class during his time on campus. Paul Carr, 48, has always regretted dropping out of Morehouse College a few credits shy of graduating in 1997. He saw Morehouse Online as the way to finally fulfill that dream but has found the program frustrating. Carr said it wasnt until he was well into the program that he realized a political science degree likely wouldnt materialize soon. If it doesnt, most of his political science credits do not apply to the business administration degree he is enrolled in, so it could take him at least another year and a half to finish. In November about 15 months after he started the online program Carr said leaving Morehouse for a second time wasnt an option. He had accepted that he and his fellow students were the beta testers and hoped his struggles, no matter how long it took him to graduate, would pave a smoother path for future students. Since then, that resolve has started to weaken and Carr, who has taken out nearly $25,000 in federal student loans while in the online program, is questioning whether it is fair to himself to push through an incomplete program. Deciding what to do is agonizing because of how deeply he supports the mission of HBCUs and how much he wants to finally graduate from Morehouse the only college he applied to in high school. I shouldnt have to abuse myself and my time in order to accomplish things. I think that that is a common theme for Black people, that has been placed on Black people in America, is that we have to suffer, Carr said. And I want to work diligently to move away from that narrative. Tricia L. Nadolny and Chris Quintana are investigative reporters at USA TODAY. Tricia can be reached at tnadolny@usatoday.com or on Twitter at @TriciaNadolny. Chris can be reached at cquintana@usatoday.com or via Signal at 202-308-9021. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: HBCU's online program littered with pitfalls at students expense 'Are you blind?' Ron DeSantis chews out a reporter over taking questions Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire WASHINGTON - Ron DeSantis made another rite of passage as a Republican presidential candidate Thursday: a confrontation with a reporter. "What are you talking about? ... Are you blind? Are you blind?" DeSantis barked at an Associated Press reporter who asked why the candidate didn't take questions from the crowd at a New Hampshire event. DeSantis, who is on a tour of early delegate contest states, indicated that he preferred to mingle after speeches: People are coming up to me, talking to me whatever they want to talk to me about. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential announcement on Twitter plagued by technical problems Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will kick off 2024 presidential bid with Elon Musk on Twitter From Richard Nixon to Donald Trump, Republicans candidates have a storied history of arguing with reporters - it doesn't seem to hurt them much with conservative voters who have long been suspicious of the mainstream media. DeSantis himself has largely avoided what he calls "the legacy media," and has dealt mostly with conservative outlets. In its report on DeSantis' first appearance in New Hampshire as a bona fide presidential candidate, the Associated Press said DeSantis "left the stage without inviting any questions from voters, which is typically expected of presidential candidates competing for voters in the first-in-the-nation primary state. Asked why he hadnt taken voter questions, DeSantis lashed out at a reporter." AP also noted: "DeSantis also didnt take audience questions over two days in Iowa, though he did mingle with supporters in the crowd after making remarks." DeSantis opponents, meanwhile, enjoyed the spectacle. Democratic Party spokesman Ammar Moussa tweeted: "Kinda early to be snapping at reporters." After a recording of the confrontation surfaced on social media, Moussa added: "There's that famous thin skin!" This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Are you blind?' Ron DeSantis snaps at reporter over taking questions Boeing and NASA teams work around Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft after it landed at White Sands Missile Ranges Space Harbor, May 25, 2022 Boeing has once again delayed the first crewed flight of its Starliner space capsule after discovering new technical issues, officials said Thursday. The troubled CST-100 Starliner program has experienced numerous postponements but was finally meant to send humans on a test flight to the International Space Station on July 21. During testing, Boeing engineers identified new issues relating to a faulty parachute system and wire harness tape used extensively through the capsule that was found to be flammable under some conditions. After internal deliberations, they decided to abandon the test flight and report the new issues to the US space agency, which has contracted Boeing to provide a taxi service to the ISS. "We've decided to stand down the preparation for the CFT (Crewed Flight Mission) mission in order to correct these problems," Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of Boeing told reporters on a press call. No new date has been proposed. Boeing had hoped to make its first manned flight of the CST-100 Starliner in 2022. The company finally succeeded in May 2022 in reaching the ISS for the first time -- without a crew on board. NASA awarded fixed-price contracts of $4.2 billion to Boeing and $2.6 billion to SpaceX in 2014, shortly after the end of the Space Shuttle program, during a time when the United States was left reliant on Russian Soyuz rockets for rides to the ISS. NASA is looking to certify Starliner as a second "taxi" service for its astronauts to the space station -- a role that Elon Musk's SpaceX has provided since succeeding in a test mission of its Dragon capsule in 2020. ia/mdl Boston police have launched an investigation after a kindergarten-age child brought a BB gun to school on Thursday morning. Officers responding to a report of a person with a gun at the Martin Luther King Jr. K-8 School at 77 Lawrence Avenue in Dorchester shortly before 9 a.m. recovered a firearm, according to the Boston Police Department. According to a Boston police report, the gun was found in a backpack and the responding officer described it as a silver revolver that appeared to be loaded with six rounds. Boston 25 has learned the firearm in question turned out to be a BB gun that was brought into the building by a young student. A concerned parent told Boston 25 that the student brought the BB gun into her sons classroom. To come up here and find out that it was my sons classroom that the gun was in, its really scary, Alexis Brown said. Im glad that the gun was taken out safely and nobody was injured. Boston Public Schools said that the gun was never discharged. The King School, alongside the entire Boston Public Schools, is committed to fostering learning environments where all students feel safe, respected, and academically challenged, a BPS spokesperson said in a statement. There have been no reported injuries or arrests. Its just so terrifying even if it is not the same level of danger or risk but having the appearance is very upsetting to everyone for good reason, said Mayor Michelle Wu. The police report says about six students were in the area when the pellet gun was found so it did not impact the entire school. Its unclear where the pellet gun came from but the students family was contacted right away. The King School serves over 550 students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Boston Police are asking for help from the public to find a 13-year-old teenager from Dorchester. Aylah Guzman-Lucien was last seen on Clapp Street in Milton around 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Police say she is a Black female, approximately 502 with wavy dark brown hair tied in a ponytail. Police say she was going to Randolph to see friends. She is known to frequent the Blue Hill Avenue and Morton Street areas and the Young Achievers School on Outlook Road. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is advised to contact 911 or C-11 Detectives at 617-343-4335. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Boston police warning residents of several break-ins in Brighton and Allston Boston police are warning residents of several break-ins in Brighton and Allston. According to police, detectives assigned to District D-14 (Brighton/Allston) have responded to multiple calls for residential break-in incidents in the area. The break-ins occurred in the area of Washington Street, Kirkwood Road, Radnor Road, Gerald Road, Foster Street, Commonwealth Avenue and Murdock Street. Police say the incidents appear to have occurred between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. and most appear to involve one person entering through an unsecured door, or window, or by removing an air condition unit. During most of these break-ins, small items such as laptops and bags were taken. In some instances, residents were home but unaware, police say Police are asking everyone in the area to lock their on or off-campus housing units when they leave campus by locking all doors and windows. If you have air conditioners, please remove them from the windows especially those where there is access to a fire escape. If they cant be removed, make sure they are securely fastened, Boston police said in a release. Police also recommend taking all valuable items home with you. Officers recently made an arrest in a break-in in the area of 2 Oakland Street at about 8:42 PM on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, but continue to investigate all other reported break-ins. Anyone with information about a break-in is asked to contact District D-14 Detectives at (617) 343-4256. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Boston University President Robert Brown released a statement on Wednesday denouncing graduating students for booing and shouting at Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav during the commencement ceremony. Zaslav, a Boston University alumnus, was asked to give a commencement speech for the Class of 2023 on May 21, which sparked controversy among the student body as well as members of the Writers Guild of America East and West, who have been on strike for nearly a month. As an act of protest and in support of the WGA, several students turned their backs on Zaslav as he gave his speech and some shouted Pay your writers! Just outside the stadium, striking film and TV writers and allies protested with picket signs, shouting No wages, no pages! Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav gets booed during Boston University commencement speech Pay your writers pic.twitter.com/pxBsrmztlM No Film School (@nofilmschool) May 22, 2023 I am also disappointed at the insensitivity to our many guests especially parents and grandparents who came from far and wide to celebrate the success of a cherished relative, Brown said in a statement on Wednesday. He added: The willingness to spoil the occasion for these literally thousands of guests to not only make a point, but also literally prevent the speaker from conveying his message, was painful and embarrassing to witness. Brown described the students actions as appallingly coarse and deliberately abusive to Mr. Zaslav, as well as an attempt to implement a cancel culture. He added that ahead of the ceremony, he had received hundreds of protest emails that explicitly included a cancel hashtag to prevent Zaslav from speaking. The attempt to silence a speaker with obscene shouts is a resort to gain power, not reason, and antithetical to the mission and purposes of a university, Brown said in the statement. After the Boston University ceremony, Zaslav expressed support for the striking writers. I am grateful to my alma mater, Boston University, for inviting me to be part of todays commencement and for giving me an honorary degree, and, as I have often said, I am immensely supportive of writers and hope the strike is resolved soon and in a way that they feel recognizes their value, Zaslav said in the statement, according to WBUR-FM. More than 11,000 film and TV writers across the country went on strike on May 2 for the first time in 15 years after the WGA was unable to make a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) before the contract deadline. Nearly a month later, writers are still on strike, calling for equitable pay, sustainable working conditions and protections around the use of artificial intelligence. (Unionized employees of HuffPost are members of the WGA East.) Brown noted in his statement that the decision for Zaslav to be the commencement speaker happened long before the strike began on May 2. News that Zaslav would speak at the ceremony sparked criticism and an online campaign from students, alumni, the WGA and other labor unions. But the college didnt change its decision. A spokesperson for Boston University had told HuffPost earlier this month that there was no change in plans regarding the ceremony. Right now, 11,500 WGA members across the country are on strike because companies including Warner Bros. Discovery refuse to negotiate a fair contract that addresses writers reasonable demands around pay, residuals, and the existential threat that AI poses to workers, the union said in a statement. It is shameful that, in the midst of an action to preserve the future of work, Boston University would use a graduation ceremony to honor someone intent on destroying its students prospects to build sustainable careers. Related... Police have today searched a pleasure boat as part of the investigation into the deaths of two children who died after sustaining critical injuries at Bournemouth beach yesterday. Forensic officers were seen onboard the Dorset Belle which is docked at a harbour in Poole, The Sun reported. A police source told the newspaper: This vessel is under a police cordon. No one is permitted onboard or to touch the vessel. Earlier today at a press briefing, assistant chief constable Rachel Farrell said a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton lost their lives after being pulled from the sea. Eight other people were rescued from the sea but did not have serious injuries and were treated by ambulance on scene, she said. One man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Police also confirmed there was no physical contact between a vessel and any swimmers at Bournemouth beach yesterday, and added that there is no suggestion of people jumping from the pier or jet skis being involved. Key points Two children who died in sea tragedy not related', police say Police say no jet skis or pier jumpers involved in Bournemouth beach tragedy Tragedy at Bournemouth beach was like a horror film, witness says Dorset Police confirm no contact between vessel and children who died Mapped: Where on Bournemouth beach did the incident happen? Police search pleasure boat as part of investigation 18:05 , Joe Middleton Police have today searched a pleasure boat as part of the investigation into the deaths of two young people at a beach in Bournemouth yesterday. Forensic officers were pictured onboard the Dorset Belle which is docked at a harbour in Poole, The Sun reported. A police source told the newspaper: This vessel is under a police cordon. No one is permitted onboard or to touch the vessel. It comes after police confirmed earlier today that a 17-year-old boy from Southampton and a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire died after getting into difficulty in the water at the Dorset resort. No jet skis or pier jumpers involved in Bournemouth beach deaths, police say 17:53 , Joe Middleton No jet skis or pier jumping were involved in the deaths of two children at Bournemouth beach, Dorset Police have said. There was also no physical contact between the 10 swimmers plucked from the waves on Wednesday evening and any vessel, the force added on Thursday. A 40-year-old man on the water at the time of the tragedy has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The youngsters who died after being pulled from the sea a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl had suffered critical injuries. Eight other people were treated on the beach for injuries described as non-threatening. No jet skis or pier jumpers involved in Bournemouth beach tragedy, police say High Wycombe MP offers condolences to bereaved families 17:15 , Joe Middleton Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe, has released a statement this afternoon offering his condolences to everyone involved in the incident in Bournemouth yesterday. As reported by the Bucks Free Press, he said: The death of every child is a tragedy, and I offer my condolences to everyone affected. I hope the family will soon have answers about what exactly happened in Bournemouth on Wednesday. Earlier we reported that the girl, 12, who died was from High Wycombe. Tory MP Tobias Ellwood says Bournemouth council to review protocols on pier after two fatalities 16:46 , Joe Middleton Bournemouth beach packed day after two children die in sea tragedy 16:23 , Joe Middleton Footage shows Bournemouth beach packed on Thursday 1 June, less than 24 hours after a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl died after getting into difficulty in the sea. Emergency services attended the scene on Wednesday afternoon, where eight other people were also recovered from the water. With temperatures reaching close to 20C today, hundreds of people were seen relaxing on the sand and playing in the sea. Dorset Police have confirmed the two children who died after sustaining critical injuries at the beach yesterday were not related. One man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Bournemouth beach packed day after two children die in sea tragedy Bournemouth beach tragedy like scene from horror film as childs body floated in water 16:13 , Joe Middleton Eyewitnesses described a tragedy on Bournemouth beach that left two children dead as like a horror movie. A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy suffered critical injuries in a fatal incident that occurred next to Bournemouth Pier on Wednesday afternoon. Police arrested a man in his 40s who was on the water at the time on suspicion of manslaughter and investigations to establish exactly what happened are ongoing. Matt Mathers reports. Bournemouth beach tragedy like scene from horror film as body floating in water MP calls for police to reassure families that beach is safe 15:55 , Joe Middleton Tobias Ellwood, Tory MP for Bournemouth East, has told MailOnline that police need to reassure families and provide details on what happened in the tragic yesterday. He said: Bournemouth beach is one of the best and safest seaside resorts in the UK. The police have an investigation to do but they urgently need to give details of what they believe happened here. The beach was cleared to allow helicopters to land on Wednesday (PA / Professor Dimitrios Buhalis) Detectives urge witnesses not to circulate footage on social media 15:35 , Joe Middleton Dorset Police have urged witnesses not to circulate footage of the incident on social media and hand it over to authorities investigating the tragedy instead. #LatestNews | ACC Rachel Farrell has provided the below update on the Bournemouth beach incident. Were asking witnesses not to circulate footage on social media and instead to share it with detectives via the major incident public portal here: https://t.co/aS2Zdb8C8p pic.twitter.com/q5enXCKTfW Dorset Police (@dorsetpolice) June 1, 2023 Beachgoers filmed Bournemouth tragedy victim receiving CPR 15:06 , Joe Middleton Beachgoers filmed paramedics delivering CPR to people involved in an incident off Bournemouth Pier that killed two youngsters, witnesses have said. The deceased - a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl - sustained critical injuries and died after being pulled from the sea. Eight other people were treated for injuries described as non-threatening. A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Matt Mathers reports. Beachgoers filmed Bournemouth tragedy victim receiving CPR Bournemouth: Witness describes 'panic' on beach after tragic incident 14:45 , Joe Middleton 'Unfortunately I saw someone receiving CPR 14:29 , Joe Middleton People arriving at the beach on Thursday have spoken of their shock at the previous days events. Tom Saunders, told Sky News: I was surfing on the west side with about four other people and we heard the lifeguard sirens going off, making announcements, and the beach got cleared either side. Obviously we knew something had gone on and the helicopter was coming so we knew it was serious. Unfortunately I saw someone receiving CPR. The lifeguards put up a screen so no-one could see but unfortunately from where we were we could. The jet-skis were going round the pier looking for stuff, so me and three other surfers offered to help and actually paddled into the pier to have a look. They said there were two people missing at the time, then after about half an hour they said everyone was accounted for and we just carried on. Girl, 12, who died was from High Wycombe 14:10 , Joe Middleton Buckinghamshire Council said it was saddened to hear the tragic news that a 12-year-old girl who died after an incident at Bournemouth beach was from High Wycombe. Councillor Anita Cranmer , Cabinet Member for Education and Childrens Services at the council, said:Buckinghamshire Council is saddened to hear the tragic news of the death of a 12 year old girl from High Wycombe yesterday on Bournemouth beach. Our thoughts go out to her family and friends. We will be offering support to them at this very difficult time. Air ambulances landed on the beach on Wednesday (PA / Professor Dimitrios Buhalis) Police say there no physical contact between vessel and swimmers at Bournemouth beach 13:46 , Joe Middleton It is horrendous' 13:38 , Joe Middleton The Independents Tara Cobham is reporting from Bournemouth and talking to locals about the tragic incident. Rob Shepherd, 24, said: We work in cafe down there. I heard three helicopters out of no where. Loads of police cars. We couldnt really tell what was going on. Then they closed everything off so people couldnt be on the bit of the beach. It is horrendous. My friends at Street Kings (a food van) said they saw bodies. A bunch of flowers left on Bournemouth beach for a 17-year-old-boy and a girl aged 12 who sustained 10 rescued from the water, police say 13:28 , Joe Middleton Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said a total of 10 people were rescued from the water in Bournemouth on Wednesday. A 17-year-old boy from Southampton and a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire were taken to hospital where very sadly they later died, she said. The other eight people involved were treated by ambulance at the scene, she added. I would sincerely like to thank members of the public who helped people in trouble in the water. Im also very grateful to the wider beach-goers who really quickly moved from the beach and allowed emergency services to do their work, she said. BREAKING: Police say no jet skis or pier jumpers involved in Bournemouth beach tragedy 13:03 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Dorset Police have said there were no jet skis or pier jumping involved in the deaths of two children at Bournemouth Beach. The deceased - a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl - suffered critical injuries and died after being pulled from the sea. Eight other people were treated for injuries described as non-threatening. A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said there is no suggestion of people jumping from Bournemouth pier or of jet skis being involved in the incident. Dorset Police earlier confirmed that there was no physical contact between a vessel and the swimmers. Police say no jet skis or pier jumpers involved in Bournemouth beach tragedy Bournemouth councillor says incident must have been terrifying experience' 13:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Councillor Vikki Slade said: It must have been a really terrifying experience for everybody. We are grateful to the public for clearing the space so quickly. Bournemouth remains a really fantastic place to visit and this incident needs to be investigated properly. Two children who died were not related, police say 12:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Dorset Police has said that the children who died yesterday were not related. The other eight people who were rescued from the water did not have serious injuries. 12:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain An investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident has been launched, Dorset Police said. They added that a man aged in his 40s who was on the water at the time has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Dorset Police said that a number of people already in the water got into difficulty and we are investigating the circumstances or event that caused this to happen. No suggestion of people jumping from the pier or jet skis involved' 12:51 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Dorset Police have confirmed that there is no suggestion of people jumping from the pier or jet skis being involved. 12:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain A 17-year-old from Southampton and a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire lost their lives yesterday on Bournemouth beach, Dorset Police have said. 12:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Police are now giving an update. Stay tuned. Flowers left on Bournemouth beach 12:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Flowers have been left on the beach following the tragic events yesterday at Bournemouth. (Tara Cobham) (Tara Cobham) (Tara Cobham) Watch: Witness describes panic on beach after tragic incident 12:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Holidaymaker Howard Cohen from London, who witnessed the incident on Bournemouth Beach on Wednesday, 31 May, described the commotion and panic after a 17-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl died after getting into difficulty in the sea. Beachgoers filmed Bournemouth tragedy victim receiving CPR 12:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Beachgoers filmed paramedics delivering CPR to people involved in an incident off Bournemouth Pier that killed two youngsters, witnesses have said. The deceased - a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl - sustained critical injuries and died after being pulled from the sea. Eight other people were treated for injuries described as non-threatening. A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. People at the scene have hit out at those who filmed emergency services. Beachgoers filmed Bournemouth tragedy victim receiving CPR Dorset Police to give update 12:13 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Dorset Police are expected to give an update in the hour following the tragic events that unfolded on Bournemouth beach yesterday. Stay tuned for live updates. Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset sends condolences 12:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, David Sidwick said: My heartfelt condolences go to the families of the two young people who lost their lives yesterday on Bournemouth Beach. Dorset Police are working alongside the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to fully investigate this tragic event. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all the emergency services who were involved in this harrowing incident. Tragedy at Bournemouth beach was like a horror film, witness says 11:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Nicola Holton, 43, and Stuart Clark, 42, were on the beach with their two children when the tragedy unfolded shortly after 4pm yesterday. They said the summertime scene turned into something from a horror film. Mr Clark said: As we walked to the east side of the pier there was at least one but probably a few jet skiers going across the right side of the pier. We didnt take too much notice of them at the time. There were announcements throughout the afternoon telling people not to climb on the pier. After 2pm it seemed like people werent going near it. The next announcement we got was at 4pm about a dangerous riptide in the water and it wasnt soon after that we saw a couple of swimmers in trouble out to sea. It got really chaotic when they brought a young man back to shore on a lifeguard jet ski. It was obvious he wasnt alive. Thats when people started gathering around and the lifeguards were trying to clear the beach at the same time as helping the others in the water. We saw the young girl get brought out too and there were no obvious injuries on her either. I just wanted to get my family off the beach with our belongings. Miss Holton said: It was like a scene from a horror film. After an afternoon of lovely weather and the odd announcement to tell kids to stop climbing on the pier it looked like it had all settled down. When we first spotted the swimmers in distress they were far out to the east side of the pier. A lifeguard ran into the water with a surfboard and it seemed to take ages for him to get to them. There was an announcement to get out of the water and then the lifeguards started bringing people back to shore. A few were taken to the lifeguard tent and then we saw the young man and girl brought out. We were packing up our things to leave as quickly as we could. It was just awful. There were loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones. RNLI lifeguards offer condolences to the grieving families and friends 11:42 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain RNLI lifeguards have said: We would like to offer our condolences to the family and loved ones of the two young people who sadly lost their lives yesterday at Bournemouth beach. RNLI lifeguards along with volunteer lifeboat crews from RNLI Mudeford worked with emergency services to provide search and rescue, and casualty care. This incident is now in the hands of Dorset Police and we will not offer any further comment at this point. Community shocked by tragedy 11:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Families who have arrived at the beach on Thursday have spoken of their shock at the previous days events. One woman, who did not want to be named, said: Its such a shame, people just come here to have fun during the half term, its a real tragedy. Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan, of Dorset Police, said: Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the young people who tragically died and we are doing all we can to support their families. I understand the beach was very busy at the time of the incident and I would ask anyone with information that may assist our inquiries to please come forward. We are at the early stages of our investigation and would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident. (Max Willcock/BNPS) What we know about the conditions around Bournemouth Pier during tragic beach incident 11:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Tragedy struck a packed Bournemouth beach yesterday as two youngsters died after being pulled from the sea. Eight other people were recovered from the water after getting into difficulty off the main pier as thousands of sunseekers enjoyed the sunny half-term weather. They were treated by paramedics for non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has been launched by Dorset Police, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Heres what we know about the area: What we know about conditions around Bournemouth Pier during tragic beach incident Surfer says he witnessed someone receiving CPR at time of incident 11:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain A surfer on Bournmouth beach said he witnessed someone receiving CPR yesterday. We heard the life guards sirens going off making announcements and the bridge got cleared... Obviously we knew something was going on. Unfortunately we saw someone receiving CPR here. Watch the full clip here: 'We knew it was serious' Sky News speaks to a surfer who was involved in the search after a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl died following an incident off Bournemouth beach. Full story: https://t.co/QZFXpHKsJC pic.twitter.com/EM4vFwzYU1 Sky News (@SkyNews) June 1, 2023 10:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Tobias Ellwood, the MP for Bournemouth East, tweeted: This is a tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the young girl and boy who lost their lives. Thank you to all the emergency services that responded so quickly. Dorset Police will be providing a full statement later today. This is a tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the young girl and boy who lost their lives. Thank you to all the emergency services that responded so quickly. Dorset Police will be providing a full statement later today. https://t.co/Q23yP4o9s7 Tobias Ellwood MP (@Tobias_Ellwood) June 1, 2023 Watch: Tory MP Tobias Ellwood says Bournemouth council to review protocols on pier 10:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Dorset Police confirm no contact between vessel and children who died 10:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain There was no contact between a vessel and a 17-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl who died at Bournemouth beach on Wednesday, Dorset Police have confirmed. Witness says she saw a body floating in the water' 10:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain A witness on Bournemouth beach at the time of the tragic incident said she saw a boy struggling while another was floating in the water. Ritta Saruchera, said her daughter and her friend were in the sea at the time when they saw what happened. She told The Mirror: They were coming back out of the water when they saw a teenage boy struggling. There was another one floating in the water. We went to get help from the lifeguard and inform them of what was happening. There were three young men out there and they have been searching for a fourth. What happened in Bournemouth? 10:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain If youre just tuning in, here is what happened in Bournemouth: A 17 year-old-boy and a 12 year-girl died after being pulled from the sea in Bournemouth and a man in his 40s arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Locals claimed the mystery incident involved a jet ski as ten other children were pulled from the sea. Police have yet to confirm the cause. Footage posted online appeared to show CPR being given to at least one person. Lifeguards rushed into the water at 4:30pm on Wednesday to the east of the pier in the seaside town. Read more here: Girl, 12, and boy, 17, die after major incident at Bournemouth beach Bournemouth Council to review protocols on the pier, Bournemouth East MP says 10:11 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Bournemouth Council is set to review protocols on their pier after two people lost their lives, says Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood. Speaking to Sky News, he said: It is a huge tragedy. I think the council will also review their protocols as to what can be conducted on the pier. I understand the pier was somehow involved in this terrible tragedy. This has taken everybody by shock. Bournemouth Council to review protocols on pier after two fatalities, says Bournemouth East MP @Tobias_Ellwood #KayBurley FC pic.twitter.com/loAGKNE3th Kay Burley (@KayBurley) June 1, 2023 Mapped: Where on Bournemouth beach did the incident happen? 10:03 , Martha Mchardy Dorset Police said it received a report from paramedics at around 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon of people requiring assistance on the beach off Bournemouth Pier. Emergency services, including two air ambulances, six ambulances and a hazardous area response team, attended the scene a short while after and 10 people were recovered from the water. Bournemouth beach reopens after incident 09:58 , Martha Mchardy Bournemouth beach has reopened after an incident on Wednesday involving 10 people. The beach was closed off yesterday after emergency services responded to reports of people requiring assistance on the beach off Bournemouth Pier on Wednesday afternoon. A muti-agency rescue operation was underway yesterday at Bournemouth beach (Max Willcock/BNPS) A girl, 12, and a 17-year-old boy died after being rescued yesterday afternoon at Bournemouth beach, which was packed with half-term holidaymakers as temperatures hit 22C. A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Bournemouth beach incident in pictures 09:13 , Martha Mchardy (Twitter) (Twitter) (Professor Dimitrios Buhalis) Watch: Emergency services respond after children die following incident on Bournemouth beach 08:53 , Martha Mchardy Emergency services responded after reports of people requiring assistance on the beach off Bournemouth Pier on Wednesday afternoon. Two air ambulances attended the scene, as well as six ambulances and a hazardous area response team, a spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said. Bournemouth beach very busy at time of incident as half-term temperatures hit 22C 08:44 , Martha Mchardy A girl, 12, and a 17-year-old boy died after being rescued on Wednesday afternoon at Bournemouth beach. The beach was packed with thousands of half-term holidaymakers at the time of the incident as temperatures hit 22C. Thousands were at Bournemouth beach at the time of the incident (Max Willcock/BNPS) Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan, of Dorset Police, confirmed the beach was very busy at the time of the incident, while Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said the incident was a salutary lesson that danger is ever present on beaches and the ocean. Thoughts with everyone associated with the dreadful events unfolding in Bournemouth this evening, he said. Locals claimed the mystery incident involved a jet ski as ten people were pulled from the sea. Footage posted online appeared to show CPR being given to at least one person. Watch: What happened on Bournemouth beach? 08:10 , Martha Mchardy Bournemouth incident a salutary lesson that danger is ever present on beaches, says MP 08:02 , Martha Mchardy Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said the incident was a salutary lesson that danger is ever present on beaches and the ocean. In a statement last night, he said: Thoughts with everyone associated with the dreadful events unfolding in Bournemouth this evening. (Max Willcock/BNPS) A salutary lesson that our beaches and ocean can give much pleasure but danger is ever present. Thanks to the Life Guards and the Air Ambulance who we can take for granted. Dorset Police statement in full 07:59 , Martha McHardy Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan, of Dorset Police, said: Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the young people who tragically died and we are doing all we can to support their families. I understand the beach was very busy at the time of the incident and I would ask anyone with information that may assist our enquiries to please come forward. We are at the early stages of our investigation and would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Two children dead and 10 pulled from sea as man arrested 07:57 , Martha Mchardy Two children have died after a major incident at Bournemouth beach saw 10 people pulled from the sea and one man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. A girl, 12, and a 17-year-old boy died after being rescued on Wednesday afternoon at Bournemouth beach, which was packed with half-term holidaymakers as temperatures hit 22C. Two helicopters landed on Bournemouth beach (Professor Dimitrios Buhalis) The other eight people pulled from the sea have been treated for non-life-threatening injuries. It is believed all those involved in the incident were aged between 12 and 18. A man aged in his 40s, who was on the water at the time of the incident, is being held on suspicion of manslaughter. An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said the incident was a salutary lesson that danger is ever present on beaches and the ocean. Thoughts with everyone associated with the dreadful events unfolding in Bournemouth this evening, he said. (Bloomberg) -- Brazils senate approved a provisional measure establishing the structure of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas cabinet, a relief for the leftist leader whose government was nearly thrown into chaos. Most Read from Bloomberg Senators passed the bill in a 51-19 vote Thursday, paving the way for a modified version of the temporary measure Lula used to establish a bevy of new ministries to become law before it expired at the end of the day. The lower house of congress approved the legislation in a 337-125 vote late Wednesday night. Lula launched a last-minute effort to secure its approval Wednesday, calling emergency meetings with political allies and lower house Speaker Arthur Lira a day after a planned vote was delayed. Had the measure expired, 14 of Lulas 37 ministries including his departments of Planning, Racial Equality, Indigenous Peoples, Culture and Industry would have shuttered, putting priority elements of his agenda and his ability to accommodate a range of political allies at risk. Although he avoided that outcome, the measures approval required significant concessions: The version that passed curbed some powers of Brazils Ministry of Environment, changes that will test Lulas commitment to the green agenda he has pledged to pursue. The alterations transfer some authority from the ministry and its leader, Marina Silva, to other government bodies, including the administration of a database that tracks environmental information and inspections to prevent deforestation on rural lands. Congress has no obligation to approve everything that I want, Lula said during a press conference after the Senate vote Thursday. The negotiations over the measure, he said, are the nature of politics. Congress on offense The modified measure is part of a broader offensive from congress, where conservative parties and an influential agribusiness caucus pose the biggest threats to the environmental ambitions Lula outlined during his 2022 campaign, and that have attracted significant international support early in his presidency. Lawmakers had already loosened some rules in ways that environmental experts say will lead to more deforestation. On Tuesday, they voted to place additional restrictions on the creation of Indigenous territories, approving legislation to limit the demarcation of new protected areas to lands tribes occupied when Brazils constitution was adopted in 1988. Read More: Brazils Bet on Oil Growth Suffers Setback Amid Climate Push The pushback from congress is taking place amid another clash that has divided factions of Lulas government. In May, Brazils environmental authority, Ibama, blocked state-owned oil giant Petroleo Brasileiro SAs plans to explore an offshore frontier at the mouth of the Amazon River, a site known for its coral reefs and diverse marine wildlife. Ibama is currently reviewing the decision, which Marina Silva has defended amid protests from Petrobras and some members of the presidents governing coalition. Some Lula allies say his opponents in congress are seeking to exploit those differences to drive a wedge between the president and Silva, who has served as the face of the governments environmental agenda both within Brazil and globally. The pair has split before: In 2008, Silva left her role as environment minister during Lulas previous presidency amid disagreements with his governments policies. But Silva has said that she and Lula are on the same page now, and that the president still considers the environment a major priority. We will resist She has instead taken aim at congress, arguing that its plans will negatively affect Brazils image on the world stage, where Lulas pledges to reverse rising levels of deforestation have won him acclaim and convinced nations like the US and UK to promise funds for Amazon rainforest protection. The international community, Silva argued last week, will see the actions in congress as an attempt to force his government to adopt the policies of former President Jair Bolsonaro, whose approach to environmental and climate change issues drew global backlash. They may also jeopardize a pending trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, a bloc of South American nations that includes Brazil, she has warned. France has previously conditioned its support for a deal on improved deforestation and climate policies in Brazil. The credibility of President Lula and the Minister of Environment isnt enough, Silva said during a congressional hearing last week, after a committee advanced an initial proposal to change her ministrys powers. This will close our doors. Read More: UK Commits $100 Million to Brazils Amazon Fund, Joining US While Lula ultimately blessed the changes to the structure of his government, potential vetoes of the other measures could provoke a confrontation with congress at a time when he is still struggling to build a solid base of political support. Other challenges also loom. Brazils Supreme Court is considering rules governing the demarcation of new Indigenous territories in a case that may resume on June 7. Before that, the court will decide whether to authorize the construction of the Ferrograo, a 933-kilometer (580 miles) railroad that would transport grain from the central area of the country through the Amazon region. Silva pledged to fulfill the governments environmental promises during a speech in Brasilia, the capital, last week. We have to resist, and we will resist, she said. (Updates with Senate vote in first two paragraphs, Lula comments in sixth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Japanese director Ryo Takeuchi and actress Ruriko Kojima at the premiere of his documentary film The Yangtze River in Tokyo on May 19. [YANG GUANG/XINHUA] A film event dedicated to screening a series of China-themed documentaries shot by Japanese director Ryo Takeuchi is currently underway in Tokyo. At the recent premiere of his documentary The Yangtze River, Takeuchi expressed his intention to hold the documentary week in Japan. "There are still many biased reports about China in Japan. So I hope that through these films, everyone can see an ordinary and real China that the media does not usually report, or that has not been reported," the documentary director said on May 19. In fact, Takeuchi's story about the Yangtze River started much earlier. Back in 2011, he participated in the filming of a documentary about China's longest river for NHK, Japan's public broadcaster, when he sailed along the river from west China's Qinghai and Sichuan provinces down to Shanghai. For the new production of the Yangtze River, Takeuchi traveled along the 6,300-kilometer river to record how the glacier melts and forms the "first drops of water" of the river, and shows the audience the changes that have taken place in China in the past decade on one river. The 129-minute documentary not only showcases the magnificent scenery of China's mountains and rivers, but also takes a candid look at the great changes in China over the years through interviews and a decadelong comparison, providing insights into the real China by recording people's daily lives in a straightforward way. Shiroiwa, a Japanese film fan, expressed his eagerness to visit China again: "I was fascinated by China when I first visited the country in 2018. I am really happy to see so many places in China through the documentary. Now that I have started learning Chinese, I hope to go to China again soon to see the Yangtze River." More audience members said that their understanding of China has changed after watching the documentary. Yamashita, who works in the Japanese financial industry, says, "Regarding the Three Gorges Dam, the Japanese media only reported that people were forcibly relocated. But through the documentary, I saw people living a different life through relocation and keeping up with the times. "That really touched me. I hope more Japanese people can go to the cinema to see the film and understand China in a comprehensive way," he says. The documentary gives the audience a real sense of the changes that China's development has brought to the lives of the people. Many Japanese viewers say that what impressed them the most in the movie was the changes in the life of Rinchen Cimu, a Tibetan girl. "The Tibetan girl who could only greet tourists shyly with a lamb in her arms at the doorstep of her house and had never seen a high-rise building, became a high-end guesthouse operator 10 years later. It's really astonishing," Japanese reporter Ito says with emotion. Takako Tajima from the Japan-China Friendship Association in Kanagawa prefecture says, "Through the documentary, I have seen a broader and richer China and the simplicity and kindness of the Chinese people. I was very moved. "I want to invite the more than 500 members of the association to watch it, and I also hope that this documentary will be shown not only in Tokyo, but throughout Japan," she adds. Running from May 19-25, Ryo Takeuchi's Documentary Week features four film versions of the documentaries The Yangtze River, 100 Faces of Huawei, Long Time No See, Wuhan, and Beyond the Mountain. "I hope that everyone will understand the current China from multiple angles," Takeuchi says in the documentary's promotional materials. "I have shot films in dozens of countries, but I really haven't seen any country as interesting and incredible as China." Brazilian Amazon at risk of being taken over by mafia, ex-police chief warns Photograph: Alan Chaves/AFP/Getty Images The rapid advance of organised crime groups in the Brazilian Amazon risks turning the region into a vast, conflict-stricken hinterland plagued by heavily armed criminal insurgents, a former senior federal police chief has warned. Alexandre Saraiva, who worked in the Amazon from 2011 to 2021, said he feared the growing footprint of drug-trafficking mafias in the region could spawn a situation similar to the decades-long drug conflict in Rio de Janeiro, where the polices battle with drug gangs and paramilitaries has claimed tens of thousands of lives. I experienced how the state lost control of public security in Rio de Janeiro, Saraiva said. And in the Amazon today if nothing is done in terms of public security we are facing a continent-sized Rio de Janeiro, with the aggravating factors of borders with major drug producers and an extraordinarily difficult jungle setting. Saraiva warned of dire consequences for the rainforest and its inhabitants if criminal gangs were allowed to grow into powerful armies like the rebel factions in neighbouring Colombia. We will have criminal insurgents [whose] ideology is money, he said. We will have areas of conflagration, of major conflict between groups which are fighting over areas of illegal gold and timber extraction. In the middle of this, we will have Indigenous victims. And we will face immense logistical difficulties in combating this, warned the police chief, the author of a recent book called Jungle: Loggers, Miners and Corruption in a Lawless Amazon. The alert came ahead of the first anniversary of the killings of the British journalist Dom Phillips and the Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, whose deaths exposed widespread environmental devastation and the growing reach of organised crime groups in the Amazon. A year after their killings, the Guardian has joined 15 other international news media organisations and more than 50 journalists in a collaborative investigation into organised crime and resource extraction in the Brazilian Amazon, in an effort coordinated by Forbidden Stories, the Paris-based non-profit dedicated to continuing the work of reporters who are threatened, censored or killed. What is the Bruno and Dom project? Bruno Pereira, a Brazilian Indigenous expert and Dom Phillips, a British journalist and longtime Guardian contributor, were killed on the Amazons Itaquai River last June while returning from a reporting trip to the remote Javari Valley region. The attack prompted international outcry, and cast a spotlight on the growing threat to the Amazon posed by extractive industries, both legal and illegal, such as logging, poaching, mining and cattle ranching. A year after their deaths, the Guardian has joined 15 other international news organisations in a collaborative investigation into organised crime and resource extraction in the Brazilian Amazon. The initiative has been coordinated by Forbidden Stories, the Paris-based non-profit whose mission is to continue the work of reporters who are threatened, censored or killed. The goal of the project is to honour and pursue the work of Bruno and Dom, to foreground the importance of the Amazon and its people, and to suggest possible ways to save the Amazon. Who was Bruno Pereira? Pereira, 41, was a former employee of the Indigenous agency Funai where he led efforts to protect the isolated and uncontacted tribes who live in the Brazilian Amazon. After being sidelined from his post soon after the far-right president Jair Bolsonaro came to power, Pereira went to work with the Javari Valley Indigenous association Univaja, helping create Indigenous patrol teams to stop illegal poachers, miners and loggers invading their protected lands. Who was Dom Phillips? Phillips, 57, was a longtime contributor to the Guardian who had lived in Brazil for 15 years. A former editor of the dance magazine Mixmag, he developed a deep interest in environmental issues, covering the link between logging, mining, the beef industry and the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. His reporting brought him into contact with Pereira, and in 2018 the pair took part in a 17-day expedition deep into the Javari Valley. In 2021 he took a year off to start writing a book, titled How to Save the Amazon. His return to the Javari was to have been the last reporting trip for the project. What is the Javari Valley? Sitting on Brazils border with Peru and Colombia, the Javari Valley Indigenous Reservation is a Portugal-sized swathe of rainforest and rivers which is home to about 6,000 Indigenous people from the Kanamari, Kulina, Korubo, Marubo, Matis, Mayoruna and Tsohom-dyapa groups, as well as 16 isolated groups. It is also a hotspot for poachers, fishers and illegal loggers, prompting violent conflicts between the Indigenous inhabitants and the riverside communities which fiercely opposed the reservations creation in 2001. Its strategic location makes it a key route for smuggling cocaine between Peru, Colombia and Brazil. What happened to Pereira and Philips? On 2 June 2022, Pereira and Phillips travelled up the Itaquai River from the town of Atalaia do Norte to report on efforts to stop illegal fishing. Two days later, members of the Indigenous patrol team with whom Pereira and Phillips were travelling were threatened by an illegal fisher. Early on 5 June, the pair set out on the return leg before dawn, hoping to safely pass a river community that was home to several known poachers. They never arrived, and after a search by teams of local Indigenous activists, their remains were discovered on 15 June. Three fishers are being held in high-security prisons awaiting trial for the killings: brothers Amarildo and Oseney da Costa de Oliveira and a third man, Jefferson da Silva Lima. Federal police have alleged that a fourth man, nicknamed Colombia, was the mastermind of the killings. Figures collated for the Bruno and Dom project by the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety (FBSP) paint a bleak portrait of organised crimes deadly impact on the region, showing that: With more than 8,000 deaths, the rate of intentional lethal violent crime in the Brazilian Amazons nine states was more than 50% higher than in the rest of the country last year a murder rate similar to that of Mexico. In Amazonas state, where Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips were among 1,432 people killed last year, the murder rate was 74% above the national average. 2021 was even more violent with 1,571 victims and a violent death rate of 36.8 per 100,000 inhabitants five times that of the US. The number of people killed by military and civil police grew 71% in the Amazon between 2016 and 2021, compared with 35% in the rest of Brazil. The Amazons prison population grew 35.1% between 2016 an 2022 compared with 14.1% elsewhere, helping prison-run factions to flourish in overcrowded jails. Brazils two most powerful crime factions Sao Paulos PCC (First Capital Command) and Rios CV (Red Command) now operate in all nine Amazon states, as do at least 15 other regional crime groups, including Os Crias, the Familia do Norte and Class A Command. Last year, the FBSP revealed how the Amazon now contained 10 of Brazils 30 most violent municipalities. They included remote illegal mining and drug smuggling hubs such as Jacareacanga and Japura, and Novo Progresso, a deforestation hotspot from where Phillips reported for the Guardian in 2020. All three towns had staggeringly high murder rates of more than 100 per 100,000 inhabitants. The advance of organised crime groups in the Amazon was laid bare by the killings of Pereira and Phillips last year in the Javari valley, an Austria-sized sweep of rivers and rainforests on Brazils border with Colombia and Peru, the worlds top two cocaine producers. Brazils environment minister, Marina Silva, says violence has long been a hallmark of the predatory occupation of the Amazon. Photograph: Andre Borges/EPA Brazils environment minister, Marina Silva, told the Guardian that violence had long been a hallmark of the predatory occupation of the Amazon, pointing to the assassinations of activists such as Chico Mendes in 1988 and Sister Dorothy Stang in 2005. The military dictatorships decision to colonise the Amazon in the 1960s supposedly to stop hostile foreign powers commandeering the sparsely populated region sparked a deadly struggle for land and resources, devastated Indigenous communities and caused deforestation to soar. However, Silva said the overlapping of multiple forms of criminality in the Amazon now meant the state needed to increase its presence in affected regions. She highlighted the new governments battle to evict illegal miners with links to the PCC from the Yanomami Indigenous territory. The Public Safety Forums president, Renato Sergio de Lima, said the statistics collected by his groups researchers underlined how the arrival of drug factions had made a bad situation worse, causing Amazon murder rates to soar even as they fell elsewhere in Brazil. Lima traced the advance of such groups into the Amazon to 2016 when a notorious drug trafficker was killed on Brazils border with Paraguay. That assassination helped the PCC consolidate its control of the drug smuggling route focused on the border town of Ponta Pora and forced its rival, the CV, to look further north to the Amazon. The CVs destination was Tabatinga, a scruffy town on the tri-border with Colombia and Peru, near where Phillips and Pereira were killed last June. Lima estimated that the cocaine being smuggled through Brazil was now responsible for 4% of the South American countrys GDP with about 40% of those illegal profits coming through the Amazon. We are talking about something like $25bn being injected into the Amazons economy every year and the region isnt ready to deal with this, he said, warning that the response from the armed forces had been woefully inadequate, with the army and navy seizing just 41 firearms in 2022. In this photo released by Agencia Brasil, an aerial view shows a laboratory at a coca plantation in Tabatinga, Brazil. Photograph: Valter Campanato/AP Aerial images filmed by Brazils Globoplay, one of the news organisations involved in the Bruno and Dom project, showed a suspected cocaine laboratory and a series of coca farms that had been carved out of the jungles on the Peruvian side of the Javari. If the Brazilian state doesnt intervene in an urgent and firm manner, were going to have [entire] regions that are run by narco-traffickers, said Beto Marubo, a prominent Indigenous leader who was close to Pereira. Lima warned that if nothing was done, the militarys fear [of losing control of the Amazon] will become almost a self-fulfilling prophesy. We will effectively lose sovereignty over the region and the region will be consolidated as the main narco-trafficking smuggling route in Brazil and to Europe. Related: Bruno Pereira and Dom Phllips were killed in the Amazon. Their Indigenous allies risk death to carry on the work Rodrigo Chagas, an Amazon-based researcher who is studying the drug gangs rapid expansion for the FBSP, echoed the warnings of Colombianisation, which could see security forces launch a catastrophic war on drugs similar to the one that has blighted Brazils neighbour for decades. Its possible the Amazon will see tremendous havoc. This is a scenario that worries me, because the public security responses we tend to see are war on drugs-style responses a war which is utterly detrimental to local populations, Chagas said. Saraiva noted how Brazils armed forces had historically been obsessed with the supposed threat of an external enemy annexing the Amazon, a vast region nine times the size of France. Meanwhile, we have an internal criminal insurgency which is corroding the Brazilian nation from within, [and] its happening far faster than we imagine, warned Saraiva, who was the federal police chief in three Amazon states, Amazonas, Maranhao and Roraima. It was while serving in Amazonas that Saraiva came into contact with Pereira. In 2019, shortly before Pereira was forced from his job with the governments Indigenous protection agency, Funai, the police chief helped the Indigenous defender launch a major anti-mining operation in the Javari region called Operation Korubo. Sixty illegal mining dredges were destroyed during those raids, which Saraiva believed put Pereira in a very delicate position. In the Javari valley we have a convergence between drug trafficking, illegal fishing, illegal logging and mining. And in the middle of all this, there was a guy called Bruno [trying to fight environmental crime], Saraiva said, remembering a brave and passionate activist with selflessness in his DNA. Federal police have named a shadowy local figure with suspected ties to organised crime as the alleged mastermind behind last years killings. Experts say at least four Brazilian drug factions the CV, PCC, Os Crias and the Familia do Norte operate in the region, as well as groups from Colombia and Peru. Organised crimes growing grip on the Amazon was again exposed last month when alleged PCC operatives attacked government forces during a raid on an illegal mine in the Yanomami Indigenous territory near Venezuela. Four men were killed in the shootout, including a PCC leader nicknamed Presidente. A message intercepted by police and shared with the Guardian showed PCC chiefs urging members to retaliate against police for the deaths of our brothers. From what I understand, the PCC isnt just there to extract gold. Of course theyre doing this too. But the main thing is to use the illegal airstrips to send weapons and drugs to other countries, like Venezuela, said one police source. The story of Saraiva, whom Dom Phillips interviewed for the book he was writing about the Amazon, underlines the growing role of criminal factions in environmental crime. Two years after he stopped working in the Amazon, he still travels in a bulletproof car the result of intelligence suggesting the PCC planned to assassinate him, even though his focus had been fighting environmental crime, not drug smuggling. Organised crime is diversifying into other illegal activities that Brazilian society tends to see as lesser offences, said Saraiva, who commanded Brazils largest ever seizure of illegal wood in 2020. The mafia goes wherever theres money. It doesnt care if its environmental crime, people smuggling, cocaine. And what they see there [in the Amazon] is gold and wood thats being sold for a very high price. Its obvious that it wouldnt take them long to get involved in this. Right up until the end, the White House was exploring contingency plans in case the high-stakes talks with Republicans to raise the debt ceiling and avert economic disaster collapsed. The White House was considering the unprecedented step of bypassing Congress altogether and invoking the Constitutions 14th Amendment, which states that the validity of the public debt shall not be questioned. President Joe Biden worried that there wasnt enough time for the inevitable court challenge to play out if he went down that road. But he took the idea seriously so seriously that the White House counsels office consulted at least two outside legal experts about the 14th Amendment just days before the deal was announced, people familiar with the matter said. A lead House negotiator in the showdown with Biden, Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., told reporters Wednesday that had Republicans spurned negotiations and let the nation default on its debt, it would have resulted in the president trying to invoke the 14th Amendment, as well as a missed opportunity for Republicans to press for spending cuts. But that break-glass option wouldnt be needed. Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., announced a deal Saturday night, and the House passed it Wednesday, capping a 36-day scramble at the White House and on Capitol Hill to avert economic catastrophe ahead of the Treasury Departments deadline of Monday. Senate leaders are working to pass the measure quickly. The House passage was a big hurdle, though its possible there could be turbulence in the Senate. Breaching the debt ceiling would roil the global financial markets. It would wipe out jobs and plunge the U.S. into a recession. Default would shatter the common presumption after World War II that America would always make good on its obligations. There had been two close calls in the Obama presidency, but default had never happened before. This time, there was good reason to worry that the U.S. would tumble over the cliff. After all, months went by before the high-wire talks even took place. Biden refused to meet with McCarthy until House Republicans put forward a budget that would be the basis for negotiations. And then, in April, McCarthy did just that. Surprise in the White House Democratic leaders were stunned. For months theyd been taunting McCarthy, challenging him to unify the fractious Republican caucus and pass a bill. McCarthy had been demanding spending cuts in return for raising the debt ceiling, a necessary step to avoid a catastrophic default. But if he couldnt so much as produce a bill laying out what he wanted, there was nothing to discuss, Democrats argued. What are they going to talk about, the weather? Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., quipped repeatedly in March. Both sides were dug in. Bidens stance was simple if ultimately untenable: He wouldnt negotiate over the debt ceiling. Dusting off a metaphor from the Obama era, he said he wouldnt let Republicans hold the U.S. economy hostage in exchange for concessions. Republicans had to raise the debt ceiling; case closed. Then McCarthy, whod gotten the speakers job three months earlier after a tense 15 rounds of voting, muscled through a debt ceiling bill with just one vote to spare on April 26. The White House reaction, according to three Democratic sources on Capitol Hill, was flat-footed and surprised. Biden had underestimated McCarthys influence in his conference, one said. (A White House aide said Wednesday that Biden and his senior advisers had been conferring with congressional Democrats all along, part of a strategy meant to force Republicans to release a plan of their own. We werent going to negotiate with ourselves, an official said.) Each side looked at the other with suspicion, if not outright contempt. Biden worried that the Houses far-right lawmakers were perfectly happy to see the economy collapse if only to damage his re-election chances. Back when he was vice president, Biden would reach out to an old colleague from his Senate days, Republican leader Mitch McConnell, to cut budget deals. They were the closers. This time, McConnell was sitting it out. It was up to Biden and McCarthy to break the impasse, McConnell maintained. It was time to start negotiating, and Biden knew it. But it wouldnt be easy. Youve got two Irish guys that dont drink, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., another key negotiator, said of Biden and McCarthy on Wednesday. This account of the fevered negotiations that followed as the nation careened toward default stems from interviews with more than two dozen lawmakers, outside advisers and congressional and White House aides. Many spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the internal strategy surrounding the talks. Everyone in Washington is going to look terrible if we were actually to go over the brink and default, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said in the days before the deal was reached. Tense days of negotiations To win the speakers job, McCarthy had to placate both moderates and a right-wing faction closely aligned with former President Donald Trump, who called on Republicans to let the country default unless all their demands including the kitchen sink were met. Any one member can force a vote to oust him under the strict terms in which McCarthy was chosen. That gave McCarthy little room for error as he plunged into the most delicate and far-reaching negotiations of his career. He and other congressional leaders met with Biden in the Oval Office on May 9, when anxieties were rising. By that point, the deadline for default was only four weeks away. Biden was dropping his refusal to negotiate, and employed a bit of verbal gymnastics to mask his retreat. He insisted he was bargaining over spending levels not a ransom for avoiding default. But Biden was negotiating in deadly earnest to stave off economic calamity. The key points of the emerging Biden-McCarthy deal were laid out just two days later, on May 11, at a low-key news briefing in the Capitol. Graves told reporters that he saw four main areas where a deal could be reached: reforming how permits are issued, clawing back unspent Covid funds, capping spending and imposing new work requirements on people getting federal aid. Soon afterward, McCarthy tapped Graves to lead negotiations with the White House. Kevin McCarthy and Joe Biden in the Oval Office (Alex Brandon / AP) Biden, meanwhile, deputized several trusted aides to lead the talks on his behalf: senior adviser Steve Ricchetti, legislative affairs chief Louisa Terrell and budget director Shalanda Young, a former congressional aide who hails from the Baton Rouge district Graves represents. The two Louisianans developed a rapport and began cooking up a deal. He said he makes better gumbo than me, so we were really trying to hash that out, Young said as she left a meeting with Graves in the Capitol. She conceded, Graves said later after the deal was struck. Its all about the roux. As both sides inched toward a deal, they faced mounting resentment from inside their ranks. After he left a meeting with Biden on May 16, McCarthy sounded upbeat, predicting that a deal could come together by the end of the week. That worried conservatives who feared that McCarthy would negotiate on the margins rather than insist on sweeping budget cuts or that Republican leaders would use budget gimmicks to forge a deal they could sell to their caucus as the deadline loomed. They agreed they would need to ensure that McCarthy held the line, according to sources familiar with the conversations. A behind-the-scenes player in the bubbling conservative revolt was Russell Vought, who was a budget director in Trumps White House. He had the ear of lawmakers who were skeptical of McCarthys willingness to deliver real cuts, said a person familiar with the talks. Vought was instrumental in leading the fight for speaker that forced McCarthy through so many rounds of votes. Working with budget hawks based in conservative think tanks who view the fight as part of a larger battle within the party over whether cuts to federal spending matter GOP hard-liners ramped up pressure on McCarthy to hold fast. They preferred a deal that would lift the debt ceiling for only one year rather than two, giving themselves more leverage with Biden when he was up for re-election in 2024. Heeding the warnings from conservatives, House negotiators pressed pause on May 19 after, they said, the White House stood firm against budget cuts. They briefly left the negotiating table and returned with a tougher public line. Washington has to spend less. Its as simple as that, McCarthy tweeted. Budget hawks were pleased by the pause. A source familiar with the talks described it as a negotiation tactic and said Republican leaders needed to make sure they shored up members on spending cuts, with 50 to 60 members holding a hard-line position on the issue, the source said. The source said they were still with McCarthy, however, and members maintained that public unity. Graves later said the moment was worrying. We effectively threw them out, he said, referring to the White House negotiators. That was probably a low point. Meetings got pretty tense at that point, language got pretty intense. The pause came roughly overnight in Japan where Biden was taking part in a meeting with the leaders of other advanced democracies. Bidens team, briefing him at odd hours back home because of the 13-hour time difference, viewed the GOPs position as a troubling step backward, according to White House officials. McCarthy was in a tough spot; he needed to appease the far right. The debt ceiling deal would have to pass both the House and the Senate. A Senate conservative, Mike Lee of Utah, warned that he would use every procedural tool to delay a deal that lacked substantial reform. Debt-Limit Deal Heads To House Vote After Clearing Key Hurdle (Ting Shen / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Meanwhile, Democrats fretted that Biden was losing the messaging war. McCarthy was everywhere. He would hold lengthy news conferences at the White House after his meetings with Biden, then moments later do the same thing with reporters in the Capitol. As he walked the halls of the Capitol, hed stop and chat informally with reporters. Biden wasnt nearly as accessible. And unlike President Barack Obama during the 2011 debt ceiling fight, Biden never gave a prime-time address devoted to the crisis. Where the White House failed miserably is in filling the messaging void, a Democratic lawmaker said in the days before the agreement was reached. Kevin [McCarthy] is out there every day. Theres no response. Theres no frame. Theres nothing. Is he [Biden] absent? Is it Weekend at Bernies? Where is the guy? There was a reason for Bidens silence, White House officials countered. His focus was on getting a deal, and he worried that too many speeches lambasting Republicans might jeopardize the talks, aides said. White House advisers characterized his approach this way: Prioritize the win. Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders scrambled. On the evening of May 22, as Biden and McCarthy met at the White House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., huddled with his top lieutenants in his Capitol office to discuss strategy: They would parry McCarthy with daily news conferences accusing extreme MAGA Republicans of risking a default that would tank the economy. Three days later, nearly 90 Democrats gathered on the floor to excoriate their GOP counterparts for having left town for the Memorial Day weekend without a deal. Still, most Americans didnt appear to grasp the dire stakes. Many seemed to believe a default would be akin to a government shutdown, which the U.S. has been through numerous times in recent years. Default, by contrast, would reverberate worldwide. While people scoured the web more frequently as the talks lurched forward, their searches focused more on government shutdowns than on the consequences of default, according to data gathered by FiscalNotes Predata. Lets be clear, I wasnt sane On the Friday morning before the long Memorial Day weekend, McCarthy and Graves bicycled 10 miles together in Washington, circling the National Mall and points south. It was Graves second workout of the day. Earlier, he told colleagues in the House gym that negotiators were close but still had differences over permitting reform and spending caps. Around midnight, Graves emerged from the speakers suite in the Capitol with a cup of coffee and gummy worms in hand, fortifying himself for the long night ahead. (Asked Wednesday what he did to keep his sanity over weeks of tense talks, he joked: Lets be clear, I wasnt sane. He also confessed that the bike had been stolen, or borrowed, from the police. I did return it, so I feel like its more of a borrow, he said.) The next day, Saturday, McCarthy and his fellow negotiators left the Capitol together to get lunch from Chipotle, bringing back chips and queso for the reporters camped outside the speakers office. Biden was at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, where he consulted with aides and signed off on various offers and counterproposals, a White House official said. The two sides announced the breakthrough Saturday night a deal that neither set of negotiators loved but both could accept. Biden prevailed on one important point: The debt ceiling would be suspended a full two years, meaning he wouldnt need to negotiate all over again as he ran for re-election in 2024. The backlash was immediate. Liberals deemed the cuts and the work requirements to get federal aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, too severe; conservatives, too modest. When McCarthy appeared on Fox News on Sunday to say a majority of his conference supported the deal, a House Republican texted a reporter to rebut him in real time. The lawmaker wrote: Thats a lie. Text [of the bill] hasnt even come out yet and I already know of more than that. McCarthys goal was to show confidence and limit Republican defections. They knew the bill would require Democratic votes the aim was to minimize the need for them. McCarthy and his allies sought to arm members with a talking point by leaking a Congressional Budget Office finding conveyed privately to GOP leadership, according to two sources that the legislation would lead to $2.1 trillion in cuts if the six-year targets were met. That was a sleight of hand: Only two years of caps would be binding; the rest were aspirational. GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York hosted a call Monday afternoon in which she repeatedly emphasized the broad ideological mix of lawmakers who were on it to support the bill. In the end, it won 149 Republican votes. Democrats largely played coy, refusing to say how many votes theyd help provide. Progressives vented their concerns in a private call Monday about fossil fuel permitting, work requirements and spending cuts, a source on the call said. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., opposed the bill but proclaimed before the vote that many House progressives have said if they need our vote, well be there. It was emblematic of the party mood. Democrats werent happy, but there was no way they would tank Bidens deal and force a default. (The final tally: 165 Democratic lawmakers voted yes.) After two years in which the White House largely had to negotiate differences between progressives and conservative Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, corralling votes for the debt deal required a new approach, focused on a key center-left block. One of the first calls Biden made after the deal was announced was to Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., the chair of the 98-member New Democratic Coalition. As they two discussed selling the deal to fellow Democrats, Kuster said she focused not on what the White House got from the negotiations but rather how we got everything out of the agreement that Republicans had been pushing to enact. On Memorial Day, two days before the big vote, Kuster and her group issued a statement championing the bill. Wednesday morning, White House officials made one final pitch to Democrats for support at a caucus meeting on Capitol Hill. Before Young, the Biden negotiator, made a presentation, she got a standing ovation from the caucus that brought her to tears, a source in the room said. The group also heard from former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who still enjoys great influence in the caucus but has been reluctant to wield it publicly, for fear of undermining the new leadership. Pelosi gave an impassioned plea to the caucus to support the deal, the source said words that resonated all the more because of the relatively low profile she has kept since she relinquished a leadership role. Still, there were clear differences in the room. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., criticized the changes to anti-poverty programs like SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. She said that Black women are always being disrespected and that you have your foot on our neck with the bill. Pelosi explained that it wasnt the bill we would draft on our own, but that it was the best we could do, another source said. Painful as the standoff was, the House passed the 99-page Fiscal Responsibility Act on Wednesday night in a whopping 314-117 vote. There would be no economic meltdown at least not yet. No other democratic nation except Denmark has a similar debt ceiling. Congress could do away with it if it chose. But lawmakers have preserved it: Republicans like to wield it as leverage when they dont control the White House, and Democrats never found the support to abolish it while in charge. "There will be a Republican president in the future whos going to need to raise the debt ceiling, said Jim Kessler, a co-founder of the center-left think tank Third Way. I dont think Democrats are going to say, Were just going to allow you to do it. Theyll draw concessions, too. Democrats will start playing that card when its their turn." If it gets bad enough, he added, well do the smart thing and repeal this silly law. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Breeze Airways debuts flights from Orlando to West Virginia, doubles frequency of route Breeze Airways first flights to Charleston, West Virginia took off this week. Its the second Charleston served by the airline, with routes already landing in South Carolina. The airline said the route, originally planned to have service twice weekly, was expanded shortly after it was announced due to strong demand. Breeze will fly from Orlando to West Virginias Yeager Airport up to four times weekly. Read: Seriously Nice: Breeze Airways adds new discount flights from Orlando & air service packages Fares from Orlando start at $59 one way. Click here for more information. 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. (Bloomberg) -- The BRICS group of emerging markets is ramping up its bid for greater global influence and to challenge the US, sensing a moment to capitalize on a splintering world order to build out its ranks beyond Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Most Read from Bloomberg Foreign ministers from BRICS nations meeting over two days in Cape Town starting Thursday will be joined by counterparts from countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Kazakhstan. On the agenda is expansion, with as many as 19 countries aspiring to join, and the potential establishment of a common currency. The gathering, a precursor to an Aug. 22-24 summit of BRICS heads of state currently scheduled for Johannesburg, will showcase the blocs goals to establish itself as a serious economic and political force. Coming at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing, the talks are also likely to fan western concerns the group is moving to become a counterweight to the US and the European Union. Read more: How BRICS Became a Real Club and Why Others Want In: QuickTake Already, members have refused to join the likes of the Group of Seven in blaming and sanctioning fellow BRICS nation Russia over President Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine. South Africa is considering switching the venue of the upcoming leaders summit to another country, according to people familiar with the matter, a move that would resolve its dilemma over whether to execute an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Putin. BRICS has acquired a very important stature in the world, with many countries across various continents of our world seeking to be part of it, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told lawmakers in Cape Town on Wednesday. Naledi Pandor, the foreign minister and meeting host, said last month the bloc could be transformative, representing those nations that wish to play a role in world affairs, ensuring benefit to the Global South. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is a vocal supporter of a shared currency, dispatching his Finance Minister Fernando Haddad to attend a meeting of the New Development Bank, the Shanghai-based lender created by BRICS nations, to lobby for assistance for beleaguered neighbor Argentina, whose foreign minister is due to attend the BRICS meeting remotely. But Jim ONeill, who coined the acronym BRIC in 2001 when chief economist of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., said in an interview published by London-based IC Intelligence that a common currency isnt feasible and Chinas renminbi and the Indian rupee would more likely gain more global importance. Read more: ONeill Urges BRICS Bloc to Expand, Challenge Dollars Dominance His skepticism was shared by South African central bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago, who cautioned last month that the creation of a form of legal tender would likely have to be accompanied by the founding of a single central bank. BRICS, which invited South Africa to join in 2010, has failed to punch its weight as a group. Thats despite its members representing more than 42% of the worlds population and accounting for 23% of global gross domestic product and 18% of trade, giving credence to demands for more sway. The prospect of adding more members was first raised at last years summit in China and 13 nations have formally asked to join, with at least six others expressing interest. Saudi Arabias potential accession to BRICS would bolster Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans attempts to diversify his nations economy, an effort that has bought it much closer to Russia and China in recent years. China is the kingdoms most important oil customer, while it relies on relations with Russia to help prop up crude prices through OPEC+. For the Gulf region, joining major trade blocks makes sense as countries seek to expand trade ties and develop as global transit hubs, a person familiar with Gulf thinking said. Plans to join have been in the works for a while and momentum has been building toward this point, the person said. Still, while all the current members have backed expansion, India wants an agreement to be reached on the process to ensure it isnt sidelined by China and its allies, according to people familiar with matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. ONeill, who favors expanding the group, has called for strict criteria on membership. For Robert Schrire, a politics professor at the University of Cape Town, the composition of the group makes no political or economic sense, with China and India destined to be geopolitical rivals and the Brazilian, Russian and South African economies all reliant on commodity exports, making them likely competitors. That reality precludes effective collective action based upon common interests, and an expansion in membership will only make these basic contradictions more unmanageable, he said. --With assistance from Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Matthew Martin, Paul Richardson, Karl Maier and Antony Sguazzin. (Updates with Putin issue in fourth paragraph, ONeill in seventh) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Britney Spears 'loves her children,' denies dispute over sons moving to Hawaii with ex Kevin Federline: source Britney Spears 'loves her children,' denies dispute over sons moving to Hawaii with ex Kevin Federline: source Britney Spears doesn't appear to have an issue with her sons moving away from Los Angeles with their father Kevin Federline. The 40-year-old pop star, who will soon celebrate her one-year wedding anniversary with husband Sam Asghari, wants what's best for her two teenaged sons amid reports they're moving to Hawaii. On Wednesday, a source told Fox News Digital that Britney "loves her children and wants them to be happy." The source noted the debacle began over a "false" dispute. Federline's attorney also told People magazine that Spears has "consented" to the move. "It's an opportunity for Kevin and his wife, and the boys are ready to get away from the L.A. microscope," Mark Vincent Kaplan said. Earlier this month, Kaplan announced the family's decision to relocate to the tropical islands, prompting Spears' camp to slam the narrative that she was against the move, per TMZ. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP BRITNEY SPEARS REUNITES WITH ESTRANGED MOM: 'TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS' Spears and Federline married in October 2004 after dating for nearly 10 months. During their three-year relationship, they had sons Jayden James and Sean Preston. Their divorce was finalized in July 2007. The boys were noticeably absent from her intimate backyard nuptials to Asghari, which included the likes of Madonna, Paris Hilton, Selena Gomez, Donatella Versace and Drew Barrymore. At the time, Federline's attorney said that Kevin and the boys were "really happy for Britney" and wished the couple "the best for their future moving forward." "The boys felt that it would be overwhelming for them, and it would be best for Britney to focus on this great day and based on that they felt it would be best for them not to be in attendance," Mark Vincent Kaplan said. Spears' sons were noticeably absent from her 2022 wedding to Sam Asghari. Three months later, Jayden, 16, revealed his absence from their wedding was due to bad timing. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "At the time it just wasn't a good time to go. I'm not saying that I'm not happy for her," he said during an interview with filmmaker Daphne Barak. "I'm really happy for them, but she didn't invite the whole family and then if it was just going to be me and Preston, I just don't see how that situation would have ended on good terms." Jayden also added there was "no hate" for his mom. "I 100% think this can be fixed," he said. "It's just going to take a lot of time and effort. I just want her to get better mentally. When she gets better I really want to see her again." Britney's 13-year conservatorship came to an end in November 2021. Jayden defended his grandfather, Jamie Spears, who was at the helm of the legal order, and made financial, business and personal decisions for Spears for more than one decade. Spears was released from her conservatorship in November 2021, with her son Jayden defending her father for his actions. Jayden said Jamie didn't "deserve all the hatred" he received. "I love him, with all my heart. He was just trying to be a father," he said. [Source] Tesla CEO Elon Musk was welcomed to China with a feast and praise from Chinese fans as he visited the country for the first time in three years. Musk, 51, arrived in Beijing via private jet, where he met Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang just hours after landing on Tuesday, according to Reuters. The SpaceX CEO also met with other officials, such as Chinas Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Industry Minister Jin Zhuanglong. The trip also saw Musk visiting Teslas Shanghai factory, which first opened in 2018. Musks plane left the capital city for Shanghai on Wednesday, where he also met with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, the sixth-highest-ranking official in the Chinese government, a source told Reuters. More from NextShark: Immigrant Activist Arrested For Protesting at ICE Director's Home, Littering Musk also reportedly received a warm welcome from Chinese social media users, with some even calling him "a pioneer," "a global idol" and "Brother Ma." Musk joined Zeng Yuqun, the CEO of top battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) for a 16-course dinner in Beijing, the menu for which was shared on Weibo. Musks menu was reportedly customized to bear Teslas logo and two dark horses, a play on Musks Chinese character name. Accompanying those was a Chinese phrase that reportedly translates to the horse that surges ahead of the pack." More from NextShark: Baseball Bats in the Philippines Are Sold for Defense, Not Really for Sport Fans also flocked to a Weibo poll of foods Musk must try during his visit to China, which received over 13,000 votes. Some of the suggested foods included a mung bean dish called douzhi, Peking duck and tang hulu, a popular street food that is essentially fruits covered with hardened sugar. Although specific details of their conversation were not revealed, Qin said in a statement released by his office that he told Musk China is devoted to improving the countrys business environment for investors. We must step on the brake in time, avoid dangerous driving and be skillful at using the accelerator to promote mutually beneficial cooperation," the foreign minister said. More from NextShark: KPOP Broadway actor experiences racist incident at Starbucks in NYC Musks private jet reportedly took off from Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport en route to Austin, Texas, on Thursday morning. More from NextShark: K-pop video addiction and poor school performance led to teenager's suicide, Indian police say Bruce Willis' wife says his family will 'never lose hope' that a cure for his dementia will be found: 'Our family will continue to keep the faith' Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis celebrate Bruce Willis' 60th birthday at Harlow on March 21, 2015 in New York City. Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images Bruce Willis' wife said his family is optimistic that research will lead to new dementia treatments. On Instagram, she said she was looking at the "silver linings" after one medical trial was scrapped. After announcing his retirement last year, Willis' family shared that he had dementia in February. Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming Willis has said that she and the rest of the actor's family "will never lose hope" that scientists will discover and cure for dementia. It was announced in February that the 68-year-old actor has frontotemporal dementia, a degenerative condition that can have similar signs to Alzheimer's, including memory loss. In an Instagram post shared over the weekend, Heming, 44 who has been married to the Hollywood star since 2009 expressed her disappointment that a recent medical trial for a potential treatment for the condition had been discontinued. She wrote: "Yesterday I read that Wave Life Sciences ended their clinical trial that could potentially treat frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS.) Where I'm not sure it could have helped us over here, it doesn't really matter, it still feels like a gut punch. " "But I always have to look at the silver liningsthey are trying," she continued, before thanking the organizations involved in the trial. "Please keep that momentum going, build on the learnings/findings and don't give up on this loving community," she concluded. "Our family will continue to keep the faith and never lose hope." The accompanying images featured various family photos, including one of Willis and Heming's youngest daughter together, Evelyn, 8, sitting on Willis' lap and petting the family dog. Another showed Heming walking with their older daughter, Mabel, 11. The final picture showed a blossoming white rose overlayed with text that read: "Remember toNever Lose Hope." It was announced last year that the "Die Hard" actor was "stepping away" from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that can cause loss of speech and difficulty with writing and understanding language. In a statement shared on his eldest daughter Rumer Willis' Instagram account, the family said the condition was "impacting his cognitive abilities." Willis shares daughters Rumer, 34, as well as her younger sisters, Scout, 31, and Tallulah, 29, with ex-wife Demi Moore. Rumer Willis, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, Scout Willis, Emma Heming Willis, and Tallulah Willis in 2019. Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for goop Last month, a crew member on Willis' 2020 film, "Midnight in the Switchgrass," said that the actor appeared to forget he was on set while filming a diner scene in the movie. Speaking in the ABC News documentary "The Randall Scandal," prop master Alicia Haverland recalled how Willis addressed her as if she were a waitress when she poured Willis more coffee in order to reset the scene for a new take. "I go over to repour the coffee, and we're probably doing take number seven or eight, and he puts his hand on the coffee, looks me dead in the eye, and goes, 'Oh no, ma'am, I don't want anymore,'" Haverland said. She described Willis' behavior as "heartbreaking" to watch and said she tried to explain that she was refilling his cup for the scene, and he didn't understand. Instead, according to Haverland, he asked her if he had ordered more coffee. Haverland recalled in the documentary that she decided to pretend she was a waitress and tell him that he ordered more coffee to finish filming the scene. Read the original article on Insider BURLINGTON CITY The electric industry is the winner in a court fight to keep the city from seizing 62 acres of waterfront and two facilities critical for supplying power to Public Service Electric & Gas customers in South Jersey and beyond. The city on May 16 signed an agreement to settle a lawsuit filed on January 27 by Parkway Generation Operating LLC, the principal owner of the property, and that PSE&G had joined in this March. Parkway owns the 168-megawatt, black start Burlington Station here. PSE&G entered the dispute because it owns a transmission facility on the property, which it had sold in early 2022 to Parkway. More: PSE&G enters court fight to stop Burlington City seizing facilities More: Why is a California corporation demanding millions more for Mount Laurel's new town hall? City attorney Stuart Platt on Tuesday said the settlement basically returns all the parties to their original situations. There are no admissions of wrongdoing by any party and Burlington is not barred from future steps to acquire the land. A view from outside Burlington Generating Station, off Devlin Avenue and West Broad Street in Burlington City. The site came under a new owner in February 2022. The agreement, signed May 16, requires City Council to rescind a December 2022 resolution that declared the property was an area in need of condemnation redevelopment under New Jersey law. That resolution adopted a consultants report and subsequent findings of fact by the city Joint Land Use Board rom August 2022. The agreement does not require the Joint Land Use Board rescind its finding about the property, however. If the city were to seek again to condemn the property, the council would have to adopt a new resolution and comply with the procedures specified under state law. Delaware waterfront historically important to utilities The Parkway property amounts to more than 62 acres at 901 West Broad Street and fronts on the Delaware River. A power station has been present on the site for more than a century, though the original closed. PSE&G recently improved its facility and considers it critical to servicing 2.3 million New Jersey customers. Likewise, the Parkway facility is important in ensuring against power shortages. Under the agreement, 15 days after Burlington gives notice it has rescinded its redevelopment resolution and published it, the court action will be dismissed. Neither Parkway nor PSE&G has responded to requests for comment. The litigation was filed in Burlington County Superior Court. Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times. Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Help support local journalism with a subscription. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Electric power companies, Burlington City settle court case over land S.C. store owner who killed teen previously shot at people he suspected of shoplifting, authorities say S.C. store owner who killed teen previously shot at people he suspected of shoplifting, authorities say A South Carolina convenience store owner who fatally shot a 14-year-old in the back after falsely accusing him of stealing was involved in at least two prior altercations in which he confronted people he suspected of shoplifting and then opened fire, authorities said. As the owner, Rick Chow, remained in jail awaiting a bond hearing in the death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton, the Richland County Sheriffs Department on Wednesday revealed it had received numerous calls about trouble at the Xpress Mart Shell gas station. In one incident in 2015, Chow fired six times at a car after he tried to stop someone he suspected of shoplifting, it said. Three years later, he shot a man in the leg, department spokesperson Veronica Hill said. Chows conduct in both cases did not meet the requirements under South Carolina law to support criminal charges, she said, adding authorities made that determination because he wasnt the instigator in either incident. Owner opens fire over accusations of stolen beer and peanuts An incident report stated that in May 2015, Chow allegedly tried to stop a woman from stealing two cases of beer and a package of boiled peanuts. Cyrus Carmack-Belton. (via Rep. Todd Rutherford) Chow confronted the woman in the parking lot. The woman, who was not identified in the report, told him that she purchased the items and he said she had not. The woman and Chow began to struggle over the items" and she "began to yell for help from a man seated inside her vehicle, the report stated. The woman allegedly threatened to shoot Chow, Hill said. Chow grabbed the beer and the womans purse, which contained the peanuts, according to the report. The scuffle left Chow with two scratches and a broken glasses, the report said. As the man and the woman attempted to drive away, Chow pulled out a handgun and fired about six shots at the vehicle, according to the report. No one was injured, Hill said. Deputies responded but could not find the man and the woman, the report said. A stolen can of Easy-Off, then chaos Three years later, Chow said he watched a man take a can of Easy-Off cleaner from a shelf, conceal it under his clothes and then leave the store without paying, an incident report stated. Chow followed the man, Alexis Aguilera, 23, out of the store and demanded the item back, it said. Aguilera told him to call the police. Chow said he was unsure of what happened next but was struck in the face and the can of Easy-Off fell to the ground, according to the report. Chow then pulled out his firearm and fired two shots at Aguilera as he fled, the report stated. Aguilera returned to the scene as a deputy arrived, according to the report. He was taken to the hospital and treated for a gunshot wound before being taken into custody in connection with the incident. Aguilera pleaded guilty to a shoplifting charge, court records show, and was sentenced to 30 days or a $300 fine. Publicly listed numbers were not available for Aguilera. Chows attorney declined to discuss the earlier incidents. There were hundreds of calls to the store in the years before teen was fatally shot The shootings were just two examples of prior incidents at the store. During the past five years, the sheriffs department has received hundreds of calls from the store ranging from assaults, larceny and shoplifting to motor vehicle theft, vandalism, robbery and burglary, according to Hill. On Sunday, Chow, 58, fatally shot Cyrus after accusing the 14-year-old of stealing bottles of water. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said the teen did not shoplift anything. We have no evidence that he stole anything whatsoever, he said at a news briefing. Cyrus entered the convenience store around 8 p.m. Sunday. Lott said the teen took four bottles of water from a cooler and then put them back. Hill, the department spokesperson, said Wednesday that there is video showing the teen either setting down the water bottles or putting them back. At some point, the teen got into an argument with Chow and Chows son. Lott didnt detail what led to the dispute but said that Cyrus eventually left the store and took off running. Chow, armed with a pistol, and his son chased the 14-year-old toward a nearby apartment complex, Lott said, adding that the teen fell at one point but got back up. Chows son said Cyrus had a gun, which is when the owner shot the teen in the back as he was running away, according to Lott. Authorities later recovered a gun next to his body, but the sheriff said there was no evidence the teen ever pointed the weapon at Chow or his son. Cyrus was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An investigation determined the shooting was not a bias motivated incident, according to a report from the sheriffs department. Hill said authorities reached that conclusion because investigators have no evidence that suggests racial bias was a factor. Cyrus was Black. Chow is Asian. The shooting has angered some people in the community. Its senseless, Lott said. It doesnt make sense. You have a family thats grieving. We have a community thats grieving over a 14-year-old who was shot. He said that even if Cyrus took something from the store, it didnt warrant a shooting. Regardless, even if he had shoplifted four bottles of water, which is what he initially took out the cooler and then he put them back, even if he had done that, thats not thats not something you shoot anybody over, much less a 14-year-old, Lott said. Democratic state Rep. Todd Rutherford, the attorney for the teens family, said in an Instagram post that what happened wasnt an accident. Its something that the Black community has experienced for generations: being racially profiled, then shot down in the street like a dog. Words cant describe the pain I feel having known this family for decades, he said. Rutherford could not be reached for comment. Some people on social media have called for a boycott of the store and on Monday, a crowd gathered outside to protest. The report stated that several people broke into the store and took items off the shelves. Chow is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a murder charge. His son has not been charged. The sheriffs department said it has consulted with the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office seeking its opinion on whether the son should be charged. The solicitors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Boris Johnsons WhatsApps from first year of pandemic not handed over to Covid inquiry Boris Johnson - Geoff Pugh Boris Johnson has not handed his WhatsApp from the first year of the pandemic to the Government, it has emerged, as ministers took their battle with the Covid inquiry to court. Baroness Hallett, the chairman of the inquiry, had ordered the Cabinet Office to provide unredacted messages from the Covid crisis by 4pm on Thursday or face legal action. The Cabinet Office held firm and refused to submit the former prime ministers unredacted messages and notebooks, claiming that the inquiry was demanding unambiguously irrelevant information that would compromise ministers private lives. Instead, officials took the unprecedented step of seeking a judicial review to limit the inquirys remit, meaning that the two sides will now fight their corner in court. Mr Johnson claimed to have handed over all of his unredacted WhatsApp messages to the Cabinet Office on Wednesday, with the Governments lawyers then choosing which material to submit to the inquiry. However, after the deadline passed, the Cabinet Office said that Mr Johnson had not handed over a personal phone he used until May 2021 more than a year after the start of the pandemic, and the same month that he announced that a Covid inquiry would take place. On Thursday night Mr Johnsons spokesman admitted that he had the phone in question, but that security officials had told him not to switch it on. The Cabinet Office said this meant they were unable to pass on the WhatsApp messages it contained. On Thursday night, a spokesman for Mr Johnson said: After a well-publicised security breach in April 2021, Mr Johnson was given advice by security officials never to turn on the old device. The effect is that historic messages are no longer available to search and the phone is not active. Mr Johnson has absolutely no objection whatsoever to providing content on the phone to the inquiry. He has written to the Cabinet Office asking whether security and technical support can be given so that content can be retrieved without compromising security. Baroness Heather Hallett - UK Parliament/PA The spokesman added that he had written to the inquiry offering to disclose unredacted material to it directly. Unable to get to the truth It is the latest farce to hit the inquiry, with accusations of a government cover-up fuelling fears that it will be unable to get to the truth of ministers failings and decisions during the pandemic. A former Cabinet minister said: Boris has got something to hide, and now the Cabinet Office seem to be digging their heels in. Who else has got something to hide? The Cabinet Office released documents on Thursday night revealing that Mr Johnson had only submitted messages from May 2021, when he acquired a new phone. A witness statement by Ellie Nicholson, co-director of the public inquiry response unit within the Cabinet Office, said: There are no WhatsApp communications before May 2021. I understand that this is because, in April 2021, in light of a well-publicised security breach, Mr Johnson implemented security advice relating to the mobile phone he had had up until that time. It is my understanding that Mr Johnson has possession of that device, and that it is a personal device. His mobile number was found to have been accessible online for 15 years, the report in May 2021 found, having been published at the bottom of a press release when he was a junior shadow minister. She said the Cabinet Office had asked Mr Johnson to hand over the phone, and offered to have it assessed by security experts, but he has not done so. Parm Sahota, Treasury Solicitor, outlined the Governments decision to take the inquiry to court in a letter to Lady Hallett. We consider there to be important issues of principle at stake here, affecting both the rights of individuals and the proper conduct of government, she said. The request for unambiguously irrelevant material goes beyond the powers of the inquiry. Individuals, junior officials, current and former ministers and departments should not be required to provide material that is irrelevant to the inquirys work. Full response to the Government It represents an unwarranted intrusion into other aspects of the work of government. It also represents an intrusion into their legitimate expectations of privacy and protection of their personal information. A spokeswoman for the inquiry said it would give a full response to the Governments decision on Tuesday. It also emerged on Thursday that Baroness Hallett had sent Mr Johnson 150 questions on his handling of the pandemic covering his use of WhatsApp and the scientific advice behind lockdowns. In a letter dated Feb 3 she asked him whether he felt able to properly challenge the advice of government scientists who were urging him to shut down the country. She cited reports that Mr Johnson felt he had been manipulated into the first lockdown by Sage and asked whether that led him to seek out other opinions. Baroness Hallett grilled him on the performance of Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, asking whether he had concerns about his performance. The Telegraphs Lockdown Files revealed a tranche of 100,000 WhatsApp messages sent between Mr Hancock and other ministers and officials at the height of the pandemic. Lord Robin Butler, cabinet secretary from 1988 to 1998 and chairman of a 2004 review into the use of intelligence in the lead up to the Iraq war, told the BBC that legal proceedings could sour the relationship between the inquiry and the Government. Angela Rayner, Labours deputy leader, said: After 13 years of Tory scandal, these latest smoke and mirror tactics serve only to undermine the Covid Inquiry. The public deserve answers, not another cover-up. Bereaved families could regard the public inquiry as a whitewash and cover-up if the Government failed to hand over Boris Johnsons unredacted documents, a legal team representing them has said. 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. The New Development Bank (NDB) will expand its outreach and fund more of its projects in local currencies to support the development of emerging economies, Dilma Rousseff, the bank's president, said on Tuesday. Rousseff made the comments while addressing the NDB's 8th annual meeting, where she listed the priorities for the next few years, saying that the bank needs to expand its outreach, strengthening its role as a platform for cooperation. The bank will increase its participation in co-financing operations with other multilateral financial institutions, national development banks, and with the private sector, Rousseff said. The NDB will raise funds in diverse world markets, and in different currencies, she said. "At the same time, we will seek to fund a greater share of our projects in local currencies, with the dual objective of strengthening the member countries' domestic markets and protecting our borrowers from the risks of currency fluctuations." The bank is very excited about having adopted new members and there will be an acceleration in the expansion of membership, Leslie Maasdorp, vice president and chief financial officer of the NDB, told Xinhua in an interview. "So you can expect to see more countries join from various geography across the world," he said. In 2021, the NDB initiated an expansion of membership, admitting Bangladesh, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay as new member countries. "Going forward, we will do more fundraising in the currencies of our members," Maasdorp said. Currently, local currency financing represents approximately 22 percent of the bank's portfolio, largely driven by Renminbi-denominated loans. The bank aims to raise the proportion to 30 percent in the 2022-2026 period. Headquartered in Shanghai, the NDB was established by the BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The bank formally opened in July 2015. As a complement to existing multilateral and regional financial institutions, the bank was designed to mobilize resources for infrastructure development and sustainable development projects in BRICS countries, as well as other emerging and developing economies, to promote global growth and development. Sikhs and other people whose faith requires them to wear a turban or patka could soon be allowed to ride motorcycles in California without a helmet as mandated by state law. The State Senate on Wednesday voted to grant a religious exemption for the headwear. The measure, Senate Bill 847 from Sen. Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, cleared the chamber by a 21-8 margin. Eight Democrats voted no, while 13 others sided with Republicans. Freedom of religion is a core foundation of this country. We, as Americans, have the right to freely express our religion and I believe that right should equally extend to everyone, Dahle said in a statement after the bill passed. Dahle added that existing state law doesnt intentionally discriminate against Sikhs and other peoples of faith, but that the reality is that those who practice those religions are limited in how they can express their customs. His office cites the 2021 American Community Survey which found an estimated 211,000 Sikhs living in California nearly half of all Sikhs in the country. Although other countries and our own military make accommodations for Sikhs deep beliefs, out of the U.S. states that require helmets, none has exemptions for Sikhs or any other group based on religious practice, according to Dahles office. SB 847 now moves to the Assembly. A bill to shore up eviction protections for tenants survived the California Senate Wednesday, but only after real estate interests forced the removal of several significant provisions. The measure, from Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, advanced to the Assembly on a 21-12 vote, the minimum majority required for passage. It moved forward despite fierce opposition from the California Apartment Association, realtors and mortgage bankers. Durazo authored the measure to strengthen the states existing system of renter rights laws, passed in 2019 with Assembly Bill 1482. It established a framework of just cause eviction rules governing when and how landlords can legally terminate a lease. Landlords can evict tenants for no fault or at fault reasons. For example, tenants would be at fault for their evictions if they are not paying their rent. The new bill, SB 567, came in response to continued concerns from tenant advocates that landlords take advantage of loopholes in no fault eviction rules. This system allows them to evict tenants even if they havent broken the terms of their lease. Landlords can terminate tenants leases to move into units, to make substantial repairs or to take units off the rental market. Advocates say some landlords cite these causes to evict tenants when theyre actually trying to get around the states 10% cap on rent increases. Expanding eviction protections Durazos original bill would have lowered the maximum rent increase to 5% and created more limits around no-fault evictions. Property owners or their family members who moved into units would have to occupy them within 90 days and live there for at least three years. To legally evict tenants for renovations, repairs would have needed to be substantial enough that the landlord required 60 days to complete them. The fixes would also have needed to be non-cosmetic and essential to maintaining health and safety. Those taking properties off the market could not rent them again for at least 10 years. Landlord and real estate organizations saw the changes as a betrayal of AB 1482, which they say they negotiated in good faith. The groups say they are especially frustrated because SB 567 comes on the heels of COVID-19 eviction moratoriums. (AB) 1482 was different, said Debra Carlton of the California Apartment Association. Fourteen eighty-two was this long (process), everyone was involved. Everyone was sitting at the table. Thats not what they did. They just said, This is what we want. And this is what were going to do. So there was no collaborative concept at all. Rent cap, some protections stripped The Senate Judiciary Committee stripped the rent cap portion of Durazos bill in April. Committee Chair Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, allowed SB 567 to advance to the Senate Appropriations Committee. However, approval was contingent on Durazo negotiating with Umberg over a series of amendments related to potential loopholes and enforcement mechanisms. The amendments lowered the occupancy period for owners or family who evict tenants to move into units. They must live in rentals for one continuous year, rather than three years. Substantial repairs requiring tenants to leave must take 30 days rather than 60 days. The amendments removed the provision allowing evictions for renovations only if they are required for the health and safety of tenants. Renters have a right to return only if the landlord does not make the repairs. Landlords removing properties from the market no longer have to wait 10 years before renting them again. A section that would have prevented some no-fault evictions for tenants who are older than 60, disabled or terminally ill was removed. Also cut was a provision that applied eviction protections to renters as soon as they begin their tenancies. Currently, they apply only if renters have lived in their units for at least a year. The bill did retain some new enforcement mechanisms that enable residents and cities to sue landlords who illegally evict tenants or raise rents. When asked about the amendments, Umberg was explicit about his distaste for rent control and related measures. He said he did not support AB 1482, but was willing to work with Durazo for a compromise that allowed for better enforcement of existing law.. This is the most expansive enforcement mechanism for tenants rights in California history, Umberg said. For the first time, a tenant actually has a right to cause of action for, in essence, wrongful termination. It is a huge expansion. And thats why the realtors and the Apartment Association still strongly oppose them. And the fact that it got 21 votes that was it, it nearly failed. Thats a consequence of theres still strong opposition. Prior to the vote, Durazo said she was still pushing the bill, even with the substantial changes, because advocates continue to support it. Shanti Singh of Tenants Together said her organization and the others that rallied at the Capitol in April have better understanding of the conditions renters face than Umberg and those who weakened the bill. Im not quite sure how well-informed that decision making was, in terms of what to keep what to take out, et cetera, Singh said. Im glad that theres still enforcement provisions in this bill. And they are very important and will prohibit a significant number of violations, hopefully. Or at least allow tenants to seek damages for those violations. California House members didnt like the debt limit bill. Heres why most voted yes anyway California House members were predictably unenthusiastic about much of the debt limit compromise. But most felt they had little choice Wednesday but to vote yes. With both a Senate and president of decidedly different views, the outcome is always going to be a disappointment compared to what a purely-Republican bill would do, said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove. Democrats also had a mixed reaction. The alternative is a self-induced economic calamity that would devastate Central Coast families through a job-killing recession, massive losses in retirement accounts, higher costs, and a crippling of the American economy unlike any we have seen in generations, said Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara. The House passed the debt limit agreement on a 314 to 117 vote, with 165 Democrats joining 149 Republicans in a rare show of bipartisan support. Republicans run the House, as they have 222 of the 435 seats. All 12 California Republicans, and all but 11 of the states Democrats, voted for the bill. The plan, which reduces future spending and suspends the current debt limit until January 2025, goes to the Senate Thursday. It will have four days to pass the measure before the Treasury predicts the government will run out of money to pay all its bills. Approval in the Democratic-run Senate is eventually expected. The budget package was the product of intense negotiations by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, and passed after intense lobbying. Reluctant Republicans This bill still falls short of the significant adjustments to overall federal spending needed to restore fiscal responsibility to our government and put us on a path towards a balanced budget, said Rep. Jay Oberolte, R-Hesperia, who praised the spending reductions and the lack of any new taxes.. McClintock also hailed the spending restraints and called those reductions the most important victory for fiscal conservatives in more than a decade. Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, tweeted the package was only possible because @SpeakerMcCarthy & @HouseGOP were united in taking action & forcing @POTUS to the negotiating table. The bill avoids a catastrophic default while limiting spending and cutting red tape. Rep. John Duarte, R-Modesto, praised the bill as a plan to get the nations financial house in order, while protecting Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits for generations to come. A debt limit breach would put those payments due after June 5 in jeopardy. Doubting Democrats California Democrats often split somewhat between center-left and liberals. The 11 dissenters tended to come from the Bay area and Los Angeles. Other Democrats had misgivings about the bill, though lawmakers from the Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Merced and San Luis Obispo areas tend to go along with House leaders, and did so again Wednesday. Among the no votes were Reps. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael and Ro Khanna, D-Fremont. Huffman said the legislation consists entirely of odious concessions to Republicans. Khanna predicted the agreement will cause millions of Americans to suffer so Republicans can score political points. Many of those who voted yes were unenthusiastic about the bill. While this legislation is not perfect, it prevents a default that would have been catastrophic for Sacramento County seniors, veterans, and our economy, said Rep. Ami Bera, D-Sacramento. This bill is not perfect, but it honors Americas financial obligations to pay our bills, said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, said there were parts he didnt like, but said the bill would prevent a default on our debt while rejecting extreme demands from the Republicans. FILE - A house burns on Platina Road at the Zogg Fire near Ono, Calif., on Sept. 27, 2020. A Northern California judge on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, dismissed all charges against Pacific Gas & Electric for its role in the 2020 fatal wildfire sparked by its equipment that destroyed hundreds of homes and killed four people, including an 8-year-old child. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File) REDDING, Calif. (AP) A California judge on Wednesday dismissed all charges against Pacific Gas & Electric in connection to a 2020 fatal wildfire sparked by its equipment that destroyed hundreds of homes and killed four people, including an 8-year-old. The utility also reached a $50 million settlement agreement with the Shasta County District Attorney's Office, officials from both announced in separate statements. The wind-whipped blaze began on Sept. 27, 2020, and raged through rugged terrain and small communities west of Redding, killing four people, burning about 200 homes and blackening about 87 square miles (225 square kilometers) of land in Shasta and Tehama counties. In 2021, state fire investigators concluded the fire was sparked by a gray pine tree that fell onto a PG&E distribution line. Shasta and Tehama counties sued the utility, alleging negligence. They said PG&E failed to remove the tree even though it had been marked for removal two years earlier. The utility says the tree was subsequently cleared to stay. Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett determined that the company was criminally liable for the fire and charged the utility later that year. Shasta Superior Court Judge Daniel E. Flynn disagreed, and in a tentative ruling ahead of a hearing Wednesday said prosecutors did not present enough evidence to show PG&E engaged in criminal conduct, according to the Sacramento Bee, which obtained a copy of the ruling. The tree was not a known risk prior to the Zogg fire, and there is no evidence to support the Peoples claim in their opposition that it was," the judge wrote. The utility said in a statement that under the agreement with Shasta County, which is subject to court approval, it will fund $45 million in contributions to organizations dedicated to rebuilding and assisting local communities. The company will also pay a $5 million civil penalty to the county. We stand behind our thousands of trained and experienced coworkers and contractors working every day to keep Californians safe. We feel strongly that those good-faith judgments are not criminal, said Patti Poppe, Chief Executive Officer of PG&E Corporation. Bridgett said her goal was always to take PG&E to trial and hold them criminally responsible but that Flynn's tentative ruling changed her position and she agreed to a settlement that includes dropping all charges. I am unwilling to gamble with the safety of Shasta County, she said. "I have a responsibility to the community and needed to secure what I can for all the citizens to prevent future wildfires, prevent future deaths and devastation, and to be as prepared as our county can be if another one occurs. Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a $150 million settlement between Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and the CPUCs Safety and Enforcement Division over PG&Es role in the Zogg Fire. As part of the agreement, the utility will pay $10 million as a penalty to Californias General Fund, and invest $140 million in shareholder funds in new wildfire mitigation efforts, officials said. A California man picked up something a little more exciting than a seashell while out for a run on the beach. Jim Smith, a frequent runner in the Aptos area of Santa Cruz, brought his find home, not knowing he just discovered a rare ancient artifacta mastodon tooth. He came to the realization after an image of the item he brought from the beach appeared on his TV screen while he was watching the news. More from Robb Report According to McClatchy News, paleontologist Wayne Thompson of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History had been frantically searching for the ancient fossil. The scientist had first been alerted to its potential location when someone tagged him in a Facebook post from a woman who posted a photo of it at the beach, but when he went to search for it alongside her, it was gone. So, Thompson took to social media asking the person who found the artifact to come forward. We are currently ISO (in search of) anyone who might have recovered this tooth off the beach at the mouth of Aptos Creek at Rio del Mar, Thompson wrote in an Instagram post. It is an extremely important specimen: the worn molar of an adult extinct Pacific Mastodon, Mammut pacificus. Thompson added that the only other documented mastodon specimen from Santa Cruz County, a juvenile mastodon skull with two teeth, was found in the exact same area in the 1980s. Fossils in Santa Cruz County are fairly rare, Liz Broughton, the visitor experience manager at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, said. That makes this find pretty invaluable to science. Smith eventually turned up at the museum so he could donate the fossil, estimated to be about 10 inches long. When it was turned in, I was absolutely amazed, Thompson said, adding that the museum plans to run tests to determine the tooths age before putting it on display. He believes it is about 5,000 years old. Its a miracle it was returned, he said. 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. California residents furious with Oakland officials over increased violence: 'Can't live like this' California residents furious with Oakland officials over increased violence: 'Can't live like this' Residents of Oakland, California, were furious with city officials on Tuesday night, during a meeting about the increased crime and violence taking place in the city. Nearly 500 people reportedly attended the meeting, which was called for by District One City Council member Dan Kalb. Joining Kalb on stage were interim Oakland Police Department Captain Jeff Thomason and interim Chief of the Department of Violence Prevention Kentrell Killens. Just last week, three girls and six boys between 1217 years of age were arrested for nearly three dozen robberies that terrorized the community. Citywide, robberies have increased 7% from the same period last year, Oakland police statistics revealed. Authorities said they are alarmed to see more juveniles involved in crime. OAKLAND POLICE ARREST 9 TEENAGERS, AGES 12 TO 17, FOR DOZENS OF ROBBERIES Earlier this month, the city saw 100 robberies in a week, with 50 taking place over a single weekend, according to Oakland police. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The robberies that happened included acts like carjackings, shootings and assaults. The moment Kalb began to speak on Tuesday, members of the crowd shouted profanities to express their discontent with the crime taking place in their community. CASH APP FOUNDER BOB LEE'S SAN FRANCISCO STABBING LINKED TO SEX AND DRUGS PARTY LIFESTYLE: REPORT The council member said he had just come from a budget workshop at City Hall, and the current version of the budget shows over the next two years, a total of six police academies and an increase in the number of officers. But with that, he said, there will be a freeze in paid positions and less money for overtime, meaning a reduction in funding over the next two years. "Sounds like a bad idea," someone shouted from the crowd. CALIFORNIA YOUTHS LINKED TO AT LEAST 35 ROBBERIES IN OAKLAND AREA Kalb did not disagree with the man, saying the budget has not been adopted yet, and the reduction in funds for police was a concern for him. Thomason tried to address the increase in robberies over the last few months, telling the audience about the nine juveniles who committed 32 robberies. Crowd members shouted that the juveniles were back on the street and wanted to know why. The captain said the department has been staffing overtime officers to try and prevent the robberies, and while it may not be stopping the crimes, he is hopeful the additional officers will be able to catch some of the crews committing the robberies. Killens also spoke before the mic was handed to the audience. The interim chief of the department of violence prevention said he shares the community's pain and suffering, as he himself has been a victim. Oakland police are investigating a series of robberies allegedly involving nine underage boys and girls. FIVE JUVENILES IN CUSTODY IN CALIFORNIA BEATING OF US MARINES: MAYOR The crowd quickly shouted their boos as soon as Killens said the common factor of the people breaking into cars are that they are hurting inside. The Department of Violence Protection provides housing and services to those interested in receiving the services, which is the agencys way to try to turn a bad into a good. Kalb told the audience he has spoken to several police chiefs over the years who said police alone cannot reduce crime. Instead, it must be supplemented with other programs and services to be successful. The community was not convinced. Some of these in the community included victims of crimes, family members of victims and business owners. Jennifer Graham told Kalb that her son, who suffered from mental illness, was murdered in December 2021. Grahams main concerns was the lack of accountability when it came to connecting people to services. When she herself tried to get a response, Graham said she started calling in November and did not get a call back until January. The simplest thing she said she would like to see for the encampment was a bus run by an agency that could provide simple necessities to those in need. CALIFORNIA TEEN MOB ALLEGEDLY ATTACKS MARINES ON VIDEO Kalb chimed in when Graham was done and told the audience if they ever run into a situation where they are not getting a response, to call him. The crowd, once again, responded with a series of boos, shouting Kalb does not respond to anyone. One business owner who owns a pizza shop in Oakland accused Kalb of ignoring the community. The mans business partner tried emailing Kalb five to seven times to get a single response. The same business owner said over the past six years, his staff has been held at gunpoint four times. Because of that, the shop no longer accepts cash, which he said is difficult at times, especially when someone comes in for a slice of pizza and does not have a credit card because they cannot get one. One woman, identified by FOX 2 in Oakland as Oakland resident Denise Lillian, gave a firsthand account of getting attacked last Monday. ROAMING MOBS OF TEENS CLASH IN SAN FRANCISCO MALL BRAWLS AS BYSTANDERS CAUGHT IN CROSSHAIRS: IM VERY SCARED' Lillian told the council member not to respond, as she was "totally traumatized" after "two kids beat the s- - -" out of her in front of her house. She said when a kid jumped out of the car, her initial thought was something was wrong with him. But then he put his hands on her purse and she had to do what she could do to fend him off. Lillian wound up face down on the pavement while the kids punched her. The juveniles did not get away with her purse, and fortunately for her, the neighbors heard the ruckus and came out to help. What was even more baffling, though, is the kids were 14-15 years old. Lillian described the kids as not being old enough to have sex, yet this is what they did to her. "Im really traumatically f- - - - d up," she said. "What are we going to do? We cant live like this." The over two-hour meeting was streamed on Facebook, and by the end, Kalb said police and other agencies have been submitting grants to help with the situation. Kalb was also asked to give a firm statement on what he plans to do to fix the situation. "Its going to be hard to do some things, but were going to try," he said before closing out the meeting. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A California theme park visitor stopped a roller coaster mid-ride because they wanted to get off, and everyone else had to evacuate too The Silver Bullet roller coaster. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images A theme park visitor in California stopped a roller coaster because they wanted to get off. A Knott's Berry Farm spokesperson told Fox that everyone else on the ride had to evacuate too. The roller coaster flips guests upside down at least six times over more than half a mile of track. A roller coaster in California was stopped mid-operation on Friday and its riders had to be evacuated after a single passenger asked to get off the ride. The Silver Bullet ride at Knott's Berry Farm was filmed by a passerby as it stalled on its track, FOX 11 first reported. The ride appeared to halt when it was ascending, and just after it left the roller coaster station. No one was hurt, the outlet reported. "On Friday, May 26 at approximately 4:15 p.m., the ride Silver Bullet stopped with guests onboard," a park spokesperson told Fox News. "A guest indicated they wanted to get off the attraction, park personnel responded immediately, and all guests onboard exited safely following standard exiting procedure. The safety and security of our guests and associates is Knott's Berry Farm's top priority." The ride started operating again after 30 minutes, the spokesperson told the outlet. The spokesperson did not say how the park visitor indicated that they wanted to get off the ride, nor did it say if stopping a roller coaster mid-ride is standard procedure. The press department for Knott's Berry Farm did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment sent outside regular business hours. Had the park guest stayed on the Silver Bullet, they'd have to face over half a mile of track filled with inversions and loops. The attraction flips guests upside down at least six times in two minutes, and climbs 146 feet before dropping 109 feet. Read the original article on Insider The draft bill that President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated to raise the nation's debt ceiling. (Jon Elswick / Associated Press) Thank heaven, our self-induced crisis is all but over. The House on Wednesday evening approved the compromise deal between Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Biden to raise the nations debt limit and thereby avert a default and economic calamity, at least through 2024. The Senate followed Thursday night so that Biden can sign the package into law by Monday, the X-date when the Treasury would no longer have authority to cover the nations obligations. With this (relatively) happy ending in sight, and because Ive focused until now on just how sorry this spectacle has been, Im going to look on the bright side. First, as compromises go, this was the real deal. Both sides came away with wins and losses, though Biden won measurably more. (Theres really just one big loser in this saga, but Ill save the worst for last.) The deal would cap domestic discretionary spending in the next two fiscal years, not slash it by as much as 30% over a decade, as Republicans wanted. It preserves Bidens landmark clean-energy initiatives, rather than repealing them. It modestly adds to existing work requirements for those who get food and welfare benefits, contrary to Republicans stricter proposals, and even expands eligibility for assistance. The compromise increases defense spending, but at the level Biden proposed in his budget. And it makes relatively small cuts in spending for the Internal Revenue Service that Republicans targeted. Its a wonder that McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), leader of a party whose base for years has considered compromise a four-letter word, is getting away with it, for now at least, given the MAGA mutineers in his ranks. That brings us to the second silver lining of this debt-limit denouement: The right-wing radicals to whom McCarthy leased his soul to become speaker are sidelined here. The bills passage in the House as well as the Senate is possible thanks to a rare coming together of a broad political center. As welcome as bipartisanship is, dont expect it to repeat itself often. Its happening now because the stakes are so incredibly high. Most Republicans didnt want blame for an economic disaster, even if they shared it with Biden. Many of them were as scared as Democrats about just how far the far right would go right over the fiscal cliff? and they coalesced for strength in numbers against the crazies. A final positive note on the outcome and, more specifically, about its two negotiators: Weve gotten a window into the ways of both Biden and McCarthy, reinforcing our view of the president and showing us something new in the novice speaker pragmatism and a willingness to stand up, if rarely, to the bomb throwers. First, the president. Yes, Biden is old. But his old-school ways still work. After six terms in the Senate, hes a deal maker at heart. I thought he was correct, if off-brand, to insist for months that he wouldnt bargain over raising the debt limit. But Republicans control the House. Trouble was, Biden couldnt make it clear to the public that he was willing to dicker but only over the budget, not the nations creditworthiness. OK, hes never been a message-meister. Democrats were justified, I thought, in faulting him for not doing more publicly to counter the spin coming from McCarthy, who met with reporters multiple times daily to shape the narrative. But Old-School Joe saved his words for the backrooms, and raked in the chips. As he teased reporters baiting him for trash talk Tuesday: Why would Biden say what a good deal it is before the vote? You think thats going to help me get it passed? Apparently hes more wily than we knew. Consider: McCarthy and other Republicans taunted Biden for weeks, first for refusing to negotiate, then for his retreat. And once there was a deal, McCarthy to sell it boasted to Republicans that the biggest concession he extracted from the president was getting him to talk. At the White House, the president had to be smiling. Hed maneuvered McCarthy into claiming negotiating was a big win when negotiations were inevitable in divided government and Biden had pocketed the bulk of the real concessions. Yet McCarthy ultimately shone as well. The bill is hardly the transformational legislation he claims, but, hey, if that hyperbole gives Republicans some political cover for their support, I wont quibble. He chose as his chief deputies in the negotiations two of the most pragmatic and politically skilled Republicans in the House, Reps. Patrick T. McHenry of North Carolina and Garret Graves of Louisiana. McCarthy showed some legislating chops. For example, hours after the deal came together over the weekend, he took pains to tell reporters that it included a pet provision of Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, one of the Houses most right-wing members. Massie ended up being the deciding vote Tuesday in the Rules Committee to send the bill to the full House. The speaker may yet lose his job to a challenge from the right Texas Rep. Chip Roy called for a "reckoning" but for now he has chalked up a critical win, however you slice it. As for the sagas big loser: That was former President Trump. First, he exposed the depths of his hypocrisy and irresponsibility by urging House Republicans to allow a default if Democrats didnt cave though as president hed said default was unthinkable. And in the end, Trump exposed the limits of his influence when even sycophantic House Republicans led by the man Trump called My Kevin! ignored him. McCarthy shouldnt get credit for compromising in a standoff he shouldnt have provoked in the first place. But I have to give it to him. @jackiekcalmes This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. This image provided by Health Canada shows the final wording of six separate warnings that will be printed directly on individual cigarettes. Canada is the first country to take that step to help people quit the habit. (Health Canada) Canada has taken an extraordinary step to curb tobacco use by requiring warning labels to be printed directly on individual cigarettes, becoming the first country in the world to do so, its health ministry said Wednesday. The new packaging will feature warnings including Tobacco smoke harms children, Poison in every puff and Cigarettes cause impotence. The warnings will appear in both English and French, the health ministry said. The governments push to require warning labels is designed to help smokers quit, protect nonsmokers and young Canadians and reduce the appeal of tobacco use. It is also part of a federal strategy to lower tobacco use to less than 5% by 2035. Tobacco kills an estimated 48,000 Canadians annually, said Carolyn Bennett, the associate minister of health. This bold step will make health warning messages virtually unavoidable, Bennett said, adding that combined with the updated graphic on packaging, the warnings will provide a real and startling reminder of the health consequences of smoking. The regulation goes into effect in phases starting Aug. 1. The warnings will first appear on king-size cigarettes in July 2024 and on regular cigarettes and small cigars with tipping paper, and tubes, by the end of April 2025, the health ministry said. Canada has been at the forefront in the fight against tobacco use . According to the health ministry, the nation became the first to impose requirements in 2000 to feature graphic images of the health hazards of smoking on cigarettes and other tobacco packages. In the U.S., health warnings first appeared on cigarette packages in 1966 and were updated in 1984 but remained unchanged for decades. The Food and Drug Administration imposed new rules in 2021 requiring packaging to feature written text statements along with photo-realistic color images depicting some of the lesser-known, but serious health risks of cigarette smoking, including impact to fetal growth, cardiac disease, diabetes and more," according to the agency. Research has found such messaging to be varied in its effects. One 2020 study published in the journal Human Communication Research concluded that cigarette warning labels using images increase the chances that smokers will kick their habits, but they do not necessarily influence beliefs about smoking-related health hazards. A previous meta-analysis in 2016, conducted by some of the same authors behind the 2020 study, found that graphic images were more effective at preventing smoking or getting smokers to quit than text warnings. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A wildfire that has been burning in the Highlands since Saturday has caused extensive damage to a nature reserve, according to RSPB Scotland. The charity said many ground-nesting birds, including black grouse, had lost chicks or eggs in the incident near Cannich, south of Inverness. Hundreds of native trees planted to regenerate habitats at RSPB's Corrimony reserve have also been destroyed. Smoke from the fire was detected by Nasa satellites earlier this week. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was first called to the blaze just before 13:00 on Sunday. It was brought under control on Wednesday, but more than 20 firefighters remain at the scene dealing with "deep-seated hotspots". RSPB Scotland said wildlife and habitat had been lost to the fire RSPB Scotland said it had still to fully assess the impact of the blaze on wildlife. The reserve's Simon McLaughlin said he had found fast-moving species such as spiders and lizards had survived. But others, including frogs, had been found dead. RSPB Scotland thanked the dozens of firefighters and estate workers involved in the effort to extinguish the flames. The charity said: "The damage to Corrimony is extensive, and made even more devastating by the impact on many ground-nesting birds who have lost their chicks and eggs." Earlier this week, Nasa satellite images showed smoke from the wildfire drifting 12-mile (20km) west towards Loch Ness. People living near the fire were told to keep doors and windows of their homes closed as precaution against the smoke. The wildfire has been burning for several days Latest available satellite data suggests the area affected could be smaller than previously feared. SFRS had estimated flames had burned through a 30 sq mile (80 sq km) area of moor and woodland, which would make it the largest wildfire seen in the UK. The service said it was now estimated to be five square miles (15 sq km) in size. Wildfire analysts said latest available satellite images suggested the "monumental" firefighting effort had contained the incident. SFRS group commander Niall MacLennan said: "This has been a challenging large-scale fire, which has no doubt impacted on the rural community here. "Our crews, who have been working tirelessly since Sunday to tackle this wildfire, will remain at the scene until it's made safe." The effort to control the spread of the fire has been praised At the height of the incident earlier this week, SFRS had nine appliances and their crews at the scene. They were helped by estate workers, including gamekeepers, RSPB staff and waterbombing by helicopters. Two firefighters were injured during the operation after their all-terrain vehicle overturned. They were flown to hospital and discharged following treatment. Speaking at the Scottish Parliament, Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said wildfires posed a threat to life and the environment. She said: "I thank all the firefighters and others who are tackling this wildfire. "The weather and the conditions at this time of year lend themselves to fires starting easily and spreading quickly. "The smallest fire can spread and devastate entire communities, hillsides, livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected land and sites of special interest." The wildfire affected a large area of land near Cannich In a tweet, wildfire analyst Dr Thomas Smith, an associate professor at London School of Economics, described a "monumental" effort to bring the fire under control. Analysis of the latest available satellite imagery by Dr Smith and others suggested the damage covered a smaller area than previously thought. Michael Bruce, of Aberdeenshire-based Firebreak Services Ltd, said a satellite used by the European Forest Fire Information System and EU's Copernicus programme indicated 2,426-acres (982 ha) was involved. But he added it could amount to 2,718 acres (1,100 ha) because of hotspots outside the main area of the wildfire. Mr Bruce said: "It was a tremendous successful joint effort by SFRS and local landowners who managed to contain the fire to this size. "It is always difficult to establish fire size quickly, with smoke and further spread happening, and the focus of the people at the scene is on tackling the fire." You are here: Business People view the scenery in Hong Kong, south China, June 11, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday affirmed Hong Kong's status as a major international financial center in a staff report. The staff report, released by the IMF Board, said Hong Kong has robust institutional frameworks, substantial capital and liquidity buffers, high-quality financial sector regulation, and a well-functioning Linked Exchange Rate System (LERS). It recognizes Hong Kong's strongly recovering economy with post-COVID normalization of economic activities, and also points out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government is proactively solidifying Hong Kong's status as an international financial center and strengthening impetus for economic growth and competitiveness. Paul Chan, financial secretary of the HKSAR government, said he welcomes the IMF's highly positive evaluation of Hong Kong. "The staff report commends Hong Kong's financial resilience amid the pandemic and challenging external environment, and recognizes the HKSAR government's efforts in bolstering Hong Kong's long-term economic and financial developments," he said. Eddie Yue, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, said he welcomes the IMF's reaffirmation of the robustness and resilience of Hong Kong's banking and financial system. "As pointed out by the IMF, the LERS continues to function smoothly, providing a solid anchor to the economy and financial system," he said. No caption CANTON A city woman has pleaded guilty to obstructing justice for her role in the shooting death of Adrian Armstead. The 37-year-old woman was convicted Wednesday of the felony charge. Police said she lied about the whereabouts of the shooting suspect, Roscoe Alford. She also lied about her identity and fled when officers entered the residence to arrest Alford. Stark County Common Pleas Judge Chryssa Hartnett ordered the woman to be released from jail and placed into the Stark Regional Community Corrections facility when a bed is available. She will be on probation for three years. Fatal shooting: Canton man facing murder charge in shooting death of Adrian Armstead; 3 others charged Alford is accused of shooting Armstead before 4 a.m. Feb. 14, in the 1200 block of Eighth Street NE. Armstead, 33, was found by police in a hallway with gunshot wounds. He was taken by Canton Fire Department personnel to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Alford's trial has been set for Aug. 1 in front of Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione. Two other women were charged in the incident, including a 33-year-old old Canton woman who also faces an obstructing justice charge. The third woman, a 52-year-old, was not indicted by the grand jury. She had been accused of cleaning the residence where the shooting took place with bleach and later lying to police. Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @aknappINDE This article originally appeared on The Independent: Canton woman, 37, pleads guilty to lying to police in fatal shooting Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with these events in Boston and surrounding areas June is pride month! Boston has plenty of events lined up throughout June to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. This years Pride celebrates the advancement and joy of LGBTQ+ residents, creates space for residents to build community, and elevates local organizations that serve and uplift Bostons diverse LGBTQ+ community. Were committed to building a more inclusive, welcoming city where our LGBTQ+ residents & community members can live & thrivenot just during the month of June, but all year, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said in a tweet. Here is a list of Boston events going on during 2023 Pride Month: Boston Pride Kick-Off: June 1, 4 p.m. 4th Annual Tran Resistance March & Festival: June 3, 11 a.m. Boston Pride for the People Parade & Festival: June 10, 11 a.m. Road of Rainbows 5K, June 10, 10 a.m Red Sox Pride Celebration: June 13 To register an event on the citys website, click here. Here is a list of Pride events in cities around Boston To learn more about Boston Pride, visit the link here. 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 A Homestead open-air strip mall of mostly family-owned Hispanic businesses is usually packed in the afternoon with people eating at restaurants, buying medication at a pharmacy or transferring money to their loved ones in Latin America. These South Florida businesses are credited with keeping retail in downtown Homestead alive as more and more businesses congregate around the big box stores along US 1 and further east. But on Thursday afternoon the Pioneer Mall, 224 Washington Ave., appeared to be a ghost town with nearly all of its restaurants and stores closed. Mexican restaurants, taquerias and a bakery also shut down in neighboring Florida City. Flyers posted on the businesses doors and windows alerted clients that they were shutting down June 1 in support of the immigrant community the target of Gov. Ron DeSantis immigration crackdown. In the evening, around 500 people marched in downtown Homestead, waving flags from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico and the United States and chanting in Spanish: The people united will never be defeated. A boy walks past closed businesses on Washington Avenue in Homestead, Florida on June 1. Local Businesses closed their doors for the day to protest a new state law that targets migrants. Similar scenes were reported across the Sunshine State, from the farmworker town of Immokalee and the hurricane-stricken city of Fort Myers in Southwest Florida to Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando, in what many people called un dia sin inmigrantes a day without immigrants. In Homestead, the agricultural center of South Florida, numerous workers went on strike, boycotted area businesses and called their state elected officials. In Immokalee, one of the major centers of tomato growing in the United States,hundreds marched waving Mexican and American flags while chanting in Spanish si se puede, which roughly translates to yes we can. Hundreds are marching right now in Downtown Homestead against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis immigration crackdown El pueblo unido, jamas sera vencido, they chant. pic.twitter.com/cgfD46mHUh Omar Rodriguez Ortiz (@Omar_fromPR) June 1, 2023 Last month, DeSantis signed a bill into law that limits undocumented migrant labor, ends community-funded programs that give undocumented immigrants identification cards and toughens penalties against those who transport undocumented immigrants into the state. Floridas law requires that hospitals track and report the immigration status of patients, that local governments withhold services from people who cannot provide proof of citizenship and that all employers with 25 or more employees verify the immigration status of most workers using the federal electronic system, E-Verify. Although most of the provisions in the law will take effect July 1, the employer penalties do not take effect until July 1, 2024. Homestead, Florida - June 1, 2023 - Marchers walk the streets of Homestead to voice their opposition to SB1718. I dont think we are doing anything wrong Alberto Valle, 38, told the Miami Herald that he and 14 other employees of a landscaping company didnt go to work on Thursday. The father of five and Homestead resident made the difficult decision of losing a days salary even though he sends money to his wife and kids in Guatemala so they can buy groceries, clothes and medicine. He went to Pioneer Mall to eat after finding out that a nearby Mexican restaurant was closed but found only shuttered doors. I was surprised to see so many businesses closed and at the same time it motivated me to see how many people are supporting this, he said. Valle said his main concern is losing his landscaping job his familys main income. I dont thing we are doing anything wrong, he said. We only look to progress and support our families. READ MORE: Civil-rights group issues Florida travel alert in response to DeSantis immigration crackdown Homestead, Florida - June 1, 2023 - Marchers carried signs and chanted slogans as they marched through the streets of Homestead to voice their opposition to SB 1718. Governors office responds Jeremy T. Redfern, press secretary for Gov. Desantis office, told the Herald in an email Thursday that the law counteracts the effects of illegal immigration on Florida, a problem willfully enabled by the Biden Administrations refusal to secure our nations southern border. The media has been deliberately inaccurate about this distinction between legal and illegal immigration to create this very sort of outrage based on a false premise, he said. Any business that exploits this crisis by employing illegal aliens instead of Floridians will be held accountable. Homestead, Florida - June 1, 2023 - Marchers carried signs and chanted slogans as they marched through the streets of Homestead to voice their opposition to SB 1718. Calling elected officials A few minutes away from the mall, Elcira Morales, 28, stayed home to call state elected officials to demand they repeal or make major changes to the immigration law. The mother of two cradled her 4-month-old baby and her 2-year-old daughter in her lap during calls. On her dining table was a flyer prepared by the Farmworker Association of Florida, a grassroots, non-profit, farmworker 10,000-member organization, which had the names of the elected officials she was calling and their office phone numbers. I vote, and things like this wont [keep] her in office, Morales told an assistant of Republican state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, who represents parts of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. READ MORE: DeSantis signs immigration package as southern border political tensions escalate He is breaking up families and creating fear in our communities, she said in a voicemail left for Republican state Rep. Juan Carlos Porras. Born and raised in the Homestead area, Morales, the daughter of Guatemalan immigrant parents, told the Herald the law may affect her even though she is a U.S. citizen because, she says, the law may encourage police to stop drivers based on the color of their skin. If you look Mexican, they [police] are going to have the green light to stop you, she said. Homestead, Florida - June 1, 2023 - With her daughter Joy playing on her lap, Elcira Morales makes calls to state elected official who voted for SB 1718 to voice her opposition to the new law. A sacrifice they are willing to make Mainor Morales, 23, a Homestead construction worker, told the Herald on Thursday night after the march that he is also concerned about being deported potentially leaving behind his partner and their 1-year-old baby. About a month ago, he said, a man robbed him of his passport and rent money at gunpoint in the Homestead area, and he decided not to call police out of fear of being deported. I feel sad, he said in Spanish. I worry about my family and my son. Mercedes Diaz, 38, has been living in Homestead for 20 years. The mother of three children ages 5, 8 and 12, told the Herald she and around 15 other employees of her husbands landscaping company decided to strike. Diaz husband, Hector Gomez, 38, of Guatemala, said the financial sacrifice from the strike was worth it. In spite of their fears, the Gomez-Diaz family and most marchers seemed full of energy, firm in their beliefs and were seen smiling and some even danced. We decided to close even if that means a considerable loss, he said in Spanish. I prefer to sacrifice myself a little now to make a difference tomorrow. Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau chief Mary Ellen Klas contributed to this report. A court ruling noted Leslie Van Houten's exemplary behavior as an inmate Leslie Van Houten, a disciple of serial killer Charles Manson who was sentenced to life in prison for her role in an infamous double murder in 1969, is eligible for parole, a California appeals court has ruled. The ruling moves Van Houten, now 73, a step closer to release after more than five decades behind bars, although a potential legal battle remains as the state's governor has previously blocked all efforts to free her. Van Houten was 19 when she joined Manson's "family," an apocalyptic cult who hatched a bizarre plot to commit murders across Los Angeles in hopes of sparking a race war. Manson, who notoriously led his gang to murder heavily pregnant actor Sharon Tate and her friends in a killing spree that shocked the nation, died in prison in 2017. While Van Houten was not involved in those murders, she has admitted to participating in further killings by the group on the following night, during which she stabbed Rosemary La Bianca, a grocer's wife, up to 16 times. Van Houten has been recommended for parole five times since 2016, but California governors Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom have vetoed on each occasion. Newsom's latest veto in 2022 argued that Van Houten could still be a danger to society, and said she had not fully explained how she fell under Manson's sway and came to commit horrific acts of violence. But appeal judges on Tuesday overturned Newsom's veto, with a 2-1 majority finding that "there is no evidence to support the Governor's conclusions" and ruling in favor of her release. They noted Van Houten's exemplary inmate behavior, and found that Newsom's refusal to release her "fails to account for the decades of therapy, self-help programming, and reflection Van Houten has undergone in the past 50 years." The ruling does not guarantee Van Houten's imminent release. Newsom can still ask for the case to be referred to California's supreme court, in a process that could take years to resolve. California prosecutors are expected to file a motion to stay Van Houten's release on parole while those proceedings are ongoing. rfo-amz/hg/md Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Russias shadow army boss has apparently made himself a new enemy as he continues to vent frustrations with the countrys fledgling war effort: the Chechens. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrovs henchman is now demanding a face-to-face meeting with Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin. Magomed Daudov, the chairman of the Chechen Parliament, tore into Prigozhin in a video shared on Telegram on Thursday. You dont need the details of our missions. The command knows, Daudov said, apparently in reference to Prigozhin downplaying the role of Chechen battalions sent to the Donbas to replace Wagner. Our fighters also have problems, but that doesnt mean that a warrior should shout about it. In your statements, you always hint that someone needs to be shot. I need to tell you, for such words, almost every day, you would have immediately been put up against the wall during World War II. Sometimes I just dont understand what youre trying to achieve with your daily comments, he said, accusing Prigozhin of creating a panicked mood among the population. Dont forget... thanks to who it is that you have a private military company, airplanes, helicopters, and so on. You also declare that you have the best army, and the [Ukrainians]the second best. If you continue at this rate, nothing good will come of it. Send me your location, and at any time and in any place, we will meet and talk man to man, Daudov said. He also seemed to hint that Prigozhin had flown too close to the sun by trying to make himself the face of the war, writing in all caps that Vladimir Putin and Ramzan Kadyrov are the ones calling the shots. Chechen lawmaker Adam Delimkhanov, a cousin and close ally of Kadyrov, also called out Prigozhin in a video posted on Telegram, mocking him as a blogger after the mercenary boss said he didnt understand what Chechen fighters are doing in the war. If something is not clear to you, you can contact us at any time, give us a time and place. We will explain to you what you dont understand. Thats one thing. Secondly, you have become a blogger and are shouting to the whole world that we only have problems. We all know how many people you laid down in Bakhmut over 7-8 months Enough talking, shouting, and yelling. Name the place: where, what, whenwell see you. We will solve any issue face to face with you, he said. The simmering feud appears to mark a major falling out between two of the Kremlins most notorious warmongers, as Kadyrov and Prigozhin had previously been strangely in sync in their outspoken criticisms of the Defense Ministry. It also comes after Kadyrov said hed met personally with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of Wagners withdrawal from the embattled Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. While Kadyrovs fighters have largely been absent from the frontline since last summer, the Kremlin has now reportedly tapped them to take Wagners place. 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. A Butler County man who has already been sentenced to life in prison for running a child pornography ring was sentenced to 30 additional years in prison in Ohio on Wednesday. Jason Gmoser, the 43-year-old adopted son of Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser, was arrested back in 2014. Two years later, he was sentenced to life plus 50 years for helping to run the "largest and most sophisticated members-only child pornography website in existence," according to court documents. The additional federal charges filed in federal court in Ohio state Gmoser used a webcam to film and record sexually explicit videos of himself and minor males through the Playstation network. Prosecutors said two of the victims were 8 and 11. "Gmoser offered Playstation gift cards to the boy for exposing himself," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio stated in a press release. Investigators said Gmoser also met with the boy and his family across state lines multiple times in person taking the boy to the movies, out to eat and buying things for his family. After his computers and hard drives were seized, agents said they found 900 videos recorded between 2011 and 2014 and 448 of those were of the 8-year-old victim, court records state. Gmoser pleaded guilty to this new set of charges in December 2022. He is currently been held at the Boone County Detention Center. It is unclear to which federal facility he will be transferred. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Child porn convict used Playstation network to film children Chinas defense ministry is accusing the United States of interfering with and surveilling a naval exercise in the South China Sea before an incident during which one of its fighter jets intercepted a U.S. spy plane last week. The Southern Theater Command of Chinas military said in a Wednesday statement it operated professionally and in accordance with all laws and regulations. But the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has accused the pilot of the Chinese J-16 fighter of performing an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver while intercepting a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft. The U.S. said the Chinese jet flew directly in front of its aircrafts nose. The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law, the U.S. said. Senior Col. Zhang Nandong, a spokesperson for the Southern Theater Command, said the U.S. was making false accusations to try to confuse the international community, calling on the U.S. to conscientiously restrain the actions of front-line naval and air forces, strictly abide by relevant international laws and relevant agreements, and prevent accidents at sea and in the air. China has claimed almost all of the South China Sea to be its own, but the U.S. does not recognize that claim. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Wednesday that the U.S. must end its dangerous acts of provocation that threaten Chinas sovereignty and security. Such provocative and dangerous moves are the root cause for maritime security issues, she said. Tensions between Beijing and Washington have been on the rise in recent months as China has also condemned U.S. support for Taiwan, a self-governing democratic island that China considers to be part of its territory. China has conducted multiple military drills near the island over the past year, spurring fears that it may plan to invade Taiwan as part of a reunification effort. China also said its defense chief has declined to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin while they are both present at a security conference in Singapore this weekend. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. China accuses US of interfering in training exercise before 'aggressive' fighter jet maneuver The People's Republic of China is accusing the U.S. military of interfering with naval exercises leading to an aerial encounter that the Americans called "unsafe." The controversy surrounds a confrontation in the skies above the South China Sea when a Chinese pilot flew past the front end of an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command claims a Chinese pilot operating a J-16 fighter jet was responsible for the incident when he "performed an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver" intercepting a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft. CHINA'S XI JINPING TELLS NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM TO PREPARE FOR 'WORST-CASE SCENARIO' AS LEADERS WARN OF AI RISKS A Chinese fighter jet flew roughly 400 feet in front of a U.S. spy plane on Thursday. The Chinese Defense Ministry disputed the U.S. version of events and asserted that ahead of the aerial incident, the U.S. military was spying on and interfering with People's Liberation Army naval drills. The ministry stated Wednesday that their military "organized air forces to track and monitor the whole process, dealt with it according to laws and regulations, and operated professionally." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Southern Theater Command spokesperson Senior Col. Zhang Nandong sharply criticized the U.S. Navy and Air Force, referencing unspecified international laws. CHINESE 'DEBT-TRAP' CRIPPLING POOR ECONOMIES, ENDANGERING US NATIONAL SECURITY New recruits of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) attend a send-off ceremony at a railway station in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, China. "We solemnly urge the U.S. to conscientiously restrain the actions of front-line naval and air forces, strictly abide by relevant international laws and relevant agreements, and prevent accidents at sea and in the air," said Zhang. "If not, the U.S. will bear all consequences," he added. BIDEN DROVE 'HISTORICALLY' CLOSE MIDDLE EAST ALLIES INTO ARMS OF AMERICA'S GREATEST ENEMIES, EXPERTS SAY "The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law," the U.S. side said. The statement continues, "We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law." China lays claim to the majority of territory in the South China Sea, though this territorial possession is disputed by the U.S. and neighboring Taiwan. As China cracks down on dissent, New York City gives refuge to exhibit remembering Tiananmen Square FILE - Cyclists pass by armored vehicles parked in front of Tiananmen Gate near the square where students rallied for democratic reforms in Beijing, June 13, 1989. An exhibit will open Friday, June 2, 2023, in New York, ahead of the June 4 anniversary of the violence that ended China's 1989 Tiananmen protests. (AP Photo/Sadayuki Mikami, File) NEW YORK (AP) Fangsuo Zhou, now in his 50s, remembers all too well that dispiriting spring day in 1989 when tanks rolled into Beijings Tiananmen Square. University students and others were beaten and bloodied when communist troops swarmed in to end a pro-democracy protest. Hundreds and possibly thousands died. For years, Zhou, who left China after the crackdown and now lives in New Jersey, has been collecting what he calls evidence of China's brutality. Those items blooded towels, blood-soaked banners that had been turned into tourniquets, newspaper clippings, letters and a tent used by student protesters during their seven-week demonstration are now the centerpiece of the June 4 Memorial Exhibit, housed on the fourth floor of a New York City office building. It carries on the mission of a similar exhibit in Hong Kong shuttered by the communist government two years ago. This is the most important legacy for China, Zhou said during a preview of the collection, which opens to the public Friday. He cannot forget, he said, nor should the uprising ever be forgotten even as the Chinese government has sought to erase reminders of what happened at Tiananmen Square. We are keeping the unchangeable evidence for what the CCP has done, he said, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. Since the uprising, monuments, memorials and statues were erected so Tiananmen would be rememebered, particularly in Hong Kong, once a British outpost but now again under control by the Chinese government. But in recent years, Chinas Communist Party has become more aggressive in squelching dissent and in its attempt to erase any reminders of days when tens of thousands of students challenged its power at Tiananmen. Hong Kong authorities removed statues and monuments dedicated to the protests, including a sculpture called the Pillar of Shame, depicting bodies piled atop one other as a reminder of those killed during the final days of the uprising. They want to make everybody forget that they are regime built on violence and lies," said Dan Wang, another student organizer, who along with Zhou, was among those the government blamed for the weekslong protest. We have obligation and responsibility to establish this memorial exhibition," he said, "to uphold the truth of history and to counter the CCP is attempt to erase historical memory. Exhibit organizers decided to house the collection of memorabilia in midtown Manhattan not in Chinatown to make the history more accessible to the broader population. Earlier this year, Hong Kong officials jailed three organizers of a now-defunct pro-democracy group that had organized vigils each June commemorating the 1989 unrest. They were convicted of failing to comply with requests by national security police to provide certain information. The vigils drew tens of thousands of participants. But the yearly observances stopped after 2019 the 30th anniversary of the student uprising in Beijing because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government has not allowed the event to resume. Over seven weeks in 1989, pro-democracy students converged at Beijings Tiananmen Square to protest corruption and push for a fairer and more open society a demand that would have meant the Community Party would have to voluntarily give up its authority over education, employment, family planning and many other aspects of life. While it was the most serious upheaval in China since the Cultural Revolution, the student-led movement failed to succeed and was eventually crushed when the Peoples Liberation Army rolled in with tanks and armed troops who forcibly removed the protestors. It remains unclear how many died. Under British control, Hong Kong residents had freedoms unknown to their counterparts in communist China. After the United Kingdom relinquished its rule over Hong Kong, Beijing allowed many of those freedoms to continue. But over the years, it has shown less patience with dissent, launching crackdowns that have led to the arrests of dissidents. Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu, left, shakes hands with Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen in Singapore, Thursday, June 1, 2023. China and Singapore laid the groundwork Friday for a hotline between the two countries that would establish a high-level communications link between Beijing and a close American partner in Asia at a time when Chinese tensions with Washington are high and dialogue has stalled. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) SINGAPORE (AP) China and Singapore laid the groundwork Thursday for a hotline between the two countries that would establish a high-level communications link between Beijing and a close American partner in Asia at a time when Chinese tensions with Washington are high and dialogue has stalled. Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, a general in China's People's Liberation Army who was named minister in March, signed a memorandum of understanding with his Singaporean counterpart Ng Eng Hen to work toward establishing a secure telephone link for high-level communications between our defense leaders, according to a statement released by Singapore. Such high-level open lines of communications are important for strengthening mutual understanding and trust, the statement said, without giving a timeline for when it would be established. Li is on his first visit to Singapore as defense minister, and is broadly discussing global and regional security issues with a range of officials. Singapore said both countries' defense establishments interact regularly through bilateral and multilateral exercises and that his visit underscores "long-standing, warm and friendly" relations. At the same time, Singapore is a close military and economic partner of the United States, and the agreement to establish the direct phone link comes as communications between Washington and Beijing are strained. Li also established a defense hotline with Japan in March to improve communication and help avoid accidental encounters in the tense region. While in Singapore, Li is expected to address a meeting of defense officials, diplomats and country leaders on Sunday, but declined a request from Washington to meet on the sidelines with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who will give a speech at the same Shangri-La Dialogue security conference on Saturday. Among many issues, China has been irritated by American support for Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that it claims as its own territory, the shooting down of what the U.S. called a Chinese spy balloon, and sanctions directly targeting Li. Those sanctions are related to Washington's broad package of measures against Russia, but predate its invasion of Ukraine and were imposed in 2018 over Li's involvement in China's purchase of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles from Moscow. The sanctions, which broadly prevent Li from doing business in the United States, do not prevent him from holding official talks, the U.S. has said. Earlier this week, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said Austin's offer of talks in Singapore had been rejected because the U.S. disregards China's concerns and creates artificial obstacles. The U.S. side should take practical actions to show sincerity and correct mistakes, so as to create the necessary conditions and proper atmosphere for communication and exchange between the two sides, he said, while not mentioning the sanctions or other issues directly. _____ Rising reported from Bangkok You are here: Business Employees work at the Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai, Nov. 20, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday in Beijing. They had an extensive and in-depth exchange on topics such as China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation and Tesla's development in China. The Chinese and U.S. economies are deeply integrated, Wang said, adding that the two sides should strengthen dialogue and cooperation on the economy and trade under the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. Global economic development and human progress need open cooperation in the field of science and technology, the minister said. Musk spoke highly of the vitality and potential of China's development, voiced full confidence in the Chinese market, and expressed his willingness to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. China and Singapore, a U.S. ally, agreed Thursday to establish a defense hotline to allow for high-level communications. Singapore said in a statement that its defense minister, Ng Eng Hen, and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a telephone link for high-level communications between our defense leaders. Such high-level open lines of communications are important for strengthening mutual understanding and trust, the statement reads. It did not specify a timeline for setting up the hotline. The agreement comes as tensions have been rising between Beijing and Washington. A Chinese fighter jet intercepted a U.S. spy plane with what the U.S. said was an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver last week. China accused the U.S. of interfering with a naval exercise before the incident happened and said it was making false accusations to try to confuse the international community. Beijing has slammed Washington for its continued support and military sales to Taiwan, a self-governing island China considers to be part of its mainland territory. The U.S. has also complained about increasing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, which China has mostly denied. Li also declined to meet with his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, during the annual Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security summit in Singapore this weekend. Austin said the decision is unfortunate and he would welcome any opportunity to engage with leadership. Li is in the midst of his first visit to Singapore as defense minister to discuss global and regional security issues. He previously established a defense hotline with Japan, another U.S. ally, in March to improve communication and avoid unintended encounters in the region. The U.S. also has sanctions in place directly on Li over his role in Chinas purchase of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles from Russia. The sanctions prevent him from doing business in the U.S. but not holding talks with U.S. officials. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. JIUQUAN, CHINA - MAY 30: A Long March-2F carrier rocket carrying Shenzhou-16 spaceship with three astronauts aboard blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on May 30, 2023 in Jiuquan, Gansu Province of China. (Photo by Zhang Xuan/VCG via Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** - Zhang Xuan/VCG via Getty Images Chinas launch of a new three-person crew to its orbiting space station, and its announcement of plans to send astronauts to the Moon before the end of the decade, is a highly symbolic moment; a key pillar in Xi Jinpings ambition to surpass the United States as the worlds leading technological power. But it is not merely political posturing. Since its inception, Chinas space programme has been part of an arms race to overtake US military capabilities, stealing foreign intellectual property (including from Britain) and fast-tracking development. This aspect of Beijings war beyond boundaries has been driven forward by the concept of civil-military fusion to speed up development through the seamless integration of civilian and military technological progress. Under this policy, the Chinese Communist Party has ensured that its armed forces, the Peoples Liberation Army, are directly involved in all aspects of dual-use technological research, development and industrial application at home and overseas. This is particularly evident in all areas relating to satellite communications, tracking and guidance systems, rocket design, hypersonic flight and the development of space and lunar stations. The strategic importance of satellites early on encouraged China to develop anti-satellite capabilities, demonstrated in 2007 when a ground-launched missile was used to destroy a malfunctioning weather observation satellite. Since then other anti-satellite techniques, including jammers and laser weapons, have been developed at pace. This photo released by Xinhua News Agency shows a screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Tuesday May 30, 2023 of the crews of Shenzhou-15 and Shenzhou-16 taking a group pictures inside the core module Tianhe of China's space station. China launched a new three-person crew for its orbiting space station on Tuesday, with an eye to putting astronauts on the moon before the end of the decade. (Han Qiyang/Xinhua via AP) - Han Qiyang/Xinhua via AP ASPI, the Australian think-tank, judges that China has already become internationally dominant in research directed at defence, security and the space sector. The Mission of the Chinese space programme, published in 2022, includes among its four core objectives to meet the demands of national security and to protect Chinas national rights and interests and build up its overall strength. This language, including references to raising the scientific and cultural levels of the Chinese people closely matches that associated with Chinas Centenary Goals and Xi Jinpings China Dream. From the outset, when Maos China first got help from the Soviet Union to develop its missile capabilities to defend against their common US enemy, the West has kept a close track on the nascent Chinese space programme. In 1998, the US Congress claimed that US data given to China for its commercial satellite had been diverted to ICBM applications. Based on the US governments assessment that the CCP was intent on projecting its military power into space, NASA scientists have been forbidden to work with PRC counterparts, and PRC visitors are banned from NASA sites. On the same grounds, a bill was passed in 2011 banning China from the International Space Station. The development of the independent China Manned Space Programme has long been supported by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), owned by the PRC State Council. They produce spacecraft and launch systems and are also Chinas largest missile producer. First noted in 2011, the PRC has supplied the North Korean nuclear ICBM project with specialised lorries, produced by a CASIC subsidiary, that are now in use as mobile missile launchers and have appeared carrying what seem to be ICBMs at parades in Pyongyang. The PRC has consistently pursued a policy of projecting its strategic military powers into space. This has been well-documented in regard to the PRCs Bei Dou global navigation satellite system, completed in 2020 with the launch of its final satellite, which has been described as providing a definitive competitive edge for a China-led world order. One of the most important functions of Bei Dou will be augmented by a planned Bei Dou ground station in Antarctica which can be used for military purposes, including as a precision missile tracking station with global range. Acknowledged PLA involvement in Chinese activity in Antarctica is in breach of international treaty to which China is a signatory. The contract to build the satellite ground system at Chinas Zhongshan base has been given to a CASIC subsidiary. China claims that its space mission is to facilitate global consensus on our shared responsibility in utilising outer space for peaceful purposes and safeguarding its security for the benefit of all humanity. But below the high-profiled tip revealed in Mondays announcement of plans for a lunar landing, there is already a vast iceberg of militarised intention and capability. FILE - China's President Xi Jinping arrives to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC summit, Nov. 19, 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand. Chinaas ruling Communist Party is calling for beefed-up national security measures, highlighting the risks posed by advances in artificial intelligence. A meeting headed by party leader and President Xi on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, urged adedicated efforts to safeguard political security and improve the security governance of internet data and artificial intelligence," the official Xinhua News Agency said. (Jack Taylor/Pool Photo via AP, File) - Jack Taylor/Pool Photo via AP This is no mere vanity project, but a defiant gesture at America, the CCPs chosen existential enemy, and its Western collaborators, such as Britain. Xi Jinping will have chosen this moment to confound Western rivals and underline the resilience of his regime and the economic strength he has at his disposal. If China remains determined to boldly go to conquer space and already has mastery of anti-satellite weapons and hypersonic missiles to boot then will the West be able to pull together to deter his avowed intent with regard to Taiwan? There is scope to do better in this regard. The UK Space Agency Corporate Plan 2022-25, based on the National Space Strategy (NSS), coyly refers to space as a team sport. From Chinas zero-sum perspective it clearly is not; nor is the PRC a systemic competitor, in space or anywhere else, since it obeys no rules and seeks a win-win only for itself. The NSS uses similar language to Chinas, talking of protecting and defending our national interests in and through space. The UK Space Agency will work with MOD to this end. Apart from that brief statement, there is no detail whatever in the chummily positive Corporate Plan about the threat to peace on Earth posed by Chinas well-advanced preparations for war not even a line about putting a stop to decades of Chinese IP theft from British centres of space-related scientific and technical excellence. If Downing Street is serious about getting a grip on its responsibility to protect this aspect of our national interests, then tough, visible action is urgently needed to fill not just a policy gap, but a massive vacuum. 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. This Chinese man claims he slept with an alien and is now waiting for a hybrid child [Source] A lumberjack from China gained instant fame in 1994 after he claimed that a female alien visited his home one night and had sex with him mid-air while his wife slept below them. The alleged abduction, which would later be known as the Meng Zhaoguo Incident in reference to the lumberjack, started one night in June 1994 when the man claimed he saw a shimmering object on the mountainside near his home in the semi-mountainous town of Wuchang in Heilongjiang province. Hoping to scavenge from what he assumed was the wreckage of a downed helicopter, Meng, then 26, reportedly went to Phoenix Mountain to investigate. In an interview with The Huffington Post in 2003, Meng claimed that, while investigating the location from a distance, something suddenly hit him in the forehead, causing him to lose consciousness. More from NextShark: Chinese food delivery worker punched, robbed and shot at while dropping off order in Brooklyn A different story reported by The World of Chinese claimed that Meng took his nieces husband to investigate the alleged wreckage and that they were hit by a surge of electricity and a beam of light that knocked them unconscious. Meng told The Huffington Post that he found himself at home when he regained consciousness, noting that he had no memory of how he made it back. A 1994 report from the South China Morning Post informed by Chen Yanchun, director of the UFO Society of China, claimed that Meng was with around 30 men who took him back to their quarters soon after when he lost consciousness. More from NextShark: Videos show bodies in China being burned on the streets as crematoriums fill up due to COVID surge According to Meng, he was suddenly woken up one night a few days after his first encounter floating above his bed with his wife still sleeping in it. Thats when he allegedly saw the female alien, which he described as 10 feet tall with six fingers and thighs coated in braided hair. The two allegedly had sex, with several reports detailing varying durations, with The Huffington Post reporting it happened for 40 minutes while The World of Chinese, citing Meng's interview in November 2021, stated it happened for only a few seconds. More from NextShark: Leopard caught on CCTV killing and dragging away pet dog from home in India Meng told The Huffington Post the alien suddenly vanished through a wall and that he floated back down to his bed soon after doing the deed. Meng claimed his encounters with the aliens continued days after his copulation with the extraterrestrial visitor, with his next encounter involving him being taken to their spaceship. More from NextShark: China warns citizens that peaches cannot treat COVID amid hoarding of the fruit for its 'magic' healing There, Meng alleged the aliens started circling him and spoke in Chinese, but with a heavy accent, which he noted was difficult for him to understand at first. He claimed that they were refugees and, like him, also wanted to escape their former lives, so they left their dying home." Curious about the female alien, Meng said he asked if he could see her, but they told him it would be impossible and instead informed him that In 60 years, on a distant planet, the son of a Chinese peasant will be born. While aboard their ship, the aliens allegedly showed Meng a recording of a comet hitting Jupiter, an event that coincidentally happened when Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 hurtled towards the gas giant in July 1994. Meng said the aliens returned to Earth and visited him again in 2016. During that time, they allegedly gave him a piece of the comet from July 1994, which scientists later analyzed and found to contain a rare metal called terbium. Mengs story soon attracted media attention across the country. Several investigators from UFO clubs in China traveled to Phoenix Mountain to gather evidence, where they claim to have found scorch marks on trees and rocks split into pieces. Wang Fangchen, the first chairman of the Beijing UFO Research Organization, told Story FM podcast that they guessed [the scorch mark discovered] was from an aircraft taking off or landing. Wang also recalled that one researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences measured the radiation level inside Mengs home and claimed that the device went haywire and showed inaccurate readings, notably on the walls where the alien allegedly entered. I saw this with my own eyes...I cant explain this phenomenon, Wang recalled to Story FM. Meng was also subjected to a polygraph test, also known as a lie detector test, under the supervision of local police, which he seemingly passed, China Daily reported in 2010. Mengs newfound fame saw him receive several gifts, including a cow, a new home and a job at a metropolitan campus, where he also brought his wife, daughter and son. Despite the general interest in Mengs case, some critics were not entirely convinced by the mans story. One major criticism came from Zhou Xiaoqiang, the former secretary-general of the Beijing UFO Research Organization. Meng Zhaoguo has no credibility ... local leaders have said hes mad, Zhou told Story FM, The World of Chinese reported. Lots of the people who went to investigate already believed him, so they were easily led astray. An illegal Chinese salvage operation seized by Malaysian authorities Sunday is suspected to have looted two iconic World War II shipwrecks, USNI first reported. Scrap steel, aluminum, brass fittings and ammunition believed to have belonged to the British ships HMS Prince of Wales and the HMS Repulse both designated war graves were discovered by Malaysian authorities aboard the Chinese cargo ship Chuan Hong 68, according to the BBC. The ship was boarded and searched after authorities found the vessel was not authorized to anchor in the waters under Malaysian jurisdiction. We are distressed and concerned at the apparent vandalism for personal profit of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, Dominic Tweddle, the director general of The National Museum of the Royal Navy, wrote in a statement. We are upset at the loss of naval heritage and the impact this has on the understanding of our Royal Navy history. On Dec. 10, 1941, just three days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Royal Navy ships were attacked and, having no aerial defense, quickly sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. The strike killed some 842 sailors and is considered one of the worst disasters in British naval history. The shocking loss forced the navy to reevaluate how it had fought for centuries pivoting away from the Mahanian notion that Big ships with big guns, concentrated into a single, undivided battle fleet, and infused with an overriding purpose to wipe the enemy off the face of the sea was the way to rule the waves, according to historian Ian Toll. Carrier strike groups were in. Antiquated battleship tactics were out. Of the loss, Prime Minister Winston Churchill recalled in his postwar memoirs: In all the war, I never received a more direct shock. As I turned over and twisted in bed the full horror of the news sank in upon me. There were no British or American ships in the Indian Ocean or the Pacific except the American survivors of Pearl Harbour, who were hastening back to California. Across this vast expanse of waters, Japan was supreme, and we everywhere were weak and naked. Today, the battleship HMS Prince of Wales rests upside down 223 feet beneath the waves near Kuantan in the South China Sea. The battlecruiser HMS Repulse lies several miles away from its sister ship. The alleged Chinese looting, which has reportedly become common over the past several years, sparked outrage and concern from both the British and their allies. In 2017, The Guardian reported more than 40 Australian, Dutch and Japanese warships had been destroyed by looting operations in the same waters off Indonesia and Singapore. Old shipwrecks are increasingly targeted by scavengers for their rare low-background steel, also known as pre-war steel. The low radiation in the steel makes it a rare and valuable resource for use in medical and scientific equipment, according to the BBC. The U.S. Navy has expressed concern over the safety of the cruiser USS Houston, which sank just south of the same area during the Battle of Sunda Strait on March 1, 1942. More than 650 U.S. sailors and Marines died when the Houston sank. While the wrecks remain a key part of World War II history, they are most importantly the gravesites for sailors and Marines entombed within. A strategy is vital to determine how to assess and manage these wrecks in the most efficient and effective manner, Tweddle stated. Above all, we must remember the crews who served on these lost ships and all too often gave their lives in the service of their country. This story originally appeared on HistoryNet.com. The News Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrapped up a high-stakes visit to China on Thursday. This was his first trip to the world's second-largest economy in three years with China being a key production center for his electric car company. While Musk has become an increasingly divisive figure among Western leaders, his visit to China was anything but hostile, with state media praising his business practices and commitment to Chinese businesses amid high tensions with the U.S. Know More Xinhua News China's state wire updated the public on Musk's meetings with top-level foreign affairs and economic bureaucrats and highlighted his perspective on the Chinese market. "Musk praised the vitality and potential of China's development," the agency wrote. "He is full of confidence in the Chinese market and is willing to continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation." Global Times The state tabloid tweeted a promotional video that was first posted by Tesla's Weibo account, Business Insider reported. In the video, Musk praises the Chinese workers employed at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory. People's Daily Considered the mouthpiece of the Communist Party, People's Daily wrote about Musk's opposition to business restrictions between U.S. and China. "Musk said that the interests of the United States and China are intertwined and inseparable," the paper wrote. "Tesla opposes 'decoupling and breaking chains,' and is willing to continue to expand its business in China and share China's development opportunities." Beijing Daily The newspaper noted how it is "no coincidence" that other major CEOs, including JPMorgan Chase's Jamie Dimon and Starbucks' Laxman Narasimhan, scheduled visits to China immediately after Musk. "At a time when Sino-US relations seem to be on the verge of a cold spring, Musk's visit to China and his statement are of great symbolic significance," Beijing Daily's article read. "[Beijing Daily] has noticed that more and more 'Musks' are making efforts to invest and operate in China." Step Back Musk concluded the trip with a visit to Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory, which the CEO hopes to expand with a multimillion investment. China currently accounts for 50% of all Tesla sales and 20% of production output, according to CNBC. Investors appeared optimistic with Musk's visit, boosting Tesla's stock and momentarily helping Musk reclaim the world's richest person title on the Forbes index. While both U.S. and Chinese lawmakers and business leaders have expressed interest in thawing tense relations between the world's two largest superpowers, military talks remain at a standstill. The News Thousands of women in China are posting videos imitating greasy middle-aged men in a new online trend drawn from their daily experiences of being sexually harassed. Know More The video trend began in late April when Fangtouming, an influencer in China, started posting clips pretending to be a man who would cat-call or wolf-whistle at younger women or take their photographs without their consent. Describing the videos, Fang wrote that she was reclaiming the female gaze a feminist theory that gives agency to women depicted in films, who would otherwise be sexualized. An in-depth tutorial on how to mimic the stereotypical greasy man on the Chinese video platform Bili Bili raked in thousands of views and likes. First, raise your eyebrows, keep your eyes half closed and brows frowned, the user wrote in the video's description. Finally, shake your head while biting your tongue, or whistle. Users have praised content creators for capturing what women have to deal with on a daily basis. The imitation is a mirror, forcing men to see who they are and reflect on how they present themselves in daily life, which has been normalized in the collective unconsciousness, Zhang Nian, a philosophy professor at Tongji University, told Sixth Tone. Room for Disagreement Other people see the trend as causing more harm than good saying that the viral videos normalize sexual harassment, and may prompt men to inadvertently feel like they hold power over women. Speaking to Sixth Tone, a gender equality advocate said that the videos will make men think Is this how I look to others every day? Thats a good thing. Chris Christie is going against the likes of leading GOP presidential nominees Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican run. The former New Jersey governor's views on both opponents has been a mixed bag, from devoted support to deprecating scrutiny. His relationship with Trump is an especially tumultuous affair. Christie's connection with his opponents began in 2016, when he became one of the first high-profile Republican politicians to validate the unanticipated Trump candidacy. However, this did not mean he endorsed Trump. In fact, Christie repeatedly mocked, criticized and denounced Trump, including calling him a "13-year-old" after the Republican nominee boycotted a Fox News debate. "Showtime is over. We are not electing an entertainer-in-chief. Showmanship is fun, but it is not the kind of leadership that will truly change America," Christie said about Trump in 2016 at a New Hampshire rally. Chris Christie and Donald Trump Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, accompanied by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, takes questions from members of the media during a news conference on Super Tuesday primary election night in the White and Gold Ballroom at The Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Christie would go on to label Trump inexperienced, unqualified and a whiner. Inexplicably, his tune changed after he pulled out of the 2016 run for the presidency. With Trump still an outsider in the presidential run, Christie became one of the earliest major GOP figures to endorse the candidate, and his backing lasted for years. "I will lend my support between now and November in any way for Donald," Christie told reporters at a Texas press conference before the Houston debate. Republican rivals such as Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio did not catch the former governor's eye, but Trump's unpredictable plays are what led to Christie's support. Democrats "do not know the playbook with Donald Trump, because he is rewriting the playbook," Christie said in his endorsement. "He is rewriting the playbook of American politics because he is providing strong leadership that is not dependent upon the status quo." Displeasing comments about Trump's behavior started on election night in 2020 when the nominee declared a premature victory. Christie said, "There's just no basis" to make such announcements. Christie would continue to back the former president after he lost the election, but tension started to form in the months to come. Many GOP leaders slowly backed away from the Trump train as allegations of election fraud bubbled from his campaign. The Jan 6. riot was the final straw for Christie, who was among the few Republicans to address what happened at the Capitol. "January 6 was a riot that was incited by Donald Trump in an effort to intimidate Mike Pence and Congress into doing exactly what he said in his own words last week: overturn the election. He wanted the election to be overturned," Christie told conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt. Christie's opinion of Trump now remains in steadfast opposition, from the politician's character to his leadership abilities. He now uses anti-Trump rhetoric to set himself apart from other nominees who have yet to go after the leading man. The commentary goes as far as comparing Trump to Harry Potter series supervillain Lord Voldemort. NJ news Eagles and ospreys are resurgent. Here's the darker side of NJ's bird story Chris Christie on Ron DeSantis Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also received hard hits from Christie, who denounces the Floridian's conflict with Walt Disney World. For the past year, the two sides have battled about a "Don't Say Gay" law that DeSantis signed and Disney publicly opposes. Tension further mounted when the governor tried to revoke the company's special tax status and limited self-governing powers. Christie accused DeSantis of not being a true conservative. Reflecting the sentiment of other GOP members, Christie said he would not expect to see these actions from a Republican governor, arguing "thats what ... liberals did." Christie also questioned the nominee's ability to delegate. "Thats not the guy I want sitting across from President Xi [Jinping] and negotiating our next agreement with China," Christie said. "Or sitting across from Putin and trying to resolve whats happening in Ukraine." This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Chris Christie past comments on Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis Christopher Nolan breaks down the best ways to watch a movie, ahead of his Oppenheimer release This image released by Universal Picture shows filmmaker Christopher Nolan working with an IMAX camera on the set with actor Cillian Murphy during the filming of "Oppenheimer." (Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures via AP) Its no secret that Christopher Nolan made Oppenheimer to be seen on the big screen. But not all big screens are created equal. Thats part of the reason why Universal Pictures has made Oppenheimer tickets available early for over a thousand premium large format (or PLF) screens, with options including IMAX 70mm, 70mm, IMAX digital, 35mm, Dolby Cinema and more. Knowing that even those words can get overwhelming and technical, Nolan went a step further: In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, he offered a guide to his favorite formats, explaining why it matters and even where he likes to sit so that audiences dont feel like they need a film school degree (or one in theoretical physics) before settling on a theater. You rarely get the chance to really talk to moviegoers directly about why you love a particular format and why if they can find an IMAX screen to see the film on thats great, Nolan said. We put a lot of effort into shooting the film in a way that we can get it out on these large format screens. It really is just a great way of giving people an experience that they cant possibly get in the home. In a film about about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who oversaw the development of first atomic bomb during World War II, this will be especially pivotal in viewing the Trinity Test, the first detonation of a nuclear weapon. Nolan and his effects teams recreated the blast, with all its blinding brilliance. We knew that this had to be the showstopper," Nolan said. Were able to do things with picture now that before we were really only able to do with sound in terms of an oversize impact for the audiencean almost physical sense of response to the film. Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy, opens in theaters on July 21. THE BIG PICTURE Oppenheimer was shot using some of the highest resolution film cameras that exist. Like Dunkirk and Tenet, Oppenheimer was filmed entirely on large format film stock, meaning a combination of IMAX 65mm and Panavision 65mm (think David Lean/"Lawrence of Arabia"), thats then projected in 70mm. The sharpness and the clarity and the depth of the image is unparalleled, Nolan said. The headline, for me, is by shooting on IMAX 70mm film, youre really letting the screen disappear. Youre getting a feeling of 3D without the glasses. Youve got a huge screen and youre filling the peripheral vision of the audience. Youre immersing them in the world of the film. Nolan has been shooting with IMAX cameras since The Dark Knight. Audiences would regularly gasp at seeing its first shot projected in IMAX 70mm. Though its just a helicopter shot of some buildings in Chicago, it helps explain the ineffable power of the format. On a technical level, the IMAX film resolution is almost 10 times more than a 35mm projector and each frame has some 18,000 pixels of resolution versus a home HD screen that has 1,920 pixels. WHY IS IT SHOT ON 65MM AND PROJECTED IN 70MM? The 5mm difference goes back to when that extra space on the film had to be reserved for the soundtrack. With digital sound, thats unnecessary and it is purely a visual enhancement, Nolan explained. DO THE DIFFERENT FORMATS IMPACT HOW THE FILM IS SHOT? We have to plan very carefully because by shooting an IMAX film, you capture a lot of information, he said. Your movie is going to translate very well to all the formats because youre getting the ultimate amount of visual information. But there are different shapes to the screen what we call aspect ratios. What you have to plan is how you then frame your imagery so that it can be presented in different theaters with equal success. Starting with The Dark Knight, they developed a system that they call center punching the action" so that nothing is lost. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema is also always aware of the frame lines for the different theaters when looking through the camera. On the biggest presentations, IMAX 1.43:1 (the massive square screen) the screen essentially disappears for the audience. For other formats like 35mm, the top and the bottom get cropped. But, Nolan said, from a creative point of view, what weve found over the years is that theres no compromise to composition. WHY NOT MAKE AN ENTIRE MOVIE IN IMAX? The IMAX cameras are just too loud for dialogue heavy scenes, but Nolan is optimistic about the new cameras being developed. WHATS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCES? Some of Oppenheimer is presented in black and white for a very specific story reason. I knew that I had two timelines that we were running in the film, Nolan said. One is in color, and thats Oppenheimers subjective experience. Thats the bulk of the film. Then the other is a black and white timeline. Its a more objective view of his story from a different characters point of view. Nolans desire for the black and white portions to be of equal image quality to the rest of the film led to the development of the first ever black and white IMAX film stock, which Kodak made and Fotokem developed. We shot a lot of our hair and makeup tests using black and white. And then we would go to the IMAX film projector at CityWalk and project it there, he said. Ive just never seen anything like it. To see such a massive black and white film image? Its just a wonderful thing." NOLANS FAVORITE THEATRICAL FORMATS For Nolan, the best possible experience to view Oppenheimer in theaters is the IMAX 70mm film presentations. These are also among the rarest, currently set for 25 locations in North America including the AMC Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles, the AMC Lincoln Square in New York, the Cinemark Dallas, the Regal King of Prussia near Philadelphia and the AutoNation IMAX in Fort Lauderdale. The prints span over 11 miles of film stock, weigh some 600 pounds and run through film projectors horizontally. There will also be over one hundred 70mm prints (a fabulous presentation, Nolan said) sent to theaters around the world, with over 77 (and more to come) on sale in North America at major chains and many independent locations like the Music Box in Chicago and the AFI Silver in Washington D.C. The two formats are sort of different and I love them both, he said. The sequences projected in IMAX 70mm really come to life on those screens, and vice versa for the 70mm sequences on those specific projectors. In IMAX theaters, for example, things shot with IMAX film cameras will expand vertically to fill the entire screen. IMAX DIGITAL, LASER AND EXHIBITOR PLF OPTIONS The vast majority of moviegoers in North America will have easier access to digital presentations. These include IMAX digital, which can sometimes mean a laser projected image and other times involves a retro formatted screen, and whats called exhibitor PLF, meaning large format screen and projection systems developed by individual theater chains (like Regal RPX, Cinemark XD and Cineplex UltraAVX). When in doubt, look for an X in the name. But dont dismay: Itll still look great, according to Nolan, whose team has worked for six months to digitize the original film for other formats to ensure the best experience on every screen. This is the exciting thing about shooting an IMAX film: When you scan it for the digital format, youre working with the absolute best possible image that you could acquire, and that translates wonderfully to the new projector formats like the laser projectors, he said. Nolan said the IMAX impact over the last 20 to 30 years has resulted in more theaters paying more attention to presentation, from projection to sound, which has been great for filmmakers. WHERE ARE THE BEST SEATS? Well, that comes down to personal preference but heres where Nolan likes to sit. When Im in a theater thats Cinemascope ratio, I like to be right near the front, middle of the third row, he said. When Im in a stadium, IMAX 1.43:1, then I actually like to be a little behind the center line right up at the middle. So, a little further back. How the CIA used vampires to help win a war in the Philippines [Source] As a melting pot of diverse cultures since pre-colonial times, the Philippines has conceived some of the worlds most fascinating mythological creatures. From the benevolent, nature-guarding diwata to the duplicitous, curse-inflicting nuno-sa-punso, countless stories of such beings are passed down from generation to generation in the Philippines. The most famous of these creatures is arguably the aswang, a type of vampire that feeds on human blood and internal organs and takes on the form of a suspicious animal (typically an unusually large dog, a wild boar or a vulture) during the day. One possible reason the aswang continues to be popular today is its use as a weapon in psychological warfare by none other than the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Post-war insurgency It all started on the heels of World War II, when the U.S. found a new enemy in the Soviet Union. At the time, American forces remained in a battle-scarred Philippines over persisting territorial interests. More from NextShark: 'I will continue to be brave': Surviving WWII Filipino 'comfort women' fight for recognition, apology Over at the archipelago, the Hukbalahap (or Huks) short for Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Peoples Army Against Japan) were veterans of the war and had fallen from grace after being accused of being communists. They opposed the Bell Trade Act, which essentially gave Americans equal rights to the Philippines natural resources. The Huks were eventually expelled from Congress. They retreated back to the mountains of central Luzon, starting years of a bloody insurgency. More from NextShark: Cambodia celebrates return of stolen priceless' cultural artifacts from US, UK President Manuel Roxas, who ousted the Huks, died of a heart attack in 1948. He was replaced by Elpidio Quirino, whose government struggled to continue fighting the Huks. Sensing that the instability in the country could worsen, the U.S. government knew it had to step in. Enter the CIA. Lessons from advertising The CIA found a solution in Edward Geary Lansdale, a former San Francisco-based advertising executive who had worked with clients such as Nestle, Levi Strauss and Wells Fargo. When the war broke out, Lansdale joined the Army and was recruited to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which paved the way for the CIA. More from NextShark: Google celebrates Michiyo Tsujimura and her breakthrough research on green tea with a Doodle Following the war, the U.S. needed Lansdales skills to defeat the Soviet Union, as well as its communist operatives in Asia. In 1950, Lansdale arrived in the Philippines as an Air Force officer to help fight the Huks. The truth, however, is that Lansdale was already working as a CIA operative. Convinced of the powers of psychological warfare, his team studied beliefs and superstitions held by those who lived in Huk-associated areas. Of all possible ways to manipulate the masses, the team decided to bank on the aswang. Lansdale ordered a combat psywar squad to plant stories about an aswang haunting a hill where the Huks allegedly camped. More from NextShark: 'This physical pain does not compare to the pain of losing my nation': How 2 schoolgirls helped fight for Korean independence After spreading rumors, the squad set up an ambush to kidnap and kill a Huk patroller at night. They punctured the patrollers neck with two holes, drained their blood and returned their corpse on a trail, creating the perfect illusion of an aswang-related death. Lansdale described the operation in his 1972 memoir, In the Midst of Wars: An American's Mission to Southeast Asia: The psywar squad set up an ambush along the trail used by the Huks. When a Huk patrol came along the trail, the ambushers silently snatched the last man of the patrol, their move unseen in the dark night. They punctured his neck with two holes, vampire-fashion, held the body up by the heels, drained it of blood, and put the corpse back on the trail. When the Huks returned to look for the missing man and found their bloodless comrade, every member of the patrol believed that the asuang had got him and that one of them would be next if they remained on that hill. When daylight came, the whole Huk squadron moved out of the vicinity. Lansdale and his team also used the so-called eye of God to scare Huk sympathizers. At night, they painted the image on a wall facing the homes of these sympathizers, resulting in a sharply sobering effect, Lansdale noted. Victory at last The number of Huk patrollers Lansdale and his team snatched and murdered is unknown. Jordan Clark, a researcher and filmmaker behind The Aswang Project, said the operation only took place once to deter a Huk squadron of about 100 to 300 soldiers. Regardless, the scheme did prove effective at the time, and the Huks surrendered a few years later. Their leader, Luis Taruc, laid down arms to accept a pardon in May 1954. Lansdale, for his part, would go down in history as the mastermind behind one of the strangest tactics used in warfare. After the Philippines, CIA Director Alan Dulles assigned him to Vietnam, where he started the Saigon Military Mission, a covert intelligence operation that sowed dissent in North Vietnam. The City of Springfield has chosen its next fire chief. Jacob King will be affirmed as the next chief of the Springfield Fire Rescue Division at the City Commission meeting on June 6. King has 27 years of fire rescue experience. Hes served as the fire chief at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base since 2009. Prior to that, he served as fire chief of the Bethel Township Fire Department. >> 2 killed after semi overturns near I-75 in Dayton; NB lanes, on-ramp reopen King is a veteran of the United States Air Force and was previously deployed to Afghanistan. He said hes humbled and honored to join Springfield Fire Rescue Division. Im looking forward to serving alongside them, learning more about the organization, and becoming a part of the Springfield community, King said. Current chief Brian Miller announced he would be retiring earlier this year. 20 candidates applied for the position. >> 2 in custody after reported armed robbery in Riverside City Manager Bryan Heck said King brings a wealth of leadership and operational experience to the role. He is an excellent fit to our fire division and organization and were confident that his leadership alongside the highly skilled professionals in the organization will enhance our public safety efforts for years to come, Heck said. City Commission will meet at 7 p.m. on June 6. Luxury brands looking to expand market to Vietnam Many luxury brands have begun implementing a market diversification strategy in Southeast Asia, especially Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, according to Savills Vietnam. A luxury brand in Hanoi. Photo diendandoanhnghiep.vn Nick Bradstreet, Head of Asia Pacific Retail, Savills said: China is still an important market for luxury retail in the world. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and tight regulations, alongside increasing challenges around profile and marketing for smaller and emerging luxury brands, many have come to realise that they need to diversify their portfolios and Southeast Asia is a natural choice for this diversification. Stand-out markets in this region include Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Out of the three markets mentioned, the two emerging markets Vietnam and Thailand, especially Vietnam, are very much in focus by brands because of growing economies and expanding high-net-worth (HNW) populations as well as the attitude and shopping habits of the young middle class toward luxury goods. About the trend of diversifying markets to emerging markets like Vietnam of luxury brands, Hoang Dieu Trang, Senior Director of Commercial Leasing, Savills Hanoi said: After COVID and the recent geopolitical changes, especially when some markets apply strict regulations on travel and tourism such as mainland China and Hong Kong, luxury brands have tended to choose, approach and expand to other emerging markets, including Vietnam a market where there are not many brands but a rising demand. According to Statistas estimates, the revenue of the luxury retail market in Vietnam in 2023 will reach US$957.20 million, the annual growth rate from 2023-2028 is expected to reach 3.23 per cent. The increasing consumer demands are seen as a driving force for many brands to invest in Vietnam's market. Therefore, the Hanoi market has recently recorded the appearance of luxury brands including Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co and Berluti. In addition, luxury hotels and branded residences are bringing an increasing number of affluent travellers, which then catch the brands attention. New hotel openings by luxury brands are also helping to create and elevate the new luxury retail pitches. Joining the global trend, Hanoi is also welcoming luxury hotels including Four Seasons, Fairmont, Waldorf Astoria or Ritz Carton is expected to expand the luxury hub in the capital, attracting luxury brands to participate in this potential market, Trang said. Regarding the location selected by luxury brands, Trang pointed out that in regional markets, brands often place their stores on the main shopping street or in big shopping centres, where many big brands gather. Similarly, in Hanoi, brands also choose the street-front areas on the centre streets with optimal locations, large leasable area and abundant sources of affluent customers, according to Trang. Hoan Kiem District is still an ideal location for luxury brands thanks to its central location, which ensures the brand identity requirements. However, the reality has shown that the supply of premises in the area that meets this requirement is limited. Besides the limited stock, most of the retail spaces in Hanoi do not meet the requirements of luxury brands, including the factors of leasable areas, technical and legal transparency, as well as the projects long-term commitment. According to Trang, the lack of development vision in some shopping centres has hindered the long-term development of the project as well as the luxury brands. Meanwhile, there are still many projects developed by foreign developers with good vision, good tenant strategy, high levels of investment, and long-term plans, that have high occupancy and are considered the destination for consumers in major markets. To benefit from Vietnam markets attraction for luxury retail, adding suitable stock is the solution. Developers should concentrate on building premises that meet international standards and the needs of brands, Trang added. According to the World Bank report, Vietnam's GDP is forecast to grow by 6.30 per cent in 2023 despite the gloomy global situation. In the 2021-2030 period, the national master plan defines an average GDP growth target of about 7.00 per cent per year. By 2050, GDP per capita at current prices will be about $27,000-$32,000. The General Static Office (GSO)s data also showed that the domestic consumption rate has gradually grown again, with the total retail sales of consumer goods and services in the first four months of 2023 increased by 26.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2019 the year before the pandemic. Workers unload a batch of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines at M'poko International Airport in Bangui, Central African Republic, July 6, 2021. [Chinese Embassy in CAR/Handout via Xinhua] The 76th World Health Assembly (WHA), focused on "saving lives, driving health for all," wrapped up in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday. This year's WHA convened at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and the world is progressing toward a return to normalcy. At this crucial moment, the assembly emphasized the need to reflect on the past, strengthen disease response, and prepare for future pandemics and other threats. During the past three years, humanity confronted an abrupt pandemic outbreak with insufficient preparedness. Throughout this challenging period, countries, including China, made concerted efforts to address this unprecedented global health crisis. Despite facing initial challenges and moments of uncertainty, the world has gained valuable lessons and insights for the future. Life matters "It was a moment of relief and reflection," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his report to member states at the 76th WHA. He noted that although it is encouraging to see life return to normal, many of us continue to carry grief over those we have lost and the feeling that it didn't need to be this way. The public health emergency declaration on Jan. 30, 2020, the highest level of global concern specified in the international, legally binding health regulations, did not lead to an urgent, coordinated and worldwide response. In the face of the sudden health crisis, different countries made varying choices regarding their response strategies. China, home to 1.4 billion people, chose to protect the safety and health of its people. Quarantining large cities, building a 1,000-bed hospital in just 10 days and sharing critical information with the world without delay ... China's decisive and timely measures have not only safeguarded the health and lives of its own citizens but provided precious time for other nations to prepare, thereby playing a significant role in the global effort to fight the disease. The Chinese people "are protecting the world from an even faster spread through their willingness to make sacrifices and their commitment," said Michael Schumann, head of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade. "They deserve our respect and our active and energetic support." "If it weren't for China's efforts, the number of cases outside China would have been very much higher," Tedros has said. Sharing without reservation China's contribution to the global fight against the pandemic goes beyond successfully managing infection rates within its borders. It has generously extended aid to other nations and selflessly shared its invaluable experience, ultimately saving countless lives worldwide. Cao Xuetao, deputy head of the National Health Commission of China, told the 76th WHA that as of May 2022, in addition to supplies, the Chinese government has also dispatched 38 experienced medical teams to 34 countries to assist in the fight against COVID-19. "We offer them our immense gratitude, especially for sending their experts. They have proven as friends in the most difficult times when we fight for the lives of Serbian people," said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. During the pandemic, vaccine inequity jeopardized global efforts to combat the virus. In response, China was the first country to propose COVID-19 vaccines as a global public good and exempt vaccine intellectual property rights. These moves provided a significant boost toward closing the global immunization gap. Over the past three years, China has provided over 2.2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to more than 120 countries and international organizations, and such substantial contribution has offered vital support to developing nations in their battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Chinese technology further played a role in enhancing the world's capacity to fight COVID. In addition to partnering with renowned institutions like Brazil's Butantan Institute to conduct essential clinical trials, China has extended its collaboration to other developing nations, including The United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Indonesia, assisting them in bolstering local vaccine production. Such cooperation has empowered countries to stand firm during the pandemic and fostered more self-reliance among developing nations. "When the world was shrouded in darkness by the pandemic, China stepped up and offered us help, demonstrating (the spirit of) solidarity and cooperation," Dominican Senator Aris Yvan Lorenzo has said. Health for all Despite the waning influence of COVID-19, the difficulties and sacrifices endured during these three years have reminded us of the imperative to enhance cooperation and create a future where every person has access to the health services they need. During his report to the Assembly, Tedros said COVID-19 had significant implications for health-related targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have a deadline of 2030, and each of the "triple billion" targets. Announced at the 2017 WHA, the five-year initiative calls for ensuring one billion more people have universal health coverage, a billion more are better protected from health emergencies, and another billion enjoy better health and well-being. Countries have made progress on providing universal health coverage, with some 477 million people benefitting today. However, he warned that if current trends continue, fewer than half of the world's people would be covered by the decade's end, "meaning we must, at least, double the pace." China has always been a contributor to global cooperation in the field of public health. In 2020, China put forward the vision of building a global community of health for all. Under such a spirit, China has provided anti-pandemic supplies to 153 countries and 15 international organizations and co-hosted more than 300 exchange activities on epidemic prevention and control and medical treatment with over 180 countries and regions and more than 10 international institutions. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that China's support and help have shown the world the spirit of unity and cooperation. Actually, China's support extends beyond the pandemic and can be dated back six decades. Since the first Chinese medical team arrived in Algeria in 1963, China has dispatched around 30,000 medical personnel to 76 countries and regions across five continents, primarily focusing on Africa, providing 290 million diagnoses and treatments for Africans, according to the National Health Commission of China. China's proposal to build a global community of health for all is "excellent," Jones Albuquerque, a research scientist at the Keizo Asami Laboratory of Immunopathology of the Federal University of Pernambuco, told Xinhua in a recent interview. In his closing remarks at the World Health Assembly, Tedros emphasized the importance of a global community of health that serves everyone. "To pathogens, we are all one, and that's how we must see ourselves: one people, sharing one planet, working together with one purpose -- the highest attainable standard of health for all people." Clayton County jail employee accused of using stolen credit card at Macys Clayton County deputies are searching for another fellow sheriffs office employee just days after three others were arrested. Sheriff Levon Allen said he issued warrants on Wednesday night to charge contracted employee Iyana Niara Dixon with financial transaction fraud and theft by taking. He says Dixon got ahold of a victims credit card and used it five times, including at a Macys department store. Its unclear how much money was spent. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Allen did not comment on who the victim is, but says Dixon used her position within the Sheriffs Office to steal from inmates. He has dubbed this Operation Clean House. Last week, three people who worked at the Clayton County Jail were arrested. Correctional Officer Tabitha Clifton and nurse Jessica Castellanos were arrested on Friday and accused of giving contraband to inmates. TRENDING STORIES: Less than 24 hours before, Correctional Officer Sean Hollinshead was accused of orchestrating an attack on an inmate. 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 all three have since bonded out of jail. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] As part of the investigation into the tragic consequences of not allowing citizens to shelter in Kyiv, law enforcement officers detained four people: the first deputy of the Desnyanskyi Region State Administration, the director of the medical facility and his deputy and a security guard. Source: Press service of the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office and the Kyiv Police; Suspilne Details: The three detained officials are being served with a notice of suspicion of gross negligence that caused grave consequences, and the security guard is being charged with endangerment resulting in deaths. Anton Yefimov, the head of the Desnianskyi District Prosecutor's Office in Kyiv, told Suspilne that a medical examination of the security guard showed that he was sober. The police are conducting priority investigative actions and establishing the involvement of each of the four suspects in the tragic event when Kyiv residents were killed and injured near the shelter. Earlier, as part of the investigation, prosecutors together with the police conducted searches in two departments of the Kyiv City State Administration, the premises of the Desnyanskyi District State Administration and a medical facility, where citizens were not given access to shelter during the air-raid siren. Investigative actions in criminal proceedings are ongoing. In addition, the Security Service of Ukraine is investigating a crime under Art. 438.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation by Russia of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder). Background: On the night of 1 June 2023, three people, including a child born in 2013, were killed in the capital during a missile attack by the Russian occupiers. Residents tried to get into the shelter of the clinic in the Desnyanskyi district, but the doors were locked. Criminal proceedings have been initiated over the incident. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office and the police are conducting searches in Kyiv City State Administration in connection with residents' statements about a shelter being closed during the Russian night attack that killed three people. Source: Nadiia Maksymets, the spokesperson for the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda Quote from Maksymets: "Investigative actions are currently underway at Kyiv City State Administration. In particular, searches are being conducted at the Department of Municipal Security and Healthcare." Details: Earlier, law enforcement officers searched a medical facility where a bomb shelter was closed during the air-raid warning and the attack, as well as the building of Desnianskyi District State Administration. Why this is important: Yaroslav, a resident of the Ukrainian capital, whose wife was killed in the Russian missile attack on 1 June, has said that people ran to the shelter at night, but no one opened it for them. The Kyiv Prosecutor's Office is conducting investigative actions in the medical facility where the shelter was closed during the Russian missile attack on the night of 31 May-1 June. The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, later also announced that the Kyiv police have started criminal proceedings under Art. 367.2 of the Criminal Code (Official negligence that caused serious consequences). Only 2 weeks ago, in the middle of May, during a large-scale Russian attack, residents of the capital complained about a large number of shelters being closed. On 17 May, Serhii Popko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, said that all shelters in Kyiv would be inspected and opened, because a closed shelter during war is a crime. On the morning of 1 June, Ukrainska Pravda asked the Kyiv City State Administration whether the inspection had been carried out, what percentage of shelters had been inspected and what the overall results of the inspection were. Ukrainska Pravda will share the answer as soon as it is received. Background: On 1 June, Russian missile fragments fell in Kyiv, killing three people. A child is among those killed. In the morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the occupiers once again used missiles of the operational-tactical missile system Iskander on the objects of civil and critical infrastructure of the capital and Kyiv Oblast at night. According to preliminary data, 10 out of 10 missiles were destroyed by the forces and means of the Air Force. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The mayor of Kyiv, Vitalii Klitschko, asks the government and Office of the President to suspend the head of Desnianskyi district, Dmytro Ratnikov, for the duration of the investigation into whether the shelter in the health centre, near which three people died, was opened at night. Source: Kyiv City State Administration Quote: "I appealed to the Office of the President and to the government, which agree the appointment and dismissal of the heads of districts of the capital, about the suspension of the head of Desnianskyi district, Dmytro Ratnikov, from the performance of his duties, for the duration of the investigation into whether the shelter in the health centre, near which three people died, was open during the night." Details: According to Klitschko, the head of the medical facility, whom the Desnianskyi district administration appointed, should also be suspended. In addition, the capital's prosecutor's office confirmed to Ukrainska Pravda that an investigation is currently being conducted in the Desnianskyi District State Administration. The mayor of Kyiv gave a separate order to the heads of the capital's districts to immediately check all shelters, the operation of which is the responsibility of the heads of the city's District State Administrations. Why it is important: Yaroslav, a resident of the capital whose wife died in the Russian missile attack on 1 June, said that people ran to the shelter that night, but no one opened it for them. The prosecutor's office reported that it is conducting investigative actions into the medical facility where the shelter was closed during the Russian missile attack on 1 June. The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, later also announced that the Kyiv police have started criminal proceedings under Art. 367.2 of the Civil Code of Ukraine (official negligence that caused serious consequences). Only two weeks ago, in the middle of May, during a large-scale Russian attack, residents of the capital complained about a large number of shelters being closed. On 17 May, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Serhii Popko, said that all bomb shelters in Kyiv would be inspected and opened because a closed shelter during the war is a crime. Background: On the night of 1 June, three people, including a child, were killed by falling missile fragments in the city Kyiv. In the morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that at night the Russians once again used missiles of the operational-tactical missile complex "Iskander" on the objects of civil and critical infrastructure of the capital and Kyiv Oblast. According to preliminary data, 10 out of 10 missiles were destroyed by the forces and means of the Air Force. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Coast Guard has stopped the search for a Carnival cruise passenger who fell overboard Daniel Kramer/Reuters The search for a Carnival passenger who fell overboard has been suspended, the US Coast Guard said. Ronnie Peale Jr. 35, fell off the Carnival Magic ship and into the water on Monday, officials said. His fiancee said Peale Jr. was on his first-ever cruise and in his "happy place" before he fell. The search for the missing Carnival passenger who fell overboard on his first-ever cruise as it returned from the Bahamas has been suspended, the US Coast Guard said. Ronnie Peale Jr., a 35-year-old Virginia resident, plunged into the water early Monday after he leaned over a balcony railing on the Carnival Magic ship about 186 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida, officials have said. The Coast Guard said it stopped its search for Peale Jr. on Wednesday after scouring 5,171 square miles by air and water over 60 hours. "The decision to suspend the active search efforts pending further development is never one we take lightly. We offer our most sincere condolences to Mr. Peale's family and friends," Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hooper, the Coast Guard District Seven search and rescue mission coordinator, said. The operator of the cruise ship, Carnival Cruise Lines, contacted the Coast Guard on Monday at around 6:30 p.m., reporting that a passenger fell off the Carnival Magic and into the waters. Peale Jr. was reported missing late Monday afternoon by his companion, the cruise line has said. The cruise line told Insider in a statement that a review of closed-circuit security footage "confirms that he leaned over the railing of his stateroom balcony and dropped into the water at approximately 4:10 am early Monday morning." Peale Jr.'s fiancee, Jennilyn Michelle Blosser, told WTKR that her partner was in his "happy place" on his first cruise before tragedy struck. "He loved the cruise life," Blosser said, according to the news outlet. "Being able to drink, gamble, and socialize put him in his happy place." Blosser said that Peale Jr. was the "life of the party," and told CNN that the pair went on the voyage to celebrate her birthday. Read the original article on Business Insider Yolo County Dist. Atty. Jeff Reisig has a general process he follows when considering whether to pursue the death penalty. "It's absolutely fair to say that in 58 counties in California, every D.A. probably does it differently," he says. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) In Yolo County, just west of Sacramento, the decision on whether to pursue the death penalty rests with one man, Dist. Atty. Jeff Reisig. Of course, the same is true in California's other 57 counties, where district attorneys ultimately make the call. But, as Reisig told me when I sat down with him recently, "It's absolutely fair to say that in 58 counties in California, every D.A. probably does it differently." Reisig may soon be facing that decision yet again, for about the 30th time in his more than 16 years in office, in the case of the young man accused in a series of stabbings that terrorized the nearby college town of Davis. Over the course of a few days in April, two men were killed and a woman was knifed through the fabric of her tent, leaving her alive but in critical condition. The suspect in the unexplained spate of violence is 21-year-old Carlos Reales Dominguez, a former UC Davis student who has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody in the Yolo County jail. Carlos Reales Dominguez, middle, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Yolo Superior Court. (Fred Gladdis / Davis Enterprise) It's the kind of frightening and inexplicable case that leaves many of us split on what justice could look like if Dominguez is eventually found competent to stand trial especially in a state where the death penalty remains on the books, but is impossible in practice since Gov. Gavin Newsom put a moratorium on it with an executive order in 2019 and shuttered the state's death chamber at San Quentin State Prison. So I asked Reisig how he'll decide and why. Reisig can't speak in specific terms about the Dominguez case, of course, but he was willing to walk me through the process he uses in general, and how both the law and the sentiments of Yolo residents weigh into it. First off, he told me he doesn't care about Newsom's executive freeze. In fact, Reisig said he considers it an authoritarian overreach for the governor to insert himself into the death penalty debate after voters in both 2012 and 2016 decided to keep the option on the books. He points out that another governor could reverse Newsom's order, though in dark-blue California, that is unlikely. The moratorium "has no basis, no influence on whether or not I'm going to do my job," Reisig said. "If the voters, you know, are given another chance on an initiative and they reject [the death penalty], so be it. That's democracy. But what we're living through right now, with the governor's self-imposed moratorium, I think, is really not democracy." Reisig pointed out that only a few types of cases qualify for the death penalty most commonly first-degree capital murder cases with a narrow set of special circumstances such as lying in wait or killing a police officer. So the first part of his decision is just running though the law to see if a case qualifies. On the surface, this case could, given the charges. But at a recent court hearing, a judge ordered a mental competency evaluation for Dominguez, and he unsuccessfully asked to represent himself. That first competency hearing will take place on June 20 and will likely begin a lengthy process of determining his fitness for trial. For Reisig, if a suspect is determined to have a mental illness that played a significant role in the commission of the crime, he won't pursue capital punishment. He considers it "profoundly" wrong to seek the death penalty for someone who can't understand their actions, which seems obvious. But I promise you some D.A.s would contest a finding of mental incompetency no matter what. If the mental competency is there and the case qualifies legally, Reisig begins his own internal investigation that looks not just at the crime, but circumstances that make it worse than the average capital murder (aggravating factors), as well as mitigating factors such as whether the person was under duress that may offer some explanation. He also considers the "special K" evidence, named after its position in the applicable penal code, that's basically a catch-all for anything else that's relevant. "And for that, you literally go back to birth," he said. "You look at, has this person demonstrated violence throughout their life? Are they a Charles Manson kind of guy? Or is it just like a one and done?" Interestingly, while a D.A. can consider age in the final decision, age isn't considered a mitigating factor meaning suspects don't get a break just because they're youthful. "Just the fact that somebody is young, in their 20s or whatever, does not mean by law that [they're] not eligible for or not appropriate for the death penalty," he said. Once all that evidence is gathered, he brings together his top advisors and they hash it out. "We talk about it, we debate it," he told me. "We dig, we ask more questions. Sometimes those conversations can take hours, sometimes it's days, sometimes we're thinking about it over, you know, weeks." But once that team makes a recommendation, "I make the decision," he said. Part of that final call is whether he thinks he can win at trial. Reisig calls Yolo "the most liberal county from Bakersfield to the Oregon border." That's one of the reasons that in his nearly two decades as its top prosecutor he has chosen to pursue the death penalty only one time: in the 2008 murder of Yolo County Sheriff's Deputy Jose Antonio Diaz (though he inherited a death penalty case from his predecessor as well). "That's come up a lot, where the case on its face, we all can look at it and say, 'Yeah, this guy is really the extreme. Like he's a psychopath. This is terrible. He meets all the statutory elements.' But will a jury of Yolo County folks go for that? And that, I mean, that changes county to county, right?" Reisig said that because "people have such entrenched views" on the death penalty, it can be hard to even seat a jury on a capital case. He points out that, legally, a juror has to be willing to consider either life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. "Well, good luck," he said of finding jurors open to weighing both. "People come in and they're like, 'No, I will never vote for the death penalty,' or 'This guy, this person should always get the death penalty,'" he said. "And so I don't want to pursue a death sentence on somebody that I know, based on my experience, I have no chance of getting 12 people to agree." In the case of Diaz's murder, Reisig won a death penalty conviction in 2011 against Marco Topete after a jury deliberated for days. Reisig said he and the defense team screened more than 600 jurors before seating their panel a tough task in a county of about 200,000 people. In the case he inherited from a previous district attorney, the 2005 killing of CHP Officer Andy Stevens, the jury took only two days to decide on the death penalty for Brendt Anthony Volarvich, then 22 and a member of a white pride gang called the Peckerwoods. Before I left, I asked Reisig if he is for or against the death penalty, and he told me it's not about his personal beliefs, though "if the people voted to do away with the death penalty, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it." Personally, I am against it precisely because there's so much discretion in how it is applied. How can we ever feel confident it's fair, regardless of the moral debate? Support for the death penalty has fallen dramatically across the country, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, as have the number of executions and death sentence convictions. In 1999, executions reached their highest annual number with 98 people put to death. Death sentences peaked a few years earlier in 1996, with 315 death sentence convictions. In 2022, there were 18 executions, and 20 new death sentences were handed down across the U.S. Two of those 2022 death sentences were in California, and nearly 700 people (including more than 20 women) are living under death sentences here. But California voters remain ambivalent about changing our law. A 2021 UC Berkeley poll examining the possibility of putting the issue in front of voters again found 44% said they would vote to repeal the states death penalty law, 35% would vote to keep it and 21% remained undecided. So, as Reisig points out, the death penalty may be sparingly used, but it's on the books and prosecutors will continue to consider it. That means regardless of where each of us stands, Reisig's transparency is important it allows us to understand how these life and death decisions are made. Because they are still being made, every day, across California. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Column: The DOJ's classified documents case was already dire for Trump. Now it looks even worse Donald Trump reportedly acknowledged retaining classified documents after his presidency. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) We continue to receive intriguing but incomplete reports about what special counsel Jack Smith was doing a few weeks ago. And while they concern the details of an already obviously powerful case of obstruction and other charges against Donald Trump in the federal classified documents case, they underscore the impression that the case Smith is preparing will be overwhelming. The latest revelations about the investigation go to the epicenter of the factual case for obstruction of justice and to the heart of Trumps anticipated defenses. We learned Tuesday that Trump lawyer Evan Corcoran testified to a federal grand jury that he was waved off searching Trumps office while attempting to comply with a subpoena for all classified documents in the former presidents possession. The instruction kept Corcoran from finding more than 100 classified documents that the FBI later seized in a court-ordered search, some of them in the office. Corcorans testimony some weeks ago indicated that he was therefore materially misled when he was steered away from Trumps office, the Guardian reported. But by whom? That is the screaming question that the report leaves unanswered. You can bet, however, that Smith has an answer. The passive voice was waved off, was materially misled represents the limits of the reporting, not of the testimony. Corcoran, who is recused from the case as Trumps attorney and must be careful to avoid being ensnared in the same net as his former client, was surely pressed on who exactly waved him off. And regardless of whether the message was delivered by one or another Trump aide, it is quite likely that the command can be traced to the ex-president. Who else would have the authority to issue such an instruction? This is potentially the crux of the obstruction case, the moment when Team Trump and probably Trump himself broke the law by deciding not to comply with the subpoena and lie about it. The partial report of Corcorans testimony presages a much more detailed and damning account at trial. It will be augmented by the attorneys 50 pages of contemporaneous notes, which a court has already ruled are probable evidence of criminal conduct by Trump. Corcoran is likely to testify that (a) he told Trump he could not retain any documents with classified markings and (b) he understood that Trump himself had instructed that he need not look in the former presidents office. Coming from the mouth of Trumps own lawyer, thats killer testimony. Yet another revelation came Wednesday, when CNN reported the existence of an audio recording of a 2021 meeting in which Trump acknowledges that he retained a classified document about a potential attack on Iran. Equally important, he is heard suggesting that he cant legally share the information with the people he was talking to. Such a recording would demolish the far-fetched defense Trump has trotted out in public to the effect that he had untrammeled authority to declassify any documents he took. On the contrary, he reportedly admits on the recording that he has classified documents that cant be legally disseminated refuting any claim that they were automatically declassified by his having taken them. The Guardian also reported that Trump says on the recording that he should have declassified the document , further undermining Trumps claimed powers of automatic declassification. Even if Trump was really waving a blank piece of paper at his interlocutors and only pretending it was a classified document, as some commentators have suggested, his own words would demonstrate his awareness of the legal limits. Team Trump has offered no response to the merits of any of these reports. It has only assailed them as selective leaks from the government, which seems unlikely. That would be a serious and risky transgression by a prosecutor known for playing by the book, and it would accomplish little for the special counsel at this late stage of the case. The accounts read more as if they came from witnesses or people they have spoken to, which is one reason they are incomplete. The leak accusation is a pale distraction from the bottom line of the reports: that the grand jury heard compelling evidence that the former president probably orchestrated the failure to comply with the subpoena and knew his claims of plenary authority over classified documents were bunk. Harry Litman is the host of the Talking Feds podcast. @harrylitman This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. BELGIUM-US-INDUSTRY-CHEMICALS-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION-HEALTH 3M, along with DuPont, are the targets of a new study alleging decades of covering up the dangers of PFAS Credit - BELGA/AFP via Getty Images The female employees at the DuPont chemical companys Washington Works plant in Parkersburg, W. Va., were not given much of an explanation in 1981 when they were all abruptly moved away from any part of the factory that produced a category of chemicals then known as C8. They certainly were not told about their eight recently pregnant coworkers who had worked with C8 and given birth that yearone of them to a baby with eye defects and just a single nostril; another to a baby who had eye and tear duct defects; and a third with C8 in its cord blood. For any employees with any doubts, the company took pains to offer reassurances that all was well. During the period that C8 has been used at Washington Works, a memo to the staff read, there is no known evidence that our employees have been exposed to C8 at levels that pose adverse health effects. There is a dose level where almost every chemical, even water, becomes poisonous. [C8] has a lower toxicity, like table salt. C8 is today defined as two chemicalsPFOA and PFOSthat are part of a class of more than 12,000 substances known collectively as PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Also known as forever chemicals because thats pretty much how long they linger in the environment, PFAS are used in thousands of products from textiles to nonstick pans to cosmetics to fire-fighting foam to food packaging, and more. The chemicals have been linked to a host of physical ills, including decreased fertility, high blood pressure in pregnant people, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental delays and low birthweight in children, hormonal disruption, high cholesterol, and reduced effectiveness of the immune system. More from TIME PFAS were first developed in the 1940s and it was not until the late 1990s that the public knew about the dangers they pose. But, according to a new study published in Annals of Global Health, DuPont and 3Mthe leading manufacturers of the chemicalshad preliminary evidence of PFAS toxicity as early as the 1960s, and knew broadly about the dangers the chemicals pose by 1970. These revelations of what the two companies knew about the harms of PFAS, and when, come as a result of an analysis of records on file at the University of California San Franciscos (UCSF) Chemical Industry Documents Library. The documents, in turn, were the product of discovery in two lawsuits: 1998s Tennant vs. DuPont, in which the plaintiff complained that DuPont dumped more than 7,100 tons of PFOA-laced sludge onto his property; and 2002s Leach vs. DuPont, a class action suit in which more than 80,000 West Virginia plaintiffs charged the company with contaminating the local water supply with PFOA and PFOS. Read more: All The Stuff in Your Home That Might Contain PFAS Forever Chemicals In 2020, a team of researchers from UCSF and the University of Colorado dove into the documents, seeking to compare the industrys silence onand in some cases direct cover-up ofthe dangers of PFAS with similar actions by the tobacco and fossil fuel industries. The parallels, they found were striking, with the PFAS manufacturers suppressing unfavorable research, distorting public disclosure of research that does leak out, withholding information from employees who might be exposed to dangerous levels of PFAS, and not disclosing evidence of PFAS dangers to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as required under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). All of this could ultimately figure into future PFAS-related lawsuits, both from plaintiffs alleging illnesses from exposure to the chemicals and from communities seeking remediation and clean-up of contaminated soil and groundwater. Certainly, the records examined by the researchers show that the companies knew the risks associated with the substances they were manufacturing. Having access to these documents allows us to see what the manufacturers knew and when, but also how polluting industries keep critical public health information private, said Dr. Nadia Gaber, an emergency medicine resident and the first author of the paper, in a statement. This research is important to inform policy and move us towards a precautionary rather than a reactionary principle of chemical regulation. In an email to TIME, DuPontwhich has since diversifiedsaid, in part: In 2019, DuPont de Nemours was established as a new multi-industrial specialty products company. DuPont de Nemours has never manufactured PFOA or PFOS. DuPont de Nemours cannot comment on allegations contained in the UCSF paper that relate to historical matters. 3M sent an emailed comment as well, stating: The paper is largely comprised of previously published documentsas evidenced by the papers references section, which includes citations dating back as far as 1962. 3M has previously addressed many of the mischaracterizations of these documents in previous reporting. The Secrets Begin It was in 1961 that the dissembling around the dangers of PFAS started. That year, as the new study details, the Canadian Medical Association Journal published a report of workers in PFAS factories who fell ill after smoking cigarettes that had been contaminated with PFAS-based Teflon. Shortly after, an account surfaced of a worker on a U.S. Air Force Base who somehow came into possession of a similarly contaminated cigarette, smoked it and died on site. DuPont and the Air Force dismissed the account as a rumorand the author of the original Canadian paper, bowing to industry and military pressure, posted a retraction, saying in part, The Union Carbide Corporation, upon further investigation, and with the cooperation of DuPont, reported in December of last year, there have been no deaths or permanent injuries known to stem from Teflon; all rumors of death are false. But DuPont knew better. In 1962 a company scientist conducting in-house studies on Teflon that were not released to the public conceded that the substance may be reactive to excessive heat and handling. Teflon may not be so inert, the scientist concluded. A non-industry paper in 1965 showed that Teflon was associated with an epidemic of polymer fume fever, an inhalation fever that occurs when Teflon is heated to 300 C (572 F). DuPont remained silent on those findings. Read more: The Challenge of Removing Toxic PFAS Forever Chemicals from Drinking Water That wasnt all the companies were learning about the products they were manufacturing. A 1961 DuPont study found that Teflon exposure led to liver enlargement in rats, with the in-house scientist recommending that the material should be handled with extreme care and that contact with the skin should be strictly avoided. In 1970, researchers at the Washington Works plant found that C8or PFOA and PFOScould be highly toxic when inhaled and moderately toxic when ingested. These findings were not made public either. A 1979 industry study showed opacity in the corneas of rats exposed to PFAS; and industry studies in 1979 and 1981 showed liver degeneration in rats fed both high and low doses of PFAS. Among the human studies the companies conducted, in 1994 researchers found that the half-life of C8 in the blood of employees was 1.5 to three years. The researchers nonetheless concluded from that same study that no adverse health effects were found in 3M workers in a study of liver function in DuPont Washington Works. But they added, a possible increase in prostate cancers had been reported at a different 3M plant manufacturing C8. Other findings among employees showed elevated liver enzymes in 61% of 30 workers tested, indicating inflammation and damage to cells in the liver; and both 3M and DuPont found elevated fluorinea marker of PFASin the blood of employees. The higher the level of fluorine, the higher the level of PFAS, and the greater the risk of all of the illnesses associated with the chemicals. Other industry and non-industry studies from 1988 to 2020 showed a range of additional ills associated with PFAS, including testicular adenomasor non-malignant growths; neurological damage; metabolic dysfunction; and fertility problems. Working the Public As the evidence of the dangers of PFAS mountedboth from company research and independent studies3M and DuPont began covering up what they were learning, describes the new study. In 1991, researchers unaffiliated with the companies began detecting PFAS in ground water. The companies responded with a joint press release stating: According to studies by DuPont and 3M Corporation, C8 has no known toxic or ill health effects in humans at concentration levels detected. In 2000, health officials in Lubeck, W. Va., found that several forms of PFAS, including C8, were present in the local drinking water. In response, DuPont reassured the officials that all was well. The officials repeated the company line publicly, stating that, DuPont reports that it has toxicological and epidemiological data to support confidence that exposure guidelines established by DuPont are protective of human health. But by now, the genie was out of the bottle. Researchers unaffiliated with the companies were publishing more and more studies on the risks of PFAS linking it to increased risk of certain cancers and other ills; the Tennant case had already been adjudicated and the Leach case was coming. And in 2000, 3M even announced it would no longer be manufacturing the PFAS-based fabric-protecting Scotchguard. In an in-house email discussing the announcement, a DuPont attorney acknowledged that the chemical is too persistent in the environment and gets into our blood. He added, The plant recognizes it must get public firstbetter late than never. In 2002, after Leach was adjudicated, a DuPont vice president tried to enlist help from an unlikely source: the EPA. Urgent: EPA action needed, the vice president wrote to the agency. We need the EPA to quickly (like first thing tomorrow) say the followingConsumer products sold under the Teflon brand are safe [and] there are no human health effects known to be caused by PFOA. The EPA did not accommodate the companys request. By now, of course, the dangers of PFAS are well known, with the chemical turning up in all manner of previously unexpected places, including toilet paper, menstrual products, and contact lenses. The EPA has already regulated permissible levels of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, and is working to add six more types to that list by 2026. Public demand is leading to a growing market for PFAS-free products, leaving companies like DuPont and 3M either to abandonor at least curbthe chemicals or get left behind. As for the companies reputations, studies like the just-released one might make cleaning them up a difficult job. These documents reveal clear evidence that the chemical industry knew about the dangers of PFAS and failed to let public regulators, and even their employees know the risks, said Tracey Woodruff, director of the UCSF program on reproductive health and senior author of the paper, in a statement. As many countries pursue legal and legislative action to curb PFAS production, we hope they are aided by the timeline of evidence presented in this paper. Correction: The original version of this story misspelled the name of the senior author of the paper. It is Tracey Woodruff, not Tracy Woodruff. A megalodon tooth necklace is pictured in this video screenshot of the Titanic, captured by Magellan, a deep-sea recovery group, that has compiled more than 700,000 images of the sunken ship to create 3D imagery. | Magellan Earlier this year, never-before-seen footage of the shipwreck of the Titanic was released just before the shipwrecks 111th anniversary. Now, with deep-sea mapping, a digital 3D replica gives amazing detail that would otherwise be difficult to make out under nearly 4,000 meters of murky water. Magellan, a deep-sea recovery group exploring the wreckage, has compiled more than 700,000 images to create a complete 3D view in detail, which researchers hope will shed new light on exactly what happened to the liner, per Magellan. We really dont understand the character of the collision with the iceberg, Parks Stephenson, who has studied the Titanic, told the BBC. We dont even know if she hit it along the starboard side, as is shown in all the movies she might have grounded on the iceberg. The Digital Twin, as Magellan and filmmakers from Atlantic Productions dubbed it, is already bringing more details to light on the wreckage, such as the fact that the Titanics bow and stern are split apart and located within a three-square-mile radius from each other, reported CNN. Each part of the ship is shown in videos that the researchers released in May. While the bow of the ship is mostly intact, the stern wasnt quite so lucky and can be seen as a tangle of metal and debris. Gerhard Seiffert, the planning lead for the expedition, told BBC that the crew had to map every square centimeter even uninteresting parts in order to fill in between all these interesting objects. Other shocking details captured include a serial number on the propeller and a gold megalodon tooth necklace found among the wreckage, reported BBC. Unopened champagne bottles, ornate metalwork and statues from the ship sit on the sea floor. Other more personal items, like shoes and clothing, are also scattered in the debris field. The details are making it more real that the shipwreck is a gravesite for more than 1,500 passengers, per CNN. Researchers stress that everything is treated with the utmost of respect. Related Farmers harvest wheat with agricultural machinery in the fields in Huyang Town of Tanghe County, Nanyang City, central China's Henan Province, May 22, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] Henan province, a major wheat production base in China, is taking all-around measures including draining water out of fields, dispatching harvesters and accelerating the drying of grains to offset the effects brought by recent rainfall that has affected the wheat at its ripening stage. The rain, which began in the middle of last week in southern Henan and lasted six days, has caused some of the crops to fall and some wheat to sprout, videos posted on social media show. The wet weather was the worst to occur during the wheat ripening period in 10 years, the Henan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs was quoted as saying by China Central Television. It affected all 17 cities in the province, especially the southern cities of Zhumadian and Nanyang, the department said. Besides affecting the wheat harvest progress in southern Henan, the rainfall has also affected crops in the northern and central areas of the province, where grains could fall in weight and quality, according to Guo Tiancai, a professor at Henan Agricultural University who was quoted by China Central Television. Guo said some plots in southern Henan have seen grains sprouting, which is causing concern because sprouting grains lead to declines in production and lower prices. The Henan provincial government has allocated 200 million yuan ($28 million) to help farmers dry the wheat. Local governments of the affected areas will also help speed up the wheat harvest by facilitating the transportation of harvesters and drying equipment to farms, local media reported. This year, Henan has over 5.67 million hectares of farmland growing winter wheat. The harvest is scheduled to end by the middle of this month, said the Henan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Of the wheat fields, around 266,660 hectares are set aside for wheat seeds, which make up 38 percent of seed production in the country. About 60 percent of seed production comes from northern Henan, where the wheat was less affected by the rainfall, but seed production in the southern part will be affected to some extent, said the department. The rainfall has raised concerns over the price of grain. Wheat that sprouted will have a low price, but the price will rise for wheat harvested later in areas such as northern Henan, and Shandong and Hebei provinces, said Cao Hui, director of the Industrial Development Research Office of the Rural Economic Research Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. "The losses caused by the rainfall in Henan are localized and will not greatly affect the overall situation, but the full impact still needs further observation," said Hu Bingchuan, a researcher at the Institute of Rural Development of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. China has long implemented a "minimum purchase price" policy for rice and wheat to ensure that farmers who produce these crops receive a certain level of income. Visitors look at artwork in the exhibit 'It's Pablo-matic: Picasso According to Hannah Gadsby,' at the Brooklyn Museum in New York Genius or misogynist -- or both? Fifty years after art icon Pablo Picasso's death, his legacy is reassessed by comedian Hannah Gadsby in a Brooklyn Museum exhibition in New York, this time through a contemporary, feminist lens. In her 2018 Netflix special "Nanette," Gadsby expressed "hate" for the Spanish master of Cubism and the creator of works like "Guernica" and "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon." But in "It's Pablo-matic: Picasso according to Hannah Gadsby" (June 2 through September 24) -- one of the many eagerly awaited shows under the aegis of France and Spain marking the 50th anniversary of his death -- the approach is more nuanced. Picasso (1881-1973) remains one of the most influential artists of the modern world, often hailed as a dynamic and creative genius. But in the wake of the #Metoo movement, the reputation of this workaholic with a vast output of paintings, sketches and sculpture has been tarnished by accusations he exerted a violent hold over the women who shared his life and inspired his art. In Gadsby's written and audio commentaries accompanying the pieces in the Brooklyn Museum, the Australian humorist refuses to separate the man from the artist, unearthing symbols of misogyny in Picasso's paintings and drawings. She points to the penis in the center of his 1931 painting "The Sculptor," proof in her view that Picasso "couldn't even separate himself from his art in his art." - 'Admiration and anger' - Catherine Morris, chief curator of the museum's Center for Feminist Art and a co-curator of "Pablo-matic," offers a more measured assessment. "You're dealing with a really complex and nuanced situation of an artist who is undeniably a genius, but also a less-than-perfect human," Morris told AFP at a media preview of the exhibit. Gadsby herself was not present. "Admiration and anger can co-exist," warns a preface of the exhibition, which has been organized in collaboration with the Musee National Picasso-Paris in France. Picasso is surrounded by women in the exhibition -- not just his muses, but rather artists of his time, some of whom struggled to counter the prevailing masculine narrative of the modernist movement. They "often didn't have the same support or access to the institutional structures that helped foster Picasso's genius," observed Lisa Small, senior curator of European Art at the Brooklyn. Visitors can study nude drawings from the 1930s by American Louise Nevelson (1899-1988). Such images were "revolutionary at the time because at that stage (it was) quite difficult for women to even be allowed into figure drawing classes," Morris said. Works by others in America's feminist art movement are on display, including by African-American painter Faith Ringgold and the Guerrilla Girls. Also included are drawings by Kathe Kollwitz (1867-1945), a German expressionist who was "incredibly skilled, both technically and emotionally," Small added. arb-mlm/bfm The News As China expands its artificial intelligence development, some experts are raising the alarm over the potential of an AI-related catastrophe. Know More China has pushed forward with state-sponsored AI research and development, announcing in March that it would fund emerging technologies in the tech race against the United States. The country has also suggested it could be the global leader in the field by 2030, the South China Morning Post reported. With Beijing plowing forward with the development of AI, some experts fear that the country, which has a poor track record for industrial disasters, may not be adequately prepared for AIs capabilities. Heres what three China watchers and industry experts had to say. Angela Huyue Zhang, University of Hong Kong Zhang, an associate professor of law at the University of Hong Kong, wrote in Nikkei last month that the Chinese government was not just a regulator of AI, but also an advocate, sponsor and investor. The country announced in April that it would strictly regulate generative AI, and that tech produced by major companies like Baidu must adhere to Communist Party values. But Beijing would likely keep policies surrounding AI development soft and vague to spur on industry development, especially given how much capital the government has directed to its research, Zhang wrote. Bill Drexel and Hannah Kelley, AI and technology experts Polling shows that China is among the most optimistic countries in the world about the possibilities AI offers, Bill Drexel, an AI researcher, and Hannah Kelley, a research assistant at the Center for a New American Security, wrote in Foreign Affairs. But the country risked a major AI-related disaster because of Beijings lax approach toward technological hazards and its chronic mismanagement of crises. Government suppression of disasters led to disaster amnesia, they said, meaning the public is often uninformed about risk and unlikely to advocate for regulation. Autocratic states often struggle when faced with emergencies, Drexel and Kelley argued, and history suggests that if one occurred, Beijings response would be calamitous. Zeyi Yang, MIT Technology Review While Beijing has unveiled its framework of rules surrounding generative AI, its possible those rules will end up being too lax to offer much help, Zeyi Yang, a China reporter for MIT Technology Review, wrote this week. The penalty for breaking the rules amounts to 100,000 yuan about $15,000. That offers a near-tacit approval for companies looking to research AI to possibly break the rules, since the fines are a drop in the bucket for giant firms like Alibaba or Baidu. If a company is fined each time its AI model violates the rules, the amounts can pile up, Yang wrote. But the size of the fine suggests that the rules are not made to scare the companies away from investing in AI. By Paul Lorgerie KINSHASA (Reuters) - Three weeks after giving birth to twins, 16-year-old Annaelle felt like a hostage: the hospital would not let her leave until she'd paid her medical bills, but she had no money. Her mother was doing shifts there as a cleaner to stump up the cash. Then a woman Annaelle had never met called Grace Mbongi Umek entered the maternity ward at Bethesda clinic in Congo's capital Kinshasa and handed doctors a wad of bank notes - $130 to cover Annaelle's caesarean section, and more for two other women who had also been forced to stay. Like most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo has no universal health coverage, and most cannot afford what limited care there is. Hospitals, also cash-strapped, are forced to make patients stay until they have paid in full. Some stay weeks in already overstretched facilities while relatives scramble for solutions. "I want it to stop," said Umek, a businesswoman who owns shares in several security companies and in 2017 set up a foundation to help mothers with unpaid medical bills. The mother of four, who first heard about the problem during an encounter with a United Nations official, said she donates up to $3,500 a month. "I want women in my country to give birth in good conditions and not be held hostage because they cannot pay." President Felix Tshisekedi's government is ratifying a law to make health services free for the vulnerable. But the minimum of $40 required to give birth in a health facility is steep in a country where according to the World Bank over 60% of the population lives on less than $2.15 a day. Bethesda's head doctor Emmanuel Mpumpa, whose sister died in labour a few years ago because she could not afford hospital care, said keeping patients in was regrettable but necessary. "Bills ensure the facility's operations, pay for salaries and supplies," he said. Annaelle had become accustomed to staring at the hospital ceiling as her healthy girls dosed by her side in matching red beanies. Two other young women in the room were in the same situation. "We bought a few of the prescribed medicines but could not afford the doctors and hospital," said Annaelle's mother, Yvette Kalongo. When Umek paid, the ordeal was over. The young mothers uttered their thanks, wrapped their babies in blankets and made their way home through the neighbourhood bustle. (Reporting by Paul Lorgerie; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Edward McAllister and Sharon Singleton) Former President Donald Trump announced the establishment of the U.S. Space Command in Washington on August 29, 2019. Members of Congress are reportedly seeking to block funding for the current headquarters of the Space Command in Colorado and force the space military branch to move to Alabama. Members of Congress in Alabama submitted a draft bill last week that would discontinue funding directed towards the development of the Space Commands temporary headquarters in Colorado, restricting the command from spending any more money on the construction of its facilities, NBC News reported based on official documents reviewed by reporters. The bill is an attempt by the Alabama Congress to force the White House to announce the permanent location of the Space Commands headquarters. Read more The debate over the relocation of the Space Command headquarters has been dragging on for months. President Joe Bidens administration is reportedly trying to reverse a decision to relocate the Space Commands headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama, largely due to concerns regarding the states strict anti-abortion law that was put into effect last summer. Bidens attempt to halt the relocation of the Space Command headquarters came just months after Alabama criminalized abortion in most cases, including rape and incest. In December 2022, the Biden administration directed the U.S. Air Force to conduct a review of a decision made by former President Donald Trump to move the headquarters to Alabama. Later in March, the Washington Posts national columnist David Ignatius wrote a report suggesting that the White House will soon reverse the decision. Alabama lawmakers were angered by the report, stating that the decision should be up to the Air Force. The Space Command, not to be confused with the U.S. Space Force, is basically like having an army for space, a combatant command of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct operations in, from, and to space to deter conflict, and if necessary, defeat aggression, deliver space combat power for the joint/combined force, and defend U.S. vital interests with allies and partners, according to the DOD. The command provides satellite operations for the military and is on the lookout for foreign threats beyond the horizon, but its still not fully operational. The militarys newest combatant command is on track to reach full operations by the end of the year, according to U.S. officials. Senior military leaders have told investigators that relocating the Space Command headquarters could disrupt its operations and that staying in Colorado would allow it to reach full operational capacity sooner, SpaceNews reported in March. Alabama officials, however, are really eager to see the command make a home out of their state. Just this week, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey released a statement expressing Alabamas commitment to the space race. Let me repeat what everyone already knows: Alabama is the only rightful home for Space Command Headquarters, and supporting this mission is critical to the advancement of our national security, the statement read. For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on Twitter and bookmark Gizmodos dedicated Spaceflight Spaceflight page. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Congress is taking on a concern of many parents they want to make sure Americas families have childcare. Senators on Capitol Hill said we have a childcare crisis in this country. You want to have a kid in America and youre working class, well were going to make you pay for that, boy, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) Vermont said. Youre going to go deeply in debt. Thank you for having a child. Not exactly what I think we should be doing as a nation. The issue prompted hours of debate during a committee hearing. Senators say parents can mostly agree on these things: Childcare is expensive; its hard to find a spot at daycares; childcare workers dont get paid enough; if wages are increased, parents wont be able to afford it. >> Big Brothers Big Sisters seeking mentors in the Miami Valley; How you can help Funding that helped this situation during the pandemic is set to expire in September. Some are pushing for Congress to renew the money. Data from the committee shows more than 9.5 million children across the country would be impacted if lawmakers dont act. Some Republicans though question providing the funding, how the money is spent and the federal governments involvement. Its become more expensive as weve pumped more federal dollars into it, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) Louisiana said. We want affordable childcare. We dont want more bureaucracy and government spending that is wasted. Many advocates and parents believe there must be a balance. Parents and providers feel like theyre failing, but its the market thats failing them, Lauren Hogan of the Association for the Education of Young Children explained. Correcting underlying imbalances requires government intervention, not to restrict individual choices, but to enhance them. Details on how all these pandemic funds were spent likely will not be available until 2025 or 2026, according to the Government Accountability Office. Gerry Studds addresses state house in Boston Congressman Gerry Studds addresses a crowd at the State House in Boston on March 30, 1985. Credit - Ted Dully/The Boston GlobeGetty Images As Pride Month begins this June, the LGBTQ community can count among its achievements that the U.S. Congress has more openly gay members than ever before. Thirteen members of the 118th Congress identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, including Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat who became the first openly gay U.S. Senator in 2013, and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent who is the first openly bisexual individual to serve in a chamber of Congress. Forty years ago, Democrat Gerry Studds helped pave the way for this historic representation by becoming the first member of Congress to come out as gay while in office. He went on to win re-election in his Massachusetts district for more than a decade after. Yet the unprecedented nature of his coming out was somewhat overshadowed by some unseemly details surrounding it. Studds, who was first elected to the House in 1972, represented Massachusetts conservative Cape Cod and island regions. He was first motivated to run for office because he was an ardent opponent of the Vietnam War. But his tenure was marred with scandal. Shortly after arriving in Washington D.C., Studds initiated a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old page that included a two-week trip to Portugal. While the relationship was considered inappropriate, the page later described it as consensual, explaining to congressional investigators that Studds did nothing to me which I would consider destructive or painful. The news came out in the early 1980s during an investigation of another colleagues indiscretions with a page. For years, the playbook for a member of Congress navigating rumors that they had had a relationship with someone of the same sex was to either deny it or describe it as a mistake. Studds did not choose either of those options. On July 14, 1983, he gave a speech on the House floor making his sexual orientation clear: All Members of Congress must cope with the challenge of initiating and maintaining a career in public office without destroying entirely the ability to lead a meaningful and emotionally fulfilling private life. It is not a simple task for any of us to meet adequately the obligations of either public or private life, let alone both. But these challenges are made substantially more complex when one is, as am I, both an elected public official and gay. It was a risky move. Back then, no Congressman had survived a public revelation of their homosexuality, according to James Kirchick, author of Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington. The U.S. House of Representatives censured Studds for his relationship with a congressional page, stripping him of committee chairmanshipsin Studds case, his position as head of a House subcommittee overseeing the Coast Guard. In the aftermath of his announcement, it was an open question whether Studds could survive politically, particularly in a conservative district that Ronald Reagan had won with 55% support. There was just a lot of fear in the country, a lot of prejudice surrounding the AIDS crisis, says Kirchick, who noted that the Cold War also played a role in fueling homophobia. There was this fear that gay people could not be trusted with national security secrets because they can be blackmailedeven though there was not a single example of a gay person being blackmailed into giving secrets to a foreign power. But neither his outing himself nor the censure from his colleagues tanked Studds political career. He not only won re-election from his conservative district in 1984, but continued to do so for 13 years, until his retirement in 1997. Jane Carlee, one of his constituents from Nantucket, Mass. explained why she was standing by him in a Letter to the Editor published in the Aug. 14, 1983, issue of TIME magazine: As one of Congressman Gerry Studds constituents, I can explain why we are surprisingly supportive of him. No Representative has done so much to protect our environment or shown so much respect for our wishes. The controversy over Studds struck a chord with a fellow gay colleague in the Massachusetts delegation, Barney Frank. They represented adjoining districts, and Frank explained to TIME in a recent phone conversation that the two men would talk about what it was like being a closeted member of Congress. Frank says he had wanted to come out publicly around the same time Studds did, but Studds page scandal prompted him to put it off for four years. I postponed my coming out. I wanted to wait til he got re-elected and that [scandal] was no longer an issue. Frank came out publicly in 1987. We were both frankly pleasantly surprised that we did as well as we did afterwards, says Frank. Their continued electoral successes after coming out were, to Frank, the first indications that America was not as homophobic as people thought they were supposed to be. Studds died in 2006 at the age of 69 from a blood clot in his lung. If Studds were alive today, Frank imagines that he would be heavily involved in climate change policy, given he was known for his key role in protecting the Cape Cod seashore. And he believes being openly gay is an asset for politicians, citing 2020 presidential candidate and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. As he jokes, By the time I retired in 2012, being gay was much more socially acceptable than being a congressman. Cop arrested after ex-girlfriend finds hidden camera in her home, Texas officials say A Texas police officer was arrested after allegedly placing a hidden camera in his ex-girlfriends home, officials told news outlets. Andres Puente, a three-year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department, was arrested on two counts of invasive video recording, the department said in a June 1 news release. Puente was taken into custody by the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, the release said. Deputies began investigating Puente after receiving a call from his ex-girlfriend, saying she had found a hidden camera installed behind a desk at her home, WOAI reported. Investigators viewed more than 30 hours of footage on the camera, which captured Puente installing the device, officials told the outlet. The camera, which was disguised as a device that plugs into a wall outlet, also recorded the victim and her daughter partially undressed, as well as conversations between the victim and someone else, KSAT reported. In a text message exchange between Puente and the victim, he admitted to entering her home without her knowledge, according to documents obtained by the TV station. Puente has been put on temporary unpaid leave, pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigations, police said in the release. Man hid camera in bedroom and bathroom of home to film kids, Alabama deputies say Dad finds accused sex predator hiding in 13-year-old daughters closet, Illinois cops say High school coach hid a GoPro in girls locker room, WI cops say. 18 victims possible Mom uses seat belt to tie boy to car then drags him on highway as punishment, cops say Country music star Zach Bryan issues warning to fans after kicking woman out of his concert Country music star Zach Bryan explained why he had a fan kicked out of his concert in Albany, New York. Bryan, 27, was walking through the crowd, followed by security, when a fan attempted to grab his guitar out of his hands. The "Something in the Orange" singer can be heard saying, "Hey, get her out of here," to his security team. "I give J-45s out at a lot of concerts. The one in my hands when this happened was mine, my sweet ol gal, weve been everywhere together and written every song in the last few years together," Bryan later explained on Twitter. "Took it personal, but nothing against whoever wound up getting kicked out." COUNTRY STAR TIM MCGRAW TAKES A TUMBLE AT HIS CONCERT AND FALLS INTO FANS WATCH: FAN GETS KICKED OUT OF ZACH BRYAN'S CONCERT READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP He later gave a warning to fans for the future. "I dont mind people being respectful and trying to touch me or the guitar, but if you try to rip it out of my hands I promise Ill rip you out of whatever venue were at, respectfully, of course," Bryan tweeted. Zach Bryan kicked a fan out of his concert after she attempted to grab his guitar while the musician was passing through the crowd. Bryan began his career while he was serving in the Navy. He released his debut album "DeAnn" in 2019. Since then, he also released "American Heartbreak," which was one of the top albums of 2022. The album premiered in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country chart. He is currently on his "Burn, Burn, Burn" tour. The tour began Feb. 13 and will end in October at a music festival in College Station, Texas. Zach Bryan is on his "Burn, Burn, Burn" tour, which kicked off in February. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Following his explanation about why the fan was removed, Bryan confirmed on Twitter that his relationship with Debra Peifer had recently ended. "For transparency and with respect I am letting everyone know Debra and me went our separate ways about a week and a half ago," he revealed. "Things are mutual between us, were leaving with plenty memories and good times. I beg so much that everyone respects her and my privacy through a hard time." Zach Bryan launched his career in 2019 with his debut album "DeAnn." He followed up the tweet with, "and me playing All The Time last night had actually nothing to do with my previous tweet. I got hundreds of dms of people asking me to play it and it was about time I did it." Phoenix police car Phoenix police have identified and arrested a woman they shot on May 22 after police said she had failed to yield for a traffic stop and pointed a gun at them. Melissa Ann Larue, 40, was identified as a suspicious person in a car parked at Domino's Pizza near 35th and Glendale avenues who had the authorities called on her just before 7:30 p.m., according to court documents. Larue was reported to be sleeping in a dark gray Nissan Altima with a Washington plate. The vehicle's engine was reportedly on, and there was also a dog inside the car, court documents state. Officers arrived on the scene at about 8:40 p.m. and found Larue in the car with a lunchbox "containing apparent drug paraphernalia on her lap." Authorities said they tried to contact Larue but she drove off, and a chase ensued. Larue then momentarily stopped near West Northern Avenue in Phoenix as an officer tried to pull her over. Mesa killings: Suspect tied to four shooting deaths was fueled by dislike of drug use, homelessness, police say However, Larue sped off again, prompting a police helicopter to tail her, according to authorities. A canine officer in an unmarked police vehicle equipped with a grapple tried to bring Larue's car to a halt, but only slowed her down as she attempted to drive away, court documents state. Two more responding canine officers were able to contain Larue's vehicle on both the passenger and driver sides, bringing the car to a stop. Court documents state that police commanded Larue to shut off her engine and show her hands, but she was "noncompliant." Phoenix-area homicides in May 2023: 2 dead at Chandler home, police investigating Soon after, Larue "committed aggravated assault" when she pointed a butane lighter "designed to look like a black handgun" in the direction of two Phoenix police officers from her driver's seat, according to court documents, Court documents state that the two officers believed it to be a legitimate firearm and began firing "toward" Larue. Another police officer reacted to the two officers' shots and responded by firing his shotgun "toward" Larue. When the gunfire ended, officers gave Larue more commands to exit her vehicle, this is what the court documents described as Larue resisting arrest. Officers then broke out the driver side door window and pepper sprayed her "to gain compliance." Larue was pulled from the car when police found she had been shot, putting her in critical condition. Larue was transported to the hospital where she was released on Friday, May 26 and arrested shortly thereafter. A records check found that Larue had a history of having outstanding felony warrants for fraud and failure to appear for a sentencing reference for robbery, forgery and dangerous and narcotic drug possession, according to court documents. Court documents state that a search of Larue's vehicle produced the lighter, 500 blue pills marked M30 (fentanyl), 27.3 grams of heroin, 4.7 grams of methamphetamine and a small bag of marijuana with an assortment of related equipment. Upon being released from the hospital, Larue was read her Miranda rights, and court documents state that she told investigators she had fallen asleep while waiting for her pizza when she awoke to someone knocking on her window. She said she did not recognize the person to be a uniformed police officer, adding she was disoriented and drove away. Larue said she drove from the Domino's until the grapple got her. She tried to light a cigarette with the lighter, describing it as black and shaped like a taser, which she believes was in her hand when officers told her to show her hands, according to court documents. Court documents state that when Larue was questioned about the drugs, she asked for a lawyer. Larue was booked into jail and is facing multiple charges including two counts of aggravated assault with a simulated deadly weapon, one count of dangerous drug possession, possession of dangerous drugs for sale, narcotic drug possession, narcotic drug possession for sale, unlawful flight from law enforcement and resisting arrest. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Woman shot after allegedly pointing lighter at police identified Public health advocacy groups are sounding the alarm over a provision in the debt ceiling deal to claw back about $27 billion in unspent pandemic relief money, arguing it could have consequences for future public health initiatives. Unspent COVID-19 dollars have long been a target of Republicans, and taking back some of that money gives Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) a political win. The federal COVID-19 public health emergency ended earlier this month, and President Biden had indicated he was open to a deal that included coronavirus funding rescissions. That clawback was included in the final measure to raise the debt limit, which cleared the House in a bipartisan 314-117 vote Wednesday and now heads to the Senate, where leaders hope it will pass quickly ahead of a Monday deadline given by the Treasury Department. According to the White House, some of the unspent money will now be used to help shore up nondefense spending. The appropriators will use some of that money to spread around how they see fit, said Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. We didnt get into the individual line items in this bill. According to the Congressional Budget Office, a majority of the reductions would come from the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund, as well as from certain infrastructure and disaster relief programs. Over the course of the pandemic, Congress appropriated nearly $5 trillion to various programs and agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Small Business Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Transportation Department. Across HHS, Congress would take back more than $13 billion from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and other agencies for programs including vaccine efficacy and supply chain monitoring. The funds were unspent for a variety of reasons. According to a summary circulated by the White House and obtained by The Hill, some of the programs had concluded, and there was no longer demand for others. Still, advocates said they are concerned lawmakers have not learned lessons from the pandemic. I think the issue is that it just speaks to this notion of nothing happened between 2020 and 2023, said Ellie Dehoney, senior vice president of policy and advocacy at Research!America. There seems to be this notion that we can do less than we did before, and somehow come out ahead. And thats really, really worrisome, Dehoney said. HHS saw a tremendous infusion of cash during the pandemic. According to the Government Accountability Office, six pandemic relief laws appropriated about $349 billion to HHSs Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund between March 2020 and March 2021. For context, the White Houses 2024 budget request would provide about $278 million for the emergency fund, which would be about $160 million more than what was enacted in the fiscal 2023 spending bill. The White House summary indicated there was about $20 billion remaining in the fund and said it was able to keep $10 billion to develop the next generation of vaccines, test procurement and research into long COVID. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said he understands the agreement was probably the best-case scenario with Republicans in control of the House. Still, his primary concern was that public health is being sacrificed to make fiscal ends meet. They didnt do this to the military budget. The military didnt just crash the economy but an infectious disease did. And were still inadequately investing in infectious disease right now, Benjamin said. Ive always believed that clawbacks are bad ideas because you always take back money that at some point you wished you had available. But other experts said the immediate impact will not be significant because the White House was able to protect key investments. Jen Kates, a senior vice president and global health expert at KFF, said its not totally clear what the funds would have been used for. As recently as last year, the Biden administration was asking Congress for more money. Republicans rebuffed the requests and insisted the White House hadnt given an adequate accounting of where the previously appropriated funds had been spent. I think that the federal government has not always shown the details of what [money] is left and why. And I think that doesnt make your case very well, Kates said. Congress has basically said COVID is over they want this money to come back. They have not had any appetite to provide more funding. In their view, COVID is done, and so the fact that this money was sitting there without a clear sense of why did not help [the administrations] case, Kates said. The larger concern for many is the legislations cap on nondefense discretionary spending will be kept roughly flat for 2024 and then given a 1 percent increase in 2025. The cap could significantly curb spending for health agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, which have been facing GOP attacks. Were in a precarious place. And, you know, were not treating strategic budgeting in that way, Dehoney said. And so, what worries me is the caps because the caps really demonstrate, I think, a disconnect between what were up against as a nation and what our investment strategy is for our nation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The campaign "Light Every Moment of Childhood" is launched Wednesday in Beijing to protect the rights and interests of children as well as reduce violence and neglect. [Photo/UNICEF/China/Ma Yuyuan] "Every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment, free from violence, abuse and neglect," remarked Amakobe Sande, the representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to China, during a campaign promoting positive parenting held Wednesday in Beijing. The campaign, called "Light Every Moment of Childhood," was launched to safeguard the rights and interests of children while also combating violence and neglect against children. Sande emphasized that raising children is no easy task, stating that parents should nurture relationships founded on respect, trust, empathy and communication with their children. Parents should serve as positive role models for their offspring, she added. Yuan Lixin, director of the China National Children's Center, shared that the center will continuously make efforts to address new problems emerging from children's development. By providing support to families, the center seeks to promote healthy and all-around growth in children. Ni Chunxia, director of the China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption, underscored the family's central role in children's well-being. She expressed her belief that the event is of great significance in raising public awareness of family responsibilities and advancing childcare efforts. The campaign is part of UNICEF's broader work in child protection. UNICEF, the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China and the All-China Women's Federation carried out a program in 15 pilot counties or districts in Guangxi, Jiangxi, Ningxia, Shandong and Yunnan. The program integrates child protection services from local authorities and communities. These services include offering positive parenting sessions to prevent and address all forms of violence, abuse and neglect toward children. UNICEF is encouraging business and communities to support the government to expand this program nationwide for all parents and children. One participant, Guo Yuhua, a father of four children from Suichuan county, Jiangxi province, shared his change of parenting approach. Guo and his wife used to discipline their kids through physical punishment, but after attending the positive parenting sessions, they started to reason with their children instead. The art exhibition "A Moment of Childhood Affects a Lifetime," opened on the same day and will run through the end of June. The campaign provides practical tips for positive parenting, aiming to assist caregivers in dealing with challenges children face at home, school and on the internet. Targeted positive parenting tips will be offered for parents to promote positive and nurturing relations with their children, Liu Ming, a child protection officer of UNICEF China, told China.org.cn. Guto Harri was appointed as communications director at No 10 in February 2022 The UK government is "largely run by WhatsApp" according to Boris Johnson's former communications chief, as the deadline for the ex prime minister's unredacted messages looms. Guto Harri said it is sign that political communication has changed. Mr Johnson is urging the government to hand the material to the Covid inquiry in full without redactions. The public hearing, which begins in two weeks, is investigating how ministers handled the pandemic. Mr Harri, the Welsh former Downing Street head of communications, told Radio Wales that the global pandemic had "blurred the boundaries" between official communication and conversations on sites like WhatsApp. WhatsApp allows users to send messages, images, audio or video. "Long gone are the days where a person with a clipboard would sit there writing the official record. The decisions that have to be taken, the number of people involved and we had a global pandemic where people were rarely in the same room," he said. Mr Harri said that using the instant-messaging service helped the government to function more efficiently, adding: "It will surprise people but that is the pace of government now." Both Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak were fined for attending a birthday party in Downing Street during Covid The UK government has so far refused to hand over material it does not consider relevant. The Covid inquiry has given the Cabinet Office until 16:00 BST on Thursday to disclose all of the information it has requested. The Cabinet Office has argued that ministers must have the right to discuss policies in private and says a leading lawyer is in the process of deciding what is relevant to the inquiry. Some senior Conservative MPs have urged the government to back down to avoid a lengthy legal showdown. Mr Harri says the confusion has left people trying to work out "where the bottleneck lies". "I suspect most people will be surprised that Boris Johnson is so willing to hand over his WhatsApp messages, because that puts pressure on the government to put pressure on other ministers, and the current prime minister," he said. What the latest police numbers show about crime in L.A., San Francisco and West Hollywood Police officers make their way into the LAPD's downtown headquarters. Crime in the city has dropped in the first five months of the year, according to LAPD data. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) As Los Angeles prepares to expand its police force with a boost in spending and plans to hire hundreds more officers, new data show that crime in the city has dropped moderately in 2023. Through May 20, L.A. experienced a drop of more than 10% in violent crime this year compared with the same period in 2022. Property crime fell by slightly more than 1%, and arrests were up 4.4%, according to Police Department data. By contrast, violent and property crimes both spiked in the first five months of 2022; the decline in violent crime this year brings the total for 2023 close to its 2021 level, but property crime remains significantly higher than it was two years ago. The Police Department posted additional positive numbers in a tweet Tuesday: Hate crimes dropped nearly 6%, homicides declined more than 27%, and the number of shooting victims decreased 17%. Fatal traffic crashes, however, were up almost 7%. Larceny arrests nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, while arrests for homicide and motor vehicle theft declined by 19% and 27% respectively. Los Angeles is not the only California city to report a drop in crime. San Francisco despite a wave of criticism after the killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee has experienced an overall drop of nearly 7% in crime in the first five months of the year, according to police statistics. San Jose reported a drop of about 8% in violent and property crimes in the first three months of 2023. In West Hollywood, the most serious crimes known as Part 1 offenses, including rape, murder, grand theft and vehicle burglary were down 9% from October to April compared with the same period in 2021 and 2022, according to the Sheriffs Department. Armed robberies dropped 40%. But even as Los Angeles enjoys a decline in serious crimes, Black women and girls remain at higher risk of being victims than any other demographic, according to a report by the citys civil rights department. Citing LAPD statistics, the report found that while Black women make up about 4.3% of the citys population, they often account for 25% to 33% of its victims of violence. A surge in drug use, rising crime and a growing number of drug overdose deaths in the region's Metro trains and buses have recently prompted transit officials to look into increasing security on the massive transit system. Tom Saggau, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents rank-and-file officers, previously told The Times that his group welcomes the efforts by Mayor Karen Bass to rebuild the LAPD after years of neglect. This staffing decline didnt start with Mayor Bass, Saggau said. But we hope it ends with Mayor Bass. Bass' budget outlines plans to hire 1,000 officers beginning in July, which represents a net expansion of about 400, because approximately 600 current officers are expected to resign or retire. But some critics wonder whether the department needs to expand. City data show a total of 9,059 sworn officers are employed as of May 6. Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who cast the council's only vote against the budget, lamented that the city puts "a quarter of our entire budget into just one department" while other agencies struggle for funding. "Crime is down across the board, but for some reason the LAPD asked for more money this year," the People's City Council, a coalition of social and climate justice groups that advocates for police abolition, tweeted. Times staff writers David Zahniser, Libor Jany and Julia Wick contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Crimean bridge is falling down cracks appear on its pillars, photos Photo with cracks on the pillars of the Crimean Bridge "The Kerch Bridge pillars are fatigued. Be seeing ya," the ironic caption reads. The caption does not state when the cracks appeared. A fire broke out on the Crimean bridge on Oct. 8, 2022. Russia uses the bridge to reinforce its troops on the occupied peninsula. Crimeanwind/Telegram At first, Moscow claimed that a "fuel tanker" was on fire, before admitting that a truck had "blown up" on the bridge. There were also reports of a "drone attack." Crimeanwind/Telegram Russia eventually called the explosion a "terrorist attack" and blamed "Ukrainian special services for its organization. Soon after, it commenced an attack on the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine, attempting to destroy Ukraines power infrastructure. Read also: Crimean bridge must be destroyed, says Zelenskyy advisor The campaign of missile attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure lasted for months, but petered off in the first few months of 2023, having failed due to Ukraines increasingly more effective air defenses. Reacting to the news of the explosion on the Crimean bridge, Presidential Office advisor Mykhailo Podolyak suggested Russia itself could have been behind the explosion as part of a feud between Russian security agencies. NVs sources said that the explosion on the Crimean bridge was a special operation of the SBU. The SBU refused to comment on this information. "We do not comment on this. We will comment on the role of the SBU or any other state agency of Ukraine in the 'pops' (explosions of Russian equipment ed.) after our final victory." 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 Courtesy Royal Hashemite Court There was no shortage of royalty in attendance at the wedding of Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan and Rajwa Al Saif. Included among their number is Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, who turned up to the ceremony looking stylish in an "Agnes" silk floral print gown by Erdem. She paired the look with a femme cornflower blue hair bow that added a daytime touch to the proceedings, as well as matching pumps. The Erdem dress is a favorite of Mary's, and she has worn it on several occasions, including to the 80th birthday celebrations of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway in 2017 and at a gala for the The American Chamber of Commerce in Denmark in 2019. She also wasn't the only royal at today's event to take a floral turnboth Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands also opted for flowery looks. Mary and her husband, Crown Prince Frederik, are also likely to appear at a state banquet in Jordan on honor of the wedding this evening, though it's expected that there will be a shift from the more understated daytime styles of the wedding ceremony to more official honors of state for the final event of the wedding day. The princess's appearance honor the wedding of Prince Hussein and Rajwa is only the latest of her appearances at international royal events. Less than a month ago, she made the trip to London alongside her husband Crown Prince Frederik, to celebrate the coronation of Britain's King Charles III. On that occasion, Mary opted for a chic purple look, pairing a wrap-style long sleeved dress with color matched gloves and a veiled headpiece. You Might Also Like While Canada is no Florida, a platform released by the People's Party of Canada has raised concerns among members of the LGBTQ+ community A transfeminist activist and jurist from Quebec has gone viral on Instagram for raising the alarm on a dangerous new anti-trans platform released by the People's Party of Canada. Celeste Trianon's post has been shared almost 15,000 times and has garnered heated discussion, including nearly 400 comments. The post, an eight-image gallery outlining the Maxime Bernier-led far-right party's policy on "radical gender ideology" in both English and French, warns of the PPC's eyebrow-raising platform. On its website, the PPC claims transgender people have an "evil agenda" and are planning to "destroy" society with the help of the "woke far left and all establishment parties." The plan includes modifying the Criminal Code to outlaw the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and any form of bodily mutilation on minors with the goal of transitioning to another sex, as well as forbidding biological men from entering womens bathrooms, shelters, prisons and change rooms. It echoes similar moves taking place in the United States, including most publicly in Florida, which has been under the spotlight recently for passing several bills that directly target queer and trans communities. These include a ban on sexual orientation and gender identity materials in classrooms, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" law, and a ban on transgender women and girls taking part in school sports consistent with their gender identity. Demonstrators gather to speak on the steps of the Florida Historic Capitol Museum in front of the Florida State Capitol, Monday, March 7, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida House Republicans advanced a bill, dubbed by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, to forbid discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, rejecting criticism from Democrats who said the proposal demonizes LGBTQ people. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) While some in the comments of Trianon's post downplay the threat of a party that has no elected seats, she warns that it's dangerous to be complacent. "For those who say it's an American problem, it's not," Trianon tells Yahoo News Canada. "It's very local as well." Trianon says this kind of policy sets an extremely dangerous precedent and directly targets the trans community. This is going to send a very strong message to Canadians that trans Canadians are not worthy of protection, she says. This is an anti-freedom policy from a party thats promoted freedom for so long. When she posted about the PPC's policy on LinkedIn, the party responded in the comments, telling her to "read to whole statement before jumping to conclusions." "They don't even think that this is anti-trans, which is the most horrifying part," she says. "They're not even aware of what they're doing." Trianon says the PPC introducing this kind of platform is tapping into many peoples fears about gender non-conformity and gender roles by targeting an already marginalized group. She urges Canadians voting in the next election to do so with human rights at the top of mind. If you vote against human rights, you might be the next human targeted, Trianon says. While the PPC won no seats in the 2021 election even leader Bernier could not win his Beauce riding more than 840,000 Canadians voted for the party, almost 5 per cent of all votes. It had more than tripled its support from just two years prior. This is going to send a very strong message to Canadians that trans Canadians are not worthy of protection. Where do Canada's political parties stand on LGBTQ+ issues? The anti-trans policy announcement from the PPC has some reexamining where the other main political parties stand on issues that impact the freedom and safety of the LGBTQ+ community. Wilbur Turner is the chair and founder of Advocacy Canada, a Canadian advocacy group for queer and trans communities. He spoke to Yahoo Canada News about Canada's political parties' track records on LGBTQ+ issues. NDP On the NDP website, the party devotes an entire section to upholding LGBTQ+ rights, which includes increasing access to gender affirming procedures and medication. Turner says the NDP have always been very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. Theres definitely no concerns or question marks with regards to where they stand, he says. Theyve been supportive. Whenever theres been a vote with regards to any kind of rights, like the bill to protect trans rights in the criminal code, theyve always been in favour. They have a good track record of supporting the community. Liberal Party The Liberals' website highlights the party's record in fighting for LGBTQ+ rights throughout history, which includes decriminalizing homosexuality in 1969, and the enactment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982, which protects all Canadians from discrimination. Turner credits the Liberals for having a really great track record on LGBTQ+ issues. Theyve done a lot of things to help out the community, he says. Turner says the Liberal government is loud on the world stage when it comes to rights being eroded in other countries, including Uganda, which recently signed one of the worlds most severe anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law. However, he admits there are some things the Liberals promised that took a long time to get done, like a review of blood donation guidelines, which banned men who have sex with men from giving blood. Theres been lots of promises made and for the most part those have been kept, Turner says. (The Liberals) have been the ones supporting things that have changed, in terms of laws protecting trans people. We even saw the prime minster in his first year in office marching in pride parades. "Theres always more to be done," Turner adds. "Going back to whats happening with regards to oppression and discrimination against the queer community, I think the Liberals need to step up and be very loud about this." Conservative Party The Conservative's 2021 recovery plan, under then-leader Erin O'Toole, stressed the party's commitment to fundamental human rights. It vowed to advocate for persecuted sexual minorities and pledged that a Conservative government would "speak clearly and confidently for the inalienable human dignity of LGBTQ people and deploy resources to help their activists." The party promised to make the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Project a permanent government program. However, Turner says hed give the Conservatives a big question mark when it comes to their platform on LGBTQ+ issues, as a result of their mixed messages coming from within the party. Overall they have the message that theyre supportive, but then there are people in the party that behave otherwise, so it makes us very concerned if there was ever a Conservative government and it depends on who the leader is and what kind of voices they have in caucus to what might happen, he says. Some examples include: Turner says its a sign that the reality of what the queer and trans community faces isnt always represented in those politicians, especially when party members have a long history of voting against any bills related to the LGBTQ+ community. Green Party The Green Party states under its values section its respect for diversity, which includes "recognition of and respect for sexual minorities" and "equality between people of all genders in all spheres of social, economic, political and cultural life." Turner says that although the Green party isnt well represented across Canada, for the most part there hasnt been anything from the party that causes him concern. I havent seen any red flags that would leave me alarmed, he says. Can of beer in hand, yoga instructor Anne Lund leads a 'Beer Yoga' session in Copenhagen If you ever thought yoga looks too hard and ascetic, think again. Danes have tapped into a chilled solution with "Beer Yoga". Dozens of yogis are embracing a cold ale during exercise sessions over the summer months on a quayside in Denmark's capital Copenhagen. "Everyone is going for it and wants to try, even though they have maybe never done yoga before," says Charlotte Mahaffey, a flight attendant who came along with a friend seeking inspiration from the shared enthusiasm. "I'm not an expert in yoga, but you know, I'm trying my hardest and drinking at the same time," the 50-year-old says. There's no need to be a seasoned athlete, with any willing participant welcome. Every other Wednesday, Anne Lund, a bubbly 40-year-old instructor, gathers eager participants for an hour of mat work interspersed with refreshing sips of beer. "It's totally basic yoga exercises. We drink sometimes during the exercise, sometimes in between," she explains to AFP. At the start of the session, she hands out a can to each participant. The crowd cheers and drinks when someone manages to balance on one leg with the can on their head. And they imbibe a little between and even during poses. An hour later, the cans are empty. A strip of tarmac wedged between a bike path and the waterfront makes for an improvised studio, and the hundred or so enthusiasts bring their own mats or just use their clothes. In the home of Carlsberg, one of the world's biggest brewers, beer is an integral part of the culture. Anne Lund came up with the idea of launching beer yoga in Denmark four years ago, during a late night out drinking with a friend who owns a microbrewery and who donates the cans for each session. "I love yoga, but I'm also in love with life and feeling good," Lund says. Despite the apparent cultural match, Danes are not the first to combine yoga with alcohol. While the exact origins are unclear, some reports trace it to the 2013 Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert in the United States. With Lund's class, which brings together men and women of all ages, she wants "people to feel good, and laugh and have a nice experience". For first-timer Jacob, the experience was a hit. "It was so amazing just sitting here in the sun and getting a little bit of exercise while drinking your beer, it couldn't be better," the 31-year-old musician exclaims. cbw/map/jll/po/bp A Los Angeles jury has found actor Danny Masterson guilty on two of the three counts of rape in a retrial on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney. There was a hung jury on the third count, the District Attorney said. We want to express our gratitude to the three women who came forward and bravely shared their experiences. Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all, District Attorney Gascon said. While we are disappointed that the jury did not convict on all counts, we respect their decision. The That 70s Show star, 47, had pleaded not guilty to raping three women at his home in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003. He is facing a possible sentence of up to 30 years to life in state prison. Masterson was taken into custody on Wednesday following the verdict. The trial started on April 24 and the case went to the jury on May 17. Masterson was represented by defense lawyers Shawn Holley and Philip Cohen. Deputy D.A. Ariel Anson and Deputy D.A. Reinhold Mueller prosecuted the case. CNN has reached out to representatives for Masterson for comment. I am experiencing a complex array of emotions relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior, Jane Doe 2 said to CNN in a statement through their representative. This is the second trial in the case against Masterson. His first trial, which started in October 2022, was declared a mistrial in November after jurors remained deadlocked, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys office said at the time. Masterson is best known for his role as Steven Hyde on That 70s Show, which aired for eight seasons on Fox from 1998 to 2006, and costarred Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, Topher Grace and Wilmer Valderrama. Kutcher and Masterson also starred in Netflixs The Ranch beginning in 2016, but Netflix and the producers wrote Masterson off the show amid the rape allegations. At the time, Masterson said he was obviously very disappointed by the decision, in a statement to CNN. News of the allegations date back to March 2017 when journalist and former Village Voice editor Tony Ortega wrote on his site, The Underground Bunker, that Masterson was being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department. CNNs Taylor Romine and Cheri Mossburg contributed to this report For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LOS ANGELES That 70s Show star Danny Masterson was convicted on two counts of rape Wednesday at his retrial in Los Angeles. The seven-woman, five-man jury could not reach a verdict on a third count, which alleged Masterson raped a former girlfriend, after having deliberated for over a week, The Associated Press reported. Masterson, 47, was led from the courtroom in handcuffs while his wife, the actor and model Bijou Phillips, wept. His family and friends sat in stunned silence. He faces up to 30 years in prison at his sentencing, set for Aug. 4. The verdict came some six months after Mastersons first trial, at which he also faced charges of raping three women he met through the Church of Scientology, ended in a mistrial, with jurors leaning toward acquittal. He was charged with raping the three women identified at trial as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3 at his Hollywood Hills home from 2001 to 2003. All three accusers are former members of the Church of Scientology, to which Masterson still belongs. I am experiencing a complex array of emotions relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior," Jane Doe #2 said after the verdict was handed down. "I am disappointed that he was not convicted on all counts, but take great solace in the fact that he, the Church of Scientology, and others, will have to fully account for their abhorrent actions in civil court. Jane Doe #3, whose count the jury did not convict Masterson on, said she was "devastated that he has dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me. " "Despite my disappointment in this outcome, I remain determined to secure justice, including in civil court, where I, along with my co-plaintiffs, will shine a light on how Scientology and other conspirators enabled and sought to cover up Mastersons monstrous behavior, she said. Actor Danny Masterson arrives at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles on May 31, 2023 (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon thanked all of the women who came forward. "Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all," Gascon said in a release after the verdict. While we are disappointed that the jury did not convict on all counts, we respect their decision. The verdicts handed down by the jury in this case were undoubtedly a difficult one to reach and we thank the jurors for their service." Just as in his first trial, Masterson did not take the stand. And his defense attorneys declined to call any witnesses. Masterson, who has been free on bail since his June 2020 arrest by the Los Angeles Police Departments Robbery-Homicide Division, has steadfastly denied all of the allegations. He has also denied assaulting a fourth woman, identified as Jane Doe #4, who told the court at his first trial he had raped her, too. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo initially denied the prosecutions request to put Jane Doe #4 on the stand in the first trial, but she changed her mind after prosecutors argued that Mastersons lawyer opened the door by suggesting that his three other accusers colluded against him. Masterson was not charged with raping the fourth woman. Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller put Jane Doe #4 on the stand again at Mastersons retrial along with a fifth woman, who testified that Masterson raped her in 2000 after a cast party in Toronto, Deadline reported. The fifth woman did not testify in the first trial. Unlike Masterson and the three Jane Does he was charged with raping, the additional witnesses are not Scientologists. Both trials focused a lot of unwanted attention on the Church of Scientology, which the Jane Does have accused of trying to cover up the allegations. At the retrial, Olmedo made it clear once again that Scientology was not a defendant. But she again allowed witnesses to testify that church officials pressured them not to talk to police about the rape allegations. Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw has denied those allegations and insisted, repeatedly, that church doctrine requires members to abide by all the laws of the land. Diana Dasrath reported from Los Angeles and Corky Siemaszko from New York City. CORRECTION (May 31, 2023, 10:30 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misidentified Reinhold Mueller. He is a deputy Los Angeles County district attorney, not the district attorney. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com That 70s Show star Danny Masterson was convicted on two counts of rape Wednesday, May 31 at his retrial in Los Angeles. The seven-woman, five-man jury deadlocked on the third count after deliberating for over a week, The Associated Press reported. The verdict was delivered some six months after Mastersons first trial for raping three women he met through the Church of Scientology ended in a mistrial, with jurors leaning towards acquitting the now 47-year-old actor. Masterson was charged with raping three women identified at trial as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3 at his Hollywood Hills home from 2001 to 2003. He faced up to 45 years in prison if he was convicted on all three counts. All three accusers are former members of the Church of Scientology, to which Masterson still belongs. Just as in his first trial, Masterson never took the stand. And Mastersons defense attorneys declined to call any witnesses. Masterson, who has been free on bail since his June 2020 arrest by the Los Angeles Police Departments Robbery-Homicide Division, has steadfastly denied all the allegations leveled against him by the women. The sitcom star has also denied assaulting a fourth woman, identified as Jane Doe #4, who told the court during his first trial he had raped her, too. Judge Charlaine Olmedo initially denied the prosecutions request to put Jane Doe #4 on the stand in the first trial but changed her mind after prosecutors argued that Mastersons lawyer opened the door by suggesting that Mastersons three other accusers colluded against him. Masterson was not criminally charged with raping her. District Attorney Reinhold Mueller put Jane Doe #4 on the stand again at Mastersons retrial along with a fifth woman, who testified the actor raped her in 2000 after a cast party in Toronto, Deadline reported. The fifth woman did not testify in the first trial. Unlike Masterson and the three Jane Does he is charged with raping, the additional witnesses are not scientologists. Both of Mastersons trials have focused a lot of unwanted attention on the Church of Scientology which the Jane Does have accused of trying to cover up the allegations against the actor. At the retrial, Olmedo made it clear once again that Scientology was not a defendant. But the judge again allowed witnesses to testify how they were pressured by church officials not to talk to police about the rape allegations. Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw has denied those allegations and insisted, repeatedly, that church doctrine requires members to abide by all the laws of the land. This story was originally seen on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Every year, a local group takes to Boises streets to count all of the homeless people it can find. The results this year show that the number of those without housing has increased in the short term but decreased over the long haul, in a way that has local leaders hopeful. The exercise, known as a Point-in-Time count, was conducted by staff and trained volunteers with Our Path Home, a public-private partnership working to end homelessness in Ada County. On Jan. 25, the Our Path workers counted people accessing emergency shelters or spending the night unsheltered in Ada County. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the first full-scale PIT count since 2020, organizers said. The group said in a report that it found 687 people without housing: 472 in emergency shelters, 103 in transitional housing, 46 in vehicles and 55 staying outside. That number marked a 6% increase since 2020, which Our Path Manager Casey Mattoon said could be attributed to the pandemic and the rising cost of housing locally. At the same time, that number is an 8% decrease from 2012 something Mattoon said is promising, given the the increase in local rental prices and the areas vast population growth. Boise leaders have long listed affordable housing, and the ability to provide transitions and housing options to those who dont have homes, as priorities, and have worked to fund initiatives. I think it shows weve got the evidence-based solutions, we know how to implement them, and the only thing that were missing is being able to fund those at scale, Mattoon told the Idaho Statesman in a phone interview. Of the people counted, 81% were single adults and 12% were families, with about 6% unaccompanied youths. About 71% were male, 32% were 55 or older and 16% were veterans, according to Our Path. The count also gave insight into the struggles of some in the homeless population. Of those surveyed, 17% had a serious mental illness, 8% suffered with a substance abuse disorder and 8% were survivors of domestic violence. The PIT count found that 28% of those spoken to were chronically homeless, which the federal government defines as a person with a disability who has been living in an emergency shelter or on the streets for a year straight or repeatedly over several years. Count doesnt show full picture The Idaho Housing and Finance Association, which conducts its own Point-In-Time counts across Idaho, tries not to emphasize PIT numbers because its not possible to be completely accurate, IHFA spokesperson Ben Cushman said. The reason it doesnt really show the whole picture is because its one night, Cushman told the Idaho Statesman by phone. Its just who they run into that one night when theyre doing the count. As a result, counts are typically assumed to produce a number thats less than the real total, but the federal government generally requires groups that work to combat homelessness to conduct a PIT to receive funding. Therefore, doing them serves a good purpose, officials said. Counters might not be able to find every homeless person on the street and might miss vehicles that contain sleeping people. There might be members of the homeless population sleeping in hotels or crashing at others homes. Our Path emphasized this point. Mattoon said the 2023 Point-In-Time number was lower than the one in Our Paths coordinated entry system. The group keeps a list of people coming in for a housing assessment, and in April, 1,162 people were listed. The Point-In-Time count is useful because its giving a particular picture of a specific type of interaction on one day in January over time, Mattoon told the Statesman by phone. But we also have access to other data about the way that people utilize the homeless system that paints a much bigger and more accurate picture. An 18-year-old Grant Union High School student, who was set to graduate with his class Thursday evening, was killed in a shooting Wednesday night in Sacramento Countys North Highlands area, authorities said. Counselors were sent to the campus to help grieving students, and additional security will be in place at the school for the graduation ceremony. In a letter to students, parents and staff Thursday, Steve Martinez, superintendent of Twin Rivers Unified School District, confirmed that one of the graduating seniors from Grant High was shot and killed last night in a horrific act of violence. Losing a child is an unspeakable tragedy and our entire school community is mourning the loss alongside the students family and friends, Martinez wrote in the letter. I know you join me in extending our deepest sympathy to the family as they face the pain from this terrible loss. Investigators believe the fatal shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. The young man was inside a vehicle with two other people at an unknown location in North Highlands when a person walked up and shot into the vehicle through the passengers side, striking the 18-year-old in the leg, Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spokesman Sgt. Amar Gandhi said. The driver then took the vehicle toward the area of Grand Avenue and Marysville Boulevard, where the occupants flagged down a Twin Rivers Police Department officer, Gandhi said. The gunshot victim was transported to Mercy San Juan hospital in Carmichael, where he was pronounced dead, Gandhi said. Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting, and no suspect information was available. The students identity also has not been released. The superintendent said school officials know very little information about the deadly shooting. He said school officials will do everything possible to support students, staff and families as they deal with their grief. Martinez said Grant Highs graduation ceremony would go on as scheduled. He said additional security would be in place, and everyone would be screened before entering Grant High stadium. We will move forward with the ceremony in honor and celebration of the student all of us will sorely miss, and in recognition of the achievements of all students who are graduating, Martinez wrote in the letter. While the shooting did not take place at one of our facilities or during school hours, it is our continued mission to ensure that all children are safe from violence and the havoc it wreaks in our neighborhoods. He encouraged students, parents and staff to speak up when they see something concerning or hear about something that could threaten everyones safety. We need your help to address and alleviate fears in our neighborhoods, Martinez said. Your voice is a critical part in keeping our communities safe, so if you see something that doesnt look or feel right, say something. Students slaying heartbreaking Ramona Landeros, a former member of the Twin Rivers Unified Board of Trustees, said news of the Grant High students death is heartbreaking. She said a child whose life was cut short is something nobody should take lightly. Shes a Del Paso Heights resident, her nephew attends Grant High and she speaks to a lot of parents through her work as a community activist. Landeros said Grant High students face threats of violence too frequently with fights, sometimes involving adults confronting students at school, and constant campus lockdowns. Its no longer a culture of learning; its a culture of crisis, Landeros said. A lot of young people have access to guns, more than the access they have to a library. The student killed Thursday was a good student, she said after speaking to a teacher who once had him in her class. Graduating from high school is a huge milestone for any student raised in a tough neighborhood, and now this students future has been dashed away, she said. Landeros is the founder of a group called the Benito Juarez Foundation, which organizes community events like food drives. She said there needs to be more communication with parents about the dangers their students face, such as town hall meetings. She said the neighborhood is a tight-knit community that is ready to help. The people who are most impacted are the one who are going to have the answers, Landeros said. The superintendent asked members of the community if they see or hear about something that is concerning to call local law enforcement or Twin Rivers police at 916-566-2777. A federal appeals court has overturned a death penalty sentence for a man prosecuted by the Fresno County District Attorneys Office, which the court ruled deliberately used misleading testimony in 1988. Colin Raker Dickey was convicted at age 24 in Fresno County for involvement in a drug-related robbery and double murder and was sentenced to death in 1991. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a 3-0 decision overturned the death penalty but left the robbery sentencing intact, according to the opinion issued Wednesday. This is an exceptional case in which the prosecutor deliberately elicited, and then failed to correct, false and misleading testimony from the states star witness, Gene Buchanan, Judge Morgan Christen wrote. Buchanan, one of Dickeys roommates, lied to the jury under oath a fact the prosecutor knew and did not correct in front of the jury before repeating it in his closing arguments, the opinion said. Knowing that, the judge wrote, could have given the jury enough doubt to spare Dickey of the death penalty. Buchanan, who met with investigators a dozen times, testified he received nothing in return for his testimony. But, the appeals court wrote that the district attorneys office dismissed drug charges against him and helped him collect a $5,000 reward. The panel found special circumstances after evidence showed that Dickey aided and abetted the killing of a couple Marie Caton, 76, and Louis Freiri, 67 in 1988 while looting the home along with Richard Cullumber for money to buy drugs. State law allowed for the death penalty when a murder is committed in connection with another felony or for multiple murders. Prosecutors contended that Cullumber, Catons grandson, knew the woman kept large amounts of cash in the house. He died by a self-inflicted gunshot following a high-speed chase shortly after the slayings with a gun stolen during the robbery, prosecutors said. Jurors were convinced Cullumber committed the murders and were asked to determine whether Dickey was involved in the crime, prosecutors said at the time. Witnesses testified that Dickey and Cullumber, who were roommates, left their apartment together the night of the murders. Later, the two men returned with money to buy drugs, according to testimony. The California Supreme Court upheld the conviction in 2005. Double murder conviction overturn response from Fresno DA The appeals court allowed this week for the Fresno County District Attorneys Office to retry Dickery on a capital murder charge if it chooses. DA Lisa Smittcamp assumed office in 2015. We are still reviewing the opinion and it is too early to offer any comment until we determine next steps, the Fresno County DAs Office said in a statement Thursday. The state Attorney Generals Office, which represented the prosecution before the federal court, did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment. Neither did Dickeys appellate lawyer, David Senior, but he spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle on Wednesday. It is astounding that after 33 years, the state of California still refuses to acknowledge that it was fundamentally wrong here to lie to a jury in order to secure a conviction and death sentence against an innocent man, Senior told the Chronicle. When a prosecutor knowingly presents false evidence to pursue a conviction and death sentence, he or she does so because they know it is more likely to succeed with the false evidence. Kansas' Congressional delegation was split a plan to increase the country's debt ceiling, a bill that also includes significant spending cuts, with Rep. Jake LaTurner voting for it. Kansas' Congressional delegation was split a plan to increase the country's debt ceiling, a move needed to avoid default but one that also includes significant spending cuts and other policy items. Conservatives have maintained that the deal, hammered out between President Joe Biden and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, and a team of negotiators, does not go far enough to cut spending. The plan raises how much the government can borrow until 2025, which was Biden's top priority during talks with Republican leaders. It also freezes annual discretionary, non-defense spending for two years while delivering $2.1 trillion in other domestic spending cuts GOP lawmakers wanted. Liberals are likely to raise objections to parts of the deal, such as expanding work requirements for some aid programs, keeping the Trump-era tax cuts and speeding up a natural gas pipeline project in Appalachia. But there appears to be enough support to advance the measure, with the U.S. House voting to approve the spending plan Wednesday night. Three of the four members of Kansas' U.S. House delegation voted in support of the bill, though both of the state's Republican U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall have not registered a formal stance. Marshall has signaled he will oppose the measure. Here is what each of the members of Kansas' Congressional delegation had to say on the debt ceiling bill. Jake LaTurner U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kan., whose district includes Topeka, said on Twitter that he didn't agree with the entire bill, but "we can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." I just voted YES on the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Defaulting on our nation's debt would result in a global financial crisiscrippling 401ks and triggering disastrous implications for families across Kansas. (1/3) Rep. Jake LaTurner (@RepLaTurner) June 1, 2023 "Defaulting on our nation's debt would result in a global financial crisis crippling 401ks and triggering disastrous implications for families across Kansas," LaTurner said. Tracey Mann U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan., whose district includes Salina, Hutchinson and part of northeast Kansas, voted against the bill, despite voting to proceed to debate hours before. In a statement, Mann commended the work of McCarthy to reach a deal but said he was sent to Washington "with a clear mandate stop the government borrowing and spending spree." "Today, America is at $31 trillion in debt, and in a matter of months, we will be at $34 trillion," Mann said. "This must end. Americans deserve a well-thought-out plan for addressing our skyrocketing national debt. Sharice Davids Kansas' lone Democrat in Congress, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids said the move was vital to ensure the integrity of the U.S. economy. "This deal is not perfect, but compromise from both sides was necessary to reach a final agreement," Davids said. "It accomplishes the core priorities I pushed for: we agreed to pay our bills, we avoided cuts to Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits, and we agreed to move onto a bipartisan path to address our nation's budgetary challenges without holding our economy hostage." Ron Estes U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan., whose district includes the greater Wichita area, said "it will take time to undo the mess we are in" but said the bill was a start in that process, as it "saves taxpayer dollars, implements work requirements, encourages American energy production, and prevents massive new tax hikes." Roger Marshall A spokesperson for Marshall didn't immediately return a request for comment about how the senator will vote on the bill but in comments to the conservative Christian program Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, Marshall said he felt the negotiated level of spending was too high and that it would eventually become the new "baseline." I hope America remembers this come the next election," Marshall said. "Kevin did the best job he could, but I am not satisfied. I cannot put my name on this legislation. Jerry Moran A spokesperson for Moran did not say which way the senator would vote on the bill. In a floor speech, Moran appeared to signal his support for the proposal but stopped short of indicating which way he was leaning. Avoid default, he said, was important so as to avoid sending "a message that we are a nation that cannot be trusted to pay our bills." USA Today's Phillip Bailey contributed to this report This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas delegation split on debt ceiling deal; Tracey Mann opposes bill Reps. Barbara Lee, left, Adam B. Schiff and Katie Porter are all running for the Senate seat occupied by retiring fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein. (Associated Press) In the race to replace Dianne Feinstein in the Senate, the three major Democratic candidates call themselves progressives, hold nearly identical stances on most major policy issues and boast strikingly similar congressional voting records. But Wednesday evenings 314-117 vote on the deal by President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) to raise the debt ceiling created a wedge issue that split the three, deepening their months-long debate over their progressive bona fides. Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank was the sole Democratic Senate candidate who joined 164 other Democrats and 149 Republicans in voting to approve the package, which will suspend the nations borrowing limit until 2025 and imposed cuts on certain federal programs that are popular among Democrats. Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland and Katie Porter of Irvine, meanwhile, joined 44 other Democrats in voting against the proposal, maintaining that the president and his negotiators should not have allowed Republicans to advance their policy agendas in the face of a potential economic disaster. In addition to opposing what they characterized as debt ceiling hostage taking, Democrats who voted against the bill criticized measures that ease permitting for energy projects and add new work requirements to safety net programs such as SNAP, also known as food stamps. Schiff, who describes himself as a progressive but is not a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said he voted for the McCarthy-Biden package for the same reason that most other Democrats did: to avoid a disastrous default. A Schiff spokesperson stressed that voting for the bill doesnt make the congressman less progressive than his colleagues. A majority of the Congressional Progressive Caucus voted for the measure, and the nations largest federation of unions, AFL-CIO, signaled its approval, the spokesperson noted. Still, in a tight race in which candidates similarities make standing out difficult, any vote can send a signal. Schiff emphasized that he is a progressive like Lee and Porter but said that his pragmatism and ample experience have allowed him to achieve more tangible victories. The race comes down to a choice of results or rhetoric, Schiff told The Times in an interview. My constituents and Californians want results. They want their members of Congress to create jobs, not destroy them. And a default would have been just devastating. But for members of the San Jose chapter of Indivisible, a progressive group founded after Donald Trump was elected president, Schiffs vote was a black mark, according to Deborah Garvey, a member of the chapters leadership team. I would support a progressive Democrat over a corporate, more moderate Democrat, Garvey said. So as much as I like Adam Schiff I would not vote for him. Garvey said her group thinks Democrats should not have negotiated with Republicans over the debt ceiling. Although the chapter hasnt endorsed a Senate candidate, she said Wednesday nights vote was confirmation that Schiff was out of the running. Patti Crane, a member of the Indivisible South Bay L.A. chapter, said her caucus includes supporters of each candidate and that differences among them have already become clear. But she didnt think that what she called the Republicans stunt in the House would have much influence on how Californians vote come the primary in March. She noted that many voters already saw Schiff as less progressive than Lee and Porter. Schiff told The Times he doesnt believe Californians are overly concerned with labels. They feel strongly, he said, that you cant be progressive unless youre willing to make progress and get things done. The three representatives come from different backgrounds. Schiff became nationally known as the lead prosecutor in former President Trumps first impeachment; Lee gained prominence as the sole vote against the measure authorizing President George W. Bush to use military force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks; Porter is famous for pulling out charts and graphs on the House floor and for her upbringing in rural Iowa. But they all identify as progressives, and theyre each working to convince voters that their particular flavor of progressivism is superior. For Crane, that distinction wont come from their votes on the debt ceiling. As the primary season moves along, were gonna see more of the nuanced differences, Crane said. But I trust Californians. I dont think we need stunts to figure that out. Californians are too wise to fall for that. Hans Johnson, president of Los Angeles East Area Progressive Democrats, which hasnt yet endorsed a candidate, agreed. It may give ammunition to people who want to lob salvos at Adam Schiff over this issue, he said. But I ultimately dont think its going to be a very consequential issue in peoples determination of whom theyll select for the open Senate seat. Johnson said that his organization had a long relationship with Schiff, who has deep ties to Los Angeles County Democrats after representing them for decades in Sacramento and Washington. He noted that Schiff sends club members birthday wishes and that the Burbank resident is technically a member of his group. The population center will be pivotal in the primary, so courting Democratic clubs like Johnsons is essential. The clubs members are less familiar with the other two candidates, he said. The congressmans vote, Johnson said, replicates Adams long-standing adherence to a sense of pragmatism and responsibility. I think our members probably admire that vote, Johnson added, because of context and awareness of the stakes. Porters office declined to comment on how the congresswomans vote could affect the race. In a statement after members of the House voted, Porter slammed the agreement for containing concessions to the oil industry, which she said has too great of an influence in Washington. Californians know that preventing default and protecting our environment are nonnegotiable. Todays vote wrongly pits these two values against each other, Porter wrote. This legislation contains giveaway after giveaway to Big Oil. I cannot support locking California into years of backward thinking on our economy and our environment. Lee said her no vote had less to do with a political calculus related to seeking higher office and more to do with her aversion to the cuts included in the agreement. In a statement to The Times on Thursday, she said that she doesnt vote based on political campaigns. This vote was about standing up to extreme MAGA republicans holding our economy hostage and standing up for my constituents and the 20 million Californians that are one paycheck away from poverty, Lee wrote. Thats what Ive done my entire career and what I will do in the U.S. Senate. All three candidates are racing to raise money ahead of the March primary, with Schiff and Porter boasting massive hauls in what could be the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history. The next indicator of each candidates fundraising prowess will come in July, when their campaigns report second quarter numbers. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Delta Air Lines aircraft on runway - Flights from Atlanta to Brazil will resume Great news is here for Atlanta residents! Delta Air Lines has announced the reinstatement of its twice-daily service between Atlanta and Sao Paulo, effective from May 25. Previously discontinued, this route will now be served by a combination of Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 767-300(ER) aircraft. Delta temporarily reduced the frequency of flights between the two cities during the low season in late March. The resumption of this service aims to offer travelers seeking connections between the United States and Brazil enhanced travel options. Flight From ETD To ETA DL 105 Atlanta (ATL) 7:10 p.m. Sao Paulo (GRU) 5:40 a.m. +1 DL 104 Sao Paulo (GRU) 10:50 p.m. Atlanta (ATL) 7:40 a.m. +1 Flight From ETD To ETA DL 269 Atlanta (ATL) 9:15 p.m. Sao Paulo (GRU) 7:45 a.m. +1 DL 270 Sao Paulo (GRU) 9:45 a.m. Atlanta (ATL) 6:30 p.m. New York To Rio de Janeiro Flights In addition, New Yorkers will soon be able to fly nonstop to another Brazilian city, Rio de Janeiro, when Delta begins seasonal service between New York-JFK and Rio Galeo Airport (GIG) in Brazil on December 16. The new route will run daily on Deltas Boeing 767-300 aircraft with Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin service. The route is the third that Delta and LATAM have announced since the Joint Venture was approved in September 2022. Since implementing our Joint Venture, weve been working closely with LATAM to introduce exciting new routes that are expanding opportunities for customers traveling between the U.S. and South America, said Alex Antilla, Delta Vice President for Latin America. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are the two most popular cities in Latin America. They attract tourists from all over the world with their unique attractions. From the breathtaking views of Rios iconic landmarks to Sao Paulos vibrant culinary and cultural scenes, Rio and Sao Paulo offer something for everyone. Whether youre looking to relax on one of Rios world-famous beaches or explore Sao Paulos bustling streets, these cities are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors. RELATED: What It Means To Be Black In Rio de Janeiro Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine blasted the White House for not consulting him before agreeing to include a provision in the debt ceiling bill to fast-track permitting for a natural gas pipeline that runs through his state. Kaine said Wednesday that he was surprised to see the provision green-lighting the 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) project, which runs from West Virginia to Virginia, in the legislation, according to Associated Press reporter Seung Min Kim. The Virginia senator suggested that the White House consulted Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on the provision while ignoring him. "I mean, look, I want Joe Manchin to do well. I don't want him to falter," Kaine reportedly said. "I want Joe Manchin to do well, but I mean, this is a Virginia project, and they didn't even bother to pick up the phone and call me. Have I made them mad? No, I'm the one they call to try and get Cabinet secretaries confirmed. 'Go talk to your colleagues, they're not yet going to vote for Julie Su. Go talk to somebody else because they're not going to-'" "They call me and ask me to help out. So, like, what did I do wrong all of a sudden? And it's not about me this is about taking people's land. People talk about a pipeline as if it builds in midair. No, it's taking people's land in the poorest part of my state. Lands is the only thing they have sometime. It's been in their family for generations." DEM SENATOR PURCHASED LUXURY CONDO FROM GREEN ENERGY LAWYER PUSHING WIND FARM IN HOME STATE On Sunday evening, House Republicans released the text of the legislation to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a potentially catastrophic default. The MVP provision came as a surprise for lawmakers and environmental groups who opposed the project. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Republicans and Manchin, though, applauded the provision and took credit for ultimately securing it in the legislation. They said the pipeline has a wide range of economic and energy security benefits, and that it had been caught up in a long burdensome years-long permitting process. JOE MANCHIN ABRUPTLY TANKS BIDEN NOMINEE PICKED TO OVERSEE ADMIN'S CRACKDOWN ON GAS STOVES "Last summer, I introduced legislation to complete the Mountain Valley Pipeline," Manchin said Sunday. "I am pleased Speaker McCarthy and his leadership team see the tremendous value in completing the MVP to increase domestic energy production and drive down costs across America and especially in West Virginia." "I am proud to have fought for this critical project and to have secured the bipartisan support necessary to get it across the finish line," he added. Sections of steel pipe for the Mountain Valley Pipeline are pictured Aug. 31, 2022, in Bent Mountain, Virginia. Still, Kaine said Wednesday that he is an "energy moderate," but remained concerned about other aspects of the project. "I'm an energy moderate. I'm not an energy I'm not left on energy issues. But there's a reason you have a process. You put it with administrative agencies so folks can't buy off Congress," Kaine added. "You know, somebody said that the White House might have made a commitment to Joe in the IRA. Well, I made a commitment to people. My voters." According to its developer Equitrans Midstream, MVP would transport approximately 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from West Virginia to consumers in the Mid- and South Atlantic. The pipeline is projected to generate $40 million in new tax revenue for West Virginia, $10 million in new tax revenue for Virginia and up to $250 million in royalties for West Virginia landowners. However, the pipeline, which has been 94% completed, has been slowed by a lengthy permitting process. While the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service recently provided the Mountain Valley Pipeline's developer with key authorizations, it is still awaiting a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit and environmental groups have vowed to challenge permits in court. The White House didn't respond to a request for comment. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty/Reuters In 2020, Marianne Williamsons presidential campaign was plagued by poor morale and a miserable work culture, culminating in her firing the entire staff while she remained in the race. Four years later, as the famed new age author mounts another longshot run for the Democratic nomination, the situation might somehow be worse. Former aides told The Daily Beast that at least 10 staffers have already left Williamsons campaign since she launched her primary challenge to President Joe Biden just two months ago, a major blow for a team that only started out with roughly two dozen people. Three former aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity, painted a picture of an ironically nightmarish bossa self-help guru who wont get help, in the words of one ex-staffer. The litany of alleged Williamson offenses is so extensive that yelling is almost the least fatal for her, one former aide said. Marianne Williamson Accused of Abusive Behavior by Staffers The candidate, who vowed in 2020 to harness love to defeat Donald Trump, frequently tears down staff with demeaning comments, according to one staffer, and subjects them to frequent outbursts. During one of those outbursts, Williamson apparently got so frustrated that she started banging on a car. At one point, someone said, I cant go over to her now because shell have another meltdown, one former aide recounted. Williamsons short temper was made even worse with what aides called a micromanaging style, stemming from poor leadership skills and an inability to delegate properly. Beyond that, sources described Williamson as egging on a cut-throat culture, instructing more senior staff to chew out more junior aides and to overstep, to step on toes. Ive worked in dozens of high-pressure campaigns, one former staffer said. Never have I experienced this kind of a tinderbox. A spokesperson for the Williamson campaign did not respond to a request for comment. As Williamson struggles to gain traction in her quixotic bid to deny Biden the 2024 Democratic nomination, turmoil in her campaign is threatening to overshadow her message and pierce the feel-good, self-help branding she has cultivated for decades. In the messy 2020 Democratic primary, Williamson was never a serious contender, but she became something of a viral sensation for her offbeat debate performances and unconventional vibe. REUTERS/Scott Morgan Running against a strongly favored incumbent in 2024, Williamsons campaign was almost over before it started, according to former staffers, with some feeling guilt over small donors giving their hard-earned money to something thats not real. Another former Williamson campaign aide described the entire operation as a vanity campaign with no real plan between now and the first votes of the Democratic primary, likely to be in New Hampshires contest some time in January. The handful of surveys of the 2024 Democratic primary show Williamson in the single digits, behind Bidens only other challenger, the anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. While female politicians are often unfairly accused of being difficult bosses on the basis of behavior that is accepted from a male boss, these aides insisted that wasnt the case with Williamson. One former staffer was clear that, any issue employees were having with their work environment, Williamson was to blame. All problems emanated from the very top, this person said. According to a Politico story released in March, that assessment was widely shared by veterans of her 2020 campaign. Some of the details in the story, which came just as she announced her new campaign, are strikingly similar to what sources told The Daily Beast about her 2024 campaign. One former 2020 staffer, for instance, explained to Politico that Williamson was prone to foaming, spitting, uncontrollable rage. The article also detailed stories about Williamson repeatedly pounding on a car door so hard she had to be taken to urgent care, as well as having temper tantrums so loud in hotel rooms that hotel employees would check to see if things were OK. But with little overlap between her 2020 and 2024 operations, this new round of Williamson staffers came to the campaign as fans, according to one staffer. Aides even went so far as to accept a proposal from former campaign manager Peter Daou to even out everyones pay at $6,000 per month. Marianne Williamson Loses Top Two Campaign Officials: Report We all read that Politico story, and it seems like she hasnt learned anything, one of the former staffers said. I cant say that Ive seen her throw anything, but she demeans her staff in front of other people. It is not private; it is public. While Williamsons short temper was her staffs primary complaint, aides did note that her refusal to use the same technology as the rest of the campaign was also a frustration. The candidate refuses to use the digital messaging app Slack, where the majority of internal communication takes place in her operation. But sometimes the 70-year-olds struggles with technology could also reveal her other flaws. Staff said an errant tweet from April 28 that she meant to email to Jason Call, her since departed deputy campaign manager, best typified her demeaning tone. Screenshot obtained by The Daily Beast The tweet was quickly deleted, but staffers said it was indicative of how Williamson communicates with others. Out of the candidates view, subordinates began commiserating in group chats off Slack, growing increasingly disillusioned over their bosss continued tirades, scattershot demands, and early morning emails. Its micromanage-y on schedules, micromanage-y when it comes to being at actual events, one of the former staffers said. She will go up to staffers and say Why are you not handing out pom cards? this person said, referring to the literature campaigns hand out. Why are you not telling this woman Ill be at this place at this time. Staffers frequently heard from Daou that the campaign had no money, worsening morale for the remaining team and sparking questions over his proposal for everyone to have equal salaries. When asked why they joined the campaign after hearing about Williamsons reputation for poor management, one of the former aides said they felt blinded by the candidates celebrity. People join up as fans, and then they get burned, the former staffer said. She burns through people quickly. 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. Deputies: Toddler left alone in Volusia County parking lot after SUV stolen with him asleep inside A 2-year-old was asleep in the backseat of an SUV when an unknown man got in the drivers seat and drove away, according to Holly Hill police. Police said a woman parked the SUV in a relatives driveway around 8:20 a.m. Thursday and ran inside to grab something, leaving the toddler buckled up. In a matter of seconds, police said the unknown man, who is estimated to be between 15 and 20 years old, came from across the street, got inside the SUV and drove away north on Clifton Avenue. A short time later, police said the unknown man dropped the child off in the parking lot of a body shop on State Avenue. Investigators said the 2-year-old was not harmed and was reunited with his family. Read: Ocoee police seeking information on person seen on video shooting into home on Memorial Day Investigators are still searching for the driver and the SUV. Volusia County deputies described the suspect as wearing a black hoodie with red lettering on the front, black shorts and a white hat. Read: Tavares police investigating local womans suspicious death The vehicle is a red VW Tiguan with the Florida tag of AJ7-9FA. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Holly Hill Police Department Sgt. Tom Bentley at 386-248-9478. The vehicle is a red VW Tiguan with FL tag AJ7-9FA. Suspect description: 15- to 20-year-old male wearing a black hoodie with red lettering on the front, black shorts, white hat. Anyone with information is asked to contact Holly Hill PD Sgt. Tom Bentley at 386-248-9478. pic.twitter.com/KjmXboSYJA Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) June 1, 2023 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. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a presidential candidate, snapped at a reporter who asked him about taking questions from those present at his campaign event in New Hampshire. Governor, how come youre not taking questions from voters? an Associated Press reporter asked in the exchange. NBC News reporter Jonathan Allen tweeted that DeSantis declined to take questions at his first event in New Hampshire on Thursday after announcing his run for the presidency last week. People are coming up to me, talking to me. What are you talking about? Are you blind? Are you blind? DeSantis asked the reporter, who responded, No. OK, so people are coming up to me, talking to me whatever they want to talk to me about, he continued. The Never Back Down PAC, which formed to support DeSantiss run for the White House, also tweeted a video of the interaction, writing that he SHUTS DOWN fake news reporter. DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin also defended DeSantis, tweeting that the reporter asked DeSantis the question while the governor was surrounded by New Hampshire voters who were asking him questions and taking pictures with him. Perfectly illustrative of the modern media shutting their eyes and ears to the truth to push their narrative, Griffin said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is sharpening his attacks against former President Donald Trump just a week into his White House campaign, ushering in a new, more bitter phase of the 2024 presidential race. Speaking to reporters in Iowa after a campaign kickoff rally Tuesday night, DeSantis delivered his most direct attack on Trump yet, accusing his one-time political benefactor of moving to the left and opportunistically criticizing Floridas response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He used to say how great Florida was, DeSantis told reporters in Clive, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines. Hell, his whole family to Florida under my governorship. Are you kidding me? Look, if someone is saying that, Im gonna counterpunch and Im gonna fight back on it, he added. Im going to focus my fire on Biden, and I think he should do the same. He gives Biden a free pass. Im focusing on Biden. Thats my focus. There were also hints that the growing animosity between DeSantis and Trump owed, in part, to something more personal. After DeSantis and the GOP swept the 2022 midterm elections in Florida, the governor recalled, did [Trump] ever say anything like atta boy, good job? No, he attacked me three days before the midterm election, DeSantis said. And then he started attacking after that. DeSantiss remarks to the press provided a rare glimpse into how exactly the Florida governor plans to approach Trump as he sets off on his 2024 presidential bid a multifaceted strategy that includes casting the former president as both insufficiently conservative on key issues and selling himself as someone who can fulfill the promises that Trump was unable to carry out. DeSantis notably sidestepped the former president during his Tuesday evening speech in Iowa he never mentioned Trump by name only opening up on his opponent afterward during a post-rally huddle with reporters. Yet he delivered a few implied jabs at the former president in his public remarks, denouncing broken promises by some Republicans to complete Trumps long-promised wall along the southern border and insisting any Republican president would need two terms in the White House to address the countrys challenges. Trump would only be able to serve one term if elected in 2024. Add those to the growing list of talking points DeSantis has used in recent days to set himself apart from Trump. Just last week, he pledged he would repeal a bipartisan criminal justice reform measure, the First Step Act, that Trump signed in 2018, dubbing it basically a jailbreak bill. DeSantis also came out against an agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling, putting pressure on Trump to take a stand on the compromise. Our nation was careening toward bankruptcy before this debt deal and it will still be careening toward bankruptcy after this debt deal, he said in Iowa on Tuesday. The counterpunches arent just coming from DeSantis. His allies and campaign aides, most notably his rapid response director Christina Pushaw, have engaged Trumps team in heated online exchanges in recent days, while his campaign blasted out an email to reporters on Wednesday claiming Trump remains stuck in the past. Trumps campaign hit back at DeSantis on Thursday, saying the governors speech proves once again why President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Ron DeSantis is not a serious person who can take on Joe Biden and bring about the Great American Comeback, spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement. His poorly conceived speech was light on substance and was crafted to appease establishment Never Trumpers who are looking for a swamp puppet that will do their bidding. Still, some Republicans said that DeSantiss criticism of Trump was long overdue. The governor has taken months of incoming fire from the former president and his allies. That has stirred unease among some of the governors allies, who feared Trump would define DeSantis before he ever entered the race. Although hes running in second place in early polling of the GOP primary field, hes trailing Trump by wide margins. A recent survey from Emerson College showed Trump leading DeSantis by 42 points in Iowa, which holds the first nominating contest of the Republican primary campaign. In New Hampshire, an April poll from the University of New Hampshire found DeSantis trailing by 20 points. Keith Naughton, a veteran Republican strategist, said Trumps relentless campaign against DeSantis left the governor with little choice but to hit back. He doesnt have much of a choice. Trump is forcing the issue. The worst thing that DeSantis could do is turn into a punching bag, Naughton said. The fact is that Trump is vulnerable on a ton of issues, he added. Hes vulnerable on getting results, hes vulnerable on being a loser, hes vulnerable on deficit spending, hes vulnerable on COVID. Hes got a lot of problems there. Yet Naughton also noted theres a risk that comes with attacking Trump too directly, especially in front of the conservative voters who will determine the GOPs 2024 nominee. When youre talking to the voters, when youre talking to a conservative crowd, you want to talk about yourself and talk about the common area, and then get more pointed about Trump in the press, he said. Theres still a positive feeling around Trump, so I think standing up and bashing the guy from the get-go is a bad move. Theres still plenty of time for that. Ford OConnell, another Republican strategist, said the biggest question facing DeSantis as he looks to take down Trump is what kind of attacks will actually work, noting that many Republican voters still see the former president as the partys thought leader on their most pressing issues. What DeSantis is doing now, he said, is message testing. This is the DeSantis campaign throwing everything on the wall to see what makes inroads, to see what can make up a sizable primary gap, OConnell said. I think what theyre looking for is an issue that really resonates with Republican primary voters. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GOP presidential candidates coming to Columbus. Heres when Trump and others will speak Columbus will be the center of the Georgia Republican Partys universe when the city hosts the GOPs 2023 state convention June 9 and 10. Party officials havent released a complete schedule of who is speaking when in the Columbus Convention & Trade Center, but here are the available details, based on the agenda, posted at gagop.org and emails to media outlets from the Georgia Republican Party, including when former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak. June 9 Georgia GOP convention schedule 9 a.m. Registration opens. Committee meetings for nominations, rules, resolutions and credentials. Breakout sessions: Minority Outreach seminar, led by Linda Vega and Shelley Wynter Statewide Voter Initiative seminar, led by Greater Georgia Action Leadership Institute seminar, for new and returning county and district chairs What We Must Do to Secure Georgias 2024 Elections, led by Garland Favorito 11 a.m. Breakout sessions, with the same choices as the 9 a.m. options. 2 p.m. Convention begins, speaker schedule TBA 5 p.m. Convention recesses. County chair meetings 6 p.m. Registration closes. Reception and dinner. 7:30 p.m. Keynote speech by Kari Lake, a former TV news anchor who was the Republican nominee in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election and has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate. June 10 Georgia GOP convention schedule 7 a.m. Registration opens 7:30 a.m. Breakfast 9 a.m. Prayer service. Committee meetings for nominations, rules, resolutions and credentials 10 a.m. Registration closes. Convention reconvenes for party business, election of party officers and guest speakers Noon Boxed lunch 2:30 p.m. Former President Donald Trump speaks. Trump is leading in the 2024 GOP presidential candidate polls. Immediate past Muscogee County Republican Party chairman Alton Russell, who serves on the Georgia GOP executive committee, told the Ledger-Enquirer it will be the first time in the state partys history that a president or former president has spoken at its convention. 7 p.m. Reception with live band and dancing. Additional info about Georgia GOP convention speaker schedule Russell told the L-E former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a presidential candidate, will speak at the June 10 breakfast and former Vice President Mike Pence, who is expected to announce his presidential campaign June 7, will speak via video sometime during the convention. A developer who hired Miamis mayor as a $10,000-a-month consultant has also paid tens of thousands of dollars in rent for a storefront owned in part by the mayor of Coral Gables while pushing for city approvals to build a luxury high-rise across the street. Starting last summer, developer Rishi Kapoor began leasing a former martial arts studio on Ponce de Leon Boulevard from a small group of investors that included Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago. The mayors group closed on the property, located at 1424 Ponce, in May of last year. Within weeks Kapoor was renting the space, with plans to convert it into a sales center showroom for his proposed 16-story condo project on the other side of the boulevard, at 1505 Ponce. The landlord-tenant relationship, which Lago publicly disclosed before recusing himself from several crucial votes on the project, received little attention last year. But mortgage documents, campaign finance reports and a new financial disclosure filed last week by Lago after the Herald began asking questions detail a flurry of activity and connections between the mayor and the developer as Kapoors firm Location Ventures sought city approval last year for the 1505 Ponce project. The new details are emerging following the Miami Heralds reporting that, at the same time Kapoor was leasing from Lago, he was also contracting privately with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and pursuing a development project in Coconut Grove circumstances that have ethics investigators looking into Suarezs arrangement with a Location Ventures subsidiary. Lago, whose salary as mayor is about $45,000, lists construction and commercial real estate as his primary sources of income. He said he and his partners leased the vacant martial arts studio to Kapoor after they were approached by several potential tenants about their newly purchased retail property. After vetting all interested parties, Lago said in a written statement, the decision was done to lease to Mr. Kapoor. Though the developer moved quickly to lease the storefront, the retail property remains empty today, nearly one year later. The 1505 Ponce project has yet to break ground. Lago, who says he owns 40% of the company that purchased the retail building, declined to say whether hed spoken with the developer or city officials about the 1505 Ponce condo tower project. He stressed that he recused himself from votes pertaining to Kapoors project in June, July, October and December. I am a businessman and I look for business opportunities that do not conflict with my duties as Mayor, Lago said. Lago and a group of investors purchased this building at 1424 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in May of 2022. Within weeks, Kapoor became the tenant. Meanwhile, Kapoors luxury condo project across the street made its way through the citys approval process. The storefront remains empty today. Brian Goodkind, an attorney for Location Ventures, described the rental agreement as a market rate lease for a location that was in demand. Location Ventures sought the location as a sales center because it is directly across from (and the closest available space to) the Location Ventures project planned for 1505 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Goodkind wrote in an email statement. It is typical for condo developers to secure space for a sales center as close as possible to the planned project. Sources familiar with the matter tell the Herald that Kapoors firm first made a payment of about $15,600 for the space in June of last year, followed by monthly rental payments of about $12,410. Bob Jarvis, a Nova Southeastern University law professor specializing in ethics, said the mayors decision to establish a financial relationship with a developer who was seeking city approvals to turn a profit created a conflict of interest. Politicians should never be lining their pockets on deals where they have better information than the public, even if theres nothing wrong or illegal. I just think the optics look terrible, Jarvis said. It puts you in a very dicey position as a public servant. Lago acknowledged the potential for a conflict last summer when he abstained from voting on Kapoors condo tower project. But he said during a brief interview outside his City Hall office that his decision to invest in the retail building was unrelated to Kapoors development across the street. Am I not allowed to buy real estate? Lago asked. A rendering of the proposed luxury condo tower at 1505 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Political connections Lago said he has known Kapoor for years. The extent of their relationship is unclear, but Lago has attended Location Ventures promotional events, is connected to the brokerage that took credit for the sale of the 1505 Ponce property and is close with Mayor Suarez, who also has a financial relationship with Kapoor. Kapoor, a Coral Gables homeowner who recently purchased the Cocoplum Yacht Club, hosted Lago at Location Ventures 2019 groundbreaking for Villa Valencia, a luxury project in the city. The two were photographed together again at the projects topping off ceremony in 2021. Lago is also a childhood friend of Francis Suarez, who was called on last year to help Kapoor resolve permitting issues for a project in Coconut Grove while quietly working as a consultant for Kapoors company URBIN, according to internal Location Ventures records. Both Suarez and Kapoor have denied that the mayors consulting job had anything to do with City Hall. Kapoor said Suarez provided feedback on programming and the greater mission of the brand to bring new housing opportunities to urban markets in Miami-Dade and beyond. Suarezs spokesperson said he did not lobby for the developer, but rather provided and participated in capital introductions and pitches as well as other forms of business development related to raising capital. Suarezs cousin and 2013 mayoral campaign manager, Esteban Steve Suarez, is among four investors named on the mortgage for the 1424 Ponce property that Kapoor is leasing, Lago confirmed. Vince Lago, (right) celebrated his win as Coral Gables mayor with Steve Suarez during an election night victory party on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Additionally, Lagos real estate license is registered with the brokerage that took credit for closing on Kapoors $35.5 million purchase of the 1505 Ponce project. Lago denied any involvement with the sale. I am a licensed and registered real estate agent in Florida, and as such, I am required to work under a licensed brokers umbrella, he said in a written statement. The brokerage firm, Rosa Commercial Real Estate, is owned by former Hialeah Councilman Oscar De La Rosa. According to state records, six people total have their real estate licenses registered with Rosa Commercial Real Estate, including Lagos chief of staff and also Hialeah Mayor Esteban Steve Bovo, who is De La Rosas stepfather. Meanwhile, Kapoor is one of Lagos campaign donors. His development company gave Lago $9,000 when he first ran for mayor in 2021. Then on May 18 of last year as Lago kicked off his reelection campaign Lagos PAC, Coral Gables First, reported a $10,000 donation from Location Ventures. About a week later, Lago and his partners purchased two properties from City National Bank: the retail building at 1424 Ponce, and the 5,500-square-foot vacant lot behind it. Shortly thereafter, Kapoor began renting the former martial arts studio. Lago, who was reelected without opposition in February, omitted his ownership of the investment properties on the financial disclosure form he was required to submit earlier this year when he filed paperwork to be a candidate. After the Miami Herald began asking questions about his investments last week, Lago filed an updated financial disclosure form saying he has a 40% stake in the two corporations listed as the property owners in public records, 1424 Ponce LLC and 211 Menores LLC. The Ponce Properties On May 25 of 2022, the sale closed for the 1424 Ponce property, according to county property records. Mortgage documents from the sale list Lago as one of the borrowers for a $1.82 million loan. Steve Suarez and two other partners also mentioned on the mortgage did not respond to the Heralds requests for comment. Meanwhile, through a limited liability corporation called Location Acquisitions, Kapoor was seeking City Hall approval for the 1505 Ponce project across the street from Lagos new real estate investment. The developer applied in early 2022 for zoning and land-use changes, and other privileges that required City Commission approval to develop the project. The application estimated a $100 million price tag to complete the luxury tower with 80 condo units, including four penthouses, as well as a pool deck and over 10,000 square feet of retail space. On May 5 of last year, the citys Board of Architects approved the projects design. Weeks later on May 23, Kapoor, along with the projects lobbyist and architects, hosted a neighborhood meeting to discuss the project with residents. According to the meeting minutes, Kapoor predicted that the clientele would hail from the Gables, the Grove and Miami Beach, and as far away as California and Illinois. Miami developer Rishi Kapoor is the CEO of Location Ventures. The 1505 Ponce project went before the City Commission on June 28 and again on July 25, when the commission approved the development by a 4-0 margin, with Lago abstaining from the vote. It would be another four months before Kapoor purchased the property, as he waited for the city to allow for the transfer of development rights from neighboring properties so he could build the project as designed. The sale for 1505 Ponce closed on November 29, according to county property records. Lago confirmed late last month that Kapoor is still my tenant, but declined to discuss the length of the agreement. He said the 1424 Ponce property has a triple net lease, which means the tenant agrees to pay for expenses like property taxes, insurance and maintenance. The 1424 Ponce property, which is divided into three separate storefronts, remains largely untouched. Employees of neighboring businesses said they rarely, if ever, see people going in and out. The city received an application for an exterior remodel of the existing facade and demolition of the buildings interior late last year, and it issued a permit for the work in April, according to permitting records. Kapoor hasnt broken ground yet on the 1505 Ponce project. As a contingency for approval, the developer agreed to open a temporary dog park the citys first on the property prior to construction. Earlier this year, Lago attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where he posed for photos alongside two city commissioners and two Location Ventures employees. In an Instagram post, the mayor celebrated the parks opening. Located at 1505 Ponce de Leon Blvd, the city welcomes all including our furry friends to enjoy the new temporary space which will be fully programmed once the neighboring project is complete, Lago wrote in the Feb. 22 post. We hope to see you there. We did not back down. Rural Kentucky drag show will go on despite opposition A drag show happening Saturday in Mt. Sterling has been sold out for weeks but has met some opposition in the form of accusations of immorality and online threats. The local response to the show part of a line up of events for the Montgomery County towns second-ever LGBTQ+ pride event has been 90% positive, said Jordan Campbell, the executive director of the Gateway Regional Arts Center, the nonprofit hosting the drag show and a subsequent brunch Sunday with drag performers. The negative responses the show received include an op-ed in the local newspaper calling the show immoral, a petition to stop the show was passed out at churches and a handful of online threats guaranteed the show will have security. Its not the first time this year a drag performance in rural Kentucky has gotten push back. A March show in Floyd County opted to switch the show online after receiving threats. As LGBTQ+ communities have gained visibility in rural places across Kentucky and the country, theyve encountered a rise in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation. For the Mt. Sterling show, Campbell said the positive feedback outweighed the shows detractors. Multiple people have reached out to say the show makes them feel validated in the community, which is why were doing it, said Campbell, who is gay and grew up in Mt. Sterling. The end goal is that people who feel marginalized or people who feel like theyre in the shadows in their communities, in rural communities, see that we did not back down, said Campbell. We did not back down to the hate that they have experienced their entire lives. Those opposed to the drag show said it would be insulting to women or damaging to the morality of local children. A Mt. Sterling drag show Drag shows expose our children to extreme sexual immorality, it degrades the simple moral character of our community and takes the innocence of our children and grandchildren, wrote Mary Wilson in an op-ed in the Mt. Sterling Advocate. Wilson signed the op-ed as a mom, nanny, youth leader and citizen of the county. Shes also the county treasurer. A petition asking local citizens to say NO to Drag Show Events was circulated at local churches. Written in pen on the back of the petition were instructions on who to return the petition to. Wilsons name and Courthouse Annex were written on the back. Willie Carver, a former Montgomery County teacher who said he left the school system after facing anti-gay discrimination, said the use of the annex for political activity was illegal and an abuse of Wilsons office. Carver voiced those concerns to Chris Haddix, the countys judge-executive. In an email provided to the Herald-Leader, Haddix told Carver that Wilson had promised not to do any work related to the drag show on county time or equipment. Haddix wrote that he approached Wilson about the petition drop-off and she said she did not write the note on the back but would make sure that its corrected. When the Herald-Leader reached Wilson for comment on a county phone line, Wilson said she couldnt talk about it while at work and gave a different number to call after hours. A call to that number was not returned. The drag show will be a very G-rated performance, Campbell said. Its not necessarily a family event but it would be fine if someone wanted their children to see it. There will be no nudity or sexual innuendo. This is not a midtown Manhattan drag show, said Campbell. This is a Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, drag show. The show is meant to be a celebration of drag as an art form, he said. Jordan Campbell, the executive director of the Gateway Regional Arts Center, poses on the buildings front steps. Drag as an art form The mission of the Gateway Regional Arts Center is all the arts for all the people, Campbell said. For that reason, they have 150 programs per year that cover everything from arts inspired by the Bible to Black and womens history months. Nobody ever protests those events though, Campbell said. Theres never any push back on Black History Month or Womens History Month or Hispanic Heritage Month, you know, its Pride. The local chapter of a national political group, the Concerned Women for America, was working against the drag show, Campbell said. The groups statewide director helped to organize a prayer vigil at a local church. Campbell said he and other members of the Gateway Regional Arts Center attended the vigil and were prayed over. In a statement, Jennifer Pendleton, state director of the Concerned Women for America of Kentucky, said the group believes in the value and dignity of biological females to flourish without repression, oppression and/or degradation. The so-called art form of drag shows incorporate gaudy makeup, lascivious clothing, and over-acted female impersonation to cheapen the value of women and poke fun at the intrinsic beauty of biological females, Pendleton said. The performers often use offensive stereotypes that my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother all fought to overcome. Drag has a long history in western culture and manifests in community events, Campbell said, noting that local fundraising events have included men dressing as women for years. Drag is also not just for men, he said, adding that Saturdays performance will also have women. It is men and women who are dressed up in fun costumes, and wigs, and lip synching to songs, Campbell said of Saturdays show. It is not a stripper onstage. Theres no nudity involved. Theres no sexual innuendo for the show we have, weve talked to all of the performers. Campbell said some of the push back the show has gotten has raised its visibility. In May the arts center received more donations than in any month this year. Sign ups for future events, Facebook and website traffic have all increased. Mt. Sterling had its first pride festival last year and Campbell said there was a small number of protesters. The Mt. Sterling Pride Festival will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DuBois Community Center. Aside from the drag show and brunch, the Gateway Regional Arts Center will also be hosting a gallery opening Friday with art from Bath County native Cierra Evans and a concert with queer, bluegrass artist Justin Hiltner Sunday night. "What you did was ruthless." Bucks County judge sentences man in coworker's revenge killing Dominique Isaac Harris sought revenge against the former coworker he blamed for losing his job at a Bensalem fast food restaurant. Hell spend the rest of his life in prison for it. On Thursday, a Bucks County judge sentenced the Philadelphia man to mandatory life without parole in state prison for stabbing Michael Pickens more than 40 times, then running over him twice with his car in 2022. Judge Ray McHugh told Harris that allowing him the chance to see freedom again would put the community at risk. "What you did was ruthless, it was unnecessary, and it was criminal," McHugh said. Court news More on the murder of Michael Pickens Co-worker was 'prey' after man lost Wendy's job. Bucks jury convicts in fatal 'brutal attack' Before sentencing Harris, the stepfather of 54-year-old Pickens told McHugh that the victim was someone who always helped others, especially the elderly in their Morrisville neighborhood. "Not a day goes by that you are not on our minds," he said. "In us, you will live forever." Earlier this year, a Bucks County jury found Harris guilty of the first-degree murder and possession of a weapon in the death of Pickens, who was taking out the trash at the Wendys restaurant off Street Road in the early hours of March 30, 2022 when Harris confronted him. The men were once coworkers at the restaurant, but after an altercation two months earlier, Harris lost his job, which prosecution argued fueled the revenge killing. Harris chased Pickens to the nearby parking lot of Bensalem Beer and Soda store at the corner of Hulmeville and Street roads, where he pushed Pickens to the ground before stabbing him repeatedly. Pickens had 46 wounds; more than half the wounds were to his head and neck and some wounds were so deep they pierced his lung. After stabbing his former coworker, Harris drove off. But eight minutes later, he returned and twice ran over Pickens before loading him into the backseat of his car and dumped his body two miles away, at the Cornwells Train Station. Employees of the beer distributors discovered the bloodstains, boot and a Wendys visor outside the store the next morning. Surveillance video footage captured the attack, police said. Philadelphia police found Harris in Philadelphia later that day and he had blood in the backseat of his car and a large cut on his right hand. The defense contended Harris injured his hand working on his car the night before and his car was stolen and taken for a joyride. Wendy's coworker accused in murder Philadelphia man charged in fatal assault at Bensalem beer distributor How to protect yourself from thieves Thieves are targeting mailboxes in Bucks County for checks. Here's how to protect yourself This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Ex-coworker gets life sentence in revenge killing at Wendy's in Bensalem The News Kevin McCarthys allies say its finally time for him to get a little respect. After some last-minute procedural drama on Wednesday, House lawmakers passed the new bill to lift the debt ceiling negotiated by the speaker and President Biden in a blowout, 314-117 bipartisan vote. Overcoming angry opposition from his right flank, McCarthy delivered support from 149 Republicans, a rebuff to critics who once questioned whether he could control his partys unruly conservative wing enough to deliver a debt deal. McCarthy has always been underestimated, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., one of the lead negotiators on the deal to raise the debt limit, told reporters Wednesday. There have been multiple times this calendar year alone that hes been underestimated. The votes tonight will prove out why that is the wrong proposition here in Washington. Rep. Darrell Issa, McCarthys fellow Californian, was even more effusive. This is the best speaker with the best negotiation we've ever gotten with the president of either party, he told Semafor. Is it perfect? No, but they never are. Our View The superlatives may be a little over the top, but McCarthys allies have a point: The national press and much of official Washington appears to have underestimated the man. McCarthy has never enjoyed much esteem in certain corners of Washington Politico once ran an entire article about how reporters thought he wasnt particularly smart. And from the moment the Californian first picked up the gavel, he was widely written off as a historically weak leader, a speaker in name only who appeared unequipped to manage his partys slim, 5-seat majority. To win his new perch in the face of right-wing opposition, hed given up much of its formal power, agreeing to rules that would hand GOP hardliners more say over what bills reached the House floor and allowing any one member to call a snap vote to oust him if they felt he stepped out of line. The New York Times warned that McCarthy had handed the GOPs arch-conservative wing the ability to hold him hostage and that the country should brace for the likelihood of a Congress in perpetual disarray for the next two years. Many doubted he would be able to negotiate a debt ceiling compromise (our colleagues among them) and wondered if McCarthy might risk a default simply to keep his job. By all accounts, the White House agreed. According to Politico, Biden aides largely believed that the competing demands of hard-right and moderate Republicans made it impossible for McCarthy to move a debt-ceiling bill with only GOP votes. So the president spent much of the year publicly refusing to even discuss the issue with McCarthy until he passed a spending plan of his own, assuming the speaker would fail and be forced to cave. Instead, McCarthy pulled off a legislative two-step, forcing Biden to the negotiating table by rallying Republicans behind a deeply partisan bill hardliners would agree to, then keeping the right on board just long enough to hash out a viable compromise. Conservatives may be unhappy with the final bill, but for now there doesnt appear to be any serious effort to topple McCarthy. Senior Republicans said McCarthy succeeded in part by bringing some of his antagonists from the speakers race into the decision-making process, including by placing three hardline conservatives onto the prestigious Rules Committee. Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, the panels chair, told Semafor that working closely with conservatives like Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a libertarian known for bucking leadership who ultimately backed the bill, helped them identify problems early. He's really built the team where rank-and-file members feel ownership of this body and these work products, Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota told Semafor. House Republican leaders have exaggerated some of their wins in the debt ceiling deal, which in many ways looks like a relatively normal budget agreement. McHenry has called it the largest deficit reduction package in American history, for instance, which as a Republican budget expert put it, is not remotely true by any measure. On the left, meanwhile, some commentators have suggested Biden outplayed McCarthy by keeping Democrats concessions to a minimum, and possibly slipping in a small expansion of the food stamp program. Maybe. But McCarthy has shown he can govern effectively without kowtowing to the GOPs hard right no easy feat in the modern Republican party. A hostage, he was not. Room for Disagreement Not everyone is dolling out credit to McCarthy. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., tweeted her opposition to the vote Tuesday morning and added, Washington is broken. Republicans got outsmarted by a President who cant find his pants. Didnt get into UC Santa Barbara? New program aims to bring in more transfer students The University of Californias new program for transfer students is aimed at high school students who applied to the system as freshmen, but did not get admitted. The three-year pilot program seeks to bring in more transfer students from within California and has already sent out invitations to 3,700 recent high school graduates to join the program in the fall. This program was offered to a select group of students who were not offered admission to UC as a freshman applicant, said Lisa Przekop, Executive Director of Admissions at UC Santa Barbara, We believe these students have potential to be successful at UC as a transfer student. The Dual Admissions Program is offered to California high school students that applied for a UC school as freshmen but were not admitted. Whether they were missing transferable coursework or their high school did not offer the required classes, those students are still offered an alternative path to admission to their school of choice. This new program will build on the Transfer Admissions Guarantee (TAG) program that is still currently being offered but will have added benefits such as additional guidance from a UC advisor, access to UC libraries and waiver of UC application fees. I didnt apply to universities in high school because I already knew I was going to TAG to a UC, said Leah Elliot, a fourth-year UCSB student. I would have done the Dual Admissions if it was offered when I went to community college. The Transfer Admissions Guarantee program, known as TAG, is a UC program established in 2018 that allows guaranteed admission for California residents who met GPA requirements prior to transferring to one of six participating UC schools, for select majors. I couldnt TAG because of my major so the application process was hard, said Jessica Moses, a third-year chemical engineering major at UC San Diego. TAG and Dual Admissions dont guarantee admission to all UC campuses and majors. Three schools are excluded from the programs and the majors that are offered vary on a school-by-school basis. UCSB boasts a 58% admission rate for transfer applicants and an estimated 90% of those students go on to earn a degree, so the additional help from the applicants school of choice ensures that students receive as much guidance as possible as on their path towards their degree. In fall of 2022, UCSB admitted 25.9% of freshman applicants (28,701 of 111,000 people) and 58% of transfer student applicants (10,228 of 17,610 people). And 93% of the admitted transfer students were from California community colleges. Dual Admissions is now up and running and all 116 California community colleges have been trained on the program, according to the University of California. UCSB campus officials said they have the capacity to accommodate more transfer students and the program is meant to streamline the transfer process. Ernesto Centeno Araujo is a Noozhawk contributing writer and a student at UC Santa Barbara. The Future of Travel column is a monthly series exploring the innovations and bold ideas moving travel forward. In the small city of Ostuni in southern Italy, a group of remote workers and digital nomads arrive at a community center to meet a troupe of Italian grandmothers, or nonnas, for a pasta making class. They gather around tables to watch as the nonnas demonstrate how to slice and smash strips of hand-rolled dough to make orecchiette, one of the Apulia regions signature pasta dishes. For locals, the culinary ritual is a familiar one, but for these newly arrived digital nomads, it's a unique glimpse into the traditions of their temporary new home. You have this type of cooking class in Italy now, but theyre quite touristic, says Serena Chironna, co-founder of KINO Italy, which organizes month-long coworking retreats in lesser-known corners of Italy, where villages are at risk of extinction, and small cities like Ostuni are popular tourist destinations for only a couple months a year. But in this case, we went to the elderly center, where theyd go every day to play cards. We cooked together and we danced. And it was something you would never do, like, dancing with some local grandmothers. The community center visit is just one of the many activities Chironna coordinates with KINO, where remote workers can pay a flat rate to get a month of accommodation, access to a co-working space, and experience social outings with locals. Its among a new crop of similar programs rolling out across Europe including the EU-backed Nomadland Project; six-month program Summer of Pioneers, which takes digital nomads to rural villages in Germany; a platform funded by the Spanish government promoting 42 rural villages; and Chateau Coliving, a 12th-century castle in rural Normandy converted into a coliving space for digital nomads. These programs all share a common goal: lure digital nomads and remote workers away from hot spots experiencing an anti-digital nomad backlash to areas struggling with depopulation, where they believe younger talent with money to spend might reinvigorate struggling economies. But can digital nomads dancing with nonnas actually help save Europes fading villages? A growing number of entrepreneurs and policy makers say the answer might be yes. Andrea Edelman Kay The nomad boom is changing where we work and travel Programs like KINO aim to help smaller regions ride the wave of digital nomadism, while also avoiding its pitfalls. Theres no census to tell us precisely how many digital nomads there are, but estimates suggest the population has exploded in recent years. A 2022 survey by MBO Partners found the number of American digital nomads was up more than 130 percent from 2019 to 2022, reaching an estimated 16.9 million. And theres significant money in the addressable market, which in 2021 Skift Research estimated was worth more than $1 billion. Yet while leaders in the scene have been speaking about the potential benefits destinations might see in attracting digital nomads, its an increasingly contentious topic. Many argue that they are invariably transforming the destinations they gravitate toand not necessarily in positive ways. Think rising living costs in destinations like Lisbon and Mexico City, residential homes turned into short-term rentals, and the social fabric of neighborhoods shifting to cater to higher-earning transients. And the trend is reshaping not only the geography of work but also the way we travel, says Prithwiraj Choudhury, associate professor at Harvard Business School, who has extensively researched the topic: Digital nomadism has definitely taken off as the work-from-anywhere phenomena has taken off. Even as some companies wrestle with employees over return-to-office policies, he predicts the rise in digital nomadism is here to stay. It reflects the convergence of several trends: the unprecedented shift to remote work through the pandemic lockdowns; the resulting interest among white-collar workers in extended trips blending work and travel; and a host of younger companies pursuing remote-only strategies, which Choudhury says is another big driver of the phenomena, citing startups like Zapier and Doist as examples. Another sign of the trends staying power is the growing number of countries openly competing to attract higher-earning nomads and remote workers. In the past two years, dozens of governments have launched so-called digital nomad visas, with the latest being Spain and Columbia. Choudhury has analyzed these emerging visa schemes, and believes his research shows they could boost economies through dollars spent as well as business and cultural connections between locals and nomads. And in line with the goals of Europes off-the-beaten-path digital nomad programs, he observes that areas outside of major cities show the most potential to benefit. The smaller cities have lost a lot of people. This is a great opportunity to redistribute talent, he says. For society, its a good thing. But, of course, locals in nomad hot spots have cautionary tales to tell. Andrea Edelman Kay So, what actually happens when the MacBook crowds descend Right now, most digital nomads and remote workers tend to gravitate to a couple dozen urban destinations. For a real-time look at which of these cities are trending, glance over the Nomad List, a popular website where digital nomads search for their next destination using filters ranging from cheap places to the questionable places with attractive women. In mid-2021, Lisbon saw a surge of trips logged by Nomad List users, pushing it up in the rankings. Its popularity among nomads has reached a flashpoint. As the international tech conference Web Summit took place in the Portuguese capital this past November, protesters gathered outside on opening night, criticizing the governments courting of digital nomads and wealthy foreigners. In the past year, similar protests have recently occurred in other digital nomad centers like Mexico City, where demonstrators encouraged remote workers to stay away. Cost of living and gentrification are central concerns. Its not all the fault of digital nomads, says Dave Cook, an anthropologist at University College London whos been studying digital nomads for nearly a decade. But when were faced with the idea that remote work is now mainstream and there are going to be millions more nomads coming online, places like Lisbon are going to really feel the pinch. They said it raises questions about this idea that its all going to trickle down while people are being displaced. Cook has specifically seen how digital nomads are reshaping the urban environment in Chiang Mai, Thailand where theyve spent years studying digital nomads impacts. Along with the obvious coworking spaces, specific changes theyve noticed include a rise in yoga studios, vegan fast food, and people visibly around the city on laptops. Rather than connecting with the locals, digital nomads more often form their own bubbles and hang out with fellow remote workers, Cook says. The Digital Nomads Madeira project on the Portuguese island of Madeira, launched in 2021, is one mixed-bag example they cite. Last year, journalist Susana Ferreira embedded herself in the island parish Ponta do Sol and reported for Wired that the surge in digital nomad arrivals had a mixed reception among locals, as rent fast outpaces wages and short-term spots are on the rise. Cook says this speaks to one of the paradoxes at the heart of the digital nomad lifestyle: Digital nomads talk quite a lot about the healing power of travel and immersing themselves in the local culture. I don't think it's for a cynical reason but it very rarely actually happens. Andrea Edelman Kay Can fading villages avoid over-nomadism? It matters how involved locals are in designing programs aiming to attract digital nomads to their communities in the first place. Harvards Choudhury says: How you foster a connection between locals and nomads will determine how the community benefits. This is where the new wave of projects in more rural areas hopes to chart a different course than what we've seen thus far. Digital nomads have received a lot of backlash from big cities, says Drejc Kokosar, co-founder of the ID20 Institute and one of the minds behind the Nomadland Project, When we're talking about the countryside, it's a little bit different because we are talking here about the areas that are losing people. The whole of Europe is talking about outmigration from the countryside, but nobody is really focused on how to attract new people, says Kokosar. He believes when planned by locals, digital nomad projects can be a net positiveand maybe even save some villages from slipping off the map. Thats one reason KINO, which Nomadland promotes, aims to forge deeper relationships with residents. Before launching KINO last year with her business partner, Andrea Mammoliti, Chironna spent several months in Madeira, which she described as quite a bubble, albeit successful in attracting a diverse crowd. She aimed to learn from those successes, while doing something unique in rural Italy where destinations can cater more specifically to digital nomads interested in visiting during a slower time of year. The kinds of digital nomad and remote workers drawn to an island getaway or an urban stay in, say, Lisbon, at high season, are quite distinct from those looking for a more rural village or small city experience, she reasons. And in these destinations, Chironna hopes to show locals theres an alternative to to mass tourism, even when presented under the guise of digital nomadism. Remote workers can be a part of that alternative by both creating opportunities for local businesses beyond short-term tourists and maybe even inspiring younger Italians to pick up the kind of remote jobs that enable them to return to the places they left, she says. But the responsibility for managing these programs well needs to be shared by the remote workers, too. I see my role as to encourage nomads to work and travel with a little more intention and kindness, says Cook, who cites visiting more rural areas over the same crowded spots as an example of that intentionality. Get involved with these conversations. Don't just presume that because you have a strong passport, that you can travel and work with impunity. In other words, if you are a digital nomad, target the villages where the pasta-making grandmas are actually looking for a dance. And with KINO, you might have a shot at that kind of engagement. When I chat with Chironna, she has a hoarse voice. Last Saturday, we left a wine place at 4 a.m. We spent the night playing guitar and singing with locals, she says. Hence, probably, my condition." Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler Doctors pain was dismissed due to her weight. She almost lost use of her leg Soon after giving birth, Dr. MaryAnn Dakkak struggled to use her left leg and experienced numbness, weakness and pain. After visiting the emergency room about after an intense bout of pain, she felt frustrated when she realized that she'd have to leave without any answers. I had gone to the emergency room, had felt very dismissed. Nobody examined my leg. Nobody touched my back, she tells TODAY.com. It was very much So you just had a baby. Sciatica (is common). Dakkak wrote about her experience in an article for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and how she hopes to reduce weight stigma in medicine. While I continue to work on the function of my physical body, another role I have is as a medical educator and faculty member, she wrote in the article. Creating and promoting a curriculum focused on understanding and disarming our learned biases are necessary to provide the best care to all patients, regardless of size. Dismissed for being postpartum and overweight During the birth of her third child, Dakkak experienced a complication that contributed to hip pain and an inability to lift her left leg that worsened over the few months following birth. When she went to the emergency room, she asked for the doctor to examine her hip and back. Instead, the doctors implied that her weight and postpartum status meant that pain, numbness and tingling should be expected. Initially, Dakkak accepted this. It was like, Youre postpartum. Youre really overweight. I was like OK I believe it, she says. I allowed it to be ignored because I had internalized the bias myself. The Boston-based family medicine physician knew that a lot of people have neurological injury after birth and a lot of it is dismissed. So, she called a friend, who is also a doctor, for a second opinion. My friend tested my reflexes and I had no reflexes in my left leg, Dakkak says. (My friend) was like What were you thinking? No obesity causes you to be unable to life your left leg. Soon after, Dakkak met with a spine surgeon to schedule a procedure to treat her left leg pain caused by a herniated disc that cut off my nerve root in her spine. Its not a typical presentation for a herniated disc, she says, and its even hard to see on an MRI, which is why a physical exam would be so important to get an accurate diagnosis. Luckily, because I know so many doctors, I was able to cobble together my own care team fairly quickly, she explains. One of my clinicians told me, Oh my gosh, if you hadnt advocated for yourself, you would have been permanently in a wheelchair. I would have been permanently unable to use my left leg. On top of everything she was experiencing, Dakkak fell down the stairs and broke her foot in two places prior to her surgery. I had my first two children in medical school, she says. I was excited to have maternity leave where I could take my baby on walks and do all the things that I see people do on maternity leave. And I did none of those things. Post-spine surgery I was in a wheelchair rolling around the house. After a few months of physical therapy and re-programming her nerves to prevent the pain from recurring, Dakkak improved. It definitely was not the maternity leave I had wanted, she says. After a few months I was able to walk on my own. Changing the way we think about weight and health As Dakkak recovered, she considered her experience, what that meant for her, and how weight bias negatively impacts the care overweight and obese people receive. Everybody deserves a differential diagnosis no matter what they look like, she says. Something that especially obese women go through every day is being treated less than, not being taken seriously. (Many) of their complaints are just blamed on their weight without a full exam or a differential diagnosis. When she thinks of her weight now, Dakkak considers functional goals that she hopes to achieve. Thats also how she approaches weight with her patients. For Dakkak, she wanted to ride her bike a little longer, swim and play with her three children. Because of her weakened left side, she pursued gastric sleeve surgery this past February and lost about 40 pounds. Even after I got 20 pounds off, which was about a month and a half ago, I was able to bike longer, hike longer, walk longer without having spasms, she says. Thats how I measure my success. I dont really care about my weight, and I dont really care about any patient's weight. I really care about their ability to function in the world and meet their health goals. She says that research shows that physical activity adds more to your health than weight loss and thats what she considers when she talks to her patients. We actually have fabulous evidence that losing weight when youre a normal weight or even a little overweight adds no mortality benefit, Dakkak says. I really do try to nail down what are we losing weight for? I totally support weight loss in healthy consistent ways that get people to functional goals and physical activity. Dakkak says that for some conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, for example, weight loss can help. But she never advises weight loss for the sake of weight loss. The bias against fatness is so great that it prevents people from even seeking care. She hopes this changes. A lot of the stigma is internalized by a lot of our patients, and we find they dont go to the doctor, she says. Obesity is a risk factor and should be treated as a risk factor but its not an all encompassing diagnosis and it doesnt cause all things. And I think its really an easy cop out. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Doctors are pressing adults to have more lung cancer screenings Doctor watching an X-ray of lung cancer on a digital tablet. Doctors are pressing adults to have more lung cancer screenings. | Adobe.com Doctors are urging more adults whove had a history of smoking to have a low-dose CT screening for lung cancer in order to lower mortality rates, according to The Wall Street Journal. With lung and bronchus cancer being the most deadly cancer in the U.S., the Journal said a CT scan can catch the disease earlier and save lives. Per the American Lung Association, when detected early, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is about 60% compared to when its caught late, which decreases to 7%. Dr. Robert Winn, director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, told the Journal, Most of them dont even know that if we catch these things early, theyre curable. Medical groups recommend annual, low-dose scans starting at 50 for people who smoke heavily or recently quit. Insurers often cover the test, the article said. Related What is a low-dose CT screening? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said a low-dose computer tomography is a short, painless procedure where you lie down on a table and an X-ray machine uses a small amount of radiation to create images of your lungs. The procedure is done before any extreme symptoms show or when the patient may not have a history of that disease, per the CDC. While taking a low-dose CT scan can run the risk of a false-positive a result where the machine falsely detects cancer in a patient the CDC said thats why the only ones recommended for the screening are adults with high risk of developing lung cancer because of excessive smoking or age. Dr. Patrick Hwu, president and chief executive officer of the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, told the Journal, It would save the most lives immediately. The Journal said doctors are pushing harder to expand lung-cancer screening and take advantage of newer treatments that have changed the diseases outlook. Related What are the first signs of lung cancer? Early symptoms of lung cancer include wheezing, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath and a cough that worsens or produces blood, according to the Cancer Treatments Centers of America. The American Cancer Society added symptoms like loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss and said, Most lung cancers do not cause any symptoms until they have spread, but some people with early lung cancer do have symptoms. Cleveland Clinic listed the stages of lung cancer and said the cancer first infects the top lining of the lung or bronchus, spreading to lymph nodes inside the lung and infecting both lungs and surrounding organs by the last stages. Does John Duarte really want to defund the DOJ and FBI? | Opinion Just before Wednesdays momentous House approval of a debt ceiling deal, a billboard went up in Rep. John Duartes district criticizing him for not condemning former President Donald Trumps retaliatory call to defund the DOJ and FBI. While such political stunts rarely merit attention, Im giving it some here because its a signal that Democrats already are gunning for Duarte, the Modesto Republican who will go up for reelection next year. Once again, Stanislaus County will be ground zero for one of the most contested House races in the country. His 13th Congressional District west of Highway 99 plus Ceres and running through Merced and parts of Madera, Fresno and San Joaquin counties favored Joe Biden in 2022. In that election, Duarte beat former Democratic Assemblyman Adam Gray by 564 votes, a difference of 0.42%, in one of the closest House races anywhere. Opinion Duarte recently told The Modesto Bee Editorial Board he will seek a second two-year term in 2024, so its no surprise to see Dems targeting him early. Like political fliers and mailers, billboards dont provide context. This one, on East Pacheco Boulevard in Los Banos, attempts to align Duarte with Trump, a strategy you will see time and again across the nation for the next 17 months. A statement emailed from Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman Viet Shelton accused Duarte of attempting to paint himself as a pro-public safety moderate (by) shamelessly refus(ing) to condemn the twice-impeached, criminally indicted former presidents call to defund the law enforcement agencies that keep Californians safe. The billboard features a photo of Duarte altered to show duct tape over his mouth, saying he was silent about Trumps April defunding antics. The truth is less dramatic. Duarte was among 15 House Republicans from whom Punchbowl News, a nonprofit service, sought comment when Trump lashed out. Trump was being Trump, throwing another tantrum because the feds investigated his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and keeping classified documents at his Florida home. Duarte voted Wednesday for the debt ceiling deal, as did most moderates and even some not-so-moderates, like Tom McClintock, the congressman representing most of Modesto and Turlock and Stanislaus areas east of Highway 99. Both Republicans sent thoughtful messages to supporters explaining their votes. Explaining debt ceiling votes The Fiscal Responsibility Act represents the most important victory for fiscal conservatives in more than a decade, McClintock wrote Tuesday, anticipating Wednesdays yes vote. If we are going to save our country, Republicans need to get a lot worse at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Duartes statement focused on bipartisanship, citing compromise with Biden by name twice in three paragraphs. These recent negotiations are a perfect example of democracy at work, Duarte concluded. Most House members voting no are on either fringe, far left or far right. Remember that Duarte was among only a handful of Republicans who on May 11 voted against a GOP-crafted border bill because it was bad for our area and economy, angering colleagues. Does this sound like a MAGA extremist? As for the billboard, Duarte on Wednesday said public safety has been and always will be a top priority. I am committed to working with both Democrats and Republicans to defend, not defund, law enforcement and public safety. The billboard is one of a dozen across the United States in districts where Democrats will focus campaign money and energy. In time, we will see the GOP strike just as sharply against Democratic candidates. In a purple district like the 13th neither solidly red nor blue its as expected as night following day. So get ready for a wild ride. Were in for another doozy. Dolly Parton honored with 3 new Guinness World Records. See all her titles Dolly Parton is adding three more Guinness World Records to her already mind-blowing list of career accomplishments. The country music legend, 77, was recently honored for holding the world record for the most studio albums released by a female country singer. The "9 to 5" singer released 65 albums total in between her debut "Hello, Im Dolly," in 1967 and her most recent studio album "Run, Rose, Run," in 2022, according to Guinness World Records. Dolly Parton (Nathan Congleton / TODAY) Parton also now holds the world record for the most top 10 entries on the U.S. top country albums chart for a female artist, with 48. Her 2022 compilation album, Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection, was the latest album to land on the Billboard chart. Finally, Parton is now the world record holder for the longest time span between No. 1 hits on the U.S. top country albums chart for a female artist. On May 14, 1977, New HarvestFirst Gathering became the first of Partons eight No. 1 albums to land on the chart, according to Guinness World Records. Her most recent was A Holly Dolly Christmas on Oct. 17, 2020. The time span? A whopping 43 years and 156 days. Parton was presented with her new world record titles in a special ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee. The official Twitter account for the Guinness World Records organization shared photos of the music icon accepting her awards. I am humbled every time I receive a new Guinness World Records title. I share these three new honors with my fans, who have allowed me to enjoy such a long career, Parton reportedly said. I am humbled every time I receive a new Guinness World Records title. I share these three new honors with my fans, who have allowed me to enjoy such a long career. The incredible @DollyParton https://t.co/quCqC0BRgh Guinness World Records (@GWR) May 31, 2023 The 10-time Grammy winner's most recent Guinness World Records honors come on the heels of titles she won in December 2021. Parton racked up wins for most decades on the U.S. hot country songs chart by a female artist (seven) and the most No. 1 hits on the U.S. hot country songs chart by a female artist (25). The third award, Parton had already won only to then beat her own record. Parton already topped the list for most hits on the U.S. hot country songs chart back in January 2021 with the success of her 108th hit, Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas. Later that year, her duet with Reba McEntire "Does He Love You" debuted on the chart, giving her a total of 109 hits. This is the kind of stuff that really makes you very humble and very grateful for everything thats happened, Parton told the organization at the time. "I am flattered and honored. Ive had a lot of people help me get here," she added. "Thanks to all of you and all of them for helping me have all of this." Parton also previously won a Guinness World Record title in 2018, for most decades with a top 20 hit on the U.S. country songs chart (six), a record that McEntire tied in 2020. This article was originally published on TODAY.com 'This is what domestic violence looks like': Ex-boyfriend charged in killing of metro Detroit nurse An Inkster man has been charged in the killing of his ex-girlfriend, a nurse found dead in her car last month. Jamere Mykel Miller, 36, is accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend, Patrice Wilson, 29, of Redford, multiple times May 13. More: 'Viciously murdered': Ex-boyfriend arrested in kidnapping, killing of Detroit nurse That morning, just before 8 a.m., Miller disguised himself with a wig, hat, and glasses and waited for Wilson to get out of work at Detroit Receiving Hospital and into her car, the Wayne County Prosecutors Office alleges. Miller got into the rear passenger side of Wilson car, shot her multiple times, then got into the drivers seat and fled, prosecutors say. Photo of kidnapping victim Patrice Wilson, 29-year-old Detroit Medical Center nurse. By afternoon on May 13, Wilsons vehicle was discovered in Novi with her lifeless body in the rear of the car, according to a news release from the prosecutor's office. Wilson and Miller were reportedly ending their relationship at the time of Wilsons killing. Miller turned himself over to authorities May 14. He was arraigned Thursday afternoon in 36th District Court on charges of first-degree murder, felony murder, carjacking, armed robbery, felony possession of a firearm and five counts of felony firearm. Miller pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bond. A hardworking and dedicated nurse that was simply trying to live her life and end a relationship was murdered, said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "It is alleged that (Miller) would not let her go. The most dangerous time for a domestic violence victim is when they are trying to leave the relationship." More: Survey reveals stark disparities between Detroit and surrounding suburbs Detroit Police Chief James White previously said Miller has a "violent" criminal history, including instances of domestic violence. According to court records, Miller's criminal history also includes numerous firearm- and drug-related charges and assaulting a police officer. Detroit Police Chief James White provided an update on the kidnapping of Patrice Wilson at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters on Monday, May 15, 2023. White previously said he has been made aware that Miller had a past relationship with Bianca Green, a Romulus woman who went missing in 2011. White said he is cooperating with law enforcement agencies tasked with finding Green. White said Wilson was cherished by her loved ones. She was a mother and a daughter, he said, who was "dedicated to helping and serving others as a nurse, and putting others before herself." Resources Below is a list of resources for victims of domestic violence, provided by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. ACCESS : Resource center for survivors of sexual assault. Contact 313-216-2202. Avalon Healing Center (Formerly known as Wayne County SAFE) : Resource center for survivors of sexual assault. Crisis line: 313-430-8000. Detroit Police Department Victims Assistance Program Resource for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault. 313-833-1660. First Step : Resource for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault and offers shelter services. Crisis line: 734-459-5900 or 888-453-5900, or www.firststep-mi.org. Haven : Resource for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault . Crisis line: at 248-334-1274. SASHA Center (Sexual Assault Services for Holistic Healing and Awareness ): Resource focused on the African American experience but groups and services are open to all. 888-865-7055 or info@sashacenter.org. YWCA Interim House: Offers shelter services for domestic violence victims. 313-862-3580 or ywca@ywcadetroit.org. Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442, asahouri@freepress.com or on Twitter @andreamsahouri. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-boyfriend charged in killing of metro Detroit nurse Former U.S. Congressman Don Bonker died Tuesday, May 30, in Silverdale. He was 86. Bonker served as a Democratic representative for Washingtons 3rd Congressional District starting in 1975, when there were just seven Congressional Districts in Washington and the 3rd District represented Thurston County, the entire Olympic Peninsula and most of southwest Washington. He served in Congress until retiring in 1989. The former Congressman was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in May. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Carolyn, as well as his daughter Dawn and son Jon. Bonker had five grandchildren. Dad made a lasting impact through his work but his love and dedication to our family was even more extraordinary, Jon Bonker said in a press statement issued Wednesday. He took more pride in the titles Hubby, Dad, and Papa than Congressman. He was the rock of our family, our protector, greatest advocate, and best friend. He was truly a remarkable person. Were devastated by his loss, but were grieving with hope because he belonged to Jesus and we know well see him again. Born on March 7, 1937, in Denver, Bonker served in the U.S. Coast Guard before beginning his career as a public servant. He served as the Clark County Auditor in Vancouver for two years before running for congress. In his role as a congressman, Bonker chaired the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade as well as the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations. Bonker sponsored The Equal Access Act of 1984. In 1988, Bonker also co-sponsored The Womens Business Ownership Act. His district was dependent on timber and fishing, and Bonker worked on policies that would preserve and advance jobs and economic diversification while protecting significant areas of Washingtons natural environment. He helped to create Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Washington state Lt. Gov Denny Heck, a former Congressman who represented some of the same territory, offered his condolences in a news release. I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend, former Congressman Don Bonker, Heck said. Congressman Bonker was the epitome of a public servant, from his service in the Coast Guard to the halls of Congress. He was always ahead of his time from advocating for big election reforms in the 60s to a nuanced form of American global leadership in international trade. Don inspired me to volunteer on a political campaign for the very first time when he ran for Clark County Auditor in 1966. I was a ninth-grader at Jason Lee Junior High School in Vancouver. He remained an important mentor and friend my entire life. Paula and I send our deepest sympathies to Dons wife, Carolyn, and the entire Bonker family, Heck said. Washington state and our nation are better for Congressman Bonkers service. U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who currently represents the 3rd District, issued a statement saying she is deeply saddened by Bonkers passing. Don was a champion for Southwest Washington led by his faith and lifelong commitment to serving our communities, she said in her statement. His work to preserve the woods and our way of life will continue to be felt by Southwest Washington for generations to come. I was honored to call him a friend and a mentor. Don was always there to answer my questions, share a word of advice, or even lend my husband a suit to wear to my swearing-in ceremony in D.C. Im grateful I was able to share some final words with him on Monday night. I will miss him dearly, and Im keeping his wife, Carolyn, and his children, Dawn and Jonathan, in my thoughts. A sure sign the politics of Idaho have changed for the worse is when attacks on good legislators begin weeks after the Legislature adjourns and a full year before the next election, writes Rod Gramer, of Idaho Business for Education. Thats what is happening in our state right now. A sure sign the politics of Idaho have changed for the worse is when attacks on good legislators begin weeks after the Legislature adjourns and a full year before the next election. Thats what is happening in our state right now. Rod Gramer Billboards have surfaced like weeds in Canyon County attacking Rep. Julie Yamamoto, chair of the House Education Committee, and in Moscow attacking Rep. Lori McCann, vice chair of the House Education Committee and also a board member of Idaho Business for Education. The Moscow billboard accuses Rep. McCann of failing to support our children. In large letters against a pinkish background, it asks, WILL YOU HELP? Then it urges someone to apply now to be a candidate for District 6. The billboard attacking Rep. Yamamoto is a carbon copy of the one attacking McCann and accuses the life-long educator of not supporting children and urges someone to run against her in District 11. Both billboards send a clear message that would-be candidates would have support if they decided to run against Yamamoto and McCann. So, why would these two legislators who voted for every bill that strengthens public education and supports Idahos 300,000 public school students be attacked for supposedly not supporting young people? Because Yamamoto and McCann had the temerity to oppose efforts to use taxpayers dollars to support private and religious schools at the expense of our public schools. These billboards are sponsored by a pro-voucher group called Citizens Alliance of Idaho. The Alliance is one of nearly 14 groups, many from out of state, urging lawmakers to pass a voucher-like program to support private and religious schools. The Citizens Alliance of Idaho spent $354,000 to elect voucher-friendly legislators in Idaho last year. Of that, $150,000 came from the Ohio-based Citizens Alliance Super PAC. Additionally, Doyle Beck and Bryan Smith who serve on the board of the Idaho Freedom Foundation tossed in another $30,000 each to finance the Alliance. Meanwhile, another out-of-state privatization group, the American Federation for Children, circulated a flyer in northern Idaho this spring thanking Sen. Scott Herndon for standing with Idahos students and parents. The flyer, which had a return address for a suite in Dallas, Texas, claimed that Senator Scott Herndon is putting Idahos Students First! The truth is Herndon didnt vote for any bill that would help Idahos students. He voted no on increased funding for our public schools. No on increased funding for career technical education. No on $5 million to help students with dyslexia. No on funding for community colleges. No on funding for higher education. No on grants for students to attend community college or technical schools. No on scholarships for students to attend college. Herndon even voted against a special appropriation to provide extra law enforcement security at the University of Idaho after four students were murdered in November. The only education bills Herndon supported were those that would send taxpayer dollars to support students who attend private and religious schools. So much for putting students first! It is no surprise that the American Federation for Children would distort Herndons record. During the 2022 Republican primary election in Idaho, AFC spent $200,000 to elect pro-privatization legislators like Herndon and another $74,000 in the general election. And the spending by these pro-voucher groups did not stop after the election. Of the top 10 spendings organizations lobbying the 2023 Legislature, three were pro-voucher groups, including the American Federation of Children which spent $81,000, more than any other special interest group. The other two were the Citizens Alliance of Idaho, which spent $36,000, and Young Americans for Liberty, which spent $59,000. By comparison, traditional Idaho interest groups, the Idaho Farm Bureau and Idaho Realtors spent a mere $18,711 and $15,442 respectively. Additionally, three of the top 10 individual spenders were pro-voucher lobbyists: Bill Phillips, American Federation for Children, $75,024; Lucious ODell, Young Americans for Liberty, $59,278; Matt Edwards, Citizens Alliance of Idaho, $36,312, according to the Secretary of States office. More and more interest groups like the American Federation for Children are trying to convince Idahoans what is truthful is false and what is false is truthful. That legislators like Scott Herndon are champions of education when they are not and pro-education legislators like Julie Yamamoto and Lori McCann dont support students when they do. In other words, what is happening to politics in Idaho is even bigger than just the issue of vouchers versus the future of public education. It is also about truth versus disinformation. It is about integrity versus deception. Unfortunately, many Idahoans are falling for the disinformation and deception leveled against our very best lawmakers. Last year their deceptive campaigns cost many good lawmakers their seats. Now they want to defeat good people like Yamamoto and McCann with the same trickery. If they succeed, the real losers will be the public-school students in Idaho. The success these pro-voucher, well-funded, misinformation mongers have enjoyed only confirms what Mark Twain once observed: A lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots. For the sake of Idahos future, we can only hope that truth starts lacing up its boots fast and sends these carpetbaggers back to Dallas and Ohio or wherever they came from. Rod Gramer is president and CEO of Idaho Business for Education. Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Westside Conservative Breakfast on Thursday in Urbandale, Iowa. Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Westside Conservative Breakfast on Thursday in Urbandale, Iowa. Former President Donald Trump told a Republican audience in Iowa on Thursday that while he opposes progressive ideas about transgender rights, he does not like using the term woke to describe them, because too few people know what it means. Speaking to the Westside Conservative Club in Urbandale, Iowa, Trump described his revulsion with letting children with gender dysphoria identify as another gender, declaring that the country has gotten sick. And I dont like the term woke, because I hear woke, woke woke, the 2024 GOP presidential candidate said. You know, its like just a term that half the people cant even define it. They dont know what it is. Trump is not the first person to point out the vague definition of the terms woke or wokeness. The word dates to the 1930s, when Black Americans used the phrase stay woke as a call to their brethren to remain alert to anti-Black racism and potential danger associated with it. When the term trickled into the mainstream in the 1960s, it became a watchword for awareness of the systems of oppression used to subjugate Black Americans. Nowadays, it has taken on different layers of meaning. Some centrists use it to describe a particular kind of social justice ideology that they believe is too quick to describe dissenting views as racist, sexist or transphobic. But conservatives often describe any liberal idea or policy they dont like as woke, leading progressives to dismiss it as a dog-whistle term for racial justice or other ideals. Its unclear whether Trump plans to abandon the word woke for good or he was just engaging in a spur-of-the-moment riff. As recently as Sunday, he described Disney as a Woke and Disgusting shadow of its former self on his social media platform Truth Social. But the comments could also be a subtle jab at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trumps top rival for the GOP presidential nomination. The governor routinely characterizes his right-wing culture war as a crusade against wokeness. DeSantis, who has restricted discussions of sex and gender identity in school classrooms, proudly describes Florida as the state where woke goes to die. Trump toes the conservative line on transgender rights, sprinkling his stump speeches with jokes about transgender women participating in womens sports. But his effort to distinguish himself from DeSantis rhetorically could be part of a larger strategy to avoid pandering to a niche corner of the online right. Trump has slammed DeSantis for failing to prevail in his prolonged battle with Disney, which DeSantis has sought to punish for opposing his bills restricting discussion of sex and gender issues in the classroom. And Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., disappointed some conservative activists when he spoke up against the movement to boycott Bud Light after the brand hired Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender woman, as a spokesperson in a few advertisements. People say, Youre conservative, Trump said on Thursday. Yeah, Im conservative. But more important is: Im a person with common sense. Donald Trump draws a huge field of 2024 opponents: Here's why that could help and hurt him WASHINGTON The Republican primary is getting awfully crowded, and that could be good news for Donald Trump in theory. As Chris Christie and Mike Pence prepare to join the field, the theory is that too many other candidates would split up the "anti-Trump vote" and allow the former president to claim the 2024 Republican nomination with less than 40% support from actual voters. How it plays out is anyone's guess in the unpredictable Age of Trump. Some political professionals said the other candidates may be jumping in because they see legal and political vulnerabilities for Trump, and they could take advantage. "Bringing Trump down this time seems like it is going to take a village and with all the candidates in the race, they may be able to do it," said political scientist Lara Brown, author of "Jockeying for the American Presidency: The Political Opportunism of Aspirants." Combatants Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis Who's officially running for president in 2024? Get to know the candidates Nearly half of Republicans don't want Trump to run for reelection in 2024, new poll shows 'Loading up' Trump, of course, is confident regardless of how many other candidates enter the race. When Tim Scott joined the fray last month, Trump welcomed him to the race by saying, It is rapidly loading up with lots of people." Trump also said other candidates could just as easily take votes away from Ron DeSantis, his main challenger so far. The in-crowd Christie, who is reportedly set to announce next week, has indicated he will focus his fire on Trump, especially in the early primary state of New Hampshire. Pence, who was Trump's vice president, also is prepared to announce next week in Iowa, home of caucuses that will select the first delegates in the Republican race. Those announcements mean Trump will face at least seven known and decently funded candidates, a group that includes Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson and Vivek Ramaswamy, as well as Scott and DeSantis. Others also are thinking of jumping in. That group ranges from North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, who could be a big factor in his state's Republican primary. Shades of 2016 A big field appeared to help Trump in 2016, a race that at one time featured 17 well-known candidates (though five dropped out before any votes were cast). A question this time around is how many candidates will make it to the starting line in Iowa and on to the New Hampshire primary. The more candidates who stay in after New Hampshire, the better it is for Trump. "There's 100% of the vote, and Trump's going to get 30 to 35%," said Dave Carney, a New Hampshire-based Republican political consultant. Winning enough of the remaining 65% to 70% of the vote is "a problem for everybody" and a benefit for "the front-runner," Carney said. The 2016 split In 2016, Trump narrowly lost the Iowa caucuses to Ted Cruz, 27.6% to 24.3%, but won the New Hampshire primary with 35.3% of the vote. That put him ahead of a crowd that included John Kasich (15.8%), Cruz (11.7%), Jeb Bush (11.0%), Marco Rubio (10.6%) and Christie (7.4%). Trump later won the South Carolina primary with 32.5%, with Rubio (22.5%) and Cruz (22.3%) pretty much splitting up anti-Trump votes. By the time the 2016 field winnowed down, Trump had the nomination sewn up. The rest of the field As in 2016, the non-Trump candidates also are competing for donors who oppose the former president, splitting up the money that will be necessary to defeat him. The 2016 non-Trump candidates spent more time attacking one another than they did the front-runner, fearful of alienating Trump voters. Though Christie has said he plans to be hard on Trump, others seem more reticent, although DeSantis said he will defend himself against Trump's attacks. The Florida governor also has noted that Trump and his allies have a poor record in the past three national elections. Ganging up on Trump? The number of Republicans also could be a sign of weakness for Trump. He is already under indictment in New York City over a hush money case and still faces investigations over his handling of classified documents and efforts to overthrow the 2020 presidential election. Some campaigns seem to be waiting for the next indictment or the next poll that shows Trump slipping with moderate voters, which would make him a problematic general election candidate. "They will all soon be arguing that the Trump 'fad' is over and it is time for the party to move past his grievances and his legal issues and look to the future and towards the GOP winning again," Brown said. Republican political strategist Doug Heye said concerns about the size of the 2024 field are "overplayed" at this point. "This time Trump starts as the favorite," he said, "but is so flawed that a lot of other candidates sense an opportunity." The question, Heye and others said, is how many people stay in for the long run. "If we have 10 people still in come February," Heye said, "thats a different equation." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump draws a huge field of 2024 opponents: Why it helps and hurts him Downtown Myrtle Beach could see a new high rise hotel with oceanfront views. What to know Myrtle Beachs booming hospitality sector may be close to adding a pair of trendy Hilton properties to the core of its oceanfront district replacing two buildings constructed a half century ago. According to city planning documents provided May 31 to The Sun News, CN Hotels wants to erect a 12-story high rise at 2801 and 2805 S. Ocean Blvd. and demolish the Sea Horn and Sea Hawk motels, which opened in 1960 and 1970 respectively. Nelson Broyles, a partner at Charlotte-based Overcash Demmitt Architects, is expected before Myrtle Beachs community appearance board June 1 to review a building permit for the venture. The application includes plans for a rooftop bar amenity in addition the 250-bed hotels under Hiltons Home2Suites and Tempo lines. A 4 1/2-story parking garage would also be built on site. The beach side view of a planned 12-story high rise hotel to be built along Ocean Boulevard in downtown Myrtle Beach. Representatives from both CN Hotels and the architectural firm could not immediately be reached for comment, but CN Hotels on its website lists the Hilton brands as under development. ODA works primarily in and around the Chalotte area but designed Atlantic Urologys 135 Professional Park Drive location in Conway. Tourism-based development is continuing at a rapid clip around the Grand Strand. In February, the citys planning commission held early talks with Jeff King, a local attorney known for representing developers of condominiums and timeshares. King said his client whose identity was not disclosed is considering construction of a 28-story, 304-room branded hotel between 21st and 23rd avenues North as part of a new planned use development to include a parking garage, surface parking, restaurants and ground floor retail. Earlier that month, Jimmy Buffetts hospitality group announced an expansion of its properties in the region, with plans to open a Compass hotel on N. Ocean Blvd. by 2025. And construction on a planned 127-room Hampton Inn & Suites along the 3500 block of Ocean Boulevard is expected to start soon. The project has been talked about since 2019 but it wasnt until city leaders late last year approved an amendment to the Prince Resort development that work could begin. Properties in that area include The Horizon at 77th, Grande Shores and the Towers at North Myrtle Beach. There are roughly 3,000 hotel rooms across Horry County, according to the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureaus lodging dashboard. For the week ending May 20, occupancy rates were just above 64 percent down about 4 percent from the same week in 2022. The Pentagon has blocked a U.S. Air Force base in Nevada from hosting a drag show this week, according to multiple newsreports. The event was set to take place at Nellis Air Force Base on Thursday, the first day of Pride month, but the departments leadership, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reportedly interjected and told the Air Force the department could not fund the event on site. They allegedly called for the event to be moved elsewhere or be pulled altogether. The news was first reported by NBC News. CNN reported Thursdays canceled show would have been the third annual drag event to be held at the air force base. Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is not a suitable use of DOD resources. As Secretary Austin has said, the DOD will not host drag events at U.S. military installations or facilities, Singh added in the statement. Our Service members are diverse and are allowed to have personal outlets, Singh continued. The event had been advertised as a family-friendly show with no minimum age requirement for attendees. Coco Montrese, a drag queen who was set to perform in Thursdays event, told 8 News Now she was shocked and disappointed by the decision. I performed in the very first drag show on the Nellis Air Force base a few years ago, but recently the attacks on the LGBTQ+ community are getting louder and louder, she said in a statement. Montrese continued: Creating a narrative by certain actions is careless because actions do speak louder than words. This action, 24 hours before the event would take place, is a clear message. I think we all know what that message is. Pride events, including drag performances, have come under attack by Republicans across the country who have pushed legislation restricting the shows. Most recently, Texas passed a bill that drag performers worry could be use to crack down on their shows, according to The Associated Press. In March, right-wing Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) had questioned Austin and Milley about drag queen story hours taking place at military bases during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. Drag shows are not something that the Department of Defense supports or funds, Austin said. Gaetz subsequently wrote to Austin and Milley in May to request information on Pride events scheduled at military installations, including the drag show at Nellis Air Force Base. Despite a canceled Tri-Cities Pride Festival and threats against Tri-City establishments earlier this year for hosting all-ages drag shows, LGBTQ Pride Month kicked off this week with a long slate of events planned. And support for gay pride in the Tri-Cities is growing louder, events organizers say. With all that was going on in the Tri-Cities, it was impossible for us to not go one year without making this safe space and creating this statement: That hate does not belong in this community, said Doug White, the Yakima resident whose political action committee is putting on an alternative to the Tri-Cities Pride Festival later this summer. The Tri-Pride 2023 festival is set for Saturday, July 8, at Memorial Park in Pasco. It will feature performances from dance troupes and musical acts, family-fun activities such as face painting, and more than 100 vendors. Were expecting the largest crowd ever. The community is turning out in unbelievable warmth and support, he said. The regular Tri-Cities Pride Festival will return in 2024 Tri-Cities Pride, the group that has traditionally organized to put on the annual Tri-Cities Gay Pride Festival, had to cancel this years event in order to reorganize into a nonprofit. The group plans to return next year for the 2024 festival. Gay Pride Month Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to remember the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a tipping point for the gay liberation movement in the U.S. Its also a time for people who identify with the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer) community to celebrate their identity and community. But anti-gay hate crimes and rhetoric, and in particular those levied against transgender persons, have been on the rise in recent years. Recent controversies over Targets Pride merchandise and a short Bud Light partnership with transgender social media star Dylan Mulvaney, as well as recent bans in states other than Washington on gender-affirming care, have continued to grab headlines. Gay youth are at a significantly higher risk of suicide or self harm, says The Trevor Project. And people who identify as LGBTQ are nine times more likely than non-LGBTQ people to be victims of violent hate crimes, according to the Williams Institute, a public policy research institution at UCLA. But communities can curb hate and self harm simply by recognizing the existence of gay and trans people. Statistically, there is a 40% drop in LGBTQ youth self harm and suicide attempts when they have at least one accepting adult, and the attempts go down even further if theyre able to use their real chosen name and their proper pronouns at home, said Carly Coburn, chairperson of PFLAG Benton Franklin. PFLAG meets people where they are at, Coburn said, and the group helps families better understand what experiences their gay child may be going through. Its one of the reasons they try to build community by hosting social hours and regular events. Coburn said their organization also distributes educational materials for families of faith and military families. Emerald of Siam The Emerald of Siam restaurant and the Out and About club both faced push-back in April from protesters upset over the establishments hosting all-ages drag shows. This despite the fact that the two Tri-City businesses had been offering the family-friendly events regularly for years. The Emerald of Siam received harassment online and by phone, vandalism and even an anonymous death threat over an Easter Sunday drag brunch event. Opponents accused them of grooming kids. On April 18, Emerald of Siam staff and hundreds of supporters marched on the Richland City Council to demand an apology for its apathetic response and for Mayor Pro Tem Theresa Richardsons previous comments saying she was sad to see a drag show planned on Easter. While there was no apology, White said it was heartening to see a strong and vocal turnout. Ive gone through this cycle where oppression just seems to create this desire to push back and push harder than before, from Stonewall to the AIDS epidemic, said White. The most recent attack on Emerald of Siam did the same thing. It made everyone just jump up and say, No, not in our community. Coburn said the Tri-Cities will need leaders elected, as well as in the communities and in the schools who are supportive and understanding of the LGBTQ community and who recognize their humanity in order to avoid another situation like Emerald of Siam. Its almost like that iceberg meme recognizing the humanity is at the top, but theres so much more below the surface, Coburn said. Pride Month events Drag shows on US military bases canceled by Pentagon after Republican criticism Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, May 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden's administration has stopped U.S. military bases from hosting drag shows after criticism from some Republicans, amid a broader push in conservative-led states targeting LGBTQ+ celebrations. Hosting drag shows is inconsistent with regulations regarding the use of (Defense Department) resources, said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh in a statement Thursday. At least one show was canceled as a result. Organizers of an event at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada canceled a drag show timed to Pride Month, which began Thursday, according to a Facebook post quoted by Fox News. In her statement, Singh did not directly address LGBTQ+ rights but said the Defense Department was proud to serve alongside any and every young American who takes the oath that puts their life on the line in defense of our country. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who sharply criticized top Pentagon leaders earlier this year and questioned them about drag shows, tweeted that the cancellation was a HUGE VICTORY! Drag shows should not be taking place on military installations with taxpayer dollars PERIOD! he added. Drag shows feature entertainers who dress and act as a different gender. They are often part of Pride events and can include colorfully clad drag queens reading books to children. Supporters say they celebrate people of different sexual orientations and promote acceptance. Opponents accuse organizers of drag shows of trying to sexualize children. Drag shows sometimes draw protesters and a bevy of Republican-led legislatures have passed bills in recent months trying to ban or restrict them. Nellis Air Force Base has previously hosted drag performers. About 180 people attended a similar show in 2021, according to Task and Purpose, a publication covering the military. The Pentagon's move to cancel the show this week led the Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for LGBTQ+ civil rights, to directly criticize Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Before today, Secretary Austin has been unwavering in his support for LGBTQ+ Americans who proudly serve in uniform, the group said in a statement. However, instead of truly standing up for our community on the first day of Pride, he chose to side with the politics of fear and discrimination peddled by extreme members of Congress. A man who crashed a pickup truck into utility poles, which caused a busy road to be blocked and an hours-long blackout, was arrested on multiple charges, the Forest Acres Police Department said Thursday. Steven Anthony Young, 44, was charged with driving on a suspended license, giving false information and striking fixtures on or adjacent to the highway, Forest Acres spokesperson Lynnsey Baker told The State. Baker said Young is a West Columbia resident. The charges stem from a wreck at about 1:35 a.m. on May 17, according to police. The man who crashed a pickup truck into utility poles was arrested on multiple charges, the Forest Acres Police Department said. Forest Acres Police Department Young was driving a Ford F-150 pickup that hit two utility poles near the intersection of Forest Drive and Dalloz Road, police said. Thats in an area of Forest Acres densely packed with businesses, near A.C. Flora High School. The crash caused a power outage in the area, and about a half-mile stretch of Forest Drive, between Beltline Boulevard and Falcon Drive, was blocked for several hours as crews from Dominion Energy worked to clear the road and restore electricity, according to police. Damages to the two broken utility poles were estimated at $15,000, police said. The man who crashed a pickup truck into utility poles was arrested on multiple charges, the Forest Acres Police Department said. Forest Acres Police Department When officers arrived at the scene, they found the pickup had been abandoned, police said. As officers were investigating the scene, authorities received another call about a man on Brentwood Drive, according to police. Officers responded to the 1200 block of Brentwood Drive, about three-quarters of a mile from the crash, where they found Young inside an unlocked vehicle, Baker said. Officers said it appeared that Young was trying to hide inside the car, according to Baker. It was obvious that Young was in need of medical care, and he was taken to an area hospital, police said. What wasnt immediately clear was Youngs identity, as well as how he suffered his injuries. When questioned by police, Young lied about his name twice, Baker said. He told the officers his name was John McFadden, then said it was Steve McFalder, before police were able to successfully identify Young, according to Baker. The man who crashed a pickup truck into utility poles was arrested on multiple charges, the Forest Acres Police Department said. Forest Acres Police Department It was then that Young told police that his Ford F-150 had run off the road, Baker said. While police say Young was driving the pickup, its not registered in his name, according to Baker. Although the truck is registered to someone else, Young didnt face an additional charge because the pickup wasnt reported stolen, Baker said. Information about Youngs condition was not available. He wasnt arrested by police until May 24, when he had been released from the hospital, according to Baker. Bond on the combined charges was set at $1,345, jail records show. The man who crashed a pickup truck into utility poles was arrested on multiple charges, the Forest Acres Police Department said. Forest Acres Police Department Young remains behind bars at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where hes facing other charges in Richland County. On May 22, Young was arrested on three drug charges in addition to one count of possession/sell/dispose of stolen vehicle, (value $10,000 or more), according to jail records. Bond was set at a combined $10,000 on those charges, jail records show. A shark was captured on drone footage Monday circling a man and a child swimming at a popular beach in Alabama. The footage, taken by 15-year-old Jackson Silvio and obtained by Fox News Digital, shows the man and child wading further out into the water at Orange Beach. At one point the shark appeared to swim just within a few feet of the man. The shark can be seen following them, swimming in a circle as it gets closer. At one point, the animal appears to swim just a few feet from the older man before swimming out to sea. YELLOWSTONE TOURIST GETS SCARE OF HER LIFE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PET BISON: VIDEO Sharks are not uncommon sightings along the Gulf of Mexico. Per Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, most sharks that inhabit the shallow water near the shore are "really small." The Gulf of Mexico has around 50 species of sharks, with around 20 to 30 species that beachgoers and fishermen can encounter. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Dr. Sean Powers, head of the University of South Alabamas Marine and Environmental Sciences Department, told the website the most common species is the Atlantic sharp nose, which gets no bigger than three-and-a-half feet. Meghan and Prince Harry (Getty Images forA 2022 Robert F. ) The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are to stop making tell-all Netflix shows and memoirs about their time in the royal family, according to reports. The couple have made a series of explosive claims regarding their alleged treatment by members of the family since they quit royal duties and set up home in California in 2020. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 they alleged that a family member made troubling comments about the skin colour of their son Archie before he was born. These allegations were followed by a six-part Netflix docu-series called Harry & Meghan that looked into their lives in Los Angeles and the thinking behind their UK departure dubbed Megxit. In January this year Prince Harry published Spare, his memoir which exposed details on his childhood, his mothers death, his time in Afghanistan and his relationships with other members of the royal family including his father Charles, brother William and step-mother Camilla. But they have now put such revelations behind them, it has been claimed. An insider is reported to have told The Sun: That period of their life is over as there is nothing left to say. The Standard approached representatives for the Duke and Duchess for a response to the reports. Harry, 38, is expected to return to London next week to give evidence in the latest of his legal battles against British newspaper publishers. He is set to take the witness stand at the High Court trial brought alongside other high-profile figures seeking damages from Mirror Group Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering including phone hacking at its titles. It comes just over a month after he attended the coronation of his father his first public appearance alongside the royal family since he criticised his relatives in his controversial memoir. He returned to California immediately afterwards. MGN, publisher of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, is contesting the allegations that its journalists were linked to voicemail interception, securing information through deception and hiring private investigators for unlawful activities. A drunken driving charge against Kansas City Council candidate Melissa Patterson Hazley was dropped Wednesday before it came to trial because one of the arresting officers was fired and no longer available to testify against her and others hed arrested in at least 37 other cases, the Clay County prosecutors office said. Patterson Hazley was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated last year after an Aug. 20 traffic stop. According to the citation, an Excelsior Springs police officer pulled her over around 10:20 that night after noticing that her 2012 Mercedes 350 was driving on the right shoulder and almost left the roadway. A Clay County sheriffs deputy assigned to the departments drunken driving unit assisted in the arrest. Patterson Hazley allegedly refused a breath test when he attempted to administer it. The Missouri Department of Revenue sought to revoke her license for a year for failing to submit to a chemical test of her blood/alcohol level as required by law. Patterson Hazley petitioned the revenue department to keep her license in force until the DWI case came to trial. In that court document, she denied that she refused to take a breath test and said she was improperly arrested because the arresting officer did not have reasonable grounds to believe she was intoxicated. Court records show that she pleaded guilty last fall to two other citations issued on the night of the traffic stop, paying a $50 fine for having expired license plates and $175 for defective equipment. The case might have come to trial earlier, but a judge granted her attorneys multiple requests to delay hearing the case over the past nine months. Two weeks before this weeks scheduled hearing, the Clay County sheriffs deputy who assisted in the DWI arrest was fired on May 16. The Reporting Officer on that case is no longer employed by the Clay County Sheriffs Department and is not available as a witness in the case. As such, the case was dismissed this morning along with a number of other cases on which the same witness was the Reporting Officer, Alexander Higginbotham, a spokesman for the Clay County prosecutors office, said in an email on Wednesday. He was checking on Thursday at The Stars request to determine how many cases have been thrown out that relied on the testimony of former deputy, Keagon Reed. Later that day, he reported that as of this time, our office has dismissed the cases of approximately 38 defendants. Some of those defendants had more than one citation. Our office continues to review each case on which Officer Reed is an essential witness in order to take appropriate action. Reed was recently the subject of an internal investigation by the Clay County Sheriffs Office, which has since turned the case over to the Missouri Highway Patrol for further review to determine whether theres any criminal element to what took place, said Sarah Boyd, public relations manager for the sheriffs department. Theres not a whole lot else we can say right now, Boyd said. Im not privy to what the investigation covered, but I know what it covered initially, or what started it initially, was one particular incident on a traffic stop. And so I dont know what they found further reaching stuff than that, that Im not privy to that information. But he was assigned to the Traffic Safety Unit and his job was DUI enforcement. According to the sheriff offices 2022 annual report, Reed made 151 of the 203 driving-while-intoxicated arrests Clay County made that year, earning him recognition by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Missouri Department of Transportation. When contacted by phone, Reed declined comment and the attorney representing him on retainer with the Fraternal Order of Police did not immediately respond to a phone message requesting comment. Patterson Hazley is running to unseat incumbent Brandon Ellington for the 3rd District at-large seat on the city council. She outperformed him in the April primary, garnering 63% of the vote, and will face him again in the general election on June 20. All candidates who received more than 50 percent of the primary vote in the three previous election cycles went on to win the general. When asked about the DWI charge during an interview last month, Patterson Hazley acknowledged that she had been drinking that night. It was the most expensive, embarrassing, inconvenient free Chardonnay Ive had in my entire life, she said. Her litigation against the Department of Revenue remains pending. This story was updated to include information about the arresting officers firing. Earth has warmed in recent decades, but trends over past 4,000 years unclear | Fact check The claim: Earth has not warmed in the last 38 years, warmed by only 1.08 degrees in 150 years and has cooled for the last 4,000 years A May 2 Facebook video (direct link, archive link) shows Ian Plimer, a skeptic of human-driven climate change, talking about purported long-term temperature trends. "We have been cooling down for the last 4,000 years," Plimer says. "If we look at the last 38 years, there has been no change in temperature. If we look at the last 150 years, we've had three warming periods and three cooling periods with a total warmth of about 0.6 degrees Celsius (1.08 degrees Fahrenheit)." The video also shows a chart labeled "Greenland GISP2 Ice Core - Last 10,000 Years Interglacial Temperature," which depicts a general temperature decline over 10,000 years prior to about 1855. The video was shared nearly 3,000 times in a month. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: Partly false The Earth has warmed over the last 38 years, and it warmed more than 1.08 degrees Fahrenheit over the last 150 years, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data. While there is some evidence to suggest a cooling trend over the 4,000 years prior to the Industrial Revolution, there is also data to suggest a warming trend over that same time period. The chart displayed in the video only shows ice surface temperatures at one location and does not reflect global temperatures. Earth has warmed significantly due to human activity The claim is off base about both of the more recent time periods. Global land and ocean surface temperatures increased roughly 1.4 degrees in the 38 years between 1984 and 2022, according to NOAA data. The same data shows global warming of roughly 1.9 degrees in the 150 years between 1872 and 2022. Multiple independent climate agencies have reported similar trends. Fact check: Contemporary, human-driven warming has different ramifications than past warming Temperature trends over last 4,000 years still under investigation In the video, Plimer unequivocally asserts that global temperatures have cooled over the last 4,000 years. But there is not a clear scientific consensus on this point. "Whether global average surface temperature warmed or cooled during the millennia prior to industrialization is still a matter of debate," Darrell Kaufman, a paleoclimatologist at Northern Arizona University, told USA TODAY in an email. Modeling studies tend to show Earth was warming prior to industrialization, but analyses based on other types of physical data tend to suggest it was cooling, Kaufman said. Ellie Broadman, a paleoclimatologist at the University of Arizona, who, with Kaufman, recently published a review of paleoclimate temperature trend research, says its most likely that a mild cooling trend driven by "slight variations in the Earths orbit around the sun" began about 6,500 years ago. "Its important to note, however, that this cooling trend sharply reversed starting during the Industrial Revolution around 1850 when humans dramatically increased our greenhouse gas emissions by burning fossil fuels," she told USA TODAY in an email. Fact check: Graph shows dated data from one area in Greenland, not global temperature change Yair Rosenthal, a Rutgers paleoclimatologist, recently co-authored a paper supporting the warming hypothesis. It argues the appearance of cooling in the climate record is related to seasonal temperature trends rather than annual trends. The paper describes a warming trend that began 12,000 years ago and was driven by receding ice sheets followed by increasing greenhouse gases, which may or may not have been related to pre-industrial human behavior. However, even accounting for that warming, the paper reports a sharp and rapid increase in warming beginning with the Industrial Revolution. "The (contemporary) rate of warming exceeds anything we have known from the past thousands of years," Rosenthal told USA TODAY in an email. Chart does not show global temperature data While the chart in the video appears to be offered as evidence supporting Plimer's claims about global temperature trends, it does not actually show global temperatures. Instead, it shows ice surface temperature data derived from one ice core collected in Greenland in the 1990s, USA TODAY previously reported when fact-checking a different version of the graph. Further, the data derived from the core sample only goes up to the mid-1800s, prior to the warming caused by industrialization. "To infer that this data reflects global temperature changes over the last 10,000 years is really misleading," Gary Clow, a geophysicist at the University of Colorado Boulder who published a 1997 paper that included an analysis of the core, previously told USA TODAY. Fact check: April 1895 v. April 2023 temperature comparison does not disprove climate change Despite these limitations, variations of the graph have been repeatedly used to minimize the significance of modern global warming. USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The video was also debunked by Climate Feedback. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video misstates warmings trends in recent decades | Fact check The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a death after a body was discovered behind a dumpster Thursday afternoon. ECSO deputies found a male estimated to be between the age of 30 and 40 years old near Mobile Highway and New Warrington Road around 3 p.m. "We are still waiting for the medical examiner," ECSO spokesperson Morgan Lewis told the News Journal. "There are no obvious signs of foul play at this time." Escambia Schools teacher: West Florida HS teacher charged with assault pleads not guilty, asks for charge dismissal Still wanted: ECSO: 'Armed and dangerous' man on the loose after allegedly killing a man at Days Inn Lewis said the incident is an open and active death investigation. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: ECSO finds dead body at Mobile Highway and New Warrington Road Leslie Van Houten, pictured at a 2017 hearing, is entitled to parole more than 50 years after her murder conviction, a California appeals court ruled Tuesday. (Stan Lim / Associated Press) A long and well-documented record testifies to the model behavior of Leslie Van Houten during the decades she has spent in prison for her role in killing Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in 1969, when she was a 19-year-old member of Charles Mansons cult. Society rightly demands that murderers like Van Houten be imprisoned to protect the public from further harm and to exact a just measure of retribution for their actions. And, if possible, to rehabilitate the criminals by requiring them to confront the cruel nature of their crimes and the portion of their character that moved them to commit them. It is entirely fair to require that they demonstrate contrition and a fundamental redirection of their moral compass. And, upon achieving all of those things, their imprisonment should end. By those measures, Van Houten has attained rehabilitation. It is time that she, at age 73, be released and allowed to live out the rest of her life among us. A California appeals court on Tuesday overruled Gov. Gavin Newsoms decision last year to deny Van Houtens release after a parole board found her suitable for parole for the fourth time. The governor can appeal by asking state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta to petition the California Supreme Court to reverse the Court of Appeal. The right decision now, though, is to let the matter drop, let the parole board finding and the appellate court ruling stand, and let Van Houten out. The possibility of parole is an incentive for convicted criminals to change. It is analogous to criminal punishment, which reminds would-be offenders of the line that separates acceptable and unacceptable conduct and imposes consequences for crossing it. Seeing people in prison reform yet be repeatedly denied parole, when reform and parole are built into their sentence, seems as unjust as seeing people repeatedly break laws without ever being held to account. Perfect consistency is seldom achievable in human endeavor, but we must make a sincere attempt or risk losing respect for the law and institutions of justice. Parole decisions are not easy. The Times editorial page considered Van Houtens previous bids for parole and weighed in against them largely because her act was not a mere murder but in furtherance of Mansons deranged plot to overthrow the government and society by spurring a race war and, somehow, emerging from it as a savior. So what changed our minds? We have no answer that will be universally satisfying. Perhaps it is because of Van Houten's age, that being in her 70s is markedly different from her being in her 60s. Perhaps its seeing the example of others, such as Hampig Harry Sassounian, who received a life term after being convicted of the assassination of Turkish Consul General Kemal Arikan in Los Angeles in 1982. Like Van Houten, Sassounian was 19 when he committed his crime. After he spent nearly 40 years in a California prison, he was found suitable for parole, as was Van Houten, and was freed in 2021 after a court overruled Newsoms objection. Newsom decided not to appeal. Perhaps 40 years is enough for anyone who no longer poses a danger to society. Perhaps it's recalling that although Van Houten's first sentence was death, it was thrown out and she was tried two more times before being sentenced to seven years to life with parole, and that her prosecutor said he wanted and expected her to be eventually paroled, and that she has now served her seven-year minimum sentence more than seven times over. The Court of Appeal detailed Van Houten's statements to multiple parole boards, her academic achievements in prison, her excellent behavior. It rejected Newsom's explanation that Van Houten hadn't fully confronted her actions, which the court said was not based on her record, but on unsupported intuition. It is difficult to fault Newsom for harboring an intuition that springs from the horror of Van Houten's crime. It was a response shared and expressed by the Times editorial board until now. But that intuition has been superseded by the facts of Van Houten's comportment for more than half a century. Van Houten should be released. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The U.S. Department of Education was slammed on Twitter for a post celebrating the start of "Pride Month," which prompted several respondents to criticize the departments priorities and perceived ideological indoctrination of children. "Everyone in the school community should feel valued for who they are & free to be their authentic self," the department posted on social media on Thursday. "Our message to LGBTQI+ students, teachers, and staff as we begin #PrideMonth: ED has got your back." Conservatives on social media quickly questioned the priorities of the department as test scores and reading proficiency have plummeted across the country over the last few years. "We have schools in America where not a single child is proficient in their grade level, yet taxpayer money is being spent on sexualizing our children," former "Bachelor" contestant Jillian Anderson responded. REP GAETZ GETS PRIDE MONTH FAMILY FRIENDLY DRAG SHOW AT NEVADA AIR FORCE BASE CANCELED Department of Education Building "These indoctrination camps that we call Public Schools are promoting and pushing sin and confusion, while actual education sits on the back burner," she said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Defund and shut down the unconstitutional and woke Department of Education," former Trump senior adviser Jenna Ellis tweeted. TARGET CONFIRMS 'ADJUSTMENTS' TO PRIDE PLANS AFTER LGBTQ MERCHANDISE CAUSED 'THREATS' TO EMPLOYEES Department of Education Twitter post on June 1 "Get your kids out of public schools," The Blaze contributor Jason Moe tweeted. "This is state sponsored and endorsed depravity." Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., Aug. 8, 2022. The Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. The department's post comes weeks after it updated its guidance on prayer and other religious expression in public schools, warning school employees not to encourage or endorse such activity. A grandfather sits next to the body of a nine-year-old granddaughter killed in a Russian attack in Kyiv NV correspondent Serhiy Okuniev took a photo of the grandfather of the dead girl, who was crouching over her body for several hours until a chair was brought to him. "Under a thin layer of foil is the body of his nine-year-old granddaughter, who was killed by Russia along with her mother during a missile attack," commented the photographer. He didn't want to leave the bodies until the experts took them away from the scene. Serhii Okunev During the night, an air raid alert was declared in Kyiv and the region, and the first explosions were heard a few minutes later. Air defense forces intercepted a total of 10 ballistic Iskander and other cruise missiles. Debris fell in three districts of Kyiv, damaging, among other things, a children's clinic, residential buildings, a kindergarten, and cars. All three were killed in the Desnianskyi district, where people were on their way to take shelter in the clinic when a missile fragment fell. In total, 16 residents were injured in the capital. According to reports, some individuals have claimed that they were unable to access the shelter during the air raid alert due to its closure. The matter is currently under investigation. In response, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has called for the removal of the head of the Desnianskyi district considering the tragic loss of residents' lives. 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 Elon Musk has reclaimed his position as the worlds richest person after dethroning French multi-billionaire Bernard Arnault from the top spot. The Twitter chief surpassed the French luxury brand tycoon on Wednesday after shares of Mr Arnaults LVMH fell 2.6 per cent in Paris trading. Mr Arnault runs the worlds largest luxury brands conglomerate that includes companies such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Celine and Tag Heuer. The Tesla and SpaceX chiefs total wealth now stands at about $192bn, compared to the French luxury tycoons $187bn, according to a Bloomberg Billionaires tally. The two multibillionaires have been in close competition for the top spot in recent times. The Tesla chief briefly retook the number-one spot in early March but lost his position after shares of Tesla fell by about 5 per cent, dropping his wealth by $2bn and allowing the French businessman to reclaim the top spot. But shares of LVMH dropped by a tenth since April, wiping nearly $11bn from Mr Arnaults net worth in a single day at one point. Mr Musk had previously held the top position since September 2021, taking over the top spot from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. But weeks after reluctantly closing his $44bn deal to buy Twitter and becoming the social media giants new boss, he lost his position at the top of the list. Mr Musk, whose wealth is largely tied to his Tesla stock, initially reached the top spot in 2021 thanks to shares of the electric carmaker increasing over 1,000 per cent within two years. The Tesla titans wealth once again surged by over $55bn this year due to the EV companys stock, of which he owns about 13 per cent. While LVMH shares have grown by nearly a fifth this year, Teslas have surged by over 65 per cent during this time. Flash Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy advisor to the German chancellor in Beijing, May 31,2023. [Photo/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs] Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy advisor to the German chancellor, on Wednesday in Beijing. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that as all-round strategic partners, China and Germany should not only steadily develop bilateral relations, but also contribute to jointly addressing global challenges. He said that in the face of increasing instability and uncertainties in the international situation, China and Germany should work together to make the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation a success, and send a positive signal to Europe and the world. Plotner said the foundation of Germany-China relations is solid and Germany will continue to firmly pursue the one-China policy. "We are full of expectations for the upcoming round of inter-governmental consultation between the two countries and will work together to speed up the preparatory work," Plotner said. The two sides also exchanged views on Ukraine and other international and regional issues of common concern. Elon Musk stopped tweeting for over 48 hours his longest hiatus in a year and all it took was a visit to China, where Twitter is banned Elon Musk stopped tweeting for over 48 hours his longest hiatus in a year and all it took was a visit to China, where Twitter is banned Elon Musk in Beijing. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang Elon Musk stopped tweeting from May 29 to early June 1, putting an end to his daily posting streak. Having gone three days without tweeting, it was his longest hiatus since last June, Bloomberg reported. Twitter is banned in China, where Musk has met with top government officials and had a 16-course feast, per Reuters. Elon Musk's trip to China marks the first time this year that he hasn't tweeted, Bloomberg reported. The Twitter boss posted on his platform every day of 2023 until May 29, averaging 36 daily posts over the past two weeks, per Social Blade. Across one weekend last month, he sent out over 100 tweets. And it looks like only the Great Firewall of China has slowed that down, because Twitter is banned in the country. The world's richest person who reclaimed that title on Wednesday went almost three days without tweeting. As of very early Thursday morning Eastern time, he had started tweeting again. That means Musk's break from tweeting was his longest hiatus from the platform since June last year, Bloomberg reported. It comes after incoming Twitter CEO, Linda Yaccarino, tried to convince him to stop tweeting after 3 a.m. a habit which Musk himself has admitted he should stop. While Twitter is banned in China, people often get around this by using virtual private networks or VPNs. But Musk may have little reason to do that because he received a five-star welcome for his first trip to the country in three years. According to Reuters, he met with China's sixth highest-ranked leader, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang believed to be the first time he's met one-on-one with a foreign CEO. The news agency previously reported he met with three other government ministers and enjoyed a lavish 16-course feast. An apparent picture of the menu posted to Weibo shows a customized Tesla design, Insider reported. Musk's private jet departed Shanghai just after 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday, flight data shows. Insider contacted Twitter for comment. The company responded with an automated message that didn't address the inquiry. Read the original article on Business Insider Elon Musk told Chinese Tesla workers in a late night speech that their hard work 'warms my heart' 6 weeks after some complained about bonus cuts Elon Musk and staff from Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory. Tesla/Handout via REUTERS Elon Musk finished his China trip with a late-night speech to staff at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory. He told them their hard work "warms my heart" and was "very important" to the world. His visit came six weeks after some workers complained about performance bonuses being cut. In a late-night speech, Elon Musk told Tesla workers at the Shanghai Gigafactory that their hard work "warms my heart." A video posted by the Chinese state newspaper Global Times shows Musk addressing staff on Wednesday. "Thank you for being here late at night," he began. "It's been incredibly impressive how you have been able to overcome so many difficulties and so many challenges." "I just want to let you know, it warms my heart," Musk said, tapping his chest before making a fist pump. He also made a heart sign with his hands, similar to the one he was filmed making while dancing at a nightclub in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, last month. "There's so much positive energy, getting things done, that actually, I think, will be very important not just for Tesla but also for the world," Musk added. Six weeks before his visit, Reuters reported that staff at the Shanghai Gigafactory had their performance bonuses cut following a fatal accident. Tesla workers then criticized Musk on Chinese social media, and some people even complained to his mom on Twitter. Wednesday's visit wasn't the first time Musk praised Chinese Tesla staff. Last year, Musk praised the Shanghai factory's 20,000 staff for their work ethic, saying: "They will be burning the 3 a.m. oil." That came as an internal memo said some workers were required to sleep on the factory floor to keep production going during China's strict COVID lockdowns. He's also been encouraging Twitter staff to stay late at the office by building bedrooms at its San Francisco headquarters and telling them to work 80-hour weeks. Musk told CNBC that he slept around six hours a night, and, according to Jimmy Soni's book "The Founders," Musk was "perpetually sleep-deprived" at his first startup, Zip2. Musk bought hamburgers and soft drinks for the roughly 100 staff in attendance in Shanghai, and left after an hour, according to Bloomberg. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Tesla chief Elon Musk (in white) boards his private jet before departing Beijing Capital International Airport on May 31 A jet belonging to Tesla CEO Elon Musk departed Shanghai on Thursday, Chinese flight-tracking data showed, as the tycoon wraps up a visit to China that has seen him express hopes to expand business in the world's largest market for electric vehicles. Musk's private jet took off from Shanghai's Hongqiao airport just after 11 am (0300 GMT), data from Umetrip, which is backed by China's major state-owned airlines, showed. It was bound for Austin, Texas, where Tesla is headquartered. The mercurial tycoon, one of the world's richest men, is wrapping his first trip to China in more than three years. On Wednesday night he visited Tesla's factory on the outskirts of Shanghai and met employees, a post on China's Weibo social media by the car company's global vice president Grace Tao showed. Earlier in the day he met Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing, praising China's "vitality and promise" and expressing "full confidence in the China market", according to a readout. Musk and Tesla have not released any statement on the trip, or responded to AFP requests for comment. The billionaire has extensive business interests in the country and told Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday that his firm was "willing to continue to expand its business in China", according to the foreign ministry. Musk's work in China has raised eyebrows in Washington, with President Joe Biden saying in November the Twitter owner's links to foreign countries were "worthy" of scrutiny. The tycoon has also caused controversy by suggesting the self-ruled island of Taiwan should become part of China -- a stance welcomed by Chinese officials but which deeply angered Taipei. Musk is one of a number of Western executives to visit China since the country ended strict Covid controls that saw it largely closed off from the world for almost three years. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said this week that Beijing welcomed visits by international executives "to better understand China and promote mutually beneficial cooperation". In March, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Beijing, saying his company enjoyed a "symbiotic" relationship with China. bur-oho/leg SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk departed Shanghai on Thursday, wrapping up a two-day trip to China in which he met senior Chinese government officials including the highest-ranking vice premier. Photos and a video of Musk's visit late Wednesday to Tesla's Shanghai factory - the automaker's biggest production hub - showed him holding up a "Giga Shanghai" sign, flanked by hundreds of staff including Tom Zhu, head of global manufacturing. The video released by Tesla showed Musk praising employees for "overcoming so many difficulties and challenges" and making a heart sign with his hands. Earlier in the trip, Musk met with China's foreign, commerce and industry ministers in Beijing and dined with the chairman of battery supplier Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL). He also met with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter said. Ding is the sixth highest-ranked leader in the Politburo Standing Committee, the top governing body led by President Xi Jinping. This marks the first time that Ding is known to have had a one-on-one meeting with a foreign CEO. China values its relationship with Tesla and in 2019 Musk had a one-on-one meeting with then premier Li Keqiang. Tesla, the State Council Information Office, which handles media queries on behalf of the Chinese government, did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Musk also met with Chen Jining, Shanghai's party secretary, who welcomed Tesla to increase its investments and expand businesses in the city, according to a statement from the municipal government on Thursday. Since his arrival in China on Tuesday morning, the U.S. billionaire has been showered with praise by the Chinese public, but Musk himself has been uncharacteristically silent and has yet to make any public statements. Little is known of the conversations he had with Chinese government officials so far. The sources, who were not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified, did not provide details of Musk's discussions with Ding. The industry ministry said only that Musk and its head exchanged views about the development of electric vehicles and connected cars; the commerce ministry announced Musk had discussed Tesla's development in China with its minister. The U.S. billionaire's private jet took off from Shanghai's Hongqiao airport on Thursday morning, heading for Austin, Texas, where Tesla's global headquarters is located, according to flight-tracking platform Variflight. (Reporting by Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh and Nicoco Chan in Shanghai and Julie Zhu in Hong Kong; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) New England to have enough power for this summer -operator FILE PHOTO: Work continues on the Clean energy Corridor in Moscow (Reuters) - New England is expected to have enough resources this summer to meet consumer demand for power in normal weather conditions, the region's independent electricity operator said on Thursday. ISO New England forecast electricity demand of about 24,605 megawatts (MW) this summer, compared to last year's peak demand of 24,780 MW. Above-average summer weather, such as an extended heat wave, might increase demand to 26,421 MW, the electricity operator said. If forecast peak system conditions connected to above-average hot and humid weather occur, there could be tight supply margins, ISO said. ISO highlighted that to meet New England consumer demand for electricity and required reserves, more than 30,000 MW of capacity is anticipated to be available. In the wake of a prolonged heat wave, demand for electricity reached a record-high 28,130 MW on August 2, 2006. (Reporting by Ananya Bajpai in Bengaluru) Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt, the freshman Republican, is lately attracting attention for his crusade against the so-called administrative state of bureaucrats who do much of the federal governments day-to-day work. But there are reasons to be skeptical of his efforts. As The Stars Daniel Desrochers reports, Schmitt has introduced legislation that would require the federal government to repeal three regulations for every new rule it implements. And he suggests that the federal bureaucrats who churn out those directives covering everything from water quality to appliance standards to the safety of your workplace arent directly accountable to the people who have to live with their mandates. Congress should have to vote on new regs, Schmitt wrote on Twitter earlier this year. Then voters could fire Reps & Senators who vote for this nonsense. So why should Missourians be leery of Schmitts campaign against the bureaucracy? Three reasons: The senators concern for democratic accountability appears to be highly situational. It is a striking coincidence that his anti-regulatory stance has found a broad audience at almost exactly the same moment that a Jackson County judge has rebuked Schmitt for his efforts while serving as Missouri attorney general to override pandemic-era mask mandates implemented by the Lees Summit school district and a number of local boards across the state. Schmitt didnt actually have that authority, Judge Marco Roldan found last week. Whats notable here, though, is not that Schmitt intervened against the masking rules, but that he usurped the authority of local elected decision-makers to do so. If community voters opposed the mask mandates (and many did), they were free to vote out the school board members fire them, in Schmitts phrasing and replace them with new officials more to their liking. For the sake of a popular right-wing cause, though, Schmitt dispensed with the voter-to-rulemaker relationship he now says is so important. Whats changed? Schmitts 3-to-1 rulemaking proposal is based on sloganeering, not science and reason. Instead of prudently considering federal regulations, their costs and benefits, the senator would take a hacksaw to the framework of rules intended to protect American health and welfare. Many existing mandates have positive effects, while some are burdensome and you cant tell the difference between the two with a snap of the fingers. The good and the bad would all get swept away for the sake of some arbitrary 3-to-1 requirement. That doesnt seem like wise governance. Finally, we believe Schmitt rather overhypes the threat posed by federal regulations and the agencies that create and implement them. To me, the biggest threat to the constitutional republican form of government is the growth of the administrative state, Schmitt told Desroschers. Thats an extraordinary statement, coming just over two years after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that attempted to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power based on Donald Trumps lies that the election had been stolen. Schmitt has endorsed Trumps 2024 presidential bid, incidentally. Apparently, OSHA bureaucrats are the real threat to American democracy. We wont make the case that every federal regulation is beneficial. The Congressional Research Service estimated in 2019 that the federal bureaucracy generates at least 3,000 new rules every year. You dont notice most of them. Still, they cant all be home runs, can they? But neither do federal rules expand willy-nilly. Theyre often a response to some identifiable need a bank crash, say, or a plane accident and there is a long process involved. (There is a saying that many safety regulations are written in blood, in reaction to preventable accidents.) Officials propose rules to alleviate the harm. They do a cost-benefit analysis, and take public comment from interested parties. The journey can take years. Regulations have real-world impacts on Americans lives. The Food and Drug Administration recalled OnYums Onion Flavored Rings from Dollar Tree stores this week because the snacks might contain wheat, despite the grain not being listed on the package ingredient list. If your child suffers from celiac disease, that labeling mistake could be a matter of life and death. And despite Schmitts complaints, all of this takes place under democratic auspices. Congress delegates rulemaking to federal agencies. The executive branch federal workers who create those rules? They work for the president. New federal rules should be subject to scrutiny. And old rules should be culled when no longer useful. But Schmitt doesnt offer Americans a useful or helpful alternative. Beware the hype. The EU is preparing a four-year financial assistance plan for Ukraine Read also: Zelenskyy speaks eloquently about need to accept Ukraine in NATO and EU as role model for neighbors EU diplomats and officials suggest the European Commission is preparing a support proposal to meet Ukraine's requirements through 2027, not just for the upcoming year. Supporters of the plan believe it would give Kyiv more financial certainty and encourage other allies, including the United States and the UK, to offer similar long-term commitments. The Financial Times noted concerns about political instability in Washington ahead of the 2024 presidential elections and how it could undermine U.S. commitment to aiding Ukraine. The funding could extend the current 18 billion EU macro-financial aid package for this year or assist Ukraine with its urgent reconstruction needs, estimated at $14 billion this year. Read also: G7 leaders agree to strengthen sanctions against Russia, continue financial support for Kyiv The plan requires further refinement, with the European Commission yet to approve the final figures. The funding will be contingent on continuous governance reforms in Ukraine, coupled with regular audits. Read also: Ukrainians submit nearly 3,000 applications for financial aid under the e-Restoration program Achieving unanimous agreement on funding among EU member countries could prove challenging, as Hungary has previously blocked funding packages for Ukraine. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban uses Ukraine aid as leverage to unfreeze billions of euros of EU funding for his own country. Read also: EU Commission chief urges all countries to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons, security guarantees from NATO On March 21, the International Monetary Fund announced a staff-level agreement on a new four-year Extended Fund Facility program for Ukraine, totaling $15.6 billion. To date, Ukraine has already secured $2.7 billion as the first tranche, with the second one of $900 million expected to be approved by the IMF Board in near future. 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) -- European Union member states are slowly moving toward an agreement on an 11th sanctions package over Russias invasion of Ukraine, as a number of proposals originally put forward by the blocs executive arm are set to be watered down. Most Read from Bloomberg Plans to ban ships transporting prohibited goods from entering EU ports are likely to be partly dropped, while restrictions relating to ship-to-ship transfers and vessels that switch off their navigation systems will include a grace period of about 30 days, according to people familiar with the latest legal texts under discussion. The European Commission put forward a set of proposals early last month with the key aim of closing loopholes, tackling sanctions circumvention and strengthening enforcement. The aim had been to sign off on the measures around the time of a Group of Seven summit that took place in Japan on May 19-21, but the package has been in limbo for weeks over a number of issues raised by member states. One area of concern was a mechanism to target third countries that arent doing enough to prevent Russia from evading sanctions. The primary aim of the tool would be to deter governments from helping Russia and crack down on trade channels that Moscow may be exploiting. If diplomatic pressure proves ineffective, the mechanism would allow targeted export restrictions on key goods. However, that tools original criteria have been weakened during back-and-forth negotiations between diplomatic envoys raising the bar to when it can be used. Several member states, including Germany, also remain concerned about the prospect of listing countries and would rather list companies first, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private matters. Meanwhile, Hungary and Greece continue to want to see some of their companies removed from a Ukrainian blacklist of what Kyiv calls international sponsors of war. Discussions on that issue are ongoing, the people said. Separately, other nations are worried about proposals to extend trade restrictions to several Chinese firms that have allegedly shipped banned goods to Russia, the people added. Other proposed measures in the new package include banning many goods from transiting through Russia and putting a formal end to the countrys oil flows through the northern leg of the Druzhba pipeline, Bloomberg previously reported. The EU hopes that the package will be agreed next week, one of the people said. 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- The European Union has raised concerns with China about the detailed product information that cosmetics companies like LOreal and LVMH have to provide in order to sell their goods in the country. Most Read from Bloomberg China is phasing in rules making cosmetics firms supply data spanning from ingredients to details of manufacturing processes, the sourcing of raw materials, and the precise composition of formulas. Much of the information is collected and stored in a database managed by Chinese authorities. The main concern for European companies is that they may be forced to surrender trade secrets under the guise of product safety, according to people familiar with the situation, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. These concerns have been raised at the highest levels in recent discussions between the EU and China, said one EU official, who also requested anonymity. The range of information companies are asked to share goes significantly beyond most other markets, according to industry experts. Compared with the EU, Chinas rules which also apply to domestic firms are much more intrusive, with authorities requiring companies to submit crucial information on the countrys data servers. In the EU, the data is handled by the companies themselves. The process to comply with the new regime is also very time consuming and requires more resources, the experts said. At the same time, they acknowledge that EU companies have little choice but to comply with the regulations given the massive size of the Chinese market and its importance to their businesses. There is an extreme level of granularity in the disclosure requirements, Gerald Renner, a director of technical regulatory and international affairs at the Brussels-based Cosmetics Europe lobby, said in an interview. There are concerns that they could provide China with very detailed information about the blueprint of the cosmetic product, he added. Cosmetics Europes members include LOreal SA and Christian Dior owner LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE among other beauty groups. Representatives for LOreal and LVMH declined to comment. Chinas National Medicinal Products Agency didnt respond to a request for comment. There is no evidence or indication to suggest that China is using the information it collects from cosmetics companies for malign purposes. While market leader LOreal doesnt break down its revenue in China, North Asia was its second biggest region after Europe, generating more than a quarter of its 38.3 billion sales ($40.8 billion) last year. That illustrates the challenge faced by many companies in the industry, as well as other manufacturing sectors, which need to balance doing business in China with evolving geopolitical developments. Beyond the cosmetics sector, the EU and its allies have been working to cut their broader exposure to China and mitigate supply chain dependencies, especially when it comes to sourcing raw materials. Faced with an increasingly assertive government in Beijing, the EU set out a strategy earlier this year to boost the production of materials seen as key to the green transition. Allies have also been looking to curb investment risks and control exports of some cutting-edge technologies to China. The EU, and the US even more so, have long complained that certain policies and practices in China could lead to the transfer of technologies and intellectual property. The need to disclose additional information can also be seen as stealth protectionism as many more resources are needed to abide by those rules, according to one industry expert. This level of disclosure amounts to handing over manufacturing secrets, the person said. Cosmetics Europes Renner said theres no evidence that intellectual property theft has taken place but cautioned that any company would be concerned that its trade secrets could be made available to competitors. We hope for the best, he said. --With assistance from Alan Katz. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, shakes hands with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, third right, during a group photo during the European Political Community Summit at the Mimi Castle in Bulboaca, Moldova, Thursday, June 1, 2023. Leaders are meeting in Moldova Thursday for a summit aiming to show a united front in the face of Russia's war in Ukraine and underscore support for the Eastern European country's ambitions to draw closer to the West and keep Moscow at bay. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) BULBOACA, Moldova (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took his quest for more arms and support to a sprawling summit of some 50 European leaders in Moldova on Thursday, becoming the focal point of an event that seeks to quell regional conflicts and shore up unity in the face of Russias war. The meeting of the pan-continental European Political Community, which embraces all European nations other than Russia and Belarus, gathered the heads of state and government from 47 countries but its attention was on the continent's south and east a region pushed to a turning point in its relationship with Moscow because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. The 27-nation EU wants to use the summit to reach out to many Eastern European countries that spent decades either within the Soviet Union or under its immediate sphere of influence, and to bolster the continents unified response to Russian aggression. The choice to hold the summit in Moldova, a former Soviet republic of around 2.6 million people, is seen as a message to the Kremlin both from the EU and the pro-Western Moldovan government, which received EU candidate status in June of last year at the same time as Ukraine. As he addressed the gathered leaders at an opening ceremony, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte noted the significance of the summit's location, only around 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Ukraine's border. Our meeting today in Moldova speaks volumes. The country borders on Ukraine and here, the Russian threat is palpable, Rutte said. Moldova, Europes poorest country which is cradled by Ukraine on three sides, aspires to join the EU by the end of the decade, and has consistently signaled its support for Ukraine and taken in refugees fleeing the war. Zelenskyy was the first foreign leader to arrive at Thursdays summit venue, a 19th-century castle and vineyard around 35 kilometers (21 miles) from the capital, Chisinau. Dressed in his trademark olive green shirt and cargo pants, he sought to dispel doubts about his countrys accession to the EU and NATO, and told the assembled leaders that such doubts would be exploited by Moscow. Since the start of the invasion, he said, the limits of security in Europe have in fact been the limits of our determination, our ability to act together for the sake of the interests of our peoples and the whole of Europe. As much as we can reject doubt, we can reject the evil of aggression. Zelenskyy called for a continuation of Western military aid to Ukraine, saying it was saving lives and literally accelerating peace. He insisted that all countries that border Russia should be full members of the EU and NATO, since Moscow tries to swallow only those who are outside of the common security space. When there are no security guarantees, there are only war guarantees, he said. Other summit participants include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Scholz and Macron will join European Council President Michel for one of the summit's major meetings: discussions with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, two former Soviet Caucasian neighbor nations that have fought wars over a contested territory. That territory, Nagorno-Karabakh, was the site of a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020 that killed more than 6,000 people. The war ended in a Russia-brokered armistice under which Armenia relinquished territories surrounding the region. Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan, but ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia had controlled the region and surrounding territories since 1994. Recent negotiations between the two nations over the territory have raised hopes that a breakthrough could come at the Moldova summit. Another lighting rod will be the recent flareup in ethnic tensions between neighboring Serbia and Kosovo, whose leaders arrived at the summit Thursday morning. NATO has announced it will send 700 more troops to northern Kosovo to help quell violent protests after clashes with ethnic Serbs there left 30 international soldiers wounded this week. The latest violence in the region has stirred fear of a renewal of the 1998-99 conflict in Kosovo that claimed more than 10,000 lives, left more than 1 million people homeless and resulted in a NATO peacekeeping mission that has lasted nearly a quarter of a century. ___ Raf Casert in Brussels and Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine (Getty Images) Conor Coady will leave Everton after the club decided not to take up their option to sign him permanently for 4.5 million. The England international returns to Wolves, who loaned their captain out last summer after he lost his place following former manager Bruno Lages decision to switch to a back four. Coady made 25 appearances for Everton, scoring two goals, and excelled in Sundays 1-0 win over Bournemouth, when they avoided relegation. But he had not started any of the previous 13 matches when Sean Dyche dropped him to prefer first Michael Keane and then Yerry Mina. Dyche chose not to buy Coady whereas the expectation was that if former manager Frank Lampard had stayed in charge, a long-term move would have been triggered. Coady faces an uncertain future at Wolves, with Julen Lopetegui replacing Lage while he was out on loan, but the Spaniard has also preferred to play with just two centre-backs. Left-back Ruben Vinagre also returns to his parent club, Sporting Lisbon, after an injury-hit year on loan at Goodison Park. William Castro, a permanently disbarred Florida attorney who was swept up in a Miami corruption scandal in the early 1990s, submitted a 51-page petition earlier this year seeking the right to practice law again. But Floridas Supreme Court justices didnt even bother to consider it on the merits, striking his motion as unauthorized in May without giving a reason. Castro, a once prominent criminal defense attorney, has now turned to a formidable colleague to make his final plea for readmission to the Florida Bar Raoul Cantero, a former member of the state Supreme Court. Cantero, who had met Castro at a Catholic retreat three decades ago, said hes supporting him because he has personally witnessed his transformation from a flashy lawyer to a humble man who has done thousands of hours of community service, worked as an advocate for at-risk children, organized gift drives for migrant children and led church retreats. He and his wife also adopted three children. Ive always been impressed with the change he made in his life, said Cantero, who was appointed as a justice to the Florida Supreme Court by then-Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002 and served until 2008. I know that his turnaround was not only remarkable but also genuine. ... I do believe in rehabilitation and I do believe in redemption. For Castro, who in December received the Lex Christi, Lex Amoris award that is given to legal professionals who exemplify Catholic values, the road back to practicing law in Florida has been rife with disappointment and frustration. In 1998, the Florida Supreme Court initially disbarred him for 10 years, meaning that he could reapply to become a lawyer again. More than decade later, nearly 200 witnesses a whos who of lawyers, current and former judges and community members wrote letters supporting his re-entry. But in 2012, the Supreme Court refused to readmit him to the bar permanently after the Florida Board of Bar Examiners recommended blocking his readmission forever. In a concurring opinion with the majority, however, then-Justice Barbara Pariente acknowledged she struggled with the decision because there was overwhelming evidence of rehabilitation. But she nonetheless sided with the rest of the court, saying Castros original crime of paying kickbacks to judges in exchange for client referrals goes to the very core of our publics trust and confidence in the judicial system. Cantero, who is representing Castro along with attorney Mycki Ratzan, said that the Supreme Courts decade-old decision remains an outlier in Florida Bar admissions in light of his clients impeccable post-disbarment conduct and rehabilitation. In fact, Castro is the only Florida attorney disbarred for a specified period who, after completing his disbarment period and reapplying for admission to the Florida Bar ... was permanently denied readmission to the Florida Bar, says Canteros motion for a rehearing and written opinion from the Supreme Court. Miami, FL- December 1, 2022 -Archbishop of Miami Thomas Wenski, recipient of the Lex Christi, Lex Amoris Award William Castro and presenter of the award Raoul Cantero, pose for photos at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Castro, a former attorney who was imprisoned in a notorious corruption scandal in the 1990s has since rebuilt his life and career helping the community. He was awarded the Lex Christi, Lex Amoris award by the Miami Catholic Lawyers Guild. Castro views his treatment by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners and Supreme Court as an injustice because he fulfilled his part of the original bargain for a 10-year disbarment by rehabilitating himself and passing the bar exam in 2007. He said the justices arbitrarily violated that agreement by imposing a harsher punishment. I deserve to be readmitted because under Florida Bar rules I earned the privilege to practice law again, Castro, 68, said in an interview with the Herald. I think their decision in 2012 was wrong. ... To me, its the last windmill I need to conquer, for personal gratification, so that I can practice law in my community. This is where my roots are; this is where my family lives. In the early 1990s, Castro was ensnared in Operation Court Broom, a scandal that shook Miami-Dades legal community to its core. Back then, judges often gave taxpayer-paid cases appointments for indigent clients who could not be represented by the Public Defenders Office to friends. In an undercover operation, the FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement uncovered that a ring of lawyers were paying kickbacks to judges for client referrals. In all, four former judges, six lawyers and one businessman were convicted of conspiracy and other charges, including Castro, an Ivy League-educated lawyer who lived on Key Biscayne and drove red Porsche Turbo. At trial, prosecutors told jurors that Castro landed 64 cases worth $77,204 from one judge who was cooperating with investigators. He was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, plus three years of supervised release. He also repaid the illicit income to the U.S. government. Castro said he found his way back to the law through his faith, his family and the help of colleagues who believed in him. It only has happened because so many people helped me and didnt turn their back on me, said Castro, who worked as a paralegal for many years. That means so much. In 2020, Castro applied for and was reinstated in New York, where hed been admitted as an attorney in 1990. In addition to the letters of support, three witnesses testified during a hearing: former-Circuit Judge Victoria Brennan, who was an attorney for Gov. Bush when he restored Castros civil rights, former Florida Supreme Court Justice Cantero and U.S. Magistrate John OSullivan who as a former prosecutor was the one who convicted Castro. Castro was not only readmitted in that state bar, but also admitted into the federal district courts of Manhattan and Brooklyn plus, the district of Maryland. Additionally, he was admitted to practice in five federal appellate courts. U.S. District Court Judges Federico Moreno and Rodney Smith also allowed Castro to appear as an out-of-state attorney in a drug and gun case in Miami and a nursing school fraud case in Fort Lauderdale. Both Castro and his lawyer, Cantero, argue that it is long overdue for Florida to reopen its courtroom doors to him. Its always a challenge to tell a set of judges they were wrong and they should right something, Cantero said in an interview. But he clearly deserves a chance to be considered for readmission on the merits. Empowered by a new California law temporarily lifting the statute of limitations on civil sexual assault cases, a woman who came forward nearly a decade ago accusing Bill Cosby of raping and drugging her filed a lawsuit against the entertainer on Thursday. Cosby, now 85, exploited me when I was at my lowest point and was consumed by grief. Not only did he assault me, but the trauma caused my career in the performing arts to completely derail, Victoria Valentino, now 80, said in a statement Thursday. The trauma he inflicted upon me affects not only me, but my children and grandchildren. In her lawsuit, the onetime Playboy centerfold model recounts meeting Cosby in 1969. The two later ran into each other at a Los Angeles restaurant where Valentino says she told Cosby she was grieving the loss of her 6-year-old son. The lawsuit alleges that Cosby then laid out pills in front of Valentino and her friend, saying the drugs would make them ALL feel better and pretending to ingest a pill himself. Victoria Valentino attends a vigil for survivors protesting Bill Cosby's overturned conviction in Philadelphia in 2021. Victoria Valentino attends a vigil for survivors protesting Bill Cosby's overturned conviction in Philadelphia in 2021. Cosby then allegedly brought Valentino and her friend back to his office, where both women were disoriented by the drugs. When it became apparent to Valentino that Cosby was going to sexually assault her friend, she stepped in to stop him, upsetting the comedian, according to the lawsuit. Cosby finally became angry and exasperated by Plaintiffs efforts to thwart his assault on her friend, and Cosby stood up and walked towards Plaintiff with a terrifying expression on his face, the lawsuit outlines. Plaintiff attempted to stand up, but her legs wobbled and buckled beneath her, and she reached out to Cosby to prevent herself from falling to the floor. Cosby responded by forcing his penis into Valentinos mouth, she alleges, and then engaged in forced sexual intercourse with her before zipping up his pants and telling the two friends: Call a cab! Valentinos attorney, Jeff Anderson, slammed Cosby for his alleged actions. He has left an immeasurable trail of pain, trauma and suffering in his wake, but today we are holding him accountable for his actions. To say Cosbys behavior is appalling and grotesque would be an understatement, said Anderson, who also represented a woman who sued Cosby in New York. More than 60 women have accused Cosby of sexual assault or misconduct, though the statute of limitations has passed on many of those cases. In a 2005 deposition, Cosby admitted to using quaaludes on young women in order to have sex with them. He was convicted in 2018 of aggravated indecent assault and sentenced to 10 years in prison, but in 2021 the court overturned his conviction, citing a previous deal not to charge him, and released him. Then, in 2022, a court ruled in favor of a woman who accused Cosby of sexually assaulting her when she was 16 years old and ordered him to pay her $500,000 in damages. A representative for Cosby told The Washington Post on Thursday that Valentinos lawsuit was a sham. In my opinion, these women are not victims of sexual assault, they are victims of greed, Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt said. They dont want this Black man to leave this earth as Americas dad, he continued. They dont want white kids looking up to him as Americas dad and wanting their fathers to be like him. Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website. Related... Fatih Birol speaks in Brussels International Energy Agency's (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol speaks during a session regarding one year of Russia-Ukraine war, at European Parliament, in Brussels on March 9 Credit - Dursun AydemirAnadolu Agency/Getty Images (To get this story in your inbox, subscribe to the TIME CO2 Leadership Report newsletter here.) Fatih Birol has spent much of the last few years as head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) laying out a path for the world to decarbonize its energy use. The IEAs recent reports have called for a dramatic scale up in financing for renewable energy and warned that the world cannot afford investment in new fossil fuel supplies. In a May 25 interview at his office in Paris, Birol told me he is disappointed in the energy industrys lackluster response to climate change. When they talk, they recognize the importance of climate change, he said. But when you look at the numbers there is a major gap. To address that gap, Birol tells TIME that the IEA is spearheading a push to get the companies to commit to data-driven targets ahead of the upcoming U.N. climate conference known as COP28 to be held in Dubai this November. Oil and gas companies need to make some commitments in order to be taken seriously, he says. Birol is an economist and he explains his analysis of this situation with a simple look at the numbers. Last year, the companies made $4 trillion in revenue, an enormous increase from pre-COVID numbers. That money could have been used to power the energy transition, but instead companies largely channeled it into dividends, share buybacks, and debt repayment. To that end, Birol has identified two concrete goals that energy companies should take to align with the net zero ambition. First, oil and gas companies need to commit to cutting emissions from their operations and supply chainsso-called Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissionsby 60% by 2030. An analysis from the IEA found that nearly 15% of global emissions come from the business of getting oil and gas out of the ground and transporting it to consumers. Second, Birol says fossil fuel companies need to commit to ramping up their investment in clean energy technologies. Last year, oil and gas companies devoted about 5% of their spending to areas outside of their traditional fossil fuel supply business, according to an IEA analysis. That low percentage not only means less capital is flowing into clean technologies but also that the companies arent fully utilizing their expertise in a way that could benefit the transition. They have huge engineering experience, they know how to run major, complex projects, says Birol. If we can get them on board, they can really help us to reach our targets. Birol says the IEA is currently pushing very strongly for oil and gas companies to make those commitments in time for COP28. There are people who say oil and gas companies have no seat on the table in the COP meeting, he says. I think we need to build a grand coalition of governments, energy industry, civil society, and investors who sincerely believe in the fight against climate change. But Birol isnt relying on the urgency of climate alone to make the case to energy companies. He says he points to investment trends to suggest to energy companies that if they move too slowly they risk being left behind. On the morning of our interview, the IEA released a report projecting that more than $1.7 trillion will be invested in clean energy technologies this year, a nearly 25% increase over the last two years. If I have to give one advice to the companies or investors, he told me, they better give a close look at the clean energy investment trends. Over 210,500 tonnes of agricultural products were exported through the seaports of Odesa Oblast from 22 to 28 May 2023, the 43rd week of the grain corridors work, which is 78% more than a week ago. Source: Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), a Ukrainian non-governmental organisation, lobbying agricultural business interests Quote: "There is growth, but these are minor shipments compared to the potential of this export channel," the UCAB said. Details: The largest export volumes during the 43rd week of the grain corridor included maize (91% of exports during this period) and barley (9%). Ukrainian goods were exported to China, Spain and Egypt. The 43rd week of the grain corridor's operation saw only four vessels shipped from the Greater Odesa ports (the same as a week ago), while 15 vessels passed the entry inspection. "Considering these performance indicators, exporting the surplus products in Ukraine will be extremely challenging before the new harvest arrives. The Russian side continues to hamper the operation of this export channel," the statement said. A total of 30.5 million tonnes of agricultural products have been exported since the start of the grain corridors work from 1 August 2022 to 28 May 2023. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! An F-5N training aircraft flying from Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean Wednesday, prompting the pilot to eject, officials said. The Navy pilot of the Tiger II, assigned to Fighter Squadron Composite 111, ejected at about 9:20 a.m., roughly 25 miles from Boca Chica Field, according to Cmdr. Robert Myers, a Navy spokesman. NAS Key West launched an MH-60S helicopter and rescue crew who retrieved the pilot, Myers said. The pilot was evaluated and released from a local hospital, he added. No further details about what transpired were released. The safety and well-being of our pilot remains our top priority, Myers said. The cause of the incident will be investigated. Known as the Sun Downers, the squadron is a reserve unit. The F-5N is a single-seat, tactical fighter and attack jet used to simulate enemy aircraft during air-to-air combat training. The aircraft serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode. (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a number of important rulings during its current term that began last October and is due to decide its remaining cases by the end of June including disputes involving race-conscious college admissions practices, President Joe Biden's student debt forgiveness plan and voting rights. Here is a look at some of the rulings issued by the court this term. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION The court on May 25 further limited the regulatory reach of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, embracing a stringent new test for declaring wetlands protected under a landmark federal anti-pollution law in a ruling favoring an Idaho couple who challenged the EPA. PROTECTIONS FOR INTERNET COMPANIES The court on May 18 left legal protections for internet and social media companies unscathed and refused to clear a path for victims of attacks by militant groups to sue these businesses under an anti-terrorism law. In both cases, families of people killed by Islamist gunmen overseas had sued to try to hold internet companies liable because of the presence of militant groups on their platforms or for recommending their content. LABOR UNIONS The justices on June 1 made it easier for employers to sue over strikes that cause property destruction - handing another setback to organized labor - in a ruling siding with a concrete business in Washington state that sued the union representing its truck drivers after a work stoppage. FEDERAL AGENCY POWER The court on April 14 made it easier to challenge the regulatory power of federal agencies in rulings backing Axon Enterprise Inc's bid to sue the Federal Trade Commission and a Texas accountant's gripe with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CORRUPTION PROSECUTIONS The court on May 11 further restricted the ability of federal prosecutors to pursue corruption cases, overturning the bribery conviction of Joseph Percoco, an ex-aide to Democratic former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and former construction company executive Louis Ciminelli. ANDY WARHOL ARTWORK Andy Warhol's estate lost its copyright fight with celebrity photographer Lynn Goldsmith when the court on May 18 faulted the famed pop artist's use of her photo of Prince in a silkscreen series depicting the charismatic rock star. INTERSTATE COMMERCE The justices preserved a California law banning the sale of pork in America's most-populous state from pigs kept in tightly confined spaces in a May 11 ruling that rejected an industry challenge. PROPERTY TAXES The court on May 25 curbed state and local governments from seizing and selling the homes of people with unpaid property taxes and keeping the proceeds beyond the amount owed, deeming the practice unconstitutional in a ruling in favor of a 94-year-old woman who battled tax authorities in Minnesota. (Compiled by Andrew Chung and John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham) A former New Mexico Republican candidate arrested in a series of drive-by shootings at Democratic officials homes is now facing federal charges in the attacks that allegedly involved a machine gun. Solomon Pena, who was arrested in January on state charges related to the shootings, is accused of organizing and carrying out at least one of the four attacks in response to his November election defeat, according to an 11-count indictment unsealed by the Justice Department on Wednesday. Pena is charged with two alleged co-conspirators, Demetrio Trujillo, 41, and Jose Trujillo, 22, with conspiracy, interference with federally protected activities, and firearms offenses, including the use of a machine gun. Solomon Pena, who overwhelmingly lost a bid last fall for the New Mexico statehouse as a Republican, is accused of organizing and participating in drive-by shootings at the homes of four Democratic officials. Solomon Pena, who overwhelmingly lost a bid last fall for the New Mexico statehouse as a Republican, is accused of organizing and participating in drive-by shootings at the homes of four Democratic officials. Pena carried out the attacks after first visiting the homes of at least three Bernalillo County commissioners and urging them not to certify the state House election results, claiming the vote was rigged against him, prosecutors said. When these efforts failed, authorities said, Pena and his hired help shot up the homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two New Mexico state legislators between Dec. 4, 2022, and Jan. 3. Children and relatives of his intended targets were inside during at least three of the attacks, though no one was injured, authorities said. Attorney Elizabeth Honce, who is representing Pena in the federal charges, told HuffPost Thursday that he maintains his innocence of these charges. Trump just announced for 2024. I stand with him. I never conceded my HD 14 race. Now researching my options. pic.twitter.com/sKVHhxG9Vq Solomon Pena for NM (@SolomonPena2022) November 16, 2022 Pena pleaded not guilty in February to the initial 14 charges and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 years in prison if convicted of the federal charges, the Justice Department said. There is no room in our democracy for politically motivated violence, especially when it is used to undermine election results, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. said in a statement. Jose Trujillo was also charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Pena has a history of criminal convictions and was released from prison in 2016. He was ordered by a judge in January to remain jailed until his state trial, which is scheduled to start next week. Related... FILE PHOTO: Solomon Pena poses for a jail booking photograph after his arrest by the Albuquerque Police Department By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - A failed Republican state candidate in New Mexico was charged by federal authorities on Wednesday for a shooting spree targeting the homes of four elected Democratic officials, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement. Solomon Pena, 40, lost a state House of Representatives race last November. After his defeat, Pena organized the shootings on the homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two New Mexico state legislators, prosecutors said. The shootings, one of which involved a machine gun, were carried out between Dec. 4, 2022, and Jan. 3, 2023, with assistance from co-conspirators, the Justice Department said. The federal indictment was unsealed Wednesday in the District of New Mexico. "There is no room in our democracy for politically motivated violence, especially when it is used to undermine election results," said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite Jr. of the Justice Departments criminal division. If convicted, Pena faces a mandatory minimum of 60 years in prison, according to the Justice Department. Pena, described as a "radical right election denier" by Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, was arrested in January and charged by local county prosecutors with contracting four gunmen to shoot at the homes of the Democratic officials after he visited them to dispute his 2022 election defeat. There were no fatalities in the shootings, which followed sometimes heated arguments as Pena visited the homes of three county commissioners and state Senator Linda Lopez to allege fraud in a House race he lost by 47 percentage points, police had said. Pena is a supporter of false theories spread by prominent New Mexico-based election denier David Clements, according to Pena's website and messages in a Telegram group run by Clements' wife. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler) Fake heiress Anna Sorokin is launching her own podcast while under house arrest: Now you get to meet the real me Anna Sorokin poses for a photo at her home on November 16, 2022, in New York City. Mike Coppola/AD/Getty Images for ABA Anna Sorokin who posed as heiress Anna "Delvey" is launching a podcast while under house arrest. "The Anna Delvey Show" will handle "traditional notions of what's right and wrong," per the trailer. Sorokin has not hesitated to trade on public fascination with her life story as a swindler. Anna Sorokin, who posed as a German heiress under the name "Anna Delvey," is launching a podcast while under house arrest in her East Village apartment. "The Anna Delvey Show" will see the convicted fraudster questioning "traditional notions of what's right and wrong," with guests such as Emily Ratajkowski and playwright Jeremy Harris, according to a trailer uploaded Wednesday. "You might recognize my name as a character in a Netflix series, but now you get to meet the real me," Sorokin said in the trailer, echoing an essay for Insider last year, in which she contrasted her portrayal in public with her real self. The show is to be produced by Reunion Audio and Audio Up, which also produces Michael Cohen's hit podcast "Mea Culpa." Sorokin served four years in jail after being convicted in 2019 on multiple counts of theft and grand larceny. She used a fake identity to swindle millions out of banks, while waltzing comfortably through high society a story semi-fictionalized in the Netflix drama "Inventing Anna." After her release in February 2021, Sorokin was placed in ICE detention, with her immigration status under question. She spent a further 18 months incarcerated. After posting a $10,000 bond, she was ultimately released, but was told to remain at a "provided residential address for the duration of her immigration proceedings," according to The Daily Beast. Sorokin has not hesitated to leverage her antics and trade on the public fascination brought about by her larger-than-life story. Last year a Manhattan art gallery exhibited five drawings produced by an art forger, hired by Sorokin to replicate her own drawings all while she was in ICE detention. And in January Sorokin announced that she was to star in a reality show entitled "Delvey's Dinner Club," also while remaining under house arrest in her East Village apartment. Read the original article on Insider A 'fake moon' has been following Earth around the sun since 100 BC, and astronomers just noticed An artist's illustration of asteroids flying by Earth. Peter Carril/ESA An asteroid has been trailing Earth around the sun since 100 BC, astronomers estimate. The space rock at first appears to be another moon, but it's actually orbiting the sun and not Earth. That makes this asteroid a "quasi-moon" or "fake moon." An asteroid has been following Earth around the sun for the last two millennia, and astronomers just noticed it. Scientists first discovered the space rock, called 2023 FW13, in March using the Pan-STARRS observatory in Hawaii. At first glance, the asteroid seemed to be orbiting our planet, which would make it another moon. But this tailgating asteroid is actually orbiting the sun, the space news website Sky & Telescope reported. It just happens to be traveling at roughly the same path and pace as our planet. "Earth plays essentially no role in its motion," Alan Harris, a scientist specializing in near-Earth objects at the Space Science Institute, told Sky & Telescope. "[It's] in no way associated with Earth other than by chance." That makes 2023 FW13 a "quasi-moon," or a "fake moon." What makes this fake moon unique The full moon rises behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Christian Hartmann/Reuters Usually quasi-moons trail Earth for just a few decades, but this one is different. From data they've collected about its orbit, astronomers calculated that the asteroid has been in the vicinity of our planet since about 100 BC, the year Julius Caesar was born. Other telescopes have confirmed the asteroid's existence, according to Space.com, and the Minor Planet Center at the International Astronomical Union officially listed it as a known object in April. That's when French astronomer and journalist Adrien Coffinet first reported the discovery. The asteroid is roughly 20 meters long, which is about the size of a semi-truck, and it comes within about 9 million miles of Earth at the closest point of its path, according to Space.com. For reference, the moon the one we all know and love is about 238,855 miles away. It's unlikely to hit Earth, though, Harris said. "The good news is, such an orbit doesn't result in an impacting trajectory 'out of the blue,'" he told Sky & Telescope. This isn't Earth's first extra moon. In 2016, the Pan-STARRS observatory discovered a sneaky rock satellite that may be a fragment of the moon the big one that we can all see in the sky. For now, that's still the only moon that matters to our lives here on Earth. Read the original article on Business Insider A Fall River teacher was in court for an indecent assault charge Wednesday after being accused of inappropriately touching a student during class. Paul Coury, 60, pleaded not guilty to charges to charges that he inappropriately touched a student during one of his culinary arts classes at B.M.C Durfee High School. According to court documents, the student reported to the School Adjustment Counselor that Coury had repeatedly touched her inappropriately. The student told the counselor that while she was working at the cash register of the schools culinary restaurant, Coury stood beside her with her hand on her back. He then allegedly touched her buttocks as he leaned down to retrieve something below the register. Coury was placed on administrative leave while the investigation takes place, according to Fall River Superintendent Maria Pontes. As the investigation is ongoing, I have shared all the information that state and federal laws regarding student and employee privacy permit me to share. The safety of our students continues to be our highest priority and we will continue to promptly and proactively address any allegation that may compromise that safety, Pontes said in a statement. 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 Image via Quincy Police Department A man who made a joke about how saying I do was the biggest mistake at his wedding during an appearance on Family Feud has been found guilty in the murder of his wife. Per the Associated Press, 40-year-old Timothy Bliefnick was found guilty by a jury in Illinois on Wednesday of fatally shooting his estranged wife, Rebecca Bernadette Postle Bliefnick. Sentencing is set for August. The mans arrest in the February murder was announced by the Quincy Police Department one month later, with Bliefnick being taken in on a no-bond warrant for first-degree murder and home invasion. "This brutal crime has had the Quincy community on edge and our residents living in fear," a department rep said at the time. "I hope todays announcement can begin to calm some of those concerns." In March, Bliefnick entered a plea of not guilty. As has been widely discussed amid the continued coverage of the case, he appeared as a contestant on Family Feud back in 2020. During the appearance, Bliefnick was asked by host Steve Harvey to name the "biggest mistake" he made at his wedding. "Honey, I love you but, said I do," Bliefnick said in response. "Not my mistake, not my mistake. I love my wife." After the initial resurfacing of the clip in question, Bliefnicks lawyer told Fox News that a silly answer to a silly question on a silly show doesnt make one a murderer. Rebecca Bernadette Postle Bliefnick, per an online obituary, was 41 years old at the time of her murder. She was a graduate of Quincy University and worked as a top-performing pharmaceutical sales rep for Sanofi Aventis. During opening statements at this months trial, Adams County Assistant States Attorney Josh Jones described her final moments to the jury. More on this "The last minutes of Becky's life were not spent surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones," Jnoes told the court. "The last minutes of Beckys life were not spent in the warm embrace of her three children: Deacon, Greyson, and Arlin. The last minutes of Beckys life were not spent in love and compassion and tenderness. No, the last minutes of Beckys life were spent in fear and pain and terror as she lay on the cold gray tiles of her bathroom floor slowly bleeding to death." In February, Rebeccas body was discovered by a family member. She had been shot multiple times. While police initially said they had not narrowed down the investigation to a single suspect, the multi-agency responsewhich included a search for nearby surveillance footageultimately resulted in Timothys arrest and subsequent conviction. An Oklahoma City woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, two years after her daughter died when a man fleeing police in a stolen pickup struck her vehicle at a high rate of speed. Star Shells, a 28-year-old single mother who was pregnant with a son she named Elijah, died on the morning of May 24, 2021, when her white Chevy Impala was struck near Martin Luther King Avenue and NE 16. Police were in pursuit of Wacey Gerron Mikles, now 40, who had previous felony convictions for bank robberies, grand larceny and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Star Shells left behind two children after being struck and killed by a truck involved in a police chase. Shells, of Oklahoma City, was pregnant at the time of her death. Mikles had stolen a black Ford F350 King Ranch pickup, according to authorities. Speeds reached 97 mph during the fatal pursuit by Oklahoma City police. On Jan. 30 in Oklahoma County District Court, Mikles entered a negotiated plea of guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, larceny of an automobile, possession of methamphetamine, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by 10 years on probation, with the prison time running concurrently with a federal sentence. A month earlier in federal court, Mikles was sentenced to eight years in prison for two Oklahoma City bank robberies to which he pleaded guilty. The robberies occurred on May 18, 2021, and May 21, 2021, just days before Shells was struck and killed. In a pre-sentencing letter to U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Goodwin, Mikles asked for mercy and wrote that mental illness, including hearing voices the past few years, played a role in his crimes. It contributed to my having robbed those banks and definitely was a main reason for the accident that ended the life of two very innocent people, which I will have to live with for the rest of my life, Mikles wrote. On May 24 in Oklahoma County District Court, Shells mother, Connie Basco, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city. Basco is joined by a second plaintiff, Elijah Reeves, who is the father of Shells unborn son. Star Shells The motor vehicle wreck was caused by (Oklahoma City Police Department) officers engaging in a negligent, grossly negligent, reckless and improper chase, Basco alleges in the lawsuit. OKCPDs meaningless and stupid police chase was a violation of Star Shells and Elijah Reeves IIIs fundamental due process right to life. A spokeswoman for Oklahoma City said the city cannot comment on current litigation. Oklahoma City Police Department changes pursuit policy An investigation by The Oklahoman revealed that in 2021 the year Shells was killed a majority of police pursuits started because of a traffic violation, a misdemeanor or suspicious behavior. A quarter of the chases started because of felony crimes, but only 6.6% of chases started because of a violent felony. In 2021, police pursuits resulted in 24 collisions, killing four, including three uninvolved citizens, police data showed. At the time, it was the deadliest year involving police pursuits in five years. A little more than a year after Shells was killed, Police Chief Wade Gourley quietly announced changes to his departments policy on vehicle chases in Oklahoma City. Gourley previously told The Oklahoman part of the policy change was to better define risks versus rewards in determining whether to engage in a pursuit, with the goal of reducing harm to bystanders and property. A memorial for Star Shells was placed on the side of Martin Luther King Avenue following a 2021 fatal car crash that took the lives of Shells and her unborn baby. He called Shells death tragic and laid the blame on Mikles, while saying work to revamp pursuit policy had already begun. One change to the policy calls for the termination of a pursuit when officers know of, and can access information from, a GPS tracking device on the vehicle. The truck that struck Shells' Impala was equipped with such a device. Other circumstances that call for the termination of a pursuit include when entering a school or construction zone where workers are present; adverse road conditions; pedestrian traffic; and when the suspects driving behavior includes excessive speeding, disregard for traffic control devices, driving into oncoming lanes of traffic or driving off-road. Continued pursuit of a suspect when any of the above-listed provisions are met will require strong justification and the authorization of the managing supervisor. In these instances, the supervisor must be able to document specific facts that show the decision to continue pursuing was objectively reasonable under the circumstances. For person crimes and DUIs, officers must terminate the pursuit if the subject's driving is so egregious it poses a danger or when a GPS tracking device is available. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Family of pregnant bystander killed in police chase files lawsuit Fans Did Some Major Sleuthing and Think Kylie and Timothee Are in Budapest Together Getty Images Hello and good morning, we have an update on Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet. Despite recent claims that they're casual, it appears that the unexpected and internet-breaking couple might be in Budapest. Fans on Reddit's @FauxMoi page put two and two together when they noticed that Timmy posted from the Europa League final in Hungary: And that Kylie's private jet had also made a pit stop in the country. Meanwhile, DeuxMoi also got a tip from someone saying they had it on "high authority" that a "certain A-list peach-loving actor hitched a ride on miss rise and shine's private jet Thursday morning on an excursion from Paris to Budapest. The actor was seen celebrating at UEFA Europa League final in Budapest today AND at Beyonce's concert in Paris when the makeup mogul was also in attendance." Sooo...maybe Timmy just used Kylie's plane? Unclear! Either way, back in April, a Jenner source told People that Kylie and Timmy hang out every week but that it's not serious, adding that shes simply getting to know him. More recently (like, three days ago recently) a source toldPeople that Kylie and Timmy are still dating but that, again, it's "not serious" and they mostly hang when they're in Los Angeles. I meannnn, it certainly looks like they've taken their relationship international, but clearly neither of them are in the mood to confirm anything just yet. You Might Also Like The FBI is investigating the fall of the Carnival cruise passenger who is missing after going overboard on his first cruise: report A close-up of the Carnival Magic cruise ship docked in Marseille. Carnival Cruise Lines ships in Marseille. Gerard Bottino/Getty Images The FBI is investigating the fall of a Carnival cruise passenger who fell overboard on his first cruise, per Fox News Digital. 35-year-old Ronnie Lee Peale Jr. was returning to Virginia from the Bahamas at the time of the incident on Monday. The United States Coast Guard said late on Wednesday that it has suspended search efforts for Peale. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the fall of a Carnival cruise passenger who fell overboard on his first cruise, Fox News Digital reported on Wednesday. The passenger, 35-year-old Ronnie Lee Peale Jr., was on a Carnival cruise ship returning to Virginia from the Bahamas at the time of the incident. He was reported missing by his fiancee late Monday afternoon, the cruise ship operator told Insider's Natalie Musumeci and Hannah Towey on Tuesday. It was his first-ever cruise, his fiancee Jennilyn Michelle Blosser told WTKR. Insider could not reach the FBI via phone outside regular business hours. A spokesperson for the federal agency's Norfolk field office told Fox the FBI is the lead investigating agency for the incident. "The FBI typically has jurisdiction to investigate incidents on the high seas and works closely with our partners in law enforcement and in the cruising industry to collect the evidence and facts of cases," the spokesperson told the media outlet. The United States Coast Guard said late on Wednesday that it has suspended search efforts for Peale. "The decision to suspend the active search efforts pending further development is never one we take lightly. We offer our most sincere condolences to Mr. Peale's family and friends," the US Coast Guard said in a statement. Peale Jr. "loved the cruise life," Blosser told WTKR. "Being able to drink, gamble, and socialize put him in his happy place." Carnival Cruise said in a statement to Insider on Tuesday that a review of close-circuit security video footage showed Peale Jr. "leaned over the railing of his stateroom balcony and dropped into the water at approximately 4:10 am early Monday morning." Read the original article on Business Insider Pfizer RSV vaccine vials Vials of Pfizer's RSV vaccine for older adults on the manufacturing line Credit - Pfizer Inc. After decades of having no vaccines to fight respiratory syncytial respiratory (RSV), the U.S. now has twoboth aimed at protecting older adults. On May 31, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the second RSV vaccine in the world. The first, from the pharmaceutical company GSK, gained FDA approval earlier in May for adults age 60 and older. The newest vaccine, made by Pfizer, will also target people in the same age group. RSV causes respiratory disease that can affect everyone, but elderly adults and young babies typically experience the most severe illness. Between 60,000 and 160,000 American seniors are hospitalized each year because of complications from RSV, and the virus kills 6,000 to 10,000 people annually in this age group. Among children under five, 58,000 to 80,000 are hospitalized with severe RSV each yearand 100 to 300 children die because of their infections. More from TIME In Pfizers data, the vaccine, called Abrysvo, was 85.7% effective at protecting people against severe RSVdiagnosed as having three or more symptoms of lower respiratory tract diseaseamong people who received the vaccine compared to those who got the placebo. By comparison, GSKs vaccine was 82.6% effective overall in protecting against lower respiratory disease and 94.1% effective in reducing severe disease among vaccinated people vs. those getting a placebo. Immunizing the elderly against RSV could protect them from the more severe effects of infection, which in turn would lower hospitalizations and deaths from the disease. A vaccine to help prevent RSV had been an elusive public health goal for more than half a century, said Annaliesa Anderson, senior vice president and chief scientific officer for vaccine research and development at Pfizer, in a statement. Abrysvo will address a need to help protect older adults against the potentially serious consequences of RSV disease. Pfizers vaccine, like the one from GSK, takes advantage of a scientific breakthrough made by scientists at the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2013. Dr. Barney Graham and his team discovered just the right form of the virus that would alert and activate the immune system to develop defenses against RSV. Stabilizing and purifying that viral protein led to the successful vaccines. Pfizers version contains two different strains of RSV in a bivalent shot to optimize the chances that the viruses causing disease are matched to the ones people are vaccinated against. Pfizer is also testing the same vaccine at the same dose in pregnant women, with the hope that expectant mothers who are immunized will pass along protective immunity to their developing babies. Newborns would then be protected against RSV in the critical first six months of life, when they are most vulnerable to getting sick from the virus. A committee of FDA vaccine experts voted unanimously on May 18 to recommend the maternal vaccine, and the FDA has until August to decide whether to follow that advice. Now that the FDA has approved a second RSV vaccine for adults, its up to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue guidelines for how the shot will be administered in people over age 60. The CDCs immunization experts will meet in late June to issue recommendations for both GSKs and Pfizers vaccines for adults. Pfizer says it anticipates sufficient doses, manufactured at its facilities both in the U.S. and abroad, will be ready to vaccinate eligible age groups in the U.S. just ahead of the coming respiratory virus season in the fall. Dianne Feinstein has become a painfully sad spectacle, being wheeled through the Capitol as she so visibly struggles to perform the basic duties of a United States senator. She has joined the ranks of formidable leaders who stayed in office too long. Yet at this point, I fear her resignation more than I fear her remaining in office. Since Feinstein effectively became the decisive vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee after the 2020 election, the window for her to resign without potential consequences to the judicial system was closed. Republicans blocked efforts to replace Feinstein temporarily after a recent hospitalization as they would now if she retired. The politics of maintaining a razor-thin majority on a committee that forwards President Joe Bidens judicial nominations to the full Senate has an undeniable impact on the future governance of the U.S. Supreme Court. They dictate why establishment Democrats fall in line behind Feinstein despite her frail condition. Opinion These high stakes are also why Feinstein should make every effort to stay, even as it becomes more painful to behold with each passing day. Only Feinstein is certain to keep her spot on the judiciary committee for the remainder of this term, which gives the Democrats an 11-10 advantage. But something far more lasting and important may be on the horizon to further bolster the political case for keeping Feinstein in office, namely the potential for a Senate Judiciary Committee investigation of the repeated failures of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to disclose various gifts from billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow of Texas. As reported by ProPublica, Thomas went on luxury trips around the globe for two decades paid for by Crow, who also paid for Thomas grandnephew to attend a private school, and he purchased a family property where Thomas mother has long lived rent-free. Thomas failed to disclose all of this during periodic filings of financial activities required by Supreme Court justices. Chief Justice John Roberts has referred the matter to an unnamed committee of a Judicial Conference that he meets with twice a year. Essentially the Supreme Court is allowed to police itself. It would take the legislative and executive branches to agree on how to change that. And the reform would start with a functioning Senate Judiciary Committee. Thomas penchant for accepting gifts would undoubtedly be the backdrop of a committee investigation. And given that Crow has contributed to various Republican members of the committee, hearings would be replete with the patina of modern partisan politics. But the underlying questions of transparency and enforcement are not partisan. Are the current disclosure requirements, enforcement mechanisms and potential sanctions sufficient for all existing and future Supreme Court justices? None of these questions can be raised without Feinstein staying in the Senate so long as the Republicans do not give her a clear path to resign with dignity and keep the business of a full committee running. It comes down to the arcane rules and math of the Senate. It could take 60 votes to replace Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer had floated the idea of temporarily replacing her, but it was shot down by the opposition. Meanwhile, the images and utterances of Feinstein in recent days all but erase three decades of memories of her as a fierce and vital leader. She, California and the nations Democratic Party are now trapped by her fateful decision in 2018 to run for a fifth term when she was 85 years old. Her 90th birthday is June 22. Feinstein must attempt to perform the duties of her office for the Senate to function at this crucial time in the nations judicial history, though this time span could be short. With her decision to run for re-election and of a majority of California voters to keep her in the Senate, we have collectively set in motion this tortured final chapter. (Bloomberg) -- Asian leaders accustomed to straddling the US-China divide are increasingly nervous that tensions between the worlds two superpowers could spiral toward conflict, with a series of decisions on both sides making it harder for Beijing and Washington to find common ground. Most Read from Bloomberg A defense conference in Singapore this week that could have served as a bridge between the two sides looks instead like it will further highlight the rift over issues including Taiwan, restrictions on high-end chips and Chinas claims to a large swath of the South China Sea. A lot of us in Southeast Asia are very nervous about Taiwan, seriously, said Saifuddin Abdullah, a former Malaysian foreign minister whose remarks were echoed by other regional leaders. Were very nervous. The heightened geopolitical tensions are hanging over business ties between the worlds biggest economies, which are trading goods with each other at record levels even as Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping move to become more self-reliant in key areas. China has rolled out the red carpet in recent days for global business leaders including Tesla Inc.s Elon Musk and Jamie Dimon, the chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co., in an effort to allay fears the nation is becoming more hostile to foreign capital. But hopes that the Shangri-La Dialogue kicking off Friday would showcase improvement in US-China ties were dashed when Beijing rebuffed a US request for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his counterpart Li Shangfu to meet. The US has sought talks for months, but Beijing wants sanctions the US put on Li in 2018 removed, a step the Biden administration considered before ruling out. So while the military chiefs of the worlds biggest economies will be at the same hotel this weekend, and possibly in the same conference room, they arent scheduled to talk. That adds to months of broken communication following a promising meeting between Biden and Xi in Bali last November, when the two leaders tried to get the relationship back on track. Read More: China Spurns US Defense Chiefs Talks, Showing Limits to Ties It hasnt happened. After some tentative outreach, the relationship resumed its downward trajectory when an alleged Chinese spy balloon floated through American airspace in February and the Biden administration ramped up restrictions on technology exports to China. The US and its allies say they want to de-risk, not decouple, from China, citing the need to balance trade ties with national security threats from Beijing. Xis government rejects that depiction, instead seeing a US-led plot to undercut its growth and encircle it by ramping up defense cooperation with Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Australia and other partners. Some of the strategic and ideological differences between the two countries appear insurmountable, and may well be irreconcilable, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said during a conference in Tokyo last month. Much of Asia including Americas allies feel stuck in the middle. And they warily eye the war of attrition unfolding in Ukraine as a stark warning of what could happen if the two rivals dont stabilize ties. Ong Keng Yong, the former secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said Washington and Beijing are keenly aware of the parallels. Both sides are aware that they cannot afford to make a mistake by going unwittingly into a military conflict, Ong said in an interview. The US and China are mindful of the horrible situation that will emerge if there is military confrontation in Taiwan Strait. Yet an accidental conflict is always a risk. A Chinese fighter jet last week swerved in front of a US reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea in an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver, the Pentagon said, part of what a senior American official described as a pattern of confrontational behavior in the region. Surveying the tensions in the region, Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith bemoaned the formidable challenges that, left unattended, could potentially lead to devastating consequences for the world. With little sign of a detente, the US and China are digging in. China has continued a years-long effort to militarize contested islands and outcroppings it claims as its own and regularly sends warplanes and ships into traditionally Taiwanese waters. And it has stayed silent as North Korea ramps up its ballistic missile and nuclear program. Xi this week called for greater efforts to modernize national security defenses and tackle rising risks amid a broader crackdown on overseas access to data and so-called expert networks accused of encouraging the leaking of state secrets. The US, meanwhile, has sought to strengthen regional alliances. It won promises of more cooperation between Japan and South Korea and opened new embassies in some Pacific Island nations. After years of strained ties with the Philippines, it worked with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to gain access to more military facilities and in April kicked off the largest joint military exercise with Manila in 30 years. Other nations are acting too. Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wants to deepen defense ties with Canada and other Group of Seven countries in Tokyos biggest overhaul of security policy since World War II. Hes also overseen an expanded defense pact with Australia, to include intelligence sharing and more sophisticated joint military exercises. Even without a US-China meeting in Singapore, both sides will be looking to solidify a claim to leadership. The Pentagon said Austin will meet with key leaders to advance US defense partnerships across the region. Austin addresses the Singapore conference on Saturday morning. Li does the same on Sunday. Among the 600 military officials and delegates from 40 nations attending the conference, there are some who still hope the US and Chinese delegations will find a way to break the ice, even informally on the sidelines. But it would take much more than one meeting to shift the direction of ties at this point, said Diana Choyleva, chief economist at Enodo Economics, a London-based research firm focused on China. Make no mistake, any improvement is at best a minor pause in the intensifying all-out confrontation between the existing and the aspiring hegemon, she said. (Updates with CEOs in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, left, confers with U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca for the Southern District of Mississippi, prior to addressing community leaders in Lexington, Miss., during a stop on the division's civil rights tour, Thursday, June 1, 2023. At each of the four stops in Mississippi, Clarke plans to engage with community leaders and reaffirm the department's commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans, and listen to their concerns. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) LEXINGTON, Miss. (AP) There are 32 school districts in Mississippi still under federal desegregation orders, the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division's assistant attorney general said Thursday. Enforcing the open desegregation orders fit into a broader body of civil rights work launched in Mississippi that is examining jails, police departments and hate crimes in the state, according to Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division. Referring to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed segregation of public schools across the country, she said the Justice Department is ensuring school districts provide Black students in Mississippi with equal access to education programs. In our ongoing efforts to fulfill the promise of Brown vs. Board of Education, we currently have 32 open cases with school districts here in Mississippi," Clarke said. "And in each of those cases, we are working to ensure that these districts comply with desegregation orders from courts. Clarke spoke to a small group of residents, local leaders and reporters Thursday at the Holmes County Circuit Court Complex in Lexington, about 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Jackson, the state capital. Mississippi is the latest stop in Clarke's listening tour throughout the Deep South. The Justice Department is learning where to direct resources and where it might need to mount civil rights lawsuits, she said. Mississippi has the highest percentage of Black residents of any state. It has been home, as have other states, to legal fights over desegregation. In 2017, a Mississippi Delta school district agreed to merge two high schools after nearly 50 years of litigation in which the district sought to maintain historically Black and white schools. In addition to school districts, Clarke said at least five Mississippi jails and prisons have come under federal scrutiny. The department is looking into whether the facilities protect prisoners from violence and meet housing standards. The facilities include the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, the South Mississippi Correctional Institution, the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility and a Hinds County Jail. Clarke also said her division is investigating whether Rankin County Sheriff's Deputies used excessive force when they shot Michael Corey Jenkins in the mouth during an alleged drug raid. An Associated Press investigation found that several deputies from the department have been involved in at least four violent encounters with Black men since 2019 that left two dead and another with lasting injuries. Clarke declined to offer more details about the case, citing an ongoing federal civil rights investigation. After delivering prepared remarks in Lexington, she met with community members about allegations of police brutality in the small town. Police have terrorized Black residents by subjecting them to false arrests, excessive force and intimidation, an ongoing federal lawsuit claims. What I hope she'll do is seriously address the issues. Not gloss over them, say that she has heard about these violations, talk about them in detail and say that it is wrong if it is happening, said Jill Collen Jefferson, president of JULIAN, a civil rights organization that filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of a group of Lexington residents. The community meeting was closed to reporters. The Justice Department has not announced an investigation into the Lexington Police Department. Jefferson said her organization plans to file a class action lawsuit against the Lexington Police Department in the new few months. Against the backdrop of ongoing investigations into potential civil rights violations ensnaring school districts, jails and police departments is FBI data released in March showing the number of hate crimes in the U.S. rose in 2021. Hate and bigotry are sadly on the rise, she said. ___ Michael Goldberg 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. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mikergoldberg. Museum in SW China's Chongqing brings art closer to public People's Daily Online) 13:40, May 31, 2023 The exterior of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (SFAI) Art Museum, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Photo courtesy of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Art Museum) As night fell, a fashion show was staged at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Art Museum, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. It has become the school's tradition to stage a fashion show for nearby residents in every graduation season. Last year, the art museum held 56 art popularization activities, which were participated in by more than 2 million people online and offline. An online class on fine arts offered by He Guiyan, curator of the art museum and a professor at the School of Arts and Humanities at SFAI, was attended by more than 100,000 people. "I didn't know that Chongqing has such a rich history of art." "The place Zhang Daqian (one of the best-known Chinese artists of the 20th century) created his works in was located near my home." Viewers actively interacted during He's online class. Thanks to the art museum, which is open to the public, teachers from the school have more opportunities to communicate with citizens in person. Days ago, an exhibition of Chinese and Italian contemporary art was held at the art museum. As a part of the activity, open classes on fine arts were given to spectators by SFAI experts, as well as renowned exhibition planners from Beijing and Italy. Since it was first held in 2021, the "Art Museum Night," sponsored by SFAI and held by its art museum, has become an important activity during the graduation season of SFAI. The school's graduation light shows and fashion shows were previously held at the courtyard of the art museum. To draw the public closer to art, this year's light show and fashion show of the "Art Museum Night" are held at Xijie, a pedestrian street in the city. The art museum has extended its opening hours so that people who work during daytime can go to the exhibitions in their off-duty hours. "I feel that art is not something far away from us," said a local citizen surnamed Zhou. The "Art Museum Night" activity has always been popular. Last year, the art museum organized 61 guided tours for the public during the "Art Museum Night" activity. One of the exhibitions, which He thinks is the most unforgettable one, showcased the development history of Chinese paintings. The art museum arranged the exhibits from various perspectives and applied digital technologies to create immersive experiences for spectators. During the exhibition of Chinese and Italian contemporary art, the art museum launched a series of experience activities, including one where children were taught to use fabrics no longer in use to decorate their clothes. The art museum is no longer just a building waiting for visitors. It is entering the daily lives of citizens. "We've found that more and more citizens are willing to spend their time at art museums, and their consumption in art has increased," said He. "We hope that art museums can become a platform for the sharing of art and that visiting art museums can become a lifestyle," He added. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) LEXINGTON, Miss. Federal courts have issued desegregation orders for 32 school districts in Mississippi, the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division's assistant attorney general said Thursday. The desegregation orders fit into a broader body of civil rights work launched in Mississippi that is examining jails, police departments and hate crimes in the state, according to Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division. Referring to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed segregation of public schools across the country, she said the Justice Department is ensuring school districts provide Black students in Mississippi with equal access to education programs. In our ongoing efforts to fulfill the promise of Brown vs. Board of Education, we currently have 32 open cases with school districts here in Mississippi," Clarke said. "And in each of those cases, we are working to ensure that these districts comply with desegregation orders from courts. U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, addresses community leaders in Lexington, Miss., during a stop on the division's civil rights tour, Thursday, June 1, 2023. At each of the four stops in Mississippi, Clarke plans to engage with community leaders and reaffirm the department's commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans, and listen to their concerns. Clarke spoke to a small group of residents, local leaders and reporters Thursday at the Holmes County Circuit Court Complex in Lexington, about 62 miles (99.78 kilometers) from Jackson, the state capital. Mississippi is the latest stop in Clarke's listening tour throughout the Deep South. The Justice Department is learning where to direct resources and where it might need to mount civil rights lawsuits, she said. Mississippi has the highest percentage of Black residents of any state. It has been home, as have other states, to legal fights over desegregation. In 2017, a Mississippi Delta school district agreed to merge two high schools after nearly 50 years of litigation in which the district sought to maintain historically Black and white schools. In addition to school districts, Clarke said at least five Mississippi jails and prisons have come under federal scrutiny. The department is looking into whether the facilities protect prisoners from violence and meet housing standards. The facilities include the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, the South Mississippi Correctional Institution, the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility and a Hinds County Jail. Clarke also said her division is investigating whether Rankin County Sheriff's Deputies used excessive force when they shot Michael Corey Jenkins in the mouth during an alleged drug raid. An Associated Press investigation found that several deputies from the department have been involved in at least four violent encounters with Black men since 2019 that left two dead and another with lasting injuries. Clarke declined to offer more details about the case, citing an ongoing federal civil rights investigation. After delivering prepared remarks in Lexington, she met with community members about allegations of police brutality in the small town. Police have terrorized Black residents by subjecting them to false arrests, excessive force and intimidation, an ongoing federal lawsuit claims. What I hope she'll do is seriously address the issues. Not gloss over them, say that she has heard about these violations, talk about them in detail and say that it is wrong if it is happening, said Jill Collen Jefferson, president of JULIAN, a civil rights organization that filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of a group of Lexington residents. More: Obama administration attorney general joins legal team challenging Miss. House Bill 1020 The community meeting was closed to reporters. The Justice Department has not announced an investigation into the Lexington Police Department. Jefferson said her organization plans to file a class action lawsuit against the Lexington Police Department in the new few months. Against the backdrop of ongoing investigations into potential civil rights violations ensnaring school districts, jails and police departments is FBI data released in March showing the number of hate crimes in the U.S. rose in 2021. Hate and bigotry are sadly on the rise, she said. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Desegregation ordered in 32 Mississippi school districts A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked President Biden's new regulations on pistols with stabilizing braces in response to a lawsuit from gun rights activists. Judge Drew B. Tipton of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on Wednesday granted a preliminary injunction against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) partially preventing the agency from enforcing its new stabilizing-brace rule. The order came on the deadline before the rule goes into effect in response to a lawsuit filed by Gun Owners of America (GOA), the Gun Owners Foundation and the State of Texas. Tipton's order follows a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in a similar case that enjoined ATF from enforcing the rule against plaintiffs including customers of Maxim Defense Industries, a pistol stabilizing-brace manufacturer, and the Firearms Policy Coalition. That decision came days before a deadline for individuals to register their pistol braces with ATF, destroy them or remove the accessories from their weapons. Those who do not comply with the regulation by May 31 will be forced to pay a fee and could face up to 10 years' imprisonment or $10,000 in fines or both, according to ATF. The critical difference in the two cases is that a non-private entity, the State of Texas, is party to this lawsuit. Former Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against ATF earlier this month, arguing the pistol-brace rule will inflict compliance costs on Texas police who own previously legal handguns with stabilizing braces and must now expend resources to register those weapons. Tipton agreed and found that Texas established standing to sue ATF and "has sufficiently shown that it will suffer irreparable harm absent a preliminary injunction enjoining the enforcement of the Final Rule." BIDEN MISFIRE: GUN RIGHS GROUP URGES HOUSE TO BLOCK ATF RULE BANNING PISTOL BRACES A customer views a Smith & Wesson M&P40 handgun for sale at a gun store. The stabilizing brace rule was introduced as part of the comprehensive gun crime strategy Biden announced in April 2021 in response to the massacre at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, where a gunman used a firearm with a stabilizing brace to kill 10 people. In 2019, another mass murderer used a stabilizing brace in a shooting in Dayton, Ohio, that killed nine people. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP ATF defines stabilizing braces as an accessory "that provides a surface area that allows the weapon to be fired from the shoulder, so long as other factors that indicate that the firearm is designed, made, and intended to be fired from the shoulder." GUN RIGHTS GROUPS VOW TO FIGHT BACK AS ATF PISTOL BRACE RULE TAKES EFFECT A Gun Owners of America supporter shoots a rifle at a range. ATF's rule, which was finalized on Jan. 13, categorizes pistols with attached stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles, which are heavily regulated by Congress because they are both accurate and concealable, making them dangerous in the wrong hands. Biden has accused the gun industry of attempting to circumvent federal regulations by selling stabilizing braces, which he and his administration claim can "essentially convert a pistol into a short-barreled rifle." At least three million guns with stabilizing braces are in circulation in the U.S., according to the ATF. Estimates by the Congressional Research Service indicate there are currently between 10 million and 40 million stabilizing braces in circulation. FIREARMS EXPERT TAUNTS PRO-GUN CONTROL ACADEMICS WITH BET ON RISING CRIME Gun rights groups have argued in court that the stabilizing brace rule violates the Constitution by requiring millions of gun owners to register their weapons or else be prosecuted as felons. Tipton's injunction applies to individuals employed directly by the state of Texas or its agencies and all members of Gun Owners of America. GOA Senior Vice President Erich Pratt thanked Tipton for the decision in a statement. "This assault on millions of Americans was just the latest example of President Biden trying to weaponize the DOJ against law-abiding gun owners, and we doubt it will be the last," Pratt said. "We are incredibly grateful to Judge Tipton for hearing the pleas of our members who were facing serious prosecution simply for owning a piece of plastic all because of an arbitrary reclassification by the ATF. GOA and our millions of members nationwide will continue to fight back against this rogue anti-gun administration at every turn in defense of our rights." The Associated Press contributed to this report. DONETSK OBLAST Yuliia Mykytenko, the commander of a Ukrainian air reconnaissance platoon deployed near Bakhmut, has gotten used to seeing surprised faces when doing her job. Though the 27-year-old is a seasoned service member, Mykytenko said she frequently encounters sexist comments on the battlefield, such as You are a girl, how can you go (to the front line)? Arent you scared of the shelling? The senior lieutenant says she has learned to ignore these comments, instead focusing on doing her job leading a platoon that uses drones to observe Russian positions. While Mykytenko says gender discrimination in the Ukrainian military has abated somewhat over the years, a traditional male-centric mentality persists in the army, with some soldiers judging fighting ability based on gender. Since Russia first invaded in 2014, Ukrainian women have fought to serve alongside men in the hottest spots of the conflict and have the same rights. A 2018 law finally made female soldiers legally equivalent to males, allowing them to officially serve in front-line combat positions. Mykytenko is among the roughly 60,000 women serving in the Ukrainian military. While that number is growing, it is still a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of male soldiers. An estimated 5,000 women are serving in active combat roles. Only 8.9% of officers are women, and none hold senior military roles, according to a March report by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, a state institution run by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine has bolstered female presence in the army, with tens of thousands of Ukrainian women stepping up to defend their country. Even though Mykytenko first joined the military in 2016, the decision to take up arms once again amid Russias full-scale invasion in 2022 has become deeply personal: she lost her husband and father, both soldiers, over the course of Russias nine-year-long war. Plundered youth Mykytenko was a university student in Kyiv when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014. She was studying philology at the time, hoping to become a translator as she spoke English well. She had never wished to join the military but when the war started, she was torn between enlisting and finishing her education. Mykytenko opted to graduate first before joining the army. Shortly after her father Mykola voluntarily joined the National Guard, he was wounded during an evacuation of a Ukrainian military helicopter shot down by Russian-controlled militants near the then-occupied eastern city of Sloviansk. And it was while her father was hospitalized that Mykytenko met her future husband, who was injured during a battle near Mariupol in 2015. Without spending much peaceful time together, Mykytenko joined her husband and enlisted. She said it helped that her loved ones her husband and father, who recovered from his injury were also deployed nearby in Donetsk Oblast. But in February 2018, her husband was killed in action by shrapnel. Two years later, in October 2020, her veteran father burned himself alive at Kyivs central Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti), in an apparent act of protest against the Ukrainian leaderships path to seek peace with Russia. Her father was immediately hospitalized and died a few days later in a coma due to 70 percent body burns, Mykytenko said. Many veterans opposed President Volodymyr Zelenskys government at the time over the administrations support for the so-called Steinmeier Formula, a proposal suggested by Germanys then Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (now the president) to end the war in Ukraine. The formula, signed by Zelensky and other representatives of the Trilateral Contact Group in 2019, called for elections to take place in the Russian-occupied parts of the Donbas under Ukrainian legislation and approval by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Opponents, including Mykytenkos father, considered the formula was leading the country into capitulation, according to his daughter, viewing it as a surrender after defending the Donbas at the cost of their friends and relatives. Thousands of people students, activists, and relatives of fallen soldiers gathered at rallies in various cities to protest against the proposal. Looking back, Mykytenko believes it was partially a psychological issue that led to her fathers death. She said that while psychological help is available for veterans, many of them dont want to address (their issues), considering it a weakness. While coping with the emotional scars and mourning her loved ones, Mykytenko worked at the Ivan Bohun Military High School, where she was invited to work as a commander of the very first female platoon, for three years. She left military service in August 2021. War calling back Months of depression followed as the then 26-year-old tried to transition into civilian life. However, she was still indirectly involved in the military through her work at the Institute for Gender Programs. At the institute, which is run by the NGO Invisible Battalion, veterans like Mykytenko researched gender-based problems in the military and implemented solutions, such as developing an anonymous sexual harassment chatbot for male and female soldiers. Mykytenko said she worked tirelessly during that period. Thinking back, she feels she always kept herself busy to avoid dealing with her emotions. When war came to her city on Feb. 24, 2022, she knew exactly what to do: she went to the draft office. She says she was the only woman there. Mykytenko spent the next weeks defending Kyiv and then headed to Donetsk Oblast with a brigade with which she had served in 2016. 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 At just 22 years of age the first time she served in 2016, Mykytenko said many male soldiers didnt want to be led by a woman and transferred to other platoons. There were a lot of conflicts, and as a result, I had to transfer 80% of them (to another platoon). Even if the fight against stereotypes in ongoing, Mykytenko says she now knows how to act in certain situations where people dont want to listen, and has no issues with her current platoon. While inspiring more women to join the army is one of Mykytenkos goals, she is mainly focused on her daily tasks as a platoon commander. As an air reconnaissance platoon, Mykytenkos team is tasked with detecting Russian infantry movements then feeding information to the Ukrainian military as to when Russian troops are on the offensive. Drone operators are typically positioned behind the infantry line, but Mykytenko said casualties still occur as a result of direct hits because operators dont work in very protected positions. It seems to me that sometimes even infantry are more protected because they have the opportunity to hide in a dugout, she said. Despite the ease with which small, commercial drones can get shot down, air reconnaissance teams play a huge role in the Battle of Bakhmut, with other units such as infantry and artillerymen relying on their visuals to correct their targets and better understand Russian tactics. Asked what motivates her while she is on the front lines with her platoon, Mykytenko said, I want to go home to her younger brother and mother waiting in Kyiv. The faster the Russians die (on the battlefield), the sooner we will go home, she added. Fighting smarter: Ukraines transformation into a military innovator Before Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 27-year-old engineer Maxim Sheremet was engaged in the manufacturing of commercial drones. He worked for the state defense company Ukroboronprom, a strategic manufacturer of weapons and military hardware in Ukraine, and later at Evolve Dynami The Kyiv IndependentAgatha Gorski ______________________________________________________ Note from the author: Hi, this is Asami Terajima, the author of this article. Thank you for reading my story till the end. It was a pleasure to talk with Yuliia, the second female platoon commander I ran into during the two months that I spent in the Donbas in 2023. I would love to see more female leaders taking senior positions, and I highly respect women like Yuliia, who are putting up a fight against gender biases while heroically defending their country from a brutal Russian invasion. To help the Kyiv Independent continue reporting on the ground, please consider supporting us by becoming our member. An all-female jury heard gripping testimony and saw gruesome photos before finding a metro-east man guilty of first-degree murder for chasing down his girlfriend in a truck, intentionally hitting her, cutting off her leg and leaving her to die on the side of a highway. The Madison County jury deliberated only 40 minutes before reaching a verdict Thursday morning. Lisa Dunnavant-Polach, 46, of Washington Park, bled to death on Feb. 21 after telling a witness and an emergency responder that the person responsible was her boyfriend, Richard Mayor, according to prosecutors at his trial this week at the Madison County Criminal Justice Center. Assistant States Attorneys Luke Yager and Morgan Hudson told jurors that Dunnavant-Polach and Mayor were arguing and that he had threatened to harm her two weeks before. She was so afraid that she was willing to get into a random truck drivers truck that she had never met before just to get out of the situation that the defendant had placed her in, Yager said in his closing argument. Jurors rejected Mayors claim that he wasnt arguing with Dunnavant-Polach, that she was distraught and suicidal over issues with her children, that he was trying to calm her down and get her in his truck, and that he accidentally hit her when his foot got stuck under the brake pedal. Mayor, 60, also of Washington Park, made a last-minute decision to testify on his own behalf, despite being warned by presiding Judge Kyle Napp that it would allow prosecutors to bring up his 1995 conviction for aggravated criminal sexual assault of a minor as a way to discredit him. Mayor sobbed as he told jurors that he had to explain what really happened on Feb. 21 near Gateway Commerce Center Drive and Illinois 111 in Pontoon Beach, no matter the consequences. At no time did I plan on hurting Lisa, he said. She was my life. We were going to get married. All we had was each other. Mayors testimony prompted Napp to take the uncommon step of changing jury instructions to give the 12 women an option to convict Mayor of reckless homicide instead of first-degree murder, which involves intent to kill. Penalties could range from probation to 10 years in prison for a reckless-homicide conviction, while murder carries a prison term of 20 to 60 years, the judge said. Outside the jurys presence, Napp told Mayor and prosecutors that she believed the law required her to provide the lesser charge as an option due to the defendant claiming that the hit-and-run was an accident. Yager objected to the change, saying he believed the evidence clearly showed that Mayor was guilty of first-degree murder. Yager later told jurors: I know that you wont be fooled by the fantastical story that the defendant told about some unlucky accident, that his foot gets stuck under the brake pedal, he magically swerves around the semi that he didnt see and ... strikes Lisa and only Lisa. Truck driver stopped to help Mayors two-and-a-half-day trial in Edwardsville was both dramatic and chaotic at times. He served as his own attorney, despite no law degree or legal training. Napp repeatedly admonished him for breaking courtroom rules and not following proper procedure. Some of the most compelling testimony came from prosecution witnesses Stacy and Steven ODell, tractor-trailer drivers who had reported for work about 4 p.m. Feb. 21 at a warehouse on Gateway Commerce Center Drive. Stacy ODell told jurors she was heading south on Illinois 111 in her tractor-trailer when she saw Mayors white Ford F-150 truck driving erratically, jumping curbs, crossing a median, stopping, starting and backing up in apparent pursuit of a woman on foot who looked frightened. It was mind-blowing, she said. ODell reportedly called her husband crying, and the former Marine and river captain agreed to check on the woman. Steven ODell testified that he stopped his tractor in the southbound lane of Illinois 111 next to Dunnavant-Polach, who was hiding behind a tree in a grassy area between the highways shoulder and a moat full of freezing water around the Yazaki warehouse. ODell said Dunnavant-Polach ran over and began climbing steps to get into the cab of his tractor when Mayor revved up his engine, sped toward her on the shoulder, hit her and nearly tore off the tractors passenger door. ODell described his frantic search for something to use as a tourniquet for Dunnavan-Polachs leg, which was essentially amputated, and ended up pulling a coiled CB radio cord out of his dashboard. She was coherent, he said. She was in a lot of pain. I said, Maam, I need to stop your blood loss. Youre losing a lot of blood. Im a Marine. Can I put (the tourniquet) on? And she said, Yes. I have children. Im not ready to die. Prosecutors played ODells 911 call, which he reportedly made while pulling the tourniquet tight with his two hands and holding his cellphone between his jaw and shoulder. During the call, ODell could be heard asking Dunnavant-Polach who was driving the white truck that struck her, and she responded, Richard Mayor, identifying him as her boyfriend and spelling out his last name. Also testifying for the prosecution were Pontoon Beach, Madison County and Illinois State Police officers, forensic scientists, crime-scene investigators and the manager of the Yazaki warehouse. Manager Jamie Johnson provided surveillance video that turned out to be a key piece of evidence because it captured the movements of Mayor and Dunnavant-Polach before and during the crash. Mayor argued that it was too distorted to show what really happened. Ashley Dunnavant, Lisa Dunnavant-Polachs daughter, testified that she had met Mayor only once during his one-and-a-half-year relationship with her mother but that they had talked on the phone. Dunnavant said Mayor sent her a private Facebook message on Feb. 7 that read, Your mom is out on the streets again, sorry, and called her via video chat later that day, showing an image of him burning her mothers clothes. He said if she (returned), he was going to send her back to the hospital unrecognizable, Dunnavant told jurors. Lisa Dunnavant-Polach is shown in happier times. A Madison County jury on Thursday convicted her boyfriend, Richard Mayor, of first-degree murder for hitting and killing her with his truck in February. Arguing couple or happy home? Mayor also has used the names Richard Dennis Womack and Dennis R. Womack, according to his Madison County Probation Department criminal history, which notes that hes a registered sex offender. He and Dunnavant-Polach lived in Washington Park with an East St. Louis mailing address. In his testimony, Mayor admitted to jurors that he was convicted in 1995 of aggravated criminal sexual assault of a minor in Madison County and served 25 years of a 50-year prison sentence. Ive been nothing but a model citizen since I got out, he said. Mayor testified that he worked as a forklift driver at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis, owned his own home and property, operated a towing business, regularly provided shelter to homeless people and otherwise helped them get back on their feet. Mayor said he was working on Feb. 21, when he got a call indicating that Dunnavant-Polach, who had attempted suicide in the past, was distraught and intended to harm herself. He said he drove home, calmed her down and took her to work at the Menasha warehouse on Gateway Commerce Center Drive. Mayor told jurors that he headed back to Menasha a few minutes later after realizing that Dunnavant-Polach had left her cellphone in his truck, that he saw her walking and determined she was still upset and crying. The alleged pursuit on the surveillance video, according to Mayors testimony, was actually his attempt to convince Dunnavant-Polach to get in his truck and keep her from getting hurt. Mayor said he was looking down at his dashboard, trying to find one of her favorite stations on the radio, when his large shoe got stuck under the brake pedal and the truck accelerated, running over Dunnavant-Polach. It was an accident, he said. ... There was nothing I could do. I didnt mean to kill Lisa. ... I would give my life up right now if she could come back, but it doesnt work that way. Mayor also testified that: He was rendered unconscious by the trauma of the crash and didnt remember driving 4 miles to an area where he pulled over his disabled truck, whose shredded left-front tire had fallen off. He was dazed and confused while walking through a residential neighborhood, where a Pontoon Beach police officer stopped him and where Steven ODell later was brought to identify him, and that he never tried to run or hide. Blood-sugar issues related to his diabetes had contributed to his unclear state of mind, which was illustrated by the fact that he couldnt remember his own address when questioned by officers on the street. Police called for medical personnel after Mayor told him that he was diabetic, according to body-cam video. A paramedic determined that his blood-sugar level wasnt out of the normal range. Mayor pleaded with jurors to find him guilty of reckless homicide instead of first-degree murder, arguing that he loved Dunnavant-Polach and he wouldnt have done anything to hurt her or land himself back in prison. Why would I give up everything that I have? he asked. Ive got a good life. Family and friends testified Mayors witnesses included his grandson, Kaitrell Stevenson, who had spent a weekend at his house earlier in February for a birthday celebration and described the atmosphere as happy and full of joy. Two of Mayors lifelong friends also took the stand, testifying that he and Dunnavant-Polach were in love, not prone to arguments and planning to get married March 31. One of the friends, Pam Wallace, walked out of the courtroom crying after jurors handed down the guilty verdict, along with Stevenson and Mayors daughter, Bonita Womack, who also had tears in their eyes. I cant believe theyre doing this to him, said Wallace, 59, of Alton, formerly of Granite City, where Mayor and Dunnavant-Polach grew up. He was trying to help her. He wouldnt have left work if he didnt think she was going to kill herself. I know 100% that he didnt (run over her) intentionally. Mayor was arrested in February and indicted by a grand jury in March. Mayor represented himself throughout the trial, which started with jury selection on Tuesday morning. In his pro-se motion on March 17, he wrote that he couldnt afford a private attorney and didnt trust a public defender to be experienced enough to handle a murder case. Mayor sat alone at the defense table. He listened intently to testimony, sorted through a file folder full of legal papers, sipped bottled water and often looked toward the jury. He wore a suit and tie. Judge Napp stopped proceedings several times to tell Mayor that he wasnt following proper legal procedure. At one point, when she sustained an objection by Yager, Mayor shook his head and muttered under his breath, Well, I can see how this is going to go. That prompted Napp to send the jury out of the courtroom temporarily and warn Mayor that any more unprofessional conduct would result in a contempt-of-court charge. The judge reminded Mayor that she had strongly recommended at an earlier hearing that he allow himself to be represented by an attorney who knew how to present evidence. Simply because youve watched lawyers on TV, that doesnt make you a lawyer, she said. Napp is expected to sentence Mayor on a later date to be determined, according to Brian Brueggemann, spokesman for the office of Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine. Mayor is eligible for an extended sentence of 60 to 100 years in prison, he said. We highly commend the fellow motorists and emergency responders who heroically tried to help Lisa Dunnavant-Polach and save her life, Haine stated in a press release Thursday afternoon. These Good Samaritans continued to do the right thing, by having the courage to come to court and tell the jury what the victim could not: that it was Richard Mayor who mowed her down, and that she did not want to die. Editors note: This story was updated to clarify that Mayor and Dunnavant-Polach lived in Washington Park with an East St. Louis mailing address, which was used in court records. After a year of fighting in Ukraine, the brutal logic behind Russia's 'human wave' attacks is becoming clear Russians conscripts during training in Rostov in October. Arkady Budnitsky/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Earlier failures and high losses in Ukraine have led Russia to revert to four types of infantry. Among them is "disposable" infantry, who are given little training and the most dangerous missions. These tactics are meant to gather information about Ukrainian positions, a recent think-tank report says. The life expectancy of a Russian infantryman may depend on a simple question: What kind of infantry is he? Those used as cannon fodder are probably not long for this world, but those assigned to more valued formations may get the training and equipment needed to stay alive. After the February 2022 invasion, Russian commanders watched their battalion tactical groups supposedly integrated formations of tanks, artillery, and infantry flounder due to poor tactics that made Western-style combined-arms warfare infeasible. So Russia's military reverted to an informal system from the Red Army's playbook: create multiple classes of riflemen, ranging from the most valuable to the most expendable. It now uses four types of infantry specialized, assault, line, and disposable according to a recent report by the Royal United Services Institute, a British think tank. Specialized infantry may be drawn from regular Russian forces, Spetsnaz special-operations units, or from Wagner Group's professional fighters and generally get training and equipment specific to the role they're assigned, which might be as snipers or heavy-weapons teams. Russians called up as part of the partial mobilization during training in Rostov in October. Arkady Budnitsky/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Assault infantry generally includes elite units such as VDV paratroopers and naval infantry, as well as some Wagner Group mercenaries. They receive extra training and are considered a "skilled and valuable asset," according to the RUSI report. As such, they "are spared some of the mundanity and backbreaking labor of digging in for defensive operations in order to prevent fatigue and attrition, and to allow them to conduct rehearsals for offensive operations." The grunt work is typically done by line infantry, which is usually drawn from mechanized infantry units and doesn't have the training that assault troops receive. They tend to be used for digging and occupying defensive formations and to support more valuable formations. At the bottom of the hierarchy is what RUSI terms "disposable infantry." These include conscripts from the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, Wagner Group's prison recruits, and civilians scooped up in Russia's limited mobilization dragnet. They have little training and are equipped only with small arms. They're sometimes sent into battle while high on drugs, according to Ukrainian reports. Russian practice is now to combine these infantry forces depending on tactical needs. Not surprisingly, the disposables lead the assaults not in waves but rather in teams of two to five men sent forward to make contact with Ukrainian positions. Russians called up as part of the partial mobilization go through military training in October 2022. Arkady Budnitsky/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images "Disposable" infantry troops often continue trying to advance even after being wounded and fight until killed; in some cases they have been fired on from their own lines when they try to retreat, according to Ukrainian accounts. Captured Russian fighters have reported executions under similar circumstances. More cannon fodder will then be sent in until the Ukrainians have revealed their positions and exhausted their ammunition. According to the RUSI report, the term "human wave attacks" has been misleadingly applied to the way Russia has employed these infantry forces. While successive attacks by small teams are not conducive to battlefield gains, "the continuous conduct of this activity, across all axes, is a form of reconnaissance" allowing Russian forces to find weak points in Ukraine's defenses or reveal strong points to be bombarded, the report says. Weak points are prioritized for a prepared assault, and stronger positions are designated for attrition by sustained fire from specialized infantry. Disposable infantry is tasked with going forward to prepare jumping-off points for those assaults or to dig positions from which snipers and heavy-weapons teams can fire on Ukrainian forces. The assault troops attack in larger company-size formations, backed by tanks and artillery as they attempt to outflank Ukrainian defenses. Once their mission is complete, assault forces are replaced by line and disposable infantry, who begin preparing for the next attack. A Russian soldiers' grave near Kharkiv in May 2022. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images This rinse-and-repeat approach would have looked familiar on the Eastern Front 80 years ago. During World War II, Soviet penal battalions were sent on suicide missions to clear German minefields. Then came assault units Guards rifle divisions, artillery and rocket brigades, or heavy tank regiments which were massed to achieve a breakthrough and then withdrawn to regroup for the next offensive. The result was as grim then as it is now. Disposable troops are fed into the meat-grinder and killed or wounded before they can gain enough experience to survive. Because specialized infantry is used carefully, "the Russians are able to preserve these soldiers thereby steadily increasing the skill of these operators," and assault infantry is "often only committed under the most favorable circumstances, meaning they can achieve their objectives and be rotated out with limited losses," the RUSI report says. An army that can afford such a cynical use of troops either has enough manpower to waste which demographically challenged Russia does not or is desperate because its forces have proven too ineffective for anything else. Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master's in political science. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider [Source] In recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, McDonalds Philippines released a sapphic commercial that immediately went viral online, garnering praise from the Filipino LGBTQ+ community. The advertisement features a woman on a longboard who circles around a McDonald's drive-thru three times to place separate orders. She interacts with the same female drive-thru operator each time, hinting at a flirtation between the two. After ordering a cheeseburger, a medium fries and an iced coffee, the McDonalds employee unexpectedly brings her an ice cream cone at the end of her shift. Maam, heres your dessert, she says. More from NextShark: Why 'K-Pop Dreaming' podcast host Vivian Yoon kept her love of Korean music a secret for years Just like your sundae cone, I might melt with your stare, she adds as the skater stares at the employee lovingly. The two women are then revealed to be romantically involved, laughing and holding hands as they leave the fast food restaurant. The wholesome love story came as a sweet surprise for the Philippines LGBTQ+ community, who re-shared the ad across their own personal social media accounts. More from NextShark: All-women engineering team from Philippines win UNESCO hackathon with their clean water solution While watching, I couldn't help but go, This is bold, McDo. Very nice, because having something as BLATANT as a lesbian couple as the main lead of a Filipino ad is BIG, a Twitter user said. Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, who recently came out as bisexual, also expressed her support by sharing the ad on Twitter along with a Pride flag emoji. As Filipino netizens praised McDonalds for the representation, Westerners dismissed the ad as the bare minimum and accused the fast food chain of rainbow capitalism. However, the queer community immediately slammed the negative comments, noting how the countrys LGBTQ+ community is continuously fighting for the SOGIE Equality Bill to be approved by the Philippine government. Although there are local jurisdictions with anti-discrimination laws that prohibit prejudice based on gender identity and sexual orientation, the country currently does not have national legislation to prevent economic discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Before anyone says anything about rainbow capitalism, I just want everyone to know that the PH bill proposal that protects the lgbt from discrimination has gone unapproved for 23 years, a Twitter user said. The white people intruding on this and commenting on how this is pandering not knowing how f*cking hostile the Philippines is to queer people, and especially not knowing anything about our current political climate should absolutely know their place when it comes to this, one person wrote. To everyone screaming about how this is the bare minimum, take a second and research the LGBTQ+ issues and politics in the Philippines. This is a massive win and most likely a comforting ad for the members of the LGBTQ+ community that live there and throughout Asia, another user commented. Adi Hernandez, the corporate relations director of McDonalds Philippines, noted the importance of gender inclusivity in the daily lives of people. Despite its rare representation locally, it was important that this love story is depicted as a regular, everyday occurrence at McDonalds Philippines, Hernandez said, according to ABS-CBN News. Firefighters with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency work to put out fires in the Tantallon area of Nova Scotia Firefighters on Wednesday faced a grueling uphill battle against wildfires in Canada's Nova Scotia province, including one threatening suburbs of Halifax. Federal help was coming, officials said, along with firefighters from the United States. "We're in a crisis in the province and we want and we need and we will take all the support we can get," Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston told a news conference. "These fires are unprecedented." Already, additional kit have been shipped in from Ontario, and a dozen water bombers from neighboring regions and the Coast Guard joined efforts to douse the flames and assist with evacuations. Houston said he has also asked for the military to help out. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the wildfires "heartbreaking," and vowed unlimited support. As of Wednesday, 14 wildfires were burning in Nova Scotia, including three out of control. They've so far destroyed or damaged more than 200 homes and other structures including a wooden bridge, but no injuries have been reported. One couple described to public broadcaster CBC having lost both their home and their childcare business. "That's my life," a tearful Terri Kottwitz said. Others said they saw trees on fire in their backyard as they fled with just a moment's notice. Evacuee Janis Churchill-Moher told CBC that she didn't know if her home in the picturesque rural south of the province was still standing. "Our neighbors have working farms and they just had to pack up their kids, pack up as many animals as fast as they could and run," she said. More than 2,000 residents of the area were ordered to evacuate earlier in the week as fires swept through the area. "It's a devastating situation for everybody," she said. - 'Frustrated and frightened' - Smoke from the wildfires blew down the Atlantic coast, prompting air quality alerts for the US state of New Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania, including the Philadelphia area. David Meldrum of the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, pointing to record-high temperatures forecast this week, warned of "a prolonged operation" to bring under control a large fire northwest of the port city that has displaced more than 16,000 residents. "People are understandably tired, frustrated and frightened," said Halifax Mayor Mike Savage, adding that "some have no home to return to." Houston announced a ban on all activities in Nova Scotia forests, including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, the use of off-road vehicles and logging. "For God's sake, stop burning. Stop flicking cigarette butts out of the car window. Just stop it. Our resources are stretched incredibly thin right now fighting existing fires," he pleaded after several illegal burns were reported by conservation officers. Government data shows a decline in the number of wildfires in Canada since the 1980s, likely due to improved fire prevention. But the past decade also saw more disastrous wildfires scorching a lot more land and displacing many more people -- problems set to worsen with climate change. In recent years western Canada has been hit repeatedly by extreme weather, including floods and mudslides, forest fires that destroyed an entire town, and record-high summer temperatures that killed more than 500 people in 2021. On Tuesday, 800 residents of Fort Chiepwyan in northern Alberta had to be airlifted to safety as fires beared down on the remote hamlet. Earlier this month, wildfires in Alberta burned nearly one million hectares of forests and grasslands, and at one point displaced 30,000 people. amc/bgs Cal Fire firefighters responded to a structure fire near Avila Beach on Wednesday afternoon. What started as a report of smoke on Skyview Trail near See Canyon around 2:40 p.m. soon grew into a vegetation and structure fire, according to Cal Fire public information officer Toni Davis. As the fire progressed, air response teams were dispatched, along with engines and tankers, according to emergency scanner traffic. At 3:20 p.m., around a quarter of an acre of land was ablaze and the residential structure was at least 75% involved, Davis said. The fire was contained by 4:05 p.m. Davis said no one was harmed by the fire. Researchers have called for "legal consequences" for companies that did not follow the law in providing health data to EU regulators Several major agrochemical companies did not disclose to European Union authorities studies assessing the toxic effects of pesticide ingredients on brain development, research said on Thursday. The nine studies, which looked at how different nine pesticide chemical compounds affected the developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in rats, were however shared with regulators in the United States, the Sweden-based researchers said. The two companies behind the majority of the studies, German chemicals giant Bayer and Swiss agriculture firm Syngenta, said they complied with all regulatory requirements. The researchers said their study, published in the journal Environmental Health, was the first that sought to quantify the seemingly "recurring phenomenon" of companies not disclosing DNT studies to EU authorities. "It is outrageous and unbelievable that a good fraction of these studies do not make it to the authorities as required by law," study co-author Axel Mie of Stockholm University told AFP. The researchers looked at the DNT studies on pesticide chemical compounds submitted to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recent decades. Out of 35 studies conducted between 1993 and 2015 submitted to the EPA, nine were not shared with EU authorities, they found. The studies were conducted on pregnant rats, testing whether the offspring of those exposed to the compounds suffered developmental problems. Decreased weight gain, delayed sexual maturation and deteriorating motor activity were among the side effects reported in adult offspring in the studies. Of the nine pesticide compounds, four have now been taken off the EU market, while another four are currently under review, Mie said. "There must be legal consequences and serious ones for the companies if they do not follow the law," he said. Bayer and Syngenta, which each sponsored three of the studies, rejected the conclusions of the research. Bayer said in a statement sent to AFP that it has "always submitted the necessary studies that were required by the EU regulations at the time," adding that the process had changed over the years. Syngenta said in a statement that it had "complied with all EU and Swiss data requests," adding that the studies in question were produced to meet US regulatory guidelines. - 'Protecting brains of our children' - A spokesperson for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said stronger legislation in this area came into force in 2021, which requires companies to share "all safety studies" about their products. Study co-author Christina Ruden urged EU authorities to cross-check data with the EPA and other regulators, calling this change "low-hanging fruit". But she added that "the absolutely most important action is to remove the responsibility of testing chemicals from the producers, and put that responsibility back on authorities." While the studies on rats are not directly applicable to humans, the aim of DNT research is to protect people against chemicals which could affect their attention span, concentration, coordination, learning, memory and IQ, Mie said. "This is about protecting the brains of our children," Ruden added. dl/bp Rodrigo Guizar Jr. at his high school graduation Courtesy photo Rodrigo Guizar Jr. is ready to change the world. Growing up, the Yuma, Arizona, resident would cross the border into Mexico almost every weekend to visit his grandparents. He could see that the infrastructure in their village was very different, and it sparked his interest in becoming a civil engineer. "I want to be part of the solution in communities around the world," Guizar said. His parents did not finish high school, and Guizar was determined to not only graduate but also get accepted to college to study engineering. He joined the College Knowing & Going program led by Education Forward Arizona, and learned how to complete college and scholarship applications. Inspired, Guizar became a student ambassador for the program and assisted his friends and peers with their applications, all while taking dual-enrollment classes. Guizar's hard work paid off. On May 26, in front of his excited family and friends, he graduated from Cibola High School. In the fall, he will attend Columbia University in New York City, where he plans to participate in Engineers Without Borders, an organization that works with local partners in all corners of the globe to create sustainable engineering projects. He intends to specialize in hydrology so he can create a reliable and sustainable water infrastructure for the rural Mexican village where his mother was raised and try to tackle the water shortages Arizona is facing. A familiar face will be waiting for him at Columbia: his older sister Esperanza, who is studying psychology. "She has always been my biggest role model," Guizar told KAWC. "Growing up she never let our situation limit her dreams and her aspirations and I saw that and it inspired me to not let it hinder mine." You may also like Why are so many seniors homeless in America? Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario' Fossils uncovered in Australia are 107 million-year-old pterosaurs bones, scientists say Fisherman finds remains of missing 22-year-old near pond in Oregon, officials say The remains a fisherman found in Oregon were identified as a missing 22-year-old woman, deputies said. On May 7, Clackamas County Sheriffs Office deputies were dispatched to the Eagle Creek area after a fisherman called to report the discovery of human remains in a heavily wooded area, according to a May 31 post on Facebook by the department. Deputies worked to identify the remains and said the death was determined to be suspicious in nature, according to the post. The woman, later identified as Ashley Real of Portland, was last seen on March 27 at a fast food restaurant, according to a news release by the Portland Police Bureau. Officials are asking for the publics help with any tips about suspicious activity in the area Real was found between March and May. Anyone with information is asked to call 503-723-4949, deputies said. Eagle Creek is about 25 miles southeast of Portland. Woman vanished in 1984. Hair strand just helped identify her body, California cops say Body found at Virginia national park believed to be missing college student, cops say Body found along river identified as 22-year-old missing for months, PA cops say Remains found in scrap yard identified as man missing for weeks, Illinois cops say LEOMINSTER - A Fitchburg man charged with a 2021 murder of a 19-year-old Worcester man was arrested for the crime after an acquaintance of his told details to authorities that the defendant shared of the murder and the subsequent disposal of the body. Wilbert I. Nieves, 25, was arraigned Thursday in Leominster District Court. Wilbert I. Nieves, charged with murdering Franklin Mane, is arraigned in Leominster District Court Thursday. On May 12, 2021, police responded to 46 Industrial Road after receiving a 911 call reporting that a decomposed human body covered in debris was located near a catch basin in the corner of the parking lot, according to the report filed by state police Trooper Chad Smith. Police confirmed they located a decomposed body wrapped in plastic trash bags and a blanket while covered in dirt and rock debris, according to Smiths report. Through fingerprints, investigators were able to identify the victim as Franklin Mane, 19, of Worcester. Investigators also learned that Mane was entered into the National Crime Information Center as a missing person by the Worcester Police Department on March 24, 2021, and was last seen alive 18 days earlier. After performing an autopsy, state medical examiner Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello estimated the time of death to between a few days to approximately two months. She ruled the cause of death was gunshot wounds to the torso with injuries to the heart and lungs. On May 13, 2001, a witness known to the Commonwealth walked into the state police barracks in Leominster and identified Nieves as being the murderer. The witness said he learned this information from another person who is a close associate of Nieves, according to Smiths report. On Oct. 13, 2021, and Jan, 27, 2022, investigators interviewed another witness also known to the Commonwealth who had spoken, in person, with Nieves, Smiths report states. The second witness said Nieves told them that he murdered someone by shooting them in the body and face, according to Smiths report. Nieves also provided details to the witness into where he disposed of the body, the report states. The location of the deceased was consistent with the witnesss account of the details provided by Nieves as to how he disposed of his victim, Smiths report concludes. On Thursday in Leominster District Court, Judge Mark E. Noonan entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of Nieves. The victims father was in the courtroom for Nieves arraignment. Due to the severity of the charge, Assistant District Attorney Brett Dillon recommended that Nieves, who is in custody at a Massachusetts jail on unrelated firearms charges, be held without bail. David Cataldo, attorney for the defense, agreed with the ADAs recommendation, which Noonan upheld. In October 2018, Nieves was charged with making a bomb/hijacking threat. The charge was amended to threatening to commit a crime on Jan. 14, 2019. The case, in which he allegedly threatened to shoot employees at the business he was fired from, was continued without a finding. On Jan. 31, 2020, Nieves was found guilty of a parole violation when he was charged with numerous firearm violations in Worcester Central District Court, including carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large-capacity firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, improper storage of a firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card and resisting arrest. Nieves is due back on July 28 in Leominster District Court, unless he gets indicted by the Worcester Court prior to that day, which Noonan said he expects to happen. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Wilbert Nieves of Fitchburg arraigned in slaying of Franklin Mane Five family members go to prison for stealing over $100K in ATM robbery, prosecutor says Five family members are going to federal prison after being convicted for crimes related to the armed robbery of an ATM in Columbia, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. The four brothers and their cousin were sentenced to more than 42 years combined behind bars, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release. Evidence presented in court showed that Anthony Hopkins, Kenneth Boyles, Aquan Hopkins, Denzel Goodwin, and two minors participated in the armed bank robbery, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. The robbery happened on May 31, 2020, when a security guard was servicing a Bank of America drive-thru ATM on Fairfield Road in Columbia, according to the release. Surveillance video showed a Dodge Charger parked behind the ATM and a Chevrolet Caprice parked in the drive-through lane of the ATM, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Both vehicles belonged to Aquan Hopkins, according to the release. The security guard saw the Caprice pull in, and she approached the vehicle to advise that the ATM was closed, but Aquan Hopkins, wearing a ski mask, placed the muzzle of a long gun with an extended drum magazine attached to her head, according to the release. Aquan Hopkins laid the security guard face-down on the ground at gunpoint, while a minor stole the security guards Glock 9mm service pistol, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. The guard, who believed she was going to die, suffered from severe post-traumatic stress issues, assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott Daniels said at a 2022 hearing on the case. The ATM service technician ran away, leaving the ATM open, according to the release. Anthony Hopkins and Boyles stole $108,940 from the ATM, then returned to the two cars and fled to an apartment complex where a family member lived to split the money, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Goodwin, whos the cousin, and the second minor remained in the vehicles throughout the robbery, according to the release. Homes associated with the defendants were searched, and law enforcement officers recovered more than $32,000 in stolen money, four firearms (including the long gun used), ammunition, and the drum magazine used, which was loaded with 46 rounds, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. The rest of the stolen money was not recovered. At the time of the robbery, Aquan Hopkins served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force as a security forces airman at Shaw Air Force Base, according to the release. He received a general discharge from the Air Force in 2020, his attorney, Bakari Sellers, previously said. The fourth brother, Antwan Hopkins, was prosecuted in a related case, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. When a house was searched following the robbery, he was found in possession of more than 200 grams of marijuana packaged for distribution, two firearms (an Anderson AM 15 rifle loaded with 22 rounds and an FN Five-Seven 5.56mm pistol loaded with 21 rounds), a bill counter, a digital scale, and vacuum-seal bags, according to the release. Antwan Hopkins had numerous prior drug and firearm-related felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms under federal law, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Anthony Hopkins and Kenneth Boyes also had prior felony convictions at the time of the robbery, according to the release. Anthony Hopkins was arrested by the FBI and the U.S. Marshals in California, where he fled after his photograph in the robbery was broadcast on the news, while Denzel Goodwin was arrested by the U.S. Marshals in Missouri, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Kenneth Boyles was arrested in Florence, South Carolina, on a bus with fake identification, according to the release. The U.S. Attorneys Office said multiple judges issued sentences for the five family members: Anthony Hopkins, 34, was sentenced to more than 12 years (154 months) in prison after pleading guilty to armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence Kenneth Boyles, Jr., 22, was sentenced to more than 11 years (141 months) in prison after pleading guilty to armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence Aquan Hopkins, 28, was sentenced to more than 8 years (97 months) in prison after pleading guilty to armed bank robbery and possession of a stolen firearm Denzel Goodwin, 26, of Columbia, South Carolina, and Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to more than 6 years (73 months) in prison after pleading guilty to armed bank robbery and possession of a stolen firearm Antwan Hopkins, 35, was sentenced to more than 4 years (50 months) in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of marijuana Anthony Hopkins, Kenneth Boyles, Aquan Hopkins, and Denzel Goodwin were ordered to pay $108,940 in restitution to the bank, according to the release. All five defendants are subject to between 3 and 5 years of court-ordered supervision following their prison sentences, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the FBI, Columbia Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Five suspected MS-13 gang members in US illegally charged with murder in death of Maryland 15-year-old Five suspected MS-13 gang members in US illegally charged with murder in death of Maryland 15-year-old Five suspected MS-13 members are now facing murder charges following the discovery of human remains belonging to missing 15-year-old Limber Lopez Funez in Maryland earlier this year, police say. Ismael Ivan Rivera Canales, 20, Alexis Alfredo Ayala Lopez, 21, Jose Roberto Ramos Lopez, 22, Elmer Bladimir Reyes Reyes, 28, and Ismael Lopez Lopez, 29, also are all "noncitizens illegally present in the United States," according to the Frederick County Sheriffs Office. "Since Mr. Lopez Funez was first reported missing back in late February, we have had officers and detectives working tirelessly, investigating this case," Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando said in a statement. "Our team spent countless hours following leads and conducting searches all over the county. We were all hoping to find Limber alive and well, but sadly that did not happen." Frederick Police say Lopez Funez was first reported missing by his family on Feb. 25. FAMILY OF UBER EATS DRIVER ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY MS-13 MEMBER SPEAKS OUT ON DEMONIC MURDER "In the early morning hours of February 26, while conducting a search for the missing teenager in the wooded area near Orchard Way, detectives discovered a crime scene that indicated a serious assault had occurred there," the department said in a statement. "The scene was processed, and detectives continued their investigation to find Lopez Funez." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "During the investigation, detectives developed information that Lopez Funez may have been in the area of Gambrill State Park," police added. "Multiple searches were executed by detectives and on April 24, during one of the searches in the Gambrill State Park area, human remains were located and confirmed to be those of the missing teenager, Limber Lopez Funez." MARYLAND POLICE TO MAKE ARRESTS IN BEATING DEATH OF DAD AFTER SCHOOLYARD FIGHT: REPORT Lando also said "While we know it will not bring Limber back, we hope the arrests in this case will offer some closure to the Lopez Funez family." Each of the suspects has been charged with first-degree murder. A Frederick Police detective told Fox News Digital on Thursday that they are all suspected members of MS-13. The motive for the killing has not been revealed. An investigation is still ongoing. "Following their arrest, Designated Immigration Officers within the Frederick County Sheriffs Office 287(g) Program placed an Immigration Detainer-Notice of Action, form I-247A, on all five noncitizens illegally present in the United States," the Frederick County Sheriffs Office said. "ICE lodges detainers on individuals arrested on criminal charges who ICE has probable cause to believe are removable noncitizens." "Once they have satisfied their local criminal charges, ICE will take over custody of all identified suspects," according to the sheriffs office. A lawsuit stemming from the shutdown of Florida Atlantic Universitys campus early in the COVID-19 pandemic has gone to the state Supreme Court. An attorney for students filed a notice late Friday that is a first step in asking the Supreme Court to review an April 26 ruling by a panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal. The FAU lawsuit is one of numerous cases filed in Florida and other states alleging that colleges and universities breached contracts during the shutdown and should be required to refund money to students. But the appellate-court panel upheld a circuit judges decision to dismiss the FAU case, finding that the university didnt have an express, written contract with the students named as plaintiffs, Amanda Heine and Jhayla Stready. The Supreme Court is considering a case in which the 1st District Court of Appeal reached a similar conclusion in a potential class-action lawsuit filed against the University of Florida. More: Florida Supreme Court backs FAU over COVID-19 shutdown Also, the 1st District Court of Appeal and the 3rd District Court of Appeal have rejected cases filed by students against Florida A&M University, Miami Dade College and Florida International University. But the 2nd District Court of Appeal last year refused a request by the University of South Florida to dismiss a similar potential class-action lawsuit. The Supreme Court on Jan. 5 declined to take up an appeal by USF. As is common, the notice filed in the Florida Atlantic case did not include detailed arguments. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU suit over COVID-19 shutdown heading to state Supreme Court An Orlando company that provides cleaning and maintenance staff to hotels in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and Missouri paid $114,354 to workers after shorting them on overtime pay, the U.S. Department of Labor announced. That money $57,174 in back wages, $57,174 in liquidated damages went to 100 employees of APDC Cleaning Services, $1,143.54 per person. Labor said its Wage and Hour Division investigators found APDC didnt combine the time employees worked at multiple locations. So even when the employees worked over 40 hours per week, APDC was still paying them straight-time rates for all hours worked, including overtime hours. Thats a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violation. APDC did not answer phone calls from the Miami Herald for comment and did not respond to an email. More from money.com MAY 2, 2023, 9:01 AM APRIL 17, 2023, 7:27 AM APRIL 4, 2023, 12:20 PM MARCH 31, 2023, 1:48 PM State records say APDC was formed in 2017 by current CEO Elsa Bardales, one of two officers listed along with president Fidel Hernandez. The hard work done by hospitality industry workers allows guests to enjoy their accommodations, Wage and Hour Division District Director Wildali De Jesus said in a statement. Often, they work long hours and deserve to be paid all their legally earned wages, including overtime. When employees work at more than one location, their employers must combine hours worked at all locations to calculate overtime wages properly. To file a complaint The Wage and Hour complaint section of Labors website contains information on how to file a complaint if you believe your employer has violated FLSA or other labor laws. Miamis Wage and Hour Division office can be reached at 305-598-6607. The national helpline is 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Florida Keys and Miami area top list as deadliest places in the state for boat crashes The Florida Keys tops the list of boat crashes in the state, including those involving deaths, according to a report released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The agency which enforces conservation and boating laws, and investigates vessel crashes on Thursday reported 735 boat crashes in state waters in 2022. Sixty-five of those involved deaths. Thats actually down from the 751 boat accidents in 2021, according to the report. The Keys topped the list of both crashes and fatalities 92 crashes, 9 deaths and 57 injuries. Miami-Dade, which had the most accidents in the state in 2021, was ranked second in 2022, with 90 crashes and 8 deaths, according to the report. Fifty-seven people were injured on the water in the county, according to the report. The back end of the 21-foot boat from which Joseph Guenther was ejected on Saturday, May 15, 2021. As in the 2021 report, Palm Beach County came in third in crashes and deaths 49 and 2, respectively. Rounding out the top 10 are Pinellas, Lee, Okaloosa, Broward, Hillsborougn, St. Johns and Sarasota counties. Florida tops the list of crashes, deaths and injuries on the nations waterways largely because of numbers. The state has the most registered vessels in the country 1,029,993, according to Fish and Wildlife. High-profile boat crash under investigation One of the most high-profile boat crashes last year happened on the maritime border between Miami-Dade and Monroe counties when a vessel driven by George Pino, a prominent businessman and president of a Doral-based real estate brokerage firm, slammed into a channel marker in the Upper Florida Keys. The tragedy shook the Miami-Dade Catholic school community. Luciana Fernandez, 17, an Our Lady of Lourdes Academy student, was killed. And her classmate, Katerina Puig, was permanently injured when she and the other 13 people on the 29-foot Robalo center console boat were ejected into the Intracoastal Waterway on Biscayne Bay. A Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue boat pulls into a slip at Black Point Marina Sunday night, Sept. 4, 2022. The boat brought to shore several people injured in a boating crash earlier that night. The crash remains under investigation nearly one year later by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Miami-Dade County State Attorneys Office, said Ed Griffith, spokesman for the prosecutor. Issues and evidence direct every investigation, Griffith said Thursday when asked if the investigation was taking longer than probes into similar crashes. The clock itself does not. Puigs family filed a lawsuit in March in Miami-Dade County against Pino. The case is pending. Other findings in the Florida boating crash report The leading type of accident was a boat colliding with another vessel. The leading cause of death from boating accidents was drowning, with 38 drowning deaths in 2022. 319 boat accidents resulted in 457 people injured. Personal watercraft account for 16% of all registered vessels in Florida, but accounted for 174, or 24%, of all boat accidents in 2022. Alcohol and drug use was involved in 13% of all boat accidents last year. This story has been updated to correct the type of lawsuit filed against George Pino. Has Florida learned from its past hurricane mistakes? Some experts say no As Florida begins the 2023 hurricane season still recovering from Hurricane Ian, engineers and disaster experts warn that the state has been too slow to learn from repeated mistakes. Despite wind mitigation lessons from Hurricane Charley 18 years ago, despite reliable early warnings and better data from satellites, buoys and aircraft, despite the availability of more powerful computers and sophisticated modeling, Hurricane Ian was a deadly storm that has become the costliest in state history. It killed 149 people, the most fatalities from a Florida storm since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. It caused an estimated $109.5 billion in property damage, and only half of that is expected to be covered by insurance. To engineers and disaster experts who have analyzed the data and helped communities recover from the damage, there was nothing surprising about the storm that made landfall near Fort Myers Beach on Sept. 22. What alarms them is that they know how to mitigate property damage with resilient construction and avoid the deaths especially those related to storm surge and inland flooding but Floridians arent listening to the warnings. Were seeing an overall decline in direct fatalities with a corresponding increase in indirect fatalities, said Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center at the annual Governors Hurricane Conference in Palm Beach on May 10. The Florida Division of Emergency Management has not completed its after-action report on Hurricane Ian because recovery is still underway, and it also canceled its annual statewide training exercise for emergency responders because we literally just practiced in real life, said Alecia Collins, spokesperson for the agency. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber says his community cant wait for the state to assemble recommendations and train for the next disaster. His city is conducting an evacuation tabletop exercise on June 6 to evaluate our readiness and capacity to carry out a citywide evacuation in the face an approaching hurricane. The point of an after-action report from the state is you say what did we do right or what we got wrong so we dont repeat it, he said. Most of the people that died were seniors who have trouble moving, or people who thought they could ride it out. What effort is being made to change the communication? Sanibel posted the most expensive home sale in its history weeks after Hurricane Ian. This West Gulf Drive home sold for $11.7 million. It did not suffer major damage in the hurricane, but the formerly lush landscaping was ravaged. Lesson one: Focus on surge and flooding Communication failures and misdirected focus from emergency officials can be deadly, Rhome said in his presentation to the conference. Youve got to stop focusing on the wrong thing, he said. Storm surge is historically the biggest killer. He said warnings from local officials and the media too often focus on the cone of the hurricanes potential impact and the Saffir-Simpson scale that produces the 1 to 5 rating based on sustained wind speed. He said the scale does not take into account storm surge, rainfall flooding and tornadoes, all hazards that proved deadly last year. The message from forecasters was consistent, Rhome said: A major hurricane is going to move in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. And likely impact the west coast of Florida ... This is messaging and lead times that for those of us who are dinosaurs thought never possible and likely saved numerous lives, but the story was never told. Yet, one of the incorrect narratives that emerged is that the forecast abruptly changed as Ian took a hard right hook [and] cut everybody off by surprise, he said. Those factors led Lee County, where nearly half of the deaths occurred, to wait to order evacuations until a day after neighboring Charlotte County issued its order. It was a decision Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials defended after the storm. As a result, the number of people who were exposed to life-threatening storm surge was about 157,000, which was more than all of the storms in 2020 and 2021 combined, Rhome said. When we issue a storm surge watch or [flood] warning we mean it, Rhone said, noting that from 2013 to 2022, 57% of the direct fatalities from hurricanes are attributable to freshwater flooding, 15% are due to surf or rip currents, 12% are because of wind, and 11% are the result of storm surge. It should have the same shock as the hurricane watch or warning, he said. The messaging also needs to be focused on introducing the dangers to newcomers to the state, he said, because of the huge number of people who experienced a hurricane for the first time. Spray-painted signs with uplifting messages sprung up on Sanibel Island following Hurricane Ian. The sentiment for rebuilding and restoration has remained strong, despite the damage and trauma. Lesson two: We know the development risk but avoid it David O. Prevatt, professor of Civil & Coastal Engineering at the University of Floridas Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering studied the damage patterns and storm surge of Hurricane Ian for an interim report submitted to the Florida Building Commission. He said Floridians continue to be slow to make the changes needed to fortify themselves against the costly impacts of storms. When we rise to the occasion, we learn from our failures, he said Thursday. I contend that our learning from failure in a context of wind hazards is too slow and the growth of housing being built in very vulnerable areas far exceeds our ability to do something about it. Testimony before the state Senate Select Committee on Resiliency from emergency managers in Lee County, where 322 homes were destroyed, and in Collier, where there were 144 homes lost, underscored that older slab-on-grade homes constructed before Floridas updated building code, and manufactured or mobile homes both on the coast and inland consistently could not withstand the impact of winds or flooding. Prevatt and his team of scientists came to similar conclusions: The wind speed on land of about 120 mph was below the maximum expected by building code standards, but the flooding damage had enormous impact. According to an assessment by the insurance data firm the CoStar Group, Ian destroyed about 5,000 homes and severely damaged another 30,000 from Lee County and inland across Central Florida to Daytona Beach. In particular, it was a manufactured homes on Fort Myers Beach and slab-on-grade homes, mainly older homes, Prevatt said. As of early May, the National Flood Insurance Program had paid nearly $4 billion to policyholders because of damage from Hurricane Ian and that did not take into account damage sustained by property owners who didnt have flood insurance. Prevatt said he saw the same patterns of damage in Ian that he observed in the previous six years from Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Michael. Its one of the saddest parts for me, he said in a recent interview on the Florida Insurance Roundup podcast,. If we dont harden our communities or retreat and move them away from these intense events, we will repeat what weve seen here five, 10, 20 years down the road. Lesson three: Be realistic about cost of resilience The interim report submitted to the Florida Building Commission concluded that Southwest Florida coastal communities were ill-prepared for the storm surge and flooding. Recent construction built to the recent Florida Building Commission building code standards performed well even in areas where they were impacted by the 13-foot high storm surges, Prevatt said. All studies show the vulnerability of mobile homes, Prevatt said, which should be raising questions for policymakers. Is there a responsibility for that community to set policy so that people who dont have insurance, people who are living hand-to-mouth, are as protected as those living in a reinforced concrete home? he asked. The policies that we set dictate what we will construct. Karthik Ramanathan, vice president of research at Verisk, a data analytics and risk assessment firm that came up with the early damage estimates, said that 30 years after building codes were updated in the wake of Hurricane Andrew, inland counties in Florida saw significant numbers of damage claims, primarily from roof damage. Its mind boggling, seeing the same state which sort of pioneered wind design, not just in the United States, but sort of across the world, is seeing some of the same issues 30 years on in an event like Ian, he said on the Florida Insurance Roundup podcast. Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@miamiherald.com and @MaryEllenKlas Florida Man Pointed Gun At Woman's Head After Her Friend Backed Into His Driveway: Sheriff Police arrested a Florida man who they say pointed a handgun at a womans head and threatened to kill her after her friend backed into his driveway in Palm Coast on Saturday. Terry Vetsch, 60, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. The incident began around 2 p.m. when a man briefly backed his vehicle onto Vetschs driveway, according to the Flagler County Sheriffs Office. Vetsch, who was watching on his security camera, went outside with a handgun to confront the man, police said. Security camera footage taken from Vetschs home and obtained by The Daytona Beach News-Journal shows the confrontation. In the video, a woman can be seen walking out of the home across from Vetschs to confront the man, who then pulls out a gun and points it at her head. After he lowered the weapon, the two continued arguing before Vetsch returned home, according to police. Vetsch later told police that he pulled the hammer back on the gun when he pointed it at the woman, according to a police affidavit obtained by the News-Journal. He told police he thought the man who backed into his driveway was a different neighbor. I was going to tell them stay the hell out of my driveway, theyve been told this before, Vetsch told a police officer, body camera footage obtained by the News-Journal shows. I didnt realize it was a different car. Vetsch was released Sunday on a $50,000 bond. The confrontation mirrors an incident that happened in Florida in April when a couple said their car was shot at after they accidentally drove to the wrong address for an Instacart delivery. In that case, police declined to charge the shooter because it happened on his own property. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida crossed a major hurdle but still faces a likely challenge from the states attorney general. Floridas Department of State reported that the proposed ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana gathered enough signatures to put it on the ballot in 2024. The constitutional amendment, proposed by Smart & Safe Florida, gathered 967,528 valid signatures more than 70,000 above the requirement to reach the ballot. Smart & Safe through April had spent $38.4 million to get the new measure on the ballot all paid for by medical marijuana giant Trulieve Inc. While it still faces a Florida Supreme Court review and an expected legal challenge from state Attorney General Ashley Moody, amendment supporters heralded the breakthrough. "We are thrilled the campaign has made this milestone and look forward to seeing this initiative on the ballot next November, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said Thursday in a statement. Moody's office did not immediately provide a comment in response to a request. The proposal would allow adults 21 and over to possess up to three ounces of marijuana for personal use. Medical marijuana treatment centers, which were legalized by a statewide referendum in 2016, would be allowed to sell marijuana for recreational use. Moody, who opposed a proposed 2022 marijuana legalization ballot measure, in May forwarded the proposed 2024 amendment to the Florida Supreme Court for review. Moody stated in her letter that shed argue the proposal doesnt comply with state law, which includes a requirement that it contain "clear and unambiguous language." Briefs in the case are due July 12. If it makes it on the ballot, the marijuana legalization proposal could boost voter turnout particularly among young voters and possibly influence the 2024 races in Florida. Former President Donald Trump carried Florida in 2016 and 2020 but the state backed Democrat Barack Obama in the two previous presidential elections. Twenty-one states have legalized recreational marijuana use while 37 have approved medical marijuana in some form. It remains illegal at the federal level. Trulieve, which now has 186 retail dispensaries across 11 states, has pinned its growth hopes on Florida, its home state and the third-most-populous state in the nation. The company recently opened two dispensaries in Georgia, where the medical market is just getting off the ground. Our investment demonstrates our firm belief that Floridians are ready to experience the freedom to use cannabis for personal consumption; a freedom which is currently enjoyed by more than half of Americas adults," Rivers said. Smart & Safe announced in March it had collected more than 1 million petition signatures but they had not been certified by local election officials at that time. The Department of State on Thursday updated its website to show the most recent number of signatures that were validated. Forced evacuation of children was announced in 7 settlements in Donetsk Oblast The forced evacuation of 239 children to safer regions of Ukraine has been announced in seven settlements in Donetsk Oblast. The forced evacuation of children will be carried out in the city of Zalizne, the villages of New-York and Pivnichne, and the villages of Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Mykolaivka, and Podilske. The relevant decision was made by the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration because the security situation in the region "remains critical", reports the Ministry of Reintegration. "Today, under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, a meeting of the Coordination Headquarters for the mandatory evacuation of the population under martial law was held. The members of the Coordination Headquarters unanimously supported the decision of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration," the department said. Photo: Kostyantynivka/Office of the President Evacuated children accompanied by one of their parents or a legal representative are promised to be provided with free shelter, social guarantees, humanitarian aid and psychological support. Regarding evacuation from Donetsk Oblast, you can contact representatives of the local authorities or call (098) 890-33-18. You can also report your desire to evacuate to the hotline of the Ministry of Reintegration at 15-48 or write to it via messenger at the number (096) 078-84-33. "The Ministry of Reintegration once again calls on everyone not to neglect their safety, especially the safety of children, and to evacuate immediately to safer regions," the ministry added. Background: Earlier, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the mechanism for the forced evacuation of children from active combat zones. Ukrainian children were also forcibly evacuated from Bakhmut. In Avdiivka, parents are hiding one child for unknown reasons. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Uber drivers won't just have easy access to Tesla cars when they want to switch to EVs. Ford and Uber are launching an expanded Drive pilot program that provides a flexible Mustang Mach-E lease to rideshare drivers in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Operators pick leases in one- to four-month increments, and get their Mach-E within two weeks. After that, they use a Ford Drive app to handle payments and maintenance. Ford, meanwhile, buys fleets of the electric crossovers from dealerships and uses them for service. A lease costs $199 per week with 500 included miles, and $249 per week with 1,000 miles. Drivers pay 20 cents for every additional mile beyond what their plan offers. That may seem expensive, but Ford is counting on the no-hassle exits and renewals as a draw. Uber workers can lease only when they have enough driving time to justify the expense. Ford and Uber initially tested Drive in San Diego last year with over 150 Mustang Mach-E cars in the fleet. The companies didn't say how successful the initial run was, but they note that California is Uber's best market for EV demand. Nearly 10 percent of all passenger miles were completed in EVs as of late 2022, Ford says. To qualify, drivers need to have at least a 4.85-star rating and over 150 trips. The Mustang on offer is a no-frills rear-wheel drive model with 247 miles of range, although it does have CoPilot360 driver aids. The lease option is in line with Uber's goal of becoming a zero-emissions service in North America and Europe by 2030. This theoretically makes EVs more viable for drivers who can't commit to a purchase or multi-year lease. Uber also sweetens the proposition with an extra $1 per ride (up to $4,000 per year) and the option of serving premium Comfort Electric passengers. Not that Uber has much choice. California will require that most ride hailing cars are electric by 2030, while New York City wants a wholesale switch by the same year. Ford, meanwhile, benefits by getting the Mach-E into the hands of rideshare drivers who would otherwise rent a Tesla EV through Hertz. This boosts exposure for the brand for passengers, too, and helps with Ford's bid to establish itself as a general mobility company. The challenge is simply competing against Tesla's sheer volume. The Hertz deal puts up to 50,000 Tesla EVs on American roads, and Ford's Drive pilot won't compete at its current scale. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty The water you drink has been poisoned. The same goes for the air you breathe, the soil where your vegetables grow, and the lakes where you fish. In fact, theres likely a good amount of the poison in your body right now, making its way through your system, and the damage of which you might not see for many years. You werent supposed to know about this either. And the only reason we know about it now is because of a lawyer named Robert Billot. In 1999, he began to take legal action against chemical manufacturer DuPont for the harm and destruction of communities near one of the companys factories that produced per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. These are also known as forever chemicals due to their inability to break down quickly and naturally, and can linger around in the environment for thousands of years. Over the course of multiple lawsuits, Billot gained access to a treasure trove of internal documents from DuPont and other chemical manufacturers such as 3M that revealed the companies were well aware of the dangers posed by their products to their workers, customers, environment, and public at large. Not only that, but there was also a concerted effort to cover up their severity of PFAS in order to hide the potential for harm their products posed to the world. The Quest to Purge Cosmetics of Cancer-Causing Forever Chemicals We now know that PFAS are toxic, and they're also contaminating everybody, Tracey Woodruff, professor and director of the University of California, San Francisco Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment and a former senior scientist at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), told The Daily Beast. Theres a measure of PFAS in pretty much everybody in the United States. Its in the drinking water. Woodruff is the senior author of a paper published on Thursday in the journal Annals of Global Health that examined internal documents from DuPont and 3M, the two largest makers of PFAS, and found that the companies used tactics similar to the tobacco industry in order to suppress, obfuscate, and delay public knowledge of the chemicals toxicity. This happened over the course of decadesstarting as early as 1961, and has lasted into the 2000s. These companies actions not only resulted in increased cancer rates amongst its employees, but might have also caused birth defects in at least two pregnant factory workers. The new findings underscore the need for greater regulation amongst the chemical industryas well as the dangers posed by PFAS. EPA Announces First Federal Limit on Dangerous Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water What we want to do is understand the chemical industry's role and what are the strategies that they use to cover up the science about the harms of the chemicals, Woodruff said. So this is the first time that scientists have taken an academic analysis look at internal industry documents. The PFAS developed by DuPont and 3M can be found in a wide range of everyday items including kitchen appliances, food products, and even clothing. For example, the primary chemical behind the Teflon on your non-stick pans falls under the PFAS category. The chemicals are useful, very resistant to breaking down, and happen to be incredibly toxic. Theyve been linked to increased rates of kidney, liver, and thyroid cancer; liver disease; immune suppression, and pregnancy complications such as lowered birth weight and birth defects. Studies of PFAS and its effects on laboratory animals show that high exposures to the chemicals can negatively impact the health and well-being of the subjects over timeand even showed an increase in tumors on the organs of animals exposed to high doses of PFAS. New Study Gives Hope for Destroying Forever Chemicals Despite knowing the dangers of these chemicals for decades, PFAS manufacturers suppressed knowledge of the harmful effectsdirectly leading to the contamination of millions of Americans over the years. DuPont had evidence of PFAS toxicity from internal animal and occupational studies that they did not publish in the scientific literature and failed to report their findings to EPA, the studys authors wrote. These documents were all marked as confidential, and in some cases, industry executives are explicit that they wanted this memo destroyed. The paper outlined several strategies that the manufacturers used to hide their knowledge. This included deciding what and how they would study the impact of their products, suppressing unfavorable research and findings into how their products were causing increased rates of cancer amongst their workers, and distorting public messaging behind their chemicals. EPA Approved Use of Toxic Forever PFAS Chemicals for Fracking in 2011: New York Times They had internal communications where they said they were going to tell employees that [a PFAS product] is about as toxic as table salt, Woodruff said. They had a number of different documents talking about how they were going to distort what people were saying about it. According to the paper, the documents detail an extensive timeline of more than 50 years that show that PFAS manufacturers were well aware of the potential for harm that their products can causedespite their public messaging stating otherwise. This included a 1961 report from Teflons chief of toxicology that found that the companys materials had the ability to increase the size of liver in rats and warned that the chemicals should avoid contact with the skin. There was also a memo that revealed that C8, a PFAS product, was found to be highly toxic when inhaled. DuPont and 3M also discovered in 1980 that two of eight pregnant employees who worked in C8 manufacturing gave birth to babies with defects. However, they chose not to tell employees about the discovery, saying in a 1981 internal memo, We know of no evidence of birth defects caused by C8 at DuPont. Why Air Pollution Could Cause Lung Cancer Cases to Explode The manufacturers continued to downplay the dangers of their chemicals despite being well aware of the adverse effects. In a 1991 press release, the company said that C8 has no known toxic or ill health effects in humans at concentration levels detected. The companies have since been sued and have settled for hundreds of millions of dollars due to the harm their chemicals have caused the surrounding communities and employees. In 2004, DuPont was fined $16.45 million by the EPA for not disclosing their findings on the chemicals. When reached for comment, a DuPont spokesperson told The Daily Beast that the current version of the organization was established as a new multi-industrial specialty products company in 2019 after spinning off from its original parent company. DuPont de Nemours has never manufactured PFOA or PFOS. A 3M spokesperson told The Daily Beast that the company has "previously addressed many of the mischaracterizations of these documents in previous reporting." This Vaccine Could Turn the Tides Against Deadly Pancreatic Cancer The studys authors now hope that their paper continues to shed light on the harms caused by these manufacturers and embolden policy makers to take a hardline stance in regulating the processes. Accountability is really important, Woodruff said. These industries should know that they are going to be held accountable if they lie about the health harms of their products before they're being released. In the end, the studys authors note that this is largely a failure of industry self-regulationsomething weve seen happen time and again with industries ranging from tobacco to even Big Tech. Public agencies in fact relied on DuPont to certify that exposures to the chemicals did not pose a human health risk because so little was known publicly about the chemicals, the study reads. So, if nothing else, the paper further highlights the perennial problem of lawmakers failing to regulate harmful industries before its too late. Hopefully, those problems dont last foreverunlike some of our chemicals. 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. Forget London and Paris here's why Luxembourg is the best European destination for affordable luxury this summer Mikhaila Friel visited Luxembourg in March 2023. Mikhaila Friel/Insider I have visited many European countries, but I found Luxembourg to be one of the most affordable. It has free public transport and luxury hotels for less. I'd encourage all tourists to step out of their comfort zone and visit the small landlocked nation. I love traveling, but I also love saving money. This year, I've been fortunate enough to visit an array of European countries for personal vacations and work trips, including Spain, Belgium, Norway, and Italy. But Luxembourg the wealthiest country in the world, according to an August 2022 report by Global Finance stood out to me due to its affordable accommodation and free public transport. Luxembourg, which is smaller than Rhode Island, is a landlocked nation that shares borders with Belgium, France, and Germany and has 645,000 residents, a spokesperson for Visit Luxembourg confirmed to Insider. The country is known for its magnificent castles and gorgeous countryside. In March, I spent a day in Luxembourg City, the country's capital and only city, and two days in Clervaux in the countryside before taking a train to Brussels, Belgium. I had a fantastic experience and would recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious vacation that won't break your budget. Experience luxury for less Travelers who visit Europe often overlook Luxembourg in favor of London or Paris, respectively the first- and second-most visited cities in Europe in 2022, according to the geography resource website World Atlas. But, in my opinion, those who disregard Luxembourg are missing out on experiencing luxury travel for less. When I visited in March, I spent one night at Hotel Le Royal, a five-star hotel in Luxembourg City. I stayed in a traditional queen room, which cost $275.70 for one night and had a queen-sized double bed, a TV, a dressing table, and a bathroom with a bath and shower. There was also a complimentary fruit bowl and a box of chocolates in my room upon my arrival. Mikhaila Friel at Hotel Le Royal in Luxembourg. Mikhaila Friel/Insider I loved that the hotel was located in a central location, as I could walk to all of the shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions in the city center. There was also plenty to do within the hotel, as there was a bar, a restaurant, a spa, and an indoor pool. The pool in Hotel Le Royal. Mikhaila Friel/Insider Hotel Le Royal isn't the first five-star hotel I've stayed in, but it's certainly the most affordable. Last year, I stayed at The Rubens at The Palace, a five-star hotel across the road from Buckingham Palace in London as I was covering Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. I spent one night in The Royal Themed Queen room that had a queen-sized bed, a desk, an armchair, and a TV which cost 564 per night, or around $713 per night. Then in April this year, I spent one night at San Domenico Palace, the five-star hotel where "The White Lotus" was filmed in Taormina, Sicily. I stayed in a sea-view room with a terrace, which cost $2,248, or around 2,047, for one night, and the price included breakfast. San Domenico Palace was the most luxurious hotel I've ever stayed in, thanks to the incredible customer service, the delicious food, and the glamorous decor. However, Hotel Le Royal had a lot of similar amenities, such as the spa and pool, the piano bar, and a restaurant, and it cost much, much less. The free public transport was a highlight of my trip In my opinion, the best thing about Luxembourg is the free public transport that's available to all residents and visitors as part of the government's plan to support people living on lower incomes. Mikhaila Friel photographed on a train from Luxembourg to Belgium. Mikhaila Friel/Insider I made use of this during my visit, as I used the tram system to get around the city before taking a free train and bus to the countryside, where I visited castles and saw rolling hills and forests. Vianden Castle in Luxembourg. Mikhaila Friel/Insider The expense of public transport is something all travelers should take into consideration, especially those who don't have a driver's license or are unable to rent a car while traveling. It's also something worth considering for those who don't want to spend a good chunk of their vacation budget on the underground or trains. In London, for example, a Visitor Oyster card for the London Underground and National Rail train services costs 5, or around $6.18, and the Transport For London (TFL) website recommends adding 15 credit, or around $18.55, for two days of travel. And in France, a Paris Visite travel pass costs 22.05, or around $23.56, for two days of public transit in central Paris, according to RATP, the public-transport operator in the city. And those costs are for city travel, not countryside adventures like I got to experience in Luxembourg. So next time you're looking for a European vacation, I'd urge you to step outside your comfort zone and give Luxembourg a try you might be pleasantly surprised by the value of what you discover. Read the original article on Insider Former Kansas lawmaker arrested twice while in office running for school board in WyCo A former Kansas lawmaker who was arrested twice while in office and has a history of abusive behavior is running for a seat on a Wyandotte County school board. Former state Rep. Aaron Coleman, who served one term in the Kansas House as a Democrat, on Thursday announced his candidacy for Turner USD 202 Board of Education an attempt at a political comeback after losing the 2022 Democratic primary race for the Wyandotte County seat to Melissa Oropeza, who went onto win the general election. Coleman is in a race where he may have an easier time winning. Four board seats are up for election and as of Thursday only four candidates, not including Coleman, have filed to run, according to the Wyandotte County Election Office. As long as Coleman is one of the top four vote-getters, he will be elected. USD 202 needs a board member whose sole focus is, in general, the betterment of all students, and in particular, helping our most vulnerable students - the special education children, Coleman said on Twitter, adding that his time in the Legislature gave him experience drafting policies and analyzing budgets. All four candidates listed by the election office are current members of the board. Former Kansas state Rep. Aaron Coleman announces hes running for Turner USD 202 Board of Education. Coleman served a single, two-year term in the Kansas House after upsetting a longtime Democratic state representative in 2020. His time as a lawmaker was marked by multiple encounters with law enforcement and regular public controversies, including promising to arrange a hit on Gov. Laura Kelly. He received diversion last year after he allegedly kicked and pushed his brother during an argument in 2021, leading to a misdemeanor battery charge. He was also found guilty of a traffic infraction in Douglas County after a November 2021 episode in which he allegedly led state troopers on a brief pursuit on Interstate 70 and acted in an erratic manner after he was pulled over. A legislative investigative committee was formed following a complaint in 2021 alleging a pattern of abusive behavior toward women by Coleman. Lawmakers found the allegations against Coleman including physical abuse of an ex-girlfriend credible but took no action because the behavior occurred before he entered office. Coleman has acknowledged bullying a female classmate and blackmailing another with her nude photographs while in middle school. A ex-girlfriend also said Coleman choked and slapped her. The Kansas Department of Labor also barred Coleman from its offices in Topeka after he allegedly berated a security guard. Former Mayor Tommy Hazouri honored with a park in his name Mandarin Park will now be known as Tommy Hazouri, Sr. Park. The City of Jacksonville renamed the park in honor of Hazouris service to the city. Hazouri, a Jacksonville native, died in September 2021 at the age of 76. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: Mandarin Park will now be known as Tommy Hazouri, Sr. Park. In 1974, he became a member of the Florida House of Representatives, where he served for 12 years before becoming the mayor of Jacksonville from 1987 to 1991. During his time as mayor, he led an effort to eliminate tolls from the citys roads and bridges and implemented an anti-odor ordinance to relieve the city of its foul odor. From 2004 to 2012, he also served as a Duval County School Board member before serving Jacksonville again as an at-large city council member of group 3. Read: Talking the Tropics With Mike: The beginning of the 23 Atlantic hurricane season Hazouris wife Carol joined Mayor Lenny Curry, Mayor-elect Donna Deegan, and several city council members in a dedication ceremony on Thursday. Hazouri Park is located along the St. Johns River at 14780 Mandarin Road. [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. A former MTV executive is running for Miami Beach mayor. Can he beat political insiders? Bill Roedy, a former executive at MTV, is running for mayor of Miami Beach, hoping to shake up the race as a political outsider challenging a pair of former elected officials. Roedy, who spearheaded MTVs global expansion as CEO of MTV Networks International, filed paperwork at the city clerks office Thursday morning for the November election. The mayors seat will be open as Mayor Dan Gelber is term-limited. It wont be an easy road for Roedy. His opponents include Michael Gongora, a former city commissioner, and Michael Grieco, an ex-city commissioner and state representative. Steven Meiner, a current city commissioner, is also considering a mayoral run. In an interview, Roedy said he believes his leadership experience would help him succeed. I truly know how to lead and build consensus and drive change, he said. Im a political newcomer, but I think thats an advantage because I think I can bring a fresh perspective. Roedy, 74, graduated from North Miami High School before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served a year in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and commanded several NATO nuclear missile units in Italy during the Cold War. After leaving the Army after reaching the rank of captain, Roedy went to Harvard Business School and then began his career in media, working for HBO for a decade starting in 1979. He went on to work at MTV, leading its international operations and launching the headquarters of MTV Latin America in Miami Beach. Roedy also played a prominent role in humanitarian efforts against HIV and AIDS, creating an MTV foundation for the cause and being named an ambassador for the United Nations anti-AIDS program in 1998. Despite his lack of government experience, Roedy will look to paint himself as a level-headed, business-minded option in a field of political players who are already battling over past controversies and campaign finance claims. I believe Miami Beach deserves to be represented by someone of the highest standards and integrity, Roedy said. The politicians, in many ways, have failed Miami Beach. The politicians Im running against want a promotion, but I dont think theyve earned it. Roedy emphasized his ability to sell Miami Beach as a destination city, even as he says its reputation has taken a hit in recent years due to high-profile incidents of violence during spring break. No one has sold more than I have in my career. I can sell anything, Roedy said. I can promise you, I would sell Miami Beach like its never been sold before. Roedy said his priorities as mayor would start with public safety and that the citys police department should be among the best-trained and highest-compensated in the country. He said the city should continue to find innovative ways to combat sea-level rise, get a better handle on homelessness, and seek solutions for traffic problems although he said the proposed Baylink between Miami Beach and Miami is probably not the answer. As he considered a run for office in recent weeks, Roedy has spoken to residents and political stakeholders alongside Jerry Libbin, president and CEO of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. Roedy said Libbin is a friend of his, but that there is absolutely no connection between his candidacy and the chamber, a nonprofit group. Roedy, who retired from MTV in 2010 and has owned property at the luxury Il Villagio condo building at the north end of Ocean Drive since 1999, added that any concerns about whether he has spent sufficient time in Miami Beach during his globetrotting career are unfounded. Roedy said he has always kept an eye on Miami Beach politics and was appointed late last year to serve on a budget advisory committee. I always had an anchor here in the times I was away, he said. Even the citys seemingly complex problems, Roedy said, have really simple solutions. Im here to get things done, he said. Theres no problem Ive seen that cant be solved with some political will. A former Wells Fargo executive agreed to pay a $3 million penalty to settle Securities and Exchange Commission charges that she misled investors. From 2014 to 2016, Carrie Tolstedt publicly endorsed a key Wells Fargo metric that measured the banks financial success, according to the SEC. But the metric was inflated by accounts and services that were unused, unneeded or unauthorized, the SEC said in a news release this week. Tolstedt, the longtime head of Wells Fargos retail banking division, knew the so-called cross-sell metric wasnt accurately tracking accounts or products that customers needed or used because she was aware of misconduct at Wells Fargos Community Bank, according to the SEC. Bankers were pushing products on customers they did not need or want, including the unauthorized opening of accounts. Tolstedt, who retired from Wells Fargo in 2016, made misleading public statements to investors at conferences, according to the SEC. She also signed misleading certifications about the accuracy of the banks public disclosures when she either knew or was reckless in not knowing the disclosures on the cross-sell metric were false or misleading, the SEC said. The former executive did not admit or deny the SECs allegations through the settlement. A former Wells Fargo executive reached a settlement this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission for $3 million related to allegations of misleading investors. The SEC will distribute the $3 million settlement plus $2.5 million from a settlement with former Wells Fargo CEO and chairman John Stumpf to harmed investors. That money is in addition to $500 million previously paid by Wells Fargo. Tolstedt also agreed to pay other remedies totaling close to $2 million, according to the release. Companies do not act on their own, said Regional Director Monique Winkler of SECs San Francisco office in a statement this week. Where the facts warrant it, we will hold senior executives accountable for conduct that violates the securities laws. Wells Fargo, based in San Francisco, maintains a massive financial and employment presence across the Charlotte area, with some 27,000 employees. It came to North Carolina in 2008 with the purchase of Wachovia. People with Wells Fargo stock from 2018-2020 are part of new $1 billion court settlement More on former Wells Fargo executive Tolstedt, 63, also is facing up to 16 months in prison plus a $100,000 fine and three years of supervised release, The Charlotte Observer reported in March. Former Wells Fargo community bank head Carrie Tolstedt In an agreement announced in March in California federal court, Tolstedt agreed to plead guilty to obstructing a government examination of the banks misconduct, the Observer reported. In a separate civil settlement also announced in March, Tolstedt has also been banned from working in the banking industry and must pay a $17 million penalty. Other Wells Fargo settlements and scandals Tolstedts settlement is the latest consequence of a Wells Fargo sales scandal. Over more than a decade, hundreds of thousands of Wells Fargo employees took part in sham sales practices, opening millions of fake accounts in customers names to meet unreasonably high sales goals, the Observer reported in 2020. The bank agreed in 2020 to pay a $3 billion fine to federal prosecutors and the SEC for the practices. In May, Wells Fargo was settling a class-action lawsuit from shareholders for $1 billion over claims the bank misled them about how it was complying with regulators in the aftermath of its fake sales scandal. Fox News liberal-leaning political pundit Juan Williams couldnt help but laugh on air at one of former President Donald Trumps more bombastic claims. During Wednesdays broadcast of America Reports, the discussion turned to the various Republican candidates jumping into the 2024 race to take on Trump, who remains the GOP front-runner. Marc Short, who served as chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence, suggested Trump had walked away from some of his policies and was not the same person he was when he was president. But, he did say he could the end the Ukraine war in an afternoon, responded anchor John Roberts in a video shared online by Mediaite. Is that right? Williams replied, before cracking up laughing. Look it up, Roberts retorted. Williams continued cackling. Related... Catholic Charities Jacksonville arranged for a local dentist, Donald Alexander, D.D.S., to provide free dental work to 12 Ukrainian refugees. Hell be doing exams at his office 6802 St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32217 from 8 a.m. til noon on Thursday, June 1. Here are some the the refugees and their stories: Tatiana Tsyrkovnykova Tatiana arrived to Jacksonville with her husband and her 15 year-old-son in December 2022 from Ukraine. They reached out to Catholic Charities for help with their paperwork. The nonprofits case managers helped her to get medical insurance ASAP, since she had recently had a bone marrow transplant, and needed follow up appointments. In addition to documents, they were assisted with rent and utility payments, which they were able to save money to purchase a car. Catholic Charities Jacksonville also provided them with free English language courses in addition to these dental services. The nonprofit is working with them on job readiness classes so that they can soon find employment. Read: UPDATE: Missing teen with autism found dead on Jekyll Island Eleonora Razgon Eleonora fled the war in Ukraine with her two young children. Since her arrival, Catholic Charities has helped her find a job, cover utilities and housing, document processing, English language classes, and more. This is an invaluable contribution that positively affects the further development of families, single mothers with children and other refugees from Ukraine and other countries, Eleonora said, Catholic Charities made it possible to feel more confident and not be in trouble. She was connected with the free dental work via her case manager at Catholic Charities. Read: JTA hosts event on National Autonomous Vehicle Day Serhii Kovalenko The Kovalenko family of 12 people (four of them are orphans), arrived in the U.S. on May 3 after fleeing Ukraine. Catholic Charities welcomed the family to Jacksonville and has been assisting with financial support and document processing so far for the family. They are a blessing to us and people like us who are fleeing war, Serhii said. Serhii was also gifted the opportunity to receive free dental work on Thursday. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: St. Augustine residents and visitors can enjoy free concerts through the months of June to August [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. The first Friday in June June 2 this year is National Donut Day. Started by the Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938, the day honors the groups donut lassies, who served treats and provided assistance to soldiers on the front lines during World War I. (And this isnt to be confused with National Doughnut Day, which is in November and honors the actual food; though both days are celebrated by eating doughnuts.) Doughnuts have been around since long before the First World War, and we have the Dutch to thank for them. The Dutch would make olykoek, which translates to oily cake. The first Dutch doughnuts didnt have a hole, but they were fried in hot oil and the dough was sweet. It wasnt until 1847 that the holed-out doughnut we know and love today appeared. Hanson Gregory, 16 at the time, claimed credit. Sick of doughnuts with a raw center, he used a pepper pot to punch out holes to help his doughnuts cook more evenly. By 1920, Adolph Levitt, a Russian living in New York, had invented a doughnut machine. Thirteen years later, doughnuts were proclaimed the Hit Food of the Century of Progress by the Worlds Fair in Chicago. Many doughnut stores, including national chains like Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme, are giving away free or discounted doughnuts to celebrate the occasion. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Apple of facilitating US espionage in Russia. Source: Russian BBC Service referring to the FSB Details: The FSB has stated that it had "uncovered an intelligence operation of the US intelligence services conducted with the use of Apple mobile devices". According to the FSB, Russian intelligence has identified "anomalies specific exceptionally to Apple mobile phone users and caused by previously unknown malware that exploits software vulnerabilities provided by the manufacturer". The FSB has said that several thousand smartphones were infected. Quote from the FSB: "In addition to domestic subscribers, evidence of infection of foreign numbers and subscribers using sim cards registered to diplomatic missions and embassies in Russia has been found. It includes NATO member states and post-Soviet countries, as well as Israel, the Syrian Arab Republic and the People's Republic of China." More details: The FSB has declared that this should indicate that Apple is working closely with the US National Security Agency and that the company's declared privacy policy is not true. According to RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin considers the use of iPhones for official purposes unacceptable. At the same time, he is not aware of any cases of smartphone infection. Many people in the Kremlin continue to use iPhones for personal purposes about 20-30% of the presidential administration's staff. The remaining 70-80% are Android users. Background: Russian officials have long questioned the security of American technology. Putin has repeatedly stated that he does not own a smartphone, although the Kremlin claims that he uses the internet from time to time. Earlier this year, the Kremlin demanded that officials involved in preparations for the 2024 presidential election stop using iPhones over fears that the devices are vulnerable to Western intelligence services, according to media reports. According to media reports, Sergey Kirienko, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Russia, instructed officials to change their phones by 1 April at a Kremlin-organised seminar for officials involved in domestic policy. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! FTC chair Khan accused of 'abuse of power' in new US House probe WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The House Oversight Committee's Chairman James Comer opened a probe Thursday into U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan's management of the agency, citing complaints of abuse of power. Khan has angered companies and trade groups like the Chamber of Commerce by pushing the FTC, which enforces antitrust law and laws against deceptive marketing, to be more aggressive in investigations and law enforcement. In a letter to Khan and agency officials dated Thursday, Comer cited complaints made by former commissioner Christine Wilson, a Republican. "We are concerned that the developments at the Commission cataloged by Commissioner Wilson and others could undermine consumers' and markets' confidence in the Commission's ability to perform its functions effectively and with integrity," Comer wrote in the letter. Comer's letter cited Wilson's concern over a transaction by Meta Platforms. She had accused Khan of abuse of power by voting to challenge Meta's acquisition of virtual reality content maker Within. Wilson argued that Khan had said before coming to the FTC that Meta should be barred from making additional acquisitions, and that this meant Khan should be recused from FTC deliberations regarding the deal. The FTC lost a court fight aimed at stopping that transaction and the deal went forward. "Under Chair Khan, the FTC is proud to be defending American consumers from harm and ensuring fair competition in the economy. We look forward to working with Congress to dispel former Commissioner Wilson's imaginative allegations," FTC spokesperson Douglas Farrar said in an email. The committee asked for documents related to the probe, including unredacted documents related to whether Khan should recuse herself from discussions about Meta's plan to buy Within as well as discussions about the use of delay in order to deter or prevent corporate mergers. The pro-business Chamber of Commerce, which is battling the FTC for access to documents for its own probe into how the agency is run, welcomed the congressional investigation. "We share the concerns raised by Chair Comer, which are now the focus of the committees investigation. This investigation is on top of efforts underway by other House committees to bring much needed oversight to an agency that has lost its way," the Chamber said in a statement. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) An Air Force Staff Sergeant convicted of assaulting his girlfriend was sentenced to 15 years in prison. According to court documents, 42-year-old Sean David Glover was found guilty of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, rape and battery on March 23. The charges stem from a violent assault on June 20, 2022, in a Holly Springs apartment between Glover and his girlfriend. Between 1 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., Glover entered her apartment using a spare key. Court documents said he had told police that his girlfriend had been acting weird, he was concerned that she may have communicated with her ex. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] While asleep, officials said Glover unlocked her cell phone to reach her texts. He then became angry and woke her. The victim told police that when he woke her up, Glover grabbed her neck and struck her in the face multiple times, causing her nose to bleed and visible bruising. He then grabbed her throat again and applied pressure to the point that she blacked out, later regaining consciousness. He then sexually assaulted her. Medical research indicates that in severe cases of strangulation, unconsciousness may occur in seconds, and death in just minutes. Therefore, it is not uncommon for victims to experience blackouts, as was the case here, said Assistant District Attorney Alex Sloope of the Domestic Violence Unit, who assisted with the prosecution of this case on behalf of the State. Fortunately, the victim, in this case, was able to recall details of that night that substantiate the violent assault. She also had physical injuries consistent with the violent attack. Glover was arrested by Holly Springs police at Dobbins Air Force Base, where he worked in Security Forces. He admitted to police officers that a physical altercation occurred but said he did not know how the victim received her injuries. TRENDING STORIES: Throughout the trial, court documents showed that this was not the first time Glover was violent with his girlfriend. On multiple occasions, Staff Sgt. Glover abused, manipulated, and controlled his girlfriend. The night of this incident, he strangled her to the point where she could have died, exercising an extreme form of power and control in which he literally held her life in his hands, said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ashe of the Domestic Violence Unit, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the State. He showed no remorse for the injuries he inflicted and seemed to be more concerned about his career than his girlfriends well-being. Glover was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the first 15 years served in confinement in the state prison system. Through this sentence, the defendant receives justice for his actions, and our community is protected, said Acting District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. We are proud of this young woman who showed tremendous courage by standing up for herself and ensuring justice was served. With this conviction and sentencing, it is our hope that she will continue to heal from the trauma she endured at the hands of this defendant. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A man has been arrested in the murder of a Georgia woman who vanished last year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Lacambria Toomer vanished from Albany on August 2022. She was last seen with her childs father, who is a truck driver. He told police that he dropped her off at a Loves Truck Stop in Cordele, Georgia, though police say that isnt true. TRENDING STORIES: On Wednesday, Ryan Cooper, 25, was arrested on murder charges, according to the Dawson Police Department. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The relationship between Cooper and Toomer is unclear. Its unclear what led to Coopers arrest. Toomers body has not been recovered. She was the mother to a 1-year-old boy. Her phone last pinged in Dawson, Georgia near some abandoned houses. Dawson is about a half-hour drive from Albany. The City Council will vote next Tuesday on a $250,000 pledge of support subject to multiple stipulations for a proposed Challenger Learning Center in Gadsden. A local task force spearheading that effort has indicated, in turn, that it will consider the offer once it becomes official. Members of the Challenger Advisory Council, who are working to compile a required 10% match to qualify for $8.5 million earmarked for the project in a supplemental Education Trust Fund budget, had asked the council on May 23 to double that pledge to $500,000 ($50,000 a year for 10 years). Mayor Craig Ford said he would not support anything higher than $250,000 ($50,000 a year for five years.) The latest offer, presented at Tuesdays precouncil meeting, maintains that figure, but cuts the time frame in which the projects backers would be barred from seeking additional city aid from 10 to five years. The other stipulations for city support for the center, which would offer STEM educational activities including a space shuttle simulator and a Mission Control area for children throughout Northeast Alabama, include: It must be physically located within the Gadsden city limits, and construction must begin on or before June 1, 2024. Two seats on its governing board would be reserved for Gadsdens mayor or his designee, and a City Council member chosen by that body. The agreement would be moot should Gadsdens occupational tax be reduced or eliminated by legislative action. The center must provide, if requested by the council, periodic data, reports and statistics to help verify the impact of the citys contributions on its operations. The center must meet the standard requirements to become a vendor with the city, including organizing a formal corporation and obtaining an employee identification number. "We are very grateful for the Gadsden City Council's reconsideration of their support for the Challenger Learning Center and the continuing dialogue about the impact of this facility in Northeast Alabama," Barry Cherry, chairman of the Challenger Advisory Council, said in statement to The Times. By working with the local school systems, the CLC will deliver a unique hands-on experience that aligns with classroom learning and applies STEM content in a way that excites students, sparks renewed interest in STEM skills and builds self-confidence in students' STEM abilities, Cherry continued. The Advisory Council welcomes this proposal and will consider it along with other proposals to determine the best option for construction and long-term sustainability of the CLC." Council member Jason Wilson said hes working with a contact at the state Department of Commerce to clarify whether donations of land or incentives would count as part of the 10% local match. The money set aside for the Challenger Learning Center in the supplemental ETF budget would go to the Department of Commerce until requested by the centers backers, who then would have to show that theyd met the local match stipulation before it would be released. The city has offered multiple potential sites for the center, and there have been discussions with Gadsden State Community College about a site adjacent to the forthcoming Advanced Manufacturing and Training Skills Center on its East Broad Street campus. Task force members said last week that they had $325,000 in commitments toward the local match, the bulk of it from the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama ($200,000) and Etowah County ($100,000), with smaller donations from the City of Attalla and Community Development Grant districts. Wilson noted that if land donations would qualify for inclusion in the local match, a significant one could boost the group over the top. This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden City Council to vote on Challenger Center commitment Journalists working for Gannett, the company that owns USA Today, some of the nations largest metro daily newspapers and more than 100 more local newspapers are planning to walk off the job next week. Seizing on the companys annual shareholders meeting June 5, Gannetts workers union said it would be holding a wave of nationwide strikes and would call on the media giants shareholders to issue a vote of no confidence in CEO Mike Reed, citing his gross mismanagement. Under Mike Reeds watch, Gannett has become radioactive to investors. Reed doesnt care one bit about a long-term strategy to invest in the company by investing in journalists, Jon Schleuss, President of NewsGuild-CWA, said in a statement on Thursday. They need support and resources to make sure our communities have the local news needed to keep our democracy thriving. Instead, Reeds singular focus has been on stuffing his own pockets. Reed has overstayed his welcome at Gannett and needs to go. The NewsGuild-CWA represents more than 50 Gannett bargaining units, covering more than 1,000 employees, the organization said. Gannett owns and operates dozens of local newspapers in major media markets across the country and is the natioans largest newspaper publisher. In a statement Thursday, the company said it is focused on investing in local newsrooms and monetizing our content, and said a potential work stoppage would cause no disruption to our content or ability to deliver trusted news. Last winter, staffers in the New York Times union briefly walked off the job. The Times struck a deal with its employees union earlier this month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LANCASTER A Lancaster gas station employee who was arrested for the sexual assault of a juvenile boy has been indicted by a grand jury. Sushil Kumar, 33, who worked at Sunoco was arrested on May 20, for an incident at the station at 602 E Main Street. The defendant is accused of following the juvenile victim into the gas station restroom and allegedly touching him inappropriately. The victim was only allowed by Kumar to leave if he promised to return to continue later on, according to the police report. After he returned home, the juvenile victim told his mother about what happened and they called the police. Kumar was originally given a $150,000 bond, which he posted. After the Fairfield County Prosecutor's Office discovered that the defendant was in the country illegally, his bond was raised and he was re-arrested. He has been charged with three felony counts. His counts include: Count One: Abduction, a third-degree felony Count Two: Gross Sexual Imposition, a fourth-degree felony Count Three: Gross Sexual Imposition, a fourth-degree felony Aaron Burd is a breaking news and government reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him via email at AMBurd@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @AaronMBurd. This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Gas station employee indicted for abduction and gross sexual imposition Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a stern message Thursday to school leaders across California any attempt to ban books from classrooms or libraries may require them to answer to the state attorney general. In a letter to county and district superintendents and charter school administrators, Newsom, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Attorney General Rob Bonta cautioned against instituting any book bans. Should a school still choose to remove certain instructional materials, the trio warns that it could be asked to explain its decision-making process to Bontas office. As state leaders elected to represent the values of all Californians, we offer our response in one shared voice: Access to books including books that reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of Californians, and especially, those that may challenge us to grapple with uncomfortable truths is a profound freedom we all must protect and cultivate, the letter read. The free speech organization Pen America has found instances of book bans rising rapidly across the nation. During the first half of the 2022-23 school year, there were 1,477 cases of books being removed from schools, up from 1,149 in the previous six months, according to a recent PEN report. The American Library Association recorded 87 challenged book titles in 2022 in California, and almost all of the top 10 books targeted for removal revolved around LBGTQ issues. The two most challenged were Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe and Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin, according to the Library Association. Book bans are frequently invoked by Newsom as a prime example of repressive policies in red states such as Texas and Florida, and a stark contrast to California. The letter distributed to California schools on Thursday highlighted constitutional precedent and case law that officials say restrict the removal of books and mandate that school administrators preserve freedom of speech and academic freedom. Newsom, Bonta and Thurmond said it was meant to assist school leaders with fielding requests within your community while you continue to support your students and their educational rights. Gen Z is often touted as the digital generation and the driving force behind most online trends. A new study indicates that 50% of Gen Zers want a break from their phones, though most of any other generation. Squarespace surveyed 4,000 adults in the US, Canada, UK and Australia and looked at their digital behavior past and present. Staying connected and sharing with friends and family was the main reason people chose to stay connected. Email, social media and online gaming are Gen Zs earliest memory of the internet. Despite previous studies indicating that Gen Z prioritizes TikTok over Google as a search engine, Squarespace found that Gen Z is twice as likely to use the general web than social media for seeking information. The study doesnt go into detail as to why Gen Z is interested in taking a break from their phones. In recent years, experts have warned that social media use is linked to feelings of depression, isolation and anxiety in teenagers. In 2023, choosing to step away from social media is a bold move especially for younger generations who rely on it for work and socializing with their peers. Yet, some Gen Zers have been making the switch to flip phones in an effort to reduce their screen time. Content creator Bria Jones recently bought a flip phone to help her disconnect from work. She brought her followers along as she made the purchase. I need to set better boundaries with my phone since its something that I use for work, and my brain is just having a really hard time distinguishing when we turn our brain off from work, she said. Ive been wanting a flip phone for maybe a year now because Id love to have just the means of communication; that way, I can take iPhone, turn it off and put it away somewhere. Others have been making the switch to flip phones for aesthetic reasons. Flip phones are the latest 2000s trend to have made a comeback online. Disposable and digital cameras are being repopularized for their single purpose and early-century vintage aesthetic. Online, millennials and older Gen Zers (who are now 26 years old) have been reminiscing about the flip phone era. Generators can be deadly during hurricanes. Here's how to use them safely. Generators can be deadly during hurricanes. Here's how to use them safely. Hurricane season is back, and the wind, rain and flooding aren't the only things to be concerned about. Often overlooked is a major hidden danger that lurks when you are boarded up indoors generators. When major hurricanes hit, there are usually several people who become sick or die not because of the weather hitting their home, but because of the poison that can be unleashed inside. "Using a generator can kill you in minutes," the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned. "Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide. This is a poison you cannot see or smell." How to safely use a generator during a hurricane The No.1 rule when it comes to preventing sudden death amid a major storm is to never use a generator inside the home or garage, even if the windows and doors are open, the commission says. Generators should only be placed outside the home at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and vents, and the exhaust should always be pointed away from your home. The commission also recommends that people using generators should make sure that their carbon monoxide alarms are working. "We have seen people survive storms just to die from carbon monoxide poisoning from their portable generator," the commission tweeted last year ahead of Hurricane Ian. "These deaths are tragic and preventable. Please use your generators safely outdoors." Florida: If you lose power due to #HurricaneIan and are using a portable generator, make sure it is outdoors - at least 20ft away from your home. One portable generator can produce as much carbon monoxide as hundreds of cars #FLwx US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) September 28, 2022 How many people die because of generators during hurricanes? Before Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida last year, National Weather Service Director Ken Graham made clear just how detrimental generators can be if not used properly and that they could be even deadlier than the direct weather effects of hurricanes. "We've seen over the last couple of years in some of these big hurricanes, including Hurricane Laura that hit Louisiana, that there were more fatalities afterward associated with generators than there was from similar storm surge of 16 to 18 feet," he said. It might be tempting to pull out the generator as soon as the storm starts, but experts and officials say to refrain. The government of Miami, a city that's often hard-hit by major storms, has said that portable generators should be used "only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment." In 2020, Hurricane Laura resulted in the deaths of 15 people, including eight people who died from carbon monoxide poisoning from their generators. And within the two weeks after Hurricane Ian slammed Florida as near-Category 5 storm last September, at least 41 people got carbon monoxide poisoning, the Tampa Bay Times reported citing the Florida Department of Health, with most cases likely coming from generators. Overall, the commission estimates that about 85 people die in the U.S. every year because of carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. This number prompted the commission to propose a new rule earlier this year to help reduce the "unreasonable risk of injury and death" the devices cause. That rule would limit carbon monoxide emissions allowed from generators and would require the devices to shut off when those levels are reached. The rule is still being reviewed and is accepting public comments about the proposal until June 20. If accepted, the commission estimates the rule could prevent nearly 72 deaths and 4,213 injuries every year. What is carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, is known as "the invisible killer," according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. It's released any time fuel is burned, whether that's from generators, vehicles, stoves and other products. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms people experience are headache, dizziness, weakness, stomach issues, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, a combination that many describe as feeling "flu-like." It can also cause people to go unconscious, and those who are drinking or sleeping when carbon monoxide is present "can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms," the health agency says. If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, immediately call emergency services for help. The innovative effort to restore reefs High cost of eating out may keep diners at home U.S. to admit nearly 40,000 migrants monthly via mobile app South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said he will be sending state National Guard troops to Texas after a request from Texas Governor Gregory Abbott, The Rock Hill Herald reports. McMasters said sending the additional troopers will help hold the line at the Southern Border, according to The Herald. ALSO READ: Ending of Title 42 could have impact on Carolinas Last month, COVID-era Title 42 ended, allowing migrants to enter the U.S. again. At this time, non-Mexican migrants have to apply for and be denied asylum in another country before trying to seek it in the United States. Migrants will also have to make an appointment on the CBP One app, The Herald reports. A migrant who breaks the rules or does not follow them could be removed from the country and not allowed to enter the U.S. for at least five years, according to The Herald. (WATCH BELOW: Ending of Title 42 could have impact on Carolinas) Group pushing to expand service boundary wont release donors. They dont have to in Lexington Groups who have been pushing for expansion or for a more measured approach to Lexingtons growth boundary dont have to disclose donors to those respective causes or register as lobbyists under city ethics rules. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council is expected to vote Thursday on whether to keep the current boundary, expand it or recommend the city build on previous data-driven reports before an expansion can occur. Two groups have emerged with specific points of view: Lexington for Everyone, which has pushed for an immediate expansion of the citys urban service boundary, and the Fayette Alliance, which has lobbied for the city to wait until various studies are complete before pushing forward with expansion. The Fayette Alliance Foundation has been incorporated since 2014. The Fayette Alliance provided its 2021 tax filings to the newspaper. Its top contributors include Greg Goodman of Mount Brilliant Farm, Orrin and Lee Ingram, Bill Shively of Dixiana Farm, and Lexington Sporting Club and Keeneland and Red Mile associations. Most, but not all, of Fayette Alliances contributors are involved with farming or agricultural businesses, a review of its contributors over several years shows. In 2021, it raised just north of $915,000 from contributors and other sources of income. Brittany Roethemeier, executive director of Fayette Alliance, said a recent Fayette Alliance poll of a little more than 300 Fayette County residents showed the majority of those respondents wanted the city to complete all studies before moving forward with an expansion of the boundary. Infrastructure is still a top priority, Roethemeier said the results showed. How are we going to pay for this? The Fayette Alliance, which is supported by donations from those in the farming and agricultural industry, wants the city to complete all growth studies before it moves forward with any expansion. Lexington for Everyone first emerged in 2021. According to its social media accounts, it first joined Twitter in August 2021. Its Facebook account was activated around the same time. It was incorporated as a nonprofit in November 2021, according to Kentucky Secretary of State filings. Lexington for Everyone has said the city needs more housing, particularly affordable housing, and more land for jobs in its push to get the city to open the urban service boundary. A tax on wages is the citys main revenue source. The city last added land to the boundary in 1996 when approximately 5,400 acres was added. According to its spokesperson, Lexington for Everyone does not have to disclose its donors because its a 501 (C)4, a type of nonprofit. The Fayette Alliance is a 501(C)3. Carla Blanton, a spokeswoman for Lexington for Everyone, said group has asked for an extension from the Internal Revenue Service to file. It refused to disclose its donors to the Lexington Herald-Leader. We comply with the regulations that govern us as a 501(c)4, which do not require us to list our donors. Funding comes from local job creators, organizations and individuals who care deeply about this community and want to ensure a bright future for all its residents, Blanton said in an emailed statement. Federal guidelines for nonprofit status says nonprofits must provide those tax forms, called 990s, upon request. The guidelines say nonprofits must provide three years of most recent 990s. Lexington for Everyone has pushed the city to add 5,000 acres to the citys growth boundary. It has refused to release its donors. On its website, Lexington for Everyone lists its board members in addition to Blanton including: Rev. Clark Williams, of Shiloh Baptist Church Raquel Carter, a real estate agent and chairwoman of Board of Adjustment, a Lexington planning body Rob Shear, general manager of SRC of Lexington Ray Daniels, Equity Solutions Group who has longtime ties with Commerce Lexington. Blanton, a communications consultant, is also past president of Commerce Lexington, the citys business chamber. Millions of dollars could be at stake. If the council opts to expand the citys growth boundary, newly added land or land slated to be added inside the growth boundary will become much more valuable as that land can now be developed. Those landowners have an interest in boundary expansion. Not required to disclose or register The Lexington-Faytte Urban County Governments ethics rules do not require people and groups who lobby the city government to register or disclose how much money the group is spending on lobbying issues before the council, according to city officials. Lobbying disclosure rules have been debated before but were ultimately nixed, city officials said. There is nothing in the Ethics Act requiring lobbyists to register, said Susan Straub, a spokeswoman for the city. There was discussions and a draft ordinance created at some point between 2007 and 2010 about adding lobbyist registration to the Ethics Act. The ordinance died in committee. The citys ethics laws require council members to report any gift over $35. Vice Mayor Dan Wu, who was first elected to council in November 2022, said he needs to know more before taking a stance on whether Lexington needs to revisit its disclosure laws. Im always a fan of more transparency when it comes to government, Wu said. Wu oversees the 15-member council. The state requires lobbyists to register and disclose how much they spend lobbying the General Assembly. The information is a public record through the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. Those rules were adopted in 1993. Laura Hendrix, the executive director of the ethics commission, said under the state rules anyone who is being paid to lobby on behalf of a group or entity, regardless of nonprofit status, must register with the ethics commission and disclose who they are being paid to lobby for. Our laws dont distinguish whether its an individual or a nonprofit, a 501 (c)3 or a 501 (c)4, Hendrix said. Louisville, Kentuckys largest city, recently adopted rules that would require lobbyists to register with the city. Those rules, which took effect this month, came after a lawsuit that exposed emails and text messages that appeared to show a Louisville Metro Council member was working with a developer to make sure the development moved forward, despite objections from neighbors, according to reports from Louisville Public Media. Nashville also requires lobbyists and companies they work for to be registered. On the Nashville city governments website, people can search lobbyists by name or by company name. Grover Beach will fly a pride flag at City Hall during the month of June in support for the LGBTQ community, a news release from the city said. At the May 22 City Council meeting, the council unanimously voted to adopt a resolution approving the display of the flag during Pride Month. We believe in creating a community that celebrates and embraces diversity, Grover Beach Mayor Karen Bright said in the release. The adoption of this flag resolution shares a powerful message of the citys support for our LGBTQ+ community. Grover Beach is a city where everyone is welcome and respected. The city has flown a pride flag in June since 2020 as a means of recognizing and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, the release said. The new resolution solidifies the citys flag policy, creating a way to display commemorative flags at City Hall when approved by City Council resolutions. The pride flag will fly alongside the U.S. flag, the California flag and the city of Grover Beach flag, the release said. Last month, neighboring Arroyo Grande similarly voted to fly the pride flag during the month of June, sparking local controversy. This resolution solidifies our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all residents, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feel valued and respected, Grover Beach city manager Matt Bronson said in the release. We want Grover Beach to be a city where all can thrive and express who they are. Lori Alhadeff's son Robbie (right) and friend (left) wear bulletproof backpacks As gun violence increases and shootings seem to make headlines every few days, the fear of getting caught up in one is changing the lives of millions of Americans. A shopping mall. A classroom. A teenager's house party. All have suffered the scourge of a US mass shooting in recent weeks. To many Americans, it feels like it could happen anywhere. As National Gun Violence Awareness Day looms on Friday, how is this issue affecting the way people go about their lives? Tough conversations Around 60% of adults say they have talked to their kids or other relatives about gun safety, according to a survey by KFF, a non-profit organisation focused on health policy. Some of these conversations are sparked by lockdown drills in US classrooms. In some cases, students as young as five are taught when to barricade doors and when to run for their lives if a gunman is prowling the corridors. Recently, Morgan Hook's nine-year-old daughter Elise came home from school and took her family by surprise when she said the drills would not be much use if the gunman just shot down the door. Morgan Hook has talked to all his children, including his nine-year-old, about school shootings Mr Hook tried to reassure his daughter that wouldn't happen, but he thought back to a recent shooting at a private school in Nashville when the suspect did exactly that. "Sometimes when you try to comfort your kids, that means you're lying to them," says Mr Hook, who lives in Saratoga County, New York. It's useful for parents to have conversations with their children about gun violence, provided they do so calmly, says Vaile Wright, the senior director of health care innovation with the American Psychological Association. Moving home Gun violence in the US has at times caused some to uproot their lives. About 15% say they've moved to a different neighbourhood or city because of it, according to KFF. Last year, 40-year-old Travis Wilson and his wife moved to a new neighbourhood in Louisville, Kentucky, after moving from Old Louisville where they counted the number of gunshots at night. A bullet once went through his neighbour's window. Another time someone pulled a gun on him in front of his house. After his daughter was born in 2021, he and his wife started re-evaluating. "I couldn't imagine how any child could grow up in an area where they hear frequent shots and not be dramatically affected," he said. But last month, the violence followed him to his new neighbourhood when a gunman killed five former co-workers at a local bank. Mr Wilson said he sometimes feels irresponsible raising a child in America, where nowhere feels perfectly safe. "I'll never forgive myself if [my daughter] is a victim of a shooting and I just waited around for her turn." Bulletproof backpacks Lori Alhadeff and son Robbie On Valentine's day five years ago, Lori Alhadeff sent her three children to school as she did every other morning, but by the day's end, only two made it home. A teenage gunman shot and killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida, including Ms Alhadeff's 14-year-old daughter Alyssa. After the shooting, she ordered bulletproof backpacks for her two sons, determined to do everything she could not to lose another child. "Unfortunately, it's not if another school shooting is going to happen, but when," she says. "This is the world that we live in." As US gun violence has worsened, there has been a surge in demand for the backpacks, especially after mass shootings, says Yasir Sheikh, the owner of a self-defence item manufacturing company, Guard Dog Security. "It's important that parents have some sort of feeling of empowerment that they can do something to make themselves and their kids safe." Firearms training for school staff As shootings have increased in frequency, Kate, a superintendent in Ohio, has been building up a safety plan for her school district. It includes locking outside doors, providing medical training for staff and labelling classroom doors so first responders can more easily locate students. But after the 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida, she and other staff wanted to do more. So they participated in a three-day training with FASTER Saves Lives, which teaches school staff how to use firearms to respond to gun violence. Like Kate, around 41% of those surveyed by KFF have attended a gun safety class to protect themselves and others from shootings. "I just want to take every action that I can," she says. Kate acknowledges that not all staff members want to arm themselves and some resent the fact that they feel they have to. But ultimately, in the event of a shooting, she wants to be able to say the district did all it could to prevent deaths. Avoiding public spaces Rose Lewis still remembers the day in 2015 when a gunman opened fire at a movie theatre in Lafayette, Louisiana, killing two people who were watching one of her favourite films, Trainwreck. The 25-year-old has started avoiding movie theatres and other dark, enclosed spaces, fearful they might not allow for a quick escape. "The risk of getting shot is probably pretty low, but just the anxiety of worrying about it for me is not worth going," she says. Carla Smith, 62, also tries to avoid certain spaces. She only goes to the grocery store in the mornings, fearful of large crowds she believes heighten the risk for a shooting. "It has me on my toes." About a third of Americans are taking similar actions, steering clear of certain public places, the KFF survey found. Though mass shootings in public make up a small fraction of shootings, experts say such efforts give people a sense of control. "We often take measures to increase our sense of safety when we are threatened or our sense of stability and security is disrupted," says Daniel Mosley, a psychologist who has examined the impact of mass shootings. But avoidance can become an unhealthy coping mechanism if it significantly disrupts everyday life, he adds. Living in fear Whenever Pam Bosley's 28-year-old son leaves their house at midnight to go to work as a truck driver, Ms Bosley watches each of his steps to the vehicle from her window, praying nothing bad happens to him. It's been 17 years since Ms Bosley lost her oldest son Terrell when the 18-year-old was shot in front of a church in Chicago. Pam Bosley founded an advocacy organisation, Purpose Over Pain She still feels haunted by anxieties about gun violence. "I can't sleep sometimes because I have this fear - not just for my sons, but for my husband, my parents," she said. "I'm living in a state of fear." It is not just those like Ms Bosley who have a direct experience with gun violence who are anxious about it. Ms Wright, of the American Psychological Association, has been studying Americans' top stressors over the past two decades. Mass shootings rose to the top of the list in 2019. Ms Bosley found advocacy and campaigning a way she could channel her grief. "Even though I hurt," she said, "I work hard so my other two sons, my nephews and my nieces so that we all can live. That's my purpose, that's my push every day." . What should happen to Oceano Dunes after off-roading ends? Study looks at future of region What will happen to San Luis Obispo Countys southern coast after off-road riding ends at the Oceano Dunes? A new study examines how to sustain and grow Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area as an important regional economic driver, and offers recommendations on how to showcase the cultural sites and sensitive environment at the popular state park near Pismo Beach. Off-highway vehicle use is expected to be banned in most of the park by 2024. Released Thursday, the $87,850 study was conducted by global consulting firm Resonance and funded by Visit SLO CAL, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo County. Doing nothing (as off-roading stops) isnt really an option, said Chris Fair, president and CEO of Resonance. We need to think about how we move forward as a destination to ensure that were ready to receive the visitors that are coming in the most sustainable way, both for the environment and for quality of life for local residents. Hopefully by working together, regardless of whatever the courts decide, the recreation area will be a stronger asset for the community and the countys tourism industry for the long term. Based on cellphone geolocation data, about 3.4 million people walked, drove, biked or rode horses onto Oceano Dunes SVRA in 2019, the study estimated. Around two-thirds of those were visitors from outside of San Luis Obispo County, the study said. That likely resulted in a $511.2 million impact on the county in 2019, the study said. The goal of this study was to ask: If the dunes does fully close (to off-highway vehicles), then how can we offset some of the economic impacts that could harm our local community? said Chuck Davison, president and CEO of Visit SLO CAL, SLO Countys tourism marketing and management organization. How do we make sure theres some dollars flowing in the direction of the local community in order to advance some of the recommendations you see in the report? Trucks carrying ATVs line up at the Pier Avenue entrance to Oceano Dunes SVRA on Sunday, March 14. California Coastal Commission votes to ban off-road riding In March 2021, the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to amend California State Parks coastal development permit for the popular recreation area. The commission voted to prohibit off-road riding in the dunes south of Pier Avenue in Oceano by 2024. Banning off-roading south of Pier Avenue blocks the activity in all of the parks dune area. Only a one-mile stretch of the beach north of Pier Avenue would be open to off-highway vehicles and vehicle camping, according to the amended permit. Since the 2021 decision, off-roading advocacy groups have filed several lawsuits in San Luis Obispo Superior Court to fight for continued vehicle access. Those lawsuits are still ongoing. One potential scenario for Oceano Dunes Although the Oceano Dunes are seen by many as primarily a place to drive ATVs, dirt bikes and cars on the beach and in the coastal dunes its the only such area in the state the study highlights the diversity of recreational opportunities the area has to offer. The study notes that the South County region now has a great opportunity to revamp a vital, regional eco-tourism destination that could draw in crowds from around the world even without the long-treasured vehicle access. In this potential scenario, the SVRA is now closed and Oceano Dunes has become a State Natural Reserve, the study states. After the closure, the diversity of landscapes is celebrated by locals and visitors. Already recognized as a Natural Wonder of the World by Californians, it is on the path to be recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). The types of activities have shifted from being motorized to lower-impact outdoor activities, it continues. New audiences from researchers to cultural enthusiasts flock to the Dunes and enjoy low-impact infrastructure to explore the Dunes. An integrated boardwalk now connects all coastal communities with access to different types of experiences and environments. Eventually, visitors have become more out-of-state, as the world recognizes the importance of Oceano Dunes. Officials lead a tour of dust-mitigation efforts at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation area in April 2021. From left are State Parks officials Alex Velazquez, environmental scientist; Ronnie Glick, senior environmental scientist and Ben Wagner, senior environmental scientist specialist; and SLO County Air Pollution Control Districts Karl Tupper, senior air quality scientist, and UCSB Professor Ian Walker. In the foreground is a year-old revegetation project. Study has 20 recommendations for regions future The study released Thursday lays out a total of 20 recommendations ranging from creating an Oceano Dunes stewardship committee to updating the parks fee and reservation system, to enhancing and expanding trail systems in the park. Davison said he hopes the recommendations can be used as guideposts for the state, county and local governments that control the park and its surroundings. The creation of the Oceano Dunes stewardship committee with members representing a variety of interests in the park is paramount, Davison said. Although a similar committee disbanded in 2017 due to disagreements on how to manage the park, Davison said he hopes this new committee could agree to the new future of the park. Vehicles cross Arroyo Grande Creek at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area on Sunday, March 14, 2021. The Coastal Commissions historic decision bans vehicles from crossing the creek when its flowing, which would cut off access to the majority of the parks off-highway use. Aside from the formation of a stewardship committee, the study suggests a multitude of improvements to the park and surrounding community. Those include expanding a trail and walkway system within the park that has interpretive signage pointing out key ecological and cultural spots. Visitors should be able to learn about the Oceano Dunes and its history and environmental characteristics while recreating in the unique coastal dune system, the study says. Local communities should also invest in building the local tourism workforce and infrastructure surrounding the Oceano Dunes, the study says. Doing so would improve access to the park as well as better serve and house visitors, according to the study. According to Fair, the future of the South County region around the Oceano Dunes is in the hands of the local governments and State Parks. He said the study by his consultancy firm lays out a clear pathway toward ensuring the region becomes a sustainable tourism hub, he added. Rather than just saying This is up to State Parks, or this is up to the county, or this is up to Grover Beach, or this is up to Oceano, really, its up to all of those parties working together in a coordinated fashion, he said. Hopefully the study creates the platform to at least begin that process. What happened to John Forsyth, the Missouri doctor found dead in a lake? What we know. Police were investigating Thursday to find out what happened to a Missouri emergency room doctor who went missing only to turn up dead with an apparent gunshot wound in an Arkansas lake more than a week later. Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was last seen on May 21 and didn't show up for his shift in the Cassville, Missouri hospital where he worked. His body was discovered by a kayaker on Tuesday in Arkansas, authorities said. What happened to him in between is still largely a mystery. His family members said in interviews and on social media that Forsyth was dedicated to his job and never would have missed a shift. His brother, Richard Forsyth, told news outlets that the doctor even sometimes slept in an RV parked near the hospital so he wouldn't miss a call about one of his patients. Here's what we do and don't know about Forsyth's disappearance and death: Where and when did he go missing? Forsyth showed up to the hospital in Cassville, a small town of about 3,100 residents in the Missouri Ozarks, the morning of May 21. He texted his fiancee that morning at about 7 a.m., and said he would see her later, his brother Richard Forsyth told CNN. He stopped replying to messages after that. He didn't show up for his afternoon shift, his brother told The Daily Beast. He wouldnt miss a shift even if his eyeballs were hanging out of their sockets," Richard Forsyth told The Daily Beast last week. It was an immediate red flag. 'Prepared to kill again': Raul Meza Jr., who police call a 'serial killer,' charged with murders Forsyth's vehicle, a black Infiniti, was later found at an aquatic park in Cassville. It was unlocked with items including his wallet, two phones, and a laptop inside. It doesnt seem like a person who left with a plan, Richard Forsyth told the Associated Press. Where was he found? Law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, used dogs and drones to search a nearly 9-mile radius around the aquatic park where the car was found. It wasn't until earlier this week that a kayaker in Arkansas found his body in Beaver Lake, a large reservoir in northwestern Arkansas, about 20 miles away from the car. How did he get there? Authorities have said they're still investigating what happened to Forsyth after he was last seen. Cameras spotted Forsyth's car arriving at a parking lot at the aquatic park, according to Richard Forsyth. A few minutes later on the footage, a white SUV was seen parking near it. Richard Forsyth said the cameras caught Forsyth walking away, but it wasn't clear where he went. READ MORE: Former Family Feud contestant Timothy Bliefnick found guilty in wifes fatal shooting The reservoir where Forsyth's body was found by the kayaker is about 26 miles away from the hospital where he worked and where people last saw him alive, according to his brother. Richard Forsyth told AP on Wednesday evening that authorities hadn't given the family any new information, but were investigating the death and how he went missing. How did Forsyth die? Forsyth had what appeared to be a gunshot wound when he was found, the Benton County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Authorities didn't say what part of his body was shot or whether they believe Forsyth was shot by someone else or if the gunshot wound appeared to be self-inflicted. Forsyth's family members rejected the idea that he could have killed himself. "John would never do that. I wont accept that possibility," Richard Forsyth, his brother, told AP. Richard Forsyth told CNN his brother didn't exhibit any signs that would indicate he was suicidal. He said Forsyth had recently purchased plane tickets to visit some of his eight children in another state, and had just recently gotten engaged to "the love of his life." He'd also recently finalized a divorce and been ordered to pay thousands of dollars every month in alimony and child support, Richard Forsyth told CNN. Finalizing the divorce May 11 "gave him energy for the future," he told AP. IOWA BUILDING COLLAPSE: Mother recalls terrifying phone conversation as daughter's apartment building fell around her Richard Forsyth told the outlet that his brother had made statements in the past that in hindsight could be considered concerning. "On several occasions, hes talked about scenarios (in case) he wasnt around anymore, Richard Forsyth told CNN. "Continuity plans." But Richard Forsyth said he met for dinner with John Forsyth days before his disappearance and he was the happiest he had ever been in his life. Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Forsyth disappearance: What happened to Missouri Dr. found dead The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly going to stop making tell-all Netflix documentaries, publishing memoirs and taking part in interviews that reveal the inner workings of the royal family, because there is nothing left to say, a source has claimed. After Harry and Meghan decided to take a step back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to California, it was not long before they started taking part in tell-all interviews and planning to make their first Netflix documentary. Following their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey back in 2021, the couple went on to release a six-part Netflix docuseries titled Harry & Meghan in January 2023. In the same month, Prince Harry released his revealing, controversial memoir Spare and pursued a press tour giving a series of exclusive interviews to major broadcasters in the UK and US. In his memoir, Prince Harry made several damaging claims concerning members of his family, alleging that his brother William physically attacked him and accusing his family of having a disregard for his wife, Meghan Markle. The couple, who celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary last month, have been heavily criticised for insisting they want privacy, all while appearing in interviews and making allegations about The Firm. That period of their life is over as there is nothing left to say, one source told The Sun, adding that the Netflix and memoir period was the couples era of visibility and that they hoped 2023 would be their year of reconciliation with the Royal Family. The Independent has contacted representatives of the Sussexes for comment. Harry and Meghan were ridiculed in an episode of South Park in March (Paramount Plus) In 2020, the couple signed a five-year contract with Netflix, under their production company Archewell Productions, reportedly worth $100 million, with the aim to produce documentaries, docuseries, feature films, scripted shows and childrens programming. So far, they have been behind two programmes; Live to Lead, which features interviews with world leaders and celebrities including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Gloria Steinem and their personal docuseries Harry & Meghan. The Sussexes were ridiculed in an episode of South Park in February, which depicts the Prince and Princess of Canada, a young royal couple resembling Harry and Meghan, who loudly beg for privacy while drawing attention to themselves. The characters are promoting the princes book Waaagh the cover very similar to Harrys book cover. Members of the royal family have not directly commented on the claims Harry made in Spare, but relations between the Sussexes and the rest of the family are understood to be fraught, as Harry did not appear to speak to his brother William at King Charless coronation last month, while Meghan stayed in California with their children. Prince Harrys visit to London for the historic event was a brief one, as he bolted back to Heathrow Airport almost immediately after the ceremony finished and arrived in Los Angeles that evening. The sources claim that the couple has reportedly decided to halt the making of documentaries and books comes less than two weeks after the couples representatives said they had been involved in a near catastrophic car chase through the streets of New York after the Ms Foundation Awards Ceremony, where Meghan was honoured with the Women of Vision Award. Next week, Prince Harry will arrive in London to return to the High Court in June as he takes Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) to court over allegations of phone hacking. But King Charles will miss his visit, as he will be holidaying at his home in Romania for five days. Hawaii couple dead, several still missing after fishing boat capsized in Alaska A couple from Hawaii that was vacationing in Alaska is dead after a charter fishing boat they were riding on capsized near Sitka on Sunday, officials said. Alaska State Troopers identified the victims as Maury Agcaoili, 57, and his wife, Danielle Agcaoili, 53, both of Waipahu, according to Hawaii News Now. Authorities said Maury Agcaoili was found unresponsive in the water near the boat, named the Awakin. He was later pronounced dead while Danielle Agcaoili was initially listed among the missing, which still includes her sister Brandi Tyau, 56, of Canoga Park, California; Tyau's partner, Robert Solis, 61. Boat captain Morgan Robidou, 32, of Sitka, Alaska is also missing. Charter company Kingfisher Charters said it was "devastated by the loss of the guests and captain of the Awakin. We are fully cooperating with the U.S. Coast Guard in its investigation of this tragic event and hope that it furnishes answers to the questions as to how it occurred." COAST GUARD SUSPENDS SEARCH FOR 4 MISSING AFTER ALASKA CHARTER BOAT FOUND PARTIALLY SUBMERGED Sunset Inside Passage near Sitka Alaska Inside Passage Southeast Alaska USA. The U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday that it had suspended the search for those still missing, whose names were made public Wednesday, after spending more than 20 hours surveying approximately 825 square miles. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Suspending a search is never an easy decision," said Darwin Jensen, captain of Port Southeast Alaska, Hawaii News Now reported. "We extend our deepest sympathy to the loved ones during this difficult time. Our sincere thanks to community partners and the good Samaritan vessels who rapidly responded to help in the search." US coast guard boat 23 May 2012 The 30-foot aluminum charter vessel was last seen Sunday near Sitka, which is located approximately 90 miles southwest of Juneau, according to the Coast Guard. Search and rescue crews later found the boat near an island located approximately 10 miles west of Sitka. It was partially submerged amid rough waters. RANGERS AT ALASKA'S DENALI NATIONAL PARK RESCUE CLIMBER WHO FELL FROM A 3-MILE-HIGH RIDGE Coast Guard Petty Officer Ian Gray has said the region experienced 6 to 11 foot seas on the day the vessel went missing. Kingfisher Charters reported the vessel missing after it did not return from a day fishing trip, the Coast Guard said. Jim Solis, the brother of Robert Solis, said the sisters' parents and brother joined them on the trip but were on a separate vessel. Fishing fleet Harbor marina Sitka Alaska Inside Passage Southeast Alaska USA. Jim Solis said he and his brother grew up in Burbank, California, and that his brother, a Navy diver, met Tyau when he was stationed in Hawaii decades ago. They have a son and loved to fish together, Jim Solis said. "He was a big surfer, a really good musician. He played guitar and put together songs," Jim Solis said of Robert. "The ocean really was his life." According to Hawaii News Now, Danielle worked at First Hawaiian Bank. CEO Bob Harrison released a statement saying "she was a beloved member of our First Hawaiian Bank ohana," per the report. He added: "We are keeping Dani, her husband, and her family members in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Hawaii man pleads guilty and is fined after death of baby bison at Yellowstone A Hawaii man pleaded guilty to a federal charge after he interacted with a bison calf earlier this month in Yellowstone National Park, where park staff later euthanized the calf when its herd rejected it. Clifford Walters pleaded guilty Wednesday, May 31, to one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife, according to the Wyoming U.S. Attorney's Office. Walters was charged with about $1,000 in a fine and a community service payment to the Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Walters approached the calf in the Lamar Valley area of the park on May 20, where the newborn had been separated from its mother when the herd crossed the Lamar River, the national park said in a press release. He pushed the struggling calf out of the river and into the roadway, the park said. Park visitors later reported seeing the baby bison approach cars and people. Park rangers "tried repeatedly" to reunite the calf with its herd, but the efforts failed, the park said. Staffers later killed the calf because it was abandoned by the herd and was causing a "hazardous situation by approaching cars and people along the roadway." There was nothing to indicate Walters acted maliciously in his actions toward the calf, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Walters declined to comment to NBC News. Yellowstone National Park explained in a statement why park rangers' decided to euthanize the calf instead of caring for it or sending it to an animal sanctuary. "It's important to understand that national parks are very different than animal sanctuaries or zoos," the park said. "We made the choice we did not because we are lazy, uncaring, or inexpert in our understanding of bison biology. We made the choice we did because national parks preserve natural processes." The park said as many as 25% of all bison calves born this spring will die, but the deaths will support other animals. "Allowing this cycle of life to play out aligns most closely with the stewardship responsibility entrusted to us by the American people. Unfortunately, the calfs behavior on roads and around people was hazardous, so rangers had to intervene: but the calfs body was left on the landscape," the park said. The park added federal and state regulations prohibit the transport of bison out of Yellowstone unless those bison are going to meat processing or scientific research facilities. Park regulations require visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife, including bison, and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. Fines, injuries and even death can occur if people disregard the regulations, the Wyoming U.S. Attorneys Office passed along on behalf of the park. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Climate change threatens to reverse decades of progress in cleaning Americas air, especially in the West. Unhealthy air alerts triggered by particles of pollution are rising in dozens of cities and counties, chiefly in Western states, the American Lung Association reports. The main reason is rampant wildfires, fed by global warming, causing an annual cycle of smoky devastation. Eight of the 10 cities with the most days of high particle pollution, including soot from fires, sit in California, the lung-disease nonprofit found in its 2023 State of the Air report. Another is Fairbanks, Alaska, a city without enough cars or people to generate much air pollution on its own. Smoke from wildfires is befouling the air in remote cities that have never known L.A.-style smog: Logan, Utah; Missoula, Mont.; and Fargo, N.D. Wildfire smoke can blanket cities hundreds of miles away. A few weeks ago, I was speaking with someone from Colorado who was staying indoors because of smoke from forest fires in Calgary, said William Barrett, national senior director for clean air advocacy at the American Lung Association. Particle pollution is spreading at a time when another category of air pollution, ozone, stands in decline. Most large American cities log many fewer days of unhealthy air due to ozone, or smog, than in decades past. New York now registers roughly 17 high ozone days per year, compared to more than 50 at the start of the millennium. Chicago reports about 15 smoggy days annually, down from nearly 40 in the early 2000s. The Washington, D.C., region logs about seven high ozone days a year, compared to about 60 per year at the turn of the millennium. Over the decades, the air has gotten cleaner, and everybody has benefited from that cleaner air, said Julian Marshall, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Washington. Amendments to the federal Clean Air Act in 1990 set emissions standards that gradually cleared the air across the nation. In New York and Chicago and Houston, longtime residents watched a gray smudge of smog melt away. Our air has been getting cleaner for four decades now, said Daniel Cohan, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University in Houston. We saw especially strong improvement in the 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s. The Lung Association has logged steady progress in smog reduction nationwide. The group gave failing grades to 124 U.S. counties for smog in its 2023 report, the smallest number in 24 years of reports. Weve seen, overall, really positive trends in the cleanup of ozone pollution across the United States, Barrett said. Particle pollution, by contrast, has trended in the opposite direction. The most dangerous episodes of particle pollution, coded maroon and categorized as hazardous to the entire population, were unknown between 2002 and 2014, the Lung Association found. In the years since, maroon warnings in American counties have become a reality: 74 incidents in 2020 and 73 in 2021, based on three-year averages. Purple warnings for particle pollution, the next-worst category, signaling very unhealthy air, increased from 10 in 2016 to 113 in 2021. While ozone pollution has been trending downward almost everywhere, particle pollution is surging in some Western communities and zigzagging in others, largely because of wildfires. The San Francisco metropolitan area reported an average of 23.5 high-particle days in the three-year span ending in 2021. Thats about twice as many bad-air days as in the mid-2000s, a low ebb of particle pollution in the city. Sacramento had 20.8 days of high particle pollution from 2019-21, the report found, compared to a low of 3.7 days of unhealthy air from 2010-12. As climate conditions are becoming more and more frequently ripe for catastrophic and uncontrolled wildfires, the associated smoke exposures are really ramping up, Barrett said. When considering ozone and particle pollution, the State of the Air report found 120 million Americans live in communities with failing grades for unhealthy air. More than 60 million people live in counties with failing grades for dangerous spikes in particle pollution, the largest number reported in the past 10 years. With ozone levels falling, air quality activism increasingly focuses on the unequal socioeconomic impact of pollution. The Lung Association report found, for example, that people of color were nearly four times as likely as white people to live in counties with failing grades across three broad pollution measures. On average, Black and brown communities are more likely to breathe polluted air, said Marshall of the University of Washington. Marshall and his colleagues found race is a stronger predictor than income of exposure to bad air. A recent report in The Guardian, drawn from their work, found urban neighborhoods suffering the worst pollution were overwhelmingly the same places where Black and Hispanic populations live. The worst pockets of urban air pollution include South Los Angeles, Chicagos South and West sides and neighboring swaths of northwest Indiana. Warehouses are being built in areas that are predominantly Latino, Black, immigrant, said Eloise Gomez Reyes, a Democrat who serves as majority leader in the California State Assembly. Its the trucks coming in and out. Its the diesel particulate matter being spewed into the air. Black and Hispanic people are more likely to live near expressways and other freight corridors, air quality research shows. South of downtown Chicago, Black and Hispanic residents have long lived in the shadow of steel mills and other industrial plants. Theres a big issue of environmental justice in Chicago, said Vishal Verma, an assistant professor of environmental engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Its a highly segregated city, in terms of air pollution. The Biden administration has proposed to tighten federal standards for fine particle pollution, citing its inordinate impact on low-income families and communities of color. The proposal would lower the federal standard for fine particles to 9 or 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air, from a current standard of 12 micrograms. Fine particles emitted by vehicles, factories and fires can travel deep into the lungs and are linked to asthma, heart attacks and early death. Federal officials estimate stricter standards could prevent up to 4,200 premature deaths a year. In Houston, where the air is much cleaner now than 20 or 30 years ago, all air pollution monitors register fine particle pollution below the federal 12-microgram threshold, Cohan said. If the standard were lowered to 9 or 10 micrograms, he said, parts of the city would fail the test. You have dozens and dozens of counties in that middle ground, that meet the current standard but would violate the new standard, he said, including large swaths of California, Oregon and Washington. Health effects research has shown us that there is damage, and even deaths, that can occur if pollution meets the current standard. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Nike has appointed Sarah Mensah as President of Jordan Brand. The new title makes Mensah a history maker. She will be the companys first woman to serve in this role and the first Black woman to become Jordan Brand president. BREAKING: Nike Inc. announces that current VP Sarah Mensah has been named the new President of Jordan Brand. pic.twitter.com/sDqzdpLiD6 Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) May 25, 2023 Making History At Nike Being a history maker is not new to the executive. Just two years ago, she became the the first Black woman vice president at Nike North America. She will be taking over the position from Craig Williams, who will now lead Geographies & Marketplace at Nike. Mensahs tenure at Nike is very extensive, starting all the way back in 2013. She spent five years with Jordan Brand before taking on the role of VP at Nike. In 2018, Mensah became the vice president of the brands Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. In her last position, she oversaw Nikes North America region. A Push For Diversity Mensah says she appreciates Nikes attempts at diversity and putting women at the forefront. Its important to me personally and to our athletes, our employees, our consumers. We talk a lot about listening to them, and the best way to listen is to reflect them, Mensah said in a 2021 Footwear News interview. I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility because Nike means so much to the Black community. To be the first Black woman leading this geography is an incredible mandate. Overall, Mensah says working with the Jordan brand has been a rewarding experience for her. I had the opportunity to sit at the table with Michael Jordan himself, Mensah said. I was able to learn and draft off of his example. I understood that all success requires us to stretch and push beyond our comfort zones. The intensity and inspiration of being challenged to achieve something more by the GOAT himself stays with me to this day. The post The Head Of Nikes Jordan Brand Is Now A Black Woman appeared first on 21Ninety. Here's Matchbox 20's 2023 tour setlist in Phoenix, from 'Push' to 'Don't Get Me Wrong' The Slow Dreams Tour brought Matchbox Twenty to Phoenix for first time since 2017s A Brief History of Everything Tour marking the 20th anniversary of their 10-times-platinum debut, "Yourself or Someone Like You." And this time, that brief history includes their first new album in 11 years, the much anticipated "Where the Light Goes." They set the tone for their performance with "Friends," the song that opens Where the Light Goes, and made their way through five selections from the album by the time their set was through, including the singles Wild Dogs (Running in a Slow Dream) and Dont Get Me Wrong. But that still left time for the hits, including all five singles from Yourself or Someone Like You. Rob Thomas spoke to The Arizona Republic about how it feels to sing a song like Push or 3AM nearly 30 years after recording them. Weekend plans? Capt. Kirk, drag queens and street art are the best things to see in Phoenix this weekend I'm OK if I never heard those songs ever again, he says. But I'm OK with playing them every night. "Like, there's a living, breathing energy we're sharing with everybody through these songs that have just kind of been around in their life for 27 years. There's no other way for us to look at it other than it's like a member of your family. It doesn't matter whether you like their politics or their conversation at dinner, they're in the (expletive) family." Matchbox Twenty 2023 setlist for Phoenix stop on Slow Dreams Tour Friends How Far We've Come Real World Disease Wild Dogs (Running in a Slow Dream) She's So Mean All I Need Queen of New York City Hand Me Down If You're Gone (acoustic) Mad Season Dont Get Me Wrong These Hard Times The Way Parade Bent Back 2 Good Long Day Rebels Encore: 3 A.M. Unwell Push Bright Lights Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Here's Matchbox 20's 2023 tour setlist from their Phoenix concert Here's why there was no immediate migrant influx at the Arizona border when Title 42 ended Some Arizona leaders and politicians had predicted and feared that the end of the Title 42 border restriction on May 11 would lead to a mass influx of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. Former Vice President Mike Pence warned that a storm was coming with the lifting of the controversial health policy that was used to rapidly turn back asylum seekers at the countrys borders. Shipping containers topped with concertina wire blocked vehicle lanes at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales as officials prepared for people to potentially rush the port. Migrants and asylum seekers are detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Somerton, Ariz., near the Cocopah Indian Tribe's reservation boundaries, on May 11, 2023. However, no immediate influx of migrants materialized after Title 42 ended. Migrant encounters actually dropped in half the week after the restriction was lifted. Heres why that happened. Why was there no immediate influx on May 11? Migrants and transnational smuggling networks are in a wait and see approach. Migrants are waiting to see how the complicated new rules and consequences play out along the southern border. Many are pausing their journeys in Mexico until the intricacies of the new system become clearer. Both migrants and their smugglers right now are trying to figure out what those new pathways are, said Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America. Migrants arrive at the Albergue Para Migrantes San Juan Bosco shelter in Nogales, Sonora, after being expelled from the U.S. on May 11, 2023. One key part of the new system is President Joe Bidens asylum ban rule, which heavily restricts migrants access to asylum, advocates say. The rule requires most migrants to apply and be denied asylum protections in a country they passed through on the way to the U.S. Has this ever happened before? Yes. There have been numerous wait and see periods of lower migrant encounters immediately following U.S. immigration policy announcements in the past. Migrants arrive at the Albergue Para Migrantes San Juan Bosco shelter in Nogales, Sonora, after being expelled from the U.S. on May 11, 2023. Migrant encounters fell dramatically in the few months after former President Donald Trumps inauguration in January 2017, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. The numbers dropped to levels not seen since the Nixon administration, Isacson said. More: What is Title 42 and is it ending? The US border immigration policy, explained During the Obama administration in 2014, migrant encounter numbers fell after the U.S. and Mexico worked together to crack down on immigration coming through Mexicos southern border. When will the numbers rise again? Were not sure. Migrant encounter numbers could potentially start rising in a couple weeks or a couple months, Isacson said. Isacson doubts that itll take more than a couple months for numbers to increase again, he added. A security guard pats down an asylum seeker from China before they board a bus with other migrants and asylum seekers after being detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Somerton, Ariz., near the Cocopah Indian Tribe's reservation boundaries, on May 11, 2023. Numbers may already be rising, according to preliminary Border Patrol figures. Border Patrol documented 3,396 migrant apprehensions a day over the past four days, Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz said in a tweet Tuesday. The number is an uptick from the previous low of 2,917 daily apprehensions Ortiz reported on May 22. Numbers rise in April: Migrant encounters on US-Mexico border rise in last full month of Title 42 restrictions While numbers initially drop after sweeping changes in immigration policy, they almost always creep back up in the months after. The conditions driving people from their homes remain the same, even if policies change. Have a news tip or story idea about the border and its communities? Contact the reporter at josecastaneda@arizonarepublic.com or connect with him on Twitter @joseicastaneda. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why was no immediate migrant influx seen after Title 42 lifted? Somber faces and cloudy eyes on Wednesday filled the room that featured the centerpiece of a powerful new museum exhibit in Bellefonte, one that adds context to the horrors of the Holocaust. The American Philatelic Center (100 Match Factory Place), which also serves as a stamp museum, unveiled a permanent exhibit, A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust, to an invitation-only crowd Wednesday evening. At the center of the exhibit lay a 12-foot wide fence with barbed wire at the top, reminiscent of those from concentration camps with some 11 million stamps, collected by schoolchildren, filling the display and towering over onlookers. Each stamp represents the life and death of the Holocausts estimated 11 million victims, 6 million Jews and at least 5 million non-Jews (prisoners of war, Jehovahs Witnesses, homosexuals, Romany, etc.). We want to be able to have something here that people can take away, not just go in and say, What a nice building, said Scott English, the societys executive director. We want people to have an experience together. The exhibit which also includes enlarged reproductions of mail sent from Holocaust-era ghettos and concentration camps, along with stamps around the world symbolizing remembrance is now open to the public. Visitors browse the new exhibit at the American Philatelic Society, A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust, on Wednesday. The exhibit includes 11 million stamps to represent the lives lost during the Holocaust. Story behind the exhibit When since-retired teacher Charlotte Sheer first broached the topic of the Holocaust with her fifth-graders at Massachusetts Foxborough Regional Charter School in 2009, she was struck by their empathy and understanding. They read the book Number the Stars, a work of historical fiction by Lois Lowry that won a Newberry Award. They understood Adolf Hitler was a bully of sorts, condemning those who looked or acted different. They realized their Jewish teacher wouldve likely been killed if she had lived around Germany between the 1930s and mid-1940s. They innately knew antisemitism was wrong. But they just couldnt wrap their 10- and 11-year-old minds around the number of victims. Eleven million. Could they collect something, they asked their teacher, so they could see just how much 11 million was? Pennies were too heavy. Paper clips had been done years before by another class in another state. But what about stamps? We came around to the fact that once you use it once, its thrown away as having no value which is exactly what Hitler was doing with human beings, throwing them away as having no value, Sheer recalled Wednesday to the CDT, after a 10-hour drive from New England. So then I took it a step further and I took out a whole bunch of postage stamps for them to look at, and I said, What do you notice about them? They said theyre all different. They had different places, different people and different values, even. They represented the diversity of the world, which Hitler was trying to eliminate. So we had a lot of symbolism attached to the stamps. Charlotte Sheer talks to Rabbi David Ostrich Wednesday about the artwork out of stamps her students at Foxborough Regional Charter School made as part of the Holocaust Stamps Project. The American Philatelic Societys new exhibit, A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust, features the project. What started as a lofty undertaking by a fifth-grade class soon spread throughout the school. Volunteers throughout the community also approached the school. Their story spread. Soon enough, the entire K-12 school was contributing in some way, even kindergartners who werent told about the Holocaust but counted stamps by fives and 10s as part of math class. Supporters from 48 states and more than two dozen countries sent the school stamps, with volunteers as old as 92 there to help count. It took three years to reach 1 million stamps and five more years to reach 11 million. Sheer phoned Bellefontes American Philatelic Center around that time to ask if they knew anyone who might take the stamps and the stamp collages the school had created and collected. The project was dubbed The Holocaust Stamps Project. I was like, We will, English remembered. Well figure it out. After several years of planning, COVID setbacks and debating with vendors as a nonprofit, the center admittedly brow-beat vendors into lowering prices due to the projects importance the Bellefonte building finally unveiled what might serve as the states most unique Holocaust memorial. A collection of 11 million stamps to represent the lives lost during the Holocaust is part of the new exhibit A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust at the American Philatelic Society. The exhibit & Wednesdays dedication The centerpiece, of course, is the display holding the 11 million stamps. Its a somber sight a display a foot-and-a-half deep and 12 feet wide, with a wave of stamps more than 5 feet tall. Its almost as if an elephant made out of stamps laid down in the middle of the room. Some of the 18 stamp collages, created by students at Foxborough, decorate the surrounding walls and depict different events from the Holocaust era. One collage was shown depicting Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, after the Nazis and their sympathizers broke the windows of Jewish-owned stores, buildings and synagogues in 1938. A timeline of the Holocaust fills another wall, while a large map with enlarged ghetto postcards surrounds another. The new exhibit at the American Philatelic Society, A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. During a Wednesday dedication, which featured a blessing from State College Rabbi David Ostrich and speakers from Penn State, the overwhelming sentiment was that this community, this country and this world needed more exhibits like this and more teachers like Sheer. What does it matter if people are aware of the Holocaust if the hate still continues, asked Boaz Dvir, the director of the Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Initiative at Penn State. Students with a passive learning experience memorize something for a test and then simply forget. But, with hands-on learning like The Holocaust Stamps Project, Dvir said thats not the case. This is the kind of project that can be lasting, that can make a difference, that can alter the perception of a child and provide that child with something they can carry on beyond just regurgitating knowledge of a test, Dvir added. Sheer felt similarly. She saw students connect and reject antisemitism by understanding what many schoolchildren learn about, but few fully appreciate. And she hopes the new exhibit impacts people as much as it did the students at Foxborough. What weve done means other kids are going to learn from it and, hopefully, adults too, she said. And in this age of rising antisemitism, it couldnt happen at a more important time. Visitors browse the new exhibit at the American Philatelic Society, A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. How, when to see the exhibit The exhibit is now permanently housed inside Bellefontes American Philatelic Center at 100 Match Factory Place, with future plans to highlight some local history such as Bellefontes role in the early days of transcontinental mail in the same space. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to visit when the center is open, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Groups of 15 or more are asked to contact the center ahead of time, and possibly connect with a tour guide, by calling 814-933-3803. An open house will also be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 11, for those interested in tours focused on the exhibit titled, A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust. Presentations will be given about the exhibit and Holocaust-era postal relics by experts Ken Lawrence and Justin Gordon; exhibit coordinator Susanna Mills; and Jamie Droste, who completed the Holocaust Stamps Project with Foxborough students. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Bronwyn Opossum/Twitter Even the odious Sen. Ted Cruz expressed outrage at Ugandas draconian new anti-LBGTQ statutes. This Uganda law is horrific & wrong, the Texas Republican tweeted on May 2. Any law criminalizing homosexuality or imposing the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality is grotesque & an abomination. ALL civilized nations should join together in condemning this human rights abuse. But Cruzs rare moment of moral truth was immediately challenged by the same pastor who delivered the invocation at Gov. Ron DeSantis second inauguration. Tell it to God, Ted, Tom Ascol of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, tweeted in reply. Ascol, who was a close second in a runoff election for president of the Southern Baptist Convention last year, proceeded to cite scripture: "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. Leviticus 20:13 He added, Was this law God gave to His old covenant people horrific and wrong? Tell it to God, Ted. "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them." Leviticus 20:13 Was this law God gave to His old covenant people "horrific and wrong"? https://t.co/FZi2JolvQK Tom Ascol @tomascol (@tomascol) May 30, 2023 Cruz did not reply to Ascols tweet, which certainly seemed to suggest that the execution of gay people had a biblical blessing. But a commenter said that analysis was missing the point and that Ascol was simply challenging the standards of Cruz and asking, Where does Cruz derive his standards? Ascol tweeted in reply: You are exactly right. Some people don't read carefully. Others, evidently, don't reason well. Thanks for clarifying & accurately expressing what I *actually* wrote. But even on careful reading, most reasonable people would assume Ascol was suggesting that Ugandas anti-gay law is not intrinsically horrific and wrong. Ascol, who did not respond to a Daily Beast request for comment, has taken a similarly extreme position before. The senior cleric at Grace Baptist in Cape Coral has repeatedly called for homicide charges against any woman who has an abortion for whatever reason. He has compared choosing to terminate a pregnancy to retaining a killer for hire. Its like saying if I dont murder someone, but I just contracted a murderer to murder someone, Im not culpable, Ascol said on a Christian radio show in 2022. It was an honor to pray for Governor Ron DeSantis today at his inauguration. He is God's servant for the good of Floridians. Romans 13:4; 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Full video is on my FB page. @GovRonDeSantis @RonDeSantisFL pic.twitter.com/8RqZe1p9A5 Tom Ascol @tomascol (@tomascol) January 3, 2023 By that standard, DeSantis prohibition against abortions after six weeks into a pregnancy would be six weeks too woke. Nevertheless, Ascol has made it clear that he much prefers DeSantis to Donald Trump. I dont think President Trump is a principled man, Ascol has said, avoiding far-right political heresy by quickly adding, I think he was a great president. DeSantis, Ascol says, seems to be a man of sincere faith. In his opening prayer at DeSantis second inauguration, Ascol described the governor as anointed by the Almighty. God has blessed the state of Florida by placing him in this office as His servant for our good, he declared. Such an endorsement from a prominent ultra-conservative pastor is heaven-sent for a would-be GOP nominee for president when 35 percent of Republicans are white evangelical Christians. More than 70 percent of the evangelicals voted for Trump in 2020. And a remarkable number of the supposed faithful have so far stuck by this mendacious, thrice-married serial adulterer who is under indictment for allegedly paying hush money to a porn star. In choosing DeSantis over Trump, Ascol is essentially telling them that the Anointed One whom God made governor of Florida should now become the next president of the United States. A critical number of evangelicals may follow the pastor as it becomes ever more clear that Trump is devoid of any principles at all, harboring contempt for everyone and loyalty to none But some more moderate voters could be scared away by DeSantis association with a pastor who at least appeared to tweet scriptural support for executing gays and who unequivocally equates abortion with contract murder. Did you try telling that to God, Tom? . 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. The U.S. Capitol, where on May 31, 2023, the House passed a debt limit deal on a bipartisan vote. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana Talking with a friend about the debt ceiling negotiations, I mentioned that there were incentives for centrists in Congress to cobble together a deal. My friend said, incredulously, Do we actually have centrists in Congress? Certainly, it is true that the countrys two major parties have sorted and separated over the last 50 years. The average Democrat is more liberal and the average Republican more conservative than the average in the 1970s or even 10 years ago. But with the House vote on GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthys deal with Democratic President Joe Biden to suspend the debt ceiling through Jan. 1, 2025, successful passage was undoubtedly carried by centrists. The middle may be shrinking, but it still exists, and it is critical in a closely divided Congress. The deal was negotiated by President Joe Biden, left, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and their representatives. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite Ideological space within parties Why did the center carry such weight? As a starting point, it helps to look at the spectrum of ideology within each party. There is significant ideological distance between, say, Barbara Lee, a liberal California Democrat, or the four progressive members of whats called The Squad, and the two moderate Democrats, Jared Golden of Maine and Washington states Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who voted with Republicans in late May to overturn Bidens student debt relief policies. Similarly, there is ideological space between Golden and Gluesenkamp Perezs fellow member of the moderate, bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, and Colorado Republican and conservative firebrand Lauren Boebert. Within the Republican-controlled House, this left ample space for GOP defectors to vote against the debt ceiling compromise, but also yielded dozens of Democrats who voted in favor, in the final 314-117 bipartisan vote. The two-party division of Congress belies the fact that the ideological distance between moderates in either party is not that great. Another explanation of the centers power in Congress now and in the House debt ceiling vote is the incentive that exists to be seen as a winning party. Being perceived by voters as a party that gets things done helps win elections and centrists are often the ones whose votes are up for grabs, one way or another. That said, there is an electoral cost for a party being too unified. On well-publicized votes on which party unity is enforced by party leaders, voters may come to see their representatives as too far from their own preferences. This is what some research has suggested happened to Democrats in the 2010 midterms with regard to the Affordable Care Act. Democrats had ferociously advocated for the legislation; as one scholarly study put it, they paid a significant price at the polls for that advocacy. The draft of the bill that President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California negotiated to raise the nations debt ceiling. AP Photo/Jon Elswick The middle matters These incentives set the stage for the political wrangling over the debt ceiling. Speaker McCarthy had an incentive to pass legislation to be seen as a winner. At the same time, there were Democratic House members who were driven by their own electoral prospects who wanted to be seen as moderate. Josh Gottheimer, for example, who co-chairs the Problem Solvers caucus, is a Democrat from a moderate New Jersey district with just a narrow Democratic tilt. The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus proved critical to the bills passage by providing Democratic votes to help the bill survive GOP defections. Complicating this incentive structure is the currently divided U.S. government. If one party controlled Congress and the presidency, then it would be clear that that party would be blamed in the event the legislation didnt pass. But with a Democratic president and a GOP House, polling data shows an almost even split in terms of who would be blamed if a debt ceiling deal failed. Thus, both Democrats and Republicans had an incentive to get a deal done. While there is some debate in political science over the power of presidential coattails, Democrats themselves may believe their future electoral fortunes are at least partially tied to that of President Biden, another incentive to support legislation he backs. From here, the deal goes to the Senate, where moderates may be just as influential. Given the smaller size of the upper chamber and the Democrats narrow majority, the influence of individual senators is more pronounced. The deal already contains a victory for West Virginias Joe Manchin, a Democrat looking at a brutal reelection fight in 2024. The bill contained approval for a natural gas pipeline project in his state that Manchin has championed. Although the Senate vote is still pending, the House debt ceiling maneuvering demonstrates that the middle, while shrinking, continues to matter. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: Matt Harris, Park University. Read more: Matt Harris does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. (Bloomberg) -- The House Oversight Committee is opening an investigation into US Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, ratcheting up the fight between the GOP and Khan as she attempts to reinvigorate the consumer protection agency. Most Read from Bloomberg House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer in a letter on Thursday asked Khan to turn over a wide range of documents, including an unredacted opinion written by former Republican Commissioner Christine Wilson, communications among commissioners about the FTCs authority to clamp down on corporate America, and documents about whether Khan should have recused herself from a case involving Meta Platforms Inc. The letter was shared first with Bloomberg News. The investigation is the latest salvo by House Republicans against Khan, whom they have accused of amassing too much power at the FTC. Khan and her allies have insisted she is reawakening the agencys long-dormant authority to curb harmful and exploitative business practices across the US economy. The House Judiciary Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee have both announced separate probes into Khans leadership at the FTC. Comer said the Oversight Committees investigation will focus specifically on allegations from Wilson, the Republican commissioner who left the agency earlier this year. Wilson announced she was resigning from the agency in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, alleging that Khan was acting in defiance of legal precedent. We seek documents and information to shed light on Commissioner Wilsons allegations and determine the extent to which the Commission has deviated from its mission to protect Americas consumer, Comer wrote. Among the documents the committee wants to see is Wilsons unredacted dissent to the committees rejection of Metas request to bar Khan from taking part in an administrative case challenging Metas acquisition of virtual-reality startup Within. The FTC withdrew the complaint in February. Under Chair Khan, the FTC is proud to be defending American consumers from harm and ensuring fair competition in the economy, said FTC spokesman Douglas Farrar. We look forward to working with Congress to dispel former Commissioner Wilsons imaginative allegations. Khan, a leader in the progressive movement to reinvigorate antitrust enforcement, has been the a major target for free-market and libertarian conservatives since she was nominated as chair in 2021. She previously served as a staffer on the House Judiciary Committee during its monthslong investigation into the countrys largest tech companies. As an academic at Columbia University, Khan advocated for paring back the power of tech giants such as Amazon.com Inc using antitrust laws. During her time at the helm of the FTC, Khan has pursued expansive efforts to ban non-compete agreements, challenge mergers between tech companies including Microsoft Corp. and Activision Blizzard Inc., and crack down on companies that violate user privacy. The House Judiciary Committee separately subpoenaed documents Khan related to the FTCs ongoing probe of Twitter Inc. last month. (Updates with FTC response in seventh paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The House just passed McCarthy and Biden's debt-ceiling deal, bringing the US one step closer to avoiding a default in a matter of days House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California is pictured at the Capitol on January 7, 2023. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana The House voted to pass Biden and McCarthy's bill to raise the debt ceiling by a vote of 314-117. It came after lawmakers in both parties expressed opposition to some of the compromises in the bill. The bill now heads to the Senate, which needs to act quickly before the US defaults in June. The House of Representatives just took a major step in preventing the US from defaulting on its debt in a matter of days. On Wednesday night, the House passed President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy's bill the Fiscal Responsibility Act to suspend the debt ceiling through January 1, 2025 by a vote of 314-117. It was far from an easy process to get to this point. For months, Biden and McCarthy had been at odds over the best approach to address the debt-ceiling crisis. McCarthy passed a bill in the House last month to raise the debt ceiling through March 2023 accompanied by $4.5 trillion in spending cuts, while Biden was adamant raising the debt ceiling should be a clean and bipartisan deal, without any spending cuts attached. Biden and McCarthy's bill will cut spending by at least $1.5 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office, and it has provisions that include codifying the end of the student-loan payment pause and new work requirements on federal programs like SNAP. "This agreement is good news for the American people and the American economy," Biden said in a statement following its passage. "It protects key priorities and accomplishments from the past two years, including historic investments that are creating good jobs across the country. And, it honors my commitment to safeguard Americans' health care and protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. It protects critical programs that millions of hardworking families, students, and veterans count on." It wasn't immediately clear that the bill would pass the House. Shortly after the text was released, it gained opposition from both sides of the aisle some Democratic lawmakers were unhappy with the spending cuts in the deal, while conservative lawmakers were hoping for bigger cuts on more federal programs. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces some opposition, as well. "I have real concerns about a bill that is designed to take away food from hungry people, to make students who are struggling with debt lock in to pay more, to slow down our efforts in the climate fight and to help out wealthy tax cheats," Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren told reporters on Tuesday. "The Republicans have taken hostage of our economy and our good name around the world. And Democrats are forced into having to play the role of grown-ups in the room." However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have already expressed support for the bill, hoping to corral members of both of their parties to vote for its passage. "President Biden and Speaker McCarthy's agreement will protect the economy and eliminate the threat of a catastrophic default. I support this bipartisan agreement. Nobody's getting all they wantbut it takes default off the table and protects key investments we've made," Schumer wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. McConnell also wrote that McCarthy "and House Republicans secured a crucial first step toward bringing Washington Democrats' reckless spending to heel. Their unity forced President Biden to do his job. And soon, it will be the Senate's turn to pass this important agreement." Congress needs to act quickly to pass the legislation and get it to Biden's desk before the US could default as soon as June 5. "Senators should be prepared to move on this bill quickly once it is the Senate's turn to act," Schumer said on Wednesday. "I cannot stress enough that we have no marginno marginfor error." Read the original article on Business Insider The Houses passage of a debt limit deal Wednesday night marks the end of a pivotal chapter for the new House GOP majority, putting Congress on a path to avoid a default and securing a huge victory for Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) even as its infuriated conservatives in his own conference. The vote followed months of jockeying between McCarthy and President Biden over the appropriateness of negotiating future spending as part of the effort to extend the governments borrowing authority a fight McCarthy won handily, by forcing Biden reluctantly to the table. But the final agreement also excluded most of the spending cuts and other favored provisions in the partisan debt ceiling package Republicans passed last month, highlighting the political realities and potential pitfalls of shepherding big ideas through a divided Washington. With a final vote of 314-117, the bill overwhelmingly passed, and McCarthy garnered a yes vote from about two-thirds of the Republican conference. But overall, more Democrats voted for the bill than GOP lawmakers. Here are five takeaways on what passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act means for the politics of the House. McCarthy proved he can cut big bipartisan deals Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks to reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Tierney L. Cross) The Speaker has defied expectations since struggling to win the gavel in January, rallying Republicans behind a host of bills advancing the partys priorities on a wide variety of issues, including immigration, energy policy and education. But virtually all of those proposals were partisan messaging bills, with no hope of consideration by Democrats who control the Senate or White House. In that important respect, the debt ceiling package marked McCarthys first major negotiation with leaders across the aisle and the first real, must-pass bill thats moved through the House under his guidance. The fraught process has proven that McCarthy can not only move partisan bills through the House, but can also navigate bipartisan bills into law all in a pressure-cooker environment when failure might have led to an economy-crushing default. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), one of the GOP negotiators for the debt bill, said the White House had for damn sure underestimated McCarthy. Kevin McCarthy has always been underestimated, McHenry said. The White House miscalculated on this one. They misjudged the Speaker, added Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.). He is hands-down the best strategist Ive ever worked with. Relations within the House GOP conference have soured Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and Garret Graves (R-La.) Lead negotiators for the House Republicans in the debt ceiling talks Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and Garret Graves (R-La.) head to Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) office on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Greg Nash) For House GOP leaders, the debt ceiling win came at the cost of strained internal relations. Graves, who also negotiated with the White House on the deal, expressed frustration with members of the House Freedom Caucus criticizing the package particularly Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). Some trust was lost, Im not gonna lie, Graves said. There really was, and Im really offended. Graves said that the GOP criticisms play into the hands of the White House. We have some relationship repair that needs to happen, Graves said, adding that he has talked candidly to Roy about how he feels. Were going to need to sit down and talk and probably over several bottles of something initially. Roy responded to Gravess loss of trust on Twitter. Garret and I will sit down and talk about it. Hes a good man and he (and Patrick [McHenry]) worked hard on this. But this is the country were talking about and the bill is exactly what it is, Roy said. Frustrated conservatives also went after party leaders for ignoring their concerns, characterizing the Republicans all-hands briefings on the package as cosmetic exercises with no real purpose. Asked if GOP leaders were listening to member concerns, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) didnt pause: No, they werent responsive to any concerns, she said. They never are. Higher chance of attempt to oust McCarthy as Speaker Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) speaks to reporters after a press conference held by the House Freedom Caucus regarding the Biden-McCarthy debt limit deal on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Tierney L. Cross) Conservative outrage about the bill not having deep enough cuts has increased the chances of McCarthy facing a GOP mutiny. Any single member can make a motion to vacate the chair which would force a vote on removing McCarthy as Speaker. Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) became the first member to officially call for such a motion over the debt bill Tuesday, saying: I think its got to be done. He did not explicitly commit to making the motion, saying he would first consult with colleagues. Theres 222 members of the Republican conference. Nobody in the Republican conference could have done a worse job, Bishop said of McCarthys negotiation with the White House. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) echoed those gripes, saying Wednesday that McCarthy should be concerned about a motion to vacate. McCarthy, for his part, has brushed aside the threat, saying he is not worried about losing his Speakership. And other confrontational conservative Republicans are putting down the idea. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a founding member of the Freedom Caucus, said the motion to vacate is a terrible idea. And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said she did not take those threats seriously. Both Jordan and Greene have become McCarthy allies. Jeffries, Dem leaders keep a tight ship Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) addresses reporters during a press conference on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 to introduce a social security bill. (Greg Nash) McCarthy was not the only untested congressional leader heading into the debt ceiling fight. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the newly tapped Democratic leader, was also under heavy pressure to deliver for the party in his first major battle with a tight deadline and the economy in the balance. That gave Jeffries and his leadership team the delicate task of protecting Biden, an unpopular president whos running for reelection, from charges that he gave away too much, while also giving rank-and-file members of his caucus free rein to air their protests with the deal and even vote against it when it hit the floor. There was no whip operation on final passage. Members will make the decision that is best for them, Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.), chairman of the Democratic Caucus, said Wednesday morning. Jeffries also orchestrated several deft maneuvers throughout the debate. In January, Democratic leaders very quietly launched the process, known as a discharge petition, to force a vote on a clean debt ceiling bill as an emergency hatch if the talks went sideways. Behind Jeffries and Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), the Democratic whip, party leaders then secured unanimous support for that petition, which heightened the pressure on Republicans to cut a deal with Biden. And Wednesday, when McCarthy failed to secure the necessary Republican votes to pass the rule governing the bill, Jeffries mobilized Democrats to buck tradition and fill the void to ensure the measure could pass but only after it was clear that Democrats would be needed to rescue the vote. Even McCarthy was impressed with that strategy. I probably would have done the same [thing], McCarthy said. Good play. Government funding battles on the horizon Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) at the Capitol on Thursday, May 18, 2023. (Tierney L. Cross) The debt limit bill erases the threat of government default until 2025 and sets top-line spending caps, but Congress still has work to do to actually fund the government before Oct. 1 or face a shutdown a threat thats been heightened by the consternation of conservative deficit hawks dismayed by McCarthys performance in the debt ceiling fight. One part of the bill aims to incentivize Congress to pass 12 regular appropriations bills by instituting a penalty for failure: an automatic 1 percent cut to discretionary programs, across the board. Appropriations is where the fight is, Greene said. Spending will not be the only fight. Conservatives are also eying the coming 2024 budget debate as their leverage point to install favored policy priorities. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) said that the only way Republicans can combat weaponized government is through the appropriations process. Greene is fighting hard for a balanced budget amendment and legislation to block any new hires at the IRS. Other Republicans have eyed defunding parts of the FBI that they find objectionable. We have a chance to control spending more transparently and precisely using powerful Congressional tools such as the upcoming appropriations bills, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said in a tweet Tuesday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The House on Wednesday evening passed bipartisan debt ceiling legislation, known as the Fiscal Responsibility Act, (H.R. 3746 (118)). The legislation now heads to the Senate with less than six days until a June 5 default deadline. The legislation, in addition to raising the debt ceiling until January 2025, limits spending levels for the next two years for discretionary spending. rescind some pandemic aid and tax enforcement funding, and increase work requirements for certain social safety-net programs, among a few other key provisions. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. "This agreement is good news for the American people and the American economy. It protects key priorities and accomplishments from the past two years, including historic investments that are creating good jobs across the country. And, it honors my commitment to safeguard Americans health care and protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. It protects critical programs that millions of hardworking families, students, and veterans count on," President Joe Biden said in a statement after the vote. The final vote on Wednesday evening was 314-to-117. In the end, 149 Republicans and 165 Democrats voted to support the measure, while 71 Republicans and 46 Democrats opposed it. Three of the four Native Americans serving in Congress voted yes on the legislation. Those voting yes were Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK-4th District), Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS-3rd District), and Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK-At-Large). Cole, the longest serving Native American in Congress, chairs the powerful House Rules Committee. "Today's bill is a product of compromise and reflects the realities of a divided government," Cole (Chickasaw) said as he began the Rules Committee meeting on Tuesday. Today I voted for a bipartisan agreement to prevent default and save our economy from potential catastrophe. This deal is not perfect, but compromise from both sides was necessary to reach a final agreement, Davids (Ho-Chunk) said. It accomplishes the core priorities I pushed for: we agreed to pay our bills, we avoided cuts to Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits, and we agreed to move onto a bipartisan path to address our nation's budgetary challenges without holding our economy hostage. Peltola, the first Alaska Native ever elected to Congress, says she voted yes to protect the economy from default on the national debt. This deal isnt perfect, but its far better than a default, Peltola said. Ive been calling for talks to prevent an economic crisis and protect vital programs like Social Security from the beginning, and Im glad that both parties were finally able to agree on a bill that avoids a disastrous default without devastating cuts to other services that Alaskans rely on. Im also encouraged that many of the permitting reforms I advocated for are included in this final bill. However, while Im relieved that we were able to avoid disaster this time, it's clear that we cant keep governing this way. We need to be able to talk to each other and cooperate without the threat of economic collapse." Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK-2nd District), who is serving in his first term in Congress, voted no. House Republicans passed a responsible billThe Limit, Save, Grow Actwhich would cut wasteful spending by $1 trillion in year one and $4.8 trillion over ten years. Instead, this Biden-McCarthy agreement at best includes a two-year freeze in spending in exchange for adding $4 trillion to our $31.5 trillion national debt, Breecheen (Choctaw) said in a press statement. The measure is expected to pass the Senate as early as Friday or Saturday. The bill will then be sent to President Biden to avert the government defaulting on its debt. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net House Republicans were ultimately responsible for a provision fast-tracking a major natural gas pipeline in the debt ceiling package announced over the weekend, sources told Fox News Digital. After text of the legislation was published Sunday, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., was immediately credited with ensuring the provision green-lighting all outstanding federal environmental permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline project was included. In a statement, Manchin said he was "proud to have fought for this critical project and to have secured the bipartisan support necessary to get it across the finish line." However, sources close to the closed-door talks between the White House and House leaders said it was Republicans who led the charge to secure the provision's inclusion in the deal. The sources told Fox News Digital that Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., and Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., in particular pushed for the provision to be included after Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., appealed to them. After the White House repeatedly communicated that it would oppose involving the pipeline in the deal, Republicans finally asked Manchin to lobby the White House to drop its opposition. JOE MANCHIN ABRUPTLY TANKS BIDEN NOMINEE PICKED TO OVERSEE ADMIN'S CRACKDOWN ON GAS STOVES Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., said he was proud to help "ensure MVPs completion." "Manchin could have asked to put MVP in any of the Dem-only must-pass bills they passed in the last two years. He didn't because he couldn't get it done," one of the sources said. "Manchin played a key role without a doubt. But his role was simply getting the White House to agree to stop blocking it." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP On Saturday evening, less than 24 hours before the legislation was publicly released, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called Miller to inform her that the White House had agreed to language fast-tracking the Mountain Valley Pipeline in the legislation. DEM SENATOR PURCHASED LUXURY CONDO FROM GREEN ENERGY LAWYER PUSHING WIND FARM IN HOME STATE "Since January, House Republicans have worked tirelessly to make sure this pipeline gets finished," Miller told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. "We brought MVP into the negotiating room and our Senate colleagues got the White House to drop opposition." "MVP is a bipartisan win that was only possible because of House Republicans winning the majority and making it a priority," she continued. "MVP is the first step to ensuring American energy independence will flourish for generations." Supporters of the 303-mile West Virginia-to-Virginia pipeline have touted its economic benefits and have argued it would boost U.S. energy security. According to its developer Equitrans Midstream, the Mountain Valley Pipeline would transport approximately 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from West Virginia to consumers in the Mid- and South Atlantic. The pipeline is projected to generate $40 million in new tax revenue for West Virginia, $10 million in new tax revenue for Virginia and up to $250 million in royalties for West Virginia landowners. Sections of steel pipe for the Mountain Valley Pipeline are pictured Aug. 31, 2022, in Bent Mountain, Virginia. However, the pipeline, which has been 94% completed, has been slowed by a lengthy permitting process stretching back years. While the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service recently provided the Mountain Valley Pipeline's developer with key authorizations, it is still awaiting a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit and environmental groups have vowed to challenge permits in court. "This bipartisan, bicameral effort to complete the Mountain Valley Pipeline will deliver significant results for the American people," Reschenthaler said in a statement Wednesday. "Natural gas from communities in my district, along with Ohio and West Virginia, will lower energy costs in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina." "With 5,000 direct construction jobs through completion, Congress is checking the far-left activist judges on the 4th Circuit to help secure our energy security," the Republican deputy whip continued. "I applaud my colleagues' teamwork and was proud to work with them to ensure MVPs completion." And Miller similarly touted the pipeline's expected benefits while crediting her Republican colleagues for committing to the project. "The Mountain Valley Pipeline has been a decade long bipartisan push to cement American energy independence," Miller said. "My West Virginian colleagues and I have worked tirelessly to finish this pipeline." "With the four-year Democrat super majority, it was impossible to complete the project because of Green New Deal priorities. When House Republicans took the majority, we knew there was a path forward to finally get it done." Fox News Digital has reached out to Manchin's office for response to Republicans' statements about the pipeline's inclusion in the package. Today officially marks the beginning of the 2023 hurricane season for South Carolina residents. The NOAAs National Hurricane Center defines the timeline of each years annual official hurricane season for the Atlantic basin as occurring from June 1 to Nov. 30, with tropical cyclone activity potentially occurring before and after those dates. Additionally, the NOAA details that the Atlantic hurricane seasons peak is on Sept. 10, with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid-October. At the moment, the organization is currently predicting the outcome of this years hurricane season with varying percentages with the highest ruling for a near-normal season. The current predictions called for a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season. NOAA is forecasting a range of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, five to nine could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including one to four major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges, detailed a news release published by NOAA on May 25. Prior to any storms making their debut, its essential to start making preparations to help keep you and your family safe in the event of an evacuation or to endure potentially dangerous or deadly weather from such a storm that may be expected to impact South Carolina. If something were to occur, its important to already have a list of important contacts and resources on hand. Here is a compiled list of essential phone numbers, websites to check, Facebook pages to monitor and other emergency resources to help stay up-to-date on important, live information amid any emergency situation this year. Some of the following information has changed from previous years. Local Agencies for Beaufort County Beaufort County Sheriffs Office: https://bcso.net/. For emergencies, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency dispatch, call 843-524-2777. For a routine law enforcement question, call 843-255-3200 for Northern Beaufort County and 843-255-3300 for Southern Beaufort County. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaufortCountySheriffsOfficeSC/. Twitter: @bcsopio. NextDoor: https://nextdoor.com/agency-detail/sc/beaufort/beaufort-county-sheriffs-office-2/. Nixle: https://local.nixle.com/signup/widget/i/1550. Town of Hilton Head Island: Storm updates: https://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/hurricane/updates/. Flood hazard guide: https://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/flood/. Hilton Head Island Hurricane Resource Center: https://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/hurricane/. Have any additional questions or concerns after checking the provided sources? Contact Thomas Dunn, Hilton Heads Emergency Manager, at ThomasD@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 843-682-5156. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/townofhhi/. Twitter: @TownofHHI. Town of Bluffton: www.townofbluffton.sc.gov and https://www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/656/Hurricane-Season. Information and important resources brochure: https://www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2020/Town-of-Bluffton-Hurricane-Season-Information-Brochure-PDF. Town of Bluffton Evacuation routes: https://www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1397/Town-of-Bluffton-Evacuation-Routes-PDF. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TownBlufftonSC. Twitter: @TownofBluffton. City of Beaufort: https://www.cityofbeaufort.org/. Hurricane readiness information: https://www.cityofbeaufort.org/602/Hurricane-Readiness. 843-525-7070. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC. Twitter: @CityBeaufortSC. Town of Port Royal: https://www.portroyal.org/ and https://www.portroyal.org/259/Emergency-Preparedness. 843-986-2200. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortRoyalSC/. Twitter: @TownofPortRoyal. Bluffton Police Department: https://www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/211/Police. For emergencies, call 9-1-9. For non-emergencies, call 843-524-2777. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blufftonpolice/. Twitter: @BlufftonPolice. Hilton Head Island/Beaufort County Reentry hotline: https://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/hurricane/return/#:~:text=You%20can%20call%20the%20Hilton,254%2D6400%20for%20more%20information. Hotline: 833-254-6400 for more information. Residents must make sure to bring either a photo ID that contains their local address or a utility bill with their name and island address on it to reenter Hilton Head Island. Local Radio Stations According to the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office, Beaufort County residents may tune into the following local radio stations during emergency situations as they will broadcast information for the Sheriffs Office. These include, DBC Radio Group Bluffton Savannah Lowcountry Radio Group Statewide Emergency Management Contacts South Carolina Division of Emergency Management: www.scemd.org. 803-737-8500. Twitter: @SCEMD. Facebook: www.facebook.com/SCEMD/. Instagram: @scemd. Email: WebAlert@emd.sc.gov. Code Red Alerts sign-up: https://www.scemd.org/stay-informed/emergency-alerts/codered-alerts/. Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov. South Carolina/Region 4 general contact: 770-220-5200. FEMA helpline: 1-800-621-3362. Twitter: @fema. Facebook: www.facebook.com/FEMA/. Region 4 email: FEMA-R4-Info@fema.dhs.gov. National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov. Twitter: @NWSNHC and @NHC_Atlantic. Facebook: www.facebook.com/NWSNHC. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMasters Office: https://governor.sc.gov/. 803-734-2100. Twitter: @scgovernorpress. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HenryMcMaster/. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Hurricane Resource Page: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/main/index.html. Twitter: @NASAAtmosphere. Federal Alliance for Safe Homes: https://www.flash.org/ and https://flash.org/peril/hurricane/. 850-385-7233. Twitter: @FederalAlliance. Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/federalalliance/. Email: info@flash.org. South Carolina Department of Public Safety: https://scdps.sc.gov/. Real time traffic updates: https://apps.beaufortcountysc.gov/traffic-cameras/. Traffic and road closure information: 511sc.org and SCDOT 511 app. South Carolina Highway Patrol contact: 803-896-7920 as well as Troop Six Headquarters Post C (Beaufort/Jasper Counties) 843-726-8801. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scdps.pio/. Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCDPS_PIO. Dominion Energy: https://www.dominionenergy.com/south-carolina/vanities: (Features South Carolina programs, safety tips, information on outages, emergency contacts for downed lines and detailed information and links for how to report a power outage in your area, as well as other preparation tips and helpful links.) South Carolina homepage: https://www.dominionenergy.com/south-carolina. Downed/Sparking Lines: 888-333-4465. Gas Leaks: 800-815-0083. Map of outages in the area: https://outagemap.dominionenergysc.com/. Twitter: @domenergysc. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dominionenergy. Palmetto Electric Cooperative: https://www.palmetto.coop/. If you have already checked your main breaker and are experiencing a power outage, call PowerTouch at 866-445-5551 or login to MyEnergy Online at https://epayment.palmetto.coop/onlineportal/. If you see a downed power line, call 9-1-1. Hilton Head Office: 843-681-5551. New River Office: 843-208-5551. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PalmettoElectricCoop?ref=sgm. Twitter: @PalmettoCoop. South Carolina Office of Attorney General: https://www.scag.gov/. To report price gouging at gas stations: https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/south-carolina-s-price-gouging-law-now-in-effect/, email: pricegouging@scag.gov, call 803-737-3953, Tweet @SCPriceGouging or more information at https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/how-to-report-suspected-price-gouging/. Twitter: @SCAttyGenOffice. Facebook: www.facebook.com/SCAttyGen. South Carolina Department of Transportation: https://www.scdot.org/. Road conditions: https://ris.scdot.org/RoadConditionsForm.aspx?&zoom=8er=33.673795076577846,-80.93943916500001. SC 511: https://www.511sc.org/#zoom=6.798938790502389&lon=-80.98257578840082&lat=33.28370007547154&dmsg&rest&cams&other&cong&wthr&acon&incd&trfc. Twitter: @SCDOTLowCountry and @SCDOTPress. Emergency Notification Subscriptions SCEMD CodeRED emergency alerts: https://www.scemd.org/stay-informed/emergency-alerts/codered-alerts/. BCSO Nixle alerts: https://bcso.net/beaufort-county-sheriffs-office/advisories/. Town of Hilton Head Island emergency alerts: https://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/services/esubscribe.cfm. Town of Bluffton emergency alerts: https://www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/AlertCenter.aspx. City of Beaufort emergency alerts: https://www.cityofbeaufort.org/AlertCenter.aspx. Town of Port Royal emergency alerts: https://www.portroyal.org/AlertCenter.aspx. Hurricane-Related Resource Apps SC Emergency Manager: This is the official app of SCEMD. It allows users to build emergency plans, keep track of supplies, stay connected to friends and family and have access to a tools section which contains a flashlight, emergency locator whistle and the ability to report any damage to emergency officials. Coastal residents can use the maps features to locate the nearest emergency shelters, know when they are open and locate their flood zone. The app also has the ability to function without the need of a data connection, which can be helpful in case of emergency. Apple App Store download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sc-emergency-manager/id1378105431 Google Play download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.scemd.app SC 511: This is an official app by SCDOT that provides real-time traffic information on all South Carolina interstate highways as well as some highways along the coast. This statewide system is also linked to a website for additional use and provides users with information on construction, lane closures, crashes, congestion and severe weather affecting traffic and is up-to-date and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Apple App Store download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/511-south-carolina-traffic/id657933886. Google Play download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iteris.itisc511&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1. FEMA: The FEMA App allows users to receive real-time weather alerts, locate emergency shelters in your area, prepare for common hazards as well as other helpful resources. Apple App Store download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fema/id474807486. Google Play download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.fema.mobile.android&hl=en. In addition, users may also download the FEMA app via text messaging. On an Android device, text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA); On an Apple Device, text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA). Clime: NOAA Weather Radar Live: This app allows its users to view animated real-time weather radar images and hyperlocal storm patterns in addition to seeing weather highlights from your lock screen. Apple App Store download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/noaa-weather-radar-weather-forecast-hd-radar/id749133753. Google Play download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apalon.weatherradar.free&referrer=adjust_reftag%3DcpZd5T2LETvQO%26utm_source%3DWebsite%2BButton Weather - The Weather Channel: A reliable source for anything weather-related. This app helps keep you up-to-date with radar, weather tracking, videos, news stories and more. It is offered for iPhone/iPad and Android. Apple App Store download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-weather-channel-forecast-radar-alerts/id295646461 American Red Cross: The American Red Cross has several helpful free-to-download apps that are helpful in case of emergency. Hurricane App: Apple App Store download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hurricane-american-red-cross/id545689128. Google Play download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cube.arc.hfa. Emergency App: Apple App Store download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/emergency-by-american-red/id954783878. Google Play download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cube.arc.hzd. First Aid App: Apple App Store download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/first-aid-by-american-red-cross/id529160691. Google Play download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cube.arc.fa. Thursday marks the official launch of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season and it's starting with a storm already brewing off Florida's coast. The National Hurricane Center season is tracking a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. In a forecast early Thursday morning, the agency said the low pressure area over the northeastern area of the Gulf became "a little more concentrated" throughout the night and that conditions seem to be "marginally favorable" for a cyclone to develop. A low pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center as Atlantic hurricane season kicks off. / Credit: NOAA Originally that development wasn't expected to be significant, the agency said, with just a 20% chance that it could become a cyclone within the next 48 hours. However, by early Thursday afternoon, forecasters said conditions have increased the likelihood of development to 70% as the storm system picked up sustained wind speeds of 35 mph. If it continues to develop, it could become a "short-lived tropical depression or storm." By this weekend, however, the forecast is expected to be "unfavorable" for the system to substantially develop. "Regardless," the agency said in its 8 a.m. update, "local heavy rainfall could occur over portions of the Florida Peninsula through the weekend." 2pm EDT 5/31 Update-- An area of low pressure has formed in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico associated with showers and thunderstorms displaced to its northeast. This system has a low chance (20% ) of formation over the next two days before environmental conditions become pic.twitter.com/jQleKZ8TyR National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) May 31, 2023 The National Weather Service has said the Tampa Bay area, which sits along the Gulf Coast, can expect a "rather wet pattern" into Friday as the system continues to hover over the Gulf. Heavy rainfall is considered the main concern of the system. The Atlantic hurricane season runs until Nov. 30. The NOAA has predicted it will be a "near normal" season. At least a dozen named storms are anticipated over the next several months, with between five to nine hurricanes and only between one and four that are considered "major." President Biden falls on stage at Air Force Academy commencement "The ChatGPT Revolution" explored in new CBS News documentary Destruction from Russia's war on Ukraine revealed in new before and after satellite images Digitally-enhanced photo of the eye of a hurricane. Roberto Machado Noa/Getty Images. Natural disasters have been steadily worsening due to climate change, and hurricanes are no exception. In addition to higher frequency and intensity, these storms now also have a wider area of impact. Where could we see increased hurricane damage in the future? Where is this happening? New research from First Street Foundation found that the East Coast and Gulf Coast of the U.S. are most at risk of wind damage from hurricanes in the next 30 years. In fact, "13.4 million properties will face tropical cyclone level wind risk that do not currently face such risk," the nonprofit wrote in its report. Meanwhile, other regions of the country, specifically the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, will likely begin to see much more hurricane damage than before. "Hurricanes are making their way northward. They're making it latitudinally up to places they haven't before," said Matthew Eby, founder and CEO of First Street. "The second thing that comes along with that is they're stronger." First Street's report predicts that hurricane damage will amount to $19.9 billion in losses in 2053; Florida, already a hurricane hotspot, is expected to account for $14.3 billion of that total. (The state is home to the top 20 cities most likely to be hit with a severe hurricane in 2023.) The storms are also expected to make landfall in more northern locations, instead of southern cities like Miami. "The South Carolina and Georgia border is where you'll see the largest increase in wind speeds over the next 30 years," Eby said. Meanwhile, New York City is predicted to see the largest increase in average annual loss from hurricane damage, CNN reported. "The risk is shifting. That's what we are trying to impart," said Ed Kearns, chief data officer for First Street. "Risk is most dangerous when you don't know you have it." Why is this happening? The issue can be largely attributed to climate change. Oceans are becoming warmer and, in turn, providing fuel for hurricanes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the probability of hurricanes in the North Atlantic strengthening to category 3 or higher is now 40 percent, up from 10 percent in the 1980s. "The odds of it being a major hurricane when it makes landfall are almost 50-50 now," Eby told CNN. How will this affect society? For one thing, many of the regions growing in susceptibility to hurricanes are ill-equipped to handle storms with winds of 100 mph or more. Indeed, "in Miami, 100 mph wind is serious but not devastating because they're used to it," said Kerry Emanuel, who created the hurricane models used in First Street's report. Meanwhile, communities of color are being disproportionately impacted. Over 40 percent of the Black population in the U.S. lives in areas deemed at risk for hurricane wind damage, and that number is expected to increase to 55 percent in 30 years. "Even if the risks are well known, it doesn't mean, unfortunately, that we are going to be well prepared," Emanuel said. Insurance companies have also failed to account for the problem, even as people are moving to counties "categorized as high risk for hurricane-force winds at six times the rate of other counties," per The Washington Post. "The estimates of risk they use to price properties and premiums are 50 years out of date, and the climate has changed enough to make their data useless," according to Emanuel. This is especially true in some of the northern and inland regions that have historically avoided severe hurricanes. "Compared to the historic location and severity of tropical cyclones, this next generation of hurricane strength will bring unavoidable financial impacts and devastation that have not yet been priced into the market," Eby remarked, adding that this new report is ushering in "a new era in the understanding of the physical impacts of climate change." You may also like Why are so many seniors homeless in America? Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario' Fossils uncovered in Australia are 107 million-year-old pterosaurs bones, scientists say Iconic Italian Beaches to Limit Daily Visitors By Silvia Marchetti, CNN (CNN) As temperatures rise and summer beckons, its fast approaching that time of year when tourists from all around the world descend on Italys coastline. But the huge popularity of Italys two largest islands Sicily and Sardinia, known for their pristine beaches and fluorescent blue waters, has come at a cost to the local environment, with trash and sand theft among the biggest problems. However, this summer, local authorities are taking extra steps to preserve the natural environment by enforcing strict daily visitor limits, with some of the most highly rated beaches in the popular islands in the frontline. While Baunei, a small village in a remote area of eastern Sardinia, has implemented daily visitor caps in previous years, restrictions on the number of sunbathers permitted to visit some of the most beautiful beaches along its 40-kilometer coastline overlooking the Gulf of Orosei are being tightened even further this summer. Unsustainable visitor numbers Our land is mostly ragged tall cliffs where mouflons (wild sheep) and hawks live, and just a dozen beaches so everyone flocks there, crowding these, Stefano Monni, the mayor of Baunei, tells CNN. We can no longer afford thousands of daily sunbathers all squeezed in one spot as in the past, its unsustainable. Four beaches are affected. Cala dei Gabbiani and Cala Biriala both now have a daily cap of 300 visitors in place, while Cala Goloritze has a limit of 250 visitors per day, and Cala Mariolu, the largest of the beaches, has a daily limit of 700 people. Visitors to Cala Goloritze, which is only accessible by foot or boat, will be charged an entrance fee of six euros (US$6.5.) Beachgoers must book their spot at all of these locations through an app called Cuore di Sardegna (or Heart of Sardinia) at least 72 hours before their visit. The entrance fee for Cala Goloritze can either be paid online, or with cash at the entrance to the inlet. This charge will help fund surveillance, a parking area, and maintaining the paths and toilets on the beach, according to local authorities. All these beaches, even those with free entrance, are tidy and neat, adds Monni. Theres surveillance, assistance to sunbathers, and cleaning services. If people want, theyre welcome to leave a small contribution. At Cala Mariolu, one of Sardinias most famous beaches, a one euro per passenger fee is now applicable to any boats or dinghies that dock here. We must protect this paradise and its fragile ecosystem, adds Monni. The mayor says Bauneis waters were rated as Italys most beautiful sea in 2022 by Legambiente, an Italian ecological lobby group. He says its also a site of European interest due to protected animals and birds species. Limits must be set otherwise everything collapses, he adds. Monni says that Cala Mariuolo has been besieged by up to 2,000 tourists a day in previous years, a situation he describes as carnage. The coastal area of Baunei welcomes around 300,000 tourists each summer. In a bid to further tighten restrictions, Monni has submitted a request to Sardinias regional authorities for permission to implement a mandatory six-square-meter distance between sunbathers throughout the entire coastline. It wont be an easy process. While Monni is confident about controlling access to the inlets by land, hes fully aware that restricting access by sea will be more difficult. Private dinghies, yachts and canoes still show up in the area, often arriving from nearby towns. We can control sea arrivals only if the boats are run by the authorized tourist operators we have deals with and on a rotating base, no more than two hours on the beaches for each boat group, explains Monni. Beach towel ban Baunei isnt the only vacation spot in Sardinia trying to keep numbers down this summer. Stintino, a fishing village on the northern coast, is adopting strict measures to protect its most stunning asset the pinkish coral beach of La Pelosa, which offers views of the Isola Piana island, known for its stone lookout tower. Named after the grassy, hairy (pelosi in Italian) plants that jut out of its soft sand dunes, La Pelosa is among the most beautiful and crowded beaches in Italy. In high season, its sands are often a maze of towels and sunbathers, while a swim in its beautiful waters usually involves zig-zagging between countless inflatable water mats. Weve capped tourists on La Pelosa to 1,500 per day for a ticket fee of 3.50 euros, bookings and payments can be made on an authorized website, says Stintinos mayor Rita Limbania Vallebella, recalling a sunny August day when town authorities apparently detected some 38,000 tourists swimming in Stintinos waters. It was shocking, and disgusting. It destroyed the natural habitat leading to sand erosion. I cant stand having tourists throw rubbish on the sand dunes, which theyd never do back at home. Keen to avoid a similar occurrence in the future, Vallebella is cracking down on nature transgressors with beach patrols and a series of bans. Dogs, smoking, and sand stealing are all forbidden at this beach, along with using beach towels, with fines starting at 100 euros. On La Pelosa just mats are allowed. Unlike towels that get wet, sand doesnt stick to mats, preferably if made of fiber and straw. Weve lost so much sand because of beach towels, explains Vallebella. Meanwhile, restrictions are also in place at the nearby Le Saline beach. Campers are no longer permitted to wildly park on the fine pebble stone shore or near the lagoon, which is home to protected birds and plant species. Advance bookings Over in Sicily, Lampedusa island, one of the Pelagie Islands, has also brought in tourist restrictions at a popular spot. With its clear blue waters, Isola dei Conigli beach has been repeatedly named one of the worlds best beaches by travelers, so its no surprise that huge crowds flock here each year. According to local councillor Toto Martello, over 1,500 people visited the beach, an egg-laying spot for loggerhead turtles, each day before a cap was introduced, alongside an entrance fee of two euros, paid on site. This number has now been halved, just 350 people in the morning, and another 350 in the afternoon, says Martello. Bookings are made online through a local authorized website. Those who sunbathe here must adhere to a specific beach code, which encourages visitors to remain at their sunbathing spot, unless theyre taking a dip in the water. Sun beds and floating water mats are prohibited, and noise must be kept to a minimum. Summer can be tough. There are about 6,700 residents, but during the holidays over 200,000 tourists land here. It becomes unbearable for the environment and unlivable for everyone, says Filippo Mannino, mayor of Lampedusa. Martello says he plans to place a 40-day ban on the arrival of any cars and scooters of tourists and non-residents during the peak of summer. To crackdown on the number of private yachts and boats anchoring in the bay, Mannino is pushing to have Isola dei Conigli listed as a protected marine park in the future. Tourists cars are already banned on Linosa, Lampedusas smaller, jet-black volcanic isle, which allows only 200 visitors per day, according to Martello. The move comes shortly after Mannino approved a measure to punish vandals who dump rubbish in Lampedusa and Linosa by seizing their cars. Meanwhile, the island of Giglio, or Isola del Giglio island, based off the coast of Tuscany, has introduced a three euros landing fee, while cars are only permitted for stays of more than four days in August. Home to 1,400 residents during winter, visitor arrivals reach a daily peak of 10,000 in the summertime, bringing the yearly total to 300,000. Procida, another of Italys car-free islands, is also fighting against hit-and-run day-trippers. Spanning barely four square-kilometers, the island is one of Europes most densely populated isles, with a population of around 10,000. However, around 400,000 people visit each year, with the majority arriving during summer time. The-CNN-Wire & 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded real Ukraines GDP growth for 2023 to a range of 1% to 3% against the previous range of -3%to +1%, although the outlook remains highly uncertain as the war continues, IMFs envoy to Ukraine, Gavin Gray, said on May 30. The European Union calls on all countries to transfer long-range weapons to Ukraine if they can, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Bratislava, Slovakia, on May 31. Against the backdrop of recent drone attacks on Moscow by unknown forces, the United States will continue providing Ukraine with everything it needs to protect its sovereign territory, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said at a press briefing on May 31. NV spoke with Francis Fukuyama, one of the most powerful thinkers in the world, at the beginning of the second year of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at a point where most countries understood the dangers posed by Russian aggression. In an interview with NV, Director of the United States and Europe Center at the Brookings Institution, Constanze Stelzenmuller, explains the issues plaguing the military-industrial complex in the United States and Europe that it struggles to overcome. Russia has carried out 1,000 attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Ukraine reported on Facebook on May 30. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader Russias Wagner Group PMC, has decided to capitalize on the outrage of Russian citizens caused by the drone attacks on Moscow and its suburbs, in order to further discredit the Russian Defense Ministry, presenting himself as a "defender of the ordinary people." Prigozhin's latest statements confirmed the actual scale of Russian combat losses in Ukraine. Butusov The Ukrainian government has confirmed that Moscow is carrying out forced displacement of Ukrainian children through the territory of Belarus, with full cooperation from Minsk authorities, Ukraines ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said at a press briefing on May 31. Drones, presumably Ukrainian, attacked Russias capital city of Moscow on May 30. 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 On Thursday, immigrants and immigrant support groups across the state are skipping work and gathering to protest in opposition of Senate Bill 1718. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill last month, touting it as the strongest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the country. The law requires businesses with at least 25 employees to use a federal system to check the immigration status of workers. It toughens criminal penalties for people who bring undocumented immigrants into the state. The law also requires hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status. Read: New Florida immigration law may hurt states construction industry More than 100 people railed at the intersection of Conroy Road and Turkey Lake Road, blocking off part of Conroy Road for a brief while to stand together in support of immigration rights and against what they call a dangerous law that threatens fundamental human rights. The group gathered outside the office of Rep. Carolina Amesty. The Republican lawmaker voted in support of the bill. Read: Central Florida immigrant community members say they fear impact of new immigration law She voted against the rights of immigrants, against the human rights of so many people -- and we are here to hold her accountable, said Felipe Sosa, executive director of the Hope Community Center. Channel 9 asked the governors office for comment on the protests, they provided a statement that read in part: SB 1718 counteracts the effects of illegal immigration on Florida, a problem willfully enabled by the Biden Administrations refusal to secure our nations southern border Any business that exploits this crisis by employing illegal aliens instead of Floridians will be held accountable. Read: Should people living in Florida illegally receive in-state tuition? When the protesters tried to go up to Amestys office, she wasnt there. They found the doors locked and the lights off. Channel 9 emailed and called her for a response but have yet to hear back. 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. Wayne Couzens exposed himself to women before he murdered Sarah Everard - Metropolitan Police/AFP via Getty Images Indecent exposure reports by women have hit a record high in the wake of the Wayne Couzens scandal - but the proportion being charged by police has fallen to a new low. Only one in 12 cases of indecent exposure are being solved by police, despite a 27 per cent increase in offences since the rape, kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard by Couzens, a serving Metropolitan Police officer. He was also subsequently found guilty of exposing himself to women before he killed her. However, Home Office data analysed by The Telegraph showed that just 8.2 per cent of indecent exposure offences resulted in a charge, compared with 17 per cent in 2016 when records began. Over the same period, the number of offences reported to police rose by 44 per cent, from 8,698 to 12,550. Womens groups believe this increased figure is an underestimate, as many victims do not report the crime due to concerns police will not take it seriously. The failure to improve charging rates comes despite women being encouraged by ministers and police to report sexual offences in the wake of Ms Everards murder in March 2021. Couzens was earlier this year found guilty of indecently exposing himself to four women before the killing. Campaign groups have said this demonstrates that the offence should be treated seriously as a potential precursor to more violent sexual attacks. Police have been criticised for failing to act after Couzens indecent exposure was reported to Kent Police and Scotland Yard in 2020, and again in 2021 - just a month before Ms Everard was murdered. Women feel very threatened The College of Policing, which sets standards for reporting and investigating crimes in England and Wales, is currently updating its guidelines to tell forces they must take indecent exposure more seriously and not treat it as an offence committed by dirty old men. However, Dame Vera Baird, a former victims commissioner, solicitor general and police and crime commissioner, said the increase in the numbers reporting indecent exposure and the continued fall in the charging rates showed that forces had been too slow to respond to increased demand from victims. She said there was a lag between police saying they would crack down following the Couzens scandal and forces putting in place measures to tackle it. She added that it was compounded by an attitude that it was just a silly offence by pathetic old men and that they were not a threat to women. Women feel very threatened when this happens, said Dame Vera. They are often completely on their own. Wayne Couzens exposed himself to a woman cyclist on a country lane, masturbating. That that is not a sexual threat is crazy. Women have been encouraged to report but that happens very much quicker than the police response. It remains a case that cases against women are regarded as full of overwrought emotions that police are not geared to deal with and they found them difficult. The shift to take them seriously takes a lot longer. New guidance being drawn up by the police standards body is expected to spell out how indecent exposure should be treated more seriously as an offence that could be a gateway to violent sexual attacks. The new guidance being drawn up by the College of Policing is expected to require police to review and prioritise cases if, for example, the alleged perpetrator has contact with vulnerable individuals and could pose a threat to them. 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. Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, right, chat before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Thursday, June 1, 2023. Dahal arrived Wednesday on a state visit, his first trip abroad since taking power in December last year. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) NEW DELHI (AP) Nepals prime minister held talks with his Indian counterpart on Thursday as India and its rival China bid for influence in the tiny Himalayan nation as part of a greater regional power struggle. Pushpa Kamal Dahal met Narendra Modi in New Delhi during a four-day visit to India, his first trip abroad since taking office last December. After the meeting, the two prime ministers remotely inaugurated several projects, including a cargo railway line and two border checkpoints, and oversaw the signing of a slew of agreements. Modi said they agreed to further deepen their historic ties and take our relations to Himalayan heights. He said they agreed to resolve all their outstanding issues, including a border dispute. Dahal said at a joint news conference that they reviewed ongoing projects and discussed ways to further cooperate in connectivity, energy and people-to-people contact. New Nepalese prime ministers traditionally visit neighboring India soon after taking office. Nepal is bordered on three sides by India, with an open frontier allowing traffic without passports or visas. Until recently, India was a dominant force in Nepal, but Chinas involvement has grown in the last few years. China has invested in the building of airports, highways and hydropower projects. Beijing views Nepal as key to its massive transcontinental infrastructure Belt and Road Initiative that builds on old Silk Road routes that once connected China to the West. Landlocked Nepal, however, remains dependent on India for all its oil needs and many other necessities. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Nepali Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud said his country will work to enhance its relations with both India and China while maintaining a policy of nonalignment. India has been wary of Nepal since it elected a communist government in 2017. A coalition government headed by a communist prime minister has again taken power after an election in late 2022. Relations with India soured in 2015, when it supported protests by ethnic groups in southern Nepal against a new constitution and imposed an unofficial economic blockade, shutting down the supply of oil and goods over the border. The previous communist government issued a new map of the country in 2020 that includes an area claimed by both India and Nepal, further angering New Delhi. This is Dahals third time in office since his Maoist group abandoned a decade-long armed revolt and joined a U.N.-assisted peace process and entered mainstream politics in 2006. The conflict killed more than 17,000 people. India has removed the periodic table and evolution from school textbooks India periodic table school textbooks Class 10 students following the Indian governments syllabus will no longer learn the periodic table of elements. Environmental sustainability has also been removed from the curriculum. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which oversees school syllabi for around 134 million students aged 11-18, had earlier even removed evolution from the curriculum, sparking a protest. Read more In non-science content, chapters on democracy and diversity; political parties; and challenges to democracy have been scrapped. And a chapter on the industrial revolution has been removed for older students, Nature has reported. Shocked experts have critcized the move, saying the removed topics are more than ever relevant today. Everything related to water, air pollution, and resource management has been removed...I dont see how the conservation of water, and air [pollution], is not relevant for us. Its all the more so currently, Mythili Ramchand, a science-teacher trainer at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, told Nature. NCERT removed the founder of IITs from textbooks It was reported last month that NCERT had nixed the mention of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who fought for Indias independence from Britain and was Indias first education minister, from the class 11 textbook. In 1951, Azad inaugurated the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, in West Bengal, spawning a string of similar elite institutions across the country over the next many decades. Today, having laid the foundation of and propelled Indias technological prowess the world over, the 23 IITs are some of the most sought-after tech schools globally. The NCERT cited syllabus rationalization as the reason for removing Azads reference from the textbooks. It also dropped lessons on the 2002 Gujarat riots (prime minister Narendra Modi was the states chief minister then), Mughal courts, the Emergency (1975-77), and the Cold War, among other topics. More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Capillary Technologies, an Indian SaaS startup that offers solutions for loyalty management and customer engagement, has raised $45 million in a funding round, as it plans to expand into global markets and widen its reach through mergers and acquisitions. The funding arrives at a crucial time amidst the prevailing market slowdown, where startups, particularly those at the late stage, are facing a capital crunch. Capillary's Series D funding round was led by Avataar Ventures and its LPs Pantheon, 57Stars and Unigestion. It also saw participation from Filter Capital and InnoVen Capital. The round comprises $40 million in equity and about $5-$7 million in debt. With the latest capital injection, the startup has raised nearly $150 million in capital to date. Founded in 2012, Capillary Technologies initially focused on the retail vertical in India and Southeast Asia. In recent years, it has broadened its offerings and launched in more markets, including the Middle East and South Africa, and since early 2021, the U.S. Capillary is carving a distinctive niche in the market with its emphasis on gamification to bolster customer loyalty, a strategy it says it has been able to deploy across commerce, retail, aviation and hospitality sectors. The Bengaluru-based startup's suite of technology-driven, cloud-native solutions has helped it attract a number of clients. Already, it has collaborated with over 250 brands across 30 countries, powering more than 100 loyalty programs. High-profile clients include Domino's, Tata Group, Puma, Shell, Petron and Marks & Spencer. Capillary's tech reaches over a billion customers and clocks over 5 billion transactions annually. "The way most of our competitors in the U.S. and elsewhere have built in as like a services business where customers ask you something, and you build it. On the other hand, we have taken a very product view to it," Capillary Technologies founder and managing director Aneesh Reddy said in an interview. Just over a couple of years after entering the U.S. and acquiring the customer experience startup Persuade, Capillary's business has grown by 3.5x, the startup said, without disclosing specific numbers. It also says the U.S. now accounts for more than a third of its revenues. The startup has made five acquisitions in the U.S., with the last one of Texas-based loyalty solutions provider Brierley from Nomura announced in April this year. These acquisitions have helped it to introduce solutions to clients operating in wider verticals. Reddy told TechCrunch that Capillary is seeking to leverage the fresh funding to expand its presence in the U.S. and Europe through actively pursuing strategic acquisitions, as part of its growth strategy. "The core business is profitable and growing by itself, so most of the funding is going to be used for acquisitions," he said. "As you would guess, if you have the money, this is a great time to buy." In late 2021, Capillary Technologies filed its draft papers to go public in India. The startup has, though, delayed that plan due to the ongoing market slowdown. Reddy said the idea of filing an IPO in India is still being considered and he may execute that within the next three years. "The good piece of Capillary is it's profitable. With this fundraise, we have a lot of excess cash also on the balance sheet. So, it's not like I have a gun to my head to list," he said. Capillary has a headcount of over 750 people, including 200 contractors, and has offices in Dubai, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, apart from India and the U.S. It counts Sequoia Capital and Warburg Pincus among its existing backers. "It has been truly remarkable witnessing Capillary's business transformation over the past four years," said Mohan Kumar, managing partner at Avataar Ventures, in a statement. "The strategic decision to diversify from Asia into the US and Europe, encompassing various consumer verticals beyond retail, has been nothing short of impressive. This move has catapulted Capillary into a leadership position in Loyalty software and this has been recognized by external mentions like the Forrester Wave. Given the expanded addressable market and the immense potential that lies ahead, Avataar is wholeheartedly committed to supporting Capillary in its pursuit to become a global market leader." Inmate escapes into the woods before hes spotted hours later at McDonalds, cops say A fugitives desire for fast food led to his quick capture in Ohio, officials said. While being transported to a medical appointment on May 30, a 39-year-old inmate escaped a vehicle and fled into the woods near Akron, according to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service. Various law enforcement agencies searched for the man throughout the afternoon and evening, but did not locate him. The next morning, the man reportedly showed up at a McDonalds in Akron, according to WKYC, citing police. While on a bicycle at the drive-thru, the man tried to order a burger for $1, according to WJW. An employee recognized him because of his limp and tattoos and called 911, according to the news outlet. When contacted by McClatchy News, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Marshals Service could not confirm the reported incident at McDonalds but said they had received tips that the man was in the area of west Akron. Following the reports, Akron police officers and an Ohio State Highway Patrol aviation unit responded to the area near Market Street, officials said. The man was found on train tracks, and after a short pursuit, he was apprehended. Knowing this fugitive is off the streets makes the city of Akron a safer place and the U.S. Marshals Service will not give up searching until fugitives like this are behind bars, U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated in the release. The man was being held in a county jail for charges of drug trafficking and having weapons while under disability, among other charges, according to jail records. McClatchy News has reached out to the Akron Police Department and is awaiting a response. A representative for the McDonalds on Market Street declined to comment. Lawyer accused of being serial rapist arrested after genetic genealogy tests, FBI says Fisherman finds remains of missing 22-year-old near pond in Oregon, officials say Woman leaps from Splash Mountain log mid-ride at Disneyland, video shows. I cant! The Kyiv Prosecutor's Office is conducting investigative actions in the medical facility where the shelter was closed during the Russian missile attack on the night of 31 May-1 June. Source: Nadiia Maksymets, the spokesperson for the Prosecutors Office in Kyiv, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda; Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko on Telegram; Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine on Telegram Quote from Maksymets: "Right now, investigative actions are being carried out in the medical facility in Desnianskyi district, which did not open the doors of the shelter to people. The Desnianskyi District Prosecutor's Office has already registered a case in the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations on the fact of official negligence that caused grave consequences." Details: Maksymets has said that the officials of the medical institution responsible for the operation and maintenance of the shelter are currently being questioned to find out who was directly responsible for opening the shelter during the air-raid warning. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko has also posted on Telegram that specialists from the municipal security department had arrived at the scene to find out why there was no access to the shelter at the clinic. Quote from Klitschko: "The responsibility for the operation of the shelter lies with the head of the medical facility and the head of the district administration, who must control the operation of the shelters that are on the city map and should be operational. All decisions on the actions of the responsible persons will be made today and immediately." Details: Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, also said later that the Kyiv police had already initiated criminal proceedings under Article 367.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (official negligence that caused grave consequences) because of the closed bomb shelters during the nighttime missile attack on the capital. Quote from Klymenko: "As part of the investigation, we will find and bring to justice all those responsible. In addition, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, together with the National Police, will regularly inspect the accessibility and condition of bomb shelters in all settlements of the country." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A resident of the collapsed building in Davenport, Iowa, had her leg amputated by rescuers trying to free her from the rubble. Lexus Berry and her wife Quanishia had just taken pictures of a separation between a wall and the bathroom doorway in their apartment when the building came down around 5pm on Sunday. Lexus managed to run to safety but her wife and their cats became trapped in the wreckage. Quanishia was rescued on Monday morning, but in order to free her from the rubble, surgeons and first responders that to amputate her leg above the knee. She is now recovering in hospital and is on a ventilator, his wife told The Quad-Cities Times. There was a lot of debris and things surrounding her and her legs were pinned down, Lexus told the outlet. They were able to get one leg out, but the other leg in order to get her out, they had to amputate it. It was a scene that Ill never forget. Two men, Ryan Hitchcock and Branden Colvin, are believed to still be trapped under the wreckage, as the city revealed plans to proceed with demolition due to the buildings brittle condition. Key Points Iowa officials finally admit that up to five residents are still missing following building collapse Family of woman rescued from Iowa building collapse reveal how screams saved her from demolition Residents say building was known to have issues: Our bathroom caved in December' Gas leak noted as possible cause as fire chief warns of secondary collapse Everything just fell down' IN PICTURES: Horror collapse in Davenport, Iowa, as five still unaccounted for 11:00 , Andrea Blanco Building Collapse Iowa (AP) Building Collapse Iowa (AP) Building Collapse Iowa (AP) Un bombero trepa entre los escombros del edificio derrumbado (AP) Surviving tenant of Iowa collapsed building reveals wife lost leg in rescue 10:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar A survivor of the partially collapsed building in Davenport, Iowa, has revealed her wife had her leg amputated by rescuers trying to save her. Lexus and Quanishia Berry were taking pictures of a crack between a wall and the bathroom doorway when the rear part of their building came down around 5pm on Sunday. Lexus was standing on a part of the structure that didnt collapse, but in a matter of seconds, her wife and two cats disappeared under the rubble. In the aftermath of the tragedy, first responders worked tirelessly to evacuate tenants, initially rescuing seven people from the wreckage. For the first 12 hours that authorities were unable to locate Quanishia, her wife stayed in the area, anxiously waiting for updates and holding onto hope that Quanishia had survived the ordeal. On Monday morning, search crews finally located Quanishia, who was trapped under debris. Surviving tenant of Iowa collapsed building reveals wife lost leg in rescue Cats, snakes and lizard rescued from the wreckage 10:00 , Andrea Blanco The Humane Society of Scott County announced on Tuesday night that several animals were rescued and reunited with their humans. We recovered 6 cats, 2 snakes, and 1 lizard, which were all the pets reported on our form that werent in one of the apartments where the building collapsed, the non-profit announced on Tuesday night. Weve already reunited 4 cats, the 2 snakes, and the lizard with their owners, and the other two will be reunited shortly! Five tenants are still unaccounted for, at least two of them are believed to be trapped in the wreckage. Humane Society of Scott County ICYMI: Desperate search for survivors after apartment building collapses in Iowa 09:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar A desperate search is underway to rescue potential survivors of an apartment building collapse in Davenport, Iowa. Part of a red brick building on the citys Main Street collapsed at around 5pm Sunday, with stunning photos showing at least one-fourth of the structures units destroyed. As of Monday morning, a total of eight people had been rescued from the wreckage. Davenport Fire Chief Michael Carlsten said during a press conference that no deaths have been reported and the number of potential missing remains unknown. Mr Carlsten added that the cause of the collapse has not been determined but residents had been placing several 911 calls reporting a strong smell of gas. Desperate search for survivors after apartment building collapses in Iowa WATCH: Video shows dramatic aftermath of building collapse in Iowa 09:00 , Andrea Blanco Surviving tenant of Iowa collapsed building reveals wife lost leg in rescue 08:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar A survivor of the partially collapsed building in Davenport, Iowa, has revealed her wife had her leg amputated by rescuers trying to save her. Lexus and Quanishia Berry were taking pictures of a crack between a wall and the bathroom doorway when the rear part of their building came down around 5pm on Sunday. Lexus was standing on a part of the structure that didnt collapse, but in a matter of seconds, her wife and two cats disappeared under the rubble. In the aftermath of the tragedy, first responders worked tirelessly to evacuate tenants, initially rescuing seven people from the wreckage. For the first 12 hours that authorities were unable to locate Quanishia, her wife stayed in the area, anxiously waiting for updates and holding onto hope that Quanishia had survived the ordeal. On Monday morning, search crews finally located Quanishia, who was trapped under debris. Surviving tenant of Iowa collapsed building reveals wife lost leg in rescue Building owner named as defendant in civil enforcement action 08:00 , Andrea Blanco The city has been in contact with the building owner Andrew Wold, Mr Morris said on Tuesday. State agencies are coordinating what agency will take the lead in the investigation but no criminal charges have been filed yet. Iowa court records reviewed by The Independent on Wednesday show that Mr Wold and Davenport Hotel LLC are listed as defendants in a civil enforcement action brought by the City of Davenport on 30 May. Mr Wold was given a $300 fine for failing to keep the building safe, sanitary and structurally sound condition, WQAD reports. Iowa officials say computer glitch changed inspection record for collapsed Davenport building 07:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar When permit records for an Iowa building that collapsed this past weekend were mysteriously changed after the tragedy, city officials blamed a computer glitch. Skeptical members of the community arent convinced it was a mistake. Five tenants are still unaccounted for after a large portion of a six-storey apartment complex in Davenport fell down on Sunday night. Authorities have said they now face a challenging decision as engineers warned another collapse of the remaining structure is imminent - but at least two men, Ryan Hitchcock and Branden Davis, are feared to be trapped in the existing wreckage. The announcement of demolition plans less than 24 hours after the collapse, before city officials even acknowledged they had been unable to locate several residents, sparked outrage within the community who as protesters gathered at the site. The eleventh-hour rescue of a tenant who had passed out under a couch and awoke to the sound of family yelling her name also heightened concern that the men could be alive under the rubble. Officials say computer glitch changed inspection record for collapsed Iowa building Structure of collapsed building becomes more brittle as time passes, experts say 07:00 , Andrea Blanco Experts said the structure, built in the 1900s is extremely unstable. Because of the layout of the building, with the rear brick part holding together much of the steal structure, officials said there were likely no void spaces where trapped victims could have shielded. Authorities said its brittle condition is worsening with time and the possibility of another collapse is now imminent. Watch: Video shows dramatic aftermath of building collapse in Iowa 06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Iowa officials say computer glitch changed inspection record for collapsed Davenport building 06:00 , Andrea Blanco The structure was undergoing permitted repairs at the time of the tragedy, officials said. Read more: Officials say computer glitch changed inspection record for collapsed Iowa building Iowa officials laid plans to demolish a collapsed building. Then they admitted people could still be trapped 05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar City officials in Davenport, Iowa, have admitted that five residents of the building that collapsed this weekend are still unaccounted for a day after announcing plans to proceed with the demolition of the unstable structure. A rear section of The Davenport, a six-storey apartment complex on 324 Main Street, collapsed at around 5pm on Sunday following reports last week that bricks were falling off the building and several complaints from tenants about their living conditions. Nine people have been rescued from the wreckage as of Tuesday morning, according to Davenport Fire Chief Michael Carlsten. The ninth person rescued early Tuesday, more than 24 hours after the collapse, was Lisa Brooks following statements by Mr Carlsten on Monday evening that no one was believed to be trapped under the wreckage. Shes at home, shes fine now. She had passed out under the couch and the only reason she woke up, its because we were yelling her name, Ms Brooks niece Pauletta Joeanna told The Independent. Davenport Mayor Mike Matson admitted during a press conference on Tuesday that the Davenport Police Department has yet to account for five residents of the building. Two of them, Ryan Hitchcock and Branden Colvin, are feared to still be in the building. Officials planned to demolish a collapsed Iowa building. Are survivors still trapped? WATCH: Ninth person rescued from wreckage of Iowa building collapse 05:00 , Andrea Blanco Iowa officials say computer glitch changed inspection record for collapsed Davenport building 04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar When permit records for an Iowa building that collapsed this past weekend were mysteriously changed after the tragedy, city officials blamed a computer glitch. Skeptical members of the community arent convinced it was a mistake. The Independent has more: Officials say computer glitch changed inspection record for collapsed Iowa building Woman moved out of building weeks before collapse due to cracks on the walls 04:00 , Andrea Blanco Aurea Monet lived in a studio in the six-storey apartment building for around seven months, moving out just eight weeks before the block partially collapsed on Sunday. In a series of TikTok videos, she says that she broke the lease on the rental unit and moved out after noticing huge cracks on both the inside and outside walls of her apartment. The cracks started to develop after construction work began on the property, she says. In the video, Ms Monet says they started construction a while back and during that time I noticed a crack above my outlet. She says it was much smaller at first but then the crack progressed over my time being there. Former resident reveals cracks in walls of apartment before horror collapse (TikTok) Demolition plans laid as two tenants feared trapped under wreckage 03:00 , Andrea Blanco City officials said in an update on Monday evening that the building is not salvageable and would be torn down. No residents will be allowed back into the building before demolition begins due to its unstable condition. The owner of the property has been served with a notice and order for demolition of the property, Council member Kyle Gripp said. The property is currently being secured by a contractor on site this afternoon and demolition is expected to commence in the morning. Fire Marshall J Morris said on Tuesday that authorities faced a challenging decision, as experts recommend a demolition as soon as permitting is obtained, while family members fear that their loved ones are still alive under the rubble. Johnnie Woods told The Des Moines Register that her nephew Branden Colvin, who lived in a fifth-floor apartment in the building, did not show up for a family gathering on Sunday night. The familys attempts to locate him since have been unsuccessful. Ms Woods said a neighbour of Mr Colvins told her hed seen him moments before the collapse. Mr Colvins vehicle was also in the buildings parking lot and had to be towed after the tragedy. My other nephews and other people have been trying to call his phone, and hes not answering his phone, Ms Woods told the Register. So were assuming something, that he cant talk, his phone is dead, or something. Really, we dont know anything. Ms Woods said she learned Ryan Hitchcock was also unaccounted for during a meeting with police on Monday. A woman who police said is related to Mr Hitchcock noted during the press conference on Tuesday that she agreed with demolition plans. I was completely mortified about the protests. These people raising a voice, and they dont know Ryan, Amy Henderson said. The city does have a plan and pushing for any delays ... its one more day that hes under there. Ryan wouldnt want anyone else to put their lives at risk unfortunately for someone who probably has not survived. During another search on Tuesday night, several animals were rescued but there were ni signs of human activity, officials said. What caused the collapse? 02:00 , Andrea Blanco The cause of the collapse has not been determined, officials said. After responding to the scene, authorities found a gas leak after the collapse and water also had leaked throughout the floors of the structure. Rich Oswald, City of Davenport director of development and neighbourhood services, said that work was being done on the buildings exterior after reports of bricks falling from the building last week. WATCH: Five people still unaccounted for 36 hours after Iowa building collapse 01:00 , Andrea Blanco Iowa officials laid plans to demolish a collapsed building. Then they admitted people could still be trapped Thursday 1 June 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco City officials in Davenport, Iowa, have admitted that five residents of the building that collapsed this weekend are still unaccounted for a day after announcing plans to proceed with the demolition of the unstable structure. Read more: Officials planned to demolish a collapsed Iowa building. Are survivors still trapped? WATCH: Ninth person rescued from wreckage of Iowa building collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 22:38 , Andrea Blanco Iowa officials say computer glitch changed inspection record for collapsed Davenport building Wednesday 31 May 2023 21:24 , Andrea Blanco When permit records for an Iowa building that collapsed this past weekend were mysteriously changed after the tragedy, city officials blamed a computer glitch. Skeptical members of the community arent convinced it was a mistake. The Independent has more: Officials say computer glitch changed inspection record for collapsed Iowa building Iowa officials face a grueling decision: Putting rescue teams in hazard to look for missing tenants or risking demolition with victims still trapped inside Wednesday 31 May 2023 20:30 , Andrea Blanco Experts have said the structure built in the 1900s is extremely unstable. Because of the layout of the building, with the rear brick part holding together much of the steel structure, officials said there were likely no void spaces where trapped victims could have taken shelter. Authorities said its brittle condition is worsening with time and the possibility of another collapse is now imminent. We want to get everyone out, we want to do it right now, Mr Morris said as he broke down in tears at Tuesdays press conference. So understand, its not that we dont want to do this ... its that we have to do it in a safe manner. Former tenant recounts issues with collapsed building Wednesday 31 May 2023 20:00 , Andrea Blanco Aurea Monet lived in a studio in the six-storey apartment building for around seven months, moving out just eight weeks before the block partially collapsed on Sunday. In a series of TikTok videos, she says that she broke the lease on the rental unit and moved out after noticing huge cracks on both the inside and outside walls of her apartment. The cracks started to develop after construction work began on the property, she says. In the video, Ms Monet says they started construction a while back and during that time I noticed a crack above my outlet. She says it was much smaller at first but then the crack progressed over my time being there. Cats, snakes and lizard rescued from the wreckage overnight Wednesday 31 May 2023 19:55 , Andrea Blanco The Humane Society of Scott County announced that several animals were rescued and reunited with their humans. We recovered 6 cats, 2 snakes, and 1 lizard, which were all the pets reported on our form that werent in one of the apartments where the building collapsed, the non-profit announced on Tuesday night. Weve already reunited 4 cats, the 2 snakes, and the lizard with their owners, and the other two will be reunited shortly! Five tenants are still unaccounted for, at least two of them are believed to be trapped in the wreckage. Iowa officials finally admit that up to five residents are still missing Wednesday 31 May 2023 19:30 , Andrea Blanco Officials in Iowa have finally admitted that up to five residents are still missing following the collapse of a six-story apartment building after previously claiming there were no credible reports of missing people and making plans to demolish the block while people could still be trapped inside. Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said at a press conference on Tuesday that five people are still unaccounted for, including two who are believed to still be in the partially collapsed building. The Davenport Police Department has been working diligently to account for the [residents] of the building, he said. Five individuals are still unaccounted for, two of those we believe to possibly be still in the building. The identities of the missing have not been released but the revelation comes after desperate neighbours, locals and loved ones have been trying to raise the alarm about two men thought to be in the building at the time of the collapse. Building owner named as defendant in civil enforcement action Wednesday 31 May 2023 19:00 , Andrea Blanco The city has been in contact with the building owner Andrew Wold, Mr Morris said on Tuesday. State agencies are coordinating what agency will take the lead in the investigation but no criminal charges have been filed yet. Iowa court records reviewed by The Independent on Wednesday show that Mr Wold and Davenport Hotel LLC are listed as defendants in a civil enforcement action brought by the City of Davenport on 30 May. Mr Wold was given a $300 fine for failing to keep the building safe, sanitary and structurally sound condition, WQAD reports. Building collapse survivor had leg amputated Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:28 , Andrea Blanco Lexus Berry and her wife Quanishia tried to escape the collapse on Sunday, grabbing their cats and rushing to make it downstairs. But while Lexus was able to make it to safety, Quanishia became trapped in the rubble. There was a lot of debris and things surrounding her and her legs were pinned down, Lexus told The Quad-City Times. They were able to get one leg out, but the other leg in order to get her out, they had to amputate it. It was a scene that Ill never forget. Ill never forget that image of the way she was trapped. Shocking photos reveal cracks inside Iowa apartment building before horror collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:05 , Andrea Blanco A resident posted on TikTok she moved out of an apartment at the collapsed building just weeks ago. The Independents Rachel Sharp has more: Building owner fined after collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:38 , Andrea Blanco Andrew Wold was given a $300 fine for failing to keep the building safe, sanitary and structurally sound condition, WQAD reports. WATCH: Five people still unaccounted for 36 hours after Iowa building collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:14 , Andrea Blanco How a familys desperate screams saved woman passed out at site of building collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:23 , Andrea Blanco A woman who was rescued nearly 24 hours after the collapse of her apartment building in Davenport, Iowa, narrowly escaped getting caught up in a planned demolition. Her family are crediting her escape not to rescue crews but to people shouting her name from the street. Lisa Brooks was speaking with a relative on the phone when her six-storey apartment complex on 324 Main Street fell down on Sunday evening. Eight people were rescued within the first twelve hours of the tragedy, but there were no signs of Ms Brooks. For an entire day, family members hoped for a miracle amid reports by city officials that demolition was imminent as the structure was too unstable. But at the eleventh hour, Ms Brooks was rescued by firefighters after she managed to call her daughter and alert authorities to her whereabouts. Ms Brooks great-granddaughter Pauletta Joeanna told The Independent on Tuesday that Ms Brooks was unconscious for a long time. She attributed her great-grandmothers last-minute escape in part to family members who were at the scene. Dramatic footage posted by Ms Joeanna also shows Ms Brooks escape as she is lowered to safety by a firefighter. Shes at home, shes fine now. She had passed out under the couch and the only reason she woke up is because we were yelling her name, Ms Joeanna said. Pets rescued from rubble but no human activity Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:46 , Andrea Blanco Several animals were rescued from the rubble of the apartment building on Tuesday but a search found no human activity in the wreckage. Up to five people remain missing following the collapse on Sunday, two of which are believed to possibly still be in the building. In an update on Tuesday afternooon, the city of Davenport said that the Davenport Fire Department in partnership with MABAS 43 Technical Rescue Team conducted an additional operation within portions of building deemed safe enough. During this operation, several animals were rescued and delivered to the Scott County Humane Society. Crews continued to search for human activity and none was detected, the city said. The stability of the building continues to degrade. The recovery of any unaccounted for individuals remains the priority of the City as operational planning progresses. WATCH: Video shows dramatic aftermath of building collapse in Iowa Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:10 , Andrea Blanco How to help the victims? Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:40 , Andrea Blanco In the wake of the tragic collapse on Sunday, community members have set up fundraisers to help survivors cover some of their financial losses. Here are a few you can donate to: Five tenants remain unaccounted for, with at least two of them believed to be under the rubble. Fire Marshall breaks down as he tries to explain demolition plans with five people still unaccounted for Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:00 , Andrea Blanco Fire Marshal J Morris broke down in tears as he told attendees at a press conference on Tuesday that city officials had to move on with demolition plans despite reports that two people are still trapped in the rubble. Mr Morris explained that the structure is too unstable to continue rescue and recovery operations. We want to get everyone out, we want to do it right now, he said. So understand, its not that we dont want to do this ... its that we have to do it in a safe manner. Iowa officials finally admit that up to five residents are still missing following building collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Officials in Iowa have finally admitted that up to five residents are still missing following the collapse of a six-story apartment building after previously claiming there were no credible reports of missing people and making plans to demolish the block while people could still be trapped inside. Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said at a press conference on Tuesday that five people are still unaccounted for, including two who are believed to still be in the partially collapsed building. The Davenport Police Department has been working diligently to account for the [residents] of the building, he said. Five individuals are still unaccounted for, two of those we believe to possibly be still in the building. The identities of the missing have not been released but the revelation comes after desperate neighbours, locals and loved ones have been trying to raise the alarm about two men thought to be in the building at the time of the collapse. Iowa officials admit up to five residents are still missing after building collapse Family recounts womans dramatic rescue Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:01 , Andrea Blanco Lisa Brooks was speaking with a relative on the phone when her six-storey apartment complex on 324 Main Street fell down on Sunday evening. Eight people were rescued within the first twelve hours of the tragedy, but there were no signs of Ms Brooks. For an entire day, family members hoped for a miracle amid reports by city officials that demolition was imminent as the structure was too unstable. But on the eleventh hour, Ms Brooks was rescued by firefighters after she managed to call her daughter and alert authorities to her whereabouts. Ms Brooks great-granddaughter Pauletta Joeanna told The Independent on Tuesday that Ms Brooks was unconscious for a long time. She attributed her great-grandmothers last-minute escape in part to family members who were at the scene. Dramatic footage posted by Ms Joeanna also shows Ms Brooks escape as she is lowered to safety by a firefighter. Shes at home, shes fine now. She had passed out under the couch and the only reason she woke up its because we were yelling her name, Ms Joeanna said. Everything we know about the horrible Iowa building collapse as rescue efforts continue Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Rescue efforts have been called off a day after a residential building collapsed in Davenport, Iowa. A rear section of the six-storey apartment complex on 324 Main Street collapsed at around 5pm on Sunday. Eight people have been rescued from the wreckage and no deaths have been reported, according to Davenport Fire Chief Michael Carlsten. However, Pauletta Joeanna told The Independent on Monday evening that her great-grandmother Lisa Brooks is still missing after she became trapped in the wreckage while she tried to escape the collapse. Ms Brooks, who lived in apartment 403, was on the phone with another relative when she suddenly hung up. The search will now transition into its recovery stage, as demolition is planned for Tuesday morning, according to city leaders. Officials planned to demolish a collapsed Iowa building. Are survivors still trapped? Structure of collapsed building becomes more brittle as time passes, experts say Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:00 , Andrea Blanco Experts said the structure, built in the 1900s is extremely unstable. Because of the layout of the building, with the rear brick part holding together much of the steal structure, officials said there were likely no void spaces where trapped victims could have shielded. Authorities said its brittle condition is worsening with time and the possibility of another collapse is now imminent. Family of woman rescued from Iowa building collapse reveal how screams saved her from demolition Wednesday 31 May 2023 11:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar A woman who was rescued nearly 24 hours after the collapse of her apartment building in Davenport, Iowa, narrowly escaped getting caught up in a planned demolition. Her family are crediting her escape not to rescue crews but to people shouting her name from the street. Lisa Brooks was speaking with a relative on the phone when her six-storey apartment complex on 324 Main Street fell down on Sunday evening. Eight people were rescued within the first twelve hours of the tragedy, but there were no signs of Ms Brooks. For an entire day, family members hoped for a miracle amid reports by city officials that demolition was imminent as the structure was too unstable. But at the eleventh hour, Ms Brooks was rescued by firefighters after she managed to call her daughter and alert authorities to her whereabouts. Ms Brooks great-granddaughter Pauletta Joeanna told The Independent on Tuesday that Ms Brooks was unconscious for a long time. She attributed her great-grandmothers last-minute escape in part to family members who were at the scene. Dramatic footage posted by Ms Joeanna also shows Ms Brooks escape as she is lowered to safety by a firefighter. Shes at home, shes fine now. She had passed out under the couch and the only reason she woke up is because we were yelling her name, Ms Joeanna said. Family of woman rescued from Iowa building collapse reveal how screams saved her Shocking photos reveal cracks inside Iowa apartment building before horror collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 11:00 , Andrea Blanco A resident posted on TikTok she moved out of an apartment at the collapsed building just weeks ago. The Independents Rachel Sharp has more: Shocking photos show cracks inside Iowa apartment building before horror collapse Several animals rescued from rubble but no human activity' Wednesday 31 May 2023 10:46 , Rachel Sharp Several animals were rescued from the rubble of the apartment building on Tuesday but a search found no human activity in the wreckage. Up to five people remain missing following the collapse on Sunday, two of which are believed to possibly still be in the building. In an update on Tuesday afternooon, the city of Davenport said that the Davenport Fire Department in partnership with MABAS 43 Technical Rescue Team conducted an additional operation within portions of building deemed safe enough. During this operation, several animals were rescued and delivered to the Scott County Humane Society. Crews continued to search for human activity and none was detected, the city said. The stability of the building continues to degrade. The recovery of any unaccounted for individuals remains the priority of the City as operational planning progresses. Watch: Ninth person rescued from wreckage of Iowa building collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 10:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Demolition plans laid out as two tenants feared trapped under wreckage Wednesday 31 May 2023 10:00 , Andrea Blanco Fire Marshall J Morris said on Tuesday that authorities faced a challenging decision, as experts recommend a demolition as soon as permitting is obtained, while family members fear that their loved ones are still alive under the rubble. Johnnie Woods told The Des Moines Register that her nephew Branden Colvin, who lived in a fifth-floor apartment in the building, did not show up for a family gathering on Sunday night. The familys attempts to locate him since have been unsuccessful. Ms Woods said a neighbour of Mr Colvins told her hed seen him moments before the collapse. Mr Colvins vehicle was also in the buildings parking lot and had to be towed after the tragedy. My other nephews and other people have been trying to call his phone, and hes not answering his phone, Ms Woods told the Register. So were assuming something, that he cant talk, his phone is dead, or something. Really, we dont know anything. Ms Woods said she learned Ryan Hitchcock was also unaccounted for during a meeting with police on Monday. A woman who police said is related to Mr Hitchcock noted during the press conference on Tuesday that she agreed with demolition plans. I was completely mortified about the protests. These people raising a voice, and they dont know Ryan, Amy Henderson said. The city does have a plan and pushing for any delays ... its one more day that hes under there. Ryan wouldnt want anyone else to put their lives at risk unfortunately for someone who probably has not survived. Experts have said the structure built in the 1900s is extremely unstable. Because of the layout of the building, with the rear brick part holding together much of the steel structure, officials said there were likely no void spaces where trapped victims could have taken shelter. Authorities said its brittle condition is worsening with time and the possibility of another collapse is now imminent. We want to get everyone out, we want to do it right now, Mr Morris said as he broke down in tears at Tuesdays press conference. So understand, its not that we dont want to do this ... its that we have to do it in a safe manner. Mayor Matson also praised first responders for risking their lives with their swift response and decried criticism sparked after the search was called off. He said surgeons were performing trauma surgeries in the surroundings of the collapsed building and firefighters had gone inside void places that were extremely dangerous to get into, with the only focus to save lives. All of those folks got here in the middle of the night, immediately assessing ... [knowing] that thing is unsafe and going anywhere, he said. There heroes that have gone inside this building ... get off of that. Do you want to come at somebody? Here, Im standing right in front of you. Theyre the people who are saving lives. Davenport residents demand rescue teams keep searching collapsed building for survivors Wednesday 31 May 2023 09:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Davenport residents have demanded rescue teams keep searching collapsed building for survivors as the threat of demolition looms. More than 36 hours after the rear section of a six-storey apartment complex on 324 Main Street in Iowa collapsed, Davenport mayor Mike Matson revealed that local police have been unable to locate five residents. Experts said the structure, built in the 1900s, is extremely unstable because of the layout of the building, with the rear brick part holding together much of the steel structure. Davenport residents demand rescue teams keep searching building for survivors WATCH: Ninth person rescued from wreckage of Iowa building collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 09:00 , Andrea Blanco Everything we know about the horrible Iowa building collapse as rescue efforts continue Wednesday 31 May 2023 08:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Rescue efforts have been called off a day after a residential building collapsed in Davenport, Iowa. A rear section of the six-storey apartment complex on 324 Main Street collapsed at around 5pm on Sunday. Eight people have been rescued from the wreckage and no deaths have been reported, according to Davenport Fire Chief Michael Carlsten. However, Pauletta Joeanna told The Independent on Monday evening that her great-grandmother Lisa Brooks is still missing after she became trapped in the wreckage while she tried to escape the collapse. Ms Brooks, who lived in apartment 403, was on the phone with another relative when she suddenly hung up. The search will now transition into its recovery stage, as demolition is planned for Tuesday morning, according to city leaders. Officials planned to demolish a collapsed Iowa building. Are survivors still trapped? Assistance for the victims Wednesday 31 May 2023 08:00 , Andrea Blanco Several law enforcement agencies responded to the scene. An air ambulance landed at the site of the emergency on Sunday night to transport victims of the collapse, while K-9 units and search crews combed through the wreckage. First responders from the Iowa and Illinois Quad-Cities region wrapped rescue operations on Monday afternoon. A school bus drives past the wreckage after the building collapse on Sunday Mayor Mike Matson said at the earlier press conference that he had spoken to state governor Kim Reynolds, who offered her assistance in the response to the disaster. Gov Reynolds said the Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security and emergency management officials are also assisting in the response. This is an active scene, the mayor said. We will continue to work, continue to evaluate, with the whole purpose of trying to find people and trying to get them out. The Center for Active Seniors (CASI) is serving as a shelter for those impacted. Residents in need of accommodation are asked to call the American Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross for details. Iowa officials finally admit that up to five residents are still missing following building collapse Wednesday 31 May 2023 07:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Officials in Iowa have finally admitted that up to five residents are still missing following the collapse of a six-story apartment building after previously claiming there were no credible reports of missing people and making plans to demolish the block while people could still be trapped inside. Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said at a press conference on Tuesday that five people are still unaccounted for, including two who are believed to still be in the partially collapsed building. The Davenport Police Department has been working diligently to account for the [residents] of the building, he said. Five individuals are still unaccounted for, two of those we believe to possibly be still in the building. The identities of the missing have not been released but the revelation comes after desperate neighbours, locals and loved ones have been trying to raise the alarm about two men thought to be in the building at the time of the collapse. Iowa officials admit up to five residents are still missing after building collapse Building collapse survivor was rescued after family members yelled her name Wednesday 31 May 2023 07:00 , Andrea Blanco Lisa Brooks, who lived in apartment 403, was speaking with a relative on the phone when the building collapsed on Sunday. For more than 24 hours, family members hoped for a miracle amid reports that demolition was expected to begin this week. But on the eleventh hour, Ms Brooks was rescued by firefighters after she managed to call her daughter and alert authorities to her whereabouts. Ms Brooks niece Pauletta Joeanna told The Independent that Ms Brooks was unconscious for a long time and woke up after hearing her desperate relatives calling for her. Shes at home, shes fine now. She had passed out under the couch and the only reason she woke up its because we were yelling her name. Now were looking for Branden, Ms Joeanna said. The sting of the financial impacts of the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, held May 20 in Morro Bay, have eased. However, my fiduciary duty to Dockside and my personal responsibility to my 60 staff members have caused me to question how the city of Morro Bay allowed this event to happen. Some very interesting information is available when one looks beyond the hype and spin that is created to promote an event such as the Ironman in such a small community as ours. At 10,000 residents, Morro Bay is the smallest city in the USA to host such a disruptive event. The next closest to us is Coeur dAlene, Idaho, at 55,000, then Santa Cruz, California, at 63,000. All the other host cities exceed 100,000 residents, all the way to 1.9 million residents for Panama City, Florida. The World Triathlon Corp., which Ironman is a part of, is a multimillion-dollar company that uses public resources all over the world to drive their brand and generate large profits. We know Morro Bay waived all city permit fees and parking lot fees. Also, city staff predicted a cost to the city of $55,000, according to Estero Bay News. This was to include staff costs for police, fire, and maintenance, etc., and logistics to include parking, shuttling, waste management. Visit Morro Bay was to pay the $30,000 for the sponsor fee as well as provide Ironman support staff with lodging. But what will be the actual cost to Morro Bay? What will be the actual cost to Visit Morro Bay? What will be the actual cost to the taxpayers of our city as well as the state? And what will be the cost to businesses whose regular visitors and locals were displaced? We were told that when this was approved there was not much public input, but how does one give public input when all the impacts were downplayed and many of the specifics about the race were unknown? The parking plan was not even in place until a few weeks ago, which resulted in intimidating No Parking signs placed days in advance of their actual required posting. We also dealt with flashing billboards with long, unreadable messages. We were told that Ironman participants are more socially and economically successful than the usual visitor to Morro Bay. Whether valid or not, I find that kind of rhetoric disgusting as well as disappointing. Many of our businesses were built with the support of people who have already found Morro Bay and enjoy who we are, not what we are trying to be. I am sure some businesses did well really well. I assume the hotel industry had a strong week as lodging rates were doubled and tripled. However, Dockside and its staff took a beating. Our revenues for the weekend were down at least 50% starting Friday and continuing through race day. On race day, our main restaurant had the worst lunch in its 19-year history. Our fish market saw virtually zero fresh fish sales on race day. Both of our locations started feeling the punch well in advance of the weekend. The confusion and displacement for our regular visitors was costly. Our labor costs were up at least 25% as we prepared for the influx of patrons as race planners and officials had promised, but we never saw. The one bump in business that we did experience lasted for about two hours on race day as we did have a brief but good breakfast. The city has agreed to have the Ironman back for two more years. Now that we know what to expect, it is imperative that we plan now and learn from the lessons learned this year. There is no need to shut down the Embarcadero or other portions of our town, as seen this year. There are many locations this event can be staged without displacing regular visitors to Morro Bay. It is vital that we explore other options prior to giving away our city next year. In general, events as a whole discourage Morro Bays regular visitors wherever they are from. When our regular visitors and locals alike are displaced, events like the Harbor Festival and Avocado Margarita festival begin to die. They get too big and elaborate as well as expensive. The organizers forget their roots. Bigger is not better. That is why simple things like the Kite Festival and the new Maritime Museum Family Fun Day are having such great grass-roots success. The city of Morro Bay needs to accommodate those who already visit us. Keep our bathrooms open and clean. Keep the trash picked up. And keep our traffic and parking managed. Businesses should not be allowed to price gouge and should offer our visitors a fair and good value for their services. Please, as our elected officials do not do this to us again. The cumulative effects of this and most other events that shut down our town are destroying who we are and who we serve. I, for one, do not need your help but please do not harm me. Mark Tognazzini is a lifelong resident of the Morro Bay area, owns the Dockside Restaurants, and has fished commercially for 53 years. WASHINGTON The Israeli military and the U.S. Army are taking steps to tie the Armys two Iron Dome batteries into the services missile defense program of record, potentially moving the Israeli equipment away from its current status as a one-off gap filler in the U.S. inventory, according to officials from both countries. The Army bought two Iron Dome batteries from Israel in order to fill a gap in cruise missile defense as it develops its own indirect fire protection capability, but has stressed it wont buy more of the stand-alone systems, partly because the Israeli government has been unwilling to turn over its proprietary source code. But at a May 30 Center for Strategic and International Studies event, Moshe Patel, who heads the Israel Missile Defense Organization, said he believed relevant information sharing limitations between the two countries have now been resolved. I can tell you that just recently, we solved all the issues and problems that they have and we are going to give them the right solutions and whatever they need in order to integrate fully the capability of Iron Dome inside their systems, Patel said in response to a question about whether he believed Iron Dome could be integrated into the U.S. system, as opposed to being merely interoperable. More than that, we deployed two Iron Dome batteries already that we are willing to fully integrate those Iron Dome batteries into the [Integrated Battle Command System] and whatever is needed, he added. The IBCS, which is the Armys command-and-control system that will connect sensors and interceptors across the battlefield, was recently approved for full-rate production. Army officials have maintained if a system cant connect with IBCS, it cant be a part of the services emerging air-and-missile defense architecture. While the Army has deployed Iron Dome to Guam for a short period of time to evaluate its capability in an operational environment, it has yet to talk about how it might deploy it or any plans for the two systems in detail. Tom Karako, a missile defense expert at CSIS, said earlier this year that Iron Dome cannot be integrated into the Armys future air and missile defense network until Israeli provides access to the source code, with cybersecurity a major concern. Unless Israel permits access to address these concerns, these two batteries will remain a standalone niche capability, he wrote in a recent opinion piece. As such, the Army seems to not know what to do with them. Technological solutions exist to tie Iron Dome effectively into the Armys air-and-missile defense architecture that dont require the Israelis to pass over proprietary source code, former Missile Defense Agency director retired Lt. Gen. Henry Obering wrote in an opinion piece for Defense News in 2020. One option could be through technical escrow accounts, which would allow trusted national security officials to process integration without putting Israeli ingenuity at risk, he writes. At the same time, the United States does not need proprietary Israeli intellectual property to derive use from the air defense system. Integrating the Iron Dome within U.S. defenses would be ideal, but there are still discreet interoperable uses for the system, similar to how the Marines reportedly connected it to their Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar. Patel pointed to several other efforts where Iron Dome was able to connect effectively such as the command-and-control element of the brand new AN/SPY-6 radar aboard Navy destroyers and the Marine Corps air defense system as well. Whatever we can help you in the United States to have better defense and to fill your gap, we will do with all the support that we have received from you along the years. I think that is our obligation, he said. As of today, the Army does not have a requirement for the Iron Dome software, Doug Bush, the Armys acquisition chief told Defense News in a June 1 statement sent through a spokesperson. However, given recent discussions that issue is under review. Currently, the Army has an acceptable interoperability strategy in place with an existing command and control system planned for implementation by the end of the calendar year, Bush added. This approach ensures the Armys two Iron Dome systems will be effective if they are deployed. Even so, IBCS is the critical element that connects everything, Bush said. Commanders could make the decision to employ United States-owned Iron Dome units for specific missions and threats, but the long term operational defensive design for air defense relies on IBCS and IBCS-enabled equipment. While Iron Domes future with the U.S. force structure remains uncertain, Rafael, the company that developed and manufactured Iron Dome in a partnership with the United States government and U.S. based Raytheon, is also setting its sights on the possibility that some parts of Iron Dome could see wider adoption. For example, while the Army picked Raytheons AIM-9X for its first Indirect Fires Protection Capability missile, the service plans to evaluate and hold competitions later on for other missiles to add to the inventory that are capable of taking out rockets, artillery and mortars as well as cruise missiles and drones. Iron Domes Tamir interceptor would likely be a candidate in any future IFPC interceptor competition. As temperatures rise and summer beckons, its fast approaching that time of year when tourists from all around the world descend on Italys coastline. But the huge popularity of Italys two largest islands Sicily and Sardinia, known for their pristine beaches and fluorescent blue waters, has come at a cost to the local environment, with trash and sand theft among the biggest problems. However, this summer, local authorities are taking extra steps to preserve the natural environment by enforcing strict daily visitor limits, with some of the most highly rated beaches in the popular islands in the frontline. While Baunei, a small village in a remote area of eastern Sardinia, has implemented daily visitor caps in previous years, restrictions on the number of sunbathers permitted to visit some of the most beautiful beaches along its 40-kilometer coastline overlooking the Gulf of Orosei are being tightened even further this summer. Unsustainable visitor numbers Cala Goloritze, located in the town of Baunei in Ogliastra, Sardinia, can only be reached by foot or boat. - imageBROKER/Alamy Stock Photo Our land is mostly ragged tall cliffs where mouflons (wild sheep) and hawks live, and just a dozen beaches so everyone flocks there, crowding these, Stefano Monni, the mayor of Baunei, tells CNN. We can no longer afford thousands of daily sunbathers all squeezed in one spot as in the past, its unsustainable. Four beaches are affected. Cala dei Gabbiani and Cala Biriala both now have a daily cap of 300 visitors in place, while Cala Goloritze has a limit of 250 visitors per day, and Cala Mariolu, the largest of the beaches, has a daily limit of 700 people. Visitors to Cala Goloritze, which is only accessible by foot or boat, will be charged an entrance fee of six euros (US$6.5.) Beachgoers must book their spot at all of these locations through an app called Cuore di Sardegna (or Heart of Sardinia) at least 72 hours before their visit. The entrance fee for Cala Goloritze can either be paid online, or with cash at the entrance to the inlet. This charge will help fund surveillance, a parking area and maintaining the paths and toilets on the beach, according to local authorities. All these beaches, even those with free entrance, are tidy and neat, adds Monni. Theres surveillance, assistance to sunbathers and cleaning services. If people want, theyre welcome to leave a small contribution. At Cala Mariolu, one of Sardinias most famous beaches, a one euro per passenger fee is now applicable to any boats or dinghies that dock here. We must protect this paradise and its fragile ecosystem, adds Monni. The mayor says Bauneis waters were rated as Italys most beautiful sea in 2022 by Legambiente, an Italian ecological lobby group. He says its also a site of European interest due to protected animals and birds species. Limits must be set otherwise everything collapses, he adds. Monni says that Cala Mariuolo has been besieged by up to 2,000 tourists a day in previous years, a situation he describes as carnage. The coastal area of Baunei welcomes around 300,000 tourists each summer. In a bid to further tighten restrictions, Monni has submitted a request to Sardinias regional authorities for permission to implement a mandatory six-square-meter distance between sunbathers throughout the entire coastline. It wont be an easy process. While Monni is confident about controlling access to the inlets by land, hes fully aware that restricting access by sea will be more difficult. Private dinghies, yachts and canoes still show up in the area, often arriving from nearby towns. We can control sea arrivals only if the boats are run by the authorized tourist operators we have deals with and on a rotating base, no more than two hours on the beaches for each boat group, explains Monni. Beach towel ban Beach towels will not be permitted at La Pelosa Beach in Stintino, Sardinia this summer, according to local authorities. - robertharding/Alamy Stock Photo Baunei isnt the only vacation spot in Sardinia trying to keep numbers down this summer. Stintino, a fishing village on the northern coast, is adopting strict measures to protect its most stunning asset the pinkish coral beach of La Pelosa, which offers views of the Isola Piana island, known for its stone lookout tower. Named after the grassy, hairy (pelosi in Italian) plants that jut out of its soft sand dunes, La Pelosa is among the most beautiful and crowded beaches in Italy. In high season, its sands are often a maze of towels and sunbathers, while a swim in its beautiful waters usually involves zig-zagging between countless inflatable water mats. Weve capped tourists on La Pelosa to 1,500 per day for a ticket fee of 3.50 euros, bookings and payments can be made on an authorized website, says Stintinos mayor Rita Limbania Vallebella, recalling a sunny August day when town authorities apparently detected some 38,000 tourists swimming in Stintinos waters. It was shocking, and disgusting. It destroyed the natural habitat leading to sand erosion. I cant stand having tourists throw rubbish on the sand dunes, which theyd never do back at home. Keen to avoid a similar occurrence in the future, Vallebella is cracking down on nature transgressors with beach patrols and a series of bans. Dogs, smoking and sand stealing are all forbidden at this beach, along with using beach towels, with fines starting at 100 euros. On La Pelosa just mats are allowed. Unlike towels that get wet, sand doesnt stick to mats, preferably if made of fiber and straw. Weve lost so much sand because of beach towels, explains Vallebella. Meanwhile, restrictions are also in place at the nearby Le Saline beach. Campers are no longer permitted to wildly park on the fine pebble stone shore or near the lagoon, which is home to protected birds and plant species. Advance bookings Tourist sunbathe at Isola dei Conigli, a popular beach in Lampedusa, one of the Pelagie Islands. - Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images Over in Sicily, Lampedusa island, one of the Pelagie Islands, has also brought in tourist restrictions at a popular spot. With its clear blue waters, Isola dei Conigli beach has been repeatedly named one of the worlds best beaches by travelers, so its no surprise that huge crowds flock here each year. According to local councillor Toto Martello, over 1,500 people visited the beach, an egg-laying spot for loggerhead turtles, each day before a cap was introduced, alongside an entrance fee of two euros, paid on site. This number has now been halved, just 350 people in the morning, and another 350 in the afternoon, says Martello. Bookings are made online through a local authorized website. Those who sunbathe here must adhere to a specific beach code, which encourages visitors to remain at their sunbathing spot, unless theyre taking a dip in the water. Sun beds and floating water mats are prohibited, and noise must be kept to a minimum. Summer can be tough. There are about 6,700 residents, but during the holidays over 200,000 tourists land here. It becomes unbearable for the environment and unlivable for everyone, says Filippo Mannino, mayor of Lampedusa. Martello says he plans to place a 40-day ban on the arrival of any cars and scooters of tourists and non-residents during the peak of summer. To crackdown on the number of private yachts and boats anchoring in the bay, Mannino is pushing to have Isola dei Conigli listed as a protected marine park in the future. Tourists cars are already banned on Linosa, Lampedusas smaller, jet-black volcanic isle, which allows only 200 visitors per day, according to Martello. The move comes shortly after Mannino approved a measure to punish vandals who dump rubbish in Lampedusa and Linosa by seizing their cars. Meanwhile, the island of Giglio, or Isola del Giglio island, based off the coast of Tuscany, has introduced a three euros landing fee, while cars are only permitted for stays of more than four days in August. Home to 1,400 residents during winter, visitor arrivals reach a daily peak of 10,000 in the summertime, bringing the yearly total to 300,000. Procida, another of Italys car-free islands, is also fighting against hit-and-run day-trippers. Spanning barely four square-kilometers, the island is one of Europes most densely populated isles, with a population of around 10,000. However, around 400,000 people visit each year, with the majority arriving during summer time. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall will face questions from MPs about the scandal surrounding This Morning after Phillip Schofields controversial exit from the programme. Shortly after his initial exit from This Morning amid a rumoured feud with co-presenter Holly Willoughby, Schofield admitted to lying about his affair with a former runner of the show in 2020 in a statement to the Daily Mail. Schofield resigned from ITV and stepped down as the host of the British Soap Awards on 26 May, with the presenter being replaced by Jane McDonald. Now, McCall is set to appear before a session of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 14 June to give evidence about how much ITV bosses knew regarding the situation. News that McCall will testify before MPs comes after ex-This Morning host Eamonn Holmes accused ITV of covering up for Schofield. Elsewhere, the shows resident health expert Dr Ranj Singh said he complained about bullying and discrimination during his time on This Morning. A spokesperson for ITV who completed an independent inquiry into Dr Ranjs claims found there was no evidence of bullying or discrimination. On Wednesday 31 May, McCall ordered a barrister-led inquiry to establish the facts around Schofields departure from This Morning. McCall said ITV takes its responsibilities around duty of care and speaking up seriously and has robust and well-established processes in place which allow anyone who works with us to raise concerns they may have anonymously in a letter to culture secretary Lucy Frazer. Dame Caroline Dinenage, who was one of the addressees of Wednesdays letter, said in a written response on Thursday (1 June): The Committee regards the media industrys duty of care towards its staff a matter of the highest importance. Whilst the recent coverage focuses on the Schofield case, it also raises fundamental issues about safeguarding and complaint handling both at ITV and more widely across the media. In response to Schofields statement admitting he had lied about his unwise but not illegal affair with a younger male colleague on This Morning, ITV said it had investigated rumours of the 61-year-old presenters romantic involvement with a network employee when they first surfaced. 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, ITVs statement read. Additional reporting by Press Association FILE PHOTO: A supporter of Turkey's main pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party holds a mask of their jailed former leader and presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtas during a rally in Ankara ANKARA (Reuters) - A jailed Kurdish leader said on Thursday he was withdrawing from active politics and called on his party's officials to conduct "comprehensive self-criticism" after its poorer than expected performance in Turkey's elections last month. His pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), running under another party banner due to a potential ban over alleged militant ties, won 8.79% of the votes in the parliamentary election on May 14. In the 2018 elections, the HDP won 11.7% support. It remains the third largest party in parliament after last month's vote. "I sincerely apologise to our people for not being able to carry out a policy worthy of them," former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtas told news website Artigercek from Edirne prison in northwest Turkey. "While I will maintain my struggle with resistance from prison like all my comrades, I'm withdrawing from active politics at this stage." A prosecutor filed a closure case against the HDP in March 2021, accusing it of having ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is designated a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union as well as by Turkey. The HDP denies ties to the PKK, which has battled the Turkish state for decades in a separatist conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives. Demirtas was a co-chair of the HDP between 2014 and 2018. Despite being in jail since 2016, he has remained a key political figure in Turkish politics, issuing daily political messages over his Twitter account to his more than 2 million followers. The HDP and its allies did not field a presidential candidate in the elections and backed main opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu. In the May 28 runoff, President Tayyip Erdogan won 52.2% of votes, extending his two-decade rule. Kilicdaroglu got 47.8% support. Demirtas said he would remain an HDP member and called on his party to conduct self-criticism. "What we need most is intra-party democracy. When intra-party democracy declines, mistakes come one after another." Demirtas ran for president twice, once in 2014 and again from behind bars in 2018, when he came third with 8.4% of votes. He said he had told the HDP leadership before the election that he was willing to run for president again but his offer was refused. "My candidacy would have increased our votes... But I still don't know why it was refused," he said. Demirtas, 49, was previously sentenced to three years in jail for insulting the president. He remains in prison, facing a potential life sentence in a trial with more than 100 other HDP politicians, accused of instigating 2014 protests in which dozens died. In his victory speech, Erdogan said releasing Demirtas would not be possible under his rule and called him a "terrorist". Kilicdaroglu had pledged that if he won the election Turkey would comply with European Court of Human Rights rulings calling for Demirtas' release. (Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Daren Butler and Frances Kerry) Actor James Van Der Beek criticized the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Wednesday over its decision not to sponsor any primary debates with President Biden ahead of the 2024 election. I cannot get over the fact that the Democratic National Committee is saying there will not be a debate to decide the nominee for president, Van Der Beek said in a TikTok video on Memorial Day. Are you f kidding me? Theres no debate? he continued. Theres no debate over an 80-year-old man who, if he lives, would be the oldest sitting president in the history of the country? And if he doesnt live, has a vice president whose approval rating is worse than his? Van Der Beek, best known for his role on Dawsons Creek, suggested that Biden has obviously declining mental faculties and accused the DNC of openly ignoring, bypassing the will of the people. You are shoehorning your pick and forcing it on the rest of us, he said. And dont tell me that the other candidates arent serious. Self-help author Marianne Williamson and prominent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have both announced bids for the Democratic nomination. Van Der Beeks wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, has previously expressed anti-vaccine views on social media, according to Rolling Stone. If theres no debate, theres no democracy, the actor added in Wednesdays video. No primary, no legitimate president. A recent CNN poll showed Biden with 60 percent support among Democratic voters, compared to Kennedys 20 percent and Williamsons 8 percent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. More than two years after the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, rioters who stormed the building that day are facing consequences for their actions. A D.C. federal judge on Thursday began sentencing members of the right-wing militia Oath Keepers who were tried and in large, convicted for seditious conspiracy, including the group's leader, Stewart Rhodes. Rhodes will serve 18 years in prison for his role in a plot to stop the peaceful transfer of power from then-President Donald Trump to Joe Biden. His lieutenants will serve lesser, albeit still significant, sentences. The sentencings came on the heels of a federal jury deeming members of the right-wing extremist Proud Boys guilty of numerous felonies in connection with Jan. 6. Four Proud Boys, including leader Enrique Tarrio, were convicted of sedition. In the years since the Capitol attack, the Justice Department has made good on its promise to prosecute rioters to the fullest extent of the law. More than 1,000 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states and D.C. Experts in extremism told USA TODAY the legal consequences Jan. 6 defendants are facing do act as a deterrent for other politically-motivated bad actors. But the underlying ideologies that spurred the riot continue to fester. "As I'm looking forward, I still see those those same forces at play; the environment has not really changed all that much," said Alex Friedfeld, an investigative researcher with the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism. "All it is is waiting for someone to come along and, again, activate it in some way to focus those forces." What happens to the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys now? With high-ranking Oath Keepers sentenced to long prison terms and Proud Boys leaders not far behind, the groups' political power has inevitably changed since 2020. As founder and leader of the Oath Keepers, Rhodes was the militia's "driving force," said Jon Lewis, a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University. "The idea that he is going to be in prison for the next 18 years...it makes it very difficult to see how the Oath Keepers are going to continue to exist in the future without him," Lewis said. The Proud Boys' future looks different, experts previously told USA TODAY. Without the national leadership provided by Tarrio and other co-defendants, Proud Boys chapters around the country splintered off and focused on localized directives. Despite that, they continue to be a significant force and top Proud Boys' prison sentences won't change that fact. Legal consequences act as deterrence The legal ramifications of the Capitol attack have lent fodder to right-wing claims that the government is targeting conservatives for their beliefs. But they've also acted as a deterrent, Friedfeld said. Any efforts at large-scale organizing, like those made after Trump's Mar-a-Lago home was raided or after his New York indictment, have fizzled thanks to fear that the events are "honeypots," or federal entrapment operations, he said. "Even though they're not using this as an opportunity for self reflection they're still kind of doubled down on these conspiratorial elements the end result is they have been very wary to show up in public in large numbers and engage in public spaces in a way that they previously, prior to Jan. 6, were not," Friedfeld said. As investigative counsel for the House Jan. 6 committee that investigated the attack, Sandeep Prasanna was tasked with interviewing Rhodes, acting as the main point of contact for everything related to the militia leader. Rhodes' 18-year sentence after a federal D.C. jury found him guilty of seditious conspiracy was consistent with the committee's findings, he said. "This sentence sends a really strong message," Prasanna said. "Hopefully, the nation is listening." Jan. 6 '2.0' unlikely, but coalition persists Extremism experts agreed that a Jan. 6 reprise where a rag-tag Stop the Steal coalition comprised of established right-wing extremists, political influencers and average Joe MAGA supporters, emboldened by local elected officials and some U.S. lawmakers, all focused their attention toward the Capitol at the behest of the president is unlikely. "We've all kind of recognized that was a very unique kind of flashpoint," Lewis said. "But what I think does still exist and has continued to permeate under the surface is a lot of that coalition." As the 2024 presidential election grows nearer, it's individual bad actors and the still-festering narratives that inspired the riot in the first place that raise greater concern. "They're not trying to do it again, at least in this moment." Lewis said. "Their focus is not on, 'How do we get every single person who believes this to march on the Capitol 2.0,' it's, 'How do you how do you mobilize locally?'" At a local level, the mutual enemy is the "flavor of the day," he added, be that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, the LGBTQ community, school boards, the IRS, proponents of critical race theory or Budweiser. "That broader movement, that broader overlap on the far-right, has continued and, to some extent, increased since then," said Lindsay Schubiner, program director at the Western States Center. "In some extent, they no longer need Trump as a focal point because they've built enough overlap and and political power that there's ongoing mobilizations, largely at the local level, that is aligned with these movement schools of undermining inclusive democratic institutions." Still, Trump remains a factor. The former president has continued to spread false claims of election fraud, repeatedly denying he lost the 2020 election and suggesting during a CNN town hall last month he'd only accept the results of the 2024 contest if he believed them. But 2024 isn't 2020, Prasanna said, and Trump isn't on the same playing field. That alone could minimize the ability he has to influence the upcoming race. "He doesn't have access to those same levers of power," Prasanna said. "He still has his voice, he still has his following, but he doesn't have access to the same institutions that he did back in 2020." Trump might not act as a focusing lens to mobilize this newfound coalition on his behalf. But the legitimacy he and other lawmakers lend to the cause still ensures a risk of political violence in 2024 and beyond, Friedfeld said. "For a lot of these guys, it's not that anyone's being told what to do; it's that they connect the dots themselves and decide that violence is the solution to this problem," Friedfeld said. "If your vote doesn't matter you have no way to change things all of a sudden the idea of voting through the barrel of your gun becomes a lot more reasonable. Because how else are you going to protect your country?" This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jan. 6 extremists face legal consequences. What that means for 2024 While many developed countries are struggling with low birthrates, the problem is particularly acute in Japan Japan's prime minister unveiled a $25 billion plan on Thursday to expand support for young people and families in a bid to help raise the country's plummeting birthrate. Larger direct subsidies for those with children and more financial help for education and prenatal care are on the cards, along with the promotion of flexible work styles and paternity leave. Fumio Kishida said he was proposing "policies to tackle the falling birthrate on an unprecedented scale" as well as steps to "increase income for the young, and the child-rearing generation". "We will move forward with these measures to fight the falling birthrate without asking the public to bear a further burden," he told ministers, experts and business leaders gathered to discuss the issue. While many developed countries are struggling with low birthrates, the problem is particularly acute in Japan. It has the world's second-oldest population after Monaco, and its relatively strict immigration rules mean it faces growing labour shortages. The country of 125 million recorded fewer than 800,000 births last year, the lowest since records began, while the cost of elderly care soared. At Thursday's meeting, Kishida said he wanted to budget roughly 3.5 trillion yen ($25 billion) over the next three years for the policies. The drive has drawn criticism, however, for its failure to identify funding sources other than spending cuts elsewhere and improving the economy. hih/kaf/qan (Bloomberg) -- The Japanese government aims to set up an official clearance system for accessing classified information related to economic security as it seeks to strengthen cooperation with its allies including the US and help private businesses win contracts abroad. Most Read from Bloomberg Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi said she wants to submit a security clearance bill by next years parliamentary session at the latest. Without a law in place, Japanese companies risk missing out on highly sensitive contracts including those with Japans overseas allies in areas like cutting-edge chip technology and cyber security. We must get legislation for this, Takaichi said in an interview on Tuesday in Tokyo. This is going to be a major law and will have an impact on business opportunities. Without this, Japanese companies cant make major inroads in these areas, she said without naming companies that could benefit. Takaichis comments come amid growing scrutiny over how countries handle information that goes beyond the usual classified realms such as defense as a wider range of economic activities is considered sensitive for national security. Washington is seeking to limit Beijings access to high-end chip-making technology as part of efforts to lessen its dependency on China and improve economic security. The US has called on allies such as Japan and the Netherlands to do the same. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has accused the US of seeking to contain and suppress China. Takaichi denied that Japans recent curbs on chip-making equipment targeted China. The security clearance system sought by Takaichi would allow the government to decide which entities including private companies would be granted access to classified information. That access is necessary for Japanese companies to participate in the US defense departments procurements and protect sensitive information when teaming up with the US and others on advanced semiconductor and quantum technology, according to documents provided at meetings between Takaichi and a panel of experts discussing security clearance. A guideline set by the panel says the new system would also need to check on the reliability of individuals at companies. Japans existing law on classified information covers diplomacy, defense, terrorism and spying, but does not address dual-use tech and expertise that can be used for defense and commercial purposes, Takaichi said. Lack of a government-guaranteed security clearance has kept Japan out of the Five Eyes intelligence grouping that comprises the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Takaichi said. They communicate in a common language based on the level of security clearance they have, she said. Sometimes, companies fail to land a contract when one side isnt cleared for security. We are seeing real harm coming out of this time and time again. Japan is in the middle of overhauling its supply chains to reduce its reliance on China. Recently, Japan and the US agreed to develop next generation semiconductors together, part of the US efforts to cut its use of China-linked technology that could be used to access sensitive security information. At home, Japans government is boosting investment in Rapidus Corp., a chip venture. Japan depends on imports for 79% of its chips, Takaichi said. Chips are very important as we go through digitalization, and we want to make them at home as much as we can. Chips are among the 11 items designated in the new economic security law, after shortages of silicon during the pandemic roiled production of everything from cars to smartphones to data centers. Japan also plans to begin restricting exports of chip-making gears in July. China has protested the move, but Takaichi reiterated Tokyos stance that the move doesnt target any specific nation and is to prevent Japanese technology from being used in weapons. Even if we name a specific nation or a specific company, the company can also change its name and claim its in a different country, Takaichi said. --With assistance from Isabel Reynolds. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Jeffrey Epstein and Dick Cavett. Davidoff Studios/Getty Images; Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images Dick Cavett was scheduled to dine with Jeffrey Epstein in February 2012. Their mutual friend Woody Allen, Soon-Yi Previn, and a Bill Gates advisor were also listed as attendees. Epstein had been a registered sex offender at the time. The legendary talk show host Dick Cavett had a scheduled dinner with now-dead pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2012, according to email records obtained by Insider. The dinner was included on Epstein's schedule for February 16, 2012, in emails from Lesley Groff, his personal assistant at the time. Woody Allen, his wife Soon-Yi Previn, and Bill Gates advisor Boris Nikolic were also scheduled to be present, according to the email. Insider obtained the scheduling emails between Groff and Epstein through an information request to the office of the Attorney General of the US Virgin Islands. The office is currently involved in a lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase in Manhattan federal court over the bank's ties with the financier. In December, the Virgin Islands government settled a separate civil sex-trafficking case with Epstein's estate. It's not clear if Cavett attended the dinner with Epstein. Cavett didn't respond to requests for comment. Cavett, now 86 years old, regularly hosted talk shows on TV between the 1960s and 1990s, most prominently with "The Dick Cavett Show" on ABC between 1968 and 1974. He may have been invited to the dinner through Allen, who frequently dined with Epstein's home and held screenings for the now-dead pedophile, according to the scheduling emails Insider obtained. Allen and Cavett have a long friendship. Allen was a guest in a 1971 episode of Cavett's show, and the talk show host had a cameo playing himself in Allen's 1977 movie "Annie Hall." Cavett has talked about spending time with Allen in media interviews. On Twitter in recent years, Cavett has defended Allen's work in the face of backlash following renewed claims of childhood sexual assault by Dylan Farrow, which Allen has denied. In 2018, Cavett applauded a university for "not bowing to pressure to oust their Woody Allen film course from the curriculum despite those petitions," comparing the complaints to "book-burning." After Allen's memoir "Apropos of Nothing" was dropped by Hachette Book Group and had to find a new publisher, he praised the book and urged his followers to get their hands on it. In January, Cavett cheered Allen's book of humor writing "Zero Gravity" as "a dose of joy" created "despite those lowlifes still determined to lay him low." At the time of the scheduled dinner, Epstein had registered as a sex offender following his guilty plea, in 2007, on prostitution solicitation charges in Florida. He died in jail while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges brought by federal prosecutors in Manhattan in 2019, at which point he was also the subject of numerous civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct. A compensation program created by his estate identified about 150 victims overall. Cavett's Twitter account doesn't show any statements about Epstein. The scheduling emails from Groff are the first publicly known indication that the two may have interacted. Nikolic had numerous scheduled meetings with Epstein between 2012 and 2015, the email records show. At the time, Epstein was working with JP Morgan to set up a charitable investment fund that would be seeded with Gates's money. The plan never came to fruition. Nikolic has said he regretted ever meeting Epstein. Representatives for Allen and Nikolic didn't respond to Insider's requests for comment. Groff, through an attorney, declined to comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Jenna Ortegas mom seemingly calls her out for smoking cigarettes by sharing dangers of lung cancer Jenna Ortegas mother has seemingly responded to viral photos of the Wednesday star smoking cigarettes by posting about the dangers of lung cancer. Ortega, 20, was recently spotted smoking cigarettes in London this week in photos obtained by the US Sun. Many fans took to social media to condemn Jenna for smoking cigarettes, with some calling the habit disgusting. Others defended the You actor from the backlash by noting that shes an adult who can make her own decisions, like one person who tweeted: Their personal life is NOT your business. Despite the mixed reactions, it seems that the only person whos opinion really matters has weighed into the smoking debate: Jenna Ortegas mother, Natalie Ortega. Natalie didnt hold back when she took to Instagram to share her thoughts about her daughter smoking cigarettes. In a since-deleted Instagram Story reposted on Twitter, Natalie shared a series of posts that warned against the dangers of smoking. Her first Story post was a meme featuring Gollum from The Lord of the Rings, along with the caption: Dont believe those lies about cigarettes being bad for you. Ive been smoking for most my 21 years and I feel great! She then shared screenshots from an article discussing how smoking cigarettes is a leading cause of lung cancer, as well as the lingering effects of smoking such as cigarette stench, damaged teeth and gums, cataracts, and brittle bones. Jenna Ortega seen smoking a cigarette has fans in an uproar pic.twitter.com/xsZqXTGtda Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) May 26, 2023 Although Natalie made her stance on the topic of smoking cigarettes very clear, she concluded her social media posts with a heartwarming quote about motherhood. A mother is always a mother. She never stops worrying about her children, even when they are all grown up and have children of their own, it read. On Twitter, fans quickly shared their reactions to Jenna Ortegas mother calling her own for smoking. Jenna Ortegas mom is sending shots at her own daughter about smoking via her instagram story aint no way, said one user, while another said: Jenna ortegas mom posting this on her insta story after the pics of Jenna smoking a cigaretteLatina moms r ruthless Jenna ortegas mom is sending shots at her own daughter about smoking via her instagram story aint no way pic.twitter.com/NHeSXy2PXD (@wstgoat7) May 31, 2023 Jenna ortegas mom posting this on her insta story after the pics of Jenna smoking a cigarette Latina moms r ruthless pic.twitter.com/x94K9fio9H joci .*: (@munaverse) May 31, 2023 This isnt the first time Jenna Ortegas mom has gone viral online. In April, Natalie shared a post praising both Jenna and her sister, who pursued a career in medicine, for their success. On Instagram, she shared two photographs side-by-side of Jennas sister, Mia, dressed in scrubs, alongside a picture of Jenna at a red carpet event. Two of my girls wearing very different outfits and doing very different things in life, she wrote. Both came from me, and both raised by me. Im equally proud of both of them and love them very much #proudmom. Jenna Ortega also has four other siblings her eldest brother Isaac, eldest sister Mariah, and youngest twins Markus and Aaliyah. New Jersey attorney linked to string of Boston rapes apparently proposed to fiancee weeks before arrest FIRST ON FOX A cyber claims attorney accused in a string of Boston rapes that occurred between August 2007 and December 2008 appeared in court for the first time Thursday in New Jersey. The Boston Police Department and FBI linked Matthew Nilo, a 35-year-old Boston native, to the crimes through forensic genealogy and DNA analysis. Nilo appeared in the Hudson County courtroom Thursday, wearing a navy uniform over a gray t-shirt, for the first time since his arrest and waived his right to an extradition hearing, meaning he will be extradited to Boston for his arraignment without an additional hearing on the matter. FBI Boston Special Agent In Charge Joe Bonavolonta said during a Tuesday press conference that Nilo's arrest "is the direct result of the FBIs use of investigative genetic genealogy," which he described as "a unique method used to generate new leads in unsolved sex assaults, homicides and other violent crimes." MYSTERY BOSTON SERIAL RAPIST IDENTIFIED AS NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY 15 YEARS LATER THROUGH DNA ANALYSIS Matthew Nilo enters his arraignment at the Hudson County Superior Court in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Thursday. The lawyer's social media profiles paint a different picture of the man accused of raping and assaulting four women in the Terminal Street area of Charlestown some 16 years ago. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP MAN DIES AFTER FALLING UNDER BOSTON SUBWAY TRAIN According to Nilo's Facebook profile, he recently proposed to his fiancee possibly just weeks before his arrest in the series of rapes. Nilo, a cyber attorney in Manhattan, is accused of raping three women in Boston between 2007 and 2008. Nilo's LinkedIn lists the Boston Latin School as his high school alma mater. He then apparently went on to get his bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and worked for two years as a paralegal before moving on to the University of San Francisco School of Law. MASSACHUSETTS PROFESSOR CHARGES IN COP BOYFRIEND'S KILLING CALLS IT A COVER-UP From there, Nilo worked at the Clyde & Co. law firm in San Francisco, Atheria Law in New York City and finally at Cowbell Cyber in New York, according to his LinkedIn. "Matthew Nilo was an employee of Cowbell and was hired in January, 2023, after passing our background check," the firm told Fox News Digital in a statement. "Mr. Nilos employment at Cowbell has been suspended pending further investigation." WOMAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING BOSTON POLICE OFFICER BOYFRIEND BACK IN COURT, AS DEFENSE SUBPOENAS NEW WITNESSES Nilo's former co-worker told WCVS that he "was normal, a good-looking kid that did well at anything he put his mind to" and described his arrest as "very shocking." Nilo's profile pictures on Facebook dating back to 2007 and 2008 show him holding bottles of booze and partying with friends. Nilo's profile pictures on Facebook dating back to 2007 and 2008 show him holding bottles of booze and partying with friends. He would have been 19 or 20 years old at the time and in college, his LinkedIn shows. FORMER MA NAVAL OFFICER SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS FOR THREATENING EX-WIFE, HER MOTHER The suspect is charged with three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape and one count of indecent assault and battery. Nilo would have been 19 or 20 years old at the time and in college, his LinkedIn shows. "Immediately following his arrest, weve shared this news with the four sexual assault survivors who have been waiting years to learn the identity of their alleged assailant," Bonavolonta said Tuesday. "While we know todays arrest of Mr. Nilo cannot erase the harm he allegedly inflicted upon his survivors, we believe we have removed a dangerous threat from our community." All four sexual assault cases are "DNA-connected," Boston police commissioner and chief Michael Cox said. Nilo has been indicted in Superior Court in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, but has not been arraigned yet. New Jersey attorney linked to three rapes after family submitted DNA to genealogy website Matthew Nilo is facing charges for multiple rapes in the Boston area in 2007 and 2008 (LinkedIn via Boston Globe) A New Jersey attorney is facing multiple rape charges after he was identified by DNA submitted to a genealogy website. Matthew Nilo, 35, was arrested at his home in Weehawken on Tuesday in connection with three rapes and one attempted rape occurring between 2007 and 2008 in the Boston area. Mr Nilo is accused of assaulting four women in Charlestown on 18 August 2007, 22 November 2007, 5 August 2008, and 23 December 2008. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said the charges against Mr Nilo include three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape and one count of indecent assault and battery. Mr Nilo was reportedly identified after his family members voluntarily sent DNA samples to a genealogy database, according to ABC New York. Addressing a news conference at the Boston Police headquarters, FBI Special Agent Joseph Bonavolonta said: While we know todays arrest of Mr Nilo cannot erase the harm he allegedly inflicted upon his survivors, we believe we have removed a dangerous threat from our community, In an interview with CBS News, forensic genealogist Michael Brophy explained how people are becoming unwitting informants to putting their relatives in prison because their freely uploading DNA into databases such as 23andMe. Mr Brophy theorised that investigators probably recovered a semen sample from one of the victims and built a DNA profile of the perpetrator. If a suspect hasnt submitted their DNA into a public system, Mr Brophy continued, authorities will take the first cousin or aunt or profile theyve got a close match to and they will build the family tree. Authorities did not specify which genealogy website helped them track down Mr Nilo. According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Nilo graduated from the University of San Francisco and was working as an attorney at a cyber insurance firm. Speaking to WABC-TV, a representative for Cowbell Cyber said Mr Nilo joined the Manhattan-based firm in January 2023. He has been suspended pending further investigation. Mr Nilo is due to appear in court on Thursday (1 June). If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support. For more information, visit their website here. For 11 days this spring, President Joe Biden iced out his Democratic allies as he negotiated with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over raising the nations debt limit. With Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at the table, Biden was convinced the talks had grown too unwieldy. The White House wanted to narrow the conversation, leaving other Democrats to steam. Progressives openly criticized Biden. Allies, such as Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford, vented that the White House needed to do more to communicate about Republican demands. Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal warned of backlash in the streets if Biden gave in to Republicans. After the deal was announced Saturday night, his team went into overdrive to ensure that the frustration theyd sparked from within their party didnt metastasize into a full blown revolt. Administration officials placed over 100 one-on-one calls with House Democrats. They held wonky virtual meetings over the negotiation details and took pointed questions on the policy theyd agreed to. The ice-then-court strategy worked. On Wednesday evening, 165 House Democratic voted for the Biden-McCarthy bill, more than the 149 House Republicans who supported the measure. Many of those Democrats who had voiced opposition to the bill praised the White House for negotiating what they still consider to be a terrible piece of legislation and, ultimately, supported it. It was a major victory for Biden, not just preventing an economic calamity that could have come with a debt ceiling breach but proving five months into a divided government that the White House and House Democrats have persevered through what seemed, at times, like a rocky relationship. It's the most incredible thing, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said of the president, a close ally who Biden explicitly asked to help sell the bill in one of their regular conservations throughout the process. I don't know if he's that lucky or that skillful. Whatever it is, it's damn sure working. Not all Democrats left the process happy. Progressives, in particular, remained upset that the president backtracked on his pledge to not negotiate around the debt ceiling at all. But when it became clear that Republicans would not support a clean lift of the debt ceiling, Democrats said they felt a collective sense of being in the trenches. That gave Biden some space to engage in negotiations. Helping matters was that the end deal exceeded expectations that the House Republicans had set after having successfully passed their own, far more conservative version of a debt ceiling hike in late April. We were operating with hostage takers who were attempting to take no prisoners. And I think Joe Biden, if I might say, did a miraculous and important job of holding off the tsunami, said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who supported the bill. We were in a bloody war. We were apt to get mutilated. We didn't. We came out, were standing. The White Houses Hill outreach kicked off shortly after the deal with McCarthy was announced Saturday evening. Several White House officials including chief of staff Jeff Zients, top adviser Steve Ricchetti, Office of Management and Budget director Shalanda Young, and legislative affairs director Louisa Terrell, among others spent the bulk of their Memorial Day weekend on the phone with individual House Democrats. That was followed by six hours of policy-oriented virtual meetings with lawmakers and in-person appearances at caucus meetings by senior officials, according to White House officials granted anonymity to describe the behind-the-scenes blitz. Once-skeptical Democrats took particular solace in the inclusion of Young, a former House staffer beloved throughout the caucus, in the negotiating room. Not part of the tight circle of longtime Biden advisers, she was viewed as both a credible messenger and trusted negotiator. Jeffries told reporters that she received a standing ovation during Wednesdays caucus meeting even before she started to speak. But it wasnt just the quality of the messenger that mattered to House Democrats. It was the extensiveness of the briefings. The White House did something very smart: They spent two days with members, virtually, three hours a day for two days explaining, answering questions, responding, Clyburn said, adding that he hadnt seen that level of engagement on an issue since he was elected to Congress in 1993. I think that's what made the difference. Jeffries himself praised the White Houses communication with the Hill and White House officials say they kept in touch with leadership through the process. The full-bore outreach was needed after House Democrats showed initial displeasure at not being briefed about the deal immediately after it was announced Saturday. The White House also knew that Democrats would be called upon to deliver at least some votes for final passage in the House and couldnt risk further revolt. Ive been through about seven hours of briefings, said Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Education and the Workforce Committee. Weve had a pretty good idea of whats in the bill. The debt ceiling battle was the first main test of how Biden would operate as president in a divided government. It came amid a bumpy transition from Democratic to Republican control along with the handoff of power from longtime Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Jeffries. Many House Democrats have privately expressed frustration that the White House has not been more communicative about its priorities or taken clearer stances on controversial GOP bills. There is a feeling among House Democrats that the White House pays more attention to the Senate, which remains in Democratic hands and is responsible for approving its nominees. While the experience over the debt bill mended some of those worries, there is still plenty of frustration. Horsford went public with his criticism of how the White House handled the bill last week and reiterated his reproach during a virtual meeting with top White House aides on Sunday. He said he spoke with administration officials about ways that we can improve the outreach, the communication and the engagement, particularly on the communities who helped deliver the wins that produced the Biden-Harris administration, adding that they have been very receptive. The secrecy surrounding the negotiations left a sour taste for some progressives as well, including Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, who bristled at being shut out of discussions around energy permitting. The whole presence of the Democratic caucus, that wasnt there, Grijalva said, adding that he got the equivalent of a shrug from the White House in response to his concerns. This is the situation we find ourselves in, Grijalva said when asked to characterize the response from Biden aides. The lingering frustration prompted Jayapal to seek a meeting with the White House following the debt ceiling vote, emphasizing the need to talk through Biden's communication strategy even as she praised the president for minimizing the concessions in the deal. Jayapal voted against the bills passage. But it was precisely because the measure was able to pass with a mix of Republican and Democratic votes that a large number of progressives felt comfortable opposing it. Since we all expect this deal is gonna get done, then I think it's appropriate for a significant number of progressives to push back against many of its provisions, said Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), the Progressive Caucus whip. The centrist New Democrat Coalition, a group that the White House knew early on would be needed for many of the partys votes, leveraged that position to advocate for two key policies: permitting reform and funding veterans health programs. They said that working with the White House including giving them their policy positions paid off, both in keeping lines of communication open and in shaping the legislative product. We were able to change the negotiations and get some significant wins for veterans, namely, getting the funding for the toxic exposure fund the PACT Act into mandatory funding. That's huge, said the Coalition chair, Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.). The nearly 100-member coalition, in turn, came out early in support of the bill, swiftly boosting the measure's whip count and lending a degree of legitimacy to the final product in Democratic circles. In dozens of private briefings with lawmakers and allies over the last three days, senior White House aides offered variations on the same argument: Compare the compromise bill to what Republicans initially demanded back in April, and then decide which side got the better end of the deal. "I dont want to overstate it; its still going to be painful," Michael Linden, an OMB aide involved in the negotiations, told outside allies during a private Tuesday call, according to audio obtained by POLITICO. "But it is a much, much, much improved situation from where the Republicans started." Biden officials put special effort into selling Democrats on work requirement provisions for government food assistance programs, insisting that theyd lessened the blow by expanding access to those programs for veterans and the homeless. Still, those provisions sparked deep concern among large blocs of progressives and Black lawmakers. Even Clyburn had reservations, saying in an interview that he sought second opinions from Reps. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) and Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) on whether the White Houses argument held water. I was guided by them, because when I go out to sell something, I want to know what it is Im trying to sell, he said. They both concluded that the White Houses calculations were likely correct, a finding later reinforced by the Congressional Budget Offices projection released Tuesday. The twist which effectively turned one of McCarthys touted achievements into a lament for some conservatives proved critical for dozens of Democratic lawmakers in the final hours ahead of the vote. I prefer listening to the complaints of the Freedom Caucus than I do in focusing on the process of arriving at the deal, said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.). The fact that the ultra-MAGA Republican wing of the MAGA Republican Party is so opposed to this, I think its a testament to how successful a negotiation this has been for the Biden administration. Joe Carollo must pay for a political retaliation campaign targeting two Little Havana business owners, a jurors decided on Wednesday and pay a lot. After just a few hours of deliberation, a Broward County jury slammed the Miami city commissioner, deciding he should pay $63.5 million in compensation to business owners William Fuller and Martin Pinilla, whose properties include the popular Ball & Chain nightclub on Miamis Calle Ocho. Its about time the corruption was called out, an emotional Fuller said outside the Broward County courtroom after the jurys decision was delivered in the multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit he and Pinilla filed against Carollo, who they argued had directed code enforcers and other city staffers to harass their businesses after they backed a political opponent in an election. The jury awarded $8.6 million in damages and another $25.7 million in punitive damages to Fuller. It awarded $7.3 million in damage to Pinilla, along with another $21.9 million in punitive damages. Carollo did not react when the verdict was read and stayed in the courtroom afterwards. Attorneys on both sides refused to comment, citing a standing order from the federal judge in the civil lawsuit not to discuss the case with the media. The decision came after weeks of testimony by almost two dozen witnesses who described Carollo as a heavy-handed politician willing to weaponize government resources to destroy perceived political opponents,. This is a breaking news story that will be updated. Actor John Beasley, known for "Everwood" and "The Soul Man," died Tuesday after a sudden illness. He was 79. (Richard Shotwell / Invision/AP) John Beasley, known for his role in television shows including the WBs Everwood and TV Lands The Soul Man, has died. He was 79. Beasley died Tuesday after a brief and unexpected illness at a hospital in his hometown of Omaha, Neb., his manager, Don Spradlin, confirmed. Beasleys earlier work includes portraying Terry Hall's dad, Jesse, in the 1992 movie The Mighty Ducks. He also portrayed Chris Vaughn Sr., the father of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnsons character, in the 2004 remake of Walking Tall. Most prominently, Beasley is known for portraying the endearing bus driver Irv Harper on Greg Berlantis Everwood for four seasons. He also was a main cast member of The Soul Man, a sitcom in which he played Barton Moses Ballentine, the father of Cedric the Entertainers character, the Rev. Sherman Boyce. Beasley didnt start acting until his mid-40s. Before that, he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. I knew those things would come, even when I was in college, he told American Theatre late last year. I dropped out early because I didnt feel I really needed a college degree to pursue what I wanted to do in life. Bottom line, I worked. Last year, Beasley played the older Noah Calhoun in the Broadway-bound musical theater adaptation of The Notebook at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. James Garner played the role in the 2004 film based on Nicholas Sparks 1996 novel. Beasley considered playing Calhoun "the role of his life." To be a working artist is the highest calling, and I appreciate wherever it takes me, he told American Theatre. If I never got to Broadway, I would still feel Ive had a pretty successful career. Beasley has nearly 70 acting credits to his name. In 2002, he founded the John Beasley Theater & Workshop to promote live theater in Omaha. Most recently, he played small roles in Showtimes drama Your Honor, starring Bryan Cranston, and a Star Wars franchise favorite, Disney+ series The Mandalorian. Man you know this is a part of life but that doesnt make it any easier, Beasleys son Mike wrote Tuesday in a Facebook tribute to his father. I lost my best friend today. They say you shouldnt ever meet your heroes because they dont turn out to be who you thought they were. That is so wrong. My hero was my father. Thank you for everything. I hope I made you proud. Love you more. Michael Beasley is also an actor with an extensive list of credits. His most recent roles include Colonel Cheesesteak in "Shazam Fury of the Gods," Uncle Calvin in Max's "Rap S" and Mr. Marksby in the Apple+ drama "Swagger." John Beasley is survived by Judy, his wife of 58 years; two sons, Michael and Tyrone; and six grandchildren, including Malik Beasley, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. Earlier this month, Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt shared a courtside video from the Lakers game calling out John Beasley for something he had said decades ago. Yo Beasley, Im looking at your grandson Malik right now, courtside, I remember when you told me on Everwood when he was 4-years-old, My grandson is gonna play in the NBA. Well look at this, there he is, Pratt said turning the camera toward Malik who walks over in his Lakers uniform and says, Whats up Grandpa, I love you. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Johnny Depp spent the last year proving he is still a major force in Hollywood. His highly publicized defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard came to a conclusion exactly one year ago. During their bombshell six-week court battle, the 59-year-old actor and 37-year-old actress both testified, lobbing shocking allegations of physical and sexual abuse against each other. On June 1, 2022, a Virginia jury ruled largely in Depp's favor, as they found Heard liable on all three counts of defamation stemming from a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she referred to herself as domestic abuse survivor. She was ordered to pay Depp $8.35 million in damages. Depp, who was found guilty on one count of defamation in Heard's countersuit, was to pay his former spouse $2 million. Though the two both appealed the verdict, they reached a settlement in December with Heard agreeing to pay Depp $1 million, which he pledged to donate to charity. Over the past year, the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star has taken steps to rebuild his life and career, which was derailed amid his legal woes. Johnny Depp is on the comeback trail one year after his highly-publicized defamation trial came to an end. Following the verdict, Depp released a statement in which he expressed his gratitude to the jury, who he said "gave me my life back." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP HARRISON FORD, ARNOLD SCHWWARZENEGGER, JOHNNY DEPP STILL POWER PLAYERS IN HOLLYWOOD FILM INDUSTRY "The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun," he added. Last summer, Depp performed alongside the late Jeff Beck at several shows in Europe. In July, the two debuted their first joint studio album "18," which would be the legendary guitarist's final release before his death at the age of 78 in January. The verdict was mostly considered a win for Depp after a jury found his ex-wife Amber Heard liable on all three counts of defamation related to a 2018 op-ed that she wrote in which she referred to herself as a domestic abuse survivor. Depp and the late Jeff Beck debuted their first collaborative album last summer, which would be the legendary guitarist's last release before his death in January. Depp and Beck also embarked on a 29-date tour in support of the album from September to November of last year. JOHNNY DEPP WAS AT JEFF BECK'S BEDSIDE BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY: SOURCE Depp also proved himself to be a successful artist. Weeks after the trial, he earned over $3.6 million when his debut art collection "Friends & Heroes" sold out within hours. The collection, which featured 780 prints of four portraits Depp painted of Al Pacino, Bob Dylan, Elizabeth Taylor and Keith Richards, was sold online through London's Castle Fine Art gallery. The gallery celebrated the success of Depp's collection on Twitter, writing, "This world-first release proved to be our fastest-selling collection to date, with all titles selling out in just hours." A month later at the MTV Video Music Awards, Depp made a surprise virtual appearance as the network's iconic Moonman. The cameo saw the "Edward Scissorhands" actor's face projected on an astronaut suit that floated above the stage. The actor made a surprise appearance as the VMAs moonman throughout the night at the MTV Video Music Awards last August. "You know what? I needed the work," he said in a pre-recorded video. Later in the show, Depp reappeared, saying, "Hey VMAs, lets get back to the fking music, shall we?" In his final appearance, the Golden Globe winner joked, "I just want you guys to know that Im available for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, weddings, wakes any old thing you need. Anything. You name it. Oh, Im also a dentist." Depp's cameo was met with some controversy on social media, including criticism from Heard's sister Whitney who slammed MTV as "disgusting and desperate" for featuring the actor at the awards show. In November, Rihanna faced backlash after enlisting Depp to appear in her Savage X Fenty Vol. 4 Show, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video. Depp made history as the first male to be featured in the show's "star moment," a spot previously occupied by Cindy Crawford and Erykah Badu. Despite his court victory, the controversy that continued to follow Depp after the trial led many to question whether he could ever successfully revive his acting career. The A-lister was shunned by major movie studios after Heard's allegations were made public. In 2020, Depp was dropped from the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise over Heard's allegations. In 2020, Warner Bros. asked Depp to resign from his role as Gellert Grindelwald in the third installment of the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise. Depp, who had played the dark wizard in 2016's "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and 2018's "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" was replaced by Mads Mikkelson in 2022's "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore." During the trial, Depp said he was also fired from the sixth installment of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. Depp, who starred as Captain Jack Sparrow in the blockbuster film series' five previous movies, testified that Disney cut ties with him after Heard's op-ed was published. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN PRODUCER SAYS HE WOULD LOVE TO SEE JOHNNY DEPP RETURN TO THE FRANCHISE While Depp's Hollywood career stalled, he was cast in French director Maiwenn's period romance "Jeanne du Barry" in January 2022. The French-language film, in which Depp starred as King Louis XV opposite Maiwenn, was selected to open the 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival. "As soon as his tour ended, he jumped into filming Jeanne du Barry. Filming was challenging, but Johnny is excited about the comeback," a source told People magazine in April. "He thinks it's perfect that this historical drama will open at Cannes." Depp made his return to the spotlight official when he attended the film's world premiere at the prestigious film festival on May 16. When he arrived at the event, the actor was met with applause from thousands of fans who gathered at the Palais des Festivals, according to Variety. Depp spent five minutes greeting fans and taking selfies before walking the red carpet. The outlet reported that Depp teared up upon receiving a seven-minute standing ovation following the screening. During a press conference to promote the film, Depp opened up about how he felt he was treated by Hollywood amid his years-long legal battle with Heard. The star made his return to the red carpet at the 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival. "Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood? Well, youd have to not have a pulse to feel at that point like this was all just a weird joke," he said per Variety. "Of course, when youre asked to resign from a film youre doing because of something thats merely a bunch of vowels and consonants floating in the air, yes, you feel boycotted," he added, referring to losing his role in "Fantastic Beasts." "Do I feel boycotted now? No, not at all," Depp continued. "But I dont feel boycotted because I dont think about Hollywood. I dont feel much further need for Hollywood I dont know about you." The "21 Jump Street" alum also slammed the media's coverage of him and disputed the accuracy of reports on his life following Heard's accusations. Depp was seen wiping away tears after receiving a 7-minute standing ovation after the screening of his new movie "Jeanne du Barry." "The majority of you who have been reading for the last five or six years, with regards to me and my life the majority of what youve read is fantastically, horrifically written fiction," he said. "The fact is, were here to talk about the film. But its like asking the question, How are you doing? But whats underneath in the subtext is, God, I hate you. Thats the sort of media thing." Depp also took issue with his return to the big screen being described as a "comeback." "Ive had my 17th comeback, apparently" he said. "I keep wondering about the word comeback, because I didnt go anywhere," adding, "I live about 45 minutes away." JOHNNY DEPP'S EX-WIFE AMBER HEARD SPOTTED JOGGIN IN SPAIN AFTER REPORTEDLY QUITTING HOLLYWOOD "Maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time. But I didnt go nowhere. Ive been sitting around. Comeback is almost like Im going to come out and do a tap dance dance my best and hope you approve. Thats the notion. Its a bizarre mystery." Depp's appearance at Cannes was not without controversy. The festival's organizers defended opening the festival with his film after the decision was met with criticism. This year, the city of Cannes banned public protests around the festival. Heard supporters took to social media to vent their anger over Depp's presence at the event, using the hashtag, "#CannesYouNot." A source told People magazine that Depp is "doing fantastic" and "really enjoys working and touring again." After the festival, a source told People magazine that Depp "is doing fantastic." "Johnny is doing fantastic. He really enjoys working and touring again. He has managed to turn his life around," the insider shared. "He is prioritizing his health and work." "He was living a destructive life and people close to him were concerned," the source added. "Everyone is excited about how he turned things around. He is much happier too." Heard and Depp were married from 2015 to 2017. In April, a source provided an update on Depp's personal life. "Johnny has been living in Europe since the trial. He has been dating, but doesn't have a girlfriend," the insider told People magazine. Depp was married to makeup artist Lori Anne Allison from 1983 to 1985. The actor shares daughter Lily-Rose, 24, and Jack, 21, with his former partner Vanessa Paradis. The two were together for 14 years before splitting in 2012. Last year, the actor was briefly linked to Joelle Rich, an attorney who represented him in his 2020 U.K. libel trial against a British tabloid for branding him a "wife-beater." Depp lost the libel case, and his appeal to overturn the decision was denied in March 2021. Depp shares two children with his ex-partner Vanessa Paradis. Following the premiere of "Jeanne du Barry," Depp is set to plunge back into work on a number of projects. He will be helming the upcoming "Modi" biopic, which marks his return to directing for the first time in 25 years. The movie, which will begin filming in Budapest this fall, will star Al Pacino, as well as "John Wick: Chapter Two" star Riccardo Scamarcio and French actor Pierre Niney. Earlier this month, Depp signed a reported historic deal to remain the face of Dior men's fragrance Sauvage. According to Variety, Depp inked a more than $20 million three-year deal with Dior, which is the highest for any mens cologne. Depp hit a minor roadblock this week, announcing he had postponed several dates on his upcoming tour with his band the Hollywood Vampires due to an ankle injury that he sustained at Cannes. He took to Instagram to apologize to fans for the cancelation of his upcoming concerts. Earlier this week, Depp announced that he was postponing tour dates with his band the Hollywood Vampires due to an ankle injury. His bandmates include Alice Cooper, Tommy Henriksen and Joe Perry. "My dear friends, I am sorry to say that I have fractured my ankle, which is a drag!!!" he wrote. Depp continued, "It began as a hairline break but somewhere between Cannes and the Royal Albert Hall it got worse rather than better." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Several medical professionals have strongly suggested I avoid any and all activity for the moment and so am sadly unable to travel at this time," he added. "The guys and I are very sorry to miss you in New Hampshire, Boston and New York but fear not, I promise we will bring an amazing show to all of you in Europe and bring our absolute best to the East Coast later this summer and make it up to those who have paid for those shows!!!" The guitarist took to social media to apologize to fans. Paid tickets will be honored for the new dates on July 28, 29 and 30. "Again, sincerest apologies. All my love and respect J.D. x," he concluded. Depp's bandmates include Alice Cooper, Tommy Henriksen and Joe Perry. The guitarist is expected to return to the road next month when the Hollywood Vampires kick off their tour on June 8 in Romania. Newlyweds Rajwa al Saif and Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein wave to well-wishers after their wedding ceremonies in Amman, Jordan, on Thursday. (Raad Adayleh / Associated Press) A guest list of glitterati from around the world, including Britains Prince William and his wife, Kate, and First Lady Jill Biden. Elaborate ceremonial events and concerts headlined by top Arab pop stars. An entire capital festooned with flags and banners in anticipation of the big event, with a public holiday announced so that thousands can if only vicariously join in the fun. Its all part of the royal wedding fever that has gripped Jordan as this desert kingdom and key U.S. ally in the Middle East celebrates the nuptials Thursday of Crown Prince Hussein, 28, and Rajwa al Saif, a 29-year-old Saudi architect who finished her studies at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, where she also worked at an architecture firm. In recent weeks, images of the beaming couple have become a ubiquitous sight, adorning cars, buses and buildings all over the country. You can't swing a Hashemite ceremonial sword (like the one presented to Hussein as a gift from his father Wednesday) without hitting a sign bearing the occasion's official slogan, Celebrating Al Hussein, complete with logo with stylized Arabic lettering; the design was even used by airport authorities Thursday as the country's visa stamp. Such extravagance is rare for Jordans royal family, which heads an impoverished country with few natural resources, chronically high unemployment and 11 million people who often complain about government waste and corruption. Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein attends a celebration in Amman on Wednesday, the day before his wedding to Saudi architect Rajwa al Saif. (Royal Hashemite Court) But the event is about far more than the nuptials. Its a massive coming-out party for Hussein two years after his father, King Abdullah II, thwarted an alleged coup plot involving the former crown prince, his own half-brother, Hamzah, who was accused of conspiring to overthrow the monarch and take over the country. Hamzah remains under house arrest and did not appear at various pre-wedding events Wednesday with other members of the royal family. The alleged plot brought into the open the rivalries that the Hashemite dynasty has assiduously tried to keep behind palace doors. It also spurred a raft of criticism of Abdullah, with many contrasting the popularity of Hamzah and his common touch especially among Jordans all-important tribes with the aloofness of the king. Abdullah had stripped Hamzah of the title of crown prince in 2004, naming Hussein heir to the throne five years later when the boy was only 15. Over the last decade and a half, the king has strived to raise his sons public profile, including taking him to the United Nations General Assembly to speak in 2017. The alleged coup plot in April 2021 only highlighted Abdullah's need to shore up his family's legitimacy and their rule over Jordan. Since then, the promotional campaign for Crown Prince Hussein has gone into overdrive, said Amer Sabaileh, a political analyst based here in Amman, the Jordanian capital. It accelerated after Hamzah so as to end that chapter, he said. Hussein is now a fixture with his father at most public events and often represents Jordan in meetings with other leaders. Hussein has taken an active interest in economic initiatives and was dispatched by the king to negotiate Jordans 5G rollout with the U.S. and China. A Jordanian security patrol is deployed in preparation for Thursday's royal wedding in Amman, Jordan. (Nasser Nasser / Associated Press) The wedding augurs a more prominent role for Hussein well beyond the constitutional limits of his current position, Sabaileh said. Hes no longer a protocol crown prince. Its clear hes playing for something greater, Sabaileh said, adding that Husseins pre-wedding celebrations have brought him in direct contact with government officials and the army he is supposed to lead in the future. (In Jordan, the king is the supreme commander of the armed forces.) On Wednesday, the royal family joined thousands of officials and dignitaries to watch a traditional dance performance and displays of military might that included aerobatic maneuvers by Jordans U.S.-supplied F-16s. State television has featured nothing but wedding-related content for days, including interviews with the crown prince and his family and live broadcasts of events, all interspersed with constant commentary from guests gushing effusively about the importance of the occasion. The wedding began Thursday afternoon and was scheduled to continue into the evening with about 1,700 people in attendance. Guests invited to the religious marriage ceremony streamed into Amman's Zahran Palace and greeted King Abdullah and his wife, Queen Rania. Biden and her daughter, Ashley, arrived in a pair of black Suburbans. Then came the crown prince in full military regalia, followed by Al Saif, who arrived in a 1968 Rolls-Royce built for the mother of the late King Hussein, Abdullah's father. With Abdullah and Al Saif's father, Khaled, on either side of them, the couple exchanged rings as the crowd ululated. Outside the palace, thousands lined the streets of Amman, many of them wrapped in traditional red-and-white scarves. In other cities, giant screens were set up for public viewing of the live broadcast. Posters bearing an image of Crown Prince Hussein have become ubiquitous across Jordan in the run-up to his wedding Thursday. (Nasser Nasser / Associated Press) Hussein's choice of Al Saif as his wife carries potential political benefit for Jordan. Her father leads one of Saudi Arabias largest contracting companies. Her mother is Azza Sudairi, a relative of the mother of Saudi King Salman. Jordan and Saudi Arabia have had a hot-cold relationship. The Hashemites originally hailed from Saudi Arabia and historically competed with the House of Saud for control. In years past, Saudi Arabia was a lifeline, investing and pumping aid into Jordans perennially strapped economy. But that aid has dried up in recent years as Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich states focus on their own development. Jordan hopes to capitalize on Saudi Arabias "giga-projects" colossal developments such as the Massachusetts-sized megacity Neom, which includes plans to create links to the Jordanian coastal city of Aqaba and cities in Egypt. The union of Al Saif and the crown prince appears to have been well-received in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. Arab News, the Saudi state-owned English-language newspaper, plastered a picture of the couple on its front page with the headline: The kingdoms bride and joy. It also featured an interview with Jordans ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ali Kayed, who spoke of how the two countries were a model of cohesion in Arab relations. There are no cultural differences between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Kayed said. They are united by an inherent brotherhood, a similar heritage, and neighborly relations cementing the bonds of love and strength between the two peoples. After his wedding, the crown prince will continue being groomed to take over ruling the country, which faces a host of challenges. The population is growing at a rate that long ago outstripped its meager resources, and climate change is set to exacerbate problems, raising the specter of Jordan soon losing viable sources of fresh water. Hussein will need to show Jordanians that he is up to the task. "You have to be very careful how to market yourself," said Sabaileh, the analyst. "Thats why its a matter of what hell do after the wedding to show real change." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A man dances in anticipation of the royal motorcade in Amman, Jordan, on Thursday, June 1, 2023, just ahead of Crown Prince Hassan and saudiSaudi architect Rajwa Alseif's wedding. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh) AMMAN, Jordan (AP) Jordans capital turned into an open-air party on Thursday as crowds gathered to celebrate the desert kingdoms first major royal wedding in years and bask in the events unmistakable demonstration of Jordans influence and importance. Jordanians from all walks of life shared an infectious excitement about the union between Crown Prince Hussein and Saudi architect Rajwa Alseif, momentarily forgetting their differences and troubles in a Mideast country regarded as a rare beacon of stability in a turbulent region. The wedding fever had been building for weeks. As the day began, Jordanians decked out in traditional red-and-white scarves and other elaborate get-ups including T-shirts printed with pictures of the couple and body paint congratulating the prince gathered around huge screens nationwide to watch the ceremony unfold. Royals and dignitaries from around the world descended on Amman for the occasion. The traditional Islamic wedding service lasted mere minutes, but Jordanians said the celebrations were sure to continue all night. This is a really important day for my country, and those who are not Jordanian wouldnt understand, said Najwa Issamad, a 40-year-old nurse watching her teenage sons dance rowdily to pop wedding music blaring from their phones downtown. Its a time for all Jordanians to stop whatever were doing and say, lets celebrate, lets rejoice. Massive crowds thronged the main boulevards of the capital to watch the royal couples red Land Rover motorcade and horse guards make its way through the city. They clapped, jostled and sang joyously. The spirit of the occasion even sucked in the normally nonplussed. There was something powerful about the way a royal wedding can lift the veil on a family whose personalities are so often obscured by pomp and propriety, said 19-year-old Deema Abu Sharaf who is, avowedly, not that obsessed person. This is my chance to watch them, to see if they look like theyre having fun, she said. Many girls were particularly fixated by Alseifs dress a deceptively simple white crepe gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, with a long fantail train. I could not have imagined a better dress, said 32-year-old Reem Halman, smoking a water pipe while watching reruns of the brides walk down the aisle. It was pretty, but not over-the-top. For most everyone, the royal wedding had the effect of providing a single national conversation. But there were those with a more tepid response to the festivities. Fatima Elvin, a 26-year-old Jordanian with Iranian parents, said she skipped Thursdays parties to study for her university exams. She said she didn't mind missing out on the festivities. Theres nothing crazy about them that we can really gossip about, said Elvin, referencing the lurid affairs and nasty divorces of British royals over the years that have made for tell-all books and telenovelas. She (the bride) is perfect and theyre all impossible to criticize. Palace officials havent disclosed details about the relationship of Jordans future king and Alseif, a scion of an influential Saudi family, or how they met. When asked whether Jordans palace feud in 2021 a crisis pitting King Abdullah II against his half-brother and former crown prince Hamzah constituted appropriate narrative juice, Elvin stiffened and said curtly, We cant talk about that. Jordanian law prohibits criticism of the royal family and security services. Freedom House, an American monitoring group that makes an annual report about each countrys rights record, recently downgraded its rating of Jordanian democracy from partly free to not free. But on Thursday, the stream of good news that is Jordanian state-owned media felt representative of the national mood. Even in the impoverished Palestinian refugee camp of Al Wehdat, crowds gathered in the garbage-strewn main square to watch the occasion live-streamed. Those interviewed dismissed concerns about public spending on the elaborate wedding ceremony while so many Jordanians barely scrape by. You see all these important foreigners coming here. It makes you feel good, said 55-year-old shuttle driver Kheir Taher, who said he makes no more than four Jordanian dinars ($5.60) on a good day. We just want to be happy. A family fight gets physical in the new exclusive clip from ALLBLKs drama series, Judge Me Not. In this clip below, Zelma Jay (Chyna Lane) comes in on her family in a dangerous fight. Before she can de-escalate the situation, things get even more out of control. The series is loosely based on the life of Divorce Court star Judge Lynn Toler and focuses on Zelma Jays rise to the judges seat as she takes on her unruly family, drama-filled personal life and larger-than-life characters in her courtroom. According to the official description, Zelma Jay also has to contend with her own mental health as she tries to balance her personal and career lives. We join her as she takes on her new role as a judge in a court full of outrageous characters both in front of and behind the bench, according to ALLBLK. As her passionate relationship with her live-in lover takes them both on a ride, she finds herself caught in the crosshairs of a psychological thriller that puts her life at risk. The series also stars Javon Terrell, winner of the 2022 ALLBLK Shoot Your Shot national casting call held in conjunction with the American Black Film Festival. Other cast members include Terrence Green, Jonathan Chase, Gena Shaw and Bonita Brisker. Toler executive produces. Judge reserves ruling on cellphone search of man accused of murdering 9-year-old A Lee County judge has reserved ruling on a motion to suppress the cellphone search of a man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering 9-year-old Diana Alvarez of San Carlos Park. The ruling comes months after Lee Circuit Judge Margaret Steinbeck OK'd a delay in the trial for Jorge Guerrero-Torres, 35, in the 2016 slaying. Originally slated May 9, the trial for Guerrero-Torres, of Fort Myers, had been pushed back to Sept. 26 or later, court records indicate. Joseph Zieler: Joseph Zieler appointed public defender in harassment case, date set for future hearings Wisner Desmaret: Judge denies Wisner Desmaret's motion for new trial in 2018 slaying of FMPD officer Guerrero-Torres faces three counts first-degree murder; kidnapping; and lewd and lascivious molestation. A Lee County grand jury indicted Guerrero-Torres on all three counts May 3, 2018. He wanted separate trials for each of the three charges. The state denied that motion in February. Guerrero-Torres was already convicted on two counts of federal child pornography charges connected to the girl. More than a year after Diana disappeared in May 2016, authorities arrested Guerrero-Torres, questioning him for about three days. More than a year later, the Lee County Sheriff's Office announced Aug. 15, 2017, that Guerrero-Torres was charged with two felonies in the disappearance. His phone was recovered after investigators narrowed their search to Daytona Beach using a geolocation device. There, they met with Steven Morehouse, who said he found the cellphone and charged it to locate the owner. Guerrero-Torres was sentenced Aug. 14, 2017, to 40 years for having sexually explicit images of the girl on his cellphone. Alvarez's family last saw her on May 29, 2016, in their south Lee County home. While her body wasn't found until March 13, 2020, investigators believed Guerrero-Torres killed her. The News-Press couldn't reach Guerrero-Torres' public defender, Philadelphia Beard, on Wednesday afternoon for comment about the judge's ruling. Guerrero-Torres is next due in court Friday for a motions hearing, followed by a Monday pretrial conference. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Judge delays motion linked to pornographer, girl's 2016 killing A judge ruled pre-crash terror of 737 MAX crash victims can be considered in damages trial after Boeing lawyers argued they didn't have time to feel pain Investigators look through debris from the 2019 Boeing 737 MAX crash. Boeing's attorneys claim the plane hit the ground too fast for passengers to feel any pain. Jemal Countess/Getty Images A judge overseeing lawsuits against Boeing ruled that pre-crash fear and pain can be used in trial. A trial over an Ethiopian Airlines crash will determine what Boeing owes families of the victims. Boeing lawyers previously argued they didn't have to pay for physical damages before the crash. The judge overseeing a lawsuit against Boeing has ruled that the fear experienced by the 157 people on an Ethiopian Airlines flight prior to the 2019 crash that killed everyone on board can be considered in an upcoming damages trial. Attorneys for Boeing had argued in March that court rulings over prior plane crashes in Illinois, where the trial is taking place, had established precedent that damages could only be considered for injuries and pain caused by the plane crash, and not the unknowable pain and fear that results from knowing a plane is about to crash. Considering the plane crashed fast enough that everyone on board died instantly, the attorneys argued, Boeing couldn't be held liable for any pain and suffering felt by the victims as they didn't feel any pain. However, Jorge Alonso, a federal judge in the northern district of Illinois wrote in a Tuesday ruling that prior federal cases don't always set precedent, and he said part of the job of a federal court when handling an unclear issue of state law is to predict how the state Supreme Court would rule on the issue. Alonso wrote that he believes the Illinois state Supreme Court would allow damages to be recovered over the "pre-impact emotional distress" suffered by the passengers. As such, he wrote that he'll allow evidence and testimony about the distress to be part of the case. The trial to determine an amount of damages for the grief, loss of income and other expenses owed to the families of those killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash is set to begin June 20. "A jury could reasonably infer from the evidence that will be presented at trial that the passengers on ET 302 perceived that they were going to crash, horrifically, to their certain death," Alonso wrote. A Boeing spokesperson declined to comment on the new ruling, referring Insider to its previous statement on the crashes and lawsuits and the company's commitment to settle claims and ensure families are "fully and fairly compensated." "We are deeply sorry to all who lost loved ones on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Flight 302," Boeing said as part of that statement. "We have acknowledged the terrible impact of these tragic accidents and made an upfront commitment to fully and fairly compensate every family who suffered a loss." The company previously told Insider it has settled about 75% of the lawsuits brought against it over the Ethiopian Airlines crash and a second 2018 Boeing 737 MAX crash. The pair of crashes just months apart led to the planes being grounded for months during an investigation that eventually revealed issues with an automation system used in the planes. Robert Clifford, an attorney representing some of the families, told Insider in a statement Wednesday that there are about 75 suits still open, with six set to go to trial this month. Clifford said Alonso's ruling is a positive step for the families. "Boeing's victims undeniably suffered horrific emotional distress, pain and suffering, and physical impact and injury while they endured extreme G-forces, braced for impact, knew the airplane was malfunctioning, and ultimately plummeted nose-down to the ground at nearly 600 miles per hour, leaving a crater 30 feet deep," Clifford said. "We look forward to upcoming trials to present this evidence to a jury and ensure Boeing is held fully accountable." Read the original article on Business Insider No caption Editors Note: If you know or suspect that anyone under 18 is being sexually or physically abused, call the Texas child abuse hotline at 1-800-252-5400. To learn more about how to identify signs of child abuse or neglect, click here. Seventy-eighth District Court Judge Meredith Kennedy on Thursday modified the bail conditions of Anthony Patterson, who is accused of child sex offenses. Brooke Grona-Robb, Special Victims Unit chief at the Wichita County District Attorney's Office, asked in May for tighter restrictions, claiming Patterson is a danger to children, and his wealth makes him a flight risk. Testimony at Thursdays hearing focused mainly on the former automobile dealers travel to Dallas to confer with his attorney and his visits to rental houses he owns in Wichita Falls. Defense attorney Toby Shook said Patterson had come to his office in Dallas several times and sometimes stayed in Dallas overnight. Shook said forbidding Patterson to make the trips would make representing him far more difficult. Kennedy ruled generally against allowing Patterson to make the trips and required advanced approval from her if it becomes absolutely necessary for him to go. Pattersons sister, Ashley Sells, testified her brother owned several rent houses in Wichita Falls and worked on them frequently. Charges filed against Patterson in May allege he met an underaged girl for sex at two of those houses between 2003 and 2005. Kennedy ruled Patterson must provide a list of his properties and names of the occupants and may not go to the houses when children are present. Other restrictions include an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew at his mothers home, staying at least 1,000 feet away from anyplace where children congregate, allowing searches of his electronic devices by the Wichita County Community Supervision and Corrections Department and submitting to random drug and alcohol tests. The judge ruled Patterson may continue to check in with his community supervision officer primarily by phone. A community supervision officer testified he had not had problems with Patterson violating his bail conditions. In addition to the allegations from 2003-2005, Patterson faces multiple charges of sexual offenses involving two girls ages eight and 10 in 2017 in Wichita Falls. Anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He has been jailed five times since his initial arrest in February 2021 and has paid millions of dollars in cash bail to stay free. His trial is set for October. If convicted, Patterson could face up to life in prison. More: Montague County man killed in motorcycle wreck More: Houston man accused of MSU sexual assault has prior rape conviction This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Judge tightens Anthony Patterson's bail conditions Julia Louis-Dreyfus Is Annoyed That Women Do This 1 Common Thing Way Too Much Julia Louis-Dreyfus seeks the wisdom of older women in a new podcast, Wiser Than Me. Julia Louis-Dreyfus seeks the wisdom of older women in a new podcast, Wiser Than Me." Julia Louis-Dreyfus isnt sorry about calling out a social norm that irks her. The Seinfeld alum told host Sean Evans on the interview series Hot Ones that she thinks women have a tendency to apologize too much. Or apologize, I should say, inappropriately, the former Veep star said on the episode released Thursday. (Hot Ones is produced by Complex Networks, which shares a parent company, BuzzFeed, Inc., with HuffPost.) The subject came up when Evans asked the Emmy winner the one piece of wisdom shes embraced from her new podcast Wiser Than Me, in which she interviews older women including Jane Fonda, author Amy Tan and Diane von Furstenberg about how to live a meaningful life. The Saturday Night Live alum said one bit of advice she learned was that No is a complete sentence. She added that she likes that sentiment very much. Its a really good one, Louis-Dreyfus said. I think its a good one especially for women, if I may be so bold as to say that. Louis-Dreyfus opinion about the prevalence of saying sorry has merit. The University of Waterloo published two studies in 2010 that investigated whether women apologize more readily than men, and found that they do. The first study found that women reported offering more apologies than men, but they also reported committing more offenses. This led psychologists at the university to hypothesize that men apologize less frequently than women because they have a higher threshold for what constitutes offensive behavior. The second study confirmed this hypothesis by asking men and women to evaluate both imaginary and recalled offenses. As predicted, men rated the offenses as less severe than women did, a summary for the report reads. Communication and gender bias experts Andie Kramer and Al Harris pointed out in a 2020 article in Fast Company that women dont view the term Im sorry as purely an apology. Women, in particular, often say Im sorry as a way of showing concern, empathy, and understanding, they wrote. The term is used to indicate their personal connection, appreciation of a problem, and sense of care and closeness. The problem is that this intention doesnt translate well, Kramer and Harris explained. Unfortunately, this habit can confuse listeners and discredit the speaker, they wrote. Louis-Dreyfus also told host Evans that she also appreciated the advice from another podcast guest, chef Ruth Reichl, to do things that really do frighten you. So in short, if you are a woman who is scared of the idea of not apologizing, tell that fear off. Or at least, wed like to believe thats what Louis-Dreyfus would tell you. Democrat Katie Hobbs was sworn in as governor of Arizona in January 2023, but her opponent Kari Lake and other right-wing figures claim officials in the US state's largest county swung the vote by "illegally breaking into sealed election machines" during the 2022 midterms. This is false; authorities say the video shared as purported evidence shows routine election preparation, and allegations of meddling failed in court. "New *video evidence* of Maricopa election officials illegally breaking into sealed election machines after they were tested, reprogramming memory cards, and reinstalling them," says Rogan O'Handley, a conservative commentator and influencer, in a May 28, 2023 tweet. "Fifty-nine percent of these machines would shut down on election day in GOP areas. They've been CAUGHT." Lake, who lost to Hobbs in the November 2022 gubernatorial contest, promoted the claims on a May 30 episode of "War Room," a web show hosted by former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon. "They're breaking into the machines, reprogramming them so that they would fail on Election Day," she said of the clip shared online. Screenshot from Twitter taken May 31, 2023 Screenshot from Twitter taken May 31, 2023 Similar allegations accumulated thousands of interactions on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, according to CrowdTangle, a social media insights tool. "This is a smoking gun in Kari Lake's stolen election contest," says a May 28 article from the Gateway Pundit, a website that AFP has repeatedly fact-checked for spreading misinformation. Screenshot from the Gateway Pundit taken May 31, 2023 The claims come after an Arizona court threw out the last count of Lake's lawsuit against Hobbs and Maricopa County, in which her lawyers alleged officials failed to properly review voters' signatures on mail-in ballots. The May 22 decision (archived here) was the final legal blow to the Republican's attempts to overturn the 2022 election result. Lake's allegations of vote machine tampering also failed in court -- and Maricopa County officials say the clip shared online shows routine election preparation. "The claim made in the post you sent is demonstrably false," said spokesman Jason Berry in a May 30 email. "The video shows the installation of new memory cards into the tabulator which happens in each election." He said the cards had "previously been certified through the statutorily required logic and accuracy testing" and that the process "was conducted under the 24/7 livestream video cameras in the county's Ballot Tabulation Center." Maricopa County also refuted claims of wrongdoing in a May 30 Twitter thread (archived here). "If it was a secret, why did we livestream it? That's the opposite of secret," the county said. Have you seen this viral video? The people sharing it are lying to you. So here we go, defusing a new election bombshell thats a lot like the old bombshells. pic.twitter.com/7Lv8XuKBMA Maricopa County (@maricopacounty) May 30, 2023 Both Berry and the Twitter thread cited a legal document (archived here) that Maricopa County attorneys filed May 10 in response to Lake's lawsuit alleging election misconduct (archived here). "When installing the memory cards, the county tabulated a small number of ballots on each tabulator to be certain that the memory cards had been properly inserted," the filing says. "This, too, was done under the livestream video cameras." The attorneys clarified the process "is not logic and accuracy testing," a different collection of procedures that the US Election Assistance Commission says ensures "voting equipment function as expected and accurately count votes as marked." After running the ballots, Berry said tabulators are "zeroed to ensure no votes were stored on the memory cards." The tabulators are then "affixed with tamper-evident seals" and delivered to the vote centers where "poll workers perform a verification to ensure that there are not ballots recorded on the tabulator and that all results equal zero," he said. AFP reached out to Lake for additional comment, but a response was not forthcoming. No widespread fraud Ballot-on-demand printers in Maricopa County did break down in some precincts on Election Day -- but not as a result of fraud, as AFP has previously reported. The "equipment failure" occurred in 70 of 223 voting centers, according to an independent investigation of the incident (archived here). The inquiry found the size and weight of the ballots required machines to "perform at the extreme edge of their capability, a level that could not be reliably sustained by a substantial number of printers." Contrary to Lake's claims, the issues did not plague predominantly Republican areas, according to a Washington Post analysis -- and all affected votes were counted. Arizona Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson on May 15 dismissed Lake's motion to revive allegations about printer malfeasance, saying the issue was "fully litigated at trial." "This is not newly discovered evidence that goes to the claim as presented to the court in December and reviewed on appeal, it is a wholly new claim, and therefore Count II remains unrevived," Thompson said in the ruling (archived here). The judge went on to say the "evidence presented falls far below what is needed to establish a basis for fraud." AFP has previously debunked claims that wrongdoing affected the outcome of Arizona's gubernatorial election. None of the state's audits (archived here) -- including in Maricopa County -- found such discrepancies. "We have seen no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was any way compromised in any race in the country," the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in a November 9, 2022 statement. Arizona certified its election results in December, making Hobbs -- Arizona's former secretary of state -- the official winner of the governor's race. She received about 17,000 more votes than Lake, according to the statewide canvass (archived here). AFP has fact-checked other false and misleading political claims here. New Development Bank to boost outreach, funding projects in local currencies Xinhua) 08:20, June 01, 2023 Aerial photo taken on June 17, 2022 shows the headquarter building of the New Development Bank (NDB) in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) SHANGHAI, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The New Development Bank (NDB) will expand its outreach and fund more of its projects in local currencies to support the development of emerging economies, Dilma Rousseff, the bank's president, said on Tuesday. Rousseff made the comments while addressing the NDB's 8th annual meeting, where she listed the priorities for the next few years, saying that the bank needs to expand its outreach, strengthening its role as a platform for cooperation. The bank will increase its participation in co-financing operations with other multilateral financial institutions, national development banks, and with the private sector, Rousseff said. The NDB will raise funds in diverse world markets, and in different currencies, she said. "At the same time, we will seek to fund a greater share of our projects in local currencies, with the dual objective of strengthening the member countries' domestic markets and protecting our borrowers from the risks of currency fluctuations." The bank is very excited about having adopted new members and there will be an acceleration in the expansion of membership, Leslie Maasdorp, vice president and chief financial officer of the NDB, told Xinhua in an interview. "So you can expect to see more countries join from various geography across the world," he said. In 2021, the NDB initiated an expansion of membership, admitting Bangladesh, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay as new member countries. "Going forward, we will do more fundraising in the currencies of our members," Maasdorp said. Currently, local currency financing represents approximately 22 percent of the bank's portfolio, largely driven by Renminbi-denominated loans. The bank aims to raise the proportion to 30 percent in the 2022-2026 period. Headquartered in Shanghai, the NDB was established by the BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The bank formally opened in July 2015. As a complement to existing multilateral and regional financial institutions, the bank was designed to mobilize resources for infrastructure development and sustainable development projects in BRICS countries, as well as other emerging and developing economies, to promote global growth and development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Is Your Kid Experiencing Anxiety? Here Are 7 Things You Can Do To Help We tend to speak fairly openly about our own anxieties as parents, how juggling so many responsibilities and expectations can leave us wide awake with worry in the middle of the night. Childhood, however, is supposed to be a time of carefree fun, and it can be hard to know how to react when your kid is the one whose worries seem to be spiraling. Kids anxiety can manifest in any number of ways, but there are a few main types: Separation anxiety is when your child doesnt want you to leave them at day care, school, with a babysitter or in a similar situation. Social anxiety, in which a child is nervous about being around others, might show itself in a reluctance to go to school. A deep fear of a specific thing, such as dogs or doctors, is called a phobia, and those tend to be easy to identify maybe your child runs and tries to hide whenever they see a dog or when they realize youre heading to the doctors office. Children with general anxiety may or may not be able to articulate their fears, which could be about bad things happening or the future. As with adults, anxiety often shows up in kids as physical symptoms, such as an upset stomach, headache, fatigue or trouble sleeping. When kids are struggling with anxiety, we want to offer comfort and support, and at the same time we want them to know that we believe they can face their fears. It can be tricky to find a way to balance these two approaches. If your child is experiencing persistent anxiety, here are some things that experts suggest you keep in mind. Acknowledge that your childs anxiety is real. In generations past, a child struggling with anxiety was likely told to get over it or buck up by a parent, who may have genuinely believed they were imparting an essential life lesson. Culturally, things have changed. We know now that trauma doesnt go away if you dont talk about it and that ignoring strong emotions probably isnt the best way to deal with them. Psychologist Cara Goodwin, who goes by the Parenting Translator on Instagram, told HuffPost, First, it is important that parents validate and empathize with the anxiety. Rather than brushing off your childs fear or explaining why it is irrational, acknowledge that their anxiety is real and that it must be hard to feel that way. Talking to your child like this about their anxiety is not going to make them more anxious. Ask them to tell you what they are worried about, and listen attentively to their response before jumping in with suggestions to solve the problem. Let them know you believe they can handle whatever situation is making them anxious. After acknowledging what theyre feeling, instead of helping them get away from the situation (i.e., letting them stay home from school if they are feeling anxious about going), tell them that you believe they have the ability to manage this and get through a tough situation. Goodwin suggests that you say something like, I can see that this really makes you feel nervous, but I know that you can handle it. Recognize the difference between normal fears and problematic anxiety. The rush of fear that we feel when we perceive a threat and the adrenaline that gives us a burst of energy to run from it evolved in humans to keep us alive. But sometimes this system kicks into gear even when its confronted with something benign, like a neighbors dog or a party full of children. Our nervous system is wired to act and help us to remain safe from harm. This often assists us in doing productive things to help meet goals and aspirations but sometimes causes anxiety, Anne Marie Albano, a psychologist and clinical director of the Center for Youth Mental Health at New York-Presbyterian, told HuffPost. Some separation anxiety is normal, and its also common for kids to be afraid of things like loud noises and the dark. In most cases, within a week or two, children should be able to adapt and settle into a new routine and activity without the same fear or anxiousness, said Albano. To figure out if your childs worries have gone beyond whats expected, you can ask the following questions: Is the anxiety reasonable given the situation, or is it excessive? Are their fears calmed by your reassurance and support? Does the anxiety become uncontrollable? Are they able to manage the ups and downs of everyday challenges? If the anxiety is too much for your child to manage, even with your support, and is interfering in their life, its time to seek out the support of a mental health professional. Engage them in problem-solving. Albano recommends asking your child, What do you want to do to manage this situation? Again, let them communicate their ideas and dont jump right in with your own. If you encourage them to keep talking, perhaps by weighing the pros and cons of different possibilities, they may be able to come up with a solid plan without much input from you. You can offer support by expressing approval of the plan theyve chosen. Remind your child of similar situations that theyve handled in the past, suggested Albano. Allowing your child to face uncertainty is a necessary part of their growth. Many situations... while uncomfortable for a bit, are not harmful. Most of these situations result in your child learning and developing coping and problem-solving skills that will serve them for a lifetime, Albano said. She suggested seeing yourself as your childs adviser rather than someone who clears the path of all obstacles for them. Help them take one step at a time. Of course, you will have to meet your child where they are at and help them move one step at a time from point A to point B. If your child is afraid of water, you wouldnt just toss them in the pool and watch them figure out how to swim. Youd climb in with them at first and help them learn the necessary skills. Parents should work with their children to take baby steps toward the goal of facing their fears. Parents should then pay a lot of attention to and praise any of the childs brave behavior, Goodwin said. Be sure to offer this praise regardless of the result. Focus on your childs efforts to manage a situation that is scary to them and not on the outcome, Albano said. Even if they fell, highlight the fact that they got back on the bike. Dont help your child avoid their triggers this can make their anxiety worse. If you child is going to learn to cope with their anxiety, you cant always step in and handle it for them. We know that avoiding anxiety-provoking events only makes anxiety worse and keeps the child reliant on their parents coping with the situation so they dont learn skills for coping with their anxiety independently, Goodwin said. Parents may, for example, speak on behalf of a shy child, answer repetitive questions from a worried child or avoid situations that they think will trigger a childs anxiety. When you help your children avoid a situation that is making them anxious, it reinforces the idea that the situation is something they should be afraid of (since even their parents seem worried) and communicates to children that they are not capable of handling it on their own, Goodwin said. Dont hesitate to reach out for professional help. As parents, we can provide a lot of the emotional support our kids need by asking the right questions and acting as a sounding board when they are trying to figure things out. But were not equipped to handle everything they bring to us on our own. Parents can certainly help their children to cope with anxiety, Goodwin said, but they should seek professional help when their childs anxiety seems to be interfering with important functions such as sleep, eating, school or activities that they used to enjoy, when their childs anxiety seems to be getting worse, or when they have been exposed to a traumatic situation that causes anxiety. Therapy and medication are very effective for treating childhood anxiety, Goodwin continued. In particular, a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps most children with anxiety to show significant improvement in symptoms. Related... Most North Carolinians want to legalize medical marijuana. Senate Bill 3, now pending in the House, would legalize it, but no patients would get legal medicine for years. The Legislatures Fiscal Note for Senate Bill 3 estimates that it will take between two and three years between a laws enactment and the first dispensary sales. That sounds optimistic. Senate Bill 3 licenses only 10 for-profit seed-to-sale companies to sell medical marijuana. With millions in sales up for grabs, lots of people will apply for licenses. The first of many steps in choosing winners requires the governor and two legislative leaders to appoint a Production Commission that will eventually issue those 10 permanent licenses. Patrick Oglesby But what if our officials drag their feet, as in New York? The bill is silent on that. Whenever the commission gets appointed, its members have to decide on qualifications and requirements for licensure of suppliers a can of worms that SB3 has kicked down the road. The commission gets broad and vague discretion, with some unquantified priority going to applicants who commit to ensure the equitable distribution of medical cannabis centers throughout the state. At some point, license applications get filed. Then, DHHS somehow winnows those applications down to 20. The commission picks 10 licensees from that 20. The Fiscal Notes two-to-three year estimate doesnt mention the terms lawsuit, appeal or litigation. But before N.C. patients actually get medicine, expect time-consuming appeals from disappointed license applicants. Other states are seeing legal fights and allegations of corruption from entrepreneurs seeking a limited number of potentially highly lucrative licenses. Losing applicants often get injunctions, bringing the process to a dead halt while patients wait for medicine. Georgia provides a case study. A 2022 report said seven years since former Gov. Nathan Deal signed a bill legalizing cannabis oil... Today, there is still nowhere in the state patients can go to buy that oil. In 2019, a seven-member commission was appointed...but their licensing process has been met with heavy criticism, protests and a federal lawsuit. Sales actually began on April 24, 2023, over eight years after the bills enactment. Competitive licensing in Delaware and West Virginia delayed medicine for over four years after enactment. Senate Bill 3 faces added litigation risks. It has rules favoring in-state residents for licenses. Federal courts may strike those rules under the recently weaponized Dormant Commerce Doctrine. Stricken or not, they will be challenged in court. Senate Bill 3 supporters say its limited medical marijuana market will be efficient. Fair enough. A limited, oligopolistic market should be efficient eventually. But while SB3s competitive licensing process plays out, patients will wait for medicine. What can be done? Variations on competitive licensing, like lotteries that require applicant qualification and social equity licensing providing reparations for casualties of the War on Drugs, face the same onslaughts of delays and disputes. Creating more than 10 licenses would reduce the value of each license to make litigation somewhat less attractive. Unrestricted licensing would speed time to market, but has proved disastrous in Oklahoma for law enforcement and industry. Auctions of licenses may be legally bulletproof, but would favor the wealthy even more transparently than SB3 though auctions for only annual licenses would reduce capital requirements tremendously. State monopoly sales are another option. Louisianas land grant universities have a monopoly on producing medical marijuana there (incidentally proving federal illegality a non-issue for state sales). While state monopolies risk being bureaucratic, inefficient, prone to corruption, and not consumer-friendly, polled N.C. voters have favored state monopoly cannabis sales, ABC store-style. And well-executed state sales have a lot going for them, like public health, revenue, social equity, fairness, caution about the profit motive for marijuana and, compared to SB3, speed in getting medicine into the hands of patients. Patrick Oglesby is a Chapel Hill lawyer and consultant for state governments on marijuana policy. Kim Cattrall will indeed reprise the role of Samantha Jones in Sex and the City reboot Buckle up, Sex and the City fans, because Kim Cattrall is finally back. A spokesperson for HBO/Max confirmed to CNN that Cattrall filmed a scene as Samantha Jones in March for the hit shows continuation series And Just Like That. Like CNN, HBO is part of parent company Warner Bros. Discovery. The New York Post was first to report the news. This is a major turn of events given that Cattrall, who played the sex-positive, powerful publicist Jones in Sex and the City for six seasons and two movies, famously did not appear in the first season of the reboot. Its odd, isnt it? I dont know how to feel about it, Cattrall said of how Samanthas absence was explained in the new series. Its so finite for me, so it doesnt continue. This feels like an echo of the past. CNN has reached out to a representative for Cattrall for comment on her decision to appear in the series second season. According to Wednesdays reports, Cattralls cameo was filmed in secrecy in March, with her name not appearing on the call sheet for the day of the shoot. She reportedly filmed the scene in a town car in a parking garage in Queens, where interiors for the series are filmed. And Just Like That is a continuation of the Sex and the City series, which focused on the friendship between four women Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Cattralls Jones. Season 1 of And Just Like That, which premiered in December of 2021, did welcome back Parker, Nixon and Davis, with Cattralls character markedly absent. In May of last year, Cattrall spoke with Variety of her decision to not participate in the reboot, citing a great wisdom to know when enough is enough. I also didnt want to compromise what the show was to me. The way forward seemed clear, she said. Cattrall added at the time that I played her, and I loved her. I felt ultimately protective of her. She also said shes proud of her time as Samantha, but that for her, the decision not to reprise the role felt clean. CNNs Marianne Garvey contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The feud between Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker seems as though it will never end. While starring alongside one other in Sex and the City across six seasons and two films about four single friends living in New York, which were released between 1998 to 2010, the pair fell out. Cattrall kickstarted the public spat in October 2017, when she shocked fans by claiming that she was never friends with her co-star. Since then, the pair have engaged in a war of words regarding the matter, which seemed to come to a head when Parker, who stars as sex columnist Carrie Bradshaw, returned alongside Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbs) and Kristin Davis (Charlotte York) in HBOs spin-off series And Just Like That. Cattrall, however, did not appear in her fan-favourite role as the sexually adventurous publicist, Samantha Jones. Until now. Its been reported that Cattrall will return to her role as Samantha for a brief scene in season two. However, if the reports are to be believed, Cattrall filmed the cameo without seeing any of her former co-stars. Below we run through a timeline of the knotty feud between Cattrall and Parker. September 2017: After much discussion among fans, Parker confirms that a third Sex and the City movie is not going to happen, despite prior rumours to the contrary. Its over, she said. Im disappointed. We had this beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, joyful, very relatable script and story. Davis, on Instagram, added: I wish that we could have made the final chapter, on our own terms, to complete the stories of our characters. It is deeply frustrating not to be able to share that chapter with all of you. Fans then begin to speculate that Cattrall is the reason the film is unable to go ahead. Anonymous sources told TheDaily Mail that the actor had held up production on the sequel, as she had wanted her own solo projects financed by Warner Bros in exchange for her participation in the film. This, Cattrall wrote on Twitter, was not true. Woke up to a MailOnline s***storm, she tweeted. The only DEMAND I ever made was that I didnt want to do a third film.... and that was back in 2016. October 2017: Cattrall says she was never friends with Sarah Jessica Parker, telling Piers Morgans Life Stories that the pair had a toxic relationship. She makes the claims in an attempt to clear up why she didnt appear in a third Sex and the City film, which she says Parker could have been nicer about. Weve never been friend, she said, adding: Weve been colleagues and in some ways its a very healthy place to be because then you have a clear line between your professional life and relationship and your personal. 1 February 2018: Sarah Jessica Parker responds to Kim Cattralls description of their relationship, telling What What Happens Live host Andy Cohen: I mean that whole week, you and I spoke about it because I was just... I dont know, I found it really upsetting because thats, you know, thats not the way I recall our experience. Sharing her view on their working relationship, she added: I always think that what ties us together is this singular experience is the thing. It was a professional experience but it became personal because it was years and years of our lives. So Im hoping that that sort of eclipses anything thats been recently spoken. Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker photographed in 2009 (Getty Images) 10 February 2018: Kim Cattrall hits out at cruel Sarah Jessica Parker after her former co-star offers her condolences following the death of Cattralls brother. She wrote: My Mom asked me today When will that @sarahjessicaparker, that hypocrite, leave you alone? Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now. Let me make this VERY clear. (If I havent already). You are not my family. You are not my friend. So Im writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your nice girl persona. 26 February 2018: Speaking to People, Sarah Jessica Parker says she never responded to Kim Cattralls really hurtful claims made in October 2017. She stated: We had this experience and it was amazing, and nothing will ever be like it. There was no fight; it was completely fabricated, because I actually never responded. And I wont, because she needed to say what she needed to say, and that is her privilege January 2021: Sarah Jessica Parker announces Sex and the City spin-off series And Just Like That..., and when a fan says they will miss Kim/Samantha, the actor replied: We will too. We loved her so. X. 9 December 2021: And Just Like That... premieres and addresses Kim Cattralls absence in a scene that sees Sarah Jessica Parkers Carrie Bradshaw reveal that Samantha ended their friendship. Its kind of like shes dead we never talk about her, Carrie says, adding: She stopped returning my calls. Miranda (Nixon) replies: Her pride got damaged, with Carrie stating: I thought I was more to her than an ATM. I always thought the four of us would be friends forever." Sarah Jessica Parker returned as Carrie in And Just Like That...' (HBO) 11 December 2021: Kim Cattrall likes a variety of tweets criticising And Just like That..., one of which reads: Kim Cattrall didnt return to SATC because her scatting career is finally taking off. February 2022: Sarah Jessica Parker says she would not be happy for Kim Cattrall to return the to world of Sex and the City as theres just too much public history of feelings on her part that shes shared. The actor also told Variety that Cattrall was never asked to return in And Just Like That... as we have to hear her and listen to her and what was important to her. 5 May 2022: Kim Cattrall confirms she was never asked to be in And Just Like That..., and tells Variety she never watched the show. However, she said, referring to the fan communitys desire to have her in the reboot: The greatest compliment I could have as an actor is to be missed. She said it was .definite no about ever returning as Samantha. Kim Cattrall said she was never asked to be in And Just Like That... (Getty Images) June 2022: Sarah Jessica Parker denies being cruel to Kim Cattrall on The Hollywood Reporters Awards Chatter podcast. the actors said there just isnt anyone else whos ever talked about me this way, so its very painful, adding: Its very hard to talk about the situation with Kim because Ive been so careful about not ever wanting to say anything that is unpleasant. Parker also denied they were embroiled in a feud, instead describing the situation as one person talking. Elsewhere, she claimed that a third Sex and the City film didnt get made as the studio didnt feel comfortable about Cattralls demands. September 2022: Kim Cattrall said has no regrets about publicly condemning Sarah Jessica Parker, telling The Los Angeles Times to Google the subject if they wanted to know more about it. Sarah Jessica Parker described the feud as one person talking in 2022 (Getty Images) November 2022: Kim Cattrall hinted that she was only tolerated by her co-stars on the set of Sex and the City. While accepting the Screen Icon award at the Glamour Women of the Year ceremony, she said: This is what happens when you go where youre celebrated and not where youre tolerated. May 2023: Its reported that Kim Cattrall filmed a brief role in And Just Like That... season two but without interacting with any of her co-stars or the showrunner, Michael Patrick Kelly. Kim Reynolds signs $8.5 billion budget into law. Here's where the money will go: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Iowa's $8.5 billion budget and more than 50 other bills into law Thursday afternoon, one day before she faced a legal deadline. This year's budget is especially important as the state undergoes a massive reorganization of the executive branch. The budget also appropriates more than $100 million to pay private school expenses, additional money for the governor's office, cuts to Iowa's Area Education Agencies and more. The budget bills were some of the final pieces of legislation lingering after the legislative session ended in early May. Iowa law requires the governor to sign or veto bills within 30 days of the legislative session. Reynolds signed more than 50 bills into law on Thursday, including legislation to change eligibility requirements for food assistance funds, mandate in-person caucusing, and restrict the oversight of the state auditor. Reynolds vetoed one bill, Senate File 388, which would require the Office of Chief Information Officer to follow only federal guidance when allocating federal funds. In a letter to the Secretary of State, Reynolds said the bill would limit the office's "flexibility to navigate this regulatory environment through its authority to set ambitious state standards." Here's more about how Iowa's budget will work: More: Dissecting Iowa's $8.5 billion state budget. Here's what got funded and what got cut. How big is Iowa's budget? Iowa lawmakers approved a $8.52 billion budget for the coming year. Thats an increase of $302.5 million, or 3.7%, over the current fiscal year budget. The revenue left unspent will go to state reserve funds. The Legislative Services Agency predicts a $2 billion surplus at the end of fiscal year 2024, which begins July 1, 2023, and ends June 30, 2024. Iowa Democrats criticized Republicans for leaving so much state money unspent. By law, the state can spend up to 99% of ongoing revenue a limit of about $10.4 billion for the upcoming year. We are stockpiling taxpayer dollars," said Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames. "This money belongs to the taxpayers. There are lots of ways that we can give it back to the taxpayers through quality services. House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, said on a May 5 episode of Iowa Press on Iowa PBS that Republicans are budgeting conservatively so they dont undermine their ability to phase in the 3.9% flat income tax rate they passed next year. What is Iowa spending money on? The annual budget keeps the entire state government running, from public schools to the governor's office. Many of the budgets stay the same year after year or see only small increases. But lawmakers sometimes address policy issues in the budget or make significant changes. Some notable changes this year include: Reynolds made one line-item veto within the judicial branch budget. Under current law, the state's public defender may, for staffing shortages, appoint a private attorney to represent someone who cannot afford to hire their own representation regardless of whether the private attorney wants to take the case. The budget bill would have changed Iowa law to require those private attorneys to consent to representing that individual. Reynolds vetoed that new requirement. "Proponents of this legislation argue that representing indigents will cause financial burdens not seen in other licensed professions. But the constitutional right to counsel cannot be so easily subverted," Reynolds wrote in a letter to the secretary of state. "All attorneys owe a duty to the legal profession to accept such an appointment if needed." Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs $8.5 billion budget for 2024 fiscal year CHISINAU (Reuters) - Serbia needs to stop its activities aimed at destabilising Kosovo in order to end the violence in the north of the country, Kosovo's president Vjosa Osmani said on Thursday. "The challenge comes from Serbia, a country that still needs to come to terms with its past," Osmani told Reuters on the sidelines of a European summit in Moldova. "The situation is tense, but we need to make sure that we restore rule of law in Kosovo and understand that the threat is coming from Serbia's denial of Kosovo's existence as a sovereign state." Osmani said Serbia was actively supporting "illegal structures" in Kosovo to destabilise the country from within. "President Vucic needs to stop supporting criminal gangs if he truly wants peace," she said. "He is yet to show that." (Reporting by Andrew Gray and John Irish; Writing by Bart Meijer; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten) Kosovo's Kurti says mayors must work in offices, will not back down Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti poses for a picture during an interview with Reuters at his office in Pristina MITROVICA, Kosovo (Reuters) - Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Thursday he will not back down from a decision to install ethnic Albanian mayors in Serb majority areas, a move which triggered violence, prompting NATO to send more troops to the region. "Mayors should go and work in their offices," Kurti told Kosovo Albanian media. "We need to have normality ...What is the meaning of having public buildings for state officials if they are not used?" Unrest in Kosovo's north has intensified since ethnic Albanian mayors took office in the region's Serb-majority area, a move that led the U.S. and its allies to rebuke Pristina. The majority Serb population had boycotted the April election, allowing ethnic Albanians to win the poll. In violence on Monday, 30 peacekeepers and 52 Serbs who protested against the installation of ethnic-Albanian mayors were injured. The violence prompted NATO to announce it would send additional troops on top of 700 already on their way to the Balkan country to boost its 4,000 strong mission. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Oslo called on Kosovo and Serbia "to take steps to de-escalate" tension in the north Kosovo region which borders Serbia. "We support the process of Euro-Atlantic integration for Kosovo and for Serbia, but the current escalation hinders, rather than helps the efforts to move in that direction." Some 50,000 Serbs who live in the north of the country do not recognise Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia and see Belgrade as its capital. Serbs refuse to accept April's election results and say low turnout of 3.5% makes them illegitimate. "They (the mayors) have to leave this area because they are not representing anything," deputy head of the Serb List, the biggest Belgrade-backed Kosovo Serb party, Igor Simic told Reuters on Wednesday. Lulzim Hetemi, an ethnic Albanian mayor in Leposavic, has been in his office since early Monday with NATO peacekeepers guarding the town hall behind razor blade wire. His counterparts from Zvecan and Zubin Potok have been working remotely from their home villages. (Reporting by Fatos Bytyci and Simon Lewis; Writing by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Christina Fincher) Kourtney Kardashian felt 'pressure' from her sister Kim comparing their businesses and admits they were 'competitive' with each other growing up Kourtney Kardashian said that she's felt "pressure" from Kim Kardashian about her business ventures. Gotham/WireImage; Daniele Venturelli/WireImage Kourtney Kardashian said that's she's felt "pressure" from her sister Kim about their businesses. Kourtney said that she and Kim grew up "competitive" due to how close they are in age. Kourtney said that she's "let that part go" from their relationship. Kourtney Kardashian Barker admitted that she's felt "pressure" from her younger sister Kim Kardashian comparing their respective business ventures. In season three, episode two of "The Kardashians," which aired Thursday, Kardashian Barker prepared for the launch of her nutritional supplement line Lemme. While getting ready for a Wall Street Journal photo shoot tied to the launch, she said that she's felt anxiety as a result of Kim comparing their businesses. "I think it was like, the pressure, mostly from Kim like, 'What's your business? I have my thing, and I have my thing,' and then it's like, 'But what's yours?'" Kardashian Barker said. "I mean, Kim and I are 18 months apart, so we definitely grew up like, more competitive," she continued in a confessional. "Although I've let that part go, I'm not sure if she has." Kardashian Barker launched Lemme in September 2022, telling the Wall Street Journal that she had been working on it for five years. It comes on the heels of her brand Poosh, which focused on lifestyle, health, and home content. Her sister Kim's ventures include her skincare line, SKKN by Kim, her shapewear brand, Skims, and a private equity firm called SKYY Partners. Kardashian Barker said that in addition to the "pressure" she feels from her sister, she also worried about how the public would respond to a brand from someone in the Kardashian-Jenner family. "It's scary launching something. 'Cause people are also really critical of us specifically, so I think it's like, what if they tear apart the packaging, the price?" Kardashian Barker said. New episodes of "The Kardashians" season three air Thursdays on Hulu. Read the original article on Insider Russia accused the U.S. NSA of spying on iPhone users Russia claimed Apples iPhones are spying on its citizens on Thursday and accused the U.S. of being behind it. Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) claims the U.S. National Security Agency used malware and backdoors created on the devices to carry out a plot to spy on the citizens and government. The FSB said in a statement to Sputnik International, a Russian state-owned news outlet, that the U.S. hacked thousands of Apple phones, including those of domestic Russian subscribers, adding that it realized this while securing the infrastructure of Russian telecommunications. Anomalies were identified that are specific only to users of Apple mobile phones and are caused by the operation of previously unknown malicious software that uses software vulnerabilities provided by the manufacturer, FSB told the outlet. Read more The FSB has also claimed the NSA targeted the phones of foreign diplomats based in Russia, including diplomats from Israel, Syria, and China. The FSB said in its statement, [Apple] provides American intelligence agencies with a wide range of opportunities to monitor any persons of interest to the White House and their partners in anti-Russian activities, and their own citizens, Apple Insider reported. The alleged plot to monitor iPhone devices shows close cooperation between Apple and the NSA, the FSB said according to Reuters, and the Kremlin and Russias foreign ministry added that the matter ranks in high significance. The hidden data collection was carried out through software vulnerabilities in U.S.-made mobile phones, Russias foreign ministry said in a statement. US intelligence services have been using IT giants for decades to collect internet users personal data without their knowledge, the ministry added. However, Russia has been known to promote propaganda accusing other countries of espionage attempts, but this time its claims also dont align with Apples history of protecting users data. In 2016, Apple pointedly refused an FBI court order to unlock the iPhone of San Bernardino mass shooter Syed Farook who, alongside his wife, killed 14 people and injured several others. Apples CEO Tim Cook refused to unlock the phone and said in an open letter at the time that unlocking the phone would threaten the security of iPhone customers. Cook said the FBI asked Apple to create a new version of the phones operating system, essentially creating a backdoor that would give anyone with access the opportunity to unlock any iPhone that someone physically possesses. Cook said the request was something we consider too dangerous to create...building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a backdoor. He continued, And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control. The White House and NSA have not publicly responded to Russias accusations, but Apple clarified on its website that it has never created a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services. The company added, We have also never allowed any government direct access to Apple servers. And we never will. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The Kremlin wants everyone to chill out after firebrand nationalists and military honchos called for martial law in response to drone attacks on Moscow Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Friedemann Kohler/picture alliance via Getty Images Russian firebrand leaders called for martial law after drone attacks reportedly struck Moscow. But the Kremlin said it hasn't even discussed such a measure, and has no plans to do so. Imposing martial law is a "prerogative of the highest federal power," a spokesperson reminded the press. Russia is dismissing calls to impose martial law after a series of drone attacks reportedly struck Moscow this week. The Kremlin hasn't even discussed imposing such measures after the attack, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Russian leader Vladimir Putin's office, told state news agency RIA Novosti. "This is entirely the prerogative of the highest federal power, no decisions have been made on that account, and no discussions are being held on this matter," Peskov said. He was responding to comments by Chechen warlord and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov, who advocated for martial law across Russia in a Telegram post on Tuesday. Kadyrov, known for issuing blistering, aggressive statements, decried Kyiv's leadership as "Nazis" and "Satanists," blaming them for the drone attacks. He said it was "necessary" to declare martial law in Russia, and wanted to muster the entire country's war resources to "sweep away this terrorist cell at once." Putin and the Kremlin have similarly said Ukraine was responsible for the drone attacks, though Kyiv has denied involvement. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the vocal leader of the Russian paramilitary force Wagner Group, told Siberian journalists on Wednesday that he agreed with Kadyrov. "The country must be put on martial law," Prigozhin said in a visit to Novosibirsk, per Sibkray News. He also called for a second mobilization in Russia to bolster Moscow's forces in Ukraine. Their calls for martial law also come as pro-Ukraine militias in Russia claimed to be raiding checkpoints and harassing the Kremlin's troops in Belgorod, the region closest to the border with Ukraine. The two groups, the Freedom of Russia Legion and Russian Volunteer Corps, have been listed as terrorist organizations by Moscow. On Tuesday, Russia's defense ministry said at least eight drone attacks had been launched at Moscow, resulting in minor damage to some residential neighborhoods. One of Putin's main residences, situated in Novo-Ogaryovo, was near the crash site of one of the drones, per information released by Russia. In his Telegram post, Kadyrov swore revenge on Ukraine for the incursions and drone attacks, but said he "won't reveal the details" of what he has planned. The US said on Tuesday that it does not support attacks inside of Russia. "We have been focused on providing Ukraine with the equipment and training they need to retake their own sovereign territory," said a State Department spokesperson. Representatives for the Russian government did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Kremlin wants to replace Wagner mercenaries with Kadyrovites in war against Ukraine ISW The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has assumed that the Kremlin intends to replace the Wagner PMC mercenaries with Kadyrovites (the troops of Ramzan Kadyrov ed.) in its offensive operations in Ukraine after the Wagner Group retreats from Bakhmut. Source: the ISW Details: The Institute noted that the Russian military command probably ordered the troops of Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic, to launch offensive operations in Ukraine after the withdrawal of the Wagner PMC forces from Bakhmut. Analysts pointed out that Kadyrov said on 31 May that Kadyrovites had got new orders and assumed responsibility for the front line in Donetsk Oblast. He also said that Chechen units should start "intensive combat activities" and "liberate a number of settlements". Kadyrov added that the Akhmat Special Forces and Sever-Akhmat Special Purpose Regiment had been sent to the Marinka front, southwest of Donetsk. In addition, the Russian Defence Ministry stated that the assault units of the 5th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps and Akhmat Special Forces are conducting offensive operations on the Marinka front. The ISW reported that as of the time of writing the review, it has not noticed any signs of Chechen offensive operations in Zaporizhzhia or Kherson. The Institute pointed out that Chechen forces were mainly operating in the rear after taking part in the battles for Mariupol, Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk; the exception was some offensive actions in and around Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast. The ISW also studied how Kadyrovites acted as police force in the rear in Ukraine's south and conducted local intelligence operations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. "Chechen units limited participation on the front lines alongside Kadyrovs heavy emphasis on recruitment may suggest that Kadyrov is hesitant to commit his forces to grinding offensive operations in Ukraine despite his ultranationalist narratives," the ISW concluded. The ISW also added that if Kadyrov's statements about 7,000 of their fighters being in Ukraine were close to the truth, his forces would not be able to successfully conduct several significant offensive operations. According to ISW, the Kremlin may also try to sever ties between Kadyrov and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner PMC, and restore federal authority over Chechen forces. To quote the ISW's key takeaways for 31 May: The Russian military command has likely ordered Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrovs forces to begin offensive operations in Ukraine following the withdrawal of Wagner Group forces from Bakhmut. The Kremlin may also be attempting to sever Kadyrovs relationship with Wagner financier Yevgeny Prigozhin and re-emphasize federal authority over Chechen forces. The official Russian responses to recent attacks against Russia remain likely insufficient to satisfy the Russian ultranationalist information spaces desire for escalation in the war. Russian forces conducted ground attacks northwest of Svatove and south of Kreminna. Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks around Bakhmut and along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line. Russian forces continue to concentrate in southern Ukraine. The Russian State Duma appears to be considering measures to legalise the military recruitment of current or formerly incarcerated Russian men. Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lyubinets announced that Ukraine has a new avenue to repatriate Ukrainian children abducted to Russia. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Explosions rang out in Kyiv six minutes after an air-raid warning was issued; the authorities reported on the operation of the air defence system. Source: Kyiv City Military Administration; Kyiv Oblast Military Administration Details: The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that an air defence system operated in the capital. The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration called on the oblasts residents to stay in shelters, as there was a threat of a missile attack in the region and an air defence system was operating. Vitalii Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, reported a series of explosions in the capital, as well as "an emergency call in the Dniprovskyi district of the capital." It is worth pointing out that 6 minutes passed between the time when an air-raid warning was issued and the explosions in Kyiv. Later it became known that, according to preliminary information, the car caught fire as a result of the falling debris. Klitschko added that the debris fell in the Dniprovskyi and Desnianskyi districts. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported damage to the outpatient clinic in the Desnianskyi district. Several emergency calls were recorded in the Desnianskyi district. A car caught fire on one of the streets. Updated at 03:29. Quote from Klitschko: "One person was taken to the hospital in the Dniprovskyi district." Later, Klitschko reported on two hospitalised residents. He also clarified that the rescuers confirmed the information about the debris falling on the outpatient clinic in the Desnianskyi district, and that the windows in a high-rise building were blown out. Background: The Russians may have used Iskanders to attack Kyiv on the afternoon of 29 May; the missiles flew in from the north along a ballistic trajectory. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The municipal authorities of the capital have decided to involve the public in checking access to shelters and will convene the City Defence Council on 2 June. Source: Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko, Serhii Popko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration Quote: "A month and a half ago, the Department of Municipal Security of the Kyiv City State Administration concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation on monitoring the operation of shelters with the Ozon public monitoring group. The group collects and provides the department with the addresses of shelters that residents complain about. They have conducted a number of joint inspections. The city calls on all interested citizens of Kyiv to join this initiative as public representatives of such inspections." Details: To join, you need to contact the Department of Municipal Security via the official email address: security@kyivcity.gov.ua. In addition, according to Popko, the authorities will initiate the convening of the City Defence Council on Friday, 2 June, together with the heads of the Kyiv City Council's fractions and with public representatives. The main topic of the meeting is discussion of the use of civil defence facilities in the city of Kyiv. Update: Later, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported that the meeting of the Kyiv Defence Council had been postponed for an undefined period. The time and date of the meeting will be announced in advance. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Kyiv residents killed in Russian missile strike may have died because of closed shelter at polyclinic Missile debris damaged a polyclinic in Kyiv on the night of June 1 Residents say there is only one shelter in the area and this time it was closed and not for the first time. Read also: Air raid shelters closing across Kyiv, confirms Kyiv Military Administration Since the beginning of almost nightly attacks on Kyiv, beginning in early May, residents have been writing letters and complaints to utility workers. Two days ago, they submitted an appeal to the Kyiv City State Administration about this permanent problem. Witnesses said that a security guard who works at the polyclinic happened to be drunk at the workplace and did not open the shelter. Last night, people knocked on the door for 15-20 minutes, but he was drunk again. Read also: Russian night missile strike at Kyiv kills three, including child, injures at least 11 People ran to the shelter, which was closed. They tried to open it, the correspondent said. One of the men ran to find another entrance, open windows. And at that moment, probably, a fragment (from a shot down missile) fell. Two women, a mother and a neighbor, covered the child with themselves. The child survived, while her mother was killed, and the neighbor too. City authorities reported three deaths in the Desnianskyi district, including one child. Kyiv police reported at least 11 injured. The Desnianska district administration head, Dmytro Ratnikov, said that the security guard had opened the central entrance and some people managed to enter the shelter, while some were outside it, citing the polyclinics head. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the relevant municipal security department was investigating the incident. Read also: Dutch Foreign Minister calls for more military aid for Ukraine from bomb shelter in Kyiv At the same time, police have initiated criminal proceedings. 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 LA prosecutors relied on one key difference in Danny Masterson retrial which may have helped swing the case in favor of victims, expert says Actor Danny Masterson arrives at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 with wife Bijou Phillips for his retrial for allegedly raping three women between 2001 and 2003. Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images On Wednesday, actor Danny Masterson was found guilty of two counts of rape in a retrial. Los Angeles prosecutors were allowed to argue that Masterson had drugged some of his victims. LA criminal defense attorney Joshua Ritter told Insider that the change might have sealed the case. A key distinction in how Los Angeles prosecutors presented their retrial against actor Danny Masterson may have ultimately sealed his conviction on two counts of rape, a legal expert told Insider. On Wednesday, a Los Angeles jury convicted "That 70's Show" actor Danny Masterson of two counts of rape, months after a jury couldn't come to a unanimous conclusion on any of the three criminal rape charges against the actor. Jurors this week were hung on a third count of rape, leaning 8-4 towards a third guilty count, according to the Los Angeles Times. "This conviction is remarkable because prosecutors turned around a case that, in the last trial, ended with a hung jury that was leaning toward an acquittal," Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Joshua Ritter, a partner with El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers and a former Los Angeles County prosecutor, told Insider after the verdict. This time around, prosecutors relied more on the argument that Masterson had drugged the women he raped, per The Associated Press. The judge in the case gave them the green light to make the argument, unlike in the first trial, when prosecutors had to tiptoe around the assertion that Masterson drugged the women and could only ask the women how they felt after having drinks that Masterson handed them. In opening and closing arguments, LA district attorneys centered the narrative on the control Masterson sought to impose over his victims. In the retrial, the women again testified to feeling woozy and disabled after having drinks prepared by Masterson. "They were all drugged," Deputy DA Ariel Anson argued at the retrial, according to Variety. "The defendant drugs his victims to be in control. He does this to take away these victims' ability to consent. This is not about consent. This is not about the defendant misunderstanding these victim's signals. When he drugs them, he's able to completely physically control them. You don't want to have sex? You don't have a choice." No evidence of the drugging was introduced at the trial which Masterson's attorney centered partially as the incidents transpired more than 15 years ago. Ritter told Insider that ultimately, more authoritative victim testimony and prosecutor argument about the drugging likely played a role in swaying the jury, who deliberated for eight days. "Jurors sometimes have a difficult time when an alleged rape involves a dating relationship, because they have trouble figuring out how sex can be consensual in one instance but rape in another instance," Ritter said. "When prosecutors can say the victims were drugged, that allows the jurors to wrap their heads around what changed to make the sex suddenly not consensual." Masterson faces up to 30 years in prison at a later sentencing date, according to NBC News. Masterson's attorney did not have any comment on the verdict. Read the original article on Insider Labours latest net zero folly could cost them the next election Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to the Beatrice wind farm off the Caithness coast - Paul Campbell/PA Wire Aberdeen has been home to the UKs energy sector for over fifty years, keeping the lights on and helping 400 billion flow to the Treasury. Through good times and bad, in one of the harshest operating environments anywhere in the world, we have been the engine room of the British economy. Our world class oil and gas sector employs over 215,000 people throughout the UK; it should be praised as an economic essential. But this week, Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour party have sought to make it the bogeyman of Britain. Their fundamental misunderstanding of the energy transition, and the role of hydrocarbons within it, has resulted in a policy folly of potentially election-swinging proportions. The switch to greener energy is an exciting opportunity for this region in fact, nobody is better placed to take advantage of the potential economic benefits that it presents. However, we are also at greatest risk if our policy makers get this wrong. A report published last year by the Robert Gordon University estimated that 17,000 jobs could be lost in the Aberdeen region by 2030 if we dont get our steps in the right order here. And that is why people here are angry. They are angry at the lack of public understanding about where their energy comes from, and they are angry that many of our politicians seem not to care either. Theyve witnessed a Conservative windfall tax starving the industry of investment and strangle it through to 2028, despite energy prices falling back towards more historic norms. They have also had to endure the Scottish Government, under Nicola Sturgeon, proposing a presumption against new oil and gas development. And just as we appear to have persuaded the SNP to move away from this job-destroying policy, Labour has embraced it and gone even further. We have invited the Labour front bench to Aberdeen on three occasions this year, yet no visit has been forthcoming. The partys engagement with the industry also appears to be limited so Im struggling to understand how they can come up with solutions to something as complex as the energy transition without speaking to the people and companies that will deliver it. The policy they propose, as it stands, is economic self-sabotage which is not grounded in the realities of the energy transition. And the lack of engagement, in my view, is beyond contempt. We do need to cut emissions, and we are. The UKs national emissions have fallen from 950 million tonnes in 1990 to 400 million tonnes in 2020, due largely to the shift from coal to gas. The path to net zero as we make the next step in this transition requires four things and they span business, government and the public at large. First, we need to reduce demand, and that involves everyone. Right now, three-quarters of the UKs energy consumption is derived from oil and gas. Thats what is fuelling 24 million homes with gas boilers, 32 million vehicles fired by diesel and petrol, and the power stations generating more than 40 per cent of our electricity. Second, we need to develop new sources and ways of storing energy such as hydrogen and offshore wind to help us further diversify our energy mix. Third, and perhaps most importantly, we need the public and government to understand and accept that this could easily take two, perhaps three decades, to deliver. And fourth, it requires us to find the most efficient way to source oil and gas in the meantime. And that is the North Sea. The UKs own climate change committee acknowledges that oil and gas will still meet a large share of our energy demand over the next decade. Even in 2050, it will still be in significant use. If we dont invest in new North Sea fields including many which are already accounted for in the UKs carbon budgets production levels could well fall by 80% over the next decade and we will be leaving British oil in the ground while importing tens of billions of pounds of it from other parts of the world. Just to be clear, importing often means liquefying gas via a carbon intensive process and putting it on cargo ships and moving it from places like Qatar and the US to the UK. That does not tackle the climate crisis or contribute to net zero quite the opposite. It makes little economic sense, and even less environmental sense. So as politicians north and south of the border scramble around for a position on oil and gas, I will offer one up for nothing: If the alternative is importing oil and gas from overseas, at a greater carbon cost, then we will always favour domestic production. Its simple, its pragmatic, and its green. I really hope they listen. Ryan Crighton is Policy Director at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce 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. A redundant oil platform moored in the Firth of Forth near Kirkcaldy, Fife - JANE BARLOW/PA Labours plan to block all new North Sea oil and gas fields would cost the Scottish economy the equivalent of around 1,100 per person every year, it has been alleged as a trade union backlash intensified. The Tories highlighted official estimates that Scotland would be 6 billion poorer per year by 2030 if fossil fuel production was rapidly wound down thanks to the loss of thousands of high-salary jobs. They warned the move would devastate North East Scotland in particular, the hub of the UKs oil and gas industry, and hammer every Scot to the tune of 1,100. The figures emerged as Unite, Labours biggest donor, said the policy risked a repeat of the devastation caused by the closure of coal mines in the 1980s. Sharon Graham, the unions general secretary, accused Sir Keir Starmer of grabbing the headlines rather than developing a serious plan for renewable energy. She hit out after it was reported that Sir Keir will unveil a new energy policy next month pledging that he will block new oil and gas developments if he wins power in next years general election. Policy blindsided Scottish Labour It is understood the policy blindsided Scottish Labour, with senior figures deeply unhappy about the announcement and fearful it could undermine the partys attempts to stage a political comeback north of the Border. Party insiders blamed Ed Miliband, the shadow climate change and net zero secretary, for failing to take into account the impact on jobs and presenting the Tories with a politically-open goal. The Conservatives highlighted an expert analysis commissioned by the Scottish Government, and published earlier this year, which examined the economic impact of accelerating the shift from oil and gas (O&G) to renewables. It said the average wage for direct jobs in North Sea oil and gas is 88,000, while those working in the supply chain earn an average 51,000. However, the average Scottish salary is only 29,000. Workers should not pay the price for the transition to renewable energy Speeding up the transition away from fossil fuels could cost the Scottish economy 6 billion annually by 2030 and 7 billion by 2050, it said, primarily due to the value of the jobs in the new low carbon sectors being lower than those in the existing O&G sector. Liam Kerr, the Scottish Tories shadow energy secretary, described the policy as economically illiterate, short-sighted and a betrayal of the North East. He said: Labours policy means, of course, wed need to import oil and gas from overseas to meet our energy needs, which would increase our carbon footprint, as well as throwing tens of thousands of skilled workers under the bus. Ms Graham said: Labour must now be very clear that they will not let workers pay the price for the transition to renewable energy. Scottish Labour was approached for 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. Two Lake Norman men, one who owns a lakefront mansion and the other who owns a lakefront home, pleaded guilty Thursday to wire-fraud conspiracy, admitting they stole from unsuspecting investors, federal prosecutors said. Cornelius residents Marlin Hershey and Dana Bradley, both 53, coaxed dozens of victims to invest in unregistered securities, U.S. Attorney Dena King said in a news release, as part of orchestrating a large-scale investment scheme. The men were indicted in U.S. District Court in Charlotte last year for promoting securities through Huntersville-based Performance Holdings and other companies they and unnamed others controlled. According to a 2022 grand jury bill of indictment, Hershey and Bradley reaped millions of dollars in undisclosed commissions from selling securities and never disclosed that to their investors, according to court documents. The typically 10% commissions violated federal securities laws, prosecutors said. The men repaid loans and previous investors with money from new investors, court records show. Prosecutors said last year that the scheme involved $7.5 million in losses to investors. But in a plea agreement for Bradley that was reached Tuesday, and provided to the Observer by his attorney, that 2022 indictment will be dismissed after the court accepts the plea. The new plea agreement says the amount of loss in the case was in excess of $150,000 but less than $250,000. Hershey did not return messages from The Charlotte Observer Thursday night. Lake Norman waterfront homes Hershey and his wife live in a $2.5-million, 6,465-square-foot waterfront mansion on Fishermans Rest Court, Mecklenburg County public records show. Bradley and his wife own a $1.4-million, 4,651-square-foot waterfront home on Waterview Drive, according to public records. Dana Bradley and his wife, Robin, live in this $794,300, 4,651-square-foot waterfront home on Waterview Drive in Cornelius, according to public records. Mecklenburg Polaris Undisclosed investment troubles Court records dont name the victims of Hershey and Bradleys scheme, which lasted from 2009 to 2021. Hershey and Bradley also never told investors about their previous investment troubles. The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Hershey in the 2000s with insider trading, according to court documents. In 2009, Bradley was sued by an investor who alleged deceptive trade practices in a real estate project, according to last years indictment. Charge carries up to 20 years in prison Hershey and Bradley are free on bond until they are sentenced at a later date, prosecutor said. Wire fraud conspiracy carries up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. On Thursday, King thanked the North Carolina Secretary of State Securities Division and the FBI for leading the joint investigation. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story had a headline that incorrectly stated the amount of money involved in the plea agreement. The story also cited a 2022 indictment detailing the amount of money prosecutors said was at issue in the case. But a new indictment this week cited a much lower figure. The story also cited a 2022 forfeiture amount that prosecutors would seek. The new indictment cited a much lower figure. The Saeima also calls for the formulation of specific tasks to be accomplished for Ukraine's rapid integration into NATO The Saeima considers it "vital" to seize the opportunities offered by the NATO summit, the appeal reads. The MPs call for a joint recognition of the urgency of future decisions and the expansion of political cooperation between the bloc and Ukraine. The legislature also calls for the formulation of specific tasks to be accomplished for Ukraine's rapid integration into NATO, the statement said. Lawmakers expressed support for the continuation of military and humanitarian support for Ukraine by NATO and the European Union. They welcomed the decision of the European Council to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership back in June 2022. The Saeima highlights that Ukraine has irrevocably set a course for Euro-Atlantic integration and backs Ukraine's full integration into the North Atlantic Alliance as soon as circumstances allow, its press service added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sept. 30, 2022, that Ukraine was applying for NATO membership on an expedited basis. The document was signed by the president, as well as Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk. Canada and the Baltic states have expressed support for Ukraine's application to join the North Atlantic Alliance. Germany also stated that it supported Ukraine's desire to join NATO but emphasized that a collective decision was needed. 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 Idaho families are suing to block a law that makes it a crime to provide gender-affirming care for transgender youth. House Bill 71, passed by the Legislature this year and signed into law by Idaho Gov. Brad Little, makes it a felony for physicians to provide transition-related surgeries and medication, such as puberty blockers and hormonal therapy, to minors. Two Idaho families with transgender children on Wednesday asked a federal court to block the law before it takes effect Jan. 1, 2024. The plaintiffs include two transgender teenagers who are receiving medically necessary care that would be banned by the law, the court filing says. The lawsuit alleges that HB 71 unconstitutionally discriminates against transgender minors. My family, my doctors, and I have worked together to make decisions about my medical care, and its shocking to have politicians take those decisions away from us, Jane Doe, a 16-year-old transgender girl, and one of the anonymous plaintiffs, said in a news release. Trans people like myself deserve the same chance at safety and liberty as everyone else, but this law specifically targets us and our health care for no good reason. The American Civil Liberties Union, which had promised legal challenges, and several private firms are representing the families. Attorneys filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Idaho. This health care is supported by every major medical organization in the U.S. and is critical for the futures of transgender youth across the state, Li Nowlin-Sohl, senior staff attorney for the ACLUs LGBTQ & HIV Project, said in the release. We will not rest until this unconstitutional law is struck down. The Idaho Family Policy Center, a Christian lobbying group, crafted HB 71, and Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, sponsored it. Skaug told the Statesman the law was carefully crafted to protect a childs fundamental right of procreation that should not be taken away during their formative years. I believe Idaho will ultimately prevail in this lawsuit because protecting children is just and because our cause is constitutional, Skaug said by email. Ultimately, I expect the courts will side with sanity and uphold HB 71. The bill was widely supported by Republican lawmakers, but it faced significant opposition. Physicians told Idaho lawmakers this year that doctors here dont offer surgeries to minors. Other treatments are sometimes prescribed after parents consult with medical and psychiatric doctors. Transgender children without access to medication are more likely to harm themselves, medical experts recently told the Statesman. And banning the medication could prompt families to move to another state, the experts said. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts and members of the Idaho Code Commission are listed as defendants in the lawsuit. The commission is responsible for publishing state laws, also known as Idaho Code. Labrador previously urged Little to sign HB 71. My office will defend it in the courts, the Republican wrote on Twitter. Bennetts would be primarily responsible for enforcing the health care ban in Ada County, according to the lawsuit. The parents of a Bucks County teenager who allegedly killed a cop in Philadelphia could be held liable for damages. The family of Sgt. Chris Fitzgerald, a police officer at Temple University, has sued the parents of Miles Pfeffer, of Buckingham. The lawsuit filed in Philadelphia's Common Pleas Court names as defendants Miles Pfeffer, the 18-year-old's father, mother, and his mother's partner. The lawsuit alleges negligence and wrongful death by members of Pfeffer's family, following earlier run-ins with the law. Miles Pfeffer arraigned: Temple University police officer to be laid to rest Friday; Bucks County man arraigned in shooting More: Levittown mom charged in fatal Bristol Borough shooting of husband at wharf Exclusive: PA Turnpike, PennDOT don't have addresses for all PA drivers. Why it's costing toll revenue. Fitzgerald's death sent shockwaves through the academic community at Temple University as the first campus police officer killed in the line of duty. Pfeffer was later charged with murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, evading arrest, and related charges. According to police, Pfeffer was seen on surveillance footage shooting Fitzgerald, age 31, and then continuing to shoot the Temple police officer as he laid wounded on the ground. Fitzgerald died Feb. 18 at Temple University Hospital, leaving behind his wife and four young children. According to the lawsuit, Pfeffer's family allegedly knew he was mentally unstable, violent, and that he sought access to guns. The suit alleges Pfeffer conducted a "bomb scare" at a Central Bucks school. County property records list Pfeffers mother, Jill Pfeffer, as a co-owner of the 20-acre property called Boxley Farm in Buckingham, which was purchased in November of 2018. Police said he fled the murder scene and returned to his Quarry Road home, some 42 miles away from the North Philadelphia campus. Pfeffer reportedly called his mother to pick him up in the city, according to published reports. Police from local, state and federal agencies arrested Pfeffer at the Buckingham home, using Fitzgerald's handcuffs. Investigators spent a portion of the day after the murder searching the home and were seen on news footage going through a fire pit as Pfeffer allegedly told police he tried to melt the gun used in the shooting. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Chris Fitzgerald's family sues Miles Pfeffer's family in Temple death Legal experts foresee serious trouble for Donald Trump following reports of a recording from July 2021 in which the former president claimed to have classified documents about a possible U.S. attack on Iran after leaving the White House. CNNs report Wednesday that federal prosecutors obtained the audio amid special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into Trumps mishandling of classified documents would, if accurate, lead to another criminal indictment for Trump, they said. Former civil prosecutor Maya Wiley, appearing on MSNBCs The Beat, described the audio as explosive and said it was the last nail in a coffin that already has a whole lot of nails in it. On the same show, former federal prosecutor Paul Butler said it was devastating for Donald Trump. Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, who investigated Trumps role in Russian interference in the 2016 election, told MSNBCs Nicolle Wallace it could be game over for Trump. There is no way that he will not be charged, said Weissmann. The audio differentiated Trumps classified documents case to those of President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence. Both also were found to have classified materials in their possession, but unlike Trump handed them over when asked, said Weissmann. If reports about the tape are accurate, Weissmann said, There will be an indictment and it is hard to see how given all the evidence that weve been talking about that there will not be a conviction here. I mean, this is a tape recording. "We're seeing all the signs that Jack Smith is doing exactly what he is trained to do, which is to really lock everything in so that he can win the case, beyond a reasonable doubt, unanimously. We're essentially just waiting..." - @AWeissmann_ w/ @NicolleDWallacepic.twitter.com/G6aN89uNaV Deadline White House (@DeadlineWH) May 31, 2023 Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, talking on MSNBCs The 11th Hour, said it would be unbelievably powerful to play a tape recording for a jury and to have them hear the defendant essentially confess that he knew that he could not declassify information on the spot, which has been one of Trumps defenses in the scandal. Former federal prosecutor Elliot Williams told CNNs Anderson Cooper there is no such thing as a smoking gun in the real world. But the reported recording would be incredibly valuable evidence because it speaks to intent, it speaks to knowledge and it speaks to what he knew that he had. So it is, as far as evidence goes, very, very powerful, he said. Former Defense Department special counsel Ryan Goodman said the audio, and what Trump reportedly said in it, raised the former presidents criminal exposure. War plans are among the most highly classified documents, Goodman wrote on Twitter. Puts pressure on DOJ to indict, and a jury to convict. Make no mistake. This is squarely an Espionage Act case. It is not simply an obstruction case, Goodman added. There is now every reason to expect former President Trump will be charged under 18 USC 793(e) of the Espionage Act. The law fits his reported conduct like a hand in glove. 2. Audio recording is a meeting with several people who don't have security clearances. If Trump discussed content of document it is even worse - and raises its own criminal exposure. These individuals are all likely good witnesses, with disincentive to lie given their number. pic.twitter.com/JIT2JLrxZI Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) May 31, 2023 4. War plans are among the most highly classified documents. Puts pressure on DOJ to indict, and a jury to convict. Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) May 31, 2023 7. Make no mistake. This is squarely an Espionage Act case. It is not simply an "obstruction" case. There is now every reason to expect former President Trump will be charged under 18 USC 793(e) of the Espionage Act. The law fits his reported conduct like a hand in glove. pic.twitter.com/JLOixL4lba Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) May 31, 2023 Trump faces a trial scheduled for next year on criminal charges related to a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels. In addition to the classified documents probe, hes also under criminal investigation for trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia and for efforts to cling to power that led to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Related... Letters to the Editor: Third parties aren't killing democracy; the electoral college is A rally for the group No Labels takes place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington in 2011. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) To the editor: Columnist Nicholas Goldberg fulminates that third parties effectively elected George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump in 2016. This is specious. In Florida in 2000, the claim that Green Party candidate Ralph Naders 97,000 votes cost Vice President Al Gore the election is muted by the fact that 12% of Florida's Democratic voters (more than 200,000) voted for Bush, and half of Florida's registered Democrats didn't vote at all. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, just as Gore did before her. The problem is the undemocratic electoral college, which negates the democratic popular vote. Third parties enhance democracy; they add to the political discourse and give otherwise alienated voters something to vote for. Goldberg and the Democrats focus their animus on third parties and not the undemocratic electoral college, to the detriment of democracy and against their own self-interest. Marc Wutschke, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Former President Trump is polling ahead of President Biden in many cases. The only way to ensure Trump doesnt win again is to replace Biden as the Democratic candidate, not to mention replacing Trump, which would be ideal. But the two parties are entrenched in their belief that only they can win. Problem is, a record 49% of Americans now decline to identify as either a Democrat or Republican. It only takes 34% to win. The potential of a third-party to win is limited only by our imagination. If we believe a third party can win and we vote for it, then a third party will win. And lest you forget, Green candidates Nader in 2000 and Jill Stein in 2016 challenged from their own party extreme a true protest vote. The No Labels ticket would be the voice of the 49%, challenging both parties and speaking to the wishes and hopes of the common-sense majority. Martha Conte, San Francisco The writer co-chairs No Labels for California. .. To the editor: Goldberg is right. Last time around, heeding the advice of many progressives, I voted for Biden (though I vote in supposedly secure California), hoping that we would oust the former president from our political scene forever. Victory was ours, but it was short-lived. The former president will try to steal the election again. As in 2020, it will take clear majorities in the electoral college and the popular vote to send him away again. There's still time for a vigorous primary season, though, and the Democratic bench has younger, better candidates than Biden. The three contenders for California's soon-to-be-empty Senate seat come to mind, along with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and others. We can do better than another dreary rematch between Biden and that guy. Alan Pierpoint, Arcadia This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. For the first time in nearly 27 years, the Lexington council voted to add up to 5,000 acres to Lexingtons urban service boundary. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted 10-3 during a Thursday meeting to add between 2,700 and 5,000 acres. Councilman Preston Worley, who originally pushed for adding 5,000 acres, said development would not take place immediately. Under the plan approved Thursday, the city directed the planning commission to develop a master expansion plan that could address costs of expansion and how the new land could be developed. The planning staff has until Dec. 1, 2024, to develop that plan. That expansion area master plan cant ensure that affordable housing is built in that area, planning staff said Thursday. We can address minimum density, said James Duncan, the director of planning for the city. Worley had originally proposed language that would identify land between Athens Boonesboro Road and Interstate 64 but due to threat of a possible lawsuit, the council ultimately voted to remove that language. The direction to the planning commission was to find between 2,700 and 5,000 acres to be added to the expansion area. Adding 5,000 acres along Winchester Road and Athens Boonesboro Road was originally pushed by pro-business and development groups. If the planning commission has not developed an expansion area master plan by Dec. 1, 2024, the land can still be added, under the proposal passed Thursday. For future growth or expansion, the city would finish a data-driven approach that was started in the 2018 Comprehensive Plan. Those plans still need to be completed. The council agreed to set an Aug. 31, 2026, deadline for that future plan for expansion to be completed. Duncan emphasized the planning staff and the commission cant do an expansion master plan for the new acres and a long-term plan for future growth at the same time. The expansion area plan would have to be developed first, Duncan said. The vote on the boundary is part of the councils proposed changes to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan, which guides growth over the next five years. The 2045 Comprehensive Plan is used to determine what development can go where. What council members said The council members who voted against the expansion plan were Vice Mayor Dan Wu, Hannah LeGris and David Sevigny. All three expressed reservations about the city adding land without an appropriate plan to address infrastructure, housing and other concerns. Others said it was long past time for the city to address its housing crisis and need for land for more jobs. Its simply not affordable to live in Lexington, Worley said. Rents and home prices in Fayette County have skyrocketed, he argued. LeGris said expanding or adding more land to the growth boundary will not guarantee the development of affordable housing. Nor does it guarantee housing prices will go down, she said. Moreover, the cost of expansion has not yet been decided, she said. What Im concerned about is a piecemeal process, LeGris said. The council is expected to take its final vote on the 2045 Comprehensive Plan in June. The council made a series of motions concerning changes to the planning commissions recommendations during Thursdays more than three-hour meeting. None of those motions and substantial changes were made public prior to Thursdays meeting. The Lexington Herald-Leader requested council changes prior to the meeting, but the city denied the request becayse proposed changes were still in draft form and therefore did not have to be released under the states Open Records Act. Why debate matters to citys future The fight over whether the city should expand its growth boundary is one of the citys long-time and thorniest issues. It has not expanded the growth boundary, where development can occur, since 1996 when approximately 5,400 acres were added to the boundary. Nearly half of those acres are still available for development. The city has had a growth boundary since 1958, one of the first in the country. The Urban County Planning Commission voted earlier this year to keep the current boundary but build on the work of two reports the Sustainable Growth study, which looks at when Lexington will need land for housing, industry, commercial and retail development and the Goal 4 report, which recommended more than 27,000 acres for possible future development and more than 97,000 acres for preservation if and when the city decides to expand. A key factor in determining land suitable for development is sewer and water capability. The city is currently in the process of updating a previous sewerability study which will be completed by late July. Those that have pushed for expansion of the boundary have argued housing prices and rents have skyrocketed. The city needs more land for businesses and jobs. A tax on wages is the citys main revenue source. Black residents are being forced out of downtown neighborhoods because of gentrification, they have argued. Neighborhoods have consistently fought any infill development, they have long argued. Others have argued housing prices and rents are more complicated than supply and demand and available land. Multiple cities across the country and Kentucky are also dealing with rising housing prices and rents but have no growth boundary. Moreover, expansion is costly. The city has not yet determined how it will pay for any future expansion nor has it provided any incentives or framework to ensure affordable housing is built on any land included in an expansion. What the 2045 Comprehensive Plan says The 2045 Comprehensive Plan mirrors many elements of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan. Some of the changes include a greater emphasis on sustainable growth and green initiatives. Some of the changes adopted by the council include setting a 2050 deadline to be carbon neutral, more emphasis on affordable housing and affordable housing initiatives. The plan also emphasis racial justice and equity and using land use policies to rectify prior racially motivate land use policies such as deed restrictions that kept Black homeowners out of certain areas and red lining, where banks would not lend money in largely Black and other minority neighborhoods. Those who voted in favor of changes that included adding up to 5,000 acres: Worley, Brenda Monarrez, Whitney Elliott Baxter, Liz Sheehan, James Brown, Chuck Ellinger, Tayna Fogle, Jennifer Reynolds, Fred Brown, Denise Gray. FILE - A statue of Walt Disney and Micky Mouse stands in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Jan. 9, 2019. Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people are flocking to Florida's theme parks and hotels to go on thrill rides, dance at all-night parties and lounge poolside in a decades-long tradition known as Gay Days. Even though Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers have championed a slew of anti-LGBTQ laws, that's not stopping organizers from encouraging visitors from around the world to come and visit (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people are flocking to central Florida this weekend to go on theme park rides, mingle with costumed performers, dance at all-night parties and lounge poolside at hotels during Gay Days, a decades-long tradition. Even though Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers have championed a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws spurring the most prominent gay rights group in the U.S. and other civil rights organizations to issue warnings the Sunshine State may no longer be safe Gay Days organizers are still encouraging visitors from around the world to come to one of Florida's largest gay and lesbian celebrations. They say a large turnout will send a message that LGBTQ+ people are not going away in Florida, which is continually one of the most popular states for tourists to visit. If the hoped-for 150,000 or more visitors come to the half-week of pool parties, drag bingo and thrill rides at Orlando's theme parks and hotels, then that's the point, said Joseph Clark, CEO of Gay Days Inc. Right now is not the time to run. Its not the time to go away, Clark said. Its time to show we are here, we are queer and we arent going anywhere. Unlike most of the country, which celebrates Pride in June, Orlando holds its Pride in October. Gay Days is a bonus celebration. It's not lost on the organizers that the highlight of the weekend will be a Saturday meetup of LGBTQ+ visitors at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, where the first Gay Days started as a single-day celebration in 1991. Traditionally, participants wear red shirts to identify themselves, and they meet for the afternoon parade in front of Cinderellas Castle. Currently, Disney is embroiled in a legal fight with DeSantis over the governor and Republican lawmakers' takeover of Disney World's governing district after Disney officials publicly opposed legislation that critics have dubbed Don't Say Gay. At first, the law banned classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity up to third grade, but this year it was expanded to apply to all grades. On top of that, Florida lawmakers recently passed bills making it a felony to provide gender-affirming health care to transgender minors, as well as banning people from entering bathrooms other than their sex assigned at birth, and prohibiting children from some performances, which takes aim at drag shows. The administration of DeSantis, who launched a campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination last week, also moved to revoke the liquor licenses of a Miami hotel and a performing arts center owned by the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation after they hosted drag shows where investigators claim minors were present. In response, some Florida cities, including St. Cloud near Orlando, have canceled Pride events altogether. These laws have created a climate of fear and hostility for LGBTQIA+ people in Florida, organizers for St. Cloud's Pride events wrote to announce the cancellation. We believe that holding an LGBTQIA+ event in this environment would put our community at risk. Responding to Florida's new laws and policies, the Human Rights Campaign the largest LGBTQ+ rights organization in the U.S. recently issued a travel and relocation warning for the state, joining the NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Florida Immigrant Coalition and Equality Florida. While the LGBTQ+ advocacy group said it wasnt calling for a boycott of all travel to Florida, it said it wanted to highlight new laws passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature that they said are hostile to the LGBTQ+ community and restrict abortion access, as well as make the state unsafe for many by allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit. Some participants in the Pride Cup athletic competitions at Gay Days decided not to come, forcing the cancellation of dodgeball and flag football tournaments. But the multi-sport competition that is held annually at Gay Days will still have beach volleyball, golf, pickleball and kickball. Even before these travel advisories were issued, some regular Florida visitors were reconsidering their plans. Sara Haynes, who lives in metro Atlanta with her husband, decided not to visit the state after lawmakers started planning legislation to restrict treatment options for trans people. Its less a crusade and more like, Im not going to spend my money where bad things are going on, Haynes said. But the organizers of Gay Days and their supporters say that Orlando is as gay-friendly a city as they come, earning a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign index, which measures how inclusive cities are of LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. They say tourists can support the LGBTQ+ community by visiting cities like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg, which also received perfect scores. We live in a bubble here in Orlando, where even with the chaos in Florida, we feel safe here, said Jeremy Williams, editor-in-chief of Watermark Publishing Group Inc., a Florida-based media company that is one of the sponsors of Gay Days. Gay Days has survived past challenges, including in the early years when Disney posted signs at the Magic Kingdom's entrance warning visitors there was a large gathering of gays and lesbians and offering passes to other parks for guests who might be offended. Over the last three decades, though, the theme parks and resorts have thrown down the welcome mats as Gay Days has become a profitable bounce between the spring break and out-of-school summer crowds. SeaWorlds water park, Aquatica, is a sponsor this year. Other groups have adopted hostile attitudes in the past. During Gay Days in the 1990s, hundreds of anti-abortion activists with Operation Rescue protested outside Walt Disney World, and the Southern Baptist Convention cited the gathering in calling for a boycott of all things Disney. Some Christian groups tried to buy air time during Gay Days in the late 1990s to pressure people to renounce their sexual orientation, but mainstream TV stations in Orlando rejected the ads. If Clark, the CEO of the Gay Days business, had his wish, DeSantis would accept an open invitation to see one of the drag shows during this year's festivities. Come on out and see that not everything you hear out there is reality, said Clark, as if he were directly addressing DeSantis. Theres a part of me that hopes that if he were to see a show, maybe his mind would change, or maybe he would see the people his actions are affecting. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at @MikeSchneiderAP June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the fun and frolic kicks off to an early start this year on the Mississippi Coast. Heres a list of events happening this month. Mark your calendars now. Ongoing: Drag bingo at 7 p.m. every Sunday at SIPPS. This event is free. Thursday, June 1 Mobile, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Toast to Pride wine tasting at Toast Wine Bar, 571 Dauphin St. The tasting will feature four different wines: a cabernet, rose, chardonnay, and champagne. In addition to the tasting, individual food pairings for each wine are included. Ocean Springs, 6:30 p.m. Belligerent Bingo will be held at the Cypress Taphouse. The event is free and cards will be given out starting at 6 p.m., $5 for additional cards. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Gulf Coast Equality Council. The taphouse is located at 6616 Rose Farm Road. Belligerent Bingo is held every first and third Thursday. A note from the event coordinator: Bingo nights at the Taphouse are geared toward adults. We drink, cuss, talk back, keep a fast pace, and like to have fun. No Karens allowed. Friday, June 2 Gulfport, 11 p.m. SIPPS, 2218 25th Ave., will host a kick off party hosted by drag legend Nicole Dubois with karaoke before the show with DJ Clinton Davis. The cover for the show is $10. Saturday, June 3 Biloxi, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Gulf Coast Association of Pride (GCAP) will have its fifth annual Pride Day, a family-friendly event at the Point Cadet Pavilion, 121 Cadet St. in Biloxi. The free event will feature arts and crafts; a drag show; and of course, the splash pad. Hattiesburg, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Spectrum Center and Pine Belt Pride will have a Pride demonstration in front of the University of Southern Mississippi to support trans and gender non-conforming community members. Parking is available across Hardy St. Gulfport, 10 p.m. A $10 cover will gain you entry to Show Night with drag performances by 12 showstoppers, including Kayla Starr, Betty A. Essem, Lexis Redd DVille and Nicole Dubois at SIPPS, 2218 25th Ave. Biloxi, 6 p.m. The Just Us Lounge, 906 Division St., will have its official Pride afterparty. Karaoke starts at 6 p.m. and the drag show at midnight. The cover is $10. Hundreds turned out for Biloxi Pride at Point Cadet Plaza on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Sunday, June 4 Gulfport, 11 a.m. The Dragalicious Pride Gospel Brunch will be held at SIPPS, 2218 25th Ave. Tickets are $40 at Sippsgulfport.com. Biloxi, 5 p.m. The Just Us Lounge, 906 Division St., will have a Sister Sunday Social. The 5 p.m. show will have no cover. Wednesday, June 7 Hattiesburg, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Spectrum Center will host Queeraoke at SoPro (Southern Prohibition Brewery), 301 Mobile St., Hattiesburg. Saturday, June 10 Ocean Springs, 5 p.m. Bike decorating for the annual Pride Bike Ride will be held at Little Childrens Park, 400 Washington Ave., at the Dewey Ave. entrance. Ocean Springs, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join Ocean Springs Pride for a Pride Bike and Gulfcart Ride. Join fellow bike enthusiasts at Maynards Music, 2209 Government St. for the bike decoration party with flags, stickers and giveaways. Ocean Springs, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Gulf Coast Equality Council will host a Pride bonfire cookout at Front Beach, 499 Front Beach Drive., following the Pride Bike Ride. Sunday, June 11 Hattiesburg, 11 a.m. The Spectrum Center will host a Hattiesdrag Pride Brunch at SoPro (Southern Prohibition Brewery), 301 Mobile St., Hattiesburg. $40 tickets are available on Eventbrite. Tuesday, June 13 Hattiesburg, 7 p.m.to 9 p.m. The Spectrum Center, 210 S. 25th Ave., will hold an education session on good allyship. Thursday, June 15 Biloxi, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The South Mississippi Aids Task Force will host a candlelight memorial at Ken Combs Pier, Courthouse Road Sand Beach. Saturday, June 24 Hattiesburg, 8 p.m. Pine Belt Pride and The Spectrum Center will host the Hattiesdrag Haus Ball at MPV, 5729 Hwy. 49. Get ready to vogue and serve Pride realness. Categories and performers to be determined. Doors open at 8 p.m. with a show at 9 p.m. Sunday, June 25 Hattiesburg, 11 a.m. The Spectrum Center will have a Pride Community Cookout at Chain Park, 5619 Hwy. 42. Do you know of any other Pride events in the area? Leave a comment below or contact us at momoore@mcclatchy.com. Liverpool is to host Kyiv's annual pride march on behalf of Ukraine. The city made the pledge after Ukraine banned the staging of marches following the Russian invasion. Last year some 15,000 people took to the streets of Liverpool for the annual celebration, which sees the city's streets come alive with music, dancing and costume. Joining forces with KyivPride will ensure the legacy of Eurovision continues, organisers said. Andi Herring, head of the Liverpool City Region Pride Foundation, said: "No matter where you are in the world, LGBT+ people demand the right to live freely and happily. "Even in the UK, we are all aware of how easily these rights can be backtracked on or removed entirely, that is why we are proud to share our march with Pride this year with the LGBT+ communities of Ukraine. "It is a message of solidarity, of unity and of hope for people here in Liverpool and in Kyiv." 'Passion and solidarity' KyivPride was established in 2012 as Ukraine's largest LGBT+ event. Founder member Lenny Emson said: "The Russian invasion took our right to march away from us, but international solidarity gives us a chance to keep marching. "We call on all the communities across the United Kingdom and Europe: please, come and support." Councillor Harry Doyle said: "What better way to ensure the legacy of Eurovision continues than by using our city's voice of compassion, passion and solidarity and sharing it with those who are currently prevented from doing so." March with Pride, on Saturday 29 July, is a walking march and free to attend. Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk Local longshoremen strike and demand more New Bedford jobs at Vineyard Wind NEW BEDFORD With signs that read: Wind energy should not mean union members in New Bedford should lose their work! local longshoremen are making a case for a contract creating more jobs for their union. The strike at Vineyard Wind that started Friday morning and continued into Wednesday was organized by union President Kevin Rose of the International Longshoremens Associations Local 1413. International Longshoremen's Association Local 1413 union members picket outside the entrance to the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal where a ship containing components to the offshore wind turbines recently arrived. With negotiations on a new contract underway, Rose is calling for more jobs for New Bedford residents on Vineyard Winds offshore wind project. Longshoremen waited outside the gate throughout the day Wednesday hoping to hear from Rose about a possible deal in the works. Arrival: Turbine installation for Vineyard Wind expected to start in June International Longshoremen's Association Local 1413 union members picket outside the entrance to the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal where a ship containing components to the offshore wind turbines recently arrived. Members of other unions stopped working Friday in a show of support that continued into Wednesday, halting the unloading of the wind turbine parts still on board the ship that transported them from Portugal to New Bedford. The strike started the day after a press conference followed the arrival of the UHL Felicity carrying parts for Vineyard Winds wind farm. Working it out: New Bedford's fishing community is working with Vineyard Wind. Here's how. International Longshoremen's Association Local 1413 union members picket outside the entrance to the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal where a ship containing components to the offshore wind turbines recently arrived. Without workers to finish unloading the ship, the Felicity remains docked at the commerce terminal after 5 p.m. Wednesday rather than returning to Portugal. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Longshoremen continued negotiating with Vineyard Wind Wednesday London still works for stock market listings, says We Soda boss About half of soda ash produced is used to make glass "London still works" as a place to float a business on the stock exchange, according to the boss of the world's largest producer of natural soda ash. We Soda has announced plans to list its shares in the UK, in a move that could value it at up to $7.5bn (6bn). The move is being seen as a boost for London's stock market, after concern it is losing out to overseas rivals. It would be the country's biggest flotation so far this year and could see We Soda enter the FTSE 100 index. According to consultancy EY, the amount raised through share flotations in London fell by 90% last year. Earlier this year, building materials giant CRH said it would be moving its main share listing from the UK to the US. British microchip designer Arm is to float in the US despite reports that the UK government had lobbied it to choose London. But We Soda chief executive Alasdair Warren told the BBC's Today programme it had chosen the UK as it felt the London market was one that would "well understand our business". The soda ash produced by We Soda can be found in washing powder detergents, and is also used by companies in the production of goods such as glass. solar panels and batteries for electric vehicles. As well as soda ash, Mr Warren said the company was also a chemicals producer, "with lots of characteristics which are similar to a lot of the speciality chemicals companies that are listed in London". Does it matter where a business chooses to list? Pension funds, or individual investors, can buy shares whether they are listed in the UK, US or one of the European exchanges. But a UK listing generates significant ancillary business for a UK financial services industry that still makes up more than 10% of the UK's entire economy and contributes more than 10% of all taxes paid here. Accountants, lawyers, financial PR firms and others feed off the fees that UK listings generate. The exodus has not gone unnoticed by the government. It has been scrambling to try to make the UK a more attractive place for companies to set out their stall. We Soda already has its headquarters in London and Europe is its biggest market. Mr Warren added that since the company had launched its flotation plans, "we've had almost 300 investors express interest, around half of those are from the UK, but a half of them are from also other countries around the world, including a lot from the US and Europe". "So I think that that's an endorsement of the fact that London still works and we're very confident we'll get a good deal done," he said, We Soda is owned by Ciner Group, a Turkish industrial conglomerate controlled by billionaire Turgey Ciner. The flotation is aiming to raise about $800m for the Ciner Group, with part of the proceeds being used to pay down debt. Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the flotation was a "ray of light" for the London market. However, she added it was "unlikely to lead to a flood of immediate listings due to the still volatile nature of market sentiment". Im going to drown! Cops watch as man drowns in Arizona lake, family says in lawsuit Police officers looked on as 34-year-old Sean Bickings pleaded for help from the waters of Tempe Town Lake in Arizona, a lawsuit says. One said, Im not jumping in after you, according to the lawsuit, filed on behalf of Bickings mother on May 26. Please, I cant touch, Bickings said, according to the lawsuit, which cites transcripts of police body camera footage from the May 28, 2022, incident. Oh God. Please help me. Bickings disappeared under the surface around 5:16 a.m., about four minutes after he entered the water, the lawsuit says. His body was recovered about six hours later by fire rescue personnel, the lawsuit says. Its been one year, and theyre still grieving, Benjamin Taylor, a lawyer representing his family, said of Bickings loved ones. Theyre devastated, especially his mom. This is her baby. The lawsuit accuses the City of Tempe and the police officers on scene of negligence, saying they failed to uphold their duty to keep Bickings safe. The city also failed to protect members of the public from dangerous conditions and did not have proper safety measures in place around the lake, according to the lawsuit. After Bickings went under the water, a police boat arrived but was not able to get past a buoy line at the lakes shore because the padlock had been changed and police hadnt been given a new key, the lawsuit says. A police officer was also callous in his treatment of Bickings, who was begging for help as he tried to tread water, Taylor said. The officers also handcuffed Bickings partner who was on scene and pleading with officers to help Bickings, the lawsuit says. Nikki Ripley, a spokeswoman for the City of Tempe, which is located just outside of Phoenix, said the city does not discuss active legislation but sent McClatchy News information on safety initiatives the city is pursuing. Flotation rings will be installed around the lake at the beginning of June, according to the city. Tempe officials announced in August that police officers would receive water rescue throw bags and be trained in how to use them. The City Council is also scheduled to vote in June on a $1.8 million park ranger program that would place patrols in city parks and around Tempe Town Lake. After Bickings death, the police officers who were on scene were placed on non-disciplinary paid administrative leave and were later reinstated, according to the city. Sean Bickings wouldnt have had to die Despite a history of drownings at Tempe Town Lake, a 2-mile body of water that is the states second-most visited public attraction, the city did not have lifeguards on duty or any life preservers or flotation devices stationed around the water, Taylor said. The lawsuit cites multiple drownings that have occurred at Tempe Town Lake since 2013. That year, Joseph OConner, a city employee, drowned in the lake after falling out of his kayak. More than a month later, Gerrick Begay, a 21-year-old former Arizona State University student, was found dead in the lake. A city spokeswoman did not respond to a question about whether the city kept data on the number of drownings that have occurred at the lake. Because of the City of Tempe and their negligence and theyre failure to act in prior drownings Sean Bickings wouldnt have had to die if they had installed life preservers, Taylor said. One of the kindest souls you could ever meet Taylor said many of Bickings friends described him as a big teddy bear. He was also an advocate for people who were unhoused and was well-known around the Tempe community. Taylor said people who attended a recent vigil for Bickings talked about how kind he was. One of his friends mentioned that Sean was one of the kindest souls you could ever meet, he said. Hed pretty much give you the shirt off his back. The lawsuit asks for damages of an unspecified amount for Bickings familys pain, suffering and grief. It also asks for punitive damages. But his loved ones also want to see the citys safety protocols continue to improve, Taylor said. They want to see justice for Sean, he said. They want to see that his memory stays alive and that the City of Tempe makes change, that way, nobody else will have to drown in this lake. Im not jumping in after you. Man drowns as police watch at Arizona town lake Officers had no training or gear to save drowning man, Arizona police union says Lifeguard directed 18-year-old into rip current, California lawsuit says. He drowned Im proud of the community. Centre Hall raises money for book vending machine of its own After weeks of fundraising, Centre Hall Elementary is awaiting the arrival of its own book vending machine. Following Golden Ticket to Literacys successful pilot program at the Penns Valley Area School District elementary school this spring, principal David Romanyshyn put together a GoFundMe to help raise the funds needed to purchase a permanent machine. The school hit its $6,500 fundraising goal on May 10, after just under a month of fundraising. The total cost covers the purchase of a brand-new $5,000 machine, books to fill it and GoFundMe fees. Im proud of the community, he said. Just proud of how everyone stepped up because its hard when people have to pull money out of their own pockets to support something. Romanyshyn said the machine has positively impacted the students excitement about reading and shows the districts strong commitment to literacy. Pennsylvania Department of Education Executive Deputy Secretary Angela Fitterer also visited the school to choose a book and speak with students during the pilot program. Romanyshyn said many parents could see firsthand how excited students were during the short pilot program. I think it sparks an excitement for reading that is great to see, he said. We got a lot of positive feedback from parents, from our community members about it and the community rallied to raise money for our own vending machine. Penny Eifrig founded the program as part of her nonprofit, Random Acts of Reading. Through the Golden Ticket to Literacy, students earn tokens that can be used to redeem a free book in the machine. Hidden in one of the books is a golden ticket that leads to a school-wide author event, along with free copies of the golden ticket book for all students. Penny Eifrig talks about the Random Acts of Reading Golden Ticket to Literacy book vending machine was introduced at Centre Hall Elementary on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. It was a fabulous opportunity to have the machine in Central Hall, Eifrig said. The response from the kids was exactly what I was hoping to see. One of the unique parts of Eifrigs program is the type of books she curated for the machine. She chose a variety of books from independent and diverse authors, books students are unlikely to find already on their library or bookstore shelves. Especially in todays age of censorship and restriction and under diversifying libraries, making sure that kids have access to diverse books is super important, she said. As the Penns Valley school year wraps up, Eifrig is arranging for the machine to be moved to Discovery Space for the summer, where it will be filled with STEM books and kits for museum patrons. Shes already had several inquiries about the program from schools in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey for the fall but has yet to decide where the pilot machine will go next. Macron opposes Putins arrest if he is needed for negotiations French President Emmanuel Macron If in a few months to come we have a window for negotiations, the question will be arbitrage between a trial and a negotiation, and you have to negotiate with the leaders you have de facto, and I think negotiations will be a priority, The Guardian quotes Macron. Read also: By threatening the ICC Russia disregards international law, says Borrell At the same time, he noted that evidence against Russian leadership should be gathered. In his speech at an EU leaders conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, Macron also shared plans for rapid EU expansion, reconciliation between Eastern and Western Europe, and a clear path to Ukrainian membership in NATO. He added that Russia "has lost any legitimacy," but stated that if the Ukrainian counteroffensive fails to achieve its military objectives, it would be necessary to "evaluate the nature of future European support for Ukraine." Read also: Successful Ukrainian counteroffensive may lead to lasting peace Macron At the same time, he emphasized that Ukraine is defending not only its own borders, but also those of Europe. On March 17, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russias childrens ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova, for their involvement in unlawful removal of children from Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. Read also: Belarusian opposition urges ICC to issue arrest warrant for Lukashneko As explained by the head of the ICC, Piotr Hofmanski, the Russian dictator can now be arrested in 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute. 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) -- Emmanuel Macron said Russias invasion of Ukraine has reawakened the North Atlantic Treaty Organization almost four years after the French president branded the military alliance brain dead. Most Read from Bloomberg In December 2019, I had harsh words for NATO, underlining at the time the divisions that existed at its heart between Turkey and several other powers by speaking of brain death, Macron said in a speech at the GLOBSEC summit in Bratislava on Wednesday. I could say today that Vladimir Putin has revived it with the worst of electroshocks. Macron angered some allies, especially in Eastern Europe, at the time with his criticism of NATO as he pushed for Europe to build up its own defense capabilities and a more independent foreign policy. Then-President Donald Trump was pushing member countries to bolster military spending and slammed the comments as very nasty. The French leader said on Wednesday he wanted European Union member states to discuss deeper cooperation to acquire their own striking capabilities and guarantee their own security. He invited European defense ministers to discuss the topic during a conference in Paris on June 19. He also urged countries in the bloc to purchase European-made defense equipment. Macron told the GLOBSEC forum the point isnt to replace NATO with a Franco-German-dominated defense set-up. The point is to build a powerful Europe, he said. NATO foreign ministers began a two-day meeting in Oslo on Wednesday, where they are to discuss Ukraines bid to join the military alliance as well as how to boost defense spending, with the war in its 16th month. This will be a prelude to its annual gathering starting on July 11 in Vilnius. Macron advocated for the alliance to provide Ukraine tangible, credible security guarantees somewhere between those similar to what is offered to Israel and full-fledged NATO membership, he said. He said leaders in the alliance are unlikely to reach a consensus at the Vilnius meeting. He also warned that the next American administration might not be as invested in Europe in a thinly veiled reference to Trumps possible return to power. Today, we must celebrate the fact that we have an American administration who is committed to our cause, Macron said. Let us be grateful and thank the United States of America, he added, before wondering what could happen if Biden wasnt reelected next year. Will this administration be the same forever? No one can say, and we cannot leave our collective security and stability depend on to the choice of American voters in the years to come. The very Americans whatever the administration have been asking us to share the burden, to take more responsibility for our own security and d our neighborhood. And thats why, yes, a Europe of defense, a European pillar within NATO, is needed, Macron said. Without pronouncing the former presidents name, Macron highlighted the risk of a Trump comeback. He recalled his disappointment when he found out that in 2019 that the Trump administration had withdrawn from the the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, an arms control agreement with Russia. Ive had the experience of arriving at a NATO summit with another American administration that didnt like us as much as the current one, Macron recalled. Toward the end of the panel, the French president was asked whether Paris would be ready to step up defense investments if the next US administration doesnt support Ukraine as much as the current one. I cant predict the results of the elections in the US, but whatever happens, he responded, we have to increase our commitments, our investments, our involvement. He then brought up Frances most recent military bill and concluded: yes, we are ready. (Updates with context and quotes on the US administration in the last paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), seen here in July 2022 speaking at a U.S. Capitol event, was assaulted in the elevator of her Washington apartment building last February. Kendrid Khalil Hamlin pleaded guilty Thursday to assaulting a member of Congress and assaulting law enforcement officers. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), seen here in July 2022 speaking at a U.S. Capitol event, was assaulted in the elevator of her Washington apartment building last February. Kendrid Khalil Hamlin pleaded guilty Thursday to assaulting a member of Congress and assaulting law enforcement officers. The man who was accused of attacking Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) in the elevator of her Washington apartment building in February pleaded guilty Thursday to the three charges he faced, CNN reported. Kendrid Hamlin could get up to 11 years behind bars up to 10 years for attacking a member of Congress and up to six months each for attacking two members of law enforcement after his attack on Craig. Hamlins sentencing hearing is set for Sept. 15. On the morning of Feb. 9, Hamlin approached Craig in an elevator demanding that he use the bathroom in her apartment, according to CNNs report. When she denied his request, he reportedly blocked the elevator doors and punched her in the face, according to the report. Craig was able to escape after pouring her hot coffee on him, according to CBS News. Prosecutors said that Hamlin also reportedly attacked police officers biting one and kicking the other as he attempted to escape, CNN added. At the time of the incident, Craigs office said there was no reason to believe the attack was politically motivated. Hamlin, who was 26 at the time of the attack, may have been experiencing homelessness and had had several encounters with the law, some violent, for roughly a decade, CBS News reported. Hamlins attorney told CNN that he was suffering from mental health issues. Craig, who did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment on Thursday, is recovering from an ankle injury and a subsequent surgery after a fall in her home. Craig has been in the House since 2018, when she made history as the first openly lesbian mother in Congress and the first LGBTQ person to represent Minnesota. Before entering politics, Craig had worked as a reporter and as the head of global HR and corporate relations for a major manufacturer in her state. Related... The Virginia man charged in the killing of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour has a lengthy criminal record, mostly credit card fraud, and two weapons offenses, in 2019 in Maryland and in 2014 in Virginia. Public records show Rashid Ali Bynum, of Portsmouth, Virginia, who turned 29 on Wednesday, a day after he was charged with the Feb. 1 murder of Dwumfour, has been charged with 37 criminal offenses. Bynum's arrest record began in October 2014 in Virginia when he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor. Public records show he pleaded guilty and was sentenced in March 2015 to a maximum of 90 days in jail and a maximum of three years probation. In Maryland on May 23, 2019, Bynum, then 24, was charged with a weapons violation related to having a loaded handgun in a vehicle and a handgun in his possession. He pleaded guilty to having a handgun in his possession, a misdemeanor, and served 17 days in jail before being released on June 10, 2019, public records show. A WBOC TV report on the 2019 incident indicates Bynam was among three young men in a vehicle that pulled over for speeding by Pocomoke City police and found to be in possession of four loaded handguns, including one gun in the waistband of a passenger. Police also found two white face masks, gloves and target practice posters in the vehicle. Bynum's other offenses, all out of Virginia and some of which are still active, are related to credit card theft and larceny, eluding police, possession of a credit card forgery device, credit card forgery and possession of marijuana. His traffic violations include reckless driving, driving while revoked, having an imitation vehicle inspection sticker, driving with a suspended license, driving with an expired registration and speeding. On Tuesday Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced Bynum had been arrested earlier in the day in Chesapeake City, Virginia and charged with murder, unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose in the death of Dwumfour, a Republican and Sayreville's first Black elected official. Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. No motive for the killing has been announced and the investigation is continuing. The two knew each other, Ciccone said. In Dwumfour's cellphone, Bynum was listed as a contact with the initials FCF next to his name, which Ciccone said she believed stands for Fire Congress Fellowship, a church Dwumfour was previously affiliated with which is also affiliated with Champion Royal Assembly in Newark, where the councilwoman's LinkedIn page had listed her as the director of churches. Dwumfour's LinkedIn page also had previously listed her as an IT Business analyst for Fire Congress Fellowship. Prior to her death she had sent out a message on LinkedIn saying she was looking to make a change but did not elaborate Dwumfour was shot in her car in the parking lot of the housing complex where she lived in the Parlin section of Sayreville. Neighbors called 911 after hearing gunshots and when police arrived, they found Dwumfour inside her vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses and video surveillance showed a person fleeing the area along Ernston Road. A witness described the person as a tall, thin Black man with braids or dreads, which Ciccone said matched Bynum's appearance. Witnesses also reported seeing a white Hyundai in the area just before the killing, and someone walking up the sidewalk toward Check Avenue just before the shooting. Ciccone linked a cellphone associated with Bynum that traveled from Virginia to New Jersey on Feb. 1, and the phone was detected in the area of Ernston Road just before the killing. She said records show Bynum searched for information about Champion Royal Assembly Church and Sayreville on the day of the killing, as well as information about what magazines were compatible with a specific handgun. Records also showed Bynum's cellphone and well as a white Hyundai with Virginia plates traveling through E-ZPass in Newark, Woodbridge and Linden on Feb. 1, Ciccone said. The investigation also revealed the vehicle's owner had listed the white Hyundai for rent, and Bynam contacted the phone number of the owner the day before the killing, the prosecutor said. Ciccone also said a handgun was recovered at a Smithfield, Virginia address that Bynam apparently returned to after the killing. A Magnolia tree has been planted along Main Street in Sayreville in memory of Eunice Dwumfour. A Magnolia tree donated by Columbia Bank has been planted along Main Street in front of the municipal parking lot next to the municipal building in memory of Dwumfour by the Sayreville Shade Tree Commission, chaired by former Councilman Art Rittenhouse. A temporary placard on the ground in front of the tree commemorates Dwumfour's service and her passing. Rittenhouse said a formal dedication is expected to be held later this year. Email: srussell@gannettnj.com Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Sayreville NJ Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour murder suspect has priors [Source] The man who was recently arrested for stabbing an employee working at a popular bakery in San Franciscos Chinatown is reportedly the same man who stabbed the bakery owners father in 2016. Fook Poy Lai, 61, allegedly stabbed a female employee in the neck at AA Bakery & Cafe in the 1000 block of Stockton Street shortly before 10 a.m. on Monday. The employee, who was working her third day on the job, was rushed to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. According to officials, the victim survived and is currently in recovery. Lai was charged with numerous felonies, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, battery causing serious bodily injury, false imprisonment and second-degree burglary. More from NextShark: Hard of Hearing Baristas Serve Coffee With 'Bear Hands' at Hit Shanghai Cafe 1/ Today, District Attorney @BrookeJenkinsSF announced that Fook Poy Lai has been charged with numerous felonies in connection to an alleged stabbing of a 58-year-old woman working at a bakery in Chinatown on May 29, 2023. pic.twitter.com/0gACrcTJaD SF DISTRICT ATTORNEY (@SFDAOffice) May 31, 2023 More from NextShark: 8 Asian-Owned Business in San Jose Targeted For Vandalism in ONE DAY According to the office of District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Lai was recently released from custody and on parole for a 2018 attempted murder conviction when the stabbing occurred. The 61-year-old previously stabbed an elderly man at Portsmouth Square in San Francisco in 2016. He pled guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to nine years in state prison. In an interview with ABC7 News, Henry Chan, the owner of AA Bakery & Cafe, said that the man Lai stabbed at Portsmouth Square was his father. More from NextShark: Korean doctor says those who haven't contracted COVID-19 have no friends According to Chan, his father was playing poker in the park on the day of the incident. He recalled his fathers injuries were very bad, noting that he had to spend 12 days in the hospital. Chan claimed that his family does not personally know Lai, who attacked the bakery employee just 10 days after he was released from jail. I don't know why the city put him out 10 days ago, Chan told ABC7 News. More from NextShark: Shinzo Abes assassin forced to give up college after mother's $722,000 donation to Unification Church, says uncle According to Jenkins, prosecutors have filed a motion for Lai to be held without bail due to the public safety risk he poses. The alleged attack in Chinatown left a woman seriously injured and a neighborhood shocked, Jenkins said in a press release. I offer my unwavering commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring that the suspect is held accountable for this senseless crime. Lai is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on Thursday morning. He faces life in prison if he is convicted on all charges. The incident remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the San Francisco Police Departments tip line at 415-575-4444 or text TIP411. Man admits he was the brains behind Missouri jail escape that put another on death row While Michael Tisius June 6 execution is on hold after a federal judge issued a temporary stay, his two co-defendants shared their accounts of what led to the double homicide that left Tisius sentenced to death. Tisius, 42, was given the death penalty after he shot and killed two jailers in Randolph County during a botched escape attempt in 2000. Co-defendants Roy Vance, 50, and Tracie Bulington, 50, are serving out two life sentences each. Vance said he met Tisius, who was 19 at the time, in the Randolph County jail. He looked up to me, Vance said in a video released by Tisius legal team to support his clemency case. He described Tisius as a kid in a grown mans body and I knew I could manipulate him into what I wanted him to do. Vance hatched a plan to get Bulington, his then-girlfriend, and Tisius to help him escape after Tisius was freed from jail. Im the brains behind it. It was my idea, my suggestions, Vance said. Theres no way he would have came up with that. In the clemency video, Bulington said Vance also intentionally formed a relationship with her to get what he needed out of me. In my opinion, he became what Michael needed just like he became what I needed, she said. Bulington and Tisius went to the jail, a converted house, planning on getting the keys from the guards and locking them in a holding cell. But Tisius ended up shooting Jason Acton and Leon Egley during the encounter. Bulington said Tisius had not gone there with the intent to shoot anyone and was upset. All three were convicted in the double murder. Vance said he has been sober since 2012. I have enough regrets to build a house with, probably, and so Im trying to ease my mind and my conscience, I guess, he said. Im dealing with as much stuff as I can, like talking about Mike, that was my fault, Im the one who talked him into that. Bulington said she was relieved that Vance has taken responsibility. But yet at the same time, Im mad about it because he could have saved a lot of time and a lot of hurt and Mike maybe wouldnt be where hes at now, she said. On Wednesday, a judge ordered a temporary halt to Tisius June 6 execution after lawyers discovered one of the jurors had been unable to read or write, a requirement to sit on a jury. The Missouri Attorney Generals Office has filed an appeal on the stay of execution, which calls for an evidentiary hearing on the juror issue. Tisius legal team has also applied for clemency through Gov. Mike Parsons office, arguing Tisius life should be spared because of his age at the time of the shooting, a history of abuse and his remorse. Parson has not granted clemency in a death penalty case. Man again caught hiding in planes landing gear on flight to Miami, Texas officials say A recent flight from Houston to Miami was delayed after a preflight check revealed a man hiding in the airplanes landing gear and its not the first time hes done this, Texas officials told news outlets. Jehffrey Gutirres, 26, is accused of trespassing at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on May 27 and placing passengers in imminent danger of serious bodily injury as the aircraft was about to depart, according to Harris County court documents. There were 166 passengers on board the American Airlines plane, and while nobody was hurt, the flight was deboarded and delayed by 44 minutes, officials told KPRC. Gutirres has traveled like this before, the outlet reported. In 2021, he was found in the landing gear compartment of a plane that landed in Miami from Guatemala, multiple outlets reported. Gutirres was also caught trespassing at Bush Intercontinental Airport in late April, about a month prior to the latest incident, officials told KHOU. He was required to wear an ankle monitor after that and ordered not to come within 200 feet of the airport, KTRK reported. But he simply took off the ankle monitor before attempting to catch the May 27 flight to Miami, the station said. Gutirres bond has been set at $1 million, according to court records. Woman refusing to get off phone on plane spits on passenger, slides down exit, feds say Couple killed flying plane from Florida to Georgia were seasoned pilots, family says Spirit worker seen taping plane wing before flight. Dont worry, it wasnt duct tape Airplane engine catches fire mid-flight after hitting flock of geese, officials say Mans body rejects new heart after Florida jail refused him medication, attorney says A man with a failing heart moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to receive a heart pump. He lived with that device for more than two years while waiting on a transplant list for a compatible heart. When a heart finally became available, Dexter Barry underwent transplant surgery in October 2020, according to his familys attorney Andrew Bonderud, who is based in the city. Following the procedure, Barry stayed in the city to be near his heart transplant team at the Mayo Clinic. Two years later, Barry, 54, was accused of getting into a verbal dispute with his neighbor and was arrested on a simple assault charge, a misdemeanor, on Nov. 18, 2022, a Jacksonville Sheriffs Office arrest report shows. While in the back of the arresting deputys patrol car and on the way to Duval County Jail, he informed the deputy of his heart transplant and how he had to take medication for it three times a day, according to body camera footage provided to McClatchy News. The medication, mycophenolate, is an immunosuppressant and helps prevent a persons body from rejecting an organ following a transplant. Although Barry repeatedly pleaded for his medication, he never received it while detained in jail, according to Bonderud. After missing those doses, he died two days after his release on Nov. 23, as first reported by The Tributary in Jacksonville. He plans on filing a federal lawsuit over Barrys death, Bonderud told McClatchy News. A private autopsy paid for by his family noted he had a moderate to severe rejection reaction in the transplanted heart, the report conducted by board certified pathologist Dr. Jose V. SuarezHoyos, of Private Autopsy Associates, LLC, shows. The pathologist said theres no question. It was heart rejection. His body attacked the transplanted heart, Bonderud said. Jacksonville Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Officer Allyn Kelly declined a request for comment from McClatchy News on June 1, saying the matter was under litigation. Bonderud said Jacksonville and Duval County Jails contracted medical provider Armor Health need to be held accountable for Barrys death. In a statement provided to McClatchy News on June 2 on behalf of Armor Jacksonville, Armor Health Chief Operating Officer Manuel Fernandez said our initial investigation of the clinical care received by the detainee while in custody at the jail has found that our clinicians followed protocol and delivered quality medical care. Armor Health had previously been convicted in connection with an inmates death in Milwaukee in 2016, according to The Tributary. Now, the Florida Department of Management Services is investigating the company, the outlet reported. In a statement to McClatchy News on June 1, the department said Florida law requires vendors to notify DMS when they have been convicted of a public entity crime. Armor Correctional Healthcare failed to do so, and the department has begun an investigation. Fernandez said the Milwaukee incident is being disputed in the court system. I am on medication. I just had a heart transplant, Barry tells a judge On Nov. 18, Barry went over to his neighbor to tell him to stop using his WiFi, which started an argument, the arrest report shows. His neighbor accused Barry of verbally threatening to knock him out of his chair and he was ultimately arrested, according to the report. Bonderud believes Barry shouldnt have been arrested in the first place. I question whether there was even probable cause, he said. Barry is heard in body camera footage telling the arresting deputy that his heart transplant surgery cost $4 million and his doctors would be really upset hes being taken to jail. Dexter Barry The deputy calls his supervisor, informing him of Barrys medical situation and need for medication, the video shows. Barry, a husband and father to three adult children, explains how his daughters studied criminal justice and if something happened to me, and my heart, theres going to be a problem. The deputy is heard responding, telling Barry to make sure he tells the jail staff of his situation. Barry did, according to Bonderud, and also told a judge during his initial court appearance. On Nov. 19, Barry told the judge, according to a court transcript, that: I am on medication. I just had a heart transplant and I havent took my medicine all day since I have been locked up, and I take rejection medicines for my heart so my heart wont reject it, and I am almost two years out. Directly afterward, the judge set his bond at $503, telling him that hopefully you are able to make bond here and get your medication, the transcript shows. Barrys death Barry was released from jail on Nov. 20 after having missed multiple doses of his medication, according to Bonderud. According to the Mayo Clinic, a person must take their prescribed mycophenolate daily to prevent heart transplant rejection. Although he resumed taking his medication as soon as he could following his release, it was too late, according to Bonderud. His body had begun rejecting his transplanted heart. After Barry died, his family wasnt allowed to identify his body for five days, a GoFundMe created by his family for an autopsy says. According to the family, the hospital said the morgue would be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and an autopsy wasnt performed. Instead, the Jacksonville Medical Examiners Office created a report, according to Bonderud. After this, the family contacted Bonderud about Barrys death The report did not conclusively establish the familys suspicions about not receiving medication in jail, but it corroborated them, Bonderud said. The attorney then advised them to have an autopsy performed on Barry. When he reviewed the body-worn footage and court transcript, Bonderud said it became clear that Barry was a man pleading for his life, pleading for medication that he is entitled to receive. Dexter Barry didnt deserve this, Bonderud said. New details in death of man eaten alive by insects at Georgia jail released by family Woman neglected in jail went blind, begged for water before dying in Texas, lawsuit says Man dies after losing 45 pounds in jail over 20 days, lawsuit says. He needed help Man steals car with child in backseat in Holly Hill, leaves him in another part of the city A man stole a vehicle with a child in it in Holly Hill Thursday morning but freed the toddler in another part of the city as he escaped, police said. The 2-year-old was found unharmed and reunited with his parents, said Holly Hill Police Chief Jeff Miller. Police are looking for the suspect who appears to be a teenager. He is at large in a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan with Florida license plate AJ79FA, Miller said. Car stolen with twins in it Children found safe after car they were left in was stolen Miller said the incident occurred when the child's mother pulled up to the home of the child's grandmother in the 200 block of Clifton Avenue and dashed into the house for a brief time. The woman left the 2-year-old boy secured in a car seat in the back of the vehicle with the engine running. That was when the suspect jumped into the car and took it, Miller said. About 30 minutes later, a Good Samaritan found the child on the side of the road in the 200 block of State Avenue and called the police. "The child was unharmed and has since been reunited with his parents," Miller said. Anyone who sees the car or has information on its whereabouts is asked to call Holly Hill police Sgt. Tom Bentley at 386-248-9478. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Thief takes car with child in it Man who took part in Wichita teens 2019 killing ordered to serve more than 18 years A Sedgwick County District Court judge on Thursday sent a Wichita man to prison for his role in a teens shooting death nearly four years ago. Judge Tyler Roush ordered Eduardo Gallardo, 22, to serve 18 years, 10 months and pay $6,500 in restitution in the Aug. 4, 2019, killing of 17-year-old Ramiro Antonio Valdez Jr., said Dan Dillon, a spokesman for the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office. In doing so, the judge denied a request from Gallardo to impose three years of probation or, alternatively, no more than eight years, four months in prison, court records show. Gallardo pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm and aggravated assault on March 27, Dillon said. Valdez was a landscaper preparing to start his senior year at Wichita North High School when he was shot by someone in another vehicle as he drove east on Central around 2:35 a.m. Police have said Gallardo, the vehicles driver, pulled alongside Valdezs truck while another man fired several rifle rounds at him in a shooting tied to a gang feud. Valdez died from a gunshot wound to his back, according to his autopsy report. Two other teens in his truck werent hurt. Police have said the teens were driving in downtown before the shooting. Man who vanished on snowy mountain after sending friend a clue found dead, sheriff says A man who sent a clue of a snowy mountain to a friend months ago has been found dead, a Utah sheriffs office said. Before Austin Madsen, 32, of Mapleton, went missing in January, he told his family he was heading to Arizona, the Mapleton City Police Department said in a Feb. 1 Facebook post. On Jan. 29, Madsen made a phone call and sent a friend a video clip before vanishing, McClatchy News previously reported the Garfield County Sheriffs Office said. The clip, posted to Facebook by his wife, shows a 360-degree view from a snowy mountain summit. The sheriffs office said in a June 1 news release that it did an extensive search and rescue near the Dry Hallow area on Mount Dutton after Madsen was reported missing. Searchers recorded a ping from Madsens phone in Garfield County, and a search found his vehicle, the sheriffs office said. Search teams also found footprints in the snow and followed them, deputies said. However, because of extreme winter weather in the area, deputies said they suspended the search efforts. Deputies said they exhausted all their leads in February. Deputies said they again searched over the weekend of May 20 but did not find any leads. Then, on May 29, the sheriffs office said it got a report of human remains found in the Mount Dutton area, about 5 miles southwest of where the sheriffs office initially centered its search efforts for Madsen. An autopsy confirmed the remains were Madsen, who died of natural causes, deputies said. This is not the news we thought wed get, a friend wrote on Facebook. My heart hurts for Austins family. Madsen leaves behind a wife and two sons, according to the friend. Mount Dutton is in southern Utah, about 230 miles south of Salt Lake City. Idaho electric worker finds body of Washington man who vanished on camping trip, cops say Bradenton man found dead near pond after he was missing for over a week, deputies say Coroner identifies body of Boise man who disappeared while kayaking dangerous river Mashpee man suffers serious injuries after being struck by car while crossing Peabody highway A Mashpee man suffered serious injuries after being struck by a car while he was crossing the highway in Peabody Thursday. The 39-year-old man was trying to cross all travel lanes on Route 1 northbound when he was struck by a 2021 Toyota Highlander at 11:45 a.m., according to Massachusetts State Police. The driver of the Toyota, a 55-year-old man from Malden, was not injured in the crash. The Mashpee man is expected to make a full recovery. The crash is being investigated by MSPs Crash Analysis Reconstruction Section. No charges have been filed at this time. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Republican Kevin McCarthy shepherding the debt limit deal through the House is a decisive policy and political win that could give the speaker a much-needed adrenaline rush in the coming months. The "Fiscal Responsibility Act" passed by a convincing 314-117 vote-margin in the House on Wednesday, muting the voluble objections from hard-line fiscal hawks within the GOP ranks who threatened a mutiny. That's in stark contrast to how the California Republican obtained the gavel in January, which saw a historic and humiliating standoff including 15 ballots and various compromises to his conservative flank. Coming out of the debt deal with President Joe Biden, McCarthy is beginning to strut as House Republicans are poised to push for extending the Trump-era tax cuts and other objectives. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks to the House chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. as the House moves toward passage of the debt limit bill. On the Democratic side, progressives are feeling put on their heels with little recourse other than the Biden administration arguing that the debt ceiling negotiations could've been worse. Liberal political observers are trying to pick up the pieces, arguing the agreement avoids default and keeps the economy from diving off a cliff which incidentally would've put a major dent on Biden's reelection hopes. But the president and his team for weeks had said there would be no negotiation on the debt limit and compared it to "hostage-taking" before ultimately acquiescing to many GOP demands. Here are 5 takeaways from what's gone down. McCarthy struts on coming GOP agenda: 'This is fabulous!' With a narrow five-seat majority, McCarthy kept up his well-known breezy vibe and exuded confidence during months of tug-of-war with Biden and congressional Democrats. The debt measure sailed through with strong majorities from both parties including more Democratic than Republican votes cutting a projected $1.5 trillion in federal spending, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. McCarthy bludgeoned House Democrats with that coming out of Wednesday's vote, bragging about how they are now on record in support of spending cuts, work requirements for welfare and slashing IRS funding. He telegraphed how Republicans will be coming back for more cuts soon. "Let's cut more because we are in a big debt," McCarthy said. "This is fabulous!" This is fabulous > Democrats are now officially on record in support of: - Work requirements for welfare - Slashing IRS funding - Cutting spending So you can be sure Im coming back for more. pic.twitter.com/yaSPk1FnAY Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) June 1, 2023 This momentum will matter as House Republicans are expected take up a measure that would keep the 2017 tax cuts made during the Trump administration. "Keep underestimating us, and we'll keep proving to the American public that were never giving up on you," McCarthy said. Freedom Caucus barked, but didn't bite Leading up to Wednesday's vote members of the House Freedom Caucus made clear the Biden-McCarthy deal stinks, but their howls didn't do much. Most of its roughly 40 members voted against the debt ceiling deal but overall two-thirds of the entire GOP conference, including fiscal hawks like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, and Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, supported the agreement. Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., gestures to the Capitol during a news conference with members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, about the debt limit deal, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) ORG XMIT: DCJM107 Rep. Dan Bishop, of North Carolina, a Freedom Caucus member, tweeted a vomit emoji during the negotiations. He blasted the outcome, saying McCarthy "got rolled." "This is what it looks like when the uni-party cartel sells out the American people," Bishop tweeted Wednesday. Is McCarthy's speakership at risk? McCarthy may have held off his right flank for now, but the unrest among hard-line conservatives isn't likely to evaporate. Leading up to the vote, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., warned in an interview with Newsmax that if a majority of Republicans opposed a measure and it needed Democrats to pass, "that would immediately be a black letter violation of the deal we had with McCarthy ... and it would likely trigger an immediate motion to vacate." The "Fiscal Responsibility Act" did have more Democratic than Republican support, but it still had a majority of the GOP conference. Time will tell if that is enough to push an angry Freedom Caucus member to pick a fight with the speaker. A key concession McCarthy made in January to get the gavel was allowing for an individual lawmakers to call for a vote ousting the speaker. A majority of the House would still be needed to oust McCarthy, however. Biden blinked on debt strategy The president insisted for months he wouldn't negotiate with Republicans over raising the debt ceiling and drew a hard line against entertaining spending cuts. But in the end Biden caved and many liberal lawmakers are having to eat their words on the White House's behalf. "I was proud to join my fellow progressives to say NO to the GOPs bad debt ceiling deal," Rep. Pramila Jayapal, of Washington, who leads the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a tweet Thursday. "This bill protected the wealthiest billionaires at the expense of working families, and I refused to accept that." The last thing this country needs is a manufactured crisis. But MAGA Republicans are creating exactly that by holding Americas economy hostageall to try to force cuts to veterans benefits, education, health care, and more. Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 12, 2023 The debt debate may not have divided Democrats as much as Republicans, but progressives are fuming about being put in this situation without an aggressive offense. "We shouldn't be in this position," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, told reporters on Wednesday. "The problem we've got is that the Republicans are willing to take hostages and the Democrats are not." Leading up to the deal, some progressive legal experts had urged Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment, but ultimately the White House shot that idea down. Now Democrats and Biden allies are trying to spin the agreement in the president's favor, arguing he was the adult in the room. The debt limit deal is dumb public policy, but the worst outcomes were avoided, tweeted Dan Pfeiffer, a former adviser to President Barack Obama. For that, Pres. Biden deserves credit. Senate Dems making a last stand, but Schumer isn't playing US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks during a news conference following Senate Democrat policy luncheons at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on May 31, 2023. Congressional leaders were racing to secure backing for a cross-party deal to raise the US debt limit and avert a first-ever default as they faced a growing backlash from conservatives ahead of a crucial Wednesday evening vote. The Fiscal Responsibility Act -- hammered out between Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Democratic President Joe Biden -- needs a simple majority to clear the 435-member Republican-controlled House of Representatives and head to the Senate. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33GN3AW.jpg Just one member in the Democratic-controlled Senate could thwart the entire deal ahead of the June 5 default deadline. All 100 senators have to agree to the vote timing schedule. Among the Senate Democrats who are upset are Sen. Jeff Merkley, of Oregon, who announced Thursday he opposes the Biden-McCarthy plan. "Its unconscionable that MAGA Republicans and Speaker McCarthy were willing to entertain driving the economy over the default cliff at all," he said in a statement. "However, yielding to this blackmail only guarantees that Republicans will use the debt limit to hold America hostage time and time again." But Merkley and other progressives in the Senate haven't shown any desire to torpedo the deal. Whatever the fallout will be on the left, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, isn't playing around as the June 5 default deadline approaches. He said Thursday his majority will "stay in session until we send a bill avoiding default to President Biden's desk." "Time is a luxury the Senate does not have," he said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 takeaways on the debt ceiling deal: When will the Senate vote? By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Kevin McCarthy earned his stripes as Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, navigating fierce hardline opposition to pass a debt ceiling bill containing federal spending limits that President Joe Biden for months vowed to resist. Six months after he endured 15 humiliating floor votes just to be elected speaker, McCarthy proved capable of dragging Biden into negotiations over spending and other Republican priorities, and then marshalling two-thirds of his often fractious House Republican majority to enact bipartisan legislation. "Keep underestimating us and we'll keep proving to the American public that we'll never give up," McCarthy told reporters after the vote. The bill, approved by a 314-117 margin, lifts the government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling in exchange for cutting non-defense discretionary spending and stiffening work requirements in assistance programs. Yet it was a bruising victory for McCarthy. The bill gained 165 votes from Democrats, outnumbering the 149 from members of McCarthy's own Republican party. The bill now goes to the narrowly Democratic-controlled Senate, which must enact it and get it to Biden's desk by June 5 to avoid a crippling U.S. default. Republican Representative Dusty Johnson, a McCarthy ally who helped craft the Republican debt-ceiling legislation that buttressed the speaker in negotiations, said the vote proved wrong Democratic predications that the 58-year-old Californian would have little chance of holding his caucus together. "They said he would never become speaker, and of course they were wrong. They said he would never be able to manage the floor effectively and we haven't had a single bill fail," Johnson said in an interview. "They said he wouldn't be able to cut a deal with the president, and they were wrong about that." McCarthy has so far succeeded in passing the bill without drawing direct verbal attacks from former President Donald Trump, who urged Republicans to push for a default if they were not able to extract sufficient concessions from Democrats. Trump, who is seeking a return to the White House in 2024, had blasted top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell for agreeing to raise the debt ceiling during Biden's first year in office. McConnell largely stayed in the background during these talks, which began to move forward after Biden agreed to one-on-one negotiations on May 9. Avoiding Trump's ire appears to have protected McCarthy's standing with Republican voters nationally, some 44% of whom told a Reuters/Ipsos poll in May that they approve of his job performance, notably higher than McConnell's 29% approval rate. The bill approved by the House on Wednesday would suspend the debt limit - essentially meaning that it no longer applies - through Jan. 1, 2025. That sets the stage for another showdown in the weeks following the 2024 presidential election. APRIL GAMBIT Republican lawmakers and analysts say McCarthy's masterstroke in getting Biden to the negotiating table was his decision to bring a debt ceiling bill to the floor and pass it in April with only the support of his own party members. Up to that point, Biden had refused McCarthy's requests to negotiate over the debt ceiling, insisting that House Republicans enact their own budget for fiscal 2024 as a prerequisite for spending talks. But in getting the April measure passed, House Republicans became the only body in Washington that had acted to raise the debt ceiling. "Once the House passed a bill, 'no negotiations' was a clearly unsustainable place to be," said Rohit Kumar, a former top aide to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell who is now co-leader of PwC's national tax office in Washington. The White House, for its part, contends that the talks between Biden and McCarthy were not a negotiation on the debt ceiling. "The debt ceiling had to be lifted, and it had to be lifted for a long period of time," White House budget director Shalanda Young told a Tuesday press conference. "You see this bill lift the debt ceiling until 2025. You can call it a negotiation; I call it a declarative statement." House Republicans say McCarthy has succeeded as speaker, because of an inclusive leadership style, cultivating support from a majority of caucus members by working through major party caucuses, known as the "Five Families," a reference to the warring organized crime clans of "The Godfather" movie. "Speaker McCarthy's done an incredible job," said Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a member of the hardline Republican House Freedom Caucus. "And I think he's proved over and over again that he defies the odds, and he also defies people's expectations." McCarthy also expanded his influence through trusted friends and longtime associates such as Representatives Patrick McHenry and Garret Graves, who became his lead negotiators with the White House. POSSIBLE THREAT But McCarthy is not quite out of the woods. After stirring the ire of hardline conservatives who decried the compromise bill as a sellout, he could face the prospect of ouster at the hands of any single member. One of the conditions he agreed to in January to win the speakership was allowing for any one member to call for a "motion to vacate the chair," in essence a vote on whether to depose the speaker. Senior members of the Freedom Caucus have said they would consider next steps in coming weeks. One of their number, Ralph Norman, said McCarthy should have forced Democrats to accept the House-passed bill. "I think it weakens him. Whether it's permanent or temporary, I don't know," Norman said. But Norman said he would not support an immediate effort to oust McCarthy as speaker, adding "To threaten to kick him out now, that's not right." A similar threat triggered the resignation of former House Speaker John Boehner in 2015. "This is where the honeymoon can definitely end," said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean, a one-time aide to former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Asked this week whether he expects to keep his speakership, McCarthy told a reporter: "What do you think? You guys ask me all the time, and I'm still standing." His allies say they will defend him against any potential threat to his position. "We'll have to deal with the internal politics of a hard-fought fight. Tempers are short and emotions are raw right now. But we'll deal with it," Representative Kelly Armstrong, a McCarthy adviser, told Reuters. (Reporting by David Morgan, additional reporting by Steve Holland, Gram Slattery and Jason Lange; Editing by Scott Malone and Suzanne Goldenberg) One more symbol of a normal, peaceful life Kryvyi Rih Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul "Fifty-five kilometers away from the enemy positions it's closer than anywhere else," city mayor Oleksandr Vilkul wrote on Telegram on June 1. It wasn't a simple decision, as transnational corporations are guided by "respect for the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights, Vilkul said. The mayor expressed his gratitude to the company, calling it "one more symbol of a normal, peaceful life." Kryvyi Rih is the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Close to the current front line in south-central Ukraine, it has frequently come under missile attack by Russian invasion forces. McDonalds started resuming operations in southern and eastern Ukraine on March 28, opening nine restaurants in Odesa and Odesa Oblast. Five McDonald's locations reopened in Dnipro on April 25. In Kremenchuk and Poltava, McDonald's restaurants reopened in May. The largest fast food chain in Ukraine, McDonalds reported over UAH 2 billion ($54 million) in losses over 2022. 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 Meet the 2024 presidential election candidates: These Democrats and Republicans are running The 2024 election cycle has kicked off. Though Election Day is over a year away, the race is well under way. President Joe Biden announced he will seek another term, and with former President Donald Trump's hat also in the ring, the possibility of a 2020 rematch is distinct. Though the Democratic establishment is expected to fall firmly behind Biden, the Republican side is more of a toss-up. Trump-endorsed candidates suffered in the midterm elections, and with his legal troubles mounting the GOP may be inclined to choose another nominee. Expectations have swirled that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is the man for the job, but with polls confirming Trump's enduring grip on the party's base the former president is still the man to beat. Here are the latest developments on the path to the 2024 election: And here are the candidates who have announced their intention to run for president in the 2024 election: Joe Biden President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, April 29, 2023. Biden announced his reelection campaign on April 25. His approval rating was 40% the previous month. Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term, leading to fears that he's too old to keep such a demanding job. Political party: Democrat Age: 80 Family: Biden has spent the bulk of his career talking candidly about grief. He lost his first wife Neilia Hunter and their one-year-old daughter Naomi in a 1972 car accident shortly after winning his first Senate race. His two young sons, Beau and Hunter, were injured in the crash but survived. In 2015, Biden lost Beau to brain cancer and has made it a major political goal to champion cancer research. He remarried in 1977, tying the knot with now First Lady Jill Biden. The two share one daughter, Ashley, and a large clan of grandchildren. Biden's son Hunter has become the subject of scandal in recent years. The GOP-led House has seized on Hunter's business dealings, hosting hearings to investigate his finances and the potential influence he has on his father. Previous political experience: Joe Biden is a veteran of the Senate. First elected in 1972, he served as a senator from Delaware for 36 years before being elected as vice president on the Obama ticket in 2008. After serving two terms as vice president, Biden took a brief hiatus from official government work before returning to run, and win, in 2020. More on Biden's 2024 presidential candidacy Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. officially announces his candidacy for President on April 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. Party: Democratic Age: 69 Family: Kennedy bears a powerful last name in Democratic politics. He is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, the former attorney general who was assassinated during a 1968 presidential run, and the nephew of former president John F. Kennedy. Kennedy has been married three times and has six children. He wed current wife Cheryl Hines in 2014. Hines is a television star best known for her role on "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Previous political experience: Kennedy is an environmental lawyer who is most famous in the political realm for trumpeting a debunked theory that vaccines can be linked to autism. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy vocally opposed vaccine mandates, calling them an infringement on individual liberty and at times using the Holocaust as a historical comparison. In 2017, former president Trump invited Kennedy to head up a presidential commission on vaccine safety. More on Kennedy's 2024 presidential candidacy Marianne Williamson Political party: Democratic Age: 70 Family: Williamson was married once in the late 1970s to a Houston businessman whom she has not named. She has one daughter, India Emmanuelle, whose father has not been publicly identified. Previous political experience: Williamson is a self-help author, and spiritual leader who has dabbled in politics, mounting an unsuccessful campaign for the presidency in 2020. Then she was largely drowned out by a crowded Democratic field and written off as a fringe candidate. She is thus far one of only two Democrats to formally announce a challenge to sitting President Joe Biden, whom the party is likely to coalesce around. More on Williamson's 2024 presidential candidacy Ron DeSantis Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks during his "Our Great American Comeback" Tour stop on June 1, 2023 in Laconia, New Hampshire. Political party: Republican Age: 44 Family: The governor wed former television host Casey DeSantis in 2009 and the couple share two daughters Madison and Mamie and one son Mason. Previous political experience: DeSantis currently serves as the 46th governor of Florida. His national profile grew during the pandemic when he spoke out publicly against mask mandates and pushed to keep many Florida businesses and schools open. Since then, he has captured national attention with controversial legislative measures on education and immigration. While in law school, DeSantis joined the U.S. Navy as a JAG officer, later deploying to Iraq for active duty. Prior to his run for governor, he served in the House of Representatives as a congressman for Florida's 6th district for three terms from 2013 to 2018. He is widely viewed as Trumps biggest threat in the Republican primary. Similar in politics but different in demeanor, DeSantis represents a younger, some say more predictable, alternative to the former president. More on Desantis' 2024 Presidential Candidacy Larry Elder Larry Elder, who has emerged as the Republican frontunner in recent polling and fundraising for the Sept. 14 recall election of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, rallies with supporters on July 13 in Norwalk. Political party: Republican Age: 70 Family: Elder has no children and has been married once. The couple divorced after two years and Elder was engaged again to Alexandra Datig from 2013 to 2015. Amid his candidacy for California governor Datig went public with an allegation that Elder had once brandished a gun at her while high on marijuana. Previous political experience: Elder is a lawyer and conservative talk show host who mounted a campaign against California governor Gavin Newsom in 2021's recall election. Though he lost, Elder received the highest number of votes of any candidate besides Newsom. Elder announced his candidacy on Fox News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight," tweeting afterward "America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President." More on Elder's 2024 presidential candidacy Nikki Haley Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced a 2024 run for U.S. President Tuesday via Twitter, and rallies with supporters at the Visitors Center in Charleston, S.C. Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Political party: Republican Age: 51 Family: Haley is one of four children born to Indian-American parents in Bamberg, South Carolina - a town she has described as divided by race. She and her husband of 26 years Michael live still in South Carolina where they are raising two children Rena and Nalin. Previous political experience: Haley started her political career in the South Carolina state legislature where she served for 6 years before mounting a successful campaign for the governor's office in 2010. She won reelection in 2014 and has bragged that she has "never lost a race." In 2016, former President Trump nominated Haley to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, a position she held for a year before unexpectedly stepping down in 2018. Haley has played up her role as a female candidate in what is expected to be a largely male primary field. "May the best woman win, she quipped in an interview with Fox News. More on Haley's 2024 presidential candidacy Asa Hutchinson Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is surrounded by family members after formally announcing his Republican campaign for president, Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Bentonville, Ark. Political party: Republican Age: 72 Family: Hutchinson has been married to wife Susan since 1973, and the two share four children and seven grandchildren. Previous political experience: Hutchinson has had a long career in Republican politics. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to serve Arkansas' 3rd district in 1997; he served until 2001, when he was appointed DEA administrator and later undersecretary for the Department of Homeland Security for the Bush Administration. While in the House Hutchinson served as impeachment manager in the trial of former president (and fellow Arkansas native) Bill Clinton. After leaving Washington he was elected 46th Governor of Arkansas. He served for two terms, from 2015 to 2023. More on Hutchinson's 2024 presidential candidacy Vivek Ramaswamy Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks outside the shuttered former South Shore High School where the city of Chicago plans to house illegal immigrants Friday, May 19, 2023, in Chicago. Political party: Republican Age: 37 Family: Ramaswamy married Apoorva Tewari, a throat surgeon and assistant professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, in 2015. The pair have two sons together. Previous political experience: Ramaswamy is framing himself as an outsider, an entrepreneur-turned-political-hopeful who will give the establishment a run for its money. He is a former biotech investor who founded pharmaceutical research company Roivant Sciences in 2014. Ramaswamy left the company in 2020 amid clashes with colleagues over how to respond to the murder of George Floyd and the public outcry that followed. He now heads up Strive Asset Management. He is the author of three books, including "Woke Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam," which explores how American politics and capitalism have become increasingly intertwined. More on Ramaswamy's 2024 presidential candidacy Tim Scott Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks in front of President Donald Trump and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., during a campaign rally, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in North Charleston, S.C. When Scott launched his campaign for the White House last week, the notoriously prickly former President Donald Trump welcomed his new competitor with open arms. Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race, Trump said. Political party: Republican Age: 57 Family: Scott is unmarried, with no children. He was raised by a single mother in North Charleston and has one brother. Previous political experience: Scott first entered politics in 1995 during a special election for City Council in Charleston. His profile grew nationally when he suggested posting the 10 Commandments outside the the council building, a proposal that was denied. Scott served for two years in the state legislature before being elected in 2010 to the House of Representatives for South Carolina's 1st district. He served one term before being appointed to the Senate by then-governor Nikki Haley and becoming the first Black U.S. senator from the state. Scott is pitching himself as a more hopeful alternative to Trump, drawing on Reagan-era ideals and centering a tone of optimism. More on Scott's 2024 presidential candidacy Donald Trump Former US president Donald Trump speaks during a press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-money' payment, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 4, 2023. Political party: Republican Age: 76 Family: Trump is the son of real estate magnate Fred Trump. Born and bred in New York, he first made his name developing skyscrapers and casinos. Trump first married in 1977, wedding Czech-born model Ivana. The two were married for 13 years and share three children: Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric. In 1993 Trump married actress and model Marla Maples. The two had one daughter: Tiffany. Following his divorce from Maples, Trump tied the knot for a final time with model Melania, who is mother to his youngest child, Barron. Trump's family was uncharacteristically involved in his presidency. Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner played prominent roles in the administration, and both Don Jr. and Eric were often cited as close advisors. Previous political experience: When Trump entered the race in 2016, he branded himself as a political outsider, a businessman separate from the establishment, ready to "drain the swamp." Prior to 2016 he dabbled in politics, often sounding off on controversial issues like the birther movement meant to cast doubt on Barack Obama's citizenship and the guiltiness of the now-exonerated Central Park Five. However, he was still primarily known for real estate and his forays into reality television, famously starring in "The Apprentice." In 2016, Trump shocked pollsters by securing victory over Hillary Clinton in the presidential race. He served a full four-year term and was defeated by Biden in his reelection bid. More on Trump's 2024 presidential candidacy This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is running for president in 2024? Get to know the candidates. Colleen Hoover is the bestselling author of "It Ends With Us," which is being adapted into a movie. Hoover has published more than 20 books so far, and she's hugely popular on TikTok. But she's also been embroiled in controversies as her fame has grown. Colleen Hoover began her writing career as a self-published author. Colleen Hoover self-published her first book. AP Photo/LM Otero Hoover, 43, was working as a counselor at WIC, a nutrition program for women and children, in Texas when she started writing, according to USA Today. While she, her husband, and her three sons were living in a single-wide trailer, Hoover found time to self-publish her first novel "Slammed" in 2012, The New York Times reported. It immediately became successful, appearing on the New York Times bestseller list seven months after Hoover published it. Hoover has written 24 books to date, and they fall in the young adult and new adult categories. She went on to write 23 more books, most of which fall under the young adult or new adult genres, though she flirted with paranormal fiction in "Layla" and thrillers in books like "Never Never" and "Verity." And although Hoover's books have romantic elements, her works also include themes of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and mental-health issues. After her self-publishing success, Hoover signed book deals with multiple publishers, as The New York Times reported. According to the outlet, in the next few years, she is expected to release three new thrillers with the Hachette imprint Grand Central; two new romance novels with Atria, which is part of Simon & Schuster; and a new novel with Amazon Publishing's romance imprint Montlake. Hoover's book sales are massive. "It Starts With Us." Simon & Schuster "It Ends With Us" is Hoover's most popular book so far, as over 4 million copies of the book have been sold since its release in February 2016, according to USA Today. The outlet reported that its follow-up, "It Starts With Us," which was released on October 18, 2022 sold over 800,000 copies on its first day of publication. It was also Simon & Schuster's most preordered book in history, Vulture reported. Hoover's books have sold over 20 million copies, and according to Time, six of her books were on the top 10 New York Times bestseller list at once in 2022. Hoover's self-published start as well as her social-media presence have contributed to her success. Hoover's relationship with her readers has been more intimate than the average author since she self-published her books and could therefore cater directly to her audience. But her massive social-media presence makes her even more connected to her readers and more successful. Hoover has 1.4 million TikTok followers and 2 million Instagram followers. TikTok, in particular, has contributed to Hoover's success, as she became massively popular on BookTok during the pandemic, according to The New York Times. The hashtag #colleenhoover has been used on TikTok over 4 billion times, and the tag for "It Ends With Us" has been used 2.5 billion times on the app, as of Thursday. But some think Hoover's works are problematic. "It Ends With Us." Simon & Schuster Despite her popularity, some readers take issue with Hoover's approach to sensitive topics, specifically the portrayal of domestic abuse in "It Ends With Us." In the novel, the love interest, Ryle Kincaid, physically abuses the main character Lily Bloom, and some think Hoover romanticizes him and his relationship with Lily. "Though cocky and manipulative from the start, Ryle is portrayed as a man who desperately wants to be good but is tormented by inner demons," Jennie Young wrote for Ms. Magazine in 2022. "This is, of course, a tired cliche that's too often applied to abusive men." Hoover also ends the book with Ryle and Lily co-parenting their daughter, with Lily chalking her situation up to two people having to "work through their differences" to raise a child, thereby normalizing interpersonal violence, Young argues. Many social-media users agree with Young's analysis, criticizing Hoover on apps like TikTok. But there are also millions who love Lily's story. Some have shared on social media that they found "It Ends With Us" moving, others said they fell in love with the characters, and many TikTok users count it as a book they always recommend to friends. In January 2023, social-media users quickly condemned Hoover when she announced she was publishing a coloring book based on "It Ends With Us." Colleen Hoover planned to release an "It Ends With Us" coloring book. Collen Hoover/Instagram Social-media users found the idea of a coloring book based on a novel about domestic abuse "tone-deaf," with people commenting their criticism on Hoover's Instagram post announcing the book and posting TikToks about it. "This is so gross. Why make a book about literal abuse into something as lighthearted as a coloring book?" one user wrote. Another TikTok user, who described herself as a former fan of Hoover, said she was "disappointed to say the least" in the project and that she hoped the coloring book wouldn't end up being released. The day after she announced she was publishing the coloring book, Hoover shared on her Instagram story that she asked her publisher not to release it following the negative reaction she received. "The coloring book was developed with Lily's strength in mind, but I can absolutely see how this was tone-deaf," Hoover said in the statement. Representatives for Hoover did not respond to Insider's previous request for comment on the matter, but a spokesperson for Atria Books confirmed to Insider at the time that the publishing house would not be moving forward with the project. Despite the controversy, Hoover continues to win accolades and garner more commercial success. Colleen Hoover attends the 2023 Time100 Gala. Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images In addition to the success of her books, Hoover will soon add film credits to her lengthy resume. "It Ends With Us" is being adapted into a film by Wayfarer Studios and Sony Pictures starring Blake Lively as Lily Bloom and Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid. No release date has been announced for the film yet, but the pair were spotted filming for the movie in May. The star-studded cast is sure to bring Hoover even more success, though some fans are skeptical of the film. Lively and Baldoni are much older than the characters are supposed to be, so some fans are concerned about how it will compare to the novel. In addition, the first images shared from the set of Lively show her in a costume that doesn't match the clothes Lily is described as wearing in the book. But others have voiced their excitement about the film on TikTok. Hoover's post announcing the cast of "It Ends With Us," where she praised her mother for removing her from a "scary situation" as a child, has over 16 million views as of Thursday, and others celebrated the casting of Jenny Slate as Allysa from the book. People may have mixed feelings about Hoover, but the author's rise to fame is hard to ignore. As Jenna Bush Hager said when Hoover was named to Time's 100 Most Influential People list in April 2023, "Whether you count yourself a Colleen Hoover fan or not, her influence on the publishing industry is undeniable." Read the original article on Insider [Source] While it seems as though Asian artists have only recently permeated the musical mainstream, their artistic impact extends far deeper into the fabric of American music than one might realize. In 1969, a pair of siblings hailing from the Philippines founded Fanny one of the very first all-female rock bands to achieve critical acclaim and commercial success in the United States. June and Jean Millington's Filipina roots were reflected not merely in what they created, but rather in how they approached music-making. Jean and I were raised in Manila, so part of the work ethic is that you study and work hard, June tells NextShark. So when we decided we were gonna play, in my case electric guitars and electric bass, we worked really hard at it every day and you could tell the difference week by week. While Jean and Junes musical passions were undeniably impacted by their cultural upbringing, they never had a chance to reconcile the two. More from NextShark: 'Chinese people are the worst': 'Genshin Impact' streamer under fire after racist tirade during stream In the Philippines, music was a big thing with so much music with so many musical shows we listened to when we were young that really influenced us, Jean says. But coming to the United States, it was all about the fact that we were girls playing music and nobody touched on the fact that we were Filipina American. As far as bridging the cultural divide, that wasnt even part of the question. From 1970 to 1974, Fanny churned out five full-length studio albums that showcased an innovative blend of rock, blues and funk elements. Although they achieved a pair of Top 40 hits in the process, the elusive combination of widespread success, influence and the allure of a chart-topping hit remained just beyond their reach. More from NextShark: First Filipino American Miss USA winner RBonney Gabriel wins Miss Universe 2022 It felt odd. You knew that you were just as good as somebody else, and you almost had to accept that you wouldn't be chosen or seen, or recognized because that's just how it was, Fanny drummer, vocalist and fellow Filipino American Brie Howard says. I didn't stop and cry about it; I just had to keep working. Even for Bobbi Jo Hart, who was born and raised in Southern California right when Fanny first burst onto the scene, the filmmaker remained unaware of their music until decades later. My parents were hippies loving rock and roll and I had LPs everywhere, but there were no Fanny albums. I'm blown away that that was when they were killing it on the scene and I didn't have any albums like that at my home. I didn't even hear them on the radio, Hart says. I only discovered them about seven, eight years ago when I was looking for a guitar for my daughter on a website with an image of June and her and Fanny's backstory. More from NextShark: Big Fight in Little Chinatown documentary reveals devastating effects of gentrification Captivated by the untold narrative of this groundbreaking group, Hart felt compelled to create Fanny: The Right to Rock, a PBS documentary that not only delves into the band's enduring legacy but also traces its ongoing evolution, which continues to unfold even in the present day. The film tenderly captures the precious period of time when Fanny reigned supreme of the American musical landscape of the '70s with an extensive palette of warm-toned archival material from behind-the-scenes concert footage to intimate photographs. Hart enlisted the talents of a vast variety of talented creatives and contributors to capture such a distinct atmosphere. More from NextShark: Marilyn Fu, Destin Daniel Cretton Developing Limited Series Based on Vincent Chin's Murder We started out by having access to so many great photos, some from the band and around 80 photos from photographer Linda Wolf, which was phenomenal, Hart said. I worked with an amazing editor, Catherine Legault, and we had so many weeks and weeks of conversations on how to infuse them into the film. We had contact sheets and photos retouched and took scratches out. I was really honored to work with Kara Blake, who's an animator who took a lot of the photos and we brainstormed ideas on how to make them kind of feel alive in the film, Hart added. I really feel grateful for all of these collaborations. Following their reunion in 2018, Fanny Walked the World, the dynamic trio of June, Jean and Brie find themselves continuously exploring avenues for growth and creative development. Howard credits her nephew as the one who helped her redefine her sound. My nephew, who is a musical genius, started producing my solo record. He just released an album of nature sounds that he recorded and turned into instruments on his solo record, which is unbelievable Howard says. He's bringing some of his experience to my record which is deeply appreciated because I don't want to keep doing what I've always done. I want it to be completely me, but I want it to be the me moving forward. In contrast to Howards more progressive approach, the Millington sisters are deeply committed to honing their own personal styles that theyve cultivated for decades. I don't feel like I need to go into new stuff. I just feel like I just got to streamline what I got and get better. I'm not really looking for new because what comes out of me is what I hear internally, June says. The film offered the bandmates a precious moment of introspection, inviting them to contemplate the extraordinary trajectory of their personal journeys. Our younger selves would be pretty shocked and very much gratified. I just turned 75. I can't believe we're, number one, still alive and, number two, being appreciated all over again, which is a completely different feeling from what we were feeling when we were young," June says. "Our first three albums were put out when we were in our early 20s. So I think we'd be very happy but quite shocked, really, for sure. Fanny: The Right to Rock is available to stream on PBS. The Memo: How Chris Christie could be a wild card in 2024 GOP race Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is very much a long shot to become the Republican presidential nominee in 2024 but he has the potential to scramble the contest, according to sources across the partys ideological spectrum. Theories about Christies likely impact have become more salient after it emerged Wednesday that he is likely to enter the race next week. Axios was first to report that Christie will launch his campaign Tuesday at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. There are enormous questions around a Christie bid particularly, whether he can hurt former President Trump, to whom he is now fiercely opposed; and what effect his candidacy might have on Trumps most serious rival for the nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. If Christie is entering the race with the intention of winning, he has a big mountain to climb. His political star shined brighter during his previous quest for the White House, in the 2016 cycle and he still went nowhere. Christie exited the race after the New Hampshire primary, where he placed sixth with less than 8 percent of the vote. The GOP primary electorate was not in the market for a moderate Northeastern Republican on that occasion. There is no compelling evidence to believe things are different now. Skeptics contend that a 2024 Christie campaign is more about maintaining relevancy and perhaps parlaying that relevancy into other work than anything else. Meanwhile, Christies relationship with Trump has gone through more twists and turns than a soap opera. Having first run against Trump in 2016, Christie swiftly endorsed his rival. Trumps then-chief strategist, Steve Bannon, has said that Christie wavered after the Access Hollywood tape emerged, on which the then-candidate was heard boasting about grabbing women by the genitals. In Bannons telling, this cost Christie any chance of getting a cabinet role in the Trump administration. Christie was at one stage the head of Trumps transition planning team, though he was deposed from that position soon after the 2016 election. By the time of the 2020 election campaign, Christie was back in the good graces of Trumps circle to the extent that he helped the then-president prepare for his debates against President Biden. But Christie broke yet again with Trump when the latter refused to acknowledge his defeat in the 2020 election. More recently, Christie has been more vehement than virtually any other significant GOP figure in his criticisms of Trump. He has referred to Trumps 2024 bid as a vanity exercise, called him Putins puppet over his view of the war in Ukraine and contended that he is afraid to debate other serious candidates. The reaction from Trump and his allies has been predictably dismissive. A Trump spokesman responded to a New York Times inquiry about the afraid to debate comment by saying Who? and adding that Christie was trying to play pretend candidate. After news broke Wednesday that Christie was planning to enter the race, a GOP operative supportive of Trump told this column, Trump should welcome Christie into the race, and not just because the more candidates in the primary the better for himHe will act as a constant reminder to our base that the very people they hate also hate Trump. The pro-Trump operative also contended that Christies candidacy would signal to GOP base voters that Trump is a threat to the establishment. Virtually all the other alternatives to Trump in the presidential race declared or potential candidates alike have positioned themselves more as non-Trump rather than anti-Trump. Thats true of DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence who is also expected to enter the race next week and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). None has taken on Trump so frontally, as Christie seems likely to do. Christie does have talents, however. No Republican gets elected twice as governor of a blue state like New Jersey without political skills. And the former governor can be a formidable debater. In 2016, he famously embarrassed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) so badly in one clash that it was perceived to have ruined Rubios chances in the race. Still, Christie was not the beneficiary himself in 2016 and some wonder whether that pattern could repeat itself in 2024, with attacks by Christie on Trump perhaps helping DeSantis. Generally, in multi-candidate fields, if you seek to take down another candidate, a third candidate benefits, said Matt Mackowiak, the chair of the Travis County, Texas, Republican Party. I think that is the most likelyYou could argue that if Christie is effective at attacking Trump, it would be helpful to DeSantis, Mackowiak added. Others, particularly in the rank of Trump critics, were more sanguine about Christies chances. Rick Tyler, who was communications director for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) during the 2016 campaign, said, I know the conventional wisdom is that Christie cant win but I dont know anymore and I dont think anybody does. Christie can stick it to Trump and land punches. Tyler, a strong Trump critic, added that Christie won in a Democratic state and why wouldnt we want someone who can win over Democrats? For the moment, however, Christies bigger problem is how to win over Republicans. The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Here's a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene: Memphis-based Diversified Trust, an independent comprehensive wealth management firm with offices throughout the Southeast and more than $8 billion of client assets under management, added William Crawford, chief executive officer and president of Pacolet Milliken, to its board of directors. Additionally, CEO Sam Graham will now serve as chairman with the recent retirement of James "Jim" Lientz. Field First Commercial Bank of Jackson, Mississippi, announced Debbie Field of Germantown joined the bank as its new chief financial officer. With more than 25 years of banking experience, Field brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. She spent 12 years on the senior management as treasurer and senior vice president team at Landmark Community Bank prior to its acquisition in 2021 by Simmons Bank. Following the Simmons acquisition, Field worked as a transition team member at First Horizon Bank via Robert Half Resources Group Contract. NOTEWORTHY The Butler Snow law firm announced a strategic alliance with Linda M. Maynor, William F. Stiers and Wade H. Heck of Maynor & Stiers LLC for federal government relations. Maynor, Stiers and Heck are registered Washington-based lobbyists who represent clients on legislative and governmental matters on Capitol Hill. With locations in Huntsville, Alabama, and Washington, they work with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, representing clients on matters with the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, NASA, Homeland Security and Department of State. Maynor serves as the managing partner for Maynor & Stiers. She built her practice over the past three decades during her tenure with two large law firms. She specializes in defense, aerospace and technology matters, and maintains a national security clearance. Stiers worked as a legislative director for two U.S. Representatives on the House Armed Services Committee, as a political director for a large public relations firm, and as a managing director of the Washington, D.C., office for two large Southeastern law firms. Hecks 35-year history on Capitol Hill includes: professional staff member for the House Armed Services Committee; Chief of Staff for a U.S. Representative on the House Armed Services and Intelligence committees; government relations director for a nuclear components manufacturer to support the Department of Defense and National Aeronautics & Space Administration; and, a government relations professional for two large Southeastern law firms. Castle Connolly released its Top Doctors list for 2023 and 27 of the surgeons listed in the Southeast Region in the orthopaedics category are from Campbell Clinic, by far the most of any practice throughout the entire region across Tennessee, Arkansas or Mississippi in this category. This years complete top doctors list represents more than 63,000 doctors or the top 7% of doctors across the nation, each of whom were nominated by their peers and vetted by Castle Connollys research team to be selected for inclusion in the 2023 list. This year marks Castle Connollys 30th anniversary of the publication of their annual list, which you can find at castleconnolly.com/2023-castle-connolly-top-doctors. The American Cancer Society recognized the AutoZone Striders as the top national fundraiser for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, raising $202,222 for breast cancer research. In addition, the team was able to name an existing post-doctoral fellowship research grant in honor of its team. Named to honor all AutoZoners and their families touched by cancer, the AutoZone Breast Cancer Research Grant was awarded to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The project is led by researcher Diego A. Pedroza and is titled Treatment of Breast Cancer Metastasis by Therapeutic Manipulation of Macrophages with Combined Chemotherapy. The grant will be active until 2025. The AutoZone Striders are the second national fundraising team from Tennessee to name a research grant, the first being Nucor Steel in 2021. The AutoZone Striders will soon clear the $1 million mark for fundraising, designating them as a legacy Making Strides Against Breast Cancer team. Compiled by Daniel Ginsburg Email information and photos in JPEG format, at least 1MB in size, for People in Business to cabiznews@commercialappeal.com. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis business news: Promotions, hirings, achievers and company news Facebook parent company Meta is threatening to remove news content on its platforms Instagram and Facebook in California if the state legislature passes a new proposal that would make tech companies pay publishers for news content. If the Journalism Preservation Act passes, we will be forced to remove news from Facebook and Instagram rather than pay into a slush fund that primarily benefits big, out-of-state media companies under the guise of aiding California publishers, reads a statement posted to Twitter by Meta spokesperson Andy Stone. Metas statement says the California bill, which is now before the state Assembly, fails to recognize that publishers and broadcasters put their content on our platform themselves and that substantial consolidation in Californias local news industry came over 15 years ago, well before Facebook was widely used. The bill would require covered platforms to pay a journalism usage fee for content from local outlets and require publishers to devote 70 percent of the proceeds from these fees to creating and maintaining journalism jobs in California. It is disappointing that California lawmakers appear to be prioritizing the best interests of national and international media companies over their own constituents, the Meta statement concludes. California state Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D), who sponsored the bill, said Metas threat is a scare tactic that theyve tried to deploy, unsuccessfully, in every country thats attempted this. Meta made a similar threat last year after lawmakers introduced to Congress the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, which would also have required tech companies to pay news outlets for their material. The social media giant has also reportedly moved to block news content in Australia and Canada over similar proposals. It is egregious that one of the wealthiest companies in the world would rather silence journalists than face regulation, Wicks said. The nonprofit News Media Alliance said in a statement that Metas threat is undemocratic and unbecoming. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Facebook and Instagram logos on a smartphone and Meta logo on a pc screen SOPA Images / Contributor / Getty Images Meta will remove all news links from Facebook and Instagram in California if state legislators pass a bill that would tax the tech platform's advertising profits, a company spokesperson threatened on Wednesday. The California Journalism Preservation Act hopes to tax the advertising profits companies like Meta or Google make from distributing news content. If passed, 70% of the tax revenue, dubbed a "usage fee," would be funneled back into newsrooms throughout California. The bill is intended "to seek compensation for publishers based on the value they create for technology platforms," The Wall Street Journal explained. "There is no cap on the size of publishers who can join the effort." If the bill is signed into law, Meta "will be forced to remove news from Facebook and Instagram, rather than pay into a slush fund that primarily benefits big, out-of-state media companies under the guise of aiding California publishers," Andy Stone, a spokesman for the company, tweeted on Wednesday. Danielle Coffey, executive vice president of the News Media Alliance, knocked Meta for threatening to pull stories in the state, noting that "the ailing news industry would benefit from having tech platforms pay their fair share," NPR summarized. "Meta's threat to take down news is undemocratic and unbecoming. We have seen [this] in their playbook before," Coffey said in a statement. The tech giant's history suggests this is "not an empty threat," Axios wrote. In 2021, Meta pulled news content from Facebook in Australia in response to a similar law that forced platforms to pay publishers for news content. The ban was later reversed after the government changed the terms of the law. "News traffic in Australia plummeted in response to the short-term ban," Axios added. You may also like Why are so many seniors homeless in America? Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario' Fossils uncovered in Australia are 107 million-year-old pterosaurs bones, scientists say This isn't the first time Meta has threatened to pull news from its platforms in retaliation for legislation requiring tech companies to pay for content. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) Californians may no longer be able to read daily news from their Facebook and Instagram feeds if the state Legislature passes a bill forcing tech platforms to pay publishers. That's the threat that parent company Meta issued Wednesday via Twitter. If the Journalism Preservation Act passes, we will be forced to remove news from Facebook and Instagram rather than pay into a slush fund that primarily benefits big, out-of-state media companies under the guise of aiding California publishers, Meta spokesman Andy Stone tweeted. California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) sponsored the California Journalism Preservation Act, a bipartisan bill that would require online platforms such as Facebook to remit a journalism usage fee to eligible digital journalism providers when they sell advertising alongside news content. The bill would also require publishers to invest 70% of those profits in preserving journalism jobs in California. The bill passed in the Assembly with bipartisan support Thursday and will move to the state Senate next. In response to concerns raised about the legislation, Wicks told fellow lawmakers that the bill is "not a perfect product right now" and will continue to undergo revision. The bill has strong support from news advocacy groups including the California News Publishers Assn. and the News/Media Alliance. (The Los Angeles Times is a member of both organizations and supports the proposed legislation.) Wicks called Meta's response a scare tactic that theyve tried to deploy, unsuccessfully, in every country thats attempted this. The nonprofit News/Media Alliance called the threat "undemocratic and unbecoming." A group of industry trade organizations, representing the California Chamber of Commerce, NetChoice and others, expressed opposition to the bill in a joint letter to lawmakers. The group argued that the money would go to large out-of-state publications and broadcasting conglomerates rather than supporting local news. The bill would "provide financial incentives for clickbait rather than quality journalism" and "require the subsidization of all kinds of potentially problematic publications that could fit under the bills broad definitions," the letter said. Wicks' legislation copies measures in other countries that have attempted to address the shift in digital media traffic and revenue. In February 2021, Australia passed a law called the News Media Bargaining Code that required Google and Meta to pay journalism outlets for their content. The law also requested that tech companies give news outlets advance notice in cases of algorithm changes. In response, Facebook briefly blocked publishers and users from sharing news links on its platform. As a result, total news traffic dropped 13%, according to Chartbeat. Facebook restored news content days later after the Australian government agreed to make some changes to the News Media Bargaining Code. The Australian government released a report in December detailing the law's success in inking 30 deals between media outlets and tech platforms. Canada, Germany and Indonesia have considered similar measures. Times staff writer Jaimie Ding contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Meta's shareholders voted against an inquiry into political bias and hate speech in India Logo of Meta Platforms is seen in Davos Meta shareholders voted against a proposal from fellow shareholders calling for an inquiry into allegations of spreading hate speech and content moderation failures in India. The proposal was put forth by a non-profit advocacy firm Eko, India Civil Watch International (ICWI), and Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) last week. The latter announced the votes outcome in a tweet from its official account on May 31. The vote was not in favour of Proposal 7. This is a loss for Indian users of Metas platforms, but our fight for transparency & accountability from Meta does not end here, the statement read. Read more The proposal argued Meta was a catalyst of hate speech in India and called for a third-party assessment of allegations of political entanglement and content management biases in its operations in India, focusing on how the platform has been utilized to foment ethnic and religious conflict and hatred and of whether the company was well positioned to fight disinformation. India is Metas largest market, thanks to the large user base of its three brands Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Meta as a driver of anti-Muslim narrative in India In recent years, Indias ruling government Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has grown increasingly authoritarian. Since the BJP came into power in 2014, India slipped from 27th to 46th place on the Economist Intelligences Democracy Index of 167 countries in 2022. Prime minister Narendra Modis ruling party has faced criticism for gradually marginalizing the countrys minority Muslim population, and endangering the countrys democracy. The shareholder proposal was motivated by concerns over the companys role in spreading anti-Muslim statements in India. Months before the communal massacre in February 2020 that killed 53 people, a video featuring the head of a North Indian temple saying I want to eliminate Muslims and Islam from the face of the Earth garnered views well over 40 million on Facebook. Also in 2020, Facebook Indias then-top policy official Ankhi Das had dismissed calls to ban BJP politician T. Raja Singh from the platform after he termed Muslims traitors, threatened to raze mosques, and called for Muslim immigrants to be shot. Das had argued that banning Singh from Facebook would hurt its business in India, as the Wall Street Journal had reported in August 2020. After Das stepped down in October that year, Facebook Indias current policy head Shivnath Thukral assisted in BJPs 2014 election campaign. In March last year, Al Jazeera reported that Facebook gave BJP a discount on its political advertisements during election campaigns. What is Metas response to the allegations? Meta issued a five-point statement as part of its proxy filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, in which it recommended shareholders voted against the proposal. Meta, in its response, said the company is committed to respecting human rightsand their underlying principles of equality, safety, dignity, privacy, and voiceacross our business operations. Highlighting the commitment to maintaining safety and integrity across all jurisdictions, including India, Meta said it has set aside resources to foster a culture of respect and ensure the safety of its users in India. Given our ongoing efforts to address this topic, the requested report is unnecessary and would not provide additional benefit to our shareholders, Meta said. More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Metro doctors hope new local research could lead to cure for brain tumors Across the country and right here in Atlanta, research is being done to hopefully find a cure for brain tumors that kill thousands of Americans each year. Channel 2s Audrey Washington spoke with doctors at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital on Thursday who are some of the top in the field. Neurosurgeon Dr. Tyler Kenning said the frustration is real when it comes to brain tumors. This is very humbling from our standpoint to see tough things happen to good people, Kenning said. He told Washington that theres really no rhyme or reason when it comes to why brain tumors develop and why those tumors attack seemingly healthy people. Abnormal cells in the body and in the brain that seem to grow abnormally for unknown reasons, Kenning said. This weekend the WSB-TV family will join the Georgia Brain Tumor Walk and Race event at the Battery in Cobb County to walk in honor of our beloved Jovita Moore. In 2021, Jovita died after a brave fight against glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. RELATED STORIES: When you think of cancers, oftentimes theres a capsule or membrane around them such that youre able to remove them in total. Theres nothing like that in a glioma, neurooncologist Dr. Aaron Mammoser said. Theyre infiltrating the brain, so theres not much separation between the brain and tumor and taking them out is difficult, said Dr. Andrew Sloan, chief of neurosciences at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. Washington asked Sloan what types of research and treatments are being done to hopefully cure brain cancer or even stop it before it forms. One of the things that seems to be very promising is immunotherapy. Here, weve done some trials where we combine radiation chemotherapy with immune therapy using an immune modulator called an immune checkpoint inhibitor and that has shown some promise, Sloan said. Doctors told Washington whats so frustrating about this disease, is that theres no concrete explanation as to why the tumors develop, but there are new treatments. The Georgia Brain Tumor Walk and Race will be Saturday at the Battery Atlanta. Registration opens at 7 a.m. CLICK HERE for more information. IN OTHER NEWS: Metro-east credit union rebrands with new name and other changes. What members can expect Metro-east credit union rebrands with new name and other changes. What members can expect GCS Credit Union will soon be known as Revity Credit Union. The new name takes effect on July 1, according to a press release. Despite a new name and a new look, the credit unions values and mission will remain the same. We are proud of our 82-year history and mission. We know change is constant, and we must adapt to our members needs. We will always stay true to our mission of serving our members, and are excited for this revitalization of the future, Keith Burton, GCS Credit Union President and CEO, stated in the release. A new website and mobile app are also coming in July. Customers can learn more about the changes online at mygcscu.com. GCS Credit Union first announced plans to rebrand at its 82nd annual meeting in March, according to an April story from the Illinois Business Journal. At the time, Chairman Jim Devine addressed attendees stating, This will be an exciting year! We will be rebranding the credit union as we strive to connect with our entire field of membership. This has been a decision that the Board has taken very seriously as we are all proud of our roots and want to honor our history. Based in Granite City, GCS Credit Union was established in 1941. In addition to the Granite City office and branch, GCS has locations in Edwardsville, Pontoon Beach, Collinsville, OFallon, Alton and Fairmont City and serves 18 Illinois counties. For more information, visit mygcscu.com. Mexican authorities found 45 bags containing an unknown number of human remains. The bags were found at an overlook of a forested area on the outskirts of Guadalajara in northwestern Mexico, the state prosecutors office of Jalisco said Wednesday in a statement, according to a report from The Associated Press. Firefighters and civil defense workers recovered the bags, which contained an unknown amount of bodies of both men and women, using a helicopter to recover them from the gorge where they were located. Work on recovering the bodies is expected to continue in the coming days, authorities said. MEXICAN SEARCHERS EXHUME 53 BAGS OF HUMAN REMAINS AFTER DOG IS SPOTTED CARRYING HUMAN HAND Police officers protect members of the "Hasta Encontrarte" ("Until we find you") collective during the search for missing relatives in a clandestine grave in the Santa Fe neighborhood of Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico. Mexican authorities were attempting to locate seven young people who were reported missing last week when they found the site with the bags, which were at a site reported to contain human remains, although it's not clear if the seven were among those whose remains were in the bags. According to the report, over 110,000 people are missing in Mexico, 15,000 of whom are missing from Jalisco, the highest number of any state. The country also has thousands of unidentified remains it its morgues and cemeteries. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP A member of the "Hasta Encontrarte" ("Until we find you") collective searches for missing relatives in a clandestine grave in the Santa Fe neighborhood of Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico. The latest discovery is not the first time Mexican authorities have found bags full of human remains, coming less than a year after authorities located 53 bags of remains in Irapuato, Guanajuato State, in November. Police officers patrol the streets of Celaya, Guanajuato State, Mexico. In that case, authorities were alerted to the possibility of a site containing human remains after a dog was reported walking around with a human hand in its mouth. The Associated Press contributed to this report. (Bloomberg) -- The Mexican government extended one of Grupo Mexicos train concessions by eight years in exchange of recovering a different concession, on a rail line that President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors administration had seized last month. Most Read from Bloomberg As part of the agreement, Grupo Mexico will return the concession of train tracks in the Isthmus, which had been deemed of public interest, to the government. In exchange, the company will receive an extension on a concession from the Isthmus to Veracruz by 8 years. No cash will be exchanged. We have reached an agreement, AMLO, as the president is known, said at a press briefing. It was a good deal. We are not paying but were extending the concession in exchange of them ceding the section of the Isthmus. The company confirmed the deal through a local statement. Its unit Ferrosur will be able to use the seized line by paying right-of-way fees. Last month, the Navy seized part of a rail line owned by Grupo Mexico, after a section of track in the state of Veracruz was deemed essential for a public project that involves building a rail line across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a relatively narrow strip of land that separates the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The news of the agreement shows that despite the strong-arm approach, the administration remains aware of the need to compensate for its hard-line measures, wrote Eurasia analysts led by Matias Gomez Leautaud in a note. Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez added that the agreement was signed last night. Read More: Billionaires Spat With AMLO Threatens Investor Appeal in Mexico (Updates with company comment in fourth paragraph and analyst comment.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Mexico is launching a new app to speed up its asylum process amid record levels of asylum seekers, even after a similar US app came under fierce criticism for glitches and difficulty of use. Andres Ramirez, head of Mexicos refugee assistance agency (COMAR) told CNN he believed an app was necessary in order to manage an overwhelming number of asylum requests in Mexico City. Were having so many people that we simply cannot cope, Ramirez said. Ramirez said that for the first time in the history of his agency, during the first 18 days of May, more asylum applications were filed in Mexico City than in the southern Mexican city of Tapachula, which borders Guatemala. During that time, 3,300 applications were filed in Mexico City and 3,000 in Tapachula, Ramirez said. The new app called simply the pre-registration system will allow individuals to register their intent to seek asylum online and is hoped to speed up processing. It is expected to launch next week in Mexico City only, with other areas expected to be added at a later date, according to Ramirez. He believes that the influx is in part the result of the end of Title 42 in the US, which brought many more people to Mexico in hopes of crossing the US-Mexico border. Those hopes were punctured by a harsh new rule enacted by the Biden administration that bars most asylum-seekers who travelled through other countries from gaining protection in the United States if they enter the country illegally. Ramirez also said that some individuals applying for asylum in Mexico City may still be waiting to get an appointment on US Customs and Border Protections CBP One App, through which users can make appointments to enter legally through a port of entry to make their case for asylum. Apps for asylum-seekers The US CBP One app has been sharply criticized by immigrant advocacy groups, who point out that some migrants lack the resources to get a smartphone, absence of adequate internet access to use the app, and may struggle with language and literacy barriers. Groups have also reported concerns about how the apps facial recognition technology handles darker skin. US Customs and Border Protection has told CNN that the app has worked as intended and that more than 79,000 individuals have scheduled appointments since the app was launched in January 2023. CBP also revamped the app earlier this month to address some of the concerns, and for the first time allowed people in central Mexico not just on the US-Mexico border to apply. Migrants eat on mats inside a shelter in the San Luis Tlaxialtemalco Forest on May 26, 2023, in Mexico City. - Gerardo Vieyra/NurPhoto/Reuters Mexicos asylum software application is similar to CBP One, in that individuals start the process by entering their information online, which is hoped to speed up the processing. But there is a significant difference, as Ramirez points out: unlike the CBP One app, his agencys app allows individuals to apply from inside Mexican territory. Still, immigration experts warn against using apps in the asylum process. You shouldnt have to schedule an appointment when youre running for your life, says Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center who has witnessed the use of the CBP One app first hand. The CBP One app is a logistical and humanitarian failure that should not be replicated by Mexico or any other country, Matos said. Matos said she met countless migrants fleeing danger in their home countries who were waiting in Mexico in dangerous conditions, and many of them experienced glitches, facial recognition issues for those with darker skin and language access problems. Meanwhile, the number of migrants living in limbo as they wait in Mexico City for their asylum claims has become dangerously unsustainable, aid groups say. Jose Antonio Silva, migration project coordinator for Doctors without Borders in Mexico City, says his organization is concerned about health and living conditions for those currently in overcrowded shelters or living on the streets. The shelters, most of them with their own resources, face not only overcrowding problems, but also the challenge of being able to cover the different basic needs of people: health, food, water, hygiene, sanitation, and information, Silva said. Silva said migrants staying in the saturated shelters are predominantly Haitians and Venezuelans, followed by Mexicans and Central Americans, with a few Afghans and Angolans, too. His observations match COMARs data, which shows that during the first four months of the year, the top five nationalities seeking asylum in Mexico were Haitian, Honduran, Cuban, Venezuelan, and Salvadoran. Angolan was the only nationality in the top 10 from outside the western hemisphere, COMAR data shows. Migrants are particularly vulnerable to extortion, robbery, physical and verbal aggression, sexual abuse, and discrimination, and Silva worries that sleeping on the street could increase their chances of being revictimized. From January 1 to May 18 of this year, more than 56,000 people have sought asylum in Mexico, according to Ramirez. At that pace, Ramirez said his agency is expecting to receive about a record-breaking 140,000 applications by years end. Seeking asylum is a legal right that should not be dependent on having a smartphone or using an app, Matos said. Our countries should instead be working together to create fair and humane systems that meet the realities of our world in the 21st century. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com When the City of Miami Beach hired an internationally acclaimed artist to cover the northeast walls of the Miami Beach Convention Center in colorful tiles, it expected a beautiful, permanent public artwork for residents to enjoy. What it got was cracked tiles, shoddy material and falling debris instead, a lawsuit alleges. On Friday, the city filed a complaint in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court against artist Sarah Morris and her company Parallax LLC for breach of contract, along with two contracting companies, Home One Contractors Corporation and Moosally Construction, for over $1,000,000 in damages. The city had paid Morris over $1,110,000 to create and install Morris Lapidus, an expansive abstract tile artwork, on the north and east facing outside walls of the Miami Beach Convention Center. But just months after the work was completed in July 2019, the art became a safety hazard, the complaint said. Tiles were cracking, bulging and falling off the wall. The city eventually installed a protective covering over part of the artwork to prevent tiles from falling onto people. Morris Lapidus at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The City of Miami Beach is suing the artist Sarah Morris and the contractors she hired after tiles fell from artwork. The city says Morris and the contractors she hired are to blame, adding that she was contractually obligated to repair the artwork if need be, according to court documents. Parallax, though, maintains that the artist was not at fault and that the artworks issues stem from when the walls were built. Parallax is prepared to vigorously defend itself against any allegations of wrongdoing and looks forward to the resolution of this matter, the company said through its attorneys, Soto Law Group. Any damage to the artwork Morris Lapidus is a direct result of issues surrounding the design and construction of the Miami Beach Convention Center itself. The citys attorney Michael Kurzman did not respond to a request for comment. Home One declined to comment. Morris, who is based in New York, is a painter and filmmaker with a long list of international art exhibitions and public artwork installations under her belt. Shes the artist behind the Monaco Reflecting Pools in Key Biscayne, which was installed in 2005. (Her website does not mention the Miami Beach Convention Center project.) Several tiles remain missing from Morris Lapidus on the north wall of the Miami Beach Convention Center. A two year warranty The saga began October 2016, when the city commissioned Morris to create a site-specific installation at the convention center, which was undergoing a multi-million dollar remodel. The artwork she created was in homage to Morris Lapidus, an architect known for designing Lincoln Road Mall, the Fontainebleau Hotel and the Eden Roc hotel. Somehow there was a lightness in [Morris Lapidus] work because of this treatment of the display or the commercial form, that actually now seems so ahead of his time, Morris said in a video made by Miami Beach Convention Center. They are sort of quintessentially American, but you really see it at its core in Miami. The installation process itself went through several delays, according to the lawsuit. At one point, the tiles were the wrong size and had to be cut by hand, the city said. The project was completed three months late. Morris Lapidus, an abstract tile artwork by artist Sarah Morris, was installed at the Miami Beach Convention Center and completed July 2019. By October 2020, tiles were falling off the wall, causing a safety hazard, the city said. The contract states that Morris is solely responsible for the quality and timely prosecution, completion and installation of the Artwork and the Project and for directing and supervising the creation of the tiles, according to court documents. The artist was also responsible for examining the walls to make sure it was OK for the project to move forward, the city said. Simply, if MBCCs walls could not support the Artwork, it was Artists contractual duty to notify the City before the Artwork was installed and to design a means of mitigating this issue, the lawsuit says. Artist did nothing, leaving the City to believe that the Installation Site was proper and ready for the Artwork. Under the agreement, Morris needed approval from the Contract Administrator to hire contractors. And, according to the contract, the artwork had to be free from defective or inferior materials and workmanship for two years after the date of final written acceptance. If the artwork needed repairs within that time frame, the artist would fix it at no extra cost to the city, according to the agreement. The artwork did not last two years. Tiles fell off the east wall portion Morris Lapidus, an artwork by Sarah Morris at the Miami Beach Convention Center. By Spring 2020, there were already signs of deterioration, the lawsuit alleges, like water damage, cracked tiles, issues with the grout and bulging. In April 2020, the city began contacting Morris about the defects, the lawsuit says. And then tiles began to detach from the wall. On October 30, 2020, the city said, 29 tiles fell off the east wall portion of the artwork. A few days later, two sections of tiles fell off. Then, another 20 tiles fell off the wall in one day. Over the course of several months, as the city notified Morris about the artworks defects and safety concerns, she hired two firms to investigate the issues, the lawsuit says. The city hired an engineering firm to do its own investigation, which found that the east wall was so problematic, it recommended that the tiles be removed completely. The plaque for Morris Lapidus, an artwork by Sarah Morris, remains on the sidewalk in front of the east wall of the Miami Beach Convention Center. The artwork on the east wall was in such poor condition, the city installed a protective covering over it. In several letters to the city, Oscar Soto, Morris attorney, identified who he considered the real culprit for the artworks damage: the construction companies that built the walls of the convention center. Due to the other companies negligence, the walls were never suitable to receive ceramic tiles in the first place, Soto said in a Sept. 9, 2021 letter. Ms. Morris is an internationally renowned artist, whose site-specific artwork has been installed and displayed in leading cities, such as New York, Paris, Zurich, Basel, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Bologna, to say nothing of Miami Beach, Soto said in the letter. CMBs response to the damage to the Morris Lapidus installation is an affront to the artist and to Miami Beachs own standing among the leading cities hosting Ms. Morriss work. Ms. Morris, the artwork, and the City of Miami Beach deserve better. In that same letter, Soto demanded for the city to promptly disassemble the Morris Lapidus installation, as it cannot continue to be displayed in its current condition. The artwork still stands. This story was produced with financial support from The Perez Family Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work. Miami deacon and teacher charged with molestation on an 11-year-old and a 12-year-old A teacher and deacon at a private school in North Miami is accused of grabbing the buttocks of two female students. On Thursday, Carlos Ramirez was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child between the ages of 12 and 16 and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under the age of 12. He was granted $7,500 bond on the former charge, but no bond on the latter charge. The 51-year-old remains in Miami-Dade Corrections custody. The Archdiocese of Miami says Ramirez has been a teacher at Holy Family Catholic School, 14650 NE 12th Ave., since 2016. The archdiocese also said once it received allegations about Ramirezs behavior, it put Ramirez on administrative leave and told North Miami police. During these many weeks Holy Family School officials and the Archdiocese of Miami administrators fully cooperated with the police investigation, the statement from the Archdiocese said. It has been a difficult time for students, teachers, and administrators of Holy Family School and Parish, and prayers are offered for all those involved. READ MORE: Miami teacher accused of inappropriate texts and molestation When the incident at school allegedly happened According to the arrest report, an 11-year-old student turning in her Spanish class homework said Ramirez grabbed her waist and squeezed her buttocks twice on March 13. One of her classmates, a 12-year-old girl, told police she saw the incident. When the 12-year-old turned in her homework, she said the five-foot-six, 180-pound Ramirez grabbed her by the waist and moved her in front of him. [She] felt [Ramirezs] clothed erect penis. She told police that Ramirez then reached under her skirt, grabbed her buttocks, squeezed twice, then kissed her on the cheek before letting her leave. Ramirez spoke to investigators Wednesday and denied all the allegations. Miamis love affair with omakase continues as new sushi spot opens in Coconut Grove The restaurant boom in Coconut Grove continues: A popular spot for sushi in Wynwood and Aventura has just opened in the Grove. Omakai Sushi, from brothers Diego and Pedro Quijada and their friends Nicolas Sayavedra and Chef Aaron Pate, just opened on Mary Street in the Groves Oak Avenue Plaza, next to Aida Mexican Seafood. The new space is 2,182 square feet with room for about 65 guests. Its menu is similar to the restaurant in Wynwood, with nigiri (a ball of rice topped with fish) and hand rolls available a la carte, plus an omakase (chefs choice) experience for $95. The Aventura spot offers takeout and delivery only at the moment. The restaurants are known for the special Homeakase boxes, a way to enjoy the omakase experience at home, which comes with directions on what to eat first and in what order. Diego Quijada said in a statement that customer appreciation has pushed the brand to expand. Miami is obsessed with luxury omakase dining. Heres everything you need to know The interior of Omakai Sushi in Coconut Grove. One of the key drivers behind our continued growth and expansion is the communitys steadfast support and genuine love for our concept, he said. This is just the beginning of the growth for the brand, which launched in 2019. The Aventura location will be converted to a full service, sit-down restaurant in 2024, and there are plans afoot to launch Miamis first hand roll bar in Brickell, which will also serve a special selection of sakes. The bar at Omakai Sushi in Coconut Grove. Coconut Grove is also home to Sushi by Scratch from Chef Philip Frankland Lee. The Montecito, California location earned a Michelin star. Omakai Sushi Coconut Grove Where: 3304 Mary St., Miami Hours: Noon-10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; noon-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday Information: www.omakai.com or 786-644-6494 Reservations: sevenrooms.com Owners of a popular Wynwood spot open lush Mexican restaurant in Coconut Grove A Michigan gallerist who faces allegations of defrauding art collectors out of $1.6 million worth of works is reportedly set to strike a deal with authorities. Wendy Beard is expected to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The dealer, who runs the Wendy Halsted Gallery in Birmingham, reportedly engaged in various fraudulent schemes and deceitful practices, including accepting payment for artworks that were never delivered and selling consigned artworks without informing the rightful owners. More from Robb Report The F.B.I. arrested Beard, 58, last October on wire fraud charges following an extensive investigation into the allegations. The dealer is accused of engaging in these deceptive activities from at least March 9, 2019, until at least October 14, 2022, The New York Times reports. Beard allegedly utilized false pretenses and representations, such as faking medical illnesses and crafting e-mail addresses for fictitious employees, to defraud individuals and obtain money and property, according to court documents. Those who have come forward claiming to be victims of Beards scams include Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist J. Ross Baughman and four other clients who filed an affidavit recounting their experiences with Beard. She was willing to take advantage of me, Baughman said in an interview with The New York Times. In one instance, an 82-year-old art collector consigned about $900,000 worth of photo prints, including a famous 1942 piece by Ansel Adams titled The Tetons and the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, with Beard. The gallerist appraised the work at $625,000 but later allegedly informed the collector that she was unable to sell it, Hypebeast reports. However, court documents revealed that Beard reportedly consigned the piece herself through a Wyoming gallery, where it sold for $440,000 without the knowledge or consent of the original collector. Beards lawyer, Steve Fishman, confirmed to Artnet that his client is expected to take a plea deal but declined to give further comments on the case. If Beard does strike this deal, she will be forced to repay all the proceeds obtained through her fraudulent schemes and surrender any of the assets acquired as a result. 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. Millions of TikTok users watched Maya and Sebastian vanish into the night. Now the children have emerged to tell their painful story. Supporters of Maya and Sebastian protest outside of a Santa Cruz County courthouse in October 2022. Still from a forthcoming documentary by Insider/Retro Report/Type Investigations In a TikTok video that went viral last fall, 15-year-old Maya and her younger brother were seen screaming as they were taken from their father. Their mother had won custody from a judge despite the children's allegations of abuse. The judge relied on a controversial theory called "parental alienation," which holds that when kids accuse a parent of abuse, it's often because they've been brainwashed by their other parent. This story was reported in partnership with the nonprofit newsroom Type Investigations. A video that went viral on TikTok last fall showed 15-year-old Maya and 11-year-old Sebastian, siblings from Santa Cruz, California, pleading and screaming in protest as three strangers cornered them in a garage, picked them up, and forced them into a black SUV. "You're kidnapping me!" Maya cried as she struggled in vain to get away. But this wasn't an illegal kidnapping. In fact, it had been ordered by a judge. Hours earlier, a family court judge had put Maya and Sebastian in the sole custody of their mother, even though they'd both accused her of abuse and wanted to stay with their father. The judge had also ordered the children into a treatment program for "parental alienation" and authorized an intervention company to take them there. The video was viewed millions of times and ignited a national movement to support Maya, Sebastian, and other children who've been forced into the custody of a parent they've accused of abuse. But Maya and Sebastian essentially vanished that night. They never returned to their schools in Santa Cruz, and friends and family didn't know where they were. The children weren't heard from publicly for seven months until Monday morning, when they emerged in an online video announcing that they'd run away from their mom. And in an exclusive interview with Insider and Type Investigations that took place while they were still living with their mother, the children described everything that happened after they were seized. Maya and Sebastian's ordeal began on October 20, 2022, when California Superior Court Judge Rebecca Connolly ordered them into the custody of their estranged mother, Jessica, and into a reunification program called One Family at a Time. The program is grounded in the theory of parental alienation, which was developed in the 1980s by the psychiatrist Dr. Richard Gardner, who thought that divorcing mothers often brainwash children into falsely accusing their fathers of abuse. In severe cases, Gardner wrote, children suffering from "parental alienation syndrome" must be cut off from the parent they prefer, transferred to the care of the parent they claim to fear, and subjected to "threat therapy." Lynn Steinberg, a family therapist in Los Angeles, runs the reunification program One Family at a Time. She says children who arent reunited with an alienated parent risk being plagued by guilt. Still from a forthcoming documentary by Insider/Retro Report/Type Investigations Parental alienation has never been accepted as a psychiatric disorder by the medical establishment. Yet today, mental-health providers across the United States purport to treat it, usually under an order from a judge. Recently, a collaborative investigation by Insider and Type found that since 2000, judges have sent more than 600 children to reunification programs that recommend the temporary exile of their trusted parent. One such program is One Family at a Time, which is run by therapist Lynn Steinberg, who says it has treated 50 families over the past eight years. Ruling from the bench last October, Connolly said that while Maya and Sebastian had accused Jessica of abuse, and Maya had testified to this alleged abuse, the children's statements were "ever-changing" and not credible. Instead, Connolly blamed the children's rejection of their mother on their father, Justin, who'd divorced Jessica in 2019. (Insider is identifying members of the family by their first names only to protect the privacy of minors.) Connolly barred Justin and everyone associated with him from contact with the children for at least 90 days. The children were to travel immediately to Steinberg's office in Los Angeles, where they would undergo a four-day workshop with Jessica. Immediately after the workshop, Jessica said in a court filing that her relationship with the children had "utterly changed for the better." Likewise, in an interview with Insider and Type in April, Steinberg described the family's workshop as a success. Steinberg said that virtually all the children her program enrolls have falsely accused a parent of abuse and that she does not accept children into her program whose abuse claims have been substantiated. While Maya "hung onto" her belief that she'd been abused for longer than most children would, Steinberg said, Maya eventually apologized to Jessica, and both children sat on their mother's lap and cried. "And they were just re-bonding with their mom a mom that they probably desperately wanted to see, desperately wanted to be close to," Steinberg said. In a screenshot from a viral TikTok, Maya can be seen being taken from her father's care against her will in October 2022 by staff for Assisted Interventions, acting under a judge's order. TikTok But on Monday, Maya and Sebastian, now 16 and 12, announced in a video posted by an activist that they had fled their mother, who had moved them to Olympia, Washington. In a phone interview that took place before they left, both children said they stood by their allegations and were complying with Steinberg's program and with their mother out of fear. They said they wanted to return to Santa Cruz and to their father, whom they hadn't seen since October, and that they wanted their story told. "I don't ever want to live with my mom or see my mom again," Maya said. "I'm scared of her. I want to be with my dad and with my dad's family. And what happened was not OK." The children didn't disclose their location in the video. But later in the week, they posted eight videos to Maya's Instagram account. In one, Maya says she and her brother are safe and thanks "all the people in Santa Cruz who made it possible for us to get away and motivated us to get out of there." In court testimony last October, Jessica denied abusing the children. Last summer, an investigation into some of the children's allegations by the Santa Cruz County child welfare agency was "inconclusive," court records show. The Santa Cruz Police Department also investigated Jessica last summer and filed no charges, according to court records. An email sent to Jessica was answered by her attorney Heidi Simonson, who said that state law enforcement and the FBI were investigating the "criminal act of luring the children away, and concealing them from their custodial parent." Simonson defended parental alienation but declined to answer written questions, citing a gag order imposed by Connolly. Though Steinberg spoke with Insider and Type at length earlier this year, she didn't respond to a request for another interview this week, nor to a list of questions. Justin said he'd seen the initial video posted on Monday and was praying that the children were safe, but other than that, he couldn't comment. In the phone interview and in one of her new Instagram videos, Maya said that both she and Sebastian cried the whole way to Los Angeles after being seized by agents from Assisted Interventions. At first, Maya said, the transporters pinned her to the car floor in a "full body lock." She said her back hurt and her lip was bleeding. Assisted Interventions didn't reply to requests for comment. When they arrived at Steinberg's office, Maya started hyperventilating with fear, she said, partly because she knew her mother would be joining them. But Steinberg told Maya to "stop pretending," she said. In her April interview, Steinberg said she doesn't use coercion or threats. But Maya said that when she and Sebastian raised their abuse allegations with Steinberg and a clinician who was assisting her, the psychologist Regina Marshall, the therapists called them liars and threatened them. Maya said they were told that if they didn't start telling the truth, they'd have to go "somewhere else" where necessities like blankets and food could be withheld. Maya said they were also warned that they could be separated from each other and kept from their father for years. Their mother was present for this discussion but didn't say much, Maya said. Marshall, who is based in Monterey, California, and was appointed by the court in 2021 to help the children reconcile with Jessica, declined to answer written questions. In an email, Marshall said that for legal and ethical reasons, she can't disclose who her patients are. Despite the pressure, Maya said, she and Sebastian never recanted. But seeing no other option, they agreed to try to get along with their mother. The children said they did show her physical affection, as Steinberg claimed, but only because Steinberg demanded it. And they said they only cried because they were scared. For the remainder of the workshop, Maya said, Steinberg and Marshall focused on how the children had hurt their mom, how pathological this behavior was, and how they could make amends. The clinicians tried to get the children to blame their father, Maya said, but they refused. Maya was 12 and Sebastian was 8 when their parents divorced. The parents shared custody, but the children soon began resisting their time with Jessica, court records show. In filings in late 2020 and early 2021, Justin said this was because the children didn't feel safe at Jessica's, while Jessica blamed Justin and his new wife, saying the children were "hewing to what they have been told (or threatened) to do or not do." In the fall of 2021, Jessica told the court that Justin had "successfully alienated" the children from her. Jessica's alienation claim was eventually buttressed by Marshall, who filed a report with Connolly last September criticizing Justin for supporting the children's abuse allegations. Saying that Justin may be "delusional," Marshall urged immediate action. "In the larger scheme of things," she wrote, "there is precious little time left to intervene with these children to help them heal and give them the best chance at a psychologically healthy life." A few weeks later, Connolly granted Jessica sole custody and ordered the children into Steinberg's program. A request for comment from Connolly was answered by a Santa Cruz County court administrator, who said judges couldn't discuss "pending and active" cases. Throughout the workshop, Maya said, she and Sebastian stayed at a condo with their mother and Marshall. For costs related to the workshop, Marshall billed the family more than $10,000, while Steinberg charged more than $13,000, court records show. Assisted Interventions, which transported and monitored the children for seven days, charged more than $33,000. By court order, Justin was responsible for these costs. Once the children were settled in Olympia with Jessica, they continued to superficially comply, they said. But at one point, Maya told her court-appointed attorney that she wanted an opportunity to testify, she said. After Jessica learned this, she brought the children to Steinberg again, Maya said. Steinberg was angry, Maya said, saying she shouldn't be communicating with her lawyer without permission and that she couldn't testify. Steinberg also told Insider and Type that the incident sparked a return visit to her office. It was inappropriate, she said, for Maya to seek to speak to the judge. "What children do is they talk to their parents about what they want to do, and get permission from their parents," Steinberg said. Marshall and Steinberg are working to oppose Piqui's Law, a California bill that would bar state judges from ordering children into treatments that cut them off from the parent they prefer. An attenuated version of the legislation has passed the state senate and is being weighed by the assembly, where the bill's proponents are hoping to strengthen it. A similar law was signed by Colorado's governor last week. In a video she made last October, two days before the court order, Maya expressed support for Piqui's Law. For now, however, her focus is more immediate. "I haven't been able to talk to my friends or my grandparents or my stepsiblings or my dad or my stepmom or any of those people who are actually supportive family in like seven months now," she said. The adults she is allowed to speak with haven't helped, she said. "We've been telling them that our highest priority is talking to those people and being around those people and being back with those people. And they're like, 'No, no, no.'" Read the original article on Insider The stories of missing Black women are always chilling to read. Oftentimes, their stories go untold or unsolved. Now, Minnesota has decided to officially take action with its first Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. Making history the Minnesota state house just passed a bill to establish the nations first office of missing and murdered Black women and girls. We matter and we are worthy of resources, investment in prevention, and worthy of protection. #MMBWG pic.twitter.com/tJme7i1Xml Ruth Richardson (@RuthForHouse) February 20, 2023 A Voice For Missing Black Women and Girls These efforts originally began in 2021 with a task force led by Lakisha Lee. Lees family, like many Black families, has dealt with the tragedy of a a missing Black womans case that was not given the attention it deserved. Over a decade ago, Lees sister, Brittany Clardy went missing when she was 18. About two weeks later, Clardy was found murdered in the trunk of her car despite her family alerting police almost immediately when they realized something was wrong. Lee says that the police could have done a better job of taking the matter seriously, but didnt. We knew something was wrong right away, Lee told NPR. After they asked us her age and asked us about her demographics, they said, Well, she just turned 18, she probably ran away with her boyfriend. We knew her. Were the experts on our family. Lee wants to make sure other missing Black womens cases do not fly under the radar like Clardys. Her task force was created through legislation backed by Democratic State Rep. Ruth Richardson and a team of volunteers. A report issued by the task force in 2022, noted that although Black women make up 7% of the states population, they also make up 40% of the states domestic violence victims. A Better Tomorrow The findings from the task force have impacted not only the state of Minnesota but surrounding communities as well. States like Illinois and Wisconsin have also implemented task forces similar to Minnesotas. But now, Minnesota has taken it a step further by becoming the first state to create the nations first Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. The Legislature is set to spend nearly $2.5 million over the next two years on the effort. $300,000 will be used each year for community-based organization grants. $948,000 will be allocated to establish and operate the Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. $50,000 would be used each year for public awareness campaigns about the office. Lee says that she hopes these efforts spark change. We can work towards a community intervention model that really serves all families for generations so that the office doesnt have to be a forever office, she shared. We can end this epidemic. The post Minnesota Launches First Office for Missing Black Women appeared first on 21Ninety. When Kentuckys General Assembly made it legal for individuals to sell bourbon to stores, restaurants and bars, the rules were simple. The regulations outline who can sell, who can buy and what they have to tell the state about it. But they left a gray area about what counts as vintage: Anything not readily available from a Kentucky wholesaler is allowed. The Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is supposed to receive written notice prior to vintage distilled spirits sales of each purchase. The Herald-Leader wanted to see what was being purchased under the law and in January filed an open-records request for the notifications. The Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet repeatedly provided incomplete records, leaving off one large purchaser Revival Vintage Spirits entirely and omitting more than 6,000 bottles from the records originally provided. Revival Spirits in Covington, Ky., is small but has been among the largest liquor stores buying and selling under the Kentucky Vintage Distilled Spirits law. All of the purchases by Revival more than 5,000 bottles were left out of the original data supplied by Kentucky ABC under an open records request, as were 1,000 additional bottles bought by other stores. According to the ABC, it was just a mistake that happened in transferring a file. Records submitted to the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) are regularly monitored, but they are not the sole basis for starting an investigation. Many investigations arise from complaints. While an error was made in transferring the complete file of records for the open records request, it in no way reflects on the abilities or commitment of the men and women of ABC who work diligently to support all members of the industry and investigate complaints related to alcohol, vapes, tobacco, and black market (unlicensed) trafficking in alcohol, ABC said in a statement. The state now says all records have been provided but purchase records reported by Justins House of Bourbon, which is under investigation, stop in 2019. An attorney for Justins House of Bourbon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether or not the retailer submitted purchases. ABC also says that purchases of non-vintage spirits are considered illegal. ABC commissioner Allyson Taylor said that the department is conducting several extensive investigations into alcohol sales under the vintage law. None are yet complete, she said; the state is exempt from providing information involved in open investigations. Weller, available as an allocated release on a morning in February at Buffalo Trace, was the brand of bourbon most commonly sold under Kentucky Vintage Spirits law, even though it isnt vintage. According to the state, ABC tracks vintage sales. But apparently the state did not have a database of purchases. The Herald-Leader created one based on records provided; heres what was found: More than 1,150 purchases from January 2018 through March 2023. About 50 licensed entities (bars, restaurants, liquor retailers, festivals and events) reported purchases. At least 14,213 bottles changed hands. The most common brands sold were Blantons (about 2,000 bottles) and Weller (more than 2,400 bottles), accounting for more than 31 percent of all reported sales, but there were also many vintage bottles such as Jim Beam decanter sets and Pre-Prohibition whiskeys. Drinks from different years of Blantons bourbon releases are available for sampling at Revival. Brad Bonds, of Revival Spirits in Covington, Ky., holds a vintage bottle of bourbon Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Revival buys vintage bourbons and other spirits unavailable elsewhere then sells by the drink, or by the bottle. Customers can taste a 40-year-old bourbon for $5. While there were hundreds of individual sellers, the Top 25 accounted for 36 percent of all sales. The regulations say that private citizens are only allowed to sell 24 bottles or less in 12 months. Taylor said in an interview with the Herald-Leader that selling more than that is allowed if the seller is a fiduciary, such as the executor of an estate; is a creditor who seizes assets; or meets other official requirements set out in the statute. Many people were frequently selling far more than 24 bottles, according to the sales records. One man, for instance, sold to Bourbon Creek in Fayette Mall 13 times between Oct. 29, 2021 and July 8, 2022, more than 600 bottles. If they are having more than 24 and dont have one of those exceptions, that would be a violation of Kentucky alcohol law, Taylor said. The seller did not respond to attempts to contact him for comment. The Jersey Shore's got the blues. Anthony Big A Sherrod and the Allstars, direct from the Mississippi Delta, and Kenny Stringbean Sorensen will play at 8 p.m. Friday, June 2, at the Lauren K. Woods Theatre on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch. The program is called The Mississippi Delta Meets the Jersey Shore. The night is presented by the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation, the nonprofit supporting and preserving jazz and blues in New Jersey, and the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University. "Delta Blues plays a significant role in the landscape of American music," said Eileen Chapman, director of the Springsteen Archives, in a statement. "Dating back over 100 years, this music art form has been a major influence for both blues and rock performers throughout the world. Contemporary artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Cat Power, the Rolling Stones and others were inspired by the works of Delta Blues icons such as Son House, Robert Johnson and B.B. King. Our collaboration with JSJBF demonstrates our role in promoting all forms of American music and its impact on our culture. Anthony "Big A" Sherrod as pictured on the cover of his 2016 album, "Right on Time." Sherrod, a native of Clarksdale, was mentored by bluesman Johnnie Billington, and he played with B.B. King as a child. Sorensen's Boardwalk Social Club is a long-running hit Mondays in the summer on the Asbury Park boardwalk outside Low Dive. The show on Friday is the first of a new collaboration between the Springsteen Archives and the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation. More: Tom Jones takes on Trump, immigration and growing old gracefully at New Brunswick show More: Hip-hop legend Eric B makes guest appearance at Lakehouse Music party in Asbury Park Countless fans travel from around the globe to experience the home of the blues, and I know they receive the same warm welcome that I get every time I return, said Christine Clark Zemla of the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation in a statement. Im thrilled to be launching a partnership in which we can join two communities bonded by rich musical legacies and we may be surprised to learn so much more! The Delta blues night, co-sponsored by the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area and Visit Clarksdale, will include music, stories and more. Tickets, $25, are available via jsjbf.org. Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene. Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Springsteen Archives co-sponsors blues show at Monmouth University The state of Missouri has started to pay out $20 million awarded to four women who alleged they were sexually abused by a guard at Chillicothe Correctional Center in western Missouri. A federal jury awarded $5 million last year to each of the women, who testified they were sexually assaulted by Corrections Officer Edward Bearden at the womens prison about 90 miles northeast of Kansas City. The state has so far paid out $10.6 million of the significant settlement, according to a monthly report put out by the Missouri Attorney Generals Office. The state is expected to pay the rest of it in the coming months. During the civil trial at the federal courthouse in Kansas City, one of the womens lawyers, Susan McGraugh, said Bearden considered the prison his personal hunting ground. She said he groomed and complimented the prisoners, giving them items they were not allowed to have like soda; sexually harassed them; isolated them in small spaces without cameras; and raped them. Lawyers with the attorney generals office, which represented Bearden as a state employee, tried to paint the women as liars. Bearden, who worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections from 2008 to September 2018, denied the accusations. No criminal charges have been filed against him. An appeals court in March rejected Beardens attempt to get a new civil trial, calling his conduct reprehensible. [Source] A man was fatally shot in what family members believe was a botched robbery at his own restaurant in St. Louis on Tuesday night. The shooting, which left another man wounded, reportedly occurred at St. Louis Kitchen in the 800 block of North Kingshighway Boulevard at around 9:45 p.m. Responding officers found the victims on the west side of the building. Faming Pan, 38, was shot in the stomach and pronounced dead at the scene, according to reports. The other victim, an unidentified 56-year-old man, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition. More from NextShark: Marvel writer quits after learning editor-in-chief pretended to be Asian to further his career Pan, who went by the name Randy, ran St. Louis Kitchen for 10 years and was loved by the local community. Randy was a good guy, helped anybody; you know, give anybody a job, former employee John Walker told Fox 2 Now. I left like [in] 2021, but me and him stayed in touch. I just talked to him on Mothers Day. That's a big surprise because he was a real nice guy, customer Sherman Moore told 5 On Your Side. He was a very nice, you know, friendly young guy. As a matter of fact, I used to give him a few tracks and stuff from my church. And he was very accepting. More from NextShark: Andrew Yang, Democrat for over 25 years, goes independent St. Louis police said a language barrier has made it difficult to determine what led up to the shooting. A neighboring business offered camera footage to police, according to KMOV. Investigation into the case continues. Anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Division at 314-444-5371 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477). More from NextShark: Man Causes $10,000 in Damages at Walmart Spraying Lysol to 'Fight' Coronavirus Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Davis Police Chief Apologizes to Asian American Doctor for Suspected Racial Bias Two self-styled militia members, who were arrested after one shot at FBI agents at the Lake of the Ozarks, planned to travel to Texas shoot at undocumented immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexican border and murder Border Patrol agents who would have tried to stop them, according to new charges filed against them. Jonathan ODell, 33, of Warsaw in Missouris Benton County, and 37-year-old Bryan Perry, of Tennessee, were arrested in October after Perry allegedly fired 11 shots at multiple FBI special agents trying to execute a search warrant at ODells residence. At the time, little was known about why the FBI was searching the residence in the 30000 block of US 65 Highway, about 100 miles southeast of Kansas City. But a 44-count second superseding indictment, returned this week by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, alleges the men conspired to go to war with border patrol agents. The men, who remain detained, now face charges of conspiracy to murder a federal officer and employee and attempted murder of a federal officer and employee, among other crimes. They face life in prison if convicted. ODells attorney, Daniel Dodson, said he will plead not guilty and intends to fight these charges. It looks like the government intends to prove a lot of talk, said Dodson, who is based in Jefferson City. As early as winter 2021, the men communicated about their various grievances against the U.S. government. The next year, they recruited others to their group, 2nd American Militia, according to the indictment. Among their communications, Perry texted ODell images of the U.S. Capitol, the Secret Services headquarters and other government buildings in Washington, D.C., to stop the madness going on, prosecutors said. Perry allegedly got a hold of a multi-caliber rifle weeks later and texted ODell to say he was good to go. In September 2022, Perry traveled to Warsaw, Missouri, to live with ODell, bringing the rifle, a handgun and body armor, according to the indictment. That month, Perry posted a video on the social media app TikTok, in which he said Border Patrol was committing treason by allowing undocumented immigrants to enter the U.S., and that the penalty for treason was death, according to the indictment. Perry posted another video the next day, saying he was ready to go to war against this government, prosecutors allege. In yet a different video, he allegedly said they were out to shoot to kill and that their group is gonna go protect this country. Additionally, prosecutors allege Perry used TikTok to contact someone in Louisiana, listed in the indictment as Individual #1, to join he and ODell. The men allegedly planned to leave for Eagle Pass, Texas, on Oct. 8 from a Warsaw grocery store. In one phone call, prosecutors allege, Perry told another person they would acquire night vision goggles and ammunition from murdered federal law enforcement officers, according to the indictment, which paraphrased his comments. Days before they planned to leave, Perry and ODell practiced target shooting, prosecutors said. They allegedly amassed six guns, 1,770 rounds of ammunition, two gas masks and other items. FBI agents showed up to ODells residence the day before the two apparently planned to leave. Gunshots rang out as Perry allegedly fired at the agents, striking the lead vehicle. The FBI did not fire back and eventually arrested both men. Perry assaulted at least one agent while trying to avoid arrest, according to court records. Missouri freshman Rep. Mark Alford on Wednesday voted against a deal to avoid an historic default on the countrys debt, breaking with Republican leaders in his first high-profile vote as a member of the U.S. House. The deal, which still cleared the House with bipartisan support, will raise the debt limit for two years while capping some federal spending and imposing work requirements on some social welfare programs. Earlier Wednesday, Alford supported a procedural vote in favor of the bill, but he said he was still weighing whether to ultimately support the bill. Alford, a former television anchor whose district includes two military bases, said he didnt like spending caps the bill put on defense spending and the fact that it raised the debt limit for two years until after the next presidential election. As long as I am in Congress, I will never vote for what Washington wants, Alford wrote in a release on Twitter. I will always vote for what Missouris 4th District wants and needs; and they need much better than this bill provides. Most of the representatives from Kansas and Missouri voted Wednesday to raise the debt limit through 2025 while adding caps to federal spending and requirements for some programs in the social safety net, keeping the country on track to avoid an historic default on the national debt. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Kansas Republican whose district includes Wyandotte County, cited the economic turmoil that would have resulted from default as a driving factor in his decision to back the bill. Defaulting on our nations debt would result in a global financial crisiscrippling 401ks and triggering disastrous implications for families across Kansas, LaTurner said in a statement. This debt limit package cuts wasteful federal spending by $2.1 trillion, unleashes the American economy, and blocks President Bidens demands for higher taxesall while protecting seniors and veterans. I dont agree with everything in this bill, but in divided government, we cant let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Democrats joined Republicans to provide enough votes for the bill to clear the House, as several of the far-right members of the Republican caucus railed against the legislation, saying it didnt do enough to pare back government spending like an earlier bill that did not have enough support to get through the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate. The bill passed 314-117, with the support of eight out of the 12 lawmakers from Kansas and Missouri. Rep. Eric Burlison, a freshman Republican from Missouri, was also one of the 71 Republicans who voted against the bill. I just couldnt do it. I just couldnt do it, Burlison said. And I get it. But I think that the bill that we sent forward before was actually a reasonable bill, it was a responsible bill, it had significant cuts up front. The earlier House bill, passed at the end of April with only Republican votes didnt have support to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate. Instead, it forced a negotiation between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, announced this weekend. The deal would reduce the federal deficit by about $1.5 trillion between 2023 and 2033, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Biden and McCarthys compromise lifts the debt limit until 2025, after the next presidential election, in exchange for mostly capping spending on programs outside of Medicare and Social Security. The debt limit restricts the amount of money the federal government can borrow to pay its bills. Biden put out a statement Wednesday night praising the House for passing the bill, saying it was good news for the American people and the economy. I have been clear that the only path forward is a bipartisan compromise that can earn the support of both parties, Biden said. This agreement meets that test. I urge the Senate to pass it as quickly as possible so that I can sign it into law, and our country can continue building the strongest economy in the world. More Democrats than Republicans voted in favor of the bill. Federal spending exceeded the debt limit in January, but the Treasury Department has moved money around in order to keep paying the countrys bills until money runs out. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen predicted there wont be enough money to pay the countrys bills by the end of the weekend, leaving lawmakers staring down an historic default on the countrys debt if not enough members back the deal. In explaining his vote, Alford said he felt the bill would exacerbate the deficit and said the bill didnt go far enough in limiting funding for the IRS allocated by Congress in 2022. While I applaud the efforts of Kevin McCarthy throughout this negotiation process, I cannot in good faith support this debt ceiling package, Alford said. The bill cuts about $20 billion in IRS funding, lifts some restrictions on oil and gas projects and imposes new work requirements for able-bodied adults up to age 54 who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, and those who qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a program that financially helps low-income families. The progressive Center for Budget and Policy Priorities said Wednesday that up to 11,000 Missourians and 3,000 Kansans would be at risk of losing their benefits under the bill. Rep. Cori Bush, a St. Louis Democrat, was the only other member of the Missouri and Kansas delegations to vote against the bill and her objection largely focused on the work requirements the bill imposed on people receiving SNAP and TANF benefits. The Congressional Budget Office said the legislation would increase the number of people eligible for SNAP benefits because it eliminates work requirements for veterans, homeless people and people under 24 who were in foster care when they turned 18. Its saying that it could work, but the actual application of it when we know were driving people off is tough, Bush said. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat, said he also struggled with how the bill would affect poor people. But he ultimately decided that the consequences of a potential default outweighed any issues he had with the bill. I guess there are people who would like to say, well, but you got to stand up for your principles, Cleaver said. I think a lot of people are interested in principal and interest. The deal was also good enough for Rep. Ann Wagner, a St. Louis County Republican who said she liked much of what she say in the bill. She was particularly enthusiastic about procedural changes the bill that aimed to limit spending by administrative agencies, which she said would prevent Biden from waiving large amounts of student loan debt. Im very pleasantly surprised at how much they they were able to negotiate and get done, Wagner said. And I gotta tell you what, Ive never voted to default on the full faith and credit of the United States of America. This is my sixth term in Congress, and I cant imagine crossing that Rubicon. Wagner said she felt some of the Republicans voting against the bill were being insincere in their approach to the negotiations, saying they were asking for provisions that were outside of the bill already passed by Republicans. But standing on then steps of the Capitol after a procedural vote, Burlison, wearing a tie honoring Adam Smith, who was considered the father of capitalism, said he felt Republican leaders should have played hardball and that he felt they were negotiating with themselves. I dont know if Im totally disillusioned with this place yet, Im gonna try, but I will say that Ive become more and more a fan of the article five convention of states process, Burlison said, referencing a movement to host a constitutional convention that would enable conservatives to add stricter budget provisions. Im becoming more and more convinced that this place may require some equity on the outside, a constitutional amendment, he said, implying he wants a constitutional amendment that requires Congress to balance its budget. McClatchy DC reporter Danielle Battaglia contributed report. Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated how much the bill reduces from the national deficit. Its $1.5 trillion. HOW THEY VOTED A yes vote sends a bill increasing the debt limit for two years while capping some federal spending to the Senate for a vote. Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids (D) Yes Rep. Ron Estes (R) Yes Rep. Jake LaTurner (R) Yes Rep. Tracey Mann (R) No Missouri Rep. Mark Alford (R) No Rep. Eric Burlison (R) No Rep. Cori Bush (D) No Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) Yes Rep. Sam Graves (R) Yes Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R) Yes Rep. Jason Smith (R) Yes Rep. Ann Wagner (R) Yes Sen. Eric Schmitt said Thursday that he will vote against a deal intended to stave off an historic default on the countrys debt, bucking bipartisan compromise in his first high-profile vote in Congress. The deal, negotiated by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, raises the debt limit for two years until January 2025 while capping some federal spending and imposing work requirements on some social welfare programs. Missourians didnt send me here to support the status quo, they sent me here to fight for change, Schmitt, a freshman Missouri Republican, said in a news release. This is an important moment for our country, as we have the opportunity to rein in spending and enact much-needed structural reform unfortunately the Fiscal Responsibility Act does neither. The debt ceiling is effectively the credit card limit of the country in order to borrow more money to pay for already approved spending, Congress has to raise the limit. Federal spending exceeded the debt limit in January, but the Treasury Department took extraordinary measures to continue to pay the bills. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the country would no longer be able to pay all of its bills by Monday. In rejecting the deal, Schmitt is staking out a lane in the more conservative faction of the Republican caucus, many of whom have been critical of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican who has led the party in the Senate for 16 years. Schmitt pledged during his 2022 Senate campaign that he would oppose McConnell as leader, even though a political action committee closely tied to McConnell helped Schmitt defeat former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens in the GOP primary race. Schmitts decision signals a change in approach from his predecessor, former Sen. Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican who McConnell often relied on to get bipartisan deals through the Senate. The bill caps spending outside of Medicare and Social Security while imposing new work requirements for people between 50-54 who qualify for the Supplement Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps and the Temporarily Assistance for Needy Families program, which provides support for low-income families. But it also exempts veterans, people who are homeless and people younger than 24 who were in foster care when they turned 18. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill will make about 78,000 more people eligible for SNAP benefits. It also pulls back $20 billion in new spending for the Internal Revenue Service, gives $45 billion for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits while serving overseas, prevents Biden from unilaterally extending a moratorium on student loan debt payments and rescinds some unspent pandemic relief funding. The Congressional Budget Office said the overall package would reduce the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years compared to projections in May. On the Senate floor Thursday, McConnell congratulated the House for its bipartisan passage of the bill. While more House Democrats voted in favor of the deal than House Republicans, it had enough votes to easily clear the chamber and the support of nearly two thirds of the Republican caucus. They took an urgent and important step in the right direction for the health of our economy and the future of our country, McConnell said. The fiscal responsibility act avoids the catastrophic consequences of a default on our nations debt. And just as importantly it makes the most serious headway in years toward curbing Washington Democrats reckless spending addiction. But the bill is expected to get little support from Senate Republicans from Kansas and Missouri. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, said earlier this week that he wont support the deal because it doesnt deal with trade policy. And Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, criticized the bill on the grounds that it would add more debt. At the end of the day, Im disappointed in President Biden, Marshall said on Fox Business earlier this week. He continues to govern like hes the president of the woke Green Socialist Party, not like hes a moderate that he campaigned to be. A Missouri woman charged with killing her 2-month-old child pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter. Kayla Brewer and her partner, Jason Williams, were indicted by a Cole County Grand Jury in February 2021 for the September 30, 2020, death of their child. Initially, the sheriffs office said foul play was not suspected in the babys death, KRCG reported at the time. The couple was initially charged with drug offenses, endangering the welfare of a child and receiving stolen property after officers seized drugs, a stolen rifle and more than $30,000 from their home. 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL CRITICALLY INJURED IN NASHVILLE DELIBERATE CAR ATTACK An autopsy report showed that the infant had died with a "significant amount" of meth in the babys system and the death was later ruled a homicide. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Brewer took the stand Tuesday and pleaded guilty to the charges. She was sentenced to five years of supervised probation. Brewer was originally sentenced to 10 years in prison, but a Cole County circuit judge reduced her charges after she pleaded guilty. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A recentalbeit unsuccessfulattempt to require Texas public schools to post the 10 Commandments put those commandments back into national headlines for the umpteenth time. I started covering religion in 1990. For three decades the commandments have regularly resurfaced as a source of contention between thosegenerally, conservative Christianswho want religion to play a greater role in public life and those who think religion and public institutions should shy away from each other. I mainly adhere to the separation of church from public schools, as Ive said repeatedly. History demonstrates that whenever you intertwine religion and any public institution too closely, you end up corrupting both entities. Texas lawmakers were scheduled to vote in late May on whether to require the 10 Commandments to be posted in every Texas classroom. That bill was one of a half-dozen pro-religion bills before the House that had already been approved by the Texas Senate. But a crucial deadline went by without a vote on the commandments bill, meaning it didnt passthis time. Trust me: itll come around again, not only in Texas but elsewhere. Efforts nationwide to ramp up the mixing of religion and state are currently more numerous and aggressive than theyve been for years, observed Michelle Boorstein, the Washington Posts excellent religion writer. Americans United for Separation of Church and State says it is watching 1,600 bills around the country in states such as Louisiana and Missouri, she wrote recently. Earlier this year, Idaho and Kentucky signed into law measures that could allow teachers and public school employees to pray in front of and with students while on duty. But, back to the 10 Commandments specifically. Ive never comprehended why Christians are so adamant about them. Theres no evidence that hanging the commandments on school walls curbs rowdy youthful hormones. As a tool for improving schoolkids behavior, thats a zero. Also, the commandments arent even a Christian document, really. Theyre a Jewish document. Yes, theyre in Christians Bibles, but for us they were superseded by the New Testament. If you absolutely felt compelled to post something, why wouldnt you post something straight from the lips of Jesus himself? Perhaps the Beatitudes. Theyre the opening to Jesus revolutionary Sermon on the Mount, arguably the most influential spiritual message ever preached. There are nine Beatitudes. That makes them numerically similar to the 10 Commandments, yet more succinct. You could save a bit of space. Heres how they go: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Oddly, Ive never heard any Christian activist argue in favor of posting the Beatitudes on schoolhouse walls. And theyre the foundational rules of our faith. They cut past all the legalistic externals of standard religion to lay open the hidden struggles of human hearts. They praise the lowly and suffering, while by implicitly rebuking the rich and smug. I know I cant judge other peoples motives. Still, I suspect that some of those yelling loudest for the 10 Commandments are less interested in enlightening peoples souls than in beating them into submission. The commandments have become merely a talismana stand-in, a code for asserting ones own supposed superiority over heathens (whoever those unlucky folks might be). As I wrote last year, the commandments werent meant for giving heathens beatings. But if you read them in a certain way theyll serve that purpose, and thats how theyve often been employed. By contrast, theres no way to turn the Beatitudes into a cudgel. That may be the problem for some activists. Disconcertingly, these rules point us to the salutary effects of spiritual poverty, grief, gentleness, mercy and peacemaking. Theres not a political advantage to be gained with that message. The Beatitudes tell us the way to true righteousness is never through temporal power but through brokenness, humility and selflessness. Who wants to fool around with such uncomfortable stuff as that when you could instead slam your opponents with thou shalt nots and feel great about yourself? Paul Prather is pastor of Bethesda Church near Mount Sterling. You can email him at pratpd@yahoo.com. In Moldova, Zelenskyy names three steps Europe should take to help Ukraine win In his speech at the European Political Community (EPC) summit, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken of a plan familiar to Europe that will enable Ukraine to deal with Russian aggression. Source: reports from Moldova by a European Pravda correspondent Details: President Zelenskyy, who opened the discussion after a speech by Moldovan President Maia Sandu, expressed confidence that his reasoning would be familiar to Ukraines partners. "Each of you knows this," he said, addressing the leaders of nearly 50 nations who had gathered at Mimi Castle in the village of Bulboaca near Chisinau. According to Zelenskyy, there are three steps and essentially three areas of assistance. Quote: "The first is complete protection from Russian terror, primarily on the ground, but also in the sky," he explained, calling on the West to provide Ukraine with combat aircraft and air defence systems that will allow Ukraine to gain an advantage on the battlefield. Secondly, Zelenskyy called on the world to be clear about all manifestations of Russian aggression, not only in Ukraine, and cited the example of the Russian occupation of Moldova. Quote: "We all see where the aggression comes from, who the aggressor is. Russia has chosen the path of aggression... But the Russian contingent has been in Transnistria for over 30 years. And how long will it remain there? This question must be answered," he said. Zelenskyy said Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU is the third element of overcoming aggression. "At the NATO summit, there should be a clear path to membership and security guarantees should be approved, and in the autumn, negotiations should also begin at the EU." Zelenskyy is also convinced that in the long term, not only Moldova and Georgia but also Belarus will gain a place in the EU. Reminder: After arriving at the European Political Community summit in Moldova, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would be working on the fighter jet coalition and would propose a Patriot coalition at the meeting. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- The playbook for investing in Thai stocks is on the cusp of getting rewritten after reform-minded parties swept last months election to end a near decade-long rule by a military-backed royalist establishment. Most Read from Bloomberg A coalition led by surprise winner Move Forward is promising to tackle monopolies and reduce power costs if it successfully forms government. The agenda may come at the expense of Thailands richest men, who control companies that make up almost a fifth of the benchmark SET indexs weighting. Since the May 14 polls, investors have started cashing out of firms linked to Sarath Ratanavadi, Dhanin Chearavanont and Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi. Some of the nations biggest industries, from power to telecoms and liquor makers, will be under scrutiny as Move Forward pledges to promote more competition. Analysts also expect concessions granted under the previous government to be re-examined. Regulatory risk will hang over large dominant business groups for some time as a new government is determined to quickly push through the anti-monopoly policy, said Prapas Tonpibulsak, chief investment officer at Talis Asset Management Co. in Bangkok. This will damp sentiment in the stock market as those companies have very significant weightings. The SET Index has declined almost 9% this year, and is the worst country gauge in Asia with the policy uncertainty. Foreigners have sold $929 million worth of equities since the election, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Power Reforms Companies controlled by Sarath, the nations second-richest man, have borne the brunt of the selloff. His flagship Gulf Energy Development Pcl, the No. 1 private power producer, was among the biggest drags on the key stock index since the poll. Telecom firms Intouch Holdings Pcl and Advanced Info Service Pcl have also underperformed, contributing to the $4.2 billion erased from the market value of Saraths companies since the poll. During its campaign, Move Forward pledged to liberalize the power industry by allowing the public to buy electricity directly from producers. It also plans to renegotiate concessions. Gulf Energy, which doubled its revenue last year, gets most of its income from long-term contracts with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. It has, with partners, added a deep-sea port and tollway concessions worth a total of about 80 billion baht ($2.3 billion) as well as power plant contracts from Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ochas outgoing government. Under Prayuths administration, the SET Index has advanced 11%. Stocks including Gulf, Advanced Info, Dhanins CP ALL Pcl, and the Chirathivat familys Central Pattana Pcl, were among the biggest contributors to the gains. Thai Beverage Pcl, Gulf Energy and Charoen Pokphand Group didnt respond to queries seeking comments. Craft Beer The Thai economy has been dominated by a handful of large business groups for so long, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a lecturer of political science at Chulalongkorn University. Reducing their monopoly power will definitely benefit the overall economy in the long run by offering opportunities to small entrepreneurs and businesses. For example, if you liberalize the liquor industry, you would get a lot of good craft beers from local producers coming into the market, Thitinan said. Charoens Thai Beverage, the nations largest whiskey maker, may see its business come under pressure. The Singapore-listed stock has fallen 18% this year, compared with the benchmark indexs 2.6% decline. One company controlled by Dhanin has already come under the spotlight. The billionaires True Corp. Pcls merger with Telenor ASAs Total Access Communication Pcl last year to create the countrys largest mobile firm was criticized by Move Forward. The political party threatened then to sue the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission for its alleged negligence in agreeing to a deal that left the country with just two private mobile phone firms. Concessions-based companies are expected to come under more pressure, according to Narongdach Juntarapaisarn, an analyst at Aira Securities Co. in Bangkok. The policy impact on those in retail and telecom sectors would be limited, he said. Still, it remains to be seen if Move Forwards leader Pita Limjaroenrat can pull together enough support to become Thailands next prime minister. The coalition doesnt have enough seats to by-pass a military-appointed Senate in the selection of the next leader. Move Forwards policies are radical, said Thitinan. That worries investors. Its policies will be a complete transformation of the Thai economy. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Monterey County sheriff's personnel surround a Salinas apartment complex on Wednesday afternoon, where a suspect who shot a deputy was barricaded. (Monterey County Public Information Office) A Monterey County sheriffs deputy survived being shot twice Wednesday morning by an AK-47-wielding man who was shot and killed by law enforcement after a nine-hour barricaded standoff inside a Salinas residence. Monterey County Dist. Atty. Jeannine M. Pacioni identified the deputy as Jesse Grant in an incident report Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Tina Nieto said the 40-year-old Grant is a 17-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office and a "dedicated professional." She did not disclose his condition but said "the deputy was out of the woods right now." The shooting took place near the intersection of East Market and Sun streets in Salinas in a commercial area that includes car dealerships, mechanics and parts shops. Pacioni said the deputy was serving an eviction notice at the apartment of Erin Howard Fischer, 67, when he was fired upon. Unbeknownst to law enforcement, Fischer was heavily armed, Pacioni said. He wore camouflaged military apparel with loaded magazines, a helmet and a gas mask, she said. He died grasping an AK-47 assault rifle and had three semiautomatic assault rifles, two bolt-action rifles and two handguns in his apartment, Pacioni said. The incident began when the Sheriff's Office received "a call for service" at 7:49 a.m. Grant arrived at the scene, Pacioni said. At 7:56 a.m., the deputy asked for help after knocking on the door and not receiving a response, though Nieto said "it was not an emergency situation" at the point. Two deputies came to assist Grant. At 8:46 a.m., Fischer opened fire and hit Grant twice, Pacioni said. Fischer also shot an unknown number of rounds at the other deputies, but no other injuries were reported. Grant was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas. Nick Pasculli, Monterey County communications director, said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon that the deputy was out of surgery. No update on the deputy's condition was available Thursday. Fischer remained barricaded for nine hours in his second-story apartment. Law enforcement including Monterey and Santa Cruz county sheriffs, Salinas police, the FBI and the California Highway Patrol sent in drones first. Fischer shot down seven of them, Pacioni said. At 5:33 pm, a law enforcement officer killed Fischer with a shot to the head, Pacioni said. Chief Deputy Eddie Anderson of the Monterey County Sheriff's Office said he was unable to verify the total number of shots fired by police or Fischer. Robert Tripp, FBI special agent in charge of the San Francisco field office, said the agency aided with crisis negotiators, a SWAT team and an evidence response team. A shelter-in-place lockdown order, which had been in effect for the immediate area since shortly after 9:15 a.m., was rescinded just before 9 p.m. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Follow me on Twitter @Jacqmelinek for breaking crypto news, memes and more. Welcome back to Chain Reaction. Although there are a lot of builders in the crypto space, the total money being invested into the crypto market has hit 32-month lows in May. Cryptocurrency monthly exchange volume, which calculates spot market volume across all crypto exchanges, was $439.42 billion in May, down over 27% from $604.88 billion in April, according to data from The Block. Last months volume was the lowest level since October 2020 at $222.7 billion, the data showed. Binance, the largest exchange, saw about $218 billion in monthly exchange volume during May, dropping about 26% from $293.83 billion in the previous month. Potentially as a result of the bear market and decreased demand, the exchange shared that its reevaluating its workforce headcount ahead of future market cycles. Over the past six years, the exchange grew from 30 employees to a team of almost 8,000 employees across the globe, a Binance spokesperson told TechCrunch. As we prepare for the next major bull cycle, it has become clear that we need to focus on talent density across the organization to ensure we remain nimble and dynamic, the Binance spokesperson added. This is not a case of rightsizing, but rather, reevaluating whether we have the right talent and expertise in critical roles, and therefore we will still be seeking to fill hundreds of open roles. The reevaluation will also include looking at certain products and business units to ensure our resources are allocated properly to reflect the evolving demands of users and regulators. This statement comes after a tweet on Wednesday by reporter Colin Wu that said multiple sources confirmed that Binance has started layoffs. While the actual number is uncertain, the exchange may have laid off as many as 20% of its roughly 8,000 employees. Patrick Hillmann, Binance chief communications officer, also disputed the claim in his own tweet thread and said the company is not cutting 20% of employees as a cost-cutting measure. The number of employees who were laid off could be a much smaller figure, Hillmann said in another tweet. We wont know until our teams conduct the talent density audit. Even with the volatility of the current market and exchange volumes down substantially, Hillmann said the layoffs have nothing to do with market conditions today. The company is still looking to fill hundreds of roles, the spokesperson said. This week in web3 Solanas co-founder sees potential for its blockchain to be the Apple of crypto (TC+) Solanas core engineering and ecosystem is focused on creating a network that feels like the regular internet, when its an entirely new financial internet, co-founder Raj Gokal told TechCrunch+. Theres lots that the network is doing to keep itself fresh and competitive. The core thesis is going to be [focused on] new businesses, new projects, independent developers, Gokal said. We are still in an ecosystem and a community that is optimistic about what two developers in a garage can do. SEC settles with former Coinbase employee over insider trading charges The SEC has settled charges with a former Coinbase product manager and his brother for engaging in insider trading, the agency announced Tuesday. Ishan Wahi, the former Coinbase employee, and brother Nikhil Wahi engaged in a scheme to trade ahead of multiple announcements regarding at least nine crypto asset securities that would be made available for trading on the Coinbase platform, according to the SEC. The two brothers were originally charged after the agency filed a complaint on July 21, 2022. Explaining Blockchain Capitals big bet on an eyeball-scanning orb We talked with Blockchain Capital General Partner Spencer Bogart about what gave him confidence in Worldcoin, which aims to create a global ID, a global currency and an app that enables payment, purchases and transfers. Like many others, we wondered how it can achieve its goals when, right now at least, its mission relies on convincing millions of people to allow Worldcoin to scan their irises using glossy, tech-dense orbs. The latest pod For this weeks episode, Jacquelyn interviewed Gary Vaynerchuk, better known as Gary Vee. He is the chairman of VaynerX and CEO of VaynerMedia and NFT collection VeeFriends. Hes a five-time New York Times bestselling author and previously created Wine Library, one of the first e-commerce platforms for alcohol, in the early 2000s. In 2009, he co-founded VaynerMedia with his younger brother AJ, and today the company services clients like PepsiCo, GE, Johnson & Johnson, Chase and others. Gary Vee is a die hard New York Jets fan (and wants to buy the team one day), as well as an investor in a handful of major companies like Twitter, Venmo and Facebook which we talk about in the episode. We dove into a handful of topics surrounding the NFT ecosystem, how Gary Vee got into the space and gained traction for his collection, and where he sees the sector going long term. We also talked about: VeeFriends' origin story The importance of intellectual property Mainstream adoption The future of NFTs Advice for other projects Subscribe to Chain Reaction on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite pod platform to keep up with the latest episodes, and please leave us a review if you like what you hear! Follow the money Blockchain-based game Illuvium raised an additional $10 million from Framework Ventures PayPal-backed crypto wallet Magic raised $52 million Metaverse-focused MetaZone raised $3 million Fiat on-ramp and off-ramp developer Transak raised $20 million in a Series A M80 raised $3 million to create a web3-focused esports organization This list was compiled with information from Messari as well as TechCrunchs own reporting. To get a roundup of TechCrunchs biggest and most important crypto stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday at 12 p.m. PT, subscribe here. More than 100,000 flee to Chad from Sudan conflict, UNHCR says JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - More than 100,000 people have fled violence in Sudan to neighbouring Chad and the numbers could double in the next three months, the U.N. refugee agency said on Thursday. The near seven-week conflict has pushed Sudan into a humanitarian crisis and turned one of Africa's greatest cities - the three-part capital of Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri on the confluence on the Blue and White Niles - into a war zone. "As the rainy season is coming within the next few weeks, we require massive logistics to move refugees from border areas... We need to establish immediately new camps and extension of existing camps," UNHCR Chad representative Laura Lo Castro said. One of the poorest countries in the world, Chad was already hosting close to 600,000 refugees before conflict broke out in Sudan in April. UNHCR said it needs $214.1 million to provide vital services to displaced people in the country, which is currently 16% funded. (Writing by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Andrew Heavens) SYDNEY, June 1 (Xinhua) -- A three-year-old boy died and a 45-year-old man was in a critical condition following a stabbing in Australia's Sydney on Wednesday. The New South Wales (NSW) Police Force said in a statement that at about 4:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday, emergency services were called to a unit complex on Washington Avenue, Riverwood, following reports of a concern for welfare. Police officers found that a three-year-old boy deceased inside the unit, and a 45-year-old man suffered serious injuries. NSW ambulance paramedics treated the man at the scene, and he was taken to a hospital in a critical condition. A crime scene has been established. At a press conference held on Wednesday evening, NSW Police Force Superintendent Sheridan Waldau told reporters that the 45-year-old man has undergone surgery at the hospital and now remains in stable condition. Waldau noted that a female resident within the unit called the Triple Zero. Police believed that the woman lives in the unit by herself and is a family member of the 45-year-old male, but she is not the child's mother. "We understand that his mother passed away a few years ago," said Waldau. She also revealed that the attack on the child appeared to be a domestic violence-related incident. "Unfortunately, police attend domestic violence incidents all the time. We attend 140,000 incidents every year and some of them end up in homicides. It's one of the jobs that we as police always hate going to. It's the worst job involving a child," Waldau added. The debt ceiling deal advances to the Senate. Websites selling "Trump Bucks" are taken down after an NBC News investigation. And scientists suggest your brain's shape may influence more than previously thought. Heres what to know today. How the debt ceiling deal got done With overwhelming bipartisan support, the House voted last night to pass the debt ceiling legislation negotiated by Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden, sending it to the Senate with days to spare before a potentially disastrous default. (The deadline is Monday.) The vote was 314 to 117, with 149 Republicans joining 165 Democrats. Right up until the end, the White House was exploring contingency plans in case the high-stakes talks collapsed. One consideration was to bypass Congress altogether and invoke the Constitutions 14th Amendment, an idea that Biden took seriously, people familiar with the matter said. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your morning. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. But that option wouldnt be needed. Last nights bill passage was a feat months in the making, seemingly starting when Biden refused to meet with McCarthy, and evolving into the two hashing out a deal over Memorial Day weekend. Based on interviews with more than two dozen lawmakers, outside advisers and congressional and White House aides, NBC News politics team pieced together the fevered negotiations that took place as the nation careened toward default. It involves gumbo, a bike ride and a plea from a representative who has largely stepped away from the spotlight. Some Trump Bucks websites taken down The companies that appear to have swindled supporters of former President Donald Trump out of tens of thousands of dollars by peddling bogus Trump Bucks no longer have active websites. The development comes days after the businesses were exposed by NBC News. Trump Bucks promised to make its users rich. For example, an ad claimed that a $10,000 Diamond Trump Bucks bill could be purchased for $99.99 and cashed in for $10,000 at some major banks and retailers. The companies mentioned in the ad denied any involvement. Upon learning some of the websites were no longer active, two people affected by the apparent scheme expressed relief. Awesome, a 75-year-old woman said. Pentagon cancels drag show at Air Force base A drag show that was supposed to take place today at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada is canceled after Defense Department leaders stepped in to stop it, according to two defense officials and a U.S. official. The show was approved by Air Force leaders, but when Gen. Mark Milley found out about the Pride Month event, he stepped in. Conservative politicians and pundits argue the military should not be spending taxpayer money on drag shows. That 70s Show star Danny Masterson found guilty of rape Actor Danny Masterson was convicted yesterday on two counts of rape at his retrial in Los Angeles, six months after his first trial ended in a mistrial. The Associated Press reported that the seven-woman, five-man jury could not reach a verdict on a third rape count after deliberating for over a week. After the verdict, Masterson was led from the courtroom in handcuffs as his family and friends sat in stunned silence. A sentencing is set for Aug. 4, and he faces up to 30 years in prison. What to know about natures Ozempic As weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy gain popularity, a supplement is also gaining momentum on social media. Users say berberine helps curb appetite and improve blood sugar levels, resulting in weight loss. While Ozempic and Wegovy are in short supply and can cost $1,000 or more out of pocket, berberine appears to be widely available online, is much cheaper and doesnt require a prescription. Experts say there are a lot of unknowns about berberines side effects and safety, but they have some recommendations for those considering taking it. Police video shows car rocketing off tow truck A driver was seriously injured last week after her car vaulted off a tow truck ramp on a Georgia highway in a dramatic crash captured on a police officers body camera. A crash report says the car vaulted about 120 feet before it struck another car on the highway. Watch the full video. Todays Talker The shape of your brain may strongly influence how you think, feel and behave, a new study suggests. Scientists had long surmised that billions of interconnected neurons influenced humans thoughts, feelings and behaviors, but this study suggests the brains size, curves and grooves exert a greater influence than those neurons. But depending on who you ask, the brain shape hypothesis may be considered controversial. Politics in Brief Conservative canvassing: The large-scale voter contact effort that conservatives have put at the center of their political operations is deeply flawed, insiders say. Allan Smith closely examines the apparent issues. 2024 election: Former Vice President Mike Pence plans to enter the Republican presidential nomination fray next week, according to a person familiar with his launch schedule. War in Ukraine: The Pentagon is blocking efforts by the U.S. government to share evidence of possible Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Staff Pick War at Moscows doorstep This weeks drone attack on residential areas in Moscow could mark a watershed moment. The war in Ukraine has been a distant prospect for millions of Muscovites, who have been shielded from the human toll of the invasion. But now, hearing from people going about their days under the shadow of a drone-struck apartment block, we can see how that sense of security has been unsettled despite the Kremlins nothing-to-see-here response. - Annie Hill, Platforms Editor In Case You Missed It Former and recent tenants of the historic Iowa apartment building that partially collapsed say their complaints have been ignored for years. Bruce Willis daughter Tallulah reveals the first signs the actor had dementia. Three NY teens have been arrested after they allegedly stole a swan prized by its community before killing and eating the beloved bird. Hundreds of people are flocking to a small Missouri town to see a nun whose body has barely decomposed since 2019. The teen birthrate in the U.S. reached another record low, the CDC said in a new report. Select: Online Shopping, Simplified Our Select team connected with AAPI-owned businesses and spoke to owners about their challenges and triumphs. Here are more than 100 business to support in 2023 and some of the teams favorite items to shop, like pizza oil, snack boxes, Vietnamese coffee, skin care products and more. Thanks for reading todays Morning Rundown. Todays newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If youre a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign-up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Musk's China visit ends with burgers for 100 Shanghai Tesla workers and favor from Beijing as state-affiliated media showcases trip on Twitter Elon Musk visited Beijing on Tuesday. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang Elon Musk's surprise trip to China ended with burgers and soft drinks for Tesla staff in Shanghai. The billionaire bought fast food for around 100 workers at Tesla's Gigafactory in the city. His trip was showcased on Twitter by Chinese state media. Elon Musk completed his whistle-stop tour of China by treating workers at Tesla's Shanghai plant to burgers and soft drinks, with his visit being showcased on Twitter by China's state-affiliated media. The billionaire's first trip to China in three years culminated at his EV factory in Shanghai, where Bloomberg reported that he bought fast food for around 100 workers and then left in his private jet from the city's Hongqiao airport on Thursday. A video published online by Tesla's China team, seen by Insider, showed Musk delivering a speech to a crowd of workers at his Shanghai plant and thanking them for being there with him late at night. "I would like to just very much congratulate you on the amazing work that you've done," he told the crowd. "I just wanna let you know it warms my heart." The video was also posted on Twitter by Global Times, a subsidiary of the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, the People's Daily. Twitter had previously labeled the account as Chinese state-affiliated media, but dropped the tag in April. Tesla's VP in China, Grace Tao, posted a picture to the Chinese social-media site Weibo that showed Musk waving to the camera with workers in Shanghai. Musk visited workers at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory as part of his first China trip in three years. Grace Tao/Weibo Musk has received a hero's welcome in China after landing in Beijing earlier this week, with the public lauding the Tesla and Twitter CEO on social media as a "global idol" who was of the same ilk as the Chinese business magnate Jack Ma. His trip has included several meetings with top government officials and a banquet with Zeng Yuqun, the executive at the helm of the Chinese battery giant CATL. China has become an increasingly important part of Musk's Tesla ambitions, with the company's Shanghai Gigafactory producing around half of Tesla's electric vehicles since 2021. However, Musk, who has previously claimed to be a "free-speech absolutist," has drawn criticism over his deepening ties with China, given the country's stance on free speech. Twitter, which Musk bought for $44 billion last year, is banned in the country. Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment made outside of normal working hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Mine Mine Mine! NASA chief Bill Nelson has Moon water on the mind. Specifically, he's worried that China might get to that precious American er, excuse us, internationally unclaimed Moon water first. "I think the United States will get [to the Moon] first," Nelson told the Spanish newspaper El Pais when pressed about the burgeoning US-China race to Earth's natural satellite. "What worries me more is that both they and we are going to land at the South Pole, where we think there is water." "Water is important because it is composed of oxygen and hydrogen, and that's oxygen to breathe and hydrogen for rocket fuel," he added. "We want to preserve those potential reserves for the international community, and prevent China from coming in and saying that the water is theirs, as they have done with the Spratly Islands." There's so very much to unpack here, not the least being that the US has historically also claimed various island nations as its own. But Moon water is kind of a different thing, no? Feels a bit more finders-keepers, especially considering that if the US gets its hands on that water first, it presumably won't be sharing with China, either. Planting Flags To be fair, Nelson was speaking of the China-US Moon Water in the context of the Artemis Accords, an international, handshake-level peace and cooperation agreement between spacefaring nation-states. As of now, over twenty countries have signed the non-legally binding treaty China not among them, even though it is planning to land astronauts on the Moon within this decade. "These are common sense principles, such as peaceful uses of space, coming together to help each other in times of danger... It also rules out that someone could reach the Moon and claim territory and so prevent others from accessing it," Nelson told El Pais of the Accords. "And here I'm thinking of China and what it did in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. This territory was in international waters, and China came and claimed it for their own." Look, the US-China relationship is complicated, and a space race between the nations is undeniably underway. But the reality is that if there's a remotely useful amount of water on the Moon, there's almost certainly enough there for everyone. More on Bill Nelson: US Space Force Says It's "Under Threat" And in "Perpetual Competition" With China and Russia An independent group of scientists and experts convened by NASA to study unidentified anomalous phenomena, known as UAPs or UFOs, said Wednesday there is "absolutely no convincing evidence" of extraterrestrial activity in any sightings to date. That doesn't mean the panel has ruled out aliens, military adversaries or any other explanation just that of the 800 or so sightings of strange flying objects or other phenomena that defy easy explanation, the data are simply not sufficient to draw any definitive conclusions. Yet. The 16-member panel stressed the need for better data about the encounters in its first and only public meeting Wednesday. The group was formed last October to "lay the groundwork for future study on the nature of UAPs for NASA and other organizations," the agency said at the time, and will produce a report of its findings. NASA defines UAPs as "observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective." Widely replayed Navy fighter pilot video of strange objects maneuvering at high speeds in ways no known aircraft can, along with other unexplained sightings in recent years, have added fuel to the UFO fire, generating widespread public interest and strong feelings from those on both sides. Panel members said they have faced online harassment since the study was announced by NASA last year from those who believe UFOs in the traditional sense are, in fact, behind some of the unexplained incidents, and similar objections from those who believe the research is a complete waste of time. "We steer between the rocks and the cyclone," said panel chairman David Spergel, a widely respected cosmologist. "We have a community of people who are completely convinced of the existence of UFOs. And we have a community of people who think addressing this question is ridiculous, everything can be explained." Nicola Fox, director of NASA's space science directorate, said "it is really disheartening to hear of the harassment that our panelists have faced online, all because they're studying this topic." "NASA stands behind our panelists and we do not tolerate abuse," she said. "Harassment only leads to further stigmatization of the UAP field, significantly hindering the scientific progress and discouraging others to study this important subject matter. Your harassment also obstructs the public's right to knowledge." Spergel said one of the goals of the panel is to help reduce that stigmatization to encourage airline pilots and others to come forward when they see a UAP, not to fear ridicule or embarrassment. "Despite NASA's extensive efforts to reduce the stigma, the origins of the UAP remain unclear," Spergel said. "And we feel many events remain unreported. Commercial pilots, for example, are very reluctant to report anomalies. And one of our goals, and having NASA play a role, is to remove stigma and get high-quality data. "In fact, if I were to summarize in one line what I feel we've learned is we need high-quality data." The Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study was chartered by NASA to assess available detection techniques and technology and to develop recommendations for improving the detection of UAP, ensuring the collection of reliable data needed to better understand what they might be. Unlike the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, which has access to classified UAP data and is focused more on national security, NASA's study is based on unclassified reports and sightings to improve transparency and cross-agency communications. "Unidentified anomalous phenomena sightings themselves are not classified, it's often the sensor platform that is classified," Fox said. "If a fighter jet took a picture of the Statue of Liberty, then that image would be classified, not because of the subject in the picture, but because of the sensors on the plane." The panel plans to issue its report later this summer. As for what might be recommended, Spergel offered one interesting possibility: a cellphone app that would allow users to collect and send along valuable data. "There are three to four billion cell phones in the world," Spergel said. "Cell phones record not only images, we're all used to cell phone cameras, but they measure the local magnetic field, they are gravitometers, they measure sound, they encode enormous amount of information about the environment around them." Not to mention GPS location data and accurate time stamps. He said someone capturing a UAP could then use a custom app to feed that data to a central website where it could be compared with similar observations. "If you have something seen by multiple cell phones, with good timestamp data, at multiple angles, you're able to infer the location and velocity of that object," Spergel said. "Most of the time that will tell you it's a plane, it's a balloon, whatever. And if it's something novel, you have high-quality, uniformly selected data that could be used." That data could be combined with radar and information collected by other sensors to help "eliminate the normal," leaving the true UAP for analysis with more detailed data than what's available now. "I think that's the way a number of us are thinking about how we might approach this," he said. As for aliens, David Grinspoon, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Houston, put it like this: "We haven't seen any evidence that indicates that UAPs have anything to do with extraterrestrial phenomena," he said. "If the data leads us to realize that it does ... of course, we'll be enthralled and fascinated by that and will want to pursue it. But at this point, we don't really have any explicit data that suggests there's a connection between UAPs and extraterrestrial life." Stefan Becket contributed reporting. The innovative effort to restore reefs High cost of eating out may keep diners at home U.S. to admit nearly 40,000 migrants monthly via mobile app Nashville's power company just got a $2.5 million bill. A federal judge approved a multimillion-dollar settlement from Nashville Electric Service to more than 100 employees who sued NES for lost overtime wages over the last three years, court records show. Attorney Dave Garrison announced the settlement in a news release Thursday. This settlement secures a recovery of significant wages owed to some of the hardest working men and women in Nashville and Davidson County who ensure that our city maintains power, even after devastating storms, Garrison said in the release. The current and former line supervisors, underground supervisors and meter supervisors challenged what they said was NES' requirement that they work five hours of so-called "professional time" each week without pay, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. NES provides power to about 430,000 people in Davidson County and parts of surrounding counties. Although NES claimed that it paid its supervisors a salary, the supervisors alleged that NES did not guarantee them a minimum amount of pay each week, making them hourly workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to the news release. The lead plaintiff in the case, retired NES supervisor James Cayton, wrote in a court declaration that NES' unpaid "professional time" requirement dates back to the 1970s. He wrote he knew many workers who wanted to challenge this practice for years, but were afraid to do so. The settlement provides an average of $20,000 in lost overtime wages to the plaintiffs who worked for NES from October 2017 to October 2020, when the lawsuit was filed. Garrison said other eligible supervisors who didn't sign onto the lawsuit now have 60 days to sign on and receive a portion of the settlement. This practice may be somewhat common in the utility industry, but, in our opinion, it defies the law, said Josh Frank, another attorney who represented the supervisors, in the news release. NES President and CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin said in a statement Friday morning that NES believes all payments were lawful but that it chose to settle the lawsuit to avoid the "time, expense and distraction" that comes with litigation. "We have addressed the apparent confusion and misunderstanding regarding certain aspects of our pay practices alleged in the legal action," Broyles-Alpin said in the statement provided through its marketing agency. "NES will pay the settlement out of our operating revenues, as we do with any other business expense." This story was updated to include comment from NES provided after publication. Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanMealins. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Electric Service settlement $2.5 million overtime wages Donovan Coble, a four-year veteran of the Metro Nashville Police Department, was in stable condition Thursday evening after police say a suspect fired at him near Donelson Pike. Police said Coble, a member of the Communications Field Intelligence Unit at the Hermitage Precinct, was in the area responding to a report of an armed man breaking into vehicles. "We've had a problem with theft from vehicles, especially guns (that) have been stolen, especially in this area," MNPD Chief John Drake said during a press briefing. Drake added that one of Coble's lungs had to be re-inflated, and that he is married and has twin 1-year-old children. A SWAT team confronted the suspect behind a brush pile on Upshaw Drive, just west of Donelson Pike, near where the shooting was reported. The suspect, Delama Casimir, 37, died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. On Friday, Coble was upgraded from critical, yet stable condition to stable condition has he remains hospitalized for treatment. Body camera footage released MNPD on late Thursday night released a 2 minute and 20 second clip from Cobles body camera. The video shows Coble shouting show us your hands now to Casimir as he exits his vehicle. A foot chase begins as Coble weaves through parked vehicles after Casimir. Another officer chasing the suspect yells for Casimir to stop. Coble removes his taser from his belt as he chases Casimir on grass toward a wooded fence. The chase continues as Casimir hops the fence, followed by Coble as they cross a street running between homes. "I'm gonna tase you if you don't stop right now," Coble says in the video. "I've already got you." Coble then says "drop that gun" as more than a dozen shots ring out. Coble keels over, telling another officer "I'm hit, I'm hit ... I'm hit." The two make their way toward the street where Coble enters an unmarked police vehicle. Coble tells dispatch he was hit by gunfire in the ribs. Coble can be heard saying "I shot him, I think" as the video cuts out. The suspect in this case died a short time ago at Vanderbilt. He is identified as Delama Casimir, 37, who had a FL driver license that listed an address in Pompano Beach. Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) June 2, 2023 The officer and suspect were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where a heavy police presence blocked the hospital's entrance. The shooting was initially reported around 2:30 p.m. at The Parking Spot, near the Nashville airport. Within an hour, dozens of police swarmed the scene, diverting traffic from the area and processing the scene. Several restaurants fast food restaurants locked down as police lined caution tape around utility poles near Donelson Pike, Shacklett Drive and Royal Parkway. Police also released a one minute and 48 second video from SWAT officer Timothy Brewer's body camera. The video begins with Brewer asking a fellow officer if he'll clear a patch of brush in front of him. A red, brick home can be seen in the video to his right. "We can probably take care of this while they hold on that," Brewer says. He begins walking toward the brush and gets a couple steps in when he spots Casimir. "Let me see your hands," he yells. Halfway through yelling again, about 27 seconds into the video, Brewer appears to fire from his rifle multiple times. Casimir cries out after the gunfire. It's unclear from the video is Casimir fired at Brewer. Brewer yells a third time for Casimir to put his hands up as another officer yells the same command. At least five more officers are visible approaching the brush patch from Brewer's right. Three officers, including Brewer surround Casimir telling him to stop moving then to put his hands up. "He's got a gun in his hand," one officer says. An officer gives Casimir a command to roll over on his stomach multiple times. While Casimir is not visible in the video, the foliage around him sways from side to side as he moves. The officers move in to restrain Casimir, and blood is visible on his left elbow. What appears to be a gunshot wound is blurred out on his back. The video ends with officers telling Casimir to put his hands behind his back as he's face down in the grass. This is where SWAT officers encountered the suspect behind a home on Upshaw Dr. He had a Florida ID that lists a Pompano Beach address and an age of 37. Efforts are underway to locate his next of kin. He remains in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/uNt3pTmeos Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) June 1, 2023 Police: What led to the shooting Drake said Casimir was seen at the location earlier. Employees at the Parking Spot, an off-site parking lot for travelers at the Nashville International Airport, called police when they noticed Casimir breaking into cars, police said. Coble approached Casimir who then began running, jumped a fence and fired shots at Coble, who returned fire. Police believe Coble's return fire struck Casimir, according to MNPD spokesperson Don Aaron. Police recovered a semi-automatic pistol at the scene. Aaron said Coble was struck in the abdomen at least once. His partner rendered aid while other officers began tracking Casimir. SWAT officers were called to the area around Claridge and Upshaw Drives, less than half a mile from The Parking Spot, to find Casimir. Officer Brewer, a 16-year veteran of the police department, was clearing brush when he came upon Casimir. "Officer Brewer began shouting commands to Casimir and reported seeing the pistol," according to a Thursday evening statement from police. "Brewer perceived a gunshot and fired on Casimir." SWAT officers rendered aid to Casimir before he was taken to the hospital for surgery. He ultimately died at the hospital about 7:30 p.m. Coble: Recently honored by local organization On Tuesday, the Exchange Club of Donelson-Hermitage named Coble its Officer of the Year, according to a Facebook post. The post states that Coble was a detective with the Hermitage Precinct. Coble has also been part of Partners in Care, a pilot program partnered masters-level mental health clinicians with police officers on calls considered to be potential mental health crises. The program was created to divert people in crisis to intervention and resources instead of the legal system. Shooting halts traffic during rush hour Police closed the westbound ramp of I-40 to Donelson Pike, impacting commuters in the middle of rush hour traffic. Mt Juliet Police Department advise taking Lebanon Road or Central Pike. "The interstate was shut down for a time, because we didn't know where the suspect was, and we didn't want a gunman running onto the interstate trying to wave down a motorist," Aaron said. Metro Nashville police on the scene of a shooting that injured an officer Thursday, June 1, 2023, on Donelson Pike. Police shootings in Tennessee in 2023 There were 28 previous police shooting investigations in Tennessee in 2023, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. That includes three shootings that occurred in the Nashville Metropolitan area, TBI records show. Highway I-40 closed This is a developing story, Check back for updates. Reporters Andy Humbles, Frank Gluck, Rachel Wegner and Harrison Hendricks contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville police officer shot in Donelson; suspect dies from injuries The claim: Nassau County glitch turned every registered voter Democrat A May 24 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) makes a claim about an incident in Nassau County, New York. "You guys want to hear something weird?" reads the post from conservative media personality Michael Knowles. "A couple of years ago, Nassau County voters decided they finally had enough of Democrats and they elected Republicans down the ballot. But just recently, some kind of glitch just turned every single registered voter in Nassau to Democrat just before the upcoming primary elections. Oopsie Daisy." The post generated over 900 shares in less than a week. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: Partly false It is true that a printing error led to voters of all political parties in Nassau County, New York, mistakenly receiving identification cards labeling them as registered Democrats. However, voter rolls were unaffected, and no one's actual voter registration changed to the wrong party. Glitch was due to human error from printing company; actual voter rolls weren't affected In May, more than 500,000 registered voters of all political party affiliations in Nassau County, New York, were mailed voter information cards from the countys board of elections notifying them that they were registered with the Democratic Party ahead of a June primary election, according to WABC-TV. But contrary to the post's notion that this is evidence of cheating, the incident was simply a printing error from Phoenix Graphics, a direct-mail services company used by the countys board of elections, officials say. The countys voter registration database wasnt affected. Phoenix Graphics said in a statement emailed from their press office, which declined to provide a name for attribution, that the company made a human error on the voter registration cards for the county. The voters party affiliation may have been incorrect on the first mailing, however, polling site information is correct, the statement says. We take responsibility for that. As soon as it was discovered, we moved immediately to remedy the situation. This is an isolated event, but we apologize for our mistake, especially to Nassau County officials, who bear no responsibility for this problem. We have fixed the error and at no cost to taxpayers will deliver corrected voter information cards as soon as possible. Jim Scheuerman, Nassau County Democratic elections commissioner, also said the incident was a printing error on the part of the vendor and that all voter information was accurate in the system, according to WABC-TV. Fact check: Post shows list of exceptions to LA's zero bail policy, not qualifying crimes In a May 16 press conference, Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said that while his office is investigating the incident, it is not tied to a conspiracy and that all voter rolls were accurate. I dont think the Democratic Party is engaged in a conspiracy to create havoc in their own primary side, Blakeman said in the conference. "I would assume that the Democratic Party doesn't want a bunch of Republicans showing up for their primary. So I don't think there's anything nefarious on the part of the Democrat Party." Only enrolled Democrats can vote in the Democratic Party. Those records are maintained by all poll workers, so any mistake regarding voter identification cards wouldn't have any effect, according to Jerry Goldfeder, an elections law expert. Phoenix Graphics also sent incorrect absentee ballot envelopes to New York voters in 2020, according to the Democrat & Chronicle. Sal DeBiase, the companys president, said in a statement at the time that the company had experienced a mechanical issue with one of its machines. USA TODAY reached out to Knowles 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 electronic newspaper replica here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Misprinted Democratic IDs in NY didn't affect voter roll | Fact check National Donut Day is here! This is where you can get freebies in SC Is there anything better than a doughnut? How about a free one? National Donut Day is here once more, this year landing on Friday. All day, some of your favorite doughnut shops will offer freebies and other deals. Below are a few of the larger chains in South Carolina that will offer free doughnuts on Friday. Duck Donuts Duck Donuts has locations across South Carolina and theyll be ready to celebrate National Donut Day on Friday. The company has announced that customers on Friday will be offered a free cinnamon sugar doughnut in-shop. Krispy Kreme The long-time Southern staple Krispy Kreme again plans to celebrate National Donut Day. The company will offer customers any single doughnut of their choosing for free. To sweeten the deal, Krispy Kreme will also sell $2 original glazed dozens with the purchase of any dozen. Dunkin Dunkin customers can get a free classic doughnut of their choosing with the purchase of any beverage on Friday. National Doughnut Day is Friday. Heres where you can score a free treat Those in search of something sweet can sink their teeth into a free doughnut on National Doughnut Day. Dunkin, Krispy Kreme and more will give away doughnuts on Friday, June 2, to celebrate the occasion. Dubbed the sweetest holiday of the year, it was started by The Salvation Army to honor the organizations donut lassies who risked their lives to raise spirits and fuel hope by delivering doughnuts and other goodies to U.S. soldiers during World War II, according to a news release. The tradition has carried on and is typically celebrated on the first Friday in June. Heres where you can get a free doughnut: Krispy Kreme Customers can receive a free doughnut of their choice. We look forward to a sweet celebration with everyone Friday at Krispy Kreme shops throughout the country, Dave Skena, global chief brand officer for Krispy Kreme, said in a news release. Dunkin Customers can get a free doughnut with any drink purchase at participating Dunkin locations across the U.S., the chain announced. Shipley Do-Nuts The Texas-based coffeehouse will reward guests with a free signature glazed doughnut with any purchase from 5 a.m. to noon, according to a news release. The freebie is available at participating Shipley Do-Nut shops nationwide, while supplies last. Duck Donuts Warm cinnamon sugar doughnuts will be free at participating Duck Donuts shops, the Pennsylvania-based dessert chain announced on Facebook. The offer is valid in-store only. Chipotle to give away thousands of burritos when this happens during NBA Finals Jimmy Johns adds old favorite to summer menu but not for long. What to know Wendys offers new spicy sandwich and brings back fan-favorite Frosty. What to know Whats better than starting your day off with a doughnut? Starting it off with a free doughnut. Friday is National Doughnut Day, and many doughnut-slinging shops are offering discounts and freebies to celebrate. See a list of doughnut stores offering discounts below: The Salty Donut The Salty Donut, which has a location in Audubon Park in Orlando, is hosting a national Doughnut Day giveaway on social media. One winner will be selected to win a $250 credit. You can find out how to enter below: Read: Spirit Airlines technical issue causes delays Dunkin Dunkin is offering a free doughnut with a beverage purchase on Friday. Read: Pirates of the Caribbean, Men in Black actor Sergio Calderon dies Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme is offering two different ways to celebrate National Doughnut Day. You can purchase $2 Original Glazed dozens to share when you buy any dozen. The offer is valid at participating shops and can be redeemed in shop or online for pickup and delivery. For online orders, place two dozens in your cart and use the required promo code: BOGO2. Pre-order for this offer will be available on Thursday, June 1. To sweeten National Doughnut Day a little extra, you can also enjoy your favorite doughnut for free. The offer is valid in participating shops only and cannot be redeemed online. Read: Advanced wrong-way vehicle warning system now in place on I-4 Express lanes VooDoo Doughnuts VooDoo Doughnuts is offering a dozen raised glazed doughnuts for $10. The offer is valid at all locations in Oregon, Washington, Texas, Colorado, California and Florida. 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. Kaushal Goyal (R), CEO and director of India's GBD Books, reads a book by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 40th Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) by Xinhua writers Wang Yi, Mao Pengfei and Zhu Wei KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Kaushal Goyal, CEO and director of India's GBD Books, felt a great sense of accomplishment after participating in the launch ceremony for the English edition of "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: Questions and Answers." "I feel honored and very happy to publish this book with Chinese partners. It is very informative and innovative, in a Q&A style," he told Xinhua at the 40th Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair that opened on May 26. Government officials, publishers, reporters and other visitors were among the attendees. "Some friends who couldn't come to the scene asked me to bring a few more copies back to share," said Koh King Kee, president of the Center for New Inclusive Asia, a Malaysian think tank. "Through the Q&A format, this book introduces President Xi Jinping's thoughts to more people, helping people further understand China's ideas and proposals, and get inspiration from them," Koh said. In China's exhibition area, other books like "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" are also displayed and have attracted a lot of readers. David Tan is a consultant for enterprise management and often travels to China for business. He said China's rapid development makes him wonder what kind of governance concept and system is driving the country forward. He wants to find the answer from President Xi's speeches. As an international communication advisor for the Prime Minister's Office of Bangladesh, Ashfaq Zaman was recently on business in Kuala Lumpur. When he got the book "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: Questions and Answers," he said he couldn't wait to read it. The book can help him further understand Chinese development philosophy, Zaman said, noting that it refers to the transition of the Chinese economy from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development, and that's something many other countries in the world can also learn from. Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, said reading President Xi's books is a crucial way to understand China in the new era. "China's success is, in fact, a criticism of the prevailing perception that modernity must assume a specific form, often associated with Western values, institutions and practices, and that non-Western societies are expected to emulate the Western model of modernity. Indeed, China's model shows that there is also an Asian pathway towards modernization and industrialization," Khan said. "In recent decades, as the China-Malaysia relationship grew closer and stronger, we are also drawing valuable lessons from the Chinese model of development," said the former Malaysian Ambassador to China. "Our two countries have much to share and learn from each other," he said. "It is by recognizing and embracing multiple modernities that we can foster a more comprehensive understanding of each other and achieve a more harmonious co-existence between the world civilizations." Visitors read a book by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 40th Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) Last week, the air defence units of the National Guard of Ukraine shot down five air targets of the Russian occupation forces. Source: Colonel Mykola Urshalovych, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Application of the National Guard of Ukraine, at a briefing at the Military Media Centre, as quoted by the press service of the National Guard Quote: "Last week, anti-aircraft gunners of the 15th Operational Brigade shot down one SU-25 attack aircraft (the pilot ejected) and damaged the second SU-25 jet using the Igla MANPADS in the area of Mala Tokmachka." Details: In addition, according to Urshalovych, personnel of the 21st Public Security Protection Brigade destroyed a Russian UAV last week near the village of Davydiv Brid using small arms. Moreover, an anti-aircraft gunner from the 4th Operational Brigade, Soldier Pavlenko, shot down a Kh-101 (Kh-555) cruise missile from an Igla MANPADS near Hostomel, and personnel from the 25th Public Security Protection Brigade used small arms to destroy a Russian Shahed-136 UAV moving along the Dnipro River channel towards the Southern Bridge of Kyiv. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Stoltenberg cautiously reacted to the drone attacks on Moscow He emphasized Ukraine's right to self-defense but refrained from confirming Kyiv's involvement in the attacks. "Now we have exactly the same position as at the beginning of the war, namely that Ukraine has the right to defend itself," Stoltenberg said. The war unleashed by Russian President Vladimir Putin is a clear violation of international law, and Ukraine's right to defend itself is enshrined in the UN Charter, he said. Read also: Butterfly effect How the drone attack on Moscow could lead to dire consequences for Russia Moscow was attacked by drones early on May 30. The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged the presence of eight UAVs in its airpsace, while social media reported that there were more than 10. Following an earlier drone attack in Moscow on May 3, Russian dictator Vladimir Putins press service claimed that Ukraine had tried to strike at the Kremlin. Putin was working at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow at the time, said his spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, accusing Ukraine of "attempting" to assassinate Putin. Read also: Moscow may have been attacked by Ukrainian drones, military expert suggests The dictator himself blamed Ukraine for the attack and said that it was allegedly "an attempt to provoke a response from Russia." He failed to mention that Russia had unleashed a full-scale war and massive attacks against Ukraine, and lied that the Russian military does not strike civilian targets. Commenting on the May 30 drone strike, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Presidents Office, said that the drones "want to return to their creators" but denied that Ukraine was involved in the attacks on the Russian capital. 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 Ukraine is keen to come under NATO's joint defence umbrella NATO foreign ministers meeting in Oslo Thursday will try to narrow divisions on Ukraine's push to join, upping spending and finding a new alliance chief, ahead of a July summit. Russia's war on Ukraine has galvanised the Western military alliance set up almost 75 years ago to face off against the Soviet Union. But with just over five weeks to a meeting of leaders in Lithuania's capital Vilnius there are splits on key issues. Chief among them is Kyiv's push to join NATO, an organisation that requires consensus to take decisions. "There will be some challenging discussions among allies in the run-up to Vilnius, including on security guarantees or assurances for Ukraine and their desire for NATO membership," alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday. "I cannot anticipate the outcome of the discussions, but what is clear is that all NATO allies agree that NATO's door is open." Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, backed by NATO countries in eastern Europe, is calling for a "clear message" at the July summit that Kyiv will join once the conflict with Russia ends. Ukraine concedes it will not become a member while fighting rages on its territory. But it wants the alliance to move beyond a vague 2008 pledge that it will one day be in NATO. Diplomats from NATO countries say its dominant military power, the United States, is reluctant to go further than that vow on membership made 15 years ago. Joining NATO would mean that Ukraine would be covered by the alliance's Article 5 collective defence clause that obliges all allies to help defend it if attacked. Despite the divisions, diplomats at NATO remain relaxed that a compromise can be found in the intense negotiations planned before the Vilnius summit. One option is countries offering Ukraine bilateral security assurances outside the alliance's framework. France has said it could be ready to provide some form of guarantee. But there are major questions how any commitments to Ukraine could work. On a practical level, Stoltenberg is pushing for a decade-long programme worth 500 million euros ($530 million) per year to help Ukraine's military switch to Western standards. That would be on top of the tens of billions of dollars in arms that allies have already sent. - New NATO head? - Another hot potato for the Vilnius gathering is a new pledge to boost NATO's current target for each member to spend at least two percent of gross domestic product on defence. Only seven members hit that figure last year, and the allies agree on the need to make the two-percent goal "a floor, not a ceiling". But Eastern European members, which have already boosted defence spending beyond that, are disappointed by the lack of ambition shown by some allies. On the other side, members such as Canada and Luxembourg are reticent to make any greater ambition too concrete. One issue to be discussed by ministers on the sidelines of the meeting will be finding a successor to Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general. The former Norwegian premier has held the post since 2014. Last year, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, his tenure was extended to September this year. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has emerged as a possible frontrunner and is heading to Washington next week for a meeting with US President Joe Biden. She has bolstered her case by promising to triple Denmark's defence budget over the next decade. But newer NATO members from the eastern part of Europe complain that it is time one of their politicians get the top slot, and argue the job shouldn't be dominated by just one region. Other names being mentioned are Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Romania's President Klaus Iohannis, and British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. Diplomats say that if no clear choice emerges then Stoltenberg -- who says he won't put himself forward -- may be asked to stay on still longer, into next year. del/rmb/rox By Andrew Gray and John Irish BULBOACA, Moldova (Reuters) - The presidents of Kosovo and Serbia held talks on Thursday on resolving a political crisis that has spiralled into violence, with the leaders of France and Germany pressing them to take swift steps to reduce tensions. Kosovo's Vjosa Osmani and Serbia's Aleksandar Vucic met briefly in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the European Union's foreign policy chief on the sidelines of a summit in Moldova. The EU and the United States have expressed alarm at the latest in a long-line of crises between Kosovo's ethnic Albanian-dominated government and ethnic Serbs who are a majority in the north. Violence flared on Monday after Kosovo authorities, backed by special police units, installed ethnic Albanian mayors in offices in northern municipalities. The mayors had been elected on turnout of just 3.5% after Serbs boycotted local polls. The clashes wounded 30 NATO peacekeeping troops and 52 Serb protesters. Speaking after the meeting with Vucic, Osmani accused the Serbian leader of "whining and complaining and ... not telling the truth". But she said Kosovo could hold new elections in the north with Serb participation if they were triggered legally. That would fulfil one of the conditions set out by Macron and Scholz for resolving the crisis. "It's important that everyone involved does everything possible to get to a de-escalation," Scholz told reporters after the summit of the European Political Community, a forum established last year that brings together more than 40 leaders. Osmani said "a solution for de-escalation is very close" but Belgrade would also have to respect commitments it made under a deal sealed in March to put relations between the two sides, who fought a war in the 1990s, on a more normal footing. "We need to ensure that the focus is on the full implementation of the agreement, not just parts of it," she said. Macron said Paris and Berlin had called for the organisation of new elections in the four northern municipalities with Serb participation "as soon as possible". He said they also urged Kosovo to move ahead with a commitment to create an association of Serb municipalities, seen as a way to give Serbs in the north more self-government. Macron said they had asked both sides to come back next week with "clear answers". Vucic left the summit without commenting on the meeting with Osmani. Earlier in the day, neither leader had expressed any desire to meet with the other, before relenting under international pressure. They did not acknowledge each other on arrival at the summit even as they stood just metres apart on the red carpet. Vucic said Kosovo authorities should withdraw "alleged mayors" from the north and declared the Kosovo special police units were there illegally. "Serbia will do its best and its utmost to de-escalate the situation, which means that we'll try to persuade Serbs to progress calmly and peacefully," he said. "They're very determined," he added. "They want to see the back of the special police units." For her part, Osmani said Belgrade was trying to destabilise Kosovo as it had failed to come to terms with Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia. She accused Vucic of backing criminal gangs in northern Kosovo - an allegation Belgrade has denied. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has been the driving force behind operations in the north, leading to strong international criticism, particularly from the United States, long Kosovo's staunchest ally. NATO decided to deploy 700 additional peacekeepers to Kosovo in response to the crisis and the alliance's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Thursday it was ready to send more. "NATO will remain vigilant. We will be there to ensure a safe and secure environment, and also to calm down and reduce tensions", he told reporters on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Oslo. (Additional reporting by Fatos Bytyci, Ivana Sekularac, Sabine Siebold and Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Daria Sito-Sucic, Edmund Blair and Daniel Wallis) By Sabine Siebold and Gwladys Fouche OSLO (Reuters) - Moscow cannot stop Ukraine from becoming a NATO member, the alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday, as divisions among allies about the speed of Kyiv's accession became apparent only weeks before a decisive mid-July summit in Vilnius. "All allies agree that Moscow does not have a veto against NATO enlargement," Stoltenberg told reporters as NATO foreign ministers gathered in Oslo, seeking to dispel any signs of discord ahead of the summit. "We are moving, allies agree that Ukraine will become a member." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking at a meeting of more than 40 European leaders in Moldova, said Kyiv wanted to receive a "clear" decision on its future in NATO at the summit. NATO agreed in 2008 that Ukraine would eventually join the alliance but leaders have so far stopped short of taking steps, such as giving Kyiv a membership action plan, that would lay out a timetable for bringing Ukraine closer to the military pact. At the Vilnius summit, NATO leaders aim to send a strong message of support to Kyiv. But with only six weeks to go, pressure is building for allies to find common ground on what exactly to offer Ukraine. While Kyiv and its closest allies in eastern Europe call for concrete steps to bring Ukraine closer to membership, Western governments such as the United States and Germany are wary of any move that might take the alliance closer to war with Russia. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said Kyiv had suffered two invasions while waiting for an answer from NATO for 14 years. "It is high time that we actually sit down and find a very concrete answer as to how Ukraine is going to move closer to NATO and when they become a member of the alliance," he said. His call was echoed by his Estonian counterpart who urged allies to offer Kyiv a clear path into NATO and provide it with strong security guarantees after the war, in order not to leave any "grey zones" for Russia to exploit. "Ukraine needs to get a clear path, and the next steps, on how to enter NATO," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. Stoltenberg also called for a framework of security guarantees for Kyiv designed to deter Russia from again taking military action against the country. Details will still need to be worked out, he said. Other allies such as Germany and Luxembourg stressed the risks should NATO rush to let Kyiv join, while Hungary stated clearly Ukraine's NATO accession could not be on the agenda at the upcoming summit. "NATO's open door policy remains in place, but at the same time it is clear that we cannot talk about accepting new members (who are) in the midst of a war," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. Luxembourg's Jean Asselborn warned NATO's mutual assistance clause meant the alliance would enter the war with Russia if it accepted Ukraine as a member while the fighting goes on. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Gwladys Fouche and Terje Solsvik in Oslo, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Bart Meijer and Charlotte Van Campenhout in Brussels, Alezander Tanas in Chisinau, Olena Harmash in Kyiv, Boldizsar Gyori in Budapest; Editing by Bart H. Meijer and Ros Russell) A trove of photos from Hunter Biden's laptop has been made available to the public through a new website that launched Thursday. The website BidenLaptopMedia.com will house almost 10,000 photos spanning from 2008 to 2019 and took months to complete, Garrett Ziegler, the founder of nonprofit Marco Polo, told Fox News Digital. "It's taken us a couple of months to, one, go through the photos, about 10,000 of them, and redact the genitalia on the photos," Ziegler, a former Trump White House aide, said of the contents found on the laptop once owned by President Biden's son. "The number one thing we're about is truth and transparency," he said. "If the American people want to know what their first family is like, they're going to get it. And we're not going to be taking out photos that paint the Bidens in a good light." RON DESANTIS SAYS HUNTER BIDEN 'WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL YEARS AGO' IF HE WERE A REPUBLICAN Photos provided exclusively to Fox News Digital ahead of the website's launch showed remnants of the drugs Hunter Biden had used in 2018, and another that showed Hunter Biden cozying up with his then-lover, Zoe Kestan, the same year. Ziegler also noted that several photos containing private information were redacted including images containing Social Security numbers, banking information and credit card numbers. Additionally, multiple nude photos of Hallie Biden, the widow of Beau Biden, were redacted. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Of the many photos found on the laptop, Ziegler provided Fox News Digital with two never-before-seen photos from the laptop. One photo showed Hunter Biden cozied up to his then-lover Zoe Kestan in 2018. The other image featuring an array of drugs and a condom wrapper sitting on a table was from a text message conversation Hunter had with Hallie Biden the widow of Beau Biden and former lover of Hunter Biden the same year. Providing further insight on the type of content viewers can expect on the website, Ziegler said some content that does not carry "news value" will not be featured. "There are, for example, screenshots of Candy Crush games where we are fairly confident in saying there's absolutely no news value to those," he said. "So it's going to be, I would say, 98% of the photos on the device, around 10,000 in total, although it'll be slightly less than that." "It's going to be a completely authentic recounting of the photos on the device," Ziegler added. Ziegler promised that there won't be any genitalia visible on the site and insisted that the photo project which will display the images chronologically covers a "large swath" of the first family's life and includes an array of photos. He also made clear that it is not a "hit job" against the Biden family. "There's a picture of a letter that Hunter's daughter, Finnegan, wrote to, I assume, troops stationed overseas, like in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. "It's an adorable letter. Finnegan's around 9 years old at the time, and it definitely paints the Bidens in a good light." "It's going to be a completely authentic recounting of the photos on the device," Garrett Ziegler, the founder of nonprofit Marco Polo, told Fox News Digital. HUNTER BIDEN'S 'SUGAR BROTHER' KEEPS THE FIRST SON AFLOAT AMID MULTIPLE SCANDALS "We're not Republican activists. None of us are registered Republicans," he continued. "In fact, I loved and still love Trump precisely because he wasn't a standard Republican. So this is not a hit job. We're going to keep all the photos that paint the Bidens in a good light and keep all the photos that paint the Bidens in a bad light. The American people can judge for themselves what they think about their first family through this." Describing the effort as "the most thorough expose of any American first family while they're in office in the history of America," Ziegler said the types of photos that will be shared to the website are photos that typically "only become available once the presidential archives are open and those photos only detail his time in the Oval while he was the president." Ziegler also said the website will use a "photo viewing app that will allow users to view the metadata in the photos." "They're going to be able to see where the photo was taken, what time it was taken, if it has latitude and longitude coordinates attached to it," he said. "They're going to be able to see if it has metadata like aperture, lighting." Ziegler also noted that videos from the laptop will be available for public viewing at a later date. Describing why it will take longer for the videos from the laptop to be uploaded to the site, Ziegler said his team has to use AI tools to assist with censoring portions of the videos because "there's so much pornography." Ziegler said there are "several" questionable photos in particular that he believes reporters should take a look at. The White House and Hunter Biden's attorney did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. Who needs cake? NC couple serves Cook Out milkshakes to wedding guests instead Its common for couples to personalize their weddings to uniquely represent their love story, and one pair of North Carolina newlyweds did just that by serving milkshakes from their favorite fast food restaurant: Cook Out. The fast-food chain is a staple in the South, especially in North Carolina, where the first Cook Out officially opened. So when Layne and Taylor Roberts got married back in March, they knew the popular sweet treat would be a great choice for dessert on their big day. While they did have a smaller cake they cut and served for photos, they also wanted to have something else to bring to the table for guests. Neither of us are big cake people, so we tried to think of something else and we both just love Cook Out, the couple told CharlotteFive. Some of our wedding guests were from out of town so we were like You know what? Theyve not had Cook Out, so were about to show them what this is about. [READ MORE: We tried all 40 milkshakes at Cook Out. Here are the best (plus some you should skip).] Layne and Taylor Roberts ordered 50 milkshakes for their reception in Graham, NC. The 22-year-old North Carolina natives met seven years ago at a summer camp in Panama City Beach, Florida. After years of dating through high school, college and even some time spent long-distance, the two got engaged at the beginning of 2023 and got married in Graham on March 31. Layne and Taylor Roberts got married in Graham, NC on March 31, 2023. Weve been dating for so long that once we got engaged, we were like When we get engaged, were going straight to a wedding. Were not wasting any time, the couple explained. While they only had a couple of months to plan their wedding, the Robertses said their idea for Cook Out milkshakes was one they had early on. We kind of threw it out there a long time ago in the planning and then we forgot about it until closer until we didnt have a wedding cake so it was like I guess we are doing Cook Out. Once the two settled on serving milkshakes at their wedding, they said they contacted the fast-food chain closest to their venue to organize the big order for their 100 guests. [We] talked to the manager and said Hey. On this night, were going to send somebody to get 50 milkshakes. Is that OK? and they were great with it, Layne explained. Along with the milkshakes, the couple also had a toppings bar featuring their favorite candies. After tying the knot in front of their closest friends and families, their dinner reception included chocolate and vanilla milkshakes with a toppings bar featuring their favorite candies. Not only was this plan a personalized touch, but the couple says it was also more cost-friendly than just serving a traditional wedding cake. The average cost for a wedding cake is $510, according to The Knot. In comparison, the Robertses said they spent half of that on the shakes, only spending about $200. We figured no one wants a whole milkshake at a wedding because theyre dancingso we had our catering team split the milkshakes in half, which also saved some money. Looking back, the couple says the shakes were a hit for guests who got to dance the night away with their favorite desserts. The guests loved it, and they thought it was different that you dont see at every wedding, the two told CharlotteFive. Layne and Taylor Roberts ordered 50 milkshakes for 100 guests at their wedding reception. In addition to the shakes, the couple also included several other personalized touches to their wedding, including dinner from another favorite North Carolina restaurant, Debbies Restaurant & Catering, and a video highlighting their love story before the ceremony. 4 great white sharks showed up in New York and New Jersey waters early, having migrated thousands of miles for food Great white sharks are heading north at the same time beachgoers are hitting the coast. Ken Kiefer 2/Getty Images Every year great white sharks head for feeding grounds in waters near the northern US and Canada. 4 great whites were recently pinged by OCEARCH trackers near New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. One of them is an 8 foot 8 inch male juvenile named Jekyll who weighs just shy of 400 pounds. Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and every year millions of people travel to the beach for a long weekend of barbecues, fireworks, and fun in the sun. But that's not the only migration taking place this weekend. OCEARCH, a non-profit marine research organization, recently noted on its website that four great white sharks have made their way to the coast of New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island as part of their annual journey to the waters around Cape Cod and Nova Scotia. OCEARCH has been capturing, tagging, and tracking great white sharks since 2007 in order to study their migratory patterns. Every summer the apex predators embark upon the journey north from their feeding grounds near Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, seeking the warming waters and prey like grey seals and tuna. But some of the sharks got an early start this year, and are now in the waters off some of the busiest beaches in America. These great white sharks have traveled thousands of miles According to the OCEARCH tracker, a male juvenile great white nicknamed Jekyll has traveled 1,595 miles in 103 days from Georgia to the waters of Atlantic City, where his tracker pinged his location on May 15th. Named for the island in Georgia near where he was first tagged by members of the OCEARCH team, Jekyll measures a paltry 8 feet 8 inches long, and weighs in at 395 pounds. Just further north the tracker pinged Keiji, a male juvenile great white who winters in the Gulf of Mexico but was spotted enjoying the waters of Long Island on May 17th. Keiji is 9 feet 7 inches long and weighs a mere 578 pounds, and has traveled an incredible 7,697 miles in the past year. Simon, another male juvenile, traveled 1,520 miles in the last 106 days from Florida to join revelers in the waters of Fire Island on May 2nd. His beach body is ready to go, measuring 9 feet 6 inches and weighing 434 pounds. And the latest tracking data came from Frosty, a male juvenile hailing from the balmy waters of Jacksonville, FL, who has made his way to the coast of Rhode Island as of May 21st. Frosty only measures 9 feet 2 inches, and weighs just 393 pounds. While the thought of these mammoth fish hanging in the water near busy beaches this Memorial Day may give some people pause, your chances of getting bit or dying by shark attack are minimal. Data from the Florida Museum of Natural History's 2022 Shark Attack Report notes that there were just nine shark-related fatalities around the world last year, and only 57 confirmed cases of unprovoked shark attacks below the 5-year average of 70 attacks a year. Read the original article on Business Insider Corrections & Clarifications: This story has been updated to correct how far away the body was found from where the missing doctor was last seen. A death investigation is underway after the body of a Missouri doctor was found in northwest Arkansas more than a week after he was reported missing, police say. Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was found dead Tuesday with what appeared to be a gunshot wound, the Benton County (Arkansas) Sheriffs Office said in a statement. His body was found by a kayaker in the water across from the area near Lost Bridge South Park, according to the statement. The park is roughly 26 miles from Mercy Hospital in Cassville, Missouri, where he worked as an emergency room physician. He was last seen at the hospital on the morning of May 21 but did not show up for his afternoon shift, his brother Richard Forsyth told The Daily Beast. Cassville is a town of 3,100 in the Missouri Ozarks. This undated photo released by the Cassville Missouri Police Dept., shows a portrait of Dr. John Forsyth. Authorities in the small town of Cassville, Missouri, searched for the emergency room physician Dr. Forsyth a week-and-a-half after his mysterious disappearance. Richard Forsyth told The Associated Press that officials notified his family that his brother's body had been found Tuesday night. He said his brother last spoke to his fiancee as he was leaving the hospital in the morning, The Daily Beast reported. Concern grew when he failed to return for his later shift, according to the outlet. He wouldnt miss a shift even if his eyeballs were hanging out of their sockets," Richard Forsyth told The Daily Beast last week. It was an immediate red flag. John Forsyth's vehicle, a black Infiniti, was later found at an aquatic park in Cassville. It was unlocked with items including his wallet, two phones, and a laptop inside. His brother told the Associated Press Wednesday that surveillance video from the aquatic park showed the black Infiniti pulling into the parking lot. A few minutes later, a white SUV can be seen parking near him. It doesnt seem like a person who left with a plan, Richard Forsyth told The Associated Press earlier Tuesday. Law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, used dogs and drones to search a nearly 9-mile radius around the park. Meanwhile, Forsyths family sought information and shared articles about his disappearance on Facebook. Benton County detectives are investigating Forsyth's death along with the Barry County Sheriff's Office, Cassville police and Missouri State Police. Richard Forsyth told The Associated Press his family is still waiting on more details from detectives. The Missouri State Highway Patrol directed questions to Cassville police. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Forsyth, missing Missouri ER doctor, found dead in Arkansas MUNCIE, Ind. A rural Muncie woman faces criminal charges over allegations she released a vicious dog that attacked two people outside her home. Braquelle Lynn Rutherford, 22. continued to be held in the Delaware County jail on Wednesday under a $15,000 bond, preliminarily charged with criminal recklessness, domestic battery and battery. All three counts are enhanced because of Rutherford's alleged use of a "deadly weapon," referring to the dog. A Delaware County sheriff's deputy and an Eaton police officer on May 25 were sent to Rutherford's home, in the 9100 block of North Delaware County Road 450-W, after dispatchers received a report of a dog attack. The deputy reported finding two victims of dog bites one of them Rutherford's mother in their vehicles, waiting for medical assistance. More: Gunfire in kids' presence leads to recklessness, neglect arrest One victim was reported to be "covered in blood," with "heavy bleeding from her head" and bite wounds on her thigh and hand. The other woman had a bite wound on her elbow and scratches on her arm, according to an affidavit. Both victims were taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Rutherford, described as "very emotional and yelling," told the deputy she hadn't intentionally let the dog attack the victims. She said the dog was "very aggressive," and that she had received it from an Indianapolis rescue facility "to try and train it." She said the dog "busted out of the door" and attacked the women after they showed up at her home "without notice." However, Rutherford at one point told the deputy her mother had come to check on her because of concerns about purported substance abuse, and that after they had argued, Rutherford "let the dog out of the cage to prevent (the women) from coming back into her home." Rutherford said the dog was "too aggressive and needed to be put down," but that officials with the Indianapolis rescue facility kept "putting off coming to recover the dog." Animal control officers were called to the scene and took possession of the dog. One of the victims later said that just before the attack, Rutherford told the women that if they didn't leave her home, the dog was going to "maul" them. On May 26, deputies returned to Rutherford's home, again questioned her and then placed her in custody. Court records reflect no prior criminal charges against the Delaware County woman. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie woman arrested after dog attacks two people Decoupling from China dangerous for EU: German media Xinhua) 08:21, June 01, 2023 BERLIN, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Decoupling from China and taking political distance from the Asian country would be more dangerous than beneficial for the European Union (EU), a recent op-ed in the German magazine Spiegel has said. Decoupling in an attempt to reduce European dependency on China would create more risks than it would eliminate, the op-ed claimed. China has become increasingly important for European trade, overtaking the United States as the EU's largest trading partner in 2020. With traded goods worth 696 billion euros (745 billion U.S. dollars), the country represented 16 percent of the bloc's total trade in 2021, according to official figures. Rare earths and solar modules from China are particularly important for green energy transformation in Europe. More than 80 percent of solar modules and as much as 90 percent of Europe's rare earths are imported from China. Even with a shift away from China, Europe would still be dependent on imports from Latin America, Africa and Asia. "A world in which trade flows are geo-strategically restricted and divided up is therefore the last thing the confederation of states needs for its 'Green Deal'," the op-ed warned. Many product groups from China are "indispensable for the German economy," the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel) said earlier this year. At this time, electronic goods such as laptops had reached an import share of around 80 percent. In 2022, China was Germany's most important trading partner for the seventh year in a row, as goods worth 298.6 billion euros were traded between the two countries, according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). "Decoupling our economy from the Chinese market would not be in the interest of jobs in Germany. Others would take our place," German Minister of Finance Christian Lindner stressed earlier this year. Decoupling would cause German citizens' incomes to plummet by two percent, according to a recent study by the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (Wifo), which would result in losses of almost 60 billion euros to Europe's largest economy. (1 euro = 1.07 U.S. dollar) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Massa in Beijing on Thursday. The two sides had friendly and pragmatic exchanges on topics including China-Argentina economic and trade relations and the promotion of bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Wang said China is willing to work with Argentina, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, to promote economic and trade exchanges and dialogues at all levels, deepen multilateral and bilateral pragmatic cooperation, and push for greater development of the China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership. Massa said Argentina regards China as an important economic and trade partner and is willing to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation. An Ohio woman has a strong resemblance to Alexis Patterson. Could she be the missing girl? The latest season of Unsolved, a true-crime podcast for USA TODAY and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, examines the disappearance of 7-year-old Alexis Patterson. Alexis went missing in Milwaukee in 2002. Fourteen years after she vanished, a man in Ohio came forward to suggest his ex-wife could be Alexis. The following excerpts from the Journal Sentinel archives, reported by Crocker Stephenson, were first published in 2016. Unsolved is available on all podcast platforms. New hope in mystery of Alexis Pattersons 2002 disappearance Law enforcement officials are trying to determine if a woman living in Ohio is Alexis Patterson, the Milwaukee girl who vanished 14 years ago, a mystery that remains an open wound to those touched by her story. Questions about the Ohio woman arose when the woman's ex-husband and his fiancee became increasingly curious about her murky past. The woman, they say, has no memory of her childhood before the age of 10. She has no photographs or school mementos indeed, no usual reminders of a normal childhood. That was enough to spur the ex-husband and fiancee to search for clues on the internet. They came upon a computer-aged photograph of Alexis Patterson, and became convinced that Alexis is the woman they know. The couple compiled a set of about a dozen photos and, in late June, sent it to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department. Within days, they also sent it to the Journal Sentinel, hoping for action. The Journal Sentinel shared the photos with the Milwaukee Police Department's cold case unit, which has been in charge of Alexis' case since 2009. Alexis' mother, Ayanna Patterson, has never wavered in her belief that her daughter is alive. But she has had her hopes built up by purported breaks in her daughter's case, only to have them crash when the breaks didn't pan out. She has been besieged by hustlers claiming to know her daughter or even to be her daughter. When the Journal Sentinel showed her the photos, Patterson's initial skepticism gave way to cautious optimism. "That could be my baby," she said when she first examined the photographs. "I've never said this before, but that could be my child." Her optimism deepened when the Journal Sentinel traveled to Ohio and interviewed the couple. The woman, they said, has two features often mentioned in descriptions of Alexis by such organizations as the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: a linear scar beneath her right eye and an unusual bump on her left pinkie finger. They also mentioned a third characteristic, one that has not been released to the general public. When the Journal Sentinel contacted Ayanna Patterson, she confirmed that Alexis had that characteristic. And then she wept. In Ohio, the woman has steadfastly denied that she is Alexis. "I am not that girl. That is a ridiculous question," she said in an interview with the Journal Sentinel. Read the full archival story. Alexis Patterson's photo is shown age-progressed to 24 years. She was last seen on May 3, 2002, on her way to Hi-Mount School in Milwaukee. Ohio woman is not Alexis Patterson, DNA test reveals The results of genetic testing released Thursday exclude the possibility that an Ohio woman is Alexis Patterson, the Milwaukee girl who vanished on her way to school 14 years ago. Alexis' mother, Ayanna Patterson, reacted with grief, rage, disbelief as well as sadness for the Ohio woman who, her daughter or not, has endured intense scrutiny by the media and by people living in her small town. "No matter what the test says, I still believe one billion percent you are my child," Patterson told the Journal Sentinel, as if speaking to the Ohio woman. Patterson herself has been exposed to similar scrutiny, which she has found painful, and has avoided returning to her home. She met with the Journal Sentinel at a park on the city's far north side. "I want you to continue to go on with your life and be as happy as you can be," Patterson said of the Ohio woman. "And be the best mother you can possibly be. And raise your children. And don't let no one hurt your kids. Don't let your children out of your sight." "I know you are hurting right now," Patterson said. "And I am sorry." More: Who are missing children in Wisconsin? It's a long list that spans decades. In a statement, Milwaukee police officials said they "received a call from the Wisconsin Regional Crime Lab regarding the results of DNA testing derived from a tip from an Ohio man relative to the 2002 disappearance of Alexis Patterson. "The sample collected by law enforcement authorities in Ohio of a female there does NOT match that of Patterson's." ...While the Ohio woman shared several characteristics peculiar to Alexis, there were several reasons Milwaukee police doubted they were one in the same. The woman says she is 28 seven years older than Alexis would be and she has two children. For her to be Alexis, she would have given birth at an unusually young age. Ayanna Patterson said she was not satisfied with the DNA results. The 14-year-old samples may be corrupted or have deteriorated over the years. "I don't believe that DNA test," she said. Read the full archival story. Unsolved podcast revisits DNA test Alexis' mother has never been satisfied with the DNA results and has continued to believe the Ohio woman is her daughter. I know thats my child, Patterson told USA TODAY last year. Im not afraid of nothing now that I know my babys safe, and I know my babys alive. Patterson believed it was possible someone tampered with the woman's DNA sample, which was collected by a police officer in Ohio and sent to Milwaukee police via FedEx. In this season of Unsolved, reporters investigated Patterson's claims and traveled to Ohio to track down answers. Learn more about the Alexis Patterson case by listening to the true-crime podcast Unsolved. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ohio woman has a strong resemblance to Alexis Patterson, DNA tested Newsmax was way off in its coverage of a drone strike in Moscow by about 5,000 miles. On Tuesday, the far-right channel displayed images of the apartment collapse in Davenport, Iowa, as host Greta Van Susteren told of the disturbing attack in the Russian capital. (Watch the video below.) One clue for viewers that something might be amiss was the English Tow Away Zone sign in one of the photos, Mediaite noted. Photos of the Iowa collapse were dramatic, while footage of the attack in Moscow, which Newsmax also included, wasnt as compelling. Newsmax didnt immediately answer HuffPosts request for comment. The drones caused insignificant damage, the Moscow mayor said, and five of the unmanned aircraft were shot down while three others had their signals jammed, The Associated Press reported. Two people were injured, but did not require hospitalization. Russia blamed Ukraine, which has sought to expel its neighbor since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine denied involvement, according to the BBC. In Iowa, the partial collapse of the downtown Davenport building on Tuesday has left five residents unaccounted for. One survivors leg was amputated so she could be rescued from the rubble, AP noted. Heres video of the aftermath in Iowa. Not Moscow. H/T: Media Matters Related... Next Stone Cold Steve Austin? See boy mimic wrestlers iconic chug to end first grade Some kids want to be firefighters or doctors when they grow up. Others want to be an astronaut or a teacher. One kid in Hoover, Alabama, wants to be a WWE wrestler and hes starting now. In a viral video shared on Instagram and TikTok, 8-year-old Ro Knight recreated famous wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austins iconic beer chug with a twist to celebrate his last day of first grade. I packed some milk in my bag at the lunchroom. They were sitting in my bag all day long. When I got home, I did my thing to smash them together and it was awesome, Ro told WVTM. The video has more than 3 million views on TikTok and more than 18,000 likes on Instagram, shared on Ros accounts, Ro Knows Wrestling, which have more than 32,000 followers. Ro has created a social media following thanks to his love of WWE, first meeting another hero, Hulk Hogan, when he was just 3 years old, another video showed. Ro told his dad to have the camera ready when he came home on May 17, WVTM reported. Then I saw the milk and I was like, Oh, I know where this is going as Im filming. I was like, man this is going to be epic, Rick Knight, Ros dad told WVTM. He comes up with his own promos. Hes a special man. I one day hope I can be as cool as him. Ro and his family live in Hoover, about 10 miles south of Birmingham. 6-year-old with an old soul shows off endearing morning routine. Just dont rush him Forget flower girls. See flower grannies from NC shake up wedding tradition on TikTok Farmer from popular Its honest work meme dies at 76. We lost a legend Watch wrangler on horseback armed with a lasso nab runaway steer on Michigan highway The U.S. Supreme Court is about to hand down a decision in two explosive affirmative action cases. (J. Scott Applewhite/ Associated Press) No one particularly likes affirmative action. Why would we? It is an imperfect remedy designed to redress a shameful history an ongoing history of racism and exclusion. It requires that people be judged, and in some cases denied opportunity, based on the color of their skin. It's built on the premise that society cannot always be colorblind, which goes against everything we have been taught to believe and would like to believe about ourselves. Thats one reason so many people prefer to view affirmative action as merely a temporary fix that will one day no longer be needed. President Clinton said in 1995: Affirmative action should not go on forever It should be retired when its job is done. That argument that affirmative action is constitutional but should be "limited in time" was made most famously by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor in the case of Grutter vs. Bollinger. The court expects that 25 years from now the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary...," she wrote for the majority. That was in 2003. Now with OConnors supposed deadline approaching, the Supreme Court is about to hand down a decision in two explosive affirmative action cases, one involving Harvard University and the other, the University of North Carolina. Many experts believe the current right-wing court is on the verge of overturning decades of precedent by prohibiting the consideration of race as a factor in college and university admissions. A decision declaring affirmative action unconstitutional would apparently be fine with most Americans. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in February found that 62% do not believe race or ethnicity should be considered in college admissions. But theyre wrong. Affirmative action is both morally justified and badly needed. Banning it would be an enormous mistake. And just to be clear, OConnors 25-year time frame which was cited repeatedly by the courts conservative justices during oral arguments was never really a deadline at all. It was at best a prediction or maybe just an expression of hope that proved overly optimistic. Fourteen years later, OConnor told her biographer, Evan Thomas: That may have been a misjudgment. When asked how long affirmative action would be necessary, she told another interviewer: Theres no timetable. You just dont know. I dont know either, but I do know that today, the wrongs of American racism are still being undone, and affirmative action remains a critical tool in the process. Even though the Supreme Court has ruled that affirmative action is legally justified only by its role in fostering "diverse" student bodies, I believe its chief benefit is as a remedy for the harmful effects of past discrimination. College, the great gateway to the middle class, was for most of U.S. history limited to white students. It wasn't until the early 1960s, during the Kennedy administration, that the integration of college campuses began in earnest, and that taking affirmative actions to undo racism became part of the lexicon. Today, however, despite significant gains, students of color remain unconscionably disadvantaged. A 2022 McKinsey study, among others, showed that Black and Latino people, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders are still underrepresented among college undergraduates, faculty and administrators. Today, white college applicants are still more likely than nonwhites to have attended higher performing, better funded schools. Their families are more likely to have benefited from wealth accumulation. Theyre more likely to qualify for legacy preferences. African Americans are more likely to live in disadvantaged neighborhoods and attend under-resourced high schools. Former Columbia University president Lee Bollinger and University of Chicago law professor Geoffrey Stone have written that predominantly nonwhite school districts are less likely to offer access to college-prep-level math and science courses. Unsurprisingly, Black students still trail white students in general educational attainment. The Economic Policy Institute notes that Black Americans are just over half as likely as white Americans to have a college degree. Yet college degrees are key drivers of social mobility, helping those who need it find a path out of poverty. Campus diversity, meanwhile, benefits everybody, white students included. Studies show that diversity helps fight racial bias and prejudice. It helps wash away stereotypes. Sure, affirmative action should be temporary. I look forward to that glorious and hopefully not mythical day when the United States no longer struggles with the aftereffects of slavery, segregation and bigotry and the continued effects of institutionalized discrimination. But wed be foolish to set a deadline for that. In the meantime, the Supreme Court will do what it will do. If affirmative action is prohibited entirely, it could lead to a precipitous decline in nonwhite admissions. California banned affirmative action in admissions to the University of California and other state institutions when it passed Proposition 209 in 1996, and the number of nonwhite students promptly plummeted. Despite more than 25 years of outreach programs to low-income students, and despite re-crafted race-neutral admissions policies, UC still "struggles to enroll a student body that is sufficiently racially diverse to attain the educational benefits of diversity, wrote UC president Michael Drake and all 10 campus chancellors in an amicus brief in the current case. It's possible the court could take a less radical approach than that, with a narrow ruling tied closely to Harvard and UNC, rather than one prohibiting the consideration of race in admissions at schools all around the country. The justices may nod to race-neutral approaches to diversifying colleges and universities, such as giving admissions preference to applicants based on socioeconomic status, or eliminating legacy and donor admissions preferences. Some of these are valuable, promising ideas; others would be less effective. All in all, though, the prospects for affirmative action are pretty grim. It would be a tragedy for a country as troubled as ours, still wrestling to move beyond our own ugly racial history, to take a giant step backward instead of forward. @nick_goldberg This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. It has been three weeks since federal prison officials summoned Cynthia Santiago to the side of the battered and unconscious body of her son, Kevante Washington, at a hospital in Philadelphia. Washington, a 31-year-old father of three who grew up in Wilmington, would never wake up and died the following day. Officials told the family he was hospitalized after an "altercation" while imprisoned at Philadelphia's Federal Detention Center. Since then, Santiago said she's been able to ascertain little about her son's death, which she believes was murder. In a written statement that prison officials said was issued to local media the day Washington died, a spokesperson wrote that staff were alerted to a "perceived altercation" at around 3:40 p.m. May 10. The statement said Washington was transported to the hospital, that another prisoner was "medically assessed" at the facility and that no other staff or inmates were injured. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified, the statement said. FBI officials in Philadelphia declined to comment. Kevante Washington Beyond those basic details, Paul Hardin, the prison's spokesperson, declined further comment for this article. "When I call and ask what happened, nobody knows anything," Santiago said in an interview with Delaware Online/The News Journal. Washington had been held at the federal prison in Center City for fewer than two weeks when he was killed, but Santiago's attempts to try to help her son started weeks before that. Transitioning to a new life When he died, Washington was in the final months of an eight-year sentence he began in 2016 when he was arrested for selling heroin. Federal prosecutors in Wilmington brought the case that included wiretapped phone calls and drug transactions caught on surveillance footage. He took a plea and court documents do not indicate that he cooperated with prosecutors' case against his codefendants. In a letter addressed to the judge that sentenced him, Washington wrote in 2018 that the drug business permeated his childhood in Wilmington's Riverside neighborhood and that he began selling heroin as a child for lunch and snack money. SENTENCING: 8-year prison sentence for man who wrote to judge explaining how he ended up dealing drugs By the time he wrote that letter, his father had been in prison since he was five, his elder brother had been shot dead in Wilmington and he had been shot. He wrote that he had enough of that life. I apologize to my community and those I contributed to hurting, Washington wrote at the time. Editor's Note: Read Washington's letter to his sentencing judge at the end of this article. His family said Washington kept that mindset throughout his incarceration and in February, he qualified to leave federal prison and complete his sentence at a work release facility. His family said he was intent on starting his own business and being present in the lives of his three children. He was just so excited, Santiago said. We were all excited. He was transitioning, looking forward to getting a job and just being free." He was assigned to a work release facility in North Philadelphia operated by The Kintock Group, a private entity that contracts with the federal government to run halfway houses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Kevante Washington with his sister and mother in February. Both Washington and his family felt his assignment to the North Philadelphia facility set him up for failure. He and his family wanted him outside the city and closer to them, but were told they had no say in his placement. He was trying to do different, said Tierra Battles, Washingtons elder sister. He did not want to be in that area. However, he was settling in. He took transit to a local hotel to work multiple times a week while housed at the facility. His mother described him as "focused." He felt unsafe But at some point, things began to shift. A stranger called out his name on the street, his family said. Having been shot, he was always "very aware" of such things, his family said. It concerned him, and after that, he began to fear for his safety. In a series of phone calls, he told his family that people at the facility were treating him differently and that he felt strange and feared he was being drugged. He stopped eating the food there and his family sent him money to eat from a vending machine. He expressed those concerns to Kintock officials who isolated him to a different portion of the facility, according to information relayed by staff to his mother. Kintock officials did not reply to a request for comment for this article. Santiago said he wanted to be transferred to a different work release or back to prison lockup in New Jersey. I know he felt very unsafe, Santiago said. He was adamant he didn't want to stay there. Battles said Washington called 911 several times on his last full day in the facility. She said authorities didnt respond there until the next day, when he was moved. Santiago would later learn he was transferred to FDC Philadelphia. It would be days before they heard from him again. RECENT: What happened when a Delaware prisoner tried to boycott the internet behind bars Santiago called the prison multiple times and eventually found out he was assigned to the secure housing unit of the prison. Typically, placement in the secured housing unit in a prison is either done as punishment or for a person's protection. She thought prison officials were investigating why he felt threatened at the halfway house. On May 8, Washington was able to call out to his family. He told them he had been in an altercation the day he arrived. He feared it was a setup and was concerned that he had been assigned a cellmate. His family felt then and feel now that he should have been isolated because of his concerns for his safety. Washington's father, Kevin Washington, was on the call and said that his son feared for his life. FDC Philadelphia in Center City "Call someone to get me moved. They are going to kill me," Kevin recalled his son saying on the phone. Santiago said she continued to call the prison multiple times each day seeking more information but didnt receive any help. The whole thing is just bizarre, Battles, Washington's sister, said. We don't get how he can be so happy at one moment and things just go all the way down in a matter of two weeks. 'It wasn't right' Two days after Washington was able to speak to his family, Santiago received a call shortly after 10 p.m. from a prison official who told her there had been an altercation and that she should rush to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia as soon as possible. When she arrived, Washington was unconscious, breathing through a ventilator and his body bore signs of trauma. He definitely had been assaulted, Santiago said. While she was there, he flatlined once and was revived. But the second time, doctors could not bring him back. They did everything humanly and medically possible to keep my son alive, Santiago said. DELAWARE PRISONS COVERAGE: 1 officer, 12 claims of excessive force; inside allegations of abuse at a Sussex prison The pain of losing a brother and son is now compounded by the unknown. In the weeks since, the family has learned nothing new about the circumstances of his death, his days at FDC Philadelphia or his transfer from Kintock. FBI investigators have told them nothing and Washingtons autopsy is still pending. They also want to know what happened in the six hours that transpired between FDC Philadelphia staff responding to the altercation and telling Santiago to rush to the hospital. We want answers, Battles said. We want justice for what happened to him. Because how he died and how that happened, it wasn't right. Kevante Washington The prison spokesman said facility leadership does not comment on conditions of confinement or prison investigations. Death, violence and neglect inside Philadelphias city-operated jail system have been well documented in local media, but it is not clear how often people die or are killed in FDC Philadelphia, a federal facility that houses nearly 1,000 prisoners. Hardin, the prison's spokesperson, said that information isnt publicly tracked or readily available to his office. Those that advocate for prisoners in that facility say there hasnt been such a death made public in recent memory. Washington's family fears his death will be overlooked and forgotten. Santiago said her son had a bright future and that she wants people to know that a persons death in prison is not trivial. These are people's children. He was a father. He was a brother. He was a son. He was a nephew. He was a person. He was a friend, Santiago said. He is not some seven-digit number. He was a person above all. People incarcerated in FDC Philadelphia or other federal facilities are encouraged to contact Reporter Xerxes Wilson by searching his name or xwilson@delawareonline.com in the CorrLinks system. People incarcerated in Delaware prisons may reach the reporter through the GettingOut tablet system. Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on Twitter. Kevante Washington letter by Xerxes Wilson on Scribd This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware man dead after 'altercation' in Philadelphia's federal prison Ukrainian tridents, representing the numbers of drones, fighter jets, and missiles that have been shot down by a Ukrainian air defense team, on the side of a truck in the Kyiv region of Ukraine, on May 23, 2023. (Nicole Tung/The New York Times) KYIV, Ukraine Find it, target it, shoot it. The drill is the same for Ukraines air defense crews as they work around the clock to combat the relentless barrage of missiles the Russians launch at Kyiv, mostly foiling the most intense bombardment of the capital since the first weeks of the war. In the month of May alone, Russia bombarded Kyiv 17 times. It has fired hypersonic missiles from MiG-31 fighter jets and attacked with land-based ballistic missiles powerful enough to level an entire apartment block. Russian bombers and ships have fired dozens of long-range cruise missiles, and more than 200 attack drones have featured in blitzes meant to confuse and overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times It presents a constant struggle for Ukrainian defenders. Russian assaults can be unrelenting. They come mostly at night, but sometimes in daytime hours, as they did on Monday. Even when Ukraine manages to blast missiles from the sky, falling debris can bring death and destruction. Early Thursday, Russia sent a volley of 10 ballistic missiles at Kyiv; Ukrainian officials said they were all shot down but that falling fragments killed three people, including a child, and injured more than a dozen others. Yet overall, very little has penetrated the complex and increasingly sophisticated air defense network around Ukraines capital, saving scores of lives. We have no days off, said Riabyi, the call sign of the 26-year-old shooter who is part of a two-person anti-aircraft missile crew responsible for protecting just one patch of sky just outside Kyiv. Ukraines air defenses are a stitched-together patchwork of weapons, many of them newly supplied by the West, protecting millions of civilians in Kyiv and other cities, and guarding critical infrastructure that includes four working nuclear power plants. Tom Karako, the director of the Missile Defense Project at Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies, called it a sort of a dogs breakfast of systems. There are hundreds of people like Riabyi, equipped with American-made surface-to-air Stinger missiles and other portable weapons. Many more are operating more complex launchers that have arrived recently, like the Patriot (American), NASAMS (Norwegian-American) and SAMP/T (French-Italian). Ukraine also uses German-made Gepard anti-aircraft guns and a mix of Soviet-era air defenses. Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraines military intelligence agency, said the recent air raids aimed at the capital were a massive and unprecedented assault intended to exhaust air defense systems, strike a powerful symbolic blow at the heart of the ancient capital and sow terror. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine once again thanked the defenders of the sky in his address to the nation Tuesday night. The battle in the skies, he made clear, is as important as the bloody struggle being waged by soldiers on land. Air defense teams have managed to shoot down roughly 90% of the incoming missiles and drones recently and, remarkably, 100% of the ballistic missiles aimed at Kyiv, according to the Ukrainian air force. Those statistics could not be independently verified. Air defense assets will also be critical in Ukraines looming counteroffensive keeping newly acquired weapons safe as they stage for battle and then providing cover for Ukrainian troops if they manage to break through Russian lines. Riabyi and his partner, Oleg, 38, are responsible for protecting a sector of the sky measuring around 10 square kilometers (about 3.9 square miles) outside Kyiv. When the alarm sounds, he said, they race from a base in the Kyiv area to one of a handful of secret firing positions outside the city, pull the tarp off a truck-mounted Stinger system and prepare. If an air target is coming close to our sector, our commander gives us command No. 1: find and annihilate, he said, demonstrating the procedure recently at a secret location outside Kyiv. After the team fires, their position is exposed and they have two minutes to move or risk being targeted. On the side of the teams truck, Ukrainian tridents mark their successes. The first two tridents represent Russian fighter jets they said they shot down during the first days of the war. They said they had since shot down six Orlan reconnaissance drones, two Russian attack helicopters and two Iranian-made Shahed drones. Continuing success in the skies, however, is by no means assured. Leaked Pentagon documents made public in April expressed deep concern that Russia could achieve air superiority as Ukraine runs out of anti-aircraft missiles for Soviet-designed S-300 and Buk systems that still make up the backbone of Ukraines air defenses. Since that analysis was leaked, Ukraines Western allies have stepped up delivery of new systems and ammunition. The arrival of two Patriot batteries in late April gave Ukraine its first system designed to shoot down ballistic missiles. Air defense systems rely on a variety of methods to take down incoming missiles. For a cruise missile, which can travel around 500 mph, an interceptor can target its heat signature or track a laser projected onto the missile by the Ukrainian defender, among other methods. Ballistic missiles are capable of traveling much faster. Ukrainians target them with interceptor missiles that are also capable of traveling at high speed, and that have their own guidance and radar to assist in tracking at such speeds. The only proven defense against the powerful Russian Iskander missiles is the U.S. Patriot air defense system, which can be fired within nine seconds of a target being identified. Still, Ukraine must make difficult decisions about how to deploy limited resources. Karako of the Missile Defense Project said the recent attacks on Kyiv have shown how stressing and challenging a concerted air assault can be, underscoring the need for Ukraine to keep building its defenses as the Russians try to wear them down. While Ukrainian and Western officials have noted that Russia is likely running low on precision missiles, and relying more on less accurate missiles and drones, Moscow has shown that it still has the capacity to stage attacks at a regular tempo. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion 15 months ago, it has fired more than 5,000 missiles and attack drones at targets across Ukraine, according to a recent study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But like Russias ground offensives, the air assaults have failed to produce the strategic military effects Moscow desired, according to the study, and Ukrainian air defenses have greatly shaped the course of the war, limiting Russian striking power. Yusov, the representative of Ukrainian military intelligence, said that the Russians changed tactics after bombardment of civilian infrastructure and cities over the winter and early spring failed to cripple Ukraines ability to function. Moscow is now targeting more military installations to undermine Ukraines counteroffensive, he said, while also setting its sights on Kyiv because it remains an unconquered target for the aggressor. Peter Mitchell, writing for the Modern War Institute at West Point, asserted that the barrages are designed to fill the air with more incoming targets than the defenses can handle, using a combination of land-, sea-, or air-launched missile platforms. For Kyiv residents, the nearly nightly blitzes have been exhausting and terrifying. The first alarm usually sounds after midnight, and the assaults last for hours. Im checking the information trying to understand what is flying and from where, said Natalia Ulianytska, 32, a human rights activist who lives in Kyiv. When theres a massive missile attack, I go to the bathroom together with my cat, Ulianytska said. She said he is not so much scared as anxious and very angry. She knows when the Russian drones and missiles arrive by the thunderous explosions in the sky. Even when air defense teams successfully shoot down a target, there is danger as fiery wreckage rains down on the streets below. Several people were killed and injured by falling debris in Kyiv last month, and scores of businesses and apartment buildings have been damaged. Riabyi, the gunner, said he has had to learn on the job. He was still going through training at a base in Ukraines west when Russia invaded. His wife, pregnant with their first child, fled their home north of Kyiv before Russian soldiers could occupy the village; Riabyi was dispatched to Kyiv. His daughter was born in May, but he did not see her for the first time until December. They spent a few days together and then he had to return to his post to help ensure she could sleep safely. c.2023 The New York Times Company Gallagher said English people were facing 'tough times' Ex-Oasis star Noel Gallagher has never been one to mince words, and his new album "Council Skies", released Friday, sees him in a reflective mood on what he sees as the miserable state of Britain. "The government needs to get its shit together," the 56-year-old told AFP during a trip to Paris. "England is becoming a very, very difficult place to be. It's tough times for people." Gallagher wrote the songs for his new album during the Covid-19 lockdowns -- a period that he said was good for his creative process but triggered his deepest frustrations with the world. "The people who dealt with it best were artists, since they could create something, so in that sense good came out of it," he said. "But I hated all the masks and all that. I think the whole thing was a gross over-reaction by governments around the world, brought on by the neurosis of fucking idiots on the internet." Gallagher could not help but smile at his view of the dark absurdity of recent history. "Since then, well, the world has not recovered and probably never will. And we just wait for the next one," he said with a chuckle. - 'Fans that suffer' - British society is reeling from the combined impact of the pandemic and years of political chaos. Brexit has also made it more complicated and expensive for the country's artists to tour the European continent. "Instead of spending two weeks in France, I'll be doing 10 days in the whole of Europe, just doing capital cities -- it's the fans that suffer," Gallagher said. But aside from the grumbles about the state of Britain, the songwriter is in a buoyant mood thanks to the new album, his first in six years, and an imminent international tour of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. He is particularly enthusiastic about the new song "Easy Now". "I imagined the audience and the reaction when I was writing it. It's reminiscent of what I wrote in the 90s, and as good as what I wrote in the 90s I think. "I knew it straight away, you could just feel it." There is also an unlikely all-star moment on the record with the song "Pretty Boy", which features Johnny Marr of The Smiths and is remixed by The Cure's Robert Smith. "I don't know Robert Smith at all, but I got his email... I thought: he's not going to like Oasis or me," Gallagher said. "But I sent it anyway and it turns out he fucking loves it. I was like, wow." Marr, however, is an old friend going back to the days when Oasis was an unsigned band trying to get attention around Manchester. "Johnny was the first person outside the guys in the band who showed any interest in us at all. No one in Manchester gave a fuck," Gallagher said. "He's got the holy spirit in him. He's a great guy." - 'Cursed' guitar - For Gallagher, coming to France is always a reminder of "the catastrophic night" when Oasis broke up live on stage at the Rock en Seine festival in 2009, following a furious fight between Noel and his brother Liam, the band's other frontman. The guitar that was collateral damage during that fight was recently auctioned in Paris for 385,000 euros ($411,000). "I bought that guitar in Paris, in Pigalle somewhere -- I never liked it, it was fucking horrible. If one guitar had to be sacrificed..." Gallager said. "The guy bought it off me smashed to bits and I never thought he'd put it back together, but he did, so good luck to him," he said. "It's a shit guitar, I never wrote a single song on it. It was cursed." er/js Serena Gragert, who worked as a scheduler at a local Allina clinic until 2021, in Minneapolis, Minn. on May 23, 2023. (Tim Gruber/The New York Times) Many hospitals in the United States use aggressive tactics to collect medical debt. They flood local courts with collections lawsuits. They garnish patients wages. They seize their tax refunds. But a wealthy nonprofit health system in the Midwest is among those taking things a step further: withholding care from patients who have unpaid medical bills. Allina Health System, which runs more than 100 hospitals and clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin and brings in $4 billion a year in revenue, sometimes rejects patients who are deep in debt, according to internal documents and interviews with doctors, nurses and patients. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Although Allinas hospitals will treat anyone in emergency rooms, other services can be cut off for indebted patients, including children and those with chronic illnesses like diabetes and depression. Patients arent allowed back until they pay off their debt entirely. Nonprofit hospitals like Allina get enormous tax breaks in exchange for providing care for the poorest people in their communities. But a New York Times investigation last year found that over the past several decades, nonprofits have fallen short of their charitable missions, with few consequences. Allina has an explicit policy for cutting off patients who owe money for services they received at the health systems 90 clinics. A 12-page document reviewed by the Times instructs Allinas staff on how to cancel appointments for patients with at least $4,500 of unpaid debt. The policy walks through how to lock their electronic health records so that staffers cannot schedule future appointments. These are the poorest patients who have the most severe medical problems, said Matt Hoffman, an Allina primary care doctor in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. These are the patients that need our care the most. Allina Health said it has a robust financial assistance program that in an average year helps more than 12,000 of its 1.9 million patients with medical bills. The hospital system cuts off patients only if they have racked up at least $1,500 of unpaid debt three separate times. It contacts them by phone and with repeated letters that include information about applying for financial help, said Conny Bergerson, a hospital spokesperson. Allina Healths goal is, and will always be, to have zero patients go without services for financial reasons, Bergerson said. She said that cutting off services was rare but declined to provide information on how often it happens. Allina suspended its policy of cutting off patients in March 2020, at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, before reinstating it in April 2021. An estimated 100 million Americans have medical debts. Their bills make up about half of all outstanding debt in the country. About 20% of hospitals nationwide have debt collection policies that allow them to cancel care, according to an investigation last year by KFF Health News. Many of those are nonprofits. The government does not track how often hospitals withhold care. Under federal law, hospitals are required to treat everyone who comes to the emergency room, regardless of their ability to pay. But the law called the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act is silent on how health systems should treat patients who need other kinds of lifesaving care, like those with aggressive cancers or diabetes. In 2020, thanks to its nonprofit status, Allina avoided roughly $266 million in state, local and federal taxes, according to the Lown Institute, a think tank that studies health care. In exchange, the IRS requires Allina and thousands of other nonprofit hospital systems to benefit their local communities, including by providing free or reduced-cost care to patients with low incomes. But the federal rules do not dictate how poor a patient needs to be to qualify for free care. In 2020, Allina spent less than half of 1% of its expenses on charity care, well below the nationwide average of about 2% for nonprofit hospitals, according to an analysis of hospital financial filings by Ge Bai, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Allina is one of Minnesotas largest health systems, having largely grown through acquisitions. Since 2013, its annual profits have ranged from $30 million to $380 million. Last year was the first in the past decade when it lost money, largely owing to investment losses. The financial success has paid dividends. Allinas president earned $3.5 million in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available. The health system recently built a $12 million conference center. Yet Allina sometimes plays hardball with patients. Doctors have become accustomed to seeing messages in the electronic medical record notifying them that a patient will no longer be eligible to receive care because of unpaid medical balances. Dr. Rita Raverty, a primary care doctor who works at an Allina clinic, said the notifications were alarming because they meant she could not provide continuous care for some of her patients facing a number of health risks. Nobody wins when patients cant get preventive care, Raverty said. It creates worse disease outcomes when youre not catching things early. Doctors and patients described being unable to complete medical forms that children needed to enroll in day care or show proof of vaccination for school. Serena Gragert, who worked as a scheduler at an Allina clinic in Minneapolis until 2021, said the computer system simply wouldnt let her book future appointments for some patients with outstanding balances. Gragert and other Allina employees said some of the patients who were kicked out had incomes low enough to qualify for Medicaid, the federal-state insurance program for poor people. That also means those patients would be eligible for free care under Allinas own financial assistance policy something many patients are unaware exists when they seek treatment. Bergerson, the Allina spokesperson, did not dispute that but said the health system goes to tremendous lengths to assist patients with their financial obligations for medical care. Allina employees said the policy has forced them to ration care. Beth Gunhus, a pediatric nurse practitioner, recalled a case in which a mother brought in her three children. One had scabies, an intensely itchy skin condition caused by mites burrowing into the body. She wanted to follow best practices and treat the entire family, who were sharing one bed in a single room they rented, to ensure it didnt spread further. But she could write a prescription for only two of the children. The thirds account was locked because of unpaid bills. There are so many better ways of saving money than what were doing, Gunhus said. Allina says the policy applies only to debts related to care provided by its clinics, not its hospitals. But patients said in interviews that they got cut off after falling into debt for services they received at Allinas hospitals. Because Allina is the dominant health system in some rural parts of Minnesota, getting kicked out can leave patients with few options. Jennifer Blaido lives in Isanti, a small town outside Minneapolis, and Allina owns the only hospital there. Blaido, a mechanic, said she racked up nearly $200,000 in bills from a two-week stay at Allinas Mercy Hospital in 2009 for complications from pneumonia, along with several visits to the emergency department for asthma flare-ups. Blaido, a mother of four, said most of the hospital stay was not covered by her health insurance, and she was unable to scrounge together enough money to make a dent in the debt. Last year, Blaido had a cancer scare and said she couldnt get an appointment with a doctor at Mercy Hospital. She had to drive more than an hour to get examined at a health system unconnected to Allina. Allina does not make this policy explicit to patients. It is not mentioned in the health systems list of frequently asked questions about billing practices. In at least one case, Allina has denied that it even existed. In a lawsuit filed last year in state court in Minnesota, Allina sued a couple, Jordan and JoLynda Anderson, for nearly $10,000 in unpaid medical bills. In court filings, the couple described how Allina canceled Andersons appointments and told her that she could not book new ones until she had set up three separate payment plans one with the health system and two with its debt collectors. Even after setting up those payment plans, which totaled $580 a month, the canceled appointments were never restored. Allina allows patients to come back only after they have paid the entire debt. Anderson recalls being devastated about losing her visit to an endocrinologist that specialized in a chronic condition she has. She had already been waiting four months for the appointment and was unable to get a new one. It felt like I was being punished, and the punishment was you get to stay ill, she said. Bergerson declined to comment on these cases, citing patient privacy. When the Andersons asked in court for a copy of Allinas policy of barring patients with unpaid bills, the hospitals lawyers responded, Allina does not have a written policy regarding the canceling of services or termination of scheduled and/or physician referral services or appointments for unpaid debts. In fact, Allinas policy, which was created in 2006, instructs employees on how to do exactly that. Among other things, it tells staff to cancel any future appointments the patient has scheduled at any clinic. It does provide a few ways for patients to continue being seen despite their unpaid bills. One is by getting approved for a loan through the hospital. Another is by filing for bankruptcy. c.2023 The New York Times Company Valerie Smith-Ragland was devastated after Granville County sheriffs deputies shot and killed her son. Makari Jamel Smith an Army veteran in the midst of a mental health crisis fired a shotgun during a February 2022 stand-off with the deputies before one of the officers shot him to death, police say. Then, thanks to a crisis gripping North Carolinas medical examiners office, things went from horrific to worse. Because of a lengthy delay in completing the autopsy report, Smith-Ragland was forced to wait more than a year to receive life insurance she was entitled to. The practical nurse had lost her husband and his income just three months earlier. She had missed two mortgage payments and feared shed lose her home by the time the state investigation finally closed more than a year after her sons death. Youve got family members going through the grieving process, said Smith-Ragland, who didnt receive the insurance money until this April. To put this on top of it? Something has got to be done. Valerie Smith-Ragland poses with a photo of her son, Makari Jamel Smith, in Oxford, N.C. Such delays have grown significantly worse over the past 10 years. When people in North Carolina die unexpectedly, required medical investigations usually take more than 20 weeks. And in nearly 1,400 cases since 2020, they took more than a year, a Charlotte Observer and News & Observer investigation found. The system is log-jammed here chiefly because there are too many bodies and too few pathologists and toxicologists to handle the load. The situation is tragic and unacceptable, admits the person running the state Department of Health and Human Services. Bottom line, plain and simple, the medical examination system is in crisis, DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley said in an interview. That crisis is heaping more burdens on grieving family members during one of the worst periods of their lives. Some cant touch funds they are entitled to inherit, leaving their biggest bills unpaid. Many must wait months for the answer to a burning question: Why did their loved one die? The delays can harm others, too. Prosecutors and police say the logjam can delay charges against dangerous criminals, leaving them free to victimize others. Why does it take so long? The national association that sets standards for medical examiners requires accredited systems to complete 90% of autopsy reports within 90 days. North Carolina completed just 24% of cases that quickly in 2022, the newspapers analysis of state data shows. The median length of time to complete cases the middle value, in other words was nearly five months. Thats the lengthiest in more than a decade. Families caught in these delays have no choice but to wait. Only the state can perform the medical examinations that North Carolina law requires after suspicious deaths. And only the state can issue the death certificates families need to access insurance money and other assets. After violent, suspicious or unexpected deaths in North Carolina, part-time medical examiners usually doctors or nurses examine bodies. If the cause of death isnt obvious, they request autopsies. Bodies are brought to forensic pathologists who either work for the state or perform autopsies on a contract basis. In many cases, blood, saliva and other bodily fluids are shipped to the chief medical examiners toxicology lab in Raleigh, which tests for drugs and other lethal substances. Pathologists lay out their observations, along with conclusions about why a person died. That report is then reviewed by the chief medical examiners office. Only then can a death certificate be issued. Typically, bodies are refrigerated at funeral homes or hospitals for one to five days before pathologists examine them. Then the bodies are released to funeral homes so the families can make final arrangements. But it can be months before autopsy and toxicology reports are completed. A shortage of forensic pathologists and an increase in opioid deaths have created challenges for medical examiners offices across the country. But the problems appear to be severe in North Carolina, according to several national experts who were told of the states turnaround times. Medical examiner cases grew more than 30% over the past three years. Drug overdose deaths, which soared 58% from 2019 to 2022, are largely to blame. These increases flooded the system, and the team is still working to catch up, according to an email from DHHS spokesperson Bailey Pennington Allison. Pathologists at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh are performing, on average, 557 autopsies apiece each year more than twice the number recommended by the national accrediting group, Kinsley said. Theyre working incredibly long hours. Theyre working incredibly hard, he said. But that is far outside the bell curve of what they should be doing. Two staff members at the chief medical examiners office in Raleigh prepare to transport a body. Staff vacancies, which plague many North Carolina agencies, have made the problem worse. One out of four positions at the chief medical examiners office are vacant, according to DHHS, which oversees the office. Shortages of forensic pathologists highly trained doctors who perform autopsies are particularly pronounced. Nine of the states 16 forensic pathology positions are vacant. The medical examiners office now has just one forensic toxicologist to certify all drug casework, DHHS says. Two more people are training to be qualified as additional forensic toxicologists so that theyll be able to handle some drug cases. But DHHS officials say they cant predict when all needed positions could be filled. Such strains on the system inevitably result in one of two things, one expert said. Youre either going to get delays in getting reports out or people are going to have to start taking shortcuts, said Dr. Patrick Lantz, a longtime forensic pathologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Waiting and waiting for autopsy results Many miles from autopsy rooms, North Carolina families pay a price for these problems. On a Friday morning in May 2019, Donna Burnette was at her home in Indian Trail preparing for a beach trip with her son, Kyle, and his two sons when one of the boys found Kyle unresponsive on his bed. Burnette called 911, but paramedics couldnt revive the 32-year-old. Donna Burnette, shown at her home in Indian Trail with photos of her deceased son, Kyle, had to wait 14 months for the medical investigation into her sons death to be completed. There is no way it should take that long, she said. Burnette and her husband suspected their sons death was related to some problem with medications he took for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other problems. I was scared that he got some sort of medication that had something else in it, said Burnette, whose son took methadone to help him beat an addiction to prescription painkillers. Burnette had another close family member whod taken methadone. If something was wrong with Kyles medication, she wanted to be able to warn anyone else who might be in harms way. Each time Burnette and her husband called the medical examiners office, they were told the investigation was not finished. It got to be a year. And we said, This is ridiculous, Burnette recalled. Fourteen months after Kyle died, they received the autopsy report, which showed that Kyle died from excessive levels of methadone and diazepam, a sedative commonly prescribed for anxiety. Burnette thinks the overdose was an accident. I hope other people are able to get answers sooner than we did, Burnette said. Kyle Burnette, pictured here with one of his two sons, was 32 when he died in 2019. He loved to work out and to cheer on the Charlotte Checkers, his mother said. He was a big man - six-foot-one and 250 pounds, most of it muscle. He was also big-hearted, his mother said. He worried about people, his mother said. He cared for people. Thats important for families and for the greater good, public health experts say. Information from autopsies helps target efforts to prevent deaths. If a new drug causes overdose deaths, for instance, communities need to know. When you delay the answers this often, the information comes after youre able to act on it, said Dr. Victor Weedn, professor of forensic sciences at George Washington University. Funding lower in NC than other states A 2014 Charlotte Observer investigation into problems plaguing North Carolinas system for probing suspicious deaths also uncovered delays in wrapping up medical examiner investigations. But todays delays are worse. The median length of time for completing investigations has grown by about 34% since 2014. North Carolinas turnaround times raise cause for concern, according to Dr. James Gill, chief medical examiner for the state of Connecticut. Thats much longer than I would expect in a properly staffed death investigation system, said Gill, a former president of the National Association of Medical Examiners. That speaks to something more systemic. A staff member at the chief medical examiners office in Raleigh looks through a microscope to examine a specimen from a body. DHHS declined multiple requests to make the state medical examiner Dr. Michelle Aurelius available for an interview. DHHS spokesperson Kelly Haight Connor said staff in her office were too busy to speak with a reporter. Dr. Joyce deJong, who heads the national medical examiners group, said she knows Aurelius is an excellent pathologist. She suspects that her offices backlog results from too few resources, not too little will, she said. It is not because people are lazy, she said. ...They have good people. They just need more of them. North Carolinas medical examiners office has for years operated with less funding than most other states, previous reporting by The Observer has shown. The average state medical examiner system spent $1.76 per capita on its death investigation system or about $2.64 in todays dollars, according to the most recent national survey data from 2007. Fifteen years later, the budget for the North Carolina office is $15.7 million: less than $1.50 for every North Carolina resident. The starting annual salary for forensic pathologists in North Carolina is about $177,500, lower than whats offered by South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia, DHHS staff say. Nationally, the average pay for pathologists is $339,000, according to a recently released Medscape report on physician compensation. Private employers also pay substantially more, state officials say. Were losing our staff to positions all across the country, Kinsley said. This system is just currently not resourced to meet the need. Autopsy report delay threatens students stay at college The toll of these delays can disrupt lives across generations, Mark Tango has learned. When Tango and his ex-wife, Leigh Cartier, were married, they bought insurance policies naming each other beneficiaries. After their 2015 divorce, they kept that arrangement and agreed not to drop the insurance until their oldest of three sons turned 21. Tango was home in New Hampshire in April 2021 when he was notified that Cartier, a 49-year-old nurse, was found dead at her Chapel Hill home. A large handbag containing controlled substances was found near her body. The Orange County Sheriffs Office investigated and found no signs of foul play. But Cartiers insurance company would not pay out death benefits until the autopsy report was completed. Cartiers death left Tango without child support payments and without the financial contributions his ex-wife had planned to make toward her sons tuition at a small college in Massachusetts. That meant Tango couldnt afford to pay the tuition for his oldest sons first semester. Campus officials agreed to let his son start school, but made it clear he would not return for the second semester until the fall bill was paid in full. It caused enormous pressure, anxiety and stress, Tango said. I was held hostage. Tango did everything he could to move things forward. He called the state medical examiners office at least 50 times to check on the status of the investigation, he said. Each time, he recalls, the receptionists answer was the same: Im sorry, Mr. Tango. Still pending. In December 2021, he hired a lawyer to help him push for the cases resolution. And he sent an urgent fax to the state medical examiners office. We understand the workload on you and the staff however we are at a tipping point, it read. The medical examiners office concluded its investigation soon afterward. The pathologist who wrote the autopsy report stated that the death was highly suspicious for a drug toxicity, but did not determine the cause of death. The day before Christmas, eight months after his ex-wifes death, a courier finally carried the insurance check to Tangos door. Although he and his family weathered the ordeal, he suspects other families have been devastated. Think of a family that just lost their sole breadwinner, he said. How are they going to pay next months mortgage? How many people are suffering? State must invest more, NC DHHS secretary says Paying staff members more could help attract pathologists to North Carolina, experts say. While forensic pathologists in North Carolina now earn from $177,000 to $219,000 per year, a number of cities where the cost of living is lower than Raleigh are offering new medical examiners 40 to 50% more, an Observer review of job postings from around the country found. Aurelius office conducts autopsies for 34 North Carolina counties and contracts with eight independent autopsy centers, which cover the remaining 66 counties. But the state pays those centers just $2,800 per autopsy less than half the average cost, according to DHHS. As a result, DHHS said, the state lost the services of one regional autopsy center. Another center reduced the amount of work it does for the state. Both events increased the workload for the state office. A staff member at the chief medical examiners office in Raleigh identifies a bullet on a decedents X-ray. DHHS for several years running has asked lawmakers for more money, Kinsley said. At his departments recommendation, Gov. Roy Coopers budget proposed boosting salaries and requested $7.3 million more so that the state can pay regional autopsy centers for the full cost of performing autopsies. The House and Senate budget bills would increase the autopsy fee paid to contractors to $5,800. But they call for the state to pick up just a portion of that amount, with the rest usually being paid by the county where the deceased person lived. Kinsley said hed like to see a wholesale investment in raising the salaries of staff members at the chief medical examiners office. The legislature has got to grow the system, he said. And the only way to do that is by investing in it. Dr. Ljubisa Dragovic, a nationally recognized forensic science expert who runs an accredited medical examiners office just north of Detroit, agreed that the figures from North Carolina suggest that state officials need to spend more money on the medical examiner system. Those vacant positions should be filled with a plan rather than waiting for a miracle, said Dragovic, who serves as chief medical examiner for Oakland County, Mich. and as an editor on prestigious forensic science journals. I just needed answers Cynthia Parker had no questions about why her daughter died on Feb. 3, 2022. Yasmin Vitalis, 25, was found unresponsive on a living room floor in Fuquay-Varina. The young woman had experienced trauma in her life and had turned to drugs to help her feel better, her mother said. She had overdosed on heroin a number of times before. But, as required by state law in cases where people die under suspicious circumstances, a medical examiner was summoned to view her body. A blood sample was sent to the state toxicology lab for analysis, but no autopsy was performed. Parker took out life insurance policies for her children when they were young, but the insurer wouldnt pay out until the death investigation was completed. That left Parker without money to pay her daughters debts and funeral expenses. Week after week, Parker called the medical examiners office in Raleigh. The investigations not yet finished, she was told. In September seven months after Vitalis death the investigation was finally completed. It concluded that she died from a fentanyl overdose. The insurance money came soon afterward. Parker said shes proud to live in North Carolina. But making people wait so long for answers after their loved ones die is inhumane, she said. This, she said, is just shameful. Yasmin Vitalis, right, kisses her mother, Cynthia Parker in 2017. After Vitalis died in February 2022, it took medical examiners seven months to conclude that she died from a drug overdose. That left Parker without the insurance money she needed to pay her daughters debts and funeral expenses. Thousands of families, from North Carolinas mountains to the coast, have endured similar waits and many of them have been much longer, according to data the newspapers analyzed. Nine family members contacted by a reporter all reported deep frustration. Joanne Butts, of Wilson, waited more than a year to find out that her 53-year-old son died inside his Raleigh apartment from hypertension and heart disease. Gaston County resident Steven Michael waited 16 months for an investigation to rule out foul play in the death of his father, who perished in a Dallas, N.C. house fire. And Concord resident Shelly Alexander waited almost 17 months to find out that a ruptured aorta was behind the death of her 32-year-old husband. I just needed answers, Alexander said, as she struggled to hold back tears. I needed to be able to tell my kids. Public officials, she said, have to do better. Kim Yo Jong, the sister and senior aid of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, condemned the international community's reaction to North Korea's launch of a military spy satellite, which crashed into waters off the Korean Peninsula's western coast on Tuesday. Kim singled out the United States, accusing it of hypocrisy, "gangster-like logic" and "inveterate hostility" toward North Korea. "If the DPRK's satellite launch should be particularly censured, the U.S. and all other countries, which have already launched thousands of satellites, should be denounced," Kim said in a statement Wednesday published by North Korean state-run agency KCNA. She also accused the U.S. of "watching every movement" of North Korea with its own reconnaissance satellites and planes. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday at a press conference the "major concern" with North Korea's launches is that "whether it fails or succeeds, Kim Jong Un and his scientists and engineers, they work and they improve and they adapt. And they continue to develop military capabilities that are a threat not only on the peninsula but to the region." Following the launch, NSC spokesperson Adam Hodge said Tuesday, "The door has not closed on diplomacy but Pyongyang must immediately cease its provocative actions and instead choose engagement." North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae meet with members of the Non-permanent Satellite Launch Preparatory Committee in Pyongyang, North Korea May 16, 2023, in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on May 17, 2023. / Credit: KCNA via Reuters North Korea said Wednesday that its attempt to put the country's first spy satellite into orbit failed, an apparent embarrassment to leader Kim Jong Un as he pushes to boost his military capability amid protracted security tensions with the United States and South Korea. In a statement published in state media Tuesday, North Korea said the rocket carrying the spy satellite crashed into the water after it lost thrust following the separation of its first and second stages. It said scientists were examining the cause of the failure and vowed that authorities would "conduct the second launch as soon as possible." The statement marked a rare instance of North Korea admitting a military failure. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff described the projectile as "flying an abnormal flight," and said it fell into the sea about 200 km (124 miles) west of South Korea's Eocheong island. It later said that it had "salvaged an object presumed to be part of the 'North Korean space launch vehicle.'" The launch prompted early morning military alerts that were sent out to residents of Japan and South Korea, just two minutes after the launch. People in the southernmost islands of Okinawa in Japan, which lies south and a little east of the launch site, heard sirens and were warned to take shelter at 6:29 am. They got the all-clear about half an hour later. People in South Korea's capital Seoul got a similar warning, with air raid sirens and messages on their phones, but it turned out Seoul was never in danger and the city apologized for the mistake. Kim vowed that another North Korean military reconnaissance satellite would be "correctly put on space orbit in the near future and start its mission." Elizabeth Palmer contributed to reporting. Debt ceiling deal passes House vote, advances to Senate What NASA's UFO hearing revealed Job market remains strong, Labor Department data shows Trainees attend a Chinese language and culture course held at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on May 31, 2023. The Chinese culture fan was so thrilled that the Chinese language training course is coming back to the headquarters of the UNIFIL after a long suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the sideline of the lectures, Chinese peacekeepers demonstrated some traditional Chinese cultural activities, including calligraphy, painting, martial arts, tea art, and lion dance. Simple Chinese meals were also served to the participants. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya) by Xinhua writer Liu Zongya BEIRUT, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Antoine Ephrem Al-Boustany, a Lebanese UNIFIL employee, and his three young daughters attended a Chinese language and culture course held at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on Wednesday. Al-Boustany told Xinhua that he had traveled to China for one week in 2017 and was amazed by what he saw there. "I fell in love with the peaceful country and its rich culture," he said. The Chinese culture fan was so thrilled that the Chinese language training course is coming back to the UNIFIL headquarters after a long suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Donglin Duanmu, chief of the Integrated Mission Training Centre of UNIFIL and the organizer of the Chinese language training course, stressed the importance of learning Chinese for UN peacekeepers. "Chinese language is one of the six official languages of the UN. As one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, China ranks top 10 troop-contributing countries of the UN peacekeeping operations," he explained. "In UNIFIL, there are three Chinese peacekeeping units, totaling 410 personnel. By learning the Chinese language and culture, UN peacekeepers can better communicate with each other and make a greater contribution to the world's peace and security," Duanmu noted. More than 30 UNIFIL peacekeepers and employees from over 10 countries, such as Lebanon, Brazil, Nepal, France, India, Germany, Austria, Kenya, Spain and Azerbaijan, took part in the four-hour course. Four Chinese language teachers from the Confucius Institute of Saint-Joseph University of Beirut gave lectures on Chinese Pinyin learning, a brief introduction to Chinese characters and simple daily Chinese conversations. On the sideline of the lectures, Chinese peacekeepers demonstrated some traditional Chinese cultural activities, including calligraphy, painting, martial arts, tea art, and lion dance. Simple Chinese meals were also served to the participants. "Thanks to the Chinese peacekeepers for bringing us vivid Chinese lessons, which made me more interested in learning Chinese and Chinese culture," French staff officer Captain Erika Pilati, who worked at the COE Unit of UNIFIL, expressed her joy when communicating with Chinese peacekeepers. "Serving as a bridge of communication between China and the world made us feel excited and proud," said Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute Liu Li. The UNIFIL, established by the UN Security Council in 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and whose mandate was expanded following the 2006 Lebanon War, has now around 10,500 peacekeepers coming from 48 troop-contributing countries. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin, from 2006 to early 2023, Chinese military peacekeepers disposed of over 15,000 landmines and unexploded ordnance in Lebanon, which has been widely commended by the Lebanese people and the UNIFIL. A teacher interacts with trainees during a Chinese language and culture course held at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on May 31, 2023. The Chinese culture fan was so thrilled that the Chinese language training course is coming back to the headquarters of the UNIFIL after a long suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the sideline of the lectures, Chinese peacekeepers demonstrated some traditional Chinese cultural activities, including calligraphy, painting, martial arts, tea art, and lion dance. Simple Chinese meals were also served to the participants. (Photo by Li Zhulin/Xinhua) A trainee learns calligraphy during a Chinese language and culture course held at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on May 31, 2023. The Chinese culture fan was so thrilled that the Chinese language training course is coming back to the headquarters of the UNIFIL after a long suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the sideline of the lectures, Chinese peacekeepers demonstrated some traditional Chinese cultural activities, including calligraphy, painting, martial arts, tea art, and lion dance. Simple Chinese meals were also served to the participants. (Photo by Li Zhulin/Xinhua) Trainees watch a performance of traditional Chinese health exercise during a Chinese language and culture course held at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on May 31, 2023. The Chinese culture fan was so thrilled that the Chinese language training course is coming back to the headquarters of the UNIFIL after a long suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the sideline of the lectures, Chinese peacekeepers demonstrated some traditional Chinese cultural activities, including calligraphy, painting, martial arts, tea art, and lion dance. Simple Chinese meals were also served to the participants. TO GO WITH "Feature: UN peacekeepers in Lebanon welcome back Chinese learning courses" (Photo by Yang Xuchu/Xinhua) a metal tube floating in the ocean The launch of North Korea's first spy satellite was not successful. The reclusive Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) regime attempted to launch the nation's first spy satellite at 6:37 a.m. local time on Wednesday (May 31) from the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground, prompting shelter warnings throughout South Korea, according to the BBC. But the Chollima-1 rocket carrying North Korea's Malligyong-1 satellite crashed into the sea west of the Korean Peninsula after reportedly suffering a propulsion failure during stage separation, according to the Associated Press . North Korean state media said the nation's space agency will now investigate "the serious defects revealed" by the failure and will attempt a second launch when ready. Related: North Korea readying launch of nation's 1st spy satellite: report Malligyong-1 was an Earth-observation satellite intended to boost the nation's intelligence capabilities and enable the hermit kingdom to gather imagery. North Korea conducted a launch in December 2022 that purportedly tested the craft's imaging capabilities, but that mission was not intended to reach orbit. The United Nations Security Council has an active ban on North Korea conducting launches that involve long-range ballistic missile technology. While Wednesday's launch aimed to put a satellite in space, the White House issued a statement on May 30 stating that the failed launch is "directly related to the DPRK intercontinental ballistic missile program." a metal cylinder on a boat RELATED STORIES: North Korea launches test flight for planned 2023 spy satellite Launch of North Korea's most powerful ballistic missile fails: reports Did North Korea lie about its big ICBM test launch? The U.S. condemned Wednesday's launch and urged all other nations to do so as well. "The door has not closed on diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately cease its provocative actions and instead choose engagement," the White House's statement reads. North Korea has been testing increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile technology in recent years, prompting concerns that some of these missiles might be able to reach as far as the continental United States. But there are questions about how truthful the nation is about its burgeoning missile capabilities. North Korea has successfully launched satellites but not the spying kind, apparently to orbit before, once in 2012 and again in 2016. It's unclear, however, how well those spacecraft performed once aloft. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, on Thursday accused the U.S. of gangster-like hypocrisy for its criticisms of North Koreas failed attempt to launch a military spy satellite. Kim Yo Jong said the U.S. is letting loose a hackneyed gibberish prompted by its brigandish and abnormal thinking, knocking the country for criticizing North Koreas satellite plans when it has launched satellites of its own. The far-fetched logic that only the DPRK should not be allowed to do so according to the [U.N. Security Councils] resolution which bans the use of ballistic rocket technology irrespective of its purpose, though other countries are doing so, is clearly a gangster-like and wrong one of seriously violating the DPRKs right to use space and illegally oppressing it, she said in a statement broadcast on state media. North Korea admitted Wednesday it tried and failed to launch a spy satellite. The country planned to do so to monitor what it labeled reckless military exercises by the U.S. and South Korea in the region. The Biden administration earlier in the week condemned North Korea for the plans. The United States strongly condemns the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its launch using ballistic missile technology, which is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, raises tensions, and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region and beyond, National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement. Kim Yo Jong said Thursday it is certain that the DPRKs military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put [into] space orbit in the near future and start its mission. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A still photograph shows what appears to be North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket being launched in Cholsan County New North Korean space rocket features engine from ICBMs, analysts say A still photograph shows what appears to be North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket being launched in Cholsan County By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's latest space launcher appears to be a new design and most likely uses engines developed for the nuclear-armed country's intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), analysts said on Thursday. The rocket, dubbed the Chollima-1, failed during its first launch attempt on Wednesday. It lifted off successfully but its second stage failed to start as expected, state media reported, and it crashed into the Yellow Sea. In a rare move, state media also released photos of the rocket's lift-off, despite the failure, offering international analysts their first glimpse of the new launcher. "This launch vehicle that we saw is of a completely different design origin than the older Unha series of space launch vehicles," said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "It appears to make use of an engine that appeared in an earlier North Korean intercontinental-range ballistic missile." Joseph Dempsey, a defence researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, also concluded that the rocket may be powered by a dual-nozzle liquid-fuel engine like that fitted to North Korea's Hwasong-15 ICBM. That engine is seen by some experts as derived from the Soviet RD-250 family of engines, while the earlier Unha space launcher used clusters of engines derived from Scud missiles. "Although the Chollima-1 exhaust plume appeared transparent, indicative of being liquid fuelled, it did deposit light grey residue around the launch pad and through the exit to the flame bucket, and across nearby mudflats," U.S.-based 38 North, which monitors North Korea, said in a report. "The reason for this residue is unclear." The United States, among other countries, said the use of ballistic missile technology for space launches violates United Nations Security Council resolutions banning North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programmes. Unlike the last time North Korea attempted to launch a satellite in 2016, it has a robust ICBM program and doesn't need to disguise its weapons tests as space launches, Panda said. The Chollima-1 appears to be a medium-lift space launch vehicle intended for delivering small satellites to low earth orbit. "In this case we do have a fairly large payload fairing compared to the earlier North Korean space launch vehicles," Panda said. "My estimate is that this is likely carrying a satellite payload on the order of around 200 to 300 kilogrammes in mass." North Korea's stated goal of eventually being able to launch multiple satellites on one rocket suggests they may roll out a larger launch vehicle in the future, he added. South Korea said it was working to recover parts of the North Korean rocket, releasing photos that showed what analysts said appeared to be a section designed to join two stages, and a liquid propellant tank inside. Recovery operations continued on Thursday, with additional specialised ships dispatched, South Korea's military said. If South Korea manages to pull major parts of the rocket from the water, it could provide useful intelligence into the North's rocket and missile production, and particularly any foreign materials it may be using, Panda said. "We believe increasingly that North Korea has largely managed to become self sufficient with manufacturing airframes, manufacturing largely many of the structural components of its engines, but there are still likely some components that North Korea is importing from overseas," he said. (Reporting by Josh Smith. Editing by Gerry Doyle) A man who authorities said killed his 10-week-old son on Dec. 21, 2018, was sentenced to life in prison Thursday, according to a news release from the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office. Joseph Matthew Welborn, 31, pleaded guilty to injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony. He was originally facing a charge of capital murder in the death of the baby, named Christian. An autopsy in 2018 revealed Christian died from two complex skull fractures, according to the district attorneys office. Family members gave authorities conflicting accounts of how the injuries occurred. Police were called to the 5200 block of Azle Avenue in Sansom Park. The babys maternal grandfather told investigators he was outside Welborns trailer home after arriving home from the store when he heard his daughter scream from inside, He dropped the baby, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by the Star-Telegram in 2018. According to the affidavit, the maternal grandfather said he and Welborn went into the trailer to find Christian was having trouble breathing. The grandfather said he attempted to blow into the babys mouth while his daughter called 911. Authorities said in 2018 that Welborn and the babys mother, Rosalinda Lopez, told investigators multiple stories during different interviews, including blaming one of their other children. At one point, Lopez told investigators with the Tarrant County Sheriffs Office that Welborn was asleep when she arrived home from the store and saw their 4-year-old child drop baby Christian about three feet. She later changed her story to say Welborn was the one outside getting the groceries. An autopsy in 2018 indicated that Christian died of two skull fractures from up to three separate impacts, injuries that would not have been caused by a fall and that the medical examiner said likely could not have been caused by a child. The district attorneys office said in the news release Thursday that the complex skull fractures were caused by blunt force trauma. Prosecutors described the cause of the injuries to the jury that sentenced Welborn. The last thing that Christian saw was his dad grabbing him and violently slamming his head into a hard surface, Assistant District Attorney Katie Owens said. This is about giving Christian a voice, Owens told jurors. It was stolen by his own flesh and blood, his father. This sweet, innocent little baby deserved better. About two hours before Christian died, a Child Protective Services investigator had been at the familys home about conducting a follow-up on a neglectful supervision complaint. The CPS investigator told investigators the baby was fine when she visited around 2:45 p.m. and that Joseph Welborn had been asleep inside the trailer during her visit, according to the arrest warrant affidavit from 2018. This story contains information from the Star-Telegrams archives. Northern Colorado Regional Airport Director Jason Licon speaks during an airport commission meeting March 16 in Loveland. Jason Licon, manager of Northern Colorado Regional Airport, has resigned after 12 years at the Loveland facility. His resignation is effective Friday, June 2. Licon has guided the airport through its rebranding and renaming from Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport to Northern Colorado Regional Airport; the loss of Allegiant Air; the arrival and departure of Elite Airways and Avelo Air, both of which started and ceased operations after flying for only a few months; a partnership between United Airlines and Landline to provide "wingless flights"; a one-of-a-kind remote air traffic control tower that is still in the testing phase; a runway expansion; and approval of a new airport terminal. More: With airport remote tower in question, new $22 million terminal nears final approval But Licon has been under pressure from general aviation pilots for his handling of the closure of two sets of hangars that have been deemed unsafe and from Windsor developer Martin Lind, who has repeatedly taken issue with airport management. The Northern Colorado Regional Airport Commission has fully supported Licon, said Don Overcash, chairman of the Northern Colorado Regional Airport Commission. Licon's resignation "caught me by surprise and I was disappointed, but I understand someone's desire to make a career move after 12 years." Licon did not immediately return phone calls or emails seeking comment. Overcash said criticism comes with any civil service job. "I can only imagine the attacks, when they attack one's character, takes a toll on most people. Jason consistently rose above the personal attacks that were made. He handled himself quite well." More: New structural analysis may save at least one Northern Colorado Regional Airport hangar What happens now The airport, owned by the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins, won't hire a permanent manager until it solves some governance issues, which are currently being studied. Fort Collins City Manager Kelly DiMartino and Loveland City Manager Steve Adams are reviewing candidates to serve as interim manager and could make a decision any day, Overcash said. Under the governance model, it will fall to Adams to make the appointment. While Fort Collins and Loveland co-own the airport, the property was physically annexed into the city of Loveland in 1992. Loveland took on the cost of administration, including airport employees and the cost of providing support, so it gets all the sales- and use-tax revenue from the airport. Fort Collins reaps no direct financial benefit from the airport, but the airport hasn't cost the city anything for four years, up until a recent $1 million request to help fill a funding gap for the new terminal. More: New structural analysis may save at least one Northern Colorado Regional Airport hangar Loveland jumped in with their contribution, but some Fort Collins City Council members balked at the request. The current (governance) model requires the airport to go back to both city councils for some funding requests and major changes or initiatives, Overcash previously told the Coloradoan. And youve got two parents with different interests at times. The current governance model "is a hindrance," he said Wednesday. City councils each set their own priorities and are in difference places in their own life cycle, he said. "It's not fair to evaluate someone else's issues. I think it's time to take a look at (the model) and solidifying the foundation of this airport." More: Fort Collins City Council shows hesitancy to fund city-owned airport. What's behind it? This is a developing story and could be updated. Check back for new information as it becomes available. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins-Loveland airport manager Jason Licon resigns Northern US expected to bake during June while Florida looks damp The first month of summer looks like it will live up to the season, with heat baking large swaths of the U.S. The Climate Prediction Center has already predicted a hot June, July and August for the majority of the Lower 48, while the eastern third of the country will likely be wetter than average. On Wednesday, the CPC issued its outlook for the month of June. Here's a look at the predictions. According to the June outlook from the CPC, above-average temperatures are likely across the northern tier of the country from the Northeast to the Northwest and extending south into the Midwest. Above-average temperatures are also expected in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Much of Alaska is also likely to see above-average temps. Cooler weather is predicted across the Southwest U.S. as well as southwestern Alaska through the Aleutian Islands. SLEEPLESS IN SUMMER? HERE IS THE REASON WHY The temperature outlook for June from the Climate Prediction Center as of May 31, 2023. Parts of the Midwest have been dealing with dry weather for quite a while, and that trend will likely continue during June, according to the CPC. Below-average precipitation is also expected in parts of central and eastern Alaska. Florida is expected to receive above-average precipitation, which is good news for some parts of the state that are in extreme drought. Invest 91L spinning in the Gulf of Mexico this week will likely contribute to much of the precipitation expected for the Sunshine State. The West will likely also get a good dose of wet weather in June, as well as southwestern Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. FIRST DAY OF SUMMER IS JUNE 21: THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SUMMER SOLSTICE Firefighters in Nova Scotia are battling the largest wildfire in the Atlantic province's history. Officials say the fire on the southern tip of the province has burned about 20,000 hectares, with flames reaching nearly 100m (328ft) in height. Meanwhile, another fire that has forced the evacuation of thousands near Halifax, the largest city, continues to burn. The wildfire smoke has travelled south, with air quality warnings in the US. As of Thursday morning, Nova Scotia officials said the massive fire in Shelburne County in the south of the province is still burning. No fatalities or injuries have been reported, but abouy 50 homes have been destroyed as a result of the fire. Dave Rockwood, a spokesperson with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, told reporters on Wednesday that the fire appears to be "very fast moving". Mr Rockwood said firefighters have spotted flames as tall as 60 to 90m. The fire is significantly larger than the average seen during an entire fire season in Nova Scotia, said Lucas Brehaut, a wildfire researcher with the Canadian Forest Service. "Last year was quite high, at about just over 3,000 hectares burned," Mr Brehaut told the BBC. The Shelburne County fire, by comparison, is more than five times that size. He added the high flames reported by firefighters are an indication of how strong and rapid the wildfire's spread has been. More than 6,000 people have been evacuated from the region, the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) division said. They are in addition to another 16,400 people who were evacuated from a suburban area nearby Halifax due to a smaller, 836-hectare wildfire that has been burning since Saturday and has destroyed around 200 homes and structures. On Wednesday, Nova Scotia officials increased the fine for breaking the provincewide burn ban - a restriction on outdoor fires - to C$25,000 ($18,000; 14,800) - a massive jump from C$237.50. Officials said that smaller fire is more than 50% contained as of Thursday morning, but are fearful the flames may spread due to hot weather in the forecast. "We are still dealing with a very dangerous and volatile situation," said David Steeves, a spokesperson with the Department of Natural Resources, adding the temperature could climb above 30C (86F) later in the day. Officials said rain is not forecast for the region until Friday, and that they remain unsure on when residents can return to their homes. Canada's federal government also announced on Thursday that it will be sending more resources to help Nova Scotia battle the flames. This includes military personnel, as well as additional firefighters to help relieve those who have been working on the ground for days. More than 300 firefighters from the US and South Africa are heading to Canada in the coming days. Some will be sent to battle fires in Nova Scotia, while others will be sent to battle ongoing fires in Canada's western province of Alberta. They will join firefighters from Australia and New Zealand who are already on the ground. The massive fire in Shelburne County has destroyed around 50 homes and forced the evacuation of 5,000 residents Nova Scotia is seeing an unusually active wildfire season this year, Mr Brehaut said. It is part of a wider trend in Canada where the fire season has had an earlier start than normal. Officials say that the number of wildfires across the country is on par with the 10-year average, but the amount of land burned - around 2.7m hectares in total - is unprecedented. The fires have had an impact as far as the US, where air quality warnings were issued in Rhode Island and Massachusetts on Wednesday. Some people in Boston have reported smelling smoke outside, according to reports in local media, while photos have shown a hazy sky over New York City on Tuesday as a result of the fires. Nova Scotia officials said it remains unclear how the two fires started. Provincial officals Experts say that while wildfires can be sparked by direct human involvement, natural factors, like strikes of lightning, can also play a huge part. The cycle of extreme and long-lasting heat caused by climate change draws more and more moisture out of the ground and vegetation, resulting in conditions ripe for wildfires. [Source] A woman was indicted on seven felony hate crime charges for multiple alleged attacks on people of Asian descent in New York City, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced on Wednesday. Camila Rodriguez, 29, was charged in two New York State Supreme Court indictments with assault in the second degree as a hate crime, six counts of assault in the third degree as a hate crime and six counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree, according to a press release. Rodriguez allegedly assaulted at least six Asian victims in separate unprovoked attacks from March 16 to May 11, with all six incidents taking place within blocks from each other. The first attack allegedly occurred at the southwest corner of Cathedral Parkway and Broadway on March 16. More from NextShark: Lululemon Art Director Fired After Promoting Racist T-Shirt on Instagram, CEO Sends Memo Rodriguez was accused of kicking a Korean woman in the leg as she was walking toward the stairs into the subway, leaving the victim in pain. Six days later, Rodriguez allegedly pulled the hair of a Chinese woman on West 108th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. When the victim turned around and spoke in Mandarin, the accused allegedly slapped the woman in the face before punching her when they fell to the ground. On April 8, the 29-year-old allegedly once again pulled the hair of another Chinese individual who was waiting to be seated at a restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue between West 106th and West 107th Streets. More from NextShark: PewDiePie Returns to YouTube and Mocks Coronavirus in New Video When one of the victims friends intervened and pushed Rodriguez away, she allegedly pushed her electric scooter into him, bruising his leg. Rodriguez was also accused of trying to physically assault a waitress at the restaurant who appeared to be of Asian descent. The waitress had reportedly come out to tell the group that their table was ready when Rodriguez assaulted her. When the victims friend intervened once again, he was struck by Rodriguezs semi-closed fist. On April 21, Rodriguez allegedly attacked a Filipino woman while she was walking home along the northeast corner of West 104th Street and Broadway. More from NextShark: 111-Year-Old Mochi Ice Cream Shop in LAs Little Tokyo Shuts Down According to prosecutors, Rodriguez grabbed her hair and pulled her to the ground before punching her in the face multiple times. The victim suffered bruises and cuts on her face and wrist. Six days later, the accused reportedly spat on a Chinese person on West 110th Street and Broadway. Finally, she allegedly slapped the face of a Korean man who was smoking near her car by the southeast corner of West 109th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Hate and harassment have absolutely no place on the streets of Manhattan and New Yorkers of all backgrounds deserve to feel safe, D.A. Bragg said in the press release. We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute these types of biased, violent attacks. My thoughts are with the victims as they continue to heal. More from NextShark: NYC Martial Arts Schools See More Interest Due to Anti-Asian Violence Police urge victims or witnesses to hate crimes to report incidents to the Hate Crimes Unit at 212-335-3100. Oath Keeper who guarded Roger Stone before Jan. 6 attack gets more than 4 years in prison FILE - Roberto Minuta of Prosper, Texas, leaves federal court in Washington, Jan. 23, 2023. Minuta, a member of the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group who was part of a security detail for former President Donald Trump's longtime adviser Roger Stone before storming the U.S. Capitol, was sentenced on Thursday to more than four years in prison. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) WASHINGTON (AP) A member of the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group who was part of a security detail for former President Donald Trump's longtime adviser Roger Stone before storming the U.S. Capitol was sentenced on Thursday to more than four years in prison. Roberto Minuta, who was seen on video guarding Stone hours before the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, was among six Oath Keeper members convicted by jurors of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors said was a violent plot to stop the transfer of power from Trump to President Joe Biden after the 2020 election. Also on Thursday, an Arizona man was sentenced to three years behind bars followed by one year of home confinement for his role in the same plot. Edward Vallejo, a U.S. Army veteran from Phoenix, oversaw a Quick Reaction Force at a Virginia hotel that was prepared to deploy an arsenal of weapons into Washington if needed, authorities say. Vallejo and Minuta were both convicted in January of seditious conspiracy, the most serious charge the Justice Department has brought in the Jan. 6 attack. Two other Oath Keepers, including founder Stewart Rhodes, were sentenced last week after being convicted of the rarely used charge. Rhodes was ordered to serve 18 years behind bars the longest sentence that has been handed down so far in hundreds of Capitol riot cases. Kelly Meggs, who led the groups Florida chapter, was sentenced to 12 years. U.S. District Judge Amit 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. But the judge has consistently issued sentences shorter than those prosecutors have sought for Oath Keeper members. Mehta told Vallejo that he cant conspire to undo the results of an election just because he and his cohorts believed the process failed them. It cant be that dozens of judges got it wrong, he said, referring to the judges who rejected legal challenges after the 2020 election brought by Trump and his Republican allies. If you believe in the system, if you believe in democracy, you take the good with the bad. The Justice Department had sought 17 years in prison for both Minuta and Vallejo. Minuta told the judge he is ashamed of his actions and was repulsed by the lack of remorse Rhodes showed at his own sentencing. My emotions got the best of me, and Im deeply apologetic, your honor, he told Mehta. I was misled and naive." Before handing down the sentence of four years and six months, the judge told Minuta that the law doesnt permit anybody to gather up arms to battle your government. This is not about politics. This is not about your beliefs. Its about your conduct, Mehta said. Minuta, who owned a New York tattoo shop, was in communication on Jan. 6 with Rhodes, who described Minuta in a message as one of his "most trusted men, according to federal prosecutors. Minuta purchased 5,500 rounds of ammunition as Jan. 6 approached, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said he hasn't shown true remorse, noting that Minuta took to social media after his arrest to slam the investigation as politically motivated and referred to Jan. 6 defendants as POLITICAL PRISONERS." A fundraiser page that was linked to his Twitter page said the government has been weaponized to destroy dissidents. Thats his worldview, Justice Department prosecutor Troy Edwards said. Mr. Minuta is a danger to himself and to his republic because of his worldview. Lawyers for the Oath Keepers say there was never any plot to storm the Capitol or stop the transfer of power. Minuta's attorney, William Shipley, said his client came to Washington to serve in the Oath Keepers' personal security detail for Stone and had no intention or plan to engage in any other activity. Shipley said Minuta's fears of government tyranny were not sparked by the baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, but grew out of his tattoo shop being shut down by lockdown measures during the coronavirus pandemic. Shipley said Minutas actions on Jan. 6 were regrettable and idiotic. But worthy of a multiyear prison sentence? I dont think so, he added. Minuta was among several people in Oath Keepers gear seen flanking Stone on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6. Stone, an informal Trump adviser, has denied having any knowledge of or involvement in anything illegal on Jan. 6. Vallejo told the judge his life has been destroyed and he regrets ever associating himself with Rhodes. I assure you that Im not a traitor or a terrorist, he said, fighting back tears. Ive learned my lesson and keeping my big mouth shut. Justice Department prosecutor Louis Manzo said Vallejo, as a Quick Reaction Force leader, managed one of the most important components of the Oath Keepers conspiracy: the cache of firearms stashed at the Virginia hotel. The weapons were never deployed. On a podcast recorded early Jan. 6, Vallejo warned of a guerrilla war if Congress went ahead with the certification of Bidens electoral victory. A day after the riot, Vallejo traveled into Washington to conduct surveillance and probe the defense line of police and National Guard troopers protecting the Capitol, according to prosecutors. Defense attorney Matthew Peed said Vallejo was a relatively minor figure in the case. Vallejo brought a stockpile of food with him to Washington because he thought there would be an ongoing protest, not a war, the defense lawyer said. He thought there was going to be a movement, Peed said. Last Friday, the judge handed down punishments for two other Oath Keepers who were acquitted of seditious conspiracy but convicted of other serious charges. 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. Two more Oath Keeper sentencings are scheduled for Friday. The Oath Keepers sentencings come weeks after leaders of another far-right group the Proud Boys were also convicted in the Jan. 6 attack. Former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio and three other group leaders were found guilty in May of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors said was a separate plot to keep Trump in the White House. They're scheduled to be sentenced in August. ____ Richer reported from Boston. A former Orange County resident convicted of seditious conspiracy for his part in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was sentenced to four and a half years in prison on Thursday. Roberto Minuta, a 38-year-old Newburgh Free Academy graduate who owned a tattoo shop in Newburgh until recently, was one of nine members of Oath Keepers militia found guilty in two federal jury trials and the latest to be sentenced. Prosecutors had sought a 17-year prison term for Minuta. Roberto Minuta But Judge Amit Mehta, who presided over the Oath Keeper trials in Washington, D.C., imposed a much lighter sentence: 54 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Other convicted Oath Keepers had so far been given prison sentences ranging from 4 to 18 years. Sentencing looms: Oath Keeper convicted of Jan. 6 sedition plot faces up to 17 years in prison Trial date: Newburgh tattoo shop owner faces trial for seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 riot case Minuta charged with illegally entering Capitol Minuta faced the rare and serious charge of seditious conspiracy for allegedly plotting with other members of the right-wing militia to prevent the peaceful transfer of power when Congress met in January 2021 to formalize President Joe Biden's election victory. He also was charged with illegally entering the Capitol amid the throngs of Donald Trump supporters who stormed the building. Minuta's lawyer had suggested a year of home confinement instead of prison, saying Minuta went to Washington solely to provide security for Trump ally Roger Stone and committed no violence at the Capitol. He has been prohibited from leaving his home in Texas since his conviction in January. Minuta expressed remorse and repudiated the Oath Keepers as he addressed the judge before his sentencing on Thursday, according to published accounts. My emotions got the best of me, and Im deeply apologetic, your honor, the Associated Press quoted him as saying. I was misled and naive." Video clues: Newburgh tattoo artist under media scrutiny for his militia role in DC on Capitol riot day Minuta moved with his family to a Dallas suburb in 2020 but continued to own and make periodic work trips to his tattoo shop in Newburgh. He finally sold Casa Di Dolore on Broadway in December, according to the business' Facebook page. The Oath Keepers founder, Stewart Rhodes, was sentenced to 18 years in prison last week for his Jan. 6 conviction, the longest incarceration yet for the more than 1,000 people charged in connection with the Capitol riot. Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com This article originally appeared on New York State Team: Capitol rioter, Oath Keeper Rob Minuta of Orange County sentenced Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Li Jian (L) hands over the donation to Sofiane Guercif, director of Draria Children's Village, in Algiers, Algeria, on May 31, 2023. The orphanage on Wednesday welcomed a charity event organized by the Chinese embassy ahead of the International Children's Day. (Xinhua) ALGIERS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- An orphanage in Algiers, capital of Algeria, on Wednesday welcomed a charity event organized by the Chinese embassy ahead of the International Children's Day. During the event at the Red Crescent's Orphanage Village of Draria, members of the Chinese medical team in Algeria conducted health consultations on site for the children in the village. A number of games and activities were organized by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Algeria, and gifts, health care kits, and stationary supplies worth about 2 million Algerian dinars (about 14,617 U.S. dollars) were donated to the children. It is the seventh consecutive year for the CSCEC Algeria to donate to the Draria Children's Village, said Chairman of CSCEC Algeria Tang Hao. Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Li Jian said at the event that China is a "permanent friend and sincere partner of Algeria, hoping that the Sino-Algerian friendship will be passed on from generation to generation." He expressed hopes that "the children would have a special and joyful Children's Day," and wished for their healthy growth and success in future studies. Sofiane Guercif, director of Draria Children's Village, said the event "is a perfect embodiment of the friendship between Algerian and Chinese people," adding that the much-needed materials and gifts made the children feel the warmth from China. Draria Children's Village is a charitable organization based in Algiers that provides international relief for orphaned children. It currently supports 72 children between the ages of 4 and 22. Representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Algeria, a Chinese medical team, and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Algeria, hold an International Children's Day activity at Draria Children's Village in Algiers, Algeria, on May 31, 2023. The orphanage on Wednesday welcomed a charity event organized by the Chinese embassy ahead of the International Children's Day. (Xinhua) Members of a Chinese medical team conduct health consultations for an Algerian child at Draria Children's Village in Algiers, Algeria, on May 31, 2023. The orphanage on Wednesday welcomed a charity event organized by the Chinese embassy ahead of the International Children's Day. (Xinhua) An off-duty police officer has been shot in Chicago after stepping out of his vehicle to move garbage cans that were blocking an alleyway, the citys top officer says. The officer, described by Chicago Police interim Superintendent Fred Waller as a 20-plus year veteran, was returning home from dinner Wednesday night in the citys West Side when he was targeted. "Hes very emotional and happy to just be grazed in the arm because the amount of shell casings that we found out there, it could have been very, very much worse," Waller said. Waller said while traveling in his vehicle the officer had come "upon some garbage cans that were blocking his path." CHILD FATALLY SHOOTS ANOTHER CHILD IN SUBURBAN CHICAGO SHOOTING The off-duty Chicago police officer was shot while returning home from dinner on Wednesday night, according to authorities. "He got out to remove the garbage cans and upon returning to his vehicle, several subjects -- approximately maybe five -- confronted him and began firing upon him," Waller told reporters. "The officer got back into his vehicle, returned fire and then was fired upon again." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Waller said the officer then drove to safety. At least one weapon, which Waller said may belong to an offender, was found at the scene. An investigation is now ongoing. The officer involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative duties for 30 days, which is routine procedure, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Chicago's top police officer said an officer whom he did not identify suffered a graze wound. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Chicago Police Department for further comment. The shooting happened around 9:15 p.m. local time. MURDERED CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER AREANAH PRESTON LAID TO REST On May 6, Chicago Police Officer Areanah Preston was shot and killed outside her South Side home after returning from a night shift, police say. She was the sixth and final victim of a string of robberies kicked off because one of the suspects allegedly "needed money for a barbecue," prosecutors have said in court. Trevell Breeland, 19; Joseph Brooks, 19; Jakwon Buchanan, 18; and a 16-year-old juvenile whose name was not released all face charges that include murder and robbery in Preston's death. Police also charged them in connection with five other armed robberies that same evening, a carjacking and, in Breeland's case, felon in possession of a firearm. All four had lengthy rap sheets, and none had jobs or had finished high school, according to prosecutors. Officer Areanah Preston, 24, was fatally shot outside her home after the end of her night shift in Chicago on May 6. Brooks, the suspected triggerman, told police he shot Preston when he saw her reaching for her service weapon, according to prosecutors. Preston returned fire, sending back two rounds before she was struck in the face and neck, prosecutors revealed in court. Fox News Chris Pandolfo and Michael Tobin contributed to this report. One police officer is dead and a second is injured after a hostage situation in Brandon, Mississippi, ended in gunfire, officials said Thursday. The Associated Press reported that an unnamed person was holding a second unidentified person hostage inside a home in Brandon, a suburb of Jackson, Mississippi's capital city. The hostage situation reportedly began as a domestic dispute, the AP reported, and police first received a call of the situation at around 1:45 a.m. local time. The first Brandon Police Department officer who responded was shot and injured, according to a statement from the area's Department of Public Safety. That officer is in stable condition. While attempting to enter the residence, a second police officer was shot and fatally wounded, the department said. The suspect in the incident also received fatal injuries, officials said without elaborating. The hostage was rescued. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will assess the case and share their findings with the Attorney General's Office, the public safety department said. According to the AP, this is standard protocol for cases when a law enforcement officer is shot or shoots someone. Destruction from Russia's war on Ukraine revealed in new before and after satellite images Comer says Wray confirmed existence of record alleging Biden bribery scheme Debt ceiling bill includes end to student loan payment pause I dont often write about Oklahoma. I generally figure weve got enough problems of our own without worrying about whats going on south of our states border. But the epic disaster thats befallen their school system as its leader battles a woke mob created entirely from political opportunism and his own fevered imagination offers a perfect dont-let-this-happen-to-us example for Kansas as we contemplate our education future. Oklahomas superintendent of public instruction, Ryan Walters, is a far-right ideologue and a bully whos opposed to public education in general and is wrecking the states school system from the inside out. What can you say about a superintendent who tweets an image labeled Student Safety Over Liberal Agenda, featuring a teenage blonde white girl using a restroom sink while two girls of color lurk menacingly in the mirror? Or one who publicly refers to teachers unions as terrorist organizations in legislative hearings? In our state, theyre pushing pornography in schools, theyre pushing this radical gender theory in our schools and theyre fighting school choice Im not gonna back down to this woke mob, he said in an appearance on Fox News (where else?). His weapons of choice are the Bible, which he wants to be taught in public schools as history, and Gender Queer: A Memoir and Flamer, LGBTQ-themed books that he demands be banned from the few Oklahoma high schools that ever had them on their library shelves. Walters took his educational despotism to a whole new level last week. At an Oklahoma Board of Education meeting, he unveiled a professionally produced propaganda video interspersing his own pronouncements on Fox with clips of union leaders and LGBTQ advocates far from Oklahoma, set to a background of ominous music. Goebbels would have been proud. While he accuses teachers unions of back-room intimidation and a lack of transparency, he simultaneously escalated his own departmental tyranny to the KGB level with an email from one of his henchmen, threatening to immediately fire anyone leaking department documents about Walters anti-schools crusade. This will stop so let this email serve as its final warning for anyone that has a disagreement on Superintendent Walters beliefs to fight the liberal woke culture seeping into our schools, liberal indoctrination in the classrooms, and pushing pornography in schools, the message said in part. The email was a trap, sent out in different versions with minor variations in spacing and wording to catch those who were informing state authorities and the public on the activities of their boss who, bear in mind, is an elected official. It was in equal parts reprehensible and effective. At least two people have been fired and have filed wrongful termination lawsuits, which theyll probably win because Oklahoma has public records and whistleblower protection laws. Theres a Kansas tie to all this, which you already may have guessed involves a big black building on the north side of Wichita. Before he was elected superintendent, Walters served as Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitts education secretary. At the same time, he was making about $120,000 a year as executive director of Every Kid Counts Oklahoma, a group advocating for tax dollars to be diverted to private school education, according to a joint investigation by nonprofit news organizations Oklahoma Watch and The Frontier. The investigation found that Every Kid Counts Oklahoma received funding from foundations tied to Walmart heirs and Yes Every Kid, Inc., part of the network of political organizations founded and funded by Wichita billionaire Charles Koch. About a month ago, Oklahoma passed a voucher plan to divert public money to private school tuition, similar to the one the Koch networks been pushing in Kansas. In Kansas, the peril to public education was averted when enough rural state senators found the backbone to stand up to Kochs minions and vote it down, because it would have threatened their schools without providing any viable alternative. But I do agree with Ryan Walters on one thing, when he said Oklahoma schools have been failing students. Over decades, theyve obviously failed to educate students on how to see through dictatorial demagogues like him, and avoid voting them into public office. Fix that and the rest of the problem solves itself. Dion Lefler: 316-268-6527, @DionKansas The Capitol of Oklahoma is pictured in this undated stock photo in Oklahoma City, Okla. | Katherine Welles, Adobe.com The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Wednesday against two state laws, SB1603 and HB4327, that would put tighter restrictions on the states abortion laws. The high court ruled 6-3, with the majority saying the laws were unconstitutional because the pregnancy would have to be deemed a medical emergency for a doctor to perform an abortion. This contradicts the states previous ruling in March that a woman has a right to an abortion in order to protect her life without having to specify its a medical emergency. Most abortions, however, remain illegal in Oklahoma. The Associated Press reported that news of the ruling was a relief to the medical professionals in the state who have previously turned patients away until their symptoms were severe enough for them to legally be able to perform the abortion. In our practice, we had cases where we would just have to tell women who we would normally offer a (pregnancy) termination to protect her health ... We have to let you go home and monitor your condition and if you start showing signs of infection or worsening blood pressure, then come back and we have the ability to legally treat you, Dr. Dana Stone, an Oklahoma City obstetrician and gynecologist, told AP. Otherwise, were at risk with these laws of going to jail for 10 years, having hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and losing our medical licenses, she added. Related The law that was overturned on Wednesday would have given citizens the right to sue an individual if they discovered they received an abortion or aided someone in receiving one. Despite the courts decisions today on SB 1603 and HB 4327, Oklahomas 1910 law prohibiting abortion remains in place. Except for certain circumstances outlined in that statute, abortion is still unlawful in the State of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said, per The Hill. Oldham lawyer Jim Ballinger drowns; once was guest on 'Oprah' because of good deed In 1973, as a third-grader at Louisvilles Frayser Elementary School, Jim Ballingers teacher gave him a book that had belonged to her late husband, a pioneering Black lawyer who founded one of the citys first African American law firms and had died just before the start of the school year. The book was "How to Cross Examine a Witness Successfully. And inside, Jims teacher, Balma Lunderman, had inscribed, To James, a someday successful trial attorney. Twenty-four years later, Ballinger, by then a successful trial attorney, tracked down his former teacher, who had remarried and changed her name, and brought her a dozen red roses and his eternal gratitude. You taught me I could be anything I wanted to to be, he told her, as reported in a column by Bob Hill on the front page of The Courier Journal in 1998 and later on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." And I was just an 8-year-old kid. Attorney James Ballinger and his third grade teacher, Balma Lunderman, in 1999 James D. Ballinger, the son of a letter carrier who practiced law for 23 years, died last weekend when he fell off his boat into Harrods Creek. His body was found Tuesday, and the cause of death was drowning, according to the coroner. Ballinger, who lived in Oldham County, was 57. Louisville Metro Police said a man called 911 to report the body. LMPD's River and Homicide units responded. Anchorage Fire and EMS and the Coast Guard assisted in the recovery effort. Ballinger was co-counsel in a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of prisoners at Louisville Metro Corrections who were allegedly held after they should have been released. In 2021 he told The Courier Journal the suit could cost Metro Louisville millions of dollars. Read also: What's a trademark between comrades? Communists, Bolsheviks battle in Louisville lawsuit Allowing the case to proceed as a class action, a federal judge said jail officials had known about the problem for years but failed to address it. Jim was an excellent, hard-working, and caring lawyer who treated clients, opposing counsel, and the court with utmost respect, said Greg Belzley, his co-counsel in the jail case. More than that, he was just a great guy with a great heart who sincerely gave a damn about the regular folks who make this world go around, and fought untiringly for their rights. I will miss him greatly. Ballinger, who was a litigator and civil rights lawyer, was admitted to the bar in 2000 and practiced at 3610 Lexington Road. He worked his way through the University of Louisvilles law school at night while working full time as a production analyst, and later a budget analyst, at Phillip Morris, according to a bio on his website. Before attending law school, Ballinger, the son of a mail letter carrier, worked as one himself from 1985 through 1991. He later worked for Toyota Motor Manufacturing USA in Georgetown for three years after he obtained his bachelors from U of L, painting cars at night. He was later promoted and reported directly to the plant manager. While in law school, he clerked for Martin E. Johnstone, when he was the deputy chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court. His first job as an attorney was at Wyatt Tarrant & Combs and he later was a partner at Pedley Zielke Gorinier and Pence. He served two terms as a member of the Louis D. Brandeis Inn of Court, which includes 80 local lawyers, judges and law students and whose mission was to promote civility in the practice of law. He was also a member for more than 15 years of the board of the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation. He later said his diverse background allowed him to be able to relate to and empathize with a variety of clients. More: Nose-touching doctor accused of being impaired wins $3.7M lawsuit against Baptist Health Reporter Andrew Wolfson can be reached at (502) 396-5853 or awolfson@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky lawyer James Ballinger drowns while boating on Harrods Creek One-third of Florida properties at risk of severe flooding, but some residents unaware A combination of factors including stronger storms fueled by climate change, a strained insurance industry and ineffective state regulations has placed millions of low-income Florida residents at risk of a major insurance coverage gap. The crisis in Florida's insurance industry has escalated with the shutdown of seven companies since February last year, leaving countless individuals vulnerable to the devastating impacts of flooding. The urgency to address this issue is underscored by the fact that more than one-third of Florida properties are at risk of severe flooding over the next 30 years. Many, however, are unaware of the risks their homes are facing. Hurricane Ian, which struck last September as a catastrophic Category 4 storm, resulted in over 150 deaths and caused damage exceeding $100 billion, making it the costliest storm in the state's history. Many residents, like 56-year-old Diana Mercado from Fort Myers, are still struggling to rebuild. She claims she wasn't informed by real estate or insurance agents that her property was in a FEMA flood zone. In those zones, residents are federally required to have flood insurance. "If they told me you need to have it, I would have gotten it. But I didn't know," Mercado said. When Hurricane Ian hit, Mercado evacuated and expected to return home to find just her front trees damaged. Instead, her home of 26 years was devastated, leaving it resembling a construction site. Waist-deep floodwaters destroyed everything in their path. Despite having home insurance, Mercado didn't have flood insurance and quickly realized she couldn't afford the out-of-pocket costs of repairs, which were estimated between $50,000 and $70,000. Dr. Rick Knabb, former director of the National Hurricane Center, emphasized that even a few inches of water can cause significant damage. "It only takes a couple of inches of water in your home to cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Just think what it does to the carpet. If it gets up to the level of the electrical outlets, what that does to your electrical system," Knabb said. Florida is one of 21 states with no requirements to disclose flood risks to home buyers, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit organization. Sellers do not have to say whether the property is in a flood zone, if they are required to have flood insurance, or if the home has flooded before. Lower-income residents, who are disproportionately affected by this lack of information, often find it challenging to afford flood insurance, especially as premiums continue to rise. In Florida, the average cost of flood insurance is nearly $1,000 per year and is projected to increase due to recent changes in the way premiums are calculated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Rob Moore, a senior policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the impact of flooding is most felt among lower-income individuals. "In many of the major cities in the U.S., those redlined areas are the most flood-prone areas of those cities. So, due to no fault of their own, we've kind of channeled Black people and lower-income people into areas that are fairly high-risk," Moore said. Florida lawmakers are considering changes to the state's laws that would require sellers to disclose flooding, aiming to ensure that homebuyers have access to critical information about flood risks when making purchasing decisions. Additionally, FEMA's own flood maps, which play a vital role in determining flood zones, are outdated. The agency acknowledges that climate change has made the maps less accurate and is actively working on updating them. For residents like Mercado, the journey to rebuild after Hurricane Ian has been long. The slow rebuilding process has relied heavily on do-it-yourself efforts and online tutorials. She stores salvageable belongings in her daughter's garage, who she has relied on through this tough time. "I cannot say that I'm homeless, but I think it feels like, 'Okay, you're homeless.' I have her. She's been great with me," Mercado said. The innovative effort to restore reefs High cost of eating out may keep diners at home U.S. to admit nearly 40,000 migrants monthly via mobile app Your online college course may be run by a for-profit company. How to spot the difference. Teddy Dukuly, a 32-year-old New Yorker, was unfamiliar with the private company helping run his online classes at Morehouse College. Teddy Dukuly, a 32-year-old New Yorker, had never heard of the private company helping run his online classes at Morehouse College. Dukuly sighted a lack of transparency during guidance sessions, originally being under the impression that he was speaking to a Morehouse advisor when he was actually speaking to someone employed by 2U. When he sought guidance, he thought he was talking to a Morehouse adviser. On LinkedIn, however, the man lists his employer as 2U. Reviewing his emails, Dukuly noticed other clues, such as passing references to 2U in the URL of his online portal but not in his advisers email signature. They should identify as who they are, he said. That transparency would be nice. Morehouse Online is a partnership between Morehouse, the nations only all-mens historically Black college, and 2U, a for-profit education technology company. When announced in February 2021, it was billed as an affordable degree completion program for some of the nations 2.2 million Black men with college credits but no degree. Lack of transparency, however, is among growing criticisms directed at companies like 2U, known as online program managers. Education technology leaders say these companies can help colleges financially while making higher education accessible to students not well served by brick-and-mortar programs. Critics say the companies business model can cause confusion among students and may lead to universities and for-profit operators favoring enrollment goals over academic quality. What do companies like 2U do? Most universities are slow to change, and teaching online isnt as simple as hosting a Zoom meeting. Online program managers, like 2U, help bring in-person courses online, market the programs and find students. Its an increasingly competitive undertaking, as more colleges seek to attract adult learners to fill the gap left as fewer students enroll straight out of high school. At the same time, setting up online classes is expensive. Online program managers take on the upfront cost in exchange for keeping, at times, a majority of the programs revenue for years. 2U is among the largest and best-known online program managers, and it grew even larger with the $800 million purchase of edX, a nonprofit focused on free online courses, in 2021. Other online program managers include Academic Partnerships and Wiley University Services. A Government Accountability Office report last April found at least 550 colleges had worked with online program managers as of July 2021. What are the concerns about online program managers? Online program managers are often criticized for their opaque business practices. Like Dukuly, students may be unaware that their programs are being managed by for-profit companies. Christopher Chip Paucek, CEO and co-founder of 2U, said the company has never hidden its role but also told the Wall Street Journal in 2021 that in its early days, colleges wanted the company to not be visible. Paucek told USA TODAY the company going forward plans to recommend to its partners that 2U employees identify themselves more clearly, but that decision remains up to the college. Concerns over transparency extend to how colleges and these companies find and enroll new students. Normally, colleges cant pay employees or companies based on the number of students they recruit. Thats part of a federal law meant to prevent unscrupulous operators from enrolling as many students as they can in low-quality academic programs. Colleges can pay online program managers for recruitment if they offer additional products like marketing, advertising or student support services. Stephanie Hall is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress who has written critically about online program managers. She argued that when businesses are paid a percentage of an academic programs revenue, they have an incentive to set up offerings quickly and enroll as many students as possible. Theres too much of a corporate relationship between the (online program manager) and the college, Hall said. Because of that then, the (online program manager) really has the upper hand in helping to drive program creation and deciding, How many students are we going to try to get into these programs? Others say online program managers help serve an unmet need. Adam Arguelles, a senior vice president for Academic Partnerships, said at a government hearing about online programs that the existing federal guidance allows under-resourced institutions who face severe enrollment and financial challenges, to launch online programs despite a lack of capital. Arguelles said more than 80% of the companys partners are regional public universities, and about a quarter serve a significant portion of minority students. These institutions pride themselves on providing economic mobility to their students and to meeting the most urgent workforce needs of their communities and of our country, Arguelles said. But the revenue-share model could soon be disrupted. The U.S. Education Department in February moved to update the federal guidance around online program managers by expanding the agencys definition of third parties. The move would require universities to disclose when they work with third parties and subject them to further regulations. The proposed regulations have drawn consternation from some higher education and ed tech leaders. 2U is suing to block the expanded definition, saying the label has traditionally applied only to parties involved in financial aid. The department is considering revisions to its guidance. How can I tell if my program is being run by an online program manager or my college? It can be hard to know when an academic program is run in partnership with a third party. Most online program managers list at least some of the companies they work with on their websites, but some lists are more complete than others. USA TODAY asked three leading companies 2U, Academic Partnerships and Wiley University Services for a list of all of the schools they work with. 2U spokeswoman Kate Welk directed USA TODAY to separate websites for 2U and edX that together list more than 100 partners. Deanna Raineri, the senior vice president for university strategy and market innovation at Wiley, in a statement, declined to share a list of its approximately 70 partners, which include regional public colleges and small liberal arts schools, citing prior confidentiality commitments. Katelynn Dugan, chief of communications at Academic Partnerships, also declined to provide a list of that companys clients. Here are a few other tips for spotting programs operated by third parties: Staff of the online program managers may use email addresses that vary slightly from the schools. In the case of Morehouse, 2U staffers use addresses ending in online.morehouse.edu when the schools standard domain is simply morehouse.edu. Information about the online program manager might be found on the website for the academic program. Many programs operated by 2U, for example, include a mention of the company in small print at the bottom of the webpage. This isnt always the case, though. USA TODAY found that several academic programs operated in connection with Academic Partnerships made no mention of the company's involvement on the school's websites. Several programs run in partnership with Wiley University Services only mentioned the online program manager in the fine print on a privacy policy. Just ask. Students can ask the employees they interact with, during the admissions process and once enrolled, if they work for the school or for a third party. Many programs run by online program managers require students to share their contact information in web forms, Hall said, before giving them access to explanatory information like tuition costs or admissions requirements. She added that privacy policies attached to these forms may include a disclaimer indicating the courses are a partnership with an outside company. These methods rely on the universities and online program managers being open about their relationships. Students should not have to take steps like this to ensure they have all the facts before applying for admission or enrolling in an institution, Hall said. Unfortunately, that is what students are left to do until the Department of Education revises its policies in favor of them. Are online classes legitimate? These are the questions to ask: Ultimately, online program managers are intermediaries and the final responsibility for the quality of the classes rests with the universities. Students can ask university staff about the availability of courses and how quickly the program fills up. Prospective online students could also try to figure out who will be teaching their classes. Are the instructors tenured or tenure-track professors at the college? Or are they adjunct faculty brought in solely to teach online courses? Students may want to inquire about how much of their instruction happens in real time versus how much occurs via recorded videos or similar static content. Will students have an opportunity to have live discussions with their peers? Or do classroom discussions solely take place on forum boards? Students should also consider asking university staff about the online programs graduation and retention rates. If those figures arent available because a program is new, students should consider checking the schools on-campus graduation rates via the College Scorecard, the federal governments consumer guide to universities that receive federal funding. Chris Quintana and Tricia L. Nadolny are investigative reporters at USA TODAY. Chris can be reached at cquintana@usatoday.com or via Signal at 202-308-9021. Tricia can be reached at tnadolny@usatoday.com or on Twitter at @TriciaNadolny. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Your online classes may be run by a for-profit company. How to know. Openings, closings, updated plans and more: Business news you may have missed in May Familiar brands announced new locations in Centre County in May, with Dunkin, McDonalds, Days Inn and Starbucks all making news. Beyond that, a new bookstore and a pair of pizza places made plans to open. Heres a review of the past months local business developments: New in town Dunkin is expected to open a Philipsburg location in early June. The coffee and doughnut spot chain will set up shop at 1161 Philipsburg Bigler Highway, the former site of Adventure Video. A McDonalds is planned in Benner Townships Paradise Shopping Center at the intersection of Paradise Road and the Benner Pike. The Days Inn brand returned to State College, with the announcement of the Days Inn by Wyndham State College. The hotel at 1274 N. Atherton St. was formerly a Quality Inn. Starbucks opened at the Pugh Centre in downtown State College. The building is located at the corner of Pugh Street and Beaver Avenue. A Coming Soon sign had been posted for the new store late last year. The Starbucks on the corner of Pugh Street and Beaver Avenue opened in May. Print Factory, a cultural space and independent bookstore, plans to open this fall at 130 S. Allegheny St. in Bellefonte. The nonprofit has set up a GoFundMe to help launch operations. 8 Mile Pizza is set to open this fall at 300 S. Pugh St. in State College. The Detroit-style pizza place will take over the former site of Gumbys. After 16 years in the industry, Matthew Gouty started Tayco Pest Control. The company is named for his 6-year-old daughter Taylyn, who would be the third generation of the family in the pest control business in Centre County if she follows in her dads footsteps. Brothers Pizza plans to return to downtown State College with Giuseppes Pizzeria by Brothers. The shop at 204 E. College Ave. was formerly Weirdoughs Custom Pizzeria. Willow Lane Boutique opened a storefront on 119 N. Front St. in Philipsburg. Marzonis Brick Oven & Brewing Co. expects to open in State College later this summer late June at the earliest. The restaurant will take over the former TGI Fridays at 1215 N. Atherton St. The space at 130 S. Allegheny St. in Bellefonte will become the home of the Print Factory. Saying goodbye Hello Bistro closed for good on May 14. The restaurant opened at 126 W. College Ave. in 2019. With the opening of the new downtown State College Starbucks, the location on South Garner Street closed. Project developments A preliminary timetable was released for the State College Town Centre project that shows an opening as early as fall 2025. The nine-story building on the 200 block of Allen Street would include two bars/restaurants and a hotel. The developer of a fulfillment center warehouse in Benner Township hopes to start construction before winter, a county planning official said. EC Power, a State College research and development firm in State College, is looking to build a $50 million lithium-ion battery factory in Philipsburg. Borough Council approved a liquor license transfer for Figo Italian, moving the restaurant closer to a planned fall opening on the ground floor of The Standard at State College, 330 W. College Ave. A fulfillment center warehouse is proposed for 103 acres in the the Benner Commerce Park. Honors and awards The Forest Resources Association named A.M. Logging LLC of Millheim the 2023 National Outstanding Logger at its annual meeting in May. A company team spent four months last fall in Pine Island, Florida, to help clean up after Hurricane Ian. Earlier this year, A.M. Logging opened a mulch yard in Lewisburg as part of its zero waste philosophy. The yard helps meet growing demand for hardwood mulch while providing a place for the residual, low-value wood left from harvesting. The company also participates in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative training in Pennsylvania. Donald Trump Jr. tweeted a doctored version of Ron DeSantis pre-announcement video the other day, with his father tackling the Florida governor backstage, WWE-style. The combative DeSantis aide Christina Pushaw replied, Your dad could not even tackle the 110 lb. Keebler Elf known as Anthony Fauci. Its difficult to remember the last time anyone in Republican politics who has credibility with the conservative base hitting back so hard at Trump Jr., a MAGA rock star. During the long interlude when the Florida governor was stuck in an in-between state presumed a presidential candidate, but not formally one there were doubts about whether hed be willing to take on Trump. The last week has shown that they were unfounded. Pushaw has been a relentless combatant against pro-Trump Twitter accounts, memes and arguments. The DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down has been similarly bellicose. And DeSantis himself has been unafraid to draw contrasts with Trump in interviews and speeches. It all adds up to the most aggressive anti-Trump advocacy from someone who wants and expects to have a future in Republican politics since 2016. This isnt Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger, fierce Trump critics who clearly were buying one-way tickets to an early retirement from Congress, with perhaps the sweetener of a CNN contract. DeSantis is making a bid, not to howl into the wilderness about Trump, but to take the party from him. Now, since thats the end in mind, DeSantis case is carefully circumscribed. He is not making a comprehensive argument against Trump as unfit to serve. Rather, DeSantis wants to get to his right on key issues and convince Republicans sympathetic to Trump and to his politics that the former president failed to deliver and isnt reliable. A key element of the DeSantis approach is to counterpunch Trump would probably be best served by consistently hitting DeSantis as an alleged tool of the establishment, whose successes have come on the inherently favorable terrain of Florida. Since Trump cant help himself, though, hes resorting to indiscriminate fire. His charge that former Gov. Andrew Cuomo did a better job on Covid than DeSantis doesnt get him anything. It associates him with a Republican villain (the New York Democrat has hailed Trumps belated endorsement), and plays into the hands of the DeSantis camp that argues Trump doesnt regret the lockdowns and would do them again. Other Trump attacks criticizing DeSantis for his six-week abortion ban in Florida, his ongoing fight with Disney and his past support for entitlement reform have created the opening for DeSantis to say that Trump is hitting him from the left and is no longer the Trump everyone remembers from 2015-2016. More specifically, DeSantis has leveraged attacks on his vote against an omnibus bill in Congress to denounce all the money Trump spent as president. And hes used his vote against an immigration bill to remind people how Trump supported legislation that provided legal status for so-called Dreamers. If DeSantis is trying to make a good defense the best offense on those issues, hes gone out of his way to pick a fight on the criminal justice reform that Trump signed into law as president, the First Step Act. Crime is a central concern of Republican primary voters, and Trumps support of an off-brand, bipartisan measure that released some prisoners early is a clear vulnerability. DeSantis is also trying to elevate competent governance to more than simply a process issue and give it ideological salience by talking of how Trump couldnt follow through on key priorities. The border wall obviously never got built, and Never Back Down tweeted a thread blaming Trump for getting played by the swamp. When Trump this week pledged to end birthright citizenship with an executive order on Day One which would instantly get blocked by the courts if he tried it Never Back Down pointed out hed repeatedly promised to do the same thing as president while never actually doing it. The trickiest issue for DeSantis may be how to talk about the 2020 election. Letting Trump get away with his insistence it was stolen is to concede that hes a supposed two-time winner of national elections, making it impossible to argue hes the chief reason that the GOP has developed, in the DeSantis phrase, a culture of losing. On the other hand, directly contradicting Trumps false claim risks alienating Republicans who have bought some version of the Trump lie. DeSantis showed how he thinks he can handle the question in a notable post-launch interview with Ben Shapiro. He implicitly accepted the idea that the election was rigged, an amorphous term adopted by some Trump supporters to signify that the election was unfair but not necessarily stolen. DeSantis cited changes in election procedures in 2020, but blamed Covid alarmism promoted by Fauci who worked for Trump for justifying those changes. He added that Trump was foolish and negligent in urging people not to vote by mail and not having better organizations in states with extensive mail-in voting and ballot harvesting. In other words, Trump was at fault for his poor management of his own administration and his shortsighted tactical choices. DeSantis added that if hes the GOP nominee, Im not going to make excuses, and hell get it done and be inaugurated in January 2025. Translation: Trump lost, and I wont. Now, the DeSantis case against Trump isnt full-throated. It doesnt address his character, his ongoing and growing legal difficulties, or his abysmal conduct after the November 2020 election, including Jan. 6. It is a narrowly tailored message meant for an audience that will have a decisive influence on the 2024 nomination battle Republicans who are fond of Trump, appreciate what he did as president, and instinctively feel defensive of him when attacked, but are open to another candidate. Without robust support from this group of voters, DeSantis isnt going to win. It may be that, despite what seems possible at the moment, Republicans could be swayed by a more robust anti-Trump argument, or that the balance DeSantis is trying to strike isnt sustainable in the rough-and-tumble of the campaign. Certainly, how DeSantis eventually takes the fight to Trump on a debate stage will matter enormously. All that said, in the early days, nothing in how DeSantis and his team are handling themselves indicate fear of battling with Trump. At a press gaggle in Iowa on Tuesday, DeSantis asked of Trumps silence on the debt ceiling deal: Are you leading from the front, or are you waiting for polls to tell you what position to take? In a statement on Memorial Day, Never Back Down quoted the son of a man killed in the Sept. 11 attacks who slammed Trump for, through his support of the Saudi-funded LIV tournament, lining the pockets [of] a country who stands accused in a trial as we speak of aiding and abetting and sponsoring the 9/11 terror attacks. For the longest time, the way to thrive in Republican politics was to back Donald Trump, or at least step around him. That option isnt available to Ron DeSantis, and his nascent campaign obviously realizes it. Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, debates GOP primary challenger Erin Rider at KNRS radio in Salt Lake City on May 31, 2022. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Pignanelli & Webb: Utah Congressman Chris Stewart recently announced he is retiring from Congress this month because of health concerns with his wife, Evie. This noble action deserves respect and compassion from all citizens. Of course, Stewarts retirement has set the Utah political world ablaze. Your columnists enjoy watching the fires rage. What will be the process to fill this vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives, and what can voters expect? When someone whispers in my ear about running for office, it sounds like the Tabernacle Choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus! former Utah Congressman Wayne Owens Open congressional seats dont come available in Utah very often, so a very large group of ambitious Republicans and Democrats are experiencing a distinct ringing in their ears the clarion call of service in Congress. However, the path to winning a seat isnt quite clear right now. The circumstances surrounding the 2017 special election to replace Jason Chaffetz when he resigned created a kerfuffle among state officials. This resulted in 2020 legislation establishing the existing process. Within seven days of receiving the letter of resignation, the governor issues a proclamation specifying special primary and general election dates. He must provide at least 21-28 days for parties to nominate a candidate or for candidates to qualify for the primary ballot through signature gathering. Without legislative action, special elections must be held in conjunction with designated scheduled elections. Therefore, the earliest date for a special primary election this year would be the municipal election on Nov. 7, with a final special election to occur at the presidential primary election in March 2024. That would leave Utah without a fourth member of Congress for a long time, so it is likely the Legislature will take action to accelerate the process. Politicos are predicting that after Gov. Spencer Cox receives the official letter of resignation from Stewart (likely next week), the Legislature will quickly convene a special session to alter the timeline and make other adjustments. This produces a lot of conjecture: Will the Legislature push hard to have a quick convention and primary to insure a final election by Labor Day? Or will they stretch the process to the November municipal election? Will they succumb to pressure from activists and remove the potential for signature gathering to get on the primary ballot, meaning only party delegates would determine the nominee? (That would likely produce a gubernatorial veto.) Will they put in place a threshold requirement and a runoff in the likely event of multiple primary candidates? Might they implement a ranked choice voting procedure? Will they appropriate the money to pay the significant election costs? A lot of uncertainty exists, but it is certain that the existing structure will be altered by lawmakers. Related In the 2017 special election, 21 candidates filed to replace Chaffetz. Is there similar interest in this opening, and who are leading contenders? Incredibly, more viable prospects are considering a run this year than six years ago, especially because one does not even need to live in the district to run. In the past few days, cell phones and social media platforms have been melting from overuse as Utah politicos engaged in a feeding frenzy of promoting, and dismissing, prospects. Since we love to rummage in the gossip mill, here is a list of those who have received at least several recommendations from inside the political class. Announced or likely Republican candidates: State Sen. Todd Weiler enjoys a strong social media following. He was the first to announce his interest and is already preparing documents to file with the FEC and is searching for a campaign manager. Former state Rep. Becky Edwards is beloved by moderate Republicans and has announced her intention to run. Former House Speaker Greg Hughes performed well in many parts of the 2nd Congressional District during his 2020 gubernatorial bid. He will be a strong force if he chooses to participate. Republican candidates receiving strong encouragement or under consideration: Former GOP Chair and national committeeman Bruce Hough; Washington County public affairs officer Jordan Hess; businessman Brad Bonham; state Sen. Dan McCay; apparently all three Washington County commissioners are considering (Victor Iversen, Gil Almquist, Adam Snow); GOP Chairman Robert Axson; his vice chair, Jordan Hess; Salt Lake Chamber President Derek Miller; Hinckley Institute of Politics Director Jason Perry; Attorney General Sean Reyes; former GOP Chair Carson Jorgensen; former GOP chair and gubernatorial candidate Thomas Wright; former state Rep. Sheryl Allen; former GOP chair and state Rep. Derek Brown; Salt Lake County Councilwoman Amy Winder Newton; state Sen. and former U.S. Senate candidate Mike Kennedy; former state Rep. and congressional candidate Kim Coleman. Finally, Henry Eyring, grandson of Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is receiving encouragement to consider the race. Potential Democrats include: State Sen. Kathleen Riebe, former congressional candidates Kael Weston and Nick Mitchell. (Former Congressman Ben McAdams is not expressing interest.) Independent Senate candidate Evan McMullin is a rumored possibility. U.S. Senate candidates Brad Wilson and Trent Staggs will not pivot to this opportunity. More prospects are likely. What unusual results may occur in the special election? Currently, candidates can obtain placement on the primary ballot through selection by delegates at a convention or by gathering enough signatures. In 2017, three candidates were in the primary and there is likely to be even more in 2023. Thus, the GOP nominee may be decided by much less than a majority of primary voters. Should the legislature decide to piggyback on the municipal election on Nov. 7, the special election could have dramatic influence on many mayoral and city council races, especially in Salt Lake City with the influx of partisan voters. While it is likely that the winner will be well-known in political circles and enjoy a solid base to start from, remember that Congressman Blake Moore came out of nowhere to win in the 1st District against more experienced and better-known candidates. Republican LaVarr Webb is a former journalist and a semiretired small farmer and political consultant. Email: lwebb@exoro.com. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah state Legislature. Email: frankp@xmission.com. KABUL, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have destroyed around 600 acres of poppy farms and arrested eight persons on the charge of involvement in drug business in three out of Afghanistan's 34 provinces over the past week, said a statement of the country's Ministry of Interior Affairs released here Thursday. In the campaign against illicit drugs, the counter-narcotics police have destroyed a total of 592 acres of poppy farms and hashish in Badakhshan, Ghor and Parwan provinces over the past week, the statement added. Afghan authorities have intensified crackdown on illicit drugs and those involved in the underground business as security personnel arrested eight alleged drug smugglers in Kabul and Herat provinces on Wednesday, police said. In similar operations against illicit crops, police had also destroyed 432 acres of poppy farms in five more provinces couple of weeks ago. Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Afghan caretaker administration in a decree issued in April last year, banned cultivation of illegal crops including poppy, its processing to drug and drug trafficking. An Oral Version of Wegovy Appears as Effective as the Injectable Version Photo Illustration by Zack Angeline for Verywell Health; Getty Images Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Key Takeaways A daily oral version of the blockbuster weight loss drug semaglutide appears to be as effective as the weekly injectable sold as Wegovy. Drug maker Novo Nordisk shared the data via press release last week. Oral semaglutide is already available for diabetes treatment under the brand name Rybelsus. The company is seeking a weight loss indication for a higher-dose version of the same drug. An oral version of semaglutide, the drug marketed as injectables Ozempic and Wegovy, causes substantial weight loss in people with obesity and overweight, according to data shared by drugmaker Novo Nordisk last week. While not yet approved squarely for a weight loss indication, a prescription pill or tablet may soon be a viable option for treating obesity. Novo Nordisk already sells oral semaglutide for diabetes treatment under the brand name Rybelsus and is now testing a high-dose version for weight loss. In a study of nearly 700 adults with overweight or obesity, patients taking a daily semaglutide tablet lost 15.1% of their body fat over 17 months, compared to 2.4% among people who were only making lifestyle changes. That puts it on par with Wegovy; the weekly injection caused a 14.9% weight loss over the same period in an earlier study. Oral formulations, like pills or tablets, could provide more options for patients who are unwilling or unable to self-inject glucose-inhibiting medications. Related: Who Should Get Weight Loss Drugs? Why People With Obesity Cant Access Ozempic, Mounjaro Just like with other chronic health conditions, it is exciting to be able to offer a variety of different medical options for patients and allow them to select the agents that are going to work best with their lifestyle and their values and preferences, Edmond Wickham III, MD, MPH, an obesity medicine specialist and associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at Virginia Commonwealth University, told Verywell. Novo Nordisk said it plans to file for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the drug later this year. Defining Obesity and Overweight For the study, researchers included participants with the following criteria: A body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2 with the presence of at least one of the following weight-related complications: hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea or cardiovascular disease A BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 How Does a Tablet Compare to Injectables? Novo Nordisk tested once-daily oral semaglutide tablet in 667 people with obesity or overweight with at least one comorbidity. When looking at people who perfectly adhered to the treatment, researchers saw weight loss of 17.4% over 68 weeks compared to a 1.8% reduction in the placebo group. Nearly 90% of those taking oral semaglutide lost 5% of more of their weight after 68 weeks, compared to 24.5% in the placebo group. Thats slightly more than those taking injectable Wegovy. Popular weight loss or diabetes drugs Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Rybelsus are all glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists. Rybelsus, the low-dose semaglutide tablet by Novo Nordisk, was the first drug in this class to be given orally. Rybelsus is currently available in dosages of 3, 7, and 14 milligrams (mg) for treating type 2 diabetes. In the latest study, the company tested a 50-mg dose for weight loss. Related: What's the Difference Between Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro? Side Effects So far, side effects of a tablet appear similar to side effects of injections. As with all glucose-lowering medications, oral semaglutide can come with gastrointestinal side effects, like nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Novo Nordisk said patients most commonly experienced these adverse events when their dosage was increased. The company hasnt yet shared the full results of its clinical trial data. Because the dosage is more than three times greater than the current highest Rybelsus option, Wickham said its possible that the weight loss drug would come with greater side effects. Raoul Manalac, MD, an obesity medicine specialist and Senior Director of Clinical Experience for Ros Body Program, said hes looking forward to reading the full study results to learn more about how a high-dose oral semaglutide compares to a high-dose injectable version. Without a true head-to-head trial, data on the incidence and degree of side effects with high-dose oral semaglutide treatment can at least give us some insight into how patients experiences might compare to those using the injectable form, helping patients and providers choose the best option for each individual, Manalac said. Related: Mounjaro Generic May Soon Join Wegovy as a Weight Loss-Approved Drug Opening Options for Patients If approved, the oral semaglutide could improve weight-loss options for people who prefer not to self-inject the drug. But oral semaglutide comes with its own limitations. For the drug to be properly absorbed, it must be taken on an empty stomach, an hour before taking other medications and half an hour before eating. If a person takes the drug alongside food, only small amounts of the drug will be absorbed and it could lose substantial efficacy, said Daniel Drucker, MD, FRCPC, an expert in diabetes and obesity treatments and senior investigator at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute in Toronto, Canada. Some people get up in the morning and they dont get around to having their coffee or breakfast for 45 to 60 minutes and it fits into their routine, whereas other people might say, the moment I get up, Im starving, I need to have a coffee, and I dont want to wait 60 minutes, Drucker said. I think more flexibility is always a good thing for people. Wickham said that in most cases, the choice to take semaglutide orally or via injection will come down to patient preference. He said the injections havent proven to be too great a barrier to use, and he doesnt expect oral semaglutide to overtake injectable versions of weight loss drugs if it proves to be more effective. In rare instances, patients may experience allergic reactions at the site of the injection. Wickham said that for most people with dermatologic diseases, like eczema and psoriasis, patients are usually able to find places to self-inject that dont cause pain. I have had a handful of patients that have had some site reactions with the injectable semaglutide and then switched to Rybelsus and did not have any problem with that, Wickham said. They were able to experience some of the benefits of the medication without concerns about the local reaction with the injection. Manalac said that drugmakers have come a long way in creating self-injection pens that can be used fairly comfortably. Still, there are likely to be many patients who are turned off by the idea of injections. The availability of a highly effective, oral semaglutide unlocks the opportunity for life-changing diabetes and weight management for a significant number of people who might not have pursued it otherwise, Manalac said. What This Means For You Some people will prefer an oral version of semaglutide, while others may be able to better adhere to a weekly injection. Talk with a healthcare provider about your lifestyle and which weight loss regimen is right for you. Oregon will no longer release suspects arrested for hate crimes on the same day [Source] Suspects arrested for first-degree bias crimes in Oregon will no longer be released on the same day. Under a new guideline, those involved in the most serious hate-motivated attacks will be detained at least until their arraignment. Chief Justice Meagan Flynn signed the change Tuesday, according to KGW News. The new rule follows public outrage over the quick release of Dylan Kesterson last summer. Kesterson, who has since been returned to custody, is accused of punching a man and his 5-year-old daughter on July 2, 2022, because they were Japanese. After yelling racial slurs, Kesterson allegedly punched the man more than 50 times in the head before turning to his daughter, whom he then allegedly punched several times on her helmet-protected head. Following the incident, he was linked to at least three other racist attacks, two of which were anti-Asian. More from NextShark: NFL to investigate Miami Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoas latest concussion The old guideline, which came into effect a day before the incident, required suspects facing more serious offenses to remain in detention until they appeared before a judge. However, those excluded bias crimes unless the suspect had been convicted in the past three years and Kestersons record was clean. More from NextShark: Meet the self-proclaimed Queen of Canada who ordered her followers to arrest police, not pay bills Mayor Ted Wheeler criticized the criminal justice system at the time. It is outrageous that someone accused of a violent bias crime against a parent and a child would be released before appearing in front of a judge. Portland police should not have to arrest someone twice in a situation like this, Wheeler said. The criminal justice system needs to be reviewed from top to bottom to ensure that individuals like this are not released prematurely. As of August, Kesterson was facing a total of 23 charges for all the allegations against him. More from NextShark: Massachusetts woman kills former landlord with hammer, steals $40,000 through forged checks His case involving the Japanese family in which he pleaded not guilty has been delayed due to his refusal to participate in mental health evaluations and fitness-to-proceed hearings. Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Kung Fu Master Ip Mans Son, Ip Ching, Passes Away at 83 Ousmane Sonko, a former tax inspector, is popular with young people who feel disillusioned about finding work A court in Senegal has sentenced opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to two years in jail for "corrupting youth", but has cleared him of rape. The ruling means he was found to have acted immorally towards an individual younger than 21. The charges stemmed from allegations made by a massage therapist. He denied any wrongdoing, and said the case was aimed at blocking his presidential ambitions. His supporters are protesting against the ruling. Police are reported to have clashed with them in the capital, Dakar. Sonko, who boycotted the trial, remains at his house in the city. One of his lawyers, Abdy Nar Ndiaye, said it was suspicious that the judge had not ordered the immediate arrest of the 48-year-old politician. "This means that their objective is not to arrest Sonko, but to keep him out of the next elections," he said. Some demonstrations broke out at a university in Dakar following the sentencing The government has rejected accusations that the case against the opposition leader, and others he has faced, are politically motivated. Sonko was accused of sexually assaulting and threatening a massage therapist at a beauty salon in 2021. She was 20 when she made the accusations, which he denied. He said he went to the salon for a massage for chronic back pain and that the case against him was politically motivated, AFP news agency reports. The owner of the beauty salon, Ndeye Khady Ndiaye, was also sentenced to two years in prison by the judge for the same offence of "corrupting youth". Sonko, who is very popular amongst unemployed youth, has undergone a meteoric political rise in the last few years. After his dismissal as a tax inspector in 2016, he was elected to parliament and became mayor of the southern city of Ziguinchor. He ran in the 2019 presidential elections, coming third. Sonko accuses President Macky Sall of planning to stay in office for an unconstitutional third term. The president has not yet announced his intentions, but with political tensions rising across the country he invited opposition parties to talks this week. Sonko's party refused to attend. When Sonko was arrested in 2021 for disrupting public order, clashes left at least a dozen people dead. Vanuatu Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu is frustrated by Australia's subsidising of fossil fuel projects Pacific Islands expressed dismay on Thursday at Australia's subsidies for fossil fuels, flagging climate concerns as a point of friction between the neighbouring nations. Two Pacific ministers appeared in a joint livestream to condemn Australia's long and continuing enthusiasm for coal and gas projects. Vanuatu's Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu welcomedAustralia's pledge last year to transition towards renewable energy but said it must stop funding climate-damaging projects. "We are very disappointed to see that Australia continues to subsidise fossil fuel projects," Regenvanu told The Australia Institute, a Canberra-based think tank. "We need money in the renewable energy sector. That's where the future of our economies and our societies lies -- not in the fossil fuel industry." Regenvanu questioned why Canberra continues to pump "billions of dollars into the fossil fuel industry, which we in the Pacific have agreed, including Australia, is the greatest threat to our security". Vanuatu is a small archipelago and, like many Pacific Island nations, is threatened by rising sea levels. Speaking alongside Regenvanu, Tuvalu's Finance Minister Seve Paeniu said Pacific nations are currently weighing a commitment to make the region fossil-free. "The idea is to stop any further expansion of fossil fuel" and to eliminate consumption of coal, oil and natural gases, Paeniu said. "It's a matter of our security and our survival." Tuvalu, midway between Hawaii and Australia, is one of the smallest nations in the world, made up of less than 26 square kilometres (10 square miles) and shrinking fast. "Our land is constantly being eaten away," Paeniu said. "And we know that fossil fuel is the cause of climate change." - 'One step forwards' - Australia has pledged that 82 percent of its electricity will come from renewable sources by 2030. The current figure is around 30 percent. But it is one of the world's largest coal and gas exporters and a series of governments have resisted pressure to scale back the industries. The centre-left Labor government approved a new coal mine last month, sparking anger from environmental groups. Australia and its allies, including the United States, are currently locked in a battle with China for influence across the Pacific. Australia's relationship with fossil fuels is a constant irritant. Regenvanu described Australia as Vanuatu's greatest trade partner but said there are tensions in the relationship over climate change. He accused Australia of "not recognising the main security threat to the Pacific". Vanuatu is still under a state of emergency after being battered this year by an "unprecedented event of two Category Four cyclones within a few days", Regenvanu said. He estimates fixing the damage will cost more than 40 percent of Vanuatu's gross domestic product, which the International Monetary Fund puts at around US$1 billion. "It's like you take one step forwards and two backwards in terms of economic development," Regenvanu said. "We're not seeing the emissions reduction that we need to see happen." ryj/arb/dhw A Palm Coast man was arrested over the Memorial Day weekend after deputies say he pointed a gun at a neighbors head because someone mistakenly backed into his driveway. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<< Flagler County deputies were called to the neighborhood on Wood Ash Lane just before 2 p.m. Saturday for a weapons complaint. The caller told the responding deputies that she saw her neighbor, identified as 60-year-old Terry Vetsch, yelling at a friend of hers about driving his vehicle onto Vetschs driveway. READ: Spirit Airlines technical issue causes delays The victim said as she approached Vetsch from across the street, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at her head while threatening to shoot and kill her. Deputies reviewed video of the incident from Vetschs doorbell camera that supported the victims version of events. Terry Vetsch, 60, charged with aggravated assault with a firearm READ: Sheriff: Osceola County deputy arrested after aiding suspect accused of sexual contact with minor As the neighbors argue about the vehicle in Vetschs driveway, he can be seen pulling out his gun and pointing it towards the victims head as she approaches his property line while threatening to kill her. In an interview with deputies, Vetsch even admitted he pulled the hammer back on the Taurus 9mm handgun when he pointed it at the victims head. READ: Ocoee police seeking information on person seen on video shooting into home on Memorial Day Vetsch was arrested and booked into the Flagler County Jail on a single charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Hes since been released on $50,000 bond. His gun will be submitted to evidence and eventually to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further analysis. 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. The Mayor of the city of Kyiv, Vitalii Klitschko, announced that the patrol officers will be driving around the capital's shelters during air-raid warnings to ensure that they are open. Source: Klitschko on Telegram, Kyiv City State Administrations website Quote from the mayor: "We have agreed with the patrol police of Kyiv that they will help control the operation of shelters at night. They will drive around the shelters on the city map during the curfew during air-raid warnings and check if they are open. And they will quickly transfer information to city services." Details: The Administration reported that law enforcement officers are now conducting investigations into the health centre of the Desniansky district, near which two adults and a child died on the night of 1 June. Klitschko noted that missile shrapnel fell near the entrance to the medical facility four minutes after the air-raid warning was announced, while people were heading to the shelter. Quote from the mayor: "Now the investigation is establishing whether the shelter was open. And whether there were people in it. Because, according to the rescue workers, after the damage to the health centre, a group of people was taken out of it." Details: According to the mayor, three schools, a kindergarten, six houses and a police station were damaged in the Desniansky district. In total, 19 people were injured in the night shelling of the capital. Three people died, including one child. Sixteen people were injured, nine people were hospitalised, one of them was in serious condition. Seven received outpatient care. The mayor emphasised that in each district of the city, the heads of the institutions where the shelters are located and the heads of the districts are responsible for the operation of the shelters. He also added that the shelter of the school located next to the health centre was open and there were people in it. Klitschko emphasised that he had instructed all district heads to "check all the shelters once again". Why this is important: Yaroslav, a resident of the Ukrainian capital, whose wife was killed in the Russian missile attack on 1 June, has said that people ran to the shelter at night, but no one opened it for them. The Kyiv Prosecutor's Office is conducting investigative actions in the medical facility where the shelter was closed during the Russian missile attack on the night of 31 May-1 June. The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, later also announced that the Kyiv police have started criminal proceedings under Art. 367.2 of the Criminal Code (Official negligence that caused serious consequences). Only 2 weeks ago, in the middle of May, during a large-scale Russian attack, residents of the capital complained about a large number of shelters being closed. On 17 May, the Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, Serhii Popko, said that all shelters in Kyiv would be inspected and opened, because a closed shelter during war is a crime. Background: On 1 June, Russian missile fragments fell in Kyiv, killing three people. A child is among those killed. In the morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the occupiers once again used missiles of the operational-tactical missile complex Iskander on the objects of civil and critical infrastructure of the capital and Kyiv Oblast at night. According to preliminary data, 10 out of 10 missiles were destroyed by the forces and means of the Air Force. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Jacksonville Sheriff's Office video shows Paul Dyal, pastor at Jacksonville Assembly of the Body of Christ on Old Kings Road, being interviewed in March 2022 and told he is be arrested in a sexual abuse case from several years ago. Former pastor Paul Dyal, who was arrested in a raid on the Jacksonville Assembly of the Body of Christ in March 2022, has now been released on bond. Dyal, 79, is one of the three men arrested in in their late 60s to 80s associated with the church accused of sexually abusing children, part of a culture of abuse that one plaintiff called "cult-like." He is facing two counts of capital sexual battery on a child. His arrest warrant said the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office had been notified of a child abused by Dyal in August 2003, but no court records related to this case exist, meaning no charges were filed. During the years-long investigation leading up to Dyal's arrest, one womansaid she had been sexually abused by him 20 to 30 times during her childhood. William Randall: Former Orange Park minister, congressional candidate convicted of child sexual battery Darrell Gilyard: Former Jacksonville pastor pleads guilty in sex case Kenneth Adkins: Jury finds pastor, community advocate guilty of 8 charges in child molestation cas In April 2022, Dyal was denied bail after a judge said he was a flight risk and a danger to the community. The state testified at his bond hearing that the plaintiffs in the case are "extremely scared for their safety." Because of this and his ties to churches across the country, prosecutors were concerned that Dyal would attempt to leave the state and seek refuge at other churches "located in remote locations," if granted bail. In July 2022, his counsel argued again for him to be allowed pretrial release. Dyal has several health problems, and his attorneys argued that being in jail was detrimental to his health. That was denied, but in a second motion in April to reconsider pretrial release, the defense stated two "witnesses have now denied, recanted or specifically dispute the evidence presented during the first bond hearing." Tuesday, Dyal's bail was set at $100,000. He has now been released and hospitalized for medical care. He was living at the church at the time of his arrest, but the stipulations upon his release from the hospital list two other addresses that Dyal must stay at. He is not allowed to have contact with minors and cannot leave Duval, Clay or Nassau County without court approval. Dyal's trial date has not been set, but his next hearing is scheduled for June 9. In addition to Dyal's arrest, 69-year-old Jerome Teschendorf and 86-year-old Vernon Williamson each are charged with similar sexual battery charges in the case and remain in jail without bond, according to court and jail records. Their next hearings are June 12 and June 21, respectively. Times-Union Metro Editor Scott Butler contributed to this report. This story first appeared on First Coast News. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Pastor Paul Dyal is released on bond in child sex case Pensacola man accused of killing man at Oakwood Terrace ready for trial. What to know A Pensacola man accused of fatally shooting another man at the Oakwood Terrace Apartment complex in 2021 stood before a judge Thursday as attorneys on both sides decided whether they were ready for a trial. Jeremy Mac Arthur Lane, 26, stood at a podium as Assistant Regional Conflict Counsel Jasmine Green and Assistant State Attorney Amy Shea walked to the judge's bench to confer out of earshot of the audience. The two attorneys spoke to Circuit Judge John Simon for a few minutes before Shea walked back to her podium and Green returned to her client. Simon then announced Lane's case would be set for jury selection June 12 to pick a pool of jurors to try Lane for second-degree murder. "Mr. Lane's case is set for the second week jury selection, which is June 12," Simon told Lane and the attorneys. "We'll see you back then." Prior clashes: Oakwood Terrace homicide victim and suspected shooter clashed before, arrest report says Initial shooting: One person killed in shooting Saturday afternoon at Pensacola apartment complex What are Jeremy Lane's charges? The Office of the State Attorney charged Lane with one count of second-degree murder, which is a life felony. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 40 years and up to life in prison, according to Florida law. Lane's second charge is possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a second-degree felony. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the second-degree felony. What is Jeremy Lane accused of doing on Nov. 20, 2021? On Nov. 20, 2021, Lane and Traevione Smith were playing dice with "several other people" at the bottom of a flight of stairs at Oakwood Terrace, according to a witness statement. The witness told authorities she was visiting a family member and walked past the group to enter an apartment. The witness said 15 minutes after entering the apartment, she heard gunshots. Jeremy Lane appeared before Circuit Judge John Simon on Thursday, June 1, 2023, to learn jury selection for his case is set for June 12. Lane is charged with second-degree murder for killing Traevione Smith at Oakwood Terrace on Nov. 20, 2021. "(Witness) stated that she ran out onto the porch which overlooks the parking area and observed Lane shooting from the area of the EE building across the parking lot toward Smith," court records state. "(Witness) stated that she observed Smith limping as though he was shot in the leg." The witness said she went to check on Smith after Lane fled the area. Smith died of his injuries. Why were Jeremy Lane and Traevione Smith involved in a shooting? According to an arrest report, Smith's girlfriend told Escambia County Sheriff's deputies that Smith and Lane had disliked each other for two years over a previous disagreement about a woman they knew in common. The girlfriend said firearms had been pulled in the past on several occasions between the two. How did the ECSO catch Jeremy Lane? After fleeing the scene, Lane ended up in McIntosh, Alabama, where law enforcement found and arrested him. He was extradited back to Escambia County on Dec. 8, 2021. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Traevione Smith murder trial: Jeremy Lane charged in Pensacola Florida A Starlink device and a mobile cell tower are seen operating in the Kherson central square on November 16, 2022 in Kherson, Ukraine Ukraines citizens and military has relied on Starlink terminals for communication, but the country has also previously used it to operate drones in a combat capacity, much to Elon Musks chagrin. The Department of Defense said Thursday it was purchasing SpaceX Starlink satellite communication terminals and other services, and all thats being put on a plane to be used by the Ukrainian military to help fight back the ongoing Russian invasion. Pentagon officials confirmed with Bloomberg Thursday that it was purchasing the terminals from Elon Musks SpaceX with funding for the purchase seemingly coming from the DODs Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, saying We continue to work with a range of global partners to ensure Ukraine has the resilient satellite and communication capabilities they need. Last year after the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Musk promised to support Ukraines beleaguered internet connectivity through Starlink. Read more Other than that, theres few details about how much SpaceX is getting for its Starlink terminals or how many the Pentagon plans to give to the Ukrainian military. The department said they werent disclosing more for operational security reasons but did say satellite communications constitute a vital layer in Ukraines overall communications network and the department contracts with Starlink for services of this type. This is interesting for a few reasons. One, Musk reportedly complained last October about the cost of supplying these Starlink terminals. He claimed his company spent more than $80 million supporting the country, but reports like one from our friends at Quartz questioned that number. The billionaire later reversed his decision saying The hell with it even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, well keep funding the Ukraine govt for free. Ukraine has also had to scrounge for funding to pay for more of these terminals that have become so critical for the ongoing war effort. By the end of 2022, Ukraine had reportedly received 22,000 Starlink terminals. Early in 2023, Musk started to openly question supporting Ukraines military with Starlink, especially as the satellite services had at that point been extensively used to facilitate the countrys expanding drone warfare program. He told ex-astronaut Scott Kelly that we will not enable escalation of conflict that may lead to WW3. In February, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell told reporters the company had taken steps to limit Ukraines ability to use Starlink for drones. Since the U.S. hasnt offered anything more than the barest details about the Starlink purchase, its unclear whether SpaceX will still have a say as to how these satellites can be used. Gizmodo reached out to the DOD for comment, but we did not hear back. What is clear is that SpaceX is very interested in cozying up to global militaries through extremely lucrative defense contracts. The company recently revealed its Starshield division that is exclusively geared toward using Starlink services for shielded observation, communications, and for transferring sensitive mission data. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. On the eve of Pride Month and after President Joe Biden issued a proclamation celebrating June as such, it became known Wednesday evening that the Pentagon intervened in a local matter at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, canceling a pre-approved drag show scheduled for Thursday in support of LGBTQ+ Pride. The order came from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Gen. Mark Milley; NBC News was the first to report. According to the news site, a drag show at the Air Force base had been approved to take place on Thursday to celebrate Pride Month, but the defense secretary intervened at the last minute. A spokesperson for the Department of Defense sent The Advocate a statement in response to a request for comment. Per DoD Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), certain criteria must be met for persons or organizations acting in non-Federal capacity to use DoD facilities and equipment, deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement. As Secretary Austin has said, the DOD will not host drag events at U.S. military installations or facilities. Hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is not a suitable use of DOD resources. The statement continues, Our Service members are diverse and are allowed to have personal outlets. We are proud to serve alongside any and every young American who takes the oath that puts their life on the line in defense of our country. The Advocate asked what types of performances are suitable and whether the Department of Defense was aware of the Biden-Harris administrations proclamation that criticized attacks on drag performances by conservatives. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to answer any questions. The decision to cancel the drag show comes after Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz penned a letter on May 23 to Austin and Milley critical of the drag show. I find it completely unacceptable that DoD is using taxpayer dollars to fund DEI programs that are divisive in nature, Gaetz wrote. DoD resources should be used for mission-essential operations, not diverted toward initiatives that create cultural fissures within our service ranks. Multiple requests for comment to the White House were left unanswered. Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson denounced the Pentagons decision in a statement. Before today, Secretary Austin has been unwavering in his support for LGBTQ+ Americans who proudly serve in uniform, Robinson wrote. However, instead of truly standing up for our community on the first day of Pride, he chose to side with the politics of fear and discrimination peddled by extreme members of Congress. She continued, For decades, our community has fought for our right to exist without shame or exception, yet the Secretarys decision to ban an event that has happened in prior years reinforces false tropes about LGBTQ+ culture. Robinson concluded, At a time when we are under attack, the Pentagon is ceding to extremist forces focused on taking away our rights leaders responsible for national defense ought to do better. Our people deserve better, the United States military deserves better, and all Americans deserve better. In his Pride Month proclamation Wednesday, Biden wrote that the nation faces an inflection point regarding anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Homophobic and transphobic vitriol spewed online has spilled over into real life, as armed hate groups intimidate people at Pride marches and drag performances and threaten doctors offices and childrens hospitals that offer care to the LGBTQI+ community, Biden said. Republicans have cast drag queens and drag performances as inappropriate. They claim that exposing children to drag queens who read picture books to them is sexualizing them. As a result, several state legislatures, including Tennessee, have introduced or passed legislation outlawing drag performances in public. MANILA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will enter into force for the Philippines on Friday, allowing the Southeast Asian country to participate in the world's biggest free trade agreement (FTA). Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual described the RCEP agreement as "a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually-beneficial economic partnership." "It's all systems go," Pascual said in a statement released on Thursday, adding the Philippines' tariff commitments under RCEP are set to be implemented from June 2. The secretary said the Philippines has secured enhanced market access for key products of interest, such as preserved pineapples, durian, chocolate and ignition wiring sets. "We see RCEP as a critical key toward inclusive economic growth, not only for the Philippines but within ASEAN," he said. RCEP offers opportunities in trade and investment for the Philippines, especially in deepening economic integration among the 15 RCEP members and bringing healthy competition to industries in the country. A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies estimated that the Philippines' GDP would increase by 2.02 percent through its participation in RCEP. The RCEP agreement was signed in November 2020. It went into force on Jan. 1, 2022, for China and nine other countries. The rest of the signatories implemented the trade deal in the following months after ratification. The Philippines was the last country to ratify the FTA deal, which eases market access to countries including 10 ASEAN members, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Thursday that Chinese Minister of National Defence Li Shangfus refusal to meet is unfortunate as the two head to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security summit in Singapore. I would welcome any opportunity to engage with leadership. I think defense departments should be talking to each other on a routine basis or should have open channels for communication, Austin said in Tokyo, referring to his Chinese counterparts decision not to meet him at the summit, which they will both be attending this weekend, as reported by Reuters. The Pentagon leader met with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, who will also be at the summit, on his way to Singapore. He highlighted Chinas recent moves to assert its military presence in the region and said the provocative intercepts of our aircraft and also our allies aircraft, thats very concerning. Earlier this week, the U.S. military said a Chinese fighter jet had flown aggressively close to a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea. Im concerned about at some point having an incident that could very, very quickly spiral out of control, Austin said. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Defense Department leaders have stepped in to stop a drag show scheduled for Thursday at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, according to two defense officials and a U.S. official. The show, which was in celebration of Pride Month, was approved by Air Force leaders, but Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, told the Air Force it is not Pentagon policy to fund drag shows on bases and the show should be canceled or moved off base. Drag shows and events on military bases have become a politically contentious issue in recent months, with conservative politicians and pundits arguing the military should not be spending taxpayer money on them. At a House Armed Services Committee hearing on March 29, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., angrily questioned Austin and Milley about drag queen story hours on bases around the world, including in Montana, Nevada, Virginia and Germany. Drag queen story hours is not something that the department funds, Austin told the committee. Milley chimed in, asking to see the flyers for the events Gaetz was referring to and saying he was not aware of such events and does not support their being held on military bases. Id like to take a look at those, because I dont agree with those, Milley said. When Milley was informed about the event this week, he was visibly angry about the decision to host the event on base, a U.S. official and a defense official said. Consistent with Secretary Austins congressional testimony, the Air Force will not host drag events at its installations or facilities. Commanders have been directed to either cancel or relocate these events to an off-base location, an Air Force official said when asked about the Nellis event. Per DoD Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), certain criteria must be met for persons or organizations acting in non-Federal capacity to use DoD facilities and equipment. As Secretary Austin has said, the DOD will not host drag events at U.S. military installations or facilities. Hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is not a suitable use of DOD resources, deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement. The Nellis drag show was scheduled for Thursday, but the base commander was informed in the past few days that it must either be canceled or moved off base, the officials said. I can confirm the Nellis commander informed the private organization that the drag event would have to be canceled or relocated to an off-base location, a source familiar with the matter said. Nellis AFB hosted a Pride Month drag show in June 2021, named Drag-u-Nellis. A spokesperson for the base said in a statement that it was intended to promote inclusivity and diversity. On May 23, Gaetz sent a letter about the issue to Austin and Milley, detailing six other cases of drag shows or events on bases or approved by the U.S. military. Gaetz asked the Pentagon leaders to provide information about the events and to say whether any punitive action has or will be taken against anyone who used taxpayer money on them. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com People knocked, but shelter door was closed: husband tells journalists about death of his wife in Kyiv Yaroslav, a resident of the Ukrainian capital, whose wife was killed during the attack by the Russians on 1 June, has said that people ran to the shelter at night, but no one opened it for them. Source: Suspilne, Ukraine's public broadcaster Quote from Yaroslav: "An air-raid warning was issued, people ran to the shelter. The shelter was not opened and thats it. People knocked and knocked again for a very long time. And no one [opened the door]. It didn't matter if there were women, children, no one opened it... And at that moment, a strike occurred." Details: Suspilne reported that Yaroslav's wife was killed on the street in the Desnianskyi district of Kyiv when she was running to shelter with her child. The child survived. Yaroslav himself said that he was close to the family, but when they could not enter the shelter, he ran to the other side to call for workers to open it. , . pic.twitter.com/FLjBw76FLh (@ukrpravda_news) June 1, 2023 In addition to Yaroslav's wife, two more people were killed, including a child. According to Suspilne, all of them were on their way to the shelter at that time. More than ten people suffered injuries of various degrees of severity. Background: In the morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that Russian forces used Iskander operational-tactical missile system missiles once again to attack civilian and critical infrastructure targets of the capital and Kyiv Oblast at night. According to preliminary data, the Air Force of Ukraine destroyed 10 out of 10 missiles. As a result of the fall of Russian missile debris in Kyiv, 3 people, including a child, were killed. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott speaks at an Orrin G. Hatch Foundation symposium at Zions Bank Founders Room in Salt Lake City on Oct. 29, 2021. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Tim Scott is single. If that seems outside the norm for presidential candidates, thats because it is. Were the senator from South Carolina to win the GOP nomination and then the White House, he could, conceivably, be just the second president of the United States to hold his own White House wedding. (Grover Cleveland was the first.) Its one of the rarely utilized perks that comes with the job. But if he were not able to find time away from the pressures of running the worlds most powerful nation to find love, he would be only the second president to retire from the nations most powerful position a bachelor. (James Buchanan is the only one so far.) Scott has, at least according to his official biography, had little time to seek out a life partner. He spent most of his early life working his way out of poverty and into public service, and his priority, he once told Politico, was to take care of his mother, who scrimped and sacrificed to give Scott an early advantage in life. Until he had that accomplished, he said, marriage just wasnt for him. If Ms. Right came along, hed be willing and ready but he trusted her to appear in the right time, not necessarily right this moment. As a poor kid growing up, the most important thing for me to do was take care of my mom. And until I had that accomplished, starting a new family was just not an option for me, he told Politico. But I think in the right time, I will meet Mrs. Right, and shell want to have a couple kids. Or she aint Mrs. Right. Right? That was in 2018, and Mrs. Right is still seemingly taking a backseat to more urgent priorities, notably bipartisan criminal justice reform, and recently, a presidential campaign, in which he is polling last among all announced candidates. Could his marital status have something to do with his polling? When Scott announced his candidacy last week, some conservatives on social media were skeptical. Tim Scott is 57, never married, no children Not to be harsh, but that's simply disqualifying Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) May 22, 2023 As Will Chamberlain wrote on Twitter, Before you have children, the concerns of parents are abstract to you. Once you have them, they become concrete. With so many social conservatives focused on issues that involve children such as what theyre being taught in public schools can a lifelong bachelor truly represent them? After all, the family is the foremost relationship in society, and marriage prepares you not just to advocate for your children, but also gives you a heightened sense of whats important to support the next generation of leaders, and how to compromise, even if its just over who gets dish duty. Related The truth is, of course, that you dont need to be married to understand duty to family and country. And even being a bachelor (so far) has not stopped Scott from embracing an agenda that mirrors, if not exceeds, the kind of support for conservative causes championed by his married peers. It may help to have your own children in public schools to appreciate the unique challenges parents and their kids are facing, but Scott is still a sponsor of both the CHOICE Act, which promotes releasing families from an obligation to send kids to public schools, and the PROTECT Act, which addresses secretive policies that prevent parents from knowing whether their child is socially transitioning at school, changing their pronouns, or being forced to welcome opposite-sex students into sensitive areas, like bathrooms and locker rooms. Hes certainly conservative enough for socially liberal publications to devote hundreds of words to decrying his pro-family agenda. He also demanded religious freedom protections in the Respect for Marriage act. In other words, Scotts marital status doesnt seem to affect his political positions, and with so much evidence on the table, its hard to see how he could be more pro-family even if he were a married father of six. Maybe he doesnt know the going price of diapers or infant formula, but neither do many fathers whose children are now teens. And if COVID-19 taught us anything, its that one neednt be, say, a doctor or public health specialist to know how best to help families. Sometimes simply experiencing something doesnt substitute for having good policy ideas about it. There are plenty of married socialists, after all. Emily Zanotti is a writer, commentator and communications consultant living in Nashville, Tennessee. You can find her writing on motherhood in her Substack and her notes and recipes on Twitter. A house burns on Platina Road as the Zogg fire rages near Ono, Calif., on Sept. 27, 2020. (Ethan Swope / Associated Press) Pacific Gas & Electric Co. will pay $50 million in a legal settlement with Shasta County for its role in causing the 2020 Zogg fire, which tore through several rural Northern California communities, killing four people and burning more than 56,000 acres. As part of the settlement agreement, which awaits final approval by a judge, criminal charges against PG&E that were filed by the Shasta County district attorney in 2021 will be dropped. The charges, among them manslaughter and arson, were brought before Judge Bradley Boeckman in a February 2023 preliminary hearing, where he ruled most of the charges should proceed to trial. However, a motion filed by PG&E's legal team caused the charges to be reviewed by a different judge, who issued a tentative ruling overturning Boeckman's decision. Despite that tentative ruling, Shasta County Dist. Atty. Stephanie A. Bridgett engaged in several weeks of negotiations with PG&E and secured the $50-million settlement. In an interview Wednesday, Bridgett said it was "frustrating and disappointing" that PG&E would not be held criminally liable, but she was glad to have gained additional funding for Shasta County with the settlement. "I didn't want to take a risk or gamble with the safety of the community," Bridgett said. "I wanted to secure things that would be beneficial." The settlement includes $45 million earmarked for improving fire safety and emergency preparedness, including firefighter training, a large-animal evacuation center, the hiring of new arson investigators, and vegetation removal to reduce wildfire risk via the Shasta County Fire Prevention Council. The money will also pay for permanent memorials to the four people killed in the Zogg fire. The settlement's remaining $5 million will cover a civil penalty to Shasta County. As part of the stipulated judgment, PG&E cannot raise customer rates to cover the settlement costs. The Zogg fire began on Sept. 27, 2020, after a damaged gray pine fell on a PG&E electric line along Zogg Mine Road. The fire burned 56,388 acres across southwestern Shasta County and northwestern Tehama County, destroying 204 structures before it was fully contained on Oct. 13, 2020. Four people died in the fire: Karin King, 79; Alaina Mcleod, 45; Felya Mcleod, 8; and Kenneth Vossen, 52. According to the Shasta County district attorney's office, PG&E had in 2018 flagged the pine tree that later fell as hazardous and marked it for removal. Among its issues were a large cavity at the tree's base and no uphill supporting roots, which caused it to lean toward the lines before falling. In January 2019, a PG&E program manager warned the company's vice president of electric operations that tree trunks were not being fully inspected on trees that could fall on power lines. Further inspections in 2019 and 2020 failed to result in the removal of the tree prior to its collapse. April's tentative ruling by Shasta County Superior Court Judge Daniel Flynn said the multiple inspections performed along Zogg Mine Road were in accordance with the standard of care maintained by PG&E. The settlement is the latest to be reached between PG&E and parties affected by wildfires. Patti Poppe, chief executive of PG&E's parent corporation, said in a statement that the settlement reflected the company's commitment to improving fire safety in its service areas. "I'm grateful that the Shasta County district attorney has agreed to work with us to make her community safer," she said, "and we look forward to the relationship this agreement creates." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. EVANSVILLE Pigeon Township is scheduled to have its second executive session in three weeks, but officials have remained publicly mum since the township's elected trustee was indicted in federal court. Prosecutors have accused Mariama Wilson, a local social-justice activist and the elected Pigeon trustee, of siphoning off $19,000 in funds intended to support a local homeless shelter. Community relations specialist William Payne, who has since been fired, faces the same charges. Contractor Terrance Hardiman was also charged and has already pleaded guilty. Now the township board has scheduled an executive session for 4:30 p.m. Friday. An executive session means the public, and members of the media, are not permitted to attend. Guidance from the Indiana Public Access Counselor states executive sessions should be used sparingly. Pigeon Township attorney Ryan Hatfield told the Courier & Press the township board wanted to hold a session Tuesday, but no notice was issued and the meeting was canceled to avoid violating Indiana's Open Door law. Hatfield was on his way to post notice for Friday's meeting when he spoke to the Courier & Press on Wednesday afternoon. The Courier & Press reviewed the notice after it was posted. The notice stated it was being posted pursuant to Indiana Code 5-14-1.5, but state code requires more than that to satisfy open door law requirements. More: Audit: Pigeon Township trustee, employee should repay nearly $90,000 Issues with the public notice According to the notice taped to the office door, the executive session "may include the following topics:" Discussion with respect to litigation Discussion of personnel matters Litigation is one of the matters laid out in Indiana Code which is applicable to an executive session, but public access guidelines state boards should include the corresponding code number which allows the meeting to take place. Notice must include "the time, date, location, and subject matter by reference to the specific statutoryexception and language of the exception under which an executive session may be held." "Personnel matters," however, are never a valid reason to hold an executive session. Job performance evaluations and interviews of prospective employees would qualify, but public access laws would still require specific statutory notice. Indiana Public Access Counselor Luke Britt told the Courier & Press he agreed the notice was not specific enough. "The personnel issue particularly," he said. On the Indiana Public Access Counselor's website, there are two samples of executive session notices that follow the letter of the law. These samples are available for anyone to download and use as templates. The executive session held May 11 was posted in the same manner, also violating posting requirements. More: Pigeon Township trustee, two others indicted in alleged 'kickback scheme' No public meetings, no public comment Officials contacted by the Courier & Press have not offered much, if any, comment on either the situation at Pigeon Township or the lack of public access at meetings. Responding to an inquiry from the Courier & Press, Vanderburgh Democratic Party Chair Cheryl Schultz said, "If you are calling regarding the Pigeon Township situation, I am not commenting on it." The same goes for Pigeon Township Advisory Board member Connie Robinson. The former Evansville city councilwoman declined to explain the board's views regarding Wilson's indictment. "All questions regarding that should be directed to our attorney," Robinson said. "All questions should be directed to him so they don't get confused in the press." Robinson said she was not aware when Pigeon Township would hold a meeting that would be open to the public, nor was Hatfield. Board member Shirley Baker and board president Ruby McGlown have not returned repeated requests for comment from the Courier & Press. Democratic City Councilman Alex Burton, whose Fourth Ward district encompasses Pigeon Township, has not commented on Wilson's indictment or her continued role overseeing the funds flowing through the township's accounts. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Pigeon Township remains quiet on indicted leadership, former employee The gunman accused of murdering 11 in a mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 is now on trial in a federal courtroom in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On 27 October 2018, Robert Bowers, then 46, entered the synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood of the city armed with three handguns, an AR-15 rifle and a trove of magazines and ammunition. Inside, he opened fire on congregants in what marks the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. Eight men and three women aged from 54 to 97 died in the massacre. After numerous delays, the now-50-year-old is finally standing trial for more than 60 federal charges including obstruction of free exercise of religion resulting in death and hate crimes resulting in death. During opening arguments on Tuesday, Mr Bowers attorneys admitted that he was responsible for the massacre but claimed that he acted on an irrational motive and had misguided intent. Prosecutors meanwhile pointed out that, in the months leading up the shooting, the suspect had been spewing bigoted and antisemitic vitriol online. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. Key Points Robert Bowers on trial for 2018 mass shooting Eleven victims killed in Tree of Life synagogue shooting Bowers faces death penalty if convicted Survivors recall hiding in closet to escape gunman Bullet-damaged prayer book and Torah rescued from Holocaust among evidence presented Dan Leger recalls being shot in the chest during Tree of Life mass shooting 11:00 , Graig Graziosi Mr Leger was at the Tree of Life synagogue the day of the shooting. After a recess for lunch, Mr Leger described his experiences during the attack. He said he began to hear gunfire and instinctively moved toward the sound hoping to help others injured in the attack. When he reached the lobby, the gunman shot him, hitting him in the chest. Mr Leger collapsed in a stairway. He told the court he is a registered nurse, realised he was losing the ability to breathe and felt he was dying. I am a nurse, I have been with hundreds of people that were dying, I felt like I was dying, he said. Thankfully, he was rescued by SWAT officers and survived his injuries. Leger, a registered nurse, said while he lay there he was losing his ability to breathe and was exhibiting end of life symptoms. "I am a nurse, I have been with hundreds of people that were dying, I felt like I was dying." Leger was rescued by SWAT officers. He survived. Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) May 31, 2023 Carol Blacks testimony reveals moment fellow worshiper was killed in front of her 10:00 , Graig Graziosi On day two of the trial, Carol Black, 71, a retired clinical audiologist, took the stand to share her experience on the day of the shooting. She recalled Rabbi Jeffrey Myers telling her and others to hide in a small, dark closet as gunfire rang out throughout the building. Another individual who was hiding with her, Mel Wax, 87, was partially in the doorway of the closet and partially in the connecting hallway. After some time, Mr Wax thought the shooting might be over. He peaked around the door, but the shooter was in the sanctuary and fired at him. He fell to floor dying just inches from Ms Blacks feet. Ms Black recalled having to step over his body and a pool of blood to exit the space after the shooting. She said she gave him a silent goodbye as she fled the building. Her brother, Richard Gottfried, was also killed in the shooting. ICYMI: Exhibits from the shooting 09:00 , Graig Graziosi Heres a look at some of the powerful evidence presented to the jury so far. The court released images of many of the subjects we wrote about yesterday: https://t.co/hlBnuc0Fd6 The prayer book with a bullet hole The Torah rescued from the holocaust The bathroom that Rabbi Jeffrey Myers hid in The Torah arc that reads "Tree of Life" in Hebrew pic.twitter.com/1TzRFQER1j Oliver Morrison (@ORMorrison) May 31, 2023 Trial day 2 08:00 , Graig Graziosi Day two of the trial of Robert Bowers began in Pittsburgh on Wednesday morning. Judge Robert Colville noted to attendees that a visitor to the courtroom yesterday was diagnosed with Covid-19. The judge assured those in attendance that the courtroom was cleaned and well ventilated. Bowers faces death penalty if convicted 07:00 , Graig Graziosi If convicted, Robert Bowers could face the death penalty. His attorneys had previously requested a plea deal for him to plead guilty in exchange for the death penalty being taken off the table. Prosecutors rejected the request, paving the way for the case to head to trial. ICYMI: Opening arguments: The defence 06:00 , Graig Graziosi In her opening statement, Robert Bowers attorney Judy Clarke admitted that he went to Tree of Life in 2018 and shot every person he saw and said that there is no making sense of this senseless act. Mr Bowers caused extraordinary harm to many, many people. But Ms Clarke suggested that in Mr Bowers mind, he genuinely believed was trying to help people by targeting Jews. Mr Bowers lawyers have also claimed that he has epilepsy and schizophrenia. Whether Mr Bowers would actually be killed by the state if convicted remains to be seen. President Joe Biden voiced his opposition to the death penalty when he ran for president in 2020, and Attorney General Merrick Garland placed a moritorium on all federal executions two years ago. ICYMI: Opening arguments: The prosecution 04:59 , Graig Graziosi In the prosecutions opening statement, lead prosecutor Soo C. Song told jurors that Robert Bowers was motivated by his hatred of Jewish people. Pointing to social media posts made before the massacre, Ms Song said that the defendant wanted to destroy, to kill and to defile Jews. Jews are a cancer on the planet, Jews are evil creatures, Jews are pedophiles, he had posted online before the attack. That day, he then drove to the majority Jewish neighbourhood with an trove of weapons. Once he entered the synagogue the defendant began to hunt, he moved from room to room, upstairs and downstairs looking for Jewish worshippers to kill, she said. The prosecutor described the attack in graphic detail, including how Mr Bowers shot one woman in the face as she tried to protect her daughter. Pittsburgh Jewish community monitoring hate speech amid trial 04:00 , Graig Graziosi The head of security for Pittsburghs Jewish community says there has been an uptick in hate speech on the internet, but no specific threats, in the early stages of the trial of the man accused of killing 11 worshippers at a synagogue here in 2018. And Jewish leaders say that while the trial is bringing out the worst of extremists in some dark corners of the web, its also brought an outpouring of support from the community ranging from law enforcement agencies helping with security to local food vendors collaborating to bring meals to victims families during the trial. Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, said officials have monitored general chatter in support of the defendant ... and his hateful vitriol on the internet. The materials would turn anyones stomach, she said. Read more here: Pittsburgh Jewish community monitoring hate speech amid trial of suspect in synagogue massacre Who were the victims? 03:00 , Graig Graziosi The shooting at Tree of Life traumatised the historically Jewish Squirrel Hill community and Jews across the nation. Eleven people were killed during the shooting and seven more were injured. The first people killed were the brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal. Jerry Rabinowitz, a physician, was killed after moving towards the sound of the shooting to see if anyone needed medical assistance. The shooting was the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history, and it carried a particular edge given that it was linked to HIAS work protecting and resettling refugees work born out of the Jewish experience of persecution in Europe in the decades leading up to the Holocaust. The people who lost their lives in the shooting were: Joyce Fienberg, 75, Richard Gottfried, 65, Rose Mallinger, 97, Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, Cecil and David Rosenthal, 59 and 54, Bernice and Sylvan Simon, 84 and 86, Daniel Stein, 71, Melvin Wax, 88, and Irving Younger, 69. Who is Robert Bowers? The alleged antisemite on trial for Tree of Life synagogue shooting 02:00 , Graig Graziosi On 27, October, 2018, Robert Bowers, then 46, allegedly walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and began shooting at worshippers. He allegedly killed 11 people before he was shot and wounded and surrendered to police. Mr Bowers now faces 63 federal counts, including 11 counts each of obstruction of free exercise of religion resulting in death as well as hate crimes resulting in death. He could face the death penalty if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty. So who is Robert Bowers? Find out here: Who is Robert Bowers: Alleged antisemite on trial for Tree of Life synagogue shooting The shooting 01:00 , Graig Graziosi On 27 October 2018, Robert Bowers entered the synagogue where three separate services were underway involving the three different congregations that practised there, and began shooting. The shooting reportedly lasted for roughly 20 mintues. Mr Bowers was allegedly armed with an assault rifle and three semi-automatic pistols. When police arrived at the synagogue about 10 minutes after Mr Bowers entered, he shot at them. He later engaged tactical teams who arrived at the synagogue in a fire fight, fleeing to a room on the third floor of the building after he was wounded. Finally, nearly an hour-and-a-half after he entered the synagogue, Mr Bowers surrendered to law enforcement and recieved medical care for his gunshot wounds. He reportedly told a SWAT officer after surrendering that he wanted all Jews to die. Robert Bowers pushed the Great Replacement theory and made antisemitic posts before shooting Thursday 1 June 2023 00:00 , Graig Graziosi Robert Bowers was verbose online where he was radicalised and trafficked in white nationalist conspiracy theories. Mr Bowers was a heavy user of the far right social networking platform Gab, where he promoted the Great Replacement theory and made antisemitic and racist posts. Shortly before the shooting, Mr Bowers ranted against the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) for sponsoring a National Refugee Shabbat. HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people, Mr Bowers wrote on the platform. I cant sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, Im going in. Who is Robert Bowers? Wednesday 31 May 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi Robert Bowers, born in 1972, was 46 years old at the time of the shooting. He had, by multiple accounts, a challenging childhood. His parents divorced when he was around one year old, and his father, Randall Bowers, died by suicide while awaiting trial on a rape charge six or so years later. Mr Bowers was raised in large part by his grandparents in the Pittsburgh suburb of Whitehall and attended Baldwin High School for several years before dropping out and becoming a trucker. Mr Bowers colleagues and neighbours largely described him in the aftermath of the shooting as quiet and not memorable. One toldThe New York Times that she couldnt even remember his name. Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Wednesday 31 May 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi What we know about the Tree of Life shooting The trial of Robert Bowers, the man charged with perpetrating the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood of Pittsburgh in 2018, began with opening statements on Tuesday. Mr Bowers, who is charged with 63 criminal counts, could face the death penalty if convicted. Here is a rundown of what we know about him and the crimes he is charged with committing. Heres what you need to know about the case: Everything we know about Robert Bowers, defendant in the Tree of Life shooting Chilling photos showing from Tree of Life synagogue shooting revealed at Robert Bowers murder trial Wednesday 31 May 2023 21:37 , Graig Graziosi Jurors sitting for the trial of accused Tree of Life Synagogue mass shooter Robert Bowers were shown photos of important and in some cases, destroyed objects at the crime scene on the first day of the alleged gunmans trial. Mr Bowers is facing numerous charges for killing 11 people when police say he attacked the synagogue in October 2018. Jurors were shown a few important items and locations from the synagogue to give them context for the rest of the trial. Among them were a Torah rescued from the Holocaust and the tiny bathroom where Rabbi Jeffrey Myers hid during the shooting.READ MORE: Chilling photos revealed during Tree of Life shooting trial Custodian who survived mass shooting testifies, says he just wanted to see his grandson born Wednesday 31 May 2023 21:15 , Graig Graziosi August Siriano, a custodian at Tree of Life Synagogue, surivived on the day Robert Bowers allegedly attacked the place of worship. He told the court Wednesday that he saw Cecil Rosenthal, who was killed in the shooting, lying face down on the floor after gunshots rang out. He said he was scared during the encounter, and told the court he simply wanted to live to see his grandchild be born. ICYMI: Prosecutors rejected Bowers plea deal in exchange for removal of death penalty Wednesday 31 May 2023 20:46 , Graig Graziosi Prosecutors rejected a plea deal from accused mass shooter Robert Bowers defense team. The deal would have removed the death penalty as a possible sentencing in exchange for Mr Bowers guilty plea. Prosecutors said they intend to seek the death penalty if Mr Bowers is found guilty. Barry Werber, who survived the shooting, says the gunman entered the room where he was hiding in the dark Wednesday 31 May 2023 19:44 , Graig Graziosi Another survivor of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue has taken the stand. Barry Werber said he was one of the individuals hiding in the dark closet along with Carol Black and Mel Wax. He corroborated Ms Blacks testimony that Mr Wax poked out of the door and was shot. Mr Werber said after Mr Wax was shot, a dark figure stepped over the wounded mans body and peered into the darkness of the room. He said that he and Ms Black were hidden by the darkness in the room, and that the gunman left without discovering them. Dan Leger reveals the extent of the injuries he sustained during the Tree of Life mass shooting Wednesday 31 May 2023 19:12 , Graig Graziosi Dan Leger, who was shot in the chest during the Tree of Life mass shooting in Pittsburgh, testified on Wednesday, and told the jurors the extent of his injuries. Mr Leger said his wounds left him unable to use his rectum, and noted that the wound ruptured his bladder. He said he had to undergo multiple surgeries the day of the shooting to save his life. He again reiterated that the only reason he survived was thanks to the SWAT members who rescued him. Dan Leger recalls being shot in the chest during Tree of Life mass shooting Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:44 , Graig Graziosi Dan Leger was at the Tree of Life synagogue the day of the shooting. After a recess for lunch, Mr Leger described his experiences during the attack. He said he began to hear gunfire and instinctively moved toward the sound hoping to help others injured in the attack. When he reached the lobby, the gunman shot him, hitting him in the chest. Mr Leger collapsed in a stairway. He told the court he is a registered nurse, and realised he was losing the ability to breathe, and felt he was dying. I am a nurse, I have been with hundreds of people that were dying, I felt like I was dying, he said. Thankfully, he was rescued by SWAT officers and survived his injuries. Leger, a registered nurse, said while he lay there he was losing his ability to breathe and was exhibiting end of life symptoms. "I am a nurse, I have been with hundreds of people that were dying, I felt like I was dying." Leger was rescued by SWAT officers. He survived. Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) May 31, 2023 Carol Blacks testimony reveals moment fellow worshiper was killed in front of her Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:48 , Graig Graziosi Carol Black, 71, a retired clinical audiologist, took the stand to share her experience on the day of the shooting. She recalled Rabbi Jeffrey Myers telling her and others to hide in a small, dark closet as gunfire rang out throughout the building. Another individual who was hiding with her, Mel Wax, 87, was partially in the doorway of the closet and partially in the connecting hallway. After some time, Mr Wax thought the shooting might be over. He peaked around the door, but the shooter was in the sanctuary and fired at him. He fell to floor dying just inches from Ms Blacks feet. Ms Black recalled having to step over his body and a pool of blood to exit the space after the shooting. She said she gave him a silent goodbye as she fled the building. Her brother, Richard Gottfried, was also killed in the shooting. ICYMI: Exhibits from the shooting Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:28 , Graig Graziosi The court released images of many of the subjects we wrote about yesterday: https://t.co/hlBnuc0Fd6 The prayer book with a bullet hole The Torah rescued from the holocaust The bathroom that Rabbi Jeffrey Myers hid in The Torah arc that reads "Tree of Life" in Hebrew pic.twitter.com/1TzRFQER1j Oliver Morrison (@ORMorrison) May 31, 2023 Trial day 2 begins Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:46 , Graig Graziosi Day two of the trial of Robert Bowers has begun in Pittsburgh. Judge Robert Colville noted to attendees that a visitor to the courtroom yesterday was diagnosed with Covid-19. The judge assured those in attendance that the courtroom was cleaned and well ventilated. Bowers faces death penalty if convicted Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:00 , Rachel Sharp If convicted, Robert Bowers could face the death penalty. His attorneys had previously requested a plea deal for him to plead guilty in exchange for the death penalty being taken off the table. Prosecutors rejected the request, paving the way for the case to head to trial. Opening arguments: The defence Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:40 , Rachel Sharp In her opening statement, Robert Bowers attorney Judy Clarke admitted that he went to Tree of Life in 2018 and shot every person he saw and said that there is no making sense of this senseless act. Mr Bowers caused extraordinary harm to many, many people. But Ms Clarke suggested that in Mr Bowers mind, he genuinely believed was trying to help people by targeting Jews. Mr Bowers lawyers have also claimed that he has epilepsy and schizophrenia. Whether Mr Bowers would actually be killed by the state if convicted remains to be seen. President Joe Biden voiced his opposition to the death penalty when he ran for president in 2020, and Attorney General Merrick Garland placed a moritorium on all federal executions two years ago. Opening arguments: The prosecution Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:20 , Rachel Sharp In the prosecutions opening statement, lead prosecutor Soo C. Song told jurors that Robert Bowers was motivated by his hatred of Jewish people. Pointing to social media posts made before the massacre, Ms Song said that the defendant wanted to destroy, to kill and to defile Jews. Jews are a cancer on the planet, Jews are evil creatures, Jews are pedophiles, he had posted online before the attack. That day, he then drove to the majority Jewish neighbourhood with an trove of weapons. Once he entered the synagogue the defendant began to hunt, he moved from room to room, upstairs and downstairs looking for Jewish worshippers to kill, she said. The prosecutor described the attack in graphic detail, including how Mr Bowers shot one woman in the face as she tried to protect her daughter. Pittsburgh Jewish community monitoring hate speech amid trial Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:00 , Rachel Sharp The head of security for Pittsburghs Jewish community says there has been an uptick in hate speech on the internet, but no specific threats, in the early stages of the trial of the man accused of killing 11 worshippers at a synagogue here in 2018. And Jewish leaders say that while the trial is bringing out the worst of extremists in some dark corners of the web, its also brought an outpouring of support from the community ranging from law enforcement agencies helping with security to local food vendors collaborating to bring meals to victims families during the trial. Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, said officials have monitored general chatter in support of the defendant ... and his hateful vitriol on the internet. The materials would turn anyones stomach, she said. Read more here: Pittsburgh Jewish community monitoring hate speech amid trial of suspect in synagogue massacre Who were the victims? Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:45 , Rachel Sharp The shooting at Tree of Life traumatised the historically Jewish Squirrel Hill community and Jews across the nation. Eleven people were killed during the shooting and seven more were injured. The first people killed were the brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal. Jerry Rabinowitz, a physician, was killed after moving towards the sound of the shooting to see if anyone needed medical assistance. The shooting was the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history, and it carried a particular edge given that it was linked to HIAS work protecting and resettling refugees work born out of the Jewish experience of persecution in Europe in the decades leading up to the Holocaust. The people who lost their lives in the shooting were: Joyce Fienberg, 75, Richard Gottfried, 65, Rose Mallinger, 97, Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, Cecil and David Rosenthal, 59 and 54, Bernice and Sylvan Simon, 84 and 86, Daniel Stein, 71, Melvin Wax, 88, and Irving Younger, 69. Who is Robert Bowers? The alleged antisemite on trial for Tree of Life synagogue shooting Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp On 27, October, 2018, Robert Bowers, then 46, allegedly walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and began shooting at worshippers. He allegedly killed 11 people before he was shot and wounded and surrendered to police. Mr Bowers now faces 63 federal counts, including 11 counts each of obstruction of free exercise of religion resulting in death as well as hate crimes resulting in death. He could face the death penalty if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty. So who is Robert Bowers? Find out here: Who is Robert Bowers: Alleged antisemite on trial for Tree of Life synagogue shooting Robert Bowers pushed the Great Replacement theory and made antisemitic posts before shooting Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:25 , Rachel Sharp Robert Bowers was verbose online where he was radicalised and trafficked in white nationalist conspiracy theories. Mr Bowers was a heavy user of the far right social networking platform Gab, where he promoted the Great Replacement theory and made antisemitic and racist posts. Shortly before the shooting, Mr Bowers ranted against the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) for sponsoring a National Refugee Shabbat. HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people, Mr Bowers wrote on the platform. I cant sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, Im going in. The shooting Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:20 , Rachel Sharp On 27 October 2018, Robert Bowers entered the synagogue where three separate services were underway involving the three different congregations that practised there, and began shooting. The shooting reportedly lasted for roughly 20 mintues. Mr Bowers was allegedly armed with an assault rifle and three semi-automatic pistols. When police arrived at the synagogue about 10 minutes after Mr Bowers entered, he shot at them. He later engaged tactical teams who arrived at the synagogue in a fire fight, fleeing to a room on the third floor of the building after he was wounded. Finally, nearly an hour-and-a-half after he entered the synagogue, Mr Bowers surrendered to law enforcement and recieved medical care for his gunshot wounds. He reportedly told a SWAT officer after surrendering that he wanted all Jews to die. Who is Robert Bowers? Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:14 , Rachel Sharp Robert Bowers, born in 1972, was 46 years old at the time of the shooting. He had, by multiple accounts, a challenging childhood. His parents divorced when he was around one year old, and his father, Randall Bowers, died by suicide while awaiting trial on a rape charge six or so years later. Mr Bowers was raised in large part by his grandparents in the Pittsburgh suburb of Whitehall and attended Baldwin High School for several years before dropping out and becoming a trucker. Mr Bowers colleagues and neighbours largely described him in the aftermath of the shooting as quiet and not memorable. One toldThe New York Times that she couldnt even remember his name. Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting What we know about the Tree of Life shooting Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:09 , Rachel Sharp The trial of Robert Bowers, the man charged with perpetrating the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood of Pittsburgh in 2018, began with opening statements on Tuesday. Mr Bowers, who is charged with 63 criminal counts, could face the death penalty if convicted. Here is a rundown of what we know about him and the crimes he is charged with committing. Heres what you need to know about the case: Everything we know about Robert Bowers, defendant in the Tree of Life shooting Welcome to The Independents liveblog Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:06 , Rachel Sharp Follow all the latest updates here on the trial of Robert Bowers, the man accused of murdering 11 in a shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 Hyperspectral imagery startup Pixxel has closed $36 million in funding as it prepares to roll out new remote sensing and analytics capabilities to customers. The LA and Bangalore-based startup also scored a new strategic investor: Google, the tech giant thats as well known for its mapping products as it is for its search engine. While Google led the Series B funding round, this does not mark the start of its relationship with Pixxel, CEO Awais Ahmed said in a recent interview. We were already working with them as a client before this, he explained, with an AI research team from Google employing Pixxels hyperspectral data in agricultural applications. Google also rolled out its Earth Engine last year, a powerful tool that gives governments and businesses access to a massive trove of Earth observation data from hundreds of sensors in orbit. Many of Pixxels users separately use Earth Engine, Ahmed said, and the ultimate goal is to integrate the startup's data onto that service. Hyperspectral imaging uses a spectrometer to identify the spectral signature of objects. Taken from space, this type of imaging unlocks an enormous degree of insight into our planet -- from detecting gas leaks to identifying specific types of minerals or plants. Pixxel has been developing this technology since 2019, and it put three demonstration satellites into orbit last year. The startup has been selling data to a number of customers, including the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. But to increase the capacity and to actually reach a point that we can be self-sustaining with revenue, Ahmed said, Pixxels team is now focused on launching its next-gen Firefly constellation. Those satellites will be able to provide five-meter resolution over most of the Earth, as opposed to 10-meters from the demo satellites. (Ahmed points out that even 10-meters is the highest resolution hyperspectral sensor thats ever operated in space.) The Fireflies also have a longer lifespan: from two years to seven years. They are heftier too -- 50 kilograms versus 15 kilograms -- likely due to increased on-board propulsion. A trio of Firefly satellites will launch in early 2024 with SpaceX, and Pixxel plans to launch another three satellites shortly after. The company intends to launch 18 additional satellites by 2025. Pixxel's other major focus has been developing the Aurora analytics platform, which will allow customers to identify the spectral signature of an object with a click of a button. Different model tools will be built-in to the platform, like a crop species identification model, a cloud removal model and a model to notify about gas leaks. Customers can use Aurora to track specific areas over time and to generate weekly reports on changes over those periods. Here's the first sneak peek of our Geospatial analysis data platform "Aurora", a highly intuitive platform to access end-to-end analytics and extract insights from earth observation datasets. Get access to our alpha testing community now: https://t.co/bPA4qYqmId pic.twitter.com/f3wS6SnAWo Pixxel (@PixxelSpace) May 8, 2023 It's important for us to not just dump data down to our customers and have them figure it out themselves, Ahmed said. There's very few people in the world with the skill set to actually analyze hyperspectral data so we realized to actually open it up to a lot more customers than would be possible without it, we will build and put the Aurora platform out. Crucially, the new capital gives Pixxel enough runway to focus on execution and generating revenue, and not falling to the valley of death that annihilates many startups, Ahmed said. The $36 million will see it through the manufacturing of the first six Firefly satellites and the first launch next year, as well as the development of the Aurora platform. Ahmed also revealed that some of the cash is going to development of the next version of its satellites, called Honeybees, which will be even larger and provide even greater resolution. In addition to Google, existing investors Radical Ventures, Lightspeed, Blume Ventures, GrowX, Sparta and Athera also participated in the round. Pixxel has now raised $71 million to date. Ahmed said he could foresee a future where hyperspectral is as accessible to the average person as optical satellite imagery is today. Right now, you go to Google Earth and look at your houses and roads, he said. But in the future, one may be able to easily access hyperspectral data to go to a particular area and see how much metal has changed or how much forest has decreased, or be able to hover over something and identify [it]. I think that's the future. Jonnie Irwin has revealed that he has been admitted to hospital as he deals with terminal cancer. The Escape to the Country presenter, 49, said in November that he doesnt know how long he has left to live, after first being diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2020, which later spread to his brain. He went public with his diagnosis in November 2022, after keeping it a secret from his fans for more than two years. Since his announcement, Irwin has been keeping his social media followers up to date with his condition. In the latest update, the father-of-three revealed he has gone into hospital to be monitored but hopes to be released in time for a scheduled appearance at A Place In The Sun Live in London this weekend (2-4 June). He wrote in an Instagram post: In hospital this week monitoring a changeover in my pain management regime. Fingers crossed Ill be out in time to make an appearance on Sunday for this weekends @aplaceinthesunofficial LIVE event at @olympialondon in Kensington, he continued. If he is released from the hospital and attends the event, Irwin will be joined on stage by fellow presenters Jasmine Harman, Ben Hillman and Laura Hamilton. He concluded the post: Hope to see you therex. In a new podcast OneChat released last week, Irwin said that he was living under a dark cloud for the two years he hid his cancer from the world, adding that he kept his condition a secret so that he could continue working and provide for his family. Irwin and his wife Jessica have three children; three-year-old son Rex and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac. Elsewhere in the interview revealed that he had been close to deaths door at least twice, emphasising that he prefers to think of his situation as living with cancer, rather than dying from cancer. Irwin explained how he began to feel alive again after going public with his illness, but noted that didnt mean his journey had been easy. I have been close to deaths door, twice at least, he said. He added: You lose your memory, you lose your patience. I have got a very short temper. Its not made me a better person, thats for sure. In March, Irwin gave a health update, telling The Sun: Im weak now, fragile and my memory is terrible but Im still here. Placer Pride became a joyful antidote to the rise in local and national homophobia | Opinion On a recent, warm spring day, at Rosevilles Royer Park, several groups of parents escorted shy kids decked out in rainbow tutus and glitter to meet drag performers Valshapero, Shadybee and Adriana Diamond. The queens -- their faces full of make-up and dressed for the occasion from head to toe - - smiled and waved. Its nice for them to see that queer people arent scary, said Valshapero, while wearing white, knee-high boots and a handmade purple and blue romper. Were just people. I was genuinely nervous to attend Placers second-ever Pride event. Given the tense political climate, both locally and nationally, compounded with the very real presence of Proud Boys and other extremist groups at local school board meetings as well as threats of violence made against LGBTQ+ folks and their supporters, I was fearful that the event would be targeted. I was grateful to be wrong. Opinion The mood at Placer Pride was festive and joyful, and there seemed to be a collective sigh of relief that the event went smoothly. A rectangle of tables and booths was set up in the park, with a stage and chairs at the forefront. Hundreds of people decked out in rainbow attire, including dozens of children, talked, laughed, took pictures and ate shaved ice until their tongues turned green. Even leashed dogs wore colorful collars and Pride-themed bandanas for the occasion. A rainbow-colored shave ice dessert was popular at Placer Pride. To kick off the May 20 event, Roseville City Councilman Scott Alvord and Mayor Bruce Houdesheldt welcomed the crowd. Congratulations on your second annual Placer Pride event, Houdesheldt said. Our city has prioritized making our community a welcoming place for all, (and) welcoming you here today is part of that emphasis. Near the park stage, Roseville High School students Atlas Morales, Rory Vasquez and Danny Buckmaster excitedly welcomed visitors who stopped by their table. The teens were sharing information about their schools Gay-Straight Alliance, of which they are all members. Mariah Careys Hero played at full blast on the stage speakers as the three talked about feeling both accepted and rejected by the greater Placer community. The community is really accepting, except in Old Roseville, where I live, said Vasquez, who is transgender. There, a lot of people have Critical Race Theory yard posts, and ... people have full-on Trump flags. We have our safe places, he said. But its a struggle. Placer Pride took place at Rosevilles Royer Park on May 20. Community fears To understand what Placer Pride means for the countys LGBTQ+ residents, you have to understand what the community has been through over the past two months. In early March, a drag show that was set to take place at Roseville High School was canceled when local conservative and religious groups pressured the Roseville Joint Union High School District (RJUHSD) to halt the event. After receiving hateful and threatening messages, event organizers at The Landing Spot, Placer Countys only peer support group for LGBTQ+ people, decided not to reschedule the event. I was outraged, said Vasquez, who is also president of Roseville High Schools GSA. We were all distraught about it. At the March 9 RJUHSD school board meeting, dozens of parents and community members spoke about the drag show during public comment. Some speakers, like local parent Michelle Derby, likened drag to pedophilia, which is a blatantly false accusation. Others, like Auburns Sierra Foothills Unitarian Universalist Rev. Alex da Silva Souto, spoke at the meeting in support of the drag show. My church and I are extremely worried that religious fanaticism and neo-fascism seem to be making their way in our county by eroding the democratic and pluralistic fabric of our communities, da Silva Souto said. Many (LGBTQ+) students are terrorized on a daily basis simply because they are truthful and honest about who they are. Placer County held its second ever Pride event on May 20. Some students have said that they feel unsafe at their Placer County school. Im prepared to be hate-crimed every day, Morales, 16, said. Ive been called the f-slur before, Vasquez said. And I know a lot of the kids in our group have as well. Project Veritas In late March, Landing Spots founder, Loomis UCC Pastor Casey Tinnin, was the victim of an elaborate scheme perpetrated by Project Veritas, a far-right activist group known for taking secret recordings and deceptively editing them to push their conservative agenda. In a heavily edited video that has received 1.8 million views on Twitter, the pastor talks with two individuals who he had been led to believe were the parents of a transgender teen. Tinnin, who is openly gay, was recorded without consent by the two, who are associated with Project Veritas. In the video, Tinnin says he has called Placer Countys Child Protective Services in instances where parents refuse to use a transgender childs preferred name or pronouns, and says that the Landing Spots partnership with RJUHSD schools is used to refer LGBTQ+ students to his organizations meetings, sometimes without parental knowledge or consent. Project Veritas labeled Tinnin a groomer, and local school districts in the county, including RJUHSD, subsequently cut ties with The Landing Spot after the video went online, despite the critical community group providing some of the only safe spaces available to Placers LGBTQ+ youth. Tinnin said he received numerous death threats; a member of the Proud Boys, a white supremacist hate group, showed up outside his home; and his church, Loomis UCC, received a bomb threat. Hes a very sweet man, said Vasquez, who has worked alongside Tinnin in the past. Hes worked really hard to make sure that we all feel safe and comfortable. The actions taken by local school officials to distance themselves from and even cancel LGBTQ-friendly events and organizations coincides with the recent rise of homophobic and transphobic rhetoric and anti-LGBTQ legislation across the nation. The current 2023 legislative session alone has seen 491 anti-LGBTQ bills, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Bigotry While California remains a bastion of inclusivity and a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, in conservative pockets of the state, like Placer County, bigotry remains prevalent on school campuses, in public meetings, in religious institutions and among elected leaders. Da Silva Souto said his churchs Pride flag has been vandalized numerous times, and he admitted that he had been nervous to attend Placers Pride celebration. When theres a concentration of us in one place, the target and threat of violence are greater, the reverend said. There are people out there with plans to harm and hurt, and thats always in the back of our minds. But were not going to live in fear 24/7. Inclusive messages are written on a poster board at Placer Pride. Glimmer of hope The success of Placer Pride is an antidote to homophobia and transphobia in our political culture Under the shade of one of Royer Parks large trees, a poster board was filled with messages of hope from Pride attendees: Keep true to you; Love yourself; You are loved; Keep on slaying; This mama loves you all. You rock. Auburns Bethlehem Lutheran Church Pastor Ron Valadez, who grew up in Vacaville, said the community is getting better when it comes to inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community, but theres frustration that its not happening fast enough. Despite this, Valadez said, were going to keep fighting the good fight. Comisionados.org: Strategic Evangelism Training for Global Impact NEWS PROVIDED BY Comisionados Ministerio Internacional (CMI) June 1, 2023 MEDIA ADVISORY, June 1, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- Mark your calendar: September 2023, Campamento Comisionado (Commissioning Camp) launches a 60 days intensive training course taught by a dozen of God's Generals, international evangelistists, apostles, & pastors that are supporting Juan Lucas Roselli's vision and ministry. This Fall (2023), Argentine evangelist and founder of Comisionados Ministerio Internacional (CMI), Juan Lucas Roselli and his team, will launch Campamento Comisionados (Commissioning Camp), a 60-day (students stay on campus) evangelism-training course during Sept-Oct, designed to train leaders to fulfill the Great Commission in the Spanish-speaking world and beyond. CMI, an Argentina-based ministry, focuses on mass evangelism and partnering with local churches to reach their communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. The vision includes training, empowering, and launching, thousands of evangelists into harvest fields around the world. Some of the most anointed evangelists and leaders in Latin America are rallying around this effort, eager to pass on their knowledge & wisdom to the next generation. Carlos Annacondia, Alberto Motessi, David Greco, Hector Torres, Jim Raley, Ale Gomez, Juan Cruz Cellammare, Abel Ledezma, Jonatan Proietti, Carlos de Leon, Alfonso Guevara and many, many more noted leaders are all joining forces to equip students for God's call on their lives. Teaching them how to reach the lost, minister to the sick, cast out demons, and proclaim the Kingdom. The collective evangelism experience of the Campamento Comisionados team represents thousands of outreaches, and thousands of souls won to Christ through bold preaching and Spirit-inspired strategy. This unprecedented collection of experience and training being offered, will literally revolutionize and reignite the lives of each student. CMI Board Member and former Director of Christ for All Nations Latino, Sam Rodriguez mentioned, "I believe that all the programs offered by Comisionados.org in Buenos Aires, will be one of the best training available to prepare evangelists for the Spanish speaking world. The training and hands on experience received during those 60 days, will be a powerful tool to empower the Church, as they send students to prepare and fulfill the great commission." Roselli, the CMI team, and each of the leaders involved with Campamento Comisionados, pray that God will put it on the hearts of churches around the world, to pray for and financially support the fledgling endeavor. Church communities in the secular west, can learn much from the move of God that started in Argentina and then spread throughout South and Central America. Many of these nations had cultures bound by witchcraft, sensuality, totalitarian politics, and dead religion. Now, their populations boast some of the highest percentages of Christ-followers in the world. To that end, CMI invites churches everywhere to send Spanish speaking leaders from their congregations, to learn best-practices from some of the most successful ministers of the modern-age, and to return home filled with Holy Spirit-power to reach the lost in their own local communities. To learn more about what God is doing through CMI and Campamento Comisionados, including a complete list of speakers, opportunities and registration (Limited Seating), visit www.Comisionados.org SOURCE Comisionados Ministerio Internacional (CMI) CONTACT: Juan Lucas Roselli, juanlucasroselli@gmail.com The author and her beautiful nails. The author and her beautiful nails. Lastmonth,I was leaving my womens AA meeting when a young white woman complimented my rainbow-hued nails that are, at times, longer than the bobby pins in my hair. The compliment was overshadowed shortly after by another white woman who looked at my nails with palpable disgust. What job could you possibly have with those nails? she asked, her voice dripping with judgment. I responded, with confidence, that I am the audience editor at the Houston Chronicle. And what audience is that? she asked. I turned around and walked away. This wasnt the first, second or the 100th time I have received condescending comments about my nails from white women. At times, the thoughtless and ignorant commentary has brought me to frustrated tears. Every time I experience an interaction like this where a non-Black person insinuates that I am unprofessional and unworthy because of nails, it digs deeper into my psyche. Especially in light of the broad appropriation of long nails, the assumption that a Black woman who wears a vibrant set couldnt possibly have a good job is both ironic and absurd. And its a problem worthy of examination. Lets start by setting the record straight: Extra long nails were originated by women who look like me. Black women have set the tone for much of whats trending in American (and global) fashion. Yet we are not only denied credit for it most of the time, we are often condemned for participating in the styles we birthed. Imagine, the caucacity. Khloe Kardashian, Billie Eilish, Adele and so many other non-Black stars have rocked long nails, Bantu knots or cornrows, effectively co-opting long-hailed staples of Black style. These women are never considered uneducated, broke or my personal favorite, ghetto the choice verbal caricature of a Black woman from the hood. Imagine assuming that because of my long nails, I couldnt possibly have a creative and stimulating job that I earned because of my hard work and intelligence. It is infuriating, as a Black woman in America, to often find my nails under a disapproving magnifying glass. People, these are the same nails that your favorite non-POC TikTok stars have on. I am continuously hit with misconceptions because of the length and design of my nails. Could you imagine if every white woman with an inverted bob was automatically assumed to be a Karen? The assumption that a Black woman who wears a vibrant set couldnt possibly have a good job is both ironic and absurd. The assumption that a Black woman who wears a vibrant set couldnt possibly have a good job is both ironic and absurd. The judgment I experience is just another way respectability politics show up everywhere and force people like myself, from structurally marginalized communities, to cast aside their cultural identity to seek approval and climb the ladder of the social hierarchy. In 2023, I shouldnt have to conform. Neither should you. My admiration for beautiful nails began before I hit grade school. When I was a kid, my grandmother used to have long nails with an acrylic overlay to make them stronger. They were usually purple, her favorite color, and I was always mesmerized by them. As much as I wanted to emulate her style as a kid, my mother didnt allow it. I couldnt even have them painted. All that changed on my 16th birthday. I got long nails with a green french tip and designs on my index fingers. I was reborn. When I was in college, I only got my nails done when I could afford to. They were an integral part of my self-expression and they often conveyed my emotions even when I didnt vocalize them. My nails were painted black after my mother died. Other times, they were filled with gems and shaped in the stiletto style, all because I was feeling particularly fierce. They were always long, and they always indicated where my spirit was at. During the beginning of my career in journalism, at my very first interview for a reporter position, I decided I needed to hide my true self to fit the role and code-switch adjusting my appearance to make others feel comfortable. Off came the nails, and on came the wig to cover my purple hair and a long-sleeve shirt to cover my tattoos. I continued that pattern to avoid being discriminated against. I also learned that code-switching in other ways made my white colleagues more comfortable. At my second reporter position, I began to question the system and eased back into my more authentic self. I went from short, to medium, and then to long nails, testing the water with each added millimeter. It was there that I found the confidence to not hide who I was because my colleagues appeared to actually appreciate the individuality I brought to a newsroom, which was staffed predominantly by white reporters. Last year, when I was hired to join the Houston Chronicle, I sat down for a welcome brunch with the outlets then editor-in-chief, a Black woman who knew the adversities POC faced in primarily white newsrooms. During that conversation, I asked her what her thoughts were on extra long nails. As long as it doesnt interfere with your work, you can have them as long as you want, she said. The common sense was refreshing. I spent too many years hiding my complete self. Turns out that with or without my nails, I occupy a body that invites unsolicited commentary, condescension and attempts at control. So at this point, IDGAF. I dont need anyones approval to express myself in the way that brings me peace. My long nails afford me the space for elaborate designs and flair. Clicking them together helps with my anxiety. And they complete my outfits and make me feel confident. What they dont do is define me or my capabilities as a Black woman. WASHINGTON -- The Treasury Department imposed sanctions Thursday on members and affiliates of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that it says have engaged in plots to kill former national security adviser John Bolton, other former U.S. government official and anti-Tehran activists around the world. The designations by Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, did not mention any of the former U.S. officials by name, saying only that those designated "have participated in a series of terrorist plots including assassination plots targeting former United States government officials, dual U.S. and Iranian nationals, and Iranian dissidents." But one of the Iranians sanctioned Thursday, Revolutionary Guard official Shahram Poursafi, was charged by the Justice Department last August with attempting to orchestrate a murder-for-hire plot against Bolton beginning in early November 2021. A former senior U.S. official told USA TODAY on Thursday that other former Trump-era officials cited by Treasury as being targeted by Iran likely include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Brian Hook, the former U.S. Special Representative for Iran. More: Iranian national charged in assassination plot targeting Trump national security adviser John Bolton The former official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing security threats, said he has been briefed by federal authorities about ongoing Iranian efforts to target and assassinate those Trump administration leaders because it believes they were responsible for the 2020 U.S. military strike in Baghdad that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force. General Kenneth McKenzie, Jr., the commander of U.S. Central Command from 2019 to 2022, is also being targeted by Iran for his suspected role in the Soleimani strike, the former U.S. official said, citing confidential U.S. security briefings he has received on the threat. "Imminent and sinister attacks" on Americans Then-President Donald Trump said in January 2020 that he ordered the military strike on Soleimani because he was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" on American diplomats and military personnel. Afterward, Irans religious leaders publicly vowed to retaliate at a time and place of their choosing. The United States remains focused on disrupting plots by the IRGC and its Qods Force, both of which have engaged in numerous attempts and other acts of violence and intimidation against those they deem enemies of the Iranian regime, said Brian Nelson, Treasurys undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, in a statement about the new sanctions. Bolton hailed the Treasury sanctions on Thursday but said nothing will stop Iran or the IRGC from continuing to try to assassinate the political leaders of its adversaries until the religious establishment in Tehran is replaced. I think the ayatollahs have demonstrated that by the way they treat their own people, not to mention their pursuing nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism around the world, Bolton told USA TODAY. "So the U.S. is only going to be safe when that regime falls. More: Trump: Iran's Soleimani was plotting 'imminent' attacks on diplomats, soldiers before US killed him Bolton said he is under 24 hours a day, seven days a week Secret Service protection because of the ongoing threat. A call to Irans mission at the United Nations seeking comment was not returned. Iran carrying out "more bold and aggressive plots" Matthew Levitt, a former FBI and Treasury official counterterrorism official, said that Iran has engaged in such activities around the world for over 40 years, but that "the pace of such operations has increased significantly. So too has Iran's willingness to carry more bold and aggressive plots, including targeting American citizens and officials here in the United States." "Coming on the heels of the indictment of Shahram Poursafi, this is another piece of public messaging to expose the activities of the IRGC and its operatives around the world," said Levitt, who has created a database of Iranian external operations at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. John Bolton was President Donald Trump's national security adviser. Quds Force members among those sanctioned Quds Force official Mohammad Reza Ansari was sanctioned Thursday, Treasury said, for supporting the units covert operations abroad, including planning and conducting intelligence and lethal operations against Iranian dissidents and other non-Iranian nationals in the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Ansari, in league with Poursafi, planned and attempted to assassinate two former U.S. government officials, Treasury said. When charging him last year, federal prosecutors said Poursafi tried to pay someone in the U.S. $300,000 to kill Bolton, without realizing that his U.S. contact was actually an informant for the U.S. government. Others sanctioned on Thursday included three people based in Iran and Turkey, a firm linked to the Quds Force and two senior officials of Irans Intelligence Organization, the Treasury Department said. Besides Bolton, it said the targets included other unnamed former U.S. officials, Iranian dissidents abroad and journalists. The sanctions imposed Thursday were authorized under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, a counterterrorism sanctions authority, as part of the Treasury Departments ongoing effort to hold Iran accountable for external terrorist plots. Previous designations include senior officials involved in a 2011 plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States, individuals involved in planning and executing operations in the Middle East and the United States in 2020, and Iranian intelligence operatives targeting U.S. citizens and dissidents in 2021. As a result of the sanctions, all property of the designated individuals and entities within the U.S. or in the control of U.S. persons, must be blocked and reported to OFAC. Engaging in certain transactions with them also carries the risk of secondary sanctions, Treasury said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Treasury blacklists Iranians for alleged US assassination plots Yemran Navruzbekbekov Navruzbekov was detained at a refugee camp in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland on May 17. Police arrested him for possible breaches of behavior rules in the camp. It is reported that he did not comply with police demands and was aggressive an allegation he denies. Read also: Russian missile fell near NATO training center in Poland report After the arrest, Navruzbekov was banned from entering the Schengen area for 109 years. He was placed in a center for foreigners in Przemysl where he awaits deportation. He appealed against the entry ban, which was then reduced to 10 years by the border service officers. Read also: Poland shuts down cargo transit from Russia and Belarus According to Navruzbebov, he was a member of FSB's counterintelligence unit in Russias Dagestan. He crossed the Belarusian border into Poland on foot in 2017 claiming that he was carrying secret documents. He immediately requested asylum, which was denied. 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 Detectives from the Millburn Police Department said they have identified a suspect accused of taking part in the brazen shakedown of a local mail carrier for his postal keys, which allow Postal Service employees to open mailboxes inside apartment buildings. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 24-year-old man from New City, New York, who investigators believe was one of two suspects seen roughing up the postal worker in front of a resident's Walnut Avenue home on May 13. In surveillance footage that captured the robbery, the thieves are seen running out from between two large container units parked on the property next door and ambushing the mail carrier, who struggles with his attackers for a moment before falling pell-mell across the resident's lawn. "My wife was upstairs, and I said, 'Elaine, they're attacking the postman; call the police,'" said Lenny Weiland, who saw the robbery play out on his front yard and recorded it with his home security cameras. A mail carrier is jumped on May 13, 2023 in Millburn for his universal postal keys that access apartments. During a brief struggle, the attackers removed the carrier's key chain from his belt and fled to a silver Mercedes-Benz that was waiting nearby on Mountainview Road, police said. "I got my arrow key stolen from me," the postal worker said referring to a type of skeleton key used by mail carriers as he spoke to a 911 dispatcher immediately after the assault. "They're the keys that go to the apartments." "I have a feeling they were walking around earlier," he told the dispatcher, as seen in Weiland's security footage. Authorities have not yet apprehended the New York man, who has been charged with robbery and conspiracy, and they continue to investigate to identify his accomplice. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Millburn NJ postal worker robbery suspect identified by police 'He had the intention of killing her.' Westborough man held in hotel parking lot slaying MARLBOROUGH Prosecutors say a Westborough man lured his mother to a Marlborough hotel on Thursday with the intention of killing her, saying he brutally beat her, tried to stab her and ran her over twice with her own truck in the hotel parking lot. Prosecutors on Friday also upgraded the charges against Daniel Uhlman, 53, charging him with murder in the death of his mother, Nancy Uhlman, 82, also of Westborough. Prosecutor Megan McGovern, during Uhlman's Marlborough District Court arraignment, described the events on Thursday at the Holiday Inn on Lakeside Avenue (Route 20). McGovern said hotel employees called police at 12:38 p.m. after Uhlman walked into the lobby with blood on his hands and told the staff he had just killed his mother in the back parking lot. Daniel Uhlman in a 2014 being arraigned in Westborough District Court for stabbing his mother. several times. He is now facing charges in connection to her death in Marlborough. Uhlman, McGovern said, admitted to killing his mother. He told police that he had been living at the Holiday Inn since the beginning of May. On Thursday, he called his mother to come to the hotel to talk. "He had the intention of killing her at this point," McGovern said. Earlier: Westborough man facing charges in connection to his mother's death in Marlborough She arrived at 10:30 a.m. and the pair sat in her pickup truck and talked, then Uhlman told his mother he had to go inside to get cigarettes. Instead, he went inside to grab a butter knife he had stolen from the hotel earlier in the month so that he could use it as a weapon, the prosecutor said. Prosecutors describe suspect's attack on his mother When he returned to his mother's truck, he asked her to drive to the rear of the hotel so they could smoke in privacy. Once there, Uhlman got out of the truck to smoke his cigarette. The state medical examiner arrives at the Holiday Inn on Lakeside Avenue in Marlborough, June 1, 2023. A woman was found dead in the parking lot behind the hotel earlier in the day. He then went around to the driver's side of the vehicle, dragging his mother from it, McGovern said. "At that point, he slammed her head and face into the pavement 20 times," she said. Uhlman then tried to stab his mother with the butter knife, but she was able to fight and take the knife from him, McGovern said. But Uhlman then ran to the driver's seat of the pickup and and rammed his mother once, then a second time "to make sure she was dead," McGovern said. When paramedics arrived, Nancy Uhlman had suffered "significant trauma" and was pronounced dead at the scene. Held without bail: Westborough man accused of stabbing mother held without bail Authorities initially charged Uhlman with armed assault to murder a person older than 60 years old; two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury; and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person older than 60. The court entered a not-guilty plea on Uhlman's behalf. McGovern said the state medical examiner, while still working to complete the autopsy, determined the death was a homicide and then the murder charge was added. A conviction for first-degree murder results in an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. McGovern asked Judge Pacifico DeCapua to hold Uhlman without bail. 'Open and ongoing': Investigation continues into Framingham woman's 2021 death Suspect is ordered to undergo competency exam Uhlman's lawyer, Joe Perullo, requested that DeCapua to have Uhlman undergo a competency exam. Forensic psychologist Hilary Novak said Uhlman has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is a client of the state Department of Public Health. She said Uhlman told her he stopped taking his medication 20 days ago. Uhlman, she said, is experiencing auditory hallucinations that are telling him "to cause harm to himself or others."She said that while in his current condition, he could not assist in his own defense and she recommended sending him to Bridgewater State Hospital for a full competency exam. DeCapua agreed, ordering Uhlman to be sent to Bridgewater and to be held without bail. Uhlman is due back in court on June 21 for a competency hearing. NECN news reporter Kirsten Glavin is on air outside the Holiday Inn on Lakeside Avenue in Marlborough, June 1, 2023. Uhlman has had a history of violence against his mother. Uhlman, a divorced father of six, was convicted in July 2014 for assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over age 60. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. The charges stemmed from a January 2014 attack on his mother in which he stabbed the then 72-year-old Nancy Uhlman several times in the face and the abdomen with steak knives in their Westborough home. Perullo declined to comment about the allegations. Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Westborough man held in parking lot slaying of his mother Political stunts to get booked on Fox: White House slams GOP effort to demand FBI document on Biden The White House on Thursday slammed Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) for their efforts in demanding the FBI hand over a document related to President Biden, calling it a political stunt to get air time on Fox News. Grassley, earlier Thursday, told Fox News host Bill Hemmer, we arent interested in whether or not the accusations against Vice President Biden are accurate or not. The senator said that lawmakers are merely responsible for making sure the FBI does its job properly and wouldnt characterize what the document said when pressed by Hemmer. The White House shared the Grassley comments, which also included the senator saying the documents has accusations in it. Grassley has said in previous interviews that Republicans were not sure if the allegations against Biden were true and has provided no other details. By congressional Republicans own admission, this clearly is not an exercise to get to the truth or uncover facts, Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, said in a statement. Instead, they are simply staging sad political stunts to push thin innuendo and spread insinuations to attack the President and get themselves booked on Fox News, he said. Grassley and Comer demanded the document from the FBI last month, saying it outlines an unverified and unspecified alleged criminal scheme involving a foreign national and Biden when he was vice president. The FBI declined to immediately provide the document. Comer said Wednesday that FBI director Christopher Wray offered to let him see the document at FBI headquarters, CNN reported, and that the document is connected to documents Rudy Giuliani gave the Justice Department in 2020. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Pop up thunderstorms likely again in KC area. When will pattern of stormy weather stop? Another round of thunderstorms will be possible, along with some localized flooding, as scattered showers pop up again Thursday afternoon and evening across the Kansas City area, the National Weather Service said. Morning showers in northwest Missouri will give way to warm and dry conditions area-wide for most of the day, the weather service said on Twitter. Another round of showers and thunderstorms will be possible later this afternoon. Severe weather is not expected. However, there could be some areas of heavy rain from the stronger storms that develop, which could create hazardous driving conditions, including hydroplaning and reduced visibility, the weather service said. Localized flooding will be possible, but widespread flooding is not likely, the weather service said. The chance for thunderstorms is around 50% in the Kansas City metro area. Afternoon temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s, approaching 90 degrees on Thursday. Normally, temperatures are in the low 80s this time of year in Kansas City. Local Radar Image The pattern of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms in the Kansas City area is expected to continue into the weekend, with a 47% chance on Friday and a 57% chance on Saturday. Periods of heavy rain and some minor flooding will also be possible, according to the weather service. The chances of showers and thunderstorms taper off on Sunday, falling to around 25%. The Kansas City area should be able to break away from the stormy weather pattern by late in the weekend, according to the weather service. Temperatures this weekend, however, will be summer-like, climbing to around 90 degrees on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The start of next week is expected to be sunny with temperatures continuing to hover around 90 degrees on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. For the extended outlook, near normal temperatures are expected through mid-June. There is no clear signal as to whether there will be above or below average precipitation during that period. It is unlikely we will see any appreciable drought relief through at least mid-June, the weather service said. Pressure mounts on Pristina as Serbs rally again in north Kosovo Police equipped with riot gear blocked the road leading to the bridge that separates the northern and southern parts of the city Ethnic Serbs gathered again in a flashpoint town in Kosovo on Thursday at the site of clashes earlier this week with NATO-led soldiers in Kosovo, as international pressure mounts on Pristina to diffuse tensions. In the northern town of Zvecan, some 70 protesters -- significantly fewer than crowds seen on previous days -- rallied outside the town hall, sealed off with barbed wire and encircled by NATO-led peacekeepers (KFOR) in full riot gear. A KFOR armoured vehicle was parked near the road leading to the town hall, a move requested on Wednesday by a local Serb party after masked protesters smashed windows on two Kosovo police cars in the town centre, injuring an officer. On Monday, NATO-led peacekeepers armed with shields and batons clashed with protesters throwing rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails. Thirty peacekeepers and more than 50 demonstrators were injured. Several hundred people rallied in the ethnic-Albanian populated southern part of divided city of Mitrovica, but despite announcements of "marching" towards the Serb neighbourhood, the demonstrators dispersed after half an hour. They carried Albanian flags and chanted "Mitrovica cannot be divided", while police equipped with riot gear blocked the road leading to the bridge that separates the northern and southern parts of the city. Responding to the call sent through social media, several hundred citizens, mostly young people, gathered on the southern part of the bridge over the river Ibar, which separates Mitrovica. They carried Albanian flags and chanted "Mitrovica cannot be divided". A strong cordon of police with anti-riot gear blocked their way to the bridge, over which metal fences were placed, making crossing impossible. KFOR soldiers stood on the bridge as a backup for the police. The demo wrapped up within half an hour. Kosovo's ethnic Serb minority boycotted April local elections in the north, allowing ethnic Albanians to take control of local councils despite a turnout of less than 3.5 percent. Many Serbs are demanding the withdrawal of Kosovo special police forces, as well as the ethnic Albanian mayors they do not consider their true representatives. The United States -- Kosovo's historic ally who championed the former province's independence from Serbia -- criticised the government in Pristina for "sharply and unnecessarily escalated tensions" by installing ethnic Albanian mayors. French president Emmanuel Macron also said Kosovo authorities bore "responsibility" for the current situation. Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are expected to meet Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and her Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday on the sidelines of a summit in Moldova. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade -- along with its allies China and Russia -- still do not recognise the move, preventing Kosovo from having a seat at the United Nations. Kosovo is mainly populated by ethnic Albanians, but the Serbs who make up around six percent of the population have remained largely loyal to Belgrade, especially in the north where they are a majority. str-ih/mbs/gw Pride flag flies at the Hall of Administration a first for an L.A. County building Security guards Gregory Winfrey, left, and Benedicto Barnachea prepare to raise the Progress Pride Flag at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration building in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Thirty-one years after the downtown Hall of Administration was named after her father, then-supervisor and liberal reformer Kenneth Hahn, Supervisor Janice Hahn witnessed history Thursday: the flying of a Pride flag at the building honoring her dad. The event at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration kicked off LGBTQ+ Pride Month and marked the first time a Pride flag flew over a Los Angeles County building. The Progress Pride Flag will fly daily at county offices during Pride Month, and the timing felt right to Janice Hahn, the board chair. She was co-author of the resolution with Lindsey Horvath, supervisor for District 3. "We are seeing anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-trans bills being passed at an alarming rate across the country," Hahn said in a statement after the five-member board unanimously voted in March to fly the Pride flag at county offices every year. "Here in Los Angeles County we're making our position clear: in the largest county in the nation, LGBTQ+ residents have the unwavering support of their government." The Progress Pride Flag, designed by Daniel Quasar, is modified from the original rainbow flag to include chevrons in black, brown, pink, white and light blue on the left side to represent Black and brown LGBTQ people and the trans community, respectively. Hahn and Horvath were joined at the flag-raising event Thursday morning by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Kathryn Barger, Dist. Atty. George Gascon and Assessor Jeff Prang. L.A. County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn, from left, Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath talk with Sister Tootie Toot, a member of the the L.A. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, at the Pride flag ceremony. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Also in attendance was Sister Tootie Toot, a member of the L.A. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBTQ+ activist group of drag nuns. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence received national attention after the Dodgers announced they would bestow the sisters with a community heroes award during a June 16 Pride Night event at Dodger Stadium, then rescinded it after getting backlash from conservative religious groups before reinstating it over the course of several days. The unveiling of the Pride flag at the Hall of Administration comes amid a climate in which states have restricted the rights of transgender and other LGBTQ+ communities, banning drag performances in public spaces and prohibiting gender-affirming procedures or hormone replacement therapies for minors. The Progress Pride flag flying at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration was designed by Daniel Quasar. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) There are currently more than 490 bills restricting rights for the LGBTQ+ community this legislative session, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Joe Hollendoner, chief executive of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, said in a statement that although "symbolic gestures" were expected for June, "this year really does feel different." "The reality is, this is a troubling time for queer and trans people in our country, and we need all the loud and proud displays of support we can get," Hollendoner said. "Of course, its essential that these showings are followed with tangible support for our community. In a 3-2 vote, the Redlands City Council voted last month not to fly a Pride flag because flying an unofficial flag violates city policies. The Huntington Beach City Council voted in February to no longer fly the rainbow flag at City Hall and to limit what flags can fly on city property. Its not about getting rid of the Pride flag. I have a nephew and a niece that are both gay, and we love them dearly, said Councilmember Pat Burns, author of the ordinance. But in my family, we recognize everyone equally. ... Lets just stick with our beautiful American flag and everything else. The ordinance bars flags outside of those representing the U.S., the state of California, the city of Huntington Beach and Orange County, as well as the POW/MIA flag and those representing the branches of U.S. armed forces, from being raised on city property. Last week, a transgender teacher at Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood discovered a Pride flag that had been displayed in a flower pot was burned and the pot broken by an intruder. Los Angeles police confirmed they were investigating the vandalism. Tensions have flared at the school after some parents protested the school's Pride month assembly, in which administrators planned to talk about families with gay parents. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. James Corden appears to be the latest star to meet up with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The comedian, who recently ended his late night talk show "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and relocated back to the U.K., visited the United States and apparently stopped in to say hi to the Sussexes. Cordens vehicle appeared to be heading toward Harry and Markle's Montecito home, a source told Fox News Digital. "They [Corden and his family] went to Harry's for about an hour and then went to dinner at Lucky's [Steakhouse]," the insider said. PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE COURTED BY GWYNETH PALTROW AS ACTRESS RACKS UP ROYAL FRIENDS In 2021, Harry appeared on "The Late Late Show," not long after his move to the U.S. with Markle and toured Los Angeles with Corden. The duo rode around the city on an open-air double-decker bus, which Harry noted hed never been on before. He'd "never been allowed to." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP On Wednesday, it was revealed the Duke of Sussex even stopped by for the taping of the final episode of "The Late Late Show." In a new behind-the scenes-video shared on the show's YouTube page, Harry is seen hanging out in the control room around the 9:17 mark, handing a drink to the show's executive producer, Ben Winston. Corden appears to be one of the many celebrities in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's inner circle. Markle in particular can count Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Serena Williams and Gwyneth Paltrow among those in-the-know with the couple. Last year, Corden spoke with The Sun and shared that his children Max, 11, Carey, 8, and Charlotte, 4 with wife Julia Carey have hung out with Harry and Markle's kids Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 23 months. "It was more a sort of play date scenario [with the kids]. Then, we went out for dinner after. It was lovely," he told the outlet. "Obviously, Im not telling you any more. Obviously." Corden, who attended Harry and Markle's wedding in 2018, also opened up a bit about their friendship in the interview. "Look, Im a huge fan of both of them. Obviously, I know Harry better than I know Meghan, but I think its really hard to judge, or be judgmental. People process things and deal with things in different ways, and thats OK. And its all right to think whatever you think about somebody. I dont know if it necessarily needs to be voiced the whole time, but my experience of them has been nothing but positive," he said at the time. "I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Harry, and anyone who has been around him and spent time with him would feel exactly the same way. I think he is a devoted and loving husband and father. And I think what they have done [in turning away from royal life] is incredibly brave, and Ill always be in their corner. I have nothing but admiration and respect for them. I think its impossible to judge any of it really." James Corden and his family have been friendly with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle since they moved to the U.S. after stepping away from the royal family. PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE IN NYC: TIMELINE OF ALLEGED 'NEAR CATASTROPHIC' INCIDENT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER During a 2021 interview with Corden, Harry discussed his decision to step away from the royal family. "It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down. It was a really difficult environment as I think a lot of people saw. We all know what the British press can be like. And it was destroying my mental health," he said at the time. "So, I did what any husband and any father would do. I need to get my family out of here. But we never walked away. And as far as Im concerned, whatever decisions are made on that side, I will never walk away. I will always be contributing. My life is public service. So, wherever I am in the world its going to be the same thing." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) A Japanese bank is interested in the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill, which is now up for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s signature, the Palace said Thursday. According to Malacanang, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Chairman of the Board Tadashi Maeda said during a courtesy call on Marcos that the group wants to know more details about the countrys potential, targeted projects under the proposed sovereign wealth fund. The JBIC could craft more tangible and specific proposals, the Palace added. Marcos told Maeda that the MIF is the kind of investment that the Philippines needs. Its so that we, the Philippines, can participate in what would be, what is regarded, of course, as an investment for us. It is a necessary infrastructure that we are investing in, Marcos said. So, that is the plan for the sovereign fund. We now have to go and look at the design or the structuring of the fund. But it is basically seen as our government participation in projects that, mostly, will really be in the Philippines, the president added. Owned by the Japanese government, JBIC is a policy-based financial institution focused on the development of its home country, as well as the international economy. The controversial measure that seeks to create the MIF is off to Malacanang for Marcos approval after Congress swiftly passed the bill on Wednesday. READ: Maharlika bill now up for Marcos' signature The JBIC is also eyeing to team up with Philippine companies in the energy sector for possible projects, including the giants Aboitiz, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and San Miguel Corporation. Mar-a-Lago, the residence of former President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 4, 2023. (Hilary Swift/The New York Times) For the past six months, prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith have sought to determine whether former President Donald Trump obstructed the governments efforts to retrieve a trove of classified documents he took from the White House. More recently, investigators also appear to be pursuing a related question: whether Trump and some of his aides sought to interfere with the governments attempt to obtain security camera footage from Mar-a-Lago that could shed light on how those documents were stored and who had access to them. The search for answers on this second issue has taken investigators deep into the bowels of Mar-a-Lago, Trumps private club and residence in Florida, as they pose questions to an expanding cast of low-level workers at the compound, according to people familiar with the matter. Some of the workers played a role in either securing boxes of material in a storage room at Mar-a-Lago or maintaining video footage from a security camera that was mounted outside the room. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Two weeks ago, the latest of these employees, an information technology worker named Yuscil Taveras, appeared before a grand jury in Washington, according to two people familiar with the matter. Taveras was asked questions about his dealings with two other Trump employees: Walt Nauta, a longtime aide to Trump who served as one of his valets in the White House, and Carlos Deoliveira, described by one person familiar with the events as the head of maintenance at Mar-a-Lago. Phone records show that Deoliveira called Taveras last summer, and prosecutors wanted to know why. The call caught the governments attention because it was placed shortly after prosecutors issued a subpoena to Trumps company, the Trump Organization, demanding the footage from the surveillance camera near the storage room. The call also occurred just weeks after Deoliveira helped Nauta move boxes of documents into the storage room the same room that Deoliveira at one point fitted with a lock. The movement of the boxes into the room took place at another key moment: on the day before prosecutors descended on Mar-a-Lago for a meeting with Trumps lawyers intended to get him to comply with a demand to return all classified documents. The Trump Organization ultimately turned over the surveillance tapes, but Smiths prosecutors appear to be scrutinizing whether someone in Trumps orbit tried to limit the amount of footage produced to the government. They asked Taveras an open-ended question about if anyone had queried him about whether footage from the surveillance system could be deleted. It remains unclear what investigators learned from questioning Taveras in front of the grand jury and whether they were able to make any headway in their efforts to determine if steps had been taken to interfere with the handing over of the surveillance tapes. But the focus on the tapes is the latest effort by Smith to determine whether Trump or his aides engaged in any sort of obstructive behavior. Prosecutors are examining whether the former president has in effect been playing games with government officials in different agencies for more than a year including the Justice Department, which issued a subpoena for all classified documents in Trumps possession last May, and the National Archives, which sought to retrieve reams of presidential records from Trump that he held onto after leaving office, some of which included classified material. There is no indication that Taveras is a subject of Smiths investigation. His lawyer, Stanley Woodward Jr., declined to comment. Deoliveiras lawyer, John Irving, did not respond to a message seeking comment. All three men Taveras, Deoliveira and Nauta have been questioned extensively by prosecutors over their roles in handling the boxes and the tapes. Trumps aides maintain that nothing nefarious took place, and that activities that prosecutors are treating with suspicion were simply part of efforts to comply with the subpoenas or were routine conversations that happened without the participants knowing in some cases about the existence of the subpoenas issued by the Justice Department for the security footage and for the classified documents in Trumps possession. Nonetheless, one person briefed on the events said the interactions concerning the security tapes were enough to arouse suspicion among Smiths investigators. Moreover, people briefed on witness interviews say, it has become clear that Smith views a number of people connected to Trump with skepticism. Both Irving and the lawyer representing Nauta and Taveras, Woodward, are being paid by Trumps political action committee, Save America, which itself has been under scrutiny by Smiths team. Prosecutors are looking into whether the group raised money from donors by claiming that it would be earmarked for legal challenges to the 2020 election, but that Trumps aides knew he had lost. The Washington Post reported Tuesday about a conversation between an unnamed IT worker and an unnamed maintenance worker at Mar-a-Lago. Taveras grand jury appearance was not the first time that Smiths team has focused on the question of how the security tapes at Mar-a-Lago were handled. Prosecutors have also issued subpoenas to Matthew Calamari Sr. and his son, Matthew Calamari Jr., who have long overseen security issues for the Trump Organization. The prosecutors have sent separate subpoenas to the company seeking surveillance footage from Mar-a-Lago, people with knowledge of the matter said. The first such subpoena was issued last June, and since then, prosecutors have sent several more subpoenas for a wider array of footage, one person with knowledge of the matter said. The prosecutors appear to have sought the footage in order to get a clearer picture of the movement of the boxes of documents at Mar-a-Lago. But there were gaps in the footage, the person said, and the prosecutors have also been examining whether someone intentionally stopped the tape or if technological issues caused the gap. The prosecutors have also subpoenaed a software company that handles all of the surveillance footage for the Trump Organization, including at Mar-a-Lago, The New York Times previously reported. The attempts by Smiths team to get to the bottom of what was happening with the boxes and the tapes reflect a fundamental challenge that prosecutors have faced since the start of the documents investigation: Trumps post-presidential world at Mar-a-Lago is as much of a mishmash of loyalists and other officials as his chaotic White House was, and those who surround him most at his private club are employees with whom he has developed direct personal relationships over years. Nauta was a military aide serving as a valet in the Trump White House, requiring a level of intimate proximity to the president that few staff members develop. After the Trump administration ended, Nauta retired from the military and went to work for Trump directly. And Deoliveira once parked cars at the club, a Trump aide said. Before working on the information systems at Mar-a-Lago, Taveras managed them at the Trump International Hotel and Tower and at the Trump SoHo Hotel, according to his LinkedIn page. c.2023 The New York Times Company Protests took place in West Palm Beach and across Florida while some businesses across the state shut their doors Thursday in opposition to a tough, new immigration law pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis last week formally announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination and is campaigning this week in Iowa and New Hampshire. A couple of weeks earlier, he signed into law the sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigrants that is the subject of the protests. Im trying to support all of the immigrant people, said Victor Prado, general manager of El Mariachi restaurant in West Palm Beach, which was closed Thursday. They come to this country to get a better life. We left everyone in our country to come to this beautiful country to live better. More: Live updates: Former FSU, NFL player Travis Rudolph returns to court for day 5 of murder trial More: Breaking: Star chef to take over Ta-boo restaurant space in Palm Beach More: Tropical depression forms in northeastern Gulf of Mexico, could become Arlene Prado, a native of Mexico, entered the U.S. more than two decades ago and has gained citizenship, running the family restaurant for the past five years. But he said Floridas new law will harm both immigrants and employers. Other area restaurants that reportedly closed Thursday along with El Mariachi were La Banana Loca in Greenacres and Tacos al Carbon in West Palm Beach. The measure, which takes effect July 1, is considered among the toughest steps taken by any state to deter illegal aliens. But it has been condemned by critics as cruel and potentially leading to law enforcement profiling. In Tallahassee, Chile & Chili's Taqueria announced on Instagram it would close on Thursday in protest of the immigration law, which imposes tough penalties and new restrictions on undocumented immigrants in Florida. Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown West Palm Beach on Thursday, and marched from city hall down Flagler Drive to the Meyer Amphitheatre. A protest organizer said they will protest again Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., marching from city hall to the county courthouse. "We apologize to our clients as we join our Latino brothers," the post reads. The Florida protests were part of a nationwide effort led by Latino organizations opposing anti-immigration laws in several states and urging more comprehensive immigration reform by Congress. Demonstrations were planned for Jacksonville, Vero Beach, Orlando, Tampa and the farming communities of Immokalee and Pierson but others popped up, such as in West Palm Beach. A protest Saturday over the Florida measure outside Homestead City Hall drew hundreds of people, many of them immigrants. Immigration law: DeSantis signs illegal immigration crackdown and rails against Biden Takeaways from the law: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs sweeping immigration bill SB 1718 into law 'The stakes couldn't be higher': Ron DeSantis kicks off 2024 presidential campaign in Iowa Demonstrators gather to protest the new controversial immigration law, SB 1718, that was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Hundreds gathered and marched in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida on June 1, 2023. The Florida law strengthens employment requirements and allows state law enforcement officials to conduct random audits of businesses suspected of hiring undocumented workers. It also gives DeSantis an additional $12 million for a migrant relocation program similar to that used by the governor last year to lure almost 50 mostly Venezuelan asylum-seekers from Texas to Marthas Vineyard off the Massachusetts coast. Under the law, criminal penalties are increased for human smuggling, with third-degree felony charges imposed on anyone caught knowingly and willingly transporting anyone illegally in the country across state lines into Florida. Transporting a minor or more than five undocumented people into the state carries a second-degree felony penalty. Undocumented migrants also could face felony charges by displaying a false ID to obtain employment. In addition, all businesses with 25 or more employees would be required to use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of new workers. "Were protecting Floridians, to the full extent of our ability," DeSantis said at the event in Jacksonville where he enacted the law. A podium sign read, "Biden's Border Crisis," in a swipe at the Democratic president. Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event in Clive, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. But advocates for Florida's immigrant community are fighting back. In the Florida Panhandle, Lalo's Drywall, a construction company that does work in Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson and Franklin counties, was closed Thursday in support of Florida's immigrant workforce. "The governor isnt doing a good job," said the owner, who asked not to be identified. "This is a bad decision. Us immigrants, we work hard to be here, and this is a bad law." Santos Huerta, who works at Chile & Chilis in Tallahassee, said she stands with Floridas immigrant workforce. The taco trucks staff heard about the protest from social media and wanted to participate in solidarity. I am one more of them, she said. We are a united community. Santos Huerta, 35, poses for a portrait in front of the Chile u0026 Chili's Taqueria food truck on Tennessee Street on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Huerta, who was wearing gold cross earrings and a medallion of the Virgin Mary, said she believes God is looking out for the Hispanic people in Florida. He is with us, he wont leave us behind, and well keep going, Huerta said. In Naples, J&R Valdez Painting, Inc. owner Juan Valdez said all 45 of his workers will be on strike. Since the immigration bill passed in early May, he's lost 15 employees who have moved to other states. They have families that are immigrants, so theyre doing it for their families, he said. Demonstrators gather to protest the new controversial immigration law, SB 1718, that was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Hundreds gathered and marched in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida on June 1, 2023. Under the law, local governments would be banned from contributing money to organizations that create identification cards for undocumented immigrants and drivers licenses issued to non-citizens in other states would be barred from use in Florida, a provision critics say may cause confusion and law enforcement profiling, especially in a diverse, visitor-filled state. Hospitals receiving state and federal Medicaid reimbursements would be required to track how much money is spent on undocumented immigrants in emergency rooms. Hospitals also would be required to ask patients about whether they are in the country legally, a standard opponents say will discourage many people from seeking health care even those who have been living for years in Florida cities. "We truly believe that this is a moment when all of us have to stand up and fight back," said Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, with the Hope Community Center, a non-profit in Apopka, which works with immigrant families. John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport. Contact Ana Goni-Lessan at AGoniLessan@tallahassee.com and follow her on Twitter @goni_lessan. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Opponents of DeSantis immigration law hold protests, business strikes The Poudre School District paraprofessional previously charged with assaulting an at-risk kindergartner on a school bus is now accused of assaulting a total of six students, all with disabilities. Tyler Zanella, 36, was arrested May 24 on the initial charges involving the at-risk kindergarten student, including three counts of third-degree felony assault against an at-risk person. He was fired that day by PSD, a district spokesperson confirmed. He now faces nearly 130 charges, including 30 felony charges, following a review of video surveillance by Fort Collins police detectives and district officials of routes he worked during the school year, police announced Wednesday. Fort Collins police say multiple additional assaults and five additional victims, all discovered to be at-risk due to their disabilities, were discovered during that investigation. Parents of those students were notified Tuesday, and the Larimer District Attorneys Office accepted and filed the additional charges Wednesday. They include: 30 counts of third-degree assault against an at-risk person, a Class 6 felony 49 counts of misdemeanor child abuse 49 counts of misdemeanor harassment During a hearing last week regarding the initial charges filed against Zanella, Larimer County Court Judge Michael M. Schwartz set Zanellas bond at $5,000 and issued a protection order restricting Zanella from visiting any elementary school, including that of his own children. The judge noted during the virtual court appearance that police suspected there were additional students who could be victims. Court records show Zanella posted bond later that day and was released before returning to the Larimer County Jail on Monday to serve a 12-day sentence in an unrelated case. He was listed as an inmate at the jail Wednesday afternoon, when police announced the filing of the additional charges. Zanella had worked as a paraprofessional bus assistant tasked with assisting bus drivers for PSD since Aug. 29, 2022, spokesperson Emily Shockley wrote last week in an emailed response to questions from the Coloradoan. A summary of his job description provided by the district reads: "Minimize driver distractions and assist with ensuring students are safe during the loading, unloading, transporting, and transferring on buses." Tyler Zanella In an email to parents Wednesday afternoon, PSD said district staff had reviewed 190 hours of footage of Zanella on bus route No. 2253, the route the initial student was on when three previous assaults were alleged to have occurred. Staff recorded clips of video showing other possible instances of misconduct, the email read, and shared those with law enforcement. The additional charges involving other children came from a review of those clips, PSD said, and the route served multiple schools. There is no other video footage available of Zanella working on PSD buses, the district said. The Wednesday email went to staff and parents and guardians of all students at Bacon and Shepardson elementaries, PSD's transportation staff, and parents and guardians of students who rode on any of the nine routes Zanella worked on, Shockley said. This traumatic situation represents the exact opposite of everything we stand for," PSD Superintendent Brian Kingsley said in the email. "We are heartbroken for those impacted and committed to supporting the investigation by police to ensure the suspect is held accountable." Zanella worked on nine different bus routes during the 2022-23 school year, Shockley said previously, many of which served multiple schools. Those routes were Nos. 2029, 2030, 2090, 2253, 2305, 2301, 2311 and 2312. A Friday email, shared with the Coloradoan, went to staff of other schools served by those routes: at Bacon, Bamford, Bethke, Cache la Poudre, Kruse, Linton, Riffenburgh, Shepardson, Timnath and Werner elementaries; Blevins, Kinard, Preston and Webber middle schools; Timnath Middle-High School; Fossil Ridge and Rocky Mountain high schools; Community Connections; and Cooper Home. Zanella had previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of negligent child abuse in Adams County in 2012, court records show. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation, which was later reduced to 13 months. The Coloradoan has requested the arrest reports in that case but has not received anything as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Last week the Coloradoan learned most of the court documents in that case had been destroyed. There was no reply to a follow-up email explaining why. 9News, citing documents it obtained from that case, reported Wednesday that Zanella was found to be intoxicated while taking care of a young child while the child's mother was away. PSD received a full background check on Zanella before he was hired, Shockley said, and he was asked about the child-abuse misdemeanor on his record before he was hired. PSD obtained the arrest report from that case, she said Thursday, and determined that the details matched Zanella's explanation. Another charge related to that incident was dismissed by the district attorney, court records show. All suspects are 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. Reporter Kelly Lyell covers education, breaking news, some sports and other topics of interest for the Coloradoan. Contact him at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, twitter.com/KellyLyell or facebook.com/KellyLyell.news. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins police say PSD employee assaulted at least 6 students (Bloomberg) -- South Africa is considering switching the venue of an upcoming summit of BRICS leaders to another country, according to people familiar with the matter, a move that would resolve its dilemma over whether to execute an international arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Most Read from Bloomberg The government is considering asking China to host the meeting of heads of state, or alternatively neighboring Mozambique, the people said, asking not to be identified because discussions about the matter are private and no decision has been taken yet. Department of International Relations Minister Naledi Pandors spokesman, Lunga Ngqengelele, said that as things stand, the summit will be held in Gauteng province, where the commercial hub of Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria, are situated. As far as we are aware, we have announced the summit venue as Gauteng, South Africa, he said. That is what we know as of today. Read more: How BRICS Became a Real Club and Why Others Want In: QuickTake South Africa has invited Putin, along with the leaders of Brazil, India and China, to the Aug. 22-24 summit. Because South Africa is a member of the International Criminal Court, it would be obliged to execute an arrest warrant for Putin that the tribunal issued earlier this year if he travels to the country an eventuality its intent on avoiding. Putins planned visit has unnerved investors concerned that South Africas close ties to Russia threaten its relations with some of its biggest trading partners, including the US. Americas ambassador to South Africa last month accused Pretoria of contradicting its so-called non-aligned stance on Russias war on Ukraine by supplying weapons to Russia, an allegation the government has denied. The geopolitical tensions have added to worries about the impact on South Africas economic outlook from daily blackouts and logistical constraints that are hampering exports, with the rand falling to successive record lows over the past month. Neither China nor Mozambique are parties to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, which allows Putin to travel there without fear of arrest. Mozambique is unlikely to be a suitable venue because the country lacks the capacity to host an event on the scale of a BRICS summit, one of the people said. The possibility of China being considered as a possible venue for the summit was reported by Reuters earlier on Thursday. The government is still weighing the various legal options that are available on how to handle Putins visit, Pandor told reporters at a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in Cape Town on Thursday. President Cyril Ramaphosa will communicate the final decision once those options have been assessed, she said. The South African government previously drew international criticism in 2015, when it refused to execute an ICC arrest warrant for then-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who had been indicted for war crimes and genocide, while he was attending a meeting of African leaders in Johannesburg. South Africas Supreme Court of Appeals ruled that the government had acted unlawfully and the ICC found that it had failed to failed to comply with its international obligations. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Russian President Vladimir Putin, like the Russian emperors in the past, has built a new "royal village" for himself and his family a conglomerate of land holdings in Moscow Oblast around his official residence in Novo-Ogaryovo. Source: an investigation by the independent Russian news agency Proekt Details: The Russian president has been living and working in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence for the past few years and has even assigned it to himself until the end of his life. Literally everything has been arranged in this place a swimming pool, a bathhouse, various baths and a gym, and a secret railway line was even set up to the residence in 2015. The land around Novo-Ogaryovo was bought through foreign offshore companies and then given to Putins daughters, Mariya and Ekaterina. Nothing was signed to the girls' names for the sake of conspiracy. For example, the younger Ekaterina's territory was registered to her husband, Kirill Shamalov, after the wedding. Her mother, Putin's ex-wife Lyudmila, and her new husband, Artur Ocheretniy, also moved in next door to her younger daughter. Nothing was registered on them either, as the same Shamalov was used as a legal owner. The "tsarist village" territory is not limited to their plots, each worth at least RUB 1 billion [roughly US$12,3 million ed.]. These are large properties, and the main thing to know about them is that no matter whom they are signed to, the land personally belongs to the Russian president. The couple's property manager had to solve their personal problems, for example, negotiating with tutors - Tikhonova and Shalamov were fond of music. They went to vocal classes together, and Tikhonova also played the harp (1 photo top). A list of the premises of the cottage, which Katerina sent to Cyril - a separate acrobatic hall, apparently needed for her dancing classes, and in the art workshop they were going to put a potter's wheel and a loom (2 photo top) The space was planned to be richly decorated. Here is a visualization of a bar counter made of marble and mother-of-pearl for 120 000 euros (1 photo bottom). The same handmade chandelier for 72 thousand euros (2 photo bottom) Shamalov was in a relationship with Putin's youngest daughter, Yekaterina Tikhonova, from 2012 to 2016. During this time, he owned two plots of land with luxurious mansions, which foreign offshore companies owned before him. This land is vital because it is located so close to Putin's Novo-Ogaryovo residence (just 10 minutes away on foot). In addition, Shamalov bought a vast plot of land 15 minutes away from the main house in the village of Znamenskoye. The market value of all this property is at least RUB 6 billion [roughly US$74,2 million ed.]. Shamalov and his wife most likely never lived in one of the two houses near Novo-Ogaryovo. They issued a power of attorney for the use of the property to the family of Lyudmila Putina, the president's ex-wife and Yekaterina's mother. One might assume that Kirill, like a good son-in-law, gifted the land to his favourite mother-in-law. However, this is not the case. Kirill and Ekaterina's relationship began to deteriorate in 2016, and they soon divorced. The divorce process for this couple was simple the ex-husband lost all his real estate in the "royal village" without exception. Putin's friend Arkady Rotenberg (or rather, Rotembergs people) registered a certain Coral JSC in St Petersburg, to which Shamalov transferred all three plots and both houses near Novo-Ogaryovo and in Znamenskoye. This is not to say that Shamalov was left without any money at all he was paid RUB 2.3 billion [roughly US$28,4 million ed.], much less than the market value of his assets. On 30 May, the most important place for Putin was at risk of being attacked by Ukrainian drones. At least one of them was shot down just four kilometres from the presidents residence. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian dictator Vladimir Putin Putin reportedly lives and works in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence. It is fully equipped with all the amenities, including a swimming pool, sauna, various baths, and a gym. A secret railway line was even built to the residence in 2015, journalists said. The land around Novo-Ogaryovo was bought through foreign offshore companies and later gifted to the dictators daughters, Maria and Katerina. However, nothing was registered to the women for privacy reasons. For example, the land plots given to Katerina were re-registered to her husband, Kirill Shamalov, after their wedding. Shamalov was in a relationship with the dictators youngest daughter, Katerina Tikhonova, from 2012 to 2016. During this time, he became the owner of two luxurious land plots with mansions, which had previously been registered to offshore companies. These land plots are located just a 10-minute walk from the dictators Novo-Ogaryovo residence. Shamalov also purchased a huge land plot in the village of Znamenskoe, a 15-minute drive from the main building. The market value of all this real estate is estimated at more than RUB 6 billion ($74.1 million). One of the two houses near Novo-Ogaryovo was probably never used by Shamalov and his wife. They handed over the power of attorney for the use of this property to the family of Lyudmila Putina, the dictators former wife and Katerinas mother, the investigation says. Journalists reiterated that the relationship between Kirill and Katerina deteriorated in 2016, when they broke up. After the divorce, Shamalov lost all real estate in the tsars village. Putins friend, Arkady Rotenberg, registered JSC Coral in St. Petersburg, to which Shamalov transferred all three land plots and both houses, both in Novo-Ogaryovo and in Znamenskoe. Shamalov was paid RUB 2.3 billion ($28.4 million), which is significantly less than the assets market value. Read also: Moscow may have been attacked by Ukrainian drones, military expert suggests There are also land plots with two houses in the Usovo-Plyus elite residential area, to the east of the dictators residence. They were purchased by Cypriot Ermira, which, according to Proekt journalists, is Putins personal wallet. Putins eldest daughter Maria will settle there after marriage. The land plots, however, remain in the ownership of offshore companies for security reasons. Moscow reportedly experienced a drone attack early on May 30. According to Russian media, one drone struck the upper floors of a residential building at 98 Profsoyuznaya Street, leading to damage to its facade and windows. Read also: NATO chief Stoltenberg backs Ukraine's right to self-defense following Moscow drone attack A second drone was reported to have hit a 24-story residential building on Atlasova Street in Novaya Moskva. A third was reported to have hit a building on Leninsky Prospekt. Russian Telegram channel Baza reported that over a dozen drones were downed in Moscow Oblast, primarily in the districts of Istrinsky, Krasnogorsky, and Odintsovsky. Commenting on the May 30 drone strike, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Presidents Office, said that the drones want to return to their creators but denied that Ukraine was involved in the attacks on the Russian capital. 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 Putin is terrified of being assassinated and is refusing to travel abroad after a drone attack near his luxury home: reports Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Eurasian Economic Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 9, 2022. Contributor/Getty Images Drones targeting Moscow struck near Russian President Vladimir Putin's home, a report says. The report said Putin was so scared of being assassinated that he was refusing to travel abroad. Putin has long used elaborate layers of security, a former UK intelligence official told Insider. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long sought to project an image of invincibility through his notorious macho PR stunts and aggressive assertions of Russia's role on the world stage. But according to a Wednesday report in the Daily Beast that cited the Russian independent outlet Verstka, the Russian leader increasingly feared his life. The report said he was so concerned about being assassinated amid the fallout from the invasion of Ukraine that he was refusing to travel from the country. The source whom Verstka described as a high-ranking Russian official said the feeling "behind the scenes of the Kremlin" was that Putin was wary of traveling anywhere and that "he has no sense of security." According to the report, recent events had heightened the Russian president's paranoia. They included a March arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in the Hague on allegations of war crimes and a series of mysterious drone attacks near Moscow. There have also been allegations of a coup against him by the Russian mercenary group Wagner, and their chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The drone strikes on Tuesday hit a wealthy Russian capital suburb which the Kremlin said were intercepted by air-defense systems. According to The Moscow Times, which cited a crash-site list from the Russian government, the drones hit villages only a few kilometers from Novo-Ogaryovo, the site of the luxurious home where Putin is believed to spend much of his time. One source told the publication that Putin was in the residence at the time of the attack and was woken by security officials. Dmitry Medvedev, a Kremlin official and former Russian president, said a drone attack on the Kremlin in May was a Ukrainian attempt to assassinate Putin, which Ukraine denied. Philip Ingram, a former British Military intelligence officer, told Insider that Putin had long encased himself in elaborate layers of security and that his isolation appeared to be getting worse. He said that the Russian president's paranoia became more accentuated during the COVID pandemic when he lived in a virtual-isolation bubble. Ingram added that new fears of assassination meant Putin lived in isolation while surrounded by a few close aides who fed him false information tailored to suit his prejudices. Putin speaking at a government meeting on tourism development in Russia via a video link from Saint Petersburg on May 2, 2023. MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images Recent events, Ingram said, "will continue to reinforce his paranoia, so he will continue to take increasingly stronger security measures to keep himself more isolated." He said these security measures included using body doubles and ensuring Putin's food was "tested and tested" for poisons before being served to him. "His program is very carefully controlled," Ingram said. "His inner sanctum bodyguards are loyal to the point where they will do anything for him they are psychologically tested for all of this sort of stuff and it literally means anything for him." Ingram's comments echo those of a former Kremlin security official, Gleb Karakulov, who fled Russia in April in opposition to the war in Ukraine. In comments to a Russian opposition group in London reported by RFERL, he spoke about Putin's increasing isolation and paranoia. He said that Putin traveled in an armored train and insisted on COVID-19 quarantine measures for those working closely with him. The Russian leader wouldn't even use the internet, he said. Ingram said Putin's isolation meant he was only being presented with distorted information by a group of close aides, warping his decision-making. This, Ingram said, "means that he's in a position where, if he's only been presented with what he wants to hear, then his decision-making will continually be more and more flawed." Ingram pointed to Putin's missteps in the invasion of Ukraine as an example of where he had exercised poor judgment. Putin had been expected to attend summits in India this summer, as well as the BRICS summit in South Africa in August, but local reports said his attendance was in question amid concerns over the ICC arrest warrant. Reuters reported that South African officials even considered moving the summit to China. Ingram said Putin would like to portray himself as an "international statesman" who asserts himself on the global stage. But fears of assassination and feelings of paranoia are beginning to destroy that image. Read the original article on Business Insider Putin's new bomb shelter with operational and special communications rooms for officials to be built Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will get a new bomb shelter with operational and special communications rooms for officials at his disposal. The Russian Presidential Administration is going to build a new bomb shelter on the territory of the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow, where senior Russian officials are treated. Source: Russian public procurement website; Meduza, the Russian Latvia-based media outlet Details: Information about this appeared on the Russian public procurement website on 26 May, with an initial cost of RUB 35 million [roughly US$500,000]. The documentation refers to the construction of a "civil defence protective structure" at 15 Marshala Timoshenko Street, where the Moscow Central Clinical Hospital, which treats senior Russian officials and politicians, is located. The procurement is scheduled to be completed on 20 December 2023. The documents do not specify the area of the bomb shelter and its capacity, but they do indicate that the "civil defence shelter" at the Central Clinical Hospital includes, for example, operating, preoperative and bandaging rooms. The draft agreement also states that the bomb shelter must provide for the operation of special communication systems "for officials who are subject to state protection" and "equip the premises of the relevant officials with technical assets of protection against leakage of classified information." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Putin's press secretary says attacks on Belgorod Oblast have no impact on war with Ukraine Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has said that attacks on Belgorod Oblast have no impact on the so-called "special operation", as Russia calls the war against Ukraine. Source: RIA Novosti, Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet Details: Peskov has stated that the situation with the attacks on Belgorod Oblast cannot affect the course of the "special operation" in general. At the same time, he said that it was not his place to talk about "peculiarities". As for the evacuation, Peskov has said that the regional authorities are working on it, and they are constantly in touch with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Background: On 1 June 2023, the Russian Volunteer Corps and Freedom of Russia Legion announced that they were conducting another operation on the territory of the Russian Federation. The fighters recorded a video message and reported they were going toward Shebekino. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! UK, London, looking East with view of the financial district and Canary Wharf against sky at dusk - shomos uddin/Moment RF The looming anniversary of the 2016 vote to leave the European Union is already prompting a flurry of assessments on the impact of Brexit on the British economy. These evaluations range from the sensible and balanced, through to the silly or even hysterical. It is unfortunate, but perhaps not surprising, that the latter seem to be the most popular. Take the services sector. If one thinks back to all the apocalyptic claims made by Remainers, our services industry should be a smoking ruin by now. Instead, the opposite is true: it has been a success story, and that will only become more obvious. For a start, the UKs exports of services have performed strongly over the last year. This partly reflects buoyant global demand for the types of services in which the UK is comparatively strong, including financial services, other business services such as advertising or legal services, and education. But there is no sign of a Brexit hit here. This applies to individual sectors as well. Brexit is supposed to have dealt a severe blow to the UK financial services industry by ending unfettered access to the EUs Single Market. This has made it harder for many firms to do business in the rest of Europe and some have had to increase their presence in EU member states. However, the overall impact has been far less than feared. As much as 1.3 trillion of assets may have been transferred from the UK to the EU, but this is largely just a question of where transactions are booked. Very few jobs have followed perhaps 7,000 in a sector employing over a million and much of the associated tax revenue seems to have stayed in the UK. In the meantime, London remains by far Europes most competitive financial centre. Indeed, according to the latest Global Financial Centres Index, Edinburgh and Glasgow both ranked above Dublin and Milan. Of course, it is not enough just to say that Brexit has been less damaging than expected. It was supposed to benefit the City. But this is a process. There are worries that the EU will succeed in using its regulatory powers to force more activities to migrate to the bloc, including more euro-denominated business. It says a lot that the EU is unwilling to play fair here, though perhaps we should not be surprised that countries like Germany and France are putting the interests of their own financial centres above those of the households and businesses that benefit from access to the City. However, the UK now has the opportunity to build on its existing competitive strengths in financial services. As in many other areas, the jury is still out on the willingness of this government (or perhaps that should be the Blob) to take advantage of the post-Brexit freedoms. But the Edinburgh Reforms a package of measures to boost the financial services sector announced in December are a large step in the right direction. Britains universities remain the envy of Europe, if not the world. The UK could surely come up with its own programme of international research and collaboration to rival the EUs Horizon scheme. But more clarity here would ease concerns over the post-Brexit arrangements too. Other services sectors have also faced new challenges. Instead of automatically gaining access to all EU markets, the ability of UK professionals such as accountants and lawyers (as well as people working in the performing arts) to do business in each country depends on the local rules. However, the situation here is improving as businesses become more familiar with the rules in each country. And the direction of travel is towards mutual recognition of a wider range of professional qualifications. As for the services economy in the UK itself, the labour shortages faced by many businesses are often blamed on an exodus of EU workers after Brexit. But this is hard to square with the fact that net migration to the UK hit a new record of 606,000 last year. In reality, the end of free movement has reduced the UKs dependency on cheap labour from the EU, with the transition made easier by the more liberal rules for migration from the rest of world. Many European countries that have previously relied heavily on migrant workers are in the same boat. Germany, in particular, is also struggling with labour shortages as workers from the rest of the EU returned home during Covid and have not come back. Whats more, it is harder for any country to attract workers from Eastern European economies, notably Poland, which are now booming themselves. Admittedly, the post-Brexit migration system is not working perfectly. The headline figures hide a number of mismatches in individual sectors. For example, hospitality businesses now need more part-time workers to offset the loss of full-time staff from the EU. There is also a case for more flexibility on visas in sectors such as social care and seasonal work in agriculture. However, these bugs can be fixed. Given time, the UKs relatively flexible labour market will adjust. Economic inactivity is already falling as better pay and conditions attract more people back to work. Finally, the UK has only just started to take advantage of the freedom to negotiate new agreements which will open up more opportunities for international trade in services, as well as goods. These opportunities too will only grow over time. This does not necessarily require giant trade deals. A good example is the mutual recognition of professional qualifications under a Memorandum of Understanding, now in place with some US states. But liberalising the trade in services will be a key benefit of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, spanning Asia and the Americas. In short, Britains services industries continue to thrive despite Brexit scaremongering. Julian Jessop is an independent economist. He tweets @julianhjessop. 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. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 31) Almost 15,000 Filipinos have so far been affected as Typhoon Betty continued to move slowly over the sea east of Batanes, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). In its latest report on Wednesday, the NDRRMC said Betty has affected 14,908 individuals (3,821 families) in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas. Of that number, the agency said 5,981 persons were pre-emptively evacuated. A total of six regions, 13 provinces, 30 municipalities, and 94 barangays were affected, it added. One hundred fourteen flights and 72 sea ports were also affected as the typhoon entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Damage to infrastructure is pegged at 68,695. Meanwhile, the government has distributed nearly 2 million worth of assistance for the affected population. The NDRRMC has not reported any deaths or injuries. But the disaster officials in Occidental Mindoro said a fisherman from the town of Abra de Ilog was killed after being struck by lightning. Another individual from the town of San Jose was also hit by lightning but survived. The NDRRMC has yet to validate the local reports. According to its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Betty is seen to weaken over the next five days and may be downgraded into a severe tropical storm by Wednesday night. READ: 'Betty' weakens as it continues to move slowly east of Batanes The state weather bureau added that the typhoon is expected to exit PAR Thursday afternoon or evening. CNN Philippines' correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report. Courtesy of David Rasavong A California restaurant has been forced to permanently shutter its doors after a video went viral falsely claiming its Southeast Asian owner abused dogs and used dog meat in the food. At first, the owner of Tasty Thai in Fresno temporarily closed the restaurant on May 16 due to an outpouring of negative reviews, but he claimed the hate messages got so intense that there was no way his business had a chance of recovering. It quickly got to the point where there was almost no return, David Rasavong told The Daily Beast. In the video that went viral across social media, a woman films a panting dog tied up outside a house, with a short leash and no access to water in the heat. Look at this poor dog, guys, she says after walking onto the premises. Fucking ridiculous. An older man of Asian descent answers the door after the woman knocks to yell at him about why the dog is in the heat with no water. However, there appears to be a communication barrier between the two. Eventually, the man fills the dogs bowl with water, and the woman filming yells for the cops to be called. ABC 30 Fresno interviewed the woman, Maria Alvarez Garcia, who insinuated that the dogs conditions were caused by the owners of a next-door restaurant and that the restaurant could have been selling dog meat. At the beginning, yes. A lot of people believed that [the restaurant sold dog meat], Garcia told ABC 30. A lot of people thought that they were related and that they were connected together. She did not immediately respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment Thursday. The post gained so much traction that the Fresno Police Department stepped in on May 16, writing in a Facebook post that they had investigated the situation and determined no animal abuse had occurred. Recently, a short video depicting a female pit bull was uploaded to multiple social media accounts, the post read. The video alleged the pit bull was being abused. Fresno Police officers were quicky [sic] alerted to the situation and thoroughly investigated the incident. The short video posted on social media was a snapshot and did not show the complete and thorough picture of the incident. We are happy to report that the investigation revealed the dog is not abused. We would like to thank the community members that were concerned for the safety of the dog." Nevertheless, negative comments and reviews began inundating Tasty Thai. Rasavong, who is of Lao descent, said he initially figured they may have been pranks or people leaving fake reviews, so he reported them to Google to be deleted. However, within a day he realized it was a bigger issue. What Does It Mean to Be Asian American in 2022? Thats when I started realizing it wasnt just Google, Rasavong said. It was also Yelp, and then it was Facebook, Instagram, and even direct message. And I remember thinkingthey all say the same thing. So, thats when I started to look into the matter. At first, Rasavong tried to handle the situation by personally messaging every person who left a negative review to say that his restaurant had no affiliation with the house next door, that he didnt know his neighbors, that they certainly didnt serve dog meat. But Rasavong continued to be bombarded with racist comments and stereotypes. People [were] calling us disgusting, evil people, Rasavong told The Daily Beast. Your name shouldnt be Tasty Thai. It should be Tasty Dog. Those are the ones that really stuck in my head. Rasavong also said pictures of the tied-up dog were attached to restaurant reviews along with comments from people telling him to leave the U.S. I received phone calls, multiple phone calls, Rasavong said. The one that really, really got methe ladysaid, Youre torturing dogs. Go back to the country you came from, you dog-eating motherf-er. We just made the decision right then and there, he said. We have to close until we get our truth out there so that it doesnt get any worse. Rasavong also filed a police report once he discovered threatening voice messages left at the restaurant during the closure. Garcia, whose Facebook is full of animal welfare videos, later uploaded a video to her page apologizing for wrongly placing the blame on Tasty Thai. The situation got out of hand, she says in the video. Id like to apologize; this is not the person I am. Its been a hard situation to handle. I am sorry that David and his family are going through this. Theres no justification for the hate that this has spit out. It was not my intention for it to go this way. But the damage was done, and Tasty Thai never reopened after May 15. Rasavong told The Daily Beast he didnt want his parents, who are older and loved to spend their time at the restaurant, to deal with any negativity that could stem from the video. [My parents] always wanted to pass on our tradition, the richness of our [culture], he said. That's probably the most fulfilling thing for them is to say, Hey, we can actually share with the community and the community enjoys the food, the service we provide. Rasavong said his parents are immigrants from Laos and took shelter in multiple refugee camps before making it to the U.S. He is the first member in his immediate familybetween his parents and siblingsto have been born in the country. He said the ordeal reminded him of growing up as an Asian American in San Francisco and kids of other cultural backgrounds asking if his family ate dogs. It was extremely hurtful as a kid, and you're embarrassed and you're scared and all of those emotions. But when you get older, you think kids are going to be kids, he said. So now that this has happened to us based on this disgusting Asian stereotype, it was almost hard for me to fathom. 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. Need a raise? Check out these five MS Coast jobs that pay more than $50,000 a year Wages in Mississippi were an average of 8.7% higher in September 2022 than they were for the same period a year earlier, the latest numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show. The increase lifted the average wage in the state to $933 a week. Even so, Mississippi has long had the lowest median household income in the nation. Median income in the state was estimated at $46,637 in 2021, U.S. Census records show. Coast residents looking for better-paying jobs have a variety from which to choose, depending on experience. Here are some of the latest listings for jobs paying more than $50,000 a year: If Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy wins the presidency, he says he would end U.S. support for Ukraine and instead broker a peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine. "I will end the war by ceasing further U.S. support for Ukraine and negotiating a peace treaty with Russia that achieves a vital U.S. security objective: ceasing Russia's growing military alliance with China," Ramaswamy is expected to say in a policy speech Friday, according to an advance copy of his remarks obtained by CBS News. Ramaswamy would "offer a Korean war-style armistice agreement" that would cede most of Ukraine's Donbas region to Russia." And as part of the settlement, he said he would suspend U.S. military assistance to Ukraine, prevent Kyiv from joining NATO and lift Western sanctions against the Kremlin. He would also withdraw all troops from Ukraine and close all bases in Eastern Europe. However, there are no U.S. combat troops on the ground in Ukraine, as Rep. Mike Turner recently noted on "Face the Nation." There are a few whose existence was exposed by alleged Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira, and they are tasked with U.S. embassy security in Kyiv. "These concessions to Russia are significant," Ramaswamy says. In return, he says the U.S. would expect Russia to relinquish its military alliance with China, rejoin the nuclear non-proliferation START treaty, and withdraw all nuclear weapons and delivery capabilities from surrounding areas of Ukraine and annexed regions of the war-torn country. Since the war began in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $75 billion in assistance to Kyiv. "Under my peace plan, Ukraine will still emerge with its sovereignty intact and Russia permanently diminished as a foe. Ukraine's best path to preserving its own security is to accept a U.S.-negotiated agreement backstopped by Russian commitments to the U.S.," Ramaswamy is expected to say. The entrepreneur said his strategy "is the mirror-image of President Nixon's diplomatic maneuver that distanced China from Russia in 1972, except this time Putin is the new Mao." Ramaswamy says his policy differs from that of two of his Republican rivals, former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, neither of whom has formally stated a Ukraine policy. Trump claimed in a CNN Town Hall that he would end the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine within 24 hours. Like Ramaswamy, DeSantis has indicated he does not favor continuing to fund the Ukraine war, which he referred to as a "territorial dispute," a statement that was met by derision by many Republicans. The innovative effort to restore reefs High cost of eating out may keep diners at home U.S. to admit nearly 40,000 migrants monthly via mobile app Raven-Symone says she has made everyone she has dated sign an NDA, including her wife: 'Welcome to being a celebrity' Raven-Symone and Miranda Pearman-Maday at the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards. Monica Schipper/Getty Images Raven-Symone said that she makes everyone she dates sign non-disclosure agreements. Raven said that she does this to protect herself as a Hollywood star in the age of social media. Raven added that she was pressured by her mother to make her wife Miranda Maday sign an NDA. Raven-Symone said that she has made everyone she has dated sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect her private life. Last week, the Disney star spoke to Howie Mandel and his daughter Jackelyn Shultz on the "Howie Mandel Does Stuff" podcast about her relationship with Miranda Pearman-Maday, whom she married in 2020. During the discussion, Raven brought up how she makes all of her partners sign an NDA. "It took me a while to wrap my head around it because it's just very impersonal, but someone in our position needs to do that," the 37-year-old actor said. "Welcome to being a celebrity in Hollywood nowadays. Nowadays, hashtags, real life, they change the dynamic of having an intimate relationship with somebody." When asked when exactly she gets them to sign the paperwork, Raven said that she has them on her nightstand and normally gets her partners to sign a form "right before naughty time comes," or the day before. Raven added that she also supplies consent forms detailing what each person is comfortable with in the relationship. Raven explained that she was pressured by her mother to get her wife, Miranda, to sign an NDA two months into their relationship. "Her moment was crazy. We were in New York. We were in this outdoor French-type of restaurant and my mom had been bugging me," said Raven. "She was like, 'You got to get it signed.' I'm like, 'She's from the industry.' I was like, 'Okay, fine,' and I was really reluctant because I knew something was different about Miranda." Raven continued: "So I set her down. I was like, 'I have to ask you something. Will you sign this paper?' She was like, 'No.' And I was like, 'Please because just make this stress go away for me. Please.' She's like, 'I don't understand,' because she knew that we had something different. She did it for me because she knew that I was being pushed elsewhere and she understood." Raven said that making Miranda sign the paperwork took away "the genuineness of it all" but "we understood that we live in Hollywood." The "That's So Raven" star also said that she has "paperwork in place" when asked if she and Miranda signed a prenup before their wedding in 2020. Read the original article on Insider RC135 Moldova Ukraine A U.K. Royal Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint today conducted a very unusual sortie inside Moldovan airspace, while other surveillance aircraft patrolled on the Romanian side of the border. These flights are very likely connected with the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Moldova, which involves 47 heads of state and government, and comes as the country becomes one of the latest to receive European Union candidate status. At the same time, Moldova, a small nation located between Romania and Ukraine, has found itself increasingly trapped in a war of words between Moscow and Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. https://twitter.com/nukestrat/status/1664228991220195330?s=20 Online flight-tracking websites caught the RC-135W, which has the serial number ZZ664 and was using the callsign RRR7201 at the time, departing RAF Waddington in the United Kingdom earlier today. The aircraft then flew east over the English Channel, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland, before continuing over Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, thereafter finally crossing the border into Moldova. Once there, it began to fly racetrack patterns along the Moldovan side of the border, with the capital, Chisinau, falling roughly in the middle of this pattern, albeit further to the east. The EPC Summit is taking place at Mimi Castle, southeast of Chisinau. https://twitter.com/MiddleEastGuy/status/1565346359967789057?s=20 The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, which serves with the U.S. Air Force as well as the Royal Air Force, is a highly capable signals intelligence (SIGINT) platform. A variety of onboard sensors allow the Rivet Joint to hoover up communications emissions, as well as gather details about air defense radars and other signal emitters, and pinpoint locations. Perhaps most relevant to the mission over Moldova today, the Rivet Joint can intercept communications, which can then be processed and analyzed by onboard linguists fluent in relevant languages. These aircraft also play an important role in generating electronic orders of battle, which detail potentially hostile capabilities in a certain area. A graphic offering a general overview of an RC-135V/W aircrafts internal layout, crew composition, and capabilities. U.S. Air Force As well as the RAF RC-135W, other NATO surveillance aircraft have been active today on the Romanian side of the border, including a U.S. Air Force RC-135V Rivet Joint, serial number 64-14846, with the callsign JAKE 17, and a NATO E-3 Sentry Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, with the callsign NATO 03. https://twitter.com/space_osint/status/1664232530101297152?s=20 Keeping an eye on what was going on in Moldova during this high-profile meeting, as well as potential threats emanating from beyond the countrys borders, would have been an important task for these different ISR aircraft, with the E-3 on hand to provide airspace surveillance. At the center of the EPC Summit is Moldovas possible entry into the EU. In June last year, EU leaders granted candidate status to both Moldova and Ukraine, in a move that was widely seen as signaling support to both these countries as they face different pressures from Moscow. President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, (center) poses with fellow European leaders for a photo ahead of the European Political Community (EPC) Summit near Chisinau, Moldova, on June 1, 2023. Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images While Ukraine has been fighting to drive invading Russian forces out of its territory, Moldova faces a problem of a different kind. Moldova is the second poorest country in Europe and its leaders have grown increasingly concerned that it could be the next target of Russian aggression, especially if Moscows forces prevail over Ukraine. A key flashpoint in Moldova is the pro-Russian region of Transnistria also known as Trans-Dniester located between the Dniester River and the Ukrainian border. Transnistria broke away from Moldova in 1990. Although its claims of independent status are barely recognized internationally, Transnistria has since received economic and military support from Moscow, including around 1,500 Russian peacekeeping soldiers stationed on Transnistrian soil. Since Brussels has expressed its willingness to admit Moldova into the EU, the tensions in the country have only increased, fueled by the war in neighboring Ukraine and by Chisinau increasingly moving into a pro-Western orbit. Moldovas location in the region. Google Maps Simultaneous with the EPC Summit, material support is also being provided to Moldova by EU allies. Today, Mariusz Kaminski, the Polish Minister of Interior and Administration, announced that his country was supplying a huge shipment of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to the Moldovan Police, transported in two Polish Air Force C-130 Hercules and four C295 transport aircraft. https://twitter.com/Kaminski_M_/status/1664200773905907715?s=20 Earlier this year, the Kremlin declared that it was worried about the situation in Transnistria and has begun to push the narrative that Ukraine is poised to make a military move against the region, without any evidence to back those claims. The Kremlin has also accused Ukraine and its European allies of stirring up the situation in Transnistria. As the rhetoric has ramped up, Moscow has also reiterated that any attack on Russian troops in Transnistria would be considered an attack on Russia itself. Transnistria officially, Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) troops cross the street in Tiraspol, Moldova. Photo by Sander de Wilde/Corbis via Getty Images Meanwhile, Moldova has continued to express its concerns about Russias ambitions for the republic, with the countrys pro-European president, Maia Sandu, earlier this year accusing Moscow of plotting a coup against her government. This was not the first claim of its kind from President Sandu, who also accused Moscow of attempting to take control of her countrys government, last fall. Sandu said that local security forces prevented a Russian attempt to seize control of the country, in which pro-Moscow factions were using protests about rising energy prices to bring down the government. Moldova has also experienced more tangible examples of fallout from the war in Ukraine, including an incident last December when a missile component landed on its territory. Local authorities said they found the component in an orchard about a mile and a half from Ukraine and there were reports that it was identified as part of an S-300 air defense missile. However, it was not immediately clear whether it had come from a Russian missile used against Ukraine in a surface-to-surface capacity, or a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile that had been fired against a Russian weapon. https://twitter.com/MargoGontar/status/1599768719172829185?s=20 The previous October, there were also reports of at least three Russian missiles flying over the territory of Moldova, according to Ukrainian Pravda. Moldova has also been affected by Russian missile attacks on Ukraine that have disrupted the Ukrainian power grid, to which it is linked. All in all, Moldovas situation is highly complex. Not only lying in the sometimes physical crossfire of the war in Ukraine, it has also become an increasingly important factor in the war of words between Kyiv and Moscow, while local authorities continue to fear that it, too, could become a target of Russian aggression. Molodvas road to EU membership, should that come to pass, will also be a complicated one and is only likely to draw more ire from Russia. With that in mind, this may well not be the last time we see an RC-135, or other NATO surveillance asset, patrolling Moldovan airspace. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com Editor's note: We asked the Kyiv Independent supporters to share their questions about the war. Here's what they asked and how we answered. Join our community to ask a question in the next round. Question: Do you have any hints at what strategy might look like if the counteroffensive does not result in major gains for Ukraine? Answer: My guess is that the Ukrainian command will be very careful about throwing in forces and supporting advances with fresh reserves. If things do not go the way they wanted, they should be able to perform an orderly retreat and keep the bulk of military forces prepared (and prevent Russia's fast counter-strike). Illia Ponomarenko, defense reporter What's behind "Z" as a symbol? Where did it come from? Answer: The Z, V, and O symbols were painted on Russian military vehicles set to take part in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The overall consensus is that the letters referenced directions from where they would enter Ukraine to minimize friendly fire. As thousands of Russian military vehicles entered Ukraine, the Z became associated with the full-scale invasion, while the Russian pro-war public embraced it, turning it into a modern-day swastika. Oleksiy Sorokin, senior editor Question: What was targeted in the recent (May 12) major explosion in Khmelnytskyi? There seemed to be a single secondary explosion, so it didn't look like an ammunition depot, was it fuel? Answer: All the geolocated footage points towards an old ammunition depot that had been in use since Soviet times. The profile of the explosion does indeed look a bit different from the videos of Russian ammunition depots hit by HIMARS etc., but there are no large fuel storage facilities in the satellite images of the facility, so that's unlikely. It was likely a large amount of ammunition, but it's impossible to know what kind. Francis Farrell, reporter Where does Russia expect Ukraines counterattack? Overview of defensive lines As Ukraine gathers forces for the counteroffensive, Russia continues to build defensive lines on a massive scale. The lines are especially formidable in the southwestern part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where many observers expect the main Ukrainian assault to strike. But defenses have been prepared a The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov Question: During the winter, Ukrainian troops landed on the Kinburn Spit. What happened after that? Is Ukraine in possession of all or part of the Kinburn Peninsula now? Answer: Ukraine's operations across the Dnipro near Kherson have always been of a limited level and quite overhyped by the Ukrainian military and media, especially over winter. They were just small probing raids, partly looking at the feasibility of a potential crossing but mostly just keeping Russia on its toes and forcing Moscow to divert resources away from other fronts. Any kind of permanent presence on the peninsula, which needs to be resupplied with equipment, fuel, ammunition, etc. is impossible at the moment. Francis Farrell, reporter Question: What can be done to cut off Prigozhin's sources of funding from, for example, exploiting natural resources in Africa? The mines seem to be operating full tilt. Answer: There are several ways to cut off Yevgeny Prigozhin's income sources, especially in Africa. But it demands widespread legal actions from the West. The Wagner Group operates in several African countries, giving local dictators muscle, participating in punitive operations against those who disagree with local regimes, and fighting against the armed opposition alongside the local autocrats. In return, the Wagner Group gains access to resources, which further helps the group's boss, Prigozhin, to sponsor Russia's war against Ukraine. This state of affairs also helps Prigozhin stay afloat within the Russian system. Ukraine has asked its allies and partners for more than just sanctions against the Wagner Group. It is the designation of it as a foreign terrorist organization. It is much stronger and stricter than sanctions in this context. If the Wagner Group is widely designated as a terrorist organization, continuing its operations, especially financially, will be much more difficult. The main effect of designating the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization would make it unlawful to cooperate with the group. It would also stigmatize and isolate the Wagner Group internationally, further deterring contributions to any economic transactions. The U.K. is reportedly preparing to designate the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization. The EU and the U.S. are debating similar actions. The French National Assembly recently unanimously designated the Wagner Group as a terrorist entity. The resolution is non-binding but increased the pressure on the EU to act. Alexander Khrebet, reporter Army of hired guns: How Russias PMCs are becoming the main invasion force Private armies are illegal in Russia, so naturally, Moscow has been using them for decades. Now, its making them the main invasion force. The rate at which Russia creates new private military company-like units sped up after 2014 but it really took off during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov Would Ukrainians see the death of Lukashenko as having a positive or negative effect for Ukraine during the war? Answer: According to the October poll by Rating Group, 85% of Ukrainians have a negative attitude toward Belarus, so it's fair to say that many would see the death of Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko as a positive. The official stance of the Ukrainian government is unknown. On the one hand, Lukashenko's death can potentially help Belarusians break free from years of oppression and take their country back. On the other hand, Russia will most likely attempt to place another proxy into the vacant spot. Oleksiy Sorokin, senior editor Question: Is there a majority of people in Crimea who do not want to be a part of Russia? Answer: It's hard to evaluate public sentiment in Crimea, both because of Ukraine's inability to access these territories and because Russia's annexation changed the peninsula's demographics. Many Ukrainians fled Crimea after Russia occupied it in 2014, while thousands of Russians were resettled there by the Kremlin, like the military. According to Tamila Tasheva, permanent representative of the president in Crimea, up to 800,000 Russians illegally moved to occupied Crimea since 2014. Tasheva says that those Russians won't be expelled en masse once Crimea is liberated because such deportation is illegal. Hence, Ukrainian law enforcement will deal with those people on a case-by-case basis. According to international law, Crimea remains a part of Ukraine regardless of post-occupation attitudes. In 1991, during a referendum on Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union, over 50 percent of Crimea's population voted for Ukraine to be independent from the USSR. Anastasiia Lapatina, reporter Who does Crimea really belong to? Russias war against Ukraine began in Crimea. In February 2014, as the pro-Russian regime in Kyiv was killing protesters on the barricades of the EuroMaidan Revolution, thousands of Russian troops without insignia began occupying strategic locations and military bases in the Crimean Peninsula. Wit The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell Question: What percentage (roughly) of Ukraine's ammunition and military hardware needs can be produced within Ukraine? Answer: From what we know, Ukraine's defense industry is now mostly concentrated on repairs vehicles, equipment, and so on. There's roughly 15-20% being produced inside Ukraine (not heavy munitions). When it comes to shells, rounds it's mostly ready-to-go supplies and a small portion of things produced at newly-established lines in Poland and the Czech Republic. By the way, many Ukrainian defense enterprises had a problem with lots and lots of excessive assets, old Soviet production facilities, territorial properties, and so on. Now, in wartime, it's their blessing because their old Soviet plants are insanely huge, and Russia finds it hard to find specific working facilities and target them. Illia Ponomarenko, defense reporter How systemic is the corruption of the legal system in Ukraine? Answer: The judiciary is the least reformed institution in the country. And it's fighting back any attempt to be fixed. The case of Vsevolod Kniaziev, the former head of the Supreme Court, who is on trial for allegedly taking a $2.7 million bribe, is a great example of how bad things are in the judiciary. The Supreme Court was considered one of the better ones before this scandal. The Constitutional Court and the recently defunct Kyiv District Administrative Court are long considered the epitome of corruption. However, Ukraine's civil society and the West are the ones pushing Ukraine's judicial reform forward. And there's a chance. On June 1, the judiciary's highest governing body appointed 16 members of the High Qualification Commission, tasked with vetting and nominating candidates for judicial jobs. The overall consensus is that those chosen don't have a history of mismanagement, corruption, or other malicious activity. Oleksiy Sorokin, senior editor Ukraines judicial reform has mixed reviews as it nears key point As Ukraine is fighting Russia on the front lines, a much quieter battle is happening in the government offices in Kyiv: the fight to bring the long-suffering judicial reform to life. Compared to the war, almost no one is watching this contest. And yet its this battle that will The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov Question: Can Vsevolod Knyazev be charged with war profiteering and or treason? Answer: Knyazev has been charged with receiving a $2.7 million bribe in exchange for a court ruling favorable to businessman Kostyantyn Zhevago. No information indicates that Knyazev has been involved in war profiteering, which implies profiting from warfare or the sale of weapons. Additionally, there is no information suggesting that Knyazev has committed treason. Oleg Sukhov, reporter Question: What is the status of the IDPs in Ukraine? Have they found permanent housing and job's yet? What is the government's plan of action for those that have been displaced? The amount of internally displaced persons constantly fluctuates due to Russian attacks, as well as some IDPs returning home. Ukraine's Minister of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, Iryna Vereschiuk, said in March 2023 that at least 5 million Ukrainians were registered as IDPs, while up to 7 million people were internally displaced but not registered as such. By registering as IDPs, adults can get 2,000 hryvnias around $55 per month as government aid. Children and people with disabilities get 3,000 hryvnias, or roughly $80. There are also many volunteer organizations, both international and domestic, operating around the country to help IDPs with food, clothing, and other necessities. It is sometimes difficult for IDPs to find jobs because employers don't want to hire someone who may leave and go back home in a matter of months. The government helps mitigate those risks by paying companies around $185 per month, for two months, for each IDP a company hires. In April, the government adopted an IDP-focused strategy, which identified key priorities, among which are the safe evacuation of people from dangerous zones, their integration into new communities, and support for their safe return home, when possible. Anastasiia Lapatina, reporter A Game of Drones: Ukraine builds up UAV fleet Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have been the stars of Ukrainian battlefields since the beginning of the war, detecting and destroying Russian forces. If the Ukrainian armed forces have their way, this is only the beginning. The goal now is to have drones and skilled operators in every platoon, every bat The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov Question: I saw some efforts to start producing drones in Ukraine, which at least should drop more grenades into the enemy or serve as (probably expensive) loitering munitions. How are those efforts going? Answer: Unfortunately, that's a long process that also goes hand in hand with a lot of bureaucracy and lack of proper funding. Yes, we do have certain interesting designs, but again, it's still far away from making it to the front line. So, we keep using older types and binge-buying lots and lots of Chinese commercial drones adapted to carry hand grenades or VOG rounds. Illia Ponomarenko, defense reporter Question: Do you agree with the view that Russia is exhausted in terms of offensive potential but still has powerful defense? Answer: Yes, on the whole, he is most likely right in the context of the spring/summer campaign, but as we know, war ebbs and flows, and the state of exhaustion is not forever, as Russia is also always slowly mobilizing and recruiting more men, bringing more equipment out of storage, etc. Russia could mount more major offensives later this year, especially if they successfully withstand the upcoming Ukrainian counteroffensive. However, it is worth mentioning that these will come with diminishing returns: the quality of Russian forces available continues to drop as they rely more and more on mobilized soldiers and older equipment. As for the powerful defense, defending fortified lines of trenches is always a lot easier than attacking them, and Russia has had plenty of time to fortify, whether or not those lines are manned by quality forces. Francis Farrell, reporter Question: How big of a concern is it for Ukrainians that some who have sought refuge in other countries during the war won't return once it's over? Answer: According to the UN, roughly 8 million Ukrainians have fled the country to Europe, escaping Russia's war against Ukraine. These Ukrainian refugees not coming back once the war is over has never been a serious concern. The UN reported that the absolute majority of them 77 percent want to come home. . A report done by the International Organization for Migration back in September 2022 said that around 1,268,000 Ukrainian refugees already returned home. Some came back even to areas still facing Russian attacks, like Kharkiv Oblast, despite the Ukrainian government's caution against it. Anastasiia Lapatina, reporter Question: When donating to the Ukrainian war effort, is there a difference in impact between giving to United 24 versus giving to private efforts to procure supplies for the Armed Forces? (For example, a Ukrainian band that raises funds to buy drones for a Territorial Defense unit.) Answer: It's nothing but my opinion, but from what I'm seeing, non-government charities like Come Back Alive seem to be more effective. This, however, doesn't mean United 24 is really bad in general, most of the large Ukrainian organizations helping the military are good, and it's pretty safe to donate. Illia Ponomarenko, defense reporter Given the recent speculation on Lukashenko's health, I'd like to know your thoughts on whether the people of Belarus might try restarting their protest and opposition movements again? Answer: Unfortunately, I don't see any signs that any tangible protest can take place in Belarus soon. The 2020 Belarus nationwide protest was building on years of dissatisfaction with the regime, followed by a weak response to the COVID pandemic, and were later ignited by the mass falsifications during the presidential elections. Then they were crushed, and all leaders and active members of the protest were either imprisoned or forced into exile. Now, with Belarus moving from authoritarian to totalitarian rule, a major spark is needed to force the oppressed people to try again. And to be honest, I don't see it. Oleksiy Sorokin, senior editor With the world looking away, Russia quietly took control over Belarus Talks of dictator Alexander Lukashenkos Belarus becoming Russias vassal gained ground in 2020 when the regime violently crushed all forms of descent, with Moscows full backing. Two years later, Lukashenkos Belarus is barely independent from the Kremlin. The Belarusian economy is dependent on R The Kyiv IndependentMaria Yeryoma Question: Are Russian offensives in Kharkiv Oblast intensifying? If so, then are they just local/tactical, are they part of trying to lock down Ukrainian troops ahead of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, or are there any indications of a larger Russian counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast? Answer: With the current static state of the front line, the small advances that we see on both sides are indeed localized attacks, probing for weaknesses and looking for opportunities to make small tactical advances. We know that Russia has shifted to a general defensive posture across the front line, and isn't currently conducting any larger-scale offensives that could threaten to make major breakthroughs through Ukraine's own defensive lines. The brigades and equipment being prepared by Ukraine for the counteroffensive are fresh and being kept in reserve, and it's very unlikely that they will be sent somewhere else unless the situation is really critical. That being said, a contact of mine near Kupiansk did report some quite heavy fighting recently. Francis Farrell, reporter Ready to cast a line? Heres when you can fish for free, without a permit in Kentucky This weekend is the perfect opportunity for Kentuckians and others to grab their fishing poles and head out to their favorite spot for a much needed break. Thats because the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers Free Fishing Days so anglers can fish without a permit. This year, the free fishing days are Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4. Free fishing weekend events are being held in counties throughout the commonwealth. Heres what to know about the weekend, including instructions covering the basics of fishing and the regulations you still have to follow. Where can I fish in Kentucky during Free Fishing Weekend? According to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, it does not matter whether youre a Kentucky resident or visiting from out of state. You can participate either way. If you need help finding a good spot to fish, you can use the special locator tool on the departments website. Simply specify which county youre in, what kind of spot youre looking for and what kind of access you need, i.e. a fishing pier, boating docks, etc. You can also review Kentuckys fish forecast for a look at how populations are doing around the state and where you might find a good spot. Fishing in Neighborhoods locations, or FINs, are well-stocked water bodies located near population centers, so you can fish without having to travel too far afield. There are 45 such lakes in Kentuckys FINs program, and theyre regularly stocked with catfish and rainbow trout all year long. If you need help getting ready, the department has resources for buying fishing gear, tying fishing knots and cleaning a fish. If you dont mind company, you can also check out one of the free fishing events scheduled to kick off this weekend. For a list of each events time and other key details, visit Kentucky Fish and Wildlifes website. An event in Madison County is the closest to Lexington listed. The Kids Fishing Derby will take place at Lake Reba Park, near the boat dock, in Richmond. The address for the park is 299 Lake Reba Drive, and the event will take place between 8 and 10 a.m. Saturday. Prizes will be awarded throughout the event, but participants are expected to bring their own equipment. How to fish for free in Kentucky While you can fish without a permit or fishing license this weekend, you still need to abide by the rules. There are size and number limits on the fish you can catch that you need to be aware of and respect. Specific size and number limits for each fish are included in Kentuckys Fishing and Boating Guide. Also, if you intend to fish on private property, be sure to ask the owner first, otherwise you could face criminal penalties. In Kentucky, railroad tracks and rights-of-way are considered private property. Do you have a question about recreation in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com. It was utterly irresistible. She was just a girl. It was a Saturday. She had a gym date later: Sydney Sweeney in Reality (Vertigo Releasing/iStock) Before she was accused of betraying her country and sympathising with terrorists, the former US Air Force Intelligence translator-turned-whistleblower Reality Winner doodled anime cartoons in her notepad and slept under a Pikachu bedspread. She believed in her countrys freedoms and its potential, which is why she says she leaked a classified National Security Agency report into Russian interference in the 2016 election. She despised Donald Trump, yet youd also have to pry her massive, pink and black AR-15 from her cold, dead hands. If there was a guidebook for Americans on how to adopt coherent, easily decipherable political stances that make for clear-cut film adaptations, Winner had never read it. Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning were ready to burn the whole thing down, explains playwright and filmmaker Tina Satter, who has made her directorial debut with a movie drama based on Winners arrest. But it was hard for Reality to be [claimed] by either political side. Shed served in the military and owned a bunch of automatic weapons. She had the profile of in a very general way a Republican patriot. But then shed taken this other action, going against the government and against Trump. So she wasnt a clear fit. She holds all these complexities. Up until the moment when Winner was given the longest prison sentence in American history for leaking government information (five years and three months), the most interesting thing about her was her name. It was a half-joke that her father hoped would become a prophecy: a real winner at life, someone might one day say. But then 2017 happened, and Winners life became defined by her apparent treachery. Working as a translator for an NSA contractor in Georgia and fatigued by the Trump administration, the then 25-year-old printed top-secret documents that exposed Moscows interference in the presidential election, stuffed them into her leggings to bypass her offices security, then mailed them to a news website. Reality, which boasts a de-glammed and almost revelatory performance by the Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney as Winner, picks up from there, with the FBI identifying the analyst as the source of the leak and descending upon her home. The film is a tight, suspenseful 83 minutes of ripped-from-the-actual-transcript interrogation think a history lesson taught by Alfred Hitchcock. Satter, 49, had previously dramatised the transcript of Winners arrest for the stage, in a play titled Is This a Room that was performed on and off Broadway, but cinema gives it a new dimension: rooms seem smaller, faces loom larger, bureaucratic small talk oozes more menace. Satter says that it was Winners resolute normality particularly in the context of the seriousness of her situation that sparked her initial interest. It was utterly irresistible, she says. She was just a girl. It was a Saturday. She had a gym date later. Satter hadnt seen Sweeney act before she sat down to watch her audition tape, but friends had vouched for her, urging the playwright to go through her credits. In The White Lotus and Euphoria, shes almost deceptively good she has amazing chops. They met up, and Sweeney convinced Satter to take a chance on her. Shed tell me shed never quite done something like this, and I saw that she was really up for the challenge of it. She wanted to sink her teeth into something. Reality told us that its too much for her [to see the film] and too traumatic to see herself in that moment. Shes not ready yet to do that Tina Satter Reality was shot over the course of 16 days, largely in the bare backroom of a nondescript one-floor home in Upstate New York, every umm and ahh forensically carried over from the FBI transcript. At times it plays like a horror movie, its blonde hero sliding towards an inevitable fate. More than anything it is a shocking depiction of the consequences of speaking truth to power, and an indictment of American intelligence under the Trump administration and beyond. Barack Obama, it should however be noted, notoriously utilised the Espionage Act a means to prosecute government employees whove discussed classified information with foreign powers or, more commonly, the media more than any other US president in history. Winner spent four years behind bars followed by five more months on home release. She is currently living under court-ordered supervision in Texas, an order that wont expire until the end of 2024. After she was released in 2021, Winner declined invitations to see Is This a Room but has had regular communication with Satter, Sweeney and Emily Davis, the actor who played her on stage. Winners mother and sister have long signed off on Satters work, too, hoping that both the play and the film will aid in their collective fight for her to be pardoned. Whistleblower: Sydney Sweeney in Reality (Vertigo Releasing) What Reality told us most recently was that its too much for her [to see the film] and too traumatic to see herself in that moment, Satter says. Shes not ready yet to do that. She is happy, though, that the film will shine a wider spotlight on whistleblowers and the failings of the Espionage Act. Im paraphrasing her a little bit, Satter cautions, but shes told me that what happened to [her] has happened to other people and that it happens all the time that imbalance of power and more often to people who are not white, and who dont have supportive families. And that its important for our culture to understand that these things go on every single day. Satter has now been enmeshed in Winners world for six years, and its resulted in a shift in her perspective and a new understanding of what it means to fight for your country. I was kind of the cynical, jaded American artist, she laughs. Like, ugh Americas humiliating, its all so terrible. But Reality was like, We shouldnt be being lied to and I can see that it is wrong. Thats the most simple [description] of what she did. So it made me think that, wow, she actually cares about our country, and how it could be better. And what if I wasnt so cynical? What if I cared more that the state operates in a certain way? What could happen if all of us paid more attention? Reality is in cinemas from 2 June Cincinnati Reds' Spencer Steer connects for a two-run home run during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) BOSTON (AP) Spencer Steer hit a two-run homer to break a seventh-inning tie and the Cincinnati Reds took advantage of Rafael Devers' throwing error to come from behind and beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Wednesday night. You give the opposition more than 27 outs, most of the time theyre going to score. Theyre going to make you pay, said Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who lamented his team's poor defense before the game and then watched it hurt them again. That play we have to make, we didnt. And it opened the gates for them. Kevin Newman, Matt McLain and Nick Senzel had two hits apiece for the Reds, who have won five in a row, taking the first two of their three games in Boston to beat the Red Sox in a series for the first time since the 1975 World Series. Ian Gibaut (5-1) pitched one inning of perfect relief for Cincinnati, which trailed 2-0 and 3-1 before scoring one in the sixth and three unearned runs off Josh Winckowski (2-1) in the seventh to take a 5-3 lead. With closer Alexis Diaz needing a break after finishing the previous three games, Buck Farmer pitched the ninth, retiring Devers on a deep fly to center to end it. It's an honor for them to be able to trust me like that, said Farmer, who earned his first save of the season and the third of his 10-year career. Its kind of a feeling that I cant explain. But I thank them and was happy to get it done. Masataka Yoshida curled a home run around the Pesky Pole and Emmanuel Valdez landed one on the shelf atop the Green Monster for Boston. Devers and Jarren Duran had RBI doubles. Boston led 3-1 after five and 3-2 through six before Luke Maile led off the seventh with a hard chopper to third base and Devers one-hopped the throw past first baseman Justin Turner. It was Devers' fifth error of the season, and the 35th for the team in 55 games. Newman and McLain singled to load the bases, then one run scored on Jonathan Indias double play groundout. Steer cleared the Green Monster with his eighth homer of the year to make it 5-3. Thats always huge, Farmer said. When you can tack on and not only that, take the lead from it and capitalize on that, it's a momentum shift. And then from then putting up zeros is huge. The Red Sox loaded the bases in the bottom half, but Alex Young got Turner to ground out to short to end the threat. Duran's double made it 5-4 in the eighth, but Lucas Sims got Raimel Tapia on a lineout to center and then struck out Valdez to strand Duran at second. FOR STARTERS James Paxton allowed one run on four hits and a walk, striking out eight in five innings for Boston. He left with a 3-1 lead. Luke Weaver gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out five in 5 2/3 innings; he averted the loss when the Reds scored one in the sixth and one in the seventh to tie it. TRAINER'S ROOM Newman got hit by a pitch in the ninth inning with a high fastball that was headed for his face before he got his left arm in front of it. Reds manager David Bell said he would be OK. UP NEXT: The teams complete their three-game series on Thursday, with Red Sox LHP Chris Sale (5-2) facing Reds RHP Hunter Greene (1-4). ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports A relative of a Native American man who was killed by Border Patrol agents near the Arizona-Mexico border two weeks ago said she was talking to him moments before he was shot and he told her he had contacted the Border Patrol earlier in the evening to ask for help. But the relative said none of the law enforcement agencies investigating the May 18 shooting death of Raymond Mattia has asked her or any other family members for information, and Customs and Border Protections official statement about the incident makes no mention of a call from Mattia. The relative said that she has been pressing law enforcement for information about the shooting since it happened, without success and that the family was not even allowed to approach his body for hours. I asked that night: We want to talk to someone. What happened to Ray? We need answers, said the relative, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation by law enforcement. Raymond Mattia. (Courtesy family) Now she wants to know: Why did the Border Patrol run into the yard instead of assessing? Why were there so many gunshots? Why didnt you try talking to Ray? According to the relative, who lives close to Mattias house, Mattia regularly called the Border Patrol to report migrants crossing his property on Tohono Oodham Nation tribal land. The 4,000-square-mile reservation in the desert west of Tucson shares a long border with Mexico. The relative said the Border Patrol had frequent interactions with him. The relative said that if she were contacted by the FBI or Customs and Border Protections Office of Professional Responsibility, two federal entities investigating the shooting, she would tell investigators that around 6 p.m. on May 18, Mattia told her he had called the Border Patrol to complain about three undocumented migrants who had entered his home and asked to use his telephone and bathroom. More than three hours later, she said, she and Mattia were talking on the phone again when Border Patrol vehicles raced into his yard. He believed they were responding to his call and told her he would go talk to them. He hung up, she said, and then she heard gunshots. A statement about the incident from CBP makes no mention of the alleged earlier call from Mattia. Instead, it says the Border Patrol agents were assisting Tohono Oodham tribal police to respond to a shots fired call. The discrepancy may explain why Mattia went out of his house to meet the agents, thinking they were responding to his earlier request, while the agents, according to CBPs statement, spread out to search for the man. The statement said CBPs Office of Professional Responsibility has reviewed video taken from body cameras worn on the agents and deciphered that Mattia threw an object at the agents, which landed a few feet away from them, and abruptly extended his right arm, causing them to shoot. According to Mattias relative, she was not aware of any shots fired in the area that evening before the Border Patrol and tribal police arrived. FILE - U.S. Customs and Patrol Patrol agents sit along a section of the international border wall that runs through Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Lukeville, Ariz. U.S. Border Patrol agents answering reports of gunfire shot and killed a man on a tribal reservation in southern Arizona after he abruptly threw something and raised his arm, the agency said Monday, May 22, 2023. (Matt York / AP file) She said there is no electricity at Mattia's home, making visibility for law enforcement officers difficult at 9:35 p.m. The relative also said the object Mattia threw may have been his cellphone, because he had just ended his call with her when he approached the agents. Neither CBP nor the FBI, which oversees all shooting investigations on tribal land, have said what Mattia threw. They did not respond to a request for comment about why none of the relatives have been interviewed, when the body camera video would be made public or whether the Border Patrol knew whether Mattia had made a call to them earlier in the day before they arrived at his house. The incident may further corrode trust between the Border Patrol and the Tohono Oodham Nation. My uncle didnt deserve to die like this, Yvonne Nevarez, Mattias niece, told The Arizona Republic. After this happened, we feel like we cant trust [the Border Patrol] to come when theres issues. According to Mattias relative, who rushed to the site of the shooting, a Tohono Oodham police officer blocked family members from seeing his body. She said that the officer told them to go home but that the family members told the officers they needed to stay with their brother and bless his body. She said they did not see Mattia until he was in a body bag on his way to the medical examiner. The Tohono Oodham Police Department did not respond to a request for comment about why the family was blocked from seeing Mattia. We said our goodbyes while he was in a body bag, the relative said. The elders said it was very disrespectful. The next morning, the relative said, all the crime scene tape around Mattias house had been removed, but no law enforcement officers or agents came to speak with the family about what happened. It looked like the whole investigation was over, the relative said. But no one ever came to talk to us. Last weekend, the family organized two protests outside Border Patrol stations in Tucson and near the Tohono Oodham Nation Reservation to demand answers about Mattias death. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) eyes providing 127 million worth of fuel subsidies to the oil spill-affected fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro. "We're also in the plan of providing 127 million oil subsidy for the motorized and non-motorized bangka owners," DSWD Assistant Secretary Marlon Alagao said in a press briefing on Thursday. The DSWD also said it has allocated 697 million worth of subsidies for the affected population of Region 4-A, Region 4-B, and Region 6. "Still there is ongoing cash-for-work, food and non-food items deliveries to Mimaropa, and emergency cash transfers. All of which are depending on the advice of the local government units," Alagao said. READ: Gov't urged to provide subsidy to fisherfolk affected by oil spill Last April 10, environmental groups said the one-time aid given to affected fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro remained "insufficient." A survey conducted by Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment from April 1 to 3 showed that respondents from the municipalities of Calapan and Pola said the "ayuda" given them was not enough. READ: Groups: Residents say socio-economic impact of Mindoro oil spill worse than COVID As of March 26, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center said the oil slick has affected a total of 172,928 residents, the majority of whom are from Mimaropa. The oil spill originated from the tanker MT Princess Empress that sank in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28. To date, a fishing ban only remains in three out of 14 municipalities in the province. These are Pola, Pinamalayan, and Naujan. Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, speaks during an interview at the Triad Center in Salt Lake City on Jan. 19, 2023. Stewart may step down from his House seat in September, per a national media report. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News Utah Republican Rep. Chris Stewart is still mulling a resignation date after officially announcing he would step down before his sixth term comes to an end. Thats despite the congressman telling a Roll Call reporter Wednesday that he is eying September as a possible exit month. Were trying to work out the best date for the state and also we want to help with appropriations bills and get some work finished here. But itll be in September, Stewart told the outlet on Wednesday. Related However Liam Anderson, a spokesperson for Stewart, confirmed Thursday that nothing is official yet, telling the Deseret News that staff is still working with state leaders and Speaker McCarthys office to nail down a time frame, so theres no set date as of now. Stewart, in a statement issued Wednesday, said it has been one of the great honors of my life to serve the good people of Utah in Congress. ... But my wifes health concerns have made it necessary that I retire from Congress after an orderly transition can be ensured. Under Utah law, Gov. Spencer Cox will have seven days after receiving a resignation letter to issue a proclamation setting the dates for a special primary and general election. The primary must coincide with an existing election, and be at least 90 days after the proclamation. And the general must be at least 90 days after the primary. During that stretch, the states massive 2nd Congressional District which encompasses much of western Utah, spanning parts of Salt Lake City all the way to Washington County would be without representation in the House. And Republicans, who hold a nine-person majority over the Democrats, would be out a vote. Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, following the news that Stewart was planning on leaving Congress, said that the Aug. 15 municipal primary the closest upcoming election was not an option for a special election. Utah will hold a general municipal election on Nov. 7 and a presidential primary on March 5, 2024. If Stewart doesnt resign until September that would mean the March 2024 primary would be the next option. Or, on the Utah Legislatures approval, Cox could set dates for a special election that dont fall on an existing election day. For that to happen, lawmakers would have to appropriate funding, so county clerks in the 2nd Congressional District can run an election. One week after Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., demanded answers from the Department of Defense about why a "child-friendly" drag show was being hosted at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, the show was abruptly canceled. "HUGE VICTORY," Gaetz wrote on Twitter. "Drag shows should not be taking place on military installations with taxpayer dollars PERIOD!" A drag show initially scheduled for June 1 in celebration of Pride Month organized by the Nellis LGBTQ+ Pride Council, was canceled, the group confirmed on Facebook. "The Nellis LGBTQ+ Pride Council is saddened to inform you that we are no longer able to host our annual Pride Month Drag Show on Nellis AFB." The group said it "received notification that the DoD has directed Commanders not to host Drag events on military installations." REP. GAETZ BRUSHES OFF LEAK OF DESANTIS DEBATE TAPES WITH JOKE ABOUT HIS WEIGHT LOSS Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. The cancellation came after Gaetz "demanded answers" from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, the lawmaker highlighted on Twitter. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP On May 23, Gaetz wrote a letter to Milley and Austin "demanding immediate answers on why these drag shows are still occurring" despite their testimony in March that the Defense Department did not support or endorse such shows, he said. The two leaders said at the time that they were not aware such events were still happening on military bases. "Im demanding immediate answers on why these drag shows are still occurring despite Austin and General Milley testifying that they should not be happening," Gaetz wrote on Twitter, sharing the letter. REP. GAETZ DOUBLES DOWN ON BRINGING US TROOPS HOME FROM SOMALIA: 'NOT A VITAL NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERN' Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., demanded to know why drag shows were still happening on military bases. In the letter, Gaetz reminded Austin and Milley of their testimony before the House Armed Services Committee on March 29, where they expressed their disapproval of such performances. "On March 29, 2023, during the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the FY24 Defense Budget Request, I questioned you about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the Department of Defense (DoD). I find it completely unacceptable that DoD is using taxpayer dollars to fund DEI programs that are divisive in nature. DoD resources should be used for mission-essential operations, not diverted toward initiatives that create cultural fissures within our service ranks," Gaetz wrote in the letter dated May 23. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testified before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee on Capitol Hill March 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C. He added, "When I highlighted specific cases of drag queen story hours and drag shows occurring on U.S. military bases, shockingly, you indicated you were unaware that such events are taking place. However, I am pleased to know you do not support these drag events and agree with me that they should not be happening." "To aid you in executing the agreed-upon elimination of DoD-funded drag events, I have enclosed supplementary documents that further highlight the DoDs pervasive and persistent use of taxpayer dollars for drag events," the Republican continued. NAVY OFFICIALS CALLED CRITICS OF LGBTQ+ PRIDE EFFORTS 'BIGOTS' AND 'A**HOLES,' EMAILS SHOW He also included questions about the respective instances, requiring answers to the House Armed Services Committee so it could conduct "further oversight of this matter." General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin participate during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the defense budget request on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2023. The letter then highlighted the June 2023 Nellis drag show as well as a similar event hosted at Nellis the year before, on June 17, 2022. "Under what authority does a commander approve, host, and fund burlesque shows on a military base utilizing taxpayer funding?" Gaetz asked, referencing a drag show hosted at the Nellis Club during which time Colonel Josh DeMottis was the commander. The letter also highlighted past events like one that took place on May 27, 2022, at the Ramstein Air Force Base, located in Germany; and, one on July 30, 2022, at the Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., wrote a letter to senior officials at the Defense Department and the Joint Chiefs of Staff chair concerning drag shows. The May event was canceled, but Gaetz inquired in the letter: "Prior to its cancelation, how many service members were diverted from their normal duties to help plan, organize, and facilitate the drag queen story hour?" The June 1 event was going to feature RuPauls Drag Race Season 5 star CoCo Montrese, according to its advertisement. According to NBC News, the decision to cancel the event came directly from Austin and Milley, the latter of which was visibly agitated when he was informed about the event. A drag show was hosted at Nellis Air Force Base each of the past two years, including 2021 and 2022. Reports of bombshell Trump recording suggests prosecutors may have grounds to charge him under the Espionage Act Former President Donald Trump has previously said the documents at Mar-a-Lago were declassified. Brandon Bell/Getty Images CNN reported Trump was captured on audio in 2021 admitting he took a classified document. Federal prosecutors investigating Trump's handling of documents have the recording, CNN said. Trump has previously said all the document he took with him when leaving office were declassified. Following a new CNN report about an audio recording that suggests former President Donald Trump knowingly took a classified document, legal experts are saying it could be the damning evidence needed to charge him under the Espionage Act. CNN reported Wednesday that several sources told the outlet about a recording obtained by federal prosecutors in which Trump acknowledged he had taken a classified document that detailed a potential attack on Iran. The recording included Trump saying he was not sure he was able to declassify records after leaving the presidency, two sources said. The New York Times and CBS News have also confirmed the existence of the recording. CNN said had not listened to the recording but was told about it by sources who called it an "important" piece of evidence. The sources said Jack Smith, the special counsel leading the Justice Department's investigations into Trump, has focused on the summer 2021 meeting in which the audio recording was taken. Trump, whose Mar-A-Lago resort and residence were searched by the FBI in August, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and insisted all the documents recovered were "automatically" declassified. According to court documents, the raid turned up many records that retained classified markings, including some that were labeled "top secret." CNN reported the recording undercuts Trump's claim that he believed the documents were declassified. The Department of Justice is investigating if Trump broke several laws, including the Espionage Act, which prohibits the sharing of information that could harm the US or give an advantage to foreign countries. The act is concerned with the "gathering, transmitting or losing defense information," including any national defense document that was "illegally removed from its proper place of custody ... to be lost, stolen, abstracted, or destroyed." In a statement provided to Insider, a spokesperson for Trump accused the Justice Department of interfering in the 2024 election and said: "Leaks from radical partisans behind this political persecution are designed to inflame tensions and continue the media's harassment of President Trump and his supporters." Legal experts respond to reports of the audio recording "This is absolutely blockbuster evidence," Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, wrote on Twitter of the reported audio. "It proves that Trump *knew* he kept highly classified documents after he left office, that he shared the classified info with people who didn't have clearance, and 'suggests he was aware of limitations' on his ability to declassify." Peter Strzok, a former FBI agent, also said the audio as described would be "huge" in justifying an espionage charge by filling in essential gaps, including that the alleged audio could potentially show that Trump knew about declassifying procedures, knew he hadn't done it, and potentially told an unauthorized person about the document. "Make no mistake. This is squarely an Espionage Act case. It is not simply an 'obstruction' case," Ryan Goodman, a law professor at New York University with expertise in national security, wrote on Twitter, adding, "There is now every reason to expect former President Trump will be charged" under the Espionage Act. "The law fits his reported conduct like a hand in glove," Goodman said. Richard W. Painter, who served as the chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, also said it was a "clear violation of the Espionage Act," adding the "DOJ has no choice but to indict Trump." Read the original article on Business Insider Republican presidential candidate slams Elon Musk for saying the US and China's interests are 'intertwined like conjoined twins' Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on March 03, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Vivek Ramaswamy has called some of Musk's comments to Chinese officials "deeply concerning." According to Chinese officials, Musk said he's opposed to the two nations weakening economic ties. The Tesla CEO is in China for his first visit in three years. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has called some of Elon Musk's comments to Chinese officials "deeply concerning." In a video shared on Twitter, the lawmaker said he'd been a vocal advocate of Musk's work at Twitter but felt he had to criticize some of the billionaire's reported statements about China and the US. According to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry, Musk told officials he's opposed to the two countries weakening their economic ties. He described the US and China's interests as "intertwined like conjoined twins," according to the ministry's statement. Ramaswamy accused Musk of "kowtowing" to the Chinese Communist Party with the comments, "presumably as a basis for gaining favorable market treatment there." Ramaswamy said Tesla's VP reposted the Chinese official statement on Weibo. Insider could not independently verify that the statement was reshared. Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours. Musk has been welcomed with open arms during his first visit to China in three years. The billionaire has reportedly been referred to as "Brother Ma" since arriving via private jet on Tuesday, per Reuters. The news outlet also reported that Musk also shared a 16-course meal with one of China's top battery executives, Zeng Yuqun, at the Man Fu Yan restaurant. The Tesla CEO's visit to the country comes at a time when US-China relations appear strained. Ray Dalio said last month the two countries were on the brink of war, Insider's Matthew Loh reported. Read the original article on Business Insider A few weeks before last falls midterm elections, a paid canvasser in Nevada did what thousands of door-knockers across the country were doing: They went on an app and marked off the homes they had visited that day. There was just one problem. This canvasser never went anywhere near those homes in a neighborhood in south Las Vegas. They were 8 miles away, sitting inside Caesars Palace casino, according to geotracking data obtained by NBC News. The canvasser was working for an outside group backing GOP Senate candidate Adam Laxalt, who was seeking to topple one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents of the 2022 cycle. The canvasser was fired soon after the incident, according to two Republicans who worked on the canvassing effort. If this were an isolated episode, itd be a minor nuisance. But it wasnt. The large-scale voter contact effort that conservatives have put at the center of their political operations in recent years is plagued with issues, according to more than a dozen people whove worked in GOP-aligned field operations and internal data obtained by NBC News. Those issues include fraudulent and untrustworthy data entries, akin to what occurred in Nevada, as well as allegations of lax hiring practices and a lack of accountability. Issues with canvassing arose in two of the closest losses of the 2022 election, four people familiar with those operations said. They were Nevada, where Laxalts narrow loss allowed Democrats to keep control of the Senate, and Georgia, where the GOP nominee for Senate, Herschel Walker, was ultimately defeated in a runoff election. A half-dozen Republican-aligned field operators working on various races in Nevada, Georgia and Oregon said they encountered suspicious or fraudulent data such as entries filed from homes that werent visited or falsified surveys in 2022. Thats just three states. But these individuals say those problems, as well as allegations raised in a recent lawsuit against one of the largest vendors in the conservative canvassing business, should raise internal alarms. These field operators said theyve harbored similar concerns for multiple cycles but only provided documentation for the most recent midterms. The problems, six people said, are pitfalls of the rights increased reliance on paid canvassers rather than volunteers, and on a sprawling web of vendors and consultants tasked with what can be a thankless, though critical, job. Seven people said that cheating is on the rise amid pressure to quickly meet steep outreach goals. After several cycles of tough, sometimes close, losses, the concerned operatives said they believe its time for party leaders to address what they say is happening on the ground. Thats why were losing elections, one Republican field veteran said of the conservative canvassing apparatus. Nobody wants to admit it." This report is based on interviews with more than 20 Republicans who have experience in canvassing operations, including operatives who have worked at the top levels of the RNC and overseen large-scale field operations, mid-level managers, and canvassers who travel the country picking up work. Most expressed concerns. NBC News also obtained and reviewed internal campaign data that appeared questionable, including geotracking information showing canvassers filing far from the homes they claimed to have visited. Most Republicans who spoke with NBC News did so on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution or because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Donors have been eager to open their wallets for this type of work, and campaign finance records show canvassing is a multimillion-dollar business. Just how effective those dollars are is questionable, sources said, with some warning the consequences of incorrect data could be significant. Because these numbers are recycled, theyre used in text messages, theyre used in mailers, theyre used to target voters, said one GOP field operative who has worked on multiple party-aligned canvassing efforts. And if the base data is bad, its a disaster for campaigns everywhere. Cheaters do sometimes get caught. Even so, cheating can be a drain on resources during the final push of a campaign, requiring work to have to be redone. At the last minute, new canvassers must be hired and trained from a smaller pool of available workers. One national GOP operative whos overseen door-knocking campaigns estimated that in their experience when it comes down to the actual cheating, roughly 10 to 20% of the staff ends up getting fired. GOP leaders have blamed a variety of factors for disappointing midterm elections despite narrowly gaining control of the House of Representatives: The dominance of abortion rights as an issue after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year; flawed candidates; the strength Democrats have shown with early voting and other get-out-the-vote methods. Many in the party have pointed the finger at former President Donald Trump, who in critical swing state races boosted fringe candidates who echoed his stolen election lies as well as his attacks on early voting. The Republican National Committee is formally reviewing why the party fell short of expectations. Officials overseeing the national partys post-midterm audit did not respond to questions from NBC News on whether they are reviewing canvassing operations as part of that effort. NBC News reported in April that the party is unlikely to make public any findings of that analysis. Presented with the findings of this report, the RNC said multiple staffers were fired last cycle for entering fraudulent data and detailed steps it takes to ensure its door-knocks are legitimate, including geotracking and in-person oversight of canvassers who are flagged for submitting suspicious entries. Though Democrats deal with some of the same door-knocking challenges, the party has built-in advantages for in-person canvassing, according to interviews with two Democratic canvassing veterans as well as with Republicans with similar experience. They include a more ready supply of younger volunteers, allies in organized labor offering union workers to hit the doors and a base of supporters who are more tightly concentrated in urban and dense suburban areas where canvassers can hit a lot more doors in a lot less time. While many of the Republicans who spoke with NBC News said there was cause for real concern, others suggested the problems were more limited in scope, with some pointing to places like Texas and Florida where operations for two high-profile governors (both of whom were easily re-elected) appeared to work smoothly. One former top RNC field official cautioned that the people sounding the alarm, particularly about any type of widespread cheating, were trying to capitalize on the partys midterm shortcomings. I dont think everything was done perfectly, obviously, [look at the] results, this person said. But at the same time, there are a lot of people that have their own agenda or some other agenda for outside groups or whatever the case may be. A paper trail Every Republican interviewed by NBC News said that door-knocking, when done correctly, is one of the most effective ways to reach voters. Campaigns use door-knockers volunteers or hired hands who go out to rally supporters to the polls and collect survey data, sometimes referred to as a candidates ground game to gather direct data and juice voter turnout. After the 2012 election, an academic study found that the presidential campaigns increased turnout by roughly 7% in areas they had canvassed heavily. Canvassers once went around with clipboards and paper, checking off houses along the way. Now, canvassers are largely expected to tick off doors in real time via smartphone apps equipped with geotracking, a core fraud-prevention capability. Canvassing experts say there are some valid reasons to still use paper on a small scale, but those types of entries make it more difficult to ensure that a canvasser was physically knocking on a door. A high volume of paper, these experts said, would be cause for concern as appears to be the case last year in Georgias general election. Two field staffers who worked for Georgia Victory, a ground-game operation jointly overseen by the RNC and the state Republican Party, said that as November neared, they became increasingly alarmed by the unusually high volume of paper entries. The operation used the app Campaign Sidekick, a Republican-aligned data platform that includes geotracking technology. The number of paper entries in Campaign Sidekick grew from zero during the early months of the door-knocking effort to more than 1 million by late October, internal data from mid-April to late October obtained by NBC News showed. A national GOP operative disputed this figure, saying paper door contacts accounted for just over 860,000 entries last cycle. Georgia Victory divided the state into 12 regions. Nine of those regions went from having zero paper entries early in the canvassing cycle to having paper entries account for anywhere from 25% to 92% of total weekly app submissions in the campaigns closing weeks, according to the data. Theres only two ways to actually verify doors, one of the Georgia Victory staffers said. When you use the app, it has a geolocation and a timestamp attached to a user profile. The way to make them unverifiable is you get rid of the geolocation or you get rid of the user profile. And theres no way to actually trace anything back to anybody whatsoever. Theres plausible deniability across the board, the staffer said. The issues could have played a role in Walker being forced into a runoff, according to an NBC News review of the data, though the candidate, a political newcomer beset by scandal, was viewed as flawed. In five regions that saw a significant number of paper submissions, Gov. Brian Kemp ultimately earned more than 65,000 additional votes than Walker, a fellow Republican. These were the voters who cast ballots for one of the two Republicans at the top of the ticket, but who might have been convinced to vote for both with the appropriate pitch. In these deep-red regions, nearly 670,000 of the roughly 1.54 million door-based contacts from early July through late October were submitted as paper, according to the data NBC News obtained. (A senior Walker campaign official praised the relationship the campaign had with Georgia Victory and said the candidate lost for a variety of reasons most people in America unfortunately know, none of which included the lack of doors knocked.) The two staffers both said they did not personally raise their concerns about the paper entries with superiors. In a statement, Ryan Caudelle, executive director of the Georgia GOP, said: The vast majority of our door knocks were recorded on cell phone apps. We checked and double checked this data, matching the geolocation of the entered data to the street address, he added. Paper walk books were only used in areas with spotty cell coverage or with volunteers who did not have phones capable of using the apps. Just because an entry was submitted on paper does not make it fraudulent. Occasionally, volunteers, particularly those who are older, will ask to use paper logs because they dont feel comfortable with an app. GOP field operatives say they work to help such volunteers adapt to the technology. Additionally, two people familiar with the RNC's canvassing operation said GOP candidates may upload their data into party-led operations like Georgia Victory, boosting the party's topline number but potentially skewing paper entries in the process. But multiple Republicans familiar with canvassing said there would be no reasonable explanation for using so much paper. As many as 10% to 15% of the entries may reasonably be expected to come in as paper, the national GOP operative said. Any more as was the case in most Georgia Victory canvassing regions would be cause for concern, this person said. Paper doesnt count, this person said, explaining what they tell volunteers who want to do paper-based canvassing. (Another major conservative canvassing effort, run by Turning Point Action, canvassed entirely on paper in 2022, two sources said. But that wont be the case for 2024. In response to questions from NBC News, a Turning Point spokesperson said it recently launched its own canvassing app, but did not elaborate.) Responding to questions about NBC News Georgia findings, RNC spokesperson Keith Schipper said in a statement: Because of the RNCs data-driven ground game, Republicans won 8 out of 9 statewide races in Georgia, and we will always defend our world class volunteers against anonymous and baseless attacks. The vast majority of volunteers in our program use our walk applications over paper to knock doors and we have controls in place to ensure accountability, he added. The influx of paper entries in Georgia coincided with an increase in door-knocking goals from the RNC, according to one of the staffers and corroborated by the data NBC News obtained. Regions that used paper consistently hit the new goals, almost to the exact target, while regions with no paper submissions often didnt, the data showed. Some of the totals were physically impossible to pull off, the staffer said. Georgia field operatives and Republicans whove worked elsewhere said the maximum number of actual doors a canvasser could reasonably be expected to hit in a day is somewhere from 200 to 250, which breaks down to roughly one door hit every two minutes over an eight-hour shift. But there are variables at play including the density of a neighborhood or region. The RNC counts every voting-age member of a household as an individual door. For a week in early August, data showed Georgia Victorys statewide goal was to make north of 142,000 door-based contacts. More than 120 volunteers and paid staff submitted roughly 72,000 contacts in real time. Paper entries accounted for an additional 54,000 contacts. During a week in early October, that goal increased to more than 220,000 door-based contacts, with a team of 180-plus volunteers and paid staff contributing north of 102,000 real-time entries. Approximately 110,000 contacts were logged as paper. They want to be able to hit their goals, one of the two staffers said. They dont want to get yelled at. The RNC noted its goals are based on the size of the staff and the density of voters the party seeks to target in a given region, and field organizers work to train enough volunteers by Labor Day so that when goals become more demanding, teams are able to more reasonably hit the targets. Two people familiar with the data said the number of paper-based submissions was drastically lower during canvassing for the December runoff election a time when Georgia was at the center of the political universe and under closer scrutiny from higher-ups. A people problem In Nevada and Oregon, canvassing efforts overseen by a web of private consultants faced repeated snags as a number of paid door-knockers who parachuted into states during the final stretch of the campaign submitted faulty or questionable data, field operatives who oversaw those campaigns said. These operatives provided NBC News with geotracking data showing canvassers improperly marking off more than 200 homes as visited when they were actually far away from those locations. Those episodes were caught and the staffers fired costing critical time and money. Such issues happened on every single campaign Ive ever been on, one veteran field staffer in Oregon with access to the geotracking data said. Thats not necessarily an indictment of the campaigns themselves or the people who are running them. But I really do think its a people problem. Its a staffing issue. In recent cycles, Republicans have become more and more dependent on paid canvassing facilitated by outside consultants. While a welcome resource, paid door-knockers, who are often flown in from out of state, are sometimes minimally vetted in order to be deployed quickly, multiple sources said. Consulting outfits may take on jobs only to subcontract them out to other firms, creating an unwieldy patchwork thats difficult to police. Eight sources said this system may make the data that campaigns are getting about potential voters less reliable. One national Republican operative said canvassing problems are exacerbated during general election cycles when there is such a high demand in the ecosystem for door-knockers but only a limited pool of trusted workers. The situation, this person said, could be improved by hiring door-knockers full time rather than temporarily. All the good people are already sourced, this person said. But the demand is way higher than that. So theyre going out and just scooping up inexperienced bodies that, quite frankly, arent that good. Allegations of improper vetting made their way to In Field Strategies, a major canvassing firm on the right, last fall. In an email sent to the firms leadership and obtained by NBC News, a canvasser in Nevada described an issue with In Field Strategies not completing peoples background checks before flying them out to the location and putting them to work. Several former employees were fired after their background checks returned showing that they were violent felons, the person continued in the email. This company put not only the other employees at risk, but they also put the voters at risk as well. Responding to questions from NBC News about the canvassers allegations, Tommy Knepper, the president and co-founder, said in a statement that In Field Strategies has always and will always be committed to the highest level of professionalism in our hiring and training process. For candidates with both the brand and the bucks, the process of staffing outreach efforts is smoother. Dave Carney, a political adviser to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, said the campaign feels confident in the more than $10 million it spent on its door-knocking program. The Abbott campaign had a considerable number of volunteers, but also contracted with Camelback Strategies, an outside group, to facilitate paid canvassers, Carney said. In August, its a terrible job in Texas, and we run through a lot of people, he said, noting the sweltering heat canvassers must work through. Weve done research, we know empirically that door-knocking where you actually talk to a voter really jacks up their turnout. But its a huge, human resources hiring operation, because we have to churn through so many people. Even in operations where the campaign and the consultant are providing significant oversight, issues can arise, Carney pointed out. Camelback Strategies hired 1,200 people at one point during the campaign, Carney said. Speaking generally, he said, when you hire that many people, youre going to have [instances] where we do background checks and we find problems after the fact. Its just, its life. A former RNC state director said they try to use volunteers as much as possible because volunteers tend to be more passionate and engaged about the campaign. But paid canvassers often become necessary. When youre in the heat of an election cycle, youre just trying to get people out there, the person said. And you dont really want to take the time to slow down and vet people because you just need boots on the ground. Elsewhere, the former top RNC field official who cautioned that some of the concerns were overblown said they believe the culture in GOP campaigns is shifting away from volunteers for a number of reasons. One major one: when Trump is not on the ballot, many who would otherwise be eager to volunteer sit on the sidelines. Thats not to say paid canvassers are guaranteed to fall short of expectations, or unlikely to exceed them. Republicans who spoke with NBC News had plenty of stories of canvassers flying out to their races and going above and beyond what was expected, offering a huge lift to their efforts. But often, theres no guarantee an outfit will get the work it is paying for. These are people off the street, one of the Nevada operatives said. These are any and everybody. Signature gathering snafus When it comes to the world of GOP paid canvassing, there is perhaps no bigger name than Vanguard Field Strategies. Its the canvassing arm of Axiom, a powerful conservative strategy group known for its work with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Axioms founder, Jeff Roe, is leading a super PAC aimed at boosting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential candidacy. Both Vanguard and Axiom are also now the target of a lawsuit in connection to a signature gathering effort in Nevada. Earlier this year, the Community Schools Initiative, a political action committee seeking to break up the Clark County School District, which serves Las Vegas and its surrounding communities, sued Vanguard in federal court in hopes of recouping the more than $2 million it spent in hiring the outfit to collect the 140,000 signatures needed for the initiative to appear on the 2024 ballot. Vanguard, the plaintiffs said, agreed to collect signatures for the initiative, pledging to collect well more than the needed 140,000 and guaranteeing that at least 70% of the signatures would be valid. They didnt come close, submitting a rate just north of 50%, according to the lawsuit. The complaint alleges that the Nevada secretary of states office informed leaders of the initiative that some names were listed multiple times with only their middle name swapped out, replaced with an obscenity. Other pages were burned or smelled of bong water, according to the complaint. (The secretary of states office did not respond to a request for comment.) The plaintiffs have so far been unable to obtain these documents from the secretary of states office, said Sam Castor, an attorney who is part of the initiative and the lawsuit. NBC News has not seen the documents independently. It was 10 years of work to try and get this process to where we got it, Castor said. For them to just treat this like they were just getting paid to turn in obscenities, its just really frustrating. We trusted that Vanguard would validate the signatures, we trusted that they would look at them and sample them, he added. Summarizing allegations in the complaint, he said: And they were telling us that they were using their software and they were spot-checking and confirming and coming up with their own validity rate. So they defrauded us. The lawsuit also alleges the group requested a full refund of what it paid Vanguard, but the firm refused. The failure to submit enough legitimate signatures sets the initiative back two years, Castor said. A Vanguard representative said the lawsuit is merely an effort to garner attention and harm the companys reputation, pointing out that the lawsuit has been amended multiple times since its filing, with Axioms Roe himself being added as a defendant and later removed. Vanguards attorneys sought to dismiss the suit last month because the Community Schools Initiative is no longer listed as the plaintiff, and because Vanguard said that new plaintiff listed as Castors law firm did not make actionable claims against multiple defendants. Its no longer even clear who the plaintiff is in this case, Eddie Greim, an attorney with the firm Graves Garrett representing Vanguard, said in a statement. He added: This shadow plaintiffs information is unreliable and their allegations stray farther off the mark with each amended filing. We look forward to successfully concluding this case. Another signature collection snafu occurred in Michigan. Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, a onetime front-runner for the GOPs gubernatorial nomination, was forced off the August primary ballot alongside multiple other candidates for not submitting enough valid signatures. Craig and his main petition outfit Vanguard sued In Field Strategies, which Vanguard had subcontracted to gather signatures, along with 18 individuals, last year, The Detroit News reported. (NBC News has not independently reviewed the lawsuit.) Its not uncommon for firms like Vanguard, In Field Strategies and others to take on initiatives or campaigns, only to flip some of the work to a subcontractor, according to multiple sources familiar with canvassing. The Michigan attorney generals office is investigating, a spokesperson for state Attorney General Dana Nessel said, adding the office hopes to make more information on the probe public by the end of the year. In Field Strategies is cooperating with the investigation, which has zeroed in on the individuals it had subcontracted with, a person familiar with the probe said. Greim said Vanguard and several other Michigan candidates represented by other firms, are the victims. We are continuing a nationwide effort to locate these individuals and hold them accountable, he said. As Vanguard fights these legal battles, its also gearing up to play a central role in DeSantis effort to knock off Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Roe, the Axiom founder, detailed DeSantis plan to lock up votes in key early state contests: a veritable army of door-knockers. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A reputed gang member awaiting trial in the 2019 fatal shooting of a Fort Bliss soldier now faces federal gun and smuggling charges after allegedly trying to organize the sale of guns while in jail, court records show. Joseph Anthony Rocha-Chaparro, 21, was indicted March 8 by a federal grand jury on one count each of trafficking in firearms, straw purchasing of firearms and conspiracy to smuggle goods from the U.S. Joseph Anthony Rocha-Chaparro He was set to go to trial May 26 in state district court in connection with the fatal shooting of Army Spc. DeAngelo Monteza Meriweather at a 2019 house party in Central El Paso, but the federal charges have delayed the case. A new trial date in state court has not been set, court records show. "We are just in a holding pattern on state charges at the moment," said lawyer Justin Underwood, who is representing Rocha-Chaparro in state court. "We need to let the federal case run its course and then we can possibly resolve our case. I definitely feel that Mr. Rocha has a legitimate self-defense and defense of third party case that can be presented if we dont reach an agreement." Matthew DeKoatz is listed as Rocha-Chaparro's federal court lawyer. He could not be reached for comment. Federal gun, smuggling charges Rocha-Chaparro is accused of a calling a woman, Josefina Escobar-Lizalde, on Jan. 24 while he was in the El Paso County Jail on the murder charge. He asked Escobar-Lizalde to check with a federally licensed firearms dealer about the availability of 9 mm caliber Glock pistols, a federal indictment states. Escobar-Lizalde later called Rocha-Chaparro, stating that the dealer had a Glock model 19 and a Glock model 48, each for $499. Rocha-Chaparro told her to try to buy both pistols. She attempted to buy the weapons and filled out legally required firearms transaction records. However, she was denied the purchases, the indictment states. No reason is given as to why she was denied. He then told Escobar-Lizalde to inquire about buying a Rock Island .45 caliber pistol. More: El Paso traffic stop helps lead to arrest of New Mexico man on federal gun charges Escobar-Lizalde then told Rocha-Chaparro that an interested buyer called asking about the price and caliber of a pistol that had a picture of the Virgen, referring to the Virgin Mary, the indictment states. The buyer is referred to in the indictment as a defendant in the case, but his name is redacted in both indictments filed against Rocha-Chaparro and Escobar-Lizalde. No other people are listed as defendants tied to the case in federal court records. A three-way phone call was held between Rocha-Chaparro, Escobar-Lizalde and the unnamed buyer. Escobar-Lizalde was then tasked with smuggling the gun from the U.S. to Mexico, the indictment states. Rocha-Chaparro allegedly told Escobar-Lizalde not to bring a purse the first time she crossed the international bridge into Mexico so that law enforcement would not check her. Escobar-Lizalde told him that she would tape the gun on her body and wear loose clothing so that law enforcement would not inspect her, the indictment states. She later called Rocha-Chaparro to tell him the buyer texted her, asking if they could bring the pistol with the picture of the "Virgen" and the buyer would pay $1,300 for it, the indictment states. More: El Paso police investigate assault, motorcycle crash on Memorial Day holiday Escobar-Lizalde again called Rocha-Chaparro and allegedly told him she was going to cross the Paso Del Norte international bridge in Downtown El Paso and was meeting with the buyer on the Mexican side of the border. Rocha-Chaparro asked her in Spanish if she had the firearm secured. She replied she was in the restroom attempting to secure it on her body, the indictment states. He then called her again. She told him she had crossed the border and was with the buyer. The buyer then got on the phone with Rocha-Chaparro and told him he had a friend who wanted to buy 15 "cuernos." Cuernos is Spanish slang for AK-47-type rifles, the indictment states. Later, Rocha-Chaparro video called Escobar-Lizalde, asking to see the money, the indictment states. She allegedly showed him a bundle of $100 bills. Escobar-Lizalde faces five federal counts in connection with the alleged gun-selling and smuggling scheme. The charges are trafficking in firearms, straw purchasing of firearms, conspiracy to smuggle goods from the U.S., smuggling goods from the U.S., and false statement during an attempted firearm acquisition. Her case remains pending in federal court. She is being held at the El Paso County Jail without bond, according to federal court records and county jail records. State murder charge The federal charges against Rocha-Chaparro come as he remains in jail awaiting trial in the fatal shooting of Meriweather in 2019. The shooting happened about 1:50 a.m. Oct. 19, 2019, when a fight broke out at a party at an apartment in the 3800 block of Truman Avenue in the Lower Dyer area. Army Spc. DeAngelo Monteza Meriweather The fight involved several people, including Rocha-Chaparro, who allegedly took out a handgun and began firing in different directions, El Paso Police Department officials said at the time of the incident. The shooting killed Meriweather, 21, and wounded four others, including two other Fort Bliss soldiers, police and Fort Bliss officials said. The other people wounded were Juan Mata, Asia Knight, and Fort Bliss soldiers Markendy Dessources and Kevin Marincuellar. Meriweather was shot on the left side of his body and was taken to University Medical Center of El Paso, where he died less than an hour later, a state criminal complaint affidavit states. He had been in the Army since 2017 and was stationed at Fort Bliss in January 2018, post officials said. More: Woman convicted of leading a migrant smuggling ring in El Paso sentenced to prison Rocha-Chaparro was identified in the affidavit as a member of the Gangster Disciples, a street gang originating in Chicago with a presence at Fort Bliss and in El Paso, the El Paso Times reported. A witness description of the shooter was immediately recognized as Rocha-Chaparro by police gang investigators assisting homicide detectives with the investigation, the affidavit states. Along with the murder charge, Rocha-Chaparro faces one count of engaging in organized criminal activity and four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso murder suspect now faces federal gun and smuggling charges FILE - Susana Lujano, left, a dreamer from Mexico who lives in Houston, joins other activists to rally in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, June 15, 2022. A revised version of DACA, a federal policy that prevents the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, is set to be debated Thursday, June 1, 2023, before a federal judge who previously ruled the program illegal. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) HOUSTON (AP) A federal judge did not make an immediate decision Thursday on the fate of a revised version of a federal policy that prevents the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. During a court hearing, attorneys representing the nine states that have sued to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program argued the updated policy is essentially the same as the 2012 memo that first created it and asked U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen to again find the program illegal. In 2021, Hanen declared DACA illegal, ruling that the program had not been subjected to public notice and comment periods required under the federal Administrative Procedures Act. Hanen also said the states seeking to stop it had standing to file their lawsuit because they had been harmed by the program. "Every aspect of this program is ... unlawful," said Ryan Walters, with the Texas Attorney General's Office, which is representing the states that filed the lawsuit. The states have also argued that the White House overstepped its authority by granting immigration benefits that are for Congress to decide. The states have claimed they incur hundreds of millions of dollars in health care, education and other costs when immigrants are allowed to remain in the country illegally. The states that sued are Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kansas and Mississippi. Lawyers for the U.S. Justice Department, DACA recipients and the state of New Jersey argued during the hearing the states have failed to present any evidence that any of the costs they allege they have incurred because of illegal immigration have been tied to DACA recipients. They also argued Congress has given the Department of Homeland Security the legal authority to set immigration enforcement policies. But the lawyers arguing for DACA, acknowledging that Hanen could again rule against them, also asked Hanen to not completely end the program if that's what he would ultimately decide to do. They instead asked Hanen to only end those parts of the program he would deem as illegal. Lawyers for the states asked that the entire program be shut down within a four-year period after a final ruling. Texas and the other states filed their lawsuit because they disagree with immigration policy and not because of concerns over the implementation of laws, said Nina Perales, with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, who spoke before Hanen on behalf of DACA recipients. Hanen did not immediately rule after Thursdays court hearing or give a timeframe for when he would issue a ruling. We will rule on this as expeditiously as we can," said Hanen, who was appointed by then-President George W. Bush in 2002. Before and after Thursday's hearing, more than 50 people gathered near and in front of the courthouse to show their support for DACA. Many of them held up signs that read: Immigration Reform Now and Defend DACA. Maritza Gutierrez Ramos, 28, a DACA recipient who traveled from Dallas to attend the court hearing, said the program has given her many opportunities but she remains filled with anxiety and wants something more permanent. I'm trying to be optimistic and if doesnt go our way, God will provide us with better things, said Gutierrez Ramos, who came to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 11 months old. Isaias Guerrero, 38, a DACA recipient who traveled from Washington, D.C., to attend the court hearing, described the claims made by Texas' lawyers about the state's costs tied to illegal immigration as hollow arguments. There was no mention of the amount of money we pay in taxes ... and the overall contribution to society, said Guerrero, who immigrated from Colombia when he was 15 years old and grew up in Indiana. In 2022, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld Hanens earlier ruling declaring DACA illegal, but sent the case back to him to review changes made to the program by the Biden administration. The new version of DACA took effect in October and was subject to public comments as part of a formal rule-making process. Hanen has left the Obama-era program intact for those already benefiting from it. But he previously ruled there can be no new applicants while appeals are pending. There were 580,310 people enrolled in DACA at the end of December, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Whatever decision Hanen makes is expected to end up before the U.S. Supreme Court for a third time. In 2016, the Supreme Court deadlocked 4-4 over an expanded DACA and a version of the program for parents of DACA recipients. In 2020, the high court ruled 5-4 that the Trump administration improperly ended DACA, allowing it to stay in place. President Joe Biden and advocacy groups have called on Congress to pass permanent protections for Dreamers, which is what people protected by DACA are commonly called. Congress has failed multiple times to pass proposals called the DREAM Act to protect DACA recipients. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 Richland crepe kings TV debut and his new restaurant coming to Kennewick Kagen Cox, the Richland crepe king, did a thing. He competed on Food Stars, a Fox reality TV show for a $250,000 investment by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to take his restaurant to the next level. Spoiler alert: He didnt win. No matter, because now the owner of Kagen Coffee & Crepes is doing a different thing. Cox and his wife, Jennifer, are taking their business the next level on their own. They will open a second crepe shop, in downtown Kennewick, possibly as soon as August. Cox was the first of the 15 chefs competing to be dismissed when Food Stars aired on May 24. He is grateful to have been selected for the challenge but has no regrets about his quick exit. With his stint as a celebrity chef happily behind him, Cox is working to transform the former Foodies Brick & Mortar location, 308 W. Kennewick Ave., into a new coffee-themed crepe restaurant. Coming soon signs go up this week, he said. Emily Colby, store manager at Kagen Coffee & Crepes, cooks a Nutella strawberry banana crepe recently in the Uptown Shopping Center location in Richland. The Coxes signed a lease and are working through the city of Kennewicks permitting process. That includes securing an occupancy permit for the building, which was heavily damaged by smoke and water when the neighboring Cascade building burned a little over a year ago. The fire forced Foodies to close. Owner Joanna Wilson opted to reopen at a new spot on the Kennewick waterfront in Columbia Park. The move left a beloved restaurant space empty. When a local food truck considered, then rejected, the space, the Kagen team jumped. A Nutella strawberry banana crepe at Kagens. For the Coxes, who had been looking to establish a second location, downtown Kennewick is a great fit that echoes the vibe of the Uptown Shopping Center, where the original Kagen Coffee & Crepes opened in October 2016. Cox said he loves the community focus in downtown Kennewick and looks forward to being part of a neighborhood that includes Layered Cake Artistry, Rockabilly Roasting Co., Hot Mess burgers and others. I love the idea of areas that have a lot of community interaction, he told the Herald. New location, same menu The Kennewick Kagen restaurant will mirror the original, which was the first crepe restaurant in the Tri-Cities. Its menu features recipes created by the Coxes. Kagen Coffee & Crepes is expanding into downtown Kennewick and plans the same menu. There are sweet crepes starring lemon, chocolate, peanut butter, mixed berry and a version featuring Nutella. The savory lineup includes eggs, chicken, turkey bacon, the All American, a montecristo, black bean and one called the Breakfast in Bed, The restaurant was a hit from the outset, though it opened on a wing and a prayer. The day before the opening, Cox sold his beloved Suzuki Samurai to buy food. He was shocked when lines of customers willingly waiting for hours to be served. Food hed expected to last for days ran out within hours. He remembers sobbing from the stress when he raced to the grocery store to restock. The restaurant survived its chaotic start and added a second location at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. But the north Richland outpost closed during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, which also threatened the main restaurant as well. Surviving the shutdowns The Coxes received a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan but it wasnt enough. Kagen Coffee & Crepes is expanding into downtown Kennewick with a new location in the former Foodies Brick & Mortar location at 308 W. Kennewick Ave. They sold their home, using the cash to stay open, pay employees and open an outlet with a drive-thru in Spokane. The drive-thru was a success when in-person dining was prohibited. but faltered when restrictions lifted. They sold it last year. Today, their Richland restaurant is about to celebrate its 7th anniversary and employs 10. Kennewick is opening as the couple looks to grow beyond Richland. Pasco is in their sites, though not in the immediate future. Several years ago, they committed to opening at Osprey Pointe Marketplace, the planned mixed-use development that is about to break ground in east Pasco. Development delays prompted them to reconsider. Cox said the Kennewick restaurant will serve the area, and hes now more interested in west Pasco for a future site. Gordon Ramsay Food Stars Cox first heard about Food Stars, the Fox reality competition hosted by Gordon Ramsay, from his sister. He didnt give it much thought, but she compiled a video about the crepe business and sent it to the producers. Kagen Cox, a Richland restaurant owner, competes for an investment by Gordon Ramsay on Food Stars. A month later, Cox said, Hollywood flashed across his phone while he was visiting his sister in Montana. He ignored it, assuming it was spam. He told his sister, Hollywood is calling. She urged him to take the call. The shows producers wanted to bring him to the studios in California. Some 200 food business owners were considered. He was one of the 15 chosen to compete. Hes grateful for the opportunity, but doesnt regret being the first person dismissed. He called the experience exhausting. The show began filming in early 2022. Coxs participation lasted for three weeks, during which he was quarantined in a hotel room. Kagen Cox posted on Instagram about his role in the upcoming Gordon Ramsay competition Fox. Producers confiscated devices to keep the contestants offline. When they werent on set, they were largely confined to their hotel rooms, partly because of COVID concerns. Cox missed his wife, their two children and worried about the crepe shop in his absence. When he was dismissed in the first episode after a bungled attempt to make sliders, he announced he was happy to be going home. He wasnt joking, he said. I did a thing Bound by secrecy, he couldnt explain to any friends or relatives his three-week absence from the Tri-Cities. It was a relief to finally be able to speak about part of it. On April 6, he posted a message, I did a thing, to his Facebook page along with a promotional image for Food Stars. Looking back, he said the experience hasnt affected his daily life or business. Kagen Coffee & Crepes in the Uptown Shopping Center in Richland. Had it gone differently and hed emerged the winner, hes not sure how he would have proceeded. Gordon Ramsay will invest $250,000 of personal money to help the winners business to the next level. Cox said he probably would have turned down the investment and, instead, ask Ramsay to become a partner. Even that outcome would have had its challenges, he admits. I dont know if I would want to give up that control, he said. Sign Up: Boom Town Tri-Cities Stay up to date on Tri-Cities growth and development with our weekly business newsletter. Get the latest on restaurant and business openings and closings, plus the regions top housing and employment news. Click here to sign up. In your inbox every Wednesday. (Bloomberg) -- Zimbabwes ruling party, which has retained power for more than four decades through a series of disputed votes, is undergoing a makeover by adding fresh faces to its lineup of lawmaker candidates to contest upcoming elections. Most Read from Bloomberg The move by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front long-dominated by elderly war veterans who fought against colonial and White-minority rule is aimed at increasing its appeal among an increasingly youthful electorate. The partys nominee legislators include a flamboyant businessman, a former Oxford university professor, an ex-soap opera actress and a musician. The upper echelons of the party will, however, continue to be dominated by its old guard, including incumbent leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 80, who will seek a second term in the elections that are scheduled for Aug. 23. His main challenger will be 45-year-old Nelson Chamisa, leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change. These are some of the ruling partys most prominent rising stars: Pedzisayi Sakupwanya Widely known as Scott, the 44-year-old businessman is running for a seat in the national parliament and is spending $2.5 million of his own money to fix roads in his constituency to shore up his support. He became a councilor in the city council in Harare, the capital, a year ago, winning his post in the poor township of Mabvuku-Tafara an opposition stronghold. Sakupwanya is known for his flashy lifestyle he drives around Harare in a Rolls Royce Cullinan and a Mercedes Maybach, and has ties to Floyd Mayweather, serving as the African ambassador for the former American boxers The Money Team clothing brand. Better Brands, a company owned by Sakupwanya, is one of Zimbabwes biggest gold traders and is building a refinery in Bulawayo, the second-largest city. The firm was one of the main sponsors of a concert held in Harare last year that featured American rapper Rick Ross. Mthuli Ncube A former University of Oxford professor, Ncube was appointed as finance minister by Mnangagwa in 2018 to help revive an economy that fell into disarray during Robert Mugabes 37-year rule a brief hes struggled to fulfill. While he initially remained aloof from Zimbabwes fractious political arena, he has risen within Zanu-PFs ranks in recent months, joining its politburo and central committee and being appointed as its deputy finance secretary. The 58-year-old has now entered the electoral arena for the first time hes standing as a lawmaker for Cowdray Park, Bulawayos largest constituency. He will square off against Thokozani Khuphe, an opposition heavyweight and former deputy prime minister. Ncube has pledged to improve the delivery of basic services in Bulawayo and has presided over the roll-out of free Internet hot-spots, road rehabilitation projects, the drilling of water boreholes and the replacement of vandalized power infrastructure while on the campaign trail. Hes dismissed speculation that he may seek even higher office. Sandra Ndebele An actress and award-winning Afro-pop musician, Ndebele, 41, first indicated her interest in politics when she endorsed Mnangagwas presidential campaign in the run-up to 2018 elections. She went on to become the Zanu-PF Womens League provincial representative for young women and in March announced plans to run for a city council seat in opposition-controlled Bulawayo. Over the course of her musical career, Ndebele has toured the globe, playing to audiences in countries including China, the UK, Russia and Canada, and shes taken advantage of her popularity to bolster support for Zanu-PF among young women. Tatenda Annastacia Mavetera The 36-year-old became a household name after starring in Studio 263, a popular local soap opera in the early 2000s. She capitalized on her stardom to launch a political career and in 2018 became one of the countrys youngest lawmakers when she was nominated to fill part of a quota of seats allocated to women. She has frequently stood in as the Speaker of Parliament in the absence of Jacob Mudenda. Mavetera is a prominent figure in Young Women for ED, a ruling party affiliate that seeks to canvass support for Mnangagwa in the upcoming election. She is running for direct election to the national legislature in the Chikomba West constituency in the Mashonaland East province. --With assistance from Gina Turner. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. johnson as hobbs in fast and furious Hobbs is back. Fast X made it official and now its already getting bigger. After a few years away, Dwayne Johnson is not only back in the Fast and Furious franchise, hes prepping a new spinoff. The film, which was written by Fast and Furious mainstay Chris Morgan, will be a bridge between Fast X and Fast 11 following Johnsons character, Luke Hobbs. Its not, however, a sequel to the franchises first spinoff, Hobbs and Shaw, even though other Fast and Furious characters are expected to return. The Wrap broke the news. Read more Does that mean Deckard Shaw, Jason Stathams character who co-starred with Johnson in Hobbs & Shaw, could be back? Hypothetically. Hes one of the very few Fast characters who arent either presumed dead, about to die, or in Antarctica at the end of Fast X. The one person who definitely isnt going to appear though is Vin Diesels character, Domenic Toretto. Diesel is, however, a producer of the new film. The next Fast & Furious film youll see the legendary lawman in will be the Hobbs movie that will serve as a fresh, new chapter & set up for Fast X: Part II, Johnson wrote on Twitter. Last summer Vin and I put all the past behind us. Well lead with brotherhood and resolveand always take care of the franchise, characters & fans that we love. Bringing Hobbs back into the Fast and Furious franchise was a no-brainer, but a spinoff that links the two movies? That just doesnt seem very interesting. It cant actually take place between the two movies because of where Fast X left the other characters, so youd imagine this movie will probably be taking place simultaneously, ending with the Fast X end credits scene of Jason Momoas Dante calling out Shaw, setting the table for the 11th film. The 11th film will be directed by Louis Letterier with a tentative 2025 release date. Does that now get pushed with the Hobbs movie? And is this script actually written or will the ongoing writers strike delay it? We dont know but we do know there are more questions here than answers. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) Former President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected calls anew for him to lead the Marcos administrations anti-drug campaign. Mukhang hindi na rin tama (I dont think its right) because there is a president duly elected and it is his duty to enforce the law and solve crimes, he said during an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy Wednesday night. Duterte, who is known for his brutal crackdown on illegal drugs, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must be given the greatest elbow room leeway to do his job in just one year. In fairness sa mga pulis, 'yan ang problema (in fairness to the police, thats the problem) It's a matter of leadership, he added. This was the second time that Duterte rejected the call for him to serve as anti-drug czar. It was floated again after his close allies, Senators Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go, pushed the proposal during the May 23 Senate probe into the alleged cover-up in the 6.7-billion shabu haul last October. Go asked Philippine National Police Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. if appointing Duterte as anti-drug czar will boost the campaign against illegal drugs. Acorda told Go that he would be supportive of any efforts to stomp out the proliferation of illegal drugs. In April, the International Criminal Court (ICC) said Duterte encouraged the bloody drug war, which killed thousands of individuals allegedly engaged in illegal drug trade. Late in May, the ICC released another report, stating that the families of drug war victims have doubts that their cases could realize progress under the Marcos admininistration. Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies: Two teens have been arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in Ventura on April 11. Ventura police arrest 2 minors in homicide case Authorities in Ventura have arrested two juveniles in connection with a fatal stabbing in the Surfer's Point area on April 11. The male suspects, age 15 and 17, are both Ventura residents, the Ventura Police Department said Wednesday afternoon. The victim, 39-year-old Raymond G. Morales, had been walking to the restroom at the beachside area in the 500 block of Figueroa Street when he was confronted by the two suspects and fatally stabbed, police said in Wednesday's release. The department has previously said Morales was stabbed multiple times in upper torso. Police detectives identified the two suspects after following numerous leads, the agency said. The older boy was already in custody at the county juvenile hall facility on an unrelated matter and was arrested there on suspicion of murder, officials said. The 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact to the murder and was booked into juvenile hall, officials said. 2 head-on crashes on Hwy 118 Two separate head-on crashes on Highway 118 Tuesday night caused major injuries, California Highway Patrol officials said. The incidents took place roughly half an hour apart. At about 8:15 p.m., a 53-year-old Santa Paula man was driving a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup truck westbound on the 118, east of Santa Clara Avenue, when he reportedly crossed over into the opposing traffic lane for unknown reasons, the CHP reported. The Dodge hit a 2008 Honda Odyssey head-on. An 81-year-old Moorpark woman was driving the Honda. The impact caused the Dodge pickup to roll over multiple times. Both drivers were taken to Ventura County Medical Center with major injuries. Shortly after 8:45 p.m., the second crash was report on the 118 east of Walnut Road, on a stretch that runs through agricultural fields north of Camarillo. A 60-year-old Oxnard man was driving a 2004 Saturn Vue westbound when he reportedly tried to pass another westbound driver. The maneuver caused a head-on crash with an eastbound vehicle, a 2002 Saturn driven by a 31-year-old Oxnard man, CHP officials said. The 31-year-old suffered major injuries and was taken by ambulance to Los Robles Regional Medical Center. The 60-year-old who had attempted the pass suffered minor injuries and was treated at an area hospital. No update on the injured parties was available as of midday Wednesday. Authorities said DUI was not considered a factor in either incident and no one had been arrests. Both crashes remain under investigation by the CHPs Ventura-area office. Traffic victims identified The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office on Wednesday released names of three people who died in traffic incidents during an 18-hour period Friday and Saturday. A bicyclist killed on Highway 126 in Santa Paula around 8:20 p.m. Friday was identified as 42-year-old Javier Suarez Soria of Santa Paula. The manner of death was determined to be an accident, the medical examiner found. California Highway Patrol officials previously said Soria had been riding a mountain bike in the center median when he tried to cross all westbound traffic lanes. He was struck and immediately killed by a Dodge Charger, officials said. A motorcycle rider hit around 1:15 p.m. Saturday on Highway 33 in Meiners Oaks was identified as Viktor Martyniuk, 77, of Santa Barbara, the medical examiner said. CHP officials have said Martyniuk collided with a passenger vehicle that entered the intersection at Meiners Road. He later died at Ventura County Medical Center. A pedestrian killed shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday on the westbound 126, east of Santa Paula near Willard Road, was identified Wednesday as a Milpitas man, Lorenzo J. Prinze, 23. The manner of death was found to be suicide, the medical examiner reported. CHP officials had previously identified the pedestrian using a different name. Items may be updated. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Teens arrested in Surfer's Point murder case in Ventura, more The RRS Sir David Attenborough has returned home to the UK after a second season docked at Antarctica The crew completed its polar science trials during what was a seven-month mission. The vessel, which the public once voted should be named Boaty McBoatface, arrived at Harwich in Essex on Tuesday. The 129m (423ft) ship is due to leave again on 8 June for refitting work in Rosyth, Scotland, before being used for further trials on the Scottish coast. The boat departed Harwich in November last year, before a three-week voyage to the Falkland Islands, and then onward to the Rothera Research Station at Antarctica. A team of 37 scientists were left at Bird Island, King Edward Point and Rothera to carry out further research. A spokesperson at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), based in Cambridge, said the crew got the "first clean seawater chemistry samples using the trace metal CTD". Marine biologists also used a high-resolution camera to "reveal how life is colonising new fjords that are appearing because of retreating glaciers". The team at Bird Island carried out annual surveys of seabirds and seals, while scientists at Edward Point conducted similar surveys on whales, krill and penguins. The ship is scheduled to return to Antarctica for a third season in late October. Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on 0800 169 1830 Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate possible perjury by TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Rubio argued that Chew perjured himself during a congressional hearing when he testified under oath that the data of the social media platforms American users were not stored in China. Rubio cited a Forbes report published Tuesday that said TikTok stored American users most sensitive data, including their Social Security and tax identification numbers, in China, where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can access them. Chew testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee earlier this year. Lawmakers from both parties pressed him on concerns about the platform which included national security threats, data privacy, the spread of misinformation and the safety for minors. We now know those statements are false, and that some sensitive data from American users was in fact stored in China, where, by law, that information could be accessed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Rubio wrote in his letter. According to that report, the information was stored on servers in China and accessible by employees of ByteDance, TikToks Chinese parent company. Rubios letter also highlighted that the CCP has close ties with TikTok, saying the Chinese government harvested the personal information of Americans and noting the 2015 hack of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which compromised the data of millions of American government workers and their families. This revelation further underscores the fact that TikTok is a powerful tool of espionage and influence for the CCP and should be banned. Chew should be held accountable for making false statements about material facts related to TikToks operation, as he appears to have done in this case, Rubio added. I therefore request that you investigate whether Chew committed perjury when he falsely stated that TikTok has not stored the user data of Americans in China and urge you to be transparent with the American people about the threats posed by TikTok. Multiple state governments and Congress has banned TikTok on government devices, citing national security concerns due to its Chinese owner, ByteDance. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed legislation last month banning TikTok entirely, becoming the first U.S. state to block access to the app due to concerns about data privacy. U.S. officials have had a rocky relationship with TikTok over the past year, beginning with the Trump administrations failed attempt to implement a ban on the social media platform in 2020. The Biden administration recently demanded ByteDance to sell its stake in the company, warning that the social media platform could risk a potential ban in the U.S. In a statement to The Hill, a TikTok spokesperson said the company remains confident in the accuracy of Shous testimony. Updated at 12:33 p.m. EDT. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Three people, including an 11-year-old child, were killed in a night attack by Russians on June 1, and 11 more people were injured. The Russians fired seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and three Iskander-K cruise missiles over Ukraine. Source: Kyiv Police on Facebook, Ukrainian Air Force on Telegram Quote from police: "A 33-year-old woman and a 34-year-old mother with her 11-year-old daughter died as a result of the shelling of the occupiers of the medical facility in Desnianskyi district. Eleven more citizens suffered injuries of various degrees of severity." Photo from police Details: Buildings and parked cars were also damaged in several districts. Police officers are documenting the consequences of a Russian attack. PHOTO from police In the morning, the Air Force confirmed that Russian forces launched seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and three Iskander-K cruise missiles over Ukraine. Reportedly, all 10 targets were shot down. The Air Force noted that there is very little time to go to the shelter when attacked by land-based ballistic and cruise missiles. Yaroslav, a capital resident, whose wife was killed during the attack by the Russians on 1 June, said that people ran to the shelter at night, but no one opened the doors for them. Background: In the morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that Russian forces used Iskander operational-tactical missile system missiles once again to attack civilian and critical infrastructure targets of the capital and Kyiv Oblast at night. According to preliminary data, the Air Force of Ukraine destroyed 10 out of 10 missiles. As a result of the fall of Russian missile debris in Kyiv, 3 people, including a child, were killed. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russia changes names and birthdates of kidnapped children to hide the genocide, Vereshchuk Voting in the PACE for the resolution on the deportation of Ukrainian children by the Russian occupiers, April 27, 2023 "They (the Russians) hide (the Ukrainian children) throughout the country, change their identity, names, dates of birth, do everything to assimilate them, Vereshchuk said. Read also: Belarus responsible for deportation of Ukrainian children, Kyiv says Russia is actually committing genocide against our children by forcibly Russifying them, issuing passports for them, doing everything to make them forget about their native land, forget their language, forget their culture and accept, as they say, a new reality." Ukraine needs wide international support to return Ukrainian children home, she added. Read also: Genocide by abduction: Russians planning to abduct Luhansk Oblast children to Russia NRC The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant on March 17 for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and his commissioner for children's rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia since Feb. 24, 2022. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recognized the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia as genocide on April 27. Ukraine gave the International Committee of the Red Cross a list of over 19,000 kidnapped children from the occupied territories on April 28. Read also: Russia planning to abduct children from occupied Enerhodar Ukraine has repatriated only 371 forcibly deported children, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on May 31. 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 changes tactics in Bakhmut, looks to go back on offensive General Syrskyi Oleksandr Syrskyi The Russians have noticeably decreased their active hostilities in the Bakhmut area, while the amount shelling from heavy weapons has increased, the officer said. Read also: Bakhmut front quieting down just one combat fight in last 24 hours The situation in the Bakhmut area has changed, Syrskyi said. There is a significant decrease in active enemy actions, with an increase in the amount of shelling with heavy weapons, mainly artillery and mortars. Read also: Ukraine advancing on Bakhmut flanks in ongoing operation, says General Syrskyi At first glance, it seems that the enemy has given up further offensive actions in Bakhmut. However, this is not the case, the general said. The lull is caused by a change in personnel, including the withdrawal of Wagners units and their replacement by the regular army and air assault units. The enemy seeks to seize the initiative to prevent Ukrainian counteroffensive actions and go to instead go on the offensive itself, Syrskyi said. Although Russia controls most of Bakhmut, the battle for the town continues, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on May 31. Read also: Russian forces fail to make advances anywhere, Ukrainian Defense Ministry says The Russians are trying to take a proactive position and make Ukrainian forces go on the defensive, she said. Russian airborne and mechanized infantry units are taking over from Wagner Group PMC fighters in Bakhmut, Ukraines operational Command East spokesman Serhii Cherevatyi said on May 29. 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 doesn't know what to do with the $1 billion in rupees it is amassing in India each month Russia's struggling to find uses for the $1 billion in rupees it amasses in India each month. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images Russia's amassing $1 billion worth of Indian rupees each month that it's struggling to use. India has been buying Russian oil using rupees as Moscow has been shut out of the USD-denominated global payments system. But Russia now has problems using the rupees and repatriating the currency. Russia's oil trade with India is booming but Moscow doesn't know how to fully reap the benefits of that trade. Even since Russia was cut off from the US dollar-dominated global payments systems following sweeping sanctions off the Ukraine war, the two countries have used the Indian rupee for trade. However, Russia's now having issues with trading in the rupee because there's more Indian demand for Russian goods than the other way around meaning Russia has been saddled up to $1 billion worth of rupees each month that's stuck in Indian banks, according to Bloomberg calculations on Thursday. And it's not like Russia can send the rupees back home either because India has restrictions over capital flows by foreign investors the country is looking at $2 to $3 billion worth of rupees stuck in India every quarter. That adds up to $147 billion in Russia's net foreign assets built up over 2022, per Bloomberg estimates based on Bank of Russia data. To contextualize how big of a sum that is for Russia, the country spent 5.51 trillion rubles, or $68 billion, on defense in 2022, per a May 15 Reuters report that cites data from the country's Federal Treasury. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov flagged the issues with the rupee earlier this month he told reporters in India on May 5 there was a problem with "billions of rupees accumulated in accounts at Indian banks, and we need to use this money." "For this, rupees should be converted into other currencies. This is being discussed," Lavrov said, per Bloomberg. India and Russia are now trying to work out how Russia can use its mounting rupee stash. Options include getting Russian entities to invest in India's capital markets, Bloomberg reported, citing officials in India familiar with details. Another option under discussion is having Russia channel the rupees into Indian infrastructure projects in exchange for equity stakes, per the media outlet. But in these talks, Moscow doesn't really have much bargaining power. "There are no alternative oil importers of India's caliber on the horizon for Russia, so exporters and banks will gradually accept settlement in rupees," said Alexander Isakov, Russia economist at Bloomberg Economics. And while India may have boosted its Russian oil purchases by taking advantage of steep discounts amid Western sanctions and boycotts, these buyers also have other options for obtaining their energy requirements, wrote Ian Hall, a professor of international relations, on the Australian Institute of International Affairs website on May 2. "It is unlikely, however, that India will remain so dependent on Russian supplies in the medium to long term, given the relative proximity of the Middle Eastern producers on which it has traditionally relied," wrote Hall, who is also acting director of the Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University in Australia. The Kremlin, Russian central bank, and India's External Affairs ministry did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Russia hits Kharkiv, there are strikes, woman saved from under debris On the afternoon of 1 June, the Russian military attacked the city of Kharkiv, hitting the Industrialnyi district. A woman was rescued from under the debris. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv, on Telegram Quote: "Two strikes were recorded in the Industrialnyi district of Kharkiv. All the relevant emergency services are on their way to the scene." Details: Syniehubov said that as of that minute, there was no information about casualties. Update: Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, reported that the attacks were launched on an industrial facility. It was damaged but did not catch fire. A woman was saved from under the debris. According to preliminary reports, she was not injured. Syniehubov has clarified that the woman is 63. She did not need to be taken to hospital. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russia spent up to US$17 million on last night's attack on Kyiv Russia spent up to US$17 million on last nights missile attack on the city of Kyiv that killed three people. Source: Military Media Center, a media platform for the Ukrainian Defence Forces created by the Ministry of Defence Details: Russia fired seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and three Iskander-K cruise missiles on Kyiv on the night of 31 May-1 June, all of which were shot down by Ukrainian air defence. One Iskander-M missile, according to media reports, costs up to US$2 million, while an Iskander-K missile costs up to US$1 million. Thus, the Russian invaders spent up to US$17 million on just one nights attack on the capital. For reference: In June 2022, Forbes estimated the cost of one Iskander missile at US$3 million. Background: At night, the Russians fired missiles from the Iskander tactical missile system on civilian and critical infrastructure in the capital and Kyiv Oblast. The Air Force destroyed 10 out of 10 missiles. Three people, including a child, were killed in Kyiv by falling Russian missile debris. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russia says it has repelled an attempted attack on its border with Ukraine by pro-Ukrainian militants, while heavy shelling and a suspected drone attack forced some civilians to flee the area. The defence ministry in Moscow said its forces saw off three cross-border attacks near the town of Shebekino in the Belgorod region, and it accused Ukraine of using "terrorist formations" to try to target Russian civilians. Ukraine denies its military is involved in the incursions, blaming Russian volunteer fighters opposed to Moscows regime. The Kremlin said president Vladimir Putin was being regularly briefed on the situation at the border and noted that Western powers had refrained from condemning the attacks on Russian territory that it blamed on Ukraine. The Russian Volunteer Corps, a far-right paramilitary group of ethnic Russians that supports Ukraine, said it was fighting on Russian territory. Meanwhile, a nine-year-old Ukrainian girl, her mother and another woman were killed in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv on Thursday after the air raid shelter they rushed to failed to open. President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frustration at the tragedy and said if local officials were unable to provide protection, they could be prosecuted. Key Points Russian mercenary boss slams army 'clowns' as he marks birthday at training camp Russian missiles kill two children in Kyiv At least 10 short-range ballistic missiles downed in overnight attacks, says Ukraine Shelling injures five in Belgorod, says Russia Russia says it has destroyed Ukraines last warship Drones hit several buildings in Moscow mayor Russian mercenary boss slams army 'clowns' as he marks birthday at training camp 11:00 , Eleanor Noyce Russias most powerful mercenary, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said his Wagner group would fight on in Ukraine if his men got a separate section of the front without having to depend on clowns who ran swathes of the Russian armed forces. Celebrating his 62nd birthday on Thursday at a training camp, Prigozhin also confirmed that his men would finally leave the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on June 5 after handing it to the Russian army. The Wagner mercenaries captured the devastated city in late May after months of grinding warfare. If the whole chain (of command) is 100% failed and will only be led by clowns who turn people into meat, then we will not participate in it, said Prigozhin, known for his blunt, often expletive-laced commentary on the conduct of the war. Beautiful isnt it? he said to Russian reporters with a smile, gazing at a night sky lit up with blasts and red flares against bursts of automatic gunfire from his mercenaries. Pro-Ukrainian militants attack Russian border 21:30 , Jane Dalton Russia says it has repelled an attempted incursion along its border with Ukraine by what it casts as pro-Ukrainian militants, while heavy shelling and a suspected drone attack prompted a partial evacuation of the area by civilians. Ahead of an expected Ukrainian counter-offensive in the 15-month war, Russia has come under repeated attack in recent days. Russias defence ministry said it repelled three cross-border attacks on Thursday near the town of Shebekino in the Belgorod region, and it accused Ukraine of using terrorist formations to try to attack Russian civilians. The selfless actions of Russian servicemen repelled three attacks by Ukrainian terrorist formations, the Russian ministry said. No violations of the state border were allowed. Ukraine denies its military is involved in the incursions into Belgorod and says they were conducted by Russian volunteer fighters. A drone image released by Freedom of Russia Legion, which opposes the Russian regime, shows what they claim is a destruction of Russian military targets near Shebekino (via REUTERS) Opinion: Moscow drone attack highlights threat to Putin 20:45 , Jane Dalton Its not impossible that senior officials gagging for more firepower, Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and other paramilitary groups could garner enough support among a disaffected Russian population to organise a rebellion against the Russian leader, writes Mary Dejevsky: The drone attack on Moscow imperils Putin like never before | Mark Dejevsky In pictures: Ukraine prepares for counteroffensive 19:45 , Jane Dalton Servicemen of the newly created National Guard unit train in the Kharkiv region (AP) Recruits of the Offensive Guard assault brigade attend a combat training in Kharkiv (REUTERS) Girl, 9, and mother killed in Kyiv as air raid shelter stays shut 19:00 , Jane Dalton A nine-year-old girl, her mother and another woman were killed in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv on Thursday after the air raid shelter they rushed to failed to open, witnesses said. Police opened a criminal investigation into the three deaths near a medical clinic in the Desnyanskyi district of Kyiv after the 18th attack on the capital since the start of May. Three people, one of them a child, died near the clinic last night, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said. A rocket fragment fell near the entrance to the clinic four minutes after the air alert was announced. And people headed for the shelter. Local residents said people were unable to enter the shelter because it was closed. It was not clear why. The air alert sounded. My wife took our daughter and they ran to the entrance here, local resident Yaroslav Ryabchuk told Reuters. The entrance was closed, there were already maybe five to 10 women with children. No one opened up for them. They knocked loudly enough. They tried to enter the shelter, [but] no one opened up for them. My wife died, he said. The case caused a public outcry and prompted calls for residents to check shelters and report any safety violations. Local media said prosecutors later searched city administration offices as part of the investigation into the deaths. At a makeshift memorial for the girl, another parent who was woken by the night-time attacks spoke of her terror. I grabbed my child and ran into the corridor because I didnt have any other options. We sat there the whole time, there were a few more explosions, said 25-year-old Oleksandra, visiting the memorial with her five-year-old son Hryhoriy. At least 60,000' Russian troops killed in Bakhmut 18:15 , Jane Dalton Russia has suffered at least 60,000 casualties in its attempt to capture the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, a western official has said. They also said that overall Russian casualties are well over 200,000 and there are indications the anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive could begin within weeks. Earlier this month, Russia claimed to have captured Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine, after about a year of fighting. A western official said: We judge that capturing Bakhmut has likely cost Russia at least 60,000 casualties in that Bakhmut-Popasna sector over the course of the year-long battle. They said it was a conservative estimate for the number of Russian casualties on that area of the front, and on the estimated breakdown of killed to wounded they said: I think we would say at least a third killed. They reiterated what a number of observers have said in describing Bakhmut as not strategically significant in terms of the wider conflict. Ukraines rightful place is in Nato, says Sunak 17:30 , Eleanor Noyce Ukraines rightful place is in Nato, Rishi Sunak has said. The Prime Minister is in Moldova for a gathering of European leaders, with his comments coming after a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Kyiv has long called for Ukraine to be admitted to Nato, but allies are divided about when and how any accession might happen as the war with Russia continues. Mr Sunak, speaking to broadcasters at the European Political Community summit, gave little further detail of the UK position on the Ukrainian path to membership. The gathering, on the border of Ukraine, comes ahead of a key meeting of Nato leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July. Dominic McGrath reports: Ukraines rightful place is in Nato, says Sunak Newsmax branded incompetent hacks for using images of Iowa building collapse in Russia drone strike report 17:00 , Eleanor Noyce The far-right network Newsmax has come under fire for using images from a building collapse in Davenport, Iowa, in a report about a drone strike in Moscow, Russia. The six-storey building partially collapsed on Sunday afternoon, with city officials now saying that theyre evaluating if further searches for survivors can safely be conducted as the building is at risk of toppling. Five people are unaccounted for following the collapse, with Mayor Mike Matson saying on Tuesday that officials think two of them may still be in the building, according to CNN. On Wednesday, Newsmax featured harrowing images of the collapse as host Greta Van Susteren delivered a report on a disturbing drone attack in Moscow, Russia, according to Media Matters. In doing so, the network could lead viewers to believe that the drone strike caused the destruction seen in the photo thousands of miles away. The drone strike was the first to hit a civilian area in Russia since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gustaf Kilander reports: Newsmax uses images of Iowa building collapse in report on drone strike in Moscow Russia, China foreign ministers set for BRICS meet in South Africa with war in Ukraine on agenda 16:30 , Eleanor Noyce The Russian and Chinese foreign ministers were set to meet with their counterparts from the BRICS economic bloc of developing nations in South Africa on Thursday for discussions that will start with an exchange of views on major geopolitical issues, including the war in Ukraine, South Africas ambassador to the bloc said. Most of the BRICS countries differ sharply from the position of the U.S. and its Western allies on the war. Speaking ahead of the meeting, the South African ambassador referred to the Wests military aid to Ukraine as one of the things that fuels the conflict. Any endeavor that fuels the conflict does not solve the problem, Anil Sooklal said when asked for his reaction to Western attempts to transfer weapons to Ukraine. We do not know of any global conflict that has been solved though war, Sooklal said. All it does is cause more pain and suffering and, as BRICS countries, this is what we are saying: Lets focus on finding a peaceful resolution to the challenges, rather than fueling the conflict. Gerald Imray reports: Russia, China foreign ministers set for BRICS meet in South Africa with war in Ukraine on agenda Administration building burns in Russian border town 'hit by Ukrainian missiles' 16:00 , Eleanor Noyce A fire burned in a Russian border town on Thursday, 1 June, as Russian officials reported shelling by Ukrainian forces. Footage shows an administration building on Lenin Street in Shebekino, Belgorod, up in flames. Belogrod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that five people were injured on Thursday morning. Ukrainian armed forces fired Grad missiles at the center and outskirts of the city, he said. Ukraine did not immediately comment on the reports. It comes after Ukrainian officials reported that a mother and her 11-year-old daughter were among three people killed in a Russian attack on Kyiv on Thursday. Taiwan donates $5 mln towards rebuilding Ukraine with Lithuania 15:30 , Eleanor Noyce Taiwan has donated five million dollars towards Lithuanian-led reconstruction projects in Ukraine, a Lithuanian government investment agency said on Wednesday. The funds will be spent towards rebuilding a school in Borodianka and a kindergarten in Irpin, Central Project Management Agency said in a statement. Lithuanian government has spent 9.8 million euros ($9.2 million) towards the rebuilding, and the Taiwanese contribution will be used to purchase educational equipment. Taiwan sees Ukraine as our own image in a different continent. We both face authoritarian regimes which do not shy from using force to impose its world view, Taiwanese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roy Chun Lee said introducing the donation in Vilnius. If one day Taiwan is facing an increased level of military intimidation from China, we will be looking for your assistance as well, just as we are helping Ukraine, he added. In 2022 China downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania, and told multinationals to sever ties with Lithuania or face being shut out of the Chinese market, after the opening of a representative office by Taiwan in Vilnius. In response, the European Union launched a challenge at the World Trade Organization, accusing China of discriminatory trade practices against Lithuania that it says threaten the integrity of the single market. The challenge was joined by the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. China views self-ruled and democratically governed Taiwan as its territory and has stepped up pressure on countries to downgrade or sever their relations with the island. Details of Ukraines future security guarantees remain to be decided, NATO chief says 15:00 , Eleanor Noyce Ukraines security must be guaranteed when the war ends, but NATO allies still have to work out the details of how to arrange this, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday. When the war ends we must ensure we have a framework in place to ensure it is not a pause in Russian actions against Ukraine, Stoltenberg said following an informal meeting of NATO countries foreign ministers in Oslo. We need to stop the vicious circle of aggression against Ukraine. Details of how that can be done remain to be decided. Russia says it seeking third suspect over war blogger killing 14:30 , Eleanor Noyce Russian investigators said on Thursday they were seeking a third suspect over the April 2 killing of popular pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in an explosion at a cafe in St Petersburg. In a statement posted on the Telegram messenger app, the Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said that Roman Popkov, a Ukraine-based Russian journalist who was previously a leader of Russias banned ultranationalist National Bolshevik Party, was wanted on terrorism and explosives charges. Tatarsky, a native of eastern Ukraines Donbas whose real name was Maxim Fomin, had been addressing an event in the cafe when the blast occurred. Russian officials later said a bomb had been hidden inside a statuette given to him as a gift during the event. Russian officials have previously named Russian citizen Darya Trepova and Ukrainian national Yury Denisov as suspects in the killing. Trepova, an anti-war and feminist activist, was arrested on April 3, while Denisov is believed to be still in Ukraine. Trepova has been charged with terrorist offences. Trepovas husband told independent Russian media outlets he believed she had been framed and had not known the statuette she had been told to deliver contained explosives. In its statement, the Investigative Committee said Popkov had exchanged messages with Trepova over social media and had given her instructions regarding the preparation of the terrorist act. At French Open, Sabalenka of Belarus refuses to answer questions about war in Ukraine 14:00 , Eleanor Noyce Aryna Sabalenka, a Belarusian tennis player seeded No. 2 at the French Open, declined to answer questions about Russias invasion of Ukraine after she won a match on Wednesday. After her first-round win Sunday, Sabalenka had said no Russian or Belarusian athletes support the war, but she was asked Wednesday to personally condemn Belarus role in supporting Russias invasion. Ive got no comments to you, the Australian Open champion said in a press conference after her 7-5, 6-2 victory over Iryna Shymanovich in the second round at the Grand Slam tournament. Sabalenkas first-round opponent, Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, had urged reporters to ask the 25-year-old Sabalenka if she personally supports or opposes the war. Sabalenka was asked in the context of potentially becoming the worlds No. 1 player about whether she supports Belarus authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Read more: At French Open, Sabalenka of Belarus refuses to answer questions about war in Ukraine Ukraine says Russia has blocked Black Sea grain export deal again 13:30 , Eleanor Noyce Ukraines ministry of renovation and infrastructure said on Thursday the U.N.-brokered Black Sea grain export deal had been halted again because Russia had blocked registration of ships to all Ukrainian ports. The Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul has announced that it is impossible to draw up an inspection plan for June 1 due to another unjustified refusal of the Russian delegation to register the incoming fleet for participation in the Initiative, the ministry said on Facebook. Russia did not immediately comment on the status of the wartime initiative, intended to provide safe Black Sea grain exports. 13:00 , Eleanor Noyce NATOs secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has called for a framework of security guarantees for Kyiv designed to stop Russia from again taking military action against the country. Other allies such as Germany and Luxembourg stressed the risks should NATO rush to let Kyiv join. NATOs open door policy remains in place, but at the same time it is clear that we cannot talk about accepting new members (who are) in the midst of a war, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. Luxembourgs Jean Asselborn warned NATOs mutual assistance clause meant the alliance would enter the war with Russia if it accepted Ukraine as a member while the fighting goes on. Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at a meeting of more than 40 European leaders in Moldova, reiterated Kyivs readiness to join NATO. NATO squabbles over speedy accession of Ukraine as decisive summit looms 12:30 , Eleanor Noyce Moscow cannot stop Ukraine from becoming a NATO member, the alliances chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday, as divisions among allies about the speed of Kyivs accession became apparent only weeks before a decisive mid-July summit in Vilnius. All allies agree that Moscow does not have a veto against NATO enlargement, Stoltenberg told reporters as NATO foreign ministers gathered in Oslo, seeking to dispel any signs of discord ahead of the summit. We are moving, allies agree that Ukraine will become a member. NATO agreed in 2008 that Ukraine would eventually join the alliance but leaders have so far stopped short of taking steps, such as giving Kyiv a membership action plan, that would lay out a timetable for bringing Ukraine closer to the military pact. At the Vilnius summit, NATO leaders aim to send a strong message of support to Kyiv. But with only six weeks to go, pressure is building for allies to find common ground on what exactly to offer Ukraine. While Kyiv and its closest allies in eastern Europe call for concrete steps to bring Ukraine closer to membership, Western governments such as the United States and Germany are wary of any move that might take the alliance closer to war with Russia. Lithuanias Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said Kyiv had suffered two invasions while waiting for an answer from NATO for 14 years. It is high time that we actually sit down and find a very concrete answer as to how Ukraine is going to move closer to NATO and when they become a member of the alliance, he said. His call was echoed by his Estonian counterpart who urged allies to offer Kyiv a clear path into NATO and provide it with strong security guarantees after the war, in order not to leave any grey zones for Russia to exploit. Ukraine needs to get a clear path, and the next steps, on how to enter NATO, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. Biden approves a new $300M military aid package for Ukraine 12:00 , Eleanor Noyce President Joe Biden has approved a new package of military aid for Ukraine that totals up to $300 million and includes additional munitions for drones and an array of other weapons. It comes as Russia has continued to pummel Ukraines capital and unmanned aircraft have targeted Moscow. U.S. officials have said there is no suggestion that U.S.-made drones or munitions were used in the Moscow strikes, which the Kremlin blamed on Ukraine but Kyiv has not acknowledged. The Biden administration has said it has made clear to Ukraine that U.S.-made weapons should not be used for attacks inside Russian territory. Aamer Madhani and Lolita C. Baldor report: Biden approves a new $300M military aid package for Ukraine Visiting Moldova, Zelenskyy says Ukraine ready for NATO membership 11:30 , Eleanor Noyce President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a trip to Moldova on Thursday that Ukraine was ready to be in the NATO military alliance, and that Kyiv was waiting for the bloc to be ready to admit his country. He also reiterated Ukraines desire to join the European Union after arriving in Moldova, which borders Ukraine, for a summit bringing together more than 40 European leaders. The summit is intended to show support for both countries as Kyiv prepares to launch a counteroffensive against Russias invasion. We support Moldova and its people who are integrating into the EU. You supported our people, our refugees who fled in the first days of the war, and we will never forget it, Zelenskiy said, standing beside Moldovan President Maia Sandu. Our future is in the EU. Ukraine is ready to join NATO, he said. The European Political Community summit is being hosted by Moldova at a castle about 20 km (12 miles) from Ukrainian territory. Governor of Russia's Belgorod: Ukraine shelled border town with Grad rocket system 10:40 , Eleanor Noyce The governor of Russias Belgorod region said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces had shelled the border town of Shebekino using Soviet-era Grad rocket systems, setting one residential building in the town ablaze. Vyacheslav Gladkov said the attacks had also damaged the local administration building and injured a resident. Earlier Gladkov had reported heavy shelling overnight by Ukrainian forces, saying this had resulted in eight people being wounded and led to the evacuation of local residents. South Africa mulls options on ICC arrest warrant for potential visitor Putin 10:30 , Eleanor Noyce South Africa is mulling its options over an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin should he accept an invitation to a BRICS summit in August, a South African government official said. A member of the ICC, South Africa would theoretically be required to arrest Putin under the warrant issued in March by the court, which accused him of the war crime of forcibly deporting children from Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. Moscow denies the allegations. A senior Russian official also poured cold water on the idea of moving the summit to China. South Africa had on Jan. 25 already invited Putin to the Aug. 22-24 meeting in Johannesburg of BRICS leaders of emerging economies, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. There has been no firm decision, said Zane Dangor, director-general of the department of international relations, adding that ministers assigned to the matter would soon meet to consider a report setting out the options. European summit opens in Moldova with Ukraine war, regional conflicts on agenda 09:55 , Eleanor Noyce Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at a sprawling summit of some 50 European leaders in Moldova on Thursday, becoming the focal point of an event that seeks to quell regional conflicts and shore up unity in the face of Russias war. The meeting of the European Political Community, a pan-continental gathering of heads of state and government from 47 countries, brings together leaders from European Union nations and others to the 27-member blocs south and east a region pushed to a turning point in its relationship with Moscow by Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. The EU, represented at the summit by the blocs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, wants to use the summit to reach out to many Eastern European countries that spent decades either within the Soviet Union or under its immediate sphere of influence, and to bolster the continents unified response to Russian aggression. Justin Spike reports: European summit opens in Moldova with Ukraine war, regional conflicts on agenda Russia's nuclear chief: we appreciate IAEA head's work to protect Zaporizhzhia plant 09:11 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain The head of Russias state nuclear company Rosatom said on Thursday that he appreciates the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency Chief Rafael Grossi to protect the Zaporizhzhia plant, TASS reported. Interfax quoted the Rosatom boss as saying that Russia was following the principles of Grossis safety plan for the Zaporizhzhia plant, which has been under Russian control since March 2022, but which remains near the frontline in Ukraine. Girl and her mother among three killed in Russian strike on Kyiv 08:42 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain An 11-year-old girl, her mother and another woman were killed in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv early on Thursday, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraines air force said air defences shot down all 10 ballistic and Iskander cruise missiles launched from Russias Bryansk region in the 18th attack on the capital since the start of May. But falling missile debris often causes damage during such attacks. Police said a medical clinic, kindergarten, residential buildings and cars were damaged, and the Kyiv military administration said three people were killed and 10 hurt. The city authorities did not say how they were killed but police said the victims included the 11-year-old girl and her mother. It is international childrens day. At night, Russia again killed a child in Kyiv, said Andriy Yermak, chief of President Volodymyr Zelenskiys office. Since 2014, the terrorist country has been committing crimes against little Ukrainians. From February 24, 2022, no one has any doubts - this is a real genocide. Russia has denied targeting civilians or committing war crimes but its forces have caused devastation in Ukrainian cities and repeatedly hit residential areas since its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. The Kyiv military administration reported damage in the Desnyanskyi region on the capitals eastern outskirts as well as Dniprovkskyi district, closer to the centre. Photographs posted on the Kyiv authorities website showed windows blown out in a clinic and nearby apartment buildings. Other photos posted on social media showed rescue teams attending to residents in buildings, with shattered building materials strewn about on the street. Air raid alerts in Kyiv and in most of eastern Ukraine were in effect for about an hour.An 11-year-old girl, her mother and another woman were killed in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv early on Thursday, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraines air force said air defences shot down all 10 ballistic and Iskander cruise missiles launched from Russias Bryansk region in the 18th attack on the capital since the start of May. But falling missile debris often causes damage during such attacks. Police said a medical clinic, kindergarten, residential buildings and cars were damaged, and the Kyiv military administration said three people were killed and 10 hurt. The city authorities did not say how they were killed but police said the victims included the 11-year-old girl and her mother. It is international childrens day. At night, Russia again killed a child in Kyiv, said Andriy Yermak, chief of President Volodymyr Zelenskiys office. Since 2014, the terrorist country has been committing crimes against little Ukrainians. From February 24, 2022, no one has any doubts - this is a real genocide. Local residents react as they look at the body of a woman who died as a result of a downed missile explosion outside a polyclinic during the Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, (AFP via Getty Images) Russian bombardment in Kyiv kills three 08:17 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian forces began June with a fresh aerial bombardment of Kyiv on Thursday, killing at least three people and wounding others, authorities said. Following up on a reported 17 attacks on the Ukrainian capital in May, mostly using drones, Russian forces hit the capital in the early morning, damaging apartment buildings and a medical clinic. Two of the dead were children, according to city officials. The toll of injured fluctuated in preliminary reports, but the casualties still were the most from one attack in the past month. After a woman was killed watching an aerial attack from her balcony earlier this week, Kyiv authorities urged residents to stay in shelters or other safe locations. Ukraines air defences have become increasingly effective at intercepting Russian drones and missiles, but in some cases the resulting debris causes fires and injuries in buildings and on the ground. Preliminary indications were that Kyivs air defences intercepted all incoming weapons early on Thursday, and that the latest deaths and injuries were caused by falling debris. On Wednesday, Russian forces carried out three aerial attacks over the south of Kherson region, along with missile and heavy artillery strikes on other parts of the region. Putins war comes home as Moscow faces large-scale drone attack 07:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain The Kremlin has lashed out at Kyiv in the wake of Moscow being targeted by a large-scale drone attack for the first time since its invasion of Ukraine began. The incident exposes the extent to which Russian president Vladimir Putins decision to invade Ukraine 15 months ago has come home to roost. Residents of some of the capitals most exclusive neighbourhoods woke to the sound of explosions as Moscow and its outskirts came under attack from the drones, which may have numbered close to 30. The Russian president appeared on state television to decry the attack, blaming Kyiv for trying to intimidate Russia, Russian citizens, and claiming that the attacks were focused on residential buildings. Mr Putin also admitted that, while Moscows air defence had worked in a satisfactory way, it was clear that our task is to plug the gaps in the system. Putins war comes home as Moscow faces large-scale drone attack Belgorod governor says eight wounded by Ukrainian shelling 07:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Eight people were wounded by overnight shelling that continued into the morning in the Russian town of Shebekino that damaged multiple buildings, the governor of the local Belgorod region said on Thursday. In a video posted on Telegram, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said: In Shebekino district, there is ongoing shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Eight people have been wounded. There are no dead. He said that local authorities would evacuate civilians as soon as the shelling was over. Of course, the lives of civilians, of the population is under threat. Primarily in Shebekino and in the surrounding villages, he added. The Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine Kharkiv region, has come under repeated attack from Kyivs territory in recent months. In May, Ukrainian forces briefly seized a number of border settlements before retreating back across the frontier. (Belgorod governor via Reuters) Ukraine closer to Nato accession, Russia cant veto Stoltenberg 07:05 , Arpan Rai Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed a mutual agreement among all Nato allies that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance. All allies agree that Moscow does not have a veto against Nato enlargement, Mr Stoltenberg told reporters ahead of an informal meeting of Nato foreign affairs ministers. We are moving, allies agree that Ukraine will become a member, he said, adding that Nato is helping Ukraine move closer to its membership as the member nations are confident on consensus for moving forward on its accession. At least 10 short-range ballistic missiles downed over Kyiv, says Ukraine 06:15 , Arpan Rai Ukraines air defence have shot down at least 10 Iskander missiles, the short-range ballistic missiles being deployed by Russia in overnight attacks, officials said. All Russian aerial targets were shot down during the attack carried out in early hours, according to the preliminary information from Ukraines General Staff, reported The Kyiv Independent. Russian forces hit the capital in the early morning with ground-launched missiles in continuation with reported 17 drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital in May. Shelling injures five in Belgorod, says Russia 06:05 , Arpan Rai Five people were left injured in overnight shelling in the Russian town of Shebekino that damaged multiple buildings, a regional governor said today. Two people were hospitalised as a result of the Ukrainian rocket strike on Shebekino, Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. We are also receiving calls about multiple cases of damage to private residences and apartment blocks, some have had their walls pierced by shells, he said. US does not know who is responsible for Russia drone attack, says White House 05:16 , Arpan Rai The Biden administration does not know who is responsible for a drone attack in Moscow this week, said the White House national security spokesperson John Kirby. The US does not have specific information that tells us who is responsible, Mr Kirby said, adding that the US did not plan to investigate. Russian missiles kill two children in Kyiv 04:08 , Arpan Rai At least three people, including two children, were killed in a Russian missile attack on Kyiv in the early hours today, officials said. The Russian missile struck the Desnyanskyi region on the capitals eastern outskirts as well as Dniprovkskyi district, closer to the centre, the Kyiv military administration said. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the missile hit a medical clinic and of the total 14 injured, nine people needed hospital treatment. Emergency crews had extinguished fires caused by falling debris near the sites of the strikes. Visuals of the attack showed windows blown out in the clinic and in nearby apartment buildings with shattered building debris strewn on the street. The impact was from a shot-down cruise or ballistic missiles, the city officials said. This is the 18th attack on the capital this month. Authorities claim 27,000 Ukrainian civilians are being held on Russian soil 03:00 , Lucy Skoulding Ukraine has claimed that 27,000 Ukrainian civilians are being held on Russian soil. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines commissioner for human rights said:According to our data, more than 27,000 civilian hostages are being held by the Russian Federation. This is a huge number of our citizens who are actually held captive by the Russians. Asked in a press conference whether there is any news on UNIAN news agency journalist Dmytro Khilyuk, who was captured by the Russians, it was revealed there has been no progress. The ombudsman said: Unfortunately, he has not returned to Ukraine yet. I will not say that we will return him in the near future. I am used to saying real things. Germany shuts 4 out of 5 Russian consulates 02:00 , Lucy Skoulding Russia has responded to what it called a provocative move from Germany to shut four out of five of its consulates by revoking the licences. It comes after Russia made an announcement that it was going to limit the number of German officials who could be in Russia to 350. According to Reuters, the foreign ministry of Russia said in a statement: There can be no doubt in Berlin that these ill-considered, provocative actions will not go unanswered by us. Only 500 residents left in Bakhmut 01:00 , Lucy Skoulding There are only around 500 people left living in Bakhmut, according to the citys mayor Oleksii Reva. This is compared with the 70,000 people who lived in the eastern Ukrainian city before the war with Russia. Bakhmut has been subjected to heavy fighting over the last year, with both Ukraine and Russia claiming they have control of the city. Bakhmut has been subjected to heavy fighting in the last year (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Dutch prime minister says EU should sanction Russians involved in child abductions Thursday 1 June 2023 00:00 , Lucy Skoulding The EU is looking into broadening its sanctions against Russia so they target Russians involved in child abductions from Ukraine. Dutch prime minsiter Mark Rutte said: The 11th package of sanctions we are working on includes the option to go after those responsible for child abductions. Speaking in a joint conference at The Hague with Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, he added: Thats something we are working on. The other point of focus is sanction circumvention. Making it possible to go after the people responsible. Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte spoke in a news conference about widening sanctions against Russia (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Wednesday 31 May 2023 23:00 , Natalie Crockett An Iraqi citizen fighting with Russias Wagner mercenary group was killed in Ukraine last month, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Wednesday. Abbas Abuthar Witwit, the first confirmed case of a Middle East native dying in the conflict, died on April 7, a day after arriving at a Wagner hospital in the Russian-controlled, eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk, the RIA FAN news site earlier reported. Much of the fighting for Bakhmut was done by convict fighters, recruited by Wagner from prisons on the promise of a pardon if they survived six months at the front in Ukraine. Prigozhin told news agency Reuters that Witwit, who he recruited from prison, was wounded in Bakhmut before he died. Prigozhin previously said he had lost 20,000 of his men in the conflict as a whole. Witwit was injured while fighting in Bakhmut, Wagner chief says (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Macron says war crimes trial may have to take back seat as Putin negotiations are priority Wednesday 31 May 2023 22:00 , Lucy Skoulding Emmanuel Macron says negotiations with Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine may have to take priority over war crimes charges against him. The French President says it might not be possible to send Putin for a war crimes trial at The Hague because he is the only person the west can negotiate with to end the war. Delivering a speech in which he tackled a wide range of issues at the EU leaders conference in Moldova, Macron said: If in a few months to come we have a window for negotiations, the question will be arbitrage between a trial and a negotiation, and you have to negotiate with the leaders you have de facto, and I think negotiations will be a priority You can put yourself in a position where you say: I want you to go jail but you are the only one I can negotiate with. But President Macron also said that evidence against Russia and its leaders should be gathered and assembled in the meantime. President Macron has shared some frank remarks about negotiations with Putin (AFP via Getty Images) French President urges NATO to provide Israel-like security to Ukraine Wednesday 31 May 2023 21:00 , Lucy Skoulding Frances President Emmanuel Macron has urged NATO to provide Ukraine withtangible and credible security as it continues to battle Russia. Speaking at the GLOBSEC Bratislava Global Security Forum, President Macron said: We have to build something between the security provided to Israel and full-fledged membership. He added that Ukraine needed to be helped with all means possible because it is today protecting Europe. De Paris a Bratislava. Une meme famille, lUnion europeenne. Z Pariza do Bratislavy. Jedna rodina, Europska unia. pic.twitter.com/bNESKHYcUL Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 31, 2023 Watch: Russian soldiers flee after tank struck by Ukrainian drone Wednesday 31 May 2023 20:00 , Martha Mchardy Latest pictures from Russia Wednesday 31 May 2023 19:30 , Martha Mchardy A specialist inspects the damaged facade of a multi-storey apartment building after a reported drone attack in Moscow (AFP via Getty Images) The aftermath of Ukrainian shelling in the border town of Shebekino, Belgorod region, (EPA) Latest pictures from Ukraine Wednesday 31 May 2023 19:00 , Martha Mchardy A destroyed facility located on the premises of a poultry farm following recent shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the village of Karpaty in the Luhansk region (REUTERS) Ukrainian troops near the front line city of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, (REUTERS) A destroyed facility located on the premises of a poultry farm following recent shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the village of Karpaty in the Luhansk region (REUTERS) ICYMI: New US aid package for Ukraine will total about $300 million and include munitions for drones Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:30 , Martha Mchardy A U.S. military aid package for Ukraine that is expected to be announced this week will total up to $300 million and will include additional munitions for drones, U.S. officials said Tuesday. The drone ammunition comes after new attacks by unmanned aircraft targeted Moscow. There has been no suggestion that U.S.-made drones or munitions were used in the recent attacks on Moscow, and U.S. officials have repeatedly said that Ukraine has agreed not to use any American-provided weapons for attacks on Russian soil. The Kremlin blamed Kyiv for Tuesdays attack, but Ukrainian officials had no direct comment. But the new aid package comes at a tense moment in the war. The latest drone attack on Moscow follows Russias seizure of the eastern Ukrainian city Bakhmut after a nine-month battle that killed tens of thousands of people. Ukraine is also showing signs that its long-awaited spring counteroffensive may already be underway. Read the full story: New US aid package for Ukraine will total about $300 million and include munitions for drones Fiancee of Brit who died helping refugees in Ukraine in desperate plea to bring his body back Wednesday 31 May 2023 18:00 , Martha Mchardy The fiancee of a former British soldier who was killed in a car crash in Ukraine has told how she had made a wedding ring on the day she was told of his death. Louise Lathbury has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for repatriating Julian Thorns body from the war-torn nation, hoping to raise 15,000. Ms Lathbury, originally from Berkshire, said Mr Thorns mother and grandfather were also desperate to bring him back to the UK, saying it would mean everything to bring him back whole. Josh Payne reports: Fiancee of Brit who died helping refugees in Ukraine in plea to bring his body back Russias former president says UK officials are legitimate military targets Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:30 , Martha Mchardy British public officials are a legitimate military target because of the UKs support for Ukraine, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has warned. Mr Medvedev, deputy chairman of Vladimir Putins security council, claimed the UKs support for Kyiv amounted to an undeclared war against Russia. His comments came after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Ukraine had the right to project force beyond its borders into Russia to resist Mr Putins invasion. David Hughes reports: Russias former president says UK officials are legitimate military targets Voices: The drone attack on Moscow is only the beginning Wednesday 31 May 2023 17:00 , Martha Mchardy British and US officials acknowledge privately that Ukraine has carried out secret cross-border operations with rising success, writes Kim Sengupta. Why Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are only the beginning | Kim Sengupta Germany orders Russia to close 4 out of its 5 consulates in tit-for-tat move Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:30 , Martha Mchardy The German government said Wednesday that it has told Russia to close four out of its five consulates general in Germany in a tit-for-tat move after Moscow set a limit for the number of staff at the German Embassy and related bodies in Russia. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christofer Burger told reporters in Berlin that the measure was intended to create a parity of personnel and structures between the two countries. Russia has consulates in Bonn, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich, with Moscow deciding which four they will close and which one they will keep open. Read the full story: Germany orders Russia to close 4 out of its 5 consulates in tit-for-tat move Three injured, including two children, after shelling in Kherson Wednesday 31 May 2023 16:00 , Martha Mchardy Three people, including two children, were injured after shelling in the Ukrainian city of Kherson today. A three-year-old girl was injured, along with another child whose age who not specified, the Kyiv Independent reported, citing Kherson governor Oleksandr Prokudin. According to reports, the three-year-old sustained an injury to the head from glass shards and has been hospitalised. A 30-year-old man also sustained injuries as a result of shelling, but the extent of his injuries was not revealed. More than 27,000 Ukrainian civilians being held on Russian territory - Dmytro Lubinets Wednesday 31 May 2023 15:43 , Martha Mchardy More than 27,000 Ukrainian civilians are being held on Russian territory, a Ukrainian human rights chief has said. The Ukrainian parliament commissioner for human rights Dmytro Lubinets said: According to our data, more than 27 thousand civilian hostages are being held by the Russian Federation. This is a huge number of our citizens who are actually held captive by the Russians, Ukrinform reported. Russia says it has destroyed Ukraines last warship Wednesday 31 May 2023 14:41 , Matt Mathers Russias defence ministry claimed on Wednesday that its forces had destroyed what it described as Ukraines "last warship" two days ago in the port of Odesa in a missile strike. Ukraines navy declined to comment. "The last warship of the Ukrainian navy, the Yuriy Olefirenko, was destroyed at a warship mooring in the port of Odesa," defence ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a daily briefing on the war. He said the vessel had been hit with "high-precision weapons" - a phrase he uses to mean missiles - on May 29, but gave no further details. Oleh Chalyk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian navy, said he would not respond to any assertions made by Russia. The Ukrainian navy will not disclose any information about losses during the war, he added. Germany to shut down Russian consulates in tit-for-tat move Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:49 , Matt Mathers The German government on Wednesday said it would shut down four out of five Russian consulates in the country by revoking their licences, a tit-for-tat move after Moscows decision to limit the number of German officials in Russia to 350. The Russian government would be still be allowed to operate its embassy in Berlin and one general consulate but Germany expects the rest to cease operations by the end of the year, the foreign ministry said. At the same time, Germany will close its own consulates in Kaliningrad, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk, leaving only the German embassy in Moscow and the consulate in St Petersburg in operation. The move by Berlin presents a sharp downgrading of bilateral ties amid a wider collapse in relations since Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. Germanys foreign ministry accused Moscow of escalating tensions by imposing limits on the number of officials allowed to work in Russia. "This unjustified decision is forcing the federal government to make very significant cuts in all areas of its presence in Russia," a spokesperson for the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said a statement would be issued on the closures of the consulates, according to Russian news agencies. Prigozhin asks prosecutors to investigate crimes by top Russian defence official Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:21 , Matt Mathers Russias most powerful mercenary, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said on Wednesday that he had asked prosecutors to investigate "crimes" committed by senior Russian defence officials before and during Moscows military campaign in Ukraine. Prigozhin has for months openly feuded with Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and other top officials, who he has accused of sabotaging Russias military via incompetence. Last week he launched a blistering attack on Vladimir Putin s invasion strategy, claiming that Russia could face a revolution similar to 1917 and lose the war in Ukraine unless changes are made by Kremlin leadership. Yevgeny Prigozhin and Vladimir Putin in 2010 (Sputnik/AFP/Getty) New US aid package for Ukraine will total about $300 million and include munitions for drones Wednesday 31 May 2023 13:00 , Matt Mathers A US military aid package for Ukraine that is expected to be announced this week will total up to $300 million and will include additional munitions for drones, US officials said yesterday. The drone ammunition comes after new attacks by unmanned aircraft targeted Moscow. There has been no suggestion that US-made drones or munitions were used in the recent attacks on Moscow, and US officials have repeatedly said that Ukraine has agreed not to use any American-provided weapons for attacks on Russian soil. The Kremlin blamed Kyiv for Tuesdays attack, but Ukrainian officials had no direct comment. But the new aid package comes at a tense moment in the war. Lolita Baldor and Matthew Lee report: New US aid package for Ukraine will total about $300 million and include munitions for drones Drones, bombs and raids: Why Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are only the beginning Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:35 , Matt Mathers British and US officials acknowledge privately that Ukraine has carried out secret cross-border operations with rising success, writes Kim Sengupta. Read Kims full piece here: Why Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are only the beginning | Kim Sengupta Moscow's air defences have room for improvement - Kremlin Wednesday 31 May 2023 12:06 , Matt Mathers The Kremlin said on Wednesday Moscows air defences were working effectively but had room for improvement, a day after Russia accused Ukraine of conducting its biggest ever drone strike on the Russian capital. Work will continue on improving Moscows air defences, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. The comments come a day after several drone attacks on the Russian capital that left two people hurt and caused minor damage to buildings. Ukraine denied direct involvement in the strikes. ICYMI: Ukraine has right to project force beyond its borders, says James Cleverly Wednesday 31 May 2023 11:13 , Matt Mathers Ukraine has the right to project force beyond its own borders for self-defence, the UKs Foreign Secretary has said after reports of a drone attack on Moscow. James Cleverlys comments came after he gave a speech in Estonia in which he spoke about deterring Russian President Vladimir Putins aggression by strengthening our collective security, and made the case for Sweden to swiftly join Nato. Martina Bet reports: Ukraine has right to project force beyond its borders, says James Cleverly Europe's biggest gas supplier says all clear from pipeline security checks Wednesday 31 May 2023 10:46 , Matt Mathers Inspections of Norways offshore gas pipelines after the Nord Stream blasts found nothing suspicious, an executive at energy major Equinor has said, in the first official word on the security sweep. However, risks remain after last years still-unexplained explosions at the Nord Stream pipelines built to carry Russian gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea, warned Jannicke Nilsson, who manages security for Equinor. Europes largest gas supplier after a drop in Russian flows last year, Equinor also acts as technical service provider for offshore pipelines operator Gassco. It launched the inspections shortly after the explosions on Sept. 26. "We did find the things that we wanted to check, and when we checked it, it was OK," Jannicke Nilsson, Equinors executive in charge of security, safety and sustainability, said in an interview. The company said inspections had been conducted to identify anything out of the ordinary, like damages, foreign objects or any changes to how the pipelines are covered on the seabed. Moscow drone attacks will embarrass Kremlin - former air vice martial Wednesday 31 May 2023 10:09 , Matt Mathers Recent drone attacks in Moscow will have embarrassed the Kremlin, a retired air vice marshall has said. Sean Bell told Times Radio the strikes, denied by Ukraine, will also have unsettled the population in Russias capital. The drone attacks, which targeted wealthy areas of Moscow - including an suburb where president Putin has a residence - hurt two people and caused minor damage to buildings, Russia said. More comments from Mr Bell below: "It will certainly unsettle the population in Moscow and embarrass the Kremlin." The Russian people may not fall for 'Putin's lies' as its war in Ukraine arrives in Moscow, says Sean Bell, retired Air Vice Marshall. @JPonPolitics pic.twitter.com/Xek9ecgscB Times Radio (@TimesRadio) May 30, 2023 Russias former president says UK officials are legitimate military targets Wednesday 31 May 2023 09:40 , Matt Mathers British public officials are a legitimate military target because of the UKs support for Ukraine, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has warned. Mr Medvedev, deputy chairman of Vladimir Putins security council, claimed the UKs support for Kyiv amounted to an undeclared war against Russia. His comments came after foreign secretary James Cleverly said Ukraine had the right to project force beyond its borders into Russia to resist Mr Putins invasion. Full report: Russias former president says UK officials are legitimate military targets Russia accuses Washington of encouraging Ukraine in its attacks Wednesday 31 May 2023 09:05 , Matt Mathers Washington is encouraging Kyiv by publicly ignoring the drone attack that struck several districts of Moscow on Tuesday, Russias envoy to the United States said on Wednesday, after president Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for the strikes. The White House said it did not support attacks inside of Russia and that it was still gathering information on the incident, which Putin called an attempt to scare and provoke Moscow. "What are these attempts to hide behind the phrase that they are gathering information?" Anatoly Antonov, the ambassador, said in remarks published on the Telegram messaging channel. "This is an encouragement for Ukrainian terrorists." Putin on Tuesday cast the assault, which brought the 15-month war in Ukraine to the heart of Russia, as a terrorist act. Ukraine also accuses Russia of terrorism for its bombing of Ukrainian civilians, allegations Moscow denies. A Ukrainian presidential aide denied Kyiv was directly involved in the drone attack on Moscow, but said Ukraine was enjoying watching events and forecast more to come. Anatoly Antonov (Getty) Russias Medvedev: UK officials helping Ukraine war are legitimate target' Wednesday 31 May 2023 08:30 , Matt Mathers Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that Britain was Moscows "eternal enemy" and that any British officials who facilitated the war in Ukraine could be considered legitimate military targets. Medvedev, responding to British foreign secretary James Cleverlys remark that Ukraine had a right to project force beyond its own borders, said Britains "goofy officials" should remember that Britain could be "qualified as being at war". "The UK acts as Ukraines ally providing it with military aid in the form of equipment and specialists, i.e., de facto is leading an undeclared war against Russia," Medvedev said on Twitter. "That being the case, any of its public officials (either military, or civil, who facilitate the war) can be considered as a legitimate military target." The UKs Foreign Secretary Cleverly has stated that Ukraine has the legitimate right to project force beyond its borders to undermine Russias ability to project force into Ukraine itself. According to him, legitimate military targets beyond Ukraines border are part of its Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) May 31, 2023 Ukraine drone attack sparks fire at oil refinery in southern Russia - Russia Wednesday 31 May 2023 08:00 , Matt Mathers A Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil refinery in southern Russia and shelling hit a Russian town close to the border for the third time in a week, damaging buildings and setting vehicles ablaze, Russian officials said on Wednesday. A day after Russia accused Ukraine of sending drones to attack buildings in Moscow, the governor of Russias Krasnodar region said a drone was the likely cause of a fire that broke out at the Afipsky oil refinery. Well have more on this story as it comes in. Five dead in Ukraine shelling of Luhansk village - Moscow-installed centre Wednesday 31 May 2023 07:30 , Matt Mathers Five people were killed and 19 wounded in Ukrainian shelling of a village in the Russian-controlled east Ukrainian region of Luhansk, a Moscow-installed coordination centre said on Wednesday. The centre said on the Telegram messaging service that Ukrainian forces had used HIMARS rocket launchers to attack a poultry farm in the village of Karpaty. The claim could not be immediately independently verified. Moscow controls nearly all of the Luhansk region in Ukraine. There was no immediate response from Ukraine, but Kyiv almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks in Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine or in Russia. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the 15-month long war that Russia launched in February 2022. Russia seeing little success in countering Ukraines improved air defences, says UK MoD Wednesday 31 May 2023 07:07 , Arpan Rai Russia has increasingly ceded the initiative in the conflict and is reacting to Ukrainian action rather than actively progressing towards its own war aims since the start of this month, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said today. It noted that Russia has launched 20 nights of one-way-attack uncrewed aerial vehicle and cruise missile attacks deep inside Ukraine this month. Russia has had little success in its likely aims of neutralising Ukraines improved air defences and destroying Ukrainian counter-attack forces. On the ground, it has redeployed security forces to react to partisan attacks inside western Russia, the ministry said. It added that, operationally, Russian commanders are likely attempting to generate reserve forces and position them where they believe a Ukrainian counter-attack will occur. However, this has probably been undermined by uncommitted forces instead being sent to fill gaps in the front line around Bakhmut, the ministry said. USs new package worth $300m for Ukraine includes munitions for drones Wednesday 31 May 2023 06:42 , Arpan Rai A US military aid package for Ukraine that is expected to be announced today will total up to $300m (242m) and will include additional munitions for drones, officials said. The drone ammunition comes after new attacks by unmanned aircraft targeted Moscow, which the Kremlin has blamed on Kyiv. There has been no suggestion that US-made drones or munitions were used in the recent attacks on Moscow. Additionally, the US officials have repeatedly said that Ukraine has agreed not to use any American-provided weapons for attacks on Russian soil. The newest package will be munitions for Patriot missile batteries and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Stinger missiles for the Avenger system, mine-clearing equipment, anti-armour rounds, unguided Zuni aircraft rockets, night vision goggles, and about 30 million rounds of small arms ammunition, said the US officials. Read the full story here: New US aid package for Ukraine will total about $300 million and include munitions for drones Russia and Ukraine not willing to protect nuclear plant, fail to align on UN agencys plan Wednesday 31 May 2023 05:43 , Arpan Rai Neither Russia nor Ukraine are committing to respect five principles laid out by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi to try to safeguard Ukraines Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The situation at Zaporizhzhia is extremely fragile and dangerous, the UN nuclear watchdogs chief said, adding that military activities continue in the region and may well increase very considerably in the near future. Mr Grossi said that the he has tried for months to craft an agreement to reduce the risk of a catastrophic nuclear accident from military activity like shelling at Europes biggest nuclear power plant. His five principles included that there should be no attack on or from the plant and that no heavy weapons such as multiple rocket launchers, artillery systems and munitions, and tanks or military personnel be housed there. Mr Grossi also called for off-site power to the plant to remain available and secure; for all its essential systems to be protected from attacks or sabotage; and for no actions that undermine these principles. Four killed, 16 injured in shelling in Luhansk, says Russia-backed officials Wednesday 31 May 2023 05:24 , Arpan Rai At least four people were killed and 16 injured in shelling by Ukraine in Luhansk regions Karpaty village, a Moscow-installed local coordination centre said today. The shelling struck a poultry farm in the village, the centre said. Russia accuses Washington of encouraging Ukrainian terrorists Wednesday 31 May 2023 04:49 , Arpan Rai Russias envoy to the US has blamed Washington for encouraging Kyiv by publicly ignoring the drone attacks on parts of Moscow. What are these attempts to hide behind the phrase that they are gathering information? Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the US, said in remarks published on Telegram. This is an encouragement for Ukrainian terrorists. The White House said it was still gathering information yesterday on the incidents but added that it did not support attacks inside of Russia. While a Ukrainian presidential aide denied Kyiv was directly involved in the drone attack on Moscow, he said Ukraine was enjoying watching events and forecast more to come. Multiple drones attack Russias Krasnodar oil refinery Wednesday 31 May 2023 04:21 , Arpan Rai Russias envoy to the US has blamed Washington for encouraging Kyiv by publicly ignoring the drone attacks on parts of Moscow. What are these attempts to hide behind the phrase that they are gathering information? Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the US, said in remarks published on Telegram. This is an encouragement for Ukrainian terrorists. The White House said it was still gathering information yesterday on the incidents but added that it did not support attacks inside of Russia. While a Ukrainian presidential aide denied Kyiv was directly involved in the drone attack on Moscow, he said Ukraine was enjoying watching events and forecast more to come. Russia puts top Ukrainian generals on wanted list Wednesday 31 May 2023 02:01 , Laura Sharman Russias interior ministry has put two of Ukraines top generals on a wanted list, the state-run RIA news agency said on Tuesday. On the list is Commander in Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi and Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraines ground forces. The articles they are wanted under have not been specified, RIA reported, citing the ministrys wanted person database. Deputy Ukrainian defence minister Hanna Maliar dismissed the listings as a failed attempt to demoralise pro-Kyiv forces. Putting psychological pressure on commanders who are fighting against an enemy that significantly outnumbers them in terms of personnel and weaponry is pointless, she wrote in a Telegram post. No agreement on protecting Russian-held Ukrainian nuclear plant Wednesday 31 May 2023 01:02 , Laura Sharman Ukraine and Russia have been urged to safeguard a nuclear power plant in Ukraine, suggesting no agreement is in place to protect it. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi asked both countries to respect five principles to safeguard Ukraines Zaporizhzhia plant. Grossi has tried for months to craft an agreement to reduce the risk of a catastrophic nuclear accident from military activity like shelling at Europes biggest nuclear power plant, which is in southern Ukraine and has been occupied by Russia for more than a year. His five principles included that there should be no attack on or from the plant and that no heavy weapons such as multiple rocket launchers, artillery systems and munitions, and tanks or military personnel be housed there. Shanghai to hold Lujiazui Forum in early June Xinhua) 08:42, June 01, 2023 This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2022 shows an evening view of the Lujiazui area in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang) SHANGHAI, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The 14th Lujiazui Forum, a major financial event, will be held in Shanghai from June 8 to 9, organizers said on Wednesday. The event, themed "Global Financial Opening-up and Cooperation: New Drivers of Economic Recovery," includes seven plenary meetings and three nighttime panel discussions, Ge Ping, deputy director of the Shanghai municipal bureau of local financial regulation, told a press briefing. Over 70 distinguished Chinese and foreign guests are expected to deliver speeches or join panel discussions on hot topics in the economic and financial fields, such as global monetary policy adjustment and financial risk prevention. Ge said authorities will continue to use the event to convey to the outside world China's determination and initiatives to deepen its high-level financial opening-up. The event will be co-chaired by the head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration and the mayor of Shanghai. Zhang Zhongning, an official of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, told reporters that authorities will soon roll out the implementation rules for the construction of an international reinsurance center in Shanghai. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) Two senators are in support of any action to challenge before the Supreme Court the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) which is now up for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s signature. Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said the MIF could still be challenged before the high tribunal. "Yes, the Maharlika Law can be challenged before the courts and for those planning to do this, I will make myself available as source of some facts, information, arguments," he told reporters Thursday. Though she was pleased that pension and social welfare funds would no longer be used as seed capital for the MIF, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros likewise backed the move to challenge the measure before the SC. "I maintain that the fund is not what we need now, and I will certainly support any action to raise this to the Supreme Court," Hontiveros, the sole dissenter against the MIF, said in a statement Thursday. "According to Section 16, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, GOCCs [Government-owned or controlled corporations] must pass the test of economic viability and our economic experts have raised plenty of arguments that cast doubt on whether the MWF [Maharlika Wealth Fund] has passed or even be subjected to this test," she explained. Article 12, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution says: "Government-owned or controlled corporations may be created or established by special charters in the interest of the common good and subject to the test of economic viability." The Senate swiftly approved before dawn on Wednesday its version of the Maharlika fund bill, which Marcos certified as urgent. Hours later, the House of Representatives adopted the upper chamber's version of the measure. Marcos earlier said the government will tap the MIF for possible investments in agriculture, energy, digitalization, and the fight against climate change, among others. It is patterned after the sovereign wealth funds of other nations, including Singapore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Malaysia. Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday said fellow lawmakers just opened the bill for possible constitutional scrutiny due to the absence of an actual test of economic viability for the Maharlika Investment Corporation. "In the interest of time management, (it was) decided to pass it notwithstanding. Now, this opens it up to possible constitutional scrutiny," Escudero told CNN Philippines' Politics As Usual. During the deliberation at the Senate, 16 senators junked Pimentel's appeal to refer the MIF bill to the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises for further scrutiny. The minority leader argued that the primary intention of the proposed bill is to create a corporate body, which is the MIC. He said there was a "procedural error" when the bill was tackled instead by the Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies. In an earlier interview with CNN Philippines' The Source, Pimentel said no one will be held responsible if the proposed Maharlika fund fails. Meanwhile, Sen. Nancy Binay who abstained from voting on the measure acknowledged that the bill's passage had "left more questions hanging than answers." "Although the final bill has undergone many amendments up to the last hour of the deliberations, the content still lacks balance," she said. "I have concerns about the MIF not falling within the necessary operational safety nets and parameters. We don't want the 'Big IF' in the Maharlika Fund be dragged onto the 'Big Unknown.'" Initial capital for the Maharlika fund will come from the Land Bank of the Philippines (50 billion), the Development Bank of the Philippines (25 billion) and the national government (50 billion). Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day have killed seven civilians and wounded 31, according to Ukrainian officials. Russian forces launched strikes on nine oblasts Kyiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, and Donetsk. Russian multi-weapon attacks hit 144 Ukrainian settlements and 112 infrastructure facilities, Ukraine's Defense Ministry media center said on June 1. Russian troops reportedly used mortars, missile systems, tanks, artillery, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), and tactical aviation. Russian missile attack on Kyiv overnight on June 1 killed three civilians, including a child, and injured 16 more people, reported Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko. A 33-year-old woman and a 34-year-old woman with her 9-year-old daughter were killed in the capital's Desnianskyi district, where Russian missile debris fell on a clinic and a residential building. In Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast, two people were killed, and five more were injured in the Russian attacks, according to Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko. Russia hit eight regional settlements, damaging 16 houses, an administrative building, and power lines, said Kyrylenko. Russian forces hit three districts in Kharkiv Oblast, killing an elderly man and wounding a woman in Vovchansk, reported Governor Oleh Syniehubov. According to the governor, the damages in the region include houses, civil industry enterprises, a library, a market, and a stadium. On the morning of June 1, the Russian military hit a residential building in the city of Kherson, injuring two civilians, the regional authorities wrote on Telegram. Russian troops struck Kherson Oblast in Ukraine's south 61 times on May 31, firing 309 rounds from various weapons, the regional administration reported. The attacks reportedly killed one person and wounded five more people, including a child. Russia also shelled the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on June 1, wounding two men aged 50 and 55 in the city, said Governor Serhii Lysak. A five-story building, a private residence, a car, a power line, and a gas pipeline were damaged in the shelling, he added. Russian missiles and drones had a 90% failure rate in May and that cost the Kremlin $1.7 billion, Ukraine says Mikoyan MiG-31K fighter jets with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles fly over Moscow's Red Square during the Victory Day military parade. Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Around 90% of Russia's drones and missiles fired in May were destroyed, the Kyiv Post reported. The Ukrainian outlet estimated that the munitions cost the Kremlin around $1.7 billion. The bulk of the expenses came from destroyed Kh-55 missiles, which cost around $1.48 billion. Almost 90% of Russia's missiles and drones were shot down in Ukraine in May, according to a Ukrainian analysis. The Kremlin launched at least 563 missiles and Iranian-manufactured kamikaze drones in Ukraine that month, and 533 of them were neutralized, wrote Pete Shmigel, an Australian writer who reports for the Kyiv Post. His day-by-day analysis, based on data from Ukraine's military, found that the munitions likely cost Russia over $1.7 billion in May alone. The bulk of Russia's munitions expenses stemmed from destroyed Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles, costing $1.48 billion, the Kyiv Post reported. Moscow deployed 114 of these missiles, but 106 of them were destroyed, the outlet wrote. They're typically fired from aircraft at long range. The Kyiv Post also wrote that Russia used 401 Shahed-136 drones costing around $20,000 each, and that 362 were destroyed by Ukrainian air defenses. All seven Kinzhal missiles, which Russia previously boasted were unstoppable, fired by the Kremlin's forces in May were shot down, the Kyiv Post wrote. May 29 saw the most drones and missiles deployed in a single day, with 35 Iranian Shaheds and 51 missiles being deployed by Russia. Around 89.5% of them were shot down, per the Kyiv Post. That failure rate eclipses earlier estimates from the US, which said in 2022 that as much as 60% of Russia's missiles never reached their targets. But in those days, Ukraine didn't have the NATO-provided anti-air defenses it now possesses. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in November that American NASAMS air defense systems sent to Ukraine had a 100% success rate of intercepting Russian missiles. Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, assessed that its mixture of European and American-made air defense systems has an efficiency of at least 80% or higher, according to a Tuesday CNN report. Meanwhile, Ukraine said on Sunday that its long-range Storm Shadow missiles, supplied by the UK in May, have hit 100% of their targets. Earlier this month, a Russian missile attack near Kyiv struck a Patriot air defense system, but US officials said the damage caused wasn't enough to require repairs, and that the system's radar and missile components were still operational. Press departments for the Ukrainian and Russian defense ministries did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Russian night missile strike at Kyiv kills three, including child, injures at least 11 A woman near the body of her dead daughter, killed as a result of a new attack on Kyiv The invaders launched 10 cruise and ballistic missiles from the Iskander systems, with the air defense forces intercepting all of them, said Ukraines Air Force. Read also: Russia preparing new missile and drone attack in search of Ukraines air defense systems The attack began around 2.45 a.m. from the northern direction Russias Bryansk Oblast. In total, seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and three Iskander-K cruise missiles were launched at Ukraine. All 10 missiles were destroyed by the air defense forces and means of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the military said in a Telegram post in the morning. Fragments from downed missiles fell in three of the capitals districts on the left bank of the Dnipro River Dniprovskyi, Desnianskyi, and Darnytskyi. In the Desnianskyi district, where casualties were reported, fragments fell on a childrens polyclinic and an adjacent high-rise building. Read also: WHO records 1,000 Russian attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities since invasion A residential building was damaged by fragments falling from the intercepted missiles in the Dniprovskyi district. Parked cars caught fire and the fragments fell onto the roadway. The attack damaged the hot water supply pipeline in the Dniprovskyi district. Emergency crews rushed to the scene. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko Kyiv City Military Administration Russia launched almost 20 missile and drone attacks on the capital city of Kyiv in May. The latest took place in the early hours of May 30. It was the 17th attack on the capital in May and the third in 24 hours. Russia used Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze attack drones, and falling debris in many parts of Kyiv caused destruction and a fire in a high-rise building. One person was killed and another three were injured as a result of that attack. Read also: 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 Russian ultranationalists think Putin's response to the Moscow drone attacks and border raids shows he's 'out of touch with reality' Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 24, 2022. Contributor/Getty Images Russian ultranationalists say Putin's response to recent attacks shows he's "out of touch with reality." One critic questioned if Putin and Russian leadership have a "real plan" to retaliate. The ISW says responses to the drone attacks and cross-border raids haven't satisfied war-hawks. Recent drone attacks in Moscow and cross-border raids into Belgorod are bringing the Ukraine war home to Russians in disturbing ways. To the ultranationalists Russia allows to criticize the war, it is evidence that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is "out of touch with reality." Tuesday marked the first drone strike in residential areas of Moscow, and afterwards the Russian government downplayed the attacks, praising the city's air defense systems but remaining relatively silent on retaliation. Putin himself was notably calm when discussing the incident, reiterating many of the same talking points that Kremlin-backed media had touted. Since the drone attack, Putin has been increasingly fearful for his life. While he continues to exude a composed demeanor, the Russian president is terrified of being assassinated and refusing to travel abroad. While those official responses likely signal there's little for Putin to do against Ukraine beyond blasting Ukrainian cities like Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones, The Institute for the Study of War said, they're unlikely to satisfy Russian ultranationalists and war-hawks who want Russia to escalate its attacks. Former Russian officer and ultranationalist Igor Girkin said Putin was "out of touch with reality" and criticized "an absence of an honest conversation with" Russian society. In a Telegram message translated on Twitter, Girkin said it seemed as though there was a disconnect between how the Russian government talk about their war efforts and the actual reality of those plans. Girkin is a former Russian intelligence operative who played key roles in efforts to seize territory from Ukraine in 2014 and has become one of the few Russians permitted to criticize the Kremlin over the war. According to ISW, both Girkin and other ultranationalists also criticized Putin's response to recent border raid attacks in the Belgorod and Kursk oblasts of Russia. While Russian military bloggers "have complained about the lack of Russian military escalation to secure borders" in those areas, ISW said the official government responses to recent attacks by anti-Kremlin groups have likely been "insufficient to satisfy the Russian ultranationalist information space's desire for escalation in the war." Read the original article on Business Insider Russian Volunteer Corps and Freedom of Russia Legion announce breaking into Russia again On 1 June 2023, the Russian Volunteer Corps and Freedom of Russia Legion announced that they were conducting another operation on the territory of the Russian Federation. Source: Russian Volunteer Corps; Freedom of Russia Legion Details: The fighters recorded a video message and reported they were going toward Shebekino. In particular, a man in a military uniform says in the video that "the neighbourhood of Shebekino will appear very soon." The fighters claim that they plan to liberate all of Russia from Putin's regime. The Freedom of Russia Legion also announced a raid on the territory of the Russian Federation: "We, the Freedom of Russia Legion, are now near the border of our homeland, very soon we will advance again on the territory of Russia to bring freedom, peace, and tranquility. Graivoron is only the beginning." Locals are asked not to leave buildings and to remain calm. The Russian authorities report on shelling and fighting, which allegedly lasted all night, but they assure the locals that "there is no breakthrough of the Armed Forces [of Ukraine]." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russians attack Kyiv Oblast with 10 Iskander missiles, air defence systems shoot down all targets General Staff Air defence forces have destroyed 10 of the 10 Iskander missiles launched by the Russians in Kyiv Oblast. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Details: At night, the Russians fired missiles from an Iskander tactical missile system, hitting civilian and critical infrastructure in the capital and Kyiv Oblast again. According to preliminary data, the Air Force of Ukraine has destroyed 10 out of 10 missiles. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russia's Wagner Group chief threatens to pull his mercenary army from fighting in Ukraine if war efforts continue to be 'led by clowns who turn people into meat' Russian billionaire and businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group, continues to criticize the Kremlin. Prigozhin has said his group will not continue fighting in Ukraine if leadership doesn't improve. The Wagner Group, which has taken heavy losses in Ukraine, is in the process of leaving Bakhmut. The leader of the Russian Wagner Group said his mercenary army will not continue fighting in Ukraine if the war effort continues to be "led by clowns who turn people into meat." Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was previously a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has become increasingly critical of the Kremlin's war efforts. Wagner, the private army founded by Prigozhin, has experienced heavy losses fighting in Ukraine. "If the whole chain (of command) is 100% failed and will only be led by clowns who turn people into meat, then we will not participate in it," Prigozhin at a training camp on Thursday, Reuters reported. Prigozhin also said it had been "a tough year" and that confirmed the Wagner Army would be leaving Bakhmut on June 5 and replaced by Russian troops. Russia last month claimed victory in Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine that had been at the center of the fighting for months. An analysis by The Institute for the Study of War said that the Wagner Group pulling out of Bakhmut and the Russian army moving in could leave an opening for Ukraine to retake the city. Prigozhin said his fighters would only continue fighting in Ukraine if they were given a separate section on the frontlines and did not have to follow Russian army leadership, Reuters reported. He also said his fighters will remain in the Donbas region for a month before further decisions were made. Prigozhin has made his dissatisfaction with the Kremlin known for months. He again let loose on Russian leaders this week after a rare drone attack struck Moscow on Tuesday. "Why the fuck are you allowing these drones to fly to Moscow?" Prigozhin complained in a tirade directed at the Russian Defense Ministry, according to Reuters, adding: "Let your houses burn." Igor Girkin, a former Russian Federal Security Service officer, has said the Wagner Group could pose an active threat to Putin's power and attempt to overthrow him. But Prigozhin has denied any plans for a coup, saying his army would not be strong enough to topple Putin and he would just like to see some reforms in Russia. Read the original article on Business Insider Ryan Gosling Says Filming This Movie Made Him Realize Eva Mendes Was The One Ryan Gosling has one movie to thank for leading him toward fatherhood. The actor told GQ in an interview published Wednesday that everything changed when he met Eva Mendes while filming Derek Cianfrances 2012 crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines. Its true that I wasnt thinking about kids before I met her, but after I met Eva, I realized that I just didnt want to have kids without her, Gosling said of Mendes, who is now his longtime partner. And there were moments on The Place Beyond the Pines where we were pretending to be a family, and I didnt really want it to be pretend anymore, he continued. I realized that this would be a life I would be really lucky to have. The couple, who may or may not be married, has two young children. Gosling, a former child actor who rose to stardom in films including 2004s The Notebook and 2011s Drive, said he would never want to go back to his life before having kids. Im glad I didnt have control over my destiny in that way, because it was so much better than I ever had dreamed for myself, he told GQ. Evan Mendes and Ryan Gosling are a private couple, having only appeared on the red carpet together once, for 2012's The Place Beyond the Pines. Evan Mendes and Ryan Gosling are a private couple, having only appeared on the red carpet together once, for 2012's The Place Beyond the Pines. Gosling was at the top of his game with an Oscar nomination for 2016s La La Land and the leading role in the 2018 Neil Armstrong biopic First Man when he began a four-year absence from Hollywood. He has since returned with more mainstream projects like The Gray Man and the upcoming Barbie movie. The actor told GQ he put the brakes on his career when Mendes had their second daughter and he wanted to spend as much time as possible with them. He even chose his recent role in The Gray Man in part because it allowed him to take his family with him, he told Heat magazine last year, per the Daily Mail. You know its funny, we went to France and we went everywhere we went to the Louvre and all these things, he said in the 2022 interview. And if I asked them now, What was your favorite part about France? They will say, The fruit plate at the hotel. Related... Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty Its always darkest just before dawn, a proverb that says when times are at their worst they will soon get better. Current events bear that out. The GOP-led Texas legislature voted to impeach the states Attorney General Ken Paxton on corruption charges. President Joe Biden reached a debt ceiling deal with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. These are outcomes that demonstrate even the most MAGA Republicans have a limit; politics can change on a dime, and Bidens half-century of experience taught him how to find that dime. Its why we elected him, even if we dont love him. Details of Texas AG Ken Paxtons Scandal Shock House Panels Conscience The debt deal is still pending a final vote, but odds are good that it will cross the finish line, a big win for Biden because it removes hostage-taking for the next two years. Its also great for McCarthy, who is handling a big moment well in his shaky speakership. McCarthy made sure to put the adults in the room and what emerged is a deal that adults created, says Barrett Marson, a Phoenix-based Republican strategist. And in a bonus play for those who want the two parties to work together, the Republican-controlled Texas Senate has shown greater independence and integrity than the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate did during Donald Trumps first impeachment trial (the GOP was in the minority during Trumps second impeachment), by stripping Paxton of his attorney general powers as a criminal trial looms and the Texas Senate deliberates on whether to convict Paxton on some or all of the 20 articles of impeachment brought against him for allegations that include bribery and felony-level abuse of power. In a Senate chamber with 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats, it would take just nine Republicans to join the Democrats to reach the two-thirds threshold for conviction, fewer if Paxtons wife and conservative ally, two-term state Sen. Angela Paxton, recused herself. No one would reasonably expect her to be an impartial juror, yet there is nothing requiring her to step aside. One of the articles of abuse of power asserts that Paxton hid an affair he had with a woman by finding her a job with a real estate developer in exchange for providing legal favors and accepting expensive renovations to his home. Im not sure if this is policy/political/personal, or a combination of it all. Or heaven forbid, its just good government, says Marson, the GOP strategist. Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, and the Apocalyptic Centrists The picture is clearer in Arizona and other parts of the country where the GOP is waking up to the reality that in competitive races, the farther right MAGA Republican can get through a primary but cant win a general election, says Marson. When there is competition from a liberal left of center, or even a progressive, then the far-right candidate doesnt do well in a competitive district in a competitive state. There are many more paths to victory for a sane conservative Republican than the farther-right Republican who can dazzle a primary audience but is a drip, a nobody, in the general election. We can hope that the debt ceiling compromise foreshadows an emergence of reasonable Republicans willing to challenge the Freedom Caucus and to stand up to Trumps diatribes. For those who follow the House mainly through cable television, it is refreshing to see less of Congresss Twitter performance artists and more from the serious Republican negotiators on the debt ceiling, namely Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, a relative newcomer elected in 2018, and Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, a 10-term member first elected at age 29 who chairs the powerful Financial Services Committee. They worked collegially with the White House and stared down their partys hard-right flank. They speak well for McCarthy, who could have named Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, or some other bomb-thrower who would have torpedoed the talks. As the objections flowed in from the Right, Johnson dismissed them as from the most colorful members who would never vote for any debt ceiling increase even if the GOP got everything on its wish list. It doesnt matter if Mother Teresa came back from the dead and called him, hes not voting for it, Johnson said of one of the holdouts, adding that he was confident the deal will indeed pass. Kevin McCarthys Support for Ukraine Is Meaningless If He Lets the U.S. Default on Debt For McHenry, this wasnt his first rodeo. He held steady despite catcalls from the right. When the far right challenged the veracity of Janet Yellens assessment that June 1 was a real deadline for the U.S. to default on its debt, McHenry spoke up, calling Yellen a straight shooter, the equivalent of sprinkling holy water on the Treasury Secretary. I followed her service in government. She has the most varied economic experience of any living American in the most important economic positions in our government, he told reporters. I dont think there's any wiggle room for us. The worst appears to have been averted, thanks to enough Republicans responsibly grabbing their share of the reins of government. But does it signal a wholesale return of sanity to a party that has gone off the rails? I wouldnt jump to any premature conclusions, cautions Whit Ayres, a veteran Republican pollster. At least people who understand governing, like Patrick McHenry, step up and the Twitter screamers have very little to offer. There are some good people there. When push comes to shove, and a meltdown of the economy is looming, even a system that often looks broken can function. With that in mind, he adds with a flourish, Theres hope, dont be in despair all the time! 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. Saudi Arabia executes Nepal man after conviction for stabbing Saudi to death This is a locator map for Saudi Arabia with its capital, Riyadh. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Saudi Arabia on Thursday executed a Nepali national after his conviction for stabbing a Saudi to death. The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported the execution of Santa Bahadur Pune, saying it took place in the kingdom's Al-Jawf region. It did not say how Pune had been killed. However, Saudi Arabia typically carries out executions by beheadings. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's top executioners. It occasionally executes foreigners. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin Romualdez stressed the importance of unity after rumors of a leadership coup rocked the House of Representatives in recent weeks. On Wednesday, the final day of the 19th Congress first regular session, Romualdez said unity and cooperation among all political parties are important in achieving the administrations legislative priorities. Pursuant to our shared vision of a strong republic, leaders of major political parties in these august halls have expressed their unwavering commitment to work together for the passage of the pro-people legislative agenda of President Marcos. The unity that we have shown in the performance of duty, and our relentless action in keeping the legislative mill grinding to full efficiency, are now reaping fruits for our beloved institution, Romualdez said. In a video message to the House, Marcos thanked the lawmakers for their hard work. Remain united, determined, and passionate. Be the voice of the people and fulfill your duties as servant leaders in your respective districts and provinces, the president said. Earlier this week, seven political parties signed agreements reaffirming their alliance with Romualdezs party, Lakas-CMD. This happened on the heels of rumors that former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was planning to unseat Romualdez. READ: 7 political parties ally with Lakas-CMD Arroyo denied any involvement in the rumored coup, saying shes no longer interested in the speakership. In 2018, she teamed up with then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to oust Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez as Speaker and succeeded him for the top House post. From the start of the 19th Congress on July 25, 2022 until May 31, 2023, Romualdez said the House approved on third and final reading 33 out of 42 priority measures identified by the Marcos administration. Three of these bills are now laws. These are Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act, Republic Act 11935 moving the 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to 2023, and Republic Act 11939 extending the fixed terms of military personnel. The priority measures awaiting Marcos signature are the bill creating the Maharlika Investment Fund and the bill condoning around P57 billion in debt incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries. This undated photo made available by ALQS, shows Manahel al-Otaibi. The 29-year-old fitness instructor popular on social media in Saudi Arabia faces charges that could see her imprisoned over her posts. Al-Otaibi is the latest person targeted in a crackdown in the kingdom. (ALQST via AP). DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A 29-year-old fitness instructor popular on social media in Saudi Arabia faces charges that could see her imprisoned over her posts, becoming the latest person targeted in a crackdown in the kingdom. The case against Manahel al-Otaibi shows the limits of expression in Saudi Arabia, even for those like al-Otaibi who offer support to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's moves toward liberalizing some aspects of life in the ultraconservative kingdom. Meanwhile, Prince Mohammed has solidified his power in part through imprisoning the country's elite and others who speak out as his father, 87-year-old King Salman, retains formal control. They say they welcome women and that women can wear whatever but at the end what is happening is that its only for Westerners, said Lina Alhathloul, the head of monitoring and advocacy at ALQST, a London-based group advocating for human rights in Saudi Arabia that's followed al-Otaibi's case. Alhathloul's sister, Loujain, remains in the kingdom due to a travel ban following a prison sentence for her own activism. Saudi women are still oppressed, they are still subjected to the male guardianship system and if they speak up they get imprisoned and no one speaks about them. Its sad, everyone is really scared, everyone gets arrested for nothing. Saudi government officials did not respond to a request for comment over al-Otaibi's arrest. Al-Otaibi, who posted fitness videos on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, faces charges of defaming the kingdom at home and abroad, calling for rebellion against public order and societys traditions and customs, and challenging the judiciary and its justice, according to court documents seen by The Associated Press. Her posts included advocacy for liberal dress codes for women, LGBTQ+ rights and the abolition of Saudi Arabia male guardianship laws. The documents also accuse her of appearing in indecent clothing and posting Arabic hashtags that include the phrase overthrow the government. It's not immediately clear how many years of imprisonment she could face, though activists fear it could be lengthy. Al-Otaibi has been detained since November 2022. Her case has become prominently known in recent days as activists decided to go public. She faces trial in Saudi Arabia's Specialized Criminal Court, which was established to hear terror cases but now also weighs charges against activists. Al-Otaibi's sister, Fouz, similarly faces charges but has fled Saudi Arabia, according to ALQST. Another sister, Maryam, was arrested and freed on a travel ban in 2017 after 104 days in detention for living independently without her fathers permission and protesting male guardianship rules. Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system requires women to seek their permission for travel, marriage, living arrangements and in legal cases. Several activists have been arrested for denouncing Saudi rules, or following dissidents who do so, on social media. This includes Salma al-Shehab, a former doctoral student at Leeds University who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence. Another is U.S. citizen Saad Ibrahim Almadi, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison over tweets he posted while abroad. Saudi Arabia freed him in March though he faced a travel ban preventing him from returning home to Florida. Saudi producer Mohammed Al Turki heads the increasingly influential Red Sea Film Foundation Accompanying Naomi Campbell on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival last week was one of cinema's most powerful men -- and he represents a country where cinemas were banned until five years ago. Mohammed Al Turki, 36, heads Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Foundation, his name splashed all over posters and movie credits at the world's biggest cinema gathering on the French Riviera. The foundation, formed two years ago, holds its own annual festival and has already financed 168 movies, including eight in the official selection at Cannes this year. Among them was festival opener "Jeanne du Barry" about a French prostitute falling in love with King Louis XV, played by Johnny Depp. Others seemed equally at odds with traditional Saudi values -- female-focused films such as "Four Daughters" about the religious radicalisation of Tunisian girls, or "Goodbye Julia" about a Sudanese woman and her overbearing conservative husband. "We have learned to respect other cultures," Emad Iskandar, director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, told AFP. He said the foundation focuses on Arab and African filmmakers, though the precise definition seems flexible: the French director of "Jeanne du Barry", Maiwenn, qualified thanks to her Algerian father. "As long as we have the resources, we want to serve the region, but also take the opportunity to learn more," Iskandar added. Al Turki's foundation also sponsored a gala for women, attended by Catherine Deneuve, Katie Holmes and supermodel Campbell. "MO!! Proud of all your doing @redseafilm creating history of many 1st's and Changing the narrative," Campbell wrote of Al Turki on her Instagram. - Whitewashing? - Saudi largesse for the arts has boomed under the kingdom's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with billions pouring into previously taboo areas such as music, fashion and sports. Human Rights Watch says this is designed to "whitewash its dismal rights record" and that, despite recent reforms, Saudi Arabia continues to repress civil society, execute dissidents, discriminate against women and bury the investigation into the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But most Saudis back the reforms, and its officials say it is absurd to expect the kingdom to turn into a liberal paradise overnight. Accusations of whitewashing "sadden us more than anything else," said Iskander. "Come to visit and get to know Saudi Arabia and then talk about us. The West has arrived where it is after years of wars and debates. We are a 90-year-old state -- be patient." In any case, the relentless PR campaign is working. The Saudi presence at Cannes felt less controversial than that of Depp, still widely branded as toxic since his court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard. Cannes director Thierry Fremaux celebrated the kingdom's interest in "producing films and allowing artists to emerge". "Saudi Arabia is evolving," he told Variety. - 'More and more present' - All over Cannes were adverts calling on producers and directors to shoot in Saudi Arabia, while its pavilion showed off the work of its own young directors. "Every year Saudi Arabia asks for a bigger pavilion, more facilities, to be more and more present," said Guillaume Esmiol, head of the Cannes Film Market that runs alongside the festival. Saudi Arabia is not the only country in the region investing massively in cinema: rival Qatar financed 13 films at Cannes this year, including three in the main competition. Some have little or no connection to the Middle East. "We have a lot of French productions," Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Doha Film Institute CEO, told AFP. "We don't want to be insular, we want our filmmakers to be open to other regions and other filmmakers and work with them." She had no qualms that such investments were aimed at spreading Qatar's soft power. "Who doesn't do that? The US does that with their Hollywood films... At least we are doing what we believe in, and we are not losing our identity at the same time." ram-jz-eab/er/fg/mca SC budget discussions in stalemate as lawmakers differ on Clemson, USC funding. What to know. Editor's note: A conference committee meeting to discuss the budget was scheduled for June 5. Pay raises for teachers and big dollar investments in the state's $13 billion budget are on the line as the South Carolina Statehouse remains silent on when budget discussions will resume. Lawmakers expected they would be done with legislative work this week, well in advance of the beginning of the new financial year on July 1. However, a disagreement about funding for higher-education institutions has led to a stalemate, Rep. Chandra Dillard, D-Greenville, told the Greenville News on May 26. Though most lawmakers have not spoken about the details of the deadlock, it appears that funding for Clemson University and the University of South Carolina is at the center of tensions. Budget proposals from both chambers differ in their allocations. SC politics: Here's how the state budget could boost Greenville, Spartanburg downtowns. South Carolina Sen. Shane Martin, R-Pauline, left speaks to Finance Chairman Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, right, before the Senate begins its debate on the state's $13 billion budget, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins) Clemson University, which has been mulling a new veterinary school since 2022, was allocated $87.5 million in the Senate version of the budget. House lawmakers allocated $7.5 million for the vet school. The House seemed more inclined to fund the University of South Carolina after it allocated $20 million annually for STEM programs. Meanwhile, the Senate version gave the school $10 million. Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, alluded to simmering tensions on May 23 when he took the well before lawmakers dove into debating the six-week abortion ban and introduced a continuing motion. The motion, which would keep the government operational on the previous year's budget, came as a failsafe measure, in case lawmakers could not reach an agreement before July. "Im a hope for the best, prepare for the worst kind of guy, Peeler said on the Senate floor. State Rep. Bill Sandifer, R-Oconee, left, and Rep. Bruce Bannister, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, R-Greenville, address the media during a legislative preview in Columbia, Monday. SC budget: Here's how we got here, where we stand Lawmakers have the next month to hash out a budget, send it to Gov. Henry McMaster for review and possibly override any vetoes McMaster sends back. However, multiple legislative staffers told the Greenville News there was still no official movement. Previous public meetings and discussions did not signal major differences within the conference committee. When there was harmony, both chambers agreed to give a $2,500 pay raise to state employees who make less than $50,000 and give a 5% raise if they more than $50,000. School teachers were also expected to see a $2,500 pay hike. Then, the Board of Economic Advisors announced the state had collected an extra $800 million. The state was in good economic shape. Additional money meant lawmakers could fund most of their pet projects. So far, lawmakers have requested $20 million to improve downtown Greenville, the Wade Hampton and Laurens road corridors and trail systems around the city. A similar $20 million earmark was requested for downtown Spartanburg, Upstate lawmakers have also requested money to improve greenways and trail systems. The Saluda Grade Rail Trail, which passes through downtown Inman, Gramling, Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, and Saluda into North Carolina could get $10 million. After the conference committee was set up, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, was optimistic about the budgetary process. "I think we see see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues. (Peeler) is a conservative budget writer. I think our budget's pretty conservative. We'll get together and kind of compare," Bannister told the Greenville News in a previous interview. Earlier this month, House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, said he expected lawmakers to be done passing the budget by June 1. But lawmakers ran out of time, largely due to the prolonged focus on abortion bans. Devyani Chhetri reports on SC politics for the Greenville News. Reach her via email at dchhetri@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: SC budget discussions in stalemate as lawmakers debate Clemson, USC funding. What to know. A shootout between law enforcement officers and a man at a Spartanburg home that caused the evacuation of the neighborhood Wednesday ended after officers heard a gunshot from inside the house. The Spartanburg County Coroners Office said the man, identified as 55-year-old Terrance Gault, died at the scene. Spartanburg Police Department Major Art Littlejohn said in a news release police officers arrived just before noon on Wednesday at a home on Belmarc Drive after a Spartanburg County Sheriffs deputy attempted to serve a warrant and was shot at by someone with a handgun who came out of the house. The man ran back into the house and then came out after police arrived and fired again, Littlejohn said. He ran into the house. Officers took shelter behind their vehicles and shot at the man. There was a pause and officers heard one shot from the inside of the house. Officers approached and could see the man on the floor suffering from what they thought was a gunshot wound. Littlejohn said officers rendered first aid until Spartanburg EMS arrived. The Spartanburg County Coroners Office has not released results of the autopsy, which likely would determine whether his injury was self-inflicted. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating as it does all incidents in which officers fire their weapons. This was the second time this week Spartanburg County officers were involved in a shooting. On Monday, Landrum Police Department officers responded just before 4 a.m. to an apartment complex off Randolph Avenue after someone reported a disturbance. They saw an injured woman in a wheelchair and a man armed with a butcher knife outside of the residence. Five other agencies responded as well Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office, Polk County Sheriffs Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Inman Police Department, and Campobello Police Department. SLED reported the man was shot by Spartanburg Sheriff and Landrum Police officers after an encounter. He died at the scene and was identified as Freddie Edwards Jr., 58. The woman, Shana McClain, 53, also died at the scene. Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said when the man came toward them, officers used a stun gun and a K9 to subdue the man. Wright said one Landrum police officer and two Spartanburg County deputies fired at the man when he did not stop. SLED is investigating that shooting as well. SLED spokesperson Renee Wunderlich said last year, Spartanburg County Sheriffs deputies were involved in three shootings. She said the Monday incident amounted to the second shooting for 2023 for Spartanburg deputies. Scenes of Jessica Alexander playing Ursula's human alter-ego in 'The Little Mermaid' are going viral on TikTok. The actress loves 'being demonic, and just going crazy on screen.' Jessica Alexander plays Vanessa, Ursula's human alter-ego, in 'The Little Mermaid.' Anadolu Agency/Getty Images, @jessalxander via Instagram Jessica Alexander, 23, plays Vanessa, Ursula's human alter-ego in 'The Little Mermaid' live-action. Alexander only appears in the film for a few minutes, but her scenes are going viral on TikTok. The English actor told OnTheRedCarpet that she loves 'being demonic and just going crazy on screen.' Despite appearing in less than 10 minutes of Disney's latest "The Little Mermaid" live-action film, Jessica Alexander is winning the hearts of fans through her portrayal of Vanessa, the sea witch Ursula's human alter-ego. Clips of her scenes in the film have been going viral on TikTok, with at least five of them raking in millions of views each. Scenes of Alexander's evil laughter are receiving praise. "Jessica Alexander ate up her 6 mins of screen time in the little mermaid," one TikTok in-video caption read. "IDC if shes evil shes so pretty," read a comment on another TikTok video edit. Alexander has also expressed that she enjoys playing villainous characters, and has gravitated towards such roles. "The villain is a lot of fun to play," she said during a red carpet interview with HSN. "I love being demonic, and just going crazy on screen, so this was a perfect opportunity for that," the 23-year-old English actress told OnTheRedCarpet in an interview. In an interview on A Trip to the Movies, Alexander revealed how nervous she felt when meeting some of the movie's big stars like Melissa McCarthy and Javier Bardem for the first time at a pre-production event. "I was way too scared to be like, 'Yo, Melissa, what's up?' or 'Hey Javier, what's good?' I was just like, happy to be here." While Alexander noted that she was not on set with McCarthy, she said that they've crossed paths at the premieres. "She told me that I killed it, which meant a lot coming from her," as per the interview. Alexander is known for her role as Betsey Hughes in "A Banquet," a 2021 horror-thriller, as well as "Get Even," where she played Olivia in the 2020 British thriller series. Read the original article on Insider School Safety Bill in Texas Would Require an Armed Person at Every Campus This article was originally published in The Texas Tribune. Texas lawmakers sent a sweeping school safety measure to Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday, including in their response to last years Uvalde massacre a requirement to post an armed security officer at every school and provide mental health training for certain district employees. The measure also gives the state more power to compel school districts to create active-shooter plans. Both chambers gave their final approval to House Bill 3 after ironing out their differences over the past week. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Its time to act, said Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, before the vote was taken. We need to prevent the next Uvalde. The provision to require an armed person at every school campus was added back into the bill during the negotiation process after the Senate took it out earlier in the session. The armed person can be either a peace officer, a school resource officer, a school marshal or a school district employee, according to the law. That provision caused the most consternation among the opponents of the bill, who have argued all through the legislative session that fewer guns not more is the solution to mass shootings. Still, the bill passed by a relatively large margin in the House, 93-49. Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, said requiring an armed person at schools will endanger students instead of ensuring their safety. The potential for disastrous consequences is staggering, Goodwin said. The proposal requires the Texas School Safety Center a Texas State University think tank that has been reviewing schools safety protocols since the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting to review best practices to best secure campuses every five years. In the Uvalde shooting, the gunman entered Robb Elementary through a backdoor that failed to properly lock. The bill would also create regional safety teams that would conduct intruder detection audits at least once a year. HB 3 would create a safety and security department within the Texas Education Agency and give it the authority to compel school districts to establish robust active-shooter protocols and follow them. Those that fail to meet the agencys standards could be put under the states supervision. The bill would also require the TEA to develop standards for notifying parents of violent activity on campus and set up school safety review teams to conduct vulnerability assessments of all the school campuses once a year. Both chambers have said school safety is a priority this session after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at a Uvalde elementary school last year. However, parents of the Uvalde victims were left disappointed after the raise-the-age bill they advocated for failed earlier in the session. The bill would have changed the age to legally purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21. To further harden schools, the state would give each school district $15,000 per campus and $10 per student, a figure that many school officials say isnt enough. In addition, lawmakers have allocated $1.1 billion to the TEA to administer school safety grants to the states more than 1,000 school districts. Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a San Antonio Democrat who represents Uvalde, said Sunday that he voted against the bill because of the funding concerns. It is sick and twisted that we have the largest budget surplus in Texas history and we arent doing a damn thing to keep our kids safe, he said. We arent doing anything to prevent another Uvalde. Under the bill, school employees who regularly interact with children would need to complete an evidence-based mental health first-aid training program. The TEA would reimburse the employee for the time and money spent on the training. In counties with fewer than 350,000 people, the bill requires the sheriff to hold semi-annual meetings to discuss school safety and law enforcement response to violent incidents. This includes making sure there is a clear chain of command and that all radios are working. In the aftermath of the Uvalde shooting last year, nearly 400 law enforcement officers from different agencies descended upon Robb Elementary in a chaotic, uncoordinated scene that lasted for more than an hour. Each district would also be required to give the Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement a walkthrough and a map of each campus in an effort to avoid confusion when responding to an incident. This is a huge win for the safety of our children, said Rep. Carrie Isaac, R-Dripping Springs. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune, a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Sun Comes Out from Behind Earth in Space Sun comes out from behind Earth in space. Credit - Getty Images/iStockphoto On the night of May 22, a group of researchers and students gathered around a computer monitor on the roof of Caltechs electrical engineering department. The monitors were connected to equipment designed to detect microwave radiation received from a satellite in space. And about 300 miles above them, far over the nights thick cover of clouds, that satellite was about to pass overhead, equipped as a test bed for technologies they had developed to gather solar energy in space and project it down to Earth. The researchers werent expecting much. They had already accomplished their primary objective back in March: using microwave radiation to project electricity across a gap of a few inches to light up a pair of LEDs onboard the spacecraft to test whether their power transfer system, essential for one day getting solar power down to Earth, would hold up in the harsh environment of space. There was a lot of uncertainty over whether they could get a tiny quantity of measurable power down to Earth on their first try. Still, they grew quiet as the time of the satellite pass overhead grew nearer. At 9:57 p.m., the monitors began showing the background radiation the receivers were picking up coalescing into something else: an electrical signal that matched what was being projected by their satellite. They had successfully detected the microwave energy that their novel power transfer system was directing toward Earth. It took it a few moments to sink in, says Ali Hajimiri, a professor of electrical engineering at Caltech. Then everyone got really excited. Hajimiri leads a component of a larger endeavor by Caltech researchers to develop technology that could gather the suns energy in massive satellites orbiting Earth and beam it down to power the grid. Its an audacious concept, with world-changing benefits should such orbiting solar power plants ever be built. Solar panels on Earth only work during the day, and they dont produce much power on cloudy days or when the sun is low in the evening or early morning. In orbit, however, such panels would produce a constant stream of zero-emission power. In space, its always noon on a sunny day, says Hajimiri. Its an idea that has captured the imagination of writers and futurists for decadesthe first published mention of the concept likely came in a 1941 short story by I, Robot writer Issac Asimov. But even as communication satellites, moon landings, and probes to Mars became reality, solar power stations remained in the realm of science fiction. Many components necessary for such a system were developed through the years, but the physical problems of getting that theoretical power station off the ground were more difficultany system capable of generating a useful quantity of electricity would be far too heavy to feisably heft into orbit. But researchers on Caltechs Space Solar Power Project say that new technological developmentsparticularly the potential for extremely light, flexible solar panels and lightweight energy transfer systems to replace bulky antennashave brought the idea into the realm of reality. Caltechs Space Solar Power Demonstrator, launched in January, includes an array of different types of advanced solar panels to test which will work best for a space solar power station, as well as a test system designed to unfold into a 6-by-6-ft. structure that could be used to hold solar panels, alongside Hajimiris energy transfer system. Caltech isnt the only organization that has become interested in solar power stations. The Chinese government is planning a 2028 mission to demonstrate the technology in low Earth orbit. And last November, science ministers in the E.U. greenlit Solaris, a joint project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and aerospace company Airbus to look into the possibility of building gigantic solar power stations in geostationary orbit over Europe. (Whether intentional or not, the linkage to the world of mid-century sci-fi remains, with the project sharing the title of Stanislaw Lems classic 1961 novel.) Caltechs Space Solar Power Demonstrator isnt actually a prototype power station. Rather, its a collection of three separate experiments to test components that would eventually be integrated into one system. Two of the experimentsthe self-assembly system and the solar testshavent produced results yet. The energy transfer component worked in sending electricity a few inches. When directed towards Earth, it spread most of its power output over a very wide area, as expected, only managing to get an extremely tiny fraction of its energy onto the receiver (a larger system could focus the energy onto a much smaller area). In a fundamental sense, the way that system works is no different from the typical way that satellites communicate with Earth by projecting microwave radiation that gets converted into electrical energy at a receiver. But Hajimiris system is designed differently, based on a concept that would allow it to scale up to focus large amounts of power onto small Earth-based receivers. With more funding and research, the engineers working on the project are optimistic that the technology could reach commercialization in the decades ahead. In about five years, they think they might be able to build a system that could transfer enough solar power to charge a laptop from space. From there, its a matter of scaling up further to build a full-fledged commercial power station. We are currently building things in our university labs, and so we are necessarily small in scale, says Sergio Pellegrino, a Caltech professor of aerospace and civil engineering working on the space solar project. This infrastructure is going to be very large, so a transition to an industrial production facility is key to the next step. It takes a few years, with the right amount of money, he adds. It doesnt take very many years. The researchers at Caltech came to be in the same league as the Chinese government and the ESA thanks to the interest of one man. In 2011, Donald Bren, 91, a billionaire California real estate magnate and lifetime member of Caltechs board of trustees, read a Popular Science article about space-based solar power. Intrigued by the potential of the technology, he began funding a program at Caltech to pursue the idea, eventually contributing more than $100 million dollars. Three Caltech professors came on board. Pellegrino researched lightweight, self-assembling structuressomething that could fit in a small space in a rocket, but then unfold in orbit to absorb the suns rays. Harry Atwater, a professor of applied physics and materials science, looked into finding the right solar panels for the power station. Traditional solar arrays on satellites use glass to protect underlying systems, but such a solution would be too heavy for the solar power station. Weve been investigating how we can make things intrinsically radiation hard, and therefore we could get rid of that piece of glass, Atwater says. Hajimiri, meanwhile, headed up the portion of the project investigating energy transfer. Over video chat, he shows his solution, a flexible sheet covered with a grid pattern. Rather than pointing a single huge antenna at a target, each point on Hajimiris grid system emits a small amount of microwave radiation. Computers minutely adjust the frequencies of the overlapping radiation, creating a kind of lensing effect using constructive and destructive interference, like overlapping ripples in a pond, to focus the energy on a particular point. Youve gone from a giant elephant to an army of ants of these individual transmitters, says Hajimiri. The inside of the spacecraft's power transfer test system, known as MAPLE (Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment) Courtesy of Caltech A power station using such technology could send electricity to any point below it on Earth, could switch transfer locations almost instantly, or even direct energy to multiple locations at once. It opens up the possibility of easily sending power to places around the world that need it most, or directing power to specific locations after natural disasters. All first responders would have to do is unroll a receiver on the ground to receive a steady supply of electricity, even on cloudy days or at night. The new results from last Mondays experiment have proven that the technology could actually work from space. The next step is to sort out small irregularities to improve the next generation of the power transmission system, a process that can take months. Then its on to the task of integrating all the experimental components into a bigger system. While there are still hurdles to overcome for large scale wireless energy transfer of space solar, says Hajimiri, this gets us closer. Correction, June 1 The original version of this story misstated the name of a Caltech professor. He is Harry Atwater, not Henry Atwater. Phil Day has announced he will step down as chief executive of Scotgold The boss of Scotland's only commercial gold producer has announced that he is to step down. Scotgold chief executive Phil Day informed the company that he was leaving in order to spend more time with his family in Australia. The board said it had "reluctantly" accepted his resignation. Mr Day will remain in his post "at this time". The process of recruiting a permanent successor will begin immediately, the company added. Mr Day's resignation comes after the company, which operates a gold mine at Cononish, near Tyndrum, reported a "very challenging" first quarter of the year. It said last month that the second quarter had "started better but the ability for Scotgold to continue as a going concern is entirely dependent on the quantity and grade of ore that is produced from now on." In May it raised 1.5m through an open offer of shares and a further 500,000 from two existing shareholders. It added at the time: "The company has good visibility on what is expected for the next three months and work is under way on the mining schedule and plans for the balance of 2023 and beyond." Reacting to Mr Day's resignation, Scotgold chairman Peter Hetherington thanked him for his "dedication, unwavering support and very significant contribution to the company". He added: "Significant challenges obviously remain for Scotgold. We as a board have a duty of care to all team members and respect Phil's request for the time and space, away from CEO PLC duties, with his family in Australia. "We remain committed to all stakeholders and the ongoing development and production from Cononish, Scotland's first commercial gold mine, and will update the market in due course on the new CEO appointment." Mr Day said: "I am very pleased with what we as a team have accomplished during my time as CEO. It has been a privilege to lead and develop the business." EXCLUSIVE: Senate Republicans are demanding the Office of the Director of National Intelligence provide information on the status of security clearances for the 51 ex-officials who signed onto a letter claiming the Hunter Biden laptop was part of a Russian disinformation campaign ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Just before the 2020 election, 51 former national security officials wrote a public letter claiming the Hunter Biden laptop had "all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation." It was signed by former President Obama CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, among others. The Republicans are demanding Haines provide information on how many of the 51 signatories "maintained an active security clearance" at the time of the letter between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31, 2020and how many currently possess a security clearance. CIA HAD 'NO EVIDENCE' BIDEN LAPTOP WAS RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION, SAYS TOP INTEL OFFICER DURING 2020 ELECTION The top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., along with Sens. James Risch, Tom Cotton, John Cornyn, Jerry Moran, and James Lankford, penned a letter to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines Wednesday, obtained by Fox News Digital, expressing their concerns about the letter and the potential "politicization of intelligence." Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida and ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, during a hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images "We are deeply concerned these former senior members of the U.S. Intelligence Community misused their titles and connections to pursue a coordinated, partisan effort to protect President Biden during the 2020 election," they wrote. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "We now know this letter was part of a deliberate effort to protect the Biden campaign in the waning days of the election," they continued, adding that the 51 former intelligence officials "highlighted their former titles and previous experience in the Intelligence Community to bolster the credibility of the state and further the effectiveness of this partisan political operation." CIA 'MAY HAVE ASSISTED IN OBTAINING SIGNATORIES' FOR LETTER DISCREDITING HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP: HOUSE GOP REPORT Meanwhile, Fox News Digital reported earlier this month that former Deputy CIA Director Michael Morell, who worked to write the letter and get support from ex-intelligence officials, sent a draft of the statement to the CIAs Prepublication Classification Review Board (PCRB) before making it public. Morell also testified to congressional committees that it was the Biden campaign that orchestrated the letter to discredit stories about Hunter Biden's laptop. Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives with wife Melissa Cohen Biden prior to President Biden awarding Presidential Medals of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 7, 2022. Morell sent the draft in an email to the PCRB, and wrote on Oct. 19, 2020, "This is a rush job as it needs to get out as soon as possible." BIDEN CAMPAIGN, BLINKEN ORCHESTRATED INTEL LETTER TO DISCREDIT HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY, EX-CIA OFFICIAL SAYS Morell told the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees that the PCRB "approved" the letter "as written" the same day. Rubio and the senators are questioning Haines on whether ODNI or the CIA have conducted a review of Morrells alleged "abuse of the CIAs PCRB process," and whether they have investigated whether employees of the intelligence community in October 2020 "participated or aided in the creation: of the letter. "All of us in positions of public trust with access to classified information owe it tot he American people not to abuse our positions for political purposes," they wrote. The CIA rejected the idea that politics plays a role in PCRB decisions. "Political considerations play no role in the CIA Pre-Publication Review Boards established process to determine whether information submitted by current and former officers contains any classified information," the CIA said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The PCRB is composed entirely of staff officers who conduct the reviews." The clock continues to tick as a bipartisan bargain to raise Americas debt ceiling faces an arguably riskier trial now that it has cleared the Republican-controlled House. Thats because just one senator in the Democratic-run chamber has the power to thwart the plan reached by President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy ahead of the June 5 default deadline. Even a small procedural motion could delay the deals passage, which the White House and congressional leaders warn could put financial markets and average Americans at risk. "A default would trigger a recession, cost millions of jobs, and devastate retirement accounts," the White House Twitter account declared Wednesday. Rank-and-file senators from both parties bucked their leadership, demanding either changes to the deal or at the every least committments to address their concerns in future proposals. "To my House colleagues, I can't believe you did this," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who criticized defense spending levels in the bill, said in a floor speech Thursday. "To the Speaker, I know you got a tough job. I like you, but the party of Ronald Reagan is dying." A default would trigger a recession, cost millions of jobs, and devastate retirement accounts. President Biden and Congressional leaders reached a bipartisan budget agreement to avoid a default. Now, the House and Senate must pass it. The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 31, 2023 Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reiterated Thursday that brinksmanship isn't an option and that senator's should be prepared to stay as long as it takes. "The Senate will stay in session until we send a bill avoiding default to President Biden's desk," he said. "We will keep working until the job is done. Time is a luxury the Senate does not have." US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (front) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (rear) arrive before President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 1, 2022. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., tried to give Republican members cover when he praised the plan as the first step in bringing "Democrats reckless spending to heel." Just as Biden and McCarthy had to make concessions that upset the more outspoken factions of their political base to make a pact, the two Senate leaders will have to cooperate to push the agreement to the finish line. Here are the main takeaways from the Senate side of the debt debate. No time for amendments Whatever reservations senators might have about the Biden-McCarthy deal, there's no time for them to change the proposal and send it back to the House. Schumer made that clear Wednesday when he said the consequences of slipping past the June 5 deadline would be "catastrophic nightmare" for the global economy and millions of U.S. families. "So any needless delay, any last-minute brinksmanship at this point would be an unacceptable risk," he said. "Moving quickly, working together to avoid default is the responsible and necessary thing to do." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy of Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., listen as President Joe Biden speaks before a meeting to discuss the debt limit in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Washington. Whats expected is the Senate leaders will devise a way to minimize debate and carve out space for amendment votes that they know will fail but will let out some member's steam. Sens. Rick Scott, R-Florida, and Mitt Romnney, R-Utah, told reporters after GOP lunch that lawmakers intend to finish the debt limit bill and amendment votes Thursday. But the Senate timetable remained in flux Thursday afternoon as officials cautioned that the measure may not be approved until Friday as members from both sides of the aisle want to take jabs at parts of the Biden-McCarthy deal. Schumer, who emphasized how Democrats and Republicans didn't get everything they wanted, still needs all 100 senators to agree to a vote timetable, and many are demanding amendment votes that will likely fail. Elizabeth Warren: Republicans 'take hostages,' but should Dems? That might not be enough to please liberal lawmakers and their allies who have have been furious about negotiations. Some appeared to suggest that Democrats should play hardball. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., questions Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as she testifies in front of the Senate Committee on Finance on President Biden's 2024 budget.. "We shouldn't be in this position," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, told reporters Wednesday. "The problem we've got is that the Republicans are willing to take hostages and the Democrats are not." Warren, who hasn't said how she'll vote, ripped many of the provisions in the deal, such as the work requirements for government aid. Going into the debate, she has called attention to how the House GOP is demanding the U.S. "pinch pennies" on welfare programs but will pivot to extend the Trump-era tax cuts in the coming weeks. "This is not fiscal responsibility," she said. "Its cruelty." Right now, House Republicans are demanding we pinch pennies on programs like food assistance & health care for families. Next month, they want to roll out a plan that hands trillions in tax cuts to big corporations & the wealthy. This is not fiscal responsibility. Its cruelty. Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 30, 2023 Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., vowed to file an amendment to ditch approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a natural gas project that he has fought for months. But other Democrats might be inclined to move on and are voicing a more conciliatory tone, such as New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who sent a cryptic video message amid the debt ceiling clash saying how "every disagreement doesn't necessitate a debate." What will Rand Paul and other conservatives do? Similar to the right-wing rebellion McCarthy faced in the House, McConnell isn't going to get a break from fiscal hawks who say the debt deal isn't satisfactory. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., blasted the plan as being backed by "fake conservatives" within hours of it being announced last weekend. He has a history of leveraging important deadlines to make a point and has telegraphed that he plans to seek a vote on an alternative debt ceiling plan that would make billions in additional cuts. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks during a hearing with former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. "Theres nothing conservative about a debt deal that grants unlimited borrowing for two years that experts estimate will likely exceed $4 trillion," Paul said in a tweet Wednesday. "I will insist on an amendment vote to enact real spending caps that lead to a balanced budget in 5 years!" Paul has acknowledged that his proposal doesn't have the necessary 50 votes, but he isn't the only GOP senator who could cause headaches. Others conservative senators have objections, such as Mike Lee of Utah and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who wants more money for defense spending. This stands in contrast to McConnell and his leadership team, who like Schumer on the Democratic side have endorsed the deal and have tried to sell their members on what it will achieve. Republicans stood united. They forced President Biden to do his job," McConnell said Wednesday on the Senate floor. "And they reached an agreement that preserves the full faith and credit of the United States and starts getting its financial house in order." McConnell stressed how Republicans have "put a dent in" the Democrats' agenda in a plan that reduces spending by more than $1 trillion. "House Republicans unity gave them the upper hand. And they used it to secure a much-needed step in the right direction," he said. When this agreement reaches the Senate, Ill be proud to support it without delay. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Schumer, McConnell look to temper debt deal fight: 3 things to know Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Thursday that it targets to reprint and release this month around 7,500 national IDs that were burned during the Manila Central Post Office fire over a week ago. During a public briefing, PSA Deputy National Statistician Fred Sollesta clarified that the destroyed cards were only for residents of the City of Manila. He said the Manila Central Post Office was not a repository of all the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-printed ID cards. "They (PhilPost) have already forwarded the information, data kung anong cards ang affected and tini-trigger na namin ang reprinting sa BSP. We target that some time in June, mare-release na namin yan sa PhilPost para ma-deliver sa registrants," Sollesta said during the Laging Handa briefing aired over the state-run PTV. [Translation: They have already forwarded the information and data on which cards were affected, and the BSP will reprint these. We target that some time in June, we will be able to release the IDs to PhilPost which will deliver them to registrants.] Meanwhile, the PSA said around 79.12 million Filipinos have already registered for the national ID, and 76.17 million have been assigned a PhilSys number. As of May 30, the BSP has already printed 37.73 million ID cards which were turned over to PhilPost for delivery. PhilPost has already delivered around 32 million. To address the backlog, the PSA issued over 34 million paper-printed e-Phil IDs as an alternative while registrants await their actual card. Sollesta said they may catch up with their backlogs and finish the printing of the actual national IDs by next year. The PSA earlier admitted the backlog grew after the agency was mandated to register 70 million Filipinos before the end of the Duterte administration. The agency said the initial plan was a slow rollout, with around 20 to 25 million registration per year. With the overwhelming number of registrants, the PSA earlier said the printing of IDs became the chokepoint of the process. The Democratic-led Senate handed a stinging rebuke to President Biden on Thursday, passing a measure that overturns his student debt relief plan to give 40 million borrowers up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness though a presidential veto is likely on the way. The Senate passed the measure in a 52-46 vote just days after it cleared the GOP-majority House. Democratic Sens. Jon Tester (Mont.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) joined Republicans in voting to nix Bidens proposal. As a Congressional Review Act (CRA) measure, only 50 votes were required instead of the usual 60 to overcome a filibuster. The White House has made it clear a veto is coming, and neither chamber can provide the two-thirds vote to override. Bidens proposal, however, is still at the mercy of the conservative-leaning Supreme Court, which seemed highly skeptical of it during oral arguments earlier this year. While student debt forgiveness has strong support among progressives, its bicameral rejection would not have been possible without help from moderate Democrats. In a statement, Manchin said the nation simply cannot afford to add another $400 billion to the national debt. There are already more than 50 existing student loan repayment and forgiveness programs aimed at attracting individuals to vital service jobs, such as teachers, health care workers, and public servants. This Biden proposal undermines these programs and forces hard-working taxpayers who already paid off their loans or did not got to college to shoulder the cost, he said. The votes in the House and Senate happened quickly as the Republicans were able to fast-track them after the Government Accountability Office said Bidens plan is subject to the CRA. The debt relief is currently set to cost taxpayers an estimated $400 billion. The Congressional Budget Office recently estimated that reversing course on the relief would reduce the deficit by $320 billion over 10 years. Liberals have said they not only disagree with efforts to overturn the measure but have concerns doing so would make it so borrowers owe backpay on the interest for payments not made over the pandemic. Ive seen different legal opinions about whether it is retroactive or exactly how it would affect borrowers, but I think it is clear that it would be very disruptive and very confusing and make it challenging for borrowers to return to repayment successfully, Education Department Under Secretary James Kvaal said during a House hearing on the issue. Republicans have denied their bill has any retroactive concerns and have promoted the measure to end student debt relief as an act of fairness to American taxpayers. Our resolution prevents average Americans, 87 percent of whom currently have no student loans, from being stuck with a policy that the administration is doing not to be fair to all, but rather to favor the few, said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Despite this measures certain death at the White House, Republicans this week are claiming another victory against Bidens student loan actions. The House on Wednesday passed the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement, which includes a hard cutoff of the pandemic-era student loan payment pause at the end of the summer, nixing any chance advocates had of convincing Biden to continue the moratorium on payments. Although the president already said payments would begin again 60 days after June 30, at the latest, he has gone back on his word before about restarting them. While I wish I could take his words at face value, his past actions have showed me otherwise. Passing the Fiscal Responsibility Act is the only sure-fire way to force a return to repayment and prevent the president from issuing another illegal extension, said Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. And Republicans are optimistic that their challenges to the debt forgiveness will prevail at the Supreme Court. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Senate passed a bill late Thursday evening to suspend the nations debt limit through January 1, 2025, averting a first-ever US default just days ahead of the deadline. The House earlier this week already passed the measure, which can now be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. Suspending the debt limit through 2025 takes the threat of default off table until after the presidential election. In addition to addressing the debt limit, the bill caps non-defense spending, expands work requirements for some food stamp recipients and claws back some Covid-19 relief funds, among other policy provisions. The Senate voted 63 to 36 to pass the bill. The timeframe to pass the bill through Congress was extremely tight with little room for error, putting enormous pressure on leadership in both parties as the threat of default loomed. To get the bill over the finish line, lawmakers raced the clock to prevent a default ahead of June 5, the date the Treasury Department warned it will no longer be able to pay all of the nations obligations in full and on time a scenario that could trigger global economic catastrophe. The effort to secure a debt limit deal has proven to be a major leadership test for both House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Biden. The bipartisan debt limit deal was struck between the White House and House Republicans the culmination of long days and late nights of contentious negotiations that at times looked like they might break down and fall apart entirely. The debt limit bill faced backlash from both the far left and the far right, but ultimately won support from a significant number of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The measure passed the House by a wide margin 314 to 117 on Wednesday. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. CNNs Manu Raju, Lauren Fox and Haley Talbot contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON The Senate will vote on the debt ceiling deal negotiated by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Thursday night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced. Senators have come to an agreement to pass the bill after having voted on a series of 11 amendments from members of both parties who oppose the deal or certain parts of it. The agreement is expected to pass when the series has ended. It needs 60 votes to pass and would then head to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature. Biden must sign the bill into law by Monday to avoid a default, according to the Treasury Department. Senate leaders worked throughout the day to get an agreement on amendment votes, which will allow senators to get their colleagues on the record on a variety of issues related to the bill. The series of amendment votes, which began at 7:30 p.m. ET, could take hours. All 100 senators had to agree to speed consideration of the measure, and the amendment votes were meant to get the whole chamber on board. If any senator objects, the final vote could have been pushed to as late as Wednesday, two days past the deadline. In addition to seeking amendment votes, Republicans had asked Schumer to commit to bring up all 12 government spending bills this year to avoid an across-the-board spending cut in the debt ceiling bill. They also wanted a commitment to bring up supplemental funding legislation to increase defense spending and assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The Democratic-controlled Senate is unlikely to pass an increase in defense spending on its own. The deal to pass the debt ceiling bill came after negotiations between both parties. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., was seen shuttling between a Republican lunch and the Senate floor, where Democrats were huddling earlier in the day. She at one point pulled Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., into a room just off the Senate floor to look over a piece of paper she had. By the end of the GOP lunch, Republican senators said they expected Schumer to make those assurances and announce a deal. Schumer opened the Senate floor Thursday morning urging quick passage of the bill. Time is a luxury the Senate does not have if we want to prevent default. June 5th is less than four days away, he said, adding that the Senate will stay in session until the bill has passed. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who called the bill a "deal from hell," said that he would file multiple amendments but that he wouldn't hold up the deal "for the sake of holding it up." The Senate will vote on one amendment he offered. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., also succeeded in getting a vote on an amendment to remove a provision that would expedite the approval of a natural gas pipeline backed by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. Kaine got into what he called a "robust debate" with Manchin over the provision at a Senate lunch Wednesday and expressed outrage that the White House didn't give him a head's up that it would be in the deal. Its slimy, Kaine said. It didnt have to go on the debt ceiling bill. I mean, for Gods sake, does this company really feel like theyre as important as the creditworthiness of the United States? The amendments aren't expected to pass, as that would send the whole bill back to the House with little time left to avoid a default. At this point, any needless delay or any last-minute holdups would be an unnecessary and even dangerous risk," Schumer warned Thursday. "And any change to this bill that forces us to send it back to the House would be entirely unacceptable. It would almost guarantee default. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would repeal President Joe Biden's student loan debt forgiveness plan. The 52-46 breakdown of yeas and nays Thursday largely mirrored that of a day prior, when senators for the most part voted along party lines to proceed with a vote on the bill, underscoring their opposition to Biden's plan to forgive up to $20,000 of in student loan debt for tens of millions of borrowers. The plan to erase some borrowers' debt is already stalled because of two cases before the Supreme Court. But Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted Thursday in favor of the resolution, as did Democrat-turned-Independent Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. Both had voted Wednesday to advance the measure for a full Senate vote. Manchin's rationale for supporting the bill echoed Republican talking points that it would be unfair to working-class Americans and people who have worked to pay off their student loan debt. By slim margin Senate votes to take up bill that would undo Biden's student loan debt forgiveness plan "There are already more than 50 existing student loan repayment and forgiveness programs aimed at attracting individuals to vital service jobs, such as teachers, health care workers, and public servants," he said in a statement Wednesday. "This Biden proposal undermines these programs and forces hard-working taxpayers who already paid off their loans or did not go to college to shoulder the cost. Instead, we should be focusing on bipartisan student debt reforms that reduce the cost of higher education and help all Americans. The House passed the bill along party lines last week, although similar to the Senate, two Democrats voted with GOP lawmakers. The White House has said it would veto the bill, and it doesn't appear that Congress would have the votes to override that veto. Democrats stress benefits to working-class Americans Democrats assert the bill would harm the very people Republicans say they intend to shield. "Republicans in Congress have shown time and time again that theyd much rather deliver relief to giant corporations and protect tax cheats than help working Americans whose biggest sin was trying to get an education," said Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts ahead of the vote Wednesday. 'Massive new program': Supreme Court majority signals skepticism over Biden's student loan forgiveness plan Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, said too many Americans' prospects are "determined by their parents' paycheck." Working- and middle-class families, and particularly those of color, "have to risk dangerous levels of debt just for the chance of achieving their American dream." "I remember what it felt like filling out financial aid forms and facing the brutal reality," Padilla said, "that when I was looking forward to attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the cost of tuition alone was bigger than my dads W-2." It took a combination of Pell Grants, scholarships, work study and student loans for Padilla to afford college. "The presidents plan ... its part of helping address the racial wealth gap in America," he said, adding that under Biden's plan, almost half of Latino borrowers would see their entire debt forgiven. While Republicans have zeroed in on how some of the loan forgiveness would apply to households with up to $250,000 in combined income, "nearly 90 percent of the relief provided by the Department of Education would go to Americans earning less than $75,000 per year, and no relief would go to any individual or household in the top 5 percent of incomes," the White House said. "Americans should be able to have a little more breathing room as they recover from the economic strains associated with the COVID-19 pandemic." Warren and other Democrats say the measure in the Senate on Thursday would also result in people who benefited from a pause on payments immediately owing months of back payments plus interest, which Republicans deny. The debt ceiling deal means student loan payment pause 'gone', Speaker Kevin McCarthy says. Other GOP efforts to undo student loan forgiveness The vote Thursday is the latest in a series of moves to undo Biden's actions on student loans. The deal on the debt ceiling that passed the House late Wednesday includes a provision ending the pause on student loan payments first put into place by former President Donald Trump at the start of the pandemic. Payments were already set to resume 60 days after the Supreme Court rules on the fate of Biden's loan forgiveness plan. An earlier version of a measure to raise the debt ceiling passed in the House in April also would have repealed student loan debt forgiveness. Debates have consistently focused on who's responsible for shouldering the skyrocketing student loan debt. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas called Bidens plan student loan socialism. A college degree is not a shared experience. Its not like roads, hospitals or police departments, which benefit everyone," he said. "Individuals in debt made the decision to borrow the money and they alone will reap the benefits of that degree. Should student loan debt be forgiven? Americans are split ahead of Supreme Court ruling. Contact Alia Wong at (202) 507-2256 or awong@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @aliaemily. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Biden student loan forgiveness plan repealed in Senate; veto expected By Ngouda Dione and Bate Felix DAKAR (Reuters) -Nine people were killed in Senegal on Thursday in clashes between riot police and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko after a court sentenced him to two years in jail, casting serious doubt on his chances of running for president next year. Sonko, 48, did not attend the hearing over an alleged sexual assault. The justice ministry said the opposition leader could now be taken to prison at any time. Police remained stationed around his home Dakar as unrest flared in the capital and elsewhere after the verdict. Sonko was accused of raping a woman who worked in a massage parlour in 2021, when she was 20, and making death threats against her. He denies wrongdoing and says the charges are politically motivated. A criminal court cleared Sonko of rape, but found him guilty of a separate offence described in the penal code as immoral behaviour towards individuals younger than 21. "With this sentence Sonko cannot be a candidate," said one of his lawyers, Bamba Ciss, citing Senegal's electoral law. Sonko's PASTEF party said the verdict was part of a political plot and called on citizens in a statement to "stop all activity and take to the streets". Nine people were killed in the protests that broke out in parts of Dakar and other cities after the verdict, Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome said on state television in the early hours of Friday. Earlier, thick black smoke had billowed from a central university campus in Dakar, where protesters set several buses alight in the afternoon and threw rocks at riot police who responded by firing tear gas. Government spokesperson Abdou Karim Fofana said security forces had the situation under control in the capital. Several social media and messaging platforms were restricted in Senegal late on Thursday - a move "likely to significantly impact the public's ability to communicate," the Netblocks internet observatory said. University law professor Ndiack Fall said Sonko could demand a retrial if he turns himself in to authorities. The case has triggered sporadic violent protests in the West African country since 2021. Sonko's supporters denounce the charges as a ploy to prevent him from running in elections scheduled for February. The government and the justice system deny this. A former tax inspector who came third in the last election, Sonko has tapped into frustrations with President Macky Sall that have grown since he was elected in 2012. Critics say Sall has failed to create jobs and has stifled opposition criticism amid rumours he may seek to bypass presidential term limits and run again next year. Sall has neither confirmed nor denied this. Demonstrations are not uncommon in Senegal and typically increase around elections. But Sall's second term has been particularly turbulent for a country usually viewed as one of West Africa's strongest democracies. Separately, Sonko is appealing against a six-month suspended prison sentence for libel - an offence he also denies. (Reporting by Ngouda Dione and Bate Felix in Dakar; Additional reporting by Diadie Ba and Edward McAllister; Writing by Sofia Christensen and Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Matthew Lewis, Andrew Heavens, Daniel Wallis and Lincoln Feast.) Nine killed in Senegal clashes after opposition leader sentenced Images of unrest elsewhere in Senegal circled on social networks Nine people have died in clashes across Senegal, the interior minister said Friday, after a court sentenced firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to two years in jail. A conviction for "corrupting youth" may disqualify Sonko, President Macky Sall's fiercest opponent, from contesting next year's presidential election. The case has deeply divided Senegal, sparking sporadic but deadly violence that has battered the country's image of stability. After Thursday's verdict, clashes broke out between police and protesters, buses were set alight in the capital Dakar, and disturbances were reported elsewhere including the city of Ziguinchor, where Sonko has been mayor since 2022. "We have noted with regret violence that has led to the destruction of public and private property and, unfortunately, nine deaths in Dakar and Ziguinchor," Interior Minister Antoine Diome said on national television. Two police officials told AFP on condition of anonymity that at least three of the deaths occurred at demonstrations in Ziguinchor, and a policeman was stoned to death by young protesters in the capital. A former civil servant, Sonko rose to prominence in presidential elections in 2019, coming third after a campaign that took aim at Sall and the country's ruling elite. He portrays Sall as corrupt and a would-be dictator, while the president's supporters call Sonko a rabble-rouser who has sown instability. His initial arrest on rape charges in 2021 sparked several days of clashes that left at least 12 people dead. The 48-year-old did not attend the trial and was absent when Thursday's judgement was handed down. He was presumed to be at his Dakar home, where he had been blocked in by security forces after being detained at the weekend. The court did not rule on whether he should be arrested. But after two years of a confrontation with the authorities, the head of the PASTEF-Patriots party could now be arrested "at any time", Justice Minister Ismaila Madior Fall told journalists. When the Dakar criminal court handed down its verdict, Sonko's party called on the Senegalese people to "take to the streets". The university campus in Dakar was turned into something resembling a battlefield. Groups of young people pelted police in riot gear with stones. Police fired back with tear gas. Several buses from the faculty of medicine, the history department and the country's leading school of journalism were set on fire and offices ransacked. Classes were suspended until further notice. Elsewhere, young protestors attacked a transport ticket office and other public property, burning tyres and placing obstacles in the streets. Satire Mbaye, a presidential party official in the Dakar suburb of Keur Massar, said the party headquarters had been "ransacked". Trouble was reported elsewhere in the West African state -- in Casamance in the south, Mbour and Kaolack in the west and St Louis in the north. Several social media and messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube were facing serious access restrictions in Senegal late Thursday. "This situation resembles what was observed during the 2021 protests and is likely to significantly limit the public's ability to communicate," said Netblocks, a global internet monitor. On Friday interior minister Diome acknowledged the blockages, citing "the dissemination of hateful and subversive messages on social networks". - Election bid - Attention has focused on whether, under the electoral code, Sonko's conviction will prevent him from contesting next year's vote. "Ousmane Sonko's candidacy is in jeopardy," said Djiby Diagne, one of his lawyers. "Corrupting youth" is defined as encouraging the "debauchery" of a young person under the age of 21. The court acquitted him on charges of rape and issuing death threats. The complainant, Adji Sarr, a former employee of the beauty salon where Sonko used to get massages, said Sonko had abused her on five occasions between late 2020 and early 2021. She was under 21 at the time of the events. Sonko has maintained his innocence and claims the president is manipulating the judiciary to torpedo his political career -- a charge the government denies. Ndeye Khady Ndiaye, the owner of the beauty salon, was also sentenced to two years in prison for incitement to debauchery, but acquitted of complicity in rape. She and Sonko must each pay a fine of 600,000 CFA francs ($980) and jointly pay 20 million CFA francs ($33,000) in damages to the complainant. "We are satisfied of Sonko's guilt", El Hadji Diouf, Adji Sarr's lawyer, told reporters. But 20 million CFA francs in damages is little for the suffering Sarr has endured, he said. She has been threatened, insulted and placed under police protection since the scandal broke two years ago. bur/prc/rox/leg/dva A man was arrested early Wednesday in New York City after fatally shooting an armed robber in Queens, according to law enforcement. Police say gunfire broke out around 2 a.m. Wednesday near Queens Criminal Court in Kew Gardens after the now-deceased victim, 32, approached the older man, 65, with an unidentified object in his hand. A man was arrested early Wednesday in New York City after fatally shooting an armed robber in Queens, according to law enforcement. NYC PARENTS OF 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL CHARGED IN TODDLER'S HOMICIDE: REPORTS Police say the 65-year-old drew his gun and fired multiple shots to the victim's chest. Police say the 65-year-old drew his gun and fired multiple shots to the victim's chest. JORDAN NEELY DEATH: FAMILY WILL FILE WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT AGAINST DANIEL PENNY: REPORT EMS personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene. Police arrested the older man and took him in for questioning. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Police say the victim's identity is being withheld until his family is notified in the ongoing investigation. The shooter's name has also not been released by the NYPD. EMS personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene. Police arrested the older man and took him in for questioning. The 32-year-old victim's death comes shortly after two shooting incidents in Queens over the past few weeks. A teenager was pronounced brain-dead on Sunday after being fatally struck by a stray bullet; a man fatally shot his nephew and wounded his niece this month after a dispute over dinner. Survivors were outraged last fall when they learned that a retired Wyoming bishop and former Kansas City priest facing numerous sexual abuse allegations would be moving back to the Kansas City area. And now, The Star has learned, Bishop Joseph Hart did not move back to the metro area after all bringing more outrage to the survivors who were never informed of the change. I dont even know what to say, said Michael Sandridge, a victim of another credibly accused priest in the Kansas City area. I feel deceived. They should have at least let people know. Its called transparency. Hart, whose abuse allegations were deemed credible by two U.S. bishops but dismissed by the Vatican in 2021, was to move to Kansas City in October and reside in a senior living facility. Now 91, Hart had left Kansas City more than four decades ago to become bishop of Cheyenne. But a spokeswoman for the Diocese of Cheyenne told The Star in an email that in fact, Bishop Hart did not relocate to Kansas City. Bishop Hart never left Cheyenne, the diocese said. We, in the Chancery Office, do not know why. Only he can answer the question regarding why he chose not to relocate to Kansas City. That disclosure comes as Procession, a highly acclaimed documentary about priest sex abuse, is scheduled to be shown in a free screening Friday at an Overland Park theater. Sandridge is one of the men featured in the film. Another, New York City contractor Ed Gavagan who grew up in Cheyenne was among Harts victims. The cast of Procession, from left, Joe Eldred, Ed Gavagan, Michael Sandridge, Tom Viviano, Dan Laurine and Mike Foreman. The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph had contacted some of the sexual abuse survivors last fall to let them know Hart would be returning to the area. Bishop Steven Biegler of the Diocese of Cheyenne confirmed Harts relocation in a statement to The Star at the time, saying that Hart had decided to move to Kansas City and that he is free to decide to relocate and reside where he wishes. Nevertheless, Biegler said, he is to observe certain limitations in his social interaction because Pope Francis imposed upon Bishop Hart the prohibition that he refrain from any contact with minors, youth, seminarians, and vulnerable adults and from presiding or participating anywhere in any public celebration of the Liturgy. When asked about Harts current status, the Cheyenne diocese said it remains responsible for Harts care. Because Pope Francis did not dismiss Bishop Hart from the clerical state, the Diocese of Cheyenne is obligated canonically to provide for his care, it said. The sustenance provided includes a minimum pension per month, which is covered by the retirement plan for clergy; housing and board; and healthcare. Many sex abuse survivors were stunned to learn that Hart hadnt moved to Kansas City after all. Wow, I had no idea, Gavagan said Wednesday. We all thought he was in Kansas City. Apparently, nobody wanted him. Gavagan said Biegler contacted him last year to let him know Hart was moving to Kansas City. The Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese told The Star in an email Wednesday that when we learned that Bishop Hart would not be relocating to the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the Office of Child and Youth Protection reached out to families that were directly affected by Hart to provide an update and offered support and counseling services. But Sandridge, who was notified by the diocese last year about Harts plans to return to Kansas City, said the news impacted more than his victims. What they dont get is his moving here affected every survivor, whether or not they were a direct victim of Hart, he said. Hart is one of the abusive priests named in Procession. Fridays screening will be at 7 p.m. at the Glenwood Arts Theater in Overland Park. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Robert Greene, the film brought together six men all but Gavagan are from Missouri who wrote and acted out fictional scenes based on their memories of the sexual abuse. With the assistance of a trained drama therapist, the project was designed to collectively work through their trauma. The men Gavagan, Sandridge, Joe Eldred, Mike Foreman, Dan Laurine and Tom Viviano accompanied one another to places where the abuse occurred and took on roles in one anothers segments. I hope that the screening will allow our pain and our healing to be shared in a way that both transforms and motivates the audience, said Gavagan, whose allegations against Hart led to criminal investigations in Wyoming. We must insist on accountability and transparency for the institutions and care and treatment for the victims. Much of Procession was filmed in the Kansas City area, and most of the priests who are named as abusers served in the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese. One was with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Four of the men in the film have received settlements from civil lawsuits, but none of the accused priests has ever been criminally charged. The film, acquired by Netflix and released in the fall of 2021, has received many honors, including nominations for an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award, an Independent Spirit Award and being shortlisted for an Academy Award. Ed Gavagan (from left), Michael Sandridge and Dan Laurine in a scene from Procession. The documentary follows six men, all survivors of childhood sexual abuse, who come together to direct a drama therapy-inspired experiment designed to collectively work through their trauma. Fridays screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the survivors featured in the film. Sandridge said the session will focus on what has happened locally since the film was released, including a report issued by the Kansas attorney general in January that said a four-year investigation into sexual abuse in the states Catholic dioceses identified 188 clergy members suspected of committing criminal acts. The session also will address a bill just signed into law in Kansas that eliminates the statute of limitations on criminal prosecution for alleged child sexual abuse and gives survivors more time to file lawsuits. State Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat who pushed for the legislation, will attend the screening to discuss the laws impact. Sandridge said the organizers invited staff from the two Kansas City area dioceses to attend. The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said Jenifer Valenti, director of the Office for Protection and Care, and Amy Stork, victim care advocate/restorative practitioner, look forward to attending the screening. Both women have already viewed the production and have been profoundly impacted by both the content of the documentary as well as the courage of the survivors depicted, the archdiocese said in a statement to The Star. Valenti said while grateful for the opportunity to speak at the screening, we want to honor the journey and experience of the men featured in the film and all those responsible for its production. We are sensitive to the fact that our statements and verbal participation, however well-intentioned, might cause hurt and distract from the intentions and goals of the screening, she said. We therefore wont be participating in the Q&A. We continue to learn from the documentary and the opportunity for continued dialogue on this topic we care deeply about. The Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese said its victim assistance coordinator and the director of Journey to Bethany, a diocesan initiative created to help clergy sexual abuse victims heal, would attend the screening as well. Gavagan told The Star that the documentary was a life-changing experience. By working through each of our abuse scenarios with the support and encouragement of the entire cast and crew, he said, we were all able to put the shame we have carried our whole lives squarely where it belongs on the perpetrators and their enablers. Hart was a priest in the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese from 1956 to 1976, then served as auxiliary bishop of Cheyenne from 1976 to 1978 and bishop from 1978 until retiring in 2001. Allegations against Hart first surfaced in 1989 and 1992 in Kansas City. Diocesan officials originally deemed those allegations not credible, but in 2018, Bishop James V. Johnston found them to be substantiated. In 2002, Gavagan accused Hart of sexually abusing him as a boy. Authorities in Cheyenne concluded there was no evidence to support the allegations. But in July 2018, Biegler then the new bishop of Cheyenne announced that the diocese had reopened its investigation into Hart. Biegler said the previous investigation was flawed and said a second man had come forward alleging sexual abuse by Hart. Both mens allegations, Biegler said, had now been deemed credible and substantiated. Wyoming authorities, spurred by the Cheyenne diocese, opened a new investigation, and in August 2019, the Cheyenne Police Department recommended that Hart be charged. But a special prosecutor assigned to the case declined to file charges in 2020, citing insufficient evidence. And though both Biegler and Johnston had determined that the allegations against Hart were credible, the Vatican cleared him in 2021 of seven accusations that he sexually abused minors and said five others could not be proven with moral certitude. But the Vaticans Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also issued a canonical rebuke to Hart for his flagrant lack of prudence as a priest and bishop for being alone with minors in his private residence and on various trips, which could have been potential occasions endangering the obligation to observe continence and that would give rise to scandal among the faithful. Gavagan said the only downside to the documentary has been the realization that so little has been done by the church, district attorneys and lawmakers to address the problems that survivors have laid out so clearly. Each of these supposed guardians and protectors of our children have failed to actively and decisively take action to prosecute the offenders, he said. They have failed to investigate these crimes and failed to enact comprehensive laws and safeguards for the future. What little has been done has come piecemeal and without actually dismantling the shield of secrecy and denial that adds insult to the injury of childhood sexual abuse. The White House blasted House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) on Wednesday over his threat to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt for refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena. This silly charade by Chairman Comer is yet another reminder that his so-called investigations are political stunts not meant to get information but to spread thin innuendo and falsehoods to attack the President, White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement. Comer warned Wednesday that the Oversight Committee would begin contempt proceedings against Wray unless the FBI turned over the requested FD-1023 forms, which are used by the bureau to record interactions with confidential sources. The committee subpoenaed Wray earlier this month for all forms from June 2020 that contained the word Biden. Wray reportedly offered to allow the House Oversight Committee to view the documents in person at FBI headquarters during a call with Comer on Wednesday. However, the congressman dismissed the suggestion. We have been clear that anything short of producing these documents to the House Oversight Committee is not in compliance with the subpoena, Comer said in a statement. The White House hit back at Comers contempt threat, alleging that the Oversight chairman was simply attempting to hurt the Presidents poll numbers. The only question left is how long he will waste time, energy, and taxpayer dollars to support a fact-free politically-motivated goose chase simply to get media attention and the Fox News spotlight, Sams added. The subpoena was issued in early May in search of a particular FD-1023 form that Comer claims contains allegations that then-Vice President Biden engaged in a criminal bribery scheme with a foreign national. The Oversight chairman said that Wray confirmed the existence of the document in their Wednesday call. However, the FBI has previously warned that the form relays an unverified tip. Recording the information does not validate the information, establish its credibility, or weigh it against other information known or developed by the FBI, acting Assistant Director Christopher Dunham said Tuesday in a letter to Comer. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- China and Singapore agreed to work toward establishing a secure defense telephone link for high-level communications, as the two nations seek to bolster ties amid rising regional tensions. Most Read from Bloomberg Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu laid the groundwork for the hotline in a meeting in the city-state on Thursday with his Singaporean counterpart, Ng Eng Hen. High-level, open lines of communication are important for strengthening mutual understanding and trust, Singapores Defense Ministry said in a statement. The announcement of the hotline comes ahead of a major defense conference in Singapore this weekend that will draw hundreds of delegates including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. China has spurned a US request for a meeting between their defense chiefs. China has previously said the US must lift sanctions imposed on its top general in 2018 for overseeing an arms purchase from Russia before such a meeting could take place. --With assistance from Yanping Li. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla believes the suspects in the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo are conspiring to cover up their crime after several of them recanted their statements. "Sa bawat affidavit, iba-iba ang sinasabi nila, nagtutugma lang sa maraming punto. Ngayon, parepareho na sinasabi nila. There's a conspiracy to cover up this crime, this terrorism that happened in our country which we cannot stand for," Remulla told the media on Thursday. [Translation: In each affidavit, they said something different, only matching on some points. Now, they are saying the same thing.] Several suspects have separately recanted their statements on Degamo's assassination. They're now claiming to have no knowledge about the murder. According to Remulla, all of the suspects have expressed plans to retract their testimonies simultaneously. "Sabay sabay sila magrerecant, sabi nila. Eh 'di may conspiracy sila na itago yung katotohanan [They will recant at the same time, they said. Then they have a conspiracy to hide the truth]," the secretary said. "It shows a conspiracy among the 10 of them, that they are really part of a conspiracy when all of them suddenly recant. It just proves our case further that the conspiracy is there," he stressed. Remulla earlier said it is possible the camp of Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnulfo Teves Jr. was behind the recantations. Teves has been tagged as among the masterminds of Degamos murder, an allegation the lawmaker denies. The secretary also claimed co-mastermind Marvin Miranda, who was previously revealed to be Teves long-time bodyguard, "directed" the recantations of other suspects. Nevertheless, Remulla emphasized that recantations are "unreliable" and are "frowned upon by the courts." "They speak lowly of the kind of evidence being presented by the defense lawyers, so do not make a big deal of recantations. If there are recantations, there's perjury," he added. READ: Teves has no plans to return home despite suspects recantations Novia Scotia is suffering the biggest forest fire in the province's recorded history Smoke fills the sky in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Sunday as an out-of-control fire in a suburban community quickly spreads, engulfing multiple homes and forcing the evacuation of local residents. (Kelly Clark/The Canadian Press via AP) A spate of early season wildfires in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia are spreading smoke across the Northeast. News outlets from Massachusetts to southeastern Pennsylvania are reporting that residents can smell smoke and see it in the sky, and experts are warning that the diminished air quality is posing health risks for residents. The fires There are a total of 14 fires in Nova Scotia, the largest of which, covering 43,095 acres, is the provinces largest wildfire in recorded history, according to the provincial government. The fires have destroyed 200 homes and caused evacuation orders for 16,000 residents, and they are now threatening to spread into Halifax, the provincial capital. Early season wildfires in Nova Scotia are causing the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes. (Yasin Demirci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Residents in neighboring New Brunswick have also had to evacuate 400 homes. The province saw an unprecedented 15 fires break out on Saturday, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said earlier this week. Its really been heartbreaking, theres really a lot of helplessness, Tim Houston, the premier of Nova Scotia, said at a news conference on Wednesday. The effects in the U.S. Due to winds pushing the smoke to the south and west, air quality alerts from the National Weather Service have gone up in southern Michigan and Wisconsin, northern Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Massachusetts, especially in the Boston area, experienced cloudy skies from the wildfires on Wednesday. That day, and again on Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a Code Orange air quality alert for Philadelphia and its suburbs. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said Tuesday that air quality would be unhealthy for sensitive groups, and a similar report was issued that day for the state of Massachusetts. The health effects of particle pollution exposure can range from relatively minor (e.g., eye and respiratory tract irritation) to more serious health effects (e.g., exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death), according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Smoke from the Tantallon wildfire rises over houses in nearby Bedford, Nova Scotia, on Sunday. (Eric Martyn/Reuters) The role of climate change It is unusual to see such significant wildfire activity before the beginning of summer in Nova Scotias generally cold and wet climate, but increasing temperatures due to emissions of greenhouse gases are making springtime warmer and intensifying dry spells. Nova Scotia had below average snow this past winter, and in April it had less than half of its average rainfall for that month making it the driest April on record. What is unique about this situation is the time of year the fact its occurring in May and that it spread so rapidly, said Anthony Farnell, chief meteorologist of the Canadian outlet Global News. Climate change contributes to volatility, Dave Meldrum, Halifaxs deputy fire chief, said at a news conference on Monday. The risk of early season wildfires is expected to increase in the future as climate change continues. Canada as a whole has warmed, including eastern Canada, and were projecting more warming in the future. So that warming, yes, would be expected to increase fires in eastern Canada as well, Nathan Gillett, a research scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, a department of the Canadian federal government, told Global News. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has urged governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and by 60% by 2035 to limit the extent of global warming. Plumes of smoke rise from a wildfire raging in Nova Scotia's Upper Tantallon community. (Ben Britton/via Reuters) The outlook Scott Tingley, Nova Scotias forest protection manager, said most of the fires were very likely human-caused. Much of it probably is preventable, he said. Dry and windy weather in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick this week has fed the fires. The possibility that rain will arrive on Friday night gives locals some hope for help, but experts cautioned that lightning from thunderstorms can actually make matters worse by starting more fires when striking dried-out trees. Nova Scotia has banned activity in wooded areas, with particular concern for any kind of burning. Social media influencers say iodine can help with breakouts, but it can actually irritate your skin more. Here's what a dermatologist says you should use instead. moxumbic/Getty Images; Olga Rolenko/Getty Images Iodine is a disinfectant used in medical settings, and TikTokers are also putting it on zits. A dermatologist says it can be effective, but also lead to skin irritation and inflammation. He recommends using benzoyl peroxide instead for drying out pimples and preventing infection. Despite common knowledge that you should never pop a pimple, sometimes a tender cyst hypnotizes you in the bathroom mirror. Against your better judgment, you squeeze. Moments later, eyeing the spot where you just mauled your own forehead, you promise yourself to never do it again until, of course, you do. But for those who know they can't resist temptation, a new hack has been making the rounds on TikTok: Users claim that iodine, a disinfectant, can prevent worsening infections caused by bursting zits and even shrink existing pimples. "So obviously I have a scab on my chin because I murdered myself but I have like no irritation anywhere else," TikTok user Nico Olsen said in a video where she dabbed iodine on her pimples after popping one of them. Another user tried the trick on a small pimple and reported less redness and inflammation. If scratching or touching acne can cause oils and bacteria to worsen it, the logic is that iodine can speed up the healing process or reduce active whiteheads. While that's true, Dr. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Dermatology in New York City, told Insider that iodine can be tricky to use and even exacerbate your skin issues. Iodine kills acne-causing bacteria but has some big drawbacks According to Zeichner, iodine has antimicrobial effects, hence why it's so often used in healthcare settings. Citing a 2022 study, he said that it's also effective in killing acne-causing bacteria. But while iodine may sound like an easy solution for pre- and post-popped zits, Zeichner warned that iodine "is potentially associated with skin irritation, inflammation, and rashes" and, in severe cases, has been associated with developing blisters. Plus, "you can still develop a scar even if you pop a pimple and use iodine," he said, "because trauma to the skin from picking can cause damage to collagen." While iodine may potentially heal scabs faster, it won't prevent acne scars or hyperpigmentation. It's also just messy to use. Iodine is dark orange and can stain clothes or even your skin (though Zeichner said you can use rubbing alcohol to fix the latter). Benzoyl peroxide has similar benefits without the risks or mess Zeichner recommended using products with benzoyl peroxide instead, which he considers "perhaps the most effective topical ingredient we have to treat breakouts," and works similarly by lowering levels of acne-causing bacteria. He really likes the Jori Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask, which he said goes deep into the pores and contains brightening ingredients like niacinamide and zinc. Sadly, there's no safe way (yet) to pop your pimples. But, with great patience, you can at least dry them out. Read the original article on Insider LinkedIn/Facebook Socialite Jasmine Hartin was sentenced to no jail time for killing a high-ranking police official in Belize in what she claimed was an accidental shooting. Hartinwho had two children with the son of Britains Lord Ashcroft and is now locked in a custody battlewas fined $75,000 for the crime of manslaughter by negligence, local media reported. Hartins life of beachfront luxury came crumbling down a year ago when she was found on a blood-spattered dock, with Superintendent Henry Jemmott floating in the water with a gunshot behind his ear. The two had been drinking and socializing after curfew, and Hartin later told police that Jemmott was showing her how to use a gun for her own protection when it unexpectedly went off. Jemmotts family does not accept her explanation, and there were complaints that Hartin, a Canadian citizen, was getting special treatment because of her family connections and wealth. Meanwhile, Hartin lost custody of her children to her estranged partner, hotelier Andrew Ashcroftand a bitter feud erupted that saw her jailed for several days after one of his employees withdrew a bail guarantee. Last month, Hartin pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge, which rarely carries jail time. The fine amount is said to be the largest ever imposed for the chargethough she could end up paying far more in civil penalties to Jemmotts family. As she was ushered out of the courthouse on Wednesday, she declined to speak. But after her guilty plea in April, she told reporters, I just want Henrys family to have peace now and I want this whole thing to be behind all of us so we can heal. 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. Soft food to good faith: How Biden and McCarthy came together on debt deal In late March, the prospects of President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) coming together for a deal to raise the debt ceiling that both men found palatable looked dim. On March 28, Biden flatly rejected a call from McCarthy for a meeting, instead urging the top House Republican to release a budget proposal before they could have a conversation in person. Two days later, McCarthy quipped that he would bring a soft food lunch to the White House if thats what it required for the two leaders to meet in person, an apparent swipe at Bidens age. By Memorial Day Weekend, both Biden and McCarthy were publicly complimenting each other and urging their respective parties to pass a deal they had finally signed off on. I think he negotiated with me in good faith. He kept his word. He said what he would do. He did what he said hed do, Biden said of McCarthy after delivering remarks Sunday at the White House. Very professional, very smart. Very tough at the same time, McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol of his talks with Biden. The budget deal and simultaneous agreement to lift the debt ceiling for two years marks a significant legislative achievement for two men who until recently had a very limited working relationship, with a big assist from top negotiators like Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young. And while the sides traded barbs publicly to argue for their position, a mutual respect and sense of professionalism was persistent as a deal came together, according to officials close to the negotiations. Biden and McCarthy have a shared Irish heritage, but otherwise little else to bond over. After Novembers midterms, when it was apparent Republicans would retake the House majority, Biden said he hadnt had much reason to talk to McCarthy previously. They finally met Feb. 1 to discuss the budget and other matters, which McCarthy called a very good discussion. But aside from interacting at a St. Patricks Day celebration on Capitol Hill the next month, the two leaders went weeks without speaking, worrying some in Washington that the stalemate would send the country careening into a default. White House officials were adamant that there would be no negotiation on the debt ceiling, and Biden for weeks insisted that he would be willing to sit down with McCarthy again once he released a budget proposal. One turning point in talks came when House Republicans in late April passed their own bill that would slash federal spending and extend the governments borrowing authority into next year. It marked a major win for McCarthy, and it brought the president to the table for budget negotiations. Biden has been around a long time. When he wants to, he can be cooperative, and when he doesnt want to he can be obnoxious, former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said in an interview. I think the White House believed that yelling default would work and that in the end Kevin McCarthy would have to cave, Gingrich added. And I think it gradually became clear that they cant bluff him. This is a guy who survived 15 votes to become Speaker. Hes quite capable of being very patient. Biden finally reached out to McCarthy to invite him and other congressional leaders to meet May 9, but it was not until after a second meeting the following week when there was a development viewed as a major sign of progress. It was then that Biden and McCarthy appointed lead negotiators to work on hashing out a deal at the staff level. Biden tapped Young, a longtime Capitol Hill aide with strong relationships on both sides of the aisle, while McCarthy leaned on Graves, a top ally and, like Young, a Louisiana native. As negotiators worked through their differences with a potential default deadline bearing down, Biden and McCarthy met again May 22 for talks that McCarthy described as productive. With talks slowly progressing, some Democrats were exasperated that it was McCarthy appearing on camera in front of the West Wing or inside the Capitol to offer regular assessments of how talks were going, while Biden largely remained in the background and avoided declarative public remarks about the state of talks. But Bidens relative public silence in the final days of negotiations allowed negotiators to get to a final agreement without applying added pressure or potentially souring the good faith built up with McCarthy over the past month. This has been something that both sides, again, came to the table in good faith, understanding how important this is to the American people, Young said Tuesday. And thats what you saw. The American people should at least have some understanding or some comfort that, you know, government is working for them in the sense of coming forward with a bipartisan, reasonable agreement. McCarthy appears to have avoided a serious threat to his speakership for now, even as some conservatives complained about the deal he cut with Biden and suggested it should be grounds for his removal. Biden is also dealing with animosity from his left flank, with progressives bothered by the inclusion of tougher work requirements for social safety net recipients. I made clear from the start of negotiations that the only path forward was a bipartisan budget agreement, Biden tweeted Wednesday. No one got everything they wanted. But thats the responsibility of governing. So long as McCarthy retains the gavel, he and Biden will likely face additional future obstacles over the next 18 months. While those close to both men dont see them as fast friends in the wake of the past month of negotiations, there are indications that they can work together and find common ground. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who was in the room for negotiations in recent weeks, was asked Wednesday if the Biden-McCarthy relationship is closer as the debt ceiling standoff reached its resolution. Better, right? But youve got two Irish guys that dont drink, McHenry quipped to reporters. The bonding opportunities are not the same for an Irish guy like me. They both have a sweet tooth. Kevin for desserts, broadly. Biden obviously for ice cream. Its just a different construct for them sitting down and talking, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sonic locations in Kansas paid roughly $140k for violating child labor laws, official says The owner of a Newton-based business that has 17 Sonic Drive-In locations in Kansas has paid just over $139,000 in civil penalties after violating child labor laws, including ones found after he had already been found violating the laws, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. The violations involve allowing children, ages 14 and 15, to work later and more hours in a week than allowed. It also involved allowing children under the age of 16 to operate fryers without an automatic device to lower the fry baskets, the DOL said in a news release. The violations happened at locations in Valley Center, Hutchinson, McPherson and Newton. Richard Benard, the owner of Newton-based BBR Investments, did not immediately return a call Thursday afternoon. A person who answered the phone just after noon said he was on a conference call and would have to call back. Benard was issued a civil penalty of just under $42,000 in September after federal investigators found he allowed 50 teens, ages 14 and 15, to work later and more hours in a week than law permits, the news release says. It happened at Sonic locations in Hutchinson, McPherson and Newton. Federal officials did another investigation on October 7 and found violations at the Valley Center, Hutchinson, McPherson and Newton locations. This investigation found BBR continuing to allow 44 child labor violations like those found in prior investigations, the DOL said in a news release. The division also determined that children under age 16 operated fryers without automatic devices to lower and lift fry baskets, which is prohibited under federal law. An additional $97,070 penalty was assessed. The total penalties, totaling $139,068, have been paid, the news release said. BBRs websites says the owners are Rusty Billigton, Rick Benard and Max Rickerson. Benard is the only person named as the owner in the news release. In additional to the fine, a judge issued an order in May that requires BBR and Benard to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The FLSA requires employees ages 14 and 15 to work only: (Bloomberg) -- An index tracking expected business conditions in six months time in South Africas manufacturing industry fell to the lowest level in more than three years over concerns that the country is at risk of record blackouts this winter because the state power company may not have enough supply to meet increased demand. Most Read from Bloomberg The gauge declined to 43.7 in May from 51 in April, Absa Group Ltd. said on Thursday. Thats the lowest reading since April 2020, when the country instituted one of Africas strictest lockdowns to curb the spread of coronavirus infections. Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. acting Chief Executive Officer Calib Cassim last month warned that the country faces a difficult winter as it heads into the cold months with 3,000 megawatts less capacity than last year. He said the utility envisages a worst-case scenario of having to cut 8,000 megawatts from the electricity grid a process known locally as loadshedding that would entail 16 hours of outages in a 32-hour cycle. The purchasing managers index also fell to 49.2 in May from 49.8 a month earlier, signalling a deterioration in business conditions for four consecutive months, Absa said. In all, the average index level of business activity in the first two months of the second quarter is below the first-quarter average, the lender said This suggests that the sector may once again detract from quarterly GDP growth after an expected expansion in the first quarter. The manufacturing sector accounts for about 14% of South Africas gross domestic product. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A growing list of state governors are sending National Guard personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday that he will be deploying approximately 100 soldiers to the Mexican border. They will be joined by approximately 21 support personnel. Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina and Jim Justice of West Virginia made similar pledges of manpower to the southern border later the same day. VIRGINIA GOV. YOUNGKIN SENDING NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO SOUTHERN BORDER TO AID TEXAS WITH MIGRANT CRISIS A Texas National Guard soldier bars journalists from approaching migrants who had crossed over from Mexico in El Paso, Texas. The deployment of soldiers to southern border regions is largely a response to pleas from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has requested help from other states in dealing with the historic migrant crisis now into its third year. Florida, Mississippi, Iowa, Tennessee and Nebraska are already on board with the marshaling of National Guard resources. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Tennessee announced a deployment of 100 National Guard members, while Nebraska announced the deployment of 10 state troopers. GOP-LED STATES STEP UP WITH TROOPS, LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HELP TEXAS TACKLE BORDER WOES Migrants speak with members of the Texas National Guard and other law enforcement officials after crossing the Rio Grande to try and enter the United States in Matamoros, Mexico. Florida announced the availability of more than 1,100 assets and resources, including 101 Highway Patrol personnel, 200 Department of Law Enforcement officers, 800 National Guard soldiers, emergency management personnel, 17 unmanned drones and 10 vessels, including airboats. All eight contributing states are run by Republican governors. "The ongoing border crisis facing our nation has turned every state into a border state," Youngkin said in a statement. MISSISSIPPI GOV TATE REEVES SENDS NATIONAL GUARD TO US-MEXICO BORDER Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin arrives at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Youngkin delivered the commencement address for the university's 2023 graduating class. He continued, "As leadership solutions at the federal level fall short, states are answering the call to secure our southern border, reduce the flow of fentanyl, combat human trafficking and address the humanitarian crisis." There were more than 1.7 million migrant encounters in FY 2021, and more than 2.3 million in FY22. There have so far been over 1.4 million migrant encounters in FY 23 recorded until the end of April, with five months still left of the fiscal year. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Gov. Henry McMaster speaks to media after swearing in Brian Gaines as South Carolina Comptroller General at the South Carolina State House. Numbers surged ahead of the ending of Title 42 earlier this month, and there were widespread concerns that the termination of the order which allowed for the rapid expulsion of migrants at the border due to COVID-19 would see an even bigger surge following. However, numbers have so far decreased sharply since the order. Fox News' Adam Shaw and Houston Keene contributed to this report. South Dakota National Guard troops will be deployed to the United States-Mexico border later this summer, according to an announcement from Gov. Kristi Noem on Thursday. At least 50 South Dakota National Guard troops will be deployed, according to the second-term Republican governor's office. It's unclear when exactly the troops will be deployed. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem visits the U.S. border with Mexico on Monday, July 26, 2021, near McAllen, Texas. The border crisis is growing worse under President Bidens willful inaction. Across the country, crime rates, drug overdoses, and human trafficking have all skyrocketed because our border remains a warzone, Noem wrote in the announcement. Our National Guard soldiers are the best prepared to tackle this challenge. They have proven that they can serve with excellence in a situation such as this, and I am confident that they will do so again. It's the third time in two years that Noem has deployed National Guard troops to the southern border. In 2021, Noem sent at first 50 National Guard troops to the border in late June and then sent another 125 troops to the border in early July. More: 'The reality of it is astonishing': Gov. Kristi Noem jumps into border policy debate during visit Currently, at least 12 governors including Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin have all announced they will be deploying National Guard troops to the border at the request of Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbot. Ian Fury, a spokesperson for the Governor's Office, said that the South Dakota National Guard deployment will be funded by the Emergency and Disaster Fund. In May, Title 42, a public health law used during the COVID-19 pandemic to restrict asylum seekers at the U.S. southern border, expired. As a result, the Biden administration put in new rules for asylum seekers including that when they arrive at the border, they must have applied online or prove that they sought asylum first in one of the other countries they traveled through, according to USA Today. The administration also put in stricter penalties for those who cross the border illegally such as charging asylum seekers with either a misdemeanor of illegal entry or a felony if they've tried to enter the U.S. multiple times, according to the Texas Tribune. 2021 deployment had slow days According to National Guard records obtained by the Associated Press in 2022, during the South Dakota National Guard's two-month deployment to the southern border in 2021, there were slow days. Noem had initially sent the troops to stop drug smugglers and human traffickers. The troops didn't seize any drugs and mission logs didn't record confirmed encounters with "transnational criminals," according to the AP. On occasion, records kept by the Guard hinted at suspecting people of scouting for lapses in Guard patrols. More: 'Slow day:' Guard emails don't match Noem border 'war' talk South Dakota Guard members were stationed at observation points alongside the Rio Grande and would watch for groups of migrants to report to Border Patrol, which would then take them into custody, according to the AP. The Guard logged at least 204 people who were turned back to Mexico and 5,000 others who were apprehended by the Border Patrol over the two months of deployment, according to the AP. Noem also visited with South Dakota National Guard troops during their deployment at the border in July 2021. She told the AP at the time, "The reality of it is astonishing. What our soldiers are seeing is a porous border." Noem was heavily criticized in 2021 when it was disclosed the state of South Dakota had accepted a private donation of $1 million from a Tennessee billionaire couple to send 50 South Dakota National Guard troops to the border. At the time, Noem argued she was saving taxpayer money. More: Tennessee couple paying $1 million to send South Dakota National Guard troops to border Since then, Congress banned using private funds for interstate National Guard deployments, according to the AP. Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Gov. Glenn Youngkin as the governor of West Virginia. He is the governor of Virginia. That has been corrected. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem to send National Guard troops to southern border SEOUL (Reuters) - The South Korean government will overhaul the country's emergency alert system, news agency Yonahp reported on Thursday, after an erroneous message tied to North Korea's satellite launch this week led to confusion and complaints. The Office for Government Policy Coordination, the interior ministry and the Seoul metropolitan government will discuss improvements, the report said, citing a senior government official. The warning system will be updated to provide information such as "who, when, where, what, how and why" so as to allow a calm response from the public, a presidential official was quoted as saying. The text message sent to Seoul residents on Wednesday morning was widely criticised for being unhelpful, as it told people to prepare to evacuate without specifying where they should go and what the danger was. In another alert soon after, the safety ministry said the previous one had been an error. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon apologised for confusion over the city's alerts but defended the decision to send one as a precaution, citing public safety. (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim. Editing by Gerry Doyle) A jury Thursday convicted a Jackson County man of second-degree murder in the killing of his former girlfriend during a domestic violence attack in South Mississippi. The Jackson County jury returned the verdict to Judge Kathy King Jackson a short time after deliberating on the case against Terrance Sierra McNaughton, 23. After the jury couldnt agree on a life sentence, Jackson sentenced McNaughton to 40 years in prison. He will serve the term day for day and is not eligible for parole. The jury saw the truth and found Terrance McNaughton guilty of second-Degree Murder despite the defendants efforts to gaslight them, District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said in a press release. Nina had a voice in the courtroom, and today justice was delivered. McIlrath and Assistant District Attorney Carolyn Lewis prosecuted the case. Terrance McNaughton stole a beautiful soul who has impacted many, many lives, Lewis said in a release. I am in awe of the strength shown by Ninas daughter, who spoke at the sentencing in this case. She demonstrated incredible bravery and poise in facing her mothers killer. The family and prosecutors praised the work of the Gautier Police Department and especially Detective Lt. James McGhee for their work investigating the killing. McNaughton was initially facing a charge of attempted murder in the killing of his ex-girlfriend, Nina Cumbest, but the charge was upgraded following her death months later in November 2021. Cumbest, 27, received the injuries that caused her death when McNaughton ran over her in a pickup truck near a Chevron gas station on Mississippi 57 in Gautier on May 6, 2021. Her mother, Paige Cumbest, said her daughter died at home surrounded by family. Her death came despite his prior arrests for domestic violence for attacks on her as well as her receiving domestic violence protection order to try to keep her safe from harm. Prior domestic violence arrests McNaughton had a history of arrests for attacks on Cumbest. In October 2020, Mississippi authorities first arrested McNaughton on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in another assault. In another incident on April 24, 2021, McNaughton assaulted her and was charged with another count of misdemeanor domestic violence by simple assault and bonded out of jail again. Terrance McNaughton In the April incident, McNaughton ran his ex-girlfriends car off the road and repeatedly punched her through a car window while threatening to kill her. After McNaughtons final attack, Cumbest was in a vegetative state at times and mostly hospitalized before her family could bring her home to care for her for months before she passed away. Ninas story has received the support of thousands following her case on Ninas Voice, an online group that has swelled since her death to over 4,500 members wanting to help seek justice for her and to raise awareness of the deadly dangers of domestic violence in Mississippi and across the country. Nina Cumbest Many of her supporters question why McNaughton was repeatedly allowed to bond out of jail despite threatening to kill her in previous run-ins with law enforcement. If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence, get help by calling the Gulf Coast Center for Non-Violence at 228-435-1968 or 1-800-800-1396. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) The Bayan Muna Party-list has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to compel Maynilad and Manila Water to refund corporate income taxes that they had passed on to consumers. The group filed a motion for partial reconsideration before the high court on Thursday following its recent ruling that the two water concessionaires are public utilities and should therefore not charge their customers for corporate income taxes. In the same decision, however, the SC said Maynilad and Manila Water customers may no longer recover the amount they paid for the taxes because the 30-day period for claiming the refund had already lapsed. In its motion, Bayan Muna noted that the high court has previously relaxed procedural rules "to advance substantial justice," granted there are compelling reasons. "In these present consolidated cases, there are compelling reasons for the application of liberal construction of technical rules," the group said. It urged the SC to order the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to account all corporate income taxes of the two firms which were included in the water rates from 2002 to 2012 so these may be refunded. Among Bayan Muna's arguments is that the 30-day period requirement to file the complaint contesting the water rates presents an "insurmountable hurdle" for ordinary customers. For one, the group said that prior to the high court's decision, there was no definitive ruling as to where complaints regarding water rates fixed by the concessionaires and the MWSS may actually be filed. "Surely, it would be the height of injustice to disallow a refund for the water consuming public when they have practically no way of knowing that a particular water rate is excessive at the time it was published and made effective," Bayan Muna added. It said ordinary consumers also did not know they are supposed to appeal any decision by the MWSS on water rates to the National Water Resources Board. "To put greater emphasis on a matter of procedure that is not even categorically written in the law, i.e. administrative complaint within 30 days from a water rate's effectivity prior to claiming a refund, as against the just and substantial right of the people to recover amounts unjustly and illegally collected from them is downright oppressive and a perpetuation of injustice," the petition also stated. NASA is searching for extra-terrestrial life every day, but UAPs are giving some of its experts agita. Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), the modern spin on the old Unidentified Flying Objects, have been back in the discourse since a 2017 New York Times story revealed videos and testimony from Navy pilots who saw strange things in the sky they couldnt explain. Read more Theories, including the inevitable alien hypothesis, abound for these sightings. For the record: Theres no evidence linking extra-terrestrial life to the UAPs. In Washington, the primary concern is securityare there potentially dangerous things in US airspace we dont know about? To that end, lawmakers asked the Pentagon, home to the classified data about these sightings, whats going on. The answer: In a small number of cases, we still dont know. NASA administrator Bill Nelson put together a panel of outside experts to look into the UAP question using unclassified data, and they held the first public hearing on their work this week. Tellingly, it started with top NASA officials criticizing harassment of members of the panel and insisting that the agency will be transparent and forthright with its findings. Some UAP enthusiasts want to be taken seriously, right up until they encounter the scientific method. For context, Sean Kirkpatrick, the head of the Pentagon office investigating these sightings who was present at the meeting, said that about 800 have been documented since 1996, but only between 2% and 5% contained anomaliesunusual or surprising features that cant be explained. Thats mainly due to a lack of collected information. If I were to summarize in one month what weve learned, we need high-quality data, David Spergel, an astrophysicist and the panels chair, said. The lesson of my career is you want to address important questions with high-quality data and well-calibrated instruments. Many of these incidents are documented with eyewitness testimony and sensor data from US military aircraft. But those sensors are designed to find specific targets, Kirkpatrick said, not UAPs, and their data about other objects might not be accurate or simple to interpret. A panelist gave the example of one UAP video dubbed GOFAST because it appears to show an object moving at high speed over the ocean, but it is actually moving at 40 mphand doesnt provide enough information to determine what it is. And its easy even for pilots to get confused. Retired astronaut and fighter pilot Scott Kelly, a member of the study team, recounted a story about astronauts in the Space Shuttle mistaking the International Space Station for a piece of space debris. The purpose of this study is to determine ways that NASA can help solve the UAP mystery. The focus is on figuring out how to calibrate sensors; usefully combine different kinds of existing data, from satellite observations to air traffic control radar, for machine learning analysis; and encourage people to relay UAP sightings by reducing the stigma associated with reporting the unexplainable. The investigators plan to publish a comprehensive report in July. At least one member of the group, Mike Gold, an executive at Redwire Space, sees a long-term role for NASA in this effort, saying after the hearing that tackling these issues seriously requires a permanent office at NASA. Just dont expect it to point to aliens, though not for lack of interest. David Grinspoon, an astrobiologist, noted that theres a widespread belief in the scientific community that life in some form exists beyond Earth, given the vast number of planets in the universe. He suggested that just as NASA hunts for volatile chemicals that may point toward the potential of life, it might search for potential alien technological artifacts in the solar system. There are still plenty of questions back on Earth. Kirkpatrick shared a video, taken by a US military drone in the Middle East in 2022, that showed a spherical object in flight. Its an example of the most common type of reported UAP: An orb or sphere about 1 to 4 meters in diameter, moving overhead between 10,000 and 30,000 ft. He said his office is deploying dedicated sensors designed to hunt for objects like that. Whether anyone will believe the governments conclusions is another question. Most of the public questions at the hearing were some form of, What is NASA hiding? Agency officials emphasized their commitment to transparency, and Kelly noted that during his career as an astronaut, no one asked him to remain silent about anything, or even mentioned UFOs. We have a community of people who are completely convinced of the existence of UFOs, and a community of people who think addressing this question is ridiculous, Spergel said after the public meeting. To me, thats the greatest roadblock we face. IMAGERY INTERLUDE Axiom Spaces second private mission to the International Space Station concluded with the safe return of four astronauts onboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Heres a shot of the vehicle post-splashdown, as SpaceX team members bring the vehicle onboard a ship to return to port: Photo: Axiom Space SPACE DEBRIS ViaSat closes Inmarsat deal. After a year of regulatory wrangling, ViaSats acquisition of a rival communications firm is complete, giving the $3.4 billion company a new set of satellites to help it compete with Starlink. Spain closes Artemis deal. Spain became the 25th nation to sign the Artemis Accords, a diplomatic agreement promoted by the US to govern peaceful and commercial activity around the Moon. Also this week, the US announced its new framework for space diplomacy. North Korea didnt launch. North Korea attempted a space launch this week to put a functioning satellite into orbit, but the mission failed. The North Korean government said it would try another attempt soon. Virgin Galactic did. The space tourism company reported the successful flight of six employees to the edge of space on May 25, ahead of its planned start of commercial operations this month. How Hakuto-R went wrong. Ispace, the Japanese company behind a failed lunar landing attempt in April, offered a detailed post-mortem of how its lander crashed: A late change in destination and not enough simulation. Last week: Theres a rocket engine renaissance in the United States. Last year: An Oxford case study explains why SpaceX is more efficient than NASA. This was issue 183 of our newsletter. Hope your week is out of this world! Please send your sensible UAP theories, satellite telecom power rankings, tips, and informed opinions to tim@qz.com. More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A splash pad. Cotopaxi store in downtown Boise. Planetarium in a museum. Coming near you The latest proposed developments, housing and other construction projects, and new businesses around Idahos Treasure Valley: Boise A new splash pad is now open at Molenaar Park in Southwest Boise. The splash pad, found next to the parks accessible playground and restroom, has various spouts, fountains and sprays for kids to play in and cool off during the hot summer months. It also offers shade. Kids play in the new splash pad at Molenaar Park. City of Boise Were committed to making sure every Boisean is within a 10-minute walk to a park or open space reserve, and incorporating amenities like this provide even more opportunities for families to get outside and recreate, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said at a dedication ceremony last week. The splash pad is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Labor Day weekend in September. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, center, and Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway, center right, cut a ribbon alongside more than a dozen kids at a dedication ceremony for the new splash pad. City of Boise Water for the splash pad comes from a deep well at the site. After water runs through the feature, it travels into an underground storage tank, and once the tank is full, the water is pumped out and passed through a sanitation system before being deposited in the parks pond, according to a new release from the city. The water is recycled and used a second time to irrigate grass and other landscaped areas of the park. Kona Ice, a mobile franchise selling frozen treats, opened a new shaved ice truck in west-central Boise. The truck plans to make stops at fairs, festivals and other events throughout Boise and Caldwell. Customers can choose from over 20 flavors and a range of combinations. The owner of the truck, Andy Ostler, said in a news release that hes excited to collaborate with schools and other local organizations. Utah developer Layton Construction has filed a request for a permit for the design of the Victory Plats project at 8373 W. Victory Road, between South Trabuco Avenue and South Milwaukee Street. The development of 301 apartments and townhouses on 15 acres would consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, according to the application. The Idaho Statesman previously reported on the City Council approval in March. Cotopaxi leased 1,909 square feet in the heart of downtown at 100 N. 8th St., according to Cushman and Wakefield. The Utah-based company sells popular outdoor gear in shades of its trademark bright colors and is best known for its pledge to produce its products in ethical, sustainable ways. Cotopaxi products include backpacks, jackets and other outdoor gear. Cotopaxi Branded Bear Tattoo is opening this month in the North Pointe development located at 7610 W. State St., Suite 135. The tattoo shop will hold a soft opening on June 3. Its owner, artist Ryan Cushinery, previously worked at Burn the Boats Tattoo in Meridian, according to his Instagram announcement. Driven Jiu-Jitsu leased 2,600 square feet of retail space in Overland Market at 8610 W. Overland Road in Boise, according to TOK Commercial. The martial arts school offers classes to both children and adults. Meridian The Childrens Museum of Idaho is expanding its location at the corner of Progress and Central avenues. The expansion includes 4,000 square feet that would include a planetarium and five new exhibit galleries, according to a news release from the museum. The museum will remain open as the construction continues through the end of the year. The planetarium and new space is expected to open in early 2024, executive director Pat Baker said in the news release. Menchies leased 1,100 square feet of retail space in Ten Mile Retail at 3149 W. Quintale Dr., according to TOK Commercial. The California-based company owns a chain of frozen yogurt shops with more than 400 locations across 11 countries, according to its website. Menchies Frozen Yogurt offers customers a variety of toppings. Menchie's Frozen Yogurt Nampa Beaux Design Build leased 7,084 square feet of industrial space at 3618 E. Newby St., according to Colliers. It is a design-build company specializing in homes, meaning the designer and contractor work together as a team under one contract. Owned by Christopher Beaux, the Idaho-based company has designed more than 3000 custom home and builder plans in the past 30 years, according to its website. Caldwell Renovations at the Walmart on Ustick Road in Caldwell are now complete. The stores remodel includes updated drive-thru pharmacy lanes, expanded online and pickup delivery, new bakery items and additional checkout areas. The location at 622 E. Ustick Road held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new changes and a mural by local artist Andrew Houser. The stores manager also announced over $3,000 in community grants. Kuna The Boys & Girls Club is holding a groundbreaking ceremony in June for a new location planned in Kuna. The event is scheduled for Friday, June 30, at noon near Butler Park. There will be free hamburgers, fries and cookies courtesy of CS Beef and Simplot. The state has granted $3.6 million toward creating bioindustrial jobs in and near Stanislaus County. Funding now totals $14.6 million for the Stanislaus 2030 Investment Blueprint, which envisions up to 40,000 well-paying jobs within seven years. Workers could turn crop, livestock, grocery and other waste into goods such as building materials, fuels and plastics. The effort launched in November and takes in Merced and San Joaquin counties, too. The grant came from the state Community Economic Resilience Fund. It was announced May 25. This funding is a step toward our shared goal of creating high-quality, high-growth jobs in our region and shows that our area has made innovation a priority, David White, chief executive officer of Opportunity Stanislaus, said in a news release. This economic-development outfit has helped launch BEAM Circular out of its Modesto office. It stands BioEconomy, Agriculture & Manufacturing. Stanislaus 2030 calls for a total of $75.8. million in public and private funding. It already has $10 million in federal COVID-19 relief money earmarked by county supervisors in January. Earlier in May, the National Science Foundation granted $1 million. Stanislaus 2030s largest piece is a facility that would scale up bioindustry ventures. It has partnered with a federal lab near Berkeley that has space only for small-batch testing. Testing is done at the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Emeryville, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. The state grant will help provide financial and technical assistance to startups. It also will support job training and an effort to involve low-income residents. And it will fund a competition among businesses with ideas for turning waste into wealth. The details were not announced. The North San Joaquin Valley is leading the way, BEAM Circular CEO Karen Warner said, on innovative solutions that reduce waste, create a more resilient agricultural system, advance climate priorities and generate greater access to prosperity for local residents. The state program awarded eight grants totaling about $39 million, including two others in the Central Valley: Earlier this year, Hugo Morales was at home in Fresno, eating lunch with his family, when his wife checked the mail. They noticed an envelope from Harvard University, Morales alma mater, and joked it was an honorary doctorate. To their surprise, Harvard had in fact awarded Morales co-founder and executive director of Fresno-based Radio Bilingue an honorary doctorate. It was really, really surprising for me, Morales said. Its an incredible honor. He received the award in Cambridge last week along with five other honorees: actor Tom Hanks, biochemist Katalin Kariko, historian David Levering Lewis, admiral Michael Glenn Mullen and medical chemist Jennifer A. Doudna. Morales is the first Mexican Indigenous person to receive an honorary doctorate from Harvard. Past honorary doctorate recipients include 16 U.S. presidents, New Zealands former prime minister Jacinda Ardern, South Africas former president Nelson Mandela, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other renowned civil rights leaders, artists and trailblazers. I dont work to get awards, Morales said, humbled by this recent distinction. I work because its important to help others, and I do it gladly, every day. Morales arrived in Northern California as a nine-year-old Oaxacan immigrant. As a child, he worked in the fields alongside his Mixtec parents and attended public schools. Despite the challenges he faced as a child, he excelled academically at Healdsburg High School and graduated from Harvard in 1972 and Harvard Law School in 1975. Soon after, he returned to California, settled in Fresno and co-founded Radio Bilingue. Today, Radio Bilingue is the leading Spanish-language public radio network and producer of educational and informational content for Latinos across the United States. Harvard university awarded an honorary doctorate to Hugo Morales (second from left, standing), co-founder and executive director of Radio Bilingue, in recognition and celebration of his lifelong achievements on May 25, 2023. Morales is the first Indigenous Mexican to receive the honor that has previously been granted to 16 U.S. presidents, world leaders, civil rights leaders, scientists and artists. Morales co-founded radio station in Fresno Morales said he first learned about the power of radio as a child living in an agricultural labor camp in Sonoma County. He helped his older brother, who worked at a radio station in San Francisco, with his Sunday morning Spanish program for Chicanos, Mexicans and Latino communities across the Bay Area and Sonoma County, and observed how Latino agricultural workers depended on radio shows for information and communication. By the time he finished his studies at Harvard, he was academically prepared to be a business lawyer. However, he said he did not go to law school to work in that industry. I wanted to know how I could try to influence the system for the better, considering we are living in a capitalist country, Morales said. That way, he said, he could combine his acquired knowledge with the ways Latinos and Indigenous people care for their communities social well-being and create a resource and information network for them in the U.S.. Upon his return to California, he settled in Fresno to work with larger agricultural communities and help them stay connected. Partnering with local fieldworkers, teachers, activists and artists, Morales co-founded Radio Bilingue as a non-profit organization in 1976 and their radio station went live on July 4, 1980. Since then, over 3,000 Radio Bilingue volunteers have been trained to broadcast their shows, including some of the first radio segments in Hmong and Tagalog, Morales said. Samuel Orozco, Radio Bilingues news director, joined the station in 1981 and helped create the news division. Hes worked with Morales since then and has witnessed Radio Bilingue grow from a single station to a national network of 25 stations and 75 affiliated stations. Hugos story should definitely inspire many communities and many young people from communities who traditionally are disadvantaged, Orozco said in Spanish. For a young Indigenous man to defeat the challenges set against him, to reach his goals at the height that he has because of his commitment to his community, he said, Hugo Morales story is a testament that surely many more young people, if they set themselves to it, can also break many barriers. Harvard university awarded an honorary doctorate to Hugo Morales (center), co-founder and executive director of Radio Bilingue, in recognition and celebration of his lifelong achievements on May 25, 2023. Morales is the first Indigenous Mexican to receive the honor that has previously been granted to 16 U.S. presidents, world leaders, civil rights leaders, scientists and artists. La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California. Doctorate is Radio Bilingue founders latest honor Since starting Radio Bilingue, Morales has collected a series of accolades in his name that, in his perspective, honor the teamwork of volunteers, staff and the community rather than his individual work. He is the first person from the San Joaquin Valley to be honored as a MacArthur Fellow for communications and journalism in 1994. Also known as the MacArthur Genius Grants, this fellowship is granted to individuals who have shown talent, extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits. In the same category, Morales is accompanied by other journalists like Ta-Nehisi Coates, Daniel Alarcon and Nikole Hannah-Jones. In 1999, he was awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award, the highest honor in public radio. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting grants this award to individuals whose work has fostered the growth, quality and positive image of public radio across the United States. In 2006, he received the Lannan Cultural Freedom Award, which the Lannan Foundation grants to individuals in recognition of their extraordinary and courageous work promoting social justice, human rights and cultural expression. Lilia Gonzales Chavez, executive director of the Fresno Arts Council, has known Morales for most of her career promoting the arts. When I first became involved with the arts in Fresno, Gonzales Chavez said, Hugo (Morales) and Radio Bilingue were a tremendous resource for sharing information about the development of art projects and programs. She said Moraless recognition comes at a time when there are so many Latinos and gente indigena, Indigenous people, in the Valley and when many young people are interested in communication and the arts. They are looking for some validation that says, yes, I can be successful if I pursue this goal, and often we dont have examples of successful people in the arts that look like us, she said. So, this is just such a wonderful opportunity for young people to see someone that looks like them and speaks like them, that is recognized for his achievements. Margarita Rocha, Centro La Familias executive director, also has known Morales for decades. She praised his work with Latino farmworking communities. Many of our people receive information through radio, especially if theyre working in the fields, Rocha said. They carry their radios with them and get updated on news, whats going on in the community (and) in the country. Im so, so, so happy that he (Morales) has been recognized this way, she said. As soon as the information came in, I sent it out to all my staff. It does us heartfelt-good that people who represent our community are acknowledged. Radio Bilingues programming airs on 91.5 FM in Fresno, 90.1 FM in Bakersfield and 90.9 FM in Salinas. For a full list of the stations where you can listen to them in the U.S. and Mexico, visit radiobilingue.org. An ambassador claimed during her testimony before a Senate committee Wednesday that the Pentagon was blocking the United States from participating in an international investigation into the so far more than 88,000 alleged Russian war crimes against humanity documented in Ukraine to date. Beth Van Schaack, ambassador-at-large for Global Criminal Justice, under the U.S. Department of State, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, D.C. She appeared hesitant to acknowledge the Pentagon's role, but ultimately did after a number of statements and questions from senators. "The State Department has encouraged working with the [International Criminal Court] ICC to bring Putin to justice. It is no secret that Department of Defense is the holdup," Chairman Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said in his opening statement before Van Schaack. "I asked the Department of Defense to participate in todays hearing so we could better understand why they are blocking implementation of federal law," he said. "Whatever they are thinking, a refusal to implement the law is unacceptable in this situation, blocking critical U.S. assistance for investigations into atrocities in Ukraine, and is dangerous to our system of government." RUSSIA'S EARLY MORNING ATTACK ON KYIV KILLS AT LEAST 3, INCLUDING CHILD, WOUNDS OTHERS Beth Van Schaack, ambassador-at-large for Global Criminal Justice at the U.S. Department of State, testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill, May 31, 2023 in Washington, D.C. "The Defense Department does not get to pick and choose which laws it will obey," Menendez said twice for emphasis. "The United States needs to provide full support for investigations that could lead to holding Russian officials accountable. As we continue to hear about Russian forces boiling peoples hands in water, systematically raping women while threatening their children, and killing innocent civilians in cold blood, we cannot sit and do nothing." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Later in the hearing, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., noted the chairmans point that Congress passed legislation instructing all agencies in the U.S. government to cooperate with the ICC and provide evidence that would support their prosecution of war crimes. "But the Defense Department is clearly dragging their feet. My question to you is what is the impact of that been?" Van Hollen asked Van Schaack. "In other words, what evidence might we have been able to supply to the ICC that weve not supplied because DOD has not been cooperative?" Noting that specifics are usually not shared, Van Schaack said her team collected a "range of information that might be very helpful to a justice process anywhere." "Her team can share that with multiple other entities, including the commissioner of inquiry for the United Nations, individuals states that might be prosecuting that with the [Ukrainian] prosecutor general, but we cannot share that with the ICC." "Because of the position that DOD has taken, right?" Hollen continued. "Because we dont have consensus yet on that," Van Schaack responded. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense May 11, 2023 in Washington, D.C. PUTIN SAYS DRONE ATTACKS ON MOSCOW ARE ATTEMPT BY UKRAINE TO INTIMIDATE RUSSIA' However, the senator pushed, "And the one agency thats not consenting is DOD is that right?" Van Schaack tried to deflect to the Secretary of Defenses own comments before the Senate Appropriations Committee, but Van Hollen insisted, "Its just a yes or no, right? The Defense Department is not cooperating in that way?" "Yes," Van Schaack replied. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, amid a grilling by the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier last month on his hesitancy to supply information to the ICC to prosecute Russian President Vladimir Putin's alleged war crimes, testified that the Pentagon "firmly supports the goal of holding Russia accountable for its violations in Ukraine." Beth Van Schaack, ambassador-at-large for Global Criminal Justice at the U.S. Department of State, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 31, 2023, for a hearing to investigate Russian accountability for the Ukraine invasion. "I will always prioritize the protection of U.S. military personnel in anything that we do," he added, suggesting the reason. "I do have concerns about reciprocity going forward." The ICC previously launched an investigation into alleged U.S. war crimes carried out in Afghanistan, prompting then-President Trump to slap sanctions and other restrictions on the court's top prosecutors and their relatives. In initially doing so, Trump said the ICC probe threatened to subject current and former U.S. government and allied officials to harassment, abuse, and possible arrest and "infringe upon the sovereignty of the United States." President Biden has since lifted those sanctions. Van Schaack testified Wednesday about the concern over the potential prosecution of U.S. troops amid the war in Ukraine. "Ill say at the outset that in my role as the lead diplomat in the international justice space, I would work tirelessly to ensure that no U.S. personnel will be brought before the ICC," she said. "I do not think that that is an acute risk at this time." Work still to be done for Ukraine peace summit, Zelenskiy says Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy speaks during his nightly address, saying that the "Battle of Donbas" has begun, in Kyiv By John Irish and Andrew Gray BULBOACA, Moldova (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Kyiv had not fixed a date for a summit that would set parameters to end the war because Kyiv was working to bring as many nations as possible to the table. Ukraine has proposed a peace summit for several months, but it has so far not materialised given it would not include Russia and aims at attracting countries beyond Kyiv's allies. "We are organising a summit - we want to involve as many countries as possible, that's why we did not set the date yet," Zelenskiy told reporters on arrival at a gathering of more than 40 European leaders in Moldova. At the G7 meeting in Japan in May where he met with non-aligned countries including India, and earlier at an Arab League summit, Zelenskiy laid out Kyiv's plan to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine and proposed a global summit for July. Several locations in Scandinavia have been mooted with Denmark offering to host. There is also possibility of staging it in Lithuania before a NATO heads of state meeting in the capital Vilnius between July 10-11, a European diplomatic source said. Zelenskiy last year proposed a 10-point peace plan, which calls on Russia to withdraw all its troops from Ukraine. But while allies have endorsed his plan, they have also said it is vital for Ukraine to draw countries that have not distanced themselves from Russia or sat on the fence. Some, from China to the African Union, have launched their own diplomatic efforts. Western officials say Ukraine needs to broaden its demands to take into consideration others' views. A senior French diplomatic source said there was no point holding a summit unless everyone agreed to certain parameters, including the need to comply with international law. "But also to be bearers of a vision that is sufficiently consensual not to have a summit that brings together only Western leaders around Ukraine," the source said, adding that Kyiv and its allies were still working on getting consensus. (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) Stoltenberg about attacks on Russian soil: 'Ukraine has right to defend itself' NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine has the right to defend itself when asked about the alliance's stance on alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil, in particular, the May 30 drone strike against Moscow. "We have exactly the same position now as we had at the beginning of the (full-scale) war. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, while the right of self-defense is enshrined in the UN Charter," Stoltenberg said at a June 1 press conference. "President Putin, Moscow, started this war, and they can end it that's the way to create peace and stability and to ensure no further escalation of the war." Stoltenberg added that the allies were determined to support Ukraine as long as necessary, and this does not make NATO a party to the conflict. "NATO has two tasks - to provide support to Ukraine as we do and prevent Russia's war of aggression from escalating beyond Ukraine." Several drones targeted high-rise buildings in Moscow overnight on May 30. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack, claiming Russia would respond with "mirror actions." Ukraine war latest: Drones hit Moscow as Kyiv undergoes 3rd attack in 24 hours Key Developments on May 30: * 1 killed, 13 injured in overnight attack on Kyiv and surrounding region * Moscow witnesses rare drone attack * US, UK issue contradicting response to attacks on Moscow * Blinken announces future restrictions on technology found in Iranian drone * Italy, US to deli The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk Mykhailo Podoliak, an advisor to the head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, denied Kyiv's involvement in the drone strike. U.K. and U.S. officials issued conflicting statements on the attack. U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that Ukraine has "the legitimate right to (defend itself) within its own borders, but it does also have the right to project force beyond its borders to undermine Russia's ability to project force into Ukraine." Meanwhile, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said, as cited by CNN, that "as a general matter," Washington doesn't support attacks inside of Russia. Multiple isolated attacks have occurred within Russian territory since the start of the all-out war on Feb. 24, 2022. These attacks appear to primarily focus on disrupting the infrastructure that supports the logistics of the Russian military. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for most of these attacks. This Week in Ukraine Ep. 5 Everything we know about Ukrainian attacks inside Russia This Week in Ukraine is a video podcast hosted by Kyiv Independents reporter Anastasiia Lapatina. Every week, Anastasiia sits down with her newsroom colleagues to discuss Ukraines most pressing issues. Episode #5 is dedicated to Ukrainian attacks deep behind enemy lines on Russian soil, and i The Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina They Stood Up to NYC Schools For Their Disabled Child. Then CPS Arrived When their 7-year-old son, Tristan, who is autistic and nonverbal, arrived home from school with bruises and a lump on his head, Bronx parents Luis and Michelle Diaz began to worry. They asked the school to look into the 2021 incident and requested a new paraeducator for their child. The classroom aid hadnt mentioned the injury, despite messaging them throughout the day, the parents said, erasing their trust in her. But the familys search for answers and solutions brought them head-on into a problem they hadnt anticipated: The school pointed the finger back at the Diaz parents, alleging neglect and inadequate supervision of their child. Soon, a caseworker with the Administration for Childrens Sevices, known as ACS, the New York City agency responsible for investigating suspected child abuse, showed up at their door. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter We were just trying to advocate for our son and find out what happened like any parent would, Michelle Diaz said. This is where the retaliation started. The schools response reveals a startling pattern: Across the nations largest district, parents of students with disabilities who speak up on behalf of their children say they are being charged with allegations of child abuse or neglect a tactic advocates say schools use to intimidate parents and coerce them into dropping their concerns. Though its not clear how many reports may be retaliatory, New York City educators have made more than 3,500 calls alleging suspected abuse or neglect of children with disabilities over the past two school years, according to data obtained by The 74 through public records requests. Each one triggers an intrusive process that, at its most dire, can lead to the removal of a child from parents custody. Yet caseworkers found evidence of parental wrongdoing in only 16% of cases, and fewer still go on to withstand judges scrutiny. Educators reported Michelle and Luis Diaz to child protective services for alleged neglect after the parents pressed their school for answers when their nonverbal son Tristan began coming home with injuries. (Marianna McMurdock) In more than a dozen interviews, parents, advocates and researchers recounted what they described as a common practice of threats leveraged against families of some of the most vulnerable students in the citys school system. Those are intimidation tactics that they do to parents, said Rima Izquierdo, a Bronx parent leader who supports families of special needs children across the borough. This is a trend. All the stories sound the same. Neither the Department of Education nor ACS responded to parents claims of retaliation when asked in an email. DOE spokesperson Nicole Brownstein expressed her agencys commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our students. We are actively working closely with our partners at ACS to retrain staff and ensure that every possible step is taken to provide support for our families in instances that do not meet the level of making a report to the [state hotline], she said in an email. A pattern of coercion Tension between special education parents and their childrens schools is common in New York City, a school system infamous for failing to meet the needs of students with disabilities. In 2021, the city had a backlog of roughly 9,400 unresolved special education complaints as parents escalated worries that their children with disabilities werent receiving mandated services such as physical therapy or counseling. In 2020-21, nearly 21% of New York Citys roughly 1 million schoolchildren received special education services, compared to a national average of 15%. Advocating for individuals with disabilities is a federally protected right. Still, special education parents nationwide recount instances of being punished for speaking up on behalf of their children. In 2022, the federal Office of Civil Rights received 1,708 retaliation complaints from families of students with disabilities. Numerous parent blogs describe anecdotal cases where schools have used child protective services reports or truancy charges to punish families advocating for their special education children. And the American Bar Association published a 2019 brief on the legal rights of parents of special education students who find themselves facing these allegations. Previous reporting has revealed cases where schools weaponize the threat of calling child protective services against parents who aggravate educators or administrators. But families of special education students say they are at particular risk for the unlawful treatment. Its a very common occurrence, said Anna Arons, a New York University law professor, that when families have substantial back-and-forth with the school about the appropriate services for their child it can result in educators calling the state child abuse hotline. School staff are one of several professions legally obligated to report suspected child abuse and neglect. But in New York City and nationwide, educators make a higher share of unsubstantiated calls than any other mandatory reporter category meaning families often become needlessly ensnared in a process they describe as invasive and traumatic. From September 2022 through February 2023, NYC school staff made over 6,500 calls to ACS encompassing all students, including youth in special education, according to data the agency provided. Some 15% of those investigations revealed evidence of abuse or neglect. New York Citys child protective services system disproportionately involves parents of color. Citywide, some 90% of children named in ACS investigations are Black or Hispanic, while, together, those racial groups make up just 60% of NYC young people. Even among neighborhoods with similar poverty rates, those with greater shares of Black and Hispanic residents face higher rates of investigations, research shows. State data, on paper, show that students with disabilities get reported to child protective services by educators at roughly the same rate as their peers. They make up 21% of the total enrollment and 22% of educators calls to the child abuse hotline. But the latter figure is likely missing some students with disabilities. Allegations against special education parents are only flagged as such if the educator making the call mentions at intake that the student has a disability, an ACS spokesperson explained. In other words, some reports regarding special education students might never get recorded that way due to human error. Its probably a pretty serious undercount, Arons said. Educators calling in reports could easily neglect to mention a students disability, she said. Related Exclusive Data: Educators Careless Child Abuse Reports Devastate Thousands of NYC Families Paullette Healy has two children with disabilities and often assists other parents in meetings with their school to design Individualized Education Plans, known as IEPs, for their special needs children. The IEPs are legally mandated and Healy has joined well over 100 such conferences across all five boroughs over the past decade, she estimates. They can get contentious when schools hesitate to provide services students are entitled to, she said. Therell be pushback. Its like, Were understaffed. The particular therapist we have now, their caseload is way more than they can handle, she said. When parents dont back down, thats when schools may begin to send threatening signals, Healy said. Not too long after those meetings, behavior letters will come home, she explained. [The school will allege] theres not proper documentation for absences. And then eventually, a knock on the door from ACS. That pattern has already been established. Weve seen it way too often. Healy herself was the subject of an unsubstantiated investigation in the fall of 2020. A school staff member reported the mother for educational neglect for keeping her children home out of fear of COVID. An ACS spokesperson said in an email that the agency is working with educators and school leadership to reduce the number of families coming into unnecessary contact with the child welfare system, training educators to instead connect struggling families with resources like food or rent support. The agency runs several community centers across the city that offer free resources to families, such as clothing, food and diapers. We will continue to work with stakeholders, like NYC Public Schools, to help reduce unnecessary reports so that we can better focus our child protection resources on those who really need it, the spokesperson said. A series of unexplained injuries at school The Diaz parents recounted a process of escalation similar to what Healy said shes witnessed. The family shared numerous documents with The 74 including medical records, photos of their sons injuries, the results of the schools investigation into possible corporal punishment and official letters from ACS. Tristan Diaz, now 8, likes to play with manipulatives like pipe cleaners to keep his hands occupied. (Marianna McMurdock) In November 2021, Luis and Michelle Diaz had been seeking answers about Tristans injuries for months, worried educators might have harmed their son. But the schools internal investigation found no evidence of mistreatment. Through a Freedom of Information Law request, the parents learned one special education teacher on the second day of school had conducted joint compressions and massaging strategies after Tristan had become agitated in class. The school did not conclude the action amounted to corporal punishment. But, to the Diazes, it was evidence an educator had laid hands on their son. Over the next several months, Tristan kept coming home with new injuries, his parents said: scratches, bruises, a bite mark. School staff maintained the nonverbal childs markings were self-inflicted, but the Diaz family took Tristan to doctors who disagreed. Eventually in mid-March, the parents reported the injuries to the police, explaining they were concerned their son could be experiencing physical abuse at school. Tristan missed the next two days of school after getting bitten by mosquitos, which aggravated a tic he had of scratching himself with his fingernails. The Diaz parents said they called to excuse the absences. But still, the school sent home a March 19 attendance letter warning of possible child protective services involvement if the absences continued. Their son returned to the classroom. Less than a week later came the ACS caseworkers knock at the door, the parents said. The ensuing investigation shook the family to its core. The Diazes said their son Tristan suffered his first seizure in two years, which they believe was brought on by his stress and anxiety from the case. Meanwhile, Luis Diaz said he faced stark consequences at work. After spending 18 years in the military, he is now employed by the Administration for Childrens Services as a child welfare specialist. When he and his wife were reported for alleged neglect, he got locked out of certain workspaces and sensed that his colleagues, who were all notified of the investigation, began to look at him differently. When the case closed two months later with no evidence of maltreatment, the familys fear and frustration lingered. How could their school wield so much power to upend their lives, they wondered? An allegation can be just like that: 1, 2, 3. And then you ruin 60 days of a family. I could lose my job, Luis Diaz said. The Diaz family in their apartment in the Parkchester section of the Bronx. (Marianna McMurdock) They bully me Like the Diaz family, Elouise Cromwell-Evans was also reported to ACS by her school after a dispute surrounding her autistic sons schooling. In 2022, Cromwell-Evans said educators sent her and her 13-year-old child in an ambulance to the hospital for a psychological evaluation after the boy said at school that he wanted to kill himself. The doctor concluded the statement wasnt worrisome, but rather an attention-seeking response after weeks of being called names by a class bully, the mother said. But she said the school continued to struggle with her sons behavior, which included spitting on the classmate who was taunting him. In early 2023, educators called another ambulance for a second psych evaluation, she said, telling Cromwell-Evans that if she didnt show up at school and accompany her son, they would have to report it to ACS as medical neglect. She complied, but once in the ambulance, said she took the recommendation of a paramedic who thought the hospital visit was unnecessary because he saw her sons behavior as normal for a boy going through puberty. So she signed release forms and the family left. Shortly after, the school reported the Bronx mother to ACS, she said. They intimidate me. They bully me, Cromwell-Evans said. If I dont do what they say, then Im neglectful. She suspects her race and class have played into educators perceptions of her parenting. Were a Black family in a poor neighborhood and we were homeless for five years, she said. Theyre definitely placing us in a box. Luis Diaz works for the Administration for Childrens Services as a child welfare specialist, which means he knows the best and worst of what the agency can be, he said. (Marianna McMurdock) Child welfare experts say living in poverty does not necessarily mean parents are neglecting their children. Provided there is no intentional mistreatment, struggling families need support like food or rental assistance rather than child protective services involvement, University of Chicago professor Darcey Merritt told The 74 in October, then at NYU. Recent advocacy and media attention have prompted possible changes to mandatory reporting laws in New York City and elsewhere. And ACS itself has worked in recent years to provide support to families, where possible, and reduce unnecessary abuse and neglect reports. Related Ending Child Poverty Surveillance: NYU Professor On Schools & Child Welfare Ericka Brewington narrowly avoided a child protective services investigation at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, she said. She kept her special needs son Amir home from class for several weeks because the school didnt arrange for a paraprofessional to ride on the bus with him, as his education plan stipulated. She remembers the school calling and telling her, were supposed to call this in to child protective services. But, in response, the mother, who also serves as a board member on the family advocacy nonprofit JMacForFamilies, provided email documentation, which she also shared with The 74, showing the school had promised a staff member on the bus weeks ago and never followed through. Brewington believes her savvy staved off a possible ACS report. But for parents less educated about their rights, this would have scared the living daylights out of them, she said. The threat of being separated from their children, in those cases, can be enough to make parents drop any demands theyre making for educational services, she said. You throw that in any parents face, Brewington said, theyre going to give in. Its a threat so potent that many families completely avoid asking for the services their IEPs entitle them to, said Shalonda Curtis-Hackett, a parent advocate in Brooklyn. A former PTA president, Curtis-Hackett said families often confessed to her during the early stages of the pandemic that their special education students werent getting the help they needed. But parents asked her not to relay the complaints to the school because they were worried about potential repercussions. I dont want to be retaliated against, the Brooklyn mother said they told her. Shalonda Curtis-Hackett (LinkedIn) Its a calculus likely familiar to parents across the city. A class action lawsuit filed in November 2020 claims thousands of students missed out on services early in the pandemic. As of June 2022, city data show 88% of special education students were fully receiving the help stipulated by their education plans, up slightly from a year prior. Curtis-Hackett endured her own unsubstantiated ACS investigation in 2021 and now works as an outreach coordinator with the Neighborhood Defender Services, which provides community-based legal defense services. When parents are trying to get services for their kids and theyre not just letting the school give them the bare basics of an IEP, ACS is definitely used as a retaliatory weapon, she said. To Michelle Diaz, the irony is rich. She was alleged to be neglectful while taking every step she knew of to advocate for her child, she pointed out. In a million years, did we think we were gonna have an ACS case? she said. We go above and beyond for our son. This is the house in Atlanta's Edgewood neighborhood where on Wednesday police arrested three key organizers who have been aiding protesters fighting the city's proposed public safety training center. The three are officers of the group that runs the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, which has bailed out people arrested at protests. This is the house in Atlanta's Edgewood neighborhood where on Wednesday police arrested three key organizers who have been aiding protesters fighting the city's proposed public safety training center. The three are officers of the group that runs the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, which has bailed out people arrested at protests. Georgia officials arrested another set of people Wednesday who have ties to the diverse movement against Cop City, adding to its roster of dozens of people facing harsh charges for fighting the giant training facility being built in Atlanta. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Atlanta Police Department arrested three members of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, an organization that helps bail out arrested activists, the GBI said in a statement on Twitter. Marlon Scott Kautz, Savannah D. Patterson and Adele Maclean were charged with money laundering and charity fraud. The Atlanta Solidarity Fund, which was started seven years ago, prior to Cop City, condemned the charges against the three. Our court system and police are using trumped up charges as a scare tactic to silence activists who are exercising their rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The charges are laughable, the group told HuffPost in a statement. The outrageous political charges against the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, as well as Cop City protestors, are part of a new playbook that criminalizes the coalition of advocates who are providing financial and physical support to movements. The Georgia Attorney Generals Office and the DeKalb County District Attorneys Office are both prosecuting the three arrestees. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston told HuffPost that she believes in peaceful protesting, the First Amendment, and the legal operation of bail funds. However, we do not condone nor support violence or threats of violence. Crimes, such as money laundering and charity fraud, to support any illegal acts will not be tolerated, she added, saying that all arrests related to the training facility will be reviewed. The arrests of the three board members are unprecedented, The Intercept reported, citing Lauren Regan, executive director of the Civil Liberties Defense Center. The Intercept also called out the extreme law enforcement persecution of activists opposed to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center or Cop City, as its been nicknamed by critics and pointed to a SWAT team raiding a house to take the board members into custody. When three community organizers who help to run a bail fund are arrested with an entire SWAT team on clearly bogus financial charges, it signals that not only is it illegal to protest, its also illegal to try and support people who have been criminalized for protesting, Hannah Riley, a writer and organizer, told HuffPost. If bail funds arent safe, whats next? she added. The site is expected to take up at least 85 acres in a historically and environmentally significant forest owned by the city of Atlanta. The movement to keep the facility from being finished has been persistent and has a national reach. People who disapprove of the facility span age groups and identities and are attracted to the movement through different causes such as environmentalism or abolition. As the movement has persisted with numerous protests and events, dozens of people have been arrested by Georgia law enforcement. One protester, Manuel Esteban Tortuguita Paez Teran, died after being shot by Georgia troopers nearly 60 times. (Tortuguitas death marks the first time an environmental activist has been killed by police.) More than 40 people are facing domestic terrorism charges. And three others who face felonies accused of placing flyers on mailboxes naming an officer who shot Paez Teran had been placed in solitary confinement. Most protest crimes are misdemeanors or ordinance violations, like a traffic ticket, attorney Lyra Foster previously told HuffPost. Weve seen many of those cases since the George Floyd protests over the May 2020 police killing in Minneapolis. People need to understand the actions of protesters havent changed; the crimes theyre charged with have. This isnt an escalation in protest, its a crackdown on those same First Amendment protected protests as before. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in Georgia, both Democrats, have encouraged activists to not resort to violent protests and to lean on reaching out to city officials instead, according to Axios. But nonviolent opponents of the site have still been arrested and charged, and city officials have reportedly largely ignored hours of public comment. As we have said before, we will not rest until we have held accountable every person who has funded, organized, or participated in this violence and intimidation, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr tweeted Wednesday. Micah Herskind, also an organizer against the training site, previously told HuffPost that the literal murder of a forest defender and these incredibly severe political prosecutions are galvanizing. I do think that it makes people more determined to fight than ever and to stop Cop City in Tortuguitas name and to free all of the political prisoners, Herskind added. The Georgia Attorney Generals Office did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. This post has been updated to include statements from the Atlanta Solidarity Fund and the DeKalb County District Attorney. Related... MOSCOW (Reuters) - One of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's close allies on Thursday publicly criticised Russia's most prominent mercenary, casting Yevgeny Prigozhin as a blogger who yells all the time about problems, drawing a stern rebuke from a top Wagner fighter. Addressing Prigozhin in a video message using the diminutive of "Zhenya" and the familiar Russian form of you ("ty"), Adam Delimkhanov, a close ally of Kadyrov, told Prigozhin: "If you don't understand, then you can contact us and tell us the place and the time, I we will explain to you what you don't understand," Delimkhanov said of Prigozhin. "You have become a blogger who screams and shouts off to the whole world about all the problems," Delimkhanov said. "Stop shouting, yelling and screaming." The message drew a swift rebuke from one of Wagner's most senior fighters, Dmitry Utkin, a former special forces officer who served in Russian military intelligence. "Where did such familiarity come from: who gave you the right to use the address 'ty' and 'Zhenya'?" Utkin said in a message which Prigozhin reposted on Telegram. "Certain citizens should be put against a wall for the SHAME that we have." "We are always ready to talk man to man," Utkin said. Kadyrov, the son of former Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov who was assassinated in a 2004 bombing in Grozny, had last year supported some of Prigozhin's criticism of Russia's top military brass but their relations have distanced in recent months. Kadyrov is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin, a restaurateur-turned-mercenary who quipped last week that his nickname should be "Putin's butcher" rather than "Putin's chef", said on Wednesday he had asked prosecutors to investigate whether senior Russian defence officials committed any "crime" before or during the war in Ukraine. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Felix Light; Editing by Daniel Wallis) Cebu City (CNN Philippines, June 1) Filipino skilled workers are in demand in Poland as the country reels from manpower shortage due to an aging population and the war in Ukraine. Polish Vice Consul Tomasz Danel on Thursday said there is high demand for construction workers, welders, pipe fitters, as well as drivers in his country. Danel graced the opening of a visa application center at the Cebu Business Park in Cebu City the first outside of the Polish Embassy in Manila which will make it easier for those located in Visayas and Mindanao to apply for a visa to the European country. The newly-opened visa processing center can initially process at least 10 applications per day. "We see the growing number of applicants for work. Poland is becoming more and more popular among Filipinos as a destination for work and the number is growing every year," Danel said. "Last year, the government has issued over 2,000 work permits which is an increase of almost 100 percent compared to the previous years." In the first five months of 2023, Danel said they saw a doubling in the number of Filipinos applying for work permit. "We see the highest number of skilled workers like construction workers, welders, pipe fitters. Another category are drivers. They are really, really needed in Poland and in Europe and we are seeing the growing numbers of those applications," the official said. One challenge he sees is the language barrier since English is not widely spoken in Poland. They are, however, conducting trainings for workers to solve this problem. The Polish Embassy will soon look into the possibility of hiring healthcare workers but this needs more time as it requires a government-to-government agreement. "We used to have many Ukrainians working in Poland because it is easy for them to cross border for work. Now they had to return back home so there are a lot of vacancies right now," Danel explained. Some 15,000 to 20,000 Filipinos now work in Poland. Store owner charged in Columbia teens death previously shot at two others, deputies say Store owner charged in Columbia teens death previously shot at two others, deputies say The gas station owner who shot and killed a 14-year-old Sunday had previously shot at two people he believed were stealing from his store, according to the Richland County Sheriffs Department. Rick Chow, 58, is accused of fatally shooting Cyrus Carmack-Belton of Columbia in the back after an argument between the two inside Chows Parklane Road store Sunday night, according to Richland County officials. Charged with murder, Chow is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. On Wednesday, the Richland County Sheriffs Department released information about other incidents at the store in recent years, including the two previous shootings. The department didnt provide many details about the incidents, but officials noted they are working to provide incident reports to The State and other media who have requested the records under state open records laws. In 2015, Chow fired six shots into the side of a vehicle after attempting to stop someone from stealing, according to information shared by the sheriffs department on Facebook Wednesday evening. The person had threatened to shoot Chow. No one was injured in that shooting. In 2018, Chow fired two shots at a person the sheriffs department called a shoplifter, and struck the person in the leg. That person was treated at a hospital for the gunshot wound and later pleaded guilty to charges stemming from this incident, according to the department, which did not indicate if the shoplifter had a weapon. Mr. Chows conduct in the above incidents did not meet the requirements under South Carolina law to support criminal charges, the departments statement adds. Overall, the sheriffs department reported it has been called hundreds of times to the store for incidents ranging from shoplifting and vandalism to assault, robbery and motor vehicle theft, according to the department. Richland Countys community crime map shows half a dozen vehicle thefts and numerous aggravated assaults have been reported in the area near the store just in 2023. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Agency declined to say whether Chow is licensed to open carry a weapon in the state, citing a state statute that prevents the information from being shared publicly. Chow has owned the store at 7441 Parklane Road since at least 2012, when his LLC Grene Investments SP purchased the property from Sams Mart, according to county property records. Beyond numerous traffic violations, Chow had not previously been charged with any crimes in Richland County, according to court records. Chow is now at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing. Carmack-Belton was shot after he entered Chows convenience store around 8 p.m. Sunday and was wrongly accused by the owners of shoplifting, Lott said. We have no evidence that he stole anything, whatsoever, Lott has said. The sheriff said the teen at one point removed four water bottles from a cooler but put them back. An argument started inside the store, the sheriff said, and the 14-year-old took off running from the store. Chow, armed with a pistol, and his son chased after the teen, Lott said. They ran toward the nearby Springtree Apartments off Springtree Drive. Lott said that, during the chase, Carmack-Belton fell down and got back up. At that point, Chow shot the teen in the back, Lott said. Even if (Carmack-Belton) had shoplifted four bottles of water, which is what he initially took out of the cooler and then he put them back, even if he had done that, thats not something you shoot anybody over, much less a 14-year-old, Lott said. You just dont do that. Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said Carmack-Belton died from a single gunshot wound to his right lower back. She said the gunshot wound caused hemorrhaging, as well as significant damage to the teens heart. The coroner said the teens injuries are consistent with someone who was running away from his assailants. On Monday night, Chows store at 7441 Parklane Road was vandalized. Windows were broken, the name Cyrus was spray-painted on the walls of the building and items were stolen from the store. On Tuesday, Chow appeared before a magistrate inside the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he is being held on the murder charge. Bond will be set at a later date by a circuit court judge. Chow was represented at the hearing by Columbia attorney James Snell. Both Chow and his lawyer declined to speak at the magistrates hearing. Columbia attorney Todd Rutherfords firm is representing the victims family. A representative from Rutherfords firm, as well as members of Carmack-Beltons family, also declined to speak at Tuesdays hearing. Funeral arrangements have been set for Carmack-Belton. Leevys Funeral Home announced a viewing at their Taylor Street location on Friday, June 2, from 3-6 p.m. Carmack-Beltons funeral will be at Second Nazareth Baptist Church on Elmwood Avenue on Saturday, June 3, at noon. Store owner charged with killing a teen shot at people he suspected of shoplifting before Debris is spread out in front of a convenience store, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. Richland County deputies said the store owner chased a 14-year-old he thought shoplifted, but didn't steal anything and fatally shot the teen in the back. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A store owner in South Carolina charged with murder this week after shooting a teen he wrongly thought stole water has shot at suspected shoplifters two other times in the past eight years and not faced charges, authorities said. In 2018, Rick Chow confronted a shoplifter at his Xpress Mart Shell station in Columbia and the man attacked him, Richland County deputies said. Chow fired two shots and the man was wounded in the leg, investigators said. The man pleaded guilty to charges in the case. In 2015, Chow fired several shots at a vehicle after he tried to stop someone he suspected of shoplifting, and the suspect got into the vehicle and threatened to shoot Chow, deputies said. No one was hurt. In both cases, authorities said Chow's actions were not criminal. Self-defense law in South Carolina requires the shooter doesnt instigate the incident, believes he is in imminent danger and has no way to avoid that danger. Deputies decided that was not the case Sunday, when they said Chow and his son chased a 14-year-old from his store and killed him with one shot to the back. Chow is charged with murder. Prosecutors said once the investigation is finished and police present their findings, they will consider additional charges against Chow or his son. Chow thought the boy had shoplifted four bottles of water, but investigators said store video shows Cyrus Carmack-Belton, who was Black, put the bottles back in the cooler. After an argument, Carmack-Belton ran off the store property and was still running away when he was killed, Sheriff Leon Lott said. A gun was found near the teen's body, and Chow's son told his father that Carmack-Belton was armed after the youth fell as he ran, Lott said. But the sheriff said there was no evidence the boy ever pointed the weapon at Chow or his son. The sheriff's department didn't release additional information about the two other shooting incidents. They said deputies have been called to Chow's store in suburban northeast Richland County hundreds of times over the past five years for assaults, shoplifting, personal theft, motor vehicle theft, vandalism, robbery and burglary. A number of media outlets have made open records requests for police reports from those incidents, and authorities say they are working to gather them. Chow, 58, is awaiting a bond hearing at the Richland County jail. His lawyer has said he is not talking about the case at this time. Chow faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murder. Chow owned the gun legally, but witnesses and surveillance video provided no evidence that he was in fear of his life, Lott said. You dont shoot somebody in the back that is not a threat to you," the sheriff said. Anguish and grief spread after the shooting through the African American community in Richland County, where nearly half the population is Black. The state's only Black congressman, Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, said Carmack-Belton's family should be celebrating his completion of the eighth grade and heading to high school instead of mourning him at his funeral Saturday. The criminalization of Black men and boys and the historic trend of painting them as aggressors have time and again led to deadly and heartbreaking circumstances," Clyburn said in a statement. Carmack-Belton has since been declared innocent, but his supposed crime of shoplifting a bottle of water should not have cost him his life. I pray justice is swift. Chow's race in court records is listed as Asian. Balloons, flowers, water bottles and a sign that says Justice for King Cyrus have been placed where the teen fell. Several dozen people gathered at the store Monday for a peaceful vigil that included pouring water on the ground, spelling out Cyrus with the empty bottles and a sign taped to the locked door reading Water or Life? Which means more? But after dark, deputies said a different group spray-painted the store with Cyrus and 14, broke windows and started stealing beer, cigarettes and other merchandise. Lott said when they find the people he called looters, they will be charged. The entire gas station is now behind yellow crime scene tape. Deputies put a portable surveillance unit with cameras in the parking lot. A sign reading Justice 4 Cyrus leans against the sign advertising the gas price. ___ This story corrects the first name throughout of the store owner to Rick. Republican Gov. Jim Justice was once identified as the only billionaire in West Virginia, but the business empire he built on coal has shrunk to a small number of companies beset by lawsuits and struggling to pay their bills. A flurry of court filings in cases against Justice and his family indicates that his sprawling enterprises are short on cash, with his own lawyers calling them disorganized. The court documents show that Justice is facing a series of extraordinary actions for a sitting governor including the potential garnishment of part of his $150,000 state salary to repay loans for coal equipment, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported earlier this year. Another plaintiff has asked U.S. marshals to seize millions of dollars from his accounts. The legal storm is colliding with Justices campaign to unseat Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in next years election, and offers a test for the popular governor whose fossil fuel wealth defined his political rise in coal country. The latest legal challenge came Wednesday when the Justice Department sued Justices business enterprise and his son, James C. Justice III, over $7.6 million in unpaid penalties and fees for federal mine and safety violations as well as mine land reclamation costs. Our environmental laws serve to protect communities against adverse effects of industrial activities including surface coal mining operations, Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim said in a statement. Through this suit, the Justice Department seeks to deliver accountability for defendants repeated violations of the law and to recover the penalties they owe as a result of those violations. Justices campaign manager, Roman Stauffer, asserted that the lawsuit is politically motivated. "Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, and the Democrats have seen the polls that show Jim Justice winning this race, and they're panicking, he said in a statement. So now the Biden Justice Department has decided to play politics. The department did not respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit, which targets 13 Justice family coal companies that it said regulators had ordered to stop mining activities more than 50 times, adds another legal hazard to a long list of challenges facing Justice and his family businesses. In April, lawyers for his family businesses indicated in court documents that his empire is short on cash. The case was brought by Fivemile Energy Co., which is suing the Justice businesses on behalf of New London Tobacco Market over a mining contract dispute. The case stretches back years and is still moving through the courts. As a defense in that case, Justices company lawyers referred to his family businesses as a somewhat disorganized organization whose resources are stretched to the limit with respect to both finances and personnel. Justices Republican and Democratic opponents have indicated theyll go after his personal financial challenges in the Senate campaign. Rep. Alex Mooney, a conservative firebrand running against Justice in the GOP primary, tweeted last week, My RINO opponent @JimJusticeWV will bankrupt America just like his businesses and the workers he wouldn't pay. Meanwhile, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee sued Justice last week for Justices schedules as governor. Previously schedules obtained by The Associated Press have indicated that Justice has spent little time at his office in the state Capitol and devoted significant time to his private businesses. (Justices office maintained to the AP that his calendars do not accurately reflect his activities.) Since entering the U.S. Senate primary, Jim Justices financial scandals have come under increased scrutiny, DSCC spokesperson Amanda Sherman Baity said last week. With court cases piling up, Alex Mooney is attacking Justice over his numerous debts and financial failures in Republicans' Battle Royale Senate primary. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, which has not endorsed a candidate in the West Virginia primary, shot back that Bidens administration has gone totally rogue. Democrats weaponizing the federal government to attack the family of a Republican Senate candidate is a complete abuse of power, NRSC spokesperson Tate Mitchell said in a statement. Decade of economic disaster Justice largely made his fortune in coal. His state financial disclosures show that his family owns more than 100 businesses. They include dozens of coal-related businesses as well as the 6,500-acre Greenbrier luxury resort in West Virginia. But the boom times for coal are fading, and Justices company lawyers admit his empire is suffering as a result. The family is exploring the sale of its primary coal-related business, Bluestone Resources, to settle more than $850 million in debt from personally backed loans, The Wall Street Journal reported in March. Citizens Bank of West Virginia took legal action to reclaim $850,000 in debt, raising the possibility that a portion of Justices salary as governor may be garnished. The bank contends that Bluestone Resources defaulted on a loan used to purchase coal equipment. Justice has called that effort a political grandstand. In a second case, Pennsylvania-based Xcoal Energy Resources asked a federal judge in West Virginia last month to have U.S. marshals seize $1.8 million from Justice personally, court documents show. In that case, a judge determined that Justice family companies did not deliver more than 70,000 tons of coal owed to Xcoal. Two of Justices companies Southern Coal Corp. and Bluestone Energy Sales Corp. paid $5 million as part of a judgment in the case, but owe the remaining amount that Xcoal is trying to recover through the marshals. In a third case, Carter Bank & Trust in West Virginia is trying to collect $300 million in debt from Justices family businesses related to loans that were due in April. James Justice, the governors son, accused the bank of predatory behavior in a statement and noted that the family companies had proposed a plan to repay $250 million immediately, followed by $57 million four months later. He said the bank rejected that plan because it didnt want to lose $20 million in annual interest payments from the loan. The Justice family will demonstrate that the banks new court filing is nothing more than an illegal attempt to stop us from working with other lenders, James Justice said. It is unimaginable that a bank would deny a customer the ability to pay off a loan. In a fourth case, Kentucky-based Fivemile Energy Co. is seeking an $18 million judgment against Justices companies as part of a years-long dispute over a mining contract, reported MetroNews, an online and radio-based West Virginia news outlet. Lawyers for Fivemile asked a judge for an expedited decision in the case, citing the possible sale of Justices coal companies as well as their ability to pay Carter Bank & Trust $250 million for past due loans. In court documents for the Fivemile case, lawyers for the Justice companies portrayed the businesses as struggling to pay their bills. Some company accounts begin each month with just $1,000, the lawyers wrote. Then millions of dollars are transferred into them to cover expenses, followed by the accounts balance plummeting to almost zero, court records show. The cash that comes in is almost immediately transferred from those entities that have it to those that need it, lawyers for the Justice family businesses said in court papers. The 100-plus companies listed on Justices state financial statement vastly overstates the number that are actually in business, family lawyers said in a recent court filing. The lawyers argued in the Fivemile case that barely a dozen of the hundred-odd Justice coal and farming companies have continued to actively operate; that the companies are only beginning to emerge from a decade of economic disaster; that operating cash is chronically scarce and transferred among companies on a just-in time basis It is apparent from the testimony that Defendants are legitimately without assets to pay the default judgments entered against them. Its unclear if Justices financial woes will cost him any meaningful political support. A poll of registered voters released Tuesday shows that Justice is up 54 percentage points to Manchins 32 points. In the Republican primary, Justice is leading Mooney 53 to 12 percentage points, according to the poll from East Carolina University. Justice has survived political attacks citing his legal challenges for years. He has won four races two primaries and two general elections against opponents who targeted his finances, noted Mark Blankenship, a Republican pollster in West Virginia who worked for Justices 2020 gubernatorial campaign. They spent millions of dollars airing ads over his court troubles, but Justices popularity has only grown. Hes expanded his margins, Blankenship said, adding that a lot of voters in West Virginia are aware of similarly positioned lawsuits against President [Donald] Trump, and his popularity is through the roof.. So there may be an expectation there that if you are successful at a certain level at business or whatnot, there may be a built-in expectation that there are lawsuits. he added. A version of this report first ran in E&E News Climatewire. Get access to more comprehensive and in-depth reporting on the energy transition, natural resources, climate change and more in E&E News. A woman suing the Unified Government said she faced discrimination and a hostile work environment as an employee of Wyandotte Countys publicly owned utility, according to a federal lawsuit. Robin Brooks, who is Black, was employed with the Board of Public Utilities for three years. In that time, Brooks filed complaints with human resources, alleging her supervisor made inappropriate remarks and ignored COVID-19 related doctors notes requesting she work remotely while undergoing cancer treatment, according to the lawsuit petition filed Tuesday. She raised concerns to the utilitys general manager, Bill Johnson, about receiving unfair treatment compared to her white counterparts. Each time she was dismissed, the lawsuit said. The recent court filing is the latest to accuse the BPU of discrimination. Lawsuits filed in the last two months accused the company of retaliating against an employee who reported a co-workers racist comments and barring a handicapped employee from working remotely or using parking spots closer to the buildings main entrance. Five other employees in 2022 similarly sued the Unified Government, which owns the utility company, over alleged harassment by colleagues and supervisors. In one case, an employee accused the BPU of subjecting him to intense surveillance after wrongly assuming he lived outside the county, which would violate company policy. BPU spokesman David Mehlhaff and Unified Government spokeswoman Krystal McFeders said they were unable to comment on pending litigation. Lucky to have a job In August 2018, Robin Brooks left her job in Florida to work as a senior project manager for the Board of Public Utilities. A manager promised Brooks she would be a full time employee and entitled to benefits within six months of working for the company. But that did not happen. Seven months into her job, Brooks was still not given the benefits of a full time employee. She was also under the supervision of a man who she alleged made racist and sexist comments. I have never worked around this much diversity in my life, the supervisor said to Brooks, according to the lawsuit. He continued to promise her that she would eventually become a full time employee, but then went on to only transition her white counterparts into full time roles, the lawsuit said. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brooks requested to work from home since her immune system had been weakened by lupus. Her request was denied, despite multiple doctors notes. In an April 2021 project meeting, the supervisor told Brooks that she needed to know her place and that he was going to teach her, her place, the lawsuit said. He then criticized her work, repeatedly asking Brooks Are you stupid? and Are you a smart project manager? in the middle of the meeting. She reported the comments to Human Resources, the lawsuit said, but her concerns were dismissed. When she heard from Human Resources, the Vice President told her You should be lucky to have a job. The supervisor started reallocating tasks normally done by Brooks and openly spoke about replacing her in June. Then, in May, Brooks was diagnosed with cancer. She submitted, in total, four doctors notes, stipulating she was at extreme risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19. Still, she was denied. Brooks felt the decision showed unfair treatment since many of her white colleagues were able to work from home, allegedly without a doctors note, according to the lawsuit. She formally complained to the Director of Human Resources in an email, but never received any response. Brooks also reported her concerns to Bill Johnson, BPUs general manager, in a text thread. He acknowledged her message, but did not respond or investigate her allegations further, the lawsuit said. Brooks contends she was not being given benefits, a full time position, or fair treatment due to her supervisors racist and sexist ideologies, according to the lawsuit. That July, she was demoted while undergoing cancer treatment. By December, she could no longer tolerate the discriminatory behavior and believed it was unsafe for her to continue, the lawsuit said. That same month, she was constructively discharged by the company. Her attorneys are demanding a jury trial and financial compensation for damages relating to emotional distress. Shes also seeking reinstatement and back pay for the loss of income and benefits, according to the lawsuit. Brooks legal team did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "Succession" actor Natalie Gold, who played Rava Roy on the show's four seasons, at the final season premiere in March. Actor Natalie Gold thinks its important to point out she does not think her character, Rava Roy, is a saint by any means. Yet any time Rava would show up over the course of the four seasons of HBOs Succession, it was hard not to think of her as one of the shows unsung heroes. Quite simply, Rava has been through hell. As the ex-wife of failson Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong), she continually tries to stay above the fray that is the Roy familys mess, while doing her best to co-parent (or, lets be honest, be the primary parent to) their kids Sophie (Sway Bhatia) and Iverson (Quentin Morales). But by the shows final season, her heroic reserve of patience finally starts to run out, like when she informs Kendall that Sophie, a teenager of color, was attacked on the street. Its just days before a high-tension election involving fascist candidate Jeryd Mencken (Justin Kirk), whom Kendall and the Roy family enabled through their right-wing news network ATN. Kendall blames Rava and questions her parenting. I was raising our daughter, while you were fucking running a racist news organization! she responds. Kendall then makes the absurd claim that Im breaking my back, and its all for them, which Rava brilliantly dismisses with what Gold described as a vicious laugh. The final time we see Rava in the series is in the shows penultimate episode, when she decides she and her kids will not attend patriarch Logan Roys funeral, for their safety, as protests have erupted since Mencken declared victory. Kendall throws a pathetic tantrum, threatening to physically stop traffic (which he does not) and file an emergency restraining order to prevent her and their kids from leaving the city. You do that, OK? Rava scoffs, heading into her car. The funeral episode set the stage for Sunday nights explosive series finale. During the Roy siblings final showdown, Roman (Kieran Culkin), to get under Kendalls skin, casually throws out the stunning possibility that Kendall is not the father of either of his children. The line stunned Gold, too, who was among a group of New York-based cast members who gathered at a bar to watch the finale together. She recalled that even they were as shocked as we were by the breathtaking episode. None of them were exactly sure what to expect in the final version of the episode, since scenes and shots can change during the editing process. I was shaking watching it. I had an idea of what was coming, but Im still like, Whoa, she said, describing the visceral emotions in the room. Id like to rewatch it again on my own. I havent done that yet. In a conversation with HuffPost, Gold shared more about the casts watch party, explained what she made of that bombshell about Rava and Kendalls kids, looked back at her many fond memories of the show and expressed immense gratitude for the shows brilliant writers. (TV and film writers, including those who worked on Succession, are currently on strike over key issues including equitable pay and working conditions in the streaming era.) Were you all reacting to the same things that we were all shocked by? Yes, we were all reacting. I was sitting next to J. Smith-Cameron, and I think I was just squeezing her arm really tight the whole time. And so much got kind of huge laughter and such joy that scene in the kitchen with the three of them was so wonderful, and beautiful and sweet. And then everybody just had a pit in their stomach knowing that that wasnt going to last. I think what got the biggest reactions: that hug between Kendall and Roman, oh boy. I was squeezing J. [looks at arm] I have no bruises. I hope I didnt leave any on her. But that hug was so brutal, and beautiful and painful. And then I think there was a loud, raucous cheer when Tom and Greg finally go at it, slap each other. There were lots of laughs and applause when people would come on, and just generally very supportive. But stunned into silence by the end, I would say. Stunned into silence. I had a big reaction to the line that Roman says to Kendall about their kids: Logan always said one was a buy-in and the other was half Rava, half filing-cabinet guy. Yes! I wanted to ask you about that. Was that news to you, as the person who played the mother of his children for so long? Yes and no. [Show creator Jesse Armstrong] and I had a conversation back in Season 1 about Sophie being adopted and got into that a little bit, it being difficult to conceive. That was always in my head, that her getting pregnant was difficult. But its also unclear to me, and its the perfect mix of the Succession writers, where its something Logan said, right? Who knows if its true? Is it a sperm donor? We dont really know. Did Rava have to go through rounds of IVF? We dont know. But the fact that Logan said that is that true? I dont know. I dont know that to be fact, or is that just a horrible thing that he would say about his grandkids? Yeah, thats a good point. Whether it is true or not doesnt matter. Theyre our kids but just the fact that he said it was horrible and that it was repeated to Kendall in such a vicious way. Right, the brutality of it and also just that precise moment when Roman decides to use it as ammunition. Absolutely. Theyre tearing each other apart, and I think even Shiv says, Roman, back off. And hes saying: This is just what Dad always said behind Kendalls back, which, I think Rava always knew Logan was talking shit about those kids! Yeah, youre right. In my head, I was trying to work all of that out as well. I thought: We know Sophies adopted, and in Season 1, they had alluded to some issues with infertility. For some reason, I then assumed Iverson was biological. But like you said, ultimately, it doesnt matter. I assumed he was as well, and I assumed that there were fertility issues. But again, I dont know for a fact as an actor. The writers do that so well, how that doesnt matter. True or not, we dont know. Its just a horrible thing to say. Theyre still his kids, but its something that tells so much of a story about their characters and also about who Logan was part of that kind of older generation who just dig their heels in and say these vicious things with no flexibility, and the idea of a bloodline not being pure enough or something. Its so evil. When you started on the show, I imagine you probably got a pretty basic description of: OK, Rava is Kendalls ex-wife. How much did you then end up inventing for yourself in terms of a backstory? Did you have conversations with Jesse and the writers about who Rava is, whats her life like independent of Kendall? Did she grow up with money as well? All these different questions. I have those as well, and I would say, everything I needed as an actor was on the page in terms of the relationship and any backstory that I felt I needed. I would have some conversations with Jesse about it, and I have no doubt that he and all of the writers have a full canon and bible for these characters. But one thing he doesnt do unless you really specifically ask, which I didnt, is impose who he thinks this character is on you. Its all there on the page. Its a beautiful amount of freedom for you to interpret what you want. I mean, there were some factual questions. I have my own thoughts and feelings and kind of research that I did for myself about who I thought Rava was, because thats fun to imagine, and I like to do that as an actor. But everything I needed was really on the page, and anything else was just fun for me to help get into her more and daydream about and imagine a little bit. Its not Jesse-vetted or canon, but I kind of felt like she I mean, it was said in the script that shes kind of an executive. She works as a consultant at a McKinsey-type firm. Shes smart; shes good at this business stuff. She just doesnt want to get involved with the Roy business stuff. Shes staying out of it. And again, its my own kind of imagination: I always thought her and Kendall met in business school. But again, that was nothing Jesse told me or not a conversation we had, but that made sense to me. They met young and fell in love. And my theory, and Ive said this before, is I dont think Rava is a saint by any means. And Im sure the allure of Kendall being a Roy was part of it, but I do believe she fell in love with Kendall despite the Roy name, not because of it. I think she didnt come from a billionaire class, Rava, but I think she came from enough privilege and wouldve had a fine, nice life financially. I mean, not the billionaire life, but shes well paid at her job. Not for the Woolworth building, maybe. Not for the helicopters. Right. I like that especially in Season 1, there are these moments when we can see there was definitely love there, at some point in this relationship. Yeah, I remember reading that first scene in the pilot, and when I auditioned, it made me laugh out loud, and it just solidified their dynamic so much in my mind, that enough time has passed that she could joke around with him in a way. And there was a give-and-take and kind of a no bullshit way she had of talking to him, that she could mess with him a little bit. Like, when he asks her if shes seeing anybody and she says, Yeah, I hope this one doesnt leave coke on the kids iPads. I mean, that line just made me laugh out loud when I read it. But then, I think thats absolutely what happened. I think thats the moment where Kendalls addiction became too much, and she had to get out with the kids, and then he got sober. And I think by the pilot, were seeing them trying to be happily separated, or Rava is at least trying to. She keeps showing up. Keeps showing up at the family events, keeps bringing the kids, keeps trying. Kendall (Jeremy Strong) berates Rava (Natalie Gold) when she informs him their daughter, Sophie, was attacked. Kendall (Jeremy Strong) berates Rava (Natalie Gold) when she informs him their daughter, Sophie, was attacked. In a lot of those moments, I also love that I think its a combination of the writing and your performance there are these small little moments where hell say, Im doing this for the kids, and youll be like, Suuuure. Just these small choices that make a world of difference in a split second of a scene. Yeah, its amazing, and its so in the writing as well, its what is in the script, too. I love that, too. In the first episode of Season 3, when he comes to her apartment, Rava hasnt even watched the big speech that he gave. Shes busy at work, right? They told me about it. I heard about it. Shes proud of him, but: I havent gotten to it yet. He said, Well, Ive done this for you guys, and [she says]: Yeah, well... Thats in the script, which is perfect. She knows him well enough to know he may believe that, but she certainly doesnt believe it. Exactly. Theres a similar moment in this season when Sophie was attacked by the person wearing the Ravenhead shirt. Youre walking off-screen, and we dont actually see you. But we hear you kind of chuckle a little bit at him being like, Im doing this for our kids, or something. And youre just like, Oh, sure. I think I did a vicious laugh. That just came out, that vicious laugh just came out, and then I had forgotten that I had done it. And then it made the episode, which I was happy about. That kind of came in the moment, one of those happy accidents. But, yeah, I think thats the joy of getting to work on this show: the freedom that youre allowed to play within the scene, to have those human reactions that come out that you dont expect, which is the most fun. But I remember thinking: With him saying that, the only choice that made sense was just a laugh that came out, because I think for her, after that scene especially, the exasperation level is at a fever pitch. Was the final scene you shot for the show the big scene in Episode 9? That wasnt my final scene. Its just because of the way, scheduling-wise, how things worked out. My final scene that I shot was actually Episode 8, which I shot after Episode 9, which was Sophie and I Sway, who played my daughter, Sophie and I are in the car driving around at night when we call Kendall and say, I think theres somebody following us. That was my final day on set. Andrij Parekh directed that episode, and Mark Mylod directed Episode 9. Episode 9 felt like: Oh, thats a great season wrap. But then it wasnt, and I was happy to have more to do. I got to shoot this scene with me and Sway and our incredible camera operators, Gregor and Corey, stuffed into a car, driving around New York City. It was perfect. Weve talked about some of your big scenes already, but are there any particular scenes that are seared into your memory? Or even beyond that, memories of the set that youll never forget? I mean, all of them. All of them, honestly. I think in that first season, England, that was, I think, five weeks of just being all together in a small town, away from our families, doing this thing, doing night shoots in this gorgeous, drafty old castle, this huge wedding. That will always be seared into my brain. Banding together was such a beautiful memory. I think especially the cast can get close when youre not going home at the end of the day. Were all going back to the same hotels, were all in the same place together, which makes the bonding so much fun. Since then, to go to the Woolworth building and shoot that episode [in Season 3] was so fun and exciting, and it had been God, we were still in the pandemic. Everybody was masked and wearing these face shields but so happy to be there and figuring out a way to make this work, and doing it. It felt like seeing family again after a long pandemic time of isolation. Kind of beautiful. And then Kendalls birthday party. Its just one of the most amazing sets Ive ever seen. The level of detail, the writing, the props, working with Lorene [Scafaria], whos an incredible director. And then everything Ive gotten to do this season just felt like a deepening level. I felt it just cemented, for Kendall, a level of what he was losing even more, because I felt that Rava was somebody who had shown up and always had. And it felt like a kind of beautiful, heartbreaking arc to see, really the crumbling of this already fractured relationship, culminating in her actually not showing up to the biggest event of his life thus far. His father has died, and she doesnt go, I thought was a really bold, beautiful choice. And shooting the scene with Jeremy on the street was amazing, and Mark was amazing, and just getting to go at it in all kinds of different ways. Its so fun. Im going to miss it so much. Rava (Natalie Gold) in Season 3 of Rava (Natalie Gold) in Season 3 of "Succession," when Cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun) opens a valuable bottle of wine in her apartment without her permission. Yeah, Im going to miss it as a viewer. I know. I feel like part of why I wanted to talk with you and I also talked with Juliana Canfield [who plays Kendalls aide Jess] yesterday is wanting to stay in this headspace of the finale just a little longer and keep writing about Succession for as long as I can. Something I asked her about as well: Everyone whos worked on the show has talked about the unique way the show is shot and the unique way that you all work together. Is there anything from this experience that has helped sharpen your focus in terms of what kinds of things you want to do as an actor, what kind of sets you want to work on, the direction of your career, all these sort of bigger questions beyond the show? Oh, thats a good question. For me, as an actor, it starts and ends with the writing. And I mean Jesse Armstrong, til the end of time, and all of the writers on this show, all of them, all four seasons: Tony Roche, Lucy Prebble, Will Tracy, Jon Brown, Susan Stanton if theres anybody Im forgetting, Im really embarrassed. The level of writing is so spectacular: to get a script and be just constantly blown away. And as a fan of the show not getting a script and seeing: What am I going to do in this episode? just as a fan of the show, youre reading it kind of shaking, like, Oh, my God, thats happening! and laughing out loud, and sobbing. I mean, thats the dream. Everybody brings absolute commitment and play and respect for each other. Theres a trust involved and a dance that happens that feels really magical. Like, working with the camera crew, where you never quite know where they are. Its a level of working that Ive never, ever had before. And its so liberating and its so free, and it makes you feel like youre just really living inside and inhabiting this world. So, more of that! But its so specific to this show. I hope what I can bring, and I think what it strengthened for me and honed, is the level of dedication I felt to this job and the kind of love for the ensemble. Because as an actor, the thing that I love to do most is collaborate. When you get onto a set where you feel like it is just a big joy of collaboration amongst crew, amongst cast, amongst the writers, just to feel a part of something, to have your ideas heard and to have your opinion matter. And also to be able to ask the smartest people Ive ever met: What do you think about this? Thats the greatest joy in the world. Or to get alt lines from Lucy or Tony or Jesse, which are so hard to say because theyre so funny. They make me laugh out loud. Its just working on a level of complete and utter instinct because theres so much trust there. A long answer to your question. No, that was great. It makes me appreciate the show even more than I already did. Yeah, me too. Whats next for you? Are there things that youve shot that we should be looking out for? What is next? We will see. In this time, Im not sure. Theres a couple of films pending that Im excited about, but TBD, as far as when they can shoot. One of them Im very excited about: Our amazing script supervisor for Succession, Lisa Molinaro, is a genius. And she sent me a short film that she wrote. Shes been very encouraged by all the writers of Succession and Mark Mylod to actually make this thing. So shes making this thing, its written and its exquisite and gorgeous. And Mark Mylod is going to executive-produce it, and I think our [director of photography], Pat Capone, is going to jump on board. Were trying to figure out when we can do that. I cannot wait to do that because it will feel like a mini-reunion. Juliana mentioned that there are several group chats that you all are in. Its always nice when you watch something incredible and then find out the people who made it also seem to have had an incredible time making it. Yes, there are several group chats, and I think its fair to say everybody just genuinely loves each other. Its a kind group of people, a hilarious group of people. And all the actors on the show know what a lucky experience that was. And we all felt it and all knew it. Dying to go to work, dying to read the next script, dying to be there, feeling just incredibly lucky to be there. Juliana and I texted after Episode 9, which was such a brutal episode and painful to watch and beautifully done. We texted each other after and said, Well, a lot happened in that episode. One of the things that happened is Kendalls women had left him. Jess and Rava have gone. And so we texted, and I said, I think Jess should come work with Rava. Not for Rava. With Rava. Rava will give her an executive job. I think Jess and Rava are friends. She had mentioned also that maybe Jess goes to work for Rava yes, because she loves and respects her but also because its a nice way to get back at Kendall. A twist of the knife. He would hate it. I mean, he would really hate it. But not for me. With me. Thats very important. Yes, yes, yes. Jess is done with her assistant job. She has earned the executive level. She deserves the corner office. The actors come from all over. Obviously, Sarah [Snook]s from Australia, Matthew [Macfadyen]s in England, Alan [Ruck] and Justine [Lupe] are in L.A. But its this kind of adventure of all coming together in New York, or all the different places that weve traveled to, that its kind of this big wonderful family. But a lot of us New York actors have known each other before the show for so long as well. Its just been heaven. J. Smith-Cameron and I did a play together during this, where she played my mom. Peter Friedman and I have done a million readings together. Arian Moayed and I did a play together back in 2008. Zoe Winters and I had met doing a reading. A lot of these amazing actors are also dear friends, previous to the show and even cemented further because of the show. I was going to say, yeah, a lot of you are New York-based, so Im sure youll get to work together again. Thats the dream. Is there anyone whos particularly active in the group chat? Ive heard J. especially Yes, J. is an excellent communicator. She really is. She is highly active in the group chat. And then one thing that happened that was really nice: Georgia Pritchett came from London, Georgia Pritchett, one of our writers. God, did I not mention her? A genius of a writer. She was in town last summer in August, and she said: Lets get the women of Succession together. Bitches of Succession. Its a total blast writing for these bad bitches. pic.twitter.com/FIeBjLg1qo Georgia Pritchett (@georgiapudding) August 10, 2022 Oh, I saw that! We had this beautiful dinner, the women of Succession, and thats continued on a little bit. We have a separate group chat of the ladies, which I also really like. One final kind of bigger-picture question. Obviously, were at the end of the show. Is there anything that you havent been asked about, or something you want to kind of reiterate, or something you wish youd gotten to talk about more? Oh, its such a good question. I feel like your questions are so thoughtful and smart, and I feel like everybodys questions have been so thoughtful and smart. I dont think that theres anything that I havent been asked about. I think I just always want to make sure that it comes across in a truthful way, and that it begins and ends with the writing for me. These writers have given me one of the greatest gifts of my life, and Im just forever grateful and in awe of them. And having them on set at least three or four writers on set its the only way to work, the best way to work. It was a dream. It was a dream. Oh, Ive gotten into some good debates with people not in interviews all men, who have a problem with Rava, which I find interesting. If you were more supportive of him, maybe he wouldve really flown. If you had just done more for him. And I find that so fascinating, and I love to get into a good debate about that, if anybody would like to debate on that, because I think there are some people out there who just think Rava is just not supportive enough of Kendall. I would enjoy a good debate on that. But its only men. Its only men. Right, of course. Im laughing because Im just like, Rava has been through hell! The fact that she really finally cracked in Season 4 was telling. You can tell this whole time has been a real test of her patience. Yeah, she is much more patient than I am personally. I wish I had a shred of her patience and grace and humor. But thats one thing that I havent been asked about, which Im glad about. Its really only ever men, like, approaching me at a party or on the street, like: You know, you should have been nicer to him. But I appreciate their perspective and enjoy debating with them. Maybe Ive turned some people around. Related... What do 'Succession' characters' names tell us about the ending? What's in a name? When it comes to TV and movies, a lot. A character's name was thought to hold the clue to "Succession's" ending, as a viral TikTok theory posted by Nameberry's editor-in-chief Sophie Kihm suggested. The question of which character would inherit Logan Roy's media empire fueled the show, with the titan's three kids forging alliances and backstabbing just as frequently in their climb up the ladder. All that was for naught as Tom Wambsgans, Logan's son-in-law, was named Waystar Royco CEO in the finale (as many Easter eggs suggested). His last name seemed to give it all away. In 1920, Bill Wambsganss became the only baseball player to have completed an unassisted triple play at a world series. Tom pulls a similar maneuver during the board's vote, knocking out his three opponents. After the theory took off, however, executive producer Frank Rich told Slate that element of the name was a happy coincidence. Rich said Tom's name was mapped out before the first season was shot, "let alone mapped out." The name was lifted from a "Succession" staffer as writers were "looking for something off-key that would be awkward to say/pronounce, befitting a character who arrives as an outsider in the Roys world. Still, the characters' other names could have meaning. As the editor-in-chief of Nameberry, Kihm tells TODAY.com she regularly looks up the meaning of names. When it comes to TV shows and movies, these names may take on even more significance. Names with hidden meaning is a frequent pop culture occurrence: The name Bran translates to raven; Bran in Game of Thrones sees the future through his three-eyed raven. Dr. Edwin Jenner in The Walking Dead is named after the doctor who cured smallpox. From the start, Kihm suspected "Succession" characters' names were similarly deliberate, thanks to their last name: Roy. "Roy was the perfect, perhaps only reasonable choice for this familys surname. It has two distinct origins Scottish, meaning red or red-haired (which clearly runs in their family) and French, meaning king. With their Scottish roots, the Roys naturally needed a Scottish surname. A last name that means 'king' is befitting for Logan, who was the king of the Roy media empire, and a king of American media," Kihm tells TODAY.com. Below, Kihm gives her interpretation on some of "Succession's" most lingering names. The Roy family Patriarch Logan Roy and his three err, four children are the central unit in "Succession." Connor, Kendall, Roman and Siobhan Roy frequently were called by their nicknames. On Succession, the nicknames functioned to establish closeness and family ties," Kihm expained. This signaled that Waystar Royco wasnt a normal corporation, it was a family corporation, she explained. Connor and Siobhan, both Irish names, have more crossover with Logans Scottish heritage, as both languages are Celtic. Kendall is an English name, which to Kihm suggests Caroline, Logans English wife, had influence with that choice. Roman is Latin name, but given Logans nickname for him, Romulus, it seems like Roman was a thought-out name choice on his part, she said. Logan Roy Brian Cox in Succession, Season 4. (David M. Russell / HBO) Logan is a Scottish name that means small hollow," with hollow referring to a hole or pit. "The writers probably chose this name for its Scottish origins alone," Kihm says, as it was not a common name in Scotland when Logan was born. "It's been much more popular in the 21st century." Connor Roy Alan Ruck in Succession (Macall Polay / HBO) Connor is an Irish name meaning "lovers of hounds." Kihm introduces fodder for anyone out there writing "Succession" fan fiction: "In Irish mythology, Conaire Mor was a High King of Ireland who rose to power after killing the previous High King the man who killed his father." Could that mean that in the 'Succession' universe, Connor will overthrow Tom? Kendall Roy Jeremy Strong (Macall Polay / HBO) Kendall is an English name meaning valley of the river Kent." Kihm says the choice "makes sense" given the familys background: "Caroline is British and at the time of Kendalls birth, this was an unusual, upper-crust choice in the U.K.. Kendall was well-established as a male name in the U.S. at this time." Siobhan Roy Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, and Kieran Culkin in Siobhan is an Irish Gaelic name meaning God is gracious," and is the Irish variation of Joan. "The dual meaning with Shiv, of course, is that its a slang word for knife. When used as a verb, 'to shiv' means to backstab, which is exactly what Shiv did to Kendall and Roman at the final board meeting when she voted for Waystar RoyCo to be acquired by GoJo," she says. Roman Roy Kieran Culkin (Graeme Hunter / HBO) Roman is a Latin name that translates, literally, to Roman citizen of Rome. As with Shiv, Kihm is more inclined to read into Roman's nicknames. Romulus, Logan's nickname for his third son, is the first king of Rome. "In Roman legend, Romulus kills his brother Remus after they argue about the location of their new city. Roman and Kendall did argue over which one of them should take over their media empire, but Roman was not the one who took Kendall down," Kihm says. Kihm also says the nickname Rome relates to the "fall of Rome," during which the western Roman Empire lost control, suggesting the eventual ... fall of Roman Roy. Other characters Greg Hirsch Nicholas Braun (HBO) Gregory and his nickname Greg mean vigilant or watchman," which Kihm says "fits this character perfectly." "Not only were there times when Greg was literally on watch for Tom, but Greg had to be vigilant and watch his own back in order to climb the ranks and obtain his current position," she says. His last name, Hirsch, means deer in German, which which may relate to his deer-in-the-headlights persona of the early seasons. Gerri Kellman J. Smith Cameron (HBO) Gerri is an English diminutive of Geraldine, meaning ruler with the spear," Kihm explains. When Gerri was born, her name would have been considered "cute, fresh and spunky," and would have been a popular name like Lori and Vicki. Kihm says the name, which sounds unisex, plays into Gerri's role in a male-dominated corporate environment. "She has a more 'masculine' name than other female characters in the series, as shes had to act 'more like a man' to be as successful as she was in the company. Shes outspoken and confident, powerful, and has forgone a more conventionally 'feminine' life. Gerri plays in a mans world, but shes one of them her name helps give her that image," she says. Ewan Roy Succession (David M. Russell / David M. Russell) Kihm points out that Logan's brother is named Ewan, a Scottish name that means "born of the yew tree." Commonly grown in churchyards in the U.K., the yew tree is symbol of life and death, per the Guardian. The Pierce family Holly Hunter and Cherry Jones on Succession (Peter Kramer / HBO) "The Pierce family surname feels very intentional. Its a sharp, literally piercing choice, especially as the potential acquisition of PGM was a major source of tension between Logan and his children," Kihm says. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Market stalls were destroyed and buildings riddled with bullet holes from Wednesday's fighting Rockets hit a market in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, killing 18 people and leaving more than 100 wounded, doctors and residents say. The fighting between rival military forces comes as truce talks mediated by the US and Saudi Arabia collapsed. Wednesday's violence around a market in Mayo in the south of Khartoum included artillery fire and aerial bombardment. It caused the most civilian casualties in a single incident in the capital since the war began in April. This brings the civilian death toll over seven weeks to at least 883, according to official counts - though the real number is likely to be far higher. Neighbourhood organisations - which have been helping Khartoum's residents get food and medicine - described it as a catastrophic situation and appealed for doctors and blood donations. With so much of the violence taking place in urban areas civilians are in constant danger. On Tuesday, the army and its rivals from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had agreed to extend last week's humanitarian ceasefire deal for another five days, in talks brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia. But the next day the army withdrew from the talks, alleging the RSF was not committed to the terms. The US says both sides have violated the ceasefire - adding it remained ready to help mediate a truce when they were serious about ending the violence. The ceasefire had allowed some urgent aid to reach around two million people, but the continued insecurity had "prevented delivery to many more and blocked operations to restore essential services", a US State Department spokesperson said. New sanctions have also been announced by the US Treasury Department aimed at cutting vital funding to the two warring sides. The four companies listed include one that owns gold mines and is controlled by the head of the RSF. A multi-billion dollar arms manufacturer that supplies the army is also on the list. Given that Sudan has faced years of US-imposed restrictions in the past, it is unclear if any of the companies have or need any links to America. According to the UN, 25 million people, more than half the population of Sudan, are now in need of humanitarian aid and protection. With talks no longer taking place there is a fear of the fighting escalating - heavy fire was reported on Thursday morning across the River Nile from Khartoum in the cities of Bahri and Omdurman. "We are being terrorised by the sounds of heavy artillery around us. The house has been shaking," a 49-year-old resident of Omdurman told the Reuters news agency. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says its warehouses in El Obeid in North Kordofan state, with food for 4.4 million people, are coming under attack. "It is unconscionable to steal from the hungry. This must stop," WFP chief Cindy McCain tweeted. The fighting, which has also been fierce in Sudan's western Darfur region, is a direct result of a vicious power struggle between the two generals who led the 2021 coup - army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti. After suing her, the city of Sacramento tried to save a womans house. Heres the latest Linda Siegrists ability to stay in her North Sacramento home remains uncertain as the decision to approve its sale sits before a judge and backroom conversations take place to work out a deal that would keep the sale from happening. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Richard K. Sueyoshi on May 17 issued a tentative ruling that would allow a Bay Area company to sell the home. Its up to a judge because the city in 2017 sued Siegrist over a broken down truck and other items that were in the driveway at the time. In 2021, with the code violations still present, the city asked a judge to allow the Bay Area Receivership Group (BARG) to take over total control of the house. BARG charged Siegrist $248,000 mostly for things like emails and phone calls despite never performing any serious renovations on the home. To recoup that money, the firm put the house up for auction and asked a judge to approve the sale of the house for $220,000 to Bay Area real estate agent Alex Lehr. Despite issuing a tentative ruling approving it May 17, in an unusual move, Sueyoshi has not yet issued a final ruling. Siegrist who has lived in the home her whole life, and now lives there with her husband Bruce became emotional in the courtroom May 18. She sat at a table in her wheelchair, just inches from the BARG officials, wearing a floral bucket hat and holding a white plastic bag of documents. In my situation and condition, this would be a real hardship, said Linda Siegrist, 69, referring to the possibility of losing her home. Weve been done wrongly here ... its been a nightmare. Siegrist, a double amputee in a wheelchair, suffers from diabetes and kidney issues. Her doctors are trying to figure out why she needs blood transfusions every two weeks, Siegrist said. She has frequent medical procedures and does not want to move, she has said. Linda Siegrist, 69, sits with husband Bruce as she holds up a list of stolen items she was hoping to submit in Sacramento Superior Court during a hearing on May 18 to decide whether her childhood home could be sold. Judge Richard K. Sueyoshi explained it was too late to submit the list. In the background, Dan Collins of the Bay Area Receivership Group the company forcing the sale departs the courtroom. Linda Siegrist, 69, a double amputee, is pushed in her wheelchair by her husband Bruce, 67, after a hearing in Sacramento Superior Court on May 18 to decide if she can keep her childhood home. The hearing was also attended by Bay Area Receivership Group representatives Gerald Keena and Dan Collins, left, and city of Sacramento attorneys Gus Martinez and Kevin Kundinger. Ahead of the May 18 hearing, the city submitted a filing to the court alleging BARG had overcharged Siegrist at least $61,000 in fees, and asking the judge to halt the sale. The city attached a September investigation of BARG fees in The Sacramento Bee, featuring Siegrist and other homeowners across the state, to its filing. For example BARG charged Siegrist $200 for a 3-mile drive, and $742 for employees to read articles about another Sacramento resident in receivership for insight into medias potential handling of any press regarding this case. Sueyoshi said if the city wanted to oppose the fees it should have done so in November 2022, when BARG submitted them. What prevented the city from being able to timely oppose, according to code, that motion filed in November 2022? Sueyoshi, who has not been the judge for the entire case, said during the May 18 hearing. Sueyoshi went on to ask why the city has not raised concerns about the charges in the approximately 170-page court filing they submitted in November. Kevin Kundinger, an attorney for the city, said the city did not review the fees until after November, despite The Bee story that published in September. Theres legally nothing that kept city from doing that, Kundinger said. What I can say is its after that point the city started going through the bills on its own to see how these numbers kind of came to be all i can say is that the review of the billings did not occur until after that ... I was not aware whether the court had reviewed these bills the same way or had taken any issue with it or had simply taken word from receiver that these were all necessary billings. The receiver is an agent of court not an agent of city. Kevin Kuninger, right, with the Sacramento city attorneys office, speaks at a Sacramento Superior Court hearing on May 18 to decide whether Linda Siegrist, second from left, can keep her childhood home. Gerard Keena and Dan Collins of the Bay Area Receivership Group, which was hoping the judge would rule to sell the home, listen at center. To complicate matters, Siegrist has no lawyer. In 2018 her previous lawyer signed an agreement requiring her to perform certain work on the house by a deadline, which she failed to do, the judges tentative ruling stated. Siegrist said her lawyer never informed her of that agreement, which is why she fired him. Siegrist submitted an appeal, without an attorney, and the court dismissed it, the ruling states. The city confirmed all code violations were clear in April 2022, according to city records, but BARG continued to charge fees. BARG wrote in a court filing in May that Lehr, the proposed buyer, would allow the Siegrists to stay in their house as renters. But BARG has also taken recent steps toward evicting them, court documents show. After the May 18 hearing, representatives from BARG, the city attorneys office and the Siegrists met at City Hall. While the city attorney was in attendance, there is no legal obligation for anyone from the city to be involved in this negotiation, city spokesman Tim Swanson said. The Bee was not allowed at this meeting. The Siegrists later told The Bee that BARG officials said rather than sell the house, they would accept a payment from the Siegrists of $225,000. BARG spokesman Gary Hanauer wrote in a May 31 email that some of the information the Siegrists provided about the meeting was inaccurate. He did not elaborate. All discussions are confidential until and if a resolution is finalized and approved by the Court, Hanauer wrote. Bruce Siegrist said Tuesday that the couple would use money loaned to them by a friend to cover the BARG bill. The Siegrists then plan to sell a house they own in East Sacramento, which theyd previously planned to gift to their daughter, in order to pay the friend back, Bruce Siegrist said. The deal has not been finalized. The parties met at the (city attorneys office) in an effort to find a mutually satisfactory resolution that does not require the sale of the Siegrist home and does not result in the removal of the Siegrist family, Swanson said in an email May 19. The meeting was productive, and the receiver and the Siegrist family will continue to communicate on the terms of the resolution. BARG said it wants to find a resolution to satisfy all parties. We remain hopeful for a resolution that helps satisfy the various parties, while mindful of the challenges involved as the process moves forward, BARG spokesman Hanauer said in an email May 22. The Bay Area Receivership Group is currently engaged in ongoing discussions, with more meetings expected in the future. Its unclear if the city will continue to recommend BARG to take over houses with code violations in the future. The city is doing a review of all receivership companies, with applications due at the end of this month. The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that a company may sue a union for damage caused by striking workers. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) The Supreme Court warned unions on Thursday that they may face suits for damages if striking workers destroy their employer's property. In an 8-1 decision, the justices revived a suit brought in Washington state against the Teamsters Union whose drivers allegedly walked off the job one morning after their trucks had been loaded with fresh concrete. The drivers did not notify their employer in advance. If left unattended, concrete can harden and destroy the trucks that carry it, said Glacier Northwest, the concrete company. At issue was whether the union may be sued for allegedly damaging the property or whether such a labor dispute must be reviewed and resolved first by the National Labor Relations Board. With only Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in dissent, the court ruled the company may press its suit for damages in a state court. Some union advocates said they feared a decision for the company in Glacier Northwest vs. Teamsters could undercut the right to strike. Jackson, in her strongest dissent to date, said the law does not treat workers as "indentured servants, bound to continue laboring until any planned work stoppage would be as painless as possible for their master." But Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the court, said the labor law has long required striking workers to take "reasonable precautions to protect their employer's property" from damages "due to the sudden cessation of work." "All agree that the National Labor Relations Act protects the right to strike but that this right is not absolute," she said. While unions may inflict an economic injury on a company by striking, they are not free to inflict damage on its property, the ruling said. "In this instance, the Unions choice to call a strike after its drivers had loaded a large amount of wet concrete into Glaciers delivery trucks strongly suggests that it failed to take reasonable precautions to avoid foreseeable, aggravated, and imminent harm to Glacier's property," she said. Her opinion sends the case back to a state court in the Seattle area. A trial judge and the state Supreme Court had dismissed the company's claim on the grounds that it was preempted or trumped by federal labor law. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Brett M. Kavanaugh joined Barrett's opinion. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch concurred in the outcome but would have gone further to limit the authority of the NLRB. "Today's misguided foray underscores the wisdom of Congresss decision to create an agency that is uniquely positioned to evaluate the facts and apply the law in cases such as this one," Jackson wrote in her 27-page dissent. Jackson said the company in this case sought to "shift the duty of protecting [its] property from damage or loss incident to a strike onto the striking workers...In my view, doing that places a significant burden on the employees exercise of their statutory right to strike, unjustifiably undermining Congresss intent." AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued a statement that downplayed the ruling. She said the court had "relied on unfounded allegations" by the company to revive its lawsuit. "But when the facts are revealed on remand, it will be clear the union acted properly and the truck drivers strike was protected by federal law," Shuler said. "This decision will in no way deter workers from going on strike." The National Right to Work Foundation, which supported the company, said the high court had "correctly ruled that union officials should not be granted immunity from state lawsuits over deliberate property damage perpetrated during union strike actions." Mark Mix, the group's president, said the "case shows how far courts and lawmakers have to go in order to level the playing field and stop allowing union bosses to play by a different set of rules from those that apply to all other citizens and private entities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Surprising Words The Spelling Bee Kids Can Nail But The Rest Of Us Get Wrong All The Time Anyone in the annual national spelling bee will get these words right, but plenty of mere mortals definitely dont. Anyone in the annual national spelling bee will get these words right, but plenty of mere mortals definitely dont. Every year since 1925, except during World War II and in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic was going strong, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has been held in Washington, D.C. This week, the tradition continues: A bunch of young academics will somehow spell impossibly difficult words, causing breathless, impressed adults to think, Wow, I am really stupid. Where did I go wrong? That got us thinking. What are we generally misspelling in real life? Where are we going wrong in our everyday writing? What words spell trouble for many of us? We asked a bunch of professionals who work with words every day, and, well: Get ready to feel even dumber. 1. Accommodation Accommodation [is] often misspelled as acommodation, accomodation, or acomodation, said Haley Slade, CEO and founder of Slade Copy House, a digital copywriting agency based in Nashville, Tennessee. I work with words literally all day long, said Slade, who said that accommodation is a top offender for most-misspelled word. Two cs and two ms, folks. It shouldnt be hard with autocorrect and spell check, but apparently, it is. 2. Affect As noted, most of us have autocorrect and spell check (which kept trying to fix the words in this article we were intentionally misspelling, by the way). So people arent misspelling as many words as they used to, but they often misspell words because they dont understand which words are the correct ones to use. Lisa Williams is the Charles J. Luellen Professor of English and director of creative writing at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, and is not related to this author (as far as we know). Williams said that she sees a lot of students using the word affect when they mean effect. For instance, these sentences are correct: The storm had quite an effect on the town. It affected all of the citizens. These sentences are not correct: The storm had quite an affect on the town. It effected all of the citizens. But, generally, Williams said, due to spell check, she doesnt see a lot of misspellings from her students. Its a very different world from when I was in school, and the act of reading and memorizing vocabulary lists to learn spelling was just what you did, she said. 3. A lot Its a lot, not alot, said Gigi Marino, a communications and public relations professional in Winter Park, Florida. She also writes professionally and says she has seen a lot written as alot a lot. In fact, she has seen alot so often that she thinks it will be one day accepted into standard usage. Lets hope not. 4. And And? People misspell and? Its not that dumb, but its still pretty dumb. It isnt like people are writing andd, but we still manage to screw up the word pretty often by not actually using it. This one is a pet peeve of mine, said Debra Boggs, founder and CEO of D&S Executive Career Management. A big part of Boggs job is reworking and rehauling executive resumes, and she sees many professionals sticking in an ampersand that is, an & in the middle of resumes and cover letters instead of writing and. It makes the content look unrefined and casual, Boggs said, & we think most people will agree with her. Ampersands are perfect for headlines and titles, but they dont belong in bullet points or full sentences inside your resume. 5. Canceled As a copy editor, I see many words misspelled. However, the ones that come up consistently are the ones spell check misses because they are technically correct words like canceled and traveled often get a double L. For example, cancelled, which is the British English spelling of the word, said Jacob Richey, executive copy editor at Axia Public Relations. Richey said that the spellings ended up changing when Merriam-Webster founder Noah Webster proposed simplifying some British spellings to make the language easier to learn. It was not so advertisers could save money on print ads, a commonly shared falsehood, Richey said. And since we consume literature and written content from across the globe, I suspect that we encounter both spellings often, which could understandably make choosing the correct version feel like a guessing game. But for the American English spelling, when dealing with double letters, especially Ls, when in doubt, take it out. 6. Definitely Anyone in the annual national spelling bee will get this word right, but plenty of mere mortals definitely dont, according to Jennifer Smith, associate professor and chair of the English department at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She said that many students confuse definitely with defiantly. She also sees definitely frequently misspelled as definately and definatly. The placement of the I and a in the word can be confusing, leading to incorrect spelling, Slade said. There are invariably a million ways people can muff this word. Definitely was named the most misspelled word in a OnePoll.com survey years ago. 7. Its/its Knowing when to spell its or its is many spellers downfall. Still, while its confusing, the virtue of learning how to get these two words right is its own reward. The most common misspelling I see is its, or depending on your point of view, its, and the reason is simple: Its irregular, saidLenny Cassuto, an English professor at Fordham University in New York City. Students are taught that a possessive ends with an apostrophe followed by an s, Cassuto explained. But the its/its pairing violates the rule. If your head is now spinning, Cassuto calls it a forgivable mistake, though he says that we should still learn exceptions to grammar rules. 8. High school Not highschool. Marino said she sees this a lot, too. Really? The spelling is right there on the sign over the entrance of the school building we all went to for four years! 9. Lead Often, people use this word when they want to use led, Boggs said. Im not sure where this comes from, but many people think that lead is past tense of the verb to lead when it should in fact be led. This causes confusion in a sentence when all other verbs are correctly spelled in past tense. 10. Misspell Slade sees this a lot. People forget that there are two ss. I have noticed over the years that people are becoming more illiterate. Just read any social media site.Gigi Marino, communications and public relations professional 11. Multimillion-dollar This is a mistake I see in almost every executive resume. Putting hyphens where they dont belong is common, and this example is the most prevalent, Boggs said. So what are people writing down? Multi-million-dollar and multi-million dollar, according to Boggs. Again, multimillion-dollar is correct no matter how weird it looks. 12. Premier Premier is the correct spelling for top of the line, not premiere (a first performance of something). I have noticed over the years that people are becoming more illiterate, Marino said. Just read any social media site oh, site and cite are commonly confused like Nextdoor, and you will see how atrocious the spelling is. 13. Restaurant Its such a common word, one that spelling bee kids would probably never trip over. But grown-ups do, perhaps due to carelessness. Commonly misspelled as restaraunt or resturant. The placement of the u and a in the word is often mistakenly switched, Slade said. 14. Separate Separate is often misspelled as seperate because of the placement of the a and e in the word is often interchanged or confused, Slade said. 15. Spelled Google Trends recently revealed that one of the words were most unsure about spelling in 2023 is, interestingly enough, spelled. A lot of people are typing into the search engine, Is it spelled or spelt? So which is right? Well, that depends. If you live in America, you would go with spelled. If you live in England, you would probably use the word spelt, which is the past tense of spell there. 16. Theater, gray, jeez and blond Speaking of Google, the search giant said other top spelling searches so far this year include is it grey or gray? (gray, but the dog breed is greyhound), is it theatre or theater? (the Associated Press Stylebook recommends using theater unless theatre is in the proper name of a place), is it jeez or geez? (geez is a less common spelling of jeez, which is short for Jesus) and is it blond or blonde? (blond is preferred as an adjective, and beyond that, its complicated). 17. There, theyre and their Stuart Patterson, associate professor in the Shimer Great Books School at North Central College, who teaches courses like, Why and What Should We Read? and Theories of Metaphor, said that he constantly sees students messing up their, there and theyre. He does defend his students and any adult who is feeling bad about their spelling. Spelling itself is a relatively recent invention, he pointed out. In fact, when it comes to spelling words correctly, if you consider yourself a poor speller, you are in pretty good company. When it comes to consistently spelling words correctly, Patterson said, Shakespeare could hardly have done it to save his life. Related... (CNN) A team of researchers excavating mass burial sites in England have detected the DNA of the bacteria that caused the plague in human skeletal remains and they are the oldest known cases of the disease in Great Britain. The cases of Yersinia pestis date back 4,000 years, according to the paper published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. The bacterial DNA is thousands of years more ancient than the oldest strain uncovered prior to this latest finding. That strain, identified in 2018 at a burial site known as Edix Hill in Cambridgeshire, was from 1,500 years ago, according to lead study author Pooja Swali, doctoral student in the Skoglund Laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute in London. The samples of the plague-causing bacteria were found at two different mass burial sites: one in southwest England in the county of Somerset and the other in the northwestern county of Cumbria, near the border of England and Scotland. The distance between the sites suggested the disease was widespread during the late Neolithic period and the Bronze Age, Swali said. The evidence of widespread transmission across such a vast spatial area in just a few centuries is very interesting and seems to be one aspect of the rapid movement of people, technologies and ideas during this period, said Dr. Benjamin Roberts, an associate professor of archaeology who researches later European prehistory at Durham University in the United Kingdom. He was not involved in the study. How do researchers locate 4,000-year-old bacteria? The team took samples from the skeletal remains of 34 individuals across the two sites, according to the study. Researchers drilled into the teeth of these ancient people and extracted dental pulp, which can trap remnants of the DNA of infectious diseases. The ability to detect ancient pathogens from degraded samples, from thousands of years ago, is incredible, Swali said. These genomes can inform us of the spread and evolutionary changes of pathogens in the past, and hopefully help us understand which genes may be important in the spread of infectious diseases. What we learn about transmission Using genetic analysis, researchers determined that there were two distinct periods when the plague appeared in Britain: The disease emerged before or around 4,000 years ago and again about 1,500 years ago, said Dr. Lee Mordechai, a senior lecturer of history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who was not involved in the study. When it comes to the disease, there is a lot that scientists still dont know including how it spread, Swali said. The strain of Yersinia pestis found at the burial sites did not contain the gene that would enable it to spread through fleas, a trait possessed by the strain causing the pandemic known as the Black Death that later ravaged medieval Europe in the 14th century, she added. And science may never truly know the severity of the plague 4,000 years ago when it came to humans, Roberts said. Researchers cant tell whether the disease caused by the bacteria would have been mild or fatal, he added. And the individuals in the Somerset site appeared to have died from trauma not disease, according to the research. The temptation is always to theorise an apocalyptic Medieval Black Death scenario but we simply cant justify that with the evidence we have, Roberts said in an email. Ancient DNA in modern times The research does present lessons for today. The findings demonstrate the importance of scholars working together across disciplines, as archaeologists and paleogeneticists did in this work, Mordechai said. The report also shows that large-scale disease transmission dates back to prehistoric times, he added. More recent pandemics such as Covid, AIDS or the Spanish Flu are recent cases of a recurring phenomenon, Mordechai said in an email. And while there are historical records of plague outbreaks, ancient DNA could potentially give us a look even further back, Swali said. Future research will do more to understand how our genomes responded to such diseases in the past, and the evolutionary arms race with the pathogens themselves, which can help us to understand the impact of diseases in the present or in the future, she said in a statement. This story was first published on CNN.com, 4,000-year-old DNA unlocks secrets of the plague" This article was originally published in Rhode Island Current. PROVIDENCE Less than half of Rhode Island students said they felt their education was preparing them for college or a career when asked by the Department of Education in a recent survey. Only 17% of students between grades three and five said they talked about jobs and careers or college in class frequently or almost always in the Department of Educations 2023 SurveyWorks questionnaire. That percentage jumped to 35% for those between grades six and 12. State officials revealed the survey results at a ceremony in the Sgt. Cornell Young, Jr., and Charlotte Woods Elementary School Tuesday morning. The annual survey queries parents, educators, and students about their educational experiences to determine how to adjust plans moving forward. Rhode Island Department of Education spokesman Victor Morente said in an email the data was first collected during the 2016-2017 school year. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter State officials said they saw the students willingness to participate and give voice to their concerns as a positive outcome. Theyre thinking about what they are going to need for their future, Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Angelica Infante-Green said, in comments to the press after the results were released. When divided by race, among students in grades three to five, 19% of white students said they talked about college and careers frequently or almost always. That is significantly less than students of color 26% of American Indian respondents said they talked often about the future while 31% of Black students, 30% of Latino, 32% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, and 19% of Asian respondents said they did so. The data was divided by linguistic groups for those in grades six to 12. Those who spoke Spanish at home were most likely to feel they were being prepared, with 40% saying they spoke about college and careers in class almost always or frequently. Haitian Creole and Italian speakers responded positively 38% of the time, Portuguese and Khmer 36%. Those who spoke English at home said they talked about the future almost always or frequently 33% of the time. Only 27% of Chinese speakers said they spoke of the future almost always or frequently. This is a work in progress, Gov. Dan McKee said. I dont think theres anything alarming at all. Officials focused on the high number of responses, 122,672 statewide, representing about 93% of all public school students in the state, in remarks to the 200 or so students, administration, and faculty at the school. Young and Woods Elementary saw the highest increase in response rates from families meaning parents and guardians in Providence. That 17 point increase, from 30% in 2022 to 47% in 2023, was why the school was selected for the announcement. Your families did a marvelous job in filling out the surveys, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos told the students at the ceremony in English and Spanish. Providence saw the highest rate for family engagement in the state, with 30% responding compared to the state average 25%. The top school in the state for family participation was Wawaloam Elementary School, in Exeter, at 98%. Other top performers included: Hope Valley Elementary School, in Hopkinton, at 91% Greystone School, in North Providence; 90%; Capt. E. Harold Hunt Elementary School, in Central Falls, at 89%; and 85% at the Agnes E. Little Elementary School in Pawtucket. Social and emotional learning sees high approval Families overwhelmingly approved of the social and emotional learning initiatives at schools statewide, with 70% responding favorably. That held true across racial groups with no category going under 69%. Among students in grade three to five, 64% of students held favorable opinions of social and emotional learning at their schools and 52% of students grades six to 12 responded favorably. Staff had the lowest approval ratings, with 48% of teachers answering favorably on questions related to social and emotional learning and 44% of support staff responding favorably. Social emotional learning is a critical component to K-12 education, Stephane DeSilva Mandeville, communications director for the National Education Association of Rhode Island, said when asked for comment. We know the pandemic had an impact on students coping skills and how they interact, and the Surveyworks results demonstrate a need for more meaningful skill-building at the district level. The mental and behavioral health of our students and educational staff is a priority for NEARI. We support an increased focus on services around SEL and welcome continued coordination with the State and LEAs. Providence Schools Superintendent Javier Montanez said the hard work of reaching out to families paid off and now, the district can figure out how to better serve them. I am so proud of all the hard work our Providence community has put in to improve student outcomes in our schools, Montanez said. Their hard work is paying off. Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Rhode Island Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janine L. Weisman for questions: info@rhodeislandcurrent.com. Follow Rhode Island Current on Facebook and Twitter. Suspect arrested for last week's murder at a Petersburg motel PETERSBURG Police have arrested a man in connection with last week's reported homicide at a Petersburg motel. Raymond Ruffin, age not given, was picked up Wednesday by police and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. He has been charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a known felon. Ruffin is accused of killing Brian Chambers, 54, May 24 at the Budget Motor Inn on Jamestown Road. Chambers ran a mobile tattoo service in the area. So far this year, there have been five murders in the city with two arrests. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Suspect arrested for last week's murder at a Petersburg motel One of three suspects in a shooting that killed a 6-year-old boy as he played in his Kansas City, Kansas, yard, has been booked in the Wyandotte County Jail. Lakevis Sloan, 20, was booked Wednesday after he was arrested more then 360 miles north of Kansas City. Sloan and a 17-year-old, both residents of Kansas City, Kansas, were charged last month with second-degree murder in the killing of SirAntonio Brown, who was fatally shot on May 3 in front of his home, court records show. Kansas City, Kansas, police were investigating the homicide of a child who was fatally shot Wednesday in the 3100 block of Greeley Avenue. The child was identified Thursday as 6-year-old SirAntonio Brown. Sloan and the juvenile, who has not been named publicly, were arrested May 16 with the help of the FBI after they were spotted leaving a Greyhound bus in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, according to a news release from the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. Sloan is also charged with aggravated assault and aggravated endangerment of a child, according to the Wyandotte County District Attorneys Office. He is being held on a $500,000 bond. In May, 18-year-old, Cassandra Sledge was accused of lying to law enforcement about the suspects involved in the homicide. The Wyandotte County District Attorney charged her with obstructing prosecution on May 10. In a written statement, Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Mark Bundy said investigators were searching for an unidentified third suspect. The investigation by the police departments Major Case Unit is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. Norton police search the eastbound section of Interstate 76 on May 17. The suspect in a fatal Norton road rage shooting was tracked by a "license plate reader," drove back past the scene on Interstate 76 and is the suspect in a similar shooting in Columbus, according to court documents. The Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team and Columbus police SWAT Team arrested Dacarrei Tovon Kinard, 30, of Columbus, on Wednesday after Norton police issued a warrant. Kinard, who is the suspect in the May 17 shooting of George Jensen, 40, of Akron, has been charged with first-degree felony murder. Suspect found: Dacarrei Tovon Kinard, suspect in Norton fatal road rage shooting, arrested in Columbus A police officer approaches the bullet-riddled car of George Jensen on May 17 along I-76 in a still image from body camera footage released by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. A Norton police affidavit filed with the court states a black Camaro witnesses said was driven by the shooter exited I-76 eastbound at Barber Road and turned north, where Kinard's license plate was spotted by an electronic reader. The Camaro then entered I-76 westbound and passed the scene. A search warrant for Kinard's phone records "confirmed the device linked to the phone number Kinard listed with the BMV was present at the scene" and traveled from Columbus to Norton and back. The affidavit mentions video gathered from ODOT and the Fred Martin Superstore, a car dealership on Barber Road. Background: 'It wasn't right what happened to him,' wife said of Akron man killed in road rage shooting Police recovered eight shell casings, which the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation linked to an April 13 Columbus shooting. In this incident, shots were seen coming from a black Camaro. Two shell casings that were recovered by the Columbus Police Department have been confirmed to have been shot by the same weapon involved in the Norton incident. Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Suspect in George Jensen's death connected to Columbus shooting Suspect in shooting of KCK officers back in Missouri jail that mistakenly released him A 22-year-old man suspected in the shooting of three Kansas City, Kansas, police officers has been arrested and returned back to the Missouri jail that mistakenly released him, Ronald Miller, U.S. Marshal for the District of Kansas, said Thursday. Jaeveon Mitchell-Locke was arrested Wednesday without incident in Kansas City, North, and was booked back into the Platte County jail, ending a month-long manhunt, Miller said. Mitchell-Locke was booked into the jail shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday, Platte County jail records show. Mitchell-Locke and two other suspects were charged with three counts of attempted capital murder following an April 5 shootout with police during a drug bust in Kansas City, Kansas. Three Kansas City, Kansas, police officers were shot and injured in the incident. The shooting erupted after police tried to arrest the suspects about 3 p.m. April 5 in the parking lot of a convenience store near 18th Street and Wood Avenue. Bystanders, including three children, were at convenience store at the time, but none were injured in the shootout. In addition to the attempted capital murder charges, the defendants also faces charges of criminal discharge of a firearm, aggravated endangering of a child, and distribution of fentanyl. While being held for unrelated warrants, Mitchell-Locke was mistakenly released from the Platte County jail on April 21. The U.S. Marshals Kansas Fugitive Apprehension Task Force worked with the U.S. Marshals Mid-West Violent Offender Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Kansas City Kansas Police Department; Kansas City Police Department; the Wyandotte County District Attorneys Office and the Platte County District Attorneys Office to find and arrest Mitchell-Locke. The Marshals Service has a strong relationship with our state and local agencies, Miller said in a news release. We worked diligently side by side with them on this case to bring it to a close. Suspect in Young Dolph's death found with drugs and phone in jail, sheriff's office says One of the suspects in Memphis rapper Young Dolph's murder was caught with contraband inside the Shelby County Jail, 201 Poplar, according to authorities. Justin Johnson, 25, who is one of four men arrested in connection to Dolph's murder in November 2021, was found with drugs and a phone inside his cell, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office confirmed to The Commercial Appeal. "SCSO has an open investigation involving Justin Johnson," the sheriff's office said in an email to The Commercial Appeal, adding it would not comment with further details. Johnson, who investigators believe was responsible for shooting Dolph, faces first-degree murder, criminal attempted first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony, theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000 and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charges. About a year after Dolph's killing, Johnson released a rap song, "No Statements," recorded off the jail telephone, and it was posted to YouTube. REMEMBERING YOUNG DOLPH: Dolphland pop-up museum a powerful exploration of Young Dolph's life and impact | Review YOUNG DOLPH CASE: Where do the cases against the suspects in Young Dolph's killing stand a year and a half later? On Nov. 17, 2021, Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot and killed inside Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies, located off Airways Boulevard. An autopsy report indicated Dolph, who was 36, was shot multiple times in his head, neck and torso. Dima Amro covers the suburbs for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at Dima.Amro@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @AmroDima. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Suspect in Young Dolph's death found with drugs, phone in jail, SCSO says (Bloomberg) -- Sweden is hoping its plans to become the 32nd member of NATO will get back on track on Thursday when its strictest terror laws to date enter into force. Most Read from Bloomberg The legislation, which will make participation in any terrorist group punishable by law, could provide the necessary impetus needed for reelected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to approve the Nordic nations accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A lack of action against Kurdish terrorists is widely seen as a key reason for Turkeys refusal to allow the Nordic country into the defense alliance. In Swedens view, the new legal measures will satisfy its last remaining obligation under an agreement signed last year to pave the way for ratification. We have fulfilled what we committed to do and hence, it is also time for Turkey to start its ratification process and keep its part of the deal, Swedens Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said in an interview last week in Stockholm. Sweden has delivered on all parts of the memorandum. Russias invasion of Ukraine continues to redraw the security landscape in Europe. Neighboring Finland joined the alliance in April even though the two countries had initially agreed to work on the accession process in lock-step. Should Sweden become a member, NATOs expansion would encompass the whole Nordic region, with the alliance controlling much of the Baltic Sea that is a strategic gateway for Russia. Read More: How Russia Pushed Finland and Sweden Toward NATO: QuickTake All but two of NATOs 31 members have ratified Swedens application, and Billstroms government remains optimistic that it could get the needed approvals from Turkey and Hungary by the NATO summit to be held in Vilnius in mid-July. However, with Erdogan focused on forming a new cabinet, that may be practically difficult. While a declaration of intent to approve Swedens bid could be an option, Billstrom insisted that his ambition is to have the formal clearance when NATO leaders meet in the Lithuanian capital. Me and the entire government will work for full membership in NATO all the way until Vilnius, Billstrom said. If there is no ratification before Vilnius it could take weeks or even months, until the Turkish parliament reopens after summer. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Swedens stronger laws show the country is delivering on its commitments, which just highlights the importance of making sure that Sweden becomes a member as soon as possible. He told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the alliances foreign ministers in Oslo that he will travel to Ankara soon. Speaking in Oslo, Billstrom said the membership process was never a sprint, its a marathon. He added that we feel the support of the NATO alliance. Turkish Assessment Turkey has signaled that it will want to be able to assess the implementation of the new terrorism act before committing to ratification. The law caps off efforts that got underway in 2017, after an Uzbek man hijacked a beer truck and plowed through Stockholms main pedestrian shopping street, killing five people. Laws have been gradually tightened since then, but banning participation took longer as it required altering freedom-of-association clauses in the nations constitution. The measure passed parliament with a wide majority in May, despite criticism from the countrys Council of Legislation, a legal watchdog. While the new law doesnt specifically target the Kurdish PKK group that Turkey is most concerned about, it will allow better cross-border cooperation to contain the threat from terrorists of various stripes, according to Hans Ihrman, deputy Chief Prosecutor at the national security unit. He is now preparing terrorism-financing charges against an alleged supporter of the group. The prosecution, which would be the first of its kind, involves a Turkish citizen who allegedly sought to extort money at a Stockholm restaurant. The case became public early in February, only a week after Erdogan had ruled out supporting Swedens NATO application following an incident in which a Danish far-right activist, Rasmus Paludan, burned a translated copy of the Koran near Turkeys embassy in Stockholm. The legal measures still wont assuage Ankaras demands for a ban on expressions of support for Kurdish groups, however. Erdogans communications chief Fahrettin Altun on Tuesday lashed out at Swedish authorities for an incident where a group of PKK sympathizers projected an image of the groups flag onto the walls of Swedens parliament to promote an anti-NATO protest the coming weekend. Sweden must prevent PKK members from demonstrating, Altun said in a tweet, adding that it is completely unacceptable that PKK terrorists continue to operate freely in Sweden. In response to Altuns tweet, Billstrom said that he would prefer to focus on what the two countries have agreed on, and that the new terror law is the clearest sign that Sweden takes Turkeys legitimate concerns seriously. We have been willing to within the limits set by our legislation and constitution do what has been required of us, the foreign minister told reporters in Lulea, Sweden. We believe that we have delivered, and so Turkey should also deliver and start the ratification process. While the application may not be the first item on the agenda for Erdogans new cabinet, the diplomatic and legislative efforts are likely to bear fruit in the end, according to former Prime Minister Carl Bildt. If it turns out that it becomes a long-term issue, it is definitely troublesome, but I dont see any reason to believe it will be, Bildt said. --With assistance from Zoe Schneeweiss, Jillian Deutsch, Natalia Drozdiak and John Follain. (Updates with Stoltenberg, Billstrom remarks in ninth and tenth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Tara Reid says her decision not to get married or have children hurt her acting career Tara Reid has opened up about not getting married or having children and how its impacted her career. The 47-year-old spoke candidly about the pressures to start a family as a woman in Hollywood during a recent interview with Derek Warburton for Mr. Warburton Magazine. During the conversation, shared by Page Six, Reid said that she thought her career would have been bigger if she got married and had children. As she proceeded to address these two decisions, she also described how scrutinised she felt for making them. Im not married, I dont have kids and I think, in Hollywood, if you dont have kids or youre not married, youre judged, Reid explained. So they still think youre that party girl from 40 years ago. The American Pie star went on to claim that when women in Hollywood choose to start a family, people view them differently. But all of a sudden, if you have a kid and you get married, Oh she grew up, shes great, she added, before noting that shes stil viewed through a bad girl persona because she didnt have children. Reid hit back at societal pressures placed on women to have children, as she noted that some people could have issues with getting pregnant. What if you cant have kids or what if you dont want to get married? she asked. You cant judge people on that anymore. And its the one thing that I think is really unfair about our society. While the actor said that shes open to the possibility of getting married and having children, she doesnt necessarily want people to keep asking her about it. If its meant to happen, it will happen but you cant keep dragging peoples face in it, she added. Like get over it, there are other things to talk about. I think people need to leave privacy alone when it comes to that degree of personal stuff. This isnt the first time that the Sharknado star has shared her honest thoughts about having a baby. During an interview with columnist Allison Kugel in June 2021, Reid revealed that she froze her eggs, since she wasnt against the idea of having children one day. Will I have kids? Lets see what is in store for me. Its not a no, and its not a yes, she explained. I have gotten my eggs frozen, so there is definitely the potential of that. If it is meant to be, it will happen. If not, Im very comfortable where Im at. When asked where shed see herself in five years, she said, at the time, that she could see herself maybe getting married. Aside from the marriage possibility, she said she also could definitely see herself in a place where shes happy about producing and acting. Meanwhile, multiple celebrities have spoken candidly about their decision not to have children. Earlier this year, Chelsea Handler hit back at societal standards in Hollywood, as addressed the constant pressure that women face to have a baby. [There are] some overtures to women and men out there, and anyone who doesnt identify as either, that you are not defined by the children that you bring into the world [and] that youre not defined by your relationships or being married, she explained on an episode of the Today show in January. Handler, whos been vocal about her life as a child-free adult, also noted that shes been so sick of people asking her when shes having kids, when [shes] made [her] views so clear. A teenager who was killed should still be with us If you think that race is only an issue in the countrys biggest cities, consider a murder trial that recently concluded in the small town where I live, in the Rogue Valley of southern Oregon. The defendant in this criminal case was Robert Paul Keegan, a 50-year-old white man. In November 2020, Keegan was staying at a motel in Ashland, a few miles from my home, because his house had burned down two months earlier in a wildfire. Keegan, who had complained before about noise at the motel, testified that one night at around 4 a.m. he heard loud music and believed it was coming from the motel parking lot where a Black teenager, Aidan Ellison, was sitting in a parked car. Ellison, 19, was staying at the motel because hed also lost his home in the fire. A roommate told police that Ellison had trouble sleeping and had gone outside to sit in her car to avoid keeping her awake. Matt Witt. Keegan admitted that he used profane language in shouting at Ellison, and claimed that Ellison responded in kind. The motel clerk testified that after Keegan complained, he checked the parking lot, heard no music, and found Ellison to be very chill in his car. Then, while Ellison and the clerk were talking, Keegan entered the parking lot with a gun and confronted Ellison. The clerk, the only eyewitness to these events, testified that he tried to break up their heated argument. The argument only lasted a few minutes because suddenly, Keegan fired, killing Ellison with a single gunshot to the chest. Keegan at first claimed that Ellison hit him in the face, causing him to fear for his life and to fire in self-defense. But photos taken that night by police showed no evidence of Keegans face having been hit, and a medical examiner testified that an autopsy showed no evidence that Ellison had struck anyone. Killing Ellison was not a reasonable use of force in this situation, the prosecutor told the jury. Faced with overwhelming evidence that a white man had killed a young and unarmed Black man, Keegans lawyers crafted their case to appeal to the jury, which was composed only of white people. Keegan claimed he was frightened by this tall Black person, and his lawyers told the jury that Keegan was being unfairly charged by authorities who felt pressure to be hyper-vigilant in a post-George Floyd world. The reference was to nationwide protests that followed the police killing of a Black man in Minneapolis in 2020. After hearing the arguments, the jury found Keegan not guilty of murder a crime that would have resulted in a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years. Instead, the jury found him guilty of manslaughter a killing that is committed recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life. That crime carries a minimum sentence of 10 years. Andrea Woffard speaks about Matt Witt. The judge in the case applied the minimum sentence plus one additional year each for convictions of unlawful possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment of the motel clerk. At a community meeting in Ashland last year, Black speakers put the killing of Aidan Ellison in a context they know well. They said that unlike most white people, many people of color live with the constant fear of harassment, discrimination, or even death. This is a story weve heard again and again, in community after community, said Nkenge Harmon Johnson, head of the Urban League of Portland. Something that should have been nothing at all turns into a deadly situation, and often its for a Black or brown person. They are killed at the hand of someone who thinks they have the right to do it, perhaps very much because of the color of the skin of their victim. After Keegan was acquitted of murder, speakers at a protest said that regardless of the trials outcome, justice had never been possible for Aidan Ellison, a Black young man who many local residents believe would still be alive today if hed been white. Aidans mom will never see her son again, said Ashland City Councilor Gina DuQuenne. Aidan will never be a dad. Aidan will never be able to be a grandfather. Aidan will never be able to experience life because he is gone, and hes never coming back. Matt Witt is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring conversation about the West.He is a writer and photographer in Talent, Oregon. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: A teenager who was killed should still be with us Identity stretches beyond one label, and these transgender teens are here to prove it. And what's brewing in the Gulf of Mexico as hurricane season officially begins? Hey! It's Laura Davis. Y'all doing OK? Drinking enough water? Grab a snack and settle in it's time for Thursday's news. But first: Say hello to Pi, Pat and Flora! Three 10-week-old eagles who have been livestreamed their entire lives from their nest finally have names. The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here. Meet 3 thriving transgender teens who are 'more than just the label' Chazzie greets each day with an affirmation and some yoga. Max can play just about any string instrument. Gia is a bright rising college sophomore with her eyes on the horizon. These teens are embracing passions, mapping futures and they just happen to be transgender. No big deal. Their identities are "really the least interesting thing about us," Chazzie says. In a year that has seen an unprecedented torrent of bills targeting the LGBTQ community, particularly those who are transgender, advocates say people such as Chazzie, Max and Gia are thriving despite the backlash. And support for the community is skyrocketing. How theyre telling their stories to make a change. Adelyn, Chazzie, Max, Jonathan, Amir and Eve are "champions" for the GenderCool Project, a youth-led group that works to replace misinformed opinions with real experiences of young people who are transgender and nonbinary. Debt ceiling deal out of the frying pan, into the fire The debt ceiling deal has cleared the Republican-controlled House, but as it heads to the Senate, now the pressure's really on. The agreement struck by President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy to suspend the debt ceiling and avoid a catastrophic default ahead of the June 5 deadline now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants a vote Friday. There's no time for funny business, Schumer warned during a floor speech, making it clear that whatever reservations senators might have, there's no time for changes. Heres what to know. Student loan debt: The Senate approved a bill Thursday that would repeal Biden's plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt for millions of borrowers. Biden has promised to veto it. See the 117 lawmakers who voted against the House bill to raise the debt ceiling. What everyone's talking about The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today. Hurricane season begins on East Coast. Why doesn't West worry? The Atlantic hurricane season is here. And millions of people from Texas to New England might be feeling a familiar sense of dread. Meanwhile, though plagued with risks of wildfires and earthquakes, coastal cities up and down the West Coast barely batted an eye when the Eastern Pacific hurricane season started on May 15. Why arent hurricanes as much of a threat on the West Coast? And in a world where climate change is disrupting nearly every weather pattern, could that someday change? Heres a closer look. As if on cue, a tropical system is bubbling up in the Gulf of Mexico. The system has a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm within the next two days, the National Hurricane Center said. Heres the forecast. Who will Bee the best speller? Chartooterie board. Restraunt. Definitly. Ding! Ding! Ding! Its time for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will hold its finals Thursday night at 8 p.m. EDT in National Harbor, Maryland. To get ready for this year's Bee, we asked our audience for some words they always need autocorrect on and they seriously delivered. Now, I can't help but wonder: Are these smartypants spellers s-m-a-r-t-e-r than us? It's a fascinating question. A break from the news Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures and misadventures on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Subscribe to the newsletter here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pride Month, hurricane season, National Spelling Bee: Thursday's news (CNN) The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said European Union states have consistently neglected the needs of Afghans in a report published on Wednesday, where it found that only 271 of the more than 270,000 Afghans identified as needing permanent protection were resettled in the bloc in 2022. Afghans represent the third largest refugee population globally, the IRC said, adding that many Afghans still lack pathways to safety in Europe nearly two years after the Talibans takeover. The report identified significant hurdles in Europe for Afghan refugees, including the threat of pushbacks or forcible returns, barriers to fair asylum procedures, and long periods of detention-like centers. The report also said that Germany has been at the forefront of EU-wide efforts to welcome Afghans since the Taliban takeover, and expressed concerns for its current program to welcome Afghan refugees. In October last year, the German government announced a federal admission program that committed to admitting up to 1,000 Afghans a month until September 2025. However, the IRC claimed that not a single Afghan refugee had arrived in Germany under the program as of May 2023. Germanys Federal Foreign Office spokesperson, Christofer Burger, told CNN he was not aware of the IRC report. However, he said that the government is working under high pressure to get the security procedures for people leaving the country [Afghanistan] back on track as quickly as possible so that the reception can be continued quickly. Burger said they are concerned about getting people who are in a very precarious situation to safety quickly and said Germany has taken in more than 30,000 Afghans since the Taliban took over in August 2021. CNN has reached out to the European Commission for comment on the report. Nearly two years since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, in a lightning takeover following the withdrawal of US troops, the humanitarian situation in the country has worsened. IRC says about two-thirds of Afghanistans population is in need of humanitarian assistance. After the takeover, the US and its allies froze about $7 billion of the countrys foreign reserves and cut off international funding crippling an economy heavily dependent on overseas aid. This story was first published on CNN.com, "EU states accused of neglect after only 271 Afghans were resettled in Europe last year: International Rescue Committee" May 2023 Mugshot of Simon Wayne Streeter Simon Wayne Streeter mugshot A Texas man assaulted a woman he impregnated and allegedly said he hoped it would lead to a miscarriage, according to a local news report and police records reviewed by Jezebel. The news underscores the reality that pregnancy is a pretty dangerous time for women, not just because of health complications, but also due to increased risk of domestic violence. Police in Iowa Park, Texas, responded to a call on May 28 and found Simon Wayne Streeter standing outside of a home with a pregnant woman who had visible injuries. The responding officer wrote in the arrest warrant affidavit that the woman had blood coming out of her nose, a swollen upper lip, scratches on the left side of her face, and a red mark on the left side of her neck. Read more The woman told police she was about 27 weeks pregnant by Streeter and that theyd been arguing. Streeter allegedly threatened to prevent her from seeing their other children and, during that argument, he punched her in the face, put his hands around her neck to choke her, and put his knee on her stomach and applied pressure. The woman told police that Streeter said something to the effect of hoping that he caused her to abort their unborn baby. (The medical term for miscarriage is spontaneous abortion.) She also said she hadnt felt the baby move since before the fight; she was taken to a hospital for evaluation, but its not known if her pregnancy continued. Police charged Streeter with assault of a pregnant person. Wichita County Jail records show he was held on a $10,000 bond and released on May 31. It was a mandatory 48-hour hold, because Streeter had been charged with a separate family assault about a year ago. Local news station KFDX reported that Streeter was previously arrested in March 2022 and charged with assault following an altercation with his brother. Streeters brother told police that Streeter was trying to shoot himself, and hed tried to stop him from putting a gun in his mouth, which led to a fistfight. Bond was set at $2,000 in that case. The threat of domestic violence during pregnancy arises from both sides of the same coinmen either wanting to end the pregnancy against the pregnant persons will, or men punishing their partners for having abortions. A different Texas man shot and killed his girlfriend on May 10 after she returned home from a trip to Colorado to get an abortion. That man, Harold Thompson, had strangled her weeks earlier and police had a warrant out for his arrest. (Strangulation is a key predictor of homicide in domestic violence situations.) Pregnancy is a health threat, yes; but homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant people. Still, the CDC does not count homicide when it tallies the U.S.s nationwide maternal mortality rate. As National Birth Equity Collaborative senior policy analyst Alise Powell told Jezebel last year, Homicide is the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, yet its not talked about often in the maternal mortality crisis discussion. Now more than before, we need to have more discussions about violence before, during, and after pregnancy. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Texas serial killer admits to two murders after calling police to turn himself in: Youre looking for me A suspected serial killer and convicted child rapist was arrested in Austin, Texas, days after he identified himself in a chilling phone call to police. Austin Police Department and Texas Lone Star Fugitive Task Force apprehended Raul Meza Jr, 62, at bus stop near Parmer Lane on 29 May, days after he confessed to killing his 80-year-old roommate Jesse Fraga in Pflugerville last month. During a 14-minute phone call, on 24 May, Meza also implicated himself in the 2019 murder of Gloria Lofton at her home in Austin. My name is Raul Meza and youre looking for me, Meza said on the call, Detective Patrick Reed told a press conference on Tuesday 30 May. Meza then detailed his relationship with Fraga and the manner in which he murdered him, including details that had not been made public, Mr Reed said. Fragas body was discovered at his home with a belt around his neck on 20 May after the former probation officers family requested a welfare check over concerns they hadnt spoken to him in over a week. Meza reportedly fled the scene with Fragas car. Austin Police Sergeant Nathan Sexton added that the Travis County medical examiner noted a puncture mark on Fragas neck and a severed cervical spine. Meza also told Mr Reed he had been in and out of prison, adding: I got out in 2016, I end up murdering a lady soon afterwards. It was on Sara Drive. Based on details provided by Meza as well as medical information, Mr Reed and his partner Detective Katy Conner identified Mezas second victim as Lofton, who was strangled on 9 May 2019. I will let you know that Mr Meza said he was ready and prepared to kill again and he was looking forward to it, Mr Reed informed the press. ---ARREST MADE IN HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION--- On Monday, May 29, the U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force apprehended Raul Meza Jr. in North Austin. Read more: https://t.co/useiUkQmAY pic.twitter.com/TojmahADe9 Pflugerville Police (@Pf_Police) May 30, 2023 After his arrest, Meza was charged with two counts of capital murder, but authorities said they are investigating his ties to multiple cold cases that have a similar M.O. [modus operandi]. In 1982, Meza pled guilty to the rape and murder of eight-year-old Kendra Page while she was riding her bike near Langford Elementary School. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison but was released on parole in 1993, after serving 11 years. During the press conference on Tuesday, Deputy US Marshall Brandon Filla described Meza as the worst of the worst while interim assistant city manager Bruce Mills said it was a travesty of justice Meza had been allowed back on the streets. In an interview with KVUE, Kendras sister Shawn Page reacted to the news of Mezas arrest. Explaining how her family tried to keep Meza in prison, Shawn said: To find out this has happened to so many other people, its a tragedy. My dad knew he was dangerous, and no one would listen to us. Mezas rap sheet dates back to 1975, when he robbed a convenience store in Austin with three other teenagers. Meza, 14 at the time, shot the store attendant Derly Ramirez, paralysing him. In 1976, he was reportedly sentenced to 20 years in jail for aggravated robbery before being released on parole in 1981. Meza is being held in Travis County Jail. If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support. For more information, visit their website here. You have to be brave to open a taqueria in Austin. Particularly three blocks north of a landmark Torchys. Hey, all of Texas is competitive for tacos, said Ramiro Milo Ramirez, founder of the Salsa Limon restaurants that have expanded to a location near the University of Texas. If youre slinging tacos in Texas this whole state is like the Formula One for tacos, and youre in the race. The new Salsa Limon in Austin is in a longtime cleaners on Guadalupe Street six blocks north of the University of Texas. Salsa Limon Lupita for its address, 3001 Guadalupe St. has been open nearly a year, long enough to develop a four-star rating on social media and a busy Uber Eats trade. In fact, Salsa Limon has proven to travel well from its Fort Worth home, where four locations cover downtown, the west and south side. The busiest Salsa location of all is in Dallas at 411 N. Akard St., Ramirez said. Salsa Limon Distrito is a former chrome diner moved from University Drive to White Settlement Road. We have a robust fan base, he said Dallas loves Salsa Limon. Austin is warming up, and a planned menu update will help. Salsa soon will add birria, chilaquiles rojos, potato tacos and burritos, new salads and also a vegan guiso, Martinez said. The new items appeal to Austin college students demand for plant-based cooking, but theyll be added at all stores. Salsa limon is known for its housemade salsas, all of which are available at the new Salsa Limon Maggie. From left, tomatillo (mild), jalapeno (hot), piquillo (hotter) and habanero (hottest). When Salsa Limon opened to stay in 2010, it was a food truck brining real tacos and habanero salsa to college students across West Berry Street from the original Fuzzys. Now, the newest location is challenging a Torchys for college dominance in the North Campus neighborhood inside a former Steel City Pops. We serve simple, flavorful, consistent food, Ramirez said. Without naming Torchys, he said: A lot of places go over the top. Thats not what we do. Chicken and pastor El Capitan-style tacos from Salsa Limon, shown in a file photo. The list of favorite items at Salsa has grown longer over the years. In the beginning, there was the El Capitan, with steak, cheese, pickled cabbage, onion and cilantro in double corn tortillas or flour. Diners love to order something simple, change the ingredients and then pour on the salsas: tomatillo, jalapeno, chile piquin and habanero. Burritos, taco and a margarita from Salsa Limon, which plans to open its Distrito location in August in west Fort Worth Now, the chicken Capitan is just as popular. And theres El Campeon, a burrito with a choice of meat, beans, rice and an egg, plus onion and cilantro. In response to demand, Salsa also will add a bean-and-cheese burrito. More people just want the beans, Martinez said. Our beans are great. Theres also a full bar with margaritas, micheladas, mimosas and cocktails, along with wine and beer. Salsa Limons flagship location serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night at 1465 W. Magnolia Ave., near Eighth Avenue. Salsa has three other Fort Worth locations open from midmorning through dinner: 550 Throckmorton St. downtown; 925 University Drive in the Cultural District; and at 5012 White Settlement Road, in a 1947 Streamline Moderne aluminum diner moved from the Cultural District location; salsalimon.com. Third air-raid warning in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast since beginning of day The Ukrainian authorities have issued an air-raid warning in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts. Source: alerts.in.ua Details: The warning was issued at 10:14 on 1 June in Kyiv and spread to Ukraines northern oblasts two minutes later. This is the third warning in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast since the beginning of the day. The air-raid warning wasnt issued in the rest of the countrys oblasts (except for Luhansk, Donetsk and Crimea, where the warning is constantly in effect) so far. The warning was issued in Zaporizhzhia Oblast at 10:26. The air-raid warning means the threat of missile and air strikes. At this time, you need to take cover. Update: At 10:35, an all-clear was given in Kyiv. Background: In the morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that Russian forces used Iskander operational-tactical missile system missiles once again to attack civilian and critical infrastructure targets of the capital and Kyiv Oblast at night. According to preliminary data, the Air Force of Ukraine destroyed 10 out of 10 missiles. As a result of the fall of Russian missile debris in Kyiv, 3 people, including a child, were killed. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The younger brother of the two men accused of killing a Wake County deputy has now been charged in the case, WTVD reports. The Wake County Sheriffs Office told WTVD that Rolando Marin-Sotelo, 19, has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder. He was already in jail in Durham County, investigators said. Rolandos older brothers, Alder Marin-Sotelo, 25, and Arturo Marin-Sotelo, 29, face murder charges in the shooting death of Deputy Ned Byrd. The deputy was shot multiple times while responding to a call on a dark stretch of Auburn Knightdale Road near Battle Bridge Road on Aug. 11, 2022. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Then last month, Alder Marin-Sotelo is accused of escaping the Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmfield, Virginia. Authorities believe he escaped with help from his sister. He was taken into custody in Mexico on May 4, the FBI confirmed. According to Wake County court documents obtained by WTVD, Rolando helped his brothers after Bryds shooting by selling the vehicle they were using the night the deputy was killed. Rolando Marin-Sotelo was given a $1 million secured bond, WTVD reports. Marin-Sotelo had been in custody since Aug. 16, 2022, which is when Forsyth County deputies detained him after a traffic stop. Later, U.S. Customs determined he was not a United States resident, and according to WTVD, he was facing deportation proceedings when he was arrested in the Ned Byrd case. (WATCH PREVIOUS: Newly released warrants detail moments before murder of Wake County deputy) HEMET, Calif. Mike Venable takes to the skies just as he has for the past 43 years to keep his fellow Californians safe. He pilots air tankers into wildfires while advising everyone else to get out. He is the third generation of Venables to battle the flames in the aircraft known as "73." "My grandfather flew tanker 73. My dad flew a tanker 73, and I'm now flying a number seven three," he told FOX Weather's Max Gorden. Venable's air tanker 73. Thousands of calls come into Cal Fire every year, and officials claim they can keep 95% of the fires to 10 acres or fewer. Their 60 aircraft at 14 air bases and 10 helicopter attack bases across the state ensure that any fire is no longer than 20 minutes away. California is home to the largest firefighting aircraft fleet in the world. When the call comes in, Venable said he can be up in the air in just minutes. He said fighting the fires takes family too work family. "It is kind of like a pit crew getting them in and out of here as fast as we can to get back to the incident," said Brian Risen, manager of the Hemet-Ryan Air Attack Base. WHY FIREFIGHTERS ARE FIGHTING WILDFIRES WITH FIRE File: One of three air attack lead planes arrived at Hemet-Ryan Air Base ahead of a Santa Ana wind event. His team ensures that Venable's air tanker is filled with fire retardant, which is the bright red liquid people see streaming from the plane. The base keeps up to 58,000 gallons of it at the ready. "It's one of those tools in the toolbox where if you don't have them, it makes firefighting a lot more difficult," Cal Fire Capt. Richard Cordova said. Another branch on the family tree is the air attack. It features a small plane that flies above the wildfire and directs air tankers and helicopters where to drop the retardant. "We'll try to somehow get down in the canyons and around them sometimes the houses and the pools or people on the ground and try to facilitate exactly what his wishes are to get the retardant where he wants it," Venable said. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TV File: An air tanker dropping retardant. Cal Fire ground crews battle the blaze from the ground. The goal is to surround the fire with fire-suppressing retardant as well as fire lines that, hopefully, the flames can't breach. The coordinated effort takes wind and topography into account to direct the fire away from buildings or toward areas that have burned already and have no fuel to offer. Venable is very modest about his life-saving job. "I come to work every day, and I climb in this beautiful airplane that the taxpayers of this great state has provided us, and I go out, and I have a great time," he said. File: Fire retardant dropped from an airplane coats trees. T Fire advisor Lenya Quinn-Davidson of the University of California's Cooperative Extension told FOX Weather that the record snowpack and historic rains that the state saw over the winter could make this a very intense and severe wildfire season. "All of the cold and stormy weather we had in California has kind of a two-pronged influence on fire and on the fire season that's coming up," Quinn-Davidson said. "On the one hand, a lot of the higher-elevation areas got a lot of snow and there's still snowpack. So, that can really shorten the fire season in those areas and reduce the fire threat in the early summer." All that water, however, helps everything grow. Once it dries out, the grass and brush are fuel for fires. DRAMATIC IMAGES SHOW DEVASTATION FROM ONSLAUGHT OF ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS SLAMMING CALIFORNIA "So, in some of those lower-elevation areas, this increased moisture can actually increase the likelihood of fire spread," Quinn-Davidson said. "And just that fire behavior situation can be a lot more given a wet spring." So far, in 2023, Cal Fire has responded to 985 wildfires that have burned more than 1,000 acres. Israelis waving rainbow and transgender flags join the annual Jerusalem Pride parade, among 30,000 to take part this year, according to organisers Thousands of Israelis joined Jerusalem's Pride parade Thursday, a high-security event in the conservative city where critics of LGBTQ rights held a counter-demonstration nearby. The annual march is being held for the first time under the hard-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which includes multiple cabinet members who have expressed homophobic views in the past. "We're expecting a beautiful protest that represents the diversity of the LGBTQ community in Jerusalem," said Jonathan Valfer, executive committee chairman of parade organiser Jerusalem Open House. AFP journalists saw participants with painted faces, waving rainbow flags and carrying balloons. Opponents gathered nearby held banners against the event, including one that read: "God -- Judaism rejects this gay abomination!" Valfer said he trusted police to secure the march. "We want the police to do its job in the best way they can and make sure everyone comes back home safely. And we don't want political provocation," he told AFP. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich were among the organisers of a "beast march" in 2006, which saw opponents of the Pride parade walk alongside donkeys in Jerusalem. Speaking ahead of this year's event, Ben-Gvir said the police force was responsible for safeguarding the parade. "Even if the minister has a problem with the march, the most important thing is the safety of the marchers," he said Wednesday. "At the same time, there needs to be maximal freedom of expression and right to protest... of course it's my policy that people can protest the Pride March," added Ben-Gvir, who appeared briefly on Thursday between the two demonstration sites. - Politician 'calling us animals' - Around 2,000 officers have been brought in to secure the march, a police spokesman said. Parade participant Oshrit Assaf, 28, said the march is "particularly important this year, as the minister in charge of our security, Ben-Gvir, is the one who protested for years against us, calling us animals." Jerusalem Open House estimated 30,000 people attended the Pride parade, which the organisers said was the highest figure for seven years. The annual event has been held under tight security since 2015, when an ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed to death teenager Shira Banki and wounded six others. Months before the deadly attack, Smotrich described himself as a "proud homophobe" in comments he later retracted. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich were handed key government roles in December, despite Netanyahu having a broadly progressive record on LGBTQ policy issues. The premier's other coalition partners, ultra-Orthodox parties, have a long record of voting against LGBTQ rights. Despite this, Israel is more progressive than many of its Middle East neighbours and recognises the marriages of same-sex couples who wed abroad. The previous administration passed legislation banning so-called "gay conversion therapy" and granting surrogacy rights to all. bur-rsc/kir Tick-borne diseases are back. Here's the best way to check for tick bites this summer. Himagine/Getty Images Ticks tend to be smaller than a pencil eraser, but they can cause big health problems. A bite from a tick can lead to Lyme disease, or the lesser-known Powassan virus. Check for ticks after spending time outside this summer, especially if you're in the woods. The recent death of a 58-year-old man in Maine this May is a reminder of how even tiny ticks can transmit viruses and bacteria that cause serious illness. According to the state health department on May 17, the man developed neurologic symptoms related to the rare Powassan virus and died in the hospital. While fatal tick infections are rare, hundreds of thousands of Americans get Lyme disease each year, which can cause months of debilitating symptoms including joint pain and fatigue. Ticks can spread other diseases too, like babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, so it's worth taking precautions against these bugs. Ticks are most active when it's warm out Ticks are mostly dormant during the winter, but they become more active during the warmer months usually April through September and tick season is getting longer due to climate change. Not all ticks spread all diseases; there are several species of ticks across the country, and they are associated with different viruses and bacteria. For this reason, it's important to note which tick species are most common in your area and any diseases they may spread. Lyme disease is typically associated with the blacklegged tick, which can be found up and down the East Coast. How to check for ticks after spending time outside The more time you spend outside, the more likely you are to come into contact with a tick. Ticks live in grassy or wooded areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so people may come across them in their own backyards or while doing outdoor activities such as camping or hiking. Ticks like to hide in warm nooks of the body, so when checking for ticks make sure to first remove all of your clothes. Then, check your whole body, paying special attention to the areas under your arms, in and around your ears, behind your knees, in and around your hair, and even inside your belly button. If you're going outside with a pet or child, you should check them for ticks as well. You can use a full-body mirror or enlist a buddy to help you check yourself in areas that are hard to see, like your back or behind your ears. How to remove a tick the right way Ticks may spend several hours exploring the body before they bite, so it's important to check for them immediately after coming inside. If you see a tick crawling on you that isn't attached, you can remove it by hand. When a tick bites you, it releases a numbing agent in its saliva. You probably won't feel the bite, but the tick's saliva and blood may contain pathogens that can cause disease. If you find a tick on your body that's embedded in the skin, locate the head of the tick and pull it out with tweezers using steady, slow pressure, taking care not to release the insect's blood or leave parts behind. Don't try to "suffocate" the tick by covering it with petroleum jelly or nail polish. If the mouth of the tick detaches, that's ok pull it out like you would a splinter. After you've removed the tick, wash the bitten area with soap and warm water. If the tick has embedded, some physicians will recommend that you save the insect in a ziplock bag in case you get sick and need it for testing. Otherwise, toss that tick into the toilet and watch for signs of infection in the following weeks. Read the original article on Insider A TikToker says her landlord is struggling to rent out her house because her decor includes everything from a used coffin to a gravestone A TikToker posted a video describing how tombstones, human hair, and other oddities are preventing her home from being rented. @mybloodygalentine/TikTok Beckie-Ann Galentine posted a TikTok describing the reasons her landlord can't find a renter. Her home is filled with a coffin, a tombstone, bags of hair, toe tags, and hospital doors. Galentine sees these items as stories, but she realizes they might be shocking to strangers. Beckie-Ann Galentine's Victorian home in West Hartford, Connecticut, is filled with oddities. There's a tombstone in one corner, a stack of antique Ouija boards in another, and in the heart of her living room is a used coffin that's been turned into a coffee table. To her, the space feels "like home," she told Insider. But she's afraid that's not true for everyone. In a few months, Galentine is moving out of the house, so her landlord has been hosting tours for potential new tenants. Galentine, who goes by @mybloodygalentine on TikTok, posted a video on Tuesday highlighting the "reasons my landlord can't find anyone to rent my place." The video went viral and gained more than 1.4 million views within a day. While her items won't be staying with the future renter, Galentine said the three people who have toured the house have been a bit jarred by the skeletons, toe tags, and human hair that fills her home. Galentine said she collects stories, not objects Beyond the three potential renters, Galentine said she's spent the last few weeks selling items as she prepares to move. Together, the strangers have had a mixture of reactions from curiosity to fear. Galentine said one potential renter was peppering her and the landlord with questions about her decor as they toured the space. Another quickly asked the landlord about other properties he owned, she said. When a couple landed at her front door to pick up vintage dresses from Facebook Marketplace, Galentine said they decided to wait on the front porch once they saw the coffin and other curiosities in her home. Galentine, who worked as an embalmer and grew up in an antique store, said it isn't just the objects that fascinate her it's the stories behind them. For example, Galentine said the used coffin in her home was once a shipping coffin used to transport a body from country to country. She added that they're typically discarded after use, so she acquired one and transformed it into her coffee table. The doors in her entryway, on the other hand, were once part of the Danvers State Hospital, a now-closed mental hospital in Massachusetts. And the tombstone was originally designed for a pastor who moved to another church. "None of the stuff is stolen, and everything has a story," Galentine said. "To me, I feel like a custodian or a steward of the items instead of being a collector or owner." Galentine said she hopes that the strangers entering her apartment and the viewers of her TikTok realize that. "I do think it is shocking to people," she said. "But I want to reinforce the idea that this isn't a morbid curiosity. It's about the people and their stories." Read the original article on Insider TikTok's algorithm will do anything to keep you glued to its For You Page even if it means dredging up old memories you wish you could forget TikTok;@marthestarr TikTok's FYP is ruled by engagement rather than context or chronology or self-reported interests. Users can create guardrails to avoid triggering content, but the app's moderation is imperfect. Sometimes, that may mean stumbling across a tailor-made emotional jumpscare while scrolling. "It's March 2020," a blonde woman I've never seen before, Marjana Maksuti (@marthestarr), tells via TikTok. "We've got gloves," she says, wiggling her latex fingers in a kitchenette with the same festive claustrophobia and bleak light as every New York apartment I've lived in for the last decade. She's laughing. "POV: It's been three years since the shutdown, and you didn't leave NYC bc you got the first round of Corona and almost died," the on-screen text reads. "It's officially wartime," Maksuti says half-jokingly, in a way that reminds me of the early days when people left the city with a weekender bag and didn't come back for months. The scant, well-intended advice of the period wash your hands; don't touch your face; please, stranger, stay safe makes my chest hurt. It's a jarring thing to encounter at random a visceral immersion into an era of chronic dread spent wiping groceries with Clorox wipes. Over the next two minutes, Maksuti runs through her memories. She films winding lines at grocery stores with bare shelves, an empty Times Square soggy with rain, and the familiar hysteria of trying to trap a mouse. Her video has the familiar, concerted efforts at connection an interactive neighborhood painting wall, learning a dance in the living room with a roommate amid such expansive isolation months of emptied city streets and masked walks. The video is devastating and unexpected an example of the emotional "jump scare" that TikTok's For You Page algorithm often serves up to its users at the expense of context or chronology. Reliving this period which was difficult for me and, given the pandemic's unequal impact, still far more difficult for millions of others through Maksuti's random TikTok was jarring and surprisingly painful. Like other traumatizing experiences, these years had unconsciously become murky in my brain. In everyday conversation, it's hard to plot the period and events of the last few years chronologically. But, here, the FYP served up a sensory experience that could've been a dupe for my own. While the pandemic may feel functionally over for many, footage of it exists forever online. On TikTok, it's liable to pop up randomly as long as it drives engagement. The app's non-chronological algorithm designed to prioritize engagement over linearity or context or even your own conscious, self-reported interests can plunge users into emotional jump scares with the characteristic callous randomness of social media. One second, you're enjoying 45 of the other shades of the human experience an exorbitant $2,000 Erewhon pizza or a comedian pretending to be the color pink learning there's a color named "hot pink" and the next, you're reliving the early moments of the pandemic. TikTok, it turns out, doesn't care about your triggers. Users have options to retroactively create guardrails; they can opt out of seeing videos with certain hashtags on their FYP or tap "not interested" on the content they want less of, or report content they think goes against community guidelines, but the app's content moderation is an imperfect net; a lot slips through. Content related to sensitive and harmful topics, such as disordered eating, is plentiful. Even if the app doesn't allow content glorifying disordered eating, for example, it can still seep into banal videos or under the nutrition umbrella. If a certain word runs a creator a risk of being banned, they may adopt a pseudonym. Instead of easily opting in to select discussions by searching for supportive communities themselves, TikTokers may be plunged into topics they'd rather avoid, and find themselves served information with the highest engagement versus the best information. Maksuti's TikTok was an ultimately low-stakes version of what can come out of the app's engagement roulette wheel, but I wasn't alone in feeling triggered by its scenes. Viewers expressed feeling similarly sucker-punched, calling the footage "PTSD-inducing" and difficult to watch. The clip garnered more than 3,000 comments, many of which expressed surprise at their emotional response to seeing the early days of the pandemic. "This is triggering, but also so beautiful, thank you," wrote one viewer of the semi-catharsis the footage brought for some. Maksuti, who said in the caption that she hadn't been able to watch the footage until March 2023, agreed: "It was hard for me to put together, but we made it." Read the original article on Insider (CNN) Mexico is launching a new app to speed up its asylum process amid record levels of asylum seekers, even after a similar US app came under fierce criticism for glitches and difficulty of use. Andres Ramirez, head of Mexicos refugee assistance agency (COMAR) told CNN he believed an app was necessary in order to manage an overwhelming number of asylum requests in Mexico City. Were having so many people that we simply cannot cope, Ramirez said. Ramirez said that for the first time in the history of his agency, during the first 18 days of May, more asylum applications were filed in Mexico City than in the southern Mexican city of Tapachula, which borders Guatemala. During that time, 3,300 applications were filed in Mexico City and 3,000 in Tapachula, Ramirez said. The new app called simply the pre-registration system will allow individuals to register their intent to seek asylum online and is hoped to speed up processing. It is expected to launch next week in Mexico City only, with other areas expected to be added at a later date, according to Ramirez. He believes that the influx is in part the result of the end of Title 42 in the US, which brought many more people to Mexico in hopes of crossing the US-Mexico border. Those hopes were punctured by a harsh new rule enacted by the Biden administration that bars most asylum-seekers who travelled through other countries from gaining protection in the United States if they enter the country illegally. Ramirez also said that some individuals applying for asylum in Mexico City may still be waiting to get an appointment on US Customs and Border Protections CBP One App, through which users can make appointments to enter legally through a port of entry to make their case for asylum. Apps for asylum-seekers The US CBP One app has been sharply criticized by immigrant advocacy groups, who point out that some migrants lack the resources to get a smartphone, absence of adequate internet access to use the app, and may struggle with language and literacy barriers. Groups have also reported concerns about how the apps facial recognition technology handles darker skin. US Customs and Border Protection has told CNN that the app has worked as intended and that more than 79,000 individuals have scheduled appointments since the app was launched in January 2023. CBP also revamped the app earlier this month to address some of the concerns, and for the first time allowed people in central Mexico not just on the US-Mexico border to apply. Mexicos asylum software application is similar to CBP One, in that individuals start the process by entering their information online, which is hoped to speed up the processing. But there is a significant difference, as Ramirez points out: unlike the CBP One app, his agencys app allows individuals to apply from inside Mexican territory. Still, immigration experts warn against using apps in the asylum process. You shouldnt have to schedule an appointment when youre running for your life, says Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center who has witnessed the use of the CBP One app first hand. The CBP One app is a logistical and humanitarian failure that should not be replicated by Mexico or any other country, Matos said. Matos said she met countless migrants fleeing danger in their home countries who were waiting in Mexico in dangerous conditions, and many of them experienced glitches, facial recognition issues for those with darker skin and language access problems. Meanwhile, the number of migrants living in limbo as they wait in Mexico City for their asylum claims has become dangerously unsustainable, aid groups say. Jose Antonio Silva, migration project coordinator for Doctors without Borders in Mexico City, says his organization is concerned about health and living conditions for those currently in overcrowded shelters or living on the streets. The shelters, most of them with their own resources, face not only overcrowding problems, but also the challenge of being able to cover the different basic needs of people: health, food, water, hygiene, sanitation, and information, Silva said. Silva said migrants staying in the saturated shelters are predominantly Haitians and Venezuelans, followed by Mexicans and Central Americans, with a few Afghans and Angolans, too. His observations match COMARs data, which shows that during the first four months of the year, the top five nationalities seeking asylum in Mexico were Haitian, Honduran, Cuban, Venezuelan, and Salvadoran. Angolan was the only nationality in the top 10 from outside the western hemisphere, COMAR data shows. Migrants are particularly vulnerable to extortion, robbery, physical and verbal aggression, sexual abuse, and discrimination, and Silva worries that sleeping on the street could increase their chances of being revictimized. From January 1 to May 18 of this year, more than 56,000 people have sought asylum in Mexico, according to Ramirez. At that pace, Ramirez said his agency is expecting to receive about a record-breaking 140,000 applications by years end. Seeking asylum is a legal right that should not be dependent on having a smartphone or using an app, Matos said. Our countries should instead be working together to create fair and humane systems that meet the realities of our world in the 21st century. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Mexico plans to launch an asylum processing app next week." Time to apply for alligator hunting in SC but getting a permit is harder than ever. Heres why They lived in the time of dinosaurs and haunt the lakes and rivers of the South Carolina Lowcountry. And by and large, they want people to leave them alone. Alligators inherently scary looking with their long snouts, eyes just above the waterline and powerful tails. And if youd like to hunt one of these powerful creatures, Thursday is the start of the process in South Carolina. Thats the first day to apply to be in the lottery for a permit. The application period ends July 15. But dont get your hopes up. Each year, the number of people applying for the right to hunt alligators increases. Last year it was about 9,000 for 1,000 permits. Morgan Hart, a wildlife biologist and alligator project leader with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, said the increased interest comes both from more people living in the state and more becoming aware of the program. Capturing an alligator is not easy. Just say harpoons and lines and death rolls and you get an idea of how difficult and to hunters how exciting it can be to haul an alligator up to your boat for dispatch, to borrow a word from the DNR. In other words, you cant just fire your gun into the water. To make it even creepier, some hunt at night the better to see their eyes reflecting off lights hunters shine into the water. Just take the experience of Maryellen Mara Christian, who is credited with getting a 13-foot, 6 inch-gator in 2010 on Lake Moultrie, considered the largest ever taken during the hunt. Mara-Christian told Womens Outdoor News the animal shed hooked lines and harpoons at least twice before they were able to haul it to the boat 2 hours later. The next year, she and her husband Mark reeled in one almost as big at Santee Cooper, but that one was an even fiercer fighter. It snapped rods, dragged their boat to deep water and ultimately was subdued when it went into a death roll and tangled itself up. Each year, of the 1,000 DNR tags, about a third of the hunters are successful. The application to take part in the lottery costs $10. If selected, the fee is $100 for out of state its an additional $200 and the hunter must have a South Carolina hunting license. If theyre not selected, the applicant is awarded one preference point for future alligator lottery hunts. Alligator hunting season in South Carolina begins Sept. 9 and ends Oct. 14. South Carolina is one of eight states with alligator hunting seasons. Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas also issue alligator hunting licenses. An Illinois jury has found a former "Family Feud" contestant guilty in the murder of his estranged wife. Timothy Bliefnick was convicted on all charges in the murder of the accomplished nurse and fixture in her local church, amid a grueling divorce and custody battle. Bliefnick, who lived about a mile away from his wife after they separated, was accused of breaking into Rebecca "Becky" Postle Bliefnick's home through a second-story window and shooting her 14 times. Prosecutors alleged that he researched ways to commit the crime on Google, rode to her house on a bicycle, pried open the window with a crowbar and shot her dead. Jury selection in the courthouse in Quincy took place May 22. The trial lasted just over a week, with a break for Memorial Day, before closing arguments Wednesday. FAMILY FEUD MURDER SUSPECT DECLINES TO TESTIFY, SETTING STAGE FOR CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN WIFE'S SHOOTING DEATH Becky Bliefnick pictured with her family on Halloween in 2018. Police said she was found shot to death in her Quincy, Illinois, home on Feb. 23, 2023. The home of Tim Bliefnick, estranged husband to Rebecca Bliefnick, was raided on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Illinois. Rebecca was found shot to death in February. Tim Bliefnick was convicted of her murder on May 31, 2023 Postle Bliefnick's father found her body on Feb. 23, according to prosecutors. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Police arrested her husband on March 13, almost two weeks after they served a search warrant at his home. In court, prosecutors revealed that investigators retrieved dozens of shell casings in the basement that the state police lab found were fired from the same gun as eight recovered from the crime scene. Tim Bliefnick arrives to the wake for his estranged wife, Rebecca Bliefnick from Duker & Haugh Funeral Home in Quincy, Illinois on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Rebecca Bliefnick was found shot to death in her home in February, Tim Bliefnick was convicted of her murder on May 31, 2023. Police did not find the murder weapon, but Postle Bliefnick's handgun was missing, and Illinois State Police forensics expert Vickie Reels said it was among several weapon models that could have matched the recovered casings. Tim Bliefnick was a college football star and contestant on the "Family Feud" game show. Now he's accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife, an award-winning nurse named Becky Bliefnick. Loved ones of Rebecca Bliefnick attend her funeral at St. Peter Church in Quincy, Illinois on Friday, March 3, 2023. Rebecca Bliefnick was found shot to death in her home in February. Tim Bliefnick was convicted of her murder on May 31, 2023 FAMILY FEUD MURDER TRIAL: BULLET CASINGS IN HUSBAND'S BASEMENT MATCH THOSE AT CRIME SCENE, TESTIMONY REVEALS Postle Bliefnick's sister also testified last week that she received a text message that read, "If something ever happens to me, make sure the No. 1 person of interest is Tim." "I am putting this in writing that I'm fearful he will somehow harm me, come after me, or will try to [do] something to me that takes me away from the kids or the kids away from me," Postle Bliefnick texted her sister, Sarah Reilly, according to the latter's testimony. "He already has lied multiple times to paint himself as a victim and me as the perpetrator when it is absolutely the other way around." Tim Bliefnick is seen at his home on the day of Rebecca Bliefnicks funeral on March 3, 2023 in Quincy, Illinois. Tim Bliefnicks estranged wife, Rebecca, was found shot to death in February. But Bliefnick's defense attorney, Casey Schnack, countered that there was not enough evidence to prove her client committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. FAMILY FEUD MURDER: BECKY BLIEFNICK TOLD SISTER ESTRANGED HUSBAND SHOULD BE NO 1 SUSPECT IF SHE WERE HURT The prosecution's case was "dripping with sympathy" and "lacking in any hard evidence," she said during her closing arguments. Bill Postle and Bernadette Postle, parents of Rebecca Bliefnick, attend their daughters funeral at Calvary Cemetery in Quincy, Illinois on Friday, March 3, 2023. Rebecca Bliefnick was found shot to death in her home in February. "The state has come up woefully short in their quest to prove Tim guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," she told the jurors, citing a lack of DNA evidence and surveillance video that she argued only showed an unidentifiable person in the area. Postle Bliefnick was a fixture in the local community throughout her life, according to an online obituary. Tim Bliefnick leaves the wake for his estranged wife, Rebecca Bliefnick from Duker & Haugh Funeral Home in Quincy, Illinois on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Rebecca Bliefnick was found shot to death in her home in February. Tim Bliefnick was convicted of her murder on May 31, 2023 She graduated valedictorian from Quincy Notre Dame High School and went on to Quincy University. She began her career in pharmaceuticals but finished nursing school in time for the start of the coronavirus pandemic. As a nurse, she received a Daisy Award for her service to patients. From TLC To The Pointer Sisters, Meet Some Of The Cultures Most Successful Girl Groups At one point in time, girl groups ran the world (or the culture so to speak). From Total to En Vogue to Xscape, and everyone in between, the ladies dominated the charts, and despite the fact there are very few that exist today, it is worth taking a trip down memory lane to highlight some of those who left a mark on history. While girl groups dominated in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it is important to note that their existence started way before that. The Shirelles set the tone in 1961 when they became the first Black girl group to have a No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart through their smash single Will You Love Me Tomorrow. According to Lifetime, the group consisted of four teen girls: Shirley Owens, Beverly Lee, Addie Micki Harris, and Doris Coley. These ladies werent the only product from the 60s to dominate the charts and lay the blueprint for those who came after them. The Supremes, originally known as the Primettes, auditioned for the legendary Motown Records imprint in 1961, and it wasnt long before members Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Barbara Martin (who replaced original Betty McGlown) signed to the Detroit label. The rest is what they call history. Since then, the culture has seen girl groups come and go. However, the mark that they left on the world deserves all the recognition. Lets dive into some of the most successful Black girl groups of all time. TLC After initially being a part of a group called 2nd Nature alongside Crystal Jones, Tionne T-Boz Watkin and Lisa Left Eye Lopes ultimately connected with Rozonda Chilli Thomas, becoming the legendary group known to the world as TLC. During their rise to fame in the early 1990s and well into the 2000s, the trio quickly dominated the charts with hits such as Red Light Special, No Scrubs, Creep and Waterfalls. They are known today as the best-selling American female group and the second best-selling female group in the world, directly behind the Spice Girls, BET reports. After tragedy struck in 2002, resulting in the untimely death of Left Eye, the remaining members, Chilli and T-Boz, ultimately decided to continue as a duo, releasing their latest album in 2017. To date, TLC has sold more than 65 million records for their five studio albums with their second studio album CrazySexyCool (1994) gaining diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the only album by a girl group to have done so. The Supremes Ranked as one of the most successful bands of all time by Billboard, The Supremes rose to prominence in the 1960s and quickly became one of the best-selling groups of their generation. Timeless tracks such as Baby Love, Stop! In The Name of Love, Come See About Me, and more have solidified their place as cultural classics and certified The Supremes as Motown royalty. Another contributor to the groups success is the fact that theyve sold more than 100 million records. Destiny's Child Initially introduced to the world as Girls Tyme in 1990, this girl band originally consisted of four members Kelly Rowland, Beyonce, LeToya Luckett, and LaTavia Roberson. After signing to Columbia in 1997 as Destinys Child, the ladies quickly rose to success. Rearrangements with group members included Luckett and Roberson exiting to be replaced by Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams. Franklin was later ousted, and the group ultimately decided to be a trio of Rowland, Beyonce, and Williams. They went on to become one of the most successful girl groups of all time and have sold more than 60 million copies of their five studio albums to prove it. The Pointer Sisters Formed in 1969, the girl group started out as a duo act with sisters June and Bonnie Pointer performing as The Pointers A Pair. With their sister Anita as a new member, the trio became The Pointer Sisters and signed with Atlantic Records. It wasnt until sister Ruth joined in 1972 that the group found its groove and won their first Grammy Award for Fairytale. When Bonnie ultimately separated from the group to pursue a solo career, the trio created their best known hits in the 1980s with Slow Hand, Automatic, Im So Excited, and more. The Pointer Sisters has been listed as a Top 10 best-selling girl group of all time. Known for touching various genres including soul, pop, country, and more, these ladies went on to sell a reported 40 million copies of the 16 studio albums that they have released over the years. Sisters With Voices (SWV) This trio first hit the scene in 1988 as a gospel group before pivoting to R&B soul and becoming one of the heavy contenders of the time. Members include Cheryl Coko Gamble, Tamara Taj Johnson, and Leanne LeLee Lyons with the group rising to prominence during the 1990s thanks to hits like Weak, Youre The One, and Right Here, which famously samples Michael Jacksons Human Nature a track that he cleared for the group for free, as previously reported by AfroTech. Today, RIAA reports that they have sold more than 11.5 million copies of their five studio albums. Toledo-area man found in Mexico with Canton teen charged in his mother's death A Toledo-area man investigators say was found in Mexico with a Canton teen is now accused of killing his mother. Jonathan R. Jones, 33, of Sylvania Township, was charged with aggravated murder after his extradition from a Texas detention facility, Sylvania police's Deputy Chief Jim Rettig wrote in an email on Thursday. Sylvania Township is a suburb of Toledo. Jonathan R. Jones, 33, of Sylvania Township, a suburb of Toledo, faces an aggravated murder charge in the death of his mother. Jones was found in Mexico with a 17-year-old girl from Canton, also is charged in the homicide. Jones and Coones: Body of missing woman may be in Michigan landfill Authorities have said Jones' mother, Nicole Jones, 53, was killed, but her body still has not been found. Prosecutors have said they believe her body ended up in a Michigan landfill. The manner of her death has not been released. Jonathan Jones, and 17-year-old Kaitlyn Coones, a runaway teen living in a foster home in Canton, were found in Ahumada, Chihuahua, Mexico, on May 6 after an international manhunt. He had been awaiting extradition in El Paso, Texas. Kaitlyn Coones Jones was awaiting sentencing on May 4 in another criminal case in Wood County when he skipped town with Coones, investigators have said. She faces charges of murder and tampering with evidence in Nicole Jones' death. Coones also faces legal action in Canton for what police said was obstruction. Jonathan Jones remains in the Wood County Jail, where he was initially wanted. Rettig said additional charges in the case are possible. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jonathan Jones of Toledo charged in the death of Nicole Jones, his mom Tom Hanks in Cannes, France, last month. Tom Hanks in Cannes, France, last month. Tom Hanks is willing to admit that some of his movies suck. The Man Named Otto star explained to The New Yorker in a profile published Wednesday that most actors have no idea whether or not a movie theyre in is going to be any good. Hanks, who has been a Hollywood fixture since the 1980s, even admitted that hes not a huge fan of many of his films. OK, lets admit this: We all have seen movies that we hate. I have been in some movies that I hate. You have seen some of my movies and you hate them, Hanks confessed. And the Circle star (which, by the way, is a movie that has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 15%) has been in some serious stinkers. Hanks films that are largely believed to be some of his worst, at least according to onlinerankings, include 1985s The Man With One Red Shoe, 1990s The Bonfire of the Vanities and 2004s The Terminal. Hanks didnt name specific movies hes been in that he didnt like, but he did try to explain why hes ended up in some flops. Tom Hanks in 1994s Forrest Gump, 1995s Apollo 13 and 2000s Cast Away. He won an Oscar for Tom Hanks in 1994s Forrest Gump, 1995s Apollo 13 and 2000s Cast Away. He won an Oscar for "Forrest Gump" and was nominated for "Cast Away." He was part of the ensemble that won a Screen Actors Guild Award for "Apollo 13." Hanks told the magazine that there are five points of the Rubicon that every actor experiences when they sign up to be in a movie. The first Rubicon you cross is saying yes to the film. Your fate is sealed. You are going to be in that movie, Hanks began. The second Rubicon is when you actually see the movie that you made. It either works and is the movie you wanted to make, or it does not work and its not the movie you wanted to make. Hanks went on to say the third Rubicon is the critical reception, which he described as a version of the vox populi. Someone is going to say, I hated it. Other people can say, I think its brilliant. Somewhere in between the two is what the movie actually is. Hanks fourth Rubicon is a movies commercial success because, if it does not make money, your career will be toast sooner than you want it to be. The fifth Rubicon, Hanks said, is time: Where that movie lands twenty years after the fact. Hanks uses his 1996 film, That Thing You Do! as an example of his last point. I loved making that movie. I loved writing it, I loved being with it. I love all the people in it, Hanks said. When it came out, it was completely dismissed by the first wave of vox populi. It didnt do great business. It hung around for a while, was viewed as being some sort of odd, kinda quasi-ripoff of nine other different movies and a nice little stroll down memory lane. Now the same exact publications that dismissed it in their initial review called it Tom Hankss cult classic, That Thing You Do! So now its a cult classic. What was the difference between those two things? The answer is time. Hanks may have a point. Kirsten Dunst spoke openly in 2019 about how many of her early films were initially lambasted but gained more recognition years later. Well, remember when Marie Antoinette yall panned it? And now you all love it. Remember Drop Dead Gorgeous? Panned. Now you all love it, Dunst lamented during an appearance on the SiriusXM show In Depth With Larry Flick. But if time is such an important factor in a films legacy, wed ask Hanks not to revisit one of his most popular films, Forrest Gump because that movie did notagewell. Related... These are the top 25 elementary schools in Mississippi. See where your school ranked Nearly half of Mississippis 25 best elementary schools are located on the Mississippi Coast. After analyzing data and reviews of the states 434 public schools, Niche graded each school for its academics, diversity and teachers. The 2023 report ranked North Bay Elementary School as the best public elementary school in Harrison County, the best public elementary school on the Coast and the fourth best public elementary school in the state. The Biloxi Public School District K-4 school has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 and earned an overall grade of A in the Niche ranking. North Bay earned As in academics and diversity. The schools teachers received an A+ and ranked eighth in the state. Niche also found North Bay to be the 12th most diverse public elementary school in the state.. According to state test scores, 73% of students are at least proficient in math and 71% in reading, Niche reported. Niche grades and analyzes schools and neighborhoods throughout the U.S. using data from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Census and FBI plus more than 100 million reviews and survey responses from students, parents and residents to rank schools in every county and city in the country. We get deep too, asking questions about everything from college prep to cafeteria food, said Niche on its website. Though quality data is a priority, at Niche, we know that a school is more than a collection of stats. Niche also looks at each schools academics and culture. Academics Grade: Based on state assessment proficiency and survey responses on academics from students and parents. Teachers Grade: Based on teacher salary, teacher absenteeism, state test results, and survey responses on teachers from students and parents. District Grade: Based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data along with millions of reviews from students and parents. Culture & Diversity Grade: Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents. Parent/Student Surveys Grade: Niche survey responses scored on a 1-5 scale regarding the overall experience of students and parents from the school. Here are the top 25 schools in Mississippi: 1. Eastside Elementary School Clinton, Mississippi Clinton Public School District 812 students, student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1 Grades 4 and 5 Overall grade: A+ Academics: A Diversity: A Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 78% of students are at least proficient in math and 70% in reading. 2. Della Davidson Elementary School Oxford, Mississippi Oxford School District 645 students, student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 Grades 2 and 3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 83% of students are at least proficient in math and 69% in reading. 3. Petal Elementary School Petal, Mississippi Petal School District 548 students, student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 Grades 2 and 3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B+ Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 73% of students are at least proficient in math and 69% in reading. 4. North Bay Elementary School Biloxi, Mississippi Biloxi Public School District 705 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Grades K to 4 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 73% of students are at least proficient in math and 71% in reading. 5. Northside Elementary School Clinton, Mississippi Clinton Public School District 733 students, student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1 Grades 2 and 3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 71% of students are at least proficient in math and 65% in reading. 6. Popps Ferry Elementary School Biloxi, Mississippi Biloxi Public School District 645 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Grades 2 and 3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A+ Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 77% of students are at least proficient in math and 62% in reading. 7. Central Elementary School Oxford, Mississippi Oxford School District 713 students, student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 Grades 4 and 5 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A Teachers: A According to state test scores, 80% of students are at least proficient in math and 72% in reading. 8. Madison Station Elementary School Madison, Mississippi Madison County School District 979 students, student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 Grades K to 5 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B+ Teachers: A According to state test scores, 84% of students are at least proficient in math and 81% in reading. 9. Back Bay Elementary School Biloxi, Mississippi Biloxi Public School District 539 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Grades K to 4 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A+ Teachers: A According to state test scores, 71% of students are at least proficient in math and 61% in reading. 10. Bayou View Elementary School Gulfport, Mississippi Gulfport Public School District 691 students, student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 Grades K to 5 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A- Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 83% of students are at least proficient in math and 85% in reading. 11. Madison Avenue Upper Elementary School Madison, Mississippi Madison County School District 474 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Grades 3 to 5 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B+ Teachers: A According to state test scores, 77% of students are at least proficient in math and 82% in reading. 12. W.J. Quarles Elementary School Long Beach, Mississippi Long Beach School District 454 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Grades K to 3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 77% of students are at least proficient in math and 72% in reading. 13. Enterprise Elementary School Enterprise, Mississippi Enterprise School District 343 students, student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 Grades K to 4 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B- Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 77% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. 14. Pecan Park Elementary School #1 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Jackson County Ocean Springs, Mississippi Ocean Springs School District 489 students, student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 Grades K to 3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A- Teachers: A According to state test scores, 67% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% in reading. 15. St. Martin East Elementary School #2 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Jackson County Ocean Springs, Mississippi Jackson County Public School District 654 students, student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 Grades PK, K to 3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 82% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. 16. Mannsdale Upper Elementary School Madison, Mississippi Madison County School District 650 students, student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 Grades 3 to 5 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B+ Teachers: A- According to state test scores, 83% of students are at least proficient in math and 80% in reading. 17. Magnolia Park Elementary School #3 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Jackson County Ocean Springs, Mississippi Ocean Springs School District 644 students, student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 Grades K to 3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B+ Teachers: A According to state test scores, 67% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% in reading. 18. Brandon Elementary School #1 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Rankin County Brandon, Mississippi Rankin County School District 742 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Grades 4-5 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A- Teachers: A According to state test scores, 73% of students are at least proficient in math and 66% in reading. 19. Oak Grove Lower Elementary School #1 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Lamar County Hattiesburg, Mississippi Lamar County School District 601 students, student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 Grades 2-3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A Teachers: A According to state test scores, 70% of students are at least proficient in math and 62% in reading. 20. Oak Park Elementary School #4 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Jackson County Ocean Springs, Mississippi Ocean Springs School District 493 students, student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 Grades K to 3 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B Teachers: A According to state test scores, 67% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% in reading. 21. Northshore Elementary School #2 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Rankin County Brandon, Mississippi Rankin County School District 627 students, student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 Grades K to 6 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: B Teachers: A According to state test scores, 87% of students are at least proficient in math and 75% in reading. 22. Pierce Street Elementary School #1 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Lee County Tupelo, Mississippi Tupelo Public School District 356 students, student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 Grades 3 to 6 Overall grade: A Academics: A- Diversity: A Teachers: A According to state test scores, 68% of students are at least proficient in math and 60% in reading. 23. Delisle Elementary School Pass Christian, Mississippi Pass Christian Public School District 446 students, student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 Grades PK, K to 5 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A- Teachers: A According to state test scores, 65% of students are at least proficient in math and 65% in reading. 24. Anniston Elementary School Gulfport, Mississippi Gulfport Public School District 569 students, student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 Grades K to 5 Overall grade: A Academics: A- Diversity: A+ Teachers: A According to state test scores, 64% of students are at least proficient in math and 60% in reading. 25. D.T. Cox Elementary School #1 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Pontotoc County Pontotoc, Mississippi Pontotoc City Schools 356 students, student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 Grades 3 to 4 Overall grade: A Academics: A Diversity: A Teachers: A+ According to state test scores, 72% of students are at least proficient in math and 61% in reading. George Gao told the BBC that the possibility of a lab accident should not be discounted. Workers disinfect a school following a COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, in August 2021. (China Daily via Reuters) The debate over the origins of the coronavirus has largely been conducted in the West, despite the fact that the pathogen originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Chinese authorities have officially maintained a vague stance, meant largely to deflect criticism. Meanwhile, scientists who may hold clues to how the pandemic began likely sometime in late 2019 appear to have been silenced. That changed ever so slightly this week, when George Gao, the former head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, offered his thoughts on the contentious question to a BBC podcast. Read more from Yahoo News: The endless and potentially harmful debate over COVIDs origins What did Gao say? The Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in May 2020. (Stringer/Reuters) Dont rule out anything. It may not seem like much, but Gao was clearly acknowledging that the coronavirus could have emerged as a result of a laboratory accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The remarks came in a new BBC podcast, Fever: The Hunt for Covids Origin. Initially, most scientists thought the virus originated at a wildlife market in Wuhan. But gradually, opinion has shifted toward the likelihood of human error. China has strenuously denied that such a leak took place, and Gao did not present any evidence to counter those denials. But he also did not make such a denial himself when presented with the chance to do so. Lab leak proponent and former National Security Council official Jamie Metzl told Yahoo News that he could not recall another Chinese scientist making a similar concession. At least on the surface, he has been pretty honest and straightforward from the beginning, Metzl said of Gao. My personal sense is that he is trying to maintain scientific credibility while not overly upsetting the Chinese government. In fact, Gao may have even been encouraged by Beijing, speculates Richard Ebright, a Rutgers molecular biologist and an outspoken lab leak proponent. Gaos statement may have been authorized by Chinas government and thus may augur a change in Chinas governments stance on the subject, Ebright told Yahoo News. Read more from our partners: WHO, advisors urge China to release all COVID-related data after new research An investigation by China? Wuhans Huanan Seafood Market, where the first cluster of COVID cases emerged, in 2021. (Thomas Peter/Reuters) Gao also told the BBC that the Chinese government investigated the Wuhan laboratory, though he gave no details about the investigation. The government organized something, Gao said. That lab was double-checked by the experts in the field. He did not say which agency employed those experts, or what they found, other than that they discovered no wrongdoing. But the revelation that an investigation had been conducted suggests that Chinese authorities took the possibility of a lab leak more seriously than they had previously indicated. Read more from our partners: Chinese virologist accuses Beijing of hiding details on coronavirus A persistent controversy Peter Ben Embarek, Peter Daszak and Marion Koopmans, members of the WHO team tasked with investigating the origins of COVID, at a hotel in Wuhan in 2021. (Aly Song/Reuters) Chinese officials and state media have gone so far as to spread conspiracy theories that the coronavirus originated at Fort Detrick, a bioweapons facility in Maryland. There is no evidence for that outlandish accusation, but it is telling all the same. In some ways, Beijing has treated the coronavirus with some of the same propaganda and obfuscation that the Soviet Union deployed after the Chernobyl partial meltdown in 1986. In early 2021, China allowed investigators with the World Health Organization to conduct a carefully managed visit to Wuhan. In a subsequent report, the WHO endorsed the view that the virus originated at the Huanan Seafood Market, where it jumped from an intermediate animal species to humans. China has denied the market origin hypothesis as strenuously as the possibility of a lab leak, doing all it can to stymie investigations. Read more from our partners: COVID-19 likely originated with lab leak, U.S. Energy Department finds in new report Here comes the raccoon dog A raccoon dog in its enclosure at the Shanghai Zoo on May 12. (Staff/Reuters) In March, a group of researchers made a controversial, highly contested claim. Analyzing genetic data from swabs taken at the Huanan Seafood Market, which had been inadvertently uploaded to an international server, they claimed that the virus had originated in a cage containing raccoon dogs. Critics quickly noted that the mixture of raccoon dog DNA and viral matter did not necessarily mean that the animals had transmitted the coronavirus to humans. The virus could have been deposited in the raccoon dog cage by a sneezing human already sickened with COVID-19 or by some other inadvertent means. And, it turned out, the amount of viral DNA in the raccoon dog sample was minuscule to begin with. Among the critics of the raccoon dog argument was Gao, who like Chinese political leaders maintained that the virus had been brought to the Huanan market by humans, not animals, in what appeared to be an effort to discount both origin hypotheses without offering a credible alternative. Gao disparaged the raccoon dog findings as nothing new. Read more from our partners: Expert says origins of pandemic could be known in few years Preparing for future pandemics A research team investigating emerging zoonotic diseases prepares to collect samples from a bat breeding shed at Accra Zoo in Accra, Ghana, in 2022. (Francis Kokoroko/Reuters) The attention devoted to Gaos comments seems to reflect an enduring fascination with the pandemics origins, even as coronavirus concerns recede for most people in the United States and elsewhere. Some have argued that both the wildlife trade and laboratory safety need reform, in China and elsewhere, regardless of how the virus originated. As Professor Gao said, science deals in probabilities and not in certainties. In reality, it may never be possible to know with confidence how the covid-19 virus entered the human population, said James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge. What is important is that lessons are learned and that live wildlife trade, a well recognised route for zoonotic virus transmission, is reduced or banned and that laboratory safety is properly regulated. Read more from our partners: The Chinese wild-animal industry and wet markets must go A top DeSantis aide battled with Trump's team over his 'Soviet' plan for new 'dystopian' American cities Former President Donald Trump is greeted by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at Southwest Florida International Airport on October 16, 2020. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images A top spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis accused Trump of proposing "Soviet dystopian nonsense." Christina Pushaw attacked Trump's plan for new federally-chartered US cities on federal land. Pushaw argued the plan was inspired by the World Economic Forum and would limit freedom of movement. A top spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly battled with former President Donald Trump's defenders on Twitter over what she called the ex-president's "Soviet dystopian" plan for American cities. The spat began after Christina Pushaw, rapid response director for DeSantis' campaign, took issue with Trump's recent proposal to build up to ten new American cities on federal land featuring plentiful single-family homes and even flying cars. Pushaw tweeted a claim that Trump's so-called "Freedom Cities" plan was inspired by the World Economic Forum and would amount to "15-minute cities on federal lands," referring to the urban planning concept in which people live within a 15-minute walk or bike ride of most daily necessities. Some conservatives and conspiracy theorists have claimed the urban planning principle is actually a plot devised by global elites to restrict individual freedoms. Some have targeted a vague project by the World Economic Forum called "The Great Reset" that aims to support sustainability and fight climate change. The Trump War Room twitter account, which is run by Trump aides, called Pushaw's claim "cuckoo," defended Freedom Cities as "the opposite of globalism," and accused DeSantis of siding with the "WEF, Obama, Biden, Hillary, and Paul Ryan" on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Trump "put forward a vision for cities with ultra-low regs and no leftist insanity, to serve as centers for reshoring manufacturing," the account wrote. "You have to lie about Pres. Trump's ideas because Ron has no original ideas of his own." Spokespeople for Trump's 2024 campaign didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) May 31, 2023 Pushaw responded by asking why Trump wouldn't support bringing manufacturing back to US cities that already exist. She then echoed the conspiracy theory that 15-minute cities are an attempt to strip residents of their cars and freedom of movement and trap them in a dystopian surveillance state. "Conservatives don't want to live in centrally planned, federally constructed '15 minute cities.' This is Soviet dystopian nonsense," she tweeted. "For those of us who like cities at all, we want to restore our once-great American cities to be safe, clean, orderly, and productive again." She added, "Centrally planned government-constructed cities remind me of former communist countries I've lived in. It's a WEF-inspired initiative to cut down on energy / carbon & stop humans from moving freely across spaces." Pushaw didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Pushaw isn't the first conservative to take issue with Trump's far-reaching proposal. Tea Party activist Sonnie Johnson argued on Fox News earlier this year that Trump's "leftist plan" is a "a Green Deal initiative made to cut down on energy and stop humans from having the ability to move freely across spaces." A Republican consultant close to Trump's campaign told Insider in March that Trump came up with the idea for Freedom Cities himself and was likely inspired by Saudi Arabia's futuristic desert cities. "Trump sees the Saudis investing a lot of money, you know, why don't we create something similar like that in the US?" he told Insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "That's just the way his brain works." Read the original article on Business Insider Calling it a rough few months does not come close to describing the misery experienced by Gerald Perrin a few years ago. His son died from an illness in October 2017. A month later Perrin's mother passed away. By March of 2018, Perrin was making plans to find his "reclusive" brother to tell him the bad news. All he knew was that his brother lived in Cape Canaveral. But before Perrin could fly down from his Illinois home, he received a call from authorities with more terrible news. His brother, John David Perrin, was killed by a drunk driver on State Road A1A in Cape Canaveral. Brevard County Sheriff's deputies arrested the driver, Glenn Willis Brimmer, charging him with DUI Manslaughter. Five years have now come and gone, and Perrin's family is still waiting for the trial. The case has seen three judges, at least three defense attorneys, COVID courthouse slowdown and a ton of motions filed by the defense. There have been motions to dismiss the case, objecting to the field sobriety exercises, another claiming the defendant was seized without reasonable suspicion, a motion to suppress the blood evidence and another claiming FDLE's lab results should be inadmissible, among others. Those motions have been denied though there is a filing with the 5th District Court of Appeals. "This doesn't seem right," Gerald Perrin told me this week. "I feel like my rights are being violated and my brother's rights as well." Everybody deserves their day in court and adequate time to prepare for trial. But five years? According to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Brimmer had been drinking at the Cocoa Beach Pier on March 2, 2018, then got into a Hyundai Veloster and was driving erratically. He traveled north on State Road A1A to Fillmore Avenue in Cape Canaveral, where he struck John David Perrin, who was riding a bicycle. According to court documents, Brimmer's blood-alcohol content level was .23, nearly three times the state's legal limit of .08. Prosecutors with the State Attorney's Office seem similarly annoyed at the lack of progress in the case. More: Driver charged in DUI death of bicyclist in Cape Canaveral "Prosecutors assigned to the case have additionally described the delays as frustrating, and the result of extraordinary pre-trial litigation, including multiple Motions to Suppress, Motions to Dismiss, and a current appeal to the 5th District Court of Appeals," said Todd Brown, spokesman for the State Attorney's Office. "Our office is and has been ready to proceed to trial." Brimmer's attorneys did not respond when asked to comment on the case. It's no wonder Brimmer's attorneys are trying to suppress evidence. I suppose it's a strategy to delay as long as you can and hope that witnesses forget, move away or die before the case makes it to trial. On the other hand, if the testimony and evidence in hand makes it to trial then Brimmer might be kissing his freedom goodbye. One of the responding deputies testified during a pre-trial hearing that Brimmer was lying on top of Perrin's body weeping and distraught when he arrived at the scene. The deputy then recorded 54 minutes of audio from the crash site that allegedly contains an admission from Brimmer, who was described as "rambling." "You run somebody over like I did...you gotta pick 'em up," Brimmer is heard saying, according to court documents. He also reportedly said that he had a "good buzz on." Witnesses at the scene also said that Brimmer tried leaving before law enforcement arrived but was blocked in by other vehicles. More John A. Torres: Torres: Sorry but I'm not drinking the Brightline Kool-Aid. Torres: Prosecutor admits presenting false testimony but denies breaking the rules Because the case has taken so long to get to trial, Gerald Perrin missed out on his chance to sue the defendant for wrongful death. In Florida the statute of limitations for a wrongful death suit is only two years. He's also hoping to sue the establishment that he says over served the man accused of running down his brother. Perrin, now 70 years old, said he plans to travel to Brevard County for the next court date, a status hearing scheduled for July 6, meaning at least another few months of waiting for Gerald Perrin and his family. "John Perrin tragically lost his life in a circumstance that could have and should have been avoided," Brown said. "We are committed to aggressively prosecuting this case and seeking justice on behalf John and his family, regardless of how long that may take." Have a seat. I have a feeling it's gonna be awhile. Contact Torres at jtorres@floridatoday.com. You can follow him on Twitter @johnalbertorres or on Facebook at facebook.com/FTjohntorres. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Cape Canaveral DUI manslaughter case still awaiting trial In this photo released by Toyota Motor Corp., Toyotas Corolla racing car powered by liquid hydrogen runs on the racing course during a 24-hour race at Fuji International Speedway in Oyama town, some 100 kilometers (62 miles) southwest of Tokyo, Sunday, May 28, 2023. The hydrogen-fueled Corolla has made its racing debut, part of a move to bring the futuristic technology into the racing world and to demonstrate Toyotas resolve to develop green vehicles. (Toyota Motor Corp. via AP) OYAMA, Japan (AP) In a sprawling circuit near Mount Fuji, a humble Corolla running on liquid hydrogen has made its racing debut, part of a move to bring the futuristic technology into the racing world and to demonstrate Toyotas resolve to develop green vehicles. Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, resplendent in a fire-resistant racing uniform, was all smiles as he prepared to buzz around the circuit in the hydrogen-fueled Corolla. This is a world first for a liquid hydrogen car to race. We hope it will offer another option in the fight against global warming. To bring everyone smiles, I want to go one lap, even one second, more, said Toyoda, a former CEO of Toyota, grandson of the automakers founder and a licensed race driver himself. The hydrogen Corolla race car wont be turning up at your dealer anytime soon. The Super Taikyu 24-hour race at Fuji Speedway was just a test for the technology, Toyota officials said. Unlike electric vehicles, it has a combustion engine, but it burns liquid hydrogen instead of gasoline. Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp., which sells about 10 million vehicles a year, has fallen behind in the global shift to battery-powered EVs, but its been banking on hydrogen as a potentially carbon-neutral solution for years. Experts say hydrogen holds great potential. But so far, much of hydrogen, including what's used to fuel the Corolla racing car, is made using fossil fuels such as natural gas. Soaring fuel prices and concerns over global warming have added urgency to the search for alternative energy sources especially in Japan, which imports practically all its oil. Auto racing has been moving to leave its growling gas-guzzlers behind. Toyota rival Honda Motor Co. recently said its returning to Formula One racing, saying new regulations are an opportunity for research on new technologies. Other automakers, including General Motors Co., have made similar commitments. At last weeks event, Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de lOuest, which organizes Le Mans, announced that 24 Hours of Le Mans, the worlds most famous endurance race, will be open to hydrogen-powered cars using both fuel cells and combustion engines starting in 2026. Hydrogen for me is a very interesting solution for the future, Fillon told reporters. We have to move for mobility to zero emissions. This is very important for our planet and our children. Toyota Chief Executive Koji Sato said he hoped to make an announcement soon about Toyotas participation in Le Mans. The discussion on green-energy solutions has just begun, said John Heywood, a professor emeritus and automotive engine expert at MIT, noting that EVs also have drawbacks such as the need for critical materials often obtained in environmentally or ethically damaging circumstances. There is nothing ungreen about the internal combustion engine. Its the fuel that it uses that matters, Heywood said. The hydrogen used for Toyotas race car is made at a coal gasification plant in Australia and is delivered by Iwatani Corp., a Japanese energy company, as part of a Japanese government-backed project to promote use of hydrogen for a variety of industries, including those using fossil fuels. Green hydrogen is created when renewable energy sources power an electrical current that runs through water, separating its hydrogen and oxygen molecules through electrolysis. The process doesnt produce planet-warming carbon dioxide, but less than 0.1% of global hydrogen production is currently created in this way, according to the IEA. Critics say it might be better to just use that renewable energy, than use it to make hydrogen. But proponents of hydrogen say even those made from natural gas can be ecological sound when carbon emissions are trapped and buried underground. Sato acknowledged the challenge. What we need to do first is to create an environment for using hydrogen. For hydrogen use to become widespread, that environment must be solid, and its important the cycle of that system is working in all steps, including transporting it and making it, he told reporters on the sidelines of the race. There are other pitfalls apart from the green-ness of hydrogens credentials. In March, a Toyota vehicle fueled by liquid hydrogen caught on fire during a test run for a race at the Suzuka circuit, which hosts the Formula One Grand Prix and other races. Hydrogen leaked from a pipe loosened by the vehicles vibrations and a leak sensor worked properly, shutting off the hydrogen in less than a tenth of a second. No one was hurt, the cabin was protected, and the fire was contained, according to Toyota. Of the dozens of cars taking part in the Fuji Speedway 24-hour race, Toyotas No. 32 Corolla was destined to lose. Refueling and checks in the pit so crucial to racing took several minutes, an eternity in a race where contestants are fighting for seconds. Still, the debut of liquid hydrogen in racing may be one small step forward, said Tomoya Takahashi, president of Toyotas Gazoo Racing Co. This is about building for the future. Electric cars are not the only answer, and the internal combustion engine holds potential, he said. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama ___ AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama (CNN) The Pentagon forced an Air Force base in Nevada to cancel a drag show at the start of Pride Month that had already been approved, according to three officials familiar with the situation. The drag show at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada was scheduled for June 1 and recognizes the importance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members and civilian personnel. According to a military official, it would have been the third annual drag show held at Nellis, known as The Home of the Fighter Pilot and the Air Forces center for advanced fighter training. Despite the previous two events being held at the base, this one was not allowed to move forward after the Pentagon intervened on Wednesday, according to two defense officials, forcing the base to cancel the event or move it to a different location. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken in support Pride Month in the military, saying in 2021 that LGBTQ+ citizens have fought to defend our rights and freedoms from the founding of our nation to the Civil War and beyond. But he has drawn a line at allowing drag events or shows to be hosted at military bases, one of the officials said, making clear that DoD funds cannot be appropriated for such events. Consistent with Secretary Austins congressional testimony, the Air Force will not host drag events at its installations or facilities, an Air Force official said. Commanders have been directed to either cancel or relocate these events to an off-base location. NBC News was first to report on the shows cancellation. A Pentagon spokeswoman said drag shows are not an appropriate use of US military bases. As Secretary Austin has said, the DOD will not host drag events at US military installations or facilities, spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said. Hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is not a suitable use of DOD resources. Our Service members are diverse and are allowed to have personal outlets. In March, Austin told a House Armed Services Committee hearing that drag shows are not something the Defense Department supports or funds. Pressed by Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida who has attacked the Defense Department over what he claims is a focus on wokeism, Austin reiterated at the time that this is not something we support or fund. During the same exchange, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley said he wanted to look into the occurrences of drag shows on military bases to find out what actually is going on there. Id like to take a look at those, because I dont agree with those, he said. I think those things shouldnt be happening. This story was first published on CNN.com. Pentagon cancels drag show at Air Force base as Pride Month begins Knox designed gravestone for author Hall Caine, who was buried in Maughold Churchyard A trail mapping the life and work of Art Nouveau designer Archibald Knox on the Isle of Man has been launched. More than 60 pieces of work or aspects of the artist's life in 27 locations have been made available to discover by scanning QR codes. They include war memorials and graves he designed and his former homes on the island. Chris Hobdell from the Archibald Knox Forum said the map shows how the island "inspired and motivated" the designer. The QR codes can be found on buildings across the Isle of Man Born in 1864 in Tromode, Knox's designs are characterised by their distinctive interlace patterns. Known by many for his metal work as primary designer for Liberty of London, the artist is also recognised for his paintings and sketches. Following the new trail, when a QR code on a building is scanned it connects the user to a website map which outlines Knox's connection with the place. In the island's capital, people can visit the Douglas School of Art were Knox studied and later taught, home where he died and various war memorials designed by him. In neighbouring Braddan 12 graves designed by or associated with Knox can be found in the new church cemetery. Archibald Knox's grave can be found in New Braddan Cemetery Mr Hobdell said each destination illustrated that, along with his formal training, "the islands history, culture and scenery is what made this man". The trail, which has been supported by Culture Vannin, the Isle of Man Arts Council and the government's Visit Isle of Man agency, is also set to feature as part of the largest exhibition of the Manx-born designer's works in 2025. It will be made up of works never seen before on the island and trail walks "explaining where he sat when he was painting a particular scene", Mr Hobdell said. The aim of that project was to try to "put the Isle of Man on the map, like Charles Rennie Mackintosh is for Glasgow, Knox can be for the Isle of Man", he added. Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk The traitor was exposed The traitor was a resident of Bakhmut. He had been recruited by a representative of the 72nd GRU intelligence center, Nikita Klimovsky, before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. After the outbreak of the all-out war, the Ukrainian received his first task - to report on the consequences of air strikes by the Russian occupation forces on Bakhmut. The enemy was also interested in the exact coordinates of bridge crossings in and around the city. The traitor was instructed to infiltrate the Ukrainian Defense Forces in Dnipro Oblast. Once enlisted in a military unit, the Russian operative gathered intelligence on the unit's personnel count and weapons inventory. He also shared information with the aggressor regarding potential visits by senior officials of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to the garrison. Ukrainian intelligence services are currently verifying this information and investigating the possibility of a potential sabotage operation against these officials. The Ukrainian rat tried to establish the locations of the Ukrainian air defense systems and modern Western weapons. Thanks to the proactive efforts of Ukrainian military counter-intelligence officers and SBU operatives, the traitor was apprehended in the act of attempting to relay sensitive intelligence to the Russian special services. He has been charged under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for committing high treason during wartime. 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) -- Welcome to Social Buzz, a daily column looking at whats trending on social media platforms. Im Caitlin Fichtel, an editor on Bloombergs Breaking News team, which monitors everything from company statements to tweets from some of the most prominent people in the financial world. Heres your daily look at what the internet is talking about. Most Read from Bloomberg Musk Reclaims Worlds Wealthiest Title Elon Musk reclaimed his spot as the worlds wealthiest person after LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault saw shares in his luxury empire LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE decline in Paris trading. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Musk is worth $192.3 billion while Arnaults net worth sunk to $186.6 billion. US Birthrate Declines The US birth rate declined slightly last year after picking up in 2021 from a multi-decade low in 2020, when the pandemic struck. US births dipped to 3,661,220 last year from 3,664,292 in 2021, according to provisional 2022 birth data released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Center for Health Statistics. Debt-Limit Deal Passes in House The House passed debt-limit legislation forged by President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy that would impose restraints on government spending through the 2024 election and avert a destabilizing US default. Lawmakers from both parties joined to approve the bill 314-117 Wednesday evening, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration as a default deadline draws near. The vote cements Bidens reputation for pragmatism and working across party lines as he seeks a second term and allows McCarthy to claim success in his first major test as speaker. Cruise Passenger Search Suspended The Coast Guard suspended the search for a passenger who is believed to have fallen off a Carnival Cruise ship east of Florida, NBC News reported, citing officials. The passenger, 35-year-old Ronnie Peale, fell off the ship around 4 a.m. local time on Monday morning. Danny Masterson Found Guilty Actor Danny Masterson, who starred in That 70s Show, was found guilty on two of three counts of rape at his second trial, The Associated Press reported. Masterson could get 30 years to life in prison for the crimes. Terminal users can sign up to receive this daily piece in their inbox by clicking here. --With assistance from Alex Tanzi, Erik Wasson and Billy House. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The Washington man accused of killing a couple who owned a motel near McCall now has a jury trial scheduled for next year. John Cody Hart has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of 45-year-old Sara Mehen and 47-year-old Rory Mehen, who owned the Hartland Inn in New Meadows and were fatally shot in October. Hart was there as a guest when he shot and killed the Mehens, according to an affidavit previously obtained by the Idaho Statesman. The 28-year-old chose to stand silent during his May 19 arraignment, prompting 3rd District Judge Matthew Roker to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf. Idahos 3rd Judicial District contains six Idaho counties, including Adams, where the crime occurred. Harts jury trial is expected to begin on June 10, 2024, and could last eight weeks, according to court minutes from the arraignment. Typically criminal trials are set six months after a defendant enters a plea, but Hart waived his right to a speedy trial, which will allow his defense team additional time to prepare. Harts criminal case was on hold for several months after he was found incompetent to assist in his defense and stand trial, and had to have his competency restored. According to more than 100 pages of court records obtained by the Statesman, Hart has a history of mental health issues and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. A former veteran, Hart began experiencing auditory hallucinations in 2015 after his wife died in a car crash. He was previously declared incompetent in a separate case in Washington and was supposed to be transferred to Western State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital outside of Tacoma, to receive treatment, but that never happened. Instead, because of a backlogged system, Hart spent over 18 weeks in jail before being released in July 2022. Hart was expected to be admitted to a hospital in August and receive treatment for 90 days. Had Hart been transferred to Western State Hospital, he could have remained in treatment in October, when the fatal shootings occurred. Trials for Idaho death penalty cases may overlap Adams County Prosecutor Christopher Boyd previously announced his intent to seek the death penalty against Hart, writing in an October note of intent that the killings were especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity. One of Harts court-appointed attorneys, Elisa Massoth, is also representing Bryan Kohberger, the 28-year-old former graduate student accused of killing four University of Idaho students. Massoth is one of 30 Idaho lawyers who are eligible to defend capital cases when the defendant cant afford an attorney. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson hasnt announced whether his office will seek the death penalty against Kohberger. In addition, Eastern Idaho prosecutors are pursuing capital punishment for Chad Daybell. The 54-year-old Rexburg father is accused of several felonies, including first-degree murder in the deaths of his former wife and two of his current wifes children. A date hasnt been set for Daybells jury trial, but its expected to be scheduled around June 2024. Harts next hearing is at 11:30 a.m. July 21 at the Adams County Courthouse in Council, Idaho. Bellevue police officers recovered thousands of dollars in merchandise and arrested three suspects in an international organized theft ring. The trio is believed to have committed crimes along the Interstate 5 corridor from California to Washington. They are suspected of stealing more than $76,000 of merchandise in the Bellevue area since March. The three suspects, ages 18, 22 and 27, were arrested outside Bellevue Square on May 20 after security officers saw them stealing from stores inside the mall, according to police. Police said two of the suspects tried to get away, but were quickly caught. Detectives say the three are part of an organized retail theft ring originating in Bogota, Colombia, and operating out of Los Angeles, Calif. Two of the suspects were using forged Columbian IDs. During their arrests, officers found foiled-lined shopping bags that were used to hide stolen items while blocking anti-theft sensors that people pass by when leaving a store. The suspects were booked into jail but were later released. The King County Prosecutors Office is reviewing the charges. Triple homicide suspect was on bail for allegedly shooting same man on 2 separate occasions One of the suspects in the fatal shooting of two children and a 19-year-old man in Lebanon on Tuesday was out on bail after being charged earlier this year with dangerous behavior involving firearms. Alex Torres-Santos, 22, was on house arrest and wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the triple homicide, which claimed the lives of 9-year-old Sebastian Perez-Salome, 8-year-old Jesus Perez-Salome, and 19-year-old Joshua Lugo-Perez. Louis Cancel, 33, of Lebanon, also was injured in the shooting. Torres-Santos and James Fernandez-Reyes have been charged in the homicides. Authorities are looking for a third suspect. Lebanon City Police charged Torres-Santos in two separate cases earlier this year. Mayor Sherry Capello, Police Chief Bret Fisher and District Attorney Pier Hess Graf held a press release at city hall regarding Tuesday night's fatal shootings, June 1. Police charged Torres-Santos with aggravated assault after he allegedly shot a man on two separate occasions. The victim was hit in the leg while walking through Monument Park in January, and police found a spent .45 ACP cartridge, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The man was taken to the hospital for treatment, the affidavit states. In February, police responded for a report of a gunshot victim, and the same man told officers he was shot again in the leg by Torres-Santos, the affidavit states. That shooting happened in an alley. The victim again received medical treatment for his injury, the affidavit states. More: Lebanon County DA: 2 arrested in triple homicide of 2 boys and teen, third suspect sought More: Police release names of two boys, 8 and 9, and a 19-year-old killed in shooting Two days later, police took Torres-Santos into custody. While officers were searching him, they found a loaded Glock 17 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine containing 23 rounds of ammunition, according to an affidavit. The manufacturer's number was removed. Police executed a search warrant for an apartment in the 400 block of North Ninth Street and found numerous handgun magazines, ammunition, new/used drug packaging, a digital scale, and 346 street delivery-sized zip baggies containing cocaine and crack cocaine, the affidavit states. Police charged him with illegally possessing a handgun without a license, possession of drugs with the intent to deliver, illegally altering the serial number of a handgun and other offenses, according to a news release from Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf and court records. Initially, Torres-Santos' bail was set at $100,000, but Magisterial District Judge Aurelis Figueroa reduced it to $50,000, the news release states. The district attorney's office had requested that the bail be the same on each case. Torres-Santos posted bail through a bail bondsman and was ordered to wear a house arrest bracelet until his trial, the release and court records state. Torres-Santos "wore his bracelet to the homicide; the location monitor and minimal bail imposed by the Judge thus served as no deterrent to a violent criminal willing to take a life," the news release states. Graf said that after the preliminary hearing, probation put Torres-Santos on house arrest with an ankle bracelet. "During his supervision on bail, probation learned of a violation. Probation did not request we do anything - no one knew this occurred until yesterday when probation informed LPD. Probation detained (Santos) for least one day on their determined violation." She said the Court of Court of Common Pleas was then involved by probation. "The court determined MDJ Figueroa did not properly inform (Torres-Santos) of his conditions while on HA / bail," Hess Graf wrote in an email. "As a result, the Court determined (Torres-Santos) could not be held for a violation. (Torres-Santos) was released and put back on (house arrest) with (electronic monitoring)." Torres-Santos' attorney, Anthony Godshall, could not be reached for comment. Torres-Santos is scheduled for trial this summer. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Triple homicide suspect was on house arrest after early 2023 shooting Thursday marked the first day of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, and only hours after the new tropical season began, AccuWeather meteorologists monitoring an area of showers and thunderstorms in the Gulf of Mexico raised the tropical development potential from low to high. By Thursday afternoon, the storm was organized enough for the National Hurricane Center to label it as Tropical Depression Two. Even though the budding system in the Gulf is not heading toward the Florida Peninsula, it could still bring a number of disruptive impacts to the state through Saturday. Since they issued their 2023 Atlantic hurricane season forecast in March, AccuWeather's tropical weather experts have pinpointed the zone from the central Gulf of Mexico to the western Atlantic as a location where early-season tropical development was likely to occur. Tropical Depression Two in the Gulf comes less than a week after a vigorous storm developed off the Atlantic coast of the United States. That system had some tropical characteristics and brought rough seas and drenching rain to the Carolinas during the Memorial Day weekend. Earlier in May, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) revealed that a subtropical storm developed off the northeastern coast of the United States back in January. The NHC made that discovery after forecasters conducted a reassessment of past weather patterns. AccuWeather first began to highlight the development potential in the waters from the central Gulf to the southwestern Atlantic this past weekend. The NHC began ramping up its investigation of the system and dubbed it "Invest 91L" Thursday. An Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft was scheduled to investigate the disturbance later the same day, and the system was later dubbed "Tropical Depression Two." "The system is currently spinning in a zone of low wind shear over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Thursday and when combined with water temperatures in the low 80s F, these are factors that favor tropical development," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. Meteorologists refer to breezes that disrupt tropical development as wind shear. Satellite images on Thursday revealed that while most of the robust thunderstorm activity was located over the northeastern quadrant of the developing low-pressure center, there was also some evidence of weak spiral band structure to the low-flying clouds to the west and south of the center as well. As strong thunderstorm activity wrapped more around the center of the budding system, it became a tropical depression. AccuWeather feels that the window for development is quickly closing, but a tropical storm could still form if the tropical depression becomes better organized. A tropical depression forms when an area of low pressure is accompanied by thunderstorms circulating around the center, but observed winds are below 39 mph. Once winds reach at least 39 mph and the circulation continues, the depression is upgraded to a tropical storm by the NHC. The first named storm of the 2023 Atlantic season will be known as Arlene. "Northerly steering breezes will increase and should begin to push the system southward over the eastern and central parts of the Gulf of Mexico into this weekend," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alyson Hoegg said. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP "These increasing northerly winds will tend to keep the center of the storm and most of the concentrated area of rain offshore of the Florida Peninsula," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski added. Some impacts will occur in Florida even as the center of the storm is likely to stay offshore, however. The most prominent impacts will range from heavy, gusty thunderstorms -mainly during the afternoon and evening hours - to building seas over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and rough surf along the beaches of Florida's western coast into this weekend. Since the center of the storm is no longer likely to track eastward across Florida, rainfall forecasts have been lowered compared to earlier projections this week. Still, downpours that bring a general 1-2 inches of rain are possible with 2-4 inches still not out of the question where thunderstorms occur over multiple days. Any rainfall would generally be welcomed across much of Florida. There are widespread areas of abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions with a zone of severe drought in the west-central part of the state, according to the latest United States Drought Monitor report that was released on Thursday. The southerly track of the system in the Gulf of Mexico is uncommon. A path to the east or north is more typical during this time of year in this part of the Gulf. "The system will be subject to increasing westerly wind shear as it takes a southerly path, which may prevent tropical development or cause it to diminish, should the feature develop in the first place," Pydynowski said. The window for development and/or strengthening may close on Saturday. If the system organizes and holds together while moving southward, there is the potential for locally heavy rain and gusty winds to reach part of western Cuba this weekend. Elsewhere in the Atlantic, a broad zone of clouds and thunderstorm activity continued to erupt from the western Caribbean through parts of the Bahamas and to waters near Bermuda on Thursday. Wind shear has been a big player in preventing tropical development over the southwestern Atlantic during the past week and is likely to continue to do so in the coming days. However, AccuWeather meteorologists will continue to closely watch this zone for the potential of weakening wind shear, which might remove an inhibiting factor for storm formation. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump is pushing back on Ron DeSantis for telling voters he is preferable to the former president who can only serve one more term if elected. Most Read from Bloomberg The Florida governor, Trumps chief rival for the GOP nomination, has repeatedly pitched voters that by backing him Republicans could get a conservative president for two terms. When he says eight years, every time I hear it, I wince, Trump, 76, told a standing-room only crowd Thursday at a Westside Conservative Club meeting near Des Moines, Iowa. Because they say if it takes eight years to turn this around, then you dont want him as your president, he added. Trump said it would only take him six months to get significant results. Asked about Trumps claim, DeSantis responded, Why didnt he do it in his first four years? Trump is following DeSantis, 44, on a campaign trip to Iowa, home to the first-in-the-nation GOP caucuses. DeSantis held five events across the state on Tuesday and Wednesday to officially kick off his presidential campaign. DeSantis, dressed in jeans and a blue fleece vest Wednesday, told Iowa Republicans that they should nominate him because it really does take two terms as president to be able to finish this job. Trump, dressed in his signature blue suit and red tie, is meeting privately with faith leaders on Thursday in Des Moines and also taping a Fox News town hall in Iowa that will air later Thursday. He predicted during his speech at the Westside Conservative Club meeting that it would be a nasty race. He said in an interview on a Des Moines radio station on Wednesday that hes attacking DeSantis because the governor is in second place and was disloyal. This is a war of a certain kind, Trump said in the interview. Trump, who enjoys a 22-point advantage in the RealClearPolitics average of Iowa polls, predicted his campaign would have to do some really bad things to lose the state at this point. He bragged about the relief money he secured for farmers when he was in office. The former president also answered questions at the meeting and took an implicit jab at DeSantis, who didnt take audience questions during his events in Iowa and snapped at an Associated Press reporter who asked him about that. I see these politicians, they all dont want to take questions. They read a speech, Trump said. (Updates to add reaction from DeSantis in fifth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Trump Bucks swindles investors out of thousands of dollars The online retailer ClickBank shut down sites boosting Trump Bucks, which promoted a fabricated currency that would allegedly earn subscribers thousands of dollars if Donald Trump is elected in the 2024 presidential election. An investigation conducted by NBC News revealed several Colorado-based companies had created the scam which promised prospective investors of a get-rich-quick scheme if the former president was reelected. The companies reportedly advertised what were called Trump Bucks which have Trumps face plastered on them and claimed anyone who invests in the fake currency would become real patriots and become rich when they finally cash in. NBC News identified the companies behind the scam as Patriots Dynasty, Patriots Future, and USA Patriots which advertised the currency on platforms like The Telegram, and suggested that they were endorsed by Trump. Read more Trump Bucks could be purchased as coins, checks, and cards, saying they would become legal when Trump was back in office. The companies also reportedly used AI-generated narrations of celebrities who seemingly endorsed the product on social media; all of which were revealed to be fake. Former Colorado State Representative Dave Williams told Colorado7 News, Anyone using President Trumps name to commit fraud and swindle unsuspecting victims out of their money should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If this NBC report is accurate, then these grifters who are obviously not connected to the Trump campaign need to be held accountable. A ClickBank spokesperson told The Guardian, Any consumer purchasing these items through ClickBank received a pre-purchase disclosure that they are for commemorative value only and are not legal tender. The spokesperson added, Still, ClickBank is concerned to hear that the products were being deceptive marketed elsewhere so we chose to discontinue sales even with our disclaimer. One such website that had formerly listed the Trump Bucks now says, This site is no longer in service or has been disabled due to a terms of service violation. The investigation found at least a dozen individuals had invested thousands into the scam, with one person telling NBC he had invested $2,200 in Trump Bucks, but only realized it was a scam when he couldnt cash them in at a bank. A Bank of America spokesperson told the outlet that employees have reported that customers were coming in to exchange Trump Bucks for tangible cash, and said Its hard to put a number on how many people have come in. The Better Business Bureau has given all three companies an F rating, with complaints on the website addressing issues with the products never arriving and reports that they were charged more than they had expected. Consumers really need to do a lot of homework before they buy anything, Roseann Freitas with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) told Colorado7 News. She warned consumers to be wary of potential scams, adding, Just because someone famous, his name is attached to it, it doesnt mean its a legitimate offer. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Former President Trumps call this week for an end to birthright citizenship for the children of those in the country illegally echos a promise he has made multiple times before but did not enact amid a firestorm of controversy. Trump, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, said he would sign an executive order "on day one" that will instruct federal agents that the "correct interpretation of the law" does not grant citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants regardless of their birthplace. "Joe Biden has launched an illegal foreign invasion of our country, allowing a record number of illegal aliens to storm across our borders," Trump said in a video posted on Twitter. "Even though these millions of illegal border crossers have entered the country unlawfully, all of their future children will become automatic U.S. citizens. Can you imagine? "They'll be eligible for welfare, taxpayer-funded health care, the right to vote, chain migration and countless other government benefits, many of which will also profit the illegal alien parents. This policy is a reward for breaking the laws of the United States and is obviously a magnet, helping draw a flood of illegals across our borders." TRUMP VOWS TO END BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS Former President Trump speaks at the Adler Theatre March 13, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa. While birthright citizenship grants citizenship to children of legal immigrants, the debate over automatic citizenship has primarily focused on those in the country illegally. Those who call for its abolition or restriction argue it incentivizes foreign nationals to cross into the U.S. illegally and have a child who then gets citizenship. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Trump first made the ambitious promise during his 2016 campaign. His campaign website promised to "end birthright citizenship." "By a 2:1 margin, voters say its the wrong policy, including [Former Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid who said no sane country would give automatic citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants," the website said. In 2018, Trump raised the idea again in an interview with Axios. "Were the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States ... with all of those benefits," Trump said. "Its ridiculous. Its ridiculous. And it has to end." In 2019, he said his administration was looking at the question "very seriously." "Birthright citizenship, where you have a baby on our land you walk over the border, have a baby, congratulations, the baby's now a U.S. citizen," Trump said. "We're looking at it very, very seriously ... Its, frankly, ridiculous." The debate comes as the U.S. has been facing a migrant crisis now into its third year with record numbers of migrants at the southern border. Immigration, and what to do with those in the country illegally, is likely to be a top topic for the 2024 presidential campaign. 23 GOP-LED STATES BACK FLORIDA CHALLENGE TO BIDEN POLICY RELEASING MIGRANTS WITHOUT COURT DATES The 14th Amendment states, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." Some legal experts, Democrats and some conservatives have dismissed the idea that such a constitutional change can be made via executive order. Some have argued that an act of Congress would be more likely to stand a legal challenge. Any such move would almost certainly face an immediate court challenge from a number of immigration activists and civil rights organizations. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan said in 2018 that Trump "obviously" could not make that change via executive order. "Im a believer in following the plain text of the Constitution, and I think, in this case, the 14th Amendment is pretty clear, and that would involve a very, very lengthy constitutional process," he said in an interview, according to The New York Times. KEY BIDEN ASYLUM RULE FACING MOUNTING LEGAL BATTLES IN WAKE OF TITLE 42'S EXPIRATION However, Trump advisers and some conservative legal scholars have previously argued that the idea of giving birthright citizenship to children of illegal immigrants is based on a misreading of the amendment. In an op-ed published in 2018, Heritage Foundation senior legal fellow Hans A. von Spakovsky said critics of Trumps plans "conveniently ignored or misinterpreted" the 14th Amendment's requirement that illegal immigrant children be "subject to" the jurisdiction of the United States. "U.S. immigration law (8 U.S.C. 1401) simply repeats the language of the 14th Amendment, including the phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof. The federal government has erroneously interpreted that statute to provide passports and other benefits to anyone born in the United States, regardless of whether their parents are here illegally and regardless of whether the applicant meets the requirement of being subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S.," he said. "As a result, the President of the United States has the authority to direct federal agencies to act in accordance with the original meaning of the 14th Amendment and to issue passports and other government documents and benefits only to those individuals whose status as U.S. citizens meets this requirement." Other conservatives have been dismissive of Trump's call, noting the prior promises to make such a move. "Trump Once Again Promises to Revoke Birthright Citizenship to Combat Border Crisisand again (2018), and again (2019), and again... today... Whatever...," Former acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli, who served during the Trump administration, tweeted. Fox News' Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. China builds landmark monument in Oman to mark mutual friendship Xinhua) 08:50, June 01, 2023 This photo taken on May 30, 2023 shows the Zheng He Monument in Salalah, Oman. (Xinhua/Wang Qiang) SALALAH, Oman, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Oman hosted on Tuesday night a completion ceremony for the Zheng He Monument in the coastal city of Salalah in Dhofar Governorate to commemorate the great Chinese mariner who once traveled to the coast of Oman as well as the traditional friendship between the two countries. Chinese Ambassador to Oman, Li Lingbing, delivered a speech at the ceremony, stating that Oman is an important country along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, and the protagonist of this monument, Zheng He, a Chinese navigator of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), visited Oman, including Dhofar, four times. Li said that as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the completion of the Zheng He Monument at this momentous historical occasion holds special significance. It is believed that this unique landmark building will become a new symbol of the continued advancement of China-Oman friendship in the new era, she said, adding that it will witness the continuous enhancement of mutual understanding and exchanges in various fields between China and Oman, and contribute to the construction of a community of shared future with mutual benefit and common development, bringing greater benefits to the peoples of both countries. Khalid bin Salim al Saeedi, chairman of the Oman-China Friendship Association, said in his speech that the Zheng He Monument clearly demonstrates the long-standing and uninterrupted exchanges between the civilizations of Oman and China. The wise leaders of both countries have been committed to the development and growth of bilateral relations in various fields. Zheng is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished seafarers in Chinese history. He commanded the massive Ming Dynasty fleets to embark on seven expeditionary voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and East Africa during the 15th century. Designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, the monument draws inspiration from the graceful ocean waves and the bow of a ship, capturing the dynamic curves that vividly portray Zheng's fleet triumphantly sailing through wind and waves. Notably, the construction of the monument employed cutting-edge 3D printing technology, executed by the China Communications Construction Company. The site chosen for the Zheng He Monument is in the core area of the national-level coastal traditional culture, tourism, and business district developed by the Dhofar Governorate. The monument will serve as a permanent landmark for Salalah. China and Oman established a strategic partnership in 2018 and signed cooperation agreements under the Belt and Road Initiative. This photo taken on May 30, 2023 shows the Zheng He Monument in Salalah, Oman. (Xinhua/Wang Qiang) This photo taken on May 30, 2023 shows the Zheng He Monument in Salalah, Oman. (Xinhua/Wang Qiang) This photo taken on May 30, 2023 shows the Zheng He Monument in Salalah, Oman. (Xinhua/Wang Qiang) Chinese Ambassador to Oman, Li Lingbing, delivers a speech at a completion ceremony for the Zheng He Monument in Salalah, Oman, May 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Qiang) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) (CNN) Russia saw the effects of its war on Ukraine dramatically reverberate back onto its own territory on Wednesday, after a massive shelling attack injured four people in Belgorod and preliminary information indicated a drone crashed and sparked a fire at an oil refinery further south. Eight apartment buildings, four homes, a school and two administrative buildings were damaged during the shelling in Shebekino, a village in the border region of Belgorod, its governor said, as the oblast increasingly becomes a hotbed of straying violence. The governor of Russias Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov said there was more shelling of a border area later on Wednesday, which he blamed on Ukrainian forces. Speaking in a live broadcast, he said an industrial plant close to the city of Shebekino had been struck. The situation in Shebekino is not getting better, Gladkov said in a live broadcast. There is shelling of Shebekino, there is a fire at one of the industrial enterprises. Earlier on Tuesday night, Gladkov said one person was killed and two were injured in an attack on a temporary accommodation center. And a drone crashed at the Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, east of the annexed territory of Crimea, starting a fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning, local officials there said. The blaze was put out soon after. The incidents come one day after a drone attack on Moscow, for which Russia has blamed Ukraine. All eight aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles launched at the Russian capital were destroyed, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement. Kyiv has not yet commented on the drone attack or on Wednesdays incidents in Belgorod and Krasnodar. The Ukrainian government generally does not confirm or deny strikes inside Russian territory. Elsewhere on Wednesday, a drone attack was launched on Russias Bryansk region, state news agency RIA Novosti reported. About 10 drones tried to attack the Klimovsky district and were shot down or intercepted, RIA reported citing emergency services. The string of events following last weeks incursion on Belgorod by anti-Putin Russians who had been fighting alongside the Ukrainian military mark a new turn in a conflict that is increasingly coming home to Russian people, 15 months after Moscow launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Strikes have separately hit Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine on Wednesday. Five people were killed and 19 injured in Ukrainian shelling of the village of Karpaty, in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory of Luhansk, the acting head of the self-declared Luhansk Peoples Republic said on Telegram. And a senior Russian-appointed official in Zaporizhzhia said there has been a series of explosions in Polohy, a Russian-held town close to the frontlines that many observers expect to be targeted in an anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive. Vladimir Rogov, a member of the Russian-formed council of the civil-military administration of Zaporizhzhia, said on Telegram: Its loud in Polohy. A series of explosions is heard in town. Russia says the situation is rather alarming Ukraine has denied involvement in Tuesdays attack in Moscow, even as one top official made it clear that Russia was getting a taste of its own medicine after months of bombarding Ukrainian cities. Of course, we enjoy watching and predicting an increase in attacks, said Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak. But of course, we have nothing to do directly with it. Russian officials reacted on Wednesday with a predictable array of anger. Taking about the situation in Belgorod, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN in a regular call with journalists on Wednesday: We are indeed concerned about this situation, shelling of civilian objects continues there. In this case, too, by the way, we have not heard a single word of condemnation from anyone from the collective West, so far, Peskov said. The situation is rather alarming. Measures are being taken. I woke up from explosions and the sound of shattering glass, a woman in Belgorod told Russian news outlet Izvestia. My husband and I jumped up immediately and ran to the bathroom and now were wandering. The city center is all scattered. White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told CNN Wednesday that the US is uncertain about who coordinated the drone incursions. Were still trying to get information here and develop some sort of sense of what happened but I cant tell you that we have any definitive information at this point. Kirby added that the Biden administration has been clear, privately and publicly, with the Ukrainians that we dont support attacks on Russian soil. On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for the drone attack in the Moscow region, calling it a clear sign of terrorist activity. Putin claimed that Kyiv chose the path of intimidation of Russian citizens and attacks on residential buildings. Putin said Tuesday the citys air defenses worked normally but there was still work to be done to make it better. Asked to clarify the Russian presidents remarks, Peskov said: The system worked effectively, but there is room for improvement. Work will continue to improve the air defense system. The Freedom for Russia Legion, a group that claimed responsibility for last weeks raid in Belgorod, posted an additional recruitment drive for drone pilots on its Telegram channel following a drone attack on Moscow on Tuesday. The legion, made up of Russian citizens who are fighting in Ukraine against their motherland, joked: Graduates of the course will have the opportunity to practice their skills. But early signals from the West indicated that it had little patience for the Kremlins efforts to frame the narrative. The Russia is the victim argument is so tired and so ridiculous that even the Russian people must see it for what it is an overused and desperate retort by the Kremlin to try and explain its litany of strategic mistakes that have decimated Russias once proud global reputation, UK military adviser Ian Stubbs said during a Wednesday speech in Vienna. The incidents come as Ukraine prepares a much-anticipated counter-offensive against Russian forces, and follows days of missile bombardments on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities by Moscow. On Monday Russia appeared to change its tactics by striking Kyiv with rockets and missiles during the day, hours after a separate wave of strikes overnight. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Ukraine war takes new turn as shelling and drone strikes hit inside Russias border" Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty Pay Dirt is a weekly foray into the pigpen of political funding. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Thursday. While the top two contenders in the nascent 2024 Republican presidential primary will at some point have to differentiate themselves for GOP voters, it doesnt seem like campaign finance law is stacking up to be much of a battlesphere. The campaigns of both former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have pushed the bounds of federal fundraising laws in the early days of their bids. Legal experts say those movestens of millions of dollars worth of transactions in each casemay violate the law, give megadonors even more of an outsized influence, and undermine public faith in the democratic system. Trump, of course, boasts a storied history of thumbing his nose at campaign finance regulationsand, according to legal analysts, repeatedly violating those laws. Of course, he didnt let the fact that hed left office deter him. Leaked Audio From a Ron DeSantis Donor Event Is Really Bad News for His Campaign After departing the White House under the cloud of the Jan. 6 attack, Trump has continued to solicit money around false claims that the 2020 election was rigged and stolenincluding several solicitations sent out in recent months. (A fundraising email from Dec. 28, 2022, said, Donald J. Trump never thought, for even a moment, that the Presidential Election of 2020 was NOT Rigged or Stolen.) The Jan. 6 House select committee excoriated that tactic, and former federal prosecutors previously told The Daily Beast that dimensions of the Trump teams 2020 efforts appeared to fit the definition of wire fraud. Those movesincluding how the Trump operation spent that moneyare now reportedly a focus of Special Counsel Jack Smiths sprawling investigation into the events surrounding the attack on the Capitol. (Trumps baseless election claims havent stopped him from raising money for a so-called Ballot Harvesting Fund ahead of 2024.) More recently, however, both candidates have tested the limits of testing the waters, specifically the ban on so-called soft money. According to legal experts, Trump and DeSantis have flouted rules in order to bulwark their campaigns with astounding piles of cashtens of millions of dollars in both cases. Erin Chlopak, senior director of campaign finance at bipartisan watchdog Campaign Legal Center, explained the soft money ban. Its fairly simple: Federal law prevents federal candidates and associated entities from soliciting, receiving, directing, transferring, or spending soft moneyfunds that are not subject to federal campaign finance rules, Chlopak told The Daily Beast. These rules, she said, are in place to ensure that our system is transparent and as free from corruption as possible. They include disclosure requirements, restrictions on who can donate, and, importantly, individual contribution limits. (In 2024, donors can give no more than $3,300 to a candidate per election.) But according to Chlopak, theres a specific rule where both Trump and DeSantis appear to have crossed a legal linethe testing the waters period. Under the law, someone becomes a candidate for federal office when they raise or spend more than $5,000 in support of their candidacy. But the law also allows for a testing the waters grace period, where potential candidates can engage in financial transactions without triggering federal reporting requirements even if the amounts exceed the $5,000 threshold. Its a timing issue, Chlopak explained. Campaign finance rules apply to someone whos a candidate, and sometimes there are questions about what point that happens. But you cant just say you havent quite made up your mind and use that as an excuse to raise or spend millions of dollars. Trump Lawyers Consider Revenge for Former Colleague When a candidate decides to run and exits the testing-the-waters phase, the laws kick in retroactively, requiring them to disclose their prior activity. The FEC makes it clear that all funds raised and spent during the testing the waters period must comply with rules governing contribution limits and other prohibitionssuch as accepting corporate money. (Failed GOP Senate contender Mehmet Oz retroactively disclosed spending millions of dollars of his own money ahead of his announcement.) Trump and DeSantis, Chlopak said, abused the testing-the-waters period to stash massive amounts of money while engaging in what would otherwise be prohibited transactions. Specifically, they used the window before they officially declared their bids to raise giant sums of money directly into super PACs supporting themsomething candidates arent allowed to do, since super PACs have much looser restrictions than campaigns and can raise unlimited amounts of money from individuals and corporations. The Trump operation did this through his Save America leadership PAC, transferring $20 million to the MAGA Inc. super PAC in the weeks before he officially declared his 2024 candidacy. More recently DeSantis tried the same move with his state-level PAC, which this spring transferred more $80 million into the Never Back Down super PAC dedicated to supporting his run. That same super PAC is also reportedly routing $500,000 back to the DeSantis campaign. After The Daily Beast reported on Trumps scheme last October, CLC filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging that the transfers were illegal. But the Trump operation plowed ahead, and CLC amended that complaint in May to account for more transfersa standing total of $60 million. Then, on Tuesday, CLC filed a similar complaint targeting DeSantis, alleging that his PAC broke the same law. When somebody running for federal officeparticularly the highest officeis raising and spending massive amounts of money without complying with the law, that can really undermine faith in our already fragile political system, Chlopak said. The DeSantis team also appears to have pushed the limits of ethics rules governing who can raise campaign money, enlisting administration officials to reportedly pressure lobbyists for donations. Jordan Libowitz, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told The Daily Beast that those solicitations amount to pretty much blackmail. Hes using the power of the governors office to advance his political career, Libowitz said. Thats pretty much blackmail, and it could trigger some laws if these aides were doing it from their office or while on the clock. But even if its on their own time, it puts donors in a very awkward position, suggesting that if you dont give us money then there will be repercussions and we can take action on that. Can The Cult of DeSantis Beat Trumps MAGA Die-Hards? Norman Ornstein, emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right think tank, called DeSantis fundraising blatantly illegal. Super PACs are supposed to be completely independent of campaigns, Ornstein told The Daily Beast. No matter how the money was raisedin this case, following individual contribution limitsthis is the antithesis of independent. It is an in-your-face flouting of both intent and letter of the law. But Ornstein, a registered Democrat, expressed little hope for accountability. Given that the Federal Election Commission has a set of Republican commissioners whose mission is to keep from enforcing campaign finance laws, they might well get away with it, he said. Brendan Fischer, a campaign finance law specialist and deputy executive director of Documented, agreed with this view, telling The Daily Beast that the candidates appear to be exploiting the law as well as the regulators charged with enforcing it, but whose lackluster efforts have promoted a culture of near-impunity. Both DeSantis and Trump know that they can aggressively push the legal envelope and expect to get away with it, Fischer said. But Fischer also noted that since the Supreme Courts landmark Citizens United decision that gave rise to super PACs, candidates in every presidential cycle have worked to create or expand loopholes. He pointed to the $100 million that 2016 presidential hopeful Jeb Bush raised into a super PAC while pretending he wasnt a candidate, and Hilary Clintons claim that she could coordinate with a nominally independent super PAC since it wasnt buying ads. And Trump has consistently chipped away at regulations, claiming that a loophole allowed his campaign to hide the recipients of nearly $800 million in expenses. As a result, super PACs are now a central feature of the campaign landscape, and megadonors and special interests have an incredible amount of power and influence, Fischer said. But the watchdogs have a strange bedfellow on this issue: the Trump team. In March, Trumps operationwhich has famously survived dozens of FEC complaints detailing what appear to be clear violationsfiled a state-level ethics complaint against DeSantis in Florida. Among the allegations? Violating the states own version of the testing the waters period. But the irony doesnt end there. That complaint was filed by the MAGA Inc. super PAC, the same entity Trump gave millions of dollars just ahead of his own announcement. And, it turned out, the Trump team got a taste of its own medicine in May, when the Florida Ethics Commission scrapped the complaint. In the decision, the commissiona majority of its members appointed by DeSantiscited a lack of legal sufficiency. 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. [Source] Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday renewed his vow to end birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants if elected back in office. The policy, which would come in the form of an executive order, contradicts the current interpretation of the 14th Amendment and is expected to be met with legal challenges. As part of my plan to secure the border, on Day One of my new term in office, I will sign an executive order making clear to federal agencies that under the correct interpretation of the law, going forward, the future children of illegal aliens will not receive automatic U.S. citizenship, said Trump, who first laid out the plan in 2018 while in office. Ratified three years after the end of the Civil War in 1868, the 14th Amendment has guaranteed citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States regardless of their parents documentation status. More from NextShark: Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi's cause of death confirmed after autopsy Trumps executive order would clearly explain that citizenship extends only to those both born in AND subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. It would require at least one parent to be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident for their future children to become U.S. citizens by birthright. More from NextShark: Sex Workers to Get Part of $1 Trillion Stimulus Package in Japan The order would also guarantee that children of illegal immigrants will not be issued passports, Social Security numbers or be eligible for taxpayer-funded welfare programs. Under the current interpretation, children of such immigrants, as U.S. citizens, are able to access these benefits. The policy is also expected to end what Trump calls birth tourism, or the practice of illegal entry to the U.S. by foreigners in their final weeks of pregnancy for the sole purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for their children. My policy will choke off a major incentive for continued illegal immigration, deter more migrants from coming, and encourage many of the aliens Joe Biden has unlawfully let into our country to go back to their home countries, Trump added. More from NextShark: A spacecraft is named after Ellison Onizuka, NASA's first Asian American astronaut Illegal immigration has reportedly skyrocketed under the current administration. When Biden took office, Customs and Border Protection tracked nearly 100,000 encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border per month, but the rate has now soared to more than 200,000, as per Fox News. Latest polling shows Trump as leading the Republican primary. A CNN poll released last week showed that the former president was the first choice of 53% Republican and Republican-leaning voters, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis trailing at 26%. More from NextShark: 5 Vietnamese Americans elected to Oregon House Trump legal team asks for judge in hush-money case to be removed Donald Trumps lawyers plan to request the judge presiding over a criminal trial into alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels be removed due to his campaign donations and familys ties to the Democrat Party, according to a report. Its the latest in a series of legal manoeuvres by the former president to move the Manhattan criminal trial slated to begin next March away from New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34 counts of falsifying business records related to alleged payments to conceal negative stories about him prior to the 2016 presidential election. Mr Trump attorneys Susan Necheles and Todd Blanche noted in a statement to the New York Times that Justice Merchans daughter was the chief operating officer of Democratic consulting firm Authentic Campaigns. They also claimed that the judge had donated $15 to Joe Bidens Act Blue online fundraising platform during the 2020 presidential campaign, and $10 to two other pro-Democrat groups. The lawyers also took issue with Justice Merchans oversight of a tax fraud trial which saw the Trump Organization found guilty and fined $1.6m in January. They claimed that Justice Merchan had encouraged former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg to turn against his longtime boss. President Trump, like all Americans, is entitled under the Constitution to an impartial judge and legal process, lawyers Susan Necheles and Todd Blanche, said in a statement to the Times. Former President Donald Trump was indicted in April on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments (Associated Press) The attorneys have not yet filed a formal motion for recusal. Mr Blanche did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Independent. Mr Trumps lawyers recently filed to have the criminal case shifted to federal court, which Manhattan District Attorney Melvin Bragg has opposed. Under New York laws, judges must recuse themselves if they or a relative has an interest that would be substantially affected by the proceeding. In April, Mr Trump became the first sitting or former president in US history to be criminally indicted. He is alleged to have directed his fixer Michael Cohen to pay Ms Daniels to suppress a planned story about an affair in 2006. Ms Daniels claimed she and Mr Trump had sex, and that she later accepted $130,000 in the days before the 2016 election. Mr Cohen also allegedly had the National Review pay for a story about an affair Mr Trump had with former Playboy model Karen McDougal, only to never publish her account. In 2018, Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion and campaign finance violations for his role in the hush money payments and was sentenced to three years in federal prison. Mr Trumps trial is due to begin during the 2024 presidential campaign. Donald Trump and his Maga fans have mocked Joe Biden after he tripped and fell at the Air Force Graduation ceremony in Colorado. The president dropped to his knees after stumbling over a sandbag after two hours on stage at the service academy in Colorado Springs on Thursday. Mr Biden, 80, did not appear hurt by the fall and continued to stand on stage until the ceremony ended several minutes later, according to the White House pool. President Joe Biden falls on stage during the 2023 United States Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs (AP) Mr Trump was informed about the fall as he campaigned in Iowa and told his supporters that it was Not inspiring for the Air Force graduates who had witnessed it. I hope he wasnt hurt. I hope he wasnt hurt...You dont want that, said Mr Trump, who then recalled his own difficult moment when he had to carefully tip-toe down a ramp at the Armys West Point graduation ceremony in 2020. The whole thing is crazy, you have got to be careful about that, you dont want that even if you have to tip-toe down a ramp, he added as he recalled the ramp was like an ice-skating rink. Mr Trumps online followers were less understanding of Mr Bidens fall, taunting him on Twitter. Biden falls up a flight of stairs, falls off a bike, falls on a stage... and the MSM says nothing. Trump gets a bigger salt shaker than everyone else and its an MSM feeding frenzy for a week, tweeted one person. Laughingstock of the free world, tweeted another user, while another critic added, That was the loudest cheer Biden has had in years. President Biden is helped up (AFP via Getty Images) Remember the wall-to-wall apocalyptic media coverage when Trump walked slowly down a ramp? I wonder if this will get similar coverage??? Tweeted one user. Putin and Xi are definitely shaking in their boots at the commander in chiefs leadership, stated another user. Isnt it weird how the military on stage appear to be trying hard not to laugh and no one jumped up to help him, added another. Mr Biden, a Democrat, is running for re-election in 2024 and his doctors declared him fit and healthy after his February physical examination. Earlier, during the commencement address, Mr Biden warned the graduates that they would enter military service in an increasingly unstable world, citing challenges from Russia and China. And he predicted that Sweden would soon join NATO, without giving any details of their entry into the alliance. It will happen, I promise you, he said, FIRST ON FOX: Former President Trump said he would deploy military assets to fight the fentanyl crisis and "inflict maximum damage" on cartel operations if elected in 2024, and he would seek the death penalty to convicted drug dealers and human traffickers. Trump outlined his proposed policies for ending drug addiction in America in a new campaign video obtained by Fox News Digital on Thursday. "For three decades before my election, drug overdose deaths increased every single year. Under my leadership, we took the drug and fentanyl crisis head on, and we achieved the first reduction in overdose deaths in more than 30 years," Trump said in the video. "Sadly, under Joe Biden, our hard-won progress has been surrendered, along with the surrender of our southern border such a shame," Trump continued. "Now, fentanyl and other ultra-deadly poisons are pouring into our country unchecked stealing more than 100,000 American lives every single year." BIDEN HITS CHINA, MEXICO WITH SANCTIONS FOR COUNTERFEIT, FENTANYL-LACED PILL PRODUCTION Former President Trump is promising to take tough new steps against drug cartels if elected president again in 2024. Trump slammed Biden, saying his record is "one of death, destruction and misery in communities across our nation." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "When I am back in the White House, I will take action on day one to end this horrific plague and save American lives," he said. "Joe Biden will never solve the drug overdose crisis because he is actively destroying our border." Trump said he would impose a full naval embargo on drug cartels and would deploy military assets to take on cartel operations, while insisting on the "full cooperation" of neighboring governments to "dismantle" the trafficking and smuggling network in the region. In addition to pushing Congress to impose the death penalty on drug dealers and human traffickers, he said he would direct U.S. federal law enforcement to take down gangs and organized street crime that distribute deadly narcotics at the local level. "They are killing our people, they are poisoning our beautiful children," Trump said. He said he would permanently designate fentanyl as a federally controlled substance, and warned China that it would "pay a steep price" if it does not "clamp down" on the export of fentanyl chemical precursors. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized over 1.2 million fentanyl pills between two busts on Dec. 29. "I had a deal worked out with President Xi," Trump said. "They werent going to be sending any more, and they were going to impose the death penalty on those that made it in China." During his administration, Trump negotiated a deal with Beijing to crack down on the production of those precursors. Trump slammed President Biden for walking away from that agreement. 'PERMISSION SLIP TO CARTELS': FENTANYL OVERDOSES ARE SURGING, SO WHAT IS CONGRESS DOING TO HELP? "Attacking the supply of these deadly drugs will be just the beginning," Trump said, adding that he would help to "strengthen the pillars that give life meaning and hope for those struggling with addiction in particular work, faith, and family." Trumps proposal includes the expansion of federal support for faith-based counseling, treatment and recovery programs for drug users. He said he recognizes "that we are going to need Gods help to steer our country out of this crisis." Trump also proposed that any parent, child, spouse or relative who needs to take time to care for a family member fighting to overcome addiction can "take advantage" of a family leave program. "My administration will support measures to make it easier for those suffering from addiction to seek treatment without losing their job," Trump said. A billboard put up by Families Against Fentanyl near Peck Road in El Monte, California, on Thursday, April 6, 2023. Jim Rauh founded Families Against Fentanyl after the substance claimed the life of his 37-year-old son, Thomas, in 2015. "When I am president, we will not rest until we have ended the drug addiction crisis in America," he said. "We will win. It will happen. We have to win, though, in 2024, because our country is going to hell." MORE FENTANYL BEING TRAFFICKED TO THE NORTHWEST ON INTERSTATE 5: WE ARE SEEING A TREND Trumps plan builds on the actions taken during his administration to combat the drug crisis in America. In 2017, Trump declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency and launched the Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand. Fentanyl seized in Nogales, Arizona. Border agents and officers seized more than 1,900 pounds of the illicit drug last year. According to officials, the amount of fentanyl seized at the border more than tripled from 2020 to 2022. Fentanyl deaths in the U.S. have increased 94% since 2019, and is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trump campaign officials are pointing to President Bidens record, saying that due to the "wide-open border," hundreds of thousands of pounds of "deadly drugs are now pouring" into the U.S. Federal prosecutors have obtained a recording of former President Donald Trump discussing a sensitive military document he took with him after leaving the White House, a potentially damaging piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation of his handling of classified documents, multiple outlets reported Wednesday. CNN, citing people familiar with the tape, first reported that investigators had obtained a recording from a July 2021 meeting in New Jersey between Trump and several people working on a memoir by his former chief of staff, Mark Meadows. The New York Times reported that one of Trumps aides, Margo Martin, regularly recorded interviews he gave for books. During the conversation, Trump reportedly referenced a document that he said had been compiled by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, related to the U.S. attacking Iran, which he apparently still had in his possession. Trump later indicated that he knew the document was secret, according to the Times. The revelations could undermine the claims Trump has used to defend himself in the ongoing investigation. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly nearly finished collecting testimony and evidence in the probe, which began after a monthslong effort to recover boxes of classified documents from the former presidents Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Smiths team has been homing in on whether Trump attempted to obstruct the governments efforts to recover the documents and violated any laws related to classified material. Trump has vehemently defended his post-White House behavior, saying at times that he had a standing order to automatically declassify documents removed from the Oval Office. During a CNN town hall-style event earlier this month, he appeared to claim he was allowed to take anything he wanted when he left the White House, saying: I took the documents; Im allowed to. He also said he was entitled to show classified documents to others after his presidency, although Trump said he hadnt done so. Not really, Trump said during the event. I would have the right to. By the way, they were declassified after. The Times reported that Meadows autobiography also appears to reference an Iran-related document at the same July 2021 meeting, including a passage where Trump recalls a four-page report typed up by Mark Milley himself. It contained the generals own plan to attack Iran, deploying massive numbers of troops, something he urged President Trump to do more than once during his presidency, the book reads. A spokesman for Trump called the investigation political persecution in a statement to the Times, adding that the probe was designed to inflame tensions and continue the medias harassment of President Trump and his supporters. Related... Sylvia June Atherton, originally of Tucson, is seen in this undated family portrait. Atherton was identified by authorities recently in a homicide case where her remains were found in a trunk in 1969 in St. Petersburg, Florida. A woman found dead in a trunk 53 years ago in Florida has been identified through DNA as a mother of five from Tucson, leaving authorities now looking for her killer. Officers on Oct. 31, 1969, discovered the remains of a woman wrapped in a plastic bag placed in a black steamer trunk in a wooded area behind a restaurant, according to St. Petersburg Police. Partially clothed in a pajama top, the woman had injuries to her head and had been strangled with a mans Western-style Bolo tie, police said. The unidentified woman earned the moniker of the Trunk Lady who was St. Petersburg's oldest and most infamous cold case victim, police said. The "Trunk Lady" has now been identified as Sylvia June Atherton, 41, of Tucson, police said in a Tuesday morning statement on Facebook. Investigators match remains to woman Sylvia June Atherton, originally of Tucson, was recently identified in a homicide case where her remains were found in this trunk in 1969 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Othram Inc., a Houston-area forensic lab, identified the victim as Atherton by yielding a DNA profile in April through a hair and skin sample taken from an initial autopsy, police said. The lab's CEO and founder David Mittelman told The Arizona Republic that Athertons children were found through distant relatives who had consented to law enforcement using DNA information they submitted to a genealogical database. Forensic genealogists then laid out a family tree, working backwards to find who might be genetically related to those identified individuals, but whose whereabouts were possibly unknown. Through process of elimination working with investigators, we stumbled across this woman who was unaccounted for genetically, Mittelman said. DNA profiles from her children confirmed her identity, according to police. The search for her identity through DNA stemmed back to 2010 when her body was exhumed from a grave marked as Jane Doe at a St. Petersburg cemetery, according to police. However, teeth and bone samples were found to be too degraded to use, police noted. St. Petersburg Police Detective Wallace Pavelski had located Athertons daughter, who was 9 at the time of her mother's disappearance, according to the Facebook statement. Killer still unknown Her daughter said Atherton left Tucson for Chicago with her husband, a younger daughter, an adult son, an adult daughter and son-in law, according to police. The 9-year-old and an 11-year-old son of the victim stayed with their father from a previous marriage in Tucson, police said. The adult son eventually returned to Tucson to live with them, police added. Pavelski learned the husband Atherton moved to Chicago with died in 1999 in Las Vegas without any mention of his marriage to the victim in court records, police said. And authorities still do not know who killed Atherton. Her daughters who left to move to Chicago with her then 5-year-old Kimberly Anne Brown and then 20-year-old Donna Lindhurst have not been located and authorities think they may have additional information on the case. Lindhursts husband was named David Lindhurst, police mentioned. Anyone with information on the daughters whereabouts or on Athertons homicide is asked to call Detective Pavelski at 727-893-4823. 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: DNA IDs Tucson mom as Florida's 1969 'Trunk Lady' homicide victim Tupac Shakur To Be Honored With Posthumous Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame Tupac Shakur, who was gunned down at 25 years old in 1996, will be honored next week with his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The rappers sister Sekyiwa Shakur will accept the honor on his behalf. This iconic artist has continued to be part of the zeitgeist for decades after his passing and will continue to be an important cultural figure for many years to come, Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame, said in a press release Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Times. Surely, as one of L.A.s own, Tupacs star will be added to the list of most visited stars. While Shakur was set to be honored with a star in 2014, Martinez said, a date for that event was never set. The rappers legacy as a truth-teller who decried police brutality against Black Americans has only grown stronger. Shakur was the focus of All Eyez on Me, a 2017 biopic named after his most commercially successful album (which pushed the East Coast-West Coast beef to the brink), and his musical archives and personal items were showcased in a traveling exhibit in 2022. The Wake Me When Im Free show said visitors could explore the greater meaning of his activism, music, and revolutionary art which educates and enlightens attendees through a labyrinth of emotions, as they take this journey through his extraordinary life. Tupac Shakur was initially set to receive a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014. Tupac Shakur was initially set to receive a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014. Shakur was raised by Afeni Shakur, a noted Black Panther activist who died in 2016. He became Californias biggest champion as an adult, and his ties to Death Row Records and its gang-affiliated founder Suge Knight eventually became a staple of his persona and might have cost him his life. His public focus, however, was political. I think this country still is run on gangs Republicans, Democrats, the police department, the FBI, the CIA those are gangs, he said from prison in 1995. The correctional officers. I had a correctional officer tell me straight up: We the biggest gang in New York state. Shakur, whose murder in September 1996 was never officially solved, died after a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. His death and close relationship with his mother were most recently explored in Dear Mama, a five-part Hulu documentary series. The rapper brilliantly showcased his duality throughout his career, with love letters like Dear Mama and irate rallying cries for social and economic justice like Hellrazor. Shakurs work went on to influence many artists including Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Rihanna. Allen Hughes, who directed the Dear Mama documentary and once fired Shakur after the rapper punched him in the face will speak at the ceremony. The event is set to be hosted by Power 106 radio host Big Boy and take place on June 7. Related... Tupac Shakur to be honoured with posthumous star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Tupac Shakur will be posthumously honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the organisation announced Wednesday (31 May). The late rap icons sister Sekyiwa Set Shakur will accept the honour on his behalf on 7 June. Shakur was 25 when he died in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996. Tupac Shakur was a rapper, actor, activist, poet, and revolutionary, Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said in a statement. This iconic artist has continued to be part of the zeitgeist for decades after his passing and will continue to be an important cultural figure for many years to come. Surely, as one of LAs own, Tupacs star will be added to the list of most visited stars, Martinez added. Last month, it was also announced that the Ambitionz Az A Ridah rapper will have a stretch of a California street renamed for him after a unanimous vote by the city council. According to reports, a stretch of MacArthur Boulevard by Lake Merritt where Shakur once lived will keep its existing name, but also receive the additional, honorary name of Tupac Shakur Way. The cost of commemorative plaques and signs signaling the change will be paid for by the Tupac Shakur Foundation. (AP) The City Council legislation said the renamed part of the street will remind people of Shakurs contributions to Oakland and celebrate art and culture as a catalyst for societal change. Last year, rapper Snoop Dogg opened up about his final moments with Shakur. On the Impaulsive podcast, Snoop Dogg recalled arriving at Tupacs hospital bedside: When I walked in, I could just feel like he wasnt even there and I fainted, he said. Snoop Dogg also shared an exchange he had with Tupacs mother, who told him stay strong in front of her baby. Additional reporting from agencies Tupac Shakur: Rapper 2Pac to get star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 2Pac (pictured in 1994) was a hugely influential figure in hip-hop and known for hits including California Love Tupac Shakur is to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 26 years after the rapper's death. The hip-hop star will be honoured with a ceremony on the prestigious Los Angeles walkway on 7 June. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce confirmed the rapper would receive the posthumous honour to the LA Times. Shakur, whose star will be the Walk of Fame's 2,758th, was a New York-born rapper who heavily influenced hip-hop, particularly the West Coast rap scene. Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, Tupac's sister, will accept the honour on his behalf during the formal opening ceremony for the star. Los Angeles radio presenter Big Boy will lead the ceremony, while director Allen Hughes and writer Jamal Joseph will be the guest speakers. Shakur, whose stage name was stylised as 2Pac, released his debut album in 1991 and went on to enjoy chart success with hits including California Love, All Eyez on Me, Changes and I Ain't Mad at Cha. He died on 13 September 1996 at the age of 25, after he was shot four times in Las Vegas. In 2004, his posthumous single Ghetto Gospel, which features a sample from Elton John's Indian Sunset, reached number one in the UK singles chart. (CNN) Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called on his top national security officials to think about worst case scenarios and prepare for stormy seas, as the ruling Communist Party hardens efforts to counter any perceived internal and external threats. The complexity and difficulty of the national security issues we now face have increased significantly, Xi said Tuesday at a meeting of the partys National Security Commission, state news agency Xinhua reported. We must adhere to bottom-line thinking and worst-case-scenario thinking, and get ready to undergo the major tests of high winds and rough waves, and even perilous, stormy seas, he added. The latest stern instructions from Xi, Chinas most powerful leader in decades, comes as Beijing faces a host of challenges, from a struggling economy to what it sees as an increasingly hostile international environment. In face of what he called a complex and grave situation, Xi said China must speed up the modernization of its national security system and capabilities, with a focus on making them more effective in actual combat and practical use. He also called for China to push ahead with the construction of a national security risk monitoring and early warning system, enhance national security education and improve the management of data and artificial intelligence security. Since coming to power a decade ago, Xi has made national security a key paradigm that permeates all aspects of Chinas governance, experts say. He has expanded the concept of national security to cover everything from politics, economy, defense, culture and ecology to cyberspace. It extends from the deep sea and the polar regions to space, as well as big data and artificial intelligence. Under Xis notion of comprehensive national security, China has introduced a raft of legislation to protect itself against perceived threats, including laws on counter-terrorism, counter-espionage, cybersecurity, foreign non-government organizations, national intelligence and data security. Most recently, it broadened the scope of its already sweeping counter-espionage law from covering state secrets and intelligence to any documents, data, materials or items related to national security and interests. Everything in Xis PRC is national security and there is an intensifying focus on better coordinating security and development, with the security side winning out over the economics side it appears, Bill Bishop, a long-time China observer, wrote in the Sinocism newsletter, referring to China with its official name, the Peoples Republic of China. In Hong Kong, a sweeping national security law was imposed by Beijing to stamp out dissent after huge democracy protests roiled the city. The perception that security has replaced economic growth as Beijings top priority is compounded by multiple recent raids on foreign companies, including American consultancy Bain & Company and due diligence firm Mintz Group. The raids have spooked international businesses, at a time when the Chinese government is trying to woo foreign investment to help revive a slowing economy hampered by three years of zero-Covid restrictions. In March, Chinese authorities detained a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma in Beijing on suspected espionage the 17th Japanese national to have been detained in China since the counter-espionage law was introduced in 2014. At Tuesdays meeting, Xi said China must proactively shape a secured external environment to better maintain the security of the countrys opening up and promote the deep integration of development and security. This story was first published on CNN.com, Xi Jinping tells Chinas national security chiefs to prepare for worst case scenarios" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received strong support from Turks in Germany in recent elections Strong backing for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan among Turks in Germany in last weekend's historic election has sparked renewed soul-searching about whether Berlin's attempts to integrate the minority are failing. There were scenes of jubilation in some German cities after Erdogan extended his two-decade rule in Sunday's runoff vote, with cars decked out with flags driving through the streets and honking. Germany -- home to the world's biggest Turkish community overseas -- had about 1.5 million registered voters in the polls, and Erdogan received some 67 percent of votes cast. That is far above the 52 percent share of the vote Turkey's longest-serving leader garnered at home, where he had to overcome strong competition from secular challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu. That so many voters in a liberal European democracy opted for a ruler frequently accused of pursuing increasingly authoritarian policies sparked fresh debate over Berlin's integration policies. Most of those celebrating Erdogan's victory in Germany "were born here, went to school here, enjoy freedom and prosperity, but consider the 'West' the realm of evil," read a commentary piece in conservative daily the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. "It is a truism that is now being echoed from left to right -- something is going wrong with integration in Germany." The results fed into a political row on a plan by the coalition government, led by the left-leaning SPD, to ease the path to gaining German citizenship and make it easier to become a dual citizen, which is almost impossible under current rules. "After this Turkish election, the (coalition) should finally have understood: 'turbo-naturalisation' and dual citizenship for all are the wrong way," Andrea Lindholz, a lawmaker from the right-wing CSU party told the Bild tabloid. But Islam expert Ahmad Mansour argued the result should not stop the rules on dual citizenship being changed -- as most of those who voted only held Turkish citizenship and were banned from having two passports. - 'Emotional approach' - Erdogan's success in Germany was helped in large part by well-organised, and well-funded overseas organisations, said Gokay Sofuoglu, chairman of the Turkish Community in Germany, which advocates for greater rights for those of Turkish origin. "Of course, they can mobilise a lot of people," he told AFP. Erdogan was presented as a strong, successful leader in a way that would appeal to Turks in Germany, many of whom are descended from so-called "guest workers" who arrived under an economic programme in the 1960s and '70s, and hailed from rural, conservative communities. While many Turks in modern-day Germany have high levels of education, good jobs and decent incomes, critics say some can still feel disillusioned by relatively low levels of participation in politics and civil society. In contrast to Erdogan's "emotional approach" to the Turkish community in Europe's most populous country, Germany appeared to have little to offer, said Eren Guvercin, a Turkish journalist living in the country. Those who are not seeking to develop "counter-offers" to build up "emotional access" to Turks in Germany, "should not be surprised that Erdogan fills this gap," he added. - 'Conservative attitudes' - As Germany sought to get back on its feet after World War II, hundreds of thousands of Turks came over to work in industries ranging from construction to car-making. Times were often tough for the newcomers, many of whom earned lower salaries than Germans and lived in low-quality housing. But many stayed and brought family members over, and are now an integral party of society. Germany is home to about three million people of Turkish origin, although many hold only German citizenship, due to the current ban on dual nationalities. Despite the worries triggered by the weekend election results, some argue that the backing for Erdogan in Germany should not ring alarm bells. Many of the best integrated Turks have in fact taken on German nationality over the years, which excluded them from the vote, observers note. The result also fits with a trend of strong support for the leader among Turks in other parts of Europe where, as in Germany, migrant communities originally came from rural communities, Yunus Ulusoy, from the Centre for Turkish Studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen, told AFP. "They brought conservative, religious attitudes with them to the countries where they migrated," he said. In countries like the United States and Britain, where Turkish migrants usually hail from more affluent backgrounds, the opposition typically performs better, he added. mat-sr/hmn/rox/ach Tesla boss Elon Musk took over Twitter in October 2022 For years, a band of science-loving "troll hunters" hounded climate change deniers off Twitter -- but Elon Musk's takeover has upended their efforts, with many ousted accounts back, pushing fresh disinformation. Despite the threat climate change poses to the planet, disinformation about it has gone largely unsanctioned on Twitter. But a secretive global community of about 25 scientists and activists, calling themselves Team Ninja Trollhunters (TNT), found a roundabout way to tackle it. Since its founding in 2019, TNT claims to have secured the suspension of some 600 accounts of climate change denialists by reporting them for other infringements, including hate speech, that are officially recognized by the platform as valid grounds for termination. "If they're saying something racist or offensive or misogynist, we can get them kicked off," one Germany-based TNT member, a 45-year-old scientist who asked to be identified as Tom, told AFP in a Zoom interview. Like other TNT members interviewed by AFP, he requested that his real identity be withheld to avoid online harassment. TNT members showed AFP archives documenting their campaigns, including a spreadsheet logging thousands of Twitter accounts they reported on grounds ranging from spam and harassment to hate speech and threats. They also shared screenshots confirming numerous suspensions. "We make sure that we're as under the radar as possible... to get (climate) deniers and 'sceptics' and just generally nasty people reported on Twitter," a Canada-based member named Peter told AFP. "We're more effective if we're very quiet about it. These deniers are quite often very violent in their responses to climate misinformation being corrected. Intimidation and abuse are very common." - 'Opened the floodgates' - That approach appeared to work - before Musk's turbulent $44 billion acquisition of Twitter last October. Research by monitoring groups indicates a spike in misinformation on the platform as moderation was gutted and a paid verification system boosted conspiracy theorists. Adding to the turmoil, self-proclaimed free speech absolutist Musk has restored what researchers estimate are tens of thousands of accounts once suspended for violations, including incitement to violence, harassment and misinformation. Twitter's press office and members of its sustainability team who were laid off after the takeover declined to comment. In one example, TNT reported a Canada-based climate change denier for repeated threatening and offensive behaviour. An online archive of the Twitter account shows it branded climate change a scam and ridiculed activists and scientists to thousands of followers. "You can call it trolling, I call it having fun with idiot climate alarmists," he wrote in one exchange. The account was suspended but the same user appeared to have returned with a different handle, posting "I'm back" in October 2022, and resumed retweeting material denying the causes of climate change. "We got some fairly big accounts removed" but many came back "when Elon Musk kind of opened the floodgates again," said Tom. "We've had to change tactics" -- less reporting of abusive accounts and more debunking of science claims, he added. "It's a real struggle to keep up." Among other accounts targeted by TNT, a prominent US climate change denier was suspended in 2021 for "spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to Covid-19", according to a screenshot posted by one of his followers. Spreading false information about Covid-19 "is fairly common for science-denial accounts: there's a lot of overlap due to conspiracy-thinking tendencies for the fact-adverse," Peter said. The user returned with a new handle before the takeover and now has a "verified" checkmark, available for sale under Musk. He has posted regularly using the popular denialist hashtag ClimateScam, peddling misleading claims on topics such as arctic ice, temperatures and droughts. - 'Hateful conduct' - But the TNT's fight continues. Despite the reported rise in hate speech on Musk's Twitter, they scored a rare success this year, successfully booting off a prolific Australia-based tweeter of climate misinformation -- on the grounds of "hateful conduct", according to a screenshot published by a TNT member. His tweets included claims that the Earth is cooling and that carbon dioxide does not cause warming. The member who reported the account told AFP the tweet for which it was suspended was about "immigration into the UK". The group has been prompted to defend its tactics as some TNT members are themselves confrontational, aiming to provoke their targets into stepping over the line. In one exchange, a TNT member told a prominent climate change denier he sounded like "a lobotomized cackling moron". "We're going after accounts that are doing things that are reportable," Peter insisted. "We're not trolling people." rlp-ac/giv/mca Two pro-Russian politicians flew to Vienna to meet with Ukrainian oligarch under suspicion source According to sources of Ukrainska Pravda, Ukrainian parliamentarians Serhii Liovochkin and Hryhorii Surkis of the banned pro-Russian Opposition Platform For Life faction flew to Vienna in the spring to meet with oligarch Dmytro Firtash, who is under suspicion of Ukrainian law enforcement officers [for large-scale gas-related fraud committed at the expense of the government ed.]. Source: investigation by Ukrainska Pravda; Monaco Battalion 3 Details: Ukrainska Pravda journalists documented the presence of Serhii Liovochkin and Hryhorii Surkis, members of the banned pro-Russian Opposition Platform For Life political party, in Nice (France) in April 2023. According to sources of Ukrainska Pravda in political circles, Surkis and Liovochkin got permission to leave Ukraine for official reasons "for parliament-related activity". The press service of Liovochkin replied to Ukrainska Pravda that he resides in Ukraine on a permanent basis, and has left the country only twice for knee surgery and on a business trip. After holding official meetings, Liovochkin indeed flew to Nice airport for further relocation to the clinic for postoperative monitoring. SCREENSHOT UKRAINSKA PRAVDA At the same time, Surkis and Liovochkin first visited Vienna, where, according to sources of Ukrainska Pravda in business circles, they met with Ukrainian pro-Russian oligarch Dmytro Firtash. Surkis was also spotted at the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco. Surkis Mercedes was noticed near the casino regularly. The sources of Ukrainska Pravda state that another member of the former Opposition Platform For Life party, Vadym Stolar, also managed to leave the country. He ended up on the Cote d'Azur as well. Stolar rents an estate on Cap-Ferrat and drives a Lamborghini Urus with Czech licence plates. Stolar's estate on Cap-Ferrat SCREENSHOT Background: On 15 May, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Bureau of Economic Security served notices of suspicion on businessman Dmytro Firtash and eight top managers of his companies. Five defendants, including the oligarch himself and Tiutiunnyk [head of one of Firtashs companies ed.] were charged in absentia, as they are hiding from justice abroad. Law enforcement officers exposed the scheme by which the structures controlled by Firtash bought fuel from his own company but received 30% of the volume. The artificial deficit was covered by state gas, and the money settled in Firtash's pockets. According to preliminary data, over seven years, such a scheme has cost the country's budget UAH 18 billion [roughly US$487 million]. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua has collapsed yet again, according to promoter Frank Warren. The all-British heavyweight clash has been discussed numerous times in recent years, with talks and deals collapsing on each occasion. Most recently, the pair were in autumn negotiations over a potential bout in December 2022, but those talks fell apart. Then, last week, 34-year-old Fury called on Joshua, 33, to help make the fight. However, the potential contest has fallen apart in record time. That is according to Warren, who promotes WBC champion Fury and told Talksport on Thursday (1 June): Let me clarify what has actually happened. Last week, a written proposal was sent to Matchroom for AJ to fight Tyson in September. Eddie Hearn came back and spoke to my son George, who said it will take a couple of days to see where they are with it. A couple of days went by, and George met yesterday with AJs management company. They confirmed that AJ is fighting in Dubai in December, that is his preferred route. There is a space open in August, but they basically do not want to do the fight. That is what happened. When Tyson said there was a draft contract, what happened is we had prepared a draft contract the last time we had negotiations. So, there was nothing really to be concerned about in terms of negotiations; it was just if they wanted the fight or not. So, the situation is: Tyson is desperate to make the fight happen, as he was against [Oleksandr] Usyk, but AJ has chosen not to take the fight. That is where we are at. Warren was referring to the collapse of talks between Fury and Usyk in March, a month before the heavyweight champions were expected to clash and crown an undisputed title holder. Warren also confirmed claims made by Hearn, who promotes Joshua, that AJ intends to fight in August as a warm-up for a potential bout with Deontay Wilder in December. Joshua last fought in April, outpointing Jermaine Franklin in London to bounce back from two straight losses to Usyk. The Ukrainian beat Joshua via decision in 2021 to take the unified heavyweight titles from the Briton, and he retained them with another points win over AJ in a rematch last August. Meanwhile, Fury last competed in December, fighting Derek Chisora for the third time and stopping him in Round 10. The victory saw Fury stay unbeaten, retain the WBC title, and move to 3-0 against his compatriot. The Biden administration is furious with its ambassador to South Africa and scrambling to salvage relations with the country after the envoy alleged that Pretoria sent a ship filled with weapons to Russia as it wages war on Ukraine. The ambassador, Reuben Brigety, made the claim three weeks ago in a press briefing, saying hed bet my life on it. He added that South Africa was engaging in outrageous anti-Americanism and questioned its claim to be neutral among the world powers. It was a shocking assertion by an American official against a country that the United States has been trying to court in the global effort to isolate Russia. Brigetys actions thrilled some observers who say the U.S. needs to be more honest about a South African drift toward Moscow; his defenders include top U.S. senators. But multiple U.S. officials told POLITICO that Brigetys accusations were overstated and he may have damaged American interests in the long run. Publicly, the administration has tried to walk a fine line in its response between calming the South Africans and not appearing to abandon its ambassador. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel has said in daily press briefings that the United States had expressed concerns about the ship to the South Africans but valued its relationship with the country and declined to directly discuss the ambassadors comments. Still, U.S. officials made clear in conversations with POLITICO that they were uncomfortable with Brigetys actions and the nature of his assertions. Brigety did not have permission from higher-ups to say what he said, two former U.S. officials and a current U.S. official familiar with the discussions said. He also overstated what the U.S. definitively knows, according to the current official and a fourth person a senior Biden administration official. The things we have said publicly we are ready to put the credibility of the U.S. government behind. What he said was far beyond that, the senior Biden administration official said when pressed on the intelligence. The incident has shed light on the fraught U.S. effort to influence countries where Russia and China have made inroads, a competition turbocharged by Russias war on Ukraine. South Africa is a key player among countries being wooed because it is definitely the de facto leader of sub-Saharan Africa, a fifth person, a Biden administration official familiar with the issue said. I dont think we need them. But its also not smart to make them an enemy. The official, and others interviewed for this story, were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic issues. The tension began ramping up last fall when a Russian cargo vessel called the Lady R headed toward South Africas Simons Town naval base. Washington had asked Pretoria to block the ship, which was under U.S. economic sanctions, but South Africa allowed it to furtively dock from Dec. 6-8. South African officials initially indicated the ship had docked to deliver ammunition for the countrys military forces fulfilling an old order. But that didnt dispel suspicions. In February, the New York Times reported that a U.S. official in South Africa said the American government believed that munitions and rocket propellant that Russia could use in the Ukraine war may have been loaded onto the Russian tanker. On May 11, Brigety tersely made similar claims at a news conference in Pretoria. The arming of Russia by South Africa with the vessel that landed in Simons Town is fundamentally unacceptable, Brigety said. We are confident that weapons were loaded onto that vessel, and I would bet my life on the accuracy of that assertion. South Africas foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, immediately called in and reprimanded Brigety. The South African government claimed Brigety apologized while excoriating him for supposedly violating diplomatic protocol, but it also said it was investigating his claims. Brigety said simply via tweet that he was glad to correct any misimpressions left by his remarks. State Department and the National Security Council spokespeople would not answer detailed questions about the incident from POLITICO and declined to make Brigety available for comment. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Pandor after the incident, then issued a two-sentence readout that didnt mention Brigetys claims. The incident is still reverberating throughout South Africa, Washington and the broader Africa watcher community. In part thats because Brigety has highlighted ties between South Africa and Russia that the Biden administration prefers not to discuss in public. Its the emperor has no clothes, and Reuben has played the role of the little boy who said, who shouted out loud, what people refuse to see with their own eyes, said a former U.S. diplomat who has worked closely with Brigety. Among developing countries that have tried to keep good ties with both Washington and Moscow amid the Ukraine war, South Africa has unique characteristics. Many of its leaders have longstanding connections to Russia dating to the Soviet era. And they have not forgotten that the Soviet Union backed the anti-apartheid movement long before the United States did. That means many South African officials, especially those from the ruling African National Congress party, approach Americans with a pervasive sense of distrust. After first condemning Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine, South Africa abstained from two major United Nations General Assembly votes criticizing Russia for the war. South Africa this year hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and participated in naval exercises with Russia and China. Days after Brigetys news conference, South Africas army chief visited Moscow in what Pretoria said was a pre-planned trip. South African officials have also wavered on whether they would carry out an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court targeting Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who is due to visit South Africa this summer for a summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Top U.S. officials are in regular conversations with South African officials; Blinken stopped by last August. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the White House last September. But American lawmakers are increasingly incensed that the U.S. isnt demanding more from Pretoria. A House resolution introduced in February slammed the naval exercises and called for a review of the U.S.-South Africa relationship. Brigetys defendersinclude the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Idahos Jim Risch, and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who said he traveled to South Africa as part of a bipartisan delegation following the Lady Rs visit. Coons said Brigety briefed the lawmakers in that delegation, who were impressed with the ambassador and what he shared, though Coons declined to provide details. If theres been an action by South Africa to provide arms to Russia during this conflict, that is a serious issue and must be dealt with seriously, Coons said. I have confidence that Ambassador Brigety is professional, capable, and is representing the United States well in a difficult moment in the U.S.-South Africa relationship. South Africa appears to be feeling some of the pressure. Days before Brigetys news conference, a South African government delegation visited Washington to forestall any potential effort to kick their country out of the African Growth and Opportunity Act program, a trade initiative. They spent time with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). In a statement referring to the Lady R, released after Brigetys news conference, the senator said the visitors assured him they were taking seriously the evidence we have presented regarding transfers of weapons and ammunition to Russia. Since Brigety spoke out, South African officials have sent mixed messages about the status of an investigation. At times, theyve said they have no evidence of an arms transfer onto the Lady R, or at least none supporting a government role. A South African diplomat said his government began investigating the Lady R case prior to Brigetys news conference. On Sunday, Ramaphosa said he has appointed an independent panel to pursue an inquiry. Our president and government as a whole never took this matter lightly, the South African diplomat said. Many of Brigetys peers call him an accomplished, intelligent man who usually follows the rules. He previously was Americas ambassador to the African Union and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Friends suspect Brigety spoke up out of sheer frustration with his host country. He had accompanied the South African delegation to Washington, and interactions with those officials might have affected his thinking. At the news conference, he read what he described as outrageous passages from an ANC document that seemed to blame the United States for the war in Ukraine suggesting he had prepped for the occasion. Spokespeople for Brigety declined multiple requests for interviews and referred inquiries to the State Department press shop in D.C. Among many Americans whove dealt with South Africa, theres a sense that the country wants to benefit from U.S. ties while undermining U.S. interests; that South Africas leaders are hypocritical when they harp on respect for sovereignty but say nothing when Russia violates Ukraines; that they excessively emphasize diplomatic protocol as a way to obfuscate; and that rampant corruption is affecting their decisions. Theres rarely any appreciation for what America has done for South Africa, including helping it battle HIV/AIDS, former U.S. diplomats and officials said. Instead, South Africa frequently opposes the United States in forums such as the United Nations. Any chance they get to poke the U.S. in the eye they will do it, said Tibor Nagy, a former assistant secretary of State for African affairs. Still, Brigety spoke in definitive terms about an intelligence matter, even though U.S. intelligence is rarely definitive. His implication that South Africas government was behind the alleged arms transfer may be impossible to prove, not least because the countrys Byzantine bureaucracy has many fiefdoms. That said, the United States could penalize South Africa simply for letting the sanctioned ship dock, but it has yet to make such a move. Brigetys comments had immediate consequences for ordinary South Africans: The value of the countrys currency dipped, damaging the economy. The United States is one of South Africas largest trading partners much bigger than Russia. But even Americas ability to influence South Africa through trade is limited because Pretoria has successfully maintained economic relations with other countries including China. Sanusha Naidu, a foreign affairs analyst based in Cape Town, argued thats the way it should stay. Why cant we have a choice where we enjoy a nice relationship with the U.S. on certain levels within our interest, Naidu said, and then we also enjoy certain levels of relationship with China and Russia that fits our interest [when] everybody actually comes out with a positive outcome? Black woman at ATM Updated as of 6/01/2023 at 8:35 a.m. The House just passed a bill to raise the debt limit in a race against time to raise the debt ceiling before the United States defaults on our loans. The saga isnt over yet. The Senate will still have to vote on the bill, which leaves Congress only a few days to raise the limit before U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen estimates that the country will run out of money to pay our obligations. Read more But before we can dive into whats inside the deal, its worth explaining what the debt ceiling is and why Black Americans should care about it. The debt limit is the amount of money the federal government can borrow to meet their existing funding obligations, including Medicare, Social Security, and loan payments. Congress regularly votes to increase this limit so we can borrow more and can keep paying our bills, including our national debt. Despite knowing for months that the United States had officially hit the debt ceiling, which is $31.4 trillion, we still havent raised the limi For folks wondering why thats such a problem; well break it down as simply as possible. So far, the United States has never defaulted on our loans, but that will happen if we dont raise the debt limit. Its not so different from when a regular person defaults on their loans, only on a much bigger and more complex scale. Our credit rating would fall, potentially triggering a deep recession. And because the global economy is so intimately tied to our economy, if we default, we risk not only plunging ourselves into a severe recession; but we could also tank the global economy. Why Should Black People Care What Happens With the Debt Limit? Unfortunately, this isnt the kind of crisis Black Americans can afford to ignore. A deep recession would, in all likelihood, be devastating for Black Americans. Studies have shown that Black Americans are generally among the first groups to be laid off when unemployment is high and the slowest demographic to recover after a recession. Black Americans would also be disproportionately harmed if the government can no longer fully fund social welfare programs, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Just take Social Security, for example. A 2017 study found that 35 percent of elderly married Black couples and 58 percent of unmarried Black older adults relied on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income. What Is Going on In Congress With The Debt Limit? At this point, youre probably wondering why Congress hasnt already raised the debt ceiling. The answer is simple, politics. President Joe Biden went into the debt ceiling fight, asking Congress to raise the debt limit without concessions. However, that didnt last. House Republicans won a ton of concessions, amounting to $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade. Not everyone is celebrating the deal etched out by the White House and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. The NAACP argued that several provisions in the bill harmed Black Americans, including new work requirements for social services, an end to the student loan, and roll-backs of vital environmental programs. Environmental groups have argued that the limits on environmental protections will disproportionately harm Black and brown people. The bill still has to go before the Senate, where the legislation has faced opposition. Senator Bernie Sanders has already said that he will not vote for the bill on principle. Meaning the fight over the debt ceiling isnt over just yet. 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. Gepard Ukraine The U.S. Army has awarded a Florida-based company a contract worth just over $118 million to supply additional German-made Gepard self-propelled 35mm anti-aircraft guns to the Ukrainian military. The Gepards in question look to be ex-Dutch variants that were then sold to Jordan around a decade ago. The Pentagon announced the Army's deal with Global Military Products, Inc. of Tampa, Florida, valued at $118,375,740, in its daily contracting notice yesterday. Germany has already supplied dozens of these vehicles to Ukraine's armed forces, which has been using them to good effect, especially against incoming Russian cruise missiles and drones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PWJ97KcnmA The new U.S. purchase of the Gepards is being funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which was established prior to Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine. This security assistance mechanism is specifically intended to help acquire weapons and other equipment, along with training and other support services, on Ukraine's behalf. In addition, unlike the so-called 'drawdowns' of materiel straight from U.S. military stocks for transfer to Ukraine's armed forces, USAI can be used to buy items not already in American inventory, like the Gepard. https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1539891379639181313?s=20 It is unclear how many Gepards are being purchased for Ukraine through the U.S. Army contract or when they might arrive in that country. The contract notice doesn't explicitly say where the vehicles are coming from, but does say that the "work will be performed in Amman, Jordan, with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2024." This also implies the vehicles require some degree of refurbishing or other attention before they can be delivered. The War Zone has reached out for more information. Jordan certainly has Gepards that could be purchased for transfer to Ukraine. In 2013, the government of the Netherlands struck a deal to sell 60 retired Gepards to the Jordanian military. That sale also included 350,000 rounds of 35mm ammunition and spare parts, among other items. The Dutch armed forces had acquired a total of 95 Gepards starting in the 1970s and had placed the remaining examples in storage by 2006. https://twitter.com/gepardtatze/status/1664257479297978369?s=20 Details about other military aid that Jordan has already provided Ukraine since Russia launched its all-out invasion in February 2022 are limited. Jordanian-made variants of the Russian RPG-32 shoulder-fired anti-armor weapons and missiles for Soviet-designed 9K33 Osa short-range air defense systems apparently sourced from Jordan have previously appeared in Ukrainian hands. https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1559913211717193729 https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1649764768373243905 Dutch Gepards differ from the variants that were produced during the Cold War for what was then the West German military in their radar fit. The Dutch version has an X-band search radar and a tracking radar that can operate in the X and Ka bands. The German variant has an S-band search radar and a Ku-band tracking radar. The different radars make the two types visually distinct. A Dutch Gepard seen during an exercise in 1990. Its distinctive radars are seen at the front and rear of the turret. Dutch Ministry of Defense An example of the German variant of the Gepard with its notably different radars. Hans-Hermann Buhling via Wikimedia Germany has also retired the Gepard, but examples of the German version are still in service in Brazil and Romania. All Gepard variants feature a pair of 35mm automatic cannons mounted on a single turret together with the search and tracking radars. The vehicles use a hull and chassis based on the design of the Leopard 1 tank, examples of which Ukraine's military is also now set to receive. The Gepard is designed to be employed in a point defense role against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and other aerial threats. The Gepard's 35mm cannons can also be used to devastating effect against targets on the ground. The German variants that Ukraine has already received have proven to be extremely effective, especially against subsonic cruise missiles and drones. Those two categories of weapons currently represent Russia's primary means of carrying out long-range strikes, making the Gepard a particularly valuable addition to the Ukrainian military's air defense arsenal. https://twitter.com/JimmySecUK/status/1599808349981138945 https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1662053940882554880?s=20 https://twitter.com/maria_avdv/status/1663586487651139591?s=20 Ukraine has already received at least 34 Gepards from Germany and is set to eventually get 18 more from that country. More examples will only provide further critical short-range air defense capacity, especially for protecting key target areas. As tracked vehicles, the Gepards also have good off-road mobility giving them additional flexibility if the call comes to redeploy to another location or keep up with troops on the move. This could prove critical in the long-awaited upcoming offensive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pP9rJ7dV_s In addition, the Gepard's radars give the system the ability to spot, track, and engage targets at night and in bad weather. This is of critical importance to Ukrainian forces given that many Russian missile and drone strikes come after the sun goes down. "Thanks to the fact that this anti-aircraft system has a computer system that automatically helps us to detect the target, capture [track] it, and help us destroy it as soon as possible," a Ukrainian Gepard gunner identified only as Oleh told CNN in an interview in May. "There may be more than one target, maybe three or four targets, and we need to destroy them one by one, so the computer system makes it as easy as possible for the operator to do their job." There is a significant question about sourcing ammunition for the Gepard 35mm cannons. These guns were made in Switzerland, as were significant stocks of shells for them. Authorities in that country have repeatedly refused to allow the re-export of 35mm rounds from various countries to Ukraine citing a policy of neutrality in regard to the conflict. This has become such an issue that the German government announced in February that it had signed a deal with domestic defense contractor Rheinmetall to restart production of 35mm ammunition. It is not immediately clear who manufactured the 35mm ammunition that the Netherlands sold to Jordan along with the 60 Gepards in 2013 or how many of the 350,000 rounds included in the sale may have been expended over the past 10 years in the course training and other activities. Romanian Gepards fire their guns during an exercise. U.S. Army Germany has also sought to buy back German-made 35mm ammunition from Brazil, something that country's current government has reportedly refused to allow. Beyond all this, the U.S. Army's use of USAI funding to acquire Gepards from a third party highlights the U.S. military's own limited selection of short-range air defense (SHORAD) assets at present. The U.S. military's SHORAD capabilities atrophied in the years following the end of the Cold War amid the belief that future conflicts that American forces were likely to find themselves in would be very unlikely to feature aerial threats. This is something The War Zone has explored in depth in the past. A return to great-power competition against near-peer nations like China and Russia, together with the explosion in the use of drones, even among non-state actors like terrorist groups and criminal organizations, has led to a reversal in U.S. attitude when it comes to SHORAD. At the same time, the U.S. military continues to play catchup in trying to reconstitute these capabilities. In 2021, the U.S. Army just began fielding its first new mobile SHORAD system, the Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) vehicle based on the 8x8 Stryker, in decades. M-SHORADs are replacing aging Humvee-based Avenger air defense systems, some of which are also now being sent to Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has only underscored the value of SHORAD systems, even like the Gepard, which until recently, was largely sidelined as a Cold War relic. Now more examples of them, sourced from anywhere possible by the U.S. military, will be backstopping those already in service in Ukraine. Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com The Biden administration is planning to dramatically expand the processing of asylum-seekers along the U.S.-Mexico border by admitting nearly 40,000 migrants at official crossings each month, an unprecedented number, Department of Homeland Security officials told CBS News Wednesday. Starting in June, officials will allow more migrants waiting in Mexico to secure an appointment to enter the U.S. through a government phone app known as CBP One, which the Biden administration has transformed into the main gateway to the American asylum system. U.S. border officials are preparing to distribute 1,250 appointments each day or roughly 38,750 each month to migrants in Mexico so they can present themselves at ports of entry for an opportunity to be allowed inside the country to request asylum, DHS officials said. An asylum-seeker family from the Mexican state of Guerrero arrive for their appointment with U.S. authorities at the El Chaparral Port of Entry in Tijuana, Mexico, on May 12, 2023. / Credit: GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images Previously, U.S. officials processed just over 20,000 asylum-seekers each month under the CBP One system, which President Biden unveiled in January as an orderly process to discourage migrants from entering the U.S. illegally by crossing between ports of entry. Seeking asylum at a port of entry is legal under U.S. law. In a statement to CBS News, DHS confirmed the increase in appointments, saying it would evaluate whether to expand port of entry processing even further. "This is a continuation of the Biden administration's expansion of lawful pathways and opportunities to access them, including CBP One appointments," Homeland Security spokesperson Erin Heeter said. "The process cuts out smugglers while also providing a safe, orderly, and humane process for noncitizens to access ports of entry instead of attempting to enter the United States unlawfully." Biden administration officials have said that border authorities need to balance the processing of asylum-seekers at ports of entry with their responsibilities to facilitate legal trade and travel at these same locations. The CBP One app allows migrants north of Mexico City to request an appointment to appear at a southern border port of entry, where U.S. officials generally release them with an immigration court hearing in their respective destination. Migrants can fight their deportation in court by seeking asylum. The app-powered system has been sharply criticized by migrant advocates, who say it penalizes the most destitute migrants who don't have smartphones or an internet connection. They have also said the app does not allocate nearly enough spots to help the tens of thousands of migrants stranded in Mexico. But the app has also facilitated the largest expansion of migrant processing at ports of entry along the southern border in U.S. history. Since its use began in January, more than 120,000 migrants have secured appointments to enter the U.S. through CBP One, according to unpublished government figures. During the five years before the coronavirus pandemic, an average of 326 migrants were processed at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border per day, according to government data. At first, the U.S. distributed roughly 740 CBP One spots each day. Earlier this month, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) increased the number of daily appointments to 1,000, as part of broader border strategy following the expiration of the Title 42 pandemic rule, which allowed officials to summarily expel migrants on public health grounds. The decision to expand daily port of entry appointment for migrants to 1,250 is part of the Biden administration's gamble that combining expanded opportunities for migrants to enter the U.S. legally with increased penalties for those who cross the border illegally will reduce unlawful crossings, which reached record levels during Mr. Biden's first two years in office. A Biden administration regulation implemented earlier this month renders migrants ineligible for asylum if they cross the southern border unlawfully after not seeking protection in a third country on their way to the U.S. Those subject to the rule face swift deportation to Mexico or their native countries, as well as a five-year exile from the U.S. But the restriction does not apply to migrants who show up at ports of entry with a CBP One appointment. They are allowed to seek asylum under the normal procedure, though their cases may not be adjudicated in years due to the two million and growing backlog of pending cases before the U.S. immigration court system. In addition to the CBP One process and the asylum restriction, administration officials have also sought to deter illegal border crossings by allowing up to 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to fly to the U.S. directly per month if they have American sponsors. In just several months, that program received over 1.5 million applications. While the number of unlawful border crossings soared to record levels in the days leading up to Title 42's end on May 11, migrant arrivals subsequently plummeted, defying predictions that the policy's end would trigger a massive increase in migration. While the Trump administration often urged migrants to wait for a chance to be processed at a port of entry if they wanted to seek asylum, the Biden administration's effort to facilitate just that has been strongly criticized by Trump-era officials, Republican lawmakers and immigration hardliners. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, a Republican, compared the process to "a concierge service for illegal immigrants." When he announced a new lawsuit against the Biden administration earlier this month, Texas' now-impeached Attorney General, Ken Paxton, said CBP One was part of an effort to allow "illegal aliens to stream into this country." While Paxton's lawsuit focused its criticism on the CBP One system to process asylum-seekers, it challenged the Biden administration's asylum restriction, which disqualifies migrants who don't seek asylum in third countries unless they use the app. If it prevails, the lawsuit would not halt the processing of migrants at ports of entry. President Biden falls on stage at Air Force Academy commencement Destruction from Russia's war on Ukraine revealed in new before and after satellite images Comer says Wray confirmed existence of record alleging Biden bribery scheme A short-term ceasefire between two warring factions in Sudan has been suspended, the United States and Saudi Arabia announced in a joint statement Thursday. The announcement came hours after the U.S. announced new sanctions against companies and individuals affiliated with both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. The suspension came as a result of "repeated serious violations" of the terms, impacting humanitarian aid deliveries and the restoration of essential services, the joint statement said. The cease-fire, brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, went into effect on May 22 and stipulated that the SAF and RSF would agree to scale back fighting that has killed more than 1,800 people since April, according to the latest numbers from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The groups had also agreed to assist with humanitarian aid deliveries and the withdrawal of forces from hospitals and other essential public sites. The cease-fire was extended on May 29 for five days, and negotiations had been taking place in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah in the hopes of reaching a permanent end to the fighting. Noting that the cease-fire initially led to some reduction in fighting, the statement said that both parties nevertheless committed "serious" violations of the terms, including the "occupation of civilian homes, private businesses, public buildings, and hospitals, as well as air and artillery strikes, attacks, and prohibited movements." Aid-carrying trucks had been obstructed and warehouses looted in areas controlled by both parties, the statement said. Several previous cease-fires had also been violated throughout the conflict. The U.S. Treasury Department earlier Thursday also announced economic sanctions against two companies affiliated with the SAF and two with the Rapid Support Forces. The companies are accused of generating revenue in support of armed violence, Secretary Blinken said in a statement. People walk past a medical center building riddled with bullet holes at the Souk Sitta (Market Six) in the south of Khartoum on June 1, 2023. / Credit: AFP via Getty Images The State Department also imposed visa restrictions against officials it said were culpable for the violence and for undermining Sudan's democratic transition, a senior administration official said. President Biden views the violence as a betrayal of nationwide protesters' demands for a civilian government and a tradition of democracy, the senior official said, noting that the recent fighting has been accompanied by reports of intensifying rapes of young women and girls as well as 1 million internally displaced people and 375,000 refugees who have fled to other countries. The violence has caused significant destruction in Sudan's capital city of Khartoum and the neighboring city of Obdurman. In April, the U.S. military successfully evacuated U.S. diplomatic staff from Sudan and shuttered the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum. Hundreds of U.S. civilians have also been evacuated. Why U.S. births are decreasing The risks of taking off-brand Ozempic for weight loss, according to a doctor Trump says he has "total support" of Iowa faith leaders WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on members and affiliates of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard and its external operations arm whom Washington accused of participating in terrorist plots targeting former U.S. government officials, dual U.S. and Iranian nationals and Iranian dissidents. The U.S. Treasury Department said the move targeted three Iran- and Turkey-based individuals and a company affiliated with the IRGC-Quds Force and two senior officials of the IRGC's Intelligence Organization involved in plotting external lethal operations against civilians, including journalists. In a statement, the Treasury said the five included Mohammad Reza Ansari, a Quds Force member whom it said has supported its operations in Syria, and Iranian citizen Shahram Poursafi, whom it said had planned and attempted to assassinate two former U.S. government officials. It also put sanctions on Hossein Hafez Amini, a dual Iranian and Turkish national based in Turkey, whom it accused of using his Turkish-based airline, Rey Havacilik Ithalat Ihracat Sanayi Ve, to assist the Quds Force's covert operations, including kidnapping and assassination plots targeting Iranian dissidents. The airline was also placed under sanctions. The Treasury Department also said it had imposed penalties on two people linked to the IRGC's Intelligence Organization, which it described as a domestic and international unit focused on targeting journalists, activists, dual Iranian nationals, and others who oppose Iranian abuses and human rights violations. It named these as Rouhallah Bazghandi, the former chief of the Intelligence Organization's counterespionage department, and the Intelligence Organization's chief, Reza Seraj. As a result of the Treasury sanctions, all property of the five individuals and the company subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. In addition, carrying out some transactions with them can expose actors to "secondary sanctions" under which the United States can penalize non-U.S. individuals and entities. (Reporting by Jasper Ward, Daphne Psaledakis and Arshad Mohammed; editing by Tim Ahmann and Nick Zieminski) The Anti-Homosexuality Act was signed into law on Monday by President Yoweri Museveni, despite condemnation from Western leaders and rights activists. Ugandan queer activist Papa De demonstrating against the country's anti-homosexuality bill in Pretoria, South Africa, April 4. (Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images) Uganda this week passed a bill that calls for openly gay members of the LGBTQ community to be punished with life imprisonment. President Biden led international condemnation, calling the new law the latest development in an alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda. The Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was passed by Parliament in Kampala in April, was signed into law on Monday by President Yoweri Museveni despite widespread opposition from world leaders and human rights activists. Musevenis signing of the anti-homosexuality bill is a serious blow to multiple fundamental rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and association, privacy, equality, and nondiscrimination, Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz, deputy director of Human Rights Watchs Africa Division, told Yahoo News via email. The Ugandan government is obligated to guarantee these rights for all people, including sexual minorities. The new legislation is the latest in what has been a severe crackdown on the freedom of members of the LGBTQ community in the conservative East African nation. With a lot of humility, I thank my colleagues the Members of Parliament for withstanding all the pressure from bullies and doomsday conspiracy theorists in the interest of our country, Parliamentary Speaker Anita Among said, per Yahoo News partner Associated Press. She added Museveni had answered the cries of our people. What was life like for LGBTQ Ugandans before this law was enacted? Gay Ugandan refugees who fled from their country to neighboring Kenya, return after shopping for food in Nairobi, Kenya, June 11, 2020. (Brian Inganga/AP) Before the bill was brought to Parliament for a vote in April, violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ community were already prevalent in Uganda, Budoo-Scholtz explained. In 2013, the government, led by Museveni, passed the initial Anti-Homosexuality Act. However, less than one year later, the constitutional court ruled the act was null and void on procedural grounds. After the government passed the now-scrapped 2014 Anti-Homosexuality Act, Human Rights Watch research found that people faced a notable increase in arbitrary arrests, police abuse, extortion, loss of employment, discriminatory evictions by landlords and reduced access to health services because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, Budoo-Scholtz said. Over the years, Ugandan police have carried out mass arrests at LGBT pride events, at LGBT-friendly bars, and at homeless shelters on spurious grounds, and forced some detainees to undergo anal examinations, a form of cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment that can, in some instances, constitute torture. Social activist DeLovie Kwagala writes for the Guardian: Im heartbroken at my exile from Uganda. Dont let them erase our queer community >>> What is the new law? Ugandan Parliamentary Speaker Anita Among during the passing of the country's anti-homosexuality bill, May. (Abubaker Lubowa/Reuters) The law drafted by Parliament is aimed at resisting what Ugandan lawmakers call outside interference and was created to protect the countrys values against Western immorality. The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 states some, but not all of, the following punishments: A person convicted of the offense of homosexuality is liable to life imprisonment Any attempts at a sexual act with someone of the same sex will be punishable by up to 10 years in prison The death penalty will be given to those convicted of aggravated homosexuality, meaning sexual acts with minors, or people with disabilities or HIV Those who attempt to advocate, celebrate or openly discuss anything LGBTQ-related will be given up to 20 years in prison for promoting homosexuality Any person who does not report acts of homosexuality will be fined up to 50,000 Ugandan shillings ($13 USD) or up to six months in prison 'I'm scared': What it's like to be LGBTQ+ in a country where you could be killed (Sky News) >>> What has the international community said? U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration is considering implementing visa restrictions for Ugandan officials. (Sergei Grits/AP) Top U.S. government officials joined other world leaders in condemning the hardline laws enacted in Uganda. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration would consider implementing visa restrictions for Ugandan officials. The Department of State will develop mechanisms to support the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda and to promote accountability for Ugandan officials and other individuals responsible for, or complicit in, abusing their human rights, Blinken said in a statement. Meanwhile, Biden threatened to cut aid to the nation after imposing what he said is a tragic violation of universal human rights. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the new law will likely worsen the violence and persecution already faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Uganda. He called on all member states to abide by their obligations under international human rights law. U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said that the law would drive people against one another, leave people behind and undermine development. Despite the backlash, Museveni said: The signing is finished, nobody will move us. Can the law be reversed? Activists demonstrate against Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill in Pretoria, South Africa, April 4. (Themba Hadebe/AP) A challenge was filed on Monday to the constitutional court of Uganda, where 11 petitioners contested the act on several grounds, seeking an injunction on the enforcement of the law. Budoo-Scholtz explained to Yahoo News that the petition asked the court to declare, among others, that proper procedure was not followed to adopt the Act; Several provisions of the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution and the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy. A second challenge was put to the court the following day by a group of nine others. Calls for a tourist boycott of Uganda after anti-gay laws passed (The Telegraph) >>> What can LGBTQ Ugandans do now? A member of the LGBTQ community prays during an evangelical church service, April 23, in Kampala, Uganda. (Luke Dray/Getty Images) In addition to the constitutional court case, they can also lobby and advocate against this law at the regional and global levels, Budoo-Scholtz said. While the EU, the U.S., and the U.K. have condemned this law, the African Union has been quiet. It would be good to advocate against the law at the African Union level. Protesters against Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill Alet Pretorius / Gallo Images via Getty Images Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently signed a bill ramping up criminal penalties for homosexuality, including life in prison for anyone who engages in gay sex and the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality," a category that includes having same-sex relations while HIV-positive or with minors or other vulnerable people. President Biden urged Uganda to immediately repeal the "shameful" and "tragic violation of universal human rights." The United Nations Human Rights Office said it was "appalled that the draconian and discriminatory anti-gay bill is now law," and top European Union diplomat Josep Borrell called it "deplorable." The British government, whose colonial anti-sodomy laws are still on the books in Uganda, condemned the Anti-Homosexuality Act as "appalling" and "deeply discriminatory." Homosexuality was already illegal Uganda, as it is in more than 30 other African nations. The new increased penalties could leave their mark on the conservative East African country. Economic losses Uganda's economy was projected to grow more than 6% a year for the next five years, according to the International Monetary Fund, but "the new law could make operating in the country awkward and place billions of dollars of investments at risk," David Malingha noted at Bloomberg. "Almost a fifth of the country's latest budget was funded using external financing." The U.S. government alone "invests nearly $1 billion annually in Uganda's people, business, institutions and military to advance our common agenda," Biden noted in his statement, but he has now directed his administration to "evaluate the implications of this law on all aspects of U.S. engagement with Uganda" and "incorporate the impacts of the law into our review of Uganda's eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)," which gives the country easier access to lucrative U.S. markets. When Museveni signed an earlier version of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2014, the World Bank canceled a $90 million loan and the U.S. and EU threatened to withdraw aid to the country. "I will work with the Russians," Museveni said, before the country's Supreme Court struck down the law on a technicality. HIV backsliding Uganda and Museveni "have been leaders in the fight to end AIDS," but "Uganda's progress on its HIV response is now in grave jeopardy" with the Anti-Homosexuality Act, the Global Fund, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) said in a joint statement. Uganda's "great success" tackling HIV is based on "the principle of access to health care for all who need it" and "leaving no one behind," but "the stigma and discrimination associated with the passage of the act has already led to reduced access to prevention as well as treatment services." The new law also includes a prison term of up to 20 years for anyone who promotes homosexuality, "a vague provision that activists fear could be used to target agencies supporting LGBTQ people, including those providing lifesaving AIDS treatment," The New York Times reported. Diplomatic strife The "shameful" law is just "the latest development in an alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda," Biden said in his statement. "The dangers posed by this democratic backsliding are a threat to everyone residing in Uganda, including U.S. government personnel," and the U.S. may take steps "including the application of sanctions and restriction of entry into the United States against anyone involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken elaborated, saying the U.S. may restrict visas for Ugandan officials. Ugandan lawmaker Asuman Basalirwa, sponsor of the law, said the U.S. has already canceled a visa issued to Anita Annet Among, the speaker of Uganda's Parliament, "making her the first official to face punitive action over the new law," BBC News reported Increased vigilantism U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Anti-Homosexuality Act "raises the risk of worsening the violence and persecution already faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Uganda." Many LGBTQ people have already fled Uganda, the Times reported, and "gay rights groups say hundreds of gay people facing rejection from their families, discrimination at work or mob justice in the streets have reached out to them in recent weeks seeking help." "There's fear that this law will embolden many Ugandans to take the law into their hands," Frank Mugisha, the most prominent openly gay rights activist in Uganda, told the Times. "This law will put so many people at risk." More authoritarianism "Democracy depends on the guarantee of equal rights under law and freedom from discrimination for everyone in society," U.K. international development minister Andrew Mitchell said. "This legislation undermines the protections and freedoms of all Ugandans enshrined in the Ugandan constitution." Some analysts suggested Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, backed the law to "scapegoat gay people and distract the public from mounting domestic challenges, including rising unemployment and skyrocketing food prices," and "his crackdown on the opposition and human rights activists," the Times reported. "The passage of this bill has implications beyond LGBTQ rights," said Gillian Kane, a senior analyst at Ipas. "By trampling on human rights and constitutional law, this bill is a political project for authoritarianism." Helen Epstein, who wrote a book about Museveni's long grip on power, called the extreme politicization of homosexuality "very much a product "of Museveni's malevolent political genius." You may also like Why are so many seniors homeless in America? Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario' Fossils uncovered in Australia are 107 million-year-old pterosaurs bones, scientists say UK Intelligence: Prigozhin's rhetoric could have lifted taboo on talk of Putin's replacement The UK Intelligence suggests that a series of critical statements made by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner PMC, has weakened the taboo in Russia on talks about replacing the president. Source: the UK Ministry of Defence's intelligence review of the Russian-Ukrainian war of 1 June, as European Pravda reports. The analysts drew attention to the words of Russian politician Boris Nadezhdin on NTV on 27 May, when he called for a new president to be elected in 2024 to normalise relations with Europe. They note that Nadezhdin has been a prominent critic of the war since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, but this is perhaps the first call for Putin's replacement to be made on a Russian state TV channel. "Over the past 15 months, the Russian Federation has imposed restrictions on freedom of speech unprecedented since the Soviet era. However, there is a realistic possibility that the recent harsh rhetoric of nationalist circles, such as the owner of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has given opposition figures the courage to raise taboo topics," the text says. The previous review stated that Russia is increasingly losing the initiative in the war. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Driving a supercar is a privilege, not a rightespecially if youre going to use it to be annoying or put others at risk. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in northern England seized a couple of Lamborghinis earlier this week for anti-social driving, reports the Manchester Evening News. Its unclear when the owners will get their cars back, but we imagine theyll think twice before using their supercars to show off again. More from Robb Report Anti-social driving is the UKs term for driving that causes a nuisance, including, but not limited to, street racing, riding in a convoy or doing stunts, according to the GMP website. Over the weekend, local authorities began receiving reports of different colored Lamborghinis being driven anti socially in Bolton, a city just northwest of Manchester. Then, early Monday, the driver of one of the supercars, was stopped and cited, after he pulled up to a police scene at 4 a.m. and loudly revved his engine. Multiple reports of different coloured Lambos being driven Anti socially this weekend at Bolton, all now identified. Orange felt it was a great idea to race up to a Police scene revving engine loudly at 4am. Driver reported due care offence and given s59 warning. #noBULLtaken pic.twitter.com/DyXql6QYZf GMP Traffic (@gmptraffic) May 29, 2023 Youd think the citation would have been enough of a warning for the Lambo drivers, but it wasnt. Later that day, the GMPs Transport Unit seized two Lamborghini Huracansone bright yellow, the other white with red and green accentsaccording to a tweet from the department. Its unclear what exactly the driver had been doing with the supercars, but authorities said they were seized under the Police Reform Act. Manchester councilor applauded the GMPs actions, writing on Twitter that anti-social driving was a problem in other parts of the area. We have these manboy muppets in the city center, he tweeted (via the Manchester Evening News). Rev Rev. Grow up and get a Lego set. #XM #XT #SaferTransportTeam It's a beautiful dayto seize 2 more Lamborghinis. You would have thought the drivers of these vehicles would've learnt the lesson from their mate yesterday, but no. Seized for anti-social driving under the Police Reform Act. pic.twitter.com/050HyXozN7 GMP Traffic (@gmptraffic) May 29, 2023 Should any of the anti-social Lambo drivers decide to take Karneys advice, theyre in luck. Lego actually offers a number of sets based on Lamborghini supercars, including a 1:8 scale Sian model with working scissor doors. We have a feeling the GMP will be a lot less interested in what they get up to with one of the toy companys kits. Best of Robb Report 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. Grain deal extended for two months on May 17 "The destructive position of Russia and the absence of registered vessels for inspection makes it impossible to compile an inspection plan for June 1," Ukraines Development Ministry said in a message on its website. Read also: EU refuses to lift sanctions on Russian banks amid grain agreement Over two days, May 30 and 31, Russia registered only one incoming vessel for inspection in the port of Chornomorsk without explanation, while other parties to the JCC confirmed their participation in the grain initiative with 10 ships for three ports. Read also: Unblocking Mykolayiv seaports may double Ukrainian grain exports, says minister There are 50 vessels waiting in line for inspection in Turkish territorial waters, where 2.4 million tons of food are to be shipped to the world, the ministry said. This is almost twice the amount exported in May. Some ships have been waiting for JCC inspection for more than 3 months. This is over $1 billion in losses, which is reflected in food prices across the world. Thus, Russia has once again found a way to limit the world's food supply. Blocking the registration of a new incoming fleet, as well as the largest port (in the agreement) Pivdennyi, is a gross violation of the terms of the Grain Initiative signed by the aggressor country. Since the deal was signed 10 months ago, over 30.5 million tons of Ukrainian agricultural products have been exported. Read also: Zelenskyy accuses Russia of blocking Black Sea grain agreement "For 7 months, sabotage and obstruction from the Russian delegation in the JCC continues, resulting in the world not receiving at least 20 million tons of food," the message concludes. 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 Ukraine is fighting Russia on the front lines, a much quieter battle is happening in the government offices in Kyiv: the fight to bring the long-suffering judicial reform to life. Compared to the war, almost no one is watching this contest. And yet its this battle that will define, in some ways, what post-war Ukraine looks like. Nine years after the first efforts were made to transform one of Ukraines least trusted institutions, the court system, the reform still faces an uncertain future. The need for it is more evident than ever. Just recently, the head of the Supreme Court was detained on charges of accepting a $3 million bribe. Trusted and independent candidates have been excluded from competitions for key judicial posts, while tainted ones have been green-lighted. (Incumbent) judges dont like those who go against the system, said Halia Chyzhyk, a judicial expert that has been monitoring Ukraines attempts to reform the courts. The latest judicial reform was launched by President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2019. Currently, the reform is being completed as new members of a top judicial body, the High Qualification Commission, are being chosen after years of delay. It is still unclear if the reform will lead to any substantial change in the judiciary. Optimists see it as a step forward despite all the drawbacks, while critics argue it is just a facade for the entrenchment of the corrupt judiciary. Investigative journalists: Judge supported by Western experts may be implicated in corruption A controversial judge greenlighted by the Ethics Council, the main body tasked with spearheading judicial reforms, may be involved in corruption, according to an investigation by the Slidstvo.info investigative journalism project. The Ethics Council, which is comprised of both Ukrainian judges and The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov State of the reform Under the reform, international experts and Ukrainian officials are supposed to hire new members of two judicial bodies the High Council of Justice and the High Qualification Commission. The new members are supposed to be independent, honest and professional people, according to the current concept of the reform, which has been in the works since 2019. The High Council of Justice, the judiciarys main governing body, makes final decisions on hiring, firing and punishing judges. The High Qualification Commission, which is subordinate to the High Council of Justice, vets and nominates candidates for judicial jobs. In 2022, a body comprising three Ukrainian judges and three international experts finally nominated new members of the High Council of Justice, and the council resumed work in January 2023, after having been suspended for a year. The work to staff the second key agency of the reform is underway. In March, a different selection panel comprising three Ukrainian judges and three international experts nominated 32 candidates for the High Qualification Commission. The High Council of Justice finished interviewing the candidates on May 12 and is expected to appoint up to 16 members of the High Qualification Commission on June 1. Oleg Sukhov: Ukrainian kleptocrats use war to entrench corruption, with Western experts as facade Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors. Oleg Sukhov is a staff writer at the Kyiv Independent. He has been covering the judicial corruption and judicial reforms in Ukraine since 2014. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine was a wake-up call for The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov Controversy over rejected candidates The selection panel has stated that its assessment would be based on the principle of positive selection the selection of the best of the best, as opposed to just weeding out the worst. Chyzhyk told the Kyiv Independent that she and other representatives of civil society had promoted this principle but the selection panel had failed to implement it. They were supposed to choose the best but there are doubts on whether (those they chose) can be considered the best, she said. Several people with a positive reputation according to civil society were thrown out by the selection panel at the initial stage, in December 2022, and were not allowed to proceed to the interview stage. At the initial stage, 64 people were chosen out of 301 candidates. Those rejected at the beginning include Vitaly Tytych, a former head of civic watchdog Public Integrity Council, Andriy Boyko, a former reformist member of the High Council of Justice, Sergii Gorbatuk, an outspoken former investigator at the prosecutor's office, and Lyubomyr Vynar, a whistleblower judge. These candidates were on the list of candidates recommended by civil society to the selection panel, and yet they were rejected nonetheless. The decision to reject Tytych raised eyebrows among Ukraines civil society. He has been involved in judicial reform for many years and has often criticized the authorities for failures and setbacks in the reform. In 2016-2018, Tytych was the head of the Public Integrity Council, a civil society watchdog that was created under the law to ensure integrity standards in the judiciary. Due to its uncompromising stance on judicial reform, the Public Integrity Council criticized the top judicial bodies and accused them of protecting corrupt judges. Tytych believes that the latest attempt at judicial reform has failed. The whole system of contests for top judicial jobs has been sabotaged by corrupt interests because the authorities lack political will for reform, he told the Kyiv Independent. The selection panel for the High Qualification Commission denied the accusations of sabotage. Another rejected candidate, Gorbatuk, was the top investigator in charge of cases involving the 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution until 2019. He has been praised by civil society for his independent stance and integrity. In 2014-2019, Gorbatuk accused his own boss, then Prosecutor General Yury Lutsenko, as well as then President Petro Poroshenko and then Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, of sabotaging EuroMaidan investigations. Gorbatuk, who also tried to initiate a criminal case against Lutsenko over the alleged sabotage, was fired in 2019. Watchdogs say Ukraines judicial reform on brink of catastrophe Ukraines leading anti-corruption watchdogs issued a statement on June 24 saying that the Ethics Council, the judicial reforms main body, has undermined trust in the process by approving tainted candidates for top jobs and vetoing an anti-corruption crusader. Since the Ethics Councils decisions The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov Reasons for rejection The selection panel, which denied the accusations of wrongdoing, has been criticized for its failure to explain its rejection of these candidates. The selection commission refused to explain the motives for its decisions, Chyzhyk said. The (64 candidates) were chosen arbitrarily without any explanations. Mykhailo Zhernakov, head of judicial watchdog Dejure, agreed. He told the Kyiv Independent that there are doubts about the objectivity of the commissions choice of candidates. The panel argued that the first stage of the selection process was based on candidates cover letters. Nobody understands the criteria, Gorbatuk, one of the rejected candidates, told the Kyiv Independent. How are the cover letters (of those chosen) different from the cover letters of others? The selection panels decisions prompted speculation that some of the candidates, namely Tytych and Gorbatuk, were rejected because of their independence and integrity. (The judicial establishment rejected them) because they thought they would act in an independent and brave way and would not accept compromises," Chyzhyk said. Zhernakov agreed, saying that its a pity that they didnt approve some of the good candidates. Its the influence of the judicial mafia. Some people hurt them more than others, he said in a reference to reformers who went against judicial corruption and were thrown out of the contest as a result. Gorbatuk believes that the judicial establishment rejected these candidates because (the authorities) cant afford having someone they dont control there. In its response to the Kyiv Independent, the selection panel argued that it had chosen the best candidates who meet integrity and professionalism standards. The panel added that external influence on the panels decisions is impossible. Interview stage During the next stage of the selection of the members of the High Qualification Commission, the selection panel held interviews with candidates, choosing 32 out of the 64 of them in March. Chyzhyk argued that the interview stage was more objective than the initial stage since the interviews were broadcasted, and everyone could see why certain candidates were rejected. Specifically, 16 judges with a controversial reputation were vetoed. This confirms that the last stage was objective, Chyzhyk said. Some on the final list of 32 candidates have a positive reputation. These include legal scholar Mykola Khavronyuk; Yaroslav Dukh, a former employee of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention; outspoken judge Serhiy Chumak; Andriy Kozlov, a former reformist member of the High Qualification Commission, and Taras Shepel, a former member of the Public Integrity Council. However, several other people praised by civil society were vetoed during the interview stage. One of them is Maryna Solovyova, a former member of the commission that identified judges who illegally cracked down on protesters during the 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution. Meanwhile, Roman Kuybida, a former member of the Public Integrity Council, and Roman Brehei, a judge known for his independent stance and support for judicial reform, withdrew their candidacies. Civic watchdogs have also identified at least four candidates on the final list who they say do not meet ethics and integrity standards. One of the candidates, Yury Bodnaruk, is an aide to a judge who has worked at a legal consulting firm allegedly linked to criminal bosses and corrupt schemes, according to an investigation by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda. Lyudmila Volkova, a former judge, has spoken out against judicial reform and issued decisions against peaceful protesters. Volkova also protected Volodymyr Babenko, a controversial court chairman, when she considered complaints against him as a member of the Council of Judges in 2015-2018, according to Chyzhyk and Zhernakov. Babenko, who was accused of pressuring judge Serhiy Bondarenko, was not punished as a result. Kostyantyn Krasovsky, who headed the legal department at ex-President Petro Poroshenkos administration, is accused by civic activists of sabotaging judicial reform under Poroshenko. Moreover, the declared assets of Krasovsky, Volkova and Bodnaruk do not match their income, Chyzhyk said. Another candidate, Dmytro Lukyanets, is a member of the management board of an association founded by controversial pro-Kremlin politicians Serhiy Kivalov and Andriy Portnov. The candidates did not respond to requests for comment. Commenting on civic watchdogs accusations against these candidates, the selection panel said that it condemns and does not accept any influence on the panel, including influence by civic watchdogs. The panel argued that the candidates meet integrity and professionalism standards. After the interviews with the selection panel, the contest entered its final stage. During this stage, all candidates had a second set of interviews with the High Council of Justice, which is expected to choose 16 out of the 32 candidates on June 1. Chyzhyk and Zhernakov said that during the interviews members of the High Council of Justice had a more loyal attitude towards several candidates who were blacklisted by civic watchdogs as not meeting integrity standards. On the other hand, they were biased against reform-minded Kozlov, with one member saying that he would question him in the same way that Kozlov himself vetted judges when he was a member of the High Qualification Commission. Despite everything, the final list is not bad, Zhernakov said. But out of them, (the High Council of Justice) may choose 16 good ones or 16 candidates who are neither fish nor fowl. Golnyk case There was a similar controversy in 2022, when a different selection panel vetoed whistleblower judge Larysa Golnyk as a candidate for the High Council of Justice and approved several controversial and tainted candidates for council jobs. The panel also banned broadcasts of its interviews with candidates, citing alleged security risks due to the ongoing Russian invasion. The panel did not respond to requests for comment. Ukraines leading anti-corruption watchdogs issued a statement, saying that the panel had undermined trust in the process by taking these steps, and that the decisions may lead to catastrophic results for judicial reform. Golnyk, who was vetoed by the selection panel, is Ukraines most famous whistleblower judge and has become a symbol of integrity for civil society watchdogs. In 2015, Golnyk published video footage featuring Poltava Mayor Oleksandr Mamai pressuring her to close a corruption case against him. She also published footage of his deputy, Dmytro Trikhna, unsuccessfully trying to bribe her in exchange for closing the case. They deny the accusations of wrongdoing. Golnyk has also accused Oleksandr Strukov, an ex-chairman of her court, of pressuring and physically assaulting her in connection with the Mamai case, which Strukov denies. The selection panel vetoed Golnyk because she allegedly violated judicial ethics by calling her colleagues who supported Strukov loyal sheep. Chyzhyk argued that Golnyks statement about her colleagues should be considered only in the context of her whistleblowing activities and Strukovs pressure. Therefore it cannot be considered a violation, she added. This cannot be considered out of context, Chyzhyk said. Golnyk believes the judicial establishment had taken revenge for her going against the system. She addressed the selection panel, asking it to reverse the decision, and then filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court. The court threw out the lawsuit, claiming that she did not have the right to appeal the panels decisions. Golnyk believes she has been deprived of the right of appeal. Its impossible to appeal these decisions, she told the Kyiv Independent. I have been rejected by the judicial community." Foreign experts role The decisions on candidates for the High Council of Justice and the High Qualification Commission were made jointly by Ukrainian judges and international experts on the selection panel. This led to a controversy over the role of the foreign experts. They were invited to take part in the reform in order to ensure the independence and integrity of the selection process. The involvement of foreign experts was not a mistake since they vetoed many candidates who did not meet ethics and integrity standards, Chyzhyk argued. However, the Ukrainian members used the fact that the international experts didnt know the Ukrainian context and manipulated facts in order to reject good candidates and promote bad ones, Chyzhyk said. Gorbatuk also argued that the foreign experts were deceived. Chyzhyk believes that the foreign experts would have been more effective if representatives of Ukrainian civil society worked jointly with them to vet candidates. This would make manipulations with the Ukrainian context impossible, she said. Ukraine will not send troops to Transnistria without Moldova's request Zelenskyy Volodymyr Zelenskyy Ukraine can only react and assist Moldova if there's a request from the top level of military-political leadership, official leadership of Moldova, the president said. Read also: Russia may open case against Moldovas Sandu over threats to Putin, says official Ukraine will definitely react in such a case. Zelensky added that no such request had been made. He further emphasized Ukraine does not have territorial claims in Transnistria. Read also: Zelenskyy meets with Sunak in Moldova "They should reunite with their state, with their history with Moldova," he concluded. Read also: Ukraines battlefield successes will affect situation in Transnistria, ambassador says Zelenskyy had previously indicated that Moscow might be contemplating a coup in Moldova, capturing the airport in Chisinau, and deploying its troops through it. Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean later confirmed these assertions. 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 Ukraine ready to join NATO and waiting for invitation, says Zelenskyy Zelensky at a meeting during his visit to Moldova I think security guarantees are important not only for Ukraine, Zelenskyy said during a press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu. Zelenskyy was in Chisinau for the second meeting of the European Political Community. They are also important for Moldova, because Russia is carrying out aggression in Ukraine and there is a potential threat of aggression in other parts of Europe. At the same time, Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced that NATO cannot accept new members that are currently embroiled in war. NATOs open door policy remains in place, but at the same time it is clear that we cannot talk about accepting new members (who are) in the midst of a war, U.S. television channel CNN quoted Baerbock ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers from member nations of the military alliance in Oslo, Norway, on June 1. Read also: NATO to elevate Ukraines partner status, sans rapid accession media reports Baerbock said the meeting in Oslo is another step ahead of the NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, scheduled for July, which aims to foster agreement on how to strengthen relations with Kyiv. All NATO members agree that Ukraine will ultimately become a member of the alliance, but the current priority is to ensure Kyivs victory, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on May 9. During a meeting with Stoltenberg in Kyiv on April 20, Zelenskyy emphasized that there are no barriers to political decisions regarding Ukraines membership. Ukraine expects specific NATO membership proposals or security guarantees at the Vilnius Summit in July 2023. 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) -- Are there security guarantees other than NATO? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked, as he unexpectedly joined European leaders at a summit in neighboring Moldova. We would like to have NATO guarantees. And while we are not in NATO, we want to have security guarantees. Most Read from Bloomberg Zelenskiy spoke to reporters after the meeting outside Chisinau, which included German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. A split is becoming apparent between Germany and France on prospective membership for Ukraine in the military alliance. While Paris is pushing for a concrete path, Berlin is urging caution. More Russian missiles were fired at Kyiv early Friday and multiple explosions were heard. The citys mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said that air defenses were in operation and warned in a Telegram post about drone attacks. President Joe Biden, speaking at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, said the American peoples support for Ukraine will not waver. Consider, he said, what would happen if support wavers and Ukraine goes down. What about Belarus? What about the rest of Eastern Europe? Latest Coverage France and Germany Are Split Over Ukraines Appeal to Join NATO Russias Rupee Trap Is Adding to $147 Billion Hoard Stuck Abroad Musks SpaceX Wins Pentagon Deal for Its Starlink in Ukraine BRICS Seize Chance to Counter US With Expansion, Common Currency Coming Up NATO foreign affairs ministers meet in Oslo European Political Community summit in Bulboaca, Moldova Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov attends BRICS meeting in Cape Town Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Commercial vessels including vessels which are part of Black Sea grain deal wait to pass the Bosphorus strait off the shores of Yenikapi in Istanbul By Pavel Polityuk KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's ministry of renovation and infrastructure said on Thursday the U.N.-brokered Black Sea grain export deal had been halted again because Russia had blocked registration of ships to all Ukrainian ports. A U.N. spokesman said Russia had informed officials overseeing the initiative that Moscow would limit registrations to the port of Pivdennyi, in Ukraine's Odesa province, until all parties agree to unblock the transit of Russian ammonia. The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative between Moscow and Kyiv last July to help tackle a global food crisis aggravated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a leading global grain exporter. Russia agreed in May to a two-month extension of the deal, which covers three Ukrainian ports including Pivdennyi, but has said the initiative will cease unless an agreement aimed at overcoming obstacles to Russian grain and fertiliser exports is fulfilled. "The Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul (which oversees the initiative) has announced that it is impossible to draw up an inspection plan for June 1 due to another unjustified refusal of the Russian delegation to register the incoming fleet for participation in the Initiative," the Ukrainian ministry said on Facebook. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said there had been a "continuous slowdown" in vessel departures under the Black Sea deal from April through May, and that the average daily inspection rate for ships had fallen to three. "This is a very serious situation. We need to move forward," Dujarric told reporters at the U.N. in New York. The Ukrainian ministry said Russia had registered only one incoming ship for inspection in the last two days of May and had given no explanation for the move, calling it a "gross violation" of the initiative. Russia did not immediately comment on the ministry's statement. Ukrainian officials have said that since mid-April, Russia has "unreasonably restricted" the work of the Black Sea grain deal. It said 50 vessels are waiting for inspection in Turkish territorial waters and that they were ready to deliver 2.4 million tonnes of Ukrainian food abroad. Some vessels had been waiting for inspections for more than 3 months. The ministry also criticised what it said was Russia's blocking of Pivdennyi, Odesa's largest port. Russia has previously denied any wrongdoing while urging parties to allow the transit of Russian ammonia via a pipeline from Russia to Pivdennyi. A senior government source has told Reuters that Kyiv would consider allowing Russian ammonia to transit its territory for export on condition that the Black Sea grain deal is expanded to include more Ukrainian ports and a wider range of commodities. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk and Rami Ayyub, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Jane Merriman) The probable amount of tax evasion is more than UAH 1 billion Since 2019, employees of a company in Kyiv Oblast have established the production of ethyl denatured alcohol on an industrial scale. Under the guise of ethanol as a component of gasoline and bioethanol, it was sold both in Ukraine and abroad, the ESBU said. Read also: Ukraines SBU exposes illegal scheme for exporting luxury cars to Russia The employees entered false information into official documents to conceal the illegal activity. The probable amount of tax evasion is more than UAH 1 billion ($27.3 million). ESBU agents found documents of the companys financial and business activities, documents regarding the movement and accounting of products, as well as almost 170 tons of liquid with the characteristic smell of alcohol, which was stored in tanks. The estimated value of the seized alcohol is over UAH 67.5 million ($1.8 million). Read also: Lviv tax official charged with extorting bribes from entrepreneurs A pre-trial investigation is being carried out under Part 1 of Art. 204, Part 2 of Art. 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, sale, or transportation for the purpose of selling excise goods) and Part 3 of Art. 212 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (tax evasion). 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 Editors note: As per the regulations of the unit, soldiers interviewed for this article, many of whom have relatives remaining in Russian-occupied territory, are identified by first name and/or callsign only. SOUTHEASTERN UKRAINE After months of seeing Russias war against Ukraine through the drab gray-brown landscapes of winter, the lush green visuals of zero-line trenches at the onset of summer are a strange sight to adapt to. Though both incoming and outgoing artillery fire can be heard regularly, new foliage provides valuable cover for soldiers and vehicles. Beyond the trenchs observation points, no mans land stretches outwards over the flat Ukrainian steppe towards Russian lines around a kilometer away. These positions mark the first line of defense on the southern front line, stretching across Zaporizhzhia Oblast into the west of Donetsk Oblast, of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine. It is across the fields of this southern front that many, both in Ukraine and abroad, expect that Ukrainian forces armed with Western tanks and armored vehicles will surge forward at the vanguard of a major counteroffensive in the coming weeks or even days. Ukrainian soldiers drive across colorful fields on the way to frontline positions on the southern front line on May 23, 2023. (Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent) Anticipated for over half a year since Ukraine liberated Kherson and the rest of the occupied territory west of the Dnipro River, Kyivs next major push looks likely to be decisive for the future course of the war. In the best-case scenario, Ukrainian forces achieve a major strategic breakthrough in the south, reaching the Azov Sea and cutting off Russias land bridge to occupied Crimea. Not only would such an attack devastate Russian logistics in southern Ukraine, it would also isolate the Crimean peninsula itself and provide a pathway for the total defeat of Russia in the war. On the other hand, if Russian lines hold and the counteroffensive fails to make a real breakthrough, such a scenario could signal the beginning of a deeper military stalemate, where neither side is capable of major new offensive operations. With the beginning of major counteroffensive operations potentially as little as a week away, the Kyiv Independent visited positions manned by the 110th Brigade of Ukraines Territorial Defense forces, its ranks filled almost entirely with locals from Zaporizhzhia Oblast who took up arms immediately upon the full-scale invasion. Season of offensives: What to expect from the spring campaign in Ukraine On the battlefields of eastern Ukraine, with the first days of March came the all-consuming mud. Videos of trucks and armored vehicles bogged down in fields heralded the arrival of a time traditionally known in Ukrainian as bezdorizhzhia, or roadlessness. Though the mud may present a brief challe The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell Strong and stable From a village house a few kilometers back from the front line, a mortar crew of the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade described the situation as stable. They aren't conducting any active operations at the moment, 36-year-old crewmember Denys, callsign Jamal, told the Kyiv Independent. In winter they were still trying, moving forward in small squads, but there is nothing like that yet. Armed with 60mm, 82mm, and 120mm mortar tubes, the 10-man-strong unit is in charge of striking Russian positions at a distance of up to 10 kilometers, supported by drones to help them aim. The sound of distant explosions is testament to the ongoing artillery skirmishes that continue in the absence of assault attempts. Since the chaotic first phase of the war when Russian columns stormed into Ukraine from the east, south and north, this southern sector of the front line has been by far the most static. In comparison to their disastrous attempt to take Kyiv and Kharkiv, Russian forces found success in southern Ukraine, where defenses were spread thin and Russia quickly broke through the strip of land connecting mainland Ukraine to the Crimean peninsula. The crucial transport hub of Melitopol, now seen as a key prize for a Ukrainian counteroffensive, was entered by Russian forces on the second day of the invasion, and completely occupied by March 1. Russias assault on the south was finally stopped in March 2022 due to a redeployment of troops and fierce resistance around the pockets of Orikhiv, Huliaipole, and nearby Velyka Novoselivka in Donetsk Oblast. These frontline cities are still under Ukraines control, though subject to relentless shelling targeted both at civilians and military garrisoned nearby. They stopped because we stopped them, Jamal said. They got as far as they could, and now our forward positions are those that we retook from them. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian troops have occupied almost 60% of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In an attempt to entrench its rule in these areas, Russia conducted sham referendums in September 2022 in the occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts for the territories to join Russia, a move denounced by Ukraine and the international community. Bohun, a 47-year-old battalion commander of the 110th, confirmed that Russian forces had shifted to a more defensive posture in anticipation of a counteroffensive. They've been working especially hard in the last month to dig in, he said. They are clearly waiting, and they are clearly afraid. Drone pilot Sviatoslav, 36, showed the Kyiv Independent recent footage of new Russian trenches dug around villages on their first line of defense. On Sviatoslavs drone remote, the fresh gashes in the earth are clearly visible weaving in front of and in-between houses, in a settlement where, according to him, as little as 60 people remain from a pre-war population of 2,000. A Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance soldier shows new Russian positions dug in a village on the southern front line on May 23, 2023. (Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent) Of course they are worried, he said of Russian troops. We had someone head across the field to us to surrender recently. Even officers are surrendering. As worried as Russian forces may be, breaking through will prove a massive challenge for Ukrainian troops, who will face dozens of kilometers of defensive lines built over a year of the areas occupation by Russian forces. The fortifications constructed by Russia are formidable: multiple layers of anti-tank ditches, dragons teeth, and sheltered infantry and vehicle positions await Ukrainian forces. Extra layers of defensive positions surround strategic points and cities such as Tokmak, Melitopol, and Kamianka. Given enough time to fortify it, the vast open expanse of the Ukrainian steppe in the area is a particularly challenging landscape for a large-scale combined arms offensive. Russias botched attempts to take Vuhledar, a town about 150 kilometers southwest of Bakhmut and 190 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia, exposed the difficulties posed by the flat terrain. Ukraine's Armed Forces might have destroyed "almost an entire brigade" of Russia's elite 155th naval infantry in the battles over Donetsk Oblast's Vuhledar, Politico reported, citing Ukrainian military official Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi. Stranded civilians brave shelling, return to Ukraines front-line towns ORIKHIV, HULIAIPOLE, Zaporizhzhia Oblast A massive rumble shakes the basement under the partly destroyed administrative building, followed by another blast much closer. Not good, says 51-year-old Svitlana Mandrich, Orikhivs deputy mayor, looking warily at the sandbags protecting the cellars v The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query Last preparations At a training camp in a pine forest a few hours drive from the front line, soldiers of the 110th Brigade are going back to basics. In groups of six, infantrymen are put through their paces with elementary shooting drills, sending two bullets down range at a time in different stances. An instructor observes carefully, offering feedback on every missed shot, every finger left too long on the trigger. At first glance, these dont seem like men who have already fought for over a year of state-on-state war. Simultaneously, a small drone team practices dropping grenades from a Chinese-made Mavic drone, in a new form of warfare that continues to gain popularity on both sides. The set-up is impressively low-tech: a 3D-printed mechanism is attached to the belly of the drone, while the grenade itself is held in a paper cup. Surprisingly, for most of the soldiers currently at the training ground, this is the first time since the full-scale invasion that they have been rotated off the front line for proper training. Having rushed to join the local Territorial Defense in the first days, instead of structured basic training, these soldiers were met by a near encirclement by Russian forces in the city of Tokmak. We had no trenches, no helmets, no vests, we were given two magazines each while a tank and two infantry fighting vehicles were shooting us up, said Grandfather, a 68-year-old reconnaissance officer from Bohuns battalion who has served in the army since 2014. Since the chaotic early days of their formation, Territorial Defense forces now serve as a key component of Ukraines military structure, often holding the first line of defense in the areas of some of the heaviest fighting. Not counting an occasional quick trip home to see family, most of the soldiers in the Zaporizhzhia Territorial Defense brigade have now fought for more than a year without being rotated off the front line. Of course everyone is tired, especially mentally, said 36-year-old infantry Oleksandr from the dark, muddy dugout that he has called home since last summer. Physically it's not so bad now that it's not cold, but we are really hoping not to spend a third winter here. According to documents contained in the April U.S. intelligence leaks, nine brigades currently kept in reserve are those which receive Western armored vehicles and likely lead the counteroffensive. The push will also likely be supported by the Offensive Guard force, of nine more new assault brigades formed under Ukraines National Guard, police force, and Border Guard Service. All over cities like Zaporizhzhia, slick multicolored billboards call upon locals to join the new units, with personalized slogans such as Channel your anger into arms! The brigades that form the Offensive Guard force are "fully formed" and will be placed under the command of Ukraine's Armed Forces after receiving combat missions, Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko said in an interview on May 2. Having held the line for so long and boasting a deep familiarity with the area, the 110th Brigade will likely play their own role, if indeed the counteroffensive is launched down south. I doubt we will be used as assault troops since most of us are over forty, said 54-year-old Vitalii in the neighboring trench. I imagine we will be tasked with clearing liberated areas after the assault forces go through, and the securing of the rear lines behind them. Trained in the heat of battle: The journey of Kharkiv Oblasts Territorial Defense Editors Note: Some of the soldiers interviewed in this piece declined to give their last names for security reasons or because they had relatives in occupied territory, and are identified by first names and callsigns instead. KHARKIV OBLAST At an undisclosed part of the front line in Ukraines The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell This is personal For many of those in the ranks of the 110th, hypothetical arrows across maps of a potential southern counteroffensive come with more personal meaning than for most Ukrainian soldiers. Of those men interviewed at the training camp, all were from settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast that are currently occupied by Russia, including Enerhodar and Tokmak. We just want to go home, we have lost everything, said 23-year-old Illia, callsign Tsyhan, resting in between training sessions at the camp. I can't say if we will need these specific skills here but when we are face-to-face with the zombies in the trenches opposite, I'm confident we will remember everything. Tsyhans wife and three-year-old daughter, like most of the families of the soldiers here, were evacuated from their home village. While some family members fled to safety, others often chose to fight side-by-side, literally. Sending bullets down the range were 52-year-old Vasyl and his son, dressed in a hoodie underneath his bulletproof vest and going by the callsign Pitbull. Father Vasyl (R) and son "Pitbull" pose for a portrait at a training camp in southeastern Ukraine on May 22, 2023. (Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent) The pair hail from the village of Kokhane near occupied Tokmak, the name of which translates to Beloved. I hope that by next month you can visit us at home for some hot chebureki, or that we'll be on the beach in (the port city of) Berdiansk, said Pitbull. After the war these will all be my children, added Vasyl about those in his unit, putting his arm around his son for a photo. Some of the men interviewed expressed that their full personal investment in Ukraines struggle often puts them at odds with civilians, many of whom live lives not too different from those in peacetime. You visit Zaporizhzhia and you see these fit young guys who just sit in bars and act rudely towards us. said Tsyhan. I cant see how I can ever talk to someone like that after the war. You start to feel over there that there is no war, and if there is no war, then what place is there for us? Join our community Support Ukraine's independent journalism in its darkest hour Support Us The battle for Zaporizhzhia Oblast also has a deeper historical meaning that looms large in the minds of the local brigade. The Wild Fields, the name given to the southeastern Ukrainian steppes, have been the setting of centuries of battles between Zaporizhzhian Cossacks against the Crimean Khanate and later, the Russian Empire. In Bohuns battalion, itself named after 20th century Ukrainian anarchist revolutionary Nestor Makhno who was born in nearby Huliaipole, many soldiers come from local Cossack organizations, or have joined them since starting their service. One of the most colorful examples of this continuity is Grandfather, who claims to be descended from the actual Zaporizhzhian Cossacks. Ukrainian soldier "Grandfather" in a forest near his positions on the southern front line on May 23, 2023. (Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent) I am a native Cossack, I was brought up in this since childhood, he said. My grandfather used to say that the steppe and freedom are the Cossack soul. We used to hold events together with Don Cossacks (from southern Russia) before 2014, and you could just feel their sense of superiority, he added. But already we were telling them that this was our land, that nobody would be giving commands to us. Grandfather grew up near the town of Polohy, also occupied by Russia, and also a key settlement along the route of a potential southern counteroffensive. It's been a year and a half since I could visit the grave of my parents, it's probably all overgrown by now, he said. When we liberate the area, I will pay a visit... and then continue onwards. Wounded soldiers fight for recovery in Zaporizhzhia rehabilitation center Editors Note: Some soldiers declined to give their last names to the Kyiv Independent for safety reasons as they plan to return to fight on the front line once their rehabilitation is over. ZAPORIZHZHIA Serhii Demkos active duty is over. He had served since the first day of the Russian The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query Waiting game At the mortar base near the front line, the arrival of heavy afternoon rain scuppered plans for a firing mission. With the arrival of dawn the next morning, the weather improved, but still, the order was given not to go out to work, as the commandment wanted to avoid exposing Ukrainian firing positions just yet. Whether its soldiers on the front lines, the Ukrainian people, or observers across the world, the awaited large-scale counteroffensive has stirred up feelings of intense anticipation unprecedented in the war so far. Soldiers share rumors about when it might begin, about what new brigades have arrived nearby, but the accepted reality is that only a handful of people at the top of Ukraines leadership know the plan, and that plan could still change. Of course, I'm waiting, I'm waiting for the General Staff to let me know everything, Bohun said with a smirk. It is impossible to reliably predict in advance what will happen once the push begins. The type of large-scale offensive needed for a breakthrough in the context of a brutal state-on-state war like this has no close equivalent, not in this war nor in any other. Ukraine has much going for it: Months of preparation, superior-quality tanks and armored vehicles, Western jamming and mine-clearing equipment, and the precision-strike capabilities of HIMARS and M270 systems will all be crucial for success in attack. Ukraine will also look to make best use of Western intelligence assistance, and is understood to have saved up plenty of artillery ammunition for the offensive. Russia has also made use of the time given to prepare, and the multiple lines of minefields, dragons teeth, anti-vehicle ditches, and trenches, are specifically designed to bog down an initial attack, even if successful, and prevent it from turning into a strategic breakthrough. Though the fortifications will be a challenge to overcome, Sviatoslav hopes that the Russian soldiers assigned to man them will offer less resistance. If we hit them hard, I believe they will break and flee, he said. It's not a good feeling when your neighboring trench has just been lit up and you know that you're next; the will to fight leaves you pretty quickly. This Week in Ukraine Ep. 9 What actually happened near Belgorod? Episode #9 of our weekly video podcast This Week in Ukraine is dedicated to the incursion into Belgorod Oblast in Russia by Russian volunteer units fighting on the side of Ukraine. Host Anastasiia Lapatine is joined by the Kyiv Independent senior editor Oleksiy Sorokin. Listen to the audio versi The Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina So far, Ukrainian officials have been eager to play down expectations of the counteroffensive being a single, decisive battle. Ukraines operation has been underway for several days, presidential advisor Mykhailo Podoliak said on May 25. The counteroffensive has been ongoing for several days now, and there is an intense war along the 1,500-kilometer border, but actions have already begun, Podoliak said. While no major armored push has been observed yet, what look like deliberate shaping operations to weaken Russias defense have taken place throughout the month of May, and not only in the south. As the brutal battle for Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast looked to be drawing to a close, Ukrainian forces conducted successful localized counterattacks on the flanks of the city, taking advantage of the conflict between the Russian military and Wagner group head Yevgeny Prigozhin and forcing Moscow to allocate more troops to what it thought was a completed victory. Over the last weeks of May, an increasing number of explosions were reported in occupied areas in southern Ukraine, such as Mariupol and Berdiansk. The damage caused and distance from the front point to the likelihood of Ukrainian forces use of new long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles acquired from the U.K. Meanwhile, several raids into Russian territory have been carried out by two anti-regime Russian military formations, almost certainly in direct coordination with Kyiv, as recently as June 1. Moscows failure to defend its state border is widely seen as a major political embarrassment, and could force the transfer of units from the front line in occupied Ukraine. Ukrainian battalion commander "Bohun" at a firing position on the southern front line on May 23, 2023. (Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent) Although some representatives of the Ukrainian leadership have asserted that this is not Kyivs last chance to liberate its occupied territories, the high stakes of the operation is not lost on many of them. Without giving a date for the beginning, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on May 27 that Ukraine had "no right to make a mistake" on the decision because this was a "historic opportunity" that "we cannot lose." A minute-long video featuring Ukrainian troops marching, training, and preparing for battle was released by Commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi on May 27, with an ominous message hinting at an imminent counteroffensive. The time has come to take back what is ours, Zaluzhnyi wrote. Battalion commander Bohun shared this vision of a holy crusade to return their beloved steppes from occupation. (This fight) is our holy duty, Bohun said. Note from the author: Hi, this is Francis Farrell, one of the authors who wrote this piece from on the ground on the southern front line of Russia's war against Ukraine. At the Kyiv Independent and all over Ukraine, we are all waiting for this counteroffensive to start, and even if we have to wait and wait, we understand why success is crucial for Ukraine's future. Whatever the outcome though, we are not going anywhere. Please consider supporting our reporting. (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday Kyiv wanted to receive a "clear" decision on its future in the NATO military alliance when the bloc's leaders meet in Vilnius in July. At a summit of over 40 European leaders in Moldova, he also said he wanted progress on Ukraine's path to the European Union, which Kyiv applied to join last year after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. "This year is for decisions. In summer in Vilnius at the NATO summit the clear invitation to the members of Ukraine is needed and the security guarantees on the way to NATO membership are needed," Zelenskiy said. "In (autumn), on our accession to the EU a clear, positive decision is needed. And we are also preparing for a Peace Summit, which will guide the world to jointly implement the peace formula," he said. Ukraine has proposed a peace summit this summer to cement its vision of peace as the only way to end Russia's war. It has not said where the event would take place. Zelenskiy, whose 10-point peace "formula" entails the full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, also called for a coalition of powers to supply Patriot air defence systems and fighter jets to Ukraine to help fend off Russian forces. The summit of the EU's 27 member states and 20 other European countries was taking place at a castle 20 km (12 miles) from Ukrainian territory and near the Russian-backed breakaway region of Transdniestria. (Reporting by Olena Harmash; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Timothy Heritage) Key developments on June 1: Police: Russian attack on Kyiv kills 3, including child, injures 16 Zelensky meets European leaders, addresses summit in Moldova US to buy Gepard air defense systems for Ukraine Russian anti-Kremlin militia claims to have started another raid on Russian territory Ukraine has right to defend itself, says NATO chief after attacks inside Russia A missile overnight attack on Kyiv killed three civilians, including a nine-year-old child, on June 1, according to the local police. Sixteen people have been injured by the strike, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported. Russian troops launched seven Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles and three Inskander-K cruise missiles at Kyiv, the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces reported. Ukraines air defense downed all of them. A 33-year-old woman and a 34-year-old woman with her nine-year-old daughter were killed in north-eastern Kyiv, where Russian missile debris fell on a clinic and a residential building. The husband of the 33-year-old killed woman told Suspilne news outlet that his wife was trying to get into a bomb shelter, which turned out to be closed. "There was an air raid (alarm), and people ran to the shelter. The shelter was simply locked People knocked, knocked for a very long time There were women, children, and no one opened it... At that moment, it (debris) hit," said the husband. The incident sparked a public outrage, prompting the authorities to start criminal proceedings. According to the Prosecutor Generals Office, four people, including one district official and four employees of the clinic, have been detained under the investigation. President Volodymyr Zelensky promised a firm response to those responsible. The missile attack also damaged houses, non-residential buildings, and cars, according to the Kyiv police. According to the media center of the Defense Ministry, Russia spent $17 million for its June 1 attack on Kyiv. The media center said that an Iskander-M missile costs up to $2 million, while an Iskander-K costs up to $1 million. Russian forces have attacked Kyiv with missiles and kamikaze drones 18 times since the beginning of May, causing civilian casualties. Russian attacks with guided aerial bombs and mortars on the oblasts of Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk killed at least one person and injured six others on June 1. Patriot air defense faces its toughest challenge ever in Ukraine The wait is over after almost a year of refusals and hesitation, Western-provided MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems have finally arrived and become operational in Ukraine. On April 21 and 26, Ukraines Air Force confirmed the full employment of two Patriot batteries. As Ukraines own Soviet-er The Kyiv IndependentIllia Ponomarenko Zelensky meets with European leaders, addresses summit in Moldova Zelensky has travelled to Moldova for a meeting with European leaders as part of the 2nd European Political Community Summit, held on June 1. Meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen among other leaders, Zelensky discussed Kyivs peace formula, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the accession to EU and NATO, according to Zelenskys Office. In his first visit to Moldova, Zelensky also met with the countrys president Maia Sandu. The two leaders discussed the shared interests of their countries the aspiration to join the EU and the fight against the Russian aggression. "I think security guarantees are important not only for Ukraine. They are also important for Moldova because Russia is carrying out aggression in Ukraine and there is a potential threat of aggression in other parts of Europe," Zelensky said. Speaking of the Western military support in his address to the summit in Moldova, Zelensky emphasized the importance of ensuring the supply of modern fighter jets and additional air defense. There are two decisive components now: a coalition of Patriots that will put an end to Russian blackmail by ballistic missiles, and a coalition of modern fighter jets that will prove that terror against our cities has no chance, Zelensky said. In summer in Vilnius, at the NATO summit the clear invitation to membership for Ukraine is needed, and the security guarantees on the way to NATO membership are needed, said Zelensky, adding that Russia is afraid of NATO. Moldova is hosting the second summit of the European Political Community at Mimi Castle in Bulboaca. Zelensky calls for unity, decisiveness among Europes leaders in Moldova summit address Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Europes leaders during the 2nd European Political Community Summit in Moldova on June 1, calling for unity and decisiveness in facing Russias aggression and building peace. As the three key points of his speech, Zelensky listed providing Ukraine wit The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk More air defense for Ukraine As Russia has intensified air attacks across Ukraine, partners are pledging new systems to protect Ukrainian skies. The Pentagon announced on June 1 that the U.S. would buy the German-made Gepard 35 mm air defense systems for Ukraine worth $118.3 million, using the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds. A Florida-based company Global Military Products has received the contract for the purchase and delivery of these systems to Ukraine, according to the report. The work covered by the contract is expected to complete by May 30 next year. Germany has already provided Ukraine with 34 Gepard anti-aircraft systems and about 6,000 rounds of ammunition. The Gepard has been an effective defense against Iranian-made kamikaze drones used by Russia to attack Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, the German Embassy in Ukraine said last November. In addition, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he wants to try to convince as many partners as possible to provide Ukraine with the U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems under the so-called "Patriot coalition," which has so far included Germany, the U.S., and the Netherlands. Ukraine must win, and for this, we must do everything possible," Rutte said at the 2nd European Political Community Summit in Moldova on June 1. This Week in Ukraine Ep. 8 How Ukrainian air defense denies Russia air superiority This Week in Ukraine is a video podcast hosted by Kyiv Independents reporter Anastasiia Lapatina. Every week, Anastasiia sits down with her newsroom colleagues to discuss Ukraines most pressing issues. Episode #8 is dedicated to the work of Ukrainian air defense, and how it denies Russia the ai The Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina Anti-Kremlin militia claims another attack on Russia Russian anti-Kremlin armed groups fighting alongside Ukraine claimed they had conducted another combat operation inside Russia on June 1. The Russian Volunteer Corps said in a video they were moving towards the town of Shebekino in Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine. They urged locals to stay in shelters. The group also claimed that it had shelled the Russian Interior Ministry's building in Shebekino with Grad multiple launch rocket systems. The Free Russia Legion also announced a raid inside Russia on June 1, showing the footage allegedly recorded before crossing into Russia. "Very soon, we will advance again on the territory of Russia to bring freedom, peace, and tranquility. Grayvoron is only the beginning," the fighter said, referring to the town where the combat clashes occurred during the previous Belgorod region incursion. The Kyiv Independent could not verify when and where both groups filmed these videos. Russia's Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed there was no crossing, but said that the region had been under artillery fire, for which he blamed Ukraines Armed Forces. Ukraine has not officially commented on the accusation. 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 Stoltenberg about attacks on Russian soil: 'Ukraine has right to defend itself' Ukraine has the right to defend itself, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on June 1 when asked about the alliance's stance on alleged Ukrainian attacks inside Russia, including the May 30 drone strike in Moscow. Several drones targeted high-rise buildings in Moscow overnight on May 30. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack, claiming Russia would respond with "mirror actions." "We have exactly the same position now as we had at the beginning of the (full-scale) war Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, while the right of self-defense is enshrined in the UN Charter," Stoltenberg told the press conference. Just like Russia launched this war, it can end it, Stoltenberg said, adding that's the way to create peace and stability and to ensure no further escalation." NATO allies are determined to support Ukraine as long as necessary, and this does not make the alliance a party to the conflict, said Stoltenberg. "NATO has two tasks to provide support to Ukraine as we do and prevent Russia's war of aggression from escalating beyond Ukraine," he said. Ukraine denies involvement in the drone attacks on Moscow. Though Washington reiterated it didnt support attacks on the Russian soil, multiple European leaders issued statements in support of Ukraine. U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that Ukraine has "the legitimate right to (defend itself) within its own borders, but it does also have the right to project force beyond its borders to undermine Russia's ability to project force into Ukraine." European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that drone attacks on Moscow shouldn't have any impact on the EU's support for Ukraine. Metsola added that the bloc will not stop providing aid to Kyiv until Russia withdraws its forces from Ukrainian territory. Multiple attacks have occurred within Russia, including attacks on oil refineries, railways, and electricity grids in the past months. These attacks appear to primarily focus on disrupting the infrastructure that supports the logistics of the Russian troops. Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for most of these attacks. Ukraine wont strike Russias Iskander launch sites with foreign weapons due to promises to partners Iskander-M We dont attack targets on Russian territory, he said. As the state leadership says, there is a strategy we promised our partners not to attack with the weapons provided to us. If, however, missiles are launched from the temporarily occupied territories, Ukraine will use all other available weapons to destroy them, Ihnat said. Russia has a shortage of Iskander missiles, otherwise they would have used far more, he said. If they hadnt spared them, they would have used them in their hundreds. Three people were killed, including a 9-year-old girl, and at least 11 were injured after invading Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv with the Iskander ballistic and cruise missiles overnight on June 1. Fragments from downed missiles fell in three of the capitals districts on the left bank of the Dnipro River Dniprovskyi, Desnianskyi, and Darnytskyi. Witnesses said that residents of Kyivs Desnianskyi district had likely been killed in the strike because a bomb shelter in the local childrens polyclinic had been closed. 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 Ukraine's defenders kill almost 500 occupiers in one day As of 1 June 2023, Russia has lost more than 208,000 soldiers, 7,478 anti-aircraft missiles, 3,474 artillery systems, and 3,131 drones in the war against Ukraine. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces from 24 February 2022 to 1 June 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses ed.]: approximately 208,370 (+460) military personnel 3,804 (+2) tanks 7,478 (+6) armoured combat vehicles 3,474 (+14) artillery systems 575 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems 333 (+0) air defence systems 313 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft 298 (+0) helicopters 3,131 (+7) operational-tactical UAVs 1,107 (+0) cruise missiles 18 (+0) ships/boats 6,239 (+9) vehicles and tankers 458 (+4) special vehicles The data is being ascertained. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! FILE PHOTO: Vessels are seen as they wait for inspection under UN's Black Sea Grain Initiative in the southern anchorage of the Bosphorus in Istanbul (Reuters) - The United Nations is concerned about the continuous slowdown of the implementation of a Black Sea grain export deal between Russia and Ukraine, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday. Only 33 vessels departed Ukrainian ports in May, less than half the number observed during April, Dujarric told reporters at a regular press briefing. He said the U.N. would engage with the parties toward full resumption of the deal. (Reporting by Rami Ayyub) US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) delivers an opening address at his meeting with his Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada Beijing's decision to decline a meeting between US and Chinese defence chiefs is "unfortunate", particularly given recent "provocative" Chinese behaviour, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday. Washington had invited China's Minister of National Defence Li Shangfu to hold talks with Austin on the sidelines of a defence summit in Singapore this week. But Beijing opted against the meet, though it declined to officially confirm the snub, with a spokeswoman saying only "the US knows clearly why there are currently difficulties in military communication". Speaking in Tokyo on a brief trip before his arrival in Singapore, Austin called Beijing's decision "unfortunate." "You've heard me talk a number of times about the importance of countries with large, with significant capabilities, being able to talk to each other so you can you can manage crises and prevent things from spiraling out of control unnecessarily," Austin said. He said recent "provocative intercepts of our aircraft and also our allies' aircraft" by China were "very concerning". "We would hope that they would alter their actions, but since they haven't yet, I'm concerned about at some point having an incident that could very, very quickly spiral out of control," he added. The US military said Tuesday that a Chinese fighter pilot had performed an "unnecessarily aggressive maneuver" near an American surveillance aircraft operating over the South China Sea last week. Video footage released by the US military shows a Chinese fighter plane crossing in front of the American aircraft, which could be seen shaking from the resulting turbulence. But China's military said on Wednesday that the US jet "broke into" a military training area. It accused Washington of "provocation" and said the dispatch of ships and planes to "conduct close surveillance on China seriously harms China's national sovereignty and security". Austin and other US officials have been working to shore up alliances and partnerships in Asia to counter increasingly assertive moves by Beijing, but there have also been tentative signs the two sides were working to patch their relationship. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Vienna this month, and President Joe Biden has said ties between Washington and Beijing should thaw "very shortly." And Austin said Thursday he remained open to any chance for discussions. "I would welcome any opportunity to engage with leadership," he said. "I think defence departments should be talking to each other on a routine basis, or should have open channels for communication." bur-sah/cwl US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) delivers an opening address at his meeting with his Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada Beijing's decision to decline a meeting between US and Chinese defence chiefs is "unfortunate", particularly given recent "provocative" Chinese behaviour, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday. The comments come days after Washington accused Beijing of an "unnecessarily aggressive maneuver" near a US surveillance aircraft. Washington had invited China's Minister of National Defence Li Shangfu to hold talks with Austin on the sidelines of a defence summit in Singapore this week. But Beijing declined the meeting, with a spokeswoman saying "the US knows clearly why there are currently difficulties in military communication". In Tokyo on a brief trip before his arrival in Singapore, Austin called that decision "unfortunate." "You've heard me talk a number of times about the importance of countries with large, with significant capabilities, being able to talk to each other so you can you can manage crises and prevent things from spiralling out of control unnecessarily," Austin said. Recent "provocative intercepts of our aircraft and also our allies' aircraft" by China were "very concerning", he added. "I'm concerned about at some point having an incident that could very, very quickly spiral out of control." The US military said Tuesday that a Chinese fighter pilot had performed an "unnecessarily aggressive maneuver" near an American surveillance aircraft operating over the South China Sea last week. Video footage released by the US military shows a Chinese fighter plane crossing in front of the American aircraft, which could be seen shaking from the resulting turbulence. But China's military said the US jet "broke into" a military training area. It said the dispatch of ships and planes to "conduct close surveillance on China seriously harms China's national sovereignty and security". - 'Any opportunity to engage' - Austin and other US officials have been working to shore up alliances and partnerships in Asia to counter Beijing, but there have also been tentative signs the two sides are working to patch their relationship. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Vienna this month, and President Joe Biden has said ties between Washington and Beijing should thaw "very shortly". Austin said Thursday he "would welcome any opportunity to engage with leadership". "Defence departments should be talking to each other on a routine basis," he added. Austin met Thursday with Japan's foreign and defence ministers, and is due to speak with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before leaving for Singapore. He said the US-Japan alliance faced a raft of "common challenges", including China's "coercive behaviour, North Korea's dangerous provocations and Russia's cruel war of choice in Ukraine." "But we are united by our shared interests and shared values. And we are taking important steps to modernise our alliances and strengthen our deterrence," he added. He cited trilateral cooperation with Australia and South Korea as well as the expanded "pace, scope and scale" of exercises and training. The two militaries are also cooperating on advanced tech including "hypersonics, autonomous systems for teaming with fighter jets, and advanced air defence systems," he added. Austin arrived in Japan on Wednesday, hours after North Korea made a failed attempt to launch a spy satellite using technology banned under UN resolutions. The US defence chief called the launch the latest in a series of "continued provocations". Pyongyang has stepped up missile launches in the past year, and Tokyo is also contending with growing pressure from Chinese vessels around islands contested with Beijing. Last year, Tokyo unveiled a major defence overhaul, pledging to boost security spending to two percent of GDP by 2027 and calling China the "greatest strategic challenge ever" for Japan. bur-sah/cwl Workers at the Chemours Co. chemical plant near Fayetteville are scheduled to vote Thursday and Friday whether to unionize. The vote involves 230 employees, says a news release from the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA). Voting will be by secret ballot and it concludes at 8 p.m. Friday, says a Notice of Election document from the National Labor Relations Board. The sign at the entrance to the Chemours chemical factory on N.C. 87 south of Fayetteville. Workers are voting on Thursday and Friday whether to form a union. The vote is for full-time and regular part-time chemical laboratory operators, operators, technicians, and maintenance employees, the Labor Relations Board notice says. The workers are unhappy about job security, working conditions and wages, the LIUNA news release says. The Chemours Fayetteville Works plant is about 20 to 25 minutes south of Fayetteville off N.C. 87 in Bladen County. It has been in the news over the past several years because PFAS chemicals from the plant have contaminated the Cape Fear River where much of Southeast North Carolina gets its drinking water and residential drinking water wells around the plant. Learn more: One year later, Cumberland County tainted water lawsuit against Chemours still unresolved Workers seeking the union say Chemours is not treating them fairly or well, said Edsel McDonald, the business manager for LIUNA Local 919. Among the complaints, McDonald said, are suspensions from work for minor infractions, and this contributes to job insecurity. Employees have 12-hour workdays that get extended longer with little notice, he said, and they get called in on days off and they believe they will suffer retaliation if they say no. The lengthy hours tire the workers and make it hard for them to balance their work lives and their personal lives, he said. The employees also feel their share of their health insurance expenses is too high, McDonald said, citing an instance of an employee paying $500 for a doctor visit. Chemours is basically telling us that the customers needs matter and their employees' needs do not, but we are the reason that they are able to meet the customers needs, Wayne Dennis, an operator and mechanic, said in the news release. We matter, too. The workers earn $34 to $37 an hour, plus get overtime pay, McDonald said. They work three weeks of 12-hour workdays followed by one week off, he said. The union accuses Chemours of trying to dissuade the workers from unionizing, via emails and recent employee meetings. In emailed statements, Chemours did not respond to specific issues raised by the union. Chemours is proud of its strong history of collaboration between leaders and employees at its Fayetteville Works site, the company said. Collaboration makes continual improvement possible in safety and production, as well as in the employee experience as evidenced by significant year-over-year improvements in the sites Great Place To Work score. Great Place to Work is an organization that evaluates workplace experiences. We are passionate about educating our employees and are encouraging them to vote for the best choice for themselves and their families, Chemours said. Senior North Carolina reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at 910-261-4710 and pwoolverton@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Union vote set for 230 workers at Chemours Fayetteville Works plant Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour. Scott Eisen/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management Taylor Swift released a new song on Friday titled "You're Losing Me." The heart-wrenching track, which is not available on streaming, details the end of a long-term relationship. A close reading of the lyrics reveals many parallels to older songs in Swift's discography. Taylor Swift unveiled a new song on Friday titled "You're Losing Me," which seems to detail the slow death of a long-term relationship. The song was released as a CD exclusive, available to purchase at MetLife Stadium during Swift's sold-out run of shows over the weekend. It's billed as a "Midnights" track "from the vault," meaning it was written during the album's era but didn't make it onto the original tracklist. Swift has described "Midnights" as a concept album, containing real details about "sleepless nights scattered throughout my life." Naturally, the original tracklist is stuffed with references to her past work. "You're Losing Me" continues in this fashion. The four-minute song is brimming with lyrical parallels and emotional confessions made all the more heart-wrenching when put in conversation with previous confessions, impressions, rhapsodies, and eulogies in her catalog. Of course, the timing of this release is also ripe for interpretation. Less than two months ago, news broke that Swift had split from Joe Alwyn, her partner of six years. Swift, being a self-described "mastermind" of her own brand and business, knows that fans will draw an implicit connection between "You're Losing Me" and her most recent breakup. With all that in mind, Insider's music team took a deep dive into the meaning of "You're Losing Me." What follows is a super-close reading of the lyrics and the potential references we found. 'You're Losing Me' begins with a deep sigh While evocative on its own, the sigh may be a nod to "Reputation," the first album Swift released after she began dating Alwyn. In the opening track from "Reputation," Swift clears her throat before she begins singing. In this way, "...Ready For It?" and "You're Losing Me" could be interpreted as bookends, an inhale and an exhale, mirroring the beginning and end of a relationship. The production recalls two songs from '1989,' both of which deal with heartbreak and healing "You're Losing Me" is an airy ballad laden with twinkly synths. The second verse especially is reminiscent of Imogen Heap's production on "Clean," the closing track on "1989," which Swift performed during her third concert at MetLife. "'Clean' I wrote as I was walking out of Liberty in London," she told Elle in 2015. "Someone I used to date it hit me that I'd been in the same city as him for two weeks and I hadn't thought about it. When it did hit me, it was like, 'Oh, I hope he's doing well.' And nothing else." (It's worth noting that Alwyn was raised in London, having presumably inspired Swift's 2019 song "London Boy.") "You're Losing Me" is also built upon a steady, sparse beat that sounds exactly like laying your head on someone's chest. This parallel is clearly intentional, with Swift singing in the chorus, "My heart won't start anymore / For you." Swift previously sampled her own heartbeat in the "1989" track "Wildest Dreams," which she rerecorded and rereleased in 2021. The song takes place at the dawn of a relationship but even while Swift is falling in love, she's wracked with anxiety about the inevitable sundown. She begs her muse to remember her "standing in a nice dress," to dream about her "red lips and rosy cheeks," even after she's gone. "Someday when you leave me, I bet these memories follow you around," she sings in the bridge. The title is an inverted reference to 'Cornelia Street' In the chorus of "You're Losing Me," Swift repeats the titular phrase over and over, almost like she's trying to delay the inevitable. In the 2019 song "Cornelia Street," much like "Wildest Dreams," Swift sings of a beautiful love that's tinged with fear: "I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends." 'You're Losing Me' compares physical injury to heartbreak, drawing a connection to 'Epiphany' In addition to the "Cornelia Street" callback, the title of "You're Losing Me" contains a semantic connection to medical jargon, at least as it's depicted on TV. In medical dramas like "Grey's Anatomy," you'll often hear characters exclaim "We're losing him!" or "I'm losing her!" when a patient's heart is giving out. (Swift is a noted fan of "Grey's Anatomy" and named one of her cats after the title character, Meredith Grey.) This metaphor is threaded throughout the song. Swift makes various references to injury and ailment, which she uses to represent the existential pain of heartbreak. (There is scientific evidence to back this up.) In the first verse, Swift sings, "We thought a cure would come through in time, now, I fear it won't." In the second verse, she describes herself as "dying" and "gray" with illness, while her lover is living in denial. In Swift's 2020 song "Epiphany," which was partially inspired by the coronavirus pandemic, she uses similar verbiage, drawing a connection between physical suffering and long-lasting emotional trauma: "'Doc, I think she's crashing out' / And some things you just can't speak about." "Epiphany" was also inspired by Swift's veteran grandfather Dean, who fought at the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. Swift evokes the sacrifices made by soldiers throughout the first verse, using bodily phrases like "flesh wound" and "bleeding out." This imagery returns in the bridge of "You're Losing Me," when Swift sings, "I gave you all my best me's, my endless empathy / And all I did was bleed as I tried to be the bravest soldier / Fighting in only your army, frontlines, don't you ignore me." The idea that Swift puts forward in "Epiphany," that some things are just too painful to talk about, is turned on its head in "You're Losing Me." She fought and bled for this relationship, and she demands that her sacrifices be acknowledged. ("After giving you the best I had / Tell me what to give after that," she previously sang in "Happiness.") Instead, her lover responds with ambivalence and "I don't understand." The bridge also echoes "The Great War," another bonus track on "Midnights," which makes heavy use of wartime symbolism. Its title is a direct reference to World War I. The last line in "The Great War" is "I will always be yours," a vow to be loyal in the aftermath of betrayal and distress. In "You're Losing Me," Swift grapples with the reality of losing the war and breaking her promise. Swift moves out of the 'Lover' house In the first verse of "You're Losing Me," Swift sings, "Remember looking at this room, we loved it 'cause of the light / Now, I just sit in the dark and wonder if it's time." The music video for "Lover," which premiered in 2019, takes place in a colorful house shared by Swift and her partner. They waltz in the living room, throw parties for their friends, and watch home videos in the attic. The house is featured on the big screen during the "Lover" section of Swift's Eras Tour except the rooms are mostly empty, unlike in the music video. After Swift sings "The Archer" and leaves the stage for her first interlude, the house catches fire and burns down. The lyrics in "You're Losing Me" seem like a nod to the destruction of the "Lover" house if not literally, then certainly emotionally. In the closing track on "Lover," Swift compares finding love to waking up, the sun streaming through her curtains: "I've been sleeping so long in a 20-year dark night / And now I see daylight, I only see daylight." In "You're Losing Me," she's back to sitting in the dark. In fact, the song recontextualizes "Midnights" as an album about agonizing and dissociating, not just reminiscing. If "You're Losing Me" is the true final track (a placement Swift has often described as a reflection of her current mental state when the album is completed), the rest of "Midnights" plays like a doom spiral, as though she's retracing her steps and rehashing her mistakes, trying to figure out what to do next. She's sitting in the dark, wondering if it's time. 'I sent you signals and bit my nails down to the quick' The second verse of "You're Losing Me" focuses on the chasm that opened in Swift's relationship. She has storms in her eyes, an ache in her heart, a gray tinge on her face. Her lover hasn't noticed. "How can you say that you love someone you can't tell is dying? / I sent you signals and bit my nails down to the quick," she sings. This is a clear reference to "Exile," the fourth track on "Folklore," which Swift and Alwyn cowrote with Bon Iver. The song is "supposed to be a dialogue between two lovers," producer Aaron Dessner told Vulture. But it plays less like a conversation and more like a confrontation. The bridge emphasizes two opposing perspectives, with Bon Iver's character lamenting, "You never gave a warning sign," and Swift's character countering, "I gave so many signs." 'Now you're running down the hallway' Swift has often used hallways to symbolize transition, the moment just before losing someone, as in "Maroon" ("You were standing hollow-eyed in the hallway"), "Coney Island" ("Were you standing in the hallway / With a big cake, happy birthday"), "Exile" ("And it took you five whole minutes / To pack us up and leave me with it / Holding all this love out here in the hall"), and "The Moment I Knew" ("But your close friends always seem to know / When there's something really wrong / So they follow me down the hall"). Swift also shows herself running down a hallway in the music video for "Anti-Hero," fleeing from the ghosts of her past. In "You're Losing Me," this image is followed by a common idiom: "You don't know what you got until it's gone." 'How long could we be a sad song / 'Til we were too far gone to bring back to life?' Alwyn cowrote several heartbreaking songs with Swift throughout their relationship. "Joe and I really love sad songs," Swift told Zane Lowe in 2020. "We've always bonded over music. We write the saddest songs. We just really love sad songs. What can I say?" This is one of several instances in "You're Losing Me" that seems to illustrate a harrowing one-eighty how someone's core qualities, quirky and endearing at first, can, over time, become what you most resent. In "Lavender Haze," Swift sings, "You don't really read into my melancholia." In "You're Losing Me," she sings, "My face was gray, but you wouldn't admit that we were sick." In the climax of the song, Swift fumes about her partner's lack of action and commitment: "I'm fading, thinking, 'Do something babe, say something' / 'Lose something, babe, risk something' / 'Choose something, babe, I got nothing / To believe, unless you're choosing me.'" This is a tragic subversion of "Sweet Nothing," a love song on "Midnights" that Alwyn cowrote: "Outside, they're pushing and shoving / You're in the kitchen humming / All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing." Swift has come to realize, she has so much more to give than "sweet nothing." He doesn't. 'I'm the best thing at this party' This line is clearly designed as a callback to "You're on Your Own, Kid," the fifth track on "Midnights," which reflects on the sacrifices Swift has made to outgrow her critics and follow her dreams. "I search the party of better bodies / Just to learn that you never cared," she sings in the first chorus. 'I wouldn't marry me either / A pathological people pleaser / Who only wanted you to see her' Swift references marriage several times throughout "Midnights," most notably in "Lavender Haze" ("All they keep asking me is if I'm gonna be your bride") and "Midnight Rain" ("He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain / He wanted a bride, I was making my own name"). She also writes about turning down a proposal in "Champagne Problems," another song that Alwyn cowrote: "'She would've made such a lovely bride / What a shame she's fucked in the head,' they said." So "I wouldn't marry me either" can be interpreted in many ways, but it's clear that Swift has ambivalent feelings about marriage. Of course, one way to deal with envy and resentment is to convince yourself that what you want isn't worth wanting. But it's highly plausible that Swift is sincere that she's willing to forfeit a traditional wedding in exchange for being "seen" by her partner. In addition to "pathological people pleaser," Swift has described her true self in a variety of self-effacing ways. She calls herself a narcissist and an "anti-hero," "a mirrorball," "a cursed man." In "Dear Reader," she also tells fans to "find another guiding light." It's like she's begging everyone to treat her like a complex and flawed individual, a real person, rather than putting her on a one-dimensional pedestal. Read the original article on Insider Rainbow Railroad Medically reviewed by Monica Johnson, PsyD In 2023 alone, legislators across 46 states proposed more than 650 pieces of legislation to curtail the rights of queer and trans people in the U.S. The purpose of these bills, to eradicate LGBTQIA+ people from public life, is clear and chilling. At the same time, countries across the world continue to criminalize and punish LGBTQIA+ individuals for existing. There are at least 67 countries with laws that criminalize same-sex relations, even between consenting adults. Some of these countries punish sodomy with the death penalty. Queer and trans individuals globally are endangered for no other reason than who they are. Thats where an organization like Rainbow Railroad comes in. Founded in 2006 as a volunteer-run organization focused on helping LGBTQIA+ individuals in dire circumstances, Rainbow Railroad has since significantly expanded. We spoke with Head of Development Dane Bland about the organizations impact and the initiatives it has in place to keep helping more and more LGBTQIA+ people. Rainbow Railroad Has a Unique Ability to Offer Help Bland shares that when it was founded in 2006, Rainbow Railroad functioned on a one-to-one case-by-case basis and had a maximum of 12 volunteers who gave their time and resources when they were able to do so. Thats very and remarkably different from how the operation looks today, Bland says. In 2013, the organization registered in Canada; in 2015, it registered in the U.S., and since then, Rainbow Railroad has expanded greatly: In 2022, Bland said, people from 114 countries reached out to the organization for assistance. A total of 10,000 individuals made requests in 2022, and 2023 is on track to see similar numbers. That represents an 800% increase in requests since 2017, Bland adds. Rainbow Railroad is unique among organizations in that it is the only one created to specifically help LGBTQIA+ individuals, wherever they are, at whatever stage of needing help they're in. They provide mental health support, connections to on-the-ground organizations that can help, and cash assistance to LGBTQIA+ individuals in need. We are unique in the way that we help people through emergency evacuations and through partnerships with governments get people out of their countries and into safer ones through emergency evacuation and relocation, Bland said. We provide post-travel assistance ensuring that people at the end stages of their journey are protected, they receive the health care, mental health care, legal referrals, and aid, etc., cash that they need to be able to resettle into their new countriesRainbow Railroad does all of that, and were the only org that does all of their services for the LGBTQI+ communities specifically. How Rainbow Railroad Facilitates the Journey The biggest thing Rainbow Railroad does is provide emergency travel assistance to people in danger. The process includes three steps, beginning with intense verification to determine how best to assist people. There is no AI or machine learning when it comes to the ways in which Rainbow Railroad identifies the needs of the people who are reaching out for our assistance. We have a team of human beings who reviews every single case through extraordinary detail. That is so significant that governments trust us and seek to learn from it, Bland says. The next step involves research to find a way toward safety, and finally, travel is organized. We provide travel to a safer country where the persons basic rights and freedoms are upheld, Rainbow Railroad's website reads. Bland adds that during all of these steps, Rainbow Railroad offers assistance and support to activists and organizations on the ground. We operate on a model that centers our partners and the individuals that are seeking our assistance, he said. Its something that we are candidly obsessed with in the way in which we can empower the self-determination, advocacy, and rights of individuals who are seeking our care and assistance. We operate on a model that centers the experiences of activists who have been fighting this fight in their countries and in their homes for sometimes decades. Our model empowers those people. The total cost to move one person to safety, Bland says, comes in at around $10,000, and the vast majority of the organizations funding comes from individuals who make an average contribution of $33. In 2022, Rainbow Railroad moved 325 people to safety. The Real Unsung Heroes One of the people Rainbow Railroad assisted in 2022 was Latoya, a Jamaican human rights defender who was facing persecution at home and whom the organization helped travel to safety. Bland shares that Latoya is still in touch with Rainbow Railroad and seeking ways to continue to support other LGBTQIA+ individuals around the world. Last year Rainbow Railroad provided support to 4,457 LGBTQI+ people, Bland says. That's a remarkable number, and over 10,000 in our historyIts a sea of human beings. When you take a moment and realize that every single one of those human beings has a story, has self-determination, has the right and desire to live openly and freely, has taken their lives into their own hands by reaching out to Rainbow Railroad for assistancean act which by the way in the majority of these countries is an illegal act in and of itself. They simply have the belief that they can and should live life of their own choosing, love who they love, express themselves freely, the right to self-determination. Rainbow Railroads simple job is to facilitate the journey." Rainbow Railroad is not the unsung hero, Bland adds. We are the facilitators of the journeys of unsung heroes who are the people who reach out to us every single day who we do our best to help. They are the heroes of their own stories, all we are doing is we are trying to provide the resources and environment that will enable them to get themselves to safety through their own extraordinary bravery and difficult work. Its a privilege for us to be facilitators of that heroism. Upcoming Initiatives In January 2023, Rainbow Railroad announced a new initiative: Welcome Corps. This program empowers everyday Americans and Canadians to privately sponsor LGBTQIA+ refugees and to help them resettle in the United States. Everyday Americans can gather together in communities of five or more and provide community support and safety to an LGBTQI+ person who were resettling into the United States, Bland explains. Were launching this in Chicago, D.C., and the Bay Area, which are extraordinary welcoming communities for refugees and LGBTQI+ people and celebratory of LGBTQI+ people. Were calling it a program with an aim to build communities of care, which are groups of people who are gonna help someone in their journey to safety. Having a network of people who are ready to provide community support, psychosocial support, and just be a friend and a contact is so extraordinarily valuable. Bland touches on the rising tide of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation in the U.S., emphasizing that the country still has federal protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Rainbow Railroad, he says, is actively monitoring the upcoming legislative moves to strip those protections, saying, We are part of the Council for Global Equality that right now is responding in real-time to these legislative pushes because we disagree with thisWe shouldnt just be leaving behind in this fight, and say Florida is a hellhole and were gonna pretend it doesnt exist now. It leaves behind the community thats there and thats something I dont think we can afford to do. Those people want to know that their communityis something that matters. In addition to the rising tides of populism in states like Florida and Texas, Bland pointed out that there are states that are enshrining LGBTQIA+ protections into law and said, There are also parts of the United States that are so radically, beautifully, wonderfully accepting. We dont talk enough about that part of it, either. I think the Welcome Corps program inside of these places can be a beacon for what positive community activism and engagement means within the LGBTQI+ community in spite of it all. Related: Florida Set to Pass Dont Say Gay BillWhat It Means and Why Its Problematic How to Get Involved There are four ways to get involved and help Rainbow Railroad, Bland says. The first two are free: Follow Rainbow Railroad (their handle is @RainbowRailroad across platforms) on social media, and commit to staying educated and up-to-date on issues and challenges facing LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide. Other ways to get involved include volunteering. While the Welcome Corps program is currently based in D.C., Chicago, and the Bay Area, anyone can sign up to express interest in the program. The only commitment to signing up is a commitment to receiving more information, Bland says. Finally, Rainbow Railroad is always in need of donations. Our mission is logistically complicated and very expensive, Bland says. Incredible support to a community. Read Next: Mental Health Resources to Support the LGBTQIA+ Community In 1908, Marie C Bolden, an African American teenager, became the first-ever spelling bee champion in the US, overcoming tricky words like 'acquiesce', 'descendant' and 'millinery' on her way to the top. But her achievement was quickly eclipsed by racial prejudice, and her story rarely told. More than a century later, a search for her long-lost medal has been launched in an effort to shed light on Ms Bolden's triumph and to celebrate her win. Born in Ohio, Ms Bolden, 13, was one of 15 eighth graders selected to represent the city of Cleveland in what was the first national spelling competition in the US. According to historical records and recounts, she had ranked last in qualifying for her team, but the school's superintendent, Warren Hicks, was determined to have her participate. This despite opposition from other competitors, mainly in the city of New Orleans, who had threatened to drop out of the competition due to having to face a black opponent on stage. Ms Bolden went on to become the individual champion that year, beating students from three other cities after flawlessly spelling 100 words in a written test and 400 words on stage. She was awarded a gold medal for her achievement. "I just kind of gritted my teeth and made up my mind that I wouldn't miss a word," she told a newspaper reporter at the time. Her accomplishment was applauded by 6,000 adults who witnessed her historic win. The spelling bee competition that Ms Bolden won was part of an annual convention for the National Education Association, held that year in Cleveland's Hippodrome Theatre. It predates the first-ever Scripps National Spelling Bee by 17 years - an annual competition that has since featured students from across the US and its territories, and even from other countries like Canada, India and Japan. The competition had its first African American winner, 14-year-old Zaila Avant-Garde, in 2021. It is currently in its 95th year, with this year's champion scheduled to be crowned in a televised event on Thursday. But aside from a few newspaper articles and a mention in a book titled 'Black Americans in Cleveland', Ms Bolden's ground-breaking win 115 years ago largely went unrecognised for the majority of her life. That is until her death in 1981, when her family discovered a newspaper article about her feat, her grandson Mark Brown told the BBC. "We said, 'Oh, goodness, grandma was a trailblazer,'" Mr Brown, a retired 68-year-old schoolteacher who lives in Canada, said. "I'm blown away that it is coming to light now." In articles about her win, Ms Bolden said that she did not enter the contest "for personal glory, but to try to help bring honour to my teacher and my school". But her win was met with fierce racially-charged opposition. Some politicians and educators refused to recognise Ms Bolden as the spelling bee champion, and criticised the competition for allowing her racially integrated team to compete against all-white teams. Her win was especially opposed in Louisiana, a southern state that was once one of the centres of the US slave trade, where newspapers had suggested that New Orleans teams lost the competition due to being unsettled by having to compete with a black student. A spelling bee planned in Ms Bolden's honour by the New Orleans black YMCA was also cancelled by the mayor at the time, citing the risk of a "race riot". Mr Brown, who described his grandmother as "quiet", said she never spoke of her win. "She didn't bring a lot of attention to herself," he said. "I think for a lot of people who, at that time, were considered 'coloured', you didn't want to bring a lot of attention to yourself because a lot of times it was negative." Ms Bolden later moved to Canada with her husband. Their motivation to move, Mr Brown said, was a belief that African Americans were treated better in Canada than they were in the US. Ms Bolden's achievement is now gaining more attention thanks in part to language-learning software Babbel, which dug into her history in collaboration with her family. They have also launched a search for her gold medal, which has yet to be found. "When our research led us to her story, we couldn't believe how little-known and under-celebrated it was," said Malcolm Massey, a language expert at Babbel. Mr Massey said he hopes the search for the missing medal will bring awareness to Ms Bolden's story across the US, and will serve as a reminder that spelling bee competitions are "an inclusive leveller". Mr Brown said he is extremely proud of his grandmother, and said her story is a reminder of the sacrifices and struggles endured by generations past. A still photograph shows what appears to be North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket being launched in Cholsan County (Reuters) - The United States has called for a U.N. Security Council meeting on Friday to discuss North Korea's attempted satellite launch this week, the spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations said. The launch on Wednesday was an attempt by North Korea to put its first spy satellite into space, but it ended in failure, with the booster and payload plunging into the sea. Washington condemned the launch, saying it used ballistic missile technology in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and risked destabilizing the security situation in the region and beyond. Nate Evans, the spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, said the United States had called for an open meeting on the launch, which means the proceedings would be streamed live. Another U.N. diplomat said the call was made jointly with Albania, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta and Britain. Following the failed launch, North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said her country would soon put a military spy satellite into orbit and vowed that Pyongyang would increase its military surveillance capabilities. Speaking in Tokyo on Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said "North Korea's dangerous and destabilizing nuclear and missile programs threaten peace and stability in the region." U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said any launch by Pyongyang using ballistic missile technology breaches Security Council resolutions, a spokesperson said. In her statement, Kim Yo Jong said the criticisms of the launch were "self-contradiction" as the U.S. and other countries have already launched "thousands of satellites." (Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Daphne Psaledakis; editing by Diane Craft) Security checkpoints at the venue of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore By Xinghui Kok and Greg Torode SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Tensions between the United States and China are expected to loom over Asia's top security meeting this week, as China has declined a bilateral meeting between the superpowers' defence chiefs. The Shangri-La Dialogue, which attracts top defence officials, senior military officers, diplomats, weapons makers and security analysts from around the globe, will take place June 2-4 in Singapore. More than 600 delegates from 49 countries will attend the meeting, which opens with a keynote address by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Analysts say the dialogue is invaluable for the many bilateral and multilateral military-to-military meetings held on the sidelines of plenary sessions and speeches delivered by defence ministers. China's new Defence Minister Li Shangfu, however, has declined to meet U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, the Pentagon said on Monday. China's defence ministry spokesperson said in response to a query at a news conference in Beijing that exchanges between the two militaries have always been ongoing but that the U.S. was "entirely to blame" for current difficulties. "On the one hand, the U.S. keeps saying that it wants to strengthen communication, but on the other hand, it ignores China's concerns and artificially creates obstacles, seriously undermining the mutual trust between the two militaries," said the spokesperson, without saying what the obstacles were. Austin, speaking in Tokyo on Thursday, called it "unfortunate" that they would be no planned meeting. "I would welcome any opportunity to engage with Li," Austin said. "I think defence departments should be talking to each other on a routine basis or should have open channels for communications." Russia's war in Ukraine, tensions between China and Taiwan and North Korea's weapons programmes will also be high on the agenda of many delegates at the dialogue, analysts said. However, no Russian or North Korean government delegates will attend. WATCHING LI Some regional diplomats and defence analysts said they will be watching the performance of General Li, who was named China's new defence minister in March and was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 over weapons purchases from Russia. Although the defence minister is a largely diplomatic and ceremonial post within the Chinese system, Li serves on the powerful Central Military Commission under President Xi Jinping and is close to his key military ally, Zhang Youxia, they said. Drew Thompson, a visiting senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore (NUS), said the snub to the U.S. was most likely Xi's decision. "The reality is that General Li is coming with a set of instructions to paint the U.S. in a very negative light rather than a set of instructions to engage in dialogue to improve and stabilise the relationship and that is unfortunate," Thompson said. NUS political scientist Chong Ja Ian said the lack of a formal bilateral meeting does not mean the two countries will not have contact. "Im sure they will go at each other during the plenary sessions, then there are the breakouts and possible informal conversations," he said. Lynn Kuok, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies - the think tank that organises the Shangri-La Dialogue - said she was not optimistic about U.S.-China relations improving. "What we really need to be focused on here, however, are guard rails to prevent competition from spiralling into open conflicts, but I think China is also suspicious of that (the guard rails)," Kuok said. Other key issues that are likely to be discussed include ongoing tensions in the disputed South China Sea and East China Seas. The evolving security relationships of AUKUS, which tightens ties between the U.S., Britain and Australia, as well as the Quad grouping of the U.S., Japan, India and Australia are also expected to feature, particularly given China's concerns that the groupings are an attempt to encircle China. (Reporting by Xinghui Kok and Greg Torode; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Gerry Doyle) US debt ceiling deal passes through the House of Representatives Joe Biden - Michael Reynolds/EPA The House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to suspend the debt ceiling limit on Wednesday night, averting a catastrophic default and allowing Joe Biden to breathe a sigh of relief. The deal hammered out by the US president and the Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will now move to the Senate. The measure must be passed and signed into law by Monday to avoid the US defaulting on its debt for the first time in its history. After days of fraught negotiations, a bipartisan coalition of 314 Republicans and Democrats voted to pass the Biden-McCarthy deal on Wednesday night. It cleared the required threshold of 218 votes despite a revolt by the Republican Partys right flank and stiff opposition from progressive Democrats. The deal suspends the $31.4 trillion US debt ceiling until Jan 1, 2025 in essence, temporarily removing the federal governments borrowing limit. But it would also cap some non-defence government spending for two years and enact policy changes including green-lighting energy projects and expanding work requirements for welfare programmes that Republicans demanded in return. There were 149 Republicans and 165 Democrats who voted for the bill and 71 Republicans and 46 Democrats who voted against it. Mr Biden hailed the vote as a critical step to protecting the country from economic catastrophe. In a nod to the tense negotiations surrounding the deal, the president said: This budget agreement is a bipartisan compromise. Neither side got everything it wanted. Thats the responsibility of governing. Mr McCarthy also hailed the vote as a crucial first step for putting America back on track. The measure delays the politically risky issue of the debt ceiling until after the next presidential election. However, the drama playing out on Capitol Hill continues as the legislation now heads to the Senate where Democrats have a 51-49 majority. It requires 60 votes to pass. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader, has vowed to move quickly to pass the bill and senior Republicans are confident there will be at least nine Republicans to support the bill. But the chambers system of unanimous consent means that any one senator can delay proceedings. It is not yet clear when a final vote will take place. The chamber must now complete the high-wire act of clearing procedural hurdles, voting the measure through and sending it to Mr Bidens desk before Monday, when the US Treasury is expecting to run out of the money. The consequences of slipping past the deadline would reverberate across the world and take years to recover from, Mr Schumer said. Remember, a default would almost certainly trigger another recession, send costs soaring, kill millions of jobs - hardworking people thrown out of work through no fault of their own. 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. US will help Ukraine implement 'Peace Formula', White House says John Kirby "What were focused on is working with our Ukrainian counterparts on operationalizing their 10-point proposal for a just peace, Kirby said, answering the question if the White House would be involved in any talks within the NATO Summit in Lithuania this summer. Read also: US will continue to provide Ukraine with weapons despite attack on Moscow White House And well see where that goes," he added. The United States supports any mover towards peace regardless of the source but takies into account whether they could provide a secure and stable peace, Kirby said. Read also: EU supports Zelenskyys peace formula, European Council president says "Its got to have the support of President Zelenskyy," he said. Russia in general, and its dictator Vladimir Putin in particular, have shown no signs of the desire for a "just peace" for Ukraine, he said. Zelenskyy laid out the 10-point Ukrainian formula for peace' while addressing world leaders at the 2022 G20 Summit last November in Bali, Indonesia. It includes restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity, withdrawal of the Russian troops from the entire area of Ukraine, returning of prisoners-of-war, a tribunal for those who committed aggression against Ukraine, and security guarantees. China released its own peace plan for the "settlement of the conflict in Ukraine" in February, 2023. Chinese officials refuse to call the war in Ukraine a war, following the Russian propaganda narrative. Read also: EUs top diplomat accepts only Zelenskyys peace formula, rejects Chinas position paper China's plan consists of 12 points, including immediate ceasefire, although it says nothing about the withdrawal of the Russian army from Ukraine. 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 House passed a bill to suspend the debt ceiling on Wednesday, clearing a major legislative hurdle with just days left before the US is expected to default. The final House vote was 314 to 117, with 149 Republicans and 165 Democrats supporting the measure. In a potentially worrisome sign for the House Republican speaker, Kevin McCarthy, 71 members of his conference opposed the deal that he brokered with President Joe Biden. Related: Stop the dirty deal: activists decry Schumer and Manchin over pipeline plan Taking a victory lap after the bills passage, McCarthy downplayed concerns over divisions within the House Republican conference and celebrated the policy concessions he secured in his negotiations with Biden. I have been thinking about this day before my vote for speaker because I knew the debt ceiling was coming. And I wanted to make history. I wanted to do something no other Congress has done, McCarthy told reporters after the vote. Tonight, we all made history. Biden applauded the House passage of the legislation, calling on the Senate to quickly take up the legislation to avoid a default. The treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, has warned that the federal government will be unable to pay its bills starting 5 June unless it was allowed to borrow more. This budget agreement is a bipartisan compromise. Neither side got everything it wanted, Biden said in a statement. I have been clear that the only path forward is a bipartisan compromise that can earn the support of both parties. This agreement meets that test. The debt ceiling bill passed by the House would suspend the governments borrowing limit until January 2025, ensuring the issue will not resurface before the next presidential election. As part of his negotiations with Biden, McCarthy successfully pushed for government spending cuts and changes to the work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. However, the concessions that McCarthy won fell far short for members of the Freedom caucus, who had pushed for steeper spending cuts and much stricter work requirements for benefits programs. They belittled the debt ceiling compromise as a paltry effort to tackle the nations debt, which stands at more than $31tn. Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, chair of the Freedom caucus, said on Twitter before the vote: President Biden is happily sending Americans over yet another fiscal cliff, with far too many swampy Republicans behind the wheel of a deal that fails miserably to address the real reason for our debt crisis: SPENDING. House Freedom caucus members staged one last attempt to block the debt ceiling bill from advancing on Wednesday afternoon, when they opposed a procedural motion prior to the final vote. With 29 Republicans voting against the motion, McCarthy had to rely on Democratic assistance to advance the debt ceiling proposal. In the end, 52 Democrats voted for the motion, setting up the final vote and virtually ensuring the bills passage. The House Democratic leader, representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, mocked McCarthys failure to unify his party, arguing the procedural vote proved the speaker has lost control of the floor. Its an extraordinary act that indicates just the nature of the extremism that is out of control on the other side of the aisle, Jeffries said during the floor debate before the final vote. Extreme Maga Republicans attempted to take control of the House floor. Democrats took it back for the American people. Despite his sharp criticism of McCarthy and his Republican colleagues, Jeffries and the majority of the House Democratic caucus supported the debt ceiling bill. Although they lamented the spending cuts included in the bill, those Democrats argued the crucial importance of avoiding a default outweighed their personal concerns about the legislation. Our constitution makes perfectly clear the validity of the public debt of the United States shall not be questioned, said California representative Nancy Pelosi, the former Democratic House speaker. While I find this legislation objectionable, it will avert an unprecedented default, which would bring devastation to Americas families. But dozens of progressive lawmakers opposed the bill, attacking the spending cuts and new work requirements procured by McCarthy as an affront to the voters who elected them. Republicans never cared about reducing the deficit, only about forcing through their anti-working family policy priorities under the threat of a catastrophic default, said Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive caucus. The deal they passed tonight proves that point, and I could not be part of their extortion scheme. Progressives in the Senate, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have echoed that criticism and indicated they plan to oppose the debt ceiling proposal, but the bill still appears likely to become law. The Senate Democratic majority leader, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, has pledged to act swiftly to take up the bill once it has passed the House. The Senate Republican minority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, has already indicated he plans to support the proposal as well. Any needless delay, any last-minute brinksmanship at this point would be an unacceptable risk, Schumer said in a floor speech Wednesday morning. Moving quickly, working together to avoid default is the responsible and necessary thing to do. The headline and article were amended on 1 June 2023. An earlier version said that the debt ceiling had been raised when it has been suspended. WASHINGTON The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment that arrived in the Philippines this spring for the annual Balikatan exercise was nearly unrecognizable from last year, leaders say. The 3rd MLR, a unit crafted as part of the ongoing Force Design 2030 modernization effort, is meant to carry out the new Stand-In Forces operating concept, which calls for small U.S. Marine Corps units to pair with allies in the first island chain, which stretches from Japans East China Sea islands through the Philippines. This would allow the units to operate there on a regular basis as well as provide sensing and shooting capabilities while remaining stealthy. When the unit first attended the 2022 Balikatan exercise, it had recently been redesignated and did not have all its subordinate commands in place. Col. Tim Brady, the regiments commanding officer, said that years drill marked 3rd MLRs first chance to leave its Hawaii home base with a skeleton crew of a couple hundred Marines and operate in the South China Sea. It was our inaugural deployment: beginning to get into the first island chain, develop our relationship with the Coastal Defense Regiment of the Philippine Marine Corps, and begin our development of our tactics, techniques and procedures, he said in a May 22 interview. This year, however, 1,300 Marines from a fully established 3rd MLR showed up at the exercise in April and sought to demonstrate their intended multidomain role in a joint and combined fight. After an initial live-fire training phase, the littoral regiment conducted a series of air assaults in the Luzon Strait to take control of three islands Fuga, Calayan and Basco and then use them as expeditionary advanced bases for sensing and shooting. During the coastal defense live-fire phase and then the littoral live-fire phase, during which forces sank an old Philippine amphibious ship, the regiments littoral anti-air defense battalion provided air defense and air domain awareness, working as an enabler for the rest of the force to find targets and synchronize fires. U.S. Marines with the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment secure a landing zone for an Army landing craft utility transporting an artillery system during the Balikatan exercise in Basco, Philippines, on April 24, 2023. (Sgt. Patrick King/U.S. Marine Corps) Col. Darryl Ayers, the operations officer for 3rd Marine Division, which commanded the forces at Balikatan, said the exercise demonstrated the role 3rd MLR was meant to fulfill: operating inside Chinas weapons engagement zone; conducting sea control and sea denial operations if conflict begins; and setting the conditions for larger, follow-on actions by the joint and coalition force. The littoral anti-air defense battalion, he said, can provide sensing, air defense, and air command and control. You disperse them in northern Luzon, you identify what areas you can cover and where you need to focus your efforts with regards to identifying threats, identifying targets and then identifying what you need to take out those targets, Ayers said in a May 17 interview. The forces under the littoral combat team, which includes a medium missile battery, infantry forces and combat engineers, provide security for the force, but they also provide a fires capability with regard to the future of the ROGUE NMESIS, an unmanned anti-ship missile launcher the Marine Corps began procuring this year. He also said the littoral logistics battalion proved it can sustain the regiment for about 30 days during independent operations, depending on the specifics of the activities. At Balikatan, Ayers said, the regiment was able to disperse these capabilities into small units fighting from multiple advanced bases across the theater, and then aggregate the full regiment when needed. Enabling allies and joint forces The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment has grown in size since last year, and its subordinate units are fully redesignated, but Brady said the biggest change has come in the Corps understanding of how to leverage the MLR to support a higher headquarters, to enable joint forces, and to work with allies and partners. Since last summers participation in the massive Rim of the Pacific exercise, Brady said the regiment signed up for four major events. In the fall, the MLR participated in the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Centers rotational training event with the Armys 25th Infantry Division. This event in Hawaii helped the regiment refine its tactics for working under a joint force land component commander, and allowed Marines to serve as a stand-in force while setting the conditions for incoming land forces. Weeks later, in a Fleet Battle Problem event with U.S. Pacific Fleet, the regiment paired with a Marine expeditionary unit embarked on a Navy amphibious ready group for the first time, operating around the Hawaiian Islands as a stand-in force and managing a fictitious crisis until follow-on maritime forces could flow in. This allowed 3rd MLR to refine its tactics for working under a joint force maritime component commander. A Marine with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment uses a drone during training at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2023. (Lance Cpl. Ryan Kennelly/U.S. Marine Corps) In February and March, the unit attended a service-level training exercise in Twentynine Palms, California, which included the first-ever Marine littoral regiment training event. Brady said this allowed the regiment to work as part of a larger stand-in force under 3rd Marine Division as the intermediate headquarters, and hone its multidomain operations tactics. At one point, the regiment was operating from expeditionary advanced bases across the entire training area: San Clemente Island, Camp Pendleton, Twentynine Palms and Barstow in California, and Yuma, Arizona. At the recent Balikatan exercise, 3rd MLR repeated that same type of operation distributed groups operating from multiple advanced bases, all under the command of the higher headquarters at 3rd Marine Division but applied it to a mission in the first island chain alongside allies and partners. During all of these exercises, communication and connectivity have been key focus areas, Ayers and Brady said. For 3rd MLR to have the greatest effect on the battlefield, it must be at the heart of a joint and coalition web of sensors and weapons. Brady said the series of exercises over the last year allowed 3rd MLR to work through this kill web first within Marine forces and then in the joint force. Brady said the unit is in the nascent stage of looping in allies and partners. With the Philippines, for example, he said there are some remaining information-sharing agreements and cross-domain data-sharing solutions in the works. As it relates to radars, sensors, radios, command-and-control tools, and more that 3rd MLR needs to send and receive data as part of this kill web some of which exists in the Corps, and some of which is still in development and fielding under Force Design 2030 Brady said: Were well on our way to having everything we need. U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Donovan Tapp, a radio transmissions operator with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, tests communications equipment at Twentynine Palms, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2023. (Sgt. Patrick King/U.S. Marine Corps) Learning and executing Though the regiment will continue to refine its tactics and bring in new gear, leaders say the unit is ready to take on real-world missions if called upon. The unit is expected to reach initial operational capability by September, but Brady said hes not focused on the formalities of initial operational capability and full operational capability. We are absolutely capable today, capable of fighting now today, which we just demonstrated in Balikatan 23. We have a task-organized unit, everybody is established, and we have the capability to move forward into the first island chain and execute expeditionary advanced base operations today, Brady said. Maj. Gen. Roger Turner, the Marine Corps operations division director, told Defense News this spring theyre a viable force right now regardless of the upcoming declaration of reaching an initial operational capability. The 3rd MLR operating as a stand-in force is viable against the pacing adversary, and we think it complicates their calculus, and we think it contributes to deterrence, he said of China. After some pretty significant changes to the Marine Corps, Turner said the service is in the implementation phase of Stand-In Forces. This comes as Turner says Americas Pacific allies and partners are growing increasingly concerned about Chinas behavior in the region, with its maritime forces encroaching on other nations fishing waters, bullying their ships, and making other aggressive moves on the sea and in the air. Thats a massive undertaking to basically establish the stand-in force that stays with our partners and allies in the Western Pacific and builds their confidence, supports our alliances, builds partner capacity [at a time when] the aggressive behavior of the [Peoples Republic of China] is driving people to us, the general said. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Timothy Brady Jr, who leads the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, gives a speech during training at Twentynine Palms, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2023. (Sgt. Patrick King/U.S. Marine Corps) The commanding officer said the regiment will adjust, and the Stand-In Forces concept will change, as would be the case for any new unit or concept. But by this time next year, the 3rd MLR will focus more on sustaining a near-permanent presence in the Philippines, as opposed to learning and experimenting. The 3rd MLR will continue participating in two major annual exercises in the Philippines Balikatan in the spring and Kamandag in the fall but will also seek other opportunities alongside the Philippine Marine Corps and inside the Philippines to get us to almost a 365-day a year presence at some level of capacity, Brady said. Ayers said some of the remaining learning relates to sustainment, the main area where the relationship between 3rd MLR and the Coastal Defense Regiment will come into play. Ayers said the Marine Corps knew how to handle logistics in Iraq and Afghanistan, where it could build up an iron mountain in the desert and send out people and materiel as needed. Learning how to sustain distributed forces in the first island chain, where resupply routes are certain to be targeted by Chinese forces in a war, is still taking time. It takes a lot of working with the combined partners, the [Filipinos], the Japanese, the Koreans, to try and figure out how we do that, Ayers said. Though he praised the littoral logistics battalions work, he said 3rd Marine Division continues to look for shortfalls in 3rd MLRs ability to sustain itself, and then to turn to Philippine forces for help solving those logistical challenges. Thats really the focus of the MLR, is getting them into the Philippines, getting them to have a persistent presence there and not just for the security of the area, but also to continue to build upon the relationships that weve built over decades with the [Philippine joint forces] because its critical to the success of [U.S. Indo-Pacific Commands] mission out here in protecting the first island chain. Turner highlighted lift the platforms that help small teams from 3rd MLR get to and move around within the Philippine island chain as another area that will continue to undergo maturation. The Marine Corps is experimenting with stern landing vessels ahead of procuing a Landing Ship Medium vessel in fiscal 2025. In the meantime, Turner pointed to the F-35B fighter jet, the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter as tools increasingly applicable for 3rd MLR. Those platforms were envisioned to support our [Marine expeditionary unit], but then they also are super essential in the stand-in force capability because of the [aircraft] ranges, he said. Turner also gave a nod to the Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar, which has changed since its original development to conduct air- and ground-search missions. Though G/ATOR was made for a traditional land campaign, weve learned its applicability for the stand-in force. And what it can provide to the joint force is really special. Weve made some changes to it. Even though those programs and those requirements were written under a different conceptual way because we were really focused on [amphibious ready group/Marine expeditionary unit operations], and we were really focused on joint forcible entry a lot of that stuff was able to easily segue into the stand-in force. US to open northernmost diplomatic post in Norway; only mission above Arctic Circle US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, left, during the meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Scharning Huitfeldt, right, during NATO's informal meeting of foreign ministers in Oslo, Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Lise Aserud/Pool Photo via AP) OSLO, Norway (AP) The United States will soon open a small diplomatic mission in Norway that will be its northernmost in the world and only such facility above the Arctic Circle, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Thursday. The move, which Blinken announced at a news conference in Oslo after attending a NATO foreign ministers meeting, comes as competition over the high norths resources with Russia intensifies. Blinken said the U.S. would open what is known as an American Presence Post in Tromsoe, which sits 350 kilometers (217 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. The post will open later this year and be staffed by a single U.S. diplomat with the title of consul. We're here to work with like-minded allies to advance our vision of a peaceful, stable and cooperative Arctic, Blinken said before meeting Norway's foreign minister whose country is preparing to assume the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, which is headquartered in Tromsoe. Norway will take over the eight-nation grouping of countries that border the Arctic after two years of Russian leadership during which the bloc was largely ignored by other members due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The State Department had maintained an office in Tromsoe until 1994 but it was shuttered in a re-alignment of diplomatic facilities after the end of the Cold War. "The United States is a proud Arctic state and takes seriously our role as one of the regions stewards, U.S. Ambassador to Norway Marc Nathanson said in a statement. Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Norway and the U.S. share a long and proud history of collaboration on Arctic issues. "I welcome U.S. plans to establish a Presence Post in Tromsoe this year, which I am sure will further strengthen our close cooperation, she said. The United States plans to open its first diplomatic mission above the Arctic Circle, its northernmost such facility in the world. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference Thursday after attending a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Oslo, Norway, that the U.S. will open an American Presence Post in the Norwegian city of Troms, which is 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The facility is scheduled to open later this year and will be staffed by a single diplomat holding the position of consul. Were here to work with like-minded allies to advance our vision of a peaceful, stable and cooperative Arctic, Blinken said before meeting with the Norwegian foreign minister. The State Department originally had a diplomatic office in Troms until 1994 but closed it down after a reshuffling of diplomatic facilities following the end of the Cold War. Blinken said the post is an opportunity for the U.S. to have a diplomatic footprint in the Arctic Circle. He said the U.S. has had long-standing bilateral relations with Norway, Sweden and Finland in which they have worked together on a wide range of issues like food security, energy and global health. He added that Finlands recent acceptance into NATO, of which Norway is already a member, and Swedens application to join the alliance strengthens the incredibly strong foundation they have had. Our entire approach is to make sure that the Arctic remains an area of peaceful cooperation, Blinken said. Its one of the things that, especially in a world that is evermore challenged, that its also evermore vital to preserve. And were determined to do that. Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Norway and the U.S. have a long and proud history of collaborating on Arctic issues. I welcome U.S. plans to establish a Presence Post in Troms this year, which I am sure will further strengthen our close cooperation, Huitfeldt said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. US retaliates for Russia's suspension of New START treaty by revoking visas of nuclear inspectors U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at a press conference following the NATO foreign ministers meeting n Oslo, Norway, Thursday, June 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) OSLO, Norway (AP) The Biden administration is retaliating for Russias suspension of the New START nuclear treaty, announcing Thursday it is revoking the visas of Russian nuclear inspectors, denying pending applications for new monitors and canceling standard clearances for Russian aircraft to enter U.S. airspace. The State Department said it was taking those steps and others in response to Russias ongoing violations of New START, the last arms control treaty remaining between the two countries, which are currently at severe odds over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The United States is committed to full and mutual implementation of the New START treaty, it said. Consistent with that commitment, the United States has adopted lawful countermeasures in response to the Russian Federations ongoing violations of the New START treaty. The department said the visa revocations and application denials, as well as a U.S. decision to stop sharing information on the status or locations of missiles and telemetry data on test launches with Russia, were consistent with international law because of Russias actions. The U.S. will, however, continue to notify Russia when it conducts test launches, it said, adding that the steps it was taking were reversible provided Moscow returns to compliance with the treaty. Russia suspended its participation in New START in February in a move that the U.S. said was legally invalid. Immediately afterward Moscow curtailed its adherence to the accord. Allowing inspections of weapons sites and providing information on the placement of intercontinental and submarine-based ballistic missiles and their test launches are critical components of New START, which then-Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev signed in 2010. In March, the U.S. announced that it and Russia had stopped sharing biannual nuclear weapons data. The U.S. had said it wanted to continuing such sharing but stopped after Moscow informed Washington that it would not share its data. Despite being extended shortly after President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, New START has been severely tested by Russias war in Ukraine and has been on life support for since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Russia would no longer comply with its requirements. The treaty limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers. The agreement envisages sweeping on-site inspections to verify compliance. The inspections went dormant in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions on resuming them were supposed to have taken place in November 2022, but Russia abruptly called them off, citing U.S. support for Ukraine. The State Department said Russia had been told of the countermeasures ahead of time and also advised that Washington is still interested in keeping the treaty alive. The United States remains ready to work constructively with Russia on resuming implementation of the New START Treaty, it said. A bullet- and shrapnel-riddled wall in south Khartoum's Souk Sitta The United States announced sanctions Thursday on Sudanese leaders it blames for the breakdown of US and Saudi-brokered ceasefire efforts after shelling and air strikes killed 18 civilians at a Khartoum market. For nearly seven weeks, Khartoum and other parts of Sudan have been gripped by deadly fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, both of which Washington held responsible for violating the ceasefire and provoking "appalling" bloodshed. Fighting continued Thursday, with witnesses reporting "heavy artillery fire" in north Khartoum, days after the two sides had agreed to extend a ceasefire meant to allow essential aid deliveries. On Wednesday, the army blasted RSF bases in the capital after pulling out of the truce talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah, accusing its rival of violating the ceasefire. "Eighteen civilians were killed and 106 wounded" by army shelling and air strikes on a market in south Khartoum, a committee of human rights lawyers said. The toll was confirmed by a neighbourhood group that organises aid, which said the situation was "catastrophic" and appealed for medical help and blood donations. In both north and south Khartoum on Wednesday, troops loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan attacked key bases of the RSF led by commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, residents told AFP. - Sanctions 'a tool' - "We are following through by levying economic sanctions, imposing visa restrictions against actors who are perpetuating the violence," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement. The sanctions target four companies, according to the US Treasury Department, including two affiliated with the army. Of the two linked to the RSF -- run by Daglo and two of his brothers -- one is involved in Sudan's gold mining industry. A 2019 investigation by non-profit Global Witness found that both RSF-linked companies funnelled millions of dollars through dirham accounts in the United Arab Emirates. "Sanctions are a tool," according to Sudan expert Alex de Waal, who calls the north African country "a classic case where sanctions never solved the problems" they had meant to. Sudan's warring sides amassed considerable wealth during the rule of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, whose government was subjected to decades of international sanctions before his overthrow in 2019. Daglo's RSF controls many of the country's lucrative gold deposits. According to Sudanese pro-democracy activist and author Raga Makawi, sanctions bring "inhumane consequences on communities and cities at large: they weaken economies and turn them towards illicit transactions". Since fighting erupted on April 15, more than 1,800 people have been killed, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The UN says 1.2 million people have been displaced inside Sudan and more than 425,000 have fled abroad. Humanitarian corridors that had been promised under the latest ceasefire never materialised, according to aid agencies that have managed to deliver a fraction of the relief supplies they need. "The security situation is significantly hampering our ability to undertake humanitarian activities in Khartoum," said Fatima Mohammed Cole of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) after two of its offices in the capital were looted. - Looting of food - World Food Programme chief Cindy McCain condemned "the looting of WFP food and assets happening right now in El Obeid", the North Kordofan state capital. "Food for 4.4 million people is at stake," McCain wrote on Twitter. More than half the population -- 25 million people -- are now in need of aid and protection, the UN says. Entire districts of Khartoum no longer have running water, electricity is only available for a few hours a week, and three quarters of hospitals in combat zones are not functioning. Hundreds have been killed in Darfur, on Sudan's western border with Chad, the United Nations said. The UNHCR said more than 100,000 Sudanese refugees had fled to Chad since April, and called for emergency financial support. Darfur has never recovered from a years-long conflict that erupted in 2003 between ethnic minority rebels and Arab tribes recruited by Bashir's government to form the notorious Janjaweed militia, from which the RSF are descended. Analysts say Burhan has been facing mounting pressure from his own Islamist supporters and remnants of the Bashir regime. bur/srm/kir US to stop giving Russia some New START nuclear arms data FILE PHOTO: An unarmed Trident II D5 missile is test-launched from the ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska By Jonathan Landay and Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States said it will stop providing Russia some notifications required under the New START arms control treaty from Thursday, including updates on its missile and launcher locations, to retaliate for Moscow's "ongoing violations" of the accord. In a fact sheet on its website, the State Department said it would also stop giving Russia telemetry information - remotely gathered data about a missile's flight - on launches of U.S. intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not formally withdrawn from the treaty, which limits deployed strategic nuclear arsenals. On Feb. 21, he said Russia would suspend participation, imperiling the last pillar of U.S.-Russian arms control. Signed in 2010 and due to expire in 2026, the New START treaty caps the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the countries can deploy. Under its terms, Moscow and Washington may deploy no more than 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads and 700 land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers to deliver them. "Beginning June 1, 2023, the United States is withholding from Russia notifications required under the treaty, including updates on the status or location of treaty-accountable items such as missiles and launchers," the State Department factsheet said. It said Russia stopped providing these in late February. A Biden administration official said the United States "will continue to adhere to the (treaty's) central limits ... and expect that Russia will continue to do so as well." Speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, the official said the U.S. steps were reversible and that the United States was looking to draw Moscow back into arms control talks, an unlikely prospect given Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and U.S. arms supplies to Kyiv. "We've taken a stepwise approach," he said, explaining that the United States wanted to use its responses to Russia's suspension to "present them with an opportunity to return to the table to talk about returning to compliance under a New START and, of course, receiving this information once again." There was a U.S.-Russian "bilateral engagement" last week at which Moscow "refused to change their current course on New START and as a result we are taking these countermeasures as of today," he said. The State Department said it continues to notify Russia of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and submarine ballistic missile (SLBM) launches in accordance with the 1988 Ballistic Missile Launch Notifications Agreement, and of strategic exercises in accordance with a separate 1989 accord. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Diane Craft and Bill Berkrot) Supporters of free Taiwan during the first visit to the US by President Tsai Ing-wen The US and Taiwan signed a new trade deal on Thursday as tensions with China rise. It is the first agreement under a framework for talks between Washington and Taipei called the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. The announcement comes ahead of a high-level global security summit in Singapore this weekend. In recent years, the relationship between the US and China has become increasingly strained. Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations said the agreement was signed on Thursday morning, US time. Deputy United States Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi attended the event, held near Washington at the offices of the American Institute in Taiwan, the US government said. The deal, which includes measures to streamline border procedures, is the first agreement to be signed under the new framework, which started last year. The framework aims to strengthen economic ties between Washington and Taipei, and open Taiwan to more US exports. "We thank our Taiwan partners for helping us reach this important milestone and look forward to upcoming negotiations on additional trade areas," said Sam Michel, spokesperson for the office of the US Trade Representative. Beijing has denounced the trade talks, as it does with all forms of high-level engagement between the US and Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory. China warned Washington earlier on Thursday against signing any deal "with connotations of sovereignty or of an official nature with China's Taiwan region". Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters that the US "must not send the wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces in the name of trade". The deal was signed ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue annual defence summit, which begins on Friday. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu are expected to travel to Singapore for the event. Earlier this week, the Pentagon said Beijing had declined Washington's invitation for the two officials to meet. General Austin told reporters after meeting Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada in Tokyo on Thursday that China's decision was "unfortunate". Gen Austin added that it was important for countries with "significant capabilities" to talk to each other so they can "manage crises and prevent things from spiralling out of control unnecessarily". Relations between Taiwan and China deteriorated sharply following a visit to the island by the then-US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi in August. Beijing condemned Ms Pelosi's visit as "extremely dangerous". China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory and insists it should be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary. But Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Bravo When we concluded the extremely chaotic first part of the Vanderpump Rules Season 10 reunion, James Kennedy stormed out, after Lisa Vanderpump started defending Tom Sandoval from Lala Kents rightful dragging of him. Vanderpump should have been holding Sandoval accountable for his despicable actions against his ex, Ariana Madixis whether Kent has previously been aggressive to his side chick Raquel Leviss relevant? (She has, but who cares right now?) Meanwhile, Leviss remained 100 yards away from Scheana Shay in a dusty trailer, thanks to her now-dismissed restraining order. In this second installment, we dig into the details of said restraining order, Shays alleged punch and her fractured relationship with Leviss. But first, we have some news that may or may not be holding up contract negotiations for next season. A few weeks ago, Vanderpump Rules executive producer Alex Baskin told Page Six that the cast need[ed] a little space following new information that came out of the reunion. Fans online have speculated that the revelations involved members of the Scandoval love triangle. And after last weeks reunion episode, fan accounts began (grossly) spreading rumors that Leviss was pregnant with Sandovals child. But a new accusation against Kennedy by Sandoval may be why the show is allegedly on pause. At one point, Sandoval claims that Kennedy ruined a joint gig with him and Scwhartz in Atlantic City after he allegedly slapped a waitress on the butt. According to Sandoval, the woman was forced to sign a documentby who, he doesnt specifypromising she wouldnt sue. Of course, everyone is so furious at Sandoval, whos clearly only bringing this up to draw heat away from himself, that no one really cares about this alleged sexual assault. Cohen doesnt interrogate the incident any further. And Madix tries to compare Kennedys actions to Sandovals consensual affair. Noticeably, Kennedy nor Schwartz deny the allegation. The mood suddenly becomes dark. Bravo Given how popular Kennedy has become this season for his hilarious British jabs, receiving write-ups in Interview Magazine and Time proclaiming that hes the new No. 1 guy in the group, this alleged news will presumably throw a wrench in his recent reappraisal and maybe even his casting for next season. Well have to stay tuned for whatever reaction this may cause online. But back to the episode. This second reunion part isnt nearly as combative or funny as the first. And Leviss restraining order against Shay has a lot to do with that. Leviss cant join the rest of the cast until we get all the intel and tears we need from Shay, so we wont see Leviss come face-to-face with Madix until next week. Of course, Leviss uses this opportunity to deliver the news to Shay via Andy Cohen that shes requested to dismiss the restraining order. Bravo Before Cohen makes the announcement, the group debates whether Shay allegedly punched Leviss the night she informed the cast about the affair. Sandoval maintains that he heard Shay say she punched that bitch over the phone the same night. But Madix and Kent, who talked with Shay after she discovered the news, dispute his claims. Vanderpump adds that she thinks Shay slapped Leviss. Shay also gets a moment to mourn her friendships with Leviss and Sandoval, listing all the things shes done for Leviss, including giving her a place to stay after her breakup from Kennedy. This segment is truly heartbreaking, but I cant stop thinking about how enthralling it wouldve been to see Shay call Leviss out directly to her face. Other than that, we see Sandoval check in on Leviss during a lunch break. These delusional lovebirds maintain that they arent pathological liarsaside from lying for seven months about their affair. Sandoval requests that they have some alone time off-camera (to do God knows what), but a producer fortunately doesnt let them escape. Sandoval, convinced that hes Britney Spears in 2007, pretends like he doesnt want to be recorded. Bravo The episode also includes a segment with Ally Lewber about her curious relationship with Kennedy, which everyone seems suspicious of. (This girl is a mastermind, Im telling you!) Weirdly, despite being the whistleblower on Sandoval and Levisss fling, she isnt asked any questions about it and is sent away by Cohen after five minutes, which feels a bit unfair. Overall, the fact that this reunion isn't four parts is a bit strange. We end on the Leviss prancing onto the set as the credits appear on-screen. Presumably, next weeks conclusion will be when everything hits the fan. I cant say Im ready to close the chapter on this unbelievable melodrama, but I am ready to watch Madix call Leviss a rat. 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. An illustration of the Dream Chaser spaceplane in flight. Sierra Space fired up its spaceplane in its assembly facility for the first time, signifying that the Dream Chaser shuttle could soon be ready for its first mission to low Earth orbit. The Colorado-based company announced on Wednesday that it had successfully completed the first power-up of its Dream Chaser spaceplane. During the test, engineers simulated the power that would otherwise be generated by Dream Chasers solar arrays once the spaceplane is in orbit and its systems are turned on. Read more This is a milestone that points to the future and is a key moment in a long journey for Dream Chaser. Tom Vice, CEO of Sierra Space, said in the companys statement. With this significant achievement, our Dream Chaser spaceplane is poised to redefine commercial space travel, opening up new possibilities for scientific research, technological advancements, and economic opportunities in space. The Dream Chaser is an orbital spaceplane designed to fly to low Earth orbit, carrying crew and cargo to orbital pitstops such as the International Space Station (ISS). The futuristic-looking shuttle is designed to carry up to 12,000 pounds (5,443 kilograms) of cargo. As Dream Chaser cannot fly to space on its own, a big rocket, namely ULAs Vulcan Centaur, is required to deliver the craft to low Earth orbit. Like NASAs Space Shuttle, however, Dream Chaser is designed to survive atmospheric reentry and perform runway landings on the surface. Sierra Space is targeting the end of 2023 for Dream Chasers first flight from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This flight is under a supply mission contract with NASA to send cargo to the ISS. The company also wants to launch crewed Dream Chaser missions to its own space station, Orbital Reef, a collaboration with Jeff Bezos Blue Origin. The company is preparing to ship the first Dream Chaser, named Tenacity, to NASAs Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio for testing ahead of its inaugural flight, SpaceNews reported. The exact date of its launch, however, has yet to be disclosed. The spaceplane is set to launch on board the second mission for ULAs Centaur, but the rockets first mission has been repeatedly postponed. For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on Twitter and bookmark Gizmodos dedicated Spaceflight Spaceflight page. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Vera Putina in 2008 - Kate Weinberg Vera Putina, who has died aged 96, emerged from obscurity in 1999 claiming to be the biological mother of Vladimir Putin, whom she claimed to have abandoned when he was a child. In his quasi-autobiography First Person, Putin wrote that he was born and brought up in St Petersburg, the sole surviving son of Maria, a menial worker, and Vladimir Putin, a factory worker and ex-serviceman who had served in Stalins secret police during the Second World War. Both parents, he claimed, died of cancer in the late 1990s. But independently verified details of his childhood have always been extraordinarily difficult to come by; the primary source for most anecdotes is Putin himself. As a result the Kremlin was never able to refute Vera Putinas claims conclusively. Vera Nikolaevna Putina was born on September 6 1926 in the Russian district of Ochyorsk. She claimed that while studying agricultural mechanisation at university she fell in love with Platon Privalov, a mechanic, by whom she became pregnant, only to discover that her lover was already married and intended to steal the baby because his wife was unable to conceive. Vera Putina with a photograph of her son 'Vova' - Kate Weinberg She claimed that her son, nicknamed Vova, was born on October 7 1950 exactly two years before Vladimir Putins official birth date and she brought him up in the poverty-stricken Georgian village of Metekhi, an hours drive from the capital Tbilisi. Local records are said to indicate that a Vladimir Putin was registered at a nearby school between 1959 and 1960 and in 2008 a local former teacher, Shura Gabinashvili claimed in an interview with The Daily Telegraph that she had given him Russian language lessons. He loved Russian fables and Russian was his favourite subject, she said. He also liked fishing and wrestling. When Vera married Giorgi Osepahvili, a Georgian soldier, with whom she had other children, he insisted that she abandon her first-born, so she sent him, aged nine, to live with her parents in Russia. A year later, however, the boys grandfather took him to an orphanage. Vera later surmised that Putins St Petersburg parents, who were both in their 40s when Putin was born, and whose two older sons had died in childhood, had adopted her son. Vera somehow discovered that her son had joined the KGB, but thought she would never see him again. But in 1999, watching news reports about Russias newly appointed prime minister on her new television, she immediately recognised Vladimir Putin as her son because he walked like a duck. Claims that the Kremlin was trying to suppress her story gained traction from the fact that two journalists who had plans to interview her died in mysterious circumstances. The first, Russian Artyom Borovik, a prominent Kremlin critic who was working at the time on a documentary about Putins childhood, died in an plane crash at Sheremetyevo International Airport on March 9 2000. The second, the Italian journalist Antonio Russo, was murdered later the same year while covering the Second Chechen War. The Russian-American historian Yuri Felshtinsky, co-author of The Corporation, Russia and the KGB in the Age of President Putin (2009) has suggested that Vera Putinas story might explain why the Russian president was so devoted to the KGB and its successor, the FSB: Deprived of parental warmth in his childhood, Putin turned to the KGB first and foremost to find a new family and to settle scores with the world that had injured him. Vera offered to do a DNA test to prove her story, but when she spoke to The Daily Telegraph in 2008, Russia had just launched a large-scale invasion of Georgia in a dispute over the breakaway state of South Ossetia. I used to be proud of having a son who became President of Russia, she said. Since the war, I am ashamed. Vera Putina, born September 6 1926, death announced May 31 2023 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. Video of couple in UN car was filmed in Israel, not Africa A 17-second clip showing a couple getting intimate inside a United Nationsbranded vehicle is circulating online alongside claims it was filmed in Africa. But the claim is misleading; while the incident did happen, the video was shot in Tel Aviv, Israel. The UN confirmed to AFP Fact Check that the matter was reviewed and corrective action taken against the staff involved. On May 10, 2023, a Nigerian Facebook page published a video of a woman in a red dress straddling a man in the back seat of a white vehicle branded with the letters UN. A passenger can be seen in the front seat. The car drives off after a few moments. This is one of the ways the United Nations keep the peace in Africa. When what you're watching on this video is not obtainable, they kidnap and rape African underaged kids (sic), the post reads. A screenshot of the misleading Facebook post, taken on May 24, 2023 The same claim was repeated on Twitter. However, the clip is old and unrelated to Africa. Israel, not Africa Using the video verification tool InVID-WeVerify to search keyframes from the video, we located an Indonesian article (archived here) published in June 2020 revealing an incident involving UN staff in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv. In a separate report by The New Humanitarian nonprofit news organisation (archived here), the clip was said to have been filmed on HaYarkon Street in Tel Aviv. AFP Fact Check confirmed this by geolocating landmarks in the video using Google Maps. At 88 HaYarkon Street, we found a lamp post with three round lights close to a traffic light with a blue sign indicating a pedestrian crossing. Further down the street is a white building recognisable by a curved entrance and a rectangular clock on the left. A screenshot showing the matching elements from the video (left) and on Google Maps (right) In 2020, when the footage first went viral online, some social media posts claimed the incident had happened in DR Congos capital of Kinshasa. However, AFP Fact Check debunked the claim, pointing out the palm-lined seafront road did not exist in Kinshasa. Days earlier, on June 26, 2020, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric had tweeted about the incident, saying they had launched an investigation. We are deeply disturbed by content of video apparently involving personnel from #UNTSO [United Nations Truce Supervision Organization]. An investigation was swiftly launched & is moving very quickly. Appropriate action will be taken, read the tweet. We are deeply disturbed by content of video apparently involving personnel from #UNTSO. An investigation was swiftly launched & is moving very quickly. Appropriate action will be taken. UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) June 26, 2020 The UN also released a detailed statement confirming a probe was underway (archived here). When asked about the outcome, the deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Aziz, told AFP Fact Check in an email on May 29, 2023 that the matter was concluded. The UNTSO matter was reviewed and corrective action was taken with regard to the personnel involved, Aziz said, confirming the incident had happened in Israel. (Getty Images) If House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has one defining trait, its his eagerness to please. He has used this acumen to compensate for his lack of policy wonkery and other skills associated with being an effective congressional leader. When he led Republicans in Californias state legislature, he earned a reputation as someone who would keep his word with Democrats when the legislature needed to get a bill across the finish line. When he came to Washington, one aide said he was like your favorite fraternity brother for his affability. And despite his dislike of Democrats investigation into the riot on January 6, last year, I overheard him talking with select committee member and then-Democratic congresswoman Stephanie Murphy about what type of dog to get for her family. He has cultivated relationships with Californias elite, befriending Elon Musk long before the Tesla executive shifted rightward, and serving as inspiration for Kevin Spaceys character of Frank Underwood in House of Cards. Hes taken that approach with both Donald Trump and the hard-right faction in the House GOP conference. Whereas his predecessor House Speaker Paul Ryan feigned ignorance about the then-presidents worst impulses and frequently pretended not to see his tweets, Mr McCarthy learned that Mr Trump preferred cherry and strawberry Starbursts and had an aide make sure the president had a jar full of them. In the same vein, while House Speaker John Boehner frequently feuded with the House Freedom Caucus, calling their ringleader Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) a legislative terrorist, Mr McCarthy has made Mr Jordan a trusted ally and has elevated him to be chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. That has led to Mr Jordan being one of Mr McCarthys biggest conservative defenders. He all but gave Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) a pass for her most noxious comments and she routinely goes to the mat for him, even when it sacrifices her credibility with the right. That eagerness to please is now looking to be his undoing as he will face the biggest test of his short speakership when the House votes on the bipartisan agreement he struck with the White House to raise the debt limit. The debt limit would always be his biggest hurdle, given House Republicans general allergy to passing legislation to allow for the United States to continue paying its debt obligations for spending it already incurred. But Mr McCarthy couldnt be the speaker who allowed the nation to go into default and trigger a catastrophic economic crash. This means the speaker would be forced to choose whom he would please, and naturally he would have to pick avoiding default and forcing the White House to the negotiating table. As a result, he brokered tons of backroom deals to soothe conservative opposition, including with many of the people who tried to overturn the 2020 election such as Freedom Caucus Rep Scott Perry (R-PA) or those who downplayed the severity of the January 6 riot, such as Rep Andrew Clyde (R-GA). Mr McCarthy allowed for a single member to file a motion to vacate the chair, so any single member could have a vote to try to depose him if they felt he was insufficiently conservative, all but allowing conservatives to hold a loaded revolver to his head with their finger on the trigger throughout his tenure. That is why he likely passed a debt limit bill through the House that he knew the White House would outright reject. But in the back of his head, he had to know many conservatives would characterise any deal he cut with the Biden administration as a capitulation, no matter how conservative it was. But what he likely didnt expect was how many others, including allies like Reps Wesley Hunt (R-TX), Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Cory Mills (R-FL), all of whom backed his bid for speaker, would reject the agreement. Ms Mace all but said that President Joe Biden swindled Mr McCarthy. Meanwhile, Rep Chip Roy (R-TX), who served as chief of staff for Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) when Mr Cruz instigated a government shutdown with House conservatives that made Mr Boehners life miserable, has pledged that there would be a reckoning over the legislation. Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of the only Republican holdouts who opposed Mr McCarthys bid for speaker, told Newsmax that if Mr McCarthy used Democrats to make up for a majority of Republicans opposing the bill, it would trigger a motion to vacate. A former House majority whip himself, Mr McCarthy is likely checking the vote tally and will do so as the bill comes to the floor for a vote on Wednesday evening. But regardless of the results, Mr McCarthy will face major consequences from his conference, for which he will be none too pleased. A pair of Matthew Shepards sandals are displayed at the White House as part of the commemoration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month on June 25, 2021 in Washington (Getty Images) I was 11 when they murdered Matthew. The windswept prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming where he was found bloodied, beaten, bound to a wooden fence by a cyclist was a far cry from the dilapidated duplex I shared with my family in Dayton, Ohio. Nonetheless, I identified the tousle-haired young man who they said was attacked for being gay. Every time his angelic countenance flashed across the television screen a recognition stirred deep inside me. He was me. I was him. October 12 will mark the 25th anniversary of Matthew Shepards death. In the ensuing quarter-century, the LGBTQ community has made remarkable progress, even as we continue the struggle for equality and liberation. As we look ahead to Pride Month, a time for parties and protest, it is important that we reflect on this milestone and what Matthew means to our movement today. Standing only 52 and red lipped, white skinned, and blue eyed, he epitomized the cornfed innocence of American boyhood even as a young adult of 21. Middle-class and middle-American, he reminded many a white suburban mother and father of their own precious brood, especially those with a boy who was perhaps just a little too slight and sensitive for 1990s masculinity. It is worth contextualizing Matthew in the era he came to define. Matthew was attacked only five months after Ellen DeGeneres boldly announced Yep, Im Gay on the cover of Time magazine, breaking the glass closet for TV stars. The Birdcage had been in theatres the year before, showing a loving if slightly dysfunctional gay family in a positive and affirming light with one of Hollywoods most beloved talents, Robin Williams, as its lead. Matthews murder in 1997 brought to the forefront of the national consciousness the violence and everyday hate lesbian and gay Americans face. The FBIs own data reports nearly 1,400 victims of anti-gay violence just that year. Meanwhile, a working paper on President Bill Clintons second term released by the ACLU in 1999 found that while his record was far from perfect, Clinton advanced lesbian and gay rights further than all of his predecessors combined while noting that he regularly championed a gay-inclusive federal hate crimes bill. That bill would not become law until 2009, when President Barack Obama would sign into law a hate crimes prevention bill commonly known as the Matthew Shepard Act. Since then, some writers have sought to undo the narrative and recast the meaning of Matthew. Originally, one of his killers Aaron McKinney, who along with Russell Henderson was convicted of Matthews murder claimed he had acted out of homophobia when Matthew put his hand on McKinneys leg. Guess what, were not gay, Sgt Rob Debree quoted McKinney as saying to the New York Times just over a month after Matthews death. Youre going to get jacked. Its Gay Awareness Week. Yet in 2004, McKinney and his girlfriend at the time of the murder both told ABC News that they had made that up, and that Matthews murder was not a hate crime. A 2013 book by Robert Jimenez posited that Matthew was a drug dealer who knew his killers, a claim that Rob Debree the chief detective on the case called truly laughable. Debree also stated that the book is full of factual errors and lies. Even Wyatt Skaggs, Russell Hendersons defence attorney, told the Bay Area Reporter (one of the oldest LGBTQ news outlets in the country) that Jimenez is a reporter who doesnt know very much. Other reviews also called Jimenezs credibility into question. Jimenez never qualifies how credible the sources are, or validates their closeness to Shepard, or evaluates the potential motivations for their accounts, Alyssa Rosenberg pointed out in a scathing review shortly after the books publication. That did not stop Guardian journalist Julie Bindel from framing Jiminezs book as undoing a classist narrative that pitted the affluent Shephard against us simple folks with the piece of straw hanging from our mouths, spitting tobacco and shooting pop cans from the front porch, as Ray Hageman, who both Bindel and Jimenez claim covered the case for Wyoming radio, told the Guardian. This effort over the past decade by some to dismiss the significance of Matthew Shephard is not, I suspect, without agenda. His murder was an inflection point in the struggle for LGBTQ acceptance and equality, galvanizing the modern gay rights movement movement around a young and innocent martyr. His story is thus an obvious target for those wishing to discredit or diminish that movement. This is despite McKinney himself never claiming to have known Shepard prior to the murder and all credible evidence suggesting the facts as established in 1998 are indeed the facts. Regardless of their motives, no one even those operating in good faith can be allowed to rewrite history with hearsay and innuendo. Matthew Shepard is too important, both as an individual and as a symbol. His place in American history is sacrosanct, as demonstrated by his 2018 internment in the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, where he rests in safety alongside Helen Keller and other saints of God, the Cathedrals website states. The lessons we can draw from his life and his death demand honest reflection from every American. The hate that Matthews murder spotlighted still exists today. Just last year, five people were killed by a far-right gunman in an anti-LGBTQ attack on a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 2018, 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein, targeted for being both Jewish and gay, was killed by a former classmate who is a neo-Nazi. Data from the FBI shows there were more than 1,300 anti LGBTQ hate incidents in 2021, the most recent year available at the time of this writing. That is almost as high as the 1,400 incidents found in 1997, the year Matthew Shepard was murdered. There is no reason to think this will improve anytime soon, especially given that 2023 has set the record for anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country. This includes at least four in Wyoming. A silver lining is that the states own version of Floridas nefarious dont say gay law failed to pass, meaning perhaps Matthew Shepard can be taught in history classes in his home state. Will he? I doubt it. As Susan Stubson, a member of the Wyoming Republican Party, recently wrote in the New York Times, Christian nationalists have hijacked both my Republican Party and my faith community by blurring the lines between church and government and in the process rebranding our states identity. She is right to be concerned. A state nicknamed the Equality State, whose motto is simply Equal Rights, still does not have a hate crime statute on the books, 25 years after one of its most famous sons was murdered for being gay. It is as if Wyoming has forgotten Matthew Shepard. Perhaps they have, or at the very least prefer to, his death being an inconvenient reminder of the price of hate. The rest of us cannot forget what happened on the high plains outside Laramie all those years ago, when an innocent young man was so badly beaten that his limp little body was mistaken for a scarecrow. We cannot forget for Matthews sake, but also for the sake of all the young people who Matthew reminded us of. Young people like Blaze Bernstein. Young people like me, sitting in that dingy duplex, watching the news and wondering if it could happen to Matthew Shepard, could it happen to me. No child deserves to feel that fear. No parent deserves to know that pain. No American deserves to lose their life simply for being LGBTQ. In an age of rising homophobia and transphobia, may Matthew Shepard remind us of what hate can do and what a community and a country rallying together to fight injustice can accomplish in the name of one of our own. Today, as it was 25 years ago, that name is Matthew Shepard. The Independent is a proud partner of Pride in London and supporter of Pride Month in the US. We are dedicated year-round to writing on issues facing LGBT+ communities across the globe. You can find our latest content here in the US and here in Europe. Mark Drakeford says he is "reflecting" on the UK government's actions on Scotland's deposit return scheme The first minister of Wales has entered the row over the deposit return scheme. Mark Drakeford told the BBC he would "dispute" the UK government's use of the internal market act to stop glass being included. UK ministers have made the exclusion of glass a condition of their support for a Scottish scheme, arguing that they have responded to business concerns. They have also warned the Welsh government that decision will affect their plans too. In a letter to Mr Drakeford, the UK government said "we recognise that the need for alignment and interoperable systems across the UK has implications for Wales". A UK government source told BBC Scotland that means glass needs to be left out of the Welsh scheme too. On a visit to Edinburgh, Mr Drakeford said he was "reflecting" on the UK government's actions. "I would dispute the use of the internal market act for these purposes" he said. "At the moment glass is in our scheme and that's the way we expect it to stay". The Welsh scheme is still two years away and there is a UK general election between now and then. The Welsh government had originally consulted jointly with the UK government (which has been working on plans for England) and the Northern Ireland executive on a scheme that would include glass. Reverse vending machines are being installed at location across Scotland ahead of the launch of the scheme The UK government has subsequently changed its mind on glass, with Mr Drakeford describing it as the "outlier" on deposit return. At Holyrood, Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf accused the Conservatives of "shameful hypocrisy" because they had originally supported the inclusion of glass. Lorna Slater, the circular economy minister who is leading the deposit return scheme, has claimed the UK government is deliberately trying to sabotage the Scottish scheme. The Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross denied that is the case and said Ms Slater had wrecked her own scheme through "incompetence" and not listening to industry. The Scottish government is expected to decide early next week if it will go ahead in March 2024 with a more limited scheme that excludes glass or scrap its plans in favour of a UK wide approach. The brewer behind Tennent's - C&C Group - has said a Scottish scheme without glass would put its canned lager at a competitive disadvantage with bottled alternatives. Unless glass is reinstated, it is calling for a UK-wide scheme which is already the preference of the British Soft Drinks Association. Many businesses have invested in reverse vending machine technology in preparation for a Scottish scheme that was to include plastic, metal and glass containers. It has been suggested that some firms may seek compensation if the scheme does not go ahead as planned. Walmart says it hasn't changed its Pride Month merchandise following backlash at Target stores A Pride shirt is displayed in a Walmart in Cranberry, Pennsylvania. The retailer says it hasn't changed its Pride merchandise even after rival Target received threats. Gene J. Puskar/AP Walmart says it has no plans to change its Pride collection following the backlash against Target. Target said workers were threatened over its Pride items, leading it to pull them from some stores. Walmart said it hasn't received any such threats and hasn't changed its security measures. Walmart is standing firm on its Pride Month merchandise following Target's decision to pull its collection from some stores after receiving threats. Walmart's chief merchandising officer, Latriece Watkins, told reporters gathered at the company's Bentonville, Arkansas, headquarters Wednesday that it hasn't made any changes to this year's product array. "We have merchandise that we sell all year that supports different groups," Watkins said, according to Bloomberg. "In this particular case, we haven't changed anything in our assortment." Walmart's "Pride & Joy" collection features both Pride-themed editions of items from popular brands and products created by LGBTQ-founded brands, including Pride t-shirts, gender-inclusive enamel pins, and Pride-themed accessories and home decor. Watkins said Wednesday that Walmart hasn't received any threats over its collection, according to Reuters. "In this particular case, when we think about security ... we have not done anything in particular differently related to security in our stores," Watkins said. Late last month, Target made the decision to pull some Pride-themed merchandise and remove Pride displays at some of its stores after store workers and call-center employees were subjected to violent threats. A transgender-friendly swimsuit in particular sparked outrage among conservatives on social media over incorrect claims it was marketed to children, along with a line of products critics claimed were "Satan-inspired." That outcry over Target's Pride merchandise comes after a similarly anti-LGBTQ campaign targeting Bud Light earlier this year when the beer maker partnered with a trans influencer. Bud Light reportedly saw sales dip 17% in a week after conservatives on social media called for a boycott of the beer. Read the original article on Business Insider Want to avoid points on your license after a speeding ticket? How you can in Lexington Whether trying to get to work on time, rushing to pick up kids, or just driving a lead foot many Kentuckians have had their run-in with getting a speeding ticket a time or two. Kentucky drivers who dont have much experience with paying speeding fines may have questions about next steps after they get ticketed. There are a few options a person with a speeding ticket has: they can pay the fines, or they can appear in court and plead guilty or not guilty. Fines for speeding 10 to 25 miles per hour over the speed limit can range anywhere between $20 to $60, according to Kentucky law. Fines can exceed $100 if you are speeding more than 25 miles per hour. Fines can be doubled for speeding if the offense occurred in an area near a school where flashing lights are posted and flashing, or in a construction zone, according to state law. Depending on where the violation was committed, drivers may be able to pay the fine online, by mail or in person. However, some options may be limited depending on the severity of a ticket. Drivers facing more severe speeding offenses could be required to appear in court. Fayette County Attorney Angela Evans has created a new way to pay tickets which does not involve going to court and can prevent the ticket from affecting a drivers record. Drive Safe Lexington is an online and interactive option to resolve traffic speeding tickets, according to Evans. Through this program, eligible participants do not have to go to court or attend in-person traffic classes. Much more convenient process introduced in Lexington The Drive Safe Lexington program was implemented in mid-January, according to Evans. She said most violations are eligible for the program, which is done virtually. Participants are not allowed to enroll in the program if drivers were operating without a license or valid insurance, or have participated in traffic school in the past two years. Individuals with a commercial drivers license are also ineligible. Excessive speeds past a limit can also exclude someone from participating. Unlike previous similar options, someone who participates in Drive Safe Lexington can avoid having a conviction on their record. They can also avoid getting points on their license or violations on their driving record. For most violations, the administrative fee for Drive Safe Lexington is $200. However, some cases will carry an administrative fee up to $400, according to Evans. This payment goes towards the statutory fees required by the court clerks office and the Kentucky Department of Transportation. This one-time fee, Evans said, is preferable to increased insurance rates as a result of pleading guilty to a violation, the cost of the ticket and court costs. A two hour refresher of highway safety regulations is included in the online course. Evans said she is not going to encourage ticketed drivers to pay their ticket if they are eligible for this program. This is a program that seemed like a no-brainer, she said. It is much more convenient to the public. The program is also convenient for Evans office because it reduces traffic violation dockets, and doesnt require the need for an instructor for an in-person traffic violation class. It is convenient for the driver, for our office and it reduces the inconveniences that come when you are found to be driving too fast which I am sure we can all be guilty of, Evans said. Individuals who participate in the program can register online with their citation number to see if they are eligible for Drive Safe Lexington. If qualified, individuals will be notified in an email within four days of registration. The program must be completed no later than 72 hours before their court date. Once completed, participants are not required to show up for court. It is the 21st Century and in addition to COVID, we now understand that we can do so much more online and virtually. ... Speeding is serious and can be dangerous and we dont want to let it go and not proceed with consequences, but this program eliminates other barriers that we dont think about when you have to deal with that in-person, Evans said. Other ways to address a speeding ticket Unlike the Drive Safe program, those ticketed for speeding can prepay their citation, according to the Drive Safe website. This requires individuals to pay court costs of $143 and fines prior to arraignment, and is equivalent to pleading guilty. This conviction will be listed on a court record, with points added onto a drivers license. Some drivers may also be required to enroll in traffic school as a requirement of addressing their ticket which includes other fees for registration. Someone may also contest charges and the traffic case can be continued for a pre-trial conference and then set for trial. Police on Thursday released video and 911 audio from an incident last month in which officers shot a woman who waved a pellet gun and pointed it at law enforcement after allegedly robbing a coffee shop in midtown Sacramento. The shooting happened around 12:45 p.m. May 20 near the intersection of 28th and Q streets, the Sacramento Police Department said in a news release. Two officers fired five shots at the woman on a sidewalk, striking her at least twice, body camera video showed. She survived and was treated for gunshot wounds at a hospital before being arrested, according to the department. The officer-involved shooting happened directly in front of two bystanders inside of a parked white sedan, with one of the two officers appearing to fire over the top of the witness vehicle from several feet away and toward the suspect, the video showed. In an image taken from bodyworn video, woman is seen pointing a firearm at Sacramento police officers before she was shot and wounded May 20 near 28th and Q streets in midtown Sacramento. The womans weapon was an airsoft pellet gun. Sacramento Police Department The suspect, identified by the Sacramento Police Department as 43-year-old Chio Saeteurn, was seen in the video taking cover behind a sidewalk palm tree and pointing what appeared to be a silver handgun toward police. Her firearm, police learned after the tense exchange, was an airsoft pellet gun. The incident began after police dispatchers received numerous 911 calls from 24th and N streets and surrounding areas reporting a person walking in the area holding a handgun, as well as a call from an employee of a business who reported that a person walked in, waved a gun and stole money, the department said in a news release. Video shows that the first officer to arrive at the scene approached the woman armed with the pellet gun near the northeast corner of Albert Winn Park. This officer drove his patrol vehicle onto the grass, hopping curbs into and out of the park before pursuing the woman as she ran across the street, past houses on 28th Street across from the park. The officer then exited his vehicle and began to chase the woman on foot with his firearm drawn as she ran southbound on 28th Street toward Q Street, pointing his gun at her as the two of them crossed the latter street. A second police vehicle, driven by a K-9 officer, arrived at the scene as the first officer caught up with the woman near a palm tree and a parked white car at the southeast corner of 28th and Q. The two officers can be heard repeatedly telling the woman to get on the ground and to show them her hands. After the woman stopped running near the palm tree, she could be seen in the video pulling a gun out of her jacket. Seconds later, five gunshots could be heard and the woman dropped to the ground. The Police Department said the first arriving officer and the K-9 officer each discharged their firearms. After the shots were fired, an officer told the witness sitting in the drivers seat of the bystander vehicle to get out of the car. After several seconds, the witness whose face is blurred in the video exited the vehicle uninjured. Several officers then approached the woman on the sidewalk using a shield. She is heard in the video telling officers that she was shot in the leg, and a witness can be heard screaming unintelligibly in the background. Police tending to the suspects wounds are heard saying she was shot in the abdomen and in the knee, the video showed. Officers recovered a silver pellet gun at the scene, according to the Police Department news release. Neither involved officer was injured. Saeteurn was arrested on charges related to robbery, police said. Jail records show she was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on May 21, following her release from the hospital. Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad Over the course of 14 years, audiences witnessed the unfolding of one of the greatest crime sagas in the history of television. Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and the streaming movie El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie are together a stunning achievement chronicling the rise and fall of drug empire based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, with all three parts of the franchise delivering tremendous writing and brilliant performances from all of the stars. As a whole, its a remarkable viewing experience and what only makes it more special is the fact that there are multiple ways to watch. Fans who watched the shows and the movie as they premiered have already experienced the canon in release order, but now audiences can also watch the continuity unfold in chronological order, which involves watching most of Better Call Saul first, switching to Breaking Bad, and then checking out El Camino before returning to Better Call Sauls final four episodes. I recently did my own rewatch of the franchise in this latter fashion, and there are seven takeaways I have from the experience. Walt and Jessie in Breaking Bad Better Call Saul Enhances Tucos Scariness In Breaking Bad When watching the second season of Breaking Bad independently, there is a part of my brain that doesnt give full credit to the stakes of the situation when Walt and Jesse are kidnapped by Tuco Salamanca and brought out to his Uncle Hectors remote house. In the show, Walt and Jesse are panicked because they think that the psychopathic criminal has murdered Gonzo after accidentally killing No-Doze, and they fear he is cleaning house but the tension is somewhat undercut when we learn that Gonzo is dead because of a simple, stupid accident. Tuco is clearly unhinged, but circumstances arent as tense on rewatch because we know that things arent quite as they seem. This feeling is eliminated when you watch Better Call Saul first in a chronological watch. The original series does a good job demonstrating that Tuco is a dangerous individual (for example, when he robs and assaults Jesse in their first meeting), but the prequel show adds the touch more that the character needs. His negotiations with Jimmy and his conflict with both Mike and Nacho effectively further illustrate the terror that the man represents, and its enough to bolster the fear in Breaking Bad Season 2 that the misunderstanding at the heart of everything doesnt actually matter. Bryan Cranston and Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad I Wish There Was A Shared History Moment With Walt, Jessie, And Saul Regarding Tuco As a prequel show, Better Call Saul does a magnificent job managing to both tell its own story and casually tie things back to the events that play out in Breaking Bad. The reveal of Tuco in the very first episode is very much part of the latter, and, as noted above, the characters presence on the show ends up benefiting his later role in the continuity. That being said, one thing I wish we could have seen is a moment where Walt, Jessie and Saul all realize that they have history with the meth-addicted member of the Salamanca clan and bond over the terror that he temporarily brought to their lives. This, ultimately, is the result of the issue that comes with making prequels. Had Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould known that they were going to eventually make Better Call Saul while working on Breaking Bad, one could imagine them writing a scene like the one above, but that wasnt how things played out. As such, the audience knows that both Jimmy and Walt and Jesse have their own histories with Tuco, but the characters seemingly never learn about that special, horrible link that exists between them. Walt and Jesse with Saul at gunpoint in Breaking Bad The Scene With Jesse And Walt Taking Saul Out To The Desert Doesnt 100% Work To the credit of the writers, a real effort is made in Better Call Saul to have the show fully match up with the events of Breaking Bad, and that very much includes Sauls pleas to Walt and Jesse when they bring him out to a hole in the desert in the characters very first episode. It wasn't me it was Ignacio! Hes the one! Saul declares thinking that the masked men have been sent by Lalo. Of course, we eventually learn in Better Call Saul that Ignacio is Ignacio Nacho Varga, and Lalo is Lalo Salamanca but still, Sauls scared ramblings dont totally make sense when one watches the hit AMC shows in chronological order. The disconnect here regards Sauls knowledge about Lalos fate. While its true that Mike doesnt explicitly tell Saul and Kim that Lalo is dead in the episode Point And Shoot, he does firmly explain that he is not coming back, and Saul and Kim are certainly smart enough people to know what that means. I suppose that one could make the argument that Saul doesnt totally believe Mike, as he was told that Lalo was dead prior to the man breaking into his house and killing Howard Hamlin, but the audience having to make that assumption is evidence of the Breaking Bad scene in the desert not 100% working. Mike on Breaking Bad Mike Gets Revenge On The Cousins For Threatening His Granddaughter Mike Ehrmantraut lives by firm codes of conduct during his life out in New Mexico, and more often than not he follows rules and orders but there are certain things that set him off. The big one, of course, is any perceived threat against his granddaughter, Kaylee Ehrmantraut, which we get to see in action in Better Call Saul when Mike discovers that Marco and Leonel Salamanca a.k.a. The Cousins are watching him following his incident with Tuco. The former cops anger at the twins notably doesnt get resolved over the course of the prequel series, but when one watches Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad in chronological order, one realizes that Mike gets satisfaction. Fans will remember that Marco Salamanca is killed when Hank Schrader shoots him in the head in Breaking Bad Season 3s One Minute, but its in the subsequent episode, I See You, that we witness Mike get his revenge against Leonel sneaking into the mans hospital room and delivering some kind of fatal injection. That execution technically is a result of orders from Gus, who doesnt want Leonel to survive and tell Juan Bolsa that he gave permission to try and kill Hank, but theres some extra satisfaction that comes in the scene when you recognize that the murder settles a vendetta for Mike. Rhea Seehorn on Better Call Saul I Dont Actually Need A Kim Wexler Show While watching Season 6 of Better Call Saul play out week-to-week when it was airing, I, like many other fans, got excited about the potential to see even more from the universe specifically with yet another spinoff that would feature Kim Wexler as its main protagonist. It worked for Saul Goodman, so why not Kim. I imagined a series that would examine her life after her relationship with Jimmy/Saul and dig more into her mysterious past but after watching Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad in chronological order, it occurs to me thats not a story that needs to happen. While its true that there are still a lot of things about Kim that we dont know, and she is more than fascinating enough to be a compelling lead protagonist, the reality is that Better Call Saul offers audiences all of the closure we need, and fans should be satisfied. By the end of the show, she has seen Jimmy/Saul get the punishment he deserved, cleared her conscience regarding the fate of Howard Hamlin, and gotten back into an area of the law where she can do some real good for people. Its an earned peaceful conclusion for the character, and as good as a follow-up show might be, the satisfaction that it delivers would be upset by it. Giancarlo Esposito in Breaking Bad. I Still Wouldnt Say No To A Gus Fring Origins Series Watching Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad chronologically may have satiated my desire for the continued story of Kim Wexler, but it has inflamed by hunger to see more of Gus Fring. There is no doubt that we get to learn a lot about the efficient, genius businessman over the course of the two shows, but there is still a great deal about him that remains a mystery, and I selfishly want that story to be told. Its true that Gus mysterious past adds to the characters aura, but I would make the argument that his personality, intelligence and morals are so independently fascinating in Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad that they dont necessarily need to be propped up by mystique. If done well, a series that reveals more about his hidden, notorious past in Chile and his relationship with Max Arciniega could serve to enhance everything that is compelling about the character and make us look at him in a completely new light. Obviously one problem that arises with this idea is that Giancarlo Esposito couldnt be the shows star, but he could at least be a part of it in flash-forward scenes. Saul and Kim in Better Call Saul finale The Better Call Saul Finale Is A Terrific Ending For Both Breaking Bad And Better Call Saul When you watch Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad and El Camino in chronological order, the amount of pressure that was put on Saul Gone is truly apparent. The Better Call Saul finale not only has the responsibility of bringing one show to an end, but (for now) an entire franchise tying up any and all loose ends in the continuity. In this immense respect, its a phenomenal success. While I may still have a hunger for a Gus Fring origin series, its satisfying in every other important way. Theres one last dose of the Saul Goodman razzle dazzle, the surprise appearance of Marie Schrader, proper punishment for Jimmy, closure with Kim, and, most spectacularly of all, a collection of powerful and meaningful flashbacks with key characters having discussions of regret in an episode that naturally inspires reflection on the past. The finale is a summation of everything that is brilliant about Vince Gilligans creations, and a special pop culture achievement. If you now want to do your own chronological rewatch, Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie are all available to stream with a Netflix subscription. Physical media collectors can also pick up the Breaking Bad complete series box set, the Better Call Saul complete series box set, and El Camino on Blu-ray. What to do this weekend? Heres a list of summer events across the MS Coast Speedboats are Smokin the River City this weekend on the Moss Point waterfront, while admirers of great classic boats will be at the annual Billy Creel Memorial Gulf Coast Wooden & Classic Boat Show at the beach in Biloxi. Also this weekend are Jeepin The Coast in Long Beach and Red, White and Blueberry Festival in Ocean Springs, where patriotic fun comes with a free taste of ice cream topped with fruit. Boat races on the MS Coast Smokin the River City events are free all weekend at the Moss Point waterfront right off Mississippi 613. Spectators get an up-close look at the boats and the racers as they speed right past the waterfront and local food and merchandise vendors will be set up. Friday Boat racers will test and tune their boats beginning around noon. Waterfront Cafe live music, 6-9 p.m. at the waterfront by South Harleston. Bring a chair or blanket Saturday and Sunday Dragboat races, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. along the riverfront. About 50 boats from across the region will compete. Wooden boat show The Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum presents a collection of historic, antique, classic, and contemporary wooden boats from 10 a.m.5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Its at the Schooner Pier Complex, 367 Beach Blvd. in East Biloxi. Wooden boats will be in the water and on trailers. Planned along with more exhibits, demonstrations and a marine salvage flea market are music, kids activities and food like fish and shrimp plates, tacos and snowballs. Admission is $7, or $3 for ages 13-18 and free for kids 12 and younger. Schooner sails are $10 per passenger and leave the dock every hour from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. More weekend events May 31-June 4 Jeepin the Coast has entertainment, scavenger hunts, poker runs and a beach crawl. Jeep Central is in Long Beach. June 3 Red, White and Blueberry Festival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in downtown Ocean Springs. Free ice cream topped with fruit is a highlight of the Red, White & Blueberry Festival in Ocean Springs. this weekend. Summer festivals & best bets June 5-11 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic fishing tournament and weigh-ins at Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi. June 10 Sand Jam 23 at Pascagoula Beach Park is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with free youth fishing, free kayaking for all, beach games, giveaways, art contest and pirate treasure hunt. June 10 Spring Fest at Milner Stadium, 1403 38th Ave., Gulfport. Events starts at 10 a.m. See cars, trucks, jeeps and motorcycle. Also food trucks and vendors. $5 June 10 Resilient East Biloxi Community Festival, 3-7 p.m. on Main Street Biloxi between Division and Murray streets. music, local food and art vendor, historic East Biloxi tour and scavenger hunt, horseback riding and the history of Black cowboys. June 10 Biloxi Blues Extravaganza, 8 p.m. at Coast Coliseum, Biloxi July 13 Thomas Rhett: Home Team Tour with Cole Swindell and Nate Smith, 7:30 p.m. at Coast Coliseum, Biloxi July 14-16, 21-23 Jabbawockeez is the summer show at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi. The original family show has innovative choreography and synchronized dance moves set to music. Aug. 25 - 27 Jurassic Quest roars into Coast Coliseum in Biloxi Aug. 28 The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour, Coast Coliseum, Biloxi Coastal Mississippi has an extensive calendar of more events on the Coast. 'You are welcome here': Gov. Tony Evers raises pride flag above Wisconsin state Capitol for fifth year The pride flag flies at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Thursday in Madison. MADISON - Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday again raised the rainbow pride flag a tradition he started five years ago that comes this year at a time of increased hostility toward public declarations of support for people who are gay or transgender. "Raising the pride flag sends a message for all those who have ever only wanted to belong, who have had to find their own family, who have never known home. You belong here. You're family here. You are welcome here," Evers said, fighting tears. "To the people who work in the other wings of this building, this is the people's house, and you too serve at the pleasure of the people of this state and, yes, that does mean LGBTQ Wisconsinites, too." Evers said that the flag raising is one of his favorite days of the year, and that he was "jazzed as hell." James Bond, the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the first openly LGBTQ cabinet member, also address the crowd gathered outside the Capitol, sharing his story about coming to terms with his sexuality and his fear of not being accepted. Bond is now happily married with two children, and said representation and having a seat at the table matters. "We raise this flag as a beacon, a reminder to all, you are welcome at the Wisconsin state Capitol," he said. Evers first flew the symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride for Pride Month in 2019, shortly after he was sworn in. The flag is flown over the Capitol's East Wing during the month of June. Evers in 2019 said flying the pride flag "sends a clear and unequivocal message that Wisconsin is a welcoming and inclusive place where everyone can live without fear of persecution, judgment or discrimination." Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers speaks at the fifth annual Pride Month celebration as the Pride Flag is about to be raised at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Thursday in Madison. At the time, state Rep. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha, sent out a tweet asking if flying an LGBTQ flag "is any more appropriate than erecting the Christian flag over the Capitol?" Allen told the Journal Sentinel he doesn't "have anything against the gay pride flag," but added that he has a problem with anything other than the state and U.S. flag being flown over the Capitol. "I think there is an inherent nature that we have to abide by a degree of neutrality in what we do as a state government," Allen said. "When we begin to hoist flags up for different philosophies or different attitudes or beliefs, it's inherently divisive." Now, the ceremony will take place after national brands like Bud Light and Target have received heavy backlash for creating LGBTQ-focused marketing campaigns and merchandise. Target last week pulled some LGBTQ merchandise from stores that it rolled out for Pride Month after confrontations with customers. Since introducing this years collection, weve experienced threats impacting our team members sense of safety and well-being while at work, Target said in a statement to USA TODAY. 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. Target has been celebrating Pride Month for a decade with an array of clothing, books and furnishings. The merchandise has been on sale since early May. Items that have drawn negative attention include tuck friendly womens swimsuits that allow trans women to conceal male genitals. Target did not say which items it was removing. Fox News reported Tuesday that some Target stores, most of them in the rural South, were trying to avoid a Bud Light situation by relocating some Pride merchandise after conservatives complained, referring to the backlash against parent company Anheuser-Busch since it featured transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in a promotional campaign. LGBTQ groups condemned Target for bowing to pressure from "fringe" groups. Anti-LGBTQ violence and hate should not be winning in America, but it will continue to until corporate leaders step up as heroes for their LGBTQ employees and consumers and do not cave to fringe activists calling for censorship," Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, said in a statement. Molly Beck of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. Jessica Guynn of USA Today contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Gov. Tony Evers raises pride flag above Wisconsin Capitol for 5th year Dont cry Guns N Roses fans, the band just added another Pennsylvania stop on its latest tour. Once called the most dangerous band in the world, the Los Angeles-based hard rock band is embarking on the Guns N Roses World Tour. The tour starts Thursday in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates before touring Europe and Canada. The band announced it would be adding shows in Pittsburgh and Seattle. The band had already planned to stop at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey on Aug. 11 and will now be at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Aug. 18. Tickets for the Hersey show are available now and range from $49 to $1,000 on Ticketmaster. Nighttrain members can purchase tickets online for pre-sale for the Pittsburgh shows while public sale will start at 10 a.m. on June 2. Several other stars will join the band throughout the North American leg of its tour including Carrie Underwood, Alice in Chains, The Pretenders, The Warning and Dirty Honey. This is the bands first tour since their Were FN Back tour in 2021. West Hills Lemoore College gave second chance to student leader who stumbled in high school Being the son of a community college counselor and an elementary teacher, Aaron Villarreal should have had an easy path to college. However, the 20-year-old Villarreal created his own roadblock when he allowed his grades to suffer his senior year at Lemoore High School. Surprisingly, I was an average Joe, said Villarreal about his high school grades. My senior year, I was a D student. That bad? After all, his GPA in high school was about 3.0. I wasnt really believing in education, and I was 1% away from failing my English class, he said. West Hills College Lemoore graduated its largest class ever of 800 graduates during May 25, 2023 ceremony at the Golden Eagle Arena. Villarreals attitude changed after arriving at West Hills College Lemoore, where he earned an associates degree in business administration. He will major in business at CSU Monterey Bay in the fall. Having that second chance here at West Hills has really brightened my outlook on my life and really brightened my outlook on my new career, said Villareal, who was this years student body president for the 1,200 enrolled students. The college, which opened a year before Villarreal was born, has given me that encouragement and passion to continue with higher education and continue my life, he said. Villarreal admits the college was definitely not my top option; but, I really didnt have any other choice. West Hills College Lemoore President James Preston congratulates TikTok superstar Leo Gonzalez during May 25, 2023 commencement at Golden Eagle Arena. It helped that his father, Oscar Villarreal, is the Upward Bound director at West Hills College Lemoore. Villarreal learned from his father, who took 14 years to get his degrees. He always told me, No matter how long it takes you to complete your education, as long as you go down that route and youre doing something youre passionate about, thats fine, said Villarreal. After talking with his father, Villarreal decided to enroll at West Hills College Lemoore. West Hills College Lemoore President James Preston spoke at the May 25, 2023 commencement at Golden Eagle Arena. West Hills was a route that I wanted to go down because I heard very many things about it, said Villarreal. And it was in my backyard. It was definitely something that I didnt really expect, that I would fully grow from, he said. Villarreal, who wants to become an accountant, loved the new campus and its technology, including high flex chairs in our classrooms that really helps us feel comfortable while learning. He was one of three community college students in the state to receive the Student Leadership Award for their vision of success. West Hills College Lemoore student body president Aaron Villarreal poses with his family before the May 25, 2023 graduation ceremony at Golden Eagle Arena. It definitely means a lot, he said. Just being recognized and being able to have people see my work and see my dedication was a big honor for me. Villarreal was one of two student speakers at the May 25 commencement ceremony at the Golden Eagle Arena. The other speaker was TikTok superstar Leo Gonzalez. A West Hills College Lemoore graduate shows her emotion during May 25, 2023 commencement at Golden Eagle Arena. West Hills College Lemoore graduates expressed themselves using their mortar boards at the May 25, 2023 graduation ceremony at Golden Eagle Arena. West Hills College Lemoore President James Preston congratulates Logan Dakota Byrum during May 25, 2023 commencement at Golden Eagle Arena. West Hills College Lemoore graduates expressed themselves using their mortar boards at the May 25, 2023 graduation ceremony at Golden Eagle Arena. The protests that began nearly four years ago in Hong Kong have all but died out. China, however, has gained power and influence in the region with its National Security Law and aggression toward Taiwan. "Throughout this century, Beijing has tried to impose stiffer and stiffer controls over Hong Kong. And throughout this century, the people of Hong Kong have resisted," China expert Gordon Chang said. Demonstrations began in 2019 to protest legislation that would allow criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial. The Fugitives Offenders Ordinance Bill would have allowed people, including foreigners, to have their cases heard in courts controlled by the Communist Party. "The protests that followed the extradition bill in 2019 were a watershed," Chang said. UYGHUR STUDENT DID NOT GO MISSING IN HONG KONG AFTER BEING INTERROGATED AT AIRPORT, RIGHTS GROUP SAYS Jimmy and Sebastien Lai have been victims of the Chinese National Security Law, which is used to jail people who participate in pro-democracy protests. By summer of 2019, the unrest made headlines around the world. Millions took to the streets to protests Chinas actions. Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam eventually suspended the extradition bill. Protests continued calling for her to step down as Beijing pushed ahead with a new idea to quell the protesters in the name of national security. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "China's national security law, which was imposed on Hong Kong in the middle of 2020, has rightly been called the end of law," Chang said. "That legislation is so vague, it gives Beijing the power to do whatever it wants, and Beijing has fully implemented that law in ways that have ended freedom in Hong Kong." Protesters chant slogans during a rally against a new national security law in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020, on the 23rd anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China. The National Security Law took effect just before midnight on the eve of the anniversary of its handover from British to Chinese rule. Chinese leaders said it was necessary for controlling the growing protests. "I think there were around 2 million people at one point, which is incredible," Sebastien Lai said. "They essentially used the National Security Law combined with the very harsh COVID restrictions that they put in place in Hong Kong to crack down on the protests." CANADA'S TOP SPY AGENCY WARNS HONG KONG-BORN LAWMAKER SHE IS ON CHINA'S EVERGREEN TARGET LIST Lai gives testimony about his time in China. Sebastiens father is one victim of the new law. Jimmy Lai has been in prison since December 2020 over his role in the pro-democracy movement. "The last time I saw my dad was at the end of 2020," Sebastien said. "So, I haven't been back to Hong Kong ever since, unfortunately." Hundreds were arrested under the National Security Law, including Jimmy Lai. He faces charges for participating in protests. Others stem from his tabloid, Apple Daily, which was often critical of China. His business was eventually raided and shut down. "I think many people were surprised by how fast everything happened. Once the National Security Law was put in place at the end of 2020, they started mass crackdowns, arresting many people," Sebastien said. "At that time, we had around 900 people working [at] Apple Daily. During the first crackdown, 200 policemen ran into the office building, took people's laptops, hard drives and stopped people from essentially touching their phone." HONG KONG NEWSPAPER WILL STOP PUBLISHING WORK BY POLITICAL CARTOONIST AFTER ANTI-GOVERNMENT DRAWINGS Jimmy Lai, right, stands with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Sebastien said police returned for a second time and even more officers raided the tabloid offices. "Because the brave reporters kept publishing, they sent 500 people. And that was the end of it. They had already arrested my father at that point and many of his colleagues. You hear these sad stories that obviously would never have happened in Hong Kong before," Sebastien said. "The reporters would stay up until 6 in the morning because that's when the police knocks on your door and tells you that you're a person of interest." Jimmy Lais National Security Trial is scheduled for December. His lawyers recently tried to terminate the trial, arguing it was being heard by three judges approved by Hong Kongs leader rather than a jury. China had initially promised Hong Kong trials by jury when it rejoined China, but the National Security Law now allows for no-jury trials. "At the moment, Hong Kong's telling the world that they want to go back to a being a financial center and that they stand [for] the rule of law and freedom of speech. Actions speak louder than words, and the actions are saying that that is not the case," Sebastien said. "While those people are in jail and while those people are being treated unfairly by the legal system, there is no way that Hong Kong can say that it is still a financial center." CHINESE 'DEBT-TRAP' CRIPPLING POOR ECONOMIES, ENDANGERING US NATIONAL SECURITY Lai is shown at the White House with a poster of his father who is jailed in China. Jimmy Lai faces life in prison. He is among nearly 1,500 other known political prisoners detained in Hong Kong. "We have seen a number of arrests in Hong Kong increase from the 2019 protests, but certainly with the imposition of the national security law in the following year, there have been increasing numbers of arrests," Chang said. "We're not sure that we know the full numbers about that because there are reports of people being secretly detained." U.S. lawmakers have called Hong Kong Taiwans wake-up call. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was among a group of House members who recently met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in California. "I remember the promises made that China did to Hong Kong that they could keep their own version of democracy," McCarthy said. "They reneged on that. We watched them shut down newspapers and freedom of press that have been there for decades." SON OF CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY CRITIC JIMMY LAI BLASTS TIKTOK: REALLY TRYING TO SILENCE MY FATHER'S STORY Jimmy Lai talks with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Others have compared the actions to Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. "After Hong Kong fell and then Ukraine got invaded by Putin and Russia, Taiwan is very nervous, and they should be." Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said on "Special Report." Sebastien Lai now lives in Taiwan and says those on the island share concern for Chinas growing influence in the region. "Originally the one country-two system was Hong Kong, but it was also something that they tried to sell to Taiwan," Sebastien said. "I think once they cracked down on Hong Kong, everybody in Taiwan could very quickly realize that was no longer going to be a valid choice." CHINESE FIGHTER JET CAUGHT ON VIDEO INTERCEPTING US AIRCRAFT OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA: UNNECESSARILY AGGRESSIVE Sebastien Lai, right, and Sen. Marco Rubio China has less influence in Taiwan than it does in Hong Kong. The U.S. positions on the regions also differ. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the One China Policy only acknowledges Beijings position that Taiwan is part of China. The U.S. does not agree with Beijings claim to sovereignty over Taipei. It also assesses that the island is not an independent, sovereign state. "Although the United States doesn't recognize Taiwan, nonetheless, a number of countries do," Chang said. "It is a vibrant democracy. And it is, of course, in the interests of the United States to protect all democracies, especially one as important as Taiwan." The U.S. does view Hong Kong as part of China but with some conditions. According to the State Department, U.S. policy holds that Hong Kong is an independent customs and economic territory. Soldiers disembark from amphibious assault vehicles during the Han Kuang military exercise, which simulates China's People's Liberation Army invading the island, on July 28, 2022, in Pingtung, Taiwan. "China is attacking not only our democracy but democracies in general. So, we need to defend this principle of self-governance, whether in Hong Kong, Taiwan or the United States," Chang said. "As long as [Chinese President] Xi Jinping rules China, Hong Kong is lost. But the people in Hong Kong have shown that they are resisting. They have a separate identity from China. And one day, and that day probably won't be soon, but one day Hong Kong, I believe, will govern itself." The U.S. and allies are helping hold China accountable for its actions toward Hong Kong and Taiwan. Jimmy Lai met with lawmakers during his trip to the U.S. in 2019. He called for support against Chinas aggression. His son, Sebastien, met with those same lawmakers recently to continue the fight for democracy in Hong Kong and freedom for his father. "International pressure is showing and shining a light on these cases, on my father, and the story of Hong Kong is paramount," Sebastien said. "We've really seen Hong Kong react very strongly once we talk about this lie that they're telling the world." The White House on Thursday announced sanctions against Sudanese forces amid ongoing fighting in the country between warring factions, including economic penalties and visa restrictions. National security adviser Jake Sullivan condemned the ongoing fighting despite a cease-fire agreement, which he said was hindering the delivery of humanitarian assistance and causing unnecessary bloodshed. The failure of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to abide by the ceasefire only further deepens our concern that the people of Sudan will once again face a protracted conflict and widespread suffering at the hands of the security forces, Sullivan said in a statement. The U.S. is imposing economic sanctions and visa restrictions, Sullivan said, and issuing an updated business advisory on Sudan. The visa restrictions are on specific individuals in Sudan, including officials in the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and leaders of the former Omar al-Bashir regime who have been responsible for or complicit in undermining Sudans democratic transition, according to senior administration officials. The Treasury Department has also sanctioned four companies, including Sudans largest defense enterprise and an arms company involved in the production of weapons and vehicles, officials said. Another company sanctioned is controlled by a RSF commander and operates multiple subsidiaries, including in the gold industry. And, the fourth company produces vehicles for the RSF, some of which have been retrofitted with machine guns. Officials said these sanctions were already being considered before they were formally announced on Thursday. When asked about the possibility of the Sudanese going to other countries for arms and supplies, officials said the U.S. is working with Saudi Arabia to help end the conflict and forge ceasefires. The officials said the Saudis are as committed as we are to end this conflict. The targeting of the companies is far from symbolic. It is choking these parties access to weapons and resources that allow them to perpetuate the conflict. And, they ideally will have a chilling effect on other countries who would engage in these four companies, officials added. Sullivan, in his statement, also said that the measures are intended to hold accountable those responsible for undermining the peace, security, and stability of Sudan. The Sudanese people did not ask for this war. The United States will continue to stand with them, he added. We will continue to support their rightful demand for a transition to democracy. And working with our partners, we will continue to hold the belligerent parties accountable for their unconscionable violence and defiance of the will of the people. The announcement of sanctions comes roughly one month after President Biden expanded his administrations ability to sanction individuals who undermine peace and stability in the war-torn nation. Fighting among warring generals in Sudan in recent months has left hundreds dead and sent thousands fleeing the country. The U.S. in late April conducted an airlift to evacuate staffers at the U.S. Embassy in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. Updated at 11:47 am ET. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The White House directed the Pentagon to probe antisemitic and Islamophobic behavior across the U.S. military and offer an estimate about the prevalence of the problem by November. The order was part of the White Houses new national strategy to counter antisemitism, which includes 100 steps President Joe Bidens administration and its partners plan to take to address the recent rise in antisemitic incidents. Antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault in the U.S. reached a historic high in 2022, according to a report released in March from the Anti-Defamation League. Nearly 3,700 antisemitic incidents were reported that year, the most since the ADL began tracking them in 1979. Bidens strategy, outlined in a 60-page document, urges Congress to pass legislation that would create new laws against bias-motivated violence, as well as hold social media platforms accountable for spreading antisemitism and other hate speech. The administration also called on state and local governments, schools, the technology industry and religious communities to help stop the spread of antisemitic conspiracy theories. The White House included several mandates to federal agencies in its plan, one of which instructs the Defense Department to study antisemitism and Islamophobia in the ranks. The administration plans to use the Pentagons findings to establish programs or policies that could help put an end to those biases in the military or prevent them. The White House would say this is an important domestic issue, but the existence of antisemitism is also a threat for national security, said Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, in a briefing to reporters Thursday. These are not just nice words. There are dates in the plan for when these issues should be addressed, Lipstadt said. The White House is holding the agencies accountable. The sweeping document requires the Defense Department to analyze existing research to better grasp the prevalence of antisemitism and Islamophobia across the military. The Pentagon is required by November of this year to provide that estimate and review its current training for gaps in identifying those biases. Its the first analysis of its kind to specifically address antisemitism and Islamophobia across the armed forces. The plan also asks local and state governments provide training to its security and law enforcement personnel about Jewish culture to help them understand and counter antisemitism. Effective immediately, all federal agencies must formally acknowledge International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Jewish American History Month, the plan states. Federal agencies acknowledging specific cultural heritage months aligns with the Pentagons efforts to celebrate diverse backgrounds across the force. The White House ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop educational programs by September that highlight the diversity of the veteran population, as well as the contributions of Jewish veterans and VA employees. The agency is expected to share those programs with local veterans groups across the country. Along with sharing that message, the administration wants the VA to encourage veterans to use their credibility with the public to speak out against antisemitic violence and other hate-fueled attacks. As part of the White House plan, the VA is expected to expand its chaplain partnership by this summer to include multiple faiths. VA chaplains will receive training beginning in September about how to counter antisemitism, anti-Muslim bias and anti-Sikh bias. The agency was also told to determine whether its possible to track incidents of religious discrimination against VA employees. The national strategy was announced following an alarming spike in antisemitic sentiment and hate crimes across the country. Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said the organization saw antisemitic sentiments increase 500% among the U.S. population in the past decade an indication that the rise in antisemitism in 2022 was not an outlier, but a troubling trend. Greenblatt spoke in detail about the plan on a week that also marked the start of court trials for the 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Penn., which claimed 11 lives in an alleged hate-motivated antisemitic attack. This type of plan...its precedent setting, Greenblatt said. Its a type of framework that is nothing short of a quantum leap forward on the issues that we care about. The strategy outlined by the White House is a multi-year effort that in theory would extend past the 2024 presidential election. When asked about what would happen if a new administration took over in 2025, Lipstadt said she hoped the strategy would be viewed as apolitical and accepted by a new president. The ADL made recommendations to Bidens administration about the contents of the strategy, many of which were adopted. Greenblatt said his organization would continue to work from the White Houses plan, regardless of whether theres a change in administration. You had better believe we are not going to let this go, Greenblatt said. This is the roadmap were going to use no matter who is driving. This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. President Joe Biden plans to appoint former North Carolina health secretary Mandy Cohen as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three people with knowledge of the matter told POLITICO. Cohen, an Obama-era health official well known in Democratic policy circles, would replace outgoing CDC chief Rochelle Walensky, who is slated to leave the agency at the end of the month. The White House declined to comment, and the people with knowledge of the matter, granted anonymity to discuss personnel moves, cautioned that the decision is not finalized. Cohen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Biden is expected to formally announce Cohens selection later this month. She had also met in recent days with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients and Health Secretary Xavier Becerra to discuss the job. Cohen's possible appointment was first reported by the Washington Post. Her selection would come at a transition point for the CDC, which faced intense scrutiny over its performance throughout the Covid crisis and low morale within the sprawling agency. Biden picked Walensky at the outset of his administration in an effort to restore trust in the CDC and public health more broadly, vowing at the time that she would play a prominent role in directing his pandemic response. Yet while Walensky placed renewed emphasis on relying on science to craft policy, she also came under fire at times over the CDCs shifting guidance and shaky messaging around key elements like masking and vaccines. The CDC is also in the midst of a strategic overhaul launched by Walensky last year; a longer-term project that Cohen would be tasked with managing in an effort to better prepare the agency for the next public health emergency. Biden officials involved in the search came away from discussions with Cohen impressed by her broad range of health experience at the federal and state levels, two of the people said, and convinced she had the ability to manage the nearly 11,000-person agency and the broader political dynamics of an administration gearing up for Bidens re-election run. Cohen spent four years as North Carolinas health secretary, most notably running the states pandemic response before stepping down in January 2022. The role gave her the requisite public health experience that Biden aides were seeking in a candidate to replace Walensky, two of the people with knowledge of the matter said. And during the Obama administration, she did stints as a senior official in various parts of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where she was central to the agencys high-profile implementation of the Affordable Care Act and worked closely with Zients and other now-senior Biden officials. Cohen also became one of the agencys go-to officials for congressional testimony, winning praise for parrying pointed questions from Republicans sharply opposed to the health care law. While Cohens appointment will not require Senate confirmation, she is likely to face ongoing scrutiny from Republican-led House committees investigating the Covid response. Ben Leonard contributed to this report. A nuclear-powered U.S. Navy submarine Paul Hennessy / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images While the headlines have recently been looking to the stars for the next iteration of military prowess, the United States is focusing on a different playing field to hone the next generation of war that may be just as foreign as outer space: the seabed. Less than 10% of the ocean floor has been mapped globally, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but this has not stopped the military from developing an array of technologies for use on the seabed. This is no small investment either; reports suggest the U.S. is looking to spend billions on seabed warfare. However, the Pentagon is not the only place where this type of dominance is being worked on, as both China and Russia are reportedly deep in the development of seabed technologies. A 2020 report in The National Interest suggested the U.S. was ahead of China in seabed development, though the Chinese Navy "is now giving the undersea realm the priority it deserves for ambitious naval powers in the 21st century," and Russia is reportedly working on similar technology. But how exactly does war play out on the seabed, and how will it factor into future conflicts? What's seabed warfare and how's the U.S. implementing it? The term seabed warfare does not yet have "a universally accepted definition," according to the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC). Still, the center describes it as "operations to, from and across the seabed." This type of warfare often involves targeting infrastructure, such as fiber-optic or power cables and deep-sea gas pipelines, the Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC) reported. As technological infrastructure becomes more advanced, the United States is looking to develop the next generation of military vehicles to become dominant on the seabed. The U.S. Navy is working on producing a $5.1 billion state-of-the-art spy submarine that would prowl the ocean floors, USA Today reported. The unnamed vessel, which would be a successor to the nuclear spy submarine USS Jimmy Carter, would "patrol the deepest reaches of the ocean and deploy minisubs and drones that can battle hostile forces while withstanding the crushing pressure of the ocean depths," according to the outlet. This new submarine is just one of several seabed technologies being developed, though USA Today stated the others remain secret. Naval News reported that the submarine is already being constructed at a naval shipyard in Groton, Connecticut, though no completion date has been revealed. Why is seabed warfare becoming an increasing threat? The most pressing concern is the possibility that hostile nations or terrorist groups could attack the aforementioned infrastructure, USA Today reported, especially given that "oil and gas pipelines crisscross the ocean floor, and telecommunications cables that connect one continent to another are even more ubiquitous." An attack on just a single cable "could knock out critically needed internet access, energy supplies and other necessities for tens of millions of people," USA Today added. Admiral James Stavridis, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, wrote in a 2017 report that 95% of internet traffic is carried by just 200 undersea fiber-optic cables, and an attack on any of them could be "potentially catastrophic" to the U.S. Foreign powers such as Russia are also reportedly using "underwater surveillance equipment and are mapping key sites for possible sabotage," according to BBC News, using deep-sea exploration vessels disguised as fishing trawlers. Then there's the threat of China, which the U.S. appears to see as the most pressing. Indian outlet Firstpost reported that the new American submarine could be used to "target China's military installations in remote South China Sea islands, infiltrate enemy naval bases and target hostile warships at port." One issue, though, is that limited knowledge of the deep oceans makes undersea operations very difficult. "The Navy's capability to affect in, from and into the deep ocean is at best extremely limited but for the most part nonexistent," CIMSEC reported. "Capabilities specifically relative to the seabed are even less and with the Navy's mine countermeasures capabilities also being very limited." So while the U.S. is reportedly working briskly to stop seabed threats, the technology's ubiquity may still be a ways away. You may also like Why are so many seniors homeless in America? Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for 'worst-case scenario' Fossils uncovered in Australia are 107 million-year-old pterosaurs bones, scientists say Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan became the first to utilize a new ethics principle that indicates justices may explain why they are recusing themselves from a case. But her conservative colleague on the bench, Justice Samuel Alito, opted not to share why he was stepping aside from a separate case, raising questions about whether the court can reach a consensus on its ethics standards, which have been under heavy scrutiny. It really ought to be the direction the court goes, because at a time when theres increasing skepticism, its one damned scandal after another, one way of dealing with that is through a little bit more transparency, said Charles Geyh, a professor at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. The cases couldnt be more different. Kagan recused herself from a matter involving a death row inmate, citing previous government employment; she served as U.S. solicitor general in the Obama administration. Alito opted to recuse himself from a case involving energy companies. While he provided no explanation on the matter, his financial disclosures show he owns stock in one of the companies involved in the case. The different approaches by Kagan and Alito have now become a subject of conversation for court watchers who think there should be a standard for justices to explain to the public the reasons behind a recusal. In the wake of ProPublicas reporting about undisclosed luxury trips that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted from Republican megadonor and real estate developer Harlan Crow, Democrats and judicial watchdog groups renewed a push for the justices to adopt a binding code of ethics. Weeks later, all nine justices signed and released a new statement on ethics that indicates a justice may provide a summary explanation of a recusal decision. Since the statement, justices have noted recusals 11 times, according to court records. Kagan became the first to leverage the new option to share her reason, and Alito is the only one since her to have recused but without giving a reason. I dont fault Justice Alito for failing to include a reason for his disqualification, because I think thats just been the norm. But I do applaud Justice Kagan for offering an explanation, Geyh said. Recusals at the high court are commonplace and occur roughly 200 times per year between all nine justices, according to the court. But research by watchdog group Fix the Court suggests Kagans recent choice marked the first time in 99 years that a justice gave an explanation. Her note was brief, citing prior government employment without further detail. The inmate who was petitioning the Supreme Court had also done so years earlier, while Kagan was serving as U.S. solicitor general. Days later, Alito gave no rationale for his recusal. But it appears to have been the result of a personal financial interest. The justices most recent disclosure indicates he invests in Phillips 66, one of the parties in the case, and the justice recently recused himself from another case involving the energy company. Alito did not return a request for comment through the courts public information office. Legal ethics experts said both are common reasons for recusals, but they are closely monitoring if any others follow Kagans lead. It may turn out to be just a practice that Kagan does by herself, and youll get to a particular behavioral trait that characterizes her and none of the others, said Russell Wheeler, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Democrats have meanwhile called for an outside intervention, arguing the court cant be trusted to police its own ethics after the recent woes. Chief Justice John Roberts has brushed aside those calls, and last week he stressed that he was committed to ensuring the court adheres to the highest standard of conduct, but signaled that was an insular process. Each justice largely maintains autonomy in making recusal and other ethics calls. The question becomes, are there alternative means to deal with Supreme Court recusals other than just leave it up to the judge, which some people say violates the old maxim that judges should not be judged in their own case? Wheeler said. The Supreme Court is also different from other federal benches, where an individual judge doesnt hear every case that comes through their court. A justices recusal, however, changes the voting math. The courts recent statement cautions that explaining is ill-advised in some circumstances, including when it might encourage strategic behavior by lawyers in future cases to prompt a recusal. Before the new policy, justices generally only provided explanations when declining a partys request for them to recuse themselves from a case. Roughly two decades ago, Justice Antonin Scalia issued such a memo when he rebuffed calls to recuse himself from a case involving former Vice President Dick Cheney following the duos duck-hunting trip, which came three weeks after the justices agreed to hear the case. If it is reasonable to think that a Supreme Court Justice can be bought so cheap, the Nation is in deeper trouble than I had imagined, he added. Scalias multi-page memo was far more extensive than the brief explanations the justices may now start issuing, but the effect may remain the same. That has served as precedent. In other words, if youre going to treat as precedential when you dont disqualify, then why not when you do? Geyh said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Myra Fernando of Worcester and her daughter, Heleiane, 2, take to the water Wednesday at Quinsigamond State Park. WORCESTER - The city was on the cusp of record-high temperature on Thursday, and the same was the case for Friday, according to the National Weather Service. That level of heat is not typical for early June, and another outlier is expected this weekend as temperatures are expected to drop like a boulder. Forecasters expect the temperature to dive roughly 30 degrees to a high in the mid-50s. Worcester's expected weekend rapid cooling is just a single degree off of the historical record for a 24-hour drop in temperature in the city since the 1960s, according to meteorologists. Here is a look at meteorological spring (March, April & May) across southern New England. All locations saw above normal temps with Boston, Worcester & Hartford falling in the top 15 warmest. #mawx #ctwx #riwx pic.twitter.com/1giTFe1UE5 NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) June 1, 2023 A heat record for Thursday and Friday was not absolutely out of the question in some parts of the city, as there can be slight swings in air temperature, according to meteorologist Bill Leatham with the National Weather Service. "We're approaching record high, no matter where you are in Worcester," Leatham said. "Now it looks like temperatures will fall short based on our forecast, but that doesn't mean it won't feel hot out." Readings taken at Worcester Regional Airport called for the upper 80s on Thursday, a few degrees shy of the all-time high of 92 for June 1, set in 1937. Friday's forecast predicted a peak of 88, just a tick below the record high of 89 degrees for June 2, set in 1920. Climate Central data and research organization estimates that the June 1 high temperature will be about 15 degrees higher in Massachusetts than a normal June 1 in preindustrial time before man-made emissions caused the climate crisis. The Climate Central data organization tracks how much the weather is different than it used to be, due to the climate crisis. For Massachusetts, on June 1, the group predicted a high temperature that would be about 15 degrees higher than a June 1 in preindustrial days before carbon emissions from man-made activity caused global heating. Heat health hazards in play in Mass. A swimmer braves the chilly water Wednesday at Quinsigamond State Park. As temperatures creeped near 90 this week, potential health hazards come into play. Spending time in the heat, where the "feels like" temperature exceeds 90, can be a problem for high-risk individuals. Thirty years ago, the number of days above 90 degrees in Worcester would have been around seven days. This year, approximately 16 days are expected to reach or exceed 90 on the heat index, according to First Street data organization, which tracks climate risk. This weekend's weather could be out of the ordinary From NOAA, the "climate normals" for two decades up to 2020 show what typical summer temperatures in Worcester have been like as the climate changes due to carbon emissions. "Definitely atypical" is how Leatham described the 35-degree downward swing expected from Friday's high of 88 to Saturday's peak of 53 degrees. The 35-degree difference is the second-highest numerical drop in a 24-hour period in Worcester's history for June since 1949. It is just one degree short of the record a 36-degree drop in our city. That benchmark was set on June 10, 1968, with a crash from 86 degrees to 50 degrees. May ended with string a sunny, clear-sky days, with the last 12 days sitting near or over 70 degrees. That stretch of temperature is unusually high, according to historical averages over a 30-year period from 1991 to 2021. Here is what April looked like, charted from 1980 to 2023 for Worcester County: The weather data has been charted by NOAA for April 2023 in Worcester County, and it shows how much the average temperature has been climbing since 1980 amid the climate crisis. The Telegram & Gazette is investigating the effects of a rapidly heating planet on people who live in our city. Follow along with "City on Fire" as we report the struggle with summer temperatures, even in New England. This is part of the USA TODAY project Perilous Course. Contact reporter Henry Schwan to be included in a story if you have been affected by heat: expense of air conditioning or lack of it, health risks, less access to green space, concern about pets and animals in the summer conditions, worry about an older loved one, etc. Bathers enjoy the beach and water Wednesday at Quinsigamond State Park. Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter: @henrytelegram. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Notable June weather change: Worcester going quickly from hot to cold The Pine Log Wildlife Management Area in White, Ga. is fully closed to the public as of Thursday. Since mid-May, the majority of entrances to the area, with the exception of the main entrance of Pine Log WMA, have been closed to the public, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. The DNR has been working on a deal to keep the WMA open to the public since the summer 2022, according to officials. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Since June 2022, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has worked to explore multiple options for retaining the property known as Pine Log Wildlife Management Area (WMA), including extending three written purchase offers, a DNR spokeswoman told Channel 2 Action News. Georgia DNR will continue to explore options that are fiscally responsible, allow public access, and protect the multiple federally and state-protected species of concern found on the WMA. However, under recent direction from the landowner, public access to the area will expire on June 1st. The management area, a 14,134-acre leased property, is described by DNR as popular, and having great conservation and recreational value for Georgians. The State has leased this property annually for more than 40 years. About a year ago, the landowners made the decision to sell the entire land holdings, including the property that is Pine Log WMA, with a purchase option extended to GA DNR, a DNR spokeswoman said. During the time of negotiations, the landowners extended the leased which is now coming up on its expiration date. As it currently stands, public access ended on June 1, with the main entrance locked as of Thursday, ending more than four decades of public access to the wildlife area. TRENDING STORIES: Due to the closure to the public, multiple petitions have been opened and signed since May 2022 in an effort to preserve access. According to a petition with about 13,500 signatures, the lands placement on the public market had caused serious widespread concern, to those trying to save the land. The petition goes further, saying that Bartow residents fear the potential industrial boom in their backyards, while others are more worried about impacts on the natural habitat and history of the area that development would bring. Owned by the Aubrey Corporation, a company owned by the Neel family and based in Cartersville, Ga., Pine Log WMAs 14,000 acres were put on sale as part of a larger land offering. Jim Ramseur, an attorney representing Aubrey Corp., told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution in March that the Neels just want a fair deal when it comes to buying the land. We are hopeful that the state will come forward and be in a position to pay fair market value for a large portion of greenspace that can remain the way its been for 50 years, Ramseur told the AJC. For the Pine Log WMA in White, starting Thursday, the 23 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, as well as trout streams and hunting areas for deer and turkey, will be closed to the public. Channel 2 Action News reached out to Ramseur for information about the WMAs status, and to request comment from the landowners, but have not yet gotten response. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: William and Kate Party on With 1,700 Guests at Royal Wedding of the Year ROYAL HASHEMITE COURT via Reuters It was dubbed the royal wedding of the year and it did not disappoint. More than 1,700 guests, including British royals and world leaders, descended on the Jordanian capital on Thursday to see a Saudi billionaires daughter ride a custom Rolls-Royce to her wedding to the nations crown prince. Among the big names in attendance were Prince William and Princess Kate of the British royal family and United States first lady Jill Biden. Also present at the Zahran Palace were U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, Princess Charlotte, and royals from Belgium, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Japan, Sky News reported. Prince William and Princess Kate meet Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif at their wedding ceremony. ROYAL HASHEMITE COURT via Reuters William and Kates appearance at the wedding remained under wraps until they were seen at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday. The pair met with Jordans king and queen before settling in to watch Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II exchange rings with Saudi architect Rajwa Alseif in a much-hyped union. Alseifnow officially known as Her Royal Highness Princess Rajwa Al Husseinrode to the palace in a custom-built 1968 Rolls-Royce Phantom V. She wore a white dress, while the crown prince appeared beside her in a military uniform complete with a gold sword. In a traditional Muslim ceremony, the pair signed a marriage contract in an open-air gazebo wreathed in flowers and surrounded by guests. They departed in a motorcade flanked by a squad of Land Rovers and motorcycles, as well as a military band, bound for a reception with an expected 1,700 attendees, the Associated Press reported. REUTERS/Ahmad Abdo The 29-year-old Alseif, who went to college in the U.S., is the daughter of a Saudi billionaire with family ties to the countrys monarchy. Her union with Crown Prince Hussein could help forge deeper ties between the neighboring Arab states. Her new husband, also educated in the U.S., has become an increasingly visible figure in the country and around the globe. The Jordanian monarchy had heavily promoted the wedding on social media and around the capital, possibly seeking to boost its reputation amid economic woes. Crowds that had gathered to watch broadcasts of the event erupted into cheers and waved Jordanian flags when the two finally tied the knot, according to the AP. ROYAL HASHEMITE COURT via Reuters Thursday doesnt mark the end of the newly married couples wedding festivities. On June 10, the pair is scheduled to join a 450-person beachfront soiree on the Italian island of Sardiniawhere theyve run afoul of locals for installing a massive steel structure on the shore of an adjacent islet. 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. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty The day after The Daily Wire was set to begin streaming all its podcasts on Twitter, the right-wing media company claimed Twitter balked at a deal to stream an anti-transgender documentary. In a series of Thursday morning tweets, Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing accused Twitter of refusing a deal to spotlight What Is a Woman?, an anti-trans documentary The Daily Wire had intended to broadcast on June 1 for the start of Pride Month. Boreing claimed Twitter labeled the film as hateful, citing instances in which it misgendered transgender people. The fallout comes amid a right-wing turn for Twitter. In April, the company removed its policy explicitly prohibiting misgendering. Conservative media personalities subsequently announced plans to stream shows on the site, which they say is less likely than sites like YouTube to ban them for making false or anti-LGBTQ statements. Boreings tweets, however, suggest potential trouble for the partnership. How YouTube Built a Radicalization Machine for the Far-Right The Daily Wire boss claimed that the conservative media company had reached out to Twitter for a deal allowing them to stream the film for free on the social-media platform, with promotion in users feeds. Twitter responded with enthusiasm and offered us the opportunity to buy a package to host the movie on a dedicated event page and to promote the event to every Twitter user over the first 10 hours, Boreing tweeted. But Twitter called off the deal after reviewing the film, Boreing alleged. Twitter let us know that not only could we no longer purchase the package they offered, they would no longer provide us any support and would actually limit the reach of the film and label it as hateful conduct because of misgendering, he wrote. Twitter representatives did not return requests for comment. Twitters media email auto-responded with a poop emoji, as it has done since shortly after Elon Musks takeover last year. Twitter, as Boreing noted in his thread, no longer explicitly bans misgendering. In April, the company removed language from its content moderation guidelines that prohibited targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals. Boreing further claimed Twitter told The Daily Wire that misgendering still violates the sites broader policy against harassment and abuse. Twitter canceled a deal with @realdailywire to premiere What is a Woman? for free on the platform because of two instances of misgendering. Im not kidding. Here's what happened:1/16 Jeremy Boreing (@JeremyDBoreing) June 1, 2023 Twitters current rules state that you may not directly attack other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, or serious disease. Right-wing Twitter personalities, meanwhile, were quick to blast the move as a betrayal by the social-media giant. Under Musks leadership, the site has adopted policies friendly to the far right, including revoking bans on users who had previously been ousted for hateful conduct. The site has also recently pivoted toward streaming arrangements with right-wing figures. Following his termination from Fox News, Tucker Carlson announced that he would start a new show on Twitter, although Musk tweeted shortly after Carlsons May 9 announcement that Twitter had not signed a deal with the former Fox star. Matt Walsh, the far-right personality behind What Is a Woman? began streaming his Daily Wire web show on Twitter in April. In an announcement last month, The Daily Wire stated that it would begin streaming all of its podcasts on Twitter. This Right-Wing Media Feud Just Took an Ugly Turn Beginning Tuesday, May 30, all of The Daily Wires top-ranked shows will stream for free on Twitter, the largest social media platform that refuses to allow leftist censors to gatekeep content based on politics, The Daily Wires announcement read. After Boreings tweets on Thursday, critics on the right were quick to blame Linda Yaccarino, Twitters new CEO. Yaccarino, who did not respond to a request for comment, was previously an ad executive at NBCUniversal and has been tasked with the challenge of rebuilding trust with advertisers that cut ties with Twitter after Musks takeover. Yaccarinos appointment sparked outrage among the right, which took issue with both Musks departure as CEO and Yaccarinos past work for the World Economic Forum. On Thursday afternoon, Musk responded to The Daily Wire by criticizing Twitters decision. This was a mistake by many people at Twitter. It is definitely allowed, Musk responded to one of Boreings tweets claiming Twitter had prohibited misgendering. However, it is unclear whether Musks interpretation of the policy regarding misgendering will prompt Twitter to reconsider the What Is A Woman? streaming deal. As of early Thursday evening, the site still restricted visibility for clips of the film that showed transgender people being misgendered. This Tweet may violate Twitters rules against hateful conduct, reads a note on the film clips reads. 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. Witness testifies to jury that Adam Montgomery was in her apartment night of gun theft In the gun theft trial of Adam Montgomery, a woman told the jury that Adam was in her apartment the night two guns were stolen from underneath her bed. Kim Fran told the jury that while her ex-husband, Chris Frain, was in New York on a construction job, Montgomery was in her living room where the two wanted to buy drugs, but they passed out. We went into the living room, I remember just sitting on the couch, Frain said. Then I looked over at him, he was half asleep. I had been up for three days at that time, and I remember closing my eyes. When I woke up in the morning, he was gone. Montgomery is accused of stealing a shotgun and an AR-15 assault rifle from the Frain home and offering it for sale in late September and early October 2019. Adam Montgomery, father of missing Harmony Montgomery, faces new gun charges Frain testified that even though she pawned off her husbands wedding ring and other objects, she didnt move the guns. She said she grew suspicious about Montgomery when she heard others talking about him possibly stealing the guns. But under cross-examination, Frain had difficulty answering questions from Montgomerys lawyer. Another witness, Mark Reed, told the jury that Adam Montgomery reached out to him on Facebook Messenger, offering to sell him two guns. In the exchanges, Montgomery said he needed money because his family was facing eviction from their Manchester home. This was only months before Harmony Montgomery disappeared. In her opening statement, Montgomerys lawyer, Caroline Smith, said Frain actually gave the guns to her drug dealer in return for drugs. She pointed out that Frain had pawned off her husbands wedding ring and other personal items to feed her drug habit, although Frain told jurors she has been sober for three years. Montgomery did nothing more than help the drug dealer sell the guns, Frain said. The defense attorney said Adams notoriety is driving this prosecution. Montgomery is on trial, charged with being a career-armed criminal, the accusation stemming from the two gun thefts in September 2019. He is not yet on trial for the murder of his 5-year-old daughter Harmony Montgomery, who was last seen three months later in December 2019. Adam Montgomerys trial for Harmony Montgomerys death is scheduled to begin later this year. More of 25 Investigates coverage of Harmony Montgomerys disappearance: 25 Investigates: Lawmakers put the brakes on proposed Harmony Montgomery Commission First glimpse inside the NH apartment searched in Harmony Montgomery investigation Harmony Montgomerys mother tells Boston 25 News, this is no longer a rescue mission Group sends Harmony Montgomery birthday cards to jailed father, Adam Internal review of New Hampshires handling of Harmony Montgomerys case released Boston 25 News Special Report: Searching for Harmony Montgomery 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 A 24-year-old Kansas City, Kansas, woman has been charged in the shooting of a man who allegedly stopped her from assaulting a Blue Springs hotel employee, according to a news release from the Jackson County Prosecutors office. Prosecutors charged Samantha J. Thrasher with two counts each of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting that injured a 36-year-old man. A 7-year-old girl was also struck by gunfire. Blue Springs police on Thursday released a flyer asking for help locating Thrasher, saying she was wanted in connection with the shooting that occurred about 11:50 p.m. on May 20 at the SureStay Plus Hotel at 701 N.W. South Outer Road Thrasher is considered armed and very dangerous, so do not attempt to apprehend but call the local police if she is seen, police said on Facebook. Anyone who knows Thrashers whereabouts is asked to call their local police or 911. According to court documents, officers responding to the shooting found the man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He had been shot at least four times, including in the back and groin area. The girl had a gunshot wound to her elbow. Both victims were taken to hospitals where they were treated for their injuries. The initial investigation revealed the victims first encountered Thrasher as they were walking into the hotel. A witness told police that Thrasher nearly struck the two victims and others with her tan Tahoe when she drove up onto the curb in front of the hotel. The witness yelled at Thrasher and Thrasher yelled back. The witness later told police that she noticed that Thrashers pupils were allegedly dilated and her speech gave the impression she was under the influence of an unknown substance. The witness told police that Thrasher went into the hotel lobby and demanded a refund for her room. The hotel employee responded that only a manager could do so. A verbal altercation ensued, and Thrasher allegedly grabbed the hotel employee by the hair and struck her, according to court documents. The man intervened to try to stop the assault and escorted Thrasher out of the hotel. Then, Thrasher swung at the man with a closed fist before walking to her SUV. Hotel surveillance video allegedly captured Thrasher opening the passenger side door and appearing to rummage through something. She then pulled out a handgun from inside the vehicle, returned to hotel lobby and allegedly fired multiple rounds from the gun at the man, striking him. One of the rounds went through a couch and passed through the girls elbow. Thrasher then returned to her Tahoe and fled the scene. Court documents showed the man who was wounded in the shooting had previously taken a photo of the SUVs license plate, which was registered to Thrasher. A hotel desk clerk also provided police with a copy of Thrashers Kansas drivers license, which she used to register the hotel room. While collecting evidence, police also found a live .40 caliber cartridge next to where Thrashers SUV had been in the parking lot. Four spent casings were found inside the hotel lobby. Police noted that while reviewing the surveillance footage, it appeared there was at least one child and another adult in the Tahoe, according to court documents. Woman arrested twice for trafficking teen girls convicted of trafficking 16-year-old DeKalb girl A College Park woman was convicted for human trafficking a 16-year-old girl from DeKalb County. Jahaundria Seabron, 27, pleaded guilty to trafficking the girl in December 2020. She was sentenced to 30 years, with 18 years in prison according to the Georgia Attorney Generals Office. Seabron pleaded guilty on May 15 for the following charges: Knowingly transporting a person under the age of 18 years for the purpose of sexual servitude; Knowingly harboring a person under the age of 18 years for the purpose of sexual servitude; Knowingly providing a person under the age of 18 years for the purpose of sexual servitude; and Knowingly benefitting financially from the sexual servitude of a person under the age of 18 years. This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Kaitlyn Fain Salinas with the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit. The Georgia Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit opened a new case against Seabron, and another defendant, Courdale Thayer, in September 2022, according to Georgia AG Chris Carr. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The AGs office said that an investigation conducted by three investigators led to the discovery of potential victims who were identified only by an image and a nickname. The Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit was able to identify, and later interview, the 16-year-old from DeKalb who was trafficked by Seabron. TRENDING STORIES: Seabron and Thayer were indicted at the end of November in DeKalb. The case against Thayer remains active and ongoing. Separately, Seabron is facing other human trafficking charges in Fulton County for trafficking a 14-year-old girl in February 2021, who was rescued. According to the AGs office, Seabron and Thayer were already facing charges in Fulton County separately from a different sex trafficking case involving the 14-year-old. In late 2021 the two were arrested after an extensive 10-month investigation, where a 14-year-old girl was rescued. The Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit started investigating the two of them after receiving an alert from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators were able to identify, locate, and rescue her based on the information from the alert. She had been missing from the College Park area for about seven weeks, according to the AG. Both Seabron and Thayer were indicted in Fulton County in January 2022. The two were indicted on charges of human trafficking, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and cruelty to children in the first degree in Fulton County back in January 2022. Both were accused of unlawfully and knowingly subjecting or maintaining another person, in this case a 16-year-old, in sexual servitude, or knowingly recruit, entice, harbor, transport, solicit, patronize, or obtain by any means any victim for the purpose of sexual servitude, leading to charges of one count each of trafficking persons for sexual servitude. The case remains active and ongoing, according to officials. Those charges could result in a life sentence if theyre convicted. According to previous information from the Attorney Generals Office, there were other suspects in the case involving the 14-year-old victim. Those individuals face the following charges and potential penalties: Jody Netter: Human Trafficking for Sexual Servitude, Rape, Child Molestation and Cruelty to Children. If convicted, the maximum potential sentence is life in prison plus 40 years. Raphel Olivia Sewer: Human Trafficking for Sexual Servitude. If convicted, the maximum potential sentence is life in prison. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] OTHER NEWS: A woman with an ethnically Chinese name called out 'name discrimination' and shared all the ways she was treated differently after going by an Anglo name The TikToker hopes to get her legal name officially changed. Screenshot/TikTok - sageisgroovy A TikToker has struck a chord with viewers with a video explaining why she changed her Chinese name. She said when she changed her first name from "Xinyuan" to "Sage" she was treated profoundly differently. She now hears back more often for job applications and gets more matches on dating apps. A TikToker said her decision to drop her birth name "Xinyuan" and go by the Anglo name "Sage" has changed her life, and helped curb some of the name-related discrimination she faced before. A video explaining her decision has amassed tens of thousands of views, with many commenters cheering her on and saying they too have been treated differently because of their name. Xinyuan Ye, who goes by Sage now, told Insider that she is ethnically Chinese and grew up in the United States. Ye said she's been using Sage as a "Starbucks name," or for food orders and other customer service transactions, for the last few years. She decided to start implementing the new name into her daily life around four months ago as she was starting to look for jobs. In the video, she said there have been striking differences since switching to an English name, proving that "name discrimination" is an issue in the US. "Before, when I used Xinyuan, I would go hours or even days without really hearing my name being said," she said. After going by Sage, Ye said she's noticed people called her by her name a lot more prevalently, even in casual conversation. Ye also said she has started receiving way more inquiries from hiring managers on LinkedIn, and she receives more likes and matches on dating apps. "The minute I changed my name, I've been getting way more likes," she said. "I'll open Hinge and I'll have 50 to 60 likes. I can't even keep up with all of them anymore." Ye said the way people are treating her now has boosted her confidence. "Sadly, changing my name was the decision of my life," she wrote in the video description. Ye told Insider that she's planning to get her name changed legally, although she's been putting it off because the process is arduous and expensive. She said her family has been supportive of the change. "My parents didn't really think about giving me an English name, whereas they gave my brother an English name because he was born here," she said. "I think my parents were also able to tell that because we had different names, there was a little bit of name discrimination on my end, and they've always regretted not giving me an English name." The reaction to the video has been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers complimenting both of her names. It's also struck a deep chord with people who can relate and who said they too have experienced name discrimination. "This video hits sooo close to home for me I also have an ethnic name (Yiling) and def notice how people will just not say my name," one commenter wrote. "Growing up with an Asian name in a white town meant that no one said your name or they would make fun of it," another person said. "I feel your pain." Some commenters said the video inspired them to make more of an effort to say non-English names out loud, which Ye thought was "really great to see." Read the original article on Insider A woman was injured after someone fired a gun at her and other people in a northwest Fort Worth park early Thursday, police said. Officers were dispatched to Marion Sansom Park, at 2501 Roberts Cut Off Road, around 1:15 a.m. regarding a shooting. The 911 caller said an unknown man had fired a gun at some people in a car. Gunfire struck the car, but it wasnt initially thought that anyone was injured. A short time later officers were dispatched to a hospital where a shooting victim had arrived. The woman told police she was shot during the incident at the park. The shooter approached the vehicle she was in, pulled out a gun and fired it several times. The victim was shot once in the backside and taken to the hospital in a private vehicle, according to police. There are no suspects in custody, police said, and the Gun Violence Unit will investigate the shooting. A woman went into labor on the dance floor during Zedd's EDC set, and she paid tribute to the DJ with her daughter's name Cristina Celis went into labor while dancing at EDC, the largest rave in North America. Cristina Celis Cristina Celis went into labor while at Electric Daisy Carnival, the biggest rave in North America. Celis was 32 weeks pregnant at the time. She felt her first contraction while at Zedd's set. She named her daughter Izzabella the extra Z in honor of Zedd and gave her the middle name "Daisy." Cristina Celis was dancing to her favorite DJ at Electric Daisy Carnival, the largest electronic music festival in North America, when she suddenly felt a strange pain. Celis, who was nearly 32 weeks pregnant at the time, was going into labor right there on the dance floor. She told Insider she has made the trek from her hometown in Santa Clarita, California, to EDC which is held in Las Vegas every year since 2018. On the morning she left for EDC, Celis saw her doctor as a precaution and was given the all-clear to enjoy her favorite three-day music festival. Celis said she felt normal when Zedd kicked off his performance just before 2 a.m. on May 20. "I was off to the side enjoying his set. I made sure I wasn't too much in the crowd," she said. "Then I felt something off." Celis and her boyfriend, Jonathan Garcia, went to the first-aid tent, where a doctor decided she should go to the hospital. While she was in the ambulance, the contractions got more intense, she said. Seventeen minutes after she got to the hospital, Celis gave birth to her daughter, Izzabella Daisy Garcia. Celis gave birth 17 minutes after she arrived at the hospital. Cristina Celis "I was feeling every emotion when I was holding her," Celis said. "It was super special. Even though she was super early, I felt like everything was going to be OK." And Celis decided to pay special tribute to Izzabella's very unique birth with some changes to her name. "We knew we wanted to name her 'Izabella,' but we added the second Z because it started at Zedd's set," she said. "And 'Daisy' for EDC." "EDC has been a big part of my life for the longest time, and it just felt right," she added. When Celis woke up the next morning, she learned that Zedd had heard the news. "When I saw that Zedd tweeted us and was looking for us, I was super shocked," she told Insider. "He's a big deal, so I didn't think he would hear about us!" Celis replied to the tweet with a picture of herself cuddling Izzabella. "CONGRATS! So happy you're both healthy and that I had the honor to be the soundtrack," he replied. As Celis' story spread and began to make headlines, she received some negative pushback from people who didn't think she should've been at EDC while pregnant. But she said she isn't fazed by the criticism. "They don't know the whole story or how I was feeling," she said. "And that's their own opinions. We don't read into them. And we want to say thank you to everyone who is showing us support and speaking on behalf of us." Celis and Garcia will have to stay in Las Vegas for at least another six weeks until doctors give Izzabella the OK to travel home. They've since set up a GoFundMe to raise money for her hospital bills. Celis and her boyfriend Jonathan Garcia with their daughter Izzabella. Cristina Celis Once she's old enough, Celis said she's excited to take Izzabella to her first show and teach her all about the community that she loves so much. "We do want to show Izzy everything we can about the rave community and teach her all about PLUR and just being kind to everyone no matter what," she said. "That in the rave community you can be anyone you want to be, and you will be welcomed." Read the original article on Insider Usha Devi earns money, takes all decisions for her family and is considered the head of her household "Everyone now knows me by my name," said Usha Devi, sitting in her modest home in Bihar, one of India's poorest states. "Identity is not a small thing," the 38-year-old persisted. "Earlier only men were known by their names, now women are identified by their names too." Usha Devi was made to quit school and marry at the age of 15. Forced into repeated pregnancies in the family's desire for a son, she had little control over anything in her life. After her husband had to migrate in search of work, the mother to three daughters and a son rose to take charge of the house and their children's lives. She moved out of her in-laws' home into a separate house in the same village. She now earns money and takes all decisions for the family and is considered the head of her household. The United Nations says there is no fixed definition for women-headed households but they are often defined as homes where either no adult men are present or they do not contribute to the household income. Economists and demographers understand the term head of the household to refer to someone who earns money and has authority to take decisions in the family. In case of married women, when husbands migrate and do not live at home for six months or more, women are counted as the head of household. These are often self declared. It's a story repeating itself across villages and small towns of India where distress-related migration by men is leading to an opportunity for women. Usha Devi's husband says their children now have a chance at a better future because of their mother Sociologist and demographer Professor Sonalde Desai says this opportunity hinges on the wife's ability to move out of her husband's family home where she may remain dependent on other male members like her father-in-law and brothers-in-law. "In cases where a woman is able to establish an independent household by herself, we see a real change in her ability to make decisions, her likelihood of taking care of some financial responsibilities, even managing and running the farm," Prof Desai says. Over the past three decades, the proportion of households headed by women has almost doubled, data from the National Family Health Survey shows. A big contributor to this change in the patriarchal family set-up is internal migration, which has shown a rising trend. India's last census in 2011 counted 450 million internal migrants. This was an increase of 45% over the last decade, a rate much higher than the population growth rate (18%) in the same period. Faced with Covid-19 induced poverty and shrinking employment opportunities, Prof Desai predicts this trend will only increase in the coming years. Independent and confident, Usha Devi is now a leader amongst women in her village. Her job as the head of a self-help group involves enrolling women into a government scheme that gives easy loans to poor women. The group meets every week, collecting small contributions of 10 rupees ($0.12; 0.09) each to build a small corpus, often visiting the bank to deposit it and make requests for loans, and making financial decisions like lending small sums of money from the corpus for emergencies. Usha Devi began running a self-help group in her village in 2016 At a meeting I attended, there was disagreement and laughter in equal measure. The bonhomie of an informal support network, independent of their menfolk and families. "Now we all know each other by name. And with the help of the more literate members, I have learnt to write my name and manage financial transactions," says Munni Devi. Shobha Devi is one of those more literate group members. She also had an early marriage but was able to complete her education later and often takes over in Usha's absence. "The money my husband sends is often not enough, so we help each other through thick and thin," she says. "Since I know how to manage money, I also have a greater say in spending decisions now." Shobha Devi is part of a growing tribe of women who are more educated than their husbands. According to the India Human Development Survey, among couples who got married in the 1980s, only 5% of women were more educated than their husbands. This rose to 20% for those in the 2000s and the 2010s. "If we understand headship [head of family] not simply as who the biggest earner is but also as someone who is capable of making decisions, I suspect increasing power may be moving towards these more educated women," Prof Desai explains. When Usha Devi began earning 11 years ago, she invested in her studies and acquired a college degree. In 2012, she began working with a non-governmental organisation, going door-to-door collecting health data of mothers and infants. She began running the self-help group in 2016, a decision supported by her husband, Ranjeet who dropped out of school when he was 10. He says he only realised that was a mistake when he saw how "smart" his wife was. "If my wife hadn't educated herself, my children would have turned out like me. She is the reason they may have a chance for a better future," he says. Usha Devi's eldest daughter Rashmi takes tuition classes to supplement the household income It's a rare confession from a man brought up in a country steeped in traditional gender roles. In some ways, migration makes it inevitable that men loosen the control and rely more on their wives. Ranjeet struggled for work in his village where there were few skilled jobs and none that he was qualified for. So he is proud that he can provide for his family by working in a factory that manufactures ropes in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Despite their increased autonomy at home, Usha Devi, Shobha Devi and the other women I spoke with still saw themselves as second to their husbands. "I am not great, it's him. If he hadn't supported me, I would have never moved ahead," says Usha Devi. But for many young women, including her daughter Rashmi, she has become a role model. "I saw my mother change and thought I could also become like her." Rashmi takes tuition classes to supplement the household income and dreams of saving enough to train and become a policewoman. It's not just a career goal but an example she wants to set for people, just like her mother. "Villagers should not feel that only boys can run a household," she says. "Girls can do it too - if only they are brought up that way and allowed more freedom. BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features. Read more India stories from the BBC: Remains of pregnancies were sometimes not being stored in a way that tallied with the providers policies, the review found (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Women are waiting too long for abortions, according to a major review into a leading UK provider. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) review of the leadership at the abortion provider the British Pregnancy Advisory Service found there were delays in investigating incidents. The remains of some pregnancies were sometimes not stored properly and there were issues were record keeping, patient monitoring and safe care, the review found. The watchdog also noted women did not always receive care in a timely way to meet their needs. British Pregnancy Advisory Service delivers pregnancy terminations for the NHS to more than 100,000 women every year, with 49 clinics in England coming under the CQCs remit. The health watchdog said: In August 2021 we found significant concerns in we found that safe care was not being provided; ineffective safeguarding processes; incomplete risk assessments were not fully completed; observations were not monitored or recorded; records were not fully completed, clear or up to date. The regulator also raised concerns about ineffective systems to safely prescribe, administer and store medicines, warned staff did not always recognise and report incidents and managers did not consistently check staff followed national and local guidance. The watchdog stated, staff did not always support clients to make informed decisions about their care and treatment. Its review discovered there was no system to track risks and no clear route by which local risks could be escalated to the executive team, the CQC said. Commenting on the review, Richard Bentley, of MSI Reproductive Choices, the UKs leading abortion provider, told The Independent: All abortion providers are operating against a tough backdrop. Not only is there unprecedented demand, but abortion services have been underfunded for far too long. At MSI, we work hard to innovate and invest, and we will keep on doing so until everyone who needs or wants an abortion is able to access the high-quality care they deserve. A spokesperson for the British Pregnancy Advisory Service said the report raised some concerns around governance and oversight that it was taking action to address. The representative explained the provider has provided healthcare for record numbers of women during the past three years and said it was proud to have preserved access during the pandemic through the development of our world-leading telemedical abortion service. The pace of change has been intense, and the rise in womens needs has increased the pressure on our organisation, the spokesperson added. After a period of significant growth at a service level, we are now focused on ensuring that our policies, procedures, and structures are fully suited to the size and scale of the charity we have become. Feedback given via the organisations online client satisfaction survey demonstrated 98 per cent of those polled would recommend the abortion provider to an individual in need of care, it said. FILE - New York Yankees' Josh Donaldson runs the bases after his solo home run off Detroit Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Donaldson will start a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment on Thursday, May 25, 2023, and slugger Giancarlo Stanton could begin one as soon as this weekend. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) SEATTLE (AP) Yankees manager Aaron Boone said its definitely in play, that the trio of Josh Donaldson, Giancarlo Stanton and Tommy Kahnle could return to New York's active roster this weekend in Los Angeles. Boone wasnt willing to definitely say Wednesday that the trio would rejoin the Yankees before their series against the Dodgers. But indications were the three will soon be back. Its definitely in play, but lets get through today, Boone said. Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday. Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring and Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15. Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run, one hit and walked two. Boone said he wasnt concerned about Stanton potentially returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be just a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees. Well kind of build him up outfield wise in his pregame and things like that, but initially just DH, Boone said. Donaldson has been out since April 6 and Kahnle has yet to pitch in the regular season due to right biceps tendonitis. Anthony Rizzo was out of the lineup for a third straight game due to a stiff neck, but Boone said he expected Rizzo back in the lineup on Friday. Rizzo was hurt in last Sundays win over San Diego during a collision with Fernando Tatis Jr. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports A tourist at Wyomings Yellowstone National Park was caught on video taking a selfie dangerously close to a bison last month. The encounter was captured on video on May 20 in Biscuit Basin and shows a woman standing over a bison that was lying down in the grass. The person who recorded the video told Storyful that they were in a "bit of disbelief" as they stood in a parking lot and witnessed the woman risk her well-being and the bison's for a selfie. "We felt horrible for the bison," the witness said. "We knew if it just inadvertently stood up, she would be gored, and it would most likely have to be euthanized through no fault of its own." YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK OFFICIALS SAY MAN DISTURBED BABY BISON, RESULTING IN ITS DEATH Tourists at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming recorded video of another visitor taking a selfie dangerously close to a bison last month. The National Park Service (NPS) warns visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife, including bison. Those who disregard the parks regulations may face fines, potential injury and even death, according to the agency. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The woman, who has not been identified, approached the bison in Biscuit Basin on May 20. "The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules," NPS says. Approaching wildlife not only endangers the individual but also the well-being of the animals, officials say. Park officials have said bison have injured more visitors in Yellowstone than any other animal. The park described bison as unpredictable and noted that the animals can run three times faster than humans. The National Park Service warns visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: THINGS TO DO AND SEE, WHERE TO STAY, AND MORE The video was taken on the same day that another tourist was recorded trying to pet a bison that was grazing by a pathway. That bison was seen lowering its head and lunging at the woman with its horns. The animal snagged the tourist's sweater, but she managed to break loose and appeared unharmed. In another recent incident, a Hawaii man is facing charges after Yellowstone staff euthanized a newborn bison calf that he is accused of interfering with, causing the herd to reject the baby. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Last year, a bison at Yellowstone gored a 25-year-old Ohio woman and tossed her 10 feet into the air after she got too close to the animal as it was walking near a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin, just north of Old Faithful. FOX News Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report. The French call it coup de foudre. This translates to thunderbolt; love at first sight. We Americans call it chemistry. Some people might call it meeting hot. I dont know a single who doesnt want to experience it. I only experienced it myself once, so I can only say that when the thunderbolt struck me, I was so confused since I was clueless about what was happening that I threw a beverage in the poor mans face. Thats how intense this chemistry stuff can get. I admit to being chemistry-challenged. My first awareness of this lack came when I was assigned to gorgeous, kind Mr. Shiptons chemistry class in high school. My glow wore off in about two weeks when I came to understand that Mr. Shiptons beauty both inner and outer was not going to get me through even one semester of his class. So I dropped the course. Ive never looked back. How was I to know how important chemistry would be to my professional future? I do remember this much: you have to have several components to have chemistry. And what kind of a reaction you get depends on how theyre combined. There are zero apparent reactions; itty-bitty reactions; and BOOM. We singles wander around, yearning for chemistry the BOOM reaction is the one we seek but we dont pay much attention to the components. Belatedly, I have recently found out that this chemistry stuff also is critical in the business world. Just this week, I was highly intrigued to read the following in the business section of our newspaper concerning professional chemistry: According to executive search consultants, all other things being equal, the right `chemistry represents 99 percent of the attraction between the employer and the candidate who finally gets the job. `Chemistry is the word often used in these situations to describe first impressions, making a connection with the interviewer and fitting in with the corporate culture. `That all-important chemistry, is the way this critical factor is described in NetWords, the quarterly publication of Exec-U-Net, a national career management networking organization. The writers asked Barbara Provus, a principal in an executive search firm what makes the right chemistry. She responded: `I look for the candidates who have a twinkle in their eye, who can laugh at themselves, appear relaxed and unthreatened, and who are not afraid to disclose the odd personal detail about their lives or to admit to failing occasionally on the path to maturity. But shes `always turned off by a weak handshake and by people who do not make eye contact, allow their eyes to wander or who look at their watches. Provus also notes that much of the chemistry is created in the first five minutes. I really like the part about being unafraid to disclose the odd personal detail about their lives. And the part about admitting to failing occasionally on the path to maturity. I am capable of doing this almost weekly. Publicly. In writing. For example, a while back, a professor complimented me on this column, stating that he read it avidly. Regularly. But, he said, lowering his voice, how can you write about your personal experiences the way you do? It was obvious he was embarrassed for me. Mortified, in fact. At the time, I told him that writing about my experiences in abject humiliation gives other people hope, but now that Ive learned more about the importance of this chemistry stuff, I would tell him: Hey, lighten up youre watching chemistry in action! I have a plethora of odd, personal details about my life. And as far as failing occasionally on the path to maturity, shoot, I have paved the path to maturity with my failures. As a matter of fact, my second job is being in charge of the failing-occasionally-on-the-path-to-maturity chain gang. The only part of the above description that Im concerned about is that Provus doesnt seem to make the connection that when people do spill their guts, indulge in those odd, personal details and give vivid descriptions of failing occasionally on the path to maturity, all too often, chemistry is not what happens. Instead, you catch the recipients avoiding making eye contact, allowing their eyes to wander or looking at their watches. But I refuse to give up hope of experiencing that coup de foudre kind of chemistry just one more time. Only this time, I am really, really not going to extinguish any chemical reactions that take place. At least not in the first five minutes. * Rockett is the owner of the Hampton Roads-based singles magazine, In Search Of. She conducts seminars, classes, mixers and other events for singles. For more information, send a legal-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope to In Search Of, P.O. Box 69151, Hampton, VA 23669. FIRST ON FOXRepublican Congressman Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., will introduce legislation Thursday to prohibit universities that "authorize antisemitic events on campus" from participating in student loan and grant programs. The Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act was proposed in response to a recent controversial CUNY Law School commencement speech, where the speaker, student Fatima Mousa Mohammed, accused the U.S. military and Israel of "indiscriminate" murder, and asked students to join a "revolution" against Zionism, capitalism and racism. Mohammed said that Israel "continues to indiscriminately rain bullets and bombs on worshipers, murdering the old, the young, attacking even funerals and graveyards" and encourages "lynch mobs to target Palestinian homes and businesses as it imprisons its children." NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS BLASTS 'NEGATIVITY AND DIVISIVENESS' IN CUNY LAW STUDENT'S COMMENCEMENT SPEECH The speech drew bipartisan backlash from progressives like Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., who called the address "anti-Israel derangement syndrome," and former New York Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin, who said that taxpayer money should be pulled from the college for "raging antisemitism." Lawler is calling for CUNY to "face stiff penalties if they continue to let hate have a home" through his bill, which would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add that an institution cannot "authorize, facilitate, provide funding for, or otherwise support" antisemitism. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "CUNY should be ashamed of itself for allowing this ridiculous antisemitism to permeate on its campus," he added. "Stopping antisemitism dead in its tracks is critical for supporting our Jewish communities in New York." JEWISH GROUPS, ALLIES DEMAND CUNY LAW LOSE FUNDING AFTER STUDENT'S 'VILE' ANTI-ISRAEL COMMENCEMENT SPEECH Fatima Mohammed speaks about destroying the oppressor state and blasting law enforcement as "fascists." Jeffery Lax, a law professor at the university, told Fox News' Trace Gallagher Wednesday on "Fox News @ Night," "In my 20 years of doing this, this is the worst, most disgusting commencement speech I've ever heard." The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of New York and New Jersey tweeted, "We are appalled to see such an egregious display of hostility toward Zionists (which is how many Jews see themselves) and Israel in CUNY Laws commencement address. This is yet another example of the harm Jewish students experience on campus." The pro-Israel American campus group tracked 18 incidents since 2015 on CUNY law school campus where students or faculty spoke out against Israel. According to the Jewish Virtual Library, 36 states have adopted laws, executive orders, or resolutions designed to discourage boycotts against Israel. Many, but not all of these laws have been designed to limit or discourage Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) groups on college campuses. Police said the suspects -- aged 18, 17 and 16 -- were arrested on charges including criminal mischief, theft and trespassing Three teenagers have been arrested in the northern United States after allegedly killing and eating a swan that they thought was a duck, police said. The pen -- called Faye -- was killed over the weekend at a pond in Manlius, a suburb of Syracuse in upstate New York, the local police department said in a statement. The suspects stole her four cygnets and intended to keep them as pets, Sergeant Kenneth Hatter of Manlius police told reporters. The baby swans were later recovered alive from a nearby shop, where one of the suspects worked, and a private residence. Faye, however, was less fortunate. "The family and friends did consume the adult swan. They believed it was just a very large duck," Hatter told a press conference Tuesday. "They did not know it was not a wild animal, that it was actually property of the village of Manlius," he added. The suspects -- aged 18, 17 and 16 -- were arrested on charges including criminal mischief, theft and trespassing, Hatter said. Swans have been a symbol of Manlius, a small town of about 4,600 people, since they were first introduced to its pond in the early 20th century, officials said. "It's sad," mayor Paul Whorrall told local media. "It's like losing a family member." pdh/des The victim of a bombing at a Sbarro in Jerusalem who remained in a coma for 22 years passed away Wednesday, making her the third U.S. national to die as a result of the attack. Chana Nachenberg was 31 when a Palestinian suicide bomber targeted a Sbarro pizzeria and injured over 100 people on Aug. 9, 2001. Nachenberg, born in New York but holding dual citizenship, became the 16th victim killed by the attack, including seven children, the BBC reported. Nachenberg was in the pizzeria with her 3-year-old daughter, who escaped physically unharmed from the attack. "It has been 21 years and nine months since the attack, for which my daughter has been unconscious, in a coma, at Reuth [Rehabilitation] Hospital in Tel Aviv," Nachenbergs father, Yitzhak, told Hebrew-language media. "About three weeks ago, she was hospitalized at Ichilov Hospital, where she died this evening. ISRAEL'S MOSSAD SAYS RETIRED AGENT WAS AMONG 4 PEOPLE WHO DIED WHEN BOAT SANK IN ITALY A woman prays outside the Sbarro pizzeria, the site of a suicide bombing in central Jerusalem Aug. 12, 2001. A Palestinian suicide bomber killed at least 15 people in the heart of Jerusalem in one of the worst blasts since a Palestinian uprising erupted in late September. The U.S. has continued to seek the extradition of Ahlam al-Tamimi, a woman born in the West Bank and holding Jordanian citizenship, who was found guilty by an Israeli court for her role in the attack. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Al-Tamimi was handed 16 life sentences but was released in 2011 as part of a deal to free an Israeli soldier held by Hamas militants in Gaza. She moved to Jordan following her release but has spoken openly about her involvement in the bombing, according to The Times of Israel. JEWISH GROUPS, ALLIES DEMAND CUNY LAW LOSE FUNDING AFTER STUDENT'S VILE ANTI-ISRAEL COMMENCEMENT SPEECH The family of Malka Roth, a 15-year-old girl killed in the attack, has continued to press American authorities to extradite al-Tamimi. Jordan last refused to extradite her in 2017, claiming that an extradition treaty signed between the U.S. and Jordan had never been ratified. In 2020, the Trump administration considered withholding aid from Jordan over this, but ultimately did not. BACKLASH AGAINST ROGER WATERS FOR ANTISEMITISM CONTINUES, INCLUDING CALLS FOR PROSECUTION AMONG JEWISH GROUPS Former Jordanian prisoner Ahlam Tamimi, right, prays and talks to Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal after arriving in Cairo Oct. 18, 2011, following her release and deportation from an Israeli jail. Tamimi had been sentenced to 16 life terms for her involvement in a suicide bombing attack on the Sbarro pizzeria in Jerusalem in August 2001. "Something is obviously terribly wrong with how the pursuit of Americas most wanted female fugitive is going," the Roths wrote in a letter sent to President Biden in an effort to speak with him in 2022. "We want to explain this to you better in a face-to-face meeting," they said. "We want you to look us in the eyes, Mr. President, and tell us how Jordans king can be a praiseworthy ally." Israeli soldiers check for explosives at the site of a Palestinian terrorist attack that killed at least 16 people, including six children, Aug. 9, 2001 in Jerusalem. More than 100 other people were injured in the blast at a Sbarro pizzeria. The bombing occurred at lunchtime at the busy intersection of Jaffa and St. George's streets in the heart of downtown Jerusalem. Al-Tamimi remains on the FBIs Most Wanted Terrorists list for charges of conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against American nationals. The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to her arrest or conviction. An American arrest warrant was issued under seal in 2013 and made public in 2017. The Associated Press contributed to this report. (Bloomberg) -- New Zealands government will help to buy out the owners of cyclone and flood-damaged houses in areas deemed susceptible to severe weather events, beginning a process of managed retreat in the face of climate change. Most Read from Bloomberg Together with local councils, the government will offer to buy as many as 700 residential properties across the North Island that were damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle and heavy flooding earlier this year, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said Thursday in Wellington. It will also co-fund the work needed to protect some 10,000 properties where interventions are feasible to manage the impact of the changing weather. The weather events saw property damaged across multiple areas of the North Island, Robertson said. There is no precedent for the response required, but we do know that with climate change there will be more events like this in the future. Gabrielle swept across the Upper North Island in mid-February, destroying bridges, blocking roads and leaving tens of thousands without power and communications. Eleven people died. The disaster came just two weeks after a storm driven by an atmospheric river dumped record rain on largest city Auckland, causing widespread flooding and paralyzing transport networks. Both events forced evacuations as rivers burst their banks, flooding entire neighborhoods and towns. The cyclone was most devastating in the east of the North Island, where many living in river valleys had to scramble for survival as rising waters destroyed their homes. Read more: Extreme Weather May Force New Zealand to Rethink Where It Builds Kiwi Homebuyers in Denial as Beach Allure Beats Rising Oceans People in homes designated as Category 3 properties, where future severe weather event risk cannot be sufficiently mitigated, will be offered a voluntary buyout by councils, the costs of which will be shared with the government, Robertson said. An estimated total cost of the buyouts is about NZ$1 billion ($600 million), he said, adding details of how the process will work and the role insurers will play will be determined in coming weeks. One possibility would be that the insurance payout moves with the purchased property, he said. I want to be very clear, the government is in no position to be able to meet the total costs of these kinds of disasters, Robertson said. They unfortunately are now going to be more regular events. (Updates with comments on insurance in seventh paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made an unexpected appearance at a summit in neighboring Moldova the same day Russia rained more missiles down on Kyiv. Most Read from Bloomberg Its not simple to come to Moldova, Zelenskiy said during a brief press conference with the countrys president, Maia Sandu, at the start of the summit. Zelenskiy arrived in Moldova a day after visiting Ukraines eastern Odesa region. The summit is taking place about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the capital Chisinau and less than a dozen miles away from the breakaway region of Transnistria, which hosts Russian troops on Moldovas eastern border with Ukraine. Zelenskiy will hold bilateral meetings at the European Political Community summit, were he will propose setting up a coalition of Patriots, he said on Telegram. Ukraine, which recently received Patriot air defense units from its western partners, was shot down all 10 mostly ballistic missiles fired at Kyiv overnight, although falling debris killed at least three people, including a child, and wounded 12. Among other leaders expected to attend the summit are German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the agenda on European Council website. The European Political Community is a platform for political coordination among European countries, established after Russias attack on Ukraine last year. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has travelled to Moldova for a meeting with European leaders as part of the 2nd European Political Community Summit, held on June 1. Zelensky listed military support, security guarantees, Ukraine's peace formula, and NATO and EU membership as important points on the agenda of the ongoing bilateral talks. Zelensky met Moldovas President Maia Sandu, discussing the shared interests of both countries, namely European aspirations and withstanding Russia's aggression. It is Zelensky's first visit to Ukraine's southwestern neighbor since the outset of the full-scale invasion. Zelensky arrives in Moldova for European Political Community summit President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Moldova on June 1 to participate in a summit of the European Political Community, bringing together 50 European leaders. The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova "I think security guarantees are important not only for Ukraine. They are also important for Moldova because Russia is carrying out aggression in Ukraine and there is a potential threat of aggression in other parts of Europe," Zelensky said. The two heads of state also talked about priority infrastructure projects that are to be implemented in the near future. Zelensky met President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, publishing a joint statement on the occasion of International Childrens Day, which falls on June 1. The statement condemned the illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia, pledging to facilitate their safe return. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, over 19,000 children have been abducted by Russia, according to a Ukrainian national database, while thousands remain not accounted for. Ukraine has so far managed to return 371 Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia, and the process is ongoing. The two leaders presented a distance learning program for Ukraines medical staff, which should make Ukraine's healthcare system better equipped to provide appropriate physical and mental healthcare for the children affected by the war. The statement welcomed the creation of the EU Project Office in Ukraine under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, tasked with formulating a strategy for reforming the childcare system. According to the statement, about 1.3 million Ukrainian children now live in the EU. Host nations provide them with access to healthcare, education, and other social systems under the EU's Temporary Protection Directive. Zelensky and von der Leyen also discussed Ukraines peace formula, security guarantees for Ukraine before full NATO membership and Ukraines EU accession process. According to Ukraines head of state, the country is close to fulfilling the European Commissions recommendations for the start of the accession negotiations. Kyiv is now waiting for an assessment of progress to be presented in June. Zelensky also met Edi Rama, the prime minister of Albania, and Dimitar Kovachevski, the prime minister of North Macedonia. President Zelensky thanked the two NATO members for supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression and in its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. He also thanked the Prime Minister of North Macedonia for joining his country in the Core Group for the establishment of a special tribunal on the crime of aggression against our country, expressing hope that Albania will join as well. The European Political Community is a platform for political coordination among European countries, created in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The platform aims to foster political dialogue and cooperation to solve issues of common interest as well as to strengthen Europe's security and stability. Moldova is hosting the second summit of the European Political Community at Mimi Castle in Bulboaca. The group met for the first time in October 2022 in Prague. Volodymyr Zelenskyy The president said that during his visit to Odesa, he paid special attention to this problem. Read also: Zelenskyy introduces new Odesa regional governor Special attention to our grain corridor, security in the Black Sea, said Zelenskyy. The world knows what a fundamental role our maritime grain export plays for (global) food security. And overall security in the Black Sea, the effectiveness of international law norms on navigation is a globally important security factor. The president added that out of the three ports agreed upon within the Black Sea grain deal, the port of Pivdennyi is practically blockaded. Read also: Russia passes 200,000 KIA, Russia extends grain deal, Chinas diplomat in Europe More than one and a half million tons of agricultural products have been accumulated in Pivdennyi alone, he said. And this grain is expected in at least ten countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh, and China. Obviously, the less food is supplied to these countries and regions, the higher the prices for food, and the more people lose from their family budgets in those countries. That is, the blockade of one port in Ukraine creates very serious risks for different nations. Read also: The U.S. and China are Gambling opinion Zelenskyy also thanked those who help to increase the security in the Black Sea, those who pressure Russia to keep extending the grain deal. The Black Sea grain agreement was reached in the summer of 2022, with the mediation of the UN and Turkey, to ease the global food crisis exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Read also: EU refuses to lift sanctions on Russian banks amid grain agreement On May 17, the agreement was extended for another 120 days until July 18. 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 Zelenskyy: Actions of Ukraine's Armed Forces in Transnistria are possible only with Chisinau's consent Ukraine has no right to take military action in Transnistria unless there is a request from the authorities of the Republic of Moldova. Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference following the results of the summit of the European Political Community in Chisinau on Thursday, as a European Pravda correspondent reports Details: Zelenskyy denied the rumours about this and ruled out unilateral actions by Ukraine in Transnistria. Quote: "Ukraine can react and help only if there is a request from the authorities of the Republic of Moldova," he said. UPDATED: The president initially refused to answer the question raised twice about whether there was such a request from the Moldovan side, but later brought it up again and decided to clarify, stating: "There was no request". Zelenskyy also emphasised that Ukraine has no claim to the territory of Transnistria. "They should unite with their state, with their history that is, with Moldova," the president emphasised, recalling how he once travelled through the territory of Transnistria and was surprised when he saw the flags of the Russian Federation there but not of Moldova. Background: Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also convinced that the problem of unrecognised Transnistria and the unification of Moldova will be solved after the victory of Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at the European Political Community Summit that is held in Moldova on 1 June. Source: a European Pravda journalist in Moldova Details: Zelenskyy has arrived at the Castel Mimi in the village of Bulboaca, where the European Political Community summit is taking place. Zelenskyy is the first to do so after Moldovan President Maia Sandu, the host of the meeting. Nearly fifty European presidents and heads of government are expected to attend the summit. The personal participation of the Ukrainian president in the summit was not officially confirmed until the last minute for security reasons. The Moldovan Interior Ministry stated that information about Zelenskyy's participation should be classified directly due to the security and safety of the Ukrainian president. Earlier on Wednesday, Zelenskyy's participation in the summit was confirmed by Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu. The second meeting of the European Political Community will discuss joint efforts for peace in the context of the war in Ukraine and related crises, the defence of democracy, strengthening energy security and the resilience of European states. In the near future, European Pravda will post an article on the expected results of the summit. In connection with the summit, Moldova has warned the locals of transport restrictions; the airspace is closed, and some international trains are not running. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lobbied for financial and military assistance, his nation's peace plan and NATO membership at the European Political Community summit Thursday in neighboring Moldova. Also Thursday, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO wants to bring Sweden into the fold by the time alliance leaders meet in Lithuania next month. Turkeys government has balked, however, accusing Sweden of being too lenient on terrorist organizations such as Kurdish groups linked to a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. My message is that Sweden has delivered, and the time has come to ratify Sweden, Stoltenberg said. The summit, with Zelenskyy as the headliner, drew leaders from more than 40 European nations. Zelenskyy urged the West to continue supporting his military, saying the effort was saving lives and literally accelerating peace. He said all countries that border Russia should be full members of the European Union and NATO because Moscow tries to swallow only those who are outside of the common security space. When there are no security guarantees, there are only war guarantees, he said. NATO approval for Ukraine is unlikely until the war is over. Ukraine and Moldova, two of Europe's poorest nations, formally became candidates for EU membership a year ago, just months after Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Moldovan President Maia Sandu lauded Zelenskyy and Ukrainians for not yielding to Russian aggression. "We admire Ukrainians for showing incredible strength in defending homeland and international law," Sandu said. "Were grateful for your heroic defense and we stand in solidarity with you and your efforts to bring back peace." The summits are hosted alternately by EU and non-EU countries. The 27-nation EU uses the summit to reach out to many Eastern European countries that spent decades as part of the Soviet Union or under its tight sphere of influence. Is it fair game for Ukraine to strike in Russian soil? US and allies disagree: Live updates Moldova President Maia Sandu walks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the European Political Community Summit at the Mimi Castle in Bulboaca, Moldova, on June 1, 2023. Developments: Russian track cyclists Anastasiia Voinova and Mariya Novolodskaya, who won medals at the Tokyo Olympics, were ruled ineligible for International Cycling Union events starting Thursday for breaching rules monitoring their neutrality during the war on Ukraine. The world championships are set for August in Glasgow, Scotland. Inflation dropped to 6.1% May in the 20 countries that use the euro currency, a continued encouraging sign after reaching double digits in October partly because of the war in Ukraine. The April figure was 7%. A video of a rocket crashing straight down on a busy Kyiv street is a reflection of daily life in the Ukraine capital since Russia's invasion began more than 15 months ago. The rocket narrowly missed a direct hit on a vehicle, and other cars are seen driving around the debris as locals shrug off the assault. Kyiv and many Ukraine cities have been relentlessly hammered by Russian attacks but life goes on. Russian strikes across Ukraine over the past day have killed seven civilians and wounded 31, according to Ukrainian officials. Attacks in Kyiv alone killed at least three civilians, including a 9-year-girl and her mother as they waited to enter a locked air-raid shelter, and injured 16 people, Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said. Children's Day events in the city were canceled. The ban on entry of trucks from Ukraine and 19 other European countries into Russia will be extended until the end of the year, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov said. Zelenskyy's next big project: Ukrainian Sky Shield Zelenskyy was already promoting his next big request, the Ukrainian Sky Shield, during Thursdays summit. If recent history is a guide, he's highly likely to get it. If recent history is a guide, theres a high likelihood hell get it. Zelenskyy was initially denied when asking for longer-range weapons like the American HIMARS rocket launcher, was turned down when pleading for advanced tanks like the German Leopard 2 and rebuffed when begging for F-16 fighter jets. The Ukrainian president eventually got them all. The respect Zelenskyy commands is noticeable in a video sent from his Twitter account that shows him casually joining four other European leaders Rishi Sunak of the U.K., the Netherlands Mark Rutte, Mette Frederiksen of Denmark and Belgiums Alexander De Croo in a conversation at the summit. Zelenskyys the only one not dressed in business attire, but hes greeted warmly and gets their attention. In the tweet, he says, We discussed issues related to the start of training of (Ukrainian) pilots on F-16 and other types of aircraft. We agreed to continue working on an official decision to create the Ukrainian Sky Shield coalition of combat aircraft at the next meeting in the Ramstein format after further consultations with the (U.S.) side. Dont bet against him. How Russians deport Ukrainians from their own country Your country has been invaded and your home has been destroyed. You manage to escape and survive in the basement of a nearby building. Soldiers force you out of your shelter and you are directed to a bus, destination unknown. At every stop, you are photographed, searched and questioned. Eventually, you are left to fend for yourself in the country that destroyed your home and killed your neighbors. This is the story of Russia's deportation of Ukrainians. Read more here. Karina Zaiets, Ariana Torrey and Ramon Padilla Putin opponents may be getting more daring The Soviet-era-style penalties Russia has imposed for discrediting the military code for criticizing the war in Ukraine have silenced many a voice of dissent. Still, some opposition politicians occasionally speak up. The latest is Boris Nadezhdin, who has frequently condemned the conflict and last weekend called for President Vladimir Putin to be voted out in next Marchs elections so Russia could restore its relationship with Europe. The British Defense Ministry said this is probably the first time anyone has gone on state-approved TV and urged for Putin's replacement since the war began. However, there is a realistic possibility that recent vitriolic rhetoric by nationalist figures such as Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin is emboldening opposition figures to challenge taboo topics, the ministry said. Russian foes of Putin conduct more raids in Russian border towns Russian anti-government armed groups said Thursday they were conducting another combat operation on Russia's Belgorod border region. The fighters of the Russian Volunteer Corps said on Telegram that its fighters hit Russian government offices with multiple-launch rocket systems. The Free Russia Legion said it was preparing to cross the Russian border near Grayvoron, a town of about 6,000 people the legion previously attacked. "Very soon, we will advance again on the territory of Russia to bring freedom, peace and tranquility," the group said on Telegram. "Grayvoron is only the beginning." Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the attacks as "unable to have any effect on the course of the military operation." Russias Defense Ministry said groups of Ukrainian fighters attempted to enter Belgorod province but were repulsed. The largest contingent consisted of about 70 men, five tanks and four armored vehicles, the ministry said. Biden administration officials have repeatedly said the U.S. does not support strikes on Russian soil. Chechen fighters filling void as Wagner mercenaries move on The Russian military command has apparently ordered Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrovs forces to begin offensive operations in Ukraine after the withdrawal of Wagner Group forces from Bakhmut, a Washington-based think tank said in its latest assessment of the war. The Institute for the Study of War said Kadyrov claimed Chechen forces received a new order and assumed responsibility over the front line in the region. Chechen forces have been largely operating in the rear in recent months after fighting in high-profile battles, including the seizure of Mariupol. The Kremlin may also be trying to sever Kadyrovs relationship with Wagner financier Yevgeny Prigozhin and reemphasize federal authority over Chechen forces, the assessment says. Blinken supports Ukraine at NATO meeting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking at a NATO conference in Norway, said Ukraine's allies are focused on helping Ukraine strengthen its medium- and long-term security capacity so that "if and when" the war ends, Ukraine has the full capacity to deter future invasions. Blinken said a path toward NATO membership for Ukraine was discussed and that he anticipates it will draw more attention at the NATO summit next month in Vilnius, Lithuania. "There will be a very strong package of support on both the politcal side and the practical side when the leaders get together in Vilnius.," he said. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine live updates: Zelenskyy lobbies for NATO, EU membership US 'creates obstacles' for military exchanges Chinadaily.com.cn) 08:53, June 01, 2023 [Photo/Xinhua] Ties: US urged to match its words with actions The Ministry of National Defense said on Wednesday that the United States is "fully responsible" for current difficulties in bilateral military exchanges, and emphasized that the engagement between the two militaries has not been suspended. "What I want to stress is that dialogue and communication can't be carried out without principle and bottom line," said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesman for the ministry. "On the one hand, the US claims to be committed to enhancing communication, while on the other, it creates obstacles in disregard of China's concerns, seriously undermining mutual trust between the two militaries," Tan said. "This is not the right attitude to communication." The remarks were in response to US claims that China has "rejected" its proposal to hold a Sino-US defense ministers' meeting in Singapore, on the sidelines of the upcoming Shangri-La Dialogue. The US has also claimed that China has repeatedly rejected its requests for exchanges between the two militaries in recent years. "China attaches importance to development of the China-US military relationship and communication at all levels. In fact, the contacts and exchanges between the two militaries have not been interrupted," Tan said. At present, the US side should take concrete actions to show its sincerity and correct its wrong practices, in order to create the necessary conditions and atmosphere for dialogue and communication between the two sides, he added. State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been invited to attend the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue, where he will deliver a speech on China's new security proposals. Zuo Xiying, a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China, said the "principles" and "bottom line" mentioned by Tan could refer to US sanctions on China's defense minister and to US actions that don't match its words. "The Chinese defense minister is on the US' sanctions list and the US is calling for dialogue. This is not in line with diplomatic protocol of state-to-state exchanges," Zuo said. "Hypocrisy strikes again," tweeted Stephen Roach, a senior fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center. "How can the US justify proposing a meeting with a sanctioned Chinese defense minister?" he said, underlining that such "re-engagement efforts" by the US are meant to fail. Zuo accused the US of having a "two-handed strategy". The US claims it is seeking exchanges with China, but in reality, it is constantly trying to contain China by exploiting the Taiwan question and suppressing China's high-tech development, he said. Since December, the US has approved three rounds of arms sales to Taiwan, with a total value of more than $12 billion, covering missiles for F-16 jets, an anti-tank mine-laying system and parts of warplanes. During his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Indonesia last year, US President Joe Biden has said the US does not support "Taiwan independence", "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", and it has no intention of having a conflict with China. The US' words and actions need to match in order to create an atmosphere that is conducive to dialogue, Zuo said. The US should lift sanctions on China's defense minister and stop exploiting the Taiwan question and suppressing China's development in key fields, including high technology, he said. It must also stop selling arms to Taiwan and cease official exchanges with the island, including Taiwan visits by US Congress members and so-called stopovers in the US by Taiwan officials, Zuo added. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Rishi Sunak in Moldova, June 1, 23 Read also: Zelenskyy speaks eloquently about need to accept Ukraine in NATO and EU as role model for neighbors According to the message, Zelenskyy thanked the UK for its strong support in the fight against Russian aggression, and personally thanked Sunak for his leadership in creating tank and aviation coalitions, including his readiness to begin training Ukrainian pilots. The president highlighted the transfer of long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukrainian defenders and emphasized that "this is the exact weapon we need today, it helps us win." In recent weeks, Kyiv used these long-range missiles to deliver a series of devastating strikes on Russian ammo and fuel depots all across the temporarily occupied parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy also briefed the PM of the situation on the battlefield, noting that in recent days Russia has intensified missile and drone attacks. Read also: Ukraine will ultimately join NATO, UK PM Sunak says "It is necessary to create an air shield over Ukrainian cities to protect our population and civilian infrastructure," he stressed. Zelenskyy and Sunak also discussed Ukraine's expectations for the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius. The president emphasized that Kyiv should receive a clear signal about the prospects of joining the Alliance "another motivational factor for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the entire Ukrainian people." Read also: Russia may open case against Moldovas Sandu over threats to Putin, says official They also talked about the implementation of the Ukrainian formula for peace and the organization of the Global Peace Summit, increasing pressure on Moscow, and preparing for the London International Conference on Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. This is the third meeting between Zelenskyy and Sunak in the last month. Read also: Zelenskyy accuses Russia of blocking Black Sea grain agreement On June 1, the Ukrainian President is participating in the European Political Community Summit in Moldovas Chisinau, attended by approximately 50 heads of state, governments, and EU institutions. 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 Zelenskyy speaks eloquently about need to accept Ukraine in NATO and EU as role model for neighbors Zelensky expressed the expectation that Ukraine will be accepted into NATO and the European Union as soon as possible Russia tries to prevent other countries from joining the North Atlantic Treaty out of fear, he said at the pan-continental European Political Community's meeting on June 1. The president gave the example of Russias military presence in Transnistria, stressing that the Kremlin has to withdraw its army according to the agreement of Oct. 21, 1994. "Every European country that borders Russia and that does not want Russia to tear it apart, should be a full member of the EU and NATO. There are only two alternatives to this either an open war or a creeping Russian occupation," he said. "We see what is happening in Belarus. We see what is happening in Georgia. We see how these nations are being dragged, although in different ways, into the same state of lawlessness." Zelenskyy expressed the hope that Ukraine will join NATO and the EU as soon as this summer. He also stressed the need for a peace summit for Ukraine. "If even Ukrainians, who are proving our commitment to freedom and the values of a united Europe with blood, have not yet heard a clear positive answer about joining the EU and NATO, the hopes of others are becoming completely elusive. Think about this disappointment the disappointment of both our soldiers who are fighting for freedom and those nations for whom our struggle in Ukraine is their hope," the president said. "This year is for decisions. And this is the third point I would like to emphasize," he added. Zelenskyy declared Ukrainians readiness to enter NATO as soon as it would be allowed during the joint morning press conference with Moldovan president Maia Sandu. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pointed out that it's currently impossible for NATO to accept new members while war rages on their territory, referring to Ukraine's accession to the Treaty. 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 A Moneta man was sentenced to 25 years in prison Tuesday on charges of object sexual penetration, strangulation and domestic assault and battery in connection with an April 2019 incident. A jury convicted Steven John Lorent, 54, in early March during a trial in Bedford Circuit Court, a news release from the Lynchburg Commonwealths Attorneys Office said. Lynchburg Senior Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jessie Dumond was substitute prosecutor for the jury trial due to a case conflict with members of the Bedford County Commonwealths Attorneys Office, according to the news release. Bedford County Sheriffs Office investigators responded to the April 2019 incident in the 100 block of Little Creek Road in Moneta after a 911 call of a victim needing help. A search warrant was executed at the residence, where signs of a physical struggle were found throughout the house. Lorent was arrested during the investigation. The victim received medical treatment at Roanoke Memorial Hospital and was found to have injuries consistent with sexual assault, strangulation and assault and battery, the release said. The victim reported being sexually assaulted by Lorent and bit the defendant in self-defense, which caused him to flee the residence, according to the prosecution. Lorent had an injury to the nose consistent with being bitten and denied assaulting the victim, the release said. At a sentencing hearing Tuesday in Bedford Circuit Court, Loren was given a 25-year sentence on the object sexual penetration charge and 6 years on the other two charges, with that time to run concurrent. A suspended sentence of 25 years is conditional upon Lorent submitting to and following the terms of supervised probation for 5 years upon his release from incarceration, remaining on good behavior for 10 years, registering as a sex offender with the Virginia State Police, and having no contact with the victim, according to the Lynchburg Commonwealth Attorneys Office. For 80 years, the Randolph College Nursery School has served a wide range of students in the community. Located on campus just within walking distance from WildCat Stadium, the preschool, which started in September 1943, was originally intended to help out on-campus students with families. With that need for students at the time, then-Randolph-Macon Womans College which took on the name change July 1, 2007, as a way to address enrollment issues by adopting coeducation opened the school with a group of six children between ages 3 and 4, originally a half-day program. Now a full-day program, the school became the fourth program in the state and first in the region, to receive a five-star rating from the Virginia Star Quality Initiative (VSQI), according to a release from the college. VSQI a voluntary system used to assess, improve and communicate the quality level in early childcare and education settings was created to help families make informed choices about childcare services, according to the colleges website. The school celebrated its anniversary by inviting families and previous students back on a Sunday in early May. Jennie Munson, who has been the director of the school for two years, said working with the students, staff and seeing the school sustain for this amount of time is enjoyable. The reason for it is because of the families and the children and the staff members who just keep coming every day, Munson said. Karen Mayberry, who has been a teacher at the school for more than 10 years, said its like a big family, which is her favorite thing about the school. We have such close-knit relationships with the parents and the kids, Mayberry said. In terms of the close-knit family, Munson recalled two recent stories of former students a newlywed couple, who first met while in preschool, visited the steps of the school to take pictures; and another couple singing one of the schools songs, Apple Red Happiness, at their wedding, which is a song Munson explained students like to sing. Ive seen that over and over here, Munson said. The preschool follows the High Scope curriculum which is active, hands-on and participatory learning. Upon arrival, students have a free choice time, followed by a greeting where students choose a song and teachers sit down with them and talk to them about the day. Next, they break into small groups where the teachers focus on a lesson, for example using scissors to cut paper or talking about the alphabet. Students continue a multitude of activities and play, which Munson said incorporates literacy, mathematics, science and social studies. The children also spend a lot of time outside. Munson said this style of curriculum has been effective for students entering kindergarten. Weve heard story upon story of kids that go to elementary school and theyre ready, she said. Were a play-based program and within that play, they learn. You cant convince me that theres a better way to really teach kids, especially kids that are under 5 or under 6. Enrollment is usually between 30 and 35 children per year with small class sizes, which Munson said is intentional. The school welcomes applications, which can be found on Randolph Colleges website (www.randolphcollege.edu), for all families in the community, although a priority is given to children of campus employees. Munson said she has been an educator for a long time and is finding that the school is a very special place with a lot of happiness. A lot of times, youll get kids that dont really feel like theyre seen or heard and valued, and I think that we can honestly say that our kids are seeing their value theyre heard by everybody, Munson said. An ancient Native American burial ground uncovered just days before Halloween of 1975, may sound like the ultimate 80s horror movie plot. However, the true story is more of a murky mystery. What was praised as a blueprint for archeologist and Native tribe relations, and resulted in the discovery of 26 3,000-year-old individual remains, has been mostly forgotten and may now nearly 50 years later be lost forever.The archaeological site, known as 13PW5, sits at the location of the former Lewis Central Junior School, now known as Titan Hill Intermediate School. Some believe the area still holds more artifacts, which recently prompted a local historian to rally for a second excavation using modern and less intrusive technology. Im interested in laser mapping the site with a radar, said Troy Stolp, local historian and Lewis Central teacher. A second excavation could allow archeologists and anthropologists to use modern processes, like archaeogenetics, on the remains. It also may act as a re-do, giving the remains of the oldest known inhabitants of Pottawattamie County the burial they were promised some 40 years ago. In the last week of October 1975, construction for Lewis Central Junior School began. During the first week of construction, a worker ran over a skeleton at the foot of Titan Hill and alerted a coroner. Other bones had previously been hauled away by contractor Sam Thomas, who believed they were cattle bones. The coroner determined that the bones were not of a modern human, but of an ancient Native American individual who resided in the county more than 1,000 years ago. Due to this finding, State Archeologist Duane Anderson suggested a dig was necessary. The state and highway archeologists joined a team of volunteer undergraduate students from the University of Iowa for the dig. They convened on the site and uncovered an ossuary, or a space in which the deceaseds bones are placed. An ossuary is one of the most sacred discoveries in archaeology, Stolp said. Religious artifacts and burials are the hardest to discover, so more than likely there are remains of a campsite nearby. Dirk Marcucci, a 20-year-old student at the time, arrived on Nov. 19, 1975 with a team of five other students. Today, Dirk is Vice President of Landmark Archaeology, Inc., in Upstate New York. The project was important for a couple of reasons. One is that its a major find to uncover a well-preserved late archaic ossuary that is more or less intact, Marcucci explained. Secondly, the project became the poster child for working with Native tribes to decide what happens after the artifacts and remains are studied. The universitys archeology team found 26 archaic individuals ranging from 3 to 65 years old. They also found mollusks from the nearby Missouri River that they were buried with, as well as stone tools and lithic artifacts. Some of the bones recovered were full skeletons in a flexed position, others were scattered and disarticulated and some indicated bundle burials. Due to a 1971 event dubbed the Glenwood Incident, it was imperative that archeologists work closely with Native American tribes to respectfully excavate and rebury the individuals. During the Glenwood Incident, a colonial cemetery in Glenwood was discovered in 1971 and, while the 26 white settler bodies were immediately reburied, the skeletal remains of a Native American woman and her child were taken to Iowa State to be studied by archaeologists and stored. Ancient burial sites were not covered by Iowa grave protection laws, so one Native American spokesperson and Yankton Sioux Maria Running Moccasins Pearson or Hai-Mecha Eunka decided to protest for change. Over the next five years, Pearson met with legislators, archaeologists, anthropologists, physical anthropologists and other tribal members, which led to the passage of the Iowa Burials Protection Act of 1976. According to a Nonpareil article from 1975, Edward Cline, chairman of the Omaha Tribal Council, told school attorney Jack Peters that they were concerned only that the recently discovered remains be moved and reburied with dignity. Peters said state law requires the remains to be disinterred and reburied by a licensed embalmer. At the time, William Cutler of Cutler Funeral Home said when the permit was received, the remains would be collected and put in a casket and then carried by hearse to the Lewis Township Cemetery a half mile from Lewis Central Junior High School. He also said a suitable marker would be put on the grave. The only expense to the school district will be the purchase of the space for reburial and digging the grave, less than $250, Cutler told the Nonpareil in 1975. Except, a marker was never placed and there is no evidence that the remains were ever buried. The record keeper for Lewis Township Cemetery since 2016, Al Wegman, confirmed that there are no records. Which begs the question, where are the remains? The school attorney, funeral home director and Omaha tribal council chairman have all since died. With a mystery of this age, we may never have all the answers, but the remainder of the burial site still sits somewhere on Titan Hill. The remains of people at site 13PW5 are over 3,000 years old and, as far as we know, they not related to any tribes in this area, including the Omaha, which took on their case, Stolp said. All of the known tribes in this area came in the late 1500s and 1600s. According to Stolp, tribes moved west from the east coast due to the European invasion. The age of 3,000-plus years was proposed by State Archaeologist Duane Anderson and Highway Archaeologist John Hotopp, based on a report by Anthropologist Dr. Michael Finnegan. This indicates the remains are those of Archaic period inhabitants. Nevertheless, the remains found are still those of Indigenous Americans, permanently linking them to all Native peoples, regardless of tribal affiliation. Its not perfect, Marcucci said. The local tribes act more or less like spokespeople and I think its the best system. Marcucci is firm in his belief that all archeologists and anthropologists involved had no intention of trampling on Native peoples rights and beliefs. The truth is, nobody knows what went awry. The State of Iowa archeologists office retained no remains from the site, Stolp said. I inquired about it last year in hopes that there could be a DNA study to find where 13PW5 people fit in with other Native peoples, but the remains are lost. 13PW5s real victory is the framework it created in Native American and researcher relations. Many of the remains excavated in the 19th century were taken to measure skull size to determine the superior race, said Brady DeSanti, Director of Native American Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Nation. While that sort of cultural evolutionary framework is no longer operational today, its left a long legacy. According to the National Park Service approximately 32,000 individuals, 670,000 funerary objects, 120,000 unassociated funerary objects, and 3,500 sacred objects have been returned to their respective tribes since the 1990 adaptation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act or NAGPRA. While museums and universities clear the skeletons out of their closets, repatriation continues to be impossible for the lost artifacts and remains of 13PW5. About 200 attendees withstood the sweltering heat of the Grass Wagon on Wednesday to see Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on his first visit to Council Bluffs as a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. DeSantis spoke for about 50 minutes, detailing his vision for the country should he become president. Unsurprisingly, that vision looks a lot like Florida. In his speech, DeSantis decried various executive agencies of the federal government, railing specifically against the U.S. Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DeSantis said that public health officials would come out of the woodwork during the pandemic, claiming they had no real-world experience. He took a shot at former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, saying, You dont elevate a Fauci, you bring him in, you tell him to pack his bags, and you tell him he is fired. Several federal agencies need to be re-constitutionalized, DeSantis said, because they have grown into a fourth branch of government. DeSantis campaign website says he wants to burn the CDC and National Institutes of Health to the ground as retribution for their response to COVID-19. DeSantis would also prioritize replacing the FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, and he joked that if Hunter (Biden, the presidents son) was a Republican, he would have been in jail long ago. Toward the end of his stump speech, DeSantis warned against what he said would happen should Democrats win control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, in addition to the White House. Democrats, DeSantis claimed, would pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices, eliminate voter identification requirements, and grant statehood to Washington, D.C., to provide Democrats two more senators and make the conservative part of the country second-class citizens. Earlier in the speech, DeSantis had crowed about flipping Floridas Supreme Court from a 4-3 liberal advantage to a 6-1 conservative court. DeSantis also broke out his tried and true attack against wokeness, taking ownership of Floridas recent legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, as well as new laws impacting public education. He also claimed that New York City had become overrun with crime due to Soros-funded district attorneys. Liberal philanthropist George Soros has been a conservative boogeyman for years and the subject of conspiracy theories widely labeled as antisemitic. Noticeably absent from the governors speech was any mention of subjects that might be of particular interest to Iowans, such as agriculture and ethanol, often invoked by national politicians visiting the state. Repeating several of his themes from Des Moines the previous day, DeSantis focused the rest of his speech on his ability to get results rather than just deliver rhetoric, drawing a thinly veiled comparison to Trump. Hes straight to the point on issues, supporter Stephen Jolly said before the Des Moines rally. Hes gonna get stuff done. Trump doesnt get anything done, he just wants to talk about the previous election. Trumps campaign recently issued a series of statements of support from Iowa Republican state lawmakers who have announced their support for the former president. Those statements highlighted Trump administration policies that the campaign said was good for Iowans, including on ethanol and trade, and laid out a number of criticisms of policies advanced or supported by DeSantis. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart, speaking in an online call with reporters Tuesday, criticized new laws passed under DeSantis in Florida that heightened abortion restrictions and loosened gun ownership regulations. While he focuses on culture wars, DeSantis has done nothing to address the biggest economic challenges that are facing families, Hart asserted. In addition to Council Bluffs, DeSantis had stops planned in Cedar Rapids, Pella, and Sioux City on Wednesday. From there, he was heading to two other early primary states, New Hampshire and South Carolina. This weekend, Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst hosts her annual Roast and Ride fundraiser, which this year will feature all of the major Republican presidential candidates except Trump. DeSantis was the latest to confirm his involvment, announcing Tuesday morning that he plans to attend the event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. 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. Member of UK Parliament Liam Fox has expressed support for the autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty, saying the plan is the only practical way to move forward and end the stalemate. The former UK trade secretary made the remarks Wednesday in Rabat following talks with Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita. Its important that we focus on what is best for the populations of the region and that we look for a practical way to move forward, underlined Dr. Liam fox, member of the ruling Conservative party. It is our responsibility as politicians and leaders to ensure that the quality of life, that standard of life and the security of our people are placed at the top of the agenda, added Liam Fox, who also served as defense secretary from 2010 to 2011. He hailed Moroccos cooperation ties with countries located outside its geographical neighborhood, saying this model shows the countrys openness and trading strategy which is similar to the one adopted by the United Kingdom after the Brexit. On his talks with Bourita, he said they focused on a number of regional, political, economic and security issues of common interest. German Leoni firm, a global leader in cables and wiring systems, is enhancing its presence in Morocco thanks to the countrys political stability and rapid growth of its automotive industry. The German company has pledged to invest over $92.1 million in six projects to create 7100 jobs in the country under deals signed in presence of Head of Govt. Aziz Akhnouch. Leoni will build an electrical wiring plant in Agadir for $18.4 million, creating 3,000 direct jobs, and will enlarge its five factories operating in the Casablanca-Settat region. Morocco is becoming a real success story and one of the worlds major players in the automotive sector. The country is home to major vehicle factories operated by Renault and Stellantis; Renault has two plants, one in Casablanca and another one in Tangiers which opened in 2012. Stellantis has a factory in Kenitra with a production capacity of 400,000 units per year. In 2017, Renault Tangier plant, which produces annually over 340 000 cars, celebrated its one millionth vehicle produced locally and exported to Turkey. Few weeks ago, the 1st Moroccan car brand and a hydrogen powered vehicle prototype were presented to King Mohammed VI. The two projects, developed by Moroccan entrepreneurs are a significant milestone for the country and will strengthen the Made in Morocco label and establish the country as a competitive hub for automotive production. The world is celebrating this week the launch in Marrakech of GITEX AFRICA, the largest tech & startup event in the continent which is hosting its very own tech gathering that unites every community in the innovation ecosystem across Africa. The 2023 GITEX Africa Digital Summit, one of the largest tech and startup show in Africa, boasts an impressive lineup, with 900 exhibitors and start-ups, 250 leading investors, 250 conference speakers, and 30 ministerial delegations. The gathering has attracted tens of thousands of tech enthusiasts from 120 countries, making it a truly global affair. The summit has prepared an exhibition space in a purpose-built super venue to allow startups across Africa to showcase their innovations with the possibility of attracting investors, business partners, mentors, and other opportunities that come along showcasing startups. GITEX Africa is an opportunity for African startup owners and young programmers to get in touch with regional and global investors and business incubators. An opportunity as well to network with actors in both public and private sectors, the organizers say. In an opening address, Moroccos Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch said GITEX Africa, held from May 31 to June 2, puts the continent at the forefront, in consecration of King Mohammed VIs farsighted vision in favor of establishing a strategic partnership for a prosperous continent. The Kingdom of Morocco is proud to host this prestigious African trade show, given the profound significance of this event, which places the African continent at the forefront, in consecration of HM King Mohammed VIs far-sighted vision to establish a strategic partnership between the various players in favor of a prosperous, integrated and united continent, through strengthening ties and exchanges between African countries, promoting their promising potential and consolidating the foundations of a solid and sustainable African economy, said Akhannouch. This flagship event, which illustrates the Kingdoms cultural wealth, civilizational influence, and ongoing dynamism, is an opportunity to highlight the continents promising potential and the sustained efforts being made to develop skills in the fields of technology and innovation, he explained. He said that Morocco fully embraces the digital momentum dictated by globalization, and remains determined to strengthen its position as a digitalization pole in order to accelerate the Kingdoms economic and social development, and further consolidate its economic relations with the rest of the world. We aspire to guarantee public digital services for citizens, businesses and entrepreneurs. We are also working to create an appropriate ecosystem for innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, and to provide a platform dedicated to producing and nurturing talent in this field, he added. As we begin to implement this roadmap, the organization of this first GITEX AFRICA in Morocco reinforces the efforts made by the Kingdom to realize these aspirations, said Akhannouch. Following the example of GITEX Global, which has been held in Dubai for over 40 years, GITEX Africa aims to be an international platform for cutting-edge technology for all players in Africa, from both the private and public sectors, he noted, adding that this event is marked by the participation of over 900 companies, more than 250 speakers and over 100 government institutions. Emphasizing that African businesses and economies are experiencing a tangible digital transformation as evidenced by the sharp rise (4.5 times more) in investment in start-ups between 2018 and 2022, the head of government explained that this feverish pace of digitization is attributable to the Covid-19 pandemic and its repercussions, as it has been necessary to adapt to the demands of this period in terms of modes of consumption, production, communication, and work. Africa has worked hard to consolidate its position as a fertile breeding ground and propitious platform that supports innovation and the development of talent and skills, thanks to its natural wealth, the dynamism of its youth and its multiple and diverse economic potential, noted Akhannouch, explaining that in light of the economic turmoil and profound changes the world is experiencing, technology has become an essential lever for international economic development. He stated further that GITEX AFRICA is a unique platform for exchanging views on the main opportunities and potential for making the African continent both a consumer and producer of digitization, emphasizing the need to encourage innovation and investment in this field in order to foster the emergence of unicorn companies, start-ups and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as supporting technological innovations in promising sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and personal data protection. However, achieving this digital transformation requires, on the one hand, a suitable business climate and appropriate governance capable of attracting investors, and, on the other, effective investment in a reliable and inclusive digital infrastructure, he argued. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. Elizabeth City State University was founded in 1891 with one goal: to bring a world-class education within reach of African American students. Our reach has grown since then, fostering a rigorous, practical, supportive learning environment for students of all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. As a member of the University of North Carolina System, ECSU offers a wide range of degree programs and certificates that empower new, professional opportunities, and personal growth. Our signature areas of study include the humanities, education, and aviation. Every academic program at ECSU uses advanced technologies and hands-on learning to provide a valuable, high-quality education at an affordable cost. Its always about affordable excellence here. Our community has everything students need to discover who they are, connect with expert instructors, and leave ready to conquer in their career. We always seek new ways to better serve our students and strengthen our community. To us, every student matters and it shows. Mission Statement Elizabeth City State University ensures access to excellent, student-centered, experiential learning. ECSU offers bachelor's, professional, and master's degrees. Through practical education, applied research, and public and private partnerships, we prepare a diverse student body for personal and professional success to positively impact the region, state, nation, and beyond. Vision Statement Elizabeth City State University will be a premier public institution and a leading partner for economic, social, and environmental progress. We will be a destination institution that develops leaders who will make a positive difference now and in the future. Core Values ECSU is guided by a commitment to excellence, which is personified in the subsequent group of core values the university strives to demonstrate and maintain. Accountability Administration, faculty, staff, and students will be responsible and transparent in their actions Administration, faculty, staff, and students will be responsible and transparent in their actions Commitment Dedication to our students, community, and advancing the university will be our priority Dedication to our students, community, and advancing the university will be our priority Excellence Unparalleled teaching, learning, and service to the university and community will be our measure for success Unparalleled teaching, learning, and service to the university and community will be our measure for success Collaboration Teamwork and partnerships with our stakeholders will be utilized to achieve common goals Teamwork and partnerships with our stakeholders will be utilized to achieve common goals Inclusion Diverse viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds will be respected and welcomed Get to Know Us History Leadership Strategic Plan Elizabeth City State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the baccalaureate and masters level. Questions about the accreditation of Elizabeth City State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOCs website (www.sacscoc.org). While 69% of Africans support democracy and more than 70% agree that there should be term limits, according to the latest Afrobarometer surveys, recent developments in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Burkina Faso have demonstrated that the democratization process in some African states is still facing huge challenges. Speaking at a workshop on Democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa organized by the Kofi Annan Foundation in late 2022, Prof. Landry Signe of the Brookings Institution observed that while Africa might be experiencing slow moving democratization, 69% of Africans support democracy, and more than 70% agree that there should be term limits. Despite these aspirations of African people, CARs President Faustin Archange Touadera said Tuesday May 30 that he would call a referendum on a new constitution that would allow him to seek a new term. But the opposition has already accused Touadera of seeking to extend his rule despite constitutional limits in one of the worlds poorest and most unstable, yet also mineral-rich, countries. Touadera was elected in 2016 and was returned for a second term in 2020, despite widespread accusations of electoral flaws and an ongoing rebellion against his rule after years of civil war. Democratization processes in various countries across Africa are still facing numerous challenges, which have to be remedied before embarking on a true democratic journey. One of the most serious challenges is the real or perceived lack of security. In Burkina Faso, Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela on Tuesday ruled out negotiations with jihadist insurgents who control swathes of the country, while suggesting that security risks could delay the countrys return to civilian rule. His comments to lawmakers came as officials reported the deaths of around 40 people in weekend attacks attributed to Islamist fighters. The West African country has been ruled since 2022 by a junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, who has promised a return to democracy with presidential elections by July 2024. We cannot organize elections without security. If you have a magic wand to ensure we can hold elections as soon as possible, wed do it, de Tambela said. If we organized elections now, while part of our territory is inaccessible, theyll say that whoever is elected has been wrongly elected, he said. South Africas main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said that it had taken a legal action to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be arrested if he finally decided to attend a BRICS summit in the country in August. The arrest warrant to arrest Putin, which was issued by The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), has launched a debate in South Africa which now faces a diplomatic dilemma ahead of the BRICS summit. The main opposition party is asking the courts for an order stipulating that if the Russian president arrives in South Africa to take part in the BRICS summit, the government must arrest him, as required by the ICC. The ICC issued the warrant against Vladimir Putin in March for the war crime of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children as part of Moscows offensive against Ukraine. As South Africa is a member of the ICC, it is theoretically supposed to arrest the Russian president on his arrival in the country. Putin is due to visit Cape Town for a Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) bloc meeting in August. But Pretoria, which maintains close diplomatic relations with Moscow and insists on its neutrality in the conflict in Ukraine, has not yet indicated whether it will eventually decide to arrest the Russian leaders. The DAs judicial application is pre-emptive and designed to ensure that Pretoria respects its obligations and hands Putin over to the ICC if he comes to South Africa. No judicial ambiguity should persist, the DA also said in a statement. Russia would be duly represented at the BRICS summit, Kremlin spokesman Boris Peskov said on Tuesday May 30, without specifying whether the Russian president planned to attend. The DAs legal action comes as the government recently granted diplomatic immunity to officials attending a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers, followed by a summit of heads of state in August. As the EU executive is adopting intermediate proposals in its international climate policy as outlined in the European Green Deal, this will have serious and multifaceted implications for Africa, according to a recent study by Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF). The Green Deal provides a road map for a socioecological transition to a low-carbon future and the building blocks for a green economic growth strategy to address climate change, energy, and biodiversity. According to Stephen Muchiri, CEO of the Nairobi-based EAFF, the stringent policies outlined in the Farm to Fork (F2F) and Chemical Sustainability Strategies will greatly affect global trade in agricultural inputs and outputs and, by extension, also the economies of African countries that greatly depend on agriculture. Muchiri also warns that the new additional requirements, as set by the European Commission, threaten the livelihoods of many small producers and may significantly reduce the export earnings of East African countries such as Uganda, which is the second largest horticulture exporter in the region. Horticultural exports from East Africa to the European Union are valued at more than $2.3 billion, with smallholder farmers contributing up to 70% of the export volumes. The study revealed that farmers would be overburdened by the new regulations because substantial costs will be introduced with the new specifications on standards, certifications, logistics, and carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM). This prompts Muchiri to warn that the implementation of the Green Deal in its current form falls short in support of progressive and sustainable export-oriented farming for most East African smallholder farmers as it will introduce additional constraints that will impact the regions competitiveness, sustainability, and livelihoods negatively, so whereas the EU will achieve its goals, the countries of export will be reeling from significant production and compliance challenges. Kenyas President William Ruto has called on African leaders to take first steps towards ditching the US dollar as the worlds reserve currency by adopting a pan-African payments system to facilitate trade within the continent. Ruto has urged his African counterparts to mobilize central and commercial banks to join the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS) which was launched in January last year. Backed by the African Union and African central banks, the system for intra-African trade was developed by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. We are all struggling to make payments for goods and services from one country to another because of differences in currencies. And in the middle of all these, we are all subjected to a dollar environment, Kenyas president said during a forum on AfCFTA in Nairobi earlier this week. We do not have to look for dollars; our businessmen will concentrate on moving goods and services, and leave the arduous task of currencies to Afreximbank. This comes as many experts have increasingly raised the prospect of whether the BRICS grouping Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa could break the grip of the globally-bullish greenback. Africa, and South Africa in particular, could be critical to any efforts to dislodge the US dollar from its place at the foundation of the worlds financial systems. Behind the intensifying geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China are quieter initiatives that could have much greater impact in the long run: a series of moves by the BRICS bloc of countries to challenge the dominance of the greenback. The BRICS leaders would prefer the upcoming summit in South Africa to be known as a key milestone in their efforts to move away from the Western-dominated world order that has reigned since the end of the WWII and to embrace a more diverse and representative global economic system, which would move away from a US-dollar dominance. The World Bank announced Wednesday the resumption of its partnership with Tunisia, two months after suspending cooperation with the North African country following President Kais Saieds remarks on Sub-Saharan African migrants deemed racist. Tunisia and the Washington-based institution prior March were in talks for a $500 million program encompassing direct support to the hardest-hit families and guaranteed access to financing for small and medium-sized businesses. The talks for the partnership were abruptly suspended on March 6. The World Bank in a statement said it was concerned about the situation of migrants and minorities in the North African country. Tunisia came under scrutiny after President Saied said the country is a victim of a plot to alter its Arab identity with waves of sub Saharan migrants. The remarks stirred violence against Sub Saharan migrants in the country. Several African countries sent chartered flights to bring back their citizens willing to return home. Discussions on the World Banks Country Partnership Framework with Tunisia, defining the strategic orientations of operational commitments over the medium term (2023-2027) have been temporarily suspended by WB management, against the backdrop of recent events concerning sub-Saharan migrants. Dialogue and engagement with Tunisian authorities maintained, the bank said in a statement. Bloomberg Wednesday indicated that the bank and the African country will resume the partnership, per a statement from the financial institution. The government and the World Bank Group reviewed and adjusted the strategy, which would now serve as the basis for the World Bank Group to continue playing its role as a long-term partner of the country and its people, the bank said. Senegals President Macky Sall launched Wednesday a national dialogue initiative supposed to appease the political tension in the country, but rejected by a chunk of the opposition, including main rival Ousmane Sonko. There can be no democracy without freedom, just as there can be no freedom without responsibility. Every piece of physical violence, every piece of verbal violence, every word of hatred, every piece of private or public property ransacked and, above all, every Senegalese killed is a deep wound to our country, and no one should imagine that they are greater or stronger than this Nation that shelters us all. Together with all the socio-political components that are keen on peace, stability and national cohesion, we must jointly defend our model of society. This is one of the fundamental reasons for this national dialogue, the Senegalese President said. The dialogue takes place 9 months ahead of February 2024 presidential elections amid electric political environment and popular unrest in the run-up to a court verdict against Sonko. While majority of the Yewwi Askan, a coalition of the opposition which includes Sonko turned down attendance in the dialogue, some key parties in the opposition namely Parti Democratique Senegalais of former President Abdoulaye Wade and Taxawu Senegal and former Mayor of Dakar Khalifa Sall, are attending. Sall has been facing rejection from opposition and part of the population over his alleged plans to seek another third term in office. He is feared to be planning an amendment of the Constitution. He has not unveiled his intent yet. Malian authorities have urged their countrymen in Mauritania to stay away from unrest in the country following the death of a young Mauritanian in police custody. The Malian embassy in capital Nouakchott in a statement on Wednesday called Malian nationals to abide by rules of the hosting nation. All Malians are required to strictly respect the laws of the host country, in accordance with the instructions of the highest Malian authorities, the mission said. The call came a day after Mauritanian authorities threatened to try and expel any foreigner involved in unrest that have gripped the country since Tuesday following the death of young Mauritanian, Omar Job, in police custody in Bouki, 300 km south of capital Nouakchott. Mauritanias police directorate did not give names of the countries where foreigner protestors stem from. The law reinforcement entity Monday reportedly indicated that the dead young Mauritanian passed away in hospital a few hours after being taken to a police station for questioning. Omar, the police stressed, was found unconscious and on drugs. He was being aggressed by a group of young men who managed to flee. Omar, according to police, later died in a hospital. Anger continues to build up in the Tindouf camps which are rocked by growing demonstrations making Polisario leaders uncomfortable and responding with more repression and arrests of protesters including women. Demonstrators have set fire to cars belonging to the separatist front, while another group burnt a pharmacy belonging to the son of the so-called interior minister of the terrorist movement. The protesters know very well the story of this pharmacy and the role of Maryam Imadeh who used her influence so that her son traveled to Cuba to study medicine. After his graduation, he returned to the Tindouf camps to take over medical assignment. The demonstrations are getting more and more heated with the protestors starting to storm now the buildings of the Algeria-backed separatist group and even the HQ of Polisario chief Brahim Ghali. The intensification of the protests comes after the attack of Polisario militias against the family of Saharan detainee Mohamed Salem Maa El Ainin Asweed. The demonstration, which took place in front of Brahim Ghalis office, was violently suppressed by the Polisario militia, using excessive force, resulting in the injury of several people, including women, and detention of a dozen of protesters. The Hope-Esperanza nonprofit organization aims to bridge the gaps that exist between cultures in the North Platte community. Director TinaMaria Fernandez works to spearhead various methods to help people from other cultures transition and find a sense of belonging in Lincoln County. The organization offers help to not only the Hispanic population, but also other members of other cultures who are moving into the area. Its mission statement states the organization exists to empower minority and underserved youth and families. Fernandez was born and raised in North Platte. After graduation from high school, she went on to Mid-Plains Community College and then to the University of Wyoming, where she earned a bachelors degree in psychology. She then earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This is not my job, its my passion, Fernandez said about her work with Hope-Esperanza. Our plan here is, how do we make everyone feel like they belong. How do we provide cultural competence in the community. Through her education, Fernandez said, she has been studying cultural training for years and says she still doesnt know everything about every culture there is in North Platte. So how do we come together and learn and celebrate different cultures, because diversity is beautiful, Fernandez said. It also can be intimidating, invoking anxiety and fears. How do we break down some of those barriers and just get people to the table? She has put action to her words and has built a growing entity that impacts the community in a number of practical ways. One of those means is bridging the gaps for businesses that are looking for employees. We take our applicants, our people who have come into the community and want a job, but they say, that doesnt work for me, or I dont have transportation, Fernandez said. So we contact the Department of Labor and we try to marry the openings. For instance, she asks if the company would consider hiring someone who can work 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. instead of 9 to 5. (We tell them) youd be able to have a good person who is dedicated to their work and likes to work, Fernandez said. We get creative in helping people through those things. Along with that process, Fernandez said. they work with the Department of Labor. We help people find jobs, write resumes, go to interviews with them and translate for them, Fernandez said. We have translation services and this is for the community (as a whole). Another aspect of the organization is the El Centro pillar, which involves direct services. Underneath that pillar, we have the Food Box, Fernandez said. Every Monday, families can come through the back door (at the organizations location at 1013 S. Cottonwood St.) and we hand them a box. Its a box of produce, meats, various things that weve received, and they go on their way. She said they get first names and phone numbers for future contact and they also deliver boxes to families at their homes. Las Cosas helps families with basic needs. Weve gotten called in the middle of the night that someones heat got shut off, Fernandez said. We supply them with blankets and space heaters. There are other clothing closets in town, but which one is going to answer you at 11 oclock at night when youre kid needs something. They also help people who have new jobs find professional clothing. For youths and children, Hope-Esperanza has been working with Community Connections Mentoring for more than a year. We offer kids at least two opportunities every month to do something different, Fernandez said. All activities are completely free and we reach out into the community for different opportunities. This summer, were partnering with Nebraska Game and Parks. Well do a fishing day, a kayak day. We did that last year and everyone loved it and it was well attended. She said they bring in artists to teach youth how to paint and they provide all the supplies. Everything is bilingual in English and Spanish, and if we have other families come, which weve had some Ukrainian families come who speak Russian, Fernandez said, we have our language devices that are able to translate that into any language. Hope also collaborates with Lincoln County Community Connections, located in the downtown NebraskaLand Bank building, to provide resources to newcomers. The services are available to anyone moving to the area. That is really the office where if you have a new community member ... send them there and well help get them connected to school, jobs, all of those things, Fernandez said. The next pillar is Building Hope in Community, which started in December. Our community has been stagnant for many, many years and now were in a state of growth and change, Fernandez said. Thats very exciting, but it comes with great responsibility. How do we come together as a community and prepare and really be proactive in this change rather than just wait and see what happens? Through this part of the program, Hope-Esperanza reaches out to various community entities for teaching opportunities. We come alongside the Fire Department, the Police Department, Habitat for Humanity, RDAP, and we take the courses that they normally offer in the community and we bring that to the minorities, Fernandez said. We provide language access, we put their flyers out in (other languages) and we just invite the community to come and learn together. She said many families from other countries have never used a microwave or they dont have a 911 program or fire extinguishers. We need to teach these new Americans coming in how to use the microwave, what to do if a fire starts, Fernandez said. Under the cultural pillar, the organization hosts various festivals including the Cinco de Mayo event May 5 in downtown North Platte. It was a huge success and it was wonderful, Fernandez said. It was a beautiful fun night for everyone, I think. Coming up on Aug. 20 is the International Bazaar. Hope Esperanza also offers monthly We Are the World events designed to blend the cultures that exist in North Platte. Its a get-together on Wednesdays, the second or third week each month, she said. We just invite people to come, be authentically themselves, come and share their story and a dish from their culture. Albert's Culbertson Grass is approximately 64 +/- acres of native grass pasture accessed by a well maintained, paved county road. The property has a barbed wire perimeter fence and there is a well with a windmill (the Seller nor their representative know the quality of the well). There is electrical service on the property. There are several potential building sites on the property so a Buyer will have many options with this terrific ranch.LandAlberts Culbertson Grass is 64 +/- acres of rolling native grass. ImprovementsThere is a perimeter barbed wire fence and electrical service to the property. RecreationAlberts Culbertson Grass and the Frenchman River Valley offers endless recreation, from hunting small game and varmints to monster plains mule deer and White-tailed deer. You also have the opportunity to go hiking, biking or having fun on your ATV/UTV all on your own property! Swanson Reservoir, which boasts some excellent fishing and waterfowl hunting is only a short 15 mile drive to the west of Alberts Culbertson Grass. AgricultureCurrently Alberts Culbertson Grass is operated as a cattle pasture. Water/Mineral Rights & Natural ResourcesAll appurtenant water rights associated with this property will transfer to the Buyer at Closing. Seller owned mineral rights will transfer to the Buyer at Closing. General OperationsAlberts Culbertson Grass is currently used as a cattle pasture. Region & ClimateHitchcock County, Nebraska gets 21 inches of rain, on average, per year.The US average is 38 inches of rain per year. Hitchcock County averages 24 inches of snow per year.The US average is 28 inches of snow per year. On average, there are 240 sunny days per year in Hitchcock County.The US average is 205 sunny days. Hitchcock County gets some kind of precipitation, on average, 71 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. In order for precipitation to be counted you have to get at least .01 inches on the ground to measure. Weather Highlights Summer High:the July high is around 90 degrees Winter Low:the January low is 14 Rain:averages 21 inches of rain a year Snow:averages 24 inches of snow a year HistoryThis area is rich in history. On 30 Aug. 1873 the first election was held in the county. It was held at the residence of F.U. Martin on Section 14, Township 3, Range 32 West, two miles east of the present town of Culbertson. The first officers elected were: Thomas LeGrand, W.W. Kelly and F.U. Martin, commissioners; W.Z. Taylor, Clerk, J.E. Kleven, Treasurer; G.E. Baldwin, Sheriff; A.J. Vanderslice, Judge; J.H. Conklin, surveyor; Daniel Murphy, Superintendent of Schools; J.H. Miller, Coroner. The county seat was located on the north half of Section 17, Range 31 West, the site of the town of Culbertson. Prior to 1869, the Republican Valley was a major retreat for the hostile Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. The valley was in the heart of buffalo range and was one of the great hunting grounds of the West. Whites made only occasional hunting trips into the region, due to the threat of Indian problems. In the summer of 1869, at the Battle of Summit Springs, near present Sterling, Co., Gen. Eugene A. Carr and his Republican River Expedition defeated the hostile Indians under Chief Tall Bull, which virtually cleared the Republican for settlement. The counties to the east of Hitchcock County were quickly organized by adventuresome frontiersmen and women. Though he did not file upon the land until August, George C. Gessleman was the first person to settle in what is now Hitchcock county, arriving in the early spring of 1873. During the next few months, he was joined by about a dozen other men, staking claims along Blackwood Creek to the east and north of present Culbertson. On 30 May 1873, a flash flood on the Blackwood brought near disaster to those first frontiersmen of the county. In the night, after everyone was in bed, most sleeping outdoors, a flood rushed down the creek, washing away tents, wagons and possessions. The boundaries for Hitchcock County had been defined by the legislature in January 1873 and named for Phineas W. Hitchcock, then serving as United States Senator from Nebraska. Situated near the southwest corner of Nebraska, the county is twenty-four miles north and south and thirty miles from east to west. In June the settlers petitioned Governor Robert W. Furnas for permission to organize the county, and he issued a proclamation on 5 July 1873, calling for an election to organize the county to be held on August 30th. In July, William Zacariah Taylor arrived on the present site of Culbertson and began building a store, probably at the instigation of the Republican Valley Land Company, the town site company of the Burlington Railroad. He named the site for Alexander Culbertson , noted trader of the Upper Missouri County in the 1840s and 1850s, who was living out his old age at Orleans, Harlan County, where his son-in-law was a Burlington official. Before the election, however, the settlers went through another time of trial, when the Sioux defeated the Pawnee at the Battle of Massacre Canyon on Tuesday morning, August 5th. The day before the battle a party of Sioux warriors had terrorized some of the settlers along the Blackwood, destroying some property. An account of the battle is given elsewhere in this history. Eighteen votes were cast at the first election on August 30th, and the men elected served only until the regular election on October 14th. Several of those elected had apparently left the county by the second election, however. A party of buffalo hunters were robbed in early October on the Stinking Water and left afoot on the prairie later making their way to the Kansas settlements. They and others said the robbery was done by some of these first county officials. During that first summer, only a few acres of ground were broken. For survival, these first frontiersmen depended upon the buffalo and other wild game. Supplies had to be transported from the railroad in the Platte Valley, mainly from North Platte or Plum Creek (Lexington). Having little money, many of the settlers traded buffalo meat for essentials. This was to remain the main source of trade until the buffalo herds were finally wiped out. Though 1874 started out well, the grasshopper hordes arrived in late summer and the few small fields were devastated. Many of the settlers left the county, leaving only a handful of men. In 1875 a major change came to the county. Large scale ranching began in Southwest Nebraska. Some ranchers came from the East, but others were Colorado ranchers who entered the region from the west. Thus began Culbertsons boom period. Though a few very small settlements, such as Stratton, Palisade and Benkleman were started about 1880, until about 1883, Culbertson was the only real settlement in Southwest Nebraska, being the only town between Indianola and Ogallala. Though many of the ranchers and their families lived in Culbertson, at least during the winter, and many of the men served as officials of Hitchcock County. Until the railroad built up the valley, few settlers entered the region, for they would have had no way to market their produce except for the long haul to the Platte. When the Burlington began to build west, many homesteaders entered the county, settling on the Driftwood and the Frenchman, as well as building up the river valley. It was not until about 1884, however, that homesteaders began to settle on the divide lands, booming the population of the county. Early history of Hitchcock County tells of frequent Indian scares, but no injury was ever done the settlers. In the fall of 1876, two horse thieves were killed in Massacre Canyon and buried near Culbertson. In the fall of 1878, a band of Cheyenne Indians escaped from their reservation, to visit their old Nebraska home, and passed near here. In the fall of 1881 the Burlington and Missouri Railroad was completed to Culbertson and trains began running regularly to this point. In March 1882, trains began running westward as far as Akron, Colorado. The first school district was organized 21 Feb. 1876. This district was the north one-half of the county. No other district was organized until 1879 when four more districts were added. Another district was formed in 1880 and three more in 1881, making nine school districts in the county by 1882. There were 335 children of school age and 12 teachers holding certificates. The salaries of the teachers ranged all the way from $20 to $40 per month. The first newspaper in the county was the spring of 1879 by W.Z. Taylor, and Nat L. Baker was the editor. This paper was published until the spring of 1800, when Baker took the material and started the Chipper. Taylor started another paper called the Sun at the same time and employed R.D. Graham as editor. During the same summer the Clipper failed and Baker returned the material and the Sun remained the only paper published in the county. LocationAlberts Culbertson Grass is located in Hitchcock County in SW Nebraska. The closest community is Culbertson and the nearest large community is McCook (15 minutes). The property is only a mile north of US Hwy 34 and is located almost an equal distance from Interstates I-70 and I-80. View More Welcome to Elizabeth City State University! For more than 130 years, Elizabeth City State University has proudly served as a premiere institution offering a wide variety of academic programs and services, fostering intellectual growth and critical thinking skills inside and outside of the classroom, and providing a nurturing campus environment that supports todays diverse student. We boast about our one-of-a-kind, dedicated and highly-qualified faculty and staff members, who take pride in inspiring and preparing our students to become tomorrows leaders and to make an impact on the community, the state, and the world. This is ECSU. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. The ECSU family is proud of its legacy and the rich history that has fortified this city and become a beacon for the future of Northeastern region of the state. With 20,000+ alumni and growing partnerships with community and business organizations, we are committed to leading the way in education and innovation, expanding our reach, and improving the economic strength of North Carolina. With 30 undergraduate degree offerings and four graduate degree programs, research opportunities and study abroad options, the possibilities for our students are endless. Students can participate in cultural and social activities and clubs, join organizations and honor societies, and become involved in sports, arts, music, and other creative opportunities that enhance their personal growth and leadership skills. New technology-enhanced learning initiatives like our Drone Technology and Aviation programs give ECSU students a competitive advantage in the 21st century marketplace. We are proud to be home of NC Promise a statewide initiative designed to increase educational access, reduce student debt and grow the states economy. ECSU is one of four state universities that benefit from the lower tuition rate and the opportunity to graduate with less debt. Our commitment to access and affordability for higher education will remain a critical part of our mission. Each year, ECSU is recognized by various higher education organizations for our commitment to providing a high-quality education that is affordable and accessible to all who seek it. We are ranked #3 among Public Schools in the Regional College South and #4 for Best Colleges for Veterans - Regional Colleges South by U.S. News &World Report (2022-23), #15 among the top 20 Best Bang for the Buck colleges and #6 Bachelor's Colleges category by Washington Monthly in 2022. This is a great time to be a Viking! We are transforming and heading towards greater possibilities. Welcome to Elizabeth City State University. Viking Pride! Dr. Karrie G. Dixon Chancellor Chancellor Dixon's Biography Event Participation Request Five-Year Report Forging Our Future Strategic Plan Photo: NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is finally getting in on the trend of government investigations into unidentified foreign objects. After stating for years that UFO inquiries were below them both in terms of altitude and reputation NASA held its first-ever hearing this week on the weird objects that are flying around above us apparently all the time. Below are the main takeaways from the latest federal report on the flying objects, which the government lamely insists on calling unidentified anomalous phenomena. There are weird metallic orbs flying around all over the world Sean Kirkpatrick, the head of the Department of Defenses UFO branch (formally known as the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office) spoke at the NASA hearing of strange metallic orbs like one observed by a Reaper drone in the Middle East last year. Screenshot displayed at the NASA UAP briefing of a "metallic orb" observed by a US MQ-9 Reaper in the Middle East in 2022. pic.twitter.com/GljAymVVtR Steve Herman (@W7VOA) May 31, 2023 While Kirkpatrick said that this particular object demonstrated no enigmatic technical capabilities, he did note that these things are everywhere. We see these all over the world and we see these making very interesting apparent maneuvers, he said, adding that theyve noted 800 similar cases of metallic orbs. Only 2 to 5 percent of sightings are really unexplained which makes sense Kirkpatrick stated that his research office at the Department of Defense receives around 50 to 100 reports of UFOs (or UAPs unidentified anomalous phenomena as they are now known) per month since it was founded last July. But only 2 to 5 percent of those events are really anomalous, Kirkpatrick said on Wednesday. The majority of unidentified objects reported to AARO and in our holdings demonstrate mundane characteristics of readily explainable sources, he added. The majority of unidentified objects reported to AARO and in our holdings demonstrate mundane characteristics of readily explainable sources, Kirkpatrick explained. While a large number of cases in AAROs holdings remain technically unresolved, this is primarily due to a lack of data associated with those cases. For Americans paying attention to the glut of UFO news over the past six years, that number checks out at an intuitive level. In 2017, many UFO hopefuls were optimistic that newly-revealed government research into the matter would reveal extraterrestrial activity. But skeptics and further government reports have proven that most of the sightings have clear explanations usually either military or private-sector unmanned aircraft. The terrestrial nature of many UFO sightings was especially clear this winter, when a Chinese surveillance balloon high above the United States revealed that similar craft had been floating over us for years. An astronaut explains his airborne Bart Simpson event Retired astronaut and brother to the junior senator from Arizona Scott Kelly described how easy it is to mistake objects while in flight at tremendously high speeds. Once, when on a mission in an F-14 Tomcat supersonic jet, the flight officer in the back seat thought he saw a UFO. After flying past it, they looped around for another look. It turns out it was Bart Simpson, a balloon. This environment we operate in is so conducive to optical illusions, Kelly added. He then showed other videos of unusual objects that had ordinary explanations: three different airplanes mistaken for one glowing troika or, once again, more weather balloons. Astronaut and naval aviator Scott Kelly blows the lid off the "highly trained observer" nonsense. These are humans and they make mistakes. pic.twitter.com/OJFLaLYPfJ Edward Current (@edwardcurrent) May 31, 2023 Theres still no evidence of extraterrestrial activity Sorry, folks NASA hasnt found any aliens either. There is no conclusive evidence suggesting an extraterrestrial origin for UAPs, said panel member and science writer Nadia Drake. She did say, though, that better data is needed to get a stronger understanding of whats actually out there. NASA is expected to deliver a report from the inquiry by August on how to better collect data. But some people think theres a cover-up During the panel livestream, several observers on YouTube alleged that NASA was involved in an extraterrestrial cover-up. A form for the public to ask questions included queries like: Has NASA ever lied to the public regarding UFO topic? If so, provide truthful responses for the three most significant lies. Nicky Fox, the associate administrator for the NASAs Science Mission Directorate, said that several panel members had been harassed online for their involvement in the inquiry. Fox discouraged the public from bothering her colleagues. Harassment only leads to further stigmatization of the UAP field, significantly hindering the scientific process and discouraging others to study this important subject matter, she said. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Back in the 1950s, there was an ethically challenged governor of my home state of Georgia who would defend himself against frequent charges of corruption by accusing his critics of trying to undermine Jim Crow laws, of which he was a loud champion. One journalist referred to this argument as: If you aint for stealin, you aint for segregation! I thought of this precedent upon reading about the impeachment of Texas attorney general Ken Paxton by the Texas House for a remarkable array of improprieties, which has led him to mobilize his MAGA allies to launch a highly ideological defense, as the Texas Tribune reports: One day after a Texas House committee recommended that Attorney General Ken Paxton be impeached, several prominent Republicans pressed a common strategy Friday: attack, attack, attack. In statements and social media posts, conservatives accused their fellow Republicans in the Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan in particular of attempting to undermine voters and conservative values by attacking Paxton. And, largely without addressing the merits of the many accusations against Paxton, they framed him as the victim of a political witch hunt that was orchestrated by a cabal of Democrats and Republicans in name only. The impeachment proceedings against the Attorney General are but the latest front in the Texas Houses war against Republicans to stop the conservative direction of our state, Matt Rindaldi, chair of the Republican Party of Texas, said in a statement. The Texas House subsequently voted to approve 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton by a vote of 121-23, with 60 of the attorney generals fellow Republicans supporting the equivalent of an indictment. The charges were summarized by the Tribune as mostly flowing from two major allegations against Paxton that had drawn attention from law enforcement for years: Many of the articles of impeachment focused on allegations that Paxton had repeatedly abused his powers of office to help a political donor and friend, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. In fall 2020, eight top deputies in the attorney generals office approached federal and state investigators to report their concerns about Paxtons relationship with Paul. The articles of impeachment accused Paxton of accepting bribes, disregarding his official duties and misapplying public resources to help Paul. The articles also referred to felony charges of securities fraud, and one felony count of failing to register with state securities officials, that have been pending against Paxton since 2015, months after he took office as attorney general. The fraud charges stem from Paxtons work in 2011 to solicit investors in Servergy Inc. without disclosing that the McKinney company was paying him for the work. Paxton has been temporarily stripped of his office by Governor Greg Abbott as required by the Texas Constitution, and will soon face trial by the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for conviction. In a strange twist, one of the senators who will render judgment on Paxton is his wife, Angela, whose budding political career he has sponsored. Its unclear whether she will recuse herself or vote; the situation is complicated by an extramarital affair her husband has admitted is bound up in the allegations involving Paxton and Paul. In any event, Paxtons allies are kicking out the jams to help him beat the rap, beginning with his most important friend, Donald Trump, as The Hill reported: 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 said in a post on Truth Social. Trump was joined in defending Paxton by his friends Ted Cruz, who called the impeachment a travesty, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who called it a witch hunt. Like Trump, Cruz seemed to suggest that the court of public opinion was the only proper judge of Paxtons fitness, noted Newsweek: Virtually all of the information in the articles was public BEFORE Election Day, and the voters chose to re-elect Ken Paxton by a large margin, Cruz wrote. In my view, the Texas Legislature should respect the choice of the Texas voters. Its true that Paxtons unsavory reputation drew three significant primary opponents in 2022: wild-man congressman Louie Gohmert, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman, and the last gasp of a great political dynasty, George P. Bush. With an endorsement from Trump, Paxton ultimately smoked Bush in a runoff, and had no trouble winning the general election to claim a third term. Paxton dismissed all the talk of his shady ethics, suggesting that he was a victim of political persecution, much like Trump. So Paxtons going with the same game plan to try to save his job and perhaps his hide. The battle is going to be vicious, all right; Paxton has already accused his nemesis, Dade Phelan, of presiding over the House in a state of inebriation and called on his to resign. And its unclear what repeated examination of Paxtons career might turn up. The one thing we do know is that Team Paxton will spend more time impugning the ideological purity of the attorney generals tormenters than defending the ethical purity of their hero. Ron DeSantis blasts the debt deal as part of his latest strategy of going as far to the right as he can. Photo: Josh Funk/AP Theres an air of celebration in Washington over the relatively comfortable margin by which the U.S. House passed the Biden-McCarthy debt-limit deal. Its just a matter of time (and some posturing on the floor) before the Senate goes along, thus averting the unknown but terrifying economic perils of a U.S. debt default. Among Republicans, theres lots of talk about Kevin McCarthy turning out to be some sort of strategic genius, keeping conservative defections in the House on the final vote down to 71, or just under a third of the House GOP membership. But do you know who sided with those far-right dissenters who were willing to plunge the national and global economy into chaos? Most of the 2024 Republican presidential candidates, thats who. Donald Trump opened the extremist bidding well before the actual deal was struck, suggesting during his May 10 CNN town-hall event that a debt default was an acceptable outcome if it was necessary to achieve massive cuts in spending. His most formidable rival, Ron DeSantis, who has decided he must get to Trumps right wherever and whenever possible, was far more definitive about the actual deal, as Politico reported: Prior to this deal, our country was careening towards bankruptcy, and after this deal, our country will still be careening towards bankruptcy, and to say you can do 4 trillion of increases in the next year and a half, I mean, thats a massive amount of spending, DeSantis, who recently announced his 2024 presidential bid, said on Fox & Friends. Mike Pence was his usual grave self, addressing the authors of the debt deal as though they were irresponsible teenagers, as The Hill reported: Congress debt limit deal doesnt just kick the can down the road, it uses Washington smoke and mirror games to make small reforms while weakening our military at a time of increasing threats from foreign adversaries, Pence said in a statement through his political advocacy group. Its time to be honest with the American people and get everybody to the table to restore fiscal integrity to our nation. Nikki Haley took advantage of her lack of Washington experience by not only criticizing the Biden-McCarthy deal but blasting Trump and DeSantis for supporting past debt-limit deals, according to the Washington Examiner: Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley slammed former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), the two GOP 2024 front-runners, for their debt limit support record as Congress scrambles to avoid a default on the nations bills before June 5. In an email to reporters Tuesday, the Haley campaign attacked Trump and DeSantis for supporting a 2018 measure that increased the nations debt ceiling. DeSantis, then a member of the House, voted for the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which Trump signed into law. Vivek Ramaswamy is cultivating an outsider persona, so naturally he bluntly opposed the debt deal: We need to think on the timescales of history, not 2-year election cycles or quarterly earnings reports. We should stand for principles, not incrementalism or window-dressing. I would vote against the debt ceiling deal. pic.twitter.com/fakjDTmwfO Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) May 30, 2023 And the only presidential candidate (or likely presidential candidate) who actually has a vote on the deal, Senator Tim Scott, told Axios hed be voting no: Is it in our best interest as a nation to allow Joe Biden, someone who we cannot trust on spending, to have an open checkbook until the end of his term? Scott said during an Axios News Shapers event on Wednesday. The fact that the current deal allows for him to continue to spend, however much he does with no limit, is something that I cant support. The only announced or near-certain candidate to say anything positive about the debt deal (Its not perfect, but we need to get this resolved) was Asa Hutchinson, confirming his outlier status in the 2024 field. Its hardly breaking news that candidates for a presidential nomination in either party, and particularly the more ideologically uniform Republican Party, are focused on pleasing the party base rather than looking all moderate and reasonable for general-election swing voters. But still, its notable that so many GOP candidates are willing to give the back of their hands to both the House and Senate leadership of their party and casually embrace a course of action that might have had catastrophic consequences. Sure, would-be presidents strutting their stuff among activists in Iowa and New Hampshire are always going to be absorbed with showing they have a spine when it comes to battling the evil minions of the opposing party. But it shouldnt be too much to ask that they exhibit some brains as well in steering clear of the road to economic perdition. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images On August 8, 2022, Donald Trump was in possession of classified documents he had removed from the White House when FBI agents executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago. Team Trump insisted that his vast presidential powers made the entire scandal moot, though, claiming days after the search that he had a standing order during his presidency that the documents were deemed to be declassified the moment he removed them from the Oval Office. There is no evidence that this standing order actually existed, and Trumps attorneys avoided saying anything about it in court. Within a few weeks, the former president offered an inventive new twist on the argument. In a September 2022 interview with Sean Hannity, Trump explained he may not have any physical proof of his automatic declassification process because if youre the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying its declassified, even by thinking about it. "There doesn't have to be a process ... I declassified everything" -- Trump on how he declassified documents (this is false -- there is a process Trump didn't follow) pic.twitter.com/ehX8QqTnmB Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 22, 2022 Even for Trump, this assertion of magical mental-declassification powers was bold. It was so bold, it seems, that even Trump himself didnt believe it in July 2021. On Wednesday, CNN reported that federal prosecutors investigating Trumps handling of sensitive documents have obtained a recording of Trump talking about having a classified military document in his possession: The recording indicates Trump understood he retained classified material after leaving the White House, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation. On the recording, Trumps comments suggest he would like to share the information but hes aware of limitations on his ability post-presidency to declassify records, two of the sources said. Journalists have not heard the tape, but multiple sources said its an important piece of evidence in Special Counsel Jack Smiths probe, per CNN: Prosecutors have asked witnesses about the recording and the document before a federal grand jury. The episode has generated enough interest for investigators to have questioned Gen. Mark Milley, one of the highest-ranking Trump-era national security officials, about the incident. The recording was made during a meeting between Trump and people helping his former chief of staff Mark Meadows write his memoir. (Meadows did not attend the meeting himself.) According to the New York Times, one of two Trump aides at the meeting, Margo Martin, routinely taped the interviews he gave for books being written about him that year. (Its the latest of Trumps repeated issues with audio recordings.) Meadows book includes a passage that describes the Trump meeting, as the Washington Post reports: The boss leans back in his chair, dressed in a sport coat and a crisp white shirt thats open at the neck. He looks at least twenty pounds lighter than he was in office, Meadowss book says. The president recalls a four-page report typed up by Mark Milley himself. It contains the generals own plan to attack Iran, deploying massive numbers of troops, something he urged President Trump to do more than once during his presidency. President Trump denied those requests every time. It seems Trump may have been confused about what he had in his possession. CNN was told that the document wasnt actually produced by Milley. And former military officials told the Post that Milley never advocated for attacking Iran, but the Pentagon would outline various options for responding to foreign adversaries with the pros and cons. So dont stress about Trump casually discussing a document that may have outlined plans for starting a war. The point here is that Trump getting caught on tape lamenting his lack of post-presidential declassification powers severely undercuts the arguments he was making publicly just a year later. Though he could argue that, much like those of Santa Claus, presidents magical mental powers only work when you believe. A man was killed Wednesday night in a Valley shooting near Verandas Apartments on Sydney Street, authorities said. Ericsson Sandoval, 27, was found dead outside of a building. His body will be transported to the Medical Examiners Office in Montgomery for an autopsy. At this time, we have not identified a motive or received a description of the shooter, Police Chief Mike Reynolds said. Valley police officers were called to a shooting that occurred around 9:37 p.m. Wednesday near Verandas Apartments complex at 100 Sydney St. When they arrived to the scene, they found a man dead with multiple gunshot wounds lying in the roadway in front of Building 5. Valley police continue to investigate the incident. They Valley Police Department thanked the following agencies for their assistance: Lanett Police Department, West Police Department, Opelika Police Department, Chambers County Sherriffs Office, Lee County Sheriffs Office and the East Alabama Fire and the East Alabama EMS. Authorities urge those with information about the case to call VPD at 334-756-5200. You can also visit the Central Alabama Crime Stoppers website at www.2156stop.com. You call them at 334-215-STOP or 833-AL1-STOP. As a part of the Flags of Vets mission to pay respects to veterans, Popwell has been planting national flags with illuminated poles at veterans' homes since 2017. Beth Miller said it made her day to watch Flag of Vets volunteers honor her son. Popwell also appreciated the opportunity. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students." Right to Inspect and Review School Records Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies. Request to Correct School Records Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information. Written Permission to Release Information Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR 99.31): School officials with legitimate educational interest; Other schools to which a student is transferring; Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes; Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student; Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school; Accrediting organizations; To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law. Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school. no wonder Joey picked Pacey Reply Thread Link I cannot even imagine Josh and James getting along IRL lol they are so wildly different. I am pretty sure they didnt get along back then either Reply Parent Thread Link They definitly didnt. Hated each other. Reply Parent Thread Link The washed up tv actors to conservative pundits pipeline continues to be so boring and predictable Reply Thread Link https://www.thedailybeast.com/kimberly-van-der-beek-uses-her-wellness-image-to-promote-anti-vax-conspiracies Hes an anti vaxxer that choose to move to Texas , hes trash Reply Thread Link Yup. RFK and Marianne are anti or vax questioning aren't they? Probably why he wants this debate. Reply Parent Thread Link RFK and Marianne are both flakes of the first order. Marianne is already broke, her campaign manager quit last week and she isn't paying staffers. Reply Parent Thread Link Total trash, and incumbent Presidents never debate. It's not a thing, it has never been a thing. Legitimate candidates don't challenge the leader of their party. It isn't done. Period. Reply Parent Thread Link dont ruin apt 23 for me you little asshole Reply Thread Link I was a huge Dawsons Creek fan and hated Dawson, that show redeemed him so much in my eyes, but then he turned out to be this my first instinct was correct Also, all of his Instagram captions are so sanctimonious, he must be insufferable in real life Reply Parent Thread Link JvdB in that show is a hilarious character, I am aware that it's a scripted show and hes not like that but I just need him to stay out of my face and shut up so I can have something to turn my brain off to. Reply Parent Thread Link If we ever get a reboot, which I think we as a nation deserve, they should make a passing comment about how James moved to Texas, had like 97 kids and is now a Republican so she auditions replacement late 90s/early 00s icons and settles on someone who seems cool and unserious about themselves like Haley Joel Osment, Daniel Radcliffe, Josh Hutcherson, or Adam Brody. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Don't trust the B named JVDB Reply Parent Thread Link Mte Reply Parent Thread Link He looks like a knockoff Chris Pine. Reply Thread Link He wishes Reply Parent Thread Link He looks like what Chris Pine would age like HORRENDOUSLY. Reply Parent Thread Link This Chris Pine slander Reply Parent Thread Link this man's face is twice the length of chris pine's! and this is coming from someone who finds neither of them attractive. Reply Parent Thread Link damn what did Chris Pine do to you?? Reply Parent Thread Link I'm not here for this Pine slander. Yes, he also has a huge head and yes, also a huge forehead, and yes, also blue eyes... ah fuck. Reply Parent Thread Link incredibly rude Reply Parent Thread Link go play with your 6 children and stfu, dawson neither of bidens opponents are serious candidates, and history shows that if incumbent presidents face primary challenges from their own party, they universally lose. biden isnt my fav either but hes better than tr*mp or des*nt*s im sure this anti-vaxxx loser would loooove to support rfk jr (another anti-vaxxx loser) though!!!! Reply Thread Link Exactly. The republicans should have had the courage and taken control in 2016 and iced Trump out. They should have the courage this time around too and accept they should take one for the country. We do not have time to humor either the Kennedy or Williamson. Reply Parent Thread Link The last time there was a serious opponent to a Democratic President Carter lost to Reagan. RFK Jr should remember as he campaigned for his uncle. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh ew til he's super conservative too bleh. Reply Thread Link Edited at 2023-06-01 10:58 pm (UTC) Anddd more reason to be #teampacey Reply Thread Link And this is why Pacey was always the one Reply Thread Link Nothing he said was wrong at all. Reply Thread Link Thats where Im at. I had an instinctual negative reaction to the mention of Fox News in the title but I watched the video and it doesnt sound like hes right wing. Reply Parent Thread Link People need to realize that Biden is deeply unpopular across the political spectrum lol. It's not just the Let's Go Brandon people. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link right, i'm surprised at most of the comments here Reply Parent Thread Link yeah i thought this place didn't like biden? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It is though, because not having a primary debate against an incumbent when there are no viable candidates is, in fact, normal it would be a complete waste of time and resources. Its possible that a notable candidate could primary Biden and get interest and fundraise, and then there would be a conversation about a debate. But why would you get the sitting president to debate a bunch of nobodys who will not win and have virtually no support. Its not anti democratic, its the party process in different parties and in different countries too. Hes equating presidential debates with party primaries. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link yeah i dont get this. it's terrible that biden is running again, especially entirely unopposed. I thought we all knew that!? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link +1 and i'm in the "republicans are all monsters, no ifs, ands, or buts, and should be sent to another planet," camp. and i can't stand this dude. but he was not at all wrong. at ALL. Reply Parent Thread Link Yup. I'm progressive and I'm fucking shocked Biden is even running because he absofuckinglutely should not be. Reply Parent Thread Link y'all do this everytime. You cannot pick and choose when a bigot is right or wrong. Just because what he's saying something that might seem reasonable doesn't mean that it's being said for the right reasons. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Oh absolutely, an 80 year old has no business running a country, Dems are absolutely idiots as always and America needs age restrictions for their politicians. BUT the only thing I have an issue with is the fact that he hasn't told republicans to fuck all the way off which probably means he's one of them. Edit: And apparently he's an anti-vaxxer and that says a lot, also who in their right mine willingly moves to Taxes especially when they have the means to live anywhere. Plus the 1000 kids. It's all red flags Edited at 2023-06-02 02:20 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link yeah this is wild lol. i mean, why not just beebop right past the primary election at this point (something im certain a great many people would gladly forego)? the DNC clearly knows best!!! and, as has been stated, there are absolutely no other viable candidates on the planet who could do the job. if only people would take a moment to ponder upon why that may be lmao. the DNC blatantly torpedos the campaigns of any actual viable progressive candidates in order to prop up its neoliberal puppets and anyone who would argue different is delusional. i screamed when i read the tweet about the ridiculousness of dems being accused of being undemocratic LOL like theres even a question Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I can't watch right now but I did read the caption/comments and honestly, he's not saying anything I disagree with. I understand it feels more like "in a perfect world" speech but I can't willfully demonize the man when he's not really wrong. Again...didn't watch the vid, just going off what he wrote for it. Reply Thread Link honestly, Dems do need to get their shit together, cause if Biden runs in 2024, he'll no doubt be defeated. No Dem/liberal/left-leaning person I know supports Biden or wants him as President. Reply Thread Link Dems are their own worst enemy, instead of working together and finding a candidate that is good and supporting them they decide to be divided internally and in-fight. They get in their own way. Reply Parent Thread Link Trump is even less popular tho Reply Parent Thread Link there's a massive difference between who you support and who you'll vote for. i don't support biden but i'll crawl over fucking glass to vote for him over any republican. unfortunately that's where we're at right now. Reply Parent Thread Link And Ill talk shit about him while Im doing it idgaf Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Im seeing a LOOOOTTTT of Bernie Bros that are hopping on the Marianne bandwagon. And theres no way she could beat Desantis or Trump even if she WAS a worthwhile candidate. We're so fucked. I dont even know how to feel at this point I just feel so defeated. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link They might do that but as long as Trump is on the playing field, I don't see how that happens. No one is enthusiastic about it, but we are in the same position as last time, with a clearer idea of what's coming. Do Dems/liberals/left leaning and independents for that matter want a federal abortion ban/outlawing of birth control, the further demonization of anyone not white and straight and so on. He might bow out on his own, but I don't think the conversation has any hope of happening until after we see the cases Jack Smith and Fani Willis present. Reply Parent Thread Link ONTD doesn't reflect the majority of voters. Reply Parent Thread Link Yall were saying this in 2020 Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Biden will win next year because the alternative is literally Nazis. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lol ok. every left-leaning/democrat/liberal i know supports him and his re-election, including myself. Reply Parent Thread Link i dont think its a slam dunk loss for biden, but it is going to be far closer than it has any right to be and i cannot help but feel incredibly frustrated by that. Reply Parent Thread Link "Joe Biden, whos preparing to announce his bid for re-election in 2024" ummm, he already has announced. he did in April. I know because, although he's completely skipping my state, his campaign is sending me fundraising texts. Reply Thread Link Protecting Workers During National Safety Month Understanding head, face and eye hazards and their solutions will help keep workers stay safe this June and all year long. June marks the beginning of National Safety Month, which focuses on raising public awareness of the leading safety and health risks for workers and aims to decrease the number of injuries and fatalities in workplaces. While safety is important year-round, observances such as National Safety Month are paramount to raising awareness about safety and health hazards and creating an environment where workers and organizations can put safety first. A safety-first workplace environment focuses on eliminating the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. By creating awareness of the risks and hazards and educating workers to conduct tasks safely, solutions can be made to help eliminate on-site risks. In safety plans, PPE should be considered the last line of defense against injury. But while it is viewed as the last line of defense, it is still crucial to have head-to-toe PPE. Indeed, head-to-toe protection starts at the top. This National Safety Month, lets review the head, face and eye protection needed when it comes to staying protected on the job. Head Safety Summer is here, which means construction season is in full swing. Common workplace risks for construction workers include exposure to dropped objects and impacts and bumps to the head on equipment and machinery. Ensuring proper head protection is a necessary component in helping to keep workers safe. However, with the warmer weather during summer months, wearing a hard hat for long periods of time in the heat can really take a toll on health and safety. Constant sun exposure is an under recognized health hazard that many construction workers and workers in other outdoor related industries face. Assessing the heat risks on the job is vital for workers. If the body is not able to regulate the internal temperature fast enough, this can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. When selecting head protection for outdoor construction workers who may be more susceptible to heat stress, employers should supply light-colored hard hats for their employees to help protect from heat hazards. Lighter colored hard hats, such as those that are white, help keep workers cool by reflecting light from the sun away from the head. High-visibility colors on the other hand, such as orange, can attract and retain heat. Research indicates that when working in a 90-degree-Fahrenheit setting, white hard hats provided the coolest temperature around a workers head, while orange hard hats or high-visibility yellow resulted in the highest temperatures. There was over a 10-degree-Fahrenheit gap in temperature between the two colors which could make or break a day of work in the heat of the summer. This article originally appeared in the June 1, 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. Summertime Safety Planning The heats coming and, with it, multiple safety challenges. Heres how to make sure your teams ready. Summer is nearly here and with it, some hot work conditions for your employees. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, unusually hot summer temperatures have become more common across the contiguous 48 states in recent decades, resulting in higher numbers of heat-related deaths and illnesses; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that more than 600 people die in the United States by extreme heat every year. And in that extreme heat are thousands of people performing various important jobs and tasks, making sure that life can continue comfortably and safely. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that from 2011 to 2019, 255 U.S. workers died from extreme environmental heat exposure, with 57 deaths occurring to older workers (55 to 64), 144 to those working construction, repair or cleaning, as well as 54 people who were conducting materials handling operations. With hot summers becoming increasingly frequent and even normal, employers need to pay more attention to safety when working in heat, if its not a priority already. But in addition to the very serious hazard of hot working conditions, as youll read below, summer also brings a number of other occupational hazards that must be identified and mitigated for the safety of your team members and your organization. Heat Stress The most dangerous occupational hazard during summer, heat stress, encompasses several heat-related illnesses including heat stroke, heat cramps, heat rashes, heat exhaustion and according to the OSHA, even rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo), which is the breakdown of muscle tissue due to performing prolonged physical work in excessive heat. OSHA says that workers who are at increased risk of heat stress include people over the age of 65, those who are overweight and have heart disease or high blood pressure, as well as people taking certain medications that may make them more sensitive to extreme heat. Because heat stress is a somewhat broad category of illnesses, the mitigation strategies required need to be comprehensive and strategic in order to successfully protect your team. During the months when heat stress is a concern, a manual or an automated check-in system should be implemented in which the employee checks in with their employer to confirm their safety at predetermined intervals or times; in high-risk circumstances or environments, employ shorter check-in intervals to verify the workers well-being; adaptation to heat may require some time and varies from person to person. This article originally appeared in the June 1, 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. Working in Isolation: Protecting Your Most Vulnerable Employees Many oil and gas workers can operate as lone workers. Fortunately, there are technologies that can help protect isolated and remote employees. Various oil and gas industry employees such as pipeline inspectors and maintenance workers working on their own can be exposed to higher levels of risk due to the remote nature of their work. The potential impact of any incident or injury that happens to a lone employee working in a remote area is magnified due to a delay in getting help for that employee. This makes remote workers a particularly vulnerable part of your workforce. All the risks that would normally impact an employee working in a central location, such as falling from heights, working with electricity, confined spaces or chemical exposure, become amplified when the employee is isolated or in a remote area. Consider a lineman getting called to a site in a densely populated downtown area; if he or she suffers an injury, no more than a couple of minutes would pass before someone would notice, and help would be on the way. Now consider the same lineman getting called to fix the trouble in a rural area with nobody around for miles. Nobody to see a fall, and nobody to hear a call for help. An injured, unconscious or incapacitated employee could go unseen for hours or even days. Lucky for us, there is new technology available that enables 24/7 worker connectivity and significantly reduces risk to this vulnerable group. Today, we have technology options that connect even the most isolated employees to a real-time response plan in the event of an incident or emergency. In this article, well review the technology options available, and which scenarios they are best suited to. Tech Overview There are three main categories of technology for remote or lone workers: smartphone apps, satellite devices and wearables. Smartphone apps tend to be a more cost-effective option and are best implemented across organizations that offer company-provided smartphones to employees. Otherwise, adoption may be difficult if employers are trying to force employees to download apps on their personal phones. End users tend to like smartphone apps because it means they dont have to carry an additional piece of equipment, and over the past few years, the user interfaces of these apps have become much more user-friendly. This article originally appeared in the June 1, 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. Crude oil prices moved higher moments before the Energy Information Administration reported an inventory build of 4.5 million barrels for the week to May 26. At 459.7 million barrels, crude oil inventories in the U.S. are around 2% below the five-year average for this time of the year. Last weeks change compares with a substantial draw of 12.5 million barrels for the previous week, which caused prices to jump but only for a short while. This week, the American Petroleum Institute surprised markets with a large inventory build estimate that pressured prices on Wednesday but Thursday presented a chance for a reversal as the House of Representatives voted for the debt ceiling suspension deal agreed by President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Meanwhile, the EIA reported a 200,000-barrel inventory draw in gasoline, with production averaging 10 million barrels daily in the week to May 26. This compared with a draw of 2.1 million barrels for the previous week, when production averaged 10.3 million barrels daily. In middle distillates, the authority estimated an inventory build of 1 million barrels for the week to May 26, and a production rate of 5 million bpd. This compared with an inventory draw of 600,000 barrels for the previous week, when production averaged 4.9 million bpd. At the time of writing, Brent crude traded at $73.11 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at $68.86 per barrel, both up since opening on the day when Midland crude joins the Brent basket. This is the first time a non-European crude oil grade will be part of the global benchmark. Meanwhile, a poll Reuters ran among economists has suggested that prices will not be able to top $100 this year, remaining below $90 per barrel for the remainder of the year. According to the respondents in the poll, Brent will average $84.73 per barrel this year, while West Texas Intermediate will average $79.20 per barrel. Both figures were downward revisions on earlier forecasts. ADVERTISEMENT By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: SACSCOC Accreditation SACSCOC Mission The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. The Commission's mission is the enhancement of educational quality throughout the region and the improvement of the effectiveness of institutions by ensuring that they meet standards established by the higher education community that address the needs of society and students. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Latin America, and other international sites approved by the Commission on Colleges that award associate, baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications from other international institutions of higher education. Accreditation by SACS Commission on Colleges signifies that the institution (1) has a mission appropriate to higher education, (2) has resources, programs, and services sufficient to accomplish and sustain that mission, and (3) maintains clearly specified educational objectives that are consistent with its mission and appropriate to the degrees it offers, and that indicate whether it is successful in achieving its stated objectives. From the Principles of Accreditation. Click HERE to view the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation. Reaffirmation - Dec. 2021 Elizabeth City State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of ECSU may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org). Elizabeth City State University was reaffirmed by SACSCOC for the next ten years. The decision was made at the December 2021 Annual Meeting of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC Removes Public Warning - Dec. 5, 2017 The Southern Association of Colleges Commission on Colleges (SACS COC) announced Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, that it has removed Elizabeth City State University from its public warning status. The notification came after the SACS COC board of trustees met on Tuesday. The board voted to lift ECSU from warning status, citing that the university fulfilled its commitment to University of North Carolina General Administration to correct issues of concern found in an internal audit last year, concerns which focused on admissions and financial aid policies and regulations. Substantive Change Policy + ProcedurePolicy CrosswalkCover Sheet Elizabeth City State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the baccalaureate and master's level. Questions about the accreditation of Elizabeth City State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org). Iraq, OPECs second-largest oil producer, exported on average 3.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil in May, flat compared to April, according to the Iraqi oil ministry. Iraqs revenues from oil stood at $7.3 billion last month, as sales were made at an average of $71.30 per barrel, the ministry said in a statement carried by Reuters. Iraq is currently exporting oil only via its southern oil export terminals, with around 450,000 bpd of exports from the northern fields and from the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan still shut in due to a dispute over who should authorize the Kurdish exports. Amid fears of a recession and concerns about slower-than-expected Chinese recovery, the oil market hasnt particularly missed Kurdistans exports. Oil prices registered monthly losses in both April and May. Oil actually had the seventh consecutive month of monthly losses in May. Kurdistans exportsshut-in since March 25have yet to resume. Earlier this week, reports emerged that a flare-up between the regional government in Kurdistan and the federal Iraqi government in Baghdad added risk for the resumption of oil flows from the northern Iraqi region. Rudaw reports that the spike in tension followed amendments in relation to Kurdistan that the Iraq government had made to the federal budget last week. The Kurdish government slammed the changes as unconstitutional. Kurdistans crude oil exportsaround 400,000 bpd shipped through an Iraqi-Turkey pipeline to Ceyhan and then on tankers to the international marketswere halted on March 25 by the federal government of Iraq. The suspension of oil flows out of northern Iraq and Kurdistan via Ceyhan forced companies to either curtail or suspend production because of limited capacity at storage tanks. Iraq is now waiting for a final go-ahead from Turkey, but the recent Baghdad-Kurdistan flare-up could delay the approval of the budget and may destroy the delicate balance that Baghdad and Erbil achieved in the wake of the oil export halt from Kurdistan. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Despite a long history of being Latin Americas best-managed national oil company Colombias Ecopetrol is swamped by uncertainty. For over a decade, the integrated energy major has been battling to significantly expand its scant proven oil reserves. Now Ecopetrol is facing many grave headwinds which could derail efforts to boost those meager reserves and softer petroleum production. Among the most serious is the plan of Colombias first leftist President Gustavo Petro to ban hydrocarbon exploration. His electoral victory and the appointment of a political ally as Ecopetrols Chief Executive Officer sent the companys stock into a tailspin. While the international Brent benchmark is down by 27% over the last year Ecopetrols market value has plunged by a whopping 40% performing worse than Petrobras, Brazils state-controlled energy company, which is facing similar headwinds seeing it shed 19%. Ecopetrol, which is an important source of income for Colombias government, is facing a bleak outlook. For over a decade the state-controlled energy company has been battling to bolster its proven or 1P reserves which at the end of 2022 stood at just over two billion barrels of oil while proven and probable or 2P reserves totaled 2.5 billion barrels. Ecopetrols reserve replacement ratio, which is essentially the volume of production replaced by discoveries, extensions, and the application of enhanced recovery, fell to 104% for 2022 which was nearly half of 2021 and the lowest since 2016. Those reserves are extremely low for an international integrated energy major. In comparison, most other national oil companies operating in Latin America like Petrobras, with proven reserves of 8.9 billion barrels, possess significantly larger hydrocarbon reserves. Related: Natural Gas Prices Plunge Further Amid Rise In U.S. Stockpiles Ecopetrols paltry reserves can be blamed on a lack of exploration success in Colombia, where the core of the companys upstream assets are located, which has not had any world-class oil discoveries since the 1990s. A combination of geology, long-running civil conflict and operational headwinds have all weighed heavily on hydrocarbon exploration in Colombia over the last three decades. The lack of oil reserves is sharply impacting Ecopetrols future, especially now that Colombias President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla, intends to end awarding new contracts for hydrocarbon exploration in the Andean country. President Petros April 11, 2023, appointment of close ally David Roa as Ecopetrol CEO, to replace Felipe Bayon, roiled financial markets. Roas comments later that month, where he said Ecopetrol will not push Colombias government for new exploration contracts and that Petros plan to end contracting for hydrocarbon exploration was responsible, alarmed investors. Those comments saw Ecopetrols stock tumble into free-fall with the company losing as much as 8% before rebounding slightly. When Ecopetrols scant hydrocarbon reserves are considered, it is easy to understand the significant concern Roas comments elicited from investors, particularly when current 2P reserves will likely last less than a decade at the current rate of production. Ecopetrols ongoing struggle to boost oil and gas production further magnified the alarm. Ecopetrols latest operational data indicates that the integrated energy major has yet to return to pre-pandemic production volumes. For the first quarter of 2023, the integrated energy company lifted an average of 719,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day which, while nearly 4% greater year over year, was still significantly lower than the barrels a day produced for that period during 2019. Annual 2022 output of 709,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day while 4.5% higher than a year earlier was 2% lower than the 724,800 barrels pumped daily for 2019, the last year of full production before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Of further concern for investors, was Ecopetrols first quarter 2023 net income plunging by 14% year over year to $5,660 billion Colombian pesos or around $1.3 billion. After noting the alarm his previous comments and Ecopetrols first quarter 2023 results caused among investors, Roa in Ecopetrols first quarter 2023 earnings call (audio in English) issued a statement declaring he hoped more exploration contracts and oil auctions will be made available by the Petro administration. That, along with recent onshore and offshore hydrocarbon discoveries in Colombia did little to assuage investor fears with Ecopetrols stock still languishing at levels not seen since the 2015 oil price crash. If Petro proceeds with his plan to end issuing new contracts for oil and natural gas exploration in Colombia it not only risks the countrys energy security but will threaten the existence of Ecopetrol, which will sharply impact government revenue. With Colombias government owning 88% of Ecopetrol, coupled with it paying increased taxation revenue after Petros November 2022 industry tax hikes, the integrated energy company is an important source of fiscal income. During 2022, Ecopetrol delivered dividends to the national government which amounted to roughly two percent of total fiscal revenue. After Petros tax hikes, Ecopetrols effective tax rate jumped from 34% to 44.5% and the companys first quarter 2023 income tax paid rose by a staggering 44% year over year to $5,593 billion pesos or around $1.3 billion. Petros ban of hydraulic fracturing in Colombia will be costly for Ecopetrol. The state-controlled energy company during September 2022 asked the ANH to suspend the Kale and Platero fracking pilot contracts for a period of 90 days. Petros bill banning fracking has already passed Colombias Senate and is tipped to receive final Congressional authorization in the coming months. Such a move will see Ecopetrol likely lose the investment already made in the Kale and Platero unconventional oil and gas projects. The national oil companys partner in the Kale and Platero pilots Exxon is in the process of exiting Colombia and is seeking to recoup its investment from the government. This has brought an end to speculation that unconventional oil and natural gas exploration and exploitation in Colombia will allow Ecopetrol to boost its scant hydrocarbon reserves and production. There are signs the Petro administration may interfere even further in Ecopetrols operations. Energy Minister Irene Velez stated in early May 2023 that the government will consider implementing policy to reduce gasoline prices rather than maintaining parity with international prices as has occurred previously. This will either be achieved through increasing fuel subsidies, which in the past were a contributing factor to Bogotas ballooning deficit, or dictating the price of domestic sales to Ecopetrol which is Colombias largest refiner. Such a policy could weigh on Ecopetrols profitability at a time when the integrated energy major is under pressure from a near-perfect storm of weak oil prices, intrusive government policy, and a lack of proven reserves. If Petros administration proceeds with ceasing awarding new contracts for hydrocarbon exploration and is successful in banning fracking, then Ecopetrols long-term future as an upstream oil producer is at stake. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The current head of Drummond in Colombia and his predecessor will be tried on charges of financing a paramilitary group, Reuters has reported, citing the office of Colombias attorney general. According to prosecutors, there was abundant evidence that Augusto Jimenez and Miguel Linares, who headed the company from 1990 and 2012, and from 2013 onwards, respectively, had used company funds for illicit support to a right-wing group. "Linares Martinez and Jimenez Mejia, between 1996 and 2001, increased the value of a food provision contract with a provider company to obtain additional resources and use them to cover previously-agreed illegal obligations with...the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)," a statement by the attorney generals office said. The purpose of the illicit transfers was to secure mining assets operated by the company in areas where the paramilitary group had a presence. "These accusations are not backed up with credible proof and are based, principally, on false declarations by convicted criminals, who receive payments for testimony," Drummond said in response to the news. The U.S.-based company is the biggest producer of thermal coal in Colombia, Reuters noted in its report, with total exports of the commodity this year seen at 30 million tons by Miguel Linares. The news of the charges against Linares and his predecessor comes a day after Drummonds Colombian unit announced plans to become a net-zero company by 2050. Measures would include switching from gas to electricity at one mine in the country, switching from gasoline to gas for its light vehicle fleet, and emission offsets for the carbon dioxide the company cannot reduce. "We're looking for projects to see where we can reduce our emissions, how to offset what we cannot avoid and include all our allies in a commitment to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050," Linares told media without mentioning the price tag of the push into carbon neutrality. ADVERTISEMENT By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The next revision of Europes Russian sanctions could be coming as soon as next week, although the measures wont be as strong as originally intended, people familiar with the negotiations told Reuters. The European Commission had plans to tighten up the loopholes in the existing sanctions, and put out its proposal last month. The members of the coalition were expected to be signed off on sometime between May 19 and 21, but the proposal to beef up sanctions against Russia wasnt without dissension, prompting additional negotiations and revisions to the proposal. The proposal to upgrade the sanctions, as originally designed, was to be tougher across several areas, including targeting third countries that are not going far enough to make sure Russia is following existing sanctions. The measures would have been a deterrent to countries who were either assisting Russia with its sanctions-busting trade, or even who were turning a blind eye to Russias skirting of the sanctions. The targets would have seen restrictions on exports of key goods. But the revised sanctions watered this measure down, opting to hold companies and not countries responsible, Reuters sources suggested. Other measures in the proposal included trade restrictions for Chinese firms that have allegedly shipped banned goods to Russia, banning goods from traveling through Russia, and halting Russias oil flows through the northern part of the Druzhba pipeline. Reuters sources said that the EU Commission is looking to have member states sign off on the revised proposal as early as next week. Europe has found itself the subject of criticism over its Russian sanctions, which some have argued have too many loopholes for Russia to wander through as it attempts to continue its oil and gas trade regardless of the actions taken against it. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The OPEC+ group is not expected to announce another round of oil production cuts when ministers meet this weekend, OPEC+ sources told Reuters on Thursday. OPEC and its allies from several non-OPEC producers led by Russia are heading to the June 4 meeting amid market speculation whether the OPEC+ alliance will wrong-foot the short sellers again by announcing deeper oil production cuts. Oil prices have slumped to the low-$70s Brent in recent days, which analysts believe is not enough for Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern producers to balance their budgets this year. Saudi Arabia needs oil prices at $80.90 per barrel to balance its budget this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said last month. Last week, Saudi Arabias Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, warned traders again, against shorting oil futures. I keep advising them that they will be ouching they did ouch in April, Abdulaziz bin Salman said in comments interpreted as a warning that speculators shouldnt try to guess OPEC+s next move. Later in the week, Russia hinted that the current state of the market doesnt call for additional cuts. Russia is also hinting that it would prefer its partners of the OPEC+ group to leave oil production unchanged, as Moscow is okay with the current oil prices and production quotas. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that energy prices were approaching economically justified levels. Analysts expect global oil demand to rebound in the second half of the year with the driving season and a Chinese rebound in fuel consumption. However, the ever-present fears of recessions weigh on oil prices, and should a recession materialize, oils demand growth may not be as high as currently expected. ADVERTISEMENT Most analysts expect OPEC+ to leave the oil production levels unchanged. But the group has surprised the market several times over the past few years, including with the shock cut it announced two months ago. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: QatarEnergy has signed an agreement to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh's state firm PetroBangla for 15 years beginning in 2026, Saad al-Kaabi, chief executive at the Qatari state company said on Thursday. LNG buyers are looking for long-term supply to secure gas from Qatar's massive expansion projects to insulate themselves from volatile spot prices. Bangladesh, in particular, was one of the South Asian economies most hit by the soaring LNG spot prices and withdrew from the spot market last year, alongside other buyers such as India and Pakistan. Even some governments in Europeincluding Germany'swhich were reluctant to sign long-term deals before the energy crisis due to emissions concerns, are now open to such deals. "If a European is actually negotiating with me and has an issue, he will tell me 'I have an issue with duration,' I've not heard that," QatarEnergy's al-Kaabi said at a news conference, as quoted by Reuters. The deal with Bangladesh is the latest long-term agreement for LNG from Qatar's future North Field East (NFE) and North Field South (NFS) expansion projects. "The majority (of LNG exports) will be going to Asia and the other will be going to Europe and we'll be more than sold out as far as volumes of NFE and NFS," QatarEnergy's top executive said. In April, QatarEnergy said it would transfer to China's Sinopec a 5% stake in the development of the huge NFE expansion project, the largest project in the history of the LNG industry. The Qatari company picked last year TotalEnergies, Shell, and ConocoPhillips as partners to hold minority stakes in the NFE and NFS expansion projects. ADVERTISEMENT Qatar announced in 2021 the world's largest LNG project, which is set to raise its LNG production capacity from 77 million tons per annum (mmtpa) to 110 mmtpa. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: South Africas chronic 10-hours-per-day blackouts could finally have a solution that wont sit well with energy transitionersburning heavy fuel oil. South Africas Electricity Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced that the country will start an emergency procurement program. The program will negotiate power purchase agreements, and will last for five years. Some of the power will come from natural gas from Turkeys Karpowership through an existing agreement. At least 1,200 MW of the 2,000 MW needed will be sourced that way. The remaining power could come from a more controversial source: heavy fuel oil from Karpowerships other plants, an anonymous source told Bloomberg. Talks are expected to begin this week. Heavy fuel oil is bound to raise a few eyebrows, especially since several environmental organizations have worked tirelessly to shut down Karpowerships In order to prevent blackouts, power must be kept in near-perfect balance to keep the system synchronized. At last count, Karpowership has about 30 of these powershipsor power bargesat the ready. Heading into last winter, Germany used power barges to help it stave off blackouts. Ukraine was also in talks with Karpowership to utilize ship-based emergency power last November, followed by Cuba in December. Trinidad and Tobago were also in conversations with Turkey about these floating power vessels, which have the flexibility of switching between fuels. Last week, South Africa was reportedly considering extending the operational lives of two of its largest coal-fueled power plants to boost its energy security, Bloomberg sources said at the time. The two plants, Kendal and Oethabo, are currently set to be decommissioned after 2035. ADVERTISEMENT By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: THURSDAY, June 1, 2023 (American Heart Association News) -- At a CPR class in Spanish in central Virginia, some members of the Latino community say they recognize that the technique can save someone whose heart stops beating. But they acknowledge that fear and uncertainty might keep them from providing critical care. Such apprehension has prompted trainers who have witnessed it to teach not just how to administer CPR properly to a person who goes into cardiac arrest, but also to share culturally appropriate information that can ease concerns. "We address the hesitation, we address the fears," said Dr. Max Luna, a cardiologist and director of the Latino Health Initiative at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The CPR class is one of the initiative's programs. "We focus on getting people comfortable with CPR." Cardiac arrest happens when a person's heart suddenly stops. The person loses consciousness and the heart stops pumping blood out to the brain, lungs and other organs. CPR mimics how the heart pumps, using chest compressions to keep blood flowing throughout the body. More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals each year in the United States, according to American Heart Association statistics. Cardiac arrests most often happen at home. Research has found that Hispanic and Black people, including children, who experience cardiac arrest in a public setting such as a workplace, transportation center or recreational facility are less likely than their white peers to receive CPR from a lay responder. At the Latino Health Initiative , the goal is to increase the number of Latino people who are prepared to give CPR in an emergency, said Luna, who also is an associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at the university's medical school. "That is a gap that we would like to narrow." Luna said the initiative's CPR classes include information about AEDs, short for automated external defibrillators, but no formal instruction on the easy-to-use devices that can restore a normal heart rhythm. Once the AED is turned on, voice prompts guide the user through the process, but only some devices offer instruction in Spanish. Luna said he and his colleagues have found that many residents in Hispanic neighborhoods don't know how to administer CPR. Language is another barrier, as not all 911 call centers have dispatchers who speak Spanish. Other reasons include immigration status and mistrust of police. "Some people don't speak (English), and they are really in fear of calling 911 because they are probably not going to be able to convey a message, or they may be in a situation where the family is of mixed immigration status and the presence of law enforcement in the setting of cardiac arrest is not ideal," Luna said. Other Latinos worry about landing in legal trouble if they're sued for inadvertently hurting a person in cardiac arrest, he said. For example, high-quality CPR often results in broken ribs. So, the CPR trainers review "Good Samaritan" laws that are aimed at protecting those who volunteer to aid an injured or sick person in an emergency. Luna said that providing CPR training in Spanish not only demystifies the process, it also serves to raise awareness and reduce uneasiness. In 2008, the AHA said hands-only CPR which is chest compressions alone can be just as effective in the first few minutes after a cardiac arrest as compressions and rescue breaths. Hands-only CPR is the technique Luna and his colleagues teach. Maggie del Valle, a CPR trainer in Los Angeles for two decades, said she believes using both compressions and breaths two rescue breaths after every 30 compressions can yield optimal results. But she understands that performing chest compressions only is an effective and good option for anyone who may be "worried about disease transmission or isn't comfortable giving breaths" to another person. While del Valle's company offers CPR classes in Spanish, most of those who attend are medical professionals, such as EMTs. "It's a very small portion" who take it for their own personal benefit, she said. Formal CPR training with certification isn't needed to perform the lifesaving procedure, according to AHA guidance. To perform hands-only CPR on a teen or adult, place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest. Place the other hand on top and interlock the fingers. Push hard and fast at a pace of 100 to 120 times per minute. Online videos also are available, including in Spanish. The response to the CPR training at the Latino Health Initiative has been positive, Luna said, and plans are being made for a similar initiative in Black communities. "It has to be tailored to every culture because each one has a different set of needs, fears and concerns." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. By Lourdes Medrano, American Heart Association News Kaylyn Sahs performs during Music in the Park at the gazebo at Washington Park in Bellevue in 2022. Sahs is a Bellevue East High School graduate who is now a Nashville recording artist. She recently opened for Little Texas at Bushwackers in Ralston. Freshman Admissions 1.Meet the minimum admissions requirements If you graduated high school after 1990, you must have completed the following high school courses and meet the academic performance thresholds below. 4 units of English 4 units of Mathematics Algebra I and II, geometry, and one unit beyond Algebra II, Algebra I and II, and two units beyond Algebra II, or Integrated Math I, II, and III, and one unit beyond Integrated Math III. 3 units of Science (Biological, Physical, and Laboratory Courses) 2 units of Social Studies 2 units of Foreign Language Minimum GPA: 2.5 (weighted) Note: The University of North Carolina System will not require SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admissions through fall 2024. Graduates of Cooperative Innovative High Schools in North Carolina | If you graduated from a Cooperative Innovative (or Early College) High School in North Carolina with an Associates degree, you are likely eligible to be admitted either as a freshman or a transfer student. Please consult the resources below to determine your eligibility. If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions Office with any questions. List of Cooperative Innovative High Schools Transfer admissions requirements 2. Submit an online application Apply online and submit a $30 non-refundable application fee. 3. Send transcripts and test scores Have official copies of all high school transcripts sent to: Elizabeth City State University Office of Admissions and Recruitment 120 Marion D. Thorpe Sr. Administration Building 1704 Weeksville Rd. Campus Box 901 Elizabeth City, NC 27909 Test scores can be sent using the following school codes: ACT: 3095 College Board/SAT: 5629 4. Create an Admissions Portal account We will send you an email with a verification link to create your Viking Admissions Portal account. You can use this to follow the status of your application and, if accepted, confirm your enrollment at ECSU. Graduate Student Admissions 1.Meet the minimum admissions requirements Prospective graduate students must meet the following criteria for admission. Completed Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university Minimum, overall undergraduate GPA: 2.5 OR 3.0 for last 60 credit hours of study 2. Submit an online application Complete the graduate student online application and pay a $30 non-refundable application fee. 3. Submit two copies of official transcripts Send transcripts to: Elizabeth City State University Office of Admissions and Recruitment 120 Marion D. Thorpe Sr. Administration Building 1704 Weeksville Rd. Campus Box 901 Elizabeth City, NC 27909 4. Include three recommendations Three (3) recommendations from people qualified to evaluate your ability to pursue graduate study in the program of choice. 5. Submit GRE/MAT Scores (Optional) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores are recommended but not required for admission. 6. TOEFL or IELTS Scores (For International Students) Student applying from other countries or whose native language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores to be considered for admission. Visit the International Students page for more information. 7. Complete other forms, as applicable Financial Guarantee Form NC Residency Form 8. Complete Health Form (required) Submit a completed health form via the Admissions Portal. Paying for College We want you to have clear picture of what school will cost before you apply. View a full breakdown of estimated tuition & fees for first-year and graduate students. Estimated Cost Questions? Were here to help. Freshman 252-335-3305 admissions@ecsu.edu Graduate Students 252-335-3417 graduateeducation@ecsu.edu Two local Omaha news outlets, The Reader and El Perico, will cease publishing by the end of August, according to John Heaston, co-founder, editor and publisher. The Reader, an alternative news outlet, was started in 1994, and El Perico, aimed at serving Omahas Latino community, in 1999. The Reader and El Perico have been together in one print edition since the pandemic. The final issue is slated for Sept. 7. Heaston, 52, said the decision is personal, influenced by his battle with leukemia. He was diagnosed in November 2020. The disease took a turn for the worse in 2021. He had a bone marrow stem cell transplant in April of 2022. All of a sudden, life has a different clock, he said. In a message to readers, he suggested the publications could continue in the right hands. He said hes proud of his coverage through the years, including stories on Omaha Together One Community, the Asarco lead refinery, the administration of former Mayor Hal Daub, and the disparate impact of closing voter polling places. El Perico was, he said, the original bilingual news source for the Latino community. Im most proud of our time with the partnership with El Perico and all the things that we learned in that relationship. It really drove home, I think, to us, the importance of community media. Heaston said he remains bullish on the state of the media today. I think theres still a lot more destruction, and I think were a part of that, before what really is next finds its footing, he said. He said people should support their local news outlets and journalists. Ive always thought that the stories we told, we were privileged to get them, to share them, he said. And I think thats true of local media. And, you know, the community needs to treasure and share that as well. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2023 An Omaha man was sentenced this week to 19 to 20 years in prison for manslaughter related to a fatal shooting in July 2021. Davelle Giles, 27, was sentenced Tuesday for his role in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Jazsmine Washington. Giles was returning fire after multiple people shot into a large crowd when one of the bullets he fired hit and killed Washington. In the early hours of July 4, 2021, a large crowd gathered in a parking lot near a North Omaha bar at 24th and Grant Streets. About 3:17 a.m., at least two people who have not been identified began shooting into the crowd from a nearby alleyway. As people scattered and ran for cover from the gunshots, Giles returned fire. At least one of the bullets from his Glock 21 handgun struck Washington, who was shot twice in her right arm and once, fatally, in her rib cage. Washington was taken to the hospital with CPR in progress, but she died shortly after arriving. Four other people were injured in the exchange of gunfire. Giles was arrested a few weeks later on July 20, 2021, after officers pulled him over for driving while under suspension and without a front license plate. He was taken to jail, and by listening to jail phone calls, officers learned of another car that Giles sometimes drove. Officers searched the car and found a .45-caliber Glock 21 handgun in the back pocket of the front passenger seat. Ballistics testing confirmed that a bullet recovered from Washington's body was fired from Giles' gun. Giles was initially charged with second-degree murder, defined as a killing that is intentional but not premeditated, and use of a firearm to commit a felony. In a plea deal reached in March, those charges were dismissed in exchange for Giles pleading no contest to manslaughter. Douglas County District Court Judge Kimberly Pankonin sentenced Giles on Tuesday to 19 to 20 years in prison with 470 days of credit for time served. A 31-year-old man was injured in a shooting in the Dundee area late Wednesday night. At 11:57 p.m., Omaha police went to the Nebraska Medical Center and spoke with the man, who told officers he was involved in a disturbance near 49th and Hamilton Streets. As the man drove away, an unidentified person shot at him. The mans injuries were not considered life-threatening. The late-night shooting was the second recorded by police Wednesday. Early that morning, a man was critically injured in a shooting near 30th and Hamilton Streets. Both investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information about either incident is urged to contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP (7867), at p3tips.com or by downloading the p3tips mobile app. COUNCIL BLUFFS About 200 attendees withstood the sweltering heat of the Grass Wagon reception venue on Wednesday to see Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during his first visit to the metropolitan area as a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. DeSantis spoke for about 50 minutes, detailing his vision for the country should he become president. Unsurprisingly, that vision looks a lot like Florida. In his speech, DeSantis decried various executive agencies of the federal government, railing specifically against the U.S. Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DeSantis said that public health officials would come out of the woodwork during the pandemic, claiming they had no real-world experience. He took a shot at Dr. Anthony Fauci, former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, saying, You dont elevate a Fauci, you bring him in, you tell him to pack his bags, and you tell him he is fired. Several federal agencies need to be re-constitutionalized, DeSantis said, because they have grown into a fourth branch of government. DeSantis campaign website says he wants to burn the CDC and National Institutes of Health to the ground as retribution for their response to COVID-19. DeSantis would also prioritize replacing the FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, and he joked that if Hunter (Biden, the presidents son) was a Republican, he would have been in jail long ago. Toward the end of his stump speech, DeSantis warned against what he said would happen should Democrats win control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, in addition to the White House. Democrats, DeSantis claimed, would pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices, eliminate voter identification requirements, and grant statehood to Washington, D.C., to provide Democrats two more senators and make the conservative part of the country second-class citizens. Earlier in the speech, DeSantis had crowed about flipping Floridas Supreme Court from a 4-3 liberal advantage to a 6-1 conservative court. DeSantis also attacked wokeness, taking ownership of Floridas recent legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, as well as new laws affecting public education. He also claimed that New York City had become overrun with crime due to Soros-funded district attorneys. Liberal philanthropist George Soros has been a conservative boogeyman for years and the subject of conspiracy theories widely labeled as antisemitic. Noticeably absent from the governors speech was any mention of subjects that might be of particular interest to Iowans, such as agriculture and ethanol, often invoked by national politicians visiting the state. Repeating several of his themes from Des Moines the previous day, DeSantis focused the rest of his speech on his ability to get results rather than just deliver rhetoric, drawing a thinly veiled comparison to Trump. Hes straight to the point on issues, supporter Stephen Jolly said before the Des Moines rally. Hes gonna get stuff done. Trump doesnt get anything done, he just wants to talk about the previous election. Trumps campaign recently issued a series of statements of support from Iowa Republican state lawmakers who have announced their support for the former president. Those statements highlighted Trump administration policies that the campaign said was good for Iowans, including on ethanol and trade, and laid out a number of criticisms of policies advanced or supported by DeSantis. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart, speaking in an online call with reporters Tuesday, criticized new laws passed under DeSantis in Florida that heightened abortion restrictions and loosened gun ownership regulations. While he focuses on culture wars, DeSantis has done nothing to address the biggest economic challenges that are facing families, Hart asserted. In addition to Council Bluffs, DeSantis had stops planned in Cedar Rapids, Pella, and Sioux City on Wednesday. From there, he was heading to two other early primary states, New Hampshire and South Carolina. This weekend, Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst hosts her annual Roast and Ride fundraiser, which this year will feature all of the major Republican presidential candidates except Trump. DeSantis was the latest to confirm his involvement, announcing Tuesday morning that he plans to attend the event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is calling out the Peoples Republic of China over the thumping of an Offutt-based RC-135V Rivet Joint flight last Friday over the South China Sea. Indo-PACOM released a 30-second video shot from the cockpit of the Air Force RC-135 that shows a Chinese J-16 fighter pilot overtaking the slower reconnaissance jet from the right side and then banking sharply to fly close across its nose. Moments later, the RC-135 is buffeted by the fighter jets wake turbulence. The Indo-PACOM press release criticized the Chinese jets maneuver as unprofessional and unnecessarily aggressive. The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law, the press release said. The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning blamed the U.S., saying Washington should earnestly respect Chinas sovereignty and security interests and concerns, immediately correct the wrongdoing, show sincerity, and create the necessary atmosphere and conditions for dialogue and communication between the two militaries. Diplomatic tensions have risen in recent months over U.S. military support for Taiwan and the flight of a suspected spy balloon in February over the United States, including Nebraska. China has increasingly asserted sovereignty over the South China Sea. U.S. defense leaders have complained that Chinas military has become significantly more aggressive over the past five years, intercepting U.S. aircraft and ships in the region. China has put their big fat foot on the South China Sea, and theyre trying to squeeze the U.S. out, said Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, an arms-control group. That sometimes brings the Chinese into conflict with U.S. reconnaissance aircraft from the 55th Wing, which flies a fleet of 26 RC-135 jets from its headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base as well as overseas locations. Most of those are Rivet Joints, which are equipped to intercept radio signals and staffed with interpreters who can translate in real time. At least three Rivet Joints are currently operating from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, primarily flying surveillance routes over the South China Sea and along the Demilitarized Zone that separates North Korea from South Korea, as they have for decades. In the month prior to last Fridays intercept, the three Rivet Joints flew at least 12 missions over the South China Sea and one over the East China Sea, according to a former 55th Wing crew member who tracks and reports the units flights on social media using the Twitter handle @MeNMyRC1. Such close encounters were common during the Cold War, said Robert Hopkins III, a Texas-based historian of U.S. reconnaissance flights who flew RC-135s for the 55th Wing near the end of that era. Pilots called it thumping, and quickly learned how to handle them. Hopkins saw the video on social media Tuesday and did not agree that it was provocative. He called the encounter plain vanilla and boring. He said in the hands of skilled pilots, flying close isnt necessarily dangerous or unprofessional. There is absolutely nothing different here than what (reconnaissance) crews have experienced for 50-plus years, Hopkins said. The only difference is the video. Now the public can see it firsthand. During the Cold War, the Pentagon didnt publicize such encounters. He thinks the Pentagon is making a mistake by calling attention to them now. They need to cut out the histrionics, he said. Theyre desensitizing the public. Theyre crying wolf over and over and over. Still, Kristensen said, these encounters can escalate into something worse, as in 2001 when a Chinese fighter jet collided with a U.S. Navy EP-3 reconnaissance plane flying off its shores. The Chinese pilot was killed, while the Navy plane piloted by Lt. Shane Osborn, a Nebraskan made an emergency landing in China. The crew was released two weeks later. And in March, a Russian jet harassed and eventually hit an unmanned MQ-9 Reaper drone flying a reconnaissance mission over the Black Sea. The drone crashed. Sooner or later, theres going to be an incident where they hit a plane, when these kind of behaviors become routine, Kristensen said. The public release of video of these encounters allows China to portray itself as assertively countering the U.S. in its own backyard, he said, while at the same time helping the U.S. paint a picture of Chinese aggression. This is what happens when you get Cold War standoffs, Kristensen said. It does help fuel the sense of animosity and crisis. This article includes material from the Associated Press. Photos: Offutt runway opens after 18-month reconstruction LINCOLN Expected delays by Nebraskas health department could result temporarily in a full ban later this year on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for people under 19. State senators learned of this prospect Wednesday as the Nebraska Legislature debated the confirmation of Chief Medical Officer Timothy Tesmer, who is charged with developing regulations for such treatment under Legislative Bill 574. Several lawmakers who supported LB 574, including the senator who introduced this provision, said they had not been aware that a full ban might take effect. Despite objections from opponents, lawmakers approved Tesmers confirmation in a 29-11 vote. LB 574 blocked abortions after 12 weeks gestation and banned gender-related surgery for minors. It also requires the states chief medical officer and the Department of Health and Human Services to establish regulations for puberty blockers and hormone therapy for individuals under 19, following a set of criteria outlined in the legislation. Among the criteria: 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. Gov. Jim Pillen has signed the bill, and the gender-related treatment restrictions will take effect Oct. 1. People who have already started taking puberty blockers or hormone therapy will be exempt. During Tesmers confirmation hearing last week, he said that he didnt expect to have the regulations ready to go by Oct. 1 and that he didnt have an estimate of when they would be prepared. This process will be as time efficient but as thorough as necessary, Tesmer said. Until the DHHS regulations are ready, people under 19 will not be able to access either treatment unless they are covered by the grandfather clause, according to legal counsel with the office of State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair. Hansen said his staff is working with the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office to confirm this. Hansen said the effective ban was not his intention. Before Tuesday, Hansen said, he believed that no new restrictions would be imposed on either treatment until the DHHS regulations were prepared. Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, a swing voter on LB 574, said she had the same impression. She said lawmakers should have amended the bill to ensure no new restrictions would take effect if DHHS wasnt ready in time. But she also said the new knowledge would not have changed her support for the bill. Another swing voter, Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, said he wasnt sure why DHHS wouldnt have the regulations ready by Oct. 1. Still, he said, this wouldnt have affected his vote on the bill. He said he favored the measures tighter restrictions on abortion. Tesmer said he expects the regulations will take longer to draft because there are multiple steps required. Once his 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 may be another hearing. Following that, Tesmer said the drafted regulations will go through several groups for review, including the State Board of Health and the Attorney Generals Office, before going to Pillens desk for approval. Meanwhile, a lawsuit seeking an injunction on LB 574 could prevent any gender-affirming care bans from taking effect. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska filed the suit this week, contending that combining the gender-affirming care restrictions and the abortion ban violates the state constitutions single-subject requirement for legislation. If a judge grants the injunction, the restrictions on gender-affirming care would not take effect, and Nebraskas abortion restrictions would revert to the 20-week limitation in place before LB 574s passage. LB 574s principal introducer, Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, said she understood that a full ban could take effect if the DHHS regulations werent ready by Oct. 1. Her original bill would have imposed a complete ban on puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries for people under 19, without a grandfather clause. The main opponent to LB 574, Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, also said she was aware that a lack of regulations would block the treatment temporarily. But she said her opposition to Tesmers confirmation was based on his views on gender-affirming care and to the Board of Healths backing of LB 574 while he was still the boards chair. There is a lack of judgment, Cavanaugh said. There is a willfulness in discrimination. Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, who serves on the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee with Cavanaugh and Hansen, supported Tesmers confirmation. He said he was confident that Tesmer will do the job well. Hes up to the task, Riepe said. Hes a quality individual. LINCOLN Gov. Jim Pillen signed a pair of income and property tax relief bills into law Wednesday that he labeled transformational and historic. The governor signed Legislative Bills 243 and 754 at a ceremony surrounded by lawmakers, agriculture and business leaders, representatives from conservative advocacy organizations and others. The two measures, along with a third bill making changes to state school aid, are projected to cut or offset more than $6 billion worth of property taxes and income taxes over the next six years. Pillen said the legislation will make Nebraska more competitive with other states and described the new laws as incredibly big for all Nebraskans. The two bills truly are transformational, he said. These bills provide billions, billions I like to call it bushel baskets and bushel baskets and bushel baskets of property tax relief, business income tax relief and personal income tax relief. LB 243, introduced by State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, will increase Nebraskas two property tax credit programs, cap school property tax growth and eliminate almost all community college property taxes. All told, the changes are estimated to cost $1.76 billion over six years. LB 754, introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, will cut the states top individual and corporate income tax rates by nearly one-third and make other income tax changes worth about $3.3 billion over six years. A third measure, LB 583, introduced by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, was signed separately. It will increase state support for schools by about $305 million annually with the goal of driving down property taxes. It will nearly double the amount of state aid for special education and guarantee $1,500 of state support for every public school student. The state budget package will put $1.25 billion into a new Education Future Fund during the next two fiscal years to pay for the school aid changes. Plans call for adding $250 million to the fund in each of the following years, for a total cost of $2.25 billion over six years. Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session In a time when divisions seem to dominate our society, the Tri-Faith Initiative and the University of Nebraska at Omahas Religious Studies Department are set to host the second annual Race, Religion, and Social Justice Conference (RRSJ). This two-day event, to be held on June 7 and 8, 2023, on the Tri-Faith Commons in Omaha, presents a unique opportunity for our diverse community to come together and address the pressing issues of our time under the theme, Building Bridges of Hope. As Jeremy Fricke, Tri-Faith Initiative vice president of mission advancement, rightly said, Belonging and building trust is essential to any thriving community. The RRSJ Conference provides a platform for diverse communities, professions and individuals to share, connect and belong with one another. It creates an environment where voices are heard, perspectives are respected, and common ground is discovered. Through open dialogue, mutual education, and collaborative efforts, we can bridge the divides that hinder progress and work together toward a brighter future. The importance of this conference cannot be overstated. It aims to explore the intersections between race, religion and social justice across various sectors of society. By inviting representatives from different fields, such as nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, educators, artists, religious communities and scholars, the RRSJ Conference seeks to foster multi-sector approaches in addressing these critical matters. This inclusive approach ensures that a wide range of perspectives and expertise are brought to the table, enriching the conversations and expanding our collective understanding. One of the highlights of the conference is the lineup of distinguished speakers and presenters. Clint Smith, a renowned poet, and speaker, will deliver the keynote address, captivating the audience with his insightful words and powerful verses. From breakout sessions to the midday panel of local leaders, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and learn from the following local leaders: Ferial Pearson, assistant professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha UNO, teacher education; Dr. Peter Szto, professor of social work at the Grace Abbott School of Social Work, UNO; Taylor Keen, managing partner at Talon Strategy, founder of Sacred Seed; Yanira Garcia, senior associate strategic implementations at First National Bank of Omaha; Justin Payne, adjunct professor at UNO and musician at Second Baptist Church; Scott Littky, executive director at the Institute of Holocaust Education. Embracing the wisdom of diverse religious scholars illuminates the path towards understanding, unity, and healing. From combating Islamophobia to promoting interfaith collaboration, addressing mental health and racial injustice, and fostering inclusivity, the invaluable knowledge shared by these scholars guides us towards a future rooted in compassion, respect, and the celebration of our shared humanity, said Paul Williams, UNO religious studies scholar, and Tri-Faith board member. RRSJ Conference strives to make participation accessible to everyone. Registration fees are available at various prices, ensuring affordability for individuals from different backgrounds. Students can attend for free, and scholarships are available upon request, removing financial barriers and promoting inclusivity. Additionally, the provision of snacks throughout the day and the presence of food trucks in the commons area ensure that attendees can focus on the valuable content without logistical concerns. The impact of this conference goes beyond the two-day event itself. The conversations sparked, and the connections made during this gathering have the potential to reverberate throughout our community and beyond. By addressing the complex issues at the crossroads of race, religion, and social justice, we equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools necessary to build a more inclusive and equitable society. Conference logistics partner Gloria Epps, representative of UNO, said We are grateful to be a part of a community that came together to envision and co-create this conference a space where people of diverse intersectional identities can gather, share their stories, work together, and show up for one another. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and collective action, reminding us that when we join hands and hearts, we have the capacity to ignite positive change. For their support of the June 7 event, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Omaha has been designated Tri-Faith Initiatives 2023 Bridge Builder sponsor; Google data centers has been designated the conference accessibility sponsor; Boys Town has been designated the conference registration supporter; and CHI Health, the Greater Omaha Chamber, and the Nebraska Episcopal Diocese have all been designated justice sponsors. In the words of Tri-Faith Chair and DEI advocate Joe Gerstandt, When we engage in discussions about race, religion, and social justice, we challenge ourselves to confront uncomfortable truths and seek meaningful change. The RRSJ Conference offers a safe space for such discussions, where difficult conversations can take place and transformative ideas can emerge. It is through these courageous dialogues that we dismantle barriers, challenge systemic inequities, and lay the groundwork for a more just and inclusive society. Reserve your seats now at trifaith.org/rrsj-2023. FIND YOUR HOME We want every driven student to enjoy ECSUs high-quality, high-value learning and nurturing community. We're the community youre looking for. Once you enroll, members of our staff and faculty are ready to support you throughout your academic journey. Well make the transfer process clear and simple. Use the processes and requirements below as a guide. If you have any questions, please contact us. If you have at least 24 hours in transferrable college credit Submit an official college transcript(s) for all colleges attended or attempted coursework for all colleges attended or attempted coursework Minimum cumulative GPA in college-level coursework: 2.0 If you are under the age of 21 and have less than 24 hours of credit Submit official final high school transcript, official SAT/ACT test scores and meet the Minimum Admission Requirements (MARs) and Minimum Course requirements (MCRs): Minimum Admission Requirements (MARs): Completed high school with at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA OR 1010 SAT or ACT Composite 19 Minimum Course Requirements (MCRs) : Four units of English Four units of Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and an Advanced Math) Three units of Science (Biological Science, Physical Science, and a Science with a Lab) Two units of Social Studies, including one unit of US History Two units of Foreign Language (same) official SAT/ACT test scores and meet the Minimum Admission Requirements (MARs) and Minimum Course requirements (MCRs): Submit an official college transcript(s) for all colleges attended or attempted coursework for all colleges attended or attempted coursework Minimum cumulative GPA from last school attended: 2.0 If you have earned an Associates of Art or Associates of Science degree: Submit an official college transcript(s) for all colleges attended or attempted coursework for all colleges attended or attempted coursework Minimum cumulative GPA from last school attended: 2.0 North Carolina Articulation Agreement ECSUs Transfer articulation agreements. If youve completed a two-year Associates degree program in North Carolina, you can transfer to ECSU having met all general education requirements. Learn more about TRANSFER CREDITS Upon receiving your transcripts, well evaluate them for equivalency to courses offered in your degree program at ECSU. Please note, courses graded less than a "C", or not completed at an accredited institution, will not be accepted for transfer credit.Want to know how your credits will transfer? Use this tool to receive a rough estimate. Transfer Credit Estimator PAYING FOR COLLEGE For financing options and estimated costs, visit the links below. Tuition & Fees Financial Aid QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP. Office of Admissions 252-335-3305 Transfer@ecsu.edu DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) Five residents of a six-story apartment building that partially collapsed in eastern Iowa remained unaccounted for Tuesday, and authorities feared at least two of them might be stuck inside rubble that was too dangerous to search. The three other missing residents are not believed to have been in the building when it started collapsing Sunday evening, said state Rep. Monica Kurth. Mayor Mike Matson confirmed at a news conference that not all the residents were accounted for. A group of protesters held signs and chanted near the building Tuesday morning, arguing the city was moving too quickly toward demolishing the 116-year-old brick and steel structure. Built as a hotel, it had more recently been used as apartments, and tenants had been allowed to remain even as bricks began falling from the building. After the partial collapse, the city had announced plans to begin demolishing the unstable remains of the structure as early as Tuesday morning, but they delayed after a woman was found Monday evening. Officials now say immediate demolition was never intended, but they did want to quickly stage the site for the tear-down. The woman's rescue prompted officials to see if they could safely enter and ensure others weren't inside. But that is extremely difficult when the building could collapse at any time, they said. This could be a place of rest for some of the unaccounted, Matson said. The city is trying to determine how to bring down what remains of the building while maintaining the dignity of people who may have been killed, he said. Later Tuesday, there were no signs that authorities were conducting any sort of search. About 50 people had gathered outside a perimeter of fencing and police tape. Children drew hearts in chalk on the pavement, and a candlelight vigil included five minutes of silence in honor of the five people still missing. Fire Marshal James Morris said explosives will not be used on the building, which is near other structures and is unstable and continues to worsen." Removing the debris that is propping up the rest of the building could cause further collapse, he said. Were very sympathetic to the possibility that theres two people still left inside, Morris said as he fought back tears. He said there will be an investigation into what caused the collapse but that it's unclear so far whether a criminal investigation is warranted. Officials sought to explain why Fire Chief Michael Carlsten said Monday morning that no known individuals are trapped. The city also had issued a statement saying the owner was served Monday with a demolition order and the process would begin Tuesday morning. The discovery of another survivor Monday evening, rescued by ladder truck from a fourth-floor window, prompted the city to reevaluate, they said Tuesday. The woman was pulled to safety only after popping out a window screen and waving to people gathered below. We had no indications from any of the responders that we had, any of the canines, any of the tools at the time that there was anyone else left alive in the building, Morris said. Patricia Brooks said her sister, Lisa, attempted to leave the building but rushed back to where she thought she could shelter most safely in her bathtub. Brooks spoke with her sister when she was being evaluated at the hospital following rescue from a window on the side of the building that was still standing. It was just exhausting and a nightmare, Chicago resident Patricia Brooks said of the roughly 24 hours before Lisas rescue. The family begged with police and city officials to find Lisa in the apartment starting Sunday, said daughter Porshia Brooks. They allegedly did a sweep and said they didnt find anybody, said Porshia Brooks of Moline, Illinois. Theyre trying to tear the building down without doing a proper sweep. On Tuesday, protesters held signs saying Find Them First and Who is in the Rubble?" Some used a megaphone to shout out names of residents. The building had 53 tenants in about 80 units, the police chief said. City officials said rescue crews escorted 12 people from the building shortly after a middle section collapsed at about 5 p.m. Sunday, and rescued several others, including one person who was taken to safety overnight Sunday. There was a lot of screams, a lot of cries, a lot of people saying Help! when the building came down, Tadd Mashovec, a building resident, told KCCI-TV. But that did not last, and two or three minutes, and then the whole area was silent. It's unclear what caused the collapse, which left a gaping hole in the center of what was once the Davenport Hotel, a building listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Built in 1907, the structure had been renovated into a mixed-use residential and commercial building. The building was designed so the exterior brick and steel frame support each other, so the loss of exterior brick can threaten the building's integrity, said structural engineer Larry Sandhaas. When you lose the brick, you lose the stability of the building, Sandhaas said. Building workers had been completing interior and exterior repairs in recent months, city records show. Reports of falling bricks were part of that work, said Rich Oswald, the citys director of development and neighborhood services. The fire marshal said Tuesday a structural engineer hired by the owner determined that the building was safe enough to remain occupied during the repairs. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation activating assistance programs for the residents left homeless. After demolition was ordered, residents were prevented from going back inside for belongings due to the instability. Davenport Hotel, L.L.C., owned by Andrew Wold, acquired the building in 2021 in a property deal worth $4.2 million, according to county records. The city declared the building a nuisance in May 2022 due to numerous solid waste violations involving its overflowing dumpster, court records show. Wold did not contest the nuisance declaration and inspectors noted similar problems 19 times between then and March 2023, records show. The city took civil enforcement action, and a judge ordered Wold to pay a $4,500 penalty after he did not appear in court. Tuesday, the city filed a new enforcement action against Wold, saying that he had failed to maintain the property in a safe, sanitary, and structurally sound condition before the collapse. The city is seeking a $300 fine. City inspectors reviewed the ongoing repairs three days before the collapse, records show. Plans called for replacing 100 feet of brick to comply with city code starting May 25, and an interior cinder block wall with rebar and grout was partially installed as of last week, according to online inspection and permitting notes. Wall bracing will be installed per engineers design, the notes said. Engineer will stop over periodically to ensure work is being done per his design. City inspector will stop over periodically to see progress. An email sent to an attorney believed to be representing Wold was not immediately returned Tuesday night. The collapse didn't surprise former resident Schlaan Murray, who told The Associated Press that his one-year stay there was a nightmare. Murray, 46, moved into his apartment in February 2022 and almost immediately had issues with heat, air conditioning and bathroom plumbing. Calls to the management company rarely got a response, and even if workers did stop by, they didnt fix stuff, they just patched it up, he said. He questions how the building, where he said he didn't even want to bring his children, passed inspections. He moved out a month before his lease was up in March. It was horrible, Murray said. This story was first published on May 30, 2023. It was updated on May 31, 2023 to correct that the city is seeking a fine of $300, not $3,000. A North Carolina, US, woman will soon donate her kidney to the man who adopted her 27 years ago, saving his life in a surprising twist of fate. DeLauren McKnight was surprised to learn she was a match for her father, Billy Houze, as they are not blood-related. Mr Houzes kidneys began failing in 2016 doctors said he would not survive past five years without a transplant. None of the 64-year-old pastors other family members had been a match. Speaking on Good Morning America on Friday, Mr Houze, a father to five children, said he was extremely proud of his daughter. She told me, Daddy, you thought you were saving my life pulling me from foster care but in actuality, you were saving my life so I could save yours later. The Baptist pastor began suffering kidney failure following a gall bladder surgery in 2016. When none of his relatives were donor matches, doctors said it could take him seven years to get a kidney. Then, in February, they tested Ms McKnight, who Mr Houze and his wife adopted in 1992 and she was a perfect match. When Ms McKnight told him the unexpected news, she said her father broke down in tears. I call him my Superman, she told Good Morning America. Theres nothing in this world I wouldnt give him so he can enjoy life and be right there beside me. Mr Houze and Ms McKnight will be undergoing surgery in the next few weeks. Invest & Get 20% In Just 90 Days Click HERE >> Delicious Noodles Pizza In Lagos Click HERE >> To Buy Cheap MTN & GLO Data Click HERE >> The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Saturday pleaded with the media to support the Federal Government in its effort to contain insurgency and banditry in Nigeria. According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the minister, represented by the Director of Information in the ministry, Mr. Sunday Baba, made the call at the 2019 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors at Ikeja, Lagos. Mohammed also urged the media to support the military and the present administrations effort to bequeath a virile and egalitarian society through concerted and sustained attacks on the ills of society. As media practitioners, you have a responsibility to steer the government toward purposeful programmes and policies that would engender national, growth and cohesiveness. In this light, government expects the media to always advance the national cause by upholding the sanctity of peace, nationalism and the benefits of the pluralism of our society, he said. The Head of Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, in a keynote address, called on media practitioners to evolve strategies to tackle media capitalists. Ogwezzy-Ndisika explained that new media capitalists were dominating the cyberspace and to remain relevant and afloat, media practitioners must do more. She listed the problems in the media industry to include poor remuneration of journalists, shallow contents and shelving of responsibilities. Ogwezzy-Ndisika noted that the media in some developed countries were doing well because they were moving with current trends and realities. The don pointed out that the new media, including Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google, Nairaline and other platforms were taking over the role of the old media as they competed for the attention of readers and that the new media were snatching the advertising space. Speaking on the topic: Media Convergence as Strategy for Survival, Ogwezzy-Ndisika, stressed the need for media owners to take into account, the needs of consumers in providing content, to remain relevant. We can remodel our strategies, she said. Residents of Aga community in Ikorodu, near Lagos were on Friday greeted with shock when the corpses of a father, wife and their child were found in their apartment. The News Agency learnt that the incident occurred at No 12, Obafemi Erija Borokini Road in Aga, Ikorodu on Friday morning. Narrating what must have led to this terrible incident, a neighbor who didnt want to be named, said it was a result of jealousy amid accusations of infidelity and a dispute in the paternity of their last son (name withheld). According to the neighbour, Charles Enifa Omomo, 40, from Imo State had been accusing his wife, Faith, 35, of sleeping around with other men in the area and that their last son was not his. We have separated them severally in the past because he was always fighting her, accusing her of infidelity and sleeping around. The last time they fought, he said their last born, the boy, was not his child and Faith (his wife) should show him the father of the child or else blood would flow. We just took it that he was angry and did bot really mean what he said literally. To be honest, we had gotten tired of delving into their matter. So, in the early hours of yesterday morning when we heard loud sounds coming from their room, we didnt get involved. After a few minutes, we didnt hear anything so we thought they have settled their issues until later in the morning when we heard their two older children shouting for help, the source said. The two older children, Success, 12, and Favour, 10, discovered the lifeless bodies of their parents and younger brother when they woke up and were the ones that raised alarm. The children who were crying uncontrollably said they slept throughout the commotion and the neighbour said it was possible they were drugged before their father committed the heinous act. Charles, who was a commercial motorcyclist before murdering his family and killing himself, was well known to be very jealous and was constantly accusing his wife of sleeping around. One of the police officers at the scene who pleaded anonymity said they were going to carry out further investigations but preliminary investigations carried out at the scene showed that Faith was strangled with a rope and stabbed severally to death while the young boy on the couch was strangled with his hands. The other children would be tested to confirm if they were indeed drugged so they could sleep deeply as they said they didnt hear anything and only woke up this morning to see their father hanging from the ceiling and tried to wake their mother who was found on the floor. When they couldnt wake their mother or brother, it was then they raised alarm and the neighbours forced the door open to the terrible scene, he said. The bodies of both mother and child were bagged and taken away to the morgue while the fathers body was left there as the family said sacrifices and rituals had to be carried out before the body could be brought down and disposed of. A family member who identified himself as the wifes older brother took the surviving children away, saying he had nothing to say about the incident. The police said they would reveal more information when they have it and were waiting for the rituals to be completed. Advertisement Nigeria is important to Africa, World, says Chinese President XI Jinping Chinese President XI Jinping has pledged increased economic cooperation with Nigeria, saying the country is important to Africa and the world. The Chinese president spoke through his Special Envoy, Peng Qinghua, Vice Chairperson, Standing Committee of National Peoples Congress, Peoples Republic of China who met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja on Wednesday. Qinghua said the two countries at present had good bilateral relations and economic cooperation, noting that Chinese companies were doing well in Nigeria in railways, roads, hydropower and free trade zones. While commending President Tinubus plan to lead Nigeria to a new era of economic development and prosperity, the Chinese envoy, however, said there were areas where Nigeria could benefit from China. He called on the two countries to share ideas and align strategies, urging President Tinubu to also create more conducive environment for investment. Responding, President Tinubu said Nigeria is open for business and constructive partnerships, and would do business with any country ready to do business with the country. He promised that his administration would work to promote ease of doing business. He said: We need accelerated growth and we are ready to do business honestly with those ready to do business with us. We will continue to work to promote democracy in the West African sub-region. Im a product of democracy and shall work day and night to advance democracy. We will fight terrorism and all forms of criminality. We will continue to work to promote democracy in the West African sub-region. Im a product of democracy and shall work day and night to advance democracy. We will fight terrorism and all forms of criminality. We can learn from each other, but we will remain non-aligned. The Chinese delegation included her Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun and Minister-Counselor Zhang Yi. Related Advertisement Advertisement BY SULE TAHIR THE meeting between the Federal Government and the Organized Labour Congress (NLC) over fuel subsidy removal has ended in deadlock without reaching an amicable consensus. The meeting began around 4 pm on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Representatives of the Federal Government included Dele Alake, the spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu; and the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari. Other government officials present were the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The Organised Labour was represented by the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero; and the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo. After several hours of meeting with the Federal Government, the NLC demanded that the Federal Government return to the status quo by reversing the price of fuel before resuming negotiations with the NLC. The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, who criticised the removal of subsidy stated that the status quo returns before any formal engagement with the NLC to protect the Nigerian workforce and proffer additional solutions. The NLC insisted that the Federal Government did not enter into any conversation even on palliative measures for Nigerians, hence the rejection of the latest announcement. The union said it had decided to reconvene with its members to determine the next line of action. Conversely, Alake described the meeting as robust, adding that talks would continue. He expressed hope that the parties would reach a reasonable conclusion at its next adjourned meeting. It could be recalled that during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu said the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended, adding that with the 2023 budget making no provision for fuel subsidy, further payment was no longer justifiable. The fuel subsidy is gone, Tinubu said. His government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy, he added. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the House Of Representatives have since backed Tinubus decision. However, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) argued the President could not unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal, saying there was a reason the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari pushed the sensitive issue to the new government. Fuel queues have since resurfaced across the country since the presidential pronouncement as Nigerians forage for the premium product. Related Advertisement Yesterday, May 31 2023, a United Nigeria Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft with registration number 5N-BWW was involved in a runway excursion incident at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos, Nigeria. The aircraft was carrying 50 passengers and crew members and was engaged on original flight. All passengers and crew members disembarked safely following the landing incident. Lagos incident The aircraft was flying from the airport in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, to Lagos. It landed safely on runway 18L, but then it veered off the runway before coming to a stop in a grassy area. The cause of the incident is now under investigation. The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that the runway was closed for about two hours while the aircraft was removed. The airport has since reopened. Photo via Twitter Airline statement In a statement dated May 31, United Nigeria Airlines acknowledged the landing incident, saying: The aircraft landed safely but was forced to terminate its movement to the apron of the runway. The Nigerian carrier confirmed that all passengers were subsequently disembarked safely before being transported to the airport arrival hall. Officials of the Federal Airport authority of Nigeria (FAAN) attended the scene of the incident and worked alongside UNA engineers to move the aircraft hangar. United Nigeria Airlines has said that it is working with the authorities to investigate the incident. The airline has also said that it is providing support to the passengers and crew members. About United Nigeria Airlines United Nigeria Airlines is a private airline in Nigeria. It was founded in 2020 and received its Air Operators Certificate on 1 February 2021. The airlines headquarters are in Enugu, Nigeria, and its hub is the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. United Nigeria Airlines operates a fleet of four aircraft, all of which are Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets. The airline offers scheduled flights to destinations throughout Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Benin City. The airlines slogan is United We Fly. The airlines livery is predominantly white with a green stripe along the fuselage. The tail of the aircraft features a map of Nigeria with the airlines name and logo. United Nigeria Airlines is one of several new airlines that have started operations in Nigeria in recent years. The airlines entry into the market has increased competition and has led to lower fares for passengers. United Nigeria Airlines is a relatively new airline, but it has already made a significant impact on the Nigerian aviation market. The airlines low fares and convenient flight schedules have made it a popular choice for travellers throughout Nigeria. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA), has revealed the bursting of a syndicate illegally importing and trafficking lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl, in Nigeria. It was revealed that the drug is 100 times stronger than Tramadol and capable of causing mass casualty among the youth population being targeted by the cartels. Operatives of the NDLEA, in well-coordinated and clinical operations, arrested two members of the syndicate, which the agency identified as Odoh Collins Oguejiofor and Oliver Chigozie Uzoma at Ogbogwu Market, Onitsha Head Bridge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State. According to the NDLEA, the operation was carried out following an alert by the anti- narcotics Agency on Tuesday that some criminal elements were plotting to flood the Nigerian market with the illicit drug, which is said to be responsible for over 70% overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States. The CDC in the US was said to have exposed that Fentanyl is 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times more potent than heroin. According to a statement by the Agency, following credible intelligence and synergy with local and international partners, the NDLEA was able to mobilise necessary assets to trace the illicitly manufactured drug to the Ogbogwu Market, Onitsha Head Bridge, reputed to be the largest drug market in West Africa, after months of undercover monitoring. Convinced that the Agency has gathered sufficient evidence to nail the suspects, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) ordered a deployment of operatives to pick members of the syndicate one after the other. Odoh Collins Oguejiofor was the first to be arrested while on a business mission with packets of 100 micrograms of Fentanyl, while the arrest of Uzoma who is a major dealer in other illicitly manufactured pharmaceutical opioids including Fentanyl, followed. The Agency disclosed that while packs of liquid Fentanyl were recovered from Odoh, different quantities of banned and controlled drugs, including Fentanyl were seized from Uzoma. They include: Ampules of Fentanyl Injection; Ozempic solution for injection in pre-filled pens; Ampules of Sustanon 250mg/ml; Ampules of Rivavirin injection 200mg/2ml; Ampules of Erythropoietin injection; Ampules of Recombinant Anti Rho-D Immunoglobulin injection 300MG; Ampules of Pethidine 100mg/2ml solution for injection and Zoladex 3.6mg Goserelin. Protest erupted in Benin City, Edo State, in the early hours of Thursday as youths took to the street to agitate the sudden increase in the pump price of petrol in the country following the immediate removal of subsidy on the pump price of petrol by President Bola Tinubu in his inaugural speech on Monday in Abuja. The youths displaying protest placards, declared: we cant buy petrol at N520 but N210: Petrol must be N210 till July ending. Another placard reads: Petrol must return to N210. Meanwhile, National Daily gathered that the youths are carrying out their protest peacefully. The sudden removal have caused unanticipated hardship in the lives of Nigerians. the situation has indeed increased the suffering of Nigerians from the NEXT LEVEL of former President Muhammadu Buhari to higher altitude. The Organised Labour has called on the new president to revert the decision on subsidy removal till appropriate provisions are made. Spread the love The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debunked the report that it has devalued the Naira to N630/$1 in the official market. A national newspaper reported on Thursday on its front page that the apex bank had adjusted the exchange rate of the Naira to the United States Dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window of the foreign exchange (FX) market. But reacting to the news, the central bank described the report as fake news, urging members of the public to disregard it as such had not been done. The devaluation report comes just 48 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the Federal Governments plans to unify the countrys exchange rate to stimulate the economy. President Tinubu, in his inaugural speech as the 16th president of Nigeria, emphasized the need for a thorough house cleaning in monetary policy, particularly the unification of the exchange rate. READ ALSO: CBN reportedly devalues Naira to 630/$1 Reacting to the reports, CBN took to its Twitter page to deny the report sharing the screenshot of the Dailytrust newspaper report. The tweet reads: CBN did not devalue the Naira! Meanwhile, checks show that the Naira on Wednesday, March 31, 2023 closed at the Importers and Exporters (I&E) window, where naira is officially traded at N464.67. This is a 17 Kobo or 0.04 percent loss against dollar compared to N464.50/$1 it exchanged on Tuesday. The nairas poor performances as seen on the FMDQ securities exchange, occurred amid a 13.1 percent or $19.02 million rise in the value of forex trades in the spot market. The turnover for the trading session stood at $163.74 million as against the $144.72 million recorded in the preceding session. Further, a check on the CBN website interbank exchange rate shows naira closed at N461.6. Naira equally depreciated against the Pound Sterling in the interbank segment of the forex market on Wednesday by N2.64 to close at N574.37/1 versus Tuesdays N571.73/1. This is our promise: To keep higher education within reach. The NC Promise program helps us do just that. This program dramatically reduces undergraduate tuition rates at several University of North Carolina system institutions, including ECSU. This program was created to ease the burden of academic costs, bridging the gap in access to education. NC PROMISE The NC Promise Tuition Plan brings ECSUs excellent academic resources to students and their families no matter their economic status. $ 500 Per Semester North Carolina Resident Tuition $ 2500 Per Semester Residents of other states Does the NC Promise cover other costs associated with college (housing, living expenses, etc.) No. The NC Promise plan only applies to tuition costs. Other costs and fees will not be reduced by the NC Promise plan. Who is eligible for the NC Promise Tuition Plan? All undergraduate students attending Elizabeth City State University, Western Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Fayetteville State University pay the reduced student tuition costs. This includes both new and returning full-time students, part-time students, transfer students, students in online programs and international students. No application is needed, and there are no eligibility requirements to take advantage of NC Promise. Please note these changes do not apply to graduate programs. Does this apply to part-time students? Tuition will be prorated for part-time undergraduate students. Specific per-hour tuition costs are still being developed. How will these schools continue to offer high-quality education while dropping costs? The State of North Carolina matches dollar-for-dollar the difference between current tuition costs and the NC Promise Plan Tuition Plan cost. The end result is affordability for students without sacrificing quality. Will this cost increase over time as tuition typically does? Because the specific amounts are included in legislation, increases to the $500 and $2,500 student tuition costs will have to be set by the state legislature as needed in response to inflation or other factors. At this time, we do not know of any pending increases. Why did our state decide to create the NC Promise Tuition Plan? This significant investment in access to higher education honors the states constitutional commitment to make higher education available to all citizens as free as is reasonably possible. It also supports economic development in the state by helping North Carolina meet demands for a well-educated workforce, increasing recruitment of high-performing out-of-state students, and decreasing college indebtedness. How does this affect competition for admission? While a set tuition price is guaranteed through NC Promise, admission to these four universities is not. A larger applicant pool increases competition for available space in each incoming class. Questions? We're here to help Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships 252-335-3283 financial_aid@ecsu.edu Spread the love The opposition Peoples Democratic Party {PDP} has reacted to the declaration of President Bola Tinubu that subsidy is gone and the attendant hardship that heralded the declaration, calling on Nigerians to brace up for more pains in the months ahead. According to the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, the PDP warned citizens of what awaited them should the All Progressives Congress {APC} win the 2023 presidential polls The party also said it was not surprised by the development because Tinubu, during his electioneering campaigns, promised to sustain the legacies of former president Muhammadu Buhari. He said: There is nothing to say anymore that we have not said. Bola Tinubu said he was going to continue with the policies of Muhammadu Buhari, which are policies of pain, anguish, sorrow, suffering, disregard for human lives and insensitivity. It is Biblical in that a man said My father chastised you with a whip, I will chastise you with scorpions. Scorpions are more deadly than a whip. READ ALSO: Fuel subsidy gulps N13.69trn 16 years Buhari has done his part and Tinubu has come to continue with the same agenda which is for personal aggrandizement. What are the legacies of Buhari? Insecurity, disunity, dislocation, poor living conditions and reduced life expectancy of Nigerians. We are hoping that Nigerians are still praying for an end to this. This is not about PDP or APC but about Nigerians. We warned about this and now, we are all feeling the heat. The new petrol pump price does not know APC or PDP, Ologunagba said. The PDP spokesman also took a swipe at the immediate former president for his role in mobilizing Nigerians against the planned, gradual phase-out of the subsidy regime when the PDP was in power. In 2012 when the then government of Goodluck Jonathan mooted the idea of a gradual phase-out of petroleum subsidy and presented a roadmap of how to go about it, it was Buhari who mobilized Nigerians to ground the country. Now, those who participated in that Operation Ground Nigeria have lost their voices and we hope they will be permanently silent, he added. READ ALSO: Fuel Scarcity: Policemen flee after reportedly chasing motorist to his death in Rivers Describing the increment in the pump price of petrol as inhuman, Ologunagba said further: How do you explain a price hike from N195 to N537? That is almost a 400 per cent increase. This is only the tip of the iceberg! We told Nigerians that there would be more taxes, more pain. What is the purpose of government if not the security and welfare of the people? If you are going to bring about a policy that will affect them, there must be an engagement. I give you an example: In the early 2000s, in a county in the United Kingdom, they were going to increase bus fares from 25 pence to 30 pence. They had one year to debate it with the people. People were asked, What is the level of your income? The people were part of the conversation and that is the way to go in a decent society. Here, we are close to a state of nature, and it is unfortunate. Advertisement According to Shekarau: Left to me, we dont need to have the two chambers, the two houses. Speaking on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Wednesday night, Shekarau said Nigeria does not need both chambers under Tinubu. Former Kano governor and Senator Representing Kano Central, Ibrahim Shekarau has decried Nigeria s high cost of governance as he urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ut down the composition of the Senate and House of Representatives. The composition of the National Assembly is 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members. Its costing the country. I agree, a democracy means getting as many involved as possible, but the way it is going on now, its almost 500 legislators nationwide; I dont think we really need this much at the moment. In his opinion of Tinubus political will, Shekarau expressed uncertainty, saying, I wonder if hell have the courage to do all the constitutional amendments and go through the process, and reduce all of this. The former Kano State governor further argued that cutting the number of parastatals would affect the number of oversight assignments, reducing the burden at the centre. Then youll discover that the legislative arm will also have to be [downsized] because if there isnt much to do at the centre, you dont need all of this sea of hundreds of people really to do oversight assignments, he said. I have been subscribing to the idea of devolution of powers. The Federal Government should really cut its own costs by devolving a lot of these responsibilities down the line, to the states and to the local governments. According to him, the Federal Government is spending so much at the centre and creating too many agencies and parastatals. Unfortunately, weve not had leadership that has the courage. There was the Oronsaye report during Jonathans time, which has yet to be implemented, he added President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu There is an ongoing meeting between President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. PUNCH gathered that the meeting began at a few minutes past 2 pm shortly after the principal officers arrived at the State House. It also comes shortly after Tinubus first security meeting with the Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police. Although the purpose of the meeting is not yet public, it may be connected to the inauguration of the members of the 10th National Assembly scheduled for June 5 and the eventual election of a new Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. At least six senators are running for the seat of the president of the 10th Senate. The contestants are from four of the nations six geo-political zones: the North-west, South-east, South-south and North-central. Barau Jibrin from Kano State and a former governor of Zamfara, Abdulazeez Yari, are the two contestants from the North-west. From the South-east, there were three aspirants in the race. They are the incumbent governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; a former governor of Abia State who is the incumbent Senate Whip, Orji Kalu, and Osita Izunanaso from Imo State. A former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, who was Senate Minority Leader between 2015 and 2019 before he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling APC, is a contestant from the South-south. The governor of Benue state, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has announced the sack of all political appointees under the administration of his predecessor, Samuel Ortom. The sack affects all those serving in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Alia ordered the fired political appointees to hand over to the most senior civil servants in their various offices. It was gathered that the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr Tersoo Kula disclosed the development to pressmen at a briefing after an emergency meeting. According to him, the governors decision follows discoveries that he made in the last three days since his inauguration. Kula explained that his principal paid unscheduled visits to MDAs in the last three days and uncovered a lot of decay and inefficiency in the management of public utilities. He noted that it was, for this reason, the governor decided to sack the affected persons. It was also learnt that present at the meeting were the first five political appointees of the new administration, as well as top civil servants who are responsible for the payment and management of salaries and pensions. Spread the love Gbenga Daniel, senator-elect for Ogun east district, has praised President Bola Tinubu for being bold enough to declare the petroleum subsidy regime over. Daniel spoke in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday. During his inaugural speech as president, Tinubu said fuel subsidy is gone, adding that there is no provision for it in the budget beyond June 2023. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources, he added. READ ALSO: Fuel subsidy removal disrupts Nigerias oil retail market The situation has generated mixed reactions from stakeholders and citizens across the country. Adding his voice to the conversation, Daniel said the subsidy regime had become unsustainable, adding that everybody is aware of the fact. He said the subsidy is not just for Nigerians, noting that petroleum products are illegally smuggled to neighbouring West African countries. The thing I want our people to appreciate is that everybody has come to appreciate that the subsidy was not sustainable. But nobody was bold enough. And even the outgoing president said it would go after he had left, the senator-elect said. And somebody has come and said, let us stop deceiving ourselves. Another thing I have noticed, and many people have not spoken about, is that the biggest problem with the subsidy is that we are not just subsidising Nigerians but West Africa. And I do not see how that is sustainable anyway. And if there is no way of ensuring it stays within the shores of Nigeria then, which is also part of the problem of smuggling, then clearly, we cannot continue to subsidize the entire West African sub-region. We do not have such capacity. The Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, on Thursday, allayed the fear of Nigerians on the rising prices of Premium Motor Spirit, known better as petrol across the country. The NNPC boss predicted they will be a price reduction in the coming days as competition among major players in the oil sector would force down the price of petrol as against the upward trends that have caused panic in the country. Recall queues returned to fuel stations across the country following the recent increase in the petrol pump price occasioned by the removal of petroleum subsidy. Earlier on Wednesday, the NNPC said it had adjusted the pump price of petrol to reflect the market realities. The agency, however, failed to state the new prices of petrol. However, several retail outlets sold the product for as high as N600 and N800 in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun and some other states. Also, talks between the Federal Government and organised labour over the removal of fuel subsidy ended in a deadlock on Wednesday as they failed to reach a consensus following the hike in petrol pump prices to over N700 from N195 per litre by oil marketers. Speaking on Thursday in an interview on Arise TVs Morning Show, Kyari said the removal of subsidy would allow new entrants into the market, a move he said, would aid competition and phase out monopoly. This, he claimed, would ensure healthy competition which would ultimately lead to a downward review of pump prices of petroleum across the country. He said, The beauty of this (subsidy removal) is that there will be new entrants (into the market) because oil marketing companies reluctance to come into the market all along is the very fact of the subsidy regime that is in place. 24 mins ago The Auditor General of the Federation should carryout a forensic audit to ascertain whether the sum of N413billion borrowed from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN for subsidy payments was refunded after the passage of the 2015 budget, the House of Representatives has said. This followed a report of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Petroleum 27 mins ago Immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Thursday submitted himself to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The former Ekiti State Chief Executive is presently undergoing intense questioning at the Ilorin office of the Commission. Sources closed to The Guardian disclosed that Fayemi arrived at the EFCC facility at about 31 mins ago The governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has declared an end to sit-at-home in the state effective from Monday, June 6, 2023, saying such orders were restricting creativity, entrepreneurship, and productivity in the state. He, however, expressed governments readiness to engage in dialogue with people, who have genuine grievances towards bringing lasting peace and 35 mins ago The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) said it has apprehended 56 roadside operators for examination malpractice in the ongoing 2023 May/June Senior Secondary Certificate Examination. The head of the examination bodys national office in Nigeria, Patrick Areghan, announced this on Thursday while monitoring the examination in some government secondary schools in Abuja. Areghan revealed that A Finance Director in the Federal Captial Territory High Court, Tony Okcheme was on Friday swept away by heavy flood while his driver was rescued. He was said to be on his way to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in his official 2017 Toyota Camry when his car got stuck in the flood at Galadimawa roundabout. Galadimawa is about 15 minutes away from the Abuja city center. While the finance director was swept away by the flood, his driver was rescued and taken to Asokoro hospital, Abuja, by some young men in the area. Briefing newsmen on rescue efforts, Director-General of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Mr. Abbas Idris, said Okecheme is yet to be found. He confirmed that the Finance Director was on his way to the International Airport, when he was stuck in the flood, and swept off afterward alongside his driver. It is true that we dont know where he is because we are still searching for the body, but from the information, we had before us, that he was the director of finance of the FCT High Court, he said. Idris revealed that the Emergency Agency was currently on a rescue search for the Finance Director at the time this report was filed, and would not conclude on anything till he is found. As Im talking to you, we are still here, carrying out our search; searching for him, and we cannot confirm him dead until we get him. He might be somewhere waiting for rescue to come, and that is what we are doing now, it is only medical personnel that can confirm him dead or alive, Idris said. However, Idris expressed hope for a positive search outcome. He also confirmed that the driver was responding to treatment at the Asokoro hospital, where he was taken to, immediately he was rescued by the agency. The DG mentioned that the drivers report was what helped in revealing the identity of the flood victim. Abrass band of the United States (US) Naval Forces, Europe, Topside, captivated guests at Freedom Park, Lagos when they performed a special rendition of the late Afro-beat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kutis classic Water No Get Enemy to the delight of music lovers, who sang and danced along with the band. For the second time this year, Topside, was visiting Nigeria with the aim of bolstering the US-Nigerian relationship through the power of music, it was said. Whether it was When the Saints Go Marching In, Stand By Me, Lion Sleeps Tonight, or Water No Get Enemy, the high-energy performances of the band were well received by the audience. On the first day of their visit, the band performed American and Nigerian tunes to the delight of approximately 300 children and youths at the Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park in Alausa, Lagos. On Monday, the group of nine musicians conducted a masterclass for established and emerging local musicians, including members of the Nigerian Trumpet Guild. Building on their long-standing partnership, the US Navy band shared best practices with their Nigeria Navy, Air Force and Police counterparts. Were really excited to be playing for our Nigerian partners again, our last visit to Lagos was so well received, said Musician third Class Michael Parker, a member of the Topside band. The US Navy band also performed at a special reception to commemorate the 2019 Africa Partnership Station (APS) Mission. The event was held at the Nigerian Naval Dockyards, Victoria Island, Lagos and was attended by US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Kathleen FitzGibbon; US Naval Forces Europe Deputy Chief of Strategy, Resources and Plans, Rear Admiral John Gumbleton; Nigerian Navys Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji; alongside Nigerian political and business leaders as well as members of the diplomatic corps. Topside was in Nigeria to support the visit by the USNS Carson City, which has been deployed in the Gulf of Guinea on the Africa Partnership Station (APS) mission. APS is US Naval Forces Europes flagship maritime security cooperation programme, focusing on maritime safety and security through increased maritime awareness, response capabilities, and infrastructure. It would be recalled that Topside visited Nigeria in March to support the 2019 Obangame Express exercise sponsored by the US Africa Command. The latest visit underscored the strong bilateral relationship and people-to-people ties between the United States and Nigeria. The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) on Monday shut down the universities across the country to commence five days national; strike. National Daily learned that industrial action was a directive of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU to all branch chairmen of the unions across the country to shut down the universities. The leadership of both unions had earlier in a press statement explained that the strike had to commence after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to address their demands. They also accused the government of failing to show firm commitment towards resolving the issues raised by the unions, including the payment of earned allowances to members. Other issues include the status of the university staff schools matter and the renegotiation of 2009 Agreements. It was gathered that at the university of Lagos, NASU and SSANU Executives ensured that members comply with the directive. Post Views: 80 Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is the newest university selected as a partner for Delta Air Lines Propel Programs Collegiate Pilot Career Path, a new initiative for college aviation students. The partnership announcement was made during a formal launch held on ECSUs campus today, February 16, 2023. Launched in 2018 as the first known pilot pathway program offered by a U.S. global carrier, Propel is one of Deltas workforce development initiatives created to identify, select and develop the next generation of pilots. With the addition of ECSU, Delta partners with 16 postsecondary institutions across the U.S. to offer students a defined, accelerated path to becoming a Delta pilot. Upon selection to the program, students receive a conditional job offer for a pilot position at Delta. ECSUs partnership with Delta Air Lines will provide a pipeline for Delta to recruit great talent to join their team; this is a win-win situation, said Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, chancellor of ECSU. The presence of Delta Air Lines today is an indicator that we are soaring high. As Chancellor, I affirm that we will do our part to ensure the success of this program. We will offer excellence as the standard. Eric Hendrick, Deltas Director of Pilot Outreach, stated, Investing in ECSU and other collegiate programs that create greater representation within the aviation industry is a key component of Deltas workforce diversity strategy. And by creating these long-lasting relationships in the communities we serve, Delta also ensures the pipeline of top-notch pilots remains strong for years to come. ECSU offers the only four-year Aviation Science and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) degree programs in North Carolina. The Aviation Science programs five areas of specialization, include: Flight Education; Aviation Management; Avionics; Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Professional Aeronautics. Enrollment in the program totals more than 180 students, with a nearly 60 percent minority student population. Further, ECSU is one of 40 institution worldwide to offer an aviation degree program accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABInternational). Media Note: A link to photos is available here; a link for b-roll is here. Donald Trump says it is a foregone conclusion the Democrat-led House of Representatives will vote to impeach him over his request to Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son. The Republican president made the comments at a Cabinet meeting as his opponents attempt to build public support for the impeachment inquiry, despite Mr Trumps administration refusing to help them. Democrats, who have a majority in the House, are pushing for Mr Trump to be impeached for asking Ukraine president Volodomyr Zelenskiy to look into 2020 presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian oil company. If the House approves articles of impeachment the upper Congress chamber, known as the Senate, would have to look into whether to remove Mr Trump from office. The presidents fellow Republicans have a majority in the Senate and they are not keen on removing Mr Trump, although leading Republican Mitt Romney has criticised him. Mr Trump, who is accused of abusing his office by trying to get a foreign power to interfere in the 2020 US election, replied yes when asked if it was a foregone conclusion that House Democrats will vote to impeach him. He added that if they do not he will get re-elected next year. The president said Republicans need to stick together to fight the impeachment inquiry, adding that Democrats are also standing firm. Michael Duffey, national security programmes associate director at the Office of Management and Budget, was scheduled to testify behind closed doors on Wednesday over Mr Trumps decision to withhold $391m (301m) in security aid to Ukraine before asking its president to investigate the Bidens. However, he and acting White House budget director Russell Vought said they would not provide depositions to the committees. Other current and former administration officials have defied White House demands to not co-operate. Bill Taylor, the top US diplomat in Ukraine, is due to provide crucial testimony to House impeachment investigators on Tuesday based on Mr Trump withholding congressionally-approved US security aid to Ukraine to help Kiev deal with Russia-backed separatists. Texts with US ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland have surfaced, with Mr Taylor saying: I think its crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign. Mr Sondland, saying there was no favour for a favour, responded: The president has been crystal clear no quid pro quos of any kind. In written testimony last week, Mr Sondland said Mr Trump in May told senior US officials to deal directly with his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, about US policy on Ukraine raising concern American foreign policy was being outsourced to a private citizen and for the presidents personal political benefit. House Democrats have released a fact sheet and video, using publicly available information about the Ukraine scandal, in an attempt to make their case for impeachment. Democrats said the information shows Mr Trump believes he is above the law and that House Republicans complicity and silence only serves to keep him there. The president has said he did nothing wrong and his call with Mr Zelenskiy was perfect. Also due to testify at the closed impeachment inquiry session on Wednesday is acting assistant secretary of state for Europe Philip Reeker. Laura Cooper, the US deputy assistant secretary of defence for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, and Alexander Vindman, a Europe adviser on the National Security Council are due to testify on Thursday. :: Sky News Wizkid s first baby mama, Sola Ogudugu is soliciting for funds for their son, Boluwatifes lesson fee. You will recall that she once exposed the music star, Wizkid for being a deadbeat dad who allegedly makes little financial contribution to their sons development. Well, yesterday she shared Boluwatifes result where he flunked two subjects in school. Taking it upon herself to change that, Shola Ogudugu has taken it upon herself to change that. She has acquired a new musical instrument and has been on the lookout for funds to get a private French tutor. The Nigerian Army on Thursday announced the redeployment of some of its senior officers. Those affected by the latest posting include Maj.-Gen. E.C.N. OBI, who moves to the Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Standard and Evaluation. Maj.-Gen. L.F. Abdullahi, from Headquarters Nigerian Army Education Corps, moves to Defence Headquarters as Director Veteran Affairs Division and Maj.-Gen. O.G. Adeniyi from Defence Headquarters, will take over the Theatre Command (Operation Lafiya Dole) as Deputy Theatre Commander. According to a statement issued by Col. Sagir Musa, the army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. G.K. Nwosu, the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 82 Division, had been posted to Nigerian Army Special Forces School as Acting Commandant. Brig.-Gen. C.A. Apere, moves from Special Forces School to 82 Division, as Chief of Staff. Similarly, Brig.-Gen. K.I. Yusuf, has been posted to School of Finance and Accounts and as Commandant Musa said Brig.-Gen. M.N.B. Mamman, from Headquarters, Nigerian Army Engineers (Sappers Engineering Nigeria Limited) had been moved to Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers as Director Army Works. Brig.-Gen. A.D. Gbadebo from Headquarters, Nigerian Army Engineers moves to Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering as Deputy Commandant, while Brig.-Gen. S.S. Araoye from Nigerian Army College of Logistics is to head the Nigerian Army Central Workshop as Commandant. Still in the posting, Brig.-Gen. C.A. Thomas was deployed from Military Hospital, Lagos, to Defence Headquarters (Office of the Chief of Defence Staff) and appointed Gender Adviser. Others are; Col. D.C. Bako to remain in Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole, as Acting Chief of Staff, and Col. S.O. Omotosho moves to Technical Group Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and appointed Acting Commander. Col. L.G. Lepdung, however, remains in Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre, as Acting Director Research and Development. Heartland Theatre to host auditions NORMAL Heartland Theatre Company will host auditions for New Plays from the Heartland from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, June 12 and Tuesday, June 13. The auditions will take palce at 1110 Douglas St., One Normal Plaza in the Community Activity Center. Three winning one-act plays from the Midwest will be presented as staged readings before an audience at 7:30 p.m. on July 14-15 and at 2 p.m. on July 16. The following actors are needed: 2 females age 20-40s, 1 male age 20-40s; Cash Flow by Majorie Williamson, St. Louis, MO; directed by John D. Poling 2 females age 60-80; Oldies but Goodies by Terri Ryburn, Normal; directed by George Jackson 1 female who play ages 50, 39, 65, 85 and 30, 1 male who will play ages 20, 9, 35 and 55; Five Views of David Hockneys The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 by Amy Crider, Chicago; directed by Kevin Yale Vernon These are all staged readings. Actors will carry scripts on stage. Actors will be required to be familiar with the script, but not to memorize them. Scripts will not be available prior to auditions. Visit heartlandtheatre.org/auditions or email boxoffice@heartlandtheatre.org for more information. ISU Horticulture Center to present Sunset show NORMAL The Illinois State University Horticulture Center will present Sunset on the Longest Day: Act of Indegenious Resoration at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21. The show is a free, outdoor community performance that focuses on listening to Native Americans as a reconciliatory act of land acknowledgement. The performance will last approximately one hour. Smores and lemonade for the community will follow the performance. The show was created by the School of Theatre and Dances Dr. Shannon Epplett. It will also serve as the groundbreaking for the work of Wonsook Kim School of Art member Ruth K. Burke. Burkes large scale, in-progress earthwork, Domestic Rewilding, is a Living Land Acknowledgement. The earthwork uses native prairie plants and fabricated by interspecies labor. The show will be performed by eight Native people from Central Illinois and feature music from the Chicago-based Native American flute player William Bucholtz Allison. Heartland to open new exhibit NORMAL Heartland Community College will present their summer exhibition, Falling in Between in the Joe McCauley Gallery. The exhibit will feature work by artist Peytin Fitzgerald, which uses colorful and layered textile works that suggest the human body through color and form. They use hand-and machine-stitched fabrics to show scars, bumps, derformity and tension. Their work often explores personal experiences of trauma, pain, feminism and familial relationships. The exhibit will be on display on the Normal campus through Aug. 4. An artist reception will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20. Fitzgerald is a queer artist and an Illinois State University alumna with an MFA in printmaking. They are based in Peoria and work as an assistant to the interim director at Normal Editions Workshop, located in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University. Lincoln Library to bring history alive SPRINGFIELD The Abraham Presidential Library and Museum will have historic interpreters and live music throughout the summer as part of the city-wide History Comes Alive program. The interpreters will appear Wednesday through Saturday each week starting on Friday, June 2. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet historic characters, chat with them about life in the past, and pose for pictures. The music lineup includes the Lincoln Troubadours vocal group, the Springfield Municipal Band, and a string quintet. The interpreter schedule includes General Grant, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Wednesdays ;11 a.m.-1 p.m., Fridays; Mary Lincoln, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Wednesdays; 12:30-1:30 p.m., Fridays; and 1-2 p.m., Saturdays; and President Lincoln, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesdays; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Thursdays; 12:30-1:30 p.m., Fridays; and Noon to 2 p.m., Saturdays. The Lincoln Troubadours will perform in the museums main plaza on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. The Thursday and Saturday performances will be from 1-1:30 p.m. and the Friday performances from noon to 12:30 p.m. The string quartet will perform music from Here I Have Lived at 11 a.m. on June 3 and 6; 1 p.m., June 4, 10, 18 and 23; 1:30 p.m., June 26-27. The Springfield Municipal Band will perform outside the museum on Saturdays at 10 a.m. on June 10 and July 1, 8, 15 and 29. BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington woman was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty in a robbery case. April S. Mench, 36, pleaded guilty Wednesday to financial institution robbery, a Class 1 felony. The remaining charges in the case were dropped. According to court documents, on July 25, 2022, Mench entered Mid-Illini Credit Union at 1811 Eastland Drive in Bloomington and handed a teller two notes demanding the teller put money in a bag and threatening to shoot the teller. Mench made off with over $8,600. Most of the money was recovered by police when they arrested Mench less than two hours later at Quality Inn & Suites, 1803 E. Empire St. in Bloomington. Mench was ordered to pay $980 in restitution to Mid-Illini Credit Union. She received 310 days credit for time already served in the McLean County Detention Facility. Mench is also awaiting trial on another case in which she is charged with aggravated involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, a Class X felony; obstructing justice and destruction of evidence, a Class 4 felony; and causing a child to be endangered, a Class A misdemeanor. That trial is set for jury selection Aug. 14. Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller BLOOMINGTON A 22-year-old Normal man pleaded guilty Wednesday for cocaine possession with the intent to deliver. Ezra A. Ellison received his sentence before Judge Jason Chambers, who accepted his guilty plea on unlawful possession of a controlled substance containing cocaine with the intent to deliver (Class 1 felony). According to charging documents, Illinois State Police Task Force Six arranged three purchases from Ellison at a Normal residence, with two transactions carried out Oct. 3 and one on Oct. 13. A search warrant was obtained for Ellison's residence on Oct. 14, and officers found about 2.5 grams of a substance containing cocaine, according to charging documents. Ellison was later arrested that same day and admitted to police that people would reach out to him to purchase cocaine and provide small amounts of cocaine to friends when they were in need, according to charging documents. He was sentenced to 30 months of probation and was ordered to pay all necessary fines and fees. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State's Attorney Jeffrey Horve. Defense attorney Brendan Bukalski represented Ellison. Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller CLINTON The DeWitt County Museum Association will present "Secrets of the David Davis Mansion" at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at the C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum, 219 E. Woodlawn, Clinton. The free presentation will be given by Dr. Marcia Young, former site manager of the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington and recipient of the Illinois State Historical Society's Lifetime Achievement Award. The David Davis Mansion was once home to various notable individuals, including Judge David Davis and his wife, Sarah. The last biography about the mansion, "Historic Structures Report," was published in 1987, but a great deal of new information has been found since then. Young will discuss discoveries she made while researching and writing the book "The David Davis Mansion 1872-2022: 150 Years at Clover Lawn." The book also details the friendship between David Davis and C.H. Moore. Call 217-935-6066 for more information. Close Rachel Crowther of Forsyth spins wool on a wheel on the porch of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton on Saturday. Wooden cutouts of pigs adorn a fence at the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton on Saturday. Jeremy West works the Clinton Elks Lodge tent as he cooks pork and beans during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton on Saturday. Kiana Brooks, 9, a daughter of Will and Ashley Brooks of Bloomington, uses a fan purchased during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. A scene through the leaded glass of the front door of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Sanjay Jada of Normal enjoys an ear of freshly boiled sweet corn on the lawn of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Children walk from the Carriage Barn of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Sheila Dawson of Bethany walks the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Dawson put her cowboy hat on when she saw the weather forecast. Antique engine enthusiasts gather on the grounds of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Antique tractors on display on the grounds of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Tere Tedrick of Clinton, a longtime volunteer at the C. H. Moore Homestead, shows an old DeWitt County illustrated history book to Gracie Howell, 9, a daughter of Terry and Carissa Potts of Bloomington, while she spent time with her uncle and aunt, Tony and Cherie Harris of Clinton, while taking a tour of the library. The house tour was during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Tere Tedrick of Clinton, a longtime volunteer at the C. H. Moore Homestead, describes features of the library. The house tour was during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. An old book sits on a reading table of the library within the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Antique tractors on display on the grounds of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Taylor Gillenwater, 7, of Bloomington spends time looking at pig cutouts at the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Taylor was with her three ''favorite'' aunts, Debbie Atkins, Kathy Atkins and Madison Castillo, all of Bloomington. Dr. Harold Allen works on cooking pork cutlets in the YMCA tent on the lawn in front of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Photos: Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival Clinton Thousands flocked to the C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum grounds, Clinton, to enjoy the Apple 'n Pork Festival. The popular event continues Sunday. Rachel Crowther of Forsyth spins wool on a wheel on the porch of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton on Saturday. Wooden cutouts of pigs adorn a fence at the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton on Saturday. Jeremy West works the Clinton Elks Lodge tent as he cooks pork and beans during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton on Saturday. Kiana Brooks, 9, a daughter of Will and Ashley Brooks of Bloomington, uses a fan purchased during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. A scene through the leaded glass of the front door of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Sanjay Jada of Normal enjoys an ear of freshly boiled sweet corn on the lawn of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Children walk from the Carriage Barn of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Sheila Dawson of Bethany walks the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Dawson put her cowboy hat on when she saw the weather forecast. Antique engine enthusiasts gather on the grounds of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Antique tractors on display on the grounds of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Tere Tedrick of Clinton, a longtime volunteer at the C. H. Moore Homestead, shows an old DeWitt County illustrated history book to Gracie Howell, 9, a daughter of Terry and Carissa Potts of Bloomington, while she spent time with her uncle and aunt, Tony and Cherie Harris of Clinton, while taking a tour of the library. The house tour was during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Tere Tedrick of Clinton, a longtime volunteer at the C. H. Moore Homestead, describes features of the library. The house tour was during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. An old book sits on a reading table of the library within the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Antique tractors on display on the grounds of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Taylor Gillenwater, 7, of Bloomington spends time looking at pig cutouts at the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. Taylor was with her three ''favorite'' aunts, Debbie Atkins, Kathy Atkins and Madison Castillo, all of Bloomington. Dr. Harold Allen works on cooking pork cutlets in the YMCA tent on the lawn in front of the C. H. Moore Homestead during the 48th Annual Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton, Saturday. State leaders on Thursday mourned the death of Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch, who died at age 57. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said she was "heartbroken" to learn the news, praising Maisch as an advocate who worked to bridge divisions. "His departure leaves such a void in Illinois," Mendoza, a Democrat, said in a statement. "He worked so hard to find bipartisan approaches to grow Illinois businesses. He understood we are all in this together. "I treasure the time I spent with him, listening to him, speaking to his board. Democrats and Republicans around the state should all take a moment to honor Todd Maisch today for his advocacy for Illinois businesses." Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy described Maisch as a champion for the business community. "He devoted his career working to building up small businesses, enact sound policy that energized local economies, and reduce the undue burdens that Illinois businesses and employers face," Tracy said. Maisch joined the state chamber in 1994 and became its president and CEO in 2014. A Peoria native, he earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from Illinois State University. He lived in Springfield with his wife, Kim, with whom he had two children. Further details about his death were not immediately available. This story will be updated. A former National Security Coordinator, Mr Francis Poku, has said good governance and regime protection is a guarantee to national security and stability. If we are able to ensure good governance, then we wouldnt have problems with threats of violent extremism and radicalism in the country, he stated. Mr Poku said the high unemployment rate and underdevelopment create dissatisfaction and thereby undermined national peace and stability. The former national security coordinator under the former President John Agyekum Kufuors government was speaking at the Regional Dialogue session on trending conflict issues in Sunyani. The National Catholic Secretariat organised the days session, attended by traditional leaders, representatives of religious bodies, security services, youth groups, policy implementers, trade associations and Senior High School students. It was on the theme: Trending Conflicts in Ghana, Fertile Grounds for Violent Extremism: A Call for Action, and was in line with the Sahel Peace Initiative project being implemented by the Secretariat with funding from the Catholic Relief Services, a non-governmental organization. Citing Burkina Faso as an example, Mr Poku said about 60 per cent of that country had been taken over by rebels and people could not go on with their normal lives. In fact, Ghana must ensure we dont run into that kind of situation where traditional chiefs had been slaughtered openly before their subjects, he stated. Insecurity, Mr Poku emphasized, remained a serious problem, hence the need for the nation to do more by tackling its security threats proactively to sustain national stability. Mr George Agbozo, a Senior Lecturer at the Catholic University of Ghana and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioner, expressed regret that the citizenry had certain misconceptions about governance, with some gradually losing faith in the judicial system. This, he added, had the potential to breed a culture of violence and extremism, if not tackled proactively. Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister mentioned chieftaincy conflicts, illegal mining, unemployment, and activities of nomadic Fulani herdsmen as some of the security challenges, which needed attention in the region. She commended the organisers for the dialogue and expressed the hope that it would strategise and help provide realistic interventions to tackle the threats of security, not only in the region but the nation by extension. 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 There have been clashes between police and protesters in the Senegalese capital Dakar after a court handed down a two-year prison sentence to an opposition leader. Ousmane Sonko was cleared of raping a woman in a massage parlour but convicted of a separate criminal offence of immoral behaviour towards someone under the age of 21. It is referred to as "corrupting the youth" in Senegalese law. Mr Sonko denied any wrongdoing and his supporters see the trial as aimed at stopping him from running in next year's presidential race. 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 Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Community Connections Performance and Lecture Series is partnering with the Virginia Stage Company to host a one-man, stage play, Every Brilliant Thing, at ECSU in the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center. Tickets are free and the event is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. The event will also include a panel discussion with Rene Hale, of Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, Natasha Holley of Integrated Family Services, PLLC, Kim Wilson of ABC Play, LLC and Gary Stanley of PORT Health. The play and panel discussion centers around mental health, depression and avenues to wellness. Community Connections offerings are designed to produce cultural experiences to benefit students, faculty, and staff, as well as the community at large. Hundreds of nomadic herdsmen residing in the Kopella and Zeogo communities in the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region have fled from the communities to protect their lives from the wrath of some angry natives of the two communities. Almost every house and non-movable properties that belonged to these herdsmen and their families have been burnt down as at Wednesday night. Many of their cattle have also fled to safer places under no ones control or care. Some natives who had their cattle with these herdsmen in the two communities are counting their loss, following the attacks on the herdsmen. A Daily Guide source in Zebilla said, the burning of the homes of the herdsmen, especially the Fulanis was a reaction by angry natives to an attack on a 23-year-old pregnant woman from Zeogo by a man at dawn when she went into a forest to pick shea nuts. According to reports, the said man met the woman in the forest and confronted her, demanding for sex and when the woman refused, he pulled out a cutlass and cut her several times to submission and finally raped her in the forest. Even though the victim does not know the rapist, her description of the rapist and the fact that he was in the forest at dawn, got some natives suspecting that the act might have been done by a Fulani herdsman, hence their decision to attack every Fulani. At the time of filing this report on Thursday, June 1, 2023, a large number of Fulanis had run into the Bolgatanga Municipality, while some remained in the Bawku West District capital, Zebilla. Fulanis who fled from dangers in Burkina-Faso to the Bawku West District have had to run back to face whatever awaits them in Burkina-Faso. Aside from the Fulani homes that have been burnt at Kopella and Zeogo communities, Fulanis who live in Binaba; far from the incident, also had their share of attacks by some angry youth at the Binaba market. Police officers who were deployed to the Binaba market to stop the youth from attacking the Fulanis at Binaba, were resisted fiercely and subsequently attacked by some angry youth. Meanwhile, the woman is reported to be responding to treatment at the Zebilla District Hospital, but nothing was said about the state of a pregnancy. The newly elected Parliamentary Candidate for the National Democratic Congress for the Zebilla Constituency, Ebenezer Ndebilla Alumire has since sent a delegation to visit the woman and made a cash donation to help settle her bills. 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 Ugandan students from 13 universities have taken to the streets to protest over US President, Joe Bidens threats of imposing sanctions on their country due to its new anti-gay law. The students from various universities across the country were captured expressing their disapproval of Bidens stance on Ugandas anti-gay law. Chanting slogans and carrying signs, the students made their way in front of the parliament, calling for respect for their countrys sovereignty. The Ugandan government has faced criticism after President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda signed a tough anti-gay bill into law that orders the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality, which is defined as same-sex intercourse involving HIV-positive people, children, or other vulnerable people, Politico reported. This shameful Act is the latest development in an alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda, Biden said. The dangers posed by this democratic backsliding are a threat to everyone residing in Uganda, including U.S. government personnel, the staff of our implementing partners, tourists, members of the business community, and others, he added. Biden threatened to impose sanctions on Uganda in response to the countrys controversial anti-gay law.
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Enactment of Ugandas Anti-Homosexuality Act STATEMENTS AND RELEASES The enactment of Ugandas Anti-Homosexuality Act is a tragic violation of universal human rightsone that is not worthy of the Ugandan people, and one that jeopardizes the prospects of critical economic growth for the entire country. I join with people around the worldincluding many in Ugandain calling for its immediate repeal. No one should have to live in constant fear for their life or being subjected to violence and discrimination. It is wrong. Since the Anti-Homosexuality Act was introduced, reports of violence and discrimination targeting Ugandans who are or are perceived to be LGBTQI+ are on the rise. Innocent Ugandans now fear going to hospitals, clinics, or other establishments to receive life-saving medical care lest they be targeted by hateful reprisals. Some have been evicted from their homes or fired from their jobs. And the prospect of graver threatsincluding lengthy prison sentences, violence, abusethreatens any number of Ugandans who want nothing more than to live their lives in safety and freedom. This shameful Act is the latest development in an alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda. The dangers posed by this democratic backsliding are a threat to everyone residing in Uganda, including U.S. government personnel, the staff of our implementing partners, tourists, members of the business community, and others. As such, I have directed my National Security Council to evaluate the implications of this law on all aspects of U.S. engagement with Uganda, including our ability to safely deliver services under the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other forms of assistance and investments. My Administration will also incorporate the impacts of the law into our review of Ugandas eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). And we are considering additional steps, including the application of sanctions and restriction of entry into the United States against anyone involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption. The United States shares a deep and committed partnership with the people of Uganda. For more than 60 years, we have worked together to help millions of Ugandans live healthier, more productive lives. Our programs have boosted economic growth and agricultural productivity, increased investments in Ugandan businesses, and strengthened our trade cooperation. In total, the U.S. Government invests nearly $1 billion annually in Ugandas people, business, institutions, and military to advance our common agenda. The scale of our commitments speaks to the value we place on this partnershipand our faith in the people of Uganda to build for themselves a better future. It is my sincere hope that we can continue to build on this progress, together, and strengthen protections for the human rights of people everywhere. ### 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 Brazilian doctor recently lost his job after allegedly prescribing chocolate ice cream and video games to a 9-year-old with a sore throat and flu-like symptoms. On May 18th, Priscila da Silva Ramos, a 37-year-old mother from Osasco, in Greater Sao Paulo, took her 9-year-old child for a checkup at a state-owned clinic, after he started feeling sick and started vomiting. She claims that the doctor there was very unprofessional, asking her if she had looked at her childs throat, but not bothering to do it himself. Instead of actually examining the minor, the unnamed doctor allegedly started writing a prescription for drugs like amoxicillin, ibuprofen, dipyrone, prednisolone, and N-acetylcysteine, as well as ice cream and daily sessions of gaming. He started writing the prescription without examining my son, without looking at his throat, without examining his chest, without anything, the outraged mother said. Then he asked my son if he liked ice cream, he said yes. He asked if chocolate or strawberry, my son replied chocolate. But I never imagined that he wrote ice cream on the prescription. But he did prescribe the ice cream and daily sessions of the mobile video game Free Fire. Ramos told Brazilian journalists that she didnt notice the ice cream and video game sessions on the prescription until the next day, when the boys aunt looked at the prescription and was surprised by the last two lines at the bottom. The two sisters decided to post the unusual prescription on Facebook, where it quickly went viral. Social media reactions to the doctors prescription were mixed, with some agreeing that they had been unprofessional, and others arguing that he had only added the ice cream and gaming on the prescription as a joke. Lawyer Henderson Furst, president of the Bioethics Commission of the Brazilian Bar Association, Sao Paulo section, said that some doctors do things like this to humanize the relationship with their patients. Some doctors who have a practice of humanizing the relationship by making prescriptions that contain some things out of the ordinary, but which represent an act of humanization in that relationship, Furst said. Ive seen a prescription, for example, where the doctor said take care, youre special, hug more. Unfortunately for the doctor, the controversy surrounding his prescription was enough to cost him his job within the Brazilian public health network. According to the City Hall of Osasco, the physician had been dismissed from its service provider framework. As for the childs mother, she hopes that this case will improve medical care in the city. Source: Oddity Central 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 . . . . NDCs Politics Of Double Standards & Emotional Blackmail Pushing Quayson To The Pit In July 2012, Ghanaians woke up to the shocking news that Mr. Adamu Dramani Sakande, NPP MP for Bawku Central, had been convicted and sentenced to jail for two years for falsely declaring under oath he had renounced his UK Citizenship. The decision was celebrated by the NDC as unprecedented and a triumph of the rule of law Today, the same NDC, whose Attorney General prosecuted Adamu Sakande, is waging an emotional campaign in Assin North because the same courts have applied the law to remove Gyakye Quayson as MP. For the record, Mr. Quayson had the opportunity to make his case at the High Court through to the Supreme Court, and not for once did he convince any of the judges he was deserving of staying in parliament. His criminal trial is underway, and he still has every opportunity to defend himself. The leadership of the NDC, as usual, has failed to take responsibility for their incompetence in undertaking requisite due diligence before the 2020 elections;and rather, has diverted blame to the Court that applied the law in equal measure in 2012 and 2023. In the end, Mr. Quayson would be the only one to personally suffer criminal sanctions despite the NDCs leadership and its legal team being responsible for the tardy handling of the legal issues. Our laws, like our justice system, are non-discriminatory and blind to parties or persons. Let the NDC blame their leaders for their indolence and spare residents of Assin North and the emotional blackmail. RIP Hon. Adamu Dramani Sakande.... BE WISE, Hon Gyakye Quayson. Source: By Nana B/NPP National Organiser* 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 Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has refuted a media report claiming he spent his birthday flying a private jet to Monaco, purportedly to say at the expense of the Ghanaian taxpayer. A Daily Guide publication captioned Napo Celebrates Birthday in Monaco made such claim but according to a statement issued by the Minister's Spokesperson, Kofi Abrefa Afena, this report is aimed to besmirch the character of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh. Setting the record straight, the statement read that "on the 23rd of May, 2023 which marked the 55th birthday of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, he was in Ghana and attended a meeting of the Economic Management Team (EMT). On the same day, 23rd May, Dr. Prempeh also attended a Board meeting of the governing Board of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC)". It added that the day after the Minister's birthday, he was "in his house in the morning, at his instance, where he recorded an appreciation message to his well-wishers for the love shown him on his birthday. He spent the rest of the day of the 24th in his office, where he carried out his routine official duties". "Dr. Prempeh after seeking the necessary approval from the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, travelled abroad on KLM to Athens for a brief holiday. There is incontrovertible evidence in this regard. The above sequence of events is verifiable", the statement further clarified. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is therefore urging the general public to disregard what he termed as "total fabrication and affront". "It is important to state that, the Energy Minister is fully aware of the maneuverings of his detractors, especially in the coming days, but remains focused in actualizing the vision of His Excellency the President for the energy sector." Read full statement below: Napo Was In Ghana On His Birthday; Ignore Malicious Daily Guide Publication My attention has been drawn to a clearly, malicious Newspaper Publication in todays edition of the Daily Guide Newspaper with the caption Napo Celebrates Birthday in Monaco. Among other unintelligent postulations, the publication alleges that the Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South flew a certain phantomized private Jet to celebrate his birthday. The publication which has unfortunately been given front-page prominence, in furtherance of a calculated scheme, is clearly a sordid attempt at besmirching the character of the Minister and to paint him as ostentatious in the eyes of right-thinking Ghanaians. I wish to respond to this total fabrication as follows: 1. On the 23rd of May, 2023 which marked the 55th birthday of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, he was in Ghana and attended a meeting of the Economic Management Team (EMT). 2. On the same day, 23rd May, Dr. Prempeh also attended a Board meeting of the governing Board of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). 3. On 24th May, the day after, Dr. Prempehs birthday, I was in his house in the morning, at his instance, where he recorded an appreciation message to his well-wishers for the love shown him on his birthday. 4. He spent the rest of the day of the 24th in his office, where he carried out his routine official duties. 5. Dr. Prempeh after seeking the necessary approval from the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, travelled abroad on KLM to Athens for a brief holiday. There is incontrovertible evidence in this regard. 6. The above sequence of events is verifiable. 7. Anybody who knows Dr. Prempeh very well will corroborate the fact that, he does not attach hype and razzmatazz to his birthdays, except, on those days, as an avid Christian, to be alone in sobriety and to thank the almighty God for his grace and mercies. What happened this year was no different. The attempt by some cowardly elements who feel threatened by the very personality of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, manifest in his fidelity to propriety and avowed principle, to uphold the supreme interest of the Republic of Ghana, who seek to court hatred and disaffection for him, has failed woefully. It is only sad that the Daily Guide will resort to this crude route of journalism. It is important to state that, the Energy Minister is fully aware of the maneuverings of his detractors, especially in the coming days, but remains focused in actualizing the vision of His Excellency the President for the energy sector. The general public is kindly asked to completely disregard this publication, which is a total affront to the concept of believability quotient in journalism. *END* SIGNED KOFI ABREFA AFENA SPOKESPERSON FOR DR. MATTHEW OPOKU PREMPEH (MP) ENERGY MINISTER 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 National Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP), Henry Nana Boakye has cautioned former Member of Parliament for Assin North constituency, James Gyekye Quayson to take a cue from the former Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, the late Mr. Adamu Dramani Sakande and stay away from the Assin North By-election. According to him, he should not be swayed by his party into thinking that he was going to win the Assin North seat again. In July 2012, Ghanaians woke up to the shocking news that Mr. Adamu Dramani Sakande, NPP MP for Bawku Central, had been convicted and sentenced to jail for two years for falsely declaring under oath he had renounced his UK Citizenship. The decision was celebrated by the NDC as unprecedented and a triumph of the rule of law. "Today, the same NDC, whose Attorney General prosecuted Adamu Sakande, is waging an emotional campaign in Assin North because the court have applied the law to remove Gyakye Quayson as MP," he said. He further added that Mr. Quayson had the opportunity to make his case at the High Court through the Supreme Court, and not for once did he convince any of the judges he was deserving of staying in parliament. His criminal trial is underway, and he still has every opportunity to defend himself. Watch Video Below Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected] 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 Embattled former NDC Member of Parliament for Assin North Constituency, James Gyakye Quayson has declared his intention to contest the parliamentary seat again on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 as set by the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission (EC) has set Tuesday, June 27, 2023, as the date for a by-election in the Assin North constituency following the removal of the former Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson by a Supreme Court ruling. It may be recalled that the Supreme Court directed Parliament to expunge his name from its records; declaring his election as null and void. As a result, the Assin North seat was declared vacant by Parliament on Tuesday, May 30. "I am waiting to read the full judgment of the Supreme Court, whenever it is made available, but there is no doubt that the decision, as announced on 17th May, 2023, flies in the face of many previously decided cases. We wait to see whether the words of the various Justices which I have quoted will be respected by the panel. "Having made that point, let me make it clear to everyone that the most important thing to me right now is to contest and win the bye-election which is the result of what the Supreme Court announced on 17th May, 2023. I am determined to continue serving the good people of the Assin North with all my heart, soul, body and all the resources I can muster for the benefit of my constituents. I have been deeply touched by the amazing support and encouragement from you in the constituency after the Supreme Court decision on 17th May, 2023. I was particularly moved by your show of love and support through the vigil organized by the youth at Assin Bereku on Sunday 28th May, 2023. The massive attendance showed the depth of the support and encouragement I am receiving. I was really touched," he said in a statement. Read his full statement below 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 NPP National Youth Organizer, Abdul Salam Mustapha has expressed optimism over the impending Assin North by-election. The Electoral Commission has set the date for the by-election which is as a result of the disqualification of the Member of Parliament for the Assin North constituency, James Gyakye Quayson, by the Supreme Court from holding himself as a Parliamentarian. "In accordance with Article 112 (5) of the Constitution, as amended, the Electoral Commission will hold a By-Election in the Assin North constituency on Tuesday, the 27th of June, 2023", a statement by the Commission read. Accordingly, the Commission will receive Nominations from prospective Candidates for the Election of a Member of Parliament for the said Constituency. The Nominations will be received at the Assin North District Office of the Commission from Monday, the 12th of June, 2023 to Wednesday, the 14th of June, 2023 between the hours of 9:00 am 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on each day, parts of the statement further read. The filing fee for the election is GH10,000 per candidate. Abdul Salam Mustapha, speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" panel discussion programme, emphasized that the New Patriotic Party will win the Assin North parliamentary seat. He strongly believe the seat rightly belongs to the governing party. "We will win the seat because Assin North is NPP seat...We are going to see and conquer and bring the seat back home," he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh. 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 National Youth Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Abdul Salam Mustapha has refuted claims that the party shared cups of rice during the Kumawu by-election that saw their candidate win. NPP Parliamentary candidate, Ernest Yaw Anim won the by-election held at Kumawu in the Ashanti Region following the demise of the Member of Parliament for the constituency. However, during the elections, videos popped up showing some delegates receiving cups of rice supposedly to vote for the candidate. The rice, according to seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt was 'tu gyimii' - to wit rice which with small quantity it becomes plenty when cooked. Reacting to the speculations, Abdul Salam Mustapha stressed on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show that the party never shared rice as it was widely spread. He explained that the incident that has been associated with the NPP was an individual's personal pledge to the delegates. According to him, a certain NPP activist decided to share rice to the delegates to continue his mother's legacy, detailing that the mother was a staunch member of the New Patriotic Party and whenever she was contesting elections, she would distribute items to the electorates. "So, as party, we never had any direct involvement in sharing rice and this one I say on authority and for the records. It was never in our line of activities to share rice," the NPP Youth Organizer told host Nana Yaw Kesseh. 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 " " A memorial was erected at the Robb Elementary School on May 26, 2022, following the mass shooting there, in Uvalde, Texas. Nineteen students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement. Brandon Bell/Getty Images On the morning of May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas, an 18-year-old gunman named Salvador Ramos shot his grandmother in the face, and then sent a text message to a 15-year-old girl in Germany whom he'd met on the internet. "Ima go shoot up a elementary school rn," he reportedly wrote. Then Ramos took his grandmother's truck and drove to nearby Robb Elementary School. After crashing the truck into a railing nearby, he continued on foot to the school and walked inside, carrying a semi-automatic military-style rifle that he'd recently purchased, and began shooting. By the time the slaughter had stopped, 19 children and two teachers were dead. So was the teenage gunman, who had been shot to death by a tactical team [sources: Hernandez et al.; Bogel-Burroughs; Levinson et al.]. For a nation that has seen a string of mass shootings over the past two decades, it was yet another collective trauma. What was even more shocking to some was the ease with which Ramos, a teenager whose behavior reportedly had grown increasingly troubling and violent, had been able to legally obtain weapons The day after Ramos turned 18, he went into a local store and purchased a semi-automatic rifle, and in the several days that followed, he purchased 1,657 rounds of ammunition and a second semi-automatic rifle [sources: Klemko, Foster-Frau and Boburg; O'Kane]. Advertisement And once again, as they have so many times in the past, gun control advocates called for stricter laws to prevent such tragedies. "We have to act," President Joe Biden, a longtime advocate of gun control, said in a TV address on the evening after the Uvalde mass shooting [source: Whitehouse.gov]. Tragic events spark fear and outrage, drive up gun sales and, conversely, inspire calls for expanded (or better-enforced) gun control. This has been the pattern for the past half-century, since Congress passed the Gun Control Act of 1968 following the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Brady Act, which requires background checks by licensed dealers (but does not apply to gun shows), arose from the 1981 assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan [sources: ATF; Hennessey and Mascaro]. The act is named for James Brady, Reagan's press secretary who also was injured in the attempt and went on to become a gun control advocate. The possibility of legal reform remains unclear, and the composition and effectiveness of such laws remains hotly debated. One proposed gun law reform involves banning assault weapons such as the popular AR-15, the semi-automatic rifle used in numerous mass shootings, including the 2012 attack on Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which took the lives of 20 young children and six teachers, and the slaughter of 59 people by a gunman who fired on a concert from a hotel room window in Las Vegas in October 2017 [source: Blankstein et al., Calabrese and Siemaszko]. Such a ban was passed by Congress in 1994 and stayed in place for a decade, before it was allowed to lapse in 2004. Attempts to revive the measure have failed, though some Republicans are now saying they are open to banning AR-15s in light of the Uvalde school shootings. After the 1994 law was passed, public support for gun control receded. In 1991, a Gallup poll found that 78 percent of Americans favored stricter regulation of the sale of guns, but by 2011, the year before Sandy Hook, just 44 percent of Americans supported tougher laws. Since then, support for tougher regulation has risen and fallen, perhaps driven by repeated instances of mass killings, and settled at 52 percent in 2021 [source: Gallup]. Other pollsters have seen similar fluctuation. A poll conducted by Quinnipiac University in the wake of the Parkland mass school shooting found strong support for various gun control measures. Sixty-seven percent of Americans favored revival of the assault weapons ban, and 97 percent favored universal background checks on gun purchasers. (Currently, people can avoid such screening if they buy from private owners or at gun shows.) An April 2021 Q poll, however, found that support for an assault weapons ban had declined to 52 percent, and support for universal background checks had dropped to 89 percent [sources: Quinnipiac, Cook, Quinnipiac]. In the U.S., the gun control debate comprises strongly held views about constitutional law, the rights of the individual, the role of the state and the best way to keep society safe. But it also encompasses an important practical question: Do countries with stricter gun laws experience less crime or fewer homicides? The answer is anything but simple. Hong Kong: Views sought on UN report The Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau is inviting the public to share their views on a section about the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for inclusion in China's fourth report to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. The council has been conducting its fourth Universal Periodic Review on the human rights situation of UN member states since last year. The fourth review on China will be held between January and February of 2024 and the Central People's Government will submit a report to the UN for the review. The Hong Kong SAR Government has prepared an outline of the Hong Kong section of the report. Copies of it can be obtained from the district offices of the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres. People who wish to express their views can write to the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau (Team 5), 12/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar. Views can also be emailed to upr_consultation@cmab.gov.hk or faxed to 2840 0657. The submission deadline is June 21. The bureau stressed that it will carefully consider the comments and suggestions received in drafting the report. This story has been published on: 2023-06-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Thriving courier business mirrors China's development vitality 09:07, June 01, 2023 By Han Xin ( People's Daily The courier industry, which integrates online and offline businesses and serves every household, is an important sector that smooths production and consumption, as well as a reflection of a country's economic development. According to statistics released by the State Post Bureau, China's courier industry saw its delivery volume exceed 40 billion parcels this year as of May 4. The 40-billion mark was reached 128 days earlier than in 2019 and 24 days earlier than in 2022. Photo shows an unmanned logistics vehicle in an agricultural product trade center in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province. (People's Daily Online/Luo Guoyang) The achievement reached in only four months indicates the strong resilience of the industry's development and mirrors the vitality and energy of China. This year, the sector took 39 days to handle 10 billion parcels and 28 days to reach the second 10-billion mark. A total of 30 billion parcels had been collected and delivered across the country in about three months, and the number hit 40 billion a month later. The steady rise in the delivery volume demonstrates the ceaseless efforts of the Chinese courier industry to grasp new opportunities. Express delivery enterprises have constantly developed new technologies and expanded their businesses, fostering new growth points while facilitating economic microcirculation. Many of them have upgraded their overnight shipping services to same-day delivery, and launched intelligent courier vehicles that are able to not only deliver but also collect parcels. They have also joined hands with multiple parties to serve cross-border e-commerce, constantly improving the cross-border express network. Employees of a postal center in Fuyang, east China's Anhui province, sort express parcels along an intelligent conveyor belt. (People's Daily Online/Wang Biao) A series of new measures boast a smoother express service network, high-quality services and an upgraded capacity. The industry has maintained a sound momentum for operation. The monthly growth in delivery volume manifests China's consumption turnaround. The courier industry helps improve market circulation and contributes to the gradual release of online consumer demand. In the first quarter of this year, the online retail sales of physical goods nationwide increased by 7.3 percent year-on-year, and its share in total retail sales of consumer goods also went up by 1 percentage point. During the May Day holiday this year, nearly 1.5 billion parcels were collected and delivered across China, with a daily average increasing 1.2 times from that in 2019. It proved that the fundamentals sustaining the continuous recovery of the Chinese consumer market remain unchanged. Chinese consumption is still expanding and seeing structural optimization. The monthly growth in parcel volume manifests a new trend of integration and development among Chinese industries. The constant development of the express network is attributed to the thriving courier business in rural areas and the close collaboration between the courier sector and manufacturing enterprises. Couriers of SF Express are ready to deliver parcels in Qianxi, southwest China's Guizhou province. (People's Daily Online/Fan Hui) Thanks to the efforts made by courier companies to explore lower-tier markets, more and more industrial products are sold to rural regions, and the logistics channel for agricultural products has been significantly widened. Today, over 100 million parcels are being collected and delivered in rural areas on a daily basis, stimulating the vitality of rural consumption. By extending courier services to the production end, the courier sector and manufacturing industries have further integrated with each other. Courier companies set up service stations directly in manufacturing factories, integrate warehousing and distribution, and offer regional supply chain services. The integration helps manufacturers lower costs and improve efficiency, and expands new market space for courier companies. Today, China has built a gigantic express network that comes with over 410,000 service stations that provide 700 million services on a daily basis. Over 4 million couriers are running on the streets across the country every day. Relevant policies are implemented to promote consumption and smooth circulation, and consumer confidence is continuously increasing. The courier industry will play a bigger role in serving production, promoting consumption and ensuring the smooth flow of economic activities, and constantly promote high-quality economic development. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) and the Elizabeth City State University Foundation, Incorporated will honor six regional, state and national leaders at its Founders Day Scholarship Gala XVI on Saturday, March 11, 2023. The event will be held in person at the K.E. White Graduate Center on the campus of ECSU. Tickets are $150 per person. The gala follows the 132nd Founders Day Convocation, which will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, in the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center, beginning at 10 a.m. The 2023 honorees are ECSU trailblazers and supporters, including alumni leaders, former university administrators, a current university professor and a former North Carolina state senator. ECSU Founders Day Galas XIII, XVI and XV raised a combined total of $396,068.42 for scholarships. The 2023 honorees are: Eyualem Abebe, Ph.D., is a lifelong educator, mentor and academic administrator with more than 30 years of academic service at four higher education institutions on three continents. A globally recognized nematologist who has earned numerous awards, he has a passion for student mentorship, especially serving those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He is intentional in securing grants from state and national funding agencies and has been awarded grants totaling more than $4 million; a fourth of the funding has been for mentoring students through research initiatives. To expand academic opportunities by enhancing retention and graduation, Abebe has been committed to the implementation of effective academic interventions at ECSU. He joined ECSU in 2006 and has served in various capacities. Currently, Abebe is the Marshall A. Rausch Endowed Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Natural Sciences. Ulysses D. Bell, J.D., 65, began his career as chairman of the commercial training division at Nkumbi International College in Kabwe, Zambia. He has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including southern regional director for the National Rural Center. He was appointed as a member of the White House Rural Task Force during President Jimmy Carters administration. Bell has held senior level positions at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including North Carolina Central University, Bennett College, Stillman College and vice chancellor for Development at ECSU. Bell is co-founder and current Board Chair of the River City CDC in Elizabeth City and served on the Board of Trustees at Lenoir Rhyne College. Since 2009, Bell has led The Bell Group, Inc., a fundraising and marketing firm. Saundra Sellars Copeland, Ph.D., 71, is a lifelong educator, having served in education for 48 years. She is a retired associate professor and former coordinator for the Master of School Administration Program in the Department of Education, Psychology and Health at Elizabeth City State University. She retired in August 2019, after serving at the university since August 2002. Sellars Copeland was the 2012-2013 first runner-up recipient of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Teacher of the Year Award for ECSU. In addition to her work as a teacher, Sellars Copeland has worked extensively to support children and families in the community and has been honored by organizations including the NAACP, Portsmouth Pan-Hellenic Council, among others. She has established two scholarship funds. Sellars Copeland was elected as the ECSU National Alumni Association Ms. Alumni for 2021-2023. Ms. Virginia Lawrence Houston began her 50-year career in public school education in Ft. Myers, Fla. Over five decades, she worked in Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Georgia and North Carolina. In North Carolina, she served for 25 as an educator and nine years on the Board of Education. Lawrence Houston began teaching in the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public School District (ECPPS) at Sheep Harney Elementary. In 1994, she was appointed to the position of Instructional Specialist. She has been honored for her work and was selected ECPPS Math Education Teacher of the Year and Regional Teacher for North Carolina. Lawrence Houston is active in a number of civic and community organizations in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County and northeastern North Carolina. Mr. Tony E. Lassiter, 86, was employed with the NC Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer and Certified General Instructor. Later, he served as a facilitator for the Family Resource Center South Atlantic and a Dropout Prevention Program Coordinator at Mary E. Phillips High School. In the ECSU National Alumni Association, Lassiter served as second vice president for four years and the southeast region director. In the Raleigh Durham Wake Alumni Chapter, Lassiter served several roles, including president, vice president and student recruitment chair. He established the 1891 Club to raise funds for scholarships and student assistance in 2002. In 2004, he originated ECSUs slogan, Viking Pride, Viking Pride, Viking Pride. Former N.C. Senator Bob Steinberg served the North Carolina General Assembly for three terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives and one and a half terms in the North Carolina Senate, representing District 1 from 2014-2022. While in office during the 2021-2022 term, he was chair of the Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology Committee and Senate State and Local Committee. His appointments included the Senate Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety Committee, Commerce and Insurance Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, Pensions and Retirement and Aging Committee and Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee, among others. Steinberg sponsored more than 20 bills and advocated for prison reform. He was a business executive for many years before serving in state government. Currently, he works as a lobbyist. Media Note: Photos of all 2023 honorees are available here. " " Protesters kneel in front of New York City police during a march to honor George Floyd near Union Square on May 31, 2020, in New York City. Violent nationwide protests broke out after video emerged of Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. John Moore/Getty Images The emergence of a shocking cell phone video depicting the death of 46-year-old George Floyd on May 25, 2020, during his arrest by Minneapolis police officers, set off a wave of disgust and anger that sent major cities in the U.S. and abroad into convulsions of protest and violence. Barely three weeks before that, on May 5, 2020, another cell phone video went instantly viral, this one depicting the shooting death of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery as he jogged through a neighborhood near Brunswick, Georgia. It caused a huge public outcry and quickly was followed by the arrest of two local men who were charged with murder and aggravated assault. Advertisement The Arbery video also changed the life of William "Roddie" Bryan, the neighborhood man who recorded the fatal confrontation from his pickup truck, and soon faced public scrutiny and accusations that he was more than an innocent onlooker. Bryan took a polygraph test in order to show that he didn't participate in the fatal shooting, and went into hiding with his fiancee after being targeted by protesters, CNN reported. Nevertheless, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Bryan on May 21, 2020, on charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment in connection with Arbery's murder, according to a GBI press release. Bryan's attorney maintained his innocence, according to The Brunswick News. The George Floyd video, the Ahmaud Arbery video and so many more before those, have rocked the world and underscored how incredibly complicated things can quickly become when someone records a video of an act that may turn out to be a crime. Videos shot by bystanders can become important pieces of evidence in court cases, to the extent that law enforcement authorities sometimes now call for members of the public to come forward with them, as they did in the case of a shootout between police and truck hijackers in Florida in 2019, according to NBC Miami. Recordings also can become crucial sources of information in police shootings such as the 2015 killing of Walter Scott, an unarmed man in South Carolina, which was recorded by a passerby walking to work. In a day and age in which shooting video is so easy that people often impulsively pull out their phones whenever there's any kind of excitement, it's entirely possible for someone to capture footage of a crime and not even realize its significance until he or she gets home and watches it, attorney Eric J. Trabin explains. He's an Almonte Springs, Florida-based criminal defense and family law practitioner, and a former assistant state attorney in Florida. "No one knows if it's going to be a high-profile case when the incident is happening, that you are going to be sucked into the vortex," he says. Nevertheless, shooting a video of a possible crime can complicate your life in a hurry. Instantly, you may morph into a news source and continually face a constant barrage of questions from reporters. Police and prosecutors may see you as a key witness in an investigation and trial. You may even come under public scrutiny about your motives and the extent of your involvement in the incident, or find yourself the target of protests and even threats. Here are five things you should know before hitting the record icon on your phone screen. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The chemical industry took a page out of the tobacco playbook when they discovered and suppressed their knowledge of health harms caused by exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), according to an analysis of previously secret industry documents by UC San Francisco (UCSF) researchers. A new paper published May 31, 2023, in Annals of Global Health, examines documents from DuPont and 3M, the largest manufacturers of PFAS. The paper analyzes the tactics the industry used to delay public awareness of PFAS toxicity, and in turn, delay regulations governing their use. PFAS are widely used chemicals in clothing, household goods, and food products, and are highly resistant to breaking down, giving them the name "forever chemicals." They are now ubiquitous in people and the environment. "These documents reveal clear evidence that the chemical industry knew about the dangers of PFAS and failed to let the public, regulators, and even their own employees know the risks," said Tracey J. Woodruff, Ph.D., professor and director of the UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE), a former senior scientist and policy advisor at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and senior author of the paper. This is the first time these PFAS industry documents have been analyzed by scientists using methods designed to expose tobacco industry tactics. Adverse effects had been known for decades The secret industry documents were discovered in a lawsuit filed by attorney Robert Bilott, who was the first to successfully sue DuPont for PFAS contamination and whose story was featured in the film, "Dark Waters." Bilott gave the documents, which span 45 years from 1961 to 2006, to producers of the documentary, "The Devil We Know," who donated them to the UCSF Chemical Industry Documents Library. "Having access to these documents allows us to see what the manufacturers knew and when, but also how polluting industries keep critical public health information private," said first author Nadia Gaber, MD, Ph.D., who led the research as a PRHE fellow and is now an emergency medicine resident. "This research is important to inform policy and move us towards a precautionary rather than reactionary principle of chemical regulation." Little was publicly known about the toxicity of PFAS for the first 50 years of their use, the authors stated in the paper, "The Devil They Knew: Chemical Documents Analysis of Industry Influence on PFAS Science," despite the fact that "industry had multiple studies showing adverse health effects at least 21 years before they were reported in public findings." The paper states, "DuPont had evidence of PFAS toxicity from internal animal and occupational studies that they did not publish in the scientific literature and failed to report their findings to EPA as required under TSCA. These documents were all marked as 'confidential,' and in some cases, industry executives are explicit that they 'wanted this memo destroyed.'" Suppressing information to protect a product The paper documents a timeline of what industry knew versus public knowledge, and analyzes strategies the chemical industry used to suppress information or protect their harmful products. Examples include: As early as 1961, according to a company report, Teflon's Chief of Toxicology discovered that Teflon materials had "the ability to increase the size of the liver of rats at low doses," and advised that the chemicals "be handled 'with extreme care' and that 'contact with the skin should be strictly avoided.'" According to a 1970 internal memo, DuPont-funded Haskell Laboratory found C8 (one of thousands of PFAS) to be "highly toxic when inhaled and moderately toxic when ingested." And in a 1979 private report for DuPont, Haskell labs found that dogs who were exposed to a single dose of PFOA "died two days after ingestion." In 1980, DuPont and 3M learned that two of eight pregnant employees who had worked in C8 manufacturing gave birth to children with birth defects. The company did not publish the discovery or tell employees about it, and the following year an internal memo stated, "We know of no evidence of birth defects caused by C-8 at DuPont." Despite these and more examples, DuPont reassured its employees in 1980 that C8 "has a lower toxicity, like table salt." Referring to reports of PFAS groundwater contamination near one of DuPont's manufacturing plants, a 1991 press release claimed, "C-8 has no known toxic or ill health effects in humans at concentration levels detected." As media attention to PFAS contamination increased following lawsuits in 1998 and 2002, DuPont emailed the EPA asking, "We need EPA to quickly (like first thing tomorrow) say the following: That consumer products sold under the Teflon brand are safe and to date there are no human health effects known to be caused by PFOA." In 2004, the EPA fined DuPont for not disclosing their findings on PFOA. The $16.45 million settlement was the largest civil penalty obtained under U.S. environmental statutes at the time. But it was still just a small fraction of DuPont's $1 billion annual revenues from PFOA and C8 in 2005. "As many countries pursue legal and legislative action to curb PFAS production, we hope they are aided by the timeline of evidence presented in this paper," said Woodruff. "This timeline reveals serious failures in the way the U.S. currently regulates harmful chemicals." More information: The Devil They Knew: Chemical Documents Analysis of Industry Influence on PFAS Science, Annals of Global Health(2023). DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4013. annalsofglobalhealth.org/artic es/10.5334/aogh.4013 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: Mike Brennan, Director of the National Hurricane Center, speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Miami. Brennan and FEMA Director Deanne Criswell discussed preparedness for hurricane season, which begins June 1. Credit: AP Photo/Marta Lavandier It's time for residents along the southeastern U.S. coastlines to make sure their storm plans are in place as the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season gets underway on Thursday. Forecasters are predicting a "near-normal" season, but Mike Brennan, the new director at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, stressed during a Wednesday news conference that there's really nothing normal when it comes to hurricanes. "A normal season might sound good in comparison to some of the hurricane seasons in the past few years," he said. "But there's nothing good about a near-normal hurricane season in terms of activity." WILL THE 2023 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON BE BUSY? Uncertainty is the key word, Brennan said. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted in late May a 40% chance of 2023 being a near-normal hurricane season, a 30% chance of an above-average season, which has more storms than usual, and a 30% chance of a below-normal season, which has fewer. "So we're expecting a busy season with 12 to 17 named storms," Brennan said, adding that five to nine of those storms could become hurricanes, with one to four growing into major hurricanes. "It only takes one storm affecting your area to make it a busy season for you," he said. WHAT'S NEW THIS SEASON? This year, the hurricane center is rolling out a new storm surge model that Brennan said "helps push real-time storm surge prediction out to 72 hours in advance of the storm" in hopes of getting life-saving information to emergency managers regarding evacuation orders. In addition, tropical weather outlooks have been extended from five days out to seven days, providing "an additional heads up" for residents to make decisions about whether to evacuate in advance of a storm, Brennan said. The names for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season are displayed at the National Hurricane Center, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Miami, Fla. The hurricane season starts June 1. Credit: AP Photo/Marta Lavandier WHAT IS EL NINO? HOW WILL IT AFFECT THE 2023 SEASON? El Nino is a natural temporary warming of the Pacific Ocean that occurs every few years, changing weather patterns worldwide. Generally, the Atlantic is quieter and has fewer storms during El Nino years. That's because the warmer waters of El Nino make warmer air over the Pacific reach higher into the atmosphere and affect wind shear that could head off storms. Brennan noted there are other factors that add to the uncertainty of the effects of El Nino, such as very warm sea surface temperatures, weaker low-level easterly flows and a more active African monsoon season. "So these forces are going to kind of fight it out over the course of this hurricane season," Brennan said. "We don't know how his season's going to play out." WHAT IS THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY'S ROLE? FEMA Director Deanne Criswell said her agency is working to protect residents in hurricane zones by getting them the "critical information that they need" and making it easier for people to apply for help. She said the summer doesn't just bring the start of hurricane season, but it's also the beginning of wildfire season. "So we are in the summer season of severe weather events, but I think as many of you know, it's not just a summer season of severe weather anymore," she said, noting weather-related events take place throughout the year. WHY DO HURRICANES HAVE NAMES? WHEN ARE THEY RETIRED? Hurricanes are named primarily to eliminate confusion if there are two or more storm systems occurring at the same time. The United States began using female names for storms in 1953 and began alternating male and female names in 1978. FEMA Director Deanne Criswell speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Miami. Criswell and Mike Brennan, Director of the National Hurricane Center, discussed preparedness for hurricane season, which begins June 1. Credit: AP Photo/Marta Lavandier There is a rotating list of Atlantic hurricane season names every six years. The list can then be repeated, with names being eliminated if they are retired from the rotation, according to the National Hurricane Center's website. The 2023 hurricane names are: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harold, Idalia, Jose, Katia, Lee, Margot, Nigel, Ophelia, Philippe, Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince and Whitney. Hurricane names are routinely retired if a storm was so deadly or caused so much destruction that using the name again would be inappropriate. It's not up to the National Hurricane Center to retire a name, however. That practice is left to an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization, which selects another name to replace the retired one. The most recent names to be retired include Ian, which struck southwest Florida as a Category 5 hurricane in September 2022 with ferocious winds and storm surge as high as 15 feet (4 meters). Ian killed more than 156 people in the U.S., the vast majority in Florida, according to a comprehensive National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report on the hurricane. Other retired names include Katrina, Harvey, Charley, Wilma, Matthew, Michael and Irma. WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE WORST HURRICANES TO HIT THE UNITED STATES? In August 1992, powerful Hurricane Andrew struck south of Miami, crossing Florida and making a second landfall in Louisiana. For years, it was the costliest and most damaging hurricane to ever hit the U.S. coastline, resulting in around 65 reported deaths and causing more than $27.3 billion in damages at the time. The Category 5 storm destroyed more than 65,000 houses. Hurricane Katrina, which struck Louisiana as a Category 3 storm in August 2005, still ranks as one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the United States. Katrina caused about 1,400 deaths and produced catastrophic damage along the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Harvey struck Louisiana before slamming into Houston as a Category 4 storm in 2017, causing severe flooding. Harvey killed more than 80 people, including 50 in the Houston area. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Katrina and Harvey are listed as the two costliest U.S. hurricanes on record with total costs over $160 billion and $125 billion, respectively. ___ Correction note: This story was first published May 31, 2023. It was updated June 1, 2023 to correct that Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana as a Category 3 storm. 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: Antillean manatees near Caye Caulker Island, Belize. Credit: T. Yiftach The endangered Antillean manatee faces a growing threat from boat strikes in Belize, according to a new study that raises concerns about the survival of what had been considered a relatively healthy population. Belize hosts a population of around 1,000 manatees. With the growth of tourism in recent decades, however, Belize has seen a substantial increase in boat traffic, making boat strikes an increasingly important cause of manatee deaths and injuries. The new study, published June 1 in Endangered Species Research, used 25 years of data on manatee strandings (dead or injured animals), six aerial surveys of the manatee population, and two decades of boat registration data to quantify the impacts of increasing boat traffic on the manatee population. First author Celeshia Guy Galves, now at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute in Belize, led the study as a graduate student in the Coastal Science and Policy Program at UC Santa Cruz. "This work has been shared with policymakers in Belize and will contribute directly to conservation planning, including protecting key areas for manatees such as the Belize River Mouth and the Placencia Lagoon," Galves said. Galves found that with more and more boats in the water, the number of manatee strandings caused by boat strikes has increased over time, from 1 to 4 per year in the late 1990s and early 2000s to 10 to 17 per year by the late 2010s. Strandings were more frequent in areas of high boat traffic, high human population density, and mangrove habitats. "We knew that boat strikes were happening, but this study provides strong quantitative evidence of boat strikes as an increasing source of mortality for manatees in Belize, and it shows the areas where the risk is greatest," said co-author Marm Kilpatrick, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz. "These findings provide a basis for conservation measures that can be implemented to reduce the risk." Conservation efforts should focus on reducing the number of boats and their speed within zones of high manatee use, the authors said. High priorities for conservation interventions include creating more protected areas with restrictions on boat traffic, including areas designated for non-motorized boating or restricted access, as well as speed restrictions in shallow seagrass habitats. Like the Florida manatee, the Antillean manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. In addition to boat strikes, threats to the Antillean manatee population include habitat degradation and loss, poaching, pollution, and entanglement in fishing gear. Celeshia Galves and her husband, co-author Jamal Galves, both work on manatee conservation at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute in Belize, and Jamal Galvez is a 2023 graduate of the UCSC Coastal Science and Policy Program. Other co-authors include Nicole Auil Gomez at the Wildlife Conservation Society in Belize; Don Croll, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UCSC; and Kelly Zilliacus, a research specialist in Croll's Conservation Action Lab at UCSC. More information: CG Galves et al, Increasing mortality of endangered Antillean manatees Trichechus manatus manatus due to watercraft collisions in Belize, Endangered Species Research (2023). DOI: 10.3354/esr01247 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In 1948, work got underway in the Florida Everglades on a public works project hailed as the nation's largest, aimed at reigning in once and for all the mighty river of grass that once spanned much of the peninsula. The effort would take decades to complete and involve some of the most complex water management infrastructure in the world, including some 2,200 miles of canals, 2,100 miles of levees and berms, 84 pump stations and 778 water control structures. The framework would alter the Everglades forever and transform the state: Today it provides flood control and supports the drinking water supply for some 9 million people in central and south Florida. Meanwhile the natural river of grass has been reduced to a remnant of its former self. By the 1990s, however, a reckoning was at hand. Residents were awakening to a litany of environmental concerns, most notably that draining the Everglades had left Florida with a dwindling drinking water supply for the state's booming population. The federal and state governments embarked on a restudy of the original public works project, which would lead to a mammoth $21 billion restoration plan for the Everglades that remains among the most ambitious in human history, involving some 68 projects that will take many decades to complete. Now, climate change is forcing another rethinking: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District are poised to begin a new restudy of the Everglades' historic water management infrastructure aimed at adapting the framework to deal with rising seas, violent storms and a continuing influx of people. The restudy could mean some alterations to the Everglades restoration plan, said Tim Gysan, resiliency senior project manager in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Jacksonville District. Back in the 1990s, he notes, climate change wasn't really something people talked about. "We're seeing sea level rise creep up," Gysan said. "We're seeing more intense storms. The population increase is massive over the last two to three decades, and more people continue to move here because it's such a great place to live. But those people moving in, they have to live somewhere. They work somewhere, and that means land use changes." Florida has experienced a series of hurricanes and storms in recent months that have drenched the peninsula with unprecedented rains and flooding, raising concerns about whether the infrastructure is up to intensifying climate change impacts like hotter temperatures, rising seas and more damaging hurricanes. Last September, Hurricane Ian flattened swaths of southwest Florida and left widespread flooding across the state's interior, causing nearly $113 billion in damage and 156 deaths. The hurricane ranks as the third-costliest in U.S. history, after Katrina in 2005 and Harvey in 2017, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. One preliminary study concluded that climate change increased Ian's rainfall rates by more than 10 percent, according to researchers at Stony Brook University and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Hurricane Nicole followed only a few weeks later, further inundating areas Ian had spared. In April, a storm system dropped up to two feet of rain on Fort Lauderdale. The flooding forced the closure of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and disrupted operations at Port Everglades. Florida ordinarily receives some 50 inches of rain annually. "Events like that just underscore the need to look at resiliency," said Steve Davis, chief scientist at the Everglades Foundation. "What that Fort Lauderdale event speaks to is how pressing the need is." Taking advantage of a 'pivot point' in restoration Last November, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine reiterated that climate change needs more attention in its latest federally mandated review of progress on Everglades restoration. The scientists said the government agencies had made little progress when it came to incorporating future precipitation and temperature scenarios in planning their projects and that new, climate-based approaches were urgently needed. "Inadequate consideration of water availability under future conditions and potential variations in the rate of sea-level rise could cause a project to move forward that is not viable under future climate change," the scientists wrote. The scientists noted that Everglades restoration had reached a "pivot point," with recent record funding pushing several projects toward completion and a few more about to begin. Already the parched river of grass is responding to the work, with healthier water flows and shifts in vegetation throughout the central and western watershed. A years-long effort to revise the rules for managing Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest lake and the liquid heart of the Everglades, is nearly finished. Meanwhile work began in February on perhaps the most contentious and crucial project aimed at restoring the river of grass and its historic flow south: a monumental reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. At more than 10,000 acres and 23 feet deep, the $3.9 billion reservoir is projected to be complete by 2030. Everglades restoration involves an array of landscape-scale projects like the reservoir that are jointly designed to revive the river of grass's historic attributes within the context of today's explosive growth and development, with a focus on water quality, storage and flow. The watershed begins in central Florida with the headwaters of the Kissimmee River and includes Lake Okeechobee, sawgrass marshes to the south and Florida Bay, at the peninsula's southernmost tip. The restudy in the 1990s that led to the massive restoration effort came during a tumultuous time in Florida politics, from a high-stakes 1996 campaign to hold powerful sugar growers responsible for their role in the Everglades' degradation to the contentious state vote recount in the 2000 presidential race between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Gore, then vice president, saw opportunity in the critical swing state and had made Everglades restoration a priority for the Clinton administration. As the U.S. Supreme Court mulled the hanging chads on Florida ballots before halting the recount and handing a victory to Bush, then-President Bill Clinton signed Everglades restoration into law. Congress authorized the new restudy last December as part of the latest Water Resources Development Act. Experts will focus on factors that Everglades restoration has not addressed, especially climate change and flood risk management along the coasts and inland. The effort is expected to get underway in 2024 or 2025 and take six to 10 years to complete. Gysan said the restudy would probably lead to more construction projects in the Everglades to enlarge the capacity of its water infrastructure. "So do we need bigger capacity structures? Do we need to improve the canals so they can have more water flowing through them?" he said. "Do we need more storage to hold that water so we're not just releasing it out to tide and can move it for more beneficial purposes?" A flood risk study focused on southeast Florida, where climate change impacts are most apparent, is already underway. Eve Samples, executive director of the group Friends of the Everglades, said that after weather events like Hurricane Ian, there is naturally a temptation to invest in more infrastructure. But Floridians can't pump their way out of climate change, Samples said. She argues that planners should adopt a broader outlook and recognize that over time some areas will become uninhabitable. "There is going to be a lot of pressure to do things that way, to put in more infrastructure, more pumps, more sea walls, because there is a lot of money to be made on building that infrastructure," she said. "We've got to make sure it's in balance with the natural ecosystem." 2023 Miami Herald Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: In the spotlight of the U.S. deep-sea submersible ALVIN, a small reddish-brown vent massif can be seen on the seafloor of the Guaymas Basin. This formation is surrounded by abundant hydrothermally heated oil-rich sediments covered by white and orange bacterial mats. The core from which the Candidatus Alkanophaga archaea ultimately originated was collected by the team of the manned deep-sea submersible. Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution The seafloor is home to around one-third of all the microorganisms on the Earth and is inhabited even at a depth of several kilometers. Only when it becomes too hot does the abundance of microorganisms appear to decline. But how, and from what, do microorganisms in the deep seafloor live? How do their metabolic cycles work and how do the individual members of these buried communities interact? Researchers at MARUMCenter for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen and at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology at Bremen have now been able to demonstrate in laboratory cultures how small, liquid components of crude oil are broken down through a new mechanism by a group of microorganisms called archaea. Their results have now been published in the professional journal Nature Microbiology. Microbial communities are especially active near hydrothermal seeps like those in the Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California. The team of researchers has been working on understanding these communities for many years. Organic material deposited in the Guaymas Basin is cooked by heat sources from within the Earth, which breaks it down into crude oil and natural gas. Their components provide the primary source of energy for microorganisms in an otherwise hostile environment. In their latest study, the researchers have demonstrated that archaea use a previously unknown mechanism to degrade liquid petroleum alkanes at high temperatures without the presence of oxygen. Alkanes are highly stable compounds of carbon and hydrogen. They are natural components of natural gas and crude oil. The latter is refined by humans into fuels like gasoline and kerosene. Environmental catastrophes occur repeatedly due to accidents during the extraction of crude oil. A prime example was the accident on the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform, which caused severe environmental damage in the Gulf of Mexico due to the toxic effects of crude oil compounds like liquid alkanes. In the presence of oxygen, microorganisms can rapidly break down many components of crude oil, among others alkanes. Without the reactive oxygen, however, degradation is considerably more difficult. Organisms that can perform this task have not been extensively researched. In recent years, however, evidence has been found that archaea are able to employ a surprising mechanism to do this. It is based on newly discovered variants of the key enzyme of methanogenesis and anaerobic methane degradation, methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR). The genes that encode these enzymes have been found in many environmental samples. However, laboratory cultures of the microbes that could illustrate the function of these enzymes were still lacking. This is where the laboratory study of Hanna Zehnle and her colleagues becomes significant. The microbial community was cultivated in a variety of liquid alkanes, here a hexane culture. An oil layer can be observed on the surface. Credit: Hanna Zehnle The team used sediments from the 2000-meter-deep Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California. The special geological conditions that exist here include high temperatures, liquid crude-oil components, and an anaerobic environment at shallow sediment depths, all of which are normally only found in deep-lying oil reservoirs which are difficult for scientists to access. In the Bremen laboratories the researchers prepared cultures with liquid alkanes and allowed them to grow anaerobically, i.e., without oxygen, at high temperatures (70 degrees Celsius). "After a time," explains first author Hanna Zehnle, "sulfide forms in the cultures. This provides evidence that they are active." The composition of the cultures is studied using DNA and RNA samples. "With this method we can find out what organisms are living in this system and which metabolic pathways they are using," says Zehnle. These include the chemical reactions in which substances are metabolized. They found archaea of the genus Candidatus Alkanophaga in the cultures. These archaea use variants of the MCR for breaking down the alkanes. The researchers verified this by transcriptome data, measurement of the enzyme products, and by demonstrating inactivity of the cultures when the enzyme was inhibited. But the organisms are not able to degrade the crude oil alone. Respiration, in the form of sulfate reduction in this case (because no oxygen is present), is carried out by bacteria of the genus Thermodesulfobacterium, which form dense consortia with the archaea. Methanogenesis is one of the oldest known metabolic processes and is a part of the global carbon cycle. The laboratory study by Hanna Zehnle and her colleagues shows that the enzymes involved in this process can also utilize liquid (and thus toxic) hydrocarbons which highlights the relevance of this pathway for the global carbon cycle. "Thanks to their newly discovered capabilities, Alkanophaga and their relatives are targeting hydrocarbons in oil reservoirs. The remaining oil becomes more and more solid and therefore tends to remain in the seafloor," explains corresponding author Gunter Wegener. "We still have not been able to investigate any deep oil reservoirs, but the archaea are certainly annoying the oil industry with their activity. But they also make an important contribution to the fact that natural oil seeps are rare." More information: Candidatus Alkanophaga archaea from Guaymas Basin hydrothermal vent sediment oxidize petroleum alkanes. Nature Microbiology, 2023. DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01400-3 Journal information: Nature Microbiology 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: Influence of ENSO on tropical land watercarbon coupling. a, Year-to-year variations of spatial coherence of tropical WS anomaly and ENSO. All years are classified into three subsets according to the level of spatial coherence: low level (0th to 33.3th percentile); medium level (33.3th to 66.6th percentile); and high level (66.6th to 100th percentile). Year is considered Eastern Pacific (EP) ENSO when the largest DJF SST anomaly over the region of 2 S2 N, 110 E90 W lies in the Eastern Pacific (east of 150 W) and Nino3 index exceeds 1 s.d. Year is considered Central Pacific (CP) ENSO when the corresponding largest DJF SST anomaly lies in the Central Pacific (west of 150 W) and Nino4 index exceeds 1 s.d. Volcano years are excluded from analyses. Gray vertical dashed lines connect the symbols of high spatial coherence and ENSO. b, Fraction of years with high spatial coherence within the first 30-yr period (19601989) and within the recent 30-yr period (19892018). Neutral years are identified as years not in the EP ENSO or CP ENSO state. c, Dependence of R WS,CGR and R WS,CGR|T on the spatial coherence of WS anomaly. **P < 0.05 (significant correlation). Credit: Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06056-x Plants take in CO 2 to grow. They extract it from the atmosphere and use it to build organic compounds by means of photosynthesis and water. Terrestrial ecosystems have absorbed an average of about 32 percent of CO 2 emissions caused by human activity over the last six decades. Whether and to what extent terrestrial vegetation can continue to function as a carbon sink in a changing climate is a key question in climate science and is of vital political relevance. The Earth's climate system features numerous feedback loops. These are processes triggered by global warming that have a feedback effect on climate change and either amplify or diminish it. Such carbon system feedback loops are difficult to measure and model, and represent a major factor of uncertainty in climate projections. "It is therefore difficult to quantify exactly how terrestrial carbon sinks will respond to additional human-induced climate change," says Sonia Seneviratne, Professor for Land-Climate Dynamics at ETH Zurich. Until now, the available literature suggested that terrestrial carbon sinks might only be clearly affected by a high to very high rise in global warming, i.e. above 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Now, a team of researchers led by Seneviratne has found evidence that terrestrial ecosystems may be less resilient to climate change than previously thought. "We have found that tropical carbon sinks are becoming increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity," says Laibao Liu, a postdoctoral researcher in Seneviratne's group and first author of the study, which the researchers have published in the journal Nature. Feedback loop between carbon and climate The results suggest that droughts have had a growing impact on the carbon cycle in the tropics over the last 60 years, with vegetation absorbing increasingly less CO 2 during drought eventsan effect that most climate models cannot capture. Nevertheless, the observed change seems to be based on a known feedback loop: under hot and dry conditions, plants stop absorbing CO 2 to avoid water loss. In addition, there can also be an increase in plant mortality and fire events, which leads to the additional release of CO 2 into the biosphere. If such conditions were to occur more often, it could lead to a reduction in the terrestrial CO 2 sink, and thus to a further increase in global warming. Already back in 2018, Seneviratne's team demonstrated on a global scale how stressed ecosystems absorb less carbon during severe droughtsnamely, how the CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere increases significantly in dry years. In fact, the growth rate of atmospheric CO 2 varies from year to year in line with terrestrial water availability. The greatest challenge was to find out where droughts were occurring worldwide. Sophisticated satellite observation of Earth's water reservoirs have since enabled this to be determined more precisely. Droughts correlate with the carbon cycle In this study, the researchers wanted to find out whether there was a change in the correlation between water availability and CO 2 growth rate over time. "Since annual fluctuations in CO 2 growth rates are clearly dominated by carbon fluxes between land and atmosphere in the tropics, we were able to investigate this global question using tropical climate data from the last sixty years," Liu explains. In particular, the researchers were able to demonstrate that the coupling between tropical water availability and CO 2 growth rates intensified in the 30-year period between 1989 and 2018 when compared to the period from 1960 to 1989. In other words, tropical wateror more precisely its scarcityhas become an increasingly limiting factor shaping the annually fluctuating carbon cycle and its feedback loops. Hindsight is not a forecast The findings do give Seneviratne cause for concern, as they highlight a process that could intensify global warming. She now wants to find out what has caused the increasingly severe tropical droughts and higher sensitivity of tropical ecosystems, and why climate models are not capturing these features. One possible explanation could be changes in the spatial characteristics of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), as the researchers write in their study. But it is too early to come up with definite answers. Seneviratne also urges caution against jumping to conclusions. "Our study looked at historical datanot directly at projections. The results provide no forecasts," the climate researcher stresses. Nevertheless, any increase in the effect of droughts on the carbon cycle would not bode well. "We expect many regions with extensive vegetation, especially the Amazon in the tropics, to be more affected by droughts as temperatures rise," Seneviratne adds. The fact that climate models fail to reflect the increased role of water limitation could mean that plant carbon uptake and the resilience of vegetation to droughts have been overestimated. "This would affect the assessment of climate targets and measures and make it necessary for us to recalculate the global carbon budget for the remaining emissions," Liu adds. The climate models must first of all be able to adequately take into account the consequences of droughts on the carbon cycle, however. "Only then can we make more accurate projections for future carbon sinks on land," Sonia Seneviratne says. More information: Laibao Liu et al, Increasingly negative tropical waterinterannual CO 2 growth rate coupling, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06056-x Journal information: Nature 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The UK's growing mismatch between the fish we catch and the fish we want to eat has clear implications for our future food security, according to new research. Led by the University of Essex and the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the study, published in Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, for the first time offers a comprehensive, long-term analysis of how major policy changes in the past 120 years have influenced patterns in UK seafood production, trade and consumption. It shows that even if we changed our fish-eating habits away from choosing flaky white fish such as cod and haddockthat are largely imported from other countriesto the species more common to our own waters, like herring and mackerel, UK seafood production would still be unable to meet domestic demand or the Government's healthy eating recommendations. Luke Harrison, who led the study while at Essex's School of Life Sciences, explained, "Our research highlighted that policy changes in the mid-1970s, particularly the introduction of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and the UK joining the European Union, drove a growing mismatch between the seafood produced in the UK and what we ate domestically." "Exacerbated by stock declines caused by fishing, climate change and habitat loss, this growing disconnect far out-scales any previous mismatches between availability and consumptionincluding those seen during both world warsand we have seen an increasing reliance on seafood imports and a decrease in domestic landings." Fish is now one of the most traded food products in the world and there has been a rapid increase in the UK's seafood imports, which were relatively low before the 1970s. The UK currently imports most of the fish it eats and exports most of the fish it produces from fisheries and aquaculture. The UK's love of large, flaky fish began in the early 1900s when the UK had a thriving distant-water fishery. However, today these species are landed in low quantities in UK waters, while cheap, nutritious, bony species, particularly mackerel and herring, are landed in high quantities but primarily exported to the Netherlands and France. "The increasing popularity of tuna, shrimps and prawns highlights how UK consumers have largely not changed their eating habits to reflect changes in local seafood availability over the years," added Cefas co-author Dr. Georg Engelhard. " Since the forming of EEZs and the UK joining the EU in the mid-1970s, UK domestic landings declined rapidly from 869 thousand tons in 1975 to 349 thousand tons in 2020. The UK public currently eats 31% less seafood than is recommended by government guidelines, and even if local species were more popular, all domestic fisheries and aquaculture production would still be 73% below recommended levels without the inclusion of imports. Senior author Dr. Anna Sturrock, from Essex's School of Life Sciences, added, "In the face of climate change, global overfishing and potentially restrictive trade barriers, it is important that we promote locally sourced seafood and provide clearer guidance on non-seafood alternatives. Ultimately this will help meet national food security demands as well as health and environmental targets." More information: Luke Harrison et al, Widening mismatch between UK seafood production and consumer demand: a 120 year perspective, Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11160-023-09776-5 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: Researchers have called for "legal consequences" for companies that did not follow the law in providing health data to EU regulators. Several major agrochemical companies did not disclose to European Union authorities studies assessing the toxic effects of pesticide ingredients on brain development, research said on Thursday. The nine studies, which looked at how different nine pesticide chemical compounds affected the developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in rats, were however shared with regulators in the United States, the Sweden-based researchers said. The two companies behind the majority of the studies, German chemicals giant Bayer and Swiss agriculture firm Syngenta, said they complied with all regulatory requirements. The researchers said their study, published in the journal Environmental Health, was the first that sought to quantify the seemingly "recurring phenomenon" of companies not disclosing DNT studies to EU authorities. "It is outrageous and unbelievable that a good fraction of these studies do not make it to the authorities as required by law," study co-author Axel Mie of Stockholm University told AFP. The researchers looked at the DNT studies on pesticide chemical compounds submitted to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recent decades. Out of 35 studies conducted between 1993 and 2015 submitted to the EPA, nine were not shared with EU authorities, they found. The studies were conducted on pregnant rats, testing whether the offspring of those exposed to the compounds suffered developmental problems. Decreased weight gain, delayed sexual maturation and deteriorating motor activity were among the side effects reported in adult offspring in the studies. Of the nine pesticide compounds, four have now been taken off the EU market, while another four are currently under review, Mie said. "There must be legal consequences and serious ones for the companies if they do not follow the law," he said. Bayer and Syngenta, which each sponsored three of the studies, rejected the conclusions of the research. Bayer said in a statement sent to AFP that it has "always submitted the necessary studies that were required by the EU regulations at the time," adding that the process had changed over the years. Syngenta said in a statement that it had "complied with all EU and Swiss data requests," adding that the studies in question were produced to meet US regulatory guidelines. 'Protecting brains of our children' A spokesperson for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said stronger legislation in this area came into force in 2021, which requires companies to share "all safety studies" about their products. Study co-author Christina Ruden urged EU authorities to cross-check data with the EPA and other regulators, calling this change "low-hanging fruit". But she added that "the absolutely most important action is to remove the responsibility of testing chemicals from the producers, and put that responsibility back on authorities." While the studies on rats are not directly applicable to humans, the aim of DNT research is to protect people against chemicals which could affect their attention span, concentration, coordination, learning, memory and IQ, Mie said. "This is about protecting the brains of our children," Ruden added. More information: Axel Mie et al, Non-disclosure of developmental neurotoxicity studies obstructs the safety assessment of pesticides in the European Union, Environmental Health (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-00994-9 Journal information: Environmental Health 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: Phytopathogenic bacterial cytidine base editor system. a A four-module system to make gene specific cytidine base editor. Expression cassettes of guide RNA (gRNA), SacB, and chimeric gene of dead Cas9 (dCas9), cytidine deaminase (CDA1) and DNA uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI) each are flanked by the Gateway recombination motifs (attR and attL). b Schematic map of single construct expressing dead Cas9 deaminase, guide RNA expression cassette and GFP. Pro, promoter derived from Xanthomonas. dCas9, a nuclease dead Cas9; CDA1 P. marinus cytidine deaminase, UGI uracil DNA glycosylase inhibitor, gRNA guide RNAs, SacB the counter-selectable marker for plasmid curing after editing and GFP driven by E. coli glT promoter. The plasmid contains the spectinomycin-resistant (SpeR) gene, the pSa origin and RepA, high-copy number origin of ColE1. Credit: Communications Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04451-8 As global food insecurity climbed to a perilous high in 2022, scientists ramped up their efforts to perfect best practices for protecting the yields of major crops that are essential in combating this issue. And, while rice makes up a small portion of Missouri's annual harvest, italong with corn and soybeansare key staples that help address food insecurity not only in the United States, but across the world. In a recent study that examined how diseases function in rice crops, University of Missouri researchers might have found critical answers. In this study, Bing Yang, a plant biology professor in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center used genome editing as a tool to identify problematic pathogens present in certain bacteria that lead to prolific infections in rice crops. His research helps scientists understand how these pathogens function and, thus, can determine how to guard against widespread infections that destroy yields. This research provides insight into the host-pathogen relationship, allowing scientists to better genetically engineer plants to survive crop diseases. "Based on the advances in scientific understanding made during this study, we are now able to develop strategies to engineer host-resistance against the bacteria," Yang said. "That's how we can support plant resistance in general." First, the research team discovered a way to "knock out" genes. When specific genes are knocked out of the bacteria, it allows scientists to better understand the functions of those specific genes. Researchers then tested for infectious propertiessomething that has historically been a labor-intensive process. "This research allows us to better understand which bacteria hold pathogenic qualities and how those qualities correspond to infections in certain species of plants," Yang said. "Ultimately, these advances in gene editing help us modify the genome of crops, in this case rice, in ways that build resistance that protect them from diseases." Using a revolutionary gene-editing technique called CRISPRa method where scientists edit genes by cutting DNA and then letting it repair naturallyYang and his team edited a sample of bacteria with the goal of determining exactly which genes had pathogenic qualities that would infect proteins in the genome of the rice crop. Notably, Yang's method revolutionizes a process known as homologous recombination, which has been known to be ineffective and time-consuming. "My long-term research goal is a better understanding of the biology of diseases and plant biology and the process of using advanced technology to engineer disease resistance," Yang said. "I also want to engineer the product so it's more nutritious and of a higher quantity while increasing a season's yield and reducing the yield loss." As a scholar of plant pathology for more than 15 years, Yang said that bacteria, including those with symbiotic (beneficial) and pathogenic qualities, are essential in maintaining life and the health of our ecosystems. "Efficient CRISPR-Cas9 based cytosine base editors for phytopathogenic bacteria," was published in Communications Biology. More information: Chenhao Li et al, Efficient CRISPR-Cas9 based cytosine base editors for phytopathogenic bacteria, Communications Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04451-8 Journal information: Communications Biology The program will promote opportunities for internships and fellowship with major airlines in the industry. Through a partnership with the MARCH Foundation, the universitys goal is to create a pipeline of opportunity for workforce readiness and preparedness amongst students. ECSU offers the only four-year Aviation Science degree program in North Carolina. Were excited to support Elizabeth City State as they prepare the next generation of pilots and leaders in the aviation industry, said Eric Leufroy, a MARCH Foundation board member. We know how expensive education is today, and we want to help students succeed and pursue their dreams. Investing in the future aviation workforce is key. The gift helps to prepare a more inclusive talent pool of pilots, and to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, Leufroy said. Only 2.2% of airline pilots are Black, according to Zippia. Data also shows the average pilot is a 45-year-old white male, with a bachelors degree, earning about $102,560. In addition to pilot training, ECSU offers concentrations in avionics, aviation management, flight education, air traffic control and unmanned aircraft systems (e.g., drones). ECSU Chancellor Dr. Karrie G. Dixon noted ECSU received the generous gift from the MARCH Foundation on its 7th Annual Day of Giving, April 28. This $75,000 gift will be used to support our students and the states only four-year aviation science degree program now and, in the future, she said. Philanthropic donations like this one make a tremendous impact, according to Gary Brown, Ph.D., vice chancellor for University Advancement and Student Affairs. As ECSU thrives as a leader in aviation science education for the citizens of North Carolina and beyond, the generous gift from the MARCH Foundation will prepare more scholars to serve as skilled pilots, educators, air traffic controllers and more. Partners like the MARCH Foundation dramatically enhance ECSUs ability to attract and retain talent that fuels the aviation industry, Brown said. MARCH, which stands for Mutual Alliance Restoring Community Hope, was launched to support the education of African American youth. Kenneth B. Jarvis, a longtime community business and civic leader, founded the group more than 25 years ago. MARCH Foundations board members all African American, executive men who retired from UPS initially funded the organization with their personal funds. The foundation distributed more than $2 million in grants and scholarships, impacting more than 2,000 students to date. ECSUs Aviation Science program boasts five areas of specialization: Flight Education; Aviation Management; Avionics; Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Professional Aeronautics. Enrollment in the program totals more than 180 students, with a nearly 60 % minority student population. Moreover, ECSU is one of only 42 institutions worldwide to offer an aviation degree program accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AAB International). For more information on the MARCH Foundation, visit https://marchfoundation.org. 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: Dissimilarity of brain GRN architecture between soldiers and foragers is greater in high-aggression honeybee colonies. Credit: Nature Ecology & Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02090-0 Collective behaviors are present across many different animal groups: schools of fish swimming in a swirling pattern together, large flocks of birds migrating through the night, groups of bees coordinating their behavior to defend their hive. These behaviors are commonly seen in social insects where as many as thousands of individuals work together, often with distinct roles. In honey bees, the role a bee plays in the colony changes as they age. Younger bees perform duties inside the hive, such as nursing and wax building, while older bees transition to roles outside of the hive, either foraging for food (foragers) or defending the colony (soldiers). What determines whether older bees become foragers or soldiers is unknown, but a new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution explores the genetic mechanisms underlying the collective behavior of colony defense, and how these mechanisms relate to the colony's overall aggression. "Honey bees do not have a size-based division of labor, like you might see in termites or ants," said Ian Traniello, former graduate student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, now an associate research scholar at Princeton University and first author on the study. "If you ask anyone off the street to guess which ant is a soldier versus a forager, they probably will guess it right 100% of the time, because the soldiers are huge. Honey bees instead have an age-based division of labor, where older bees tend to be foragers or soldiers, both of which are dangerous and potentially lethal roles." A genome-wide association study conducted previously on a sub-species of honey bee in Puerto Rico that had evolved to be less aggressive in recent years, revealed strong associations between variation in the sequence of some genes and the level of overall colony aggression. Researchers called these "colony aggression genes." In the current study, researchers compared the expression and regulation of genes in the brains of soldiers and foragers, and across colonies that varied in aggressiveness. Researchers measured colony aggressiveness by counting the number of stings on suede patches placed outside the hives after a disturbance. They identified soldiers as the bees that attacked the patches and foragers as the bees that returned to the hive with pollen. The researchers then used single-cell transcriptomics and gene regulatory network analysis to compare the brains of forager and soldier bees, from low and high aggression colonies. The researchers found that, although there were thousands of genes in the brain that differed in their expression between soldiers and foragers, none of them were part of the colony aggression gene list. However, when they created models of brain gene regulatory networks, which control when and where specific genes are expressed, the researchers found that the structure of these networks differed between soldiers and foragersand the differences were bigger when the soldiers and foragers came from a more aggressive colony. "What we think is happening is that the regulation of genes associated with collective behavior affects the mechanisms that underlie division of labor," Traniello explained. "So, colonies can become more or less aggressive by influencing the aggression level of the individuals within that colony. Basically, a forager may be more or less likely to transition to a soldier-like state if the environment calls for it." The findings highlight the importance of gene regulation to our understanding of the relationship between genes and behavior. "While a few studies have found potential heritable differences between soldiers and foragers, this study demonstrates that older honey bees may have the potential to take on either role," said Gene Robinson (GNDP), IGB Director and author on the paper. "In colonies that are more aggressive, likely due to increased danger in the environment, older bees may just be more predisposed to become soldiers to help defend the colony." Plans for future directions include developing functional tests to explore the role of the gene networks identified in the study, and to identify spatially where they are being expressed in the brain. Traniello says that he looks forward to exploring these new questions. "We have extraordinary technologies to probe genes and behavior at an unprecedented scale, both with single-cell and, now, spatial transcriptomics," Traniello said. "These give us new means for understanding old questions, like the relationship from individual to collective, or the relationship between genotype to phenotype. It's exciting to be able to take these tools and apply them in naturalistic contexts, and I hope this work inspires others to do the same." More information: Ian M. Traniello et al, Single-cell dissection of aggression in honeybee colonies, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02090-0 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution 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 LSU researchers and their international collaborators studied six baboon species via samples from 19 sites across the continent of Africa. The results show surprising amounts of genetic admixture, both in ancient times and more recently, which begs the question: What even is a species? Credit: Science, with drawings of male baboons by Stephen Nash Baboons (Papio) are found across the continent of Africa, from the west to the east and all the way south. They have doglike noses, impressive teeth and thick fur that ranges widely in color between the six species, which are olive, yellow, chacma, Kinda, Guinea and hamadryas. Their habitats vary from savannas and bushlands to tropical forests and mountains. Chacma baboons, the largest at up to 100 pounds, are even found in the Kalahari Desert, while the neighboring Kinda baboons, the smallest at around 30 pounds, stay near water. Most live in large troops with dozens or hundreds of members. While most baboons are polygynandrous, with males and females mating with multiple partners, hamadryas baboons, also called sacred baboons, live exclusively in units of one male and multiple females. In a paper published today in the journal Science, titled "Genome-wide Coancestry Reveals Details of Ancient and Recent Male-driven Reticulation in Baboons," researchers show surprising amounts of genetic admixture between baboon species, something that also likely occurred in early humans. Mark Batzer, Boyd Professor and the Dr. Mary Lou Applewhite Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences at LSU; Jessica Storer, Ph.D., Batzer's former student at LSU and now research scientist; and LSU research associate Jerilyn Walker all contributed to the research. Together, they analyzed the mobile or "transposable" genetic elements in samples from 225 baboon individuals from 19 geographical sites. "Everybody believes their genome is perfectly stable, and that's exactly wrong," Batzer said. "Well over half of the genome is fluid in nature and moves around in and between individuals, and between generations and populations. This mobile part of the genome, or mobilome, provides important clues as to how different species are related to one another, how they differ and when two individuals share a common ancestor." Whole-genomic sequencing has revolutionized the amount and detail of genetic diversity now available to researchers to study. While the LSU researchers previously had looked at a few hundred mobile elements or "jumping genes," primarily of the Alu and L1 types, they were now able to analyze over 200,000 elements computationally, confirming and expanding on previous studies. The broader research consortium includes more than 30 collaborators around the globe and was led by Jeffrey Rogers, associate professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. "There are questions that were science fiction when I started in the field that are now perfectly approachable," Batzer said. "We're also brought back to this fundamental question, 'What even is a species?' When I was a young scientist, it meant reproductive isolation; no exchange of genes back and forth, and individuals from different species would form infertile hybrids. Well, that whole concept has evolved, and what we now see are free exchanges of genes back and forth, both in ancient times and more recently. In other words, there hasn't been a linear trajectory of genetically isolated species that change through time." Mobile, transposable elements cause a subset of all genetic mutations known as structural genetic variants, one of the most important types of mutation in the genome. As such, mobile elements are responsible for some genetic diversity, but not all differences. Their activity, or rate of movement, is also variable between species, including at different times. While baboons currently are on "fast forward," orangutans, for example, are almost on pause. Humans are somewhere in between. "You can say mobile elements like Alu and L1 are involved in a genetic arms race or competition within the genome," Batzer said. "The mobile elements attempt to expand in number, while the genome exerts control over that expansion, so the elements don't 'overrun' the genome and cause so much havoc it risks killing the host. Some mobile elements are distant relatives of viruses, so some of the control systems are the same ones that control the spread of viruses." Apparent similarities, such as between two individuals of the same species, can disguise surprising amounts of genetic diversity, as one baboon can have almost as much in commongenetically speakingwith a baboon from a different species. The researchers were also able to show, for the very first time in non-human primates, how the yellow baboons in western Tanzania received genetic input from three distinct lineagesyellow, olive and Kinda. "This was the first time we've seen three different species contribute to the genesis of one, and done it in detail," Batzer said. "These high-resolution data sets allow us to draw much more accurate and detailed conclusions from the observations we make." Baboons and humans share about 91 percent of identical DNA. While humans have relatively small amounts of variation from each other, baboons are genetically more diverse. Bigger mobile elements called LINE elements, such as L1, carry around enzymatic machinery that helps them and the smaller Alu elements mobilize and drive change in mammals (L1) and primates (Alu). Mobile and transposable elements are in themselves diverse and effectively "monkey around" the genomes of all primates, including humans, as well as other species. The processes by which they impact the genome are called insertional mutagenesis, transduction and recombination. Tracking the insertions, which is Batzer's specialty, offers two advantages in establishing shared or separate ancestry. First, the presence of a mobile element at a particular location in the genome represents identity by descent; the probability of an exact match without shared ancestry is near negligible. Second, it's possible to trace insertions back to the point where they first appeared, thus establishing the ancestral genetic character state and unambiguously rooting species relationships. "We now believe mobile elements are one of the single biggest driving forces impacting genomes, and not just among primates, but across many mammals and many non-mammalian systems as well," Batzer said. Next, the LSU research team will investigate the mobilization and genomic impact of a recently identified transposable element in South American primates. More information: Erik F. Srensen et al, Genome-wide coancestry reveals details of ancient and recent male-driven reticulation in baboons, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.abn8153 Journal information: Science 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Misinformation and echo chambers are often used to explain polarization and political divides between people. New research, however, finds there is another factor we should worry about, namely our online consumption of quality news, or exactly the lack of it. Most people do not read misinformation or inhabit echo chambers or radical rabbit holes. As this project finds, they do consume an alarming low amount of quality news. Finding ways to expose people more to trustworthy and reliable news sources could help with better informed citizens and tackling polarization. Communication researcher Magdalena Wojcieszak is about to finish her 5-years research project EXPO. To understand increasing populism and polarization, and how these can be combatted, the original aim of this project was to study when and where people encounter diverse news and political viewpoints and the effects of these encounters. "We know that polarization, populism, and misinformation are on the rise. Many hoped that exposing citizens to more diverse and dissimilar views would make them more tolerant and open to different perspectives, and less polarized and hostile toward the other political side." During the multi-method analysis, Wojcieszak and her team however came to another alarming finding. Data on online behavior from over 7,000 people With her team, Wojcieszak collected data on online behavior from over 7000 people in the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States. They used a special open-source tool to track people's browsing history and paired these online behavioral traces with over-time surveys that the same participants completed. "Every three months we asked them to answer questions on their attitudes, opinions, behaviors, knowledge level, misinformation, polarization, and more. We then used innovative computational social science methodologies to trace and classify exactly what people consumed online over a 9-month period and the effects of this consumption." People hardly consume news or politics online The most striking finding turned out to be that people hardly consume news or politics online. "Across the three countries and during nine months of online browsing, online news consumption accounted for only 3.4% of all URLs visited by the participants. And we did account for people's news visits on social media platforms," Wojcieszak explains the results. "Exposure to hard news or political topics in those news visits was even less than 1%. Most people do not go to news websites for political information. They go for sports, weather, or cooking recipes." These numbers of 3,4% and 1% are much lower than those we can find in some other reports on online news consumption, like the annual Reuters Digital News report. "An important difference is that the Reuters report relies on self-reports on news exposure," explains Wojcieszak this difference. "From many years of research, we know that such self-reports are not accurate. Social desirabilitypeople thinking they should read news every dayand recall biasespeople thinking they consumed news when they did not- make people overestimate their news consumption. A German study for example showed that participants thought they read the news, when they actually only scrolled passed it in their Facebook timeline." No effect of diverse views Back to the original question and the effect of exposure to opposing viewpoints, Wojcieszak and her team did not find any effects. "We looked explicitly at exposure to partisan news from one's own side, exposure to centrist news and exposure to news from the other side of the political spectrum. We found that people's attitudes did not become more extreme over-time and people did not become more hostile towards their political opponents, nor the opposite." In addition, in an innovative experiment in the US, the team paid strong partisans to visit dissimilar partisan sources. "For example, if you were an American democrat, we gave you money to visit very right leaning sources, such as Breitbart or The Blaze, for a certain period. And if you were a republican, we paid to visit very left leaning sources, such as Mother Jones or Democracy Now," explains Wojcieszak. "We did not find any backfire effects. People did not become more polarized, but they also did not become less polarized." Increasing exposure to quality news could have an effect Increasing exposure to quality news could influence people's attitudes for the long term believes Wojcieszak. "We should not only worry about things like misinformation and echo chambers but also look at the majority of people who do not consume any news or political information. We should study how we can engage these often-disengaged citizens in the political process by exposing them more to quality and verified news and thereby including their more moderate voices in the political arena." To expose people to more quality and diverse news, Wojcieszak sees a role for scholars and their focus of study, but also for journalists and policy makers. "Research has found that people might be more engaged with news when they can read more stories of consensus, and less of conflict and political divide. And maybe there are ways to encourage social media platforms to promote or amplify quality news in their recommendations and systems." 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: Linear responses of wealth inequality to a climate risk shock (without the control variable). A Temperature growth shock on wealth inequality, B Temperature growth volatility shock on wealth inequality. Credit: Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27342-1 Poorer households in the UK are more vulnerable to climate change because temperature shocks are associated with deepening wealth inequality, according to new research published today in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research. Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and institutions in South Africa and Germany examined wealth inequality data against climate date from the period 2006-2018 to ascertain the impact of both temperature changes and climate shocks, such as extreme heat, on wealth inequality in the UK. The study used wealth inequality data from the Office of National Statistics, while monthly temperature data was collected from the Met Office, using year-on-year temperature growth and its volatility shocks as measures of climate risk. The study found that both temperature growth and extreme temperature events have positive and statistically significant effects on all measures of wealth inequality in the longer term. This was particularly pronounced when comparing the 10% wealthiest households with the 10% poorest. It also found that climate risk shocks harm the poorest the most relative to the richest households, exacerbating long-term wealth inequality. Researchers believe this could be because of several factors, including the impact on health of poorer people due to increased air pollution and the effect on food supply chains. The study also found that show that, upon the impact of climate shocks, wealth inequality increases significantly between the 20% and 10% wealthiest households compared to the households of median wealth, while also reducing the inequality between the average household and the poorest. Lead author Dr. Xin Sheng, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Business and Law at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said, "Even within higher-income countries, poorer people can also be more vulnerable to the impact of climate change. For example, the UK recorded the highest number of heatwave deaths in 2020, and also has among the highest level of income inequality in relation to other developed countries in Europe." "The findings highlight the disproportionate increased burden of climate change on households that are already experiencing poverty, particularly households in high-climate risk areas. For example, climate change can pose a serious health threat through food insecurity and increased toxic air pollution. Extreme weather can affect crop production, which can push up food and fuel costs." "As such, measures to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change need to be tailored so as not to overburden the poor." More information: Xin Sheng et al, Climate shocks and wealth inequality in the UK: evidence from monthly data, Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27342-1 Journal information: Environmental Science and Pollution Research 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: Size of sampled agri-SMEs. Credit: CABI Agriculture and Bioscience (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s43170-023-00157-3 The smallest agri-SMEs in Africa owner-managed by women bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research led by a team of CABI scientists and published in the journal CABI Agriculture & Bioscience. The researchers studied data from 119 agricultural small- and medium-sized enterprises (agri-SMEs)ranging in size from sole proprietorships with one employee to those employing up to 100 peopleacross six different value chains in Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Value chains that formed part of the survey includedin order of aforementioned countriesrice, oil palm and cocoa, groundnuts, maize, cocoa and rice, rice and sunflower and maize. Scientists from CABI's regional center for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, and its center for West Africa in Accra, Ghana, found that while all agri-SMEs were negatively affected by COVID-19-associated restrictions, the size of the firm and gender of the owner-managers resulted in different impacts. The smallest agri-SMEs, mainly owner-managed by women, were more likely to experience disruptions in marketing their goods and maintaining their labor supply. Larger agri-SMEs, however, made changes to their business operations to comply with government guidelines during the pandemic and made investments to manage their labor supplytherefore, sustaining their business operations. In terms of changes in business operations by agri-SMEs due to COVID-19 restrictions, 72% were affected by changes to market access and nearly 70% by health and safety changes. This included the wearing of face masks and hand washing. Labor supply changes affected 40% while 22% were impacted by financing and just over 10% made changes to how they package their products. Furthermore, modeling results show that financing prior to the pandemic, engaging in primary agricultural production and being further from urban centers, significantly influenced the likelihood of a firm incurring business losses. Dr. Mariam Kadzamira, Senior Researcher, Agribusiness at CABI and lead author of the research, said, "Our findings necessitate engendered multi-faceted agri-SME support packages that are tailored for smaller-sized agri-SMEs. "Any such support package should include support for agri-SMEs to develop sustainable marketing strategies and help them secure flexible financing that considers payment deferrals and debt moratorium during bona fide market shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic." The study highlights that while sub-Saharan Africa has the highest female entrepreneurship rate globally, these women-led enterprises are more likely to be smaller, informal, and less profitable, with less growth potential than those operated by men. A key recommendation from the research is that public and private sector entities facilitating entrepreneurship development should establish multi-faceted support packages that will cushion agri-SMEs in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to "bounce back." Dr. Victor Clottey, co-author and Regional Representative, West Africa at CABI, said, "Support should be tailored for smaller-sized agri-SMEs as they are more vulnerable to shocks arising in the market." "In addition, there is a need for innovative gendered support packages, as most enterprise owner-managed by women are likely to be smaller and hence more vulnerable." "Any support package put in place should have a work package to support SMEs with developing sustainable marketing strategies and securing flexible financing that considers payment deferrals and debt moratorium for agri-SMEs in the event of a bona fide economic and/or market shock." The scientists add that smaller-sized SMEs should be supported not only with financing but also with the capacity to diversify their business operations and income streams to enhance their resilience in the event of market and economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. More information: Mariam A. T. J. Kadzamira et al, African agri-entrepreneurship in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, CABI Agriculture and Bioscience (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s43170-023-00157-3 Provided by CABI 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: Conceptual model illustrating the coevolution of the phosphorus cycle and DOM oxidation during the SE (see text for detailed description of the panels). Credit: Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06077-6 A new study may have found a missing link that helps explain the Earth's unique oxygen-rich atmosphereand the evolution of animal life on the planet. The findings in the paper "Uncovering the Ediacaran phosphorus cycle," led by a Forrest Research Foundation Fellow from The University of Western Australia and published today in Nature, could solve the mystery of why oxygen levels remained too low for animals to breathe for 90 percent of Earth's history. The first major evolutionary event of animal life occurred during an event dubbed the Shuram Excursionbetween 570 and 550 million years agowhich is believed to represent a massive release of carbon dioxide and oxygen into the atmosphere and oceans as a result of increasing ocean phosphorus levels. To test the theory, researchers used a newly developed tool to track the abundance of phosphorus in the oceans hundreds of millions of years ago, recorded in six locations in Australia, China, Mexico and the US. The data and Earth chemistry model revealed increasing ocean phosphorus levels could not have explained the rise of oxygen. The effect was only replicated by the model when large quantities of sulfate rock were weathered, releasing sulfate into the oceans to produce vast amounts of oxygen. Lead author and Forrest Fellow Dr. Matthew Dodd, from the UWA School of Earth Sciences, said the results suggested sulfate, rather than phosphorus, was the main control in the oxygenation of the planet during the first major evolution of complex life. "Our findings may explain the prolonged low levels of oxygen throughout Earth's history and consequently the late evolution of animal life on Earth," Dr. Dodd said. "Importantly, we observe that ocean phosphorus was predominantly low when oxygen levels were low throughout the Shuram Excursion. This phenomenon would have locked the early oceans and atmosphere into an oxygen devoid state." Data from the study also holds implications about the possibility of intelligent life on other planets. "These results suggest other potentially habitable planets may support complex intelligent life, only if provided with long enough incubation times," Dr. Dodd said. "This could imply planets around stars larger than the sun may not develop complex intelligent life due to the relatively short lifetime of large stars." More information: Matthew S. Dodd et al, Uncovering the Ediacaran phosphorus cycle, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06077-6 Journal information: Nature 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: Production of 229mTh isomers through (a) resonant excitation or (b) excitation via the second nuclear excited state. The second scenario requires a large Lorentz factor of the ion bunch, which could be achieved at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Credit: Physical Review Research (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.023134 The thorium isotope with the mass number 229 (229Th) is highly exciting in many respectsfor fundamental physics as well as for future applications, for example in the sense of a nuclear clock. An international German-Chinese-American research team with the participation of Prof. Dr. Dmitry Budker's group at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has now proposed a completely new approach to study 229Th in detail. The researchers want to use thorium ions that have only three electrons left in their shell out of 90 present in a neutral atom. Such a system offers many advantages, the researchers report in the current issue of the journal Physical Review Research, most notably that the first nuclear transition can be excited with conventional lasers in the visible wavelength range. This, however, requires the ions to be circulating in a relativistic storage ring. A test laboratory for new physics What is special about thorium-229 is that its atomic nucleus, with the metastable isomeric state thorium-229m has by far the lowest excited energy level of all the approximately 3,800 atomic nuclei currently known. It is therefore the only nuclear transition that can potentially be interrogated with laserseven without using storage rings. The extremely precise measurement of this transition and the two nuclear states opens up promising and diverse perspectives. To this end, the researchers led by Dmitry Budker are now proposing a new approachboth in terms of the "object of study" and the experimental setting: they are using highly charged ions, or HCIs for short, specifically those in which there are only three electrons left in the electron shell. In such highly charged thorium ions, the interplay between the electron and the nucleus opens some new transitions that can be used to "populate" the nuclear isomeric state efficiently. The idea is to accelerate these thorium ions to almost the speed of light in a particle accelerator. In this way, they develop a leverage effect, so to speak, in order to excite them as effectively as possible with a conventional laser and thus be able to study them very precisely. Most importantly, multiple excited states can be addressed and used to "populate" the isomeric state that is actually of interest. Most previous studies of thorium-229m have dealt with non-relativistic atoms or ions in low charge states, which places high demands on the light source required for excitationbecause an extremely short-wavelength laser in the deep ultraviolet range is needed. "The fact that we can use a laser in the visibleconventionalwavelength range instead makes spectroscopic studies easier," explains Dmitry Budker. "That this is possible at all is related to the fact that the thorium ions are accelerated to almost the speed of light. Due to relativistic effects, they perceive a laser beam directed at them from the front as a beam with a much shorter wavelength: for them, conventional laser light appears like a UV laser," adds first author Junlan Jin, currently a Ph.D. student at Princeton University, who previously worked very closely and successfully with Dmitry Budker's group as part of a remote internship. In the current publication, the authors describe the various steps required to realize their method: They start with the generation of an accelerated beam of highly charged thorium ions, with possible accelerator rings being at the FAIR facility under construction at GSI in Darmstadt, Germany, or the planned Gamma Factory at CERNthe authors of the current thorium publication are also involved in the conceptual proposals for the realization of such a "super light source." They then discuss in detail various scenarios for obtaining the most complete possible excitation of thorium nuclei, before focusing on the detection of the excited states produced and the transferability to similar systems. The research team's conclusion: According to their estimate, the energy of the isomeric state can be measured with a precision better than 10-4 or even down to below 10-6, which is orders of magnitude improvement of the present value. This would pave the way for further improvements in determining the energy of the isomeric state and help answer fundamental physics questions using the thorium system. "The development of a nuclear clock is not so much the focus of our proposal, because for its realization our new method brings various technological challenges," adds Dmitry Budker. "For us, however, thorium is a very large 'playground' for addressing fundamental physics questions, a test lab for new physics, so to speak. For example, we want to answer the question of whether certain fundamental constants of nature are perhaps not so constant, but drift or oscillate with time or with location. In addition, one can imagine tests of fundamental symmetries and searches for particles or fields that go beyond the Standard Model." More information: Junlan Jin et al, Excitation and probing of low-energy nuclear states at high-energy storage rings, Physical Review Research (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.023134 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: Mother and juvenile golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana). Credit: Paul Garber Asian colobines, also known as leaf-eating monkeys, have been on the planet for about 10 million years. Their ancestors crossed land bridges, dispersed across continents, survived the expansion and contraction of ice sheets and learned to live in tropical, temperate and colder climes. A new study reported in the journal Science finds parallels between Asian colobines' social, environmental and genetic evolution, revealing for the first time that colobines living in colder regions experienced genetic changes and alterations to their ancient social structure that likely enhanced their ability to survive. "Virtually all primates are social and live in social groups," said study co-author Paul A. Garber, a professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an expert on primate biology, evolution and conservation. "But the groups differ in size and cohesiveness. There are those that live in units of two or three individuals and others living in communities of up to 1,000 individuals." Asian colobines have evolved a variety of social structures. However, genomic studies suggest that the harem unit of organization, which consists of one male with two or more females and their offspring, was the ancestral norm for Asian colobines, Garber said. The males are intolerant of other males and will fight to protect their territories. In some species, females remain in their natal group. In others, both males and females leave to join or form a new harem. Over time, more complex societies formed. Among a group of Asian colobines known as "odd-nosed monkeys," for example, two genera "still form harems, but they're not territorial," Garber said. "This means their group territories can overlap and there are times they may come together to forage, rest and travel." One branch of these odd-nosed monkeys, the "snub-nosed monkeys" form what is referred to as a multilevel or modular society in which several harems remain together year-round and form a large and cohesive breeding band. The largest such society the team recorded included about 400 individuals. In the case of the golden snub-nosed monkeys, breeding between individuals belonging to different harems was common, occurring about 50% of the time. The researchers wanted to examine how the interplay of environment, genes and behaviors like territoriality and cooperation allowed Asian colobines to survive in such varied habitats. "The team used extremely diverse data sets, many of which we generated ourselves," Garber said. "These include ecological and paleogeological data, the fossil record, and behavioral and genomic data." By overlaying social structure and habitat data, the team found that Asian colobine groups that inhabit colder areasmany of them at high elevationsalso tend to form larger and more complex societies made up of harems that coordinate their daily activities and often cooperate with one another. The changes in social structure over time corresponded with genetic changes, the researchers found. The most socially complex multilevel societies also evolved changes in genes regulating cold-related energy metabolism and neurohormones that are known to play a critical role in social bonding. Several factors contributed to the colobines' social evolution into larger, more cooperative societies, Garber said. An adult male black and white snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti). Credit: Paul Garber "Because these primates are long-lived and individuals may remain in the same band for periods of years and even decades, you have the opportunity for high levels of reciprocal cooperation," he said. Habitat also played a role, he said. Smaller groups in tropical areas can afford to be territorial because food is more predictable, and they can sustain themselves in a fairly restricted area. However, life at higher altitudes is more challenging. Black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys in some parts of China, for example, live at elevations up to about 13,500 feet. "These are low-oxygen environments," Garber said. "The coldest temperatures at night drop below zero. For a primate, that's cold." Historically, predators of snub-nosed monkeys were large mammals like snow leopards, tigers and bears. Predation risk was likely lowered by the cooperative efforts of males from multiple harems, Garber said. In addition, plant resources consumed by snub-nosed monkeys are more spread out, making their extremely large territorieswhich can extend up to 6-8 square miles (15-20 square kilometers)harder to defend by small groups. In addition to changes in genes that code for lipid metabolism and adaptations associated with cold stress, colobines living at high elevations also saw genetic changes that bolstered hormonessuch as oxytocin and dopaminethat are known to play a role in maternal behavior and social relationships. "The snub-nosed monkeys seem to have a longer mother-infant bond, which probably increased infant survival in cold environments," Garber said. "Oxytocin is an important neurohormone in all social bonding. We think it promoted social affiliation, cohesion and cooperation among adults as well." Each of these adaptive changes appears to have bolstered affiliation between harems, allowing Asian colobines to form larger multilevel societies when local conditions made it necessary for them to cooperate to survive, the researchers report. Corresponding authors of the study are Xiao-Guang Qi, of Northwest University, Xi'an, China; Cyril C. Grueter, of the University of Western Australia, Perth; Dongdong Wu, of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; and Baoguo Li, of Northwest University, China. More information: Xiao-Guang Qi et al, Adaptations to a cold climate promoted social evolution in Asian colobine primates, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.abl8621. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl8621 Journal information: Science 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: Photograph showing experimental set-up including 1: Wind Machine, 2: Flow Straightener, 3: Array of Bidirectional Probes, 4: Shed, 5: Off-Target Heat Flux Rig, and 6: Target Structure. Credit: NIST (2023). DOI: 10.6028/NIST.TN.2253 It may seem obvious that a flammable structure placed next to a house poses a fire hazard, especially if it's in a wildfire-prone community. What has been less clear, though, is how far away these items, such as sheds, need to be located to significantly limit fire spread to homes. New research led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has begun to provide important answers. A team of fire safety experts at NIST, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and other organizations has conducted a series of rigorous experiments to gauge the ability of flaming sheds to ignite residential-type structures. Based on their data, the authors of a new report determined that, under certain conditions, wooden and steel storage sheds up to 64 square feet (5.9 square meters) in size should be at least 10 or 15 feet (3 or 4.5 meters) away from homes depending on their size. In most cases, the spacing for sheds of these sizes is unregulated, even in wildfire zones, but the new data could form a basis for improved guidance and regulations. The findings also hint at the importance of conducting similar studies for the placement of other potential fire hazards, including adjacent homes, parked vehicles and more. "We tested on flat ground and with new, fire-hardened residential structures, so these distances are absolute minimums," said NIST fire protection engineer Alex Maranghides, lead author of the report. "Homes that are on slopeswhich can intensify wildfire spreador that are of older construction may need more of a buffer." Several NIST wildfire investigations have shown that sheds play a key role in facilitating the progression of flames throughout communities in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). Science-based guidance on where to place sheds has been scant, partially due to a lack of data. With the threat of wildfires growing in recent years, NIST and CAL FIRE devised a plan to find answers. The researchers conducted several tests inside NIST's large fire test facility prior to the new study to understand the fire hazard presented by storage sheds. Using the results, they narrowed down the myriad possible tests that could be conducted under realistic conditions outdoors to a few they deemed most valuable for determining safe distances. Across 13 experiments on the NIST Gaithersburg, Maryland, campus, the authors of the new report ignited varying amounts of wood within sheds of differing size, material and distance from a target structure. The researchers used a wind machine to tilt flames from burning sheds in the direction of targets built to represent an exterior wall of a residence. Most targets were made with fire-resistant elements, including an outer layer of cement boards, to meet the requirements of the California building code for the WUI. One test used a target that was not hardened to resist flames. Real-life fire experiments are providing new insights into the complex question of how far apart two structures, such as a house and a shed, should be in order to limit the risk of fire spreading from one to the other. The experiments conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in collaboration with CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, examine how fires spread from sheds of different sizes and with a range of fuels to identify critical separation distances. This information will be used to develop better building codes and preventive measures to mitigate the impact of wildfires. Credit: National Institute of Standards and Technology While a handful of tests resulted in unscathed targets, most caused some level of damage, which ranged from deformed window frames and screens to fractured glass and cracked cement siding. The unhardened target structure fared the worst out of the bunch, its wooden exterior wall and eaves becoming quickly engulfed in flames. Apart from hardening, the authors saw that the structure separation distance, as expected, was a highly influential factor. Two key numbers emerged during the tests: 10 and 15 feet (3 and 4.5 meters). These were the striking distancespresented in customary units in the report because they are most familiar to consumersof flames from sheds less and greater than 26 square feet (2.4 square meters) in size, respectively. Beyond these distances, targets were spared, however, sheds larger than 64 square feet (5.9 square meters) were not tested and may exhibit a further reach. The authors note in the report that these separation distances apply in all directions, to avoid a situation in which a shed is placed far enough from one home, but too close to a house on a neighboring lot. This awareness of the fire hazard that properties pose to one another echoes a key tenet of NIST's WUI Hazard Mitigation Methodologya science-based guide for community wildfire protection. "Fire doesn't distinguish between properties. To prevent a fire from running rampant through a community, you need to consider the spacing of fuels at the community level, not just individual properties," Maranghides said. While the separation distances are applicable to the scenarios covered in the tests, many other conditions could intensify the impact of shed flames. In those casesif a home is not hardened for fires or if it is uphill from the shed, for examplethe separation distance would need to be greater. Although fire-hardening is critical, the report suggests it is not a silver bullet for reducing the fire hazard of sheds. Sizing down, relocating and even removing sheds altogether are all potential solutions that should be considered, Maranghides said. The report represents a major step toward improved, science-based guidance for the spacing of structures for WUI zones, which will be particularly useful for dense communities where space is limited and flammable objects need to be managed with care. The authors plan to determine additional separation distances for a variety of combustible items in the future. In particular, the results of the new study highlight the importance of investigating the fire hazard posed by homes located near other homes within the same or on separate properties, which in some WUI zones are currently permitted to be as close together as 6 feet (1.8 meters). "We are already pushing the separation distance out to 15 feet for sheds that are far smaller than single family homes. This begs the question of how much larger the safe separation distance will be between homes," Maranghides said. More information: Alexander Maranghides, NIST Outdoor Structure Separation Experiments (NOSSE) with Wind, NIST (2023). DOI: 10.6028/NIST.TN.2253 By Alpha Abu The Provisional Nomination Process of Presidential Candidates and Running Mates for 13 Political Parties has ended at the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) headquarters in Freetown with the election body approving all 13 aspirants and their running mates. The final day of the nomination exercise yesterday saw the only female Presidential candidate in this years polls Madam Iye Kakay of the Alliance Democratic Party (ADP) given provisional approval by ECSL. Her running mate is Ambrose Franklyn Kobi. To bring the curtains down on a process that began on Monday 1st May 2023, veteran politician Francis Charles Margai of the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) will again lead his party to the polls as presidential nominee for the 4th time in a row. His running mate is Tony Bob Hindolo Songa. Margai told journalists it will be his last attempt at Sierra Leones top political office as he will be 78 in August this year. Chief Electoral Commissioner Mohamed K. Konneh in summing up the whole process said it was good to note that all 13 political parties were satisfied with the nomination process. He said the commission is resolute in its commitment to conduct free and fair elections, whose results will be accepted by all, and that people will be able to return to their day-to-day activities. He used the opportunity to explain a situation wherein the citation done for the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) had to be corrected following the detection of an error after the partys nomination. He said theyve asked the APC to collect the proper citation but instead, people have taken to social media accusing the commission of biases. Konneh asserted that no amount of misinformation or disinformation will deter them as an electoral institution from doing what is right. The commission began the process last Monday with the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, followed by incumbent President Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP). Dr.Kamara and President Bio were accompanied by their respective Running Mates Chernor Maju Bah and Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. The Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP) presidential candidate is Dr. Abdulai D. Saccoh, and will contest the elections with running mate Alice K. Pyne. The United National Peoples Party (UNPP) will be led by Dr. Saa Henry Kabuta, and Gabriel Samuka as his Vice. Peoples Liberation Party (PLP) will go to the polls with Nabieu Musa Kamara vying for the presidency and Saidu A.K. Mannah his running mate. Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) is led by Mohamed Jonjo, with Madam Kaday Johnson his running mate. Republic National Independent Party (ReNIP) will be represented in the presidential race by Beresford Victor Williams with Madam Kadija Bangura his vice presidential nominee. Dr. Jonathan Sandy (aka JPJ) is the Presidential Candidate for the National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP) and Reverend Komba Mbawa is the vice presidential nominee. The other nominees are Prince Coker flag bearer for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with running mate Ibrahim Jalloh, Mohamed Sowa- Turay and Olivette Walker of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) as respective presidential and running mate candidates, and Mohamed Chernoh Bah (presidential candidate) and Mariatu Saudatu Turay (running mate) for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Apart from Madam Kakay who is going for the presidency, four other women are running mates- the highest number to run for such office since multi-party democracy returned to Sierra Leone in 1996. The 13 parties are to contest the 24th June 2023 elections. Copyright 2023 Politico (10/05/23) Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) will expand opportunities for aviation science students thanks to a new partnership with PSA Airlines and a $30,000 gift from the company. PSA Airlines executives visited ECSUs Aviation Science program on March 2, 2023, and held presentations on career pathway opportunities. ECSU will be an affiliate university as part of the airlines Cadet Program. PSA Airlines gift of $30,000 will offer scholarships, fund student licensing and testing fees and host events for ECSUs aviation students. It is our honor to welcome Elizabeth City State University as one of our first of several partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities Hispanic Serving Institutions, said PSA Airlines Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steve Jarrett. At PSA, our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion helps us to create an environment that cares for our team members. We are confident that creating a pathway for students from underrepresented communities can help them to achieve their dream of a career in aviation. PSA Airlines Captain and ECSU alumnus Jonathan Boltz, who serves as Chair of PSAs Inclusion Council, also shared his enthusiasm for the program and its benefits for aspiring aviation students. This partnership is the start of a great opportunity for students to join a team where they can bring their passion to life. Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, ECSU Chancellor, said, ECSU is grateful to PSA Airlines for creating a new opportunity that gives our aviation science students the ability to gain experience from a leading regional carrier. The generous gift of $30,000 will be used to grow the universitys aviation program and prepare ECSU students to be the next generation of pilots. PSA Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines that provides more than 800 daily regional flights throughout the midwest and eastern United States to nearly 100 destinations as part of the worldwide American Airlines travel network. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, PSA Airlines operates an all-jet fleet consisting of exclusively Bombardier regional jet aircraft. Media Note: A link to photos is available: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/azr7v9t1qe9kvpkiwl93e/h?dl=0&rlkey=jfh165or7e34qz91oqis55ech New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers responded to two local rescues in recent weeks, the agency said. On May 25, in Granville, Washington County officials requested forest ranger assistance with the search for an 85-year-old with dementia who walked away from her home. Her husband had last seen her at 9 p.m. the previous day. A ranger tracked the subjects foot path through leaf litter and found her laying in the woods off an ATV trail at 12:01 p.m. The subject was disoriented and cold, but uninjured. The next day, in the town of Horicon, while on patrol to Pharaoh Lake, a ranger found a 14-year-old from Maryland with a leg injury. The teenager was hiking ahead of his mother. The ranger compression-wrapped the ankle and got crutches to assist the hiker out of the woods. She reunited the subject with his mother and helped them to their vehicle. ALBANY A Sacramento man was sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed crystal methamphetamine in Saratoga County in 2020. Roderick Meskell, had previously pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court. He admitted that from June 2020 through October 2020, he worked with others, including co-conspirators Ali Hassan Ahmed III and Jordan D. Lopez, to transport and distribute Mexican cartel-sourced crystal methamphetamine from Sacramento to redistributors in Saratoga County. In total, the organization trafficked approximately 5 kilograms of methamphetamine, according to a news release. Meskell received a sentence of 87 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Glenn Suddaby also ordered Meskell to serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from prison. Lopez previously pled guilty in connection with the conspiracy and was sentenced to 78 months in prison. Ahmed III has also pled guilty in connection with the conspiracy, and faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a term of supervised release between 5 years and life, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The FBI and the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office investigated this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet OHanlon. Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) was recognized as a new Purple Heart University for its longstanding commitment to members of the U.S. Armed Services community in a ceremony held on campus April 12. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6060, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 639 and North Carolina Patriot Guard Northeast District honored ECSU with the elite Purple Heart University designation. Event participants included Rear Admiral Shannon L. Gilreath, Commander, 5th Coast Guard District from the U.S. Coast Guard; Trey Lewis, Northeast Regional Representative, Office of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis; N.C. State Representative Bill Ward, 5th District; Daniel Serik, VFW Post 6060; Lenny Lazzara, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 639; and Roy Hankinson of the North Carolina Patriot Guard Northeast District. As an institution founded on excellence, we are proud of our nation and we celebrate the brave men and women, who have served and continue to serve, and protect our freedom, said Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, chancellor of ECSU. Patriotism is a value that we cherish at Elizabeth City State University. On this day, ECSU becomes the second institution within the University of North Carolina System to receive the Military Order of the Purple Heart designation as a Purple Heart University. Serik stated, The nation that forgets its defenders, soon will forget itself. Just as love heals the differences within our own families, so, too, can patriotism heal the differences within our nation. Lewis, from the office of Senator Tillis, presented a U.S. flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of ECSUs recognition as a Purple Heart University, to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 639. Ward presented a Certificate of Acknowledgement and North Carolina state flag to the North Carolina Patriot Guard Northeast District. The recognition honors ECSUs commitment to the entire military communitystudents, faculty, staff and visitors, as well as veterans and their families. The university ranks no. 4 on the 2022 Best Colleges for Veterans- Regional Colleges South listing by U.S. News & World Report. ECSU consistently ranks as a Top Veteran-Friendly School by U.S. Veterans Magazine. The mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives and provide service to all veterans and their families. Media Note: Photos from the ceremony are available here. GLENS FALLS The Warren County Sheriffs Office arrested a Chestertown woman Wednesday on multiple drug possession felony charges. The sheriffs office said that at approximately 5:23 p.m., deputies assigned to a Buckle Up New York, Click It or Ticket saturation patrol conducted a traffic stop on Oakland Avenue in the city of Glens Falls for various traffic violations. During one traffic stop, deputies discovered evidence of criminal activity and therefore conducted a search of the vehicle and occupants. As a result of the search, Maria L. Dulisse, 25, was found to be in possession of a significant quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine. Officials charged Dulisse with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Other drugs were discovered and will be sent to the New York State Police Forensic Laboratory for further testing, so additional charges may be forthcoming, the sheriffs office said. The day before the sheriffs office arrest, Dulisse had been charged with misdemeanor seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance along with two other people during a traffic stop by the Glens Falls Police Department. The two other individuals are also facing a misdemeanor drug possession charge and released to appear in Glens Falls court at a later date. Dulisse was held on the felony charges and was scheduled to be arraigned Friday. QUEENSBURY A 70-year-old Queensbury sex offender was arrested on Thursday for allegedly failing to notify authorities of his account on a dating website. In April, the Warren County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigations Unit received a report from New York State Parole regarding Barry Grubert not registering an account with Grindr. Grubert was charged with a felony count of failure to register as a sex offender. He was arraigned in Warren County Centralized Arraignment Court and sent without bail to Warren County Jail because of multiple prior felony convictions. Grubert was sentenced in Washington County Court in January 2020 to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted second-degree criminal sex act. He was one of seven men arrested in a sting in which they responded to an online classified advertisement to meet a person for sex. The men traveled to Hudson Falls to meet who they thought would be a girl under the age of 15 and were arrested by police. Grubert was released in April 2021, according to the state inmate database. LAKE LUZERNE The Rockwell Falls Library board has found themselves under intense scrutiny recently, stemming from a once-proposed, now-canceled drag queen story hour that was supposed to take place in April. The event drew the ire of many community members several of whom admitted to never really having paid much attention or even setting foot in the library in the past. And that newfound attention has caused residents to take a much closer look at how the library functions as a publicly funded entity. Resident Colin Hagadorn, who at an April meeting said hes never been to the community library until that night, returned to the boards May meeting and referenced an article in the Hadley-Luzerne Central School District budget newsletter. The publication explained the reasoning behind the librarys trustee elections taking place on the same ballot, despite the library being a completely separate entity. In June 2019, voters approved the Hadley Luzerne Public Librarys request to change its charter from a municipal library funded only by the towns of Hadley and Lake Luzerne to a school district library that would expand the tax base to the same geographical area as the Hadley-Luzerne Central School District. The vote was 241 votes for and 199 against, according to the newsletter, which went on to explain that school district public libraries operate independently from policies and practices set by the school district, but that they are corporate entities chartered by the state Board of Regents and registered by the state commissioner of education. New Rockwell Falls Library board members debate drag queen event LAKE LUZERNE The Rockwell Falls Library Board of Trustees met Thursday night to discuss the ongoing hot topic of whether or not the facility Why wasnt the $190,000 were giving you guys yearly on this (newsletter), Hagadorn asked the library board at its May meeting. Sara Dallas, director of the Southern Adirondack Library System, who was acting parliamentarian for the meeting explained to Hagadorn that since the library budget was not up for vote, it was not included in the newsletter. That response was not satisfactory for Hagadorn, however. Every time I come here, this is what happens, he said. Somebodys not here, somebody cant answer it properly. And it dont do nothing but give you guys a black eye. Im sorry to say it and Im not trying to be rude. But thats the way it comes across. Hagadorn, who said hed also attended a recent school board meeting looking for an explanation but wasnt satisfied there either, was met with approving head nods and audible sounds of approval. What the article did not specify, and what was not made clear by the board at the time, is that the tax money paid to the library although collected using the same geographical boundaries as the Hadley-Luzerne School District is completely separate from the tax money paid to the school and therefore is not voted on by the taxpayers each year. This confusion led to some concern among school district officials. There were people who thought they were gonna come to the voting booth and punish the library by voting down the school budget, said Hadley-Luzerne Central School District Clerk Mary Visscher. We really spent a lot of time trying to get out into the community and trying to talk to people so that they would understand that voting down our school budget was not gonna change the money that the library was getting, because that was voted on by the taxpayers in 2019. Later in the May 18 meeting, new library trustee Josh Jacquard brought up the relationship between the library and the school district, which he said was strained due to the proposed drag story hour. Book bans enter discussion for Lake Luzerne library LAKE LUZERNE In a tumultuous first regular meeting since a planned and now-canceled drag queen story hour was announced in April, the Rockwe The situation at the library, it caused a lot of distrust in this library, he said. There is a serious, serious issue that were gonna have to tackle. Jacquard said that the distrust felt by the community has spread to the school district because of it being a school district library. He suggested to the board that holding library board elections independently from school district election could go a long way to help that relationship. We can hold our own votes here at the library, he said. And the school board has communicated that they would like that to happen. The question of whether the library ballot measures should be piggyback on school board ballots has come up prior to the recent agitation. Visscher said shed discussed moving library elections onto library grounds with the librarys director Courtney Keir last year as well, which was Visschers first year as clerk. It wasnt that we didnt want to do it, Visscher said. It was just, I felt like the library could get some exposure from people in the community that dont generally go to the library, if they had to go there to vote. However, the uproar caused by the proposed drag queen story hour so close to Election Day added turbulence to this years election. With so many community members outraged at the library and demanding answers, Visscher said it was difficult for some voters to reconcile what was on the ballot, what was not on the ballot, and why. Part of my conversation with (the library) was also about that part of this whole thing, how confusing it is for people to see school library stuff on our ballot, she said. They just dont understand often times so that can be very detrimental to us as a district. Without any formal action taken, the library board acquiesced and stated that they would plan to hold separate elections in the future. BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP A fast-moving forest fire that started Wednesday afternoon is likely to burn through about 6,000 acres of Bass River State Forest before it is fully out, state fire officials said. Smoke from the fire could be seen in portions of Atlantic and Cumberland counties. The fire was exhibiting extreme fire behavior, so that plays into us not being able to get our equipment in to safely direct-attack the fire, John Earlin, incident commander in the emergency response, said Thursday during a news conference held about a mile from the flames. On Friday morning, the fire and fog caused the closure of the Garden State Parkway from Exit 38 to Exit 63 in both directions. The stretch of roadway was reopened before 10 a.m. once conditions improved. Due to the heavy smoke conditions with a wildfire, the Garden State Parkway Southbound Ramps are closed. Traffic has been diverted to Route 72 East. Please expect heavy delays on Route 72 and avoid the area if possible. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/heGCrDFqDO Stafford Police NJ (@StaffordPolice) June 2, 2023 Earlin said the intense heat and compacted areas of forest limited emergency response to setting a barrier around the fire. Dry weather is expected to impact the region and could fuel the fire for days, leaving roads closed and the immediate area on high alert, state fire officials said. By the time its extinguished, the fire could cover 6,000 acres. The fire reached 5,000 acres and was about 80% contained as of Friday afternoon. No structures were considered in its path. The fire was first seen off Allen Road about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Fire Warden Greg McLaughlin said. It started in a wildfire-prone area of the forest. 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 Allen and Oswego roads were both closed. Stage Road was closed between North Maple Avenue and Route 679, and Route 679 was closed between Route 563 and Leektown Road. Firefighters were on scene within about 20 minutes of the first reports, McLaughlin said. On Thursday afternoon, crews were seeking to establish a perimeter around the fire to curtail the flames. We want to get our arms around it as much as possible, McLaughlin said. Once we have our arms around the fire, then we can start to talk about how confident are we, in terms of that, holding the fire within this space. As we get more confident that the fire is going to remain in that space, then we start to look at containment. Nearby, six structures and about 40 people at the Timberline Campground were threatened, spurring evacuation orders. The campground was still told to remain on Thursday afternoon, officials said. Little Egg Harbor Townships Bob Kociban was at his campsite at Timberline when the fire erupted. About 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, authorities began shouting over loudspeakers to evacuate. Me and a few other people were standing there and were like, This is pretty damn close, Kociban, 56, said of when he captured images of the fire as it began to be seen over the trees. Summery stretch to break records, keep NJ in high risk for wildfire spread Record warmth, both for high and low temperatures, threaten to go down Thursday. The peak of the inland heat will be here and new data tells me that the shore's warmest day could be Thursday as well. Not far from Kocibans camper was a home shared by Linda Michel and Art OBrien, who were both ordered out of their residence about two hours later. We heard some sirens, and then we went out and looked, and we could see a little plume of smoke, said OBrien, 64, of New Gretna. It was real close to where we were at. Neither OBrien nor Michel had before been evacuated from their home for an emergency, he said. It was a little nerve-wracking, not knowing what was really happening, and how devastating a fire can be, as you see with some of the fires on TV. Theyre taking a lot of peoples homes out, and quickly, OBrien said. State firefighters prepare for wildfire season by treating sensitive woodlands in the offseason through prescribed burns, a process in which fire is intentionally set in a controlled manner to remove elements, such as dry leaves, that could prolong fire. The area off Allen Road where Wednesdays fire was had not been treated by prescribed burns, but a spot southwest of it was, McLaughlin said. The flames Thursday were being guided by a path of dense woods and ground fuel, eventually leading to areas previously left vacant of dry leaves and grass through a prescribed burn. Atlantic County officials warned residents of potential air quality issues related to the fire. Structure blaze leads to forest fire in Egg Harbor Township EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP A detached garage that was on fire led to a nearby forest catching afl Multiple fires may impact the air quality for Atlantic County residents for an unknown period of time, though there are no current alerts, according to a statement from Linda Gilmore, public information officer for the county. Atlantic County public health officials remind residents to take precautions as wildfire smoke can pose a threat to those with heart and lung conditions, pregnant women, older adults, children, and outdoor workers. Egg Harbor Township schools sent an email to parents Thursday saying they were keeping students inside due to reports of poor air quality as a result of the fire. The stench of charred forestry met America Garcia at her home not far from Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing, followed by the sight of haze. I see a whole bunch of smoke everywhere, and Im like, This has to be a wildfire, said Garcia, 36. The effects became more apparent to her when she dropped her children off at the George Hess Educational Complex nearby, seeing adults outside who wore masks to hide their noses from the smell. I hoped the school wouldnt let the kids outside for recess, Garcia said. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. A Northfield man will serve five years in prison on charges that he sold cocaine to an undercover police officer, was found with a gun used in a shooting and lit someone on fire, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday. Deshoin Rowell, 22, of Northfield, was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Nancy L. Ridgway on three separate indictments charging him with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Rowell was arrested in July 2019 after he distributed cocaine to an undercover police operative on North Main Street in Pleasantville, the Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. He received three years for that offense. On Dec. 30, 2019, Pleasantville police responded to a gunshot alert near West Wright Street and Chestnut Avenue. Four rounds were fired by Rowells codefendant, Devon Williams, who previously pleaded guilty for his involvement in the crime, the Prosecutor's Office said. A .45 caliber Glock 30 semi-automatic handgun was located in Rowells bedroom that is believed to have been used in the shooting. Rowell was sentenced to five years on that charge. Lastly, on July 4, 2021, at a bonfire at Rowells residence, he deliberately poured flammable liquid onto the clothing of his victim, causing him to catch on fire, the Proseuctor's Office said. The victim was hospitalized and suffered first-, second- and third-degree burns to his hands, arms, stomach and inner thigh, resulting in a lengthy recovery process. Rowell was sentenced to five years on that charge. The sentences are to be served concurrently. EGG HARBOR CITY New Jersey American Water has completed acquisition of the city's water and wastewater systems for $21.8 million, the utility said Thursday. The sale of the systems, which serve about 3,000 customers combined, follows the approval of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and is the first in the state to be completed through the Water Infrastructure Protection Act. The 2015 law permits the sale or lease of municipally owned water or wastewater systems without a public referendum if emergent conditions such as high contaminant levels or the need for repairs exist. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection certified the citys request to pursue the sale in April 2019. City Council voted to sell the utility in March 2021. Officials and the DEP had agreed that the municipality did not have the minimum of $14 million needed to upgrade the aging systems. This agreement provides tremendous benefits for our residents. The sale of our citys water and wastewater systems to New Jersey American Water will provide nearly $22 million to help the city pay off existing debt while leaving additional money to assist in other areas of the citys budget," Mayor Lisa Jiampetti said in a statement. "Additionally, the company is committed to investing $14 million into much-needed system improvements. All told, this means better infrastructure, stable water rates and millions in funds for the city, none of which would be possible without the sale of the systems." South Jersey's inland lakes not immune to price hikes While thousands favor the region in summer for its seaside views, plenty find cedar water-fi Under the agreement, New Jersey American Water will invest $14 million in the first 10 years to upgrade the citys water and wastewater systems, including $9 million in the first five years, while keeping rates stable for customers, New Jersey American Water said in a news release. Some of these projects include construction of an emergency interconnection with the New Jersey American Water regional system, water and sewer main replacements, valve and hydrant replacements and wastewater pump station improvements. We are ready to provide the residents of Egg Harbor City with reliable water and wastewater services, as we do for over 190 municipalities across the state, said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water. Our plan includes rebuilding and modernizing the towns water and wastewater infrastructure for continued quality and increased reliability while stabilizing rates and providing excellent customer service." Additionally, New Jersey American Water has hired three of the citys water and wastewater employees, McDonough said. Customers will begin receiving information from New Jersey American Water within the next week about the transition, the utility said. A dedicated webpage has also been created at newjerseyamwater.com/eggharborcity for more information. OCEAN CITY After a Memorial Day weekend marred by vandalism, assaults, a confiscated firearm and several incidents of teens who drank themselves into unconsciousness, Mayor Jay Gillian has signed orders aimed at limiting gatherings of teens on the beach and Boardwalk. All city beaches will be closed at 8 p.m. Carrying backpacks will not be permitted after 8 p.m. on the beach and Boardwalk. Boardwalk bathrooms will be closed at 10 p.m. The curfew for juveniles will move from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. City Council has an emergency meeting set for 1 p.m. Thursday on the third floor of City Hall, 861 Asbury Ave., to discuss the changes. Gillian and Police Chief Jay Prettyman are set to discuss the plans publicly after the meeting. We want parents, grandparents and families to know that were all in this together, and we will be holding people accountable, Gillian said Tuesday. I also want to send a message to our governor and legislators that the laws they forced on all municipalities are a threat to public safety, and they deprive families of the opportunity to enjoy the Jersey Shore. Gillian said the changes will send a message to teens and their parents that the beach, Boardwalk and other public areas will no longer be open to mass gatherings that include alcohol consumption and other infractions of the law. The gatherings have been a headache for police and Boardwalk merchants for the past two years. At times, hundreds of juveniles have gathered on the beach path just off the Boardwalk, while several communities reported similar problems after pandemic restrictions on gatherings lifted. Police responded to 999 incidents during the Memorial Day weekend, an increase compared to the holiday weekend last year. The new beach curfew will apply to people of all ages, as will the evening backpack ban. The new rules will be part of a citywide plan that will include police staffing, more announcements on the Boardwalk and a public awareness campaign. OCEAN CITY Its still light at 8 p.m. this time of year, but the public will be required to be off the beach under a raft of strict new rules introduced in the beach resort. The city also plans an earlier curfew for those under 18, closing public bathrooms at 10 p.m. and banning backpacks from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., coming after a weekend of large crowds of teenagers on the Boardwalk late at night. Merchants and officials described their behavior as extremely disruptive, with underage drinking, shoplifting, fights, assaults and property damage reported. At a special City Council meeting convened Thursday to address the issue, Mayor Jay Gillian said he was most disturbed by eight young people who apparently drank themselves unconscious on the Boardwalk over the weekend and were transported by city EMS to a hospital. Other serious incidents included assaults on the attendants in the Boardwalk bathrooms, which Gillian said included spitting on the employees. Some quit that night, officials said, and afterward the young people trashed the bathrooms. In some instances, teens were found with knives, and one had a replica handgun that police initially thought was the real thing. At a later news conference held in front of the Music Pier on the Boardwalk, police Chief Jay Prettyman blamed underage consumption of alcohol for most of the problems, as well as state laws limiting what police can do when a juvenile has alcohol. He cited a component of the state laws legalizing cannabis, which states that someone under 18 cannot consent to a search for marijuana or alcohol. Those who are caught get warnings. Before, police could issues summonses or even criminal charges if the offense was serious enough, he said. The biggest concern for many teens was the possibility of losing their driving license, Prettyman said. The teens know they are not required to give officers their names, he said, and officers face the potential of charges if they exceed the law. Ocean City Council sets emergency meeting to address rowdy teens OCEAN CITY After a Memorial Day weekend marred by vandalism, assaults, a confiscated firea Weve essentially legalized the underage consumption of alcohol, Prettyman said. Some of the changes will take immediate effect, under the mayors authority. Council unanimously introduced two ordinances, one to change the curfew, the other limiting backpacks and other bags, to be voted on at another special meeting at 1 p.m. June 15. Council President Pete Madden said the emergency meeting was held to get the ordinance in place before Fathers Day weekend, which he said is expected to be the next exceptionally busy weekend in the city. Several residents commented at the meeting, with some concerned about the impact of the early bathroom closures or the backpack ban. One Boardwalk business owner said people who need to relieve themselves will do so, and he would rather they go to the bathroom instead of the side of his building. Others said parents carry diaper bags that would also be kept off the Boardwalk under the change, which would pertain to all bags more than 8 inches by 6 inches by 8 inches on or around the Boardwalk. Gillian said police would be reasonable, saying were not going to be the Gestapo, but later in the meeting, city attorney Dottie McCrosson said the police discretion would not be based on profiling based on who was carrying the backpack. Leonard Desiderio, the director of the Cape May County Board of Commissioners as well as the mayor of Sea Isle City, said at the later news conference that the issue is not limited to Ocean City but has impacted communities throughout the coast. Memorial Day weekend signals strong summer ahead for shore businesses Jersey Shore businesses anticipate a productive, profitable summer based on what they saw ov He said Sea Isle has enacted similar measures. We dont want to arrest any kids. We dont want anyone to have a record, Desiderio said. We want them to have a good time. But when police cannot do more than issue a warning in many instances, it creates serious problems. State Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, said he and the districts Assembly representatives have tried to make change. He said Ocean Citys actions will send a message: Not here. Not this summer. We are not going to allow chaos. Were not going to allow anarchy, Testa said. As Gillian described the issue, the city needs to take action for the safety of the teenagers as much as for the protection of the rest of the community and for the Boardwalk businesses. Prettyman said things have been getting worse each Memorial Day weekend for the past three years, and this one was the worst he has seen, with between 3,000 and 5,000 juveniles crowding the Boardwalk and causing problems. Over the past two summers, his approach has been to allow the teens to gather on the beach, where they were off the Boardwalk and officers could keep an eye on them. Jersey Shore towns prepare to keep order in summer Nearly all Jersey Shore visitors and residents enjoy the summer and wouldnt think of doing We knew where they were going to be. We gave them a place where they could assemble and they could be kids, Prettyman said. We didnt want to be here today closing the beaches at 8 oclock. We did it out of necessity because its a public safety hazard. Gillian said several times he did not want to demonize the young people, and said everyone has a share of the blame for the problem. But Prettyman did indicate that parents could make a big difference. I talk to parents constantly. Im getting tired of talking to parents telling me its their kids rite of passage, Im getting tired of listening to parents telling me that they rented that house knowing it was prom weekend and they didnt think the kids were going to get in trouble. Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) will host the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO) (https://virginiasymphony.org/) on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the Community Connections Performance and Lecture Series. The free event will take place in the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Centers Floyd L. Robinson Auditorium on ECSUs campus. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra is southeastern Virginias most celebrated musical, educational and entrepreneurial arts organization. The VSO has received national attention for its mission of serving a home area of 1.7 million across the diverse communities of southeastern Virginia. Through appearances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall and commitment to adventurous programming, the VSO and its musicians have been highlighted in the media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio and BBC Worldwide News. As the largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, the VSO and VSO Chorus present more than 150 concerts and events annually for more than 100,000 residents and visitors. As part of the performance, an original work by Christopher Palestrant, Ph.D., ECSU professor of Music Composition and Theory and internationally recognized composer, will be performed. He joined ECSUs faculty since 2001. Palestrants work, Rondo n Roll, is the third movement of his Soda Shop Suite. Palestrant wrote the score at the request of the Virginia Symphonys assistant principal cellist, Rebecca Gilmore and their principal double bass, Christopher White. It features the two musicians as soloists with the VSO. Palestrant notes that it is "a joyous piece, mixing popular musical styles like rock and roll with traditional forms of the 18th century. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required to attend. Sign up today: https://bit.ly/3JCO2d6. It will also be livestreamed on ECSUs YouTube channel. ATLANTIC CITY I went to work, and should have stayed home, said Dorris Aultman, 76, of Atlantic City, speaking of the day in 2012 when Superstorm Sandy hit. Aultman, 66 at the time and still working at the casinos, was living alone in a one-story, ranch-style home on New York Avenue. I got back here. It didnt come into the house (yet), Aultman recalled. I threw some stuff into a big plastic bag, a credit card and a few clothes and walked into that water, which was very dangerous. She was able to get off her front porch easily, navigating the two small steps from her front door to the ground. The challenge began after that, when she stepped into the fast-moving floodwaters. The current was so powerful, I could hardly balance myself, Aultman said. The entire section of the city was underwater, everywhere north of Arctic Avenue on New York Avenue, with a record tide of more than 8 feet above an average low tide. Sandy was an historic event, but in Atlantic City and the neighboring counties on the Shore the threat of high water from storms is growing. And seniors such as Aultman are increasingly at risk. Sea level rise affects almost every facet of life here, from the economy to culture and the physical landscape. To better understand how the sea will reshape our communities, The Press of Atlantic City and Climate Central teamed up to examine these challenges. In South Jersey, senior citizens live in areas subject to flooding at above-average numbers, including the most frail elders, 85 years or older, who can be difficult to evacuate and can face health setbacks when they do. A problem now, a bigger one in the future Roughly 11,000 people in Cape May, Atlantic and Ocean counties 85 years or older would experience some flooding if a storm the magnitude of another Sandy were to strike, according to a Climate Central analysis. Of those, an estimated 1,853 people at or above 85 years old currently live in areas that would be have at least 3.5 inches of water on the ground, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. That includes much of Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ventnor City, Margate City, Ocean City and Long Beach Township. And with rising seas and more intense hurricanes trends largely driven by climate change that flooding scenario is becoming ever more likely. As Aultman fought through the surging waters a decade ago, instinct took hold, she said. She followed a fence, heading to the Old Soldiers Memorial Building. However, water got into that building. So, the National Guard arrived and evacuated her and others to Pleasantville High School, where she stayed for four days. That four-block walk from her home to safety is a journey she will never forget. It was a situation I dont want to have another time, Aultman said. Unfortunately, scientists predict that storm-driven coastal flooding will recur, and become more frequent, in these New Jersey counties heavily populated by vulnerable seniors. A 2019 report by the Rutgers Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel called it virtually certain that future sea level rise will cause greater overall storm flood events. Climate change is contributing to more powerful hurricanes and higher sea levels. On the Jersey shore, it rose 17.6 inches from 1911 to 2019, according to the Rutgers report. Of that, roughly 45% was man-made and 55% naturally occurring, but the man-made component is accelerating. If human carbon emissions continue on a business-as-usual path, flooding now considered disastrous will become routine, said Reza Marsooli, assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken. With water levels higher, even less severe storms will cause more flooding on the shore. Marsooli projects that a New Jersey coastal flood with a 1% chance of occurring today will gradually increase to a 100% chance of occurring every year by the end of the century. The biggest reason, his research team found, is because of the rising seas. For the New Jersey area, climate changes impacts on sea level rise will have the greatest impact on how hurricanes impact the region in the future, Marsooli said. So it means that for our region, sea level rise is really a bigger problem in the future, Marsooli said. In Atlantic City, Bill LaBarre, 79, a lifelong resident who lives with his wife on North Newtown Place, said the first floor of their house is nine steps above street level. During Sandy, the first floor was fine. However, he had 3 feet of water in the basement, losing the freezer, washer and dryer. They were lucky. Their son, Chuck LaBarre, who is Margates current Emergency Management Coordinator on Absecon Island, was able to help them collect their belongings and evacuate to the sons Downbeach house for 10 days. However, the comfort and assistance of family is not always available. Its not that theyre not intelligent enough to leave, Mike Cahill, chief of the Ventnor City Fire Department, said of the elderly. Half the time they dont have a place to go because they dont have anybody left. The analysis by Climate Central identified 10 census tracts, relatively permanent small subdivisions of a county, of the South Jersey shore with the highest concentration of residents 85 years or older, where elders aging in place would more than likely require evacuation by emergency services or third parties during a significant flood event. Ocean City between 18th and 32nd streets had the highest number, with 17.7% of the population 85 or older. Ventnor City between Suffolk and Jackson avenues is the third highest, with an estimated 11.6%. During Sandy, the Ventnor City Fire Department made multiple rescues, including seniors, in town. Wed get calls that my aunt is somewhere. ... When are you getting them? Cahill recalled. I said, When are you coming? But at a certain point, it became even too dangerous for the fire department, he said. Move somebody, lose somebody Even seniors who might otherwise be safe at home in a flood face dangers if theyre relying on medical devices that need electricity, so they must be rescued, according to researchers at the University of Iowa. That research also found that 12% of those over 80 lacked mobility to evacuate on their own and 13% would be unable to hear sirens or commands from emergency personnel. Michael Greenberg, an expert in environmental health and risk analysis at Rutgers University, studied the impact of Sandy on seniors. Tragically, he said, nine seniors died just from falling down stairs because they didnt have a working flashlight when the power went out. People become more frail, and that manifests itself typically after the age of 75, Greenberg said. So the kinds of things you could do during a hurricane are hard to do even when you have time to prep. And that has to do with the fact that your muscles are not as strong, your heart is not as strong, all sorts of things that come with age that seem to suddenly sneak up on us and we just cant do what we thought we could do. The Ventnor Fire Department rescued seniors and put them in military vehicles for transport to an auditorium, Cahill said. In one instance, an elderly woman living in a home elevated 4 feet above curb level had 6 inches of water in her home when rescuers arrived, Cahill said. Because pressure from the waters outside had wedged the door shut, rescuers had to instruct the woman to go upstairs so they could blow the door open. We do the best we can because theyre taxpayers and members of the community, Cahill said. But even a successful rescue can be stressful. Dr. David Dosa, a gerontologist and associate professor of medicine at Brown University who conducted studies on Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana during 2005 and Hurricane Ida in Florida during 2021, found the evacuation of nursing homes led to far more deaths in the months after the storms than the number of people who had died while the disaster was ongoing. The common refrain was, Every time we move somebody, we lose somebody, Dosa said. For every solution, a cost Once Sandy passed, the next challenge for many at the shore, including the elderly, was what to do with the new reality that their homes werent high enough to combat the storm surge a problem that will only worsen in the decades to come. Sandy damaged or destroyed 364,000 housing units, and 22,000 of those were rendered uninhabitable, according to information released at the time by Governor Chris Christies office. The increased threat has prompted the Federal Emergency Management Agency to require some homes to be elevated far above ground level. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is proposing that homes in tidal areas be set 5 feet above the FEMA level for a 100-year storm under a new Inundation Risk Zone to prevent against extreme flooding. For seniors, that means more steps to climb and more money to protect their homes. Seniors adding a flight or more of stairs to the front door can become isolated at home, as the climb becomes a barrier to casual trips, said Anamaria Bukvic, a researcher at Virginia Tech, who studied the problem in Cape May County. Aultman had her Atlantic City home, which is in a flood zone, raised. FEMA approved up to $140,000 to raise her home. Four steps take her up to a landing, where she can rest if need be. Another three steps take her up to her porch. She says she believes shes safe there but cant be too sure. Fury Feraco, 90, has his house atop a 10-foot high dune on Bay Drive in Lower Township, right along the Delaware Bay. However, getting to the beach from his house is not so simple due to ongoing erosion. Now, the bottom of his steps hover 3 feet above the beach. When the tide rises on a calm sunny day, the waters rise nearly as high as they once did during an average storm. A storm with the intensity of Sandy would cause considerable damage, he said. While hes asked the state and township about beach replenishment, he was advised instead to invest in a bulkhead. Unfortunately, 200 feet of bulkhead is above my paygrade, said Feraco, who bought property 57 years ago, when it was on a dirt path. Insurance wont cover the cost. So, to step onto the beach on his beachfront property, he cut a path through a bamboo forest to his neighbors house. The neighbors allow him to use their stairs to get onto the beach. Preparation is critical Despite the challenges for town officials, many refer back to the states Register Ready program as an effort to identify seniors who will need special assistance. Billed as the first step in emergency preparedness for individuals who may need assistance in a disaster, its a voluntary, confidential registry that can be accessed at registerready.nj.gov. The Register Ready program was started in Atlantic County, said Vince Jones, the countys director of emergency management. We have that address so if there was an emergency call, we know we need four to five firefighters to take (that person) out, Jones said. Jones said the office of emergency management contacts people on the list beforehand and asks, Do you need a place to go, or do you need us to help them get out of here? During the blizzard of 2022, on Jan. 29, town emergency managers asked for the list to check on seniors living year-round in their communities. The biggest thing for seniors is, if they cant register themselves, to reach the police department, said Robert Burnaford, chief of police for Harvey Cedars. Always have medication information updates and points of contact listed. Let them know if theyre on oxygen. Burnaford was lauded as a hero for rescues during Sandy, as an off-duty police officer, along with then-mayor Johnathan Oldman. They rescued three families just as the eye of the storm passed through the area, when the ocean breached the dunes. Harvey Cedars lies in a census tract, which it shares with Long Beach Township north of Ship Bottom and Barnegat Light, with an estimated 6.5% of its residents are 85 years or older, according to the 2020 data. A part of the Register Ready asks if they are wheelchair bound or have physical limitations, to let them know. A lot of them have elevators, Burnaford said. As sea levels continue to rise, and as storms intensify, seniors emergency plans will be used more and more often. It is a risk of living near the shore. But for some seniors, it is a risk they are willing to take. Greenberg said that after Sandy, he found many seniors whose homes were damaged declared they would stay and rebuild. He recalled them saying, Im an old person. I love the place. I want to live here. Im gonna die here. Ill will whatever the propertys worth to my children and they can do whatever they want with it. Alanna Elder, of ClimateCentral, contributed data to this story. The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season official kicks off on June 1 and the 21 storm names are in from the World Meteorological Organization. The names encompass almost every letter of the alphabet, leaving out Q, U, X, Y and Z. This year's primary list of names is largely borrowed from 2017's. The storm names rotate every six year, a feature that began in 1979. However, storms that were particularly destructive and deadly may be retired if the World Meteorological Organization, an agency of the United Nations, votes to do so. In the case of this cycle, Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate were retired from the 2017 list. In it's place for 2023 are Harold, Idalia, Margot and Nate. The World Meteorological Organization also names storms for other parts of the world as well. The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) issued a notice, addressing concerns about the circulation of fake information on social media about the recruitment of driver, conductor and workshop department staff. The transport body clarify the situation and warns citizens not to believe on any unauthorized sources for recruitment-related news. PMPML made it clear that there is no plan for any such recruitment through the Transport Corporation. The recruitment process of the Transport Corporation is carried out only by publishing the information in the daily newspaper. PMPML urges citizens to be cautious and not to believe on any such news that is being circulated through social media and also not to fall prey to any kind of lure. The transport body in a public notice, made it clear that they have not announced any provisions related to recruitment. Davenport aldermen have been mostly satisfied with the citys response to The Davenport apartment building collapse, though some have concerns about communication and learning how the building was allowed to deteriorate to the extent it did. No updates from the city were provided to the public Wednesday on the apartment building that partially collapsed Sunday. Five people are still unaccounted for, including two men whose families fear they are in the rubble. According to a Wednesday evening news release, the city anticipates holding a news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 1, in the Davenport Police Department Community Room. The city also posted hundreds of documents to its website Wednesday, detailing inspections, complaints and other matters related to the property. Alderman Robby Ortiz, 4th Ward, said hed been happy with the citys response so far, including providing those affected by the collapse with up-to-date information, though several tenants have said no one from the city has contacted them. Ortiz said hed fielded questions from those at the scene and residents of his ward about what happened and the safety of those who lived there. I'm happy and I've been updated regularly to what's going on, and so far I'm satisfied with the answers that I'm getting, Ortiz said. At-Large Alderman JJ Condon agreed, saying that while he wishes the city could provide accurate updates as lightning quick as the public wants, its just not possible in this situation. With loved ones of missing people hanging on every word city officials say in hopes of good news, its necessary that any information be confirmed before it is released. I think everyone did their absolute best to make sure that they put out information quick and were fully transparent but also made sure that they didn't make any missteps along the way, Condon said. Third Ward Alderman Marion Meginnis said she would not make any statements because of the fluid and unresolved nature of the situation but was doing what she could to help people. The collapsed building is in her ward. Council members Rick Dunn, Kyle Gripp, Tim Kelly and Derek Cornette couldn't be reached Wednesday for comment. Council member Judith Lee, who represents Ward 8, has been following the collapse and its aftermath remotely, as she has been out of town and hasnt been in communication with city staff. As someone whos been watching from the outside but has intimate knowledge of city government processes, Lee said, she has many questions about how the city has handled its dissemination of facts to the public, concerns that are shared by the public from what shes seen. She mentioned the lack of details on Quanishia White-Berrys rescue and on-site amputation and announcements of imminent demolition that were later walked back as instances in which city officials did not provide all the necessary information. As previously reported in the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus, city officials on Monday said demolition was likely to begin Tuesday but later backtracked on a specific timeline. There was not clear and compassionate communication of facts, Lee said. She also expressed surprise about the lack of communication from City Administrator Corri Spiegel, who Lee said hasnt been a public face during this time. Alderman Ben Jobgen, 6th Ward, said the city overall had had a good response to the disaster but communication could have been better at times. Misunderstandings in situations like these can easily happen, but the city never has faced something like it, so officials are doing the best they can, he said. Ortiz has encouraged members of the public to be patient and wait for all the answers to their questions that will eventually come about in the instance of the city announcing demolitions would begin soon, he said, a lot of prep work needs to happen before the building can come down to protect surrounding structures and residents. Looking ahead, council members hope to figure out reasons behind the collapse and how the building reached the condition it did. Ortiz said he didn't want to speculate on what exactly needs to change in order to prevent another disaster like it without expert determination of causation, but he knows something needs to be done whether its in the citys inspection policies or other areas. Jobgen said the city had a pretty rigorous rental inspection process, so its important that they analyzed those practices down the road and see where they could tighten them to prevent another incident. We've still got some older properties downtown in which people reside, and if we don't learn from any mistakes that were made, we're potentially going to repeat them, and that's not the way we like to operate, Jobgen said. So I'm sure that any gaps in the system will get cleaned up over time. The topic of inspection records was another subject Lee had questions about, but she declined to speak further on the subject as she hasnt been on-scene or in communication with city staff since being out of town, she said. Council member Maria Dickmann, who represents Ward 2, said she was reserving judgment on the city's response for now. Like other council members, she is turning her attention toward those affected by the collapse during these early days, post-collapse. Lee plans to connect with the Red Cross this week to see how she can help those displaced. Shes concerned with how former tenants of the building will apply for aid, housing and other needs without important documentation, such as birth certificates and social security cards. "I think everybody's kind of trying to stay focused on helping first and then figuring out what happened second," Dickmann said. Building collapse day 3 In real time Don't miss the chance to enjoy fun music while helping to raise money for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Greater Mississippi Valley. The latest Life is Beautiful concert will be held Saturday at the Raccoon Motel, 315 E. 2nd St., Davenport. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., with music beginning at 3:30 p.m. Local comedian Tori House will host the event with improv group Bubble Pig starting things off. The concert will feature performances from six bands: Rezinator, Ted Ed Fred, Centaur Noir, Aubs, Plunkett and Mo Carter. The concert also will celebrate the streaming release of William Martin's music, which is available on Spotify, Apple Music and most streaming services. Admission is a free-will donation. There also will be one-of-a-kind NAMI Narwhal T-shirt designed by local artist Carolyn Krueger available for purchase online. On a date The Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline will open the musical "Hello Dolly" this weekend with performances running from June 1 to 10. This 1964 musical follows the story of Dolly Gallagher Levi, a strong-willed matchmaker, as she travels to Yonkers, New York, to find a match for the well-known, unmarried half-a-millionaire, Horace Vandergelder. The show is one of the most enduring musical theater hits, with four Broadway revivals and international success. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on June 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10; and 2 p.m. on June 3 and 4. Tickets are $10 and available at theblackboxtheatre.com. With the family The Downtown Bettendorf Organization will host Be Downtown, a free outdoor event, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the 15th Street Landing in Bettendorf. The family-friendly event will feature live music, food trucks, multiple bags tournaments with cash prizes, childrens activities and more. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Beginning at noon, live music will be provided in two-hour sets throughout the day by area bands including Doug Brundies, Threat Level Midnight, Panic River Band and Diplomats of Solid Sound. Late-night live music will continue at Harley Corin's, Purgatory's Pub and Riverside Grille. Verde, a contemporary Mexican restaurant located at The Bridges, will offer food and an outdoor bar for alcohol and other beverage sales. Food trucks will also serve food from noon to 6 p.m. The K&K Family Fun Zone will host bounce houses, bubble stations and a hands-on science station by Absolute Science. Additional event details can be found at downtownbettendorf.org. Dine and drink On Thursday, beginning at 6 p.m., Ruthie's Steakhouse and Seafood at Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport will host a wine-tasting event. Napa vs California Wine Class will be curated by Tony Morales and will feature four flights as well as four bites. The event will be held on the first floor of the resort in the Rhythm Room. $50 per person plus tax and gratuity. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2012647995765047. Just for fun Calling all 5K enthusiasts, those who enjoy friendly competition or anyone who likes a leisurely walk in the park, come don a favorite superhero costume and join in as GiGi's Playhouse Quad Cities hosts GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge for Down Syndrome on June 3 at Veterans Memorial Park in Bettendorf. Designed for the entire family, this annual event has something for people of all ages and abilities. Featuring a timed 5K competitive run, a 1-mile inspirational walk and a kids dash. This year's theme is Captain America, and there will be prizes for best costume for participants that come dressed as a favorite superhero. The entry fees are $25 adults, $10 children younger than 13 years/individuals with Down syndrome. Online registration closes June 1 with onsite registrations available on the day of the event. Runners can participate in person or virtually. Visit www.AcceptanceChallenge.org to learn more or www.gigisplayhouse/quadcites/superhero-run-walk to register for the local event. About three months before the partial collapse of a downtown Davenport apartment building and again just two days before a masonry company owner said he predicted it was coming. City officials say at least five people are unaccounted for after the partial collapse Sunday evening at 324 Main St. Families of two men fear they remain under the rubble of the fallen west side of the six-story building. No new updates came from the city Wednesday on rescue operations or a potential timeline for demolishing the building, which remains standing after city officials said Monday that "demolition is expected to commence" on Tuesday. However, the city released hundreds of pages of documents Wednesday close to 6 p.m. detailing structural engineering reports, notices of violations, orders to vacate some apartments and resident complaints over the past three years. Ryan Shaffer, co-owner of R. A. Masonry, was working nearby at 112 W. 3rd St., the former Antonellas Pizza, in February. While on the job, he said, he was approached by Andrew Wold, the owner of the building where the collapse occurred. Shaffer said Wold asked him to supply a quote for work on the nearby apartment building. When he did, he said, the bid was rejected because it was too high. He wanted to cut the cost by cutting out the shoring and supporting of the building," Shaffer said. Shoring is done to prop up a building when the structure is deemed unsafe, Shaffer explained. The bid for that work alone came in at about $50,000. I said, If we dont do it this way exactly, Im not putting my guys in there. Somebody is going to die, he said. According to Shaffer, Wold then shopped around for someone who would do the work for an acceptable price. City records reflect this. On Feb. 22, the city of Davenport issued a permit for, structural masonry repairs to west elevation as specified in engineer's report. According to the permit, the job came at a cost of nearly $40,000. The contractor listed is Bi-State Masonry. City inspection records show a final inspection was done on March 1 by Trishna Pradhan, the chief building official for Davenport. The building passed inspection, and the work was being completed in line with the structural engineer's report. The exterior finish of the building needed to match the historic fabric of the rest of the building. Pradhan wrote that the contractor was aware and the owner was being informed. In the next sentence, it was noted Bi-State was off the job as of March 1 because the owner did not agree to their change order for installing brick outside. Pradhan continued, saying repair work was on hold but shoring was in place and, site is secure. Owner has not submitted new timeline for work to commence. Work then appears to have resumed, and it passed three more city inspections on April 12, April 21, and May 1. In the last one, the inspector noted repair work has been completed per Engineers Report. Brickwork done in the days before collapse A separate permit for brickwork was filed on Wednesday, May 24. City records indicate the job consisted of replacing 100 feet of brick on the exterior of the building, per city code. The permit says the work came at a cost of $3,000. The contractor on the job is listed as owner. Shaffer said, in his opinion, the work described would account for only one-third of what needed to be done. Saturday, one day before the collapse, he drove by and saw a pile of bricks on the ground. (Wold) was calling us and asking for I-beams and stuff to support it. I looked at it and was like, Theres no saving it at this point, he said. Friday, two days before the building collapsed, Shaffer said he went to the apartment building and told workers, Get away. Youre going to die. Sunday, at 3:30 p.m., less than two hours before it collapsed, he warned workers at the site of 324 Main St. that they needed to leave. We were here working all day," he said, referring to his work at the former Antonella's location. "Literally, we were just waiting for the building to drop." The city inspected the partially completed brickwork being done in the days before the collapse. That work also included internal concrete masonry with rebar and grout. Notes in the city inspection records pledged that the owner-hired engineer and city inspector would stop over periodically to see progress. Social media users this week questioned why the status of that final inspection on the citys website changed. On Monday, as viewed through an internet archived site, the citys site listed the May 25 inspection as passed. Now, that same inspection status is failed. City officials attributed this to a system glitch that the city is working to correct. The site shows any inspection marked as Incomplete with a fail/error message Chief Strategy Officer Sarah Ott wrote in an email and included screenshots of the internal systems. This is not a failed inspection but an incomplete inspection since no re-inspection could be completed, she wrote. Select Structural Engineering, of Bettendorf, was hired by Wold to advise on work being done on the building in the past year. City officials said the engineering firm had determined that the building was structurally sound for tenants to stay in while the exterior work was being done. When a reporter reached the business through a publicly listed phone number, a man who declined to give his name said they are aware of what happened and are still trying to determine the details of the situation. He declined to answer any questions. However, among the documents posted by the city Wednesday is an inspection report by Select Structural, performed May 23, which reads, "On the west face of the building, there are several large patches of clay brick facade, which are separating from the substrate. These large patches appear ready to fall imminently, which may create a safety hazard to cars or passersby." The report said two window openings appeared to be bricked over several years ago, and the clay-brick facade was "bulging outward." The contractor should secure it to "keep the entire face of the building from falling away when the bottom area(s) come loose," the report said. To the north, the report said a wall "appears to be (losing) some stability." An interior steel furring and drywall "bulge as if a large downward force is acting upon them." Adding a steel column to support it would alleviate that force, the report recommended. City issues citation to building owner On Tuesday, the city cited Wold, accusing him of failing to maintain the building at 324 Main St. in a safe, sanitary and structurally sound condition, according to Scott County court records. Records show that if convicted, the fine for a first violation of the city code is $300 plus $95 for court fees. The city also asked the court for an order barring Wold from further violations of the municipal code. A hearing, at which Wold can answer the charges, has been set for June 9. Earlier this year, the city of Davenport declared the property a nuisance, because it violated city code by leaving dumpsters overflowing at the property between 2022 and 2023. Wold did not contest the 19 violations, and he was ordered to pay the city $4,500 plus court costs in March. In a statement on Wednesday, Wold and two property managers wrote, "Our thoughts and prayers are with our tenants and families during this difficult time." They thanked first responders, and said they were "working closely with American Red Cross and other agencies to assist the displaced tenants affected by this event." History of the building The building dates back to the early 1900s, when it opened as the Hotel Davenport in 1907 with 150 rooms. At the time, it was heralded by a reporter for the Daily Times as one of the finest hoteleries west of Chicago and a beacon for progress in the downtown. The Davenport was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The architects that designed the building, Temple and Burrows, also designed other buildings in the downtown, including the Hotel Blackhawk in 1915, the former Union Trust and Savings Bank (now called the Union Arcade Building) and the federal building at 4th and Brady streets. In the mid-1980s, when the brick-over-steel-and-concrete structures use as a hotel had diminished and the building had faded, it was rehabbed by a Des Plaines, Ill.-developer who undertook a $5.5 million project to turn it into apartments called The Davenport. The original 150 hotel rooms became 78 rental units and opened in 1987, according to Quad-City Times archives. Since then, the building changed hands several times. Most recently, Wold, through his company Davenport Hotel, LLC, bought the property for $4.193 million in June 2021, according to county records. What other buildings does Wold own? Wold has significant investments in Davenport real estate, including more apartment buildings downtown. Listed in a web of limited liability corporations, many with only a single property, Wold's address and information can be traced to ownership of at least three buildings downtown, public records show, and dozens of houses and business buildings across the city. Among those downtown are: The Roosevelt, 307 W 6th St., a 32-unit apartment building Wold bought for $1.16 million in 2020. The four-story building was built in 1907. For a long time, the building housed the Salvation Army until 2018, when the organization sold to Foundry Apartments, LLC, in 2018. The Dorothea, 311 W. 3rd St., a 24-unit apartment building, which a company registered to Wolds address bought in 2022 for close to $1 million. That building also houses a law office on the ground floor. 217 Brady St., a three-story building doing business as M Lounge and apartments that dates back to the late 1880s. Downtown Davenport Partnership Executive Director Kyle Carter said with several other properties owned by Wold downtown, he hoped an investigation would get to the bottom of what happened at 324 Main St. to ensure nothing like it happened again. He said the partnership would work to help relocate the three businesses at 324 Main St. and help the businesses surrounding the property that were forced to close by the buildings collapse. Well do our part, and our board will have to discuss how we might go about doing that, Carter said Tuesday. The city has the larger burden, dealing with the infrastructure issues and the residents, but ultimately it's just disappointing to see that a building got to this point. My heart goes out to the people that are in there that theres potentially people that lost their lives. It should never have come to that. We have a lot of excellent property ownership who would put in millions of dollars to make sure that things like this dont happen. Who else is involved? The Davenport Building is owned by the Davenport Hotel, LLC. The LLC is registered to Wold, who bought the building in 2021. Wold is also the owner of Andrew Wold Investments LLC, according to the Iowa Secretary of States Office. The registered agent on that property is Robert H. Gallagher. His son, Robert S. Gallagher is the mayor of Bettendorf. The pair work together at their firm, Gallagher, Millage & Gallagher, PLC. In Iowa, a registered agent is any individual or entity who is designated to receive legal documents on behalf of the business. An owner or employee of the company can be the registered agent as long as that person lives in Iowa, is at least 18 years old and has an office in the state. What did the apartments cost? Listings for the building still are available on Zillow. Apartment 608, described as a 600-square-foot studio, was being advertised for $800 a month. The listing said the space was newly renovated with brand new stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and hardwood style flooring. The lease was for one year and pet friendly with a one-time free and preapproval from management. Parking was offered off-street for an additional $50 a month. Unit 503, a 650-square-foot one-bedroom, was offered for $850 a month. That listing said the owner would pay for water, heat, sewer and trash. The family of a man killed in a 2022 vehicle collision on the Interstate 74 bridge walkway has expanded its lawsuit to include the city of Moline and Rock Island businesses as defendants. The May 22, 2022, collision seriously injured Charles Bowen, 23, and killed Anthony Castaneda, 18, and Ethan Gonzalez, 21. The vehicle entered the pedestrian pathway on the Bettendorf side and struck the three men about 200 yards from the Moline entrance to the walkway. In August, Castanedas family filed a lawsuit in Rock Island County against Chhabria Harris, 47, East Moline, the woman accused of driving the vehicle that struck the three men. The family alleged Harris negligence led to Castanedas death. The suit was expanded on May 10 to name the new defendants, court records state. Bowen, the man who survived the collision, has also been named as a new plaintiff. The plaintiffs seek damages in excess of $50,000. The new allegations: Moline That suit accuses the city of Moline of negligence concerning the design of the bridge, court records state. Moline, the suit alleges, had several responsibilities related to the bridge walkway, including ensuring it was properly designed and built. The city also had a responsibility to prevent motor vehicle traffic from using the walkway. Moline failed in that duty in one or more ways, potentially including failing to install adequate barriers and warnings to prevent motor vehicle traffic on the walkway, the complaint said. The city had not filed a response to the allegations against it as of Wednesday. The allegations: Rock Island businesses Also named as defendants in the updated suit are 2nd Avenue Investment Group Inc., doing business as the Urban Reserve; N.M.W.L. Enterprises Inc., doing business as Ms. Brimanis Hair & Beauty Supply; and Nicole Watson-Lam, who is identified as the president of both, court records state. They are collectively accused of serving Harris alcohol on May 21 and 22, 2022, at the Urban Reserve in Rock Island, until she became intoxicated, court records state. They then allowed her to leave while intoxicated. Harris allegedly was then involved in the collision on the bridge. Lam owns the property at 1711 2nd Ave. and Ms. Brimanis is located on the same parcel, which includes 1709 2nd Ave., court records state. Lam and the related defendants had not filed an answer to the allegations against them as of Wednesday, according to court records. The allegations: Harris The suits allegations against Harris state she had a responsibility to safely and properly operate her vehicle. The suit accuses Harris of potentially committing one or more acts of negligence, including failing to keep a proper lookout and failing to reduce speed to avoid hitting Castaneda and Bowen. Harris, through her counsel, has already filed an answer to the Castaneda initial familys complaint. In it, she acknowledges she made contact with an object or animal while driving on May 22, 2022. Harris filing then argues she has insufficient information to admit or deny she hit Castaneda, and she demanded strict proof of the allegation. She admitted a duty to safely operate her vehicle under the law but denied violating that legal duty, according to her filing, and denied committing any of the potential errors for which she is accused in the suit. As of Wednesday, Harris had not yet filed an answer to the updated complaint, which includes Bowens allegations against her. Harris also faces a criminal case filed against her by the Rock Island County States Attorneys Office. The criminal case, which includes charges of reckless homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol, is pending. Other litigation The Rock Island County suit is one of several resulting from the fatal collision. Gonzalezs family filed the suit in the U.S. District for the Central District of Illinois, arguing the city of Bettendorf and WHKS & Co. Inc., a design and engineering firm, were negligent and caused Gonzalezs death. The two entities participated in and/or controlled the design, construction, maintenance and other elements of the bridge path construction and management, according to the suit, and both owed a duty of care to pedestrians who used it. The filing lists a number of ways in which each defendant could have failed in meeting its responsibility, saying the parties committed one or more errors. Those accusations include a failure to provide adequate barriers and warnings in the design that would prevent vehicle traffic from entering the path, the suit states. Gonzalezs family seeks damages in excess of $75,000, records state. Bowen also seeks damages in excess of $75,000 from WHKS and Bettendorf, according to federal court documents. His suit, filed in the Illinois Central District, makes similar allegations against the two parties. As of Wednesday, the defendants had not filed a response to the allegations against them in these two suits. Castanedas family has also filed a federal wrongful death suit in the Illinois Central District, according to previous reporting. Bettendorf is listed as the defendant, and the family seeks damages of more than $75,000. Further details about that lawsuit and several countersuits that arose from it are available with the online version of this article on the newspapers websites, qctimes.com and qconline.com. All of these suits were pending as of Wednesday. From our archives: Aerials of Moline Annually, March commemorates the contributions, study and celebration of women and their impact on society and role in American History. At Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), the importance and acknowledgment of women who played critical roles in the institution date back to the universitys founding in 1891 and continues to this day under the leadership of Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, ECSUs 12th Chief Executive Officer and 7th Chancellor. Beginning in the 1960s under the administration of Dr. Walter Nathaniel Ridley, ECSU started the tradition of recognizing the graduating senior with the highest academic honors with the distinction of Bearer of the Mace. The rule of awarding a graduating senior this elite honor continues to this day and is part of ECSUs Commencement Exercises. Until 1972, however, when the U.S. Congress enacted Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the honor was reserved for male students only, even if female students earned high honors, were recognized as valedictorians and graduated with a higher GPA than their male counterparts. The passage of Title IX changed the criteria and qualifications and exclusions based on sex, outlining that no person could be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The universitys archive has noted that females would have earned and been awarded Bearer of the Mace if the then-policy was inclusive of both female and male students. While the exact number and identified names of these ECSU graduates are not determined, ECSU paid tribute to these unsung trailblazers during its 175th Commencement exercises in December 2022. The university celebrates their historic accomplishments. Today, recipients of the Bearer of the Mace and Bearer of the Shield, an award given to the student who entered ECSU as a transfer student and has the highest cumulative GPA in the graduating class, lead each Commencement procession. The mace was designed by retired ECSU art professor Alexis R. Joyner in 1996 and consists of three dynamic centers of significant components. The focal point is a replica of a Vikings head, cast in bronze, with brass rays extending from the center depicting knowledge, enlightenment, wisdom and democracy; a bronze seal of the University adorns the reverse side. The maces wooden staff contains black walnut, a wood selected for its durability and dark, rich color. It is topped with a hand-turned polished brass finial and footed with a base replicating the ancient, time-defying pyramids. While the specific qualifications have changed slightly over the past 63 years, the Bearer of the Mace distinction is presented to the student who entered ECSU as a first-time freshman and has the highest cumulative GPA in the graduating class for the prospective commencement exercise. Since 1972, numerous women graduates have received this high honor. When attorney Jeffrey Goodman saw pictures of The Davenport's partial collapse, the images sparked memories of a deadly building collapse in Florida. Goodman was one of the lead attorneys for the victims of the 2021 Surfside Condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida. The Davenport building partially collapsed Sunday, leaving five people unaccounted for and at least 53 people without homes. The six-story building was constructed in 1905. Goodman on Wednesday told The Quad-City Times, " ... responsibly owned, properly managed and maintained structures no matter their size or age do not suddenly and violently collapse." The city is investigating the possible causes of the collapse and is working toward the building's demolition because of safety concerns. Goodman declined to speculate on what may have caused the structural failure of The Davenport. "A primary culprit can be masonry," he said. "Most often, we are looking at a lack of preventative maintenance. Not fixing ongoing problems with plumbing is an example. "Water can erode things over time, especially in area where there is freezing, thawing, and refreezing. Water can freeze and expand and create structural damage." Plumbing was an issue in Davenport. In 2022, nearly 20 permits were filed for various fixes at the apartment building the majority of them being plumbing/electrical. A number of tenants said the building had plumbing problems. Jacklyn Gillespie said when she visited her father-in-law, Fred Voorhis, earlier this year, the bathroom of his third-floor apartment "was flooded and stayed that way for several days." Gillespie also reported that Voorhis' apartment did not have heat for much of December 2022. On the day the building collapsed, Jennifer Smith, co-owner of 4th Street Nutrition, said they had problems with the property, including no heat, the bathrooms caved in and " ... in the hallway, there has been water leaking into our business. Sometimes the hot water won't work." She said 14 apartments in the building were condemned in January. After public safety and rescue efforts are complete and tenants are relocated, Goodman said, it will be the job of the city and investigators to learn what happened. As an attorney who specializes in structural-collapse cases, he expects tenants will bring civil litigation. That effort will help piece together what caused the collapse at The Davenport, he said. "Lawsuits provide one of the best ways to find out what happened," he said. "Depositions will allow attorneys to ask questions of the landlords, the building's maintenance and management, anyone who worked on the building and the engineers who are investigating the collapse." Goodman said lawsuits also helped protect other tenants. "In every case where I've represented people in collapses, part of every victim's concern was that it doesn't happen again," he said. "Lawsuits are a way to hold people accountable." There were 98 deaths in the Surfside collapse and litigation ultimately settled the claims for $1.2 billion, making it the largest recovery following a structural collapse in American history. Goodman said criminal charges were filed in the Surfside case. "I don't know if criminal trials will be filed in Davenport, he said. "In my experience, when there are injuries or death in a collapse there is usually a criminal investigation that runs parallel the broader investigation." Quanishia White-Berry was trapped in The Davenport's collapse and had to have a leg amputated. At least two people are unaccounted since Sunday's collapse. In a city news release Monday night, city officials said the building remains in imminent danger of collapse with the condition of the site continuing to worsen. It is the opinion of the structural engineer that the debris pile is currently contributing to the stability of the building and that removal could jeopardize or accelerate the inevitable collapse of the building, the news release said. "Building officials are working with Valley Construction on a plan to safely dismantle and demolish the remaining structure. Those plans led to protests by hundreds of people on Tuesday, demanding the city first continue to work on recovery of people and pets. All pets them were recovered from the apartment building. Justice Jacobs stood on a stool for 20 minutes before the cameras rolled. The partial collapse of The Davenport is big news, especially after the city's announcement to start demolition Tuesday was met with hundreds of loud and angry protesters. The intersection of 4th and Harrison streets was quiet Wednesday morning. The media an assortment of cameramen, well-dressed on-air personalities and tired-looking producers outnumbered the citizens who kept a now-silent vigil over the building. Jacobs was waiting to do her "fourth or fifth" interview. The stand-up Wednesday morning was with News Nation's Midwest crew out of Chicago. The 28-year-old Jacobs is one at least 53 people who lived in the six-story apartment building at 324 Main St. known as The Davenport. She paid $950 a month for a one-bedroom apartment she shared with Zenon, her Black Lab mix. She said she didn't make herself so available just to see herself on the nightly news. "I'm lucky, in a way. I lived. I wasn't in the building at the time," Jacobs said. "My apartment wasn't in the collapse, but I've lost everything. I have my health, my dog was rescued, I have a place to stay for now and I have a voice. "I decided to use my voice and try to speak for all the tenants who lost everything, for the people who lived here and might not have a place to go. We have to speak out." Finding an apartment is especially hard for Jacobs, who carries the stigma of a felony conviction for forgery. "It was years ago," she said. "I served my time, and I've changed my life. I have my own business. It's hard to find a place to live when you have a felony. Really hard." Jacobs moved into The Davenport in March. She had to beg and plead and cry to make her case. A visit with her grandmother finally convinced management to give her a chance. That chance was not cheap. She paid $950 in rent, another $1,000 for a security deposit, and another $300 in pet fees so Zenon could live with her. From the start, Jacobs said, "Something was not right about the building." "It was trashy," she said. "I mean there was trash in the halls. It was a mess. My car was broken into. "I finally find a place to take me, I'm paying $950 a month, and it wasn't worth it. And then this happens." Jacobs said she had just paid June's rent. "I texted the landlord, and I've heard nothing back," she said. "I don't think anyone has heard a thing from anyone who had anything to do with that building. Nothing." Jacobs said before Sunday she "never thought anything like this could happen." "I'm doing OK most of the time," she said. "And then it can be something simple, like I need a Q-Tip, and then I'm just overwhelmed and I get upset. It's hard to understand that now I have nothing. "And then I think about the people who didn't make it out. The people who are in there. It's just really hard, and you really don't know how to feel." Author Christopher Vondracek will discuss his adventures traveling through the Midwest and his newest book, Dancing with Welk: Music, Memory, and Prairie Troubadour, at 5 p.m. Friday in the Community Room at Rapid City Public Library. Vondracek, a former Rapid City Journal reporter, is now an agriculture reporter for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. Dancing with Welk is his second book. He is also the author of Rattlesnake Summer, a book of poetry that pays tribute to each of South Dakotas 66 counties. During his presentation on Friday, Vondracek will read from Dancing with Welk and Rattlesnake Summer. Copies of "Dancing with Welk" will be available to purchase. In 2007, Vondracek took off from Vermillion with his band Brickhouse Boys in a van to play tour dates across the upper Midwest. In his knapsack, he brought along a copy of champagne music maker Lawrence Welks 1971 autobiography, Wunnerful, Wunnerful. The Brickhouse Boys, an indie-rock ensemble based in Vermillion, tried to become famous from the middle of nowhere. More than 50 years earlier, Lawrence Welk, a young accordionist and bandleader from Strasburg, North Dakota, had managed to do just that. Dancing with Welk follows Vondracek, the pianist and songwriter for the Brickhouse Boys, as he recounts his attempts to follow in the footsteps of Welk. Along the way, Vondracek struggles to keep his band together, delves into his family history, and questions what it means to be a musician. Dancing with Welk: Music, Memory, and Prairie Troubadour was published in 2022 by South Dakota Historical Society Press. The book blends memoir, travelogue and cultural history to create a nuanced and often hilarious ode to the landscapes and musical traditions of the Northern Great Plains. A portrait of a young person navigating both personal and professional crossroads while traversing a vividly rendered landscape, the book chronicles Vondraceks efforts to mine inspiration from Welks autobiography while puzzling over the prairie troubadours unlikely journey to stardom. Welks brand of champagne music garnered him legions of dedicated fans and a long-running television series. Dancing with Welk combines Vondraceks fluid prose and storytelling ability while offering new insights into Welks life and career. Vondraceks narrative takes readers on a one-of-a-kind tour through the region, with stops at dive bars, historic sites and the Worlds Only Corn Palace. Music lovers, fans of regional literature and Welk enthusiasts alike are sure to enjoy Dancing with Welk. South Dakotas bicycle tour RASDak (Ride Across South Dakota) is celebrating its 10th year tour by giving bicyclists from 23 states and Canada the opportunity to pedal Full Circle June 4 through June 9. The circular route will take riders on a loop through the Black Hills. The six-day tour starts in Spearfish on June 4 and ends in Spearfish on June 9. The riders will make overnight stops in Newcastle, Wyoming, on June 4, in Hot Springs on June 5, in Custer on June 6, in Rapid City on June 7, and in Sturgis on June 8. Go to RASDak.com for daily route maps, registration information and more. South Dakota is a land of infinite variety, from rolling prairies to the Black Hills, and RASDak believes the best way to experience South Dakota landscapes is by bicycle. While RASDak is in Rapid City, the group will present The Club for Boys with a Huckwagon bike trailer for use in transporting bikes for the boys. The trailer was purchased with proceeds from registrations for the 2023 RASDak tour. The trailer will be presented to The Club for Boys at 4:45 p.m. June 7. The RASDak riders will camp overnight at The Club for Boys, then will be served a freewill breakfast at 5:30 a.m. June 8 before departing for Sturgis at 6 a.m. RASDak is a bicycle tour entirely run by volunteers. All proceeds raised by RASDak benefit local community needs. In addition to the Huckwagon Bike trailer, RASDak is donating a Saris Bike Service Station to the city of Sturgis. The bike station will be at Harley Davidson Rally Point. RASDak also has donated four $750 scholarships to outstanding graduating seniors in its host towns of Spearfish, Newcastle, Hot Springs and Custer. RASDak also contributes to local economies. More than 300 riders and support crew will camp at schools and community centers in host towns. Food and snack stops are provided by local South Dakota groups as fundraisers for the communities, and by local restaurants, grocery stores and C-Stores. Generational incarceration, the "expensive revolving door" of the jail and workforce shortages are a few things behind Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller's plan to implement an education and job skills training program in the Pennington County Jail something most jails don't offer. "I just feel as a community we could do some things better to help (inmates) develop a solid foundation for their own future and invest in their own future and hopefully change that trajectory," Mueller said, noting he's seen up to three generations make their way through the jail during the nearly three decades he's worked for the county. IGNITE (Individual Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education) began in Genesee County, Michigan. Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson started the program, and now the National Sheriffs' Association helps other jails replicate it. Genesee county offers various education, including GED classes. There are also job certification and post-incarceration work opportunities and assistance all things not traditionally offered in jails, which are primarily pretrial holding facilities. According to the National Sheriffs' Association, 90% of jail inmates in the country end up back in their communities. Mueller estimated the Pennington County Jail is close to that number, maybe slightly below because it houses federal inmates as well. "Jail beds are probably one of the most expensive options to deal with issues in the community," Mueller said. A night in the jail costs about $95, and the daily average population is 595 inmates. The average stay is just over 22 days, a number Mueller said includes people who spend a few hours or days in this jail. The program will primarily benefit those who find themselves in the jail for longer than the average, Mueller said. What exactly it will look like is still developing, but Mueller plans to formalize the work some inmates are already doing in the jail that could translate to jobs on the outside such as cleaning, maintenance, and work in the jail laundry and kitchen. "This is the early stage," Mueller said on Tuesday. "My hope is to have more conversations with our community and the business community to assess what their needs are for the job market currently and what partnerships they're willing to develop with us." Some of those potential community partners include Western Dakota Tech, Elevate Rapid City and Rapid City Area Schools, which Mueller said "may be able to fund a full-time teacher." The goal is for the new classes and certifications to give people a chance to get jobs outside the jail, as well and reduce and prevent further costs to taxpayers. Mueller will reroute an open correctional officer position at the jail to hire a program coordinator, he said, but he doesn't anticipate "having a lot of hard costs wrapped up in this because a lot of it's developed through community partnerships." If all goes well, Pennington County will be the first in South Dakota to implement IGNITE. So far, it's offered in counties in Minnesota, North Dakota, North Carolina and Virginia. Mueller said he hopes inmates knowing law enforcement and the community is willing to partner with and invest in them will be "enough that the light bulb will turn on." Mueller first publicly teased IGNITE although not by name in March, a few months after he took office. He told the Journal in an interview he wanted to provide more resources like education and job training to "a captive audience." The sheriff first heard about the program last year, shortly after he was elected. He ran into Paul Laney, a friend of his and former sheriff of Cass County, North Dakota, at the National Sheriffs' Association conference in 2022. "Paul (who was working part time for the National Sheriffs' Association) made a couple of phone calls and got us on the list of potential launch sites for this year," Mueller said. The research process for IGNITE included a few trips. Mueller, the Pennington County Jail Commander Rob Yantis, and Chief Deputy Mark Hughes attended a training day in Cass County, which was launching the program. Staff visited Flint, Michigan as well to see the program there, which has been successful in a few areas, including lowering assaults in the jail according to reporting by the Davison Index. The official kickoff for the program is at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Public Safety Building in Rapid City. The sheriff's office has invited various community groups to the event, and representatives from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the National Sheriffs' Association will be in attendance. It is open to the public. A murder trial began Wednesday in Pennington County Court for a 28-year-old Rapid City man accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend in the early morning hours of New Years Day 2020. Dion Bordeaux is charged with first-degree murder for the death of 22-year-old Jeanette Jumping Eagle, a Rapid City mother of three children, who was found dead in a room at the Microtel Inn and Suites in north Rapid City. She was shot once above her right eyebrow. Bordeaux was charged eight months after Jumping Eagle's death. Initially police were unsure if her death was a homicide or a suicide, the Journal previously reported. "Miss Jumping Eagle did not take her own life. Dion Bordeaux ended her life," Deputy Pennington County State's Attorney Adam Shiffermiller said during opening statements. The gun in Jumping Eagle's hand had the safety on, and there was no evidence the gun had been pressed to her skin, he told the jury. According to a law enforcement report describing the scene, the 9mm Ruger had five bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber. The magazine on that model holds seven rounds, indicating one shot was fired, the report said. Shiffermiller also described Bordeaux as "a violent individual when he's drinking." Angela Colbath, one of Bordeaux's defense attorneys, said her client's blood alcohol content was at .069, below the legal limit. Both the state and the defense agreed there were three important people in the hotel room when Jumping Eagle died: Bordeaux, his younger brother Giovanni Bordeaux, and Jumping Eagle. Giovanni Bordeaux testified Wednesday he went to the hotel room and drank with his brother and his brother's girlfriend. The couple was bickering, he testified, and he thought they were on the verge of breaking up. He called a coworker to come pick him up because the interaction was "awkward." He said his brother had asked to go with him because he also wanted to leave. Giovanni was in the hotel bathroom when he heard a gunshot, he said, but he neither saw the gun nor saw who shot Jumping Eagle. He testified he knew Jumping Eagle carried a gun with her, something Bordeaux also told police. After hearing the gunshot, Giovanni said he went outside the bedroom and allegedly saw his brother near Jumping Eagle, but his back was turned to him so he couldn't see what was happening. He heard Bordeaux allegedly say "babe" over and over again, Giovanni testified. He didn't hear Jumping Eagle say anything. Giovanni cried on the stand when Angela Colbath, one of his brother's defense attorneys, asked him if he was feeling panicked and shocked by what happened. He answered yes, adding that he was confused. Both he and his brother allegedly left the hotel room, according to statements by Bordeaux and Giovanni as well as video footage from the hotel referenced in police reports. The state originally charged Giovanni with allegedly helping his brother evade prosecution, but the charge was later dismissed and Giovanni was released from jail. He agreed to testify in the trial when he signed an immunity agreement on May 18. According to law enforcement reports, Bordeaux called 911 from Runnings at the intersection of Lacrosse and Anamosa streets in Rapid City. Giovanni was in the Walgreens parking lot just across the street. His coworkers picked him up and took him back to the hotel. One of them took the stand and testified Giovanni was "very shaken up" and "all over the place." She also briefly stated Giovanni told her there had been a murder, a statement the defense quickly objected to. The judge sustained the objection. After getting to the hotel, Giovanni agreed to go to the Criminal Investigations Division at the Public Safety Building in Rapid City for an interview that would last 6.5 hours, according to testimony. Bordeaux allegedly spoke with the officer who responded to his call and told him he and Jumping Eagle, who he had been dating for a few months, were not getting along that day, according to the police report. He allegedly said the two were yelling and pushing each other. Bordeaux allegedly told the responding officer he was at the bathroom door telling his brother he wanted to leave when he heard a gunshot, and then he ran away from the hotel room. Although he allegedly refused to speak with law enforcement at the Public Safety Building, Bordeaux had an interview with RCPD Detective Daniel Trainer and Pennington County Sheriff's Office Investigator Kylie Kintigh 16 days later at the Minnehaha County Jail where he was held on a separate charge. According to Trainer's report, Bordeaux allegedly told them Jumping Eagle thought he was leaving her for someone else, and said she told him she would just die if he left her. Bordeaux told the investigator and detective he heard a gunshot, and turned back to try to save her, demonstrating cradling her head. He then became scared and left, according to Trainer. Bordeaux faces a minimum of life in prison and up to a $50,000 fine if the jury finds him guilty of the charge. He is currently held in the Pennington County Jail with no bond. A desire to head off a Dakota Access-type protest is one reason the company behind the planned Midwest Carbon Express carbon dioxide pipeline has ruled out a route to the south of Bismarck, according to an analysis that Summit Carbon Solutions has filed with state regulators. Summit also cites several other reasons for putting the route to the north of Bismarck, where many landowners worry about safety and where some people and officials think it could impede the capital citys northward progression. Those reasons range from geography challenges to project delays and cost increases. "A southern route presents significant unknowns and risks -- including potential impacts to resources for which there may not be viable mitigation options, including the historically negative impact to tribal lands," the company concluded in its analysis submitted Tuesday to the state Public Service Commission, which is considering whether to permit the route. Summit's pipeline is to transport climate-warming CO2 emissions from dozens of ethanol plants in five Midwestern states to North Dakotas Oliver County for permanent storage underground. The PSC on Friday is holding the last of five public hearings on the project. It begins at 8:30 a.m. Central time in Russell Reid Auditorium at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum on the Capitol grounds in Bismarck. Southern route analysis Summit analyzed a possible southern route at the request of the PSC after north Bismarck opposition surfaced, though the company states in its report that it had identified multiple potential routes at the beginning of the project, including an area from the University of Mary south to the Dakota Access oil pipeline crossing of the Missouri River just to the north of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. An early proposal for DAPL called for the project to cross the river about 10 miles north of Bismarck, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rejected the route in part because it was seen as a potential threat to Bismarck's water supply and because of its proximity to homes. The route was moved to the south, where it was met by heavy opposition from American Indian tribes and environmental groups who maintained the pipeline trespassed on tribal treaty lands and that a rupture would pollute Standing Rock's river water supply. Thousands of protesters camped in the area in 2016-17 and often clashed with law enforcement, leading to more than 750 arrests in a six-month span. Summit states in its analysis that "relocating the (CO2 pipeline) project would raise major concerns for area tribes and their supporters regionally and nationally." "Moving the pipeline to the south of Bismarck and moving a pipeline project away from non-tribal interests and lands would likely cause significant controversy due to further impacts to this historically sensitive area," the company wrote. Summit also said it would be "improbable" that the company could get required federal permits for a river crossing to the south of Bismarck "based on lessons learned from the Dakota Access Pipeline." The Corps faced lengthy litigation from tribes that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, and the agency is still working on a court-mandated environmental study of the DAPL river crossing six years after oil began flowing through the pipeline. The tribe did not immediately respond Wednesday to a Tribune request for comment on how it would have viewed a southern Bismarck route for the CO2 pipeline. Summit cited several other reasons that preclude a southern route, including: The project would have to negotiate a broader floodplain, and the pipeline would be more susceptible to adverse effects from river migration and scouring. The area is more prone to flooding, which could make construction more difficult. The area has a higher density of unstable slopes and landslides. There would be added river crossings. There are more "sensitive and historic" lands in the southern area, including Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery and Huff Indian Village State Historic Site. A reroute could delay the project up to two years. "Summit strongly believes that it has chosen the safest, most prudent route for the project based on a multitude of factors, and to reroute the project to the south of Bismarck at this stage of development would add unnecessary cost, schedule delay, and offset many of the impact mitigation measures that have been implemented," the company said. The citizen group North Dakota Energy Council, which formed to give Burleigh County residents and landowners a voice in the Summit pipeline debate, thinks "It's unfortunate that they're ruling (a south route) out entirely," said spokesman Dustin Gawrylow, director of the North Dakota Watchdog Network. "Its still our hope that the Public Service Commission will work with (Summit) to come up with a solution," he said. "Clearly when you've got the second-largest county in the state and all of the major political subdivisions and elected officials are concerned, hopefully the PSC will take that into account simply because it's a significant thing." PSC hearing The Friday hearing gives members of the public a chance to weigh in on the project before the PSC makes a decision on permitting the pipeline route in the state. It was scheduled after a March 14 hearing in Bismarck ran long and not everyone who wanted to speak got an opportunity. Since then, hearings also have been held in Gwinner, Wahpeton and Linton. The pipeline is to cross about 2,000 miles through Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and North Dakota. The project would cost an estimated $4.5 billion. About $898 million of that cost is for the North Dakota portion, according to the PSC. There would be 320 miles of pipeline in the state, along with aboveground facilities including pump stations. The project would pass through Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Emmons, Logan, McIntosh, Morton, Oliver, Richland and Sargent counties. The Burleigh portion would consist of 41 miles of pipe. Burleigh County has passed ordinances related to hazardous liquids pipelines in response to the Summit debate. More information is at bit.ly/3UJKTvu. Some other North Dakota counties including Emmons also have passed ordinances to regulate the pipeline within their borders. The planned route is less than 2 miles from Bismarck's extraterritorial area at its closest point. Burleigh and Bismarck commissioners, as well as the Bismarck-Mandan Home Builders Association and the North Dakota Energy Council, have called for moving the pipeline, or delaying it until federal regulators craft new rules for CO2 pipelines. The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is updating safety regulations for CO2 pipelines in the wake of a CO2 pipeline operated by Denbury Gulf Coast Pipelines rupturing in Satartia, Mississippi, in 2020. PHMSA is conducting a two-day public meeting on CO2 pipeline safety this week in Des Moines, Iowa. Summit touts the overall safety record of the thousands of miles of CO2 pipelines that have operated in the U.S. for decades, including in western North Dakota. The company also has said that issues outlined by PHMSA in its Satartia Failure Investigation Report have been factored into the "planning, design, construction and operations" of the Midwest Carbon Express project. Summit is working to secure easements from property owners so it can place the pipeline on their land. Some reluctant landowners worry the company will resort to eminent domain -- the seizure of private property use, with compensation. The company has filed dozens of eminent domain lawsuits in South Dakota. But it also maintains it strives to come to agreeable terms with landowners, and that most support the project. The company states in its southern route analysis that it has secured easements for 71% of the proposed route in Emmons, Burleigh and Morton counties. The 2023 North Dakota Legislature considered several bills dealing with CO2 pipelines and eminent domain, but most of them failed. The Legislature also passed two bills aimed at limiting or stopping foreign countries and companies from owning, developing or having an interest in land in North Dakota. The state Attorney General's Office is investigating the ownership and investors of Summit Carbon Solutions at the request of a group of 31 North Dakota lawmakers. Summit maintains the lawmakers are "making unfounded accusations" after unsuccessfully targeting the company during the recently concluded legislative session. Reporter David Velazquez contributed to this story. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem announced Thursday she will be deploying at least 50 National Guard troops to the southern border later this summer. Noem joins a group of 12 other Republican governors who are answering the call from Texas Governor Greg Abbott to help Texas respond to the crisis at the southern border. The border crisis is growing worse under President Bidens willful inaction. Across the country, crime rates, drug overdoses, and human trafficking have all skyrocketed because our border remains a warzone, said Governor Noem. Our National Guard soldiers are the best prepared to tackle this challenge. They have proven that they can serve with excellence in a situation such as this, and I am confident that they will do so again. Two years ago, Governor Noem was the first governor to deploy National Guard troops to the southern border at the request of the governors of Texas and Arizona. Monthly migrant encounters had fallen to 16,182 in April 2020, shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak forced the closure of borders and slowed migration worldwide, according to the Pew Research Center. Data from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol indicates encounters at the border have soared since then, up to 206,239 in November 2022. Due to conditions of local trails caused by recent rainstorms, Rapid Citys Sustainability Committee has extended the Earth Day Trail Challenge through June. The 40-day event was originally set to expire this week. The Rapid City Earth Day Trail Challenge tasked the public to hike each of three local trails: Birdhouse on the Skyline Wilderness Trail System, Founders Valley on the Hansen-Larson Memorial Trail System and the Nature Trail at the Outdoor Campus West. Along each trail, hikers will find a Rapid City Earth Day Trail Challenge sign and are asked to take a selfie with the sign in the photo. Hikers can show the selfies and pick up a Rapid City Earth Day pin at the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Outdoor Campus West during normal business hours through June 30. As part of the challenge, hikers are also encouraged to pick up any litter or garbage encountered on the trails. For more information and links to the trail maps, visit rapidcitysustainability.com. By Kai Xu, Nghia Nguyen, and KE Seetha Ram The development of quality infrastructure that is sustainable and promotes inclusive development has become a driving force of economic growth (Vivek et al. 2023). However, current global challenges and their socioeconomic impacts are undermining the potential for new private sector investment in developing Asia, where demand for new infrastructure projects is high. The question is: How can the region meet its infrastructure needs while securing investment to support project growth within the sector? In fact, some reflection shows that the answer lies within. Learning from Japans infrastructure development experience It is helpful to look at how Japan overcame social, environmental, and institutional challenges to meet its infrastructure needs and build up its national transportation networkincluding its first high-speed rail (HSR) lines and highwaysto achieve rapid economic growth after World War II. In 1952, at the close of the Allied occupation, Japan was a less-developed country, with per capita consumption roughly one-fifth that of the United States (US). The US invested $2.2 billion in Japans reconstruction effort between 1946 and 1952 under international cooperation, and a large portion of this was channeled to support infrastructure development. At the same time, Japan rolled out its post-war economic development plan, the national highway network called the Pacific Belt Corridor. The corridor included various fundamental infrastructures, including the Tokaido Shinkansenthe worlds first HSR. In addition, Japan developed new technologies and construction methods that allowed for faster and more efficient highway and HSR construction. New infrastructure was planned after the 1990s when the Japanese economy stagnatedthe Linear Chuo Shinkansen connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, with a linear motor car maglev that will shorten travel time from 1 hour 40 minutes for the Tokaido Shinkansen down to 40 minutes for the new Chuo Shinkansen. This is expected to revitalize the Japanese economy and supplement the aging Tokaido Shinkansen as a second route in case of a large-scale disaster. Overall, Japan's national transportation network was developed through a combination of government investment, international cooperation, planning and design, publicprivate partnerships, technological innovation, and public support. It has demonstrated a perfect example of developing infrastructure to meet social, economic, and environmental needs. Yoshino and Nakahigashi (2000) conducted a study on the case of Japan and found statistically significant results supporting the positive role of infrastructure investment. The network has played a crucial role in supporting Japan's economic growth and connecting its people and goods across the country. Capacity building for cost saving: Railway cases in the Peoples Republic of China A shortage of infrastructure financing sources is an obstacle for many developing Asia countries. The Peoples Republic of China (PRC), which has experienced rapid infrastructure development in the past few decades, has demonstrated a solution for cost saving. We investigated the consulting cost of railway projects in the PRC that were co-financed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) (Table 1). The preliminary findings show that the costs allocated for consultants for project implementation comprised a relatively low percentage of the whole cost, compared with similar projects in other countries, and the share is decreasing over time. According to the statistics from the China National Association of Engineering Consultants (CNAEC), by the end of 2007, there were about 20,000 engineering consulting firms with a total of 2 million employees. However, 8 years later, in 2015, the numbers surged to 34,000 firms and 3.5 million employees. Capacity building and training of the workforce, especially the growth of domestic consultants for project design and construction supervision, contribute have contributed significantly to PRCs development. Nowadays, the PRC is positively exporting its domestic consultants expertise through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative. Prioritizing infrastructure amid limited financing sources: HSR development in India Prioritizing infrastructure projects in Asia per each economys socioeconomic needs is one way to solve the tradeoffs between huge infrastructure demand and scarce finance sources, particularly for developing countries. India appears to be prioritizing road and rail transport, including HSR development. This can be seen in Figure 2, which illustrates the relationship between population density and GDP per capita in the commencing year of HSR. Two groups can be identified, as separated by the blue and red lines. For European countries and the US, higher GDP stimulated the start of HSR (the blue line), while for Asian countries, a large population density was the foundation for HSR investment (the red line). India, whose total population surpassed that of the PRC in 2023 (World Population Review), is perfectly located on the red line, confirming the countrys suitable timing for HSR development, with the MumbaiAhmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor already under construction. HSR development is widely deemed to have critical development impacts, providing fast connectivity and reductions in fuel consumption, with many more spillover effects to be explored. Self-help for the road ahead Your home away from home. We want you to have a comfortable, safe, and welcoming place to live while you attend ECSU. Thats just what youll find in our on-campus housing. Residence halls at ECSU put food, classes, amenities, and your campus community within walking distance, helping you get the most out of your time at ECSU. Apply for Housing Learn the process and requirements for getting your residence hall assignment. Find your Home Find amenities, rates, and virtual tours of all residence halls at ECSU. Join a Community Live with students that share your interests with our Living Learning Communities. Frequently Asked Questions When are residence halls closing this semester? See below for information regarding the residence hall closings for spring 2023: If you do not have face-to face exams, and are not participating in graduation, please check-out early. Please vacate the residence halls within 24 hours of your last final exam. If you are not able to leave within 24 hours of your last final exam, please vacate the halls by 7:00 pm on Friday, May 5, 2023. The residence halls will close at 7:00pm on Friday, May 5, 2023. Students that are participating in Graduation are required to vacate the residence halls by 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Secure transportation needs (bus station, train station and airport) immediately Transportation Services (ecsu.edu). All transportation arrangements are required to be made by April 26, 2023. Transportation Services (ecsu.edu). All transportation arrangements are required to be made by April 26, 2023. Students are required to remove ALL items from rooms. This includes trash, clothes, food in refrigerators and cabinets, furniture you brought yourself, televisions, etc. EVERYTHING MUST BE REMOVED and taken with you or thrown away. Students are required to turn in all keys at the time of check-out. We will NOT accept keys via mail after the fact. Failure to remove all items from rooms and or suites and or to return keys, will result in fines added to your student accounts Turn your books into Book Rental before you leave to go home. HRL staff will NOT turn your book into book rental. Secure your Housing for Fall 2023 before you leave to go home. Should you have questions and or concerns, please email us at ECSUHousing@ecsu.edu Is there housing available for summer school? Housing will be provided for Session II (5 Weeks): Thursday, June 22 Friday, July 28 Cleared students may check into the residence hall on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Students must check out of the residence halls on Saturday, July 29, 2023 2023 Summer Rates: Spaces are limited for summer University Suites Single: $1,180.00 University Suites: $968.00 Request Summer School Housing here: https://forms.office.com/r/ag0c6m0Gun The deadline to request summer school Housing is April 14, 2023 For more information, email Ms. Kellogg How do I pay for housing? You may apply and pay for Housing after you have been accepted to the University. The Housing Application fee is non-refundable. The application is available in the Housing Portal. Can I pay the housing application fee over the phone? No, You may pay by the following methods: Online via the Housing portal In person to the University Cashier Send check or money order via mail (Campus Box 939) What size are the beds? The beds in University Suites, University Towers and Viking Tower are regular twin-sized beds. Beds in Viking Village singles are full sized. Beds in Viking Village Suites are regular twin-size beds. How much is the housing application fee? $150.00 What is the cost of living on campus? The room rate per residence hall varies based on room type. Do I have to stay on campus? No, currently we do not have an on-campus requirement. Do I have to have a meal plan? Yes, all boarding students are required to have a meal plan. New First Time Freshmen are required to have the 19-meal plan. All other students may select from a 10, 15, 19 meal plans or a 120 or 160 block meal plan. Will I have a roommate? If assigned to a double room, you may be assigned a roommate at any time during the semester. When can I change my room? Housing will make students aware of when or if they may change rooms. If moving to a higher priced room, students must be able to afford the upcharge. It is the responsibility of the student to check with Student Accounts and/or Financial Aid to see if they can afford the cost. If a room change is made after refunds have been processed, the student must be able to pay the cost up front. Are classifications assigned to different residence halls? Yes, see below for current classification assignments: University Suites: Seniors & Juniors University Towers: New Freshmen Viking Tower: Sophomores, Freshmen, New Freshmen Viking Village: Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores Does Housing provide microwaves and refrigerators? No, Housing does not provide microwaves or refrigerators. Students may supply their own microwave (1000 watts or less) and refrigerator (up to 5 cubic feet). Will I be able to keep my same room for the spring semester? Yes, you will be assigned to the same room. Am I required to take everything home during winter break? Students are required to take personal belongings home. Facilities will be performing cleaning and sanitizing in the residence halls. Larger items such as refrigerators and microwaves may be left at the students discretion. The University is not responsible for the loss, theft and or damage to personal belongings. What is my mailing address and how do I receive mail? All mail and packages must be addressed using the following format: Student's First and Last Name ECSU XXXXX CAMPUS BOX 1704 WEEKSVILLE ROAD ELIZABETH CITY, NC 27909 Items not properly addressed may cause a delay in processing or be returned to the sender. When are we required to leave the residence halls? Students are required to leave the residence halls during: Winter Break Spring Break The end of the spring semester The end of summer sessions What do I do if my furniture is damaged and/or missing? See the Community Director of your residence hall. Where can I find information and/or apply to be a Resident Assistant (RA)? The hiring process for Resident Assistants begins during the spring semester. There will be mandatory interest meetings. Be on the lookout for information via email and social media. Please express your interest to your Community Director. What type of security is provided in the residence halls? Our residence halls are staffed 24 hours day. Our staff consist of: Community Directors Resident Assistants Residential Security Officers What if my property is lost, stolen, and/or damaged? The University assumes no responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged property. We suggest that you obtain renters insurance to cover your items while away at school. Please view form here Personal Property Insurance Are residence halls co-ed? Yes, all of our residence halls are co-ed. What if my room needs repairs? Contact your residence hall staff (Community Director, RA or RSO). Can I drop my Housing after I move in my room? Yes, you may drop Housing at any time; however, charges will apply based on the date you move out of your room. What if I did not get the roommate that I requested? Assignments are made based on date of payment. If your request is not granted it could be due to non-payment of the requested student. (It is best that you both pay at the same time). Also, your requested roommate must also request to be your roommate. SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - A North Korean satellite launch on Wednesday ended in failure, sending the booster and payload plunging into the sea, North Korean state media said, and the South's military said it had recovered parts of the launch vehicle. The new "Chollima-1" satellite launch rocket failed because of instability in the engine and fuel system, state news agency KCNA reported. The flight was the nuclear-armed state's sixth satellite launch attempt, and the first since 2016. It was supposed to put North Korea's first spy satellite in orbit. It prompted emergency alerts and brief evacuation warnings in parts of South Korea and Japan but no danger or damage was reported. South Korea's military said it was conducting a salvage operation to recover what is believed to be parts of the space launch vehicle. The military shared pictures of a large cylindrical object floating in the sea about 200 km (124.27 miles) off the west coast island of Eocheongdo. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the satellite flew less than 10 minutes, for several hundred kilometres. The launch occurred from the northwestern space launch facility and fell into the Yellow Sea, the official added d. George William Herbert, adjunct professor at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies and a missile consultant, said the images showed at least part of a rocket, including an "interstage" section designed to connect to another stage. It is most likely a liquid-fuel rocket, and a round, brown object inside is likely a propellant tank for either fuel or oxidizer, Herbert added. Officials from the United States, Japan, South Korea held a phone call, where they "strongly condemned" the launch, Japans foreign ministry said. "The three countries will stay vigilant with high sense of urgency", the statement said. North Korea had said it would launch its first military reconnaissance satellite between May 31 and June 11 to boost monitoring of U.S. military activities. South Korea last week placed satellites in orbit with a domestically designed and produced rocket for the first time, and China sent three astronauts to its space station as part of crew rotation on Tuesday. The North Korean rocket plunged into the sea "after losing thrust due to the abnormal starting of the second-stage engine," KCNA reported, in an unusually candid admission of a technical failure by the North. Pyongyang's National Aerospace Development Administration will investigate the "serious defects" and take action to overcome them before conducting a second launch as soon as possible, KCNA said. WARNINGS ISSUED North Korea appeared to have rushed its satellite launch after Seoul's recent space rocket launch, a South Korean lawmaker said citing his country's intelligence agency. Lawmaker Yoo Sang-beom told journalists that North Korea's leader was believe to have observed the launch and Pyongyang may need several weeks at least to fix its rocket's problems. "Even if this satellite launch is a failure, General Secretary Kim Jong Un himself has made clear that this satellite is the first of many," said Atsuhito Isozaki, professor of North Korean studies at Keio University in Japan. "This wont be the end of those efforts." Lee Choon Geun, honorary research fellow at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute, said it was a rare opportunity for South Korea to retrieve part of a North Korean rocket, and perhaps even the satellite. Analysts say North Korea's capacity for constructing sophisticated satellites remains unproven. In data provided to international authorities before the launch, North Korea said the rocket would fly south, with stages and other debris expected to fall over the Yellow Sea and into the Pacific Ocean. Air raid sirens wailed across the South Korean capital of Seoul as the city warned citizens to prepare for a potential evacuation. Later alerts said the city warning had been a mistake. "I was so panicked," said Lee Juyeon, 33, a resident in the city of about 10 million who was preparing to shelter in a basement with her young child before learning it was a false alarm. The Japanese government also issued an emergency warning over its J-Alert broadcasting system for residents of the southern prefecture of Okinawa to take cover indoors early on Wednesday morning. It later said the rocket would not fly into Japanese territory and lifted the warnings. Japan had this week vowed to shoot down any projectile that threatened its territory. The White House condemned the launch and said it was assessing the situation in coordination with allies. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said North Korea's rocket disappeared from radar above the Yellow Sea and did not make it into space. Japan strongly condemns the launch and has lodged a complaint to Pyongyang through diplomatic channels in Beijing, he said. 'NO JUSTICE TODAY' The driver who killed a 24-year-old Henrico County police officer in a crash last year will serve two months of house arrest as part of a plea deal, it was announced Tuesday. Jeffrey Adam Lankford pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in court Tuesday morning. He was 18 when he ran into Officer Trey Sutton's police cruiser at Chamberlayne Avenue and Wilkinson Road on the night of March 30, 2022. His house arrest will start Friday. An additional 22 months of incarceration will be suspended on the conditions that Lankford completes 200 hours of community service and five years of probation and surrenders his driver's license for a year, according to the plea agreement. He was facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted at trial. "This is not the exact result that the Commonwealth, the Sutton family, or (Zoe Pierson, Sutton's fiance), were hoping for," Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. When reached by phone, Taylor said that there were two potential legal issues, including one involving "new science," that risked the possibility of Lankford not being held accountable for Sutton's death. One of the potential hurdles was the color of the traffic signal at the moment when Sutton, who had graduated from the Henrico police academy two months earlier, entered the intersection. If Sutton, rather than Lankford, was the one who ran a red light, as the defense was prepared to argue, that could be viewed as a mitigating factor that would reduce or eliminate Lankford's liability. The other was how to measure the speed at which Lankford was driving when the crash happened. His truck was old enough that it didn't have a "black box," an onboard computer that would log key information such as driving speed, Taylor said, so prosecutors would have to estimate the speed using a combination of traffic camera footage and Apple Maps location data from Lankford's cell phone. That is a technique that the county has not previously used in court before, which brought a risk that the judge in the case, L.A. Harris, would deem the speed analysis inadmissible significantly harming the county's case. Pierson read a victim impact statement during the hearing Tuesday, recalling the horror of receiving the news of the crash, detailing the injuries that Sutton suffered and mourning the fact that, in an instant, Sutton lost the chance to become a husband or father. "There is no justice today," Pierson said to Lankford. "If it had been you hurt that night, Trey, who took his oath to protect and serve, would've been the one to show up, no questions asked. He would've done his best to make sure you went home that night, and you did not extend to him or anybody else on that road the same courtesy." "It has been 425 days since we had to explain what happened to everyone we knew, 425 days of living in this nightmare, and 425 days in expectation of today. You might rationalize what happened in your head, make excuses for why and how it happened the way it did," Pierson added. Sutton, 24, of Chesterfield County, was one of four people hurt in the three-vehicle crash. He died of his injuries the next day. Hundreds of police officers and first responders from across Virginia and the East Coast attended his memorial service. His badge number, 559, was retired. "He had a purpose," Henrico Police Chief Col. Eric English said at the time. "We will carry on your dream." After the hearing on Tuesday, Craig Curwood, the Sutton family's civil attorney, read a statement on behalf of the family. The family thanked the first responders and medical professionals at VCU Medical Center who cared for Sutton between the crash and his death the following day, and praised Henrico police for their investigation. "While we are disappointed with the sentence, we know that no sentence will bring back Trey or ease our suffering," Curwood said. "We were hoping for more accountability in the outcome today, but sadly, we could not get that. There is however, some satisfaction in knowing that Jeffery Lankford will be a convicted felon for the rest of his life." The City of Richmond has released new documents from the groups competing for the right to revitalize the area around the shuttered Richmond Coliseum site. The city shared single-page summaries from each of the four remaining contenders for the City Center projectthat lay out the groups visions for the mixed-use development project, with conceptual renderings that bring their plans to life. The winning development group will be tasked with demolishing the Coliseum structure within 12 months, repurposing the historic Blues Armory on North Sixth Street and building a 500-room hotel that will support the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Other development goals set out by the city include upgrading infrastructure in the area, transforming North Sixth and East Clay streets into flexible festival streetscapes that prioritize walking and biking, adding new office space geared toward the life science and biotech industries and constructing affordable housing units. The four finalist groups are led by Maryland-based Capstone Development LLC, the hotel developer for the citys Diamond District project; City Center Gateway Partners, a group headlined by investment firm Capital Square and Shamin Hotels, both based in the Richmond area; Lincoln Property Company, a Dallas firm that is partnering with two companies linked to Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith; and Richmond Community Development Partners, a group spearheaded by Houstons Machete Group and Bank Street Advisors, a Richmond-based company whose local development portfolio includes the downtown Quirk Hotel and the Soda Flats apartments currently under construction in Scotts Addition. The Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority and Richmond Economic Development Authority, who put out the initial request for interest in November, are overseeing the evaluation process. The timeline laid out in the citys formal request for offers indicates that the finalists have already been interviewed by an evaluation panel, with negotiations to follow. The Economic Development and Convention Center authorities hope to announce a preferred development group this summer. Top five weekend events: Greek Fest, Shakespeare Fest & Ashland Strawberry Faire Richmond Greek Festival Richmond Shakespeare Festival Richmond Symphony Mile of Music at Bryan Park Ashland Strawberry Faire Kip Moore There are media reports that Justice Department prosecutors have obtained an audio recording of former President Donald Trump from after he left office in which he talks about holding onto a classified document related to a potential attack on Iran. CNN first reported that Trump suggested on the recording that he wanted to share with others information from the document but that he knew there were limitations about his ability to declassify records after he left office. The comments on the recording, made in July 2021 at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, would appear to undercut his repeated claims that he declassified the documents he took with him from the White House to Mar-a-Lago, his Florida estate, after leaving office. The tragic murder-suicide that claimed two family members lives last week occurred when the father shot his son, then himself, Roanoke County police said Wednesday. Two hikers found the bodies of 17-year-old Christian Chris Lambert and 62-year-old Lewis James Jimmy Lambert Jr. at about 6 a.m. Friday in the McAfee Knob trailhead parking lot off Catawba Valley Drive (Virginia 311). At this stage of the police investigation, it appears that Lewis Lambert killed the male juvenile then committed suicide, Roanoke County police said in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon. Police also confirmed that Lewis Lambert was a person of interest in an arson investigation in the city of Roanoke. Lewis Lamberts home and another residence caught fire around 3:30 a.m. Friday, hours before he and his adoptive son were found dead. The Roanoke County Police Department is working alongside the Roanoke city arson investigators to provide them with any and all evidence collected from the scene to assist in their investigation, Roanoke County police said. Chris Lambert, who worked at Roanokes Texas Roadhouse restaurant, was set to graduate next week from Patrick Henry High School. The YMCA at Virginia Tech will host its first annual Summer Tea on Saturday, June 17, in honor of the birthday of Lucy Lee Lancaster, whose family lived in the house that the Y now occupies. Tickets are $25, and must be purchased by Saturday, June 10. There are two seatings to choose from: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or 1 to 2:30 p.m., at the beautiful, historic Lancaster House, 403 Washington St. SW, in Blacksburg. The event will be catered by Carolyn Ansley, who has become well-known over the years for her authentic and delicious teas. Proceeds will benefit the Ys community programs. Born in Eggleston in June 1905, Lucy Lee Lancaster moved to Blacksburg with her family as a child, and would later be one of the first five women admitted to Virginia Tech in 1925, according to press materials about the event. After retirement, Lucy Lee became a member of the YMCA board of directors and served in a regular or honorary capacity all her life. Over the years she welcomed Y students in her home and delighted in having them hold meetings there, serving them lemonade and homemade cookies. Lucy Lee lived in the Lancaster House, which was built by her parents in 1913, until her death in 1989. She left the house to the YMCA at Virginia Tech in memory of her parents and her sister Martha. She is remembered as a lovely lady, in the best old Southern meaning of the word. Space is limited for this event! Tickets for may be purchased by going to https://vtymca.org/y-summer-tea/. THURSDAY 5PTS Open House: Mono Means One ft. John Ferrara, with Aaron Geller It's "Donor Appreciation Night" at the church, featuring Ferrara, Consider the Source's bassist. Expect musical madness. Details: 8 p.m. 5 Points Music Sanctuary. Free. 540-795-5618, 5pointsmusic.com, johnferraramusic.com Surrender Dorothy Good grooving gang plays decades of radio hits with genre variety. FRIDAY The Kind If you haven't seen this band that celebrates the Grateful Dead and other jam acts, here's a good chance to do it. If you have, you want to go again. Brian Belligerent With Gunner Heathe, Amber Collier The headliner, whose Roanoke rock resume includes Hanoi Jane, Auditory Dysmorphia and Redbox Money Cult, leads a trio of solo acoustic acts. First Fridays: On The Border It's the return of a First Fridays fave, which bills itself as "The Ultimate Eagles Tribute." Details: 5 p.m. Franklin Road between Jefferson Street and Williamson Road, Roanoke. $5. 540-776-5348, firstfridaysroanoke.com, otbrocks.com Rebirth Brass Band With Hoppie Vaughan This funky New Orleans-style party has no room left for revelers. Details: 7:30 p.m. Lime Kiln Theater, Lexington. SOLD OUT. rebirthbrassband.com, hoppievaughan.com Sara Evans Folks were "Born to Fly" to Harvester's ticket site, to buy them all. Details: 8 p.m. Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. SOLD OUT. saraevans.com Empty Bottles 8 p.m. Rosie's Gaming Emporium, Vinton. Free Jared Stout Band 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown. $12 Shoot To Thrill 6 p.m. gate. Dr Pepper Park. $45, $25, $75 VIP advance via drpepperpark.com, $30 day of show Big Lick Conspiracy 8 p.m. The Spot on Kirk. $10 advance at eventbrite.com, $15 door The Great Big Hug 6:30 p.m. Big Lick Brewing Co. Free Kyle Forry 6 p.m. Twisted Track Brewpub. Free FRIDAY-SATURDAY Hunter Riley Check out Riley playing his song, "Bitter," in a writers round via fb.watch/kT7lTum1S3. Details: 9:45 p.m. each night. Sidewinders Steak House and Saloon. Cover charge varies; contact venue. 540-904-2777, sidewindersaloon.com, facebook.com/hunterrileyband SATURDAY 5PTS at Dog Bowl: Abby Bryant & The Echoes, with Runaway Grooms Bryant, with a sweet, strong voice and great vibes, headlines 5 Points Music Sanctuary's latest foray at The Dog Bowl. Details: 5:45 p.m. The Dog Bowl at Black Dog Salvage. $25, $13 via seetickets.us. 540-343-6200, facebook.com/blackdogsalvage, abbybryantandtheechoes.com, therunawaygrooms.com Chase Matthew With Graham Barham Matthew got TikTok famous with "County Line" and has a new cut at chasematthew.lnk.to/comegetyourmemory. Details: 6 p.m. Dr Pepper Park. $49, $25, $149 (VIP skybox) advance, $30 general admission day of show. drpepperpark.com, chasematthew.com, facebook.com/grahambarhamusic Scythian With Cabin Creek Boys D.C.-based, eclectic, Celtic-rocking, Americana-slinging Scythian returns to Southwest Virginia. Details: 7 p.m. Blue Ridge Music Center, Galax. $25 advance, $30 day of show. 866-308-2773 (ext. 245), blueridgemusiccenter.org, scythianmusic.com Summer of Grunge: Jar of Flies, Deep 6, Adhesive Grunge band tribute acts fete Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots in a fundraiser for mental health awareness. Details: Noon (music at 2 p.m.). 4331 Barley Drive, Salem. $20 via eventbrite.com. Daleville Summer Concert Series: The Kings 5 p.m. Daleville Town Center, Daleville. $5, free 12-younger Tom Floyd Trio 6 p.m. Twisted Track Brewpub. Free Leilani Kilgore 6:30 p.m. Big Lick Brewing Co. Free Solacoustix 10 p.m. Martin's. $8 Pleading the 5th 8 p.m. Rosie's Gaming Emporium. Free SATURDAY-SUNDAY Sidewalk Art Show Painting, sculptures, photography, jewelry oh please, let it be nice out. Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Salem Avenue Southwest between Jefferson Street and Williamson Road; Market Street and Wall Street Southwest between Norfolk Avenue and Campbell Avenue. Free. taubmanmuseum.org SUNDAY Darrell Scott A soulful wizard of multi-instrumental virtuosity and creative brilliance returns to Rocky Mount. Details: 8 p.m. Harvester Performance Center. $47, $37, $240 VIP table for four. 540-484-8277, harvester-music.com, darrellscott.com Adam Hill, Isaac Hadden Project Hill, keyboard man with Solacoustix, goes solo here. Hadden had a great weekend at Rooster Walk, where he held it down with the likes of Ron Holloway, Jeff Sipe and Josh Shilling. Details: 1 p.m. (Hill) and 4 p.m. (Hadden). Parkway Brewing. Free. facebook.com/ilhadden William Seymour 5 p.m. Fork in the Alley. Free B-Mac 9 p.m. Fork in the Market. Free WEDNESDAY Foster Burton Burton, of Mad Iguanas, GOTE and more, plucks and sings on his own, too. Details: 7 p.m. Village Grill. Free. 540-767-0057, villagegrillroanoke.com JUNE 8 Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers Early warning to put one of the best live bands going on your live music calendar. The great Hornsby has hits and chops, and that's just "The Way It Is." Details: 7 p.m. The Coves Amphitheater, Union Hall. $72.50, $45.50 advance via seetickets.us/060823. 540-520-9595, facebook.com/covesatsml, brucehornsby.com Possible taxes and fees for any show listed here are not included in ticket prices. Schedules change, so check with venues before going out. Correction June 1, 2023, 2 p.m.: This column has been updated to clarify information regarding a GoFundMe page related to the Pride Ball. As you may be aware, June is Pride month, and here in Western Virginia that got an early lift-off this year, though not exactly by design. It occurred after a Roanoke County parent accused rainbow-promoting staff at Glen Cove elementary of grooming and indoctrinating pupils via LGBTQ+ symbols. Real estate broker Damon Gettier seemed highly upset at rainbow imagery inside the school, which his son attends, when he addressed the Roanoke County School Board on May 18. Examples he specifically cited were a multicolored sign that spelled WELCOME and rainbow-themed jewelry, lanyards, eyeglasses and clothing donned by some school employees. Gettier also termed Glen Cove employees sexual predators disguised as teachers and staff. His accusations hit the news May 25 and caused a stir. One day later, more than 200 supportive parents and others demonstrated outside Glen Cove elementary in support of the staff there. The Roanoke Diversity Center (RDC) was one of the groups that that helped turn out that crowd, said Mohammad Mo Elshawarby, president of the RDC. The nonprofit center supports, educates and advocates for LGBT individuals and groups in the Roanoke region. It also encourages collaborative efforts with the greater community. Friday evening, the RDC is the beneficiary of a Pride Ball fundraiser at the Taubman Museum of Art to launch Pride month. The balls is open to the public and will feature dancing, dance acts, a renowned deejay named Steve Chip Chop Gonzalez, a fashion show and more. Staffers who have recently resigned from Glen Cove Elementary school will be there and may speak. Tickets are $20 in advance ($15 for museum members) and are available through the Taubman Museums website, and are $25 at the door. The ball begins at 5 p.m., and Roanoke Vice Mayor Joe Cobb will deliver opening remarks at 6 p.m. (Another way to support the event is a GoFundMe page, which as of Wednesday afternoon had raised more than $3,000 to defray Pride Ball expenses.) The headlining act is the International House of Ninja, which was founded in New York City and now has offshoots around the world that feature transgender and cisgendered dancers. Theyre part of a movement known as Ballroom, a predominantly African American and Latinx LGBTQ+ community that first took shape in New York City in the early 1960s, because drag shows back then often excluded people of color. Among the styles of dance House of Ninja practices is Vogue, which was popularized by the recording artist Madonna. Locally, Roanokes own House of Expression practices the same kind of Ballroom performance art. (Houses are more than mere dance troupes theyre also families, in which members adopt and support each other.) And members of House of Expression, such as Amia Baltazar, will showcase their talents at the Pride Ball, too. Finally, the event will also feature a drag fashion show organized by Fashionista Roanoke that will showcase original styles from regional designers such as Lauren Devaughn Designs; ZaRiah Asante Couture; Fabric to Fashion; and Rosemary Jacques. Baltazar and Elizabeth Parsons, former president of the RDC, sat down with yours truly Tuesday so I could learn about the Pride Ball. (Parsons is handling the events public relations.) The proceeds from this support the Roanoke Diversity Center, which holds 320 events each year, Parsons said. Those include classes and workshops that promote LGBTQ+ tolerance and inclusion. LGBTQ+ teens and youths are an important focus of the RDC, said Elshawarby, the centers current president. Thats because queer teenagers and youth represent the highest percentage of teenage and youth homeless individuals, Elshawarby said. If they cant get support and acceptance in their schools or their families, it leads to them running away, and suicidal ideation, Elshawarby added. Thats who these teachers are putting this [rainbow-themed] stuff up for. It signifies, youre accepted, you can come talk to me if you need to. Baltazar, a transgender woman whos 26, experienced that lack of support and acceptance personally when growing up in her hometown of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She ran away from home at 15 or 16. She moved to Roanoke two years ago because its much more accepting of LGBTQ+ people than Myrtle Beach, she said. Cobb told me he isnt sure yet what hes going to say during his opening remarks at the ball. But the recent events at Glen Cove weighed on his mind as we spoke Wednesday. In the past year alone, school districts in Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida and perhaps elsewhere have cracked down on in-school displays of rainbow pride flags, deeming them political. Theres an underpinning in our culture of people who use their religious beliefs to create political discrimination, said Cobb, whos gay, married, and the former pastor at Roanokes Metropolitan Community Church. Were seeing this happen all over the country. He called it very strategic and specifically mentioned Moms For Liberty, a conservative parents group that has many local chapters across America including one in Roanoke County. Its a very strategic effort to dismantle practices of equity and inclusion within public school systems, Cobb said. The [Roanoke County] school board has been taken over by right-wing people who want to control everything. Some school boards are holding teachers accountable for rainbow displays whereas the bullying behavior by parents, theres no accountability for that whatsoever, Cobb said. Radford police Chief Jeff Dodson, whose three years leading the department included an ongoing bid for national accreditation and criminal charges filed against four officers, announced Thursday he will leave the job next month. It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside the brave men and women of the Radford City Police Department. The men and women of this agency are doing amazing work each day, Dodson said in a news release. Dodson was a Culpeper police patrol officer and lieutenant before becoming Radfords chief in January 2020. He previously worked for police agencies in central Virginia. Dodsons time in Radford included the COVID-19 pandemic and national protests against police violence after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Under Dodsons leadership, Radfords department instituted a citizen advisory panel to provide input on policy issues, trained officers in de-escalation techniques, and sought to meet best-practices standards set by the national Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, known as CALEA. According to the most recent annual report posted on the commissions website, from 2021, 35 Virginia police agencies are accredited by the commission, including the Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem, Blacksburg and Virginia Tech police departments. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services lists more than 180 police departments in the commonwealth, a total that does not include sheriffs offices. Dodson wrote in an email last month that only about 10 percent of law enforcement agencies across the country met CALEAs national accreditation standards, and that accreditation would be a big accomplishment for Radford. Dodson wrote that the Radford department successfully completed the first step of the accreditation process, a virtual assessment that included a review of department policies, property and evidence functions, and use of force. The latter area included procedures, reporting, training, administrative review and data collection, Dodson wrote. Still ahead was a visit from a CALEA assessor, scheduled to last from June 18 to June 21, Dodson wrote. If the assessor approves, the full commission will vote on accreditation in November, Dodson wrote. The Radford department, which has 42 sworn officers, has had four officers face criminal charges in recent years. In 2021, Robert Andrew Wilburn, a veteran detective who had retired two years earlier, was accused of having mishandled cash that was forfeited in criminal cases. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to a misdemeanor charge of malfeasance. In 2022, Capt. Chris Caldwell, also a veteran officer and one of the departments top leaders, resigned after state police notified the department it was investigating Caldwells electronic communications with a teenage boy. Caldwell was arrested in December on a felony charge of using a phone, computer or other device to sexually solicit a minor. That charge was dropped and Caldwell entered a no contest plea to a misdemeanor charge of attempted consensual sex with a minor, age 15 or older. Caldwell was convicted of the lesser charge, was put on supervised probation for a year, and was given a suspended jail sentence. As the case against Caldwell moved through the courts, School Resource Officer Mark Wright Mills was charged with assault and battery against a family member and with preventing a 911 call, both misdemeanors and both stemming from a January incident. Mills left the department and last month pleaded no contest to the charges. His case was taken under advisement for six months, with the charges to be dropped if Mills stays out of further trouble. In April, Officer John Fuhrman became the fourth officer to face charges when a Wytheville man took out a warrant against him for assault and battery. A Wytheville police report said that Fuhrman had an altercation in a restaurant that began verbally and, according to the other man, turned physical. Fuhrman has a June 22 hearing scheduled in Wythe County. In emails last month, Dodson noted that the charge against Fuhrman was in a separate category since it was not placed by a law enforcement agency. Of the officers who were convicted, Dodson wrote that the entire force was disappointed by their actions. It is heartbreaking to see your fellow officer tarnish their badge and breach the publics trust, he wrote. But the flurry of charges was not representative of the department, Dodson insisted. Radford Mayor David Horton agreed, saying last month, When something bad happens, it doesnt necessarily indicate something systemic. Horton said last month that Dodson had the support of all of city council. In Thursdays news release, Horton was quoted saying, Chief Dodson is an outstanding public servant and will be sorely missed. The announcement did not say where Dodson was headed after he steps down, but said he has accepted a job opportunity which will allow more time with his family moving forward. Dodsons resignation will be effective July 14. An 18-year-old Roanoke woman collapsed while jogging in college nearly 20 years ago. But even though another person was running alongside Grace Lovegrove in a residential area when she was stricken by cardiac arrest, no one intervened with life-saving CPR. Lovegrove, left brain dead, was removed from life support and died two days later. The first people on the scene for almost 10 minutes didnt know what to do, her father, Rick Lovegrove of Roanoke, said Wednesday. Cardiac arrest outside a hospital kills hundreds of thousands of people a year. Approximately half of people stricken are alone when the condition begins, a medical study showed. But the presence of bystanders who call 911 and give CPR and a heart shock can resuscitate people on the brink of death. CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator to shock the heart skills that virtually anyone can learn in about an hour will be taught throughout the region this weekend at no charge. Trainers will staff 12 locations in the Roanoke and New River valleys Saturday in a special event put together by the Roanoke-based Compress and Shock Foundation. Lovegrove, who lost his daughter in 2005, is a foundation board member and urged members of the public to undergo training. Everybody should consider it. Its one hour of your time, its free and you may save a life one day. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops pumping blood to vital organs, according to the National Institutes of Health. Caused by a problem with the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat, cardiac arrest kills about 90% of those stricken outside a hospital, the government said. Despite medical breakthroughs against disease across the spectrum, the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has not improved in years even though its crystal clear whats needed: raising the percentage of the population ready to spot the condition, call 911, apply CPR and, if an AED is present, use it. The goal is to manually restart blood flow and possibly enable the heart to resume beating, because the brain cant survive intact without blood even for the several minutes it can take for rescuers to arrive. Lovegrove has seen proof of the value of basic lifesaving skills because five years after his daughter died, a distant relative who was also a youth suffered cardiac arrest at a church camp in Tennessee. This time, the person received CPR and an AED shock. She is alive and married and has two children, just to juxtapose the two situations, he said. Grave Lovegrove was a freshman at Christopher Newport University in Newport News majoring in marine biology when she perished. Her dad said he cant be sure she would have survived the attack even with bystander intervention, but he believes it would have lifted her chances. Lovegrove, 67, a retired writer and editor, said he understands that some people may hesitate to act when they see a medical emergency out of concern they do something wrong, such as break ribs by giving chest compressions. However, with cardiac arrest, the intervention is unlikely to be more harmful than the underlying event. The only wrong thing you can do is to do nothing, Lovegrove said. The AED? Also simple. The machine itself decides whether to apply a shock, making its use so simple an elementary student could do it, Lovegrove said. The only thing you could do wrong with an AED is not take it off the wall, Lovegrove said. Lovegrove said that he was quoting foundation creator and Roanoke emergency room doctor Jack Perkins. Since the foundation was stood up, it has trained 6,000 people and placed 75 AEDs in communities in the United States, its website said. Its mission is to bring free and equitable access to CPR and AED education to all communities with a specific dedication to those communities most adversely affected by cardiac arrest due to race, ethnicity, primary language, or access to healthcare education. The foundation will donate an AED to any group or organization that hosts a training class with 35 or more people and fits the foundation mission. This year, the foundation intends to give away nearly 80 units in underserved communities in conjunction with this weekends event, it said. The Roanoke Valley Pickle Ball Club organized a group training and received a free AED. It isnt mounted at a court, since members play regionally. Instead, Lovegrove carries it in a red backpack wherever he goes out to play, which is several times a week. There is still time to register for Saturdays training and on-site registration will be allowed. Training sites, addresses and registration access is available at https://www.compressandshock.org/classlocator. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. A new investigation led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine's Human Genome Sequencing Center, the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, and Illumina, Inc. analyzed the genomes of 233 nonhuman primate species and revealed key features of primate evolution, human disease and biodiversity conservation. The findings are published in a series of studies in a special issue of the journal Science. The Primate Genome Project generated the most complete catalog of genomic information for primates to date, covering nearly half of all existing primate species on Earth. Researchers from 24 countries compared the genomes of 809 individual primates from 233 species and identified 4.3 million common missense mutations. The resulting studies uncovered DNA sequence variants and developed phylogenies for primate species that will provide new data on primate and human evolution, as well as primate biodiversity. In addition, researchers used primate genomic data to identify new insights into the genetic causes of human disease and developed an algorithm that will help predict pathogenic variants in humans. "The simultaneous publication of this broad array of papers on primate genomics demonstrates the value and the power of comparative genetics," said Dr. Jeffrey Rogers, lead investigator and associate professor at the Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor. "When we investigate the genomics of nonhuman primates, we not only learn about these species, which is important and timely, but we can also place human genetics into its proper comparative context, which provides new insights into human health and human evolution." "Primates have a great genetic diversity that increases between the different geographical regions and taxonomies," said Dr. Tomas Marques-Bonet, lead investigator from Pompeu Fabra. "The study of this diversity is crucial for human evolutionary studies, human disease and for their future conservation." "Our studies show which species are in most dire need of conservation efforts and can help identify the most effective strategies for preserving these species," said Dr. Lukas Kuderna, lead investigator from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology. Interspecies gene flow in baboons may shed light on human evolution One of the consortium studies focused on hybridization of genetically distinct lineages in baboons. Researchers used whole genome sequence data from 225 baboons representing multiple populations to identify several new geographic sites of gene flow between populations. They found that yellow baboons (P. cynocephalus) from western Tanzania are the first nonhuman primate shown to have received genetic input from three distinct lineages. The evolutionary dynamics of baboon populations suggest that other early hominins may display similar complexity. "These results suggest that the population genetic structure and history of introgression among baboon lineages is more complex than was previously thought, and that shows that the baboons are a good model for the evolution of humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans," Rogers said. Using primate mutations to predict risk of human disease One of the consortium studies with key implications for human disease focused on determining clinical relevance of genetic variants. Out of the 4.3 million missense mutations identified in primates in this study, researchers found that 6% can be considered likely benign in human disease because their abundant frequency in primate populations does not appear to have a negative effect. Meanwhile, in the other 94%, researchers used the PrimateAI-3-D deep learning algorithm, an artificial intelligence algorithm developed by the team at Illumina, to predict variant pathogenicity in human disease. "We discovered that if a 'rare' mutation cannot be found in the primate genome, it is very likely to cause a human disease," said Dr. Kyle Farh, lead investigator from Illumina. "In addition, some of these rare mutations can cause, by themselves, some diseases considered polygenic." The new genomic catalog outlined in this series of studies has halved the number of genomic innovations that were believed to be exclusively human. This observation facilitates the identification of those mutations not shared with primates that consequently may be unique to human evolution and the characteristics that make us human. "These studies bring comparative genomics to new heights, and we can predict the impact on both understanding of human biology and on practical clinical diagnostic issues," said Dr. Richard Gibbs, founding director of the Human Genome Sequencing Center and Wofford Cain Chair and Professor of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor. Other Baylor contributors to this work include R. Alan Harris, Muthuswamy Raveendran, Marie-Claude Gingras, Sejal Salvi and Harshavardhan Doddapaneni. For a full list of authors and funding for this work, see the publications. More information: Lukas F. K. Kuderna et al, A global catalog of whole-genome diversity from 233 primate species, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.abn7829. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn7829 Provided by Baylor College of Medicine "Examining Remorse in Attributions of Focal Concerns During Sentencing: A Study of Probation Officers" | Main | "Fighting Crime Requires More Police and Less Prosecution" May 31, 2023 Split state appeals court finds "no evidence" supporting California Gov's rejection of parole for "Manson family" member As reported in this AP piece, "California appeals court said Tuesday that Leslie Van Houten, who participated in two killings at the direction of cult leader Charles Manson in 1969, should be let out of prison on parole." Here is more about a notable high-profile ruling: The appellate court's ruling reverses an earlier decision by Gov. Gavin Newsom to reject parole for Van Houten in 2020. She has been recommended for parole five times since 2016. All of those recommendations were rejected by either Newsom or former California Gov. Jerry Brown, with the latest such rejection coming in March of 2022. California Attorney General Rob Bonta could ask the California Supreme Court to stop her release. Neither his office nor Newsom's immediately responded to requests for comment on whether they would do so. Van Houten, now in her 70s, is serving a life sentence for helping Manson and other followers kill Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles, and his wife Rosemary. Van Houten was 19 at the time. Newsom has said that Van Houten still poses a danger to society. In rejecting her parole, he said she offered an inconsistent and inadequate explanation for her involvement with Manson at the time of the killings. The Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles ruled 2-1 to reverse Newsom's decision, writing there is "no evidence to support the Governor's conclusions" about Van Houten's fitness for parole. The judges took issue with Newsom's claim that Van Houten did not adequately explain how she fell under Manson's influence. At her parole hearings, she discussed at length how her parents' divorce, her drug and alcohol abuse, and a forced illegal abortion led her down a path that left her vulnerable to him. They also argued against Newsom's suggestion that her past violent acts were a cause for future concern were she to be released. The full 67-page opinion from the Second District Court of appeals can be found at this link. Here is part of the start of the opinion from the majority: We review the Governors decision under the highly deferential some evidence standard, in which even a modicum of evidence is sufficient to uphold the reversal. Even so, we hold on this record, there is no evidence to support the Governors conclusions. Van Houten provided extensive explanation as to the causative factors leading to her involvement with Manson and commission of the murders, and the record does not support a conclusion that there are hidden factors for which Van Houten has failed to account. The Governors refusal to accept Van Houtens explanation amounts to unsupported intuition. The Governors finding of inconsistencies between Van Houtens statements now and at the time of the murders fails to account for the decades of therapy, self-help programming, and reflection Van Houten has undergone in the past 50 years. The historical factors identified in the criminal risk assessment are the sort of immutable circumstances our Supreme Court has held cannot support a finding of current dangerousness when there is extensive evidence of rehabilitation and other strong indicators of parole suitability, all of which Van Houten has demonstrated. May 31, 2023 at 11:22 PM | Permalink Comments She should die in prison. And yeah, I know she's remorseful and wouldn't hurt a fly. This is interesting: https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2023/05/31/scot-peterson-the-coward-of-broward-finally-heads-to-trial-n554758 Posted by: federalist | Jun 1, 2023 9:29:28 AM I didn't realize that judicial review of a denial of parole was a thing. In my jurisdiction, it's a purely executive branch function for which there is no judicial review. See La. R.S. 15:574.11(A). Posted by: MBC | Jun 2, 2023 10:29:25 AM In my state, we have very limited review of parole decisions -- more for procedural error than for the merits of the decision. Posted by: tmm | Jun 2, 2023 12:49:52 PM What do people think of the Scot Peterson prosecution? Posted by: federalist | Jun 2, 2023 2:21:31 PM Post a comment PM Lee assured the public of low transmission risk, but will self-isolate until a negative ART result. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time. (Photo: LHL/FB and RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images) SINGAPORE Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revealed on Thursday (1 June) that he tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time. In a post on Facebook, the Prime Minister expressed that he felt fine but was experiencing a COVID rebound, a phenomenon that occurs in a small percentage of cases. The 71-year-old assured the public that although the risk of transmission is not high compared to the initial infection, he will be self-isolating until he tests negative using the Antigen Rapid Test (ART). In his Facebook post, Prime Minister Lee stated, "I feel fine but I am afraid I have turned COVID-19 positive again. My doctors say it is a COVID rebound, which happens in 5-10 per cent of cases. It is still infectious although the risk is not high compared to the initial infection. The doctors have advised me to self-isolate until I test ART negative." Lee expressed regret in his post about missing the consecration ceremony of the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, an event he had eagerly anticipated attending. He apologised to the organisers and attendees, and wished them a successful consecration and celebration. He tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time on 22 May following his visits to South Africa and Kenya. Lee added that he took his most recent COVID-19 vaccine booster in November last year. What is a 'rebound' infection? When US president Joe Biden also tested positive for COVID-19 again in July, he experienced what medical professionals describe as "rebound" infections. Rebound infections, also known as breakthrough infections, occur when individuals experience a second infection of COVID-19 after a previous bout with the virus. While researchers are continuing to study this phenomenon, it is believed to be linked to the immune system's response. In some cases, the immune system may not have had enough time to generate a sufficient antibody response to provide long-lasting protection against the virus. Biden, 79, initially contracted the virus on 21 July, when he experienced mild symptoms. Despite testing negative for the virus multiple times, he tested positive again on 30 July, which prompted him to isolate for the safety of those around him. The US president's physician, Dr Kevin O'Connor, confirmed at that time that no further treatment was required, but Biden had remained under close observation. Biden had been taking Paxlovid, an antiviral medication known to cause a small percentage of COVID patients to experience a "rebound" positive test. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. Our editorial team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission. Prices were correct at the time of publication. Aloft Singapore Novena hotel's renderings. (PHOTO: Marriott International) Marriott International, Inc. today (1 June) announced it has signed an agreement with Hiap Hoe Limited, through HH Properties Pte. Ltd, to bring the design-forward Aloft Hotels brand to Singapore. Following a strategic conversion, the signing of the 785-room hotel expects to open in Q3 2023, marking the Aloft brands debut in Singapore and the largest Aloft hotel in the world. READ: The ultimate guide to fun things to do in Singapore From Bird Park to Bird Paradise: The new Mandai attraction animal lovers will love 8 exciting things to do in Sydney, and how to get the best travel deals 7 fun, family-friendly things to do in Bangkok with kids Vietnam travel guide: 16 best things to do in Nha Trang 12 luxurious hotel pools to add to your travel bucket list Coming soon: Aloft Singapore We are thrilled to announce our third collaboration with Marriott International as we venture and introduce the first Aloft hotel in Singapore, said Mr. Teo Ho Beng, Chief Executive Officer, Hiap Hoe Limited. "Aloft Singapore Novena expects to feature a contemporary and dynamic space that caters to the needs of design-savvy, next-generation travelers and locals. We are excited to provide an urban-inspired gathering place that embodies the Aloft brand's unique personality and energy, tailored for individuals who value boldness, style and connectivity. Aloft Singapore's renderings. (PHOTO: Marriott International) Aloft Singapore Novena will be comprised of two towers and is strategically located in Zhongshan Park, a mixed-use development in the cultural district of Balestier. This area is renowned for its rich heritage and is situated along the Balestier Heritage Trail, surrounded by an array of famous local eateries and linked to the integrated dynamic healthcare precinct, Healthcity Novena. Aloft Singapore's renderings. (PHOTO: Marriott International) Designed by Singapore-based DP Architects, the hotels exterior takes on clean simple forms and will blend harmoniously with Zhongshan Parks natural surroundings. With interiors of the hotel aesthetically designed by KKS International, Aloft Singapore Novena will showcase a vibrant atmosphere akin to the Aloft Hotels brand. Guestrooms will feature ultra-comfortable Sealy beds, custom amenities, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, 55-inch LCD televisions and walk-in rainfall showers. Dining options at Aloft Singapore Novena include a modern Chinese and local seafood restaurant, and a Halal-certified buffet restaurant. Aloft Singapore's renderings of the gym area. (PHOTO: Marriott International) The range of facilities available on the property will feature an outdoor pool, and state-of-the-art gym. Business travelers can also plan to host meetings in the hotels pillarless and modern event spaces. The signing of Aloft Singapore Novena heralds the expected arrival of Marriott Internationals 14th hotel in Singapore and we are delighted to be launching the Aloft brand in the country together with such an experienced partner as Hiap Hoe Limited, said Gautam Bhandari, Market Vice President for Singapore and Maldives, Marriott International. With the sites proximity to the citys Central Business District as well as to local attractions and green spaces, the location is strategically placed to enable us to attract both business and leisure guests. Check airfare here: Skyscanner | Trip.com | Expedia Book accommodations and activities here: Agoda | Booking.com | Klook | KKday | HotelsCombined Save big, get the all-inclusive pass & explore your destination in-depth: GoCity General info here: Tripadvisor Affordable data plans here And while you are at it, get your travel insurance with Alliance Assistance | Income | Prudential! SG Telegram banner. 5 21500 14300 5PMI57.1 5 Pixar75 25% The Henderson 81024 19 5PMI50.6 13 OPEC+ 100 0.34% 0.26% CCL0.61% 2% 4.02% 5.33% 9.5 1665 18.6 CHANEL300 TVB53% 9 66610 11 Want to help? Eat cookies Stephanie Sellers, founder of Cookies and Dreams bakery, took the initiative like many others in the Davenport area to donate to the victims of the apartment collapse. But her cookies plan to bring more than just smiles to the community. Sellers was inspired to create the Davenport Disaster Relief Box, a new cookie box of the bakerys most popular cookies with the proceeds going directly to the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund. Our headquarters is two (or) three blocks from the apartment and I saw what a disaster it was, she said. We didnt want to do something where we were profiting. Sellers wanted the box to promote a Midwest and Iowa resiliency amidst the tragedies of the displaced tenants and protests. Two of the cookies included are direct influences of the Iowa community, including the PuppyChow Cookie as she likes to say, No one does puppy chow like an Iowa company, and the Hawkaroo cookie, the officially recognized cookie of the Iowa Hawkeyes. The business has received immense sales from the boxes which will all completely go towards the Recovery Fund currently providing immediate aid to the residents of the apartment. We had way more than anticipated, especially with shipping. Our sales have increased over 50% since we put this on our Facebook, she said. Along with the support through her business, Sellers and her husband passed out cookies and cold water during the recent protests, bringing joy to many of the protesters who stood outside in 90 degree weather throughout the day. We are founded and based in Davenport, she said. I cant believe what its like losing everything or what the victims are going through so I wanted to do something to help. Sellers is currently working with her husband to find additional ways to directly support the victims of the apartment collapse, along with supporting the Recovery Fund. Those looking to buy a box can go to the Cookies and Dreams website or donate directly to the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund. WASHINGTON (AP) Amazon agreed Wednesday to pay a $25 million civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations it violated a child privacy law and deceived parents by keeping for years kids' voice and location data recorded by its popular Alexa voice assistant. Separately, the company agreed to pay $5.8 million in customer refunds for alleged privacy violations involving its doorbell camera Ring. The Alexa-related action orders Amazon to overhaul its data deletion practices and impose stricter, more transparent privacy measures. It also obliges the tech giant to delete certain data collected by its internet-connected digital assistant, which people use for everything from checking the weather to playing games and queueing up music. Amazons history of misleading parents, keeping childrens recordings indefinitely, and flouting parents deletion requests violated COPPA (the Child Online Privacy Protection Act) and sacrificed privacy for profits, Samuel Levine, the FCT consumer protection chief, said in a statement. The 1998 law is designed to shield children from online harms. FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya said in a statement that when parents asked Amazon to delete their kids Alexa voice data, the company did not delete all of it. The agency ordered the company to delete inactive child accounts as well as certain voice and geolocation data. Amazon kept the kids' data to refine its voice recognition algorithm, the artificial intelligence behind Alexa, which powers Echo and other smart speakers, Bedoya said. The FTC complaint sends a message to all tech companies who are sprinting to do the same amid fierce competition in developing AI datasets, he added. Nothing is more visceral to a parent than the sound of their childs voice, tweeted Bedoya, the father of two small children. Amazon said last month that it has sold more than a half-billion Alexa-enabled devices globally and that use of the service increased 35% last year. In the Ring case, the FTC says Amazon's home security camera subsidiary let employees and contractors access consumers' private videos and providing lax security practices that enabled hackers to take control of some accounts. Amazon bought California-based Ring in 2018, and many of the violations alleged by the FTC predate the acquisition. Under the FTC's order, Ring is required to pay $5.8 million that would be used for consumer refunds. Amazon said it disagreed with the FTCs claims on both Alexa and Ring and denied violating the law. But it said the settlements put these matters behind us. Our devices and services are built to protect customers privacy, and to provide customers with control over their experience, the Seattle-based company said. In addition to the fine in the Alexa case, the proposed order prohibits Amazon from using deleted geolocation and voice information to create or improve any data product. The order also requires Amazon to create a privacy program for its use of geolocation information. The proposed orders must be approved by federal judges. FTC commissioners had unanimously voted to file the charges against Amazon in both cases. SIOUX CITY Sioux City Community School District Board Director Perla Alarcon-Flory will be moving to Northwest Arkansas in July due to the closure of the local Tyson corporate office. Alarcon-Flory officially announced the move Thursday. On May 23 the school district announced Alarcon-Flory's intention to leave, but no official comment was made by her. Alarcon-Flory's husband, Nathan Flory, worked in the Dakota Dunes Tyson Foods corporate office. In October 2022 Tyson Foods announced its plan to close the Dakota Dunes office and move the employees to the meat companys world headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. All of the approximately 500 employees in Dakota Dunes were eligible for assistance to relocate to Northwest Arkansas, which was expected to begin early this year. "He has always supported me with my goals and dreams, starting my business, running for office and fulfilling my duties as elected official it is my turn to support him in his career," Alarcon-Flory said. In November, Alarcon-Flory was elected to her third term as a school board member, the only incumbent running at that time. The potential of her absence was made public on Feb. 27 during a public school board meeting. At the time, she said there was no information other than she was hopeful she would be staying in the community and would keep everyone updated. Alarcon-Flory has been directly involved with the district for more than 13 years. She has lived in Sioux City for 22 years. She is the owner of Perla Alarcon-Flory LLC Language Services. Originally from Guerrero, Mexico, she has a degree in international relations. She has two children in the Sioux City schools and one who graduated. "It has been my privilege to serve our community for the past 10 years and work alongside so many incredible people who have positively impacted our future past, current, and upcoming students in the Sioux City Community School District," Alarcon-Flory said in a news release. Iowa statutes and district policy requires that the board take action on filling a vacant board member position whenever a board member resigns or leaves the district, according to a district news release. The board is also required to fill the vacancy by appointment within 30 days after the vacancy occurs. Alarcon-Flory said she hoped the board would select "the right person" to take over her seat through November 2025, the end of her term. The board is allowed to appoint an individual to the board within the 30 day window, but that individual will only serve until November of this year, said Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill. Gill said that seat will then be up for election in November, and voters will choose who takes over the remaining two years of the term. "I would encourage anyone who has a drive to make a difference and a passion for students to consider serving on the school board," Alarcon-Flory said in a news release. "Being a part of a team a board that has the capacity to shape the future for our students has been an absolute honor." Once a date for the vacancy has been identified and confirmed, the school board will publish notice of the Board's intent to fill the vacancy, according to a news release. Most recently, the Board of Directors appointed Bernie Scolaro to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Dr. Juline Albert. Scolaro was sworn in on Aug. 26, 2022. At this point, five of the seven school board seats will be up for election this year, including the seats held by Board President Dan Greenwell, Taylor Goodvin, Monique Scarlett, Scolaro and Alarcon-Flory. SIOUX CITY In order for an annual event to remain successful, it needs to have a sense of continuity, a bit of variety and, in the case of Sioux City Food Truck Fridays, plenty of great on-the-go grub. At least thats the formula used by the events site manager Becky Barnes. We have some trucks who are here every week, but we have a few trucks who rotate in and out due to availability, Barnes said. That keeps people coming back. We like familiar foods but we also want to try to something new on occasion. People will be flocking to Pearl Street Park, on the corner of Seventh and Pearl Streets, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday when Food Truck Fridays returns for its eighth season. The popular event, sponsored by Seaboard Triumph Foods, Downtown Partners and the City of Sioux City, will run every Friday until Aug. 25. Best known for being the site manager for the Sioux City Farmers Market, Barnes is a newcomer to Food Truck Fridays, though she is already a fan of its location. Pearl Street Park has a nice, casual atmosphere where a family can sit in the shade and have a little summertime picnic, she said. Indeed, young families are a common site at Food Truck Fridays, according to Downtown Partners executive director Ragen Cote. Initially, we thought wed get the downtown workers, she said. You know, the city worker or the person who had an office nearby. Nowadays, food truck aficionados can be of any age and from all walks of life. Thats because food trucks offer a wide variety of cuisines. Years ago, people associated food truck food as being youd get from a county fair, Cote said. The selection is much greater than that. While you can still get plenty of carnival-like fare, there are also trucks featuring made-to-order tacos using fresh ingredients and authentic recipes. Plus there are trucks with menus specializing in lighter, healthier fare. Food trucks are small businesses, Cote explained. They each have a dedicated fan base. Plus people will travel all over town for their favorite food truck fix. With Food Truck Fridays, canny gourmands will have their choice of up to 10 different food trucks in one location. Which is good news for Cote, who is a self-admitted foodie. Id still be a Food Truck Fridays fan, with or without the Downtown Partners affiliation, she said. So, does Cote have any recommendations? It all depends on what Im in the mood for, she said. Sometimes, Ill go for food from a favorite food truck or Ill try something new. Either way, I know Ill get something delicious and satisfying. Formerly South Sioux City Joel Walter Gatewood, Jr., 77, formerly of South Sioux City, died Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at his residence in Burke, Va., after a valiant 14-year battle with multiple myeloma. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 16, at the Presbyterian Church of the Cross in Omaha, Neb., followed by military honors and interment at the Omaha National Cemetery. Born March 23, 1946, in Wayne, Neb., Joe was the son of Joel and Helen (Small) Gatewood. In 1965, Joe graduated from South Sioux City High School. After graduating from the University of Nebraska in 1969 with a degree in business administration, Joe joined the Navy and reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned an Ensign in April 1970. Before heading to Pensacola to begin his military career, he stopped in Miami to ask Marcia Chase, the girl he dated since high school, to marry him. They were married on June 27, 1970, at the Aviation Memorial Chapel in Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. To this union was born a daughter, Emily Ann, who wrapped her dad around her finger from the moment he held her in his arms. Joe received his wings as a Naval Flight Officer in October of 1970. His first deployment was with the Sundowners (VF-111) F-4 squadron aboard the U.S.S. Coral Sea. He flew 319 combat missions in Vietnam where he was awarded an air medal with bronze star. Joe was selected for the Navy Fighter Weapons School also known as Top Gun twice, in the F-4 Phantom and then in the F-14 Tomcat. He was a flight instructor in VF-124, the F-14 training squadron at Naval Air Station Miramar. He earned his masters degree in business administration from Chapman College while stationed at Miramar. Joe made two cruises as a Naval Flight Officer with the Screaming Eagles (VF-51) F-14 squadron on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk and the U.S.S. Carl Vinson. During his Naval career, Joe, whose call-sign was Plug, logged 3,500 flight hours and made 732 carrier landings. In 1984, Joe was promoted to the rank of Commander. He received orders to the Naval Air Systems Command, Air-to-Air Program Management office near Washington D.C. In September of 1987, Joe was assigned to a classified joint USAF-USN program located at Eglin Air Force Base at Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Joe retired from the Navy with 21 years of service in 1990. After retiring from the Navy, Joe worked for the Department of the Navy in foreign military sales. His work took him to countries on six continents from 1990 until his retirement from the government in 2011. Family meant everything to Joe. Through all his work-related travels, he always managed to be home for every important event in his daughters life. Joes faith was unshakable. He was a member of the Messiah United Methodist Church where he faithfully made chili every month for a homeless shelter. Since her birth, his granddaughter, Elizabeth, took hold of his heart and became the joy of his life. Joe was a gentleman in every sense of the word. Everyone who met Joe knew of his quick wit, easy going personality, optimistic outlook, and his kindness that had no boundaries. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife of 52 years; daughter Emily (Josh) Murray; granddaughter Elizabeth; sisters Jacklynn (Wayne) Petersen, Jeanne (Tom) Barnes; brother James Gatewood (fiancee Ruth); sisters-in-law Linda (Keith) Schuster, and Carole (Wayne) Dinkins; and beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the United States Navy Memorial (navymemorial.org). SIOUX CITY -- Iowans involved in historic preservation are getting a close-up look at the Woodbury County Courthouse and other examples of Prairie School architecture as they attend the three-day Preserve Iowa Summit. The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs' statewide conference for historic preservation began Thursday and runs through Saturday. "The rich and colorful history of Sioux City is filled with stories about frontier exploration, riverboats and railroads, so this year's summit will be a real treat for Iowans," Deputy State Historic Preservation Office Heather Gibb said in a statement. "We strongly encourage Iowans and others to join us as we step into the past and present-day Sioux City." Built on the theme "Sioux City Making Tracks," the summit is designed for historic property owners, historic preservation commission members, Main Street staff and board members, developers and planners, government officials, community leaders, architects and students with workshops, presentations and an awards ceremony. The newly renovated Warrior Hotel is hosting the summit meetings, reception and overnight stay for attendees. Built in 1930 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, the Warrior underwent a major renovation and reopened in 2020. The summit is a coordinated effort of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs' State Historic Preservation Office, the City of Sioux City and the Sioux City Historic Preservation Commission. It is funded in part with federal funds from the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior. SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- NextEra Analytics, Inc. (NEA), a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, and South Sioux City, Neb., announced an agreement to implement a NextEra 360 Energy Management System to optimize energy use and reduce the city's carbon emissions. Derived from the company's expertise using data and artificial intelligence to create energy solutions, NextEra 360 is a comprehensive energy management software, which increases operational efficiency, reduces costs and accelerates decarbonization. Under the agreement, NEA will configure and integrate a combination of hardware, software and data services between South Sioux City operations and two cogeneration units owned by one of the city's customers. The project will reduce net load during peak hours, reduce costs, lower emissions and enable South Sioux City's access to real-time load monitoring and savings calculations. "With the implementation of NextEra 360, we are honored to continue the long-standing NextEra Energy Resources relationship with South Sioux City and contribute to the city's sustainability efforts," Richard Argentieri, president of NextEra Analytics, said. "Combining advanced technology and world-class renewable energy expertise, our proprietary platform enables organizations to meet energy management goals, including optimization for low-cost sustainable energy." South Sioux City has an ongoing commitment to adopt strategies toward reducing climate change and its impact, the use of alternative energy resources and promoting environmental health. "We believe that using innovative methods to leverage data is a key to better serving our customers and meeting our sustainability goals," said Mayor Rod Koch of South Sioux City. "With NextEra 360, we will have a detailed view of our emissions data, allowing for the efficient dispatch of energy resources, and, as a result, the citys energy costs will decrease." The city has previously collaborated with NextEra Energy Resources to benefit from its Renewable Energy Storage Project. This project stores solar energy from South Sioux City's 21-acre solar farm to bring clean, renewable energy to residents at times when the sun is not shining. (CNN) Canadian officials announced a fine of more than $18,000 on Wednesday for anyone in Nova Scotia who violates a province-wide burn ban implemented this week as wildfires continue to rage in the region, which has prompted air quality alerts in the northeastern US. The fires, which have spanned more than 42,000 acres as of Wednesday, destroyed buildings and produced huge plumes of smoke as Nova Scotia struggles with record-breaking heat. Officials on Monday announced the province-wide burn ban, expected to stay in place until June 25, due to the seriousness of the current fires. Yesterday I told you there were six burns overnight, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said during a news conference Wednesday. Last night? At least eight. At least eight more reckless people chose to burn. I do not know what they are thinking. During the news conference, Houston said, Anyone who burns in this province, anyone who disrespects the provincewide burn ban can be subject to a fine of 25,000 Canadian dollars ($18,430).The fine was initially set at 237.50 Canadian dollars. The forests are simply too dry. The conditions are too volatile, Houston said. The provinces Department of Natural Resources and Renewables said Wednesday that 17 firefighters are traveling from New York and New Hampshire to help Nova Scotia fight the wildfires starting on Saturday, according to a news release. Were taking every measure to prevent new fires from starting, said Tory Rushton, the provinces minister of natural resources and renewables. All Nova Scotians need to do their part follow the burn ban, stay out of the woods and help keep your families and communities safe. There were at least 14 active wildfires burning throughout the province on Wednesday afternoon, with at least three that remain out of control, according to Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection for the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. Province remains hot and windy amid wildfires The National Weather Service issued a Code Orange air quality alert for New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania, including the Philadelphia region, which means air pollution concentrations in there may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, including the elderly and young children. Those groups should minimize time outdoors and avoid strenuous activity, the NWS added. The smoke may be close enough to the ground that the affected area will see several hours with elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter, CNN reported. These microscopic particles have a diameter of less than 2.5 microns significantly smaller than the average width of a human hair. Their tiny size allows them easier access deep into lungs, which can exacerbate the effects of respiratory diseases such as asthma. From Wednesday through Thursday, the region continues to be warm and windy without any rain in the forecast, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the countrys federal environmental agency. Thursday will be the hottest day of the week and scattered showers will begin to move into the region on Friday with rain expected this weekend, which will bring cooler temperatures. Smoke from the wildfires burning in Tantallon, part of the Halifax Regional Municipality, has reduced visibility and air quality in the area and strong winds have allowed smoke to spread to communities north and east of the municipality, according to CNN meteorologists. The-CNN-Wire & 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. Iowa families can begin signing up starting at 8 a.m. today for a new state-funded private school financial assistance program. The program, signed into law by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in January, will be phased in over four years until all K-12 students in Iowa will be eligible for roughly $7,600 per year in public funding to put toward private school tuition or other private school expenses. The program is expected to cost $107 million in the first year and $345 million by 2027, when fully implemented. In total, over the course of four years, the program would cost the state an estimated $879 million. A New York-based company, Odyssey, that administers similar programs in other states has been contracted by Iowa to operate the program. For the first academic year, applications for the new Students First Education Savings Accounts will be accepted through June 30. The legislation was approved this year with only Republican support. Supporters said the program will provide greater choice for families in their childs education. Democrats and critics say it will divert state funding from public schools and will disproportionately benefit higher-income families. Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, has bemoaned a lack of accountability and transparency over how the taxpayer dollars are spent by private schools, which must be accredited by the Iowa Department of Education. How do I apply? Parents and guardians can access the application on the Iowa Department of Educations ESA website at educateiowa.gov. The link redirects them to the Students First ESA platform managed by Odyssey. Applications are in English or Spanish. At this point in the process, parents and guardians will not be asked to provide a name for an accredited private school. After applications are approved, they will be asked to supply that specific information starting July 15. Parents or guardians who choose to enroll their children in an accredited non-public school will receive an amount equal to the per-pupil funding allocated to public school districts for each eligible child. The per-pupil funding for the 2023-24 school year will be $7,635. Half of the money will be available to pay tuition and approved expenses for the fall semester and the remaining half will be available for the spring semester. Funds will be deposited into an education savings account to be used for tuition, fees and other qualified expenses. The money cannot be used to pay preschool tuition. ESA funds must be used for kindergarten through 12th grade education at an accredited private school in Iowa. That includes an online private school, provided the student is enrolled full-time and the school is accredited through the state. Which Iowa students are eligible? All incoming kindergartners and all K-12 students currently attending a public school who choose to enroll in an accredited non-public school for the 2023-24 school year are eligible for the ESA program, regardless of income. Students who attended an accredited non-public school at any time this school year are eligible for the 2023-24 school year, if their household income is at or below 300 percent of the 2023 federal poverty level ($90,000 for a family of four). Income eligibility will be automatically verified during the application process using the parents or guardians 2022 Iowa state tax return. If a parent or guardian did not file a 2022 state tax return, other documentation will be required to complete the application. Income requirements will be phased out: Year one (2023-24) All incoming kindergarten students All public school students Private school students at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level Year two (2024-25) All incoming kindergarten students All public school students Private school students at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level that will be updated January 2024 Year three (2025-26) All K-12 students in Iowa, re gardless of income What about home-school students? Are they eligible? Yes, so long as they are to become a full-time student at an accredited non-public school. There are no income restrictions. What information do I have to provide? Parents and guardians applying will need the following information: Parent or guardian legal name, current address, Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number and contact information (email address and phone number that can receive text messages for updates) and preferred language (English or Spanish) Address used for the 2022 Iowa state tax return, if different from current address Spouses Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number Students legal name, date of birth and address, if different from the parent or guardians address A parent or guardian must also check boxes acknowledging: They must follow state laws and administrative rules governing the program By participating their student is required to take all applicable state and federally required students assessments, and results submitted to the Iowa Department of Education They authorize the Iowa Department of Revenue to release tax information to the Iowa Department of Education They consent to sharing financial and personally identifiable information from student records with any individual or organization necessary for participation in the program, with the understanding such information will be kept private and protected and not released without consent, unless required under applicable state or federal law. What information will be used to verify residency? Residency will be verified using the parent or guardians 2022 Iowa tax return. If they did not file a state tax return, they will need a current Iowa drivers license or a copy of their current mortgage, lease or utility bill, plus one of the following: Iowa voter registration card Claim of a homestead tax credit or military tax exemption on an Iowa home Active checking or savings account with an Iowa address Other related documents and correspondence with an Iowa address during the tax period A signed, written statement from a parent or guardian claiming Iowa residency and related documents with an Iowa address What if I have more than one child who is eligible? Only one application per family is needed. What can the money be used for? The educational savings accounts must first be used to pay for tuition and fees. Any remaining funds can be used for other eligible expenses, like textbooks, computers, software or tutoring sessions. Odyssey will host a marketplace that will serve as the only eligible place for Iowa families to spend ESA funding on those other eligible expenses. Any purchases made outside Odysseys marketplace will not be eligible for reimbursement, a company official said during a webinar last week. Money cannot be used on clothing, school supplies, child care or transportation costs. How long will it take to know if Ive been approved? Applications that are able to be verified through state tax return data should receive a response within 30 minutes of completion, according to the Iowa Department of Education. Applications that require additional documentation verification or manual review will take more time. When will I receive money? Funds will be available starting July 15, or 30 days after the application is verified and approved, whichever is later. If my student is eligible for an ESA for 2023, will I need to apply next year? Any student who is approved for an ESA and remains an Iowa resident is automatically eligible for funding for following school year, but still will need to submit an application through the Odyssey platform. If ESA funding is more than tuition and fees, can I use the remaining funds to pay tuition and fees for another child? No. ESA funding is specific to the individual student. ESA funds from one account may not be used to pay for costs related to another student. Where can I learn more? Parents and guardians can find answers to frequently asked questions about the application process, eligibility and more on the Iowa Department of Educations ESA website. Technical support will be available from Odyssey representatives by calling 515-368-9564 or emailing help.ia@withodyssey.com. Families can also watch an application training webinar and view a PowerPoint presentation for families in English and Spanish. Parents and guardians can also email studentsfirst@iowa.gov or call 515-954-5652 for more information. WATERLOO A woman has been charged with a homicide in the stabbing death of her mother last month. Waterloo police arrested Sarah Nagy Brown, 33, of Waterloo, for the first-degree murder of 54 year old Roberta Nagy. On May 21, police and paramedics were dispatched to 217-D Fereday Court just after 8 p.m. where they found Nagy unresponsive. Capt. Jason Feaker said she had multiple stab wounds to the neck. After first responders provided life saving measures, she was transported to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Feaker said Nagy Brown was at the scene and was arrested after she allegedly made "admissions." He could not offer any more details. Nagy Brown will be held with no bond. Biggest tornadoes in Iowa of the past decade Biggest tornadoes in Iowa of the past decade #15. Nov. 11, 2015 #14. Jun. 30, 2014 #13. Aug. 2, 2014 #12. Apr. 14, 2012 #11. Apr. 14, 2012 #10. Jun. 28, 2017 #9. Apr. 5, 2017 #8. May. 27, 2019 #7. Jun. 12, 2013 #6. Jun. 22, 2015 #5. Jul. 14, 2021 #4. Aug. 20, 2019 #3. Jul. 19, 2018 #2. Apr. 4, 2022 #1. Oct. 4, 2013 RICHMOND, Va. (AP) The governors of Virginia, West Virginia and South Carolina on Wednesday joined a growing list of Republican leaders sending their state National Guard soldiers or other state law enforcement officers to the U.S. border with Mexico. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is considered a possible presidential aspirant, announced an executive order directing the deployment of 100 Virginia National Guard soldiers and 21 support personnel. South Carolina's Henry McMaster and West Virginia's Jim Justice announced their deployments shortly thereafter, also in response to a request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The announcements bring to at least eight the number of Republican-led states deploying soldiers or offering other assistance in the weeks since Abbott appealed for help. The ongoing border crisis facing our nation has turned every state into a border state, Youngkin said in a statement. As leadership solutions at the federal level fall short, states are answering the call to secure our southern border, reduce the flow of fentanyl, combat human trafficking and address the humanitarian crisis." President Joe Biden announced in early May plans to send 1,500 active-duty troops to the border, in addition to the 2,500 National Guard members already there. Those military personnel were tasked with data entry, warehouse support and other administrative duties so that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can focus on fieldwork, the White House said. But the Virginia deployment and others from Republican-led states have specifically been in support of Texas Operation Lone Star, which is separate from the active duty and National Guard troops working with the Customs and Border Protection. Abbott launched Lone Star in 2021, saying that the Biden administration was essentially welcoming illegal immigration. Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the multi-billion dollar operation. Some arrests, including for low-level amounts of marijuana during traffic stops, appeared to have little to do with border security, and some Texas National Guard troops initially complained of low morale, late paychecks and having little to do. Abbott's request this month came through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which facilitates state-level mutual aid nationwide. Youngkin and McMaster also joined other governors in Austin last week to discuss border policies. McMasters news release said South Carolinas mission is in the planning phase, with a goal of deployment by July 1. Justice said he had approved the deployment of as many as 50 West Virginia National Guard soldiers and airmen for 30 days. Youngkins order said the Virginia troops will answer to a military commander during a 30-day deployment, not any local civilian authorities. The operating cost of the mission is $3.1 million, spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said in an email. Youngkin, a former private equity executive who is barred under Virginia law from seeking a second consecutive term, is frequently mentioned as a possible 2024 presidential contender. He said earlier this month that he had no plans to launch such a bid this year. Presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is among the other governors who have announced plans to deploy Guard troops and other officers since Abbott's request was made. Mississippi, Iowa, Tennessee, and Nebraska have also volunteered aid, and other GOP-led states have made similar deployments in recent years, part of the party's criticism of Biden's performance on the border. CBP said it doesn't have any role with National Guard deployments with individual states, including Texas. In Virginia, while some Republicans praised Youngkin's decision, the state's Democrats characterized the move as absurd, disingenuous or politically motivated. Youngkin for President has officially jumped the shark our VA National Guard troops shouldnt be used to further presidential ambitions much less fight a MAGA culture war in Texas of all places Never thought I would see my state so compromised, state Sen. Scott Surovell tweeted. Associated Press reporters John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia; Jeffrey Collins and James Pollard in Columbia, South Carolina; and Rebecca Santana in Washington contributed to this report. TYNDALL, S.D. (AP) A South Dakota man has admitted to fatally shooting three people and wounding two others. Francis Lange, 43, on Wednesday entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to three counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault, KELO-TV reported. Sentencing is scheduled for July 24. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty. Lange admitted in court to going into a home in the small town of Scotland, South Dakota, on Nov. 9, 2021, and shooting everyone inside. Those killed included Lange's former girlfriend, Angela Monclova, along with her father, Librado Monclova, and Diane Akins. A 5-year-old girl and another adult were shot but survived. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said that under the plea, Lange faces mandatory life in prison without parole, but will receive mental health evaluation and treatment. Psychiatrist Josette Lindahl testified Wednesday that she had met three times with Lange and diagnosed him with schizoaffective disorder. She added that alcohol and other substances made his symptoms worse. (Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Project Veritas, a far-right activist group, filed a lawsuit against its founder James O'Keefe accusing him of bullying employees and misusing company resources. Project Veritas sues founder James O'Keefe for alleged employee bullying and misuse of company resources A group of employees filed the lawsuit accusing O'Keefe of misdeeds such as eating a pregnant woman's sandwich The founder was also accused of using the company's resources on musical theater productions Project Veritas, a far-right activist group, files a lawsuit against its founder James O'Keefe, accusing him of bullying staff and misusing company resources in his attempt to create a new, rival media entity. The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in New York federal court, as the two parties currently have a large rift between them. A group of employees working for Project Veritas signed a letter in early February that accused O'Keefe of becoming what they called a "power-drunk tyrant." Project Veritas Sues Founder James O'Keefe They claim that he was "outright cruel" to the company's employees and that his misdeeds ranged from eating an eight-months-pregnant woman's sandwich to spending the company's money on musical theater productions, as per The Daily Beast. Project Veritas complaint against James OKeefehttps://t.co/4iNEXW7uhP Simon Templar (@SimonTemplarPV) May 31, 2023 In February, the company founder was placed on suspension and was later found to have announced the launch of a new group called O'Keefe Media Group (OMG) which was seen as similar to Project Veritas. Many from Project Veritas claim that O'Keefe started his new company while using his original company's resources, such as donor lists and laptops. Neither of the two parties involved in the lawsuit returned requests for comment regarding the controversy. Project Veritas also claims that O'Keefe's supposed wild behavior constituted a breach of contract even before he created OMG. The company's board, during an internal investigation into the founder's conduct this year, "heard allegations that O'Keefe routinely behaved unprofessionally during team meetings." The accusations include O'Keefe screaming at employees during those meetings where he would belittle workers, particularly targeting female staff. The company's workers also believe that the founder used the company's money to fund his first-class travel and luxury hotel stays, according to the Washington Post. Read Also: Joe Biden's Sexual Assault Accuser Defects to Russia: Here's Why Alleged Bullying and Misuse of Resources A previously reported memo revealed that Project Veritas' board grew increasingly concerned that O'Keefe's spending could jeopardize the company's non-profit status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The company's suspension of O'Keefe was met with criticism among the founder's allies in conservative media and lawmakers in the Republican Party. At the time, Donald Trump Jr. posted on Twitter, "Not sure what PV does without James." The lawsuit argued that even if a person is the founder of an organization, they do not have the authority to "run amok" and place his interests ahead of the said organization. It added that O'Keefe failed to properly fulfill his duties to Project Veritas, which resulted in serious and significant damage. Since its founding, Project Veritas has become a crucial right-wing political and media ecosystem. The company has conducted sting operations against perceived enemies such as Planned Parenthood, Pfizer, and several mainstream media outlets. Furthermore, some of the company's operations have also backfired on itself, such as the unsuccessful attempt to plant a false sexual misconduct allegation in 2017 against former U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, said Business Insider. Related Article: Hunter Biden Probe: IRS Whistleblower Reveals FBI Procedure Not Followed @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. John Pestal was just a week shy of his 20th birthday when he joined a crowd of 3,000 to see President Harry Truman dedicate World War II Memorial Park for the city of Omaha. Truman stood before the distinctive colonnade bearing the names of 900 Douglas County boys who had died in the war. He spoke a few words and laid a memorial wreath near the foot of the flagpole. On Sunday, Trumans grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel, a writer and public relations executive, will take part in a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the parks dedication on June 5, 1948. Pestal, now 94, plans to be there, too. The longtime Dundee barber and Korean War veteran has lived most of his life within a few blocks of Memorial Park. Truman was up at the monument, Pestal recalled. I dont walk too good, but Im going to try to be there with the others to see his grandson. If he does, he might be the only person to attend both ceremonies. Memorial Park now commemorates those who died in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, in addition to those who fell in World War II. Besides honoring the countys war dead, the park also has become an indispensable Omaha gathering place the site of picnics, winter sledding, concerts, weddings and ballgames. This is such an important chunk of property, as a civic space, said Nick Manhart, historian and archivist for the Omaha Parks Foundation, which is sponsoring Sundays commemoration. It was a monumental effort, literally. The event will begin at 1 p.m. The list of notable speakers includes Sen. Deb Fischer, Gov. Jim Pillen, Mayor Jean Stothert, University of Nebraska President and retired Vice Adm. Ted Carter Jr., and Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, chief of U.S. Strategic Command. Just as Truman laid a wreath near the flagpole, so will some families of Omahas fallen: Sherry Williams, sister of Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Pfc. James Fous Jose Puentes, brother of missing Vietnam War Army Staff Sgt. Manuel Puentes Wendy Adelson, mother of Marine Cpl. Daegan Page, who died in the 2021 Kabul airport suicide bombing Chester French, nephew of the unsung Black World War II sailor Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French, whose heroism in rescuing wounded shipmates was barely acknowledged by the Navy for nearly 80 years. Entertainers from Offutt Air Force Bases Heartland of America band will perform, as will jumpers from the Lincoln Parachute Skydiving Club. Classic military vehicles and military tribute trucks will be on display. Native American veterans will play drums. And the centerpiece is the a 26-foot-tall bronze Embracing Peace, a sculpture depicting a famous V-J Day image of a sailor bending a woman in a nurses uniform over in a deep kiss. The sculpture will be here for six months. Embracing Peace is meant to be an attention-grabber, tying the park back to its World War II origins. Its built on a brand-new event plaza built for future concerts and art shows. The Parks Department is doing what it can to make this park shine, said Tiffany Regan, the Parks Foundations executive director. Were trying to bring people here. Even many in the area dont know the history of the park. Manhart immersed himself in archives at the Durham Museum to learn the parks origin story. He found that it started with Lulu Broad, who owned the Gypsy Tea Shop downtown. Many war widows, troubled by their loss, visited Broad to have their fortunes read in tea leaves. She was so moved by their suffering, she wrote to Henry Doorly, publisher of The World-Herald, in January 1944 with an idea. She said, We need a memorial for these poor souls who died in the war, Manhart said. She had to go to the bigwigs to get it done. Doorly liked the idea and recruited Robert H. Storz, an executive with the family-owned Storz Brewery, to lead the effort. Neither Doorly nor Storz wanted to repeat the failure of an earlier group to raise sufficient funds to build a World War I veterans memorial at Elmwood Park. Robert had a living memory of that kind of fiasco, Manhart said. He took it on his shoulders to create a proper organizational infrastructure, and a fundraising apparatus. Storzs steering committee included more than 80 trustees from across Omaha, and he pitched the park as a living memorial. He asked the whole community to pitch in and raise the $262,450 cost of the land and the memorial, equal to about $4.4 million today. In one letter dated Feb. 15, 1945 before the war was over Storz invited businesses to contribute $5 for every employee who had served in the war, and $100 for every employee who has made the Supreme Sacrifice. In a radio address the same month, he said the park would be a sacred spot, not marred by commercial activities or any other distraction to disturb its tranquil peace. His strategy worked. Storz raised the money in time for land clearing to begin in October 1945 less than two months after the Japanese surrendered to end the war. Omahans watched the earth-moving, tree-planting and monument-building go on for more than 2 years until the day of the dedication finally arrived. Pestal had seen the work up-close. I remember when they had the bulldozers that were shaping that part of the park, he said. They had to push a lot of dirt up there to make that (hill). It was quite a coup to get the president of the United States to visit Omaha. 1948 was an election year, and Truman had just begun the first of the railroad whistle stop tours that became a trademark of his campaign. The Omaha visit was meant to be nonpolitical sort of. His main purpose was to attend a reunion of the 35th Division, the unit Truman served with during World War I. He would also lay a wreath on the tomb of Father Edward Flanagan, founder and director of Boys Town, who had died just three weeks earlier while visiting Germany on Trumans behalf to learn about the plight of European war orphans. That night, he gave a radio speech at Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum. At Trumans side during his visit was Omaha insurance executive Ed McKim, a close friend from their Army days who had worked for Truman briefly as a White House aide in the first months of his presidency. In the morning Truman marched downtown with his Army buddies from Battery D of the 129th Field Artillery, smiling and waving his hat to a cheering crowd estimated at 160,000. After lunch he motored out Dodge Street with McKim to the World War II Memorial Park dedication. Gold Star family members made up much of the crowd. It was a solemn President Truman who stepped to the speakers stand, reported The World-Heralds Ralph Smith. Gone was the jaunty, smiling mood of the Harry Truman who had marched festively in the morning parade. One of those Gold Star family members was McKim. His son, Marine Lt. Eddie McKim Jr., had been killed four years earlier in the Battle of Guam. The 22-year-old had left behind a wife and infant son. His name was on one of the plaques behind where Truman and McKim stood. In his short remarks, Truman noted that a tree had been planted in Eddie McKims honor at the park. Eddie was a fine boy. I knew him from birth until the day he sailed away, he said. Truman praised the men and women, boys and girls, who had helped to win the war. He urged everyone to work for world peace, and for the success of the brand-new United Nations. Then he conjured up the spirit of President Abraham Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of another monument to the war dead 86 years earlier. If we make this peace what these young men who died believed it would be, they will not have died in vain, Truman said. And with this memorial ever before you, you in Douglas County can always look forward to the accomplishment of that ideal. And I am sure you will. Photos: Embracing Peace sculpture installed at Memorial Park Texas is currently America's leader in wind and solar power. It provides 28% of America's wind energy. If it were a country, it would be the fifth biggest source. Surprisingly, it's about to eclipse California in production of solar power. And so why aren't Texas Republicans bragging about all that? Why, on the contrary, are they attacking clean energy with regulatory and tax burdens? Perhaps it's their co-dependance with oil and gas interests. On the psychosis level, renewables serve as a right-wing, culture-war toy. After all, they are the pride and joy of President Joe Biden and concerned environmentalists everywhere. Same goes for the science behind the warming of our planet. Renewables have become "a four-letter word," according to a big Texas landowner trying to stop a real rancher from putting a wind farm near his rich-man ranch. (His land is his land, and so is his neighbor's.) This leads to a plausible guess: Some of the older Texas money sees green energy's amassing of economic power -- with its growing empire of wind turbines and solar farms -- lording over parts of Texas they're supposed to be lording over. Well, we will need fossil fuels for the near future, but they are headed into the sunset. We don't power our lamps anymore with whale oil. If there weren't so many Texans gaining economic benefit from America's green energy policies, one might say, "Boys and girls, go out and play your game." But they're going after a source of big money and bigger money to come. In olden times, Gov. Rick Perry likened the state's wind projects to Spindletop, the spectacular 1901 gusher that turned Texas into an oil giant. Last year, over a third of the country's clean-power projects were in Texas. One reason, ironically, is that Texas is a low-regulation state that lets people easily build things. Plus, it has loads of open land swept by mighty winds. But one of the bills before the legislature would require renewable energy projects to get permits from the state and an environmental impact statement from the Parks and Wildlife Department. Any property owners "within 25 miles" could call for a hearing. It goes on. The Earth Liberation Front would look on that regulatory aggression with envy. Quote Box Some of the older Texas money sees green energy's amassing of economic power -- with its growing empire of wind turbines and solar farms -- lording over parts of Texas they're supposed to be lording over. You would think that the self-interests in green energy would stir some brain cells in the Texas Capitol. But Gov. Greg Abbott blamed the 2021 electricity blackouts that left millions of Texans without heat in frigid temperatures on -- wind turbines. They did freeze, as did gas-powered plants, coal-fired plants and a nuclear plant. Industrial and consumer users of energy are complaining that the proposed disincentives for green energy will drive up their electricity costs. One of the biggest developers of renewables in Texas, Enel, now says it might reconsider its expansion plans if confronted with new bills targeting their projects with higher costs. (Imagine a governor in Florida threatening his largest taxpayer and employer over some minor disagreement and then the company saying it would halt a big planned development. These are strange times we live in.) Two years ago, Elon Musk moved his electric vehicle carmaker, Tesla, to Texas. His plan was to "end the Oil Age." And when then-President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Accords, Musk quit Trump's advisory council. Sure, Musk has gone mental over woke activism -- whose clout he greatly overestimates -- but you wonder what he thinks about the bold efforts in Texas to punish the very industry he relies on. America now has 55 plants making EVs. As for the Texas political leaders or anyone else who wants to stymie green energy: What's wrong with these people? WASHINGTON (AP) Veering away from a default crisis, the House approved a debt ceiling and budget cuts package late Wednesday, as President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy assembled a bipartisan coalition of centrist Democrats and Republicans against fierce conservative blowback and progressive dissent. The hard-fought deal pleased few, but lawmakers assessed it was better than the alternative a devastating economic upheaval if Congress failed to act. Tensions ran high throughout the day as hard-right Republicans refused the deal, while Democrats said extremist GOP views were risking a debt default as soon as next week. With an overwhelming House vote, 314-117, the bill now heads to the Senate with passage expected by week's end. McCarthy insisted his party was working to give America hope as he launched into a late evening speech extolling the bill's budget cuts, which he said were needed to curb Washington's runaway spending. Amid deep discontent from Republicans who said the spending restrictions did not go far enough, McCarthy said it is only a first step." The package makes some inroads in curbing the nations debt as Republicans demanded, without rolling back Trump-era tax breaks as Biden wanted. To pass it, Biden and McCarthy counted on support from the political center, a rarity in divided Washington. In a statement released after the vote, Biden said: I have been clear that the only path forward is a bipartisan compromise that can earn the support of both parties. This agreement meets that test. He called the vote good news for the American people and the American economy. Biden had sent top White House officials to the Capitol and called lawmakers directly to shore up backing. McCarthy worked to sell skeptical fellow Republicans, even fending off challenges to his leadership, in the rush to avert a potentially disastrous U.S. default. Swift passage later in the week by the Senate would ensure government checks will continue to go out to Social Security recipients, veterans and others and would prevent financial upheaval at home and abroad. Next Monday is when the Treasury has said the U.S. would run short of money to pay its debts. Overall, the 99-page bill restricts spending for the next two years, suspends the debt ceiling into January 2025 and changes some policies, including imposing new work requirements for older Americans receiving food aid and greenlighting an Appalachian natural gas line that many Democrats oppose. It bolsters funds for defense and veterans, and guts new money for Internal Revenue Service agents. Raising the nation's debt limit, now $31 trillion, ensures Treasury can borrow to pay already incurred U.S. debts. Top GOP deal negotiator Rep. Garret Graves of Louisiana said Republicans were fighting for budget cuts after the past years of extra spending, first during the COVID-19 crisis and later with Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, with its historic investment to fight climate change paid for with revenues elsewhere. But Republican Rep. Chip Roy, a member of the Freedom Caucus helping to lead the opposition, said, My beef is that you cut a deal that shouldnt have been cut. For weeks negotiators labored late into the night to strike the deal with the White House, and for days McCarthy has worked to build support among skeptics. At one point, aides wheeled in pizza at the Capitol the night before the vote as he walked Republicans through the details, fielded questions and encouraged them not to lose sight of the bills budget savings. The speaker has faced a tough crowd. Cheered on by conservative senators and outside groups, the hard-right House Freedom Caucus lambasted the compromise as falling well short of the needed spending cuts, and they vowed to try to halt passage. A much larger conservative faction, the Republican Study Committee, declined to take a position. Even rank-and-file centrist conservatives were unsure, leaving McCarthy searching for votes from his slim Republican majority. Ominously, the conservatives warned of possibly trying to oust McCarthy over the compromise. One influential Republican, former President Donald Trump, held his fire: "It is what it is, he said of the deal in an interview with Iowa radio host Simon Conway. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said it was up to McCarthy to turn out Republican votes in the 435-member House, where 218 votes are needed for approval. As the tally faltered on an afternoon procedural vote, Jeffries stood silently and raised his green voting card, signaling that the Democrats would fill in the gap to ensure passage. They did, advancing the bill that hard-right Republicans, many from the Freedom Caucus, refused to back. Once again, House Democrats to the rescue to avoid a dangerous default, said Jeffries, D-N.Y. What does that say about this extreme MAGA Republican majority? he said about the party aligned with Trumps Make America Great Again political movement. Then, on the final vote hours later, Democrats again ensured passage, leading the tally as 71 Republicans bucked their majority and voted against it. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the spending restrictions in the package would reduce deficits by $1.5 trillion over the decade, a top goal for the Republicans trying to curb the debt load. In a surprise that complicated Republicans' support, however, the CBO said their drive to impose work requirements on older Americans receiving food stamps would end up boosting spending by $2.1 billion over the time period. That's because the final deal exempts veterans and homeless people, expanding the food stamp rolls by 78,000 people monthly, the CBO said. Liberal discontent, though, ran strong as nearly four dozen Democrats also broke away, decrying the new work requirements for older Americans, those 50-54, in the food aid program. Some Democrats were also incensed that the White House negotiated into the deal changes to the landmark National Environmental Policy Act and approval of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline natural gas project. The energy development is important to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., but many others oppose it as unhelpful in fighting climate change. On Wall Street, stock prices were down. In the Senate, Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell are working for passage by week's end. Schumer warned there is no room for error." Senators, who have remained largely on the sidelines during much of the negotiations, are insisting on amendments to reshape the package. But making any changes at this stage seemed unlikely with so little time to spare before Monday's deadline. Pay Dirt is Slates money advice column. Have a question? Send it to Athena and Elizabeth here. (Its anonymous!) Dear Pay Dirt, Ive never once in my life made a budget. Do I really need one? Im 36 and Im married to my lovely spouse, whos 35. I work in technology and make about $170,000/year and Im lucky that my spouse is a teacher who makes upwards of $80,000. We do not plan to have children. Ive done budget-esque things, like auto-paying my student loans until they were paid off, but Ive generally never allocated pots of money to specific outcomes. The closest Ive gotten was opening a HISA for our many-month emergency fund and big purchases fund, which we use for vacations and such. The thing isit works! Neither my partner nor I have champagne tastes, so we passively squirreled savings away into a large-cap index fund until we had enough to plunk down 20 percent on a condo mortgage in a very expensive area. Same with retirement; we just save the max every year without putting too much thought into it. We grab dinner and theater tickets whenever we feel like it, which isnt extraordinarily often but keeps us happy. I think we can keep doing this for a very long time. Weve cruised on vibes and frugality for years and we have more than enough savings in diversified holdings that a five-figure emergency wouldnt even hurt us too badly. This isnt crazy, right? We Just Dont Spend That Much Related from Slate Jenee Desmond-Harris Help! I Set up a Co-Worker and a Friend on a Blind Date. Her Drink Order Ruined Everything. Read More Dear We Just Dont Spend That Much, As a certified budgeting expert, I think everyone needs a budget. Its one of the main building blocks your financial house is built upon.Heres the good news: Although unintentional, youre currently practicing a budgeting method. This method is known as the pay-yourself-first method or an anti-budget. The pay-yourself-first method means that every paycheck, you put money aside for your financial goals and then spend the rest. The theory is that since your priorities have been taken care of, youre guilt-free to spend as much as you want without having to worry. Most start by setting 10 percent of their income aside and then go upwards from there. By default, youre less likely to spend money overall because youve given yourself permission instead of being restrictive. So yes, continue on with your budget and go buy yourself a meal out. Athena More Advice From Slate Our 2-year-old has always been a pretty good eater: She eats a variety of foods and has always eaten a lot. Both at day care and at home, she gets breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a schedule, and we eat together around a table with no screens. We try not to praise her for eating, though we do praise her for trying new things, and weve tried to let her hunger be the guide. Theres a beautiful scene in the memoir-turned-musical Fun Home where an elementary schoolaged Alison Bechdel spots a masculine deliverywoman in a diner, an encounter that sparks a kind of epiphany about her own identity. The little girl admires the woman from across the room, grasping for the right words to describe her fascination. I thought it was supposed to be wrong / But you seem OK with being strong, she sings. Its probably conceited to say / But I think were alike in a certain way. Advertisement Young Bechdel marvels at the womans short haircut, butch swagger, and lace-up boots. The focal point of her ode, the unmistakable signifier that gives the song its title, is the ring of keys on her belt. That song, and the scene in the 2006 memoir from which the musical was adapted, was based on a true-life moment Bechdel experienced in the 1960s. But look to the waistbands of any modern-day gaggle of queer women, and youre liable to find a critical mass of jingling metal attached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The beltside key ring is one of the most enduring sartorial symbols of lesbian culture, one of the few stereotypes of our kind thats both inoffensive and true. Baby gays searching the internet for ways to find their people and send out lesbian vibes will learn that the universal key chain signal for lesbians is the carabiner clip and even straight people know it. When Pharrell Williams wore a sparkly yellow carabiner on his pants at the 2015 BET Awards, comedian Fortune Feimster joked that hed picked up a lesbians keys. Kate McKinnons cliched lesbian character in 2015s Sisters has a whole collection of carabiners to her name. Advertisement As a kid, I thought bunches of keys on belts were just really cool, but I dont think I ever saw a woman wearing one, Bechdel told me in an email. Then after college, I moved to New York City and got one myself. I cant quite remember what possessed me. Maybe I saw someone else doing it. Or maybe I just saw it at the hardware store and thought, what the hell! Im in New York, I can do whatever I want. When I first came out, the key ring was the first visual cue I learned of my new world, picked up through anthropological surveys of lesbian dance parties. Many years and worn-out carabiners and photos of friends key-adorned hips later, I still wear my keys on my belt for fashion and function. Advertisement Advertisement Both fashion and function are integral to the origin story of the key ring as lesbian flagging device. The style stems from the history of butch women being attracted to the masculine aesthetic of blue-collar jobs, and being shunted into such jobs because they didnt fit the gender molds of the other career tracksstewardess, waitress, secretaryavailable to women in generations past. (Lesbians were also more likely to have jobs in general in previous eras, as they didnt have male spouses to breadwin and demand kept homes.) Without strict dress codes, women who worked as custodians, postal workers, and mechanics could stretch the boundaries of accepted gender presentations. They also needed easily accessible keys. Advertisement Advertisement [Key rings are] a phallic symboltheyre all about potency, agency, capability, Bechdel said. In the 70s, the prevailing flavor of lesbian feminism was anti-butch, painting masculine women as man-imitators and butch-femme relationships as retrograde. By the time Bechdel got to New York in the 80s, she said, that conventional wisdom had shifted so that a timid college-educated white lesbian like myself could walk around feeling tough and transgressive with a leather key ring on her belt loop. Advertisement Another root of the lesbian key-ring tradition connects to kink culture and gay cruising. People involved in the leather scene used to (and sometimes still do) wear their keys clipped to their belt loops based on their sexual preferences: on the right side to indicate that the wearer is a bottom, and left if shes a top. One oft-repeated theory says a Village Voice writer once jokingly suggested that gay men should dispense with this binary key system and develop a more complex system to reflect a broader taxonomy of sexual desire, thus sparking the creation of the hanky code. Advertisement The semiotics of the carabiner have largely been divorced from sex for todays lesbian, but key clips are still reliable identity flagging implements. Bechdel calls her key ring an identifier, a way to make myself visible to other lesbiansand not even in a sexual way, just as a way of connecting and finding community. Krista Burton, who used to write the fantastic queer blog Effing Dykes, once surmised that carabiners kept their place on the lesbian belt loop through the years because of their functionality and simplicity, qualities many of our favored fashions share. Lesbians are way less likely than straight women to carry purses around, but womens jeans dont allow much pocket room for a bundle of keys. A ring of keys presents an elegant solution. Advertisement Advertisement A key ring also makes a perfect visual signifier for a culture that contains a full spectrum of gender presentations. Short nails are one well-known way to spot a lesbian in the wild, but not everyone has sex the same way, and apparently theres some high-femme workaround with cotton balls and latex gloves? Carabiners, which range from the utilitarian to the adorned, know no gender. Side-shaves and other alternative lifestyle haircuts have been usurped by straight women, muddling one of our clearest indicators; with their fancy purses and dresses, straight women are unlikely to ever adopt the belt loop key ring en masse. This is one reason why Ring of Keys has held such profound resonance for lesbians and queers of all genders: Moments of identification and affinity are essential for communities facing discrimination, assimilation, and erasure. Masculine-of-center lesbians in particular have long served as a cultural punch line, what Fun Home lyricist Lisa Kron has called a stock character of ridicule.* Ring of Keys is a powerful repudiation of that archetype, an earnest appreciation of the butch aesthetic viewed through an object thats helped lesbians find one another for generations. But now that the sacred symbol has been broadcast from Broadway stages and across national airwaves, it feels a bit conspicuous for the artist responsible. Nowadays I keep my keys on a carabiner, and stow them in my bag, Bechdel told me. There are certain occasions when clipping them onto my belt loop makes the most sense, but ever since Ring of Keys became the national butch anthem, I feel strangely self-conscious about doing that. Read more from Outwards Lesbian Issue. *Correction, Dec. 21, 2016: This piece originally misspelled Lisa Krons last name. Update, May 31, at 10:46 p.m.: The House passed the debt ceiling deal, ultimately with more Democrats supporting the bill than Republicans. It now heads to the Senate. In Washington, everyone is counting. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is tallying up Republican votes in favor of the debt ceiling agreement he negotiated with the White House; House Democrats are tallying up their own roster of support. Each party is also counting up the other partys votes, perhaps, with even more enthusiasm. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats expect two-thirds of the Republican caucus to support the bill; House Republicans have said theyre banking on at least 100 Democratic votes. Advertisement The attention, now, is on the Nos. How many Congresspeople will vote against the billand which caucuses they come fromis the most interesting development left in the debt ceiling drama. Its a fitting end to the extremely high stakes, low-interest showdown between Republicans and the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, 30 House Republicans are on the record in opposition, mostly from the House Freedom Caucus (and its extended universe). Some of them claim to be quite upset with a deal that does not gore social spending on extremely popular things like health care, social security, welfare, food aid, and more. (Texas Rep. Chip Roy said Republicans would default on the American Dream by voting for this bad bill; Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs called the deal malodorous.) Advertisement That group, however, is conspicuously lacking some of its most high-profile members. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, waxing poetic about eating shit, seems to have locked in her support for the agreement. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie had a chance to stand in its way in the House Rules Committee and did not. Even those who are vociferously voting no have been unwilling to commit to ousting McCarthy as speaker, despite needing only one vote to initiate that process. If the Freedom Caucuss performance in Januarywhere they repeatedly opposed McCarthys speakership through rounds and rounds of voteswas largely revealed to be bluster, their opposition to this debt ceiling deal seems even more toothless. Roy had his podium moment meltdown over the bill on Tuesday, which influenced the agreements contents and trajectory not one inch, though his Republican colleague Garret Graves said he was really offended by it. Roy probably wont be the only one to grandstand before Wednesdays vote is through. Advertisement Advertisement On the Democratic side, the Congressional Progressive Caucus has also signaled it is none too pleased with the deal. CPC Chair Pramila Jayapal announced herself as a no vote, and indicated that a large number of their caucus will similarly be opposed. (Sen. Bernie Sanders said, in a tweet, that he could not, in good conscience, vote for the deal; Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon recently followed suit.) The New Democrat Coalition, the group of pro-business moderates on the Democratic side, has already announced its membership as an enthusiastic yes; ditto the very inaptly named Problem Solvers Caucus which is bipartisan and constantly causing problems. (Theres a case to be made that this deal would never have been necessary in the first place if not for thembut I digress.) Advertisement Advertisement In any event, opposition from any Democrats seems unlikely to jeopardize the bill. California Rep. Ro Khanna said as much in an interview on MSNBC earlier today: Im a no, but I have full confidence that the deal will pass. Many House progressives have said if they need our vote, well be there, he said. Democrats only need to help get to 218 so the threat of default is not on the tableWe should have invoked the 14th Amendment, but Biden did best he could under the circumstance of a hostage negotiation, Khanna tweeted as a follow up. Advertisement Advertisement So, as many progressives as can will oppose the bill, but without going below the number of votes needed, exsanguinating this bloodless drama even further. If theres considerable progressive opposition it will only be because there is not considerable Republican opposition. (Still, the left-flank defectors will be notable if only because the progressive caucus has actually been Bidens most reliable congressional ally through the two-plus years of his presidency.) Advertisement Once the bill goes through the House, the Senate might be more intriguing. At that point, it becomes incumbent upon Mitch McConnell to find ten votes. It doesnt, at this point, seem like theres organized wholesale opposition on the Democrat side in that chamber either, though its possible some of the 14th amendment crew, the 11 Democratic senators who have posited that this whole debt ceiling drama is unconstitutional and thus unnecessary, will defect. Sen. Tim Kaine might try to keep Sen. Joe Manchin from getting his personal pipeline smuggled through the text. But were not expecting a ton of fireworks. This is all to say: We are officially in the spin cycle, where whats actually in the bill becomes a distant concern compared to how to sell it. Advertisement Advertisement Nowhere is this more apparent than the discussion of the additional work requirements being added to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps program. Republicans successfully pushed for expanded work requirements for SNAP eligibility, raising the age for single adults from 49 to 54 years of age. Related from Slate Alexander Sammon At a Blowout Party for Unsung Republican Heavyweights, the Men Were Drunkand Anxious Read More Everyone knows those work requirements, which are also onerous paperwork requirements, are effectively cuts. Given how unpopular cutting food aid is, and how intellectually illegitimate work requirements are on a policy level, the White House has taken to spinning this as a bank shot triumph because the agreement also does technically exempt veterans, homeless people, and young adults who are coming out of foster care. A favorable score from the Congressional Budget Office, which is almost never right about anything consequential, claims that SNAP enrollment will actually go up under this rule making regime. Theres a ton of reason to be skeptical of thateven beyond the CBOs risible track recordbut perhaps the biggest reason is that the amount of money and energy needed to do the outreach to enroll homeless people in SNAP is considerable, and theres nothing set aside for that purpose. Its possible Democrats believe they can quickly reverse the impact of those cuts when the Farm Bill comes up for negotiations later this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SNAP is just one of a handful of things in the bill; as Khanna mentioned, progressives seem as incensed by the process itself as the contents. Still, the overarching questionfor those not being booted into poverty due to these administrative tweaksis who won the negotiation. Any deal cut by the White House was going to be, by definition, a loss. The cuts and overall spending freezes are real, though much less severe than some reports had anticipated. Republicans got a bill with zero Democratic priorities in exchange for raising the debt ceiling, which was not itself a Democratic priority, but something that just had to happen. At the same time, Republicans showed yet again they have not even a passing interest in a balanced budget, after they shunned revenue raisers like tax hikes on the rich but embraced increased military spending. They also pushed a cut on IRS funding; a fully-funded IRS is an unequivocal deficit shrinker. And yet, Biden made off much better than Barack Obama in 2011, when Republicans secured massive cuts, took his lunch money, and then some. After that debacle, Democrats said theyd learned their lesson and wouldnt allow the debt ceiling to be used by the GOP for extortionary purposes. Then they did nothing to prevent it from happening. And it happened again. Now, similarly, were hearing that Democrats may take steps to prevent another hostage-taking event in two years; Biden has signaled the 14th amendment approach may work in the future. But whether they take any kind of action at all will almost certainly depend on the outcome of the 2024 election. Its more fun via email (promise). This article first appeared in our Slatest evening newsletter, which seeks to surface the best pieces published across Slates digital and audio journalism. We publish it there to help you cut to the chase at the end of each day. To get it in your inbox, along with more of the best work we published that day, sign up below. Earlier this year, ProPublica broke the story that GOP megadonor Harlan Crow had bought property in Georgia from Clarence Thomasthe house of Thomas 94-year-old mother, Leola Williams. Advertisement Our own Joel Anderson had actually done a sit-down interview with Williams a little while before the news broke, making him the one to confirm she still lives there. To mark the release of Slow Burn Season 8, he wrote about what he learned from talking to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new season traces Thomas surprising path from college radical to conservative icon. The first episode focuses on Thomas youth, and how he went from an aspiring priest in rural Georgia to a campus activist, inspired by the teachings of Malcolm X. You can listen on Slate here, or wherever you prefer to listen to podcasts: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts All ways to listen A sandwich most foul Amid negotiations to keep the U.S. from defaulting on its debts next week, theres been a strange outbreak of seeminglyreasonable behavior among Republicans in D.C.? Ben Mathis-Lilley has some ideas about why the GOP seems eager to eat what the New York Times euphemistically dubbed a foul sandwich. Advertisement Plus: The debt ceiling deal is a mixed bag when it comes to climate change! Nitish Pahwa lays out the pros and cons. Life and debt Advertisement Advertisement Speaking of debt: Is student debt forgiveness happening, or what? Its still very much up in the air. Shirin Ali takes a look at the obstacles standing in its path. Despicable Ron Earlier this month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that will bar immigrants from China from buying property in the state. It goes into effect in July. Advertisement Why did he do this? Or, as 8-year-old Jia Jing Chen asked during a public hearing in April, Did Chinese people do something bad to Florida? In addition to making a mockery of the Constitution and causing 8-year-olds to wonder why theyre being targeted, these measures will make immigrants susceptible to hate crimes and abuse, Azadeh Shahshahani and Juilee Shivalkar write. They look at similar bills being pushed around the country, and how they will have devastating consequences for peoples livelihoods and safety. Picture perfect Magic Eraser lets you buff the randos from your beloved vacation snapsbut youre losing something valuable in the process, Rebecca Onion argues. She makes the case for leaving strangers in your family photos. Today, Slate is ASKING A STAFFER WHERE THE ARMADILLOS ARE* much like Alexander Sammon was, on his sojourn through the big, boozy annual convention of some unsung GOP heavyweights: the car dealers of America. Early on Wednesday morning, police officers from the Atlanta Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation raided the Teardown House, a hub for a constellation of organizing activity in East Atlanta. At least a dozen officers in riot gear, wielding assault rifles, arrested three organizers from the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, a nonprofit that supports people who are arrested for protest or activism. The Solidarity Fund pays bail, provides jail support, and refers people who have been arrested to available lawyers. In other words, the Solidarity Fund connects people who are still presumed innocent to things that they are legally entitled to: the ability to have others pay their bail and a lawyer to represent them in court. Advertisement As a collective of people who post bail for strangers, the Atlanta Solidarity Fund is one of nearly a hundred organized bail funds around the country. These community bail funds share a sense that the state should not be subjecting people to the violence of jail simply because they cannot pay their bail. More essentially, bail funds understand that one powerful way to push back against the injustice of pretrial detention is to join together in the act of paying bail for strangers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the case of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, much of their focus in the past year has been on providing this collective support to activists in their local movement to stop Cop City, shorthand for the Atlanta Police Foundations plan to raze 85 acres of the Weelaunee Forest and, in its place, build a $90 million police training complex that includes a small model city in which to practice police tactics. The Cop City project would, in turn, be funded by at least $30 million in Atlantas public funds, and possibly as much as $51 million in public money. For more than two years, the Stop Cop City movement has pushed back against this proposal, through protest actions and tactics ranging from occupation of the forest to mass testimony at city council hearings on the proposal. In return, local and state police have continuously surveilled and criminalized these activities, beginning with the arrests of protesters in September 2021. The movement lost its first member to state violence when, in January 2023, Georgia State Patrol killed a 26-year-old nonbinary movement activist who was known as Tortuguita, and who was shot at least 57 times by patrol officers while they sat cross-legged in the forest. According to the police, Tortuguita fired first and hit a state trooper, but the available evidenceincluding the autopsy report, body camera footage, and a lack of gunpowder residue on Tortuguitas bodypoint to the state trooper being hit by a fellow officer and Tortuguitas hands being up in the air when they were gunned down in cold blood. Advertisement Advertisement The three Solidarity Fund organizers arrested this weekMarlon Kautz, Adele Maclean, and Savannah Pattersonhave been initially charged with the felony crimes of charity fraud and money laundering. Georgia officials are not hiding the underlying theory of these prosecutions: that to be part of a group supporting protesters is, itself, a crime. State prosecutors said as much during the bail hearings of dozens of activists who were charged earlier this year with state domestic terrorism chargestheir terrorism being the alleged destruction of property or trespassing while engaged in protest. During these prior bail hearings, the state prosecutors made arguments that, were it not for the accompanying criminalization, might verge on comical: They used as evidence against the activists at their bail hearings the fact that some of those arrested had written on their arms the phone number of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund in case bail was set against them. The activists were correct in their fear that the police might arrest protesters and attempt to hold them in cages because they could not afford bail. And for that prescience, they were labeled as terrorists. The states intention to criminalize dissent could not have been clearer, to both the prosecutors and those they were prosecuting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a longstanding tactic of the repression of dissent: to criminalize the collective care of activists, including through the payment of money bail. In the 1950s, for example, the federal government targeted a bail fund run by the Civil Rights Congress that supported people charged in politically motivated prosecutions, especially those accused of communism under the second Red Scare. The Congress president, writer Dashiell Hammett, served five months in a federal prison because he would not reveal the names of the funders of the bail fund. More recently, politicians across the political spectrum have surveilled and attacked community bail funds in the wake of the 2020 uprisings against police violence, whether it was the repeated far-right attacks on the Minnesota Freedom Fund during the 2020 and 2022 national elections, or the 2020 investigation of the Massachusetts Bail Fund by then-Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, who is now the governor. (Healeys investigation was later quietly closed without any findings of wrongdoing.) In each instance, government officials took a routine procedurethe posting of bailand turned it into alleged criminal conduct because of the collective, and therefore political, nature of the actions. Advertisement This weeks prosecutions of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund organizers, however, have taken this form of state political repression to a new level. In what is a first in recent memory, prosecutors are openly charging people with felonies simply for being organizers within a bail collective that uses legally established procedures to post bail for movement allies. The state is criminalizing collective care itself. And it is doing so at a time when forms of collective support are becoming increasingly essential, whether it is efforts to support people seeking abortions, to provide health care to trans youth across state lines, to leave out water for people crossing through the desert, or to house, clothe, and feed migrants in crisis. As each of these forms of collective care face repression and accompanying criminalization, we should be frightened by the ways in which the state so quickly transforms a group of people taking care of someone else into a criminal act. As state officials in Georgia are demonstrating, this does not always require the passage of a new criminal lawalthough states are doing that, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of what makes this state repression so troubling is that it is so explicit: If you take care of each other, we will come for you. By criminalizing the support structures of social movements, government officials are acknowledging how threatening it is when people come together to live out understandings of public safety and collective freedom that clash with the governments stated priorities. The Stop Cop City movement has certainly done this, using festive concerts in a forest to draw broader connections between the destruction of natural resources and the funding of police violence. The criminalization of this mutual joy is frightening, but it also points toward the power of collective care and solidarity, a power that we all can and should seek to play a part in, wherever we live. Update June 2, 9:30 a.m.: The Senate passed the debt ceiling deal, and it is now headed to President Bidens desk. On Wednesday, Slate published a summary of the state of affairs on Capitol Hill that was organized around the concept of the shit sandwich. The term is a somewhat common way of referring to a deal between multiple parties that no one really likes but that everyone decides to go along with because they dont have a better option. You dont want to eat the sandwich, because it is made of shit, but you have to, because you are very hungry and no one is offering you ham or tuna. In this case, the phrase was used by Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to describe the debt ceiling agreement between Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden, which does a little bit of budget trimming (which Democrats dont like) but not very much of it (which Republicans dont like). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres how Greenes shit sandwich made it into the New York Times (which famously does not print any news that is not fit to print, as defined by the New York Times): Hard-right lawmakers are in open revolt over the compromise and have vowed to try to derail it, with some warning of dire consequences for Mr. McCarthy for shepherding it. Multiple right-wing lawmakers have savaged the bill, publicly using a profanity-laced description to compare it to a foul-tasting sandwich and arguing that it does nothing to secure the kind of deep spending cuts and rollbacks of Biden administration policies for which they have agitated. As is suggested here, you could also define shit sandwich as something someone is trying to trick you into eating even though its disgustingsomething that youre rejecting. But Greene voted for the bill. Advertisement At one point on Wednesday afternoonand youre just going to have to trust us on this because the Wayback Machine didnt catch itthe phrase foul-tasting sandwich was edited to foul sandwich, perhaps because it was decided that the latter wording was less descriptive and thus less upsetting. (The Times declined, politely, to comment on the alteration.) Then, as you can see in the current version of the piece, the reference to sandwiches was removed entirely. That change is easier to explain because the story was updated to focus on the bill having passed through the House by a wide margin, 314 to 117, with bipartisan support. The main thing to know about the debt ceiling bill is no longer that some representatives hate it but that most of them have decided its fine. Advertisement Speaking of which: Several senators are reportedly expected to propose amendments to the bill now that its passed into their chamber. (Republicans want increases to defense spending, while Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine says hes not happy about a provision that approves a natural gas pipeline through his state.) But none of these amendments are expected to receive filibuster-proof 60-vote support, in part because sending the bill back to the House with changes could extend the legislative process to the point that the U.S. actually defaults on its Treasury payments. Which means that the Houses version is likely to pass in the Senate, as is, sometime on Friday, after which Biden will sign it. And that, as they say in civics textbooks, is how a foul sandwich becomes the law of the land. When the Oklahoma Supreme Court first declared a limited state constitutional right to abortion in March, many didnt bat an eye. There were splashier state supreme court rulings, like one in South Carolina recognizing a privacy right to make decisions about abortion, or a recent Montana decision reaffirming a state abortion right and striking down a law that prohibited certain nurses from performing the procedure. The Oklahoma ruling, by contrast, was about limited exceptions to abortion bans, and historically, exceptions made little difference in the real world. There was even something a little grotesque about the courts conclusions: as Jessica Valenti wrote, the case invited judges to debate how close to death a woman needs to be to justify giving her care. Advertisement But this weeks ruling, together with the courts decision last March, gives some teeth to the limited right the court identified. The courts decision suggests a kind of middle path for courts in red states to carve out limited, but real, protection for abortion and other pregnancy-related careand to make abortion exceptions something more than political theater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma, like other conservative states, left no stone unturned when it came to prohibiting abortion. In addition to a criminal law first passed in 1910, the state recently passed two laws inspired by Texass SB8, allowing for lawsuits when anyone performed an abortion (one kicked in at six weeks, before many know they are pregnant, while the other applied from the moment of fertilization). Both also included some exception: the six week ban allowed for abortion in cases of medical emergency (a term that the law never defined); the ban from fertilization allowed for abortion only when an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of a pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury. Then there were two criminal laws that banned abortion, in case anyone was confused about where the state stood on the issue. Advertisement In March, the state supreme court not only declared an inherent right of a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy when necessary to save her life but also suggested that the legislature would have to do more than pay lip service to the idea of life-saving exceptions. After all, both laws the court struck down in March had medical emergency exceptions, but the court thought that a true life exception required something more than [r]equiring one to wait until there is a medical emergency. These unwarranted delays, the court reasoned, would further endanger the life of the pregnant woman. This week, the court reinforced the limited state right, striking down the two SB8-style bans. Only the 1910 prohibition remains standing, and even it may not last for long. Advertisement Advertisement While this development may offer a path forward in other red states, we still shouldnt make too much of the Oklahoma decisions. To start with, Oklahoma judges face retention elections, and there is no guarantee that voters in the ruby red state wont punish jurists for recognizing a limited abortion right (a reconfigured Iowa Supreme Court recently reversed course on a state abortion right after a retention election). And even if that doesnt happen, the court has not weighed in on whether the state constitution protects a right to any other abortions. Relatively few would qualify under a medical emergency exception, even the one drawn up by the state supreme court. Demanding access in cases of medical emergency sounds important, but may amount to very little, especially if the state can still apply harsh penalties if prosecutors dont think that a patient was close enough to death. Doctors may not be willing to risk their financial wellbeing or freedom if there is any doubt whether an exception applies, and exceptions themselves can be vague and hard to understand, especially in places like Oklahoma, where there are multiple bans, each with its own definition of an emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related from Slate Mark Joseph Stern It Took Alito Barely a Month to Violate the Supreme Courts New Ethics Rules Read More What exceptions seemed to be was political showmanshipa way for Republicans to walk back unpopular positions on abortion, soften bans, and appear reasonable. If a law had an exception for rape and incest, for example, voters may not dig into the details to find out that it applied only for a very limited window, or that it required reporting to law enforcement. The simple existence of an exception could give political cover to a Republican in a contested seat. Historically, exceptions might have helped Republicans, but they seemed to do very little for patients. When states began expanding the circumstances under which abortion was legal in the mid-1960s, access to abortion did not change. Using exceptions was expensive for patients, who needed an inside connection to a physician, and a dangerous gamble for health care providers themselves. Exceptions available to low-income people under the Hyde Amendment were hardly a recipe for meaningful access either. Advertisement This history made all the fighting about exceptions in some conservative seem to be much ado about nothing. Exceptions (or the lack thereof) may send a message about what a state thinks about fetal personhood, for example, or victims of sexual assault, but likely wont change much on the ground. But the Oklahoma courts decisions suggest that the politics of exceptionsand of limited abortion rightsmight not be so simple. Together, the Oklahoma rulings got rid of four bans in their entirety and forced legislators to be more carefulto identify exceptions that would actually provide some protection for the lives and health of patients or see their handiwork tossed aside. And in states like Oklahoma, where recognition of a sweeping abortion right might seem unwise to judges facing contested elections, these more limited rights might represent a way of mediating the most extreme effects of sweeping bans without embracing positions that could cost judges their jobs. That doesnt mean that the right the Oklahoma Supreme Court declared will translate anything profound for patients. But it does open up the possibility that in deeply conservative states where few other paths are viable, limited rights could make a difference for some seeking abortion. The struggle in Oklahoma is ongoing, and its much too early to say that exceptions (or limited rights) matter. But the Oklahoma decision also makes clear that it may be just a little too early to write them off entirely. Fighter jets in low-altitude tactical maneuver training China Military Online) 09:16, June 01, 2023 Fighter jets attached to a regiment under the PLA Naval Aviation University soar over the shore of the Bohai Sea during a low-altitude tactical maneuver training exercise in early May, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Ni Shuai) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) (Photo : Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images) French President Emmanuel Macron calls for "credible and tangible" security guarantees from NATO to Ukraine amid Russia's continued aggression. French President Emmanuel Macron calls for tangible and credible security guarantees for Ukraine Macron argued that Kyiv is continuing to "protect Europe" by holding its ground against Russia's invasion The French president added that it is in the best interest of the West that NATO provide security assurances to Kyiv French President Emmanuel Macron is demanding NATO provide Ukraine with "tangible and credible" security guarantees as Kyiv continues to battle Russia's invasion. During his Wednesday remarks, the French president also stressed that Kyiv is continuing to "protect Europe." Macron added that it is in the best interest of the West that Ukraine receives security assurances from the global military alliance. Macron Calls for Security Guarantees for Ukraine In his statement while in Bratislava, Macron said that he is in favor of offering tangible and credible security guarantees to Ukraine. He said that this topic will be the subject of collective talks in the next few weeks. Macron said that various NATO members could provide such security guarantees to Ukraine for the time being as Kyiv has expressed its desire to join the military alliance. He said that it is crucial to building something that is between the security that was provided to Israel and full-fledged membership, as per Yahoo News. The French president's remarks were made during a visit to Slovakia where he delivered a speech at an event that was organized by Globsec, an international affairs think tank. The event was focused on discussing regional security issues and comes shortly before the NATO summit that is set to be held in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on July 11 to July 12. During the event, Macron recalled that he previously called the Western defense alliance "brain dead" but argued that Russia's invasion that began last year "jolted NATO awake." He said that Ukraine desperately needs help to carry out a counter-offensive against Moscow's military forces. The French president said that it was what they were currently doing but claims that there is a need to intensify efforts. He argues that in the next few months, the situation would offer a chance of lasting peace. Read Also: Drones Attack Russian Oil Refineries, Set Fire to Afipsky Plant Protecting Europe On the other hand, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu described the military alliance's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. She said that the alliance, within hours of the first attack, activated its defense plans from the Baltic to the Black Sea, according to Defense One. These include placing 40,000 troops under NATO command that are backed by significant air and maritime capabilities. The military alliance also doubled the number of battle groups that it had deployed in the east from four to eight and worked to reinforce them to brigade level. Despite Macron's calls for assistance for Ukraine, he has faced continuous criticism since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war for keeping communication channels open with Moscow. The countries that commented on this include Poland which intensified after the French president visited the Kremlin only a few weeks before the start of the invasion. Furthermore, Eastern European governments were critical of the French president's declaration in June 2022 where he said that it was crucial not to "humiliate" Russia. His remarks were a reference to a future peace settlement where he warned against a potential repeat of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, said France24. Related Article: Russia's Medvedev Calls UK Officials "Legitimate Military Targets" @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Were working to change the way the media covers the Supreme Court. Sign up for the pop-up newsletter to stay up to date all through June, and support our work when you join Slate Plus. Last week, Slate took a close look at how the media covers the Supreme Court, and how we could do better. The package, called Disorder in the Court, culminated in a live Amicus show to dissect what we found, and try to set us up better for this end-of-term. One of our chief conclusions was that we tend to talk about decisions in a vacuum, as if they came from nowhere, and the only interesting thing about them is their legal reasoning. But the specifics of the doctrine are only a teeny part of the story. During the live show, each of our panelists tried to tell the backstory of three of the most important cases that the court will decide this Junecases about affirmative action, voting rights, and anti-gay discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is Elie Mystals contextualization of the affirmative action cases, SFFA v. UNC and SFFA v. Harvard. For full background on these cases, read Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Sterns coverage of oral arguments in these cases. Listen to the full live show here, read Mark Joseph Sterns background of the anti-gay discrimination case here, and Jay Willis on voting rights here. These transcripts have been edited and condensed for clarity. This term, the Supreme Court is going to overturn affirmative action. Its one of those 50-year-long projects by the Federalist Society and the conservative media to overturn this policy. Affirmative action has been more or less the most successful racial social justice policy in American history since Emancipation. But whatever. Theyre going to get rid of it. They dont like it. Advertisement Most of the coverage is going to be about the history of race-based admissions. You might get a little coverage on pitting race-based admissions versus legacy admissions and something like that. With the kinds of people who generally report on the Supreme Court, what youre going to have is a lot of people who are like, Little Timmy got into Dartmouth instead of Harvard, probably because somebody Black got in instead. And theyre going to write their narratives about what happened in this case. But this case has nothing to do with race-based admissions. It has nothing to do with racial discrimination. Related from Slate Mark Joseph Stern The Real Story of 303 Creative v. Elenis Read More The record of the case actually shows that the aggrieved party, this group of AAPI students who allegedly were discriminated against because of race-based admissions, actually werent discriminated against, just on the straight facts of the case. In the suit against North Carolina, the district court literally found there was no discrimination at North Carolina against AAPI students. AAPI students are more likely to get into the University of North Carolina than Black students. At Harvard, where I went, the district court actually did find a thing that maybe could have possibly discriminated against AAPI students, but that wasnt anything about affirmative action. Its a score that Harvard uses thats based on your guidance counselor and your rec letters, and Asian American students were scoring lower on those rec lettersprobably because of racism! After the Supreme Court overturns affirmative action, universities will still be able to use the racist thing that was actually hurting AAPI students. But theyre going to take away affirmative action. Advertisement Advertisement Again, from a coverage perspective, all of this will be out there. But my first story about this is going to have nothing to do with any of that because the affirmative action case comes down to two men: Ed Blum, who made it his personal mission in life to overturn affirmative action. Hes behind the two cases that were the most recent challenges to affirmative action. For whatever reason, he really doesnt like it. Advertisement Advertisement And Clarence Thomas. What youre going to find is a lot of predominantly white reporters really shying away from this aspect of: How does the second Black Supreme Court justice in history become the one to overturn affirmative action? Because its either going to be his majority opinion, or itll be Roberts majority opinion, and then Clarence will write a concurring opinion. Hes the guy whos also made it his lifes mission to do this. But when I write about it, Im going to tell you why. Elie Mystal is a columnist at the Nationfollow his coverage of this case there. Listen to the full episode of Amicus here: This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Were working to change the way the media covers the Supreme Court. Sign up for the pop-up newsletter to stay up to date all through June, and support our work when you join Slate Plus. Last week, Slate took a close look at how the media covers the Supreme Court, and how we could do better. The package, called Disorder in the Court, culminated in a live Amicus show to dissect what we found, and try to set us up better for this end-of-term. One of our chief conclusions was that we tend to talk about decisions in a vacuum, as if they came from nowhere, and the only interesting thing about them is their legal reasoning. But the specifics of the doctrine are only a teeny part of the story. During the live show, each of our panelists tried to tell the backstory of three of the most important cases that the court will decide this Junecases about affirmative action, voting rights, and anti-gay discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is Mark Joseph Sterns contextualization of the anti-gay discrimination case, 303 Creative v. Elenis. For full background on this case, read Sterns piece covering oral arguments. Listen to the full live show here, and read Elie Mystals background on affirmative action here and Jay Willis on voting rights here. These transcripts have been edited and condensed for clarity. This is a fake case. This is not a real case at all. This is a case about a website designer named Lorie Smith, who makes very bad websites by herself for, like, dog breeders and local Republican politicians. Lorie claims that she really wants to make wedding websites but doesnt want to make wedding websites for same-sex couples because that would violate her religious beliefs. Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, she filed a First Amendment lawsuit in federal court in Colorado arguing that this vanilla Colorado civil rights law violates her freedom of speech by forcing her to create a custom wedding website for same-sex couples, in violation of what she thinks marriage should be. Advertisement Heres what you need to understand about this case: No one has ever asked her to make a wedding website. Ever. No one will ever ask hercertainly not gay people. Come on. Advertisement Why, you might ask, does this case exist? Well, heres why. Because there have been a bunch of cases like this before: the cake case, where he wouldnt sell the cake; the flowers case, where she wouldnt sell the flowers; the photographer case, where she wouldnt take the pictures. Well, in those cases, you had victims, and who were the victims? The same-sex couples who faced discrimination. And the coverage of those cases and the way they were presented to the court, there were two sides. There was this sweet, sincere Christian who just wants to do what Jesus tells her; and then the couple who wanted some respect in shopping for wedding services and was told, Sorry, too bad. Because of your identity, Im not selling you anything. Advertisement Advertisement Related from Slate Jay Willis The Real Story of the Voting Rights Case Read More That was a real problem in some of these cases. In Masterpiece Cakeshop, you may remember, that couple was on the steps of the Supreme Court. They got their own profiles. They were very clearly the victims in the case, victims of Jack Phillips, the baker. And Phillips teamalso Alliance Defending Freedomhad to work really hard to make him seem like the victim. Advertisement Advertisement So, whats the genius of this Colorado case? Well, Lorie Smith has never been asked to make a website, so there is no real victim. Instead, she gets to play the victim. She is the aggrieved party. She is the person who goes into court and cries crocodile tears and testifies that her feelings will be so, so, so hurt if a gay couple asks her to sell them a website and she has to do it. That has worked in the media. I dont know how else to say it. That worked. Go online. Google Loris website, and you will see dozens of pieces in the New York Times, in the Washington Post, and in CNN. They sent their photographers out there to take pictures of her in the softest lighting, in her little studio with Live, Laugh, Love quotes on the wall. It was like: This poor, poor woman is having her rights trampled upon. It turns out its pretty easy to trick the press if you just manufacture the case and you have total control over the players. When that decision comes down, and Im sure it will come down on the side of Lorie, do not fall for the narrative, please, because its untrue. Its a fake case. This is simply a vehicle to manufacture an excuse for this Supreme Court to open the floodgates of legalized discrimination against gay people. Listen to the full episode of Amicus here: This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Were working to change the way the media covers the Supreme Court. Sign up for the pop-up newsletter to stay up to date all through June, and support our work when you join Slate Plus. It was impossible to listen to oral arguments this past Supreme Court term without being struck by the way this courts conservative supermajority views the 14th Amendment. According to these justices, the key Reconstruction-era amendment was intended merely to promote a theory of color blindnessin which race is simply ignorednot to actively lift Black people from a previously subjugated status following the end of slavery. Indeed, the newest justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, made headlines at one of her first oral arguments after she took pains to debunk this historically dubious theory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that voting rights case, Allen v. Milligan, the first Black woman to hold a seat on the Supreme Court explained that the drafters of the amendment intended that its vision be applied in a race-conscious way so that freed former slaves were actually brought equal to everyone else in the society. She went on to urge, Thats not a race-neutral or race-blind idea. Unfortunately, Jackson will likely be raising these points againthis time in dissentas the Supreme Court is poised to end the term by using the color-blind formulation to gut affirmative action in higher education, weaken or decimate a key part of the Voting Rights Act, and erode long-standing tribal protections for Native American families and their children. When the court does so, it will be another belated victory for William H. Rehnquist. Advertisement The late chief justice, who long sought to turn the 14th Amendment on its head, notoriously drafted a 1952 memo as a Supreme Court clerk that defended racial segregation in the South and the disastrous Plessy v. Ferguson decision on which the institutions legality was based. Although Rehnquist denied during his confirmation hearings that the memo reflected his own viewssaying they were meant to reflect those of Robert H. Jackson, the justice he was clerking for in 1952a newly released court document, not previously reported, lays bare Rehnquists abhorrent true position on segregation as late as 1993. Advertisement That year, the then chief justice was still defending the logic of Plessy in no uncertain terms and using his position as a justice to block the court from acknowledging that the 14th Amendment barred segregation. The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits discrimination; it does not require integration, and I think it is a mistake to intimate that it does even as a goal, Rehnquist wrote in a memo to Justice Sandra Day OConnor as part of an effort to have her remove a passage from an election decision. (For good measure, Rehnquist also requested that OConnor remove a suggestion that the Civil War was fought in part to secure voting rights for Black people.) Advertisement Advertisement The logic of Rehnquists 1993 memo would seem to be in tension with landmark Supreme Court cases such as the Brown v. Board of Education decision, which prohibited school segregation, and the Loving v. Virginia decision, which ended bans on interracial marriage. Rehnquist evidently believed that Plessy was correctly decided as a law clerk in 1952, and still evidently believed as much as a chief justice of the United States in 1993. As Justice Henry Brown put it in Plessy, although the 14th Amendment was clearly meant to enforce the absolute equality of the two races before the law, it couldnt have been meant to enforce social equality. Tragically, Rehnquists thinking on the 14th Amendment currently infects the conservative supermajority of the Supreme Court and could have devastating consequences for the end of this term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stark evidence of Rehnquists true views was found in the newly released papers of Justice John Paul Stevens, which include the memo from Rehnquist to OConnor. The context for Rehnquists statement was a response to OConnors early draft of the opinion in the case of Shaw v. Reno. In Shaw, a conservative Supreme Court majority ultimately held that taking race too much into account in drawing lines for congressional, state, or local legislative districts violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. OConnors final opinion for the majority held that drawing such districts bears an uncomfortable resemblance to political apartheid. It reinforces the perception that members of the same racial groupregardless of their age, education, economic status, or the community in which they livethink alike, share the same political interests, and will prefer the same candidates at the polls. Advertisement One of us has long criticized the Shaw theory as not representing a real harm, whether used by conservatives or now increasingly used by liberals to attack Republican gerrymanders. But the circulation of draft opinions in that case reveals that in order to win the chief justices vote, OConnor had to tamp down her description of the 14th Amendment as prohibiting segregation. Advertisement Advertisement Before Shaw saw the light of day, OConnor circulated her opinion to the other justices in order to get them to agree to its language. The various justices had their own critiques, such as Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wanted a clearer statement about the relationship between a Shaw claim and the Voting Rights Act. But Rehnquists note was fundamentally different. Advertisement Dear Sandra, he wrote, in a memo dated June 7, 1993, I agree with the substance of your second draft, and will join it if you will deal with two non-substantive concerns of mine. He then laid out his two quibbles as follows: First, on page 7 you say that the Civil War was fought in part to secure the elective franchise to black Americans. One can certainly say that the Civil War was fought to end slavery, but I dont think it is an accurate statement to say that it was fought to secure the elective franchise for blacks. This view gained majority support only during the period of Reconstruction after the Civil War was over. Second, on page 23, you say that the Fourteenth Amendment embodies the goal of a fully integrated society. The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits discrimination; it does not require integration, and I think it is a mistake to intimate that it does even as a goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether or not Rehnquists point about the goal of the Civil War was right as an historical matter, it is reprehensible that he did not want the court to even suggest that integration of American society was a worthy objective embodied in one of the Reconstruction Amendments. In some respects, Rehnquists 1993 editorial request was unsurprising. When he testified at his confirmation hearings, in 1971 for an associate justice position and again in 1986, for chief justice, he was asked to explain his views on racial discrimination, and he ended up disavowing the 1952 memo he had written as a law clerk to Justice Robert H. Jackson. In that memo, written in the first person and signed by himself, entitled A Random Thought on the Segregation Cases, then-clerk Rehnquist urged Jackson to reject the theory put forth to desegregate public schools in Brown v. Board of Education: Advertisement Advertisement If this Court, because its members individually are liberal and dislike segregation, now chooses to strike it down, it differs from the McReynolds court only in the kinds of litigants it favors and the kinds of special claims it protects. I realize that this is an unpopular and unhumanitarian position for which I have been excoriated by liberal colleagues, but I think Plessy v. Ferguson was right and should be re-affirmed. Advertisement At his hearings, Rehnquist would later insist: I believe that the memorandum was prepared by me as a statement of Justice Jacksons tentative views for his own use. (Similarly, Rehnquist would dismiss his activities as a poll watcher in the 1960s challenging Black and Hispanic voters in Phoenix.) Advertisement Rereading Rehnquists random thoughts on the school desegregation cases in line with his conduct as a young lawyer, and his later views on the purposes of the Reconstruction Amendments, its plain that he was an early adopter of the now-fashionable idea that those amendments served to eliminate some of the vestiges of chattel slavery but not to promote racial equality or diversity. Related from Slate Mark Joseph Stern It Took Alito Barely a Month to Violate the Supreme Courts New Ethics Rules Read More In Shaw v. Reno, he got his way. OConnor acceded to Rehnquists editorial requests for changes to her draft opinion. She modified the majority opinion to read that the 14th and 15th amendments embody the goal of a political system in which race no longer matters. Thats colorblindness but not integration. And as we are learning from cases currently on the docket, the two are not the same. Advertisement In short, Rehnquist consistently contendedand the current Supreme Court majority is likely to contendthat the Reconstruction Amendments were drafted not to protect disadvantaged groups from racially biased treatment at the hands of the government but rather to prohibit the government from using race-conscious measures to ever remediate inequality. We will learn in the coming weeks whether this vision of the Reconstruction Amendments will lead to the further erosion of rights for some of the most historically marginalized Americans. If the court fully embraces Rehnquists vision, it will be a posthumous victory for him as the court concomitantly crushes minority rights and waxes poetic about its lofty and ongoing commitment to racial equality. Meet the (very old) parents: Robert De Niro, 79, welcomed a baby with his girlfriend recently. And now Al Pacino, 83, has confirmed that his own girlfriend is pregnant. Obviously, those girlfriends are much younger. The male privilege of having kids whenever you want, as USA Today describes it, is on full display. People who produce sperm should know, however, that their biological clocks are ticking too, even if not as rapidly and loudly as they are for the rest of us. Yes, it is much (ugh, much) easier for men to have kids later in life than women, and there are plenty of tales of dads fathering kids into their septuagenarianand even nonagenarian!years. But though male fertility doesnt come to a menopausal halt the way female fertility does, it still declines with age. And even for men that do have strong swimmers later in lifeas a TMZ headline about De Niros baby news put itthere can be other pregnancy complications that they need to watch out for, experts say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there has been extensive research regarding infertility and comorbidities in the aging mother, relatively few studies have explored similar reproductive factors in aging men, wrote researchers at Rutgers in a paper published in 2019 that reviewed the literature on the risks associated with fathering kids as an older dad. This is of concern because the older-dad trend is not just about extreme cases involving celebrities. The age at which men become fathers has ticked upward, the authors explain, with more kids being born to fathers of advanced paternal age than there were a few decades ago. (APA is not clearly defined, but its roughly as young as 40. Pacino and De Niro clearly fit it!) While testicles do produce sperm throughout a males lifetime, a males sperm can have more genetic mutations as time goes on. Basically, all of the cells in our body are adversely affected by aging, says Gloria Bachmann, who was a co-author on the 2019 paper and is the director of the Womens Health Institute at Rutgers. Sperm are no exception. Older-male sperm can lead to pregnancy issues, Bachmann and her co-authors reported, ranging from gestational diabetes to preterm birth. Furthermore, a 2020 review paper suggests that APA is associated with miscarriages. And a paper published this May that looked at data from nearly 18 million births found that men over age 44 were more likely to father kids with congenital anomalies, i.e., birth defects. (There is, of course, a huge downside of having kids much, much later in life: Even rich people cannot live forever, and Pacino and De Niro may well miss their kids growing up.) Advertisement Bachmann and her co-authors conclude that men who plan on becoming older dads should receive counseling from their physiciansas older women already do. They also suggest that men planning on fathering kids at an advanced paternal age consider freezing their sperm. At least one urologist has even suggested that young men freeze their sperm just in case something suddenly happens to their quality, though thats hardly a position that everyone holds. Advertisement As with many aspects of celebrity life, the Pacinos and De Niros of the worldor at least what we glimpse of thempresent a picture of male fertility that is a little too easy-breezy compared with the reality. I suggested to Bachmann that men might get the wrong idea about fertility by considering these men to be role models. She was careful to note that there are more factors than paternal age that go into being a good dad: Being a role model, provides guidance and love, good listener, teacher, has a great relationship with mother, can admit to mistakes, and most of all cherishes the role of being a father are extremely important. Not everyone sees it quite that way. The CEO of the male-fertility startup Legacy has gone so far as to tsk-tsk the famous men who become older dads, once saying in an interview, In many ways, Mick Jagger is our greatest enemy because he had kids into his 70s. Finding candidates takes longer, with fewer available. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Society in general must become more flexible, given the shortage of talents the world is facing, says Klemens Wersonig, CEO of Target Executive Search CEE, referring both to the age of potential candidates and their plans to remain with one company. More information about the Slovak labour market Please see our Career & Employment Guide. We recently placed a lady over 60 into a top managerial position. A few years ago, this would have been impossible, said Wersonig, welcoming this flexibility. These trends will continue. Accepting candidates of higher ages should no longer be an issue. Another topic concerning flexibility is loyalty within companies. While 10 years ago Targets clients looked to hire somebody who would stay at least five years, following the pandemic and subsequent crises they are satisfied if somebody says they will stay for two years. The Slovak Spectator spoke with Wersonig about the impacts of the Covid pandemic on headhunting, differences between Slovak and foreign managers, as well as what tasks artificial intelligence can perform in filling positions. What are the main differences between a recruitment agency and an executive search firm? I would call it the social media trap. This means that recruitment companies are relying on social media only. This means that they reach only people who can be found on LinkedIn or Facebook. Headhunting companies typically go beyond that. They aim to identify people who are maybe too busy to be active on social media. For example, I know some managers who could be candidates for possible positions and they say that they check LinkedIn maybe once per quarter because they are just too busy. Related article Related article Managers in Slovakia consider quitting more often Read more Which assignments are suitable for a recruitment agency and which are better performed by an executive search firm? The general trend is that executive search firms are going down to lower levels in the market and they are looking for positions and projects which they would not have looked at five years ago. The reason is that the qualified labour force became so scarce on all levels. Companies often cannot find an account manager or some specialist just by simply advertising the post, as either no people apply or the wrong people apply. Therefore the trend is that headhunting is needed at lower levels. What challenge does the shortage of qualified labour on the market pose to headhunters? It is a big challenge because it means our work has increased dramatically. We need to do much more searching in order to find the same quality of people among the same amount of people. Originally in the classical headhunting world, you did research for one or one and a half months and you came to a shortlist of three to five people. Nowadays we often have to search for two or three months and we are happy if we find two people. What are the main differences in making an executive search in Slovakia and in other countries where your company operates? Our company focuses on central and eastern Europe ,while we also have offices in Austria and Germany. And there is not so big a difference between Slovakia and Hungary or the Czech Republic. But with Germany and Austria there are differences. But what is really special in Slovakia is the very limited number of candidates. This is because of the brain drain and also because people over a certain age, nowadays around 55, are often not considered as possible candidates. It used to be basically a European problem that people over 50 were not considered. But this is shifting and many countries have started to change and consider people above 55 or even ask retired people to come back. But this is much less the case in Slovakia. Why do you think this is so? I consulted with my Slovak colleagues and they think that basically there is a prejudice as hiring people are typically west European managers against people of a certain age as the managers are afraid that older people will carry too much baggage in their minds from communist times. Do you also fish for successful Slovaks abroad? This would be an ideal scenario and many of our clients would want that actually. But it is very difficult to reach those people because these communities are difficult to reach. When we talk to these people, usually they have very high expectations in order to return because they would have to give up their well-settled life in Canada or Germany. So, it does not normally work, except for one small segment in the market of Slovaks living abroad: those who actively want to come back for whatever reason; nostalgia or family reasons, etc. These people tend to approach us actively. We have a few such people every month. They are highly qualified and have great market value. Do you succeed in finding them good jobs? Yes, definitely. Are there any differences in managers in Slovakia and abroad in terms of their skills and abilities? Our company made a study regarding cultural differences a few years ago and this was one of the questions that was raised. The outcome was that team work ability and discipline is very high in Slovakia. Slovak managers are also very well structured and organised and thus have a good image even within the central European community. This is also shown in industry, with so many car manufacturers and suppliers operating in Slovakia. One of the reasons is that Slovaks are high-performing. Another reason is that logistics in Slovakia are very close to western Europe. What impacts has the pandemic had on headhunting? Will these effects continue? One major impact was holding video meetings and video interviews. These will continue because they are faster and easier to organise. But they have brought in less commitment. Potential candidates, when approached with an offer, first say that they are interested. Then one week later they change their minds. This is because there was no personal meeting and they feel much less committed. But this is part of the shift in society as a whole. Everything is very fast. The pandemic brought on a phenomenon known as the Great Resignation in the US, where employees began to voluntarily quit their jobs en masse. Is this phenomenon also occurring in the region of central and eastern Europe or in Slovakia? Definitely not. The reason why is that people here are fighting much more for their livelihoods. In general, they are poorer, so they need the salary to support the family, to pay their mortgage, they cannot afford to say: I will quit to find fulfilment without a regular income. This comes back to the differences of Slovak managers. One finding of our study was that there is a lack of entrepreneurial spirit amongst Slovaks. The desire to step out of a safe world with a fixed income into entrepreneurial risks is very low in Slovakia. What qualities does a headhunter need to be good? The first quality is listening skills. Listening is very important because we have to listen to, of course, interviews, but also listen to what clients want. A good headhunter must also have a good balance of sales and HR skills. It is also a sales job, which is often forgotten. This is because we have to sell our services to potential new clients, we have to sell the job to the candidate and we have to sell the final candidate to the client. It is not enough just to do a good interview and select a good candidate. But we also have to have this sales transaction. What conditions must be met for a good match to occur? Besides objective factors, such as the right experience, language, age, salary and all these criteria, it is needed to get the personal chemistry right between the candidate and the future boss for a really good match. That is the key element. This is why before actually hiring someone the parties have to meet in person. You can have early video interviews for early screening, but there is still a huge difference, and I think it will last, between video and personal interview. This is because when somebody walks into the room, there are so many messages coming: putting the mobile phone on the table, it is almost like showing a power symbol see Im here, I can be reached. Even how somebody is sitting at the table, putting the chair back after the meeting or just leaving it there in the corner can tell a lot about the candidate. There are so many details which are not possible to see in a video interview. What was your best match of a top manager and company in the long term? There are two, one in Slovakia and one in Hungary. The first one is Andrej Arendas, managing director at Karcher Slovakia. Our company placed him in Osram in Slovakia. At that time, he was a young and very promising manager. He stayed with the company for 10 years and even became its general manager. The other one is a manager I placed 25 years ago in one company in Hungary. He has become a European manager and made a wonderful career. He is still with the company. Do you approach managers you have placed before when you are looking for managers for another client? Our own placed candidates are off limits as long as they are with the company. It means we do not approach them ever, even if they are a good fit. This is our business approach. What should headhunters do to avoid a failure in headhunting? Check and double check. Good references come from previous bosses, not from previous colleagues. When we can reach the previous boss we ask one very easy and immediate key question, whether he or she would hire the person again. If the reference person hesitates a bit, then already we have some doubts. Have you predicted a good match that in the end was not? Yes, of course, we also make mistakes. It happens because, despite being careful and checking, we cannot look inside peoples minds. They may be playing a role and cheating us. It has happened to me also, I misjudged people, too. Which aspect of headhunting can be performed by AI? Obviously the data screening parts or CVS screening and matching with the job description. But I also see danger here. This is because candidates are using artificial intelligence to apply and get their CV written. On the other hand, another artificial intelligence is checking that CV and application. So, in the end we have two computer systems checking each other. But in general, especially in mass recruitment for workers where no personal meeting is needed, AI plays a huge role for sure. What should young people with the ambition to become top managers focus on during their studies or the early years of their career? They should go out into the world to learn languages and experience other cultures and test what they are good at, say through internships or apprenticeships. Jobs can have a good image or even a good salary, but the daily reality of a job might be very different. Reach for the sky and hold your head up high. For tonight and every night? Youre a superstar. On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are jamming out to Love Inc. and Superstar DJ Keoki while sipping on a honey-processed single-origin Verve Coffee Roasters brewed on a brand new Moccamaster KBGV Select in the Pistachio colorway. Michelman and Carlsen also discuss Sprudges latest Berlin guide from contributor Tatiana Ernst, a lovely new fashion hub in Portland called Barnes & Morgan, and so much more. Have a listen! This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Baratza, Moccamaster, Pacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli. Show notes/links: What is honey-processed coffee? Guide To Coffee In Berlin In 2023 What is your favorite coffee condiment? Tea, Fashion, and Legacy at Portlands Barnes & Morgan In Portland, Fusing Creative Design With Caffeinated Appeal At Tired Coffee By FISK Submissions Now Open For Build-Outs of Coffee 2023! Listen right here: Check out The Coffee Sprudgecast on Apple Podcasts and leave a nice review if youre so inclined. The Coffee Sprudgecast is available on Spotify, Stitcher, and other exceptional podcast portals. Check out all our shows today! Seed To Cup Podcast from the Sprudge Podcast Network. A Better Table with Umeko Motoyoshi from the Sprudge Podcast Network. Cascara with Cydni Patterson from the Sprudge Podcast Network. No Free Refills with Ezra Baker and Tymika Lawrence from the Sprudge Podcast Network. In Good Taste with Ever Meister from the Sprudge Podcast Network. Check out all the Coffee Sprudgecast episodes here. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/protester-aggressiveness-near-russian-embassy-in-canada-increasing---ambassador-1110826214.html Protester Aggressiveness Near Russian Embassy in Canada Increasing - Ambassador Protester Aggressiveness Near Russian Embassy in Canada Increasing - Ambassador The aggressive behavior by protesters near the Russian embassy in Ottawa has increased but the Canadian authorities have not taken any measures to strengthen security, Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov told Sputnik. 2023-05-31T21:24+0000 2023-05-31T21:24+0000 2023-05-31T21:19+0000 americas russian embassy in canada oleg stepanov canada ottawa protesters /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/02/0b/1092947142_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_6813ec44e65f53ce6fbee40db9df2ddc.jpg "We note the increasing aggressiveness of a number of protesters near the embassy, who insult our employees, family members, children, when they leave and enter the embassy," Stepanov said. "They try to create obstacles for the movement of our vehicles, which threatens to cause an accident on a busy street near the embassy." Stepanov provided several examples of such aggressive behavior, including protesters putting Ukrainian flags on the windshields of embassy vehicles to block the driver's view when entering heavy traffic, and said that the issue has been raised with the Canadian authorities. By contrast, the Canadian embassy in Russia does not experience any security-related problems or problems concerning the dignity of its diplomats, Stepanov said. "I would like to see a more vigorous response from Trudeau's cabinet and from Canadian law enforcement agencies to the clearly existing security problems not only of our embassy, but also of our Consulates General," he said. Asked about news in the probe of the April incident when the Russian embassy was defaced with red paint, Stepanov said, "We are told that all the cases that deserve attention from law enforcement are under investigation or consideration." Stepanov emphasized they have not seen proactive or increased security measures after that incident, yet protesters have since tried to hang posters and banners on Russian diplomatic property or on the embassy fence. The ambassador pointed out that the fact the authorities reaction time is from 5-10 minutes at best does not help anyone. At the end of April, an unknown person poured red paint over the fence of the Russian embassy in Ottawa, but by the time the police arrived, the assailant had fled the scene. Stepanov told Sputnik in September that they have provided the Canadian authorities with video footage of an attack on the embassy with a Molotov cocktail and have expected a thorough investigation into the incident. At the end of September, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Canadian Ambassador in Moscow Alison LeClaire and delivered a demarche regarding the attack. americas canada 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 aggressive behavior, russian embassy in ottawa, canadian authorities, russian ambassador to canada oleg stepanov https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/russia-issues-demarche-over-canadas-silence-on-drone-attacks-against-moscow-1110827491.html Russia Issues Demarche Over Canada's Silence on Drone Attacks Against Moscow Russia Issues Demarche Over Canada's Silence on Drone Attacks Against Moscow Russian Ambassador in Ottawa Oleg Stepanov told Sputnik on Wednesday that he sent a protest note to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly to urge them to condemn recent drone attacks in Moscow. 2023-05-31T23:30+0000 2023-05-31T23:30+0000 2023-05-31T23:24+0000 world oleg stepanov justin trudeau moscow canada ottawa drone /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/1e/1110789289_0:109:2782:1674_1920x0_80_0_0_3e1f8e3349a8e66dc226ae838b8f1d93.jpg "Officially, Canada is in silent mode. In this regard, following our diplomatic practice, I was forced to draw the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by issuing a personal demarche note to him," Stepanov said."Yesterday, I sent it to him and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joly to describe the specific details of the latest attempt to strike Moscow with unmanned aerial vehicles."The diplomat further noted that the letter emphasized that "Russia calls on Canada to take an unequivocal position in condemning this terrorist act."Stepanov's remarks came not long after the Russian Defense Ministry detailed that Ukraine had used eight unmanned aerial vehicles to carry out an attack against the Russian capital. All of the drones had been downed by Russian officials.At the time, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said several buildings were left with "minor damage," and that "no one" had sustained serious injuries as a result of the attack. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later stated that the drone incident was in response to Russia's successful strikes against one of Kiev's "decision-making centers" over the weekend. The Russian Investigative Committee has since undertaken a criminal case under the terrorist acts article. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230530/several-buildings-in-moscow-slightly-damaged-after-drone-attack---mayor-1110785693.html moscow canada 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 ambassador in ottawa oleg stepanov, canadian prime minister justin trudeau, foreign minister melanie joly, moscow, drone attacks https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/china-singapore-agree-on-top-level-military-hotline-1110844118.html China, Singapore Agree on Top-Level Military Hotline China, Singapore Agree on Top-Level Military Hotline Singapore and China have agreed to establish a top-level military hotline to help the two nations defuse tensions. Its a strategy Beijing has pursued with several regional powers that cooperate militarily with the US. 2023-06-01T16:15+0000 2023-06-01T16:15+0000 2023-06-01T16:15+0000 world china singapore hotline south china sea /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/01/1110843959_0:0:1565:881_1920x0_80_0_0_f402a80e0b30c7f8ed912abc4b7d8275.jpg Singapore and the Peoples Republic of China have agreed to establish a top-level military hotline to help the two nations defuse any tensions that might arise. Its a strategy Beijing has pursued with several regional powers that cooperate militarily with the United States as Washington seeks to isolate China and turn its regional friends into US allies.The deal was signed by Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, the latter of whom is in the city-state for the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum.The memorandum of understanding was signed just a month after the two nations held joint military exercises and four years after they agreed to upgrade their defense and security ties.The agreement comes just weeks after Li finalized a similar effort with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada. The two defense chiefs spoke over the new Beijing-Tokyo hotline for about 20 minutes to discuss defense and bilateral relations. Last December, China opened a hotline with the Philippines as well, focused on South China Sea relations.A Hanoi-Beijing link was also established in 2021 to help avoid naval encounters in the South China Sea from spiraling out of control.Since 2018, the US has pursued a policy of "great power competition" with Russia and China, which calls for isolating both states in order to prevent their continued development into world powers that might supplant Washington and its postwar system for dominating developing nations. Consequently, the US has sought to pull Chinese regional partners away from Beijing by convincing them that China is a threat that only military confrontation can deter.By contrast, China has sought dialogue and mutually beneficial trade arrangements as a way to defuse tensions and sort out problems. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure megaproject has partnered with numerous nations, and hotlines like those set up with Singapore create avenues for communication. A code of conduct for the South China Sea is also in the works, to establish "rules of the road" for the contested waterway. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/elon-musk-meets-with-chinas-commerce-industry-ministry-chiefs-in-beijing-1110811430.html china singapore south china sea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier 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 Fantine Gardinier singapore; china; hotline; military; shangri-la Danny Masterson, known as a "That '70s Show' actor, was found guilty of two out of three counts of rape in his Los Angeles sexual assault retrial. The 'That 70s Show' star is now facing up to 30 years in prison, according to the prosecutors of the rape retrial. 'That '70s Show' Actor Danny Masterson Guilty of Rape After months of legal and courtroom drama, the jury decided on the trial of Masterson. The actor, once known for his charismatic portrayal of Steven Hyde in the hit sitcom 'That '70s Show,' was found guilty on charges of raping two women, per Associate Press News. The jury, composed of seven women and five men, deliberated for seven days in the past two weeks before handing out the verdict. However, they failed to reach a verdict on the third count of rape, wherein Masterson was accused of raping his longtime girlfriend. Masterson, who has vehemently denied all allegations from the beginning, now faces the grim reality of the consequences. After the guilty verdict, the actor came out of the courtroom in handcuffs and was taken by the authorities into custody. He is set to face his sentence on August 4. The ex-sitcom star faces 30 years of imprisonment for the two counts of rape. According to the BBC, three women have accused the former sitcom actor of sexual assault in his house in Hollywood between 2001 and 2003. One of the women who accused Masterson of sexual assault responded to the verdict. She says, "I am experiencing a complex array of emotions - relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness - knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior." However, she expressed her utter disappointment since the actor was not convicted on the third count of rape. Meanwhile, the other accuser thanked the jury for their decision. But she still feels devastated that the ex-sitcom actor "dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me." Read Also: Trump Facing Another Legal Battle as Rape Case Trial Begins Danny Masterson's Rape Retrial At the height of the sensational #MeToo movement in 2017, Materson faced accusations that the actor was a rapist. However, he dismissed the allegations, citing that he was never charged nor convicted of any crime to prove his guilt. The actor also slammed the movement. He says, "It seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused." After the investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, which lasted for three years, sexual assault charges against Materson have been filed in court. Vulture reports that the first rape trial involving Masterson ended in a mistrial in 2022, wherein the actor pleaded not guilty. Upon the retrial, the Los Angeles jury found the 'That '70s Show' star guilty of two counts of rape. Related Article: David Choe Rape Comments: Ali Wong, Steven Yeun Slam Beef Co-Star's 'Extremely Disturbing' Story @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/cia-vets-fbi-withholds-damning-evidence-on-bidens-prior-to-presidential-election-again-1110844270.html CIA Vets: FBI Withholds Damning Evidence on Bidens Prior to Presidential Election, Again CIA Vets: FBI Withholds Damning Evidence on Bidens Prior to Presidential Election, Again House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer moved to hold FBI director Christopher Wray in criminal contempt of Congress on Tuesday after the agency refused to provide a subpoenaed document potentially implicating US President Joe Biden. 2023-06-01T16:22+0000 2023-06-01T16:22+0000 2023-06-01T16:22+0000 analysis hunter biden joe biden larry johnson federal bureau of investigation (fbi) internal revenue service (irs) fbi cia russia doj /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/1c/1100091060_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_7c3ed30727949556f21370526cb1d830.jpg The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has refused to provide a form that "describes an alleged criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions," as per James Comer, R-Ky.According to Larry Johnson, a veteran of the CIA and the State Departments Office of Counter Terrorism, the information in the FD-1023 form would require criminal charges to be filed against the incumbent president.What's a FD-1023 Form?Comer and his fellow lawmakers subpoenaed the FBI for the document in question last month. However, the bureau refused to provide it, claiming that a specific Justice Department policy "strictly limits when and how confidential human source information can be provided outside of the FBI."On May 30, acting assistant director of the FBI, Christopher Dunham, sent a letter to Comer, downplaying the significance of the document: "Investigative reports, such as an FD-1023, include leads and suspicions, not the conclusions of investigators based on fuller context, including information that may not be available to the confidential source."The very next day, on May 31, Wray held a phone conversation with Comer and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and confirmed the existence of the aforementioned FD-1023 form. He further offered to provide the congressmen "an opportunity to review information responsive to the subpoena in a secure manner to accommodate the committee, while protecting the confidentiality and safety of sources," as per the bureau's statement.Is the FBI Deliberately Delaying the Process?Just hours after holding talks with Comer and Grassley, Wray "hopped" on the bureau's jet and headed to the FBIs Las Vegas field office to hold a meeting and attend a counterterrorism conference there, according to Just the News, an independent US media outlet founded by American investigative journalist John Solomon. The media outlet remarked that the trip allowed the FBI chief to escape "an increasingly hostile atmosphere" for himself in DC.The FBI is interested in further delaying the congressional probe prior to the 2024 elections, believes former CIA station chief Philip Giraldi.FBI and DoJ Have Record of Shielding BidensSputnik's interlocutors noted that the unfolding spat between GOP lawmakers and the FBI should be seen in a larger context of the Justice Department and bureau operatives hindering attempts to turn the spotlight on the Bidens' potential wrongdoing.In April, an IRS whistleblower came forward informing the US Congress about apparent violations during the Hunter Biden tax crimes investigation by the DOJ, citing "preferential treatment" and attempts to shield the first son. He also alleged misleading statements to Congress by Attorney General Merrick Garland related to the probe. After that, the whistleblower's team was abruptly suspended from the Hunter Biden investigation at the DoJ's orders, as per IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel. According to the whistleblower, who turned out to be Gary Shapley, a 14-year IRS veteran, the expulsion could be nothing short of "retaliation."FBI agents facilitated the suppression of the New York Post's Hunter "laptop from hell" story in October 2020 as his father, Joe Biden, ran for the presidency, according to Elon Musk's Twitter Files expose.In addition, 51 ex-top intelligence officials branded Hunter's laptop from hell as "Russian disinformation" at the time. As it turned out in April, it was done at the request of then-Biden campaign top operative Antony Blinken, now serving as a secretary of state.How Could FBI's Doc Affect Biden's 2024 Bid?The unfolding row over the FD-1023 form replicates the circumstances of 2020, when Joe was amidst his presidential campaign."If the story will ever develop fully and appear in the mainstream media, which is unlikely, it could easily change the outcome of the 2024 election if Biden runs," Giraldi suggested. "I suspect the story will be played down by the media, however, and I would imagine Biden would not run again if he decides that he has been badly damaged."For his part, Johnson does not believe that Biden will be able to run.Team Biden and their allies in the FBI and DoJ appear to have been doing "everything they can to try to obstruct justice," Johnson noted. "That would be another charge that should be filed against them, theyre making sure that they're not held accountable." https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/fbi-chief-confirms-existence-of-form-alleging-bidens-role-in-criminal-scheme---congressman-1110829117.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230520/durham-report-is-reckoning-coming-for-clintons-and-bidens-1110490817.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/irs-whistleblower-closing-in-on-dojs-cover-up-of-hunter-biden-case-1110640188.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230530/house-panel-to-hold-fbi-chief-in-contempt-over-failure-to-provide-biden-criminal-docs-1110805692.html russia 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 contempt, criminal contempt, fbi director chris wray, joe biden, hunter biden, bribery allegations, fd-1023, subpoenaed fd-1023, hunter biden tax crimes, congressional investigation hunter biden, house gop subpoena, 2024 presidential election, hunter biden laptop from hell Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 in response to calls by the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics for protection from Ukrainian troops. The Russian Defense Ministry said the operation, which targets Ukrainian military infrastructure, aims to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, and to completely liberate Donbass. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/ex-biden-aide-leaves-for-russia-after-safety-concerns-in-america-1110826727.html Ex-Biden Aide Leaves for Russia After Safety Concerns in America Ex-Biden Aide Leaves for Russia After Safety Concerns in America On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Republicans threatening FBI boss Chris Wray with contempt of Congress, and Ex-Biden aide Tara Reade fleeing to Russia for safety concerns. 2023-06-01T04:14+0000 2023-06-01T04:14+0000 2023-06-01T10:57+0000 the backstory radio fbi nato tiktok turkey serbia hsbc 2024 us presidential elections disney /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/1f/1110826570_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_d5f4b477b840c9f4a957445d347c58ab.png Ex-Biden Aide Leaves for Russia, after Safety Concerns in America On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Republicans threatening FBI Director Chris Wray with contempt of Congress, and Ex-Biden aiden Tara reade fleeing to Russia for safety concerns. Nebojsa Malic - Investigative Journalist, Blogger, and Author | Violence in Kosovo, NATO Peace Forces, and Western CondemnationFilmLadd - Filmmaker | Fake Conservatives, Eternal Debt, and the Drive By Media In the first hour, Lee spoke with Nebojsa Malic about Russia's position on Kosovo, China chimes in on Serbia's issues, and President Zelensky criticizes China. Nebojsa talked about the recent elections in Kosovo and protesters clashing with NATO soldiers. Nebojsa discussed the condemnation of violence from Washington and the speed of Turkish elections.In the second hour, Lee spoke with FilmLadd about Rand Paul spending bill, Trump fights with DeSantis, and Trump still celebrates operation warpspeed. Ladd spoke about the social media fight between team Trump and team DeSantis. Ladd commented on Donald Trump's avoidance on the 2020 lockdowns topic and the Trump team siding with Bud Light.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. serbia disney Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Lee Stranahan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png Lee Stranahan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png 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 Lee Stranahan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png the backstory, who's tara reade, violence in kosovo, is desantis running for president, who is running for president in 2024 https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/five-injured-in-ukrainian-shelling-of-russias-belgorod-region-1110830832.html Eight Injured in Ukrainian Shelling of Russia's Belgorod Region Eight Injured in Ukrainian Shelling of Russia's Belgorod Region Five people were injured in the shelling of the town of Shebekino in Russia's Belgorod Region by Ukrainian troops, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. 2023-06-01T05:26+0000 2023-06-01T05:26+0000 2023-06-01T10:27+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine belgorod russia ukraine ukrainian attacks on belgorod region /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/01/1110833545_0:120:1280:840_1920x0_80_0_0_426bf1cc35f2425779d7660b600d6db1.jpg Earlier in the day, the governor provided some details about the latest attacks by Ukrainian forces:"Shebekino is under constant fire: at midnight, at 3:40 a.m. and at 5:15 a.m., the Armed Forces of Ukraine fired at the center and outskirts of the town from Grad [rocket launchers]. According to preliminary data, five people were wounded," Gladkov wrote on Telegram. The governor specified that three people were hospitalized. He said one woman received medical assistance on the spot. "Regarding destruction: there is a direct hit on a private house, which caught fire," Gladkov said. Earlier, he said two people were wounded in the shelling of Shebekino by Ukrainian forces.Shebekino is a town in Russian Belgorod Region located on the Nezhegol River, 30 kilometers southeast of Belgorod. The population of Shebekino is about 40,000 people. belgorod russia ukraine 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 belgorod attacks, ukrainian shelling of belgorod region, ukrainian shelling of russia's belgorod region, what is happening in russian belgorod, ukrainian attacks on russian towns https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/grayzone-journalist-detained-by-british-police-interrogated-over-russia-views-1110829009.html Grayzone Journalist Detained by British Police, Interrogated Over Russia Views Grayzone Journalist Detained by British Police, Interrogated Over Russia Views UK counterterrorism police detained journalist Kit Klarenberg and subjected him to an intense interrogation over his political views and journalistic output, an alarming new report has revealed. 2023-06-01T02:28+0000 2023-06-01T02:28+0000 2023-06-01T02:23+0000 world russian federal security service (fsb) united kingdom (uk) britain kit klarenberg max blumenthal russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/09/08/1088878422_0:204:2048:1356_1920x0_80_0_0_27ec875c49c3fa4d69b20545c30f5475.jpg UK counterterrorism police detained journalist Kit Klarenberg and subjected him to an intense interrogation over his political views and journalistic output, an alarming new report has revealed."As soon as Klarenberg landed in his home country of Britain on May 17, 2023, six anonymous plainclothes counter-terror officers detained him" and "quickly escorted him to a back room, where they grilled him for over five hours about his reporting for [The Grayzone]," explained Max Blumenthal, the head of the independent investigative outlet.Blumenthal wrote Tuesday that "during Klarenbergs detention, police seized the journalists electronic devices and SD cards, fingerprinted him, took DNA swabs, and photographed him intensively," while threatening to "arrest him if he did not comply."Klarenberg reportedly remains under investigation by the British government, and although its unclear what specific crime he could be charged with, Britains counterterrorism police seemed to have three main areas of interest: the content of his reporting, the outlet in which he published it, and whether he was doing so at the behest of the Russian government.First, "the officers asked Klarenberg about articles including his report on the CIAs recruitment of would-be 9/11 hijackers, as well as his thoughts on 9/11 conspiracy theories," Blumenthal explained."Then came a blizzard of questions relating to The Grayzone: How much was Klarenberg paid by this publication, how often, and into which bank account? Who owned the site? How much contact did he have with Max Blumenthal, the author of this article and editor of The Grayzone? Had he met Blumenthal in person?"Later, "counter-terror officers rattled off a series of unfounded questions related to Russia: Does The Grayzone have an agreement of any kind with Russias Federal Security Bureau (FSB) to publish hacked material? Has Klarenberg knowingly been in contact with any FSB operatives? Is he in touch with current or former personnel of Russian state media? Who owns The Grayzone and is it sponsored by Russia?"As the outlet in question has repeatedly noted, however, "The Grayzone is a fully independent outlet" that "does not accept funding or support from any state, including Russia."The report went on to state that officials returned Klarenburg's two memory cards and his tablet, which was said to have "masking tape over its cameras." A third card was kept over allegations it was "relevant to criminal proceedings," but that it would be returned once their probe was closed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230323/none-of-us-are-safe-how-us-journo-was-hit-with-kremlin-label--looped-into-nsa-dragnet--1108705706.html united kingdom (uk) britain russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Wyatt Reed Wyatt Reed 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 Wyatt Reed kit klarenberg, uk counterterrorism, political views, journalist output, grayzone journalist, luton airport https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/not-worth-penny-ambassador-on-us-words-about-non-support-of-ukrainian-attacks-on-russia-1110831392.html 'Not Worth Penny': Ambassador on US Words About Non-Support of Ukrainian Attacks on Russia 'Not Worth Penny': Ambassador on US Words About Non-Support of Ukrainian Attacks on Russia WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US statements that Washington does not support Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are just empty words, Russian Ambassador to the US... 01.06.2023, Sputnik International 2023-06-01T05:40+0000 2023-06-01T05:40+0000 2023-06-01T05:40+0000 world us russia ukraine ukrainian drone attacks on russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/1e/1110789085_0:0:3141:1767_1920x0_80_0_0_1cb83c9d220baa7e15aef661fd91d83e.jpg "Public statements by the White House that they allegedly do not support the attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the very heart of our Motherland are not worth a penny," Antonov said. White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday that the US administration opposes Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory to "avoid World War III."On Tuesday, eight drones were intercepted in and near Moscow in what the Russian Defense Ministry said was an attack carried out by Ukraine. Five drones were shot down and three diverted off course, failing to cause any significant damage or casualties. The Kremlin said this was likely Kiev's retaliation for earlier Russian strikes against a military decision-making center in Kiev. Earlier in May, two drones unsuccessfully tried to attack one of the Kremlin's buildings. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/russian-foreign-ministry-calls-vile-wests-position-on-uav-attacks-against-moscow-1110810818.html russia ukraine 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, russia, ukraine, ukrainian drone attacks on russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/operational-hq-in-russias-belgorod-denies-info-on-ukrainian-forces-allegedly-breaking-into-region-1110831920.html Operational HQ in Russia's Belgorod Denies Info on Ukrainian Forces Allegedly Breaking Into Region Operational HQ in Russia's Belgorod Denies Info on Ukrainian Forces Allegedly Breaking Into Region The operational headquarters of Russia's Belgorod region denied on Thursday media reports claiming that Ukrainian armed forces broke into the territory of the region. 2023-06-01T05:57+0000 2023-06-01T05:57+0000 2023-06-01T08:56+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis russia ukraine belgorod region belgorod shelling war crimes /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/01/1110834088_0:120:1280:840_1920x0_80_0_0_5ba46317a410a80c9b8ed2657452f9e4.jpg "A number of telegram channels are spreading false information about the Ukrainian armed forces breaking into the Shebekinsky direction at night. The operational headquarters officially declares that this information is false and does not correspond to reality. The situation in the Shebekinsky district is difficult at the moment, shelling is underway, sounds of battle are heard. Russian armed forces are working, but there is no breakthrough of Ukraine's armed forces," the operational headquarters said in a statement.Shebekino is a town in Russian Belgorod Region located 30 kilometers southeast of Belgorod. Shebekino's population is roughly 40,000.According to regional authorities, eight people were injured in the Ukrainian shelling of the town overnight. Almost 20 buildings are damaged. The were no fatalities. There was and is no enemy on the territory of Russia's Belgorod region, but there is constant bombardment, the governor of the region said.The Russian Armed Forces, border guards, Federal Security Service, and National Guard are on the spot, the governor added.According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been receiving all the updates about the situation in Shebekino. "In connection with the situation around Shebekino, Vladimir Putin constantly receives reports from the Ministry of Defense, the Border Guard Service, the FSB, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and is also directly informed by the regional and municipal authorities of the region about measures to provide the necessary assistance to the population, including providing those who wish with temporary accommodation," Peskov told reporters. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230523/watch-decimated-remains-of-ukrainian-terror-group-that-attempted-assault-on-belgorod-region-1110545435.html russia ukraine belgorod region belgorod 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's special military operation, ukrainian crisis https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/russian-envoy-us-new-ukraine-package-shows-indifference-to-crimes-of-banderites-1110829308.html Russian Envoy: US' New Ukraine Package Shows Indifference to Crimes of Banderites Russian Envoy: US' New Ukraine Package Shows Indifference to Crimes of Banderites The new US military package to Ukraine shows Washington's indifference to the crimes of Ukrainian nationalists, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said. 2023-06-01T02:36+0000 2023-06-01T02:36+0000 2023-06-01T04:35+0000 world anatoly antonov volodymyr zelensky moscow kiev ukraine kremlin drone strikes ukrainian drone attacks on russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/03/1110058491_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_08ec451533c955783020b4c011e91a5f.jpg "The [US] authorities are again proudly talking about providing financial assistance and another batch of materiel to their crazed Kiev puppets," Antonov said.The Pentagon said in a release on Wednesday the new security assistance package the United States has announced for Ukraine is valued at $300 million. "The new US 'security package', totaling $300 million, effectively fuels the rotten regime in Kiev," the Russian ambassador said, later noting that Washington's statements that it does not support Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are not worth a penny.White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday that the US administration opposes Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory to "avoid World War Three."On Tuesday, eight drones were intercepted in and near Moscow in what the Russian Defense Ministry said was an attack carried out by Ukraine. Five drones were shot down and three diverted off course, failing to cause any significant damage or casualties. The Kremlin said this was likely Kiev's retaliation for earlier Russian strikes against a military decision-making center in Kiev. Earlier in May, two drones unsuccessfully tried to attack one of the Kremlin's buildings. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/us-to-send-300-million-in-munitions-to-ukraine-with-new-aid-package-1110825316.html moscow kiev ukraine 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 military package, washington's indifference, ukrainian nationalists, russian ambassador to the us anatoly antonov, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/russian-northern-fleet-could-threaten-american-east-coast-us-media-claims-1110831235.html Russian Northern Fleet Could Threaten American East Coast, US Media Claims Russian Northern Fleet Could Threaten American East Coast, US Media Claims The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier promised that Moscow would strengthen its defense capability in the Arctic amid NATOs growing clout in the region. 2023-06-01T07:00+0000 2023-06-01T07:00+0000 2023-06-01T07:00+0000 military russia us arctic northern sea route russian northern fleet nato presence /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101526/33/1015263346_0:130:3178:1918_1920x0_80_0_0_bd971e3720d6015d75f3b4cb961b144c.jpg Washington is worried over a possible threat to the US that emanates from the Russian Northern Fleet as Moscow is seeking to expand its military presence in the Arctic, an American newspaper has reported.According to the media outlet, Russia remains a vast Arctic power, with naval bases and nuclear missiles stationed in the Far North but also along Russias western edge: in the Kola Peninsula, near Norway, where Russia keeps most of its nuclear-armed submarines.The report comes as Moscow and St. Petersburg are hosting the 2023 International Arctic Summit. The Arctic: Prospects, Innovations and Regional Development summit is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Soviet governments decision to turn Russias Northern Sea Route into an officially managed and administered shipping line along the countrys Arctic coast.In November 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country prioritizes and seeks broader international cooperation for the development of territories in the Arctic and research activities in the Antarctic.This followed Putin stressing that the Arctic would play a bigger role in Russia's future, which is why the country would redouble engagement with its northernmost regions.The remarks were preceded by the Russian Foreign Ministry pledging that the country will boost its defense capability in the Arctic amid NATO's growing presence in the region."Russia is taking and will continue to take all the necessary measures to ensure national interests and strengthen the defense capability in the Arctic, a strategic region for our country. Political, economic and military-technical measures. With time, their specific content will become known," Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Second European Department Sergey Belyaev told Sputnik. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230522/what-is-northern-sea-route-and-how-can-it-turn-russia-into-arctic-superpower-1110524259.html russia 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 russia's northern sea route, us' reported concern over the russian northern fleet's alleged threat to america's east coast, nato"s growing military presence in the arctic https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/sino-russian-cooperation-on-northern-sea-route-may-upset-nato-powers-1110846321.html Sino-Russian Cooperation on Northern Sea Route May Upset NATO Powers Sino-Russian Cooperation on Northern Sea Route May Upset NATO Powers NATO may be concerned about a potential "Sino-Russo type of collaboration or partnership" in the Arctic, as while China does not have any territory in the region, the Northern Sea Route may be of interest for Beijing. 2023-06-01T19:18+0000 2023-06-01T19:18+0000 2023-06-01T19:18+0000 world sweden finland nato russia arctic /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/16/1082155846_0:197:3075:1926_1920x0_80_0_0_052c7a8f8bb161f7747882d724d6c629.jpg As the Western military bloc launcheslargescale military exercises in NATO's newest member Finland not far from the border with Russia, Moscow has vowed to bolster its own defense capability in the Arctic in response.Commenting on this situation, analyst at the MGIMO-University Institute for International Studies Nikita Lipunov pointed out that NATO has so far adopted a moderate stance on the military presence in the Arctic, with the bloc's activity being limited to North-Eastern Atlantic and Northern Europe.He noted that while all Western Arctic powers started reassessing risks and increasing defense spending since the launch of Russia's military operation in Ukraine, the military-political situation in the Arctic region so far remains "stable and controllable."The analyst warned, however, that the deployment of NATOs military infrastructure in Finland may pose a real threat to Russia in the long run.Meanwhile, Ret. Col. Earl Rasmussen, a US Army veteran and an international consultant, suggested that the aforementioned NATO drills may be meant to help "integrate the newly-accessed Nordic countries."Rasmussen also mused that NATO may be concerned about a potential "Sino-Russo type of collaboration or partnership" in the Arctic, as while China does not have any territory in the region, the Northern Sea Route a shipping lane that may be used to transport goods from Far East to Europe across the Arctic waters may be of interest for Beijing.The expert added that Swedens likely accession to NATO in the near future is unlikely to improve stability in the region, instead increasing the odds of generating tensions and friction with Russia and perhaps even with China, given the latters interest in using the Northern Sea Route for trade.Thus, argued Rasmussen, NATO expansion in region will likely be a detriment to security and global stability. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230310/uk-to-establish-arctic-military-base-in-norway-1108242963.html sweden finland russia arctic Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Andrei Dergalin Andrei Dergalin 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 Andrei Dergalin northern sea route, nato expansion in arctic The Facebook and Instagram parent firm Meta has threatened to block news content in its apps in California. The Mark Zuckerberg-led tech giant previously pulled out news content on its platform, specifically Facebook, in 2021 over a law in Australia, which requires them to pay for news content. Meta Threatens to Block Facebook and Instagram News Content in California This time, Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is making a similar threat. According to Axios, the tech firm plans to block news content from its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, in California if a new bill turns into law. Meta issued a warning against legislators in California, threatening to pull out all of the news content from its platforms, Instagram and Facebook, which draws millions of users globally. A Meta spokesperson Andy Stone, clearly says, "If the Journalism Preservation Act passes, we will be forced to remove news from Facebook and Instagram." The company argues that the bill asking them to pay news publishers for their content would give an unfair advantage to "big, out-of-state media companies under the guise of aiding California publishers." Read Also: California Library Book Returned After Roughly 100 Years: How Much is the Estimated Fine? California's Journalism Preservation Act The bill in question is formally named the California Journalism Preservation Act. Once it passes into law, it requires tech giants in the state, which includes the Facebook parent, to pay news publishers for the use of their content. Reuters reports that the proposed act seeks to force "online platforms" like Google to pay news publishers a "journalism usage fee" for the content showing up in their services. The "tax," which is based on the advertising earnings of the platform, will be directly paid to the state. But California proposes to allocate at least 70 percent of the payment to various media outlets throughout the state, according to NPR. The bill essentially seeks to revive that significant decline in media outlets, which have been struggling with the shift of advertising revenue from the traditional print format to digital. The Meta spokesperson says that the proposed bill in California is giving them two choices. Either they pay or remove the news content from its giant platforms. Meanwhile, the News Media Alliance trade group executive vice president, Danielle Coffey, slammed the recent threat of the Instagram parent. He accused the Zuckerberg firm of being "unbecoming" and "undemocratic." If Meta follows through on its threat, folks in California could lose access to news content from various sources, such as major newspapers, local news outlets, and even independent journalists. In turn, the move could significantly impact the public's ability to stay in the know about relevant issues. But despite that, the threat from Meta has been done before. Facebook has yanked all its news articles in Australia for some time after a similar bill turned into law. Related Article: California's Deadly Torrents Warn of Memorial Day Recreation Risks @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/that-70s-show-actor-found-guilty-of-two-counts-of-rape-in-la-retrial--1110827927.html That 70s Show Actor Found Guilty of Two Counts of Rape in LA Retrial That 70s Show Actor Found Guilty of Two Counts of Rape in LA Retrial The actor was found guilty on two counts of rape after the jury was deadlocked on the third count. Prosecutors say Masterson attacked his victims in the early 2000s and used the Church of Scientology to shield his crimes. 2023-06-01T00:09+0000 2023-06-01T00:09+0000 2023-06-01T00:04+0000 beyond politics sexual assault sexual assault crime celebrity celebrity gossip celebrity scandal /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/05/15/1082961177_0:155:2984:1834_1920x0_80_0_0_4d72e2a8e0a64e8c14e258c5964faf11.jpg A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday found US actor Danny Masterson, 47, guilty of two counts of rape. The actor was charged with forcibly raping three women in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003, however the jury was deadlocked on a third rape count.The actor, who is best known for his role as Steven Hyde on the late 1990s and early 2000s sitcom That 70s Show, earlier pleaded not guilty to three counts of felony rape after charges had been filed.Masterson was a member of the Church of Scientology, and prosecutors argued during the latest round of proceedings that he used his influence in the Church to avoid consequences for raping his victims.Three of the survivors gave detailed testimonies, the first alleging she stopped by his house to pick up keys when he gave her a drugged beverage and then proceeded to rape her. The second, an ex-girlfriend of Masterson, said he raped her twice, and that on one occasion after he had drugged her she wondered aloud the next morning why she was in pain. He then admitted to raping her while she was unconscious, and laughed at her.The third victim said she had set "boundaries" and told Masterson she did not want to have sex with him before visiting him at his home. She said despite this, the actor assaulted her in his jacuzzi. The three victims are former members of the Church of Scientology, and said the organization had discouraged them from reporting the rapes at the time. 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 danny masterson, church of scientology, rape charges, sexual assault, crime, celebrity crime https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/ukrainian-forces-fire-at-shebekino-in-belgorod-region-from-grad-rocket-launchers-1110836634.html Ukrainian Forces Fire at Shebekino in Belgorod Region From Grad Rocket Launchers Ukrainian Forces Fire at Shebekino in Belgorod Region From Grad Rocket Launchers The Ukrainian forces fired at Russian town Shebekino from Grad rocket launchers, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Thursday, adding that an administration building was partly destroyed. 2023-06-01T09:34+0000 2023-06-01T09:34+0000 2023-06-01T10:27+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine belgorod shelling ukraine ukrainian attacks on belgorod region /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/01/1110834088_0:120:1280:840_1920x0_80_0_0_5ba46317a410a80c9b8ed2657452f9e4.jpg The dormitory building is on fire from a direct hit by shells, and there is destruction in the administration building. There is no light in the city. All information will be updated," Gladkov wrote on his Telegram channel, adding that the armed forces of Ukraine fired at Shebekino "with Grad shells." A video has emerged online showing the dormitory building on fire following the shelling. The governor also denied reports about fatalities following a shelling of a bus in Shebekino, adding that it was "empty."The town of Shebekino and the Belgorod region in general have been suffering from regular attacks by Ukrainian armed forces lately. belgorod ukraine 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 Footage from Shebekino, where a hostel is on fire after a Ukrainian shelling Footage from Shebekino, where a hostel is on fire after a Ukrainian shelling 2023-06-01T09:34+0000 true PT0M12S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International belgorod region, shebekino, ukrainian shelling https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/veto-expected-after-congress-strikes-down-bidens-student-loan-debt-relief-plan-1110848304.html Veto Expected After Congress Strikes Down Bidens Student Loan Debt Relief Plan Veto Expected After Congress Strikes Down Bidens Student Loan Debt Relief Plan The US Senate voted on Thursday to repeal a sweeping plan for student loan debt relief championed by Joe Biden. The president is expected to veto the resolution, which did not achieve the votes necessary to override that veto. 2023-06-01T21:16+0000 2023-06-01T21:16+0000 2023-06-01T21:11+0000 americas senate student loans debt veto /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/1a/1100020053_0:212:3072:1940_1920x0_80_0_0_b580afbb6e37e61e0e74eb5a2eed071e.jpg The Senate voted 52-46 on Thursday to pass the resolution, with two moderate Democratic Senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana, along with Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, crossing the aisle to vote with their Republican colleagues.The resolution passed the House days earlier, with two Democrats similarly joining the Republican majority: Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. Now, it heads to the White House, where Biden has already said he will reject it. In that situation, Congress can still override his veto, but its unlikely that a two-thirds majority can be mustered to do so.Last August, Biden used his executive authority to implement a plan for canceling up to $10,000 in student loan debt for borrowers with incomes below a certain level, and up to $20,000 for those who received Pell Grants. However, the order was immediately challenged in the courts.The debate has since been heard by the US Supreme Court, which is expected to issue its decision by the end of the month.American students, almost uniquely in the world, must pay hefty tuition fees to obtain a higher education, often obtaining the loans to do so through financing plans facilitated by the US Department of Education or private banks. Those debts can become onerous, totaling tens of thousands of dollars, and continue to grow due to interest.Republicans have argued that a debt forgiveness program is unfair to those who have already paid off their loans and that it would burden taxpayers; however, the Biden administration has countered that whats unfair is the lifelong burden debt can create for lower-income Americans, and that forgiveness would decrease the federal deficit by about $315 billion in the next decade. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230228/us-supreme-court-hears-case-with-potential-to-annul-400-billion-in-student-loans-1107877716.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier 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 Fantine Gardinier student loan; debt; senate; veto; forgiveness https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/west-pushing-coup-in-belgrade-us-brush-with-chinese-jet-woke-imperialism-1110828088.html West Pushing Coup in Belgrade; US Brush with Chinese Jet; Woke Imperialism West Pushing Coup in Belgrade; US Brush with Chinese Jet; Woke Imperialism There is a conspicuous tie between woke politics and the brutal thievery of neoconservative imperialism. 2023-06-01T04:04+0000 2023-06-01T04:04+0000 2023-06-01T10:54+0000 the critical hour radio taiwan ukraine turkiye debt ceiling twitter germany recession /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/1f/1110827784_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_9efc5d6813bb3ca1241202c87bb71ee8.png West Pushing Coup in Belgrade; US Brush with Chinese Jet; Woke Imperialism There is a conspicuous tie between woke politics and the brutal thievery of neoconservative imperialism. Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. The US Empire seems to be moving for a Maidan-style coup in Belgrade. Also, Ukraine is pushing for a quick entrance into NATO and Turkiye is an important geopolitical nation that may be able to facilitate peace in Eastern Europe.Brian Berletic, ex-US Marine Corps independent geopolitical researcher and writer based in Bangkok, joins us to discuss foreign policy. The rag-tag assignment of military equipment to the Ukrainian proxy army will make it difficult for the soldiers to act in a uniform and coordinated manner.Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst, and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss Ukraine and the Durham report. Ray argues that we must understand the root cause of the Ukraine conflict to find a diplomatic solution. Also, we review the Durham report to see if it was legitimate or just another deep-state false flag operation.Dr. Margaret Flowers, activist and editor of "PopularResistance.org," joins us to discuss the Global South. The US Empire is furious as Brazilian President Lula DeSilva renews ties with Venezuela. Also, President Biden doubles down on the neocon war on Cuba as more and more people call for the US to drop its sanctions.Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss persecution of the Uhuru movement and the danger of nuclear war. Taiwan is pushing the US to include it in the US nuclear umbrella. Also, Germany has sanctioned itself into a recession.Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor of Economics and Politics at St. Mary's College in California, joins us to discuss the economy. The Biden McCarthy debt ceiling deal is a neoliberal austerity collaboration. Also, China's Union Pay card is taking the market from US companies.Dan Kovalik, writer, author, and lawyer, joins us to discuss woke imperialism. There is a conspicuous tie between woke politics and the brutal thievery of neoconservative imperialism.Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss social media. The EU has threatened to ban Twitter for refusing to enforce the NATO neoliberal narrative. Also, the Democrats have let the censorship dogs loose on Matt Taibbi.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. ukraine turkiye germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.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 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg the critical hour, neoconservative imperialism, what is happening in kosovo, us foreign policy, what is in the durham report, brazil's ties with venezuela, uhuru movement, debt ceiling deal https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/western-nations-plotting-coup-in-belarus-lukashenko-warns-1110849483.html Western Nations Plotting Coup in Belarus, Lukashenko Warns Western Nations Plotting Coup in Belarus, Lukashenko Warns Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has issued a warning that Western regimes including that of Ukraine are preparing to carry out a coup detat against him. 2023-06-01T23:13+0000 2023-06-01T23:13+0000 2023-06-01T23:08+0000 world alexander lukashenko volodymyr zelensky waldemar skrzypczak ukraine belarus poland commonwealth of independent states kremlin coup /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/06/19/1096659585_0:0:2433:1369_1920x0_80_0_0_73ea0c6b992f044626ed77483d92e82d.jpg Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has issued a warning that Western regimes including that of Ukraine are preparing to carry out a coup detat against him.At a meeting of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) security chiefs on Thursday, Lukashenko cautioned that a violent regime change is being prepared against Minsk.In contrast to their unsuccessful and largely bloodless color revolution attempted in 2020, Western regimes are now training and funding the opposition to engage in armed violence, the president alleged.This fact means that they wont leave us alone, he noted.The remarks came a week after an influential figure in the Polish military sphere publicly called for the dissident Belarusians currently fighting on behalf of the Zelensky regime to be unleashed on Minsk in the event of a successful counteroffensive in Ukraine.During a May 23 television interview with a national channel, former top Polish general Waldemar Skrzypczak urged officials in Warsaw to prepare for an uprising in Belarus, insisting such a scenario will happen.We must be ready to support the troops that will carry out the operation against Lukashenko, Skrzypczak insisted.We have reasons to help them, just as we help Ukraine, claimed the general, who previously served as a deputy minister in the Polish Ministry of Defense.In response to the generals remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russia has a legal obligation to safeguard Belarusian security which we will fulfill in the face of such blatant threats, he said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230528/why-nato-has-no-right-to-complain-about-russian-nukes-in-belarus-1110654526.html ukraine belarus poland Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Wyatt Reed Wyatt Reed 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 Wyatt Reed alexander lukashenko, volodymyr zelensky, waldemar skrzypczak, ukraine, belarus, poland, commonwealth of independent states, kremlin, coup, warning https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/what-do-democrats-and-republicans-think-of-the-us-debt-ceiling-bill-1110840507.html What Do Democrats and Republicans Think of US Debt Ceiling Bill? What Do Democrats and Republicans Think of US Debt Ceiling Bill? The House has cleared the US debt ceiling deal that was earlier clinched between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to avert a looming government default. 2023-06-01T14:05+0000 2023-06-01T14:05+0000 2023-06-01T14:08+0000 americas us joe biden kevin mccarthy debt ceiling bill deal /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/01/1110840003_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ce57418ee469403a86d6c5f7cb2939fa.jpg What Did Biden Say?The 46th US president touted the bill as "good news for the American people and the American economy," urging the Senate to take up the legislation, which was passed on Wednesday evening, as soon as possible."This budget agreement is a bipartisan compromise. Neither side got everything it wanted. That's the responsibility of governing. I want to thank Speaker McCarthy and his team for negotiating in good faith, as well as [Democratic] Leader [Hakeem] Jeffries for his leadership," POTUS added.He also said he had been "clear that the only path forward is a bipartisan compromise that can earn the support of both parties." According to Biden, "This agreement meets that test. I urge the Senate to pass it as quickly as possible so that I can sign it into law, and our country can continue building the strongest economy in the world.How Did Democrats and Republicans Respond?Hakeem Jeffries himself promised that Democrats will "continue to do what is necessary" to "build an economy that works for everyday Americans," while McCarthy told reporters, "I've been thinking about this day before my vote for speaker because I knew the debt ceiling was coming."He was partly echoed by Republican Garret Graves, who expressed frustration that the US accumulated so much debt, but hailed the bill's "historic" savings and urged his colleagues to pass the legislation."It is absolutely historic. For the first time ever, as a result of the strategic nature of this speaker, we're in a situation where we have legislation before us that will result in the greatest savings in American history," Graves argued.Democrat Ritchie Torres, for his part, admitted that "the deal is bad," but added that "the alternative, a default in America, would be much worse."He spoke as Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the House vote "very good," telling reporters that "we hope we can move the bill quickly here in the Senate, and bring it to the president's desk as soon as possible."Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez said that even though this bill is far from perfect, she voted for this legislation because it prevents economic catastrophe, rejects the cruelest proposals, and protects investments for our communities. She urged her colleagues from the party never let Republicans take our economy hostage again.Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that while she finds the legislation "objectionable," it would avert a catastrophic default.What are GOP Presidential Contenders' Thoughts?Almost all Republican presidential candidates have, meanwhile, lined up against the bill, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis insisting that the US "was careening towards bankruptcy before the debt deal, and it will still be careening towards bankruptcy after this debt deal."He underscored that the deal is "not gonna solve our nations fiscal problems.""This is greenlighting $4 trillion in new debt in less than two years. It took us almost 200 years to get to $4 trillion in debt in the first place. It locks in inflated COVID-era levels of spending. And it keeps 98% of the 87,000 new IRS agents that Joe Biden instituted," the Florida governor said referring to the agreement.Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is yet to officially entered the presidential race, said the deal "doesn't just kick the can down the road, it uses Washington smoke and mirror games to make small reforms."South Carolina Senator Tim Scott noted that despite the fact that McCarthy did a good job in negotiating process, the agreement didn't go far enough and that he would oppose it.The GOP presidential candidate explained that he disagreed with a key aspect of the bill, which would allow the debt ceiling to be raised through early 2025.The same tone was struck by former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, for her part, called the document "business as usual" and "no way to run our countrys fiscal affairs."Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, who heads an asset management company and is running for president on an "anti-woke" platform, said he would "absolutely" vote against it if he were in Congress. He described the spending cuts in the budget agreement as "window dressing."One candidate not opposed to the bill was former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. "Nothings perfect, and thats the result of compromise and having to work with this president," he told a US news network.What Was Trump Reaction?Former President Donald Trump, the projected 2024 GOP election frontrunner, has gone conspicuously silent since the deal was clinched late Saturday.Trump had earlier urged Republicans not to make a deal unless all of their demands were met, even if it meant sending the country into a government default. "That's the way the Democrats have always dealt with us. Do not fold!!!" he wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier this month.This followed Trump arguing that Republicans should use the debt ceiling deal as leverage to roll back many of Biden's spending priorities. "If they dont, you'll have to default," Trump said, suggesting that the consequences of a default could lead to "a bad week or a bad day."His rhetoric, however, showed signs of softening shortly before the deal was agreed as he told McCarthy, "Make sure you get a good agreement." https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/bipartisan-us-debt-ceiling-deal-means-whatever-republicans-want-1110821789.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/us-debt-ceiling-deal-wont-hinder-arms-shipments-to-ukraine-1110816332.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230530/debt-ceiling-deal-why-snubbing-progressives-poses-risk-to-team-biden-1110796870.html americas 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 us debt ceiling bill, us debt ceiling, us government default, biden-mccarthy deal on us debt ceiling https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/worlds-first-female-crash-dummy-presented-in-feminist-sweden-1110832251.html World's First Female Crash Dummy Presented in Feminist Sweden World's First Female Crash Dummy Presented in Feminist Sweden So far, all crash dummies have been based on the male anatomy. This is a big no-no in a country that previously debuted "female snow removal" and "female urban planning." 2023-06-01T08:32+0000 2023-06-01T08:32+0000 2023-06-01T08:32+0000 beyond politics ulf kristersson sweden feminism women cars /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106108/93/1061089354_0:0:2048:1153_1920x0_80_0_0_cf6d2c5e039a35dcd0498396ad816d66.jpg The world's first female crash dummy has been presented by the Swedish National Road and Transport Institute (VTI) in the city of Linkoping.The female crash dummy is 162 centimeters tall and weighs 62 kilograms, which corresponds to the measurements of an average woman.According to VTI, which has been working on this project for a surprising 14 years, most recently with assistance from the EU, women have considerably less protection in road accidents compared to men. Above all, there is a greater risk of them suffering whiplash injuries, because women's necks are protected only half as well as men's. Despite this, all crash dummies to date have been based on the male anatomy."We must be able to assess the protection of the entire population," Astrid Linder, a professor of road safety and one of the main people behind the project, told Swedish media.However, she refused to say when it may become a requirement to test new cars with female crash dummies."It can take a short time or an infinite amount of time. It depends on what we as a society decide on, it doesn't happen by itself," Linder said.Worldwide, Sweden is known as a bastion of feminism, making gender equality of its top priorities.Within Swedish society, feminism is significant social and political force to be reckoned with. Political parties across the entire spectrum have been at pains to tout gender-based policies in their public political manifestos. In 2014, Sweden became the first country in the world to launch what it dubbed "feminist foreign policy." Even though the current government abandoned this policy as counterproductive in one of its very first steps, incumbent Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson went out of his way to assure the Swedish public that he is and remains a committed feminist.Sometimes, though, feminism takes amusing and even comical forms. Among others, Swedish politicians and mass media have no qualms about seriously discussing "feminist urban planning" and "feminist snow removal," which allegedly put a greater emphasis on women's needs. Several Swedish cities, including Gothenburg, pledged to name more streets after women to rectify the current imbalance. Other token gestures are not uncommon. In a bid to become more gender-equal, Stockholm City introduced pictograms of women's bicycles to indicate cycle lanes.The paradoxical desire for equality at all cost was ridiculed by comedian and writer Tage Danielsson already in his 60s classic "Fairy tales for children over the age 18." In "The Story of Gudrun the Fair," Gudrun, the main female protagonist, sees her marriage come crashing down as she demands her husband to bear their second child, because asking her a second time would be "unfair" and that now is "his turn." https://sputnikglobe.com/20230511/survey-finds-swedish-women-more-prone-to-superstitious-beliefs-1110254676.html sweden Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Igor Kuznetsov Igor Kuznetsov 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 Igor Kuznetsov feminist sweden, female crash dummies, gender equality, equal rights, women's rights https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/worsening-wildfires-in-nova-scotia-prompt-air-quality-alerts-across-us-northeast-1110829901.html Worsening Wildfires in Nova Scotia Prompt Air Quality Alerts Across US Northeast Worsening Wildfires in Nova Scotia Prompt Air Quality Alerts Across US Northeast Blazing wildfires in Nova Scotia have prompted more than 18,000 people to evacuate as disastrous flames have surged and gone so far as to trigger air quality alerts across the US northeast due to rising smoke. 2023-06-01T04:18+0000 2023-06-01T04:18+0000 2023-06-01T04:13+0000 americas nova scotia canada wildfires wildfires wildfire weather extreme weather severe weather /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/01/1097986776_0:0:3077:1731_1920x0_80_0_0_5d4db09745bc5c783fe0337d5e137ccf.jpg Blazing wildfires in Nova Scotia have prompted more than 18,000 people to evacuate as disastrous flames have surged and gone so far as to trigger air quality alerts across the US northeast due to rising smoke.The smoke and haze has been lingering in the US for days, and on Wednesday, officials in New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, issued a Code Orange air quality alert.According to the National Weather Service, a code orange is when the air may be unhealthy or sensitive for some people, warning that these groups of individuals should minimize their outdoor time and avoid strenuous physical activity.Hazy conditions were seen across the cityscape of Philadelphia around noon on Wednesday, according to local media. The smoke reached the city after traveling over Cape Cod and Boston, with those in Boston able to smell the smoke. Philadelphia residents are expected experience that same phenomenon on Wednesday into Thursday.At least 200 structures, most of which are homes, have been destroyed by the fire in Nova Scotia, while 14 schools in Halifax remained closed on Wednesday. Authorities have urged residents not to return to the evacuated areas, adding that its still a dangerous place.The wildfires will likely continue to grow and spread, said David Steeves from the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR), as no rainfall is expected in the forecast in the coming days.At least eight of the 13 wildfires in Nova Scotia began on Monday, three of which remained out of control by Tuesday, with five active wildfires being described as small by Scott Tingley, a manager from the DNRR.Meanwhile, officials have announced an increase in a fine of more than $25,000 for anyone in the province who creates an illegal burn. However, despite the fine hike, authorities have found individuals continuing to do so.We need all Nova Scotians to take the wildfire situation as seriously as we are. We are still finding cases of illegal burning, and it has to stop, said Tory Rushton, minister of the DNRR. Amid ongoing efforts to clamp down on the blazes, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged federal assistance for the affected regions. americas nova scotia canada 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 wildfires, nova scotia, air quality alerts, us northeast Truro Raceway will be the host for the Nova Scotia vs. Ontario Drivers Challenge this Sunday, June 4, with four top drivers from Woodbine Mohawk Park flying in to represent Team Ontario, while four of the top drivers in Nova Scotia will represent Team Nova Scotia in the full nine-race challenge. The event is presented by the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association and is a fundraising event on behalf of Kidsport, Nova Scotia, an organization that provide grants to help cover the costs of sport registration and equipment fees so that all kids aged 18 and under in Nova Scotia can play a season of sport. There will be limited quantities of commemorative t-shirts sold for the event and there will be 50/50 draw and a charity BBQ, with all proceeds to Kidsport. Team Ontario will include back-to-back OBrien Award winner as Canadas top driver, James MacDonald, along with perennial star drivers Bob McClure, Doug McNair and Louis-Philippe Roy. Team Nova Scotia will be represented by 2022 Truro Raceway driving champion Paul Langille, as well as long-time Truro regular and former driving champion Ernie Laffin. Inverness Raceway will be represented by its 2022 driving champion Redmond Doucet, while driver Mark Pezzarello will carry the torch on behalf of Northside Downs. The event has been a long time in the making, as it was originally scheduled for 2020, but was derailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Event organizer Christina Saftic is very pleased that the drivers challenge will finally be able to take place. This event is long overdue, as it was originally scheduled for 2020," said Saftic, who works for Ontario Racing. "To see it finally come to fruition is very exciting. Being from Truro, it is always great to get home for a fun race card, but to be able to organize something for so many people in the province, to get out and enjoy with a focus on harness racing, was the ultimate goal. It also looks like we will also have a wide range of viewers tuning in from near and far online as well, so that is a bonus! For Kingston, P.E.I. native James MacDonald, it will be an East Coast homecoming of sorts, with lots of fans expected to come out and support him from all over the Atlantic provinces. He is looking forward to being part of the event. Im really excited to be heading back to the East Coast," said MacDonald. "I hope we can all put on a great show for the fans. They have supported me throughout my career and Im looking forward to seeing them in person. Its also nice to be able to contribute to raising funds for a great charity. Its going to be a fun day. Truro Raceways 2022 driving champion Paul Langille thinks its a wide-open event that anyone can win based on how the draw turned out for horses and post positions. Its a good-looking race card with eight drives for each driver," said Langille. "Everyone has a chance, I think. I have a couple horses myself that look like they could be ok, but Im sure everyone feels the same way. Im sure there will be a lot of kids here to see the Ontario drivers driving here. This Sunday will mark driver Bob McClures first ever visit to Truro Raceway and hes looking forward to being part of the event. Im looking forward to meeting some new people and experiencing Truro Raceway and the area for the first time," said McClure. "Driver challenges are always competitive and a lot of fun and, with the funds going to Kidsport, Nova Scotia and helping kids play sports, Im happy to be a part of it. Ernie Laffin has driven at Truro Raceway since 1990 and has long been a mainstay in the drivers colony. Taking part in the challenge will be a special for the reinsman. It will be an exciting day for Truro Raceway and our fans," said Laffin. "Well have many of the best drivers in Canada taking on many of the top drivers in Nova Scotia. Im honoured to be a part of it. All nine races on the card will be part of the drivers challenge and the team with the most total points from their drives will be the winner. The point system awarded to the drivers will be as follows: five points awarded for a first-place finish; four points awarded for a second-place finish; three points awarded for a third-place finish; two points awarded for a fourth-place finish; and one point awarded for a fifth-place finish. If a horse is scratched or there is not a full field and some drivers are not in the race, each of those situations will result in the driver being awarded two points. Post time for the Sunday card is 1 p.m. ADT/12 noon EDT. The program will feature Canadas lowest takeout Pick 5 in Race 1 at 12 per cent, with a $1,500 pool guarantee and a 20-cent minimum, as well as a Superfecta carryover in Race 2 of $279.45. There is also a 15 per cent low takeout Pick 4 in Race 6 with a $750 guarantee. The tracks pre-game show begins a half hour before post time with Melissa Keith and Grady Hachey. To view Sunday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Truro Raceway. (With files from Truro Raceway) The back room of the Hemingford American Legion Post #9 Hall was filled on Monday morning for the Memorial Day Service. The weather blessed us with some nice sunshine today and the Avenue of Flags looks really amazing as always, said Commander Mike Raben as he encouraged those in attendance to take the time to look at the over 300 casket flags from veteran funerals on display throughout Hemingford. Raben then introduced Chaplain Troy Sorensen who asked the crowd to stand for a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Raben. American Legion Auxiliary Post #9 members Nancy Ray took to the piano as Auxiliary President Carol Danbom led the crowd in singing the National Anthem. Auxiliary members Diane Olson, Carol Danbom and Andrea Danbom took turns reading the names of deceased veterans buried in Hemingford and the surrounding cemeteries. This is always a moving moment as the number grows bigger and bigger with each passing year. Songbird Danbom and pianist Ray performed God Bless the USA. Raben introduced the guest speaker as Chaplain Sorensen. He began with the poem In Flanders Fields written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front lines. Battle grounds were often called Flanders fields in England. The poem speaks of poppies that grow in the fields between crosses of fallen soldiers. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the publication of the wartime poem. He speaks of his fallen comrades and how its our job to hold their torch high, said Sorensen. Thats our job and thats what this day is about. A day of remembrance; a day to remember all of those who died in service for our freedom. Today we remember the 240 Nebraska lives lost during the Civil War, the 855 lost during the first World War, the 2,976 lost during World War II, the 318 lost in the Korean War, 396 in the Vietnam War, and 62 Nebraska lives lost in the War on Terror. Thats just under 5,000 Nebraska lives lost out of the over 1.2 million American soldiers that lost their lives during those wars. Today we raise a torch for these men and women that served and died for our freedom. But today I would like to raise a torch for another group of veterans that have sacrificed their lives but not on a battle field half way across the world but in our own neighborhoods, said Sorensen. In the first 20 years of the War on Terror there were 7,057 military service members who lost their lives in military operations. In contrast, over those same 20 years, over 31,000 military men and women took their lives to suicide. Sorensen spoke of the importance of being there for those struggling with an internal battle of suicidal thoughts. Nebraska unfortunately has one of the highest rates per capita of veteran suicides, he said. There are 40 suicides per every 100 thousand residents in Nebraska. Over 125,000 since 2001, its the second leading cause of death in veterans under the age of 45. The statistics are pretty ugly. So what can we do? First is ask and listen. When someone says Im good sometimes its time to ask okay but how are you really doing. Their life is worth that second question. He spoke of how his Faith has saved himself from the same demons. This is not an easy topic but this is something that needs to be talked about, said Sorensen. The crowed made their way over to the Hemingford Memorial Park to close out the program. A wreath was placed at the memorial for the Unknown Soldier followed by a 21-gun salute from the Honor Guard led by Sergeant-at-Arms Jim Olson and the playing of Taps by 13 year old Tyan Hruby. (Photo : JEON HEON-KYUN / POOL / AFP) (JEON HEON-KYUN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) South Korean nuclear experts urge for further analysis of Japan's plan to discharge nuclear water waste into the sea following meltdowns of a plant's three reactors. South Korean nuclear safety experts urge further analysis of Japan's plan to release nuclear water waste into the sea The experts visited the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station following the meltdown of its three reactors The incident was a result of a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan in 2011 South Korean nuclear safety experts who traveled to Japan and observed the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant said that detailed analysis is needed to verify Tokyo's plan to release the nuclear water waste into the sea. The remarks come after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station was destroyed by a powerful magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that occurred in 2011, which resulted in the meltdown of the plant's three reactors. Japan's Plan To Release Nuclear Water Into the Sea The Japanese government is planning to release more than one million tons of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea. The water was mainly used to cool the reactors of the power plant. The plans, which were set to release the contaminated waste by this summer, triggered alarm both locally and internationally, especially among fishing communities, as per Reuters. During a briefing, the chairman of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, Yoo Guk-hee, who led a delegation on a site visit to Japan last week, said that South Korea was reviewing whether or not Tokyo has an appropriate discharge plan based on scientific and technological standpoints. On the other hand, the Japanese utility that is responsible for the plant as well as the government said that the water is safe after it is treated, filtered, and diluted. However, they argued that it does contain some traces of tritium. Yoo added that there was some progress in checking facilities and securing samples and documents. However, he noted that further work is needed to reach any conclusion regarding the safety of the water waste. A team from South Korea that was made up of 21 members made the six-day trip to Japan for water purification, transport, and release of equipment. They also conducted sampling and analysis of facilities, according to Channel News Asia. Read Also: Russia's Medvedev Calls UK Officials "Legitimate Military Targets" Analyzing the Contaminated Water The nuclear experts' visit came after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended a summit in Seoul last month. The event was seen as a break to the stalemate in relations between the two countries after years of tension despite both being allies of the United States. In a statement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) added that it was also conducting a safety review of Japan's plan to discharge nuclear water waste. The company is expected to announce the result of its review in the next few weeks. Japan cooperated with South Korea's nuclear experts during the investigation, providing data that showed levels of radioactivity in the water before and after the treatment process. That process was something that also needed to be analyzed and confirmed. Some scientists have argued that the impact brought by long-term, low-exposures to radionuclides is still unknown. This is the reasoning that they used in arguing that the release of the contaminated water should be delayed, said the Associated Press. Related Article: Erdogan Extends Rule to Third Decade, Sets Sights on Istanbul @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ONLY COMPLAINTS ON ALUMNI SHOW Sunday night was that laughter was so loud and applause so hearty that bits of the shows dialogue were sometimes missed by others in the packed Legion Memorial Hall. The record attendance of 365 saw humorous play based on Greek mythology titled From Olympus to Hades. Cast included: Glen Kotschwar (Zeus), Jo Cowan (Pandora), Don Hanks (Hercules), Darien Anderson (Echo), Bill Cowan (Pluto), Bobby Lliteras (Narcissus), Beverly Bremer (Aphrodite), Moose Walker (Ulysses), Lyle Fodnes (Homer) and Robyn Anderson, Joni Roes and Caren Schekall as the Muses. After the switch to Hades and a turnabout of rolls. Darien discovers Zeus covered throne makes appropriate sounds effects as she sings Dean Martins Welcome to my World as Pluto; Bill Cowan tickled the crowd with a yodeling number as Echo; and surprise addition is Mexican exchange student George Mejia as Banicek, the Polack who entered to a Bohemian polka joke in Spanish and solved the turnabout by turning Zeus himself into a Centaur. CASE SOLVED HERE Hemingford Police and the County Sheriff department have solved the school illegal entry case of May 22nd, 1973. A 15-year-old youth has admitted to entering Hemingford School District 10 elementary building and taking cash. Some $30.28 was missing from various classrooms. Name of the youth was withheld by authorities. ALUMS FUN A RECORD EVENT When the Hemingford Alumni Association was started 21 years ago and held their first banquet, they might have envisioned what happened last Sunday evening at the Legion Memorial Hall. If so, their fondest dreams were certainly realized at the 21st annual event. An all-time record of 334 paid alums and spouses attended the gala affair and by the time the turkey and dressing dinner tally was made, 365 plates were paid by the Association to catering Corral Cafe owners here. That included 20 servers and 11 non-alums in the stage show. Classes of 1903, 1913, 1923, 1933, 1943, 1953, 1963 and 1973 were recognized by toastmaster Jerry Kiester. MEMORIAL IN 2-DAY EVENT, GOOD CROWDS Memorial Day 1973 attracted a crowd of about 200 at services in the Hemingford High School Wednesday morning. The day was observed here on the 30th by American Legion Post 9 and Auxiliary, rather than the government set legal holiday Monday, the 28th. Following HHS band selections, Post 9 Commander James Hollinrake made introductions and the Color Guard under Sgt.-at-Arms Carey Davies presented Colors. Invocation was by Rev. Howard Osborne, pastor of the Congressional Church and Joni Frahm sang a vocal solo. The roll of the military deceased was read by Legionnaire Alan Danbom and benediction was by the Very Rev. C. J. Schumski, pastor of St. Bridgets Church. Principal speaker Charles Singleton of Dix, Area D Commander of the Nebraska American Legion, gave his audience the meaning of Memorial Day. He also exhorted them to higher patriotism and listed ways in which this can be attained. The assemblage then adjourned with retirement of colors to join the crowds at the Hemingford Cemetery. There, the color guard and fire squad of Post 9 carried out decoration of veterans graves and participated, along with Post officials in the concluding services at the Memorial of the Unknown Veterans. PRELIMINARY STREET PAVING WORK Began about 10 days ago by the James E. Simon Company of Scottsbluff, contractors. Streets in the south and southwest part of town are now being widened, graded and packed to establish grades preparatory to curbing, guttering and paving with asphalt. Some 11-plus blocks are involved in the project. FRIDAY COLLISION HERE HOSPITALIZED SIX AREA GIRLS A tragic accident marred the start of the Memorial Day weekend south of Hemingford Friday night. The emergency call came in here at 8:45 p.m. and it was a 2-car collision 4.6 miles south of Hemingford on Highway 2 that occurred about 8 p.m. Six girls were taken to St. Josephs Hospital in Alliance by the Hemingford Fire Department rescue teams. The Alliance Fire Department emergency squad was also called but later turned back. According to State Patrolman Morris McKillip, a car driven by Judy Smith, 21, a college student from Hemingford, slowed down for a farm implement on the highway and another car, driven by Sheryl D. Edwards, Alliance, plowed into the rear of the Smith vehicle. Both cars, headed south, were total losses, McKillip said. Passengers in the car driven by Judy Smith included her sister, Karen, 18, and Sandra Davis, 19, daughter of Mrs. Hilton Olson of Hemingford. Karen and Judy are daughters of Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Duffy Smith of Hemingford. The Patrol listed Miss Edwards, 17, daughter of Mrs. Ruth Edwards of Alliance and her passengers as Connie Buresh, 14 of Gordon; and Rhonda S. Frohman, 14, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Frohman of Alliance. Most seriously injured were Karen Smith and Sandra Davis. Both suffered fractured necks with spinal cord damage and paralysis. Karen and Sandra were transferred to Scottsbluff by ambulance Saturday morning and are in West Nebraska General Hospital, Room 404. Their physician described their condition each as conscious but serious. A Concord man wanted in connection to at least four bank robberies in Iredell County and surrounding areas was arrested on Thursday near Black Mountain, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Kelvin Wayne Simmons, 46, is charged with four counts of felony robbery with a dangerous weapon. The charges stem from bank robberies in Statesville, Mooresville, Salisbury and Hendersonville which occurred in the last week, according to law enforcement officials. WSOC-TV reported a fifth robbery took place in Belmont. According to the U.S. Marshals, the Black Mountain Police Department located Simmons as he was driving through the area. Black Mountain police arrested Simmons. In all four robberies, a man carrying a lunch box entered the banks and demanded money. No one was injured in the robberies, according to police. The most recent robbery occurred in Hendersonville on Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after 5 p.m., the Hendersonville Police Department was contacted regarding a bank robbery that occurred at First Citizens Bank at 1700 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville police said in a social media post. Officers were told a white male, described to be in his early to mid-40s, entered the bank and told tellers he had a gun, the Hendersonville police said. The suspect left on foot with an undisclosed amount of money, Hendersonville police said. First Horizon Bank on East Broad Street in Statesville was robbed Tuesday morning, according to the Statesville Police Department. On May 26, a robbery was reported around 4 p.m. at United Community Bank on Williamson Road in Mooresville, the Iredell County Sheriffs Office said. On May 25, F&M Bank at 102 S. Avalon Drive reported a robbery shortly before noon, the Salisbury Police Department said. According to a police report from Salisbury, $1,000 was stolen from F&M Bank. The report identified the weapon as a handgun. In the Hendersonville and Salisbury robberies, the suspect was wearing the same clothes and carrying a lunch box with a Minion cartoon character from the film Despicable Me emblazoned on the front, Hendersonville police said. The man was wearing a camo hat, dark pants, a navy blue T-shirt and tan shoes in security camera photos from the Salisbury bank. The outfit was similar to what the suspect in the Mooresville robbery was wearing in security camera photos provided by the Iredell County Sheriffs Office. The lunch box also appeared to be the same. Simmons is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said Tuesday that many North Carolina residents are unfamiliar with the day-to-day work of his office. People dont always know what the attorney general does, but basically my job is to protect the people of the state, Stein said during a visit to Statesville. We do that work in a lot of different ways. Whether it is administering the states crime lab or addressing robocalls that often target seniors, the attorney generals office represents the public in a number of legal issues. The work also puts him in a position to speak on a number of issues that concern voters as he campaigns as a Democrat eager to fill the governors seat in 2024. We do live in partisan times but I think most voters just want to know that you care about them, that youre fighting for them, trying to help them succeed in life. Thats what Ive been doing as attorney general and exactly what Ill do as governor, Stein said. The things that I want to work on, strong public schools, safe neighborhoods, affordable health care, those are not Republican or Democratic issues, those are people issues, and thats what Im going to champion. Stein spoke with the Record and Landmark at a downtown coffee shop on Tuesday about his work and his ambition. Fentanyl Theres definitely real partisan division in this country, both parties take different sides of the issue and yell at each other. But fortunately, fighting the opioid crisis is one area we can come together, Stein said. Weve done that hear in North Carolina as Ive partnered with Republican legislators to strengthen state laws in the fight against opioids. And Ive done it nationally with Republican attorney generals to work together to hold big drug companies accountable. The attorney general said its a multifaceted approach, one of those was his push for the Stop Counterfeit Pills Act, which creates harsher punishments for those caught with equipment used to create pills with fentanyl in them. He said one of the reasons why fentanyl is found combined with other drugs is because drug dealers realize how addictive the opioid is even if it kills the people they make money off of. I think what drug dealers are doing is polluting the entire illicit drug supply chain with fentanyl because they want all of these drugs to be more addictive. They want methamphetamines to be more addictive. They want marijuana to be more addictive. They want cocaine to be more addictive, Stein said. Evidently, theyre prepared to accept the risk of overdose deaths, which is why we need to hold these guys accountable. Stein said another way he hopes to tackle the issue is by asking the legislature to fund a special unit dedicated to fentanyl prosecution that would assist district attorneys in prosecuting crimes related to it. Its a legitimate crisis in this country. Were at the deadliest moment of the deadliest drug epidemic in American history, Stein said. More kids are dying of drug overdoses than ever before. Over 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose last year, and thats absolutely terrifying. We have to do everything in our power to turn the tide. Another addiction? Stein also pointed to the negative impact of social media. Its not just drugs though, its social media. Which frankly is another form of addiction, Stein said. Im on the bipartisan executive group of state attorney generals investigating both TikTok and Instagram for the ways theyve designed their platforms. Were analyzing what designs they did that have led to such a dramatic uptick in use and continued use by young people. If we determine theyve engaged in actions that have harmed our youth, we wont hesitate to take action as a result. He said the goal of the investigation is to protect children, as online use averages five hours a day among middle schoolers and eight hours for high schoolers. Stein said studies show that people who spend that much time online are more likely to suffer from mental health issues, including eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and suicide. He said elected leaders without teenagers in their lives often dont realize the way younger people use social media, as well as the way it can make harassment and bullying a constant issue for children. Bullying happened in the past, before the internet, but it is so much easier and prevalent with the internet, Stein said. His candidacy Stein was quick to tout his record as attorney general. As attorney general, Ive taken on big fights on behalf of the people of North Carolina and delivered, Stein said. He shared the story of hwo his office took on Juul, the e-cigarette manufacturer, for targeting teenagers and secured a $40 million settlement. Thats what I will do as governor, is take on fights for people that help them lead a better life, Stein said. That means good jobs, affordable health care, strong public schools, clean drinking water, and a secure retirement. With North Carolina remaining a battleground state, he said he believes many voters can see past part labels and see the work hes done and the values he has shown both as attorney general and previously as a member of the state Senate. For certain issues, including LGBTQ, Stein said he believes in a live-and-let-live approach and wont hesitate to defend anyone facing discrimination. He said parents should have a say in what books their child checks out from the library if it concerns them, but he believes some of the issues around it being debated by school boards around the state are a distraction from other education issues. Im concerned about the culture wars being debated in our schools to distract us from the fact our Republican General Assembly has woefully underfunded public education. We rank 48th in adjusted per-pupil spending in the country, 50th as a share of our states economy we spend on public education. Thats an embarrassment and frankly an outrage, Stein said. Youll notice the people talking about the culture wars in schools are talking about that instead of adequately funding teacher salaries and support staff for more school councilors, nurses, and school psychologists. In a place like Iredell County, a Republican stronghold, Stein said he knows winning over voters might be an uphill battle. He said he believes that focusing on everyday issues is what is important to the average voter. What people in Iredell County want, is someone who cares about their family member struggling with opioid addiction, who wants their children to go to the best public schools possible, that makes sure there are decent hospitals that can treat your parents when they get sick. These are things I am fighting for that help people all across the state. These are not Republican or Democratic issues. The opioid doesnt ask the victim if you are a Democrat or Republican before it takes over their life. A rapist doesnt ask if youre a Republican or Democrat before they commit sexual assault. These are all issues that affect all of us, and we all have a stake in, and that Ive been working on. Matt Walsh says his 11th studio album, Straight Outta Dunn is a culmination of and a reflection on his two decades as a musician. The music was released on Tuesday. Every song on there is about my experience as a professional musician, if it comes off that way, it might just be the struggle of a musician, Walsh said. He references a line on I Hit The Bank where he sings I hope I never go back to the good old days. Walsh said musicians sometimes romanticize the early days of playing live music. He does not. Its just that kind of sentiment of I dont wanna go back to playing horrible places and getting stuff thrown at me or yelled at or what I did when I was in my early twenties or a young musician. He added, Its more observations. Some of it is defiant like youre saying: This is such a tough business and if youre not already thick-skinned its gonna make you a little more thick-skinned. Thats where that comes from. The recently released video for I Hit The Bank is more up tempo. Guitar-playing Walsh is known as being is a little rock, a little blues, a little country, but undeniably his own. Walsh said when he made the album, he was able to be more relaxed in the recording process which allowed others to influence the final product. Walsh took an open-minded approach to see how the ideas of other musicians would fit into his own music. Things like that I think added a lot more to the relaxed vibe of it and added a lot more creativity, he said. That happened with having more young people around with young ideas, their perspectives. It couldnt hurt. While the official release date was May 30, Walsh said a few copies of the album had been distributed early, which created hype and provided him with feedback from his listeners. When people listen to it, especially if they followed my career for some time with all the changes that Ive done, I think it came off exactly the way that I intended it to, Walsh said. Most people say it the best thing Ive ever done. He added, Its not so much the best thing Ive ever done but its the best of all those things. Red Buffalo Brewing Company in Statesville will host Walshs Straight Outta Dunn album release party at 9 p.m. on Friday. (Photo : HO/AFP via Getty Images) NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected a massive 6,000-mile-long water plume coming out of one of Saturn's moons, Enceladus. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected a massive 6,000-mile-long water plume from one of Saturn's moons. The discovery was made on Enceladus, which is known among scientists for its geysers Enceladus is known to be home to a sub-surface salty ocean that acts as its primary water source NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected a massive 6,000-mile-long water plume blasting out from one of Saturn's moons, known as Enceladus. Enceladus is known for its geysers but the latest discovery is something that scientists consider to be a particularly large one. The water plume was estimated to span roughly 9,600 kilometers, which is a distance that is equal to that of flying from the United Kingdom to Japan. Saturn's Moon Releases Massive 6,000-Mile-Long Water Plume The discovery has excited scientists fascinated by Enceladus, whose sub-surface salty ocean is its main water source. Their fascination is mainly due to the moon's ability to hold the basic conditions to support life, as per BBC. It was NASA's Cassini mission, which was conducted from 2004 to 2017, that gathered sufficient evidence of the necessary chemistry. The mission regularly flew through the geysers of Enceladus and sampled the water using its instruments. However, it made no direct detection of any biology. The recent discovery by James Webb comes after previous observations that tracked vapor emissions that extended for hundreds of kilometers. However, the sheer size of the newly-found geyser is on a different scale altogether. Furthermore, the European Space Agency (ESA) calculated that the rate at which the water that was coming out of Enceladus was roughly 300 liters per second. The agency noted that this amount of water is enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just a few hours. Enceladus is described by many scientists as an "ocean world" and is considered by NASA as one of the most compelling places to search for any signs of extraterrestrial life. This particular moon of Saturn is coated in a distinctive, icy outer shell, beneath which lies the saltwater ocean that wraps its rocky core, according to CBS News. Read Also: UAE Plans to Send Spacecraft to Asteroid Belt Incredible Discovery There are cracks on the celestial body's surface, which scientists often call "tiger stripes." They are the ones that allow geyser-like jet streams to spew out from under the ice and into space. These potentially act as a crucial water source for the entire Saturnian system. The recently detected water plume is particularly interesting to researchers due to its size and strength. While the moon is one of the largest among Saturn's satellites, it's only about 4% of the size of our planet. In a statement, a scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Geronimo Villanueva, who is also a lead author on the new findings of James Webb, said that the first time he saw the data, he thought they made a mistake. In a press release, Villanueva added that the finding was just so shocking because of how they detected a water plume roughly 20 times the size of the moon that released it, said Yahoo News. Related Article: China Launches New Crew for Space Station, Aims for Moon Landing by 2030 @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. by Austin Bay June 1, 2023 Eighty-one years separate 1942 and 2023. In that human lifetime, the technologies of war have changed, as have some of the regional and global actors. Great Power rivalry definitely isn't ancient history in the Pacific and East Asia. However, communist China is now the expansionist power, not imperial Japan. The U.S. is still the challenged, but its allies now include democratic Japan, the independent Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. The Pacific's island geography hasn't changed -- the rocks and coral remain where they were in 1942. Despite the hype of the Space Age and the information age and now artificial intelligence, communist China's 21st century diplomats and generals know geographic position matters. Why do small Pacific islands matter? Chinese military aircraft and navy warships need forward bases beyond the First Island Chain (Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines). The new bases also provide the People's Liberation Army with missile launch sites. The closer missile launchers are to U.S. bases such as Pearl Harbor, San Diego and Puget Sound, the better, from Beijing's perspective. All the better for cowing the U.S. Navy. Saipan, Palau, Truk Atoll. They were valuable islands in 1942. Many American citizens, victims of bad schools and leftist teachers, have never heard of these World War II battlegrounds. But controlling them or denying Japan use of these and other islands led to Japan's defeat. For the record, Japan used Saipan as a base for attacking Guam. In 2023, the hearts and minds of people living in these islands matter. In these small nations, (and that's the current political configuration, nations and confederations) they are vulnerable to the suite of tricks that serves Beijing well in Europe and Washington. The wallets of agents of influence -- diplomatic slang for politicians and media operatives accepting bribes -- are a classic means of first obtaining a weather station, then fishing rights, then naval anchorage rights, then a navy base. After the navy base: a missile launch site. The process I describe isn't theory. In spring 2022, a leaked document indicated that China had reached an agreement with the Solomon Islands that would give it the right to make naval ship visits and send soldiers or police to train and (according to one source) "maintain order." Maintain Order: that's Beijing-speak for taking control when the moment is ripe. In March, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) stated at a congressional hearing: "We have fought for these strategic islands before. Now we are ?ghting again, hopefully in a nonlethal battle, and we need to pay attention." Here's an example of the current fight -- the nonlethal before the lethal. This spring, the biggest issue in the Federated States of Micronesia was the recognition of Taiwan over mainland China. The FSM is over 600 islands with less than 300 square miles of surface area. But their location, between Guam and Papua New Guinea, is valuable real estate. The FSM's former president wanted to support Taiwan. But in early April, the FSM's legislature voted to retain recognition for China. Democracy in action? The former president repeatedly warned that Beijing was dragging the island federation "into its political warfare" and accused Beijing of corrupt practices to include bribing local politicians. Beijing buys politicians in Washington, so why not Micronesia? What can the U.S. do? In the summer of 1942, Japan invaded the island of New Guinea. Tokyo saw it as a step to taking France's New Caledonia -- an island with rich mineral deposits -- and possibly knocking Australia and New Zealand out of the war. The Japanese used Truk as a base for the invasion of New Guinea. Australian and U.S. troops stopped the Japanese Army in the mountains and slowly pushed the imperial forces north. On May 22, the U.S. and Papua New Guinea signed a new military agreement. Papua New Guinea is the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and is about 90 miles north of Australia. Though late, it looks like Washington bets Papua New Guinea will be a bulwark against Chinese communist imperial expansion. History doesn't repeat itself, but if we're lucky, it will rhyme. Country rock legend and founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band John McEuen comes to Floyd for a show for the first time on Saturday. Despite touring nationally and internationally for about 50 years, McEuen said he somehow missed Floyd until now. McEuen was a driver of Nitty Grittys platinum album Will the Circle be Unbroken, which united the band with a slate of legendary musicians that included Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin and more. He left Nitty Gritty in 2017 the same year as the bands 50th anniversary tour and his induction to the American Banjo Hall of Fame to revisit his solo career and discover new things. The John McEuen Live Tour, which includes The Circle Band, features recognizable classics and stories from McEuens career, starting with the formation of Nitty Gritty in California in 1966. Fellow founding member Les Thompson will be at the Floyd show on Saturday, McEuen said. The show starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at The Floyd Country Store (206 S. Locust St.) in Floyd. Tickets are $38 for general admission and $45 for reserved seats, available online and in-store. McEuen, who spent the COVID-19 pandemic writing music and his second book, said the key to performing tens of thousands of shows is to focus on each night, one show at a time. The Floyd show will be the only thing that matters [June 3], McEuen said. Before stopping in Floyd, McEuen and The Circle Band are scheduled to play in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on June 2 and in Warrenton on June 4. McEuen said touring has become much easier throughout his career, largely thanks to technology and having more options. Plus its easier to get a ride at the airport, McEuen said. His shows are not necessarily impacted by the size of the venue hes playing, whether it be playing a stadium or something smaller, like The Floyd Country Store. All shows can be intimate as long as the audience feels connected to you and you to them, McEuen said. McEuen published his first book, The Life Ive Picked: A Banjo Players Nitty Gritty Journey, (Chicago Review Press) in 2018, and completed his second, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: The Making of a Landmark Album, 50th Anniversary (Backbeat) in August 2022. Will the Circle Be Unbroken is a memoir thats not a memoir, McEuen said, and it solely focuses on the most important album to come out of Nashville, Rolling Stone said. The album Will the Circle be Unbroken was recorded in five days in 1971 and released in 1972. In his book, McEuen gives readers a first-person perspective of the creation of Will the Circle be Unbroken, complete with never before seen photos by McEuen and his brother/producer, Bill. McEuen said he worked on the book for about a decade because the albums influence continues to grow. There will be copies of the book available at The Floyd Country Store on Saturday. Another one of McEuens most recent projects is a spoken word album from Compass Records, set to be released sometime this summer. A title has not yet been announced. McEuen said the album is unusual for him, and it features historical letters, such as from the Civil War and Vietnam. Stay up-to-date about McEuens upcoming album and nearby shows at www.johnmceuen.net. There are also a handful of stories online, similar to those McEuen will tell at the Floyd Country Store. Fertility rates in regions under the control of the Syrian regime have experienced a notable decline in recent months, Syria TV writes. The usage of birth control pills among women in Syria has witnessed a notable increase due to various factors, including the rising cost of living, the countrys economic crisis, and the substantial expenses associated with pregnancy and childbirth. According to Athr Press, a website with close ties to the regime, the percentage of contraceptives sold in Damascus pharmacies has surged by 80 percent in recent times. A pharmacist interviewed by the website stated, Contraceptives serve as a viable option for women who do not wish to have children, especially since abortions now cost 2 million pounds. The proprietor of another pharmacy in Damascus informed Athr Press that there is high demand for purchasing contraceptives, including foreign varieties that some women prefer and often acquire through smuggling. It is noteworthy that certain women specifically desire foreign brands due to their perceived advantages, such as the absence of significant side effects like weight gain. Moreover, there is a considerable price disparity between local and foreign contraceptives, with the former priced around 4,000 Syrian pounds and reaching up to 30,000 Syrian pounds. Additionally, there are contraceptive options administered via needles, priced at 100,000 Syrian pounds, which require the woman to take a shot every six months. Low fertility rates Fertility rates in regions under the control of the Syrian regime have experienced a notable decline in recent months, primarily due to the countrys economic crisis and the financial burdens associated with childbirth and child-rearing. According to the newspaper Tishreen, which has close ties to the regime, a doctor reported that her clinic receives two to three cases daily from women seeking to terminate their pregnancies. When asked about the reasons behind their decision, these women cited the high cost of living and the challenges of raising children amidst low income. The doctor further highlighted a significant drop in the birth rate, with several months passing without any births, whereas previously there would be daily or bi-daily deliveries. She also noted that maternity and maternity hospitals sometimes have empty beds, as women are discharged promptly after childbirth due to the pressures they face, similar to the situation with examinations. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. HTS has adopted a new approach to handling foreign fighters who are actively involved in their ranks, according to Athr Press. Confidential sources in the countryside of Idleb have provided information to Athr regarding the efforts of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (Jabhat al-Nusra and its allies, HTS) to remove numerous foreign militants. These militants are being coerced into travelling to Ukraine to engage in combat against Russian forces or carry out acts of harassment. According to the sources, the HTS has adopted a new approach to handling foreign fighters who are actively involved in their ranks or within the Turkistan Islamic Party. HTS has implemented measures such as imposing restrictions, seizing their homes and finances, and compelling them to journey to Ukraine via Turkish territory. The purpose of this forced deployment is to confront Russian forces, with the promise of monthly salaries reaching up to $3,000. Failure to comply with these directives results in the HTS implementing various measures, including apprehension, asset confiscation, and separation from their spouses. What is the reason for the elimination of foreign militants? Informed sources have disclosed that the leader of HTS, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, in Idleb, has expressed a desire to eliminate foreign militants. This intention stems from Julanis aspiration to position himself as part of the moderate opposition, particularly in anticipation of any future political settlement. Julani seeks to play a significant role in such a settlement and, to that end, maintains regular meetings with Turkish officers. He also complies with their requests on the ground and maintains consistent coordination with the Washington-led international coalition. Julani provides them with coordinates and information about the movement and locations of Hurras al-Din militants, with the aim of facilitating their elimination and subsequently having HTS removed from the list of internationally designated terrorist organizations. Since HTS assumed control over the majority of the countryside in the Idleb governorate in 2017, agreements have been forged with other factions in the region. These factions include Ansar al-Tawhid, Hurras al-Din, and the Turkistan Islamic Party, where foreign militants constitute over 70% of their total strength. HTS has mandated their presence on the fronts of Jabal al-Zawiya, located in southern Idleb, and Jisr al-Shughour, situated in the southwest of the governorate. Furthermore, HTS has established separate settlements for some of these militants in the northeastern countryside, specifically in the Lattakia mountains, ensuring their segregation from other militants. HTS provides comprehensive logistical, military, and financial support to these foreign militants in exchange for their complete field coordination with HTS. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The strikes hit a Hezbollah headquarters in southern Syria, among other targets, al-Souria Net reports. The Israeli channel Kan recently reported that the Israeli airstrikes on Damascus a few days ago were aimed at the covert Golan Unit of the Lebanese organization Hezbollah. According to an intelligence source quoted by the channel, the airstrikes specifically targeted a training camp for the Golan Heights unit located near Damascus. The camp was known to house individuals who received training to carry out operations against Israel. Furthermore, the strikes also hit a Hezbollah headquarters in southern Syria, which was involved in planning attacks against Israel and the United States in the region. Reports from the regimes news agency, SANA, confirmed that Israel had launched airstrikes near Damascus. The agency stated that Israel conducted air aggression from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting certain locations in the vicinity of Damascus. It further mentioned that the damages were limited to material and that air defences successfully intercepted several Israeli missiles. Recently, the Long War Journal website reported statements from US intelligence officials, revealing that the Golan Unit had been making preparations to launch attacks against US forces in Syria. According to the website, the unit was engaged in exercises involving tanks and weapons in southern Damascus, with the specific intention of targeting US forces. In recent months, Israel has escalated its bombardment of multiple locations in Syria. Although Israel does not formally claim responsibility for all these attacks, it acknowledges that its airstrikes in Syria are in response to the presence of Iran, which is actively involved in military positions supporting the Assad regimes forces. Who is the Golan Unit? The Golan Unit is a covert division within Lebanese Hezbollah, which was initially exposed by Israel in 2019. Its primary objective is to train Lebanese and Syrian teams to carry out attacks against Israel. According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the leader of this clandestine unit is Ali Musa Abbas Daqduq, also known as Abu Hussein Sajid. Daqduq became affiliated with Hezbollah in 1983 and held various positions in southern Lebanon. In 2006, he relocated to Iraq to oversee the operations of Hezbollahs unit in that country. However, he was apprehended by US forces in 2007. Despite being released in 2012 due to an alleged lack of evidence, he was dispatched to Syria in 2018 to establish the Golan File Unit. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The Syrian Network for Human Rights has appealed to several international bodies, according to Baladi News. On Thursday, June 1, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) announced that it had provided a comprehensive report to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances at the United Nations regarding the distressing case of Mrs. Mayada Burhan Wakeel. Prior to her arrest, Mrs. Wakeel served as a housewife. Regrettably, she was detained by regime forces. Mrs. Wakeel, born in 1976, resided in the village of Chtoura in the Zahle district, Bekaa Governorate, Lebanon, along with her five children, all of whom hail from the city of Idleb. In their statement, the SNHR explained that the woman and her children were apprehended on Sunday, April 7, 2013, at a regime forces checkpoint in the city of Homs while returning from Lebanon. Subsequently, they were taken to an undisclosed location. Since that distressing incident, they have been victims of enforced disappearance, leaving the SNHR and their families deeply concerned about their well-being. The SNHR has also briefed several United Nations Special Rapporteurs on this case, including the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, and the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. This effort aims to raise awareness and garner support in uncovering the truth surrounding the plight of Ms. Mayada Burhan Wakeel and her five children. It is disheartening to note that the Syrian regime has denied any knowledge of the disappearance of Mrs. Wakeel and her children. Unfortunately, the SNHR has been unable to ascertain their fate thus far, and their families have also been left in a state of uncertainty and anguish. She expressed deep concerns, based on past experiences in similar cases, that repeated questioning could lead to their arrest and torture, as has tragically occurred in numerous instances. The Syrian Network for Human Rights has appealed to several international bodies, including the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, and the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Their urgent intervention with the Syrian regime is sought to secure the immediate release not only of Mrs. Mayada Burhan Wakeel and her children but also of the thousands who have been forcibly disappeared, emphasizing the crucial need to ascertain their fate. The Syrian Network for Human Rights has underscored the grave concerns over the potential for torture and even loss of life through such means since 2011, as enforced disappearances continue to mount in number. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as part of his effort to win a third decade, highlighted the repatriation of one million Syrian refugees as a crucial focus of his campaign. However, fulfilling this promise will present significant challenges. Simultaneously, the Syrian Democratic Council, led by the Kurds, has urged Arab countries to prioritize the inclusion of UN Resolution No. 2254 in their agenda to establish normalized relations with Syria. Additionally, a 12-foot puppet named Little Amal, symbolizing a Syrian refugee, will embark on a journey across the United States to increase awareness about immigration and refugee issues. Erdogans promise According to Reuters, the ongoing conflict in Syria poses challenges to fulfilling this promise. The focus on refugee return has raised concerns among the 3.4 million Syrians living in Turkey, where resentment towards them is growing. Many refugees come from areas controlled by President Bashar al-Assad and believe they cannot return as long as he remains in power. Erdogans plan involves building new housing in rebel-held northwest Syria with Qatari assistance. This strategy, Reuters adds, reinforces Turkeys commitment to the rebel-held area, despite Assads demand for the withdrawal of Turkish troops. Erdogan aims to ensure the return of one million refugees within a year to opposition-held areas. However, security concerns and unstable conditions in northern Syria make large-scale returns challenging. Turkeys diplomatic approach to Syria has shifted, with the reopening of channels to Assad, but progress has been slow due to Turkeys deeper involvement and the presence of other foreign forces. Analysts believe Turkey is unlikely to agree to a withdrawal timetable, as it could trigger a mass exodus of Syrians to Turkey. Kemal Kilicidaroglu, Erdogans opponent in the election, had discussed refugee returns with Assad, but his defeat relieved many Syrians in Turkey. Erdogans chief foreign policy adviser emphasized a safe, dignified, and voluntary return, in line with international refugee law. Despite the election outcome, policy changes on migration are not expected. SDC calls for including Res 2254 in the Syria-Arab states normalization The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) called, during a meeting of its Executive Body, on Wednesday, for the UN Resolution No. 2254 to be included in the agenda of Arab countries for normalizing ties with Syria, North Press reported. The SDC called for the active participation of the representatives of the Syrian people without exceptions, and determining the Syrian governments responsibilities. The SDC is the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). It was founded in 2015 and includes all the communities of North and East Syria. During its meeting, the SDC Executive Committee stressed the importance of the Arab community in playing a vital rule in the Syrian crisis, and called for a comprehensive political settlement. The SDC discussed the causes and motives of Arab normalization with the Syrian government since the international community considers dealing with Arab countries more effective and positive than dealing with Turkey and the countries of the Astana Peace Talks. The Astana Peace Talks process to end the conflict in Syria was launched in January 2017 at the initiative of Turkey, Russia and Iran. The Executive Committee held the Syrian government responsible for slowing down international efforts to find a settlement for Syria, as well as accused it of claiming that lifting economic sanctions and the reconstruction process are conditions for the return of refugees. It called for efforts to continue to hold meetings between democratic forces and personalities and to focus on the opposition national parties. HTS to hand over foreign fighters to Turkish intelligence Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly known as al-Nusra Front) transferred four foreign detainees, one of whom is of French nationality, from Prison 107 in Idleb City to the Bab al-Hawa border crossing on Thursday, in preparation for handing them over to Turkish intelligence, North Press reported. A security source told North Press, The leadership of HTS General Security Apparatus, represented by Abu Maria al-Qahtani, has issued orders to transfer the detainees to the security office at the Bab al-Hawa crossing under tight security escort. They will be handed over to the Turkish intelligence during the upcoming night hours. The source added that the names of the detainees were sent from the Turkish side, including Abu Bilal al-Faransi, a member of the militia of Ghuraba al-Sham Front that includes French fighters. He was arrested by HTS about two years ago. This operation is the fifth of its kind in 2023. HTS prisons contain dozens of foreign militants whom Ankara wishes to receive, without knowing the purpose behind it. Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a Syrian refugee, will travel to the US Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet representing a Syrian refugee, will travel across the United States to raise awareness about immigration and migration, Arab News reports. Starting in Boston on September 7 and ending at the US-Mexico border on November 5, Little Amal will visit historic sites like the US Capitol and the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The journey aims to create empathy and highlight the experiences of vulnerable children. Local artists and community leaders will collaborate to organize special events at each of the 35 stops. Crafted by the Handspring Puppet Company, Little Amal requires a team of puppeteers. This initiative seeks to contribute to discussions about refugees, immigrants, and migration in the United States and was inspired by a previous trek across Europe. The puppet of the 10-year-old girl will visit the US Capitol, Boston Common, Joshua Tree National Park and the Edmund Pettus Bridge among other sites during a trek which starts in Boston on Sept. 7 and ends Nov. 5 along the US-Mexico border. There is something in the act of welcoming a stranger which redefines you, says Amir Nizar Zuabi, the artistic director. I think thats part of what were trying to create when walking into places that have a beautiful, complicated, defining history. Stops are also planned for Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, the Tennessee cities of Nashville and Memphis, New Orleans, the Texas cities of Austin, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso, as well as the California cities of Los Angeles and San Diego. Obviously theres a lot of specific points in our American history that we felt that we needed to address and thats the reason why were starting in Boston, says Enrico Dau Yang Wey, lead puppeteer and co-associate artistic director. The reason why were finishing in San Diego is that theres just such a thin line between the United States and Mexico. Little Amal demands empathy, the puppet of a vulnerable, naive girl who is in a strange place after surviving a long ordeal alone. Shes just a symbol of millions of children, says Zuabi. Just having a community breathe together and walk with Amal for a stretch in the streets becomes a very, very meaningful act. Organizers are reaching out to community artists and leaders at each of the 35 stops including places revered in Civil Rights Movement history like Selma, Alabama, and recent scenes of gun violence like Uvalde, Texas to create more than 100 special events anchored by each place visited. We work very closely with our local partners and try and understand what is the story theyre trying to tell and try to co-create an event that resonates in this place to this community, says Zuabi. I think thats part of why this project becomes so emotional for many people. Iran plans to escalate attacks against U.S. troops in Syria, documents show According to leaked classified documents and intelligence officials, Iran is reportedly providing support and arming militants in Syria for the purpose of carrying out lethal attacks against U.S. troops in the country, The Washington Post reports. The documents reveal that Iran, in collaboration with Russia, is working on a broader strategy to drive American forces out of the region. The reports suggest that Iran and its allies are developing and training forces to use more advanced armor-piercing roadside bombs, specifically targeting U.S. military vehicles and personnel. The use of these powerful explosives could escalate the conflict and increase the risk of a wider military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. The leaked documents also indicate that Russia, Iran, and Syria are seeking to oust the United States from Syria, with the goal of allowing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to reclaim territories currently controlled by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. The leaks have significant implications for the U.S. and its allies, prompting investigations and assessments of the damage caused. The situation in Syria is becoming more volatile, and the leaked documents suggest a potential escalation of tensions. Did the Ukraine War Begin In Syria? Aris Roussinos writes a thought-provoking essay in UnHerd arguing that the Ukraine conflict was prefigured in Syria, where American delusions about history moving the world inevitably in our direction were upended by direct and decisive Russian intervention: In Syria, Putins gamble turned out to be correct: Assads victory was indeed a historic turning point, marking Russias return to the world stage as an actor able to direct the course of history. While American officials insisted there was no military solution to the Syrian war, Russia promptly delivered one. The Russian intervention in 2015 made Assads victory inevitable, allowing America to turn with some relief to the campaign against Isis, then ravaging European capitals, and to quietly divide the country into two spheres of influence separated by the river Euphrates. As Putin foresaw, even Americas final chosen proxies in Syria, the Kurdish-led Syrian Defence Force, would find themselves abandoned over time as the White Houses revolving door upended any coherent long-term planning. In a hasty rewriting of recent history, the fractious rebel alliance which took part in Turkeys invasion of north-eastern Syria, which included factions previously armed by the US, was now denounced by Washington as renegade war criminals. In Russias eyes, the uncertainties inherent in Americas increasingly chaotic democratic system were the greatest vulnerability for Washingtons allies. Rather than the arc of history leaning towards liberal democracy, the abrupt policy shifts inherent to its system meant that liberal democracy itself was its own greatest strategic weakness. Now, this is an interesting argument, but I tend to think that it strangely reinforces the maximalism about Syria in retrospect. Back in 2015, one plan floated was that America would send 40,000 troops to Syria to help rebel groups hold on to the slivers of land they still controlled in Syria and then we would just wait until further developments or outrages moved public opinion in a way that would license the regime change desired by hawks in Syria. I still find this crazy, in that the best-case result would have extended and exacerbated the refugee crisis hitting Europe for years as our radical Sunni allies butchered and cleansed their nation of Alawites who benefit from the Assad regime. Small business owners in downtown Longview say they are struggling and one store is closing shop at the end of the month. Local business groups are working to prevent closures and continue what some independent owners called a resurgence of downtown businesses just a few years ago. Hopscotch Toys announced May 17 the Commerce Avenue store would close June 24. Savan Kong and Pamela Hayes-Kong, who opened the business in the fall of 2019 to sell nonelectronic toys, said they contemplated closing for months. They arent the only ones. The owners of chocolate shop and bakery Storyboard Delights posted on Facebook in May that their Commerce Avenue business was facing financial issues. We have tried to keep a positive attitude, stay flexible, pivot, share the joyful chocolatey things but the truth is that we have been struggling to stay afloat for a very, VERY long time (and we know we are not the only ones in town), the store posted. Some say they havent rebounded since the pandemic. Savan Kong said after the pandemic closures, Hopscotch Toys never quite returned to its customer demand from the 2019 holidays and it took longer than expected to find what items sold best. Gyros Gyros owner Andrea Horton said business at the Commerce Avenue eatery is down about 30% compared to before COVID. She said it wasnt clear whether the issues were due to COVID fallout, a potential recession or the shift to online sales. I think theres a real dependency now on shopping online and Uber Eats coming to your house, which is a real decline in people going out into town, Horton said. The plan But a downtown business nonprofit and the citys downtown advisory board say they are looking to draw shoppers. Longview Downtowners President Josh Carter said they are working on joint advertising, where similar downtown businesses team up to make one ad for all of their services. Carter pointed to what happened to Storyboard in the weeks after their post for help. The store saw a wave of new orders soon after the post and over the rest of May, with large interest in their chocolates and special weekend pastries. A lot of that support came from other downtown businesses. Were all about putting that message out. One of us says that they need help, what can we do about it? Carter said. The Downtowners are also looking to host more events. Last years inaugural Harvest Festival in October led to a jump in business during that time and the group wants to hold similar attractions over the summer. Originally, the goal of the Harvest Festival was to pay for a fulltime staff member to promote downtown businesses. Before Carter, Lindsey Cope headed the Downtowners as an employee of the Cowlitz Economic Development Council, an independent 501(4). Every county in Washington has a similar organization dedicated to local economic growth and is partially funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Although Hopscotch Toys is closing, Savan Kong said he and his wife want to keep having a community impact; they arent sure if or when they would pursue a new business. Kong said the decision to close rested on the familys priorities, and they are happy with their experience in The Merk. We wanted the ability to make critical decisions, be flexible, let our kids see the world..., Kong said. We brought joy to a ton of people and were sad to see it go. Fishery managers closed the recreational Chinook and steelhead spring fishing season on the Columbia River downstream of the Bonneville Dam starting Thursday four days earlier than anticipated. Oregon and Washington officials made the decision which bars fishing and retaining the species from the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam during a Wednesday hearing to be compliant with the federal Endangered Species Act. The recreational fishery downstream of the Bonneville Dam was originally scheduled to close Sunday, but will now close Thursday for 15 days. The fishery from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Oregon and Washington border closed May 25. The Columbia River summer fishery reopens June 16 with Chinook and steelhead retention allowed both upstream and downstream of Bonneville Dam. The National Marine Fisheries Service advised fishery managers to close the spring season immediately because fishing for the species past Wednesday violates the Endangered Species Act, according to an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife press release. The release states the expected return of upriver adult spring Chinook to the Columbia River mouth was downgraded from the 153,000 fish predicted on May 24 to 143,000 fish predicted on Wednesday. The numbers showed the fisheries were over the allowed impact rate for spring and summer Snake River Chinook and Upper Columbia spring Chinook, as determined by the Endangered Species Act, according to the press release. (Photo : OLEKSANDR GIMANOV / AFP) (OLEKSANDR GIMANOV/AFP via Getty Images) The United Nations issued a "mutually beneficial" proposal that seeks to salvage the Black Sea Grain deal that is on the brink of collapsing. The United Nations issued a "mutually beneficial" proposal in an attempt to save the Black Sea Grain deal from collapsing The proposal seeks to have Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine conduct preparatory works for the transit of ammonia from Moscow This comes after the Black Sea Grain deal was agreed to by involved parties to include more Ukrainian ports and other cargo The United Nations has issued a "mutually beneficial" proposal that it believes would save the Black Sea Grain deal which is on the brink of collapse amid rising global tensions. The UN's proposal involves Ankara, Kyiv, and Moscow starting preparatory work for the transit of Russian ammonia through Ukrainian territory. It is meant to salvage the Black Sea Grain deal, said a source familiar with the talks. UN Issues 'Mutually Beneficial' Proposal As the preparatory work begins, the UN wishes to have parallel talks to be held regarding the potential widening of the Black Sea Grain deal. That particular agreement was something that involved parties accepted last July to include more Ukrainian ports and other cargo, as per Reuters. Last month, Russia agreed to a two-month extension of the original deal but argued that the initiative will stop unless other countries fulfill an agreement that seeks to overcome barriers to Moscow's grain and fertilizer exports. Both Turkey and Ukraine have signed off on the new proposal, which was designed to improve operations in the Black Sea grain export corridor. However, Russia has not yet responded to whether or not it agrees with the new proposal. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a press briefing that conversations between involved parties are still ongoing. He added that the Secretary-General put forward a few ideas to the involved parties that seek to improve the facilitation of the work of the Joint Coordination Center. The situation comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the Pivdennyi seaport is now de facto blocked. He added that if Russia continues to get away with blocking navigation in the Black Sea, it could lead to other maritime countries of the world suffering consequences, according to Yahoo News. Read Also: Emmanuel Macron Demands Credible, Tangible Security Guarantees for Ukraine Black Sea Grain Deal on the Verge of Collapse During his nightly video address, Zelensky said that the entire world is aware of the fundamental role that Ukraine's maritime grain exports play in global food security. He added that security in the Black Sea as well as the effectiveness of international navigation were both crucial security factors. Zelensky noted that more than one and a half million tons of agricultural products have accumulated in the Pivdennyi seaport. This includes grain, which at least 10 countries are expecting to receive. The Ukrainian president said that these nations include Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh, and China. If there is less food supplied to these nations, then it would result in higher food prices for their population. He warns that the continued blockade of the seaport is creating a significantly serious risk for various countries. Zelensky added that Moscow is still trying to exploit its relations with the affected nations. On the other hand, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued warnings that the Black Sea Grain deal would no longer function if Moscow's demands are not met. The deal that was achieved last July requires the UN to assist Russia in overcoming any obstacles related to its grain and fertilizer exports. However, Lavrov said that these provisions are not being fulfilled "at all," said Channel News Asia. Related Article: South Korea Urges Further Study of Japan's Plan To Release Nuclear Water Waste @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. VANCOUVER The man killed by police in a central Vancouver shopping center parking lot on Tuesday night was wanted for multiple armed robberies, according to the Vancouver Police Department. The identity of the dead man has not been released. Three Vancouver police officers and a Clark County Sheriffs Office deputy have been placed on Critical Incident Leave, according to a late Tuesday statement from Vancouver police. About 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, a Vancouver police detective from the Neighborhood Response Team spotted a suspect wanted for multiple recent armed robberies driving westbound in the 6700 block of E. Mill Plain Blvd., according to the agency. Two addition detectives arrived, and the suspect was seen parking in the Heights Shopping Center lot and going into the Safeway. Police waited until they saw him leave the store. According to Vancouver police, when the suspect saw the detectives, he dropped a bag of items, displayed a firearm, ran westbound through the parking lot and during the attempt to apprehend him, the suspect fired at officers, and they returned fire. In a video posted to social media, officers, with their guns drawn, can be seen running through the parking lot. Someone is then heard calling out, He has a gun! A few seconds later, what appears to be another officer is seen firing a weapon, and multiple gunshots can be heard. Police said three Vancouver detectives and one Clark County sheriffs deputy fired their weapons, striking the suspect. They rendered aid but the robbery suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers or other members of the public were injured. The information is preliminary, police said, and the investigation is ongoing. The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team, led by the Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office, will investigate. Additionally, the Vancouver Police Department has notified the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations. In compliance with state law, Vancouver Police Department and Clark County Sheriffs Office personnel will not be involved in the investigation. The Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office is the case managing agency for this incident. All future communications will be sent via the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team. The Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team will be assisting with this investigation. The Vancouver Police Department and Clark County Sheriffs Office will release the names of the officers and deputy involved, at a later time, via the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team. The Clark County Medical Examiners Office will release the name of the deceased when appropriate. Once the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecutors Office for review. This isnt the first shooting in that shopping center parking lot this year. A confrontation that resulted in a shooting left one person dead in March. Two people have been arrested in connection with that shooting. 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: Utilizing in-memory computing allows for ultrahigh energy efficiency wireless communication, which works for radio, acoustic and light waves. Credit: Wang et al. (Nature Electronics, 2023) Advanced communication technologies, such as the fifth generation (5G) mobile network and the internet of things (IoT) can greatly benefit from devices that can support wireless communications while consuming a minimum amount of power. As most existing devices have separate components to perform computations and transmit data, reducing their energy consumption can be challenging. Researchers at Nanjing University, Southeast University and Purple Mountain Laboratories in China recently devised a parallel in-memory wireless computing scheme that performs computations and wireless transmission concurrently on the same hardware. This design, introduced in Nature Electronics, is based on the use of mermristive crossbar arrays, grid-like structures containing memristors, electrical components that can both process and store data. "In one of our previous works published in Nature Nanotechnology, we proposed the realization of massively parallel in-memory computing by using continuous-time data representation in a nanoscale crossbar array," Shi-Jun Liang, one of the researchers who carried out the recent study, told Tech Xplore. "In this past paper, we demonstrated that the processed analog signals can be transmitted via RF module. Inspired by our findings, we started to think about whether it is possible to exploit the in-memory computing based on memristive crossbar array to realize parallel digital data transmission in an ultralow power consumption manner, which is desirable for intelligent internet of things or other edge computing devices." The in-memory wireless computing approach introduced by Liang, Feng Miao and their colleagues utilizes the analog in-memory computing capabilities of memristors to also process analog wireless signals that are transmitted or received by a device. This could greatly improve the energy efficiency of devices, smoothening the sharp separation between the digital and analog domain that characterizes most current technology designs. "The unique characteristics of this computing paradigm is that the wireless signals carrying information can be processed (e.g., modulated or demodulated) in the path of data transmission in real-time and while consuming a low amount of power," Liang explained. "First, this approach can reduce demand for ADC (analog-to-digital converter) used in wireless communication systems, and drastically boost energy efficiency of real-time wireless digital communication. Our study also identifies a promising application scenario for the memristive devices, practical application of which has been limited by the noise associated with conduction state variation." The researchers created a prototype system based on their proposed design and then evaluated its performance in a series of tests. They found that it transmits a binary stream of 480 bits with a highly promising bit error rate of 0/480. Moreover, their device consumes significantly (i.e., approximately two orders of magnitude) less power than conventional devices based on digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters. In the future, the parallel in-memory wireless computing approach introduced by Liang, Miao and their colleagues could enable the development of electronics that consume less energy and are better equipped to meet high computational demands. While the team have so far tested their design to create electronics, it could also potentially be applied to acoustic and optical wireless communication devices. "Utilizing the memristive devices into the wireless communication, where the precise computing is not required, offers a great opportunity for analog in-memory computing technology," Miao added. "In near future, we plan to work on the large-scale integration of memristive crossbar array into wireless communication system and push it toward real-world application." 2023 Science X Network 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: Boeing currently has three commercial planes at different phases of certificaiton. Boeing will focus on successfully completing plane certifications, shoring up its supply chain and improving technologies in development before launching a new plane model, said Chief Executive Dave Calhoun. "You have to be patient, you have to get your ducks lined up," Calhoun said at a briefing at Boeing's Charleston, South Carolina factory organized Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of the Paris Air Show in late June. The aviation giant's top technology efforts under development include greater use of composite materials and autonomous systems. "There's a lot of homework going on, a lot of regular testing, so that if we decide to include it, it's mature enough to do so," he said. Boeing currently has three commercial aircraft at various stages of the certification process. These include the shortest version of its best-selling 737 MAX, the 737-7, as well as the longest in the 737-10. The third jet moving through the US regulatory process is the long-distance 777X. "It's an enormous amount of work at scale to move through all of those certifications," Calhoun said. Mike Flemming, who heads Boeing's development programs, said Wednesday that certification of the 737-7 was taking longer than expected. "The amount of documentation that we're producing on these airplanes relative to what we've had to produce in the past is considerably much larger," said Flemming, adding that the company still hopes to receive final approval for the jet by the end of the year. The company also expects to be cleared to undertake certification flights on the 737-10 "within this year," Flemming said. Calhoun cited the pandemic-era supply chain constraints in explaining the company's waiting approach to advancing new jet designs, noting that key suppliers have struggled with staffing shortages. "Many of those suppliers make one part; and they're the only supplier that makes that part. And when they fall down and or can't respond to a rate increase, we suffer," Calhoun said. "We can't just get mad at them... We simply have to work with them." Most recently, Boeing was forced to slow deliveries of new MAX jets because of problems with a part supplied by Spirit Aerosystems. Despite the issue, Calhoun said he has no interest in acquiring the company. "Oh yes, we are disappointed with every next issue that occurs that limits our rates," he said. "But I believe the path forward is still a constructive path where engineers work with engineers." 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 combustion of iron powder seen here is taking place on an entirely smokeless, carbon free basis. Tested in microgravity aboard ESA sounding rockets by a team from McGill University in Canada and Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, this technique has now been harnessed by Swinkels Family Brewers in the Netherlands, helping to free their brewing process from reliance on fossil fuels. Credit: TU/e / Solid / Bart van Overbeeke Everything burns. Given the right environment, all matter can burn by adding oxygen, but finding the right mix and generating enough heat makes some materials combust more easily than others. Researchers interested in knowing more about a type of fire called discrete burning used ESA's microgravity experiment facilities to investigate. In a series of parabolic flights and on sounding rockets launched from Sweden, a team from Professor Jeffrey Bergthorson at McGill University in Canada and Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands investigated burning iron powder in zero gravity. Their research was pure physics, the scientists wanted to know more about discrete burning whereby flames do not burn through fuel continuously but jump from one fuel source to another. This form of fire hardly occurs naturally on Earth, but an example is a forest fire where one tree burns completely and the fire jumps to the next tree when the temperature increases enough for combustion. Burning iron dust in experiments on zero-g aircraft and rocket flights allowed for the iron particles to float and ignite discreetly. High-speed cameras captured the spectacle and allowed the researchers to better understand the phenomenon, resulting in computer models that showed the ideal conditions to burn the fuel on Earth. Discrete burning for sustainable energy With the new understanding made possible from microgravity research it became possible to build efficient and practical iron-burning furnaces. This hypnotic video was recorded during a parabolic flight experiment on board the Falcon-20 aircraft of the Canadian National Research Centre that offers researchers up to eighteen seconds of precious zero-gravity. It shows at 30 times reduced speed iron metal dust igniting as it reaches combustion heat in slow-motion. So-called discrete burning occurs when a piece of fuel ignites and burns completely due to the heat created by other fuel elements around it. Unlike traditional fires that burn through their fuel continuously, discrete fires spread by jumping from one fuel source to another. There are very few examples of discrete fires on Earth, but sparklers commonly used on New Years Eve burn are an example. Another example is forest fires, where trees burn individually and the next tree burns only when the heat from burning trees around it reaches the temperature necessary for combustion. Credit: Perwaves team The advantage of burning iron is down to chemistry. Essentially, burning fuel is the process of transforming a material by adding oxygen atoms. his is why carbon-based fuel produces the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide when two oxygen atoms are added to the carbon-based fuel such as wood, coal or oil. With iron, the leftover product after combustion is iron oxide, more commonly known as rust. No carbon dioxide is produced, and the rusty iron can be easily collected as it doesn't form a gasburning iron emits no noxious gases at all. Iron rust can even be processed to remove the oxygen and return it as iron using hydrogen. By using electricity from sustainable sources, iron as a fuel can become a circular, endlessly recyclable energy storage. A demonstration plant is already up and running in Budel, near Eindhoven, The Netherlands, using iron as its fuel source this generator can produce 1 MW of steam in a unit that stands in a warehouse. Scaled up such an iron power plant could produce much more energy. Multiple start-ups are already pursuing this carbon-free fuel, to power factories and industrial processes. Metal Fuels. Credit: European Space Agency From space to Earth and then to the moon As space agencies prepare to build sustainable lunar outposts, supplying energy for the astronauts on the moon is just one of the challenges to overcome. Metal fuel could be a solution. Using solar energy, not only aluminum and silicon powders can be produced from lunar minerals, but also hydrogen and oxygen can be harnessed from lunar ice. The hydrogen can then be used to convert lunar dust that is high in iron and titanium to produce water and iron powder. The metallic powders and oxygen from the water ice can be used as propellants for rockets or ground transportation and the water by product can even be used as drinking water. This process might seem like science fiction now but using iron as a fuel source on Earth started out as an idea just a decade ago. Now the metal fuel community spans hundreds of scientists and engineers around the globe and is a lighthouse technology for alternative carbon-free fuel. In a not-so-distant future you might be running your car or home on iron. 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: A key concern in the conversation over floating offshore wind's potential to disrupt the clean energy space is how the technologies would impact marine life. Researchers developed fiber-optic sensing capable of monitoring surrounding acoustic signals, such as whale calls. This allows scientists to monitor how FOSW operations might impact large marine mammals. Credit: Jenny Nuss/Berkeley Lab In shallow waters, offshore wind turbines are fixed to the ocean floor. However, in deep water areas where winds are typically stronger and have the capacity to reap more than double the energy, floating offshore wind turbines must be moored to the seabed where the ocean is too deep for fixed structures. Floating offshore wind (FOSW) is one of the most promising clean energy technologies with a potential market worth nearly $16 billionbut science and technology solutions are needed to help reduce the cost of developing, deploying, and maintaining these complex systems. Scientists at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) are developing sensing technologies consisting of fiber-optic cables, which could be installed on FOSW structures that have been planned off the California coast. This would allow structures to self-monitor damaging conditions that could lead to costly repairs and would also help gauge how FOSW impacts marine mammals by detecting their activity. In collaboration with experts in materials science, engineering, geophysics, and FOSW developers from around the world, Berkeley Lab scientist Yuxin Wu is developing solutions to reduce the cost of FOSW development and deployment, while minimizing potential environmental impacts. Researchers captured this audio of whale calls using fiber-optic sensors that could be affixed to the floating offshore wind substructure. Credit: Berkeley Lab Q. What is the biggest obstacle to expanding floating offshore wind technologies? Wu: So far, there have been few FOSW deployments because the technology is in the early stages of development. Currently, no such systems have been deployed anywhere near 1000 meters in depth. We want to leverage scientific innovation by co-designing structural materials that are better able to withstand harsh marine environments and extreme weather events. And we want to add distributed fiber optic sensing to FOSW systems to enable systems to self monitor in real time for potential problems, a capability that could prolong a system's lifespan and lower operating and maintenance costs. Q. How does your team apply fiber-optic sensing to these innovations? Wu: A fiber cable has a glass core that allows you to send an optical signal at the speed of light; when there is any vibration, strain, or changes in temperature of the material that is being monitored, that information will be carried in the light signal that is scattered back. When attached to or embedded within the wind turbine structure, this gives it a "nervous system" which allows it to "hear" and "feel." The fiber is able to monitor surrounding acoustic signals, such as whale calls, which can help scientists assess potential impacts to large marine mammals from FOSW operations. We've been testing the deployment of this sensing technology to structural componentssuch as towers and turbinesto monitor physical and mechanical conditions experienced by the structure itself, like temperature or strain. Our research so far has focused on testing fiber optics on the tower and gearbox, some of the most expensive components where there is benefit to identifying damage before it leads to problems. Q. How important is materials science to reducing the cost of floating offshore wind systems? Wu: By revealing what is happening within a FOSW system in real time, fiber-optic sensing gives us the knowledge needed to develop more resilient, cost-effective materials at the system level. Designing FOSW systems at lower cost and to withstand harsh marine environments requires cutting-edge materials science combined with computing science to produce better materials and to effectively simulate how the materials perform. Materials can be developed to give the structures self-healing capabilities; for example, seawater intruding into a crack in concrete triggers reactions to seal the crack without interventions. We are partnering with experts in materials science and simulations from the molecular to structural scale to bring about innovations that have great potential for future deep-water floating systems because of their large cost-saving potential, local producibility, better performance, and environmental sustainability. DOE Office of Science user facilities at Berkeley Lab, such as the Molecular Foundry, Advanced Light Source, and National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), play key roles in facilitating innovations in our research. Q. These systems are far offshore, making them challenging to access for maintenance. How can technology help track and predict their performance when people aren't nearby to monitor operations? Wu: Digital twins are representations of structures made using advanced computer modeling, often jointly with real-time monitoring data, that scientists can use to control, simulate, and monitor how the FOSW system would respond to different weather or marine conditions. For example, we can simulate conditions of a hurricane and see exactly how the system would function under this extreme weatherright from our desktop computers. With real-time data feeding into the digital twins, system response to actual "on-the-water" field conditions can be monitored to support decision-making, for example when to send a crew to conduct system inspection. This could significantly reduce costs by avoiding unnecessary trips, and by allowing proactive maintenance of the system before larger, expensive failures. Last summer, our team used shake table testing of an actual turbine at the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center at UC Berkeley's Richmond Field Station, to test the ability of the fiber optic sensing to monitor how the turbines would respond to wave movements far offshore. The shake test helps evaluate and optimize deployment of sensors which eventually will be sitting on structures in the middle of the ocean and autonomously communicating data to land via fiber cables. Shake table tests at the Richmond Field Station are used to mimic ocean waves and test turbine stability. They also test the ability of fiber optic sensing to measure the response of the turbines. Credit: Yuxin Wu Q. How important is collaboration to reducing the cost of floating offshore wind? Wu: DOE's floating offshore wind Earthshot has an ambitious goal of 70% cost reduction by 2035. This requires a system-level approach that optimizes all steps through the entire lifecycle of FOSW from material design, structural construction, deployment, operation, and maintenance. Partnering with institutions and industries with different expertise allows us to efficiently develop these new and complex technologies that can help shift the nation's energy economy to one built on clean, renewable sources. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain First there was ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence model with a seemingly uncanny ability to mimic human language. Now there is the Bloomberg-created BloombergGPT, the first large language model built specifically for the finance industry. Like ChatGPT and other recently introduced popular language models, this new AI system can write human-quality text, answer questions, and complete a range of tasks, enabling it to support a diverse set of natural language processing tasks unique to the finance industry. Mark Dredze, an associate professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering and visiting researcher at Bloomberg, was part of the team that created it. Dredze is also the inaugural director of research (Foundations of AI) in the new AI-X Foundry at Johns Hopkins. The Hub spoke with Dredze about BloombergGPT and its broader implications for AI research at Johns Hopkins. What were the goals of the BloombergGPT project? Many people have seen ChatGPT and other large language models, which are impressive new artificial intelligence technologies with tremendous capabilities for processing language and responding to people's requests. The potential for these models to transform society is clear. To date, most models are focused on general-purpose use cases. However, we also need domain-specific models that understand the complexities and nuances of a particular domain. While ChatGPT is impressive for many uses, we need specialized models for medicine, science, and many other domains. It's not clear what the best strategy is for building these models. In collaboration with Bloomberg, we explored this question by building an English language model for the financial domain. We took a novel approach and built a massive data set of financial-related text and combined it with an equally large data set of general-purpose text. The resulting data set was about 700 billion tokens, which is about 30 times the size of all the text in Wikipedia. We trained a new model on this combined data set and tested it across a range of language tasks on finance documents. We found that BloombergGPT outperformsby large marginsexisting models of a similar size on financial tasks. Surprisingly, the model still performed on par on general-purpose benchmarks, even though we had aimed to build a domain-specific model. Why does finance need its own language model? While recent advances in AI models have demonstrated exciting new applications for many domains, the complexity and unique terminology of the financial domain warrant a domain-specific model. It's not unlike other specialized domains, like medicine, which contain vocabulary you don't see in general-purpose text. A finance-specific model will be able to improve existing financial NLP tasks, such as sentiment analysis, named entity recognition, news classification, and question answering, among others. However, we also expect that domain-specific models will unlock new opportunities. For example, we envision BloombergGPT transforming natural language queries from financial professionals into valid Bloomberg Query Language, or BQL, an incredibly powerful tool that enables financial professionals to quickly pinpoint and interact with data about different classes of securities. So if the user asks, "Get me the last price and market cap for Apple," the system will return get(px_last,cur_mkt_cap) for(["AAPL US Equity']). This string of code will enable them to import the resulting data quickly and easily into data science and portfolio management tools. What did you learn while building the new model? Building these models isn't easy, and there are a tremendous number of details you need to get right to make them work. We learned a lot from reading papers from other research groups who built language models. To contribute back to the community, we wrote a paper with over 70 pages detailing how we built our data set, the choices that went into the model architecture, how we trained the model, and an extensive evaluation of the resulting model. We also released detailed "training chronicles" that contains a narrative description of the model-training process. Our goal is to be as open as possible about how we built the model to support other research groups who may be seeking to build their own models. What was your role? This work was a collaboration between Bloomberg's AI Engineering team and the ML Product and Research group in the company's chief technology office, where I am a visiting researcher. This was an intensive effort, during which we regularly discussed data and model decisions, and conducted detailed evaluations of the model. Together we read all the papers we could find on this topic to gain insights from other groups, and we made frequent decisions together. The experience of watching the model train over weeks is intense, as we examined multiple metrics of the model to best understand if the model training was working. Assembling the extensive evaluation and the paper itself was a massive team effort. I feel privileged to have been part of this fantastic group. 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 OmniRing doesnt have a display and so can support a longer battery life. This makes it possible to wear the ring all the time, including while sleeping and swimming, enabling the ring to capture deeper and more intimate levels of sensing information. Credit: Taiting Lu A team of researchers in the Penn State School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science aims to enable health care and extended realitywhich encompasses virtual, augmented and mixed realitywith their smart sensing ring, OmniRing. The ring uses both inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, which can capture location, speed and rotation of the fingers, and photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, which utilize an infrared light to measure volumetric changes in blood circulation. The IMU sensors are used to detect and track finger motion, and the PPG sensors are used to collect and analyze health metrics such as heartrate, glucose levels and oxygen saturation. "The sensor data offers rich information to be able to capture the stress and mood of the wearer and recommend meditation and relaxation activities," said Wormley Family Early Career Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Mahanth Gowda. "We are currently exploring deeper applications at the intersection of sensing, machine learning, and Edge Internet of Things to extend the capabilities of what can be achieved in the convenient small size of a ring." The research team's paper, "One Ring to Rule Them All: An Open Source Smartring Platform for Finger Motion Analytics and Healthcare Applications," recently won the Best Paper award in the "Edge Internet of Things Artificial Intelligence" category during the Internet of Things Design and Implementation Conference. The paper details how, unlike smartwatches, the OmniRing doesn't have a display and so can support a longer battery life. This makes it possible to wear the ring all the time, including while sleeping and swimming, enabling the ring to capture deeper and more intimate levels of sensing information. "Our hope is to bring the technology to reality," doctoral student and OmniRing hardware lead Taiting Lu said. "Because the ring can have a lot of potential to help people in the future, we don't want to limit it to the lab but bring it to the real world." To meet that end, the research team became the first ones to develop a smart ring with an open-source design, meaning they have fully disclosed all details on their hardware, software and firmware. This will allow the research community to find and develop potentially interesting use cases for the technology. Lu emphasized that the project is an accomplishment of teamwork, with every member playing a crucial role in bringing the technology to reality. The research team includes, along with Gowda and Lu, doctoral candidates Hao Zhou, Yilin Liu, Shijia Zhang and Runze Liu. "We envision a significant role for OmniRing in the future: individuals will be able to effortlessly interact with their connected devices by utilizing hand motions," said doctoral student and OmniRing machine learning lead Hao Zhou. "Personal health and emotional data can be selectively relayed in real-time, enabling surrounding devices to interpret the information and respond appropriately. To put it another way, our goal is to strive to ensure that OmniRing deserves its name." Credit: Taiting Lu In addition to health care and XR, the ring can potentially enable sign language recognition and translation by integrating with other sensors, said the researchers. In order to do this, Gowda's lab is actively collaborating with Kenneth DeHaan, director of the Master of Arts in Sign Language Education program at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Deaf community. Lu explained that his research team and DeHaan explored challenges that could be addressed with such technology. DeHaan highlighted one common situation to the team: "Often in a public setting such as a coffee shop, for instance, baristas or servers are often impatient to assist as a customer is writing down their order, demeaning the customer and their shopping experience. This is why we want to even the playing field with this technology." In spring 2023, Lu and his team participated in the Invent Penn State NSF I-Corps Short Course program, which helps researchers connect with and interview potential customers to learn what potential iterations to make to their technology, as well as how to best present and talk about the technology, prior to entering the market. "The biggest benefit of the short course is that it taught me how to go about finding the needs or the difficulties of the customers," Lu said. "We can think our product is the best and can solve all these problems, but the reality is, the first thing we need to do is listen to opinions from partners and customers and from the community, then we can make a good decision about which application of our technology makes the most sense." The OmniRing team also participated in the Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank Idea TestLab, a 4-week program that helps anyone with an idea connect with potential customers to better define the problem and a potential solution. Lu said he and his team also had the opportunity to collaborate with Alert Heart, another Penn State startup, which is developing a device capable of detecting heart attacks wirelessly and alerting the caretakers. "I would definitely recommend the short course to other researchers," Lu said. "It would be a good starting point if you have a product and research funding and a prototype. It gives you a lot of experience, and you can learn how to bring the technology from the lab to real life." Right now, OmniRing has been tested and is able to detect 3D hand and finger motions, said the researchers. The next step for the team is to program the ring to recognize the hand and finger motions specific to ASL, as well as implement the health care features like heart rate and oxygen saturation monitoring. The research team is currently seeking collaboration opportunities for research and commercialization, and is hoping to participate in the NSF I-Corps National Teams program this summer to narrow down their market through additional customer interviews. The study is published as part of the Proceedings of the 8th ACM/IEEE Conference on Internet of Things Design and Implementation. More information: Hao Zhou et al, One Ring to Rule Them All: An Open Source Smartring Platform for Finger Motion Analytics and Healthcare Applications, Proceedings of the 8th ACM/IEEE Conference on Internet of Things Design and Implementation (2023). DOI: 10.1145/3576842.3582382 According to local officials, Russia has attacked the eastern district of Ukraine's capital city Kyiv with a missile strike, killing three people right off the bat. The latest night-time Russian missile attack reportedly injured several civilians in Kyiv. Russia Strikes Kyiv Again According to The Guardian, city officials report that Russia has launched a wave of strikes in Ukraine's capital city Kviv yet again. The military administration of the city posted about the latest attack in a post on the messaging app Telegram. It disclosed that falling debris hit a medical clinic and residential structures in the Desnyan district of Kyiv. The capital city mayor Vitaliy Klitschko says that the falling debris from the missile attack also fell on the Dnipro district of Kyiv. The debris fell to the Desnianskyi district after the city's air defenses shot down the missiles, the military administration of Kyiv reports. Photos of the incident quickly circulated online, showing a devastating scene wherein debris from residential buildings had been lying on the streets of Ukraine's capital city. Read Also: Moscow Hit by Drone Attack, Leaves Minor Damages to Residential Buildings Ukraine Says Russia's Missile Attack Kill 2 Kids As per a report by Aljazeera, Ukraine has reported that two children were killed in a recent missile attack on Kyiv, the capital city. In total, Reuters reports that there were three fatalities from the strike. The attack, believed to be carried out by Russia, marks another violent escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The strike occurred during the night, causing widespread panic and devastation. According to reports from city officials and confirmed by the Ukrainian government, the attack resulted in the death of three people, including two innocent children. The victims' identities have not been disclosed at this time. Besides taking the lives of three civilians, the recent missile strike also injured several individuals in Ukraine's capital city. City authorities in Kyiv have condemned the attack and expressed deep anguish over the loss of civilian lives, particularly the tragic deaths of young children. Ukrainian member of parliament Inna Sovsun slammed the recent missile attack, particularly the death of two children. She pointed to Twitter that the kids "went to bed last night, and now they are dead." Sovsun notes in her tweet that the "air raid alert is off now, but I cannot sleep. Holding my son's hand, making sure he sleeps well." The city mayor, Klistschko, declared that the Russian missile strike injured more than a dozen individuals, or 14 people, to be precise. At least nine have been taken to the hospital for further medical care. Related Article: Vladimir Putin Offers Nuclear Weapons To Anyone That Will Join Russia Against Ukraine, Ally Says @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. According to sources close to the matter, Pentagon leaders have canceled drag shows at the Air Force base in Nevada in time for Pride Month. The drag show was supposed to run at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada on June 1, paying tribute to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Air Force service members and its civilian personnel. Pentagon Cancels Pride Month Drag Show at Nevada Air Force Base According to NBC News, the show, which commemorates Pride Month, has been initially approved by the leaders of the Air Force. However, Pentagon leaders forced the Air Force to cancel the drag shows. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, General Mark Milley, ordered the Air Force to drop the Pride Month drag show. NBC News notes that the Pentagon leaders argued that they could not fund drag shows on bases under their policy. And as such, they demand it be dropped or moved elsewhere. The initially approved drag event at the Nevada Air Force base was touted as a "family-friendly" show. The showcase has no age requirement, allowing kids to join the festivities. As per The New York Post, the deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh has responded reported cancelation of the drag shows. She confirms, "[the Department of Defense] will not host drag events at US military installations or facilities." She further notes that "these types of events in federally funded facilities is not a suitable use of DOD resources." Read Also: Target To Remove Some LGBTQ Products Amid Customer Backlash: Here's Why! Drag Shows on Air Force Base Notably, the Nellis Air Force base has hosted drag events since 2021. In June that year, the military base hosted its first-ever drag show, aptly called "Drag-u-Nellis." The officials then explained that the event serves as "an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the history and significance of drag performance art within the LGBT+ community." CNN reports that no less than Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has previously supported the Pride Month celebration within the military. In 2021, he emphasized that members of the LGBTQ+ community were among the brave ones who valiantly defended "our rights and freedoms from the founding of our nation to the Civil War." But despite that, CNN notes that an official disclosed that the Defense Secretary has a different stance regarding hosting drag shows on military bases. He believes using the Defense Department funds for running such festivities is inappropriate. And because of this, the Pentagon leaders have directed the Air Force to choose two options: cancel the event altogether or find another location apart from a military base. Related Article: Xi Jinping Administration Shuts Down Beijing LGTB Center as Crackdown Grows in China @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A spoofed phone call is believed to be the reason why Texas A&M officials issued two Code Maroon alerts for bomb threats at White Creek Apartments and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility on Thursday afternoon, according to Lt. Bobby Richardson of the University Police Department. No suspect has been arrested in the incident Richardson said wasnt credible. A&M sent an all clear at 2:58 p.m. after searches of the two on-campus facilities were completed and no suspicious devices were found. At around 12:30 p.m., UPD received a call that reported bombs were placed in the White Creek Apartments and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility, Richardson said. The first Code Maroon was issued at 1:15 p.m. for the threat at White Creek Apartments. Residents were asked to evacuate immediately from the student housing center and others were asked to avoid the area. Richardson said the White Creek Community Center was cleared first so residents would have a place to go. A second Code Maroon was sent at 1:59 p.m. for the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility on A&Ms West Campus near the Mays Business School. A&M officials said the facility was evacuated. Until further notice, A&Ms Route 3 bus is not servicing White Creek, White Creek 2 and the Houston Building stops. Although an investigation continues, Richardson said the way the call came in, UPD officials are confident the number was spoofed by using technology. This is happening across the country to not only universities, colleges, high schools and things like that, Richardson said. A lot of it is stemming from the new AI technology and ways to hide your phone numbers. It is on the uptick and increasing, not just here but across the country as well. This is the second bomb threat made at A&M in the last year. In October, a call was made to A&Ms Help Desk threatening an explosion at Kyle Field, which prompted an evacuation of A&Ms football stadium and the adjacent Bright Football Complex. No explosives were found and the case was not taken by the Brazos County District Attorneys office because the call was made by an individual who, at the time, was a patient in a psychiatric hospital in Houston, according to police records and district attorney Jarvis Parsons. Weve learned from every incident and were getting better and better at responding, Richardson said, so it has been a learning experience even though they are unfortunate and this is a waste of a lot of resources that are taken away from emergency services. (tncms-inline)1664334488136982543[0](/tncms-inline) One person died from a steam engine explosion at the Oak Grove Power Plant off F.M. 979 between Bremond and Franklin on Wednesday morning, according to Robertson County Emergency Management. Shannon Payne, a 50-year-old man from Georgia, was identified as the lone casualty at the plant, according to the Robertson County Sheriffs Office. No further injuries were reported and there was no threat to the public, according to Emergency Management. Luminant, the owner of the 1,600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Robertson County, issued a statement saying that the incident occurred around 8 a.m. during the commissioning of a new auxiliary boiler. Our on-site team immediately called 911 and implemented our emergency response protocols, the statement read. A contractor was fatally injured. All other employees and contractors have been accounted for, and there are no other known injuries at this time. The identity of the victim was not provided as of mid-afternoon by the Robertson County Sheriffs Office. Luminant officials said they will work with the contractors employer and state and federal regulators to investigate the cause of the event. Oak Grove continues in operation and is generating electricity. The plant, which is situated 12 miles east of Bremond and 12 miles north of Franklin, opened in 2010 with two boilers, each generating 800 megawatts using lignite from a nearby mine. Luminant is a subsidiary of Vistra and generates 39,000 megawatts of electricity across 12 states. Oak Grove was awarded POWER magazines Plant of the Year award in 2010, but there have been multiple incidents at the plant in recent years. In 2016, a transformer blew at the plant, which prompted response from first responders from Robertson County and Bremond. No injuries were reported during the incident. This February, KBTX reported four contract workers were taken to a Temple hospital due to possible exposure to a hazardous chemical. Although Oak Grove has only been open since 2010, the plant was in the works since the 1970s, according to POWER magazine. In the mid-1970s, TXU approved construction of separate plants Forest Grove and Twin Oaks in different parts of the state, but the projects were deferred and the permits were ultimately withdrawn in 1994. In 2005, the project was renewed and revised. TXU applied for a permit using equipment from the two planned sites under the new name of Oak Grove. Construction for the plant started in 2007. TXU officials touted the plant as an economic boom for Robertson County and promised it would bring over 250 jobs and millions of dollars in economic development, according an Eagle report in December 2005. Most community leaders supported the project. The county judge, commissioners court, the cities of Franklin, Bremond and Calvert, and the chambers of commerce in Bremond, Hearne and Franklin all signed off on the plant. Being a teacher for 36 years, I watched the good kids out of Robertson County grow up and have to go to Houston and Dallas and Texas City to make a living, former Robertson County Judge Fred Elliott told The Eagle in December 2005. I wanted them to be able to stay home because theres a lot of good families here. A small, but vocal, group of concerned residents were opposed to the project, though. The group called Robertson County: Our Land, Our Lives led a lengthy fight against the plant between TXUs filing in 2005 and the start of construction in 2007. State administrative judges recommended regulators deny an air quality permit for Oak Grove in August 2006 after plant officials failed to prove environmental controls for mercury and nitrous oxides, particularly outlined in the draft permit were technically practical or feasible. But the power plant received a reprieve in June 2007 when TCEQ voted 2 to 1 to approve the permit and overturned the judges decision. TXU spokesman Tom Kleckner told The Eagle after TCEQs approval the company was pleased to move forward and stressed plant and company officials were being protective of both human health and the environment. Our goal, as one of only a handful of plants in the planning process, is getting ready to meet Texas growing need for power, Kleckner told The Eagle. Were happy to oblige. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI Get Rating) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 914,100 shares, an increase of 6.2% from the April 30th total of 861,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 460,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Currently, 2.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have commented on AWI. StockNews.com raised shares of Armstrong World Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Credit Suisse Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $100.00 price target on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $77.00 to $78.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $90.00 to $87.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Armstrong World Industries has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $83.63. Get Armstrong World Industries alerts: Armstrong World Industries Price Performance Shares of AWI stock traded down $0.65 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $62.44. The company had a trading volume of 517,982 shares, compared to its average volume of 425,803. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 2.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The stocks 50-day moving average is $67.65 and its two-hundred day moving average is $72.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.11. Armstrong World Industries has a 52 week low of $62.26 and a 52 week high of $94.94. Armstrong World Industries Announces Dividend Armstrong World Industries ( NYSE:AWI Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The construction company reported $1.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $310.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $310.86 million. Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 16.32% and a return on equity of 41.94%. Armstrong World Industriess revenue for the quarter was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.02 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Armstrong World Industries will post 4.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 4th were given a $0.254 dividend. This represents a $1.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.63%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 3rd. Armstrong World Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.82%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new position in Armstrong World Industries during the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in Armstrong World Industries during the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in Armstrong World Industries by 32.3% during the third quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,029 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $82,000 after acquiring an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its position in Armstrong World Industries by 89.9% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,272 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $115,000 after acquiring an additional 602 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP bought a new position in Armstrong World Industries during the first quarter valued at approximately $124,000. Armstrong World Industries Company Profile (Get Rating) Armstrong World Industries, Inc engages in the design, manufacture, and trade of commercial and residential ceiling, wall, and suspension system solutions. It operates through the following segments: Mineral Fiber, Architectural Specialties, and Unallocated Corporate. The Mineral Fiber segment produces suspended mineral fiber and soft fiber ceiling systems for use in commercial and residential settings. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Armstrong World Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Armstrong World Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG 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 2,380,000 shares, a growth of 5.8% from the April 30th total of 2,250,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 242,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 9.8 days. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently commented on ABG shares. Stephens increased their price target on shares of Asbury Automotive Group to $275.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Asbury Automotive Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday. Get Asbury Automotive Group alerts: Insider Transactions at Asbury Automotive Group In other news, SVP George A. Villasana sold 2,828 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.60, for a total transaction of $666,276.80. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,290 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,010,724. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.41% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Asbury Automotive Group Asbury Automotive Group Stock Performance Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Toroso Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $252,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group by 21.4% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 48,096 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,100,000 after purchasing an additional 8,474 shares during the period. Castleark Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $2,678,000. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group by 2.0% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 828,314 shares of the companys stock valued at $173,946,000 after purchasing an additional 16,208 shares during the period. Finally, Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $13,310,000. ABG traded down $7.27 on Wednesday, hitting $209.20. 474,169 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 239,579. The firm has a market cap of $4.50 billion, a PE ratio of 4.91, a P/E/G ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.12. Asbury Automotive Group has a twelve month low of $138.88 and a twelve month high of $253.67. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $201.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $199.98. The company has a current ratio of 1.92, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE:ABG Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $8.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.94 by $0.43. The firm had revenue of $3.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.79 billion. Asbury Automotive Group had a net margin of 6.23% and a return on equity of 29.48%. Asbury Automotive Groups quarterly revenue was down 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $9.27 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Asbury Automotive Group will post 31.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Asbury Automotive Group (Get Rating) Asbury Automotive Group, Inc is a franchised automotive retailer. It operates through the Dealerships and Total Care Auto (TCA) segments. The Dealerships segment offers a range of automotive products and services fulfilling the entire vehicle ownership lifecycle including the sale of new and used vehicles and the provision of vehicle repair and maintenance services, replacement parts, and collision repair services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Asbury Automotive Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Asbury Automotive Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 31,590,000 shares, an increase of 7.2% from the April 30th total of 29,480,000 shares. Currently, 2.5% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 12,080,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently commented on HPE. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $13.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research report on Monday, March 20th. They set a neutral rating and a $15.00 target price on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hewlett Packard Enterprise currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $16.62. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Insider Activity at Hewlett Packard Enterprise In other Hewlett Packard Enterprise news, EVP Thomas E. Black, Jr. sold 34,088 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.05, for a total transaction of $513,024.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Hewlett Packard Enterprise news, EVP Alan Richard May sold 703,226 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.11, for a total transaction of $10,625,744.86. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 249,511 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,770,111.21. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Thomas E. Black, Jr. sold 34,088 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.05, for a total transaction of $513,024.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 747,314 shares of company stock worth $11,291,569. 0.53% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hewlett Packard Enterprise Hewlett Packard Enterprise Price Performance Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HPE. Old North State Trust LLC bought a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Arlington Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. New Hampshire Trust bought a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Romano Brothers AND Company bought a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Institutional investors own 81.36% of the companys stock. Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock traded down $1.09 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $14.43. 34,080,707 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 13,098,403. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The business has a fifty day moving average of $14.85 and a 200 day moving average of $15.49. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 1-year low of $11.90 and a 1-year high of $17.25. The company has a market capitalization of $18.69 billion, a PE ratio of 22.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 1.22. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 30th. The technology company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.03. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a return on equity of 4.22% and a net margin of 2.92%. The company had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.30 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.19 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.32 earnings per share for the current year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.33%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Hewlett Packard Enterprises dividend payout ratio is 73.85%. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile (Get Rating) Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co is a global edge-to-cloud company, which engages in the provision of information technology, technology and enterprise products, solutions, and services. It operates through the following segments: Compute, High Performance Computing & Artificial Intelligence (HPC & AI), Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Heyu Biological Technology Co. (OTCMKTS:HYBT Get Rating) saw a significant growth in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,300 shares, a growth of 8.3% from the April 30th total of 1,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 205,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Heyu Biological Technology Stock Performance HYBT traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $0.16. 38,900 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 80,976. Heyu Biological Technology has a 52-week low of $0.00 and a 52-week high of $0.25. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $0.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.06. Get Heyu Biological Technology alerts: About Heyu Biological Technology (Get Rating) Featured Stories Heyu Biological Technology Corp. operates as a shell company. The company was founded on May 18, 1987 and is headquartered in Xiamen City, China. Receive News & Ratings for Heyu Biological Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Heyu Biological Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Performance Food Group (NYSE:PFGC Get Rating) insider Patrick T. Hagerty sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.91, for a total value of $111,820.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 151,790 shares in the company, valued at $8,486,578.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Performance Food Group Stock Performance Shares of PFGC traded down $0.34 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $55.29. The stock had a trading volume of 1,170,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,126,932. The company has a market cap of $8.63 billion, a PE ratio of 26.75 and a beta of 1.36. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $59.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. Performance Food Group has a fifty-two week low of $38.51 and a fifty-two week high of $63.22. Get Performance Food Group alerts: Performance Food Group (NYSE:PFGC Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The food distribution company reported $0.83 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $13.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.94 billion. Performance Food Group had a return on equity of 17.20% and a net margin of 0.57%. On average, equities analysts expect that Performance Food Group will post 3.86 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Institutional Trading of Performance Food Group A number of research firms have recently commented on PFGC. UBS Group raised their price objective on Performance Food Group from $72.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $68.00 target price on shares of Performance Food Group in a research note on Friday, February 24th. TheStreet upgraded Performance Food Group from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Monday, March 20th. Truist Financial increased their target price on Performance Food Group from $75.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Friday, May 12th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Performance Food Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $73.00. Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFGC. Securian Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Performance Food Group by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 14,305 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $835,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. Utah Retirement Systems boosted its position in Performance Food Group by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 8,200 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $479,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its position in Performance Food Group by 43.1% during the 3rd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 834 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 251 shares during the period. Toroso Investments LLC boosted its position in Performance Food Group by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 5,276 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $227,000 after acquiring an additional 254 shares during the period. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its position in Performance Food Group by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 21,790 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $1,272,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 97.35% of the companys stock. Performance Food Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Performance Food Group Co engages in the market and distribution of food products. It operates through the following segments: Foodservice, Vistar, & Convenience. The Foodservices segment delivers food and food-related products to independent restaurants, chain restaurants, and other institutional food-away-from-home locations. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Performance Food Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Performance Food Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Unity Software Inc. (NYSE:U Get Rating) CFO Luis Felipe Visoso sold 6,887 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.73, for a total value of $190,976.51. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 725,328 shares in the company, valued at $20,113,345.44. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Unity Software Trading Up 3.5 % Shares of U stock traded up $1.00 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $29.72. The company had a trading volume of 9,082,697 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,478,941. The company has a 50 day moving average of $28.86 and a 200 day moving average of $31.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 2.39 and a quick ratio of 2.39. The firm has a market cap of $11.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.75 and a beta of 2.16. Unity Software Inc. has a 1-year low of $21.22 and a 1-year high of $58.63. Get Unity Software alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in U. Credit Suisse AG raised its stake in shares of Unity Software by 19.7% in the 3rd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 711,992 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,683,000 after purchasing an additional 117,106 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its stake in shares of Unity Software by 16.7% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 38,623 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,231,000 after purchasing an additional 5,535 shares during the period. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board raised its stake in shares of Unity Software by 50.1% in the 3rd quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 14,132 shares of the companys stock valued at $450,000 after purchasing an additional 4,720 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Unity Software by 55.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 78,026 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,487,000 after purchasing an additional 27,800 shares during the period. Finally, Aviance Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unity Software in the 4th quarter valued at about $286,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.50% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Unity Software Company Profile A number of equities research analysts recently commented on U shares. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price target on Unity Software from $71.00 to $67.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Citigroup decreased their price target on Unity Software from $54.00 to $41.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Unity Software from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th. DA Davidson increased their price objective on Unity Software from $35.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered Unity Software from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $40.06. (Get Rating) Unity Software Inc operates a real-time 3D development platform. Its platform provides software solutions to create, run, and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company offers its solutions directly through its online store and field sales operations in North America, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as indirectly through independent distributors and resellers worldwide. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Unity Software Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unity Software and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ares Management Co. (NYSE:ARES Get Rating) CEO Michael J. Arougheti sold 68,603 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $84.83, for a total value of $5,819,592.49. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 825,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $69,984,750. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Ares Management Stock Down 0.3 % Ares Management stock traded down $0.27 on Wednesday, hitting $87.09. 1,305,320 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,012,900. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The firm has a market cap of $26.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 79.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.31. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $82.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $78.93. Ares Management Co. has a 1 year low of $53.15 and a 1 year high of $90.28. Get Ares Management alerts: Ares Management (NYSE:ARES Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The asset manager reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.82 by ($0.11). Ares Management had a return on equity of 16.79% and a net margin of 6.84%. The company had revenue of $813.36 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $694.04 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.65 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Ares Management Co. will post 3.6 earnings per share for the current year. Ares Management Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 16th will be issued a $0.77 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.54%. Ares Managements payout ratio is 280.00%. A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on ARES shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Ares Management from $81.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 10th. Barclays boosted their target price on Ares Management from $98.00 to $108.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. TheStreet raised Ares Management from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Ares Management from $100.00 to $105.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Ares Management from $82.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, February 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ares Management currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $97.44. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ares Management A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Park Place Capital Corp lifted its position in shares of Ares Management by 1,427.3% during the 1st quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 336 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in Ares Management by 210.5% in the 1st quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 354 shares of the asset managers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Ares Management by 300.0% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 400 shares of the asset managers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. HM Payson & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Ares Management during the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Machina Capital S.A.S. purchased a new stake in shares of Ares Management during the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. 47.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Ares Management (Get Rating) Ares Management Corp. is engaged in providing investment management and consultancy services. It operates through the following segments: Credit Group, Private Equity Group and Real Estate Group. The Credit Group segment offers credit strategies across the liquid and illiquid spectrum, including syndicated bank loans, high yield bonds, credit opportunities, special situations, asset-backed investments and U.S. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ares Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ares Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. (Photo : Hunter Martin/Getty Images) Thirteen coal companies owned by the family of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice are being prosecuted for unpaid fines. The Justice Department announced on Wednesday that it is prosecuting the son of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and 13 coal companies he owns to collect "unpaid civil penalties." Justice, a two-term Republican governor, declared his candidacy for Joe Manchin's US Senate seat in 2024 in April. He will oppose incumbent US Representative Alex Mooney in the Republican primary, according to Washington Examiner. DOJ Sues West Virginia Governor's Coal Empire, Son The Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice filed the 128-page lawsuit against James C. Justice III and 13 coal companies he owns and operates for "over 130 violations of federal law" that posed health and safety dangers to the public and environment. The lawsuit seeks to recover "$4,376,328 in uncontested corporate civil penalties, $1,419,959 in uncontested individual civil penalties, and $190,759.97 in uncontested AML reclamation fee and audit obligations," and unpaid pre-judgment interest, late payment penalties, and administrative expenses. Per ABC News, the administration was accused of retaliation by Justice, who was not named in the lawsuit. The defendants owe approximately $7.6 million in penalties, fees, interest, and administrative costs, according to the lawsuit. The US Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Christopher Kavanaugh, stated that the defendants were ordered more than fifty times to cease mining operations until the violations were rectified. The companies failed, among other things, to ensure the seismic stability of a dam, to maintain sediment-control measures, to remove rock and debris from a haul road following a rock fall, and to dispose of non-coal refuse appropriately. On a financial disclosure form, he filed this year with the state Ethics Commission, Justice listed 112 coal, agricultural, and other enterprises, including seven that were deposited in a blind trust in 2017. In recent years, his net worth soared to $1.7 billion, but he was removed from Forbes' prestigious list of billionaires in 2021. The enterprises of the governor have been perpetually embroiled in litigation over unpaid debts. Read Also: Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Orders Son To Resign After Public Outrage Over 'Inappropriate' Behavior NRSC Asserts Suit as Politically Motivated A spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee expressly asserted the lawsuit was politically motivated and accused Democrats of "weaponizing the federal government to attack the family of a Republican Senate candidate." The federal lawsuit involves unpaid penalties related to mining operations, violations that "pose health and safety hazards or imperil environmental damage," according to the US Department of Justice. On a financial disclosure form submitted to the state ethics commission this year, Jim Justice listed 112 coal, agricultural, and other businesses, seven of which were deposited in a blind trust in 2017. Never-ending litigation over unpaid fees has plagued the justice industry. The governor has attempted to distance himself from the enterprises by asserting that his two adult offspring are now in charge of them. The plaintiffs in the new lawsuit identify Roanoke, Virginia, as their principal place of business. Per Guardian, Justice stated on Wednesday that he was unaware of the suit's specifics but that he expected his son to inform him. Related Article: Hunter Biden Probe: IRS Whistleblower Reveals FBI Procedure Not Followed @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (TSE:AEZS Get Rating)s share price rose 1.3% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as C$3.83 and last traded at C$3.83. Approximately 200 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 87% from the average daily volume of 1,552 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$3.78. Aeterna Zentaris Trading Up 2.4 % The company has a 50 day moving average of C$3.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$4.40. The stock has a market capitalization of C$18.42 million, a PE ratio of -0.52 and a beta of 1.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 9.37 and a current ratio of 7.88. Aeterna Zentaris Company Profile (Get Rating) Aeterna Zentaris Inc, a specialty biopharmaceutical company, engages in developing and commercializing therapeutics and diagnostic tests. Its lead product is macimorelin, an orally available peptidomimetic ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) agonist that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone by binding to the GHSR-1a for the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency and childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency, as well as oncology indications. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Aeterna Zentaris Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aeterna Zentaris and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Africa Oil Corp. (OTCMKTS:AOIFF Get Rating) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,686,900 shares, a decline of 6.5% from the April 30th total of 2,872,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 93,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 28.6 days. Africa Oil Trading Up 1.7 % Shares of Africa Oil stock opened at $2.15 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $2.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.04. The firm has a market cap of $993.99 million, a P/E ratio of -11.32 and a beta of 1.25. Africa Oil has a 12 month low of $1.47 and a 12 month high of $2.65. Get Africa Oil alerts: Africa Oil (OTCMKTS:AOIFF Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 27th. The energy company reported ($0.39) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Africa Oil Announces Dividend Analyst Ratings Changes The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 13th were issued a $0.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 10th. This represents a yield of 2.26%. Africa Oils payout ratio is -26.32%. Several brokerages have issued reports on AOIFF. Scotiabank raised shares of Africa Oil from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 22nd. Barclays upgraded Africa Oil from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. About Africa Oil (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). Further Reading 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. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Sunday morning. Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Credit Suisse Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $100.00 price target on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on Armstrong World Industries from $77.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Armstrong World Industries from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price target on Armstrong World Industries from $90.00 to $87.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Armstrong World Industries has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $83.63. Get Armstrong World Industries alerts: Armstrong World Industries Trading Down 1.0 % AWI opened at $62.44 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.82 billion, a PE ratio of 13.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.11. Armstrong World Industries has a 12-month low of $62.26 and a 12-month high of $94.94. The firms fifty day moving average price is $67.65 and its 200 day moving average price is $72.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 2.18 and a quick ratio of 1.49. Armstrong World Industries Announces Dividend Armstrong World Industries ( NYSE:AWI Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The construction company reported $1.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $310.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $310.86 million. Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 16.32% and a return on equity of 41.94%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.02 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Armstrong World Industries will post 4.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 4th were given a dividend of $0.254 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 3rd. This represents a $1.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.63%. Armstrong World Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.82%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Armstrong World Industries Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cantillon Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Cantillon Capital Management LLC now owns 1,917,708 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $131,536,000 after purchasing an additional 152,796 shares during the period. River Road Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 25.5% in the first quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 1,773,996 shares of the construction companys stock worth $126,379,000 after acquiring an additional 360,508 shares during the period. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP purchased a new position in Armstrong World Industries during the first quarter valued at $121,108,000. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Armstrong World Industries by 1.5% during the first quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 1,611,898 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $114,832,000 after purchasing an additional 23,978 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its position in Armstrong World Industries by 59.3% during the third quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,500,752 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $118,905,000 after purchasing an additional 558,365 shares in the last quarter. Armstrong World Industries Company Profile (Get Rating) Armstrong World Industries, Inc engages in the design, manufacture, and trade of commercial and residential ceiling, wall, and suspension system solutions. It operates through the following segments: Mineral Fiber, Architectural Specialties, and Unallocated Corporate. The Mineral Fiber segment produces suspended mineral fiber and soft fiber ceiling systems for use in commercial and residential settings. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Armstrong World Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Armstrong World Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco Itau Chile (NYSE:ITCL Get Rating) is one of 70 public companies in the Commercial banks, not elsewhere classified industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Banco Itau Chile to related businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends, earnings, risk, profitability and institutional ownership. Dividends Banco Itau Chile pays an annual dividend of $0.17 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.8%. Banco Itau Chile pays out 24.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Commercial banks, not elsewhere classified companies pay a dividend yield of 2.5% and pay out 17.0% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Get Banco Itau Chile alerts: Institutional and Insider Ownership 0.2% of Banco Itau Chile shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 24.6% of shares of all Commercial banks, not elsewhere classified companies are owned by institutional investors. 8.0% of shares of all Commercial banks, not elsewhere classified companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Banco Itau Chile 11.23% 13.12% 1.06% Banco Itau Chile Competitors 18.66% 11.98% 0.98% Valuation and Earnings This table compares Banco Itau Chile and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This table compares Banco Itau Chile and its competitors revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Banco Itau Chile $2.94 billion $487.62 million 5.06 Banco Itau Chile Competitors $13.62 billion $3.07 billion 9.56 Banco Itau Chiles competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Banco Itau Chile. Banco Itau Chile 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 breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Banco Itau Chile and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Banco Itau Chile 0 0 0 0 N/A Banco Itau Chile Competitors 631 2240 2273 61 2.34 As a group, Commercial banks, not elsewhere classified companies have a potential upside of 85.73%. Given Banco Itau Chiles competitors higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Banco Itau Chile has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Risk and Volatility Banco Itau Chile has a beta of 0.98, meaning that its stock price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Banco Itau Chiles competitors have a beta of 0.94, meaning that their average stock price is 6% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Banco Itau Chile competitors beat Banco Itau Chile on 8 of the 12 factors compared. Banco Itau Chile Company Profile (Get Rating) Banco Itau Chile engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It specializes in banking products such as financing, leasing, loans, insurance and credit cards. It operates through the following geographical segments: Chile and Colombia. The Chile segment consists of commercial and corporate banking, real estate and construction, large companies, retail banking, personal banking, small business, retail companies, Banco Condell consumer banking, international and treasury and other financial services. The Colombia segment offers commercial and retail banking and treasury and international business operations. The company was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Las Condes, Chile. Receive News & Ratings for Banco Itau Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Itau Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BOX (NYSE:BOX Get Rating) updated its second quarter earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $0.34-$0.35 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $0.33. The company issued revenue guidance of $260-$262 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $260.35 million. BOX also updated its FY24 guidance to $1.44-$1.50 EPS. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on BOX from $39.00 to $37.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and issued a $32.00 price objective on shares of BOX in a report on Thursday, March 16th. Credit Suisse Group reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $36.00 price objective on shares of BOX in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on BOX from $24.00 to $21.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded BOX from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, BOX currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $33.44. Get BOX alerts: BOX Price Performance BOX stock opened at $28.18 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 563.60, a P/E/G ratio of 13.30 and a beta of 1.01. The business has a 50-day moving average of $26.81 and a 200-day moving average of $29.04. BOX has a fifty-two week low of $22.31 and a fifty-two week high of $34.98. Insider Activity at BOX BOX ( NYSE:BOX Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 1st. The software maker reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.03 by $0.04. BOX had a negative return on equity of 2.53% and a net margin of 2.70%. The firm had revenue of $256.48 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $256.29 million. Equities analysts expect that BOX will post 0.1 EPS for the current year. In related news, CFO Dylan C. Smith sold 13,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.09, for a total transaction of $339,170.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 1,402,904 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,601,765.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other BOX news, Director Jack R. Lazar sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.95, for a total value of $134,750.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 26,555 shares in the company, valued at $715,657.25. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Dylan C. Smith sold 13,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.09, for a total value of $339,170.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 1,402,904 shares in the company, valued at approximately $36,601,765.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 44,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,173,060. Insiders own 4.90% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of BOX Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of BOX by 0.3% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,922,747 shares of the software makers stock worth $363,967,000 after purchasing an additional 48,626 shares during the period. Macquarie Group Ltd. increased its stake in shares of BOX by 4.9% during the first quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 3,379,511 shares of the software makers stock worth $90,537,000 after purchasing an additional 158,270 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of BOX by 2.8% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,051,147 shares of the software makers stock worth $81,740,000 after purchasing an additional 82,813 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of BOX by 4.7% during the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,644,197 shares of the software makers stock worth $70,838,000 after purchasing an additional 119,823 shares during the period. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of BOX by 165.1% during the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,151,620 shares of the software makers stock worth $57,642,000 after purchasing an additional 1,340,114 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 85.67% of the companys stock. BOX Company Profile (Get Rating) Box, Inc engages in the provision of an enterprise content platform that enables organizations to securely manage enterprise content while allowing easy, secure access and sharing of this content from anywhere, on any device. Its products include cloud content management, IT and admin controls, Box Governance, Box Zones, Box Relay, Box Shuttle, and Box KeySafe. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BOX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BOX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS Get Rating) has earned an average rating of Hold from the fourteen research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have issued a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $3.63. CS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Kepler Capital Markets cut Credit Suisse Group from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a research note on Monday, February 13th. Citigroup cut Credit Suisse Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Credit Suisse Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Get Credit Suisse Group alerts: Institutional Trading of Credit Suisse Group Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Credit Suisse Group by 6.8% during the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 49,762 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $195,000 after buying an additional 3,164 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its stake in Credit Suisse Group by 70.3% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 7,931 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 3,273 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its stake in Credit Suisse Group by 84.5% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 7,318 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $166,000 after purchasing an additional 3,351 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Credit Suisse Group by 8.7% during the third quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 44,306 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $174,000 after purchasing an additional 3,540 shares during the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in Credit Suisse Group by 8.9% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 50,292 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $395,000 after purchasing an additional 4,130 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.20% of the companys stock. Credit Suisse Group Stock Down 3.1 % Credit Suisse Group Increases Dividend Shares of Credit Suisse Group stock opened at $0.82 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79. Credit Suisse Group has a 12 month low of $0.82 and a 12 month high of $7.25. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.39. The stock has a market cap of $2.56 billion, a PE ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.27. The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 24th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 11th were issued a dividend of $0.0547 per share. This represents a yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, April 10th. This is a positive change from Credit Suisse Groups previous dividend of $0.05. Credit Suisse Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Credit Suisse Group AG is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following four divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management and four geographic regions: Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Americas. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CIRCOR International (NYSE:CIR Get Rating) and Crane NXT (NYSE:CXT Get Rating) are both industrial products companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, profitability, risk and institutional ownership. Volatility & Risk CIRCOR International has a beta of 2.16, suggesting that its share price is 116% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Crane NXT has a beta of 1.49, suggesting that its share price is 49% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get CIRCOR International alerts: Profitability This table compares CIRCOR International and Crane NXTs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CIRCOR International 5.03% 34.61% 4.73% Crane NXT 13.12% 20.86% 9.01% Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio CIRCOR International $786.92 million 0.75 $19.39 million $1.98 14.66 Crane NXT $3.37 billion 0.88 $401.10 million $6.50 8.10 This table compares CIRCOR International and Crane NXTs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Crane NXT has higher revenue and earnings than CIRCOR International. Crane NXT is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than CIRCOR International, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider and Institutional Ownership 94.8% of CIRCOR International shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 70.8% of Crane NXT shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of CIRCOR International shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 2.0% of Crane NXT shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for CIRCOR International and Crane NXT, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CIRCOR International 0 1 2 0 2.67 Crane NXT 0 0 1 0 3.00 CIRCOR International currently has a consensus target price of $32.33, indicating a potential upside of 11.38%. Crane NXT has a consensus target price of $72.00, indicating a potential upside of 36.80%. Given Crane NXTs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Crane NXT is more favorable than CIRCOR International. Summary Crane NXT beats CIRCOR International on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About CIRCOR International (Get Rating) CIRCOR International, Inc. engages in the business of designing, manufacturing, and marketing differentiated technology products and sub-systems for the defense markets. It operates under the Aerospace and Defense, and Industrial segments. The Aerospace and Defense segment is involved in the production of valves, pumps, electric motors, kinetic switches, high pressure pneumatic regulators and subsystems, and electromechanical assemblies. The Industrial segment includes positive displacement pumps, specialty centrifugal pumps, metering pumps, automatic recirculating valves, and control valves for mission critical applications. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Burlington, MA. About Crane NXT (Get Rating) Crane NXT Co. engages in the management of a subsidiary, which manufactures aerospace equipment, electronics systems, and flow control systems. The company was founded on December 2, 2021 and is headquartered in Stamford, CT. Receive News & Ratings for CIRCOR International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CIRCOR International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS Get Rating) by 52.3% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 188,003 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 64,523 shares during the period. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Fidelity National Information Services were worth $12,756,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fund Management at Engine No. 1 LLC grew its stake in Fidelity National Information Services by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Fund Management at Engine No. 1 LLC now owns 6,530 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $443,000 after acquiring an additional 684 shares during the period. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. grew its stake in Fidelity National Information Services by 48.1% in the 4th quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 27,440 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,862,000 after acquiring an additional 8,917 shares during the period. Korea Investment CORP grew its stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 236,690 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $16,059,000 after buying an additional 20,115 shares during the period. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. grew its stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 6.7% during the 4th quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 118,514 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $8,036,000 after buying an additional 7,415 shares during the period. Finally, Poehling Capital Management INC. purchased a new stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services during the 4th quarter valued at $272,000. 90.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Fidelity National Information Services alerts: Fidelity National Information Services Price Performance Shares of Fidelity National Information Services stock opened at $54.82 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.74. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $54.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $62.91. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $48.57 and a twelve month high of $106.65. The firm has a market cap of $32.48 billion, a P/E ratio of -1.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.82. Fidelity National Information Services Announces Dividend Fidelity National Information Services ( NYSE:FIS Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The information technology services provider reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $3.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.41 billion. Fidelity National Information Services had a negative net margin of 114.79% and a positive return on equity of 10.66%. Fidelity National Information Servicess revenue for the quarter was up .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.47 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. will post 5.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be issued a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 8th. Fidelity National Information Servicess dividend payout ratio is currently -7.38%. Analysts Set New Price Targets FIS has been the subject of several research reports. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $93.00 to $81.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 14th. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price target on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Citigroup cut shares of Fidelity National Information Services from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $85.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $65.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised shares of Fidelity National Information Services from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the stock from $73.00 to $79.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $89.30. Insider Buying and Selling at Fidelity National Information Services In other news, CFO Erik D. Hoag sold 5,658 shares of Fidelity National Information Services stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.88, for a total value of $361,433.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 16,368 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,045,587.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Fidelity National Information Services news, CFO Erik D. Hoag sold 5,658 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.88, for a total transaction of $361,433.04. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 16,368 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,045,587.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Jeffrey A. Goldstein purchased 958 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The shares were bought at an average price of $57.24 per share, for a total transaction of $54,835.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,404 shares of the companys stock, valued at $309,324.96. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.56% of the companys stock. Fidelity National Information Services Profile (Get Rating) Fidelity National Information Services, Inc engages in the provision of technology solutions for financial institutions and businesses. It operates through the following segments: Banking, Merchant, Capital Markets, and Corporate and Other. The Banking segment focuses on serving financial institutions with core processing software, transaction processing software, and complementary applications and services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FIS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity National Information Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity National Information Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Texas Yale Capital Corp. lessened its holdings in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:GSLC Get Rating) by 2.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 33,587 shares of the companys stock after selling 992 shares during the quarter. Texas Yale Capital Corp.s holdings in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF were worth $2,557,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of GSLC. Goldstein Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $44,656,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF by 15.2% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,917,598 shares of the companys stock worth $207,208,000 after purchasing an additional 384,355 shares in the last quarter. Betterment LLC boosted its position in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF by 6.7% in the 4th quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 3,040,801 shares of the companys stock worth $231,496,000 after purchasing an additional 190,256 shares in the last quarter. WMS Partners LLC boosted its position in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF by 645.0% in the 3rd quarter. WMS Partners LLC now owns 215,456 shares of the companys stock worth $15,302,000 after purchasing an additional 186,535 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allen Capital Group LLC purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $10,820,000. Get Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF alerts: Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF Trading Up 0.8 % Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF stock traded up $0.63 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $82.86. The company had a trading volume of 97,008 shares, compared to its average volume of 308,214. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF has a 12-month low of $69.51 and a 12-month high of $85.63. The companys fifty day moving average is $81.34 and its 200-day moving average is $79.78. The company has a market capitalization of $11.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.56 and a beta of 0.98. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF Company Profile The Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in large cap equity. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap stocks comprising 4 sub-indexes: value, momentum, quality, and low volatility. The index uses multiple factors to pick stocks, and each sub-index receives equal weight. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. (NYSE:TV Get Rating) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the nine analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $8.77. A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on TV shares. TheStreet downgraded Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a report on Friday, February 24th. UBS Group downgraded Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $8.80 to $6.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. StockNews.com downgraded Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. Citigroup initiated coverage on Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. They set a buy rating and a $8.50 price objective on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in a report on Tuesday. They set a buy rating and a $6.10 price objective on the stock. Get Grupo Televisa S.A.B. alerts: Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. Price Performance Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. stock opened at $4.81 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $4.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $5.18. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. has a one year low of $4.38 and a one year high of $10.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 2.38 and a quick ratio of 2.33. The firm has a market cap of $2.72 billion, a PE ratio of -5.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.70 and a beta of 1.42. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. Increases Dividend Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. The firm also recently announced an annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th will be paid a $0.0985 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 26th. This is an increase from Grupo Televisa, S.A.B.s previous annual dividend of $0.09. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B.s payout ratio is presently -9.68%. Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TV. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. by 0.4% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 307,546 shares of the companys stock worth $3,599,000 after buying an additional 1,312 shares in the last quarter. GABELLI & Co INVESTMENT ADVISERS INC. raised its holdings in shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. GABELLI & Co INVESTMENT ADVISERS INC. now owns 51,875 shares of the companys stock valued at $274,000 after acquiring an additional 3,050 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its stake in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. by 20.7% in the first quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 20,868 shares of the companys stock valued at $110,000 after purchasing an additional 3,578 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. by 681.6% in the first quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 5,565 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 4,853 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.61% of the companys stock. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. Company Profile (Get Rating) Grupo Televisa SAB engages in the provision of media products and services. It operates through the following segments: Content, Sky, Cable, and Other Businesses. The Content segment includes advertising, network subscription revenue and licensing and syndication. The Sky segment includes direct-to-home satellite television system. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Televisa S.A.B. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Televisa S.A.B. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. (Photo : Sam Mooy/Getty Images) A judge ruled that Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated soldier, killed defenseless captives in Afghanistan. The most decorated soldier in Australian military history lost a multi-million dollar defamation case against three newspapers that accused him of committing war crimes in Afghanistan, including the execution of unarmed prisoners after a judge ruled that their reports met the standards of truth. The decision, handed down by Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko on Thursday, brings a dramatic conclusion to a lengthy trial and deals with another injury to the military's reputation, which was already damaged by the 100 days of testimony. Ben Roberts-Smith Loses Mammoth Defamation Case Besanko discovered that The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Canberra Times established substantial truth in a number of claims about Ben Roberts-Smith, but not all. In some instances, he discovered that the documents established contextual truth, which is also a defense under the Defamation Act of Australia. In other scenarios, he discovered that the documents failed to establish the truth, as per CNN. In the most damning findings, Besanko stated that the documents demonstrated there was substantial truth to the allegation that Ben Roberts-Smith, a former member of the special forces, murdered an unarmed Afghan civilian by kicking him off a precipice and commanding his soldiers to shoot him. Besanko also discovered that the allegations that Roberts-Smith killed a man with a prosthetic limb in Afghanistan with a machine gun, then brought the prosthetic leg back to Australia and encouraged his soldiers to use it as a drinking vessel, were supported by substantial evidence. Roberts-Smith, who was awarded Australia's highest decoration for valor, the Victoria Cross, and hailed as a hero for his bravery and leadership, has an already tarnished reputation, which is further harmed by the truth of the most severe allegations. As part of the defense for the newspapers, former comrades testified at the trial that they witnessed Roberts-Smith murder unarmed civilians in violation of the laws of war and that he was a tyrant and belligerent towards some of those he served with. Per Guardian, the trial also revealed the spiteful dissolution of his marriage to Emma Roberts, the mother of his two daughters, and his tumultuous liaison with a woman he met after departing the military. If the newspapers prevail, the reputations of the journalists who wrote the articles will be enhanced. The trial revealed years of meticulous effort to confirm rumors within the mysterious and secretive world of Australia's SAS regiment. Nonetheless, the verdict might not be a straightforward decision. The judge could determine that some of the newspaper's defense allegations were proven, but not others. If so, the judge will likely measure the damage to Roberts-reputation Smith's caused by the unproven allegations against the damage caused by the proven allegations. Read Also: Report: Kim Jong Un Suffers Insomnia, Alcohol Dependency; South Korean Spies Claim Dictator Weighs Over 140 Kilograms Australia's Campaign in Afghanistan Military details of Australia's unsuccessful 20-year campaign in Afghanistan have been laid bare in open court; ministers of the crown have been subpoenaed to testify; media empires have been pitched in barely concealed conflict; and institutions such as the Australian War Memorial, which still hosts a Roberts-Smith-dedicated display, have been drawn into the controversy. Within Australia's military hierarchy, questions have been raised about the command responsibility of senior officers and the more remote decision-makers who repeatedly dispatched the same small group of soldiers to the ill-defined frontlines of a dangerous, costly war against an elusive, faceless foe. The trial has also revealed vindictive factionalism within Australia's normally covert SAS regiment. Former closest friends who provided irreconcilable evidence have been pitted against each other as a result. Mohib Iqbal, the president of the Afghan National Council Australia, told SBS News that the case was "closely followed by Afghans in Australia and around the world." Iqbal stated that the case demonstrated the significance of the Australian government providing compensation to the families of civilian victims. Major General Paul Brereton concluded his four-year investigation into alleged malfeasance by Australian special forces in Afghanistan in 2020. The Brereton Report detailed "credible" evidence of 39 unlawful murders of Afghan civilians or detainees, and recommended prompt payment of compensation to restore "Australia's standing." When asked if he would contemplate depriving Roberts-Smith of his service medals, the minister of defense, Richard Marles, refused to comment. Related Article: Trump Acknowledges Keeping Classified Documents, Audio Recording Reveals @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Shares of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS:HTZZ Get Rating) dropped 0.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $15.75 and last traded at $15.79. Approximately 2,281,748 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 295% from the average daily volume of 577,139 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.84. Hertz Global Stock Performance The stocks 50 day moving average is $15.81 and its two-hundred day moving average is $16.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07, a quick ratio of 2.91 and a current ratio of 2.91. About Hertz Global (Get Rating) Hertz Global Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides airport and off airport vehicle rental and leasing services. It operates through three segments: U.S. RAC, International RAC, and All Other Operations. The company provides its vehicle rental services under the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Firefly, and Flexicar brands from approximately 12,000 corporate and franchisee locations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and New Zealand. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hertz Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hertz Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HPP Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 19,200,000 shares, an increase of 5.2% from the April 30th total of 18,250,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,930,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.9 days. Currently, 14.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Analyst Ratings Changes HPP has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Hudson Pacific Properties from $8.00 to $7.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $6.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 31st. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. They issued a sell rating and a $5.50 price objective for the company. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $10.46. Get Hudson Pacific Properties alerts: Hudson Pacific Properties Stock Down 1.3 % NYSE:HPP traded down $0.06 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $4.67. 4,774,515 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,321,350. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $5.40 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.34. Hudson Pacific Properties has a 1 year low of $4.08 and a 1 year high of $20.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $658.00 million, a P/E ratio of -11.67 and a beta of 1.09. Hudson Pacific Properties Dividend Announcement Insider Activity The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 20th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 21.41%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 17th. Hudson Pacific Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently -249.99%. In other news, CIO Drew Gordon bought 25,000 shares of Hudson Pacific Properties stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 27th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $5.96 per share, with a total value of $149,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the executive now directly owns 116,958 shares in the company, valued at $697,069.68. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, EVP Arthur X. Suazo acquired 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $5.86 per share, for a total transaction of $58,600.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive vice president now owns 87,102 shares in the company, valued at $510,417.72. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CIO Drew Gordon purchased 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, March 27th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $5.96 per share, with a total value of $149,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive now directly owns 116,958 shares in the company, valued at $697,069.68. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have purchased 38,975 shares of company stock worth $232,523. 2.95% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hudson Pacific Properties A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pathstone Family Office LLC raised its holdings in Hudson Pacific Properties by 110.2% in the third quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 72,475 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $794,000 after buying an additional 37,996 shares during the last quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its position in Hudson Pacific Properties by 18.9% in the 3rd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 339,327 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,716,000 after acquiring an additional 54,005 shares in the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D boosted its stake in Hudson Pacific Properties by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 513,529 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,997,000 after purchasing an additional 27,357 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio boosted its stake in Hudson Pacific Properties by 19.2% during the 4th quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 214,972 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,091,000 after purchasing an additional 34,620 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Green Alpha Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Green Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 144,303 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,404,000 after purchasing an additional 3,896 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.57% of the companys stock. About Hudson Pacific Properties (Get Rating) Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc is a real estate company, which acquires, repositions, develops, and operates sustainable office and state of-the-art studio properties in high-barrier-to-entry submarkets in California, the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, and Greater London, United Kingdom. It operates through the Office Properties and Studio Properties segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Get Rating) shares saw strong trading volume on Thursday . 2,074,082 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 36% from the previous sessions volume of 3,255,339 shares.The stock last traded at $60.53 and had previously closed at $59.05. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have commented on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Rio Tinto Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. CLSA raised Rio Tinto Group from an underperform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, March 13th. BNP Paribas cut Rio Tinto Group from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley raised Rio Tinto Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Rio Tinto Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $5,790.00. Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance The stock has a 50-day moving average of $64.44 and a 200 day moving average of $69.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rio Tinto Group About Rio Tinto Group A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of RIO. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 58.9% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 12,899,694 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,037,135,000 after buying an additional 4,783,488 shares in the last quarter. Cowa LLC acquired a new position in Rio Tinto Group during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Pendal Group Ltd acquired a new position in Rio Tinto Group during the 4th quarter worth $183,849,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 537.9% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,514,532 shares of the mining companys stock worth $172,457,000 after buying an additional 2,120,343 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 176.1% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,112,031 shares of the mining companys stock worth $48,114,000 after buying an additional 1,347,060 shares in the last quarter. 10.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. (Get Rating) Rio Tinto Plc engages in the exploration, mining, and processing of mineral resources. It operates through the following business segments: Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper and Diamonds, Energy and Minerals, and Other Operations. The Iron Ore segment supplies global seaborne iron ore trade. The Aluminium segment produces bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW Get Rating) COO Chirantan Jitendra Desai sold 13,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $538.15, for a total transaction of $6,995,950.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 40,558 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,826,287.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. ServiceNow Price Performance Shares of NYSE:NOW opened at $544.78 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $110.99 billion, a PE ratio of 277.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.73 and a beta of 1.04. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 1-year low of $337.00 and a 1-year high of $556.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $470.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $437.97. Get ServiceNow alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On ServiceNow A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. New Hampshire Trust grew its holdings in ServiceNow by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 599 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $278,000 after buying an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC grew its holdings in ServiceNow by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 1,666 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $774,000 after buying an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Sigma Planning Corp grew its holdings in shares of ServiceNow by 0.9% during the first quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 2,454 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,141,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Alera Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in ServiceNow by 2.7% in the first quarter. Alera Investment Advisors LLC now owns 928 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $431,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mirova grew its stake in ServiceNow by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Mirova now owns 2,525 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $980,000 after buying an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. 86.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ServiceNow Company Profile Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of ServiceNow from $495.00 to $525.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of ServiceNow from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $410.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of ServiceNow from $612.00 to $586.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of ServiceNow from $500.00 to $510.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $525.00 to $545.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-seven have assigned 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 $530.33. (Get Rating) ServiceNow, Inc engages in the provision of enterprise cloud computing solutions. The firm delivers digital workflows on a single enterprise cloud platform called the Now Platform. Its product portfolio is focused on providing Information Technology, Employee and Customer workflows. The company was founded by Frederic B. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for ServiceNow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ServiceNow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shell plc (LON:SHEL Get Rating) has been assigned a consensus rating of Buy from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 2,813.40 ($34.77). SHEL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 3,000 ($37.07) price objective on shares of Shell in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a GBX 3,300 ($40.78) price target on shares of Shell in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an overweight rating and issued a GBX 2,950 ($36.46) price objective on shares of Shell in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Royal Bank of Canada set a GBX 2,900 ($35.84) price target on shares of Shell in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reiterated a top pick rating on shares of Shell in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. Get Shell alerts: Shell Stock Down 2.7 % Shares of LON:SHEL opened at GBX 2,220.50 ($27.44) on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of 151.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 456.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 2,383.77 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 2,392.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.54, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 0.87. Shell has a one year low of GBX 1,908.60 ($23.59) and a one year high of GBX 2,613.50 ($32.30). Shell Dividend Announcement Shell Company Profile The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 18th will be issued a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 18th. This represents a yield of 0.99%. Shells dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 1,913.58%. (Get Rating) Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and Rest of the Americas. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Shell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victoria Gold Corp. (TSE:VGCX Get Rating) shares rose 1.4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$8.70 and last traded at C$8.45. Approximately 262,520 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 52% from the average daily volume of 545,943 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$8.33. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Pi Financial upped their price target on Victoria Gold from C$16.25 to C$17.50 in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. CIBC upped their price target on shares of Victoria Gold from C$10.50 to C$11.50 in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Finally, HC Wainwright lowered their price objective on shares of Victoria Gold from C$22.00 to C$21.00 in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Get Victoria Gold alerts: Victoria Gold Trading Up 3.6 % The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$9.62 and a 200 day moving average of C$8.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.29. The stock has a market cap of C$596.11 million, a PE ratio of 27.38 and a beta of 1.64. About Victoria Gold Victoria Gold Corp. acquires, operates, explores, and develops mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Its flagship property is 100% owned Dublin Gulch property, which hosts the Eagle and Olive-Shamrock Gold deposit covering an area of approximately 555 square kilometers located in central Yukon, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Victoria Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Four Pennsylvania residents, including a teenager, died after an SUV towing a rented trailer collided with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 81 in Montgomery County early Tuesday. The incident near the 120 mile marker on the interstates northbound lanes involved two tractor-trailers and four passenger vehicles, Virginia State Police Public Information Officer Rick Garletts wrote in an email. At about 3:30 a.m. a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, an SUV pulling a trailer, was traveling north at the 120.2 mile marker when it lost control and spun around, police said. It came to rest facing southbound in the northbound travel lanes. Then it was struck by a northbound Freightliner tractor-trailer. Shortly after that crash, a secondary crash occurred, Garletts said, but no one was injured in that incident. The Chevrolets driver, Douangpee Amnatkeo, 54, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, died at the crash scene. Two passengers in the Chevrolet also died on the scene Ericssan Kathpratoum, 13, also of Shippensburg, and Monthy Matnopaseuth, 39, of Reading, Pennsylvania. A third passenger, Samiane Kothpratoum, 37, of Shippensburg, was flown to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he later died. Police said no one in the Chevrolet SUV was wearing a seat belt. The tractor-trailers driver was not injured. The Virginia Department of Transportation, or VDOT, set up a temporary detour for motorists at northbound exit 118 A to U.S. 11. VDOT later reopened northbound I-81. The crash remains under the investigation of state police. A local committee planning to bring fireworks back to Fonner Park next month is asking for the public's help to reach its goal. A total of $50,000 is needed to stage the public fireworks celebration on July 4. Weve raised almost $45,000 thanks to the generous support of local businesses, said Chris Rosacker, a member of the fireworks committee. Were almost there. We just need a little more support to get over the finish line. With funds raised already, Rosacker said the committee is able to fund the cost of the fireworks themselves and pay a display contractor to launch them. More support is needed to fund all the other associated costs to make the event free for the whole community. The fireworks display is meant to wrap up Grand Island's celebration of its 150th anniversary. Tax-deductible donations may be made by mailing a check to the Hall County Historical Society and earmarking fireworks in the memo line. The mailing address for the Hall County Historical Society is 603 N. Plum St., Grand Island, NE 68801. Sponsorships levels are also available in intervals of $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000, which earn sponsors increasing levels of recognition. Thus far, significant donations have been received from the Nebraska State Fair, O'Neill Transportation, Overhead Door, Schuster & Anderson Wealth Advisors, All Faiths Funeral Home, Amur, the Grand Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dramco Tool, Equitable Bank, First National Bank/Insurance, Home Federal, Nebraska Fire Sprinkler, Roger and Liana Steele and Stuhr Museum. Fonner Park has not hosted a July Fourth fireworks celebration since 2019. Grand Island Family Radio had traditionally organized the annual Independence Day observances, with backing from community sponsors but ceased during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many residents have a misconception that Fonner Park had organized those shows. However, Fonners role was as a host to the event and one of its sponsors. For years prior to 2019, the parking lot at Fonner and the surrounding streets and neighborhoods would be jammed with cars, lawn chairs and blankets as the community annually gathered to look to the skies to celebrate the national holiday. The neighborhood just north of Fonner Park even began to organize something of an after-party, which entailed the launch of thousands of dollars of their own collectively-funded fireworks just moments after the conclusion of professional display. The annual show of fireworks at Fonner Park was something people really looked forward to, said Don Deitemeyer, a fireworks committee member. It was something of a tradition for folks to go see. I cant tell you how many people have told me they are excited for it to return. Anyone interested in supporting the fireworks effort is encouraged to reach out to Dana Jelinek at Grand Island Tourism. Organizers hope that momentum from this year's effort will continue to keep fireworks exploding for the public of the citys sky for years to come. AI & Education Policy Report: AI R&D Should Align with ED Recommendations and Focus on Context, Partnership, and Public Policy "AI is sometimes presented as a race to be the first to advance new techniques or scale new applications innovation is sometimes portrayed as rapidly going to scale with a minimally viable product, failing fast, and only after failure, dealing with context," according to a new report, "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations," by the Office of Educational Technology (OET) of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). As far back as 2010, the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) set a research and development (R&D) challenge for ed tech developers to "create personalized learning systems that continuously improve as they are used." The new AI report suggests further R&D goals and makes recommendations for AI ed tech developers, keeping in mind a focus on "context sensitivity" for success in educational goals. "We look forward to new meanings of 'adaptive' that broaden outward from what the term has meant in the past decade. For example, 'adaptive' should not always be a synonym of 'individualized' because people are social learners. Researchers therefore are broadening 'adaptivity' to include support for what students do as they learn in groups," the report notes. "The R&D focus on context must be prioritized early and habitually in R&D; we don't want to win a race to the wrong finish line," it adds. R&D recommendations are made from these perspectives: Attention to the "long tail of learner variability," that is, the multiple ways in which people engage in teaching and learning according to their "strengths and needs." This replaces the "teaching to the middle" philosophy. Partnership in design-based research, the shift toward co-design from multiple stakeholders teachers, students, parents, and others. A commitment to this can foster digital inclusion and generate discussions about the need for AI explainability, transparency, and responsibility. Teacher professional development and the expectation that teachers should adopt and embrace emerging ed tech, especially AI, but have too little training. Focus should be placed on how to increase teacher literacy about AI. Alignment with public policy efforts, including funding, to keep AI algorithmically unbiased, ethical, inclusive, private, and secure. Based on these considerations, the report concludes with several recommendations moving forward with regard to the use of AI in ed tech: Keep "humans in the loop" so that a technology-enhanced future is "more like an electric bike and less like robot vacuums"; Promote AI models that conform to "a shared vision for education," i.e., humans determining goals and evaluating such models, with heavy involvement from local, state, and federal policymakers keeping an eye on and holding developers accountable for overblown promises and unsupported claims; Design AI ed tech based on modern learning pedagogy; Strengthen public trust in AI by demonstrating its "safety, usability, and efficacy"; Keep educators informed and involved in AI ed tech at every step and foster respect for their skills and value to society; Focus R&D on enhancing context, trust, and safety; Develop "guidelines and guardrails" for the use of AI ed tech. Throughout the report, reference is made to the "Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights," released by the White House in fall 2022. Five basic rights are outlined and elaborated: 1. Safe and effective systems; 2. Algorithmic discrimination protections; 3. Data privacy; 4. Notice and explanation; 5. Human alternatives, consideration, and fallback. Visit this page for a summary handout of the report's main points. A webinar going into more depth on this report will be held Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. ET. Signup is available by QR code on the handout page. The full report can be downloaded from this page. Paris, TX (75460) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds from time to time. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chinese diplomats, doctors visit orphanage in Algeria before Int'l Children's Day Xinhua) 09:21, June 01, 2023 Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Li Jian (L) hands over the donation to Sofiane Guercif, director of Draria Children's Village, in Algiers, Algeria, on May 31, 2023. The orphanage on Wednesday welcomed a charity event organized by the Chinese embassy ahead of the International Children's Day. (Xinhua) ALGIERS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- An orphanage in Algiers, capital of Algeria, on Wednesday welcomed a charity event organized by the Chinese embassy ahead of the International Children's Day. During the event at the Red Crescent's Orphanage Village of Draria, members of the Chinese medical team in Algeria conducted health consultations on site for the children in the village. A number of games and activities were organized by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Algeria, and gifts, health care kits, and stationary supplies worth about 2 million Algerian dinars (about 14,617 U.S. dollars) were donated to the children. It is the seventh consecutive year for the CSCEC Algeria to donate to the Draria Children's Village, said Chairman of CSCEC Algeria Tang Hao. Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Li Jian said at the event that China is a "permanent friend and sincere partner of Algeria, hoping that the Sino-Algerian friendship will be passed on from generation to generation." He expressed hopes that "the children would have a special and joyful Children's Day," and wished for their healthy growth and success in future studies. Sofiane Guercif, director of Draria Children's Village, said the event "is a perfect embodiment of the friendship between Algerian and Chinese people," adding that the much-needed materials and gifts made the children feel the warmth from China. Draria Children's Village is a charitable organization based in Algiers that provides international relief for orphaned children. It currently supports 72 children between the ages of 4 and 22. Representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Algeria, a Chinese medical team, and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Algeria, hold an International Children's Day activity at Draria Children's Village in Algiers, Algeria, on May 31, 2023. The orphanage on Wednesday welcomed a charity event organized by the Chinese embassy ahead of the International Children's Day. (Xinhua) Members of a Chinese medical team conduct health consultations for an Algerian child at Draria Children's Village in Algiers, Algeria, on May 31, 2023. The orphanage on Wednesday welcomed a charity event organized by the Chinese embassy ahead of the International Children's Day. (Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) (Photo : PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images) During his inaugural speech, Nigeria's new president's off-the-cuff statement prompted petrol station queues. Nigeria's new president's plan to cut fuel subsidies has caused long lines at gas stations across Africa's most populous nation. Bola Tinubu's first address as president unexpectedly announced that Nigeria's $10 billion petrol fuel subsidies were "gone," sparking the gasoline crisis. Nigeria's Fuel Subsidy The announcement, which differed from the scheduled remarks, prompted Nigerians to stock up before the subsidies were eliminated, causing huge lineups at petrol stations and immediate shortages. On Wednesday, the state oil firm tripled fuel prices to N557 ($1.20) per liter, warning that prices will "continue to change to suit market dynamics." Fuel subsidies are still budgeted until June, Financial Times reported. A Mobil branch in Lekki, Lagos, had a 1km-long line of worried motorists. After four hours, cab driver Clement Agbor reported little movement. Last year, the World Bank called Nigeria a "fiscal time bomb" because of subsidies. After inheriting a government with little income and high debt, Tinubu needs to save. Because of theft and poor infrastructure, the country's output has dropped to fewer than 1 million barrels per day. Within hours of Tinubu's first speech, hundreds of people flocked to the streets in their cars or on foot with yellow jerrycans to acquire what they believed to be the last drops of petroleum sold at a government-set price. Few were fortunate; many gas stations ceased sales entirely, while others unilaterally raised prices by more than 200 percent, causing pandemonium and artificial scarcity. It was too late to halt the panic by the time the president's staff clarified that the subsidy would only be eliminated at the end of June, following the budget of the outgoing administration. Read Also: Ben Roberts-Smith Verdict: Australian Soldier Loses Defamation Case, Judge Says Newspapers Established Truth of War Crimes Nigeria Government Corruption According to BBC, commuters are stranded at bus stations, and the powerful labor union is now preparing to confront the new government. Nigeria cannot refine enough petroleum to meet domestic demand despite its energy wealth. Four state-owned refineries are inoperable, requiring the country to import refined petroleum products, which are then sold at a government-set price. Since the 1970s, this has been the norm in Nigeria, and most residents have never paid the actual price of gasoline. The government has already set aside $7 billion to subsidize petroleum for the first six months of this year, despite Tinubu's assertion that Nigeria can no longer do so due to declining revenues. However, Nigerians' primary concern is corruption. Government agencies provide contradictory figures for the amount of imported gasoline, and shady merchants have been known to divert fuel to neighboring countries to charge higher prices. The proposal has been opposed by labor unions citing a lack of transparency and a history of corruption in government expenditure. Even though Tinubu's election is being challenged in court, his administration is widely viewed as a continuation of Buhari's. However, Ayodele Oni, an energy partner at Lagos-based Bloomfield Law Practice, stated that despite being controversial, the government had acted appropriately. He stated that the government must work to guarantee a consistent power supply and enhance rail and other modes of transportation to reduce the amount of money citizens spend on petroleum products. As per Aljazeera, the inflated cost of governance in Nigeria has also sparked concern among those who believe the government must modify its expenditure. Related Article: Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Orders Son To Resign After Public Outrage Over 'Inappropriate' Behavior @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Organizers call grassroots efforts in Marion to provide humanitarian relief for residents of Ukraine as a pay-it-forward project. The organizers of the project, Marion Realtor Dave Thompson, fellow Realtor and historian Jon Musgrave and John Holst, pastor of Zion United Church of Christ, have a goal of raising enough funds to fill a truck with food and household supplies for distribution in Ukraine. They are inspired by their own memories. Dave Thompson wanted to do something for Ukraine, Musgrave explained. Hes been around long enough, he knows all of the times Marion had benefitted from disaster relief and thought it was time that we pay it forward. Musgrave said the trio are partnering with the Marion-based Southern Illinois Community Foundation with a goal of raising $25,000 before the end of June. The funds will be forwarded to Bevan Stein, a missionary who has made about two dozen trips into Ukraine to deliver truckloads of food and materials to some of the millions of Ukrainians who have been impacted since the Russian invasion of the nation. Stein has presented about his work to Marion civic groups. His parents live in Williamson County. He basically tries to take a semi load of items on each trip to one of six cities that serve as distribution points, Musgrave said of Stein, who works out of Slovakia. With the donated funds, Stein will purchase food and household supplies, box them and then distribute to those in need. Musgrave said the effort is counting on the generosity of Southern Illinois residents, churches and other groups. He said he recently learned that giving to Ukrainian relief funds has slowed since 2022. They still are dealing with a lot of things; the number of refugees in the southwestern corner of the country alone is about 900,000, he said. There are millions of people suffering right now and we in Marion have benefited from other peoples generosity over the years. This is an opportunity for us to pay it forward. He said contributions will be accepted through the end of June either by mail to the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, P. O. Box 1772, Marion, IL 62959 (donors should indicate Ukraine Relief) or online at http://tinyurl.com/Marion2Ukraine. In liberated Ukraine city, civilians still pay price of war Following a series of pilot tests in April, a new internet-based telephone system is being installed at South Carolina State University. The university installed 20 pilot telephones in mid-April successfully, said Dr. Gerald Hubbard Smalls, S.C. States vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. The pilot telephones have been operational since installation and provided feedback for ongoing deployments, Smalls said. Last week, AT&T and S.C. State installed 215 more voice over IP telephones in eight administration and academic buildings, including those necessary for communication with parents and students about such key functions as admissions, enrollment, finances, registration and emergencies. They included Belcher Hall, Moss Hall Annex, Dawn Center, Lowman Hall, Moss Hall, Ko W.G. Donma Administration, Nance Hall and Crawford-Zimmerman. This week, AT&T and S.C. State are installing another 145 phones on the campus. As the project moves forward, all telephone operations are being monitored, and any reported issues are mitigated, Smalls said. All phones are scheduled to be fully operational by Aug. 1 in preparation for the 2023 -2024 academic year. The project is replacing 700 existing telephones with new digital phones and will maintain the operability of over 110 hard-wired analog fax and security lines throughout the university campus. The change was necessary because the previous telephone system was approaching the end of its life, causing widespread communication issues both externally and internally. In early February, S.C. State signed a contract with AT&T to supply the universitys internet-based telephone system. The phone system is part of a larger effort to improve S.C. States information technology. S.C. State has engaged Branchville Inc. to assess IT projects in development, existing systems and software, and the University Computing and Information Technology Services divisions organization and capabilities. The university has committed $5 million in initial capital funding to shore up the IT infrastructure, including the AT&T phone partnership. Todays events Alcoholics Anonymous meetings: Noon and 5:15 p.m., Alano Inc., 590 Louis St., Orangeburg. Bowman Post 64 to meet American Legion Post 64 in Bowman will meet at 7 p.m. Friday, June 2, at 8096 Charleston Highway. New members are invited. For more information, call 803-347-9361. OCCD 3 Fun Day Saturday The Orangeburg County Council District 3 Fun Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at Canaan UMC, 5659 Slab Landing Road, in Cope. Bring lawn chairs. For more information, call 803-378-1215. Thompson reunion Sunday The 59th Henry Calloway Thompson reunion is coming back after COVID delays. The reunion will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 4, at Prospect Southern Methodist Church in Pearidge near Branchville. Bring food, desserts, door prizes and beverages to share. Calhoun school board meets June 5 The Calhoun County School District Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 5, at Calhoun County High School. The public is invited. Smoak reunion set for June 11 Descendants of Russell Frederick Smoak and Elizabeth Maria Mack Smoak will hold their annual family reunion at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at Ebenezer Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Cordova. Ice and utensils will be furnished. A picnic lunch will be served at 1 p.m. A business session and family reports will follow. GSSM summer applications being accepted The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics is accepting applications for its iTEAMS XTREME for rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth graders who would like to sharpen their technology and coding skills this summer. The summer camp will be held June 26-29 at Howard Middle School. Students who attend any Orangeburg County school will have their deposit, fees waived. For more information, call 843-383-3958. How to submit your events Please submit Community Datebook column items in writing. Items must be received no later than noon Tuesday of each week. The T&D does not guarantee when items will run. Items may be submitted by: Email: news@timesanddemocrat.com; In person: 1010 Broughton St. (TBTCO) - Cac quan chuc Cuc Du tru Lien bang My (FED), nhung nguoi ma viec tang, bo qua hoac tam dung thong bao ve lai suat a tro thanh mot cau o hoc bua oi voi cac nha au tu, duong nhu a san sang cham dut chuoi 10 lan tang lai suat lien tiep cua ngan hang trung uong My vao cuoi thang nay, nhung van e ngo kha nang co the tiep tuc tang trong tuong lai. Ethnic Serbs gathered again in a flashpoint town in north Kosovo on Thursday at the site of clashes earlier this week with NATO-led forces, as Pristina and Belgrade came under mounting international pressure to defuse tensions. French president Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and her Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic on the sidelines of a European Political Community summit in Moldova, hoping to head off further unrest in the region. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken also urged both Pristina and Belgrade to ease tensions, warning they were putting their aspirations of European integration at risk. Macron and Scholz said they had urged Kosovo to allow new elections in four disputed northern municipalities. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz flank Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani at an EPC summit seeking ways to head off further unrest / AFP Osmani said she had told the European leaders that this would be possible under Kosovo law if the Serbian leadership in Belgrade did not encourage Serbs to boycott the poll. "We have asked the two parties to organise new elections in these four municipalities as soon as possible, with an undertaking from Kosovo with participation in these elections in a clear manner on the part of the Serbian side," Macron said. Kosovo is mainly populated by ethnic Albanians, but the Serbs who make up around six percent of the population have remained largely loyal to Belgrade, especially in the north where they are a majority. Kosovo's ethnic Serb minority boycotted April local elections in the north, allowing ethnic Albanians to take control of local councils despite a turnout of less than 3.5 percent. In the northern town of Zvecan, dozens of protesters -- significantly fewer than crowds seen on previous days -- rallied outside the town hall, sealed off with barbed wire and encircled by NATO-led peacekeepers (KFOR) in full riot gear. - 'Masked and organised' - Many Serbs are demanding the withdrawal of Kosovo special police forces as well as the ethnic Albanian mayors they do not consider their true representatives. Kosovo police said two ethnic Albanian men were injured in an attack near a square on the Serb-populated part of the ethnically divided city of Mitrovica / AFP Kosovo police said two ethnic Albanian men were injured in an attack near a square on the Serb-populated part of the ethnically divided city of Mitrovica. "The victims were attacked by a group of criminals who were masked and organised for the attack," the police said, adding that they sustained injuries and were sent for medical treatment. In Zvecan, a KFOR armoured vehicle was parked near the road leading to the town hall, a move requested on Wednesday by a local Serb party after masked protesters smashed windows of two Kosovo police cars in the town centre, injuring an officer. On Monday, NATO-led peacekeepers armed with shields and batons clashed with protesters throwing rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails. Thirty peacekeepers and more than 50 demonstrators were injured. Several hundred people rallied in the ethnic-Albanian populated southern part of Mitrovica, but despite announcements of "marching" towards the Serb neighbourhood, the demonstrators dispersed after half an hour. - 'Unnecessarily escalated tensions' - The United States -- Kosovo's historic ally who championed the former province's independence from Serbia -- has criticised the government in Pristina for "sharply and unnecessarily escalated tensions" by installing ethnic Albanian mayors. Macron has also said that Kosovo authorities bore "responsibility" for the current situation. Serbia's Vucic said he had talked with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell about "irresponsible behaviour of Pristina institutions". "Situation in Kosovo has, alongside Ukraine, became the major topic at the summit ... They did not want any kind of meeting with the Serbian delegation, I don't think anyone (of the other leaders) was being supportive of that," Vucic told reporters in Moldova. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade -- along with its allies China and Russia -- still do not recognise the move, preventing Kosovo from having a seat at the United Nations. Board no-show at scheduled FAB meeting 01/06/2023 No representatives of the Everton Board of Directors showed up at last night's quarterly meeting of the Fan Advisory Board, contrary to the Memorandum of Understanding in place that defines the terms and conditions for this avenue of communication between the club and its fans. The situation was described in a tweet from the FAB that read: Last night we met with officials from EFC for a scheduled quarterly meeting. We were informed at very short notice that there would be no Board representatives attending the meeting - contrary to the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding we have in place with EFC. We thank those Club officials that did attend and who engaged in constructive discussion/consultation on matters that are important to Evertonians, such as: Transition to the new stadium Governance Investment Fan engagement Embracing the heritage of our Club As speculation builds about investment/ownership/strengthened leadership at EFC, we also urge any prospective investors/future leaders to prioritise engaging with and understanding the views of Evertonians - something the current board has decided not to do this year. Well continue working with the club, providing input into important and future decisions while also raising strategic matters as they emerge. A summary of the meeting will be published over the coming days. Article continues below video content The absence of any board members follows the continuous failure of any board members to attend Premier League games played at Goodison Park since January, amidst claims that unspecified threats had been made against them. Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () How to get rid of these ads and support TW ToffeeWeb North Korea failed to launch its first spy satellite into space in an attempt Wednesday from the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground. The country attempted to put Malligyong-1, its first reconnaissance satellite, in earth orbit on top of its Chollima-1 rocket. However, a few minutes after liftoff, the rocket suffered a propulsion failure during stage separation. Pieces of the rocket reportedly crashed off the western coast of the Korean Peninsula. According to North Korean state media, the country's space agency, the National Aerospace Development Administration, would investigate "the serious defects revealed" by the failure and would schedule a second launch in the future once they are ready. Neighboring South Korea and Japan urged residents near the rocket's flight path to seek shelter after the launch. North Korea's Space Program Malligyong-1 was an earth-observation satellite intended to develop North Korea's intelligence capabilities and enable them to generate photographs from space, while the Chollima rocket was first tested in December 2022 as part of the suborbital test of Malligyong's imaging capabilities. Chollima was the hermit kingdom's answer to Nuri, South Korea's three-stage launch vehicle, which recently delivered eight small satellites into orbit last week. North Korea successfully launched general-purpose satellites in 2012 and 2016, but the status of the spacecraft could not be verified. International Response While the aim of the launch was to put a satellite in space, the White House issued a statement saying the failed launch was "directly related" to North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program, which it condemns. It also urged other nations to condemn the launch as a step towards what they believed was Pyongyang's ICBM development. "The door has not closed on diplomacy," wrote National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge, "but Pyongyang must immediately cease its provocative actions and instead choose engagement." Ewha University professor Leif-Eric Easley was surprised by North Korea's admission of failure, calling the behavior "impressive." "[I]t would be difficult to hide the fact of a satellite launch failure internationally, and the regime will likely offer a different narrative domestically," he said. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has an active ban on North Korea's long-range ballistic missile technology, which meant Pyongyang was not allowed to launch satellites on rockets based on ballistic technology. South Korean military officials said it was salvaging an object presumed to be a part of the Chollima rocket used in the launch attempt. The rocket part was retrieved 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of Eocheongdo island. The South Korean defense ministry later released photos of a white metal cylinder suspected to be part of the rocket. Kim's Sister: Expect More Launches Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, accused the US of "gangster-like" hypocrisy for criticizing North Korea's failed launch of Malligyong-1. She added the country's efforts to expand its space technology and space-based reconnaissance capabilities were a legitimate exercise of its sovereign right. Yo Jong also condemned the UNSC's resolutions banning them from launching spacecraft using ballistic missile technology. "[The United States] is letting loose a hackneyed gibberish prompted by its brigandish and abnormal thinking," she said. Yo Jong went on to say the US and other countries that launched their own satellites should also be "denounced." "It is certain that the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]'s military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put on space orbit in the near future and start its mission," she added. @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Casper-Natrona County International Airports service to Salt Lake City will stick around at least a few more months after the Casper City Council on May 24 agreed to set aside up to $50,000 to temporarily subsidize the flight. That $50,000 will join an additional $1.84 million in subsidies pledged by Natrona County since late 2021. (The county wasnt on the hook for all of the money the Wyoming Department of Transportations Aeronautics Commission, which subsidizes air service across Wyoming, agreed to cover 40% of that total. Private donors have also pitched in to support the effort.) Its not uncommon for flights to receive some sort of financial support from outside sources, especially during economic rough patches. The airline industry has been struggling to recover from loss of business from the coronavirus pandemic and a national pilot shortage, Glenn Januska, the airports director, told city councilors during an April work session. The flight to Salt Lake City, serviced by airline carrier SkyWest (which does business as Delta Airlines), is one of just two flights the airport offers. The other is a United Airlines flight to Denver. Without the subsidy from the city, the airport likely would have lost the Salt Lake City flight, Januska indicated previously. The hope is that itll only be a one-time payment. Some officials believe that come the third quarter of the year, the flight has a good shot at become financially self-sufficient. On July 7 SkyWest will be replacing the services roughly 50-seat plane with a larger, hopefully more profitable model. Consumer demand also tends to pick up in the summer. Why hand over the extra money over if Natrona County already agreed to subsidize the flight? Representatives from the Fly Casper Alliance, a new advocacy group backing the airport, previously told the council the $50,000 would help show SkyWest that theres broad community interest in keeping the flight. If the larger plane helps the flight make enough money this summer, the service stays. If not, SkyWest will likely cut bait and discontinue the flight anyway. No one knows for sure what to expect. SkyWest is projecting a $200,000 loss for the third quarter, though Januska said its not uncommon for the company to underestimate their profits. Of the $1.84 million the countys pledged in minimum revenue guarantees since 2021, as of March, the airline only needed $932,536. I think theyre being more pessimistic based upon past history, because we have outperformed what theyve shown in the past, Januska said. And the new plane will offer 26 extra seats. Januska said an average of five more passengers on each Salt Lake City flight could mean the difference between a loss and a profit. What happens if the flight does better than expected? Casper wouldnt be getting any of the money back. But councilors on May 24 asked that any leftover funds go toward Fly Casper Alliances marketing campaign, which is trying to bring the airport more customers. City Manager Carter Napier during the meeting indicated the $50,000 would come out of unallocated direct distribution money granted to Casper from the Wyoming state government. Three California men face the possibility of decades in prison for allegedly robbing a Casper Walgreens and taking more than 3,500 opioid pills, authorities said. Police suspect the men drove over 1,000 miles to commit the robbery and insinuated they had a gun to take the drugs. Curtis Green, Joshua Slaughter and Charles Jemison, who are high school friends, made their initial appearances Tuesday in Natrona County Circuit Court. The three men appeared distraught pleading with the judge for bond leniency, rubbing their faces and repeatedly referencing their crime-free lives prior to being arrested. These are very serious charges, and you have no ties to our community, Judge Nichole Collier told them. A worker at the Wyoming Boulevard Walgreens reported Jemison, 23, entered the store on May 26, jumped behind the counter and robbed the pharmacy, taking a bag of oxycodone and everything in the safe, according to a police investigators affidavit. At the same time, Slaughter, 23, was watching to make sure no one saw Jemison jumping the counter and no one called the police, the affidavit states. The pair then jumped in a getaway car, which police say was driven by Green, 20. The white Kia Forte sped through Casper before getting onto Interstate 25. A Casper police sergeant later arrived on scene, the affidavit states. During the interview, one of the pharmacy employees reported he was pushed towards the back of the pharmacy and believed Jemison had a gun. Once the safe was open, the male began taking all the Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, and Methadone, the affidavit states. ...[The employee] saw the suspect males hand in his hoodie pocket and it appeared the suspect male was holding a gun. Police determined over 3,500 pills were stolen, which were worth $4,715. The three men were ultimately apprehended in Converse County. They were transferred to the Natrona County Detention Center and interviewed at the Casper Police Department. During the interview at the station, Green could not explain why the trio selected Wyoming to rob and admitted he had never heard of the state before this trip, the affidavit states. He said he was going to school to be an electrician and made a stupid decision because he needed the money. Jemison explained their idea for robbing Walgreens was inspired by an Instagram video, which showed them how to go for hydros at Walgreens, police said. [He] expressed to the group that they should go home, but they had driven 15 hours to get to Casper, so [they] talked themselves into robbing a store, the affidavit states. They talked themselves into trying as they had never tried to rob a store and it didnt hurt to try. There is no evidence that a gun was actually brought inside Walgreens, but officers found a small pistol magazine and rifle ammunition while executing a search warrant on their car, the affidavit shows. In court Tuesday, Slaughter told the judge he had a baby on the way and has never committed a crime before. He has been a security guard for the DMV and welfare offices since he was 18, he said. Im not a bad guy, Slaughter said. I just wanna get home to my babys mom. All three men were charged with felony aggravated robbery and felony conspiracy to deliver hydrocodone, oxycodone and methadone. Assistant District Attorney Ava Covert told the court that authorities believe Jemison carried out the robbery and confined the workers in the store, which is why he is facing a third felony charge for kidnapping. Green and Slaughters bonds were set at $150,000. Bond was set at $200,000 for Jemison. They are scheduled to appear in court again on Tuesday. LANDER Wyoming residents could face a new hurdle when registering to vote if Secretary of State Chuck Gray gets his way. The Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee advanced a proposal at its Tuesday meeting to create a 30-day residency requirement for voters. Currently the law only requires a voter to be a bona fide resident of the state, among other qualifications. Secretary of State Chuck Gray, who brought the proposal to the committee, said the 30-day requirement would provide clarity as to who can vote and in what situations they can register. Known as a durational residency requirement, the concept is not entirely new to the state. A provision of the Wyoming Constitution required one year of residency until it was struck by the Wyoming Supreme Court in 1972, according to a memo prepared by the Legislative Service Office. The bottom line here is that that constitutional provision was struck down, and [in] an absence of action by the Legislature, we think we need to have action on the durational residency requirement, Gray told the committee. We believe a 30-day residency requirement for state races would pass federal and state muster. The committee requested that LSO draft a bill ahead of the Joint Corporations August meeting, along with several other pieces of election-related legislation. Legal patchwork Durational residency requirements for voting have been addressed in a variety of ways on both the federal and state level, the LSO memo states. On the federal level, for example, the memo points to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits the imposition and application of a durational residency requirement for citizens as a precondition to voting in presidential elections. Wyomings constitutional provision was challenged in 1972 in Delgiorno v. Huisman when three Laramie County residents were denied registration because none of them had lived in Wyoming for a full year. That same year, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a challenge to Tennessees durational voting requirements in Dunn v. Blumstein. The high court held that such a requirement violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Supreme Court also ruled that Tennessee must show a substantial and compelling reason for imposing residence requirements. Wyomings highest court recognized that decision when it ruled that the state did not have a compelling interest in maintaining a one-year residency requirement. It did, however, determine that a 30-day residency requirement was permissible in order to match the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling. The Legislature is still free to establish durational residence requirements for any period for which their investigation showed there was a compelling reason, the Court ruled. Discussion Im confused on why were doing this other than other states have done it, Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, told the committee. What is the compelling interest of the state to impose one when weve had all along no requirement and it seems to be working just fine? Gray responded with a hypothetical scenario he said he had posed to the county clerks. I asked them If someone showed up at a hotel, and asked for a ballot, asked to register is that an illegal action? Gray said, adding that the clerks told him it wasnt clear. Thats scary to me, he said. Mr. Secretary, is this a problem that you actually witnessed or encountered or is it just a hypothetical? Yin responded. Gray said the clerks agreed that this needs to be shored up. We do not have a position, Malcolm Ervin, Platte County clerk and president of the County Clerks Association of Wyoming told WyoFile. Were currently looking to see how other states administer their durational residency requirements so we can provide the committee with as much information as possible. As always, we do not have a policy stance, only an administrative one. Rep. Sandy Newsome, R-Cody, expressed concerns about the logistics of a 30-day residency requirement. If I moved to Wyoming, got a job, and its been 30 days in a hotel because I couldnt find a place to live, what documentation would I have to bring to be able to register to vote to say, I have been here for 30 days? she said. Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, raised the question about whether the congressional prohibition on durational residential requirements for presidential elections would pose the need for two different ballots. Gray pointed to other states with a residency duration requirement, none of which have bifurcated ballots. This is a complex question. And one that I think we will need to delve into at the [August] meeting, Gray said, before pointing to North Dakota, which has same day registration and a durational residency requirement, which would be the box that we would fit into. Despite some unknowns, the committee chose to move forward with the proposal. Some expressed a keen interest in the proposal. Im very glad to hear this here today, Rep. Pepper Ottman, R-Riverton, told the committee. There was a meeting in Riverton and there was different people there. One of the questions was, Although we have one of the best election systems in the country, what can we do to make it better? And that one thing was residency requirements. Ottman declined to clarify to WyoFile what meeting she was referring to or who had made the suggestion. In April, Ottman and Fremont Countys five other legislators were invited to a private meeting with Douglas Frank, whose assertions of voter fraud were refuted by the County Clerks Association of Wyoming in a letter to Gray. Reps. Lloyd Larsen, R-Lander, Ember Oakley, R-Riverton, Sarah Penn, R-Lander, and Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, told WyoFile they did not attend the meeting. Ottman declined to say whether she did and Sen. Tim Salazar, R-Riverton, did not respond to WyoFiles inquiries. The Corporations Committee will next meet Aug. 24-25 in Douglas. THE executive of the Fire Service Associations (1st & 2nd Division) have accepted the Chief Personnel Officers (CPO) four per cent salary. But while they may have accepted the offer, president of the Fire Services Association Leo Ramkissoon said they are not happy to have done so but they felt they had no other choice. 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. The High Court will deliver its decision tomorrow on whether it will grant an injunction preventing Government from substituting the Customs and Excise Division (CED) and the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) with the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA). China Eastern Airlines successfully operated a commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing using a C919 aircraft, which is a significant achievement for its manufacturer, Commercial Aviation Corp of China (COMAC). The CEO of Boeing, Dave Calhoun, dismissed the idea that China's first commercial flight of their own C919 narrowbody jet could lead to the end of the current duopoly in the aviation industry held by Boeing and Airbus, according to Reuters. Nothing to Worry About Calhoun stated that the C919 is a decent aircraft, but it will take a significant amount of time for COMAC to establish the necessary production capacity to satisfy the demand of Chinese airlines. He also mentioned that having three providers in the expanding global market should not be a cause for concern and believes that becoming too anxious about this matter is unnecessary. Calhoun suggested that Boeing should concentrate on the current competition and strive to emerge victorious in the technology race. Even though China is still a customer and friend, business operations could be disrupted due to political tensions. Earlier this year, Chinese airlines resumed using the 737 MAX aircraft. However, the delivery of new planes has been delayed due to tensions between the United States and China. Despite this, all Chinese airlines have resumed flying their existing 737 MAX fleet. The Chinese aviation regulator released a report on the 737 in April, and Calhoun stated that it was a crucial move towards resuming MAX deliveries following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that claimed the lives of 346 individuals. Read also: Why the Boeing Block III F/18 Super Hornet is the Best Variant Made To Date Boeing Gives Reassurance On Tuesday, Calhoun gave a statement to the media while visiting Boeing's facilities in Charleston, South Carolina, which is where they manufacture the 787 Dreamliner aircraft with a wide body. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / mr_t_77) Boeing's offices in Arlington County, Virginia, are the corporate headquarters of the company as of 2022. Before the Paris Air Show, where Boeing and Airbus compete for orders, Calhoun stated that Boeing could handle challenges such as competition from other companies and issues with their supply chain. Airbus is considering the launch of a longer version of its A220 aircraft, which could potentially compete with Boeing's popular 737 MAX 8. However, the CEO of Boeing, Calhoun, has stated that he is not worried about this potential competition and that it is not necessary for Boeing to regain a 50% market share in narrowbody plane orders over Airbus. Calhoun stated that Boeing's significant decrease in market share during the last four years was mainly caused by its failure to deliver planes. This was due to various reasons, such as the MAX crisis in 2019, as well as challenges with their supply chain and production processes. Not Buying Spirit Back Calhoun denied rumors that Boeing might attempt to buy back Spirit AeroSystems, a company that was separated from Boeing in 2005 and manufactures significant aircraft components such as the 737 MAX fuselage and front section of the 787, as well as crucial parts of Airbus planes. Overall, while acknowledging some setbacks over recent years, Calhoun conveyed an attitude of resilience and determination, moving forward into what promises to be another highly competitive year at Paris Air Show. Related article: China's First Passenger Plane Makes Official Commercial Debut @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. So, we are here with Part II of the interview with a supposed expert discussing situationships. JP: Last week we ended with the point of mens brains being able to compartmentalise better than womens. Aside from being cultured and nurtured differently, you are saying the physical make-up of the male brain by itself makes men compartmentalise better? DAVENPORT, Iowa About three months before the partial collapse of a downtown Davenport apartment building and again just two days before a masonry company owner said he predicted it was coming. City officials say at least five people are unaccounted for after the partial collapse Sunday evening at 324 Main St. Families of two men fear they remain under the rubble of the fallen west side of the six-story building. No new updates came from the city Wednesday on rescue operations or a potential timeline for demolishing the building, which remains standing after city officials said Monday that "demolition is expected to commence" on Tuesday. However, the city released hundreds of pages of documents Wednesday close to 6 p.m. detailing structural engineering reports, notices of violations, orders to vacate some apartments and resident complaints over the past three years. Ryan Shaffer, co-owner of R. A. Masonry, was working nearby at 112 W. 3rd St., the former Antonellas Pizza, in February. While on the job, he said, he was approached by Andrew Wold, the owner of the building where the collapse occurred. Shaffer said Wold asked him to supply a quote for work on the nearby apartment building. When he did, he said, the bid was rejected because it was too high. He wanted to cut the cost by cutting out the shoring and supporting of the building," Shaffer said. Shoring is done to prop up a building when the structure is deemed unsafe, Shaffer explained. The bid for that work alone came in at about $50,000. I said, If we dont do it this way exactly, Im not putting my guys in there. Somebody is going to die, he said. According to Shaffer, Wold then shopped around for someone who would do the work for an acceptable price. City records reflect this. On Feb. 22, the city of Davenport issued a permit for, structural masonry repairs to west elevation as specified in engineer's report. According to the permit, the job came at a cost of nearly $40,000. The contractor listed is Bi-State Masonry. City inspection records show a final inspection was done on March 1 by Trishna Pradhan, the chief building official for Davenport. The building passed inspection, and the work was being completed in line with the structural engineer's report. The exterior finish of the building needed to match the historic fabric of the rest of the building. Pradhan wrote that the contractor was aware and the owner was being informed. In the next sentence, it was noted Bi-State was off the job as of March 1 because the owner did not agree to their change order for installing brick outside. Pradhan continued, saying repair work was on hold but shoring was in place and, site is secure. Owner has not submitted new timeline for work to commence. Work then appears to have resumed, and it passed three more city inspections on April 12, April 21, and May 1. In the last one, the inspector noted repair work has been completed per Engineers Report. Brickwork done in the days before collapse A separate permit for brickwork was filed on Wednesday, May 24. City records indicate the job consisted of replacing 100 feet of brick on the exterior of the building, per city code. The permit says the work came at a cost of $3,000. The contractor on the job is listed as owner. Shaffer said, in his opinion, the work described would account for only one-third of what needed to be done. Saturday, one day before the collapse, he drove by and saw a pile of bricks on the ground. (Wold) was calling us and asking for I-beams and stuff to support it. I looked at it and was like, Theres no saving it at this point, he said. Friday, two days before the building collapsed, Shaffer said he went to the apartment building and told workers, Get away. Youre going to die. Sunday, at 3:30 p.m., less than two hours before it collapsed, he warned workers at the site of 324 Main St. that they needed to leave. We were here working all day," he said, referring to his work at the former Antonella's location. "Literally, we were just waiting for the building to drop." The city inspected the partially completed brickwork being done in the days before the collapse. That work also included internal concrete masonry with rebar and grout. Notes in the city inspection records pledged that the owner-hired engineer and city inspector would stop over periodically to see progress. Social media users this week questioned why the status of that final inspection on the citys website changed. On Monday, as viewed through an internet archived site, the citys site listed the May 25 inspection as passed. Now, that same inspection status is failed. City officials attributed this to a system glitch that the city is working to correct. The site shows any inspection marked as Incomplete with a fail/error message Chief Strategy Officer Sarah Ott wrote in an email and included screenshots of the internal systems. This is not a failed inspection but an incomplete inspection since no re-inspection could be completed, she wrote. Select Structural Engineering, of Bettendorf, was hired by Wold to advise on work being done on the building in the past year. City officials said the engineering firm had determined that the building was structurally sound for tenants to stay in while the exterior work was being done. When a reporter reached the business through a publicly listed phone number, a man who declined to give his name said they are aware of what happened and are still trying to determine the details of the situation. He declined to answer any questions. However, among the documents posted by the city Wednesday is an inspection report by Select Structural, performed May 23, which reads, "On the west face of the building, there are several large patches of clay brick facade, which are separating from the substrate. These large patches appear ready to fall imminently, which may create a safety hazard to cars or passersby." The report said two window openings appeared to be bricked over several years ago, and the clay-brick facade was "bulging outward." The contractor should secure it to "keep the entire face of the building from falling away when the bottom area(s) come loose," the report said. To the north, the report said a wall "appears to be (losing) some stability." An interior steel furring and drywall "bulge as if a large downward force is acting upon them." Adding a steel column to support it would alleviate that force, the report recommended. City issues citation to building owner On Tuesday, the city cited Wold, accusing him of failing to maintain the building at 324 Main St. in a safe, sanitary and structurally sound condition, according to Scott County court records. Records show that if convicted, the fine for a first violation of the city code is $300 plus $95 for court fees. The city also asked the court for an order barring Wold from further violations of the municipal code. A hearing, at which Wold can answer the charges, has been set for June 9. Earlier this year, the city of Davenport declared the property a nuisance, because it violated city code by leaving dumpsters overflowing at the property between 2022 and 2023. Wold did not contest the 19 violations, and he was ordered to pay the city $4,500 plus court costs in March. In a statement on Wednesday, Wold and two property managers wrote, "Our thoughts and prayers are with our tenants and families during this difficult time." They thanked first responders, and said they were "working closely with American Red Cross and other agencies to assist the displaced tenants affected by this event." History of the building The building dates back to the early 1900s, when it opened as the Hotel Davenport in 1907 with 150 rooms. At the time, it was heralded by a reporter for the Daily Times as one of the finest hoteleries west of Chicago and a beacon for progress in the downtown. The Davenport was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The architects that designed the building, Temple and Burrows, also designed other buildings in the downtown, including the Hotel Blackhawk in 1915, the former Union Trust and Savings Bank (now called the Union Arcade Building) and the federal building at 4th and Brady streets. In the mid-1980s, when the brick-over-steel-and-concrete structures use as a hotel had diminished and the building had faded, it was rehabbed by a Des Plaines, Ill.-developer who undertook a $5.5 million project to turn it into apartments called The Davenport. The original 150 hotel rooms became 78 rental units and opened in 1987, according to Quad-City Times archives. Since then, the building changed hands several times. Most recently, Wold, through his company Davenport Hotel, LLC, bought the property for $4.193 million in June 2021, according to county records. What other buildings does Wold own? Wold has significant investments in Davenport real estate, including more apartment buildings downtown. Listed in a web of limited liability corporations, many with only a single property, Wold's address and information can be traced to ownership of at least three buildings downtown, public records show, and dozens of houses and business buildings across the city. Among those downtown are: The Roosevelt, 307 W 6th St., a 32-unit apartment building Wold bought for $1.16 million in 2020. The four-story building was built in 1907. For a long time, the building housed the Salvation Army until 2018, when the organization sold to Foundry Apartments, LLC, in 2018. The Dorothea, 311 W. 3rd St., a 24-unit apartment building, which a company registered to Wolds address bought in 2022 for close to $1 million. That building also houses a law office on the ground floor. 217 Brady St., a three-story building doing business as M Lounge and apartments that dates back to the late 1880s. Downtown Davenport Partnership Executive Director Kyle Carter said with several other properties owned by Wold downtown, he hoped an investigation would get to the bottom of what happened at 324 Main St. to ensure nothing like it happened again. He said the partnership would work to help relocate the three businesses at 324 Main St. and help the businesses surrounding the property that were forced to close by the buildings collapse. Well do our part, and our board will have to discuss how we might go about doing that, Carter said Tuesday. The city has the larger burden, dealing with the infrastructure issues and the residents, but ultimately it's just disappointing to see that a building got to this point. My heart goes out to the people that are in there that theres potentially people that lost their lives. It should never have come to that. We have a lot of excellent property ownership who would put in millions of dollars to make sure that things like this dont happen. Who else is involved? The Davenport Building is owned by the Davenport Hotel, LLC. The LLC is registered to Wold, who bought the building in 2021. Wold is also the owner of Andrew Wold Investments LLC, according to the Iowa Secretary of States Office. The registered agent on that property is Robert H. Gallagher. His son, Robert S. Gallagher is the mayor of Bettendorf. The pair work together at their firm, Gallagher, Millage & Gallagher, PLC. In Iowa, a registered agent is any individual or entity who is designated to receive legal documents on behalf of the business. An owner or employee of the company can be the registered agent as long as that person lives in Iowa, is at least 18 years old and has an office in the state. What did the apartments cost? Listings for the building still are available on Zillow. Apartment 608, described as a 600-square-foot studio, was being advertised for $800 a month. The listing said the space was newly renovated with brand new stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and hardwood style flooring. The lease was for one year and pet friendly with a one-time free and preapproval from management. Parking was offered off-street for an additional $50 a month. Unit 503, a 650-square-foot one-bedroom, was offered for $850 a month. That listing said the owner would pay for water, heat, sewer and trash. (CNN) After police found a body in a black steamer trunk in a wooded area in Florida 53 years ago, the mystery of the trunk lady became a cold case that captured the attention of the public for decades. Using DNA evidence, police have now identified the victim as Sylvia June Atherton, a mother of five, from Tucson, Arizona. On Halloween 1969, St. Petersburg police were called to a wooded area behind what was then a restaurant named the Oyster Bar, Assistant Chief Michael Kovacsev said at a news conference Tuesday. He said two children reported seeing two white men in a pickup truck unload the trunk in the field and leave. When the officers opened the trunk, they found a womans body, wrapped in a large plastic bag, police said in a statement. She had visible injuries to her head and was partially clothed in a pajama top. She had been strangled with a bolo tie, police said. Investigators were unable to identify the woman, and she was buried as Jane Doe in St. Petersburgs Memorial Park Cemetery. The mystery of the trunk lady, as she came to be known, captured the attention of crime shows, journalists and amateur sleuths over the years, but even after her body was exhumed in 2010, detectives were unable to crack the case. The teeth and bone samples they collected were too degraded, police said. When a sample of the victims hair and skin taken during an original autopsy turned up this year, St. Petersburg Cold Case Detective Wally Pavelski sent it to a lab for DNA testing and police were soon able to identify Atherton. They say she was 41 when she died. She has a name now after 53 years. Her family has closure, Kovacsev said. A family still searching for answers Pavelski tracked down Athertons daughter, Syllen Gates. It was shocking, because it had been so many years, Gates said at the news conference via a video call from California, according to a video of the event posted by 10 Tampa Bay. We had no idea what happened to her. Gates was about 5 years old when her mother left Tucson for Chicago in 1965, she said. Police said Atherton left with her husband, Stuart Brown, and three of her children: Kimberly Anne Brown, adult son Gary Sullivan and adult daughter Donna Lindhurst along with Lindhurts husband David Lindhurst. Gates and her 11-year-old brother stayed in Tucson with their father, Athertons ex-husband. We thought we would hear from them at some time, but life goes on. I was young, Gates said. Its a sad relief to have finally found her. Of course, its a terrible way to die just a few years after she left the state. Gary Sullivan eventually returned to Tucson. Gates used ancestry.com to try to find her mother and sisters, with no luck. She said she had not heard of the trunk lady case until Pavelski reached out to her. Stuart Brown died in 1999 in Las Vegas. He never listed Atherton as missing and did not include her name on bankruptcy filings, Kovacsev said. While police now know her name, they still dont know who killed Atherton. This is where, like, amateur sleuths will come in. Kovacsev said. This is where were asking for assistance to kind of put the pieces together. Police say the two daughters who left Tucson with Atherton have yet to be located. Kimberly Anne Brown, who was around 5 years old at the time of the disappearance and Donna Lindhurst, who was around 20 years old, may have information that could20 help, police said. Wed like the case to be solved. Wed like to find out who did this also to find my sisters, Gates said. Thats my hope. Maybe this gets out, maybe theyll hear and maybe we can locate them. The-CNN-Wire PHOENIX The system of universal vouchers enacted by Republican lawmakers will cost Arizona taxpayers $900 million next school year, 63% more than budgeted just a month ago. By the end of the next school year there will be about 100,000 students getting state funds to attend private and parochial schools, the director of the system, the Empowerment Scholarship Account, Christine Accurso, said in a new memo to legislative budget staff. That compares with about 58,000 who are now in the program and another 3,000 who have submitted applications. The about $900 million Accurso said the state must come up with to pay for the vouchers is about one dollar out of every eight now earmarked for public education. Its up from the $552 million estimate prepared just months ago by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Cost shifts from parents to taxpayers Despite that, state schools chief Tom Horne argued Wednesday there really is no additional cost to the state. The 39,000 additional students that are being projected for the next year are going to be educated someplace. Theyre either going to be educated in the public schools or theyre going to be educated in ESAs, said Horne, a Republican elected in November. The $900 million estimate, he said, includes money following those students from traditional schools to private schools. That is not accurate, however. Hornes own staffers acknowledged that three out of every four of the students who have applied for the new universal vouchers to date already were going to private schools and on their parents dime. Now their tuition will be borne by taxpayers. Even assuming Hornes projections that just half of the additional 39,000 students expected to sign up before the end of the next school year already are in private schools, with the median voucher running $10,000, that alone adds up to an additional $200 million. Hobbs left vouchers in budget The fact that theres been a burst of parents seeking to shift the costs of their childrens private school tuition to the state should come as no surprise to lawmakers. They were warned earlier this year by their own budget staffers, before Arizonas new spending plan was adopted, that would happen. We expect that most of the growth in universal ESA participation will likely occur among private school and home school students, said the report by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. They have already decided to opt out of the public school system and would be likely to receive a financial gain from ESA program participation. It was that logic that caused Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, in her first budget request in January, to call on lawmakers to repeal universal vouchers approved last year. Prior to that, vouchers were designed specifically to help students who fit certain categories who may need help beyond what they could get in public schools. These included students with special needs, foster children, children living on reservations, and those attending schools the state rates as D or F. The Republican-controlled Legislature, at the behest of then-Gov. Doug Ducey, voted in 2022 to lift all restrictions, making state funds available to all who want. Hobbs proposed to return to the way the situation was before. She sought to redistribute the cost of the expanded program at that time pegged at about $144 million for other education priorities. But closed-door negotiations between Hobbs and legislative leaders failed to rescind the expansion. Republicans also refused to put a cap on the number of new students who could enroll, to help control costs. In the end, Hobbs signed the state governments $17.8 billion spending plan for the coming year, saying she got other key victories, including $300 million in one-time funding for K-12 education. On Wednesday, informed of the new estimate, Hobbs went back to her January talking points. The school voucher program in its current form is not sustainable, she said in a prepared statement. Legislative Republicans need to explain why they are forcing this runaway spending on Arizona taxpayers and making working families foot the bill for private school tuitions. We need to bring an end to the wasteful school voucher spending that threatens to decimate our states finances. Whats next? Lawmakers will be back at the Capitol on June 12. But whether Hobbs will try to renegotiate the deal she agreed to just a month ago one heavily criticized by many members of her own party is less than clear. We are evaluating our options, said the governors press aide, Christian Slater. House Speaker Ben Toma, R-Peoria, questioned the 100,000 students figure prepared by Hornes staff, saying his numbers are closer to 68,000. ADEs new round-number estimate provokes natural skepticism, Toma said. He said he wants legislative staffers to review the data and methodology before we can comment on it further. There was no immediate response from Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert. More money per student for some schools The report from Hornes department also contends that students switching from public schools to private ones save money for the state. That is based on a law that the base voucher the amount that is available for a student with no additional needs like special education is supposed to be set at 90% of what the state pays on a per-student basis if that same student were attending public schools. But that is misleading. The 90% figure is based on aid to charter schools, or private, for-profit schools that qualify as public schools that cannot charge tuition. The state gives them an additional $1,986 for each K-8 student and $2,314 for high schoolers above what they give to traditional public schools, which changes the calculus. Figures provided by the Arizona Association of School Business Officials show that puts the basic voucher for this year at $6,764 for elementary and middle school students, or $424 more per student than state aid to district schools. Vouchers for high schoolers are worth $7,532, about $540 more than the state provides to public schools. Partisan legislative reaction Several Republicans who support vouchers said they were not concerned about the price tag. In fact, Rep. Jacqueline Parker of Mesa said in a Twitter post that $900 million is not enough yet, calling it a drop in the bucket to the other $7+ billion spent on the useless indoctrination camps that are government schools. Rep. Cory McGarr of Marana said this is an admission if given the choice parents will choose ESAs. But the memo may have energized Democrats, who were unhappy about Hobbs giving in on the issue of universal vouchers during the budget talks. I say lets not forget our original fight and not give in this time, me included, said Sen. Catherine Miranda of Phoenix in a Twitter post. She wants to raise the issue again when the Legislature reconvenes on June 12. Competition issues John Ward, an internal auditor for the Arizona Department of Education, said his agency was not hiding the true cost of the expanded voucher program when lawmakers adopted the budget a month ago with its $552 million cost estimate. He said state law requires only that a report be prepared every year by May 30 of anticipated voucher enrollment and the cost for the coming school year. We just completed that analysis a few days ago, Ward said. It was at that point that we had our estimate of 100,000 students by the end of next fiscal year June 30, 2024 at a cost of $900 million. Horne sidestepped the question of whether there is enough money in the $17.8 billion state budget to support the increase in the number of private school students now expected to rely on state funds for their education. Right now, were relying on basic state aid, he said, based on the premise that these students were going to public schools until now. If we conclude that more is needed, we will have to deal with that at the time. At least part of the reason there has been a big influx of applications for vouchers is due to Horne himself. State lawmakers agreed to set aside $10 million to administer the voucher program. But Horne acknowledged he has been using some of that for advertising the universal vouchers. Asked how much, he responded, Im not prepared to say. Horne, who at one time was a member of the Paradise Valley Unified School District governing board, has become a major champion of vouchers. Competition is good for everyone, he said. Horne said it helps keep public schools to do better. That presumes, however, there is true competition. Traditional public schools must accept anyone living in their district. Even charter schools privately run for-profit schools also generally cannot discriminate against applicants. Private and parochial schools, however, are free to accept or reject any student for any reason, including those who may be the hardest to teach because of learning disabilities or language skills. Horne brushed aside the question of whether the comparisons are fair. If a public school is worried about losing students to ESAs or to charter schools, its motivated to improve its academic performance so it wont lose those students, he said. Tucson barters in the unexpected. Our roadside motels have mural galleries and standout food trucks. Here, fine dining can happen at a pop-up; wagyu beef can be found at a butcher, like a reverse speakeasy, in the commercial kitchen of a bar. Our favorite panaderias might be called hidden gems anywhere else; here they are our communitys lifeblood. Yet, with each unexpected pairing comes the thrill of surprise; delight in yet another place that, of course, happens here and nowhere else not like this. So when your favorite Indian restaurant is opening another location on Fourth Avenue, its only somewhat a surprise when the owner says it isnt actually the second location, but the third: his brother has already opened a spot, called Twisted Indian, inside of a Chevron gas station, off of Interstate 10. Twisted Indian, 1999 E. Ajo Way, is the only Indian restaurant on the south side. Their menu and recipes are identical to what youd find at Indian Twist, its fine-dining counterpart in midtown, but on a smaller scale to reflect their smaller kitchen. The restaurant is a family affair. Jimmy Aujla owns Indian Twist, and his brother, Ben Sihota, and sister-in-law, Manveen Sihota, own the Chevron off I-10 and Ajo Way (as well as a few other gas stations). Theres a lot of Indian people who drive the trucks on I-10, Manveen said. That was the idea. We had a lot of people that demanded: were Indian-owned, why dont we have some Indian food in here? The kitchen was an existing kitchen for Mexican food and fried chicken, but there was demand for Indian food. Thats how we started. In the past, youd be able to get tacos alongside your chicken tikka, but their chef that cooked Mexican food left. Now, Manveens son Raj Sihota does it all: manage the restaurant, take orders, cook the food. While the most popular things on the menu are the classics chicken tikka, butter chicken, samosas and garlic naan Rajs favorite menu item, the kadai curry, is more veggie-forward and less rich. The gravy is made with a base of grilled onions rather than cream, and you can order it with either paneer or chicken. I'm a meat lover, Raj said. It's just that is my favorite thing on the menu because that just makes me, you know, remember my childhood, because that's how my mom used to cook it ... when I was a little kid. So that's just my favorite thing. The open kitchen allows for diners to watch Raj as he assembles the ingredients for the curry and cooks in front of you: theres modest seating inside the gas station, and he offers ice water steeped with lemon and cucumber in a big jug at the counter. The naan will come in the kind of lined basket most commonly associated with burgers and fries. Raj makes it his own way, charring it lightly directly over the flame. Some things remain the same: your samosas will still come with some chutneys: cilantro and tamarind. For dessert, you can order a mango lassi or some gulab jamun, but you can also partake in some other locally-made options. The owners of Twisted Indian stock desserts from local baker Dannys Keto (Rajs favorite are the lemon cakes) and Kettlelicious Kettle Corn. The community of Tucson is so connected, and they always want to support local businesses, Raj said. That's why we ... want to step up as local business owners to support other local businesses. So we don't just grow alone. Everybody grows with us. Twisted Indian Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 2-8 p.m. Saturday For more information, follow them on Facebook. Several Christian parents are taking legal action against Minnesota state officials after they made changes to a program that allows high school students to earn college credits, preventing some religious universities from offering this benefit on their campuses for free. A legal case was initiated on May 24th in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. It claims that Minnesota violated the U.S. Constitution by modifying its Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program to exclude institutions that demand a faith statement or engage in discriminatory admissions practices based on race, religion, disability, gender, or sexual orientation, as reported by Fox News. The PSEO The PSEO program was introduced in Minnesota in 1985 to provide high school students with the chance to earn credits for both high school and college without paying any fees. The program's funding covers the expenses of tuition and course materials. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Lorie Shaull) Minnesota Welcomes You Highway sign. Last month, a new amendment was approved in the Minnesota legislature with support only from one Republican in the state Senate, while the rest opposed it. The amendment was signed by the Democrat Governor, Tim Walz, on the same day the lawsuit was filed. It will come into effect from July 1st. The parents claim that their constitutional rights, particularly the freedom to practice their religion and equal protection under the law, were violated. They are receiving assistance from lawyers from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Crown College and the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, which are Christian universities that high schoolers wished to attend, is also involved in the lawsuit as a plaintiff. The president of the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, Corbin Hoornbeek, mentioned that his university is the largest provider of PSEO in Minnesota and wishes to continue helping on-campus PSEO students succeed in their academic journey. He hopes that the court will allow them to do so, just like any other school in Minnesota. The PSEO program has been highly successful in Minnesota, with thousands of high school students taking advantage of this opportunity every year. It allows them to earn college credits and get a head start on their academic journey while still completing their high school education. However, the recent amendment passed by the state legislature has raised concerns among some parents and universities who feel that it discriminates against religious schools. The new law requires all colleges participating in PSEO to be accredited by one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Read also: Minnesota Marijuana Bill: State House Legalizes Cannabis for Recreational Use Challenging the Amendment This requirement could potentially exclude certain Christian institutions from participating in PSEO if they are not accredited through one of these agencies. This is seen as discriminatory towards religious institutions, which have different accreditation standards based on their faith-based values and beliefs. The lawsuit filed by several parents and two Christian universities seeks to challenge this amendment as violating both constitutional rights for freedom to practice religion without discrimination or unequal treatment under the law. They believe that students should have access equally regardless of what institution they choose, especially when there isn't any cost difference between attending secular or non-secular educational programs The outcome remains unclear at present, but many people will watch closely how things develop over the coming months since broader issues concerning funding for private schools may also come into play depending upon decisions made during litigation proceedings. Related article: Minnesota Legislators Approve Bill to Make Recreational Marijuana Legal @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ORLANDO, Fla. The independent study team charged by NASA to investigate the ever-changing acronym once simply referred to as UFOs held a public meeting Wednesday to lay out its progress toward its final report expected this summer. UFO, as in unidentified flying object, is a dated term that the U.S. military began referring to as UAPs, as in unidentified aerial phenomena, which has since been further relabeled as unidentified anomalous phenomena, meaning it could be some sort of aircraft or something natural. The study team commissioned by NASA last fall includes 16 experts ranging from former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly to university physics professors to officials with the Federal Aviation Administration. The panelists laid out their approach noting the panels purpose isnt to delve into the unexplained sightings of the past, but instead create a scientific plan on how to assess future sightings. Above all, objectivity when we approach UAPs, from a scientific perspective, we do not come in with an agenda, said Daniel Evans, NASAs assistant deputy associate administrator for science research. We come in needing a roadmap. Indeed, the primary objective of this incredible team of experts is not to go back and look at grainy footage of UAPs but rather to give us a roadmap to guide us for future analysis. While UFO sightings have been in the collective public mindset since the end of World War II, unclassified military footage taken in the past two decades of naval aviator encounters, including one off the coast of Florida, swelled more public and government interest. That interest prompted NASA administrator Bill Nelson to call for a scientific evaluation to ensure keeping skies safe, no matter the explanation. Panelists explained the challenges they were facing with the data theyre assessing while hearing from government officials that have a vested interest in UAPs. You will find more infographics at Statista A big key is that since the panel is public, its not looking at classified footage, so the majority of the data is coming from civilian observations. Another hurdle facing not just this panel, but the military as well, is the stigma associated with those reporting unexplained phenomena. Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the federal governments All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), presented examples of the UAP sightings reported, and what sort of conclusions can be drawn, as well as the challenges behind it. AAROs charge after its creation in 2022 with the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act, is to synchronize efforts across the Department of Defense with other U.S. federal departments and agencies like NASA to to detect and identify objects like UAPs and mitigate their potential threats to national security. In one recently declassified video, he showed a spherical metallic object seen from an MQ-9 reconnaissance aircraft over the Middle East in 2022. This is a typical example of the thing that we see most of. We see these all over the world and we see these making very interesting apparent maneuvers, he said. This one in particular, however, I would point out, demonstrated no enigmatic technical capabilities and was no threat to airborne safety. He said that it remains unexplained with no other data from which to draw any conclusions. He showed more footage reported by a training flight pilot that looked like three objects in the sky in fixed positions that turned out to be just airplanes on an approach corridor farther away than what the pilot thought. Kirkpatrick emphasized that most of the reports his office receive feature mundane characteristics of readily explainable sources. And while the offices queue of what he called technically unresolved observations has climbed to more than 800, he said its primarily due to a lack of data associated with those cases. Without sufficient data we are unable to reach defendable conclusions that meet the high scientific standards we set for resolution, he said. Meanwhile for the few objects that do demonstrate potentially anomalous characteristics, AARO is approaching these cases with the highest level of objectivity and analytical rigor. AAROs work will take time if we are committed to doing it right. The NASA study groups report aims to nail down which data sources can be leaned on to better explain UAPs as they are reported. The goal would be to explain the things that can be explained quicker, and clear the path for further investigation into those that cannot be explained. They also dont want to duplicate the DOD efforts, but complement them. And to do it transparently. NASA prides itself on making its data and images available to the public to learn and explore on their own, the agency posted ahead of the meeting By holding public meetings like this one, we aim for open and honest dialogue with the public. We recognize that public interest in UAPs is high and the demand for answers is strong. conversations like this one, are the first step to reducing the stigma surrounding UAP reporting or over transparency is essential for fostering trust between NASA, the public and the scientific community. DAVENPORT, Iowa As some residents of an Iowa apartment building that partially collapsed remained unaccounted for on Wednesday, officials in the city of Davenport say they were able to rescue several pets from a safer area of the six-story building. Officials said rescue teams entered a part of the building on Tuesday that was deemed a lower risk and they rescued several animals, which were brought to the local Humane Society. A statement from the city said: "Crews continued to search for human activity and none was detected." The city statement also said: "The stability of the building continues to degrade. The recovery of any unaccounted for individuals remains the priority of the City as operational planning progresses." Davenport authorities have not provided an update on the number of people missing since Tuesday, when they said five people were unaccounted for, including two who could still be in wreckage that was too dangerous to search. The three others are not believed to have been in the building when it started collapsing Sunday evening, said state Rep. Monica Kurth. The city has been criticized by some who said it was moving too quickly toward demolishing the 116-year-old brick and steel structure after it partially collapsed, with initial plans to start the process as early as Tuesday morning. After one woman was found alive in an apartment on Monday night, protesters showed up to the site, holding signs that said "Find Them First" and "Who is in the Rubble?" Some used a megaphone to shout out names of residents. The building had 53 tenants in about 80 units, the police chief said. Built as a hotel, the building was more recently used as apartments, and tenants were allowed to remain even as bricks began falling from the building. On Wednesday, the Red Cross opened a temporary shelter several miles away where displaced tenants could stay, get meals and seek services. Mayor Mike Matson confirmed at a news conference Tuesday that not all the residents were accounted for, and officials said immediate demolition was never intended, but they did want to quickly stage the site for the tear-down. The woman's rescue prompted officials to see if they could safely enter and ensure others weren't inside. "This could be a place of rest for some of the unaccounted," Matson said. The city is trying to determine how to bring down what remains of the building while maintaining the dignity of people who may have been killed, he said. Later Tuesday, there were no signs that authorities were conducting any sort of search. About 50 people gathered outside a perimeter of fencing and police tape. Children drew hearts in chalk on the pavement, and a candlelight vigil included five minutes of silence in honor of the five people still missing. Fire Marshal James Morris said explosives will not be used on the building, which is near other structures and is "unstable and continues to worsen." Removing the debris that is propping up the rest of the building could cause further collapse, he said. "We're very sympathetic to the possibility that there's two people" still left inside, Morris said. He said there will be an investigation into what caused the collapse but that it's unclear so far whether a criminal investigation is warranted. Building workers had been completing interior and exterior repairs in recent months, city records show. Reports of falling bricks were part of that work, said Rich Oswald, the city's director of development and neighborhood services. The fire marshal said Tuesday a structural engineer hired by the owner determined that the building was safe enough to remain occupied during the repairs. Davenport Hotel, L.L.C., owned by Andrew Wold, acquired the building in 2021 in a property deal worth $4.2 million, according to county records. On Tuesday the city filed a new enforcement action against Wold, saying that he failed to maintain the property "in a safe, sanitary, and structurally sound condition" before the collapse. The city is seeking a $300 fine. City inspectors reviewed the ongoing repairs three days before the collapse, records show. Plans called for replacing 100 feet of brick to comply with city code starting May 25, and an interior cinder block wall with rebar and grout was partially installed as of last week, according to online inspection and permitting notes. "Wall bracing will be installed per engineer's design," the notes said. "Engineer will stop over periodically to ensure work is being done per his design. City inspector will stop over periodically to see progress." Standing at the microphone at the Scripps National Spelling Bee may be nerve-wracking for students, but for parents watching their children on stage after months of preparation, its emotionally gut-wrenching. Thats how Frank Opoku-Appoh described the experience of watching his daughter, Karen Opoku-Appoh, one of three Arizona spellers competing in this years national bee, as she took her turn on stage over the last two days. You dont know what word youre going to get, you know youve done all the preparation, you know youve done everything but when she goes up to the microphone its really, really gut-wrenching, he said Wednesday. But Karens turn, and her fathers anxiety, ended Wednesday morning when she incorrectly spelled the word ordonnance meaning arrangement as ordinance in the quarterfinal round. The only other Arizona speller still in the bee on Wednesday, Opal Mishra, was eliminated in the semifinals Wednesday afternoon when she misspelled feuillage another word for foliage, which she spelled instead. Head judge Mary Brooks praised Opal, 12, a Basha Accelerated Middle School sixth grader, for her performance throughout the competition. Opal, youve done an outstanding job and we know you told us you wanted to go to Paris and I think somewhere I read that youd also like to go to Harvard University and we think after this weeks performance we know there is no dream thats going to be too big for you, so congratulations, Brooks said. It was the end of two days of competition that began with 229 spellers from every state and a handful of foreign countries. A winner was expected to be decided Thursday night. In addition to Karen and Opal, Arizona was represented by Tazbah Spruhan, an eighth grader from Tsehootsooi Middle School in Window Rock. Tazbah, 14, was eliminated Tuesday when she misspelled Groenendael, a Belgian sheepdog. She was one of 108 spellers eliminated on the first day, leaving 121 to start the day Wednesday. Karen, 13, secured her place in the quarterfinals by correctly defining the word Immolate meaning to sacrifice oneself in the interest of some goal or cause on Tuesday afternoon. Her father said he was shocked when she correctly defined the word. Seriously, yesterday I think my heart, like, popped because the vocabulary, the words they gave her, we never did anything and we never learned that word, Opoku-Appoh said. Oh my God, she took her time reading and guessed it correctly, I nearly fell off my seat. While her luck ran out Wednesday with ordonnance, Opal was able to advance to the semifinals by spelling correctly spelling pointillistic in the quarterfinals. But she was not able to get past the sixth round. Opal, 12, said that she competed in her first spelling bee just this year. She said she was nervous before her first competition but has since found ways to make taking the stage a little easier. When I get nervous I just try to ignore all the people and just focus on the word and the judge and my parents I think, she said. From that first win in her class spelling bee in Chandler earlier this year, she went on to the district, the regional and, finally, the Arizona state spelling bee, where she finished second behind Karen, securing her spot at the national bee. Karen said she had been studying up to three hours every day since December in preparation. Now that her spelling bee days are behind her eighth grade is the cutoff Karen said she hopes to focus on academics to pursue her dream of being a doctor, but not before taking a well-deserved break. While leaving the competition was a bittersweet experience for Karen, the Marana Middle Schooler said she is excited to have more free time and the chance to visit all the monuments and museums Washington has to offer before she heads home to Arizona this weekend. Environment over highway Re: the May 26 article "Judge lets environmentalists' challenge to Interstate 11 proceed." To the Editor: It is a good decision that at least raises the possibility of considering our environment over a new highway. But the key environmental issue is that I-11 should not be built at all; the idea that the solution to heavy traffic is a new highway is so 20th century! In the 21st century, the money allocated for this highway should be spent on public transportation, specifically a commuter rail system, preferably electric, at least from Tucson to Phoenix and possibly points beyond. The New Mexico Rail Runner might be examined as a possible model for construction of an even better and more eco-friendly route in Arizona. Joshua Freeman North side Why doesn't PCC turn hotels into student housing? Re: the May 28 article "PCC may tear down hotels needing repair." I was shocked to read that plans for Pima County Community Colleges Drachman hotel properties Frontier Motel, Copper Cactus and Tucson Inn plan does not include a possibility for housing. With Tucsons housing shortage, transforming these historic hotels into affordable student housing for both PCC and UA students or even members of the public could become a revenue center to offset the expected renovation costs while preserving the historic value of the asset. Collaborating with a community-minded partner that might bring money to the table, such as HSL Properties/Management, for advice/investment/renovation/operation might create a win-win-win situation for the community, business, government and the college. Why demolish potential housing when the three properties could thrive again, like the Sahara Apartments on Stone Ave. Debe Campbell Southeast side Star is balanced Re: the May 29 letter "Harris as President?" The Star printed a letter on May 29 in which the writer bemoaned its proclivity to print "liberal opinions without a balanced opinion from the conservative viewpoint." The writer then boasts of being "smart enough" to back his attack on Kamala Harris, whom he dismisses as "an unqualified word-salad woman." As a lawyer who served as a District Attorney, an Attorney General and as a U.S. Senator, she certainly has more experience than a TV reality show grifter who has declared bankruptcy a number of times. Word salad, also called jargon aphasia, refers to incoherent speech, sometimes associated with schizophrenia, or to patients with dementia or Alzheimer's. The writer feels compelled to add "woman" to his perceived list of failings he attributes to the Vice-President, thereby managing to tick off three boxes in one foul sentence: ignorant, offensive and misogynistic. Kudos to the Star for printing his vile letter; once again, it is proven to be a paper that does present all viewpoints even reprehensible ones. Christopher Rodarte Midtown Remembrance of the fallen in war Every year on Memorial Day weekend, the dead from foreign wars are honored. Taps and the national anthem are played. The attendees, who can, stand with their hats off and hand over heart. This has always been an emotional event. We attended the event this year at Udall Park with the Arizona Winds on Saturday and at Reid Park with the Tucson Pops on Sunday. At both musical events, the Armed Forces Medley was played, with service members, past or present asked to stand when their service melody is played. As I looked around to applaud those who stood, it registered that fewer veterans were standing. I realized that the major wars are receding and that fewer veterans from those conflicts are still alive today. As we grow older the remaining veterans from wars are declining rapidly. Unless there is another major conflict there will continue to be fewer veterans to recognize. Jack Walters Northeast side There's still hope Our society today is riddled with mass shootings, racism, antisemitism and lots of hatred being spewed towards others. It all fosters the feeling of little hope for us in our wonderful great Democracy, our United States. Well, something happened that has brought hope back to me and my wife. We were celebrating our 35-year anniversary at the P. F. Chang restaurant in Tucson the night of May 29 and, when we were finished, requested the check. The waitress informed us that our bill was paid in full by a couple at an adjoining table who had just left. We were flabbergasted! It gave us hope that there are wonderful loving people that are here in our country that are full of love. It gives us hope that there are many others like them in our wonderful Democracy, our United States! Mark Adams Northwest side Second thoughts on CFSD Im a CFSD resident who was active in the campaign that elected three current CFSD governing board members. This may have been a mistake. Our district has spent months arguing about a perfectly appropriate policy on transgender students in schools, in the process losing its focus on education. Through my childs experience with the CFHS math department this year, Ive learned that CFSD administrators have prioritized PR over math instruction. More alarmingly, Ive learned that over 50% of the students in my childs math class scored below the level of proficient as defined by the district. Anecdotally, Ive learned that many CFSD parents plan to enroll their kids in online summer math classes because they feel math instruction at CFHS is lacking. Those parents are contributing to the problem. Rather than demanding quality math instruction in our public schools, we pay for private tutoring and pat ourselves on the back for our wokeness on social issues. Its hypocrisy on the highest level. Carrie Clancy Foothills Memorial Day celebrations How did you celebrate Memorial Day? Perhaps with a family get-together? Or maybe attending a parade? Or remembering a fallen loved one who fought for his/her country? All those are great. But it seems a number of our fellow citizens "celebrated" by shooting, injuring and killing their fellow citizens. From a Florida beach to Chicago city streets to right in our own backyard in Phoenix and Mesa, America's killing spree continued. Will this violence never end? I fear not. There isn't the will to do anything about it but send thoughts and prayers. Karen Schickedanz SaddleBrooke Human neglect seems to mean dead horses Along with a recent report of there being 12 horses that have recently died at Churchill Downs Race Track (for now the cause is unknown) ... now we have this. The heroic horses that carry service-members flag-draped caskets to their final resting places in Arlington National Cemetery are dying. In this case, the Army is at fault. I know that Memorial Day Weekend has just passed, so let me make the point that I don't put the blame here on the veterans or even the untrained army men and women at the lowest level here. However, the apparent insinuations written in this news article are inexcusable. The horses didn't die (or even deserve to die) because they were "old,". .. as seems to be indefensibly implied here as some type of justification. They died from human neglect. Even a 6-year old can tell you that a horse that is starving ... is probably really starving. Sue Thompson SaddleBrooke Heads or tails Can't decide? Let's flip a coin. But what if your coin has only one side? You might think this is ridiculous. A coin HAS to have two sides. A one-sided coin is physically impossible! Yet we easily apply that idea to politics, religion, sex, and just about anything else, besides coins. We will never solve any problem as long as we believe there is only one possible solution. Not til we recognize the existence of the 'other' side will we be able to reach a middle ground where BOTH sides can exist ... I almost said, 'with each other,' but just like a coin is ONE coin with two sides, so are we ONE people, just with two different points of view. Ken Paul Chernock Northwest side Investing in Tucson Re: the May 28 article "Tucson renters are running out of time." God forbid investors invest in Tucson. Instead we should continue to let Tucson be the humdrum crusty city in Phoenixs shadow. Or readers can stop using their bias and personal experience to support an agenda that doesnt advance or benefit Tucsons growth. The fact of the matter is residential investment properties in Tucson have become desirable and at an all-time high; almost 95% of the time these investors are buying distressed properties that have been run into the ground by careless owners and tenants. Why should they apologize for upgrading, renovating, making Tucson look more appealing and demanding respectable rents? Emmanuel Mouzourakis, Realtor/property manager The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Arizonans and folks across the country look to their local law enforcement to keep our communities safe. Thats especially true today, as we face some of our greatest public safety challenges in decades from an uptick in violent crime rates and an ongoing opioid epidemic, to escalating cyber-crime and the rise of extremist groups threatening national security. And, particularly relevant in Arizonas southern communities, we continue to address a crisis along our southern border. As Cochise County Sheriff, my department is the chief law enforcement agency covering 6,215 square miles of territory with more than 80 miles of shared border with Mexico. As we prepare for another influx of migrants and its impacts on our small towns alongside addressing these other public safety priorities we are also tackling the need to build more trust in our communities by modernizing our training, tactics and approaches that avoid escalation. So it should alarm every Arizonan, and every American, that regulators in Washington are about to hand down a new unfunded mandate on local police departments that risks distracting police from these critical goals, while fueling an already booming illicit marketplace. In the coming weeks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is planning to finalize a new Prohibition-style rule criminalizing the use of flavored tobacco products. These flavored tobacco products have, until now, been legal and regulated. As I warned the Biden Administration last year, this Prohibition-based policy will have a major impact on not only my agency, but law enforcement around the U.S. and the communities we serve, because it will create a new and massive illicit market in the very products the FDA is seeking to eliminate. States attempting their own criminal bans on these products, such as Massachusetts, are seeing spikes in illicit product sales. We already face a growing illicit market for tobacco products in the U.S., driven in part by high taxes on legally sold tobacco. Banning legal sales of currently regulated products would create powerful financial incentives for cartels and criminal networks both domestic and international to step in to supply the unmet demand. With financial incentives this powerful, the question isnt whether an illicit market for flavored tobacco will rise, but just how big it will be. In fact, just this month, a group of U.S. Senators urged the U.S. Treasury Department to sanction Tobacco International Holdings, a Switzerland-registered business, for reported ties to a Mexican cartel. As the Senators noted: Since at least 2018, the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), a cartel sanctioned by the United States for its role in trafficking narcotics and fentanyl, has been involved in the sale of tobacco products to generate a new revenue stream . Setting aside the public health harms of unregulated tobacco products flooding the market, criminal networks do not confine their activity to one crime. Rather, history shows us that the more criminal activity there is to engage in, the more crime escalates across the board. The U.S. State Department issued a report in 2018 that carefully detailed the many layers of serious crime that illicit tobacco trafficking is associated with, including violent crimes, property crimes, human trafficking, and terrorism. The last thing Arizona needs is an entirely new category of controlled substances capable of generating billions of dollars in new funding for the criminal networks whose threats to society we are tirelessly working to reduce. While the FDA has claimed that enforcement of its proposed ban would only occur against tobacco makers, rather than individuals, the fact is that all 50 states, including Arizona, treat trafficking in illicit tobacco products as a serious crime, subject to arrest, prosecution and imprisonment. Confronted by an influx of illegal products as a result of this new prohibition, law enforcement would now become the menthol cigarette police, investigating and interdicting illicit domestic manufacturing, illegal smuggling at the borders (like ours) and at our Ports of Entry, illicit distribution within and across state lines, and, ultimately, illicit sales in our communities. And all of this must be done in a coordinated, multi-state manner with the infrastructure necessary to be successful an undertaking in need of resources in the many billions of dollars. In these ways, the FDAs proposal represents an unfunded mandate for law enforcement that will shift responsibility for enforcement of these tobacco products to state, local and federal law enforcement but without the resources needed to deal with these new responsibilities. I have joined with fellow law enforcement leaders from across the country in urging the FDA to use other tools at its disposal that support harm reduction without resorting to criminalizing these products and turning the whole category over to the men and women of law enforcement focused on keeping our communities and borders safe. It should go without saying that we do not endorse or support tobacco use, and the fact that menthol cigarette use, along with other tobacco metrics, are at historic lows should be applauded. But tobacco policy belongs with regulators, not police. Prohibition-based criminalization will put our men and women in uniform and the communities we serve at risk. And there are much better options for reducing tobacco use even further without shifting these products into the criminal justice system. With the many challenges we are facing in our work to keep Arizona communities safe and secure, tobacco prohibition is the last thing we need right now. Locals can now check out Sabino Canyon in a new light the moonlight, to be exact every Saturday with the Sabino Canyon Crawlers new night tours. The night tours return 8 p.m. Saturday, June 3 and will run every Saturday through October, according to the Sabino Canyon Crawler website. The tour is 7.4 miles roundtrip and runs for about an hour. (Start times may differ in the fall, so make sure to check your ticket before arriving!) Tickets for the tour cost $15 per adult and $8 per child, ages 3 to 12. Children under the age of 3 are free, according to their website. Shuttle rides sometimes sell out, so get your tickets online to guarantee your spot. Its important to note that the tour ticket prices do not include the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area amenity fee of $8 per vehicle. The tour features a special narrative program in English and Spanish that includes historical and cultural information about Sabino Canyon, such as the canyons origins and details about the fauna and flora of the area. The Sabino Canyon Crawler is an emission-free electric shuttle that can seat up to 60 passengers. The new shuttles were implemented in the fall of 2019, according to the Arizona Daily Star. Register for more free articles. Log in Sign up During the monsoon season, the shuttle service closely monitors the Sabino Creek flow and operates conservatively to ensure the safety of our passengers, according to their website. This means the shuttle route may change depending on weather. If you go What: Sabino Canyon Crawler night tours. When: 8 p.m. Saturdays, June through October. Start times may differ in the fall. Where: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road. Cost: $15 per adult, $8 per child ages 3 to 12. More info: Visit the website here. McNellies Group will open two new steakhouse concepts in two of the areas distinctive neighborhoods this year. The first is Jimmys Chophouse, which is scheduled to open in early July in Tulsas Brookside district, in a space that formerly housed a Senor Tequila, 3348 S. Peoria Ave. The other, which will open at years end, is City Hall Steak & Cocktail, which will be at 123 E. Main St. in Jenks. The new restaurant is part of a citizen-led effort to rebrand the citys historic Main Street as The Ten District. According to a news release, the interior of City Hall Steak & Cocktail will have a blend of modern design and vintage accents that celebrate the buildings unique history. The atmosphere will be ideal for intimate dinners, special occasions, business meetings, gatherings with friends or just a glass of wine at the bar. We were very excited when we heard about the opportunity to develop 123 Main Street, said Elliot Nelson, CEO and founder of the McNellies Group in the release. Having a location in the heart of Main Street means City Hall Steak & Cocktail will be ideally positioned to contribute to the areas ongoing revitalization. McNellies Group Executive Chef Ben Alexander, who was recently nominated for a James Beard Award for his work at Mr. Kims, is creating a menu that will feature steaks, chops, fish and pasta. I want City Hall Steak & Cocktail to be the type of restaurant people can visit several times a week and always find something that satisfies whatever theyre craving, Alexander said. The menu, in addition to the classic steakhouse favorites that everyone loves, will have signature salads, sandwiches and a gourmet burger. The Ten Districts name is a reference to a corner of Main Street that is 10 miles from downtown Tulsa, Bixby, Sapulpa and Broken Arrow, and also 10 blocks west of the Arkansas River. The goal of the branding is to attract new businesses to the area. The new restaurant will occupy space formerly used by Tedford Insurance. The McNellies Group operates a total of 11 concepts in Oklahoma and Arkansas, include McNellies Pub, Fassler Hall, Bar Serra, The Wild Fork, Dust Bowl, The Tavern, Dilly Diner and Elgin Park. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Her absence at family gatherings has not grown any less noticeable over the last year. But for Amanda Glenns survivors, whenever theyre together, it still feels in small ways like shes with them. Its really hard to describe Amanda in the past tense, said Kristin McPherson, Glenns sister-in-law. Shes still so very much a part of us. Especially her boys. We see glimpses of her in them. Ians big smile and Gabes cute nose. Even in their actions and personalities. The courage and strength they both have shown over this year is a testament to how they were raised. Extra courage and strength will definitely be needed this week both for family members of Glenn and those of the other victims of last years mass shooting on the Saint Francis Hospital campus in Tulsa. This Thursday marks one year since June 1, 2022, when Glenn, 40; Dr. Preston Phillips, 59; Dr. Stephanie Husen, 48; and William Love, 73, were killed by a gunman in the campus Natalie Building. Saint Francis officials will honor the victims at the hospital Thursday, with Mayor G.T. Bynum and other city leaders joining them. Glenn, a receptionist, had worked in Phillips office for several years, part of her nearly two decades in the medical field. The Sand Springs resident left behind a host of loved ones, including her husband, Beau Glenn, and their two sons, Gabe, 19, and Ian, 17 all of whom have spent the last 12 months grappling with the loss. I dont think it feels real yet, McPherson said. Everyone is still healing and trying to create a new normal. Were missing her from ballgames, missing her meals, missing her guidance and support. Its impossible to make it make sense. McPherson said holiday gatherings, which Glenn loved to help plan, have been especially hard. We didnt skip any of them, but they were different, she said. We spent more time outside, keeping our minds busy, making new memories, but always remembering Amanda. Glenn was a 2000 graduate of Charles Page High School, as was her husband. The two had been married 19 years. Glenn was a natural nurturer (and) was happiest when she was taking care of other people, McPherson said. She loved the challenge of planning and organizing. Sticky notes were everywhere to remind her what needed to be done, McPherson said, adding that Glenn enjoyed taking care of details. The family likes to think shes doing the same thing now planning ahead for the day when they will all join her. The good news is we will see her again, and that is what keeps the boys going, McPherson said. Until then, Amanda is our angel. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. One year ago: Mass shooting at Saint Francis Timeline related to mass shooting in Tulsa Saint Francis shooting victims remembered at two vigils 'He began firing at anyone that was in his way' Tulsa police chief says of shooter Tulsa police chief gives new details of mass shooting response 'Catastrophic scene' inside Tulsa medical building where five people died in mass shooting Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum reacts to mass shooting Gunman bought rifle on the same day he killed 4 people, Tulsa police chief says Motive for mass shooting targeting doctor was back pain after surgery, Tulsa police say Gunman saw his doctor the day before killing him, three others in his medical office Tulsa police chief explains motive for mass shooting 'I'm so sorry we couldn't save you,' Tulsa ER physician says to family of William Love Tulsa mass shooting victim Dr. Preston Phillips remembered fondly by Saint Francis CEO Cliff Robertson Who was Dr. Preston Phillips? Saint Francis doctor recalls fallen colleague: "He called me Son and I called him Father" Who was Dr. Stephanie Husen? What is known about Michael Louis? Oklahoma imposes few obstacles to obtaining firearms Five confirmed dead after mass shooting at south Tulsa medical building Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now The author of the most banned book in the U.S. spoke Wednesday night about working to balance creativity with speaking up against censorship. Maia Kobabe, the author and illustrator of Gender Queer: A Memoir, spoke about the writing process and censorship during the University of Tulsas Switchyard Festival. The memoir details Kobabes journey to self-discovery as nonbinary, asexual and someone who uses the Spivak gender-neutral pronouns e, em and eir. As an introvert, Kobabe said, finding that balance can be difficult. A big challenge for me has been how do I both respond to this moment and make sure that I speak up that I speak up against censorship, that I speak up for freedom of information and access to information (and) the First Amendment while also maintaining that quiet time that is necessary for creative work, Kobabe said. Gender Queer was challenged 151 times in 2022 because of its LGBTQ content and claims that it is sexually explicit, according to the American Library Association. No other book was challenged more. In 2022, according to the association, 1,269 attempts were made to censor library books and resources. Kobabe said during Wednesdays event that book sales are generally likely to go up as a result of censorship. The challenges that are happening are hitting the communities where it is happening, and when a book is removed, it is the community that is impoverished, not me, Kobabe said. Kobabes memoir and Mike Curatos book Flamer were banned from Tulsa Public Schools libraries and classrooms last July after an informal challenge, according to PEN America data. The books were challenged after then-Oklahoma Secretary of Education Ryan Walters, now the state superintendent, tweeted screenshots of the graphic novels taken from the conservative social media account Libs of TikTok. The book was available at Nathan Hale and Booker T. Washington high schools before the ban, the Tulsa World has reported. I am, of course, disappointed that the book has been banned in the public schools, but I was also informed that it has not been banned in the public libraries, so Im glad that it is available locally, Kobabe said in an interview after the event. Kobabe has been encouraged by bookstore owners who have ordered copies of the book. Sharing writings with family members and friends before publishing online and in print was nerve wracking. Some of these comics, they touch on intimate topics like theres one where I talk about nightmares about period blood, and gender dysphoria and masturbation, touchy subjects, Kobabe said. And I worry about sharing them. Im worried it would change how people saw me while also wanting to change how people saw me. Kobabe thinks every person has a story to tell. I really hope that this wave of challenges doesnt silence the voice of sort of newbie writers, Kobabe said. Or even writers that havent put pen to paper, because I think a huge goal of the censorship is to scare people and to silence people, and, instead, we have to like, as authors and readers, we have to renew our commitment to diverse voices. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Same fears, new tactics: How efforts to ban 'bad books' reached a record high in 2022 Same fears, new tactics: How efforts to ban 'bad books' reached a record high in 2022 Burned or banned: Outlawed books reflect fears and politics of the time 2022 set a record for book challenges, almost doubling from 2021 Most of the top challenged 2022 books cited LGBTQ+ and sexual content School libraries are being targeted more frequently Organized efforts are accelerating Tesla CEO Elon Musk concluded his China trip this week after visiting Beijing and Shanghai. The billionaire remained tight-lipped on Twitter, which he acquired last year, about his conversation with Chinese officials. This week's trip to China was Musk's first in three years, which became a two-day whistle-stop tour. Musk Treats Tesla Workers He concluded his trip by treating around 100 workers at Tesla's Shanghai plant to burgers and soft drinks before heading towards his private jet in Shanghai's Hongqiao airport Thursday bound for the United States. While Twitter is banned in China, the Chinese state-run media site Global Times posted a video on Twitter where Musk thanked the factory's workers for staying up late at night. "I would like to just very much congratulate you on the amazing work that you've done," he told the crowd. "I just wanna let you know it warms my heart." Tesla's China vice president Grace Tao also posted a picture on the Chinese social media site Weibo showing Musk waving to the camera with the workers in Shanghai. Meeting with Chinese Officials, Businessmen Earlier in his trip, Musk traveled to Beijing and received a hero's welcome as a "global idol" similar to business magnate Jack Ma. His trip included several meetings with top government officials like Chinese vice premier Ding Xuexiang. Ding ranked sixth within the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee, which is led by President Xi Jinping. The meeting marked the first time Ding was known to privately converse with a foreign CEO. Musk initially had a one-on-one meeting with then-premier Li Keqiang in 2019. He also attended a banquet with battery boss Zeng Yuqun of Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL). @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Federal filings indicate that more than $215,000 has been seized from bank accounts tied to the former head of Tulsa Public Schools human resources department. According to court records filed Tuesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma has served or, in one instance, attempted to serve notice of civil forfeiture complaints to former TPS Chief Talent Officer Devin Fletcher and two family members after FBI agents seized a combined $216,105.95 from two bank accounts listed under the relatives names. Fletcher resigned from Tulsa Public Schools in June 2022 after irregularities were discovered with vendor contracts within the Talent Management Department. An independent audit of the districts finances and an internal investigation both indicated that at least two vendor contracts connected to Fletcher had no documented business purposes and that Fletcher had circumvented TPS disbursement and conflict of interest policies. A sworn affidavit alleges that Fletcher wired money to a relative who had a contract with the district through an entity called Talented 10th. A bank account in the relatives name received $343,125 in wire transfers from TPS between August 2018 and May 2021, plus an additional $105,000 in wire transfers from a nonprofit organization connected to the district, the Foundation for Tulsa Schools, in early 2022, the document says. Those funds were then transferred to a second bank account with the second family member listed as the primary signatory before being wired directly to Fletcher, the affidavit says. Along with noting that both relatives said they were working under Fletchers direction, the affidavit states that the family member who contracted with TPS told investigators in April that they did not own a business named Talented 10th and did not provide any services for the district or its foundation. TPS only identified 12 emails between (family member name redacted) and TPS over the four-year span of the relationship and none of the emails contain any work product or communication about any services provided by (redacted), and TPS has not been able to document any work completed by (redacted) to support the payments since the allegations, the affidavit says. The emails focused on the payment process and correct address. To date, no criminal charges have been filed, and federal court documents indicate that an investigation into one of the methods used allegedly to misappropriate funds is ongoing. The Tulsa school board voted in April to authorize its attorneys to investigate civil litigation options against Fletcher. The civil forfeiture notice filed with the Northern District of Oklahoma court notes that Fletchers current location is unknown. Both TPS and the Foundation for Tulsa Schools issued written statements Wednesday morning in response to the forfeiture notices. We are grateful to law enforcement officials who have recovered a portion of the funds stolen from our schools, TPS statement reads in part. Since we reported our initial findings to officials nearly a year ago, we have worked closely to share additional evidence from our internal reviews. This action gives us encouragement that a resolution for our community is underway, and we are confident that justice will be served. The Foundation for Tulsa Schools remains focused on its mission to build a better community through the support of Tulsa Public Schools, the foundations statement says. We are disappointed a former TPS employee is alleged to have abused his position of trust by unlawfully diverting funds intended to benefit students and educators. We support the efforts of law enforcement officials to investigate and hold accountable any person responsible for misappropriating these funds. We also support the actions taken by Tulsa Public Schools to address the situation and mitigate any impact to the students and programs that our donors support. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Over 40 authors of the Bible have written that it is Gods plan to save the lives of his children. We believe His heart is broken when evil walks in with an automatic rifle and takes the lives of innocent victims young and old every day in America. Our Stephanie did not deserve to die at work caring for her patients on June 1, 2022, nor do over 120 people a day in our country. Stephanie spent 13 years of higher education to reach her goal to become a medical doctor to care for others. Caring, loving and giving of herself for others was her mission in life. She was kind and generous to everyone. Those who knew her loved her, and she loved them right back. Stephanie should not be gone from us. While we are very grateful for the gift of having had her in our lives, we long for the new memories that were left to be made. Because our family is seeking to raise awareness and find solutions to stop gun violence, we are trying to educate ourselves on the issues surrounding this problem. Gun violence is a multifaceted problem that we believe should be discussed in a bipartisan atmosphere to find commonsense solutions. The silent majority must use their voices. Please do not think there is nothing I can do. Go to oklegislature.gov to find your legislator and let them know that gun safety and the issue of gun violence is important to you. Please remember this issue and the response, or lack of response, you receive from your legislator when considering a vote in the next elections. Our family now tries to focus our grief on helping to prevent another shooting and loss of innocent lives. What can each of us do going forward to make our communities and workplaces safer? Pay attention to what is happening around you. Every workplace, school, church, library, event center, medical facility and shopping mall needs to be training staff to report belligerent or threatening behaviors they witness or threats seen on social media. See something; say something. We need to identify and help people before they are so desperate to buy a gun to harm themselves or others. We need secure places to work and spend our leisure time. Door locks, panic buttons, cameras, metal detectors can all help deter an intruder. Does this cost money? Yes. But what is the value of a life, or four or 20 lives ended in a flash of an automatic rifle? There are two things we want to draw attention to this week on the first anniversary of the mass shooting in the Natalie Building on the Saint Francis campus. We have learned of a national campaign that honors the victims and survivors of gun violence, calls for gun safety such as proper storage and gun locks, and raises awareness of gun violence in our country. National Gun Violence Awareness Day is Friday, followed by Wear Orange Weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Orange is the color hunters wear for safety in their sport. This weekend it represents gun safety and much more. We have asked Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and other city leaders around the state to issue a proclamation declaring Friday as Gun Violence Awareness Day and Saturday and Sunday as Wear Orange Weekend. During this weekend, support for gun violence victims and survivors can be shown by people wearing orange and lighting homes and businesses with orange or putting out orange signs. Another program launched nationwide this last year is the 988 Mental Health Lifeline. It is a new mental health resource for all Oklahomans who may be experiencing or witnessing a mental health crisis. There is more information at 988oklahoma.com. We hope it will be a resource for families, employees, students and those who need help coping in any situation. Our family morns for all victims of gun violence in our nation but especially Dr. Preston Phillips; our daughter, Dr. Stephanie Husen; Amanda Glenn; and William Love. Please help change this epidemic in our country. We must respect and value all human life. Pray for commonsense solutions and resources to be available to end gun violence. Greg and Joyce Husen, parents of Dr. Stephanie Husen, wrote this for her family in her loving memory. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. OKLAHOMA CITY One of the states largest retirement systems could be out $9.7 million if it has to drop some of its money managers and investment funds as a result of a new law barring state contracts and investments with companies deemed hostile to the oil and natural gas industries. About 64% of the roughly $10 billion invested through the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System is held in funds controlled by financial firms that have been blacklisted by the State Treasurers Office as a result of the new law. The retirement system could face $9.7 million in taxes, fees and commission costs if it is forced to divest from BlackRock, Wells Fargo and Co., JPMorgan Chase and Co., State Street Corp. and Bank of America, OPERS Chief Investment Officer Brad Tillberg told members of the pension systems board of trustees on Thursday. The financial impact on the much smaller Retirement System for Justices and Judges would be an estimated $391,000, he said. Those five financial firms are among the 13 firms State Treasurer Todd Russ said do not meet the requirements of a 2022 state law that bans the state from working with companies that boycott oil and gas. Russ, a member of the OPERS board who sat in on a presentation about how Oklahomas Energy Discrimination Elimination Act could impact the retirement system, downplayed the cost estimate as speculative. He said the retirement system wont have a clear picture of potential financial losses until it goes through a public bidding process to hear from other financial firms and investment managers. Theres been states that have actually made money by sending it out and getting an RFP (request for proposals), so its just speculation until we see, Russ said. He added that any financial losses would be a cause for concern. Other Republican-led states have adopted similar laws in an attempt to push back on corporate Environment, Social and Governance policies which, among other things, pledge to make decisions with consideration for the impact of fossil fuels on the environment. Russ said the list of blacklisted companies is likely to change because his office will review it every 90 days. The law could impact OPERS more than any of the states other retirement systems, Russ said. Certainly, this is the largest exposure for the state of Oklahoma because of the size of holdings in BlackRock, he said. The rest of them are relatively small compared to this. OPERS investment committee recommended that the full board of trustees seek an exemption from the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act on the grounds that divesting from the blacklisted firms would be a breach of the systems fiduciary responsibility. The board did not vote on the motion Thursday but is likely to consider that recommendation at its next meeting. The Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System is the states second-largest retirement system, behind the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. OKLAHOMA CITY Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday vetoed two bills that would have extended for one year tobacco and vehicle registration compacts the state has inked with Oklahomas Native American tribes. Stitt said the bills are an unconstitutional attempt to circumvent his authority to negotiate state-tribal compacts. This Bill may appear on its face to be innocuous, Stitt wrote in one veto message. However, if this bill were to become law, irreparable harm will befall our Great State. Tribal leaders are urging the Oklahoma Legislature to override the governors vetoes in a special legislative session. Stitt, a Cherokee Nation citizen, had previously criticized lawmakers for introducing bills to extend the current agreements, saying the tribes were pushing the legislation in an attempt to cut him out of compact negotiations. As some compacts are set to expire in the next year, Senate Bill 26X would extend existing and newly expired tobacco compacts through December 2024. House Bill 1005X would do the same for vehicle tag compacts. The state compacts with the tribes to split the tax revenue from the sale of tobacco products to non-Native customers in Indian Country. The state and the tribes also sign agreements on motor vehicle licensing and registration fees. In his veto messages, Stitt challenged the constitutionality of the two bills because they were passed in a special legislative session on the state budget and the expenditure of pandemic relief funds. Compacting was not listed in the call for the special session; therefore the bills are unconstitutional, Stitt wrote. But the call for the special session left the door open for lawmakers to address budget-related issues, and revenue from the compacts impacts the state budget. The governor also questioned whether the states constitution allows the Legislature to hold a special session that runs concurrently with the regular legislative session. Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said previous attempts to renegotiate long-standing compacts with the governor have been unproductive. The governors offers have been a nonstarter and demonstrated a lack of interest in good faith negotiations, he said. Batton urged lawmakers to override Stitts vetoes. Significant majorities in both chambers of the Legislature voted to extend tobacco and vehicle compacts for one year because they provide important, ongoing benefits for the people of Oklahoma, Batton said in a statement. By vetoing these bills, Gov. Stitt has once again put his personal hostility to tribal sovereignty ahead of what is good for the state and what is good for the tribes. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. also encouraged lawmakers to override the governors vetoes. If Governor Stitt gets his way with these vetoes, the state loses millions in revenue and disrupts business, Hoskin said in a statement. All Oklahomans lose in that scenario. Fortunately, the governor is isolated in his hostility to cooperate with the tribes. Stitt has had a frosty relationship with most of Oklahomas tribes since 2019, when he unsuccessfully began seeking to renegotiate the states tribal gaming compacts. The governor has since said the terms of the compacts must be renegotiated in light of the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 McGirt decision, which found that the Muscogee Nation reservation had never been disestablished a ruling that has since been expanded to include other tribes reservations. Stitt said he is looking to renegotiate the agreements in order to strike a fair deal for the state moving forward. House leadership initially sought a five-year extension of the compacts, but the bills were whittled down to one-year extensions in keeping with Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treats wishes. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said the bills give state leaders more time to negotiate the terms of the agreements. The extensions dont really change anything other than allow us to potentially avoid some lawsuits until an agreement can be reached, McCall said in an interview. The Legislature is likely to remain involved in the compacting process, McCall said. Stitt has insisted that hes the only elected official with the power to negotiate compacts with the tribes. McCall said a 2020 court ruling that found that Stitt overstepped when he signed new gaming compacts with two tribes upheld the Legislatures compacting authority. The compact bills passed both chambers with veto-proof margins. Two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate can override gubernatorial vetoes. Lawmakers may return to the Capitol in mid-June to override some of the governors vetoes in a special legislative session. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. An Okmulgee police officer who was shot early Thursday has been treated at a Tulsa hospital and released, a spokesman for a state agency said. The officer was ambushed when he and another Okmulgee police officer responded about 1:45 a.m. to a call about a burglary in progress at a house in the 100 block of East Second Street, according to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Interim Public Information Officer Gerald Davidson. The other officer approached the front door while the officer who was ultimately shot approached the rear of the house, where a person ambushed the officer and fired at the officer with what was reported to be an AK-47 rifle, Davidson said. The officer returned fire, and during the exchange of gunfire, the officer was shot once. The shooter fled on foot, Davidson said. The officer, who was stable and alert, was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa and was later released, Davidson said. He has been on the Okmulgee police force for five or six years, Davidson added. Police and officers from multiple agencies are looking for Christopher Alfred Harris, who is described as 34 years old; Black; 5 feet, 9 inches tall; 218 pounds; and bald with brown eyes. He was last seen near Second Street and Central Avenue in Okmulgee. The suspect was known by residents of the house, but Davidson did not know whether he was a friend or relative or had some other connection. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has issued a Blue Alert in an effort to find Harris. Authorities dont know whether he was struck by the gunfire. The Okmulgee Police Department is the lead agency in the manhunt, which involves about 30 officers from agencies that also include the Creek Nation Lighthorse Police, the District 25 Task Force, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and the OHP, Davidson said. The Tulsa Police Department said in a Facebook post that some of its officers and its helicopter are also assisting in the search. Davidson said Harris had been in federal court system previously but that he didnt know whether he had a history of violence against officers. An online resource for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons indicates that Harris was released from federal prison in September. Tulsa World archives show that Harris was sentenced in federal court in November 2012 to 10 years and a month in prison for robbing a Tulsa bank earlier that year. Harris, then 23 and a Tulsa resident, was ordered to be under court supervision for three years after his release. He had pleaded guilty to robbing the Bank of Oklahoma at 3037 S. Garnett Road and to a related firearm charge. He admitted brandishing a gun during the heist, during which he stole $4,215.90, Tulsa World coverage shows. The Okmulgee Police Department asked the OSBI to investigate Thursday mornings gunfire, Davidson said. Harris is considered armed and dangerous, and anyone with any information about him or his whereabouts should call 911, authorities said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Tulsa Race Massacre / The Tulsa World Library: See all of the coverage of the race massacre in this special report. "The first time Americans were terrorized by an aerial assault was not Pearl Harbor," a CBS News story says leading up to coverage this weekend of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. "Scott Pelley reports on a race massacre in which an estimated 300 people, mostly African American men, women and children, were killed, and aircraft were used to drop incendiary devices on a black neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Greenwood Massacre of 1921 has been largely ignored by history, but Pelley finds a Tulsa community seeking to shed more light on what's been called the worst race massacre in history," a preview reads for a "60 Minutes" story airing 6 p.m. Sunday on CBS. Context for viewers: Six airplanes circled the Greenwood area during the morning hours of June 1. What they were doing, and why there were so many, has long been a matter of passionate debate. Many people believe they were used to shoot at people on the ground and bomb Greenwood. Officials said the small craft, generally thought to be two-seat, single-engine Curtis Jenny biplanes, were merely keeping track of activities on the ground and relaying the information through written messages dropped in weighted metal cylinders attached to streamers. To what extent this explanation was initially challenged is unclear, but in October 1921 the Chicago Defender published a story in which it said Greenwood had been bombed under orders of prominent city officials. The story cited a Van B. Hurley, who the newspaper said had given a signed statement to Elisha Scott, a Kansas attorney. Scott filed dozens of lawsuits on behalf of victims but doesnt seem to have ever entered the Hurley affidavit into the record. There is no record of a Van B. Hurley living in Tulsa around the time of the massacre or that anyone by that name ever belonged to the Tulsa police force. But that doesnt mean the story did not have substance. Many people believed city officials were behind the burning of Greenwood, and the explanation that the squadron of planes was only used for surveillance struck some as suspiciously thin. Certainly the planes had a great psychological impact on many. For example, Mary Jones Parrish wrote about them in her account, as did prominent attorney B.C. Franklin in his. The Defender story said the planes dropped nitroglycerin on buildings, setting them afire. But nitroglycerin is an explosive, not an incendiary. It is also highly unstable and dangerous. That has caused some to speculate that something like Molotov cocktails might have been used, or turpentine balls rags soaked in flammable liquid and wrapped around the head of a stick. There are several practical reasons why trying to light and throw incendiary devices from an open cockpit airplane of that era would seem a difficult, dangerous and even foolish idea. But that doesnt mean it wasnt done. Tulsa Race Massacre / The Tulsa World Library: See all of the coverage of the race massacre in this special report. Tulsa Race Massacre: This is what happened in Tulsa in 1921 An attempt to turn a hearing on child care into an indictment of a childrens book went sideways on U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin on Wednesday when his I dont want reality rejoinder to a panelist and the resulting laughter went viral. And not, for the most part, in a good way. Republican Senator declares, I dont want reality. Uproarious laughter ensues. (Video: C-SPAN) pic.twitter.com/OgRqY1awlc Mike Sington (@MikeSington) May 31, 2023 Mullin was participating in a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on child care access and affordability when he held up the book Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race. Among those recommending or reviewing Our Skin favorably have been the American Library Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, Parents Magazine, the School Library Journal and the Association for Library Service to Children. Mullin objected to the passage: A long time ago, way before you were born, a group of white people made up an idea called race. They sorted people by skin color and said that white people were better, smarter, prettier, and that they deserve more than everybody else. He then compared the song Jesus Loves the Little Children Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight and demanded of the four panelists which was more appropriate. A fairly common tactic of Mullin and other lawmakers is to try to force witnesses into yes-no/either-or answers and then cut them off when a witness attempts a more nuanced response. Cheryl Morman, president of the Virginia Alliance for Family Child Care Association, said, First, it is important that we teach Jesus, and Jesus is what we teach. But the reality is But do you think , cut in Mullin. Could she answer the question, please, said Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders of Vermont. I dont want reality! Mullin said. This brought a round of laughter and someone saying, Got it on tape. Mullin, momentarily puzzled by the reaction, rolled his eyes, said, Misspoke, and continued his questioning. Mullin began his allotted time by saying he and his wife, Christie Mullin, tried 14 years ago to provide child care to employees of their plumbing company but gave up because of the cost and red tape. Finding ways to soften regulations while still keeping our kids safe, Mullin said, would be a way to lower costs and increase access. He then veered off into what he said is an attempt to federalize the education system and move more toward socialism. This was a jab at Sanders, with whom he frequently spars over Sanders socialist leanings and critiques of capitalism. Mullin concluded by tying the passage from Our Skin to a quote attributed to Joseph Stalin: Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed. Notably, given the subject matter, the quote is quite similar to one often attributed to Nelson Mandela: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Airfares on routes to popular tourist destinations across Vietnam are skyrocketing for this years summer travel season. According to a recent survey conducted by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, local air carriers plan to raise the prices of air tickets from mid-June to early August. Airfares for the Hanoi Da Nang route will average VND3.5 million (US$150) per round trip, up VND1 million ($42.8) from the non-summer average. For the Ho Chi Minh City Phu Quoc route, Vietjet will offer the lowest fare at VND2.5 million ($107) per round-trip ticket. Comparatively, airfares on the same route set by Pacific Airlines and Bamboo Airways will range from VND2.8 million ($120) to VND3.2 million ($137) per round trip. While these prices are high compared to non-summer airfares, many local flight ticket agents said they were lower than the same period last year. Vietnam Airlines Group, which operates Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and Vasco, has announced that it will offer over 7.3 million seats on the domestic and international routes from June 1 to August 15 in order to meet demand during the busy summer travel season. During peak periods, these airlines will operate a combined 500 flights each day, up 30 percent against their normal schedules. Among the busiest domestic air routes are those linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with tourist hubs such as Da Nang, Con Dao off the coast of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, Thua Thien Hue Province, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Da Lat, and Phu Quoc. Local air carriers will also increase international flights from Vietnam to Japan, South Korea, and Thailand during the summer travel season. A representative from Vietnam Airlines Group said that many of the flights on offer during the summer travel season are nearly full. Although low-cost airline Vietjet has yet to announce the number of flights it will offer during the summer travel season, the air carrier has opened a series of international air routes such as Ho Chi Minh City Kochi, India; Da Nang - Hong Kong; Phu Quoc - Hong Kong; Da Nang Singapore; Da Nang Daegu, South Korea; and Nha Trang Seoul, South Korea. In May, the airline added four aircraft to its operations, brining the size of its fleet to more than 80. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! In a significant move, NASA recently held its first public discussion about UFOs, also known as "unidentified aerial phenomena" (UAPs). One year after beginning research on unexplained sightings, this event was televised live and included an impartial panel of specialists who pledged openness. NASA selected 16 scientists and professionals, including former US astronaut Scott Kelly, according to Al Jazeera. Panel chair David Spergel indicated that this public conference at NASA's Washington, DC, headquarters was for "final deliberations" before the team's report, slated for late July, is released. Spergel also noted the unsystematic and fragmented character of UAP gathering operations. Additionally, he voiced disapproval of using tools for scientific data collection that were not correctly calibrated. During the hearing, Sean Kirkpatrick, head of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) of the US Defense Department, said they get 50 to 100 new monthly reports. Based on the database, just 2% to 5% of these sightings may be considered extraordinary, according to Kirkpatrick. NOW: An audio-only media briefing following today's public discussion on unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs. https://t.co/y4gMK6n1M9 NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2023 The discussion included a video taken by a navy aircraft over the western United States, showing a pattern of dots moving across the night sky as one significant event. The object in question was a commercial airliner traveling to a large airport, and the military aircraft failed to intercept it. Many other sightings, though, are still mysterious. NASA Wants to Address the Stigma Spergel said commercial pilots are hesitant to report flying saucer encounters due to the stigma. He said NASA wants "to remove the stigma" since "high-quality data are needed for answering significant inquiries about UAPs, the BBC reported. Read Also: North Korea's Satellite Launch Attempt Failed to Reach Orbit Additionally, several researchers in the field have experienced abuse on the internet. NASA science head Nicola Fox said that harassment "only leads to further stigmatization of the UAP field," substantially impeding the scientific process and deterring individuals from investigating. Out of the 144 sightings by military pilots since 2004, according to a Pentagon assessment published in 2021, all but one were still unaccounted for. Officials did not exclude alien origin for these items. Still No Convincing Evidence NASA clarified that since they are relevant to national security and aviation safety, the study primarily emphasizes UAPs. They stressed the need for actual, trustworthy data to confirm and account for such findings. After the public forum, NASA associate administrator Dan Evans noted: "There is absolutely no convincing evidence for extraterrestrial life associated with" unexplained objects. However, numerous public queries before the event indicated doubt and conspiracy suspicions, per USA Today. Thomas Zurbuchen, an associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, stressed the need to understand UAP data to study celestial events. Data helps scientists explain the unexplainable, he said. Related Article: James Webb Detects 6000-Mile-Long Water Plume Coming from Saturn's Moon @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in a recently-signed dispatch ordered the adoption of urgent measures to alleviate goods congestion and facilitate the export of agro-products along the border with China. The dispatch was issued at a time when border gates in the northern border province of Lang Son have seen an upsurge in the number of container trucks carrying farm produce for export, resulting in a prolonged customs clearance process and limited clearance capacity. Several fruits, meanwhile, are now ready to harvest in the country. This could pose a higher risk of congestion at the border gates as more container trucks transporting fruits for export to China will head to these areas. Therefore, PM Chinh urged the authorities in northern border provinces and relevant agencies to review regulations on the import and export of farm produce between Vietnam and China. They were told to work with the Chinese side to streamline the customs clearance process, extend business hours for customs clearance services, and enhance the performance of customs clearance, so as to prevent agro-products from getting damaged due to hot weather and a long wait at the border gates. The authorities of border provinces also have to closely monitor and forecast the traffic volume of vehicles carrying goods to the border areas and promptly take measures to cope with possible congestion. PM Chinh asked ministries and relevant agencies to join hands with businesses to promote the consumption of farm produce in the local market, as well as take timely actions to remove obstacles hindering trading activities via border gates. In addition, the chief of the Vietnamese government told relevant ministries and agencies to roll out measures to promote exports through official channels and diversify transport methods in the long run. They have to focus on expanding export markets, removing technical barriers to trade, and facilitating negotiations with China on farm produce quality management. They were also tasked with developing farming regions that have adequate scales and meet requirements on product origin, traceability, food safety, and geographical indication. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Spanish police raided three clandestine tobacco factories early this year, seizing nearly 40 million euros ($44 million) worth of tobacco leaf and illicit cigarettes. At one, in the northern town of Alfaro, they found 10 Ukrainian workers, five of them war refugees, who'd been put to work with no contracts and scant pay, police said. They worked all day for and lived at the factory, forbidden from leaving. This operation is one of dozens across the EU that regional policing and anti-fraud agencies say have driven seizures of illicit cigarettes to record levels. Crime groups, which have traditionally mainly sourced fake tobacco products from outside the EU, are increasingly setting up production facilities in western Europe to be closer to higher-priced markets, according to Reuters interviews with half a dozen specialists in the field, including enforcement officials, tobacco executives and industry analysts. The trend was revved up by the travel shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, which choked supplies from outside the bloc, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) said. It may have been further accelerated by the war in Ukraine, which for years has been a production hub and transit route for illicit tobacco, OLAF added. As well as the human cost, counterfeiting is a financial thorn in the side of the world's biggest tobacco companies at a time when they're facing a global decline in smoking that's spurred large investments in alternative products like vapes. "Criminal gangs have switched from importing counterfeit products into Europe to establishing illicit manufacturing facilities within EU borders," said Cyrille Olive, British American Tobacco's (BAT) regional head of anti-illicit trade. BAT - one of tobacco's global giants with Imperial Brands, Japan Tobacco and Philip Morris International - has seen increased counterfeiting since last year in France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Denmark and the Czech Republic, Olive added. Some campaigners have accused Big Tobacco of overstating the size of the illicit market to help lobby against higher taxes - something the companies deny. Nonetheless, the latest data shows seizures of illicit cigarettes are increasing. A record 531 million illicit cigarettes were impounded across the EU last year, a rise of 43% from the roughly 370 million seized in 2020, according to data from OLAF. About 60% of the cigarettes were from illicit production in the bloc while the rest were smuggled in. Europol told Reuters that last year would also likely set a record for the number of illegal cigarette factories that were reported shut down by national police forces, although the full-year data isn't yet available. Spanish Civil Guard officers inspect an illegal tobacco machine during a raid where more than 3.5 million packets of contraband tobacco were seized, in Seville, Spain, in this picture released on January 22, 2023. Photo: Guardia Civil/Handout via Reuters Tobacco investigators The industry has responded by hiring investigators to research illicit operations and share intelligence with European authorities, executives at Japan Tobacco, BAT and Imperial Brands told Reuters. The three tobacco majors declined to put a figure on the financial hit from the illicit trade. Japan Tobacco has, though, spent "hundreds of millions of dollars" gathering information on the counterfeiters which it then passes on to European authorities like OLAF, according to Vincent Byrne, head of the company's anti-illicit trade operations. "We have a dedicated function within the company to try and protect our assets, protect our brands, and combat illegal trade," said Byrne, a former detective who investigated organised crime in Ireland. BAT and Imperial Brands said they also had intelligence operations. Philip Morris International declined to comment for this article. Pack: less than a euro to make Counterfeiters typically replicate popular cigarette brands, which include Japan Tobacco's Winston, Philip Morris' Marlboro, British America's Dunhill and Imperial Brands' Nobel. A packet of 20 cigarettes costs less than a euro to make, said Byrne, but trades at several times that, depending on the marketplace. Supplies from China and other parts of Asia - which used to be the biggest sources of counterfeit cigarettes that ended up in the EU - shrank during COVID-19 lockdowns, spurring increasing production in Europe itself, according to Alex McDonald, head of group security at Imperial Brands. Russia's attack on Ukraine may have quickened that trend, said Ernesto Bianchi, OLAF's director of revenue and international operations, investigations and strategy, adding that the agency was "analysing how the fraudsters may have reconfigured their routes". Ukraine had been a hub for the manufacturing of illicit tobacco and a supply route for illicit and counterfeit cigarettes made in Russia and Belarus, activities that may have been disrupted by the war, Imperial Brands' McDonald said. Some counterfeiters are luring and coercing Ukrainian refugees to be workers. An illegal tobacco factory was dismantled last month in Roda de Ter, 80 km from Barcelona, Spanish police said on Thursday. Officers seized 11,400 kilos of tobacco and 7,360 packets of cigarettes. Six Ukrainians were found working there. In Italy, officials said in April last year they had found about 82 tonnes of counterfeit cigarettes inside a factory in the industrial area of the country's Pomezia municipality. Investigators said they found Russian, Moldovan and Ukrainian workers doing gruelling shifts in an unsafe environment where walled-up windows stopped fumes escaping. "A good many workers from Ukraine have been found in these illegal factories," Japan Tobacco's Byrne said about counterfeiting operations across the EU. "They're collected in a van at an airport, blacked out windows, driven around and swapped into another van," Byrne, said recounting a particular incident. "Eventually they're delivered to the factory. Mobile phones are taken from them. Essentially, it's a form of modern-day slavery." ($1 = 0.9310 euros) Thirty-five wild animals which had been caught in Ho Chi Minh City were returned to the wild on Wednesday. The Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department cooperated with the management board of the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve in neighboring Long An Province to release the animals. The 35 animals included pythons, giant Asian pond turtles, yellow-headed temple turtles, Mekong snail-eating turtles, and golden thread turtles. They had earlier been voluntarily handed over to the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department. A 63-kilogram python is released into the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve in Long An Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Supplied Among the released animals was a 63-kilogram 4.5-meter-long python which had been handed over in February by Dang Dinh Quoc, a 55-year-old a resident of Hoc Mon District. Quoc said he bought the python in 2000 when it was as big as his little finger and had raised it for 23 years. It was the largest python that the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department had received from local residents in the past 10 years. Turtles are set free at the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve in Long An Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Supplied The animals were released after being cared for by the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station in Ho Chi Minh City. The Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department last Thursday also joined hands with the management board of the Phuoc Binh National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam to free 28 wild animals, including Javan pangolins, long-tailed monkeys, rhesus macaques, pig-tailed macaques, stump-tailed macaques, elongated tortoises, and Asian box turtles. All of them had been handed over by residents and organizations to the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department. Two Javan pangolins are released to the Phuoc Binh National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Supplied Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! As many as 678 cases of land encroachment and illegal construction in Phu Quoc City off Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam will be subject to police investigation. The Phu Quoc Peoples Committee said on Wednesday it had asked the administrations of Ganh Dau and Duong To Communes, as well as relevant agencies, to review these cases and provide documents linked to the cases to the provincial police department in order to aid in the investigation. The departments investigators previously sent a list of these 678 cases to the Phu Quoc administration, requesting confirmation on whether the locations of these cases were under the management authority of Phu Quoc, which cases had been fined by the citys administration for land encroachment or illegal construction, and the effect of the fines. According to the investigators, 260 cases were reported at a school area in Chuong Vich Hamlet and 157 at Suoi Lang in Ganh Dau Commune, while 261 others were reported in Duong To Communes Duong Bao Hamlet. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Catch up on the news in Vietnam today: Society -- Moderate to heavy rains are expected to sweep through many parts of the south-central, southern, and Central Highlands regions on Thursday, with rainfalls exceeding 60 millimeters, according to the national weather forecast center. -- Authorities in Dong Nai Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, halted the operation of two wharves in Bien Hoa City to develop a riverside road on Wednesday, taking the number of wharves shut to make room for the road to four. The riverside road will be 5.2 kilometers long upon completion. -- A man, 53, in Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam got fined VND15 million (US$640) after beating his wife to a pulp. -- The Ho Chi Minh City Management Center of Public Transport has resumed the subsidized bus route No. 61, which links Cho Lon Bus Station in District 5 and the Le Minh Xuan industrial park in the outlying district of Binh Chanh. -- Police in Hanoi have detained a babysitter, a 21-year-old resident of Nam Dinh Province in northern Vietnam, on suspicion of mistreatment of a one-month-old girl. -- Airfares on the routes to popular tourist destinations across Vietnam are trending up during the busy summer travel season this year. Business -- The domestic cooking gas price slumped by VND35,000-35,500 ($1.49 - 1.51) per 12-kilogram cylinder starting from Thursday, following a drop in global cooking gas prices, some gas traders told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday night. -- The Vietnamese job market saw a plunge in recruitment demand in the first four months of 2023, with hiring in the apparel sector tumbling 39 percent year on year due to the global economic downturn, according to a report recently issued by Navigos Group, one of the leading recruitment companies in Vietnam. -- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a telegram urging the authorities in northern provinces, and relevant ministries and agencies to review regulations on imports and exports at border gates with China, and work with Chinese officials to simplify customs procedures due to the soaring number of container trucks carrying farm produce stuck at northern border gates. Lifestyle -- Paintings by children with autism will be presented at a fundraising exhibition titled Heart for Autism in Hanoi starting from Friday, to spread and inspire the souls of autistic children, and bring their voices to the community, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Childrens Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City has been assigned to deepen the transplant field to turn it into Vietnam's major organ transplant center. Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate 45 years of the hospitals establishment on Wednesday, Duong Anh Duc, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, said that Childrens Hospital 2 is expected to become a leading organ transplant center in Vietnam. The hospital must ensure its care and treatment of other diseases for children as well, said the official. Apart from appreciating the hospitals efforts and contributions over the past 45 years, the vice-chairman hoped that Childrens Hospital 2 will build a better service system to care for and treat more children, moving toward becoming a more reliable medical facility. Duc expected the hospital to make greater strides in the coming months. Over the past 45 years, the hospital has achieved numerous positive results in childrens care and treatment in the city and the country as a whole, said Trinh Huu Tung, director of Childrens Hospital 2. The hospital has become one of four leading pediatric hospitals nationwide, he noted. Childrens Hospital 2 features a workforce of highly-skilled and dedicated doctors and nurses, and modern equipment, raising its efficiency of care and treatment. The hospital has expanded the depth of organ transplant, tumor treatment, pediatric neurosurgery, diagnostic endoscopy, and other illnesses. It has successfully separated eight pairs of conjoined twins. Among them, a pair of Vietnamese and German twin boys were separated on August 4, 1988. This was the first separation surgery at the hospital and a historic surgery in Vietnams health industry. The surgery was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for 1991. Ho Chi Minh City has three pediatric hospitals, including Childrens Hospital 1, Childrens Hospital 2, and Ho Chi Minh City Childrens Hospital. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A 17-year-old boy in La Gi Town, Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam has been arrested for attempting to kill his parents with pesticide after they banned him from having a relationship with a girl. The La Gi Peoples Procuracy on Wednesday said it had approved a decision to keep T.A.K. in custody. T.A.K. and P.T.T.T., both 17-year-old residents of La Gi Town, are in a relationship which took a rough turn when K. took T. to his house and his parents began insulting the couple. The couple then made plans to kill the boys parents. On Thursdsay last week, K. and T. picked up a bottle of pesticide and poured it into an empty water bottle. K. then brought the bottle home. At about 6:00 pm that day, K. poured the pesticide into a soup pot on the table while his mother was cooking. The mother smelt the pesticide and reported the case to local police. K. and his girlfriend admitted that they had poured the pesticide into the soup in order to kill K.s parents. Local police have seized the soup pot, the pesticide bottle, and the water bottle containing the pesticide. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Ho Chi Minh City recently collaborated with the Ministry of Public Securitys Department of Cybersecurity and relevant agencies to apprehend three South Korean individuals, who had been the subjects of an Interpol red notice for involvement in high-tech crimes. These foreigners, namely 49-year-old Jeong Ki Won, 40-year-old Park Jai Hyung, and 43-year-old Jang Woo Jin, entered Vietnam under the guise of foreign investors and experts who had endorsements from different businesses in Ho Chi Minh City, thereby obtaining visas and temporary residence cards through legal channels, a representative of the citys Department of Public Security said on Thursday. Park came to Vietnam on September 20, 2022, Jeong entered the country on March 23, 2023, and Jang followed suit on March 28, 2023. This supplied photo shows police officers arresting 49-year-old South Korean Jeong Ki Won. The Interpol red notice showed that the three individuals established and ran a gambling and betting website named Slot in Vietnam to generate profits. This online platform offered gambling services where players would make deposits to participate and potentially gain money. This trio worked and communicated using the Telegram instant messaging application, employing an auto-delete feature for their messages to evade detection by law enforcement agencies. This supplied photo shows 40-year-old South Korean Park Jai Hyung. Upon their arrival in Vietnam, the group did not reside at the registered address provided upon entry, but instead concealed themselves at various locations in Ho Chi Minh City. Police in the city arrested all three individuals along with several other people involved, and confiscated substantial evidence linked to their illicit activities. The three South Koreans then admitted to their involvement in criminal activities. Vietnamese police officers handed them over to the South Korean authorities via Tan Son Nhat International Airport on May 26, according to Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Federal Court judge has thrown out Ben Roberts-Smiths defamation claims against three newspapers and three journalists, Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters and David Wroe. Roberts-Smith VC, Australias most decorated living soldier, alleged the Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Canberra Times defamed him in their reporting, and falsely portrayed him as a war criminal and murderer who broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement. In Sydneys Federal Court this afternoon Justice Besanko found the newspapers established the substantial truth of many of the imputations, including allegations of murder. He also found the news organisations had established contextual truth on allegations of domestic violence and bullying of an SAS colleague. In light of my conclusions each proceeding must be dismissed, he said. Roberts-Smith has been awarded no damages in the judgment. Lawyers for the newspapers have sought several weeks for applications around costs of the trial. Those costs are expected to run into the tens of millions of dollars. Sources close to the case have suggested the cost of the case could have run as high as $35m. The civil judgment is likely to cost Roberts-Smith millions of dollars in costs to be awarded to the newspapers. The cost of the trial is estimated to be upwards of $35m. Roberts-Smith is General Manager of Seven Queensland but stepped aside in April 2021 to focus on the legal case. The former SAS corporal had taken out a loan, believed to be $2m, from a company owned by his employer, Seven Chairman Kerry Stokes, to fund his defamation case. Ben remains on leave and will review the judgment with us and make a decision on his future in the near future, a Seven spokesman said. We will make no further comment at this time. Seven Chairman Kerry Stokes said, The judgment does not accord with the man I know. I know this will be particularly hard for Ben, who has always maintained his innocence. That his fellow soldiers have disagreed with each other, this outcome will be the source of additional grief. I havent had a chance to have a discussion with Ben as yet, but I will when he has had a chance to fully absorb the judgment. Roberts-Smith is reportedly currently in Bali. The judgment is not a criminal finding of guilt, but a determination on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities. Statement by James Chessell, Nines Managing Director, Publishing / Tory Maguire, Executive Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age: We welcome the Federal Courts judgement that investigations by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald were correct in their reporting that Ben Roberts-Smith committed war crimes. The finding by Justice Anthony Besanko today that Roberts-Smith participated in the execution of Afghans confirms our reports that the Victoria Cross recipient breached the Geneva Convention, and is a critical step towards justice for the families of the murder victims. The judgement is a vindication for journalists Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters, who began reporting this difficult and complicated story more than seven years ago. It is a vindication for the many people in our newsrooms and our organisation who supported this important public interest journalism. And, most importantly, its a vindication for the brave soldiers of the Australian Defence Forces SAS who served their country with distinction and then had the courage to speak the truth about what happened in Afghanistan. Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters painstakingly pieced together these investigations, and todays judgement exemplifies how the exhaustive public interest journalism of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald serves our community. The series of stories at the centre of this trial will have a lasting impact on the Australian Defence Force and how our soldiers conduct themselves during conflict. Today is obviously a pivotal moment in this story and we are very pleased with the result but its critical to acknowledge that it goes on beyond this judgement. We will continue to hold people involved in war crimes to account. The responsibility for these atrocities does not stop with Ben Roberts-Smith. Publishing a story of this magnitude is never easy, but high quality investigative journalism is vital to a thriving democracy. Nines unequivocal backing of this reporting and our defence of it is a clear demonstration of its commitment to quality journalism. MEAA Media Federal President Karen Percy said: This is an important case upholding the medias important role in undertaking public interest investigations and the publics right to know. But it highlights how Australias defamation laws have worked to constrain investigative journalism and attack legitimate reporting. This case began in 2018 and has come at immense personal cost to both Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters, and at great financial cost to their media outlets. Yet todays finding is a vindication of their journalism. This post updates. Source: Guardian, ABC US actor Danny Masterson (That 70s Show, The Ranch) has been found guilty of raping two women between 2001 and 2003. Masterson, 47, now faces up to 30 years in prison. In 2022, a jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case against the actor involving rape allegations by three women, and Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo declared a mistrial. But the retrial jury of seven women and five men reached a guilty verdict on two of three charges. They could not reach a verdict on the third count, that alleged Masterson raped a longtime girlfriend. During the retrial prosecutors said Masterson forcibly raped three women in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. They claimed he drugged the womens drinks in order to assault them, then relied on his status as a prominent member in the Church of Scientology to avoid consequences for decades. Masterson, is a Scientology member and all three women are former members. During the defences closing, attorney Philip Cohen told jurors the womens accounts were so full of inconsistencies, there was more than enough reasonable doubt for jurors to acquit him. Prosecutors said the institution protected him, and helped convince the women that they were not raped, and could not go to authorities to report a fellow Scientologist in good standing. The church has denied having any such policy, saying, The Church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyoneScientologists or notto law enforcement. Quite the opposite, Church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land. All allegations to the contrary are totally false. Masterson was not charged with any counts of drugging, and there is no toxicology evidence to back up the assertion. His lawyer asked for a mistrial over the issues inclusion. The motion was denied, but the issue is likely to be a major factor in any potential appeal. Masterson played the roles of Steven Hyde in That 70s Show, Milo Foster in Men at Work and Jameson Rooster Bennett in The Ranch. Source: ABC, Nine News Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 578 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Updated. Federal charges were released Wednesday, May 31, against a failed Republican candidate for his alleged involvement in a string of drive-by shootings at the houses of state and municipal officials in Albuquerque. The accusations include election interference and additional conspiracy and weapons-related charges. Former GOP Candidate Charged for Shooting Four Democratic Officials' Residences According to NBC News, US District Court in Albuquerque has indicted former GOP candidate Solomon Pena and two others for their roles in the shootings at the properties of four Democratic officials, including the current state House speaker, in December 2022 and January of this year. Former President Donald Trump and his supporters once propagated false statements about the result of the 2020 presidential race. Then a wave of threats and acts of intimidation against election workers and public officials around the nation followed. Moreover, the residences of two county commissioners were attacked immediately after they certified the 2022 election, as noted by US Attorney Alexander Uballez. "Pena targeted several of these public officials because, in their official capacity, they certified the election, which he lost." The shootings resulted in no casualties. However, gunshots penetrated the bedroom wall of a state senator's 10-year-old daughter in one incident. See Also: Trump Acknowledges Keeping Classified Documents, Audio Recording Reveals The Latest Indictment Includes Pena's Texts About 'Pressing the Attack' The latest indictment details Pena's use of his smartphone, including text conversations, in the days after the 2022 November 8 election. In these messages, Pena allegedly reveals the addresses of officials' houses, asserts claims of election manipulation, and confides in a political associate about his intentions to "press the attack." The indictment includes texts sent by Pena as Bernalillo County commissioners certified the results of the midterm election and his own resounding loss as a contender for a seat in the state House of Representatives. The federal government claims that Pena recruited hitmen and personally participated in at least one of the shootings. Pena texted a Republican political ally, who also lost a race for state representative, hours before the first shooting on December 4, 2022. He stated, "We have to act. I'm continuing my study of election rigging. The enemy will eventually break." Later, Pena texted one of the unidentified conspirators in the indictment. The text message was sent during the chaos of the killings. According to the police, Pena was the mastermind behind a plot that targeted two county commissioners and two state politicians. Elizabeth Honce, Pena's defense attorney, has said that her client is not guilty. Since his arrest in January, Pena has been jailed without bond in state district court relating to gunshot allegations. Secretary of State for New Mexico, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, has expressed her satisfaction with the federal government's serious pursuit of the matter. Notably, legislators in New Mexico passed a bill this year that permits certain public officials and political candidates to remove their home addresses from government websites. See Also: Former VP Mike Pence Set to Launch Presidential Campaign Next Week @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. What do a naked body, a giant fur seal, Princess Mary and I Touch Myself all have in common? The answer is Deadloch a quirky new mystery drama -or is that mystery comedy- screening on Prime Video. The 8 part series is the work of the two talented Kates, Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney (Get Krack!n, The Katering Show, Bleak), now taking a leap into premium drama. Set in the fictional town of Deadloch, Tasmania, this mystery unfolds when three teens discover a mans naked body washed up on the beach. It becomes the job of local senior sergeant Dulcie Collins (Kate Box) to protect the crime scene from inquisitive, leering locals in a town where everybody knows each other. But maintaining order until detectives arrive does not come easily, especially when the force includes overeager junior constable Abby (Nina Oyama) and the hapless, very laid-back constable Sven (Tom Ballard). Theres colourful cast of locals: a mayor Aleyna (Susie Youssef), Dulcies doey-eyed girlfriend Cath (Alicia Gardiner), newly-widowed mum Vanessa (Katie Robinson), the victims brother Gavin (Jackson Tozer), a forensic pathologist James (Nick Simpson-Deeks) -but these only scratch the surface of the massive cast. You can expect to see Pamela Rabe, Kris McQuade, Duncan Fellows and more. While our hero Dulcie begins to piece together evidence, her life is upended by the arrival of a loud, foul-mouthed detective sent from Darwin to oversee the case. Dressed in tropical shirt, Sgt. Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) rushes in like a bull in a f***in china shop, discarding all of Dulcies good work, in the hope of arriving at a quick conclusion to get it over with. In Dulcies town, she is both ignorant and unwelcome. Deadloch is also hosting a Festival of Food and Wine amid the local scandal, which adds to the very believable village backdrop created by director Ben Chessell. You really get the feeling this town has many strands, all of which help set up plenty of killer red herrings and suspects. The Kates also pepper their mystery with some trademark one-liners, with a great ear for the Australian idiom and laconic social observation. even having the temerity to have a First Nations character deliver a most cynical Acknowledgment of Country. Love it. But the thick plottens when the body count begins to rise as the writers chart a more dense series arc. Kate Box is terrific as the voice of reason in this wobbly coastal town, navigating truth as she is tested by a brash outsider and a clinging girlfriend, the latter cheerfully portrayed by Alicia Gardiner. Amid all this rich nuance, why the decision to let Madeleine Sami seemingly channel another genre altogether for the irritating Eddie Redcliffe? Its a cartoon performance, not at all convincing, and, if the intent is to be funny man to Boxs straight man, a fail for me. It was a disappointing turn in what had otherwise been set up as a quirky, satisfying world. amounting to an uneven viewing experience. Its challenging to enjoy the riches of Deadlochs fertile community, when a deal-breaker of a character barges onto screen. But then the Kates have been known to be risk-takers, challenging traditions, as they did so bravely in Get Krack!ns episode with Indigenous guest hosts. I guess on this occasion there are three Kates -McLennan, McCartney and Box- to thank for the gems in a town where almost everybody is a friendly face and a whodunnit suspect. Deadloch airs Friday 2 June on Prime Video. Q+A is live from Newcastle next week with guest host David Speers. This week Q+A hits the road, broadcasting live from Newcastle. The Hunter Valley community is NSWs second largest city and is at a pivotal moment in its history transforming from a fossil fuel hub to a clean energy superpower. How do people whove built lives, families and careers around the coal industry feel about this brave new world? And are our leaders up to the challenge? The housing crisis being felt around Australia is particularly acute in the Hunter, now home to five of the 10 local government areas in NSW with the highest housing need. As residents struggle to find safe and affordable accommodation, what more can be done right now to help the most vulnerable? The head of the Reserve Bank says we need more people living in each house but is that really a solution? And with another rate rise looming, how can households absorb another hit to the budget? Health and aged care services are also under pressure, and the national GP shortage hasnt bypassed the city. As politicians debate the best way to encourage more doctors to regional areas and fill crucial nursing roles in aged care, is there too much talk and not enough action? And Newcastle is a city synonymous with sport. Former NRL star Alex McKinnon knows all too well the risks of playing at the highest level now with concussion and its long-term effects in the spotlight, what will policymakers do to keep players safe and fans happy? Panellists: Former Newcastle Knights Player Alex McKinnon, Minister for Aged Care & Sport Anika Wells, Shadow Minister for Climate Change & Energy Ted OBrien, Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership Monday, June 5 at 9.35pm on ABC. Abdul Basit | Twocircles.net Launched in 2015, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), promised to provide affordable housing to the poor. However, owning a house under the scheme is still a distant dream for many in Kashmir. Support TwoCircles Bagha Hassan Khan, 40, and his seven-member family including his wife and 5 sons all under the age of 14 live in a mud hut 1012 feet in size with a makeshift roof in the Kuta Sathri region of Bandipora, Kashmir. Khan has been applying for a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), a Government of India initiative launched in 2015 to provide affordable housing to the poor. But it was in vain. We have been waiting for our PMAY case for the past three years, despite having submitted all the necessary legal formalities and meeting the eligibility criteria. It is disheartening to see my family being denied such basic rights, said Khan. Frustrated, Khan filed a written complaint against Mohammad Shafi Khan, the local Sarpanch for failing to issue them a house under PM Awas Yojana despite their eligibility. Khan claims that instead of taking action against the Sarpanch, the authorities backed him. TCN could not verify the allegation. PM Awas Yojana: Not a Rosy Picture Since the schemes launch in 2015, the central government has sanctioned nearly 1.30 lakh houses under the scheme in Jammu and Kashmir, including 28,000 for the Kashmir division. On 14 April, PM Narendra Modi, expressed that the PM Awas Yojana is making the lives of mothers and sisters easier. This statement was made in response to a tweet thread by Jammu Poonch MP, Jugal Kishore Sharma, who shared a story about the significant positive impact of a house provided under the PM Awas Yojana in Poonch. Sharma had previously highlighted the success of PM Awas Yojana in Jammu and Kashmir through a series of tweets and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for bringing positive change to peoples lives. However, the actual progress in terms of construction and allocation of houses has been slow and uneven. According to local activists, the PM Awas Yojana implementation in the region has been marred by corruption, bureaucratic delays, inadequate funding, and other challenges that have left many needy people without a decent shelter. Dont Know if We Will Ever Get the House: Residents Many residents TCN met with who applied for PM Awas Yojana houses are still waiting for their turn, while others claim their names were omitted or replaced with fake beneficiaries owing to corruption by local officials. We have been living in a dilapidated house for decades and applied for PM Awas Yojana assistance, but nothing has happened so far. The officials keep asking for more documents and bribes, alleged Shakeel Ahmad, a resident of Bandipora district. We dont know when or if we will ever get the house, Ahmad said, his voice breaking. Several activists and civil society groups have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the PM Awas Yojana implementation. They have sought a thorough review and audit of the PM Awas Yojana houses allocation and construction to ensure that the schemes benefits reach the intended beneficiaries and are not siphoned off by middlemen or corrupt officials. Abdullah Paswal, an activist with Gujjar Bakarwal Youth Welfare Conference J&K (JKGBYWC), an organisation working for nomads Gujjar Bakarwals in Kashmir, believes that the PM Awas Yojana scheme has the potential to transform the lives of many impoverished families in Kashmir who are facing housing insecurity, but only if it is implemented in a fair and efficient manner. The government should address the systemic issues of corruption, red tape, and funding gaps that have hindered the schemes progress and caused hardship to many, said Paswal. Residents Accuse Sarpanch of Favouritism and Corruption in Scheme Residents of Sirender hamlet in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir have been left disillusioned and disheartened with the functioning of their local Sarpanch. The Sarpanch, who is responsible for issuing PM Awas Yojana cases in his Panchayat Halqa, has been accused of favouritism and corruption by several residents of the village, who are living in poverty. The Sarpanch only recommended the names of beneficiaries who paid him 30,000 rupees, while the needy continue to suffer and knock on the doors of his office, a resident said on the condition of anonymity. The plight of the residents of Sirender hamlet is not unique. Across the Kashmir Valley, there are numerous cases of Panchayat fraud that go unreported, resulting in taxpayer money being wasted while the concerned agencies remain oblivious to the situation. No House Applied for Home Under PM Awas Yojana 4 Years Ago: Resident A family from Arin village in Bandipora district has filed a complaint alleging that they applied for PM Awas Yojana 4 years ago but have yet to receive the benefit. The family claims that the block-level administration has only made false promises to them. The family members, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that they were promised a house under PM Awas Yojana during the Back to Village programme, a government outreach initiative in Jammu and Kashmir, but to no avail. The family continues to live in a small shed. Officials Say Large Number of Applications Led To Delay TCN spoke with senior officials from the Office of the Director of Rural Development, Srinagar who spoke on the condition of anonymity and conceded that there may be some truth to these allegations but said that people making these allegations to come out and report them. We are diligently monitoring the progress of every panchayat and their work. While the large number of applications for the PM Awas Yojana has led to delays in processing cases, we are working towards transitioning all procedures online. Our goal is to render corruption merely a word of the past, an official said. While the officials say they are working towards providing houses to people under the scheme, Khan and his family and not very hopeful. Only God knows when we will finally receive the benefits we deserve, Khan lamented. Abdul Basit is an independent reporter based in Kashmir F&L ASIA PERSON OF THE YEAR FOR 2023: GOH KOON ENG OF CHEVRON ORONITE HONG KONG, June 01, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With a legacy spanning 28 years, the annual F+L Week event provides a platform for industry professionals to network, share knowledge and explore the latest trends and innovations in the fuels and lubricants industries. Since 2017, F+L Week has honoured outstanding individuals and groundbreaking products with the prestigious F&L Asia Awards. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005551/en/ F&L Asia Person of the Year for 2023 Goh Koon Eng (Photo: Business Wire) We are proud to announce Goh Koon Eng of Chevron Oronite as the F&L Asia Person of the Year for 2023. Goh is a distinguished leader in the Asian lubricant additives landscape and has made a significant impact on Oronite and the industry as a whole in the region. With a career spanning over three decades, he is one of Oronites most tenured senior leaders. Goh joined Chevron in 1991 and has held a variety of positions with increasing responsibilities. He is currently Vice President of Commercial for Chevron Oronite, based in Singapore. Goh has played a significant role in several key Oronite advancements in Asia including establishing the companys original presence in Singapore, expanding Oronites Singapore Manufacturing Plant through multiple large-scale projects, and establishing a manufacturing footprint in Ningbo, China. Gohs willingness to embrace new technologies and his warm and compassionate approach have earned him the respect and support of his colleagues in Asia and beyond. Trevor Russell is a veteran of the additives industry. He joined the additives division of Exxon Chemical in 1980 and has forged an illustrious 43-year career that includes seven years as CEO of Infineum and nearly 25 years on the Corporate Leadership Team. F&L Asia is excited to announce Russell as the recipient of the F&L Asia Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023. Russell is one of the longest-serving executives in the additives industry. His retirement as Infineum CEO in June 2023 marks the end of an era, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership and dedication to the additives industry. Russells calm professionalism was instrumental in helping Infineum and the broader industry navigate its way through challenging times such as responding to Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. in 2005, the financial crash of 2009 and more recently the global Covid-19 pandemic. He has also spearheaded efforts to transform Infineum from its strong heritage of additive transportation chemistry into a sustainable specialty chemicals company. Dr. Wenyang Zhang, senior staff mechanical design engineer at Tesla, Inc., is honoured with the F&L Asia Future Leaders Award for 2023. Dr. Zhang has made a remarkable contribution to the development of next-generation fluids and advanced cooling and lubrication designs. He leads Tesla's fluid engineering, tribology and lubricant-related subjects for all current and future Tesla platforms including the Model S/X/3/Y/Cybertruck/Semi. Dr. Zhang is a Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS) from the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), a Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist (CLGS) from the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) and serves as associate editor of the ASME Journal of Tribology. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science & Engineering from Jilin University in China, and his Master of Science and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas. Chevron Oronite's OLOA 49844, an innovative additive package designed for 2-stroke low-speed marine engines, receives the prestigious F&L Asia Product Development of the Year Award. This groundbreaking product, designed for engines operating on various low-sulphur fuels such as LNG, distillates, and Very Low Sulphur Oils (VLSOs), has garnered significant attention in the industry. Notably, it was among the first market general MAN Category II 40 BN additive packages to receive a No Objection Letter (NOL) from MAN Energy Solutions. The MAN Category II specification sets a high-performance standard for marine lubricants. Development of this additive took place during Covid-19 restrictions which makes the R&D field testing efforts even more impressive. Join leading figures from the Asian fuels and lubricants industry in celebrating the outstanding achievements of Goh Koon Eng, Trevor Russell, Dr. Wenyang Zhang and Chevron Oronite's OLOA 49844 at the F&L Asia Awards 2023 Dinner, which will be held at the Grand Ballroom, Four Seasons Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 15, 2023. The F&L Asia Awards Dinner, sponsored by Lubrizol, is one of 10 networking opportunities at this years blockbuster F+L Week event, commencing on June 13 with a dedicated networking day and the opening of the tabletop exhibition. Two full days of technical sessions include 32 oral presentations, seven panel discussions and eight poster presentations, which will be featured during the Welcoming Cocktail Reception on June 14. Day 2 of the technical session concludes with the Annual F&L Asia Awards Dinner. To find out more about F+L Week 2023, visit the conference website. For a quick glimpse of the event schedule, click here. To register, please contact conference@fuelsandlubes.com. ABOUT F+L WEEK F+L Week 2023 will be held from June 14-16 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event will be co-located with the ALIA Annual Meeting. For full details of the F+L Week 2023 event or to register, click here. The conference theme is "Fuels and Lubricants: Navigating the Energy Transition." Governments, investors, and consumers around the world are signalling plans for a more rapid shift away from fossil fuels. While fossil fuels will continue to play a key role in the decades to come, the pattern of use will change. F+L Week will provide insight into the technical challenges and opportunities that come with the energy transition and the implications for fuels and lubricants of a more sustainable future. The F+L Week 2023 Conference & Exhibition starts on June 13, 2023, with a pre-conference networking day for customers and suppliers to connect over coffee, tea, and lunch. Participants can pre-book their appointments via our digital app, F+L Connect. For inquiries, please contact us at conference@fuelsandlubes.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005551/en/ Contacts Vicky Villena-Denton F&L Asia Ltd. Email: conference@fuelsandlubes.com 22/F., 3 Lockhart Road Wanchai, Hong Kong Phone (Hong Kong): +852 3183 4143 For more information, please, visit the website: https://www.fuelsandlubes.com/fl-week Hungary might not 'credibly fulfil' tasks of EU Council presidency, MEPs say in critical resolution Hungary might not "credibly fulfil" the tasks associated with the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union due to the government's "deliberate and systematic efforts" to undermine the bloc's fundamental values, the European Parliament has said. Hungary is scheduled to take over the six-month presidency in the second half of 2024, following turns by Spain and Belgium. The position does not carry executive powers but allows the selected country to set the agenda, host meetings, steer negotiations, draft compromise texts and organise votes on legislative files. In a non-binding resolution approved on Thursday afternoon, MEPs cast doubt on whether Budapest, which has long been under scrutiny for democratic backsliding and rule-of-law breaches, could sustain such high-level responsibilities. Hungary first held the presidency in the first half of 2011. The European Parliament "questions how Hungary will be able to credibly fulfil this task in 2024, in view of its non-compliance with EU law and the values enshrined in Article 2 (of the EU treaties), as well as the principle of sincere cooperation," the resolution reads. Lawmakers ask the EU Council, the bloc's other co-legislator, to find a "proper solution as soon as possible," which they do not specify. "Parliament could take appropriate measures if such a solution is not found," it goes on, without providing further details. The resolution, which is symbolic and therefore devoid of legal power, was passed with 442 votes in favour, 144 against and 33 abstentions. It was jointly tabled by the European People's Party (EPP), the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), Renew Europe, the Greens and the Left. Several amendments filed by far-right parties were overwhelmingly rejected. The text raises multiple concerns regarding the state of democracy inside Hungary, including lack of transparency, mismanagement of EU funds, manipulated public procurement, fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest and the continued use of emergency decrees since the COVID-19 pandemic. It also sounds the alarm about "serious threats" against academic freedom and LGBTIQ+ rights in relation to a new amendment to the Whistleblower Protection Act that MEPs believe will "legitimise open discrimination." Despite the criticism of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government, the resolution falls short of calling for an outright cancellation of Hungary's scheduled presidency of the EU Council. Such a move has no precedent in European history and legal experts have raised questions on whether the European Parliament could interfere with a prerogative that rests exclusively in the hands of member states. Lawmakers could adopt an uncooperative attitude to slow down the work of the Hungarian presidency, although this could backfire and damage the hemicycle's reputation. "I don't think that the European Union is the campaign team for Mr Orban, we have allowed him to do that for the last 13 years, so enough is enough," said Sophie in 't Veld, a Dutch MEP who co-sponsored the text. During a Council meeting on Tuesday, ministers did not discuss the possibility of re-shuffling the presidency calendar, which is set years in advance to allow countries to prepare for the arduous and expensive undertaking. Judit Varga, Hungary's minister of justice, rejected calls for a suspension and said her government would not bow to pressure. MEPs "are constantly attacking the free elections of Hungary and they don't accept the result that the Hungarians, in the name of democracy, choose as a government," Varga said on Tuesday. "Secondly, they don't respect the rule of law, because here the European Parliament has no role to play." Last year, the Parliament passed a non-binding resolution in which it declared Hungary was no longer a fully-functioning democracy and should instead be considered a "hybrid regime of electoral autocracy." The European Commission is currently withholding nearly 28 billion in EU funds from Hungary over unresolved rule-of-law concerns similar to those raised by MEPs on Thursday. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Wikimedia Commons/Getty On the steps of the state capitol building in Frankfort on May 31, the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (KYOAAC) announced the launch of a new state-funded program that would aim to help stem the damage and destruction wrought by the ongoing opioid crisis that has devastated the lives of millions and led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands. But the new initiative wasnt simply to throw more money and resources into tried-and-true public health programs. Instead, the commission announced it was going to explore allocating tens of millions of dollars toward studying and promoting the use of the controversial, plant-based hallucinogen ibogaine in psychedelic-assisted therapy to combat the opioid crisis, as well as treat a host of other mental health issues. The goal is to make Kentucky the first state in the nation to pursue a clinical program around ibogainecurrently legal only in Mexico and New Zealand. This administration recognizes that the opioid epidemic is one of the most tragic and visible symptoms of spiritual affliction which pervades our society, Bryan Hubbard, chairman and executive director of KYOCC, told The Daily Beast. We must do better. We must explore every possible avenue which holds the potential for improvement. The news was lauded by advocates of psychedelic-assisted therapy, an increasingly popular form of mental health treatment. With yesterdays announcement, Kentucky is taking a bold leadership role to addressing the opioid epidemic, Jesse MacLachalan, state policy and advocacy coordinator for Reason For Hope, a psychedelic therapy advocacy nonprofit, told The Daily Beast. This is a prudent and measured approach to explore innovative solutions to the greatest addiction crisis our country has experienced in its history. We applaud the Bluegrass State for the example they are setting for states across the country. Ketamine Therapy Will Go Mainstream in 2022for Better or Worse Kentuckys new plan is unusual, however, in its use of ibogaine, instead of more commonly known and better-studied psychoactive drugs like psilocybin, MDMA, or ketamine. The drug is derived from the roots of an evergreen shrub native to Central Africa. When ingested or smoked, ibogaine can produce strong hallucinations, which some clinicians try to use to induce feelings of profound introspection. Anecdotal evidence, according to Hubbard, suggests the drug has the potential to reset the brains opioid receptors and restore neurochemical activity to pre-opioid exposure levels. According to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), ingesting ibogaine usually results in about 1836 hours of psychoactive effects, substantially longer than any other type of psychedelic used as a part of psychiatric therapy. However, it can also cause spikes in cardiac activity and heavy states of ataxia. Very little is understood about how to effectively administer ibogaine as a therapeutic in clinical environments. Despite optimism from some members of the clinical psychiatric community, ibogaine has led to the deaths of at least 19 people between 1990 and 2008, mostly due to cardiac arrhythmia, and mixing ibogaine with other powerful pharmaceuticals like methadone and diazepam. Theres a lot of news about psychedelics that have come out, but this one requires by far several orders of magnitude, more supervision, medical observation, Joseph Barsuglia, a clinical psychologist and the former director of research and CEO at the now-closed addictions treatment center Crossroads Treatment in Mexico, told The Daily Beast. It needs to be done where you can house people for several days. You need live cardiac monitoring. There's metabolic risks with people that have organ dysfunction or metabolic conditions. People that have had psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder sometimes are too mentally unstable to go through an ibogaine experience. Theres some case reports of people that had mania that was induced by ibogaine. Hubbard and other members of KYOAAC believe the severity of the opioid crisis is cause for pursuing more unconventional solutions even in a conservative state like Kentucky, where opioid overdose-related fatalities are the second highest in the nation behind West Virginia. We lost 2,127 Kentuckians to overdoses last year. And those are just the preliminary numbers, state attorney general Daniel Cameron said at Wednesdays announcement. Overdose deaths in our state are up 60 percent since 2019, in just three years. That same report indicates that since 2019, we've lost 7,665 Kentuckians to overdose. Thats more than one-fourth the population of Frankfort. We know that opioids account for 90 percent of these deaths. Camerons enthusiasm for the program is notable, given that he has expressed a bit of reticence over the legalization of medical marijuana in Kentucky that Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed into law in March. Cameron is running against Beshear in the 2024 gubernatorial election. Psychedelics Are Surgingat the Expense of Indigenous Communities When asked by The Daily Beast why the commission wanted to allocate millions toward studying a psychedelic compound rather than expanding resources to more tried-and-true public health initiatives, Hubbard argued that while medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are part of the solution, it comes with consequences. Diversion independently fuels the epidemic, and that the money gone into expanding access to these drugs has not yet had enough of an impact. KYOACC is proposing to fund the program to the tune of $42 million over the next six years, derived from a larger pool of $842 million collected from settlements received from federal lawsuits against pharmaceutical providers and manufacturers for the role they played in the opioid crisis affecting people across the nationincluding Wal-Mart, CVS, and Walgreens. Over $8 million has already been assigned to two dozen organizations specializing in prevention, treatment, and recovery services. If funding is approved, the programs first steps are to form an advisory council to initiate and oversee clinical research into the use of ibogaine for the treatment of mental health disorders like PTSD, addiction to substances like opioids, and severe depression. Through this council, the state government hopes to establish public-private partnerships with local clinical psychologists, nurse practitioners, and other licensed physicians to develop research studies. Public hearings will be scheduled in the coming months to collect more testimony from experts and iron out new details such as how to pursue the new pilot program and recruit participants for new trials. Psychedelic-assisted therapys star has risen rapidly in recent years, with advocates touting its ability to treat depression, PTSD, and alcoholism. Though ibogaine has not been studied as well as other hallucinogens, there are a few investigations that show its potentialincluding a new clinical trial launched in 2020 by Stanford University psychiatrist Nolan Williams, to treat combat veterans experiencing PTSD. The trial is still ongoing, but Williams has said the results so far have been positive. We May Have Discovered the Missing Link Between Mental Trauma and Chronic Pain Experts like Barsuglia point out that ibogaines big potential lies in how much more powerful its effects are versus other psychedelics. Rather than having to undergo several sessions before patients start to feel significant relief from mental health disorders, ibogaine would only require as few as one or two sessions. Those struggling with opioid use disorder would not have to enroll in a lengthy treatment program before experiencing some help. Some veterans have been especially vocal advocates for expanding the study of ibogaine as part of mental health treatment. At Wednesdays announcement, Retired Navy SEAL medic Tommy Aceto told the story of how trauma he experienced in the field led him to abuse opioids and alcohol. Aceto said it was ibogaine that helped him to recover. I knew that if I didn't try something new, I wouldn't be around much longer, he told the audience. Ibogaine showed me how to feel the separation between my body and my soul, my mind. I felt safe letting go of my addictions and my past traumas. I felt safe to feel again. The eventual goal of the new program is to make it possible for ibogaine to receive FDA approval as a breakthrough therapy, like the one given to psilocybin in 2019, which would accelerate the regulatory pathway for legal status nationwide. We must overcome the opioid epidemic by any and all humanitarian means necessary, Hubbard said in closing remarks at Wednesdays announcement. Our history demands it. 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. Polk County police have arrested eight men, including a Disney employee, under the department's "Operation May's Monsters," which is "focused on identifying those who possessed and distributed child pornography." Aside from the Disney employee, arrested individuals include a self-employed boudoir photographer and employees of major retail chains. The arrested men face a combined 1,280 felony charges. Investigators said the seized child porn (CP) materials included "thousands of photos and videos" of children of all ages, including those who were sexually battered, forced to engage in sex acts or strike sexually explicit poses. According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the CP materials were "some of the most horrific" detectives have ever seen. "Each time one of these monsters uploads and shares child pornography, they are feeding a child exploitation pipeline, and they are victimizing children over and over again," the sheriff said. Judd also urged parents to actively engage in their children's business concerning their gaming stations, cell phones, and other electronic devices. Further information about the arrests would be released by Polk County Police at a press conference at 13:00 ET (17:00 UTC). This is a developing story. @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NAHA, Japan (AP) Typhoon Mawar appeared to be losing force as it headed Wednesday toward Japan's Okinawa Islands, where the United States maintains a significant military presence, after largely skirting Taiwan and the Philippines. After tearing across Guam last week, Mawar passed by Taiwan on Tuesday with sustained winds of 155 kph (96 mph) and gusts of up to 190 kph (118 mph), sending high waves crashing on the island's east coast. In the Philippines, authorities said heavy rains were expected to continue in the country's north through at least Thursday and warned of flooding, possible landslides and gale-force winds before the typhoon exits the country's area of responsibility. As it turns toward the Japanese islands of Okinawa, Philippine meteorological authorities said Mawar's strength had dropped with sustained winds now of 120 kmh (75 mph) and gusts of up to 150 kmh (93 mph). Mawar is expected to gradually pick up speed but steadily weaken and may be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it is predicted to hit the area on Friday, Philippine forecasters said. Residents on Japan's southern Sakishima Island chain, which includes the Okinawa Islands, were already preparing for the approaching typhoon when a warning siren woke them up Wednesday to alert them of a North Korean rocket launch. Officials urged people to stay indoors or take shelter underground in case of a falling debris. The rocket failed and did not come anywhere near Japan, but residents already anxious about the typhoon said it added to their stress. Japan had deployed a number of PAC-3 land-to-air interceptors on southern islands ahead of the launch, but some of them were kept on base instead of being set up at intended locations due to safety precautions ahead of the typhoon. The U.S. military, which has some 20,000 troops stationed on multiple facilities on Okinawa, will take preparatory action as the storm draws closer, depending upon need, said Capt. Brett Dornhege-Lazaroff, spokesman for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force on Okinawa. Our installations are tracking the storm closely, he said. At the moment, it seems that Mawar will not make landfall on the main Okinawa island, home to the capital of Naha and where most of the U.S. forces are based, according to Japan's meteorological agency. Mawar lashed Guam last week, becoming the strongest typhoon to hit the U.S. Pacific territory in more than two decades, flipping cars, tearing off roofs and knocking out power. In the Philippines, more than 8,000 people had been evacuated from flood- and landslide-prone communities to emergency shelters or relatives' houses but many returned home on Wednesday as the weather started to clear. No major damage was reported. ___ Rising reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Jim Gomez in Manila contributed to this report. President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed his case for Ukraine to be part of the NATO military alliance as he joined European leaders on Thursday in Moldova ahead of an expected counter-offensive against Russia's invasion. Addressing leaders at the start of the gathering, Zelensky asked NATO members to take a clear decision on whether to admit Ukraine and also reiterated calls for Western fighter jets to protect Ukrainian skies after another deadly strike on Kyiv. He spoke as divisions between NATO members spilled out into the open over the speed of Ukraine's accession, with some fearing that a hasty move could bring the alliance closer to direct confrontation with Russia. "We told President Zelensky that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," Moldovan President Maia Sandu said at a news conference closing the summit of the EU's 27 member states and 20 other European states. She hosted the meeting at a castle just 20 km (12 miles) from Ukrainian territory and near the Russian-backed, breakaway Transdniestria region of Moldova. Leaders used the occasion as a symbolic show of support for Ukraine and Moldova while also tackling other issues, including a rise in ethnic tensions in Kosovo and efforts towards lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The summit was a security and organisational challenge for Moldova, an ex-Soviet republic of 2.5 million people that is seeking a path to EU accession while being wary of Russia. Moldova shut its airspace except for official delegation planes. (FRANCE 24 with Reuters) Read more on FRANCE 24 English Read also: Tens of thousands of Moldovans rally in favour of EU membership Moscow attempting to 'reinstall a pro-Russian government' in Moldova, minister says Ready to bite the bullet? EU on collision course with Russia over Ukraine candidacy Over the course of two weeks at the beginning of May, over 30 kids were reported missing in the Cleveland region, causing concerns among parents and advocates. Cleveland Kids and Teens' Disappearance Rate Remained High According to Fox News, Newburgh Heights Police Chief John Majoy said that the number of missing children and teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 has stayed at historic levels throughout the month. "There's always peaks and valleys with missing persons, but this year it seems like an extraordinary year," said Majoy, who leads the police department in a Cleveland suburb and serves as board president of the volunteer non-profit Cleveland Missing. Majoy remarked it is unclear whether any of these youngsters are being trafficked or if they are connected to gang activity or drugs. Between May 2 and May 16, the Cleveland Police Department received reports of the disappearances of 27 children and teenagers. Majoy added that although abductions are less common and that most instances are believed to be runaways, young teens are vulnerable to predators who are "wolves in sheep's clothing." Their disappearances are not being reported on the news, and their accounts are not being circulated on social media until an Amber Alert is issued, as reported by Fox News. This contributes to a vicious cycle of crime in the Cleveland region. Desperate teens, according to Majoy, turn to gangs for safety. This often results in initiation crimes like carjackings and robberies, or they sell their bodies for money or become drug addicts. The absence of images only serves to heighten the gravity of the situation. There are more empty spaces labeled "Photo not available" than there are actual images of missing individuals when you go through Cleveland's missing persons website. Majoy said that this causes law enforcement agencies a myriad of problems. The public, he added, is law enforcement's "greatest asset" in missing people cases. If the family has images, the police may utilize social media and broadcast messages to the public to amass tips and possible leads. See Also: 8 Men Arrested in Child Porn Sting in Florida's Polk County Organization That Provides Emotional Support and Search Aid to Families Cleveland Missing is a special non-profit organization serving Cleveland and its surrounds, committed to helping families of missing individuals via emotional support, search assistance, and information. Sylvia Colon and her cousin Gina DeJesus, who was 14 when abductor Ariel Castro took her from their family in 2004, formed the organization. Colon told Fox News Digital, "Every family's experience is different, but there are some things that are the same for everybody. It's first disbelief, blame, [questions like] 'What did we do wrong?' 'Did we miss something?' 'Oh my gosh, how are we going to find this person?' The not knowing what are we going to do." Cleveland residents may contact police with information on missing individuals by calling 216-623-7697 or emailing helpfindthemissing@city.cleveland.oh.us. Cleveland Missing may be contacted at (216) 232-6470 or found at 2937 West 25th St. See Also: Dubai Authorities Arrest Man for Drug Smuggling Attempt; Marijuana Kept in Cereal Bags @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. HA NOI Viet Nam's ultra-rich population has nearly doubled over the past five years, according to Knight Frank's The Wealth Report. The number of ultra-rich persons in the country, whose net wealth exceeds US$30 million, rose from 583 in 2017 to 1,059 in late 2022. The figure is forecast to hit 1,295 in the next five years. And the good news doesn't stop there. The group of individuals with a net worth in excess of $1 million also expanded by 70 per cent, and is expected to reach more than 112,250 persons in 2027. The expansion of the well-off class in Viet Nam was echoed by the growing wealth in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, which were three of the top 10 fastest-growing wealth hubs in the world. The three countries saw their wealthy populations expand by around 7 to 9 per cent between 2021 and 2022. This comes despite the wider Asia-Pacific region experiencing a 5.7 per cent decline. Christine Li, Knight Frank head of research Asia-Pacific, said the Asia-Pacific population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals declined by 5.7 per cent in 2022, after a record climb of 7.5 per cent in the previous year. In spite of that, three out of 10 markets were witnessing the fastest-growing ultra-rich groups globally, with annual growth rates of between 7 to 9 per cent. "Taking the longer view, the wealth story remains compelling as the region will continue to lead the pack in the unending wealth expansion with plenty more opportunities for ultra-high-net-worths to discover," Christine Li said. The world's ultra-rich population contracted by 3.8 per cent in 2022 after a record climb in 2021. The up-and-down fluctuation in the top income bracket was indicative of the global economic situation, which saw a strong rebound in 2021 and then a reversal in 2022. Over the next five years, Knight Frank forecast that the global ultra-rich groups would expand by 28.5 per cent to almost three-quarters of a million from 579,625 persons in 2022. The headcounts of high-net-worth individuals would follow suit to surpass 100 million globally in the same period. Victoria Garrett, Knight Frank head of residential Asia-Pacific, said the top 10 global locations for forecast growth were dominated by European and Asian economies. The regions economic growth story would remain urban-centric, and its residential investment landscape would continue to be defined by its prime urban cores. "Underpinned by its high rates of urbanisation, investors can look forward to a more sustainable growth trajectory and wealth preservation profile, Victoria Garrett said. VNS HCM CITY Vietjet has been honoured as the Best Low-Cost Airline Onboard Hospitality for 2023 for the first time and named again as Best Ultra Low-Cost Airline 2023 for the 5th year in a row. The double international awards were selected by AirlineRatings, the worlds renowned airline safety and product rating website. The airline is recognised for its newly launched SkyBoss Business class with all priorities and premium services on wide-body aircraft, including the comfy leather flatbeds and incredible on-board cuisine experience. Vietjet has been recognised for its constant efforts to diversify new and quality aviation products. The airline has put the A330 wide-body aircraft into operation, offering the premium class of SkyBoss Business, which enhances the seamless pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flights experiences of flyers. Those services are pioneering and revolutionary for a low-cost airline, said Airlineratings Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas. AirlineRatings has also rated Vietjet at seven-star level, the highest ranking for aviation safety worldwide and the worlds Top 10 safest and best low-cost airlines for many years. It was voted as the Value Airline of the Year last year also by AirlineRatings. These major awards inspire the airline to keep up with the flight network and service expansion to bring more joyful and affordable connectivity while ensuring the excellent services performed by dedicated and professional cabin crew, Vietjet said in a statement. The AirlineRatings Airline Excellence Awards has been hosted since 2013 to honor the worlds best airlines. This year awards were judged by five editors with decades of industry experience, combining major safety and government audits, with key criteria that include: fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product offerings, and others. The worlds best airline 2023 list also names Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, Ethiad Airways and Singapore Airlines. VNS HA NOI Saint-Gobain Vietnam accompanied the 6th Top 10 Award as a silver sponsor. The representative of Saint-Gobain presented the award for two winning projects in the Top 10 Houses category, namely Tam ao Retreat and Tien's House, at the Top 10 Awards event organised by the Viet Nam Association of Architects, taking place at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel. Saint-Gobain's participation in the event shows its companionship and support for the development of Vietnamese architects and architecture firms. Duong Thi Minh Phuong, Head of Project Communication at Saint-Gobain said: "Saint-Gobain accompanying the award is our way of honouring talented architects and architecture firms devoting creative initiatives for the industry. As a leading provider of lightweight materials solutions, Saint-Gobain will support architects and architectural firms to create green buildings, bringing convenience to users." Saint-Gobain Vietnam is a destination providing comprehensive construction material solutions. The group's products and solutions not only have outstanding quality but also meet many green standards such as EPD, Greenguard, Green Label Singapore allowing architects and construction investors to create a sustainable green building. VNS HA NOI A conference on trade and investment promotion and economic cooperation between Viet Nam-Shandong (China) opened in Ha Noi on June 1. The conference was co-chaired by Hoang Minh Chien, deputy director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Trade Promotion Agency, and Lin Yuan, vice chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shandong Sub-Council. The conference witnessed the signing ceremony of seven cooperation agreements between Vietnamese enterprises and Shandong enterprises. At this conference, Vietnamese businesses and Shandong's businesses had the opportunity to promote cooperation in official export of Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products to China in the context of that China has removed Covid-19 pandemic prevention measures since January 8, 2023, creating favourable conditions for Viet Nam's export activities to China. The conference attracted more than 200 associations, production and import-export companies in many different fields of Viet Nam and China. During the conference, representatives of the Trade Promotion Agency and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)'s Shandong Sub-Council introduced investment and trade opportunities for Vietnamese and Chinese businesses. In order to promote stable and sustainable development of economic and trade cooperation between Viet Nam and Shandong Province, Chien proposed the two sides to encourage the businesses to attend large and prestigious fairs and exhibitions of Viet Nam and Shandong, such as Viet Nam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo), Viet Nam International Food Industry Exhibition (Vietnam Foodexpo). Those events are expected to help the businesses introduce their products, brands and organise trade connection activities. Shandong should create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to promote the export of agricultural and aquatic products to China through official channels, especially agricultural products such as durian, purple sweet potato, bird nest that China has officially opened for them since 2022, Chien said. Meanwhile, the Trade Promotion Agency will coordinate with the CCPIT's Shandong Sub-Council and localities of Viet Nam to create favourable conditions for businesses of Shandong Province to have long-term trade connection and cooperation with Vietnamese businesses. The highlight of the conference was a Viet Nam-Shandong trade connection programme with the participation of more than 200 businesses in many fields, such as agricultural products - food, machinery equipment, rubber tires - auto parts, construction - building materials and other industries. In the first three months of 2023, the trade value between Shandong and Viet Nam reached US$2.67 billion, up 1.63 per cent over the same period in 2022. Of which, Shandong's exports to Viet Nam reached US$2 billion, up 7.9 per cent; and imports from Viet Nam reached $672.65 million, down 13.35 per cent, according to the Trade Promotion Agency. Main export items from Shandong to Viet Nam included mechanical machinery and electrical equipment, industrial chemicals, base metals, textile products, plastic and rubber, stone and glass materials. Key import products from Viet Nam to Shandong were timber and wood products, plastic and rubber, mechanical machinery and electrical equipment, vegetables, textile products, animals and made-from-animal products, industrial chemicals and mineral products. VNS HCM CITY Coteccons, one of the top construction companies in Viet Nam, has signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with Microsoft Vietnam to accelerate its innovation and value chain in the construction industry by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and cloud technology. Through this collaboration, Coteccons will leverage Microsofts technology and solutions to accelerate digital transformation in four areas: helping it engage customers better, creating a secure modern workplace, optimising operations and transforming its products and services. Coteccons will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the companys current data centre infrastructure with help from Microsoft, including hardware, software, networking, and security systems, then analyse existing data centre operations and vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for improvements. It will then apply design cloud reference architecture for modern infrastructure and platforms as a service to unlock the benefits of cloud computing, including scalability, cost efficiency and improved agility. Under the MoU framework, Coteccons will invest resources to work with and build projects that can leverage the strength of Microsoft technologies and solutions. Microsoft will also provide training to Coteccons employees on Microsoft technologies, ensuring they have the necessary skills to use, manage and maintain the system. "We would like to be one of the first examples in how to digitalise the construction industry in Viet Nam. We recognise that there is an urgent need to apply established technologies and techniques in new ways in order to improve not only management efficiency and productivity, and ultimately the welfare of stakeholders, but also ESG performance. Coteccons has decided to take the journey to the cloud.... We are confident about this collaboration with Microsoft as the backbone of our digital journey, said Vo Hoang Lam, CEO of Coteccons. Nguyen Quynh Tram, Country General Manager of Microsoft Vietnam, said: Today, cloud and AI technology play a critical role in the transformation of the construction industry by reducing labour costs, increasing safety, and improving the quality of the building design. By embracing our industry proven cloud and AI technologies, Coteccons will be enabling construction companies to achieve incredible designs and buildings in Viet Nam. VNS In a recent interview with media, Canadas Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security, Jacqueline ONeill talked about the importance of including women's perspectives and experiences in United Nation peacekeeping missions as well as challenges that hinder womens participation in security mission worldwide. This is your first official visit to Viet Nam, could you please tell us more about it? My position in the government of Canada was created about four years ago by the Prime Minister. It's a reflection of the priority that Canada places on the issue of women in peace and security and the great potential for really strong relationships on this issue around the world. Canada, Viet Nam and many other countries in the world share a number of challenges, especially relating to non-traditional security threats, like climate change and climate emergencies, cybersecurity, trafficking and a whole range of other threats that we are dealing with from a peace and security perspective. This region is so important to us. Viet Nam has shown leadership in key areas related to women, peace and security and I wanted to visit and learn from Vietnamese colleague and to share some of the experiences that Canada has been having. There are so many opportunities for us to collaborate and work together to learn from Vietnamese experiences, for us to share Canadian experiences, and for us to continue for both military police and government institutions as well as people to people to share experiences and plans related to peace and security. By March 2022, 85 out of 193 countries and territories approved a national action programme on women peace and security, why are the remaining countries unwilling to fulfill their commitments and what can UN do to promote women's participation? There are many countries now that have a national plan for implementing the agenda and the idea of this agenda is that all aspects of peace and security are stronger when women are meaningfully included in making them. So many countries have developed national strategies and we are close to 105 and it keeps going. Canada has one and we are here in part because Viet Nam has announced that it will be creating a national action plan on women, peace and security. Many countries are on the path towards creating one. So even they havent announced it yet, they are taking meaningful step and what the UN and the rest of us who have plans do is to share experience as many of us are facing the same challenges. Many of us are facing a lot of non-traditional threats so we used to concepts of war involving military and security forces between states and now all over the world we are facing challenges like threats from climate change, cyber security issue, online harassment of women. What we can do is to share experiences about how we are addressing challenges and what we can do better. By talking about it, more and more countries will see the values in doing it. Why is it important to ensure diversity and include women perspective in peacekeeping? It's important to achieving the entire mission which includes strengthening relationships with local people. It includes protecting people and to protect people, you have to understand what their priorities are, what their needs are. In many places where there are peacekeeping missions, it's women who are responsible for collecting water for the family. Sometimes because of conflict, women have to travel further distances to collect water. When keepers understand what women have to do and what risks they face, they can do things like increased patrols around water sources. They also help build the confidence of the local community in the peacekeepers because when the community can see that the force looks like them, the communities all have men and women, they like their forces, and they see they have men and women, they have more confidence that they're there to be of service and not there for a negative reason. There are a whole range of other reasons why having men and women serving together is really important. We don't say women are better at one thing, and men are better at something, we need the diversity, all the perspectives together in one force. What are gender-based challenges female peacekeepers face while their male counterparts may not? Some women who've been peacekeepers have said sometimes their male colleagues think that they don't want to be deployed on the most dangerous patrols, or that because they're women, they can't do some of the physical tasks. But they're always very clear that they are there to do the role that every peacekeeper needs to do. Sometimes there are stereotypes about what women can do physically or risk wise. They say that it's sometimes a challenge to convince even their own colleagues that they want to be treated with that same theme of quality. How do you assess Viet Nams women participating in UN peacekeeping? Viet Nam is a real leader in contributing to peacekeeping overall. The country is currently exceeding the UN recommended level for the proportion of women who serve. We have seen around the world that female peacekeepers are able to do the same job that men can do and their presence really strengthened the ability of the peacekeeping force to conduct a whole range of additional functions within the country. Canada and Viet Nam also share the same challenge of wanting to continue to deploy women to increase our percentages of women and to ensure that we're deploying women at all levels, including the most senior level. What are your recommendations to support Viet Nam in further increasing women participation? The challenges that both Viet Nam and Canada face are very similar to each other and they're similar to challenges that women in security forces face all around the world. I think something that we both know at this stage in our journey is the importance of leadership and the commitment of top leadership to saying we need women in military police deployed on peacekeeping operations. That commitment is essential. We've seen that both in Viet Nam and Canada. Even with that commitment, there are sometimes challenges or issues within our organisations, our societies that make it challenging for women to deploy. Virtually every part of the world, including Canada, women's responsibilities for caring for children and the rest of their family is the number one challenge faced. We have been looking at opportunities for providing childcare, for supporting families to understand more about the value of deploying on peacekeeping and about what circumstances are like. We have also learned from Viet Nam and from partners in the ASEAN region that you've created networks of women peacekeepers, and that's something that we understand is very important and that we are taking away from this visit as something that we hope to do more. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam's maritime law enforcement is closely following the intrusion by the Chinese survey ship Xiang Yang Hong 10 and the escorting flotilla of coast guard and fishing vessels into Vietnamese waters. Deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen uc Thang made the remark on Thursday, in response to the question on Viet Nam's reaction to Chinese ships' continued presence in Viet Nam's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Thang stressed that Vietnamese authorities are resolutely and determinedly protecting and exercising the legal rights and interests of Viet Nam in its waters, in accordance with international laws, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Vietnamese law. On May 25, the deputy spokesperson for the foreign ministry Pham Thu Hang said these ships "violated Viet Nam's EEZ, which was established in accordance with the provisions of the 1982 UNCLOS." The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies have repeatedly communicated with Chinese authorities and implemented measures in accordance with international law and Vietnamese law to ensure Viet Nam's legitimate rights and interests, deputy spokesperson Hang stressed. Viet Nam demands that relevant Chinese agencies comply with the common perceptions of the high-level leadership of the two countries, immediately end their provocative activities, withdraw the Xiang Yang Hong 10 and other coast guard and fishing vessels from Vietnamese waters, respect Viet Nam's sovereignty and jurisdictional rights, strictly abide by the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea (known in Viet Nam as the East Sea), towards the maintenance of peace, cooperation, and development in the East Sea, and contribute to the development of bilateral relations. VNS TIEN GIANG The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tien Giang plans to have about 82,000ha of fruit growing areas that are granted production codes for export by 2025. The countrys largest fruit producing province aims to have 25,000ha granted codes this year, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Vo Van Men, head of the provinces Plant Cultivation and Protection Sub-department, said the province has 271 fruit growing areas with a total of 20,000ha that have been granted production codes. Of them, 175 areas grow fruits to export to China. Jackfruit, dragon fruit and durian growing areas account for the largest share of code-granted fruit growing areas. A code-granted area must have a minimum of 10ha, grow one type of fruit and grow it to Vietnamese good agricultural practices (VietGAP) or other equivalent standards. The province has 257 fruit packaging establishments that have been granted production codes to serve export markets. The sub-department has received 83 applications of fruit packaging establishments to register for production codes. It has also received 204 applications asking for production codes for 8,900ha of fruits to export to China. It is strengthening advocacy activities to enhance the awareness of farmers about the purposes of production codes and assist them to link with companies and co-operatives to grow fruits in code-granted areas. It is also assisting farmers, co-operatives and companies to register to receive the code and providing them advanced farming techniques. It instructs farmers to grow fruits to VietGAP, maintain a cultivation diary for origin traceability, and bag fruits on trees to meet the quality requirements of export markets. Cai Lay Districts Ngu Hiep Commune has a 1,500ha specialised durian growing area and its fruit has been granted a geographical indication certification by the National Office of Intellectual Property. The commune is focusing on instructing farmers about procedures to register for production codes and targets all durian orchards in the specialised durian growing area to get codes. Farmers, co-operatives and companies in the province are also expanding code-granted fruit growing areas. The Cam Son Co-operative in Cai Lays Cam Son Commune has been granted seven production codes for nearly 780ha of durian, or all of the communes specialised durian growing area. Pham Van Nuoi, director of the co-operative, said the co-operative, through export companies, is expected to export its first batches of durian to China through official channels by the end of this year when it is the peak harvest time of off-season durian. Cho Gao District, which is the provinces largest dragon fruit growing area, has created favourable conditions for farmers to link with co-operatives and companies to grow high quality dragon fruit and increase export value. The district has encouraged dragon fruit farmers to use VietGAP and GlobalGAP to increase quality. Dragon fruit farmers have earned high profits since March of this year because the selling price has increased after a period of declining. Nguyen Van Huong in Cho Gaos Quon Long Commune has sold five tonnes of dragon fruit at a price of VN33,000 (US$1.4) a kilogramme and earned a profit of VN165 million ($7,000). With this selling price, farmers feel secure to grow dragon fruit, he said. Nguyen Van Man, director of the department, said the province has about 83,000ha of fruit with an annual output of 1.6 million tonnes, with many specialty fruits of high export value. With the development of production codes for exporting officially to China and other countries, the province is taking opportunities to develop sustainably specialty fruit growing areas and improve income for farmers, he said. VNS HCM CITY Vietnam Space Week will be held in Hau Giang and Binh inh provinces and HCM City from June 5 to 9. Organised by the two provinces, Thu uc City in HCM City and the HCM City Computer Association (HCA) with support from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, it will make Viet Nam the first Southeast Asian country to host such a NASA event. Visitors will have the chance to meet with US astronauts and experience space exploration and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) educational activities. Michael Koetsier, vice president of client management at Skyrora UK Ltd, an orbital launch vehicle manufacturer focused on providing clients with low cost access to space for a range of satellites, said astronaut Mike Baker and flight surgeon Dr Josef Schmid would be in attendance. Baker was on four space missions, twice each as pilot and mission commander, and later became director of operations for NASA based at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia, he said. Schmid was an aquanaut serving in the NEEMO (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations) project, the worlds only undersea research laboratory. He is now the lead for Orion (Artemis) medical operations, an international programme that will take humans to the moon. He was also the first person to be holoported off the planet and into the ISS. Koetsier said: The event will focus on raising awareness among young people of the opportunities that exist for them if they choose to pursue a career with STEM. We invite all young people to come along to take part in the many events which will run throughout the week. HCA Chairman Lam Nguyen Hai Long said Vietnam Space Week aims to inspire the young generations through astronauts' stories about working and living in space, share information about scientific studies on how to protect Earth, minimise environmental pollution, warn of the risks of collision with asteroids, and provide information about extraterrestrial life among others, thereby inspiring and providing career-oriented education and career orientation for them. This is the first time such a NASA event is organised in a Southeast Asian country, and we hope to make it an annual event and expect NASA to continue choosing Viet Nam as the host country and upgrading it to the ASEAN level. The event will be held in Hau Giang Province on June 5-6, HCM City on June 7 and Binh inh Province on June 8-9. VNS HA NOI The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has asked agencies to pilot the use of level 2 electronic identification (eID) authentication for air passengers at airports nationwide from June 1. The pilot scheme will last until August 1 and is applicable for passengers on domestic flights, according to the CAAV. Passengers who join the pilot voluntarily will show their eID to airline staff at check-in booths and boarding areas. The eID account can replace the physical ID card, and the programme is optional for both passengers and airline staff. The staff must commit not to use passenger information for illegal purposes. The level-2 account is created in case the information of the declarant has been verified by a portrait photo or a fingerprint that matches the information recorded in the countrys databases on population, citizen identity, or immigration. In the long term, the CAAV proposed the passenger verification work use both eID and biometric authentication. Airport operators, airlines and agencies and units with aviation staff to perform a check-in, aviation security checks, boarding were asked to arrange check-in counters and security checkpoints flow for the pilot, depending on their conditions. They were also asked to set up clear signs and train and mobilise experienced staff to participate in the effort. Airport operators will arrange locations (not in restricted areas of the airport) and coordinate with public security forces and local police to issue level 2 eID accounts for air passengers. They must collect data on the pilot weekly and report to the CAAV every 15 days to quickly address difficulties and inadequacies. VNS A Russian missile attack in Kyiv killed a nine-year-old child, her mother, and another woman. The victims attempted to take cover in an air raid shelter, but it could not open, leaving them susceptible to the onslaught. The deaths, which occurred close to a clinic in the Desnyanskyi area, have been the subject of a criminal inquiry by the police in reaction to this tragic incident, according to Reuters. Since the start of May, 18 attacks on the city have been reported, which raises worries about the increase in violence as the Russia-Ukraine war continues. Mayor Vitali Klitschko voiced his grief, saying the missile component landed near the clinic immediately after the air warning. The air raid shelter's closing stopped individuals from finding refuge, but the cause of its closure is unknown. Following the sad occurrence, locals have been urged to examine shelters and report any safety issues. According to local media, the inquiry into these fatalities included searches at municipal administrative buildings. Read Also: Dubai Authorities Arrest Man for Drug Smuggling Attempt Kyiv's International Children's Day celebrations were canceled after the Russian missile strike, purportedly using short-range Iskander ground-launched missiles, NBC News reported. The Kremlin's 10 cruise and ballistic missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, but falling debris injured 16 people on the ground. Attacks Continue To Intensify The Russian missile attack in Kyiv comes after a string of drone attacks earlier in the week that damaged and injured residents of residential buildings in Moscow. Ukraine denies participation in the airstrikes. Russian soldiers have been relentlessly attacking Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine in recent weeks as Kyiv gets ready for a counteroffensive to stave off the invasion. Numerous drone and missile assaults have targeted Kyiv, constantly making its citizens anxious, according to The Hill. The United Nations' Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that six children died, and 34 sustained injuries in one month. Unsettlingly, since February 2022, there has been a considerable increase in juvenile casualties, with at least 525 children dying and at least 1,047 children suffering injuries. These shocking figures show how the Russia-Ukraine war has affected society's most vulnerable. Related Article: UN Issues 'Mutually Beneficial' Proposal as Black Sea Grain Deal on Brink of Collapse @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Le Huong When visiting the lush Golden Camellia Park in Nho Quan District in the northern province of Ninh Binh, it is hard to imagine that a few years ago the valley was abandoned with few crops surviving, the local soil deemed too rough to do anything worthwhile. But things have changed. Part of the valley has been converted into the park, hosting several greenhouses nurturing the seedlings and plants of camellia for revered ornamental flowers and essential oil. Covering an area of 26 hectares, it is the only park of its kind in the country. The success of the park is largely down to the vision of Vu Van Tam, the chairman of Vu Gia Herbal Company Ltd, which supplies materials to produce various herbal products, including those from golden camellia. Tam says that Cuc Phuong National Park is home to over 2,000 types of plants, including many valuable species. He says there are dozens of types of golden camellia, but the ones growing in the buffer zone of the park are great for human health. Some research has suggested the plant could be beneficial to inhibiting tumour growth, lowering blood pressure, and preventing atherosclerosis. Tam sees it as his duty to spin gold from the plant's wide-ranging properties, of which he is a keen proselytiser. I learnt about the plant on a business trip to a northern mountainous area, where a local herbalist offered me a drink from the flower, he tells Viet Nam News. The herbalist says the plant was good for peoples health. "Then I learned from various sources that the golden camellia has over 400 chemical substances, none of which are toxic or have side effects. All improve peoples health, enhance resistance and prevent diseases naturally and safely. Tam soon invested in the park with some friends, hoping to produce herbal products from the plant. The material source in nature is limited, so we decided to plant camellia by ourselves to have a stable source of raw material for production, he adds. The plant also resides in China, but it is Viet Nam that is considered a paradise for the golden blooms, with over 50 types. The park alone has collected 30 kinds from across the country. The company has chosen types with high productivity to plant en masse. Each year we harvest several tonnes of the fresh flower, and dry them to pack in boxes for consumers to enjoy as a drink, Tam says. "We want to let Vietnamese people use the products first, and then we will think of export later. Protecting and developing golden camellia is vital, as the plant has been growing wild in the forest. The natural forest area has been much reduced over time, resulting in the disappearance of the wild plant. Tam wants to collect all the genres of the endangered plant to share with nature lovers and plans for more products like instant herbal tea from the flowers and leaves, and even cosmetics for women. Big potential Camellia is a perennial plant. It blooms once a year, and the number of flowers and leaves increases rapidly year by year. The company has set up an automatic irrigation system, with the golden camellia plants grown alongside other plants to get shadow from the sun. We are trying to apply green cultivating methods by using organic fertilisers from cattle dung and decomposed vegetables to save the environment, Tam says. We raise red ants to limit the black ants that harm the plant, and make biological traps for flies. After being picked, the flowers are freeze-dried at minus 50 degrees Celsius, so they maintain their shape, colour and chemical substance. The company has received a GACP-WHO certificate from the Ministry of Health for "Good Agriculture and Collection Practices". Its production line has been approved with the HACCP certificate by the Quacert Centre for food safety; and they have 4-star OCOP (One Commune, One Product) standard for Ninh Binh Province, and were among the best products of the north in 2022. According to the International Camellia Journal, substances from the flower can limit the development of tumours by over one-third, which may even help in treating cancer. They can also help reduce cholesterol in the blood as well as or better than existing drugs. The leaves are also thought to prevent inflammation and allergies and maintain a healthy thyroid gland. I believe herbal tea from golden camellia is a potential product, says Pham Van Trung, head of the Rural Development Agency under Ninh Binhs Agriculture and Rural Development Department. Its really meaningful for us as the product is made locally. Bigger ambitions But Tam's dream goes beyond mere money-making and into the realm of the spiritual. He wants to soon open the park to the public and has designed the area with lakes, streams, and facilities for practising Zen. I intend to set up 108 areas for practising Zen or yoga throughout the park, he says. I want more people to enjoy the fresh air here and live closer to nature. Im finding tranquillity for my soul in this valley. Hoang Thanh Thuy, founder & CEO of the Mekong Coconut Company, says that she can feel Tams enthusiasm for the park. He has a long-term vision and the courage to turn this barren land into a fertile park, she says. With his heart, strong will, and calmness to live in nature, I hope he will make this place special. Nguyen Thi Lien, project manager of the Regional Biotrade Project, says she really appreciates the creation of the park. "This is a good model of biodiversity created by a private enterprise. This is a highly recommended model for many enterprises, who are still wondering about their role in protecting natural resources and preserving and recovering nature," she says. "Such a project like Biotrade will help push models of producing and trading products that have local origins and search markets for other such products." Nguyen Thi Thu Lien, an official from the Association of Food Transparency, also shows her admiration for Tams efforts. Maintaining a clean material source, using no chemical fertilisers and no growth stimulants while still reaching the desired productivity for market demand is not simple, she says. All living organisms inside the park have a close connection to one another. They collaborate, share mutual benefits, and create a diverse ecosystem to protect a park with biodiversity and ensure the local communitys benefits. Whilst Tam has full belief in the value of the project, he often jokes that it was the land that chose him, not him who chose the land. Seeing is believing. People here can see a valley of yellow flowers in spring and a tranquil green land with birds twittering and streams gurgling. They will believe there is nothing we cannot do, he says. VNS (Additional reporting by Nguyen Hong Van) By Cong Thanh In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Nguyen Huu Quy Khang, 31, a construction engineer, found himself unable to return to his work in Japan, and instead found a temporary job at a Ngoc Linh ginseng farm in Nam Tra My District of Quang Nam. He soon fell in love with work on the mountainous ginseng farm, tending and nurturing the ancient medicinal herb believed by some to have almost magical qualities. Khang's new role saw him explore the natural conservation of Vietnamese ginseng (Panax vietnamensis), growing strongly and sustainably in the primary forest. At first he found being away from Japan difficult, but the work on the Sam Sam Company ginseng farm soon grabbed all his attention. Its a turning point. I thought I would just be working on the farm while waiting for Japan-Viet Nam air services to resume after the pandemic. However, the wild nature of my homeland soon fascinated me, Khang said. I restarted as a beginner in farming. It was quite different to engineering work that I had experienced in Japan. I loved exploring the co-existence of the flora habitat and ginseng. It was like caring for a newborn baby. Khang said he spent most of his time on the farm observing ginseng seeds sprouting. Saplings are very sensitive to any small temperature changes in the foggy mountain air, where sunlight hits for just a few hours each day. We built up a scrutiny process to watch the saplings at every moment in the forest canopy farms, while arranging long-term nutrition and pest protection. Ginseng sprouts die if they suffer from plant fungus at any time. Rodents are also a threat, he said. As a technical manager of the farm, he also trains local workers on how to develop ginseng as a sustainable crop for the community, rather than lazily making money from illegal logging and hunting. Khang said the farm had developed on one-hectare pilot plot before expanding as a high-yield business and community joint-venture farm. Ho Van Khuyet, 40, a member of the Xo ang ethnic group in Tra Linh Village, said he was trained in sustainable agricultural practice at the farm for two years. Most local villagers lived by exploiting forest products including animal hunting for food in the jungle, but the strict rules of forest protection stopped us from living this life, Khuyet said. We had to do odd jobs in urban areas instead. However, we struggled with poor education and skills in urban and industrial parks. Our forest-based experience was always our best skill. He said the ginseng farming project offered an opportunity for ethnic communities to improve their income with their traditional forest knowledge. It took me one year to complete training in ginseng farming. We can earn well from working on the ginseng farm, while protecting the forest, our spiritual home, for future generations, he said. Global value In building a national high-quality ginseng brand, Sam Sam has grown 500,000 ginseng plants on a 200ha farm in Tra Linh mountainous village. The company has put into operation the first Ngoc Linh ginseng production facility a major high-tech processing factory combined with a nursery and research centre at Tam Thang Industrial Park in Tam Ky City, producing 200,000 capsules and 5 million Ngoc Linh ginseng saplings by in-vitro every year. The sustainable ginseng farm has been listed as one of 20 safe and one of eight Asian projects jointly assessed and financially supported by the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD). Experts from the DFCD and WWF-Vietnam recently paid a field trip to inspect technical and financial support for the project. The DFCD has approved a support grant for Sam Sam, seeking to scale up its production in one of the countrys poorest regions. The money will help the company to acquire seedlings, seeds, earthworm compost and land for expansion. The project is aided by the World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands together with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation to nurture new projects for the investment fund. With the approval of the grant, the WWF plans to sign a 275,000-euro grant agreement with Sam Sam. Huib Jan de Ruijter, senior expert from the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Ban (DEDB), said the project developed by Sam Sam offered benefits to the local community, particularly in terms of protecting the forest and mitigating climate change. Aart Jan Mulder, portfolio manager from DEDB Bank, said the ginseng project was unique in the well-protected primary forest as it helped conserve nature, while creating benefits for both business and the indigenous community while reducing the damage caused by climate change. Stuart Beavis, regional lead at WWF Asia said: "Sam Sam has the potential to be an amazing project. It grows ginseng under the now protected canopy of the forest and works closely with the locals, adding to their skill set and income. The company is also perfectly aligned with the national government's vision for this commodity." The chairman of the company, Nguyen uc Luc, said the combined investment of farm-production plant R&D and the in-vitro centre would help build global production chains for the national brand and boost sustainable development of the Ngoc Linh ginseng not only for Quang Nam, but nationally. We have been building a long-term strategy for a national brand of high-quality Ngoc Linh ginseng production from seed selection, planting and harvest, to storage and processing, Luc said. He said at least 80 per cent of natural forests were well protected by local farmers who joined the ginseng farm as the plant could only develop well under forest canopy from 1,400m to 2,500m above sea level, Luc said. As ginseng can die by chemical fertiliser, the ginseng farm is fertilised by organic earthworms. The farm will help contribute to Viet Nams zero carbon targets." The ginseng farm will also be recruiting and training manpower from the Xo ang, Ca Dong and M' Nong ethnic communities across several local villages, hoping to develop more medicinal herb farms. VNS Industrial parks and gas ventures are among those that are being kickstarted after long delays Mitsui Oil Exploration is eager to remove long delays in resolving procedures in order to develop the $10-billion Block B of the O Mon gas venture. In the framework of the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and executives of several major Japanese economic corporations in Hiroshima last week, Mitsui Oil president and CEO Hirotaka Hamamoto asked the PM to help settle pending issues to accelerate the project. The company has proposed a number of solutions to resolve pending issues to be able to officially develop the project as soon as June this year. Block B is located in the Malay-Tho Chu basin in southwest Vietnam, and comprises the development of a gas field and pipeline. It was announced in early 2016 and the first production was expected in the second quarter of 2020. It is considered one of the most significant gas exploitation projects in the country. PM Chinh hailed the corporation for pursuing the project on natural gas exploitation at Block B, expressing hope that the natural gas would soon serve Vietnams O Mon thermal power plants. He suggested that Mitsui continue cooperating with and investing in the Vietnamese market, especially in the development of green and clean energy that align with global trends and contribute to the nations goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Another long-delayed project is Quang Tri Industrial Park in the central province of Quang Tri. At a meeting in mid-May, the provincial Party Committees Deputy Secretary Nguyen Dang Quang asked provincial departments, agencies, and localities to work closely to help investors complete legal procedures related to the project in order to accelerate implementation of $87 million complex. The project was licensed in March 2021 but has yet to be implemented due to barriers in land clearance and compensation for households. The park is a joint venture involving Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park, Amata City Bien Hoa, and Sumitomo Corporation. It is based in Hai Lang district and is set to cover 481.2 hectares. The first stage of the project costs $21.74 million and was scheduled to be implemented before 2025. As of last month, around three-quarters of the land for the first stage has been cleared. Block B and the Quang Tri park are just two of many registered foreign-invested projects with a lack of progress in recent years. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investments Foreign Investment Agency, Vietnam has attracted consolidated registered capital of $446 billion over the past 30 years, and disbursed $280 billion so far, meaning a raft of projects and huge amounts of capital still awaiting disbursement. The total disbursed volume of foreign direct investment in 2022 reached a record of $22.4 billion, up 13.5 per cent over the previous year, which means that $5.32 billion is still on paper only. Foreign direct investment stood at $8.88 billion in the first four months of 2023, with disbursed capital of $5.85 billion. Both the government and local authorities are making effort to boost the disbursement of foreign-invested projects in terms of traffic, industrial infrastructure, and improving the labour force. They have determined key tasks to attract more foreign-invested capital, including those willing to innovate, reform, improve the business environment, and being ready to provide support. For example, the northern province of Thai Binh took only 10 months to complete land clearance for nearly 540 ha at Lien Ha Thai Industrial Zone, which is a province record. Thanks to this effort, the complex has attracted seven projects equalling capital of $731 million in the two years since its funding plan was approved, one of which is a $260 million manufacturing plant by Taiwanese laptop maker Compal Electronics. vir Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover has risen 29% year-on-year to US$1.9 billion in the first five months of this year, enabling the sector to reach US$4 billion in exports in 2023, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). Fruit and vegetable exports grossed US$982 million in the first quarter of this year, up 16.2% compared to the same period in 2022, with sales to the Chinese market showing impressive growth. China imported $805 million worth of Vietnamese products, accounting for 80% of the market share. MARD stressed that in foreign markets, including China, Vietnamese fruits face stiff competition from rivals from Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines. "Export prospects in the second half of the year will be better as many countries favor Vietnamese agricultural products," it added. Vietnamese durian for exporting. Photo: congthuong.vn Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit Association (Vinafruit), said durian was a major contributor to the impressive export results in the first months of this year. The fruit's export value is expected to reach $1 billion, contributing to the sector's target of $4 billion this year, up 20% year-on-year. Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to China fell sharply in 2022 due to the impact of China's Zero-Covid policy. This was the first time the sector experienced a sharp decline in export turnover, with the Chinese market accounting for less than 50% of the total export value. Now that China is wide open, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports to this country are making a strong comeback. In the first quarter, the exports to China reached $576 million, accounting for 58.7% of the total fruit and vegetable export value, up 27% on year. "Fruit and vegetable export will be very positive if Vietnamese enterprises meet the requirements of the Chinese market in terms of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The export value will rapidly grow this year and the following years," Nguyen said. Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Director of the MARD's Department of Plant Production, said that besides China, it is also necessary to step up trade promotion activities in other markets such as the US, EU, New Zealand, Japan, and Australia. "In recent years, processed fruit and vegetable exports have been growing. Last year, the export value of these products exceeded $1 billion for the first time, accounting for nearly 30% of the total export value of fruits and vegetables. To be precise, we earned nearly $3.4 billion from fruit and vegetable exports in 2022," Cuong added. He said processors should invest and adopt advanced technologies to improve the export value and gain a firmer foothold in choosy markets like the US and EU. Hanoi Times More than 50 staff volunteers from CLD (Vietnam) and The Ascott Limited participated in the drive that took place during the end-of-term celebrations held at the schools from May 24 to 29. Students at Thanh Phuoc Primary School receiving essential items during the end-of-term celebration In addition to the distribution of school equipment, CLD (Vietnam), through CHF, awarded scholarships to 22 high-performing fifth-grade students to cover their expenses, including school fees, textbooks, and health insurance, as they embark on their secondary school education. A representative from CLD (Vietnam) awarding scholarships at Quang Yen primary school in Phu Tho province The end of the school term also marked the completion of the Nutrition Project initiated by CLD (Vietnam) in collaboration with the International Dairy Products JSC (IDP), one of Vietnams fastest-growing dairy product firms. Through the Nutrition Project that is supported by CHF, which aims to supplement the nutritional needs of the students under the CapitaLand Hope School Programme, more than 223,000 packs of milk were distributed to about 1,400 students in the 2022-2023 academic year. In partnership with IDP, health check-ups were conducted at the start and end of the project to monitor the students health and development. They indicated that 73 per cent of the participants showed an improvement in their health by the end of the project. According to Ronald Tay, CEO of CLD (Vietnam), CapitaLand is committed to building a better future for children in need by providing support for their educational needs and wellbeing. As a strong advocate of volunteerism, we are proud that our staff volunteers have taken time to join our corporate social responsibility activities and give back to the community, Tay said. Over the past years, a total of over 6,000 staff volunteer hours have been contributed to support the students at the four schools in Phu Tho, Hung Yen, and Long An provinces. Since 2007, CLD (Vietnam) and CHF have contributed to the upgrading of school facilities to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for the students, as well as improving access to education through various programmes such as My Schoolbag and CapitaLand Kids. Do Muoi, principal of CapitaLand Quang Yen Primary Hope School, said that the school believes that a quality education plays a crucial role in providing children with a better start in life. We remain focused on providing a conducive environment for holistic education where students can learn effectively and also pick up positive values and attitudes to support their overall development. We are grateful to have dedicated stakeholders like CLD (Vietnam) and CHF to support us on this journey. On behalf of the school faculty, the students, and their families, we would like to thank CLD Vietnam and CHF, as well as other relevant stakeholders, for their continued support throughout the years, Muoi said. CLD is the development arm of the CapitaLand Group, with a portfolio worth $16.2 billion as of March 31. It encompasses developments across various asset classes, including integrated developments, retail, office, lodging, residential, business parks, industrial, logistics, and data centres. CLD (Vietnam) oversees and grows CLDs investment and development business in Vietnam, one of CLDs core markets where it has built an extensive presence over 29 years. CLD (Vietnam)s portfolio comprises one retail mall, one small office, home office development, three integrated developments, and over 13,000 quality homes across 17 residential developments. As part of the CapitaLand Group, CLD places sustainability at the core of what it does. As a responsible real estate company, CLD complements CapitaLands businesses through its contributions to the environmental and social wellbeing of the communities where it operates, all while delivering long-term economic value for its stakeholders. CapitaLand Development hands over pink books for D1Mension CapitaLand Development (CLD), the development arm of CapitaLand Group, has handed over the first batch of pink books to the homeowners of D1Mension, its first luxury boutique residential development in the prime District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. CapitaLand Development unveils SOHO property in Hanoi's Tay Ho district CapitaLand Development (CLD), the development arm of CapitaLand Group, commenced the sales gallery preview and the booking of its first Small Office Home Office (SOHO) property in Vietnam on November 26. CapitaLand Development wins twice at PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards CapitaLand Development (CLD), the development arm of CapitaLand Group, clinched Best Housing Development and Best Eco-Friendly Housing Development for Sycamore, CLDs first large-scale residential property in Vietnam, at the prestigious PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final 2022 held on 9 December 2022. Contributions of foreign direct investment cannot be denied, illustration photo In recent years, there has been a viewpoint that foreign direct investment (FDI) is a foreign element rather than an organic part of Vietnams economy. It is also sometimes believed that the domestic economy is weak due to the low spillover effects of FDI without a clear recognition of the need to promote the development of the domestic economy. However, if we assume something that did not happen in reality that Vietnam never did have access to FDI then we would see a vastly different nation today. The increasing proportion of FDI indicates that the economic growth rate of this area is usually higher than that of the domestic economy. Without, it would take many more years for Vietnam to reach the GDP scale of 2022 with $409 billion and average GDP per capita of $4,110, and with the economic growth rate at over 7 per cent annually, as seen in 1991-1997 and 2002-2007. In 2022, the realised investment capital at current prices reached $140 billion, up 11.2 per cent over the previous year. Of which, FIEs accounted for 16.2 per cent and increased by 13.9 per cent. The share of FDI in total social investment tended to decrease gradually from the peak of 30.4 per cent in 1995 to the bottom of 14.2 per cent in 2004 and then suddenly increased to 24.3 per cent in 2007. It peaked at 30.9 per cent in 2008 and then gradually decreased to around 16 per cent in the past two years. The investment efficiency of FDI has improved significantly in the past decade, when its share in GDP was much higher than that of total social investment. In the period 1988-2021, there was more than $251 billion of realised FDI out of a total of nearly $524 billion of registered capital in over 38,300 projects. Realised FDI capital also has experienced many ups and downs, with periods of capital at a double-digit annual growth rate and even nearly doubling in 2007, along with periods of decline in 2009-2012 and 2020-2022. However, such capital has made an important contribution to investment resources in Vietnam, not only in terms of quantity but also in quality. In 2022, the export turnover of goods reached $371.85 billion, up 10.6 per cent over the previous year. For the past 20 years, FIEs have officially contributed more than half of Vietnams total merchandise exports and grew to more than two-thirds in 2013, before reaching approximately three-quarters last year. It can be asserted that without FDI, Vietnam could not have become the export powerhouse it is now, with the growth rate of commodity export turnover continuously at double digits and commodity exports accounting for 90.9 per cent of GDP in 2022. Vietnam has become an increasingly important global commodity production base. The openness of Vietnams economy to 179 per cent of GDP in 2022 is led by FDI, when it also accounted for 65 per cent of the total import turnover of goods in the same year. More importantly, without it, it would be difficult for Vietnam to get out of a persistent trade deficit and move to a trade surplus. If it is said that by attracting FDI we can improve the capital balance, it is thanks to the export activities of FIEs Vietnam has improved the trade balance markedly, thereby improving the current account and the overall balance of payments. While the domestic economic sector is still deep in a state of trade deficit with a record of $30.7 billion in 2022, FIEs continuously have a trade surplus. The vast majority of basic indicators of FIEs maintain a continuous uptrend. As of the end of 2020, the country boasted over 22,200 FIEs, of which just over 19,200 were fully-fledged FIEs and around 3,000 were joint ventures with other countries. Although accounting for only 3.25 per cent of the total number of active enterprises, FIEs create just over one-third of total jobs in the enterprise sector with more than five million direct jobs, with a higher average income of $450 per person monthly, and possibly millions of indirect jobs related to the sector. In particular, FIEs account for more than half of enterprises with a labour size of between 1,000 and 5,000, and nearly two-thirds of enterprises with a labour size of over 5,000. The total income of employees in FIEs accounts for 38.3 per cent of the total income of employees in enterprises in our country. Besides that, FIEs also held 19.16 per cent of the total production and business capital of enterprises, 23 per cent of the value of fixed assets and long-term financial investments, and 29.8 per cent of net production and business revenue. They make up 22.8 per cent of enterprises with capital scale of over $21.2 million, and up to 48.5 per cent of total profit before tax of enterprises with the highest return on equity of 12.8 per cent (more than twice the overall average). Thus, without FDI, millions of workers would not have access to jobs with high incomes. Moreover, they would not be able to work in a business environment with medium- to high-tech equipment, good production and business efficiency, and a healthy financial situation. Domestic revenue from FIEs in 2021 reached more than $9.2 billion, accounting for 13.85 per cent of total domestic revenue, not including revenue from crude oil. Balanced revenue from import and export of nearly $9.19 billion was contributed by FIEs in whole or in large part. If only domestic revenue is taken into account, revenue from FIEs in 2021 was more than triple than in 2010, with the proportion increasing steadily over the years and exceeding 10 per cent in 2008. The state budget in 2020 showed that FIEs contributed more than $8.9 billion, the vast majority of which are tax payments. Especially, VAT collected from domestic production and business goods was $2.49 billion, accounting for 23.3 per cent of total revenue. PM orders enhancement of foreign investment attraction efficiency Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed a directive clarifying tasks and solutions to enhance the efficiency of foreign investment attraction in the new period. Insights garnered in high-tech FDI Attracting high-tech foreign direct investment has become a strategic priority for Vietnam as it moves up the value chain and seeks to continue its impressive economic growth trajectory. Peter Ryder, CEO at Indochina Capital, explains how this can be achieved. (*) Dr. Vu Dinh Anh - Economic expert Ministry of Finance Vo Hoang Lam, CEO of Coteccons said, "We would like to be one of the first examples of how to digitalise the construction industry in Vietnam. We recognise that there is an urgent need to apply established technologies and techniques in new ways to improve not only management efficiency and productivity but also environmental, social, and governance performance." Leaders of Coteccons and Microsoft Vietnam at the MoU signing on May 30 Coteccons has decided to take the journey to the cloud. We are looking for a trusted technology partner who can help accelerate our growth strategy and do more with fewer resources, enabling us to focus on innovation. We are confident in this collaboration with Microsoft as the backbone of our digital journey, he added. Coteccons plans to use Microsofts technology and solutions in four areas, namely optimising the customer experience, building a modern workplace, streamlining operations, and transforming products and services. Nguyen Quynh Tram, country general manager of Microsoft Vietnam said, "Today, cloud and AI technology play a critical role in the transformation of the construction industry by reducing labour costs, increasing safety, and improving the quality of the buildings design. By embracing our industry-proven cloud and AI technologies, Coteccons will be enabling construction companies to achieve incredible designs and buildings in the nation." Established in 2004, Coteccons has become a leading construction company in Vietnam. The company has grown both in size and reputation by implementing world-class projects in diverse fields such as residential and commercial developments, hotels, infrastructure, and industrial sites. The Vietnamese construction market was valued at $108.6 billion in 2022, and is projected to witness an average annual growth rate of more than 6 per cent during the 2024-2027 period. Coteccons won series of large projects with total value of more than $435 million in Q1 In the first quarter of 2022, Coteccons (CTD) and its member company Unicons (UNC) made a mark with large bidding packages valued at over $435 million. Coteccons teams up with local partners for The Emerald 68 Coteccons, DSPcons, Danh Khoi Real Estate Services JSC, BIDV, and Anabuki NL Housing Service Vietnam have become partners of Le Phong Group to develop The Emerald 68 Luxury Apartment Project located in Binh Duong New City. Coteccons sets up sustainable working conditions Coteccons Construction JSC has worked to set up sustainable working conditions for thousands of workers by kicking off a project for the festive season. Construction industry to build on a tough 2022 The business journey for construction enterprises in 2022 encountered a great many difficulties. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi - Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stressed the need to incentivise the conversion of fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles and other types of clean energy. In his conclusions made at a meeting discussing the application of preferential electricity prices at electric vehicle charging stations, Ha said that the transition to green economic development is an inevitable trend and a goal that Vietnam is pursuing. It will also create opportunities for Vietnam to become a pioneer in the region in terms of green growth and recovery, thus keeping pace with the new development trends of the world, he added. The Deputy PM asked the Ministry of Transport to collaborate with the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Finance, Industry and Trade, Planning and Investment, Science and Technology, and Justice; and related agencies to study international experience, conduct a comprehensive analysis of various aspects, fully assess impacts, clarify legal and political foundations, and ensure consistency in implementing the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws, thus proposing synchronous and feasible support policies. The Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Transport were required to issue plans, criteria, regulations, and standards for investing in public infrastructure development serving electric vehicles and other environmentally friendly means of transport in urban areas. The agencies will be also responsible for guiding localities in planning public infrastructure facilities to ensure compliance with safety standards. VinFast to export batch of VF8 electric vehicles VinFast, the electric vehicles (EV) manufacturer subsidiary of the conglomerate Vin Group, will export the first batch of VF8 electric vehicles to the US, Canada, and EU on November 25. How electric vehicles can shape the auto industry In order to implement Vietnams net-zero commitments, one of the solutions by the government is to use more electric vehicles (EVs) as a means of transportation for the step-by-step replacement of motor vehicles powered by conventional internal combustion engines. How do you assess the potential of the supporting industry in Vietnam? Jun-Ho Lee, deputy director of the Vietnam-Korea Technology Consulting and Solution Centre (VITASK) Vietnams supporting industry sector has a large room for growth because the Vietnamese electronics industry has a fairly large position as one of the top 15 largest electronics exporting countries in the world. Besides that, this sector leads in the total import and export turnover of all industries in Vietnam. A report from the Department of Industry under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) shows that in 2022, the electronics industry had an export turnover of $114.4 billion, an increase of about 6 per cent on-year, and accounting for over 30 per cent of the total export turnover of the whole country. Among the six groups of goods with export turnover of over $10 billion in Vietnam, there are also computers, mobile phones, electronics, and components. The export market of Vietnams electronic products is also continuously expanding, including the key markets of China, the US, the EU, Japan, and South Korea. The appearance of global technology corporations also creates a big boost for supporting enterprises in terms of the electronics industry, which is a great opportunity for domestic supporting enterprises to participate in the supply chain of parts and accessories for global corporations. How do Vietnamese supporting enterprises receive support from VITASK? The Vietnamese government is making efforts to enhance the development of the supporting industry and the latest move is the issuance of Resolution No.115/NQ-CP on measures to boost the development of the supporting industry through to 2030, with electronics, car assembly, and manufacturing some of the priority sectors. The industry is expected to develop through the mobilisation of resources from all economic sectors, especially foreign-invested enterprises and domestic counterparts. Besides that, the governments of South Korea and Vietnam plan to continue working together to support investment and trade activities for enterprises on both sides. In December 2020, the two governments signed a business agreement with representatives of the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy; the MoIT; LG Electronics; Hyundai Motors; and POSCO in attendance. The agreement provides technical consulting for Vietnamese material, component, and equipment suppliers and builds closer ties in terms of mutual supply and demand. Based on this, VITASK was established in 2020 to help domestic enterprises improve their competition capacity to participate in the global value chains. Its purpose is to further promote bilateral cooperation in industrial materials, equipment, and components and for South Korean companies to join Vietnams projects. The centre is implementing a technical assistance initiative with South Korean consultants to help Vietnamese businesses solve technical problems at the production site, offer engineer training courses for students, support product performance assessment and error analysis, and promote technical exchanges between Vietnamese and South Korean businesses. Notably, VITASK has supported over 100 businesses, including in intensive and regular instruction. As a result, many businesses have significantly reduced error rates. The centre also trains engineers and professional technical consultants while running material and component performance assessment programmes for Vietnamese companies. Since 2020, an average of 25 students have participated in training each year. Besides that, we are also a bridge to connect supply with demand from the South Korean side. In the context that small- and medium-sized enterprises have limits when it comes to contacting consultants, especially qualified experts, our initiative contributes to not only meeting the training demand, but also creating effectiveness. In addition to direct technical support programmes at factories, what programmes has VITASK implemented to strengthen the connection between businesses of the two countries? We continuously promote connections and exchanges between Vietnamese and South Korean businesses. In recent times this has included supporting businesses to attend VIMEXPO in 2021, organising an investment promotion conference in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, and organising the Vietnam-Korea Business Exchange Conference in 2022. Through these programmes, many MoUs between businesses were signed. In addition to in-depth instruction at the factories, VITASK also organised seminars to share knowledge and experience for businesses, such as a workshop on technical guidance and seminars relating to digitalisation in production, smart factories, and batteries for electric cars, among others. How do projects like these contribute to promoting foreign-invested capital inflows from South Korea? The field of processing and manufacturing is always one that attracts the largest amount of overseas capital, so the demand for supporting industrial products is considerable. Foreign-invested groups may have a group of satellites in Vietnam, and they really have a demand for increasing the localisation ratio with the main purpose of avoiding dependence on vendors and to ensure on competitive selling prices between them. They encourage Vietnam to foster the development of the supporting industry and open more factories. To be competitive, goods must meet the criteria of price and quality. Therefore, the intensive technical support provided by VITASKs experts contributes to helping domestic enterprises improve their competitiveness by providing sophisticated products at competitive prices, and thereby attracting more investors. Regarding South Korea in particular, it is currently the largest foreign investment partner in Vietnam both in terms of registered capital and the number of projects. Vietnams supporting industry has many development opportunities with a number of large foreign corporations such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG expanding their operations. What are VITASKs activities in the near future? In 2023, our centre will continue to carry out technical support activities, human resource training programmes, and trade connections for businesses. We will also build testing facilities to support product feature assessment and fault analysis. The trial production SMT line for research and testing has already been delivered to Vietnam and is expected to be completed and put into use soon. FPT IS teamed up with SAP to introduce the brand-new ERP cloud solution at a seminar last week centred around growing a business with cloud-based solutions. The seminar attracted more than 100 senior leaders from enterprises in various fields such as manufacturing, trade and services, retail, technology, finance and banking, among others, indicating great interest from the market towards the solution. The seminar "Business growth with SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud" was jointly organised by FPT IS and SAP Speaking at the event, Phan Thanh Son, chief business development officer, FPT IS, noted that the uncertainty and constant fluctuations in the market require firms to equip a solid and flexible management system that can adapt to increasingly rapid and diverse systematic changes. In Son's words, SAP's new ERP cloud solution delivers an open approach for enterprises of all sizes and from different industries to quickly adopt management processes compliant with international standards, solving corporate management problems in a volatile market environment. This model will help reduce deployment costs by up to half, allowing enterprises a leap forward in business performance. FPT IS and SAP are committed to working together to deploy the solution in the Vietnamese market, added Son. According to Nguyen Hong Viet, managing director of SAP Vietnam, with diverse integration capabilities and flexible scalability, cloud-based ERP eliminates complications associated with complex technology, cost, and feasibility concerns. SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud has opened the door for ERP to be available to all enterprises, especially the small- and medium-sized enterprises, said Viet. Nguyen Hong Viet - managing director of SAP Vietnam affirmed Cloud ERP totally eliminates obstacles when deploying EPR Despite only just being introduced to the Vietnamese market, the system has recorded many success stories in the nearly eight years since its initial launch. It engages with more than 200 million customers and over seven billion financial documents each year, saving as much as 99.7 per cent in deployment times. The solution has also gained many positive reviews from market-leading analytics companies such as Gartner, IDC, and Forrester. SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud is updated every six months to meet the needs of expanding business and the advancement of new technologies. SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud is updated every six months to meet the needs of expanding business and the advancement of new technologies. The system is an ERP SaaS solution in which customers do not need to invest in hardware or operational costs, instead they simply register an account and discover the solution on SAP's shared cloud platform, helping to minimise costs and deployment time. Speaking of the superiority of the model compared to more conventional ones, Ankur Dey, region lead (APJ), SAP, emphasises that S/4HANA Public Cloud is comprehensively designed with over 800 standardised and ready-to-use processes, more than 600 built-in APIs to facilitate connection and integration, and upwards of 250 different scenarios of typical business situations, offering outstanding adaptability for Vietnam-specific business characteristics and environments. Firms can also design their own scenarios to automatically apply when necessary, allowing enterprises to manage any unusual fluctuations and receive real-time reports via virtual assistants so management can make accurate and timely decisions. Using an example of a service enterprise yet to set up its manufacturing facility, Ankur reaffirmed the flexible scalability of the solution. Once the enterprise can set up the factory, they can easily expand production modules on SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud. Besides integration of new processes, the solution allows expansion based on location, in different regions or countries around the world, or based on scale as the number of employees grows. Son Tran, presale lead, SAP Vietnam, presented the operational process of the system and upgrades as the solution develops as it embraces the combination of technology and automated processes. Son Tran - presale lead, SAP Vietnam introduced the innovations of SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud solution Pioneers in deploying ERP cloud solutions in Vietnam Signing up for the SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud application is as simple as signing up for a Netflix account, said Ankur Dey. World-class security technologies from SAP will help data be centrally processed. Businesses only need to focus on core values, develop products, improve relationships with customers and not worry about hardware, security or operational concerns," Dey added. Nguyen Hong Viet, managing director of SAP Vietnam, said, SAP has high expectations for the 20-year strategic cooperation with FPT IS and the introduction of our ERP cloud solution in Vietnam. We are ready to go to businesses, visit each factory and office to understand businesses pain points, thereby finding solutions and create momentum for future development. Lim Chin Ee, digital transformation solution architect, Enterprise Division, FPT IS, shared the most important criteria for the good implementation of and ERP project. In particular, the first thing businesses need is a viable solution with ready processes and methods. SAP Activate Methodology would be a powerful support tool for the solution application process. The next important criterion is the prescribed, step-by-step implementation method for project teams. Such information is already available on SAP Activate Methodology - the implementation method drawn from SAP's best practices. Powerful integrated utilities for system configuration, deployment and launching are the final one. With SAP's best practices and FPT's knowledge in various industries, we expect to accompany and successfully implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud for enterprises, Lim added. FPT IS has a 25-year track record with a proven methodology and offers a suite of specialised solutions, integrating best practices in each industry, and is so experienced and competent in digital transformation that it makes the company the strongest choice for consultation and to accompany enterprises on their modernising journey, said Dao Duy Quang - Senior consultant, Corporate Division, FPT IS. Dao Duy Quang - Senior consultant, Corporate Division, FPT IS - mentioned three factors that make FPT IS the leading ERP implementation company in Vietnam During more than 20 years of cooperation with SAP as a technology partner, FPT IS has successfully delivered hundreds of ERP projects for enterprises. This is an important foundation for FPT IS to understand the market and understand SAP's technologies so that the company can quickly penetrate ERP cloud solutions into the Vietnamese market. FPT IS has successfully delivered several ERP projects already, including a 100-day project to streamline Coteccons' business processes and operations; creating a new standard in large-scale digital transformation with Dat Xanh which involved 90 member companies across the country; digitalising more than 200 standard processes to tackle labour efficiency problems at Boston Pharma, and many more. FPT IS, SAP's Gold partner, was granted with a certificate of specialised implementation capacity in ERP, and aims to become a leading vendor of SAP cloud projects, especially RISE S/4HANA, in the domestic market. Last April, FPT IS was honoured by SAP to be given three prestigious awards, Partner of the Year 2022, Rise with SAP Partner 2022, and Mid-market Partner 2022. Cloud technology thriving in Vietnam Cloud computing is changing the way businesses perform in Vietnam, and proving increasingly important for future growth. Werner Vogels, CTO at Amazon, spoke with VIRs Bich Thuy about how future tech trends will impact digital transformation in the country. Salesforce and FPT IS to elevate digital experience for customers FPT Information System Corporation (FPT IS) and Salesforce have been providing strategic solutions for the finance and banking industry in Vietnam, helping to shape the digital experience for customers. FPT acquires Intertec International unit to expand in North America Vietnams top technology firm, FPT, has announced the acquisition of the IT Services division of Intertec International to increase its footprint in North America. From demographic dividend to talent dividend 09:24, June 01, 2023 By Li Jia ( China Daily JIN DING/CHINA DAILY Population aging is a distinct demographic phenomenon in the 21st century, with declining fertility and increasing life expectancy combining to raise the share of elderly people in the total population of many countries. But unlike in Western developed countries, China's total fertility rate has declined drastically within a short period of time from more than 6.0 in the late 1960s to 2.1 in 1991 and 1.6-1.7 since 1994 to 1.07 in 2022. In comparison, the total fertility rate is 1.6 in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 1.3 in Japan, which is considered a "super-aged" society. China's current total fertility rate of 1.07 is well below replacement fertility of 2.1. Replacement fertility refers to the total fertility rate at which women give birth to enough babies to sustain population levels. As China's total population is nearing its peak, low fertility and aging together will change the population's age structure. While the number of people aged 60 or above will grow rapidly to exceed 300 million by the end of 2025 and 400 million by 2033, the share of working-age people and children (aged 0-14 years) in the total population will continue to shrink. As a long-term effect of the low fertility rate, the working-age population which peaked in 2011 at more than 900 million is expected to decline by nearly a quarter, to about 700 million, by the middle of this century. As a result, every 100 working-age people will have to support 106 elderly people and/or children. The changing demographic structure will affect the population size and age structure, reflecting the complex features and structure of society. First, the low total fertility rate together with population aging will have a huge impact on families, affecting intrafamily relations and weakening family care, leading to more dysfunctional families. And the transformation of the traditional family structure will prompt people to find other ways to connect with each other, reflecting diversified communication. Second, the elderly population's requirements will grow, as many face increasing risks due to higher life expectancy, poverty, illness and/or disability. Hence, eldercare services and the public health system need to be improved to meet their requirements. To promote the long-term, balanced development of the population, it is necessary to foster a fertility-friendly society, mesh childbirth policies with related economic and social policies, and offer incentives to encourage couples to have two to three children. Third, the shrinking numbers of children and working-age people will result in a shortage of workforce and rising cost of labor, weakening the competitiveness of labor-intensive enterprises. To adapt to the new population age structure and major changes in production factors, efforts should be made to alter the existing production methods, development models, growth drivers, income distribution patterns, supply and demand systems, and the industrial structure. Fourth, the changing demographics have also impacted China's filial piety culture and the institution of marriage. They will bring about changes in the education sector as well. In the short term, the previously limited basic educational resources could become surplus due to the continuous decline in the school-age children's population, affecting resource allocation and creating structural imbalance in education resources. In the long run, the negative population growth could weaken the demand for higher education, affecting the education layout. So efforts should be made to fix the new education objectives and syllabus, in order to turn demographic dividend into talent dividend by building a strong pool of talents. The declining fertility rate will first affect preschool education. According to Ministry of Education data, the number of kindergarten and preschool enrollments in 2022 was nearly 46.3 million, down 1.7 million year-on-year. There were a total of 289,200 kindergartens nationwide in 2022, and the number of kindergartens in China has dropped for the first time in 15 years, falling by more than 5,000 than last year. Many kindergartens, especially those privately-owned, are facing financial problems, with some even being forced to shut down due to fewer students enrolled. The falling birth rate will not only reduce the demand for kindergartens but also shrink the market for children's products, including toys. But while schools in towns, counties and smaller cities are likely to see a decline in new admissions, those in big cities may not be affected much due to the continued migration from rural areas to cities. Enrollments in high schools, vocational schools and private universities, too, may fall in the future, because the number of students taking the college entrance exam is expected to fall from 11.93 million in 2022 to about 7.13 million in 2040, according to the Pangoal Institution. And although reputable public universities may not face tough challenges, some universities might be forced to shut down. The changing population age structure also means corresponding changes in the elderly people's lifestyle in terms of living space, family relations, consumption pattern, physical and psychological health, social networking, and ways of socializing. The low fertility rate and population aging will not only bring socio-political and strategic changes in different countries, but also impact international relations and geopolitics, which could affect global cooperation given the complex political and legal systems followed by countries around the world. The author is deputy head of the Aging Society Research Center at the Pangoal Institution. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The US Coast Guard suspended its search efforts for missing cruise ship passenger Ronnie Lee Peale Jr. late Wednesday, fearing he has since drowned. In a statement, the Coast Guard said the decision to suspend the search for the 35-year-old was something they "never...take lightly." Peale was last seen aboard the cruise ship Carnival Magic at around 04:00 Monday morning when the ship's CCTV footage caught how he leaned over the balcony of his cabin and slipped overboard off the coast of Florida. The ship was returning to Norfolk following a routine cruise to the Bahamas. FBI Takes Over Investigations The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has also been involved in piecing together the details about Peale's disappearance. "The FBI typically has jurisdiction to investigate incidents on the high seas and works closely with our partners in law enforcement and in the cruising industry to collect the evidence and facts of cases," said a representative from the FBI. Investigations also look at why Blosser failed to report her partner earlier in the day, but Blosser said Peale was drinking on the night before the incident. Loved Ones Missing Peale Peale was accompanied by his partner Jennilyn Michelle Blosser, who was devastated by the incident. She described Peale as "the life of the party" and enjoyed every minute of the cruise until the incident. "I never could have imagined something like this could happen," Blosser wrote in a now-deactivated GoFundMe appeal. Meanwhile, Peale's mother, Linda, told local media her son was a "wonderful man" and looked forward to the cruise as it was his first time doing so. "It was just a special time because he'd never been on a cruise," she said. @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Chinese finance hub is pivoting to embrace crypto despite high-profile failures in recent months, including the meltdown of trading platform FTX, which wiped out more than $1.5 trillion in the market. Hong Kong launches retail-friendly rules for crypto exchanges/ illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com China has had a strict crypto ban since 2021, but in Hong Kong -- which operates on a separate legal framework -- trading has been allowed though unregulated, meaning individual investors use unlicensed platforms. The regulatory regime launched Thursday means that after a one-year transition period, all crypto exchanges in Hong Kong must be licensed, and will be able to take on retail clients. "(The sector) fundamentally is going to stay despite all the risks... These activities have to be allowed in a regulated way," the city's financial services and treasury chief Christopher Hui told AFP. The new rules have an emphasis on investor protection measures, like requiring exchanges to vet their clients and limit their risk exposure, as well as restricting trade to "large-cap" tokens such as bitcoin. Crypto exchange OKX -- founded in China but now based in Seychelles -- told AFP it was "committed to the Hong Kong market" and will apply for a licence. "Hong Kong is making concrete strides and is building confidence among industry players," said Lennix Lai, OKX's global chief commercial officer. Regulators said they hope to move quickly to issue the first licences. But a prominent activist investor in Hong Kong said Thursday the new policy lends credibility to a risky sector and endorses speculation. "Hong Kong has a history of jumping onto financial bandwagons just as the wheels are falling off," David Webb, a former investment banker, told AFP. The government may say the new crypto regime is similar to that of traditional finance, but Webb said the "analogy breaks down" as most crypto -- unlike stocks or futures on companies and commodities -- have no intrinsic value. "There's no reason why (the government) should encourage people to bet on someone else paying more for something that has no fundamental value," Webb said. Last year, the city said HK$1.7 billion ($217 million) was lost to crypto-related scams, which police attributed to criminals taking advantage of the public's lack of sector knowledge. The new rules ask exchanges to conduct a "holistic assessment" of a client's understanding of digital currencies before taking them on, but give no specifics. One company licensed under Hong Kong's previous regime tells its prospective clients to take a screenshot showing they have finished watching 13 instructional videos in a free online course. But they "DO NOT need to complete any programme assignments or take any tests", it wrote on its website. Regulatory framework needed to boost Vietnams crypto scene While cryptocurrency exchange providers must go through a stringent selection process to obtain a licence in Singapore, with the same upcoming in Hong Kong, exchanges like Binance or Remitano can freely operate in Vietnam without a financial service provider licence, and investors who make capital gains on crypto do not have to pay any taxes. Indonesia sees 32 billion USD investment in EV battery chain (Photo source:auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com) Jakarta - Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on May 30 revealed that the country can receive an estimated 31.9 billion USD in investments for project tied to battery supply chain by 2026. According to the minister, with the country rich in nickel used in batteries for electric vehicles (EV), the government wants to see more investment in nickel downstream sectors to boost economic growth. He said the Kalimantan region can receive 12.35 billion USD in investment while North Maluku and Sulawesi can attract 9.78 billion USD and 9.84 billion USD in battery supply chain projects, respectively. To encourage investment from emissions-conscious investors, the Indonesian government has touted the North Kalimantan industrial park on Borneo island as "green, with a plan to power activities there with hydropower. Companies have committed to producing aluminium there. Luhut said that the North Kalimantan industrial park can house projects that could produce batteries with a total capacity of 265 GW hours and petrochemical, iron and steel, alumina and silicon industries. Indonesia is known for its abundant coal supply and use, and the country is trying to cut emissions and promote tougher environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. The minister warned that his ministry will shut down factories which do not comply with ESG, adding that Indonesia will not allow deep sea tailings disposal - a controversial method of releasing waste materials into the ocean - for high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) operations, and will encourage companies to turn the waste into useful materials. Indonesia,UK cooperate in developing electric battery Indonesia's Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia and Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade of the UK Nusrat Ghani have discussed downstreaming investment opportunities in the critical mineral sector and electric battery development. Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) Hanoi - After receiving numerous opinions on the amendment of fire safety regulations, the Ministry of Construction recently requested a review and revision of the national technical standards for fire safety in buildings and construction projects. Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi has issued an urgent decision to conduct a comprehensive review of all fire safety issues in construction activities. The Institute of Construction Science and Technology of the Ministry of Construction is to coordinate with the Fire Prevention, Firefighting, Rescue and Emergency Department of the Ministry of Public Security, as well as other relevant units. A review of the content of national technical standards for fire safety in buildings and construction projects is being conducted to identify the specific obstacles and causes. Based on the review, proposals will be made to amend the contents of the technical standard for fire safety, named QCVN 06:2022, aiming to complete the system of standards and technical regulations for fire prevention and firefighting in buildings and construction projects. The Minister of Construction has also assigned the task of compiling and revising the QCVN 06:2022, ensuring the standards based on science and compliance with relevant laws and regulations in Vietnams practical conditions. According to the representative of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment, the decision of the Minister of Construction is based on the proposal of this unit. According to the decision, the specialised agencies of the Ministry of Construction will rely on feedback documents to review and approve fire prevention and firefighting aspects for project evaluation, design evaluation, as well as inspection and acceptance of construction works from 2013 to the present. Recently, the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment, together with a working delegation from the Fire Prevention, Firefighting, Rescue and Emergency Department, visited production facilities to gather information. Most of the existing obstacles are found in projects constructed before 2021. Some construction works were built several decades ago, and over time, the buildings and workshops have been expanded. However, the standards apply only to newly constructed projects. For such old construction works, there are confusions whether the new standards should be applied to the entire project or to related sections during repairs or renovations. According to QCVN 06:2022, this standard is only applicable within the scope of renovation and repair and specifically in cases where the renovation or repair increases the fire risk of the facility. The standard does not apply beyond the scope of renovation and repair. Regarding the regulations on the use of fire-resistant building materials, including fire-resistant paint, the representative of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment also mentioned that there were opinions stating that QCVN 06:2022 requires fire-resistant paint types that are not available in Vietnam. However, in reality, QCVN 06:2022 and its previous versions only provide fire safety requirements for building materials without specifying the use of specific materials. If the components or structures do not meet the fire resistance limits corresponding to the fire rating of the building or construction project, additional fire protection measures must be implemented. The fire protection solutions recommended by experts include using fire-resistance paint, tile cladding, concrete, using ordinary mortar including cement mortar, fire-resistant mortar, or encasing with concrete to form a composite structure, or replacing it with other materials such as steel instead of concrete. On the occasion of Workers' Month (May 2023), Nestle Vietnam has cooperated with its partners to deliver nutritional products to disadvantaged personnel in some provinces. Through these units and organisations, nearly 125,000 Nestle Vietnam products, including MILO barley milk, MAGGI soy sauce, and NESCAFE coffee, have been delivered to staff members. In May, Nestle Vietnam accompanied the Golden Heart Charitable Social Fund, under the Dong Nai Labour Confederation, to donate 2,600 gifts to union members, employees, and poor patients in Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Dong Nai. In April 2023, Nestle Vietnam, the labour confederations in Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, and Tien Giang, as well as agencies under the Golden Heart Charitable Social Fund, organised activities to grant gifts. The gifts sponsored by Nestle Vietnam have been delivered to nearly 1,000 union members and other members of staff in difficult circumstances in these localities. The support is part of a series of Nestle Vietnam's corporate social responsibility activities to encourage employees to overcome difficult circumstances. This is an activity under the Nestle Cares initiative, which demonstrates Nestle Vietnam's strong commitment to contributing to the development of prosperous communities, improving conditions, and raising the quality of life of Vietnamese people. After 28 years of development, creating shared values has always been at the core of Nestle Vietnam. Thanks to its efforts and achievements, Nestle Vietnam has been honoured in the Typical Enterprise for Labour rankings continuously for 3 years. This is an annual programme hosted by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, together with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It aims to honour the enterprises that have made great efforts to improve their working environment and take care of the material and spiritual lives of employees. Thus, the workforce can unlock its full potential and contribute to the company's sustainable development. Nestle drives Vietnam's transition to sustainable food system Nestle has extensive experience in developing agricultural economic clusters to promote a sustainable food system. Nestle Vietnam focusses on digital transformation throughout its supply chain Nestle Group is pioneering in the application of digital transformation throughout its logistics activities in the Vietnamese market. Vangelis Vitalis - New Zealands Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade What was achieved at the eighth meeting of the Vietnam-New Zealand Economic and Trade Committee? Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang and I focused on practical things that will benefit our businesses, and also benefit New Zealanders and Vietnamese on both sides, because of the way in which we can support trade flows. We discussed some of the customs procedures on both sides that would make it easier for our companies to export to one another. We also discussed the need to have electronic certification and to set up a process by which we could audit each others horticulture sectors, which our two leaders say are essential. For example, when they agreed on the export of Vietnamese limes and pomelo to New Zealand, we were able to send squash and strawberries to Vietnam. Besides that, we agreed to increase work together to find ways to facilitate more of this kind of trade. In addition, we elaborated on the bilateral relationship. Our leaders committed to making the strategic partnership grow so that bilateral trade can reach $2 billion. We are nearly there and at the meeting, we talked about how to get the extra bit more as soon as possible. These were very much about practical things to support exporters to do more business, and to create more trade between our two countries. In November last year, Vietnamese passion fruit and grapefruit were officially allowed to be imported into New Zealand. How has New Zealands market received this development, and can Vietnamese fruit compete there? Vietnam has a strong reputation, particularly for producing high-quality and tasty fruit. Our prime minister said lime is the green gold that Vietnam has produced for us. New Zealand cant grow the kinds of lime and the quality of lime that Vietnam can produce. We certainly cant grow pomelo, and Id like to think that we can grow strawberries and squash in a way that Vietnam cannot, and so we have complemented one another. In the future, we can send products like kiwi and apples that we grow well, and Vietnam will send us the products that it grows well, such as tropical fruit. And for now, were really pleased for the strawberry farmers in New Zealand and the squash producers to export their products to Vietnam for the first time. Do you have any suggestions for other Vietnamese products to head to your country? Im a big fan of the mango and so I would certainly welcome more Vietnamese mangos in New Zealand. We talked to the deputy minister of industry and trade at the meeting about the chance for more joint trade-economic cooperation and how we facilitate more of that trade, in terms of items like that. But the idea is that we can try to find a way that doesnt involve just thinking about individual products, as that takes everyone involved a long time. Both sides need to think about how we could do this for a much bigger range of products across the whole horticultural sector, so that Vietnam can send us products and we can send other items back, which are good for both economies and good for consumers. Vietnam and New Zealand are both members of new-generation multilateral trade agreements. How can we make the best use of the cooperation and preferential mechanisms that mutual free trade agreements bring? The first thing we need to do is we need to find ways to educate our businesses about the opportunities that exist in our markets because of the advantages we now have from these trade agreements. In terms of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, we have expedited customs procedures so that products that arrive in Vietnam will be cleared within six hours of customs. For Vietnam, we also have additional fast track certification requirements, which means that Vietnamese producers can sell more quickly into our market. But Im certain that many Vietnamese and New Zealand businesses are not aware of this massive advantage they have over their competitors. For us to compete in the Vietnamese market, our big competitor is Chile, but Chile doesnt have the same free trade deals so we are hopeful that we offer a bit of an advantage to New Zealand producers in the Vietnamese market, and for Vietnam. Recent changes happening in our two economies will be the driver of growth between us, and these agreements that weve negotiated are just enabling this trade. Our job is now to make sure that businesses and individuals take advantage of these agreements. Prime Minister of New Zealand starts official visit to Vietnam Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern arrived in Hanoi on November 14, starting a four-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of her counterpart Pham Minh Chinh. New Zealand and Vietnam propel new collaboration Vietnam and New Zealand have found fresh ways to increase bilateral trade on the back of free trade agreements, of which they are members. New Zealand strengthens educational cooperation with Vietnam New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's visit to Vietnam from November 14 to 17, along with a trade and education delegation, highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation in education between the two countries. Vietnam's Direct Investment Abroad & in Myanmar debuts for first time On May 31, International Investment Study Institute Co., Ltd. (ISC) launched the new book, which is a remaking of the first book providing an overview of outward foreign direct investment by Vietnamese businesses. The book focuses on analysing Vietnam's current direct investment situation, both in overview form and focusing on particular countries and territories. It is based on an in-depth analysis of the production and business results of many selected enterprises, representing each specific industrial sector, as well as each region. The book also analyses the legal and policy systems of the host countries, as well as those in Vietnam that target outbound investment and international investment practices, to highlight the opportunities and the difficulties for Vietnamese enterprises when investing abroad. The book offers recommendations on improving the current laws and policies on Vietnam's outbound investment, providing practical lessons learned from Vietnamese enterprises, and shows case studies from foreign experts about their experience managing and operating their investments overseas. According to the editorial board, the book is written with an acknowledgement that the data relating to outward foreign direct investment globally for 2022 and has yet to be officially published. As the data relating to Vietnams direct investment abroad is incomplete and not yet synchronised, the authors had to collect the figures from many sources, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), ASEAN, the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and a field survey to Myanmar. As stated by the editorial team, after the publication of the Report on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Vietnam 2021, the ISC concentrated on producing an in-depth study based on the clear consciousness that fostering FDI and Vietnam's direct investment abroad is vital as the countrys becomes increasingly integrated and implements many free trade agreements. What is more, Vietnams economic landscape and management capabilities have been improved, especially in comparison with those of 35 years ago. Attracting FDI and investing overseas to promote socioeconomic growth is a common aim of countries all around the world, especially developing nations with specific advantages. Vietnamese firms have been conducting investment overseas for many years and witnessed great achievements, however, there are still issues that need to be solved. Dr. Phan Huu Thang, chairman of the editorial team said, The re-evaluation of Vietnamese overseas direct investment activities, achievements, and unsolved problems in an objective and scientific manner has become a must for all state management agencies and the Vietnamese business community. The book, published by ISC together with the Vietnam-Myanmar Friendship Association, aims to solve all these urgent requirements. In the opinion of experts at the launch ceremony, looking back at Vietnam's direct investment journey overseas can provide policymakers and businesses with a view of the effects of deeply integrating into the regional and global economy. Nevertheless, due to the economic limitations, investors have to move in line with the level of development of the national economy, as well as the countrys international relations and its own status in the international arena during each period of time. However, the experts said that there is inevitably a lack of synchronisation and incomplete legal documents for Vietnam's direct investment abroad and the state management of investment activities overseas, which has slowed down the development process and reduced efficiency. Therefore, although there have been initial successes, with a number of Vietnamese corporations that have built their brands abroad and brought profits back to the country, there remain certain obstacles. What led to the initial successes and failures of Vietnams direct investment activities abroad? What can be done to promote the benefits and overcome the shortcomings? What is the most effective way to maintain growth momentum and enhance sustainable integration for both Vietnam and the country receiving the investments? How can Vietnam be promoted as a developed country with significant economic and technological potential in the countries and territories where it is conducting investments? The book seeks to provide insights into all the aforementioned questions, Thang added. The book combines four chapters: Chapter I: The foreign investment activities of countries around the world Chapter II: Vietnam's outbound direct investment Chapter III: Vietnam's Investment in Myanmar - trends and prospects Chapter IV: Orientations and solutions to promote Vietnam's overseas direct investment in the coming period Building on cooperation towards common prosperity With open and transparent attraction policies and a favourable, stable, and constantly improving business environment, Vietnam has gained many achievements in attracting foreign investment. Quality and quantity advances sought The scale and quality of foreign-led projects in Vietnam have been fostered thanks to the promulgation of new policies to improve the investment environment. PM orders enhancement of foreign investment attraction efficiency Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed a directive clarifying tasks and solutions to enhance the efficiency of foreign investment attraction in the new period. At the meeting, Karan Adani, CEO of APSEZ and Nguyen Canh Tinh, CEO of VIMC discussed the cooperation possibilities between the two sides. Tinh said that VIMC's fleet in India had received cooperation and support from Adani. As a government-run enterprise, VIMC will implement a strategy of strong breakthroughs in maritime service infrastructure, development of seaports, especially deep-water seaports in key economic regions of Vietnam. VIMC and APSEZ signed a MoU on May 24 VIMC has always considered Indian enterprises like Adani Group as an important strategic partner in developing its shipping fleet, container fleet in inner Asia and the world, including the Indian market to develop a connection chain with key economic regions of Vietnam, Tinh said. Adani said that VIMC and Adani were both leading enterprises in the maritime sector in each country, making important contributions to the countries economic development, and having similarities in providing world-class maritime services. He believes that the combination of experience and expertise of VIMC and Adani will contribute to improving the supply chain between Vietnam and India, helping to boost trade between the two countries. The signing of cooperation today will be an initial milestone between the two parties, creating the premise for more specific steps in the fields of shipping, logistics, and maritime services, Adani said. In the same week, Adani also had meetings with the Ministry of Transport, Vietnam Maritime Corporation and Saigon Port JSC on business opportunities. More private capital required for seaports A downturn in exports may prompt the private sector to reevaluate its investment plans in the nations seaports, which are estimated to require over $13 billion by 2030. Soc Trang seeks feasibility report on Tran De Seaport Soc Trang Peoples Committee is proposing developing Tran De Seaport under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and, to promote the venture as an investment opportunity, is seeking the Ministry of Transports approval to use local budgetary funds to draft a feasibility report for its construction. India's Adani Group proposes $2 billion seaport in Vietnam The Indian-based conglomerate Adani Group has proposed developing a $2 billion seaport in Vietnam, while also investing in wind and solar power plants. Hanoi - The World Bank (WB) on May 31 approved a 176-million-USD loan to fund a fisheries project that aims to improve fisheries management, enhance the value of fisheries production, and raise incomes for coastal communities in the Philippines. Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA) The project is expected to benefit more than 1.5 million fisherfolk, small-to-medium businesses, and residents in coastal communities, the multilateral lender said in a statement. According to the WB, the fisheries sector contributes 1.3% to the Southeast Asian country's gross domestic product. It provides approximately 1.6 million jobs, or around 4% of the labour force, including for low-income families engaged in subsistence fishing. However, the sector has faced challenges, with fish stocks declining by an average of 20% over the past decade due to over-exploitation, destructive fishing methods, habitat degradation, and negative impacts from land-based activities. This project aligns with the country's commitment to environmentally sound practices in fishing and aquaculture while ensuring improved incomes for those involved in the sector, said Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. The long-term goal is to foster enhanced community resilience in these coastal regions, which will be reflected in thriving fish stocks, improved food security, reduced poverty and heightened competitiveness in key seafood commodities, he added. Philippines, Japan agree to boost economic, security cooperation President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to strengthen economic and security cooperation between the two countries. DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) One moment Lexus Berry and her wife were rushing toward the door of their fourth-floor apartment, and the next, Quanishia Peach Berry was gone. Their apartment had disappeared into a heap of bricks and steel far below, leaving Lexis Berry running by herself to a stairwell in the teetering building, panicked that she might never see her wife again. The moment that we hit the door, it started to shake and rattle and literally it all just happened in the blink of a second the floors caved in, like collapsed, Lexus Berry said Wednesday. So as the floors were falling, and she was falling four stories down, there were still two stories above her falling and two stories falling above me. It was all crumbling. The six-story building in downtown Davenport partially collapsed just before 5 p.m. Sunday, but it took hours before rescuers found Peach Berry trapped in the rubble and then determined one of her legs would need to be amputated to pull her free. Lexus Berry gave her assent. Doctors removed the leg and rushed her to a hospital, mindful that the remainder of the building could come down at any time. Its definitely something thats like a miracle that shes here, Lexus Berry said. Due to the circumstances, they had to make a judgment call. And thats the best thing for her, honestly, because shes still here. As Peach Berry recovered in the hospital, crews in Davenport puzzled over next steps for the unstable structure, where five residents remained unaccounted for and officials feared at least two of them might be stuck in a mound of debris at the base of the 116-year-old building. Officials have said the building is continuing to shift and they need to bring it down, but they think any effort to find remains in the debris pile could cause the rest of the structure to collapse. Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel said there were 53 tenants in the 80-unit building, and now most of them are struggling to find housing and start rebuilding their lives. They have not been allowed into the apartments to retrieve belongings, though crews were able to rescue some pets Tuesday. Toriana Hill and her 3-year-old son Nassir Gladney were among those who sought help Wednesday at a newly opened American Red Cross shelter several miles from the downtown building. They were in their top-floor apartment when their dog, Luna, began barking. Hill heard other booming sounds but figured they were from the busy street below, until neighbors began screaming. She checked the hallway and found the lights were out. Hill picked up her son and fled but debris blocked one staircase, forcing her to find another toward the back of the building. It was bricks already falling so Im like, how the hell am I going to do this, how the hell am I going to do this? she said. I just kept running. I kept running until I hit the first floor, and by the time I made it to the door, I dont know if it was the police officer or the fireman snatched me up, but I was just happy I made it out. Hill is looking for a new apartment and is hopeful shell find something soon. City officials didnt release new details about its plans for the building Wednesday, but at about 6 p.m. the city released hundreds of pages of documents, including structural engineering reports, violation notices and resident complaints, according to the Quad-City Times. Among the documents was an inspection report by Select Structural Engineering, hired by building owner Andrew Wold to advise on building work, that described patches of brick facade that were separating from the building. The report noted bulging that needed to be secured to keep the entire face of the building from falling away when the bottom area(s) come loose." The newspaper also published comments by Ryan Shaffer, a co-owner of a masonry company that was doing work near the now-partially collapsed building. Shaffer said Wold asked him for a quote for work on the building but rejected it as too costly. In part, Shaffer said, the high cost was because of a need to support the building. I said, If we dont do it this way exactly, Im not putting my guys in there. Somebody is going to die, he said. Wold released a statement dated Tuesday, his first comments since the partial collapse, saying our thoughts and prayers are with our tenants" and that his company, Davenport Hotel, L.L.C., is working with agencies to help them. County records show Davenport Hotel, L.L.C. acquired the building in 2021 in a deal worth $4.2 million. The city later declared the building a nuisance due to numerous solid waste violations, and a judge ordered Wold to pay a $4,500 penalty after he did not appear in court. Tuesday, the city filed a new enforcement action against Wold, saying that he had failed to maintain the property in a safe, sanitary, and structurally sound condition before the collapse. The city is seeking a $300 fine. Emails sent to an attorney believed to be representing Wold have not been returned. On Tuesday, city officials said they feared that two residents were stuck inside the rubble and that it was too dangerous to search the debris. Another three people remained unaccounted for Tuesday, but officials said they might not have been in the building when it began collapsing. Protesters have been pushing to thoroughly search the building and debris before the city moves ahead with plans to demolish the rest of the structure. Officials had planned to begin staging the site for a tear-down as early as Tuesday morning but they delayed their efforts after a woman was found Monday evening. Fire Marshal James Morris said explosives will not be used on the building, which is near other structures and is unstable and continues to worsen. He said there will be an investigation into what caused the collapse but that its unclear so far whether a criminal investigation is warranted. Soon after the the Davenport Hotel, built in 1907 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, partially collapsed, officials said crews escorted 12 people from the building and rescued several others later. This story has been corrected to show that the city is seeking a $300 fine from the building owner, not $3,000. McFetridge reported from Des Moines, Iowa, and Ahmed from St. Paul, Minnesota. Senegal's main city of Dakar was rocked by new protests on Thursday, June 1, after an influential opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, was given a two-year prison term for corrupting youth. Therefore, this ends his prospects of running for president in 2024. Political Implications Sonko, now 48 years old, was accused of raping and threatening to kill a 20-year-old masseuse in 2021. He claims the accusations against him are based on political motives and that he is innocent. Sonko was found not guilty of rape, as reported by CNN. However, he was found guilty of immoral conduct with minors or individuals younger than 21, which is a different crime under the penal code. According to electoral rules in Senegal, this might exclude him from voting in the next elections in February 2024. Bamba Cisse, one of Sonko's attorneys, said that the punishment disqualified him from running for office. Meanwhile, university legal professor Ndiack Fall said that Sonko has the right to request a new trial if he turns himself in. Plagued by Violent Demonstrations Since 2021, when the rape allegation first came to light, the nation in West Africa has been plagued by violent demonstrations. According to a Reuters report, the accusations have been slammed by Sonko's supporters, who see it as an attempt to prevent him from competing in the next election. The official government and legal establishments, however, deny this. The African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF) party, which is run by Sonko, has claimed that the ruling is part of a political scheme. The group has urged the public to go to the streets in protest. Demonstrators attacked riot police with rocks and set fire to buses on a key university campus, releasing a cloud of thick black smoke. Cops reportedly fired tear gas. Also Read: Nigeria's New President Sparks Chaos After Halting Fuel Subsidy Amid Rising Petrol Prices Sonko vs. Sall Sonko, a former tax inspector who placed third in the last election, is capitalizing on people's growing dissatisfaction with President Macky Sall, who was first elected in 2012. There have been rumblings that Sall may try to run for president again next year despite the fact that he has already served two terms. His critics claim he has failed to generate employment and has shut down the opposition. Sall has neither verified nor refuted these claims. In response to Sonko's appeals for protest over his legal troubles, many young people have taken to the streets, resulting in security crackdowns and the deaths of several protesters. Riots are rather regular in Senegal, and they tend to spike just before elections. Although Senegal is often considered one of the most successful democracies in West Africa, Sall's second term has been unusually contentious. In a separate case, Sonko is contesting a libel conviction that resulted in a six-month suspended jail term. The impact of the lawsuit on his presidential campaign is unclear at this time. Also Read: Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Orders Son To Resign After Public Outrage Over 'Inappropriate' Behavior @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) A missing emergency room doctor from Missouri was found dead in Arkansas from an apparent gunshot wound, authorities confirmed Wednesday. But they are still investigating what happened in the week since he was last seen. A kayaker discovered the body of 49-year-old Dr. John Forsyth on Tuesday in Beaver Lake, a large reservoir in northwestern Arkansas, the Benton County Sheriff's Office said. No further information would immediately be released, authorities said, and they didn't specify if he was shot by someone else or if the wound was self-inflicted. The doctors unlocked vehicle with his wallet, two phones, a laptop and other items had been found Sunday near a city-run public pool in Cassville, the town in the Missouri Ozarks where he worked, said his brother Richard Forsyth. The body was found at a location about 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, Arkansas authorities say. Cassville is about 200 miles south of Kansas City. Surveillance video from the pool shows John Forsyths black Infiniti pulling into the parking lot, and a white SUV can be seen parking near him a few minutes later, his brother said in an interview Wednesday. Were devastated, especially at the nature of his passing, Richard Forsyth said. He said Wednesday evening that police had given the family no new details other than investigations into his brothers death and how he went missing were continuing in both states. The last time the two brothers met in person was at dinner on Wednesday, May 17. I told him this is the happiest Id seen him in a long time. His divorce was final May 11, and I think that gave him energy for the future, Richard Forsyth said in an earlier interview. John Forsyth had recently become engaged to be married, his brother said, and his fiancee was the last known person to communicate with him, texting at around 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 21. The doctor was reported missing that same day when he didn't arrive for work at Mercy Hospital, police have said. Richard Forsyth said the family was mystified by his brother's death and rejected the theory that he might have taken his own life. I dont believe it, he said. John would never do that. I wont accept that possibility. John Forsyth was the father of eight children, his brother said, and was so dedicated to his work that he never missed a day, stayed in an RV near the hospital when he was on call, and was never late for his difficult shifts in the emergency room. His brother-in-law Jason Musgrave in a call with The Associated Press Wednesday from Ozark, Missouri, also rejected the idea of John Forsyth dying by suicide. I feel like it is foul play. I feel like it has to have been, Musgrave said, adding that it was also hard to imagine that anyone who knew him would want to hurt him. He was funny and engaging and the life of a party, Musgrave said. He said the news that his brother-in-law's body had been found had hit the family like a bus full of bricks. Messages seeking comment from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Cassville police on Wednesday were not immediately returned. When the doctor's vehicle was found, several law enforcement agencies searched about a 9-mile (15-kilometer) radius around the aquatic park using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information. Gina Forsyth-Farlaino said her brother was smart, confident, loved to help people and was devoted to his family. In the days since his disappearance, she said the family has heard at least three stories of people who he persuaded not to take their own lives. But Forsyth never mentioned those cases to his family, she recalled in an interview Wednesday from Price, Utah. I miss him terribly, Forsyth-Farlaino said. And Im devastated that hes not here. Associated Press writer Lisa Baumann contributed from Bellingham, Washington. DETROIT (AP) A lawsuit can go forward against a Michigan official who flashed a rifle during a public meeting over video conference, a federal appeals court said Wednesday. Patricia MacIntosh is suing Ron Clous, alleging he tried to silence her right to free speech when he displayed the rifle during a 2021 meeting of Grand Traverse County commissioners. Clous has no governmental immunity at this stage of the litigation, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a 2-1 opinion. Virtually smirking and displaying a high-powered rifle at someone during a tension-filled public meeting is pregnant with dangerous meaning, said judges Jane Stranch and Stephanie Dawkins Davis. The incident occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when the county board met over video conference. During the public comment period, MacIntosh urged commissioners to make a statement opposing anti-government militia groups, a few weeks after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. That's when Clous, a commissioner who was participating from home, left the screen and returned with a rifle. In response to the lawsuit, an attorney for Clous argued that displaying the rifle was his own expressive conduct protected by the Constitution. But the appeals court said it could be considered an adverse action. Clous didn't seek reelection in 2022 and is no longer a county commissioner. In a dissent, Judge Jeffrey Sutton said no legal precedent fits to keep MacIntosh's free speech retaliation lawsuit alive. Think of what happened, he said. A side view of Commissioner Clouss lawfully possessed rifle. In that officials own home. For a few seconds. During a virtual Board of Commissioners meeting. With everyone participating from the safety of their own homes. Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez BRANDON, Miss. (AP) An intruder who went into a Mississippi home armed with three guns and wearing a bulletproof vest took a woman hostage and later shot two police officers, killing one and wounding the other during an eight-hour standoff Thursday that ended in his death, police said. The violence took place in the Jackson suburb of Brandon, where officers had called in backup from several law enforcement agencies. Among those responding was Madison Police Department fficer Randy Tyler, who died after he was shot twice in the chest with a rifle, Brandon Police Chief Wayne Dearman said. Tyler had worked for seven years as an officer in Madison, another Jackson suburb. The Madison department said he was a member of its special response team and directed the training of newly hired officers. Tyler previously retired as police chief in nearby Ridgeland. Today, Mississippi grieves for Officer Tyler, his loved ones, and the rest of the law enforcement community, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said in a statement. His courageous sacrifice likely stopped others from being killed or injured. Dearman said at a news conference that the shooter was identified as 22-year-old Gabriel Matthew Wilson, from the city of Pearl. Brandon police received a call at 1:20 a.m. that a man in a tactical vest with two handguns and a rifle was trying to break into a home that had two women inside, Dearman said. He said investigators believe that one of the women was Wilsons girlfriend. The chief said one woman escaped quickly and Wilson held the other one hostage until police brought him water that he demanded. Officers left the water inside the house and walked out, and the hostage escaped unharmed. From our conversations with him, he was there and he was looking for a fight, Dearman said. Wilson's mother was at the scene assisting police in talking to her son, the chief said. Dearman said that several hours into the standoff, two officers were standing outside when Wilson starting shooting toward them from inside the home. The gunfire wounded one of the officers, who works for the Brandon Police Department. Dearman did not release that officer's name but said he was shot in the side while wearing a bulletproof vest. Hours later police sent a drone into the house, and its video showed Wilson lying on a mattress, Dearman said. A team of officers went inside to try to end the standoff. I think the drone may have hit a ceiling fan, Dearman said. When he woke up from that point, he grabbed the rifle again, and that's when he fatally shot the officer (from) Madison. After Wilson fired several shots, he added, some of the team members wound up having to subdue the subject. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is examining the case, as it does with most shootings of or by law enforcement officers in the state. Afterward the MBI will give its findings to the state attorney general's office, Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bailey Martin said. This story has been corrected to show that Randy Tyler had worked for the Madison Police Department for seven years, not eight. Witnesses testified in a Waco court Wednesday that they believe former Clifton police Officer David Christopher Boen Jr. touched a 15-year-old boy inappropriately after a wedding in June 2017. Chris got him drunk and touched his (genitals), said the girlfriend of the alleged victim, who is now 21. Boen, 34, of Waco, is on trial this week in Wacos 19th State District Court on a second-degree felony charge of indecency with a child by contact. Boens defense attorney, Aubrey Robertson, objected to the testimony from the girlfriend, who has been dating the young man since shortly after the alleged incident, as hearsay. McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Tara Avants told Judge Thomas West the testimony should be allowed because it is based on what the young man told the woman in the immediate aftermath of the alleged incident. West allowed it. According to the Boens arrest affidavit, the young man told a forensic interviewer in November 2018, when he was about 16, that Boen was speaking with him about sex at the June 2017 wedding reception. After Boen allegedly made inappropriate comments to the 15-year-old, the boy exposed himself to Boen to invalidate Boens assertions that the boy was aroused by the conversation, police reported at the time. Boen then touched the boys genitals before he pulled away from Boen and Boen turned and walked away, according to the affidavit. Boen had been an officer with the Clifton Police Department for less than a month at time of his arrest. Before that he worked as a deputy constable in McLennan County Precinct 1 and as a corrections officer at McLennan County Jail. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement did not immediately respond Wednesday to the Tribune-Heralds questions about the status of Boens peace officer license. The girlfriend told the jury the young man was trigged one evening in November 2018, when he saw Boen at the restaurant where he worked. Through tears, she told the jury it was very hard for the young man to speak about it. Robertson asked if she was at the wedding. She said no. He asked if everything she knows about the night of the wedding had been told to her by the young man. She said yes. Robertson asked if she knew that another of the young mans close friends did not believe him at the time. She said this surprised her. The young mans brother-in-law told the jury he had considered Boen a part of the family before he found out about what the young man said happened the night of the wedding. I lost my best friend, the brother-in-law, who is now a sheriffs deputy in Hill County, said of the night in November 2018 when he found out about the young mans allegation. The brother-in-law said that before he found out, Boen had gone to all his family events, particularly those for his own young children. Afterward, he no longer associated with Boen. Im a peace officer and that allegation is what I consider a heinous crime, the brother-in-law said. I cant associate with anyone I believe did this. The brother-in-law said he told the young mans family member who called him for advice to report the act to law enforcement. While the young mans mother was on the witness stand, Boens defense attorneys attempted to ask her how her son responded to Boen at a pool party in the months after the incident. She said she did not recall the pool party and did not usually go to family events at that particular home. Defense attorney Vic Feazell asked her if she had thrown two of her daughters out of the house for becoming pregnant out of wedlock. Prosecutor Elizabeth Buice objected, questioning the relevance. Feazell said the question is relevant to a defense theory that young man made the accusation against Boen out of fear of his mother. The mother said no. On redirect from Buice the mother said she was not happy that her daughters became pregnant out of wedlock. She said it went against everything she was raised to believe. Waco police arrested a Marlin man Thursday and charged him with second-degree felony manslaughter in a May 17 car crash that killed an 81-year-old woman and sent a 3-year-old girl to the hospital. Lee Jordan Murrow, 31, was charged with manslaughter, as well as injury to a child, a state jail felony; and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, according to jail records. He remained Thursday morning in McLennan County Jail, with bond set at $21,000. Waco police spokesperson Cierra Shipley said in a press release that Murrows reckless driving caused the fatal crash. According to the related press releases from May 17 and 18, the crash occurred around 12:15 p.m. in the 1000 block of North Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The press release says a Mazda 5 was traveling south on MLK Boulevard when it made a U-turn and was hit by a second vehicle, which caused the two cars to collide with a third. Shipley said Lee was driving the second vehicle, a BMW. The passengers of the Mazda were ejected and transported to a local hospital, the press release says. The passengers were Dorthey Small, of Fountain, Colorado, who was pronounced dead at the hospital, and a 3-year-old girl, who suffered minor injuries in the wreck, the press release says. The occupants of the other vehicles were expected to be OK, according to the press release. Friends of retired Waco school librarian Beulah Barksdale are remembering her in a way the veteran storyteller and informal historian would appreciate, with stories of their own. Everyone who knew Beulah had a Beulah story, retired Waco Independent School District educator Hazel Rowe said of her colleague and longtime friend. She was one of a kind and we are better people for having known her. Her head and heart were always busy. Barksdale died Sunday at the age of 91. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul AME Church, 1302 Herring Ave. She will lie in state from 9:30 to 11 a.m., before the service. Barksdale left her mark on multiple Waco communities through her years as an instructor at Paul Quinn College, then Kirk Wilson, Alta Vista, Parkdale and J.H. Hines Elementary Schools; storytelling, including years with the Heart of Texas Storytelling Guild; her advocacy for education; deep knowledge of Waco history; community work with the Waco chapter of The Links Inc., which she co-founded, and the national sorority Delta Sigma Theta; dedication to her church, St. Paul AME; and a stunning doll collection with thousands of dolls and plenty of background stories. Born Beulah Elizabeth Ewing in San Marcos, she grew up in Waco, graduating from Moore High School, then going on to Fisk University in Nashville, graduating with a bachelors degree in 1952 and returning to Waco to work as an instructor at Paul Quinn College. She later earned a degree in library service from Atlanta University and became a school librarian. She and her late husband, Ralphael Barksdale, a longtime Waco ISD principal, made Waco history themselves in the early years after Waco ISD became racially integrated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was one of the first Black principals of a predominantly white school after integration and she is believed to be one of the first Black librarians in Waco ISD, although the district was unable to confirm that. "She was a consummate lover of books. She loved books and she loved turning kids on to reading," Rowe said. Barksdale and her students often dressed up as characters in books, with parades, displays and dioramas that connected kids with books. At the same time, students who were casual or negligent in how they handled books, or inattentive in their school behavior, would soon see Barksdale's sterner side, Rowe said. Barksdale retired in 1990 after some 38 years in education, but never slowed down, friends and colleagues said. Vivian Rutherford, president of the Heart of Texas Storytelling Guild, remembered her as a fellow librarian, a mentor and someone passionate about storytelling. She loved storytelling. It was her life, Rutherford said. Barksdale regularly took part in the guilds Walking Tales at Oakwood Cemetery, often telling the story of Waco timber magnate and philanthropist William Cameron. She knew Waco history back and front and could talk about people and make history come alive, Rutherford said. Barksdale is pictured in a mural panel on the side of the East Waco Library, a nod to her time at Paul Quinn College and her deep involvement in East Waco history. She was a wonderful community servant and certainly a social butterfly. She loved community, said the Rev. George Johnson, former pastor at St. Paul AME Church and now presiding elder of the Paul Quinn District of the Northwest Texas Conference of the AME. Johnson said Barksdales years of service and church work led to her consecration as deaconess on Sept. 14, 2018, at the Northwest Texas AME annual conference, one of the AMEs highest levels of service. Waco Cultural Arts Director Doreen Ravenscroft said Barksdale brought memorable tenacity and good humor to her involvement in multiple arts and history projects in the community. Barksdale often shared items of Waco or Black history from her collection with community events such as the Waco Cultural Arts Festival and had a collection of walking sticks, many from her African trips, with their own stories attached. The two women often had tea together and Barksdale was a seemingly infinite source of stories, regardless of the subject. You could sit and listen to her for hours, Ravenscroft said. She was one of the landmark people of Waco. It would have been lovely to have one more cup of tea with her. Two bills sitting on Gov. Greg Abbotts desk could free up state funding to renovate or replace the Hilton Waco next to the Waco Convention Center. House Bill 5012 would add Waco to the list of eligible cities for the states qualified hotel project program. The program grants a 10-year rebate of state hotel occupancy taxes and state sales taxes for the construction or renovation of a hotel within 1,000 feet of a city-owned convention center. Rebated tax revenue begins once a hotel project opens for initial occupancy and can be used for bonds or other certificates of obligation incurred during the project. City Manager Bradley Ford said the amount of the tax rebates has yet to be estimated, but it will be based on the success of the project. That keeping of that revenue is worth, in some cases, tens of millions of dollars over that 10 years, Ford said. The bigger the hotel, the higher revenue it has, the more you would keep. It basically captures the state revenue within a thousand feet. So they basically draw a circle and if theres a 300-room hotel within that 1,000-foot circle, its a lot of money. If its only a 100-room hotel, its less money. House Bill 5012, passed in the House and Senate with amendments Monday, would add Waco to a list of 51 Texas municipalities already authorized to participate in the qualified hotel project program. State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, who represents Waco, sponsored the bill in the Senate. Wacos state representatives, Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco, and Angelia Orr, R-Hill County, voted for the bill in the House. The Hilton Waco, a 195-room facility first opened in 1981, could be the subject of the program as it sits on city property at University Parks Drive and Franklin Avenue. The 11-story building overlooking the Brazos River is owned by Texas Western Hospitality and last underwent a major overhaul in 2008 when an $18 million renovation redid each room, added a ballroom, reworked its exterior and added a restaurant. The idea behind the state-led legislation is that convention centers attract out-of-state commerce with conventions, business meetings and visitors, and can push local revitalization and development efforts, boosting Texas economy. Having functional convention centers with an adequate supply of nearby hotel rooms is critical to event planners looking to bring business to Texas and makes the state more competitive for tourism, according to an interim report from the Texas Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development. Birdwell is chair of that committee, which approved the legislation. Fifty-one municipalities have been authorized to participate in the states qualified hotel project program since it was first approved to assist the city of Houston in 1993. Only 13 projects have actually been constructed and prepared for occupancy. Some $204.2 million had been paid by the state to the projects as of August 2022, including four projects that have reached the end of their rebate period: Dallas Convention Center hotel project, $45.8 million Fort Worth Convention Center hotel project, $26.8 million San Antonio Convention Center hotel project, $34.7 million Houston Convention Center hotel project, $40.2 million. Conventions and Tourism Director Dan Quandt said he was involved with a successful project in Amarillo that was funded through the program. He said it is difficult to estimate how much Wacos project could cost or what the rebate would be because the return on investment is based on what kind of project would be undertaken and how much tax revenue the project can generate. The most important thing about the opportunity that we get out of House Bill 5012 is that its an opportunity, Quandt said. The beauty of this concept is that the actual project generates its own money. Development ideas Even as the funding mechanism is being authorized, city and hotel officials are still discussing what kind of development to do. It could be a renovation of the existing Hilton, or it could involve replacing it with a new hotel nearby, city officials said. A city-commissioned study on the future of downtown, presented in April by the architectural firm Gensler, suggested moving both the convention center and the Hilton to create a vast green space connecting the riverfront to the heart of downtown. The Waco City Council has made no commitment to that vision. Ford said discussions have continued about the idea of razing the Hilton and building a new hotel somewhere close to the convention center. Quandt said it is too early to tell if the project would construct a new hotel or renovate the current one. Either way the existing owner or new developer would have to do their own assessment of how their brand will work within Wacos market and produce a return on investment. Hilton Waco owner Gene Carter said he is open to either option refurbishing the current Hilton or tearing down the facility for a new one and he wants to be cooperative with what the city thinks is best to accomplish something great for the city of Waco. Were in the Waco deal for the long haul, he said. Carter said he was in the process of starting a major improvement plan when the qualified hotel project program came up, but the preliminary property improvement plan he was issued from the Hilton flagship to refurbish the hotel is extensive. The brand recommends redoing the entire interior and some exterior improvements, including outdoor lighting, if the city chooses to keep the building, he said. If the city opts to tear it down itll be another ballgame, Carter said. Carter and the city have met a few times, but have not come to a conclusion on the Hiltons fate. Senate Bill 1420 While the House bill would add Waco to the list of municipalities approved for a qualified hotel project, another bill authored by Sen. Birdwell and awaiting Gov. Abbotts signature includes a clawback provision for future projects requiring that they produce a return on investment or repay the lost tax revenue. One of the things that was important to Senator Birdwell, which we were in agreement with, some of the language you see in here created kind of a return on investment test for the state, Ford said. If theyre going to invest those dollars, it needs to generate new tourism and new visitors and new spending. As soon as the completed hotel project is in operation, under a qualified hotel agreement, the sites developers would keep the state rebate for the first 10 years, said Ashley Nystrom, chief of staff to the city manager. Once the 10-year rebate period is over, the state will determine its return on investment for the next 10 years, she said. Then 20 years after the project is complete the state will either find the project has met return-on-investment measures and move on, or calculate how much the city missed its goal by and issue a bill for the missing amount. This is something that, you know, itll take us a couple years to put the deal together and then 20-plus years later to know if it paid off or not, Ford said. A Baylor University professor said mosquitoes in Waco and McLennan County are a nuisance, but very few people catch mosquito-born illnesses in the area. Biting mosquitoes are certainly a nuisance, but because of the low incidence of mosquito-borne illnesses in the area, we do not consider them a danger, said Jason Pitts, an associate biology professor at Baylor and director of the Texas Mosquito Control Association. Pitts lab at Baylor studies mosquitoes that carry diseases like dengue and Zika. He said a Baylor colleague, biology professor Cheolho Sim, used to run a mosquito surveillance program in McLennan County, but his grant funding the program ran out about five years ago. Pitts said he is not concerned the county has no ongoing mosquito trapping and testing. Most of the trapping and testing of mosquitoes to see if they carry diseases is done in the major metropolitan areas of Texas and the counties that surround them, he said. When Sim was trapping mosquitos, one of Baylors labs would test them for diseases, Pitts said. The most recent cases of mosquito-borne illnesses recorded in McLennan County were in 2016, when eight people had West Nile virus, according to Texas Department of State Health Services records. The records do not indicate any of the eight who had West Nile died. Texas had 128 cases of all mosquito-borne illnesses in 2019, including four that resulted in death, according to the departments most recent statewide mosquito-borne illness report, prepared in 2022 for the year 2019. None of the cases were in McLennan County. West Nile virus is endemic to the United States and Texas, which means the state sees cases of the disease every year in humans and pathogen transmission by mosquitoes every year, said Sonja Swiger, an etymology professor and extension specialist with the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service in Stephenville and the second vice president of the Texas Mosquito Control Association. In Texas, we also have cases of dengue that are travel-associated, meaning the individual contracted the virus outside of Texas but was diagnosed in Texas, Swiger said. Any time doctors or hospitals detect a mosquito-born disease it is reportable to the state, said Dr. Cinthia Gallegos, an infectious diseases physician at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco. If there were any provable cases, these would be reported, Gallegos said. Diseases like West Nile virus, Zika and dengue are spread only by infected mosquitoes, she said. These are transmitted only by a mosquito bite, not from coughing or sneezing or anything like that, Gallegos said. Eighty to 90% of people who have West Nile virus have a very mild case, or no symptoms at all. When residents go outside in the early mornings or evenings when mosquitos are active, public health experts recommend wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants, and insect repellent with DEET. Dumping containers with standing water a couple of times per week will prevent mosquito larvae from maturing. Pitts said he puts a product called Mosquito Dunks, which kills mosquito larvae, in any standing water he finds on his property if it is not in something he can dump out. He recommends that people who have a large number of mosquitos on their property contact a professional exterminator rather than buying spray or chemicals from a store and attempting to treat the mosquitoes themselves. The places where mosquitoes would actually live are not places you would ever think to spray for them, or not easily reached by homeowners, Pitts said. In 10 short years, the United States will have more people older than 65 than those under 18. We will join Japan, Italy, Singapore and South Korea facing a weakened workforce, too few citizens to support their safety net for children and the elderly, and shuttered schools. Ours will not be as challenging a crisis as the above countries because we have historically offset our low birth rate with replenishing immigration. However, the stalemate in reaching immigration reform in our partisan Congress puts us in a dangerous place. For the last seven years, Republicans and the media have directed their attention to the Mexican border. In the process, they have shut down all conversations concerning the need for general immigration reform critical to our economy and the countrys well-being. We need more immigrants, not fewer. The U.S. population has grown for years. That growth is not because our birth rate sustains our population. Our birth rate has steadily declined and is lower than in any other year since 1983. Our current birth rate of 1.6 is significantly below the replacement rate of 2.2. A low-birth-rate asteroid is racing our way. Unless we attend to our immigration policies, we will face the same social and economic havoc that countries with an aging workforce and low birth rates face. Our good fortune of being one of the most highly sought immigration destinations in the world is wasted unless we pay attention to this food that has so bountifully fed us in the past. While the U.S. dawdles, other countries are stepping into the breach to resolve the demographic crunch in their countries. Canada is a prime example. Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world, with 22.3 percent of the country considered immigrants. By contrast, the immigrant population in the United States is 13.6 percent, about the same as a century ago. Canada, the second most popular destination after the United States, is expanding. We are not. The Canadian government perceives further immigration as necessary to combat its shrinking labor population. According to immigration targets from the Canadian government, Canada aims to welcome 465,000 immigrants in 2023, 485,000 newcomers in 2024, and a milestone 500,000 new Canadian permanent residents in 2025.Canada is not the only county aggressively seeking new immigrants while we turn them away. Germany, too, is seeking new immigrants, especially those who fill the countrys workforce needs. Research by the German Institute for Economic Research showed that Germany experienced an economic boom and an inflow of labor, following its immigration policies. Frankfurt, Germany, stands out as a city with the most immigrants and is seeking more focus on software developers, programmers, architects, IT consultants, nurses and teachers. While other members of the European Union resisted absorbing immigrants from northern Africa, Germany welcomed them. Then it required massive numbers to learn the German language and engage in education programs specifically directed to fill needs in faltering occupations. While it may be true that our national unemployment rate currently hovers around 3.5 percent, the number hides occupations that face critical needs, such as farm workers, doctors, nurses, teachers and caretakers, to name a few deficits significantly pronounced in rural areas. While immigration at our southern border needs attention, we are remiss in not attending to the broader immigration problem looming soon. We are missing an opportunity other countries are addressing, leaving us in the dust. At Mobile Office Hours, Ricketts staff will be on-site to assist Nebraskans with their casework needs. If Nebraskans cant get an answer in a timely manner or feel they have been treated unfairly, Ricketts and his staff may be able to help resolve the issue or help them get in touch with the correct people. (Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images) By a vote of 52-46, the US Senate approved a resolution rejecting the execution of the student loan relief plan of President Joe Biden. The US Senate rejected President Joe Biden's plan to erase more than $400 billion in student loan debt on Thursday. This move puts forward an anticipated veto from the White House. By a vote of 52-46, the Senate approved a resolution denouncing the Department of Education's execution of Biden's proposal. Democratic Senators Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, and Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema joined all 49 Republicans in voting to stop the loan bailout, contributing to this result, Fox News reported. Republicans contended that the program was unjust to individuals who either never took out student loans or had already paid them off, and the House voted to end it by a margin of 218 to 203. This eventually led to the Senate's decision. Senators Manchin, Tester, and Sinema voted for the bill as moderate Democrats teamed up with Republicans to approve it. According to Politico, Joe Biden's student loan relief proposal was condemned by Senator Manchin as being "reckless" and adding to the US debt. He voiced worry that the idea would burden taxpayers who had previously returned their student debts or chose not to seek further education. Senators Mark Warner and Michael Bennet abstained from the vote. Read Also: NASA Experts Hold First Public Forum to Discuss UAPs Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Faces Challenges The White House noted that President Joe Biden must now decide whether to reject the bill or defend his student debt forgiveness scheme, per NBC News. However, two cases that the conservative-leaning US Supreme Court is anticipated to decide on this month may provide another substantial obstacle for Biden's student debt relief proposal. Separately, the Senate is also considering the US debt ceiling agreement President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached. If passed, this proposal will recommence federal student loan repayments at the end of August after they were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, despite Republican efforts to do so, the debt package does not include clauses that would prevent Biden's student debt forgiveness plan from being implemented. Related Article: Prudential CFO Steps Down After 'Code of Conduct' Probe @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Vintage Aviation News staff did not write this article; the content comes via our partners who wish to help $upport our website. Military aviation is a field that is just a young century or so old. Despite its limited timeline, the rapid advancement of technology has seen it go from simple powered flight to AI-led systems capable of covering tens of thousands of kilometres without any human interaction. Indeed, the history of military aviation is as fascinating as it is surprising, as you will soon discover with this article. So much so, its had an impact on many other aspects of the general history of mankind including online games, believe it or not! Did you know, there are even online slots based on this interesting topic? NoDepositWorld has an entire catalogue of licensed operators offering such games centralized around this theme, so we suggest you check them out. Today, we cover the most influential moments in military aviations history, from the beginning up until now. 1. The Wright brothers take off Aviation history was born in 1903 when the Wright brothers achieved the worlds first powered flight. The internal combustion engine allowed the first-ever flight to last for a grand total of 12 seconds and 120 feet, which was shortly followed by another flight lasting 59 seconds and 852 feet. Obviously, the second flight was the one that managed to capture the worlds attention. Both Orville and Wilbur went on to further the aviation community even more, although Wilbur passed away just nine years later from Typhoid. 2. World War I Even though powered flight was still in its infancy, World War 1 proved to be a testing ground for air-to-air combat. Initially, aircraft were not equipped with munitions, with the battle being done simply with guns held by humans, but soon enough these were mounted to make life easier for those in the air. Dogfights were born in World War 1. 3. Aircraft carriers come in to land In the late 1910s and early 1920s we saw the first naval aircraft carriers emerge. These massive ships were designed specifically to carry aircraft. Back in the times, we didnt have large aircraft so for lengthy and geographically disparate operations, there was a need to deploy ships. 4. The jet engine The 1930s and 40s were when the jet engine was invented, with Frank Whittle being the inventor of the turbojet engine. It wasnt until later that jet engines were used in fighter jets, which became the weapon of choice during World War II. For countries that had jet-powered fighter jets, they were able to outplay their enemies during air battles. 5. Atomic bomb dropping In the mid-1940s the devastating atomic bombs, Little Boy and Fat Man, were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. These two bombs were both deployed by Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers which had been redesigned to make room for the bombs themselves. The effects were devastating for the people of Japan and the fallout from the bombs persisted for many, many decades. In the context of technology for the military, the nuclear race was on. 6. US Air Force Space Command The U.S. Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), established in the 1980s, signalled a move towards more long-range capabilities and defense needs for the United States. The agency, now rebranded as the US Space Force in 2019, is in charge of such fields as satellite military operations, early warning systems, and other long-range communication systems. Now, 40 years later, long-range complex communications are more important than ever. 7. September 11 September 11, 2001, marked a significant time in military aviation history. It was the first time that multiple commercial airliners were hijacked in unison for shared common suicide missions. The methods the coordinators went to in organizing the extremely complex operation ensured that commercial aviation worldwide changed forever. We now have far more strict rules for screening in airports everywhere. 8. UAVs go long-range The MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper of the 90s and early 2000s were the first UAVs that really showed off what unmanned drones were capable of in actual military operations. While the general public was stunned by these aircrafts capabilities, those within the military community were not surprised to see the release of these drones in practice. From these first deployments, UAVs have not skyrocketed in their capabilities, making for a large component of many operations. 9. Advanced air defense systems Along with military aircraft, comes the need to counter air-based attacks. While air defense systems have been around since military aircraft were first released, it was until the past few decades that advanced air defence systems like Integrated Air Defence Systems (IADS) have become more sophisticated. These systems rely on complex networks, systems, radar tech, and missile defense munitions to deflect modern air attack systems. 10. AI for military aviation The emergence of AI from research and development over the last 20 years means that military aviation has come along in leaps and bounds, particularly within the realm of UAVs. AI systems such as tactical decision aids, image recognition, anomaly detection, and even data-driven maintenance. This is expected to grow exponentially over the next 10 to 20 years as we enter the golden age of AI. Vintage Aviation News staff did not write this article; the content comes via our partners who wish to help $upport our website. More than 600,000 Americans have lost Medicaid coverage since pandemic protections ended on April 1. And a KFF Health News analysis of state data shows the vast majority were removed from state rolls for not completing paperwork. Under normal circumstances, states review their Medicaid enrollment lists regularly to ensure every recipient qualifies for coverage. But because of a nationwide pause in those reviews during the pandemic, the health insurance program for low-income and disabled Americans kept people covered even if they no longer qualified. Now, in whats known as the Medicaid unwinding, states are combing through rolls and deciding who stays and who goes. People who are no longer eligible or dont complete paperwork in time will be dropped. The overwhelming majority of people who have lost coverage in most states were dropped because of technicalities, not because state officials determined they no longer meet Medicaid income limits. Four out of every five people dropped so far either never returned the paperwork or omitted required documents, according to a KFF Health News analysis of data from 11 states that provided details on recent cancellations. Now, lawmakers and advocates are expressing alarm over the volume of people losing coverage and, in some states, calling to pause the process. KFF Health News sought data from the 19 states that started cancellations by May 1. Based on records from 14 states that provided detailed numbers, either in response to a public records request or by posting online, 36% of people whose eligibility was reviewed have been disenrolled. In Indiana, 53,000 residents lost coverage in the first month of the unwinding, 89% for procedural reasons like not returning renewal forms. State Rep. Ed Clere, a Republican, expressed dismay at those staggering numbers in a May 24 Medicaid advisory group meeting, repeatedly questioning state officials about forms mailed to out-of-date addresses and urging them to give people more than two weeks notice before canceling their coverage. Clere warned that the cancellations set in motion an avoidable revolving door. Some people dropped from Medicaid will have to forgo filling prescriptions and cancel doctor visits because they cant afford care. Months down the line, after untreated chronic illnesses spiral out of control, theyll end up in the emergency room where social workers will need to again help them join the program, he said. Before the unwinding, more than 1 in 4 Americans 93 million were covered by Medicaid or CHIP, the Childrens Health Insurance Program, according to KFF Health News analysis of the latest enrollment data. Half of all kids are covered by the programs. About 15 million people will be dropped over the next year as states review participants eligibility in monthly tranches. Most people will find health coverage through new jobs or qualify for subsidized plans through the Affordable Care Act. But millions of others, including many children, will become uninsured and unable to afford basic prescriptions or preventive care. The uninsured rate among those under 65 is projected to rise from a historical low of 8.3% today to 9.3% next year, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Because each state is handling the unwinding differently, the share of enrollees dropped in the first weeks varies widely. Several states are first reviewing people officials believe are no longer eligible or who havent recently used their insurance. High cancellation rates in those states should level out as the agencies move on to people who likely still qualify. In Utah, nearly 56% of people included in early reviews were dropped. In New Hampshire, 44% received cancellation letters within the first two months almost all for procedural reasons, like not returning paperwork. But New Hampshire officials found that thousands of people who didnt fill out the forms indeed earn too much to qualify, according to Henry Lipman, the states Medicaid director. They would have been denied anyway. Even so, more people than he expected are not returning renewal forms. That tells us that we need to change up our strategy, said Lipman. In other states, like Virginia and Nebraska, which aren't prioritizing renewals by likely eligibility, about 90% have been renewed. Because of the three-year pause in renewals, many people on Medicaid have never been through the process or arent aware they may need to fill out long verification forms, as a recent KFF poll found. Some people moved and didnt update their contact information. And while agencies are required to assist enrollees who dont speak English well, many are sending the forms in only a few common languages. Tens of thousands of children are losing coverage, as researchers have warned, even though some may still qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. In its first month of reviews, South Dakota ended coverage for 10% of all Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in the state. More than half of them were children. In Arkansas, about 40% were kids. Many parents dont know that limits on household income are significantly higher for children than adults. Parents should fill out renewal forms even if they dont qualify themselves, said Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. New Hampshire has moved most families with children to the end of the review process. Lipman, the states Medicaid director, said his biggest worry is that a child will end up uninsured. Florida also planned to push kids with serious health conditions and other vulnerable groups to the end of the review line. But according to Miriam Harmatz, advocacy director and founder of the Florida Health Justice Project, state officials sent cancellation letters to several clients with disabled children who probably still qualify. Shes helping those families appeal. Nearly 250,000 Floridians reviewed in the first month of the unwinding lost coverage, 82% of them for reasons like incomplete paperwork, the state reported to federal authorities. House Democrats from the state petitioned Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to pause the unwinding. Advocacy coalitions in both Florida and Arkansas also have called for investigations into the review process and a pause on cancellations. The state is contacting enrollees by phone, email, and text, and continues to process late applications, said Tori Cuddy, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Cuddy did not respond to questions about issues raised in the petitions. Federal officials are investigating those complaints and any other problems that emerge, said Dan Tsai, director of the Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services. If we find that the rules are not being followed, we will take action. His agency has directed states to automatically reenroll residents using data from other government programs like unemployment and food assistance when possible. Anyone who cant be approved through that process must act quickly. For the past three years, people have been told to ignore the mail around this, that the renewal was not going to lead to a termination. Suddenly that mail matters, he said. Federal law requires states to tell people why theyre losing Medicaid coverage and how to appeal the decision. Harmatz said some cancellation notices in Florida are vague and could violate due process rules. Letters that shes seen say your Medicaid for this period is ending rather than providing a specific reason for disenrollment, like having too high an income or incomplete paperwork. If a person requests a hearing before their cancellation takes effect, they can stay covered during the appeals process. Even after being disenrolled, many still have a 90-day window to restore coverage. In New Hampshire, 13% of people deemed ineligible in the first month have asked for extra time to provide the necessary records. If you're eligible for Medicaid, we don't want you to lose it, said Lipman. Clere, the Indiana state representative, pushed his states Medicaid officials during the May meeting to immediately make changes to avoid people unnecessarily becoming uninsured. One official responded that theyll learn and improve over time. Im just concerned that were going to be learning as a result of people losing coverage, Clere replied. So I dont want to learn at their expense. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. USE OUR CONTENT This story can be republished for free (details). BRUSSELS The European Union has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change and the protection of nature for years, but 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 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 EU's trading system for greenhouse gases. However, cracks in the European united front against climate change 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 was 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 past 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 EU's 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 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. "That's why I'm asking that we press the pause button," he told VRT network. "Let's 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 found allies at the European Parliament, where members of the biggest group, the Christian Democrat EPP, 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 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. The EU commission 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 don't 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." 25 terms you should know to understand the climate change conversation 25 terms you should know to understand the climate change conversation Weather Climate Ice sheet Global warming Carbon dioxide PPM Methane Emissions COP and UNFCCC Tillage Fossil fuels Ocean acidification Particulate matter INDC Sea ice IPCC Greenhouse gas Global average temperature Biofuels Pre-industrial levels of CO2 Ozone Sea level rise Algal bloom Renewable energy Mitigation CEDAR FALLS Troopers arrested a woman in the area of U.S. Highway 218 and Lone Tree Road for child endangerment Saturday after she allegedly drove under the influence with a 7 year old in the back seat. Jaronda Lesha Washington, 50, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was reportedly driving a silver Dodge Avenger at 75 mph in a 65 mph zone when she was pulled over at 7:27 a.m. In the center console were a couple of cannabis blunts, responsible for a strong odor of marijuana that led to sobriety testing by the officer, according to court records. She admitted to having smoked cannabis at 3 and 6:15 a.m. and having taken multiple medications the night prior at about 9 p.m., including fluoxetine and other anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and PTSD medications, the records state. She was charged with possession of the controlled substance and first-offense operating under the influence. Additionally, she and the child had a no contact order with Ricardo Dale Smith, the passenger in the front passenger seat. He was placed under arrest for violating the order. WATERLOO An Iowa City woman faces several theft and burglary charges in Waterloo. Jordan Lynne Hanrahan, 20, allegedly stole a 1995 Cadillac DeVille at 115 Western Ave. and was charged with second-degree theft. Police responded at 5:30 a.m. Thursday to a report of a stolen vehicle. Officers later located Hanrahan, who allegedly admitted stealing the car, intending to drive to Cedar Rapids, and told them where to find it. Officers recovered the vehicle on U.S. Highway 20 at mile marker 66. Hanrahan also has been charged for an incident at 1122 W. Mullan Ave. after the owner of a 2011 Kia Sorento LX called and provided video allegedly showing her taking debit and credit cards from the vehicle, as well as a drivers license. Fraudulent transactions of $84.53 and $4.81 were completed, resulting in two counts of fraudulent credit card purchases. Similarly, she allegedly broke into a 2011 Toyota Rav4 at 1244 W. Mullan Ave. Credit and debit cards were stolen. CEDAR FALLS Mayor Rob Green, City Administrator Ron Gaines and Public Safety Director Craig Berte have recommended Acting Chief John Zolondek be the permanent replacement for retired chief John Bostwick. The City Council will vote on confirming Zolondeks appointment at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 220 Clay St. He beat out Chris Ledeker, former fire and emergency medical services chief of the Arkansas City Fire Department in Kansas. A total of 11 applications were received for the job. Zolondek began serving in the Cedar Falls fire division as a paid-on-call firefighter in 2008 but was originally hired as a police officer in 2007. He had been a military police officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 2002 to 2008. In addition to acting chief, hes served as a public safety officer, investigator, lieutenant and captain. The City of Davenport plans to provide $6,000 in aid to displaced residents of 324 Main Street, city officials announced Thursday. Tenants in surrounding buildings that had to vacate as well as businesses forced to close will also receive some city aid, said Bruce Berger, the community planning and development director. The aid is set to come from the city's COVID-19 relief allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, and is subject to council approval, which Berger said would likely come at the next meeting so aid could be rolled out late next week. Residents forced to vacate surrounding buildings could apply for $1,000, Berger said. Businesses at 324 Main St., would be eligible for $25,000 from the city, and adjacent businesses, $5,000. Berger said impacted residents and business owners could apply at a Saturday event hosted by the Red Cross. The Red Cross with 15 other agencies is holding a resource center for displaced residents at the downtown Davenport Bittner YMCA Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Red Cross Executive Director Trish Burnett said residents will be able to meet with case workers to connect them with resources, including mental health resources, now and in the future. Berger said the city wanted the aid to be as flexible as possible and didn't place any restrictions on what residents could spend it on. Asked about how residents who lost identification or had no computers would be able to access the city program, Berger said there would be "a little bit of paperwork" that could hopefully be completed on Saturday, but that the city would complete follow-ups with tenants. Separately, by declaring the building collapse a disaster, the state is offering grants of up to $5,000 for households at or below 200% of the poverty level. Mayor Mike Matson said the city talked with Surfside, Florida, area officials earlier today, getting their advice. Surfside had a condominium building collapse in 2021, killing 98 people. It's the city's second press conference of the day regarding the partial building collapse this weekend. At the one held at 10 a.m. this morning, city officials said two of the five people who had been unaccounted for were located. The third person still missing has been named as Daniel Prien, along with Branden Colvin and Ryan Hitchcock. The city has said those three residents' apartments were in the collapsed portion of the building, and had a "high probability" that they were home. The Fire Chief said Monday morning there were no known individuals in the building and the city transitioned from rescue to recovery efforts. City officials then said demolition was expected to commence on Tuesday, but hours later a woman was rescued from the fourth story of the intact portion of the building. On Thursday, city officials gave no update on the timeline for demolition, but said they planned to do so sensitively. Reports from the Bettendorf firm hired by Andrew Wold to assess work at 324 Main St. document the building's problems before its partial collapse on Sunday, May 28. Following are excerpts from those documents. Feb. 8: The back wall posed a risk Feb. 2, 2023, an emergency site visit was performed after concern that the west exterior wall had a spot where brick was cracked and crumbling. This engineer determined that this is not an imminent threat to the building or its residents, but structural repairs will be necessary, wrote professional engineer David Valliere. Valliere reiterated there are two east-west beams in the west wall that needed to be shored. With those secured, the reconstruction of the wall could commence. The height of the wall should be replaced as well, he said. He recommended a CMU (concrete masonry unit) wall. The new CMU wall need not replace the entire west side of the building, but rather only the approximately 12-foot wide area from a window opening (currently boarded up) to an adjacent wall area of CMU, he wrote. It is also recommended to replace the brick wall in segments, and to shore/support the wall above in said segments. Villiare said this would minimize the amount of time the building would be unsupported while construction commenced. He gave specific instructions on what needed to be done for the new wall. The purpose of the staged and incremental demolition and reconstruction of wall segments is to minimize the risk of local structural failures, he said. Feb. 23: A new problem emerges During a follow-up, Valliere said the mason pointed out that the area to the north of the work area was potentially dangerous beneath its facade. Bi-State Masonry was working on the repairs recommended in the report issued Feb. 8, he said. They appear to be going according to plan, he said. What has recently come to the attention of the team is that this area has a large void space, roughly 12-14 wide, between the clay brick facade and CMU (concrete masonry unite) layer. This void appears to have been caused by the collapse of some mass of clay brick between the facade and CMU. Valliere said the collapsed mass was now settled and piling against the inside of the facade, pushing it outward. This will soon cause a large panel of facade to also collapse, creating a safety problem and potentially destabilizing the upper areas of brick facade, he wrote. This condition was not visible in the early inspection(s) and did not become apparent until repairs were under way and an opening was made by a smaller area of failing facade. The mason and engineer on site agreed the best solution was to remove the facade in the area in a safe, controlled manner and construct a second, outer layer of CMU from the ground up, about 15-18 feet. On March 1, Valliere emailed Davenport's Chief Building Official Trishna Pradhan, saying he had last been on the site on Feb. 23 and the work was being done per his design. "Bi-State Masonry is doing a good job from what I can see," the email said. May 23: The wall continues to bow Valliere followed up and noticed several large patches of facade separating from the building. The firm warned portions were ready to fall immediately and would create a safety hazard for cars and passersby. Valliere said the owner blocked off the area with cones and started to remove drywall from inside the wall to get a view of what was going on. The report also noted two former window openings, roughly 12-by-6 feet, that were bricked over years ago. The facade on and between those was bulging and, looks poised to fall. In anticipation of them falling, the brick above the windows needed to be secured, the report stated. This is to keep the entire face of the building from falling away when the bottom area(s) come loose. The same temporary facade support as was recommended on February 9th, 2023, may be used here too, he noted. After ripping out drywall, Select Structural confirmed the windows were never filled with brick or rock but facade was placed over the openings, unsupported. This lack of bracing helps explain why the facade is currently about to topple outward. The brick facade is unlikely to be preserved in place, but it can be brought down in a safe, controlled manner, he said. The firm gave recommendations on how to secure the window openings, then said it would need to be reinforced before the facade was replaced. This time, the new facade would need to be braced against the structural wall with brick pintles to keep it secure. Just north of the window openings was another issue, he wrote. The wall appeared to be losing stability and was causing deformation. The wall was visibly bowing. The firm said the culprit could be a weak beam and said a steel column to support it would alleviate the pressure. Valliere signed the letter by saying the opinions and recommendations in the report were based on field measurements and observable conditions, not an assessment of the non-structural elements of the local building code or an in-depth analysis of the full structure. Building collapse day 3 DES MOINES Former President Donald Trump kept up a steady drumbeat of criticism of his chief rival Ron DeSantis on Thursday, jumping immediately on remarks by the Florida governor on the campaign trail to try to highlight his own strength as the leading GOP presidential candidate. Trump, appearing in Iowa as DeSantis campaigned in New Hampshire, made a point of telling about 200 members of a conservative club gathered at a Des Moines-area restaurant that they could ask him questions an offer that came not long after DeSantis snapped at an Associated Press reporter who asked him why he didnt take questions from voters at his events. A lot of politicians dont take questions. They give a speech, Trump said to the audience, many of whom wore red Make America Great Again hats espousing his political movement. Trump also sought to capitalize off a remark by DeSantis that it felt like it would take two terms in the White House to really roll back the actions of the Biden administration a veiled reference to Trump, who can only serve one more term. Who the hell wants to wait eight years? Trump said Thursday, claiming he could unwind President Joe Bidens policies within six months. DeSantis, asked about the former presidents comment while leaving a voter event in Rochester on Thursday afternoon, noted Trump had already had a chance to fix the nations problems in his first term in office. Why didnt he do it in his first four years? Their campaign appearances Thursday displayed an early tableau of the Republican primary thats just getting underway: Trump hammering DeSantis and promising to use a return to the White House to quickly unwind his successors work, while the governor limits his replies and direct critiques, pitching instead to nationalize his aggressive governing style. Both men are portraying themselves as the stronger fighter for conservative causes and their partys best chance to block Biden from reelection next year. Thursday was the first time both were on the campaign trail meeting with voters since DeSantis announced his candidacy for president last week. At his first event in Laconia, New Hampshire, on Thursday, DeSantis left the stage without inviting any questions from voters, which is typically expected of presidential candidates competing for voters in the first-in-the-nation primary state. DeSantis also didnt take any questions on stage from voters in Iowa during his time in the state earlier in the week. While posing for pictures and shaking hands with voters afterward, DeSantis was asked by the AP reporter why he wasnt taking questions from voters. People are coming up to me, talking to me, what are you talking about? Are you blind? he said. Are you blind? People are coming up to me, talking to me whatever they want to talk to me about. Alan Glassman, treasurer of the state GOP, attended the event and was disappointed that the Florida governor didnt include a question-and-answer period. Glassman and his wife decided to skip any subsequent events of the day given that DeSantis wasnt likely to take unscripted questions. This is NH. The reality here is the vast majority of political people here in NH, we do our due diligence. We want to know where these people stand. And a lot of that is hearing from them and then asking them questions, Glassman said. Im just hoping that next time the governor does show up here, hell actually be doing some more interaction with the people, Glassman said. In Laconia, DeSantis turned his focus to Biden, criticizing him for championing a move to demote the early-voting state from its prominent role picking presidential candidates. He said the president was wrong to back a Democratic National Committee move to have New Hampshire hold its Democratic primary the same day as Nevada as part of a major shake-up meant to empower Black and other minority voters critical to the partys base of support. The Republican Partys calendar is decided separately but the Democrats changes have irked members of both parties in New Hampshire. Im glad Republicans are holding the line and committed to New Hampshire, DeSantis said. He used a similar line tailored to the local voters when acknowledging that New Hampshire, like Florida, does not collect personal income taxes. Youve got this one little outpost in New England thats holding the line, he said. Trump is in Iowa nearly three weeks after canceling his last event, a large rally near Des Moines, due to a tornado warning, reluctantly ceding the spotlight to DeSantis as the governor crisscrossed the state ahead of his campaign launch. In addition to Laconia, DeSantis New Hampshire tour included planned stops Thursday in Rochester, Salem and Manchester. He planned to campaign Friday to South Carolina, another prominent state on the presidential voting calendar. Trump, after appearing Wednesday night at a GOP legislative dinner in Des Moines, appeared Thursday morning at one of the twice-monthly breakfasts of a conservative club at a restaurant in Urbandale. The Westside Conservative Breakfast events are a long-standing stop for Republican candidates for all levels of elected office, including presidential hopefuls. The former president later had lunch with faith leaders, and was scheduled to visit with activists and supporters. Thursday afternoon, he was set to participate in a town hall with Sean Hannity taped in the Des Moines suburb of Clive. The town hall aired at 9 p.m. Thursday on Fox News. DeSantis stop in New Hampshire is scheduled to look similar to his Iowa swing, with a series of appearances around the state and one event billed as a fireside chat with his wife, Casey DeSantis. As Trump and DeSantis make their pitch to GOP voters, the Republican presidential field is shaping up to become even more crowded. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to launch a Republican presidential campaign June 6 in New Hampshire. The next day, both Mike Pence, Trumps former vice president, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum are expected to announce campaigns of their own. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and biotech entrepreneur and anti-woke activist Vivek Ramaswamy are among the other candidates already in the race. Price reported from New York and Beaumont reported from Urbandale, Iowa. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report. Countries the world over have their version of Father's and Mother's Days, but almost nobody is aware of the one day when we can celebrate both parents at the same time - the Global Day of Parents. Our parents (or at least parental figures) were the first ones we looked up to when we were older - they helped us nurture our talents, teach us right and wrong, and helped us become who we are now. It's only right and proper to be grateful for everything they did together as they are. Interestingly, the UN recognizes the Global Day of Parents as an event worth celebrating, but who or what started it in the first place? Global Day of Parents - How It Came To Be The UN mentioned on its webpage for Global Day of Parents came to be when it began focusing attention on the issues related to the family. It said that the Commission for Social Development made a resolution based on the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council requesting the UN Secretary-General to enhance awareness among decision-makers and the public of the problems and needs of the family. The request also covers effective ways of meeting the same needs as well. As such, the UN, in its resolution 44/82 of Dec. 9, 1989, proclaimed 1994 as the International Year of the Family, and that May 15 would be observed as the International Day of Families in resolution 47/237 of 1993. However, it was only in 2012 that the UN General Assembly proclaimed June 1 as the Global Day of Parents to honor parents worldwide. Days of the Year mentioned in its report on Global Day of Parents that the UN wants to recognize parents' vital role in providing sustenance, protection, and the tools needed for their kids to have positive development. Read More: Riot Games Delays LCS 2023 Summer Split Following Walkout Vote How To Celebrate Global Day of Parents The Techy Way People have their own way of honoring and recognizing their parents' efforting in raising them properly, but the technological advancements of our time made it possible to connect to them whenever we want. It opens other means to connect with our parents that would be unthinkable in the past. Here are some ideas on how to celebrate Global Day of Parents: Video Call Them Parents are human beings too, who feel the same feelings you do on a daily basis. Sure, they probably have a job to do or chores to finish, but at the end of the day, they'll think of the times when you're around. Ringing them up for a video chat would not only make their day, but it would also make them feel loved and appreciated. Send Them A Gift Online Mother's Day and Father's Day may be good opportunities to give each of your parents a gift or two, but you don't have to spend so much to show your gratitude and appreciation to them. Sending them their favorite food through a delivery app, gift certificates, and even a gadget that would help them with their daily lives would go a long way to help them in their lives. Spend Time With Them Online Video calls are all well and good, but if you want to spend more time with your parents online, you'd want to have something to help you prolong the time you spend with your parents. Playing a simple online game, messing around with filters, and sending pictures would go a long way to make both your days. Related Article: Earth Day - Why Do We Celebrate It on Apr. 22? Ron DeSantis has made a four-stop blitz through Iowa during his first full day of presidential campaigning. He's aiming for a personal connection with voters even as he intensifies his criticism of former President Donald Trump. The Florida governors first appearance was the floor of Port Neal Welding in Salix, a rural town near Sioux City. DeSantis made subsequent Wednesday events in Council Bluffs, Pella and Cedar Rapids. He's packing in early stops in the state where caucuses kick off the Republican presidential primary voting. From there, he will head later in the week to New Hampshire and then South Carolina. Former Vice President Mike Pence will launch his presidential campaign during a Des Moines rally on June 7, a source familiar with Pences plans confirmed. The former vice president has made frequent visits to Iowa as he explored a bid for president. He will join several other presidential contenders at Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernsts annual Roast and Ride fundraiser on Saturday, days before the planned campaign launch. He plans to campaign in all 99 counties, according to multiple reports. CNN will host a town hall with Pence at Grand View University at 8 p.m. June 7, the same day his campaign is set to launch. Pence has made education, LGBTQ issues and civility in politics a focus of his early campaigning, taking particular aim at an often-maligned gender support policy the Eastern Iowa Linn-Mar school district adopted last year. If a school in the heartland of America, where a student would have to come in with a permission slip from their parents to get a Tylenol from the school nurse but could get a gender transition plan without ever notifying their parents, as I said then Ill say it again: Thats not bad policy. Thats crazy, Pence said during a Des Moines visit last week. Hes also drawn contrast with his former boss and soon-to-be primary opponent, former President Donald Trump. In his bid to overturn the 2020 election Trump urged Pence to stop the certification of the results, and said Pence did not have the courage to do what should have been done during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Pence said this year there can be no tolerance for the violence seen on Jan. 6, drawing comparisons to protests in many cities in 2020 against police violence. Before being selected as Trumps 2016 running mate, Pence was the governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017 and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013. Pence is polling around 5.5 percent in FiveThirtyEights national Republican primary polling average, trailing Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He drew 5 percent of support in a recent Emerson College poll of Iowa Republican voters. Chris Christie, N.D. governor also set to announce presidential bid North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is set to join the growing field of Republicans seeking the party's 2024 presidential nomination. Burgum, a wealthy software entrepreneur, is expected to launch his campaign during a June 7 event. Burgum is scheduled to make a special announcement about the 2024 presidential race in Fargo, where he helped build Great Plains Software, according to a media advisory. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is set to announce his 2024 presidential campaign Tuesday at a town hall in Manchester, N.H., according to NBC News and The Washington Post. Christie finished 10th in the 2016 Iowa caucuses and dropped out of the race after finishing sixth in the New Hampshire primary. He endorsed Donald Trump, and later was named the head of Trumps transition team, only to emerge as a vocal critic of Trump after the then-president refused to concede his loss to Joe Biden in 2020 and pushed claims of widespread election fraud. Trump by far remains the leading Republican front-runner in the polls, both nationally and in Iowa. Hinson announces 3rd annual BBQ Bash Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion, announced she will host her annual BBQ Bash on Aug. 6 at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids. Special guests and additional details will be announced in the coming weeks, according to her campaign. Hinsons fundraiser has drawn crowds of hundreds in past years, bringing together Iowans from across the state to hear from nationally prominent speakers. South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, headlined last years event. Previous speakers included Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel and Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who won the 2016 Republican Iowa caucuses. Tickets are available for purchase for $40, and kids 12 and under can attend free of charge. Tickets can be purchased at ashleyhinson.com/bbq Nikki Haleys husband to deploy to Africa as she seeks 2024 GOP nomination Nikki Haleys husband will soon begin a yearlong deployment to Africa with the South Carolina National Guard as his wife campaigns for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Our family, like every military family, is ready to make personal sacrifices when our loved one answers the call, Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina governor, said in a statement provided to The Gazette. We could not be prouder of Michael and his military brothers and sisters. Their commitment to protecting our freedom is a reminder of how blessed we are to live in America. Michael Haley is a major in the South Carolina Army National Guard. It will be his second active-duty deployment overseas since he joined the Guard as an officer in 2006. He previously deployed to Afghanistans Helmand province with the National Guard from January to December 2013. A person with knowledge of Michael Haleys deployment told The Gazette on Wednesday that he will begin deployment in the coming weeks and likely remain deployed through spring 2024. Details regarding the units deployment ceremony were forthcoming, according to the person familiar with upcoming deployment, who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and requested to speak on background without being named. According to the individual, the South Carolina National Guard this spring called officers with Michael Haleys skill set to deploy in support of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). Nikki Haley has been highly critical of Democratic President Joe Bidens competency as commander in chief as she campaigns for the White House. She has also pledged to make cuts in $46 billion in foreign aid to countries that hate us. I am running for president to restore our nations strength, our national pride and our peoples trust, Haley wrote in a February op-ed. Backing American allies and friends like Israel and Ukraine is smart. Sending our tax dollars to enemies isnt. Thats why I will cut every cent in foreign aid for countries that hate us. Tim Scott headed back to western Iowa for Council Bluffs town hall South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, is headed back to western Iowa. Scott will host a town hall Friday in Council Bluffs with Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra before joining Iowa GOP U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst on Saturday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines for Ernsts annual Roast and Ride fundraiser. Eight announced or prospective GOP presidential candidates are slated to speak at the Des Moines event. "I'm excited to be back in the Hawkeye State with my good friends and colleagues Randy Feenstra and Joni Ernst," Scott said in a statement. "Iowans are ready for an optimistic message grounded in conservative values." Photos: Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in Davenport campaigning for president. 051923-qc-nws-haley-145 051923-qc-nws-haley-144 051923-qc-nws-haley-143 051923-qc-nws-haley-140 051923-qc-nws-haley-141 051923-qc-nws-haley-142 A rural water system in northwest Iowa would be required to idle its wells near the Ocheyedan River when its flow is too low, according to a Department of Natural Resources plan to keep the river from running dry. The Osceola County Rural Water System had sought the opposite and suggested removing its requirement to photograph the status of the river in low-flow conditions. The utility alleges that its role in the rivers status is relatively inconsequential. But the state seeks to impose more stringent restrictions on the water utility, according to a DNR letter. A two-mile section of the river ran dry last year near May City, mostly because the county pumped water from a nearby quarry that reduced the water table surrounding it, the DNR said. The utility also has wells in the area that contributed to the problem. In 2015, when an smaller section of the river was dry, the utility was the primary culprit, the DNR determined. That led to increased monitoring requirements for the utility. After the river was dry again in September, the DNR asked the utility and the county for proposals to prevent it from happening again. The county said it would limit its dewatering of the quarry to earlier months of the year to reduce the strain on the river. The utility claiming it was being bullied sought to reduce its monitoring requirements. That idea was rejected by the DNR in a recent letter that proposes idling the utilitys wells near the river when the Ocheyedans surface level drops to certain points. It also seeks to prohibit the county from pumping water from the gravel pit from July to September. Its unclear how the water utility will proceed. Doug Westerman, general manager of the Osceola County Rural Water System, did not immediately respond to a request to comment. The DNR asked the county and water utility to reply to its proposals by June 22. Biggest tornadoes in Iowa of the past decade Biggest tornadoes in Iowa of the past decade #15. Nov. 11, 2015 #14. Jun. 30, 2014 #13. Aug. 2, 2014 #12. Apr. 14, 2012 #11. Apr. 14, 2012 #10. Jun. 28, 2017 #9. Apr. 5, 2017 #8. May. 27, 2019 #7. Jun. 12, 2013 #6. Jun. 22, 2015 #5. Jul. 14, 2021 #4. Aug. 20, 2019 #3. Jul. 19, 2018 #2. Apr. 4, 2022 #1. Oct. 4, 2013 The U.S. House was expected to vote late Wednesday on raising the nations debt ceiling to avoid risk of a looming catastrophic default on the nation's debt. Iowas senior U.S. senator, Republican Chuck Grassley, told reporters Wednesday he still is on the fence about the legislation. What Ive studied so far, Id say theres a lot of good in it and then some thats not so good, Grassley told reporters on a weekly conference call. He said he was hesitant to say how he would vote on the bill before passing the House and reaching the Senate with possible amendments. Ive still got three or four days to make up my mind, Grassley said, adding defaulting is not an option, and I feel strongly about that. The bill would extend the debt ceiling for two years, through the next presidential election, in exchange for modest spending cuts. It would cap some government spending for the next two years, speed up the permitting process for some energy projects, claw back unused COVID-19 relief funds, and expand work requirements for those receiving food and temporary assistance for needy families, with carve-outs for veterans and homeless people. Hard-line Republicans have trashed the agreement and urged fellow members to vote no. Theres some good in it and some bad in it, but thats the art of compromise, Grassley said of negotiations between the Republican-majority U.S. House, Democratic-controlled Senate and the White House. Nobody gets 100 percent of what they want in a compromise. Its just that simple, Grassley said. He told reporters he likes the energy infrastructure permitting reforms, expanded work requirements for food stamps and spending cuts included in the bill, but said cuts probably dont go far enough. Lunacy: Grassley votes to repeal student loan forgiveness plan Grassley also voted Wednesday to undo Democratic President Joe Biden's student loan debt forgiveness plan. On a 51-46 vote, the Senate advanced legislation that would repeal Bidens debt cancellation program and end the pandemic-era pause on monthly payments and interest. Biden's plan would forgive up to $20,000 in student loans for Americans who made less than $125,000 in either 2020 or 2021 and married couples or heads of households who made less than $250,000. The plan is already on hold over legal challenges being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Iowa Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird joined five other GOP-led states suing the Biden administration over the presidents plan to forgive billions in student loan debt. Under the Congressional Review Act, the Senate could pass the measure later this week on a simple majority vote. Despite what President Bidens plan suggests, student debt isnt something that can be waived away with somewhat of a magic wand, Grassley told reporters Wednesday. Common-sense Iowans know that once a loan is taken out, it has to be paid back. The Biden administrations plans would transfer the burden of repayment from the original loan holder to the American taxpayer. Grassley said the Senate has an opportunity to put an end to this lunacy, and said he hopes a majority of my fellow senators will join me in voting to scrap the Biden administrations student debt plan and get our financial house in order. Office standing by to help in wake of Davenport building collapse Asked about the partial collapse of a Davenport apartment building over the weekend, Grassley said his office in Davenport is monitoring updates and were standing by to help in any way we can. Grassley said his office was helping a veteran replace medals lost in the collapse. City officials on Tuesday said five residents of the six-story apartment building remained unaccounted for, and at least two of them might be stuck inside wreckage and debris that was too dangerous to search. Grassley thanked emergency personnel who responded to the scene and helped rescue tenants. This is a scary situation, he said. You just dont expect things like this to happen in a major economy, economic country like America. Its more of a third-world situation. First in a series on Cedar Valley Top 10 Nurses. WATERLOO Ask Allie Boyle to name her dream job and her response is, I have it and Im very happy. Boyle, 31, is a labor and delivery nurse at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center. Her job is to help moms safely deliver healthy babies. I love the moms. I love all the babies they fill me with joy, but its the moms that keep me in it. I love empowering women, said Boyle of Readlyn, a registered nurse at MercyOne for the last four years. Boyle has been named one of The Couriers Top Cedar Valley Nurses for 2023. She received 19 nominations, with the majority of comments praising her for providing the best care to her families in the Birth Center at MercyOne. She works with a smile on her face even during the busiest and craziest of times. Her supporters describe her as a blessing to patients and colleagues and, collectively, offered their thanks to Boyle for being who you are and for being amazing! Boyle is humbled by the recognition. I work with the best group of nurses in the world at MercyOne. I feel so fortunate to work with these nurses every day. I go to work and get inspired by them, she said. Boyle once dreamed about becoming a veterinarian. Then, at 18, the Waverly-Shell Rock High School graduate decided she wanted to help people. The first step on her journey was training as a certified nursing assistant. Her responsibilities included providing basic patient care and working alongside nurses to gain real-world health care knowledge. That experience opened her eyes to nursing as a career choice. Thats when I realized I had a love for nursing. I wanted to keep learning and Id never felt like that before. A light bulb went on over my head and I just knew that being a nurse was what I wanted to do. She carried a heavy course load through the demanding registered nursing associate degree program at Hawkeye Community College. Her studies became even more challenging because I was pregnant with my second child, Boyle recalled. She earned her nursing degree in 2017. I got a very good foundation in nursing from Hawkeye, she said. There have been mentors, too, who have offered Boyle guidance, support and advice on building a successful and fulfilling nursing career. Her goal is to be calm and collected, no matter the situation. Boyles nurse colleague Becca Aronson said, Im so proud of her. She always goes above and beyond for her patients and provides the most amazing care. Shes always there when I need her. Boyle started in the pediatrics department and when she moved into labor and delivery, Aronson taught her basically how to be a labor nurse. I think it takes a passion for this. We work weekends, long hours, always away from our families, so you have to love what you do to show up everyday and provide great care. You never know what to expect, Aronson explained. Boyle said, Labor and delivery nurses see women at one of the most challenging and exciting times in their lives, when they are ready to give birth and bring a new little person into the world. Women have a lot expected of them, too. I know what theyre going through because Ive been there. And sometimes, after the baby is born, moms are forgotten. Everyone comes to see the baby and they forget about mom. Thats who I like being there for, too. Boyle needs to be on her toes. Its never a dull moment and things can quickly change. So I try to be the calm in the storm for moms. I want to provide them with support and knowledge. It can be especially scary for first-time moms but its also wonderful. And not everything is happy. When its bad, its the worst, and I have to be strong and support these moms through everything, Boyle explained. Im very happy where Im at in my career but it can be an intense job. Having the time to recharge her energy is important, Boyle said. She enjoys reading and walks but especially loves hanging out with her husband, Lucas, and their daughters, Evelynn, 10, and Brielle, 8. Photos: 2023 Cedar Valley Top Nurses recipients at award ceremony COURIER CELEBRATES CEDAR VALLEY'S TOP NURSES Nurses 2 Nurses 3 Nurses 4 Nurses 5 Nurses 6 Nurses 7 Nurses 8 Nurses 9 Nurses 10 Nurses 11 About the next facts of global surveillance by the United States The Russian competent authorities have established another fact of systematic global surveillance carried out by the US intelligence services over citizens of their own and other countries with the involvement of American IT companies. This time , covert data collection was carried out through software vulnerabilities in US made mobile phones . The revealed facts again convincingly prove what Moscow has repeatedly warned about: US intelligence agencies have been using IT corporations for decades to massively collect data from Internet users without their knowledge. Evidence of such illegal activity appears every year. The question of the need to restore order in this area, develop universal norms of behavior in the digital space based on respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms and the sovereign equality of states was regularly raised at all specialized international platforms. In January 2021, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation adopted a Statement in connection with the violation of the principle of freedom of speech by global American Internet companies, calling for the development of an international convention regulating their activities. Practice shows that Washington is not ready to listen to our proposals. The USA is a state that puts itself above the law. Evidence of the double standards of this country, its intelligence services and companies in the field of international information security (IIB) have been repeatedly presented to the UN. Once again, we call on all interested parties to form clear and fair regulatory mechanisms in the digital sphere, which are mandatory for all states and, in particular, for information and communication technology (ICT) developers. This is the aim of Russian initiatives within the framework of the UN Open-ended Working Group on IIS. <> No state has the right to abuse its technological capabilities in such a sensitive area as access to personal data of smartphone users. WtR Amazon avoids lengthy court procedures again. The popular e-commerce company recently agreed to pay $5.8 million to settle a recently announced privacy lawsuit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed in light of the privacy issues it found in its investigation. Amazon stated it doesn't agree with the FTC's claims despite settling the lawsuit out of court, per Engadget. Amazon Ring FTC Lawsuit details Amazon's Ring unit has become the target of scrutiny yet again. The FTC's lawsuit accused it of unlawfully deceiving its customers over the privacy of their data and the videos Ring collects from its products, per The Verge. According to the FTC's lawsuit, which it submitted in the district court for the District of California, Ring ignored information security considerations when it believed they would interfere with growth. As such, in pursuit of rapid product development, Ring didn't limit its access to customers' video data to employees who needed access to perform their jobs before 2017, such as customer support, product improvement, etc. To further development, Ring gave its employees, including hundreds of Ukraine-based third-party contractors, full access to every customer video, regardless of whether they needed that access to perform their job function. Unfortunately, this meant Ring violated the privacy of both Ring customers and other workers using Ring products. To prove such abuse happened, the FTC listed several cases where hacked to sexually harass and spy on women, stalk female co-workers who used Ring products, utter racially-charged slurs toward children, and more. Read More: LEGO Will Launch a Remote-Controlled NASA Mars Rover Perseverance Model The FTC also made noted that a former Ring employee accessed customers' Ring videos without their knowledge or consent, thanks to the company's decisions. The employee even took the videos with them when they left the company in Sept. 2019 without customers' consent or knowledge - even Ring didn't know that something was amiss until a whistleblower revealed the employee's actions. Furthermore, the government agency claims that Amazon failed to address Ring's privacy breaches after buying the company in 2018, allowing the issues from at least 2016 to persist until 2020. Amazon's Response To The Lawsuit While Amazon paid $5.8 million to settle the lawsuit and resolve the issue out of court, Ring spokesperson Emma Daniels said that the company does not agree with the FTC's claims, saying that Ring already addressed the issues the government agency stated in its lawsuit years ago, well before it began its inquiry. "While we disagree with the FTC's allegations and deny violating the law, this settlement resolves this matter so we can focus on innovating on behalf of our customers," Daniels said. A federal court must approve Amazon's proposed settlement before the company and Ring can formally settle the case. Ring also posted a statement regarding its proposed settlement; the company refuted each of the points the FTC made in its lawsuit. The FTC's lawsuit is the government agency's first action against Amazon since Chair Lina Khan took over the agency in 2021, per the Los Angeles Times. Related Article: UK's CMA Launches Merger Inquiry of Amazon-iRobot Acquisition Answer of the Russian Ambassador to the USA A.I.Antonov to the media question : Dear Anatoly Ivanovich, how could you comment on the military assistance announced by the USA on May 31 to Ukraine? A.I.Antonov: We fix the persistence of the administration in the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis. Local authorities are again proudly talking about providing financial assistance and another batch of military products to their crazed Kiev puppets . At the same time, they are inciting European satellites to fetter Russias technological development with additional trade barriers. And this is right after a series of terrorist attacks by US proteges in Moscow and the Moscow region . Instead of calling the Zelensky regime to account, Washington is demonstratively showing indifference to the crimes of Bandera. Public statements by the White House that they allegedly do not support the attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the very heart of our Motherland are not worth a penny. The new American assistance package totaling $300 million is a good fuel for the rotten regime in Kiev. Nothing stops the administration. Neither the crisis in the economy, nor the calls of the states of Latin America, Africa, and Asia for assistance in socio-economic development are embarrassing. Numerous questions remain unanswered about the reasons why Washington is not prepared to address the acute migration problems on the southern borders of the United States. The problem of the miserable existence of migrants could be quite simply solved by redirecting at least part of the military aid that burns in the furnace of the conflict in Ukraine to noble goals . However, the American authorities do not want to see the reality . It seems that they are zombified by the desire to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia , by trying to wear down our economy . At the same time , they continue to encourage the reckless actions of their clients, supplying them with ever more lethal weapons. It seems that the lessons that the Russian Armed Forces teach neo-Nazis in the special military operation zone are not enough for the patrons of Kyiv. WtR Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (31 May 2023) On May 29, as a result of a high-precision strike launched by the Russian Aerospace Forces against a military berth in the port of Odessa, the last of the Ukrainian warships, Yuri Olefirenko was destroyed. In Kupyansk direction, assault detachments, Operational-Tactical aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Zapad Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) close to Tabayevka, Molchanovo, Novomlynsk, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), and Novoselovskoye and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic). Three sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been disabled close to Timkovka, Sinkovka, and Kotlyarovka. Up to 70 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured vehicles, and four pick-up trucks were neutralised. Moreover, ammunition depots of the 60th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Liptsy and Sinelnikovo (Kharkov region). In Krasny Liman direction, aviation and artillery of the Tsentr Group of Forces engaged the units of the enemy close to Makeevka, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Torskoye, Yampolovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and the Serevryansky forestry. Over 50 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two D-20 howitzers, one D-30 howitzer, and one Grad MLRS system the enemy has lost in this direction. In the Donetsk direction, the fiercest hostilities are taking place near Avdeevka. In the course of active operations by assault detachments of the 1st Army Corps supported by aviation, artillery fire, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Yug Group of Forces, the enemy was dislodged from occupied positions in a number of areas near the settlements of Krasnogorovka and Yasinovataya ( Donetsk Peoples Republic). Operational-Tactical and Army aviation launched strikes to engage AFU units near Avdeevka and Khimik. In addition, a warehouse of rocket and artillery weapons of the 110th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been obliterated. The 5th Motorised Rifle Brigade and the Akhmat Special Forces Detachment are carrying out successful offensives in Maryinka direction. In this direction, the enemy has suffered losses of over 200 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, one D-30 howitzer, and two Grad MLRS vehicles during the day. In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on the AFU units close to Velikaya Novosyolka, Pavlovka, Vladimirovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Malinovka (Zaporozhye region). Up to 185 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles have been eliminated in this direction during the day. ?? Moreover, ammunition depots of the 65th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were wiped out close to Preobrazhenka and Chervonaya Krinitsa (Zaporozhye region). In Kherson direction, up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles have been destroyed. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 103 AFU artillery units, manpower and hardware in 149 areas during the day. Moreover, a command post of the 33rd Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Trudovoye (Zaporozhye region). A command and observation post of the Skala assault battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was eliminated close to Avdeevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Air defence forces have intercepted 12 HIMARS MLRS projectiles and one Storm Shadow long-range cruise missile during the day. Moreover, 11 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Verkhnekamenka, Zaliman (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Pokrovskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In total, 429 airplanes and 235 helicopters, 4,390 unmanned aerial vehicles, 424 air defence missile systems, 9,345 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,103 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 4,946 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 10,574 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. WtR MADISON The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to head outdoors for the 11th annual Free Fun Weekend on June 3-4. State park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes are waived for all visitors, according to a DNR press release. With 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams and roughly 15,000 lakes, the DNR hopes Wisconsinites discover a new favorite park, trail, forest or recreation area, or try a new activity during the weekend. Free Fun Weekend is always a great opportunity for the DNR property crews to welcome summer visitors back, said Steve Schmelzer, DNR director of Parks and Recreation Management. If youve never visited a state park, forest, trail or recreation area, this is the perfect weekend to find your outdoor adventure. It is an opportunity for more residents to visit the parks and to give fishing for food or fun a try. All the waters of the state are open to all anglers. If you havent fished in a while or never fished, (this) is a great chance to give it a try, said Justine Hasz, DNR director of Fisheries Management. If you dont have any fishing gear, no problem. You can check out our tackle loaner sites or join one of the many free events over the weekend, and enjoy your time in Wisconsins great outdoors. Free clinics are held this weekend at state and municipal properties to provide instruction for beginning anglers. Find fishing clinics and more free events by visiting the DNRs events calendar. For a full list of state properties, activities and maps, go to the DNRs website. Reserve a shelter or campsite through the DNRs online booking system. Before heading to a state park, trail or waterbody near you, here are some helpful things to know: State parks Vehicle admission stickers will not be required. All state parks and trails will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Programs and events are posted online at the DNRs website. Trails All linear/rail trails will be open to the public, including ATV trails and horseback riding trails. ATV, UTVs and OHMs are exempt from registration requirements. All-terrain vehicle operators do not need a pass for state ATV trails. Fishing Nobody will be required to have a fishing license or trout/salmon stamps. All 2023-24 fishing regulations apply, including bag and length limits. Small and largemouth bass, panfish and northern pike are active this time of year. Boat launches All DNR boat launches are open; locate one near you. Boats must be registered, which can be done either online or via mail. Minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species by removing plants and animals from boats before and after launching, draining all water from compartments, and never move live fish from any waterway. Safety Always wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat, kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Use boat lights after sunset. Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during an ATV ride or while operating a boat. Wear a helmet and protective clothing such as eye protection, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt while riding an ATV. All children younger than 18 must have a minimum Department of Transportation standard motorcycle or ATV helmet bicycle helmets are not legal. Keep your speed in mind as weather and terrain conditions vary or change. Grab your family and friends and head outdoors this weekend. Take the trail less traveled and head to some lesser known hidden gem properties. Make sure to tag your Free Fun Weekend photos with #OutWiGo. Weather Alert ...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURN THIS WEEK... * Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop each afternoon this week. Storms will be capable of producing frequent cloud to ground lightning, gusty outflow winds, small hail, and heavy rainfall. * If you have events or recreation outdoors this week, be sure to have a storm safety plan. A top priority should be a way to quickly seek shelter in the event that a thunderstorm forms nearby. If a sturdy building is not immediately available, a hard-top vehicle with the windows rolled up is a good option for protection from lightning. If possible, consider completing outdoor activities (hiking, biking, etc) in the morning before afternoon/evening thunderstorms develop. * Streams and mainstem rivers continue to flow fast and cold. Avoid recreating near fast-running and nearly full waterways. Daily showers/thunderstorms will increase the threat of flash flooding. Have a way to receive weather alerts! Get to higher ground immediately if a nearby river or stream rises quickly, if there is debris in the water, or if the water suddenly becomes muddy. Former Reno City Manager Andrew Clinger has been hired as a Senior Advisor to Governor Brian Sandoval. According to a press release obtained by Channel 2, the hiring will be effective on Monday, January 23. The number of ransomware attacks seems to grow in the age of modern technology, and the healthcare sector is no exemption from it. A recent cyber attack resulted in the threat actor accessing the private data of millions of dental patients. Ransomware Attack on MCNA Personal and sensitive data was stolen in the recent ransomware attack against Managed Care of North America (MCNA). The hacker group managed to steal copies of patient information from February 26th to March 7th, 2023. Information such as addresses, driver's licenses, insurance data, and Social Security numbers were included in the theft. According to Engadget, some of the data belonged to people associated with the patients such as parents, guardians, and guarantors. While MCNA has not revealed who was behind the attack on 8.9 million of its clients, reports say that the LockBit ransomware group is the perpetrator, as they have already taken credit for it along with their demands and proof. The hacker group demanded $10 million for ransom, which they claimed the MCNA refused to pay. This resulted in the hacker group publishing the stolen files. Samples have been taken from the said data, which was 700 GB worth, which proves that it was genuine. In response to the attack, the dental insurer offered the affected clients a year of credit monitoring services for free. It also advised the customers to look out for unusual activities in their accounts and protect their personal information. Since the MCNA is the largest insurer for government-backed plans which includes partners in New York and other unions, the incident is now the largest data breach so far this year with millions affected by the cyber attack. The dental insurer has already hired a third-party forensic firm to investigate the incident further and assist in resolving matters in its aftermath, while also stating in their notice that they have discovered certain systems in their network that have been infected with malicious code. Read Also: Worried About Phishing Scams, Email Attacks? 8 Warning Signs You're in Danger, 4 Ways to Stop It What Can You Do If Your Data Was Stolen? There are many steps that you can take to reduce or prevent threat actors from using them for fraudulent activities. If you are among the 8.9 million affected clients and you do take the complimentary credit monitoring services, you should still take measures on your own. The first thing you should do is change the passwords of important accounts. Although digital accounts were not among the data that was stolen, it is still possible for the threat actors to breach them based on your personal data that was stolen. If you can, you should also try signing up for identity theft protection services, especially since the data stolen involved a lot of identification data such as driver's licenses, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Since telephone numbers and email addresses were also stolen during the breach, you will have to be vigilant when it comes to phishing scams. It could come in the form of emails with suspicious internet links or phone calls asking for private and personal information. Related: How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft Online June marks the official start of the summer season, but retailers are hoping that consumers will cool off with some shopping between their barbecues and beach visits this month. To get their attention, stores mark down prices on a wide variety of items, with many department and chain stores hosting semiannual sales this month. Lots of retailers focus on June for their semiannual sales because in-store traffic can be spotty during that month, says Brad Godwin, head of retail partnership at Shopkick. Retailers do a lot of marketing during the month to try to increase traffic during that time. June also sometimes benefits from spillover deals from the Memorial Day and July Fourth, the big shopping holidays that bookend the month. Toward the end of the month, you might see summer-themed items with additional price drops as retailers start thinking about how to move inventory before back-to-school shopping season. That means you may find deals on smaller summer supplies like sunblock or beach toys ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, says Lisa Thompson, with the savings app Shopmium. But Thompson says to hold off until the end of next month for larger discounts on bigger summer goods like barbecues and patio furniture. One extra date to keep in mind: June 2 is National Donut Day. Dunkin, Duck Donuts and Krispy Kreme have historically distributed free treats in celebration of the day. Heres a look at five additional categories where you shoppers might find better-than-usual pricing this month: Lingerie Category leader Victorias Secret hosts its semiannual sale this month, marking down items for much of the month. To capitalize on increased interest this month, other retailers often also discount undergarments, sleepwear and bathing suits. Where to find deals: Victorias Secret, Fredericks of Hollywood, Soma Potential savings: Up to 60 percent off Workout clothing and gear Its been six months since many consumers made their New Years resolutions to get back in shape, but as bathing suit season arrives, that resolve often resurges. Retailers are happy to help, offering discounts on outdoor-focused workout clothes like running or biking attire as well as smaller-ticket gear such as hand weights, resistance bands, and yoga mats. You typically wont, however, see sales on big-ticket workout equipment like stationary bikes or treadmills. There are semiannual sales in this category in June as well, with retailers like Athleta and Under Armour hosting such promotions in the past. Where to find deals: Nike, Reebok, Target Potential savings: 20 percent to 30 percent off PC Games The biggest discounts on computer games will be on titles that have been out for a while, but newer games see smaller price cuts, says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, a comparison-shopping website. The summer sales tend to yield historically low prices on a variety of PC game titles, Ramhold says. If youre shopping for games for your computer, June is definitely a good time to do it. Where to find deals: Steam, Gog.com, Epic Games Potential savings: Up to 80 percent off Like most Americans, I am looking forward to the summer and the opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors. As we approach our first summer since the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, towns and cities across the nation are also bouncing back, focusing even more on the well-being of their people. With AARPs long-standing support for livable communities, we have created several exciting ways to help. Illustration by Michael Hoeweler First, this month, AARPs state offices will announce the recipients of the 2023 AARP Community Challenge grants. These grants provide funding for quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. We are providing money for efforts to improve public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, diversity and inclusion, and more. In its seventh year, the program is part of AARPs nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places for all residents, especially those age 50 and older. Since 2017, AARP has awarded more than $12.7 million to over 1,060 projects through the Community Challenge to nonprofit organizations and government entities across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These initiatives range from the creation of a unique outdoor music park in Avoca, Iowa, to the provision of Wi-Fi-enabled tablets and digital literacy training to older public housing residents in Jersey City, New Jersey. This program has demonstrated that by supporting local leaders and organizations as they work to strengthen their communities, we can improve the quality of life for the very young, the very old and everyone in between. A second exciting way AARP is helping communities enhance the health and well-being of their residents is through our community fitness initiative. In 2019, as part of AARPs 60th anniversary celebration, we partnered with the nonprofit FitLot and committed to building AARP-sponsored outdoor fitness parks in every state. Each park is equipped with easy-to-use machines and stations built for people across the fitness and mobility spectrum. The parks are free and open to the public, and locals can sign up for guided classes to make full use of the equipment. These fitness parks are a tangible example of AARPs commitment to local communities and healthy aging. The outdoor exercise equipment encourages people of all ages to get out of the house, meet others and stay fit. Netflix has acknowledged a recent claim by an environmental activist group that the production crew of "Single's Inferno 3" had filmed the show in a marine sanctuary without authorization. Courtesy of Netflix By Woo Da-bin Netflix has issued an apology after controversy surrounding the unauthorized filming of the reality show "Single's Inferno" in an environmentally protected area. On Wednesday, Netflix said it was currently looking into the matter to determine if there were any loopholes in the discussion process between the company and local government authorities prior to the filming. Netflix expressed its commitment to review the incident and rectify any shortcomings they uncover. According to Netflix, "Single's Inferno" seasons one and two were filmed on Saseungbong Island with the express approval of local government officials and property owners. The company said it submitted a request to the Incheon Metropolitan City Government and Ongjin County asking for approval to film the latest show on the same island but claimed to be unaware that the area had been designated as a marine ecosystem conservation zone. Saseungbong Island is a marine sanctuary that has been marked for protection by the city of Incheon. The sandy beach of the island is home to the horseshoe crab, an endangered species according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Temporary structures may only be built on the waters and coastal areas of the island when they have been approved by the local government. Any unauthorized construction may be punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a maximum fine of 30 million won. Netflix emphasized that the temporary structure used in the filming of "Single's Inferno" does not generate any wastewater and that they have removed all construction materials and waste from the site before departing. The company also plans to clear out all remaining construction equipment and materials still left on Saseungbong Island and restore the environment to how it was prior to their arrival. Netflix added that it was determined to address any blind spots that are identified in its business practices. Woo Da-bin (ekqls0642@hankookilbo.com) is a reporter at The Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times. This article, previously published in The Hankook Ilbo, has been translated as part of a news-sharing program. Central Gawler Mill Valued at Over $100m Replacement Cost Adelaide, June 1, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Barton Gold Holdings Limited ( ASX:BGD ) is pleased to provide an update regarding its ongoing assessment of the Central Gawler Mill for potential future Stage 1 operations. In December 2022 Barton completed a preliminary preservation program at the Central Gawler Mill to assist recommissioning scope and cost estimates, with key equipment disassembled, cleaned and stored. Following these works Barton also commissioned an independent valuation report of the mill and associated site infrastructure. The purpose of this report is to inform the appropriate level of insurance cover to protect these strategic assets while Barton continues its regional development and assessment of potential options to commence accelerated 'Stage 1' operations utilising the Central Gawler Mill. This report has valued the Central Gawler Mill and associated infrastructure at over $100 million on an 'as new' replacement value basis, and over $50 million on an 'as is' indemnity value basis. Commenting on the Central Gawler Mill valuation report, Barton MD Alex Scanlon said: "The Central Gawler Mill is uniquely valuable strategic infrastructure for Barton. Being fully permitted and licensed, it provides considerable leverage to the regional development of gold mineralisation via either (or both of) third party toll milling or accelerated commissioning of 'Stage 1' operations utilising Tarcoola mineralisation. "The mill provides Barton a significant advantage in 'crossing the drawbridge' into operations on a much lower cost-and-risk basis, while potentially generating significant early cash to fund our larger long-term ambitions." About Barton Gold Holdings Limited Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX:BGD) is an ASX listed Australian gold exploration company with a total attributable ~1.1Moz Au JORC (2012) Mineral Resources endowment (28.74Mt @ 1.2 g/t Au), a pipeline of advanced exploration projects and brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the only regional gold mill in the central Gawler Craton of South Australia. Welcome Gonzalo Nava has joined Vincents Hair, Skin & Body. Navas services include Reiki, La Stone therapies and reflexology. A native of Mexico, he began his career in the field of curanderismo, which is a combination of different healing treatments that embraces the whole healing process of the four bodies physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Nava has been in the field for 30 years. In addition to working in Albuquerque, he has worked in London and Manchester, Spain, Mexico and Colorado. PROMOTION Dylan Fuge has been named director of the Oil Conservation Division with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. For the past two years, Fuge has served as EMRDs general counsel, a role that entails advising the departments secretary and its various divisions on the complex natural resources and regulatory issues that routinely come before the department. Since January, Fuge has served as acting OCD director while also performing his duties as general counsel until the agency fills that position. Fuge came to EMNRD from T-Mobile. Prior to that, Fuge spent six years at the U.S. Department of the Interior where he served as counselor to the director of the Bureau of Land Management and as an attorney adviser in the Office of the Solicitor. His DOI areas of practice included oil and gas development and oversight, renewable energy project development, land use planning and general public lands management. Fuge earned bachelors degrees from Yale University his law degree and a masters degree from Duke University. Shona Martinez has been promoted to vice president of Colliers in the New Mexico-El Paso market. Martinez specializes in landlord representation, tenant representation, market analysis, sales representation, financial analysis, in-depth location analysis, lease negotiation and renewal, and space expansion or consolidation. After attending University College Dublin, Martinez moved to London in 2009 where her career in commercial real estate began. She moved to New Mexico in 2016 and joined Colliers shortly thereafter. Martinez is a very active member of the local business community. She is currently the president of the Womens Council of Realtors Albuquerque, a finalist in Albuquerque Business Firsts Deal of the Year and a member of Commercial Real Estate Womens Network New Mexico. Madeline McMillan has been promoted to marketing coordinator at Sunny505. McMillan has a background in traditional marketing, copywriting, behavioral analysis and social media. She received a bachelors degree in sociology from the University of California, and worked previously as a marketing and communications officer for LA Metro and other communications freelance projects in a variety of fields including local government, childrens development, yoga and holistic wellness. McMillan first joined Sunny 505 in 2021 as a social media management contractor and is now expanding her role as a full-time marketing coordinator. Fred Gallegos has been promoted to front of house manager at Mtuccis Italian Restaurants. He began his Mtuccis career in 2018 as front of house manager at Mtuccis Market, after working at many of the top kitchens in Albuquerque. Prior to his new position, Gallegos served as front of house manager at Mtuccis Moderno and also chef for Mtucccis Catering. APPLAUSE Anne Haines, founder, president and chief executive officer of DreamSpring has received the New Mexico Ethics in Business Awards from Public Service of New Mexico. DreamSpring is a community development financial institution and U.S. Small Business Administration lender which aims to accelerate economic equity and inclusion and has funded nearly 49,000 loans totaling over $538 million to small businesses, who have created and/or sustained an estimated 65,138 jobs across 27 states. ETC. Equal Access to Justice has announced the newly elected board of directors: n M. Karen Kilgore, Cuddy & McCarthy, LLP president n Charles K. Purcell, Rodey Law Firm vice president n Susan Miller, Modrall Sperling treasurer n Dan Akenhead, Miller Stratvert, PA n Sonya Bellafant, New Mexico Legal Aid n Bruce Cottrell, UbiQD Inc. n Sireesha Manne, New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty n Rodolfo D. Sanchez, DNA Peoples Legal Services n Jeanine Steffy, Steffy Law Firm n David Stout, University of New Mexico Law School Tim Van Valen of Van Valen State Tax Law LLC, has been elected as a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. Membership is limited to 700 Fellows. College membership is limited to 700 fellows nominated for election by the Board of Regents after a rigorous vetting process. Van Valen is the only Fellow from New Mexico. His legal practice works with New Mexico state and local tax issues, primarily for large and multi-state businesses. Dr. Eileen D. Barrett has been named chair of the Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians. A resident of Albuquerque, Barrett is an internal medicine physician hospitalist as well as a Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellow through American Medical Association-Satcher Health Leadership Institute. Barrett has been an ACP member since 2003 and a fellow of the American College of Physicians since 2011. Board-certified in internal medicine, Barrett earned a bachelors degree from Union College, a masters degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a medical degree from Georgetown University. She completed an internship and residency at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland and Rural Faculty Development Fellowship at the University of Arizona. Adris Samadi from PNC Bank has been appointed to the board of directors for New Mexico Community Development Loan Fund Inc. Samadi is the area sales manager for PNC Business Banking in New Mexico and West Texas. Through his appointment, he aims to support the nonprofits mission to improve the economic and social conditions of New Mexicans through loans for qualifying small businesses, start-ups and nonprofits. BULLETIN BOARD Family Friendly New Mexico will host its virtual workshop titled NEW Federal Protections for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Employees from noon to 1 p.m. June 6 online. The workshop will provide an overview of the new federal protections for pregnant and breast feeding employees such as legal rights of these employees, accommodations employers are required to provide and best practices for employers as well. The cost for the workshop is $25 or $100 for five. To RSVP visit nmfamilyfriendlybusiness.org/events/virtual-workshop. New Mexico breweries keep crushing it at national and international competitions with their craft beer creations and branding concepts. Recently, four local breweries took home medals from the World Beer Cup held May 10 in Nashville, Tennessee. Quarter Celtic Brewpub won gold for its Capri-derhosen in the German-Style Maerzen or Franconian-Style Rotbier category. Silver medals went to Canteen Brewhouse for Work of Heart in the Sweet Stout or Cream Stout category, and to Starr Brothers Brewing Company for its Lampshade Porter in the Strong Porter category. Corrales Ex Novo Brewing Company was awarded bronze for its V for Vienna in the Vienna-Style Lager category. The World Beer Cup is one of the most prestigious beer competitions on the globe. It was developed in 1996 to celebrate the art and science of brewing as well as create consumer awareness about different beer styles and flavor profiles. The event is organized by the Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers, and the community of brewing enthusiasts, according to the World Beer Cup website. This year, there were 10,213 entries from 2,376 breweries representing 51 countries. Entries in 103 categories were evaluated by 272 judges from 26 countries. A list of winners and more information can be found at worldbeercup.org. On the branding side, Steel Bender Brewyard won two Crushies and Second Street Brewery won three Crushies in the 2023 Craft Beer Marketing Awards. Santa Fes Second Street Brewery received the Global Crushie for Best Bottle Design/7-21 oz. for its Dubstep Donuts Bourbon Barrel Aged Pastry Stout collaboration with Jubilation Wine & Spirits. Second Street Brewery also received a Gold Crushie for Best Can Design/16-20 oz. for its Rods Best Bitter (RBB). The design was created by award-winning artist Mariah Cameron Scee, who is director of art and branding for Second Street Brewery. A Global Crushie was also awarded to Second Street Brewery for Best Can Design/Collaboration (all sizes) for the One for 5 IPA collaboration with Sierra Blanca Brewing Company, Steel Bender Brewyard, Albertsons Market and Admiral Beverage. The design also was created by Cameron Scee. Proceeds from the collaboration beer benefited The Storehouse New Mexico. Steel Bender Brewyard received a Platinum Crushie in the Bigger Than Beer: Cause Related Beer Project or Campaign category for its part in the One for 5 IPA collaboration. Steel Bender also received a Gold Crushie for Best Can Design/Printed Cans (all sizes) for its Manana Hazy IPA design created by Jamie Gross, Ethan Chant and Shelby Chant. The Craft Beer Marketing Awards is a worldwide competition that focuses on excellence in the artistic and creative marketing and packaging efforts of breweries, designers and agencies. This year, there were 304 awards presented to brewers, designers, and marketing agencies from around the world with 89 Platinum Crushie wins, 160 Gold Crushie wins and 56 Global Crushie wins. More information about the competition is available at craftbeermarketingawards.com. Beer enthusiasts can head down south to Las Cruces for an opportunity to sample offerings from 18 New Mexico breweries at Blazin Brewfest. The event takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 North Main St. Ticketholders will receive a commemorative pint glass for sampling or for a full pint purchase. Food trucks and live music also will be part of the event. Advance general admission is $30, $35 at the gate day of the event, and $10 for designated driver entry. For tickets and information, visit nmbeer.org/events. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the first gentleman, Manuel Cordova, are heading off for a honeymoon in the Caribbean to celebrate their wedding anniversary. They left Wednesday for the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Lt. Gov. Howie Morales will serve as acting governor while Lujan Grisham is out of state. The governor expects to return June 16. She and Cordova were married a year ago in a ceremony officiated by Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, D.C. It was partly a business trip, as she met with federal officials while wildfires burned on national forest, wilderness and private land in New Mexico. She and Cordova have been together since 2012 and delayed wedding plans at one point due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With uniformed New Mexico State Police officers standing by in support, the family of Jacqueline Vigil faced the man who was convicted of fatally shooting her in her driveway as she tried to leave for the gym in November 2019. Her loved ones asked that Luis Talamantes-Romero, 35, never be allowed to walk the streets of any community again. State District Judge Britt Baca-Miller of Albuquerque sentenced him to life in prison for first-degree murder to be followed by another 26 years for eight other felonies he committed during a crime spree that preceded her violent death. Assistant State Attorney General Greer Staley told the judge Vigil, the 55-year-old mother of two New Mexico State Police officers, was a truly innocent victim. Talamantes declined to address the court. But several Vigil family members walked to the courtroom podium to express their continuing sorrow for the loss of a woman who hoped to become a teacher, regularly sent 60-pound care packages to relatives in Colombia, and took the time to text prayers to her friends every morning. State Police Officer Kevin Dieguez approached the podium, then turned to address the man who killed his mother. This is just for Luis, he began as Talamantes looked straight ahead. Look at me when Im talking to you, Dieguez suddenly commanded. And Talamantes complied. My kids will never get to spend time with the grandmother because of you, Dieguez said, and that hurts me the most. Her husband, Sam Vigil, said his wife was a proud American who was about to receive a two-year-diploma from Central New Mexico Community College and planned to continue her education at the University of New Mexico. She and her son, Kevin, immigrated to the U.S. nearly 20 years earlier. This person should not be allowed to walk the streets of any place on this earth, Sam Vigil said of Talamantes-Romero. You had a chance to walk away, he told him. Real men walk away. Instead , he said, Talamantes committed the most hideous murder. The crime was random, as Talamantes-Romero and a passenger who testified against him at trial drove around Vigils upscale Northwest Albuquerque that morning looking for cars to burglarize. They noticed her getting into her Cadillac and Talamantes-Romero blocked her exit with his Jeep and jumped out and shot her through her drivers side window. The sound of her honking her horn alerted her husband, who ran outside, saw his wife slumped over in the front seat but couldnt open the door because it was locked. Talamantes-Romero fled the scene in the brown Jeep, along with another individual. He then traveled to the home of Elizabeth Talamantes, his sister, where they drove toward San Antonio, Texas, and subsequently destroyed the murder weapon. After Albuquerque Police received tips as to his whereabouts, Talamantes-Romero was arrested weeks later. Federal agents initially detained him due to his immigration status and the FBI joined the investigation after then-President Donald Trump included Albuquerque as part of Operation Legend designed to combat rising crime. Ultimately, he was returned to New Mexico, where he was held in custody until his trial in April. Staley told the judge that Talamantes-Romeros criminal history dates back to 2003 and shows a progression of the severity of his crimes. A Mexican national, Talamantes-Romero has been deported at least three times only to return to the U.S., where he commits new crimes, Staley said. Deportation, prison despite being arrested over and over, nothing stopped him, she added. Just before Jacqueline Vigil was killed, Talamantes-Romero and his passenger, Isaac Ramirez-Soto, were caught burglarizing a car. The burglary shows a brazen attitude, Staley said, adding that Talamantes-Romero didnt flee but instead pointed a gun at the victim. He was undeterred and that was part of his pattern. His defense attorney Kathleen Reinhardt said, We respect the pain and grief (of the Vigil family). This has been a regrettable tragedy. But my client still maintains his innocence. Though he is a Mexican national, Talamantes-Romeros parents brought him to the United States when he was only a couple of days old, said his attorney Peter Menges of Denver in a Colorado immigration case filing back in 2015. He knows no other life than living in America. His family is here; his friends and life are here. Since his mothers slaying, Vigils older son, State Police Lt. Raul Vigil, has retired. Both sons and family members were greeted before and after the sentencing hearing by more than 40 uniformed officers and supervisors. State Police Chief Tim Johnson was also on hand. Sam Vigil thanked them for their support over the past several years. After the sentencing, he told the Journal, Theres some relief. But like other families who have lost someone to violent crime, you never completely heal. We learn how to live with pain. Our souls will never be the same. GRIMES, Iowa (AP) Former President Donald Trump kept up a steady drumbeat of criticism of his chief rival Ron DeSantis on Thursday, jumping immediately on remarks by the Florida governor on the campaign trail to try to highlight his own strength as the leading GOP presidential candidate. Trump, appearing in Iowa as DeSantis campaigned in New Hampshire, made a point of telling about 200 members of a conservative club gathered at a Des Moines-area restaurant that they could ask him questions an offer that came not long after DeSantis snapped at an Associated Press reporter who asked him why he wasnt taking questions from voters at his events. A lot of politicians dont take questions. They give a speech, Trump said to audience members, many of whom wore red Make America Great Again hats espousing his political movement. Trump, throughout the day, also repeatedly pushed back against DeSantis argument that it will take two terms in the White House to implement an agenda a veiled reference to Trump, who can only serve one additional term. Who the hell wants to wait eight years? Trump said, claiming it would only take him six months to unwind President Joe Bidens policies. DeSantis, asked about the former presidents comment while leaving a voter event in Rochester on Thursday afternoon, noted that Trump had already had a chance to fix the nations problems in his first term in office. Why didnt he do it in his first four years? he asked. Their campaign appearances displayed an early tableau of the Republican primary thats just getting underway: Trump hammering DeSantis and promising to use a return to the White House to quickly undo his successors work, while the governor limits his replies and direct critiques, pitching instead to nationalize his aggressive governing style. Both men are portraying themselves as the stronger fighter for conservative causes and their partys best chance to block Biden from reelection next year. Thursday was the first time both were on the campaign trail meeting with voters since DeSantis announced his candidacy for president last week. At all four of his events in New Hampshire, DeSantis left the stage without inviting any questions from voters, which is typically expected of presidential candidates competing in the first-in-the-nation primary state. DeSantis also didnt take any questions on stage from voters in Iowa during his time in the state earlier in the week. While posing for pictures and shaking hands with voters after speaking at his first event in Laconia, DeSantis was asked by the AP reporter why he wasnt taking questions from people in the audience. People are coming up to me, talking to me. What are you talking about? Are you blind? he said. Are you blind? People are coming up to me, talking to me whatever they want to talk to me about. Alan Glassman, treasurer of the state GOP, attended the event and said he was disappointed that the Florida governor didnt include a question-and-answer period. Glassman and his wife decided to skip any subsequent events of the day given that DeSantis wasnt likely to take unscripted questions. This is New Hampshire. The reality here is the vast majority of political people here in New Hampshire, we do our due diligence. We want to know where these people stand. And a lot of that is hearing from them and then asking them questions, Glassman said. Im just hoping that next time the governor does show up here, hell actually be doing some more interaction with the people, Glassman said. In addition to his subtle jabs at Trump, DeSantis in New Hampshire turned his focus to Biden, criticizing him for championing a move to demote the early-voting state from its prominent role picking presidential candidates. He said the president was wrong to back a Democratic National Committee move to have New Hampshire hold its Democratic primary the same day as Nevada as part of a major shakeup meant to empower Black and other minority voters critical to the partys base of support. The Republican Partys calendar is decided separately, but the Democrats changes have irked members of both parties in New Hampshire. Im glad Republicans are holding the line and committed to New Hampshire, DeSantis said. Matt Johnson, a 55-year-old consultant from Windham, New Hampshire, who attended DeSantis third event of the day in Salem, said Trump and DeSantis present voters with a real choice but he liked that DeSantis has proven he actually can get stuff done in government. Trump talked a lot and he got some stuff done but he didnt really get a lot of things done that he probably should have, Johnson said. As for the cult of personality thing, Ive had enough of that. But Walter Kirsch, 64, of Warner, New Hampshire, said Republicans must realize that, despite being gruff at times, Trump will ultimately be the partys nominee in 2024. Warner, who was among several dozen supporters waving Trump flags outside a DeSantis event Thursday evening in Manchester, said he hoped DeSantis will think about what hes doing and bow out of this and give it to the man whos earned it. Ron DeSantis has been doing an amazing job in Florida. He should stay there. I feel he may be destroying his political career, Kirsch said. Seeking to draw a contrast with DeSantis, Trump took questions from voters at all of his Thursday events, which included a breakfast meeting in Urbandale, a Trump team volunteer leadership training event outside Des Moines in Grimes and a private meeting with about 50 pastors at a Des Moines church, though the last event was closed to the media. He later recorded a town hall with Fox News Channels Sean Hannity in the Des Moines suburb of Clive that aired Thursday evening, telling the host DeSantis had had a very bad day today. He got very angry at the press. As Trump and DeSantis make their pitch to GOP voters, the Republican presidential field is shaping up to become even more crowded. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to launch a Republican presidential campaign June 6 in New Hampshire. The next day, both Mike Pence, Trumps former vice president, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum are expected to announce campaigns of their own. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and biotech entrepreneur and anti-woke activist Vivek Ramaswamy are among the other candidates already in the race. During the town hall, Trump called the ballooning field which critics worry will split the anti-Trump vote a good thing for his candidacy, but wondered why some long-shot candidates are bothering. Whats the purpose? he asked. I dont understand what theyre doing. ___ Price reported from New York and Peoples reported from Laconia and Rochester, N.H. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Steve LeBlanc in Salem, N.H., contributed to this report. CAIRO (AP) At least 60 infants, toddlers and older children perished over the past six weeks while trapped in harrowing conditions in an orphanage in Sudans capital as fighting raged outside. Most died from lack of food and from fever. Twenty-six died in two days over the weekend. The extent of the childrens suffering emerged from interviews with more than a dozen doctors, volunteers, health officials and workers at the Al-Mayqoma orphanage. The Associated Press also reviewed dozens of documents, images, and videos showing the deteriorating conditions at the facility. Video taken by orphanage workers shows bodies of children tightly bundled in white sheets awaiting burial. In other footage, two dozen toddlers wearing only diapers sit on the floor of a room, many of them wailing, as a woman carries two metal jugs of water. Another woman sits on the floor with her back to the camera, rocking back and forth and apparently cradling a child. An orphanage worker later explained that the toddlers were moved to the large room after nearby shelling blanketed another part of the facility with heavy dust last week. It is a catastrophic situation, Afkar Omar Moustafa, a volunteer at the orphanage, said in a phone interview. This was something we expected from day one (of the fighting). Among the dead were babies as young as three months, according to death certificates as well as four orphanage officials and workers for charities now helping the facility. The weekend was particularly deadly, with 14 children perishing Friday and 12 on Saturday. This raised alarm and outrage across social media, and a local charity was able to deliver food, medicine and baby formula to the orphanage on Sunday, with the help of the U.N. childrens agency, UNICEF, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Orphanage workers warned that more children could die, and called for their speedy evacuation out of war-torn Khartoum. The battle for control of Sudan erupted April 15, pitting the Sudanese military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. The fighting has turned Khartoum and other urban areas into battlefields. Many houses and civilian infrastructure have been looted or were damaged by stray shells and bullets. The fighting has inflicted a heavy toll on civilians, particularly children. More than 860 civilians, including at least 190 children, were killed and thousands of others were wounded since April 15, according to Sudans Doctors Syndicate which tracks civilian casualties. The tally is likely to be much higher. More than 1.65 million people have fled to safer areas inside Sudan or crossed into neighboring countries. Others remain trapped inside their homes, unable to escape as food and water supplies dwindle. The clashes have also disrupted the work of humanitarian groups. More than 13.6 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Sudan, up from nearly nine million prior to the war, according to UNICEF. As of Monday, there were at least 341 children at the orphanage, including 165 infants between the ages of one and six months and 48 ranging from seven to 12 months, according to data obtained by the AP. The remaining 128 children were between the ages of one and 13 years. Among those at the orphanage were two dozen children who had been sent back from Khartoum hospitals after the outbreak of fighting. The hospitals, where the children received advanced treatment, had to shut down because of lack of power or nearby shelling, said Heba Abdalla, who joined the orphanage as a child and is now a nurse there. Spokespeople for the military, the RSF, the health ministry and the social development ministry, which oversees the orphanage, didnt answer requests for comment about the orphanage. The situation was particularly harrowing in the first three weeks of the conflict when fighting was heaviest. At one point during this time, the children were moved to the first floor away from windows ,to avoid being hit by random fire or shrapnel, said another nurse, known as Sister Teresa. It looked like a prison all of us were like prisoners unable to even look from the window. We were all trapped, she said. During this period, food, medicine, baby formula and other supplies dwindled because caretakers were unable to get out and seek help, Abdalla said. On many days, we couldnt find anything for feed them, Abdalla said. They (the children) were crying all the time because they were hungry. As the facility became inaccessible, the number of nurses, nannies and other caretakers dropped. Many of the caretakers were refugees from Ethiopia, Eritrea or South Sudan who fled the fighting like hundreds of thousands of others, said Abdalla. We ended up have one nanny or two serving 20 children or more, including disabled children, said Moustafa, the volunteer. Children started to die. At first, there were between three to six deaths per week, then the toll increased rapidly, nurses said, The peak came Friday, with 14 deaths, followed by 12 on Saturday. The AP obtained 11 death certificates for children at the orphanage, including eight dated Sunday and three dated Saturday. All certificates listed circulatory collapse as a cause of death, but also mentioned other contributing factors such as fever, dehydration, malnutrition, and failure to thrive. Even before the outbreak of fighting, the orphanage lacked proper infrastructure and equipment, said Moustafa. Twenty to 25 children were crammed into each room, many sleeping on the ground. Babies doubled up in pink metal cribs. The orphanage was established in 1961. Though it gets funds from the government, it depends heavily on donations and assistance from local and international charities. The orphanage made headlines in the past, most recently in February 2022 when at least 54 children were reported dead in less than three months. At the time, activists launched an online appeal for help, and the military sent food aid and other assistance. The government-run facility is in a three-story building with a playground in the Daym area in central Khartoum. The area has experienced some of the fiercest fighting, with stray shells and bullets hitting nearby homes and other civilian infrastructure, according to workers and a freelance photographer working with the AP who lives close to the orphanage. The news of the deaths caused public outcry, with activists appealing for help for the children. Nazim Sirag, an activist who heads the local charity Hadhreen, has led efforts to provide volunteers and supplies to the orphanage. Starting Sunday, food, medicine and baby formula reached the facility, he said. The charity also repaired the equipment, electricity lines and a backup generator. Sirag said the situation remains difficult, and orphanage workers called for the children to be moved out of Khartoum. Otherwise, said, Abdalla, you dont know what will happen tomorrow. L.A.-based French photographer Sophie Gamand poses in front of the portrait of Soju, rescued from a dog meat farm in Korea, at Humane Society International Korea's exhibition "Beyond Prejudice" at Seoul Metro Art Center inside Gyeongbokgung Station in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Humane Society International By Lee Hae-rin French photographer Sophie Gamand still vividly remembers when she first met Soju, a small orange-furred chow chow mix, in September 2019 at a dog meat farm in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. On that day, she witnessed the transformation of this helpless creature from a dire situation through a rescue mission. Born and raised for human consumption, Soju lived in a small, filthy elevated cage without adequate food, water or care all his life. The operator of the dog farm identified him and other canines by their weight, similar to meat pieces sold at a butcher shop, because that was all he was worth for him. This grim reality saw many dogs lead wretched lives, dying of neglect or being slaughtered for their meat. Thanks to Humane Society International (HIS) Korea, Soju was given a new chapter in life. He was safely rehoused into a transport container and found a loving family through a shelter in Virginia. Soju now lives in Boston, with the new name given by his adoptive owner as a reminder of his Korean origin. His days are now filled with leisurely strolls, especially on snowy days, playing with dog toys and taking naps. HSI employees and volunteers carry dogs out of a farm in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 25, 2019. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Four years later, Gamand returned to Korea to shed light on Soju's story in his birth country. "Beyond Prejudice," an exhibition organized by HSI Korea, features 17 portraits of dogs rescued from dog farms across the country between 2015 and 2020. These canine survivors come from a variety of breeds, including Jindo mixes, Korean Tosas, Pomeranians, Corgis and Golden Retrievers, all of whom have survived and thrived beyond their harsh beginnings. Gamand said she wanted to highlight the dogs' dignity, resilience and individuality and "dispel the myths" that dogs in the meat trade are soulless. "(For) Tosas and Jindo mixes who are traditionally seen as meat dogs, the industry says they are 'soulless' and it's ok to eat them because they are like cattle. With the series, we want to show that's not true. They are just equally as soulful and they have a story and personality, as any other dogs," Gamand said during an interview with The Korea Times at the art center, Monday. The colorful and elaborate collars she crafted symbolize the commitment of a relationship, similar to the wedding rings exchanged between married couples. "When you welcome a dog into a family, you give them a name and the leash, and I thought it was a symbol that we belong together, we're a family now. It's a promise that I'm going to take care of you, give you food and water, love and shelter," she said. Visitors tour at Humane Society International Korea's exhibition "Beyond Prejudice" at Seoul Metro Art Center inside Gyeongbokgung Station in central Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of Humane Society International DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A structural engineers report issued last week indicated a wall of a century-old apartment building in Iowa was at imminent risk of crumbling, yet neither the owner nor city officials warned residents of the danger days before the building partially collapsed, leaving three people missing and feared dead. The revelation is the latest flashpoint after Sundays partial collapse of the building in Davenport, where residents have lashed out at city leaders over what they see as an inept response. Do I have regrets about this tragedy and about people potentially losing their lives? Hell yeah. Do I think about this every moment? Hell yeah. Mayor Mike Matson said Thursday. I have regrets about a lot of things. Believe me, were going to look at that. City officials said Thursday that they did not order an evacuation because they relied on the engineers assurances that the building remained safe. The states search and rescue team, search dogs and cameras were used Thursday to continue combing the building for missing people. Matson said crews were also consulting with experts about how to safely bring down the structure, which remains extremely unstable, while being respectful of bodies that could be buried in the debris. The six-story building collapsed shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday. Rescue crews pulled seven people from the building in their initial response and escorted out 12 others who could walk on their own. Later, two more people were rescued, including a woman who was removed from the fourth floor hours after authorities said they were going to begin setting up for demolition. Earlier this week, authorities said five people were missing, but Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel said during a media briefing Thursday that two of them have since been accounted for and are safe. City officials named those unaccounted for as Branden Colvin, Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien. The city said all three have high probability of being home at the time of the collapse and their apartments were located in the collapse zone. Bladel said transient people also often enter the building but there is no indication anyone else was inside and missing. People living in the building will be eligible for $6,000 payments from the city and those meeting certain income requirements could get state payments of $5,000. Businesses near the collapsed building will also be eligible to receive payments. City Administrator Corri Spiegel said the building likely is filled with asbestos given its age and the city will develop a plan to protect workers and others when the structure is demolished. The city on Wednesday night released documents, including structural engineering reports, that show city officials and the buildings owner were warned that parts of the building were unstable. A report dated May 24, just four days before the collapse, suggested patches in the west side of the buildings brick facade appear ready to fall imminently and could be a safety hazard. The report also detailed that window openings, some filled and some unfilled, were insecure. In one case, the openings were bulging outward and looked poised to fall. Inside the first floor, unsupported window openings help explain why the facade is currently about to topple outward. Despite the warnings, city officials did not order some 50 tenants to leave the building. Rich Oswald, the citys director of development and neighborhood services, confirmed Thursday that the citys chief building official, Trishna Pradhan, resigned earlier this week in the aftermath of the collapse. Pradhan had visited the building on May 25, and erroneously reported it had passed an inspection in notes in the citys online permitting system, Oswald said. Pradhan attempted to change the inspection result to incomplete on Tuesday after the collapse but a technical glitch instead listed the outcome as failed, he said. Oswald said the incomplete status is the correct status since the repair work was unfinished. Though the error was administrative, Oswald said the magnitude of the situation and the error that was made led to Pradhans resignation. Calls and text messages to Pradhan were not immediately returned. The city clarified later in the day that Pradhan had resigned voluntarily and not in lieu of termination. Under Iowa law, it is a confidential personnel matter and the city is not required to explain the departure. Matson promised to improve inspections and to investigate what happened. Andrew Wold, the buildings owner, released a statement dated Tuesday saying our thoughts and prayers are with our tenants. County records show his company, Davenport Hotel, L.L.C., acquired the building in a 2021 deal worth $4.2 million. As the building deteriorated, tenants repeatedly complained about a host of other problems they say were ignored by property managers, including no heat or hot water for weeks or months at a time, mold and water leakage from ceilings and toilets. City officials gave orders to vacate some individual apartments and tried to address other complaints, but a broader building evacuation was never ordered, records show. City officials ordered repairs after they found seven fire code violations on Feb. 6. They were told three weeks later by building maintenance officials that none of the work was completed, records show. Assistant City Attorney Brian Heyer said hes unaware whether earlier civil enforcement actions to protect residents were considered. Only after the collapse did the city file a civil infraction seeking a $300 fine against Wold for failing to maintain the structure in a safe manner. He will be required to pay for the cost of demolition, Heyer said. Heyer said an enforcement action the city filed that resulted in a $4,500 fine in March for repeated trash overflows came in response to complaints from downtown residents and businesses about the debris. Emails sent to an attorney believed to be representing Wold have not been returned. The documents released Wednesday outline numerous other concerns raised by engineers, a utility company and city officials. Among them, MidAmerican Energy, an electric and gas utility, complained to the city in early February about an unsafe brick wall at the west corner of the building. A city notice dated Feb. 2 said the wall was gradually failing and cited visible crumbling of this exterior load bearing wall under the support beam. The notice also said the exterior brick veneer had separated and allowed rain and ice to cause damage. The notice ordered Davenport Hotel to provide an engineers letter stating this is not an imminent danger and to take immediate steps to repair the problems. A Feb. 8 letter to the city from engineering company Select Structural said an engineer conducted an emergency site visit Feb. 2 and determined the crumbling wall is not an imminent threat to the building or its residents, but structural repairs will be necessary. City inspectors monitored progress at the site and learned Feb. 28 that the west wall has collapsed into the scaffolding. ___ This story has been updated to correct the the name of one of the men still missing. His name is spelled Branden Colvin, not Brandon Colvin. ___ Foley reported from Iowa City, Iowa. Associated Press reporter Summer Ballentine contributed from Jefferson City, Missouri. SANTA ANA PUEBLO About eight months after it was first announced, the new Tesla store located in Santa Ana Pueblo is now open for business. Thursdays grand opening for the 35,000-square-foot facility at 1300 Jemez Canyon Dam was attended by tribal and local officials, and included a tour and test drives for the roughly 200 people in attendance. The Tesla facility, which sits near the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, is the second in New Mexico. In 2021, the electric vehicle manufacturer led by Elon Musk opened its first store in the state at a former casino just north of Santa Fe in the Nambe Pueblo. Now that we have our facility up and ready to open (its) doors, its going to provide new opportunities for us not only here within the pueblo but in our surrounding communities, Nathan Garcia, the governor of Santa Ana Pueblo, said. Its an honor to be a part of this thats going to change peoples lives. But the new facility just north of Albuquerque is the first in the state built from the ground up, Tesla officials said. It features a sales and delivery center, a vehicle showroom, customer lounge, 19 service bays and a parts and storage area. New Mexicos two Tesla facilities sit on tribal lands because of a state law that, despite attempts to change it, prohibits vehicle manufacturers from selling directly to consumers rather than through a franchise dealership. Because they are on tribal lands, sales of vehicles from those facilities are not subject to state law. Officials say the new facility will create up to 25 jobs at full capacity. Additionally, tribal members now have direct access to training programs with Tesla a move that pushes the local workforce toward clean energy jobs. Jim Wills of Tamaya Ventures, the business arm of Santa Ana Pueblo, said the Tesla partnership and new facility falls in line with the pueblos belief that development is a generational process and doesnt occur through a narrow, immediate lens. I think this partnership really maps to that, Wills said. We have talented young people who are getting incredible exposure and skills. We have a pathway now for talented young adults to follow their passion and train. And then, of course, we have this incredible facility. The new facility comes as the country has seen an increasing interest in electric vehicles. Companies such as Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. have plans to ramp up the sale of electric vehicles over the next decade. And last year, auto makers sold more than 800,000 electric vehicles nearly 6% of all vehicles sold in the U.S., according to figures from Motor Intelligence. Locally, the state has made plans to expand the number of charging stations across New Mexico. Sarah Cottrell Propst, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, said Thursday the state has already completed more than $7 million in EV charging projects and plans to leverage millions of dollars more in federal funding toward additional projects. Specifically, a plan released last year by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration calls for EV charging stations to be installed at 50-mile intervals if not closer along New Mexicos three interstate roadways. As things stand today, we have 230 charging stations publicly available across New Mexico ranging from level one chargers to level three, the fast chargers, she said. But with the plans on the table and expected federal funding, we can see a future in which EV charging stations are available roughly every 50 miles around our state with higher density in the more populated areas. Mark Hawes, the president of the Tesla Owners Club of New Mexico and an owner of two Tesla vehicles himself, estimates there are around 2,000 to 3,000 Tesla drivers in the state. But he said he expects that number to grow with the new Tesla facility. I think (this facility) will increase the sales of Teslas and their visibility, Hawes said. We are trying to help foster the adoption of electric vehicles and clean energy thats the ultimate goal. SANTA FE New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard signed an executive order Thursday that bans new oil and gas leases on state trust land within one mile of a school, a step she said would help protect childrens health. She also directed her office to review existing leases near schools to assess their compliance with environmental regulations. The immediate impact of the order isnt clear. The moratorium, for example, wont apply to federal, tribal or private lands. But Garcia Richard, a Democrat, said a significant amount of state trust land falls within a mile of a school or educational institution and wont be open to new oil and gas drilling under her order. New Mexico is the nations second-highest oil producing state, behind Texas. Production levels have hit record highs this year even as climate change activists push for enhanced pollution controls. Garcia Richard said Thursdays order demonstrates a commitment to the students of New Mexico today that their health, their access to clean air and water is a right that we should be protecting with our policies. Income derived from oil and gas activity is a vital part of New Mexicos state budget, accounting for perhaps 40% of revenue. Oil and gas producers have repeatedly touted their use of technology to exceed environmental standards. Sen. David Gallegos, a Republican in the oil-rich southeastern corner of the state, said his Eunice home sits about 65 feet from an oil well. It hasnt leaked or caused other problems in the 34 years hes lived there, he said. It feels like this (ban) is just another chance for Santa Fe elites to push policy for political reasons, Gallegos said, instead of looking for input from those living in that area. Jim Winchester, executive director of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico, said his organization would support reasonable setback requirements for some sites. But the one-mile buffer zone ordered by the land commissioner is arbitrary and isnt based on any definitive evidence of health impacts, Winchester said. Joe Vigil, a spokesman for the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, said the industry is already subject to extensive regulations but willing to address concerns, improve operational practices, enhance environmental stewardship, and protect public health and safety while providing essential energy to New Mexico. Garcia Richard described the executive order as a first step. She called on state legislators to take broader action to ban oil and gas production around schools. Executive order Elected in 2018, Garcia Richard oversees state trust lands that generate revenue through leases to ranchers, oil and gas producers, and others. Much of the money flows into New Mexicos permanent school fund, which operates like an endowment and helps support public schools and universities. Garcia Richard acknowledged Thursday the importance of revenue generation on state lands, noting that she used to work as a classroom teacher. She is also a former state legislator. But Garcia Richard said she is authorized to withhold tracts of land from oil and gas leases if she believes its in the states best interest. Her executive order covers state trust lands within one mile of a school or other educational institution, prohibiting leases for new oil and gas purposes. It also calls for a review of existing leases to check their compliance with requirements to plug inactive wells, clean up spills and adhere to air quality standards. Up to 119 schools are within a mile of oil and gas activity, according to her office, though that figures includes federal and other leases, not just those involving state land. Garcia Richard cited Lybrook Elementary School near Counselor and Jefferson Elementary School in Hobbs as two schools that operate near oil and gas activity on state trust lands. Litigation Garcia Richard signed the order during a news conference at her office in Santa Fe, joined by Gail Evans of the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental advocacy group. Its shocking, Evans said, to see how many schools are surrounded by oil and gas sites. She called the land commissioners order a really big step for protecting the health of our children. Evans is also the lead attorney on a lawsuit seeking to halt new oil and gas drilling permits in New Mexico until the state meets its constitutional obligation to protect the environment. A spokeswoman for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham last month called the lawsuit misguided and defended the administrations work to regulate the oil and gas industry. Sidney Hill, a spokesman for the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, said the agency conducts about 30,000 inspections a year at oil and gas sites. It will cooperate with the land office on the new policy to protect New Mexicos citizens and natural resources, he said. Environment Department spokesman Matthew Maez said the states oil and gas ozone precursor rule requires enhanced monitoring around occupied dwellings. The agency, he said, also supports greater restrictions and scrutiny of industry in close proximity to communities. Cover Images/Daniel Robertson Celebrity Best known for his role on 'That '70s Show', the 47-year-old is facing up to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of drugging and raping two women during a retrial in Los Angeles. Jun 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - Danny Masterson has been found guilty of two counts of rape. Best known for starring on "That '70s Show", he faces up to 30 years in prison after being found guilty during a retrial in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 31, of drugging and raping two women. The 47-year-old actor was found guilty by a jury of seven women and five men. However, the jury failed to reach a verdict on a third count that alleged Masterson raped a long-time girlfriend. The actor is now set to be held in jail until his sentenced is determined. During the trial, Masterson was accused of raping three women in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. The actor was accused of drugging the women before assaulting them. It was also alleged that Masterson, who did not testify, used his links to the Church of Scientology to escape the repercussions for years. The women claimed that they were intimidated, harassed and stalked by the Church. On the other hand, the defence team argued that the acts were consensual. They also questioned the reliability of the witnesses. Philip Cohen, a defence attorney, told the jurors, "If you decide that a witness deliberately lied about something in this case, you should consider not believing anything that witness says." Masterson faced a retrial in Los Angeles after jurors failed to reach a verdict in 2022. Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo declared a mistrial following lengthy deliberations by the jurors. The judge said at the time, "I find the jurors hopelessly deadlocked." The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said they were "disappointed with the outcome." They said in a statement, "While we are disappointed with the outcome in this trial, we thank the jurors for their service. We also want to give our heartfelt appreciation to the victims for bravely stepping forward and recounting their harrowing experiences." You can share this post! Cover Images/ACE PICTURES Movie The 'Aquaman' actress breaks silence on her new life in Madrid in a quick interview, claiming that she has new film projects while having no plan to move back to America just yet. Jun 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - Amber Heard is not ready to give up on her career just yet. Having been struggling to find a new job since losing the defamation trial against her ex-husband Johnny Depp, the actress says she is moving on and will return with new film projects. In a new interview at her home in Madrid, the Mera depicter in the DCEU broke her silence on moving to Spain while denying that she's quit Hollywood. "How is your new life here in Madrid?" she was asked in a video which was posted on TikTok. She replied, "I love Spain so much." When asked, "Are you going to stay here?" the "Justice League" star responded, "Yes, I hope so. I love living here." She then tried to exit gracefully, saying while waving goodbye, "Well I hope you are well. Thank you, nice to meet you." But the cameraman threw more questions at her. "Do you have film projects?" he was heard asking. Amber took time to answer, "Yes. I move on, that's life," before she went back into her house, ending the quick interview. Amber jetted off to Europe in September 2022 and was traveling across the continent, three months after Johnny won his defamation trial against her on June 1. Earlier this month, Daily Mail reported that the "Aquaman" actress chose to relocate to Madrid with her young daughter Oonagh as she has quit Hollywood for now. A friend of hers told the publication's journalist, "She's bilingual in Spanish and is happy there." Amber's so-called pal went on to note that the Hollywood beauty made the move to raise her daughter "away from all the noise." Still, the source noted that there is a possibility of the blonde beauty making a comeback in Hollywood by saying, "I don't think she is in any hurry to return to work or to Hollywood, but she will probably come back when the time is right, for the right project." You can share this post! Universal Pictures Movie Words on the street are the Dominic Toretto depicter blames the 'Aquaman' star for the movie's bad reviews and the 'Game of Thrones' alum is aware that his co-star is badmouthing him. Jun 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - A potential new feud among stars of the "Fast and Furious" franchise could be brewing at the moment. Having extended an olive branch to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson following their beef years ago, Vin Diesel reportedly resents his new "Fast X" co-star Jason Momoa. A source tells Radar Online that Diesel is blaming Momoa for the movie's bad reviews. The Dominic Toretto depicter, who also produced the film, is allegedly unwilling to accept that he might have played a role in the poor reviews and is throwing the "Game of Thrones" alum under the bus, though Momoa is one of a few aspects that critics praised. "Vin is embarrassed Jason is being branded the only bright spot in the film and stealing his thunder in the franchise he built himself," the source claims. The 55-year-old hunk is said to be not happy with Momoa's "overacting" and "scene-stealing" moments, which he claimed to have undermined his movie. Sources say Momoa has become aware that Diesel is badmouthing him. "Jason knows he's the flavor of the moment and Vin's jealous of him," one of the informants spills. "But he doesn't appreciate Vin trying to poison the public against him. This has the potential to be Hollywood's next biggest feud." The sources add that Momoa makes a "convenient target" for Diesel given the size of the "Aquaman" star's paychecks. "People shouldn't be fooled," a source notes. " 'Fast X' was Vin's baby and he should go down with the ship!" Diesel was previously infamously having a feud with Johnson on the set of "The Fate of the Furious" in 2016. In November 2021, however, he publicly expressed his desire to have his former co-star reprising his role for the franchise's swan song. Despite initially being adamant about not returning to the franchise, the former wrestler returned for "Fast X" in a shocking cameo. He reprised his role as Luke Hobbs in mid-credits scene. You can share this post! Cover Images/Kristin Callahan Celebrity Police have concluded their investigation into an alleged assault in 2017, but the case is dropped 'due to the complexity of the relationship and inability to prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter.' Jun 1, 2023 AceShowbiz - Armie Hammer won't face sexual assault charges after police concluded their investigation into an alleged assault in 2017. The 36-year-old actor was identified as a suspect in the case back in 2021, but Tiffiny Blacknell, the director of the bureau of communications at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, has now confirmed that he won't face sexual assault charges. In a statement obtained by PEOPLE , Blacknell explained that the case had been dropped "due to the complexity of the relationship and inability to prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter we are unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt." She added, "Sexual assault cases are often difficult to prove, which is why we assign our most experienced prosecutors to review them. In this case, those prosecutors conducted an extremely thorough review, but determined that at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr. Hammer with a crime. As prosecutors, we have an ethical responsibility to only charge cases that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. We know that it is hard for women to report sexual assault. Even when we cannot move forward with a prosecution, our victim service representatives will be available to those who seek our victim support services." The actor has always denied the allegations made against him. However, his accuser, a woman identified as Effie, as confessed to being "disappointed" by the outcome of the investigation. Speaking to CNN, she explained, "I felt a duty to speak out and file a report in order to try to hold Armie accountable for all the harm and trauma he has caused me and in order to protect other women from experiencing similar abuse." You can share this post! Adgully has been turning the spotlight on the entrepreneurs who fought against all odds to bring their dreams to fruition in our special series START-UP STARS. We, at Adgully, wholeheartedly support the Vocal for Local movement and have been featuring numerous local/ homegrown businesses, brands, and Apps in the country launched in the last few years. IGP.com (formerly known as IndianGiftsPortal.com) is one of Indias largest multi-category gifting companies, providing one of the best curated collections of festival merchandise, gifts, fresh flowers, cakes, plants, gourmet foods and personalised products for all occasions and festivals. The firm has a global footprint with customers spanning across 100+ countries and capability to deliver gifts to over 150 countries and 300-plus cities in India. IGP has brought to consumers Indias first ever Gift Discovery platform, taking a massive leap forward in addressing consumers gifting needs. IGP is the exclusive India partner of Interflora, the worlds largest floral gifting company. The company is headquartered in Mumbai and has over 300 employees across its offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jaipur, Pune, Singapore and California. IGP has been recognised as one of the fastest growing companies in India with FY 2020 revenues of over $30 million. In an interaction with Adgully, Tarun Joshi, Co-Founder IGP, shares the fascinating story of how he has come a long way from designing Indias first fighter aircraft and worlds first biometric ATM to launching IGP, which has become Indias largest D2C platform for gifting and occasions. Please take us through your journey as an entrepreneur. What motivated you to establish the company? I have a technology background and had worked on designing Indias first fighter aircraft and worlds first biometric ATM. Post that I spent over 12 years in two renowned private equity firms (3i and CVCI), where I led and managed investments worth over $500 million in India. Apart from this, I have also invested in startups in various sectors, including E-commerce, Financial Services, Technology, and Consumer businesses. Through my technology and investing experience, I recognised the potential for innovation and creativity in the D2C brands and gifting space, which have a huge untapped potential. I noticed a significant gap in the gifting market for a reliable platform that could offer high-quality and unique products, as well as exceptional delivery experiences. This gap inspired me to explore the income-generating potential of a technology-driven gifting platform that could provide skilled but disorganised artisans living in remote areas of India with new opportunities to promote their handmade products globally. Despite the vast celebration ecosystem in India, only a few companies served it at scale, and they lacked a robust supply chain, transparent last-mile delivery, and personalised options. In response, I founded IGP, which has become Indias largest D2C platform for gifting and occasions, offering a personalised and carefully curated selection of gifts for various occasions, festivals, and special days. I recognised the immense potential for success in the celebratory space and expanded my efforts beyond IGP. In 2017, I launched the Indian chapter of Interflora, an international flower gifting service, and in 2020, I established Join Ventures, a house of D2C brands for celebrations. My vision is to leverage world-class technology to provide Indians across the globe with a convenient and joyful online shopping experience for all their festive needs. What was the need of this brand as per consumers perspective? What is the core business proposition? From a consumer's perspective, the need for a brand like IGP was to help consumers strengthen their relationships via a reliable and trusted platform that provides high-quality, unique, and personalised options for various occasions, festivals, and special moments. The brand addressed the gap in the market for a comprehensive and end-to-end gifting solution that provided a curated catalogue of gifts, a robust supply chain, transparent last-mile delivery, and personalised options. The core business proposition of IGP is to create a technology-driven gifting platform that leverages the talents of skilled. but disorganised artisans living in remote parts of India to offer a vast selection of handmade and unique products for gifting purposes. IGP aims to be the most preferred gifting destination for both Indians and NRIs by providing a personalised and curated selection of gifts for various occasions, festivals, and special days. IGP offers a hassle-free gifting experience to customers by taking care of the entire process, from product selection to doorstep delivery. What have been your key learnings so far? How do you see the company progressing in 2023? I believe some of the key learnings for IGP so far include the importance of having a strong, automated and reliable supply chain, personalised and curated product offerings, and exceptional customer service. In terms of the companys ecosystem progressing in 2023, I anticipate that IGP will continue to grow and expand its reach, both in India and globally. IGPs focus on offering unique and personalised gifting options helps it stand out in the market, and our emphasis on using technology to provide a superior customer experience should continue to drive growth. Furthermore, the increasing demand for e-commerce and online gifting platforms is working in IGPs favour, as more consumers turn to online gifting for variety and convenience. How is digital helping you further your business? We are a digitally exclusive D2C brand. We have leveraged digital technology to transform the traditional gifting experience, making it more convenient, accessible, and personalised for our customers. Through our website and mobile app, we have created a seamless and user-friendly interface that enables customers to easily browse and purchase from our curated collection of gifts for various occasions. We have also incorporated advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning into our platform, allowing us to offer real-time personalisation and recommendations to our customers based on their preferences and browsing history. How did you identify your TG? Did you carry out any feasibility study prior to starting your business? As a founder, I identified my TG by understanding the market gap and studying the consumer behaviour patterns. I realised that the gifting industry in India lacked a reliable, organised, and transparent platform that could offer high-quality products and personalised services for various occasions, festivals, and special days. Hence, I targeted the Indian population, both domestically and abroad, who seek a hassle-free and unique gifting experience. To assess the feasibility of the business idea, we conducted extensive market research and analysis, including consumer surveys, competitor analysis, and demand forecasting. We evaluated the potential of the gifting industry in India and the market trends, as well as identified the key pain points of consumers in the current gifting landscape. This helped us design and develop a business model that could meet the needs and expectations of our target audience, while also generating revenue and growth opportunities for the company. Overall, our feasibility study provided us with valuable insights into the market potential, consumer behaviour, and competitive landscape, which helped us make informed decisions and design an effective business strategy. What were the challenges that you faced in your start-up journey and how did you overcome them? Like any other Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) business in the initial stage, we faced several challenges in our journey. One of the most significant challenges was navigating a disorganised market that required disruption and innovation through proprietary technology. We recognized the potential for technology to revolutionise the gifting industry, but implementing cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning was no easy feat. The next big challenge was solving the supply chain, which required us to create a vertically integrated model starting from rural artisans to doorstep delivery experience to our consumers in over 100 countries. In the early stages of our journey, both D2C as a business model and these technologies were still evolving, which meant that we had to create a proprietary tech solution from scratch. Despite the challenges, we remained committed to our vision and persevered with our efforts. As a result, we were able to introduce the first-ever gift discovery platform with real-time personalization in India through IGP.com. Our focus on developing and integrating innovative technology into our platform and supply chain has allowed us to differentiate ourselves in a highly competitive market, providing a seamless and personalised gifting experience to our customers. What would be your message for budding entrepreneurs? My message to the budding entrepreneurs is that entrepreneurship is all about perseverance and ability to execute. If you get these two right, you can scale up your ideas to create large businesses. During this journey, be open to feedback and collaboration, as no one can succeed alone. Seek out mentors and advisors who can provide guidance and support, and build a strong team that shares your vision and values. Most importantly, dont be afraid to fail. Every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow, and it takes courage to take risks and pursue your dreams. Stay true to your passion and purpose, and believe in yourself and your ideas. Lastly, always remember that entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination, and it requires hard work and dedication to achieve your goals. Godrej Industries, in partnership with the Bhamla Foundation and Hungama, has undertaken a significant endeavour to raise awareness towards plastic pollution by creating a musical anthem. This musical anthem is part of the three-pronged campaign titled #BeatPlasticPollution. The anthem, "Tik Tik PLASTIC 2.0," is composed by the celebrated artist Shaan, with lyrics penned by Swanand Kirkere, and brought to life through captivating choreography by Shiamak Davar. Launched today to celebrate World Environment Day 2023, the anthem seeks to inspire sustainable solutions through the power of music. The "Tik Tik PLASTIC 2.0" anthem features a star-studded lineup of industry powerhouses and influential artists who have wholeheartedly dedicated their talent to create awareness about plastic pollution. Joining forces in this anthem are renowned figures such as Vidya Balan, Gulzar, Alia Bhatt, Ayushmann Khurrana, Shiamak Davar, Guneet Monga, Shaan, Ricky Kej, Armaan Malik, Neeti Mohan, Raveena Tandon, Stebin Ben, Sonu Nigam and Jannat Zubair & Faisu. The second leg of the campaign will involve a Green Ride Cyclothon - Pedal for the Planet on 4th June which will urge people to pledge their support to make a lasting difference to our planet. The main event, on World Environment Day, will bring together diverse voices such as different artists, policymakers, and environmentalists on a common platform to discuss/address the issue of plastic pollution and form partnerships to drive policy changes at various levels. This collaborative effort has significant support from esteemed organizations such as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Government of India), G20 India Presidency and the United Nations Environment Programme. The collective alliance emphasizes the global significance and urgency of addressing plastic pollution on a large scale. Notable brands, including Godrej Magic and Godrej L'Affaire, also support this impactful initiative. The release of the "Tik Tik PLASTIC 2.0" anthem ahead of the World Environment Day represents a crucial reminder of our shared responsibility in addressing plastic pollution. It is an impactful step towards making a lasting difference to our planet and nurturing a sustainable future for all. Burjis Godrej, Executive Director, Godrej Agrovet, said,We are delighted to collaborate with the Bhamla Foundation and Hungama Music in the creation of the powerful 'Tik Tik PLASTIC' anthem, an innovative musical initiative aimed at raising awareness about the urgent need to combat plastic pollution. With the support of renowned institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the G20 India Presidency, and the United Nations Environment Programme, our collective endeavour will have a profound impact and pave the way for a future free from the scourge of plastic. Our commitment to a sustainable future is further reinforced by our products such as Magic Handwash, which is a great example of a sustainable product. 93% of regular handwashes is water so they transport 93% water while Magic handwash transports only the concentrate and saves the planet. In 2022, over 72 million litres of handwash was consumed in India. If Magic wasnt there, this would have resulted in transportation of over 67 million litres of water. Courtesy of magic, this figure was 62 million. Magic alone helped the planet by preventing the transport of over 5 million litres of water. Asif Bhamla, Chairman, Bhamla Foundation, commented on the association, We are thrilled to collaborate with Godrej, a brand that has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to environmental consciousness. We have long admired Godrej's philanthropic endeavours and their proactive stance towards sustainability. Their support in our campaign, Tik Tik Plastic, to beat plastic pollution on World Environment Day 2023, is a testament to their dedication in driving positive change. Together, we aim to raise awareness, inspire action, and create a lasting impact in the fight against plastic pollution. We sincerely thank Godrej for their invaluable partnership and look forward to a successful campaign that will contribute towards a greener and cleaner planet. Neeraj Roy, Founder Bollywood Hungama, added, We are proud to be associated with the Tik Tik Plastic campaign on World Environment Day 2023. As a leading entertainment platform, we recognize the power of media in driving positive change. Through our distribution channels, we are committed to spreading awareness about the pressing issue of plastic pollution and inspiring individuals to take action. It is our privilege to support such impactful initiatives that aim to create a sustainable future. On World Environment day, the global campaign event, which would be attended by Bollywood celebrities and government officials, would start at 7:30 PM at Carter Road Amphitheatre, Bandra West. Nova Dairy, one of India's leading providers of high-quality dairy products, joins the global community in honoring dairy farmers on World Milk Day. This annual event recognizes and appreciates the unwavering dedication of dairy farmers all over the world. World Milk Day, celebrated on June 1st, is an opportunity to highlight the critical role that dairy farmers play in ensuring the availability of wholesome and nutritious milk. Nova Dairy recognizes the steadfast efforts and dedication of these farmers who toil nonstop to supply us with this vital staple. Nova Dairy salutes dairy farmers for their unwavering dedication to environmentally friendly practices because they are the true keepers of our food supply. These farmers promote a healthier future for everyone by adopting ethical farming practices and placing a high priority on animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Mr. Sharad Saluja, the Director of Nova Dairy, said, "As we celebrate World Milk Day, we express our sincere gratitude to the dairy farmers who work day and night to bring us the highest quality milk. They truly inspire us with their commitment and passion, and we are honored to be their partner. Nova Dairy is dedicated to assisting dairy farmers by paying fair prices for their milk and fostering alliances that advance development, sustainability, and prosperity. Nova Dairy seeks to empower farmers and support the dairy industry's ongoing success through innovation and collaboration. On this World Milk Day, Nova Dairy pays tribute to the invaluable work of dairy farmers, whose unwavering dedication guarantees that consumers all over the world have access to wholesome dairy products. The success of the dairy industry is largely due to their commitment, and Nova Dairy is committed to assisting them on their path. Kim Yo-jong makes a speech during a national meeting on anti-epidemic measures held in Pyongyang, Aug. 10, 2022. Yonhap The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed that Pyongyang will "correctly" place a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit soon, state media reported Thursday, a day after the North's attempt to launch a spy satellite failed. Kim Yo-jong made the remarks as she slammed the United States for its denouncement of the North's botched launch the previous day of what it claimed to be a "space launch vehicle," according to a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "If the DPRK's satellite launch should be particularly censured, the U.S. and all other countries, which have already launched thousands of satellites, should be denounced," she said. "It is certain that the DPRK's military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put in space orbit in the near future and start its mission." DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "We confirmed once again that the enemies are most afraid of the DPRK's access to excellent reconnaissance and information means including reconnaissance satellite and, accordingly, we are aware that we should direct greater efforts to developing reconnaissance mean," she added. Kim, who serves as the vice department director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party, also called the U.N. Security Council's resolutions that ban Pyongyang's use of ballistic technology as "gangster-like" and "wrong" for violating the North's right to use space. This photo provided by South Korea's Defense Ministry, shows an object salvaged by South Korea's military that is presumed to be part of the North Korean space-launch vehicle that crashed into sea following a launch failure in waters off Eocheongdo island, Wednesday, May 31. AP-Yonhap Scaler (by InterviewBit), one of the fastest-growing tech education startups, today announced the acquisition of a Delhi-based education platform, Pepcoding, for an undisclosed amount to strengthen Scaler's business ecosystem. The acquisition will further accelerate growth and support across various business units, including strategy, product design, B2B enterprise, operations and instructor org. This is the fourth acquisition for Scaler; AppliedRoots, Coding Minutes, and Coding Elements were the other edtech brands acquired over the last two years. With the acquisition of Pepcoding, Scaler aims to bring synergies between the two companies to strengthen its offering in the tech education space. As a strategic move, Pepcoding has merged with Scaler. Its co-founder, Sumeet Malik, has joined the startup as an instructor and content creator to help improve the learner experience, especially in the Low-Level Design (LLD) curriculum. Other Pepcoding employees have joined Scaler as full-time employees working across diverse teams. The Pepcoding team will also play a vital role in developing Scaler School of Technology, a newly launched 4-year residential undergraduate program in Bengaluru. As Scaler opens its doors to the first batch of students this academic year, the team's expertise will play an essential role in the building and execution of the program. Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-founder of Scaler & InterviewBit, announced the acquisition: "We are delighted to welcome the PepCoding team to the Scaler ecosystem. Sumeet's team has demonstrated a unique ability to stay true to its core ability to transform the learning experiences of young engineering students. Their experience with undergraduate students will come in handy to our recently launched residential undergraduate program, the Scaler School of Technology. Pepcoding's diverse talent pool and Sumeet's extensive industry expertise will help accelerate the pace we are working towards achieving our vision and mission." Founded in 2017, Pepcoding had a similar vision as Scaler to democratise tech education. Their goal was to bring in 'The Great Indian Coding Renaissance'. The education platform specialises in Data Structure & Algorithms (DSA), Web Development, Data Science, CORE, CBSE, GATE & Business Analytics. Pepcoding provided a platform for undergraduate students with both offline and online courses that enabled them to improve their coding skills, learn with like-minded people and secure employment opportunities across leading companies. The team has worked with over 5000 learners since its launch in 2017, empowering them to make successful career transitions. Sumeet Malik, Founder and CEO of Pepcoding, said. "We are excited to be a part of one of the fastest-growing tech education companies in India and work towards the shared vision of nurturing future-ready technology talent. Like Scaler, we are excessively focused towards the success of our students and firmly believe that the nation has enough raw talent to one day build products and companies that will dominate the world, similar to what organisations like Google, Microsoft and Uber have done. All they need is the appropriate direction and access to opportunities. This strategic union with Scaler will help us take a step towards revolutionising how India learns and works with technology. " Sumeet Malik holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and has worked with Indus Valley Partners, Avalon Information Systems and Nagarro before laying the foundation of Pepcoding. Federal Office for Customs and Border Security Bern, 01.06.2023 - On June 1st 2023, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) launches the first stage of Passar, the new goods traffic system and one of the central elements of the digitalisation and transformation programme DaziT. Passar gradually contributes to the simplification and acceleration of the cross-border traffic of goods. The staged changeover from the previous IT systems to Passar was coordinated with representatives of the economy. The first stage of Passar (Passar 1.0) can be used from June 1st 2023 for the digital processing of the transit and export of goods. The import of goods into Switzerland and other special procedures will be part of the second stage of Passar (Passar 2.0) from the beginning of 2025. The introduction of Passar in several stages and the parallel run with the previous freight systems NCTS and E-dec was decided in close consultation with representatives of the business community in order to minimise the effort and risks involved in the changeover. After a one-time registration in the ePortal, companies can manage their own data independently. One of the most important innovations is that the goods declarations in Passar only become legally binding through so-called activation when the border is crossed. Up to that point, they can be adjusted without restriction. This simplifies the processes, increases flexibility and reduces the administrative effort. To further accelerate border crossing, the already established Activ App is recommended, which enables automated activation. In such cases, goods transports are allowed to use the fast lanes and are only stopped at the border if an on-the-spot control is required. Simultaneously with the introduction of Passar 1.0, Switzerland is implementing the European Union's new reporting model for transit (NCTS Phase 5) on schedule. The systematic simplification and end-to-end digitalisation of all customs and duty collection processes is a key objective of the transformation programme DaziT. The first stage of Passar simplifies and digitalises customs processes within the framework of current law. Further simplifications and benefits for those involved in the processes are planned with the second stage after the revision of the legal basis. Address for enquiries This information is available in German, French and Italian Publisher Federal Office for Customs and Border Security https://www.bazg.admin.ch Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Bern, 01.06.2023 - On 5 June, the head of the FDFA is to be received by Jose Manuel Albares, the Spanish minister for foreign affairs, the EU and cooperation. The two ministers will discuss the development of Swiss-EU relations in the run-up to Spain's presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2023. Discussions will also focus on the war in Ukraine, the UN Security Council and the excellent bilateral relations between Switzerland and Spain. Mr Cassis' visit is taking place shortly before Spain is due to take over the EU Council's rotating presidency on 1 July 2023. This makes Spain a key partner in terms of the next phase in Swiss-EU relations. During its presidency, Spain will be holding a number of ministerial meetings, which Switzerland is traditionally invited to attend. War in Ukraine and UN Security Council on the agenda During the talks, Mr Cassis will set out Switzerland's commitment to Ukraine as well as its priorities for the Swiss term on the UN Security Council, including an initial assessment of Switzerland's presidency of the Council in May this year. Switzerland and Spain share similar positions and work closely together in multilateral forums. Close ties between Spain and Switzerland Bilateral relations between the two countries are excellent, particularly in the cultural, economic and scientific fields. Around 92,000 Spaniards live in Switzerland (not including dual nationals) and 26,000 Swiss nationals live in Spain. In economic terms, Switzerland is Spain's eighth-largest investor, with annual trade worth around CHF 19 billion. The meeting will also allow the two foreign ministers to discuss the political situation in Spain, whose prime minister has announced early general elections for 23 July. Address for enquiries FDFA Communication Federal Palace West Wing CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55 E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch Twitter: @SwissMFA Publisher Federal Department of Foreign Affairs https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html In a recent study Alabama leads the nation in one encouraging statistic - personal financial responsibility. Forbes Advisor studied 5,001 Americans on fiscal discipline recently, and used the results to rank the states. The survey looked at habits such as budgeting, saving, spending, credit cards, retirement accounts and financial goals, then compared the findings with data from the Federal Reserve. Alabama placed at the top for most responsible, while Idaho ranked at the bottom. Thats interesting when you consider that Alabama ranks near the bottom in median household income, tallying $53,913 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. So how did Alabama do it? According to Forbes Advisor, Alabamians rank first for residents who say they always follow their budget, at 82%. Thats better than the rest of the U.S. by far, as only 3 in 10 Americans say that. Alabama also heads the pack in residents who always save a portion of their monthly income. The state ranks third in residents who regularly contribute to a 401(k) or IRA, and fifth for those who pay their credit card balances in full every month. Alabama also had a top 10 finish for residents who have a budget in place. Going against the good news is that Alabama also ranked first in residents who took out a payday loan in the last three years, with 62% answering yes. The state also placed fourth for residents who make small impulse purchases. How did Alabama place so highly? Forbes Advisor points to the fact that Alabama is one of 19 states requiring students to take a one-semester career preparedness course with financial principles as part of it. What else can we learn from the survey? According to Forbes Advisor, men are more likely than women, 47% to 37%, to have at least three to six months of expenses set aside in an emergency fund. And millennials are most likely to pay off their credit card balance in full each month by 66%, while members of Generation Z are most likely to make minimum payments or no payments at all, at 11%. Would-be barbecue specialists - heres your big chance. The owner of a well-loved Jefferson County stopover is looking to sell his restaurant. Cliff Mortimer, 58, the owner of Barbecue Stop at 6633 Old Springville Rd. in Clay, is considering retiring. Hes been in business in Clay for 10 years, after years in restaurants in Georgia and Ohio. In a post on the restaurants Facebook page announcing the move, Mortimer says he would love to train someone so that BBQ Stop can continue to serve the community. Buy the restaurant, and you also get the recipes. There is no word on the asking price for the restaurant. The announcement prompted some interesting responses. Amanda Connell wrote, My pregnancy would be destroyed if you close. Literally the only kind of BBQ I crave while pregnant. Doug Grove said it would be unspeakably tragic to lose the restaurant. I desperately hope someone can step up, and will be truly trainable. Your BBQ is quite literally the best in the world (and Ive compared it to some of the most famous in the world), he wrote. Cliffs wife, Debbie, said he has contemplated retiring for a while. Restaurant work is a lot of hard work, she said. Hes been in food service since he was 22. We could just hand the key over to the landlord, but then, where would everyone be with the food that they love? Anyone interested in buying the restaurant can contact the couple through the restaurants Facebook page. A former police chief working for the Brandon (Miss.) Police Department was shot and killed Thursday during a hostage situation turned standoff. According to WLBT in Jackson, Horren Randy Tyler was the former police chief in Ridgeland, Miss. A second, unidentified Brandon officer was also shot and suffered significant injuries, but is reported in stable condition. The standoff began as a hostage situation, with police summoned to a home in the Crossgates neighborhood of Brandon about 1:30 a.m. Thursday on a report of a domestic dispute between a man and woman. Several hours of negotiation resulted in the womans release, but the man did not surrender himself to police. The first exchange of gunfire happened about 6 a.m., with one officer struck during that exchange, and the second around 9:30 a.m. It was unclear which officer was hit during which exchange. The second exchange also resulted in the suspect being killed, according to the report. According to Madison police, Tyler and other members of the departments Special Response Team were on the scene to assist Brandon police and other law enforcement. When U.S. District Judge Terry Moorer sentenced Jeffery Sikes, the ringleader of a group which set fire to multiple Walmarts in Alabama and Mississippi, to an 18-year prison term, it was double the sentence prosecutors had sought. Two of Sikes co-conspirators were sentenced this week and Moorer wasnt inclined to show them any leniency, either. Brothers Alexander Olson, 23, and Quinton Olson, 22, were sentenced to 15 years and three years, respectively, in federal prison for their roles in the conspiracy. These three defendants deliberately endangered innocent shoppers and destroyed millions of dollars of merchandise when they intentionally and maliciously set fires in four stores in two states, said U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello. Setting fire to a business isnt an economic or political argument, its a serious violent crime that has serious consequences, Costello continued. These criminals were brought to justice thanks to the exceptional work of the men and women of the FBI, who demonstrated persistence, creativity, and professionalism throughout this complex investigation. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the conspirators were residents of Kearney, Neb., but had fled to Lillian, Ala., after Sikes had pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Nebraska. After arriving in Alabama, Sikes, the Olsons and others began planning the Walmart fires, drafting a document they called Declaration of War and Demands for the People, which included threats against Walmart. They distributed copies of the document to media outlets in south Alabama and the Mississippi coast. The conspirators set fire at four Walmart locations, including one on the I-65 Service Road in Mobile, along with locations in Tillmans Corner; Gulfport, Miss.; and Biloxi, Miss. The DOJ noted Alexander Olson was present when each of the four Walmart fires was set. The conspirators were arrested in February 2022. Along with Jeffery Sikes and the Olson brothers, Erica Sikes (Jeffery Sikes wife), Jenna Bottorff, her son Michael Bottorff and husband Sean Bottorff; and Mikayla Scheele were also charged as co-conspirators. During hearings, it was additionally learned Quinton Olson and Michael Bottorff are lifelong best friends and Sean Bottorff had been their youth basketball coach. Each of the accused ultimately pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the conspiracy. Erica Sikes, Jenna Sikes and Scheele are scheduled for sentencing on Friday. Michael Bottorff and Sean Bottorff are set for sentencing on June 12 and Aug. 24, respectively. (Jeffery Sikes) sentence was based on the totality and severity of the defendants actions, said FBI Agent in Charge Paul Brown. Sikes will also be required to pay approximately $7.3 million dollars in restitution to Walmart. This case demonstrates domestic terrorism continues to persist in a variety of forms. The investigative rigor and professionalism of the Mobile JTTF and its partners brought this investigation to a successful conclusion. Just over two years after Nina Cumbest was deliberately run over by a truck driven by ex-boyfriend Terrance McNaughton in a Gautier, Miss., parking lot, a Jackson County jury found McNaughton guilty of 2nd degree murder, prosecutors said. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Kathy King Jackson sentenced McNaughton to 40 years, without parole, in a Mississippi state prison. Thursdays verdict brought to an end a three-day trial and a long wait for justice for Cumbests family, who stood vigil by her bedside -- first at the University of South Alabama Medical Center, then a nursing home, and ultimately her own home -- as she clung to life for six months after she was hit by the truck before ultimately dying of a traumatic brain injury and other serious injuries. Cumbest was 27 years old. She left behind a young daughter. The jury saw the truth and found Terrance McNaughton guilty of 2nd-degree murder despite the defendants efforts to gaslight them, said Jackson County (Miss.) District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath. Nina had a voice in the courtroom and today justice was delivered. If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence, please know that there is help and hope. McNaughton had twice previously been charged with domestic violence for assaulting Cumbest, first in November 2020 and then again in April 2021. It was the second case which prompted Cumbest to end the relationship and obtain a restraining order against McNaughton, prohibiting him from making contact with either her or her then 8-year-old daughter. Four days prior to a scheduled court appearance, however, McNaughton struck Cumbest with his truck in the parking lot of a Gautier Chevron station, hitting her with such force she came out of her shoes before falling and striking her head on the pavement, according to Gautier police investigators. McNaughton was initially charged with attempted murder, but the charge was upgraded after Cumbests death. Cumbests sister, Sarah Cumbest Minor, told Gulflive.com just after Ninas death she believed the justice system had failed her sister. So many people lost a friend, my parents lost their daughter, my brothers and I lost our sister, her nieces and nephews lost their Nene and most important, her daughter lost her mother, Minor said. I never thought that this would be our reality, that my sister would be ruthlessly murdered especially when it could have been prevented had the justice system done their job. Thursday, however, a measure of justice came for Nina and her family. Under Mississippi law, a 2nd-degree murder conviction can carry a life sentence if the jury unanimously agrees to the sentence. In McNaughtons case, the jury could not agree and thus Jackson sentenced him to 40 years -- the maximum allowed when the jury does not impose a life sentence. Prosecutors had praise for Cumbests young daughter, who testified during Thursdays sentencing hearing. Terrance McNaughton stole a beautiful soul who has impacted many, many lives, said assistant district attorney Carolyn Lewis. I am in awe of the strength shown by Ninas daughter who spoke at the sentencing in this case. She demonstrated incredible bravery and poise in facing her mothers killer. A parental rights bill is now headed to Gov. Kay Iveys desk. HB6, authored by Rep. Kenneth Paschal, R-Pelham, prohibits the government from interfering with the fundamental rights of parents unless it is narrowly tailored and there is a compelling state interest. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate Wednesday evening and will now head to Gov. Kay Iveys desk to be signed into law. Iowa and Kentucky passed similar laws earlier this year. Other efforts in North Dakota, Texas, Florida and elsewhere also aim to protect parental rights, but focus on different definitions and topics. The final vote came with little discussion a stark contrast from earlier this month, when House lawmakers delayed a vote after voicing concerns about the bills intent. When you bring God into this conversation, God does not dwell in confusion, Rep. Barry Forte, D-Eufaula, asked Paschal in early May. You sound like this bill is a personal thing with you. Is it or is it not? Read more: Parental rights bill advances: What would an Alabama law do? Paschal repeatedly invoked God and country on the stand this month, calling his bill a proactive bill that is meant to protect the God-given role of parents in their childrens lives. HB6 doesnt establish any new rights or take any away, Paschal said in previous discussions. Instead, he said the legislation is a proactive bill meant to codify existing case law that notes the rights of parents. An amendment would allow exemptions in cases of abuse and neglect. In Alabama we do a great job as far as defense, Paschal said early this month. But if you stay on defense, you lose ground. Critics, however, were quick to allege personal motives behind the bill, ranging from Paschals interest in custody issues to farright party politics. In an earlier discussion of the bill, Paschal said the legislation was sponsored by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal advocacy group that advocates against LGBTQ issues. Parents of transgender teens told The Reflector that they worried the compelling state interest clause of the bill would interfere with their ability to make decisions about their childs healthcare. Some have also raised concerns that the legislation would make it easier for parents to scrutinize classroom curriculum that doesnt align with their values, mirroring recent efforts in other red states. The reason why this bill is important is because the fundamental principle of parental rights is under attack, Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, said in support of the bill this month, noting current debates about gender-affirming care, which he called chemical castration, and efforts to examine classroom and teacher training material. Parental rights bills have appeared in at least 35 states in the past two years, according to The 19th. Last year, Florida passed a law with similar language aimed at parental rights that restricts certain classroom curriculum and instruction. In a recent interview with AL.com, Ailen Arreaza, executive director of the nonprofit research organization ParentsTogether, said parental rights bills like Alabamas are intentionally vague efforts to distract and divide parents. Behind that vague language, its this political agenda thats all about censoring books and censoring curriculum and censoring what teachers can talk about in the classroom, she said. Which is absolutely not what parents want. As the long-awaited opening date of Mobiles Africatown Heritage House approaches, backers have released new details of the opening and the Clotilda exhibition it will house. Among other significant developments, the History Museum of Mobile has hired a Heritage House manager, Jessica Fairley. Imagine if people come from all over the world just to hear this story, said Fairley, a University of South Alabama graduate with a masters in communication art from Valdosta State University. I want Africatown Heritage House to be the Plymouth Rock for Black people. I want people from all over the world to be able to come here, place their hands on the glass (which will encase remnants of the Clotilda) and connect with their ancestors. Fairley said that attending Mobile schools with students from Africatown, and having a close friend who is descended from one of the captives carried by the Clotilda, makes the material personal for her. This is not my story, she said. This is my friends story. Now Africatown Heritage House is the home of that story and were ready to share it with the whole world. Since plans for the Heritage House were announced, the History Museum of Mobile has been guiding the development of the initial exhibit that will be featured when it opens on July 8. According to recently released information, Clotilda: The Exhibition will focus on the 110 men, women and children carried by the ship. Their stories will be shared through a combination of interpretive text panels, documents and artifacts, including some pieces of the sunken ship scientifically verified to be the Clotilda. A rendering of part of the Clotilda exhibition to be shown at the Africatown Heritage House. (Clotilda.com)Clotilda.com Thats going to give them an experience that theyve never had before and never knew they could have, Fairley said. Africatown Heritage House is a place of hope and pride. Youll come in and see what these people were able to do after they were taken away from their homes and put in a place unknown to them. I dont know what my ancestors went through, but knowing what the survivors of the Clotilda went through gives me a piece of my story. According to the information released this week, descendants of Clotilda survivors will get a private visit before the public opening. The Africatown Heritage House will open to the public on July 8, a Saturday; it will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition will have limited capacity, so tickets will be sold in time-block increments and should be purchased in advance at www.clotilda.com. Tickets will be available online later in June. Admission is $15 for adults; $9 for seniors, active and retired military and students 19 and older; $8 for children ages 6-18; and free for children ages 5 and younger. Scheduling for group and school tours will begin in September. The Heritage House is at 2460 Winbush St. in Mobile. Detailed information about the partners supporting the establishment of the museum and its inaugural exhibition, and the curators of the exhibition, also can be found at the site. Related: Sculpture unveiled at Africatown Heritage House as date set for opening After years of delays, signs of progress on major projects in Africatown 3-year agreement approved for lease of Africatown Heritage House ohn Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, is seen answering questions during a daily press briefing at the White House in Washington on May 31, in this captured image. Yonhap North Korea must be held accountable for its failed attempt to launch a military spy satellite, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council (NSC) said Wednesday. John Kirby, NSC coordinator for strategic communications, added the launch posed a threat to peace in the entire region despite its failure. "The major concern is that with each and every one of these launches, whether it fails or succeeds, Kim Jong-un and his scientists and engineers, they learn and they improve and they adapt, and they continue to develop military capabilities that are a threat not only on the (Korean) peninsula but to the region," Kirby said when asked why the North's satellite launch may have failed. Kirby added that "is why we are going to continue to work with allies and partners on holding Kim Jong-un and his regime accountable and why we are going to do everything we can to make sure we have the proper military capabilities in the region, including training and readiness to deal with those threats." North Korea fired a space launch vehicle early Wednesday morning (Korea time), but it fell into the Yellow Sea after what Pyongyang called an "abnormal" starting of its second-stage booster. Kirby noted the United States and South Korea already have a mechanism in place to deal with North Korea's nuclear threat, namely the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), although not as a result of North Korea's botched satellite launch attempt. "This was put in place before they decided to try this launch over the weekend," he said when asked if the North's satellite launch had kick started any elements of the NCG, which was established late last month under an agreement between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden, known as the Washington Declaration. "That said, the (Washington) Declaration and the (Nuclear) Consultative Group was certainly established as a result of the continued provocations by the DPRK over so many, many months here, if not years, and it's a way to help improve our ability to be responsive to whatever threats there might be," said Kirby, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (Yonhap) Right in downtown Fort Payne is a set of bronze statues to honor country supergroup Alabama, who famously hails from the small northeast Alabama town. And right across the street from them is a huge mural of the towns other superstar, Pete the Cat. In case you havent been around kids in the past decade, let me explain: The Pete the Cat childrens book series is a global phenomenon. There are more than 100 books chronicling the adventures of the calm, groovy cat (and its friends), and it doesnt look to be letting up anytime soon. The books have been on the New York Times Best Sellers list for hundreds of weeks, and theyve been translated into more than a dozen languages. There was even a four-season Amazon Prime Series where Elvis Costello and Diana Krall voiced some of the characters. The beloved cat even has celebrity fans like Leonardo Dicaprio. A painting in Pete the Cat Alley in downtown Fort Payne, Alabama. But what is the famous blue felines connection to Fort Payne? The co-creator and illustrator of the series, James Dean, hails from the mountain town. Read more: Country legends reviving June Jam Dean was born in the area, moved away, and then moved back for his high school years. He graduated from Fort Payne High School (a little more about that in just a sec), and attended Auburn University, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering. (He told Auburn Magazine in 2019 that he favored an art class over engineering classes when he was on the Plains.) He moved to Georgia to take an engineering job with Georgia Power before he struck gold with the Pete the Cat series. A painting in Pete the Cat Alley in downtown Fort Payne, Alabama.Haley Laurence And although Dean still lives in Georgia, he frequently drives over to Fort Payne to show love to his hometown. In August 2022, he painted the huge Pete the Cat mural downtown on the old Sawyer building at the intersection of Gault Avenue North and 4th Street. (Yes, thats right he painted the mural in the Alabama August humidity, bless him.) Its been deemed The Worlds Tallest Pete the Cat Mural by Visit Lookout Mountain, and its perfect for a selfie or two. [To read more good news about Alabama, sign up for our free This is Alabama Newsletter.] And remember what we said about Deans love of Fort Payne High School? He signed the mural, FPHS, Class of 76. Check it out: Author, illustrator and Fort Payne native James Dean signed "FPHS Class of '76" at the bottom of his huge Pete the Cat mural in downtown Fort Payne.Haley Laurence But thats not the only Pete the Cat fun you can find in Fort Payne. The town celebrates Deans success. In 2017, a Pete the Cat alley was developed downtown, according to Fort Payne Main Street Director Connie Fuller. The alley is filled with lots of original pieces of Pete the Cat art that incorporate local institutions, like Dekalb Theatre and Hamiltons Drive-In. (And there may just serendipitously be a stray cat or two that wander around the area, according to Fuller.) A Pete the Cat star in downtown Fort Payne, Alabama. In true Hollywood Walk of Fame style, you can also find a star on the sidewalk near the alley that is devoted to Pete the Cat. And if you are looking for more Pete the Cat goodies, check out Katherines Gallery and Custom Framing. It has plenty of books and other memorabilia. But again, thats not all. The first Saturday of each August, Fort Payne hosts Pete the Cat Day. Since 2017, Dean has driven over to the northeast Alabama town to participate. A limited amount of tickets to meet Dean for an autograph session are given away ahead of time, and there are always plenty of kid-friendly activities on the agenda. At least a thousand people attend every year. According to Fuller, neither Fort Payne Main Street or Dean make any money off the celebration. She explains, He is kind enough to come over here and not charge us, and he does it because he loves Fort Payne. More Alabama small town stories: Why Brewton is small-town Alabama at its best One Alabama small town is among nations most beautiful, according to Architectural Digest This Alabama muralist brings small towns together The Air Force announced the permanent location for many more U.S. Space Force units Wednesday and none of them are in Huntsville, suggesting the service may be moving ahead with at least part of the design it originally sought for the new force before it became entangled in politics. Four more Space Force missions will now be based in Colorado Springs, a notable choice during a larger and now politicized battle over where to locate the permanent headquarters of U.S. Space Command. Colorado Springs, which is housing Space Commands temporary headquarters, was the Air Forces preferred location, but Donald Trump, in the final days of his presidency, selected Alabama instead. While the Pentagon and White House have said the decisions are not directly linked, Alabama has strict anti-abortion laws, and Sen. Tommy Tuberville earlier this year announced he would hold up all military nominations until the Department of Defense rescinds a new policy that would allow female service members to be reimbursed for travel costs if they have to go out of state for reproductive care. Tubervilles office was not immediately available for comment Wednesday evening. The Space Force announcement came as President Joe Biden left for Colorado Springs to speak during Thursdays commencement ceremony at the nearby U.S. Air Force Academy. Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet said hell be using the presidents visit as another opportunity to press for the command. As President Biden and his administration near a final basing decision for Space Command, we urge them to restore the integrity of this process and make a decision in the interest of our national security to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs, his office said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Air Force has been moving forward with getting fully dug in at Colorado Springs, where more than 20 of the militarys space missions are now based. The Air Force Academy now has a space curriculum and graduates Space Force Guardians alongside its Air Force cadets. Colorado Springs continues to prove itself as the premier location for our nations space defense operations, Colorado Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn said in a statement announcing the selection. The Space Force, founded in December 2019, is the smallest of the military branches, with just under 8,400 personnel. But it has seen its budget rapidly rise as the U.S. has scrambled to defend against a rapid militarization of space, such as North Koreas failed Wednesday launch of a ballistic missile believed to be carrying a spy satellite. The four new missions in Colorado Springs include Delta 15, a headquarters unit for the services space operations command; Space Delta 12, a test and evaluation unit; and two surveillance squadrons. Other locations announced Wednesday as new permanent homes for Space Force missions are in Florida and New Mexico. A 75-year-old man is being held in the Morgan County Jail on $500,000 bond after being charged with sexual abuse of a child. The Morgan County Sheriffs Office said Robert Curtis Harvell Sr., of Somerville, was arrested Wednesday on a grand jury warrant. He has been charged with sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old. According to the sheriffs office, the charges stem from an investigation by its criminal investigation division, with assistance by the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center and Morgan County DHR. Lawmakers and regulators gearing up to address risks from artificial intelligence technology got another boost this week from experts warning of potential extinction and calling on governments to step up regulations. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has said he and his staff have met with more than 100 CEOs, scientists and other experts to figure out how to draw up legislation. The National Telecommunications Information Administration, or NTIA, is gathering comments from industry groups and tech experts on how to design audits that can examine AI systems and ensure theyre safe for public use. And former Federal Trade Commission officials are urging the agency to use its authority over antitrust and consumer protection to regulate the sector. More than 350 researchers, executives and engineers working on AI systems added to the urgency Tuesday in a statement released by the Center for AI Safety, a nonprofit group. Among those who signed are Geoffrey Hinton, a top Google AI scientist until he recently resigned to warn about risks of the technology; Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the company that has developed ChatGPT; and Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, a company that focuses on AI safety. Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war, the group said. The experts listed eight broad categories of risk posed by AI systems that digest vast quantities of information. Those systems can create text, images and video that are difficult to distinguish from human-created content. The Center for AI Safety says AI systems can help criminals and malicious actors create chemical weapons and spread misinformation, perpetuate inequalities by helping small groups of people gain a lot of power, and deceive human overseers and seek power for themselves. Schumer appears to have heard the message. We cant move so fast that we do flawed legislation, but theres no time for waste or delay or sitting back, he said on the Senate floor on May 18. Weve got to move fast. Schumers office didnt respond to a question about when legislation would be unveiled. Altman himself appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee only two days before Schumers floor remarks, telling lawmakers that regulatory intervention by governments will be critical to mitigate the risks of increasingly powerful models. But Altman, who called on U.S. lawmakers to regulate the technology, balked a week later at the European Unions effort to do so. According to the Financial Times, he told reporters in London that he had many concerns about the EUs proposed AI Act that is still being debated. The EU proposal would categorize AI systems into three buckets: systems that pose unacceptable risk, such as government-run social scoring applications found in China and elsewhere, that violate fundamental rights, including ones doing predictive policing that would be banned; high-risk applications such as those that scan resumes and rank job applicants that would have to meet legal and transparency requirements; and a third category of systems that would be left unregulated. The Financial Times reported that Altman said his OpenAIs ChatGPT could end up being classified as high-risk. The details really matter, Altman said. We will try to comply, but if we cant comply we will cease operating, he said, referring to potentially removing ChatGPT from the European Union, according to the newspaper. The EU rules have yet to be finalized but are expected to go into effect in 2025. Regulators everywhere are trying to figure out how to write rules that wouldnt be too stifling while also ensuring that peoples privacy and safety arent violated, said Ken Kumayama, a partner who focuses on technology issues at the law firm of Skadden, Arps in California. The technology is rapidly changing, and peoples understanding of risks and benefits is also evolving, he said. Its more art than science, Kumayama said in an interview. I think it really is anyones guess whats ultimately going to happen. The U.S. is behind in our thinking and our drafting of rules on artificial intelligence and other aspects, Kumayama said. We are playing catch-up. Lack of clear vision While lawmakers, industry executives and experts in the U.S. agree that we need some regulation, some guardrails, some guidelines, some rules of the road lawmakers in the U.S. dont seem to have any clear vision regarding what that should look like, Kumayama said. One proposal from the 117th Congress, known as the Algorithmic Accountability Act and sponsored by Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, D-N.Y., was backed by 39 other Democrats but failed to advance in the House. That measure, which would have empowered the FTC to assess the impact of AI systems, was a good start, but it applied only to large companies and left out smaller companies that often are the ones that drive innovation in artificial intelligence, Kumayama said. President Joe Biden in April called on tech companies to ensure that their AI systems are safe before making them public. His comments led the NTIA to ask industry groups and tech experts to weigh in. Much as financial audits create trust in the accuracy of financial statements, accountability mechanisms for AI can help assure that an AI system is trustworthy, Alan Davidson, the assistant secretary of communications and information at the NTIA, said at the time. The agency has since received more than 500 comments but plans to make them public only after the comment period ends June 12, Zahir Rasheed, an agency spokesman, said in an email. Amba Kak and Sarah Myers West, two former FTC officials, said in a report published last month that the FTC has existing authority relating to antitrust and consumer harm to regulate the fast-growing artificial intelligence tech sector even without new legislation. The report from the nonprofit AI Now Institute, titled Confronting Tech Power, said the FTC could enforce existing law on the books to create public accountability in the rollout of generative AI systems and prevent harm to consumers and competition. ChatGPT is one example of a generative AI, which refers to a system that can generate text, image or video in response to prompts. Since the FTC is focused on stopping deceptive or unfair acts or practices, some experts argue that irrespective of underlying technologies, if the result or an outcome is illegal or harmful to consumers, you need to stop, Kumayama said. I dont disagree with them. The law is technology-agnostic. ___ 2023 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A comprehensive measure regulating the sale of vaping devices to young people under 21 - including penalties for those who sell and buy them - is running up against a clock this legislative session, and the supporters say that lives are at risk. Opponents say the legislation could cripple small retailers who sell legitimate smoking cessation products to adults while fueling a rise of tobacco sales in Alabama. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also weighing in, saying that laws that add penalties against youths is not a best practice, and that Black and Hispanic youths are more likely to be cited for violations. A legislative showdown has already occurred in Montgomery between the bills opponents which includes a unique mix of small business, vape shops, and public health organizations like the American Cancer Society and supporters like school leaders and the Drug Education Council. Optimistic Sen. Vivian Davis Figures (D-Mobile) speaks to a colleague during the first meeting of the Alabama Senate for the 2023 legislative session in Montgomery, Alabama. AL.com/Sarah Swetlik The legislative sponsors from Mobile Rep. Barbara Drummond and Sen. Vivian Figures believe HB319 could get an airing on the Senate floor before the legislative session ends. After Thursday, only one more day remains for any legislation to be considered this year. I am optimistic, Figures said on Wednesday. I always try to keep hope alive until we are done. Figures is also pitching legislation of her own -- SB316, which was approved by the Alabama House Judiciary Committee Wednesday and is viewed as a complimentary bill to Drummonds more comprehensive measure that adds teeth to regulating the sale of vaping devices to youths under 21. The federal government raised the age from 18 to 21 in 2019, for purchasing all tobacco products, including vapes and e-cigarettes. Under SB316, if a minor is found in possession of a vaping device, reasonable efforts will be made to notify a parent or legal guardian. So many times our children are doing things parents dont know about, Figures said. This is bringing it to the forefront so children can get the help they need. Similar language exists in the comprehensive HB319. That bill also adds fines of $50 or eight hours of community service on anyone under age 21 who is found in possession of a vape device. Children under age 18 will be assigned to juvenile court if they are found in possession of vape devices. Vaping is the No. 1 problem in our school systems throughout the state of Alabama, Figures said. Children get addicted a lot easier and quicker than an adult does. Were trying to save their lives. Its become an epidemic. Penalties, education Drummond said the biggest thing behind her legislation HB319 - is that it adds an enforcement arm to the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to assess penalties that are already on the books. It also increases fines against retail outlets advertising products geared toward youths. The legislation also assesses fines on a retailer for selling products that are not listed on a directory, created in 2021, that tracks businesses that sell and manufacture vape cartridges, e-liquids and other alternative nicotine products in Alabama. Additionally, the legislation bans any product containing synthetic nicotine or nicotine derived from any source other than tobacco, making the state the first in the nation to do so. There is bad stuff being shipped and not purchased here in America that is coming in from China and Mexico, said Drummond. This will give ABC and (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency or ALEA) the power and funding it needs to get resources out there and get the stuff off the shelves. The bill also sets aside funding through fines to support vape awareness and educational programs. We came out of the pandemic and saw 8 to 9-years-olds with vape devices, said Virginia Guy, executive director with the Drug Education Council based in Mobile. They reported that they were playing are electronic devices, but its a lot more than just one more electronic device. We want to make sure they know its harmful and they will not possess it. We want to intervene and stop that use before it becomes an addiction. Opposition The bill faced opposition during a committee hearing on May 24, after a group of 28 anti-tobacco and public health organizations submitted a letter requesting lawmakers to not adopt it. One group warned that the legislation, by redefining e-liquids and outlawing synthetic nicotine, would eliminate locally owned vape stores in Alabama within a year. They also warn that the legislation would be a boost to the tobacco industry, because of the restrictions on selling alternative nicotine products. The CDC, in a statement to AL.com, argues that the best approach toward regulations is through comprehensive smoke free laws, tobacco price increases, media campaigns, and flavor prohibitions. According to the Truth Initiative, Alabamas tobacco tax ranks No. 41 in the U.S., and well below the national average. The state is also one of a dozen Southern U.S. states that does not have a comprehensive statewide ban on smoking indoors, although many restaurants and bars have their own policies prohibiting indoor smoking. Gregory Conley, director of legislative & external affairs of American Vapor Manufacturers, said the way the legislation is written, it will ban the sale of nicotine-free vaping products, which are used by many adults on their path to quitting nicotine use altogether. Some lawmakers seem to be under the impression that a registry or a synthetic nicotine ban will somehow address the problem of drug dealers selling illicit vape cartridges containing drugs, Conley said. I will go out on a limb and say that drug dealers are not going to be put off by a tobacco regulatory bill. He added, Instead of putting lipstick on a pig and risking shutting down small businesses with zero benefit to public health, lawmakers should decline to pass HB 319 and develop a workable policy proposal over the interim. But Guy said she believes the vaping industry is doing things she believes is harmful to youths, such as promoting products through social media campaigns. They are putting out ads where kids can do things like take pictures of vaping in English class, or the bus, Guy said. Companies are sending swag. Its disrespectful to our educators and running them ragged. Alabama lawmakers have passed a bill that would increase prison sentences for crimes committed on behalf of a criminal enterprise, defined in the bill as a coalition of three or more people involved in criminal activity. The bill, backed by Attorney General Steve Marshall and law enforcement, has bipartisan support and passed the House 95-6 Thursday after passing the Senate 32-0 a week ago. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey, who can sign it into law. The bill initially used the term gang but was changed to criminal enterprise at the request of some Black lawmakers. The purpose of the bill is not to attack groups, but its to attack groups that engage in criminal activity, Marshall said after the bill passed the House. And I think thats where we saw some of the confusion. We have to be able to define who the criminal enterprise is. And the bill gives that opportunity. But its the next step that becomes what this bill is about. Its that criminal enterprise engaging in criminal activity. This puts Alabama in the majority of states. It gives us a tool to be able to deal with this type of activity. It also creates a very specific disincentive for those who want to engage in this crime to be able to think twice about doing so. Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, former assistant chief of the Birmingham Police Department, said law enforcement needs more tools to crack down on people who collaborate on violence and drug crimes that repeatedly terrorize neighborhoods. Treadaway is the House sponsor of the bill, SB143, by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery. This bill goes a long way toward being able to remove them from the street, Treadaway said. Its no secret that theyre coming back and committing these same crimes over and over. Some Democrats in the House of Representatives today questioned whether the bill would make a difference or would be just a continuation of Alabamas policies of long prison sentences that do not address root causes of crime and easy access to guns. Rep. Patrick Sellers, D-Birmingham, said expansion of social services and mental health care would accomplish more to reduce crime over time than the threat of more time in prison. It saddens me over and over again to see more legislation thats lock-em-up-and-throw-away-the-key . without addressing what the real problems and concerns are within our communities, Sellers said. And thats doing the rehab on the front end and not on the back end. We continue to bring legislation to add Class A felonies, Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, said. I dont know when its going to end. There are enough laws on the books in the state of Alabama to cover any charge that we have for any crime. We need to be bringing legislation to take these guns out of the hands of these young folks that are killing people in mass numbers. And a lot of these kids are not in gangs. Theyre not. Asked about the concerns that longer prison sentences will not reduce the problems caused by gang violence, Marshall said other states, including Florida, have had success with similar legislation. Weve got to be able to attack the problem, Marshall said. What weve seen is organized activity throughout our state is contributing to many of the loss of lives and significant property crime that are occurring. This is a way to be able to aggressively deal with it. We think its going to be successful and weve seen other states be able to do the same thing. Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Livingston, who worked in law enforcement, said he was in favor of the bill after changes made by the Senate. Im actually concerned and tired of groups terrorizing the citizens in our community, McCampbell said. And when I say terrorizing, people are afraid to even come forward. They are afraid to come out of their homes. But McCampbell said the Legislature also needs to consider how to reduce the easy availability of military style weapons. Im a Second Amendment person, McCampbell said. I believe in my guns. I have guns. But our assault weapons are weapons of war. And one of the things we need to do as society is look at how prevalent they are in our community. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, said changes the Senate made in the bill alleviated concerns about unintended consequences. Daniels said he supported the bill. The bill defines criminal enterprise members and would result in enhanced punishments for crimes committed on behalf of a criminal enterprise. For example, a Class A felony would carry a sentence of at least 25 years. Class B felonies would be punished as Class A, and Class C would be punished as Class B. Crimes involving the use of firearms would also carry mandated prison terms. Defendants 16 or older would be tried as adults if charged with any Class A felony or crimes involving use of a deadly weapon, an element of causing of death or serious, or use of a dangerous instrument against police, court officials, jurors, witnesses, or teachers. One of the things weve seen is a significant decrease in the age of those who come together for criminal purposes, Marshall said. And this is again designed to make sure we can not only hold individuals accountable but also to create that deterrence for those who choose to do so. Read more: Alabama legislation removes gangs in favor of criminal enterprises Updated at 2:33 p.m. to say bill received final passage. The Alabama House Wednesday passed a bill that would prevent state entities from contracting with companies that refuse to do business with fossil fuel producers, firearm manufacturers, companies that do not facilitate access to abortion or gender-affirming care and other entities. SB 261, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, passed on a 76-27 vote. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. This bill requires companies that contract with the state to certify that they dont boycott other companies based on any purpose other than ordinary business purposes, said Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, who carried the bill in the House. More from Alabama Reflector Brown also said that the bill would prohibit businesses from engaging in boycotts of investment strategies. The legislation is an anti-environmental, social and governance (ESG) bill, one of several pushed by Republican legislators around the nation. ESG aims to encourage companies to consider sustainability in investment decisions, particularly around climate change. Under Roberts bill, companies entering contracts with public entities must verify that they do not engage in economic boycotts. The bill defines economic boycott as refusing to deal with, terminating business activities with, or otherwise taking any commercial action that is intended to penalize or inflict economic harm on a company solely because the company, without violatingcontrolling law or regulation engage in business protected under the bill. There are various activities outlined in the bill that would be protected, such as a companys involvement in fossil fuel-based energy, timber, mining, or agriculture. It also includes companies engaged in the manufacturing, distribution, or lawful use of firearms, as well as those that fail to meet environmental standards or commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the bill includes companies that do not meet corporate employment or board composition criteria, as well as those that do not facilitate access to abortion or sex or gender change-related procedures. Critics argue that such legislation could stifle freedom of expression and limit the ability of individuals and organizations to take a stand on social, political, and environmental issues through boycotts or divestment campaigns. The legislation prevents governmental entities from entering contracts worth more than $15,000 with companies with more than 10 employees engaged in economic boycotts. The proposed legislation seeks to establish clear parameters for economic boycotts, highlighting specific activities and positions that could trigger such actions against companies. Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, said after the bills passage on Wednesday that the bill is anti-diversity, anti-free speech and anti-free market. This is just government interfering into the private affairs of a business, he said. Rafferty said that its good practice for businesses to have multiple viewpoints, which allows businesses to have more comprehensive human resources and services. He said that the bill could also stifle business development, especially homegrown business expansion, if businesses cant tap into new and untouched markets. One thing that we keep talking about as a state it doesnt matter what party you are in is about business recruitment, trying to get more and more businesses and trying to get Alabama to work, Rafferty said. But what were talking about is also blocking those businesses ability to be able to make decisions. A bill to exempt overtime pay from the state income tax was changed on Wednesday and would now save workers a maximum of only $100 a year. The bill, HB217 by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, is in position to pass Thursday on the next-to-last day of the legislative session. Lawmakers from both parties spoke out in support of the bill on Wednesday, saying it was an innovative way to help workers take home more of what they earn and help businesses by encouraging work in a time when employers are struggling to fill jobs. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, chair of the Senate education budget committee, proposed capping the amount of overtime pay that would be exempt from the state income tax at $2,000 per year. The state income tax rate is 5%, so the cap limits the maximum savings to $100. The committee adopted the amendment Wednesday. Orr said he was concerned about the loss of revenue to support the education budget. Income taxes go to the Education Trust Fund. HB217 was estimated to reduce revenues to the ETF by $45 million a year. Orr noted that the overtime tax was one of several bills passed or pending during this session that would reduce revenues to the ETF. On Thursday, the Senate is expected to pass a bill to repeal 2 cents of the 4-cent state sales tax on food, which will reduce the ETF by an estimated $300 million. Almost every member of the Legislature has endorsed the bill. Earlier in the session, lawmakers approved expanding tax incentives paid to recruit industry under the JOBS Act, which Orr said would reduce ETF revenues by about $170 million. He mentioned other tax break bills that will take smaller bites out of the fund. The overtime exemption bill, after Orrs amendment, would reduce ETF revenues by an estimated $21.6 million. Were well over half a billion dollars that were giving away, Orr said. HB217 carries a sunset provision, meaning it would expire in January 2027 unless the Legislature extended it. That was intended to allow a chance to gauge the effect of the tax exemption. Daniels and other supporters of the bill said employees would spend the extra take-home pay, putting some of it back into local and state tax revenues through sales taxes. Daniels opposed the cap on the bill. Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, said it will severely limit the benefits of the bill. Singleton noted that without the cap the exemption could have made a big difference for some workers. The overtime exemption would apply to both private and public employees, including state correctional officers and others who work large amounts of overtime. I just think it guts the whole concept of the overall bill when you only put a limit of $2,000 on it, Singleton said. I think that we could have gotten a lot more out of this to be able to get the data on what it really costs, how its really affecting the economy. Whats its going to do for the education budget? How money is going to come back in. And in three years, I think we would have been able to see if we had allowed it to go to full capacity how its really helping workers, to keep people coming back to the workforce. Both the overtime bill and the long-awaited reduction of the grocery tax could be on the Senate floor today as lawmakers wind down the annual session. Officials representing education associations had, like Orr, raised concerns about the cumulative effect of tax cut bills on the ETF. Orr noted that several other proposed tax cut bills, including some that he sponsored, will not pass this session. Authorities are currently on the scene in Ider, where a bear climbed a tree after being struck by a vehicle. Ider Police Chief Stephen Malone said the crash happened near the crossroads of Alabama 75 and Alabama 117. Ider, a town of about 750, is located in DeKalb County in northeast Alabama. The crash, according to Malone, involved the bear. The animal then climbed into a tree at a residence near the crossroads. Then, at about 1 p.m., according to police, the bear either jumped or fell from the tree, and went into a wooded area near the Housing authority. The bear could be seen on video ambling with a visible limp. Ider police and the Alabama Game & Fish Division are closely monitoring the situation, Malone said. Please do not attempt to crowd the area, Malone said on a Facebook post. People in the vicinity are being asked to make sure children and pets remain inside. President Biden flew to Colorado Springs today, delivered a long graduation address to U.S. Air Force Academy graduates and their families in a packed stadium and didnt say a word about the U.S. Space Command headquarters. It was noticed including by the Denver Post, which ran a headline saying Biden, while speaking for about 30 minutes, didnt address future of Space Command. The states two senators, U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper had issued a statement before Bidens arrival urging him to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs. Local Colorado television news had also previewed the visit saying people would be listening for any presidential word about the headquarters. The relatively new military command, created to fight any attacks on Americas space assets or attacks on America from space, began operations in Colorado Springs. It remained there now, while the Air Force followed Pentagon rules that call for an independent ranking of competing headquarters candidates. That system ranked Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville as the best permanent location for the headquarters. The rating compared such factors as housing availability and cost, health care, quality of schools and job opportunities for spouses of serving personnel. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala) said Colorado Springs finished fifth in the selection rankings. Bidens graduation speech came a day after the Air Force announced four Space Force missions will be located in Colorado Springs. That decision was being read in Colorado as suggesting the service may be moving ahead with at least part of the design it originally sought for the new force before it became entangled in politics, the Associated Press reported shortly after Biden landed. Former President Trump complicated the base selection in 2021 by saying he single handedly chose Alabama to house the headquarters. Looking into history and designing the future 09:26, June 01, 2023 By George N. Tzogopoulos ( China.org.cn Ten years ago, China proposed an interconnectivity mechanism to cement all-round synergies with other countries of the world interested in joining. This is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has since then evolved as a dynamic integration model attracting the attention of international scholars. The BRI was inaugurated in Kazakhstan, opening a new chapter in its relations with China but also impacting on the entire region of Central Asia. The parameter of geography was vital. The May 2023 China-Central Asia Summit organized in Xi'an was thus a good opportunity to look at the results of the previous decade and discuss opportunities in the future. Trade between China and Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, rose from circa $46 billion in 2012 to over $70 billion in 2022. Among other things, energy has been crucial. The China-Central Asia gas pipeline connects Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and China. Composed of three parallels that were constructed in 2009, 2010, and 2014, respectively, this artery has partly responded to the growing Chinese demand for gas. Another, the fourth corridor of the China-Central Asia gas pipeline, the so-called Line D, is currently underway. Additionally, the Kazakhstan-China pipeline was established in 2004, carrying oil from Kazakh fields to China. In particular, two different lines the Atasu-Alashankou and Kenkiyak-Kumkol are part of the same project. According to official data for 2021, the former transported 10.9 million tons, while the latter carried 6.7 million tons. China's investments in the five Central Asian economies are also significant. Official statistics demonstrate that by the end of 2022, Chinese foreign direct investments in the region will reach nearly $15 billion. In 2021 and 2022, China was the biggest investor in all countries apart from Kazakhstan. In the recent Summit, the Chinese government expressed its commitment to contributing to development in the region by providing approximately $3.8 billion in financial support and grants. Going further, coordination in the sphere of security has been on the agenda. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Turkmenistan is not, but it attended the September 2022 Samarkand Summit as an honored guest. As a result of the Xi'an summit, the five Central Asian states agreed to pursue active cooperation with China on the Global Security Initiative. Challenges remain difficult, stemming inter alia from instability in Afghanistan but going beyond. Relations between China and the five Central Asian countries in the new era are multidimensional, and Beijing is gradually becoming a protagonist in the area. While these relations are evolving at the bilateral level, the multilateral format provides a different framework that might be fruitful in the future. The mirror of history is always useful in planning the future. Xi'an was the capital of the Chinese Empire for more than a millennium at various times as well as a symbol of its glory. It was also the departure point for the ancient Silk Road. Under the Han Dynasty, it functioned as a crossroads for people of China and Central Asia and as a hub of diverse ethnic identities and religious beliefs. In 2023, it is Xi'an again that brings China and Central Asia closer. George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) South Korean Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong speaks while meeting with reporters in Washington, May 31. Yonhap North Korea's failed launch of a spy satellite has violated United Nations Security Council resolutions and the country will face corresponding consequences, South Korea's ambassador to the United States said Wednesday. Amb. Cho Hyun-dong also insisted that the North's provocative actions will only lead to further isolation. "North Korea has said it will conduct a second launch, but any such launch will carry a due price," Cho said while meeting with reporters in Washington. North Korea launched what it claimed to be its first military reconnaissance satellite on Wednesday morning (Korea time). The satellite fell into the Yellow Sea after what Pyongyang called an "abnormal" flight of its space launch vehicle. "South Korea and the United States communicated at various levels of government immediately after the launch. The two governments issued a message condemning North Korea's launch," said Cho, adding, "North Korea's launch only worsens its isolation while strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance." In a prebuttal of North Korea's planned launch, the U.S. has said the firing of a space launch vehicle (SLV) would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit the North's use of any ballistic missile technology by Pyongyang. "Any DPRK launch that uses ballistic missile technology, which would include SLVs used to launch a satellite into space, violates multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions," a state department spokesperson said earlier, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A group of students on a school trip checks an emergency alert on their smartphones, which urged Seoul residents to take shelter, at Seoul Station in the capital, May 31. Yonhap A man has been arrested in Georgia in connection with a Friday murder in Jackson County. Sheriff Rocky Harnen said Dima Stevanovich Novikov, 29, was arrested Wednesday in Chatsworth, Ga., by deputies of the Murray County (Ga.) Sheriffs Office. Novikov has been charged with murder in the death of Terry Dewayne Warren, 61. Warrens body was found Friday at about 11:30 p.m. in a residence on County Road 17 in Skyline, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Novikov will be held in the Murray County Jail pending extradition back to Alabama. According to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, investigators were aided by numerous tips from the community. The Murray County Georgia Sheriffs Office, Scottsboro and Skyline police, Jackson County District Attorneys Office, Skyline Fire, Highlands Ambulance Service and the Jackson County Coroners Office all assisted in the investigation. The Democrat-controlled Senate has passed a measure that overturns President Bidens sweeping student loan forgiveness plan. The Senate passed the measure 52-46 just days after it cleared the Republican-controlled U.S. House, The Hill reported. Joining Republicans in voting against the measure were Democrats Jon Tester of Montana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia and independent Krysten Sinerma of Arizona. A White House veto is expected with neither chamber being able to muster the two-thirds vote needed to override. This resolution is an unprecedented attempt to undercut our historic economic recovery and would deprive more than 40 million hard-working Americans of much-needed student debt relief, a White House statement noted last month. The Senate vote is the latest stinging blow to Bidens plan, which would cancel up to $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households earning less than $250,000. People who received Pell Grants in college are eligible for up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness. READ MORE: When will student loan payments resume if debt ceiling bill is approved? Is forgiveness an option? The measure is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court which is expected to issue its ruling this month. In a statement, Manchin said his vote centered on the impact sweeping loan forgiveness would have on the national debt. Today, I voted to repeal the Biden Administrations student loan cancellation proposal because we simply cannot afford to add another $400 billion to the national debt. There are already more than 50 existing student loan repayment and forgiveness programs aimed at attracting individuals to vital service jobs, such as teachers, health care workers, and public servants. This Biden proposal undermines these programs and forces hard-working taxpayers who already paid off their loans or did not go to college to shoulder the cost. Instead, we should be focusing on bipartisan student debt reforms that reduce the cost of higher education and help all Americans, Manchin said. READ MORE: Student loan forgiveness: Congress considers new repayment start date Bidens debt relief plan is expected to cost taxpayers some $400 billion. Earlier this week, Republicans were able to negotiate a measure to restart payments student loans on hold since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of debt ceiling negotiations. The payments are set to begin 60 days after the June 30 deadline, making the latest deadline date Aug. 30. A meeting about the Space Command headquarters last week led to sharp words by Alabamas congressional delegation toward Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, authorized by the White House to determine the permanent home for the command. Congressman Dale Strong, R-Monrovia, described the contentious meeting Thursday in an interview with AL.com. Related: Alabama Rep. Aderholt moves to freeze federal spending on Space Command HQ in Colorado Strong said Kendall informed the delegation that he wanted to re-evaluate a few things regarding the search to identify the best site for Space Commands permanent home. Huntsvilles Redstone Arsenal, of course, has long been determined by multiple reviews as the best site while Colorado Springs, Colo. the seeming rival to Alabamas bid to land Space Command and the site of the start-up command finished fourth and fifth in different evaluations. Its at least the second time in recent months Kendall has alluded to changes in the search process, saying in March that the Air Force was doing additional analysis on the search process. Strong described the reaction in the room to Kendalls announcement of a re-evaluation. He got lit up from every corner from Terri Sewell to Robert Aderholt to Mike Rogers to me, Strong said, referring to Alabama colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives. It looks like Gen. (James) Dickinson (commander of Space Command) and the secretary of the (Air Force) have got their own dice game going on. And it appears theyre trying to put their thumb on the scale. And thats a hard process to beat in my book. But I know one thing, he got his moneys worth from Alabama delegation about the process that theyre intervening in. And it appears that its Gen. Dickinson and the secretary doing it themselves. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) released this U.S. Space Command headquarters site selection scorecard and data supporting it March 3, 2023 to counter attempts by Colorado to keep the headquarters in Colorado Springs where the command was activated. The meeting deteriorated to the point that Strong said when it ended, he walked out with Rogers chair of the House Armed Services Committee and said, We need to start an investigation right now. Lets see what these text messages and emails between the secretary and the generals (say). Lets find out whats going on because, obviously, theyve got something that theyre doing but no one else has got the same ability. Rogers announced last week that the House Armed Services Committee is launching an investigation into the changing criteria for Space Command HQ. The concern for Alabama lawmakers is that arrangements are being made to bolster Colorado Springs candidacy while the same arrangements are not available for Redstone Arsenal. The fact is, the Air Force already made the correct decision well over two years ago, Rogers, a Republican from Saks, said in a statement last week. That decision was affirmed by the GAO and the DoD Inspector General over a year ago. This decision was based on multiple factors, and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama was the clear winner in the evaluation and selection phase. I am deeply concerned that the continued delays in making this move final are politically motivated and damaging to our national security. Asked if Kendall shared in the meeting what would go into that re-evaluation, Strong said, He just said that he wanted to get some more information from Gen. Dickinson. And then thats when (comments from the delegation) came from every angle. And then we said, Well, whos making the decision? Are you making the decision or 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? And thats when he said that he would be making the decision. But then also, weve been told multiple times that the decision would be made soon, it will be made. And this is how far this has drug along. The Air Force announced in January 2021 that Redstone Arsenal was the preferred site for Space Command. You can take that in any direction you want to take it, Strong said of the re-evaluation. I dont know what they could possibly re-evaluate, to take the fifth-place site and move it to No. 1. So were just like everybody else. I think that its somewhat baffling for him to say that hes re-evaluating a few things. If theyre going to let Colorado change the process just for them, I think that it is very suspect. And I think it puts a big black cloud over this process. Asked if he believed the re-evaluation process is ongoing to benefit Colorado Springs, Strong said, I think the thing I want to know is if theyre re-evaluating, what is that? Theyre maybe trying to classify some property that they got under lease or something of that nature. And thats why we called for the investigation. Strong said he told Rogers after the meeting that he believed Kendall was dodging questions from the delegation. And you know, when somebody wont look you in the eye, it makes it suspect anyway, Strong said. Updated today, June 1, 2023, at 10:22 p.m. to clarify that Dickinson was invited to the meeting but did not attend. A 28-year-old man was taken into custody Thursday in connection with the fatal shooting of another man in Montgomery on Memorial Day. Juqwarn Hartwell, of Montgomery, is charged with murder in the Monday slaying of 22-year-old Rondarius McQueen. Police were notified about 3:15 a.m. Monday that a gunshot victim showed up at the hospital, said Maj. Saba Coleman. Authorities are trying to identify a suspect in a Memorial Day homicide in Montgomery. (Central Alabama Crime Stoppers) McQueen was pronounced dead a short time later. Coleman said investigators determined the shooting happened on Folmar Parkway. No other details have been released by police. Central Alabama Crime Stoppers earlier this week released store surveillance photo of the suspect, now identified as Hartwell. Hartwell is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Detention Facility. Alabama lawsuits about who owns the extra proceeds of property seized by county governments and sold for back taxes may be impacted by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of a Minnesota property owner facing a similar government seizure. In the Minnesota case, a county seized a 94-year-old womans condo to pay $15,000 in back taxes but sold it for $40,000 and kept the surplus. I think the U.S. Supreme Court makes it clear that these surplus funds do represent property rights, said Attorney Will Hereford who represents several property owners in lawsuits in Alabama that are similar in nature to the Minnesota case decided by the nations high court last week. A surplus that results from property being sold for taxes represents a property right thats to be returned to the owner, said Hereford. One property rights case in Shelby County, and another in Jefferson County, center around the question of whether county governments must give the former property owners any surplus left after back taxes are settled through sales of the seized property. Or can a county pocket the profits? What were focused on are persons or owners who were unable to redeem for one reason or another. Theyre losing their property, or theyve lost their property. They want to recover that surplus amount, said Hereford. Attorneys for the defendants in both cases did not respond immediately to a request for comments from AL.com. Last year the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in favor of the property rights of property owners and stated that the excess proceeds should be returned to them, however that case only applied to properties sold before August 1, 2013 when the state legislature amended the law to require property owners to redeem properties sold at tax auctions to receive the extra proceeds from the sale. The case involves a real estate developer, Shiloh Creek, LLC, that fell behind on $1,882.73 in taxes in 2010. In 2011, Shelby County sold the property at a tax sale, keeping an extra $24,000 of the total sale proceeds of $25,882.73. A few years later, in 2014, Shiloh Creek transferred its rights to redeem the property or claim the surplus sale amount to Jack Investment Partners LLC. In a similar situation in Calhoun County, a real estate investor and principal agent for Strategic Municipal Funding, LLC, James Douglas, failed to pay taxes on two properties in 2008. One sold for $16,939.96 beyond the back taxes owed and the other for $9,185.35 beyond what was owed. Both owners tried to get the excess sale proceeds returned to them, but the counties denied their requests. In 2018, a trial court ruled that the owners were not entitled to the money because of amendments from 2014 and 2017 to state law which required landowners to redeem property to get the excess proceeds returned to them. After the states high court ruled in favor of those plaintiffs last year, the case returned to Shelby County where it is pending while the plaintiffs request to certify a class action suit. According to Hereford, one aim of the existing suits filed by his firm is to create a process by which counties would be required to return surplus funds from tax delinquent sales to property owners, who are often living in poverty and are often elderly. According to the Pacific Legal Foundation, Alabama is one of at least 11 states with laws that, along with Minnesota, allow governments to seize the excess value of properties sold at tax auctions. Hereford said he believes the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling makes it clear that such laws are not constitutional. (The government is) limited to taking property for public use and if they take property from someone, the person has to be fairly compensated for the takings. Update: This story was updated at 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, June 1 A man angry over his water bill was killed by Russell County sheriffs deputies after he fired a round at utility employees at his home before pointing the gun at officers, the sheriff said Wednesday. The man, who was not publicly identified because his family had not yet been notified of his death, had an altercation with Russell County Water Authority employees at his home Wednesday, said Sheriff Heath Taylor. Thats what started the chain of events that ultimately led to a traffic stop of him and him presenting a weapon at the deputies on the traffic stop, Taylor told a press conference. After firing the round at the utility workers, the suspect went to the water works office, Taylor said. Deputies responded to the office when the suspect got into his truck and fled. Thats when deputies followed the suspect for five or six miles before pulling him over at U.S. Highway 431 and Ware Road. The suspect then refused deputies orders to get out of the vehicle. As one of the deputies reached for his stun gun, the suspect pointed a gun at the deputies, who fatally shot him, Taylor said. The sheriff said he does not believe the man fired at the deputies. The State Bureau of Investigation is probing the shooting, as is standard when law enforcement officers fatally shoot a suspect. The deputies are on administrative leave with pay while the probe is ongoing, Taylor said. I want to give them the opportunity to just take a lot of what had just occurred in and be able to relax a little bit. Its easy to say that youre going to take somebodys life when youre working this job its another thing when it actually happens, he said. My guys dont take it lightly. We dont take it for granted. Its the last thing we want to do, but unfortunately in the world we live in it has to be done from time to time, he continued. And unfortunately, today was one of those days. This is an opinion column. I have mixed emotions every year at this time now. Now, when many pause to recognize and remember the slaughter, destruction, a desecration that was the Tulsa Race Massacre. When June 1, 1921, culminated three days of white men crossing the tracks into North TulsaBlack Tulsa in those segregated times. Crossing the tracks and killing countless innocent men, women, and children, and burning to the ground homes and businesses of such prosperity and potential, the esteemed intellectual W.E.B Dubois called the area a place of hope and power. And wealth. Im glad it is recognized and remembered now. For too many years, for generations, it was not. Nobodys fault. Call it a collective conspiracy of silence. Whites who participated, and their descendants, buried italong with the mass graves containing countless bodies of the deadbecause, well, no one was ever prosecuted for the crimes. And they were crimes. Blacks of a generation or two preceding me buried it, too. Maybe for a different reason: Nobody, a Tulsa historian once told me, brags about getting their ass kicked. Those of you who know me know. You know I was born in Tulsa. You know my father was in Tulsa in those days, that he survived the massacre. You know he later owned a business on Greenwood Avenue, the heartbeat of what came to know as Black Wall Street. The Black Wall Street. You may also know my father died when I was 11 years old, so most of what I know about him now and of those days in 1921, Ive gleaned from research. From curiosity. From a passion to know, even if it also pains me. Pains me to know that those eventsand the catastrophic evil that transpired laterjust may have destroyed more Black wealth than any singular episode in American history. I know thats a statement, one dripping with hyperbole. Guilty. Think about it, though. Imagine it. Imagine being there on this day, 102 years ago as embers smoldered just across the tracks from downtown. Embers from the residue of firebombs dropped from airplanes onto the several blocks of businesses and homes comprising one of the most thriving Black communities in the nation. Embers from the souls of lives lost, Black livesmore than were counted. Lives dumped in the nearby Arkansas River. Embers from livelihoods devastated. Because a Black manstop me if youve heard thiswas falsely accused of rape. Because Black men dared defend themselves when their businesses and homes were attacked for three days. This week, the New York Times wrote of Greenwood: The district counted at least 15 doctors, a dozen tailors, seven attorneys, a jeweler, a garment factory, and a skating rink among its more than 150 businesses. Several entrepreneurs were worth at least $500,000 in todays dollars; a few were modern millionaires. The bombs dropped on the innocent people of Greenwood from airplanes commissioned by the governmentimagine the American government dropping bombs on Americans. Oh, wait, you dont have to imagine it because its happened. Not just in Tulsajust 38 years ago. In Philly. The murderous audaciousness that was the massacre was followed by bombs of dismissal by public officials and denial from insurance companies who refused to pay claims for lost property or even lives. They blamed the massacre on the Black residents, Black residents whose geographic sanctuaryborne of the legal segregation of Jim Crow, though it waswas invaded and pillaged. Thats why for decades the massacre was framed as a riot. How the insurance companies justified their egregious denials. Call it a conspiracy of crap. I could be wrong, but the 1921 Tulsa Race massacreand its unjustifiable aftermathmay have destroyed more Black wealth than any singular event in our nations history. Think of it when todays racial wealth gap is in the room. The massacre is just one of a cornucopia of attacks on Black prosperity a century ago in cities across the nation. But Tulsa... Imagine if the claims of those residents had been paid, if survivors had been properly, rightfully, and immediately compensated for their losses. If they had been able to build on the formidable financial foundations they created rather than watch them rise as dust from embers of destruction. Imagine if your familys wealthbe it their home, business, or the wealth that was their hopewas stripped from them a century ago. Stripped without compensation. Without justice. Where would you be now? How passionately would you still be striving for recompense? Imagine. More columns by Roy S. Johnson Are we becoming the land of the bully and home of the nasty? Through faith, former Birmingham news anchor finds unlikely new season as an actor United Methodist member recalls effort in 1970s to merge Black and white congregations Instead of forcing kids to hear the Star-Spanged Banner, they should study it Questioning parenting after youth violence is real, but does not absolve lawmaker inaction Im a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary and winner of the Edward R. Murrow prize for podcasts: Unjustifiable, co-hosted with John Archibald. My column appears in AL.com, as well as the Lede. Stay tuned for my upcoming limited series podcast Panther: Blueprint for Black Power, co-hosted with Eunice Elliott. Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter, The Barbershop, here. Reach me at rjohnson@al.com, follow me at twitter.com/roysj, or on Instagram @roysj When Jessica Bernardo found out she was pregnant, it was reason to celebrate. Bernardo and her husband had struggled for two years to conceive, and when their fetus was diagnosed with Down syndrome, they continued to celebrate, naming her Emma, which means whole. Emmas health continued to deteriorate until it became clear she would not survive birth. Bernardo, too, was at riskshe was in danger of developing mirror syndrome, a rare condition in which the fetus has an abnormal buildup of fluid, and the pregnant person has high blood pressure, or preeclampsia. The diagnosis comes with a high fetal mortality rate and maternal morbidity rate. In discussions with their doctor, the word abortion was never uttered. The couple lives in Texas. A request for care under Texas medical emergency exception in the states abortion ban was denied without explanation by the hospitals ethics committee, entities that are notoriously averse to undertaking legal risk. The couple tried to get care in Colorado next, but the wait times were too long. Finally, Bernardo was able to get an abortion in Seattle, where, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, she was told she was their third patient from Texas that week. Now, represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, Bernardo is one of 13 women suing the state of Texas over its restrictive abortion ban. The plaintiffs seek clarification of the medical emergency exceptionthey argue that the exception is vague and, coupled with the extreme legal risks that hang over physicians, qualifying for care under the current law is nearly impossible. Current Texas law says abortion care may be provided when there is a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy that poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. So, too, if a physician provides abortion care and is found to have done so outside of that criteria, they risk being charged with a first-degree felony, which could result in life imprisonment. Recently, exceptions to abortion bans have begun to attract more attention, mostly due to a growing public awareness that the exceptions are difficult for patients and physicians to navigate. I do not think that exceptions are effective broadlyin fact, they seem like something that you would think on face value would be helpful to make sure that, in particular circumstances, people can get care, explains Dr. Kristyn Brandi, an OB-GYN who practices in New Jersey. In real-life practice, exceptions are often unclear, confusing, and create delays in care because physicians have to talk to a lawyer to interpret these laws. It doesnt translate to medicine at all. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, about half of all states have enacted abortion bans. Exceptionsoften for rape, incest, life of the pregnant person or some combination of the threeserve as an illusory promise of humane care in disastrous circumstances. Twenty-two states with abortion bans have exceptions for the life of the pregnant person, making it the most common exception. The language, however, can vary from state to state. For example, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, Wyoming, and Indiana have exceptions for when there is a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Georgias exception is to prevent substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. Utah says there can be an exception when there is serious physical risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. To be sure, in the chaotic post-Dobbs legal landscape, uncertainty reigns supreme. Abortion bans in most states are accompanied by heavy penalties for physicians who perform the proceduregargantuan fines, loss of medical license, and, in some cases, criminal conviction and imprisonment. Katrina Kimport, a research sociologist focusing on reproductive health and author of No Real Choice: How Culture and Politics Matter for Reproductive Autonomy, says that the laws twist physicians role from provider of medical care to gatekeeper of medical care. These are people who are working inside institutions, and those institutions have legal teams, administrators, ethics boards, and all of those entities are really designed and are incentivized to not bring risk on to the institution, on to the hospital, on to the individual practice, Kimport says. Most medical providers, Kimport points out, are not lawyers. Interpreting the law is not their specific skill set, she says. So they may very reasonably be cautious and conservative about offering these kinds of care, because the consequences for offering abortion care outside of these narrow exceptions can be so severe. Brandi, too, says the bans, coupled with their muddy exceptions, directly affect the ability to practice medicine. For her, its very simple: if she has the skills and the tools, its her responsibility to ease suffering immediately. Making a patient wait while she consults a lawyer is unconscionable. It goes against our oath in medicine to wait until someone is sick enoughand what is sick enough? to intervene, Brandi says. Its also simply unrealistic to expect the law to cover something as complex as the human body. Theres a heartbreakingly large number of ways pregnancy can go wrong, Kimport says. Those are going to keep coming up; there is not a way to make a list of all of them. Of course, there are other exceptions besides cases in which abortion is necessary to save the life or physical functions of a pregnant person, including mental health of the pregnant person, lethal fetal abnormalityboth of which are open to the same sort of problematic interpretation that Brandi and Kimport speak ofor rape or incest. The main barrier to obtaining a sexual assault exception is because sexual assault victims often fear shaming or belittling by law enforcement. Some victims may also fear retaliation from their rapist. According to RAINN, for these reasons and more, only 310 in every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to begin with, meaning that more than 2 out of 3 assaults go unreported in the U.S. In order to qualify for a sexual assault exception, victims must file a police report, which often includes invasive questioning. In some states, fetal tissue is subject to a DNA test to prove the veracity of the assault victims claim. Its just too much for people to go through after having a sexual assaultthese requirements create shame, stigma, and re-traumatization that people dont want to go through. So they not end up getting an abortion because of all of that, and thats really a shame because people should be able to make that healthcare decision and not have to go through these onerous processes, Brandi says. And its creating this false narrative that care will exist for these people with no problem. This photo provided by Korea's Defense Ministry, shows an object salvaged by Korea's military that is presumed to be part of the North Korean space-launch vehicle that crashed into sea following a launch failure in waters off Eocheongdo island, Korea, Wednesday, May 31. Yonhap The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a resolution strongly condemning North Korea's missile tests for the first time earlier this week, in a clear message to the reclusive country against its escalating provocations. The resolution, adopted at the 107th session of the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in London on Wednesday (local time), denounced the launches as a serious threat to the safety of international navigation and urged compliance with due regulations, including giving prior notice ahead of any missile tests. In a press release, South Korea's foreign ministry stressed that it marks the first time the committee handling maritime safety issues has adopted a resolution on the North's missile provocations, though it has condemned the tests previously. North Korea has escalated its saber-rattling recently, launching what it claimed to be a "space launch vehicle" allegedly carrying a military reconnaissance satellite earlier this week. Official documents adopted by the IMO are classified into resolutions, circulars and decisions, with resolutions considered as the most powerful recommendations to its member states, according to the ministry. We may well be living in a "fake election" era, when legalized ballot fraud, months-long voting, and nonexistent voter identification requirements give the Uniparty insurmountable advantages in "selecting" compliant "representatives" for the people. But voting in the largest numbers possible will continue to highlight the obvious election rigging. If for no other reason than that it makes the fraudsters' jobs that much harder, voting still matters. Force them to explain how precincts can turn out more votes than residents! There's a reason the State-controlled media never point out that Joe Biden supposedly won fifteen million more votes than Barack Obama did in 2012 and more votes than any presidential candidate in history: nobody would believe that reality if forced to confront it. That's why, even as the Pravda press covers up the Biden family's quid-pro-quo crimes and pretends Dementia Joe's gibberish proves anything other than idiotic incompetence, the Baghdad Bobs on TV never trumpet Biden's 80 million votes. To do so, they would have to acknowledge that President Trump won over ten million new votes in his re-election contest and secured more votes than any other candidate in American history (aside from Biden). The vote-riggers were actually forced to make Biden the far and away most popular candidate in American history in order to get over Trump's legitimate vote hauls. It's one thing to pretend an unpopular Biden beat an even more unpopular Trump; it is entirely different for the media to pretend Biden is simply so unbelievably popular that he beat an incumbent president whose own popularity had grown significantly since his first election a feat not achieved for a hundred and thirty years! Vote in big numbers so that the obvious cognitive dissonance pierces the State-controlled media's propaganda. That said, if we're going to vote, we should hold the candidates' feet to the fire and force answers on important issues. Whether running for local dogcatcher or president of the Divided States, any Republican candidate should be asked the following: (1) Do you support America First economic policies that directly benefit the middle class, even when those policies hurt the interests of multinational corporations, Wall Street bankers, and international institutions advancing globalist agendas? Nothing annoyed the permanent Deep State about Donald Trump's candidacy more than his economic nationalism. The Uniparty has spent the last thirty years convincing Americans that it is entirely normal for their jobs to be outsourced to foreign shores, for their real disposable income to continually decline, and for America to produce next to nothing other than financial derivatives. The predictable end results have been impoverished Americans, desolate and destroyed towns, and increased government dependency. Trump's policies sought to stop illegal aliens from placing downward pressure on blue-collar wages, bring industry and manufacturing back home, end complex trade deals that only benefit multinational behemoths, and rapidly raise Americans' standard of living. His rallying cries were "jobs, jobs, jobs" and "drill, drill, drill," and because higher wages and lower gas prices hurt the crony capitalists' bottom lines and the globalists' Green New Deal dreams for a centralized economy, Trump became Deep State enemy number one. Economic security is national security . A strong middle class destroys the need for welfare-inducing government enslavement. A wealthy population drains power and control from the uber-"elite." A nation of doers and builders is a nation with purpose, grit, and unity. For those who wish to divide us, eliminate national boundaries, and place money and power in the hands of the few, America First remains kryptonite. (2) Without verifiable voter identification requirements or trustworthy and transparent vote-counting procedures capable of rendering immediate and reproducible election results, how can America's elections be considered "free and fair"? I'm not suggesting that elections should be nationalized; giving a small coalition of Sith Lords power over all elections is what Obama's Marxist minions desire. What I want is for Republican candidates to verbally acknowledge that numerous instances of statistically improbable results, days-long vote-counting, anonymous mail-in ballot dumps, late-night vote-tally flips, and unbelievable hijinks occurring in Democrat precincts where voting machines inexplicably break down, vote centers randomly flood, and ballots are miraculously "found" all add up to a well organized, well funded, and systemic vote fraud operation that has cheated voters and invalidated many recent elections. Even when it is clear that mass mail-in balloting has enabled Democrat-controlled cities to print enough ballots to throw statewide elections, the Paul Ryan RINO coalition sees nothing. Even when fifty-plus Intelligence Community officers push propaganda and censorship to manipulate election outcomes, Uniparty Republicans see nothing. Nobody should be voting for the willfully blind. (3) While the federal government has persecuted thousands of patriotic J6 protesters for their personal beliefs, why have Republican politicians remained largely silent? Here's the cold hard truth: America has political prisoners. The Uniparty and Pravda press are committed to the lie that the J6 protest for fair elections was an "insurrection" intended to overthrow the federal government, but most people now see their efforts as pure propaganda. Congress, the courts, and the Department of (in)Justice have done everything in their power to imprison Trump-supporters for doing little more than parade through the Capitol. Had J6 been a Black Lives Matter or Antifa "climate change" event, not only would nobody have been jailed, but also the participants would have been celebrated by the news media and awarded millions of dollars in legal settlements from the police departments accused of having violated protesters' civil rights. Instead, undercover agents from multiple agencies appear to have provoked the Capitol breach; police caused mayhem after having unnecessarily fired smoke grenades and rubber bullets into peaceful crowds; and four Trump-supporters lost their lives. As evidence that we now live in a Soviet-like police state inundated with official propaganda, the president and members of Congress continue to perpetuate the lie that Trump-supporters killed law enforcement officers that day. Any Republican not denouncing these lies is endorsing them. (4) Given the accumulation of evidence proving that the federal government is engaging in constitutionally impermissible censorship of Americans' free speech, why have Republican politicians remained largely silent? From the Department of Homeland Security's "Disinformation Governance Board" to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's "Foreign Malign Influence Center," government agents have taken formal steps to monitor and manipulate the information Americans are allowed to see. A whole new official lexicon now exists to stigmatize unsanctioned ideas as "mis-," "mal-," or "dis-" information. Twitter, Facebook, Google, and other Big Tech platforms actively conspire with the government to undermine Americans' free speech and promote the "official truth." When free speech dies, other freedoms soon follow. How can Republicans remain quiet? (5) Finally, given the tremendous personal and societal injuries caused from the local, state, and federal governments' unscientific, unprincipled, and unconstitutional COVID authoritarianism, will you resolve now to oppose government-sanctioned censorship, medical tyranny, and all other intrusions into Americans' personal rights and liberties illegally justified under the guise of "emergency"? During COVID, Americans got a taste of real tyranny. A cult of false "expertise" was used to eliminate dissent. Media-driven fear was used to justify the government's declaration of perpetual "emergency." Personal rights were quickly discarded, as if they had no legal bearing. Natural liberties were vilified as "deadly" and "selfish." The herd mentality took over, and anybody arguing against the absurdities naturally arising from groupthink was censored, cast aside, ridiculed, and even punished. COVID tyranny was a glimpse into the coming "climate change" tyranny, and both presage the World Economic Forum's planned "Great Reset" and the globalists' heavy-handed new world order. All of this horrifying nonsense must be repudiated. Image: cagdesign via Pixabay, Pixabay License. With Ukraines capital, Kiev, subject to increasing Russian bombardment, and Moscow subject to new drone attacks, the hostility now reflects direct provocation of central government and leadership. Whether you rightly find Russias aggression in Ukraine unacceptable, or like University of Chicago political scientist John Mearsheimer, you also see, pragmatically, a long trail of U.S. and EU provocation and mismanagement in foreign affairs, one thing is fairly obvious: the United States is not interested in pursuing, or trying to broker, a peace deal. Current U.S. foreign policy toward Russia is following a narrow path of strict escalation toward superpower confrontation. Russia is not going to lead a peace effort, nor will Ukraine. Former Undersecretary of State and arms negotiator Eugene V. Rostow, in his Toward Managed Peace, correctly argued that the United States cannot avoid its leadership role in global affairs, and moreover, its highest national security interest involves deploying its government system as a mechanism of peace. Instead, the Biden administration is following precisely the opposite strategy, and has through its own incompetence and incapacity, also left leadership open to other countries. It is a strategy that creates economic and industrial disruption, perhaps even deliberate destruction, including of American government itself. Why would this be? I suggest that there are six reasons that directly serve the Biden administration by this foreign policy of war escalation: The current administrations domestic social policies are so radical that they cannot be implemented (or disclosed) within a normal spectrum of law and government. Its plans require extra-constitutional authority. War provides that authority. A formalized war footing with Russia is presumed an essential path to oil and gas supply disruption, both physical (exploration, production, and refinement, including Arctic claims) and price stability disruption, which presumably will accelerate green energy switching behavior (problem: there is nothing to switch to). In reality, war merely enriches oil and gas, and further consolidates its central energy role. Financial flows, commercial/central banking, and U.S. dollar stability would all be subject to war-time emergency manipulation. The U.S. is not able to absorb over $30 Trillion in national debt obligations under normal economic arrangements and methods. War is also an ideal platform to fully effect political persecution, and the marginalization or complete removal of competitive political parties. The U.S. is already well on its way to a single-party consolidation. A civil or world war seals the deal just as it did in wartime Germany, the Soviet Union, North Korea, and eventually in Cuba and China. The Biden administration has numerous blueprints it can follow from other countries, as the administration is saturated with inexperienced ideologues who both naively admire revolutionaries and at the same time are intellectually incapable of imagining and carrying out actual economic development policy. A fifth reason involves traditional Pentagon motivations in defense spending. Most of the public (and even political class) doesnt acknowledge that the GWOT (Global War on Terror) is still fully operational, but more, its legal infrastructure, formed after 2001 through the Patriot Act, among other legislation and executive orders (hundreds that remain undisclosed or unexamined) can be activated at-will under emergency pretext. Moreover, the GWOT has been turned inward toward Americas own citizens. All that was required was a structured program of terror accusations against a manufactured target: Trump provided that, and now Russia does in a war context. Finally, war unleashes massive disruptions in population, demographics and health risk. The current administration and its supporters, above all else, are ideologues devoted to population control because it is the root cause of global warming. And global warming is the fundamental organizing policy of the Left, even though it has nothing to do with climate, but rather with absolute social control. An unsettling aspect of the Biden administrations foreign policy is that, while it seeks war, it isnt prepared to fight one (especially with a putative civilian commander qualified for 25th Amendment removal): it invites a confrontation with Russia (and to some extent with China) not to win, but in an unprecedented perversion of U.S. national security interests, to lose: it has declared America, Americanism, and a majority of Americans, as its enemy. It will use Russia as a tool for its own domestic transformation which means the attempted dismantling of U.S. constitutional law. The White House wants war, but an effective internal civil war that results in a reconstructed government, legal system, and political order. Biden was installed not just as an Obama proxy, but as a signal of weakness. To appreciate the risk, imagine Israels security interests headed by such a figure, rather than a Netanyahu. Matthew G. Andersson is a law and policy author, former executive advisor in the Aerospace and Defense practice of Booz Allen Hamilton, and worked in Russia and the Former Soviet Union. He studied with White House National Security Advisor W.W. Rostow at the Johnson School of Public Affairs. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine This past Memorial Day weekend was a bloodbath in the streets of Chicago. Over the three-day holiday weekend, 53 people were shot, 11 fatally, as violence continues to plague the Windy City. According to newly elected Mayor Brandon Johnson, "The violence our city experienced this weekend is intolerable. It produced pain and trauma that devastated communities across Chicago, and my heart breaks for everyone affected. That's why as mayor, I am committed to leveraging every single resource at our disposal to protect every single life in our city." Unfortunately, Johnson's words ring hollow for Chicagoans who have been living in abject fear for several years while so-called progressive leaders constantly tout that they are doing all that they can to fight the steep rise in crime that has made the city practically unlivable. Johnson's predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, echoed similar sentiments throughout her tenure as mayor. However, as the record shows, her progressive policies made matters far worse, not better. Consider: over the past four years, according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the murder rate has increased by 23 percent, robberies are up by 28 percent, thefts have gone up by 46 percent, and motor vehicle thefts (also known as carjackings) have skyrocketed by an astounding 236 percent. Since Lightfoot became mayor in 2019, Chicago has seen an uptick in criminal complaints every single year. And during Johnson's short time in office, this trend has continued. So far, under Johnson, every single category of criminal complaints has risen, including an 11-percent uptick in murder, a 16-percent surge in robberies, and a mind-boggling 137 percent increase in carjackings. Both Lightfoot and Johnson have clearly stated that they favor defunding the police. For instance, Lightfoot slashed the CPD budget by $80 million in 2021, following national calls for less police funding in the wake of the George Floyd/BLM protests. In 2020, Johnson articulated his stance on police defunding, saying, "I'm absolutely confident that we will be the generation that responds and reacts to the global movement that is calling for redirecting money away from policing and militarizing police forces and directing dollars into job opportunities, transportation, health care and housing for people." Over the past few years, Johnson has doubled down on his defund the police rhetoric, declaring before the election, "I don't look at it as a slogan. It's an actual political goal." Well, actions have consequences. And words carry weight. Since 2019, the CPD has lost 13 percent of its active-duty offices, which equates to 1,700 fewer police officers on the streets. However, one can also surmise that the anti-police propaganda coming from City Hall over the past few years has also emboldened criminals. Like many big cities under decades of Democratic control (Chicago has not had a Republican mayor since 1931), Chicago has not only embraced defunding the police, but become a haven for criminals. Lightfoot and Johnson have a long history of excusing criminal behavior, blaming it on systemic racism, poverty, and a whole host of other preposterous anecdotes. What's more, Chicago's so-called justice system has transformed into a revolving door for criminals. As any Chicagoan can tell you, Cook County attorney general Kim Foxx seems much more concerned with coddling criminals than she is putting them behind bars. No wonder Chicago has become a lawless town, where it is literally dangerous to walk around the city in the middle of the day. Unfortunately, I think things are probably going to get worse before they get better. After four years of Lightfoot's soft-on-crime policies, Chicagoans elected an even softer-on-crime candidate in Johnson. Sadly, the people of Chicago, who by and large are law-abiding, good people, must now suffer through another four years of upside-down progressive policies. However, the onus is on the millions of Chicagoans who desire safety. Next time, don't elect another progressive politician to represent your city, lest you pay the price with four more years of unfettered violence and empty promises. Chris Talgo (ctalgo@heartland.org) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute. Image: Pexels Cottonbro Studios. In what may look like an absurdity of communist central planning, China is digging the world's deepest hole. According to Bloomberg: Chinese scientists have begun drilling a 10,000-meter (32,808 feet) hole into the Earth's crust, as the world's second largest economy explores new frontiers above and below the planet's surface. Drilling for what is set to be China's deepest ever borehole began in the country's oil-rich Xinjiang region on Tuesday, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Earlier that morning, China sent its first civilian astronaut into space from the Gobi Desert. The narrow shaft into the ground will penetrate more than 10 continental strata, or layers of rock, according to the report, and reach the cretaceous system in the Earth's crust, which features rock dating back some 145 million years. It may look like commie-style gigantism, like creating the world's biggest sausage, but it's not. The hole, which at that depth is very difficult to engineer, will penetrate the superficial layers of the Earth's crust to reach never before breached levels, and for scientists, that can provide information that can be used to determine when earthquakes and volcanic eruptions will occur, as well as identify critical mineral and energy resources, according to the report. The report doesn't say so, but it's known that the prospect of locating "deep oil" is said to be a stunningly important one for China, which not only could be lucrative for the Chinese, but also could yield complete energy independence if it were developed. Meanwhile, the Chinese are also all about locating rare-earth minerals for the electric cars and other devices they sell to the U.S. They seem to be sticking to oil themselves, though. This sounds as though it ought to be another "Sputnik" moment for the U.S. After all, what the heck are we doing of comparable importance? I'm no expert, but I haven't found any indication of anything comparable in this field in the U.S. based on a Google search. That the Chinese are doing this may well be related to this intriguing infographic found on Twitter: Ranking de los paises que mas INGENIEROS "producen" durante los 30 ultimos anos CityGlobeTour pic.twitter.com/y3jMl8rXOe Curro Lucas (@curro_lucas) May 25, 2023 So while wokester education is turning out grads in wimmin's studies, grievance-group studies, political correctness, phony global warming green environmentalism, and public administration at U.S. universities, the Chinese are turning out engineering graduates who are executing projects such as these, effectively making themselves what America once was, coasting in the recent past but in the last few years now falling behind. Something like this ought to be telling us we're getting left in the dust technologically. We've already seen it with Chinese innovations in military technology. Now, when China digs a hole to America, the symbolic meaning is more disturbing, and more real, than the physical one. Something's wrong with this picture, and the U.S. ought to be crying out for leadership to restore this critical technological edge. Image: Pexels, CC0 public domain. In the second broadcast town hall since he declared his candidacy last November, former president Donald Trump will be on FOX News for an hour tonight (June 1). The broadcast, taped before a live audience earlier in the day in Clive, Iowa, will constitute the Hannity program's full hour from 9 to 10 P.M. E.T., with a replay at 11 P.M. P.T. Three weeks ago, in his first town hall appearance of the campaign, Trump chose CNN as the platform. The reviews of that 70-minute show were decidedly mixed, with both the rest of the MSM and fans of Trump dumping on the beleaguered channel. The ratings for CNN's town hall with Trump, with about 3.3 million total viewers, were well below the average number of viewers who watched Donald Trump in his five town halls on FOX News in 2020 and 2021, which ranged from 3.5 to 5.1 million viewers each. President Trump can be expected to get more viewers than CNN tonight on FOX News. Notwithstanding the universal criticisms of CNN's Trump town hall production, its host, Kaitlan Collins, was rewarded with a promotion to her own prime-time program weeknights from 9 to 10 P.M. E.T., scheduled to debut later this month. The 9 P.M. E.T. hour on CNN has lacked a permanent host since CNN's number-one prime-time host, Chris Cuomo, left the channel in December 2021. (Cuomo now hosts a prime-time show on the NewsNation channel.) Tonight, FOX News's venerable host, Sean Hannity, a longtime friend and supporter of Trump, can be expected to give the former president a warm welcome, perhaps modified somewhat by questions from the audience. Having attended a number of presidential candidate broadcast "town halls" since the 1970s, I have observed that most of the audience questions are known and approved in advance by the programs' producers. This week marked the first time since Florida governor Ron DeSantis declared his candidacy on May 24 that both he and Donald Trump were in the same state, Iowa, at the same time, getting closer to the grassroots. Iowa is of major importance to the still-growing, large field of aspirants for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Since 1972, the Iowa caucuses have been the first test of voters' preferences in the lead-up to the November elections. The caucuses will take place next January, but the exact date "may not be firmly set for months," according to the Des Moines Register. Historically, New Hampshire has held the first primary election, although as a favor to President Biden, the Democratic National Committee pushed South Carolina, a state deemed reliably friendly to the incumbent president, ahead as the Democrats' first primary state next year. I will provide a quick review of FOX News's town hall with President Trump on Friday at American Thinker, along with links to the video. Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who has covered national politics, including a number of presidential races starting in 1972, and the politics and economics of health care, popular culture, and media for over five decades. His web page with links to his work is http://peter.media. Peter's extensive American Thinker archive: http://tinyurl.com/pcathinker. Follow Peter on Twitter at @pchowka. Talk about a bureaucrat from the underworld. According to the Democrat governor who hired her, there were "concerns" with Dr. Karen Johnson's professional performance, so he had to let her go but the details of Johnson's firing make for a spicy spectacle. ("Concerns" doesn't quite fit; "nightmare" seems more appropriate.) In 2020 and under Governor Jay Inslee, Washington State established the brand new Office of Equity (OOE), and in March 2021, Inslee appointed the bureau's first director, Dr. Karen Johnson. After two tumultuous years, Inslee's office fired Johnson sometime around mid-May, and according to one local news outlet, the reasons were budget issues and "high vacancy rates and turnover." However, her firing also came amid a host of (rather ironic) investigative findings. From the Seattle Times: Investigators found Johnson micromanaged and made unreasonable requests to employees, 'was disorganized and lacked adequate structure and process,' 'made inappropriate or insensitive comments to some staff members,' and publicly criticized some workers. The investigation, spurred by claims of Johnson's inappropriate workplace behavior by 'multiple individuals' working in the Office of Financial Management and the Office of Equity, was conducted by MFR Law Group, of Mill Creek. Did I mention that Dr. Johnson is a black woman? Can somebody say "diversity hire"? Less than a week ago, the state published that final report (which began in November 2022) on Johnson and the allegations made against her. Now, I know you'll never believe this, but the very person hired to promote diversity and inclusion seems to hold seriously bigoted views, particularly against certain minorities. From the document: One individual (White) described an incident they perceived to be evidence of bias against Mexicans. During a group discussion, Dr. Johnson said of a staff member who self-identified as Mexican, 'This may take some time for me because I generally distrust Mexican people. Mexican people have the option of being White when it is convenient for them.' Yikes, that's a big oof. The report also asserted that Johnson had reprimanded women in the workplace for failing to wear makeup and chided a "White" staffer for wearing her hair in a braid, accusing the woman of "cultural appropriation." Another outlet reported: According to the investigation, the OOE had an overall attrition rate of 29% since it was created in March 2021. Five employees resigned between 2022 and 2023, and all of them cited Johnson's 'chaotic, overburdened, and disrespectful workplace culture.' In a predictable turn of events, Johnson is apparently considering "legal action," as she claims she was fired for "pushing for accountability at state agencies." Huh, imagine that... Two of my favorite 20th-century thinkers are Dr. Thomas Sowell and Dr. Walter E. Williams (both of whom just happen to be black, like Ms. Johnson), and I believe that it was one of them who, at one point, scrutinized affirmative action in one particular way: the policy is actually more detrimental to the black worker, as white employers are less inclined to hire them. Why? Well, for the exact reason shown above by Dr. Johnson in the event a white employer needs to fire a black employee for entirely legitimate reasons, the employee may just cry "racism!" As Johnson noted: No Black person in their right mind ... wants to be leading this kind of work, convincing [W]hite people they want to do something they have no intention of doing[.] Ah yes, the ol' trusty "race card"! Prior to her very brief tenure as the OOE director, Johnson was the first "Equity & Inclusion Administrator" for the state's prison industrial complex, and her staff biography read, "Dr. Johnson ... teaches weekend intensives on implicit bias and dismantling racism in the public sector." Another oof. Why are these Democrats so bad at governing? A job position that exists to forcibly compel equal outcomes by crippling high achievers is only going to draw a candidate with lax ethics. Does someone maybe want to tell Mr. Inslee that hiring people based on the color of their skin or their "gender identity"/chromosomal makeup rather than the content of their character is a crap shoot? Image: YouTube video screen grab. In 1906, Robert Peary had just returned from an unsuccessful trip to the Arctic. The veteran explorer had hoped to reach the North Pole, but bad weather and dwindling supplies forced him to turn back when he was within 175 miles of his target. Back home, Peary immediately began planning for his next expedition. But before he could do that, he had to find benefactors who would support his expedition financially. Pearys 1906 expedition was partially funded by American businessman George Crocker who gifted $50,000 for the trip. Hoping to extract another healthy contribution from Crocker, Peary decided to name a previously undiscovered island after him. The alleged island was spotted by Peary about 130 miles northwest of Cape Thomas Hubbard, one of the most northerly parts of Canada. Peary mentioned the island briefly in his 1907 book Nearest the Pole, where he claimed to have seen the faint white summits of a distant land from the summit of Cape Colgate, about 2,000 feet above sea level. Map showing the approximate location of Crocker Land. Credit: Brom Bones Books If anyone had cared to inspect Pearys journals then, Pearys claims could have been challenged. On the same date Peary claimed to have made the discovery, the conning explorer had jotted down in his diary No land visible. Decades later, people continue to argue whether Peary's Crocker Land was an innocent mistake caused by a mirage or a deliberate ploy to swindle money out of the businessman. According to some, from the vast distance that Peary reported to have seen the land, it would have been impossible to tell whether the supposed land was a large peninsula, or an island unless the sightings were extremely definite, which only made the lie starker because of the precision with which Peary made the statement. In any case, the efforts went in vain because after the San Franciscos earthquake in 1906, Crockers finances were in shreds and he was unable to spare any amount for any exploration. However, Peary was able to secure funding from the National Geographic Society enabling him to make another attempt to the North Pole. This time, by his own account, he succeeded and on April 6, 1909, he stood on the top of the planet. Robert Peary When Peary returned home, he discovered that Frederick Cook, a surgeon who served Peary on his 1891 North Greenland expedition, was claiming that he had been the first to reach the pole a full year earlier. Peary, who craved for fame at any cost, was distraught. His supporters attacked Cook and sought to discredit the doctor. As debate over the two men's claims raged, Crocker Land became part of the dispute. Cook claimed that on his way to the North Pole, he had traversed the region where Crocker Island was supposed to be but found no such land. One of Pearys backers, Donald Baxter MacMillan, proposed that they go looking for Crocker Land. If the island could be proved to exist, it would vindicate Peary and destroy Cooks reputation for ever. After receiving backing from the American Museum of Natural History, the American Geographical Society and the University of Illinois' Museum of Natural History, the Crocker Land Expedition left Brooklyn Navy Yard in July 1913. The expedition consisted of, apart from MacMillan himself, five other members carefully selected for their expertise in various fields of science. Minik Wallace, the Inuk famously brought to the United States as a child by Robert Peary in 1897, acted as the guide and translator for the expedition. Members of the Crocker Land Expedition. Credit: Wikimedia Hardly two weeks had passed when the ship, the Diana, crashed on the rocks along the Labrador coast by her drunken captain. So the expedition transferred to another ship, the Erik, and continued north, finally reaching northwest Greenland in mid-August. There, the men set up their headquarters with the aid of the local Eskimos, erecting a 35 foot by 35 foot building with eight rooms, an attic for storage, and electricity. After making a number of preliminary trips to place supply caches along the route, MacMillan, Walter Elmer Ekblaw, Fitzhugh Green and seven Inuit set off on the 1,200-mile journey in search of Crocker Land by sled across the frozen land. Ekblaw was the first to turn back. After climbing the Beitstadt Glacier, which took them three days, temperature dropped dramatically and Ekblaw suffered severe frostbite. He returned to the headquarters. One by one, the rest of the party members also turned back. By the time the expedition reached the edge of the Arctic Ocean only MacMillan, Green and two Inuit, Piugaattoq and Ittukusuk, remained. The team sledged across the treacherous sea ice for ten days, until, on a clear morning, Green and MacMillan spotted an immense land on the northwestern horizon. Great heavens! what a land! Hills, valleys, snow-capped peaks extending through at least one hundred and twenty degrees of the horizon, wrote MacMillan in his 1918 book, Four Years in the White North. Route of the Crocker Land Expedition. Credit: Brom Bones Books Excitedly, MacMillan called Piugaattoq, an Inuit hunter with 20 years of experience of the area, and pointed the land to him. Piugaattoq studied the landmass for a few moments and replied, to the stunned MacMillan, that the land was a mirage, a pook-jok. Regardless, the small party pressed onward for five more days, until it became clear that the Inuit was right, and what they saw was an illusion called Fata Morgana that makes ships appear floating in the air and non-existent land appear suddenly before ones eyes. My dreams of the last four years were merely dreams; my hopes had ended in bitter disappointment, MacMillan later wrote. With Crocker Land proved to be a myth, the four explorers began their return journey to the headquarters at Etah. After crossing the sea icewhich they did just in time for the ice began to break as soon as they had stepped on solid landMacMillan sent Piugaattoq and Green to explore a route to the west. The two ran into a storm during which one of the dog teams perished. Green and Piugaattoq began to squabble over which direction to take. When Piugaattoq tried to sneak away with the remaining dogs, Green shot and killed Piugaattoq. Ekblaw would later remark that the murder of Piugaattoq was one of the darkest and most deplorable tragedies in the annals of Arctic exploration. Expedition member Hendrik Olsen with a loaded sledge on the ice of Foiilke Fjord in front of the headquarters. Credit: Wikimedia The remaining members attempted to head home, but the Arctic weather was treacherous and it took them three years and three rescue attempts before all of them could return home. Trapped in ice, the expedition made good use of their time by documenting the culture of the indigenous peoples and studying the natural habitat of the region. The expedition returned with thousands of photographs and hundreds of artifacts, some of which are now displayed in University of Illinois' Spurlock Museum, and at the PearyMacMillan Arctic Museum on the grounds of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Ironically, back in 1818, exactly one century before, John Ross, a Scottish rear admiral and Arctic explorer, was in search of the elusive Northwest Passage, situated approximately 350 miles south of Etah. However, he decided to turn back upon catching sight of an enormous mountain in the distance. He gave it the name Crokers Mountains, to honor the First Secretary to the Admiralty at the time, John Wilson Croker. As it happened, Crokers Mountains too was a mirage. References: # Fate of the Crocker Land Expedition, Natural History Mag # Crocker Land: The Legendary Arctic Island That Didn't Actually Exist, Mental Floss # Dennis Rawlins: Contributions, DIOI.org This photo shows the building of The Supreme Court of Korea. Korea Times file The Supreme Court on Thursday finalized a ruling in favor of the foreign ministry's decision not to disclose the minutes of the 2015 Seoul-Tokyo agreement on resolving issues from Japan's wartime sexual enslavement of Korean women. The agreement sought to address bilateral diplomatic issues from the World War II sexual enslavement by Japan and a Tokyo-funded foundation was established to support victims. A lawyer in 2016 filed a suit against the Korean foreign minister, demanding the disclosure of the minutes of the bilateral negotiations leading to the agreement. The minutes were about negotiations concerning whether Japan acknowledges the direct involvement of its military and government in mobilizing victims. A district court had initially ruled in favor of the lawyer and ordered the disclosure of the documents, saying the national interest to be protected by keeping them secret is not greater than the public interest and the satisfaction of the people's right to know to be gained when they are made public. An appellate court, however, reversed the first court ruling on the reasoning that the Korea-Japan diplomatic relationship could take a blow if the documents are released. The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the appellate court ruling and dismissed the lawyer's appeal. (Yonhap) The April 2023 patch is now available for Chromecast with Google TV, 9to5google reports. As the streaming market is growing, Google is also putting more focus on its streaming devices to prepare them for the competition. Industry experts predicted that the video streaming market could hit $416.84 Billion by 2030 (via Bloomberg). Google already revealed that over 150 million monthly active devices are running on Google TV and Android TV. Last month, the tech giant promised an update for Chromecast that brings app hibernation. The feature could free up storage on your device by archiving inactive apps. Google also claimed the size of Google TV apps is reduced by 25% through using Android App Bundles. Chromecast with Google TV is now getting an April 2023 patch to become even better and offer a smooth user experience. The update package is dubbed STTE.230319.008.R1 and weighs 140MB. The Chromecast with Google TV 4K is about to get the update, but the HD model might also be eligible for it. So if you have an HD TV, keep your eyed on the available updates. Advertisement Chromecast with Google TV is getting its April 2023 patch According to the changelog entries, the April 2023 patch fixes some bugs and brings performance improvements to Chromecast with Google TV. Additionally, it updates the Android security patch to Apr 2023. The April 2023 update is now available for eligible devices. If you want to check if its rolled out to your device, follow Settings > System > About > System update. Googles timeline for releasing patches for Chromecast is somehow weird. Back in early April, the company rolled out a second January 2023 security patch for Chromecast with Google TV 4K and HD. That package also brought minor performance improvements and an updated Android security patch level. While the Chromecast with Google TV users continues to get updates, Google has just announced the first-generation Chromecast will no longer get any updates. The device was first introduced in 2023 and continued to get updates from the company for almost a decade. We all know that Samsung makes a ton of phones every year, and there are so many different series of phones. If youre outside of India, you may be unfamiliar with the Galaxy F series, but there are phones out there with that branding. According to Sam Mobile, the Samsung Galaxy F54 5G is the first phone in this series to receive four major Android OS upgrades. Last year, Samsung announced that it was going to support its phones for longer than other Android manufacturers (even Google). This involves major four Android OS upgrades along with five years of security updates. Phones launched before that time will not benefit from this new schedule. The Galaxy F54 5G is the first phone in this series to receive four major Android OS upgrades Samsung announced that several of its phones will receive four years of upgrades, but none of them sported the F series brand. This brand line primarily exists in the Indian market, and they cater more toward budget users. Regardless, they still sport the Samsung design aesthetic with the camera sensors jutting from the phone individually. The Galaxy F54 5G has been leaked over the past several weeks, got word that it will receive four major Android operating system updates. This phone could launch in early June, which means that it will hit the market with Android 13 out of the box. So, the Galaxy F54 5G will get Android updates up until Android 17 (or Android X). Advertisement As for this phones specs, the Galaxy F54 5G may have a 6.5-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Powering it could be a Samsung-made Exynos 1380 SoC backed up by 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. For the camera package, were looking at a 108-megapixel primary camera with an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 2-megapixel macro camera. Up front, were looking at a 32-megapixel selfie camera. As for the battery, this phone could have a massive 6,000mAh battery. Thats 20% larger than the battery in the Galaxy s23 Ultra. So, battery life should not be an issue with this phone. The Galaxy F54 5G may launch in the Indian market for INR $35,999 (roughly $435). If youre thinking of getting this phone, keep an eye out for it. Google is removing Assistant integration with third-party lists and notes apps. Youll soon lose the ability to take notes or create lists over Google Assistant voice commands on apps like Any.do, AnyList, and Bring. The company is taking away this convenience on June 20. Third-party lists and notes apps are losing Google Assistant integration Google has been distancing Assistant away from third-party products and services recently. In June last year, the company announced that it will end support for third-party voice experiences on smart displays and speakers in a years time. The move effectively kills Assistant voice apps and games for the Nest Hub and other similar products. As the June 20 deadline approaches, we now know another casualty of this deprecation. Google says on a support page that notes or lists created with Google Assistant using a non-Google list service wont be available after June 20th, 2023. AnyList also recently sent an email to users notifying them about this impending shutdown. The notification states that users will not be able to add items to the app over Google Assistant voice commands. We know many of our customers rely on AnyLists integration with Google Assistant and that the loss of this feature is frustrating and disappointing, AnyList co-founders Jason Marr and Jeff Hunter wrote in a blog post. We are continuing to communicate with Google and hope to be able to support Google Assistant on Android devices again in the future, but we dont have anything to announce at this time. Advertisement This deprecation is because of Google ending support for the Conversational Actions platform that enabled third-party apps to integrate with Assistant. The same platform powered Assistant voice apps and games as well. The company wants developers to add voice command capabilities to their apps rather than relying on integration. Perhaps thats what Jason and Jeff were referring to when they said they hope to be able to support Google Assistant on AnyList again in the future. These apps still work with Siri or Alexa voice assistants Its worth noting that AnyList, as well as other impacted third-party lists and notes apps, still work with other voice assistants like Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa. Of course, the former is not available for Android users, but the latter is. Meanwhile, this change doesnt affect Googles in-house note-taking app, Google Keep. The company confirmed to 9to5Google that the app will continue to function the same way as before. You can download it here. Samsung has begun preparations for the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update for Galaxy devices. It is updating some of its first-party apps in anticipation of the impending One UI 6.0 release. The company is expected to begin public beta testing of the new One UI version in July or August. Samsung seems to be updating some apps ahead of the Android 14 beta release Twitter user @tarunvats33 recently shared a cropped screenshot allegedly showing an update for Samsungs Calculator app that comes pre-installed on most Galaxy devices. The whats new section states that the app is gaining One UI 6.x support, which naturally brings Android 14 support as well. This indicates that the company is nearing the first public beta release of the big Android update. But as pointed out by SamMobile, there are a couple of things to note here. Firstly, the alleged update for the Calculator app doesnt seem to be available widely. The publication checked on all the devices in the office and didnt find an update on any of them. Its missing on a few Samsung devices we use here at Android Headlines as well. Its unusual for Samsung to roll out such a limited update for its apps. Moreover, the changelog also says that Calculator is gaining a data unit converter, such as kilobytes to megabytes. But the app has had this capability for some time now. This is a bit odd too. That said, it isnt entirely unlikely for Samsung to be updating the Calculator app in anticipation of Android 14. It has done so in the past as well. The update may have come a little too early, though. Perhaps that could explain a limited rollout. The first beta build of One UI 6.0 probably wont go live before July. Samsung released the first One UI 5.0 beta update in early August last year, while One UI 4.0 beta began in mid-September the year before. We will let you know when it officially announced the One UI 6.0 beta program for Galaxy devices. Advertisement The Galaxy S23 series should lead the line for beta updates Samsung should first release the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 beta update for the Galaxy S23 series. It has already begun internal testing of the big update for its latest flagships. The company is also testing the new One UI version for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 foldables internally. If you use any of these Galaxy devices, watch out for a notification on the Samsung Members app. Stay tuned to Android Headlines for all the latest information about Samsungs One UI 6.0 beta program. Motorola has had a rocky few years under Lenovos ownership. But in the past year or so, Motorola has really changed its approach, at least in the US. Motorola has really been focusing on the prepaid market, and cheaper phones. Say, phones under $700. Which is not a saturated market at all, but a big market. That has helped Motorola to become the third largest smartphone OEM in North America. That equates to about 24% of the market share in North America. Now, a big part of this is, LG leaving the smartphone market back in 2020. As well as the ban on Huawei, which is also keeping other Chinese brands out of the US. Though this does put Motorola above the Google Pixel for now. Thats pretty incredible for Motorola, a brand that many thought was all-but dead just a few years ago. And its continuing to push further for more market share. Now having phones in just about every price range from the Moto G, Moto Edge and now the Moto Razr lines. Motorola is the second largest prepaid brand When it comes to prepaid, Motorola is the second largest smartphone maker. Likely behind Samsung. That doesnt sound like a big deal. Since prepaid phones typically have a smaller profit margin and definitely are cheaper. But this does help Motorolas brand. It helps put their name front-and-center, and of course, Motorola has been around forever, so its a name that everyone knows. And thats going to help bring their market share up even more. Advertisement Motorola is also touting being the second largest Android brand in North America. Behind, of course, Samsung. This is good news for Motorola, but it also shows us that the US really needs more competition with phones. Were basically down to four OEMs, which includes Apple, Samsung, Motorola and Google Pixel. Good for Motorola, and maybe they can overtake Samsung in the near future. Atlanta-based dental insurer MCNA (Managed Care of North America) Dental has suffered a massive ransomware attack, compromising the sensitive personal and medical data of nearly nine million people. The company recently revealed that an intruder gained access to its systems between February 26 and March 7, 2023. They could see and take copies of various sorts of information about MCNA Dentals customers. According to an official notice published on the companys website, the compromised information includes the full name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, Social Security number, and ID (drivers license or other government-issued ID). The intruder could also obtain information about the health insurance (plan details, insurance provider, member number, Medicaid-Medicare ID numbers), details care details (dentist name, doctor name, visits, past care, x-rays, photos, medicines, treatment), and bills and insurance claims. Some of the stolen information was for a parent, guardian, or guarantor, who is the person who paid the bill. This suggests that some children were also affected. Overall, this data breach compromised the data of more than 8.9 million people. The company learned about this breach on May 3, more than two months after the intruder first gained unauthorized access to the systems. MCNA Dental has since launched an investigation and also notified affected customers via letters sent to their mailing addresses. Russian ransomware group LockBit breached the MCNA Dental servers While MCNA Dental didnt explicitly say it was a ransomware attack or revealed the identity of perpetrators, Techcrunch reports that the Russian ransomware group LockBit has taken responsibility for it. The group reportedly demanded a $10 million ransom from the company, which it refused to pay. The attackers have now published all of the stolen information on the dark web. The publication has seen a listing on LockBits dark web leak site, which suggests that the ransomware gang stole 700GB of data during this breach. Advertisement The samples provided on the site confirm that the leaked data includes sensitive information about MCNA Dental customers. This poses a serious threat of identity theft to affected people. The company is offering one year of free identity theft protection to them. But if you have been a customer of MCNA Dental, you might want to stay vigilant and keep an eye on your bank accounts. Do not respond to calls, messages, or emails that look suspicious. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach MCNA Dental on the toll-free number at 1-888-220-5006. The multinational anti-proliferation naval drills held in waters off South Korea's southern Jeju Island is seen in this May 31 photo. Yonhap North Korea condemned anti-proliferation drills in South Korea on Thursday, saying it will regard any attempt by Washington and Seoul to impose a "hostile blockade" on it as a declaration of war against Pyongyang. Kim Son-gyong, vice foreign minister of the North, issued a statement criticizing the latest multinational maritime drills aimed at preventing the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), hosted by South Korea the previous day. Citing the scale of forces and equipment involved in the drills, Kim said South Korea and the U.S. have made "far-fetched" assertions that the exercise was held for the purpose of defense and non-proliferation. "It is quite clear that they are extremely dangerous military exercises ...for perfecting the overall embargo on the export and preparations for preemptive attack on a specified state in contingency," Kim said in an English-language statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. The North has long decried combined military drills by the South and the U.S. as rehearsals for an invasion against it, and used them as a pretext to test its weapons systems. "If the U.S. and its vassal forces attempt to impose any hostile blockade on the DPRK or infringe upon our inviolable sovereignty even a bit, the armed forces of the DPRK will regard it as a declaration of war against it," he warned. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name. The Eastern Endeavor 23 drills were held in waters off the southern island of Jeju under the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), involving WMD counter-proliferation activities, including on-board search operations. (Yonhap) An anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist has been found guilty of plotting to destroy 5G masts after subscribing to an ideology that they were linked to the Covid-19 vaccine. Christine Grayson discussed getting rid of the mobile phone masts with expanding foam and angle grinders during regular discussions online, a court heard. The 59-year-old was found guilty of conspiracy to commit criminal damage by a jury at Leeds Crown Court. Her co-defendant Darren Reynolds, 60, was cleared of the same charge but convicted of eight terrorist offences. Darren Reynolds was convicted of eight terrorist offences (Counter Terrorism Policing North East/PA) Jurors found him guilty of encouraging terrorism with online comments including calling for MPs to be killed. Reynolds was also convicted of disseminating a terrorist publication by sharing a link to the neo-Nazi White Alexandrias Library. He was found guilty of six offences of possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing an act of terrorism, including a manual on how to build a .50 Browning calibre single shot rifle, and a document called How To Become An Assassin. Opening the case to jurors in April, prosecutor Tom Storey said the defendants knew each other through the social media platform Telegram, which both were regular users of between 2020 and 2022. They subscribed to an antiauthoritarian ideology which involved conspiracy theories, jurors heard. Reynolds discussed armed uprisings and advocated violence towards people he called traitors, also going further and posting extreme right-wing, antisemitic and racist views, Mr Storey said. A crossbow and crossbow bolts found at the home of Christine Grayson (Counter Terrorism Policing North East/PA) When police searched their addresses they found a crossbow and a number of crossbow bolts at Graysons home, while at Reynolds they discovered two replica assault rifles. The police also found copies of documents about how to use assault rifles or manufacture explosive devices on some of Reynolds electronic devices. The court heard both defendants were strongly opposed to the rollout of the 5G network, and regarded 5G masts as pieces of enemy infrastructure. Grayson said she needed a sabotage team to get rid of these 5G bloody near me in a Telegram exchange on August 7 2021. Jurors were told Reynolds openly discussed the use of violence against people he labelled traitors, particularly Members of Parliament. On June 29 2021 he posted: Storm parliament and the Lords, drag them ALL outside and hang them ALL on the spot for treason, sedition insurgency, attempted genocide and crimes against the peoples of Great Britain, the court heard. A replica assault rifle found at the home of Darren Reynolds (Counter Terrorism Policing North/PA) Reynolds described murdered MP Sir David Amess as a traitor and reacted with approval to another users view that Thomas Mair had rightly executed the murdered MP Jo Cox because of her alleged treason. The court heard that in one police interview, Reynolds asked officers: Do I look like a terrorist to you? He then said that terrorists were usually Arabs, or Irish from the 70s. Grayson, of Boothwood Road, York, was convicted of one offence of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and cleared of one charge of encouraging terrorism. Reynolds, of Newbould Crescent, Sheffield, was found guilty of one count of encouraging terrorism, one of disseminating a terrorist publication and six of possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing an act of terrorism. He was cleared of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and two counts of disseminating a terrorist publication. Judge Guy Kearl KC remanded both into custody to be sentenced at the same court on June 5. US actor Armie Hammer says he is very grateful to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office, following its decision not to charge him over allegations of sexual assault. The 36-year-old said he was looking forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that his name had been cleared. Hammer faced a series of damaging accusations over explicit messages he allegedly sent on social media and an accusation of rape by a woman in Los Angeles in March 2021. The actor, known for films including Call Me By Your Name and The Social Network, had denied all criminal allegations against him. On Wednesday the DAs office said prosecutors had conducted an extremely thorough review into the allegations, but that there was insufficient evidence to charge Hammer. Tiffiny Blacknell, director of the bureau of communications, said: Sexual assault cases are often difficult to prove, which is why we assign our most experienced prosecutors to review them. In this case, those prosecutors conducted an extremely thorough review, but determined that at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr Hammer with a crime. Armie Hammer (Ian West/PA) She continued: As prosecutors, we have an ethical responsibility to only charge cases that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. We know that it is hard for women to report sexual assault. Even when we cannot move forward with a prosecution, our victim service representatives will be available to those who seek our victim support services. Due to the complexity of the relationship and inability to prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter we are unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. In his own post on Instagram following the announcement, Hammer wrote: I am very grateful to the District Attorney for conducting a thorough investigation and coming to the conclusion that I have stood by this entire time, that no crime was committed. I look forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name is cleared. In the caption he added: I would like to say a very special thank you to all of the people who have helped me get through this time. Onwards and upwards. Following the initial allegation controversy, Hammer stepped down from his starring role opposite Jennifer Lopez in comedy film Shotgun Wedding, and was replaced by Miles Teller in the TV series The Offer, a drama about the making of The Godfather. Earlier this year, he broke his two-year silence on the situation, revealing he had considered taking his own life in the aftermath of the allegations. In the interview, given to digital newsletter Air Mail, he claimed he would not undo the past two years and that he was grateful for everything thats happened to me. Im now a healthier, happier, more balanced person. Im able to be there for my kids in a way I never was, he said. Hammer married US TV personality Elizabeth Chambers in May 2010 and the pair share two children. In September, a three-part Discovery+ series titled House Of Hammer, produced by the actors aunt Casey Hammer, showed on-camera interviews with two of Hammers alleged victims in which they detailed some of their alleged abuse. FILE - Ben Roberts-Smith arrives at the Federal Court in Sydney, on June 9, 2021. Australias most decorated living war veteran, Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, committed a slew of war crimes while in Afghanistan including the unlawful killings of unarmed prisoners, a judge ruled on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) SYDNEY (AP) Australias most decorated living war veteran unlawfully killed prisoners and committed other war crimes in Afghanistan, a judge ruled Thursday in dismissing the claims by Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith that he was defamed by media. Federal Court judge Anthony Besanko ruled that the articles published in 2018 were substantially true about a number of war crimes committed by Roberts-Smith, a former Special Air Service Regiment corporal who now is a media company executive. These allegations included that Roberts-Smith, who was also awarded the Medal of Gallantry for his Afghan war service, killed a prisoner who had a prosthetic leg by firing a machine gun into the man's back in 2009. He kept the man's prosthetic as a novelty beer drinking vessel. The accusations also included Roberts-Smith had kicked an unarmed, handcuffed farmer off a cliff into a riverbed where an SAS colleague shot the farmer dead in 2012. Reports of domestic violence allegedly committed by Roberts-Smith were found to be unproven and defamatory. But the judge found this would not have further damaged the veterans reputation. Roberts-Smith had made claims of defamation against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times over their articles. His lawyer Arthur Moses asked for 42 days to consider lodging an appeal to the Full Bench of the Federal Court. Roberts-Smiths legal costs have been underwritten by billionaire Kerry Stokes, executive chairman of Seven West Media where Roberts-Smith is employed. Roberts-Smith is one of several Australian military personnel under investigation from Australian Federal Police for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The first criminal charge for an alleged illegal killing in Afghanistan was made in March. Former SAS trooper Oliver Schulz was charged with the war crime of murder in the death of an Afghan who was shot in 2012 in a wheat field in Uruzgan province. British Airways has been fined almost 1 million by the US government over claims it failed to pay refunds for cancelled flights. The US Transportation Department said in a legal document the airline did not provide timely refunds to passengers for abandoned or rescheduled flights to and from the country during the coronavirus pandemic. British Airways said it had acted lawfully at all times after being hit with the 1.1 million US dollar (878,000) fine on Thursday, and refuted the claims. A consent order from the department read: From March to November 2020, British Airways website instructed consumers to contact the carrier via phone to discuss refund options, including for flights the carrier cancelled or significantly changed. However, consumers were unable to get through to customer service agents when calling the carrier for several months during this period because British Airways failed to maintain adequate functionality of its customer service phone lines. There was also no way to submit a refund request through the carriers website during this period. Also, from March to November 2020, British Airways had misleading information on its website which led consumers to inadvertently request travel vouchers instead of refunds. Since March 2020, the Department has received over 1,200 complaints alleging that British Airways failed to provide timely refunds after cancelling or significantly changing consumers flights to or from the United States. British Airways has received thousands more complaints and refund requests directly from consumers. British Airways failure to establish, for several months, a readily accessible method for consumers to request refunds for flights the carrier cancelled or significantly changed caused significant challenges and delays in thousands of consumers receiving required refunds. The department said the fine establishes a strong deterrent to future similar unlawful practices. British Airways is being credited just under 500,000 towards the penalty because in 2020 and 2021 it paid more than 40 million US dollars in refunds to customers with non-refundable tickets. The airline said: Were very sorry that at the height of the unprecedented pandemic when we were unfortunately forced to cancel thousands of flights and close some call centres due to government restrictions our customers experienced slightly longer wait times to reach customer service teams. During this period, we acted lawfully at all times and offered customers the flexibility of rebooking travel on different dates, or claiming a refund if their flights were cancelled. To date, we have issued more than five million refunds since the start of the pandemic. The King is facing a call to apologise for the way LGBT+ people were treated by the armed forces prior to the ban on their service being lifted in 2000. Campaigners are calling for greater compensation and recognition ahead of the publication of a Government-commissioned independent review. LGBT+ forces charity Fighting With Pride and others are calling for the Prime Minister to issue a formal apology on behalf of the Government. Duncan Lustig-Prean, 64, who was an officer in the Royal Navy but was dismissed when his superiors found out, and whose case played an instrumental role in overturning the ban, said the time is right for an apology from the monarch. He was speaking to the PA news agency about his inclusion in a Sky documentary, called Forced Out, which tells the story of LGBT+ veterans experiences in the armed forces prior to 2000, and how key campaigners fought the Government to have the ban overturned, and how it has impacted their lives since. Mr Lustig-Prean told PA: While there have been individual apologies from service chiefs, from individual junior ministers, I want to see the Prime Minister apologise on behalf of the Government. And frankly I think the time is right although its a difficult precedent for them to set for the commander-in-chief himself, His Majesty, to apologise as the monarch, our commander-in-chief. After all, these were people who were prepared to give their lives for him and were treated in that way. He added: It must be made clear that this historic wrong was an injustice, and that His Majesty recognises that these people had sworn their oath to him, to give their lives for him, in the service of their nation, his nation, and that deserves his apology in the light of a more modern society. Mr Lustig-Prean, who gave more than 15 years of service to the armed forces before his dismissal based on his sexual orientation in 1995, said he received significant compensation, of around 119,000, when his case was finally settled in 1999. But he said he wants to see compensation for those who are yet to receive any, and for some to have their original settlements revisited. Mr Lustig-Prean said: There are a whole load of people who remain damaged, who have received nothing. And when you get it so wrong when as a recent service chief commented that this stain on the history of our nation was allowed to continue and defended by the ministers and the services you also need to say sorry for it, you got it wrong. Elaine Chambers, 62, co-founded the campaigning and support group Rank Outsiders in response to her own experience of being forced to resign from her role as a nurse in the armed forces when they found out she was a lesbian. After a lengthy legal battle, she said she received 63,000 in compensation in 2009, but had to give 18,000 to her solicitors. After 14 years of legal battle I had built up debts of nearly that amount. So I ended up with very, very little, she told PA. She wants the review to lead to the Government providing additional compensation for the loss of her career, saying: Ive got to be brutally honest about it. I need and want some form of financial recompense. And I would like to have an Army pension, because I did serve Queen and country voluntarily and I was doing a blooming good job at it, and would have stayed on and would have carried on to fulfil my obligations had I been allowed. Stonewalls director of communications and external affairs, Robbie de Santos, said: For too long LGBTQ+ people in the armed forces were forced to hide who they were or face humiliating inhumane treatment. We must never forget the injustices that LGBTQ+ veterans faced for simply being themselves and urge the Prime Minister to commit to ensure they are fairly compensated for their hardship and for him to personally issue a sincere and genuine apology on behalf of the nation. This must also be backed up by a commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ+ veterans, and their families, are properly supported by existing services. LGBT forces charity Fighting With Prides executive chair Craig Jones and chief executive Caroline Paige said in a joint statement: Veterans continue to live with the devastating impact to this day. An apology from the Prime Minister is a start, a sincere acknowledgement of thousands of lives wrecked when theyd simply wanted to serve their country. They added: Words alone, whoever theyre from, dont heal the wounds caused by fear, shame and brutal treatment because of a soldier, sailor or aviators sexual orientation or gender identity. Proper compensation, wiping unjust criminal records and payment for lost pensions are urgently needed. Weve waited too long. A Government spokesperson said: We are proud of our LGBT+ veterans and grateful for their service in defence of our nation. We can confirm that Lord Etherton has concluded his independent review and submitted his report to the Government. In line with the terms of reference we will carefully consider the findings and respond in due course. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: His Majesty continues to express his support and thanks to all members of the Armed Forces, in his new role as Commander-in-Chief. Forced Out is on Sky Documentaries and NOW from June 8. Climate effects are exacerbating long-term wealth inequality with poorer UK households more vulnerable to temperature shocks and air pollution and flooding, a study has found. Rising temperatures have been found to have statistically significant impacts on all measures of wealth inequality in the long term with this being particularly noticeable between the wealthiest 10% and the poorest 10%. The researchers, from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and institutions from South Africa and Germany, used wealth inequality data from the Office of National Statistics and monthly temperature data from the Met Office. They compared them between the period 2006-2018 and using the year-on-year temperature rise as a measure of climate risk. They used this to gauge the impact of temperature changes and climate shocks, such as extreme heat, between richer and poorer households and found them to have the strongest effect against poorer households because they have less resources to recover and adapt. Climate effects are more pronounced for poorer households in high-climate-risk areas, where exposure to heatstroke or climate-related illnesses are more common, or where droughts and floods can affect food security. Although rich households are not immune to climate change, they are more able to diversify their resources, the researchers said. The study also found that wealth inequality increases significantly between the 20% and 10% richest households compared to those of median wealth, while inequality is reduced between the average household and the poorest. Ways suggested to reduce the widening inequality include providing homes with better insulation to help poorer people cut energy costs and redistributing revenue generated from carbon taxes while mitigating the effects of extreme heat, floods and other climate risks. Lead author Dr Xin Sheng of ARU said: Even within higher-income countries, poorer people can also be more vulnerable to the impact of climate change. The findings highlight the disproportionate increased burden of climate change on households that are already experiencing poverty, particularly households in high-climate risk areas. For example, climate change can pose a serious health threat through food insecurity and increased toxic air pollution. Extreme weather can affect crop production, which can push up food and fuel costs. As such, measures to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change need to be tailored so as not to overburden the poor. A ban on all conversion therapy with no loopholes must be introduced urgently after years of delays and U-turns, a charity has said. The Government first promised to ban conversion practices in 2018. In January, it said it would shortly publish a draft Bill detailing its proposed approach to ban conversion practices on the basis of sexuality and gender identity in England and Wales. At that stage it pledged to ban conversion therapy for everyone including transgender people. Conversion therapy has been the subject of many protests (Yui Mok/PA) The UK Council for Psychotherapy defines conversion therapy as aiming to change a persons sexual orientation or suppress a persons gender identity. When the Government initially announced its consultation into the conversion therapy ban, its universal proposals were intended to protect all LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people. But in March 2022, then-prime minister Boris Johnson dramatically dropped plans for legislation, with a Government spokesman saying at the time that it would look at how the existing law could be applied more effectively and explore other measures. Within hours, a furious backlash forced a hasty retreat and a senior Government source was quoted as saying legislation would be included in the Queens Speech. Mr Johnson was said to have changed his mind after seeing the reaction to the earlier announcement. But he defended the decision not to include trans people, saying there were complexities and sensitivities which needed to be worked through. Critics told the Government to stop making pathetic excuses, protesters took to the streets and so many LGBT+ groups pulled out of the Governments landmark LGBT conference that it had to be cancelled. In January, Michelle Donelan, then-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said ministers recognised the strength of feeling on the issue of harmful conversion practices, adding that it is right the issue is tackled through a dedicated and tailored legislative approach. She said: The Bill will protect everyone, including those targeted on the basis of their sexuality, or being transgender. She described it as a complex area, adding that the legislation must not, through a lack of clarity, harm the growing number of children and young adults experiencing gender related distress, through inadvertently criminalising or chilling legitimate conversations parents or clinicians may have with their children. The British Psychological Society, which also supports a ban, has warned the legislation must make a clear distinction between so-called conversion therapy and normal ethical practice. It added that legislation should not interfere with psychological and medical professionals who are trained and competent in working with trans and gender-questioning young people from engaging in identity exploration or performing clinical assessment of suitability for medical intervention. In anticipation of a Bill being published soon, Stonewall spoke of the five years of delays and U-turns from the Government. The Bill is expected to ban conversion therapy for over-18s who do not consent and who are coerced or forced to undergo the practices. The groups chief executive, Nancy Kelley, warned that the legislation will not be workable and effective and not contain loopholes. She said: We need a comprehensive, enforceable ban on all forms of conversion practices before the legislative clock runs out. Weve had five years of delays and U-turns from the UK Government, and every month that goes by means more LGBTQ+ people abused and exposed to lifelong harm. Weve heard countless stories from people who suffered from conversion therapy in seemingly safe environments such as private prayer and in spiritual practices. When youve been led to believe by your faith leaders people you trust that being LGBTQ+ is wrong, then many do indeed give their consent to the abuse. But it is not meaningful consent. The impact of these abusive practices is always life-changing. It is simple no legislation will be workable and effective if it contains loopholes, whether for consent, religious settings or any other carve-outs. The charity is calling for an effective, comprehensive legal ban, protecting all LGBTQ+ adults and children, in all settings, with no loopholes. It also said targeted support should be provided for survivors of conversion practices as well as guidance for mainstream service providers about identifying and supporting children and adults at risk. Dr Adam Jowett, chair of the British Psychological Societys equality, diversity and inclusion board, said it is right that the Bill is inclusive and protect people of all gender and sexual minorities, including transgender people. He said: It remains crucially important that a ban is implemented as soon as possible, to protect people from the unethical therapies that purport to change or convert sexual orientation or gender identity. Until the Government legislates, people will continue to be subjected to damaging and abusive practices that ruins lives. Its important that people seeking help to explore their sexual orientation or gender identity can continue to have a safe space and the support of trained professionals. Therefore, the new legislation must be crystal clear that it will not stop ethical forms of therapy, which are non-directive and non-judgemental. To avoid professionals concerns about criminalisation, the Government must make a clear distinction between so-called conversion therapy and normal ethical practice. Rishi Sunaks Government could face a legal battle with the Covid-19 public inquiry unless it backs down over a demand to disclose Boris Johnsons private messages and papers. The Cabinet Office has been given until 4pm to hand over diaries, notebooks and a trove of WhatsApp messages or face the threat of a criminal prosecution. The Government had argued that it did not have the messages and notebooks, but Mr Johnson has handed them over to officials and said they should be disclosed putting the Cabinet Office in a difficult position. Retired Court of Appeal judge Baroness Hallett is chairing the public inquiry (UK Parliament/PA) The Cabinet Office has also argued that it should withhold unambiguously irrelevant material, but inquiry chairwoman Baroness Hallett has ruled that everything should be disclosed and she will decide what is or is not necessary for her work. Mr Johnsons decision to publicly confirm he has handed over the material stripping the Cabinet Office of one of its defences and his suggestion that it should be disclosed to the inquiry has heaped pressure on his successors Government. Whitehall officials are concerned about the wider precedent that will be set by handing over swathes of unredacted WhatsApp conversations, with fears that the inquiry will seek similar levels of disclosure from other senior figures including Mr Sunak himself. Mr Johnsons spokesman said on Wednesday: All Boris Johnsons material including WhatsApps and notebooks requested by the Covid inquiry has been handed to the Cabinet Office in full and in unredacted form. Mr Johnson urges the Cabinet Office to urgently disclose it to the inquiry. The Cabinet Office has had access to this material for several months. Mr Johnson would immediately disclose it directly to the inquiry if asked. While Mr Johnson understands the Governments position, and does not seek to contradict it, he is perfectly happy for the inquiry to have access to this material in whatever form it requires. Lady Hallett issued her demand for the material under Section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005, and failure to comply could lead to prosecution and a potential fine or jail term for an individual found guilty of the offence. The Government could seek a judicial review of her notice, questioning whether the demand for the documents falls within the scope of her inquiry but legal experts have suggested the Cabinet Office would have a weak case given the wide remit set out in Lady Halletts terms of reference. Last-ditch efforts to find a compromise continued on Thursday as the deadline which had already been extended by 48 hours loomed. Lord Saville, who chaired the Bloody Sunday inquiry, backed Lady Halletts approach. Who is to decide what is relevant or not? In my view, prima facie at least, it is Lady Hallett, he told the BBC. She is in charge of the inquiry, one of her duties is to do a thorough job. It is for her to decide whether something is relevant or not. If she looks at something and decides it is not relevant then there is no reason to publish it. A Cabinet Office spokesman said: We are fully committed to our obligations to the Covid-19 inquiry. As such, the Cabinet Office alone has already provided upwards of 55,000 documents, 24 personal witness statements, eight corporate statements, and extensive time and effort has gone into assisting the inquiry fulsomely over the last 11 months. However, we are firmly of the view that the inquiry does not have the power to request unambiguously irrelevant information that is beyond the scope of this investigation. This includes the WhatsApp messages of Government employees which are not about work but instead are entirely personal and relate to their private lives. The deadline for the Government to hand over Boris Johnsons WhatsApp messages, diaries and personal notebooks to the Covid-19 public inquiry has expired. If the Government has failed to comply with inquiry chairwoman Baroness Halletts order to disclose the documents, then it could lead to a court battle and possibly a criminal offence. But ministers could seek a judicial review of her order as the Government has argued it should not have to disclose material which is unambiguously irrelevant to the inquiry. Just 45 minutes before the 4pm deadline, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told broadcasters the Government was still considering its next steps. Former prime minister Boris Johnson (Andrew Boyers/PA) The Prime Minister said the Government was confident in its position, but did not set out how it intended to respond to Lady Halletts demand for the documents to be submitted. Speaking at a summit in Moldova, Mr Sunak said: I think its really important that we learn the lessons of Covid so that we can be better prepared in the future. And were doing that in the spirit of rigour but also transparency and candour. Weve co-operated, the Governments co-operated thoroughly with the inquiry to date, handing over tens of thousands of documents, and we will continue to comply of course with the law, co-operate with the inquiry. Were confident in our position but are carefully considering next steps. The Government had previously argued that it did not have the messages and notebooks, but Mr Johnsons office confirmed he has handed them over to officials. The Cabinet Office has also argued that it should withhold unambiguously irrelevant material, but Lady Hallett has ruled that everything should be disclosed and she will decide what is or is not necessary for her work. Mr Johnsons decision to publicly confirm he has handed over the material stripping the Cabinet Office of one of its defences and his suggestion that it should be disclosed to the inquiry has heaped pressure on his successors Government. Baroness Hallett ordered the Government to hand over the documents (UK Parliament/PA) Whitehall officials are concerned about the wider precedent that will be set by handing over swathes of unredacted WhatsApp conversations, with fears that the inquiry will seek similar levels of disclosure from other senior figures including Mr Sunak himself. Lady Hallett issued her demand for the material under Section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005, and failure to comply could lead to prosecution and a potential fine or jail term for an individual found guilty of the offence. The Government could seek a judicial review of her notice, questioning whether the demand for the documents falls within the scope of her inquiry but legal experts have suggested the Cabinet Office would have a weak case given the wide remit set out in Lady Halletts terms of reference. German, music and drama are continuing to fall in popularity at both GCSE and A-level, according to the latest provisional exam entry figures for England. Art and design subjects have also shown a drop, but computing has seen a sharp increase, with A-level entries up 15% on last year and up 65% since 2019. The overall number of entries for this summers exams for both GCSE and A-levels has risen, according to figures published on Thursday by exams regulator Ofqual. GCSE provisional entries have increased by 3.6% from 5,349,250 in summer 2022 to 5,543,840 this summer, while A-level entries have risen by 2.3% from 788,125 last summer to 806,410. Entries for German A-level are provisionally down 17%, from 2,675 last summer to 2,210 this summer, and have dropped by almost a quarter (24%) since 2019. (PA Graphics) Spanish and French also appear to be falling out of fashion, with A-level entries for both subjects down 13% year-on-year. Performing arts A-level entries have dropped by almost a fifth (19%), from 1,175 in 2022 to 955 this summer, and are down 12% on 2019 figures. Music and drama have both fallen by 7% year-on-year. The picture is similar at GCSE level, where entries for performing arts are down 16% on 2022 and 26% on 2019. Music and drama GCSE entries are both down 14% on 2019, with music seeing a 12% fall year-on-year and drama down 7%. Entries for art and design subjects are down 3% year-on-year for both A-levels and GCSEs. German entries at GCSE have fallen by a fifth since 2019 and are down 6% from last year, dropping from 36,000 to 33,945. (PA Graphics) But the picture is more positive for Spanish, where GCSE entries are provisionally up 5% since 2022 and up 20% since 2019. Last summer saw English literature fall out of the top 10 most popular subjects at A-level for the first time. Provisional figures for this year show a slight rise of 3% in entries, up to 34,000 from 32,910 last summer, though entries are down 9% since 2019. The boom in computing among A-level students is mirrored at GCSE level, though on a smaller scale: entries are up 12% year-on-year and have risen 13% since 2019. Last year saw more students choose to study computing at GCSE than PE for the first time since the technology-based subject was introduced. This year, entries for GCSE PE are up 5% since 2022, but down 8% on 2019. Another subject enjoying an ongoing rise in popularity is business studies, with provisional GCSE entries up 27% since 2019 and A-level entries up 34%. Ministers are preparing for a high-profile legal battle with the Covid-19 inquiry as the Government seeks to challenge the request for Boris Johnsons unredacted WhatsApp messages and notebooks. Bereaved families and opposition parties hit out at the Government after the Cabinet Office took the highly unusual step of seeking a judicial review of inquiry chairwoman Baroness Halletts order to release the documents, arguing that it should not have to hand over material which is unambiguously irrelevant. It comes as Mr Johnson, in his own letter to the inquiry on Thursday evening, said he was he was more than happy to hand over the requested material directly. The step to launch legal proceedings came after days of public wrangling between ministers and the inquiry, as the Government faced a 4pm deadline on Thursday to hand over the material. But in a letter to the inquiry, released after the deadline had passed, the Cabinet Office said it was bringing the judicial review challenge with regret and promised to continue to co-operate fully with the inquiry before, during and after the jurisdictional issue in question is determined by the courts. That question will centre on whether Lady Halletts probe has the power to force ministers to release documents and messages which the Cabinet Office believes are unambiguously irrelevant and cover matters unconnected to the Governments handling of Covid. Baroness Hallett (UK Parliament) Mr Johnson wrote to Lady Hallett to say that he could see no reason why the inquiry should not be able to satisfy itself about the contents of my own Whatsapps (sic) and notebooks. But it also emerged, in a tranche of documents released as part of the legal proceedings, that WhatsApp messages passed by Mr Johnson to the Cabinet Office are only from May 2021 onwards. Mr Johnson was forced to change his mobile in 2021 after it emerged his number had been publicly available online for 15 years. A spokesman for the former prime minister said that Mr Johnson has absolutely no objection whatsoever to providing content on the phone to the inquiry. He has written to the Cabinet Office asking whether security and technical support can be given so that content can be retrieved without compromising security. The Cabinet Office have long been aware of the status of the phone. The bundle of legal documents released also included a list of 150 questions sent to Mr Johnson by the inquiry in early February, including: In or around autumn 2020, did you state that you would rather let the bodies pile high than order another lockdown, or words to that effect? If so, please set out the circumstances in which you made these comments. He was also asked: Between January and July 2020 did you receive advice from the then Cabinet Secretary that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP, should be removed from his position? If so, why? The clash between Rishi Sunaks Government and the inquiry prompted accusations of a cover-up, as one minister conceded that the Government was unlikely to win the court fight. Science minister George Freeman, during an appearance on BBC Question Time, predicted that the legal challenge would likely fail but argued that it was a point worth testing. Boris Johnson said he is more than happy to hand over his unredacted WhatsApp messages and notebooks directly to the Covid inquiry (Victoria Jones/PA) Labours deputy leader Angela Rayner said: While the rest of the country is focused on the cost-of-living crisis, Rishi Sunak is hopelessly distracted with legal ploys to obstruct the Covid inquiry in a desperate attempt to withhold evidence. After 13 years of Tory scandal, these latest smoke-and-mirror tactics serve only to undermine the Covid inquiry. The public deserve answers, not another cover-up. Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper accused ministers of a cowardly attempt to obstruct a vital public inquiry and said it was a kick in the teeth for bereaved families. Elkan Abrahamson, head of major inquests and inquiries at Broudie Jackson Canter who represents the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, accused the Cabinet Office of showing utter disregard for the inquiry. Lord Saville, who conducted the inquiry into Bloody Sunday, suggested he might consider quitting if he was in Baroness Halletts position. If I was prevented from conducting a full and proper inquiry, I might seriously consider resigning on the grounds that I was unable to do a proper job, he told Channel 4 News. A spokesman for the Covid-19 inquiry said: At 4pm today the chair of the UK Covid-19 public inquiry was served a copy of a claim form by the Cabinet Office seeking to commence judicial review proceedings against the chairs ruling of May 22 2023. Further information will be provided at the module two preliminary hearing at 10.30am on June 6. German prosecutors have said items seized as part of fresh searches for evidence in the Madeleine McCann case cannot yet be linked with the investigation into her disappearance. A large section of the Barragem do Arade reservoir in Portugal was cordoned off last week, about 30 miles from where three-year-old Madeleine went missing in 2007. Police flattened a specific area of woodland and dug a number of holes near the remote reservoir as part of the three-day hunt for evidence. Prosecutor for the city of Braunschweig, Christian Wolters, said the individual items seized as part of searches would be evaluated over the coming days and weeks. In a short statement, Mr Wolters said the investigation into 46-year-old suspect Christian Brueckner is expected to continue for a long time. He said the co-operation between German, British and Portuguese authorities went excellently and very constructively. Members of the media at Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algave, Portugal (Yui Mok/PA) After last weeks searches concluded, Portuguese police said materials had been sent to Germany for testing. Heavy machinery, sniffer dogs and pickaxes were used by personnel during the operation. Police were given the go-ahead to search the area after German prosecutors received certain tips about the case. The operation was carried out at the request of German investigators who believe their prime suspect, convicted sex offender Brueckner, kidnapped and murdered the youngster. He is 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. He has reportedly denied any involvement in Madeleines disappearance. Personnel clear undergrowth with machinery at Barragem do Arade reservoir (Yui Mok/PA) Madeleine was three when she vanished while on holiday with her parents in Praia da Luz, after they left her and her younger twin siblings asleep in their apartment while they went out to dinner with friends. Portuguese lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia previously claimed that criminal contacts had told him that Madeleines body was in the reservoir, and in 2008 he raised funds for unsuccessful private searches of the water. The new searches came 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. Jared Leto says he has not cried in about 17 years and suggested he had shed all of his tears while making psychological drama Requiem For A Dream in 2000. The Hollywood actor and musician appeared as a co-host of the Jo Whiley show on Radio 2 on Wednesday. It comes ahead of the release of his band 30 Seconds To Mars sixth studio album, Its The End Of The World But Its A Beautiful Day, in September. The bands recent and upcoming returns to the stage, playing in venues in the US and UK, mark Letos first in four years. They had previously been scheduled to perform at Radio 1s Big Weekend, on Saturday, but were forced to pull out at the last minute due to technical difficulties. The Hollywood actor and musician appeared as a co-host of the Jo Whiley show on Radio 2 on Wednesday (Ian West/PA) It was just like a perfect disaster, and thats touring. Thats life, Leto said. Its full of those kinds of, you know, adventures, to put it politely. Speaking about the emotional responses of those to whom he had played his new music to, Leto was asked if there were songs that moved him to tears. I havent cried in about 17 years, the last time was because I stubbed my toe, he said. Asked why, he replied: Im just like a lizard. I dont think my tear ducts work properly. Maybe I shed them all in Requiem For A Dream or something? I cried so much during the making of that movie. Leto starred in the 2000 drama film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, alongside Ellen Burstyn and Jennifer Connelly. He continued: A wild thing about that film is I remember I had a scene and I was supposed to be very emotional, and then literally when they shot my close-up I got a call. One of my best friends had just been shot in the head and the emotion that came at that moment when I recognised what a brutal loss this was. But I realised what a bad actor I was because it didnt really touch anything that Id done in this scene, and I believe I went back and asked for another take. I shared a little bit of that in the scene and thats whats in the movie when Im talking on the phone. So in a way, you know, (my friend) lives in that scene. Leto has gone on to star in multiple blockbuster films, including the Marvel and DC franchises, and won an Oscar for best-supporting actor for his role in the 2013 film Dallas Buyers Club. He told Whiley that his new album had a lot of bright newness and optimism, having been written during the pandemic. It has a lot of celebration, he said. Of course there are darker sides we explore, as always, too, because, you know, we like to explore a lot of different things. But Im excited for people to hear it. I think for us we feel like were a brand new band really energised and revitalised. The full programme with Jared Leto and Jo Whiley can be listened to now on BBC Sounds. Products featured in this Yahoo article are selected by our shopping writers. We will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. This classic white pair of trainers from M&S are a huge hit among shoppers. (Marks & Spencer) White trainers are a wardrobe staple that marry comfort and style, not to mention can be worn with dresses/trousers/skirts/your attire of choice. There's no shortage of styles to shop on the high street either, but an affordable M&S pair is going straight in our basket. These Lace Up Trainers cost just 25 and boast a minimal design that won't clash with anything you already own. They also come with over 500 five-star reviews from shoppers singing their praises, and are available in classic write or a metallic silver if you want a pop of colour. The perfect year-round shoe, make sure you snap a pair up before they sell out. Why we rate it It's not the first time a pair of M&S trainers have proved popular, in February 2020, the now Princess of Wales stepped out in a similar design with a ribbon detail. She teamed the lace-ups with wide-leg green trousers and a coordinating jumper during a SportsAid event at the London Stadium in east London, and unsurprisingly they quickly sold out. The trainers are a great summer wardrobe staple. (Marks & Spencer) They're available in white or silver, from sizes three to eight. (Marks & Spencer) Shop now Having the royal seal of approval isn't the only reason we're a fan, Yahoo UK contributor Anya Meyerowitz has previously raved about a metallic pair that's similar in a glowing review, describing them as the "ideal spring footwear". The plain white version is currently available in sizes three to eight - half-sizes included - are 100% vegan, and are designed with M&S' Insolia Flex technology, which provides extra support for the ball of the foot. What the reviews say For such an affordable price, it's no wonder these lace-up trainers come with hundreds of five-star reviews. Here's just a snippet of what some had to say: "Wore them around the house for a few days just to soften them up, and their first big day out was a 7.5 mile walk around Prague. Really comfy, no blisters or rubbing on any part of my foot. True to size, Im a 7, the trainers are a 7 and fit perfectly." "Exactly what I was after; plain white trainers to wear with dresses, shorts and jeans. Great style and fit." "I was concerned they might be uncomfortable or sweaty after a while, but I wore them loads in Italy and they were really comfortable, walking lots. Dripped coffee all over them and it washed off no problem." "Great trainers, true to size, hard wearing and comfortable. Really good value for money." "Fantastic simple yet comfortable and wonderful with trainers or dresses." "Comfy and trendy, smart or casual, with a dress fab, shorts, lovely, cropped jeans really smart. And wipeable." Shop now: Lace Up Trainers | 25 from Marks & Spencer 25 at Marks & Spencer Watch: The comfy bra everyone is talking about Babies are born into the world with a number of things. Tiny fingernails. Angelic curls on their head. An endless, burning hunger for milk. And, according to one expert, accents, apparently. TikTok teacher Laurie Knox @knoxstudy shared the theory in a video thats grabbed the attentions of people online and has us pondering whether our babies or friends babies have an accented cry. Knox shares a study conducted by Dr Kathleen Wermke, head of Wurzburg University Clinics Center for Pre-Speech Development and Developmental Disorders, which was reported in the New York Times. The German researcher looked at the cries of 60 newborns 30 were French, the other 30 were German, and she found that the cries of the French newborns typically had a rising intonation, while the cries of the German babies typically had a falling intonation, mimicking both languages. During infancy, babies experiment with a variety of different sounds, gurgles and cries, but this research shows that, even from such a young age, theyre already affected by their parents mother tongue, even from in utero. In 2017, she showed that the cries of Swedish newborn babies had a higher melodic complexity than their German counterparts, explains Knox. This is because Swedish is a pitch-accent language whereas German is a stress-accent language. The team found that Swedish babies had a delightful sing-song cry versus other babies. In 2019, she demonstrated that babies whose mothers speak a tonal language, like Mandarin, exhibit a wider variation in melody than their non-tonal German counterparts, explains Knox. If this isnt concrete evidence that babies are being nosy Nellies in the womb and picking up on and mimicking our voices, I dont know what is. Commenters were quick to chime in on Knoxs video with their hilarious takes, with someone writing, Danish babies crying in A. Someone else agreed with the theory, writing: I'm an English speaker living in Denmark. People told me my babies sounded different. A man who stabbed a young mother to death with screwdrivers, leaving her with 199 separate injuries, has been jailed for life. Nottinghamshire Police found the body of 27-year-old Mckyla Taylor hidden under a duvet on the bedroom floor of a flat in Lowtown Street, Worksop, in the early hours of August 16 2022. She suffered 199 separate injuries to her head and body in what police described as a relentless attack. David Jackson, 68, who had arrived at the scene a few hours later asking if he could get a jumper from his flat, casually mentioned to an officer that he had killed someone upstairs, police said. David Jackson has been jailed for life for murdering Mckyla Taylor (Nottinghamshire Police/PA) At Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, Jackson, who stayed silent throughout police interviews, was jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years behind bars after pleading guilty to murder. Jackson, who had known Ms Taylor for some time, hid the young mothers body under a duvet, with weights and push bikes stacked on top. They had seen each other during the day on August 15, but Ms Taylors family alerted police when she did not respond to their calls or messages. Her body was discovered by police who forced entry into her flat at around 2am the following day. Ms Taylor was pronounced dead at around 2.30am by paramedics and a post-mortem investigation later revealed the extent of the injuries she had suffered. Forensic evidence showed most of the injuries had been inflicted inside the bedroom by two screwdrivers discovered in the living room. Detective Chief Inspector Clare Dean, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: Mckyla was a young woman who was loved and adored by her family and many friends. Her life was taken away from her in the most brutal fashion by David Jackson, who has shown very little remorse and would not give any account in interview. Mckyla Taylors mother Emma Sentence, pictured with her daughter, said she was a fun-loving girl (Nottinghamshire Police/PA) Detectives carried out a meticulous investigation, with many officers working around the clock to gather the evidence against him. He continued to deny murdering Mckyla until shortly before a trial was about to begin inflicting further pain and anxiety on her loved ones. The attack Jackson inflicted on Mckyla was relentless, causing catastrophic injuries which ultimately led to her death. He has taken away a loving and caring mum, daughter, sister, and friend. Todays sentence will not bring Mckyla back, but it does mean that Jackson will spend a considerable part of his life behind bars, and I hope this gives her family some comfort. In a statement released by Nottinghamshire Police, Ms Taylors mother, Emma Sentence, 45, paid tribute to her daughter and best friend after Jackson was sentenced. She said: Mckyla had a smile that would light up the room and a contagious laugh. She was just a fun-loving girl. I still remember the weekend she was killed as if it was yesterday. We had a lovely weekend sunbathing, listening to music and doing our nails and then she left and that was the last time I saw her. Ms Taylors brother, Callum Taylor, 26, will now be looking after her one-year-old daughter in the same house that Ms Taylor grew up in. Mckyla Taylor with brother Callum and sister Nicole (Nottinghamshire Police/PA) It is like a part of Mckyla is coming home, Mr Taylor said. Mckyla had always wanted to be a mum and was so thrilled when she found out she was pregnant. I just want to do my best to bring up her daughter and give her a normal, loving life. Mckyla was a lovely and loving person. She always put other people first. If she was in a house fire Mckyla was the sort of person who would be the last out. We were really close growing up and went to the same primary school. I can remember the camping holidays we went on as a family which were so much fun. No sentence will ever be enough for what happened to Mckyla. I will never forget waking up that day and hearing she had been killed. I cannot understand why anyone would want to hurt someone that kind. I dont really feel like I have been through the grieving process yet. Ive just wanted to stay strong for others. Ms Taylors older sister, Nicole, 29, described her as the life and soul of the party. She said: She was born on my first birthday and Mckyla, me and Callum were really close growing up. She was always bubbly, always singing, always dancing. I remember going to our grandparents house and we would sing and dance, stand on tables and have fun. They were the best times. Jailing Jackson for life with a minimum of 17 years behind bars, Judge James Sampson said the killer would not be eligible for parole for another 16 years and 135 days, taking into account the 230 days he has already served in custody. Annette Thomas, senior crown prosecutor from the CPS East Midlands, said: David Jackson committed a horrific attack, inflicting nearly 200 injuries on a younger, vulnerable woman after a disturbing pattern of abusive behaviour towards her. Todays sentence reflects the cruelty of that attack, the distress and suffering he inflicted on his victim and his abusive, sordid background. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mckylas family and loved ones. South Korea succeeded in a test of a key homegrown missile interceptor under development earlier this week, the third such success out of four tests so far, as it is cranking up efforts to deter evolving North Korean threats. On Tuesday, the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD) revealed to the press corps the whole process of the interception test on the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) at its Anheung testing site in Taean, 109 kilometers southwest of Seoul, for the first time. The L-SAM is a three-stage structure, including the final-stage "Kill Vehicle." Designed to shoot down an incoming ballistic missile at altitudes of 50-60 kilometers, it is a key element of the country's low-tier multilayered anti-missile shield, called the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD). On a large screen at the testing site, the Kill Vehicle was seen accurately hitting a target missile after the successful separation of its first and second stages a spectacle also watched by government officials and research staff, including Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup. "The L-SAM capability that extends the missile defense to the upper layer of the terminal phase (of a missile flight) will not only improve the capabilities to respond to North Korean missile threats but also contribute greatly to strengthening the missile defense capability of the South Korea-U.S. alliance," Lee said. Since November last year, the ADD has conducted four L-SAM interception tests. Of them, three tests, including the latest, succeeded. The defense ministry said that it plans to complete the L-SAM development by next year, embark on the mass-production phase in 2025 and start deploying the interception system in the late 2020s. South Korea's KAMD program consists of multiple interception systems, including the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile and the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile, which are to be employed for interception at altitudes of 40 km or lower. In addition to this, the U.S. Forces Korea operates a THAAD battery in the southeastern county of Seongju, reinforcing the allies' missile defense capabilities. The THAAD system is designed to shoot down hostile missiles at altitudes of 40-150 km. Dozens of the UKs biggest firms whose departure from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) sparked a vote on its future will not be allowed to participate in that vote, it has emerged. Companies which were part of the membership exodus that forced the CBI to set out a new future have told the PA news agency they have not received invitations to next weeks crunch meeting. The CBI said current members including those who have suspended their memberships are invited to the meeting, but those who resigned are not. CBI members are set to vote on Tuesday June 6 on a prospectus which the organisation hopes can draw a line under the biggest crisis in its history. It proposes a new-look board and a series of cultural changes which will be put to members for a vote on the day. The CBI had already promised to make changes following the allegations, but did not promise a major overhaul until dozens of companies said they no longer wanted to be part of the organisation. Now representatives from several companies who asked to remain unnamed said they have not been sent an invitation to the extraordinary general meeting. Today, weve launched our prospectus A Renewed CBI for our Members, our Stakeholders and our People. Outlining how we are working to increase trust with our membership and improve our organisation for the better, ahead of our 6 June EGM. Read it here https://t.co/gqdA8zhVuW pic.twitter.com/00oHSrtmJH CBI (@CBItweets) May 31, 2023 On Wednesday, the CBI set out the new prospectus for the group, which includes appointing a new president and giving members an annual vote on the make-up of its board. It said an external review had found it under-prioritised people management skills, but rejected blanket descriptions of its culture as toxic or misogynistic. Next week members will be asked: Do the changes we have made and the commitments we have set out to reform our governance, culture, and purpose give you the confidence you need to support the CBI? The vote needs more than 50% to pass with members getting one vote each. The problems within the CBI were first revealed in March when the Guardian published allegations that then-director-general Tony Danker had been accused of misconduct. The story opened the floodgates and a month later the paper had been approached by more than a dozen women who claimed they had been sexually harassed while working for the trade body. Two said they had been raped. On April 21, after the second rape allegation was published in the Guardian, dozens of members said they would withdraw from the CBI. By the end of the day the organisation had suspended its membership and policy activities pending the June 6 meeting. Train services are being hit by more strike action this week. Workers who are members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will strike on Friday, while train drivers who are members of Aslef will walk out on Saturday. It comes after members of Aslef walked out on Wednesday, meaning several operators such as Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern and Thameslink were running no trains. Here is a breakdown of each operators plan for strike days: Avanti West Coast is among the operators affected (Luciana Guerra/PA) Avanti West Coast Friday: One train per hour will run in each direction between London Euston and each of Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Preston, with a limited service to and from Glasgow. There will be no services to or from North Wales, Shrewsbury, Blackpool, Stoke-on-Trent or Edinburgh, while Macclesfield station will be closed. The first train of the day from Euston will depart at about 8am, and the last will leave shortly after 5pm. Saturday: No trains. c2c Friday: No major impact but 12-carriage trains will not stop at Limehouse, east London. Saturday: Usual timetable. Caledonian Sleeper Friday: All services will be operating via the East Coast Main Line due to engineering works. Services will not be calling at Motherwell, Carlisle, Preston, Crewe or Watford. Saturday: The Caledonian Sleeper does not operate on Saturday nights. Chiltern Railways Friday: Services will be limited to one train per hour from about 8am until 10pm in both directions between London Marylebone and each of Banbury, Oxford and Aylesbury via High Wycombe; and between Amersham and Aylesbury Vale Parkway. No trains will run between Banbury and each of Birmingham and Stourbridge Junction, or between Hatton and Stratford-upon-Avon. Saturday: No trains. CrossCountry Friday: A limited service will operate. No trains will run between Birmingham New Street and Cardiff Central or Nottingham. Saturday: No trains. East Midlands Railway Friday: Services will run between 7.30am and 6.30pm. They will be limited to just one train per hour in each direction between London St Pancras and each of Nottingham, Derby and Corby, as well as a handful of regional routes such as between Leicester and Lincoln. Saturday: No trains. Elizabeth line Friday: The Elizabeth line is not involved in the industrial dispute with the RMT but there will be some alterations to its services. These include no trains between Maidenhead and Reading before 7am or after 7pm, and no trains between Brentwood and Shenfield from 11.30pm. No Elizabeth line trains will serve the National Rail platforms at Paddington before 7am and after 7pm on Friday. These trains will start and terminate at Ealing Broadway. No change to trains which serve the Elizabeth line platforms. Saturday: Usual timetable apart from no Elizabeth line trains will serve the National Rail platforms at Paddington before 7am. Gatwick Express Friday: No trains but Southern and Thameslink will serve Gatwick Airport until early afternoon. Saturday: No trains. Services to Gatwick Airport will be hit (Gareth Fuller/PA) Grand Central Friday: Grand Central is not involved in the industrial dispute with the RMT but there will be minor alterations to its services. Saturday: Strike action will not affect services on Saturday, but there will be an amended timetable due to planned work. Great Northern Friday: A limited service will run and only between 7am and 7pm. There will be no trains between Ely and Kings Lynn. Saturday: No trains. Great Western Railway Friday: A limited service will run and only between 7.30am and 6.30pm. The only open routes will be between: London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads; London Paddington and Didcot; London Paddington and Cardiff; London Paddington and Plymouth; Gloucester and Swindon; London Paddington and Newbury; Greenford and West Ealing; Slough and Windsor; Maidenhead and Bourne End; Twyford and Slough; Reading and Basingstoke; Oxford and Banbury; Reading and Redhill; Oxford and Didcot (replacement bus service; Cardiff and Westbury; and Bristol Temple Meads and Plymouth. The Night Riviera sleeper service is cancelled. Saturday: A limited service will run and only between 7.30am and 6.30pm. The only open routes will be between: London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads; Reading and Didcot; Reading and Basingstoke; Reading and Redhill; Westbury and Swindon; Cardiff and Bristol; Exeter and Barnstaple; Plymouth and Gunnislake; and Penzance and St Ives. The Night Riviera sleeper service is cancelled. Greater Anglia Friday: Trains will run between 7am and 11pm. Some routes will have a reduced frequency, but most will have a normal or near-normal service. But there will be no services between Walton-on-the-Naze and Colchester Town/Colchester, or between Hertford East and London, or between Stratford and Meridian Water. Saturday: A reduced service will run and only from 7am, with last trains earlier than normal. Most routes will be closed, including between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge. Heathrow Express Friday: Usual timetable until 8.40pm. Last train from London Paddington 8.40pm, Heathrow Terminal 5 at 8.42pm, and then Heathrow Central at 8.47pm. Saturday: No trains. Hull Trains All strike days: Usual timetable. London North Eastern Railway (LNER) All strike days: A limited timetable will operate. London Northwestern Railway Friday: A limited service will run and only between 7am and 7pm. The only open routes will be between Birmingham New Street and each of London Euston, Birmingham International and Liverpool Lime Street. Saturday: No trains. London Overground Friday: London Overground is not involved in the industrial disputes but there will be minor alterations to some services. Saturday: Usual timetable, apart from no service between Dundonald Road and Wimbledon on the tram before 6.45am. Lumo All strike days: Usual timetable. Merseyrail All strike days: Usual timetable. Northern Friday: Only a handful of routes will be open, such as between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester; Leeds and York; and Darlington and Saltburn. Saturday: No trains. ScotRail All strike days: Usual timetable. South Western Railway Friday: A reduced service will operate and only between 7am and 7pm. Saturday: Services will be reduced and there will be no trains on the Isle of Wight. Southeastern Friday: A reduced service will operate, with some routes closed. Saturday: No trains. Southeastern will run a limited timetable (Gareth Fuller/PA) Southern Friday: A reduced service will operate and only between 7am and 7pm. No trains will run in a number of areas, including between: Hemel Hempstead and Clapham Junction; London Bridge and Norwood Junction; Southampton Central and Barnham; and Eastbourne and Ashford International. Saturday: No trains. Stansted Express Friday: Services will not start until after 7am. Saturday: Frequencies will be halved to one train per hour in each direction. Thameslink Friday: A reduced service will operate and only between 7am and 7pm. Services will be split north and south, with nothing running between London St Pancras and London Blackfriars. Saturday: No trains. TransPennine Express Friday: A reduced timetable will operate and only between: Manchester Piccadilly and York, Preston and Manchester Airport and Sheffield and Cleethorpes. Saturday: No trains. Transport for Wales All strike days: Transport for Wales is not involved in the industrial disputes but some of its services will be amended. West Midlands Railway Friday: A limited service will run and only between 7am and 7pm. The only open routes will be between: Birmingham New Street and each of Northampton, London Euston, Liverpool Lime Street, Wolverhampton, Rugeley Trent Valley, Lichfield Trent Valley, Redditch and Bromsgrove; between Kidderminster and Whitlocks End/Dorridge via Birmingham Snow Hill; and between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town. Saturday: No trains. Tesco has urged its 20 million Clubcard customers to cash in their rewards over the next fortnight before they are cut from three times to two times their value. The UKs biggest supermarket announced in March that its Clubcard points will be worth twice their value when customers cash them in, rather than three times as they are now, from June 14. Rewards ordered up to and including June 13 will continue to be valid for one year from the date of issue. The popular scheme enables shoppers to collect points for money spent at Tesco and exchange them for vouchers which can be used in store or for excursions to locations such as Pizza Express, Legoland and Alton Towers. The grocer first introduced Clubcard in 1995 and promptly saw a 28% spending uplift. Tescos chief customer officer Alessandra Bellini said: While we are making a change to how members can use their vouchers with our reward partners, we want to remind millions of Clubcard holders to redeem their vouchers at three times the value until June 13 so they can use their reward partner codes to give themselves and their families a well-deserved treat. We have extended the validity of redeemed codes at the 3x rate, so if swapped before the deadline, they will be valid for a year, instead of six months, to give customers even more time to enjoy them. Customers expressed their disappointment at the change, pointing out it came as the cost-of-living crisis was already placing pressure on household budgets. One shopper posted: Tesco #clubcard now only worth x2 gee thanks #Tesco you really care about your loyal customers not. Maybe time to shop elsewhere. A second Clubcard user wrote: We were always grateful for the @Tesco Clubcard X4 when our kids were younger, it helped out massively on days out, we used our vouchers to buy towards Merlin passes which saved us so much money. We use it now for ourselves and X3 is good, but what an insult #X2 is to customers! A third wrote: Dear @tesco Just got your email re clubcard voucher exchange value changing to 2x, not 3x the value. Really disappointing! Not that long ago they were worth 4x the value. Are you not making enough profit already? One woman tweeted Tesco that its Clubcard scheme had kept me shopping with you but now with your prices soaring and the announcement about the points changes Ill be looking elsewhere. I bet a lot will do the same. It really helped us all out. Disappointed in you Tesco, she added. Sainsburys and Boots also cut the value of their loyalty schemes recently. From May, Boots Advantage Card holders have received 25% less for every 1 they spend in store, earning 3p rather than 4p. In November Sainsburys Bank cut the amount of Nectar points customers could earn by 75%, from two points for every 1 spent to one point for every 2. The mother of a Liverpool teenager fatally shot six years ago said she wants to face his killer, as she spoke of her distress at hearing of other young victims of gun crime. Yusuf Sonko, 18, was one week away from completing his A-Level exams when he was shot in the head in Tagus Street in Toxteth, at about 8.30pm on Friday June 2 2017. On the sixth anniversary of the shooting, charity Crimestoppers offered a reward of up to 20,000 for anonymous information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for Mr Sonkos death. His mother, Khadija Sonko, 45, told the PA news agency: I need to face the person and ask him why. Why me? Why Yusuf? Eighteen years is too early, you dont even let him enjoy his life. Its just wicked. Eight men have been arrested in connection with the killing and remain under investigation, while another man voluntarily attended for interview, but no one has been charged with his murder, a Merseyside Police spokesman said. The shooting was one of five which happened within a week in Merseyside and Mr Sonko was one of three people murdered in Liverpool during June 2017 in unconnected incidents. Last year, there were five fatal shootings in Merseyside including the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, in Dovecot. Mrs Sonko said when she heard of other victims of gun crime in the region it brought her back to the time of her sons murder. She said: I cry for them. Even though I dont know who the mother is, I cry for them because I know what Im going through, it never goes away. Its always there. If I hear somebodys childs been murdered I cry. I say, Again? Again? Why dont they stop? I dont think any mother should be going through what I am going through. Khadija Sonko, whose son Yusuf was shot in Toxteth in June 2017 (Eleanor Barlow/PA) The hair salon owner, who also works for a homeless charity, said she believed there were people out there with information about her sons killer. Appealing directly to them, she said: You know what happened. Why dont you give him justice? Why do you have to make me suffer with my family and keep the secret? This is not snitching. This is a murder case, snitching and a murder case are completely different. If you keep that information to yourself then you are wicked, you have got a wicked heart. Following the death of Mr Sonko, police said he was believed to have been shot as part of a dispute between rival groups of males in and around the Lodge Lane area. But the teenager, who hoped to study business or engineering, is thought to have only appeared on the periphery of one of those groups in the weeks before the attack. His mother added: I need people to give me justice. Im still crying for my beautiful son. Detective Inspector Sarah Wilkinson said: So far eight arrests have been made and our investigation into Yusufs death remains open with a new 20,000 reward from charity Crimestoppers in place until the gunman is found and brought to justice. Our detectives remain convinced there are people living in (postcode area) L8 and beyond who hold vital information that will help us find anyone responsible for Yusufs death. She appealed for anyone who witnessed the shooting, saw groups of young males running in the Lodge Lane area just before 8.30pm on the night, or saw two males on pedal bikes in the area before or after to get in touch. Information can be given to police by calling 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org. The Queen fed a Polo mint to a retired racehorse on a visit to the British Racing School to mark its 40th anniversary. The training centre on the outskirts of Newmarket, Suffolk the headquarters of British horseracing was opened by King Charles in 1983, when he was still the Prince of Wales. On Thursday, Camilla arrived by helicopter to the facility before being driven up to the buildings in a dark-coloured Audi. Wearing a green multi-print dress by designer Fiona Clare and a blue scallop jacket by Bruce Oldfield, she took time to speak to staff and students on a tour of the school. While inside the John Pearce Barn, a 16-horse barn opened last year, she said Ive forgotten my Polos as she stroked the nose of retired racehorse Percy Toplis. Queen Camilla fed a polo to racehorse Percy Toplis (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) Foundation Course instructor Deborah Polley, who was accompanying Camilla, then produced some of the mints from her pocket and gave them to her. Camilla, 75, said to the nine-year-old horse are you a Polo donkey?. She then held her hand up to him so he could eat a mint from it, before she smiled and said: happy Percy. Ms Polley said afterwards: She said I normally have a Polo mint on me because shes obviously a great lover of horses and has that understanding. I then always have a Polo mint on me and gave her what was in the packet. She very gently gave Percy the Polos. Queen Camilla strokes a horse called Send Her Victorias during a visit to The British Racing School in Newmarket, Suffolk (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) She continued: She was very interested in the course. She was very interested that one of my students was on the Princes Trust last March. She spoke to everyone in turn asking them if they were enjoying the course, what they were up to, had they fallen off, what they liked, what they didnt like. She shook every students hand, which was absolutely beautiful. It meant so much. Camilla saw horses being groomed, and she got into a minibus to be driven alongside horses that they were ridden down the straight gallop by students. Queen Camilla unveils a plaque during a visit to The British Racing School in Newmarket, Suffolk, to mark their 40th anniversary (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) As she saw apprentices practicing on balance balls and mechanical equiciser horse simulators, she said: They are putting you through it! Camilla unveiled a plaque at the centre to a round of applause and was presented with a framed watercolour picture of two horses training, before she left by car. The flagship programme of the British Racing School is an apprenticeship for 16-to-25-year-olds called the Foundation Course, which prepares young people for jobs as stable staff, riding and looking after the sports racehorses. To date, some 4,000 young people have successfully completed the course and gone onto work in the industry. This includes some of the worlds top jockeys and every Champion Apprentice jockey from the past 10 years. Queen Camilla meets Hez March a workplace apprentice in the simulator room during a visit to The British Racing School in Newmarket, Suffolk (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) The British Racing School is also home to the Newmarket Pony Academy, a community project which uses horses and ponies to positively impact mental health and the wellbeing of children in Newmarket and its neighbouring communities. It is also the base of the Riding A Dream Academy which works to increase diversity and inclusion within the sport. Camilla was originally due to carry out her visit to the British Racing School in March of this year but weather disrupted her travel plans. Her visit on Thursday was the rearranged engagement. A collectable 50p celebrating 75 years of the NHS has been released by the Royal Mint. All net proceeds from the sale of the individual collectable 50p will be donated to NHS Charities Together, an organisation that provides support to NHS staff, patients, and communities, the Mint said. The Royal Mint has estimated that this figure could amount up to 225,000. Ellie Orton (left), chief executive of NHS Charities Together and Amanda Pritchard, chief exective of NHS England holding the NHS 75th Anniversary 50p (Royal Mint/PA) The collectable 50p was created by Alice Lediard, a senior designer at the Royal Mint, and was one of the first 50ps to feature King Charles on the obverse (heads) side of when the design was first revealed in the Royal Mints annual sets in January. The reverse design incorporates words to reflect the nations gratitude towards the NHS and its staff, such as dedication, support and empathy. The design also uses a similar, angled font to the one used by the NHS. Ms Lediard said: It is an honour to have my design selected to appear on a 50p coin celebrating the NHSs 75th anniversary. Like most of the nation, I have a deep-rooted pride and appreciation for the NHS. Both my partner and closest friends are NHS workers and worked on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic. The beating heart of the NHS is the staff who work for it, so I wanted to make sure the words encompassed everyone, presented a positive outlook, and summed up decades of healthcare provision to the British public in a personal way that everyone could associate with. This is the first time that the NHS 50p coin has been available for sale as an individual coin from the Mint, and not as part of the set. Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint said: The Royal Mint is delighted to announce that all net proceeds generated from the sale of the individual NHS 50p coin will be donated to NHS Charities Together, to help support and continue the incredible work they do daily. The Royal Mint is committed to producing products that celebrate and commemorate Britains most influential individuals, organisations, and institutions and the NHS has played a pivotal role in British society, supporting millions of people every day. As one of Britains most respected and admired institutions, all of us at the Royal Mint have such appreciation for the work and difference that both past and present NHS employees have and continue to make. It is a privilege to be involved in celebrating and marking the NHSs 75th anniversary with an official UK 50p coin. Ellie Orton, chief executive of NHS Charities Together said: NHS charities have been supporting the NHS throughout its 75 years, and the help we provide has never been more important. We are here for everyone who wants to give something back to the NHS and we are so grateful to the Royal Mint for donating the proceeds of this new coin to our charity. Together we can help the NHS go further for its staff and patients and ensure everyone can access the best healthcare possible. The NHS 75th anniversary 50p coin was one of a set to mark key events in 2023 including the Kings 75th birthday and 75 years since Windrush (Royal Mint/PA) The Royal Mint has celebrated previous milestones in the NHSs history on official UK coins over the decades, with a 50p introduced in 1998 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NHS. In 2020, along with other organisations, the Mint pledged to support the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic, manufacturing 1.9 million medical visors for NHS staff. The 50p coin celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NHS is available to buy via the Royal Mints website, with prices starting at 11. Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive said: We are delighted that the Royal Mint has launched this new coin to celebrate our 75th birthday and recognise the incredible hard work and dedication of our staff, as we mark 75 years of caring for our communities and of the special role that the NHS continues to hold for the public. After some of the most challenging years in our history, from managing the pandemic response to rolling out our world-leading vaccination programme, and now pulling out all the stops to recover services, it is important that we celebrate the achievements of our incredible staff and volunteers and look ahead to the future and the next 75 years of the NHS. Rishi Sunak is seeking to put tackling illegal migration top of the international agenda at a gathering of European leaders in Moldova. The Prime Minister is stressing the need for collaboration on the global issue at a meeting of the European Political Community. While there, he is expected to announce the start of negotiations on a new returns agreement with Moldova to allow the UK to send Moldovans found to be in violation of immigration law back to their home country. However, the value of such a pact would be disputable, as only one Moldovan was recorded by the Home Office as having arrived in the UK on a small boat this year. Only 17 were found to have arrived via unauthorised means between January 2018 and March this year, according to the departments data. It comes as a similar deal with Georgia enters into force. Mr Sunak tweeted: Im meeting European leaders in Moldova today, putting tackling illegal migration top of the international agenda. Weve already made migration agreements with Albania, France and the EU to stop the boats. European leaders at the European Political Community summit near Chisinau (Carl Court/PA) This global issue requires collaboration and the UK is taking the lead. The Times reported that Britain would also target Turkey and Bulgaria as part of efforts to tackle small boats crossing the Channel, with the paper saying Border Force had evidence that Turkey had become a main hub for the manufacture of the dinghies used. Mr Sunak was also expected to announce an increase in bilateral intelligence-sharing with Bulgaria to crack down on criminal gangs involved in illegal migration. The Prime Minister met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called for Ukraine to be admitted to Nato as he addressed the gathering near his nations border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a bilateral meeting during the European Political Community summit in Moldova (Carl Court/PA) Mr Sunak was also to meet with his Spanish and Polish counterparts Pedro Sanchez and Mateusz Morawiecki. Europe is facing unprecedented threats at our borders. From (Russian President Vladimir) Putins utter contempt of other countries sovereignty to the rise in organised immigration crime across our continent, the Prime Minister said ahead of his trip. We cannot address these problems without Europes governments and institutions working closely together. In every meeting, every summit, every international gathering like this, the security of our borders must be top of the agenda. The UK will be at the heart of this international effort to stop the boats and defend our national security. In attending the Chisinau summit, Mr Sunak was following in the footsteps of predecessor Liz Truss, who made time to attend the first meeting in the Czech Republic last October during her short-lived premiership. Then-prime minister Liz Truss arriving at the European Political Community summit at Prague Castle last year (Alistair Grant/PA) Spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron, the European Political Community is scheduled to be hosted by the UK in 2024. Moldova, which was playing host to nearly 50 European leaders for the summit, has accepted thousands of refugees from Ukraine since the Russian invasion last year. Support for Ukraine and Moldova in the face of Russian aggression was likely to be on the agenda, with Mr Sunak and Mr Morawiecki set to hold a roundtable discussion on security at the summit. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in March announced UK funding of 10 million for Moldova, earmarked for economic and governance reforms and including the energy sector. A Home Office spokesperson said: We have a close partnership with Turkey when it comes to the shared problem of illegal migration, and we work extensively together to tackle the criminality that enables it. Rishi Sunak said the Government was still carefully considering next steps with just minutes to go before the deadline to hand over Boris Johnsons WhatsApp messages, diaries and notebooks to the Covid-19 inquiry. The Prime Minister said the Government was confident in its position, but did not set out how it intended to respond to inquiry chairwoman Baroness Halletts demand for the documents to be submitted. She has given the Cabinet Office until 4pm to disclose the information she has requested or face the threat of a criminal prosecution. Speaking at a summit in Moldova, Mr Sunak said: I think its really important that we learn the lessons of Covid so that we can be better prepared in the future. Rishi Sunak met Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moldova but could not escape domestic political problems (Carl Court/PA) And were doing that in the spirit of rigour but also transparency and candour. Weve co-operated, the Governments co-operated thoroughly with the inquiry to date, handing over tens of thousands of documents, and we will continue to comply of course with the law, co-operate with the inquiry. Were confident in our position but are carefully considering next steps. The Government had previously argued that it did not have the messages and notebooks, but Mr Johnsons office confirmed he has handed them over to officials. The Cabinet Office has also argued that it should withhold unambiguously irrelevant material, but Lady Hallett has ruled that everything should be disclosed and she will decide what is or is not necessary for her work. Mr Johnsons decision to publicly confirm he has handed over the material stripping the Cabinet Office of one of its defences and his suggestion that it should be disclosed to the inquiry has heaped pressure on his successors Government. Whitehall officials are concerned about the wider precedent that will be set by handing over swathes of unredacted WhatsApp conversations, with fears that the inquiry will seek similar levels of disclosure from other senior figures including Mr Sunak himself. Lady Hallett issued her demand for the material under Section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005, and failure to comply could lead to prosecution and a potential fine or jail term for an individual found guilty of the offence. The Government could seek a judicial review of her notice, questioning whether the demand for the documents falls within the scope of her inquiry but legal experts have suggested the Cabinet Office would have a weak case given the wide remit set out in Lady Halletts terms of reference. Last-ditch efforts to find a compromise continued on Thursday as the deadline which had already been extended by 48 hours loomed. Rishi Sunak urged European countries to work cooperatively to tackle illegal migration at a gathering of leaders from across the continent in Moldova. The Prime Minister also used the meeting of the European Political Community to call for more support for Ukraine, backing Volodymyr Zelenskys case for his war-torn nation to be part of Nato after talks with the Ukrainian president. Security for Ukraine and Moldova in the face of Moscows aggression dominated the summit held at a castle in the former Soviet republic, but Mr Sunak sought to put the issue of migration top of the agenda too. Im meeting European leaders in Moldova today, putting tackling illegal migration top of the international agenda. We've already made migration agreements with Albania, France and the EU to stop the boats. This global issue requires collaboration and the UK is taking the lead. pic.twitter.com/LoYkdTSREP Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 1, 2023 Speaking to broadcasters, he said: Whether its standing up to Russian aggression here in Moldova or in Ukraine, but also tackling illegal migration, are challenges that we can only really solve when we work together with other countries. Ive been having a series of very productive discussions here to strengthen everyones support for Ukraine, but also to work cooperatively to tackle illegal migration, which is one of my five big priorities. Mr Sunak was expected to announce the start of negotiations on a new returns agreement with Moldova to allow the UK to send Moldovans found to be in violation of immigration law back to their home country. However, the value of such a pact would be disputable, as only one Moldovan was recorded by the Home Office as having arrived in the UK on a small boat this year. Only 17 were found to have arrived via unauthorised means between January 2018 and March this year, according to the departments data. It comes as a similar deal with Georgia enters into force, and follows migration agreements with Albania and France. The Times reported that Britain would also target Turkey and Bulgaria as part of efforts to tackle small boats crossing the Channel, with the paper saying Border Force had evidence that Turkey had become a main hub for the manufacture of the dinghies used. Mr Sunak was also expected to announce an increase in bilateral intelligence-sharing with Bulgaria to crack down on criminal gangs involved in illegal migration. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold a bilateral meeting during the European Political Community summit in Moldova (Carl Court/PA) After talks with Mr Zelensky, who called for a decision on his countrys accession to Nato as he addressed the summit, the Prime Minister said that Ukraines rightful place is in the alliance. The Government has also offered support to Moldova, amid ongoing tensions with Moscow. As the first British Prime Minister to visit Moldova, Im pleased to announce new support to aid them in the face of Russian aggression, Mr Sunak tweeted. Moldova is not alone. European leaders at the European Political Community summit near Chisinau (Carl Court/PA) Moldova, which was playing host to nearly 50 European leaders for the summit, has accepted thousands of refugees from Ukraine since the Russian invasion last year. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in March announced UK funding of 10 million for Moldova, earmarked for economic and governance reforms and including the energy sector. Mr Sunak was also due to meet his Spanish and Polish counterparts Pedro Sanchez and Mateusz Morawiecki, with whom he held a roundtable discussion on security at the summit. In attending the gathering near Chisinau, Mr Sunak was following in the footsteps of predecessor Liz Truss, who made time to attend the first meeting in the Czech Republic last October during her short-lived premiership. Spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron, the European Political Community is scheduled to be hosted by the UK in 2024. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup speaks during a National Assembly session in this March 23 photo. Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwon South Korea's Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup will leave for Singapore later this week to attend an annual security forum, his ministry said Thursday, in an effort to rally international support for Seoul's efforts to address evolving North Korean threats. The three-day Shangri-La Dialogue is set to begin in the city-state Friday, amid tensions over Pyongyang's failed yet defiant launch of a space rocket this week and other security quandaries, like the protracted war in Ukraine. Senior security officials from more than 40 countries, including the United States, China, Britain, Australia and Japan, are expected to join the gathering hosted by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. The forum consists of seven key plenary sessions, including those on U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific, the building of a stable and balanced Asia-Pacific, and Asia's evolving maritime security order, according to the ministry. During a main session Saturday, Lee plans to speak on Seoul's policy efforts against Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, and request support and cooperation from the international community. On the sidelines of the forum, Lee is scheduled to hold trilateral talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, as the three sides seek closer security cooperation against the North Korean security conundrum. The meeting is set to discuss ways to expand three-way security drills and establish a system to share North Korean missile warning data in real time, the ministry said in a policy report to parliament. The three countries have been working to flesh out the agreement on the data sharing from a summit that President Yoon Suk Yeol and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida, reached during a trilateral summit in Cambodia last November. Lee is also scheduled to hold separate bilateral talks with Hamada as well as his counterparts from China, Canada, the Netherlands and Germany. The talks with Hamada would mark the first bilateral meeting between the countries' defense chiefs since November 2019, as relations had soured over historical spats stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. Ties have recently warmed following South Korea's decision in March to compensate Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor on its own without asking for contributions from Japanese firms. The ministry said the talks are set to discuss measures to resolve bilateral defense issues in a "future-oriented" manner, in a likely reference to an unresolved dispute over Japan's maritime patrol aircraft having conducted an unusually low-altitude flyby over a South Korean warship in December 2018. During talks with his Chinese counterpart, Li Shangfu, Lee is expected to discuss ways to restart high-level and working-level dialogue between the two sides that had been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the ministry. Lee will also ask China to play a "constructive" role for North Korea's denuclearization and for the stability on the Korean Peninsula, it added. The bilateral talks come as signs of tensions emerged with Seoul moving to align closer with Washington to confront North Korean and other regional and global security challenges amid a hardening Sino-U.S. rivalry. (Yonhap) Thousands more Londoners will be able to swap their polluting vehicles for greener alternatives, the London mayor has announced. Sadiq Khan has expanded the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) scrappage scheme to cover families receiving child benefits and small businesses across the capital from the end of July. Business with fewer than 50 employees can now apply to scrap, retrofit or replace vehicles, not just those with up to 10 staff. The move also means 874,710 London families receiving child benefits can apply for a new vehicle. London charities can scrap or retrofit up to three vans or minibuses, instead of one, under the new rules. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced a major expansion to his 110m ultra low emission zone (Ulez) scrappage scheme (Aaron Chown/PA) The mayor plans to expand the Ulez zone to cover the whole of London on August 29. The scheme to help clear up Londons air currently covers all areas within the North and South Circular Roads and drivers must pay a 12.50 daily fee to drive inside the zone if their vehicles do not meet required emissions standards. If the expansion goes ahead, drivers in outer London will also have to pay the charge and the new Ulez borders will reach Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey. But in April, a High Court judge decided five Conservative-led councils could challenge the plan. Nine out of 10 cars, and around eight out of 10 vans seen driving in the zone on an average day are already compliant, according to the mayor. Applicants with a wheelchair-accessible car or van can get up to 5,000, while drivers of a standard car can receive up to 2,000 to scrap their vehicle. Motorcycle riders can also receive up to 1,000 for scrapping their bike. NEW: Today weve announced more financial support for Londoners affected by the expansion of the ULEZ. This includes: Expanding TfL's scrappage scheme to families on Child Benefit More help for small businesses and charitieshttps://t.co/nh7CvqEOsZ Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 1, 2023 Charities, traders and businesses can apply for larger grants to scrap, retrofit or replace a van or minibus. The 110 million scrappage scheme, run by Transport for London (TfL), was launched in January to support London-based small businesses, traders and charities replace polluting vehicles. Sadiq Khan said he understands Londoners concerns about transitioning to a new, compliant vehicle. He said: We already have the biggest-ever scrappage scheme in place to support Londoners on low incomes, London-based micro-businesses and charities and disabled Londoners. But Ive listened to families and small businesses in outer London who want more support and Im pleased to be able to announce today a major expansion to the scheme run by TfL to ensure we can help them. The mayor added: Expanding the Ulez was an incredibly difficult decision for me. But with toxic air damaging the health of millions of Londoners and the need to tackle the climate crisis, I believe the cost of inaction would simply be far too high a price to pay. The Ulez has been proven to work, already reducing toxic air pollution by nearly half in central London. Expanding it London-wide will help ensure five million more Londoners can breathe cleaner air and our bigger scrappage scheme will mean we can help thousands of families and small businesses make the transition to greener, cleaner vehicles. Ukraines rightful place is in Nato, Rishi Sunak has said. The Prime Minister is in Moldova for a gathering of European leaders, with his comments coming after a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Kyiv has long called for Ukraine to be admitted to Nato, but allies are divided about when and how any accession might happen as the war with Russia continues. Mr Sunak, speaking to broadcasters at the European Political Community summit, gave little further detail of the UK position on the Ukrainian path to membership. The gathering, on the border of Ukraine, comes ahead of a key meeting of Nato leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian president during the European Political Community summit (Carl Court/PA) I agree with the Nato Secretary General that Ukraines rightful place is in Nato and what we are also talking to Ukraine about right now is making sure they have all the support they need for a successful counteroffensive, the Prime Minister said. He said he was proud of the UKs record in supporting Ukraine, adding: We want to make sure we put in place security arrangements for Ukraine for the long term, so we send a very strong signal to Vladimir Putin that we are not going anywhere, we are here to stay and we will continue backing Ukraine not just now, but for years into the future. The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukrainian requests for support in the face of the Russian assault since last years invasion. Mr Sunak, in a tweet, said it was always a privilege to meet Mr Zelensky. He wrote: Were working with international partners to ensure Ukraine has the combat air capability needed to repel ongoing Russian aggression. Always a privilege to meet my friend @ZelenskyyUa. We're working with international partners to ensure Ukraine has the combat air capability needed to repel ongoing Russian aggression. pic.twitter.com/KtZBADdtOb Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 1, 2023 The Government has also offered support to Moldova, amid ongoing tensions with Moscow. As the first British Prime Minister to visit Moldova, Im pleased to announce new support to aid them in the face of Russian aggression, Mr Sunak tweeted on Thursday. Moldova is not alone. Christian Louboutin's much-awaited Flamencaba collection, in collaboration with Spanish actress Rossy De Palma, is now here. The designer celebrated the drop with a fete in Los Angeles last night, celebrity guests of which included Avril Lavigne, Tiffany Haddish, Evan Ross, Sara Sampaio, and Dascha Polanco. Lavigne wore a shimmery black long-sleeve top with black-and-blue patchwork pants and white pointy Louboutin heels. Haddish, meanwhile, looked striking in a bright red ruched bodycon dress and black pointed-toe Louboutin pumps. Stefanie Keenan - Getty Images The stars gathered at Carondelet House in looks that highlighted the vibrant collection, which is based on Spain's Flamenco dance and culture. A percentage of proceeds will go to Centro Coreografico Maria Page, an organization that aims to promote dance and Spains cultural heritage to benefit children and adolescents. BAZAAR.com spoke to Louboutin about the collection, which includes a fun tote bag, silky red high heels, and plenty of tassels. How was this collaboration born? Rossy and I are good friends; she's living in Madrid and one day she came to me with one specific idea to create a nice flamenco pair of shoes. We have a common friend who is a great flamenco dancer, Maria Pages, and she has this company of flamenco dancers. She told me, "Flamenco shoes are very specific shoes, you should make a really beautiful version of them." With her company, Maria also helps support young girls with heavy difficulties, so I decided that this collection would also help that foundation. What inspires you about Spain and Flamenco? It's a really beautiful, great country, and in Flamenco there is also the fact that men have always worn heels. That has always been a very inspirational thing for me, because it's really a culture where men have heels, and that is pretty rare in France and everywhere in the fashion industry. After the 18th century, 19th century, every shoe for men became flat, and in America you never had heels for men. Shop Now Flamencaba small $1990.00 christianlouboutin.com There's a bit of a fun, childish element to the little illustration of you and Rossy on the bag that feels like a great contrast to the very sexy, elegant silhouettes in the shoes. Well, when I was a teenager, I remember going to Spain and buying a lot of Flamenco postcards of couplesthe woman in the red dress dancing. So the idea was to introduce that type of tactic on the bag and on the shoe. Ive also never looked so thin [as I do in that illustration]. I needed to mimic Rossys character, her mentality. She's a fun person, so she would only do something if it's for funthough deep down, she's a very serious, really deep, creative person. How was the process of making this collection different from others youve done? Its the first time that I am involving someone else. It was a ping pong scene. We joked: after Nixon in China, Rossy in Paris. You Might Also Like Right up until the end, the White House was exploring contingency plans in case the high-stakes talks with Republicans to raise the debt ceiling and avert economic disaster collapsed. The White House was considering the unprecedented step of bypassing Congress altogether and invoking the Constitutions 14th Amendment, which states that the validity of the public debt shall not be questioned. President Joe Biden worried that there wasnt enough time for the inevitable court challenge to play out if he went down that road. But he took the idea seriously so seriously that the White House counsels office consulted at least two outside legal experts about the 14th Amendment just days before the deal was announced, people familiar with the matter said. A lead House negotiator in the showdown with Biden, Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., told reporters Wednesday that had Republicans spurned negotiations and let the nation default on its debt, it would have resulted in the president trying to invoke the 14th Amendment, as well as a missed opportunity for Republicans to press for spending cuts. But that break-glass option wouldnt be needed. Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., announced a deal Saturday night, and the House passed it Wednesday, capping a 36-day scramble at the White House and on Capitol Hill to avert economic catastrophe ahead of the Treasury Departments deadline of Monday. Senate leaders are working to pass the measure quickly. The House passage was a big hurdle, though its possible there could be turbulence in the Senate. Breaching the debt ceiling would roil the global financial markets. It would wipe out jobs and plunge the U.S. into a recession. Default would shatter the common presumption after World War II that America would always make good on its obligations. There had been two close calls in the Obama presidency, but default had never happened before. This time, there was good reason to worry that the U.S. would tumble over the cliff. After all, months went by before the high-wire talks even took place. Biden refused to meet with McCarthy until House Republicans put forward a budget that would be the basis for negotiations. And then, in April, McCarthy did just that. Surprise in the White House Democratic leaders were stunned. For months theyd been taunting McCarthy, challenging him to unify the fractious Republican caucus and pass a bill. McCarthy had been demanding spending cuts in return for raising the debt ceiling, a necessary step to avoid a catastrophic default. But if he couldnt so much as produce a bill laying out what he wanted, there was nothing to discuss, Democrats argued. What are they going to talk about, the weather? Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., quipped repeatedly in March. Both sides were dug in. Bidens stance was simple if ultimately untenable: He wouldnt negotiate over the debt ceiling. Dusting off a metaphor from the Obama era, he said he wouldnt let Republicans hold the U.S. economy hostage in exchange for concessions. Republicans had to raise the debt ceiling; case closed. Then McCarthy, whod gotten the speakers job three months earlier after a tense 15 rounds of voting, muscled through a debt ceiling bill with just one vote to spare on April 26. The White House reaction, according to three Democratic sources on Capitol Hill, was flat-footed and surprised. Biden had underestimated McCarthys influence in his conference, one said. (A White House aide said Wednesday that Biden and his senior advisers had been conferring with congressional Democrats all along, part of a strategy meant to force Republicans to release a plan of their own. We werent going to negotiate with ourselves, an official said.) Each side looked at the other with suspicion, if not outright contempt. Biden worried that the Houses far-right lawmakers were perfectly happy to see the economy collapse if only to damage his re-election chances. Back when he was vice president, Biden would reach out to an old colleague from his Senate days, Republican leader Mitch McConnell, to cut budget deals. They were the closers. This time, McConnell was sitting it out. It was up to Biden and McCarthy to break the impasse, McConnell maintained. It was time to start negotiating, and Biden knew it. But it wouldnt be easy. Youve got two Irish guys that dont drink, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., another key negotiator, said of Biden and McCarthy on Wednesday. This account of the fevered negotiations that followed as the nation careened toward default stems from interviews with more than two dozen lawmakers, outside advisers and congressional and White House aides. Many spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the internal strategy surrounding the talks. Everyone in Washington is going to look terrible if we were actually to go over the brink and default, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said in the days before the deal was reached. Tense days of negotiations To win the speakers job, McCarthy had to placate both moderates and a right-wing faction closely aligned with former President Donald Trump, who called on Republicans to let the country default unless all their demands including the kitchen sink were met. Any one member can force a vote to oust him under the strict terms in which McCarthy was chosen. That gave McCarthy little room for error as he plunged into the most delicate and far-reaching negotiations of his career. He and other congressional leaders met with Biden in the Oval Office on May 9, when anxieties were rising. By that point, the deadline for default was only four weeks away. Biden was dropping his refusal to negotiate, and employed a bit of verbal gymnastics to mask his retreat. He insisted he was bargaining over spending levels not a ransom for avoiding default. But Biden was negotiating in deadly earnest to stave off economic calamity. The key points of the emerging Biden-McCarthy deal were laid out just two days later, on May 11, at a low-key news briefing in the Capitol. Graves told reporters that he saw four main areas where a deal could be reached: reforming how permits are issued, clawing back unspent Covid funds, capping spending and imposing new work requirements on people getting federal aid. Soon afterward, McCarthy tapped Graves to lead negotiations with the White House. Kevin McCarthy and Joe Biden in the Oval Office (Alex Brandon / AP) Biden, meanwhile, deputized several trusted aides to lead the talks on his behalf: senior adviser Steve Ricchetti, legislative affairs chief Louisa Terrell and budget director Shalanda Young, a former congressional aide who hails from the Baton Rouge district Graves represents. The two Louisianans developed a rapport and began cooking up a deal. He said he makes better gumbo than me, so we were really trying to hash that out, Young said as she left a meeting with Graves in the Capitol. She conceded, Graves said later after the deal was struck. Its all about the roux. As both sides inched toward a deal, they faced mounting resentment from inside their ranks. After he left a meeting with Biden on May 16, McCarthy sounded upbeat, predicting that a deal could come together by the end of the week. That worried conservatives who feared that McCarthy would negotiate on the margins rather than insist on sweeping budget cuts or that Republican leaders would use budget gimmicks to forge a deal they could sell to their caucus as the deadline loomed. They agreed they would need to ensure that McCarthy held the line, according to sources familiar with the conversations. A behind-the-scenes player in the bubbling conservative revolt was Russell Vought, who was a budget director in Trumps White House. He had the ear of lawmakers who were skeptical of McCarthys willingness to deliver real cuts, said a person familiar with the talks. Vought was instrumental in leading the fight for speaker that forced McCarthy through so many rounds of votes. Working with budget hawks based in conservative think tanks who view the fight as part of a larger battle within the party over whether cuts to federal spending matter GOP hard-liners ramped up pressure on McCarthy to hold fast. They preferred a deal that would lift the debt ceiling for only one year rather than two, giving themselves more leverage with Biden when he was up for re-election in 2024. Heeding the warnings from conservatives, House negotiators pressed pause on May 19 after, they said, the White House stood firm against budget cuts. They briefly left the negotiating table and returned with a tougher public line. Washington has to spend less. Its as simple as that, McCarthy tweeted. Budget hawks were pleased by the pause. A source familiar with the talks described it as a negotiation tactic and said Republican leaders needed to make sure they shored up members on spending cuts, with 50 to 60 members holding a hard-line position on the issue, the source said. The source said they were still with McCarthy, however, and members maintained that public unity. Graves later said the moment was worrying. We effectively threw them out, he said, referring to the White House negotiators. That was probably a low point. Meetings got pretty tense at that point, language got pretty intense. The pause came roughly overnight in Japan where Biden was taking part in a meeting with the leaders of other advanced democracies. Bidens team, briefing him at odd hours back home because of the 13-hour time difference, viewed the GOPs position as a troubling step backward, according to White House officials. McCarthy was in a tough spot; he needed to appease the far right. The debt ceiling deal would have to pass both the House and the Senate. A Senate conservative, Mike Lee of Utah, warned that he would use every procedural tool to delay a deal that lacked substantial reform. Debt-Limit Deal Heads To House Vote After Clearing Key Hurdle (Ting Shen / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Meanwhile, Democrats fretted that Biden was losing the messaging war. McCarthy was everywhere. He would hold lengthy news conferences at the White House after his meetings with Biden, then moments later do the same thing with reporters in the Capitol. As he walked the halls of the Capitol, hed stop and chat informally with reporters. Biden wasnt nearly as accessible. And unlike President Barack Obama during the 2011 debt ceiling fight, Biden never gave a prime-time address devoted to the crisis. Where the White House failed miserably is in filling the messaging void, a Democratic lawmaker said in the days before the agreement was reached. Kevin [McCarthy] is out there every day. Theres no response. Theres no frame. Theres nothing. Is he [Biden] absent? Is it Weekend at Bernies? Where is the guy? There was a reason for Bidens silence, White House officials countered. His focus was on getting a deal, and he worried that too many speeches lambasting Republicans might jeopardize the talks, aides said. White House advisers characterized his approach this way: Prioritize the win. Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders scrambled. On the evening of May 22, as Biden and McCarthy met at the White House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., huddled with his top lieutenants in his Capitol office to discuss strategy: They would parry McCarthy with daily news conferences accusing extreme MAGA Republicans of risking a default that would tank the economy. Three days later, nearly 90 Democrats gathered on the floor to excoriate their GOP counterparts for having left town for the Memorial Day weekend without a deal. Still, most Americans didnt appear to grasp the dire stakes. Many seemed to believe a default would be akin to a government shutdown, which the U.S. has been through numerous times in recent years. Default, by contrast, would reverberate worldwide. While people scoured the web more frequently as the talks lurched forward, their searches focused more on government shutdowns than on the consequences of default, according to data gathered by FiscalNotes Predata. Lets be clear, I wasnt sane On the Friday morning before the long Memorial Day weekend, McCarthy and Graves bicycled 10 miles together in Washington, circling the National Mall and points south. It was Graves second workout of the day. Earlier, he told colleagues in the House gym that negotiators were close but still had differences over permitting reform and spending caps. Around midnight, Graves emerged from the speakers suite in the Capitol with a cup of coffee and gummy worms in hand, fortifying himself for the long night ahead. (Asked Wednesday what he did to keep his sanity over weeks of tense talks, he joked: Lets be clear, I wasnt sane. He also confessed that the bike had been stolen, or borrowed, from the police. I did return it, so I feel like its more of a borrow, he said.) The next day, Saturday, McCarthy and his fellow negotiators left the Capitol together to get lunch from Chipotle, bringing back chips and queso for the reporters camped outside the speakers office. Biden was at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, where he consulted with aides and signed off on various offers and counterproposals, a White House official said. The two sides announced the breakthrough Saturday night a deal that neither set of negotiators loved but both could accept. Biden prevailed on one important point: The debt ceiling would be suspended a full two years, meaning he wouldnt need to negotiate all over again as he ran for re-election in 2024. The backlash was immediate. Liberals deemed the cuts and the work requirements to get federal aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, too severe; conservatives, too modest. When McCarthy appeared on Fox News on Sunday to say a majority of his conference supported the deal, a House Republican texted a reporter to rebut him in real time. The lawmaker wrote: Thats a lie. Text [of the bill] hasnt even come out yet and I already know of more than that. McCarthys goal was to show confidence and limit Republican defections. They knew the bill would require Democratic votes the aim was to minimize the need for them. McCarthy and his allies sought to arm members with a talking point by leaking a Congressional Budget Office finding conveyed privately to GOP leadership, according to two sources that the legislation would lead to $2.1 trillion in cuts if the six-year targets were met. That was a sleight of hand: Only two years of caps would be binding; the rest were aspirational. GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York hosted a call Monday afternoon in which she repeatedly emphasized the broad ideological mix of lawmakers who were on it to support the bill. In the end, it won 149 Republican votes. Democrats largely played coy, refusing to say how many votes theyd help provide. Progressives vented their concerns in a private call Monday about fossil fuel permitting, work requirements and spending cuts, a source on the call said. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., opposed the bill but proclaimed before the vote that many House progressives have said if they need our vote, well be there. It was emblematic of the party mood. Democrats werent happy, but there was no way they would tank Bidens deal and force a default. (The final tally: 165 Democratic lawmakers voted yes.) After two years in which the White House largely had to negotiate differences between progressives and conservative Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, corralling votes for the debt deal required a new approach, focused on a key center-left block. One of the first calls Biden made after the deal was announced was to Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., the chair of the 98-member New Democratic Coalition. As they two discussed selling the deal to fellow Democrats, Kuster said she focused not on what the White House got from the negotiations but rather how we got everything out of the agreement that Republicans had been pushing to enact. On Memorial Day, two days before the big vote, Kuster and her group issued a statement championing the bill. Wednesday morning, White House officials made one final pitch to Democrats for support at a caucus meeting on Capitol Hill. Before Young, the Biden negotiator, made a presentation, she got a standing ovation from the caucus that brought her to tears, a source in the room said. The group also heard from former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who still enjoys great influence in the caucus but has been reluctant to wield it publicly, for fear of undermining the new leadership. Pelosi gave an impassioned plea to the caucus to support the deal, the source said words that resonated all the more because of the relatively low profile she has kept since she relinquished a leadership role. Still, there were clear differences in the room. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., criticized the changes to anti-poverty programs like SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. She said that Black women are always being disrespected and that you have your foot on our neck with the bill. Pelosi explained that it wasnt the bill we would draft on our own, but that it was the best we could do, another source said. Painful as the standoff was, the House passed the 99-page Fiscal Responsibility Act on Wednesday night in a whopping 314-117 vote. There would be no economic meltdown at least not yet. No other democratic nation except Denmark has a similar debt ceiling. Congress could do away with it if it chose. But lawmakers have preserved it: Republicans like to wield it as leverage when they dont control the White House, and Democrats never found the support to abolish it while in charge. "There will be a Republican president in the future whos going to need to raise the debt ceiling, said Jim Kessler, a co-founder of the center-left think tank Third Way. I dont think Democrats are going to say, Were just going to allow you to do it. Theyll draw concessions, too. Democrats will start playing that card when its their turn." If it gets bad enough, he added, well do the smart thing and repeal this silly law. Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has spent the last few years lassoing fans in with Western TV shows full of drama, the wild frontier, and cowboys. Of course, we love the cast and characters in the original and all the Yellowstone spinoffs. You simply cannot find a more beloved family on television than the Duttons! But Sheridan's newest project, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, has a twist that's extra exciting. Season 2 of 1883 will focus on the life of a real-life American cowboy and a pretty famous one at that! You won't find John Dutton III or any of his ancestors in a history book, but you will find Bass Reeves, aka the man who inspired The Lone Ranger. His story is the stuff of American legend, and there are so many facts about his life that make him a perfect fit for the Yellowstone universe. The series is currently filming in Texas with David Oyelowo starring in the title role. While we wait patiently for this guaranteed hit to drop, here's a quick crash course on the man, the myth, the legend! Unknown author - Wikimedia Commons Bass Reeves was born before the Civil War. In July 1838, Reeves was born into slavery. He and his family were owned by a man named William Steele Reeves, then purportedly his son Colonel George R. Reeves. They forced him to join the Confederate army at the outbreak of the Civil War, but he eventually escaped and lived as a fugitive in Indian Territory among the Creeks and Seminoles. He was a true family man. After the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Reeves relocated to Van Buren, Arkansas, where he bought land, worked as a farmer, and married Nellie Jennie. They started a family together, eventually having 11 children. He was the first black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. According to Britannica, in 1875, Federal Judge Isaac Parker of the Western District of Arkansas commissioned Reeves to be a deputy U.S. marshal. Reeves was recruited to work in the Indian Territory due to his deep knowledge of the area and fluency in the Creek and Seminole languages, mainly responsible for apprehending wanted fugitives. Unknown author - Wikimedia Commons He is reported to be one of the most successful lawmen in the Indian Territory. Bass Reeves served for over 30 years and brought 3,000+ criminals to justice! He killed 14 outlaws and was known for bringing in some of the most dangerous fugitives. Among his most famous catches, Reeves tracked outlaw Tom Story for five years, eventually killing him in a gunfight. Since that period lasted from 1884 to 1889, we might see Tom Story in the new show! During his years as a marshal, Reeves was reportedly never injured, though he did have his belt and hat shot off on separate occasions. He didn't let his past hold him back. Since Reeves was born a slave, he grew up illiterate and remained so his entire life. Regardless, he didn't let his lack of education stop him from being a successful lawman. According to Black Past, Reeves would frequently memorize the warrants that were read to him by federal judges or court officials. As a man of the law, he was noted for his integrity and ingenuity. Reeves was known as a fair and honest agent of the law. On one occasion, he arrested his church minister for selling illegal alcohol. At one point, Reeves arrested his own son after engaging in a weeks-long manhunt to track him down. Despite being shaken by the incident, Reeves had insisted on bringing him to justice. (The son was tried and convicted but later given a full pardon.) According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, Muskogee Police Chief Bud Ledbetter once said that he "never quailed in facing any man." His career as a marshal ended in 1907. In 1907, the state of Oklahoma took on policing duties over Indian Territory, which brought an end to Reeves' career as a U.S. marshal. He wasn't about to retire, though, and at 69, he became a policeman for the city of Muskogee. Bass Reeves eventually died of Bright's disease (nephritis) at the age of 71, but not before he left his mark on history as one of the greatest American frontiersman to have ever lived. You Might Also Like Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino are welcoming babies despite their age. Do men have biological clocks? (Photos: Getty Images) Congratulations are in order for two Hollywood leading men. Al Pacino, 83, is welcoming a new baby with 29-year-old girlfriend Noor Alfallah, while 79-year-old Robert De Niro just introduced the world to his seventh child, his first with decades-younger partner Tiffany Chen. Pacino and De Niro may be able to have children, but their advanced age does make one wonder: do men have biological clocks that impact their fertility? When it comes to fertility, a heavy emphasis is placed on the age of the woman, with studies suggesting that fertility begins to decline in ones 30s, particularly after age 35. Dr. Jamie Grifo, director of NYU Langone Fertility Center and division director of reproductive endocrinology and infertility within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, previously told Yahoo Life, "Even with reproductive assistance, achieving pregnancy after age 45 is very slim this is because the number of eggs and the quality of those eggs is very low. Yet men who have a younger partner dont have to worry quite as much about their own age when it comes to having a biological child at least, to an extent. Fertility does decline in men as they age, but not as dramatically as it does for women and for different reasons. Dr. Jane L. Frederick, a reproductive endocrinologist, tells Yahoo Life that men over the age of 40 are 30% less likely to conceive compared to younger men under the age of 30. Data also showed that it took older men longer to get their partner pregnant a five times increase compared with men under 25. Male fertility is an under-researched field, yet there are some findings to suggest male biological clocks do have a significant impact on the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. A 2017 study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, for example, found that the chance of live birth decreased with older men, even if their partners were younger women. While men often can have biological children much older than women can, their fertility is still impacted by age. Age impacts the health of ones sperm, says Dr. T. Mike Hsieh, the director of UCSD Mens Health Center and professor of urology, who notes that increased paternal age is associated with a decline in sperm count, sperm quality, semen volume, testosterone and ability for sexual activity or erectile dysfunction. But one reason for this decline may have to do with how healthy an individual is as a whole, explains Dr. Paul Turek, a urologist and expert on fertility in men. The older a man is, the more likely he is to be exposed to certain environmental factors or develop health conditions that impact fertility by affecting the DNA package of his sperm. Eggs try as hard as they can to fix the DNA early on after fertilization, but if the load of damage is in excess of the eggs capacity to repair it, then there will be no pregnancy or possibly a miscarriage, he says. Wellness, parenting, body image, and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Lifes newsletter. Sign up here. Ashley Biden is President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden's only daughter, but despite being First Daughter, she often shies away from the spotlight. "It took about two years to get into the groove of being in this position," she told Elle earlier this year. "Im doing my work as I always have been, but kind of figuring out the role as First Daughter, and how can I use it in the most positive way, where its not about me, its about Americans. And what Ive learned is, I want to tell the story of othersI want to lift up organizations and share this information." Pool - Getty Images Today, Ashley joined her mom, Jill, at the royal wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif. She and her mom arrived hand-in-hand to Zahran Palace, where they were greeted by King Abdullah and Queen Rania ahead of the ceremony. Courtesy of the Royal Hashemite Court Here, everything you need to know about Joe and Jill's daughter Ashley: Ashley was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Mark Reinstein - Getty Images She was born on June 8, 1981, the daughter of Joe and Jill Biden. She had older half siblings Beau Biden and Hunter Biden. Growing up, Ashley didn't realize her dad was a Senator. "My family really did keep it super down-to-earth so I didnt know," Ashley said. "I knew Dad took the train and was trying to solve the problems of the world. But as a little girl, hes just Dad." She attended Wilmington Friends School and Tulane University. She attended high school at Wilmington Friends School in Delaware, then got her bachelors degree in cultural anthropology in 2003 from Tulane University. The White House - Getty Images She is a social worker. In 2010, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice with a master's in social work. Initially, she thought she wanted to be a therapist, but decided to focus on policy instead. "The only thing my parents always said to me was, 'Follow your passion.' There was never any pressure to go into service, but I saw my mother, a teacher, and my dad, who was working on issues Americans care about," Ashley says of her career. In 2019, she left her job at the Delaware Center for Justice to work on her dad's presidential campaign. She's currently applying for a doctorate in clinical social work at Penn, and one day, she hopes to teach. Ashley married Dr. Howard Klein in 2012. They had an interfaith Catholic-Jewish wedding. Dr. Klein is an otolaryngologist and plastic surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia. You Might Also Like Former Vice President Mike Pence will announce next week that he is running for president, giving a kickoff speech in Iowa and releasing a campaign video on June 7 ahead of a town hall with CNN later that day in Des Moines, a source familiar confirms to ABC News. Pence will be running against Donald Trump in the Republican primary -- setting up a personal battle with the former boss he only broke from in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack. He's expected to have a balancing act ahead of him: pitching himself as the best Republican to take on President Joe Biden while touting the same policy wins as Trump and not ostracizing Trump's supporters amid Trump's repeated criticism of him. The June 7 timing puts Pence on track with his promise to make a decision before late June. His expected announcement will come weeks after a group of conservative allies launched a political group to support his candidacy. That super PAC, Committed to America, hopes to both "reintroduce" Pence to voters -- who, the group believes, don't have a full sense of the former vice president -- and to catch the attention of voters perhaps stuck on other candidates as the list of 2024 hopefuls grows longer. MORE: Pence allies launch super PAC to support potential White House run "People know Mike Pence, they just don't know him well," co-chair Scott Reed told a small group of reporters earlier this month. "This campaign is going to reintroduce Mike Pence to the country as his own man, not as vice president, but as a true economic, social and national security conservative -- a Reagan conservative." The pro-Pence group said it will make significant investments in Iowa, a state critical for Republicans as it holds the first nominating contest next year. "We're going to organize Iowa, all 99 counties, like we're running him for county sheriff," said Reed, who previously managed Sen. Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign. Doug Heye, a former communications director for the Republican National Committee, said it would be premature for anyone to count Pence out. "A whole lot can happen -- and certainly when you have the front-runner who's under indictment and facing potential other indictments, that can scramble the field before next November," Heye said. "If there's a scramble, it's not clear where that support then goes. That's why you see so many people getting in. They see a vulnerability with Trump, very clearly. And while he'll certainly have some obstacles, it's clear that Pence knows his weaknesses better than anyone else." Weighing a run in the wake of Jan. 6 In March, during an exclusive interview with ABC News' chief Washington correspondent, Jonathan Karl, Pence said he was giving a run for the 2024 GOP nomination "serious consideration." Pence demurred then on whether he would support Trump if Trump were to win the Republican nomination but said that he believed there would be "better choices." At the time and in the ensuing months, Pence has held voter-facing events in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire. He also published a memoir, "So Help Me God," in November. "We're getting a lot of encouragement, not only here in Iowa, but all across the country," Pence told Karl in March. "We're giving prayerful consideration to what role we might play." PHOTO: Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to local residents during a meet and greet, May 23, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP, FILE) A loyal ally of Trump while they were in office, Pence has since had a notable falling out with the former president over Trump's resistance to relinquishing power -- climaxing in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol as Trump called on Pence to try and reject the Electoral College results. A mob of Trump supporters breached the Capitol complex that day, and Pence and lawmakers were moved to secure locations. "We all face the judgment of history, and I believe in the fullness of time that history will hold Donald Trump accountable for the events of Jan. 6, as it will other people that were involved," Pence told Karl. He added: "I also think the American people will also have their say. I mean, the president is now a candidate for office again, he's running for election, but as I go around the country, I'm convinced the American people have learned the lessons of that day." MORE: Mike Pence testifies before special counsel's 2020 election grand jury: Sources Pence told Karl that he and Trump left the White House on good terms but hadn't spoken in the two years since. "We parted amicably and respectfully, but in the months that followed, he returned to that that same rhetoric he was using before Jan. 6, rhetoric that continues much up to this day and that's why we've gone our separate ways," he said. "They know the fact that the president's reckless words endangered people at the Capitol that day, including me and my family," Pence said of the public, "and I believe they'll factor all of that in as they make decisions going forward in this country." PHOTO: In this Aug. 24, 2020 file photo President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence stand on a stage together at the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. (David T. Foster III/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) While Pence has criticized Trump over the insurrection, he has sided with the former president in most other areas he could arguably challenge Trump on. When Trump was indicted by a New York grand jury -- on charges of falsifying business records -- Pence echoed him in calling it "a politically charged prosecution" and "not what the American people want to see." Whereas fellow presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson condemned Trump, Pence sounded similar complaints as the GOP's MAGA wing to try and delegitimize the case. He discouraged the protests the former president called for but noted the First Amendment right to peacefully assemble. "Pence is very methodical and strategic," said Heye. "He's going to take Trump head-on on those things where, politically, he sees the best advantage -- and with an eye to history, as he's obviously trying to do." From Indiana to Washington Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana, to a Roman-Catholic family, one of six children to Nancy and Edward, who ran a group of gas stations and served in the Korean War. He attended Hanover College, where he was chapter president of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and Indiana University Law School. After a time in private practice and two failed congressional bids, Pence worked as a conservative radio and TV host in Indiana before he was elected to Congress in 2000, ultimately rising to become the House Republican Conference Chair. Following four terms in Congress and one term as governor of Indiana, Pence ended his reelection campaign in 2016 when Trump tapped him as the Republican vice presidential pick. PHOTO: Former Vice President Mike Pence greets guests at a 'Lumber and Lobster' event on May 17, 2023 in Dover, N.H. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images, FILE) It was in college that Pence left the Catholic Church to become an evangelical Christian, which is likely to be a major theme of his 2024 campaign -- with Hutchinson and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott positioning for those same voters. "Trump wasn't and will never be a series of policy positions. He's an attitude. But where the Trump administration can claim success with conservatives, Mike Pence has fingerprints all over that," Heye said. "And he remains very close with the Evangelical community, which is certainly very important in the Republican primary ... It's hard to think of anybody who would have more credibility in that community than Mike Pence." Pence has been married to his wife, Susan, whom he fondly calls "Mother," for 37 years. They met at church and when they moved to Washington, he vowed not to dine alone with another woman. They have three adult children: Michael, Charlotte and Audrey. He will join a fast-expanding field of 2024 GOP candidates: Trump, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Hutchinson, Scott, Larry Elder and Steve Laffey. Chris Christie, who was passed over for Trump's vice president in 2016 when Pence was selected, is expected to announce his own bid next week in New Hampshire, the second state on Republicans' primary calendar. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is also set to announce a bid next Wednesday. Mike Pence announcing 2024 presidential bid next week in Iowa: Source originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A missing Missouri ER doctor who was found dead in an Arkansas lake had suffered an apparent gunshot wound, say officials. Dr John Forsyth, 49, disappeared on 21 May after a shift at a hospital in the Ozarks just days after proposing to his fiancee. His body showed up nine days later in Beaver Lake in Arkansas. A kayaker found the body of the father of seven on Tuesday afternoon in Benton County, the county sheriffs department said in a statement. Investigators have not said if the gunshot wound was self-inflicted or caused by another person and an investigation into the death is underway. Autopsy results are still pending. Forsyths vehicle was found unlocked with his wallet, two phones, a laptop and other items inside, his family have said. Police have said that there were no signs of foul play. Dr Forsyths body was found in a lake on Tuesday (Facebook) The doctors brother, Richard Forsyth, told Fox News Digital that his brother had claimed he was kidnapped and released without harm in February 2022. Theres no way he killed himself, Richard told the outlet. Many times he mentioned he might be in danger. And he added about the claim: It was cold. He was zip-tied. He was made to feel very unsafe and taken on a car ride with some people to a bridge and was threatened. Mr Forsyth said that no police report was ever filed and that he only found out about it from a friend on the night his brother went missing. He did not file a police report because he believed he was in continued danger, Richard Forsyth said. Forsyth had worked as a doctor at the Cassville hospital for about 15 years. The family says that Forsyth had reached a divorce settlement with his wife on 11 May that paid her $19,000 per month in alimony and child support, but stated that the couple had an amicable relationship after their split. Cassville Police Detective Stuart Lombard has said that Forsyth texted his fiancee at 7am saying that he would see her in a little bit and then stopped responding. LADARIO, Brazil (AP) One year ago on a Friday afternoon, Bruno Pereira, an expert on Indigenous affairs, and Dom Phillips, a British journalist, motored along the Itaquai river in far western Brazil, to the settlement of Ladario. The line of wooden houses here marks a boundary between the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory in the Brazilian Amazon, and the non-Indigenous world. They were greeted by the man everyone knows as Caboclo. Pereiras relationship with these river communities had often been tense. He had been the lead official with the nations Indigenous agency, and these non-Indigenous communities were frequent trespassers onto Indigenous land to hunt and fish. He had fought this, confiscating fishing gear. But Pereira now sought a different approach. He was on leave from the government, helping build alternative livelihoods in these remote and desperately poor communities, which receive virtually no support from the government, although they are entitled to it. I told Bruno that by the end of the month, I would harvest 700 clusters of bananas. He said, I will go to Brasilia and come back with a solution for you to sell bananas, Caboclo told The Associated Press. But Bruno would not return. Within 48 hours he and Phillips would be ambushed and shot, their bodies burned, dismembered and buried in a shallow river grave. As the one year anniversary of the murders approached, The Associated Press returned to the Javari Valley to describe the backdrop against which the murders took place, and the ripple effects. Caboclo, who supports five children, did not find a new market for his banana harvest. Instead, the Federal Police accused him of taking part in illegal fishing and took him to a prison run by criminal gangs. Caboclo admits he had fished illegally in the past, but claims he stopped doing so years ago. He spent 124 days in jail without trial, which his attorney, Mozarth Bessa Neto, said is illegal. Upstream, the community of Sao Gabriel is made up of a few wooden houses, five of them empty. There an AP reporter found Maria de Fatima da Costa, 60, knee-deep in the river, cleaning a wooden plank. Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, a fisherman who confessed to the murders and is in prison, is her son. She agrees he must pay for what he did, but tears up recounting that her other son, Oseney da Costa de Oliveira, was also charged in the murders, something he denies. He also has been imprisoned since then. He is innocent. And his house is abandoned, his family is abandoned, everything is falling apart, she said, with tears in her eyes. The AP sent inquiries to the Federal Police but did not receive a response. There is no electricity or plumbing in Sao Gabriel, even though the government promised things were going to be so different here. These river communities date back to the rubber era, which began in the late 1800s. The industrys decline left thousands of families in poverty across the entire Amazon region. Many rubber tapper descendants turned to logging, but when Indigenous lands were legally recognized in 2001, they were no longer permitted into those forests. In 2011, the federal government created a land reform project that on paper, seemed promising: 71,000 hectares of forest (175,000 acres), where traditional, non-Indigenous communities may fish and harvest. It was supposed to bring electricity, rural lines of credit, and assistance for managed fishing and acai growing. But that didn't happen. In the twelve years since, the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform, or Incra, allocated just $5,100 for the settlement of five families, it said. The governments absence is so profound here that 81-year-old Martins dos Santos, who actually founded the Sao Gabriel community, was unaware that he lives in an official settlement until told by the AP. STATE OF THE CASE Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira was not the only person to confess to the murders. Another fisherman, Jeferson da Silva Lima, did too, and is also in prison awaiting trial. Amarildo claims that military police suffocated him with a plastic bag to get his confession. Documents from a medical exam at the time show the two brothers had minor injuries after they were arrested by Amazonas state police. The department did not reply to questions. A Colombian businessman, Rubens Villar Coelho, stands accused of masterminding the crime, and is also in custody. He financed fishermen who ventured onto Indigenous land on trips that could last weeks. Some people say the crime also exposed how much Brazils Indigenous agency, Funai, was dismantled under far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who long opposed the very concept of Indigenous land rights. Experiencing that pressure firsthand in his job at Funai, Pereira requested a leave of absence and was working as an advisor for Univaja, an organization that brings together six Indigenous peoples living in the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory, when he was murdered. It is an area roughly the size of Portugal and home to the worlds largest population of isolated Indigenous groups. Pereiras intention for communities to raise their standard of living through legal activities remains a distant reality now. Recently a local fishermens association reported that police were using harsh tactics against them and managed to secure free federal legal assistance. The police and other officials are entering homes without a warrant and confiscating fishing gear under the justification that they belong to illegal fishermen. Not all fishermen are criminals, but they are being treated as such, it said. ____ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Deputy Chairman Jeong Seung-yoon of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission tells a press briefing at the government complex in Seoul on June 1. Yonhap The state anti-corruption agency on Thursday launched an investigation into snowballing allegations that children of senior officials at the National Election Commission (NEC) were employed through favoritism. The election watchdog has come under fire after suspicions arose that children of some senior officials landed agency jobs thanks to the influence of their fathers. The NEC secretary general and his deputy offered to resign last week, though they claimed no wrongdoing. "The investigation was launched on a full scale, as relevant data has arrived after coordination with the NEC," Deputy Chairman Jeong Seung-yoon of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission told a press briefing. Jeong said the scope of the investigation would cover all former and incumbent officials of the NEC for possible irregularities related to the hiring of their children. Dozens of officials will be mobilized for the intensive investigation for one month, which will then be subject for an extension upon review. Amid calls from the ruling People Power Party for him to step down and take responsibility for what it calls the "daddy chance," NEC Chairman Rho Tae-ak said Wednesday the NEC would conduct a joint investigation with an independent outside agency. Jeong, however, clarified that his agency's investigation is independent in accordance with the relevant law, emphasizing it would not be conducted jointly with the NEC. Jeong also emphasized the NEC should not misinterpret the investigation as the violation of its independence guaranteed by the Constitution. "The independence of the NEC does not bear unlimited authority but is only permitted within the boundary of the Constitution of the national sovereignty and the separation of three powers," he said. Meanwhile, the NEC refused an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection regarding the allegations. "The NEC is not subject to the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit for duties," said an NEC official who requested anonymity. The NEC is currently being audited solely for regular financial purposes by the state audit agency. On Wednesday, the NEC's special audit committee held a meeting and decided to refer four senior officials, including Secretary General Park Chan-jin and Deputy Secretary General Song Bong-sup, for investigation regarding the suspicions. The committee noted circumstances were detected that made it difficult to rule out the possibility that the four individuals had exerted undue influence in the hiring process of their children for experienced positions. Song and Park have consistently rejected the allegations, emphasizing the hiring of their children was done in a fair and transparent manner and that their children received no favors since joining the election agency. (Yonhap) A South Carolina convenience store owner who fatally shot a 14-year-old in the back after falsely accusing him of stealing was involved in at least two prior altercations in which he confronted people he suspected of shoplifting and then opened fire, authorities said. As the owner, Rick Chow, remained in jail awaiting a bond hearing in the death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton, the Richland County Sheriffs Department on Wednesday revealed it had received numerous calls about trouble at the Xpress Mart Shell gas station. In one incident in 2015, Chow fired six times at a car after he tried to stop someone he suspected of shoplifting, it said. Three years later, he shot a man in the leg, department spokesperson Veronica Hill said. Chows conduct in both cases did not meet the requirements under South Carolina law to support criminal charges, she said, adding authorities made that determination because he wasnt the instigator in either incident. Owner opens fire over accusations of stolen beer and peanuts An incident report stated that in May 2015, Chow allegedly tried to stop a woman from stealing two cases of beer and a package of boiled peanuts. Cyrus Carmack-Belton. (via Rep. Todd Rutherford) Chow confronted the woman in the parking lot. The woman, who was not identified in the report, told him that she purchased the items and he said she had not. The woman and Chow began to struggle over the items" and she "began to yell for help from a man seated inside her vehicle, the report stated. The woman allegedly threatened to shoot Chow, Hill said. Chow grabbed the beer and the womans purse, which contained the peanuts, according to the report. The scuffle left Chow with two scratches and a broken glasses, the report said. As the man and the woman attempted to drive away, Chow pulled out a handgun and fired about six shots at the vehicle, according to the report. No one was injured, Hill said. Deputies responded but could not find the man and the woman, the report said. A stolen can of Easy-Off, then chaos Three years later, Chow said he watched a man take a can of Easy-Off cleaner from a shelf, conceal it under his clothes and then leave the store without paying, an incident report stated. Chow followed the man, Alexis Aguilera, 23, out of the store and demanded the item back, it said. Aguilera told him to call the police. Chow said he was unsure of what happened next but was struck in the face and the can of Easy-Off fell to the ground, according to the report. Chow then pulled out his firearm and fired two shots at Aguilera as he fled, the report stated. Aguilera returned to the scene as a deputy arrived, according to the report. He was taken to the hospital and treated for a gunshot wound before being taken into custody in connection with the incident. Aguilera pleaded guilty to a shoplifting charge, court records show, and was sentenced to 30 days or a $300 fine. Publicly listed numbers were not available for Aguilera. Chows attorney declined to discuss the earlier incidents. There were hundreds of calls to the store in the years before teen was fatally shot The shootings were just two examples of prior incidents at the store. During the past five years, the sheriffs department has received hundreds of calls from the store ranging from assaults, larceny and shoplifting to motor vehicle theft, vandalism, robbery and burglary, according to Hill. On Sunday, Chow, 58, fatally shot Cyrus after accusing the 14-year-old of stealing bottles of water. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said the teen did not shoplift anything. We have no evidence that he stole anything whatsoever, he said at a news briefing. Cyrus entered the convenience store around 8 p.m. Sunday. Lott said the teen took four bottles of water from a cooler and then put them back. Hill, the department spokesperson, said Wednesday that there is video showing the teen either setting down the water bottles or putting them back. At some point, the teen got into an argument with Chow and Chows son. Lott didnt detail what led to the dispute but said that Cyrus eventually left the store and took off running. Chow, armed with a pistol, and his son chased the 14-year-old toward a nearby apartment complex, Lott said, adding that the teen fell at one point but got back up. Chows son said Cyrus had a gun, which is when the owner shot the teen in the back as he was running away, according to Lott. Authorities later recovered a gun next to his body, but the sheriff said there was no evidence the teen ever pointed the weapon at Chow or his son. Cyrus was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An investigation determined the shooting was not a bias motivated incident, according to a report from the sheriffs department. Hill said authorities reached that conclusion because investigators have no evidence that suggests racial bias was a factor. Cyrus was Black. Chow is Asian. The shooting has angered some people in the community. Its senseless, Lott said. It doesnt make sense. You have a family thats grieving. We have a community thats grieving over a 14-year-old who was shot. He said that even if Cyrus took something from the store, it didnt warrant a shooting. Regardless, even if he had shoplifted four bottles of water, which is what he initially took out the cooler and then he put them back, even if he had done that, thats not thats not something you shoot anybody over, much less a 14-year-old, Lott said. Democratic state Rep. Todd Rutherford, the attorney for the teens family, said in an Instagram post that what happened wasnt an accident. Its something that the Black community has experienced for generations: being racially profiled, then shot down in the street like a dog. Words cant describe the pain I feel having known this family for decades, he said. Rutherford could not be reached for comment. Some people on social media have called for a boycott of the store and on Monday, a crowd gathered outside to protest. The report stated that several people broke into the store and took items off the shelves. Chow is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a murder charge. His son has not been charged. The sheriffs department said it has consulted with the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office seeking its opinion on whether the son should be charged. The solicitors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. BEIJING (AP) Chinas Defense Ministry accused the U.S. of interference and surveillance of a naval exercise in the South China Sea ahead of an incident in which a Chinese fighter pilot flew at high speed in front of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance plane, underscoring the rupture in contacts between their militaries. A statement issued late Wednesday by the Chinese militarys Southern Theater Command said it had organized air forces to track and monitor the whole process, dealt with it according to laws and regulations, and operated professionally. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the pilot of a Chinese J-16 fighter had performed an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver while intercepting a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft on May 26, flying directly in front of the planes nose. The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law," the U.S. side said. We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law. Southern Theater Command spokesperson Senior Col. Zhang Nandong was quoted in the statement accusing the U.S. of mixing up black and white and making false accusations in an attempt to confuse the international audience. "We solemnly urge the U.S. to conscientiously restrain the actions of front-line naval and air forces, strictly abide by relevant international laws and relevant agreements, and prevent accidents at sea and in the air," Zhang said. If not, the U.S. will bear all consequences, he said. Zhang did not say what international laws he was referring to. China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea is not recognized by the U.S. and strongly contested by other countries bordering on the strategic waterway, through which an estimated $5 trillion of international trade passes each year. The nature of the Chinese exercise wasn't clear, nor was it apparent that Beijing had informed other countries of its activities. While Beijing and Washington have signed agreements to handle unexpected events between their air and naval forces, China has broken off communication between the two militaries, largely in retaliation for U.S. support for Taiwan. China claims the self-governing island as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary. China also reacted angrily to the U.S. shooting down earlier this year of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that had traversed the U.S., while Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu is under a U.S. travel ban and other sanctions for overseeing arms transfers from Russia. China has ruled out a meeting between Li and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin when the two men attend a security conference in Singapore over the weekend. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that the plane incident showed the importance of the U.S. and China maintaining dialogue at a senior level. He said it was regrettable that Beijing had rejected Austins request for a meeting with the Chinese defense minister. I think it only underscores why it is so important that we have regular, open lines of communication, including, by the way, between our defense ministers, Blinken said at a news conference at the end of an EU-US trade and technology meeting in Lulea, Sweden. China frequently challenges military aircraft from the U.S. and its allies in the South and East China Seas, and the Taiwan Strait. Similar actions led to a 2001 in-air collision over the South China Sea between a Chinese fighter and U.S. Navy surveillance plane in which the Chinese plane was lost and pilot killed. The damaged U.S. plane landed at a Chinese navy air force base, leading to the detention of the crew and a diplomatic standoff between the sides. In Tuesdays statement, the Indo-Pacific Command said America will continue to fly, sail and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows, and expects all other countries to do the same. The breakdown in military contacts reflects an overall sharp downturn in relations sparked by their rivalry for global influence in diplomacy, trade, technology and the gap in outlook between the authoritarian Communist Party and the democratic West. BEIJING (AP) Chinas government criticized the United States' plans to sign a trade treaty with Taiwan and called on Washington on Thursday to stop official contact with the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. The agreement due to be signed Thursday comes amid increased Chinese efforts to intimidate Taiwan by flying fighter jets and bombers near the island, a global center for high-tech industry. American and European politicians have visited Taiwan in a show of support for its elected government. The Chinese foreign ministry accused Washington of violating agreements on the status of Taiwan, which split with the mainland in 1949 after a civil war. The United States has no official relations with Taiwan but has extensive informal ties and multibillion-dollar annual trade. The United States should stop any form of official exchanges with Taiwan, refrain from negotiating agreements with Taiwan that have sovereign connotations or official nature and refrain from sending wrong signals to the Taiwan independence secessionist forces, said a ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning. Taiwan never has been part of the Peoples Republic of China, but the mainlands ruling Communist Party says the island is obliged to unite with China, by force if necessary. Beijing has threatened to attack if Taiwan declares formal independence or delays talks on unification. American and Taiwanese officials say the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade will increase trade by simplifying customs, investment and other rules. It is due to be signed by employees of the unofficial entities that represent the two governments to each other at a ceremony attended by trade officials from both sides, according to the Taiwanese government. Its no secret that Christopher Nolan made Oppenheimer to be seen on the big screen. But not all big screens are created equal. Thats part of the reason why Universal Pictures has made Oppenheimer tickets available early for over a thousand premium large format (or PLF) screens, with options including IMAX 70mm, 70mm, IMAX digital, 35mm, Dolby Cinema and more. Knowing that even those words can get overwhelming and technical, Nolan went a step further: In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, he offered a guide to his favorite formats, explaining why it matters and even where he likes to sit so that audiences dont feel like they need a film school degree (or one in theoretical physics) before settling on a theater. You rarely get the chance to really talk to moviegoers directly about why you love a particular format and why if they can find an IMAX screen to see the film on thats great, Nolan said. We put a lot of effort into shooting the film in a way that we can get it out on these large format screens. It really is just a great way of giving people an experience that they cant possibly get in the home. In a film about about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who oversaw the development of first atomic bomb during World War II, this will be especially pivotal in viewing the Trinity Test, the first detonation of a nuclear weapon. Nolan and his effects teams recreated the blast, with all its blinding brilliance. We knew that this had to be the showstopper," Nolan said. Were able to do things with picture now that before we were really only able to do with sound in terms of an oversize impact for the audiencean almost physical sense of response to the film. Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy, opens in theaters on July 21. THE BIG PICTURE Oppenheimer was shot using some of the highest resolution film cameras that exist. Like Dunkirk and Tenet, Oppenheimer was filmed entirely on large format film stock, meaning a combination of IMAX 65mm and Panavision 65mm (think David Lean/"Lawrence of Arabia"), thats then projected in 70mm. The sharpness and the clarity and the depth of the image is unparalleled, Nolan said. The headline, for me, is by shooting on IMAX 70mm film, youre really letting the screen disappear. Youre getting a feeling of 3D without the glasses. Youve got a huge screen and youre filling the peripheral vision of the audience. Youre immersing them in the world of the film. Nolan has been shooting with IMAX cameras since The Dark Knight. Audiences would regularly gasp at seeing its first shot projected in IMAX 70mm. Though its just a helicopter shot of some buildings in Chicago, it helps explain the ineffable power of the format. On a technical level, the IMAX film resolution is almost 10 times more than a 35mm projector and each frame has some 18,000 pixels of resolution versus a home HD screen that has 1,920 pixels. WHY IS IT SHOT ON 65MM AND PROJECTED IN 70MM? The 5mm difference goes back to when that extra space on the film had to be reserved for the soundtrack. With digital sound, thats unnecessary and it is purely a visual enhancement, Nolan explained. DO THE DIFFERENT FORMATS IMPACT HOW THE FILM IS SHOT? We have to plan very carefully because by shooting an IMAX film, you capture a lot of information, he said. Your movie is going to translate very well to all the formats because youre getting the ultimate amount of visual information. But there are different shapes to the screen what we call aspect ratios. What you have to plan is how you then frame your imagery so that it can be presented in different theaters with equal success. Starting with The Dark Knight, they developed a system that they call center punching the action" so that nothing is lost. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema is also always aware of the frame lines for the different theaters when looking through the camera. On the biggest presentations, IMAX 1.43:1 (the massive square screen) the screen essentially disappears for the audience. For other formats like 35mm, the top and the bottom get cropped. But, Nolan said, from a creative point of view, what weve found over the years is that theres no compromise to composition. WHY NOT MAKE AN ENTIRE MOVIE IN IMAX? The IMAX cameras are just too loud for dialogue heavy scenes, but Nolan is optimistic about the new cameras being developed. WHATS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCES? Some of Oppenheimer is presented in black and white for a very specific story reason. I knew that I had two timelines that we were running in the film, Nolan said. One is in color, and thats Oppenheimers subjective experience. Thats the bulk of the film. Then the other is a black and white timeline. Its a more objective view of his story from a different characters point of view. Nolans desire for the black and white portions to be of equal image quality to the rest of the film led to the development of the first ever black and white IMAX film stock, which Kodak made and Fotokem developed. We shot a lot of our hair and makeup tests using black and white. And then we would go to the IMAX film projector at CityWalk and project it there, he said. Ive just never seen anything like it. To see such a massive black and white film image? Its just a wonderful thing." NOLANS FAVORITE THEATRICAL FORMATS For Nolan, the best possible experience to view Oppenheimer in theaters is the IMAX 70mm film presentations. These are also among the rarest, currently set for 25 locations in North America including the AMC Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles, the AMC Lincoln Square in New York, the Cinemark Dallas, the Regal King of Prussia near Philadelphia and the AutoNation IMAX in Fort Lauderdale. The prints span over 11 miles of film stock, weigh some 600 pounds and run through film projectors horizontally. There will also be over one hundred 70mm prints (a fabulous presentation, Nolan said) sent to theaters around the world, with over 77 (and more to come) on sale in North America at major chains and many independent locations like the Music Box in Chicago and the AFI Silver in Washington D.C. The two formats are sort of different and I love them both, he said. The sequences projected in IMAX 70mm really come to life on those screens, and vice versa for the 70mm sequences on those specific projectors. In IMAX theaters, for example, things shot with IMAX film cameras will expand vertically to fill the entire screen. IMAX DIGITAL, LASER AND EXHIBITOR PLF OPTIONS The vast majority of moviegoers in North America will have easier access to digital presentations. These include IMAX digital, which can sometimes mean a laser projected image and other times involves a retro formatted screen, and whats called exhibitor PLF, meaning large format screen and projection systems developed by individual theater chains (like Regal RPX, Cinemark XD and Cineplex UltraAVX). When in doubt, look for an X in the name. But dont dismay: Itll still look great, according to Nolan, whose team has worked for six months to digitize the original film for other formats to ensure the best experience on every screen. This is the exciting thing about shooting an IMAX film: When you scan it for the digital format, youre working with the absolute best possible image that you could acquire, and that translates wonderfully to the new projector formats like the laser projectors, he said. Nolan said the IMAX impact over the last 20 to 30 years has resulted in more theaters paying more attention to presentation, from projection to sound, which has been great for filmmakers. WHERE ARE THE BEST SEATS? Well, that comes down to personal preference but heres where Nolan likes to sit. When Im in a theater thats Cinemascope ratio, I like to be right near the front, middle of the third row, he said. When Im in a stadium, IMAX 1.43:1, then I actually like to be a little behind the center line right up at the middle. So, a little further back. DETROIT (AP) A lawsuit can go forward against a Michigan official who flashed a rifle during a public meeting over video conference, a federal appeals court said Wednesday. Patricia MacIntosh is suing Ron Clous, alleging he tried to silence her right to free speech when he displayed the rifle during a 2021 meeting of Grand Traverse County commissioners. Clous has no governmental immunity at this stage of the litigation, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a 2-1 opinion. Virtually smirking and displaying a high-powered rifle at someone during a tension-filled public meeting is pregnant with dangerous meaning, said judges Jane Stranch and Stephanie Dawkins Davis. The incident occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when the county board met over video conference. During the public comment period, MacIntosh urged commissioners to make a statement opposing anti-government militia groups, a few weeks after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. That's when Clous, a commissioner who was participating from home, left the screen and returned with a rifle. In response to the lawsuit, an attorney for Clous argued that displaying the rifle was his own expressive conduct protected by the Constitution. But the appeals court said it could be considered an adverse action. Clous didn't seek reelection in 2022 and is no longer a county commissioner. In a dissent, Judge Jeffrey Sutton said no legal precedent fits to keep MacIntosh's free speech retaliation lawsuit alive. Think of what happened, he said. A side view of Commissioner Clouss lawfully possessed rifle. In that officials own home. For a few seconds. During a virtual Board of Commissioners meeting. With everyone participating from the safety of their own homes. ___ Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez With hundreds of people in attendance, friends and family of Scott County sheriffs deputy Caleb Conley praised his personality and strong work ethic at his funeral Thursday. The funeral took place at Scott County High School with friends, family and law enforcement officials showing up to support Conleys family. Several people who were close with Conley spoke at his funeral, including his wife, mother and supervisor. He was an extraordinary man, known for his commitment and dependability, said Capt. Jeremy Nettes with the Scott County Sheriffs Office. He consistently went above and beyond in his service while demonstrating an unwavering sense of integrity and loyalty, both as a family man and as a member of the law enforcement brotherhood. Conley was shot on I-75 near the 127 mile marker around 5 p.m. while conducting a traffic stop on May 22, according to Scott County Sheriff Tony Hampton. Steven Sheangshang, a suspect in several other offenses, is accused of killing Conley, according to arrest records. Conley was rushed to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Vehicles of law enforcement, friends and family are lined up outside Scott County High School for the funeral service of Scott County Deputy Caleb Conley in Georgetown, Ky., Thursday, June 1, 2023. Conley had served with the Scott County Sheriffs Office for four years and served with the U.S. Army for eight years. He left behind a wife, small children and his parents, Hampton said. Scott County Sheriff's Deputy Caleb Conley was a hero who served our commonwealth and our country, sacrificing everything to protect our people. Kentucky, please join me in praying for Conley's family, community and fellow law enforcement officers as he is laid to rest today. Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) June 1, 2023 Conleys wife, Rachel Conley, thanked those who responded to her husbands shooting and attempted to save his life. There are no words to express my gratitude for your tremendous heroism and response time, Rachel Conley said. I would also like to give a special thank you to the innocent bystanders that stopped to help Caleb and call 911 as well. All of you will forever hold a special place in my heart. Rachel Conley described her husband as a wonderful father and family man who would do anything for his family. He loved his children so much. He would do anything just to see them smile, Rachel Conley said. He would get so down on himself anytime he had to miss any of their events or games because he felt like he was disappointing them, and he didnt like to let them down. Representatives of the Knox County Sheriffs Office ride motorcycles at Scott County High School for the funeral service of Scott County Deputy Caleb Conley in Georgetown, Ky., Thursday, June 1, 2023. Sgt. Robert Tackett, who was Caleb Conleys supervisor, described some of the struggles he had been dealing with since Caleb Conleys death. Tackett said hed asked Conley to work overtime shifts frequently. He apologized to the family for taking time away from them. Then I argue with myself that theres no telling how many lives were saved in this state by Caleb Conley patrolling the streets, Tackett said. Its just one of the struggles Ive had dealing with during these sleepless nights while questioning and trying to make sense of this all. Jolene Conley, Caleb Conleys mother, said her son dreamed of being in law enforcement ever since he was a kid. He was living his dream, Jolene Conley said. Now those dreams are coming to an end, we could not have asked for a better son. He would help fulfill some of our dreams. Rest easy my dear sweet Caleb, your dreams will be carried on through others who love you forever. Law enforcement, friends and family gather at Scott County High School for the funeral service of Scott County Deputy Caleb Conley in Georgetown, Ky., Thursday, June 1, 2023. Conley was killed in a shooting on I-75 in May. Sheangshang was arrested not long after a separate shooting in Lexington that occurred the same day as Conleys death. He faces charges of murder of a police officer, wanton endangerment, evading police, first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, three counts of burglary, two counts of possessing a handgun as a convicted felon and evidence tampering, jail records show. Sheangshang was arraigned in a Scott County courtroom Tuesday. During Sheangshangs hearing Tuesday, Judge Sarah Hays Spedding denied him bond and entered a not guilty plea for him. Reporter Taylor Six contributed to this story. MILAN (AP) The city of Florence on Thursday announced an immediate ban on new short-term private vacation rentals in the Renaissance citys historic center, part of an effort to draw full-time residents back to one of Italys most popular tourist destinations. Mayor Dario Nardella called the ban daring but legally defensible. If we dont try to take politically disruptive actions, no one makes a move, Nardella said, referring to expectations that the Italian government would adopt a plan that so far allows only Venice to cap the number of days a property can be rented out at 120. We are tired of announcements, Nardella said. The problem has become structural. Students in Italian cities, including Florence, Milan and Rome, have been camping out in tents on campuses to protest a lack of affordable housing. At the same time, art cities like Florence and Venice have seen their housing stocks depleted by short-term rentals, defined as covering any period less than 30 days. Nardella said the Florence government would not go after the 8,000 short-term private rentals already operating in the city's historic center, an area under UNESCO protection as a historic treasure that includes the Uffizi galleries and the Ponte Vecchio. The city as a whole has about 11,000 short-term private rentals. Instead, the city plans to offer a tax incentive to property owners who convert their places back to long-term rentals. Under the plan, property taxes on a second home would be canceled for up to three years, potentially adding up to thousands of euros (dollars) in savings. K-pop girl group Oh My Girl performs during "K-Culture Night" at Busan Cinema Center in Busan's Haeundae District, April 5. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul By Ko Dong-hwan A local court recently handed down a five-year prison term to a 25-year-old man for defrauding K-pop fans of money by saying he would give them tickets to concerts that he could not attend. The man, whose name was not disclosed, took a total of 230 million won ($174,000) from September 2021 to June 2022 from teenagers and those in their early 20s who were looking for tickets for K-pop concerts, according to the Seoul Central District Court, Thursday. He told them he had tickets to concerts or fan meetings but could not go and would thus sell the tickets to them. He found the victims on Twitter. The man targeted those with little social experience, including minors or those just out of high school, and abused their desperation for tickets, the court said. It is alleged that he also demanded some victims, who were minors, provide sexual services in exchange for the tickets. "This kind of crime not only causes financial damage to individuals but also creates distrust in online trading which is based on exchanges between strangers," the court said. "We handed him the jail sentence considering he had previous convictions for similar fraud cases and he started to commit this crime from the day he was released from prison for the previous offense." BERLIN (AP) Germany's disease control agency warned Thursday that rising temperatures due to global warming will increase the likelihood of heat stroke, vector-borne illnesses and other health risks in the country. The Robert Koch Institute said lung diseases from forest fires and agricultural dust may become a growing problem, as will skin cancer due to increased ultraviolet radiation as Germany experiences longer periods of cloud-free weather. In the first of the institute's three reports on the impact of climate change in Germany, published in the Journal of Health Monitoring, the authors noted the recent arrival in the country of Hyalomma ticks capable of carrying bacteria responsible for typhus as an example of newly emerging disease threats. The ticks, as well as Asian tiger mosquitoes that can spread dengue, yellow fever and Zika virus, are migrating to new regions that were previously too cold for the species. Another risk comes from Vibrio bacteria that flourish in brackish water above temperatures of about 20 degrees Celsius. The pathogens can enter the body through small breaks in the skin and cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems unless quickly treated with antibiotics. There have been several cases among swimmers infected with Vibrio bacteria on Germany's Baltic Sea coast in recent years. The biggest threat, however, comes from prolonged heat waves. Scientists say these will become more frequent and extreme as climate change progresses. The Robert Koch Institute said about 4,500 people died during heat waves in Germany last year. ___ Follow AP's coverage of climate issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said he will begin contempt of Congress proceedings against FBI Director Christopher Wray if the bureau does not physically turn over the Biden document alleging a criminal bribery scheme, despite the FBI giving lawmakers access to the information at headquarters. The document in question is an FBI-generated FD-1023 form that allegedly describes a $5 million criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions. President Joe Biden speaks at the University of Tampa on Feb. 9, 2023. REPUBLICANS TO HOLD FBI DIRECTOR WRAY IN CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS OVER BIDEN DOCUMENT Comer had subpoenaed the document and set a May 30 deadline for Wray to physically turn it over to the committee, threatening to hold him in contempt of Congress if the deadline was missed. The FBI did not comply with the subpoena but instead offered assurances that lawmakers could access the information in a secure setting. Comer, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Wray participated in a phone call Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the accommodations the FBI could offer for congressional oversight efforts, while maintaining the integrity of bureau investigations. "Today, FBI Director Wray confirmed the existence of the FD-1023 form alleging then-Vice President Biden engaged in a criminal bribery scheme with a foreign national," Comer said in a statement. "However, Director Wray did not commit to producing the documents subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "While Director Wrayafter a month of refusing to even acknowledge that the form existedhas offered to allow us to see the documents in person at FBI headquarters, we have been clear that anything short of producing these documents to the House Oversight Committee is not in compliance with the subpoena," Comer explained. WHISTLEBLOWER ALLEGES FBI, DOJ HAVE DOCUMENT REVEALING CRIMINAL SCHEME INVOLVING BIDEN, FOREIGN NATIONAL "During todays call, Director Wray offered to provide the Committees Chairman and Ranking Member an opportunity to review information responsive to the subpoena in a secure manner to accommodate the committee, while protecting the confidentiality and safety of sources and important investigative sensitives," the FBI said in a statement. "The FBI has continually demonstrated its commitment to working with the Committee to accommodate its request, from scheduling briefings and calls to now allowing the Chair to review information in person. The FBI remains committed to cooperating with the Committee in good faith." Grassley said that the FBI "continues to treat Congress like second class citizens by refusing to provide a specific unclassified record." "Director Wray confirmed what my whistleblowers have told me pursuant to legally protected disclosures: the FBI-generated document is real, but the bureau has yet to provide it to Congress in defiance of a legitimate congressional subpoena," Grassley said. "This failure comes with consequences." The FBI has repeatedly indicated it will not physically turn over the document to protect confidential human sources and avoid exposing methods. US Republican Senator from Iowa Chuck Grassley is ceremonially sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris for the 118th Congress in the Old Senate Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 3, 2023. The document is being sought after a whistleblower approached Comer and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, alleging that the FBI and the Justice Department were in possession of it and that it would reveal "a precise description of how the alleged criminal scheme was employed as well as its purpose." Last week, Comer attempted to "narrow the breadth of the subpoena" in response to FBI staff criticisms, and the committee determined "additional terms based on unclassified legally protected whistleblower disclosures that may be referenced in the FD-1023 form." The terms included "June 30, 2020" and "five million." WHITE HOUSE INSISTS NO 'POLITICAL INTERFERENCE' IN HUNTER BIDEN PROBE AFTER IRS WHISTLEBLOWER COMES FORWARD The back-and-forth came after Comer and Grassley notified Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland this month about the "legally protected and highly credible unclassified whistleblower disclosures." Comer and Grassley said that based on "the alleged specificity within the document, it would appear that the DOJ and the FBI have enough information to determine the truth and accuracy of the information contained within it." The White House has maintained that the president never spoke to his son, Hunter Biden, about his business dealings and that the president was never involved in them. Officials also say the president has never discussed investigations into members of his family with the Justice Department. Newlyweds Rajwa Alsaif and Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein wave to well-wishers after their wedding ceremonies in Amman, Jordan, on Thursday. (Raad Adayleh / Associated Press) A guest list of glitterati from around the world, including Britains Prince William and his wife, Kate, and First Lady Jill Biden. Elaborate ceremonial events and concerts headlined by top Arab pop stars. An entire capital festooned with flags and banners in anticipation of the big event, with a public holiday announced so that thousands can if only vicariously join the fun. Its all part of the royal wedding fever that has gripped Jordan as this desert kingdom and key U.S. ally in the Middle East celebrates the nuptials Thursday of Crown Prince Hussein, 28, and Rajwa Alsaif, a 29-year-old Saudi architect who finished her studies at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, where she also worked at an architecture firm. In recent weeks, images of the beaming couple have become a ubiquitous sight, adorning cars, buses and buildings all over the country. You can't swing a Hashemite ceremonial sword (like the one presented to Hussein as a gift from his father Wednesday) without hitting a sign bearing the occasion's official slogan, Celebrating Al Hussein, complete with logo with stylized Arabic lettering; the design was even used by airport authorities Thursday as the country's visa stamp. Such extravagance is rare for Jordans royal family, which heads an impoverished country with few natural resources, chronically high unemployment and 11 million people who often complain about government waste and corruption. Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein attends a celebration in Amman on Wednesday, the day before his wedding to Saudi architect Rajwa Alseif. (Royal Hashemite Court) But the event is about far more than the nuptials. Its a massive coming-out party for Hussein two years after his father, King Abdullah II, thwarted an alleged coup plot involving the former crown prince, his own half-brother, Hamzah, who was accused of conspiring to overthrow the monarch and take over the country. Hamzah remains under house arrest, and did not appear at various pre-wedding events Wednesday with other members of the royal family. The alleged plot brought into the open the rivalries that the Hashemite dynasty has assiduously tried to keep behind palace doors. It also spurred a raft of criticism of Abdullah, with many contrasting the popularity of Hamzah and his common touch especially among Jordans all-important tribes with the aloofness of the king. Abdullah had stripped Hamzah of the title of crown prince in 2004, naming Hussein heir to the throne five years later when the boy was only 15. Over the last decade and a half, the king has striven to raise his sons public profile, including taking him to the United Nations General Assembly to speak in 2017. The alleged coup plot in April 2021 only highlighted Abdullah's need to shore up his family's legitimacy and their rule over Jordan's 11 million people. Since then, the promotional campaign for Crown Prince Hussein has gone into overdrive, said Amer Sabaileh, a political analyst based here in Amman, the Jordanian capital. It accelerated after Hamzah so as to end that chapter, he said. Hussein is now a fixture with his father at most public events and often represents Jordan in meetings with other leaders. Hussein has taken an active interest in economic initiatives, and was dispatched by the king to negotiate Jordans 5G rollout with the U.S. and China. A Jordanian security patrol is deployed in preparation for Thursday's royal wedding in Amman, Jordan. (Nasser Nasser / Associated Press) The wedding augurs a more prominent role for Hussein well beyond the constitutional limits of his current position, Sabaileh said. Hes no longer a protocol crown prince. Its clear hes playing for something greater, Sabaileh said, adding that Husseins pre-wedding celebrations have brought him in direct contact with government officials and the army he is supposed to lead in the future. (In Jordan, the king is the supreme commander of the armed forces.) On Wednesday, the royal family joined thousands of officials and dignitaries to watch a traditional dance performance and displays of military might that included aerobatic maneuvers by Jordans U.S.-supplied F-16s. State television has featured nothing but wedding-related content for days, including interviews with the crown prince and his family and live broadcasts of events, all interspersed with constant commentary from guests gushing effusively about the importance of the occasion. The wedding began Thursday afternoon and was scheduled to continue into the evening with some 1,700 people in attendance. Guests invited to the religious marriage ceremony streamed into Amman's Zahran Palace and greeted King Abdullah and his wife, Queen Rania. Biden and her daughter, Ashley, arrived in a pair of black Suburbans. Then came the crown prince in full military regalia, followed by Alsaif, who arrived in a 1968 Rolls Royce built for the mother of the late King Hussein, Abdullah's father. With Abdullah and Alsaif's father, Khaled, on either side of them, the couple exchanged rings as the crowd ululated. Outside the palace, thousands lined the streets of Amman, many of them wrapped in traditional red-and-white scarves. In other cities, giant screens were set up for public viewing of the live broadcast. Posters bearing an image of Crown Prince Hussein have become ubiquitous across Jordan in the run-up to his wedding Thursday. (Nasser Nasser / Associated Press) Hussein's choice of Alsaif as his wife carries potential political benefit for Jordan. Her father leads one of Saudi Arabias largest contracting companies. Her mother is Azza Sudairi, a relative of the mother of Saudi Arabias King Salman. Jordan and Saudi Arabia have had a hot-cold relationship. The Hashemites originally hail from Saudi Arabia and historically competed with the House of Saud for control. In years past, Saudi Arabia was a lifeline, investing and pumping aid into Jordans perennially strapped economy. But that aid has dried up in recent years as Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich states focus on their own development. Jordan hopes to capitalize on Saudi Arabias "giga-projects" colossal developments like the Massachusetts-sized megacity Neom, which includes plans to create links to the Jordanian coastal city of Aqaba and cities in Egypt. The union of Alsaif and the crown prince appears to have been well-received in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. Arab News, the Saudi state-owned English-language newspaper, plastered a picture of the couple on its front page with the headline: The kingdoms bride and joy. It also featured an interview with Jordans ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ali Kayed, who spoke of how the two countries were a model of cohesion in Arab relations. There are no cultural differences between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Kayed said. They are united by an inherent brotherhood, a similar heritage, and neighborly relations cementing the bonds of love and strength between the two peoples. After his wedding, the crown prince will continue being groomed to take over ruling the country, which faces a host of challenges. The population is growing at a rate that long ago outstripped its meager resources, and climate change is set to exacerbate problems, raising the specter of Jordan soon losing viable sources of fresh water. Hussein will need to show Jordanians that he is up to the task. "You have to be very careful how to market yourself," said Sabaileh, the analyst. "Thats why its a matter of what hell do after the wedding to show real change." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NEW YORK (AP) JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has testified that he never heard of Jeffrey Epstein and his crimes against teenage girls and young women until the financier was arrested in 2019, according to a transcript of the videotaped deposition released Wednesday. Dimon said he first heard about it when the story blew wide open. He was arrested, and all the stories came out about all the people he knows. And the reason I remember that is I was surprised that I didnt know about it before. Asked by a lawyer if he'd ever heard the name Jeffrey Epstein before the arrest, Dimon responded, Not that I recall. Dimon made the revelation during a deposition recorded Friday in New York in connection with lawsuits filed against the nations largest bank. The lawsuits on behalf of Epstein victims and the U.S. Virgin Islands in Manhattan federal court seek to hold JPMorgan financially liable for Epstein's decadeslong abuse of teenage girls and young women. The bank, besides denying the allegations, has sued one of its former executives, saying the man hid Epsteins crimes to keep Epstein as a client. Epstein was 66 in August 2019 when he apparently killed himself in a Manhattan federal jail cell where he awaited a federal sex trafficking trial after his application for bail was denied. He had pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually abused dozens of girls, some as young as 14. According to the lawsuits filed late last year, JPMorgan provided Epstein loans and regularly allowed him to withdraw large sums of cash from 1998 through August 2013 even though it knew about his sex trafficking practices. The 416-page deposition, portions of which were heavily redacted with entire pages blacked out, was released publicly through an agreement among lawyers in the cases. Confronted at the deposition with an email from Epstein's former assistant suggesting that Dimon was scheduled to meet with Epstein as far back as 2010, the president and chairman of JPMorgan insisted it was untrue. I have never had an appointment with Jeff Epstein. Ive never met Jeff Epstein. I never knew Jeff Epstein. I never went to Jeff Epsteins house. I never had a meal with Jeff Epstein. I have no idea what theyre referring to here, he said. After the email from Epstein's assistant asking whether heavy snacks or dinner should be prepared for the meeting, Epstein responded snacks. As Dimon responded to being confronted with the email, a lawyer noted that Epstein did not respond by saying, you're misinformed, Jamie Dimon is not coming. Dimon said, I don't know what he thought at the time. He was obviously misinformed. I never this never took place. I dont think Jeff Epstein ever arranged for me to meet with anybody, to my knowledge, he said. Dimon denied knowing anything about efforts at the bank in 2006 and 2011 to curtail its dealings with Epstein as he faced criminal charges in Florida. After pleading guilty to state charges there, Epstein spent 13 months in jail and paid settlements to victims. After he pleaded guilty to the crime he pleaded guilty to, he we unfortunately continued to bank him, yes, Dimon said, according to the deposition. Epstein had a close relationship with Jes Staley, who ran multiple parts of JPMorgan, including its investment bank and wealth management arm, until Staley left the bank in 2013. Staley went on to become CEO of the British bank Barclays, but had to step down from that job when the Epstein indictment was revealed. JPMorgan is trying to make Staley a defendant in its Epstein legal cases, arguing that he downplayed or hid the issues with Epstein. At one point in the deposition, Dimon agreed that Epstein was a disaster and terrible for the bank. I think what happened to these women is atrocious, and Im horrified at the amount of human trafficking that takes place, he said. And I wouldnt mind personally apologizing to them, not because we committed the crime, we did not, and not because we believe were responsible. But that any potential thing, what little role that we could have eased it or helped catch it quicker or something like that, or get it to law enforcement quicker or get law enforcement to react to it quicker, which they obviously didnt, you know, I would apologize to them for that, yes, he said. Throughout the deposition, Dimon insisted that whether to keep Epstein as a client would have ultimately been left up to the company's general counsel. Dimon was asked, If you had known in 2010 that Jeffrey Epstein was a sex trafficker, that Jeffrey Epstein was a client of the bank, that Jeffrey Epstein was withdrawing tens of thousands of dollars of cash every month, would you, as the chief executive officer of the bank, said, We need to get rid of this guy, regardless of whether the general counsel told you that that was the right thing to do? I think everyone involved, had they known then what is known today, including me, would have taken that position, he answered. Andrew Lester, right, appears in court to answer charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in Liberty, Mo. (KMBC via AP, Pool) LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) A Kansas City man accused of shooting a Black teenager who mistakenly came to his door last month is scheduled to be back in court Thursday, days after a judge ruled that court documents in the case will be sealed and kept from the public. The hearing for 84-year-old Andrew Lester is to set new dates for future hearings in the case and is expected to be brief. Lester has pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, who knocked on Lester's door on April 13 while trying to pick up his young brothers, who were at a home a block away. Yarl, who has celebrated his 17th birthday since the shooting, suffered gunshot wounds to his head and wrist and continues to recover at home. Lester remains free after posting $20,000 10% of his $200,000 bond. The shooting drew international attention amid claims that Lester, who is white, received preferential treatment from investigators in the hours after he shot Yarl. President Joe Biden and several celebrities issued statements calling for justice for Yarl. Lester admitted that he shot Yarl through the door without warning because he was scared to death he was about to be robbed by the Black person standing at his door. People attend a rally to support Ralph Yarl, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) On Tuesday, Clay County Judge Louis Angles granted a request from Lester's attorney to seal the court documents, saying the publicity led to threats against Lester, who his attorney says has been forced to move three times. He also said the publicity has made it more difficult for the case to be heard before a fair and impartial jury. The overwhelming majority of the reporting continues to assert that the alleged actions of (Lester) were racially motivated, which if believed, virtually eliminates the defense available to (Lester) related to the reasonableness of his actions, Angles wrote in the ruling. The judge noted in his order that Lester's personal cell phone number was posted on a public platform after the shooting, leading to several text messages calling him a murderer who should burn in hell. Others threatened to shoot up Lester's home, which has been vandalized since the shooting. Angles also expressed concern that if defense documents were made public, potential witnesses for Lester's defense could be subjected to threats and other intimidation, making them unwilling to come forward or testify in the case. He said redacting the documents would not be sufficient. Prosecutors had argued that legal precedents largely favored keeping court documents open to the public. Yarl made his first public appearance since the shooting on Memorial Day, when he walked in a brain injury awareness event at a Kansas City park. He did not speak to the media, but his aunt, Faith Spoonmore, said he has intense headaches and balance issues. She said he is also struggling with his emotions and the trauma of the shooting. REDDING, Calif. (AP) A California judge on Wednesday dismissed all charges against Pacific Gas & Electric in connection to a 2020 fatal wildfire sparked by its equipment that destroyed hundreds of homes and killed four people, including an 8-year-old. The utility also reached a $50 million settlement agreement with the Shasta County District Attorney's Office, officials from both announced in separate statements. The wind-whipped blaze began on Sept. 27, 2020, and raged through rugged terrain and small communities west of Redding, killing four people, burning about 200 homes and blackening about 87 square miles (225 square kilometers) of land in Shasta and Tehama counties. In 2021, state fire investigators concluded the fire was sparked by a gray pine tree that fell onto a PG&E distribution line. Shasta and Tehama counties sued the utility, alleging negligence. They said PG&E failed to remove the tree even though it had been marked for removal two years earlier. The utility says the tree was subsequently cleared to stay. Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett determined that the company was criminally liable for the fire and charged the utility later that year. Shasta Superior Court Judge Daniel E. Flynn disagreed, and in a tentative ruling ahead of a hearing Wednesday said prosecutors did not present enough evidence to show PG&E engaged in criminal conduct, according to the Sacramento Bee, which obtained a copy of the ruling. The tree was not a known risk prior to the Zogg fire, and there is no evidence to support the Peoples claim in their opposition that it was," the judge wrote. The utility said in a statement that under the agreement with Shasta County, which is subject to court approval, it will fund $45 million in contributions to organizations dedicated to rebuilding and assisting local communities. The company will also pay a $5 million civil penalty to the county. We stand behind our thousands of trained and experienced coworkers and contractors working every day to keep Californians safe. We feel strongly that those good-faith judgments are not criminal, said Patti Poppe, Chief Executive Officer of PG&E Corporation. Bridgett said her goal was always to take PG&E to trial and hold them criminally responsible but that Flynn's tentative ruling changed her position and she agreed to a settlement that includes dropping all charges. I am unwilling to gamble with the safety of Shasta County, she said. "I have a responsibility to the community and needed to secure what I can for all the citizens to prevent future wildfires, prevent future deaths and devastation, and to be as prepared as our county can be if another one occurs. Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a $150 million settlement between Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and the CPUCs Safety and Enforcement Division over PG&Es role in the Zogg Fire. As part of the agreement, the utility will pay $10 million as a penalty to Californias General Fund, and invest $140 million in shareholder funds in new wildfire mitigation efforts, officials said. "Ghost guns" seized by the Oakland Police Department are shown in April 2021. (Stephen Lam / San Francisco Chronicle) In 2020, over the course of numerous investigations, the Los Angeles Police Department recovered more than 700 "ghost guns" weapons often having no serial numbers and built from components sold without background checks by Nevada-based company Polymer80, according to the Los Angeles city attorney's office. Firearms assembled from the company's components were used in the ambush of two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies in Compton in 2020 and in a home invasion and triple murder in Glendale, the city attorney said. In 2021, Los Angeles filed suit against Polymer80, alleging that the company was selling its kits without conducting background checks, a violation of the federal Gun Control Act. The kits allow purchasers to buy gun components that are then assembled by buyers. Now, the company has settled the suit with the city for $5 million and must conform to multiple gun sales standards. This settlement holds Polymer80 and its founders accountable, keeps guns out of the hands of prohibited people, makes L.A. neighborhoods safer and will help law enforcement do their jobs, City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto said Tuesday in a news release. "This is an important step toward preventing unnecessary deaths, especially as Congress repeatedly fails to take action. It is not the first time that Polymer80 has been sued over its products. Last year, Washington, D.C., received a $4-million judgment against the company, which was also barred from selling untraceable firearms in the district. Polymer80 informs customers of the ruling on its website. The company's guns were the most common ghost guns recovered by the Los Angeles Police Department between 2020 and 2023, the city attorney's office said. The lawsuit was set to go to trial Tuesday, but the company settled instead. The lawsuit also alleged that Polymer80 misled customers in its advertising by stating that its products were legal to buy and possess because they were not complete firearms. "But Polymer80s core products gun building kits that are quickly and easily assembled into operable weapons nonetheless fall under the definition of 'firearm' under federal law," the city attorney's office wrote in its complaint. As part of the settlement, Polymer80 must pay $4 million in civil penalties, while its two founders must pay a combined $1 million. Additionally, Polymer80 is prohibited from selling gun kits in the state without serializing parts and performing background checks. The company is also prohibited from providing assistance to customers attempting to assemble ghost guns in California and cannot advertise that its products are legal. Polymer80 did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) A New Jersey man suspected in a series of sexual assaults in Boston that took place about 15 years ago agreed to waive extradition back to Massachusetts during his initial court appearance. Matthew J. Nilo, 35, who is a lawyer, was arrested Tuesday at his Weehawken home and briefly appeared Thursday in state Superior Court in Jersey City. Jeff Garrigan, the attorney representing him at the hearing, told WABC-TV in New York that Nilo would plead not guilty and fight the charges. Nilo is charged with three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping and single counts of assault with attempt to rape and indecent assault and battery in connection with the assaults in Bostons Charlestown neighborhood in 2007 and 2008. Nilo lived in Boston at the time, authorities have said. It was not immediately clear when Nilo would be brought back to Massachusetts or when his next court hearing would be held. Nilo was identified as a suspect with the help of forensic genetic genealogy, which combines DNA analysis with publicly accessible genealogy research and historical records, authorities have said. BEIRUT (AP) Lebanon's military tribunal on Thursday charged five men with the killing of an Irish U.N. peacekeeper in December, a senior judicial official said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, alleged all five are linked with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The indictment followed a half-year probe after an attack on a U.N. peacekeeping convoy near the town of Al-Aqbiya in Lebanon's south, a stronghold of Hezbollah. The shooting resulted in the death of Pvt. Sean Rooney, 24, of Newtown Cunningham, Ireland, and seriously wounded Pvt. Shane Kearney, 22. The wounded peacekeeper was medically evacuated to Ireland. Two other Irish soldiers sustained light injuries. The indictment includes evidence from bystanders testimonies, as well as audio recordings and video footage from surveillance cameras, the Lebanese official said. In some of the recordings of the confrontation, the gunmen reportedly could be heard telling the peacekeepers that they are from Hezbollah. Hezbollah has denied any role in the killing, and a spokesperson for the group declined to comment on the indictments Thursday. One of five indicted, Mohamad Ayyad, is currently in custody of Lebanese authorities. The four others facing charges - Ali Khalifeh, Ali Salman, Hussein Salman, and Mustafa Salman - are at large. On the fatal night, Rooney and several other Irish soldiers with the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, were on their way from their base in the south to the Beirut airport. Two U.N. vehicles apparently took a detour through Al-Aqbiya, which is not part of the area under the peacekeepers mandate. Initial reports said angry residents confronted the peacekeepers, but the indictment concludes that the shooting was a targeted attack. The U.N. peacekeeper vehicle reportedly took a wrong turn and was surrounded by vehicles and armed men as they tried to make their way back to the main road. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said the indictment was an important step towards justice. Attacks on men and women serving the cause of peace are serious crimes and can never be tolerated, Tenenti told the AP. We look forward to justice for Private Rooney, his injured colleagues, and their families. UNIFIL was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel's 1978 invasion. The U.N. expanded its mission following the 2006 war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, allowing peacekeepers to deploy along the Israeli border to help the Lebanese military extend its authority into the countrys south for the first time in decades. Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon frequently accuse the U.N. mission of collusion with Israel, while Israel has accused the peacekeepers of turning a blind eye to Hezbollahs military activities in southern Lebanon. ___ Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report. Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann say they have recovered a number of items from their recent search of a reservoir in Portugal. German authorities last week helped Portuguese crews comb a remote area inland from the Algarve coastal resort where Madeleine went missing from her bedroom during a family holiday in 2007. Follow The Independents live coverage for all the latest updates Madeleine McCann went missing on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007 (PA Media) Prosecutor for the city of Braunschweig, Christian Wolters, said the individual items seized as part of searches would be evaluated over the coming days and weeks. Whether some of the items actually relate to the Madeleine McCann case cannot yet be confirmed, the prosecutors statement read. Last week, police in Portugal undertook a three-day search at the remote reservoir which 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. As part of this investigation, police dug holes of around 60cm and the surrounding woodland showed pathways had been cut by heavy machinery, leading to the main flattened 160 square foot excavation area. The fresh search operation took place at the request of German investigators who believe their prime suspect, convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner, 45, kidnapped and murdered the youngster. Kate and Gerry McCann recently marked the latest anniversary of their daughters disappearance (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) German authorities have not revealed what triggered the latest search operation, but Mr Wolters had said they were acting on the basis of certain tips. In a short statement today, Mr Wolters said the investigation into 46-year-old suspect Christian Brueckner is expected to continue for a long time. He said the co-operation between German, British and Portuguese authorities went excellently and very constructively. Teams searched the water for three days (PA) Holes dug apparently for soil samples in the area around Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algarve (PA) Brueckner is 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. He has denied any involvement and is currently behind bars in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same part of Portugal. Convicted rapist Christian Brueckner is the prime suspect in the disappearace (AP) Portuguese lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia previously claimed that criminal contacts had told him that Madeleines body was in the reservoir, and in 2008 he raised funds for unsuccessful private searches of the water. The new searches came 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. A girlfriend murder suspect leaves the Seoul Geumcheon Police Station en route to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office, June 1. Yonhap A man suspected of murdering his girlfriend in revenge after she reported him to police for dating violence was referred to prosecutors Thursday for further investigation and indictment. The Seoul Geumcheon Police Station forwarded the suspect, surnamed Kim, to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office on six charges, including revenge killing and concealment of a corpse. The 33-year-old has been arrested for stabbing his girlfriend, 47, multiple times with a weapon in the underground parking lot of a shopping mall in Geumcheon Ward, southwestern Seoul, on May 26. Kim fled the scene but was apprehended eight hours later, with the woman's body found in the back seat of his rental car. Leaving the police station, Kim was asked by reporters why he had committed the crime but only said: "I was wrong. I'm sorry." He has reportedly admitted his charges in earlier police questioning, saying he committed the murder out of fury of her reporting him to the police. Kim reportedly killed her about an hour after being released from police questioning on dating violence. (Yonhap) A majority of teachers believe educators carrying firearms on school premises would make students less safe, according to a survey from the RAND Corporation. The survey released Wednesday shows 54 percent of teachers think students would be unsafe with educators carrying guns, 20 percent say carrying guns would make students safer and 26 percent believe it wouldnt significantly impact safety. There have been 36 school shootings in the U.S. during the 2022-23 school year, according to a tracker from The Washington Post. Arming teachers is one solution to the gun violence that has been largely supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats. States are also split on the issue: 20, run by both Democrats and Republicans, allow educators to carry firearms on campus, with some having more strict requirements than others. In Delaware, educators can carry a gun with no restrictions. In Oregon, teachers need a concealed carry permit to bring a gun on school grounds. At least 17 states dont allow educators to carry guns at all. However, despite the concerns around mass shootings, teachers listed bullying as their top safety concern for students. Even with the unfortunate regularity of gun violence in U.S. schools, which often drives the policy debate around school safety, only five percent of teachers overall selected gun violence as their largest safety concern, said Heather Schwartz, a report author and senior policy researcher at RAND. Despite the prevalence of anti-bullying programs, everyday school violence is a concern for teachers. Bullying, not active shooters, was teachers most common top safety concern, followed by fights and drugs, she added. The survey was conducted in October and November among 974 educators. Its margin of error ranged from 1 percent to 7 percent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. House Speaker McCarthy walks to the House floor on Capitol Hill ahead of debt ceiling vote in Washington By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Kevin McCarthy earned his stripes as Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, navigating fierce hardline opposition to pass a debt ceiling bill containing federal spending limits that President Joe Biden for months vowed to resist. Six months after he endured 15 humiliating floor votes just to be elected speaker, McCarthy proved capable of dragging Biden into negotiations over spending and other Republican priorities, and then marshalling two-thirds of his often fractious House Republican majority to enact bipartisan legislation. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish," McCarthy told reporters after the vote, repeating one of his comments from the January night he was finally confirmed as speaker. The House approved by a 314-117 margin the bill, which lifts the government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling in exchange for cutting non-defense discretionary spending and stiffening work requirements in assistance programs. Yet it was a bruising victory for McCarthy. The bill gained 165 votes from Democrats, outnumbering the 149 from members of McCarthy's own Republican party. The bill now goes to the narrowly Democratic-controlled Senate, which must enact it and get it to Biden's desk by June 5 to avoid a crippling U.S. default. Republican Representative Dusty Johnson, a McCarthy ally who helped craft the Republican debt-ceiling legislation that buttressed the speaker in negotiations, said the vote proved wrong Democratic predications that the 58-year-old Californian would have little chance of holding his caucus together. "They said he would never become speaker, and of course they were wrong. They said he would never be able to manage the floor effectively and we haven't had a single bill fail," Johnson said in an interview. "They said he wouldn't be able to cut a deal with the president, and they were wrong about that." McCarthy has so far succeeded in passing the bill without drawing direct verbal attacks from former President Donald Trump, who urged Republicans to push for a default if they were not able to extract sufficient concessions from Democrats. Trump, who is seeking a return to the White House in 2024, had blasted top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell for agreeing to raise the debt ceiling during Biden's first year in office. McConnell largely stayed in the background during these talks, which began to move forward after Biden agreed to one-on-one negotiations on May 9. Avoiding Trump's ire appears to have protected McCarthy's standing with Republican voters nationally, some 44% of whom told a Reuters/Ipsos poll in May that they approve of his job performance, notably higher than McConnell's 29% approval rate. The bill approved by the House on Wednesday would suspend the debt limit - essentially meaning that it no longer applies - through Jan. 1, 2025. That sets the stage for another showdown in the weeks following the 2024 presidential election. APRIL GAMBIT Republican lawmakers and analysts say McCarthy's masterstroke in getting Biden to the negotiating table was his decision to bring a debt ceiling bill to the floor and pass it in April with only the support of his own party members. Up to that point, Biden had refused McCarthy's requests to negotiate over the debt ceiling, insisting that House Republicans enact their own budget for fiscal 2024 as a prerequisite for spending talks. But in getting the April measure passed, House Republicans became the only body in Washington that had acted to raise the debt ceiling. "Once the House passed a bill, 'no negotiations' was a clearly unsustainable place to be," said Rohit Kumar, a former top aide to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell who is now co-leader of PwC's national tax office in Washington. The White House, for its part, contends that the talks between Biden and McCarthy were not a negotiation on the debt ceiling. "The debt ceiling had to be lifted, and it had to be lifted for a long period of time," White House budget director Shalanda Young told a Tuesday press conference. "You see this bill lift the debt ceiling until 2025. You can call it a negotiation; I call it a declarative statement." House Republicans say McCarthy has succeeded as speaker, because of an inclusive leadership style, cultivating support from a majority of caucus members by working through major party caucuses, known as the "Five Families," a reference to the warring organized crime clans of "The Godfather" movie. "Speaker McCarthy's done an incredible job," said Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a member of the hardline Republican House Freedom Caucus. "And I think he's proved over and over again that he defies the odds, and he also defies people's expectations." McCarthy also expanded his influence through trusted friends and longtime associates such as Representatives Patrick McHenry and Garret Graves, who became his lead negotiators with the White House. POSSIBLE THREAT But McCarthy is not quite out of the woods. After stirring the ire of hardline conservatives who decried the compromise bill as a sellout, he could face the prospect of ouster at the hands of any single member. One of the conditions he agreed to in January to win the speakership was allowing for any one member to call for a "motion to vacate the chair," in essence a vote on whether to depose the speaker. Senior members of the Freedom Caucus have said they would consider next steps in coming weeks. One of their number, Ralph Norman, said McCarthy should have forced Democrats to accept the House-passed bill. "I think it weakens him. Whether it's permanent or temporary, I don't know," Norman said. But Norman said he would not support an immediate effort to oust McCarthy as speaker, adding "To threaten to kick him out now, that's not right." A similar threat triggered the resignation of former House Speaker John Boehner in 2015. "This is where the honeymoon can definitely end," said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean, a one-time aide to former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Asked this week whether he expects to keep his speakership, McCarthy told a reporter: "What do you think? You guys ask me all the time, and I'm still standing." His allies say they will defend him against any potential threat to his position. "We'll have to deal with the internal politics of a hard-fought fight. Tempers are short and emotions are raw right now. But we'll deal with it," Representative Kelly Armstrong, a McCarthy adviser, told Reuters. (Reporting by David Morgan, additional reporting by Steve Holland and Jason Lange; Editing by Scott Malone and Suzanne Goldenberg) When the City of Miami Beach hired an internationally acclaimed artist to cover the northeast walls of the Miami Beach Convention Center in colorful tiles, it expected a beautiful, permanent public artwork for residents to enjoy. What it got was cracked tiles, shoddy material and falling debris instead, a lawsuit alleges. On Friday, the city filed a complaint in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court against artist Sarah Morris and her company Parallax LLC for breach of contract, along with two contracting companies, Home One Contractors Corporation and Moosally Construction, for over $1,000,000 in damages. The city had paid Morris over $1,110,000 to create and install Morris Lapidus, an expansive abstract tile artwork, on the north and east facing outside walls of the Miami Beach Convention Center. But just months after the work was completed in July 2019, the art became a safety hazard, the complaint said. Tiles were cracking, bulging and falling off the wall. The city eventually installed a protective covering over part of the artwork to prevent tiles from falling onto people. "Morris Lapidus" at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The city says Morris and the contractors she hired are to blame, adding that she was contractually obligated to repair the artwork if need be, according to court documents. Parallax, though, maintains that the artist was not at fault and that the artworks issues stem from when the walls were built. Parallax is prepared to vigorously defend itself against any allegations of wrongdoing and looks forward to the resolution of this matter, the company said through its attorneys, Soto Law Group. Any damage to the artwork Morris Lapidus is a direct result of issues surrounding the design and construction of the Miami Beach Convention Center itself. The citys attorney Michael Kurzman did not respond to a request for comment. Home One declined to comment. Morris, who is based in New York, is a painter and filmmaker with a long list of international art exhibitions and public artwork installations under her belt. Shes the artist behind the Monaco Reflecting Pools in Key Biscayne, which was installed in 2005. (Her website does not mention the Miami Beach Convention Center project.) Several tiles remain missing from "Morris Lapidus" on the north wall of the Miami Beach Convention Center. A two year warranty The saga began October 2016, when the city commissioned Morris to create a site-specific installation at the convention center, which was undergoing a multi-million dollar remodel. The artwork she created was in homage to Morris Lapidus, an architect known for designing Lincoln Road Mall, the Fontainebleau Hotel and the Eden Roc hotel. Somehow there was a lightness in [Morris Lapidus] work because of this treatment of the display or the commercial form, that actually now seems so ahead of his time, Morris said in a video made by Miami Beach Convention Center. They are sort of quintessentially American, but you really see it at its core in Miami. The installation process itself went through several delays, according to the lawsuit. At one point, the tiles were the wrong size and had to be cut by hand, the city said. The project was completed three months late. "Morris Lapidus," an abstract tile artwork by artist Sarah Morris, was installed at the Miami Beach Convention Center and completed July 2019. By October 2020, tiles were falling off the wall, causing a safety hazard, the city said. The contract states that Morris is solely responsible for the quality and timely prosecution, completion and installation of the Artwork and the Project and for directing and supervising the creation of the tiles, according to court documents. The artist was also responsible for examining the walls to make sure it was OK for the project to move forward, the city said. Simply, if MBCCs walls could not support the Artwork, it was Artists contractual duty to notify the City before the Artwork was installed and to design a means of mitigating this issue, the lawsuit says. Artist did nothing, leaving the City to believe that the Installation Site was proper and ready for the Artwork. Under the agreement, Morris needed approval from the Contract Administrator to hire contractors. And, according to the contract, the artwork had to be free from defective or inferior materials and workmanship for two years after the date of final written acceptance. If the artwork needed repairs within that time frame, the artist would fix it at no extra cost to the city, according to the agreement. The artwork did not last two years. Tiles fell off the east wall portion "Morris Lapidus," an artwork by Sarah Morris at the Miami Beach Convention Center. By Spring 2020, there were already signs of deterioration, the lawsuit alleges, like water damage, cracked tiles, issues with the grout and bulging. In April 2020, the city began contacting Morris about the defects, the lawsuit says. And then tiles began to detach from the wall. On October 30, 2020, the city said, 29 tiles fell off the east wall portion of the artwork. A few days later, two sections of tiles fell off. Then, another 20 tiles fell off the wall in one day. Over the course of several months, as the city notified Morris about the artworks defects and safety concerns, she hired two firms to investigate the issues, the lawsuit says. The city hired an engineering firm to do its own investigation, which found that the east wall was so problematic, it recommended that the tiles be removed completely. The plaque for "Morris Lapidus," an artwork by Sarah Morris, remains on the sidewalk in front of the east wall of the Miami Beach Convention Center. The artwork on the east wall was in such poor condition, the city installed a protective covering over it. In several letters to the city, Oscar Soto, Morris attorney, identified who he considered the real culprit for the artworks damage: the construction companies that built the walls of the convention center. Due to the other companies negligence, the walls were never suitable to receive ceramic tiles in the first place, Soto said in a Sept. 9, 2021 letter. Ms. Morris is an internationally renowned artist, whose site-specific artwork has been installed and displayed in leading cities, such as New York, Paris, Zurich, Basel, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Bologna, to say nothing of Miami Beach, Soto said in the letter. CMBs response to the damage to the Morris Lapidus installation is an affront to the artist and to Miami Beachs own standing among the leading cities hosting Ms. Morriss work. Ms. Morris, the artwork, and the City of Miami Beach deserve better. In that same letter, Soto demanded for the city to promptly disassemble the Morris Lapidus installation, as it cannot continue to be displayed in its current condition. The artwork still stands. This story was produced with financial support from The Perez Family Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work. Four Democratic representatives from North Carolina spoke on the U.S. House floor Wednesday to honor Conen Morgan, a political strategist and former president of the Young Democrats of North Carolina, who died Sunday in a boating accident at age 42. Morgan was a prominent political consultant who helped various candidates and causes on the local, state and federal level through his company, Longleaf Agency. State Rep. Abe Jones, a Raleigh Democrat, said in a House committee meeting Wednesday that Morgan had been his campaign manager. Rep. Alma Adams, of Charlotte, was the first to memorialize Morgan at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. She explained his educational background, comparing him to a Rube Goldberg machine, because of his many different creative endeavors. Conen was an activist, a scientist, Adams said. He was a teacher, a graphic artist, an entrepreneur and occasionally did some politics too. She highlighted Morgans more than 30 years of service to the Science Olympiad and how he gave back to the entire North Carolina community by empowering young minds to explore science and find wonder in the world. His friends, his family, his political colleagues, and the tens of thousands of students he reached will all miss Conens smile, his laugh, his compassion and most of all his faith that if a kid like him could succeed, every kid in our state should have the education and the opportunities they need so they could succeed as well, Adams said. Rest in peace, Conen. Rep. Valerie Foushee, of Hillsborough, said Morgan had been her friend. She called him a steadfast advocate for equity and someone who played a pivotal role in shaping North Carolina politics. He was a remarkable human being and had the unique ability to inspire and touch the lives of everyone he encountered through his kindness, compassion and genuine care for others, Foushee said. Conens leadership, passion and tireless efforts will have a lasting impact and will leave a profound void in many folks across North Carolina that will be felt for years to come. Rep. Wiley Nickel, of Cary, used his time on the floor to speak about Morgans dedication to fairness and equity, saying that Morgan wanted everyone to have access to the American dream. He had an uncanny ability to connect with people from all walks in life, bridging divides and fostering a sense of unity, Nickel said. Rep. Don Davis, of Snow Hill, touched on Morgans hard work, determination and dedication and the positive impact he had on people across the state. Conen was wise beyond his years and known for his knack and insights about our state and nation, Davis said. We will miss his warmth whenever he walked into a room and his infectious smile. North Carolinas three remaining Democratic representatives in Congress did not speak. Rep. Jeff Jackson, of Charlotte, stood with Foushee as she spoke, but chose not to deliver remarks. Reps. Kathy Manning, of Greensboro, and Deborah Ross, of Raleigh, were not present. Ross tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday morning. Memorial Day accident On Monday, authorities reported a boating accident off the North Carolina coast. Three people were thrown into the ocean after their boat hit a wave. Two survived, but a third succumbed after reaching land, authorities said. The person was identified Tuesday as Morgan. News of his death shook North Carolinas political spheres. Many politicians, operatives and friends mourned Morgans death on Twitter and in interviews with The News & Observer. Sunup to sundown he was always working for people, Courtney Crowder, one of Morgans longtime friends, told The N&O. And I think the reason why this hurts so many people right now is because he was always available for everybody. Before his decades as a political strategist, Morgan was a graduate of Garner High School and N.C. State University. He played a key role in helping further the North Carolina Science Olympiad, first as a competitor and then as an event leader and award emcee. He was a recipient of the Dr. Jason L. Painter Distinguished Service Award in 2016. Nationally, Morgan worked to link the faith community to Joe Bidens presidential campaign, contributing to the presidents victory. He also worked on both of former President Barack Obamas election campaigns. In 1999, The N&O spoke with Morgan for an article on the success of Black students despite systemic challenges. The statistics say I shouldnt be here, he said. But its not who you are, it is what you do that matters. I have decided that I will succeed. Morgans funeral arrangements Representatives of Morgans family announced Thursday that his funeral would be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6 at the Martin Marietta Center in Raleigh. Morgans family will receive guests starting at 10 a.m. The family has encouraged people to send gifts in Morgans memory to the NC Science Olympiad instead of sending flowers. Morgans friends and family are also invited to share photo memories on his obituary page. Reporter Anna Johnson contributed to this report. Jazper Lu is an intern with NC Insider, The News & Observers state government news service. He is a rising junior at Duke University. NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (AP) Ontario has charged the Niagara Falls, Ontario, tourist attraction Marineland over the care of its black bears. The Ministry of the Solicitor General said Wednesday charges were laid out on Tuesday. Marineland of Canada, Inc. in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has been charged with three counts of failing to comply with an order related to the care of American Black Bears, said Brent Ross, a spokesperson for the ministry. Ross said the charges have been laid under a section of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act that allows an inspector to issue an order to help animals that may be in distress. The facility must comply with the order or otherwise face charges. The ministry declined to provide additional details. Marineland said it was working on providing comment. Marineland has previously said it treats all its animals well and exceeds the standards of care as prescribed under the law. The park houses an unknown number of black bears that live together in an enclosure with dens and water. Visitors can feed the bears popcorn. In 2016, when the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals enforced laws against animal cruelty, Marineland was charged with one count of failing to comply with the prescribed standards of care for about 35 American black bears, including failing to provide adequate and appropriate food and water for them. The prosecution later dropped the charges, saying there was no reasonable chance for a conviction. In 2013, OSPCA issued an order to Marineland to build separate habitats to protect bear cubs from being mauled and devoured by adult males. Marineland said it would develop a birth control program, which OSPCA agreed to. The park said it complied with the order. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) A Syria-backed Palestinian militant group Thursday held a funeral for five fighters who died in a blast under mysterious circumstances. The group has repeatedly claimed Israel was behind the incident. Israel has denied the claim, saying that the blast was an internal explosion in one of the group's facilities. Hundreds gathered at the funeral procession of the five Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command militants at the Yarmouk camp on the outskirts of Syria's capital, Damascus, waving banners and Palestinian flags and holding portraits of the five who died in the blast. The faction accused Israel of launching an airstrike early Wednesday targeting one of their military bases in the eastern Lebanese town of Qusaya near the Syrian border. The Israeli army, in a statement, called the allegation baseless and accused the PFLP-GC of endangering nearby residential areas by stockpiling weapons. Israel frequently targets Iran-backed militants in Syria but rarely strikes in Lebanon, and rarely confirms or denies responsibility for specific strikes. A Lebanese military official on Wednesday told The Associated Press that the blast was within the base and that there was no airstrike, while a member of a Damascus-allied regional group said the blast was due to mishandling ammunition. Both spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not cleared to speak with media. PFLP-GC officials on Thursday insisted that the blast was caused by an Israeli airstrike. Whether or not they admit to it doesn't matter to us, Abu Kifah Ghazi a member of the PFLP-GC's leadership told the AP. Their denial is because they fear a retaliation to avenge the martyrs. Mohammad Jibril, a military official from the group who said he was in Qusaya during the blast, told the AP that an Israeli drone targeted the site. The Lebanese army and Lebanons militant Hezbollah group have not commented publicly on the incident. Associated Press writer Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed to this report. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) City Council members in Portland were considering on Wednesday whether to ban homeless camping during daytime hours in most public places, a move that aims to bring the city into compliance with a new state law and appease the growing number of residents frustrated by a deepening yearslong homelessness crisis. Portland is among progressive West Coast cities moving to adopt stricter rules on camping while grappling with intertwined homelessness, housing, mental health and addiction crises. In Portland, homelessness jumped more than 30% between 2019 and 2022, according to federal data. Homeless people would have to dismantle their camp every morning and remove their belongings and any litter during the day. People who break the rules would receive a warning for the first two violations. After three violations, people could be fined up to $100 or be sent to jail for up to 30 days. The measure would prohibit camping between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. in city parks and near schools, day cares and construction sites and on some sidewalk areas. But while there appears to be an increasing appetite for camping regulations in Oregon's largest city, advocates said the new rules would further burden homeless people and strain nonprofits already working at capacity. Mayor Ted Wheeler said at Wednesday's City Council meeting that his goal is to get enough shelter and housing to eliminate unsanctioned camping in Portland. The City Council voted in November to create at least six large, designated campsites where homeless people will be allowed to camp and gradually ban street camping altogether once the sites are operational. There are currently hundreds of unsanctioned, sometimes dangerous and often squalid homeless camps across all 146 square miles of the city of Portland. These homeless camps ... represent nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe, Wheeler said. Before testimony got under way, dozens of protesters rallied with megaphones outside City Hall to voice their opposition. At times, advocates inside the City Council chambers cheered those speaking against the measure and jeered people supporting it, including Wheeler, prompting him to threaten to move the meeting online if decorum was not respected. The meeting was expected to stretch for hours into the night with more than 170 people signed up to testify. Asking homeless Portlanders ... to carry their homes on their backs for 12 hours a day, seven days a week, will heighten mental and physical distress, hitting houseless and front-line workers like a punch to the gut, testified Sandra Comstock, executive director of the Portland-based homeless nonprofit Hygiene4All. Business and property owners were among those who testified in support of the ordinance, saying some customers and employees don't feel safe shopping or going to work because of encampments. Councilmembers are expected to vote next week, according to Wheeler's office. Portland already prohibits camping on city property at all hours. But the measure is rarely enforced and could be found to violate a state law that takes effect July 1. The new law codifies a key 2018 federal court ruling that bars local governments from arresting people for sleeping outside when there isn't enough shelter available, but does allow them to have objectively reasonable limits on where, when and how campsites can be set up. Andy Mendenhall, CEO and president of Central City Concern, a homeless services nonprofit in downtown Portland, acknowledged before the City Council meeting that unsheltered homelessness has reached a point of untenability in the city. But he added that implementing a measure that essentially displaces people on a daily basis will be hard to implement. Both the process of enforcement and the referral of homeless folks to limited regional resources will be a challenge, Mendenhall said. In a separate but related development, Portland's City Council also voted Wednesday to approve a settlement in a federal lawsuit brought by people with disabilities who said sprawling homeless encampments prevented them from navigating the city's streets. The federal class action lawsuit, filed in September, alleged that the city violated the American with Disabilities Act by letting tents to obstruct sidewalks, impacting people who use wheelchairs, scooters, canes and walkers. Under the settlement, the city must prioritize removing tents that block sidewalks and clear at least 500 sidewalk-blocking encampments every year for the next five years. Portland, which didn't admit wrongdoing, must also operate a 24-hour hotline for reporting tents blocking sidewalks and create an online reporting portal where people can upload photos. Additionally, the city must devote at least $8 million in the 2023-2024 fiscal year to make sure the settlement conditions are met, and at least $3 million annually for the following four fiscal years. Portland also agreed to pay $5,000 to each of the 10 plaintiffs and reasonable attorney fees. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the city voted to created six sanctioned outdoor camping sites, not three. ___ Claire Rush 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. Russian President Vladimir Putin is speaking out following a drone attack on Moscow, calling the strikes an attempt by Ukraine to "intimidate" his country. The remarks come after eight drones targeted Russias capital early Tuesday before being shot down or diverted with electronic jammers. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the attack caused "insignificant damage" to several buildings and that two people received treatment for unspecified injuries but did not need hospitalization. Residents of two high-rise buildings damaged in the attack were evacuated. "This is clearly a sign of terrorist activity," Putin said Tuesday, adding that Ukraine has chosen a path of trying "to intimidate Russia, Russian citizens and attacks on residential buildings". Putin said Moscow's air defense "worked in a satisfactory way" but added it was "clear what we need to do to plug the gaps" in the system, The Associated Press reported. RUSSIAS PRE-DAWN AIR RAID ON KYIV KILLS AT LEAST 1 WHILE MOSCOW CLAIMS CITY ATTACKED BY DRONES Putin charged that Ukraine launched Tuesday's attack in response to Russia striking Ukraines military intelligence headquarters in Kyiv over the weekend. However, Andrii Cherniak, a Ukrainian intelligence representative, said the Kremlins forces failed to hit the building because its missiles were shot down. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Andrei Vorobyov, governor of the wider Moscow region, said a few of the drones in Tuesdays incident were "shot down on the approach to Moscow." Ukrainian military analysts, though unable to confirm Kyiv had launched the drones against Moscow, told the AP the attack may have involved UJ-22 drones, which are produced in Ukraine and have a maximum range of about 620 miles. Some of the drone debris hit an area of western Moscow where Putin has a residence, according to Reuters. LINDSAY GRAHAM OFFERS FIERY RESPONSE AFTER RUSSIA ISSUES WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST Residents in Moscow also reported hearing loud bangs followed by the smell of fuel, the news agency added. The drone strikes happened on the same day that Russia launched a pre-dawn raid on Ukraines capital of Kyiv. In that attack, at least 20 Shahed explosive drones were struck down by air defense forces in Kyivs airspace, according to the Kyiv Military Administration via The Associated Press. One person was reported killed and seven were injured. A high-rise building in the Holosiiv district caught fire after being hit by debris from drones or interceptor missiles, the Kyiv Military Administration reported. The buildings upper two floors were destroyed, causing over 20 people to be evacuated and raising concerns that more could be trapped under the rubble. Falling debris also caused a fire in a private house in the Darnytskyi district and three cars were set ablaze in the Pechersky district, according to the military administration. Fox News Landon Mion and the Associated Press contributed to this report. HOUSTON (AP) A revised version of a federal policy that prevents the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. as children is set to be debated Thursday before a federal judge who previously ruled the program illegal. Attorneys representing the nine states that have sued to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, lawyers for the U.S. Justice Department and DACA recipients were scheduled to appear at a court hearing before U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen. In 2021, Hanen declared DACA illegal, ruling that the program had not been subjected to public notice and comment periods required under the federal Administrative Procedures Act. Hanen also said the states seeking to stop it had standing to file their lawsuit because they had been harmed by the program. Ahead of the hearing on Thursday morning, more than 50 people gathered at a park near the courthouse to show their support for DACA. Many of them held up signs that read: Immigration Reform Now, Protect DACA and Immigrant Power Immigrant Rights. The states claimed they incur hundreds of millions of dollars in health care, education and other costs when immigrants are allowed to remain in the country illegally. The states that sued are Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kansas and Mississippi. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld Hanens ruling in 2022 but sent the case back to him to review changes made to the program by the Biden administration. The new version of DACA took effect in October and was subject to public comments as part of a formal rule-making process. In court filings, Texas and the other states argued that the updated program is essentially the same as the 2012 memo that first created it and remains unlawful and unconstitutional. The states also argued that the White House overstepped its authority by granting immigration benefits that are for Congress to decide. The U.S. Justice Department argued in court filings that the states failed to show any direct injury because of DACA and that Congress has given the Department of Homeland Security the authority and duty to set immigration enforcement policies. DACA is lawful. DACA is consistent with the many policies of the U.S. government in the past under different presidents, said Nina Perales, with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, who will be speaking before Hanen on behalf of DACA recipients. Hanen has left the Obama-era program intact for those already benefiting from it. But he ruled there can be no new applicants while appeals are pending. There were 580,310 people enrolled in DACA at the end of December, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Hanen is not expected to immediately rule after Thursdays court hearing. But whatever decision he makes is expected to end up before the U.S. Supreme Court for a third time. In 2016, the Supreme Court deadlocked 4-4 over an expanded DACA and a version of the program for parents of DACA recipients. In 2020, the high court ruled 5-4 that the Trump administration improperly ended DACA, allowing it to stay in place. President Joe Biden and advocacy groups have called on Congress to pass permanent protections for Dreamers, which is what people protected by DACA are commonly called. Congress has failed multiple times to pass proposals called the DREAM Act to protect DACA recipients. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 Ten Years of the Belt and Road: The Gambia story 09:38, June 01, 2023 By Talibeh Hydara ( People's Daily Online Ten years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious global initiative that aims to connect the world via land and maritime networks to boost trade and regional integration. Inspired by the ancient Silk Road, the BRI comprises a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. In September 2018, The Gambia joined the pack a little over two years after both countries resumed diplomatic ties following a 20-year break. The Gambia had just come out of a brutal dictatorship and needed all the support to forge ahead. China, through the BRI, provided exactly that. Three years later, a region in The Gambia that never had a bridge witnessed the ribbon-cutting of four bridges and three roads, boosting trade and connecting the area with the rest of the country. President Adama Barrow and First Lady pose with the Chinese project team at the inauguration of the URR bridges and roads. (Photo/State House media team of The Gambia) We have the Upper River Region, URR, road and bridge projects funded by the government of China. The project has been completed and benefited the people of URR in terms of boosting trade in the region and linking the region with Southern Senegal and beyond. People in the region can now travel from one point to the other without difficulty in terms of transportation as the roads are in good condition, Lamin Njie, a communications officer at The Gambias Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, said. The Gambia is among 151 countries that signed up to the BRI and the benefits have come earlier than expected. The Basse, Fatoto, Suduwol and Chamoi bridges have been constructed together with Basse-Fatoto-Koina roads, attracting trade and investment into a previously neglected rural settlement. The Chinese ambassador to The Gambia at the time, Ma Jianchun, who witnessed the whole project from its signing to completion, was impressed with the pace and quality of the work. The Basse Bridge (Photo/State House media team of The Gambia) The newly-built roads and bridges project includes 51 kilometers of asphalt road, extending from Basse to Koina through Fatoto. The project also includes two major bridges, namely the Basse Bridge and the Fatoto Bridge, with a length of 250 meters and 170 meters respectively, he said. I am deeply impressed and excited by the China speed and efficiency, and the cordial spirit of China-Gambia collaboration. The successful completion and inauguration of this project fully demonstrates the high standards of Chinas design, construction and management, and the immense potential of the China-Gambia cooperation." With the hard efforts and close cooperation of both Chinese and Gambian engineers and workers, we eventually accomplished connection of the last mile in national highway network of The Gambia, and ended the history that there is not even one bridge crossing over the Gambia River in URR," he added. At the same event, President Adama Barrow said, To the credit of the project team, the implementation phase is one of the fastest in the history of project implementation in The Gambia. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was completed ahead of the scheduled timeline of 30 months. As a result, I am bound to use this opportunity to thank the Peoples Republic of China, and to reassure them that my government is committed to strengthening our bilateral relations further. In fact, we are exploring new frontiers that include cultural exchanges and expansion of trade and investments on a win-win basis, and we will continue to work together on global and regional issues. President Adama Barrow cuts the ribbon at the inaugural ceremony of the URR roads and bridges. (Photo/State House media team of The Gambia) The ring roads and bridges, which cost at least $80 million, connect URR north and south, finally bringing the countrys eastern end into the national highway network. Dr. Fatou Njie, the director of Asia affairs at The Gambias foreign ministry, said the BRI has linked China to far flung markets through shipping lanes whilst simultaneously using a belt of overload corridors to connect China with Europe, Africa and the Middle East through the use of overland railways, highways and fiber optic cables. This project will tremendously promote free movement of people, cargo and service, and provide great impetus for post-pandemic economic recovery and social development of The Gambia and West Africa sub-region. We firmly believe that this project will lay a solid foundation for the future development of The Gambia and the China-Gambia relationship, Ma Jianchun had said. Talibeh Hydara is assistant editor of The Standard Newspaper in The Gambia. (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) In this photo taken on Sept. 7, 2019, Asiana Airlines flight attendants are seen in uniform, two wearing trousers and one in a skirt as they pass a model airplane at the company's headquarters in western Seoul. Newsis By Lee Hae-rin Calls are growing here for airline companies to allow and encourage female cabin crew members to wear trousers for their benefit and convenience in their inflight safety duties after a viral image showed an Asiana Airlines flight attendant wearing a skirt, which was then criticized as not practical after a recent inflight incident. On May 26, a male passenger in his 30s allegedly opened an emergency exit of an Asiana plane 213 meters above the ground just before landing at Daegu International Airport. He told police that he felt suffocated and wanted to get off the plane. None of the 194 passengers aboard were injured in the incident but 12 onboard passengers were taken to a hospital due to breathing difficulties. Police arrested the man for allegedly violating the Aviation Security Law after questioning him. On Monday, a photo of the incident shared by an official from Daegu International Airport went viral. In it, a female attendant was seen blocking the emergency exit in order to prevent passengers from disembarking through the unsecured exit. The photo triggered reactions online with some saying that the skirts worn by airline staff as uniforms are uncomfortable and unfit for the safety tasks cabin crew members are assigned. The Aviation Safety Act defines cabin crew as "those who board an aircraft and perform duties for the safety of passengers, such as emergency aircraft evacuation." An Asiana Airlines flight attendant in uniform wearing a skirt stands behind a safety bar and blocks the emergency exit with her arms in Daegu, May 26. Yonhap CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Thursday with China's deputy foreign minister and other top diplomats from the BRICS bloc of developing economies for discussions that included the group's possible expansion to include the major oil-producing nations of Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Ahead of the talks at a luxury oceanside hotel in South Africa, Lavrov cast BRICS an acronym for current members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as central to the establishment of a "more just" world order. The Russian minister also took swipes at the West for its sanctions and other forms of what Lavrov alleged was "financial blackmail against Moscow, according to a translation of his comments. South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, who hosted the talks, confirmed that an invitation had been extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend a larger BRICS summit scheduled for August despite Putin being the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Thursday's meeting in Cape Town of the foreign ministers of Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa, and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, was a precursor to that main BRICS summit in Johannesburg and comes less than two weeks after the world's most advanced economies held their own summit in Japan. Extending sanctions against Russia as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine and finding ways to deal with China's global economic influence dominated the Group of Seven gathering in Hiroshima. Against the backdrop of the West's actions, our countries ... should actively seek universal joint answers to the challenges of our time, Lavrov said. Scrutiny of the West amid the war in Ukraine also came from other quarters, with South Africa's ambassador to BRICS, Anil Sooklal, referring to the West's military aid to Ukraine as a factor that fuels the conflict." Any endeavor that fuels the conflict does not solve the problem, Sooklal said when asked for his reaction to Western attempts to transfer weapons to Ukraine. With Russia and Chinas participation, BRICS is increasingly viewed as an emerging counterpoint to the G-7 and the West, and an expansion of the bloc could strengthen Russian and Chinese political and economic influence. A bloc containing China, Russia and three of the largest oil-producing nations in the world could be seen as a direct challenge to the U.S. and the West, some analysts have said. More than 20 countries have formally or informally requested to join the BRICS bloc, according to Sooklal. Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates each made official requests, he said. Although no decisions were made Thursday, there was a consensus to present a formal document on admitting new members when the leaders of the BRICS countries meet in Johannesburg this summer. We are happy to see that more and more countries expressed their willingness to join us in the BRICS family, Chinas Ma said through a translator. China will welcome the invitation of those countries to join BRICS and we expect more countries to join our big family. Lavrov held bilateral talks with Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the Cape Town meeting talks Thursday. Foreign ministers from at least 15 countries, some of them those applying to be new members, have been invited to a second set of talks on Friday. As Lavrov attended the meeting, a small group of protesters holding Ukrainian flags and chanting Stop the war stood down the road from the hotel. Amid the statements by Lavrov and others of an unfair world order dominated by the West to the detriment of developing countries, South Africa's Pandor said the current makeup of the United Nations Security Council was one of the key problems because of its lack of permanent African representation. Today, we can see it is failing, she said. So, (it's) absolutely imperative that the U.N. SC is reformed. Pandor, was also peppered by questions from reporters on the possibility of an August visit by Putin, whom the International Criminal Court has indicted for war crimes in connection with the alleged abduction of children from Ukraine. South Africa is a signatory to the treaty of the ICC and is obliged to arrest Putin if he visits. It hasn't stated whether it will. Rather, the South African government has said that it is taking legal advice on its options, a move seen by critics as an attempt to find a way out of its obligation. Pandor was asked if South Africa was fudging its position when it had a clear obligation to detain Putin and hand him over to the international court. The obligations are clear but the answer is not fudged, Pandor said. The answer is that the (South African) president will indicate what the final position of South Africa is. Pando declined to comment on any behind-the-scenes talks between South Africa and Russia to strike some kind of agreement over a Putin visit for the Johannesburg summit. Diplomacy does not take place in front of cameras and microphones so I'm not going to reveal what deliberations we're having, she said. Allowing Putin to travel freely for the summit would likely further strain South Africa's relationship with the West following U.S. allegations that South Africa has provided Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine. South Africa has denied the allegation. ___ More AP news on the Russia-Ukraine war: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine MOSCOW (AP) A Moscow court on Wednesday set a new date for a hearing paving the way for another trial of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny that could keep him in prison for decades. The Moscow City Court initially scheduled for Wednesday a preliminary hearing to discuss technical issues related to the trial of the Kremlins arch foe but moved it to June 6 without giving a reason. The court rejected a request by Navalnys lawyers for more time to examine voluminous case materials. Navalny has said that the new extremism charges which he rejected as absurd could keep him in prison for another 30 years. He said an investigator told him that he would also face a separate military court trial on terrorism charges that could potentially carry a life sentence. The new charges come as Russian authorities are conducting an intensified crackdown on dissent amid the fighting in Ukraine, which Navalny has harshly criticized. Navalny, 46, who exposed official corruption and organized massive anti-Kremlin protests, was arrested in January 2021 upon returning to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. He initially received a 2-year prison sentence for a parole violation. Last year, he was sentenced to a nine-year term for fraud and contempt of court. He is currently serving time at a maximum-security prison 250 kilometers (150 miles) east of Moscow. The new charges against Navalny relate to the activities of his anti-corruption foundation and statements by his top associates. His allies said the charges retroactively criminalize all the activities of Navalnys foundation since its creation in 2011. Navalnys associate, Ivan Zhdanov, has said that investigators were revising the charges to link them to a bombing that killed Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky at a St. Petersburg cafe last month. The authorities described Darya Trepova, a 26-year-old St. Petersburg resident who was seen on video presenting Tatarsky with a statuette moments before the blast, as an active supporter of Navalny. They also accused Navalny's allies of making repeated calls for subversive activities in Russia. While imprisoned, Navalny has spent months in a tiny one-person cell, also called a punishment cell, for purported disciplinary violations such as an alleged failure to properly button his prison robe, properly introduce himself to a guard or to wash his face at a specified time. Navalny's associates and supporters have accused prison authorities of failing to provide him with proper medical assistance and voiced concern about his failing health. They said last month that Navalny had fallen ill with acute stomach pains and suspected that he was being slowly poisoned. Navalny's team has urged his supporters to rally in Russia and elsewhere on Sunday, his birthday. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A 29-year-old fitness instructor popular on social media in Saudi Arabia faces charges that could see her imprisoned over her posts, becoming the latest person targeted in a crackdown in the kingdom. The case against Manahel al-Otaibi shows the limits of expression in Saudi Arabia, even for those like al-Otaibi who offer support to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's moves toward liberalizing some aspects of life in the ultraconservative kingdom. Meanwhile, Prince Mohammed has solidified his power in part through imprisoning the country's elite and others who speak out as his father, 87-year-old King Salman, retains formal control. They say they welcome women and that women can wear whatever but at the end what is happening is that its only for Westerners, said Lina Alhathloul, the head of monitoring and advocacy at ALQST, a London-based group advocating for human rights in Saudi Arabia that's followed al-Otaibi's case. Alhathloul's sister, Loujain, remains in the kingdom due to a travel ban following a prison sentence for her own activism. Saudi women are still oppressed, they are still subjected to the male guardianship system and if they speak up they get imprisoned and no one speaks about them. Its sad, everyone is really scared, everyone gets arrested for nothing. Saudi government officials did not respond to a request for comment over al-Otaibi's arrest. Al-Otaibi, who posted fitness videos on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, faces charges of defaming the kingdom at home and abroad, calling for rebellion against public order and societys traditions and customs, and challenging the judiciary and its justice, according to court documents seen by The Associated Press. Her posts included advocacy for liberal dress codes for women, LGBTQ+ rights and the abolition of Saudi Arabia male guardianship laws. The documents also accuse her of appearing in indecent clothing and posting Arabic hashtags that include the phrase overthrow the government. It's not immediately clear how many years of imprisonment she could face, though activists fear it could be lengthy. Al-Otaibi has been detained since November 2022. Her case has become prominently known in recent days as activists decided to go public. She faces trial in Saudi Arabia's Specialized Criminal Court, which was established to hear terror cases but now also weighs charges against activists. Al-Otaibi's sister, Fouz, similarly faces charges but has fled Saudi Arabia, according to ALQST. Another sister, Maryam, was arrested and freed on a travel ban in 2017 after 104 days in detention for living independently without her fathers permission and protesting male guardianship rules. Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system requires women to seek their permission for travel, marriage, living arrangements and in legal cases. Several activists have been arrested for denouncing Saudi rules, or following dissidents who do so, on social media. This includes Salma al-Shehab, a former doctoral student at Leeds University who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence. Another is U.S. citizen Saad Ibrahim Almadi, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison over tweets he posted while abroad. Saudi Arabia freed him in March though he faced a travel ban preventing him from returning home to Florida. GRIMES, Iowa (AP) Former President Donald Trump kept up a steady drumbeat of criticism of his chief rival Ron DeSantis on Thursday, jumping immediately on remarks by the Florida governor on the campaign trail to try to highlight his own strength as the leading GOP presidential candidate. Trump, appearing in Iowa as DeSantis campaigned in New Hampshire, made a point of telling about 200 members of a conservative club gathered at a Des Moines-area restaurant that they could ask him questions an offer that came not long after DeSantis snapped at an Associated Press reporter who asked him why he wasn't taking questions from voters at his events. A lot of politicians dont take questions. They give a speech, Trump said to audience members, many of whom wore red Make America Great Again hats espousing his political movement. Trump, throughout the day, also repeatedly pushed back against DeSantis' argument that it will take two terms in the White House to implement an agenda a veiled reference to Trump, who can only serve one additional term. Who the hell wants to wait eight years? Trump said, claiming it would only take him six months to unwind President Joe Biden's policies. DeSantis, asked about the former president's comment while leaving a voter event in Rochester on Thursday afternoon, noted that Trump had already had a chance to fix the nation's problems in his first term in office. Why didnt he do it in his first four years? he asked. Their campaign appearances displayed an early tableau of the Republican primary thats just getting underway: Trump hammering DeSantis and promising to use a return to the White House to quickly undo his successors work, while the governor limits his replies and direct critiques, pitching instead to nationalize his aggressive governing style. Both men are portraying themselves as the stronger fighter for conservative causes and their partys best chance to block Biden from reelection next year. Thursday was the first time both were on the campaign trail meeting with voters since DeSantis announced his candidacy for president last week. At all four of his events in New Hampshire, DeSantis left the stage without inviting any questions from voters, which is typically expected of presidential candidates competing in the first-in-the-nation primary state. DeSantis also didn't take any questions on stage from voters in Iowa during his time in the state earlier in the week. While posing for pictures and shaking hands with voters after speaking at his first event in Laconia, DeSantis was asked by the AP reporter why he wasn't taking questions from people in the audience. People are coming up to me, talking to me. What are you talking about? Are you blind? he said. Are you blind? People are coming up to me, talking to me whatever they want to talk to me about. Alan Glassman, treasurer of the state GOP, attended the event and said he was disappointed that the Florida governor didnt include a question-and-answer period. Glassman and his wife decided to skip any subsequent events of the day given that DeSantis wasnt likely to take unscripted questions. This is New Hampshire. The reality here is the vast majority of political people here in New Hampshire, we do our due diligence. We want to know where these people stand. And a lot of that is hearing from them and then asking them questions, Glassman said. Im just hoping that next time the governor does show up here, hell actually be doing some more interaction with the people, Glassman said. In addition to his subtle jabs at Trump, DeSantis in New Hampshire turned his focus to Biden, criticizing him for championing a move to demote the early-voting state from its prominent role picking presidential candidates. He said the president was wrong to back a Democratic National Committee move to have New Hampshire hold its Democratic primary the same day as Nevada as part of a major shakeup meant to empower Black and other minority voters critical to the party's base of support. The Republican Partys calendar is decided separately, but the Democrats changes have irked members of both parties in New Hampshire. Im glad Republicans are holding the line and committed to New Hampshire, DeSantis said. Matt Johnson, a 55-year-old consultant from Windham, New Hampshire, who attended DeSantis' third event of the day in Salem, said Trump and DeSantis present voters with a real choice but he liked that DeSantis has proven he actually can get stuff done in government. Trump "talked a lot and he got some stuff done but he didnt really get a lot of things done that he probably should have, Johnson said. As for the cult of personality thing, Ive had enough of that. But Walter Kirsch, 64, of Warner, New Hampshire, said Republicans must realize that, despite being gruff at times, Trump will ultimately be the party's nominee in 2024. Warner, who was among several dozen supporters waving Trump flags outside a DeSantis event Thursday evening in Manchester, said he hoped DeSantis will think about what hes doing and bow out of this and give it to the man whos earned it. Ron DeSantis has been doing an amazing job in Florida. He should stay there. I feel he may be destroying his political career, Kirsch said. Seeking to draw a contrast with DeSantis, Trump took questions from voters at all of his Thursday events, which included a breakfast meeting in Urbandale, a Trump team volunteer leadership training event outside Des Moines in Grimes and a private meeting with about 50 pastors at a Des Moines church, though the last event was closed to the media. He later recorded a town hall with Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity in the Des Moines suburb of Clive that aired Thursday evening, telling the host DeSantis had had a very bad day today. He got very angry at the press. As Trump and DeSantis make their pitch to GOP voters, the Republican presidential field is shaping up to become even more crowded. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to launch a Republican presidential campaign June 6 in New Hampshire. The next day, both Mike Pence, Trump's former vice president, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum are expected to announce campaigns of their own. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and biotech entrepreneur and anti-woke activist Vivek Ramaswamy are among the other candidates already in the race. During the town hall, Trump called the ballooning field which critics worry will split the anti-Trump vote a good thing" for his candidacy, but wondered why some long-shot candidates are bothering. Whats the purpose? he asked. I dont understand what theyre doing. ___ Price reported from New York and Peoples reported from Laconia and Rochester, N.H. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Steve LeBlanc in Salem, N.H., contributed to this report. The birria plate at Saucy Chick Rotisserie/the Goat Mafia has everything you need to build your own birria tacos. This birria recipe has been passed down through four generations, and here it is served with cumin rice, pickled onions and Kernel of Truth corn tortillas. (Oscar Mendoza / For The Times) Juan Garcia, creator of the Goat Mafia pop-up, found his calling as a birriero over a dozen years ago. He grew up in Compton, and his family has origins in Jalisco, Mexico, the birthplace of birria, where making the deeply spiced, long-simmered dish with goat is the rule. He has been able to trace the household birria recipe back to his great-great-grandfather, who shared his secrets so his daughters new husband could earn extra money making it on weekends. Garcias father had inherited the knowledge but didnt pass it along to the next generation before he died. Mix-and-match tacos: rotisserie jeera chicken with mole and handmade tortillas. The jeera chicken comes as a whole, half or quarter chicken rubbed in Indian spices and served with sides such as salsa macha and raita. (Oscar Mendoza / For The Times) With the help of his mother, Garcia began re-creating the steps: steaming the meat first by placing the cuts over a grate in a pot, using chiles for adobo that ripened deeply before being dried (and in some cases smoked), balancing the nuances of ginger, chocolate, cinnamon, garlic, black pepper and juice from the oranges of one of his uncles trees. The first effort was terrible. By the third attempt he had something that matched their memories. Garcia began making birria for parties and family gatherings, and he knew by the joyful reactions that he was on to something. He had worked previously as a telemarketer and a plumber, and had an early, souring experience in the kitchen of a national pizza chain, but making birria propelled him to culinary school, where he met Ivan Flores, who became his business partner. Over the last decade, the two of them have sustained Goat Mafia by making headway into the food events circuit, catering, running a short-lived lonchera, hosting driveway pop-ups in the pandemics worst depths and landing a regular slot at Smorgasburg DTLA. Get a saucy-taco combo plate at the two-pop-ups-in-one, where the Goat Mafia is run by Ivan Flores, left, and Juan Garcia, specialists in birria. (Oscar Mendoza / For The Times) Even in this glowing era of quesa birria when cheese-laced tacos are stained crimson from the broth of birria simmered with beef, a variation popularized in Tijuana Garcia holds fast to his Jalisco heritage. In a town rife with birria, Goat Mafias hard-won masterwork stands out as extraordinary. In the modulating textures and tight harmonies in the spicing, the senses might pick up something different in every bite, though its all uniformly satisfying. And its more available than ever to Angelenos, thanks to an unexpected turn in Goat Mafias trajectory. Late last year, Garcia was approached by Rhea Patel Michel and Marcel Michel. The couple also are Smorgasburg regulars with their pop-up called Saucy Chick Rotisserie, which features roast chicken and sides that express flavors honoring Marcels Mexican roots and Rheas Gujarati lineage. Pibil-marinated chicken is about to go into the oven for roasting, left, while Ivan Flores of the Goat Mafia presses masa into soft, pliable tortillas to order. (Oscar Mendoza / For The Times) Would Garcia be willing to join forces, combining their specialties and menus at a space on West 3rd Street recently vacated by a local chain taqueria? A restaurant with the egalitarian if lengthy name of Saucy Chick Rotisserie/the Goat Mafia came to life. For an example of how their collaborative union at its most successful, start with an intuitive L.A. choice: a mix-and-match plate of tacos. The first choice among fillings should be, of course, Garcias profound goat birria, its chopped mix of ropy-slick textures glinting with spice and bonded to a corn tortilla via melted Monterey Jack. Then look to Saucy Chicks jeera chicken, the bird infused with a marinade that includes ginger, garlic and pureed caramelized onions. Lime-pickled onion slivers, subtly crisp and the color of fruit punch, shroud the meat along with crema, a garlicky green sauce, torn mint leaves and a sprinkling of sev (squiggly chickpea noodles). I prefer this one on a speckled flour tortilla, and I tend to round out the taco trio with a vegetarian option built around roasted, turmeric-stained cauliflower dusted with chile flakes and ground pistachios. Marcel Rene Michel and Rhea Patel Michel are the co-owners of Saucy Chick Rotisserie, a regular pop-up at Smorgasburg with roast chicken and sides that express flavors honoring Marcel's Mexican roots and Rhea's Gujarati lineage. (Oscar Mendoza / For The Times) Add a comforting side of frijoles puercos pintos blasted with chorizo, cheese and olives and whipped to the consistency of porridge to complete a spread that covers the fundamental flavors put forth by the restaurants partners. The common aromatics, herbs and spices, particularly cumin, shared between Mexican and Indian cooking traditions make the contributions of the respective culinary teams compatible as a whole without blurring their distinctions, even when their creations are folded into tortillas and share a plate. No one is dusting off the word fusion here. Its simply a happy marriage. Their space sits in the center of one of those Beverly Grove blocks of unending storefronts, where a wine bar, barber shop, nail salon, smoothie stop, pajama specialist and other restaurants and retailers stand separated only by bearing walls and custom awnings. A small patio painted in welcoming aquamarine and canary-yellow helps Saucy Chick/Goat Mafia grab attention streetside. Dunk crispy birria mulitas into a side of warm, savory consomme at Saucy Chick Rotisserie/the Goat Mafia. The mulitas are topped with pickled onions, salsa and sour cream. (Oscar Mendoza / For The Times) Marcel is often the one taking orders at the counter. He and Rhea were furloughed from their corporate Disney jobs in 2020. Like so many pandemic-era newcomers to the food industry, Rhea and Marcel initially operated out of a ghost kitchen in North Hollywood. Now at a table in their first restaurant, I favor a straightforward approach to diving into their cuisine: ordering a quarter or half bird plate with sides of coconut-flecked cucumber salad; the amazing frijoles, a recipe from Marcels mother; a variation on esquites sharpened with fenugreek, which cuts the corns sweetness; and splashes of the garlicky green sauce and thick tamarind chutney with a nice tartness. There are two chicken options: the jeera (the word means cumin in Hindi) and one inspired by Marcels love of Yucatecan cochinita pibil, ruddy with achiote, orange, garlic and oregano. I'm pulled by the complex warmth of the jeera variation but would happily split both with others. Double-double: Ivan Flores, from left, and Juan Garcia of the Goat Mafia were asked by Saucy Chick's Rhea Patel Michel and Marcel Rene Michel to combine forces in a two-in-one restaurant in Beverly Grove. (Oscar Mendoza / For The Times) There are requisite rice bowl variations, and a mashup of chaat and nachos that appeals as a starter. Burritos filled with either birria or chicken come filled with rice, Mission-style, of which I have eaten more than my professional share. These days Im a devotee of the snug, compact burrito, in the manner of Al & Beas or Sonoratown. Ill stick with Saucy Chick tacos. If its your first time trying Garcias birria, I might also nudge you toward a basic birria plate so you can concentrate on the pure experience. In the last year, he became involved in raising goats, feeding them spent grains from friends in the beer-making community, including Brewjeria Company (which the restaurant serves). Part of his familys time-honored birria method involved laying cuts of pork atop the stew to absorb the goats gaminess, but Garcia finds the goats hes raising have such a mild flavor hes eliminated the step. That said, the cheese in the taco and the even-richer mulita seem to amplify the birrias smokier, brighter tones, so by all means indulge. Saucy Chick co-owner Rhea Patel Michel suggests disassembling the chicken by hand and dipping it into whichever sauce calls to you. (Oscar Mendoza / For The Times) As they settle into cohabitation, both Goat Mafia and Saucy Chick also continue their regular weekend appearances at Smorgasburg. While Flores watches the birria, Garcia often grills cabrito over mesquite, tumbling the cleaved, crackly meat into tortillas. The Michels serve a handsomely proportioned torta de pollo that isnt listed on the Beverly Grove menu. It makes sense that each duo would continue to assert its autonomy. Still, I'm sending a friend to Saucy Chick's stall for chaat nachos while I grab the birria mulitas. The merge clicks in any setting. Order from two menus Saucy Chick Rotisserie's and the Goat Mafia's and pay at one register. Enjoy the tacos, and life. (Oscar Mendoza / For The Times) This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. UNITED NATIONS (AP) U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres implicitly criticized Cambodias upcoming elections Wednesday for failing to be inclusive, after the top opposition party was not allowed to register. The Candlelight Party would have been the sole credible challenger to the governing Cambodian Peoples Party in the July elections, but the countrys Constitutional Council last week refused to overturn a ban on its registration in a decision that cannot be appealed. The secretary-general reiterates that inclusive elections, in which a plurality of views and voter choices is represented, are important to engender confidence in the electoral process and underpin the ability of Cambodias people to exercise their democratic rights," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. As (Guterres) said during his visit to Cambodia last year, it is vital that civic space be open, for human rights defenders to be protected, and for civil society to play a wider role in society, all of which remain critical in preserving Cambodias substantial development gains and consolidation of peace, Dujarric said. He said: The secretary-general reaffirms the commitment of the U.N. to support a peaceful and democratic Cambodia that fully respects the human rights of all its citizens. The entrenched Cambodian Peoples Party has held an iron grip on power for decades and controls almost every level of government. Prime Minister Hun Sen, an authoritarian ruler in a nominally democratic state, has held his position for 38 years. The absence of the Candlelight Party leaves only Hun Sens party, its allies and small parties that lack a national presence to contest the July 23 elections for the 125 members of the National Assembly. Hun Sen's eldest son, army chief Hun Manet, is widely expected to replace his father as prime minister after the polls. Before the Constitutional Council ruling, U.N. independent human rights investigators including Vitit Muntarbhorn, the investigator on Cambodian rights, expressed alarm at the restrictions imposed on the right of political parties to participate in elections, citing the election committees May 16 refusal to register the Candlelight Party. After the Constitutional Council refused to overturn the election committee's decision, the U.S. State Department said it would not send official observers to witness the elections. Contrived legal actions, threats, harassment, and politically motivated criminal charges targeting opposition parties, independent media, and civil society undermine Cambodias international commitments to develop as a multiparty democracy spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. The Candlelight Party is the unofficial successor to the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which had posed a serious challenge to Hun Sens party before being dissolved by a controversial court ruling before the 2018 elections. Hun Sen's party then swept those elections, winning all the seats in the National Assembly. Western nations declared the 2018 election was neither free nor fair, and imposed mild economic sanctions in response. Most prominent opposition politicians are now in self-imposed exile to avoid being jailed on various charges they say are trumped up and unfair. Natalie Coles will never forget receiving an unexpected phone call in 2020. On the line was Virginia-based Dominion Energy, offering to give money to Wilberforce University, the small historically Black college where she is in charge of fundraising. The companys $500,000 donation went in part toward laptops and hot spots for students when the pandemic shut down the colleges campus outside of Dayton, Ohio. It was like manna from heaven, Coles said. Historically Black colleges and universities, which had seen giving from foundations decline in recent decades, lately are benefiting from an increase in gifts, particularly from corporations and corporate foundations. Some have received a new look from companies amid the reckoning over racial injustice spurred by the killing of George Floyd. But the colleges also have been pitching themselves, emphasizing their ability to deliver returns on the investment in student mobility. Another factor in the giving by corporations has been the influence of their Black employees. At the beverage company Diageo North America, the employee resource group for African Americans shaped a program that has provided almost $12 million to HBCUs, said Danielle Robinson, head of community engagement and partnerships for Diageo. The money has gone toward scholarships at 29 schools to lessen the debt burden on Black graduates. We talked about a lot of different things, but one of the things that kept coming up was the generational wealth gap, Robinson said. The giving to HBCUs is a new trend for corporations, which had largely ignored them before 2020, said Marybeth Gasman, a Rutgers University professor who researches HBCUs. Increasingly, HBCUs have been using the language of business to argue they not only have a high need but also are a good investment, she said. HBCUs often have smaller endowments and lower levels of public funding than other universities. A report released in May found foundation support of HBCUs declined 30% between 2002 and 2019. Data is incomplete for more recent years, but HBCUs have been reporting a sustained increase lately in donations from corporations as well as philanthropic foundations. Delaware State University received $20 million from MacKenzie Scott in 2020, part of the $560 million that the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos gave to HBCUs. The money helped DSU rescue a small college in their county that was closing and invest in their facilities. Foundations have been more receptive when the school reaches out, said Vita Pickrum, the schools vice president of institutional advancement. She said she would like to see foundations shape giving in partnership with HBCUS. Gifts to HBCUs typically are more restricted than those given to predominantly white schools, she said, which she would like to see change. Trust the institutions to be able to address the problem that the foundation is trying to address in the most efficient way that they see fit, she said. While giving to HBCUs has increased lately, better-known schools, such as large private and land-grant universities, have been more likely to receive donations compared with small schools, said Michael Lomax, CEO of the United Negro College Fund. Those small institutions often operate as engines of economic mobility that lift students from poverty to the middle class, Lomax said. Many have near open-enrollment policies, educating nearly any student that wishes to pursue higher education. While HBCUs have produced celebrated entrepreneurs, scientists and doctors, they have also educated an outsize number of teachers, nurses and other jobs that are essential for society, he said. I want to see more of American philanthropy recognizing that those are important, Lomax said. That theyre going to help us ensure that those jobs and those positions are filled, because they are the positions which will ensure a healthy Black America, but really, a healthy America. At Wilberforce University, the donation from Dominion supports scholarships and a lecture series on racial inequality in addition to the technology investments. Its a lot to squeeze out of a half-million dollars, which Coles said reflects the way historically Black colleges and universities stretch their money. I would really applaud my fellow African Americans for really pushing things within corporate America to make certain that the George Floyd incident was a movement, a long-term movement, not just a one-off, Coles said. At Spelman College in Georgia, an increase in donations has allowed the school to expand financial aid and start centers for Black entrepreneurship and the arts. Jessie Brooks, senior vice president for institutional advancement, said the racial justice movement of 2020 offered visibility that allowed HBCUs to make their case to new potential donors. If a donor gives you the resources, and you can show impact in terms of how their gift made a difference, they will continue to give, Brooks said. Whether corporations will stick with funding HBCUs for the long term is still a question for Shawnta Friday-Stroud, vice president of advancement at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Donations from corporate and philanthropic foundations have almost doubled from last year, when theyd received $2.4 million at this time compared with $5.3 million so far this year. Shes observed that corporate foundations are making funding commitments over multiple years and have expressed interest in partnering with her institution, rather than just giving money and walking away. They have put the money toward scholarships and professional development training. My hope is that that continues, lets say, over the next three, four or five years, she said. And I think thats whats going to be the true test. ___ The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. TOKYO (AP) U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of communication during a stopover Thursday in Tokyo, calling it unfortunate that his Chinese counterpart is refusing to meet him at an upcoming annual security conference in Singapore, which both men are attending. On the way to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security summit this weekend, Austin held talks with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada. Noting Chinas increasingly assertive military actions in international airspace and waterways in the region, he told a joint news conference in Tokyo, The provocative intercepts of our aircraft and also our allies aircraft, thats very concerning, and we would hope that they would alter their action. The United States military said Tuesday that a Chinese fighter jet flew aggressively close to a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, forcing the American pilot to fly through the turbulent wake. Im concerned about at some point having an incident that could very, very quickly spiral out of control, Austin said. I would welcome any opportunity to engage with leadership. I think defense departments should be talking to each other on a routine basis or should have open channels for communication. Although Beijing said there will be no meeting between Austin and his Chinese counterpart at the security summit, Hamada is expected to attend and meet with Chinese Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu on the sidelines. Japan and China set up a defense hotline in March to improve communication and avoid accidental encounters in the tense region, and Hamada and Li recently held their first telephone talks on the hotline. Washington and Beijing have yet to hold such a talk, and when Austin phoned their crisis line in February, the call went unanswered. We need to strengthen our cooperation of Japan-U.S., and Japan-U.S.-South Korea, Hamada said Thursday. The two criticized North Koreas failed rocket launch Wednesday for using ballistic missile technology that's prohibited under United Nations Security Council resolutions, and affirmed further cooperation between them and with South Korea in case of another launch attempt. Ties between Japan and South Korea have improved rapidly in recent months under Washington's pressure in the face of growing regional threats from China, North Korea and Russia. Tokyo and Seoul are also discussing real-time sharing of North Korea's missile launch data. Austin said the United States stands with Japan and South Korea in the face of Pyongyangs provocations and that the United States will take all necessary measures to secure to ensure the security of our homeland in the defense of our allies. Austin and Hamada agreed to strengthen extended deterrence for Japan, which includes U.S. nuclear weapons. I am here to reaffirm Americas unwavering commitment to Japan. This includes extended deterrence and provided by the full range of U.S. conventional and nuclear capabilities," Austin said. The two ministers also agreed to step up and expand their defense industries and strengthen multinational formats, including with South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and India to reinforce their Indo-Pacific security cooperation. At a meeting later Thursday with Austin, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan wants to further strengthen its deterrence and response capabilities by working with the United States, especially focusing on Japan's use of strike capability. Under its new security strategy issued in December, Japan pledged a military buildup that includes strike capabilities and doubling defense spending a break from its postwar self-defense-only principle. In this file photo, President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, May 23. Yonhap President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to name the new chief of the state Korea Communications Commission (KCC) as early as this week, while also making other personnel nominations in the coming days, officials said Thursday. Lee Dong-kwan, a special adviser to the president and former senior presidential secretary for press affairs under the Lee Myung-bak administration, has reportedly been picked to head the broadcasting watchdog. Lee would replace Han Sang-hyuk, who was dismissed by Yoon earlier this week after prosecutors indicted him on charges of involvement in giving low scores to right-wing cable channel TV Chosun in the process of renewing its broadcasting license in 2020. "The nomination of the new KCC chief will take place as early as this week and no later than next week," a presidential official told Yonhap News Agency. The announcement will likely coincide with Yoon's appointments of a veterans minister and the head of a new government agency tasked with supporting overseas Koreans. The veterans ministry will be upgraded from its current sub-ministry level to full-fledged ministry status next Monday, with current Veterans Minister Park Min-shik already nominated to lead the new ministry. The overseas Koreans agency will also launch next Monday, with Lee Key-cheol, former deputy foreign minister for overseas Koreans, reportedly tapped as its chief. Other personnel nominations have been rumored, as Yoon enters his second year in office and several officials appear to be preparing to run in next year's parliamentary elections. Unification Minister Kwon Young-se, who doubles as a lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, is widely expected to leave office to run for reelection. (Yonhap) OSLO, Norway (AP) The United States will soon open a small diplomatic mission in Norway that will be its northernmost in the world and only such facility above the Arctic Circle, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Thursday. The move, which Blinken announced at a news conference in Oslo after attending a NATO foreign ministers meeting, comes as competition over the high norths resources with Russia intensifies. Blinken said the U.S. would open what is known as an American Presence Post in Tromsoe, which sits 350 kilometers (217 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. The post will open later this year and be staffed by a single U.S. diplomat with the title of consul. We're here to work with like-minded allies to advance our vision of a peaceful, stable and cooperative Arctic, Blinken said before meeting Norway's foreign minister whose country is preparing to assume the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, which is headquartered in Tromsoe. Norway will take over the eight-nation grouping of countries that border the Arctic after two years of Russian leadership during which the bloc was largely ignored by other members due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The State Department had maintained an office in Tromsoe until 1994 but it was shuttered in a re-alignment of diplomatic facilities after the end of the Cold War. "The United States is a proud Arctic state and takes seriously our role as one of the regions stewards, U.S. Ambassador to Norway Marc Nathanson said in a statement. Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Norway and the U.S. share a long and proud history of collaboration on Arctic issues. "I welcome U.S. plans to establish a Presence Post in Tromsoe this year, which I am sure will further strengthen our close cooperation, she said. HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) The largest wildfires ever recorded in Canadas Atlantic Coast province of Nova Scotia continued to grow Thursday, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of more people and prompting air quality warnings in U.S. regions as far south as Virginia and Maryland. In all, there were four wildfires in the province burning out of control on Thursday, including the massive Barrington Lake fire in Shelburne County, which grew to more than 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) despite a constant bombardment of water and fire retardant from a fleet of water bombers and air tankers. A much smaller fire that started Wednesday received immediate attention after it prompted evacuations south of Shelburne, which is home to 1,300 people. Within hours, the local Roseway Hospital was evacuated and residents started preparing to leave. It jumped up pretty quick with the high winds, low (humidity) and high temperatures, Dave Rockwood, a spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources, said Thursday in a briefing. We are hitting it very hard and fast. The fires in Shelburne County have forced more than 5,000 people from their homes and cottages, 50 of which have been consumed by flames. Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said the Barrington Lake fire was under a major aerial attack. Meanwhile, municipal officials in Halifax have begun breaking the news to residents whose homes were lost to a fast-moving wildfire after they were evacuated earlier this week from subdivisions northwest of the city. Deputy fire Chief David Meldrum said an audit of damaged and destroyed properties had been completed, but he could not provide the latest numbers. Fire officials said 200 structures, including 151 houses, have been claimed by the fire in suburban Halifax, which has been burning out of control since Sunday, as has the Barrington Lake fire. In all, 16,000 Halifax-area residents have been evacuated from their homes. Earlier in the day, fire officials announced that 50% of the Halifax fire had been contained, and they confirmed it had not grown since Wednesday but it remained out of control. We so far have no reported missing people or injuries, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said. It is a miracle and a testament to the quick work of first responders. U.S. officials as far south as Maryland, Baltimore, Virginia and Pennsylvania reported being impacted by the Canadian wildfires. The National Weather Service in Wakefield, Virginia, 164 miles (263 kilometers) south of Washington, D.C., issued an air quality alert for Friday for the Richmond, Virginia area due to smoke from wildfires across the northeast and Atlantic Canada. St. Marys County Department of Emergency Services, located about 80 miles (129 km) south of Washington D.C., warned residents in a tweet on Thursday that air quality might be impacted by the fires in southeastern Canada. In Pennsylvania, the Chester County Health Department said Thursday in a tweet that the smoke & haze from wildfires in Canada continue to linger, and warned the air could still be unhealthy for older adults, young children and people with respiratory problems. Similar warnings were issued by the National Weather Service in Baltimore-Washington and the Philadelphia area, including parts of New Jersey, where officials warned sensitive groups to take precautions when going outside. A thick smoke plume was reported over Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In southwestern Nova Scotia, the number of those displaced may not be as big, but the level of trepidation is just as high. Amanda Sutherland, owner of The Coopers Inn in downtown Shelburne, said some of her staff have had to leave the area, and she has a number of evacuees from the Barrington Lake fire staying at the inn. People are checking in on other family members, and every morning at breakfast, theres at least one person crying, she said, adding that her bags are already packed in case an evacuation is ordered. Sutherland said the towns long, narrow harbor has been buzzing with water bombers scooping up water and heading back to the fires. She said she hasnt spent much time worrying about the destruction. Cooler temperatures and steady rain arent expected until late Friday, though the forecast was calling for some spotty showers during the day. WASHINGTON (AP) The White House announced Thursday that it will impose sanctions against key defense companies and people who "perpetuate violence" in Sudan as the warring sides failed to abide by a cease-fire agreement in the northeastern African nation. New visa restrictions apply to officials from the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and leaders from the former government led by Omar al-Bashir who are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining Sudans democratic transition, according to the State Department. President Joe Biden on May 4 laid the groundwork for the penalties when he issued an executive order that expanded U.S. authorities to respond to the violence and help bring an end to the conflict. These measures are intended to hold accountable those responsible for undermining the peace, security, and stability of Sudan, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. The Treasury Department said in a statement that four companies were designated: Al Junaid Multi Activities Co. Ltd., which is controlled by RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and his brother, RSF Deputy Commander Abdul Rahim Dagalo; United Arab Emirates-based Tradive General Trading LLC, a front company controlled by RSF Major Algoney Hamdan Dagalo, who also is a brother of the RSF commander; Sudans largest defense company, Defense Industries System; and the arms company Sudan Master Technology, which is linked to the SAF. Tradive has purchased vehicles for the RSF that have been retrofitted with machine guns and been used to patrol the streets of Sudan. Al Junaid, also known as Algunade, operates 11 subsidiaries across multiple economic sectors, including the gold industry and has been a vital source of revenue for the Dagalo family and the RFS. The SAF-connected Defense Industries System has hundreds of subsidiaries that manufacture small arms, conventional weapons, ammunition, and military vehicles. The company uses a complex system to hide its ownership of these subsidiaries and to obtain favorable letters of credit from the Sudan Central Bank and frequently defaults on those loans, according to the Treasury Department. Through sanctions, we are cutting off key financial flows to both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, depriving them of resources needed to pay soldiers, rearm, resupply, and wage war in Sudan, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said. The United States stands on the side of civilians against those who perpetuate violence towards the people of Sudan. It remains unclear how the sanctions will impact either force's financing or the trajectory of the conflict, now entering its seventh week. The Biden administration says it is coordinating with the African Union, Saudi Arabia and others in the region, trying to press both parties to end the conflict. Kholood Khair, the founder and director of Confluence Advisory, a think tank in Khartoum, Sudan's capital, said the sanctions will need the support of other regional stakeholders. The U.S. was likely motivated to act because repeat violations are undermining its clout, globally," Khair said. Late Thursday, the United States and Saudi Arabia suspended peace talks that had been taking place in the Saudi city of Jeddah since late May. In a joint statement, the two mediating countries said the decision comes as a result of repeated serious violations of the short-term ceasefire and recent ceasefire extension" on Monday. Sudans military had suspended its participation in talks the previous day. The fighting between the Sudanese military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, broke out in mid-April. The violence has killed at least 866 civilians, according to a Sudanese doctors group, though the actual toll is likely much higher. Washington and Riyadh brokered a cease-fire on May 21, to allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of vital services. There have been seven declared cease-fires since the conflict broke out and all have been violated. The warring generals were the military wing of Sudans democratic transition following the ouster of Islamist leader al-Bashir in 2019, before seizing complete power in a coup in 2021. After agreeing to restore the transition, the pair clashed over the terms of RSFs merger into the army, a disagreement that exploded into open conflict. According to the U.S.-Saudi joint statement, the countries have told both sides what they need to do to "show a meaningful commitment to the Jeddah talks. It also said the RSF and the military have privately informed each other of confidence-building measures they want to see implemented by the other force before resuming peace negotiations. Earlier in the week, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia called out both sides for cease-fire violations, accusing the military of continuing to carry out airstrikes and criticizing the RSF for occupying peoples homes and seizing properties. The fighting has reduced Khartoum to an urban battlefield, with many districts lacking electricity and running water. The conflict has also stoked ethnic violence in the western Darfur region, killing hundreds there. ___ Jeffery reported from Cairo. AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Oslo, Norway, contributed to this report. Marilynn Distefano misses feeding the colorful birds in her backyard. These days, she mostly just listens to them through the window of her room in a Fort Myers nursing home, where shes lived since December her latest stop since the state promised to rebuild her hurricane-wrecked home. I miss everything about being at home, and my neighbors, said Distefano, 81. I just want to go home. She cant. As Atlantic hurricane season 2023 opens on Thursday, Distefano is one of thousands of people waiting on the state-run Rebuild Florida program, which was supposed to help low-income residents rebuild their hurricane-ravaged homes. Its been a long wait. Her home wasnt destroyed by Hurricane Ian, which ravaged Southwest Florida last year, but by Irma way back in 2017. The state only got around to demolishing her damaged home in January and its unclear when it might be ready for her to come back. Marilynn Distefano, 81, waits in a Ft. Myers nursing home while the state rebuilds her home, which was destroyed by Hurricane Irma and then further damaged by Hurricane Ian. Tiffany Tompkins/ttompkins@bradenton.com Rebuild Florida launched in September 2018, a year after Irma hit, with a pitch to help the neediest families repair and rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Irma. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave Florida $615 million specifically to help people like Distefano, low and moderate-income, vulnerable people who may not have had insurance to recover from the storm. According to HUD documents, Florida has spent about 75% of the money it was granted for the home repair program. Floridas Department of Economic Opportunity, which runs Rebuild Florida, told the Miami Herald it has repaired and replaced 3,114 homes. Of that total, 145 have been fully demolished and rebuilt, like Distefano is waiting on. The state has replaced 567 mobile homes and made more minor fixes on 2,402 homes. There are more than 1,000 homes remaining on the states list to fix, including some that are already in the pre-construction process. HUD documents list the projected end date of the program as September 2024 so the pace of progress would have to ramp up to get anywhere close to completing the remaining homes. And by 2025, any unused state funds are due back to the federal government, DEO has previously told other news outlets. Rebuild Florida was a popular program in the wake of Irma, with more than 11,000 initial applicants, and the program paid off for some of them. More than 8,000 homes have received damage assessments, one of the earlier steps in the program, and DEO told the Herald on Wednesday it has helped more than 3,100 homeowners. The state also says it doesnt have enough money left to help the remaining participants, and in December 2022 sent a letter to the federal government asking for more funding to cover nearly 1,000 homes in the pre-construction or construction process and 541 other homes left in limbo. The reality is that there are factors not unique to Florida impacting construction project timelines all over the country. These factors include damage from subsequent storms, a burdened supply chain, ongoing pricing challenges, lack of eligible general contractors and complex permitting processes, DEO Director of Communications Rose Hebert wrote in an email. We know Floridians want to get back into their homes we want Floridians back in their homes as quickly as possible. Frustration over delays Still, many applicants like Distefano feel like theyve been given the run-around by the state. The Miami Herald spoke with nearly a dozen Floridians from several counties who all expressed frustration with the years-long delays in fixing their homes. Some dropped out of the program and moved or sold their homes. Others have spent almost a year waiting in state-funded hotels for their homes to be rebuilt. Some retained lawyers. None wanted to be quoted with their names, for fear of the state further delaying the rebuilding process. One applicant told the Herald they were specifically warned by a Rebuild Florida hot line representative not to talk to politicians or the press about the delays. Getting answers about the program has been difficult and not just for the homeowners. The Miami Herald has been asking Floridas Department of Economic Opportunity about the program, and specifically, how many destroyed houses it had actually rebuilt, since 2020 and has yet to receive a specific answer. Many upset residents told the Herald they had filed official complaints over the program with DEO, sometimes multiple. DEO told the Herald in April it has received 168 complaints about the program. In paperwork for similar grants from previous storms, including Hurricane Michael, DEO made note of how many complaints were received every quarter and provided explanations, responses and resolutions for each one. That information does not appear on Irma reports. The issues with the program could extend beyond Irma. The state of Florida could use the same system to respond to Hurricane Ian, the Category 5 storm that devastated Southwest Florida in September. In March, HUD announced that it plans to give Florida almost $3 billion to recover from Ian, including $910 million directly to DEO. The agency, which oversees the states recovery effort from hurricanes, has yet to publicly release its draft plan for how it plans to spend the money, so its unclear if DEO plans to re-use the Rebuild Florida name or choose a different method or running the rebuild process. So far, despite the years-long delays, the problems with the program have largely flown under the radar. The Herald reached out to a number of elected representatives and experts on disaster rebuilding but they were not monitoring Rebuild Florida. But there is an active Facebook group of applicants complaining out delays and difficulties navigating the process. Running out of money What is clear is that the Floridians waiting for their homes are frustrated, and in Distefanos case, financially imperiled by the delays. Her daughter, Lynne Daus, has been the one dealing with contractors and the state through the Rebuild Florida process on behalf of her mother. Over the years, theyve been shunted from case manager to case manager and gone for months at a time with no update. Daus said she doesnt understand what the holdup is. Wheres the money sitting? Whos got this money? Youve had this money for so long, you cant keep using this excuse. Its going on year five, she said. There has to be some internal bureaucratic issue that we have not been told because this does not make sense. It just doesnt make sense. The wait was so long that some applicants had to ride out Hurricane Ian, which arrived five years after Irma, in temporary housing. Distefano had to evacuate her Fort Myers home for Ian. She stayed with one of her other daughters in Cape Coral, but they lost power and running water as the hurricane raged overhead. Distefano has lingering health problems from surviving breast cancer, and Daus said the combination of high heat and low water sent her mother into kidney failure. She was rushed to the hospital and then to rehabilitation, where she stayed through December. But by the time doctors were ready to release her, she had no home to return to. After years of delays, the contractors hired by Rebuild Florida were finally ready to tear down Distefanos house, which they did in December. They promised Daus it would be built in three months, so she found a nursing home for her mom that Medicaid would cover. Construction workers build the outer walls of Marilynn Distefanos home, which was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and is part of the states Rebuild Florida program. Tiffany Tompkins/ttompkins@bradenton.com By June 1, the start of hurricane season, the home is still not built. Last week, construction finally began, but rebuilding could take three to four more months. Thats left Distefano with a money problem. While staying in the facility, Medicaid takes most of her fixed income to cover costs, leaving her savings account dwindling with each months mortgage, tax and property insurance payment still due on the empty lot that was once her home. Its put my mother in a financial crisis, Daus said. As of June, Daus said Distefano no longer has enough cash to make the monthly payments, and her home is still not finished, putting her at risk of defaulting on her mortgage. Daus started a GoFundMe to raise money, and she and her boyfriend have pledged to cover the payments as long as they can. Im not going to let my mom lose her house, she said. Correction: A version of this story posted online initially incorrectly reported that DEO had not responded to the Heralds questions about Rebuild Florida. DEOs responses have been added to the story. Taiwan has received a shipment of Stinger missiles and other military equipment originally approved in 2019, as the U.S. works to fulfill a backlog of nearly $19 billion in weapons sales to the island democracy. A State Department spokesperson told The Hill on Wednesday that reports of Stinger missiles arriving in Taipei last week were related to a $223.56 million weapons sale initially approved in July 2019. That weapons sale included more than 250 Stinger missiles an anti-aircraft weapon favored for its light weight and capability to be fired from a soldiers shoulder, which has proven to be a favored weapon for Ukrainian forces battling Russian aggression. The English-language Taipei Times reported on May 27 that a batch of Stinger missiles arrived in Taipei from the U.S., citing a report in the Chinese-language United Daily News. While Taiwans Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said earlier this month that President Biden is expected to announce the first tranche of a $1 billion weapons transfer to Taiwan directly from Department of Defense stockpiles and approved by Congress for 2023 the State Department spokesperson said the Stingers that arrived in Taiwan are related to the earlier approved arms sale. In 2019, we notified a proposed [Foreign Military Sale] case to TECRO [Taipei Economic And Cultural Representative Office In The United States] for this system, the spokesperson said. As such, this case predates authorities included in Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (TERA) as incorporated into the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have pushed the Biden administration to find solutions to the $19 billion backlog in defense deliveries, which U.S. officials say are related to ongoing COVID-19 supply chain issues and production lines that have gone dormant. The U.S. and Taiwan are alarmed that Chinese aggression towards the autonomous, island-democracy that Beijing claims as part of its territory is a prelude to a wider conflict and are working to outfit the island with defense capabilities they say will deter a Chinese invasion. China regularly violates Taiwanese air and naval space and has conducted live-fire military exercises around the island in response to high-profile meetings between U.S. and Taiwanese officials, such as when former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) visited the island in August 2022 and when Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in California in April. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to the reports of the delivery of Stingers on May 26, criticizing the U.S. as interfering in Chinas internal affairs, calling the weapons delivery extremely wrong and dangerous. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The companies that appear to have swindled supporters of former President Donald Trump out of tens of thousands of dollars by peddling bogus Trump Bucks no longer have active websites just days after their businesses were exposed by NBC News. The websites where the Colorado-based Patriots Dynasty, Patriots Future and USA Patriots companies were selling Official Trump 2024 Gold Cards to Trump Rebate Banking System (TRB) membership cards purportedly issued by Donald Trump himself are no longer active. Similar websites that also promise real patriots will get rich if they buy the products remain active, but they have been disabled by the online retailer ClickBank, which connects the purveyors of the products to potential buyers. This site is no longer in service or has been disabled due to a terms of service violation was the message that popped up when an NBC News reporter tried to make a purchase. Jennifer Beevers, ClickBanks vice president of client and customer advocacy, said it was the right thing to do. Any consumer purchasing these items through ClickBank received a pre-purchase disclosure that they are for commemorative value only and are not legal tender, Beevers said in an emailed statement. Still, ClickBank is concerned to hear that the products were being deceptive marketed elsewhere so we chose to discontinue sales even with our disclaimer. No evidence suggests the alleged scammers are connected to Trump or his re-election campaign. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung has not responded to repeated emails seeking comment about the shady companies selling Trump Bucks using Trumps likeness and aimed directly at some of his most ardent supporters. Representatives for the companies that sell Trump Bucks and TRB membership cards could not be reached for comment, and there are no criminal charges or active investigations against the companies. But word that three of the retailers websites had been shuttered was welcome news to a Florida woman who said earlier that her 77-year-old mother-in-law was fooled into buying tens of thousands of dollars worth of Trump Bucks. It seems, at least, they know now they cant get away with this, said the woman, who lives north of Tampa and asked not to be identified for fear of internet harassment. The Florida woman described her mother-in-law as an ardent Trump supporter who had always been conservative and prone to believe in conspiracy theories. But of late, the woman said, her mother-in-law has been insisting that something big was about to come down related to the Trumps Bucks she had purchased. So maybe this is it, she said. An Alabama grandmother holds one of the coins she bought online in her apartment in Mobile. (Dan Anderson for NBC News) A 75-year-old Alabama grandmother, who said earlier that she became outraged when she discovered that the $1,500 in Trump Bucks she had purchased were worthless, said she, too, was happy the Colorado-based companies had been shut down. Awesome, the woman, who also asked not to be identified by name, texted. Now if they could be arrested and put behind bars! NBC News identified more than a dozen victims and reviewed dozens of social media posts and online complaints and hundreds of misleading ads for products being sold to Trump supporters. In addition to promising that their investments in the products would help propel Trump back into the White House, the ads also falsely suggested that Trump will make the real patriots who support him rich. For example, the ads say, a $10,000 Diamond Trump Bucks bill purchased for $99.99 can be cashed in for $10,000 at major banks like Bank of America and retailers like Walmart, Costco and Home Depot. BofA and all of the companies mentioned in the ads have denied any involvement in the apparent get-rich-quick schemes. So far, just one fraud complaint against Patriots Dynasty has been filed with the Federal Trade Commission, the agency confirmed in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. The complaint was filed in January. But the Better Business Bureau has given Patriots Dynasty, Patriots Future and USA Patriots, which use the address of an industrial center in the Denver suburb of Aurora, an F rating. And dozens of complaints have been lodged against the companies on the BBB site and on consumer ratings sites like TrustPilot. 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. Education Minister Lee Ju-ho, left, who doubles as the deputy prime minister for social affairs, speaks during a meeting with the ruling People Power Party at the National Assembly in Seoul, June 1. Yonhap The government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed Thursday to set up a state agency aimed at providing support to victims of school violence in their recovery and treatment. The agreement was discussed during a policy consultation meeting between the PPP and the education ministry at the National Assembly, in response to the growing demand for specialized support services for students who experience bullying in schools. "It is crucial for the government to assume significant responsibility, and provide support in treating the trauma experienced by victimized students and enabling their recovery to return to a normal life, to ultimately eradicate school violence," Rep. Lee Tae-kyu, the PPP's executive secretary of the parliamentary education committee, told reporters after the meeting. Details of the road map will be announced by the education ministry at the end of this month. The issue of school violence has gained widespread attention following the cancellation of the appointment of the new national investigation chief, Chung Sun-sin, by the presidential office in February, due to revelations of his son's involvement in school bullying. Additionally, the Netflix revenge thriller series "The Glory," which portrays brutal school violence, gained significant popularity. (Yonhap) YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has sent birthday greetings to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, BelTA reported citing the Belarusian presidential press service. I am convinced that your vast managerial experience and professional approach to solving state tasks will enable you to continue to successfully cope with the challenges that Armenia faces in the political, social and economic sectors and achieve all the goals set for the benefit of the Armenian people, the message reads. The President of Belarus added that he looked forward to further constructive dialogue aimed at developing a comprehensive partnership with Armenia, close interaction in the integration associations and strategic cooperation in the international arena. Aleksandr Lukashenko wished Nikol Pashinyan new successes in his responsible activity, good health, happiness, peace and accord. CHISINAU, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. President of the European Council Charles Michel has expressed hope that during the upcoming June 1 meeting in Chisinau Armenia and Azerbaijan will once again reiterate political will to normalize relations. This important meeting will take place today, Michel told reporters during the opening of the 2nd European Political Community Summit in Chisinau when asked on his expectations from the Armenia-Azerbaijan summit, where Michel himself will participate together with the German and French leaders. Ive had the occasion to meet with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels a few weeks ago. We had some progress. And I hope this will once again be a chance to reiterate common political will to normalize relations between the two countries, he said. YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan has said that direct dialogue between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan would also be highly important for Azerbaijan because if the dialogue fails to take place the problem wont be resolved. Asked whether the formation of an international mechanism for dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku is a principled matter for Armenia, given the fact that Azerbaijan doesnt agree to it, Simonyan said: We must reach a point where Azerbaijan starts to speak about it because otherwise there wont be a beneficial situation for Azerbaijan itself, there will be a big gap which it wont be able to fill for years, decades. If Azerbaijan doesnt sit down and speak with the Armenian population living in Artsakh, that wound will someday [open]. He added that international pressure and the international factor have big role. The Speaker said Armenia has success in this direction. The problem wont be resolved without dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert, Speaker Simonyan said. The other option is genocide, which we wont allow. The Azerbaijani authorities should think that this issue is far more important for them than for us, he concluded. Speaking about a possible peace treaty, Simonyan called for guarantees to be in place for implementation of the terms of the agreement. As an example he mentioned the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement, which Azerbaijan is regularly violating while Russia who is supposed to guarantee its implementation fails to give proper response. YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan has ruled out signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan that would envisage Armenias sovereign territory to be less than 29,800 square kilometers. He also ruled out providing Azerbaijan with any corridor through territory of Armenia. We rule out signing a peace treaty with a territory less than 29,800 square kilometers. We have voiced the number of 29,800 square kilometers, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia has drawn a red line from the National Assembly rostrum, and we brought the 29,800 square kilometers into the agenda. I can say the same about the corridor, we have numerously said that there wont be a corridor, there cant be such thing, we have excluded that narrative and drawn a red line for us, Simonyan said at a press briefing. Asked whether Armenia considers any specific international actor as guarantor for a peace treaty, Simonyan said that all centers that hosted the talks have expressed readiness to be guarantors. What we will get is another matter, Simonyan said, adding that the possible guarantors should fulfill their functions. He said that he is not satisfied with the 9 November 2020 statement. I am not satisfied with the 9 November statement, and I am sure the people of Armenia are also not satisfied with it in terms of both the statements and actions of our partners, Simonyan said. YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan is spreading disinformation falsely accusing the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Defense Army of breaching the ceasefire, the Defense Ministry of Artsakh warned on June 1. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministrys statement accusing the Defense Army units of opening fire on June 1, around 10:00 at Azerbaijani positions deployed in the occupied territories of the Shushi region of Artsakh Republic is a usual disinformation, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. The Artsakh military added that the Azerbaijan disinformation claiming to have disrupted engineering works in Shushi and Martuni seeks to distort reality and justify the Azeri military gunfire targeting farmers in Artsakh. Lawyer Song Ki-ho, center, speaks to reporters in front of the Supreme Court in Seoul, Thursday, after the court ruled against him, upholding a lower court ruling that justified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' nondisclosure of the minutes of the 2015 Korea-Japan deal on former sex slaves. Yonhap By Jun Ji-hye The Supreme Court ruled, Thursday, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took appropriate measures by refusing to disclose the minutes of a controversial Korea-Japan deal on former sex slaves signed in 2015, upholding a decision by an appellate court. The latest ruling is viewed by many as favoring President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been striving to improve the country's relations with Japan that were strained during the previous Moon Jae-in government due to disputes over historical issues, including recognizing and compensating former sex slaves. "The lower court handed down the right ruling and did not misunderstand legal principles regarding information subject to disclosure under the Public Information Act," the top court said in its ruling. On Dec. 28 of 2015, the government signed a controversial deal with Tokyo on the sexual enslavement of Korean women by imperial Japan during World War II. The accord said the two countries would resolve the dispute over the sex slaves in a "final and irreversible" manner. But the deal only complicated the historical row, being criticized by many groups, including Korean victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery, for being hastily signed without reflecting the opinions of victims, while Japan has insisted that Korea should adhere to the agreement. An official at the top court explained that the government's deal with Japan was the result of the foreign ministry's negotiations with the Japanese government. "The top court upheld the lower court ruling that the benefits from not disclosing the contents of diplomatic negotiations, which were carried out behind closed doors, outweighed the benefits of disclosing them," the official said. "The latest ruling reconfirmed the court's cautious attitude towards the disclosure of information regarding diplomatic negotiations," the official added. In February of 2016, Song Ki-ho, an attorney with the local civic group, Lawyers for a Democratic Society, also known as Minbyun, filed a lawsuit against the foreign minister, calling for the disclosure of the minutes of the two governments' negotiations regarding Japan's forced mobilization of Korean women as sex slaves during the war. A district court ruled in favor of the lawyer, saying that protecting national interests through the nondisclosure of the minutes did not outweigh the public's interest that the people could gain by fulfilling their right to know. But an appellate court overturned the ruling, saying that the revelation of information related to Japan's position without its consent would deal a serious blow to bilateral diplomatic relations. "The sex slaves issue has been a very sensitive topic between the two nations. If even a part of the negotiations is disclosed, the whole point of the agreement could be distorted," the appellate court said at the time. The Supreme Court agreed with that view. Following the final ruling, Song claimed that the top court neglected the judiciary's duty of guaranteeing the human rights of victims. "If the judiciary keeps taking a passive attitude simply because it was a diplomatic issue, the country's diplomatic affairs will stray from the rule of law, the people's rights to know and the principle of transparency," he said. The top court ruling is likely to help Yoon's conciliatory gesture toward Japan as he seeks to improve soured relations with the neighboring country. In March, the Yoon administration offered to resolve the Seoul-Tokyo row over wartime forced labor by compensating the Korean victims without asking for contributions from responsible Japanese firms, despite fierce opposition from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea and civic groups. Bilateral relations have significantly warmed since then. Know your work partner more to avoid conflict. A recent study revealed that acquiring more knowledge about your partner and their actions influences how quickly and optimally they learn to collaborate. (Photo: ANI) Washington: Everyone shares different goals, which can lead to conflict when working together. A recent study revealed that acquiring more knowledge about your partner and their actions influences how quickly and optimally they learn to collaborate. Previously, most researches touched upon issues where they studied human's ability to coordinate actions with others but a few have addressed how to collaborate when subjected to a situation of conflict. However, a new study designed by Chackochan and Sanguineti, did an experimental task where two participants are assigned to perform different sets of movements but using the same mechanical apparatus at the same time. Basically, putting the people in similar partner situations. When analysed of such a situation, by applying 'Game Theory', it came across that when one person knows more about how the other partner is going to tackle such a situation, they tend to develop optimal strategies that could be fruitful for both the teams. Given less understanding of the other person's action, the other partner develops strategies that minimize the need for that information. Understanding such a mechanism of human to human interaction could aid the development of robots that can interact with people in a more natural, human-like manner. Not just understanding human behaviour, game theory also had a huge impact in fields like economics, political, science, linguistics, and more. "Application of game theory in human joint action may have far-reaching potential, especially in the area of human-robot interaction", said Chackochan. Next, the researchers are planning to explore how they can gain information and represent knowledge about a partner's ongoing actions and goals. Vinil Chackochan and Vittorio Sanguineti of the University of Genoa, Italy, present these findings in PLOS Computational Biology. Alas, President Droupadi Murmu too saw it fit to send a message on the occasion in praise of the Prime Minister In January 1927, the just completed grand structure of the Imperial Legislative Council -- that would, upon Indias independence, serve as the Constituent Assembly and then Indias Parliament -- was opened by the Viceroy, Lord Irwin. As the Crowns representative, he was effectively the head of state, while leading British Indias governmental authority. In Britain, its very different. The monarch as head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government are as distinct as chalk and cheese. The public would likely rise in revolt if the PM tried to be King or Queen even for a fleeting second; or if the monarch sought to usurp power as head of government. Such an eventuality is unthinkable. Not so in India. Here we were witness to a spectacle not envisaged in the Constitution. On May 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for all real purposes, assumed for one day the mantle of the Viceroy, or indeed President of India, as we are no longer in colonial times. The PM inaugurated the new Parliament, having earlier performed Vedic rituals in its precincts, conducted by a posse of Hindu priests -- a sight that is alien to the letter or spirit of our Constitution. Indias Parliament has figuratively been called the temple of democracy. In a secular state, it is decidedly not the house of prayer of any religious denomination. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, whose expulsion from Parliament appeared to have been carefully planned by the government earlier, was the first to alert us that something was amiss if the Prime Minister was to inaugurate the new Parliament, not the President. The idea caught on with a large section of the political system. Mr Gandhis party and at least 19 others resolved to stand in defence of the precept of the Constitution, and stayed away from the so-called inauguration. It was not the boycott of an historic event aimed at deepening Indias democracy. The roots of our democracy are embedded in the six-decade anti-colonial mass struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi, and not in any religious movement or uprising. What transpired on Sunday was the anointing of the PM as President for a day by his party and a clutch of others whipped into submission. It was tantamount to usurpation of the Presidents constitutional authority and status. A short Hindu religious mace called the Sengol, said to be a traditional marker of the transfer of authority from one ruler to the next, was extricated from a museum and put in the new Parliament, disregarding the fact that it is the Indian people who are the sovereign rather than an individual, and won their freedom from colonial rule after a long struggle and had established a modern state, not a kingdom. The day will also be remembered for the pusillanimity of the Supreme Court, which is an integral pillar of our democracy but has so often fallen short of expectations. When a petition was brought to question the PMs inauguration of the new Parliament, and to prevent this, the court airily observed it was not inclined to hear it. The people of India are entitled to be dismayed. It may be time for the Supreme Court to turn the spotlight on itself, and weigh its actions in the balance on matters concerning judiciary-executive interactions, and its actions over protection of citizens right and liberties. Why is it a necessity that in keeping with constitutional norms and etiquette, it is the President who should inaugurate the new Parliament building and not any other functionary? There are several reasons: the President is the head of state; is an integral part of Parliament which, besides the Rashtrapati, comprises the two Houses of Parliament; the President is elected by Parliament and the state legislatures, summons Parliament to meet and prorogues it, and is entitled to address both Houses jointly or separately. The PM, in contrast, is only a Member of Parliament, elected by the Lok Sabha to lead the government. The PM has no jurisdiction or control over Parliament. He is not even entitled to dissolve the Lok Sabha without the concurrence of the council of ministers. It is not within the PMs gift to inaugurate Parliament or open any of its sessions. Similarly, the presiding officer of each House (the Speaker and the vice-president of India, who is also Rajya Sabha Chairman) is charged with the conduct of proceedings, as per rules, and nothing beyond this. Yet, what we saw on May 28 was that the President was edged out altogether, the PM held centre-stage, and the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman were practically summoned to be present and perform subsidiary roles. It will be remembered for long that these worthies gave themselves to praising the PM and did little else, like the vice-presidents message read out by the deputy chairman. Alas, President Droupadi Murmu too saw it fit to send a message on the occasion in praise of the Prime Minister, wholeheartedly endorsing the inauguration by the leader of government, showing no awareness that she had been deprived of her constitutional privilege. A sturdy holder of that office could have contemplated taking the government to task, or even withdrawing from the highest office. Theoretically, the President sending a message on this to the two Houses remains a possibility, but the odds of this happening are too remote to consider. To complete the baleful story of the day, the PM held forth for half an hour as only he can -- blasting his audience with full-scale government propaganda, and with the assurance that India will be a developed country in the Amrit Kaal -- that is, in the next 25 years that will mark the hundredth year of Indias Independence. The assurance sits poorly with the record, however. Under the present government, 32 million middle class Indians have been dragged back to poverty and nearly 20 per cent of the country goes to sleep on an empty stomach. Two noteworthy events occurred on the day the PM practised the rituals of his faith in the new Parliament, fuelling communal minds, and then proceeded to inaugurate it at the cringe-inducing invitation of the Speaker whose remit doesnt extend beyond the Lok Sabha. Indias greatest sportswomen (wrestlers), who brought the country laurels in the Olympics, who sat on protest against sexual attack by a BJP MP, were dragged to detention centres by the police when they tried to march to the new Parliament in protest. And, in the middle of intra-group skirmishing in sensitive Manipur, the chief minister claimed that 40 terrorists had been killed. The absence of an Indian ambassador in Doha is not merely a bureaucratic matter. For nearly two months, the position of Indian ambassador in Doha has remained unoccupied, leaving a big void in the diplomatic representation of India in Qatar. After the previous ambassador Deepak Mittal returned to India and joined the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), the appointment of his successor has been eagerly awaited. While speculation points to Vipul, the joint secretary (gulf), as a likely replacement, no formal announcement has been made by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) yet. However, the absence of an Indian ambassador in Doha is not merely a bureaucratic matter. It has real and significant consequences for the individuals directly affected by it. Specifically, the families of eight naval veterans who have been held in solitary confinement in Doha since August last year are feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The lack of an Indian ambassador has made it difficult for them to access information about the wellbeing and legal status of their loved ones. With charges already framed and the trial underway against these veterans under Qatari law, their families are increasingly anxious about their situation. Without a designated point of contact, they find themselves lacking a go-to person who can provide them with clarity and guidance regarding the path ahead. In this time of uncertainty, the MEA needs to recognise the urgency of the matter and promptly appoint a competent and capable ambassador to Doha. The presence of a dedicated ambassador will not only provide a channel of communication for the families of the detained veterans but also enable effective engagement with Qatari authorities to ensure fair treatment and due process for the accused individuals. Women dominate UPSC civil service exams A seismic shift is occurring within the realm of Indian bureaucracy. There is a change in the air. The recent UPSC Civil Services exam results have unveiled a groundbreaking development the top four positions have been claimed by women. Ishita Kishore secured the first rank, followed by Garima Lohia, Uma Harathi and Smriti Mishra. Among the top 25 successful candidates, 14 are women, marking the second consecutive year in which women have dominated the highest ranks. This transformative trend underscores the remarkable progress made by women in civil services, with their representation increasing significantly over time. The ascent of women has been an arduous journey. Women have overcome formidable challenges, from Anna George Malhotra, the first woman to join the IAS in 1951 to the current wave of trailblazing candidates. The remarkable statistics speak for themselves, as over one-third of the 933 recommended candidates this year are women, a substantial increase compared to the mere 20 per cent from two decades ago. By securing leadership positions in the civil services, these accomplished young women bring with them fresh perspectives, empathy and a nuanced understanding of the diverse challenges that governance entails. This surge in womens presence signifies a major shift in the traditionally male-dominated bureaucratic landscape. Their contributions will likely pave the way for a more inclusive and comprehensive governance framework. A boozy conundrum In a move that could spare police personnel of the Prohibition Enforcement Wing (PEW) of Tamil Nadu Police from unexpected dance-offs, the Director General of Police (DGP) C. Sylendra Babu has sent a memo to police personnel to resist the temptation of being deployed on any other duties. The directive has been communicated to all commissioners and superintendents of police across the state. The PEW officers have apparently been pulled in every other direction, assigned tasks that have absolutely nothing to do with their original purpose. Sources have informed DKB that PEW unit officers have been caught in bandobast duties and whatnot, and sometimes compelled to undertake additional work instead of trying to combat the sale of bootleg booze in Tamil Nadu. The DGP has come to their rescue and instructed the PEW department to focus on their real task and the real troublemakers, of which there are quite a few, we learn. It turns out that there have been some truly unfortunate incidents involving illicit liquor. Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts have experienced a series of tragedies, with 24 persons meeting their demise from consuming methanol-laced hooch. Most recently, there was a case in the Thanjavur district, where forensic analysis revealed that two deaths believed to be due to alcohol poisoning, were caused by the ingestion of alcohol laced with cyanide. In the spirit of sobriety and safety, it is hoped that the DGPs directive brings much-needed focus to the PEW officers towards their primary duty. by Sumon Corraya Cases are five times those of last year, with 13 deaths already reported. The Health Ministry is mobilising with prevention campaigns. Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar are among the hardest hit. BANGLADESH Dengue fever outbreak getting worse with around 2,000 cases since January Cases are five times those of last year, with 13 deaths already reported. The Health Ministry is mobilising with prevention campaigns. Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar are among the hardest hit. Dhaka (AsiaNews) The number of cases of dengue fever is up fivefold over last year, this according to Bangladesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque.[*] Since January, around 2,000 people have been admitted to hospitals suffering from this mosquito-borne disease, 1,269 people in the capital Dhaka alone, and 631 elsewhere with 13 deaths so far. Minister Maleque spoke about the dengue emergency at a press briefing on COVID-19 vaccinations. Given the increase in cases, Health authorities are taking measures needed to limit the outbreak. Doctors and nurses have been trained on how to identify and treat dengue cases. Meanwhile, the survey on dengue is ongoing, the minister added. In fact, some 2,500 professionals are already involved in the emergency since the start of the year. Maleque explained that hospitals are setting up wards and beds for dengue patients. Steps have also been taken to inform the public about the virus. "We have engaged different people, including teachers, students and military personnel, to make people aware about dengue. Already, steps have been taken to make people aware," the minister said. This is being done through posters, banners and TV ads meant to raise awareness among people. Leaflets have been handed out in all 75 wards covered by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) whose mayor, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, inaugurated the mass distribution in the Sabuj Bagh area. However, dengue is not only an urban problem. About 1,066 cases have been reported since 1 January until 23 May 2023 among Rohingya in one of the largest refugee camps in Coxs Bazar. The latter is the hotspot of the outbreak, this according to Health Minister Maleque, who noted that specific measures have been implemented at such locations with health officials making sure that dengue does not spread to areas near the camps. [*] Also spelled Malik. by Arundathie Abeysinghe The economic crisis has pushed many Sri Lankans to migrate. After controls and rejections stopped migration by sea to Australia, the UK became the second choice. The network of smugglers providing forged passports and documents and the testimonies of those trying to get to the UK. Colombo (AsiaNews) - London is appealing to the government in Colombo to cooperate in stopping the irregular migration of Sri Lankans to Britain. Last week the British High Commissioner to the Asian country Sarah Hulton met with Public Security Minister Tiran Alles asking for greater cooperation to resolve the issue. Director of the India and Indo-Pacific Section of the Commonwealth and Development Office Ben Mellor also attended the summit, partly because the issue of illegal immigration is a source of concern for both countries. Speaking to AsiaNews, political analyst Ruwan Malalaskera points out that "the request reflects the British government's commitment to ensuring the integrity of the migration system and the management of departures in accordance with the law." On the ground, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain UK visas, as Vadivel Karthigesu and Ambiga Selvaratnam from Jaffna and Kankasanthurei in the Northern Province and Mathipalan Pathmarajah and Ganesh Sivarajah from Trincomalee and Batticaloa in the Eastern Province confirm. "In this way," they claim, "people turn to traffickers to obtain false documents" with which to expatriate. It is widely believed that 'the vast majority' of irregular migrants use 'fake passports' to try to reach the United Kingdom, issued by 'agents with years of experience in preparing fake documents' for a 'hugely profitable business'. Arjun Pillamarai, a pro-human rights activist in Colombo, reports that 'between 80 and 85 per cent of people who migrate from Sri Lanka do so using false passports' in the hope of finding work. 'Most of them,' he adds, 'apply for asylum and hope that they will eventually be allowed to work in Britain'. Due to the economic crisis, last year the majority of migrants tried to reach Australia's shores on fishing boats but the navy in Colombo intercepted and turned many of them away. Hence the decision to return overland to the UK, first passing through India, as is evident from the accounts of people waiting to leave. Suresh Sritharan, from Alaveddy in Jaffna, is in the capital waiting to leave for London. "I don't want to go back to Jaffna because I have sold everything, including my house, fields and motorbike. There are many people like me,' he adds, 'who are planning to leave soon. I will learn English, volunteer, whatever I can for the UK. Thivendran and Shobna Aruliah, two children aged nine and six, also from Jaffna but now in a single room in Colombo waiting to travel, hope through migration to give the children 'a better future'. "Here we have only two meals a day. Sometimes, our children go to bed hungry, they cannot go to school because they do not have books, backpacks or shoes. I am sure we can adapt to life [in the UK]. Most of the residents of our village have left for Australia or Canada. We also hope to leave as soon as possible," they conclude.. by Vladimir Rozanskij In the border region between Russia and Western Kazakhstan, celebrations resume after pandemic under the banner of St George the Victorious and war symbolism. The pilgrimage commemorates the rebirth of Russia after the Tatar-Mongolian yoke and the integration of European and Asian Russians. Moscow (AsiaNews) - The traditional Orthodox pilgrimage to the territory of the region of Nizhny Novgorod on the border with western Kazakhstan took place over the past few days, passing through the four provinces of Kupinsk, Cistoe Ozero, Bagansk and Karasuk, the latter being the seat of Bishop Filipp (Novikov) who also bears the title of Ordynsk, "bishop of the Horde". This is in fact an area linked to the reminiscences of the Tatar Hordes, which had settled between the Volga and the Urals to control the territory of occupied Russia. The pilgrimage thus recalls the rebirth of Russia after the Tatar-Mongolian yoke, and also the integration between European and Asian Russians, a particularly topical theme today in the context of Russia's military and imperialist passions, which have direct references to the Kazakh border territories. The eparchy of Karasuk, which in Tatar means 'small river', extends around the banks of the river of the same name, and historically would also have jurisdiction over part of the Kazakh territory, not far from the large republic of Russian Tatarstan. The episcopal see was created while still under Horde rule, to enshrine the alliance between the Asian invaders and the Orthodox Church, the factor that allowed the Rus' to survive. This year, war symbolism also prevailed in Orthodox devotion, and the pilgrimage, resumed after a three-year interruption due to the pandemic, was dedicated to the memory of St George the Victorious, along with the feast of 'Frontier Guards Day'. Bishop Filipp had the group of faithful led by the hieromonac Melkhizedek (Svistelin), the main military chaplain of the diocese, and the prayers were attended by deployed border soldiers, who were given a special blessing. Karasuk is at the extreme edge of the Nizhny Novgorod region, from which it is almost 700 kilometres away, in an area of not only ethnic but also religious mixture: old believers persecuted by the tsars and patriarchs took refuge here, and several pagan cults of Asian origin still survive. The dragon-slaying martyr saint therefore inspired the 'new rebirth of the authentic Orthodox faith', as Father Melkhizedek said, wishing the soldiers 'great strength in the glorious defence of the homeland', which the entire population must join. All soldiers were then given an icon of St George together with an image of Our Lady of Kazan, inspirer of Ivan the Terrible's victory over the Tatars, and the latest issue of the diocesan magazine "Our Eparchy", dedicated to the reasons for the pilgrimage. At the stop in Cistoe Ozero, the 'Pure River', another solemn ceremony was held in honour of a saint of local origin, the monk Ilya of Murom, who died in 1188 at the Lavra of the Kiev Caves. His name is associated with the byline, legendary stories of the bogatyr, the ancient Rus' fighter against all invading peoples, In the village of Blagovescensk ("of the Annunciation"), prayers were addressed directly to Our Lady "victor" of Kazan, and Father Melkhizedek held a wide-ranging conversation with the pilgrims in the town hall, answering questions and explaining the "important things" that are happening in these times of rebirth in Great Russia, assisted in this by the head of the border guards, General Sergei Groskraits. The concluding liturgy of the pilgrimage to Karasuk was presided over by Bishop Filipp, who thanked the border guards, reminding them that "your service requires great professional training, spiritual steadfastness, fidelity to duty and the oath you have taken. You not only express love for your people, but you bear witness to one of the greatest commandments of the Gospel, Blessed is he who lays down his life for his friends'. All the concelebrating clergy wore green vestments, as the celebration booklet explains, "in honour of the traditional colours of the border guards, which are also the colours of the Karasuk municipal flag". In a secret ballot, 123 members of the World Health Organisation voted for North Korea despite the lack of transparency in the way it handled the COVID-19 pandemic, which may still be raging in the country. This is a further sign of the influence North Koreas Chinese ally wields within the United Nations health agency. Geneva (AsiaNews) North Korea won a seat on the executive board of the World Health Organisation (WHO) despite its lack of transparency in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, which may still be raging in the country. What this means is that one of the world's most horrific regimes is now a part of a group that sets and enforces the standards and norms for the global governance of health care, said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, an independent non-governmental human rights group in Geneva. Usually, elections to the WHO executive board are by consensus, but Russia challenged Ukraine's nomination, and so a secret vote was held. About 123 countries voted for North Korea, which got a seat along with Australia, Barbados, Cameroon, the Comoros Islands, Lesotho, Qatar, Switzerland, Togo and Ukraine. A few weeks ago, WHO asked to be exempted from international sanctions against North Korea in order to send 500 oxygen treatment units on the grounds that COVID-19 cases are increasing in North Korea. However, no foreign aid personnel is left in Pyongyang. In its request for exemption, WHO said it would work with local authorities to ensure that the equipment is used for its intended purposes, but local staff is handpicked by the regime. Based on government data from a year ago, 3.3 million people (out of a population of about 26 million) developed fever due to a "respiratory disease" but only 69 died. That is a fatality rate of 0.002 per cent, the lowest in the world. It is presently impossible to know the true extent of the pandemic. Given the lack of vaccines, an estimated 40 per cent rate of malnutrition in the population,[*] and the absence of adequate health facilities, the actual figures are probably much more worrying. Despite the total closure of North Koreas borders in January 2020 and the consequent economic collapse, for two years, North Korea denied that a coronavirus epidemic was underway on its territory. Only on 12 May 2022 did leader Kim Jong-un admit to an outbreak and a few weeks later declared the new disease defeated. For analysts, it may have been a way to strengthen power over an already deeply exhausted population. The World Health Organisation has been repeatedly criticised for its handling of the health crisis and many have blamed North Koreas ally, China and its influence on the international body. The WHO uncritically accepted data from Chinese authorities at the end of 2019, and waited before declaring the spread of the coronavirus a global health emergency. In those initial weeks, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus travelled to China and praised the Chinese leadership for setting a new standard for outbreak control." Early on, China adopted a zero-COVID policy to prevent the spread of the virus. According to some observers, the organisation's problem lies in the fact that it does not have the ability to challenge the data provided by individual states, especially those ruled by authoritarian regimes like Russia, China and North Korea, all countries where information is not freely available. Yet, in 2003, during the SARS outbreak, WHO did criticise Beijing for its lack of transparency in managing the crisis. Subsequently, while the Trump administration reduced US financial contribution to the UN agency, China increased it, boosting its standing within the organisation. Chinas influence has, for example, kept Taiwan out of the WHO Assembly (because its communist regime considers the island nation part of China) even though it is one of the countries that has best managed the COVID-19 pandemic. [*] The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) received an exemption from sanctions last month in order to boost local soybean production and improve nutrition in urban and rural areas. by Nirmala Carvalho Arrested in 2018 and then released on bail, he was acquitted in January 2022 by a Kerala court; however, the High Court has admitted an appeal. I resigned from the post for the sake of the Jalandhar diocese, he says in a video message. The nunciature had asked to do so; now a new bishop can be appointed. Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis today accepted the resignation of Mgr Franco Mulakkal as Bishop of Jalandhar (India). He had been embroiled in a legal case, after a nun accused of sexual assault in September 2018. A court in Kottayam (Kerala) acquitted the 59-year-old Mulakkal in January 2022, following a trial in which only 39 of the 84 people called to testify appeared. Mulakkal was accused of abusing his dominant position and raping the former superior general of the Missionary Sisters of Jesus on multiple occasions between 2014 and 2016 when he visited the orders convent in Kerala. The case has caused great consternation among Indian Catholics after it came to light in September 2018, when five nuns staged a protest, demanding justice for their fellow religious sister. Since the beginning, the prelate has always maintained that the accusations against him were unfounded and defamatory, and slammed the nun for trying to discredit him out of revenge after he removed her from the leadership of the congregation. Mulakkal served as auxiliary bishop of Delhi from 2009 to 2013 before he was appointed Bishop of Jalandhar (Punjab). He spent three weeks in jail after his arrest in 2018 before he was released on bail. At the time, the Holy See accepted his request to be relieved of his duties as bishop until the matter was clarified, while an administrator was put in charge of the diocese. Last February, Mulakkal met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. In a video message released today on the affair, he says that he informed the pontiff during their meeting of his decision to resign from office. I resigned from the post for the sake of the Jalandhar diocese and the appointment of a new bishop, he said. Expressing gratitude to those who prayed and stood by him, he also offered his tears to bring about the Churchs reform. In a statement, the Apostolic Nunciature in India notes that the High Court admitted an appeal against his acquittal. it also explained that Mulakkal's resignation was requested as 'pro bono Ecclesiae', especially for the good of the diocese which needs a new bishop. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 15, 2019, during the second public impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump, which focused on his efforts to tie U.S. aid for Ukraine to investigations of political opponents. Yovanovitch will participate in the Aspen Institutes McCloskey Speaker Series on July 12. President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during an export strategy meeting held in Gangseo District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap By Lee Hyo-jin The government will offer tax incentives for the biopharma sector and increase access to public health data, as a part of its efforts to nurture a biohealth cluster modeled after the "Boston Cluster" in the U.S., according to the presidential office, Thursday. During an export strategy meeting held in Magok, Gangseo District of Seoul, Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a plan to foster innovative firms in high-end industries, including the establishment of a biohealth cluster that will bring together local bio-pharmaceutical firms, universities, think tanks and hospitals. A cluster refers to an industrial complex in which companies, research institutes and think tanks related to a specific industry are gathered in one place to generate synergy. Korea has some 1,800 clusters of 70 different kinds that are currently in operation or being developed. However, many of the existing clusters have struggled to grow internationally due to a lack of networking opportunities between private firms and research centers, strict regulatory measures, as well as a lack of young talent willing to work in clusters located in rural areas. To this end, the government is preparing to implement a set of initiatives to nurture clusters related to high-end industries such as biohealth, semiconductors and secondary batteries three industries that are considered the country's future growth engine. The presidential office views the newly announced biohealth cluster to be a Korean version of the Boston Cluster in the U.S., which is regarded as the center of the global biotech industry, as a number of top pharmaceutical and medical device companies, as well as world-renowned universities such as Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are located there. "The Boston Cluster was formed not just based on MIT, but also based on a fair market and compensation system, which brought together the best talent in the spheres of engineering, medicine, law and finance," Yoon said. "It is not just a territorial gathering of research centers, universities and investment organizations, but a close connection of such facilities which leads to the development of innovative technology and creation of new values." It was the fifth meeting presided by Yoon to boost the nation's export competitiveness, attended by related ministers including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong and Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho. During the meeting, the government announced that it will designate certain biopharma technology as the nation's strategic industries, thereby offering a tax incentive rate of up to 35 percent on facility investment. It will also lift regulations barring cluster projects, while offering legal and accounting services to businesses and expanding shared facilities within the clusters for ventures and start-up companies. The government will also push for the disclosure of public biohealth data with an aim to foster the digital healthcare sector. Beginning in the latter half of this year, the health ministry will launch a decade-long plan to collect the clinical, DNA and personal data of a total of one million individuals by 2032. 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 SUV Photo: Benny Kirk/autoevolution XLE Hybrid with front-wheel drive - $44,670; XLE Hybrid with all-wheel drive 46,270; Limited Hybrid with all-wheel drive - $51,060. 2023 Ford Explorer $36,760; 2023 Chevrolet Traverse $34,520; 2023 Hyundai Palisade $35,900; 2023 Kia Telluride 35,890; 2023 Mazda CX-90 $39,595 2023 Nissan Pathfinder $35,200; 2023 Honda Pilot $36,300; 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L $42,030. Toyota has around 1,500 dealerships in the U.S. Soon, one that's close to you will display the 2024 Grand Highlander . Assembled in Princeton, Indiana, this family-orientedhas minivan interior space and efficient powertrains. Parents will want to see it in action! It wants to fill that empty space in your garage, but let's see if you will be inclined to order it.There are ten versions, and the lowest MSRP is available for the exclusively gas-powered Grand Highlander, which can be ordered with different equipment levels. These are XLE, Limited, and Platinum.The XLE gets you 18-inch wheels, a black grille, heated side mirrors, roof rails, power, and heated front seats, second-row sunshades, a 12.3-inch infotainment, a seven-inch driver's display, a wireless phone charger, a power liftgate, a smart key, and Toyota's Safety Sense (TSS) 3.0.The Limited adds 20-inch wheels, LED fog and daytime running lights, folding side mirrors, leather and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a power outlet, ambient lighting, and two 12.3-inch screens. Besides the TSS 3.0, the Limited includes front and rear parking assist.The Platinum brings forward heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, a panoramic moonroof, paddle shifters, a head-up display (HUD), a digital rearview mirror, and the traffic jam assist that works only with a Drive Connect subscription.The version with just a 2.4-liter engine under the hood and front-wheel drive has a price that starts from $43,070. That's the XLE trim. The cost goes up to $53,545 for the Platinum trim, which includes all-wheel drive as standard. The middle option is the Grand Highlander Limited with front-wheel drive with a starting cost of $47,860, while the all-wheel-drive variant adds a $1,600 premium.Moving onto the 2.5-liter hybridized powertrain, we're looking at three options:The most expensive 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is the 362-hp Hybrid Max which can be ordered in the Limited trim in exchange for $54,040. The Platinum version will set you back $58,125. Both the Limited Hybrid MAX and the Platinum Hybrid MAX include all-wheel drive.Thus, the cheapest 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander will have an MSRP of $43,070. Going for the fully loaded model adds an extra $15,055. Remember that these values do not include tax, shipping, license, and handling fees.This three-row SUV designed in California is now obligated to defeat some rivals who have already gained momentum or have lower starting MSRPs. These are as follows:We'll see if Toyota convinces Americans that it has the best three-row mid-size SUV. If you plan to get one, avoid any unnecessary dealer add-ons and try to negotiate away any other weird fees. SUV PHEV AMG ICE Frankly, suppose you are a true passenger car enthusiast that wants nothing to do with the hype revolving around new or upcoming CUV,, and truck introductions like the 2024 Toyota Tacoma or the early-June introduction of the 2024 Lexus GX and TX. In that case, it's probably game over when you hear a Lambo Revuelto roaring down the Nurburgring Nordschleife. So, after putting that snippet of Lambo greatness and madness now sprinkled with a cultivatedpowertrain, aside, it is time to check out the latest novelties that are worthy of making our garage bucket list.And I really want to talk about the attainable ones not the stuff that's already sold out for more cash than you can make during two lifetimes like the 62 examples of Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan 'Blue Shadow SUVs honoring the bleeding edge of space aka the Karman Line, "the invisible boundary 62 miles (99.77 km) above the Earth's surface, where our planet's atmosphere ends, and outer space begins." And don't say the Aston Martin DB12 doesn't fit the bill as I'm going to have a problem during retirement when I had planned all sorts of road trips in the upcoming Volante version.Anyway, let's start with that one of our explorations of imagined choices. The DB12 is here as an 'all-new' replacement of the DB11 grand tourer as much as the McLaren 750S for its 720S predecessor. It would be best to call them deep refreshes rather than new generations after all, the DB11 has been on the market since 2016, and the grand tourer is basically starting the second part of its life with the arrival of the DB12. Aston Martin insists that it redesigned the exterior, improved the aerodynamics, and even brought new LEDs to the party. At least it rocks a twin-turbo 4.0-literV8 that wipes the floor both with the previous DB11 and even the V12-powered DB11 thanks to a production of 670 ponies enough to hit 60 mph (96 kph) in 3.5 seconds and a max speed of 202 mph (325 kph). Naturally, its main target is making the Ferrari Roma more than a little jealous of its many new talents.I'm not longing for one at the moment I want the Volante for the summer to have the wind in my hair! Next, we have an all-new BMW 5 Series or better said, we have the i5 zero-emissions version to look at if we can. They say that more-powered both gasoline and diesel versions will come soon, including six cylinders and a couple of PHEVs. Still, all we have to look now at are the i5 eDrive40 with 335 hp and the i5 M60 xDrive with dual electric motors and up to 590 hp to make sure non-Plaid Tesla Model S buyers have something to look forward to or laugh about, depending on their POV. You might sense that I am more than a little ironic about the new executive sedan that is longer, wider, and also taller but the best thing you can say about it is that it features a 'restrained' grille design. Unfortunately, the rest of the styling is still controversial. Inside, though, is an impressive high-tech cockpit, and I bet you will soon see Disney's remake of The Little Mermaid when you get tired of playing console-quality games.By the way, has anyone heard that Honda is returning to Formula One as an engine supplier for Aston Martin? That is not even the most bonkers idea, though, as there is one automaker in the United States that is swimming against the MSRP current in the ICE-powered pool Alfa Romeo has cut prices of its Giulia sedan and Stelvio performance CUV (by $1,800) in an effort to fend off the German rivals. Speaking of the latter, Manthey is also helping Porsche with a performance kit for the fabulous 911 GT3 in the United States. Of course, It won't be cheap at $57,300 plus an additional $15,500 for the lightweight forged wheels. But, dear God, that presentation unit made me fall in love with fuchsia! Oh, and has anyone seen that Ford and Tesla are holding hands with the CEOs speaking up for the adoption of EVs on Twitter and Blue Ovals getting access to Superchargers?Last but not least, I finally arrived at my favorite cars of the past few days and they are Cadillacs . Do not laugh; I am not talking about the crossover coupe-SUV dubbed GT4 or the refreshed XT4, although there is nothing wrong with them, either. I am not even discussing the second generation CT6 because unfortunately the full-size sedan is a China-only affair and a massive forbidden fruit in the United States. Instead, I would love to pocket a 2024 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing into my dream garage or the CT5-V Blackwing with 20th-anniversary goodies. Better take a long and hard look at both of them as we might have seen the last of Caddy sedans because of the freaking love for CUVs, SUVs, trucks, and the impending switch to an electric vehicle-focused lifestyle. Now, there may not be any actual gold on the bike shown above, but this doesnt mean that its any less impressive. In its previous life, the creature used to be a rather uninspiring BMW R 100 R Classic from the model-year 1994, and Diamond Ateliers makeover took place in 2015. Their mods created something in between a scrambler and a cafe racer, with elegant lines up high and a brawny appearance down low.As the donor was being taken apart, each and every piece of stock bodywork was shown the door. Tom and Pablo also got rid of the Beemers OEM exhaust, airbox, and lighting hardware, as well as its subframe and awkwardly large seat. In order to achieve a tougher riding posture, they lowered the forks by about three inches (75 mm) and installed a bespoke subframe at the back.The latter is topped with a tailor-made saddle thats been put together in-house, and theres an LED taillight keeping the rear end as clean as possible. In the center, we find the stunning fuel tank of an older airhead replacing the standard R 100 R module. Its a perfect match for the incredibly clean cockpit, where the Munich shop fitted aftermarket clip-ons low down near the bottom triple clamp.These new handlebars come equipped with CNC-machined controls and bar-end turn signals from Motogadget. However, the custom-built top clamp is what really gets our attention, as it features a 0.17-carat diamond above the laser-cut engravement depicting the workshops initials and build number. Thats certainly not something youll see on your average motorcycle!Up north, were greeted by an angular LSL headlight, which stands in stark contrast to the retro styling found throughout the rest of this bike. Dual-purpose Continental TKC 80 tires embrace the wheels, with front-end stopping power coming from dual 320 mm (12.6-inch) floating discs and Brembo calipers. These are actuated by a premium master cylinder via braided stainless-steel hoses.As far as the R 100 Rs powertrain is concerned, the Diamond Atelier duo removed the stock carbs to make way for 40 mm (1.6-inch) DellOrto replacements. Theyre outfitted with K&N air filters and accompanied by a high-grade Akrapovic exhaust at the other end of the combustion cycle. When it came to the paint job, the lads went with a dark grey base for the tank, matte- and satin-black finishes elsewhere, and gold accents all throughout. EV Photo: Electrify America on YouTube A reality check Photo: Electrify America on YouTube Electric Vehicle Never lose hope Photo: Electrify America on YouTube Right now, the largest fast-charging networks in the country belong to Electrify America, Tesla, EVgo, ChargePoint, and Francis Energy. You'll often see these brand names across the country when looking for a plug.But with over 1,700 charging stations (and counting), the Supercharging network is the undisputed champion. The latest available Department of Energy data shows Electrify America has half that many charging locations 839. However, Electrify America is arguably more important than Tesla's Supercharger because everyone with a CCS port can use the former, while the latter is meant for cars with the NACS port. The Magic Dock solves this issue, but it's far from becoming common.Thus, if you buy anthat's not a Tesla and want to fast charge for long journeys or weekly commuting needs, Electrify America will be your best bet. That's why the VW-owned network is vital for the success of automakers that went with the CCS port and, at the same time, may be one of the reasons for which Ford decided to implement Tesla's charging solution.Nothing's happening by chance in this industry, so that was one major red flag for the CCS crowd.Some Electrify America users have trusted the charging network's stalls to work correctly. Still, a couple of unlucky ones lost their cars due to various issues like the charge port overheating. Other troubles like being unable to unplug, seeing sparks or smoke when plugging in, and having their EVs bricked by the charging station have also led to zero-tailpipe emission drivers questioning if they should visit an Electrify America location.Besides all these unfortunate situations, having Tesla fans and investors laugh at what other EV customers must deal with Well, it just added salt to the wound.But the worst thing about relying on a fast-charging network is how it can ruin one's plans when it cannot deliver what it promised. That's what happened to the Out of Spec Motoring team that attempted an EV Cannonball record with a Lucid Air a car capable of sucking the energy out of the grid at a fast rate. It didn't work out in the end because charging hiccups hindered their efforts. This can make many Americans wonder about the reliability of an EV when they might have to drive one on longer journeys. It can also increase frustration in those who have already joined the zero-tailpipe emission lifestyle and did so believing charging would be as easy as filling up with gas.For the success of the EV, Electrify America is paramount in the U.S. That's especially true when we look at the incentives given to states and local communities. The $5 billion NationalInfrastructure (NEVI) plan will put fast chargers along the Interstate Highway System, while the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program will do the same for underserved urban areas and rural communities. They will soon have the money to make fast-charging locations as common as fuel stations.But besides being necessary for the U.S., Electrify America must also ensure it remains profitable for its shareholders. Suppose it misses this giant wave of federal funding. In that case, it may allow Tesla to further cement its championing position. It'll only lead to losing more customers and even the partnerships it has made with various automakers like Hyundai.However, we believe that the charging network born out of the Dieselgate saga will find a way to succeed. And it starts today, with Rob Barrosa taking over as CEO and president.He has 16 years of EV infrastructure experience. Barrosa previously occupied the Vice President of Technology role at the company, where he oversaw the team of engineers and dealt with implementing technical capabilities. One could argue that he wasn't very good at ensuring that everything ran smoothly charging-wise as VP, but becoming CEO with that much knowledge about the company's operations is poised to be at least a tiny bit helpful in overcoming the current challenges.But all that cool professional background isn't what gets me going about Electrify America's new leadership team. It's the fact that Barrosa got into a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and traveled 2,798 miles (4,503 km) from Los Angeles, California, to Reston, Virginia. On his way to the company's headquarters, he met with customers who told him about their issues. Moreover, Barrosa discovered by himself that some stalls were not working during his coast-to-coast trip.He said a dedicated service team is now available and "quickly reacts" to these user-reported issues. However, the man simultaneously admitted that more work needed to be done. Barrosa may have confused the name of the Rivian R1S by calling it "RTS," but he acknowledged that the availability of Electrify America stations must be increased while also eliminating other problems like not charging right as the plug is put into the port. That's what's needed of him anyway.It's the start of a new era at Electrify America, and we couldn't be more excited about the prospect of having one of the nation's largest charging networks go through the right changes. Photo: Iranian State Media Photo: Iranian State Media But to understand how Iran wound up fending for itself in military aviation technology, we need to go back to a time before the Iranian Government was ideologically opposed to the West. In fact, from the mid-1920s until the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Imperial State of Iran and Western powers like Britain, France, and the United States were positively chummy with one another. Under the rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the final Shah of Iran, this cozy relationship with the U.S. Military, in particular, began paying real dividends.Perhaps the first American jet fighter to wear Iranian Air Force roundels was the Northrop F-5 Freedom fighter. A fast, agile, twin-engine light fighter built to tussle with Soviet MiGs, the F-5 could have formed the backbone of the entire Imperial Iranian Air Force had it not been for the two other American jets sold to the IIAF. These would, of course, be the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II, and the state-of-the-art, swing-wing Grumman F-14 Tomcat . For the next 40 years, this consortium of American hardware formed the cornerstone of one of the most powerful Air Forces in the Middle East.But there was a big problem. With the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty in the Iranian Revolution of 1979, so too did any semblance of a partnership between the Pentagon and Tehran go up in smoke. Suddenly, a liberal dose of espionage was the only avenue Iran could use to acquire spare parts for its fleet of American jets. It's widely believed an attempt to quell Iranian espionage led to the F-14's premature retirement from U.S. Navy service in 2006. By this time, American F-22 Raptors had already entered service, with Russian and Chinese responses in the Sukhoi Su-57 and Chengdu J-20 following in the coming decade.So what's a cash-strapped pariah state in the Middle East supposed to do to get a leg up in the stealth fighter game? They could always call on their supposed allies in Russia and China to help expedite the process. But no, Iran's gen-V stealth fighter was to be a wholly in-house design under the supervision of Iranian-state assets. A joint partnership between the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation (HESA) and Iran Aircraft Industries (SAHA) was in charge of designing this novel jet fighter, soon to be dubbed the IAIO Qaher-313 (F-313). Should the prototype ever reach production, it would be overseen by the state-asset Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO).The static mockup for the design was unveiled in front of the Iranian state media in 2013, with key Iranian Military leaders like the Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), Brigadier General Hassan Shah-Safi, being present to watch the F-313 make its global debut. Though official records regarding the dimensions of this novel airplane haven't been released, it's fair to say the F-313 is considerably smaller than an F-22 or even an F-35. In some ways, the F-313 resembles a strange chimera of both American Gen-V stealth fighters Such a design would have been great in, say, a video game. But Iranian media at the time seemed to swear by the F-313's real-world prowess and stealth capability during its global debut. Proudly declaring the jet's radar-absorbent coating and specially designed air inlets prevent the jet from being identified on radar at service altitudes. As for what could power this novel jet? That's another point of contention for Western journalists trying to make sense of Iran's new fighter. It's possible for Iran to cannibalize engines from their fleet of American F-4s, F-5s, and F-14s to power a new era of stealth fighters. But it's more likely that Iran planned to use Chinese, Russian, or even their own domestically produced engines like the TEM Toloue-5 turbojet to propel the F-313.In terms of weaponry, it's believed that Iran planned to use Chinese license-built copies of the Russian Vympel R-77 long-range, air-to-air missile, roughly the equivalent to the American AIM-120 AMRAAM as its primary aerial armament alongside ground attack load-outs carrying two 2,000 lb (910 kg) smart bombs. According to Iranian State media, the F-313's airframe is so stable in flight that it lacks the need for a complex and expensive fly-by-wire system, relying on old-fashioned cables and linkages to maneuver the jet through the air. Yeah, we'll need to see some receipts about all of that.It's not known what form of engine the F-313 prototype used during taxi testing in April 2017. But what is known, despite these tests occurring nearly eight years ago, is that the F-313 has still yet to have its first test flight. This has led many important media figures in the West, primarily from Israel, to declare the F-313 a "hoax." The undoubtedly civilian nature of the avionics inside the jet's cockpit hasn't done anything to quell doubts about the plane's validity. Nor did the apparent lack of an internal weapons bay stop Western observers from shouting from the rooftops that the F-313 probably isn't even stealthy.Finally, ten years after its initial unveiling in February 2023, it was announced by IAIO that the F-313 program would be reorganized into an unmanned stealth drone before it'd even had its first human-crewed test flight. In all but saying so directly, this appeared to be an admission of defeat on the part of the Iranians to field their own domestic stealth fighter. Meanwhile, Iran's new target date for the now un-crewed UAV based on the F-313 is set for the middle of 2024. Whether this test flight will come to pass on time, if at all, is anybody's guess.But what isn't up for debate at all is the questionable integrity of the F-313's design team; it leaves a lot to be desired. Therefore, any ostensible advances in the new UAV's design program will have to be taken with a few grains of salt, if not an entire salt lick. More to the point, with Iran actively supplying Russia with weapons in its disastrous ongoing invasion of Ukraine, it's clear Iranian aero engineers have other concerns beyond their own domestic fighter program to contend with. So, will the F-313, crewed or un-crewed, ever get off the ground at all? Well, we have our doubts for reasons that should be obvious by now.At this stage, it's hard to tell whether Iran will retire its fleet of American jet fighters before its first stealth plane even makes its first flight. But what do you all think? Could the Iranians really be onto something? Or is the F-313 a piece of vaporware rivaled only by the Russian Su-75 ? We have a pretty decent idea of what the response is liable to be. But let us know in the comments down below. But seriously, come on. The thing looks like it was built in an Ace Combat video game. Not long ago, we heard that the worst of Ford traditions might be upheld with the S650 too botching the intended market release date for its most hyped introductions, this time because of supply chain woes which have supposedly pushed back production to September from the initial schedule of early May. If real, that means there's no chance for deliveries to start during the summer, as initially planned.However, from across the pond (aka the Atlantic Ocean), there's good news about the fresh Dark Horse as a well-known socialite (Shmee150) has spotted a crimson example testing like it was nobody's business at the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife track in Germany alongside the slightly older S550 Mustang Mach 1. Speaking of red Mustangs and the Old Continent, let us return to the parallel universes of vehicular pixel masters for a second.Thus, here is Fatih Mehmet Yelkenci, a Turkish virtual designer using the yelkencidesign moniker on social media, who doesn't play too often with Americana muscle. But when he does, things go thoroughly insane and bonkers and probably make purists start running amok, crying their undying outrage. As such, one of his latest projects revolves around a 2000 Ford Mustang dressed in burgundy and fitted with a custom ultra-widebody kit. So far, that is not unusual, both for real Mustang tunes and imagined bespoke appearances. Not even the thoroughly slammed appearance is all that uncommon. But the rest of the details are for sure.This is because the author's inspiration for everything else came from multiple Ferrari sources, and the hidden secrets make this New Edge Mustang a lot more than the sum of its parts. For starters, the dashboard, steering wheel, and even the wheels were 'stolen' from the mighty Ferrari 458 series! But that is not all, and not at all. Instead, the pixel master continued to explain that what makes this American muscle car tick is actually an Italian symphony of 12 cylinders arranged in a 'V' configuration. More precisely, the 6.0-liter Tipo 140 V12 was borrowed from the 599 and Enzo models! Well, if that's not beyond crazy, I don't know what else qualifies for that label these days - maybe that alternate green minty stance? In this file photo provided by the presidential office, first lady Kim Keon Hee attends a Children's Day event at the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, May 5. Yonhap First lady Kim Keon Hee on Thursday delivered donations raised from a charity drive to people of national merit, the presidential office said. The donations of about 1 billion won ($756,000) were delivered during a ceremony at the headquarters of the Community Chest of Korea (CCK), with Kim saying she will remember the sacrifice and dedication of "heroes in uniform," and warmly look after the families who have been left behind. She is honorary chair of the CCK. The event was organized to mark the month of appreciation for patriots and veterans. The donations will be delivered to 341 meritorious people and family members of patriots and veterans, the presidential office said. A dozen representatives of recipients attended Thursday's ceremony. (Yonhap) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration EV kWh The only electric vehicle that Jaguar makes nowadays has been recalled to the tune of 6,367 vehicles in the US, namely all I-Paces made for the US from the start of production (June 5, 2018) until May 25, 2023. That's a pretty bad omen for Jaguar's all-electric future, but unsurprising for an electric vehicle.According to documents filed with the, the Coventry-based manufacturer started looking into multiple reports of vehicle fire back in February 2022. The Product Safety and Compliance Committee, together with Engineering, were informed of thermal overload events. Given these circumstances, Jaguar Land Rover contacted the battery's supplier for more detailed analyses.Said high-voltage battery supplier is LG, the South Korean behemoth that agreed to reimburse General Motors a whopping $1.9 billion over the Bolt's battery fiasco. Jaguar and the battery supplier still haven't determined the root cause for the battery fires. No fewer than eight fires have been reported in the US market alone between June 2019 and May 2023.As such, the Recall Determination Committee tasked Engineering with developing a software update for the battery energy control module. Said update is designed to monitor the lithium-ion battery's operational status. If the software determines that something isn't quite right, it limits charging capacity to 75 percent. In case of a warning message, owners are recommended to take their I-Paces to the nearest dealership for diagnosis and/or repair.What kind of repair? If necessary, the dealer will replace the battery and module at no charge. Jaguar will reimburse owners who replaced the battery and module from their own pockets before the issuance of this safety recall. There are no reports of accidents, injuries, or worse as a result of this problem.Dealers will be informed of the recall (number 23V-369) on June 8. Owners will be notified by first-class mail no later than July 21. Affected vehicles were produced for the 2019 through 2024 model years at Manga Steyr's plant in Graz, Austria.Penned by Ian Callum, who left Jaguar in 2019 after two decades with the British manufacturer, the I-Pace is based on the D7e platform. All-wheel drive is standard, and the high-voltage battery is rated at 85net and 90 kWh gross.Range is estimated at 246 miles (396 kilometers) by the EPA, and zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) takes 4.5 seconds. The only trim level available in the United States at press time is the R-Dynamic HSE, which costs $72,000. ECU Australia has a pretty active car tuner scene. If you've been following our stories, you probably read about YouTube channel TRC's (That Racing Channel) recent escapade overseas to Australia for the annual GT-R Festival That's not all. The Hoonigan team recently traveled to the continent to capture some raw Aussie racing furry for their popular drag racing series This Vs. That.All that Australian racing action took place in one location, in a little country town (4 hours out of Sydney) in New South Wales that no one knows about; The legendary Cootamundra Airport track.On their recent episode of TRC Australia series, Javier of That Racing Channel featured one of the craziest Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI on the continent, a.k.a Koval Evo VI. It makes a whopping 1,500 hp (1,521 ps) at 11,000 rmp.The Mitsubishi Evolution needs no introduction . It's a rally king and one of Japan's most capable tuner cars. With the right mods, this early 2000s rally car will pull impressive figures on the dyno without breaking the bank.The Koval Evo IV is quite the ripper. It's an internet sensation in Australia and around tuner circles worldwide for single-handedly destroying some formidable contenders at the Sydney Dragway.According to the tuner, Dom Rigoli of TRP Racing, this 6th gen Lancer Evolution packs a turbocharged 4G63T 2.2-liter 4-Cylinder engine dyno'd at 1,500 hp (1,521 ps).The mods include a Precision 885 turbo, Emtron, Direct clutch, and Billet transfer case, among others.'We haven't run it to its potential on this setup. It hasn't really gone faster than the old setup from last year. But it's an absolute darling," Dom of TRP Racing said about his Evo VI build. "So, we're just trying to get the take-off right, but it's spinning the tire a lot, so we are trying to get that sorted before we put it all in," he added.Dom disclosed to Javier that the old turbo helped the setup make about 1,250 hp (1,267 ps), but with the new Precision 885 turbo, it made north of 1,500 hp (1,521 ps) on the dyno."This thing is wild. I mean, we bogged a little bit at launch. So it bogged a little, but it got traction," Javier of That Racing Channel exclaimed after a ride in the Evo VI. "It's not all there; I can see it on Draggy; it's about point four down," Sam of TRP Racing responded.The Koval Evo VI gets down when it's time to bolt. We hope it makes another record in this year's Australian TurboSmart Ultimate Street Car Competition. NHTSA Four months ago, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) showed that annual US pedestrian fatalities returned to the 1982 level. It underlined the regression in this respect by showing that over 7,000 Americans lost their lives in 2021, despite vehicles becoming more intelligent and safer.The preliminary data for 2022 isn't looking good, either. The same source says that pedestrian deaths surged by 5% in the first half of last year and blamed dangerous driving, inadequate infrastructure, and larger vehicles for leading to such deadly conditions. Approximately 19 pedestrians lose their lives every day in America. This is worrying for drivers, people who like or need to walk often, automakers, and public office incumbents.In March, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told state officials to genuinely consider the safety of pedestrians and cyclists when announcing new road projects. But besides urging the right people to take action, Buttigieg also made thecreate a new rule that forces all automakers to enhance their vehicles' standard safety systems.Thus, the proposed rule forces manufacturers to make the AEB standard on all passenger cars and light trucks. Moreover, new models should be able to stop when a pedestrian is detected even at night If implemented according to the current proposal, cars and light trucks should be able to stop and avoid contact with a vehicle or a human in front of them up to 62 mph (100 kph). That is, of course, only if the driver does not apply enough braking force. The system should also be able to complement the driver in stopping the vehicle even when they press the brake pedal but do not put enough pressure.If adopted, the NHTSA's proposed rule will force automakers to install the comprehensive AEB system three years after the final form of the act is published."Just as lifesaving innovations from previous generations like seat belts and airbags have helped improve safety, requiring automatic emergency braking on cars and trucks would keep all of us safer on our roads," said Buttigieg.Lastly, buyers shouldn't worry about cars or trucks becoming even heavier in case this change ends up being implemented industry-wide. A camera-based AEB is not complicated or expensive to implement. It could challenge brands like Subaru, which still needs to make its driver-assist technology work on manual cars.The Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) is attached below, which also contains instructions regarding the comment submitting methods. My source is telling me that Elon witnessed the the very 1st volume production version of the new Model 3 rolling off the lines yesterday. The current plan is single shift around 700-800 cars per day. It will ramp up more shifts in 3 months. WangNextDoor (@WangNextDoor2) June 1, 2023 Elon Musk: I would love to say to everyone that I am very moved by this and I want to tell the world loud and clear that the Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory is not only one of the most productive factories in the world, but also makes one of the best quality cars in the world. pic.twitter.com/xcXoUzagyk Yan Chang (@cyfoxcat) June 1, 2023 With Elon Musk's visit to China and rumors of Project Highland production starting at Giga Shanghai, everybody expected a hot announcement to be made. Some news outlets jumped the gun and quoted a Bloomberg report that claimed Tesla would reveal the refreshed Model 3 during the visit. Instead of that, Tesla China's official Weibo account shared a video from Giga Shanghai showing Musk thanking Tesla employees for their hard work, with a white wall in the background, no production line, and no refreshed Model 3.However, Chinese sources confirm that Musk has indeed seen the first refreshed Model 3 rolling off the production line at Giga Shanghai. According to a tweet by WangNextDoor, the refreshed Model 3 is still kept highly confidential, and no one is allowed to bring in any smartphones. For now, the Phase I (Model 3) line is working single-shift, producing around 700-800 cars per day. The line will add more shifts in the next three months as it ramps up production.Still, even without an official confirmation, there are market signs that things are moving, and Project Highland might be closer than many thought. Two weeks ago, Tesla began what appears to be a Model 3 sell-off in North America, with deep discounts on inventory units. After a $1,350 discount was offered on Model 3 units on May 19, a similar move followed in Canada roughly a week later. Canadians enjoyed a 2,320 CAD price cut which equals about 1,700 USD.As rumors from China keep piling up, Tesla made another price cut for new Model 3 units in the US inventory. This time, Tesla slashed up to $3,020 off the Model 3 units. For instance, the base-version Model 3 RWD with no upgrades can be had for $37,830, a $2,410 discount, and that is before accounting for tax credits and other local incentives. The price cuts don't apply to new orders, as the Model 3 is still listed at $40,240 on Tesla's website, indicating that Tesla is trying to get rid of the cars in its inventory.Tesla Model 3 Project Highland was rumored to start test production in China on June 1 , which appears to have happened on schedule, although Tesla China earlier denied the rumors. The refreshed Model 3 is expected to come with cosmetic improvements and significant technology changes. Recent prototype sightings showed that Tesla would move to a stalkless design, something Tesla customers already said they hate . The first deliveries of the updated Model 3 should not be far away, probably within a month from now. EV Lithium-ion batteries power almost everything that needs electricity away from the grid and are the norm in theindustry. For all their advantages, Li-ion cells also have a significant problem, as they are prone to overheating, which leads to fires that are difficult to extinguish . It's called thermal runaway because once the cell temperature passes a certain point, it accelerates until everything becomes explosive.This poses problems during shipping, considering that a typical cargo ship can hold thousands of EVs. The shipping industry learned this the hard way last year when the Felicity Ace cargo ship sank after electric vehicles onboard caught fire. When the fire started, there were roughly 4,000 cars onboard Felicity Ace, although only a few hundred were EVs. In the aftermath of the disaster, the industry took measures to prevent future fires.One restricts the Li-ion battery state of charge (SoC) to less than 50%, which has been proven to limit the chances of a thermal runaway. Tesla adhered to this practice, and owners reported picking up their new cars with a less-than-ideal SoC. Some said their Tesla had less than 30% battery, forcing them to divert to a Supercharger to top up the battery. Ideally, Tesla delivery centers should charge the battery before pick-up, but this doesn't happen.Tesla may have chosen an easier solution to keep customers happy. Instead of spending time charging the cars before the pick-up time, they started offering new owners complimentary Supercharger miles. This has been revealed by an owner who shared the message received from Tesla in the /teslamotors subreddit. Tesla admits that the charge status may be lower than usual when the customers are scheduled to take delivery of their car. Still, since this is the industry policy, there's not much it can do.The thread starter appears to be a European customer because the message uses the metric system. Considering that many Teslas arriving in Europe are shipped by sea from China, this is probably a measure enforced by the Chinese authorities. New Tesla owners are promised 150 km (93 miles) of free Supercharging, which can be redeemed a few days after delivery in the Loot Box of their Tesla app.Considering the messages on Reddit, customers appear to have mixed feelings about the new policy. Although having some Supercharger sessions reimbursed is nice, many would prefer not to stop at a Supercharger on their first trip home. Some ask Tesla to offer new customers the option of having free Supercharging or waiting for the battery to charge before delivery . We're curious to know what you would choose in this case. Photo: Tiny House Pro Photo: Tiny House Pro Photo: Tiny House Pro Statistics can only confirm the obvious the tiny house market keeps growing everywhere in the world. There are plenty of well-established builders in places like the US and UK, where this alternative housing movement has deeper roots. Still, theres enough room (and demand) for newcomers.Tiny House Pro is one of the youngest companies in this sector. It officially kicked off operations in England just a year ago, with a very attractive product range. Gencaga Vural and Alex Savva joined forces to set up a building business that can help people enjoy all the benefits of top-quality housing at affordable costs while respecting the environment and enhancing mobility.The Essex is the most luxurious design in the Tiny House Pro portfolio, and it shows. In terms of size, it boasts the largest dimensions allowed for it to comply with road legality standards. This means a maximum length of eight meters (26 feet, nine meters/29.5 feet with the drawbar), a 2.5-meter (8.2 feet) width, and a four-meter (13 feet) height. At this size, the Essex offers enough space for a kitchen, a generous living room, and a loft bedroom for one or two people.A lot of tiny houses sacrifice the living area space, but not Essex. When you walk through the door, you'll notice an elegant hallway or lounge area separating the kitchen and bathroom section from the living room. The windows play an important part in making this room highly attractive. You've got three large ones at the end of the house (which also create a lovely look from the outside) and two more on one of the side walls. This translates to abundant natural light, fresh air, and great views.A large, inviting sofa fits in perfectly; there's enough room for additional furniture and a wall-mounted TV. The kitchen is packed with appliances, including a four-burner stove and electric oven. The discrete cabinets and additional storage space incorporated in the staircase keep the area clutter-free and well-organized.Essex raises the bar in terms of bathroom luxury with high-quality materials and a glam design. Having enough space inside a tiny house bathroom for a fancy bathtub is a luxury in itself. Still, the Essex Tiny is flexible enough to integrate a regular shower instead of that if customers prefer so.Flexibility is also important when it comes to upstairs access. The standard Essex comes with a massive staircase that allows generous storage. However, future owners can opt for a simple ladder with three points of contact for added safety. The main benefit is freeing up more space in the kitchen for a longer countertop or even a breakfast bar.Essex makes the most of its main floor, so the loft bedroom stays minimal, with only enough space for a two-person bed and a single window. The layout is basic, but enjoying standing room in a tiny house loft bedroom is the most important thing, in addition to ventilation and light.This beautiful tiny house, inspired by traditional farmhouses, is as welcoming on the outside as it is on the inside. A surprisingly large deck is the outdoor equivalent of its inviting and stylish living room. Large enough for generous seating and even an extra table, it's the perfect spot for socializing and enjoying spending more time with family and friends. After all, downsizing and reducing living costs are also supposed to invite more fun and closeness into our lives.Despite the sophisticated appearance, Essex is a mobile home all the way. It's designed to travel easily and to go off-grid when needed. The off-grid package, which includes solar panels, a composting toilet, and water tanks, adds 20,000 (almost $25,000) to the final price. Still, it's worth it for those who plan to travel frequently or to live in remote locations.Other optional features include underfloor heating and insect window screens. Future owners get to personalize each Tiny House Pro design but to a certain degree. That's because one of the co-founders has experienced tiny living and used that to establish a common foundation for all his designs. The good part is that customers needn't worry about the quality of the materials. This British brand is committed to using only solid timber and plywood and no vinyl or MDF, which is also a plus in terms of durability.As for pricing, the Essex Tiny starts at 59,000 ($73,000), but all the customizations plus the off-grid package can bring that closer to $100,000. Remember that this is the most luxurious option in the Tiny House Pro range, so you'd get the best of everything wrapped up in a house on wheels that looks just as good as a traditional one. Still, there are more affordable options as well because the ultimate goal is to make sustainable living accessible to everyone. The Japanese carmaker confirmed the security incident back in May when it discovered that a database misconfiguration exposed the data of Japanese customers.At that point, Toyota said only drivers in Japan were impacted, but according to a recent statement, Australian customers were affected as well.The carmaker confirmed in a statement that only "a small number of Australian records have been impacted, admitted that the exposed data may include vehicle and personal information, such as names and contact details. On the other hand, no financial details were exposed.Furthermore, Toyota says it found no evidence that the data has been accessed by a third party. According to the initial findings, the Connected service exposed the information, as an online server was left unprotected without a password.Once it became aware of the security blunder, Toyota safeguarded the server, setting up a password to make sure no unauthorized access takes place. It also conducts audits to determine the security protections currently in place on its servers.According to the carmaker, the data was exposed beginning in November 2013. The flaw was eventually patched in April this year when the company became aware of the mishap.The good news is that the exposed information did not include sensitive information, but on the other hand, it's still worrying that a company the size of Toyota failed to detect a security problem for so long. According to Toyota's timing information, the data was left unprotected with a password for close to 10 years before somebody discovered what the carmaker called a human error.At the same time, Toyota determining that customers in other countries were affected by the breach could also raise more questions about whether the exposed data covers more regions. The carmaker says it's already looking for potential security issues on all cloud platforms managed by Toyota Connected in an attempt to determine whether more data might be exposed to third-party access through the misconfigured database.At this point, however, no information has been discovered in this regard, and Toyota insists that it found no evidence of third-party access to the misconfigured server. As such, the company says the likelihood of someone accessing the exposed data is extremely low.At the time of writing, Toyota says customers shouldnt do anything, as the mishap did not expose sensitive information such as credit card details and other financial data. On the other hand, if you believe someone is trying to use the information that might have been obtained from Toyota's server, they are strongly encouraged to reach out to the company for additional information on what to do next. Aliyev made the offer on Sunday while again telling the Karabakh Armenians to unconditionally accept Azerbaijani rule and threatening to take military action against them as well as Armenia. Everyone knows that we can carry out any [military] operation in that territory [Karabakh,] he warned. That is why the [Karabakh] parliament must be dissolved, the element who calls himself the president [of Karabakh] must surrender and all ministers, deputies and other officials must resign. Only then can there be talk of amnesty. The Armenian government and Karabakhs leadership condemned the threats. The Armenian Foreign Ministry said Aliyev not only threatened the Karabakh Armenians with ethnic cleansing but is also preparing the ground for another aggressive action against Nagorno-Karabakhs population. We recently expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Pashinians commitment to peace, and we welcome President Aliyevs recent remarks on consideration of amnesty, the U.S. State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said in a statement issued late on Tuesday. Miller at the same time stressed: Aggressive rhetoric can only perpetuate the violence of the past; constructive dialogue -- both public and private -- can create peace, opportunity, and hope. The Armenian Foreign Ministry expressed dismay at the U.S. reaction on Wednesday, insisting that Aliyevs remarks contained clear threats to Armenias territorial integrity and the security of Karabakhs population. Washington should react appropriately to such statements, said a ministry spokeswoman. Aliyev made the threats ahead of his fresh meeting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian scheduled for Thursday. The two leaders will meet together with European Union chief Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of a European summit in Moldova. Aliyev and Pashinian apparently made significant progress towards an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty during their May 14 meeting in Brussels hosted by Michel. Pashinian confirmed afterwards that he is ready to recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh. Pashinians stance was hailed by a senior U.S. official but condemned by the Armenian opposition and Karabakhs leadership. Karabakhs parliament said on May 22 that any peace deal ignoring the Karabakh Armenians right to self-determination would be null and void for Stepanakert. The U.S. had backed that right through peace plans jointly drafted with Russia and France before the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani war. 1 June 2023 18:00 (UTC+04:00) By Emin Sevdimaliyev The recent political transformations that can be observed in the region are very interesting. Zangazur is becoming a center where the interests of a number of regional players collide. And not only regional ones. For example, quite recently the European Union allocated about 100 million euros for the development of this region, and Iran launched the work of the Consulate General in the region some time ago. And in recent days it has become known that Russia is preparing to open the doors of the Consulate General in Zangazur, which was positively assessed by the Armenian side. But what is the reason for such unprecedented activity? In the end, for more than 30 years since the collapse of the USSR, this place was in limbo and no one remembered this region either in Iran, or in Russia, and even more so, in the EU. And now it is under focus of interest. The reason, if you think about it, is quite simple. All countries "bustled" against the background of expectations that Zangazur will become one of the main transport bridges, which will allow establishing efficient transport links between Europe, Asia, North and South. These transformations were launched by Azerbaijan, which has been preparing to launch a large-scale geopolitical and economic project for several years. The Zangazur corridor will change the economy of several dozen countries, but Armenia continues to oppose it . The problem with Armenia's approach is that it does not take into account the position of major players who seek not only to retain the status of regional powers, but also to become global hegemons. We have already described one of these countries - China. Armenia's position jeopardizes the strategic interests of China, which will certainly not be appreciated in Beijing. We will not repeat the main arguments that we have already offered to our readers, however, we note that the increased interest in Zangazur from the EU, Iran and Russia is fraught with great danger for Armenia. First of all, the rising interest of each country should be carefully observed. And this basic postulate of the world of politics is very bad news for Armenia, since the interests and needs of the EU, Russia and Iran do not necessarily coincide. As well as methods to achieve these goals. If you look at the EU, then the grants pumped into Armenia will metaphorically be as giant as Trojan horse. Armenia will not be able to resist the will of Brussels, as the country will lose significant financial support. Another important question is for what purposes these grants will be used. It is impossible to exclude the possibility that another revolution will be initiated in Armenia. In this context, it should be noted that the necessary developments to achieve these goals have long existed in the West. Suffice it to recall the Bulldozer Revolution in the former Yugoslavia, which ended with the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic and, later, tensions spread to a number of other countries. On the other hand, Iran's foreign policy, at the same time, is difficult to rationalize, though Iran's power projection methods remain standard and highly predictable. At the first need, Tehran will put pressure on Yerevan, seeking concessions. From the Armenian point of view, the situation is complicated by the fact that Iran's methods are, in essence, based on the basic postulates of Machiavellianism and hard power. Of course, we are aware of the destructive influence of Iran on the countries of the Middle East, where pro-Iranian proxies are cultivated. According to the US State Department, Iran has spent about $16 billion to support its proxies in the Middle East from 2012 to 2020. If we add to this the lack of ability to use soft power and Iran's antagonism to all surrounding countries, then the issue of disagreements between Tehran and Yerevan becomes a matter of time. The last country on this list, but with a very large variety of levers, is Russia. As for the possibilities of the Kremlin's influence, the list is obvious. Armenia is catastrophically dependent on Russia on a wide range of issues, including security and the economy. In the context of political influence, it is necessary to note the membership of Armenia and Russia in a large number of international organizations, which further increases Armenia's dependence on Moscow. Armenia turns into a point of conflict of interests Taking into account the possibilities and different approaches of the countries concerned, it is possible to draw a number of conclusions and observations about the challenges that Yerevan will have to deal with. The first observation is related to the fact that Armenia will have to show considerable dexterity in maneuvering. This is due to the fact that the interests of Russia and Iran, on the one hand, and the EU, on the other hand, are opposite. Brussels sees in Armenia a country that helps Russia avoid sanctions, as we wrote about earlier. The situation in which Armenia finds itself means that the EU, Russia and Iran will have more reasons to be dissatisfied with Armenia. In other words, Armenia will be at the center of a collision between the three political forces. Not everything is so simple in relations between Iran and Russia. Again, the transactional nature of international politics must be kept in mind, and even between Tehran and Moscow there will be disagreements. The big question is how Armenia will evade pressure in this situation. At the moment, it is difficult to determine any mechanism that will allow Armenia to pursue an independent policy in the event of such a situation. The second observation follows from the first. Armenia's sovereignty is facing a more serious threat than previously thought. The reason lies in Armenia's inability to oppose anything to the mutually exclusive interests of the three countries. In such a situation, there is a high probability that Yerevan will have to sacrifice its interests in order to appease large forces. The state of Armenian diplomacy does not give grounds to assume that the country will be able to find a way out of such difficult situations by finding a mutually beneficial solution. In other words, Armenia will become a pawn in the geopolitical game of big countries with a very dubious outcome for it. Point number three is the weakening of opportunities for negotiations with other countries on any issues. The root of this problem, again, lies in the clash of interests of major players, and Yerevan's position on major issues will have to reflect the interests of foreign states. Given their large number, as well as their mutually exclusive interests, the pool of possible solutions to different solutions for Armenia will be very limited. This will make her a weak player in potential negotiations. As a result, Yerevan will face a wide range of challenges, many of which Armenia does not have an answer to. It is clear that a lot of pressure will be exerted on Armenia very soon on the issue of unblocking transport links and launching the Zangazur corridor. And Armenia itself will be to blame for this, which has been resisting the implementation of the obligations under which it has signed for so long. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 13:00 (UTC+04:00) Rena Murshud Read more A meeting is being held today in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, where the heads of state and government come together, and at the same time the main issues of energy, transport and security are discussed. The Armenian side also participates in the meeting, but the news from Yerevan still remains within its outdated mode. It has already become an axiom that whenever the Armenian leadership starts a new trip, the other landlord in Yerevan do what they know. It can even be attributed to Armenia's traditional provocative policy, double standards or attitude of disregard towards prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Now let's get down into the details... It is interesting that a few hours before Pashinyan's arrival in Moldova, the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan made an absurd and irrelevant claim about the presence of illegal separatist forces in Karabakh. According to him it is not the Armenian army that is in Karabakh, but the army of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh republic. First, by using this expression, he defends a terrorist group that exists in the territory of another state - which can also be seen as overstepping his bounds. The second one shows the opposite position of the secretary of the Armenian Security Council against the statement made by (recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity within 86.6 thousand square kilometers) his Premier. So, the traditional question arises - either Pashinyan is a gamer, or his officials are just wrapping him around their little fingers... Second, let's get back to the fact that Armenians still call our land 'Nagorno-Karabakh', despite the abolition of the Status Quo. Looking back in history, on November 26, 1991, the administrative-territorial unit of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region was abolished by the law of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Under this law, the historical names of many cities in this area were liberated from occupation. And also, on November 9, 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, who won the Patriotic War, again refreshed the memory of Armenians who did not want to reconcile with reality. On the contrary, the Yerevan administration, which identifies itself as the government, shamelessly violates the laws in such matters and continues to do so. Hence it seems that the talks by Armenia on peace and Armenian PM's recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is a complete load of baloney. However, looking at past meetings, the Armenian side has repeatedly stated that "the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh" issue is not in Yerevan's agenda". Even Pashinyan himself admitted that the Yerevan authorities are not responsible for the separatist groups in Karabakh. But what Grigoryan is talking about - this is really more like kindergarten than politics. This is literally a shameful act, worse than double standards. The result once again shows that it is not only the separatist forces that have brought disaster to the Armenian minorities living in Karabakh, but also the Yerevan authorities, who give them support. This is also a disaster written on the bad luck of Karabakh Armenians. By leaving their security in the hands of Yerevan, they leave themselves at the edge of the abyss. First of all, the Yerevan authorities should understand that the problems of Karabakh, within which the 86.6 thousand square kilometer sovereign territory of Azerbaijan it recognized, and the problems of the Armenian minorities existing in this territory are an internal issue of Azerbaijan. No international law can allow them to interfere in this matter. As for the safety of the Armenians in Karabakh, Grigoryan should understand that this kind of senseless intervention by Yerevan can endanger not only the lives of the Armenians of Karabakh but even Armenians in Yerevan. It would be good for Armenia not to bring up these already discussed issues again and better to stand by the words it manifested in the previous Moscow meeting. Armenia has already lost its reputation in the international political arena with its failure and denials of truth. If Armenia can even come to Brussels, Moscow and Chisinau to participate in the meetings, tomorrow it may completely lose these privileges. Yerevan sees the growing influence and power of Azerbaijan and understands how unshakable Europe's trust in Azerbaijan is. At a time when Armenia served the principles of occupation for 30 years, Azerbaijan strengthened its economy incredibly. It is an undeniable fact that today Azerbaijan is known as one of the leading energy sources of Europe. The special invitation of Azerbaijan to the meeting with the participation of the leading European heads of state in Chisinau is not precisely because of discussing the pointlessly dragging problems related to Armenia, but rather because of the discussion of energy and transport, as well as security issues that can change the future of Europe. Pashinyan and his circle should understand that the old era is left behind. Armenia can no longer force some factions in Europe to get what it wants. The Chisinau meeting also marks the beginning of a new era in Europe's political space. This also clearly demonstrated that the OSCE Minsk Group, which was once famous for its frail and biased activities, has become completely paralyzed. The new era in European politics is no longer based on Armenian politics and fantasies, but on the economic prospects of Azerbaijan, which is rapidly advancing. --- Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Officials from the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government pose in front of a hotel in central Seoul, May 7. The municipal authority announced on the same day they will introduce at least 2,000 fuel-cell hydrogen buses in the province by 2026. Courtesy of North Gyeongsang Provincial Government By Ko Dong-hwan The central and local governments and state-run agencies in Korea are speeding up their green initiatives, with the number of government-owned clean-emission vehicles in 2022 hitting a record high. According to the Ministry of Environment on Thursday, in 2022, of the 8,072 vehicles purchased or rented by governmental bodies and agencies, almost 80 percent were emission-free vehicles those powered by fuel cells, electricity or hybrid technology. When considering vehicles operating on liquefied natural gas and gasoline that met the national standards for low emissions, over 90 percent of all vehicles fell under the broader "low-emission vehicle" category. The survey, jointly conducted by the ministries of environment and trade-industry-energy, showed an increase of 881 hydrogen and electric vehicles compared to the previous year. Initiated in 2021, the annual survey offers a glimpse into how the 769 governmental organizations are conforming to the country's updated Clean Air Conservation Act and the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Promotion of Development and Distribution of Environment-Friendly Motor Vehicles. Both laws mandate that starting from 2021, all governmental entities and relevant organizations should ensure that their vehicle fleet is fully composed of low-emission vehicles with at least 80 percent emission-free. The legislation forced national authorities and agencies to purchase or rent more environmentally-friendly vehicles, if necessary, to meet the new standards. The Clean Air Conservation Act stipulates a maximum fine of 3 million won ($2,300) for those who fail to comply with these requirements. The survey revealed the effectiveness of these laws. In 2022, 92 percent of all organizations complied with the environmental standards, representing an increase of 8.3 percentage points and 102 organizations from the previous year. The survey also identified the organizations whose heads are setting an example by personally driving eco-friendly cars with this figure rising to 207 in 2022, from 120 in 2021. Despite the progress, the survey indicates that 82 organizations are yet to meet the necessary standards. The government plans to encourage these organizations to revise their purchase plans to meet the required low-emission ratio, while the environment ministry imposed fines on organizations that failed to achieve the mandatory ratio in 2022. Park Yeon-jae, head of Air Quality Policy Bureau under the environment ministry, noted that the current 80 percent minimum standard for low-emission vehicles is anticipated to be elevated to 100 percent this year through an additional legal revision. "The efforts to steadily increase the number of clean-emission vehicles are contributing to the national goal of carbon neutralization in the country's transport sector," the director said. 1 June 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more The ongoing processes are beginning to shape a new political reality in the European Political Space. In this sphere, which has been observed to emerge from Reykjavik to Baku, the name of Azerbaijan has also been present from the very beginning, and it is a specially invited party to this format. Currently, when looking at the European space, it is clearly seen that the OSCE is in a completely paralyzed state and does not have any role in the issue of European security. On the other hand, although many issues are discussed within NATO and the EU, these organizations cover certain states. In other words, there is no institution that can play the role of a discussion platform within the general European framework. Currently, the European Political Union is in the process of its formation and serves as an important platform for conducting open and informal discussions between the states at the level of leaders. At the meeting in Chisinau attended by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev based on a special invitation, discussions are continued at the level of working meetings as well as general plenary meetings at the level of leaders and top diplomats. It should be noted that, as in the first meeting held in Prague, three main directions were defined in the meeting held in Moldova: energy, transport links and security. There is no doubt that the participation of the head of state of Azerbaijan in this meeting is not limited only to the issue of security in Armenia and the South Caucasus. The fact that Azerbaijan hosted an international event called Baku Energy Week a day before the event shows that it has wide economic opportunities. Especially in the meeting of Moldova, Azerbaijan is active in issues related to energy and transport. Here, relevant working groups and President Ilham Aliyev personally participate in open and useful discussions with state and government leaders. As mentioned earlier, Azerbaijan is already putting aside the deliberately extended problems related to Armenia in the South Caucasus. Prolonging the conflict issues in the region in a meaningless way and fruitless discussion does not benefit any party. Even the Western partners who have taken the initiative in these issues understand that negotiating with a state like Armenia is a waste of time. As the top leaders of the European Union have noted, Azerbaijan, the most reliable partner, is seen as an attractive party in the discussions of more large-scale energy projects today. A new model of the European Political Union As for the future prospects of the European Political Union, what form it will take and finally its formation as an organization that can have a new pan-European character - this is a topic of discussion for the future. Currently, there is no unified opinion among the states on this issue, but such prospects are possible in the future. It should be noted that over time there was a concept within the framework of the OSCE that would go from Vancouver to Vladivostok, but as we can see now, a new reality, i.e., a political concept, covering a political space from Reykjavik to Baku is being formed. The transformation of Azerbaijan into the energy capital of Europe As mentioned earlier, political motives are beginning to change in the European space. The ongoing situation in Ukraine and the emerging economic necessity have become the driving factors for all these processes. Europe sees Azerbaijan as a door of hope and has unlimited confidence in its vast potential. This is not an exaggeration - indeed, the international event called Baku Energy Week, attended by President Ilham Aliyev a day before his visit to Moldova, clearly described everything. Today, in such a situation, the leading states of Europe, as well as the Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Baltic states, which are seriously affected by the war in Ukraine, give great priority to economic values. And finally, the participation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in the second summit of the European Political Union organized in the capital Chisinau based on the invitation of the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu and the President of the Council of the European Union Charles Michel can be noted as an important meeting with many points. It is of note that Azerbaijan's political and economic relations have developed at a high level not only with European countries, but also with Moldova. There is a high-level dialogue between the two countries, and these mutual relations continue to develop in the spirit of friendship and cooperation today. Within the framework of his visit to Moldova, President Ilham Aliyev also met with Moldovan President Maya Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean, and during the discussions, the parties brought up the prospects of economic cooperation in agriculture, energy, and investments in large-scale projects. It is also significant to noted that diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Moldova have been going on for 31 years. Back in 2005 and 2009, when President Ilham Aliyev visited Moldova, 63 documents were signed between the two countries. Note that since 2004, the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation has been operating between the two countries. The commission has held 4 meetings so far, and the last meeting was held in October 2022. Today, 23 investment companies belonging to Moldova operate in Azerbaijan mainly in the fields of industry, transport, trade, and services. It is no secret that Moldova has invested 3.8 million US dollars in Azerbaijan (mainly non-oil and gas sector). Meanwhile Azerbaijan has invested USD 13.8 million in Moldova (non-oil and gas sector). In addition, in 2022, the total trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Moldova amounted to 23.85 million USD, which is a 3.79 times increase compared to 2021. At the same time, Azerbaijan's humanitarian aid to Moldova once again clearly shows the existence of mutual and warm relations between the two countries. Back in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, humanitarian aid worth 455,428 manats (about 268,000 USD) was sent from Azerbaijan to Moldova to support the fight against the coronavirus. In order to meet the needs of Ukrainian IDPs who moved to the territory of Moldova since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the state of Azerbaijan provided 29,12 tons of medicines, and humanitarian aid worth of USD $ 1 mln was sent to Moldova on April 15, 2022. Along with all this, cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Moldova are also developing. It should be noted that with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, a Culture and Education Center was built in Ceadir-Lunga, Gagauzia Autonomous Territorial Authority of Moldova. In addition, the President of Moldova Maia Sandu personally participated in the event held in Chisinau this year on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan on May 28 and the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 11:20 (UTC+04:00) The Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov made opening speech at the 28th Baku Energy Forum, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry. In the speech, it was mentioned that this international energy cooperation platform, which came to existence thanks to the oil strategy of the founder of our energy independence, National Leader Heydar Aliyev, has become a historical chronicle of Azerbaijan's energy achievements. Emphasizing the formation of a new global energy landscape based on the diversification of sources and routes of safe, stable energy supply, especially the development of green energy, the Minister said that our country is entering this new stage with initiatives that will strengthen its strategic position in energy security on a regional and European scale. The expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, participation in the Solidarity Ring project, as well as our projects on the development and supply of renewable energy sources are clear indicators of this. The necessity of increasing the transmission capacity of infrastructures for additional gas supply, coordinated activities and clear position of partner countries for this purpose was emphasized. "Our position was clearly expressed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev. And this is because we plan projects not only from a commercial, but also from a strategic point of view. The development and export of all types of energy resources of the Caspian Sea to World Markets has always been carried out in parallel. Azerbaijan itself has always been the main locomotive of energy routes projects, and this constant line of our energy policy is still relevant today, the Minister added. Absheron, Karabakh, Umid (Stage II), Babek, Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) and green energy projects are listed as important sources to provide additional gas. It was stated that more than 1 bcm of gas will be saved due to wind and solar power plants with a capacity of 1800 MW, which are planned to be commissioned by the end of 2026. It was noted that in 2030 another 5 GW of green production capacities will be put into operation, and 4 GW of these volumes will be exported to Europe via the Black Sea at the initial stage, and 1 GW through Nakhchivan to Turkiye and Europe. The minister said that the transformation of Azerbaijan into a green energy country has already begun. Based on the technical potential of offshore renewable energy of 135 GW and onshore 157 GW, today our country is implementing large-scale projects related to the production and export of green energy: "Currently, we are cooperating with Masdar, ACWA Power, bp and Fortescue Future Industries on more than 25 GW of "green energy" projects. Within the Baku Energy Week, we will sign cooperation documents with international energy companies on renewable energy projects for an additional 3 GW. Azerbaijan is determined to realize its strategic goals for its development as a green energy country. The will and determination of the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev is our strategic guide in the implementation of this next major energy mission. The Minister also participated in the discussions on New Energy order in the period of energy transition. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 12:43 (UTC+04:00) "Azerbaijan has increased gas exports to the European energy market up to 40%. Therefore, we express our gratitude to the Azerbaijani side." According to Azernews,this word said by Cristina Lobillo Brerro, Director of the European Commission Energy Platform Working Group, during her speech at the 28th Baku Energy Forum. "Azerbaijan is one of the main partners for the EU. This figure is very important to us. This is also important in the context of prices. We are participating in the transition to green energy. In this regard, we all assumed obligations. There is a great partnership between us in connection with the transition to green energy. We highly appreciate all projects. We believe that energy security for the EU consists of two stages. First of all, the diversification of gas, as well as the acceleration of the energy transition process. We cannot do all this in free form. Therefore, we need strong cooperation with our international partners, the director said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 11:55 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Spectacular concert has been held at the State Philharmonic Hall to mark the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev as part of the "Youth Support" project. Chief teacher of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, musicologist Narmina Abdullayeva informed the audience about the main goals of the project, Azernews reports. Initiated by the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, the Youth Support aims at discovering and supporting young talents in Azerbaijan and is led by the director of the State Philharmonic Hall, People's Artist of Azerbaijan Murad Adigozalzada. Numerous concerts organized within the project have always been met with great public interest. The concerts, which are traditionally held several times a month, feature a wide range of music styles from classical to jazz music. Over the past years, the Youth Support project has joined many festivals and competitions such as the New Way International Summer Festival 2019 in Germany, and the 2020 World Harmony International Contest of Young Performers Laureate of international competitions, pianist Jalal Samadov performed a concert program, accompanied by the Azerbaijan State Orchestra of Folk Instruments under the baton of artistic director and chief conductor, People's Artist Agaverdi Pashayev. The program included works by Vasif Adigozalov, Fikret Amirov, Musa Mirzoev, Modest Mussorgsky and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Each composition evoked thunderous applause and sincere admiration from the audience. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 16:43 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan and Lithuania Health Ministries have agreed on expanding cooperation. Speaking at the meeting, Azerbaijan Health Minister Teymur Musayev stressed the successful cooperation between the two countries in many areas, including in the field of health and medical science, Azernews reports. The Minister noted that since 2021, the full implementation of compulsory medical insurance (CMI) has stared in the country. "CHI is a social project aimed at improving the quality of medical care for the population and based on the principles of solidarity, he said, stressing that the Ministry of Health supports the CHI implementation," said the minister, The plan for the introduction of compulsory medical insurance provides for the gradual inclusion of medical modules in the social package. The basis of all reforms is the digitalization of the healthcare system, and the introduction of compulsory health insurance is part of this system. Along with this, important issues are the introduction of advanced medical technologies in the healthcare system and ensuring citizens' access to medical services. Necessary steps are being taken in these directions in the country. The Director General of the State Health Insurance Fund under the Lithianian Health Ministry Gintaras Kacevicius thanked for the warm welcome and expressed support for the reforms carried out in the Azerbaijani healthcare system. He also noted that Lithuania is ready to share its experience with Azerbaijan on the effective implementation of the health insurance system. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 14:49 (UTC+04:00) Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who arrived at the second summit of the European Political Community in Moldova, fled from Azerbaijani journalists who approached him with questions. Azernews reports citing local media, he refused to answer questions, and when he heard that the journalists were from Azerbaijan, he quickened his pace and left. Here is the footage showing Armenian PM how pretends not to see the Azerbaijani journalists: --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 15:09 (UTC+04:00) On June 1, at 09:10, the units of the Armenian armed forces opened fire on the positions of the Azerbaijan Army in the direction of the Esrik Jirdakhan settlement of the Tovuz region from their positions located in the direction of Chinarli settlement of Tovuzgala district, Azernews reports, citing MOD. Around 10:00 a.m., the positions of Azerbaijani Army located in the direction of Shusha region were fired upon by the members of the illegal Armenian armed groups in the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed. Adequate response measures have been taken by our departments in the mentioned directions. In addition, the members of illegal Armenian armed groups tried to expand and repair and restore the dirt road in order to build a security road to the combat positions in the direction of Shusha and Khojavend districts by involving engineering equipment under the name of agricultural works. As a result of urgent measures taken by units of the Azerbaijani Army, the works were immediately stopped. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 17:00 (UTC+04:00) The Office of the Commissioner for Azerbaijani Human Rights (Ombudsman) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) jointly organized a seminar on "Implementation of international humanitarian law at the national level," Azernews reports, citing the Office of Ombudsman. The purpose of the seminar was to increase awareness of the implementation of international humanitarian law, to study international experience and to exchange views on the perspectives of joint cooperation in the direction of overcoming the difficulties encountered in this field. Sabina Aliyeva, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), and Dragana Kojic, the head of the Representation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Azerbaijan, made an opening speech at the seminar, which was also attended by the experts of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and wished success to the work of the seminar. During the speech, the Ombudsman said that Armenia, which has been occupying the Azerbaijani lands for nearly thirty years, committed war crimes, ecological and landmine terrorism both during the First and Second Karabakh War, and in the post-conflict period, and grossly violated the norms of international humanitarian law. Sabina Aliyeva said that as a result of the explosion of mines and military ammunition in these areas, there were victims among both the civilian population and our soldiers, and that Armenia is not interested in ensuring peace in the region. At the event, international experts who made presentations in accordance with the program, gave information about international experience in relevant fields and exchanged ideas with the participants. During the discussions, the employees of the Office gave extensive information about the Ombudsman's mandate and activities. It was noted that in order to investigate the facts related to violations of the norms and principles of international humanitarian law by Armenia during the war and post-war period, the Ombudsman carried out fact-finding missions and carried out on-site investigations and prepared reports and statements based on the obtained factual materials and sent them to the relevant international human rights institutions. At the seminar, experts also exchanged views on the prospects of future cooperation with the Ombudsman institution within the mandate of the International Committee of the Red Cross. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 17:12 (UTC+04:00) A roundtable on energy security has been held as part of the 2nd European Political Community Summit in Chisinau, Moldova. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 21:47 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has had a meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Chisinau, Moldova. The sides shared their views on the Azerbaijan-Ukraine bilateral relations and touched upon President Ilham Aliyevs visit to Ukraine in January 2022 and discussions held as part of the visit. They expressed satisfaction with development of Azerbaijan-Ukraine bilateral relationships. President Ilham Aliyev noted that the new ambassador to Ukraine had been appointed and would assume his duties shortly. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked for and hailed Azerbaijans humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, care for Ukrainian children and arrangement of their visit to Azerbaijan. During the conversation, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the fact that Azerbaijan and Ukraine support each others territorial integrity and sovereignty within international organizations. x x x President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a guest book of the Mimi Castle. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kim Ae-ran One day in 2002, while strolling around winding paths in a field, a certain melody came to my mind. Then, I kept singing the resounding melody again and again. In this way, I composed my song entitled "Journey of Trials." The title of the song originated from a book by Fr. James Alberione, the founder of our religious congregation. As I kept singing, I realized that all of us are undergoing the same journey, which comprises various trials and tribulations in some form or other. Truly, we are constantly going through a process of ups and downs in many ways. Since then, I sang "Journey of Trials" from time to time on special occasions. Now, when I go on mission trips to Canada, especially after Communion, during Mass in the Korean Catholic communities, I sing this song while playing the guitar. And I see many people appreciate the meaning of the song and they are touched by the lyrics. The story of "Journey of Trials" is as follows: Just as Jesus needed 30 years, just as the Israelites needed 40 years, we also needed a long time. All of this was the providence of God. At one time, no matter how I looked at it, it seemed like I was walking in place. So, I wanted to sit down without thinking. But looking back, it was all a gift from God. A journey of trials that we must go through. Now Christ will live in me. When we meet again, I will ask one another. How much do you resemble Jesus? How much did you love with all your strength? Many people shed tears while appreciating it. I am also always touched by this song whenever I sing it. Recently as I sang it at eight o'clock Mass on Sunday in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Toronto, and I could not help but have a lump in my throat. Our lives are filled with amazing graces that lead to the theme of a popular allegorical poem titled "Footprints in the Sand." It tells a story of a person who sees only one pair of footprints in the sand. One night I dreamed a dream. As I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, One belonging to me and one to my Lord. After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints. This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. "Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, you would leave me." He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you Never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you." The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul. Please feel free to visit her blog "A piece of sunshine" at mtorchid88.blogspot.com. 1 June 2023 22:07 (UTC+04:00) Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili 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: To His Excellency, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, On behalf of the Georgian people and my own, I would like to extend to You my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Azerbaijan Independence Day. The strong friendship and ties between our people can be traced back to our common past. 105 years ago, our countries declared their independence almost simultaneously, and since the our good neighborly and brotherly relations have been constantly strengthening, which now has established itself as a firm strategic partnership between our countries. Today, Georgia attaches special importance to the further deepening and strengthening of the strategic partnership with the Republic of Azerbaijan. Your Excellency, I reaffirm my deepest respect, wish you success in service to your country, and to the friendly Azerbaijani people peace, health and prosperity. Sincerely, Salome Zourabishvili, President of Georgia --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 22:33 (UTC+04:00) Amir of the State of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani 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, The people of the State of Qatar join me in extending to you and to your brotherly people, on the anniversary of your country`s Independence Day, our sincere greetings and felicitations, coupled with our best wishes for Your Excellency`s good health and well-being, and further prosperity and progress for the Azerbaijani people as well more strength of the cordial relations between our two countries in the years ahead. With my highest consideration. Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 22:05 (UTC+04:00) The next trilateral meeting between President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan with the participation of President of the European Council Charles Michel will take place in Brussels on July 21. Azernews reports, citing Trend that Charles Michel told reporters on Thursday following a five-sided meeting among President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President of the European Council Charles Michel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron in Moldova. "We had the opportunity to touch on all the topics that we discussed in Brussels in May. We discussed connectivity issues, border delimitation, a peace treaty. This meeting was a very good preparation for the next meeting, which will be held in Brussels on July 21. This means that we We are working hard and intend to support all positive efforts towards the normalization of relations. I also announced my intention to invite President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, Chancellor Scholz and President Macron to a meeting on the sidelines of the next summit of the European Political Community, which will be held in Spain. This means that we will do everything on the part of the EU to help make more progress possible towards the normalization of relations," he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 23:47 (UTC+04:00) Deputy Amir of the State of Qatar, Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani 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 anniversary of your countrys Independence Day, I want to express to you my warm greetings and congratulations, coupled with my best wishes of continued well-being and success to Your Excellency and further prosperity and progress to your brotherly people. With my highest consideration, Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani Deputy Amir of the State of Qatar --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 09:30 (UTC+04:00) Turkmenistan and Latvia to discuss the development of the TRACECA international transport corridor, Azernews reports, citing Trend. This was reported to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov by the Director of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Mammetkhan Chakiyev at a government meeting held on May 26, 2023. According to him, preparations are currently underway for the next meeting of the Turkmen-Latvian working group on cooperation in the transport sector, which will be held on June 12 through 16 this year in Latvia. He noted that during the meeting it is planned to consider a wide range of issues related to the prospects for the development of a sustainable transport system between Europe and Central Asia. After hearing the report, Berdimuhamedov stated that the development of mutually beneficial partnerships with foreign countries is one of the priorities of Turkmenistan's foreign policy. Stressing that Turkmenistan takes an active part in the effective use of the existing transport corridors, the President addressed the head of the agency with instructions on solving the tasks in this area. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 10:20 (UTC+04:00) The republican scientific-practical conference on the topic Development strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan: potential opportunities and new challenges dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Great Leader was held at the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev. Along with the officers, and teaching staff of the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev, the conference was attended by the representatives of the Defense Ministry, the Military Scientific-Research Institute, ANAS Management Systems Institute, Academy of the State Security Service named after Heydar Aliyev, the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Academy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Academy of the State Customs Committee, Higher Military School of Internal Troops, the Academy of the State Border Service, Azerbaijan State Marine Academy, National Aviation Academy, Baku Eurasian University, Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, Azerbaijan University of Languages, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Western Caspian University, Baku Business University, Azerbaijan Cooperation University, Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, and CBM Engineering LTD. The monument to the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, erected in front of the headquarters of the Military Institute, was visited and roses were laid on it. The memory of the National Leader and Shehids (Martyrs) who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was honored with observing a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed. Rector of the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev, Major General Fizuli Salahov welcomed the conference participants and delivered a report on the topic Heydar Aliyev and the Army development. Then a presentation of a video film dedicated to the life and activities of the Great Leader was held. The speakers at the conference spoke about the outstanding political figure Heydar Aliyev and army construction, the development strategy of modern Azerbaijan, as well as the dynamics of development in the fields of education, science, economy, and military. It was noted that the main purpose of the conference was to discuss various directions of the development strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, set by the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, the dynamics of development, as well as to study scientific and theoretical foundations of new approaches and prospects in army development according to the requirements assigned to the Azerbaijan Army by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev. After the plenary session, the conference continued its work in five sections, scientific reports of participants were heard and discussions were held. In the end, a photo was taken. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 12:00 (UTC+04:00) By News Center On May 28, which was described as the "Election of the Century", Turkiye preferred the candidate of the People's Alliance, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan, who left his mark on Turkish and world politics in the last 20 years as Prime Minister and President, won the Presidential Election with a great victory in return for his services. Erdogan, who made Turkiye the strongest country in the region in energy, transportation, trade, agriculture, health, defense, tourism, education and social services, received a five-year mandate from the nation for the Century of Turkiye. The projects signed between 2002-2022 have the infrastructure to prepare Turkiye for the new century. Turkiye has a five-year period of stability that will increase added value with more investments. Thanks to the successful projects produced in the defense industry and developed within the scope of the national technology move, Turkey got rid of foreign dependency. With projects such as National Combat Plane, Hurjet, Bayraktar TB3, TCG Anadolu, Turkiye has become the country that is admired in the world. Turkiye's 61-year-old domestic automobile dream has come true with the innate electric Togg developed with domestic and national resources. Country's wealth increased with the infrastructure revolution Mega projects such as Osmangazi Bridge, Yavuz Sultan Selim, Eurasia Tunnel and Marmaray, which are laid between East and West, came to life as the most concrete examples of the infrastructure revolution that took place in Turkiye. Investments, which facilitate both access to the West and access from the Caucasus to Central Asia, brought Turkiye rapidly towards its goal of creating a middle line outside of international corridors. Investments realized in all areas such as railways, highways, ports, tunnels, air transportation, technology infrastructure, among the 2023 targets, play an important role in many areas from trade to tourism, from country welfare to increasing exports in the Century of Turkiye. Export target in defense $6bn The speed of the products that Turkiye put forward on the defense industry cannot be kept up. Almost every week, there is a new development that will change the balance at sea, in the air and on land. The National Combat Aircraft and Hurjet aircraft, which were implemented by TAI under the leadership of the defense industry, left the hangar and successfully completed the taxi tests on the runway on March 18. Work on the Kzlelma project, Turkiye's first unmanned fighter aircraft, continues at full throttle. The world's first armed unmanned aerial vehicle (SIHA) ship and Turkiye's largest military ship, TCG Anadolu, on which Turkey's first unmanned warplane Kzlelma will land, has also entered the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces. Thus, Turkiye became one of the 12 countries in the world with ships of this scale. Defense and aerospace exports exceeded $4bn in 2022, reaching the highest level in history. The defense industry, which continues its rise with more than 750 ongoing projects, has an export target of $6bn for 2023. Bridges, Viaducts, Tunnels and routes are shortened While the products developed one after the other in the field of defense industry give upper hand for Turkiye in the global arena, there were a hundred years of initiatives in the transportation sector. In recent years, Turkiye has implemented multiple bridges and tunnels connecting Asia and Europe. Canakkale Bridge, which reduces the passage of the Bosphorus to 6 minutes, is among the few projects in the world, while the Eurasia Tunnel, the world's first two-storey highway tunnel, was opened to traffic in 2016, 8 months ahead of schedule. Osmangazi Bridge, which reduces the distance between Istanbul and Izmir to three hours, has saved Turkiye TRY6.6bn ($320m) since the day it was opened. As of 2007, the routes started to be redrawn with the growing Mersin International Port. Turkiye's second longest road tunnel, the Ovit Tunnel, which was included in the 1880 Development Plan of the Ottoman Empire, was also put into service in 2018. City hospitals, the proud of Turkiye City hospitals, which President ErdoGan calls my dream, are healing citizens all over the country. Kocaeli City Hospital, with a total bed capacity of 1,218, was put into service on April 15 with a ceremony attended by Erdogan. Ankara Etlik City Hospital also provides services with 4,050 beds. With a total bed capacity of 29,348, 20 city hospitals, the construction of which has been completed, become an ointment for the wounds of the patients. Aydn City Hospital, which was included in the 2020 investment program of the Ministry of Health in order to provide more qualified health services, and the construction of which started in the central district of Efeler in November 2021, is counting the days to enter service. The Ministry of Health will serve with a total of 33 city hospitals upon the completion of the ongoing investments. Thus, the bed capacity will exceed 43 thousand. Turkiye is the 8th in the world in high speed train transportation Having invested a total of TRY347bn ($17bn) in railways in 20 years, Turkiye ranked eighth in the world and sixth in Europe in high-speed train transportation. After Ankara-Eskisehir, Turkiye's first high-speed train opened in 2009, Ankara-Konya in 2011, Konya-Eskisehir in 2013 and Ankara-Istanbul and Konya-Istanbul lines in 2014 were opened. In addition to this transportation network, the Ankara-Sivas High Speed Train Line was recently put into operation. The 3.3-kilometer-long AKM-Gar-Kzlay Metro Line, built by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure in Ankara, was inaugurated on April 12. Thanks to the AKM-Gar-Kzlay Metro Line, direct metro transportation from Kecioren to Kzlay was provided. Again, the 6.2-kilometer Basaksehir-Pine and Sakura City Hospital-Kayasehir Metro Line, built to strengthen Istanbul's transportation infrastructure, was put into service on April 8 with a ceremony attended by President Erdogan. Europe's most advanced flight club The Istanbul Airport project, which changed the aviation rules in the world with its location at the intersection of Asia and Europe, continues to carry passengers to 333 locations in the world, with the distinction of being the 1st airport in Europe with a timely departure since 2018. Istanbul Airport, which further strengthens Turkiye's strategic position as one of the largest airports in the world, draws attention with its innovative and powerful information infrastructure that is compatible with smart technologies. Serving its passengers with a 1,400,000 square meter main terminal building under a single roof, Istanbul Airport currently has an annual passenger capacity of 90 million. Istanbul Airport has hosted more than 170 million passengers in total in the 4 years since it was put into service. Eurasia tunnel contributed $1.2bn Projects that have been implemented on the transportation side in recent years continue to make Turkiye's name known in the world. The Eurasia Tunnel is one of these projects. The project, which connects the European and Asian sides of Istanbul with a road tunnel that passes under the sea for the first time, is located on a route of 14.6 kilometers in total, with a 5 kilometer long two-storey tunnel and connection roads passing under the seabed. With the project, the route of 14.6 kilometers between Kazlceshme on the European side and Goztepe on the Anatolian side, where vehicle traffic is heavy, decreased from 100 minutes to 15 minutes. As of February 2023, the Eurasia Tunnel, which was used by a total of 100 million vehicles, contributed $1.2bn to the country's economy in 6 years and covered its investment costs. The highway network has grown 3 times Land transportation, which is of great importance in the development and welfare, constitutes an economic activity in itself. Turkiye uses 60 percent of its transportation and communication investments of over TRY1.7tr ($0.082bn) for road works. Between 2003 and 2022, TRY995.9bn ($47.9bn) were invested for highways. In the last 20 years, the length of divided roads on the highways has increased from 6,100 kilometers to over 28,790 kilometers. The length of the highway increased from 1,714 kilometers to 3,633 kilometers, and the tunnel length increased from 50 kilometers to 663 kilometers. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 20:45 (UTC+04:00) On Thursday, Moldova will host the second summit of the European Political Community (EPC), an EU-led platform established at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron in 2022, Azernews reports, citing TASS. The summit will bring together 47 national leaders to discuss peace, security and energy, a high-profile EU official told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday. According to a Brussels-based European diplomat, the summit, which is to be held in Bulboaca, a village outside of the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, is meant to send a signal to Moscow that the participants in the event are standing behind Moldova and demonstrating a united front amid the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine. Kirill Logvinov, Russias acting Permanent Representative to the EU, told TASS on Wednesday that the summit would be yet another attempt by Brussels to build an anti-Russian coalition and prevail upon other countries to join the campaign of sanctions against Russia. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 21:15 (UTC+04:00) Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration - Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov stated this at a working meeting chaired by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Odesa region, Ukrinform reports citing the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration) on Facebook, Azernews reports, UKRINFORM. "The enemy continues to create difficulties for the work of Ukrainian ports. Russians are actually blocking the work of the largest Ukrainian Black Sea port Pivdennyi. As a result, at least 10 countries are not receiving enough food. We plan to increase the throughput capacity of the Danube Port Cluster to mitigate the damage," Kubrakov said. In addition, the meeting focused on strengthening the protection of port infrastructure and developing alternative logistics routes for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products. This included the development of rail and road infrastructure on the western borders and near Ukrainian ports. They also discussed issues of ensuring port security, ensuring stable civilian navigation in the Black Sea, and the development of the Danube port cluster. The ministry reminds that since August 2022, when the grain initiative was launched, more than 30 million tonnes of food have been exported from the Ukrainian ports of Pivdennyi, Chornomorsk, and Odesa. As Ukrinform reported, on March 18, 2023, Ukraine, the United Nations, and Turkiye agreed to extend the Initiative for the Safe Transportation of Agricultural Products through the Black Sea. The agreement was extended for 120 days, but the Russians claimed that the agreement would be valid until May 18, 2023. On May 17, Kubrakov said that the agreement would be in effect until July 18, 2023. On May 21, the Ministry of Restoration stated that the Russian side in the Joint Coordination Center had been blocking the work of the Pivdennyi port for almost a month. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 June 2023 22:10 (UTC+04:00) Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reiterated on Thursday the Kingdoms commitment to supporting regional and international efforts aimed at finding a political resolution to the war in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Azernews reports, citing Al Arabiya. Prince Faisal, Lavrov, and other top diplomats from several countries are currently in South Africas Cape Town to participate in a BRICS meeting. Prince Faisal and Lavrov also reviewed aspects of friendship and cooperation relations between both countries and peoples, and ways to strengthen and develop them in all fields, in addition to discussing the consolidation of bilateral and multilateral action on many files of common interest, the Saudi foreign ministry said on Twitter. The two sides also discussed the most prominent topics raised at the BRICS Friends Ministerial Meeting, which is held under the theme Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism, the ministry added. Prince Faisal also held a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, during which they reviewed the longstanding relations between Saudi Arabia and India, the ministry said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Seoul residents alarmed by false alert For half an hour early Wednesday morning, Seoulites got a sense of what life is like for their counterparts in Kyiv, Ukraine. It started with a siren at 6:32 a.m. Many residents of the capital woke up surprised and some early birds stopped on their way to work. They turned on the TV or accessed the internet. There were no emergency news broadcasts and Naver was out of service due to heavy traffic. At 6:41 a.m., nine minutes later, people received a mobile phone alert telling them to prepare to evacuate, prioritizing the elderly and children. There were no reasons given explaining the evacuation alert or instructions on where to seek refuge. Soon, broadcasters aired the news that North Korea fired what it claimed was a rocket carrying a satellite. Still, confusion continued as people did not know what to do. At 7:03 a.m., the interior ministry retracted the alert, saying the metropolitan government sent it by mistake. At 7:25 a.m., City Hall officially canceled its alert. That meant the previous alert was not a false alarm. It was a mess for 31 minutes, from the siren to the retraction of the alert. "I thought a war finally broke out here, like in Ukraine," a housewife said on the evening news of one television network. "If it had, we all might have died." Who could refute her? Fortunately, what North Korea claimed to be a space launch vehicle ended up falling into the Yellow Sea after an abnormal flight, the military said. However, if the projectile had targeted Seoul, it could have reached here in two minutes, less than a quarter of the nine minutes. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon later apologized to citizens for the fuss. But he refused to acknowledge it was a false alarm, claiming it is better to err on the side of safety. Oh might want to blame the poor linkage starting from the military and the interior ministry. But he can hardly criticize others after throwing 10 million citizens into panic for half an hour. Oh must know many people still think the tragic crash in Itaewon last year was due to joint failures of the ministry and the city. However, all responsibility comes down to the presidential office and the National Security Council. Pyongyang might have won more than it lost from the failure, watching the South's poor state of preparedness. President Yoon Suk Yeol reassured people about security, vowing to retaliate a hundred or a thousand times against any attacks from the North. Yet, perfect defense should precede strong counterattacks. People do not trust a government that talks the talk, but does not walk the walk. Yoon also must know the best security guarantee is letting people sleep in peace. It was noteworthy that North Korea, besides the International Maritime Organization, informed Japan of the scheduled launch. One should not read too much into it as Japan coordinates navigation areas in this region. Or Pyongyang was driving a wedge between Seoul and Tokyo. However, the move came after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida uttered the possibility of a bilateral summit, and the North responded in kind. Underneath the harsh rhetoric, Tokyo has had close talks with Beijing. It may take a similar approach with Pyongyang, leaving Seoul in the cold. The U.S., while rebuking the North, also said the diplomatic door was not closed. Unfortunately, we see no signs of the Yoon administration preparing for a sudden detente in this part of the world. The North should have told Seoul first about its moves in a normal situation. Then, the government could ask the Chinese and Russian governments to dissuade Pyongyang. However, Beijing made clear Seoul should not seek any cooperation from it earlier in the week. Moscow may even fan Pyongyang. The only area two-facedness is allowed may be diplomacy. Yoon must hurry. Despite the international community's urging, Pyongyang will retry the launch as soon as possible. Regrettably, there are no effective ways to stop it. Should South Koreans just hope they can evacuate more effectively, then? After living a year with this "diplomatic" president, that is a sad but unavoidable reality. 1 June 2023 23:50 (UTC+04:00) Iran's accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will be completed in July, the countrys Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Thursday, Azernews reports, citing TASS. "We will become a full-fledged member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in July, when the next summit of the association is to take place," he said as quoted by the Tasnim news agency saying. On September 15-16, 2022, Samarkand hosted the SCO summit, which was attended by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The Islamic Republic signed a memorandum of commitment to obtain the status of a member state of the association. The next summit will be held on July 4 under the chairmanship of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a virtual format. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India announced on Tuesday, all members of the organization will take part in the summit. Iran, Belarus and Mongolia were invited as observers. In addition, Turkmenistan is invited as a guest. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High near 85F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 62F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. By Donald Kirk We're accustomed to two basic stories from North Korea. First is the North's nuclear and missile programs. Kim Jong-un is forever ordering missile tests, and he may also be considering the North's seventh nuclear test which would be its first since September 2017. The other story revolves around hunger, starvation and disease. One might think the North had learned enough of a lesson from the experience of the 1990s when famine wiped out as many as 2 million of its people. But no, even as Kim was declaring he will soon put a spy satellite into orbit, we were getting reports that North Korea has quite a distinction. The North, while plunging into another period of widespread hunger, ranks first on the Global Survey Index conducted by Walk Free, an Australian outfit that's doing what it can to wipe out slavery all around the earth. That's quite a tall order, which Walk Free undoubtedly will not accomplish, but meanwhile, it's putting out fascinating statistics on the levels of slavery in 160 countries. The closest challenger to North Korea in terms of the percentage of people in slavery is Eritrea. In North Korea, slightly more than one out of 10 people are slaves. In Eritrea, the percentage is slightly less than one out of 10. They both rank well ahead of third-placed Mauritania. However, what does the high level of slavery have to do with famine and disease? The answer is that North Korea desperately needs people to work in the farms, fields and mines while others are too ill and sick to do the job. The solution for the otherwise-impoverished country is to force about 2.6 million people to work for nothing. Those numbers include hundreds of thousands in prison, caught up in ordinary jails or in the gulag system reserved for those who will never go free. They will, instead, work until they drop. Others may toil outside the walls and wire fences of a gulag but will always have to work for nothing other than the rations that will keep them alive for another day's work. North Korea's record of cruelty to its people is hardly news considering it's been a fact of North Korean life throughout the history of the Kim dynasty, beginning with the rise of Kim Jong-un's grandfather to power after his return to the North on a Soviet vessel in 1945. Still, it comes as a bit of a shock to learn, in this Global Slavery Index, that North Korea ranks ahead of all the Arab states and Russia, which ranks in the top 10. Asia Press, run by Koreans in Japan and also South Korea, reports extensively on the mounting hunger. "People are too weak to engage in wage labor," says the report, based on surreptitious conversations on mobile phones sneaked into the North from China. "People are dying." Amid such suffering, North Korea has difficulty finding enough people to enslave. Slave workers cannot slave when they are too weak to pick up the tools needed to till the fields or hack coal out of mines. In Washington, the State Department regularly excoriates the North for its human rights record, but some ask why we keep beseeching the North to enter "dialogue" while failing to make human rights an absolute condition for talking. The answer might be that of course North Korea will just go on denying the grossest violations of human rights and will also never give up its nukes and missiles. Given the dismal failure of all previous efforts at getting the North to engage in reform, why not stop trying? There may be no other choice, but in the end millions more North Koreans will suffer. Besides forcing 2.6 million people to work or endure some form of servitude, the North has about 1.2 million people in its armed forces. That means about 3.8 million North Koreans are basically working for nothing. The report by Walk Free is not the only report showing how conditions in North Korea are worsening even as the penalties imposed by the regime are, if anything, harsher now than a few years ago. A State Department report on religious freedom tells us that increasing numbers of North Koreans face execution for the sin of having been caught with bibles in their possession. We've been hearing for years that worship of Christianity is a capital offense regardless of the phony congregations that appear at the Catholic and Protestant show churches in Pyongyang at services staged for the benefit of foreigners. In North Korea, the story only gets worse. Donald Kirk (www.donaldkirk.com) writes from Seoul as well as Washington. He has visited North Korea nine times, most recently in 2012. H.B. 246 Revise Pharmacy Benefits Manager Provisions: This bill restricts the use of preferred pharmacy networks and mail-order pharmacies and implements mandatory dispensing fees. Bill opponents argue this would undermine pharmacy benefit managers' ability to control drug costs and manage their pharmacy networks, increasing prescription drug costs for consumers and reducing quality. Specifically, they argue, the bill mandates payment levels that would incentivize higher drug costs, increases dispensing fees by upwards of 1,000%, and removes the ability to reimburse pharmacies based on quality and outcomes. H.B. 649 Ensure Timely/Clinically Sound Utiliz. Review: This bill weakens the utilization review and prior authorization processes that insurers use to monitor cost and quality of care. Bill opponents argue this leads to increased costs and has the potential to reduce quality of care by removing a process to ensure services are both medically necessary and priced appropriately. H.B. 450 Pharmacist Provided Health Care Services: This bill would impose a mandate requiring that pharmacists be reimbursed at the same rate as advanced practice medical professionals for performing equivalent healthcare services. Bill opponents argue this would mean bigger profits for pharmacy chains and higher costs for patients. The bill also requires reimbursement for out-of-network services provided by pharmacists, which undermines networks used by health plans to deliver lower costs. H.B. 654 Pharmacists/Vaccine Admin./Test and Treat: Similar to H.B. 450, this bill would also require insurers to reimburse pharmacists regardless of whether they are part of the insurer's network, which opponents argue will likely lead to increased drug costs. H.B. 560 Diagnostic Imaging Parity: This bill would mandate that millions of dollars be added to the healthcare system and encourage misuse and overuse of tests. For example, breast MRIs are more expensive for patients and more profitable for providers. The bill also goes against the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. H.B. 680 Improved Access to SMI Prescription Drugs: This bill would remove a health plan's ability to conduct reviews to ensure the safety and affordability of prescriptions for severe mental illness (SMI). The reviews are used to help prevent adverse drug events and medication errors that could harm patients. The reviews also ensure patients receive the best value for their healthcare dollar by helping guide them to equally effective options when available. House Bill 680 would allow pharmaceutical companies to push new branded products that may not have any better value or appropriateness than the unrestricted alternatives. This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is Alex Baltzegar On Tuesday, the House Health Committee will consider several bills that critics say are likely to raise insurance costs for consumers.North Carolina ranks among the most expensive states in the country for healthcare. The Tar Heel state is one of eight in the United States where the average potential cost of healthcare surpasses $8,000 annually, according to a report from The Commonwealth Fund.North Carolina is among the states with the highest healthcare costs as a percentage of median income, tied with Georgia for the sixth highest out of 50 states. Average potential healthcare costs in the state amount to 13.8% of the median North Carolina income.The following bills are awaiting approval from the House Health Committee, several of which will be voted on Tuesday morning:Peter T. Daniel, executive director of the North Carolina Association of Health Plans, argues that these bills increase the cost burden on small businesses and consumers.said Daniel.House bills 649, 654, and 680 were filed within eight days of the filing deadline. The bill proponents aim to get the House to vote on their proposed bills before Thursday, May 4, which is the deadline for the bills to be sent to the Senate. However, before the bills can be voted on, they must first be heard and discussed in their appropriate committees they pass through.Jordan Roberts, director of government affairs for the John Locke Foundation, also argues that these bills will increase consumer health insurance costs.said Roberts.Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, areaccording to a definition from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.Roberts argues that PBMs often deserve scrutiny, but this does not mean lawmakers should increase regulations on private businesses.said Roberts.Rep. Wayne Sasser, R-Stanly, a lead sponsor on several of the bills, argued that some regulation on PBMs is necessary because of spread pricing, noting that PBMs made many billions of dollars last year from this practice, the biggest of which he said made $14.4 billion in 2022.H.B. 246Sasser said.Sasser said the bill also regulates the rebates PBMs charge the drug manufacturer to get their drugs on the formulary.Sasser said.Sasser does not think that House Bill 246 would lead to increased prices for prescription drugs.Sasser said.Sasser also said that House Bills 450 and 680 are unlikely to move and that H.B. 654 has turned into H.B. 712, which he said has no opposition.In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-0 against PBMs in a case where a group of PBMs argued that states should not be allowed to regulate them, opening the door for states to impose these types of regulations. Now that the public is allowed to know the truth regarding the Hunter Biden Laptop Scandal, after more that 2 1/2 years of deception by the corrupt Corporate Media Kabal, propropagandidats all, and the discredited Deep State, we have NOW learned that the infamous laptop is far less about the Biden Boy's fetish for pornography, narcotics and Russian whores, and far more about Hunter's pivotal role in the Biden Crime Syndicate's selling of deep access to our foreign adversaries, and to what extent it has compromised our national security: What is your opinion about this possible coordinated Treason? It is imperative that we know the truth of what may be the greatest scandal in our Republic's history, and all aforementioned parties prosecuted for their crimes against the People. Currently, our Two Tiered Justice System is constructed to protect all Democratic Socialists, their corrupt "Journalist" spokes-sheople, and their Deep State enablers ... so why bother. It is Donald Trump's fault. The Thirst For Truth Big Picture Explanation of What Happened in the Past 15 Years That Flipped the Social, Cultural, Media, Leftist and Govt Relationship May 27, 2023 | Sundance | 861 Comments (You will want to check out the comments) Last night I participated in a conversation. This article is written as an outcome of that conversation, as requested by those who participated. Essentially, the framework of the conversation, as I initially listened, is best described as a series of questions amid a group of smart intellectual types who are very understanding of the nature of our current situation. In various forms they were asking each other the same question. What happened in the last several years that caused Democrats, leftists and the traditional political left to switch positions on their advocacy? Liberalism literally went from railing against Big Govt, to embracing corrupt Big Govt. Why and how did this happen? In short, it was the same line of questioning I have seen asked by Tucker Carlson, Glenn Greenwald, Tulsi Gabbard and various traditionally liberal people as well as people on the right side of the continuum. Why and how did traditional liberalism so suddenly flip from being, big picture anti-government, to suddenly embracing corrupt government enterprise, and supporting the intelligence apparatus, federal govt (writ large), institutional oppressive law enforcement and FBI etc.? What happened? After listening to this conversation quietly, as I am prone to do, my remarks -with citations and examples- silenced the room. At the conclusion of my remarks, everyone asked me if I had ever written about this, and if not why not? I did not have an answer, so consider this a promise fulfilled. Perhaps you might find value. In the 50 years that preceded 2008, traditional leftists, media activists, left-wing community organizing agencies, Democrats, liberals, progressives, or whatever label you want to assign, essentially railed against the U.S. government and all that it represented. However, now, if you were to look at the issues from the 30,000-foot perspective, those same groups currently support the oppressive & weaponized system of government they formerly despised. In the 50 years that preceded 2008, those same groups had an approach of distrust toward government, and the media apparatus had a very distinct supportive and cynical outlook, favorable to the leftist anti-government perspective. Now, all of that has reversed seemingly flipped. In the 50 years that preceded 2008, media pushed a one-way narrative in defense of those who were targeted by the institutions and mechanisms of government. As the activists railed against the regime, the media framed narratives to excuse the transparently guilty. Now, that entire dynamic has reversed. Now we see the media pushing a narrative in support of weaponized government targeting, and heres the kicker framing the transparently innocent. The activists went from accusing government of wrongdoing and defending the transparently guilty to aligning with government, excusing government wrongdoing, and helping to attack the transparently innocent. As some continue to say with jaw agape, WTF happened? The answer why is not complicated. not complicated at all. In 2008, the activists took control of government. In January of 2009, the leftists, community organizers and activists took control of the systems they had opposed for the preceding 50+ years. In January of 2009, and inflection point took place; an inflection point that no one realized in forethought, scale or consequence. Starting in 2009, all of the systems of federal government were now under the control of the people who previously fought against the systems of federal government. Everything since is an outcome of that inflection point; thats why everything flipped. All of it, and I do mean every scintilla of the thing; every single granular detail and example you can put in front of me can be traced back to that moment when the activists were no longer outside government railing against the corrupt system they hated. Starting in January of 2009, the activists took power over the United States government, and every outside institution, including media, necessarily and ideologically followed that inversion. Starting in 2009, the systems and institutions of the U.S government now came under the control of the radical activists. In the eight years that followed, the mission of every institution was changed. Government was weaponized on behalf of the leftist activists who now took control of it. Everything thereafter is a consequence of this change. When I use the word suddenly, it is only for understanding the inflections point that came as a consequence. In actuality, the severity of change inside each institution took place over several years. Thats why the intensity of the weaponized and corrupt systems became worse over time. As each institution was infiltrated to become more aligned with the mindset of the activists, the institutions became more radical in their targeting and weaponization. The activists went from being outside government to being inside government. Suddenly, the left-wing supportive media changed mission priority from railing against corrupt government, to defending the corrupt weaponization of govt. Suddenly, the FBI went from targeting domestic threats, to targeting only the domestic threats defined as against the interests of the left-wing activists. Suddenly, the outside activists went from being defined as social elements creating turmoil, to social elements now being defended and even promoted. This is why we see outside activist groups like the Dream Defenders, New Black Panthers, Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street and more recently ANTIFA, as protected and supported by the activists inside government now in control of the systems and institutions. All of the social, cultural and political dynamics that changed traditional liberalism are easily understood once you realize and accept that activists took control of the power centers of the U.S. government. Everything that followed, including our current state of social and political turmoil, is simply a natural conclusion of that fundamental change. The radical activists are now in control of the institutions of power. This core shift is what created the dynamic of a very visible two-tiered justice system. Each institution was weaponized and continues to be weaponized against those who are not aligned with the activist ideology. The Dept of Justice has been weaponized against people who are not in alignment with the radicals. The federal police, known as the FBI, have been weaponized against We The People. The Intelligence Community is now under the control of the radical activists. The mission priorities change accordingly. When Tucker Carlson, Glenn Greenwald, Tulsi Gabbard or any other person posits the question about why the ideology of the left and media has shifted so suddenly, there is your answer. It is not a complicated understanding. Once you accept this fundamental change took place, everything seemingly falls into place. . At least thats what the ah-ha audience told me. Chinese Ambassador renews call for cooperation with Myanmar in cracking down on telecoms fraud 09:46, June 01, 2023 By Liu Caiyu ( Global Times Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai meets with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister of Myanmar Soe Htut on May 31, 2023. Photo: Chinese Embassy in Myanmar Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai met with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister of Myanmar Soe Htut for the second time in two months on Wednesday to further coordinate their positions on cracking down on telecom fraud, which frequently lures Chinese citizens with promises of highly paid work. The Chinese ambassador said that initial achievements have been seen in specialized crackdowns on illegal activities including telecom fraud along the Myanmar border. China appreciates the actions, Chen said. More effort and actions should be taken to root out these illegal activities that pose harm not only to the public, but to broader society, Chen told Soe Htut, according to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar. The ambassador said China will continue to work together with Myanmar and neighboring countries, and is committed to bringing criminal forces and personnel to justice and leaving no space for them to seek safe harbor. At the same time, they will rescue those who were trapped and deceived so as to respond to public concerns and safeguard China-Myanmar cooperation. On March 23, the Chinese ambassador met with Soe Htut to discuss how to beef up crackdown on cross-border crime. He then said recent incidents of Chinese nationals crossing the border to Myanmar are all related to online fraud, gambling and other illegal activities in Myanmar, and he expressed the hope that Myanmar will attach great importance to the seriousness and harm of relevant activities. The frequent meetings between the Chinese ambassador and the deputy prime minister of Myanmar show that crackdowns on cross-border illegal activities need to overcome certain difficulties, Song Qingrun, a research fellow from the School of Asian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. The fight against transnational crimes along the borders of Myanmar, close to the "Golden Triangle" area known for rampant cross-border drug dealing and other crimes, has been spread across the region for quite some time. It cannot be solved overnight. Challenges brought by continuous new technologies to commit crimes also toughen the fight, Song noted. Great efforts have been witnessed from the Myanmar side, Song said, calling for more joint efforts from neighboring countries like Thailand and Laos. During a visit to Myanmar from May 2 to 5, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang also urged Myanmar to crack down on crimes linked to internet fraud along the border, which he described as having seriously infringed on the interests of Chinese citizens. In meeting with Chen on Wednesday, Soe Htut said that Myanmar attaches great importance to China's concerns. Myanmar has strengthened crackdowns and launched joint campaigns with China and other relevant countries. Despite difficulties, Myanmar will step up coordination with concerned countries and continue the crackdowns to further deter those forces and safeguard the interests of peoples in the two countries. Chen and Soe Htut also exchanged views on joint crackdowns on drug-dealing and gambling, with agreements reached on both issues. The Chinese Embassy did not reveal the specific content of the agreements. In recent years, online gambling and telecom fraud have caused social problems in Myanmar, including murder, kidnapping and human trafficking. Some people are lured to Myanmar by the promise of high salaries. This transnational crackdown will play a positive role in combating these serious crimes. In April, the Chinese Embassy rescued a Chinese national who was smuggled into Myanmar and forced to engage in telecom fraud. The person was lured by a criminal organization and smuggled into Tachilek city in Shan State to engage in the criminal activity of telecom fraud, and was beaten and detained, with his life being threatened. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) By Park Jung-won At the core of President Yoon Suk Yeol's diplomatic strategy is a shift away from strategic ambiguity toward values-based diplomacy. This is an inevitable choice imposed on South Korea by the current security environment defined by the new Sino-American Cold War and the worsening nuclear threat of North Korea. A dual structure of trilateral alliances between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan on the one hand, and North Korea, China and Russia on the other, has emerged in Northeast Asia over the issues of the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan. Evaluation of Yoon's presidency in its first year in office is varied and polarized. Unlike domestic economic and social policy arenas, diplomatic and national security are matters that can more immediately and decisively affect the fate of a country. Both advocates and critics of the Yoon government in this regard are so obsessed with their own political and ideological interests that they do not approach debate on these issues with the protection of the overall national interest at heart. The divisions in South Korean society, wrought by its turbulent history, (which has witnessed war, revolution, coups, rapid economic growth, democratization and economic polarization) have eradicated any common ground that could unite all members of its political community. In addition to the mundane South Korean politics of chronic division and "all or nothing" arguments, the media environment also fuels and deepens this polarization. Any differences that may have existed between traditional public and commercial ("mainstream") broadcasters and new media such as YouTube and other social media platforms have virtually disappeared; instead, they are merely competing with each other for attention. These media outlets, perhaps looking after their commercial interests, tend to select guests for debates on current affairs who are known for their political biases and polemical stances. A recent radio panelist who is a supporter of the current opposition party and has regularly opposed the idea of South Korea obtaining its own nuclear weapons abruptly criticized the Yoon administration for giving up South Korea's possible nuclear armament after the Washington Declaration was announced. This ridiculous episode is but one example of many in South Korea's increasingly polarized media environment. South Korean society's prevailing biased and distorted perceptions on diplomatic and national security matters are well illustrated by the vastly different attitudes toward the problem of North Korea's nuclear threat and the building of constructive relations with Japan. Above all, pro-opposition party commentators do not seem to perceive North Korea's nuclear threat as imminent or serious. Jeong Se-hyun, the former unification minister during the Roh Moo-hyun government who often appears in progressive-oriented YouTube videos, says that South Korea should not bet everything on cooperation with the U.S. and Japan to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, given its long history and complicated power relations in Northeast Asia. However, he fails to address what should be done about China and Russia, both of which have stubbornly refused to cooperate with the U.N. Security Council on sanctioning North Korea. At the same time, pro-ruling party panelists only praise Yoon's sophisticated manners, friendliness, and a speech delivered in English to the U.S. Congress during his state visit, while not addressing his drastic miscalculation in giving up the country's right to possible nuclear armament, let alone his failure to revise the nuclear energy pact with the U.S. so that South Korea could reprocess nuclear fuel, as Japan does. They seem to ignore the distinction between a more positive stance toward engagement with the U.S. on security matters, which is no doubt a good thing, and concessions that could lead to an effective U.S. takeover of South Korea's national security capabilities. In regards to Japan, no matter how much the Yoon administration has tried to explain that it frames its diplomatic policy in the spirit of the 1998 Kim Dae-jung-Keizo Obuchi joint declaration in order to build future-oriented mutual relations, pro-opposition party panelists will never acknowledge it. The president's role is one in which he must face "reality" from the moment he takes office and he bears great responsibility for state affairs. A president is, after all, the public servant of the people and should look forward rather than backward. It does not make sense for historical conflicts to prevent the president from engaging in close cooperation with Japan in the present on such important issues as security and economic affairs. Pro-opposition panelists, however, dismiss such efforts to improve ties with Japan as mere shameful and subservient diplomacy. The third-party reimbursement plan endorsed by Yoon's government may not be a perfect solution to compensating the victims of forced labor under Japanese colonial rule, yet it might be the best way available for South Korea, in light of international law. Meanwhile, pro-Yoon commentators fail to point out that the Yoon administration and the ruling party were hasty in handling this third-party reimbursement plan and did not do enough to win broader domestic public support. The proliferation and deepening of biased perceptions of polarized factions according to partisan rather than national interests have had a detrimental influence on the formation of public opinion, even in areas of diplomacy and national security. This presents a serious challenge as internecine bickering can cause society to overlook issues of greater importance in dealing with the harsh geopolitical conditions facing South Korea today. Even if the "existential determination of thought" may be an unavoidable limitation that affects us all, as the sociologist Karl Mannheim argued, the current flood of biased and distorted ideas in South Korea's media can still be diluted by the spread of voices of intellectuals who are encouraged to be as objective and neutral as possible. There should at the least be a certain level of bipartisan consensus on diplomatic and national security matters. Otherwise, the prognosis for the political community called the Republic of Korea cannot be good. Park Jung-won (park_jungwon@hotmail.com), Ph.D. in law from the London School of Economics (LSE), is a professor of international law at Dankook University. Here are three physicians who have had their medical licenses suspended or restricted, as covered by Becker's since May 11: Brian Gullett, DO, was sentenced to six months of prison for illegal opioid prescription. He surrendered his medical license and his DEA certificate of registration and agreed not to apply for re-registration to dispense Schedule II controlled substances upon his sentencing. Former Modesto, Calif.-based physician Sawtantra Chopra, MD, pleaded guilty to three counts of illegally prescribing opioids. Mr. Chopra surrendered his medical license in 2020 as the case was pending. Former Washington physician Mendel Gordin, MD, surrendered his medical license after he was accused of making inappropriate comments to several patients and misdiagnosing one of them. Amish Oza, MD, medical director of Marion, Ohio-based Midwest Internal Associates, has purchased an 8,500-square-foot medical office building that formerly housed Midwest Spine & Pain for $1.85 million, according to a June 1 report from Columbus Business First. Dr. Oza plans to open a family practice called Concierge MD in the office building, which is located in New Albany, Ohio. It will provide adult preventive care, pediatric care, urgent care, IV hydration therapy, weight loss management and functional medicine. Dr. Oza has already hired three physicians, a receptionist and nursing staff for the practice, according to the report. He plans to start with eight full-time employees and possibly grow to 10 based on demand. Dr. Oza hopes to fill a gap in pediatric care that appeared after Rainbow Pediatrics, a care center in the region, closed last year after 40 years in business. Renovations on the office building are ongoing, and it is expected to open in August. Health systems across the country are expanding their outpatient portfolios and forming joint ventures to develop more ambulatory surgery centers as care continues to migrate from inpatient to outpatient settings. Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health System is the latest health system to partner with an ASC operator. The 48-hospital system has teamed with Compass Surgical Partners to develop more than 30 ASCs across multiple states. Compass will work with the health system to develop ASCs throughout its footprint, which includes Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New York and Florida. The network could expand into other states, such as North Carolina. "Our view, over time, is that more complex procedures will come out of the hospitals," Compass President Sean Rambo told the Triangle Business Journal. "Health systems are wanting to catch up and use this strategy to expand outside of hospital walls." In April, Columbus-based OhioHealth inked a similar deal with Nashville, Tenn.-based Surgery Partners which has more than 180 outpatient facilities and 4,600 physicians to grow ASC joint ventures across Ohio. The partnership will use a phased approach for growth, beginning with expansion opportunities within the 50 counties OhioHealth serves, followed by an opportunity review of the remaining 38 counties. It will also foster relationships with top surgeons in the state and support physician independence "To support our organization's desire to grow beyond our traditional geographic areas, to meet patients where they are in their health journey, and to partner with surgeons across the state, we needed the right management partner," said Brian Jepson, president of OhioHealth's central market. Surgery Partners, one of the largest ASC chains in the U.S., also signed a collaboration agreement with Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health to manage the system's existing ASCs in Utah and Idaho and the development of surgery centers in other markets. Intermountain currently has five ASCs across Utah and plans to open more over the next year. This collaboration agreement will accelerate those efforts. "Combining [Surgery Partners'] expertise and experience with ours will add significant value for our surgery patients and caregivers and will establish an operating model upon which we can build as we continue to expand outpatient care at other locations," said Mike Clark, Intermountain's executive lead of ASCs. After COVID-19 exacerbated instances of patient boarding in Minnesota emergency departments that some say reached "unprecedented levels" the Minnesota Medical Association and the state chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians have outlined a direction for change related to psychiatric patients. Boarding happens when a hospital lacks bed availability and patients are instead held in the emergency department while they wait for a bed to become available, something that can quickly become an issue for overwhelmed staff in a fast-moving, critical area of the hospital. In Minnesota specifically, instances of this have repeatedly happened with pediatric patients. In some cases, children needing mental health services were held in the emergency department for hours or even days, waiting. In the report from the two medical groups, physicians listed multiple recommendations for inflow factors, stalling, outflow factors and more. Ten of the recommendations from the report are: Support the creation of a Minnesota ED Boarding database. Develop a strategy to improve the size, distribution, and diversity of the state's mental healthcare workforce. Expand telehealth use for mental health services. Financially support 988 call centers throughout Minnesota. Explore the option of transport diversion to hospital emergency departments that have appropriate inpatient mental health beds. Develop and evaluate other options for emergency facilities for patients who have a psychiatric diagnosis and are waiting on disposition. Boost the number of designated mental healthcare workers in emergency departments. Increase the number of inpatient mental health hospital beds statewide. Reduce corporate foster care's use of emergency department boarding. Increase the number of residential treatment beds in Minnesota. Ultimately, the crisis of ED boarding is one that "is complex and requires a multitude of interventions from various stakeholders," the report states. According to The Joint Commission psychiatric patient boarding is a safety risk that should not last longer than four hours. It also notes that at the root of the nationwide problem is "lack of funding for community mental health clinics, intensive outpatient programs, community crisis stabilization units, respite services, and inpatient psychiatric units/ beds," according to a 2021 blog post. The board of trustees at Madera (Calif.) Community Hospital which has been closed since the start of the year says the state's $150 loan program for financially distressed hospitals is not enough to reopen the hospital, The Sun reported May 30. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Distressed Hospital Loan Program into law May 15. The legislation had been anticipated as a lifeline to support hospitals on the brink of closure or that have recently closed by providing zero-interest cash flow loans. To receive a loan, hospitals must submit a plan showing how they plan to maintain long-term financial viability. State Sen. Anna Caballero has said the hospital has not submitted a long-term plan or the financial documents needed to comply with the loan program, but Madera hospital board members claim audited financial documents were provided to the senator's office earlier this year. They also said while the loan program could help initially restabilize the hospital, it would be back in the same situation without increased Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. "What good is a $150,000,000 loan program now to prop up many California rural hospitals so they continue [to] operate at a loss as they careen toward a fiscal cliff in a few short years? The real problem has to be fixed," Deidre da Silva, board chair of Madera Community Hospital, told the news outlet. "MCH knows all too well that a band aid approach just postpones the problem." Compass Medical, a chain of six medical clinics south of Boston, abruptly closed May 31, according to a Boston 25 News report. Compass previously partnered with Steward Medical for 10 years but the partnership ended in lawsuits filed over financial issues last year. Compass was found guilty of fraud and Steward was awarded $16.4 million, which remains unpaid and has grown to $25 million in the interim, according to Steward's attorney. "It is with our deepest regret and great sadness to inform you of our imminent plan to close our practices. After a steady stream of challenges, we were ultimately forced to make the devastating decision to close all offices of Compass Medical PC, effective immediately. There is no good way to share this news. We are heartbroken and truly sorry as we know the unprecedented impact on our valued patients," reads a statement posted on the Compass Medical website. The Massachusetts Attorney General is investigating the closure, according to a report from News 7. Boston Children's Hospital has begun onboarding its new prompt engineer who will focus on working with large language models such as ChatGPT, Mashable reported June 1. John Brownstein, PhD, chief innovation officer of Boston Children's, told the publication that the health system has begun making significant strides with large language models, and that it has begun onboarding an "incredible" prompt engineer. This news comes after Dr. Brownstein spoke to Becker's stating that the hospital was looking to hire a prompt engineer to be a part of its Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator team. The new engineer would be responsible for designing and developing prompts to effectively gather data from generative AI programs and refine the models for healthcare-specific applications. The new hire, according to Dr. Brownstein, will help Boston Children's to build out some of these tools internally, identify use cases for the technology and train its workforce on the most appropriate use of these new tools. President Joe Biden is likely to tap North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, MD, to head the CDC after Rochelle Walensky, MD, departs June 30, according to The Washington Post. Dr. Cohen specializes in internal medicine and has been the secretary for the North Carolina health department since 2017. She also previously served as the chief operating officer and chief of staff for CMS. According to the Post, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has already been in contact with Dr. Cohen to congratulate her ahead of the official announcement, which is expected to come from President Biden's office formally June 2. A TV screen shows an image of North Korea's rocket launch during a news program at Seoul Station in Seoul, Monday. AP-Yonhap This is the first in a two-part interview series with experts regarding the validity of South Korea's aim to become a real player in the burgeoning space sector after the successful placement of small satellites into geosynchronous orbit on May 25 during the third launch of the locally-developed rocket Nuri, also known as KSLV-II. _ ED. 'S. Korea has opportunities for satellite design, components and integration in global space ecosystem' By Kim Yoo-chul Washington has persistently shown concerns about Beijing's technological rise. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was huge both for the U.S. and China, from a supply chain perspective. China's lockdown hugely affected key industries in the U.S. as China is largely responsible for producing materials and parts vital to the operation of U.S. factories. Such factors have led top policymakers in Washington to raise the necessity of reexamining the degree of connectivity that exists between U.S. companies and Chinese suppliers, pushing them to thoroughly consider the balance between cost and the risk of single-sourcing. With growing geopolitical concerns regarding Taiwan Strait issues and North Korea's evolving nuclear threat, the Joe Biden administration is taking detailed steps to protect against supply chain disruptions with full assistance from its key like-minded allies in East Asia: South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Stephane Lagut, Ernst & Young's global aerospace and defense sector leader / Courtesy of EY Washington previously identified semiconductor and battery industries as strategically important areas. During the period when the semiconductor supply chain recovered from the effects of the pandemic, the U.S. designated China's rise as a threat to its national security. Top Washington officials say the Biden administration wants to stymie Beijing's attempts to attain foundational technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing by cutting off access to the advanced data-processing power required. In this regard, the recent diplomatic developments between Seoul and Tokyo are welcomed by the Biden administration, which believes the improved relationship will help respond to China's challenge to the rules-based order, improve security cooperation on the Korean Peninsula and keep the tech supply chain strong, according to intelligence officials and think tanks in Washington. Like semiconductors and batteries, the space ecosystem plays an important role in advancing global security priorities. The space industry sector is at an inflection point, and given the country's advantages in manufacturing, South Korea is positioned to become a player in the space sector but only when based on the close collaboration with its allies. A local newspaper showing file images of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Tongchang-ri, North Korea, is displayed in Seoul, Tuesday. North Korea launched what it claims is its first military spy satellite, Wednesday, describing space-based reconnaissance as crucial for monitoring the United States' "reckless" military exercises with South Korea. AP-Yonhap Speaking to The Korea Times, Stephane Lagut, a senior executive at Ernst & Young (EY), a global consultancy firm, advised South Korea to seek an expanded partnership with the U.S., Japan and its allies in the EU if it wants to become a player in the burgeoning space sector. "By its very nature, the space exploration industry is outward looking, if South Korea is serious about becoming a player in the space sector, then it needs to think beyond its borders. Collaboration is key; think of the semiconductor industry as a model to copy," Lagut, EY's global aerospace and defense sector leader, said in a recent interview. "I would encourage the sector in South Korea to think beyond the longest-established players. The U.S., Russia and China are the major powers in the sector. However, South Korea should also consider private partners, as well as space sectors in Japan and Europe," said Lagut. South Korea ambitiously set its plans to land a spacecraft on the moon by 2032 and Mars by 2045. It recently launched multiple commercial satellites aboard a made-in-Korea rocket, Nuri, for the first time. A few days after the launch, North Korea launched what it calls a satellite, too. While weapons analysts say the successful launch of the KSLV-II Nuri rocket has helped the country get a technological advantage, and North Korea has been quick to develop and launch long-range rockets that could carry satellites, the two Koreas are still far from having a complex network of spy satellites. "Leveraging alliances is certainly an easier path there. In terms of playing to its strengths, South Korea would have a wider range of opportunities for satellite design, components and integration," the senior executive answered. "South Korea has the established and much-envied expertise in high precision manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors and research and development (R&D) that would be required and could be built upon. It has powerful integrated industrial groups and the ability to attract and mobilize capital, which are also strong factors," he assessed. A Long March rocket carrying a crew of Chinese astronauts in a Shenzhou-16 spaceship lifts off at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Tuesday. AP-Yonhap Omar Lateef, DO, is what one could call a physician's physician. A pulmonary and critical care medicine specialist, he completed his fellowship at RUSH University Medical Center in 2005. Today he leads the entire Chicago-based enterprise as CEO. "My career was never about eventually becoming a healthcare leader," Dr. Lateef tells me on a Monday in May. We're in his office on RUSH's campus, where his desk is remarkably organized and colorful drawings from his children are tacked up behind his computer. He went for a drive with his teenager the night before, acknowledging it as one of the few activities that gets a teen to put down the cell phone. Face time sans phone is important to Dr. Lateef. He loves practicing medicine, and believes time with patients at the bedside is what made him grow up as a person. The physician's physician went on to become the homegrown CEO of the entire RUSH system, which includes its academic medical center, medical school and partner hospitals, in July 2022. Before then, he served as president and CEO of the flagship RUSH University Medical Center for three years. Before then, he served as the hospital's chief medical officer. RUSH is a short name for a special place. It has been part of Chicago's healthcare landscape longer than any other institution with a history spanning more than 185 years. RUSH Medical College was Chicago's first medical school, established two days before the city itself was chartered. It educated Dr. David Jones Peck, the first Black person to earn a degree from an American medical school in 1847. RUSH's flagship hospital is a 14-story, 671-bed facility constructed after 9/11 fit for bio-threats, pandemics and other full-scale disasters. Its unusual white, butterfly-shaped tower is visible from the Eisenhower Expressway, a central route into and out of downtown Chicago. From this location, RUSH finds itself in the middle of a 16-year gap in life expectancy. Two miles east of its campus is Chicago's Loop, where the life expectancy is 85 years. Two miles west of its campus is the city's West Garfield Park neighborhood, where residents live to an average age of 69. RUSH physician David Ansell, MD, MPH devoted a book The Death Gap to uncovering such neighborhood racial life-expectancy disparities. "Look, this is terrible," said Dr. Lateef. "If you're born on Michigan Avenue, you'll live 16 years longer than if you're born five subway stops west. We can do better. We have to do better." RUSH was a bit ahead of its peers when it adopted a health equity strategy in 2016 to address the life-expectancy gaps in its primary service area. The strategy is built on a handful of pillars, including naming racism and poverty as root causes of poor health and creating wealth-building opportunities for its nearly 10,000 employees. The system, as one of the largest employers on Chicago's West Side, established an anchor mission to hire, purchase, invest and volunteer locally. In 2019, RUSH set a goal to reduce the life expectancy gap between the Loop and West Side by 50 percent by 2030. The strategy would strongly inform the system's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the virus moved into Chicago, RUSH worked with many safety net hospitals to transfer critically ill patients in many of whom required advanced critical care for COVID-19. It launched one of the city's first mobile COVID-19 testing teams, which tested vulnerable individuals in homeless shelters, nursing homes and the county jail. It established an isolation center for COVID-19-positive houseless people. It partnered with the city to create a hub for all data related to the virus and its spread. At the onset of the pandemic, Dr. Lateef was still CEO of RUSH University Medical Center. He was hard to miss throughout this trying time and cemented a reputation for being visible, present and leading by example, according to those who work closely with him. The hospital drew recognition for its COVID-19 response, including a medal of honor from former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. "For me, the pandemic was a harsh lesson in the reality of leadership," Dr. Lateef said. "I hope and pray that the things we did during the pandemic were the right things for the organization, for the city, for the people that we serve." While the de-escalation of COVID-19 is welcomed worldwide, the camaraderie and collaboration the crisis brought with it is something Dr. Lateef finds worthy of bottling and scaling. He said one of the best things about Chicago is how it can come together as a community; he wishes it happened more regularly. "When the pandemic came, I would argue that the city of Chicago did a phenomenal job of sharing resources, load balancing across the city in conjunction with the government, the local and the state government to mount a phenomenal response because we did work together," he said. "I would love to see it not dissipate as the pandemic goes away, because there are new pandemics that aren't COVID. There's new pandemics that are behavioral health. There's new pandemics that are inequity. How do we share our resources to solve them?" Right now, Dr. Lateef sees a great need for healthcare organizations to move beyond the analysis of data that illustrates disparities and instead act to narrow them. He expressed some healthy impatience with inertia around health equity work. Less talk, more walk, essentially. "As a nation we are still continuing to fund study after study to show healthcare disparities," he said. "I think we should accept that disparities exist, and fund program after program to solve them." RUSH's service area of Chicago's West Side is made up of 10 different neighborhoods and 600,000 residents more than the population of Atlanta. In 2021, the health system established the RUSH BMO Institute for Health Equity, anchored by a $10 million gift from BMO Financial Group. The health system aims to raise at least $70 million more for the institute, which is focused on education and workforce development, community engagement, health equity research and community-based clinical practices, including church-based screenings and health centers in partnership with Chicago Public Schools. When Dr. Lateef talks about another of healthcare's most pressing problems its staffing shortages he does so without a hint of surprise. For years, national projections have shown sweeping deficits of physicians, nurses and other medical professionals. "Basic math tells you if there's more people retiring than are graduating and more people are getting old, that's not a good trend," Dr. Lateef said. "We knew that pre-pandemic." The U.S. faces a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including deficits in primary and specialty care, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. The country may see a shortage of anywhere from 200,000 to 450,000 nurses by 2025, according to McKinsey. These figures are staggering, and only compound other thin spots throughout the healthcare system where demand exceeds supply, including designated mental health professional shortage areas and the exodus of nursing home workers that is forcing facilities to limit new patient admissions. Dr. Lateef acknowledges shortages exist, but he tries to spend more energy on the people who are working today, right now, right here. "Look, I think that staffing shortages are a challenge. I think the real challenge is the staff that's there how do you reward them for the incredible work that they put in day to day? I think what we need to do is maybe stop talking about the shortages and value the people that are in it right now, the frontline staff who are heroes every day. The nurses, therapists, physicians. It's been an incredible period, where the demands on healthcare were out of proportion to what we could provide, and yet everybody did it. "We have to figure out how to value them. There is a net need for more healthcare providers in this country. I think what we have to work on is making coming to work so enjoyable that people can't wait to get back into the field." The Becker's Hospital Review website uses cookies to display relevant ads and to enhance your browsing experience. By continuing to use our site, you acknowledge that you have read, that you understand, and that you accept our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy A number of bills in the Pennsylvania Senate, including one designed to bar for-profit hospitals, are seeing the light of day after being previously shelved, according to a May 29 report from radio station WHYY. Other proposed bills involve a minimum severance in the case of mass layoffs and more notice for the state's attorney general on proposed transactions. All three bills were revived now that Democrats are in the majority in both the state House and Senate. The four Delaware County senators, who reintroduced the bills, want to halt what they term the "financial looting of Pennsylvania hospital systems by private equity and for-profit companies." The bills up for discussion come amid an ongoing dispute between legislators and Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings over the closure in late 2022 of Upland, Pa.-based Crozer Health's Delaware County Memorial Hospital. Crozer Health is owned by the for-profit group. Similar bills are expected to be drawn up in the state House, the report said. Members of the Michigan Nurses Association have voted to authorize a strike at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital. The union represents about 250 nurses at the hospital, according to a June 1 news release from the MNA. McLaren Lapeer Region is part of McLaren Health Care, a Grand Blanc, Mich.-based health system with 28,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees. All voting union members voted in favor of authorizing a strike, according to the union release. The vote does not mean a strike will occur. However, it gives the MNA the option of calling one. The union would provide a 10-day notice to McLaren executives before any strike begins. Management has been in negotiations with the MNA for three months, according to the union release. Tim Vargas, McLaren Lapeer Region president and CEO, said in a statement shared with Becker's that the hospital is focused on bargaining for a fair and sustainable contract. Currently, the nursing contract has added benefits including market-competitive wages and benefits, shift differential and premiums, and on-call pay, he said. "We have worked with the union prior to and during negotiations to ensure we have safe staffing, competitive wages and great working conditions," said Mr. Vargas. He added: "A strike is unnecessary to reach an agreement. The hospital has signaled its willingness to enhance wages, staffing and practice processes without any job actions, and is not asking for concessions from the union." The union contends that the hospital is putting "profits before patients" and has not accepted nurses' proposals to have an accountability mechanism to ensure executives follow contractual staffing ratios. "We are fighting for the future of our community hospital," Chuck Johnson, RN, said in the union release. He added: "We are fighting for the right to be able to work under conditions that allow us to provide the highest quality of care to our neighbors, families and loved ones. We know that it's possible to make McLaren Lapeer better, and we won't rest until we've done so." Negotiations are slated to resume on June 5. Members of the New York State Nurses Association are set to begin an open-ended strike on June 12 at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in New York City if a contract agreement is not reached with the hospital by that time. The union represents about 1,250 nurses at the hospital, according to a May 30 news release from the NYSNA. NYP-Brooklyn Methodist is part of NewYork-Presbyterian. Union members voted to authorize a strike earlier in May. The contract for nurses at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist ended on April 30, and negotiations have been ongoing for months, according to the union release. The hospital, in a statement shared with Becker's, said: "We respect and value our nurses, who play a central role in delivering the exceptional care our hospital is known for. We're hopeful that union leadership shares our dedication to reaching a fair and reasonable contract agreement, and we will continue to bargain in good faith." The union contends that not enough progress has been made in negotiations and that safe staffing remains the key sticking point. "We don't want to go on strike, but we will if NYP gives us no other option. Nurses refuse to accept staffing cuts or compromise the care for our Brooklyn community in any way. We hope that NYP comes back to the table in good faith to deliver a contract with safe staffing that respects nurses and our patients," NYSNA member leader Sharonda Green-Carter, RN, said in the union release. "While a strike notice does not necessarily mean a strike will occur, we must always prioritize our patients and their care. We have made the necessary preparations to ensure that they will continue to receive the same high-quality care, without interruption," the hospital's statement said. Physicians from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic and data scientists from Palo Alto, Calif.-based Stanford Health Care are coming together to advance artificial intelligence in healthcare. Chieh-Ju Chao, MD, and Chia-Chun Chiang, MD, a married couple of Mayo physicians, will be the new program's first visiting scholars at Stanford. Dr. Chao, a cardiologist, intends to research the use of AI to augment echocardiography, while Dr. Chiang, a neurologist, plans to study how AI might predict which medications will stave off debilitating migraines. Right now it's a trial-and-error process, where we start with one medication and wait three months to see if it helps," she said in a May 30 Stanford news release. "I'm hoping to be able to apply advanced machine learning technologies to the Mayo Clinic's established headache database to help predict good matches or to develop personalized treatment plans for patients with migraine." She will also work with Nigam Shah, PhD, chief data scientist at Stanford Health Care, to analyze EHR data to identify migraine patients at risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease. The University of Central Florida College of Medicine joined a NASA-funded mission to research how space flight affects the health of space travelers. Scientists are planning to study motion sickness, changes to eye and brain health and changes in cognitive function during space flight, according to a May 31 news release from the Orlando-based university. In partnership with the Translational Research Institute for Space Health, UCF is supporting Axiom's Mission 2, which launched on May 21 headed for the International Space Station. TRISH is funded by NASA and Houston-based Baylor College of Medicine, the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. Emmanuel Urquieta Ordonez, MD, chief medical officer at TRISH and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, said he hopes the research will provide "high-value data" regarding physiological changes like sensory-motor data, cognitive performance, study motion sickness, changes to eye and brain health during space flight. "One way we do research is by collecting samples including blood, saliva, stool and skin swabs three times before flight and three times after spaceflight," Dr. Urquieta Ordonez said in the release. TRISH chose to partner with UCF due to its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. In April, the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation in Nutley, N.J., announced a similar partnership with Axiom to learn how microgravity affects humans and to advance care for healthcare concerns including cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, David Perlin, PhD, chief scientific officer and executive vice president of the CDI, told Becker's. While some hospital associations maintain that facility fees are key to the financial well-being of hospitals, legislators across the country are taking action to clamp down on facility fees with the aim of reducing healthcare costs. Here are three states where politicians are looking to regulate facility fees that Becker's has covered this year: A New Jersey oncologist pleaded guilty to using her medical license, and allowing others to use it, to purchase prescription oncology medications to sell for profit. Anise Kachadourian, MD, was recruited by an individual who owned a pharmacy and two other businesses that were wholesale distributors of prescription drugs, according to a May 31 press release from the Justice Department. Working with this individual, Dr. Kachadourian used her medical license to purchase expensive prescription drugs including cold-chain biologic infusion medications typically used to treat cancers and autoimmune diseases that were sold through the two businesses. The businesses were not permitted to purchase the drugs, according to the release. In exchange for providing the medications, Dr. Kachadourian received $5,000 per month. By purchasing the drugs, Dr. Kachadourian made false and misleading representations to the pharmaceutical manufacturers and authorized distributors that the drugs would be used to treat her patients and not resold, when in reality the two businesses sold them to their customers. Dr. Kachadourian was paid more than $170,000 for using her license to purchase millions of dollars of prescription drugs between October 2016 and January 2019. Dr. Kachadourian is the third physician to plead guilty in connection to the scheme. In her plea agreement, she agreed to make restitution for the full amount of any loss resulting in her offenses. She is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 6, 2024. Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, Detroit Medical Center and Vanguard Health Systems have agreed to pay $29.7 million to the federal government to resolve a whistleblower's allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by providing kickbacks to referring physicians. Six things to know: 1. DMC operates eight hospitals in the Detroit area. In 2013, Tenet acquired Vanguard owned-and-operated hospitals and outpatient facilities including DMC for $4.3 billion. 2. From Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2017, prosecutors alleged that Sinai Grace Hospital and Harper University Hospital, part of DMC, provided the services of DMC-employed mid-level practitioners to 13 physicians at no cost or below fair market value in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. 3. According to the Justice Department, the physicians were selected because of their large number of referrals to the two hospitals and the arrangements were allegedly used to induce the physicians to refer more Medicare patients to DMC facilities. 4. The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare and other federally funded programs. The statute is designed to ensure providers' judgments are based on the best interests of their patients and not compromised by improper financial incentives. 5. The settlement resolves allegations brought under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Jay Meythaler, MD, a former employee of Wayne State University Medical School, which is affiliated with DMC. Dr. Meythaler will receive $5.2 million as part of the settlement. 6. The settlement is not an admission of any wrongdoing by Tenet, DMC or Vanguard. "Once we became aware of the allegations, Tenet and DMC fully cooperated with the government throughout its investigation," a Tenet spokesperson told Becker's. "The matter was resolved fully to avoid the expense and operational distraction. We remain committed to full compliance with all state and federal healthcare program requirements and providing high-quality care to serve our community." A seen from a short film "Fantastic Night Rhapsody," which was shot using a Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics Film shot using Galaxy S23 hits 250 mil. views in China By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Electronics has lost ground to Chinese rivals and Apple in China, the world's largest smartphone market, but the maker of the Galaxy smartphone series is trying to keep its foothold there by strengthening marketing efforts toward young consumers, according to the company, Thursday. The company said that it has begun to engage younger consumers in China via various cultural marketing efforts, including movies and art. As part of its efforts, Samsung partnered with Shanghai Disneyland and released a short film on May 20. The movie, titled "Fantastic Night Rhapsody," was entirely shot with Samsung's latest high-end smartphone Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung said the short film has been well-received in the Chinese market, surpassing 250 million views within just 10 days of it being released. The 27-minute film, starring actress Jin Chen and produced by filmmaker Chen Cheng-Tao, utilized the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 20-megapixel ultra-high-definition camera and its Nightography feature to vividly capture character movement details, even in dark settings, Samsung said. A poster of the short film "Fantastic Night Rhapsody," which was shot using a Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics The FDA is deciding whether to temporarily allow the importation of chemotherapy drugs from unapproved manufacturers outside of the U.S. as the nation grapples with a shortage of key cancer drugs, a spokesperson with the agency told CNBC June 1. Last summer, the agency took a similar action to address the baby formula shortage. "In these cases, we very carefully assess the overseas product for quality, making sure that its [sic] safe for U.S. patients," a spokesperson told the news outlet. Physicians and patients have been especially concerned about a shortage of cisplatin and carboplatin, which has in some cases led oncologists to ration the widely used cancer drugs and delayed patient treatment. "Things have been getting worse on the ground. Something has to happen and change immediately," Abdul Rafeh Naqash, MD, a lung cancer specialist at the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City, told CNBC. The cisplatin shortage began in early February. Since then, resupply dates have been pushed back four times. Drugmakers have said they anticipate their supply to return to normal levels in June. Oncology groups anticipate potential eased import restrictions would help further stabilize supplies after June, according to CNBC. More than a year after launching an in-house travel staffing agency, UPMC is adding a new regional approach to the effort. Maribeth McLaughlin, MPM, BSN, RN, chief nursing executive for the Pittsburgh-based health system, told Becker's the approach provides a new option for nurses and surgical technologists who desire to travel. "Our overall travel program, when you travel for us, you travel across our hospitals in New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania," she said. "And now we are launching a regional travel strategy where some staff can choose to travel only within certain regions." UPMC initially announced in December 2021 that it had created UPMC Travel Staffing, a new in-house travel staffing agency to address a nursing shortage and to attract and retain workers. Through the agency, nurses and surgical technologists earn $85 an hour and $63 an hour, respectively, in addition to a $2,880 stipend at the beginning of each six-week assignment. Ms. McLaughlin said the rate is lower about $60 an hour for those who opt for the regional approach. As of June 1, UPMC has hired more than 700 staff into the in-house travel staffing agency, with 60 percent of those workers being external hires, according to Ms. McLaughlin. And there have been fewer workers leaving UPMC to go to other travel agencies. "One of my goals since I've taken this role is to really look at building in as many flexible programs as I could for staff," said Ms. McLaughlin, who has served in her current role since August 2022. "I think as we came out of the pandemic, it's clear to me that work-life harmony means something different to staff today than it maybe meant when I was a young staff nurse years ago, and that we need to have as much flexibility and as many different programs as we can." She said UPMC Travel Staffing has delivered this flexibility and allowed the health system to cancel about 90 contracts with external travel agencies. Additionally, some external travelers have now moved into UPMC's in-house agency. Ms. McLaughlin expects more to join the in-house agency now that UPMC has launched the regional approach. "We're launching a win-back program where we're going out and trying to see some of the people who we know we lost and see if they're interested in coming back closer to home and traveling closer to home," she explained. Still, she acknowledged some of the challenges along the way. "Our IT department built us an app to be able to manage all of this because, as you can imagine, we have external travel, internal travelers, core staff and at times it could get a little confusing," said Ms. McLaughlin. "So we've been able to build that to be able to figure out the best ways to assign the staff where the greatest needs are." Another challenge she noted is that shifts for workers from external travel agencies are often 12 weeks, while shifts with UPMC Travel Staffing are six weeks. She said this is a purposeful move because those in UPMC Travel Staffing receive benefits and are considered UPMC employees, rather than receiving an hourly rate. "Overall, it's been a really successful program for us because it's allowed us to look at things in a different way," said Ms. McLaughlin. "It's a central function. It's not something we did and farmed out to every hospital to administer themselves. We did it as a system and as a core, which I also think is important." Now, she said she's excited about the new regional approach and the opportunities it presents for recruiting and retention. "We're growing our own students, we're bringing in all these students, and we're not saying, 'You have to just work here.' We're saying, 'You can work for us at UPMC, and here are all the options. You can even be a traveler with us,'" she said. From artificial intelligence to increased consolidation, five surgeons told Becker's what they think the orthopedic industry will look like 10 years from now. While some surgeons are hopeful for the future of the specialty, others are not so sure. Question: What will the orthopedic industry look like in 10 years? Thomas Schuler, MD. Spine Surgeon, Founder and CEO at Virginia Spine Institute (Reston): Patients have a bright and hopeful future. In this biocentury, where genomics is vastly improving medical outcomes, technological advances in implants and surgical navigation are multipliers for even more exciting improvements in healthcare. The use of regenerative medicine will obviate the need for many procedures as we use the body's own healing potential to avoid or delay many traditional treatments. Innovative implants, especially in the spine, are already changing treatment paradigms. Artificial discs are rewriting the treatment algorithms for the wise and open-minded spine surgeons. This will continue to drastically improve patients' lives. Robotic surgery and augmented reality will further reduce surgical trauma, thus reducing iatrogenically induced disruption and accelerate recovery. All of these technologies will continue to improve and rapidly evolve over the next decade, thereby improving the lives of millions through improved outcomes and better quality of life. The future is exciting for our patients. Industry will struggle with insurance and government commoditization of healthcare, but it will survive to provide essential life improving products to our patients. Praveen Mummaneni, MD. Neurosurgeon at University of California San Francisco: On the spine side, there is already a push for degenerative diseases to be treated minimally invasively in outpatient settings. That push will continue due to finances. The inpatient side will be dominated by complex spine surgery for revision fusion, deformity and tumor as these types of surgery are not amenable to outpatient treatment. Neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons need to be familiar with minimally invasive approaches so they will be ready for the upcoming shift to outpatient settings for probably half their cases. Lali Sekhon, MD, PhD. Neurosurgeon at Reno (Nev.) Orthopedic Center: The optimist in me says the following: 1. More outpatient surgery 2. Value-based care actually getting rewarded 3. Greater cost consciousness 4. Continued incremental advances in materials, technologies, robotics etc. with price sensitivity 5. Patient remote monitoring becomes more standard to assess recovery via GPS and motion tracking 6. Consolidation of industry (especially spine) where smaller companies offering generic products will find it harder to compete 7. Complete transparency on cost and outcomes at every level The pragmatist/realist in me says the following: 1. Dwindling reimbursement 2. Hospitals push CMS to make some codes inpatient only to breathe life into their bottom line 3. More employed physicians 4. Private equity seen for what it is, but more ownership of practices by hospital systems 5. Two streams of practice: the sick or big surgeries done in hospitals and the healthy and well-insured in ASCs 6. Foggy transparency of costs and outcomes at every level Issada Thongtrangan, MD. Orthopedic Surgeon at Microspine (Scottsdale, Ariz.): I predict that there will be more private equity-owned and -managed practices. Doctors will be just employees. There will be more utilization of "advanced" healthcare providers as it is more cost/effective and likely to make more profit for the employer." We will see more movements from "big" companies such as Walmart, Amazon, etc. in the healthcare sector. Who knows if one day we may see hospitals and or ASCs run by these companies. We will see AI and ChatGPT involved in electronic health records and may be decision-making clinically. I am sure that all the commercial payers are looking at AI to beef up the authorization process for all kinds of necessary studies and surgeries. We will see more denials. More surgeries will be performed in the surgery center as it is cheaper than the hospital. Adam Bruggeman, MD. Orthopedic Surgeon at Texas Spine Care Center (San Antonio): I think the current trajectory suggests that the industry will be highly consolidated into vertically integrated systems where orthopedic surgeons are increasingly employed or controlled by insurance companies that also control the spectrum of care from primary care through hospitals. The political environment has provided significant advantages to insurance companies while at the same time discouraging private practice. I don't think these chapters have been written and there is opportunity to redirect the trajectory, but it will take all aspects of medicine grouping together to fight the corporatization of healthcare. US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland Joe Kennedy III says the Top 100 reflects the diversity of the economy here and the importance of US firms As US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, I congratulate everyone who has contributed to the success of Northern Irelands Top 100 Companies. From globally recognised brands to indigenous firms, each company reflects the wide diversity of employers who generate prosperity and opportunity right across Northern Ireland. As the largest foreign direct investor in the region, its especially encouraging to see a number of US businesses on the list, spanning diverse sectors like manufacturing, financial services and software. The fact that 70% of Northern Irelands 1,200 international companies opt to reinvest in the region speaks volumes about your world-class research universities, competitive wage levels, skilled workforce, and the best telecommunications infrastructure per capita in Europe. In April, I joined President Biden as he addressed local entrepreneurs and emerging leaders at Ulster University. In that impressive new campus, the President reminded us of our responsibilities to the next generation in Northern Irelands case, one of the youngest populations in Europe. It was heartening to see young entrepreneurs from local groups like Young Enterprise so well represented at the event. The following week, I led a Presidential Delegation to Queens University to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. To many Americans, the Agreements legacy as a foundation for political and economic stability remains an inspiration to the wider world. Since its signing, local and foreign investment has helped generate over 200,000 new jobs, bringing Northern Ireland towards almost full employment. Over the last decade, the region has drawn almost $2bn in new investment from the United States alone. These two events in April provided an opportunity for retrospection and a chance to celebrate hard-won gains. Yet the Presidents narrative was firmly rooted in the future. He talked about young people who once left for opportunities overseas, now seeing their futures firmly rooted in Northern Ireland. He also described their energy and dynamism as well as their capacity to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. Similarly, discussions at the culmination of the Queens University conference were not only about the past, but about capitalising on opportunities that lie ahead. I left Northern Ireland in April sensing an energy and a desire to secure an even more prosperous next chapter. I am honoured and excited to join with you in that work ahead, and there is much to do. First, there is a great opportunity in Northern Ireland for existing firms to expand their footprint. Most of Northern Irelands top 100 organisations are fulfilling their potential because of strategically grounded decisions to reinvest and expand. In an economy dominated by small-to medium-sized enterprises, many more Northern Ireland businesses now have a genuine capacity to upscale and expand globally. An essential component to that success is building connections and articulating the economic benefits of investing in Northern Ireland to new US partners. Central to this is my work with stakeholders in Northern Ireland to help advance their 10X Economic Vision. Its an ambitious but focused plan, homing in on strategic clusters where economic growth is most viable. Its been a pleasure getting to know the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady and the dedicated professionals on her team. While current political circumstances present challenges, Northern Ireland is in a strong place because of her leadership and deep conviction in Northern Irelands economic potential. To the credit of officials in Brussels, Belfast and London, complexities around implementation of Brexit have given way to a unique set of trading arrangements that can provide real opportunities for more inward investment and trade growth. Local business leaders often remind me that the Windsor Framework places Northern Ireland in a truly unique market position in protecting the regions place within the United Kingdom while providing privileged trade access to the European Union. Despite this opportunity, no government or business leader is oblivious to our shared, current challenges. Global economic headwinds, an accelerating climate crisis, and geopolitical impacts are forcing us all to think differently and creatively. Internally, the challenges to Northern Irelands productivity and the deep-rooted structural reasons behind them are acknowledged by every local leader. Moreover, as many of the businesses listed in this report will testify, Northern Irelands internal market is not large enough to generate the level of growth to fully rebalance its economy. To thrive, local businesses must be encouraged to look beyond conventional borders and their traditional markets. As a friend, the United States will continue to make the case that the restoration of the Assembly and Executive will give Northern Ireland greater control over economic policy and demonstrate stability to global investors. Many US executives are already aware of Northern Irelands strong economic proposition and its potential for market access. But they also need clarity and certainty. Local politicians, accountable to those they serve, are best positioned to build a vibrant Northern Ireland economy that will benefit everyone. The challenges confronting Northern Ireland while difficult are not unique. My own country is no stranger to polarised politics and systematic inequality. In recent decades a shifting global economy left many working Americans and their communities behind. The belief by some that economic gains would be naturally dispersed often served to exacerbate the very worst dyna.mics of economic inequality. When President Biden took office, he pledged to confront this while fully integrating our domestic policy and foreign policy. His belief was that every action taken in our conduct abroad must be done with American working families in mind. Central to this strategy is a fairer, more inclusive, and more durable global economic order. Whether its in Boston or Belfast, economic priorities built solely on innovation-driven growth will at best, bring limited success. Conversely, building a culture of inclusive innovation will help us confront stark social inequalities and bring benefits to us all. President Kennedy is often associated with the saying the rising tide lifts all boats. His contention was that an improving economy, if harnessed correctly, can and should reach every participant. While possible, that success is not inevitable. It demands intervention, attention and care. As we seek to address shared goals and mutually beneficial opportunities, no-one from any community or neighbourhood should ever be left behind. Congratulations again to every member of staff who has been a part of the continued success of Northern Irelands Top 100 companies. From boardrooms to production lines, your contribution to Northern Irelands upward trajectory is to be applauded. I look forward to working with you as an advocate and partner as Northern Ireland embarks on its next, exciting chapter. Joe Kennedy III was appointed US Special Envoy for Economic Affairs in December 2022 Americas interest in procuring a deal in Northern Ireland could become even stronger if an Executive gets back in place in Stormont, says Grant Thorntons Paul Prenter Last year, 2022, was a record one for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Northern Ireland, with Experian reporting 267 transactions across the 12 months. While activity has increased to its highest ever level, so too has the level of scrutiny being applied by buyers. As a result, transactions are at times taking longer, with negotiations drawing out on key items, and the agreement of earn-outs or completion accounts. The matter was high up the agenda at the excellent Real Deal conference that took place recently in Kildare. From talking to business owners and entrepreneurs who have gone through the exit process there is a clear message. First of all, if anyone ever thought it was, they are finding that due diligence is definitely not easy. You should always trust your instinct, prepare as early as possible, and of course, its key to have the right advisers in your corner. It should be noted that the level of activity in Northern Ireland is somewhat at odds with a reported fall off in global M&A activity, particularly at the larger end of the deal spectrum where there are certainly fewer of those mega deals, over $5bn. Instead, a greater number of smaller deals are happening, relatively speaking. That fits the Northern Ireland market well and activity is across multiple sectors with significant traction in healthcare and life sciences, manufacturing, energy, technology and beyond. Our corporate finance team, now numbering 50 across Belfast and Dublin, is receiving new instructions and enquiries on an almost daily basis. We are seeing deals that involve a strong mix of local and international entities, and we are working with many business owners who have come through Covid and are now considering their succession plans. Many of our largest corporates continue to look outside the UK and Ireland to make acquisitions and drive growth, and their ambition is fantastic to see. On the local front, Northern Ireland retains an exceptionally competitive banking network which, in contrast to other regions, still has a significant number of players. As such, for good opportunities, the banks are very much open for business. So, what is the reason behind the increased level of scrutiny in transactions? A lot of companies obviously did very well coming out of Covid, so there is an element that buyers want to be sure that those increased earnings are sustainable into 2023, 2024 and beyond, and not simply the result of a Covid-bounce. As a consequence, we are getting a lot of buyers focusing in on quality of earnings when it comes to due diligence. The reward, however, is worth it and our view is, theres never been a better time to invest in Northern Ireland. Thats exactly what were telling prospective buyers when were marketing on the sell-side for Northern Ireland entities, highlighting the unique proposition of this region particularly with regards to access to the GB and EU markets. For European and UK investors, that is resonating. We are also increasingly working on deals involving a US angle, whether that be on behalf of Northern Ireland-based companies expanding into the US market and requiring support to do so, or carrying out due diligence work for US clients on transactions they are making in the UK and Ireland. Perhaps they were listening when US President Joe Biden recently remarked that American entities were queuing up to invest in Northern Ireland. US President Joe Biden addressed an audience at Ulster University's new campus in Belfast at an event marking 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement During his address in Belfast, the President suggested American companies could treble the $2bn already invested here. The opportunities are clearly there, and (as President Biden was less than subtly hinting) could undoubtedly multiply with the greater certainty that would come with the reformation of the Northern Ireland Executive. As always however, if the proposition presented by the business is right, there will remain high levels of interest from credible buyers and investors with ready access to funds. Seeking professional advice at the earliest opportunity to ensure youre best prepared to take your offering to market is vital, especially in the current climate of increasingly strict due diligence. Paul Prenter is a director of corporate finance at Grant Thornton. Keeping up with changes to international taxation law is a challenge to business, says Jonathan Megaw, head of large corporate and international tax at Grant Thornton The relative ease with which businesses can access the worlds markets could not be more starkly contrasted than with the complexities of navigating the resulting international taxation. The tax regimes governing international trade can only be described as transient, both domestically in the UK and on the international stage. Evolving global guidance, new legislation, and developing (sometimes conflicting) interpretation by the courts is exacerbating the challenges to businesses as they seek to minimise tax risk, maximise tax efficiency, and remain legally compliant. For those operating in Northern Ireland, there is the added challenge of doing business in the only part of the UK that has a land border with a country offering a lower corporate tax rate that is without mentioning the unique intricacies that come with the Windsor Framework. Navigating the complexities of international tax necessitates a clear understanding of the current position of your business and its strategy for the future, whether you are part of a global enterprise already or seeking to expand outside the UK as part of your growth plan. Take transfer pricing as an example. Pillar 2 is the most significant change to the international tax landscape in recent years. The Pillar 2 international tax rules (announced in the Spring Finance Bill 2023 for accounting periods commencing on or after December 31, 2023) will introduce a new global minimum tax of 15%. Effectively, groups within the scope of Pillar 2 (essentially, consolidated revenue over 750 million per annum) will need to calculate and report an effective tax rate in all the jurisdictions in which they operate. If the effective tax rate is under 15% (regardless of local tax rates and reliefs), a top-up tax liability may arise. Businesses below the Pillar 2 threshold are not exempt from new rules either, as UK transfer pricing documentation requirements are increasing this year, further magnifying administrative burdens. Since April 1, it has been a requirement that key transfer pricing documentation (i.e. Master File, Local File and Summary Audit Trail documents) must all be prepared in advance of a company filing its UK corporation tax return and provided to HMRC on request within 30 days. Elsewhere, international financing is receiving considerable attention by HMRC, and most worldwide tax authorities are both adding to and bolstering their anti-avoidance measures. Cross-border financing is a necessary staple of almost all international enterprises, however, the UK legislation governing this type of financing is incredibly complex (as it includes tests on form and motive, rules restricting interest deductibility and numerous anti-avoidance measures to name a few). The need for meticulous intergroup finance planning has never been higher given the heightened risk of huge tax inefficiencies and being subject to a range of legislative challenges by tax authorities. On top of numerous legislative challenges, the UK Government now compels large corporates (and certain individuals they employ) to assure their tax position via tax risk management regimes. Subject to certain thresholds, there are requirements for businesses to publicly publish their tax strategy, adhere to the corporate criminal offence legislation and appoint a senior accounting officer (who is responsible for maintaining appropriate tax accounting arrangements and can incur personal fines if there is a failure to comply with the necessary obligations). We are increasingly working with our large corporate clients because, although the requirements are convoluted and burdensome, compliance is essential as failure to adhere to the obligations can carry significant penalties. All of this is of significance as HMRC seeks to invest greater resources to tax investigations, so it is more important than ever to remain compliant. After scrutiny from the National Audit Office about the lack of tax investigations, HMRC has been decisive in recruiting over 2,000 additional staff and moving resource previously deployed on Covid schemes to frontline investigations. On top of that, HMRC continues to invest heavily in sophisticated data mining technology and new sources of information, meaning HMRC is improving how it profiles for errors (whether careless or deliberate). In certain risk areas, HMRC will also seek to deploy more of their tools and resource. For example, HMRC recognises transfer pricing as a key risk area, as it has returned large tax collections from transfer pricing enquiries. Therefore, HMRC conducted a UK-wide recruitment drive to build up their senior transfer pricing and international tax expertise. With more staff, better profiling, and greater information resources, the probability of an enquiry has never been higher. When you couple that with the complexity and ever evolving nature of international tax, and the punitive measures imposed on businesses that fail to comply, now more than ever is the time to invest in ensuring your tax affairs are in order. Jonathan Megaw joined Grant Thornton in 2023 to lead the large corporate and international tax team in Belfast. Previously, he worked for over 10 years at HM Revenue and Customs, where he specialised in complex international tax issues, led UK corporation tax compliance checks and prepared international tax cases for litigation Ex-Newsline host is claiming gender, age and disability discrimination against the broadcaster Former BBC Newsline presenter Donna Traynor was told she would have to split her duties between radio and TV in what her legal team has said amounted to diminishing her duties. Ms Traynor, once one of the most high profile BBC presenters, is taking a discrimination case against the broadcaster, claiming age, gender and disability discrimination. The first day of the hearing heard that she felt she was being bullied and coerced by the BBC management into presenting the two hour Evening Extra radio show, two to three days a week. In opening remarks Ms Traynors legal team said she was subjected to bullying and harassment after she raised a grievance about a plan to change her role at the corporation. During the first morning of evidence in the employment tribunal taken by Ms Traynor against the BBC, Paddy Lyttle KC claimed that his client had her role diminished unfairly. Ms Traynor is taking an industrial tribunal against her former employer and its Northern Ireland director, Adam Smyth. Both Ms Traynor and Adam Smyth were present at the fair employment hearing in south Belfast for the first day of the tribunal, being heard in front of a three person panel headed up by Vice Chair Maxine Orr. BBC NI Director Adam Smyth The case was taken by Ms Traynor following a proposal to move her to a radio position in 2019. The barrister said the plan was presented to Ms Traynor on her 55th birthday which she said made her the oldest female presenter working for the BBC in Northern Ireland. Ms Traynor dramatically quit her job at the corporation in November 2021. She has previously been nominated twice for the Royal Television Society award for presenter of the year. Once one of Northern Irelands most high-profile broadcasters, the tribunal heard that she joined the BBC in 1989, presenting radio news bulletins, before moving into television. In August 2006 she was offered a two-year contract presenting the flagship 6.30pm Newsline programme, five days a week. In 2008, the three-person tribunal was told that she was given a permanent contract. Mr Lyttle said that his client had been engaged specifically to work on Newsline five days a week. He said that she had yearly appraisals that graded her work to a high standard and that during her time as the programmes presenter, audiences continued to grow. He also said that Ms Traynor had been assured that her role would not be diminished by Mr Smyth during an annual appraisal held in December 2018. Addressing the age discrimination portion of her case, Mr Lyttle KC claimed that a voluntary redundancy scheme was a ploy to get rid of the old crop. The scheme was available to anyone who presented a TV or radio programme more than 30 minutes in length. The tribunal heard that veteran journalists Noel Thompson, Seamus McKee and Wendy Austin took up the redundancy offer along with Karen Patterson. Three were in their 60s, possibly 70s, no one of a more junior ranking, or younger age, could apply, Mr Lyttle claimed. Frank ODonoghue KC, who is representing the BBC and Mr Smyth, challenged the assertion that the scheme was not a true redundancy but intended to move on older presenters. He said there is nothing to suggest that this was not a true redundancy process. The tribunal heard that Ms Traynor was told that under restructuring, she would be sharing the presenting of Newsline with BBC colleague Tara Mills, alongside a male presenter who was to be recruited. She would also be expected to extend her duties to present the Evening Extra programme on Radio Ulster. It was said that at the time the BBC was trying to get more female presenters onto their radio output. Mr Lyttle referred to a meeting where Ms Traynor said she was being used to settle a gender imbalance issue at Radio Ulster. The barrister said that the BBC should have been working on using good presenters and not in terms of gender, a practice he said went out with the ark. Mr Lyttle added that Ms Traynor stated in one BBC meeting about Mr Smyths plans: If I was called Donald Traynor, he wouldnt be moving me to radio. Continuing with his opening remarks, Mr Lyttle said that his client had a deaf ear, something she had developed following a childhood illness. He quoted from a doctors report that stated she suffered from profound single sided deafness. He said she had learned to work with her disability in her TV role by following visual cues from colleagues and because of the scripted nature of the Newsline show. It was a job he said she had carried out for many years to a high standard. However, he said that the freewheeling and unstructured nature of the two hour Evening Extra show would present a challenge to her. Any mistake would be in front of hundreds of thousands of people, he added. Mr Lyttle said that during the course of the tribunal they would challenge the details of correspondence dated March 15, 2021 when a member of the BBC Human Resources department said that they had only recently learned about her hearing loss. Thats not true, he said, adding that it had been included in an employment record dating back to 2006. He added that the difference in wearing an ear piece for half an hour for her TV duties and wearing headphones for the two hours of radio concerned her as she was keen to protect the hearing in her right ear. A reasonable accommodation would have been to let her stay on as a TV presenter, a duty she had fulfilled for 30 years, he said. The fact that it wasnt considered at all was clearly discriminatory, he added. He said that his client felt bullied that she was continually asked to perform a radio trial run after she explained she was unable to do radio work. He said that due to her hearing loss she was concerned that people with poor diction would be difficult to make out on radio and that if she missed words that would be professionally embarrassing. Mr Lyttle said an internal grievance process carried out by the BBC in 2020 was a complete whitewash, adding: It was not a genuine hearing of the grievance, it was protecting Mr Smyth. The tribunal is expected to last over a week. Jared Leto says he has not cried in about 17 years (Ian West/PA) Jared Leto says he has not cried in about 17 years and suggested he had shed all of his tears while making psychological drama Requiem For A Dream in 2000. The Hollywood actor and musician appeared as a co-host of the Jo Whiley show on Radio 2 on Wednesday. It comes ahead of the release of his band 30 Seconds To Mars sixth studio album, Its The End Of The World But Its A Beautiful Day, in September. The bands recent and upcoming returns to the stage, playing in venues in the US and UK, mark Letos first in four years. They had previously been scheduled to perform at Radio 1s Big Weekend, on Saturday, but were forced to pull out at the last minute due to technical difficulties. The Hollywood actor and musician appeared as a co-host of the Jo Whiley show on Radio 2 on Wednesday (Ian West/PA) It was just like a perfect disaster, and thats touring. Thats life, Leto said. Its full of those kinds of, you know, adventures, to put it politely. Speaking about the emotional responses of those to whom he had played his new music to, Leto was asked if there were songs that moved him to tears. I havent cried in about 17 years, the last time was because I stubbed my toe, he said. Asked why, he replied: Im just like a lizard. I dont think my tear ducts work properly. Maybe I shed them all in Requiem For A Dream or something? I cried so much during the making of that movie. Leto starred in the 2000 drama film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, alongside Ellen Burstyn and Jennifer Connelly. He continued: A wild thing about that film is I remember I had a scene and I was supposed to be very emotional, and then literally when they shot my close-up I got a call. One of my best friends had just been shot in the head and the emotion that came at that moment when I recognised what a brutal loss this was. But I realised what a bad actor I was because it didnt really touch anything that Id done in this scene, and I believe I went back and asked for another take. I shared a little bit of that in the scene and thats whats in the movie when Im talking on the phone. So in a way, you know, (my friend) lives in that scene. Leto has gone on to star in multiple blockbuster films, including the Marvel and DC franchises, and won an Oscar for best-supporting actor for his role in the 2013 film Dallas Buyers Club. He told Whiley that his new album had a lot of bright newness and optimism, having been written during the pandemic. It has a lot of celebration, he said. Of course there are darker sides we explore, as always, too, because, you know, we like to explore a lot of different things. But Im excited for people to hear it. I think for us we feel like were a brand new band really energised and revitalised. The full programme with Jared Leto and Jo Whiley can be listened to now on BBC Sounds. People wait in line to try In-N-Out Burgers at its one-day-only pop-up store in southern Seoul, Wednesday. Newsis By Kim Jae-heun In-N-Out Burger, a major U.S. hamburger franchise based in California, opened a pop-up store in southern Seoul, Wednesday, for the first time since 2019, drawing a long line of people eager to taste the American burger, according to industry officials. The store sold burgers for only four hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but the line was formed hours before its doors opened. "I waited two and half hours from 10:30 a.m. to try In-N-Out Burger. The burger tastes exactly the same as one I had in the United States. It was worth it," a 30-year-old man surnamed Cheong said. A visitor takes a photo of In-N-Out's Double-Double burger at its one-day pop-up event held in Gangnam, southern Seoul, Wednesday. Newsis Preparations are under way for Northern Irelands leading outdoor electronic music festival once again. This year's 9th annual AVA Festival promises to bring together a mighty plethora of talent across the first weekend in June. This year the events organisers are debuting a new Pump House stage, an impressive stage that allows visitors to truly embrace the music at the festival. The pumphouse will be a new enclosed warehouse area with an emphasis on audio-visual production provided by Visual Spectrum. The events main organiser, Sarah says this years AVA will be a festival everyone can enjoy. "We are an electronic music festival and this year we have broadened it out - hip hop as well. So we cater for a lot of music styles but also for someone that isnt interested in that music there is also like the atmosphere, the crowd and the energy. "Obviously we have the sunshine and the beautiful site so its also just a really good fun festival. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys festivals and wants to get out and have fun. She feels there are a few acts that will really impress the crowd over the weekend. Some of the things Im looking forward to are Overmono playing our new stage, the Pump House. Im really excited for that and Or:la and Sally C closing on the Saturday and Peggy Gou close on the Friday, she said. AVA supports local artists with a platform along with some of the worlds most celebrated musicians, Sarah feels that the festival truly celebrates the talent Belfast has to offer. I think because we support so many artists from Belfast lots of people have followed them over the years and they come to see those artists every year. "Obviously people are coming to see the headliners like Central Cee and Peggy Gou but I think a lot of people come for the Belfast artists, she added. The AVA Festival will be running tomorrow (Friday 2 June) and Saturday 3 June from 1-11pm. There will also be a range of after parties happening across Belfast city centre to celebrate the festival. A west Belfast DJ has said he is completely buzzing to be signed by Atlantic Records, joining the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cardi B and Coldplay as one of the global labels artists. Pearce Kelly (24), who works as a classroom assistant, said the news has yet to sink in after he learned in March that the prestigious record label was interesting in joining forces with him. It doesnt feel real. I just cant wait until [the news is] out and everyone knows, then I think it will properly sink in, he said, speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph ahead of the announcement. Born and raised in west Belfast, Pearce, who is a resident DJ at Thompsons Garage, Belfast, for over a year, has been interested in DJing and electronic music since he was 12 and got his first set of decks at age 14. My dad was really into the rave and electronic scene in the 1980s and 1990s. He used to go to all these heavy, hard trance raves, so I was always brought up around dance music, he recalled. When I was 12, thats when I found dubstep, and then I took an interest in actually DJing. When I got my decks at 14, I didnt have a clue and ended up doing a course to help me. Then I started a SoundCloud account. It started getting some good traction, but I actually got deleted because of a copyright issue around my stage name, he said, laughing. I started a new one, which took about a year to take off. I released a song called Over Now, which just blew up and I started to get a following off it. Pearces deal with the US-based Atlantic Records came about through chance after someone at the label discovered a track Pearse initially released via SoundCloud under a different name. I produced a track which wasnt the type of song I usually would make, so I posted it on a separate page with a couple of friends. But I started to gain lots of traction, he added. Then, randomly one day, I get this message on Instagram. Pearce said the message was from a VP at Atlantic Records who said they were interested in speaking with him about a possible signing. Surprised, he initially thought it was a scam. I genuinely thought it was someone messing about, [but] then next thing I know Im on Zoom meetings with these people. They said they really liked my work and were really interested in the music coming out of Northern Ireland. Pearces new record deal is for four singles, which he will produce and create under Atlantic Records. The first is due to be released at the end of June. However, Pearce is not betting everything on his new professional DJ career just yet. Ive told the school I work in and theyre fine with it. Ive actually just confirmed to go back, but Im going to see how the summer goes with everything, he added. A Co Down businessman was ordered today to stand trial accused of a multimillion-pound international Bitcoin cryptocurrency fraud. Holywood-based company director Jawad Yaqub (45) is accused of frauds against organisations in the US and Australia. The string of charges also include one of falsely claiming he had a PhD from Queens University Belfast. Appearing at Newtownards Magistrates Court, Yaqub confirmed he understood the 25 charges against him and that he did not object to the case being returned to the Crown Court for trial. The charges cover a time span between February 2016 and October 2018. Yaqub, from Ben Vista Park in Holywood, faces 19 charges of converting criminal property and four counts of fraud by false representation. He faces single charges of fraudulent training and theft. While the alleged facts surrounding the charges have not been opened in court, the charge sheets reveal that, according to the Crowns case, Yaqub was a director in Razormind Limited but carried on his business for a fraudulent purpose. It is alleged the fraudulent purpose was to defraud participants in the DeOS crowdsale. The fraud-by-false-representation charges allege that Yaqub claimed Razormind Limited is a world-leading information technology services company providing a wide range of services to a substantial and diversified client base including corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Yaqub is alleged to have made false representations to a list of firms and organisations including Bank Of America, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Chubb, Deutsche Lufthansa, Farmers Mutual Group, Health Partners, Telefonica O2 and Texas Public Schools. Yaqub also allegedly falsely claimed that he had obtained an MPhil and PhD from Queens University Belfast. Meanwhile, the theft charge alleges that Yaqub stole 397.504 Bitcoin belonging to Razormind Limited. At current market value, that would equate to Bitcoin worth more than 8.5m. Prosecuting counsel submitted there was a case for Yaqub to answer, which was conceded by his defence solicitor. Freeing Yaqub on continuing bail, District Judge Mark Hamill returned the case to Downpatrick Crown Court, but did not specify a date for the arraignment. A man and a woman from Co Down pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to supply and possessing criminal property. A man and woman have been sentenced after police seized drugs worth over 22,000 during searches in Co Down. At the time, police said that the arrest and search operation was connected to the West Belfast UDA organised crime gang. Mark Matthew Magowan (43), of Seamount Parade, Holywood, Co Down, was jailed for 10 months with a further 18 months on supervised licence following his release from custody. Julie-Anne Knell (46), of Ballyvester Grove, Bangor, Co Down, received a 22-and-a-half-month sentence suspended for two years. Both had pleaded guilty to charges of possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply and possessing 16,100 of criminal property. Magowan further pleaded guilty to a charge of storing the cutting agent benzocaine in his static caravan which was capable of committing further drug offences. The couple were arrested on October 22, 2019 by officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF). Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard that on that date, PCTF officers assisted by colleagues from the Tactical Support Group and District Support Team carried out a search of the couples home at Ballyvester Court in Bangor as part of proactive searches into the supply of drugs in the North Down area. A prosecution barrister said a small quantity of cannabis resin along with a sum of cash was located at the address. Police requested that a set of keys to a static caravan in Millisle be handed over which were surrendered by Knell. A search of the caravan was carried out and around 200g of cocaine, 500g of suspected cutting agent benzocaine, 785g of cannabis resin and approximately 735g of herbal cannabis were found in the master bedroom. Various sums of cash were recovered totalling 16,100. There were dealer lists with names and figures and weighing scales. The court heard a police drugs expert valued the total of the drugs to be worth between 14,220 and 22,370. Both were questioned by police four times and made no comment to the seizures. At her fourth interview, Knell told police: One paramilitary group put me out of Portavogie five years ago and the other one gave me protection. Defence counsel Neil Connor KC for Knell said she was led into this offending by her association with Magowan. He said that one of her partners had viciously assaulted her and is due to be sentenced this summer at Downpatrick Crown Court. Mr Connor added that if both defendants were jailed, the eight-year-old child she shares with Magowan would be left without a parent. Defence barrister Richard McConkey for Magowan said he suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after his brother-in-law was murdered and the defendant was also injured during the attack. Judge Geoffrey Miller KC said Magowan and 127 previous convictions, with eight entries on his record for possessing Class A, B and C drugs. In this case, the quantities of drugs seized were significant. One-and-half kilos of cannabis and together with a little less than a quarter kilo of cocaine, and a cutting agent which would considerably increase that amount. Dealer lists and weighing scales indicate that this was but the tip of the iceberg. Following sentencing, Detective Sergeant Pyper of the PCTF said: Searches of properties, one in Bangor and one in Millisle, took place on October 22, 2019. Various drug-related paraphernalia and fireworks were also seized, along with cash totally just over 16,000. Earlier this year, as a result of a PCTF proceeds of crime investigation, Belfast Magistrates Court awarded the forfeiture of this money, 16,100 in total, in favour of the Police Service. DS Pyper added: We, along with our partner organisations, remain committed to pursuing those groups who make a living from crime. These people exercise a regime of violence and control, bringing nothing but harm to their own communities. They dont care about the devastating effects of illegal drugs; and they care nothing for the lives and relationships broken along the way. Im grateful for the support of the local community and would encourage anyone with information, or concerns, to contact us on 101. Derrylin fire: Jury sworn in for trial of man accused of murdering family of four Hugh Callaghan, one of the Birmingham Six, who was wrongly jailed for IRA bombings has died at the age of 93. Mr Callaghan passed away in a London hospital last Saturday after suspected heart trouble. Originally from Belfast, he was jailed for life along with the five other men for the explosions in Mulberry Bush and Tavern pubs in the centre of Birmingham on 21 November, 1974, which killed 21 people and injured 182. The Birmingham Six were Irish men living in England who were rounded up after the IRA bombings. Police beat and brutalised the men. They put alsatians in Callaghans cell and obtained false confessions that led to life sentences. When the men later tried to prove their innocence, judges sided with police. A campaign led by the Labour MP Chris Mullin paved the way to eventual exoneration and freedom in 1991 after 16 years in jail. Police also claimed to have found traces of explosives on the men, but these tests were later discredited. The Birmingham Six case became notorious for the "appalling vista" comment made by a British judge when he ruled against the men's civil action against the police over their ill treatment in custody. Turning down their action in 1980, Lord Denning commented that the consequence for the English legal system of accepting that police officers were lying was such "an appalling vista" that every sensible person would reject further legal action. The six men were eventually freed in 1991 after years of campaigning on their behalf. A statement from the Mulready family, who became friends with Callaghan after Sally Mulready joined the campaign for his release and co-wrote his 1994 autobiography, Cruel Fate, described him as a man with astonishing strength of character. They added: Despite the profound injustice he endured, he was not bitter or angry, but joyful and always ready to sing. His party piece was Danny Boy, and his voice was magnificent and strong right to end, with the last day of his life spent with his beloved Adeline, singing to the nurses in hospital. In 2020, Mr Callaghan spoke of how singing helped him get through the coronavirus lockdown in the same way it helped him survive prison for 16 years. He was among guests from a London pensioners' club who told RTE's Morning programme how music helped them pass the days since the lockdown was introduced in March just as it had done when he was in jail. After blasting out a strong voiced rendition of Danny Boy for the listeners, Mr Callaghan explained how a prison officer, upon hearing him sing in his cell, invited him to take part in a concert. It was a move that was to change the way he was treated by other inmates until he was freed in March 1991 after the murder convictions against him and the five other innocent men were quashed by the Court of Appeal. One man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and threats to kill. Police investigating a report of a disturbance in the Cregagh Estate area of east Belfast on Wednesday have charged a man. The 37-year-old has been charged with threats to kill and possessing an article with a blade or point in a public place. He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court tomorrow morning (Friday). As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Earlier, police confirmed two people were arrested following a fight in east Belfast. The PSNI responded to a report of an ongoing fight in the Cregagh Estate area shortly before 7.10pm on Wednesday evening. Inspector Lowry said: One man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and threats to kill. He remains in police custody at this time. The woman, aged in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of offences including disorderly behaviour. She was issued with a penalty notice. Inspector Lowry continued: Enquiries are ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone with any information which could assist us, to contact police on 101, and quote reference number 1922 of 31/05/23. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org Another shot of firefighters attending to a large fire at a building in Samuel Street in Belfast city centre on Wednesday morning. Photo: Press Eye General view of firefighters attending to a large fire at a building in Samuel Street in Belfast city centre on Wednesday morning. Photo: Press Eye Firefighters deal with the blaze at Samuel Street in Belfast city centre. A man has been released on police bail pending further questioning following an arrest in connection with a major blaze in Belfast city centre. The cause of the fire, which destroyed a listed building at Samuel Street in the early hours of Wednesday morning, remains under investigation. The man was arrested around the same time as the fire broke out, and remained in custody overnight. The operation to douse the flames included six fire engines, two aerial appliances and 40 firefighters. Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Group Commander Gerry Clifton said: "We can confirm that the fire at a derelict building on Samuel Street, Belfast is now over. "The cause of the fire remains under investigation and we will continue to work with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and our other partner agencies during the course of the investigation. NIFRS received the initial call at 2.40am. "At the height of the incident, there were 40 firefighters and eight officers involved in the firefighting operation. Six fire appliances from Central, Whitla, Springfield, Westland and Cadogan, a Command Support Unit from Lisburn and two aerial appliances from Springfield and Knock attended the incident. "Our firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the incident to ensure that the fire was brought under control and prevented the spread to nearby premises in Belfast city centre. "We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with the incident." Smoke continued to rise from the building on Wednesday afternoon as firefighters attended to the remnants of the fire. Another shot of firefighters attending to a large fire at a building in Samuel Street in Belfast city centre on Wednesday morning. Photo: Press Eye NIFRS Group commander David Harbinson previously said the cause of the blaze was undetermined at this stage as surrounding roads were closed in case of further hotspots within the building. It will be subject to an investigation with our colleagues in the PSNI, he added. We have now extinguished the fire. Once weve closed the incident, were going to try to bring a bit of normality back to the city centre. "A fire of this significance is very challenging for crews to deal with. The crews have done an excellent job in preventing the fire from spreading to adjoining properties, where we could have had a more serious fire even though the one we were dealing with was quite serious. We did have a wee bit of a challenge in the area with water supplies, thats normal. Our colleagues in Northern Ireland Water did boost the water for us. Mr Harbinson said the fire service worked closely with other agencies like the PSNI and Belfast City Council. Its very much been a multi-agency approach in dealing with this incident, he added. A command support unit and two aerial appliances were sent to incident. Local residents were requested to keep windows closed. The PSNI earlier closed North Street, Millfield, Union Street, Royal Avenue, Gresham Street and Winetavern Street as a result of the fire and had asked motorists to avoid the area and seek an alternative routes for journeys. The building at 166-174 North Street is a B2-listed site with an estimated construction date of 1899, making it a Victorian-era build, according to the Ulster Architectural Society. The site, neighbouring the CastleCourt shopping centre, close to the Cathedral Quarter, was once used as an art school as well as for offices, warehouse and shops, but had become derelict. Several buildings in Belfast city centre have been hit by fires in recent years. General view of firefighters attending to a large fire at a building in Samuel Street in Belfast city centre on Wednesday morning. Photo: Press Eye In April a blaze at the sight of a former nightclub in the Mays Meadow area was treated as a deliberate ignition by the PSNI. The listed Old Cathedral Building in the Cathedral Quarter less than half a mile from the fire at North Street was gutted by fire in October 2022. A number of buildings in the North Street area are listed for their architectural importance. Ani Kanakaki-Ainsworth, head of marketing and communications at the Linen Hall, the oldest library in Belfast, said the loss of a Victorian-era building was "very, very sad". "Landmarks of our city, they are connected with the histories, with the people. People will remember them since they were young children, walking about to see all these landmarks gone, it's devastating," she said. The Linen Hall, which was founded in 1788, remains open to the public. Ms Kanakaki-Ainsworth said the number of fires in historical buildings in Belfast is a concern. "It's a big, big concern. In our organisation we're lucky enough... we didn't have an incident (of a fire) in many, many, many years," she said. "But it doesn't make it any less sad or any less worrying for everybody else." Apprentice Boys of Derry say no return to Stormont until Protocol issues resolved The Orange Orders official newspaper has said the recent council election results must be a wake-up call for unionism after an unacceptably low turnout. An editorial in the Orange Standard said the result has thrown up challenges for the main unionist parties about getting their voters out and managing vote transfers to other parties. Unionist parties need to examine how support for unionism can be cultivated, it said, by recognising that new votes may well need to come from those who do not share their view on important religious, moral and social matters. Unionist parties need to reach out and connect with younger voters in the same way Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party have, the editorial suggested. The need to significantly reduce apathy amongst the unionist voter base was one of the issues that came to the fore. In some areas with a unionist majority the turnout of eligible voters was as low as 40%, it said. A significant piece of work must be carried out to enhance unionist engagement with the political process and in particular when it comes to elections. As a unionist community we must stand up and be counted when it really matters. The ongoing bullish attitude of Government ministers and officials, combined with the dismissive attitude of the press and other parties regarding the genuine concerns of unionists, has led to further community frustration, the paper said. The DUPs boycott of the Assembly was defended, with the paper suggesting the party has been unfairly blamed for current issues with the health service and teachers pay. While the election should have been about local council services and facilities, it was equally about Northern Irelands future place in the United Kingdom. Given the current attitude of the Conservative government towards unionists, we should not assume that they will refuse nationalisms demand. The paper continued: The main challenges to Unionism are the continued coalescence of the Nationalist community around Sinn Fein and all they stand for; the mobilising of the young vote by non-Unionist Parties; the unacceptably low turnout in traditionally unionist areas and the lack of strategic co-operation and transfers between unionist candidates to maximise representation. Rather than languish in self-pity and talk up the inevitability of a border poll, the current situation must be a wake-up call to everyone who considers themselves to be a unionist. There can be no surrender to republicans who now may well assume that the unionist community is a demoralised and beaten one who will eventually quietly disappear. "With a general election on the horizon, we must use the current disappointment as a catalyst to urgently identify and address the electoral challenges we face. Meanwhile, the Apprentice Boys of Derry (ABOD) have said the Northern Ireland Protocol remains damaging to the Union through the continued dominance of EU law and regulations across manufacturing, processing, and trade. The cost of doing business and the reduction in consumer choice will increase everyday prices and NI will be left paying for the arrogance of London, Brussels and Dublin, according to ABOD. It suggested the Windsor Framework has done little more than reduce the number of boxes to be ticked on the forms required by the EU for what ought to be routine trade transactions within the UK. A statement signed by General Secretary William Moore and Governor Graeme Stenhouse concluded: Unionist parties in Northern Ireland ought to be holding the Westminster Governments feet to the fire. "There should not even be a thought about returning to Stormont before the outworking of the Prime Ministers kowtowing to the EU is fully understood. While some might laud extra cash for the Northern Ireland budget as an excuse to return to Stormont, that will not make one jot of difference to the implementation of the Protocol. It should go without saying that the Union is not for sale. The PSNI is set to ground one of its three helicopters as part of the cost-cutting response to a "grim" budget, the Chief Constable has said. DUP MLA Joanne Bunting has now called on the Secretary of State to stand up for policing amid warnings that the number of neighbourhood officers across Northern Ireland could be slashed by 60% because of PSNI budget pressures. Chief Constable Simon Byrne told the Policing Board that future PSNI recruitment rounds were also set to be paused as the organisation grappled with a 107m shortfall. Addressing the monthly meeting of his oversight body, Mr Byrne warned of a dramatic reconfiguration of neighbourhood policing services, with fewer officers deployed on local beats. The PSNI has previously had 700 officers involved in neighbourhood policing teams. Mr Byrne said the figure was now set to drop gradually to as low as 250. The region's most senior officer has initiated a 90-day review to examine potential savings. This will include consideration of closing some stations to the public and reducing opening hours at others. However, Mr Byrne told board members that he was not following the move taken by the Metropolitan Police in London to stop responding to non-life-threatening, mental health callouts. "The budgetary outlook this year is bleak," Mr Byrne said in his monthly update to the board. He said moves to pause recruitment and several other immediate cost-cutting steps would reduce the funding gap from 107m to 43m. "Quite how we realistically address this gap at the moment is unclear given the wider cost savings we have already agreed or introduced," he added. "The reality is that this funding will lead to cuts in resources and directly impact the frontline services to communities." Mr Byrne warned of "difficult choices" ahead as he said it was "extremely difficult to see how costs can be maintained within this budget at the same time as keeping people safe". From September, Met Police officers in London will stop attending the majority of mental health incidents and only respond to mental health 999 calls involving an immediate threat to life. "We're anxious (about) announcing an immediate withdrawal because our fear is it is contrary to some of our values and ethos around care, community policing, etc," Mr Byrne told board members. "And equally, just to withdraw now, against a system that's already broken, I don't think it's going to necessarily solve the problem, it will just put on more pressure. "I was only yesterday talking with somebody whose experience of A&E, frankly, was quite horrendous and if we sort of walked out and just added to that pressure, I just think will present sort of unmanageable problems for health colleagues." Mr Byrne said there was room to improve how the PSNI triaged certain mental health related calls. Policing Board member Ms Bunting said financial pressures facing the PSNI are unprecedented and the Chief Constable has been forced into the unenviable position of having to choose between balancing the books and ensuring he can deliver on his duties to tackling crime and keeping the public safe. Ms Bunting said the latest budget imposed by the Northern Ireland Office is entirely inadequate for policing and this will be catastrophic for confidence in communities across Northern Ireland. Difficult decisions have already been taken to pause recruitment and put on hold repairs to the PSNI fleet. This is only storing up problems for the future. For every year in which officer numbers plummet, it will take another three to undo the damage. That is the stark reality Simon Byrne and his team face in the current climate, she added. The publics expectations need to be managed given the finite resources available and to his credit, the Chief Constable has been open about the likely implications for neighbourhood policing. "The planning assumption today is that without dramatic investment in the police budget, the number of neighbourhood officers in place will nosedive from 700 to 250 in a relatively short space of time. Shifts will get shorter and officers will spend less time on the ground. This will be hugely damaging to police visibility, response and building relationships with local communities. Ms Bunting continued: In any other frontline service, a 60% cut in the workforce would be unthinkable, yet this is exactly the price the PSNI will have to pay for the chronic underfunding of policing over the past decade. "Furthermore, given that the Chief Constable has said repeatedly he wants to prioritise neighbourhood policing when taking these difficult decisions, one wonders how much worse the impact will be in other departments. It is a sad indictment on the Government that the PSNI is now having to countenance using funding set aside to address the security threat in Northern Ireland to plug gaps in grassroots policing. This creates a new series of problems and is not sustainable. The Secretary of State needs to realise that the PSNIs finances have reached breaking point. In order to protect service delivery, defend the most vulnerable and improve staff morale, we need to see a short-term cash injection in policing as well as a strategic review of how public services in Northern Ireland are funded. A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said the UK Government fully supports the excellent work the PSNI undertakes to keep people in Northern Ireland safe, often in exceptionally challenging circumstances. Policing in NI, and police funding, are primarily devolved matters. However, it was with regret that in the absence of an NI executive, the Secretary of State had to set a budget for 23/24 for Northern Ireland. "We allocated 1.2bn to the Department of Justice the third highest amount outside health and education. It is for the Department of Justice to prioritise police funding from within those resources. "In addition, the UK Government is providing more than 30m this year to support the PSNIs ability to tackle the terrorist threat," a spokesperson added. Baby panda Fubao eats bamboo leaves at Everland Panda World. Courtesy of Samsung C&T By Kim Hyun-bin There has been a sharp rise in interest in pandas in the country recently with thousands of people visiting Everland, the country's largest theme park, to get a glimpse of its baby panda Fubao and purchase panda-related accessories, according to Samsung C&T, Thursday. The number of visitors to Everland Panda World, where the baby panda Fubao and her parents Aibao and Lebao live, has been increasing. The average number of visitors on the last day of May was about 7,000, an increase of about 20 percent compared to the first week of May, which included Labor Day and Children's Day holidays. "Panda-related stories have spread through the media both domestically and internationally, and as it became known that the baby panda Fubao will have to return to China to find a mate in about a year, there has been a continuous influx of visitors who want to see the panda family," an Everland official said. On May 24, on a TV program Kang Cheol-won, a zookeeper at Everland who is famous as Fubao's "grandfather," appeared and talked about his memories with Fubao and the reasons why she has to go to China. "Fubao is scheduled to leave for China next year when she reaches the age of maturity to meet her mate," Kang said. Reflecting the nationwide interest in Fubao, panda videos have also been gaining popularity on social media platforms recently. On the official YouTube channel of Everland, where you can watch Fubao videos, and on a popular YouTube channel, the number of panda-related video views in May reached approximately 25 million. Furthermore, it was revealed that 1 out of 10 visitors to Everland purchase various panda-related goods such as dolls and headbands as souvenirs. Everland Panda World, which opened in 2016, is currently the only dedicated space in Korea where you can experience pandas. It is home to a panda family consisting of Aibao (female), Lebao (male), and Fubao (female), who was the first panda born in Korea through natural breeding in July 2020. PSNI has said it aims to ground one of its helicopters as a cost-cutting measure (Paul Faith/PA) The police are set to ground one of their three helicopters as part of a cost-cutting response to a grim and bleak budget, the chief constable has said. Simon Byrne told the Northern Ireland Policing Board that future PSNI recruitment rounds were also set to be paused as the organisation grappled with a 107 million shortfall. Addressing the monthly meeting of his oversight body, Mr Byrne warned of a dramatic reconfiguration of neighbourhood policing services, with fewer officers deployed on local beats. The PSNI has previously had 700 officers involved in neighbour policing teams. Mr Byrne said the figure was now set to drop gradually to as low as 250. PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne at the Northern Ireland Policing Board meeting (Liam McBurney/PA) The regions most senior officer has initiated a 90-day review to examine potential savings. This will include consideration of closing some stations to the public and reducing opening hours at others. However, Mr Byrne told board members that he was not following the move taken by the Metropolitan Police in London to stop responding to non-life-threatening, mental health callouts. The budgetary outlook this year is bleak, Mr Byrne said in his monthly update to the board. The PSNI has three helicopters in service (PA) He said moves to pause recruitment and several other immediate cost-cutting steps would reduce the funding gap from 107 million to 43 million. Quite how we realistically address this gap at the moment is unclear given the wider cost savings we have already agreed or introduced, he added. The reality is that this funding will lead to cuts in resources and directly impact the frontline services to communities. Mr Byrne warned of difficult choices ahead as he said it was extremely difficult to see how costs can be maintained within this budget at the same time as keeping people safe. From September, Met Police officers in London will stop attending the majority of mental health incidents and only respond to mental health 999 calls involving an immediate threat to life. Were anxious (about) announcing an immediate withdrawal because our fear is it is contrary to some of our values and ethos around care, community policing, etc, Mr Byrne told board members. And equally, just to withdraw now, against a system thats already broken, I dont think its going to necessarily solve the problem, it will just put on more pressure. I was only yesterday talking with somebody whose experience of A&E frankly was quite horrendous and if we sort of walked out and just added to that pressure, I just think will present sort of unmanageable problems for health colleagues. Mr Byrne said there was room to improve how the PSNI triaged certain mental health related calls. An Alliance Party MLA has hit out after Nazi-style recruitment posters with links to an extremist group in Scotland were put up across Downpatrick. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he trusts UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to keep Ireland informed in any negotiation to encourage the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to return to powersharing. The two leaders met for a brief engagement on the margins of a European Political Community summit in Moldova. Mr Varadkar said Ireland and the UK were working to get Northern Irelands political institutions up and running by September but added there were no guarantees. I want to see them up and running, so does the Prime Minister, so do majority of people in Northern Ireland. Lots of problems being faced by people in Northern Ireland that are best solved by the politicians in that place, working together. And were here to support that in any way we can. The DUP is blocking the powersharing institutions in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements. Asked if Mr Sunak had given an indication as to what measures the UK Government is preparing to encourage the return to powersharing, Mr Varadkar said he trusted the UK Prime Minister that Ireland will not be caught off guard over any assurances to the DUP. Weve said we would just like to be aware of that so were not caught off guard or by surprise, and that theres nothing that would concern us in terms of the integrity of Good Friday Agreements, and I fully trust the prime minister in that regard. He said that it would make sense for a financial package to be put in place if the Executive is re-established. Theres a big budget deficit there, lots of challenges in healthcare, housing, education, public pay. Mr Varadkar added: Too many executives have failed or fallen, we want this one to last its term and be a success. And as Ive indicated before, the Irish Government is willing to make a contribution to particular projects to help with that. For example, he said Ireland is willing to contribute to the A5 road upgrade, Narrow Water Bridge and the Ulster University Magee Campus. Ms Benoit hopes to raise awareness for asexuality at the NYC Pride event (Sophia Paget/PA) A model and activist from the UK has said she is hoping to make a really great statement and help more Pride events to be blatantly inclusive as the first asexual grand marshal at New York Citys Pride March. The march takes place on June 25 and Yasmin Benoit, 26, from Reading, aims to help more asexual people feel as though they are part of the LGBT+ community. The grand marshals get to open Pride, we pretty much get to sit on the back of a convertible and wave our way around the route, Ms Benoit told the PA news agency. Yasmin Benoit will be the first asexual grand marshal at the New York City Pride March (Sophia Paget/PA) Youre leading the procession, youre opening it, and for them to intentionally choose an asexual activist to do that at a time where people are still debating whether asexual people should be at Pride, I think is very powerful. Im going to make a really great statement and hopefully set the motions in gear for more prides to be blatantly inclusive. What is asexuality and when did you come out? Ms Benoit described asexuality as experiencing little-to-no sexual attraction towards anyone, regardless of their gender. I realised I was asexual when everyone realised they werent, so pretty much early puberty, she said. The main thing that was kind of confusing was that all the information seemed to exist on one corner of the internet and all seemed to be coming from pink-haired teenagers on Tumblr. Ms Benoit said she realised she was asexual when others realised they were not (Sophia Paget/PA) I was thinking: if this is a legitimate orientation, then why isnt it in schools, why isnt it on TV, why is it just these British and American teenagers talking about it? It seemed a little suspicious. I tried to identify as it but nobody believed me because theyre not really used to seeing black asexual people and so I kind of went back into the closet and didnt really use (asexuality) or identify with the community that much. While modelling, she decided to use her platform to raise awareness of asexuality. And then people started believing me and that was how I successfully came out (in 2017). What are some of the misconceptions about asexuality? Ms Benoit said one misconception is that asexuality is some new Gen Z thing that was made up on the internet and its just for kids that want to feel special. She added: [This] isnt true. Ms Benoit said she is often an easy target for hate against the asexuality community (Sophia Paget/PA) Ive heard a lot of other strange things, like its some kind of physical disorder or personality disorder, or you think youre too good for anybody, or youre a prude. To help dispel these assumptions, she started the campaign #ThisIsWhatAsexualLooksLike in 2019. I started the (campaign) because my whole life, people told me that I didnt look asexual and thus they did not believe I was asexual, she said. When I started working with the media, there was a kind of preference in terms of how it was represented and I felt it was just kind of reinforcing stereotypes, so I wanted to do a campaign so that asexual people could represent themselves. Just by typing that in, you can see more diversity that exists within the community that just isnt seen as often. Ms Benoit is on the board of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network and co-created International Asexuality Day, which falls on April 6. Have you faced any online abuse since coming out? Its something I encountered early on in my activism Im a pretty easy target as someone whos quite public, she said. Plus if the person happened to not just be discriminatory towards someones sexual orientation, but they were also sexist and racist, then Im a particularly easy target. Ms Benoit hopes to make a great statement at the NYC Pride March (Sophia Paget/PA) She added that she often gets comments on her choice of clothing and sort of thought that as a society we were beyond being like, hey, if youre wearing this, that means that you want sex'. On June 25, she will literally fly the flag for those who are asexual by having the asexuality flag blowing in the wind as she rides through New York. How can people be an ally to those in the LGBT+ community? Ms Benoit said there needs to be a continued conscious effort to expand the conversation about the LGBT+ community beyond the groups that are more well-known. I feel like the best way to be an ally is to look a little deeper and just try and learn more about the different orientations that are the ones that people take for granted, she said. Ms Benoit hopes there are continued efforts to help make asexuals feel included in the LGBT+ community (Sophia Paget/PA) I always say if youre discussing sexuality and asexuality isnt included, then youre really getting half the story. Youre not getting the full scope of human sexuality if youre not being inclusive and so theres a huge gap in your knowledge of queerness as well. The long-running hunt for missing Madeleine McCann returned to headlines last week, during a three-day search of a Portuguese reservoir. Acting on tip-offs, police searched the remote Barragem do Arade reservoir in Portugal last week, an area that prime suspect Christian Brueckner frequented from 2000 to 2017. Although police are remaining tight-lipped about the details they did confirm materials collected had been sent to Germany for analysis in the ongoing mystery of Madeleines disappearance on May 3, 2007. And a relevant clue was found during the police operation in the Algarve last week, Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha reported. Police flatten area of woodland and dig holes in Madeleine McCann searches Separately, investigators are set to widen the search again after photographs belonging to 43 year-old Brueckner were also said to have revealed clues. With help from Portuguese police, and with Scotland Yard detectives watching on, German investigators scoured the beauty spot 16 miles from Silves, near the southern coast of the country. Starting on Monday last week, investigators sealed off a mile-long peninsula jutting into the reservoir and set up tents as an operations base. They then spent three days digging with shovels, cutting back swaths of undergrowth and using rakes and pickaxes to sweep the banks of the reservoir, leaving behind piles of rubble. At the main 160sq-ft excavation area, they flattened a concentrated area of woodland with heavy machinery, and dug holes 2ft deep. Using sniffer dogs to hunt the surrounding grassland for clues, detectives in a rigid-hull inflatable boat also examined the water. A no-fly zone in place in the skies overhead allowed police drones to survey the region undisturbed. A track leading to the search area was cordoned off with police tape and marked vehicles from Portugals National Republican Guard. What appeared to be evidence bags were removed from the scene. The dam, which is 31 miles northeast of the Praia da Luz coastal resort from which Madeleine disappeared, was built in 1955 and is fed by the Arade river. Specialist divers had previously searched the reservoir in 2008, paid for by Portuguese lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia, who claimed to have been tipped off by criminal contacts that Madeleines body was there. Two other areas near Praia da Luz could also be searched by police, The Sun reported. Investigators looking through more than 8,000 photographs belonging to Brueckner said they had yielded more clues. Brueckner, who denies any connection to Madeleine, is in jail in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman two years before the three-year-old vanished at the same resort. German prosecutor Christian Wolters said the investigators were looking for a body, as well as anything that could help the investigation, such as clothing. Their investigation will be continuing out of the public eye, he added. As such, Madeleines parents will have to wait several weeks to find out the results of the analysis of the materials found as their 16-year wait for answers continues. An Irish UN peacekeeper stands next to the coffin of his comrade Private Sean Rooney (Hussein Malla/AP) Lebanons military tribunal on Thursday charged five men with the killing of an Irish UN peacekeeper in December, a senior judicial official said. The official said all five are linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The charges follow a six-month investigation after an attack on a UN peacekeeping convoy near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah. The shooting resulted in the death of Private Sean Rooney, 24, of Newtown Cunningham, Ireland, and seriously wounded Private Shane Kearney, 22. Private Sean Rooney was killed (Hussein Malla/AP) The wounded peacekeeper was medically evacuated to Ireland. Two other Irish soldiers sustained light injuries. The charges include evidence from bystanders statements, as well as audio recordings and video footage from surveillance cameras, the Lebanese official said. In some of the recordings of the confrontation, the gunmen reportedly could be heard telling the peacekeepers that they are from Hezbollah. Hezbollah has denied any role in the killing, and a spokesman for the group declined to comment on Thursday. One of the five charged, Mohamad Ayyad, is in the custody of Lebanese authorities. Private Sean Rooney (Defence Forces/PA) The four others facing charges, Ali Khalifeh, Ali Salman, Hussein Salman, and Mustafa Salman, are at large. Private Rooney and several other Irish peacekeepers were on their way from their base in the south to Beirut airport. Two UN vehicles apparently took a detour through Al-Aqbiya, which is not part of the area under the peacekeepers mandate. Initial reports said angry residents confronted the peacekeepers, but the charges conclude that the shooting was a targeted attack. The UN peacekeeper vehicle reportedly took a wrong turn and was surrounded by vehicles and armed men as they tried to make their way back to the main road. UNIFIL spokeswoman Andrea Tenenti said the charges were an important step towards justice. Attacks on men and women serving the cause of peace are serious crimes and can never be tolerated, she told the AP. We look forward to justice for Private Rooney, his injured colleagues, and their families. UNIFIL was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israels 1978 invasion. The UN expanded its mission following the 2006 war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, allowing peacekeepers to deploy along the Israeli border to help the Lebanese military extend its authority into the countrys south for the first time in decades. Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon frequently accuse the UN mission of collusion with Israel, while Israel has accused the peacekeepers of turning a blind eye to Hezbollahs military activities in southern Lebanon. Made Satri places a basket of yellow rice offerings on a small bamboo shrine at the edge of her rice fields in Tegallalang, Indonesia, May 21, 2023. Made Satri walks to the edge of her rice field, places a basket of yellow rice offerings on a small bamboo shrine and prays to the Hindu goddess of rice and fertility, Dewi Sri, for a bountiful harvest. Satri, 60, and her husband are among the last holdouts working the land in Tegallalang, a district on the Indonesian island of Bali famous for its emerald-green rice terraces and swings that offer tourists panoramic views of the landscape below. Around them, concrete structures are slowly gobbling up the greenery cafes, restaurants and pools, where visitors sip coffee or swim while taking in the view. We will never sell, no matter how much money they offer, Satri said of her rice field, which is 4,500 square meters (1.1 acres) and located north of the tourist hub Ubud. Their story reflects the dilemma facing Bali as it tries to balance economic development with cultural heritage and the environment. The island has long attracted travelers from around the world, but mass tourism has brought challenges overcrowding, pollution, land conversion and an erosion of traditional culture. Stories of unruly visitors flouting local customs regularly capture headlines on the predominantly Hindu island, and once-pristine green zones are increasingly dotted with garish villas. Many locals are fed up. Its getting out of control, said I Wayan Wilyana, who runs a travel agency in Bali. Tourism is no longer as promising as it once was. One of the most distinct features of Balis landscape is an irrigation system called subak, a cooperative network that regulates water distribution among rice fields. The system also reflects Balis Tri Hita Karana philosophy that draws together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature. Five rice terraces and their associated temples one of which is in Tegallalang using the subak system were recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2012. But as tourism encroaches on the natural environment, that heritage, which dates back to the 9th century, is at risk of fading away. Tourists walk near rice fields irrigated by a traditional terrace system called a subak in Bali, Indonesia, April 18, 2022. [Tatan Syuflana/AP] Paving paradise Development and population growth is putting severe strain on water resources, an issue made worse by resource mismanagement, academics and environmentalists said. And according to local government data, 2020 saw the largest loss of farmland in Balis history, with about 1,200 hectares (2,965 acres) converted for other uses. A 2018 report published by the Transnational Institute, an Amsterdam-based nonprofit, estimated that Bali had lost nearly 25% of its agricultural land in the past quarter century, while its population and tourism industry have grown significantly by 66% and 330%, respectively. Tourism has become an issue of agrarian, cultural and social injustice, the report said. In the relatively undeveloped district of Tabanan, I Gusti Nyoman Omardani, a member of the local legislative council, said 3,100 acres of rice paddies would be converted into tourist areas because they have become less productive in recent years because of a lack of irrigation, the Bali Sun reported last year. Many rice fields in the area had already been turned into residential areas, he said. Tegallalang is a prime example of how tourism is transforming the landscape and the livelihoods of Balinese. Made Satya Bhuana, who runs a local cafe offering cultural activities for tourists, said many farmers have rented or sold their land to investors who have built tourist facilities on it. In the past, tourists only played on the swings and had coffee. Now they have swimming pools, too, he said. Despite the proliferation of new attractions, Bali tourism chief Cokorda Bagus Pemayun said the old favorites such as temples and mountains still draw the most visitors. However, he acknowledged that his office had not tracked the illegal construction of accommodations in green areas. We dont have the data, but we have set the rules for where accommodation can be built, he said. The provincial government has called for a halt to hotel development, but it has no authority to stop smaller forms of local government from granting permits, he said. Tourism dilemma Balis tourism industry has expanded rapidly since the 1970s, when a trickle of hippies and surfers were turned on to the islands perfect waves and blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, animism and magical beliefs. Research suggests that tourism directly or indirectly accounted for more than 80% of the islands pre-pandemic economy. But the coronavirus battered the economy, sending visitor numbers plunging and causing losses of up to 9.7 trillion rupiah (U.S. $648 million) a month in early 2020, according to Deputy Gov. Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana. Foreign arrivals recovered to 2.1 million last year, but the figure was a far cry from the 6.3 million foreigners who visited in 2019, data from the Indonesian statistics bureau showed. However, tourist numbers are bouncing back and this year Bali has been straining from an influx of tourists, some of whom have sparked outrage among locals for their disrespectful or illegal conduct. At least 130 foreigners have been deported from Bali this year, according to immigration data. Among them were two Russian bloggers who posed nude at sacred sites, while a German woman who stripped naked and stormed a dance ceremony in Ubud was recently arrested. The bad behavior has prompted the Bali provincial government to issue a list of dos and donts for foreign tourists. As Balis reputation as a bustling holiday spot has grown, many Balinese said their culture was being compromised. Rice fields are seen in Tegallalang, Indonesia, May 21, 2023. [Luh De Suriyani/BenarNews] I Made Sarjana, a researcher at the Center for Tourism Excellence at Udayana University in Denpasar, said that in recent years more farmers have rented or sold their land for villas or other facilities. Once the lease period ends, the land has changed and cant be returned to agricultural land, he said. Balis challenge lies in how to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, society and economy, he said. As bad as it is now, Bali can still survive, but without tourism, its impossible, he said at a recent public discussion organized by Balebengong, a citizen journalism outlet in Bali. Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the government planned to implement policies that would preserve Balis heritage and benefit the local economy. We are committed to preserving Balis culture and environment in a sustainable and quality way that we believe can create more employment and provide welfare for the people, he said in a statement to the media this week. Even some of Balis most sacred rituals have become rendered profane in the rush to meet tourists demands, said Wilyana, the travel agent. He gave the example of the popular Hindu water-purification ritual known as melukat and barong, a dance that depicts the battle between good and evil. Today melukat is not always about spirituality. Most of my guests do it just for fun, he said. Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy speaks during a press freedom event at the Gran Melia Hotel in Jakarta, May 19, 2023. A visit to Malaysia this week by Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy has strained ties between the two countries. Sam Rainsy, who lives in self-imposed exile in Paris, arrived in Kuala Lumpur with his wife on Monday for a two-day private visit, Malaysian Parliamentarian Wong Chen said. It included a one-hour meeting with three non-executive members of Parliament who are interested in human rights and free and fair elections, but not a visit with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, officials said. The visit angered Hun Sen, Anwars Cambodian counterpart and the longtime strongman in Phnom Penh. Sam Rainsy is one of Hun Sens most prominent critics and rivals. He was head of the disbanded opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, but fled to France in 2015 to avoid a series of charges that his supporters say are politically motivated. Anwar Ibrahim told me clearly that he wouldnt allow Sam Rainsy to visit, and I told him that if he allows Sam Rainsy, the two governments cant work together, Hun Sen said at a bridge inauguration ceremony in Phnom Penh on Wednesday. A pro-Cambodian government website said Sam Rainsy was kicked out of the country but Malaysia-based CNRP activist Morn Phalla said that wasnt true. Wong said that Sam Rainsy made the stopover in Malaysias capital on his way back to France from Indonesia and Australia. We have been close friends for almost six years, the Malaysian MP said. Originally, I had no intention of posting the above as it was a private visit. However, since the matter has garnered some media attention, I hope the above clarifies what actually transpired. Malaysias foreign ministry said Anwar wasnt aware of Sam Rainsys recent trip, and that the two men did not meet. Malaysian Parliamentarian Wong Chen (center) poses with Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy and his wife, Tioulong Saumura, during their recent visit to the country. [Wong Chen/Facebook] Hun Sen also threatened to attack Sam Rainsy with a rocket launcher if he led workers from Thailand into Cambodia. Sam Rainsy boasted that he stepped on Malaysian soil, and now hes boasting about going to Thailand, Hun Sen said on Wednesday. Last week, Sam Rainsy told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that if a new pro-democracy Thai government is formed, he would look into traveling to Cambodia through Thailand. RFA is a news service affiliated with BenarNews. The Thai government cant allow you the non-interference internal policy, Hun Sen said, referring to ASEANs principle of non-interference between its member nations. If you cross the border from Thailand I will shoot you. You dont want to create chaos. Sok Ey San, spokesman for the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, told RFA that he did not believe that Sam Rainsy would dare to return to the country. He also said he didnt believe that many people would welcome Sam Rainsy either. Why doesnt he come if people are welcoming him? he said. He is conducting political propaganda for his political business. Muzliza Mustafa for BenarNews contributed to this report from Kuala Lumpur. Members of the Philippine Coast Guard wave American, Japanese and Filipino flags during welcome ceremonies for Japanese and American coast guard ships as they dock at Manilas South Harbor, June 1, 2023. The coast guards of defense allies the Philippines, United States and Japan kicked off their first-ever joint drills Thursday in waters adjacent to the South China Sea amid tensions with Beijing in that contested maritime region. The weeklong Kaagapay (Side-by-Side) Exercises 2023 were inaugurated when the respective American and Japanese coast guard ships, the Stratton and the Akitsushima, docked at Manilas South Harbor during the day. The drills, scheduled through June 7, will involve exercises in maritime law enforcement, maritime security and safety, search and rescue, as well as environmental protection, officials said. Most of the exercises will take place in the municipality of Mariveles, along the Bataan Peninsula near the South China Sea, Philippine Coast Guard Vice Adm. Rolando Punzalan Jr. said. The U.S. Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard have been assisting us in our human resource development program, particularly in law enforcement training. This is a good opportunity to thank and show them what our personnel learned from their programs, Punzalan said in a speech during the welcoming ceremony. Diplomats and officials from the three countries were on hand for the ships arrival. It occurred two days after the American military accused China of carrying out a dangerously aggressive maneuver in the skies above the South China Sea when a Chinese fighter jet flew close and across the flight path of a U.S. reconnaissance plane. The Chinese government has since responded by accusing the U.S. of fanning tensions through provocative actions such as sending reconnaissance flights over the disputed waters. Beijing described these as a threat to its sovereignty and security, according to reports. The unprecedented trilateral drills are happening more than a month after the Philippines and the U.S. held their biggest annual Balikatan joint exercises in the coastal town of San Antonio in Zambales, a province that also faces the South China Sea. The current drills also follow an announcement by Manila and Tokyo that they would boost defense ties. The Akitsushima (PLH-32), a Japan Coast Guard ship, is pictured after it docked at Manilas South Harbor, June 1, 2023. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews] Kenichi Matsuda, the interim charge daffaires at the Japanese embassy who was on hand, affirmed his governments support for the trilateral drills and underscored what he said was the shared history among the three countries. We will concretely advance cooperation with the Philippines to bolster maritime security capabilities and freedom of navigation, Matsuda said. Japan, as a maritime nation, has a stake to uphold and protect rules-based maritime order, he said. It has been helping the Philippine Coast Guard with its modernization. This includes a loan for the PCGs two capital ships, the 97-meter (318-foot) multi-role response ships BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino, which are among the ships that will participate in the trilateral exercises. This first tri-lateral engagement between the coast guards of these nations will provide invaluable opportunities to strengthen global maritime governance through professional exchanges and combined operations, said Capt. Brian Krautler, the U.S. Coast Guard commander of the Stratton. Together well demonstrate professional, rules-based standards of maritime operations with our steadfast partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. In contrast to remarks from the Japanese and American officials, PCG spokesman Armand Balilo played down the drills, saying these were not meant to deter China. This is a coast guard exercise on maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, thats all, Balilo told reporters. This has nothing to do with the issues in the West Philippine Sea, he added, referring to waters claimed by Manila in the South China Sea. China has competing claims in the South China Sea with the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Vietnam. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and against Beijings sweeping nine-dash line, but China has since refused to acknowledge the ruling. The Thailand Provincial Electricity Authority plans to shut off power to neighboring Myanmar on the other side of the border in Mae Sot in Tak province, seen here on Oct. 29, 2020. Thailands Provincial Electricity Authority plans to switch off power supplies in two sections of southeastern Myanmar early next week at the request of the junta government, officials in Mae Sot district told BenarNews. The PEA plans to cut electricity to Lay Kay Kaw and Shwe Kokko, the site of a Chinese-backed U.S. $15 billion real estate and casino mega-project that has become notorious lately as a Burmese bastion of illegal activity, including drug trafficking, amid violence and unrest in post-coup Myanmar. Somchai Trithipchartsakul, the district chief of Mae Sot, in Thailands Tak province, said the agency had notified him about the plan to cut off the power supply for those two locations on the Burmese side of the Thai-Myanmar frontier. The Provincial Electricity Authority in Bangkok has informed the Tak governor to prepare for any impacts after the Myanmar Embassy had told the PEA of the discontinuation of the power contracts with Shwe Myint Thaung Yinn [SMTY] Industry and Manufacturing Co. Ltd., he said, adding the power would be shut off at the beginning of the day on June 6. The Myanmar government did not release the embassys letter or respond immediately to the district chiefs comments. It remained unclear why Myanmars military government made the request to Thailand to switch off the electricity to Shwe Kokko and Lay Kay Kaw. Myawaddy, a township in southeastern Myanmars Karen state, is home to the Yatai Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone, which was promoted as a way to spur economic growth and deliver material benefits to the local community. Shwe Kokko New City, as the area is called, was funded by Hong Kong-registered developer Yatai International Holding Group in partnership with the Chit Lin Myaing Co. owned by the Karen State Border Guard Force, an ethnic Karen force aligned with the Myanmar military. It includes the Myanmar Yatai Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone. The area became a hub for illicit activity including casinos because of weak national laws, a diffusion of responsibility, and a lack of development plans, according to a report by the Washington-based Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Apart from drug trafficking, Shwe Kokko in recent months has been a magnet for reported human trafficking and abuse of casino workers. The governor of Thailands Tak province confirmed that the PEA had informed him about the plan to cut power to the neighbors in Myanmar. I havent seen the letter yet, Gov. Somchai Kijcharoenrungroj told BenarNews. I dont have the details and you have to ask the PEA the PEA can cut the power but it has to inform other government agencies about this when we have a meeting. He said the PEA met on May 29 after being contacted by the embassy. The agency did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment. Contracts expired Somchai Trithipchartsakul said the contracts expired on Feb. 28, but the SMTY had requested them to be renewed temporarily. Since 2016, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos have had electricity contracts for 21 power grids in Myanmar, totaling 43,750 kilowatts, according to the PEA database. For Shwe Kokko, the partners signed an 8,000 KW power deal. While aware of the Shwe Kokkos notoriety, Somchai said he could not say if it had any role in the Myanmar request. He said the shutdown likely would not affect the casinos located there. In Shwe Kokko, they have five to 10 power generators, Somchai Trithipchartsakul said, adding 75 percent of the Thai electricity supplies local residents and not the businesses. A source in Myanmars Myawaddy district office who requested anonymity because of security concerns confirmed the reports out of Thailand. Electricity was to be cut to one gambling place in Shwe Kokko and one in Myawaddy, including security gates run by pro-junta Border Guard Forces in Myawaddy, but not the towns where people live, the source told Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews. Workers in Shwe Kokko said they were aware as well. We heard that the Thai side will cut electricity to two places, the site of Shwe Kokko casino and the Ingyin Myaing Park which has gambling offices near Myawaddy town, the workers said. They requested anonymity over security concerns. The announcement came after a Bangkok criminal court last week approved Chinas request to extradite She Zhijiang, a Chinese investor in Shwe Kokko. The Chinese government wanted She, who obtained Cambodian citizenship and had been convicted of running an illegal lottery business. She Zhijiang has appealed the extradition and has one month to fight the court decision. RFA Burmese contributed to this report. Lotte Duty Free CEO Kim Ju-nam proposes a toast during a roadshow at a hotel in Tokyo, Tuesday. Courtesy of Lotte Duty Free By Kim Jae-heun Lotte Duty Free held roadshows in Tokyo, Tuesday, and in Osaka, Wednesday, along with other hospitality-related group units, asking travel agencies there to promote Korea as an attractive tourist destination, Korea's largest duty free store operator said Thursday. The companies organized the event from 2012 to 2017 to attract more visitors from countries including China, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand. It was the first time since 2017 that Lotte Duty Free jointly hosted the event in Japan with four other Lotte Group affiliates, including Lotte Hotel, Lotte Property & Development and Lotte World. Major executives and employees of Lotte Duty Free and Lotte Hotel, including Lotte Duty Free CEO Kim Ju-nam and Lotte Hotel CEO Lee Wan-shin, joined the roadshow to promote Korea's tourism attractions. "We are seeking various ways to restore the competitiveness of the domestic tourism industry. In addition to our global roadshow, Lotte Duty Free plans to showcase other tourism contents such as producing travel package items and holding VIP invitation events in the near future," Kim said. During the roadshows in Tokyo and Osaka, the company invited 100 Japanese tourism industry workers to each event and introduced Lotte's duty free stores in major tourist cities such as Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island. Lotte Duty Free also promoted package products that link Lotte Group's hotels and other businesses with popular tourism attractions in Korea. Meanwhile, according to the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Korea in the first quarter of this year increased more than 60 times year-on-year. Sales generated by Japanese visitors also soared by more than 240 percent in the same period. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. PITTSFIELD The union representing Pittsfield Public Schools paraprofessionals says the district engaged in union busting, a mere month after negotiating a contentious new contract. The Pittsfield Federation of School Employees has taken its complaint to the states Department of Labor Relations. The complaint, filed in February, accuses the district of violating its contract with the union by using Georgia-based hiring agency BlazerWorks to fill 46 open paraprofessional positions in the district. The union became aware of the issue in October 2022. District administrators told The Eagle that PPS used an existing contract with BlazerWorks from 2019 to begin hiring paraprofessionals, known as paras. Ann Marie Carpenter, the districts director of human resources, diversity and inclusion, said the contracting picked up in August 2022. Paras work alongside teachers to help educate special education students in substantially separate programs, integrated classrooms and kindergarten classrooms. The district pays BlazerWorks between $50 and $55 an hour per employee. BlazerWorks sets the take-home amount for each worker individually, but the district does not know how much each staffer is paid. This contrasts with the going union rates of $17 to $24 an hour. Walter Armstrong, the American Federation of Teachers field representative for the local union, said that decision was a slap in the face to union members. The district, in its response to the unions complaint, doesnt deny using the agency but says that it did so only to provide state-mandated care for special education students and after posting the jobs itself. The complaint process, which has been slowly building since February, boiled over into the public arena this week. Armstrong said that the paras decided to go public with their complaints after mediation between the district and union earlier this month came to loggerheads. The dispute took center stage Tuesday night at the third budget hearing for the Pittsfield City Council. Dozens of members from the union came to the meeting in a show of support as former union President Sandra Amburn and Armstrong spoke to the now adversarial relationship between the union and district. The Pittsfield Public Schools paraprofessional staffing problem isnt part of some national post-COVID event; its the result of two things: low wages and unsafe working conditions, Amburn said. Amburn described a litany of bad behavior spitting, biting, punching, kicking and wrestling that she said paras are subjected to every day. She said that the most recent contract, signed in September 2022, helped to bring wages over the states minimum wage. A data request filed by the union showed that the district started the school year with 46 unfilled para positions. Superintendent Joseph Curtis told the council that the district currently has 67 unfilled positions in the 2023-24 school year. Armstrong said that the district could have solved its staffing crisis with good paying jobs with benefits. He added that if the district had asked the union for help we would have rolled up our sleeves and helped them find a solution. To the paraprofessionals who work hard every day to educate the special needs children in Pittsfield, I say to you that these people do not value the work you do, Armstrong said. Every minute of your life that you give to them is one minute too long. In an interview with The Eagle on Wednesday, Carpenter said we dont want to do it this way either; we would much prefer to hire our own employees. City councilors pushed Curtis to respond to the allegations from the union as part of their decision making over whether or not to give preliminary approval to a $78 million school budget. These folks do incredible work and they need a reasonable wage thats reflective of that at a different standard than what were offering, Curtis said. He told the council that he and district officials were having difficulty settling on a pay raise they felt was sustainable, provided a living wage and attracted candidates to open roles. The superintendent told the council that the district was prepared to roll in an existing $2,000 stipend for special education paras into those staff members salaries and add little more than a dollar increase to the hourly wage to bring the base pay for all paras to $20 an hour. Curtis said the district would pay for the raises with the currently budgeted money and hire fewer paras as a result. Curtis said the offer was not met with warm reception. Councilors encouraged the district to keep working on a compromise with the union before voting 8-3 to give preliminary approval to the districts budget. In a subsequent interview Wednesday morning, Armstrong noted that the union was engaged in what seems to be a lengthy process. The only thing that we have that resonates with the public is that we believe they used that money inappropriately, Armstrong said. They should have at least consulted with the union and told us what they were going to do before they did it. Now, they not only used taxpayer money to violate the law, but theyre using taxpayer money to defend that they violated the law because they paid their lawyer. Curtis said in an emailed statement on Tuesday that the district is actively working with legal counsel to ensure a prompt resolution to this issue. Curtis said he was unavailable for subsequent comment on Wednesday. In its news release on the matter, the union said that it has filed a prohibited practice complaint, or unfair labor practice charge, with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations. The complaint alleges that the district violated Massachusetts General Law on labor. In particular, the union alleges that the district failed to honor its mandate to bargain collectively in good faith with the exclusive representative: PFSE. Litigation is currently ongoing. Armstrong said Wednesday that the complaint was filed in February and a mediation session was held on May 16. An in-person investigation from the Department of Labor Relations was held on May 8. While both parties entered into mediation, the compromises stalled. The union will proceed with the labor relations process, which could take up to a year and half to resolve, Armstrong said. The union is asking that the state issue a cease-and-desist order to the district, preventing it from contracting with the private firm. Armstrong said that would require all currently contracted staff to end their work in the schools, with the potential to be hired back as full-time employees. Armstrong said the concerns were mostly with the districts decision to spend this money without transparency with the union, and that it was not an efficient use of funds. This is about staffing, Armstrong said. This is about them using the money that theyre given to properly staff their buildings, and I dont think theyre using that money responsibly. The Apostle Paul was a champion of spreading the Gospel message after his radical conversion experience when he encountered Jesus. He traveled to numerous cities and countries, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul also corresponded with and supported various churches by way of letter. But just how many books of the Bible did Paul write? Thirteen books of the New Testament are attributed to him. The books written by Paul were actually letters he wrote to congregations and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ during his ministry years. Paul began most of his letters with a similar greeting to the one found in the letter to the church of Galatia, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:3). The thirteen books written by Paul are: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. When Did Paul Write These Books? Paul wrote these thirteen books over the span of his ministry. He wrote to churches and individuals while he was in a variety of circumstances. For example, he wrote while he was on missionary journeys, after completing his travels, or even while he was imprisoned. While staying in Ephesus, Paul wrote to the church of Corinth. After I go through Macedonia, I will come to youfor I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost (1 Corinthians 16:5-8). Information like that has helped scholars piece together when and where Paul was when he wrote the books attributed to him. In his writings, readers gain a sense of Pauls deep love and care for the growing Christian church, and the ways he helped people become saved and grow in their faith. Writing letters allowed Paul to continue urging others on in their faith. From another letter, readers learn that Paul wrote a second letter to Timothy from prison. For which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! (2 Timothy 2:9). Paul described himself as a prisoner in a letter to Timothy. This letter was written near the end of Pauls life before he was sentenced to death and executed. Paul wrote these thirteen letters, which have become part of the New Testament, as early as the year 50 AD, and up until his death when he became a martyr for Jesus. Paul is believed to have died sometime around the year 67 AD. Did Paul Write All These Letters Himself? From the letters themselves, we know that Paul had help from a scribe to write letters to churches or individuals. This was common practice in Pauls time. The scribe would have written as Paul spoke out loud what he wanted to include in the letter. In the letter to the Romans, the scribe identified himself. I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord (Romans 16:22). It is fascinating that the scribe was also a Christian who wanted to relay his greetings to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In other letters, such as the one Paul wrote to the church of Colossae, Paul indicated when it was his own hand that wrote the actual words of the letter. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you (Colossians 4:18). Though Paul worked with scribes to create these letters, we have assurance that regardless of how the letter came to be written down that all Scripture is God-breathed (see 2 Timothy 3:16). Photo credit: Unsplash/Scott Graham Why Are Paul's Personal Letters Considered Scripture? An important part of Pauls ministry was to keep in touch with Christians and churches, to encourage them in their faith and to help them avoid heresy or get persuaded to believe anything other than the true Gospel message that was preached to them. He did this by visiting and writing letters. It remains unclear how many letters outside of the thirteen epistles in the Bible that Paul wrote. However, we do know that Paul wrote letters that did not end up in the Bible. In the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul referenced a previous letter he had written to them. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people (1 Corinthians 5:9). Though we do not know for sure outside of this letter Paul mentioned, it is possible that Paul wrote other letters to churches and individuals that did not become part of the Bible. However, certain letters were highly circulated, transformative, and became recognized by the early church as holy Scripture. These letters are now part of the New Testament. We know that not every letter Paul wrote became Scripture, such as the letter Paul mentioned that he had formerly written to the church in Corinth. Perhaps this other letter did not have the same level of impact and transferability to congregations beyond Corinth. Ultimately, it remains unknown why this other letter to the Corinthians was not recognized as Scripture. Peter, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, referenced Pauls writings. Bear in mind that our Lords patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:15-16). This is helpful to know that even as Pauls letters were circulating, it was apparent that they were God-breathed. Peter believed that Pauls letters were in fact holy Scripture and urged others to view them in the same light and with the same reverence. It is no surprise, then, that thirteen of Pauls letters became part of the Bible. Is There a Central Theme of Paul's Letters? Pauls letters had common elements to them, such as an introduction, the writers name and who the letter was addressed to, a greeting or thanksgiving, and the body of the letter which conveyed the reason(s) why Paul was writing and the information he wanted to relay to the readers. Paul usually ended his letters with a farewell. In some of his letters, Paul included lists to demonstrate or expand on what he was teaching. For instance, Paul wrote lists of sinful behaviors (see Galatians 5:19-21 or Colossians 3:5-6), lists of the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23 or Ephesians 4:2), lists of descriptions (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8), or how Christians should live (see 2 Corinthians 6:4-10). Pauls letters address many themes and topics, such as marriage, Christian living, sinfulness, righteousness, and grace. Paul wrote about suffering, joy, discipleship, forgiveness, and that Jesus was coming back. Other themes Paul addressed were unity in the body of Christ, dying to the flesh, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Central to all Pauls letters is the overarching theme that we are saved by faith in Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). Paul went to great lengths to declare that Jesus is the Lord and Savior, the promised Messiah, to the Gentiles and the Jews alike. Paul originally rejected the Gospel, persecuted the church, and believed Jesus to be an imposter. When he experienced a conversion, Paul undoubtedly made it his mission to follow the call of Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations. Paul had a passion to make sure that every person knew that one cannot earn salvation, rather it is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Photo credit: Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang What Happened to Paul? During his Christian life, Paul went on missionary journeys, empowered other believers to have faith, rejected heresies and preached the truth of God. Paul corresponded with churches and individuals and wrote letters that eventually were recognized as part of the Holy Bible. In his final years, he was imprisoned in Rome and was sentenced to death. He was a great supporter of many fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and believed that God was with him no matter what he faced (See Romans 8:38-39). The time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that dayand not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Even near the end of his life as he faced death, Paul fully trusted that God was with him and that it had been an honor to serve God. Paul died a martyr for Jesus, one who helped advance the growing Christian church and ultimately, the kingdom of God. A Life Devoted to Christ Paul wrote numerous letters to churches and individuals during his ministry. Though some were just that personal or communal letters others were recognized as Scripture and became part of the Bible. Thirteen books in total are attributed to Paul in the New Testament. Paul wrote about many theological issues and did his best to encourage his audiences to persevere in faith. Pauls passion for Jesus and his love for people is evident in both his writings and that he gave his life to advance the Gospel so that more and more would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Related articles What Do We Know about Paul before His Conversion? 5 Valuable Lessons from Paul on the Benefits of Giving 6 Things You Didn't Know about Paul in the Bible Photo credit: Unsplash/Clark Young Pamela Palmer is a writer, speaker, and the founder of upheldlife.com, the platform on which she produces devotionals and faith resources to inspire keeping faith at the center of life. She is in pastoral ministry and gets to share in the emotional and spiritual lives of others. She lives and thrives on Jesus, coffee, and music. She is the author of Living a Deeper Faith: Nurture Your Relationship with God and Live a Faith-Fueled Life. Pamela married the perfect man for her and they have two beautiful kiddos. She has been published on herviewfromhome.com, and you can follow her at upheldlife.com or on Facebook.com/upheldlife. On the verge of completing five decades in the biotechnology industry, Mumbai-based HiMedia Laboratories was one of the prominent players during the global fight against COVID-19. After overcoming all the challenges brought about by the pandemic on the nation and on the industrys growth, the company is now set to venture out into new areas towards portfolio expansion and greater opportunities. During a detailed conversation with BioSpectrum, Dr Gangadhar M Warke, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, HiMedia Laboratories talks about the companys growth plans and the future of the Indian biotechnology sector. In the last two decades, HiMedia has diversified into 7 business divisions that include Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Molecular Biology. What new plans are in store for the companys growth, and what are the revenue projections for FY 23-24? HiMedia ventured into the microbiology services and training sector this year. Our microbiology division has started providing a wide range of services: microbial identification by MALDI-TOF MS, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, quality testing of disinfectants, bacterial endotoxin testing, strain development and improvement, customised media development, etc. We provide training courses for microbial counts, pathogen detection, environmental sampling, water testing, bioburden tests, etc. We have set up our own Gamma irradiation facility to facilitate sterilisation in-house. For Microbiology, with respect to USFDA regulations, there was an acute need for production of Ready Prepared Media (RPM) plates & other liquid media. Our RPM product range is extensive and covers many applications. These products are manufactured in numbers of 1.5 lakh units per day in our state-of-the-art WHO-GMP compliant facilities. For the cell biology division, we are currently focusing on cutting-edge research and new product development for bioinks and bioscaffolds for 3D bioprinting; serum-free media for cultured meat, viral vaccine production platform, cell culture; biosimilars and monoclonal antibodies as anti-cancer therapy; multicompendial biochemicals; and automation. Our latest achievement has been the development of serum-free media for many applications and chemically defined serum- NuSeraTM for reducing the batch-to-batch variation and enabling consistency in the results. Our biosimilars project has been awarded a grant from both NBM-BIRAC (National Biopharma Mission- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) and DBT-BIRAC in 2020 for development of serum-free, chemically defined media for monoclonal antibodies-mAbs (produced using CHO cell lines) and non-mAb protein therapeutic molecules. As a new initiative now, we provide Custom Testing Services for drug screening, cell line authentication, scaling up of cells, mycoplasma detection in cell lines, and bioproduction platform (spent media analysis, media development and media optimisation by scaling up). Alongside, we provide teaching and skill development modules for understanding regulatory affairs, in vitro culture, karyotyping, and cytogenetics. Our molecular biology division takes pride in becoming the One-Stop Shop for all the molecular biology products. Lately, we inaugurated an advanced sequencing and bioinformatics facility that provides services for Sequencing (Sanger and NGS for microbial identifications); Genotyping; Omics (Proteomics, Genomics, and Transcriptomics); and Bioinformatics. We have also developed indigenous solutions in complete forensics processes for humans and wildlife. This process involves novel IT software-based on Forensic Human Identification for the increasingly growing Forensics and Molecular Diagnostics Sector in India. We also have begun to provide teaching kits on the basic experiments of various life sciences fields. Revenue projections for FY 22-23 are around Rs 950 crore. Expected growth in new Fiscal year 23-24 is around 25 per cent taking our total revenue to Rs 1200 crore. We have also ventured into an ambitious agro-based project, which may boost the revenue further by approx. 60 per cent. Are you looking at new investments, facility expansions or partnerships to expand your business? As a rapidly diversifying biotech company, we are looking for new investments. As HiMedia has expertise in different aspects of biotechnology, we want to convert this expertise into our service provision segment. As mentioned prior, we have expanded our portfolio by launching various Advanced Services in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology. Any diversification needs additional capex for facility build-up and investing in advanced instruments and biological resources. We have invested about 10 per cent of the FY-21-22 profit in these new segments such as probiotic innovation facility at Nagpur, genome sequencing service, Maldi-TOF Mass Spectrometry (MS) services for identification of microbes, 3D bioprinting and Liquid chromatographymass spectrometry (LCMS). We are also involved in partnering with academic or research institutions to develop new technologies or processes. Recently, we also got a tech transfer of diagnostic technology from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. We are expanding facilities to increase production capacity and improve efficiency. This involves building new facilities, upgrading existing ones, implementing automation or other technological advancements. We are setting up a C-GMP manufacturing facility at Nashik with the capacity of 20 tonnes per batch of cultured media. One of our recent projects revolves around drug repurposing to deal with genetic diseases like sickle cell anaemia. We are also venturing into pre-biotics, probiotics, and post-biotics for humans, livestock, and agricultural crops. We are also venturing into indigenous agar manufacture in collaboration with CSIR Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar. The Microbiology division had received BIRAC-Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP) grant for developing Bacterial hydrocolloid. What are your views on pushing the concept of 'Make in India' in the biotechnology sector? Since the inception of HiMedia in 1974, it has been practising 'Make in India' to build a strong substitute to the MNCs. We have been successful in many areas till now. 'Make in India' is a continuous process, and we are proud that we are part of this to make India stronger. As we know, India is among the top 12 destinations for biotechnology worldwide and 3rd largest destination for biotechnology in the Asia Pacific. In 2022, Indias Biotechnology industry crossed $80.12 billion, growing 14 per cent from the previous year. The Indian Bioeconomy has witnessed a many-fold increase in valuation in the past ten years; with COVID-19 giving the industry a much-needed push. For me, pushing the idea of 'Make in India' in biotechnology (encompassing Microbiology, Cell biology, Molecular biology and Plant tissue culture) field means making the Indian market a reliable source of various raw materials substituting foreign imports. What are the current challenges facing the biotechnology industry, and what is the way forward? The biotechnology industry faces several challenges, both technological and regulatory. European regulators upgrade their regulatory compliances every year and impose the same on all biosuppliers. These put challenges on biosuppliers and importers in India. Biotech companies often must navigate complex regulatory environments, especially when it comes to getting regulatory approval for their products. The regulatory process can be lengthy, expensive, and unpredictable. Moreover, biotech companies rely heavily on patents to protect their products and innovations. Biotech research and development can be extremely expensive, especially in areas like drug discovery and development. This makes it difficult for smaller companies to compete with larger companies that have more resources. To overcome these, biotech companies can either collaborate with each other or academic and research institutions; to share resources, knowledge, and expertise. This can help to reduce costs and accelerate the pace of innovation. For example, we have been collaborating with two German partners in our Indo-German [IGSTC 2+2] project. ICT-Mumbai is our Indian academic partner. Moreover, biotech companies should continue to invest in research and development to stay ahead of the curve. By embracing new technologies and exploring new areas of research, companies can stay competitive and create new opportunities for growth. In India, government funding agencies are supporting such innovation through significant funding apart from private funding. Biotech companies can diversify their portfolios to reduce risk and increase revenue streams. This can involve expanding into new markets or developing products in different therapeutic areas. Overall, the biotechnology industry faces several challenges. However, by adopting a collaborative, innovative, and progressive approach, companies can overcome these challenges and continue to drive growth and innovation in the field. If we consider the past financial year, pharma exports declined to some extent due to various reasons. This affected HiMedia as well. We foresee that it will improve this year. Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) Tropika's latest TV advert is a trip down memory lane, designed to take viewers back to their childhood, has a strong emphasis on nostalgia. Image supplied. Tropikas latest TV advert is a trip down memory lane, designed to take viewers back to their childhood Currently airing on local TV stations, YouTube, and social media platforms the TVC is part of the South Africa diary fruit juice brands 2023 Smooth Rider campaign. Tropika has a heritage of nearly four decades, making it a unique part of many South Africans lives. We wanted to reignite this nostalgia and the brand love consumers hold dear to their hearts, says Miantha Roux, Clover Beverages business unit head. Extraordinary attention to detail The advert underpins everyday South African quirks with extraordinary attention to detail without feeling garish or kitsch. From the beaded wooden seat massager to the instantly recognisable Hulu dancer bobbing on the dashboard, there are subtle nods to memories we all hold dear. The use of satire through the little roadside shack titled Load Shed followed by the gargantuan potholes which must be precariously dodged at high speeds as if one were a professional circuit driver - something any motorist in South Africa will unreservedly attest to sharing sentiments with. This commercial showcases how Tropika seamlessly fits into everyday reality, making everything just a little smooother, adds Roux. Relevant to todays South African youth With the opening sequence set in a jaundiced tropical roadside oasis with saturated blue skies, palms that breezily sway in the oceanic pulses and a robustly rusty sky-blueFord Sierra this advert transports you to a happier world of smooth Tropika sipping immediately. The clever use of fastidious colours, shapes and iconography gently nudge your perspective in the direction of the skilful nuances that tie back to the brand. Francois de Villiers, ECD at Joe Public says, We needed to make the idea of smoooth relevant to todays South African youth, while still maintaining the brands island roots. So, they put themselves in their shoes or rather, their car seat. We took one of the most daunting experiences they face, their driving test, accompanied by a few other infamous South African challenges, and gave it an island twist. Showing that no matter how rough things get, you can get through it, when sipping onthe smoooth life withTropika. Bryan van Niekerk, Asher Stoltz and Eduan van Jaarsveldt of Team Best, brought the off-beat storytelling, understated humour and laid-back style of the islands to life. (van Niekerk also composed music track.) All-new Tropika Zero The TVC highlights the all-new Tropika Zero, which has zero added sugar, providing the perfect alternative for health-conscious consumers Nigerian publisher and editor, Dr Marcel Mbamalu, has been nominated to participate in the 2023 Jefferson Fellowships, the only representative selected from the continent. Image supplied. Nigerian publisher and editor, Dr Marcel Mbamalu, has been nominated to participate in the 2023 Jefferson Fellowships The publisher and editor-in-chief of Prime Business Africa his selection speaks to the rising profile of Prime Business Africa. Dr Mbamalu was also part of the 15-man global team that covered the US 2020 presidential elections, which produced Joe Biden as President. Mbamalu will join 10 other Fellows selected from news organisations from the USA, Taiwan, and Bangladesh, with two fellows each as well as Fellows from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Fiji, (one Fellow each). The Fellowship will run for three weeks from 8 to 28 October, in Hawai, Hong Kong and Japan, starting in Honolulu with expert-led sessions on inequality in the US and the Asia Pacific region. The Fellowship theme is Inequality in the US and Asia: Drivers, consequences, and policy responses.. The three-week dialogue, reporting, and hybridised travel programme will contextualise and compare widening disparities of income, wealth, and opportunity within the US and Asia. Understand the distributional consequences The programme will enable journalists to better understand the distributional consequences of technological change, globalisation, and market reforms, which arguably favour skilled over unskilled labor, capital over labor, and urban and coastal areas over rural areas. The journalists will also deliberate on the relationship between inequality and access to education, healthcare, financing and credit, housing, and infrastructure. The discussion will be done in the context of the main drivers of inequality such as gender-related disparities in opportunities as well as racial, ethnic, and nativist discrimination. The three-week parley will also explore the effects of the politicisation of inequality on the disparities in public trust and the ways in which affected countries are responding. Share perspectives from their own countries The inequality situation in the US will form a test case for the Fellows as inequality has risen to a 50 year high despite low rates of poverty and unemployment. The important factors in this irony will come into play, for example, the US states worst and least affected by inequality and the impacts of policies, institutions, and demographics in the disparity. Journalists will additionally share perspectives from their own countries on the drivers, consequences, and policy responses related to inequality through topic papers and presentations. Site visits in Honolulu will also provide opportunities to observe how growing inequity is affecting one of US most racially and ethnically diverse states and how policymakers and grassroots organisations are responding. The asia region The Asia region attracts interest in the programme as inequality has also worsened despite remarkable economic growth as typified by Hong Kong seen as one of the worlds richest and most inequitable cities. On the positive side of inequality, Japan will be a destination for the Fellows, who will study the countrys example as the most equitable developed countries due to income and inheritance tax policies. A substantial grant from The Freeman Foundation The Jefferson Fellowships are powered by a substantial grant from The Freeman Foundation, which is also boosted by contributions from news organisations, foundations, US Embassies, and the East-West Center. In this Sept. 29, 2022 file photo, Lee Jae-woong, chief executive of car-sharing app operator SoCar, leaves as the Seoul court acquitted over illegality of the app-based business. Newsis The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld lower courts' rulings in favor of the ride-hailing service Tada and its former chief executives, putting an end to a long controversy over the legitimacy of the innovative rental car service. The top court approved the lower courts' acquittal of Lee Jae-woong, former head of car-sharing app operator SoCar, and Park Jae-uk, former head of SoCar's subsidiary and Tada operator Value Creators Company (VCNC), on charges of violating the passenger transport service act with their new service. SoCar and VCNC were also acquitted of the same charges. Tada, formally called Tada Basic, was launched in October 2018 offering a ride-hailing service through 11-seat vans and drivers. But local taxi drivers condemned Tada as an illegal taxi service operating without a license and the National Assembly then revised the Passenger Transport Service Act to restrict the outsourcing of drivers of rental vans with 11 to 15 seats to touring purposes only. Despite Thursday's acquittals, Tada cannot offer the same services as before because of the law revision. Lee and Park were indicted in October 2019 for violating the passenger transport law by running the van-hailing service without a license, though they claimed the Tada service was legitimate. The Tada case drew strong media attention due to the possible innovation of the mobility platform industry. Following the legal revision, VCNC ceased to operate the Tada Basic service and has instead been offering high-end and reservation-based riding services within the legal boundary. (Yonhap) Just as two established varietals can come together to create an exciting new wine, so blending two marketing agencies can elevate each other in interesting ways. Techsys Digital and V5 Digital are African at heart, and as such, have the spirit of Ubuntu flowing through their veins. They understand that it sometimes takes a digital village to raise particular projects into something truly innovative. Even though both of these companies think very globally its nice to have a neighbour on the other side of the Orange River to bounce ideas off of. The unique terroir of South African soil and Namibian sand can shape ideas and should not be underestimated. Its never a bad idea to check in with knowledgeable locals when representing a brand beloved in their home country. This is why Andrew Walmsley and Armin Wieland, founders of Techsys Digital and V5 Digital respectively, have a mutually beneficial digital marketing relationship. These two purveyors of digital dopamine have similar goals and desires, that when aligned, enhance the projects they collaborate on. As Andrew Walmsley explains, "At Techsys Digital, we see great potential in emerging technologies such as AI, image recognition, and big data, and we're committed to introducing these services in Southern Africa. We understand that innovation is a team effort, it flourishes through collaboration. Our partnership with V5 Digital is a step towards ensuring these technologies are rolled out effectively and efficiently." In the same vein, Armin Wieland says: Algorythm Labs is the innovation and ideation hub at V5 Digital. Here we create amazing solutions - most often first to market - together with our collaborators and clients. We utilise The Lean Startup Way to rapidly test and learn so that we can consistently create customer solutions that solve real business problems. Deepening our collaboration Partnership with Techsys Digital will allow us to launch innovative solutions faster and at scale. Just as a Bordeaux blend combines different grape varieties to achieve a unique flavour profile, two marketing agencies can bring together their individual strengths to create a more complete and effective marketing strategy. Consulting a like-minded business that recognises and plays to each others strengths can lead to fresh ideas that benefit clients, customers, and consumers. You cant make the worlds most popular red blend with only one type of wine so V5 Digital appreciates that theyve found the Cabernet Sauvignon to their Merlot. Both of these are undeniably great wines but sometimes nothing hits the spot quite like a well-rounded Bordeaux. About Techsys Digital: Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Techsys is a full-service digital marketing agency whose talented team crafts results-driven campaigns and platforms. We provide innovative digital solutions to our portfolio of world-class clients. About V5 Digital: V5 Digital is a leading Digital Marketing Agency based in Windhoek, Namibia - serving Customers around the Globe - from startups in Bio Energy to Blue Chip Financial Services Clients. We partner with Global Customer Success Leaders Salesforce, Constant Contact and Rocketseed. Ogilvy Africa officially launched InfluenceO, its end-to-end influence solution designed for businesses, brands, and creators in Africa. Image supplied. Ogilvy Africa officially launched InfluenceO, its end-to-end influence solution for businesses, brands, and creators in Africa for influencer marketing recently. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovations from around the world and Africa, InfluenceO enables brands and influencers to establish genuine partnerships and drive highly impactful marketing campaigns. Commenting on the launch, Vikas Mehta, CEO Ogilvy Africa, says, "This is an important milestone as we introduce InfluenceO to Africa. Its an award-winning global asset, customised meticulously to the need and nuance of sub-Saharan African countries. It brings world-class functionalities and rich databases to hitherto underserved markets. With InfluenceO, we hope to unleash the vast potential of this continent's content and influence landscape." Key features Key features of InfluenceO include: AI-powered influencer identification: Utilising AI technology, InfluenceO identifies the most influential figures for brands, ensuring an authentic fit with the target audience. It also locates micro and nano influencers who may otherwise go unnoticed. Streamlined onboarding, contracting, and payment processes: InfluenceO incorporates world-class technology to simplify these crucial steps for clients, ensuring creators are recognized and rewarded more reliably. Integration with Ogilvy's proprietary media technology Feed: InfluenceO seamlessly integrates with Feed, Ogilvy's media technology platform, to amplify the impact of influencer marketing through dynamic, effective, and efficient methods. In addition to these features, InfluenceO provides clients with comprehensive analytics and performance metrics. These insights go beyond traditional metrics like clicks and engagement rates, delving into conversion rates and long-term changes in brand sentiment, delivering valuable data on campaign effectiveness. Harnessing the potential of influencer marketing "In today's rapidly evolving landscape, influencer marketing has emerged as a powerful tool for brands to connect with their target audiences. It goes beyond mere reach, allowing them to establish and maintain deep connections with their audience, says Patou Nuytemans, CEO EMEA at Ogilvy. However, the methods of thinking, planning, and executing influencer marketing have fallen behind the pace of its evolution. With the launch of InfluenceO, we now possess the power to transform our approach and fully harness the potential of influencer marketing as a formidable channel," adds Nuytemans. InfluenceO revolutionises the brand-influencer collaboration process while expanding marketers' perspectives on and strategies for influencer engagement. To facilitate transparent and efficient collaboration between brands and influencers, InfluenceO offers a centralised dashboard where both parties can manage campaigns, review content drafts, negotiate terms, and track deliverables. This streamlined approach eliminates communication barriers, enhances efficiency, and ensures mutual satisfaction. Moreover, InfluenceO goes beyond technology by reinforcing Ogilvy's commitment to support creators across sub-Saharan Africa. It aims to assist them in developing their skills, enhancing their profiles, and advancing their careers. Higher education institutions bear the responsibility of empowering their students and setting them on the path to success. This duty must encompass the mandatory provision of dedicated, constructively aligned learning materials. These materials are pivotal, as they enable students to develop the essential knowledge and skills that they require in order to thrive in their chosen fields. This focus on quality learning materials enhances students' educational experience, and it supports their development into successful, self-reliant individuals. Rethinking success in higher education Traditionally, success in higher education has been measured by the attainment of a certificate, diploma or degree. However, this view seems myopic in today's complex, 21st century world. While such qualifications serve as 'packages, 'vehicles' or 'pathways' for learning and act as markers of success, they do not fully encapsulate the fruits of the higher education experience. Higher education equips students for future careers, shaping them into well-rounded, knowledgeable adults with the capacity, agency and autonomy to be successful, impactful individuals. Such education builds upon the foundational knowledge and skills that are acquired during primary and secondary education, so as to equip students with more advanced knowledge and specialised skills in a particular field or discipline. Higher education also promotes personal growth and development, exposing students to new ideas, perspectives and cultures, while encouraging critical thinking and intellectual inquiry. Quality learning materials are instrumental in facilitating this process. They not only foster deeper understanding, critical thinking and active engagement with the subject matter, but they also promote social and emotional growth, assisting students in developing independence, self-awareness and a sense of purpose. Nonetheless, one may ask the following: What defines the baseline 'quality' of an educational experience that best sets students up for success? Defining baseline quality and fostering self-reliance Quality Matters (QM) provides one approach to ensuring the quality of learning materials. QM, which is a leading entity in educational quality assurance, offers a faculty-centred, peer-review process that is aimed at validating the quality of online and blended courses (Shattuck et al., 2014). Its standards, which advocate for measurable competencies, active student engagement, mentorship, interactive strategies, high expectations, authentic assessments, prompt feedback and consistent faculty support, are based on years of educational research and best practice. The fourth general standard of QM (see Figure 1) focuses on instructional materials. It emphasises that materials must align with designated learning objectives, be pitched at the appropriate level, and clarify to students the relationship between objectives and materials. The content should be current, authoritative and cited properly, and it should have sufficient breadth and depth. Additionally, educators should have the flexibility to customise and add content to the course. This standard, which is rooted in comprehensive research and practice, serves as a reliable benchmark for quality in learning materials. Figure 1 Quality Matters criteria for instructional materials Building on this foundation, Edge Education is committed to creating learning materials that not only meet QMs standards, but that also foster self-reliance in students. We believe that the key to student success lies in the mandatory provision of dedicated, constructively aligned, interactive, multimedia-rich and accessible learning materials. Yet, quality extends beyond content; it also encompasses engagement and connection with the material, fellow students and educators around the content. In a resource-limited setting such as South Africa, we must empower students to become self-reliant. This idea may unsettle the purists and watchdogs; however, we are not suggesting that higher education should be an unsupported endeavour. Instead, we propose a baseline of quality support that is grounded in QM's principles. Learning materials that take this into consideration promote engagement and connection, thereby teaching students to learn to learn. By providing students with these robust, self-guided learning materials, we can free up training institutions to focus their resources on delivering vital support to students. The impact of learning materials on student success Learning materials play a crucial role in student success (Smart and Jagannathan, 2018; and UNESCO IIEP Learning Portal, 2023). These resources not only facilitate in-depth exploration of complex concepts, but they also foster deep engagement, which ultimately leads to improved academic performance. In fact, in low-income contexts, quality learning materials have been shown to compensate for factors such as large class sizes and a lack of reading materials at home (UNESCO IIEP Learning Portal, 2023). Despite the importance of these materials, their provision can vary significantly across institutions. For instance, some public higher education institutions have experienced a reduction in the availability of learning materials due to financial constraints or policy changes. This resource deficit can create barriers to learning particularly for students who may not have the means to acquire the necessary materials independently. In contrast, many private higher education institutions (PHEIs) prioritise the provision of dedicated learning materials for all students. While not necessarily causative, there appears to be a correlation between such provision and improved student success rates, suggesting that quality learning materials may enhance student outcomes (UNESCO IIEP Learning Portal, 2023). The contrasting experiences underscore the integral role of quality learning materials in fostering student success. By aligning with established quality frameworks like QM and adopting innovative approaches to learning material design and delivery, higher education institutions can enhance their students' educational experiences. This, in turn, equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their fields, thereby setting them on the path to success. Edge Education's CourseBook: A revolutionary approach Edge Education's CourseBook is an innovative content solution for higher education. It is designed to transform the learning experience and prepare students to become economically active and socially engaged citizens. Our comprehensive academic publishing model ensures a commitment to quality that permeates every stage of production. Each phase involves meticulous reviews and quality checks, culminating in a final QA phase. CourseBook is engineered to provide an enriching and empowering learning experience. It enables students to form meaningful connections with the content and their peers, and it offers access to a range of interactive tools, including highlighters, annotations, summaries, multimedia playlists and self-assessment quizzes. These tools facilitate deep engagement with the content, which promotes active learning. Moreover, an embedded community feature enables students to collaborate, discuss and share their ideas with peers and educators, which ultimately fosters a supportive and intellectually stimulating learning environment. By incorporating interactive tools and promoting a sense of community, CourseBook supports personal and intellectual growth. It equips students with the knowledge, skills and experiences that they need in order to navigate the complexities of the world. These graduate attributes prepare students to make meaningful contributions to society, leading to their overall success. In conclusion, Edge Education's CourseBook represents a paradigm shift in higher education. It emphasises the provision of quality learning materials that align with course objectives, engage students and foster self-reliance. By delegating the responsibility of providing mandatory, quality learning materials to Edge, higher education institutions are freed up to focus their efforts on delivering crucial support services to their students. Following quality frameworks like QM and adopting innovative solutions like CourseBook empowers these institutions to deliver learning experiences that truly prepare students for success in their careers and that aid them in becoming impactful members of society. In essence, nurturing successful students in higher education extends beyond merely providing qualifications it also entails ensuring the mandatory provision of quality learning materials and effective student support. South Africa is mulling its options over the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin should he accept an invitation to a BRICS summit in August, a government official said on Wednesday. File Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with government members via a video link in Moscow, Russia 31 May 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Kremlin via Reuters A member of the ICC, South Africa would theoretically be required to arrest Putin under the warrant issued in March by the court, which accused him of the war crime of forcibly deporting children from Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. Moscow denies the allegations. However, South Africa had on 25 January already invited Putin to the 22-24 August meeting in Johannesburg of BRICS leaders of emerging economies, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. "There has been no firm decision," said Zane Dangor, director-general of the department of international relations, adding that ministers assigned to the matter would soon meet to consider a report setting out the options. One option gaining traction among South African officials would be to ask the group's previous chair China to host the summit, said a senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Asked whether Putin would attend the gathering, the Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia would take part at the "proper level". Former President Thabo Mbeki, whose views on international relations hold a lot of sway among government officials, said in a 25 May interview with radio station 702 that the summit was unlikely to take place in South Africa. "Because of our legal obligations, we have to arrest President Putin, but we can't do that," Mbeki said. A deputy minister, Obed Bapela, told Britain's BBC on Tuesday that South Africa was planning to pass legislation that would give Pretoria the option to decide whether or not to arrest leaders wanted by the ICC. Bapela did not respond to requests for comment. However, a justice department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said there wouldn't be enough time to get such a law approved by parliament before the summit. South Africa on Monday issued diplomatic immunity to all leaders attending the meeting and a gathering of BRICS foreign ministers in Cape Town this week. The international relations department said this was standard procedure, however, for all international conferences in South Africa. "These immunities do not override any warrant that may have been issued by any international tribunal against any attendee of the conference," department spokesperson Clayson Monyela said. South Africa previously signalled its intention to withdraw from the ICC following protests about its failure to arrest Sudan's former president Omar al-Bashir, wanted on genocide charges, when he attended an African Union summit in Johannesburg in 2015. The governing African National Congress decided in December that South Africa should abandon the process and try to effect changes to the ICC from within. As we mark the one-year anniversary of the historic Feeding Our Future radiothon, Kfm 94.5 and LottoStar proudly look back on the incredible accomplishments and transformative changes made possible by the generous R20m donation to Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA). Kfm 94.5 and LottoStar joined forces on 1 June 2022 to host a 12-hour radiothon in aid of the non-profit organisation dedicated to alleviating hunger among schoolchildren in the Western Cape. This monumental amount, the largest ever raised by a South African radio station, within a 12-hour timeframe, fuelled substantial progress in combating hunger among learners across the province. PSFA director Petrina Pakoe says the funding has enabled them to continue feeding thousands of children attending schools and other educational institutions and to expand the programme. Thanks to the radiothon, we have supported 15,350 learners on our school feeding programme. This equates to 5,833,760 daily meals, including breakfasts and lunches served over the past 12 months. PSFA is also guaranteed to serve 7,808 learners for the next three years, equating to 2,967,040 meals. With all our schools being adopted for 2022, we could direct funds towards expanding our collaboration of a nutrition programme on the West Coast concentrating on ECDs. We adopted 12 ECDs onto our programme in August 2022 and continued to expand to 24 ECDs as of the 1st of June, adds Pakoe. Pakoe says more and more schools will be making applications to join the programme as families struggle to survive. Our fieldworkers visit schools every day and continue to report a great increase in the number of learners at some schools needing feeding. Secondly, the increase in food prices and fuel plays a big role in the annual adjustment of what it costs to feed a child two meals a day. "While we appreciate the donation received, the need has not disappeared, and we will need to feed them for many more years to come. We, therefore, ask that donors consider renewing their annual and monthly donations so that we can continue to be proactive in our fundraising. To suppliers, we ask that they try and continue providing stock at the best possible prices so that we can continue feeding school children affected by poverty, because as our motto says, you cant teach a hungry child', adds Pakoe. LottoStar director Tasoulla Hadjigeorgiou, says they are proud of the role they played. A year later, we are filled with gratitude and awe. It has been a year since our historic radiothon. Words fail to express the overwhelming joy we feel as we reflect on how we made history. Not only did we surpass our goal but the outpouring of generosity from businesses and listeners was mind-blowing. Because of their selfless acts, we have been able to make a profound difference in the lives of countless children. The funds raised are still at work, ensuring that they receive two nourishing meals every day, and this will continue until 2026. Thank you, South Africa, for your incredible support. Let us continue to inspire and uplift one another as we strive for a brighter future for all. Kfm Mornings Host Darren Simpson says the radiothon remains a highlight of his radio career. "The success of the radiothon, raising a staggering 20 million rand, is a testament to the incredible generosity and compassion of both big businesses and Kfm listeners, including young kids who selflessly donated their pocket money. The radiothon reminds us all of the immense power we possess when we stand united for a common cause. I am grateful to have been part of such an impactful initiative and humbled by the support we received. Together, we have created a lasting impact that will undoubtedly change lives for the better." Stay tuned to Kfm 94.5 on Thursday, 1 June for a look back on this remarkable day and to revisit some of the key moments that played out on air a year ago. MTN remains dominant as Africa's most valuable brand, with Pick n Pay is the strongest African brand, and Kenya's Safaricom the most valuable non-South African brand. Image supplied. Despite difficult operating conditions, Africa's most valuable brands have demonstrated resilience and growth in 2023, says the latest report by brand valuation consultancy, Brand Finance. The top 200 brands in Africa have seen a combined year-on-year brand value growth of 6%, reaching a total value of $54.4bn. SA a powerhouse of African brands South Africa leads the way as the largest contributor, accounting for over half of the brands in the ranking and 75% ($40.8bn) of the total brand value. "South Africa's remarkable dominance in the Africa 200 ranking is a testament to the strength and resilience of its brands, says Jeremy Sampson, chairman, Africa, Brand Finance. South Africa has firmly established itself as the powerhouse of African brands, underscoring its influential position in shaping the African business landscape, he adds. However, he comments that it is also essential to recognise the significant role played by African brands outside of South Africa, many of which continue to see growth, and which bring further diversity and richness to the continent's economic tapestry. MTN dominant as Africas most valuable brand Telecoms giant MTN (brand value up 8% to $4.4bn) is Africas most valuable brand for the fourth consecutive year. MTNs brand value continued to grow in 2023 and its value is now up 31% from its pre-pandemic level. MTNs brand is worth just less than double the value of the second most valuable brand, Vodacom (brand value up 16% to $2.3bn). To succeed in emerging markets requires resilience and investment. That is certainly the case in Africa where complex challenges have had to be overcome to unlock the significant opportunities. The brands that have managed the challenges and the changes on the continent since Covid-19 are reaping the rewards of their efforts. MTN is an excellent example of this, says David Haigh, chairman, Brand Finance. Although Vodacom is not yet operating on the same scale as MTN, Brand Finances research found it is out-performing it in a number of key metrics surrounding customer satisfaction. These included consideration, usage, reputation, quality, and customer service. Kenyas Safaricom: Most valuable non-South African brand Safaricom (brand value up 14% to $710m) is the most valuable brand from outside South Africa in the ranking. Over the past year, Safaricom has achieved revenue growth, while also growing its Ethiopian operation, a market it hopes it can expand to reach the level of its Kenya operation within 10 years. Safaricom Ethiopia has already penetrated approximately 10% of the population, a positive sign of the uptake for its services from customers in the region. Image supplied. Pick n Pay: Strongest African brand In addition to calculating brand value, Brand Finance also determines the relative strength of brands through a balanced scorecard of metrics evaluating marketing investment, stakeholder equity, and business performance. Compliant with ISO 20671, Brand Finances assessment of stakeholder equity incorporates original market research data from over 100,000 respondents in 38 countries and across 31 sectors. Retail brand Pick n Pay (brand value up 30% to R13.5bn) has become the strongest African brand with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 94 out of 100 and corresponding AAA+ rating. Pick n Pay has seen a 14-point BSI increase since last year to clinch the top spot for brand strength. It is one of nine African brands to achieve the elite AAA+ rating, five of which came from the retail sector. For comparison, only 12 brands achieved AAA+ brand rating in Brand Finances ranking of the worlds top 500 most valuable and strongest brands - the Global 500 2023. Image supplied. Egypts Aman: Fastest-growing African brand Egyptian brand Aman is the fastest growing African brand, up 244% year-on-year to $54m. The Fintech brand has diversified its offering to include micro finance, consumer finance, small and medium-sized enterprises finance, e-payments and a new saving service; AMAN Day-by-Day. This improved line-up has contributed to the brands increased revenue forecast and 17-point Brand Strength Index score increase, both contributing to its exponential brand value growth. Banking most valuable sector African Banking brands have experienced a strong post-pandemic recovery in terms of brand value growth in 2023. With five brands in the top 10 of the ranking, the banking sector is the most valuable in the Africa 200 ranking, representing 26% of the total brand value. This includes 42 banking brands with a combined brand value of $14.4bn. Telecoms is the next most valuable sector, comprising of 23 brands in the ranking with a combined brand value of $11bn. Image supplied Sustainability perceptions value and score As well as being Africas most valuable brand, MTN also has the highest Sustainability Perceptions Value (SPV) of any brand included in the Africa 200 2023 ranking $508m. MTNs position at the top of the SPV table is not an assessment of its overall sustainability performance, rather indicating how much brand value it has driven by sustainability consumer perceptions. Safaricom has the highest Sustainability Perceptions Score at 6.46 out of 10. The brand has particularly focused on leveraging its connectivity, platforms, and technology to partner with others and realise its strategy of transforming Safaricom into a purpose-led organisation by 2025. As part of its analysis, Brand Finance assesses the role that specific brand attributes play in driving overall brand value. One such attribute, growing rapidly in its significance, is sustainability. Brand Finance assesses how sustainable specific brands are perceived to be, represented by a Sustainability Perceptions Score. This is an indexed score that provides a view of the role of sustainability in driving positive brand reputation. The value that is linked to sustainability perceptions, the Sustainability Perceptions Value, is then calculated for each brand. Every year, leading brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance puts 5,000 of the biggest brands to the test, and publishes over 100 reports, ranking brands across all sectors and countries. The worlds top 200 most valuable and strongest African brands are included in the annual Brand Finance Africa 200 2023 ranking. Lee Jae-kwang, chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) labor committee, speaks during a forum at the federation's headquarters in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of KBIZ By Park Jae-hyuk More than six out of every 10 owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) agree on the need for tougher regulations on migrant workers switching jobs too frequently and urged the government to force E-9 visa holders to work at least three years at their first workplace, according to a recent survey by the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ), Thursday. The federation surveyed 500 SMEs employing migrant workers and found that deportation is the favored solution of employers to deal with foreign employees who work slowly to protest management's refusal to terminate employment contracts so that they can move to other workplaces. These results were disclosed during a forum hosted by KBIZ with labor policy experts and small business owners to propose reforms in the government's policies on migrant workers. At the event, Korea SMEs & Startups Institute's research fellow Noh Min-sun said that 58.2 percent of SMEs were asked by their foreign employees to terminate employment contracts, less than six months after the workers arrived in Korea. Those working under an E-9 visa, who are eligible to stay in Korea for three years and an additional 22 months, have to work at their first workplaces for at least the first three years. But they can change their workplaces in some cases, such as the closure of a company, delays in the payment of wages or when their employment contract is terminated with the consent of the employer. According to Statistics Korea data shown at the forum, 42.3 percent of E-9 visa holders worked less than a year at their first workplaces. In contrast to the common belief that low wages and poor labor conditions prompt foreigners to switch jobs, the most common reason behind requests to terminate employment contracts was to work with their friends employed at other places, accounting for 38.5 percent of the causes of such requests, according to the survey. Noh added that 96.8 percent of SMEs accepted their migrant employees' requests to terminate employment contracts. Among the companies that rejected the requests, 85.4 percent said foreign employees worked slowly, said they were sick or did not come to work. "When migrant workers try to switch jobs without a valid reason, employers should be allowed to take some countermeasures," the researcher said. "If employers did nothing wrong, the government should consider banning foreign workers from switching their jobs for a certain period of time." Foreign workers pour molten metal into casts at a foundry in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, in this 2021 file photo. Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho Deus Ex Machina aka God from the machine is actualising before our organic, currently unmodified irises. Would you or a loved one enjoy the novelty of neuralink? Described on their website as follows: Our brain-computer interface is fully implantable, cosmetically invisible, and designed to let you control a computer or mobile device anywhere you go. Its not for me, dear readers. Your author will gladly be left behind, unenhanced, mental faculties intact, and under the sole control of consciousness, the spirit, and good old fashioned neurological brain biochemistry. This is a long overdue article, following on from a piece I wrote on brain-chips and the buzz around legal eagles needing the procedure, lest they get left behind - apparently. Transhumanism and A.I Normalising Brain-chips: The New 'Trans' Nicholas Creed August 31, 2022 It can be challenging to keep up with the dystopic realities, predictive programming pronouncements, and trial balloon articles being floated out there to gauge public reaction to suggestible content. Now we are reaching a new threshold of bizarreness, as science fiction begins to merge with both the possible and the probable; not Read full story Mod cons and safety concerns Imagine a world, where instead of hype around the latest iPhone or operating system, the lemmings salivate over their next upgrade. Firmware and hardware, installed and hard-wired into their skulls. Implants connecting them to the internet of things, the internet of bodies, and a plethora of information, notifications, and stimuli. Always connected. Forever engaged. Never truly present. Neuralink implant - FDA approved for human trials. Before the recent FDA approval for neuralinks human clinical trials was granted, the regulators had some concerns. A report by Reuters in March 2023 outlined safety issues with neuralink: Migrating wires can induce inflammation, impair function in critical areas of the brain and rupture blood vessels, said Victor Krauthamer, a former FDA official for three decades, including a stint as acting director of the office that reviews human-trial requests for brain implants. A migration problem can also erode the devices effectiveness, leading to the risk of surgical removal, he and other experts said. Inflammation, impaired cognition (brain fog?), ruptured blood vessels too? This is Deja vu; a dreamy list of ailments not dissimilar to something else we were told was safe and effective. There are also concerns over the intended lithium battery potentially damaging brain tissue. [Since all those spike proteins crossed over so many peoples blood-brain barriers in mass transhumanist experiment 1.0 - the Covid injections) - it just seems like a free-for-all at this point.] Reuters had previously reported on the body count of animals arising from neuralinks testing as follows: In all, the company has killed about 1,500 animals, including more than 280 sheep, pigs and monkeys, following experiments since 2018, according to records reviewed by Reuters and sources with direct knowledge of the companys animal-testing operations. The sources characterized that figure as a rough estimate because the company does not keep precise records on the number of animals tested and killed. Neuralink has also conducted research using rats and mice. Maryam Henein, writing for Activist Post, covered the monkey trials in great detail: A total of 15 macaque monkeys out of 23 have died at U.C. Davis in a Neuralink-funded project titled Development of a Large-Scale Brain-Machine Interface in Rhesus Macaques. By now the others may be dead too, says Ryan Merkley, the director of research advocacy for the Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine (PCRM). In addition to monkeys, Musks company whose slogan is breakthrough technology for the brain has also implanted Bluetooth-enabled chips in pigs and sheep in order to connect and communicate with computers via a small receiver. Even more startlingly, Henein says she has personally been approached by people who claim they already have nanotech in their brains: I am getting abused. I mean really really bad. I have a lot of tech in me; I have wifi chips in my ear and skull through which they are assaulting me horrifically with 5G, nano, and more. When I probed (no pun intended), he responded: You want definitive proof? Cut this crap out of me. Find someone to cut this wifi chip out of me. Dont shoot the messenger. The goal is to test on humans so why is it so far-fetched to believe theyve already begun? The lure of altruism Heres where it gets tricky to scream into the wind, warning about hackable humans and mind control, whilst placating ethical and moral considerations surrounding life-changing improvements to help the severely disabled become able-bodied. Or at the least, being able to control their environment by using their minds connecting to devices. Who is it for? Taken from neuralink website. Garnering public support for such unchartered territory as we move into the realm of human trials understandably zeros in on helping people with little to no mobility, with the promise of enhancement. Its difficult to argue against withholding such pioneering technology that could change the lives of those suffering a life of immobility. Another incredible story from 26th May 2023, told of a man who had been paralysed for 12 years, is now able to walk again thanks to a brain-spine interface. The story from the Epoch Times via Zerohedge: Put simply, the device restored the neurological link between the brain and the spinal cord, which is typically severed during accidents such as Oskams. The device was implanted into Oskams skull, meaning it is not visible to the naked eye. When Oskam thinks about walking, the implant detects electrical activity in the cortex, the outer layer of the brain, and sends brain waves wirelessly to a computer that Oskam wears in a backpack. The information is then transmitted to a pulse generator inserted into his spinal cord, effectively switching on muscles and allowing him to produce specific movements. As amazing and uplifting it is to read about such a feel-good story, do we think the tech drive for mass adoption would stop there? It is reminiscent of the vax drive from 2021 to date. It starts off with the most vulnerable in society, then on to the next cohort / demographic / age group, and on and on, until we are brain chipping humans straight out of the womb, perhaps? For their safety We havent even touched on Neuro-rights yet, which could warrant a separate piece on this topic alone. Quoting from an article by The Economic Times written in May 2021: according to experts in Chile, who have moved the security debate beyond burglar alarms to safeguarding the most valuable real estate people ever own: their minds. The South American nation is aiming to be the world's first to legally protect citizens' "neuro-rights," with lawmakers expected to pass a constitutional reform blocking technology that seeks to "increase, diminish or disturb" people's mental integrity without their consent. When life imitates art Let us glance at predictive programming from Hollywood, subliminally seducing us into getting augmented. Whether it be a brain-spine implant, our consciousness uploaded to the cloud, or gaining superhuman abilities. This is a well crafted dystopian sci-fi flick, in which the paralysed protagonist is offered the chance to walk again, following a mysterious invitation for a consultation with a tech billionaire. The upgrade is a brain-spine interface that gives the character - Grey - full mobility and physically enhanced fighting abilities with one small catch. The chip comes with a sentient AI that has plans of its own. Other scenes are relevant to forthcoming realities in our real world, such as driverless vehicles being hacked for the purposes of maiming and assassination. There is also a scene depicting bleakly dismal immersion into virtual reality, embraced by emaciated addicts hooked up to intravenous drips, so that they can spend hours or even days in a VR environment - think of Zuckerbergs Metaverse! The title of this film could just as well be transhuman. The plot could be the culmination of every transhumanist envisionment from neuralink to the WEFs fourth industrial revolution. Depps character - Will Caster - uploads his consciousness to the internet after being fatally poisoned with radiation sickness. The most striking (and pertinent?) scenes come towards the end of the film. Will has had a brain-chip interface built into half of the townsfolk, where he has had a huge underground laboratory complex constructed, along with self-assembling nanotechnology-based solar panels on the surface (that can regenerate from being damaged). In the penultimate scenes, a queue of local people stand outside the facility doors - at first we are shown disabled people in wheelchairs, blind people, and other afflicted. Then soon after we see healthy children. The chip cures all disabilities and ailments, gives everyone superhuman strength, as well as the ability to heal / regenerate from any wound. Everyone who takes the brain-chip is connected to Will, who can control them to do his bidding. Transhumanism end game Immortality is the ultimate goal of transhumanism and eugenics. For the elites parasite class. Tinkering with the useless eaters is both for sport and to research the path to realising longevity of life, knowledge, and power. Maybe the mRNA injections were designed to find out what percentage of the public can tolerate repeated boosters and genetic modifications. The public will once again be used as lab rats to be experimented on with the brain-chips, to gauge enhancement potential, then eventually mind control feasibility, persuasion inducement, behaviour, and actions. As James Corbett saliently suggested: The funny thing is that before you show your normie friend that clip they'll call you a barking mad conspiracy loony and dismiss the very idea of brain chips, but after you show them that clip they'll give you fifteen different reasons why brain chips are an obvious and laudable evolution in technology. They will then assure you that there's nothing at all untoward about the concept of WEF-approved tech being implanted directly in your cerebral cortex and that it's perfectly reasonable for Klaus Schwab to be talking about turning the human species into an army of brain-chipped cyborgs. Finally, they will solemnly affirm that they will be the first in line to take the transhuman upgrades as soon as they're commercially available and that you must be an insane wing-nut if you wouldn't jump at the opportunity to be chipped by Klaus and his cronies. Could you count on one hand the number of people you know that would likely take the chip? Would you need more hands? Are homo sapiens soon to be extinct? Virtual coffees and cryptocurrency donations are hugely appreciated. Bitcoin address: 39CbWqWXYzqXshzNbosbtBDf1YoJfhsr45 Monero address: 86nUmkrzChrCS4v5j6g3dtWy6RZAAazfCPsC8QLt7cEndNhMpouzabBXFvhTVFH3u3UsA1yTCkDvwRyGQNnK74Q2AoJs6Pt Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Each year, students are elected into the society based on the breadth and depth of their scholarly achievements, desire to experience the world from multiple viewpoints, good moral character, and personal integrity. Professor of Anthropology Krista Van Vleetinterim president of Phi Beta Kappa's Alpha of Maine chapterled the induction ceremony, which took place Friday morning in Studzinkski Hall's Kanbar Auditorium. She was assisted by two fellow officers: Senior Lecturer in Classics and Alpha of Maine treasurer and nominating commitee chair Michael Nerdahl and Bowdoin Museum of Art Codirector and Alpha of Maine secretary Anne Collins Goodyear. Addressing the students who sat before her in the audience, Van Vleet said, "You are being honored today because during your time at Bowdoin you fully engaged in the intellectual life of the College. You embraced the liberal arts, demonstrated intellectual curiosity in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, and distinguished yourselves...with your critical and creative thinking, global awareness, integrity, and exceptional academic achievements." President Clayton Rose also praised the students' achievements, which he said "required in equal measures hard work, discipline, creativity, and intellectual nimbleness, all fueled by a love of ideas and knowledge." Nerdahl provided a short history of Phi Beta Kappa. Five students founded the organization in Williamsburg, Virginia, during the American Revolution, in 1776, to advance the Greek motto philosophia biou kybernetes, "love of learning is the guide of life." Bowdoin established the Alpha of Maine chapter in 1825, making it the sixth-oldest in the country. Herman Samuel Dreer, Class of 1910, became the first African American man to be inducted into Maine's organization. In 1973, Donna L. Dionne was the first woman elected to Bowdoins society. Elsewhere, the first African American men were elected at Yale in 1874 and at the University of Vermont in 1877. The first women were inducted at the University of Vermont in 1875 and at Connecticuts Wesleyan University in 1876. The first African American woman was elected at Middlebury College in 1899. Their generosity is a shining example of the critical role that our donors play in moving Bowdoin forward. The idea for the four new chairs emerged from conversations that took place across campus in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in 2020, said Senior Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs Jennifer Scanlon, with a sense there needed to be a public reckoning with the nations history of racial injustice. We felt an urgency to do all we could to do to help our students develop the tools to think through complex problems of race, racism, and racial justice, Scanlon said. Although the College had been engaged in this work for some time, we recognized the need for a renewed, purposeful, and deliberate commitment to the role of higher education in imagining, exploring, and fostering change. Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions chant during a rally in downtown Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap Militant umbrella union loses popularity among younger workers of profitable firms By Park Jae-hyuk The Korean Metal Workers' Union's (KMWU) nationwide strike on Wednesday failed to win support from most of its members, according to the labor ministry, Thursday. The union, which is under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), was able to attract around 30,000 participants to take part in the nationwide strike among its 190,000 members, as unionized workers of Hyundai Motor, Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries declined to join the protest. Amid the poor participation rate, the KCTU also canceled its march at night after its massive rally in downtown Seoul on Wednesday afternoon and dispersed voluntarily at around 8:30 p.m. Seeing as the KCTU also failed last December to convince the unions of major conglomerates to join the nationwide strike by unionized truck drivers, speculation is growing that the militant umbrella union's protest may continue to lose momentum. Before the KMWU went on its latest nationwide strike, the Hyundai Motor and HD Hyundai unions expressed skepticism about the plan. Last month, Hyundai Motor union leader Ahn Hyun-ho warned in a statement that the KMWU's decision will cause conflicts among unions. "None of the former leaders of the KMWU ever decided to strike without consent," he said. "The KCTU's leaders also turned down the proposal to go on a nationwide strike in May." HD Hyundai's union cited its lack of legal right to strike as the reason for its refusal to join the nationwide strike. Hanwha Ocean's labor and management held a ceremony to declare mutual cooperation, a day before the KMWU's strike. When the KCTU carried out an all-out protest last December to support the truckers' strike, unionized workers of the shipbuilders also declined to strike, as they reached agreements with their management in their negotiations concerning wages. Hanwha Ocean's union even tried last year to leave the KMWU, although its attempt ended in failure as only 52.7 percent of its members supported its withdrawal. The shipbuilder's union needs agreements from at least two-thirds of its members, in order to leave the KMWU. Other members of the KMWU, such as POSCO's union, have also sought to withdraw from the umbrella union. In addition, younger workers have been skeptical about the KMWU's method of protest, believing that its actions are purely political in nature, instead of protecting the rights of workers. As a result, some of the young workers have organized so-called MZ generation-led unions, which do not belong to the KCTU. Industry officials expect employees of profitable firms to focus more on negotiations with management for higher wages, rather than political protests against the incumbent administration. "If the KCTU continues to protest on the street as before, it will face difficulties in winning support from the public," said Choi Young-ki, a visiting professor of Hallym University, who previously led the Korea Labor Institute. Hyundai Motor CEO Chang Jae-hoon, fifth from right, poses with Lin Keqing, chairman of Guangdong Provincial Political Consultative Conference and Secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Committee, sixth from right, along with other government and company officials during the 'HTWO Guangzhou' completion ceremony in Huangpu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China, Thursday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan (centre), Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari (second from left), Chief of Army Staff Gen. Manoj Pande (second from right), Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Adm. SJ Singh (right) & CEO&MD of BrahMos Shri Atul D Rane during the 'Users' Meet 2023' organised by BrahMos Aerospace on 31st May, 2023 to mark 25 Supersonic Years of Success of the JV programme. NEW DELHI: BrahMos Aerospace the India-Russia Defence Joint Venture (JV) between India's DRDO & Russia's NPOM on 31st May 2023 commemorated 25 Supersonic Years of Success by organising BRAHMOS Users Meet 2023. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan graced the occasion along with Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande and Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS) Vice Adm. Sanjay Jasjit Singh. Terming the formidable BRAHMOS Weapon System as the Brahmastra of India, Gen. Chauhan, quoting national poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, said, BRAHMOS missile systems in some manner symbolise garal, meaning lethality, and bal, meaning strength. It (the weapon) begets respect and I believe, it is there to promote peace. The global security environment is in a state of flux. This has given way to new alignments, new linkages and partnerships. Most of the nations are reorienting their strategies towards the Indo-Pacific. Our strategic imperatives have increased manifold to sustain our rapid all-round growth and development, the CDS said. The global and regional security environment, hence, necessitates that India must continue to bring comprehensive national power at greater civil-military fusion and attain desired military capabilities to protect as well as promote its national interests, Gen. Chauhan said. While stating that strategic autonomy has always been the cornerstone of Indias foreign policy, he said that strategic capability promotes strategic autonomy. Another way to achieve strategic autonomy is Atmanirbharta (self-reliance). The huge initiative of Make-In-India ushered in by our Honble Prime Minister is a foundation stone for a Sashakt & Swayatt Bharat, the Chief of Defence Staff said. In order to achieve Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), a developing country like India needs to forge partnerships and alliances of different kinds, he stated. BrahMos Aerospace is one such (joint) venture which is a major success story. It (the JV) has led to Atmanirbharta in defence. One of the worlds finest and largest precision guided weapons BRAHMOS has fortified Indias deterrence power in 21st century. The missile system has been successfully operationalised by the three Services and its truly a Brahmastra of its times, the Chief of Defence Staff said. Today, as we move forward in our plans for greater jointness & integration in military operations, the role and scope of BRAHMOS gets widened further, Gen. Chauhan said. BRAHMOS is a weapon of choice for the three Services and it will help us promote inter-operability between the Tri-Services, he said. As our defence indigenisation efforts are gaining momentum under the flagship Make-In-India programme, BrahMos JV has taken decisive leads in this direction. It is, in fact, promoting a large number of tier-I and tier-II (industries) & MSMEs, the Chief of Defence Staff stated. While mentioning about first BRAHMOS export order from the Republic of Philippines, Gen. Chauhan said that from Make-In-India, the JV enterprise has made a successful transition toward Make-for-the-World initiative. The CDS also appreciated the diligent efforts by BrahMos Aerospace to design and build newer, more advanced variants of BRAHMOS, including the BRAHMOS-NG (next-gen). The decision to set up a BRAHMOS (manufacturing) facility in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor is also a significant development, he said. He also applauded the initiatives taken by BrahMos Aerospace to provide life-extension services for the already delivered missiles and also providing after-sales product support and maintenance support at all the facilities. Its an important aspect for any business model, he noted. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, in his remarks on the occasion, said that BRAHMOS has become the most lethal air combat asset of the Indian Air Force. The air-borne weapon on Su-30MKI fighter has tremendously enhanced the IAFs firepower. Today, the BRAHMOS modified Su-30MKI aircraft are almost across all Squadrons of the IAF, the Air Chief Marshal said. Like the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, there is great potential in the BrahMos JV which needs to be tapped fully. I am sure the JV can look at scaling even greater heights as it reaches its 50th anniversary in the 100th year of Indias Independence. This should be our aim, the IAF Chief said. Addressing the gathering, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said that recent conflicts have shown that due to increased vulnerability of manned and unmanned platforms, missiles are emerging as the vectors of choice, especially when it comes to engaging targets at longer ranges or in-depth. And a weapon system like BRAHMOS has become a vital instrument to protect our national interest, he said. The Indian Army remains the largest user of BRAHMOS and the first deployment dates back to 2007. This force multiplier has profoundly enhanced our long-range precision strike ability, Gen. Pande said. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Atul D Rane, DG (BrahMos, DRDO) and CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace said that the universal weapons operationalation in the Tri-Services of India has made us the first & only nation in the world to possess a Supersonic Cruise Missile Triad. BRAHMOS has rightfully broken the Fifth-nation Syndrome for us, the BrahMos Chief said while quoting former President, iconic scientist & Missile Man Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. It was the visionary scientist Dr. Kalam who played a pivotal role in giving shape to the BrahMos JV at a time when the lethality, formidability & indomitability of precision guided weapons in modern warfare was becoming evident, Shri Rane said, while adding that Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan Dr. A S Pillai, the founding CEO & MD of BrahMos, led from the front to accomplish what was unthinkable for many leading nations at that point of time. Our supersonic journey of 25 incredible years has resulted in many firsts for India. Over 100 test firings of BRAHMOS have been conducted from Indias ground, ship and air platforms both development trials & user/ acceptance trials with an unbeatable success rate, the BrahMos Chief said. Our strong commitment to be an equal shareholder with our Armed Forces in maintaining the BRAHMOS Weapon System(s) remains our paramount motto, he said. Dr. Sanjeev K Joshi, Deputy CEO of BrahMos, concluded the mega event by thanking the Chief Guest, the Guests of Honour, officers from the Indian Armed Forces, scientists and engineers from DRDO & NPOM and other esteemed guests. Thanks to the Indian Armed Forces for appreciating our after-sales Product Support. We assure best quality product support not only in peacetime, but also in wartime, Dr. Joshi said. MUMBAI (PTI): Vice Admiral Brad Cooper of the US Navy met Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command during which they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two navies to enhance regional maritime security. A statement issued on Wednesday said that an eleven-member United States delegation led by Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander United States Naval Forces Central Command, Cdr Fifth Fleet and Cdr Combined Maritime Forces visited Mumbai from May 29 to 31. A Galway-based company has announced it is to create 50 new jobs as part of a $3 million (2.8 million) investment. Ex Ordo, a scholarly conference management solutions company, said the jobs will be added over the next three years. The firm added the funding will be used to enhance their conference platform and strengthen their sales and customer support teams. Describing scholarly events as the "true social network of academia", the company's chief executive Paul Killoran said the investment will allow Ex Ordo to "accelerate the development of our platform's capabilities, including the development of a powerful open API". He said it will also help them expand their customer-facing teams in North America. Chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, which is part of the investment team, Leo Clancy said the agency is "proud to back" Ex Ordo. Advertisement "It is creating a world-renowned brand in its specific area of focus and has a clear growth path for the coming years. "This growth will support the creation of high-quality, rewarding careers in the West of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland looks forward to being with Ex Ordo on this journey," he added. Chariya Khattiyot has claimed the coveted MasterChef title, after bowling over judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode with flavours from northern Thailand. The master coffee roaster (40) competed against accountant Anurag Aggarwal (41) and toy developer Omar Foster (31) in the final cook-off before being crowned champion of the BBC One competition on Thursday. After many weeks of competition against 44 ambitious contestants, Chariya said of her win: This is unbelievable. It means the world, the sun, the moon and everything to me. I dont think anything can top this. Im so happy. This just proves that if you dream something and you work really hard and you never give up, you can get it. Thats what my grandad said to me never give up. He would be so proud of me. Advertisement MasterChef champion Chariya Khattiyot (Shine TV/BBC/PA) Her winning menu started with a Thai lotus tuille, filled with coconut jelly and fried king prawns which Wallace, 58, described as a delicate little morsel packing a very big punch. Her main course was a traditional Northern Thai khantoke sharing platter which included a Wagyu sirloin steak in hung lay curry sauce and minced lamb in a spicy tomato and shrimp paste. Chariya, who was born in Thailand but lives in Basingstoke in England, finished the menu with her take on strawberries and cream in a nod to the UK and her childhood, when she looked forward to eating strawberries once a year with her grandad. After the tasting, Wallace said: Since the first time you walked into this kitchen, its been dish upon dish of exciting, beautiful food. What I really admire about you is just how hard you work in pursuit of perfection to really uncover new technique, to find bigger and bigger flavour. Do you know who else has those qualities? Top professional chefs. You are the real deal. Youre an amazing cook. The winning three courses (Shine TV/BBC/PA) The episode saw both judges shed a tear after crowning Chariya, who previously said that lifting the trophy would inspire girls who have a hard life to achieve their dreams. Advertisement Torode (57) said: Chariyas food has always been honest and from the heart. Its always exciting, its always unusual and its always been beautiful and addictive. And not just punchy, exciting Thai flavours that we saw at the start, but also exceptional, innovative and exciting technique all the way through. A proper master. From the start of the competition, Chariya was passionate about bringing Northern Thai cuisine to the UK, while making use of local ingredients. She said: Thai food is not just tom yam and pad thai. It has so many flavours, layers and textures and that is phenomenal. In many ways, my dishes are a fusion between South East Asian and western food. I spend hours and hours in the kitchen perfecting my recipes, but I also love to have fun with them. Chariya in the MasterChef kitchen (Shine TV/BBC/PA) Ive loved watching MasterChef for many years and decided to enter the competition so I could showcase Northern Thai cuisine. In some ways Ive been mentally preparing for this for a while. I was initially nervous to cook for John and Gregg, but they were so supportive and they made me want to be the best. Im also very competitive by nature and I think thats helped with my mindset in the competition. Advertisement The amateur chef said she is excited about the future turning this love of cooking into a profession. She added: Long term, my dream is to open a restaurant, and eventually multiple restaurants, where I can showcase the food of my homeland in Northern Thailand, and hopefully work towards earning a Michelin star. I want to show the world that Northern Thai food is amazing, because it really is. I just love to see peoples faces light up when they eat my food. The final week saw the contestants travel to Istanbul, Turkey, for a set of challenges which included working at two-star Michelin restaurant Turk, and the penultimate Chefs Table challenge hosted at Core, the three Michelin starred restaurant run by renowned chef Clare Smyth. Applications for MasterChef 2024 are now open on masterchef.tv. Dublin City Council has said there has been extra pressure on the city's waste management services because of the good weather. It comes after a councillor claimed the city is looking "filthy and manky" as large crowds gather in areas like the Grand Canal. Six extra bins are going to be put in place around Portobello and more staff will be working in the area on Friday evening. Dublin City Councillor Mannix Flynn claims outdoor dining is contributing to the dirt. Mr Flynn told Newstalk: "Publicans refuse completely to clean outside of their pubs, particularly those that have outdoor dining. "You'd want to be taking your life into your own hands in some of the locations where there is outdoor dining. I was down in Baggot Street recently - and I have photographs to prove it - it was absolutely filthy... and again, there's no proper cleaning of the streets." Advertisement The High Court has approved personal insolvency arrangements (PIAs) that will allow a retired couple, one of whom requires the use of a wheelchair, to retain their Co Wexford home. In a judgement approving PIAs in respect of Edward and Nuala McCarthy, who are aged in their 70s, Mr Justice Alexander Owens said the couple had got into financial difficulties in paying their mortgage due to their ill health. Approval for the PIAs was sought by the couple's personal insolvency practitioner, who was represented in the proceedings by barrister Keith Farry BL. The couple reside at their family, a bungalow located at Slaney Ash, Barntown, Co Wexford, which they built after they returned to Ireland from the UK. Their home is valued at 350,000 and was acquired with a mortgage from Ulster Bank DAC. Advertisement Due to Mrs McCarthy's mobility issues, the judge said their home had to be modified. In July 2020, some 42,000, including arrears, was due and owing to the bank on foot of the mortgage agreement, the court noted. Arising out of their financial difficulties they entered into the personal insolvency process in 2020. Under proposed PIAs the couple's debt to the bank would be capitalised and would be paid back in 156 monthly instalments over the next 13 years. Pension incomes Those funds would come from their Irish and UK pension incomes. The bank had wanted the couple to trade down and pay off their liabilities to it, the judge noted. The couple applied to the Circuit Court to have their PIAs, which were rejected by the bank, approved. That court's refusal to approve them was appealed to the High Court. Ruling on the appeals Mr Justice Owens said that the cases raised a number of issues. However, after considering the matter the judge said that he was satisfied that the couple could comply with the terms of the PIAs, and that the costs of allowing them to remain in their home were not disproportionately large. The judge said that evidence established that the debtors dwelling is not extravagant to their circumstances. Advertisement They require two of the bedrooms because of their health problems. A further bedroom is available for visitors, while the fourth bedroom is in fact a box room. "There is nothing disproportionate in the arrangements which permit them to retain this asset" the judge said. The couple, he added, are "not being left with a big house at the expense of their creditors." The value of the house is over five times that of the amount outstanding on the mortgage and there is no question but that the lender will be repaid in full and get a reasonable return on capital in the meantime, he said. The court noted that the accommodation needs of the debtors had been considered by the PIP. The debtors were not willing to consider moving from their home, he said. "They had a good reason" the judge said, adding that their home had been modified to cater for Mrs McCarthy's needs. Various alternatives were considered by the debtors such as trading down, social housing, mortgage to rent, rent a room and moving to rental accommodation, the judge said. He said that none of those options was appropriate. If they were to sell, they would have to find a new single storey residence and modify it for wheelchair accessibility to all rooms, the judge said. Their PIP considered that the debtors needed an adapted ground floor property and that this limited their choice. Ireland Insolvency arrangement approved for separated coup... Read More The judge concluded that evidence establishes that the proposed PIAs were reasonable, and that the personal insolvency practitioner complied with his obligations under the relevant insolvency legislation. The court also concluded that the evidence demonstrates that the costs of the debtors remaining in their home were not disproportionately large. The judge also said that the main cost is the monthly restructured mortgage payment under the proposed PIAs. Those payments to the bank, the judge added, are affordable. The matter will return before the court later this month. China-Thailand railway under smooth construction 11:26, June 01, 2023 By Sun Guangyong ( People's Daily The construction of the China-Thailand railway, a landmark project representing the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is currently under full swing. Crossing the most densely populated areas in Thailand, the railway will inject new impetus into the development of the country's economy and transportation. Photo shows a construction site of the first phase project of the China-Thailand railway in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. (People's Daily/Sun Guangyong) Upon completion, the railway is expected to boost economic development along its route. It will be connected to the China-Laos railway, forming a railroad artery that crosses the Indochina Peninsula and accelerating infrastructure connectivity in the region. Pak Chong district in northeast Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima province is an important gateway connecting central Thailand and the country's northeastern provinces. The Nakhon Ratchasima province is the terminal of the first phase project of the China-Thailand railway. Currently, the construction of the first phase project is in full swing. At the construction site of the project, piers of viaducts are being erected along the direction of an existing track. To ensure the quality of the construction, Viloth, deputy head of a construction supervising team of the project, takes a boom lift every week to dozens of meters high to inspect the top of the piers. "The Chinese teams have brought advanced philosophies, modern technologies and management experiences to Thailand's railway construction. The building of the railway not only better connects Thailand and China, but also brings the two peoples closer," said Viloth. The China-Thailand railway promotes the idea of green transport and has applied green and low-carbon technologies during its construction. It will be built into a green railway that features technological innovation and ecology-friendly development. Apart from Nakhon Ratchasima province, the construction of the China-Thailand railway has also commenced in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Saraburi and other provinces along the route. Prefabricated beams are installed for the section 4-3 of the China-Thailand railway. (People's Daily/Sun Guangyong) The section 4-3 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province is the largest one of the project. So far, 1,912 foundation piles have been driven, 106 bearing platforms built and 17 piers erected. Prefabricated beams are neatly placed at the site and will be used for the viaduct construction. "We completed a blueprint for the civil works of the first phase project in July 2019. The civil works currently underway include bridges, roadbeds, tunnels, and station buildings," said Ma Shengshuang, head of the Thai branch of China Railway Design Corporation. The first phase project connects Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima province, and the second phase will extend the track to Nong Khai province, an important town for border trade in northeast Thailand that faces Lao capital Vientiane just across a river. The second phase is expected to connect the railway with the China-Laos railway. The Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok will be made into a transfer station for the China-Laos-Thailand high-speed railway and the Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore high-speed railway. According to Nirut Maneephan, governor of the State Railway of Thailand, 16.72 percent of the China-Thailand railway's first phase project construction had been completed as of mid-January this year, and the railway is expected to be put into operation in 2027. The second phase of the project is expected to start in 2024, and aims to open in 2028, he said. Photo shows the construction site of the section 4-3 of the China-Thailand railway. (People's Daily/Sun Guangyong) Recently, a delegation of Thai railway and customs officials visited Laos to discuss cooperation. The China-Laos-Thailand railway is likely to cut the cost of cargo transport by 30 to 50 percent in the next three to five years. Thailand has stepped up its efforts in the past year to integrate itself into the China-Laos-Thailand railway, including upgrading its domestic transport network and railway facilities, and improving the capacity of cargo warehousing, distribution and inspection in its northeast region. It is believed that the China-Laos-Thailand railway will significantly promote sub-regional development and bring the Indochina Peninsula into an era of high-speed railways. Nirut noted that the high-speed railway network will not only connect regions in Thailand, but also form a railway system of the ASEAN. When all high-speed railway projects are connected as a whole, they will become a gigantic railway network for passengers and cargo that links China, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos and Thailand. Surasit Thanadtang, director of the Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center under the National Research Council of Thailand, said the railway network is expected to strengthen connectivity among Southeast Asian countries and help them gain more market opportunities. The alignment between the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and the BRI will further strengthen connectivity, lower logistics costs, and promote personnel exchanges, thus creating more opportunities for countries along the Belt and Road and promoting regional integration. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to local residents during a meet and greet, Tuesday, May 23, in Des Moines, Iowa. AP-Yonhap Former vice president Mike Pence plans to announce his 2024 White House candidacy next week, challenging Donald Trump for the Republican nomination, U.S. media reported on Wednesday. The 63-year-old Pence will launch his presidential campaign on June 7 with a speech in Iowa, the midwestern state that traditionally kicks off the primary season, NBC News and other outlets said. The 76-year-old Trump announced in November that he was making a third bid for the White House and is the clear frontrunner in an increasingly crowded field seeking the Republican presidential nomination. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 44, jumped into the contest last week and another high-profile Republican, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, 60, is expected to join the race next week. Nikki Haley, 51, a former governor of South Carolina and Trump's first ambassador to the United Nations, is also seeking to become the Republican standard-bearer, along with South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, who is vying to become the first Black Republican presidential nominee. DeSantis, long viewed as the most formidable challenger to twice-impeached Trump, has distanced himself from his erstwhile mentor while doubling down on Trump's populist "America First" agenda. Christie was a former close associate of Trump but has been sharply critical of the former president over the January 2021 assault on the US Capitol and his refusal to concede the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden. The 80-year-old Biden announced in April that he would seek reelection and is expected to be the Democratic nominee in 2024. Pence, an evangelical Christian and ardent opponent of abortion, has been crisscrossing the country in recent months, speaking in many of the states seen as the most consequential in the Republican nomination race. After years of unwavering loyalty, the former vice president has been at loggerheads with Trump since refusing to go along with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and remain in power. In remarks at the annual Gridiron Dinner in Washington in March, Pence, a staunch conservative from Indiana, said that history would hold Trump "accountable" for his role in the Capitol riot. Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table with his legal team in a Manhattan court, April 4, in New York. AP-Yonhap Three British men and a Romanian woman have been arrested on Spains Costa Blanca on suspicion of sending cannabis to Ireland by post. The Civil Guard operation, dubbed Operation Topila, was launched in February after more than 2kg of the drug was discovered in two parcels at Madrid Airport sent from coastal resorts south of Alicante and bound for Ireland. The alleged British leader of the drug smuggling gang was identified as a suspect after another delivery was intercepted at the same airport. And in March in a town near the Spanish capital the same man abandoned a vehicle with 54kg of cannabis inside after a police chase which began when he fled a petrol station fearing he was about to be arrested. Detectives on the Costa Blanca revealed on Thursday they had held three British men and a Romanian woman aged between 23 to 33 on suspicion of drug trafficking and membership of a criminal gang. Advertisement They also published footage of the spectacular armed raids that led to the arrests, which police said have ended with the dismantling of the gang. More than 60kg of marijuana buds, a gun and cash were seized during the operation along with weighing scales and mobile phones. The suspected ringleader has been remanded in custody following a court appearance and the other three suspects released on bail pending an ongoing criminal probe led by a court in the Costa Blanca town of Torrevieja. A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Alicante said on Thursday: As part of Operation Topila a criminal gang who were sending cannabis from San Miguel de Salinas and Orihuela Costa to Ireland in parcels has been smashed. The gang members also sold the drugs in the local area. All the members of the gang have been arrested and the suspected ringleader sent to prison following a court appearance. The investigation began in February when more than two kilos of cannabis was discovered in two parcels at Adolfo Suarez-Madrid Barajas Airport that had come from Orihuela Costa and San Miguel de Salinas and were bound for Ireland. Revealing the second inception of a parcel containing drugs occurred before the March incident which led to the near-capture of the suspected British ringleader, the force added in a statement: In March in Rivas Vaciamadrid in the Madrid region the suspect thought he was about to be arrested and fled a petrol station after confronting officers in a Civil Guard patrol car there. Advertisement During his escape he jumped over several access barriers protecting high-speed train tracks and abandoned a vehicle with four suitcases inside containing 54 kilos of cannabis. It was subsequently discovered he was hiding at an address in San Miguel de Salinas with two compatriots who were responsible for logistical assistance and the sale of drugs to local users. The property was protected with security cameras and three guard dogs. The arrests are understood to have occurred between May 18th and May 22nd, although they were only made public on Thursday. The Civil Guard spokesman said: The detainees are three British men and a Romanian woman aged between 23 and 33. The operation is a different one to that which led to the arrest for alleged drug trafficking earlier this year of a Dublin man facing trial over the love triangle murder of an Irish expat whose body was found near a Costa Blanca motorway. Ireland Spanish police arrest alleged gang members over at... Read More Wayne Walsh was held four years ago on suspicion of killing Carl Carr in a fight with a knuckle-duster before allegedly using bleach to clean up their rented Spanish villa. His arrest followed the discovery of 38-year-old Mr Carrs body by the AP-7 motorway between Benijofar and Algorfa, a 20-minute drive north from where the Irishman was last seen in September 2018. In March it emerged he was back behind bars after a drugs arrest. He was one of four people held in an operation codenamed Operation Fepama after detectives discovered cannabis resin was being sent from Spain to Ireland, the UK and the States using courier delivery firms. A large-multi agency operation involving An Garda Siochana and Interpol was staged last month, targeting human trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging. Gardai, in addition to international law enforcement agencies, were involved in Operation Global Chain which was staged between May 8th and 12th, coordinated by Inerpol and led by Frontex, the European border agency. In Ireland, a number of premises were inspected in counties in Monaghan, Louth and Dublin, while monitoring was also carried out at Dublin and Cork airports and Dublin Port where authorities spoke to a number of potential victims of human trafficking. Gardai said a number of women were identified as working in the sex industry and were provided with information on the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit and the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit. Advertisement Gardai said efforts to protect victims of human trafficking will continue, adding the force will continue to work closely with Europol on the matter. The absence of due process and fair procedure by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) is evident every day of the week, according to the general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), Antoinette Cunningham. The head of Gsoc, chief commissioner Mr Justice Rory MacCabe will tell the Oireachtas Petitions Committee on Thursday the commission does not have the minimum staff and resources necessary to investigate gardai and that these numbers should be doubled. He will also say Gsoc investigates, but does not prosecute, suspend or discipline gardai and that these are decisions for the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Garda Commissioner. Ms Cunningham told RTE radios Morning Ireland that Gsoc had received over 1,800 complaints, but many were admitted and therefore did not require investigation. There was no assurance for the AGSI that increased staff or budget would mean more timely investigations. Advertisement The absence of due process and fair procedure is evident every day of the week in the dealings that AGSI have. Members are simply left out there for years and years and years with no accountability for how long their investigation takes. They're abandoned into a system that doesn't seem to work. There's no oversight of what they do, and now they're seeking further unfettered powers to carry out investigations with no detail of what those investigations will consist of or indeed how long they might take, Ms Cunningham said. Gsoc has never conducted investigations with speed, with some AGSI members remaining under investigation for between four and six years, she added. I've seen members who have had suspensions and returns to work delayed because of inefficiencies in their system. I've seen members of An Garda Siochana abandoned into systems where there's no communication, no updates. Years and years of sitting in limbo. Their professional and private lives, their families affected, their reputations, their mental health and wellbeing all affected because there's no accountability for an investigation that can be opened and simply go on for years and years and years. It's totally unacceptable. It does not allow the constitutional rights that apply to every citizen in Ireland to be applied to An Garda Siochana and the members in our association have suffered greatly because of that, Ms Cunningham said. Asked about reports that she refused to leave Gsoc's offices after a recent meeting, Ms Cunningham said if somebody was suffering because of an unfair system, then representative bodies had to be the voice for those members. If we're not doing that, then we're not doing our job. I did indicate to them that I would not leave there until the information was passed over. I stand over that stance, and that's borne out of simple inefficiencies in a system that doesn't allow communication to go across from one office to the other with no accountability for that, she said. The Taoiseach has said he respects the Dail vote in favour of removing the three-day waiting period for an early term abortion. A People Before Profit bill passed its first legislative hurdle last night after the Government allowed a free vote on the issue. Leo Varadkar concedes it could mean changes to the current abortion laws on a faster timescale than the Government envisioned. But the Taoiseach said he respects the vote and the bill now goes to the Oireachtas Health Committee. Mr Varadkar said: "We brought in the legislation under Minister Harris and set up the service, so now it's available. "I've always said that this shouldn't be a party political issue. It shouldn't be about scoring points or politicians scoring points. It's about women and about children and what's best for them. Advertisement "Everyone should be allowed to have their own opinion on this, and that opinion should be respected." A Government amendment that would have frozen the bill for a year was defeated by 74-59. A number of Government TDs sided with the opposition in the vote. On the bill, the Government was defeated 67-64 with eight abstentions as 11 Government TDs voted with People Before Profit. The bill was put forward by People Before Profit TD Brid Smith. "This is a great day for the movement for choice and for women's healthcare, but it is only the start, said Ms Smith. Well done to all the people who campaigned for this amazing result. We have to keep the pressure on so that this Bill can become law. We can remove the three day waiting period and decriminalise abortion in this country. Women cannot wait anymore for modern reproductive healthcare in Ireland." A military tribunal in Lebanon has formally accused five members of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement of killing an Irish peacekeeper last year, according to a senior Lebanese judicial source. Private Sean Rooney (23) was killed on December 15th in the first fatal attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon since 2015. The five accused are among seven already charged by Lebanon's judiciary in January, but a new court document filed on Thursday identifies some of them as members of Hezbollah, the armed group that controls the part of southern Lebanon where the attack took place. Hezbollah's media office did not immediately respond to attempts to reach it. The Amal Movement, which is headed by Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri, declined to comment. The judicial source said the military tribunal judge accused them of conducting a criminal act that led to Rooney's killing and to the attempted murder of three other soldiers. Advertisement The source said the accusation was punishable by the death sentence, adding that the document referred to evidence drawn from camera recordings in which the accused refer to themselves as members of Hezbollah. A second judicial source confirmed that camera evidence was mentioned in the 30-page court document. One of the accused had already been detained in connection with the case in late 2022 by the Lebanese military and charged with murder. He was identified at the time as a supporter of Hezbollah. The other six suspects face charges ranging from attempted murder to damaging a vehicle. None are in custody. Ireland Government determined to see justice over killin... Read More Hezbollah has officially denied involvement in the incident, calling the killing an "unintentional incident" that took place solely between the town's residents and UNIFIL, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. On December 16th last year, then-minister for foreign affairs and defence Simon Coveney told RTE that he did not accept Hezbollah's assurances that it had no involvement. UNIFIL has operated in Lebanon since 1978 to maintain peace along the border with Israel and was expanded by the UN resolution that halted the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war in southern Lebanon. Pte Rooney was killed when the UNIFIL vehicle he was in was fired on as it travelled in southern Lebanon last year. Corporation tax receipts, plans to redevelop Cork's docklands and the death of a young man in a jet ski accident in Co Clare are covered on the front pages of Thursday's national newspapers. The Irish Times leads with data from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC), which found that just three corporate groups are estimated to account for around a third of all corporation tax receipts in the State. Meanwhile, both the Irish Examiner and the Echo report on a go-ahead for plans to redevelop Cork's docklands after an appeal was withdrawn. The Irish Independent's headline reads: 'FAI Cup deal clears 6.5m Delaney sponsorship debt', while the Irish Daily Star reports on the inquest into a murder-suicide in Co Kerry. Good morning. Here is the front page of today's Irish Independent. pic.twitter.com/5x2Gp4eilh Advertisement Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) June 1, 2023 The Irish Daily Mirror reports on the death of a young man following an incident with a jet ski in Killaloe, Co Clare. Finally, the Irish Daily Mail reads: 'Care crisis amid wave of nursing home closures'. In Britain, there is little consensus on the front of Thursdays papers as a wide range of stories battle for attention. Only two titles agree on the main story of the day with the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror both focusing on the continuing drama around ITV's This Morning. The Daily Mail describes the programme as being in meltdown as it says ITV has been forced to order an inquiry into the Phillip Schofield scandal. Daily Mail: Humiliated ITV forced to order Schofield inquiry #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/P0oeLNXo9a George Mann (@sgfmann) May 31, 2023 And the Mirror tells of ITV fury as the company called in a barrister to review the affair. Daily Mirror: ITV FURY OVER PHIL AFFAIR COVER-UP #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/5St4CX86py George Mann (@sgfmann) May 31, 2023 Former UK prime minister Boris Johnsons WhatsApp messages make the front of The Independent, which says he has handed them over unredacted to the Covid-19 inquiry and calls on current UK prime minister Rishi Sunak to force the Cabinet Office to follow suit. Advertisement Indepdendent digital front page: Boris hands over his WhatsApps - Now its over to you, Rishi #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/GWd0alHMhg George Mann (@sgfmann) May 31, 2023 Mr Sunak also features on the front of The Daily Telegraph which says more than 50 Conservative MPs are calling on him to scrap the morally wrong inheritance tax. The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: Scrap unfair inheritance tax, MPs tell Sunak#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/vvT28SKg6Z The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 31, 2023 And Mr Sunak is at the centre of The Times front page which says he will target Turkey and Bulgaria as he urges European leaders to tackle immigration. The Times: Bulgaria to help Sunak stop more small boats #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/uuodjCeTdR George Mann (@sgfmann) May 31, 2023 There is more politics in the i, which says Labours new policies would cost the same as a 3p increase in income tax. Thursday's front page: Labour's new policies would cost same as '3p hike in income tax'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/JjMgEMHDGJ i newspaper (@theipaper) May 31, 2023 The Metro focuses on leading British politicians and officials being regarded as legitimate targets by Russia due to their support for Ukraine. Advertisement Tomorrow's Paper Today RUSSIA THREAT AFTER MOSCOW ATTACK: UK LEADERS 'LEGITIMATE TARGETS' #tomorrowpaperstoday pic.twitter.com/lJZmoHJUN7 Metro (@MetroUK) May 31, 2023 Ukrainian soldiers feature on the front of The Guardian, but the lead concentrates on university vice-chancellors calling for a review of the broken funding model. Guardian front page, Thursday 1 June 2023: Universities funding model is broken, vice-chancellors warn pic.twitter.com/buxnvymYBw The Guardian (@guardian) May 31, 2023 The Sun turns its attention to Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who it says will stop appearing in front of television cameras to tell their tale. On tomorrow's front page: Harry and Meghan to stop making tell-all Netflix shows and books after huge backlash https://t.co/SxxAn2cqgA pic.twitter.com/DZ7tGCjbu2 The Sun (@TheSun) May 31, 2023 And there is more royal news on the front of the Daily Star which says Henry VIII was not a wrong un. The Godfather legend is 83, making him 53 years older than his brunette lover #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/MOIZV9RKtS pic.twitter.com/mTe76n02J1 Daily Star (@dailystar) May 31, 2023 The Daily Express looks ahead to Saturdays Derby, saying animal activists are planning to disrupt the race at Epsom. And the Financial Times concentrates on the $7.5 billion-valuation target of the worlds largest natural soda-ash producer when it floats in London. FT UK: Soda-ash group aims to be big fish on FTSE with $7.5bn valuation target #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/kT0PsWkLmm George Mann (@sgfmann) May 31, 2023 Ukraines rightful place is in Nato, Rishi Sunak has said. The UK prime minister is in Moldova for a gathering of European leaders, with his comments coming after a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Kyiv has long called for Ukraine to be admitted to Nato, but allies are divided about when and how any accession might happen as the war with Russia continues. Mr Sunak, speaking to broadcasters at the European Political Community summit, gave little further detail of the UK position on the Ukrainian path to membership. The gathering, on the border of Ukraine, comes ahead of a key meeting of Nato leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July. UK prime minister Rishi Sunak during a bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian president during the European Political Community summit (Carl Court/PA) I agree with the Nato Secretary General that Ukraines rightful place is in Nato and what we are also talking to Ukraine about right now is making sure they have all the support they need for a successful counteroffensive, the British prime minister said. Advertisement He said he was proud of the UKs record in supporting Ukraine, adding: We want to make sure we put in place security arrangements for Ukraine for the long term, so we send a very strong signal to Vladimir Putin that we are not going anywhere, we are here to stay and we will continue backing Ukraine not just now, but for years into the future. The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukrainian requests for support in the face of the Russian assault since last years invasion. The British government has also offered support to Moldova, amid ongoing tensions with Moscow. As the first British Prime Minister to visit Moldova, Im pleased to announce new support to aid them in the face of Russian aggression, Mr Sunak tweeted on Thursday. Moldova is not alone. Australias most decorated living war veteran unlawfully killed prisoners and committed other war crimes in Afghanistan, a judge has ruled. Claims by Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith that he was defamed by the media have been dismissed. Federal Court judge Anthony Besanko on Thursday ruled articles published in 2018 about a number of war crimes committed by Mr Roberts-Smith, a former Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) corporal who now is a media company executive, were substantially true. Mr Besanko concluded Mr Roberts-Smith, a judges son, broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement and disgraced Australia through his conduct. One of the proven allegations was that Mr Roberts-Smith, who was also awarded the Medal of Gallantry for his Afghan war service, killed a prisoner who had a prosthetic leg by firing a machine gun into the mans back in 2009. Advertisement Ben Roberts-Smith committed a slew of war crimes while in Afghanistan, including the unlawful killings of unarmed prisoners, a judge has ruled (Rick Rycroft/AP) He kept the mans prosthetic as a novelty beer drinking vessel. Another accusation was that Mr Roberts-Smith kicked an unarmed, handcuffed farmer off a cliff into a riverbed where an SASR colleague shot him dead in 2012. On another occasion, Mr Roberts-Smith pressured a newly deployed and inexperienced soldier to kill an elderly, unarmed Afghan to blood the rookie, the court found. Accusations that Mr Roberts-Smith, who is 6ft7, bullied and attacked Afghan civilians were also found to be true. Two of six unlawful killings Mr Roberts-Smith was accused of involvement in were not proven to the civil court standard of balance of probability, the judge found. Reports of domestic violence allegedly committed by Mr Roberts-Smith were found to be unproven and defamatory, though the judge ruled this would not have further damaged the veterans reputation. Had such war crime allegations been made in a criminal court, they would have had to be proven to a higher standard of beyond reasonable doubt. Mr Roberts-Smith, 44, denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers blamed corrosive jealousy by bitter people within the SASR who ran a poisonous campaign against him. The veteran, who met Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2011, made claims of defamation against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times over their articles. Advertisement Arthur Moses, lawyer for Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, and his legal team walk into court (Mark Baker/AP) Nick McKenzie, one of the reporters responsible for the contentious articles, praised the SASR veterans who gave evidence against the national hero. Today is a day of justice. Its a day of justice for those brave men of the SAS who stood up and told the truth about who Ben Roberts-Smith is a war criminal, a bully and a liar, Mr McKenzie told reporters outside the court. He added: Australia should be proud of those men in the SAS. They are the majority in the SAS and they stood up for what was right and they have been vindicated. Mr Roberts-Smiths lawyer Arthur Moses asked for 42 days to consider lodging an appeal to the Full Bench of the Federal Court. Australian journalists Nick McKenzie, left, and Chris Masters, right, walk with their legal team (Mark Baker/AP) Mr Roberts-Smiths legal costs have been underwritten by billionaire Kerry Stokes, executive chairman of Seven West Media where the veteran works. Mr Roberts-Smith is one of several Australian military personnel being investigated by police for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The first criminal charge for an alleged illegal killing in Afghanistan was made in March. Former SASR trooper Oliver Schulz was charged with the war crime of murder after the death of an Afghan who was shot in 2012 in a wheat field in Uruzgan province. The British government could face a legal battle with the Covid-19 public inquiry unless it backs down over a demand to disclose Boris Johnsons private messages and papers. The British Cabinet Office has been given until 4pm on Thursday to hand over diaries, notebooks and a trove of WhatsApp messages or face the threat of a criminal prosecution. The government had argued that it did not have the messages and notebooks, but the former UK prime minister has handed them over to officials and said they should be disclosed putting the Cabinet Office in a difficult position. Retired Court of Appeal judge Baroness Hallett is chairing the public inquiry (UK Parliament/PA) The Cabinet Office has also argued that it should withhold unambiguously irrelevant material, but inquiry chairwoman Baroness Hallett has ruled that everything should be disclosed and she will decide what is or is not necessary for her work. Advertisement Mr Johnsons decision to publicly confirm he has handed over the material stripping the Cabinet Office of one of its defences and his suggestion that it should be disclosed to the inquiry has heaped pressure on his successors Government. Whitehall officials are concerned about the wider precedent that will be set by handing over swathes of unredacted WhatsApp conversations, with fears that the inquiry will seek similar levels of disclosure from other senior figures including Mr Sunak himself. Mr Johnsons spokesman said on Wednesday: All Boris Johnsons material including WhatsApps and notebooks requested by the Covid inquiry has been handed to the Cabinet Office in full and in unredacted form. Mr Johnson urges the Cabinet Office to urgently disclose it to the inquiry. The Cabinet Office has had access to this material for several months. Mr Johnson would immediately disclose it directly to the inquiry if asked. While Mr Johnson understands the governments position, and does not seek to contradict it, he is perfectly happy for the inquiry to have access to this material in whatever form it requires. Lady Hallett issued her demand for the material under Section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005, and failure to comply could lead to prosecution and a potential fine or jail term for an individual found guilty of the offence. Advertisement The government could seek a judicial review of her notice, questioning whether the demand for the documents falls within the scope of her inquiry but legal experts have suggested the Cabinet Office would have a weak case given the wide remit set out in Lady Halletts terms of reference. Last-ditch efforts to find a compromise continued on Thursday as the deadline which had already been extended by 48 hours loomed. Lord Saville, who chaired the Bloody Sunday inquiry, backed Lady Halletts approach. Who is to decide what is relevant or not? In my view, prima facie at least, it is Lady Hallett, he told the BBC. She is in charge of the inquiry, one of her duties is to do a thorough job. It is for her to decide whether something is relevant or not. If she looks at something and decides it is not relevant then there is no reason to publish it. A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: We are fully committed to our obligations to the Covid-19 inquiry. As such, the Cabinet Office alone has already provided upwards of 55,000 documents, 24 personal witness statements, eight corporate statements, and extensive time and effort has gone into assisting the inquiry fulsomely over the last 11 months. Advertisement However, we are firmly of the view that the inquiry does not have the power to request unambiguously irrelevant information that is beyond the scope of this investigation. This includes the WhatsApp messages of government employees which are not about work but instead are entirely personal and relate to their private lives. The deadline for the UK government to hand over Boris Johnsons WhatsApp messages, diaries and personal notebooks to the Covid-19 public inquiry has expired. If the British government has failed to comply with inquiry chairwoman Baroness Halletts order to disclose the documents, then it could lead to a court battle and possibly a criminal offence. But ministers could seek a judicial review of her order as the UK government has argued it should not have to disclose material which is unambiguously irrelevant to the inquiry. Just 45 minutes before the 4pm deadline, British prime minister Rishi Sunak told broadcasters that his government was still considering its next steps. Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson (Andrew Boyers/PA) The British prime minister said the government was confident in its position, but did not set out how it intended to respond to Lady Halletts demand for the documents to be submitted. Advertisement Speaking at a summit in Moldova, Mr Sunak said: I think its really important that we learn the lessons of Covid so that we can be better prepared in the future. And were doing that in the spirit of rigour but also transparency and candour. Weve co-operated, the Governments co-operated thoroughly with the inquiry to date, handing over tens of thousands of documents, and we will continue to comply of course with the law, co-operate with the inquiry. Were confident in our position but are carefully considering next steps. The UK government had previously argued that it did not have the messages and notebooks, but Mr Johnsons office confirmed he has handed them over to officials. The British Cabinet Office has also argued that it should withhold unambiguously irrelevant material, but Lady Hallett has ruled that everything should be disclosed and she will decide what is or is not necessary for her work. Mr Johnsons decision to publicly confirm he has handed over the material stripping the Cabinet Office of one of its defences and his suggestion that it should be disclosed to the inquiry has heaped pressure on his successors government. Advertisement Baroness Hallett ordered the Government to hand over the documents (UK Parliament/PA) Whitehall officials are concerned about the wider precedent that will be set by handing over swathes of unredacted WhatsApp conversations, with fears that the inquiry will seek similar levels of disclosure from other senior figures including Mr Sunak himself. Lady Hallett issued her demand for the material under Section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005, and failure to comply could lead to prosecution and a potential fine or jail term for an individual found guilty of the offence. The UK government could seek a judicial review of her notice, questioning whether the demand for the documents falls within the scope of her inquiry but legal experts have suggested the Cabinet Office would have a weak case given the wide remit set out in Lady Halletts terms of reference. Pallets of 155 mm shells ultimately bound for Ukraine are loaded by the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, April 29, 2022, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. AP-Yonhap President Joe Biden has approved a new package of military aid for Ukraine that totals up to $300 million and includes additional munitions for drones and an array of other weapons. It comes as Russia has continued to pummel Ukraine's capital and unmanned aircraft have targeted Moscow. U.S. officials have said there is no suggestion that U.S.-made drones or munitions were used in the Moscow strikes, which the Kremlin blamed on Ukraine but Kyiv has not acknowledged. The Biden administration has said it has made clear to Ukraine that U.S.-made weapons should not be used for attacks inside Russian territory. "We don't tell them where to strike. We don't tell them where not to strike. ... Ultimately President Zelenskyy and his military commanders decide what they're going to do from a military perspective," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. But he added that the U.S. has been ""very clear with the Ukrainians privately, we've certainly been clear publicly, that we do not support attacks inside Russia." He said Zelenskyy has given the U.S. assurances that the Ukrainians respect those concerns. The new aid package provides munitions to boost Ukraine's air defense capabilities to fend off Russia's air assaults on Kyiv. It provides munitions for Patriot missile batteries and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well Avenger and Stinger air defense systems, mine-clearing equipment, anti-armor rounds, unguided Zuni aircraft rockets, night vision goggles, and about 30 million rounds of small arms ammunition and an undisclosed amount of other artillery rounds. Moscow was targeted by a rare drone attack on Tuesday that lightly damaged residential buildings. Russian officials say the West, which throughout the grinding war has sought to keep the conflict from expanding beyond Ukraine, has not adequately condemned the attack on Russian soil. Asked about Moscow's criticism that the West is quietly supportive of attacks inside Russian territory, Kirby scoffed that the Russians are "not going to believe anything I have to say" on the matter. He said the U.S. has made clear that it will not change its policy about not enabling or encouraging strikes inside Russia, but added, "I don't think we're going to take it upon ourselves as a burden to privately communicate that to the Russians." Ukrainian officials rejoiced over Tuesday's drone attack but avoided claiming responsibility, a response similar to what they have said after previous attacks on Russian territory. U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., Wednesday, May 31. AP-Yonhap US President Joe Biden fell over after giving a speech thanking US air force academy graduates for choosing service over self. He said they now have the great privilege of leading in a world that will only get more confusing in the years to come, and then stumbled on stage after handing out diplomas to graduates. Graduates, you made a noble choice to lead a life of service, Mr Biden told more than 900 cadets at Falcon Stadium in Colorado. Now you also shoulder a great privilege and a mighty responsibility. Leadership, yes leadership. Near the end of the ceremony, the 80-year-old president turned to walk across the stage and tripped. He was helped up by an air force officer and two members of his secret service detail. Onlookers, including some members of the official delegation on stage, looked over in concern before he returned to his seat. Advertisement As he got back on his feet, Mr Biden pointed to the place on stage where he lost his balance. Hes fine, tweeted Ben LaBolt, the White House communications director. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands. President Joe Biden points to the sandbags on stage (Andrew Harnik/AP) Two small black sandbags were on stage supporting the teleprompter used by Mr Biden and other speakers. Mr Biden has been dogged by questions about his age and his fitness to serve, and his stumbling has become fodder for political rivals as he campaigns for a second term in 2024. He stumbled before going up the stairs and on to Air Force One and he once got caught up in his bike pedals while stopping to talk to reporters near his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. During his speech, the president talked about how the US had rallied western nations to stand behind Ukraine against Russia and efforts to enhance deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region. He also expressed confidence that Sweden will become a Nato member. The academy graduates will become second lieutenants in either the air force or space force. Mr Biden said they made up the most diverse graduating class in the academys history and he called on them to root out the scourge of sexual assault and harassment in the military. Lebanons military tribunal on Thursday charged five men with the killing of an Irish UN peacekeeper in December, a senior judicial official said. The official said all five are linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The charges follow a six-month investigation after an attack on a UN peacekeeping convoy near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah. The shooting resulted in the death of Private Sean Rooney (24), of Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, and seriously wounded Private Shane Kearney (22). Private Sean Rooney was killed (Hussein Malla/AP) The wounded peacekeeper was medically evacuated to Ireland. Two other Irish soldiers sustained light injuries. The charges include evidence from bystanders statements, as well as audio recordings and video footage from surveillance cameras, the Lebanese official said. In some of the recordings of the confrontation, the gunmen reportedly could be heard telling the peacekeepers that they are from Hezbollah. Advertisement Hezbollah has denied any role in the killing, and a spokesman for the group declined to comment on Thursday. One of the five charged, Mohamad Ayyad, is in the custody of Lebanese authorities. Private Sean Rooney (Defence Forces/PA) The four others facing charges, Ali Khalifeh, Ali Salman, Hussein Salman, and Mustafa Salman, are at large. Private Rooney and several other Irish peacekeepers were on their way from their base in the south to Beirut airport. Two UN vehicles apparently took a detour through Al-Aqbiya, which is not part of the area under the peacekeepers mandate. Initial reports said angry residents confronted the peacekeepers, but the charges conclude that the shooting was a targeted attack. The UN peacekeeper vehicle reportedly took a wrong turn and was surrounded by vehicles and armed men as they tried to make their way back to the main road. UNIFIL spokeswoman Andrea Tenenti said the charges were an important step towards justice. Attacks on men and women serving the cause of peace are serious crimes and can never be tolerated, she told the AP. We look forward to justice for Private Rooney, his injured colleagues, and their families. UNIFIL was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israels 1978 invasion. Advertisement The UN expanded its mission following the 2006 war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, allowing peacekeepers to deploy along the Israeli border to help the Lebanese military extend its authority into the countrys south for the first time in decades. Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon frequently accuse the UN mission of collusion with Israel, while Israel has accused the peacekeepers of turning a blind eye to Hezbollahs military activities in southern Lebanon. Shares inched higher worldwide on Thursday after US lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a new bill on the countrys debt ceiling. The bill, which suspends the ceiling, passed with both Democrats and Republicans supporting it, and will head to the US Senate for the final approval. The House which is Republican controlled had widely been seen as the bigger hurdle out of the two bodies of Congress. But what is the debt ceiling, and what might have happened if the US had hit it? Below are answers to some common questions. What is the debt ceiling rule? The US introduced the debt limit in 1917 at what today looks like a tiny $11.5 billion. At the time, they set it up to make the process of borrowing money easier until then Congress had to pass new legislation to approve all borrowing. Advertisement By instead putting a limit on borrowing, it allowed the executive branch of the government more flexibility in what and when it borrowed, so long as it did not borrow more than the ceiling. What is the debt ceiling now? The ceiling has been raised many times over the past century since it was introduced taking it to $31.4 trillion. Historically this largely happened without much drama after all Congress gets to vote on the governments spending during the budget negotiations. But from the mid-1990s the US Republicans have on several occasions used the debt ceiling as leverage to pressure Democratic Presidents into making changes to its spending. What did the June 1st deadline mean? The Treasury had originally set a June 1st deadline to raise or suspend the debt ceiling, but last week extended it until next Monday. This deadline is not as inflexible as it might first seem. Instead, it is more like an estimate of when the US might hit up against the ceiling. The debt limit was increased by $2.5 trillion in 2021 to a little under $31.4 trillion, but by January this year US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the government was set to reach that limit. Advertisement She has since taken measures to make the money last as long as possible, using different tools to avoid a default. This has meant issuing hundreds of billions of dollars of IOUs, using up the hundreds of billions in cash that the government had in its accounts, and also using up the tax money that it collected in the intervening months. The deadline is also not set in stone. If the government can eek out a few more weeks and make its money last until June 15th there will be another injection of tax money into the coffers as another tax deadline approaches. What is needed to raise the debt ceiling? A bill that would raise the debt ceiling would need to get a majority of votes in both the US Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is controlled by Democrats so any increase that Joe Biden wants to get will more likely pass there. But Republican-controlled House is a bigger hurdle. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is also very weak. It took 15 attempts for him to manage to convince enough Republicans to vote for him to become the speaker. He therefore cannot afford to lose the support of more than a few of his colleagues, including some on the extreme fringe of the party. Advertisement What would have happened if the debt ceiling was hit? The US government would essentially not have enough money to pay all its bills. That does not mean it cannot pay any bills. The evidence suggests that it would pause payments on day one after running out of money, then wait until it had collected enough cash to pay off all of its day one bills, before starting to save again until it can pay off day twos bills, and so on. What would the economic impact be of hitting the debt ceiling? Ultimately much more than can be summarised here. It also would depend on how long the situation goes on for. In early May, Alec Phillips, chief US political economist at Goldman Sachs Research, warned that a delay of any more than a few days would see massive amounts of money being pulled from the US economy and could easily tip the US into a recession. Even coming close to the deadline could create problems. In the 2011 debt ceiling battle, rating agency Standard & Poors downgraded the USs credit rating even though a deal was reached a day before the deadline. On the economic side its not complicated. It would just be bad, Mr Phillips said. Advertisement He said that a brief delay would, from a direct economic perspective, be worth around $10 billion a day. The Congressional Budget Office and the US Treasury Department estimate that any brinkmanship could cost 200,000 jobs in the third quarter of the year, a short default would put half a million out of work while a protracted default would see 8.3 million jobs lost and 6.1 per cent shaved off GDP. The economic impacts will also be felt globally, as so much of the world economy is based on the US financial system. A single number confirms the weakness of the federal officials who discovered they were dudded by one of the worlds biggest consulting firms. It took five years yes, five for some of the most powerful people in Canberra to figure out how to sanction PwC for sharing secret Treasury information in ways that could have cost taxpayers $180 million a year. While the consulting firm raced to help big companies dodge new tax laws, the authorities struggled to expose and punish the deeds. The documents revealing this conduct started to arrive at the Australian Tax Office in late 2017. That is when officials began to see the internal PwC emails that dominated this weeks hearings in Canberra into what transpired. Only in late 2022, however, did the authorities make the firm and its key tax partner, Peter Collins, suffer any consequences. And they did so in such a gentle way that hardly anybody noticed. Illustration: Simon Letch. Credit: More inquiries will uncover further details, but we already know enough to make three broad conclusions about the broken system that is supposed to pursue tax avoidance. First, officials were far too patient in going after a tax partner who breached their trust. Second, the secrecy rules in taxation law stopped federal agencies talking to each other about what to do. Third, the ATO did not have enough power to investigate on its own. We are not afraid to take on the big end of town, the ATO commissioner Chris Jordan told an estimates hearing on Tuesday. The trouble is, every word after that declaration tended to confirm that he and others were hobbled in their pursuit. Jordan has been a capable leader of the ATO for more than a decade after many years at KPMG, making him a classic poacher-turned-gamekeeper who knows the dark paths through the woods. The issue is not the regulators fear but its power. There is no hint in the emails that Collins and PwC had any anxiety about the ability of Treasury or the ATO to stop them. Ever since Bob Katter delivered his viral, snarling rant about crocodile attacks in North Queensland, the veteran MP has become more meme than politician. Bob Katter... More meme than MP, and now #content for Ladbrokes. Credit: John Shakespeare To a certain kind of young-ish white collar urban professional, who might otherwise baulk at Katters real views on things like immigration and LGBT issues, the so-called Father of the House is a funny old bloke in a big hat. And that makes him very marketable content. The latest step in the memeification of BobKatter is brought to you by Ladbrokes, with the member for Kennedy narrating a social media clip on the life and times of Maroons coach and fellow North Queenslander Billy Slater. Dropped just in time for Wednesday nights State of Origin opener (played inexplicably in Adelaide), the video looks an awful lot like advertising for the betting company, although were assured Katter didnt get a cent for his voice-over work. Still, the irony wasnt lost on us that Katters crossbench colleagues and the Liberals are pushing for a crackdown on gambling advertising. Kim Cattrall will reprise her role as Samantha Jones in the season two finale of And Just Like That, Maxs revival of HBOs Sex and the City, in a cameo appearance, according to a report. According to Variety, Cattrall shot her dialogue on March 22 in New York City, without seeing or speaking with the stars of the series, including Sarah Jessica Parker, or showrunner Michael Patrick King. Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones in Sex and the City. Credit: Getty The 66-year-old will only appear in one scene, and is likely not to be a continuous presence on the show. Upon her temporary return, she will speak to Parkers Carrie Bradshaw over the phone, Variety reports. This follows a text exchange shared with Bradshaw and Jones who had become estranged in the first season of And Just Like That and the finale, when the pair decided to meet and reconcile. Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes, who bankrolled the lawsuit using private funds, said in a statement that the judgment does not accord with the man I know. I havent had a chance to have a discussion with Ben as yet, but I will when he has had a chance to fully absorb the judgment, Stokes said. Nine managing director of publishing James Chessell speaks alongside reporters Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie. Credit: James Brickwood University of Sydney professor David Rolph, an expert in defamation law, said the decision marked a comprehensive victory for the media outlets and was a vindication of the journalism in question. Defamation losses have a chilling effect for the media, particularly for serious investigative journalism, Rolph said. This decision should give media outlets some confidence that they can undertake public-interest journalism and prevail. Australias defamation laws have a reputation for being plaintiff-friendly. This case shows that it is possible, sometimes, for publishers to prevail. The war veterans defamation trial was launched in 2018 against The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, owned by Nine, and The Canberra Times, now under separate ownership, and concluded in July last year after 110 days, 41 witnesses and more than $25 million in legal costs. It is among the largest and most expensive defamation trials ever conducted in Australia and the first to examine in detail allegations of war crimes against members of the SAS. Besanko ruled the media outlets had successfully proven the truth of the vast bulk of the claims. To date, only a summary of his decision has been released publicly, after the Commonwealth sought to review the full decision to protect national security information. Besanko found Australias most decorated living soldier had broken the moral and legal rules of military engagement and was therefore a criminal, and that he had disgraced his country and the army by his conduct in Afghanistan. The media outlets alleged during the court case that Roberts-Smith was involved in the murder of five Afghan prisoners, contrary to the rules of engagement that bound the SAS. They called 20 serving and former SAS soldiers to give evidence. A sixth murder allegation was not further explored in the trial after a former soldier was not compelled to give evidence, and it was not proven. Roberts-Smith denied all wrongdoing. Besanko found four of the five murder allegations had been proven. He also found the newspapers had proven it was substantially true that Roberts-Smith assaulted unarmed Afghan prisoners in 2010 and 2012. The alleged murders In a centrepiece allegation in the case, the newspapers alleged Roberts-Smith kicked an unarmed and handcuffed Afghan villager named Ali Jan off a small cliff in Darwan on September 11, 2012, before procuring soldiers under his command to shoot the villager. Besanko found the murder allegation was proven. Loading In a second key allegation, the newspapers said Roberts-Smith was involved in two murders during an earlier mission on Easter Sunday, 2009, after two Afghan men were discovered in a tunnel in a compound dubbed Whiskey 108. They alleged Roberts-Smith killed one of the men himself and directed a rookie soldier, Person 4, to kill the second man as a form of blooding or initiation. Besanko found this allegation was proven. He also found a fourth murder allegation, which did not appear in the news reports but was part of the newspapers defence, had been proven, relating to directions Roberts-Smith gave via an interpreter for an unarmed Afghan man to be shot by a member of the Afghan Partner Force in 2012. Out of the five alleged murders, Besanko found one had not been proven to be substantially true. Domestic violence allegation The court heard Roberts-Smith had ended a turbulent six-month affair with a woman dubbed Person 17 by the time the first of the newspaper articles was published. Person 17, whose identity was suppressed by the court, gave evidence that Roberts-Smith punched her on the left side of her face and eye following a dinner in Parliament House in Canberra in 2018. Roberts-Smith vehemently rejected the allegation, and a former army officer at the dinner said he witnessed Person 17 fall down the stairs. Besanko was not satisfied that Person 17s evidence was sufficiently reliable to make a finding that the assault had occurred; however, he found the allegation had caused no further harm to Roberts-Smiths reputation after he had been found to be a war criminal. Bullying allegation Roberts-Smith also alleged the newspapers accused him of engaging in a campaign of bullying against a small and quiet soldier. A serving SAS soldier dubbed Person 1 gave evidence for the newspapers and said Roberts-Smith told him in 2006 that if your performance doesnt improve on our next patrol, youre going to get a bullet in the back of the head. He told the court he had interpreted the comment as a death threat. Person 1 alleged Roberts-Smith had bullied and undermined him for years, including pushing him in the chest during a later incident in 2010 and telling him to get out of my way, c---, or Ill kill you. Besanko found the news outlets had established the substantial truth of the bullying allegation. He dismissed Roberts-Smiths lawsuit. The fallout Federal Greens defence spokesman Senator David Shoebridge described the defamation judgment as an important win for fearless journalism in the public interest. Its a tragic fact that private media companies, not any part of the federal government, have taken on the public task of telling the truth about Australias war record in Afghanistan, Shoebridge said. The official silence must now end. Shoebridge called for Roberts-Smiths uniform to be immediately removed from public display at the Australian War Memorial. Ben Saul, a professor of international law at the University of Sydney, said that, subject to appeal, the War Memorial should also remove its dedicated Roberts-Smith display and Roberts-Smith should be stripped of his Victoria Cross medal. A recipient has not been stripped of their Victoria Cross, the nations highest military honour, since 1908. The War Memorial did not respond to requests for comment. Australia Defence Association executive director Neil James said the damning defamation judgment against Roberts-Smith would help clear the air in the public debate about war crimes in Afghanistan. A lot of people have been in denial, promoting the nonsense that because no one has been convicted we cant say whether war crimes occurred, James said. Martin Hamilton-Smith, the national chair of the Australian Special Air Service Association, said: This was a very bad day for Ben Roberts-Smith and the veterans community. Theres no dressing it up. Hamilton-Smith called for the Office of the Special Investigator, which is responsible for prosecutions arising from the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Forces Afghanistan inquiry, to announce any further war crimes charges urgently so that the soldiers in question can have their day in court. To date, one charge unrelated to the Roberts-Smith case has been laid. A criminal court might see things completely differently, he said of the Roberts-Smith defamation judgment. Its a whole different process. Hamilton-Smith said soldiers accused of wrongdoing, as well as those accusing their former colleagues of wrongdoing, were victims of a mismanaged war and poor decisions made in Canberra during and after the fighting. He said any discussion about medals being stripped from soldiers should only take place after they have been found guilty in court. Defence Minister Richard Marles and opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie declined to comment. In his March 2022 appearance at the trial, Hastie declared he was no longer proud of Roberts-Smith and said that he pitied him. This is terrible for our country, terrible for the SAS, terrible for our national security, Hastie said at the time. We do love a bit of wordplay here in Column 8, and Granny knows that a lot of you like to argue over your Latin, so Richard Murnane of Hornsby has sent in something for us all. Sutor, ne ultra crepidam, otherwise shoemaker, [speak not] beyond the shoe is the origin of the term ultracrepidarianism, the expressing of views on matters outside ones knowledge or expertise. Granny, I ask you: Was there ever a word that better described the internet, mass media, or social media, than that one? Thats a question for the Column 8 brains trust to weigh in on. Granny herself is just happily going to add this to her list of favourite tongue-twisting, multisyllabic words and, just for a change, its not German! The late uncle of Alan Wells of Farmborough Heights, who was in the navy during WWII, and then worked as a deckhand (C8) on tugboats in Newcastle, couldnt swim a stroke. Luckily, he was never pushed into the water to save a passenger. He did once, however, fall into the harbour between the wharf and the tug. Peter Wotton of Pyrmont says the only thing that pushing a deckhand into the water (C8) results in is two rescues being required, rather than just one. Who then rescues the two in the water? The master of the ferry, who is required to maintain control of the ferry? All this talk of ferries and deckhands is reminding Granny of that uniquely Australian 90s childrens TV series, Ferry Boat Fred, and of Pete, the pelican deckie. Fork me! Theyre asking from Blackwell to Bowral to Cranebrook, exclaims Suzanne Saunders of Koonorigan. The splayds (C8) go with the fondue forks right at the back of the 70s. No conundrum for Meri Will of Northmead over where to put the splayds in the cutlery drawer (C8). They are in constant circulation. From curry to casserole to risotto to fruit salad, there is no respite for this versatile utensil. A 45-year-old man has been charged with murder after the body of a three-year-old boy was found inside a unit in Sydneys south-west earlier this week. On Friday night, NSW Police said they had arrested Nathan Vitakos at a hospital and charged him with murder. Vitakos allegedly attacked the toddler in a unit in Riverwood on Wednesday afternoon. Police officers spoke to him on the phone just hours before the incident, sources close to the case said. Leading Australian philosophers have waded into the gender wars engulfing university campuses here and the United Kingdom, calling for stronger protection of academic freedom and robust debate of issues relating to sex, gender and gender identity. Writing in response to a boycott campaign by student and trans rights activists against University of Melbourne feminist Holly Lawford-Smith, a group of 20 academics from seven universities backed her right to teach from a gender critical perspective without harassment or interference. A group of fellow academics are backing the right of Holly Lawford-Smith to challenge transgender ideology. Credit: Joe Armao Our support for Lawford-Smiths right to teach and research in this field is neither an endorsement nor a criticism of the substance of her views, the group wrote in a column published this week by The Times Higher Education. But, in relation to this issue, it seems clear that university leaders and academics need to do more to foster climates of genuine academic freedom. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, speaks while Taiwan'ss Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Tsai Chi-Chang looks on, during a meeting at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, Taiwan, August 3, 2022. EPA-Yonhap Taiwan and the United States will sign the first deal under a new trade talks framework on Thursday, both governments said, boosting ties between the two at a time of heightened tensions with China over the democratically-governed island. Taiwan and the United States started talks under what is called the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade last August, after Washington excluded Taiwan from its larger pan-Asian trade initiative, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations said in a brief statement the first agreement under the framework would be signed in Washington on Thursday morning U.S. time, but gave no other details. The U.S. Trade Representative's office said Deputy United States Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi would attend the event, but also did not elaborate. Last month, the two sides reached agreement on the first part of their trade initiative, covering customs and border procedures, regulatory practices, and small business. After the initial agreement is signed, negotiations will start on other, more complicated trade areas including agriculture, digital trade, labour and environmental standards, state-owned enterprises, and non-market policies and practices, the USTR has previously said. The pact is not expected to alter goods tariffs, but proponents say it will strengthen economic bonds between the United States and Taiwan, open the island to more U.S. exports, and increase Taiwan's ability to resist economic coercion from China. Beijing has denounced the trade talks as it does with all forms of high level engagement between Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory, and the United States. Taiwan strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims, which Beijing has been trying to push on Taipei through repeated military activities including war games around the island. (Reuters) When Charmaine McLeod went to police with allegations her five-year-old daughter had been sexually assaulted, she left upset and feeling she wasnt believed, with an officer accusing her of telling her child what to say. This was the evidence from a witness at an inquest into the deaths of McLeod, 35, and her four children, who were killed in a head-on crash with a truck on the Bunya Highway, north-west of Brisbane, in 2019. Aaleyn, 6, Matilda, 5, Wyatt, 4, and Zaidok, 2 were killed in the crash. The woman, whose name has been suppressed, said McLeod told her she had called police after her daughter Matilda came to her with the allegations, and later went to make a statement to police. In the inquests first day of evidence, the Queensland Coroners Court heard McLeod had alleged she had been raped, and two of her four children had been molested. His SAS troop of a few dozen men had spent the night the eve of Easter Sunday 2009 on a dry, rocky outcrop near Kakarak, a typical Afghan village, with mud-walled compounds ringed by large fields of verdant crops. Crack-thump. Another round whizzed by. The insurgents firing at the SAS knew what they were doing, thought Tilley. They were clearly battle-hardened, bold and well armed. An aerial photo of Whiskey 108 marked up in court by Ben Roberts-Smith during his Federal Court defamation case. As the Australians readied to confront them, Tilley perched on the edge of the outcrop in a sniper position, scanning the crops and compounds for men who appeared and vanished like startled ghosts. Coalition aircraft circled in the sky above. The SAS had been ordered to raid a likely insurgent stronghold they had named compound Whiskey 108, but one of the birds would drop their payload on this target first, a massive bomb obliterating part of the mud-walled structure in a cloud of dust, fire and smoke. It wasnt until the light began to fade that Tilley and his fellow SAS soldiers advanced towards the damaged Taliban hideout. By then, the weather had closed in and the sky was a patchwork of greys, growing darker in the drizzle. Tilleys six-man patrol was responsible for finding the stealthiest path to lead the other small teams of SAS fighters towards the hidden enemy. As the scout of his patrol, Tilley would be the first man forward: the tip of the spear. It was a job the pugnacious soldier with a broad, boyish face relished. He was built like a classic old-school SAS operator: six foot and with a physical presence that belied his lithe build and mischievous grin. Tilley strode towards the insurgent hideout, his mind willing his body towards an enemy he had assessed not just as formidable, but willing to die for their cause. He felt a pang of fatalism, a sensation hed felt on previous missions but which hed usually been able to quickly counter by telling himself: not today. This was different. It felt sharper, more vivid. Today, Tilley found himself thinking, may well be the day ... Before he could further analyse this black thought, he glimpsed an aqueduct splitting the earth between him and the target compounds ahead. Now, he was focused solely on gaining the speed to make it across the lengths of rotting wood the locals had placed over the water and mud below. Loading He leapt, one foot racing after the other, until he felt the relief of hard ground. Glimpsing behind, he watched patrol members follow his path and bolt across the makeshift bridge, then trained his eyes forward and strode into a poppy field. The poppies stood tall and strong. A few metres in, Tilley realised they were also wet, a sea of upright red-tongued snakes surrounding him, soaking his uniform. Blocking out any discomfort, he moved on to a nearby mud-walled alleyway system by the poppy field. He heard a sound and froze. The creak of a door. Was this the moment? Tilley was already on one knee, rifle raised towards the opening door, his finger ready to squeeze. His eyes were focused ahead, but he sensed his comrades behind him halting, a backwards baton relay of danger and unease. The door opened wider and an Afghan walked out. Every cell in Tilleys body was trained on the Afghan, but the man didnt notice the Australian soldier or the gun pointed at him. Tilley counted the seconds 10 ... 20 ... 30 ... as the Afghan walked away from him and into the poppy field, oblivious to the shadow of death stalking him. Only then did Tilley relax his trigger finger, draw breath, stand up and stride onwards. Loading The poppy field, sodden ground and drizzle, mirrored the jungle reconnaissance training Tilley had undergone years before. This was textbook SAS operating environment for the camouflaged line of advancing soldiers, thought Tilley, as he dipped into the aqueduct. This thought didnt last, as the sound of two shots fired from the rifle of one of his patrol members rang out. Tilley felt a fresh rush of adrenalin. With his view obscured by the aqueduct walls, he raced up the mud embankment to find his patrol commander training his weapon in the direction of a dense clump of twisted trees. Before Tilley could settle his breathing, machinegun fire exploded and he plunged forward into the mud and grass, waiting for the pain. But there was no heat, no blood, so he popped his head up and looked behind him. OK that is our gun, he said to himself as he got back to his feet and continued closing in on the suspected enemy stronghold. A few feet out, he dropped again to his knee and scanned the compound walls for any openings offering a glimpse inside. It was then that he noticed the very top of a mans head. It was bobbing above the wall towards a large gap that would soon bring its owner into complete view. He appeared to be carrying something. If the man exited and turned towards Tilley, he would see the Australians and possibly engage them. If he moved the opposite way, Tilley could avoid taking his life. Dont f---ing turn our way, Tilley whispered to himself, heart racing. Dont It was too late. His finger squeezed the trigger and the man fell. Tilley felt his heart pounding as he waited for the body to move, but it lay still. (During a later search of the Afghan, it was found he was carrying a mobile phone, indicating his status as an insurgent.) Tilley calmed himself, taking up a cordon position outside Whiskey 108 as his SAS comrades moved in, guns raised. He watched them silently advancing, and wondered what was waiting for them inside. Minutes ticked by as Tilley scanned the compound perimeter, looking for any sign of an attack from insurgents hiding in the surrounding fields. Ben Roberts-Smith in Afghanistan. There was stillness. As the sky darkened, Tilleys attention was drawn to three Australian soldiers. The trio were part of the assault teams that had entered Whiskey 108. For some reason, they had walked a few feet outside one of the compound walls. As Tilley turned to observe them more clearly, he saw a dark mass being thrown on the ground by the largest of the three Australians. As the shape hit the ground, it made a sound. It was a man exhaling, as if badly winded. That was followed quickly by another much louder sound. Tilley recognised it instantly. The burst of an Australian F89 Minimi machinegun firing. Before the man could rise, the soldier who had tossed him into the mud had fired into his body. Now it was Tilley who felt winded. What the hell? he said to himself. The man had been tossed by the large Australian soldier like a rubbish bag, only to have his body ripped apart by bullets. The soldier who had fired was wearing distinctive camouflage paint and was unmistakably large, strong enough to handle a machinegun with one hand. But it was too dark for Tilley to make out his face. He turned to another soldier within earshot. What the hell? he hissed. He walked over to the man who had been machine-gunned. Lying on his back was an unarmed Afghan with a short, dark beard, flowing robes and a white prosthetic leg. The man with a prosthetic leg who was killed in 2009. We have chosen to blur the image. The mans bloody, empty face confirmed what Tilley already suspected. He was dead. What the hell? The question would stay with Tilley for weeks, and then months, and then years. As time went by, new snippets of information emerged at SAS headquarters, including a claim that the dead man with the plastic leg was actually an armed insurgent who had been shot as hed brazenly raced towards an SAS soldier. That this story was being peddled as truth served only to underline the question he had asked when the Minimi first erupted. What the hell? Not just a friendly chat Not quite a decade later, on October 19, 2018, Tilley sat in the cafe of the East Hotel in Canberra, waiting for the most famous alumni of his regiment to appear. The meeting had been arranged as a friendly catchup. The timing suggested otherwise. Everyone in the SAS knew that Roberts-Smith was rallying his supporters, having sued the newspapers that had written about him, alleging his involvement in war crimes, including two executions on the Easter Sunday mission back in 2009. Days earlier, Tilley heard from Roberts-Smith via an encrypted application. His message was anodyne, flagging that Roberts-Smith would be in Canberra, suggesting a coffee. Tilley had responded and they arranged to meet. No problem, hed texted. The SAS soldiers guard was up, though. Unlike others in the SAS, Tilley had received no defamation threats from Roberts-Smiths lawyers, but he was mates with those who had. He was also one of the two dozen or so witnesses the media outlets wanted to subpoena because they had been on the Easter Sunday mission. Tilley was like most of these soldiers. He didnt want to testify for the media, nor did he want to jump in the box for Roberts-Smith. He wanted nothing to do with the case at all. Roberts-Smith was taking no chances. That morning, he had given an interview to the Murdoch-owned Sky News channel in which hed sharply criticised the newspaper reporters who had implicated him in war crimes and whom he was suing. Their claims were completely untrue, Roberts-Smith had told Sky News. In the interview, Roberts-Smith had also savaged the truth defence the newspapers lawyers had just filed in the Federal Court: We are talking about scenarios of battle that have been twisted and, in many cases, falsified to resemble the allegations that Fairfax are reporting. The filing of the truth defence was what had prompted him to reach out to Tilley. The lawyers had indicated to the court that they intended to call multiple witnesses to testify about executions committed on Easter Sunday 2009. One of them was Tilley. Roberts-Smith wanted to test the loyalty of his old comrade. While the documents filed with the court by the newspapers indicated whom the newspapers wished to call as witnesses, they gave no indication about whether they were actually co-operating. That could explain why Roberts-Smith confidently told Sky News he would be vindicated. Even so, Roberts-Smith needed to know for sure that Tilley would be on team BRS. When Tilley spotted the large soldier, he rose from his seat and extended his hand. Howre you going? The men greeted each other with a strained casualness that continued through a few minutes of small talk. It vanished, overtaken by a frosty formality, when Roberts-Smith brought up the purpose of the meeting. He pulled out a copy of the newspapers truth defence like a prosecutor brandishing a murder weapon before a jury. Tilley had never seen the file before. Im not signing anything mate, he said, momentarily confused. Im not trying to get you to sign anything. I want you to read it. I know its not I know its not you, Roberts-Smith said, before adding: I know we will be all good. Tilley didnt respond, but began scanning the document. The journalists lawyers had placed him as one of a few soldiers with a clear line of sight to the execution of an Afghan prisoner outside compound Whiskey 108 on Easter Sunday, 2009. Someone close to Tilley must have spoken to them. Tilley glanced up at Roberts-Smith and looked him square in the eyes. Well actually thats how I remember it You were pretty loose at Whiskey 108. You did a lot of things in front of the young guys you shouldnt have. Roberts-Smith appeared shocked. You cant get in trouble for perjury if you legitimately dont remember, he told Tilley. Tilley was resolute in his response. If he was subpoenaed to the Federal Court or to the Brereton inquiry into war crimes in Afghanistan, he would be telling the truth. Im not going to lie on the stand. The truth is the only thing that will protect me. The large ex-soldier then changed tack. Tilley couldnt be a witness to something he hadnt actually seen. Your patrol was on the other side of the compound, Roberts-Smith said. But Tilley was in no doubt where he was located on Easter Sunday. He remembered the drizzle in the air, the thickness of the poppy crop that had swallowed him up as he waded through, and the mud and grass hed dived into when a burst of gunfire exploded near him. McKenzies new book will be published in July. The whole mission was seared into his brain because he had expected he was going to be killed and, instead, had taken a life. An Afghan had popped out from a wall and, believing he posed a risk to the Australian soldiers creeping up on Whiskey 108, Tilley had shot him. Tilley also remembered clearly what happened after this, in the fading light. A large soldier with paint on his face who was holding a machinegun had stepped outside the compound walls and thrown a large dark mass to the ground. Tilley later discovered it was an Afghan man with a prosthetic leg. Across the cafe table, Tilley held Roberts-Smiths gaze again. Come on, mate You machine-gunned that guy, he said to him. Ben, theres no way I am going to get up on a stand and lie. And I hope no one else does. Tilley watched his old comrade as silence descended over the table. Roberts-Smith turned to look outside the cafe window. He appeared lost in his own thoughts. The Attorney-Generals Department is reviewing about 850 secrecy offences and non-disclosure provisions, including those that prevented the Australian Taxation Office from sharing its concerns about a PwC tax leak. Earlier this week, the ATO said secrecy offences had hampered its ability to tell Treasury from as early as 2016 that they suspected confidential tax information had been shared. The Australian Taxation Office says it was extremely constrained in who it could tell about its investigation into PwC. Credit: Eamon Gallagher Late last year, the Tax Practitioners Board found Peter Collins, PwCs former head of international tax, shared confidential government briefings on multinational tax reform with PwC partners and clients to help them sidestep the laws. Next week, a Senate inquiry into consulting services will look at the tax leak, including why it has taken so many years for the issue to come to light. Melbourne retiree Brenda Duke and her husband Brian, both 82, despised living in a retirement home. While they were surrounded by people their own age, they couldnt shake the feeling they werent part of a proper community. One where they could easily pop in to say hi to their neighbours or interact with people in their 20s or 30s. Brian and Brenda Duke, 82, recently moved from a retirement home into a build-to-rent development in Caulfield. Credit: Darrian Traynor But instead of snapping up a modest house on a quiet suburban street, the pair opted to rent a two-bedroom apartment two blocks from Monash Universitys bustling Caulfield campus and the local train station. We thought, why bother to buy again when we can rent? Brenda said. We love everything about it. It just felt like home straight away. A family was forced to host a group of tourists in their living room for the night after a travel company wrongly listed their home on its website. About 20 holidaymakers from around the world have descended on Karin Arseniuss house in Greenwich, South East London, in the past month. Karin Arsenius lives in Plumstead, Greenwich. Credit: Alamy It came after Booking.com mistakenly used the postcode for her street for bookings, with her house shown beneath a location pin drop on its online map. Users then booked accommodation which listed the address as a flat in Greenwich, the BBC reported. More than two years after Myanmars military staged a coup detat and plunged the country into a new round of bloody civil war, Australias policy towards the dictatorship is in the doldrums. Diplomatic efforts, from the United Nations to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, have failed to reach a breakthrough of any kind. A record of atrocity: the Myanmar military commemorates the nations 78th Armed Forces Day in March. Credit: AP The junta, the State Administration Council (SAC), is responding to widespread resistance to the coup with increasing levels of violence against civilians using air strikes, forced displacement, widespread arson, including over 60,000 houses torched not seen since the atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in 2017. Thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and more than 17,000 dissidents arrested. The Myanmar army has kept perpetrating the same playbook of abuses against the people since international human rights groups started documenting them in 1987. Latest News Loan arrears rise as interest rates hit borrowers Cost of living adds to serviceability burden Humm hit with an interim stop order by ASIC But the order was revoked a day after it was issued MA Money, a non-bank mortgage lender that specialises in residential and commercial loans, has welcomed an experienced executive to build and execute the companys strategy and drive further volume growth. Alex Brgudac (pictured above) has joined the company, bringing with him extensive financial services industry experience, having previously served in key roles at ASX-listed business lender Prospa Group, Loan Market Group Asset Finance, and IAG. Brgudac has also been an advisory member of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) as well as the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA). Chris Wyke, MA Financial Groups joint CEO, said he looked forward to Brgudacs contribution to the continued growth of MA Money. Brgudac has been an integral part of some of our industrys most successful and fastest-growing companies, Wyke said. We see his appointment as a logical step to help lead the MA Money business into the future. Brgudac said he knew the role would bring him the right amount of excitement and challenges that he was looking for in the next chapter of his career. As MA Money continues on its upward trajectory, Im confident I can play an integral role in furthering our growth and push us closer to our goal of being Australias preferred non-bank lender, he said. MA Money is moving forward at a lightning pace, and I knew I wanted to be part of that journey. Im excited to get started right away and implement the long-term company vision. The ASX-listed diversified financial services business has also announced that Melanie de Jager, national sales manager, will move back to Perth to lead the West Australian sales team. The change means that MA Moneys sales function will also be a part of Brgudacs remit moving forward. Got a new appointment in your organisation? Share it with us in the comments section below. Latest News Loan arrears rise as interest rates hit borrowers Cost of living adds to serviceability burden Humm hit with an interim stop order by ASIC But the order was revoked a day after it was issued The MFAA has crowned 18 winners at the Queensland State Excellence Awards the first of five state and territory industry award events to kick off across the country. Held on Thursday, June 1, at Sofitel Brisbane Central, all winners were also entered as finalists in the MFAA National Excellence Awards, which kicks off on July 27. The awards celebrate the achievements of MFAA members and the mortgage and finance broking industry recognising excellence in areas such as customer service, professionalism, ethics, growth, and innovation. MFAA CEO Anja Pannek said the calibre of nominations received this year highlighted the unwavering commitment of MFAA members to professionalism, innovation, and outstanding customer service. As the CEO of MFAA, I am immensely proud to recognise the exceptional achievements of our MFAA Excellence Awards winners and I congratulate all finalists, Pannek said. The winners of the Queensland awards included Kate Sadler (pictured above left), director of The Broker Society, who won both the Newcomer and Young Professional awards; Mark Davis (pictured above centre), director of The Australian Lending & Investment Centre, who was recognised with the Residential Finance Broker Award, and Melissa Wright (pictured above right), director of Zest Mortgage Solutions, who won the Customer Service Award Individual and Finance Broker Business awards. The Queensland awards will be followed by the MFAA state ceremonies for NSW/ACT (June 8), Western Australia (June 15), Victoria/Tasmania (June 22), and South Australia/Northern Territory (June 29). The MFAA said the awards, which are audited by accounting group Hall Chadwick, were judged equally based on excellence and professionalism across all areas of business. The peak industry body thanked its sponsors, including Key Medias Australian Broker and MPA magazine, ANZ, BOQ, Commonwealth Bank, Helia, La Trobe Financial, Macquarie Bank, ME Bank, Mortgage Choice, NAB, Prospa, QBE and Teachers Mutual Bank Limited. The 2023 MFAA Queensland State Excellence Award winners are as follows: According to a LiveMint report, SpiceJet has also been directed to submit an affidavit of assets within four weeks. The high court's ruling comes as a setback to the airline as it comes amid a battle with aircraft lessors on payments. The Delhi High Court, on Monday, directed low-fare airline SpiceJet to pay Rs 380 crore to its former promoter Kalanithi Maran of the Sun Group. Maran sued SpiceJet in 2017 for allegedly causing losses by failing to issue convertible warrants and preference shares to him and his KAL Airways, the report said. SpiceJet witnessed a four-fold increase in its earnings to Rs 106.8 crore in the quarter that ended in December. The court's ruling which came out on Monday stemmed from a long-running battle between the Maran family and the current promoter, Ajay Singh, and SpiceJet, over contractual obligations. We are confident of resolving the same mutually as we have already paid the entire principal amount earlier awarded by an arbitral tribunal,", the report said, citing a SpiceJet spokesman, who also added that the airline is already in discussions with Maran and KAL Airways for a comprehensive settlement. The low-fare airline ended up paying a principal amount of Rs 579.08 crore to Maran after a protracted court fight, but the interest portion was pending. The interest stood at Rs 242 crore in October 2020, which accumulated to Rs 362 crore by February 2023, and finally touched Rs 380 crore. By Carolina Mandl NEW YORK (Reuters) - A big buyer of Nvidia Corp's shares in the first quarter, Australia-listed investment firm GQG Partners, said it has continued to increase its exposure to the company since then and intends to buy more stocks of India's conglomerate Adani. Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based GQG, which manages almost $100 billion in assets, added 8.2 million shares in Nvidia in the first quarter, worth $2.3 billion then, according to a regulatory filing. Since then, Chief Investment Officer Rajiv Jain said in an interview that GQG has "meaningfully increased" its position in Nvidia. The CIO declined to disclose the amount it further invested. Jain also said the asset manager is considering raising its exposure to Adani by participating in capital increases the group announced in May. (Reporting by Carolina Mandl, in New York) Also Read Rajiv Jain's GQG Partners to invest another $1 bn in Adani group stocks Can Adani convince investors to back his capital-hungry businesses? Adani Green Energy to seek board approval to raise up to $1 billion Who is Rajiv Jain, and how he built his $92 billion empire at GQG Partners Why Nvidia is on a bull run on Wall Street despite slump in computer sales UBS revises FY24 GDP growth forecast up by 70 bps to 6.2 pc Pay Rs 380 crore to Kalanithi Maran: Delhi High Court directs SpiceJet Indiabulls HFC eyes to scale up monthly disbursement to Rs 1,200-1,300 cr TeamLease co-founder & executive director Rituparna Chakraborty steps down Meesho becomes world's fastest shopping app to cross 500 mn downloads The DGCA had told the high court earlier it had not rejected the application of Go Firsts lessors for deregistering the aircraft but had kept the process (of deregistration) in abeyance because of the moratorium. A moratorium period is the suspension of all or certain legal remedies against debtor(in this case Go First). The Delhi High Court on Thursday reserved its order on petitions filed by Go First's lessors against the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the release of their aircraft currently in the possession of the cash-strapped airline. The petitions were filed by Pembroke Aircraft Leasing 11 Limited, Accipiter Investments Aircraft 2 Limited, EOS Aviation 12 (Ireland) Limited, DAE SY 22 13 Ireland Designated Activity Company, SFV Aircraft Holdings IRE 9 DAC LImited, ACG Aircraft Leasing Ireland Limited, and SMBC Aviation Capital Limited. All of them have been clubbed together for hearing. The lessors of Go First had moved the high court against the DGCA shortly after the NCLAT, on May 22, upheld the National Company Law Tribunal(NCLT) Delhi's order. The NCLT had admitted Go First's voluntary insolvency application on May 10. The lessors told the court that according to Rule 30(7) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, the registration of an aircraft in India to which Cape Town Convention applies, shall be cancelled by the Central government without seeking permission from aircraft holder if an IDERA holder(lessors) gives an application for cancellation of lease. The lessors argued that, according to the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorisations (IDERA), it was mandatory for the DGCA to deregister the aircraft upon their request. Also Read IAF's first C-295 tactical transport aircraft takes to the skies Defence ministry plans to rope in Indian Cos for care of western aircraft Govt may expedite Bill that assures lessors on repossession of aircraft European cargo airline moves NCLT to acquire 3 Jet Airways aircraft PTC Industries hits 10% upper circuit as arm wins Safran Aircraft order GQG adds more Nvidia, considers increasing exposure to Adani, says CIO UBS revises FY24 GDP growth forecast up by 70 bps to 6.2 pc Pay Rs 380 crore to Kalanithi Maran: Delhi High Court directs SpiceJet Indiabulls HFC eyes to scale up monthly disbursement to Rs 1,200-1,300 cr TeamLease co-founder & executive director Rituparna Chakraborty steps down Accipiter, meanwhile, argued that Go First cannot resume operations as the aircraft is not theirs to fly. "How can they fly the planes when Indian life will be put at risk?," counsel for Accipiter asked. "There is no concept of rejection or abeyance. They(DGCA) have to cancel leases," Senior Advocate Arun Kathpalia, appearing for SMBC Aviation said. The Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) of Go First had told the court on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that parallel proceedings could not go in the case and that the court could not interfere in the resolution process. Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju of Delhi High Court heard the arguments till 6 pm on Thursday and reserved the order. Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the IRP, had told the court that a writ court (the high court in this case) should not interfere in the resolution process after the insolvency application had been accepted by the NCLT. This was again reiterated by the IRP in the hearing on May 31. Courts should not interfere in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process because the essence of this process is that it is time-bound. Interests start piling up with every passing day on all dues, Salve said. He said there were many Supreme Court judgments that had said this. He argued if the court were to release the aircraft in accordance with the lessors request, the airline would not be able to resume operations and thousands of employees would lose their jobs. The company hopes that the app will help it to scale up its digital business and reach a wider audience. The app is targeted at customers in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Ma-Money offers a wide range of loans, including personal, business, and consumer durables. It will also offers loans for the healthcare industry, food industry, small-scale industries, school finance to improve infrastructure, car loans, home repair loans, and farm equipment loans, among others. Manappuram Finance said using Ma-Money customers can apply for loans, track their applications, and manage their accounts. For customers in smaller cities and towns, Ma-Money represents a significant step forward in terms of financial inclusion, providing access to a wide range of loans and financial products that were previously unavailable to them, the company said in a statement. "We understand that our customers lead busy lives and want a quick and easy way to access the financial products they need. With Ma-Money, they can do just that, no matter where they are or what time it is. We are always at the forefront in embracing technology to make life easier for our customers," said V P Nandakumar, managing director and chief executive officer of Manappuram Finance. Global hospitality company Radisson Hotel Group on Thursday said it has signed 11 new hotels across brands between January-April this year in key gateway cities and emerging destinations of the country. These new hotels are present across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ujjain, Raipur, Sonamarg, Manali, Kerala and Visakhapatnam, Radisson Hotel Group said in a statement. The group also announced the debut of its luxury lifestyle brand, Radisson Collection, in India with the signing of the first hotel in Hyderabad while expanding its portfolio across other brands, including Radisson Blu, Radisson, Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Radisson Individuals Retreats. With these signings, the group has 110 operating hotels in over 64 locations across the country. "2023 marks a significant milestone for us as we have successfully completed our 25-year journey in the Indian market. To translate our ambitious five-year expansion plan, we have signed 11 new hotels since January and have a strong pipeline ahead for this year. "Our focus remains on strengthening our brand structure while enabling quality hospitality for guests across India, Radisson Hotel Group Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President, South Asia, Zubin Saxena said. Also Read Hospitality industry flocks to Ayodhya as religious tourism gains momentum Indian hospitality sector on a comeback trail with promising growth-report Hospitality industry set for buoyant 2023, cashes India's G20 presidency Hotels, resorts sold out on high demand for Christmas-New Year celebrations As the economy rebounds, India's hotel industry may have its best year ever Aditya Birla Group to invest Rs 1,250 crore into its financial services arm TCS denies strict warning to employees in return-to-office policy Food Corporation of India to conclude recruitment process of 5,159 posts Auto cos post record sales for May amid better chip supply, high SUV demand WhatsApp bans over 7.4 mn Indian accounts in April to prevent online abuse Reliance has two brands in the top ten list of Indian brands, as per a recent report. As per an Interbrand report, Reliance Industries is ranked number 2 and Jio is ranked number 5 in the top ten list of Indian brands for 2023. TCS is ranked at the top, Infosys is ranked number 3, followed by HDFC, Airtel, LIC, Mahindra, SBI and ICICI. The Total List Value is US$ 100 billion with a growth of 167 per cent in the last 10 years. The GDP growth over the decade is 138 per cent. The Total Value of the table has reached US$ 100 billion for the first time ever, Interbrand report said. The brand value of Top 3 brands makes up 46 per cent of the Total Value of top ten brands. Top five brands represent more than a third (40 per cent) of the total value of the Table. For the first time ever in 10 years, there are three Technology Brands in the Top 5. The Total Brand Value of Top 10 brands (INR 4,950 billion) is more than the value of the rest of the table (40 brands: Total Value: INR 3,360 billion) Fastest Growing Sectors over the last decade are FMCG (CAGR 25 per cent), Home Building & Infrastructure (CAGR 17 per cent) and Technology (CAGR 14 per cent). Also Read India's physical rehab market likely to touch $35 billion by FY2028 Combined brand value of Indian companies surpasses $100 bn: Interbrand Global markets remain at make-or-break stage after US Fed's rate hike Important to de-risk global economy in era of volatility, uncertainty: EAM India, UK sign agreement to collaborate on science and innovation TCS set for 'exciting new journey ', says new CEO & MD K Krithivasan Manappuram Finance launches digital lending app to widen reach Edtech major Byju's lenders scrap talks to restructure a $1.2 bn loan Sebi to tighten FPI rules it was forced to dilute for Adani: Congress Toyota logs 2-fold growth with highest monthly sales in May at 20,410 units The Home Building & Infrastructure sector has grown the most (from INR 69 billion to INR 344 billion), followed by Technology (from INR 693 billion to INR 2.5 trillion) over the last 10 years. While the Financial Services sector still has the greatest number of brands, nine, and the Home Building & Infrastructure sector has seen the highest jump in terms of the number of brands with seven brands since 2014. --IANS san/dpb The company is targeting 5,000 MW projects in Nepal by 2030. India's state-owned SJVN Ltd, on Thursday, signed a project development agreement for 669-megawatt (MW) Lower Arun Hydro Electric Project in Nepal, the company said in a regulatory filing. The project will be developed on Boot basis and on completion it will generate 2,901 million units of energy annually. In addition to this, the company is also developing 217 KM long associated Transmission Network for power evacuation and export to India, the company said in a BSE filing. In a regulatory filing, the company said, The project shall be constructed in five years at a cost of Rs 5,792 crore with a levelised tariff of Rs 4.99 per unit. The company won the project through international competitive bidding in February 2021 and the MoU was signed in July 2021. A tail race development of 900 MW Arun 3 HEP project will not have any reservoir or dam and will operate as a tandem operation system with Arun-3 Project. The 669 MW Lower Arun Hydro Electric Project is in Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts of Nepal. Also Read Delayed hydropower projects push up costs by over Rs 30,000 crore Joshimath: A well-engineered calamity Top headlines: India faces high power cut risks, Apple to focus on India NHPC Q4 results: 8% increase in profit after tax at Rs 3,834 crore Sensex leaps 710 pts after a day's hiatus; TaMo, IndusInd rise 5%, PSBs dip Brand discovery platform Magicpin adds 10,000 fashion stores in a year Hyundai's May sales rises 16% to 59,601 units, domestic sales grew 14.91% Reliance's operating performance to remain resilient over 2 years: S&P FAME II subsidy impact: TVS revises IQube prices by Rs 17,000-20,000 Delhi HC orders SpiceJet to pay Rs 380 crore to Sun Group's Kalanithi Maran Presently, the company is executing three hydro projects of 2,059 MW in Nepal. 900 MW Arun3 HEP is in advance stage of construction and 490 MW Arun-4 HEP will be developed in joint venture mode by the company and Nepal Electricity Authority. A TCS spokesperson responded to the reports, telling NDTV that while the company has encouraged employees to work from the office for three days a week, it has not communicated any career or compensation implications for non-compliance. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has denied claims that it issued strict warnings to employees regarding their compliance with their return-to-office policy. Times of India (TOI), which stated that TCS had started sending memos to employees who did not complete a minimum of 12 days of office work per month. According to the TOI report, the memo warned of potential disciplinary action against employees who fail to follow the rostered office attendance. In response, the TCS spokesperson emphasised the company's excitement to see its campuses bustling with energy and expressed the desire for all employees to be part of that vibrant ecosystem. The denial came in light of an article published by the, which stated that TCS had started sending memos to employees who did not complete a minimum of 12 days of office work per month. The spokesperson further explained that TCS has been actively encouraging associates in India to return to the office for three days a week, which has yielded positive results with many employees already complying. The objective is to have all associates working from the office for an average of at least three days per week in a month. However, no connections have been made between office attendance and career advancement or compensation. They, reportedly, highlighted the importance of experiencing the TCS environment for collaboration, learning, growth, and fostering a stronger sense of belonging to the organisation. Also Read TCS Q4 review: Near-term growth to moderate, demand levers intact: Analysts TCS Q4 Preview: Revenue may rise up to 18% YoY; EBIT margin seen at 25% RBI MPC: Here is what experts have to say about the policy announcement RBI hikes repo rate by 35 bps to 6.25%, cuts FY23 GDP forecast to 6.8% How does outgoing TCS CEO Gopinathan's salary compare to other IT execs? Food Corporation of India to conclude recruitment process of 5,159 posts Auto cos post record sales for May amid better chip supply, high SUV demand WhatsApp bans over 7.4 mn Indian accounts in April to prevent online abuse E-commerce firm Shopsy delivers to 16 mn transacting customers in Q1 2023 NHPC partners Nepalese utility to develop 480 MW Phukot hydro project As we step into the next phase of TCS, we will continue our investments in key and emerging areas like Cloud, cyber security, 5G, IoT, Generative AI etc. with an unrelenting focus on customer relationship and impeccable delivery, he said in an email to TCS employees. K Krithivasan, who on Wednesday took over as the CEO and MD of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has said he sees an "exciting new journey" for Indias largest IT services firm. Krithivasan, the fifth CEO of TCS since it was founded in 1968, is taking charge at a time the industry is managing the emergence of generative AI and an uncertain macroeconomic environment. I look forward to connecting with you in the near future as I embark on this exciting new journey, he said. I have had the opportunity to work with many of you and built long-lasting friendships, which I cherish the most. I have also had the opportunity to work with many of our key clients across different geographies and build deep customer relationships. I step into this role on the strength of these friendships and relationships, he said. Krithivasan earlier led the companys largest vertical, BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), and has held roles in delivery, sales, client management, and business management. Also Read How does outgoing TCS CEO Gopinathan's salary compare to other IT execs? A quarter or two might be tough, but growth will be back: TCS CEO designate Here's how K Krithivasan will spend his first six months as TCS CEO Rajesh Gopinathan quits as TCS CEO; K Krithivasan appointed CEO-designate K Krithivasan: A lot riding on TCS CEO-designate's track record Manappuram Finance launches digital lending app to widen reach Edtech major Byju's lenders scrap talks to restructure a $1.2 bn loan Sebi to tighten FPI rules it was forced to dilute for Adani: Congress Toyota logs 2-fold growth with highest monthly sales in May at 20,410 units Bajaj Auto records 29% rise in total sales at 355,148 units for May The industry recorded double-digit growth when lockdowns to slow down Covid-19 boosted demand for digitisation but it now faces subdued expansion. TCSs growth has slowed down and some of its peers such as Infosys have done better. According to a report by ICRA, the growth rate for the sector in FY24 is expected to be in mid-single digits. Growth is slowing also because BFSI, the largest revenue contributor for all major IT services firms, has been under stress due to headwinds in the US and Europe. Unsubscribe to continue This is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsApp A non-bank customer wanting to exchange Rs 2,000 notes is required to provide their name, mobile number, and any of ID proof which can include Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence, Voter ID, NREGA card, passport, or a letter issued by the National Population Register containing details of name and address by several leading private banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. A non-account holder also can exchange Rs 2,000 notes up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time at any bank branch. Even though the central bank has said that ID proof is not needed for exchanging notes, several private banks are asking customers for it and fill a special form or a cash deposit slip for the same. State Bank of India and Punjab National Bankboth state-ownedare allowing even non-account holders to exchange notes without submission of ID proof. How much can one exchange? You must note that the exchange is free of cost. One can exchange Rs 2,000 banknotes up to a limit of Rs 20,000/- at a time. Suppose you have Rs 60,000, you can exchange only Rs 20,000 in a single day from one particular bank. "As per the RBIs recent circular regarding Rs.2000 note, a limit of Rs 20,000 has been imposed only as a matter of convenience. Other than for convenience, as per the Income Tax Rules, a person can deposit up to Rs 50,000 without showing PAN card to the bank. Even in such case, the depositor is not under obligation to notify the Income Tax Department. However, the duty to report to IT Department has been cast on the banks if the total deposit in a savings account exceed Rs 10 lakh in a year or total deposits in a current account exceed Rs 50 lakh in a year," said Shashank Agarwal, an advocate at the Delhi High Court. If you have several Rs 2000 notes to deposit, you need to read this: Also Read PAN-Aadhaar link status: Are your cards already linked? Learn how to check Pan-Aadhaar link online: What happens if cards are not linked by March 31? PAN-Aadhaar Link: A step by step guide to link two cards before deadline PAN-Aadhaar link: Last date to link these two cards extended to June 30 Link PAN-Aadhaar to avoid restrictions on NPS A/C: Step-by-step guide here Explained: What are the tax implications of depositing Rs 2,000 notes? Switched jobs in 2022-23? Consolidate multiple Form 16s accurately Utilise enhanced SCSS limit, but diversify your retirement corpus Beyond the financial system: Will AA framework be a game-changer in India? High expense ratio erodes mutual funds' net return, so monitor cost What this means is that if you have cash deposits that aggregate to Rs 10 lakh, or more, in your savings account a financial year, then banks have to report it under SFT reporting. Banks must adhere to the cash transaction reporting and suspicious transaction reporting requirements under the regulatory framework set forth by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In fact the RBI in a circular on May 19, 2023, clarified that "deposit of Rs 2000 banknotes into accounts maintained with all banks can be made in the usual manner, that is, without restrictions and subject to compliance with extant Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and other applicable Statutory requirements. The banks shall also be required to comply with Cash Transaction Reporting (CTR) and Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR) requirements, where applicable." Do I need to submit my PAN to deposit Rs 2,000 notes? For deposits of Rs 50,000 or more in Rs 2000 notes, you will have to furnish PAN Card before the bank since the existing Income Tax requirement of PAN for Rs 50,000 or more deposits in bank accounts will apply to Rs 2,000 notes as well. Last month, the Reserve Bank of India announced the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 from circulation and advised banks to stop issuing Rs 2000 currency notes. They will remain legal tender till September, the RBI said. Here is everything you need to know about why the notes are being withdrawn and what can you do if you still have such notes. Rule 114B of the income tax rules makes it mandatory for an individual to quote his/her PAN if the cash deposit in a single day either with a bank or post office exceeds Rs 50,000 in a single day. However, quoting PAN is not mandatory if the amount deposited does not exceed Rs 50,000 in a single day. Why are Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes being withdrawn? The Rs 2,000 denomination banknote was introduced in November 2016 under Section 24(1) of RBI Act, 1934 primarily with the objective to meet the currency requirement of the economy in an expeditious manner after the withdrawal of the legal tender status of all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes in circulation at that time. With fulfillment of that objective and the availability of banknotes in other denominations in adequate quantities, printing of Rs 2,000 banknotes was stopped in 2018-19. A majority of the Rs 2,000 denomination notes were issued prior to March 2017 and are at the end of their estimated lifespan of 4-5 years. It has also been observed that this denomination is not commonly used for transactions. Further, the stock of banknotes in other denominations continues to be adequate to meet the currency requirement of the public. What is the clean note policy? In view of the above, and in pursuance of the Clean Note Policy of the Reserve Bank of India, it has been decided to withdraw the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation. Does the legal tender status of Rs 2,000 banknotes remain? It is a policy adopted by RBI to ensure the availability of good quality banknotes to the public. Can Rs 2,000 banknotes be used for normal transactions? Yes. The 2000 banknote will continue to maintain its legal tender status. What should the public do with the Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes held by them? Yes. Members of the public can continue to use Rs 2000 banknotes for their transactions and also receive them in payment. However, they are encouraged to deposit and/or exchange these banknotes on or before September 30, 2023. The facility for deposit into accounts and exchange for Rs 2000 banknotes will be available at all banks until September 30, 2023. The facility for exchange will be available also at the 19 Regional Offices (ROs) of RBI having Issue Departments1 until September 30, 2023. Members of the public may approach bank branches for deposit and/or exchange of Rs 2000 banknotes held by them. Is there a limit on deposit of 2000 banknotes into a bank account? Deposit into bank accounts can be made without restrictions subject to compliance with extant Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and other applicable statutory / regulatory requirements. Is there an operational limit on the amount of Rs 2,000 banknotes that can be exchanged? People can exchange Rs 2000 banknotes up to a limit of Rs 20,000/- at a time. Can Rs 2,000 banknotes be exchanged through Business Correspondents (BCs)? Yes, exchange of Rs 2,000 banknotes can be made through BCs up to a limit of Rs 4,000 per day for an account holder. From which date will the exchange facility be available? To give time to the banks to make preparatory arrangements, members of the public are requested to approach the bank branches or ROs of RBI from May 23, 2023 for using the exchange facility. Is it necessary to be a customer of the bank to exchange Rs 2,000 banknotes from its branches? No. A non-account holder also can exchange 2000 banknotes up to a limit of Rs 20,000/- at a time at any bank branch. What if someone needs more than Rs 20,000 cash for business or other purposes? Deposits into accounts can be made without restrictions. The 2000 banknotes can be deposited into bank accounts and cash requirements can be drawn thereafter, against these deposits. Is there any fee to be paid for the exchange facility? No. The exchange facility shall be provided free of cost. Will there be special arrangements for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, etc. for exchange and deposit? Banks have been instructed to make arrangements to reduce inconvenience to the senior citizens, persons with disabilities, etc., seeking to exchange/deposit Rs 2,000 banknotes. What will happen if one cannot deposit or exchange Rs 2,000 banknote immediately? To make the entire process smooth and convenient for the public, a period of over four months has been given for deposit and/or exchange of Rs 2,000 banknotes. Members of the public are, therefore, encouraged to avail of this facility at their convenience within the allotted time. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said huge opportunities for people and businesses will be opened up when the country's goods and services exports touch USD 2 trillion by 2030. In the last two years, he said the country's exports jumped from USD 500 billion to USD 767 billion in 2022-23. India is a USD 3.5 trillion-economy today and will become at least USD 35 trillion- economy by 2047 and "imagine what opportunities it will open up for all the people of India," he said. According to him, by 2030, "we will see USD 2 trillion of exports from India, imagine the opportunities that it will open up". At the Times Network India Economic Conclave here, the minister also said the country's economy is growing at a faster pace and it is clearly reflected from the 7.2 per cent GDP growth in 2022-23. "India is in the mode of stability with a proactive government strengthening every element of the economy in a manner which will hold us in good stead in our pursuit to make India a developed nation by 2047," he said, adding that "this is the work in progress". Also Read Goods and services exports may cross $750 bn-mark this fiscal: Piyush Goyal Countries eager to sign FTAs with India: Piyush Goyal in Rajya Sabha India will aim to achieve $100 bn export target for textiles by 2030: Goyal Union Minister Piyush Goyal pitches for startup database in country Large companies must take responsibility to handhold MSMEs: Piyush Goyal PM SVANidhi scheme's spread among fastest, says Hardeep Puri RBI should continue with pause, change its stance to neutral: CII President GST collection for May up 12% to Rs 1.57 trn despite external headwinds 7.2% GDP growth is historic given the global situation: Piyush Goyal Services exports in April rises by 7.5% on year to $25.84 billion India's exports contracted by 12.7 per cent, third month in a row, to USD 34.66 billion in April due to the global demand slowdown even as the trade deficit reduced to a 20-month low of USD 15.24 billion, according to the government data. The S&P Global India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index rose from 57.2 in April to 58.7 in May, indicating the strongest improvement in the health of the sector since October 2020. India's manufacturing PMI showcased encouraging developments in May, painting a notably positive picture for the sector. This surge in sales paved the way for stronger increases in production, employment and quantities of Demand conditions demonstrated remarkable strength, with factory orders rising at the fastest pace since January 2021. Meanwhile, cost pressures remained historically mild, but demand strength facilitated a solid and quicker increase in output charges. purchases. With supply chain-conditions improving further, companies noted a record accumulation in input inventories. Also Read Karnataka elections 2023: Here's what postal ballots mean on results day Jan manufacturing PMI falls to three-month low as production, exports slow Dec manufacturing PMI at 26-month high of 57.8 as production picks up Improved output pushes India's manufacturing PMI to 3-month high in March Budget 2023-24: Manufacturing sector eyes revised taxations, new PLIs JPMorgan hikes India's FY24 GDP forecast to 5.5%; warns of global slowdown No power can stop India from becoming a developed nation: Piyush Goyal ISMC's semiconductor facility plan in India stalled after Tower-Intel deal Centre allots additional 199,000 houses under PMAY-G to Jammu and Kashmir J'Khand credit-deposit ratio at 45%, plan to increase it to 50% soon: SLBC May data indicated a sharp and accelerated increase in quantities of purchases, with the rate of expansion quickening to the strongest in over 12 years. According to survey members, ongoing increases in new business and efforts to replenish stocks underpinned growth of buying levels. Out of the five PMI sub-components, stocks of purchases showed notable vigour, increasing at an unprecedented pace in May. Monitored companies indicated that better supply-chain conditions and sustained increases in input purchasing boosted inventory growth. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Thursday said huge business opportunities are there for investors and sought Indian investments in various sectors such as mining, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, tourism, infrastructure, information technology and hospitality. He said that abundance of natural resources, large pool of human capital, a promising market with sound policies and regulatory framework makes Nepal an ideal attractive destination for investment. "No countries other than Nepal and India share such an intimate friendship and deep rooted cultural affinity providing an excitingly favourite business environment. Moreover, the two governments are moving ahead with bold decisions to transform the development landscape. This needs to be echoed by the private sector which is a powerful engine of growth," he said here while addressing CII's India-Nepal Business Summit. Opportunities for investments across a wide range of areas including mining, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, tourism, infrastructure and hospitality industry is here. He also said that Nepal's foreign investment policy is liberal and forward looking and it has opened almost every sector for overseas investments. "Nepal is a virgin land for investment. We are still at a nascent stage of industrialisation. Investment in every sector is profitable," the prime minister said, adding Nepal offers low customs duties, simplified tax regime, and full repatriation of income. Also Read Indian hospitality sector on a comeback trail with promising growth-report Indian Embassy, Nepal govt sign MoUs for projects in education, healthcare Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda set to take oath as Nepal's new PM today India's economy already 10% more energy efficient than G20 average: IEA Nepal plane crash: At least 68 dead, rescuers search for 4 missing persons Disinvestment push: Potential buyers buying PSU shares exempt from gift tax FY24 GDP: Spate of forecast hikes; but some economists hold out Huge opportunities will open up when exports touch $2 trn by 2030: Goyal PM SVANidhi scheme's spread among fastest, says Hardeep Puri RBI should continue with pause, change its stance to neutral: CII President "We assure you full protection of investment. We will continue reforming our investment regime. We have put in place an automated route for FDI approval. The Nepal central bank clears the repatriation within 7 days. The investment board of Nepal provides one-stop service for the large scale investments," he said. He also said that modern infrastructure at border areas offers opportunities for cross border investments and industrialisation. Vast investment opportunities are there in the hydro power sector also. An agreement in long-term power trade has been completed and this agreement makes the power trade between India and Nepal more predictable, "thereby encouraging more investments in Nepal in the hydro power sector," he said. The 900-MW Arun-III project with Indian investment is nearing completion and several other power projects will certainly generate fresh momentum in harnessing water resources in Nepal. "We should have to create a new history in our cooperation in this sector. On trade and transit, we are upgrading cross border connectivity infrastructure. The integrated check post, road and rail connectivity are being built to further ease the flow of goods and services," he added. On the aviation sector also, the prime minister said that two new airports are ready including one in Pokhara and "I encourage the airline companies to operate air service between various cities of India and Nepal," he said. Speaking at the event, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said that huge potential is there for MSMEs of both the countries to increase cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Thursday vowed to resolve the vexed boundary dispute under the spirit of friendship even as the two sides signed several major pacts including one on increasing New Delhi's import of power from the neighbouring country to 10,000 mega watt in the next 10 years. In the wide-ranging talks between Modi and Prachanda, the Indian side agreed to the first trilateral power trade from Nepal to Bangladesh through India for up to 40 mega watt of power, a move that is seen as a significant step towards ensuring greater regional cooperation. In total, India and Nepal signed seven pacts which included a revised treaty of transit. The Nepalese leader arrived here on Wednesday on a four-day visit. The country shares a border of over 1,850 kilometres with five Indian states -- Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. The bilateral trade between the countries stood at USD 8.9 billion in 2022-23 as against USD 11 billion in 2021-22. By Muyu Xu SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Russian crude oil imports by China and India in May hit an all-time high as buyers gorged on discounted supplies, reducing demand for oil from the Middle East and Africa, according to preliminary assessments from ship trackers. The jump in Russian supplies comes ahead of a meeting between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies including Russia on June 4. Producers face some pressure to act to support Brent futures which have fallen 5% this week to about $73 a barrel despite an OPEC+ pledge in April to cut more output from May. However, they are unlikely to deepen supply cuts at the Sunday meeting despite lower prices, four sources from the alliance told Reuters. The world's No. 1 and No. 3 crude importers and top buyers of Russian oil imported about 110 million barrels in May, data from Vortexa and Kpler showed, up nearly 10% from the prior month despite U.S. warnings against price cap evasion. Also Read India's Russian oil imports cross 1 million barrels a day in December Podcast: What will guide oil prices in 2023? Russia pulls off revolution in India's overall crude oil basket Oil price cap looks set to keep Russian oil flowing even as war continues Increased Russian crude flows to Asia are redrawing the world's oil map OPEC+ unlikely to extend oil supply cuts at upcoming June 4 meeting India, European Union may hammer out an 'agreeable' solution on ICT levy Wheat procurement breaches 26 MMT mark; surpasses last year's by 7.4 MMT India sees 4% spike in high-net-worth individuals amid sharp global drop UP govt plans to develop Lucknow-State Capital Region on lines of Delhi-NCR Arrivals of Russian shipments in India are assessed to have reached a record high of 8.6 million tonnes (62.8 million barrels) while China received 6 million tonnes, steady from April, according to Vortexa. Data from Kpler showed a similar trend, with India's imports hitting a record of 66.7 million barrels and China's rising to 49.2 million barrels. Indian refiners stepped up purchases of medium sour crude Urals and lighter grades such as Sokol and Varandey, in addition to a steady inflow of ESPO crude exported from the Pacific port of Kozmino, the data showed. In China, refiners are scrambling to cut feedstock costs and improve refining margins amid a slower-than-expected economic recovery. Large private oil refiners started buying Russian oil earlier this year and have increased volumes in recent months. "We see more new buyers from China these days," said an official with a Russian oil company. Private refiner Hengli Petrochemical, which operates a 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery in northeast Dalian, received its first Urals crude cargo of 730,000 barrels in early May and another 2 million barrels arrived on Wednesday night, the shiptracking data showed. Hengli also bought 3.71 million barrels of ESPO that arrived in the same month. Hengli did not immediately respond to a Reuters request seeking comment. "Chinese buyers' increased demand for Russian oil loading in April and beyond was supported by higher profitability of supplies amid softer freight and firmer differentials," said a trader involved in Russian oil marketing. The lumpsum freight rates for tankers carrying ESPO crude from Kozmino to northern China fell to $2.2 million after hitting an all-time high of $2.4 million in mid-March, Simpson Spence Young data on Refinitiv Eikon showed. Spot premiums of July-loading Middle Eastern crude benchmarks Oman and Dubai in May versus April fell by 47% and 41%, respectively. (Reporting by Muyu Xu and Moscow newsroom; editing by Florence Tan and Jason Neely) The Lucknow-SCR - comprising two nodes at Lucknow and Kanpur - will encompass eight districts of Lucknow, Kanpur, Kanpur Dehat, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Barabanki, Sitapur, and Hardoi. Uttar Pradesh is looking to develop the Lucknow-State Capital Region (SCR), on the lines of Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). According to Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Roshan Jacob, the region will develop Lucknow and Kanpur as world-class modern cities and spur economic development. This is part of the states target to become a $-trillion economy in the next four to five years. The proposed region will entail nearly 34,000 square kilometres (sq. km) and accommodate roughly 29 million population. Meanwhile, the state has started the process of selecting a project consultant for the proposal. A large number of industrial areas will be developed in the vicinity of the two cities, which will generate jobs for the youth, she added. Also Read Granules India ties up with Greenko Group for 'green' pharma zones Govt studying feasibility of setting up industrial parks for space tech TMS Ep413: Non-exec chairman, retail zones, IT stocks, safe harbour rules CAQM invokes Stage III of GRAP as air pollution in Delhi-NCR rises HNIs to drive surge in demand for luxury housing in Delhi NCR in 2023 Centre to approve several chip fabrication plant proposals soon: MoS IT India's economy likely to grow 6.5-6.7% in FY24: CII president R Dinesh Power consumption grows marginally by 1.04% to 136.56 bn units in May Aadhaar to identity proof: All questions answered about Rs 2,000 notes White collar hiring activity flat in May, IT sector's woes continue: Report The SCR will decongest Lucknow by providing lucrative job and self-employment opportunities in the constituent districts, arresting the migration of youth to big cities in search of jobs, a government official noted. The development of Lucknow-SCR will act as a counter magnet area, similar to Delhi-NCR and attract private investment and provide a multiplier effect to the hinterland. Since Lucknow and Kanpur will be linked with a high speed dedicated freight corridor, the SCR will have a ready groundwork to pick up pace, once the roadmap is prepared and implemented. The SCR districts will be provided with better transport, logistics and infrastructure facilities. A large number of districts in UP are already connected with expressways and air routes, which will come in handy for leveraging the local agricultural and traditional industries. Moreover, six regional development zones will also be set up in UP on the model of Lucknow-SCR. These seven zones are Meerut, Agra, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Bareilly and Jhansi. While the UP chief secretary is likely to be the chairperson of the SCR, the respective divisional commissioners will head the regional development zones. The announcement was in line with market estimates, but the quantum is double than what most traders were expecting. The central bank had last conducted a reverse repo for a similar quantum on April 6. The Reserve Bank of India will conduct a 14-day variable rate reverse repo auction worth 2 trillion rupees ($24.46 billion) on June 2, it said on Thursday. But what does the fine print say? Indians have been panicking ever since it was reported that large cash deposits made during the phasing out of the Rs 2,000 notes would likely be notified by banks to the taxman, especially if the deposit is disproportionate to the income reported in the income tax return. Cash deposits in bank accounts have been subject to reporting requirements for a long time After the RBI announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 notes, the government declared that these notes would continue to be legal tender. The RBI has asked people to deposit or exchange these notes till September 30, 2023. There is no limit for depositing these notes in a bank account, but there is a limit of Rs 20,000 for exchange in one go. Cash deposits in bank accounts have been subject to reporting requirements for a long time, and this is not a new provision in the wake of the RBI's decision to recall Rs 2,000 notes. This policy helps the government monitor any large-scale misuse of the country's financial system. Consequently, in cases where significant cash deposits are made that are inconsistent with the person's usual business operations, banks might report these transactions to the income tax department, which is also reflected in the depositor's 26AS and Annual Information Statement. While there is no cap on the number of Rs 2,000 notes that one can deposit in bank accounts, one should be aware of the Statement of Financial Transaction (SFT) rules. Also Read SC upholds demonetisation, says test of proportionality satisfied How RBI's withdrawal of Rs 2,000 notes is different from demonetisation Biz of moving currency booming, with new revenue streams set to open up Provide adequate infra at branches for Rs 2,000 note exchange: RBI to banks Debit card-based ATM withdrawals up 235% since demonetisation: Report Switched jobs in 2022-23? Consolidate multiple Form 16s accurately Utilise enhanced SCSS limit, but diversify your retirement corpus Beyond the financial system: Will AA framework be a game-changer in India? High expense ratio erodes mutual funds' net return, so monitor cost Thinking of prepaying your home loan? Things you should keep in mind Let's be clear, however, that this reporting protocol is not a new provision sparked by the RBI's recent decision to recall Rs 2,000 notes. In fact, this system has had a long-established presence in our financial regulatory framework for a significant period. This is typically done to prevent money laundering and other illicit activities," said CA Jay Desai. "As per the existing norms, large cash deposits must be notified to the authorities. Banks in India are obligated to report cash deposits over a certain limit to the Income Tax Department. Currently, deposits over Rs 10 lakh for term and savings deposits and Rs 50 lakh for current account deposits in a financial year need to be reported by the banks to the tax authorities. Point to note: The RBI has not mentioned any limit in depositing the withdrawn currency in bank accounts. However, individuals who exceed certain prescribed limits in their deposits may receive notices from the Income Tax Department. "Failing to satisfactorily explain the source of such cash deposits may result in tax at 60 per cent along with penalty. From a readiness standpoint, it is recommended that documentary evidence and records are kept ready justifying the source and availability of cash and matching such narrative with balance sheets and tax returns", said Indruj Rai, Partner at Khaitan & Co. The income tax department uses the SFT statement to check for discrepancies and can issue a notice to the depositor for clarification. How will your deposits be monitored? While the exchange limit has been restricted to Rs 20,000 at a time, if you want to deposit Rs 2000 notes into the bank, you will have to furnish your PAN card if you are depositing cash more than Rs 50,000 in a bank account in a single day, according to Rule 114B of the Income Tax Act. So, does the act of depositing the note make it taxable? "With the PAN card details being provided with the deposit, the depositor or the account holder can be monitored," said Anant Singh Ubeja, Senior Associate, SKV Law Offices. How does one deposit Rs 2000 notes without inviting an income tax notice? "The depositing of a Rs 2000 note is not, in itself, a taxable event. The Rs 2000 note is legal tender and remains as such. Individuals have complete freedom to use such currency, and it's unreasonable to assume that possessing even a single Rs 2000 note indicates the hoarding of black money. Therefore, the deposit of Rs 2000 notes does not, in itself, incur tax. There would be no tax obligations for genuine taxpayers depositing Rs 2000 notes into their bank. They typically hold only a limited quantity of such notes, so they can deposit them without any inconvenience or extra tax implications. However, you might receive a notice from the Income Tax department if large cash deposits, made during the period leading up to September 2023, do not align with your income sources or your business nature," said Ankit Jain, Partner, Ved Jain & Associates. For instance, consider a retailer with an annual turnover of Rs 2 crore who routinely deposits Rs 10 lakh in cash every month. If this retailer were to deposit Rs 12 lakh in cash in a given month, it would not raise suspicion, as it aligns with the nature of their business. However, a different scenario unfolds if a salaried individual, earning Rs 25 lakh annually (all received through bank transfer), were to deposit Rs 6 lakh in cash all at once, explained Jain. "Genuine cash deposits in Rs 2000 denominated notes, being made by the countrymen, in their bank accounts, can very well be explained either out of regular household savings, or out of earlier cash withdrawals, or out of cash gifts from blood relatives (with no limit) and others (with a limit of Rs 50,000) or as gifts received on marriage occasions, or as cash sales in case of the proprietor and other businesses, subject to such claims, being supported by authentic documentary evidence," said Mayank Mohanka, Senior Partner in M/s S M Mohanka & Associates. What about the tax implications for a businessman? The government extensively employs data mining and analytics to identify potential tax evaders. In cases where substantial deposits do not corroborate with income sources or business nature, the tax authorities might likely issue a notice requiring an explanation of the source of cash deposits. Cash sales up to Rs 2 lakh from a person in a single day are allowed per Income Tax provisions. If any businessman is depositing notes, he may have to prove the source of funds. "Either his debtors have paid him, or he has made any cash sale; if he is making cash sales, it should be supported by an invoice. If he is registered under GST, he should issue an invoice charging GST. Similarly, if any household lady is depositing a Rs 2000 note, then she may need to declare the source of such a deposit. At present government has not issued any notification on the post effect of the deposit but any deposit that is unreasonable may need explanation in future," said Bhagat. Moreover, once a businessman has offered his cash sales as his business income, then again, taxing the cash deposits made out of his cash sales as unexplained cash credits amounts to double taxation, which is not permissible, explained Mohanka. "Once the businessman establishes the genuineness of cash sales in Rs 2000 notes, being done on or after May 19 and even after September 30, with all supporting documents like sales invoices, bank statements, confirmations from buyers, GST Returns, co-relation of such cash sales with purchases and stock etc., then the authenticity of making cash deposits out of such cash sales can't be disregarded and rejected by the tax authorities, merely on account of variation in the ratio of cash sales in the current period with that of an earlier period. There can't be a fixed sales pattern in any business," said Mohanka. When can you get a notice from the income tax department? According to the income tax guidelines, the financial activities of individuals may come under the purview of official scrutiny, specifically for those who deposit cash over the threshold of Rs 2.5 lakh. An elevated threshold applies to senior citizens, where cash deposits exceeding Rs 5 lakh may invoke scrutiny. Cash deposits within these limits might be typically exempt from scrutiny, assuming the money is justifiably sourced. What happens if you do get an I-T notice? "The primary tax implication of depositing large amounts of cash into a bank account is the potential for it to be counted as income and thus become subject to income tax. If the depositor cannot adequately explain the source of the cash, the income tax department may treat it as' income from other sources' and tax it accordingly. If you deposit under Rs 2.5 lakh, there should typically be no scrutiny and you should be fine," said Jay Desai. "In terms of Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, if large deposits are made without furnishing justification on the nature of such deposit in the Income Tax return, the same may be treated as unaccounted deposit. In such circumstances, the Income Tax Department may scrutinise the deposits which are suspicious in nature and may also issue notice to the depositor, thereby seeking justification for the such deposits," said Anant Singh Ubeja, Senior Associate, SKV Law Offices. If you get an I-T notice, then the onus is on the taxpayer to establish the source of income and provide documentary evidence. No tax notice if... CA Mahima Vachhrajani sums it up best: As per income tax guidelines, individuals who deposit cash above Rs 2.5 lakh and senior citizens who deposit cash above Rs 5 lakh may be scrutinised. Any amount within the specified limit of Rs 2.5 or 5 lakh will be excluded from scrutiny. The big hurdle and the loophole For businesses, cash sales up to Rs 2 lakh will not be scrutinised once the businessman establishes the genuineness of cash sales in Rs 2000 notes, with evidence like sales invoices, bank statements, confirmations from buyers etc. Citizens of Delhi-NCR are coming together to breathe life back into the ailing Yamuna. A group of concerned citizens is rallying thousands of people to form a 22-kilometre human chain on the banks of the Yamuna on June 4 to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the sorry state of the river, which is plagued by pollution and degradation. The chain will extend from Wazirabad to Okhla in Delhi, a 22-kilometre stretch that accounts for 75 per cent of the river's pollution load. Twenty-two drains fall into the river in this stretch. This will probably be the biggest such effort to sensitise the people of Delhi and ensure their participation in cleaning the Yamuna, said the members of the "Yamuna Sansad", a campaign launched by environmentalists, conservationists, academicians and researchers working to revive the river. Experts say untapped waste water from unauthorised colonies and jhuggi-jhopri clusters, and the poor quality of the treated waste water discharged from sewage treatment plants (STPs) and common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) is the main reason behind the high pollution levels in the river. The river can be considered fit for bathing if the biological oxygen demand is less than three milligram per litre and dissolved oxygen is greater than five milligram per litre. Also Read BJP leaders protest outside Delhi Assembly over pollution in Yamuna river Delhi govt launches 'I love Yamuna campaign' to boost participation Delhi LG urges to people not to throw garbage directly into Najafgarh Drain NGT gives no objection to installation of Yamuna floodplains lighthouse Delhi, Haryana officials to coordinate over Yamuna clean-up: L-G office Amid surge in airfares, govt analyses routes impacted by Go First crisis Bhojpuri singer Nisha Upadhyay shot at in celebratory firing during show Security tightened ahead of Operation Bluestar anniversary in Punjab Changes in visa rules won't impact undergrad students, says UK minister Atishi gets public relations dept, total portfolios under her rise to 9 "At 6.30 am on June 4, a 22-kilometre-long human chain will be formed on the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi. Around one lakh people will stand hand in hand between Wazirabad and Kalindi, pledging to keep the river clean. The purpose is to sensitise people to work in this direction," said K N Govindacharya, former general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a member of the Yamuna Sansad. Ravishankar Tiwari, the coordinator of the Yamuna Sansad, said it will probably be the biggest campaign so far to sensitise the people of Delhi about the current state of the Yamuna. The Yamuna Sansad will remain active until the river becomes pure, Tiwari said. He added that the campaign has garnered the support of political parties. The campaign calls for a removal of encroachments on the river floodplains, improving the sewer network and STPs in the capital, stopping the direct discharge of industrial effluent into the river in Haryana and Delhi, developing biodiversity parks on the floodplains, ensuring environmental flow and making the polluters pay. Delhi generates around 770 million gallons a day (MGD) of sewage. The 35 STPs located at 20 locations across the city can treat up to 630 MGD of sewage and have been utilising around 85 per cent of their capacity. The rest of the untreated sewage falls into the river directly. Government data shows that only 10 of the 35 operational STPs in the capital meet the prescribed standards for waste water (BOD and TSS less than 10 mg per litre). Together, they can treat 150 million gallons of waste water a day. According to the city government's Outcome Budget, 29 per cent of the sewage generated in Delhi in 2021-22 fell into the Yamuna untreated. It was 28 per cent in 2019-20 and 26 per cent in 2020-21. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is upgrading and rehabilitating the existing STPs to be able to meet the prescribed norms and reduce the pollution load in the Yamuna. However, several projects have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an air pollution-related construction ban and a delay in land allotment and tree-cutting permissions. Sewer networks have been laid in just 747 of the 1,799 unauthorised colonies in Delhi. Multiple reports submitted by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry have highlighted that the river cannot be fit for bathing in the absence of a minimum environmental flow -- the minimum quantity of water flow that a river must have in order to preserve its ecosystems and meet the bathing standards. A study conducted by the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee had in 2019 recommended that 23 cubic metre per second (cumec) water (437 million gallons a day) be released in the river from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana's Yamuna Nagar district in the lean season for sustaining the downstream ecosystems. At present, only 10 cumecs (190 MGD) of water is released from the barrage. A gap of 13 cumecs (247 MGD) remains. According to the ministry, the water sharing agreement of 1994 among the riparian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi is due for revision only in 2025. According to the DPCC, an e-flow of 23 cumecs will bring down the level of biological oxygen demand from 25 milligram per litre to 12 milligram per litre and other steps that are being taken will bring it down further. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone of a new building of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) here on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Adityanath said due to its large geographical area, Uttar Pradesh throws up numerous challenges. "Previously, around 40 districts in the state were considered affected by floods, but we have managed to confine this danger to only four-five districts now," he said, adding that if a disaster strikes today, people have confidence that the government will provide relief. During the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the five-storey building being constructed on 1.5 half acres of land at a cost of Rs 66.4 crore, Adityanath emphasised on disaster management and public awareness through technology. Pointing out that Uttar Pradesh has nine different climatic zones where the threat of disasters is always present, he said, "Due to the rivers coming from the Himalayas, there is a constant risk of flooding from July to October. Lightning strikes are common in Vindhya and Bundelkhand. Western Uttar Pradesh is located in an area that is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. The Terai region, adjacent to Nepal, is known for human-wildlife conflicts." In order to provide relief, many areas have been brought under the purview of disaster management for the first time, the chief minister said. "Human-wildlife conflict falls under one of these categories. Additionally, work is underway to install an early warning system for lightning strikes in all districts. Several steps are being taken, such as installing a rain gauge system in every village," he said. Also Read UP govt likely to table supplementary Budget in today's Assembly session Uttar Pradesh delegation to visit US to attract investments for 'Invest UP' Budget Session for UP to begin today, MoS Finance to table Budget on Feb 22 Samajwadi Party holds protest outside UP Assembly ahead of Budget Session 'The Kerala Story' to be made tax-free in Uttar Pradesh, after MP Manipur govt appoints Rajiv Singh as new DGP in bid to control violence Notices to over 60 govt doctors in Bihar missing from duty for years World's first 3D printed Hindu temple being built in Telangana by Apsuja 5.2 mn farmers get Rs 5,500 each under YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan scheme NCRTC to build dedicated pedestrian bridge at Anand Vihar RAPIDX Station Adityanath released two books, three short films and a radio jingle for public awareness on the occasion and launched the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Plan 2023 and the Flood Action Plan 2023 books. The chief minister also honoured Vinay Kumar, Jitendra Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Pushpendra and Manish Kumar from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). A Kiran trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in an open field at a village in the district on Thursday but the two pilots made it out safely after ejecting from the plane before the crash. The training aircraft, which took off from the air force station in Bengaluru, crashed this morning at Bhogapura village. It was good fortune that aircraft hit the ground on barren land and not in the nearby village, a villager said, adding it would have been catastrophic if the plane had crashed into the village. District officials said the pilots, identified only as Tejpal and Bhumika, sustained minor injuries. No casualties were reported. According to the IAF, the pilots were on a routine training sortie when the incident occurred. A court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of accident. "A Kiran trainer aircraft of the IAF crashed near Chamrajnagar, Karnataka today, while on a routine training sortie. Both air crew ejected safely. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," the IAF tweeted. Senior district officials and an IAF team reached the spot along with the fire and emergency services personnel. Also Read Amid deepening ties, Iran set to buy Russia's Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets In a first, IAF woman fighter pilot to take part in wargames in Japan Nepal-India to hold joint military exercise 'Surya Kiran' from Friday US to control land sales to foreigners within 100 miles of 8 military bases Deve Gowda's daughter-in-law eyes Hassan seat, stirs tensions in JD(S) Medals as protest: Muhammad Ali & Black Power movement to Indian wrestlers McDonalds, Burger King, Jumboking are top burger brands in country: Report Supreme Court has discretion over issuing public interest litigations IAF trainer aircraft crashes in open field in Karnataka, both pilots safe Diary sector should refrain from inter-state competition, says Milma As soon as the plane crashed with a loud noise, villagers rushed to the spot and found the mangled aircraft engulfed in flames and billowing smoke. Besides alerting the local police and the fire brigade, they also rushed to the spot where the two pilots were seen ejecting and coming down with the help of parachute. Villagers noticed the two pilots lying on the ground. Quickly, they created a temporary shed for them. Police officials rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area and put up a makeshift tent for the injured pilots. The district officials in turn informed the IAF authorities in Bengaluru who then rushed to the spot in a special helicopter and airlifted the two injured pilots. According to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of the District Katyayani Devi, one of the pilots sustained injuries in the spine while the other injured her mouth. "The IAF helicopter has airlifted the two pilots to Bengaluru," she added. Panchayat Development Officer Rame Gowda said he was in the office when he heard a blast. "After hearing the sound, I came out and enquired. I got to know that an IAF aircraft had crashed. I rushed to the spot and saw the crashed aircraft in flames. I informed the police and the fire and emergency services department about the incident," Gowda told reporters. According to the Chief Fire Officer of Mysuru P S Jayaramaiah, a senior fire brigade officer, a man by the name Mahesh Prithvi informed them about the crash at about 12.05 pm and soon various teams were rushed to the spot. An eyewitness said when they offered assistance to the pilots, they said they have informed the IAF station along with sharing the GPS location of the crash site to them. Two days ago a Redbird Training Aircraft made an emergency landing in an agriculture field soon after taking off from Sambra airport in Belagavi. The pilots escaped with minor injuries. Amid the unseasonal onset of the rainy season, the health department of the Chandigarh administration has sounded an alert and called for action to minimise illness and deaths from dengue. Due to frequent rainfall in May, water collection and stagnation has been occurring in manmade and natural sources in and around the residential areas of Chandigarh, the department said in a statement on Wednesday. "This can lead to breeding of mosquitoes causing vector-borne diseases, especially the dengue. "All residents of Chandigarh are advised to follow the precautionary measures to protect themselves from the diseases like dengue, chikungunya and malaria," it added. The administration has set up free dengue testing facilities at the PGIMER's Department of Virology, Government Medical College and Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, among other places. --IANS Also Read Delhi recorded 4,469 dengue cases; 9 deaths due to dengue in 2022: MCD Research shows how SARS-CoV-2 virus creates severe Covid-19 causing toxin Dengue virus 'evolved dramatically' in India, is more severe: Study National Dengue Day 2023: Importance, everything you need to Know As mercury plummets, increase in patients with respiratory problems With record rainfall of 184.3 mm pre-season, Delhi gets cool start to June Ahmednagar to be renamed as Ahilyanagar: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Set up committee on job reservations: All party meet tells Meghalaya govt Appropriate regulations on data safety, security needed: Rahul Gandhi Delhi records 'coolest' May in 36 years as excess rainfall drops mercury vg/dpb Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena in consultation with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has allocated the public relations department to Cabinet minister Atishi, officials said on Thursday. A notification issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) said, "In exercise of powers conferred under Rule 3 of the GNCTD (Allocation of Business) Rules 1993, the Lieutenant Governor, in consultation with the chief minister, is pleased to allocate portfolio of Public Relations Department to Atishi Marlena, minister in addition to the portfolios she is presently holding." It also said that the move is "subject to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 promulgated on May 19". Atishi had been holding the portfolios of power, education, art, culture and language, tourism, higher education, training and technical education. The latest addition will raise the number of portfolios held by her to nine. Automakers led by Maruti Suzuki India, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota Kirloskar Motor on Thursday reported robust wholesales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market in May riding on strong demand for SUVs. Other manufacturers such as Tata Motors, Kia and MG Motor India also reported increase in their dispatches to dealers during the month. Market leader Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) reported a 15 per cent rise in total domestic passenger vehicle sales at 1,43,708 units as compared with 1,24,474 units in the same month last year. The company's sales of mini cars, comprising Alto and S-Presso, fell 30 per cent to 12,236 units as compared with 17,408 units in the year-ago period, while compact cars sales, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, increased 5 per cent to 71,419 units as against 67,947 units in May 2022. On the other hand, utility vehicle sales, including those of Brezza, Grand Vitara and Ertiga, rose 65 per cent to 46,243 units as against 28,051 vehicles in the year-ago month, MSI said. Sales of mid-sized sedan Ciaz last month increased to 992 units from 586 units in the year-ago period, it added. Also Read Automakers to launch six new SUVs in India in next two years: Report Maruti Fronx prices revealed, a better buy than Baleno, Brezza? See details India can be No 1 automobile manufacturer by using lithium reserve: Gadkari Top Headlines: Tax levy on SUVs, tighter service norms for telcos, and more Auto industry body hails GST Council's clarification on definition of SUVs Shivakumar urges Tamil Nadu govt to be big-hearted on Mekedatu project Jaishankar holds meetings with his counterparts from Africa, Saudi Arabia Haryana govt should take up wrestlers' case with Centre: Cong's Bhupinder Neighbourhood criteria will defeat purpose of EWS quota in schools: HC Khap Mahapanchayat: Delegation to meet Prez to seek justice for wrestlers Rival Hyundai Motor India Ltd said its domestic sales grew 14.91 per cent at 48,601 units as compared to 42,293 units in the year-ago month. HMIL COO Tarun Garg said the company's double-digit sales growth in May was fuelled by its SUVs Creta and Venue. The recently launched all-new Verna sedan also received good response, he added. Tata Motors, however, had a moderate domestic passenger vehicle sales growth at 6 per cent posting 45,878 units last month as compared to 43,341 units in May last year. Sales of passenger electric vehicles, including international business, were at 5,805 units as against 3,505 units in the same month a year ago, a growth of 66 per cent, the company said in a statement. Another homegrown automaker Mahindra & Mahindra posted a total passenger vehicle sales of 26,904 units in May 2022. The company's utility vehicles sales last month were at 32,883 units, as against 26,632 units in the year-ago period, a growth of 23 per cent. Sales of cars and vans were at 3 units as compared to 272 units in May last year. "We continue our growth trend, backed by strong demand in SUVs," M&M President, Automotive Division, Veejay Nakra said. He, however, said, "The sales volume for both SUVs and 'Pik-Ups' were restricted by a short-term disruption in engine-related parts at the supplier-end. The semiconductor supply constraints on specific parts like Air Bag ECU, continued during the month too." Automaker Kia India said its total wholesales increased 3 per cent to 24,770 units in May. The company undertook a plant maintenance shutdown from May 15-20. It had dispatched 24,079 units to dealers in May 2022. "Although we faced some production limitations due to our plant annual maintenance shutdown for a week in May, which impacted our numbers, we are confident of strong performance in coming months," Kia India National Head (Sales & Marketing) Hardeep Singh Brar said. In contrast, Toyota Kirloskar Motor posted its highest-ever sales in a month with a two-fold increase to 20,410 units in May. The automaker had dispatched 10,216 units in the same month last year. The company said its domestic wholesales last month stood at 19,379 units. It also exported 1,031 units of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder in May. Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Vice President of Sales and Strategic Marketing Atul Sood said the company believes that the strong upward trajectory, highlights the company's customer alignment and ever-growing product popularity with the latest launches like Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross and the Hilux that continue to support the strong sales momentum in their respective segments. "As we look forward, given the sustained momentum, we continue to be optimistic for the rest of the year by prioritising the customers' needs," he added. MG Motor India also reported a 25 per cent rise in retail sales at 5,006 units in May compared to the same month last year. The company had sold 4,008 units in May 2022. The company said it remains optimistic about growth and meeting the rising customer demand through various ongoing and planned production and operational initiatives. If you are curious to know how the Mars Rover Opportunity of US space agency NASA, which traversed through the barren land of the red planet and revealed many secrets about it, then head straight to the Space Technology gallery of the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM) here. The Mars Rover Opportunity model, which was built by the students of Cornell University and kept as exhibit at the VITM, was inaugurated by M Sankaran, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation on Thursday. The model was initially on display at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum in Dulles,Virginia, in US, and later exhibited in the US Pavelion during the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. The replica was then received by the American Centre in the US Consulate in Chennai where it was on display from November 2022 to March 2023 before landing at the VITM. US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago said, "As the United States and India forge even closer cooperation across critical sectors, space provides yet another example of our partnership, with today's dedication ceremony serving as a symbol of our mutual commitment." US Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin said the arrival of the full-scale replica of Mars Rover Opportunity in India symbolised the longstanding space technology cooperation between India and the United States India is an important partner to the United States in space exploration. Initiated in 2005, the United States and India Civil Space Joint Working Group is the venue for a productive exchange of views and discussion on new and expanded areas for civil space cooperation, she pointed out. According to Ravin, the civil space dialogue between United States and India is framed around four working groups: Earth sciences, space science and exploration, heliophysics, and human space flight. Also Read UAE space agency plans to explore asteroid belt between Mars & Jupiter NASA's Curiosity rover spots first-ever 'Sun rays' on Mars on Feb 2 India-Israel natural allies, share deep resonance of arts-culture: Herzog World's first palm-leaf manuscript museum comes up in Thiruvananthapuram China's first Mars rover may not be able to restart after hibernation For the first time, India setting agenda for G20: Sherpa Amitabh Kant Meghalaya govt sets up expert committee to review reservation policy Parliamentary panel demands immediate govt intervention in wrestlers' issue 62 newly discovered plants may help agricultural lands facing water crisis NCERT cuts periodic table, democracy from Class 10 books to 'reduce burden' "The cooperation between our two countries shows that the technologies developed in support of space exploration have real-world applications that affect all of us, from advancements in telecommunications and satellite navigation to agricultural monitoring and weather forecasting," she said. The Mars Rover Opportunity was operated on the red planet from 2004 to 2018. It sent thousands of pictures to its control station. In an interview with NDTV, Ahmad said that his government has benefitted from Indian students, further stating that the recent visa curbs are only for students who come for one year of research and doctoral studies. UK's Deputy Foreign Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad was recently in India on a four-day visit, during which he clarified that the changes in the visa rules are not aimed at undergraduate students from India. The Delhi government's law department has directed all the top officials for a "strict compliance" of the Centre's ordinance related to services issued earlier this month, officials said on Thursday. In a communication sent to all the additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, secretaries and heads of departments on May 26, the law department asked for a "strict compliance" of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 issued by the Centre related to services. The move came following a letter from the lieutenant governor's (LG) office to the Delhi chief secretary on May 23, informing him to bring the ordinance to the notice of all the top officials of the city government for a "strict compliance". The ordinance issued by the Centre on May 19 brought back the executive control over matters related to services, including the transfers and postings of Delhi government officers, to its domain. It was issued close on the heels of a Supreme Court verdict on May 11, through which the Delhi government was given the executive control over matters related to services. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has termed the ordinance "unconstitutional" and said it will challenge it in the Supreme Court. Also Read Centre's ordinance on Delhi services insult to judiciary: Akhilesh Yadav Cong likely to oppose bill to replace Centre's ordinance on Delhi Services Kejriwal meets Uddhav to seek support for fight against Centre's ordinance Contempt of court: AAP on govt's ordinance on control of services in Delhi Centre's ordinance 'unconstitutional', to snatch power from Delhi govt: AAP Govt agrees to power transmission from Nepal to Bangladesh through India Manipur situation 'explosive'; home ministry responsible, says Cong's Moily G20 cleanup: Pragati Maidan slum cluster razed; 40 families lose home G20 Presidency remains focused on economic development issues: Kant Himachal Pradesh taxes and excise department revenue registers 13% growth External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called on BRICS nations to demonstrate their sincerity in reforming multilateral institutions, including that of the UN Security Council. India has been at the forefront of the UN to push for an urgent long-pending reform of the Security Council. "For two decades, we have heard calls for reform of multilateral institutions, only to be continuously disappointed. It is, therefore, imperative that BRICS members demonstrate sincerity in regard to reforming global decision-making, including that of the UN Security Council," he said in his opening remarks at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting here. The five-nation grouping BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world. Jaishankar said that at the heart of the problems the countries face is the economic concentration that leaves too many nations at the mercy of too few. "This may be in regard to production, resources, services or connectivity," he said, adding that the recent experiences impacting health, energy and food security, only highlight this fragility. Also Read BRICS countries urged to expand inter-trade instead of with other countries New York visit 'fruitful', chaired UNSC meetings: EAM Jaishankar EAM Jaishankar announces India's candidature for 2028-29 UNSC term Terrorism among key threats to int'l peace, security: EAM at BRICS meet World sees Pakistan as 'epicentre' of terrorism: EAM Jaishankar at UNSC G20: The third meeting of the Startup20 to take place in Goa on June 3-4 SFC carries out successful training launch of Agni-1 ballistic missile Delhi govt directs officials for compliance of Centre's services ordinance Govt agrees to power transmission from Nepal to Bangladesh through India Manipur situation 'explosive'; home ministry responsible, says Cong's Moily He said India, the current chair of the G20, undertook the voice of the Global South exercise to place these issues before the grouping. "We urge that BRICS give it particular consideration and promote the economic decentralisation that is so essential to political democratisation," he said. India has emphasised that it rightly deserves a place at the UN high table as a permanent member. The five permanent members of the UNSC are Russia, the UK, China, France and the United States and these countries can veto any substantive resolution. There are also 10 elected non-permanent members who serve two-year terms. India completed its tenure as a non-permanent member of the Council in December last year. China last month maintained its stance on the UN Security Council reforms, saying there should be more representation for developing countries, especially the small and medium countries, but avoided a direct response to India and other countries' call for its expansion and their inclusion. Jaishankar during his trip to Sweden last month took a dig at those opposing the UN reforms, saying those who are beneficiaries of the old system are resistant to that change as they feel it would "dilute" their positions of privilege. Addressing 'Times Network India Economic Conclave', Kant further said as G20 President, the job of India is to bring consensus on a vast range of issues, including economic and developmental issues, which are impacting the emerging markets of the world. India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Thursday said that for the first time, India is setting agenda for G20, and the whole world is responding to its positive and constructive initiatives. "This is the first time that India is setting an agenda for G20, which accounts for about 85 per cent of the global GDP," he said. "If you look back over the years, in the last five or six decades, we have actually responded to an agenda set by the developed world always. "So, we are setting the agenda and the world is responding to that agenda. India assumed the presidency of G20 for one year from December 1, 2022, to November 31, 2023. The G20 Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 9-10. Also Read India leapfrogged 40 yrs of development with DPI: G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant India's G20 priorities to reflect that of the global south: Amitabh Kant Lunch with BS: 'G20 is about thinking and acting big', says Amitabh Kant India's G20 presidency will be decisive, inclusive, says Amitabh Kant Three-day-long G20 event in Kashmir to begin today: All you need to know Meghalaya govt sets up expert committee to review reservation policy Parliamentary panel demands immediate govt intervention in wrestlers' issue 62 newly discovered plants may help agricultural lands facing water crisis NCERT cuts periodic table, democracy from Class 10 books to 'reduce burden' PM Modi to flag off Goa-Mumbai Vande Bharat train virtually on Saturday Responding to a question on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Kant said the war is an important issue for Europe. "And therefore, we picked up a very positive, very constructive development agenda, which takes care of emerging markets, which takes care of the global south and takes care of very human-centric, global development," the former Niti Aayog CEO said. Kant further said the world is facing a crisis of climate action and climate finance. He pointed out that COVID has left 200 million people below the poverty line, 100 million people have lost their jobs, 75 countries in the world are facing a global debt crisis, and 1/3 of the world is in recession. Responding to criticism that India is not on the right side of history as it has not directly condemned Russia, Kant said India looks at the world as a whole. "These are very important issues for emerging markets and developing countries. These issues need to be brought to the centre stage, not just the issue," he emphasised. Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The Russian action has been widely condemned by the US-led West. "We should not end up getting caught in just one issue. It's very important to look beyond this issue to understand what the citizens of the world are confronted with and find a solution to the challenges. The Group of Twenty (G20) is an intergovernmental forum, comprising 19 countries and the European Union. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the US and the UK are among other members. "If we get just caught up in that one issue, we will be forgetting all the other challenges, which both emerging and developing countries are confronted with," he said, adding that it is very important to focus on all these issues. It was founded, in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis, as a forum for finance ministers and central bank governors to discuss global economic and financial issues. G20 members represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade and about two-thirds of the world population. Chaos reigned at a slum cluster near Pragati Maidan when the authorities along with police demolished over 55 shanties Thursday morning as part of an anti-encroachment drive, displacing more than 40 families. Residents say they woke up to the rumble of JCBs around 4 am and were shocked to see people preparing to take their houses down. Authorities have been conducting anti-encroachment drives across the national capital ahead of the G20 summit to be held in the city later this year. Security personnel were deployed on Bhairon Marg to prevent any confrontation, they said. A makeshift school which was being run by an NGO for the last nine years was also demolished in the drive. "Around 30 students studied in the school. Children of slum dwellers use to attend classes here after their school hours. Children from 5 to 16 years old used to regularly visit the school where they were also trained in arts and skill development," said the residents. They said the notice they were issued did not mention school demolition. Also Read Three-day-long G20 event in Kashmir to begin today: All you need to know Crisis in multilateralism affecting developing nations most: PM at G20 meet Delhi man gets threat message to dislodge Indian flag from Pragati Maidan G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting: Guests welcomed with dance performance G20 foreign ministers' meeting today: Schedule, agenda, other details here G20 Presidency remains focused on economic development issues: Kant Himachal Pradesh taxes and excise department revenue registers 13% growth Terrorism among key threats to int'l peace, security: EAM at BRICS meet Covid lockdowns affected our memory like serving jail time: Research 178,000 farmers attend orientation programme on agriculture schemes in J&K The slum dwellers who were seen sifting through the rubble to salvage any belongings said they had been asking the government to allot them an alternate place somewhere within 5 km radius. "When they want our votes, they come to us and talk about big things but now when we are displaced and have nowhere to go, they couldn't care less...," said angry residents. "We were sleeping in our shanties. It was around 4 am, when these people came with JCB machines and other equipment to demolish our homes. We pleaded with them to not demolish our homes, but they said they had the legal right to do so We lost all our belongings, our furniture, vessels, books of our children we lost it all," said another resident. The slum dwellers say they were given a notice a few months ago about the demolition drive and they were fighting the decision in the court. Their hope that they would not be displaced from their homes where they had been living for years were dashed on Thursday. "Where will we go now? We are out on the street with nowhere to go. Even though we got a notice earlier, we were not told that the authorities would suddenly appear at 4 am in the morning and start demolishing our homes...," said one of the residents, who also lost her shanty in the drive. The residents claimed that the authorities told them to go away from the area since their slum cluster was a "dirt" and it would affect the image of Pradati Maidan. However, the police said they had been living here illegally for many years. A PWD official said, "The drive was carried out by the Special Task Force and it was not a drive by our department. Our officials were present on the spot to assist in the drive. It was carried out on the instructions of the court." The Delhi High Court had last month refused to interfere with the demolition of jhuggis near Pragati Maidan and granted a month's time to its occupants to vacate the land. Justice Prathiba M Singh, who was hearing petitions by residents following a demolition notice issued earlier this year, said authorities may take action for demolition after May 31 and said the petitioners will be provided alternative accommodation in a shelter home. The court had noted that the jhuggis, which were on the side of Bhairon Marg, were not part of a "notified cluster" by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and therefore, no rehabilitation can be directed. It had also noted that the structures in question were also at "considerable distance" from the recognised jhuggi cluster in the area. In February, the court stayed the demolition of the slum in question and sought the stand of the Centre and Delhi government authorities on the issue. Singh stated that schemes such as Ujjwala for gas connections, Swachhta for female toilets, and Jal Jeevan for tap water in households not only made life easier for women but also gave them a sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. In the last nine years, the Central government has provided "Suvidha, Suraksha, Samman" (convenience, security, and respect) to women, said Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh on Thursday. Justice Yogesh Khanna of Delhi High Court recently issued the order on the execution petition filed by Maran's firm Kal Airways Pvt Ltd. The order rejected the claims of Spicejet and directed them to pay the entire arbitral award to Kal. The court also instructed Spicejet to file an Affidavit of Assets within a specified time frame. Delhi High Court on May 29 ordered SpiceJet to pay Rs 380 crore to its former promoter, Kalanithi Maran of the Sun Group, and asked the airline to submit an affidavit of assets within four weeks. Additionally, Spicejet was directed to pay an amount of Rs. 242 crore within three weeks from September 2, 2020. Spicejet sought to modify this order, but their application was rejected. They then challenged these orders before the Supreme Court, which directed them on February 13, 2023, to encash the bank guarantee and pay the specified amount directly to Kal Airways. Spicejet was also required to pay an additional amount of Rs 75 crore to Kal Airways within three months, as the liability for interest. Kal Airways had argued that Spicejet had failed to comply with the Delhi High Court order of November 4, 2020 by not filing the affidavit of assets. Senior Counsel Sandeep Sethi, representing Spicejet, said that Spicejet had already paid a principal amount of Rs 579.08 crore and had applied to the Supreme Court for a three-month extension to make the payment of Rs 75 crores specifically for the interest. Sethi requested the Delhi High Court to not pass an order to direct Spicejet to deposit the remaining balance amount. Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for KAL, had told the HC that the amount of Rs 75 crores had not been deposited yet, resulting in an increased interest liability of Rs 380 crores. Therefore, KAL had insisted on compliance with the order passed by the Supreme Court, he said. Also Read 'Air travel has come roaring back': SpiceJet net profit rises 160% SpiceJet soars 15% as net profit jumps five-fold to Rs 107 crore in Q3 SpiceJet plans to revive 25 planes as Go First files for bankruptcy SpiceJet tanks 19%, crashes to near 8-year low on heavy volumes SpiceJet approves slump sale of cargo biz, raising Rs 2,500 cr via QIB Indiabulls HFC eyes to scale up monthly disbursement to Rs 1,200-1,300 cr TeamLease co-founder & executive director Rituparna Chakraborty steps down Meesho becomes world's fastest shopping app to cross 500 mn downloads Google's shareholders seek assessment of plans to expand cloud regions Adani terminates deal to acquire Macquarie's toll road portfolio in AP, Guj "The arguments of the decree-holder (KAL) appears plausible as admittedly there is no modification of order dated 13.02.2023 passed by the Honble Supreme Court, hence it need to be followed," the Delhi High Court said. Singh, meanwhile, argued that the timeline for the payment of the interest amount had already been determined by the Supreme Court, and so the Delhi HC has no authority to extend the time limit. "The judgment debtor(Spicejet) had failed to pay an amount of Rs.75.00 crores to decree-holder, hence in terms of para 15(ii) of the order dated 13.02.2023 of the Honble Supreme Court, there is no other alternative except to call upon the judgment debtors to deposit the entire outstanding amount qua interest forthwith, thus so directed. Affidavit of assets be also filed within four weeks from today(May 29, 2023)," the order read. Observing this, the court told Spicejet to deposit the entire outstanding amount of Rs 380 crore. Commenting on the case, a Spicejet spokesperson said, "SpiceJet is already in discussions with Mr. Kalanithi Maran and his firm KAL Airways for comprehensive settlement of the matter. We are confident of resolving the same mutually as we have already paid the entire principal amount of Rs 578 crore earlier awarded by the Arbitral Tribunal. Microsofts Work Trend Index 2023 found that while 74 per cent of Indian employees are worried about AI replacing their jobs, 83 per cent would delegate as much work to it as possible, to help lessen their workloads. As artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to replace jobs, a new report from Microsoft has suggested that Indian employees are caught between a fear of losing jobs and an opportunity to reduce workload by delegating tasks to technology. The report also found that 78 per cent people in India dont have uninterrupted focus during their workday. Moreover, 76 per cent of Indian workers say they dont have enough time and energy to get their work done, and those people are 3.1 times more likely to say they struggled with being innovative. Within Microsoft 365, the average person spends 57 per cent of their time communicating, and only 43 per cent of their time creating. More than three in four Indian workers would be comfortable using AI not just for administrative tasks (86 per cent), but also for analytical work (88 per cent), and for the creative aspects of their role (87 per cent). Meanwhile, Indian managers are 1.6 times more likely to say that AI would provide value in the workplace by boosting productivity than cut headcount. The primary culprit disrupting productivity is inefficient meetings, as reported by 46 per cent of Indian workers who feel that their absence in half or more of their meetings would go unnoticed by colleagues. This reflects the concern that leaders have. The Index found that more than three in four Indian leaders (84 per cent) are concerned about a lack of innovation. Also Read Chennai, Southern cities top in terms of women employment: Report EPFO data shows employment dip Transition to vulnerable employment subsides in recent years: Report With jobs no longer secure, career cushioning is taking centre stage Blue-collar hiring start-up Apna reports 60% jump in job postings in 2022 Committed to enhancing development partnership with Nepal: President Murmu Cong asks Sebi to ensure FPI ownership disclosure, JPC in Adani group case Par panel on finance debates cyber security, rising white collar crimes Farmers back wrestlers: Mahapanchayat in UP, protests in Haryana, Punjab Wrestlers are mentally shattered after police 'manhandling': Sources For this to happen, the Index found that AI aptitude within organisations is a must. As many as 90 per cent of Indian leaders say employees they hire will need new skills to be prepared for the growth of AI. A staggering 78 per cent of Indian workers say they currently dont have the right capabilities to get their work done. As the nature of work evolves, AI promises to be the biggest transformation to work in our lifetimes. The opportunity and responsibility for every organisation and leader is to get AI right testing and experimenting with new ways of working to build a brighter future of work for everyone, said Bhaskar Basu, country head modern work, Microsoft India. While there are many questions about how this technology will really work, theres going to be a fusion of technology with human capability. Its moving into the era of co-pilot. Enterprise digital assistance will democratise access to data, insights and actions, said Merlyn Mathew, head of delivery excellence and talent supply chain at Persistent Systems, a technology services company. However, the good news is that human resource heads believe that AI or generative AI will be a multiplier of human capability. They feel that instead of taking away jobs, it will instead create more jobs. Richard Lobo, executive VP and head of HR, Infosys, cautioned that in this adoption of AI one must not forget the people part. She added that AI is going to be a multiplier of human capability. This will help us unleash a lot more productivity and creativity and bring new skills to work. There will definitely be a transformation of HR processes, which will enhance the way employees experience the workplace, which in turn should boost creativity, said Mathew. We have to fundamentally remember that as a rule, you first have algorithms, then you have investment in technology, and then finally people. We should never forget the people piece. At Infosys we have 350,000 people. It is finally people who will make the difference, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Thursday vowed to resolve the vexed boundary dispute under the spirit of friendship even as the two sides signed several major pacts including one on increasing New Delhi's import of power from the neighbouring country to 10,000 mega watt in the next 10 years. In the wide-ranging talks between Modi and Prachanda, the Indian side agreed to the first trilateral power trade from Nepal to Bangladesh through India for up to 40 mega watt of power, a move that is seen as a significant step towards ensuring greater regional cooperation. Modi also said India will continue to strive to take the relationship with Nepal to Himalayan heights. In total, India and Nepal signed seven pacts which included a revised treaty of transit that was described by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra as "once in a generation kind of an agreement" as it would provide Nepal access to inland waterways of India for the first time and expected to contribute very significantly to expansion of trade and investment linkages. The two sides also firmed up several new initiatives to expand cooperation in areas of hydro-electric power, petroleum infrastructure, railway connectivity, cross-border payment systems and trade and investment as part of a futuristic approach to expand the overall trajectory of bilateral ties. In his media statement, Modi said he and Prachanda took many important decisions to make the partnership between the two countries a "super hit" in the future. Also Read Boundary dispute: Two Maha ministers to visit Belgaum on Dec 6, not Dec 3 Indian Embassy, Nepal govt sign MoUs for projects in education, healthcare China's new envoy vows to further enhance bilateral ties with Nepal HM Amit Shah to meet Maha, Karnataka CMs on Dec 14 over boundary row: NCP Maha-Karnataka boundary row: Legal battle, politics keep the pot boiling Massive landslide in U'khand leaves over 200 Adi Kailash pilgrims stranded Delhi HC dismisses appeal against tax department over SVLDR scheme Former Cricket captain Dhoni successfully undergoes knee surgery in Mumbai Decision to get listed to be taken by shareholders: Future Generali MD WhatsApp bans 7.4 mn bad accounts in April in compliance with new IT Rules "We will continue to strive to take our relationship to Himalayan heights. And in this spirit, we will resolve all the issues, be it boundary related or any other issue," Modi said in his media statement in presence of Prachanda. In his comments, the Nepalese prime minister said he and Modi discussed the boundary matter. "I urge prime minister Modi-ji to resolve the boundary matter through the established bilateral diplomatic mechanism," he said. Ties between the two countries came under severe strain after Kathmandu published a new political map in 2020 that showed three Indian territories -- Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipulekh -- as part of Nepal. India reacted sharply, calling it a "unilateral act" and cautioned Kathmandu that such "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims will not be acceptable to it. Asked at a media briefing about the boundary dispute, Foreign Secretary Kwatra referred to the comments by the two prime ministers and said they not only speak of the intent of the two leaders and the two systems, they also speak about the specifics through which they intend this to be carried forward. To a question on whether the China factor figured in the talks, Kwatra said the discussions also covered wider developments and challenges and how the two countries should cooperate to mitigate them. In his remarks, Modi also referred to his priority in strengthening ties with Nepal after he took charge as the prime minister nine years ago. "I remember, nine years ago, in 2014, within three months of taking office, I made my first visit to Nepal. At that time I had given a 'hit' formula for India-Nepal relations -- Highways, I-ways, and Trans-ways," Modi said. "I had said that we will establish such a relationship between India and Nepal that our borders do not become barriers between us," he said. Modi said he was feeling proud to say after nine years that "our partnership has been really a 'hit'". He also said to further strengthen cultural and religious ties, "Prachanda and I decided that projects related to Ramayana circuit should be expedited". Following the talks, Modi and Prachanda remotely unveiled the Kurtha-Bijalpura section of railway line, virtually flagged off a cargo train from Bathnaha (India) to Nepal Customs Yard and inaugurated Integrated Checkposts (ICPs) at Nepalgunj in Nepal and Rupaidiha on the Indian side. They also remotely joined the ground breaking ceremonies for ICPs at Bhairahawa (Nepal) and Sonauli (India), phase-II facilities under Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline as well as kick started the project for construction of the Indian portion of Gorakhpur-Bhutwal transmission line. "Last year we adopted a landmark vision document for cooperation in the power sector. Taking this forward, a long term power trade agreement has been signed between India and Nepal today. Under this, we have set a target of importing 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal in the coming ten years," Modi said. At present, India imports around 450 MW of power from Nepal. Referring to the revised transit pact, Modi said, "Today Prime Minister Prachanda ji and I have taken many important decisions to make our partnership a super hit in the future. Today the transit agreement has been concluded. In this, along with new rail routes for the people of Nepal, provision has also been made for the facility of India's inland waterway." "We decided to increase physical connectivity by setting up new rail links," he said. In the talks, it was agreed to set up a fertilizer plant in Nepal by India. According to Kwatra, India decided to fund three major transmission corridors in Nepal under the line of credit support of about USD 680 million. In his comments, Prachanda said he and Modi carried out an "extensive review" of the progress in the ties and renewed their commitment to further strengthen the relations and cooperation. The Nepalese prime minister said he appreciated Modi's "neighbourhood first policy". "The relations between Nepal and India are age-old and multi-faceted. This relationship stands on the solid foundation built on one hand by the rich tradition of civilisational, cultural and socio-economic linkage and on the other by the firm commitment of the two countries to the time-tested principle of sovereign equality, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation," he said. He said the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas including trade, transit, investment, hydro-power, power trade, irrigation, power transmission line, expansion of petroleum pipeline, construction of integrated check post and land and air connectivity. "We are happy to see the remarkable transformation of India's economic and development landscape under the able leadership of PM Modi. I congratulate PM Modi on the completion this week of nine years in government with far reaching achievement in many fronts," Prachanda said. The Nepalese leader arrived here on Wednesday on a four-day visit. Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old "Roti Beti" relationship. The country shares a border of over 1850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. Nepal's access to the sea is through India, and it imports a predominant proportion of its requirements from and through India. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations between the two countries. India and Vietnam pledged to further strengthen their shared efforts and existing frameworks in areas such as marine scientific research, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime connectivity and maritime security, including Navy and Coast Guard co-operation, maritime law enforcement and capacity building, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday. The 3rd India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held in the national capital, New Delhi, on Wednesday. The Indian delegation was led by Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs and the Vietnamese delegation by Ambassador Trinh Duc Hai, Vice Chairman, National Boundary Commission. The delegations comprised senior officials from the respective ministries and services concerned with maritime affairs. During the dialogue, the two sides deliberated on ways to sustain a secure maritime environment conducive for inclusive growth and global well-being. They reviewed ongoing cooperation in the maritime domain and avenues of reinforcing international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security. India and Vietnam also discussed ways to maintain a maritime environment that is secure and supportive of inclusive growth for both nations. "3rd India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue held today in New Delhi. Senior officials from the respective Ministries and Services concerned with maritime affairs participated in the Dialogue," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, tweeted on Wednesday. Also Read Vietnam Airline to connect Mumbai with Ho Chi Minh City from May 20 Netflix makes preparations to open Vietnam office after negotiating for yrs Vietnam's economic hub Ho Chi Minh city to revive manufacturing sector Setting up clinics to assess drinking water quality in coastal areas: CMFRI Bengal, Vietnam have much to do to strengthen bilateral trade: Envoy Application to terminate leases of Go First's lessors not rejected: DGCA Akash Ambani, wife Shloka Mehta welcome second child, a baby girl Citizens have right to change their names according to personal will: HC India, China review LAC situation; discuss ways for disengagement Telangana launches State Anti-Narcotics, State Cyber Security Bureaus "Also reviewed maritime cooperation initiatives and avenues of reinforcing international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security," Bagchi added. Notably, the second India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held in April 2021 in the virtual format while the first was held in Hanoi in March 2019. "India and Vietnam held their second maritime security dialogue in a virtual format on 6 April 2021. The consultations involved exchanges on developments in the domain of maritime security, regional cooperation activities and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries," the MEA said in a statement. The two nations share warm and cordial ties. Recently, at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh. Both leaders discussed various aspects of the partnership between the two nations, including in defence. "Prime Ministers @narendramodi and Pham Minh Chinh held talks in Hiroshima. They discussed different aspects of India-Vietnam friendship, particularly in areas like energy, technology, commerce and defence," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from South Africa and Saudi Arabia during which they exchanged views on the global situation and reviewed the progress in ties. Jaishankar, who is here to participate in a conclave of the five-nation grouping BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa), held talks with both the leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting. "A warm meeting with FM Naledi Pandor of South Africa. Thank her for hosting us in the Indo-Atlantic city of Cape Town. Reviewed the progress of our strategic partnership and agreed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic ties in a fitting manner," he said in a tweet. The two leaders exchanged views on BRICS, IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa), G20 and UN where the two sides have a strong tradition of cooperating closely. The BRICS brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade. The IBSA is a trilateral forum which brings together India, Brazil and South Africa, three large democracies and major economies from three different continents, facing similar challenges. Also Read Saudi Arabia, Australia ask citizens in Pakistan to limit movement India, Saudi Arabia discuss aspects of enhancing bilateral coordination Saudi Aramco earned profits of $161 bn in 2022 due to high crude oil prices Pakistan gets Saudi Arabia's green signal for provision of $2 billion US court dismisses lawsuit against Saudi prince over journalist's killing Haryana govt should take up wrestlers' case with Centre: Cong's Bhupinder Neighbourhood criteria will defeat purpose of EWS quota in schools: HC Khap Mahapanchayat: Delegation to meet Prez to seek justice for wrestlers Why was excise policy withdrawn if it was good? Delhi HC asks Sisodia MP 'Ladli Behna' scheme: CM gives sanction letters to four women in Bhopal During his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Jaishankar had a productive exchange of views on the global situation. "So nice to see FM HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. A productive exchange of views on the global situation. Look forward to advancing bilateral cooperation through the Strategic Partnership Council," he tweeted. A Khap Mahapanchayat held here on Thursday decided that a delegation would meet President Droupadi Murmu to seek justice for wrestlers demanding action against BJP MP and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh accused of sexually abusing female grapplers, farmer leader Rakesh Tikiat said. The mahapanchayat was called by Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Naresh Tikait on Wednesday, a day after he and other farmer leaders managed to dissuade some of India's top wrestlers from throwing their medals in the Ganga river to protest alleged police inaction against the outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief. Naresh Tikait is the head of the Balyan Khap. The mahapanchayat was attended by khap leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. At the mahapanchayat, Rakesh Tikiat said the khaps will hold another meeting in Kurukshetra on Friday where more decisions will be taken. "Representatives of the khaps will meet the president and the government in support of the wrestlers and the fight will continue till they get justice," he said. "We will meet the president and the government and if they do not take any decision (on Brij Bhusan Saran Singh), we will take the next step," Rakesh Tikait said without elaborating further. He, however, did not mention when they would meet the president. Also Read PT Usha calls wrestlers' protest indiscipline, who said what so far! HC to decide which court to hear wrestler's plea against WFI chief Women returning to work after break find most demand in telecom, HR sectors Delhi govt supports filing of FIR against WFI chief: Saurabh Bharadwaj Dictionary.com explains why 'woman' was the most searched word of the year Why was excise policy withdrawn if it was good? Delhi HC asks Sisodia MP 'Ladli Behna' scheme: CM gives sanction letters to four women in Bhopal Bengaluru govt museum exhibits complete replica of Mars Rover Opportunity For the first time, India setting agenda for G20: Sherpa Amitabh Kant Meghalaya govt sets up expert committee to review reservation policy Asked to comment on the outgoing WFI chief making statements in the media, Tikait said, "The person who has cases registered against him under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been given the liberty to talk while the government is not saying anything." On Tuesday, Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, and Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat went to Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar along with their supporters to throw their medals in the Ganga. However, they relented after khap and farmer leaders sought five days' time to address their grievances. The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs against Singh. While the first FIR relates to allegations by a minor wrestler and has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second is related to outraging modesty. Singh, who has repeatedly denied all charges against him, said on Wednesday that he would hang himself if a single allegation is proved against him. Goods and Services Tax collections rise 12 per cent to Rs 1.57 trillion in May, according to finance ministry. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the Centre will constitute a panel to probe into the incidents of violence in Manipur headed by a retired judge of the High Court. The Governor of Manipur will head a peace committee with members of civil society. Shah said "I express my condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones in the violence. I have visited several places in Manipur in the last 3 days including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur and held meetings with officials to establish peace in the state. I have met CSOs of Meitei and Kuki communities." Prime Minister Modi will meet Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda at Hyderabad house today. The Nepal Prime Minister is on a four-day visit to India to further strengthen the age-old bilateral ties with India. This is Prachanda's first visit to India since he assumed office in December 2022. He is visiting India on PM Modi's invitation. Terrorism among key threats to international peace and security, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at BRICS meeting.Goods and Services Tax collections rise 12 per cent to Rs 1.57 trillion in May, according to finance ministry.The Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the Centre will constitute a panel to probe into the incidents of violence in Manipur headed by a retired judge of the High Court. The Governor of Manipur will head a peace committee with members of civil society.Shah said "I express my condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones in the violence. I have visited several places in Manipur in the last 3 days including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur and held meetings with officials to establish peace in the state. I have met CSOs of Meitei and Kuki communities."Prime Minister Modi will meet Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda at Hyderabad house today. The Nepal Prime Minister is on a four-day visit to India to further strengthen the age-old bilateral ties with India. This is Prachanda's first visit to India since he assumed office in December 2022. He is visiting India on PM Modi's invitation. A suspected Pakistani intruder was shot dead by the BSF along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district on Thursday, officials said. The incident took place near Mangu Chak Border Out Post (BOP) in Samba sector around 2.50 am, they said. What is the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact? Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Thursday, said that any further violation by those belonging to groups part of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement would be considered a violation of the SoO agreement and warned that it could lead to the dissolution of the SoO pact signed in 2008. After his three-day visit to the violence-hit Manipur, the home minister addressed the media. According to the pact, the Centre and state governments agreed that the security forces would not launch any operations against these groups. In return, the insurgent groups will also not launch any such operation. The Centre and state government signed the SoO pact to reach an agreement with 25 Kuki insurgent groups in Manipur in 2008. Of these 25 insurgent groups, 17 come under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), and eight belong to the United People's Front (UPF). The SoO pact further bars these groups from committing any activity that amounts to atrocity or extortion, or any other unlawful operation. The pact also requires these groups to abide by the Constitution of India, the laws of the land and the territorial integrity of Manipur. Also Read As Manipur reels from violence, home minister Shah to visit the state today Tribal protest in Manipur turns violent; curfew imposed, internet suspended Shielding governance failure will not resolve Manipur's problems Manipur violence: Long-standing issue of ST status for Meitei torches state Home minister Amit Shah meets Kuki leaders; victims' kin to get Rs 10 lakh Will not fence cheetah habitats, it is against tenets of conservation: Govt Centre handling issue of protesting wrestlers sensitively: Anurag Thakur Delhi excise scam case: Accused Sharath Reddy turns second approver Planning of Bengal school recruitment scam done at WBBPE office: ED Insurer liable to compensate accident victim's kin irrespective of DL: HC Even though the government made these groups deposit their weapons in a safe room with a double-locking system, they still had arms only to guard their camps. The pact also confined their militant cadres to government-designated camps. The cadres of these insurgent groups living in the camps were given a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000. Under the pact, the government also provided them financial assistance to maintain the designated camps. What is the Kuki conflict? The cadres of these insurgent groups living in the camps were given a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000. Under the pact, the government also provided them financial assistance to maintain the designated camps. In the 1990s, ethnic clashes broke out between the Nagas of Manipur and the Kukis. The Kuki insurgency gained momentum since then over the demand for a Kuki homeland. The Kukis clashed with the Nagas as the land they saw as a part of the "Kuki homeland" overlapped with the Nagas' demand for a "Naga homeland." The Kukis are an ethnic group native to the Mizo Hills in Mizoram and Manipur. The underground insurgent groups have fought with the government since then. What will be the implication of the Centre's withdrawal from SoO? The underground insurgent groups have fought with the government since then. A withdrawal by the Centre from the tripartite can undo all the negotiations reached with insurgent groups until now. Additionally, not all insurgent groups had signed the pact. The state government had already announced its withdrawal from the pact on March 10 after Manipur violence as they believed that two SoO groups-- the Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) had a significant role in the escalation of violence. Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda' will visit the renowned Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain and also an IT Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Indore in Madhya Pradesh during his India visit that began on Wednesday, official sources said. Prachanda, along with a high-level delegation, is 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 bilateral ties, they said. After official engagements in New Delhi, Prachanda is scheduled to arrive in Indore on Friday and travel to neighbouring Ujjain district where he will offer prayers at the famous Mahakaleshwar temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlings (major places of worship of Lord Shiva) in the country, the sources said. MP Governor Mangubhai Patel will receive the Nepalese prime minister on his arrival at the Mahakaleshwar shrine, they said. Prachanda will also visit a solid waste management plant in Indore the same day, they said. On June 3, the Nepalese PM will visit TCS and Infosys campuses in an IT SEZ in Indore and leave for New Delhi later in the day, the sources said. Also Read Indian Embassy, Nepal govt sign MoUs for projects in education, healthcare Nepal plane crash: At least 68 dead, rescuers search for 4 missing persons Nepal plane crash: Death toll rises to 70; handover of bodies begins Nepal, China to resume two-way trade via key border points from today Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda set to take oath as Nepal's new PM today We take responsibility for what happened: Bhupender over cheetah deaths India, Nepal vow to resolve boundary dispute under 'spirit of friendship' Massive landslide in U'khand leaves over 200 Adi Kailash pilgrims stranded 68% freelancers in India depend on social media to find work: Report Delhi HC dismisses appeal against tax department over SVLDR scheme Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will host a dinner in honour of Prachanda in Indore on June 2, they said. Earlier, Chouhan chaired a meeting with senior officials in Indore through video-conferencing to review preparations for the tour of the 68-year-old Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) leader who assumed office in December 2022. The CM directed officials to make adequate arrangements for Prachanda's MP visit during which cultural events will also be organised, the sources added. Meanwhile, BJP MP from Indore Shankar Lalwani chaired a meeting in a hotel here on Thursday to give the final touches to the arrangements being made for the high-profile visit. Senior officials of the Indore division attended the meeting, an official said. It was informed in the meeting that a traditional welcome will be accorded to Prachanda on his arrival in Indore. Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old "Roti-Beti" relationship, which refers to cross-border marriages between people of the two countries. The country shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The land-locked nation relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services and its access to the sea is through India. The NHRC has issued a notice to the railways and the police chief of Jharkhand over electrocution of six contract labourers while they were installing a truss pole to support the overhead railway power lines in Dhanbad rail division, officials said on Thursday. Apparently, the incident, which took place on May 29, amounts to "contributory negligence" of the public servant who "failed to supervise the work of the contractor effectively", and therefore, it is a matter of concern for the Commission, the rights panel said in a statement. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that six contract labourers were electrocuted while installing a truss pole to support the overhead railway power line near Nichitpur railway crossing, on the Dhanbad-Gaya section in Dhanbad rail division. Reportedly, the contractor had not taken steps to get the power supply blocked before starting the work, it said. The Commission has observed that the content of the media report, if true, amounts to the violation of human rights of the labourers. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the chairman of the Railway Board, and the director general of police of Jharkhand, seeking a detailed report within four weeks, the statement said. It should also include the status of the FIR registered by the police, action taken against the remissness of the contractor and his supervisor as well as compensation if any, granted to the next of kin of the deceased. The Commission would also like to know about the action against delinquent officers for their "supervisory lapse" attributed to the tragic incident, the rights panel said. Also Read Jharkhand Assembly adjourned twice on ruckus over new employment policy Prez Murmu pays obeisance at Ranchi temple, garlands Birsa Munda statue Centre bars tourists at Shri Sammed Shikharji in Jharkhand, amid protests Cong rejigs Jharkhand unit, appoints 11 V-Ps, 35 gen secys and 82 secys Jharkhand Assembly passes Rs 8,534 crore supplementary budget by current FY Nepal PM to visit Mahakaleshwar temple, Indore IT SEZ during MP visit We take responsibility for what happened: Bhupender over cheetah deaths India, Nepal vow to resolve boundary dispute under 'spirit of friendship' Massive landslide in U'khand leaves over 200 Adi Kailash pilgrims stranded 68% freelancers in India depend on social media to find work: Report According to the media report, carried on May 30, the poles were being installed by the contract labourers engaged by the Rail Vidyut Nigam Limited when one of the truss poles slipped from their hands and touched the live 25 KV overhead wire, and as a result, six workers who were holding the pole were charred to death. The Bihar state health department has issued notices to over 60 government doctors across the state for being on unauthorised leave for at least a year or more, officials said on Thursday. A notice containing names of such doctors of different health centers and hospitals in this regard was uploaded on the department's website, they said. The department directed all the 62 doctors in the list to submit an explanation for their unauthorised absence within 15 days or face strict disciplinary action. If no reply is received from the individuals within the stipulated time, it will be construed that he/she has no explanation to offer. In that case the department has the power to initiate disciplinary action against them," said a senior official of the department. "Unauthorised absenteeism invites action, including dismissal, under the provisions of government servant conduct rules, he said. The doctors, who were served the notices, have been abstaining from their duty for a minimum of one year and there were some who had not been coming to work for the past five to six years, the official said. Also Read Demolition of old Patna Collectorate was a mistake, says Bihar BJP MP Centre cutting its share in funding education: Bihar FM Vijay Choudhary Meeting of opposition leaders in Patna post-Karnataka poll: Nitish Kumar Ex-JD(U) president RCP Singh joins BJP, attacks Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to skip 'Namami Gange' event chaired by PM Modi World's first 3D printed Hindu temple being built in Telangana by Apsuja 5.2 mn farmers get Rs 5,500 each under YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan scheme NCRTC to build dedicated pedestrian bridge at Anand Vihar RAPIDX Station Wrestlers' Protest: Muzaffarnagar Khap 'mahapanchayat' to pass a resolution Air Force's trainer aircraft crashes in Karnataka, pilots eject safely "The department had sought explanation from the doctors earlier. However, they did not reply. The doctors who have been served the notices include community health centers and those posted in the district hospitals," he said. Patna has the maximum of 14 doctors who have been served notices for unauthorised absence from their duties for several years. Besides, notices have been served to doctors posted at health centers and hospitals at Buxar, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Jamui and Kaimur among others. In January the Bihar government had dismissed 64 doctors who were posted in different districts and hospitals in the state from service for 'unauthorised absence' from their duties for more than five years. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Before taking the step, the government doctors concerned had been given several opportunities to clear the reason for their absence, but they did not submit their replies, the officials said. At the crack of dawn on Thursday with the city still asleep, excavators made their way into a slum cluster near Pragati Maidan, waking its inhabitants who felt their lives were about to be upended. As imminent demolition loomed, poised to reduce their modest homes to rubble, several residents suddenly found themselves shelterless. Anxiety crept in as they began to think of their bleak future and possibly that of their children. Pinky, a mother of four, said she was distressed about her 18-year-old daughter's future. Having somehow managed to gather enough money to send the teenager to a hostel, Pinky said that her daughter might not be able to complete her studies now that her home has been razed in the anti-encroachment drive. "This displacement affects my livelihood. We somehow managed to save money and send her to a hostel. After this demolition drive, we are worried that she might have to come back," the woman said. "Authorities are more concerned about the rich. They are least bothered about poor people like us," she lamented. Fifty-five shanties were demolished in the slum cluster as part of an anti-encroachment drive, displacing more than 40 families. Also Read G20 cleanup: Pragati Maidan slum cluster razed; 40 families lose home Delhi man gets threat message to dislodge Indian flag from Pragati Maidan HC directs slum dwellers on Yamuna floodplains to vacate in three days Dec 6 forever a black day for Indian democracy, says AIMIM president Owaisi Locals protest over compensation ahead of Joshimath demolition drive CAQM conducted over 2,900 surprise inspections in Delhi-NCR from Jan to May 50 hydropower plants to come up in Arunachal's villages along China border Desilting of drains be completed by June 15: Delhi Mayor to officials Rajasthan received 62.4 mm rain in May, highest for month in over 100 years Sedition law should be retained with certain amendments: Law Commission Sifting through the rubble in a last-ditch bid to save their belongings, the slum dwellers alleged they had been demanding the government to allot them an alternative place somewhere within a five-kilometre radius. Most slum dwellers in the cluster work as scrap dealers and are worried about their financial situation after the demolition drive. Geeta, a mother of two girls, said she was worried about the future of her children as the priority of the family now is to search for a shelter. "I am worried that I will not be able to get my daughters married," she added. A makeshift school being run by an NGO for the last nine years was also demolished in the drive. Neetu Singh, who runs the NGO, alleged she was not given a notice for the demolition of the school. "They can demolish schools but how can they do that without notice? They communicated to us about the evacuation of slums but they should have also given a notice to us. What is more important, making the city pretty or the future of our children," she questioned. The slum dwellers said they were given a notice a few months ago about the demolition drive and were fighting the decision in court. A Public Works Department (PWD) official said the drive was carried out by the Special Task Force on court instructions. "The drive was carried out by the Special Task Force, not by our department. Our officials were present on the spot to assist in the drive. It was carried out on the instructions of the court," he said. The Delhi High Court had last month refused to interfere with the demolition of jhuggis near Pragati Maidan and granted a month's time to its occupants to vacate the land. Justice Prathiba M Singh, who was hearing petitions by residents following a demolition notice issued earlier this year, had said authorities might take action for demolition after May 31. She had also said that the petitioners would be provided alternative accommodation at a shelter home. The court had noted that the jhuggis, which were on the side of Bhairon Marg, were not part of a "notified cluster" by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and therefore, no rehabilitation could be directed. It had also noted that the structures in question were also at a "considerable distance" from the recognised jhuggi cluster in the area. In February, the court had stayed the demolition of the slum in question and sought the stand of the Centre and the Delhi government on the issue. The cancellation of the train comes in the aftermath of the recently concluded Karnataka Assembly Elections. This has added to the troubles of the passengers who are already frustrated by long-traffic jams, cancellation of app-based cab services to and from the airport, and skyrocketing flight ticket prices. The Memu express trains to and from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) railway station have been cancelled from June 1. The South Western Railway (SWR) took this decision due to low ridership and an acute shortage of staff. Notably, the occupancy rates fell below 5 per cent as the railways decided to go ahead with the decision. A user wrote, "Japan kept running a train and the railway station because one girl used to board the train to reach her school. If railways will stop trains like this, the confidence of people to use trains for daily commute will go for toss #PublicService (sic)." People affected by the cancellation of this service took to social media to express their disappointment with the decision. There has been an increase in the number of airport passengers at the Bengaluru airport. The Bengaluru airport reported a growth in the passenger count compared with the last financial year and the figure reached 31.91 million passengers, a Moneycontrol report said. At 28.12 million, a majority of these were domestic passengers while 3.78 million were international passengers. The railways informed about the decision to cancel ten Memu express trains through a notification. The discontinued trains include 06531 KSR Bengaluru City - Devanahalli, 06533 Devanahalli - Yelahanka, 06534 Yelahanka - KIA, 06535 Devanahalli - Bengaluru Cantonment, 06536 Bengaluru Cantonment - Devanahalli, 06537 Devanahalli - Bengaluru Cantonment, 06538 Bengaluru Cantonment - Devanahalli, 06539 Devanahalli - Yelahanka, 06540 Yelahanka - Devanahalli, and 06532 Devanahalli - KSR Bengaluru. Also Read Go First airline asks NCLT to pass urgent order on insolvency plea Skyrocketing airfares: GoFirst's absence, thunderstorms, demand to blame Indian civil aviation system jumps to 55th rank in latest ICAO audit: DGCA One year since Tatas took over Air India, here's how the journey has been Aviation ministry lists five-point action plan to decongest Delhi airport Ranchi gets 5 urban health, wellness centres for easy availability of PHCs Adityanath lays foundation of State Disaster Management Authority building Manipur govt appoints Rajiv Singh as new DGP in bid to control violence Notices to over 60 govt doctors in Bihar missing from duty for years World's first 3D printed Hindu temple being built in Telangana by Apsuja There has been a phenomenal rise in the demand in the aviation sector in the country. Reportedly, the domestic sector recorded 85 per cent growth, whereas the international sector registered a 245 per cent growth compared to FY22. Security was beefed up across Punjab on Thursday with the state police carrying out flag marches and deploying adequate number of security personnel at crucial places ahead of Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6. The army had carried out Operation Blue Star in June 1984 to flush out hiding militants from Golden Temple in Amritsar. The Punjab Police on Thursday carried out flag marches in sensitive and vulnerable areas as a measure to instill confidence among the general public. As many as 110 flag marches were conducted covering 192 vulnerable areas across the state, an official statement said. The exercise was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. Special DGP (law and order) Arpit Shukla said commissioners of police and senior superintendents of police were directed to conduct flag marches in their respective districts. Police also apprehended 368 suspicious people during these flag marches. He said the exercise was aimed to boost the confidence of people besides preparing the police personnel to tackle any untoward situation. Also Read Security tightened in Tripura ahead of vote counting, says Official Security of Assam CM tightened after threat call from pro-Khalistanis Punjab police recovers 3 Kg heroin from quadcopter drone in joint operation Operation Sheesh Mahal: Why do BJP and Congress want Delhi CM to resign? Punjab Police doing its job, Amritpal to be nabbed soon: AAP's Saurabh Changes in visa rules won't impact undergrad students, says UK minister Atishi gets public relations dept, total portfolios under her rise to 9 EWS, DG seats in school to go waste on neighbourhood criteria: Delhi HC EAM calls on BRICS nations to demonstrate sincerity in reforming UNSC G20: The third meeting of the Startup20 to take place in Goa on June 3-4 The Punjab Police will ensure peaceful observance of the Operation Bluestar anniversary for which foolproof arrangements are in place and adequate security has been deployed across the state, the officer said. The Special DGP said deployment of police teams has also been intensified at vital places like bus stands, railway stations and other sensitive areas to prevent intrusion of anti-social elements. The Meghalaya government set-up all-party meeting to review the 1972 job reservation policy has proposed the constitution of an expert committee to review the policy. The all-party meeting was held on Wednesday chaired by Meghalaya Law Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh. The meeting proposed the constitution of an expert committee to review the state's job reservation policy, Lyngdoh said. The expert committee should have legal, constitutional and economic background experts that will look at data and evaluation of population, she said. "The (constitution of an expert committee) will be one of the suggestions to be sent to the government by the committee," Lyngdoh told media persons after the meeting with leaders and representatives of all political parties including those of the agitating Voice of the People's Party (VPP) on Wednesday. She, however, said that not all political parties are in agreement to have an expert committee. Also Read Meghalaya polls: Songs, music to motivate voters for Feb 27 election Meghalaya launches shared school bus system, prime tourism vehicles schemes Northeastern Railway cancels all Manipur-bound trains following violence Meghalaya assembly polls: A look at key contests between candidates Indian Railways to launch Bharat Gaurav train to northeast on March 21 Appropriate regulations on data safety, security needed: Rahul Gandhi Delhi records 'coolest' May in 36 years as excess rainfall drops mercury India reports 288 new Covid-19 cases, active infections dip to 3,925 Rajasthan Cong announces 1st 100 units electricity free for all households PM Modi, Nepalese counterpart Prachanda to inaugurate UP's first land port "There are political parties who agreed and there are political parties who did not agree. So we will do our job by sending the minutes to the government that were discussed in the meeting," she added. The minister suggested that all political parties should submit their suggestions in writing on the matter within a period of 15 days. "All political parties are to prepare their suggestions, omissions, cancellations, deletions with substantial legal footings to ensure that there will be no obstruction or scrutiny that will result negatively for the government," Lyngdoh said. Meanwhile, VPP president Ardent Basaiawmoit is on an indefinite hunger strike for more than nine days demanding a review of the 1972 job reservation policy of the state. Basaiawmoit said the agitation will be withdrawn only if the government expresses its readiness to review the 1972 job reservation policy which awarded 40 per cent of reserved jobs to Garos, 40 per cent for Khasi-Jaintia tribes, 5 per cent for other tribes and 15 per cent for general category candidates. "Our stand was made clear to the government. I will not leave the venue (of the hunger strike) till the government agrees to review the job reservation policy", he said. "I will continue with my hunger strike until I receive a notification from the government on the constitution of an expert committee," he said on Wednesday. The VPP leader had rejected the request of the state government for talks and claimed that there was massive support from people and civil society organizations demanding that the 40:40 reservation of jobs between the Khasis and the Garos be reviewed. The VPP chief maintained the 50-year-old reservation policy is "unfair and outdated" considering that the population of the Khasis have outnumbered that of the Garos in the state. According to the 2011 census, over 14.1 lakh Khasis live in Meghalaya while the number of Garo people is a little over 8.21 lakh The VPP leader said the party has also made it very clear that the ratio in terms of the job reservation should be proportionate as per the population structure of the state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a high-level security review meeting here on Wednesday night and directed heads of all security agencies to take stern and swift actions against armed miscreants to prevent violence and recover looted weapons to bring back normalcy in Manipur at the earliest. Shah on Wednesday visited two more violence-hit districts -- Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi -- and held a series of peace talks with the leaders of various civil society organisations, influential leaders, and security officials. The Home Minister, who was scheduled to leave Imphal on Wednesday night, would stay back in the strife-torn state and may return to New Delhi on Thursday. In the high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan, where Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and top police, paramilitary, and armed forces officials were present, he reviewed the security arrangements taken up by the various security forces to bring normalcy to the state. Shah also visited various relief camps in Imphal, Tengnoupal, and Kangpokpi where people of both Meitei, Kuki and other communities are sheltered since the ethnic violence began in Manipur on May 3. He assured that supply of essential items in hill areas and helicopter services for emergency needs in Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi would be ensured. Also Read As Manipur reels from violence, home minister Shah to visit the state today Tribal protest in Manipur turns violent; curfew imposed, internet suspended Shielding governance failure will not resolve Manipur's problems Manipur violence: Long-standing issue of ST status for Meitei torches state Manipur violence: Shah speaks to CMs of neighbouring states; holds 2 VCs Sikkim's financial condition improved since SKM came to power in 2019: CM India, Vietnam vow to strengthen marine scientific research, connectivity Application to terminate leases of Go First's lessors not rejected: DGCA Akash Ambani, wife Shloka Mehta welcome second child, a baby girl Citizens have right to change their names according to personal will: HC The Home Minister tweeted: "Visited a relief camp in Kangpokpi and met the Kuki community members there. We are committed to restoring peace in Manipur as early as possible and ensuring their return to their homes. "In Imphal, visited a relief camp where the members of the Meitei community are residing. Our resolve remains focused on leading Manipur back to the track of peace and harmony once again and their return to their homes at the earliest". Shah arrived in Imphal on Monday night and held over two dozen meetings intended to curb the ethnic violence that has ravaged the state since May 3, leaving at least 75 dead and over 300 injured. Moreh, 110 km from Imphal, is one of the oldest international trade points in India along the border with Myanmar, with the city of Tamu on the other side. The India-Myanmar Friendship Bridge connects Moreh to Kalewa in Myanmar's Sagaing Division. Members of many communities, including Tamils, Nepalis, Biharis, Rajasthanis, Bengalis, Punjabis, besides Meitei and Kuki, had been living together here for many years but after the violence began, thousands left it and took shelter in several areas, including inside Myanmar, after their houses were set afire. The border town is one of the most affected areas in the recent ethnic hostilities. During his visit to the two districts, Shah met the affected families and also attended peace talks. Meanwhile, sporadic firing between security forces and suspected militants were reported from different districts. An exchange of fire took place at Litanpokpi village in Imphal East district, leaving a civilian injured in the gun battle. A gunfight between militants and security forces was also reported from Sugnu in Kakching district on Tuesday night. --IANS sc/vd Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, better known as P S Golay, on Wednesday claimed that the financial condition of the Himalayan state has improved since his party Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) came to power in 2019. Addressing a function to celebrate the four years of his government, Golay said revenue collection has increased by 57 per cent since 2019. He said efforts were underway to further boost revenue without burdening the citizens through the adoption of strategic measures with transparency. "We all need to work with the spirit of 'Team Sikkim' to take the state on the path of progress and prosperity," he said, while seeking blessings from people to work for the development of the state. The programme was held four days after the actual date when the SKM came to power in Sikkim as Golay was in Delhi. The CM said he has taken up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi issues such as the reservation of assembly seats for tribal communities like Limbu and Tamang and the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for 12 communities. Also Read Sikkim to host 2 G20 events to be held next year, says CM Prem Singh Tamang SDF submits memorandum to governor, seeks President's rule in Sikkim Sikkimese feel betrayed as Article 371F violated: SDF chief Chamling Sikkim CM urges his Manipur counterpart to take care of Sikkimeses people Sikkim gorge accident: Bodies of 16 Army men sent home after wreath laying India, Vietnam vow to strengthen marine scientific research, connectivity Application to terminate leases of Go First's lessors not rejected: DGCA Akash Ambani, wife Shloka Mehta welcome second child, a baby girl Citizens have right to change their names according to personal will: HC India, China review LAC situation; discuss ways for disengagement According to a report by Live Law, the plea before the HC is related to an investigation initiated by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in Uttarakhand. The investigation pertains to the alleged "illegal" appointment of 396 employees and officers in the Legislative Assembly between 2001 and 2022 by the previous government and officers. On January 10, the High Court had issued an order that removed certain respondents from the case while issuing a notice. The Supreme Court (SC) rejected a plea that challenged a temporary order from the Uttarakhand High Court (HC) on Wednesday, stating that too many respondents had been included and that the court could delete unnecessary parties in the public interest litigation (PIL). The court also clarified that in PIL petitions, it is at the discretion of the court to decide whom to issue notices to. During the hearing, the court expressed its concerns about including numerous respondents, such as Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) , Members of Parliament (MPs), and the Chief Minister, stating that such a large number of respondents was not permissible. The SC further noted that the High Court had not dismissed the plea but had served notice to two respondents involved in the matter. According to the report, when the petitioner's advocate on record, Ankur Yadav, argued that these parties were involved in the illegal appointment case, the court responded by saying that the petitioner could ask for anything, but it didn't necessarily mean that their request would be granted. Also Read Same-sex marriage in India: What did Supreme Court say in the case? Maharashtra political crisis: CJI Chandrachud refers case to larger bench Hear borrowers before declaring accounts 'fraud': Supreme Court CJI Chandrachud releases latest version of Supreme Court mobile app SC upholds demonetisation, says test of proportionality satisfied IAF trainer aircraft crashes in open field in Karnataka, both pilots safe Diary sector should refrain from inter-state competition, says Milma Manipur violence: What is SoO pact Amit Shah warned of dissolving? Will not fence cheetah habitats, it is against tenets of conservation: Govt Centre handling issue of protesting wrestlers sensitively: Anurag Thakur Honda Cars India on Thursday reported a 43 per cent dip in domestic wholesales at 4,660 units in May. The company had dispatched 8,188 units in the domestic market in May 2022, Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) said in a statement. Exports dropped by 71 per cent to 587 units last month against 1,997 units in the previous year, it added. "Our sales for the month of May 23 were in line with our plan. The Amaze and City continued to perform well and get strong customer preference," Honda Cars India Director (Marketing and Sales) Yuichi Murata said. Also Read Honda Motor announces top management changes its Indian two-wheeler arm Honda names its upcoming SUV 'Elevate', to launch in India next month Honda Motorcycle set to join two-wheeler EV race by March next year Honda's EV roadmap: Dedicated factory, first two e-scooter models in a year Honda's latest midsize SUV to be launched on June 6; check features, price Auto cos post record sales for May amid better chip supply, high SUV demand EV2W prices shocks prospective owners after govt revises FAME II subsidy India clocks robust SUV sales in May, two-wheeler volumes rise Tata Motors posts 1.62% decline in total sales at 74,973 units in May EV firms need 13 mn sq ft real estate space by 2030 to meet output target Japanese automotive giant Toyota has admitted another incident in which data of around 260,000 car owners was exposed to the internet for a decade. Last month, the company issued an apology after it discovered that nearly 2.15 million customers' partial data was made public "due to misconfiguration of the Cloud environment" for a decade. Toyota has now identified another batch of exposed data that was "potentially accessible externally due to a misconfiguration" of its connected cloud service. The carmaker said it would notify customers with a separate apology whose information was exposed. "This incident also was caused by insufficient dissemination and enforcement of data handling rules, since our last announcement, we have implemented a system to monitor cloud configurations," said the company. Currently, the system is in operation to check the settings of all cloud environments and to monitor the settings on an ongoing basis. Also Read Auto Expo returns after 3 years; some prominent firms to skip event Toyota Kirloskar commences 3rd shift at K'taka plant to enhance production Vikram Kirloskar's daughter Manasi takes over as Toyota Kirloskar Motor VC Chinese EV brands expand to global markets as they offer lower prices Toyota Motor's new Innova HyCross priced at Rs 18.30 lakh onwards MG Motor India reported 25% increase in retail sales to 5,006 units in May E2W firms look to rejig prices and features to cope with subsidy cut Jaguar recalls I-Pace electric vehicles due to fire risk in batteries by LG Kia Seltos facelift spotted in X Line variant, check design updates Mahindra is readying an updated five-door Thar, to be launched next year "We sincerely apologise to our customers and all relevant parties for any concern and inconvenience this may have caused," said Toyota. Toyota also confirmed that an unknown number of customers outside of Japan, specifically in Asia, had their personal information exposed between October 2016 and May 2023. Last month, the company sent an apology and notification to the registered email address for customers whose in-vehicle terminal ID, chassis number, vehicle location information, and time may have been leaked. --IANS na/shb/ On Wednesday, the surplus liquidity in the banking system was around Rs 1.76 trillion, while it was approximately Rs 1.35 trillion on Tuesday. The surplus was over Rs 1 trillion in the past few days. Liquidity surplus in the banking system zoomed past Rs 1.75 trillion on the last day of May on the back of higher government spending, latest data released by Reserve Bank of India showed. The surplus liquidity in the system has cooled off the overnight rates, which dropped to 6.15 per cent on Thursday. According to the Clearing Corporation of India data, the weighted average call rate was 6.32 per cent on Thursday as compared to 6.33 per cent in the previous day. The improvement in liquidity conditions by May 31 is likely due to the pick-up in government expenditure, which is the usual pattern given that salary payments, etc. usually take place at month-end. Other factors that have helped ease liquidity pressures in May are reduction in currency leakage with currency in circulation falling by Rs 13,300 crore (May 26 over April 28), said Gaura Sengupta, India economist, IDFC First Bank. In the recent weeks, the RBI has been buying foreign currencies infusing rupee liquidity, which was also reflected by the rise in the foreign exchange reserves. After rising for two consecutive weeks, foreign exchange declined for the week ended May 19. The other reason for the rise in the surplus liquidity could be intervention by the central bank in the foreign exchange market, mainly during the first fortnight of May. Also Read IDFC Ltd to invest Rs 2,200 crore in IDFC First Bank, up its stake to 40% IDFC First Bank to issue 377.5 million share to IDFC Financial Holding Liquidity likely to veer towards neutral after three years of surplus Liquidity slips into deficit; RBI cash injections at over one-month high IDFC twins gain more than 5% on Rs 2,000-crore capital infusion CRISIL upgrades Central Bank rating on improvement in profitability Interest rates on fresh term deposits and loans dip in April, shows data UK-based abrdn offloads remaining 1.66% stake in HDFC Life Insurance Surge in market valuations may give PNB, three other PSBs largecap status RBI mulls lightweight payments & settlements for smooth ops during calamity Earlier this week, State Bank of India Chairman Dinesh Khara said around Rs 17,000 crore worth Rs 2,000 notes were deposited and exchanged by the bank since the withdrawal process started. The central banks decision to withdraw the Rs 2,000 note from the banking system is also expected to have some impact on the system liquidity. The process to withdraw the Rs 2,000 note started from May 23. The Rs 2,000 note was introduced in 2016 after the legal tender status was withdrawn for the then Rs 500 notes and Rs 1,000 notes during the demonetization exercise. About Rs 14,000 crore has been deposited in accounts and Rs 3,000 crore exchanged, Khara said in Ahmedabad on Monday. SBI has a market share of 20 per cent. Sengupta said liquidity conditions were likely to improve, going ahead. On May 29, the RBI announced to withdraw the Rs 2,000 note from circulation citing clean note policy and lack of use. The withdrawal that started from May 23 will continue till September 30. The Rs 2,000 note continues to be a legal tender. We expect liquidity conditions to improve with the government cash surplus improving to Rs 1.3 trillion by May 26 from the temporary deficit in April. Government cash surplus is expected to rise by the end of May post the credit of the RBI dividend, which will support government expenditure in June. The Rs 2,000 note withdrawal is also expected to provide a transient liquidity boost till September by reducing currency leakage as individuals deposit a part of the notes, Sengupta said. In a regulatory filing, the company said, Considering the production for May generally hovers in the range of 40 MT to 48 MT, CIL output surge in current fiscals May was substantial. All the subsidiaries of CIL have listed positive growth. Coal Indias (CIL) production rose to a record high of 60 million tonnes (MT) in May, logging 9.5 per cent growth over the same month last year with an increase of 5.2 million tonnes, the company said in a BSE filing on Thursday. Although the growth logged in May 2022 was higher at 30 per cent, in real terms the production was 54.7 MT, exceeding the 50 MT mark for the first time. Shares of Coal India Ltd, on Thursday, ended over 4 per cent lower at Rs 230.55 on BSE. Progressive production till May 2023 was 117.5 MT increasing by 9.3 MT, citing 8.6 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) growth. Production was 108.2 MTs same period last fiscal. CILs growth in May 2023, in volume and percentage terms came on the back of a very high base. Also Read Power stocks surge as govt orders coal-based plants to run at full capacity Expensive coal imports, logistics may result in higher electricity bills 2023 could be another strong yr for coal as demand may reach record levels Coal India needs to raise prices, but caught between political constraints Targeting to double coal inventory with power plants by March: Coal secy Streamline rapid disembarkation procedures for passenger safety: DGCA 83% Indian employees willing to delegate work to AI to reduce workload Demand for green jobs to rise 15-20% every year in next decade: Report Mumbai's stamp duty revenue rises 14% in May despite higher interest rates Skyrocketing airfares: GoFirst's absence, thunderstorms, demand to blame For April-May 2023 coal off-take was 126 MT clocking 6.2 per cent growth compared to 118.6 MT of same period last year. This increase is 7.3 MT. In May 2023 total supplies rose to a healthy level of 63.7 MT posting 4.1 per cent compared to 61.2 MT of May 2022. For the two-month period till May FY 2024 CIL excavated 346 million cubic metres of OBR registering 32 per cent growth. CILs over burden removal went up sharply to 178.2 million cubic metres in in May logging a robust 35 per cent growth over May 2022 with all the subsidiaries achieving growth. OBR growth bodes well for future coal production apart from stabilising mine geometry. Already deep into summer the domestic coal-based power plants, with bulk of the supplies swelled by CIL, are comfortably stocked with 35 MT of coal as of May end. In an encouraging sign supplies to non-power sector at 22.3 MT posted 29 per cent y-o-y growth ending May FY 2024. This is a jump of 5 MT in a two month compared to 17.3 MT of year ago same period. This is 13.2 MT or 60 per cent higher than 21.8 MTs over May 2022. Coal inventory at CILs pitheads is at 61 MT. Further, coal at private washeries, goods sheds, captive mines, ports and in transit accounts to the tune of 15 MT. Cumulatively, there is sufficient coal buffer of around 111 MT. By Tim Hepher and Aditi Shah PARIS/DELHI (Reuters) - India's fast-growing airline industry faces higher leasing bills and growing hesitation from financiers after foreign lessors were blocked from recovering jets caught up in the bankruptcy of Go First, the head of leasing giant AerCap told Reuters. An Indian tribunal last month granted a request from India's sixth-largest carrier for bankruptcy protection, putting into effect a moratorium on its assets that prevents foreign aircraft lessors from taking planes out for almost a year. In an interview, AerCap Chief Executive Aengus Kelly said the world's largest leasing company had earlier recovered planes from Go First, previously called Go Air, but called the court move "wrong and unfair" and warned of its wider implications. India's bankruptcy rules allow a maximum of 330 days to find a resolution, failing which a court can initiate insolvency. Lessors have argued such rules are only designed to cover assets the airline actually owns. They say the 2001 Cape Town Convention, which India has ratified but not fully implemented, overrides local law - something denied by Indian regulators. Also Read India's airline sector on to a smooth flight despite air pocketsr Go First airline asks NCLT to pass urgent order on insolvency plea Go First locks horns with lessors in a bid to begin bankruptcy hearings Experts for stricter punishment to tackle unruly behaviour on flights Unmanned check-in counters causing congestion at airports, says govt Air India Express, AirAsia India recruit over 800 cabin crew in one year India to be world's most significant new aircraft market: Barclays Public cloud market reaches $6.2 bn in 2022, to reach $17.8 bn by 2027 Members of 22 milk producer cos pledge to boost milk output: NDDB Former MSME Secretary Bidyut Bihari Swain sworn in as UPSC member "The airline doesn't own these assets," Kelly said. "The decision by the courts will cost Indian companies". Aircraft lessors control about half the world's fleet including three-quarters of jets recently delivered to India. AerCap's warnings come days after SMBC Aviation Capital, the world's second largest lessor, warned the stand-off could shake confidence in the world's fastest-growing aviation market. India's aviation regulator has told the Indian tribunal that lessors' requests have been put on hold because local laws prevail over any international treaty signed by India. India ratified the Cape Town Convention in 2008 but has yet to pass a law resolving conflicts with its bankruptcy code. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told Reuters in April a bill implementing the treaty was "very much in the works". Kelly said new lease rates had already begun rising for airlines in India, which would now face a risk premium. "We know that there are people who have pulled back from the Indian market a little bit in certain instances until they see a resolution of this," Kelly said. "Hopefully, the Indian authorities will realise that this isn't the way forward and they will allow the lessors to take equipment out." KEY MARKET The UK-based Aviation Working Group, which monitors leasing practices, has put India on a watchlist with a negative outlook. Standard Chartered's Pembroke Aircraft Leasing, CDB Aviation's GY Aviation Leasing and BOC Aviation have initiated proceedings to repossess planes from Go First. India is a critical market for lessors, in which sale-and-leaseback deals accounted for 75% of plane deliveries from 2018 to 2022, compared with a global average of 35%, according to analytics firm Cirium. But it has also been a challenging one with Go First following Kingfisher and Jet Airways - both of which went bankrupt over the last decade-plus. There are also growing concerns among some lessors about carrier SpiceJet against which Aircastle has sought to initiate bankruptcy proceedings. SpiceJet has said it is in the process of reviving its grounded fleet and has "no plans whatsoever" to file for insolvency. (Reporting by Tim Hepher, Aditi Shah; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Lakhs of dairy farming members of 22 milk producer companies on Thursday pledged to boost milk production for increasing India's share in the global output, NDDB Dairy Services said. On the World Milk Day being celebrated on Thursday across various states, lakhs of dairy farmers and their families committed themselves towards making India the 'Dairy of the World', NDDB Dairy Services (NDS) said in a statement. Out of 22 Milk Producer Companies (MPCs) supported by NDS, 15 have all-women members and all the producer directors on their boards too are women. These 22 MPCs spread across 130 districts in 9 states, have 8.7 lakh members and 71 per cent of them are women. Members of these 22 MPCs pledged to 'Make India Dairy of the World by increasing India's share to the total world production', provide quality milk and milk products to consumers by sourcing milk even from the remotest part of the country, and provide a competitive price to farmer members through a transparent process of milk collection and payments. They also committed to increase milk productivity through breed improvement programmes and better animal management practices. Also Read Milky way: Beyond Amul vs Nandini, dairy brands that dominate their states World Milk Day 2023: Date, Theme, History, Everything you need to Know Podcast: What's behind the rise in milk prices across the country? Sweating over milk: India stares at supply crunch as summer sets in We should achieve target of 330 MMT milk production by 2033-34: Amit Shah Former MSME Secretary Bidyut Bihari Swain sworn in as UPSC member Inter-ministerial meet for new industrial policy underway: DPIIT Secy Online gaming emerging as a viable source of income in India, shows study Coal India's production rises to a record high of 60 million tonnes in May Streamline rapid disembarkation procedures for passenger safety: DGCA Meenesh Shah, Chairman of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and its subsidiary NDS, said, "Our Prime Minister has envisioned that India should become the dairy for the world. We are part of this proud community of milk producers and are working on numerous initiatives for enhancing production and productivity in India towards making the dream of the Prime Minister a reality." According to an official data, total milk production in the country during 2021-22 stood at 221.06 million tonnes. Top five major milk producing states are Rajasthan (15.05 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (14.93 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (8.06 per cent), Gujarat (7.56 per cent), and Andhra Pradesh (6.97 per cent). India is the world's largest milk producer contributing 24 per cent of global milk production in the year 2021-22. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the rollout of solar and wind power installations, which are anticipated to reach 440 gigawatts in 2023, has been boosted by high fossil fuel prices and worries about energy security as a result of Russia's war on Ukraine. The world is on track to add a record amount of renewable energy capacity this year as consumers and governments look to offset high energy prices and benefit from a boom in solar power, a study released on Thursday said. Meanwhile, the world has watched riveted as the two most recent shooting wars Azerbaijans rout of Armenia in 2020 and Russias failure to subdue Ukraine even afte Speaking at an annual gathering of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi last week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh implored captains of the defence industry not for the first time to innovate in futuristic technologies to transform India from (being) a follower to a leader. Demonstrating the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJPs) talent for slogans, Mr Singh observed that Indias population had to be converted from a wealth-consuming entity into a wealth-creating resource. However, it will take more than catchphrases for our defence industry to begin churning out the defence equipment needed to become Atmanirbhar Bharat another much-used government phrase that means self-reliant. Investors are set to pour more money into solar power than in oil production this year for the first time, according to the International Energy Agency. Overall too, for every dollar invested in fossil fuels, about 1.7 dollars are now going into clean energy. Five years ago, this ratio was It aims to grow its renewables portfolio from less than 200 megawatts to 10,000 megawatts by the end of the decade, stated ONGC Chairman Arun Kumar Singh. India will continue to grow in fossil fuel demand until 2040, but at the same time we have to step up our efforts for green energy. We have to do this so that both the worlds can co-exist, he said. A positive consumer sentiment is indeed a good news for players in the FMCG sector -- where margin is thin, and competition stiff. And a player with deep pockets is continuously heating up the competition. Reliance Retail is now consolidating its business-to-business vertical. A few months after starting a price war in the grocery B2B space with large discounts, JioMart is now trying to improve margins. It fired over 1,000 workers in May and has plans to lay off many more soon. So what does the company plan to achieve? And, how will it shape its future? Indian economy grew by 6.1% in the final quarter of financial year 2023 -- nudging the overall growth rate to breach the 7 per cent mark. But what led to this surprise buoyancy in the GDP numbers during the March quarter? And what are the key factors which made this possible? Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has alleged that the BJP government at the Centre was trying to misuse the agencies like Income Tax, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Tamil Nadu just like in other states. The Chief Minister was addressing media persons at the Chennai International Airport early Thursday morning on his return after a nine-day trip to Singapore and Japan. The Chief Minister stated that the Centre was taking revenge on the opposition governments and political leaders. He was responding to questions on the searches by the Income Tax department on the premises of persons linked to the state excise minister, Senthil Balaji. Stalin, when asked about the Sengol (Spectre) installed in Parliament, said that it would have been a matter of pride if the Sengol was of Chola lineage but historians had rejected the claim. The Chief Minister also said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann were reaching Chennai on Thursday to meet him. He also said that efforts to coordinate the opposition parties were on and added that the DMK was a part and parcel of such a unity move. He said that the date of the meeting of the opposition parties has not been confirmed as the Congress president has requested for a change in date. Stalin added that he also had to travel to open the Mettur dam and hence was also not available. Also Read TN CM Stalin scraps Bill that extended working hours from 8 to 12 Tamil Nadu CM's son Udhayanidhi Stalin sworn in as minister in cabinet Vaiko urges Stalin to fulfil demands of Tamil Nadu's unorganised workers AIADMK gets boost in Tiruchy after AMMK strongman M Sekar joins party Tamil Nadu CM leaves for 9-day foreign trip to attract investments Report on India's transformation under Modi indictment of lost decade: MoS Not seeking any int'l support, our fight is ours: Rahul Gandhi at Stanford Eyeing LS polls, Congress appoints Sunil Kanogolu as advisor to K'taka CM Disqualification from Lok Sabha has given me huge opportunity: Rahul Gandhi Congress leader questions Mahakal Lok idols, BJP minister hits back When asked on the AIADMK leader, Edappadi K. Palaniswami's (EPS) charge that the Chief Minister had embarked on a jolly trip to Singapore and Japan, Stalin said, "He was thinking that others are all like him." The Chief Minister also said that the state Finance minister, Thangam Thenarasu had responded to the AIADMK leader. The Chief Minister also reiterated the position of Tamil Nadu in the Mekedatu dam issue and referred to the statement of the state Water resources minister, S. Duraimurugan on the same. Stalin added that during his trips to Singapore and Japan, several MoUs were signed and added that it would bring investments to the tune of Rs 3,233 crore and would generate employment to 5,000 people in the state. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had embarked on a two-nation tour on May 23 to scout for investments in the state as a prelude to the Global Investment Meet(GIM) scheduled for January 2024. This was the second foreign tour of Chief Minister Stalin after he assumed office in 2021, the first being to the UAE where he signed contracts worth Rs 6,000 crore. --IANS aal/dpb Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that he did not imagine his disqualification from Lok Sabha was possible when he joined politics but asserted that it has given him a "huge opportunity" to serve the people. Gandhi, who is in the US for a three-city US tour, made the remarks on Wednesday night in response to a series of questions from Indian students at the prestigious Stanford University Campus in California. The Wayanad (Kerala) Member of Parliament was disqualified from Lok Sabha earlier this year after he was convicted by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. In his remarks, Gandhi said that when he joined politics in 2000, he never imagined this is what he would go through. What he sees is going on now is way outside anything that he had thought when he joined politics. Referring to his disqualification from Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament, Gandhi, 52, said he didn't imagine that something like this was possible. "But then I think it's actually given me a huge opportunity. Probably much bigger than the opportunity I would have. That's just the way politics works, he said. Also Read Lok Sabha adjourned for the day over Rahul Gandhi's democracy remark 42 lost Parliament membership since 1988, maximum 19 in 14th Lok Sabha Germany 'takes note' of Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha Will abide without prejudice to my rights: Rahul on vacating bungalow Rahul attends Parl panel on external affairs, denies anti-India remarks Congress leader questions Mahakal Lok idols, BJP minister hits back We're now aspiring to be world's 3rd largest economy: MoS Chandrasekhar Sought postponement but will surely attend: Stalin on Opposition meet Will implement Advocate Protection Act, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Rahul Gandhi can't digest a common man becoming PM, says Kiren Rijiju "I think the drama started really, about six months ago. We were struggling. The entire opposition is struggling in India. Huge financial dominance. Institutional capture. We're struggling to fight the democratic fight in our country, he said, adding that at this point in time, he decided to go for the Bharat Jodo Yatra'. "I am very clear, our fight is ours fight, he said. But there is a group of young students from India here. I want to have a relationship with them and want to talk to them. It's my right to do it, he said during his interaction with Indian students and academicians of Indian origin at the University here. He also emphasised in his frequent foreign trips like this, he is not seeking support from anybody. "I don't understand why the prime minister doesn't come here and do it, Gandhi asked amidst applause from the audience who had packed the entire auditorium at Stanford. The moderator said that the Prime Minister is welcome to come to Stanford anytime and interact with the students and academicians. Some of the students were denied entry as the auditorium was packed. Students started queuing up two hours before the event started. In the last one and a half years, several Indian ministers have interacted with Indian students. Poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu, who delivered a stupendous victory in Karnataka polls to Congress, has been appointed as the Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. An order in this regard states that Sunil Kanugolu will be Chief Advisor to the CM and enjoy cabinet rank. Sources in the party said on Thursday that the move is made as per the wishes of the high command to win maximum seats in upcoming Parliamentary elections in the state. The Congress was able to face campaigning blitzkrieg by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and scores of national leaders and emerge victorious in Assembly elections. Sunil Kanugolu strategised and gave a roadmap for the Congress. The party had managed to win only one out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 general elections. D.K. Suresh, brother of DyCM D.K. Shivakumar, had won from Bengaluru Rural seat on personal capacity. BJP had swept the elections with 25 seats. While Sumalatha Ambareesh had won as an independent candidate from the Mandya seat, Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda won from Hassan seat. Also Read Deve Gowda's daughter-in-law eyes Hassan seat, stirs tensions in JD(S) Former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar joins Congress post exit from BJP Not decided yet, says Ex-Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar on joining Congress Jagadish Shettar files nomination from Hubli-Dharwad-Central constituency Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar meets Jagdish Shettar, says Congress with him Disqualification from Lok Sabha has given me huge opportunity: Rahul Gandhi Congress leader questions Mahakal Lok idols, BJP minister hits back We're now aspiring to be world's 3rd largest economy: MoS Chandrasekhar Sought postponement but will surely attend: Stalin on Opposition meet Will implement Advocate Protection Act, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Deve Gowda had to face humiliating defeat by BJP candidate G.S. Basavaraju in Tumakuru seat. Now, with a changed political scenario, the Congress is aiming to bag more than 20 seats in the state, which it won easily in many elections. Sources say that Sunil Kanugolu team had conducted a series of surveys in all 224 Assembly constituencies of the state. The submissions and presentations were made to the Congress. Based on the findings and data of Sunil Kanugolu's reports, the Congress got a push and focused aggressively on organizing the party. The party changed the strategy on campaigning too. Kunagolu also worked towards taking the five guarantees to the voters. He has been working with the Congress for a year. He was born in Ballary and resides in Bengaluru. He had worked for BJP, DMK and AIADMK in the past. --IANS mka/shb/ In his address at the Stanford University, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi clarified he was not seeking any international support and said that 'our fight is ours'. While addressing a gathering at the California-based varsity on Wednesday, Rahul, who is on a six-day trip to the US, was asked about his opinion on many opposition parties across the world seeking international support. To this, the former MP said: 'I'm not seeking support from anyone or anybody. I am very clear that our fight is our fight.' The Congress leader said that he wanted to to speak to a group of young students from India at the Stanford University and build relations with them. Also Read Cong plans mass agitation, to meet Prez Murmu to discuss Rahul's conviction Andaman & Nicobar Cong protest Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha disqualification No barter on JPC, Rahul's case is matter of distortion: Jairam Ramesh Rahul Gandhi visits memorials of former Prime Ministers, Mahatma Gandhi Was our economy bigger when we fought the British: Rahul Gandhi slams BJP Eyeing LS polls, Congress appoints Sunil Kanogolu as advisor to K'taka CM Disqualification from Lok Sabha has given me huge opportunity: Rahul Gandhi Congress leader questions Mahakal Lok idols, BJP minister hits back We're now aspiring to be world's 3rd largest economy: MoS Chandrasekhar Sought postponement but will surely attend: Stalin on Opposition meet 'I think it is my right to do it and I don't understand why Prime Minister Narendra Modi doesn't come here and do it. The Prime Minister needs to answer some hard questions,' Rahul said. On a number of occasions, the BJP has attacked Rahul Gandhi for defaming the country on foreign soil. The saffron party had earlier slammed the former Congress president after he met Chinese diplomats during the India-China row. Rahul arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday morning, kicking off US trip during which he is slated to meet American lawmakers, think tanks and also deliver lectures at the Harvard Club. He is currently travelling on an ordinary passport, after he had to surrender his diplomatic passport following his disqualification as a Lok Sabha MP. On Tuesday evening, he interacted with the Indian diaspora here. While in California, he will also meet venture capitalists, tech executives and students at Silicon Valley. --IANS aks/ksk/ Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday hit back at the Congress after it shared her "missing poster", saying she was present in her Parliamentary constituency, and if the grand old party were looking for "former Amethi MP" -- referring to Rahul Gandhi, they need to contact him in the US. Irani, the Minister of Women and Child Development, in a reply to a tweet by Congress, said: "O divine political creature, I have just left Sirsira village in Salon assembly constituency of Amethi towards Dhuranpur. If you are looking for former MP please contact in the US." Her remarks came after the Congress from its official Twitter handle shared a poster of Irani that read "missing", while mentioning her Ministry of Women and child Development. Meanwhile, Mahila Congress acting president Netta D'Souza also slammed the Minister, saying: "You are the Women and Child Development Minister, and many young promising daughters are looking for you for months. Now give a visit." D'Souza said this while referring to the silence of the Minister on protesting wrestlers, many of whom had won Olympic medal, were on Sunday forcibly removed by police from their protest site on Jantar Mantar after they tried to march towards the new Parliament House building. --IANS Also Read Will immerse medals in Ganga, fast unto death: Protesting wrestlers Scuffle between protesting wrestlers and Delhi cops: What we know so far Wrestlers Protest: Vinesh, Sakshi reach Haridwar to immerse medals in Ganga Wrestlers back to protest at Jantar Mantar: Everything you need to know Protesting wrestlers to immerse medals in Ganga: A timeline of events PM Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda to hold rallies in West Bengal in June In the US, Rahul Gandhi mocks 'specimen Modi'; BJP slams his comment Congress guarantees a hoax, will bankrupt state: PM Modi at Ajmer rally 9 years of BJP at Centre dedicated to welfare of poor: PM Modi in Ajmer Will not allow BBMP to increase tax to fulfil guarantee schemes: K'taka AAP aks/pgh Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin said on Wednesday that he has sought postponement of the meeting of leading Opposition parties in Patna on June 12, as he will be attending an inaugural ceremony on the same date. However, he confirmed the party's participation in the meeting, which is aimed at putting together a grand Opposition alliance against the BJP-led central government ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu CM said, "I will be attending the inaugural ceremony of Mettur Dam on the same date (as the Opposition meeting). It is an important event. Even the Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) will be held up at a different event and won't be able to attend the meeting on that day. So, I have asked for the meeting of Opposition parties to be pushed back. However, the DMK will surely participate in the meeting." The DMK chief informed further that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann will hold a meeting with him in Chennai on Thursday to discuss the contours of a grand Opposition alliance against the BJP at the Centre. "Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be meeting me tomorrow in Chennai. We have already started discussions on the formation of an anti-BJP alliance and we will get there," he said. On his recent visits to Singapore and Japan, the Tamil Nadu chief minister said his official tour was 'victorious'. Also Read Patna police may fine Baba Bageshwar, Manoj Tiwari for traffic violation TN CM Stalin scraps Bill that extended working hours from 8 to 12 NEET PG aspirants seek postponement of exam to May-June to save time SC refuses to entertain pleas seeking postponement of NEET-PG exam As Nitish tries to bring Opposition together, here's a look at his journey Will implement Advocate Protection Act, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Rahul Gandhi can't digest a common man becoming PM, says Kiren Rijiju If Modi wins 2024, only those he wants will fight in 2029: Digvijaya Singh Smriti Irani hits back at Congress for sharing her 'missing poster' PM Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda to hold rallies in West Bengal in June "The meetings between Tamil Nadu and Japan went well. Rs 3,233 crore worth of MoUs were signed during my visits to these two countries. 5000-plus new jobs will be created soon in Tamil Nadu. I met with ministers of Singapore and Japan as well as other senior officials there. I held discussions on ways to take Tamil Nadu forward," he said. The CM stated further that Tamil Nadu will play host to a World Investor Meet on January 10 and 11, next year. "I invited the officials of Japan and Singapore to participate in the World Investor Meet to be held in Tamil Nadu next year. I hope they will participate in the event," he added. Earlier, on Wednesday, Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren confirmed his party's participation in the meeting of leading Opposition forces in Patna on June 12. To a question on whether his party would attend the meeting of Opposition forces in Patna, CM Soren said, "Since all Opposition parties have enlisted their participation at the meeting, we, too, would attend it." Earlier, on Sunday, Janata Dal (United) leader Manjit Singh said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will chair a meeting of leading Opposition players in the state capital on June 12. The Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has been spearheading efforts to bring all Opposition parties together against the BJP government at the Centre, with an eye on next year's Lok Sabha polls. As part of the effort to galvanise the Opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, he has already met the likes of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday came out strongly against Twitter for temporarily blocking the accounts of NTK leader Seeman and other functionaries. Stalin in a tweet said, "Virtue is to counter ideas with ideas. Not restricting opinions. Unblock the Twitter handles and allow the social media site function at its best." It is to be noted that the Twitter account of the actor, director-turned-politician, Seeman and 20 other functionaries of his political outfit, NTK were blocked temporarily on Wednesday. Twitter has said that the accounts were withheld as a response to a legal demand. Other than Seeman, the accounts of NTK Spokesperson Idumbavanam Karthik, head of social media Sunandha Thamaraiselvan and IT wing functionary Packiarajan were also blocked. The social media platform also blocked the account of May 17 movement leader, Thirumurugan Gandhi. Sources told IANS that the Twitter handle was withheld as it was considered to have violated the Information Technology Act of 2000. Seeman and his political party, NTK, has been propagating strong Tamil nationalism in the state. Also Read TN CM Stalin scraps Bill that extended working hours from 8 to 12 Udhayanidhi's elevation triggers 'Sunrise vs Sonrise' debate in Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu CM leaves for 9-day foreign trip to attract investments Tamil Nadu CM's son Udhayanidhi Stalin sworn in as minister in cabinet TN districts start survey on guest workers in state after CM seeks info GDP figure exposes lies of Rahul's 'market of hate' against India: BJP Sharing dais with Kerala CM Vijayan in US to cost $50,000: Reports Quarrel in Bihar's Darbhanga BJP: One MLA files FIR against other's son BJP trying to misuse Income Tax, CBI, ED in Tamil Nadu, says CM Stalin Report on India's transformation under Modi indictment of lost decade: MoS --IANS aal/dpb As artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to take away certain jobs, 83 per cent of Indian employees are willing to delegate as much work as possible to AI to lessen their workload, a report showed on Thursday. About 74 per cent of Indian workers are worried AI will replace their jobs. However, over three in four Indian workers would be comfortable using AI not just for administrative tasks (86 per cent) but also for analytical work (88 per cent) and even creative aspects of their role (87 per cent), according to Microsoft's 'Work Trend Index 2023 Report'. Nearly 100 per cent of creative professionals, who are extremely familiar with AI, would be comfortable using AI for creative aspects of their job. Meanwhile, Indian managers are 1.6 times more likely to say that AI would provide value in the workplace by boosting productivity rather than cutting headcount. The data showed that AI is poised to create a whole new way of working and organisations that move first to embrace AI will break the cycle, increasing creativity and productivity for everyone. Also Read Microsoft introduces new AI-powered Bing search engine, Edge browser EU poised to be on forefront of artificial intelligence regulation Hackers exploiting ChatGPT to write malicious codes to steal your data Amazon enters generative AI space with AI startup accelerator Tech giant Microsoft introduces AI-powered 'Dynamics 365 Copilot' WhatsApp launches global security centre to further safeguard users Sony unveils Project Q; next-gen portable gaming device, full details here Amazon adds Echo Pop to India line of Alexa-powered smart speakers: Details Appropriate regulations on data safety, security needed: Rahul Gandhi App Store developers generated $1.1 trn in total billings, sales in 2022 "The next generation of AI will unlock a new wave of productivity growth, removing the drudgery from our jobs and freeing us to rediscover the joy of creation," said Bhaskar Basu, Country Head a" Modern Work, Microsoft India. About 90 per cent of Indian leaders said employees they hire will need new skills to be prepared for the growth of AI. Nearly 78 per cent of Indian workers say they don't currently have the right capabilities to get their work done, said the report. "The opportunity and responsibility for every organisation and leader is to get AI right, testing and experimenting with new ways of working to build a brighter future of work for everyone," Basu added. About 76 per cent of Indian workers said they don't have enough time and energy to get their work done, and those people are 3.1 times more likely to say they struggled with being innovative, according to the report. More than three in four Indian leaders are also concerned about lack of innovation. "The primary culprit disrupting productivity is inefficient meetings, as reported by 46 per cent of Indian workers, who feel that their absence in half or more of their meetings would go unnoticed by colleagues," the findings showed. --IANS na/shb/ According to a report by Adobe that surveyed 13,000 consumers and 4,250 marketing and customer experience professionals worldwide, AI and other breakthrough technologies have made a significant impact on consumer behaviour and online business practices. As consumers become more aware of new technologies and explore virtual and immersive environments, marketers and consumers alike are eagerly embracing artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI (Gen AI). India and APAC consumers show higher demand for digital experiences In the Future of Digital Experiences report, Adobe highlights that although 53 per cent of Indian consumers currently prefer shopping in physical stores, the numbers are expected to drop to 44 per cent within two years. This shift towards digital experiences is more prominent in APAC compared to the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It reflects consumers' growing expectations for brands to expand their digital presence into new formats. The study highlights that consumers and marketers in India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand are more proactive in embracing new digital experience formats, environments, and tools compared to their counterparts in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The report also states that 96 per cent of Indian consumers expect to view product videos before making a purchase. Additionally, approximately 91 per cent of Indian consumers express desire for brands to offer new ways to engage in immersive and virtual worlds. Also Read Amazon Kindle 11th gen review: Ease-of-use helps rekindle love for reading Payments firm Worldline and SignCatch to partner for merchant digitisation Stealthy, speedy, precise: What are fifth-generation fighter jets? Myntra launches platform to tap 10 mn new Gen-Z shoppers in 2 years Punjab CM announces digitisation of land records for easy access to people Samsung introduces made in India OLED TVs at Rs 169,990 onwards: Details Apple to announce several new Macs during WWDC on 5-9 June: Report Hackers target US dental insurance firm, steals data of 9 mn patients Meta purges over 33 mn bad pieces of content on FB, Insta in April in India Apple iPhone 16 Pro will feature a 6.27-inch display, says report In contrast, only 32 per cent of consumers in Australia and New Zealand, and merely 13 per cent in Japan, express similar expectations. For example, in India, Malaysia, and Singapore, a significant majority of consumers (81 per cent, 70 per cent, and 66 per cent respectively) expect more personalised and relevant digital experiences, leveraging the data and technologies accessible to brands. Factors driving consumer expectations Similarly, consumers in India, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia anticipate new and innovative ways for brands to engage with virtual or immersive worlds (91 per cent, 87 per cent, 87 per cent, and 83 per cent respectively), compared to 48 per cent in Japan, and 59 per cent and 62 per cent in New Zealand and Australia respectively. This sentiment is particularly strong among younger consumers, with 70 per cent of APAC Gen Zs expressing higher expectations during a downturn, compared to 65 per cent globally. The Adobe report highlighted the impact of the current economic climate on consumer expectations. Approximately 82 per cent of Indian consumers feel that their expectations have risen due to the challenging economic conditions. Generative AI is seen as a powerful tool by Indian marketing and customer experience professionals. Almost 60 per cent of respondents found AI helpful in their work, with 21 per cent describing it as nothing short of a "miracle." Trust assumes greater importance for APAC consumers, surpassing price and selection, with younger consumers placing an even higher premium on trust. How are brands meeting the new demands? It is also anticipated to aid in personalising customer experiences and identifying new audiences and customer journeys. Commentary: Why Washington's rage over China's Micron ban is calling white black Xinhua) 13:33, June 01, 2023 BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- China's recent legitimate sales ban on the U.S. memory chipmaker Micron has stoked fiery outbursts from some U.S. politicians and media pundits who blamed China over the so-called "economic coercion." Banging on the table or pointing accusing fingers does not justify those allegations. Through their rage, the true face of hypocrisy of those Washington's China hawks has become even clearer. The Micron case shows that China will not sit idly by when its national security is at risk. Beijing does not make the decision without reason. It is Micron's misconduct that has provoked a reaction from the Chinese cyberspace regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), not something unwarranted. What the CAC has announced is that a review found Micron's products have serious network security risks, posing a threat to China's critical information infrastructure supply chains. Therefore, it ordered a ban on the sale of Micron's products to China's key information and infrastructure operators, rather than a complete ban on Micron chips in the Chinese market. The review is necessary in China, and also in any other country in the world. Apart from Micron's security problems, the company has long been behind-the-scenes lobbying for U.S. sanctions against Chinese companies. Media statistics show that from the year of 2018 to 2022, Micron spent more than 9.5 million U.S. dollars lobbying U.S. government officials to crack down on China's data storage manufacturing industry for its own market interests. During these five years, over 170 lobbying documents were submitted to Washington, and 67 percent of the contents are China-related. China is a key market for Micron where it raked in billions of dollars every year. If the company values its market shares in China, it should really reflect on its deeds of disruption and focus on providing risk-free products and services for Chinese customers. While those lying U.S. politicians are busy talking black into white, China itself has been in fact a victim of Washington's coercion over the years. The U.S. government, under the pretext of national security, has put more than 1,200 Chinese companies and individuals on various lists for restrictions without credible evidence of wrongdoing. It also attempted to talk other countries and regions into joining the tech blockade binge. Who is the real "coercer" is quite evident. Facing Washington's bully, China's stance is also clear. It opposes the suppression of Chinese companies by over-stretching the concept of national security or abusing state power. It also has the right to do what is necessary to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and institutions. China is a country under the rule of law. Businesses operating in the country need to conform with China's laws. China is also a country that is deeply committed to high-level opening-up. Its cybersecurity review does not target any particular country or region, nor does China seek to exclude technologies or products from any specific country. For years, Beijing has fostered a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment, especially in the hi-tech area. Foreign companies as well as their products and services are welcome to do business in the Chinese market with one precondition: abiding by local laws and regulations. A healthy and inclusive business environment can provide opportunities for more participants. It is also essential for the development of hi-tech industries, which will boost overall technological progress for the world community. Those who attempt to disrupt the market rules for their own sake will only face a dead end. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) According to media reports, the platform was fined because it did not delete the banned content, making this its first fine in Russia for such an offence. Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp was fined 3 million roubles ($37,080) by a Russian court on Thursday. Also Read Faster Green Card for Indians? All you need to know about the new EAGLE Act India, Canada to step up talks on movement of skilled workers Nearly 81% firms face shortage of skilled tech workers: EY and iMocha Indian nationals bag top spot on UK's skilled worker, student visa tally Blinkit shuts some Gurugram dark stores for good as delivery workers strike Japan police say security flaws allowed attacker to throw bomb at PM Fumio Govt body warns of increased health threats from climate change in Germany Russian minister set for BRICS meet in Africa with war in Ukraine on agenda Will end monopoly on petrol supplies: Nigeria's NNPC after tripling prices Chinese journalists have faced "unfair and discriminatory treatment in India" but in spite of this China is ready to maintain communication with India under the principles of "mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit," the Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed on Wednesday. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a press conference on Wednesday. Her statement came in response to a question about a report published in The Wall Street Journal with the headline, "China, India kick out nearly all of each other's journalists as rivalry escalates". Alleging mistreatment of Chinese journalists in India, Mao Ning alleged that in 2017, India shortened the period of validity of visas held by Chinese journalists in the country. "Chinese journalists have suffered unfair and discriminatory treatment in India for a long time. In 2017, the Indian side shortened the period of validity of visas held by Chinese journalists in India to three months or even one month without any valid reason," Mao Ning was quoted as saying in an official statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. She that since 2020 India has refused to review and approve Chinese journalists' applications for stationing in India. "As a result, the number of Chinese journalists stationed in India has plummeted from 14 at the normal time to just one. As we speak, the Indian side still has not renewed the visa of the last Chinese journalist in the country," she claimed. Also Read China takes 'approriate' action, denies visas to 2 Indian journalists Two women sue Elon Musk's Twitter alleging discriminatory layoffs WHO official urges science-based, non-discriminatory Covid-19 restrictions New Jersey firm fined for discriminatory job ads seeking only Indians Tiktok employees 'improperly accessed' data of two journalists: ByteDance Contaminated drugs: USFDA uncovers failures in India's pharma factories US House passes debt-limit deal easing default concerns; Bill now in Senate Mike Pence to launch campaign for US president polls in Iowa June 7 Xi Jinping asks top security officials to brace for worst-case scenarios Pakistan Navy chief calls for innovations in defence technologies Mao Ning claimed further that the number of Chinese journalists stationed in India is about to drop to zero, adding that it will leave the Chinese side with no choice but to take appropriate counter-measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese media groups. She added, however, that "China is willing to maintain communication with India under the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit". The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said further that her country has been actively providing assistance and convenience to Indian journalists working there. "We treat them like friends and family. I believe many of you here know that some Indian journalists have been working and living in China for more than 10 years. The current situation is not what we want to see," she added. Dozens of drugmakers were issued notices and warning letters by the US Food and Drug Administration, which is increasing visits to Indian factories after the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions last year. Inspectors detailed unsanitary conditions in manufacturing plants and poorly trained staff; shredded paperwork and under-investigated customer complaints; and evidence of exporting contaminated drugs to the US. US inspectors have in recent months uncovered wide-ranging lapses at factories run by some of Indias biggest pharmaceutical firms, as the worlds top supplier of cheap medicine faces increased scrutiny after a spate of deadly manufacturing incidents. Those tragedies have prompted renewed calls by public health campaigners for more rigorous oversight and a rethinking of supply chains across the world. The Biden administration has warned about the preponderance of drug supplies from countries like India, and pushed to produce more medicine domestically. The deaths and drug recalls also come at a critical time for Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, which is selling the South Asian nation to investors as an alternative to China for high-quality manufacturing. The expansive lapses detailed in FDA records obtained by Bloomberg News under the Freedom of Information Act suggest that a nearly two-year hiatus in factory audits during the pandemic meant faults were missed in some Indian plants that export to the US. The South Asian nation is the largest supplier of generic drugs to the US and dozens of other countries. The $50 billion sector is under the spotlight after a number of recent scandals linked to smaller, privately-held Indian companies, including the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia and Uzbekistan from adulterated cough syrup, and supplying contaminated chemotherapy drugs to the US. Its like playing whack-a-mole, said Alice Wang, a London-based fund manager at Quaero Capital LLP, which for now has avoided investing in Indian pharma firms. India is still behind China in many significant ways and some investments in the high-value-precision manufacturing spaces may end up needing a reality check. Also Read Scholarships worth Rs 75 cr misappropriated by institutes in UP: ED WHO calls for action to protect children from contaminated medicines HC asks Centre to inform result of consultations to regulate e-pharmacies Afghanistan gets humanitarian aid amid harsh winters from UNHCR, Uzbekistan BJP says Odisha unsafe for women, children; BJD dismisses charges US House passes debt-limit deal easing default concerns; Bill now in Senate Mike Pence to launch campaign for US president polls in Iowa June 7 Xi Jinping asks top security officials to brace for worst-case scenarios Pakistan Navy chief calls for innovations in defence technologies US set to allow GE to make engines in India for New Delhi's military jets Many Indian pharma companies under scrutiny by the FDA said in statements to Bloomberg News that they are addressing the agencys concerns about manufacturing practices. Indian authorities have suspended the licenses of more than a dozen unlisted drugmakers in the wake of the cough syrup deaths, and havent released public details on the process to have them reinstated. In addition, from June 1 its compulsory for cough-syrup makers to send samples to a government-approved laboratory and obtain a certificate of analysis before their products can be exported. The adverse audits, some details of which are being reported for the first time, have also hit company stocks and scared off some investors from the sector. The S&P BSE Healthcare Index, which tracks Indias top industry stocks, has fallen 9.6% since the start of 2022, under-performing the 7.3% gain of the benchmark S&P BSE 100 Index. Multiple Warnings For years, the FDA has raised flags about standards at Indian factories. In 2019, the body told Congress that India at 83% had the lowest percentage of acceptable inspection outcomes at drug manufacturing facilities across the countries it policed. China had the second lowest percentage at 90%, followed by the US at 93%, with the European Union coming in at 98%. The report didnt provide a more comprehensive breakdown. In recent months, the pace of disclosures about lapses has picked up. In February, unlisted Chennai-based Global Pharma Healthcare Pvt Ltd. recalled eye drops and ointment exported to the US. This month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked the products to 81 drug-resistant bacterial infections, four deaths and 14 cases of vision loss. Four people also had to have their eyeballs surgically removed because of the drops, according to the CDC. Since the start of 2022, Indian drugmakers were issued nine FDA warning letters, which may lead to a ban of new products into the US. India is tied with Mexico for the most such letters for any overseas nation in that period, according to analysis of the agencys data. Dozens of Indian pharma firms were also served Form 483s, which list potential violations. While many of the recent medicine scandals have been traced to small producers that dont export to highly-regulated European and North American markets, FDA reports and recalls reviewed by Bloomberg News suggest problems also reach the top of Indias drug-making sector. During an FDA review of the firms plant in southern India, inspectors found sterility problems and quality failures in areas where the ointment was being produced. Global Pharma Healthcare didnt respond to a request for comment. In the recall notice, the company ordered retailers and customers to stop selling and using the drops and ointment, citing reports of eye infections, blindness and a death. One only needs to look at the 483 and warning letters, said Thakur, who helped expose issues at Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., which pleaded guilty to felony charges in 2013 for making and distributing adulterated drugs bound for the US. Dinesh Thakur, the co-author of The Truth Pill: The Myth of Drug Regulation in India and a former pharma executive, said its difficult to name one large Indian generics manufacturer that hasnt been cited by the FDA in recent years. We have taken swift action to comprehensively address all observations and are taking comprehensive measures to ensure compliance with all regulations, a Lupin spokesperson said. The company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance in all our manufacturing processes. At a factory run by Lupin Ltd., one of Indias top five listed drugmakers by market value, FDA inspectors in March said in a report obtained by Bloomberg News through a FOIA request that the sites staff only investigated 48 breakdown notifications out of 1,759 between January 2019 and March 2023. The facility is in Pithampur, in central India. Document Shredding Cipla Ltd., a storied Mumbai-based drugmaker that pioneered the sale of cheap HIV drugs across Africa, received more than 3,000 US patient complaints since 2020 for an unidentified product made at its factory in central India, the FDA found. But the agencys inspectors only discovered the complaints in February when they visited the facility, according to an audit released under FOIA and reviewed by Bloomberg News. The same Cipla plant was also cited for failing to retain original records. Inspectors observed a truck loaded with bags of scrap and documents marked for shredding. In February, the companys shares fell the most in nearly two years after Cipla notified Indian stock exchanges about eight potential violations flagged by the FDA. Nine out of 10 of those were related to the products performance, the inspectors wrote, adding that staff failed to implement effective corrective actions to reduce complaints. The spokesperson added that none of the scrap documents were so-called good manufacturing practice records or contained sensitive information and that an independent party is reviewing Ciplas documentation practices. The FDA inspection record doesnt clarify whether agency personnel halted shredding or simply observed the documents. We have examined all data pertaining to our drug performance and have determined that the products in the market are safe and efficacious for use, a Cipla spokesperson said. In addition, following the audit we have further strengthened our processes and controls to better handle complaints and are working closely with the regulatory authorities on our recommended corrective and preventive actions. Significant Violations One of the most impacted firms has been Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. the countrys largest drugmaker by revenue. In December, the FDA wrote to billionaire owner Dilip Shanghvi to summarize significant violations at Suns plant in Halol, in western India, where capsule samples failed to meet dissolution specifications. The agency placed the factory under an import alert, meaning US-destined products may be detained without inspection and are subject to heightened scrutiny. Sun Pharma said US supplies from the Halol site accounted for about 3% of consolidated revenue in the year through March 2022 and 14 of their products were excluded from the import alert, subject to certain conditions. Last year, the company said its committed to compliance. On a call with industry analysts at the end of January, Shanghvi said the Halol plant continues to export to other countries. That came after auditors discovered water leaks and equipment used to manufacture drugs that werent adequately cleaned and maintained, according to the letter. One staff member running visual quality checks since 2014 had repeatedly failed to identify defects, according to an earlier audit report reviewed by Bloomberg News. After the inspection, Sun Pharma later recalled batches of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate, a hormonal birth control, as well as testosterone cypionate injections. In a letter from the FDA to Sun Pharma, which Bloomberg News obtained through a FOIA request, the US agency listed three significant violations at the Mohali factory. The issues highlighted were inadequate investigations into unexplained drug discrepancies; a failure to document or justify deviations from laboratory control mechanisms; and the manufacturing of a drug for chronic angina through 2021 to 2022 despite failing dissolution results. But in April, Sun Pharma notified Indias stock exchanges that the FDA had asked for corrective actions in another one of its plants before exporting products to the US this one in Mohali, in northern India. The firms shares fell the most in four months after the disclosure. We are taking all necessary steps to resolve the outstanding issues as fast as possible, said a Sun Pharma spokesperson. Sun Pharma notified the stock exchanges that it would hire independent manufacturing auditors and temporarily halt shipments to the US. The FDA letter also gives additional information about the timeline: Sun Pharma must seek the agencys sign-off on drug batches the company plans to export for at least 12 months. Beyond safety, the problems could also come with a cost to Indias drug manufacturers and disrupt supplies in the US. Analysts from Nomura Holdings Inc. estimate the affected Mohali factory alone contributes $100 million to $150 million in annual sales to Sun Pharmas US business. After talks with EU officials in Sweden on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the Western partners felt the fierce urgency to act following the emergence of the technology, in which China has been a growing force. The European Union and United States said they expect to draft a voluntary code of conduct on artificial intelligence within weeks with the hope that fellow democracies will sign on. European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager added that a draft would be put forward within weeks. The voluntary code would be open to all like-minded countries, Blinken told reporters. Theres almost always a gap when new technologies emerge, Antony Blinken said, with the time it takes for governments and institutions to figure out how to legislate or regulate. She voiced hope to do that in the broadest possible circle with our friends in Canada, in the UK, in Japan, in India, bringing as many onboard as possible. We think its really important that citizens can see that democracies can deliver, she said. Also Read OpenAI CEO plans expansion in Japan after meeting PM Fumio Kishida Microsoft may add OpenAI writing technology to Office, other apps OpenAI to soon monetise ChatGPT platform with a paid professional version Microsoft to add OpenAI's bot ChatGPT in Azure cloud services soon OpenAI launches new tool 'AI Text Classifier' to detect AI-generated text Amazon to pay $31 mn in privacy violation penalties for Alexa, Ring camera Humans exceeded 7 of 9 'safe limits' for life on planet: Research Meta-owned WhatsApp fined by Russia for not removing banned content: Report China's youth faces record high unemployment at 20.4% in April: Report Canada's new process to welcome skilled workers as permanent residents The forum was set up in 2021 to ease trade friction after the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump but has since set its sights largely on artificial intelligence. Sam Altman, whose firm OpenAI created the popular AI-driven ChatGPT bot, took part in the talks of the Trade and Technology Council between the EU and the United States, this year hosted in the northern Swedish city of Lulea. But in order to seize the opportunities it presents, we must mitigate its risks, it said. In a joint statement, the two sides called AI a transformative technology with great promise for our people, offering opportunities to increase prosperity and equity. It said that experts from the two sides would work on cooperation on AI standards and tools for trustworthy AI and risk management. The European Union and the United States reaffirm their commitment to a risk-based approach to AI to advance trustworthy and responsible AI technologies. China has also discussed regulations but Western powers fear that Beijing, with its growing prowess in the field and willingness to export to fellow authoritarian countries, could set global standards without Western unity. The EU has been moving forward on the worlds first regulations on AI which would ban biometric surveillance and ensure human control, although the rules would not enter into force before 2025 at the earliest. Technology leaders, including Altman, in a joint statement on Tuesday warned that AI put the world at risk without regulation. The United States has made no serious effort to regulate AI despite rising calls, including by some in the tech industry. The German government would close four out of the five Russian consulates in the country by revoking their licenses after Moscow limited the number of German officials in Russia, according to the German Federal Foreign Office. The Russian embassy in Berlin, as well as one consulate general, will continue to operate. The measures will take effect from the end of the year, the office said. At the same time, Germany's Foreign Office also announced it is closing down three of its consulates general in Russia, Xinhua news agency reported. Regarding Russia's diplomatic presence in Germany, the "decision applies reciprocally to ensure a balance of the two sides' presence, both in terms of personnel and structure," the foreign office said. On April 22, the Russian Foreign Ministry said it had notified German Ambassador to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr that the maximum number of German diplomatic staff in Russia would be "significantly" limited in response to Germany's "hostile" actions. Germany and Russia have repeatedly expelled each other's diplomats. However, the situation has worsened considerably since the start of the crisis in Ukraine, which led to massive sanctions against Russia by the EU. Also Read Here's a look at companies leaving Russia and those staying back Russia-Ukraine war cost world economy $1.6 trn in 2022, says study Hockey World Cup final, Germany vs Belgium: Germans out to stop Red Lions G7 nations agree to short-term gas investments amid Russia-Ukraine war Ukraine, World Bank agree on $6 bn recovery programme amid Russia war Lanka central bank unexpectedly cuts rates by 250 bps as inflation eases China's factory activity swings to surprise growth in May: Caixin PMI Investors relieved as US House passes debt ceiling Bill; Senate in focus Here's how a covert relationship with Taliban backfired for US ally Pak Elon Musk again becomes World's richest person as Arnault's LVMH sinks --IANS int/khz/ Former Vice President Mike Pence will officially launch his widely expected campaign for the Republican nomination for president in Iowa next week, adding another candidate to the growing GOP field and putting him in direct competition with his former boss. Pence will hold a kickoff event in Des Moines on June 7, the date of his 64th birthday, according to two people familiar with his plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details ahead of the official announcement. He'll also release a video message as part of the launch. His team sees early-voting Iowa as critical to his potential path to victory and advisers say he plans to campaign aggressively for the state's conservative, Evangelical Christian voters. The campaign is expected to lean heavily on town halls and retail stops aimed at showcasing Pence's personality as he tries to emerge from former President Donald Trump's shadow. The week will be a busy one for GOP announcements. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is planning to launch his campaign Tuesday evening at a town hall event in New Hampshire and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum will announce on June 7 in Fargo. Also Read DeSantis starts presidential campaign in Iowa, steps up criticism of Trump Tornadoes strike Arkansas, Illinois, leave 18 dead, dozens injured Appeals court rejects Donald Trump effort to block Pence testimony DeSantis's presidential campaign launch on Twitter plagued with glitches US Senator Tim Scott announces his candidacy for 2024 US presidential run Xi Jinping asks top security officials to brace for worst-case scenarios Pakistan Navy chief calls for innovations in defence technologies US set to allow GE to make engines in India for New Delhi's military jets Out of 343 CEOs in S&P 500 companies, only 20 were women, shows study Singapore Airlines to offer free wifi in all cabin classes from July 1 In the six weeks since the Sudan conflict broke out, more than 1.2 million people were displaced from their homes, UN humanitarians said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Wednesday that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) based its tally on preliminary reports from field teams, while additional displaced are likely to emerge as humanitarian access improves, Xinhua news agency reported. "Meanwhile, we and our partners continue to deliver aid wherever and whenever we can," OCHA said. "The World Food Programme (WFP) has started distributions in Khartoum state, reaching some 15,000 people trapped in Omdurman with emergency food." Across Sudan, WFP reached more than 7,82,000 people with food and nutrition support over the past four weeks, the humanitarian office said. The agency also provides emergency telecommunications services to all UN agencies and the wider humanitarian community in Sudan, where basic connectivity remains challenging. Also Read Despite ceasefire, Sudan sees acute shortages of essentials, says UN India supports peace process and capacity building in South Sudan Death toll due to unrest in Sudan reaches 270, over 2,600 injured: WHO Sudan extends airspace closure to June 15 amid continued armed conflict 413 people have died in ongoing Sudan conflict so far, informs WHO N Korean leader's sister slams US for criticising failed satellite launch Sudan extends airspace closure to June 15 amid continued armed conflict Afghanistan's acting FM Amir Khan Muttaqi terms world's sanctions 'cruel' Germany to shut down 4 Russian consulates as Moscow limits German officials Lanka central bank unexpectedly cuts rates by 250 bps as inflation eases The UN Population Fund supplies life-saving medicines and reproductive health supplies to the maternity hospital in Wad Medani in Al-Jazirah state, OCHA said. Medical teams at the hospital also provide reproductive health services to women and girls who have fled from the capital, Khartoum. --IANS int/khz/ More than 300 firefighters from the United States and South Africa are heading to Canada in the coming days to help the country battle an unprecedented wildfire season. Federal officials said on Thursday that at least 100 US firefighters will be arriving in Nova Scotia over the weekend to help knock down out-of-control wildfires that have forced about 21,000 people from their homes since Sunday. Another 200 firefighters arriving from South Africa will likely end up in Alberta, though officials say the wildfire situation in the country is fluid. In Nova Scotia, two major fires that remain out of control one in suburban Halifax, the other in the southwestern corner of the province have already destroyed at least 200 homes and cottages. Still, fire officials announced on Thursday that the fire near Halifax had been 50 per cent contained, and that it had not grown on Wednesday. The latest contingent of arriving international firefighters will be joining hundreds of their colleagues from countries including the United States, Australia and New Zealand who already were in Canada battling fires. Also Read 13 dead in Chile amid struggle to contain over 150 raging wildfires Excessive methane emitted from mega wildfires fuels vicious cycle: Study Canada sets goal to conserve 30% land-water by 2030 for sustainability Globally, wildfires cost $50 bn every year; AI can help fight them: WEF Smoke particles from wildfires can cause erosion in ozone layer: Research US manufacturing dips for seventh straight month in May; employment rises Bernard regains world's richest person title, Musk slips to 2nd place Recession already here, as earnings shrink and Wall St fears worse to come Euro stabalises near two-month low as inflation drops in relief for ECB NATO presses Turkey to drop objections to Sweden's membership as meet nears Officials say the number of fires so far this year is roughly on par with 10-year averages, but the amount of land devoured by those fires approximately 27,000 square kilometers (104,000 square miles) and counting is unprecedented. Officials say firefighters are now dealing with parched conditions, rising temperatures and mounting wind speeds, which will make for a volatile environment for wildfires. The federal government said on Wednesday night it approved the Nova Scotia government's desperate plea for help, and the Canadian Armed Forces is preparing help with logistics and resources to fight fires and hot spots. Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says it is a simple fact that Canada is seeing the impacts of climate change, which can include more frequent and more extreme wildfires. Much of the province experienced a very mild winter with very little snowfall, and there hasn't been any significant rainfall in the past 12 days. As well, April was the driest month on record at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. There have been no deaths or injuries as a result of the fires. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Thursday urged India to bilaterally resolve the lingering border issues between the nations. He made these comments in a joint statement along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their bilateral talks in the national capital. "I urge PM Modi, to resolve the border issues with bilateral talks," Prachanda said. The Nepal Prime Minister's comments were in the context of territorial disputes between the two countries over the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh tri-junction area, over which both the nations claim ownership. He also extended an invitation to Modi to visit Nepal. "I have extended a cordial invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Nepal. I look forward to welcoming him in Nepal," Prachanda said during the joint press meet at Hyderabad House in Delhi. Also Read Nepal's PM to expand cabinet, Congress to get key ministerial portfolios Nepal PM Prachanda to embark on 4-day official visit to India on May 31 Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' takes oath as Nepal's new prime minister Nepal seeks to sign electricity deal with India during Prachanda's visit Political turbulence in 2022 turned rivals into allies in Nepal NATO presses Turkey to drop objections to Sweden's membership as meet nears What is HMPV? The infectious respiratory disease spiking this year in US Job search engine ZipRecruiter lays off 20% of global workforce Russian bombardment of Ukraine's capital kills at least 3, wounds others Canada's real GDP grew by 0.2% in April, 0.8% in first quarter this year --IANS ans/kvd Pakistan is proud of its long-standing association and contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations, Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said. The Minister made the remarks in an event marking the 75th anniversary of UN peacekeeping, organised in collaboration with the UN, in the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, the Ministry said on Wednesday in a statement. Khar paid tribute to the services and sacrifices rendered by UN peacekeepers for advancing the shared goals of peace all over the world and reaffirmed Pakistan's strong commitment to and support for the UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding architecture, Xinhua news agency reported. "Today we are celebrating the more than 80,000 brave peacekeepers -- women and men -- who are carrying out the extremely important task of creating peace around the world," said Knut Ostby, Resident Representative in Pakistan of the UN Development Programme, who spoke on behalf of the UN. Pakistan is among the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping with nearly 4,334 military and police personnel currently serving in nine locations around the world, said the Ministry. The event paid homage to the more than 200,000 Pakistani personnel who have served in 46 UN Missions since 1960, including 171 who lost their lives, according to the Ministry. Also Read India major partner in UN's strategy for digitisation in peacekeeping World sees Pakistan as 'epicentre' of terrorism, says EAM Jaishankar Peacekeeping missions should not exist in perpetuity: India to UN Pak PM Sharif, Hina Khar's discussion on US-China tussle leaked: Report Travel to India proved productive for Pakistan: Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari China alleges 'discriminatory treatment' of its journalists in India Contaminated drugs: USFDA uncovers failures in India's pharma factories US House passes debt-limit deal easing default concerns; Bill now in Senate Mike Pence to launch campaign for US president polls in Iowa June 7 Xi Jinping asks top security officials to brace for worst-case scenarios --IANS int/khz/ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was meeting in South Africa with counterparts from the BRICS economic bloc of developing nations for discussions Thursday that will start with an exchange of views on major geopolitical issues, including the war in Ukraine, South Africa's ambassador to the bloc said. Most of the BRICS countries differ sharply from the position of the US and its Western allies on the war. Speaking ahead of the meeting, the South African ambassador, Anil Sooklal, referred to the West's military aid to Ukraine as one of the things that fuels the conflict. Any endeavour that fuels the conflict does not solve the problem," Sooklal said when asked for his reaction to Western attempts to transfer weapons to Ukraine. We do not know of any global conflict that has been solved though war, he said. All it does is cause more pain and suffering and, as BRICS countries, this is what we are saying: Let's focus on finding a peaceful resolution to the challenges, rather than fuelling the conflict. The BRICS bloc is made of up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The meeting of foreign ministers Thursday is a precursor to a larger BRICS summit scheduled for August in Johannesburg. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to attend the summer summit, but it's unclear if he will. A visit by the Russian leader would put huge diplomatic pressure on South Africa. The country is a signatory to the treaty of the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin on allegations of war crimes for the abduction of children from Ukraine. 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Rather, the government has said that it is taking legal advice on its options, a move seen by critics as an attempt to find a way out of its clear obligation to arrest Putin as a signatory to the international court's treaty. Allowing Putin to travel freely for the summit would likely further strain South Africa's relationship with the West following U.S. allegations that South Africa has provided Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine. South Africa has denied the allegation. Lavrov had official talks in at least three African countries on his way to South Africa, and his participation was clearly central to the BRICS talks taking place at a luxury Cape Town hotel that looks out over the South Atlantic Ocean. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was expected to attend, sent his deputy instead, South Africa's foreign ministry said, but all the other foreign ministers were present. The expansion of the BRICS bloc, and with it a possible strengthening of Russian and Chinese political and economic influence, is also a key topic for discussion, both at the meeting of the foreign ministers and the main BRICS summit in August. Sooklal said that more than 20 countries had formally or informally requested to join the BRICS bloc, among them Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, who had submitted official requests. A bloc containing China, Russia and three of the largest oil-producing nations in the world could be seen as a direct economic challenge to the U.S., some analysts have said, as well as providing some sort of counter to the Group of Seven advanced economies. With South Africa as the current chair of BRICS, Sooklal said he had prepared a report on possible new members and the process to admit them. That report will go to Lavrov and the other foreign ministers for them to give guidance on how to move forward with any expansion. Foreign ministers from at least 15 other countries from the Global South were invited to a second BRICS meeting in Cape Town on Friday. Sooklal said one of the bloc's stated aims was to address the major fault lines in the geopolitical front and the economic front that was partly caused by an outdated international system. This is what BRICS has been championing since its founding," Sooklal said. That we need a reformed, transformed multilateral system, one that speaks to the current challenges that we are facing and one that is inclusive and that is fair and just and does not marginalize the majority of the global population." The majority of the Global South feels that our institutions need reform and that their voices are also equally heard within this context. US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of communication during a stopover with talks Thursday in Tokyo, calling it unfortunate that his Chinese counterpart refused to meet him at an annual security conference in Singapore, which both men are attending. On the way to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security summit this weekend, Austin held talks with Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada. Noting China's increasingly assertive military actions in international airspace and waterways in the region, he told a joint news conference in Tokyo, The provocative intercepts of our aircraft and also our allies' aircraft, that's very concerning, and we would hope that they would alter their action. The United States military said Tuesday that a Chinese fighter jet flew aggressively close to a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, forcing the American pilot to fly through the turbulent wake. I'm concerned about at some point having an incident that could very, very quickly spiral out of control, Austin said. I would welcome any opportunity to engage with leadership. I think defence departments should be talking to each other on a routine basis or should have open channels for communication. Although Beijing said there will be no meeting between Austin and his Chinese counterpart at the security summit, Hamada is expected to attend and meet with Chinese Minister of National Defence Li Shangfu on the sidelines. Japan and China set up a defence hotline in March to improve communication and avoid accidental encounters in the tense region, and Hamada and Li recently held their first telephone talks on the hotline. Also Read North Korea fires missile that may have been a new type of weapon North Korea confirms ICBM test, warns of more powerful steps against rivals China says it successfully conducted mid-course missile interception test Singapore arrivals two-thirds pre-Covid level as Indian visitors surge 350% North Korea tests solid-fuel ICBM to improve nuclear counterattack power Lower emissions during Covid-19 pandemic led to increased warming: Study SaaS platform Zendesk lays off 8% of workforce due to macroeconomic issues 1 in 6 unvaccinated people suffer poor health two years after Covid Meta threatens to block news on FB, Instagram if California bill passes Anti-harassment service 'Block Party' exits Twitter amid API modifications Washington and Beijing have yet to hold such a talk, and when Austin phoned their crisis line in February, the call went unanswered. We need to strengthen our cooperation of Japan-U.S., and Japan-U.S.-South Korea, Hamada said Thursday. The two criticized North Korea's failed rocket launch Wednesday for using ballistic missile technology that's prohibited under United Nations' Security Council resolutions, and affirmed further cooperation between them and with South Korea in case of another launch attempt. Ties between Japan and South Korea have improved rapidly in recent months under Washington's pressure in the face of growing regional threats from China, North Korea and Russia. Tokyo and Seoul are also discussing real-time sharing of North Korea's missile launch data. Austin said the United States stands with Japan and South Korea in the face of Pyongyang's provocations and that the United States will take all necessary measures to secure to ensure the security of our homeland in the defence of our allies. Austin and Hamada agreed to strengthen extended deterrence for Japan, which includes U.S. nuclear weapons. I am here to reaffirm America's unwavering commitment to Japan. This includes extended deterrence and provided by the full range of U.S. conventional and nuclear capabilities," Austin said. The two ministers also agreed to step up and expand their defence industries and strengthen multinational formats, including with South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and India to reinforce their Indo-Pacific security cooperation. Under its new security strategy issued in December, Japan pledged a military buildup that includes strike capabilities and doubling defence spending a break from its postwar self-defence-only principle. By Trevor Hunnicutt, Krishn Kaushik and Rajesh Kumar Singh WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Biden administration is poised to sign off on a deal that would allow General Electric Co to produce jet engines powering Indian military aircraft in that country, according to three people briefed on the decision. A deal finalizing the joint production of the engines is expected to be inked and announced by the time President Joe Biden hosts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an official state visit on June 22, the people said on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been made public. The White House, which said in January that it had received the application to jointly produce the engines in India, declined to comment. GE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Washington is working to deepen ties with the world's largest democracy and sees deeper military-to-military and technology ties with the South Asian country as a key counterweight to China's dominance in the region. India, the world's largest arm importer, depends on Russia for nearly half its military supplies, and has bought fighter jets, tanks, nuclear submarines and an aircraft carrier over the decades. Also Read Stealthy, speedy, precise: What are fifth-generation fighter jets? Air India nears historic order for up to 500 jets from Airbus and Boeing Harris to be 1st woman to give commencement speech at US Military Academy Two B1 heavy bomber jets of US to join exercise in India for first time 45 fighter jets including Sukhois, Rafales perform during 74th R-Day Parade Out of 343 CEOs in S&P 500 companies, only 20 were women, shows study Singapore Airlines to offer free wifi in all cabin classes from July 1 Pay packages shrink for the few women who sit atop S&P 500 firms European Union for greater transparency for default swaps on 8 banks China woos Jamie Dimon, elon Musk in search of economic boosters New Delhi has frustrated Washington by participating in military exercises with Russia and increasing purchases of the country's crude oil, a key source of funding for Moscow's war in Ukraine. India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) had previously said it planned to use the GE-manufactured 414 engine on a second generation of light-combat aircraft and that it was in talks over domestic production of those engines. The deal is not finalized and also requires notification to the U.S. Congress, according to two of the people briefed on the arrangement. Washington maintains strict controls over what domestic military technology can be shared or sold to other countries. A broader joint partnership between the United States and India announced earlier this year is designed to encourage companies from both countries to collaborate, especially on military equipment and cutting-edge technology. While GE has offered some transfer of technology to HAL, which will produce the engines as a licensed manufacturer, India is pushing for more technology to be shared, according to one of the people with knowledge of the conversations. India is keen to get the know-how to make aircraft engines. Though it can manufacture fighter jets domestically, it lacks the ability to produce engines to power them. HAL is using a lighter GE engine for the 83 light combat aircraft it is manufacturing for the Indian air force. However, India intends to produce more than 350 fighter jets for its air force and navy over the next two decades, which could be powered by the GE 414. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington, Krishn Kaushik in New Delhi and Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago; Edited by Heather Timmons and Jamie Freed) Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an increase in HMPV cases nationwide. Although Covid-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases are decreasing, another respiratory virus known as human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is spreading across the United States. What is HMPV? The organisation said that at its peak in mid-March, nearly 11 per cent of tested specimens were positive for HMPV, a number that's about 36 per cent higher than the average pre-pandemic levels. Why are people talking about HMPV? The HMPV, discovered in 2001, is a paramyxovirus, a type of virus that causes various common infections. Other paramyxoviruses include parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles, and mumps. Also Read H3N2 influenza: Symptoms, spread, prevention, what do experts say? Covid's omicron variant, thought to be milder, can increase diabetes risk India introduces new Covid-19 rules for travellers from six countries Covid-19 cases in India at four-month high: Everything you need to know Centre tells states to conduct Covid mock drills in hospitals as cases rise Job search engine ZipRecruiter lays off 20% of global workforce Russian bombardment of Ukraine's capital kills at least 3, wounds others Canada's real GDP grew by 0.2% in April, 0.8% in first quarter this year US defense chief calls China's refusal to meet during unfortunate Lower emissions during Covid-19 pandemic led to increased warming: Study Virus experts believe the increase in various viruses, including RSV, is the result of Covid-19 lockdowns and masking. Cases of HMPV, like other respiratory illnesses, have been on the rise. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported unusual spikes in cases across the United States last month. What are the symptoms of HPMV? Small interactions with viruses prime our system to handle future virus exposures better. However, after years of masking and social distancing in school, children have fewer biological defences to combat multiple viruses simultaneously. Is HPMV ever serious? The virus, which is most common in the winter and spring, primarily affects the upper respiratory tract, causing nasal congestion, coughing, shortness of breath, and fever. It lasts three to seven days on average, depending on severity. In some cases, it can spread to the lower respiratory tract, resulting in a more serious illness such as bronchiolitis, which causes swelling, irritation, mucus buildup in the lungs, or pneumonia, Monica Gandhi, an infectious-disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco told the Washington Post. Human metapneumovirus is typically mild but can have serious consequences in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. How is HPMV transmitted? According to the CDC, HPMV is spread through airborne particles produced by coughing or sneezing, physical contact with a person who has the virus, or handling contaminated objects and then touching the eyes, mouth, or nose. In one study, asymptomatic human metapneumovirus infections accounted for at least 38 per cent of infections. The virus can spread even when people are asymptomatic. Is a vaccine available? What is the treatment for HMPV? Human metapneumovirus has no vaccine, and treatment is limited to supportive care. Although it is uncommon, Schaffner stated that in severe cases of people having difficulty breathing, "we can put them in an intensive care unit and treat them there," but most people recover independently. "We try to make you feel better and ensure that your breathing is okay while your body fights off the virus," said William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases and preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University. Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged his top national security officials to consider "worst-case" scenarios and prepare for "stormy seas," as the governing Communist Party intensifies efforts to tackle perceived internal and external threats, CNN reported. At a meeting of the party's National Security Commission, Xi said, "The complexity and difficulty of the national security issues we now face have increased significantly," as per the state news agency Xinhua. He added, "We must adhere to bottom-line thinking and worst-case-scenario thinking, and get ready to undergo the major tests of high winds and rough waves, and even perilous, stormy seas." The new stern instructions from Xi come as the country faces a slew of challenges, ranging from a faltering economy to an increasingly hostile foreign environment. Faced with a "complex and grave" scenario, Xi stated that China must accelerate the upgrading of its national security system and capabilities, with an emphasis on making them more effective in "actual combat and practical use". He also urged China to accelerate the development of a national security risk monitoring and early warning system, increase national security education, and strengthen data and artificial intelligence security management. Also Read Scammers target WhatsApp users with phishing calls from foreign shores Dollar steady as volatile markets brace for payroll data, Swiss franc jumps President Xi Jinping, a princeling turned Mao 2.0 in China's 'new era' India needs to start thinking about TSA security at airports: Aviation Secy Jinping says China faces 'new Covid situation', calls for targeted measures Pakistan Navy chief calls for innovations in defence technologies US set to allow GE to make engines in India for New Delhi's military jets Out of 343 CEOs in S&P 500 companies, only 20 were women, shows study Singapore Airlines to offer free wifi in all cabin classes from July 1 Pay packages shrink for the few women who sit atop S&P 500 firms Ever since Xi came to power a decade ago, he made national security a key paradigm that permeates all aspects of China's governance, CNN reported quoting experts. He has expanded the definition of national security to cover everything from politics to economics, defence, culture, and ecology, as well as cyberspace. It includes everything from the deep sea and the polar regions to big data and artificial intelligence. China has implemented a raft of legislation to safeguard itself against perceived dangers under Xi's concept of "comprehensive national security," including laws on counter-terrorism, counter-espionage, cybersecurity, foreign non-governmental organisations, national intelligence, and data security. It recently broadened the ambit of its already extensive counter-espionage legislation from state secrets and intelligence to any "documents, data, materials, or items related to national security and interests." "Everything in Xi's PRC is national security and there is an intensifying focus on better coordinating security and development, with the security side winning out over the economics side it appears," Bill Bishop, a long-time China observer, wrote in the Sinocism newsletter, referring to China with its official name, the People's Republic of China, reported CNN. Beijing implemented a broad national security measure in Hong Kong to quell dissent after massive democracy rallies roiled the city. The idea that security has surpassed economic growth as Beijing's main priority has been exacerbated by a series of recent raids on foreign firms, including American consulting company Bain & Company and due diligence firm Mintz Group. The raids have alarmed overseas corporations at a time when China is attempting to entice foreign investment to help resuscitate a sluggish economy crippled by three years of zero-Covid restrictions. In March, Chinese officials arrested a Japanese Astellas Pharma employee in Beijing on suspicion of espionage, making him the 17th Japanese national jailed in China since the counter-espionage law was enacted in 2014. At Tuesday's meeting, Xi also said that China must proactively shape a "secured external environment" to better maintain the security of the country's "opening up" and "promote the deep integration of development and security," CNN reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took his quest for more arms and support to a sprawling summit of some 50 European leaders in Moldova on Thursday, ending up the focal point of an event that seeks to quell regional conflicts and shore up unity in the face of Russia's war. The meeting of the pan-continental European Political Community, which embraces all European nations other than Russia and Belarus, gathered the heads of state and government from 47 countries but its attention was on the continent's south and east a region pushed to a turning point in its relationship with Moscow because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. After a day of talks in the Moldovan countryside, Zelenskyy said the best security guarantee for Ukraine was membership in NATO and the European Union, and that any proposed peace plans to bring the war to an end could not take into account Russian concerns. There is an aggressor in this war and there is a victim," Zelenskyy told reporters. A peace plan cannot be prepared by the aggressor. The 27-nation EU hoped to use the summit to reach out to many Eastern European countries that spent decades either within the Soviet Union or under its immediate sphere of influence, and to bolster the continent's unified response to Russian aggression. The choice to hold the summit in Moldova, a former Soviet republic of around 2.6 million people, is seen as a message to the Kremlin both from the EU and the pro-Western Moldovan government, which received EU candidate status in June of last year at the same time as Ukraine. Also Read Moldova protesters want energy subsidies amid cost-of-living crisis US to provide $30 million in aid to Moldova hit hard by war in Ukraine Fans barred from European soccer game in Moldova amid Russian plot fear Romania, Moldova both report mysterious balloon-like objects in their skies Zelenskyy says war with Russia ends with Ukraine's sovereignty restored Debt ceiling deal advances pipeline and tweaks rules, but more work remains Pak's annual inflation rises to record 37.97% YoY in May: Official data Meet with V-P, 16-course meal: Tesla CEO Elon Musk's China diary Russia says US accessed thousands of Apple's phones in a spy plot Reforms must for Sri Lanka's economic recovery: President Wickremesinghe The summit's venue is only 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Ukrainian border, and Moldova's president, Maia Sandu, has warned of plots by Moscow to overthrow her government using external saboteurs. As Europe's poorest country which is cradled by Ukraine on three sides, Moldova aspires to join the EU by the end of the decade, and has consistently signaled its support for Ukraine and taken in refugees fleeing the war. Late in the summit, Sandu said her country was on an irreversible path to joining the European Union, and that she and her European partners had told Zelenskyy that "we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. Zelenskyy was the first foreign leader to arrive at Thursday's summit venue, a 19th-century castle and vineyard around 35 kilometers (21 miles) from the capital, Chisinau. Dressed in his trademark olive green shirt and cargo pants, he sought to dispel doubts about his country's accession to the EU and NATO, and told the assembled leaders that such doubts would be exploited by Moscow. Since the start of the invasion, he said, the limits of security in Europe have in fact been the limits of our determination, our ability to act together for the sake of the interests of our peoples and the whole of Europe. As much as we can reject doubt, we can reject the evil of aggression. Zelenskyy urged a continuation of Western military aid to Ukraine, saying it was saving lives and literally accelerating peace. He insisted that all countries that border Russia should be full members of the EU and NATO, since Moscow tries to swallow only those who are outside of the common security space. When there are no security guarantees, there are only war guarantees, he said. Other summit participants include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Scholz and Macron joined European Council President Charles Michel for one of the summit's major meetings: discussions with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, two former Soviet Caucasian neighbor nations that have fought wars over a contested territory. Recent negotiations between the two nations over the territorial dispute had raised hopes that a breakthrough could come at the Moldova summit. But following the talks, a new round of negotiations was announced for July in Brussels. Also on the agenda was the recent flareup in ethnic tensions between neighboring Serbia and Kosovo, whose leaders attended the summit. NATO has announced it will send 700 more troops to northern Kosovo to help quell violent protests after clashes with ethnic Serbs there left 30 international soldiers wounded this week. The latest violence in the region has stirred fear of a renewal of the 1998-99 conflict in Kosovo that claimed more than 10,000 lives, left more than 1 million people homeless and resulted in a NATO peacekeeping mission that has lasted nearly a quarter of a century. Speaking to reporters in Oslo on Thursday, U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Kosovo and Serbia to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and make a real effort on normalization agreements. We support the process of European integration for Kosovo and Serbia but the current escalation hinders, rather than helps, the efforts in that direction, Blinken said from an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in the Norwegian capital. We're looking for both to act responsibly. Axelspace Corporation (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuya Nakamura), a pioneer in microsatellites, announces its new management structure as of June 1, 2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230531006007/en/ New Management Team Members: Front Row, Left to Right: Atsushi Yasuoka (Head of AxelLiner Business Division), Yuya Nakamura (CEO) , Daigo Orihara (CFO), Tatsuhiko Fukasawa (Head of AxelGlobe Business Division). Back Row, Left to Right: Yusuke Nakanishi (CSSO), Ryuichi Kokubo (Co-CTO/Information Technology), Takashi Eishima (Co-CTO/Aerospace Engineering), Makiko Hamada (CHRO), Sasaki (CISO), Yoshihiro Ota (CSO) (Photo: Business Wire) Axelspace announcement URL https://www.axelspace.com/news/20230601/ Background of Transition to New Management Structure Since our establishment in 2008 by a team of three members, our company has built a solid reputation by engaging in the development, manufacturing, and operation of nine microsatellites, including the world's first Arctic sea ice monitoring satellite WNISAT-1, and RAPIS-1, the first project entrusted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to a space startup from development to operation. Our company's pioneering project, the "AxelGlobe" commercial Earth observation constellation business, the first of its kind in Japan, has expanded to a fleet of five satellites with the launch of four satellites in 2021. We are advancing its utilization in collaboration with over 80 partner companies worldwide, and have provided Earth observation data to hundreds of client companies for various applications. In order to further accelerate the societal implementation of space utilization services using microsatellites, we are exploring the possibility of going public and have overhauled our management structure, effective from our new fiscal year starting on June 1, 2023. Under the new structure, we will focus on driving DX to enable real-time visualization of conditions to allow for informed business decision-making, strengthen our HR functions to support the further expansion of our organization from our current count of over 130 members and to prepare for future overseas expansion, enact proactive security measures that enhance the safety and value of our operations, as well as foster the rapid growth of both AxelGlobe and AxelLiner businesses. Our company will celebrate its 15th anniversary in August of this year. Under the leadership of the new management team, we will continue to work as a unified team to pursue our vision of "Space within Your Reach. Furthermore, co-founder Naoki Miyashita will now be working as a researcher in the Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Tokyo, the same laboratory co-founders Yuya Nakamura and Takeshi Eishima were affiliated with previously, to conduct research on microsatellite architecture, etc. suitable for mass production. Miyashita will continue to be deeply involved in our satellite business as a technical advisor. Axelspace company information Location: Tokyo, Japan President and CEO: Yuya Nakamura Capital: 8,050 million yen (including capital reserve) Main business activities: Earth observation business using microsatellites, the proposal of solutions utilizing microsatellites, design, and manufacture of microsatellites and related components, launch arrangements for microsatellites, and operational support and commissioning. https://www.axelspace.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230531006007/en/ Dosti Realty News Summary Dosti Realty, synonymous with excellence in construction and innovation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, has once again demonstrated its capabilities by launching its latest project - Dosti Greenscapes in Hadapsar, Pune, just 2 mins before Magarpatta city. The new launch involves the development of 10,51,300 sq. ft. of Rera carpet area and is looking at a top-line potential of Rs. 1,100 Crore. His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, today announced $2.7 billion in offtake agreements for the UAEs industrial sector in a move to boost local manufacturing, strengthen supply chains and attract international investors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230531005894/en/ His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology (Photo: AETOSWire) Addressing the second Make it in the Emirates Forum, HE Dr. Al Jaber said the new set of procurement opportunities would build on the previous forums offtake agreements. One of the key achievements of last years forum was several leading national companies announcing their intention to invest $29.9 billion over the next decade to purchase 300 products from local manufacturers, HE Dr. Al Jaber said. I am pleased to share with you that in the first year alone, 28 percent of these offtake agreements have been implemented, representing a total value of $8.4 billion. HE Dr. Al Jaber also announced plans for more than 30 new industrial projects, representing more than $1.6 billion of investments. These projects include pioneering initiatives such as setting up the first hydrogen electrolyzer plant in the UAE, he said. $1.63 billion of financing solutions for the industrial sector were also announced along with 5,000 jobs for UAE nationals in industry through the Industrialist Program. HE Dr. Al Jaber added: I invite all attendees and participants to explore through this forum the incentives and enablers provided by various economic development departments, industrial and special zones, financing institutions, and national companies. The UAEs industrial exports reached $47.6 billion in 2022, growing 49 percent compared to 2021. The industrial sector's contribution to GDP rose to $49.5 billion in 2022, a 38 percent increase on 2020. The Make it in the Emirates Forum is organized by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and ADNOC. Twitter: @moiatuae Instagram: @moiatuae Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230531005894/en/ Chinese street food restaurant Noodlee has announced a 3m investment across Cork city and county as they are set to open 15 new stores of chain in the coming months, resulting in the creation of up to 200 jobs. Noodlee offers an extensive array of Chinese dishes that have been slightly modified to appeal to Irish and European taste pallets, with extensive vegan and vegetarian options available. Popular options currently include their famous authentic braised beef noodles and pulled beef noodles which are both served with their own special recipe house broth. Each Noodlee recipe has been created and developed by Chinese chefs and aim to provide a healthy, nutritious, affordable alternative option to the conventional Chinese takeaway options and other fast food outlets in Ireland. The decision to expand the brand further afield comes following the initial success of two of their stores one located in Avenue De Rennes in Mahon, and the flagship store next to UCC on Western Road. Three additional stores in Carrigaline, Fermoy and Mallow will open in the coming weeks. It is expected that Noodlee restaurants will open in Douglas, Ballincollig and Middleton shortly after their newest stores open, followed by an additional three stores in Blackpool, Mayfield and Cobh, with discussions continuing for other locations. Owner Song Ye says that the long-term goal for the brand is to become an international franchise with one Noodlee restaurant already in the UK, located in Nottingham. Noodlee in Chinese culture means Chinese street food and thats exactly what we are pioneering in all of our Cork restaurants," said Ye. "We believe this is the future for Asian and Chinese cuisine both in Ireland and internationally. People have become increasingly more health conscious in recent years and Noodlee represents a healthier and affordable nutritious option for takeaway food." Source: www.businessworld.ie Note: I like using Las Vegas as a measure of recovery for both leisure (visitors) and business (conventions). From the Las Vegas Visitor Authority: April 2023 Las Vegas Visitor Statistics Las Vegas hosted approximately 3,385,500 visitors in Apr 2023, on par with the robust volumes achieved last Apr when pentup demand overtook receding pandemic impacts. Overall hotel occupancy reached 84.3% for the month, similar to last Apr (+0.3 pts YoY). As Weekend occupancy (92.4%) saw a 0.8 pts YoY decline, Midweek occupancy approached 81%, surpassing last Apr by 1.5 pts. Overall ADR reached $171, down 3.3% from Apr 2022 while RevPAR exceeded $144, 3.0% YoY. Click on graph for larger image. The second graph shows convention traffic. Visitor traffic was up 0.1% compared to last April.The second graph shows convention traffic. The first graph shows visitor traffic for 2019 (Black), 2020 (light blue), 2021 (purple), 2022 (orange), and 2023 (red).Visitor traffic was down 4.4% compared to the same month in 2019.Convention traffic was down 30.2% compared to April 2019, and down 2.1% compared to April 2022.Note: There was almost no convention traffic from April 2020 through May 2021. Harare Town Clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango, housing director Addmore Nhekairo and works director Engineer Isaac Chawatama have bounced back at Town House after having been on suspension since 2020. The trio had been suspended in line with a Ministry of Local Government and Public Works directive that any official with a pending court case be barred from performing council duties until acquitted by the courts. Eng Chisango, Eng Chawatama and Mr Nhekairo, who were all on suspension with benefits, have since been cleared of the criminal cases at court and are now at work. They all confirmed having resumed their duties. Contacted yesterday, Eng Chisango said he had since hit the ground running, focusing on stabilising human resources, revenue maximisation, regularisation, decentralisation as well as water, sanitation and hygiene in the face of the cholera outbreak. On regularisation of settlements, we want to have the council and Government approve settlements that can be regularised to enable beneficiaries to develop standard roads, water and sanitation infrastructure, he said. This will provide security of tenure to the beneficiaries as well as orderly settlements. Incorporating these settlements will increase the citys revenue base. Eng Chisango said on development of SMEs infrastructure, he wanted to champion construction of resilient infrastructure for the small to medium enterprises. I had initiated the construction of structures at the corner of Seke/Dieppe roads, Shawasha Grounds as well as rehabilitation of Mupedzanhamo market, he said. The aim is to decongest Mbare by decentralising markets across the city. Decentralisation this entails resuscitation of districts infrastructure such as workshops and to have functional and empowered teams at district offices so that residents can access all services at their districts. Eng Chisango said focus was also on stabilisation of human resources in view of the events of the last three years. There has been a lot of consternation among employees with accusations and counter accusations and a lot of factionalism, he said. My focus is to meld the groups into one functional administrative family that is focused on the service delivery agenda. Eng Chisango said the city had operated with a semi functional ERP and this resulted in huge revenue losses. It is urgent that the council resolves this issue to enhance integrity in all systems, he said. We were also preparing standard operating procedures for all council operations. The thrust is to finalise these processes. Eng Chisango said water supply, wastewater management and refuse collection were top on his agenda, especially at this time when cholera cases were on the rise as there will be capacitation of all units to ensure timely response to disruptions. He said will also push for critical projects that were being initiated by the mayor such as the rehabilitation and upgrading of Rufaro Stadium and community facilities such as swimming pools and libraries. I will pursue these projects to completion as they have a bearing on the mental health and well-being of our residents, especially the youths in these times of rampant substance abuse, he said. During suspension, Eng Chisango was being accused, along with Mr Nhekairo, of being implicated in the illegal creation and allocation of stands on an open space in Kuwadzana 3 in July 2019 without going through the legal process of changing land use. Mr Nhekairo also stood accused of allocating residential stands in Westlea to undeserving people who included police officers and a prosecutor, who were also arrested and charged. Eng Chawatama stood accused of allegedly failing to utilise $10 million disbursed by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration for roads rehabilitation on time, only to use it when it had devalued. Harare City Councils top brass has since been filled with substantive heads except for the offices of the finance director, chamber secretary and human capital development. Herald 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. 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June 2023 Important Days: Here's the Complete List June 1 - World Milk Day June 2Global Day of Parents June 3 - International Sex Workers' Day June 4 - Telangana Formation Day June 5 - World Bicycle Day June 6 - International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression June 7 - World Food Safety Day June 8 - World Brain Tumor Day June 8 - World Oceans Day June 12 - World Day Against Child Labour June 14 - World Blood Donor Day June 15 - World Wind Day June 16 - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 17 - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought June 18 - Autistic Pride Day June 18 - Father's Day June 19 - World Sickle Cell Awareness Day June 19 - World Sauntering Day June 20 - World Refugee Day June 21 - World Music Day June 22 - World Hydrography Day June 23 - International Olympic Day June 23 - International Widows' Day June 26 - International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking June 26 - International Day in Support of Victims of Torture June 29 - International Day of the Tropics June 30 - World Asteroid Day June 1 - World Milk Day: It is celebrated to recognize the contribution of the dairy sector to sustainability, development, livelihood, and nutrition. June 1 - Global Day of Parents: This day is celebrated to recognize and honor the parents who have relentlessly supported and sacrificed for their children's well-being. June 2 - International Sex Workers' Day: This day is celebrated to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of sex workers worldwide. June 3 - World Bicycle Day: It acknowledges the affordability, environmental friendliness, and versatility of bicycles as a sustainable means of transportation. June 4 - International Day for Innocent Children Victims of Aggression: This day is observed by the United Nations to raise awareness about the physical, mental, and emotional abuse suffered by children worldwide. June 5 - World Environment Day: It is celebrated to address environmental issues and promote ecosystem restoration. June 7 - World Food Safety Day: This day highlights the importance of food safety and reducing the risk of food poisoning on a global awareness day. June 8 - World Brain Tumor Day: It is observed to raise awareness about brain tumors, promote research, and support individuals affected by this condition. June 8 - World Oceans Day: This day aims to safeguard our oceans by reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable practices. June 8 - National Best Friend Day: This day celebrates the bond of friendship by appreciating and cherishing supportive best friends. The CGPSC Hostel Superintendent Recruitment 2023 Notification has been published on the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission's official website @psc.cg.gov.in. The CGPSC Hostel Superintendent Recruitment 2023 has been issued for the recruitment of 500 Hostel Superintendent Grade D positions. The Interested can fill out the application form for the CGPSC Hostel Superintendent Recruitment 2023, which begins on May 25, 2023, and ends on June 8, 2023. Overview Department/ Organization Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) Post Name Hostel Superintendent Vacancy 500 Salary/ Pay Level Level-6 Application Mode Online Form Official Website psc.cg.gov.in. Notification To learn more about the recruitment procedure, aspirants should read the CGPSC Hostel Superintendent Recruitment 2023 Notification PDF How to Apply? First and foremost, review the comprehensive details about recruiting by clicking on the departmental advertisement link provided below. Then click on the link to the online form. The official website's main page will be accessible. On the main page, click the CGPSC State Service Prelims Online Form link. A new window will now open in front of you, in which you must fill out your application form. Pay the CGPSC State Service Exam Application Fee (Eligible Candidates). Finally, after you've submitted your work, print it off. Salary The Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) will appoint candidates as Hostel Superintendent Grade 'D' in the Pay Matrix Level-6. They will also receive various perks under Chhattisgarh Government guidelines. The wait is almost over. Mitsubishi Motors has confirmed that the production version of the XFC Concept will be shown for the first time at... The 2023 Cannes Film Festival wrapped over the weekend, and Flora Anna Budas 27 won the festivals Palme dOr for a short film. Its the first animated short to win the award since Waves 98 did so in 2015. We spoke with Anna Buda before Cannes for the release of the 27 trailer. Explaining where the idea for the film came from, she told us, I was wondering, if I would direct a porn film, how could I cheat a little social sensitivity in the plot? In 27, the films protagonist Alice is celebrating her 27th birthday. An adult by almost any measure, she is suffocating a bit as she still lives with her parents and nosey younger brother. Feeling stuck, she regularly disappears into her dreams to escape her dreary everyday life. After a psychedelic party on a factory roof, she is involved in a serious drunken bike accident. But will a brush with death be enough for her to take control of her life? Buda is an animation film direction graduate of the prestigious Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) in Budapest. This is Anna Budas second short to impress at a major festival. Her previous film, Entropia, won the Teddy for best short film and was nominated for the Golden Bear at Berlinale 2019, and later scored a special mention at GLAS in 2020. LafargeHolcim Maroc posts 3% advance in 1Q revenue ICR Newsroom By 01 June 2023 Holcim-owned LafargeHolcim Maroc has reported a three per cent uptick in revenues to MAD2131m (US$209.2m) in the first quarter of 2023 from MAD2077m in the year-ago period. Moroccos cement demand declined by 5.3 per cent to 3.248Mt in the January-March 2023 period when compared with the first three months of 2022, when consumption reached 3.248Mt. The companys debts fell by five per cent YoY to MAD4887m at 31 March 2023. Published under Kayasand receives NZD3.5m investment boost ICR Newsroom By 01 June 2023 Kayasand, a New Zealand distributor of sand manufacturing technology, is working to produce more sustainable concrete with up to 20 per cent less carbon emissions. To help achieve its aims, it has received NZD3.5m (US$2.1m) from New Zealand Green Investment Finance and NZD1.8m from private investors. The companys technology removes water and sand mining from the concrete equation, according to the Waikato Times. As a result, the technology can reduce or in some cases eliminate the need for natural sand dredging, according to Dr Bram Smith, Kayasands general manager. It uses by-products and recycled materials such as quarry crusher dust and recycled glass to manufacture sand of such quality that it makes stronger concrete than natural sand when mixed with cement, he says. The technology is based on a New Zealand invention that was developed in Japan and used in over 300 plants across Japan, China, India and Australia. Dr Smith said the companys process is dry, as opposed to the current method that uses water to process crusher dust. The company has set up its first plant in Waikato, New Zealand, which is expected to open next month. Kayasand plans to be operating 40 plants in New Zealand and Australia by 2030. Published under CEMEX upgrades its UK rail network 01 June 2023 CEMEX UK has made a considerable investment into its UK rail network, making improvements at several of its depots across the UK. These developments support CEMEXs efforts to increase the use of rail to move its materials, as part of its Future in Action sustainability strategy. Work was carried out at CEMEXs Dove Holes, Selby and Bletchley depots, with a particular focus on improving health and safety and efficiency through track and walkway upgrades. This work was all completed in partnership with MLP Railway Maintenance Ltd. At Selby in North Yorkshire, upgraded track means the site can take an increased number of wagons per train, and complete turnarounds more efficiently and safely. Meanwhile, at Dove Holes in Buxton, Derbyshire, two reception lines were relayed. This was a significant project which required considerable planning and coordination with Network Rail, as the site runs adjacent to the main line. Finally, the team collaborated with Network Rail again at Bletchley in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, to implement improved walkways, CCTV and a waterproof display screen for offloading. This allows ground staff to watch the process from outside of the discharge area, reducing noise and dust exposure. These three development activities were supported by smaller walkway improvements made at other CEMEX rail depots, including Crawley and Stourton. Published under 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 Musk says Tesla opposes decoupling in meeting with China's foreign minister (People's Daily App) 15:22, June 01, 2023 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday in Beijing. Qin said a healthy, stable, and constructive China-US relationship is in the interests of both countries and the world at large. Musk said the US and China share intertwined and inseparable interests. Tesla opposes decoupling and is willing to continue to expand its business in China and share the country's development opportunities. (Video produced by He Jieqiong and Di Jingyuan) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Tennessee Valley Authority is seeking public comments on its draft Environmental Assessment for proposed remediations to the detention dam at the John Sevier Combined Cycle Plant in Rogersville. The draft EA is available for a 30-day public review and comment period at www.tva.com/nepa TVAs recommended action is Alternative C. TVA would construct a Roller Compacted Concrete Gravity Dam to help address the risk of potential erosion to the earthen embankment dam at the site.The new dam would be constructed downstream of the existing north embankment and will connect to the northern end of the existing concrete overfall spillway. This will require minimal modifications to the current dam.Comments can be submitted through June 30 by email to esmclamb@tva.gov, submitted online at www.tva.com/nepa or mailed to Erica McLamb, Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market St., Chattanooga, Tn. 37402. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the project administrative record and will be available for public inspection.The John Sevier Combined Cycle Plant is an 871-megawatt facility that can use natural gas or fuel oil for combustion. It is located on 750 acres beside the Holston River near Rogersville, and began commercial operation on April 30, 2012. A woman on W. 13th Street Court told police she came home to her screen door damaged and mustard all over the door. She also stated that some of her mail was ripped open and damaged. Police observed the glass and screen busted out of her screen door and mustard all over the doorway. Police also observed mail on the ground that had been damaged. The woman believes her neighbors are the suspects, but she has no proof of this. She said that management is going to check cameras to see if they can figure out who the suspects are. Approximate damage total is around $300. * * * Police spoke with a woman on N. Willow Street who was noticeably intoxicated and frustrated. She said a man came to her house and started yelling at her from the front door, and started making threats. However, the specifics of the threats were not detailed due to her intoxication. She said she wants the man trespassed from her residence. Police attempted to find the mans information on Coplink, but nothing came up. * * * A man told police that while he was driving his truck, a trailer that he was towing damaged the bed of his truck and broke his rear window. He said it first happened at MLK when getting off I-24, then again when he turned onto 11th Street from Market Street. The officer saw the damage to his vehicle. * * * Police spoke to a woman over the phone about an incident at 310 Northgate Mall Dr. at Carmike Cinemas. She left her vehicle parked in the lot there while she was at the movies the previous night. She got there around 9 p.m. and was there for a couple hours. She then discovered damage on her car when she got up the next morning to get gas around 10 a.m. Since the damage was on the passenger side, she didnt notice it the previous night when she got out of the movies, but she knows the damage was not there when she got there last night and parked it. The damage was on the passenger side rear door and over the rear tire. It consisted of a dent and scratches and also there was some white paint as well. She considers it to be a medium amount of damage and there are no estimates for repairs yet. * * * A man called police and said he had mailed an envelope from an address on W. 40th St. and the employee said she would seal the envelope, which contained three Amazon gift cards. When the envelope got to its destination on Saturday, the envelope was unsealed and the cards were gone. He's not sure if theyve been used anywhere and he has already reported this to the Postal Inspection Service. * * * Police observed a Chevrolet Impala (TN tag) that appeared to be abandoned on E. 27th Street. All of the tires were flat, it was covered in dirt and its tags have been expired since December of 2019. Police put a notice sticker on the car indicating that it needs to be moved. * * * A man at an apartment on Boynton Drive told police someone from the main offices busted through his door while he was playing his music. He also said his neighbors upstairs are harassing him. He said they are sending lightning bolts down through the floor, causing him to hear voices in his head. * * * A woman on Douglas Street told police she had found a wallet Tuesday night in the parking garage of her apartment complex. She said she found it around 2 a.m. She told police that she gave it to her cousin to turn in, but apparently the cousin did not. She said that she found it under her desk this morning before she went to work. She just wanted to turn it in. The ID in the wallet was for a man who lived in the apartment complex. Police attempted to make contact with him, but were unsuccessful. The wallet was turned into Property. * * * A man told police he was contacted by someone who identified himself as Sgt. Roundtree with the Chattanooga Police Department about a warrant he had for not showing up to grand jury. He said that "Sgt. Roundtree" told him in order to get rid of the warrants he would have to pay him money using gift cards. He said "Sgt. Roundtree" told him to stay on the phone with him while he went to a Circle K or Walgreens to get two PAK gift cards in the amount of $450 each for a total of $900. Then he was told to drive to Hamilton County Court and once he got there he needed to read the numbers off both gift cards to "Sgt. Roundtree". Then he would get a text receipt and he would send an escort down to meet him to escort him to his office. He said that once he got to the courthouse and spoke with security, they told him that this Sgt. Roundtree did not work for CPD, but for Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and that it was a scam. Police added the suspect phone number to the suspect section of the report. The man said that he was going to contact PAK gift cards fraud line to see what they can do about this incident. Nonstop Miami flights return to the Chattanooga Airport on Saturday. The American Airlines flight will depart weekly from Chattanooga at 7 a.m. on Saturday and offer a return service every Saturday evening, arriving at 10 p.m. Passengers can connect in Miami International Airport to more than 90 international destinations across the globe including Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America. The returned service will also provide easy access to PortMiami the largest passenger port in the world for both cruising and business. Nokian Tyres is honoring Alyssa Barnes and Taylor McCoy, Rhea County High School graduates, as its 2023 Nokian Tyres Scholars. Ms. Barnes and Ms. McCoy will each receive financial support from the company in their freshman year of college Ms. Barnes at UTC and Ms. McCoy at Tennessee Wesleyan. Im normally the only girl in my field, said Ms. Barnes, who plans to major in electrical engineering at UTC. I want to stand out and make a difference, and Nokian Tyres is doing that here in Dayton. Since elementary school, Ms. Barnes has enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together. Now, she plans to pursue her dream job of managing a power grid in a large city. Ive job-shadowed for electrical engineering, and how it works behind the scenes fascinates me, Ms. Barnes said. Its like a big puzzle. Nokian Tyres core value of sustainability resonates with Ms. McCoy, who plans to major in biology at Tennessee Wesleyan and launch a career as a wildlife biologist. I want to help animals in Southeast Tennessees conservation areas, Ms. McCoy said. It makes a huge difference to have people who are investing in my college career. Ms. McCoys childhood home in Rhea County is next to the forest, and at a young age she fell in love with the areas rich array of wildlife and scenery. She balanced time in nature with a busy calendar as a standout ballerina, softball player, fisher and pageant queen. If youre gonna do something, do it 110 percent, said Ms. McCoy. Juggling a bunch of different hobbies comes with great parents who are willing to go to the ends of the earth for me. Nokian Tyres is proud to support Ms. Barnes and Ms. McCoys collegiate journeys as part of the companys Road to Sustainable Success, through which the global tiremaker: Painting by Tom Farnum Benny Goodman by Maxine Hess deaconbluz aka Dr/ Clark White Previous Next This summer the Jewish Cultural Center is exploring the relationships between Jews, Blues and All That Jazz through exhibitions, a CD release event, a film and concerts. The Jewish Federation is working in conjunction with Barking Legs and the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Activities begin at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road, on Sunday, June 11, at 2 p.m. There is no cost to attend the exhibition reception and CD release event. The exhibit showcases large works by Tom Farnum. Growing up in Columbus, In., Mr. Farnam spent his early years in the 1950s and 60s observing and drawing from nature. Mr. Farnam studied printmaking at Indiana University and East Texas State University, where he received his BFA and MFA respectively. His natural inclination towards process, discipline, and technique made printmaking a natural medium for Mr. Farnam. His exploration of printmaking not only encouraged, but required him to leave things to chance and explore mistakes. This experimental methodology remains critical to Mr. Farnams aesthetic throughout his work. Transitioning into painting was an organic choice as Mr. Farnam left the academic environment and printing presses essential to printmaking. For the past four decades, he has continued to build on the basic influences that fueled his passion for making art. Small works by Sandra Babb, Anna Boothe, Harriet Goren, Lupina Haney, Maxine Hess, Michael Holsomback, Sherry Hullender, Faye Ives, Janice Kennedy, Cindy Lutz Kornet, Bonnie Stoloff compliment the large pieces. Art works by these artists were selected for their relationship to the theme. Fiber, glass, painting are represented. A special event during the June 11 reception begins 3 p.m. deaconbluz, aka Dr. Clark White, will release his latest CD. CDs are for sale. The six originals songs were written and composed by deaconbluz a/k/a Dr. Clark White. They tell stories about his deep attachment to Chattanoogas history. Dr. White will play and talk about these songs and what inspired him to compose the music and lyrics. One song is The Ballad of Ed Johnson, the innocent black man lynched on the Walnut Street Bridge in 1906. Dr. Whites album was recorded in 2019 at the Baton Rouge, La. studio of famous blues artist Kenny Neal. The summer continues with a screening of The Jews and The Blues at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center (200 East M L King Blvd.) on Sunday, July 9, at 4 p.m. There is no cost to attend. The film is 67 minutes, in English, and is a musical journey. The documentary filmmaker Drew Stone, follows his passion for music and adventure as he travels to Israel and discovers how the blues ties into this incredible mix of cultures. Arab, Ethiopian, Moroccan, all Jewish, all Israeli, united through the universal tie that bids us together.... music. Jazz concerts during the summer are in conjunction with Barking Legs (1307 Dodds Ave.) program Jazz in the Lounge on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. The cost is $5 for live music. The schedule includes: June 7 - Alan Wyatt Quartet * June 14 - Ben Friberg Trio * June 21 - The Ahleuchatistas (main stage) * June 28 - Dexter Bell & Friends * SPECIAL: June 23 - Aaron Irwin Trio (main stage) * July 5 - Alan Wyatt Quartet * July 12 - Mike Salter Quartet * July 19 - Dexter Bell & Friends * July 26 - Jim Crumble Trio * SPECIAL: July 9 - Monica Shriver (main stage) The Jewish Cultural Center, funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, offers programs, classes and exhibits, social services, and a preschoolall rooted in Jewish values. The facility enables the Jewish community to raise its visibility, foster relationships, and strengthen its identity in the Chattanooga area. Located at 5461 North Terrace, the Center and its programs are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation. Lorraine Abernathy Aiken died peacefully on May 29, 2023, at age 94. Born in Madisonville, Tn., she grew up in Lupton City, a Dixie Yarns mill community which she loved. She graduated from City High School and Tennessee Wesleyan College, where she met her husband, William P. Aiken, MD. She was a devoted member of St. Luke Methodist Church and a committed community servant who made the lives of others better. She was loved by all in Rivermont, Dupont and Stuart Heights and was known by many as the mother of the young people in those communities. All were welcome in her home. Her cooking was famous and sought after for many gatherings. She was predeceased by her husband and is survived by her sons, Bill (Ann), Bob (Helen), Mike (Meg) and Jeff and her daughter, Beth. She had eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The family gives special thanks to Penni Stansell, our cousin, who has been Mother's devoted caregiver. There will be no visitation and there will be a private family burial. Memorial contributions may be made to The Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga, CHATT Foundation or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, 423 531-3975. Victoria Underwood auctions off items during the live auction at the Believe Bash The Seventh Annual Believe Bash Hollywood: The Golden Age James Howard, Kim Carson, Childrens Miracle Network Champion Dalton McPherson, and his mom Kim McPherson Erlanger Foundation Board Chair, Less Lee addresses the Believe Bash attendees and announces the next years co-chair Erlanger President & CEO Jim Coleman, Amy Coleman, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, Erlanger Board Chair Sheila Boyington, and Dane Boyington Previous Next Erlanger Foundation celebrates raising over $372,000 net, at the seventh annual Believe Bash held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. This years annual fundraising gala, hosted by co-chairs Cynthia and Jay Dale and Lauren and Dr. Peter Boehm, Jr., transported guests, community leaders, and hospital staff back to Hollywood: The Golden Age. The evening included a red carpet cocktail reception with special guests from the likes of May West, Charlie Chaplin, Elvis, and Marilyn Monroe, a gourmet dining experience, a live auction, a meaningful program featuring 2023 Childrens Miracle Network Champion Dalton McPherson, and a giving moment all followed by the after party with live music and dancing from The Atlanta Party Fanatics. We are very grateful to our community and sponsors for continuing to support Childrens Hospital at Erlanger through their generous donations, said Dr. Charles Woods, CEO of Childrens Hospital at Erlanger. It is through their generosity that we are able to further our mission as the regions only childrens hospital. Erlanger Foundation would like to say a special thank you to its sponsors, including the presenting sponsor First Horizon. Event sponsors who helped make the event a success include Delta Dental, Chattanooga Times Free Press, USA Senior Care Network, The Group Savings Organization, Noon Development, Linda Brock Homes, Riley Jacobson, Med-Trans, The Bullard Group Square One Realty, EPB, PEMA, Puckett EMS, TVA, Vincit Group, Vizient, Dr. Peter and Susan Boehm, Sr., Dr. Dane and Sheila Boyington, Dr. Haresh Patel, Ray and Jill Ryan, ACE Anesthesia, Aerocare Adapthealth, Artech Design Group, Baker Donelson, CarePayment, Coca Cola Bottling Co. United, Cognizant, Cortina, DePuy Synthes, DeRoyal, Erlanger Neurosurgery and Spine, Forvis, Husch Blackwell, L Squared Construction, LabCorp, Lee-Smith, Lift Media Group, McGriff Insurance, McKenzie Foundation, OnPoint, Pinnacle, Pointer Management, Pointe Property Group, Refined Looks, Regional Obstetrical Consultants, Revecore, Second Story Real Estate, SmartBank, Tennessee Interventional and Imaging Associates, Urban Story Ventures, University Surgical Associates, Wakefield & Associates, and Holland & Knight. At the conclusion of the special program, Less Lee, Erlanger Foundation Board chair announced the date for the eighth annual Believe Bash scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2024, and co-chaired by Bob and Shelly Elliott and Guru and Dr. Neha Shah. Mr. Lee said, On behalf of the Foundation, thank you to everyone who supported the 2023 Believe Bash. This years event was the Foundations most successful event ever, raising over $372,000 net in support of Childrens Hospital. The leadership of our co-hosts, combined with the work of our volunteers and the Foundation staff, enabled the event to set records in attendance and funds raised. Our sponsors generosity, coupled with attendees extraordinary philanthropic support, will have a profound impact on the children of our community and the region. Please mark your calendar now for the second Saturday in April for next years Believe Bash; April 13, 2024. As a not-for-profit hospital, Erlanger and Childrens depend on philanthropic support to provide the remarkable care experienced here as well as to advance pediatric services in the future. The communitys partnership to make the Kennedy Outpatient Center a reality truly showcases what is possible when our mission to compassionately care for people is met by a community compassionately caring for us, said officials. To stay up to date on the 2024 Believe Bash, join the Erlanger Foundation Believe Bash Facebook group or visit erlangerfoundation.org/believe-bash. Before his 2023 coronation as the United Kingdoms king, Charles already had a smaller-scale investiture 54 years prior. At the age of just 20, Charles was crowned Prince of Wales. His mother, Queen Elizabeth, planned for her son to take the title in a grand ceremony held in the country he would rule over. However, the royal crown makers, in their haste to finish the Prince of Wales coronet on time, hid a secret object atop Charles crown. King Charles wore a coronet with a hidden object atop it during his 1969 investiture ceremony as Prince of Wales | Anwar Hussein/Getty Images What secret object was hidden at King Charles Prince of Wales coronet? Believe it or not, there was no official Prince of Wales coronet when Queen Elizabeth had one made for her eldest son. Therefore a royal crown maker was commissioned to create a new modern topper for Charles. Louis Osman designed the crown. It marked a radical departure from the traditional royal headwear. The Prince of Wales coronet featured golden arches surrounded by fleurs-de-lis and crosses. The gold inlays came from a Welsh nugget. Rather than being traditionally hammered, elements of the crown were electroplated onto an epoxy resin cast. A purple velvet cap banded with ermine completed the look. A sphere topped Charles coronet and contained a hidden secret. It appeared to be made of gold, but it was not. The circular object prominently displayed atop the crown was a ping-pong ball coated with gold filigree. It was surrounded by a floating constellation of diamonds arranged in the shape of Charless star sign, Scorpio. The ping-pong ball topper was a last-minute addition to Charles coronet The Prince of Wales coronet photographed in 1969 | Central Press/Getty Images Reportedly, Louis Osman began the process of shaping Charles coronet by making a wax mold of the new headgear. The mold was sent to a crown maker specializing in precious metals. However, every time a mold was made, it was so delicate it would break. Finally, after several attempts, the crown was created, but the orb was incorrect. Therefore, a technician who worked with Osman proposed electroplating a ping-pong ball to beat the time crunch to finish the crown ahead of the coronation. Charles wore the finished crown at his investiture in Wales. The event was televised, and over 500 million people watched the ceremony. Charles won over the Welsh people in this manner at his investiture ceremony Twenty-year-old Prince Charles studied at Waless Aberystwyth College in 1969 before his investiture ceremony. This was to learn about the Welsh people by living among them and the complex language as well. Every day, I had to go down to the town where I attended these lectures. Most days, there seemed to be a demonstration going on against me, Charles recalled in an ITV documentary. After nine weeks of studying, Charles was supposed to give the investiture speech in the Welsh language. Not only did the future king of the United Kingdom give an address in seamless Welshbut he also added some pro-Welsh sentiments into his speech, knowing his family would not understand it. Ahead of his crowning as king in 2023 alongside Camilla Parker Bowles as Queen Consort, Charles proclaimed his son, Prince William, as Prince of Wales. However, there was no lavish ceremony upon Williams ascension to that royal rank. Instead, the BBC reported a statement by Kensington Palace. It said Prince Williams aims to deepen his understand of the issues and opportunities of greatest importance to the Welsh people. Elements of this story were first reported by Town & Country, The Guardian, and The Washington Post. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Have you ever rejected someone who wanted to take you out and then proceeded to never hear the end of it? One woman turned down a bullys desperate promposal and continued to be harassed by his friends for it ten years later. Shes 27 years old and attended school in Northern Ireland during her teenage years. At her school, it was customary for students finishing their last year around the age of 18 would be invited to a school formal. The formals were similar to a prom but not as focused on dates, and you werent expected to go with anyone. Therefore, promposals, which are so big in America, werent really a thing at her school in Ireland. Ten years ago, during her final year at the school, she learned some interesting news. A guy from her classes that had been non-stop bullying and stalking her actually had a crush on her and was planning on giving her a big promposal. He had always been a horrendous bully to me, she explained. He would go from calling me hideous and claiming that I would die alone and unloved to stealing my friends phone to get my number. This guys creepy behavior went to the next level when he once snuck up behind her to chop off a piece of her hair and figured out where she lived by looking for her dads car in the driveway. Then all of a sudden, he was ready to confess his feelings for her with a promposal. To make matters worse, he did it publicly. He held up a decorated sign in front of the entire school and asked her to attend the formal with him. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. When thinking about important paleontologists and biologists that have helped us better understand the creatures that came before us, many people begin to think about the men in that field. However, we should also recognize the women who made remarkable discoveries, like Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska, the Polish paleobiologist whose research and work in the Gobi Desert was and is still admired worldwide. Zofia was born in 1925 in Sokoow Podlaski, Poland. She spent many of her childhood years in Warsaw when her father moved their family there for work. Her love for science was ignited when she attended lectures given by Polish paleontologist Roman Kozlowski in his home. She attended the University of Warsaw, earning a masters degree in zoology and a doctorate in paleontology. While at the University of Warsaw, Zofia joined other geologists, paleontologists, etc., on their excavations in Polands Swietokrzyskie Mountains. After earning her masters in 1949, Zofia was hired as an assistant in the University of Warsaws Department of Paleontology. Then, in 1961, she was appointed director of the Institute of Paleobiology in Warsaw, which was part of the Polish Academy of Sciences. In the 1960s, Zofia went on a series of expeditions that would significantly alter her career. Zofia helped organize some of the first Polish expeditions to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. This made her one of the first women to lead a dinosaur excavation expedition. She traveled there several times between 1963 and 1971 and made some fascinating discoveries. In the Gobi Desert, Zofia discovered multiple fossils of dinosaurs and mammals that were alive during the Cretaceous period and were millions of years old. One of the most incredible fossils Zofia and her group found were the ones of a Velociraptor who appeared to have been in conflict with a Protoceratops. Although the trip was successful, it certainly wasnt easy. At one point, Zofia suffered a ruptured ear drum after a sandstorm in the desert. She flew home to have surgery and then returned to the desert to continue her work. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Unsplash/Akira Hojo As 95 Louisiana churches formally disassociated from the United Methodist Church (UMC) on Saturday, the "deep conflict" within the denomination is still having an impact. Over the past four years, relations between Louisiana congregations and the international denomination have been dissolved in close to 40% of cases. The UMC's controlling body for state churches, the Louisiana Annual Conference, called a special meeting to discuss approving the departures for the places of worship. At the meeting held in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church Baton Rouge's downtown, the ratifications were ratified. The Need to Remember God as Their Shelter According to the article in the Advocate, the Louisiana Annual Conference Bishop Delores Williamston spoke to the delegates just prior to the votes, expressing the need to remember that God is their shelter. She emphasized God's omnipresence, existing not just in their immediate vicinity but beyond the confines of denominations, disaffiliations, affiliations, and various other forms of religious expression. She reassured the audience that God is perpetual with them and will never forsake them. Williamston accepted the damage the disaffiliation had done to his relationships with friends, coworkers, and the community. The departures also meant that locations for important occasions, including baptisms, weddings, burials, confirmations, ordinations, and commissioning services, would no longer be available. The UMC's Book of Discipline was amended in 2019 to include "Paragraph 2553," which required the separation of all departing churches. The policy gives local churches a way out for "reasons of conscience," such as the UMC's position on same-sex marriage and clergy who identify as LGBTQ. Also Read: 83 Iowa Churches Part Ways with United Methodist Church Amidst Rift over LGBTQ Rights 95 Louisiana Churches Cut Ties with United Methodist Church Amid LGBTQ Stance Conflict According to another source, 9 WAFB, the Louisiana Annual Conference at the First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge accepted the disaffiliation of 95 churches from the United Methodist Church (UMC) during a special meeting on Saturday, May 27. The Louisiana Conference Board of Trustees' recommendations for congregations planning to disaffiliate in accordance with "Paragraph 2553" were the sole reason for calling the conference. Following the decision, Bishop Delores Williamston extended her best wishes to those choosing to leave the UMC. She conveyed her hopes that those who had decided to depart due to disaffiliation would find success in their new missions, as called upon by God. Bishop Williamston also demonstrated her eagerness to concentrate on their goal and move beyond the issue of disaffiliation. Disagreements over a variety of topics, including same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy, have been at the heart of many disaffiliations. Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, Huff Chapel United Methodist Church, Livingston United Methodist Church, Inc., Mangum Chapel United Methodist Church, Montpelier United Methodist Church, Inc., Pine Ridge United Methodist Church, Tangipahoa United Methodist Church, Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church (Greensburg), and Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church (Ponchatoula) are among the Baton Rouge-area churches whose disaffiliation has been approved. You can see the list of all the churches that were approved in NOLA. Related Article:Judge Allows North Georgia United Methodist Churches to Continue Disaffiliation Process Observers of American religious life have been curious about the potential effects of this upheaval on religious worship ever before the World Health Organization proclaimed COVID-19 a global pandemic three years ago. They have questioned whether the short-term closure of temples and other houses of worship will hasten the steady reduction in attendance. They specifically asked whether those who stopped physically attending religious services due to the epidemic would start again or if the pandemic had any long-term effects. On the other hand, some questioned if the extensive use of virtual services would increase the accessibility of congregations, draw in younger people, and assist them in engaging new audiences. There are some signs that since 2019, before the COVID-19 epidemic, in-person attendance at religious services has slightly decreased. During this time, the proportion of American adults attending religious services at least once a month has declined by three percentage points - from 33% to 30%, according to AP News. Additionally, one in five Americans now attends church less regularly than before the pandemic. The Research on Religious Services Attendance The Pew Research Center has undertaken five polls since the summer of 2020 to examine how many American adults attend religious services. In these polls, participants were asked if they had physically heard religious services within the previous month. They were then asked separately about their virtual engagement (such as watching religious services on TV or streaming online). Also Read: Carolina Churches Facing Low Attendance Available For Sale: Selling Churches are More Complicated Research shows that 41% of adults reported participating in religious services in some way (either in person or digitally) over the previous month in the initial survey conducted in July 2020, when many houses of worship were restricting attendance or closed to physical worshippers. Of those, the majority (27% of all U.S. adults) participated only online. Another 9% claimed to have attended in person and taken part virtually. Only 4% of respondents said they had only physically visited church or other religious services in the month before the July 2020 survey. Decrease in Attendance Since the COVID-19 Pandemic Since then, the overall proportion of American adults attending religious services has stayed consistent, at around 4 in 10. The number of Americans attending virtual worship sessions has been declining as the virus has spread, and numerous religious institutions have welcomed worshipers once more. In contrast, in-person attendance recovered quickly and then came to a standstill. In the most current survey in November 2022, 12% of participants said they had only used virtual methods to participate in the previous month (down from 27% in the pandemic's early phases). In contrast, 16% said they would only attend in person (up from 4% in 2020). Another 12% of respondents claimed to have used in-person and online services. About 40% of our regular parishioners have chosen not to return, Rev. John Ardis said to US News, adding that most parishioners are old people and those attend the service still prefer to wear masks. He added that the pandemic has been a big and continual hit. About six out of ten Americans avoided attending religious service during most of the outbreak. According to the most recent survey, this trend affects roughly 7 in 10 adults under the age of 30 (72%) and approximately 9 in 10 people who do not identify as belonging to any particular religion (including those who identify as atheist, agnostic, or without specific religious affiliation). These results are based on a Pew Research Center poll from November 16 to November 27, 2022, and are part of a thorough investigation of Americans' religious attendance. The survey used data from several earlier surveys and was performed on the nationally representative American Trends Panel. Related Article: Catholic Diocese of Columbus Announces Closure of 15 Churches in Response to Declining Attendance, Other Challenges Pixabay/Pexels A baby girl tragically lost her life after being left by her parents inside their car as they attended a religious service. It was later discovered that the infant had been left alone in the vehicle for several hours. Baby Found Dead Inside A Car More than 1,050 kids have died in hot automobiles nationwide since 1990, including six deaths that have already been reported this year, according to Kids and Car Safety. A report from WTSP stated that on Sunday, May 28, when the Palm Beach Police Department responded at the Evangelical Mount of Olives Baptist Church on Babcock Street, they learned that a baby girl had been left in a car for almost three hours while her parents attended a church service. The baby was discovered unconscious inside the vehicle, so she was taken to Palm Bay Community Hospital, where she was declared dead just a few moments later. Moreover, it has been reported that authorities have not made any arrests since the investigation is underway. They also did not disclose how hot it was inside the automobile where the infant was spotted. However, it was found that the car's temperature is 81 degrees Fahrenheit or 27 degrees Celsius in the southern part of Brevard County. On the other hand, Latin Post reported that although the temperature outside the car was only around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took the temperature inside the vehicle where the infant was left and reported that it was over 115 degrees Fahrenheit or 44 degrees Celsius. As mentioned, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged people not to leave newborns or children in parked automobiles. Still, most individuals ignore the warning or forget about the youngsters they left inside the vehicle. In addition, the government agency in charge of public health issued an advisory that automobiles are capable of reaching dangerously high temperatures in a concise amount of time, particularly when the outside temperature is already high and has the potential to climb by roughly 20 degrees in the space of only a few minutes. They have also distributed helpful tips to ensure people do not neglect their children while traveling in their vehicles, such as checking the vehicle's backseat each time they exit the car. Also Read: Health News: Infant Death Linked to Crib Bumpers Dangerously Increasing Child Hot Car Deaths Mirror News reported a similar incident happened in the state of Washinton a few days ago. On Wednesday, May 24, an infant who was only one year old passed away after being left inside a car for nine hours. Upon arrival at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, the baby girl's foster mother allegedly forgot the infant was still in the vehicle. It was claimed that the mother arrived at the hospital at 8:00 in the morning, and when she returned to the parked car at 5:00 in the late afternoon, she discovered the child's dead body. Accordingly, temperatures as high as 75 degrees or 23 degrees Celsius were recorded that day in Puyallup, which is located southeast of Tacoma, where the incident happened, and the temperature inside the car reportedly reached a searing 110 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, Noheatstroke.org noted that this marks the fourth case of child heatstroke this year, resulting in death. It was also stated that approximately 38 children die from heatstroke every year. Related Article: Florida News: Six Month-Old Baby Found Dead in Deltona Middle School Parking Lot: Teacher Left Infant in Car on Friday Pixabay/Niek Verlaan The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Jerry Pillay, has condemned a violent protest by far-right Jewish activists against an Evangelical Christian event in Jerusalem. The incident occurred on Sunday, May 28, at the Jerusalem Archaeological Park - Davidson Center. Hundreds of Christians, including Evangelical supporters of Israel, had gathered for a prayer rally. Protest Against Evangelical Christian Event According to a report from the Vatican News, the worshippers were met by dozens of far-right Israeli protestors who insulted and spat on them, destroyed windows, and shouted at them to leave. Among the protestors were Rabbi Zvi Thau, the spiritual leader of the far-right Noam Party, the chairman of the Ateret Cohanim organization, Matisyahu Dan, and the deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Arieh King. King reportedly said to the crowd: "Let them pray in their churches, not at the holiest place to Jews, at the south entrance to the Temple." As mentioned, ten of the protestors were arrested by the police. Moreover, the World Council of Churches reported that Pillay said the WCC condemned attacks on Christians and others seeking to exercise their right to freedom of religion in the Holy Land. He added that the WCC has consistently affirmed the long-held understanding that Jerusalem is a shared Holy City of three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islamand violations of the Status Quo bring division, hardship, and violence. Furthermore, Pillay called on the Israeli government to take action to ensure that such attacks do not happen again and to protect the rights of all religious communities in Israel. He also called on the leaders of all religious communities to work together to promote peace and understanding. Accordingly, the WCC is a global fellowship of churches that seeks to promote Christian unity and work for peace and justice worldwide. The WCC has over 350 member churches in over 110 countries. Also Read: 42 Suspects Detained in Connection with Deadly Jerusalem Synagogue Shooting Recent Violence in Jerusalem's Christian Quarter On Thursday evening, January 26, Israeli settlers attacked an Armenian restaurant near the New Gate in the Christian Quarter of the occupied city of Jerusalem, the Massis Post reported. The radical settlers attacked a group of diners, mostly Armenians, enjoying their meals at the Taboon Wine Bar. Video footage showed the extremist Jewish settlers hurling chairs at the restaurant and diners. Israeli police arrived at the scene one hour later and made no arrests among the attackers. After the assault, Christian leaders in the Holy Land condemned the violence, urged more excellent protection of minority groups, and warned of "radical aggression" by forces determined to impose an exclusively "Jewish character" on the city. On Friday afternoon, January 27, Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa visited the restaurant owners and adjacent shopkeepers, whose businesses were the target of attacks, in a show of solidarity by the church. Meanwhile, The Orthodox Jerusalem Patriarchate asserted that "allowing members of such radical groups to freely march and roam around the neighborhoods of Jerusalem while armed and having declared criminal intentions is considered complicit in the attack and displays unwelcomed leniency with the criminals." The patriarchate also asserted its right to take legal action to prevent future marches by radical forces. Related Article:Jerusalem Church Attack Prompts Call for Global Safeguarding of Holy Sites by Religious Leaders Pixabay/4711018 An 8-year-old girl had been helping to clean the church when she was allegedly sexually assaulted by Father Arul Savari of the Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Evangelist. Fr. Savari was recently arrested for the crime. Thus, Little Grand Rapids's people request that the Indian priest leave their community. Sexual Misconduct of Indian Priest On Saturday, May 27, Superintendent Scott McMurchy of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Manitoba stated that a girl from Little Grand Rapids had been alone with Fr. Savari at the St. John the Evangelist. According to CTV News, McMurchy said, "She was helping him clean the church when he touched her inappropriately. She said, and told our investigators, that when she tried to leave, he forced her to remain in the building." As mentioned, the little girl managed to escape, and she immediately ran home and informed her mother of what had happened that day. Officers of the RCMP opened an investigation, which ultimately led to the priest's apprehension. The 48-year-old Fr. Savari faces charges of sexual assault, sexual interference, sexual exploitation of a kid, luring a child, and forceful incarceration. As of this moment, he is still being held in jail. Additionally, the court has not found sufficient evidence to support the allegations against him. As per CBC News, the RCMP announced on Tuesday, May 30, that more juveniles who are also members of the religious community have already been identified as prospective victims, and there may be yet more victims still struggling to come forward. However, the officers did not disclose the actual number of victims who have come forward up to this point. On the other hand, RCMP Superintendent Scott McMurchy stated that Fr. Savari, born in India but currently resides in Winnipeg, has been in Canada and worked in Little Grand Rapids for six years. The parish priest works for the Catholic Church in Winnipeg under the direction of the Archbishop of St. Boniface. When asked on Tuesday evening, May 30, about whether or not it will continue to have a presence in the neighborhood, the Archdiocese of St. Boniface still needs to respond to the question. Yet, the Archdiocese of St. Boniface issued a statement earlier in the day in which he conveyed their deep sorrow to the girl who came forward, her family, and the entire community. After an urgent investigation, the Archdiocese removed Fr. Arul Savari from all ministerial responsibilities. It is reportedly strictly prohibited for Fr. Savari to interact with his former congregants and their children. Also Read: Catholic Churches in California Face Thousands of Sexual Abuse Lawsuits, Allowed Victims to Sue Up to 40 Years Old Community Demands Father Arul Savari to Leave their Community Based on a report from MSN, during a band meeting that regularly occurred every Tuesday, Chief Oliver Owen of the Little Grand Rapids First Nation brought up allegations of sexual misconduct against the community church priest. He emphasized that the neighborhood has clarified that they do not want that individual to be a part of the community. "We don't want him to come back, and we don't want the church here," they added. Moreover, City News Everywhere reported that in response to the statement made by the RCMP, the Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs' Organization, offered some thoughts. It was stated by Grand Chief Daniels that on behalf of the Southern Chiefs' Organization, they want to express sympathy and prayers to the kid, the family, and the entire Nation of Little Grand Rapids as they discover the shocking and predatory behavior of a Catholic priest who has been serving the community. He acknowledged that the Catholic church's leaders have a significant amount of responsibility to do in order to mend connections with their respective nations. Furthermore, as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, they reportedly made a legal commitment to compensate individuals from First Nations communities with $25 million for efforts aimed at healing. However, they still have not fulfilled this obligation. Related Article:Former Pastor of St. Michael Church Charged With Five Counts of Sex Trafficking, Faces Minimum Prison Sentence of 15 Years Gov. Ron DeSantis kicks off the 2024 presidential campaign in an Iowa church which causes controversy since this is a violation of federal law. DeSantis said his campaign kick-off event is "Our Great American Comeback." Several hundred supporters jammed into Eternity Church in Clive, filling the few seats, and stood along the walls. When Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds welcomed DeSantis to the stage and as he took the podium while cheering masked the music. DeSantis has visited Iowa frequently for several months, despite this being his first visit as an official presidential contender. He compared Iowa's political trajectory to Florida's throughout his address, praising Reynolds and the Republican-led legislature in Iowa. However, Clive's Eternity Church is a non-profit institution, which is subject to a 1954 amendment that Lyndon Johnson, a U.S. senator at the time, sponsored. It states that churches and charities are "prohibited by the terms of their exemption from participating or intervening, directly or indirectly, in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office." Church's pastor, Jesse Newman, tweeted, "Hillary spoke @ churches' AND ." Biden spoke @ churches. They all use churches as venues." Then he tweeted about DeSantis' campaign saying, "They're just using our venue! So haters - be consistent!" Newman tweeted last week that "[The] Johnson amendment DOES NOT stop Pastors from talking politics. And if it did, I would ignore it and preach the whole truth anyway! Our Faith MUST influence our Politics!" Also Read:Presidential Debate Commission Chief Participated In Dialogues With CCP Officials, Influence Groups DeSantis Kick-Off Event Speech "The tired dogmas of the past are inadequate for a vibrant future. We must look forward, not look backwards," DeSantis said, according to the Des Moines Register, during his first public appearance as a presidential candidate. "We must have the courage to lead, and we must have the strength to win, because the stakes couldn't be higher." Unlike many other presidential candidates, DeSantis didn't need to get to know the people of Iowa. His eagerly awaited run for president comes after serving two notable terms as governor of Florida, a state that has recently set the bar for Republican policymaking. Instead of introducing himself, he gave a long, thorough speech focusing on policy issues. He emphasized the several laws he had successfully passed and harshly criticized President Joe Biden's policies on the economy and the border with Mexico. DeSantis regularly compared Florida's conservative laws to those in Iowa, a state that has either considered or adopted many of them, throughout his speech. What Happened During the Church Campaign Newman approached a podium adorned with the phrase "DeSantis for President" at the forefront. He then led the gathering in a prayer dedicated to the Florida governor's presidential aspirations. "As he upholds righteousness and faces the relentless attacks from those with malicious intentions," Newman said, according to the Daily Beast, "I pray that neither he nor his family, his campaign, nor his commitment to truth will be affected." When Newman concluded his prayer, he said, "Can someone say 'Amen'?" He received a loud "Amen" response from the crowd and individuals holding campaign signs. Meanwhile, Reynolds praised DeSantis for supporting a law that forbids most abortions after six weeks. She exclaimed, her voice muffled by the crowd's thunderous applause, "It's the same bill that I took pride in enacting into law back in 2018." The Iowa Supreme Court is considering whether to lift a permanent injunction on the statute, allowing for its enforcement. Related Article: Long-Time Texas Pastor Nominated For SBC Presidential Race As A Candidate Withdraws Pexels/cottonbro studio The FBI office in Omaha has announced a reward for the identity, capture, and conviction of the perpetrators of the two threatening notes discovered at Omaha's religious institutions in December. The notes were found on December 3, 2022, at Christ Community Church and the St. John Paul II Newman Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). The messages purported to be from "Jane's Revenge," a radical abortion rights organization. FBI Offers Reward for Leads on Threatening Notes Found in Omaha Churches According to the article in WOWT, the note discovered at the Newman Center was labeled as "threatening" by the Archdiocese of Omaha, but no further details were provided. More information on what was written in the notes was provided by the FBI office in Omaha. Both letters stated that if an abortion ban in Bellevue was passed, the respective centers would be attacked with AR14 rifles. A 1998-2004 tan/silver Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck has been found as a possible connection between these threats and a vehicle of interest by investigators. According to another source, on December 3, 2022, these notes were discovered at the St. John Paul II Newman Center on the University of Nebraska Omaha Campus and at Christ Community Church. According to the Omaha World Herald, the note at the Newman Center read, "Dear... if our right to abortion in Bellevue is taken away due to the attempt to pass an abortion ban and it gets passed we will shoot up your Newman center with our new AR14 rifles. Sincerely, Jane's Revenge." The note found at Christ Community Church issued a similar threat, indicating the church would be shot up with AR14 rifles if an abortion ban went into effect in Bellevue. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible for these threats. Individuals with any information pertaining to these incidents are urged to contact the FBI field office in Omaha at 402-493-8688 or to submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Tipsters have the option to remain anonymous. Also Read:Wisconsin Republicans Introduce New Bill to Define Non-Abortion Procedures, Ensuring Clarity and Legal Compliance Recent Issues on Conflicts Regarding Christianity and Abortion Following many incidents, Shellyne Rodriguez, an adjunct assistant professor in Hunter College in New York City, has come under fire. According to the article in New York Post, she was fired from the institution after it was discovered that she had reportedly destroyed a pro-life display. When Reuven Fenton, a reporter for the New York Post, went to Rodriguez's Bronx house for remarks, Rodriguez allegedly threatened him with a machete, further escalating the situation. Rodriguez chased Fenton and a Post photographer while brandishing the machete and making threats, forcing them to flee. Rodriguez is reportedly alleged to have kicked Fenton as he ran after the pair down the street. The NYPD and the professor's union have not yet responded to the incidents, and Hunter College has not yet made any comments regarding them. The college's decision to dismiss Rodriguez for her protesting the pro-life display shows how seriously they take upholding decorum. A report from the State department was released and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the decline in religious freedom around the world, highlighting China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims in particular. According to the story here in Christianity Daily, the report addressed Beijing's repression of religious freedom and the imprisonment of people for their religious beliefs and challenged China's justification of these acts as counterterrorism measures. Blinken also referred to Russia's transgressions in its territories as well as Iran's stringent religious laws, which sparked protests. Blinken observed some global improvements despite these obstacles, such as initiatives to combat racism and Islamophobia and legal guarantees for religious freedom in Brazil and Belgium. Related Article:Religious Freedom Under Threat: Recent US Report Identifies China, Iran, India as Major Violators The idea of loving one's adversary is one of many deep life lessons found in the Bible, one of the most significant religious books in human history. Even while it would seem difficult, if not impossible, to love those who disagree with us or hurt us, the Bible offers instructions, illustrations, and teachings that inspire believers to practice a radical type of love. This idea challenges social norms and inspires people to live out a transformational love that crosses borders and brings healing and reconciliation. It is based on the central teachings of Jesus Christ. In a world that is frequently characterized by conflict, division, and hatred, the Bible's teaching of loving your enemy is of utmost importance. It offers a way to healing, comprehension, and serenity, acting as a potent counterbalance to the prevalent worldview of vengeance and retribution. We can learn more about the enormous effects of loving our adversaries on people and communities by investigating the Bible's teachings on the subject. This will ultimately change our relationships, our viewpoints, and our world. Jesus' Teachings on Love The words of Jesus Christ form the foundation of the Bible's teachings on loving your enemies. Jesus pushes his disciples to go above cultural standards by extending compassion and kindness to those viewed as enemies in the New Testament. He is credited with saying in Luke 6:2728, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who persecute you," Jesus' teachings highlight that love should cover everyone, even those who may be actively opposed to us. This includes both our friends and relatives. Overcoming Evil with Good The Bible declares that the most effective means of combating evil is to respond to hatred and enmity with love. This viewpoint encourages believers to break the cycle of hostility and vengeance by responding with deeds of kindness and compassion. Romans 12:20-21 states, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Also Read: 'Shut Up Devil' Author Shares How To Discern And Resist The Lies Of The Enemy The Example of Forgiveness Many people who showed love and forgiveness to their foes are depicted in the Bible. Jesus himself serves as a striking illustration since he pardoned his executioners by pleading with the Father to "forgive them," saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). Another example of forgiveness is seen in the Genesis account of Joseph, who made amends with the brothers who had sold him into slavery. These stories demonstrate the relationship-healing transforming power of love and forgiveness. Loving One's Neighbor The appeal to love your neighbor as yourself intimately relates to the biblical teachings on loving your enemies. Jesus uses the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:2537) to show how even those who are viewed as enemies in society should be treated with kindness and love. This expanded meaning of neighbor calls on Christians to show compassion and love to everyone, regardless of their differences or interpersonal issues. The Ultimate Goal: Reconciliation According to the Bible, the ultimate aim of loving one's enemies is reconciliation. Before presenting presents at the altar, Jesus encourages his people in Matthew 5:2324 to make peace with their enemies. This emphasizes how crucial it is to work toward relationship restoration and reconciliation via actions of love and forgiveness. Should We Forgive Our Enemy? One of the core tenets of the Christian faith is forgiveness. It teaches followers of Christ to show grace and forgiveness to those who have wronged them. Jesus set an example for this by pardoning His executioners. Jesus explains in Matthew 6:1415 that if we extend forgiveness to others, our heavenly Father will do the same for us. Furthermore, Jesus commands His disciples in Matthew 5:4344 to pray for those persecuting them and love their enemies. Although it is difficult, forgiving our enemies has transforming effects. It frees us from the shackles of rage, hatred, and the need for retribution. Forgiveness fosters healing in both our relationships and those with those who have wronged us. It enables us to enjoy the freedom that results from showing kindness and grace. In the end, forgiving others connects us with the nature of God, who pardons our transgressions and urges us to follow in His footsteps. We can end the cycle of hatred and division through forgiveness, fostering peace, and illuminating the transforming nature of God's love. The perspective of the Bible on loving your enemy is a revolutionary and transforming idea that goes against human nature and social standards. Believers can overcome the limits of hatred and resentment by accepting forgiveness, adhering to his teachings, and working toward reconciliation. In addition to being a personal journey, loving one's adversary is a potent example of the transformational power of unconditional love. As we try to uphold these ideals, we help build a society in which harmony triumphs over conflict and love overcomes hatred. Related Article: Bible Teacher Empowers People To Fight The Enemy's Tactics In 'Shut Up, Devil' The story of the Kenyan cult massacre due to false beliefs, has taken the internet by storm wherein a group of people believes that they can go to heaven if they starve themselves. President William Ruto declared that the failure of Kenyan government institutions to stop the hunger deaths of more than 200 members of a cult in the country's coastal area was his fault, Jerusalem Post reports. The head of the Good News International Church, Paul Mackenzie, is accused by authorities of urging his adherents to starve themselves and their children to death so they might enter paradise before the end of the world. Eight of the 201 perished from starvation after being rescued, while the remainder were primarily unearthed from mass graves in Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County in the southeast of the country. One of the deadliest cult-related tragedies in recent memory, with 201 fatalities so far. "It should not have happened when we have all the agencies. We have our intelligence, we have our CID (Criminal Investigations Department), we have chiefs and all the other people in the whole of that ecosystem, " Rotu said, according to Reuters. Mackenzie's operations should not have gone unnoticed, according to Ruto, given the presence of government organizations in the area, such as the police, intelligence services, and the local administration. He was detained earlier this year on suspicion of starving and suffocating two infants to death before being freed on bail. After Mackenzie was released, according to family members of his followers, he went back to Shakahola Forest and changed his estimated end-of-the-world date from August to April 15. Authorities searched the woodland where the church was located and saved 15 individuals who had been starving themselves, Mackenzie turned herself in to police on April 14. A judge denied Mackenzie bail last week. He turned himself in to police last month, but has not yet been asked to make a plea. According to Mackenzie's attorney, George Kariuki, the purported pastor was helping with the inquiry. Ten days ago, Ruto established a task force to evaluate laws controlling religious organizations and a commission to investigate the fatalities in Shakahola. Also Read: Kenyan Tragedy: 47 Victims Uncovered in Probe into Fatal Starvation Cult Past Incidents Last April, 73 bodies suspected to be those of members of a Christian cult who believed they would enter paradise by starving themselves were found by Kenyan police, largely from mass graves in a woodland in eastern Kenya. As exhumations have been conducted, the death toll, which has risen repeatedly, could increase even more. At a tracking and counseling center it has set up at a nearby hospital, the Kenyan Red Cross said that 112 persons have been reported missing. In an 800-acre section of the Shakahola forest, members of the self-declared Good News International Church had been residing in many remote villages. Who is Paul Mackenzie? Paul Mackenzie, once a cab driver, underwent a transformation two decades ago when he claimed to have received a divine calling to become an evangelical pastor and establish his own church, La Monde reports. However, recent investigations have raised suspicions that Mackenzie may have manipulated and influenced over 120 of his followers, leading them to perish due to starvation. These distressing allegations cast a dark shadow over Mackenzie's religious pursuits, leaving authorities concerned about the extent of his influence and the tragic consequences that unfolded. Following a tip-off that suggested the existence of shallow graves holding the deaths of at least 31 of his followers, the cult's leader, Paul Mackenzie, was detained on April 14. Koome said that 14 further cult members were being held by the police. Mackenzie was charged on April 15 in the Malindi Law Courts, where the judge granted the police 14 days to undertake their inquiries while Mackenzie was being held in jail. According to Kenyan media, he is denying himself food and drink. Mackenzie falsely presents himself as a pastor while engaging in criminal activities. Related Article: Religious Leader Connected to Kenya Famine Crisis May Face Terrorism Charges Pixabay/Sang Hyun Cho The person responsible for the murder of town Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was finally apprehended after several months. The suspect was reportedly a church member at Fire Congress Fellowship (FCF), where the victim previously attended. Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour's Tragic Death In 2021, Republican Eunice Dwumfour defeated a Democratic incumbent and won election to her first term in office, which would be for a total of three years. AP News reported that her coworkers described her as a quiet-spoken devoted Christian who could keep her cool on difficult occasions. However, she was found dead on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at around 7:20 p.m., as stated by the Middlesex County prosecutor's office. She had reportedly been shot several times and was pronounced dead at the site of the crime. At that time, police had not indicated whether they considered the death to have been a random crime, a personal vendetta, or related to political tensions. Moreover, MSN reported that after four months, on a Tuesday morning, May 30, around 11 a.m., Rashid Ali Bynum, age 28, from Portsmouth, Virginia, was brought into prison. According to the police, Bynum knew Dwumfour through their time spent together at Fire Congress Fellowship (FCF), a church that Dwumfour had formerly been engaged with and that is also associated with Champion Royal Assembly Church in Newark, where she used to serve as a pastor. Yolanda Ciccone, the Middlesex County Prosecutor, stated that although investigators may not have a motive for this killing, surveillance footage showed Bynum sprinting away after the shooting. Ciccone claims that information gleaned from Bynum's mobile phone suggests he was in transit between Virginia and New Jersey at the time of the crime. The search history of Bynum also includes inquiries regarding the type of ammo that is compatible with his firearm. Additionally, the suspect matched the description of the shooter that was provided by residents of Sayreville, the town where Dwumfour had been a member of the council for almost one year. Also Read:Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell of Los Angeles Died at 69 Due to Gunshot Wound Inflicted on the Torso Charges Against the Killer A report from CNN stated that Bynum is facing charges of "first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, and second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose." According to Ciccone, he is currently waiting to be extradited from Virginia to New Jersey to be charged with these allegations against him. However, there was no schedule provided for the upcoming event. On the other hand, Yahoo News reported that when the arrest was made public, the prosecutors did not answer questions from the press or provide any possible explanation for why the victim was killed. As a result, concerns were voiced by Dwumfour's relatives regarding the absence of results from the police investigation into the slaying of Dwumfour. Attorney General Matt Platkin of New Jersey acknowledged the issue and recognized there had been "a lot of questions" concerning the lack of arrests. As mentioned, Attorney General Platkin made the following statement on Tuesday, May 30: "I want you to know that the folks behind me and the folks in this community and across the state that work tirelessly on this investigation did so to ensure public safety and to ensure that those questions could be answered," Furthermore, the attorney had expressed his hope that the day when he made the statement marks the beginning of the healing process for Dwumfour's family, as well as the beginning of a sense of justice. Related Article: Rev. Autura Eason-Williams Killers Officially Indicted With Multiple Charges Pixabay/Annett_Klingner In a statement released on Wednesday, Pope Francis named Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth as his official envoy for the examination of a disputed monastery in Arlington amid mounting disagreements over claims of authority overreach. The Pontifical Commissary, Bishop Olson, represents the Pope in this specific case, according to a statement from the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth. It went on to state that Bishop Olson was and is still in charge of the monastery fully, as has been acknowledged and accepted by the Dicastery. Pope Francis Appoints Fort Worth Bishop to Investigate Arlington Monastery According to the article in WFAA, the papal order was issued in response to Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes, who is the superior of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns monastery in Arlington, challenging Olson's jurisdiction to look into what the diocese has described as "admitted-to" transgressions of the Sixth Commandment and the vow of chastity. The monks sued Olson when he launched the probe, disputing his power over them. The nuns requested a declaratory judgment to establish the parties' legal relationship as well as a temporary restraining order to stop Olson's probe. The Vatican decree, at least in terms of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, vehemently rejected their appeal, nevertheless. Olson was the target of multiple charges in the nuns' complaint. It was claimed in the lawsuit that Olson, the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth's Bishop, and his agents were abusing their authority and causing the plaintiffs and the Sisters moral harm and psychological distress through what was called an illegal, unholy, unjustified, overt, and persistent attack on their sanctity and autonomy. The case also made it clear that Olson and the Diocese of Fort Worth had no control over the monastery because it was an independent religious organization. The monastery's affiliation with the contemplative organization of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, a pontifical organization founded in the late 16th century, was underlined in the lawsuit. The legal attorney for the nuns has also affirmed that Mother Teresa Agnes was extremely medicated in December 2022 and stated that she has never had such a sexual encounter. In the article in Pillar Catholic, the nuns disputed Bishop Olson's "admission" and his canonical authority to take action against the monastery in addition to contesting the "admission" that prompted it. Furthermore, it is unclear what claimed canonical crime Olson is truly looking into or whether he is authorized to do so by canon law. Also Read: Pope Francis Extends Support, Solidarity to Suffering Chinese Catholics Civil Lawyer Criticizes Bishop Olson's Actions as Vengeful Amid Monastery Investigation Following Pope Francis's decision to designate Bishop Olson as his delegate to look into the Arlington monastery, Matthew Bobo, a civil lawyer who represents the monastery and Mother Gerlach, has characterized Bishop Olson's restrictions as an act of retaliation. According to Catholic News Agency, in a statement, Bobo referred to Bishop Olson's most recent activities as an exceptionally intense display of conceit, vengeance, and lack of compassion. He claimed that this was meant at Sister Francis Therese and the other reclusive sisters who, since the 1950s, have dutifully and persistently offered the Divine Office (the Catholic Church's daily universal prayer) for the Church and the world. Bobo disputes the diocese's claims that the Reverend Mother admitted to engaging in adultery with a priest in violation of the Sixth Commandment, which forbids it. He claims that she was affected by painkillers after surgery and that he "has not admitted to any grave misconduct that would warrant his extreme and emotionally harmful measures." Related Article:Vatican Rebukes Bishops Fueling Division on Social Media: Calls for Unity and Responsible Online Conduct In the modern world, growing up as a Christian teen comes with its own set of difficulties. Teenage years are a time of personal discovery, exploration, and value formation. Christian youth work hard to practice their religion and adhere to Christ's teachings during this critical time. It's a path that calls for bravery, tenacity, and a solid support network. Christian teenagers must fight these pressures and maintain their moral integrity in a society that frequently favors quick satisfaction, independence, and moral relativism. They experience peer pressure to fit in, temptations that test their resolve, and inquiries that impair their comprehension of God and His purpose for their existence. However, these difficulties also present fantastic chances for development, spiritual maturity, and a deeper relationship with Jesus. We will explore the experiences, challenges, and joys that Christian teenagers encounter as they grow in their faith in this article. We'll talk about how crucial it is to give kids support and encouragement as they traverse the challenges of puberty while clinging to their Christian identity. Together, we'll look into practical solutions for overcoming challenges, bolstering their faith, and finding comfort and strength in Christ. This article is for you if you are a Christian teen looking for direction, a parent or mentor wanting to help the Christian teens in your life, or if you are just interested in the distinctive experiences of Christian teens. Together, let's go on this journey to learn what Christian kids must have in order to prosper and develop their relationship with God. Also Read:5 Ways to Help Teens Grow Closer to God Tips to Thrive in Your Spiritual Journey As a Christian teenager, the journey takes on an added dimension as you strive to live out your faith and grow in your relationship with Christ amidst the pressures and influences of the world. In this blog, we will explore the importance of encouragement and support for Christian teens, providing insights and practical tips to help you thrive in your spiritual journey. 1. Building a Strong Foundation The adolescent years are a good time to lay a solid foundation for your faith. Start by developing a close connection with Christ via prayer, Bible study, and regular fellowship with other Christians. When navigating the difficulties of adolescence, seeking advice from spiritual mentors or young leaders can be supportive and a source of direction. 2. Surround Yourself with Like-minded Peers Being in the company of other like-minded Christians may be a great source of support and encouragement since, as they say, "birds of a feather flock together." You can meet other teenagers who share your values and views by joining a youth organization or going to Christian camps, retreats, or conferences. These connections can promote camaraderie, responsibility, and shared experiences that will bolster your religion. 3. Strengthening Your Identity in Christ It's critical to establish your identity in Christ in a culture that frequently promotes looks, status, and materialism to youth. You can overcome the difficulties of peer pressure and self-doubt by realizing that your value is determined by God's unconditional love and acceptance rather than by societal standards. As a child of God, embrace your individuality and make an effort to live in a way that pleases God. 4. Cultivating a Healthy Mindset A mind based in truth and grace is necessary for growing up in Christ. Accept that you are a work in progress and that God's grace will cover your shortcomings. Don't compare yourself to others or give in to society's irrational expectations. Instead, put your attention on accepting God's love, growing in self-confidence, and cultivating gratitude. 5. Addressing Doubts and Questions It's normal to question and doubt as you grow in your faith. Accept these worries as a chance for growth rather than repressing them. Investigate the matter through studying the Bible, conversing with experts, and reading Christian literature. Don't be scared to question things; the search for the truth will bolster your faith and expand your knowledge of God. 6. Engaging with God's Word For Christian youth, the Bible is a helpful tool. For whatever circumstance you might run into, it provides direction, insight, and consolation. Establish the practice of regularly reading and reflecting on God's Word. Seek to connect your behaviors with biblical ideas and look for practical implications in your daily life. You will receive direction and support for your path as you interact with the Bible. 7. Prayer and Dependence on God Christian youth can use prayer as a powerful weapon. Make it a habit to talk to God on a regular basis and express your joys, worries, and desires to Him. Pray for His wisdom, strength, and direction. Keep in mind that God is always present and available to provide consolation, confidence, and support. In every situation, rely on Him and have faith that He will provide your needs. Teenagers' Christian upbringing can be joyful and stressful at the same time. To succeed on your spiritual path, it's important to cultivate a solid foundation, surround yourself with encouraging people, and ground your identity in Christ. Accept your individuality, deal with your questions and doubts, study God's Word, and develop your prayer practice. Keep in mind that throughout your adolescence and beyond, God's love and grace are your continuous companions. As you mature in Him, keep your spirits upbeat, ask for help when you need it, and have faith that God has a plan for your life. Related Article:Growing Up in Christ: Encouragement and Support for Christian Teens Pixabay/Daniel Bone Over the weekend, multiple places of worship in Laurens County were vandalized. In connection with this incident, two people have been captured and charged with burglary and intentional destruction of religious property. Malicious Injury on Several Churches at Laurens County The court hearing for Sierra Lynn Smith and Jesse James Hawkins occurred on Monday, May 29. At that point, they were confronted with a room of people belonging to three of the four churches they were accused of breaking into. Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, New Prospect Baptist Church, Reedy Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church, and Ceder Grove Baptist Church are the names of these vandalized congregations. A report from WYFF4 stated that the criminal damage to a place of worship, petit larceny, and arson with an attempt to burn were all charges against Smith and Hawkins. They were also given a bond for $77,125. Moreover, both of them expressed regret for the things that they had done. "I wish I could go back in time and repair everything that they've done," Hawkins remarked. While Smith asserted that "If I could take it back, I would. I wasn't in the right mindset. I barely even remember half of the things that happened that night." On the other hand, for some people, it wasn't satisfactory. Melissa Crenshaw, who serves as the Program Director of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, noted that even if the suspects had only attacked one church and shown remorse for their crimes, it would not be possible to conclude that their actions were motivated by regret because they had attacked four churches. However, when they attacked four churches and possibly more, it became clear that those responsible for his activities did not regret what they had done. Instead, the suspects' remorse was brought on by their time spent in jail. Also Read:Canadian Police Arrests Two Men for Causing Fire at Historic Church Church Members Expressed Devastation Over the Acts of Vandalism On Monday, May 29, during the hearing for the bond, members of various churches shared their reactions to the events that took place in their respective churches, Fox Carolina reported. Crenshaw asserted that due to the discovery of the vandalism committed against their fellowship building, the church family members at Mount Pleasant, the oldest church in Laurens County, are filled with utter grief. It was discovered that the windows had been broken, and the church windows had been forcibly opened. They have been reportedly left with tremendous sorrow due to the loss of valuable historical church records. The congregation has realized that these treasured things cannot be replaced. Crenshaw also revealed that Pastor Joshua Harris's office and the sanctuary had been trashed and that the doors and safe had been broken. Furthermore, for 7NEWS to better understand the devastation, Pastor Harris led them through Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. It was reported that several windows had been shattered, a guitar had been taken, a cross had been found inverted, and a safe had been broken into. Documents about the church that date back to the 1700s have vanished. According to Louise Irby, a trustee of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, the individuals responsible for the church vandalism went to tremendous lengths, causing damage to the entire door frame and the internal door. Hoyt Dorn, a board member of Reedy Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church, described the extent of the destruction, saying, "They destroyed a complete door frame and interior door, lit a candle, and threw it into a basket. We're very blessed that it didn't cause a fire or anything of that nature." Related Article: Man Faces Felony Charges for Breaking Into Several Churches at Durham Unsplash/Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona In response to criticism of the 2024 desk calendar that is now being sold on the United Church of Christ (UCC) website, Rev. John C. Dorhauer, president of the UCC, has apologized publicly. The cover image, which shows a white child with blonde hair at the center of a circle of youngsters and adults holding hands while wearing varied skin tones, drew criticism from some quarters. Some claim that this arrangement unintentionally encourages white privilege. Rev. Dorhauer acknowledged the criticism in a letter to UCC members published on the church's website on May 23 and acknowledged the image "failed to live up to our commitments to be an antiracist body." He suggested a slight rotation of the cover image may have better captured the church's commitment to racial equity. United Church of Christ Apologizes for Calendar Image Seen as Insensitive According to the article in Fox News, in his letter in response to the cover photo, he expressed his belief that the overt focus on the person with blonde hair demonstrated the persistence of "whiteness" in societal facets like language, art, and culture. Regarding the continued impact of white privilege in society, Rev. Dorhauer thanked the members who expressed their "disappointment and outrage" and acknowledged their contributions. He promised to make sure that in the future, church images would reflect the UCC's commitment to anti-racism. The UCC, a liberal Christian denomination, places a strong emphasis on diversity and racial justice. Several UCC churches have taken steps to encourage the LGBTQ community, including holding drag shows. Although the UCC declined to comment further on the topic, it did confirm to Fox News Digital that the disputed calendar is indeed the one that is now for sale on its website. The General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. John C. Dorhauer, has publicly apologized for what he believes to be a perceived lack of racial justice in the cover art for the 2024 UCC desk calendar, according to the letter posted on the organization's website, The United Church of Christ. The letter claims that the image's unintended attention on a person with blonde hair placed emphasis on whiteness, which is against the church's anti-racism objective. Dorhauer admitted his ignorance and thanked individuals who brought it to his attention while reiterating their commitment to responsibility. In order to further support their anti-racism mission, he committed to revisiting the clearance procedures for graphic design. Dorhauer wants to get closer to a church and culture free of racism and racial privilege. He will keep working toward racial equality and justice as part of their ongoing covenantal accountability. Also Read: Redding Church Takes Proactive Approach to Combatting Racism American Christian Churches Responding to Some Racism According to a study that was conducted and shared in Patheos, 43 statements that denounced the prejudice and showed support for Asian Americans were uncovered in a study that looked at public statements made by US Christian denominations in reaction to anti-Asian racism. Thirty-six of these belonged to Christian groups, including significant ecumenical and diverse Christian organizations. The levels of response, however, differed across religions. Compared to evangelical churches, mainline Protestant groups were more likely to speak out against anti-Asian prejudice. The majority of statements were made after the mass shooting in Atlanta in 2021, demonstrating the impact of prominent events on public debate. Racism was understood and addressed in a variety of ways, with some answers viewing it as a personal sin and others attributing it to societal systems. The suggested solutions likewise ranged from requests for changes in state policy to private, individual initiatives. Notably, many denominations remained silent on the subject, demonstrating American Christianity's profoundly ingrained variety in terms of demographics, theology, and politics. Related Article:Man Disrupts Anti-Racism Concert at New Jersey Church, Shouting 'White Lives Matter!' and Throwing Smoke Bombs This week, an Axios poll found that 62 percent of Americans believe the pandemic is overweeks after the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern. More than three years after the virus first swept the globe and governments around the world shut down businesses, schools, and public venues, we can finally say the pandemic has ended. The WHO estimates the coronavirus killed 20 million people worldwide. Even if the figure is inflated, anything near the ballpark of 20 million is a ghastly toll on humanity. Untold numbers still struggle with debilitating aftereffects made worse by the uncertainty about how long and how serious those aftereffects will be. While COVID-19 will be with us forever, we can celebrate that the state of emergency is over. But some are not in a celebratory mood. In my conversations with students, pastors, friends, and family, I often hear an undercurrent of anger, even bitterness, when the pandemic comes up. Some seem eager to relitigate who said what about masking, social distancing, infection rates, or church closures years after the fact. Now is a good time to declare a pandemic amnesty. As Emily Oster suggested in The Atlantic last fall, lets start assuming each others good faith and forgiving the hard calls that people had no choice but to make with imperfect knowledge. Christians especially can lead the world in an attitude of grace for the things we collectively said and did during a confusing and unprecedented time. The pandemic was hard. Navigating the complex medical, political, legal, economic, theological, and humanitarian concerns was difficult. Few of us were truly knowledgeable about every aspect: The epidemiologist could tell us about the likely course of infections, but not the legal issues involved in lockdowns. The lawyer could tell us about public health law but not about economic tradeoffs. The economists could talk about the effect on GDP growth but could not weigh that against the human cost in either lost lives or prolonged isolation. The theologians could tell us to submit to government but also to protect our churches freedom, and each congregation had to do the balancing act on their own. We got things wrong. Masks were not terribly useful unless you used an N95 and wore it just right. Some public schools stayed closed far longer than necessary. Social distancing was unnecessary outdoors. A lot of disinfection in public places was just hygiene theater. Article continues below Yet it was right to treat COVID-19 as a serious emergency and to act with an abundance of caution. Flippancy about masks and social distancing, especially early on when we did not know much, was unwise. Treating the virus as unimportant or unthreatening was grossly insensitive to older and immunocompromised people who were at extreme risk. As much as we find it easy to criticize governments for the decisions they made in the spring of 2020, they likely could have made the pandemic shorter and less severe had they acted even faster, earlier, and more decisively than they did. Some officials made mistakes in the early days; that should not deter future decision-makers from doing all they can to protect public health in the next emergency. The same is true for our local churches. Churches faced a difficult decision about whether and how long to remain closed. Should they obey the government, or insist on their right to stay open? Should they close for the sake of elderly or infirm congregants most at risk from the virus? Or should they open for the sake of everyone else? Obey Romans 13, or Hebrews 10? Different churches made different choicesand it isnt clear to me that one answer was the right one for every church in every circumstance. Governments have legitimate authority in this field, and on balance, most churches should and did adopt a general posture of deference to the state in matters of public health. Some churches with a larger share of elderly members even chose to stay closed longer than legally required. But churches in jurisdictions with a track record of hostility to religious freedom were justified in viewing pandemic restrictions with suspicion. While few churches had to resort to lawsuits, a few did, and they were almost entirely vindicated. We all benefit from the legal precedents that were established or strengthened from those legal victories. We should recognize that different churches in different places had reason to approach COVID-19 differently. Indeed, that spirit of grace would have made the past three years more bearable. During the pandemic, churches split and pastors quit. Last spring, over 40 percent of pastors said they had given serious consideration to leaving ministry, mostly because of loneliness, isolation, political divisiveness, and stress. Some church members were a burden, not a blessing, to their spiritual leaders by turning their churchs stance on COVID-19 into a litmus test of spiritual faithfulness. Article continues below Such divisiveness was unhelpful thenbut carrying those divisions and hurts into the future would be worse. Lets extend grace to one another. None of us had lived through a once-a-century global pandemic before, and Lord willing, none of us will again (though localized epidemics are likely). That kind of grace requires both humility and patience. Faced with the unknowndo masks really work?it is okay to admit, I dont know. When we must make choices anywayopen or close the church?it is okay to have different opinions. When decision-makers make decisions we think are wrong, our natural desire to hold leaders accountable should be leavened by the grace that comes from knowing how hard leadership is in a confusing and unprecedented situation. Above all, we should remember that love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Cor. 13:5). We can disagree on such matters and still enjoy Communion together. The unity of the body of Christ isshould befar more important. Paul D. Miller is a professor of the practice of international affairs at Georgetown University, a research fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. His most recent book is The Religion of American Greatness: Whats Wrong with Christian Nationalism. This piece was adapted from Russell Moores newsletter. Subscribe here. In this day of social media mobs and troll-fueled extremism, its not unusual for a politician to be digitally attacked for being too weak and not really one of uson a seemingly infinite number of topics. Even so, one might be surprised to see Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)not known for repudiating the far extremes of his baselabeled on various social media platforms as soft, weak, and compromising. Some even suggested that Cruz was rejecting the Word of God itself. His radically progressive idea? That Uganda shouldnt criminalize homosexuality and execute gay people. Normally, a social media controversy is the most ephemeral of pseudo-events. People who want to be noticed post shocking and even ridiculous things (Yall! Its not just Target thats gone woke; lets boycott Chick-fil-A too!) to get attention, knowing theyll be denounced and quote tweeted, which will amplify their reach. They think that retweets and followers will somehow give them the belonging and significance they crave. Often, the best course is to ignore such things in the spirit of Proverbs 26:4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Sometimes, though, their kind of trolling can lead to two catastrophic ends that should concern those of us who follow Christ: the unjust killing of human beings made in the image of God and, at the same time, the bearing of false witness about what the Christian gospel actually is. At issue is a harsh new law signed by Ugandas president Yoweri Museveni that would not only outlaw homosexuality but also mandate conversion-therapy-type rehabilitation for gay people who are arrested and require a kind of surveillance culture in which citizens are criminally liable for not turning in people they know to be gay. But most chilling of all, the law would impose the death penalty on categories deemed to be aggravated homosexuality. Of course, repressive regimes violate human rights all the time and all around the worldand there are vast limits on how much other nations can do about it. But in this case, many are wondering whether the primary problem is that Uganda is taking the Bible out of context. Some of those sniping at Cruzespecially for his categorization of the Ugandan law as horrific and wrongargue that the senators issue is really with God. After all, they say, doesnt the Bible dictate that if a man has sexual relations with a male as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable [and] are to be put to death (Lev. 20:13)? Article continues below I am an evangelical Christian committed to the verbal inspiration of the Bible, meaning I believe that every word of it is exactly what God intended it to be, by the power of the Spirit. I am also committed to the inerrancy of the Scriptures: that the Word of God speaks truthfully. Jesus view of the BibleScripture cannot be broken (John 10:35, ESV)settles those issues for me. I am also a Christian who agrees with the teaching of both the Scriptures and the churchOrthodox, Catholic, and Protestant, for 2,000 yearswhich is that marriage is a one-flesh covenant between a man and a woman and that sexual expression outside of that covenant is wrong. And yet my repulsion at the Ugandan state violence in this law is not despite those commitments but precisely because of them. One does not honor the authority of Scripture if one obscures its meaning. Leviticus 20 explicitly condemns almost every form of sexual immoralitypremarital sex, extramarital sex, and nearly every other kind of nonmarital sexual expression. Sexual sins are included alongside occultic practices, necromancy, and the cursing of ones mother and father. Of course, this is consistent with the rest of the biblical witness (whatever one thinks of its authority). Yet the penalties of death that come with those violations are situated in a very specific context in redemptive history. God revealed that the theocratic civil code, as well as its punishments, was for a purpose: to separate his people from the rest of the nations to prepare them to enter the inheritance of the land (Lev. 20:26). To cite such passages of the old-covenant civil law as a mandate for a civil state outside that covenant is a misinterpretation that doesnt fit with any historic, apostolic teaching of Christianity. In fact, its in line with those who would argue against any ethical content of the Christian faith by saying, Yeah, well, if the Bibles true, we couldnt eat shellfish either. The moment one hears this, one knows that the arguer either isnt aware of the old covenant/new covenant distinctions in the ceremonial and food laws (which is a major emphasis in the New Testament) or isn't arguing in good faith. The same applies to those who would say, Well, the church in the Book of Acts shared their possessions in common as an argument for the state-imposed communist totalitarianism of Lenin, Stalin, or Mao. Article continues below In the New Testament church, the apostles resolved the question of the Law in a Council at Jerusalem. They did not, as some might argue, wipe away the moral content of the Old Testament Law. For instance, Christianswhether Jew or Gentilewere still to abstain from sexual immorality (Acts 15:20). But the new covenant community was not a reconstruction of the Old Testament code of criminal penalties for violations of holiness. In fact, we have example after example of Jesus and the apostles teaching the opposite. I hold as authentic Scripture the passage in John in which Jesus stops the stoning of an adulterous woman (Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone, 8:7). I know some Christians believe it to be a later textual addition, but even if that were true, Jesus posture toward sinners was consistent throughout the Gospels. In writing to the church in Corinth, the apostle Paul rebuked an example of sexual immorality explicitly mentioned in the text of Leviticus 20having sex with the wife of a family member. Paul also quoted, Purge the evil person from among you (1 Cor. 5:13, ESV) a text that was used in the Old Testament civil law to denote the death penalty (Deut. 13:5; 17:7; 22:21). Yet Paul did not use this language to call for any criminal penalty by the stateand certainly not execution. Instead, he saw the you of the new covenant as applying to the church, not to the state. And the church is not given the power of the sword (Matt. 26:52; Rom. 13:17; 2 Cor. 10:4). Moreover, Paul specifically notes in his letter that the church does not have judgment over outsiders. The local church should remove a sexually immoral personif finally unrepentantfrom membership in their community, but this does not mean they should stop associating with those who do the same things on the outside: What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? (1 Cor. 5:12). The word judge here does not mean to make moral assessments of whats right and whats wrong but rather to identify who is accountable to whom. In other words, the world is not accountable to the church. The church is accountable to the churchand, even then, not with physical or criminal penalties but with the spiritual means of Word and sacrament. Article continues below The revered late Presbyterian biblical theologian Edmund P. Clowney noted the disastrous consequences of those who use the Bible without being able to situate its texts in their redemptive-historical context. In fact, he said that using the Bible as a collection of moral examplesunhinged from the broader story of Gods purpose to sum up everything in the crucified and risen Christleads to a situation in which biblical history is a chaotic jumble. Those who find only collected moral tales in the Bible are constantly embarrassed by the good deeds of patriarchs, judges, and kings, he wrote in Preaching and Biblical Theology. Surely we cannot pattern our daily conduct on that of Samuel as he hews Agag to pieces, or Samson as he commits suicide, or Jeremiah as he preaches treason. Dreadful consequences have ensued when blindness to the history of revelation was coupled with the courage to follow misunderstood examples, Clowney wrote. Heretics have been hewed in pieces in the name of Christ, and imprecatory psalms sung on the battlefields. In the unveiling of his purpose, God did indeed demonstrate his judgment through Samuels sword and Samsons self-sacrifice and so on, but that moment in redemptive history is not where we are situated now. Christ has not now given the sword but the keys to those who are charged with authority in his name, Clowney wrote. The sanctifying of Gods name in spiritual church discipline reflects in our situation the theocratic obedience of Samuel. Misinterpreting this is the equivalent of concluding that one should sacrifice a lamb on the church Communion table during a sermon series on Leviticus. At this time in history, God has commissioned us not to subdue the world with violence but to bear witness to the One he sent: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17). Not everything thats a sin is a crime. To equate all sin with crime, without the authority to do so, is itself a sin against Godto take the name of the Lord our God in vain. If the historic Christian vision of marriage and family is true and good and beautiful, as I believe it is, then we demonstrate that truth, goodness, and beauty to our unbelieving neighbors through our witnessnot by threatening to kill them. Article continues below Unleashing the violence of state-ordained execution, imprisonment, and surveillance on gay and lesbian Ugandans is a condemnable act of authoritarianism and a violation of the self-evident and unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To do such a thing is a matter of power, not of conviction. It demonstrates not a commitment to the Bibles authority but a rejection of it. Call it what you will, but dont for a minute call it Christian. Russell Moore is the editor in chief at Christianity Today and leads its Public Theology Project. First Step Act leader says his faith in God won't let him give up seeking criminal justice reform In 2018, Congress and President Donald Trump passed The First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that has had mixed reviews since its inception. A recent documentary gives viewers an inside look into the journey of getting the bill passed and one of its leaders, Louis L. Reed, says people of faith should pay attention to this American issue. Reed, the senior director of Membership and Partnerships for the REFORM Alliance has years of experience in government, criminal justice expertise, policy advocacy, public health and personal impact. He served nearly 14 years in federal prison and several years on supervision and is featured in the new documentary The First Step. The First Step, which is now available to stream on Amazon Promo, Vudu, and other platforms, follows Reed as he supports media personality Van Jones on his controversial journey to pass the landmark criminal justice bill. The film reveals an intimate portrait of an activists isolation and internal struggles, and what it takes to make a change in a divided nation, the films description reveals. Republicans at their best believe in Liberty. Democrats at their best believe in Justice. All Americans at our best should believe in Liberty and Justice for All. Not just for the privileged or those who have access to power or influence-for ALL Americans. This makes Justice reform an American issue, Reed shared in a recent interview with The Christian Post. The First Step Act is aimed at providing a pathway for non-violent prisoners to shorten their sentences while also reducing mandatory minimum sentences and recidivism. However, it has been accused by some of also releasing hundreds of violent criminals and sex offenders. Just this week, 2024 Republican presidential candidate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made headlines for seeking to repeal The First Step Act. While on the The Ben Shapiro Show, DeSantis criticized the bipartisan bill and called the legislation basically a jailbreak bill. DeSantis voted for the first version of the bill in 2018 as a member of the House of Representatives, but resigned before the final version of the bill came to a vote. Another controversy have been isolated incidents of recidivism. Joel Francisco was 14 years into a life sentence for selling crack cocaine when The First Step Act gave him his second chance. After his release, however, he was arrested again in 2019 for stabbing to death 46-year-old Troy Pine at a Providence, Rhode Island, hookah lounge. Although a minority occurrence in the estimated 5,000 releases via The First Step Act, the tragedy raised concerns from detractors of the legislation. This case is upsetting but its not a surprise, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said at the time, as quoted by CNN. Letting violent felons out of prison early as the First Step Act did leads to more crime and more victims. Karen Bass, a former Democrat House of Representatives member representing California, said this tragic occurrence should not dictate the progress that the bill could make. If youre looking at reforming the criminal justice system you cannot pick an individual criminal act to then raise the question as to whether or not you do reforms to the system, Bass noted in 2019, as quoted by CNN. Likewise, Reed, who is an example of the power of a second chance, believes all people should back the prison reform initiative. The following is an edited transcript of The Christian Post interview with Reed. CP: Why is The First Act movie important for people of faith to watch? Reed: There are several reasons for people of faith to watch this film, one being my personal journey. I was incarcerated and had an awakening as to the revolutionary thoughts of Jesus. Jesus looked at those who were most disenfranchised and wants us to do the same. When you watch this movie, this movie espouses those principles, to help those who are most forgottenwhich currently are the black-brown population who are disproportionately affected by the justice system. CP: Can you share a little more of your own testimony with us? Reed: I was exposed to the Gospel in the black Pentecostal church, but had an epiphany in my faith during the 14 years I served in federal prison. I was in solitary confinement facing a sentence of more than 70 years. I had picked up a Bible for the first time as an adult, and turned to the book of John and started reading. When I came to the crucifixion of Jesus, I realized I was crying as I would at a funeral of someone I knew, someone I was close to. I looked up to my jail walland this will sound untrue to a non-believerbut I saw my jail wall covered in blood. I saw that as a sign of the redemptive blood of Jesus through the atoning cross. I had an encounter with Jesus. This led to a righteous indignation of the number of black, brown and poor white people in the justice system. When I saw these people, I didnt see them as convicts or felons, I saw them as brothers and sisters in Christ. I saw them as I believe Jesus sees them. I would also attempt to encourage them to see each other from that same viewpoint. CP: Why is this type of reform a bipartisan issue? Reed: Republicans at their best believe in Liberty. Democrats at their best believe in Justice. All Americans at our best should believe in Liberty and Justice for All. Not just for the privileged or those who have access to power or influencefor ALL Americans. This makes Justice reform an American issue. The United States of America makes up five percent of the world's population, but we lead the world by 25% in public incarceration. There are more than 70 million people in the United States with criminal histories. That means they suffer what the American Bar Association calls collateral consequences. There are 46,000 collateral consequences for every conviction. Thats equivalent to 46,000-to-one odds against you to be able to succeed. No one in life wants to be reduced down to the poorest decision they made. CP: The film talked about putting people over politics, can you share the importance of doing that in times that are so hateful? Reed: You cant get to purpose without travailing through pain. It just is what it is. If you consider the hate that is in the world, if love doesnt stand up, if life doesnt break through, if we dont rise to the occasion, then we will be overtaken with that hate. When we were working on this, we chose to look at the opposition as opportunity. Right before you have the greatest opportunity of your life, you have the greatest opposition. On the other side of a breakdown was a breakthrough. CP: How hard was it for you guys to walk that line to try and rally Trump and the Republicans while also keeping the support of the Democrats? Reed: To get this bill over the line, you had to consider the current political landscape. We had a polarizing president in office and when you looked at him and the Republican office through the eyes of someone who is economically disfranchised, being a Republican is perceived as being racist. The hardest part of this project was earning the trust of those being marginalized while also being credible messengers of the First Step Act. It helped that the bill was introduced as bipartisan, with Doug Collins representing the Republicans and Hakeem Jefferies representing the Democrats. These congressmen created a congressional appetite for everyone to work together and get this bill passed. CP: The divide was so real, that people hated the First Step Act just because Trump endorsed it, how did you navigate that? Reed: You have to be mission-focused. While all of these people who didnt like it opposed the bill, those whom the bill was helping do not have social media. The people this bill helped only had the call to action to get on the phone in 15-minute-increments to call their families and get their families to support what we were doing. Other people were concerned with outrage, we were concerned with outcome. We tapped into the 1964 movement of Dr. Martin Luther King that we had to do something to act. CP: Where is the First Step Act now? Reed: On a Federal level, the First Step Act has passed. An extension has also been passed through the compassionate release provision of the act. This newest provision allows those with chronic or debilitating health issues to be released to care for these conditions or to care for their next of kin who have these health issues. Also, there are 12 other bills on a state level that were a version of the First Step Act that also have passed. Finally, the First Step Act is the only law in America that is unimpeachable, It has been affirmed by all three branches of government. CP: What can people do to jump on board with this initiative? Reed: You can follow me on any social media platform at LousLReed. You can follow the film at firststepfilm.com. The website lists ways to get involved in your area. I would like to reiterate that this film is an exercise of faith that refuses to die, similarly to how Christ refused to stay down in the grave, that is what faith is about. It's about not staying where you were and not staying where the devil thought you were. Life is about resurrections. Life is about literally getting up every morning and beginning a new day just like the word says: His Mercies are new every morning. Girl denied transplant over vaccination status receives kidney; lawsuit moving forward A 14-year-old girl in North Carolina whose parents say she was denied a kidney transplant because of her vaccination status has received a kidney as efforts to prevent other families from having the same experience continue to move forward. Yulia Hicks received a new kidney last Thursday thanks to "an amazing live donor," according to the latest update on GiveSendGo's "Kidney for Yulia" fundraising page. Hicks, the adopted daughter of Chrissy and Lee Hicks, received national attention after the family claimed late last year that Duke University refused to conduct her transplant surgery because she was not vaccinated against COVID-19. The update noted the child is "recovering well" and thanked the "entire team at [East Carolina University] Health for everything," describing the doctors and medical staff there as "the most caring and professional team that we have encountered on this journey." The post also expressed gratitude for the attention given to the Hicks situation by conservative and religious media organizations and figures. "Without the media attention, we would not have found our amazing live donor, JJ," the fundraiser maintained. "We are now focusing our attention on Yulia's healing, getting Yulia's law passed, and the lawsuit with Duke," the update reads. Yulia's Law, also known as House Bill 586, is a measure pending in the Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly. If passed, it would amend state law regarding "Nondiscrimination in Organ Transplantation" to clarify that "an individual's right to health care is not diminished by a refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine." The measure would make it "unlawful" for any "licensed provider of health care services" to "deny medical services related to organ transplantation" based on an individual's vaccination status. House Bill 586 passed the North Carolina House of Representatives in a 91-25 vote on May 2, with 20 Democrats joining their Republican colleagues in supporting the bill. All votes against the legislation came from Democrats. The bill awaits approval from the North Carolina Senate, where it has come before the Committee on Rules and Operation of the Senate. Hicks' GiveSendGo fundraiser expressed concern that the proposal was "in danger of not getting passed" and encouraged supporters to "call the NC legislature asking them to pass this law." The lawsuit against Duke University was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina on Dec. 12 and is moving forward in federal court. The complaint asserts that Duke University Hospital violated Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion at places of public accommodation, by declining to perform a kidney transplant on the teenager. The complaint contends that the hospital discriminated against the Hicks family based on its Catholic faith, which it identifies as the primary reason behind the objection to taking the COVID-19 vaccine. The lawsuit states that Duke University Hospital officials informed the Hicks family that the hospital had "availed other, unvaccinated patients of transplant surgeries," insisting that "while Duke University Hospital has performed transplant surgeries on unvaccinated, non-Catholic persons, Duke refuses to even activate" Hicks on its transplant list. The family is seeking at least $5 million in "compensatory damages" due to the "intentional infliction of emotional distress" on the teenager and "punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial" and "an award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs." Filed before her transplant surgery, the complaint asks a judge to order Duke University Hospital to list Hicks as "active" on the transplant list and prohibit the hospital from "altering, modifying, skipping, blocking, banning, suppressing, changing, or otherwise taking any action that does, could or is otherwise reasonably calculated to result in [Yulia Hicks] receiving the transplant surgery she needs." "The Hicks family adopted Yulia from the Ukraine in January of 2021 knowing that she had a genetic kidney condition that would eventually require surgery," the GiveSendGo fundraiser details. The teenager had undergone 15 months of daily dialysis, the fundraiser added, elaborating on how "the numerous pre-surgery tests, the procedure itself, recovery and the years of regular appointments" was taking a financial toll on the Hicks family. Iowa bans sexual orientation, gender identity instruction in elementary schools Iowas Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a measure banning school officials from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with young children as part of a push to put parents in the drivers seat regarding their childrens education. Reynolds approved Senate File 496 Friday, one of several education-related bills that came to her desk. The measure declares that a school district shall not provide any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through grade six. The legislation also establishes additional requirements for library programs operated by public school districts, specifically that the collection contains only age-appropriate materials. The first violation of the new procedure will result in a written warning to a school districts board of directors or the employee responsible for placing the material in the collection. Subsequent violations may result in the employee in question or the school district superintendent facing a hearing conducted by the state board of educational examiners, which may result in disciplinary action. The legislation stresses that any material with descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act does not meet the definition of age-appropriate material. The bill also orders school districts to publish a list of books available to students in libraries throughout the school district and implement policies enabling parents to review material in teachers individual classroom libraries and other instructional materials. Concerns about sexually explicit material in libraries and school curricula nationwide have led outraged parents and community members to confront school boards at contentious meetings in recent years. The Iowa legislation also prohibits school districts from giving false or misleading information to the parent or guardian of a student regarding the students gender identity or intention to transition to a gender that is different than the sex listed on a students official birth certificate or an equivalent document. Under the new law, schools are required to inform parents if their child requests to go by a name or pronoun that does not align with their given name and biological sex. Failure to keep parents informed about their childrens gender identity can result in a written warning on the first violation and hearings that could result in disciplinary actions for violators in subsequent cases. School districts in other states have faced lawsuits for referring to a child by a name and pronouns that do not align with their biological sex at school while referring to the pupil by their given name and pronouns with parents, thereby keeping them in the dark about their childs social transition. In a statement, Reynolds praised Senate File 496 as part of a newly enacted package of transformational education reform that puts parents in the drivers seat, eliminates burdensome regulations on public schools, provides flexibility to raise teacher salaries, and empowers teachers to prepare our kids for the future. The Republican-controlled Iowa Senate approved Senate File 496 in a 34-16 vote in April, and the Republican-controlled Iowa House of Representatives voted 57-38 to send it to Reynolds desk shortly thereafter. While the Iowa Senate vote fell exactly along party lines, with all Republicans supporting the bill and all Democrats opposing it, four Republicans joined Democrats to oppose the bill in the House. Reynolds approval of Senate File 496 comes slightly more than a year after Florida enacted a similar measure banning discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade, which critics derided as the Dont Say Gay Bill. Earlier this year, the Florida Board of Education voted to expand the prohibition on discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity through 12th grade unless the material is specifically part of a reproductive health course or health lesson that a student can opt out of. Parental rights in education has emerged as a key battleground in American politics in recent years. Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe addressed the topic at a debate with his Republican opponent Glenn Youngkin in 2021, asserting, I dont think parents should be telling schools what they should teach. The backlash to McAuliffes comment is seen as one factor that contributed to his narrow loss to Youngkin in the election. The 1776 Project PAC, a grassroots organization working to elect school board candidates committed to reforming public education by promoting patriotism and pride in American history while opposing the implementation of LGBT ideology and critical race theory into school curriculum, has achieved varying degrees of success in electing its preferred candidates. The group performed very well in elections that took place in Florida and Texas ahead of last years midterm elections while securing success rates of slightly less than 50% in the midterms and in races that took place in the Midwest earlier this year. Not a faith issue: Churches address mental health stigma in the pews during awareness month With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, pastors and church leaders are urging their congregations to shatter the stigma and advising that mental health isn't always a "spiritual issue." Licensed clinical social worker Ryan Albrecht, a private psychotherapist practitioner, preached a guest sermon Sunday at The Experience Vineyard Church in Rockville Centre, New York. In the sermon titled "Emotional Awareness," the 40-year-old social worker who plays guitar and sings for the church's worship team told the Vineyard movement-affiliated congregation that Christians tend to stigmatize mental illness. "[Mental illness] is a stigmatized and an uncomfortable issue for a lot of people," he said. "My experience has been that the big 'C' Church doesn't like going into this realm too much." He said people often assume those struggling with mental illness look a certain way or that people who seem to be living great lives aren't experiencing mental health problems. "If [someone with mental illness] was in this church, you'd be like, 'Hey, he's good, he's not showing outward signs, right?' And that's the stigma we don't want to push," Albrecht preached. Albrecht said the Church needs to actively approach mental illness in a way that does not judge based on what someone has attained in their life or what someone looks like because anyone can have a mental illness. Never would have expected Albrecht shared about a past client he helped who was suffering from a severe suicidal health crisis. But most people would never have expected that person to be in need of mental health therapy because he was a "good looking dude, with a good job, a great house." Albrecht spoke with the client during an emergency therapy session. As he listened, the psychotherapist realized that his client spent the entire day allocating his financial assets to allow his wife access to his money. The client had planned to commit suicide and wanted to ensure his wife had financial support when he was gone, Albrecht said. Before becoming a social worker, Albrecht said he struggled with drug addiction. He urged Christians to seek therapy because Jesus can work through the therapy process. He cited Romans 12:2-3, noting that Jesus wants to partner with anyone starting on a journey of "renewal and healing." "I love the combination of spiritual direction and therapy at the same time because the whole process [involves getting] to understand our heart, our emotions, how our body is responding. We're going to separate trauma, emotional content, family relationships all that," Albrecht said. "And we become kind of segmented, but we have to reintegrate, as well, ideally in the therapeutic process. That's why it takes time. That's why it's a process. You can't just do this stuff. You need to remain accountable. That's why having a relationship you take part in every week with somebody is super important. So start where you are." 'God can miraculously heal you of anything' Lead Pastor Lee Grzywinski at Montclair Community Church in New Jersey told his congregation in a sermon on May 15 that he struggles with what his counselor classifies as "severe anxiety," which he seeks continual therapy for. He told his church that medically diagnosed "anxiety is not sinful." He contends that churches and Christians stigmatize by labeling mental illness "sinful." "If you are concerned about anxiety in your life, I can't stress this enough: please seek professional help. ... This is not a faith issue." "Yes, God can miraculously heal you of anything. I really believe that. But, if I break my leg, I'm going to pray and go to the hospital," Grzywinski preached in a sermon titled "The Spiritual Side of Anxiety (Mental Health from a Biblical Perspective)." 'Not always a spiritual issue' Pastor Dave Hazel of New Life Church of The Nazarene in El Cajon, California, also encouraged churchgoers not to neglect themselves if they are suffering emotionally. In a sermon, he advised Christians with medically diagnosed mental health illnesses to seek Jesus, declaring, "Jesus is the answer to our mental health dilemma." But he also urged the need for some to incorporate therapy and medication into their lives to find healing. "The fact of the matter is, I'm not trying to discount or minimize mental health issues that are ongoing and real, and things that we didn't cause," Hazel, who holds a master of divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, said. "Please, don't misunderstand me. Mental health issues are not really always spiritual issues." The pastor said there are many people who are suffering from various issues where their brains are not firing correctly, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Unlike other serious health problems, he said it can often be hard to people to grasp or see mental health disorders for what they are. He said when people have issues with their heart or other organs, doctors can do scans to show where the abnormalities may lie. Hazel warned that many churches stigmatize mental illness by holding the belief that anyone struggling with mental illnesses needs to get closer to Jesus. "[Oftentimes] we want to make [mental illnesses] spiritual issues [by saying]: 'It's all about Jesus. If you had more faith, if you kind of just pulled up the bootstraps and went to church more, you wouldn't deal with [it],'" Hazel said. "Stop that silliness because there are some real issues that we need to deal with when it comes to mental health. But, I do think there are some truths to some disciplines and habits that God's Word teaches us, [which] give us a healthy balance for our mental health." He believes more Christians would "have a healthier mental health perspective" if they "truly lived for and embraced and experienced the God who ultimately created them." Hazel noted a few spiritual disciplines found in Philippians 4:4-8, when Paul addresses the church at Philippi with instructions on how to live. Verse 4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always." According to Hazel, Christians are to praise God with joy regardless of their circumstances. He believes doing this can potentially create better mental health outcomes. "I like to say to some people 'if you are happy, you need to remind your face that that's the case.' Because that means that you need to smile every once in a while. Have some joy and rejoice. And [Paul] says: don't just rejoice about just anything. 'Rejoice in the Lord,'" Hazel continued. Hazel said the command to "pray" can be seen in Philippians 4:6-7, which says: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer present your requests to God." "I don't think Paul is instructing us to push emotions away. I think Jesus modeled plenty of emotions as we look in the Gospels. He laughed. He cried. Jesus wept when he looked over Jerusalem. He wept when His friend Lazarus was dead. He got impatient with the disciples and the Pharisees. He turned over tables for goodness sake," Hazel preached. "So, it's not an issue that somehow our emotions are bad or wrong. In fact, they're God-given. [But] showing and expressing our emotions tends to lead to this aspect of worry and fear. And so as a result of that, I think Paul is instructing us to [teach] us that there's a pattern of discipline that you can do that will help you in your worry. And that is the discipline of prayer." LGBT gear at Kohl's: 'Little kids' T-shirt with transgender flag, 'proud' rainbow baby bib Retail store partners with group supporting drag queens at libraries Why is Kohls selling pride clothing for babies? Thats the question being asked by some conservative activists on social media as the chain has become the latest retail outlet to face scrutiny over its LGBT merchandise for young children. The Kohls website has a dedicated pride page with rainbow iconography with the heading "Love is our favorite color: Celebrate Pride Month and a statement reading, We are committed to amplifying and affirming the voices of the [LGBT] community, celebrating the joy that comes from living authentically and unapologetically not just this month, but all year long." The website features a number of pride-themed clothing for kids and toddlers, including a little kids T-shirt featuring the transgender pride flag and a pride baby bib emblazoned with a rainbow and the words PROUD OF MY FAMILY. With images of same-sex couples, the Kohls pride page also has T-shirts with rainbow hearts and the phrases I MY MOMS and I MY DADS. Along with a number of Disney-themed products including a T-shirt with the iconic Mickey Mouse ears and the words BELONG BELIEVE BE PROUD the stores pride page also has links to Kohls partners, such as the Phluid Project, an LGBT-owned gender-free fashion brand." According to its website, the Phluid Projects Phluid Foundation raises money for a number of LGBT initiatives, including the LA LGBT Center, which earlier this month removed itself from an LA Dodgers pride event over the initial of a blasphemous drag troupe. The Phluid Project also supports Drag Story Hour NYC (formerly Drag Queen Story Hour), a controversial nationwide initiative that features men dressed as women reading books to small children at local libraries. As part of its pride month celebration, Kohls is also donating $100,000 to The Trevor Project, an LGBT activist group that claims its research briefs correlate religious beliefs with higher rates of suicide among LGBT-identified people, a claim that has been widely challenged. Since 2019, Kohl's has donated $325,000 to The Trevor Project, according to the Kohls website. Another brand on Kohls pride page is TomboyX, which sells a number of tucking bikini bottoms on its website for men who want to identify as women. The brand, however, does not appear to sell any such products on Kohls website. Several conservative commentators on social media reacted to the Kohls page by asking why such products are being marketed to children, even as "#BoycottKohls" began trending Monday on Twitter. Why is Kohls selling Pride Merch for 3-month-old babies? Turning Point USA commentator Benny Johnson asked on Twitter. The Kohls controversy comes as a number of popular retailers have seen their popularity, and in some cases, their share prices, plunge following social media coverage of its pride-themed merchandise. Targets stock value has taken a hit amid controversy over a collection the company unveiled ahead of so-called Pride month that has ties to a British designer whose brand promotes satanic imagery. The retail chain lost $9.3 billion in market value and the corporation's shares have dropped by more than 12.6% since the consumer backlash began in mid-May. Other companies like Starbucks and Bud Light are also facing economic headwinds over their LGBT advocacy. Adidas used a male model to advertise a womens swimsuit as part of its "Pride 2023" collection. The unidentified male model wearing a product intended for women had stubble and hair on his chest, as well as a noticeable bulge in the crotch area. South African designer Rich Mnisi and Adidas collaborated to release a "Let Love Be Your Legacy" collection, Fox News reported. According to Adidas, its campaign with Mnisi is intended to "encourage allyship and freedom of expression without bias, in all spaces of sport and culture." Most Christians believe churches should provide counseling and care, but most pastors disagree: study While more than half of Christians and nearly 50% of the general population believe churches should be offering care and counseling to their communities, most pastors disagree, according to recent research from the Barna Group. In an analysis of data collected in 2015, 2020 and 2022, Barna researchers measured how pastors, Christians, non-Christians and the general U.S. adult population see the church's role in society today. While only 31% of pastors, 38% of non-Christians and 48% of U.S. adults, in general, believe churches should offer counseling and care in their communities, more than half of Christians (52%) think churches should be offering these services to their communities, the polling suggests. The research on the pastors was collected from 585 online interviews with Protestant senior pastors in the U.S. from September 616, 2022. A majority of pastors believe their main roles in the community are to tell others about Jesus (84%), help Christians grow (75%), practically assist those in need (64%), provide hands-on help to people in need (57%), teach or serve children (55%) and care for the elderly and widows (52%). On several data points, including whether churches should offer counseling and care to their communities, there were clear disconnects between how pastors, Christians, non-Christians and the general U.S. adult population see their role in society. Compared to pastors, Christians place a higher priority on churches offering counseling and care over caring for the elderly and widows (38%), teaching or serving children (46%) and practically assisting those in need (46%). "Clearly, this goes beyond what pastors want for their congregations, what congregants want from their pastors, and what neighbors want out of their local churches. 'The Church' is a broad concept for many, and while it would be impossible to cater to every single expectation this entails, leaders should pay attention to the notable distinctions between what people want from churches and what pastors believe they should be offering," researchers noted in an excerpt from Barna's Resilient Pastor series. The series explores how pastors, Christians and non-Christians say a church should show up in its community. "There are ways for pastors and communities to get on the same page (or at least in the same chapter) about the role of the church in their communities but it's going to take some humility, introspection and, most importantly, open communication to get there." The finding comes as previous studies reported by The Christian Post show how ill-equipped many churches are in ministering to members of their community struggling with their mental health. At the height of the pandemic, Barna and research partner Pepperdine University's Boone Center for the Family found that 58% of U.S. adults and 54% of practicing Christians reported having at least one relational, emotional or mental health issue that impacts their most important relationships. This finding was highlighted in the report "Restoring Relationships: How Churches Can Help People Heal & Develop Healthy Connections." "I have always believed that the Church is a great resource for people to go to receive help with things like anxiety and depression. Though, over the last several years, there's been some separation [in how we care for people] professionals deal with mental healthcare concerns and church people deal with spiritual concerns and I think we've missed volumes of opportunity here," Boone Center Executive Director Sharon Hargrave told Barna President David Kinnaman in an interview. "I believe the Church is very well-suited to help with relationship and mental healthcare concerns, and our programming at the Boone Center for the Family is designed specifically to intertwine theology and psychology in such a way that church and mental healthcare workers can work together." Barna researchers found that as they weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, only three in 10 pastors (30%) reported feeling "very well-equipped" to help their congregants through their mental and emotional troubles. In 2021, for example, a PC(USA) minister survey on mental health issues found that 44% of the 4,507 pastors surveyed reported that they "have not been trained to recognize mental health concerns or how to minister to those individuals and families who face them." Many pastors themselves struggle with their mental health and sometimes become so isolated they have resorted to suicide. Reacting in 2018 to the high-profile suicides of CNN host Anthony Bourdain and iconic fashion designer Kate Spade, suicide survivor Apostle Bryan Meadows, who leads Embassy Church International in Atlanta, warned his followers that they should take steps to care for their own mental health and not treat their pastors like therapists. "Creatives need PASTORS and THERAPISTS!!! Your Pastor is NOT your therapist, and your therapist is NOT your Pastor. While everyone should utilize these resources in their life, for the CREATIVE it's absolutely necessary," Meadows wrote. "When your life is spent processing intense stimuli, emotions and experiences, you have to address emotional and psychological constipation. When you are constantly living to make others happy and inspired, you need to understand how that takes a toll of your emotional and mental health." Data cited by Health.com shows mental illness has risen in the United States "due to the rise in social media, the COVID-19 pandemic, and societal trends that have resulted in smaller family units and less community involvement." About 20% of the population is reportedly experiencing some form of mental illness, equivalent to more than 50 million people. Mental Health in America notes that about 54.7% of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment. In March, The Rev. A.R. Bernard, leader of New York City's 40,000-member Christian Cultural Center, who has some 45 years of experience in ministry, shared some best practices for optimum mental health during an interfaith meeting on the subject. He suggested the reason some people may still be looking to the church or faith leaders for counseling and care could be the stigma surrounding mental healthcare in society. "When 9/11 hit, I got a call for a gathering of clergy. Because what they found was that the first responders who were being traumatized by what they were dealing with, on a daily basis, it was so intense. They didn't want to meet with a healthcare or mental health professional," Bernard recalled. "They wanted to meet with their imam, their pastor, their priest, a rabbi. That was 22 years ago almost, a lot has changed. One of the reasons why they wanted to meet with their clergyperson is because of the stigma associated with mental health and seeking mental health care," he explained. "Thank you for the millennials, for removing the stigma. So now you can say, 'I'm going to see my therapist,' or like, 'my therapist said to me the other day,' and not have people look at you funny. We've come a long way." Pro-life activists assaulted outside Maryland abortion clinic, suspect remains at large A fundraiser set up on behalf of a pro-life activist beaten outside a Maryland abortion clinic has raised tens of thousands of dollars as the attacker remains at large. Jay Walton, president of the Baltimore County Right to Life, announced in a Facebook post on Saturday that Mark Crosby was viciously attacked" last Friday while praying in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Baltimore. Walton included images in the post, which show the area above Crosbys right eye severely swollen and his eye closed as blood streams down the right side of his face. His right eye was also injured and has been bleeding. His T-shirt was also stained with blood from the attack. He and another prolifer were attacked from behind and the thug ran away, Walton explained. Mark is currently in the hospital being treated for the serious injuries he sustained. Walton urged the pro-life community to pray that Mark makes a full recovery and that the thug that did this to him is found and dealt with swiftly. He set up a fundraiser on Crosbys behalf on GoFundMe to help cover the medical expenses. As of Thursday morning, it has raised nearly $41,800, well above the $10,000 goal. Walton posted an update on Monday, explaining that Crosby was back in the ER" and was "bleeding from somewhere behind his right eye. Pro-life activist Jody Ward shared a detailed account on Facebook Monday of the incident, writing that an "angry man" approached Crosby and another pro-life activist named Dick Schaefer and attacked them. Then, as Dicks back was turned, he lifted Dick off the ground and threw him into the plate glass window. Dick fell, knocking over a large planter and striking his head, losing conscience temporarily," Ward wrote. Mark came to Dicks aid. As he approached, the attacker then turned on Mark, punching him in the face. Mark fell to the ground. The assailant then kicked Mark in the head. NBC affiliate WBAL-TV interviewed Schaefer who described the altercation: I leaned down. I was hit by a truck. I dont know what happened but instantly, I was looking up at the sky. The report highlighted that Schaefer, who suffered hand, shoulder and back injuries, credits Crosby for saving his life. A witness and Schaefer maintained that the assailant repeatedly punched Crosby in the face and stomped on him before leaving the scene. Planned Parenthood of Maryland CEO Karen Nelson insisted in a statement to WBAL-TV that Planned Parenthood does not condone any violence and I think its unfortunate that there was an incident that occurred outside of our health center. The Baltimore Police Department put together a profile of the suspect, describing him as a white male in his 20s, with brown hair, a full beard and wearing a gray T-shirt and blue jeans. He remains at large. The violence directed at Crosby and Schaefer is the latest example of attacks on pro-life advocates following the United States Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organizationdecision, in which the high court ruled 6-3 that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion. Similar attacks on pro-life advocates have occurred in other areas of the country. Last year, a pro-life teenager was assaulted as she canvassed on behalf of an ultimately unsuccessful Kansas ballot initiative that would have clarified that the state constitution also does not contain a right to abortion. Similarly, last September, an 83-year-old pro-life activist campaigning against a successful Michigan ballot initiative establishing a right to abortion in the state constitution was shot in the shoulder. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to investigate 2 trustees for possible misconduct The leadership of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has approved an investigation into two of the Fort Worth, Texas-based institution's trustees over allegations of "possible misconduct." At a special meeting Tuesday, a majority of the SWBTS Board of Trustees approved a motion for board officers to launch "an investigation of possible misconduct" of trustees Andrew Bunnell and Aaron Sligar. At issue, according to the seminary, are allegations made by Bunnell and Sligar that accused SWBTS leadership of financially mismanaging the seminary and lacking integrity. In a motion that reportedly had unanimous support, the board denounced "rumors trafficked by Trustees Andrew Bunnell and Aaron Sligar made against employees of the Seminary" as "unsubstantiated and egregious." SWBTS Board of Trustees Chairman Danny Roberts released a statement shortly after the meeting, expressing his "personal repudiation of the allegations made against my colleagues and me, as well as against staff members of the seminary." "I can state confidently that the board leadership has exercised aggressively its fiduciary duties, with trustees giving collectively thousands of hours of their time in doing so," stated Roberts. "Financial guardrails have been and continue to be researched and put in place. One example is that the chairman is now examining the expense reports of the president and the Seminary Leadership Team on a quarterly basis." At the trustees' April meeting, Roberts said seminary officials "asked Sligar to not raise certain matters that he failed to give proper notice of his intent to raise, some of which were clearly untrue, with others having been inadequately researched, baseless and/or egregiously harmful." "On May 20, Sligar and Bunnell emailed these claims, with the unsubstantiated material becoming public several days later by individuals obviously motivated to bring harm on the institution, the board, and certain staff," Roberts continued. "To send such an email was reckless since it was inevitable that such claims would become public. In today's meeting, the board heard all the facts and has now acted." In addition to the call for an investigation into Sligar, pastor of Little River Chapel in Sutton, West Virginia, and Bunnell, the trustees also passed motions to authorize "the publication of a response to allegations" made by the two trustees and "to publish the audited financials as one comprehensive report for the fiscal years 2003-2022 and examples of presidential expenses as generated by the Task Force review." They also concluded that SWBTS Vice President for Institutional Administration Colby Adams and SWBTS Associate Vice President for Finance Michele Smith were not guilty of "financial mismanagement and misbehavior," concluding that allegations made against them were "without merit." Last week, it was reported that the SWBTS trustees were meeting on May 30, a month after their scheduled gathering, due to a bylaw that allows a majority of trustees to call for a special meeting. At issue, according to Baptist News Global, were questions surrounding the full disclosure of details from an internal investigation into financial irregularities and concerns over Adams helping to establish an entity called "Future Fort Worth" that used Adams' seminary-owned house for its registered address. In recent times, the seminary has faced financial struggles. SWBTS spokesperson James A. Smith emailed The Christian Post a statement last November confirming that the seminary had laid off staff members. "As part of the previously announced intention to implement organizational restructuring, including budget reductions, at the direction of the board of trustees, the interim administration has informed certain staff their employment has been ended," read the statement. "These have been extremely difficult decisions as we seek to address our current challenges. We recognize the disruption that this causes for these staff members and their families. There is certainly no joy in having to make these decisions at this time. Appropriate severance is being offered to affected employees." At their April meeting, SWBTS trustees unanimously elected David S. Dockery as the new SWBTS president to replace former President Adam Greenway, who resigned last September. The institution also elected O.S. Hawkins, president emeritus of GuideStone Financial Resources, to fill the newly created position of chancellor. Greenway came under scrutiny for his administration of the seminary. Baptist News Global reported that SWBTS had a budget deficit of at least $6 million by the time he left office. Target executive tied to LGBT group pushing schools to hide students' gender identity from parents Amid calls for boycotts of Target over its LGBT pride month merchandise, a senior executive for the retail chain also serves as a board member for an LGBT advocacy organization that advises school districts to implement policies that keep parents in the dark if their child is identifying as the opposite gender in school. Carlos Saavedra, the vice president of brand marketing at Target, also serves as a treasurer for the LGBT group GLSEN, formerly known as the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. Founded in 1990, the organization focuses on integrating "LGBTQ-inclusive" education at the K-12 grade levels. According to Saavedra's LinkedIn profile, he began serving as a GLSEN board member in May 2019 before assuming the volunteer role of treasurer in November 2021. Saavedra has held his current position at Target since January 2021. Under the job description for his previous GLSEN board member position, Saavedra wrote, "Helping create safe spaces in schools for LGBTQIA+ students." Target expresses support for the LGBT organization in the pride section of its online store, which includes pride-themed clothing for adults and children, as well as backpacks and calendars. "GLSEN leads the movement in creating [and] affirming, accessible and anti-racist spaces for LGBTQIA+ students," Target's website reads. "We are proud of 10+ years of collaboration with GLSEN and continue to support their mission." As The Daily Mail reported Monday, the retail chain has reportedly donated $2.1 million to the LGBT advocacy organization. On its website, GLSEN provides a sample district policy for schools, advising them to conceal a student's gender transition from parents or guardians. If a student wants to inform their parents about the transition, the sample policy urges the school staff to discuss with the child first how to share the news. "Staff or educators shall not disclose any information that may reveal a student's 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," GLSEN's website reads. "This disclosure must be discussed with the student prior to any action." Target did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment. As CP previously reported, the retail chain has faced scrutiny in recent weeks for a clothing collection the company unveiled ahead of LGBT pride month in June. One of the items that attracted the most controversy was a "tuck-friendly" women's swimsuit for biological men who identify as the opposite sex. Target also sold products designed by the London-based company Abprallen, which has designed items featuring occult imagery. The Abprallen items previously sold by the retail company included a messenger bag that read "Too Queer for Here" and a sweatshirt that stated, "Cure transphobia, not trans people." As The New York Post reported Sunday, Target lost at least $10 billion in market valuation amid calls from conservative influencers to boycott the company. As of Thursday, the Target share price has dropped 17.25% in the last month. Amid pushback, Target removed the Abprallen items from its stores and online market. However, the brand's owner reported a spike in orders despite the public backlash. Abprallen designer Erik Carnell, a trans-identified individual, revealed that she had to temporarily close Abprallen's online store due to a recent spike, according to CNN. "I've been inundated with support," Carnell said, adding that when she's "in a better head space, I know how much that's going to have a positive impact on me." Most of the backlash directed at Abprallen is due to a March 28 Instagram post of a "Satan respects pronouns" design, stating that LGBT-identified people are "often referred to as being a product of Satan or going against God's will, so fine. We'll hang with Satan instead." The statement is printed on an image of Baphomet, the goat-headed idol associated with Satanism. Christian psychiatrist reveals 3 things faith leaders can do to protect their mental health Driven in part by the suicide of her church leader uncle in 2021, Dr. Ayana Jordan, a Christian addiction psychiatrist recommended several things faith leaders can put into practice to ensure they're functioning optimally as they work to serve their communities. Jordan, who is also the Barbara Wilson associate professor of psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU's Grossman School of Medicine, shared her professional wisdom with a group of faith leaders at a mental health faith-based summit hosted by the New York City Mayors Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships at the International Interfaith Research Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University on Thursday. So we are not immune to the social isolation and to the emotional and psychological duress that we are experiencing [during the pandemic], Jordan told the group as she asked faith leaders to think about the soul as the life source within. What are we feeding our life source to make sure that it's functioning optimally? she asked. I think about the essentials of our existence. Our physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual well-beings. We can't just be totally focused on our spiritual well-being if we're not focused on our emotional, our physical. How can you take care of others if you are not fed? she posited. If your diabetes are out of control, if you're depressed, if you are experiencing insomnia? So really understanding our life source has to receive attention in all of those elements. Jordan then explained how practicing gratitude, spending time in nature, and self-compassion can help faith leaders experience better mental health. Gratitude Really waking up every day and having a sense of gratitude, really practicing gratitude and saying out loud, I am so thankful for this. Every single day [works], she explained. It's not just having gratitude for the sake of gratitude, but it actually changes, trains our brain to release negativity, and replace it with positive thinking. And that happens in the limbic system, is structured within a vein on either side of the thalamus that actually allows you to release negative thoughts and focus on the positivity. Spend time in nature Breathing in fresh open air is also quite therapeutic, she added. Really thinking about how can you spend more time in nature, marvel at God's greatness, and the beauty and wonder therein but also really having that time to breathe in the natural oxygen, she said. We don't have to go later into the city to go to an oxygen bar and paying for oxygen. But being in nature and having the opportunity to really breathe in oxygen, allowing our minds to function optimally, allowing our hemoglobin to take the oxygen to places in our organs that we need to thrive. Self-compassion Practicing self-compassion, she added, can help faith leaders and people, in general, avoid burnout. So protecting and myopically focused on making sure those essential elements are balanced the spiritual, emotional, psychological, social and physical is being compassionate with ourselves. Just because we have an hour free doesn't mean it has to be overscheduled, she says. Sometimes I look at my calendar and I remember I start talking with my project coordinator. I said, 'No, I just need a day.' And I used to feel guilty about that. Like, are you kidding me a day for a black woman in America? Yes, to walk around Harlem and look at the birds. Pigeons. And be grateful for it. The Rev. A.R. Bernard, leader of New York City's 40,000-member Christian Cultural Center, who has some 45 years of experience in ministry, was also on a panel discussing the best practices for optimum mental health and he praised Adams for boldly declaring his relationship with faith and the role that faith plays in his life. He also thanked millennials for their work in helping to destigmatize the discussion of mental health in the public square. When 9/11 hit, I got a call for a gathering of clergy. Because what they found was that the first responders who were being traumatized by what they were dealing with, on a daily basis, it was so intense. They didn't want to meet with a health care or mental health professional, he recalled. They wanted to meet with their Imam, their pastor, their priest, a rabbi. That was 22 years ago almost, a lot has changed. One of the reasons why they wanted to meet with their clergy person is because of the stigma associated with mental health and seeking mental health care, he explained. Thank you for the millennials, for removing the stigma. So now you can say, I'm going to see my therapist, or like my therapist said to me the other day and not have people look at you funny. We've come a long way. But it was very real. Because along with many, many clergy, some of you here, we felt the stress the trauma that 9/11 brought. Bernard also drove home the need for pastors to take sabbaticals as a part of their self-care regime. However you arrange your life creates a rhythm. That rhythm establishes a pattern. If that pattern is healthy, good, keep the arrangement. But if that pattern is unhealthy, and causing you deep and profound stress and mental anguish, then you've got to go back to how your life is arranged, he said. The Sabbath was first and foremost, a principle to be practiced before it became a religious identification for people. Because it's during the days of creation that God worked and then rested before there was an Israel. He rested, Bernard explained. If we don't understand the need to rest, then we will arrange our lives, our time, in a way that forces us to rest because work will continue to expand to the time given to it. And if you don't control that, you're gonna burn out, he added. Research conducted by Barna Group in January 2021 and March 2022 showed that more pastors faced with stress, loneliness, political divisions and other worries like their church being in decline considered quitting their jobs. The share of pastors who gave serious consideration to quitting full-time ministry within the last year increased from 29% in 2021 to 42% in March of 2022. Joe Jensen, Barnas vice president of church engagement, told The Christian Post at the time that the growing number of pastors now looking to leave their full-time positions is cause for alarm. This particular stat, this is the highest weve ever seen it, Jensen said, pointing to the burnout he believes many pastors are experiencing in the wake of the pandemic. Weve been tracking this in our State of Pastors report that we did with Pepperdine University in 2016, 2017. We didnt have this exact stat but we were tracking burnout. [And] pastors were feeling burnout and the risk factors involved, Jensen said. In his presentation, Bernard explained that the failure of pastors to properly incorporate rest in the work can lead to unwanted consequences. I've worked with pastors who have burned out, caught some just before they burnt out. One particular church and pastor, he's worked for 30 years, and he took vacations, but he never took a Sabbath. So we actually created a policy and built it into the corporation, the church corporation that requires a Sabbath every seven years, which means that the pastor has to take some time off, not vacation time on a beach, but time to refresh, to renew, to strengthen, which included mental health professional counseling, the Brooklyn pastor explained. And we created a document, and the church had the budget (sometimes a pastor can't afford it) and the church made it a part of the budget. We established that in our church as well. And it's called a sabbatical policy. And sometimes if you don't do it structurally, it's not going to happen. America turning into secular wasteland Thanks to a misreading of the Constitution, America is becoming more and more of a secular wasteland. All sorts of ideas and ideologies are allowed in the public square. But not Christian ones. That exclusion does not comport with what the founders of America intended. I thank God for people like Kirk Cameron, the actor and childrens author, who often presents a library presentation helping children learn about God, instead of promoting things like drag queen story hour. Its become a cliche to say that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. But Cameron is indeed lighting many candles in the darkness. Foxnews.com wrote recently of Camerons months-long tour across the country to nearly a dozen public libraries to share messages promoting family, faith and country to bring a new story time book hour to families and children. [If interested, you can hear Kirk Cameron discuss with me the need we have today for a new Great Awakening.] But what about the separation of church and state? Indeed, we are often told that the founding fathers intended a strict separation of church and state, by which secularists mean a separation of God and state. But in reality, what the founders said in the First Amendment was, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. By these words, did they intend to banish God from the public arena? At the time they wrote those words, about half of the states had their own established churches something never declared illegal. Just consider a few facts about the founding fathers and religion (or the acknowledgment of God). The very same men who wrote the First Amendment (words that are now being used to keep God, and certainly Jesus, out of the public arena) did the following: Created the system of chaplains for the military and for the legislature. Adopted the Northwest Ordinance, which said that schools should be encouraged in America so that they could teach Religion, morality, and knowledge (in that order). Acknowledged the Christian Sabbath in the Constitution. Article 1, Section 7 includes this statement: If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted). Said that God is the source of our rights (in the Declaration of Independence). Had presidents sworn in on the Holy Bible from the very beginning, adding the oath, So help me God in the process. Delivered speeches and wrote documents that mentioned God over and over. Called for national days of fasting and prayer and thanksgiving. And on and on it goes. In fact, consider one instance of the last example. The same men in the First Congress who had adopted the First Amendment (now used to exclude Christianity from the public square) wrote to the first president under the Constitution, George Washington asking him to declare a day of Thanksgiving to God. Washington tells of their request to him to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. On October 3, 1789, George Washington complied and declared a day of thanksgiving to the Lord to take place on November 26. Later, Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving an annual holiday. The founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God from government. They simply did not want one national denomination holding the reins of power. As my good friend, Bill Federer, best-selling author and speaker, likes to say, you can compare religious liberty in America to a pebble thrown in a pond. For example, in our upcoming special Endowed by Their Creator in the Foundation for American Liberty film series for Providence Forum, Federer makes this observation: When you look at the founding of America, you see how Christians came up with the idea of tolerance, and then, expanded it to others. So, every colony was founded by a different denomination. Its like you drop the pebble in the pond and the ripples go out. First it was tolerance only for the denomination that started the colony. Then it went out to Protestants, then it went out to Catholics, then it went out to Jews, then it went out to [general] monotheism, polytheists, and any religion. Finally went out to the atheists, and the last ones in kicked the first ones out. The founders would well be aghast at what has happened to our country because of the ongoing jihad against God in the public square. As Washington himself noted in his Farewell Address, Religion and morality are indispensable supports to good government and the happiness of mankind. A response to Lord Carey on assisted suicide The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, has told MPs that legalising assisted suicide is "profoundly Christian". He wrote to them as the Health and Social Care Committee continues to take evidence as part of its formal inquiry into the current law. Currently assisted suicide and euthanasia (the former refers to doctors helping patients kill themselves and the latter involves the doctor administering the lethal injection themselves) are illegal across the UK. Lord Carey has been a consistent advocate for assisted suicide. He is an experienced church leader and I admire the stance that he has taken on other issues. But on this one, I must respectfully, but firmly disagree. I believe his position undermines key biblical doctrines. And I worry too that while it comes across as reasonable and compassionate, the reality is the conversation around assisted suicide needs to be much more nuanced: it is not the case that either side of the debate has a monopoly on compassion. Lord Carey's arguments in favour of law change are not new: assisting someone in their suicide, he says, is an "act of great generosity, kindness and human love", looking to end their suffering and release them from pain. The problem with this is that it is a far less compassionate position than it appears. It is built on a shaky assumption: that we could safely pass an assisted suicide law that would allow a small number of people the option of being helped to kill themselves in certain, strictly regulated circumstances. This fails to account for what's happening in places like Canada. There, assisted suicide was legalised in 2016 and a mere five years later, the eligibility criteria had been vastly expanded and key safeguards were quietly dropped as public opinion shifted. One former Paralympian simply wanted a stairlift to be put in her home. In reply, the official sent her a leaflet about assisted suicide. That doesn't sound like a compassionate society to me. People complain that appealing to a hypothetical slippery slope isn't a valid argument; Canada shows that it is not a myth, but a reality. Legalising assisted suicide for terminally ill adults with six months left to live (why should it be only six?), as was proposed by Baroness Meacher recently in the House of Lords, would simply be a first step. Indeed, in an aging society which cannot fund an increasingly bloated health service, there is a danger that a right to die would become a duty to die. Right now, if your relative or friend is terminally ill, you have the assurance of knowing that all the doctors who are helping are legally bound to work for the preservation of life. But if assisted suicide was legal, could we be sure coercion, manipulation or abuses would not take place? After all, the stakes here are as high as it gets! If you can't guarantee such cases wouldn't occur, then I would suggest it's too big a risk to make this law change. I simply cannot agree with Lord Carey that legalising assisted suicide is an act of 'human love', let alone generosity and kindness. True Christian love is sacrificial and focused on others. It will say 'no' when our loved ones request from us help to do something we know is harmful. We live in a society where suffering is viewed an interruption, to be avoided, minimised and prevented at all possible costs. I completely get this view. I'm so aware that you might be reading this and right now, you're watching a loved one fade before your very eyes with a debilitating illness. That is brutal and calls for sympathy and empathy. Lord Carey would say the Bible has nothing directly to say that would prohibit assisted suicide being legalised. While that's true in the sense there's no one verse that explicitly outlaws it, I suggest that actually, if you pull together various biblical teachings, you'd find the Bible not only teaches us that assisted suicide is wrong, but also helps us grapple with the problem of suffering. The Bible teaches that life is a gift from God (Psalm 139, 1 Samuel 2:6) and that human life is beautifully valuable because we're made in God's image, elevated over everything else He's made. It also teaches us that intentional ending of someone else's life is wrong (Exodus 20:6). Surely that includes assisted suicide and euthanasia, where in either scenario, the doctor is facilitating the intentional ending of someone's life. And the Bible offers a far better story for what we're do with suffering than the story our society gives us. In a Biblical worldview, suffering is not meaningless. Often it is in the midst of suffering that we discover more about ourselves and our relationships with others can be incredibly deepened. One story I remember involved a man who secretly recorded audio which suggested doctors had ordered an assisted suicide, when he'd repeatedly asked to live at home. And the Bible also teaches us that God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, experienced suffering. In fact, he went through suffering far deeper and greater than any human being will ever endure. We believe in a God who knows what suffering feels like and is well able to walk alongside us and help us. God is called the God of all comfort and the father of compassion, not because He never sends suffering, but because in our suffering, He helps us. From what Lord Carey said to MPs, he thinks that while this teaching works for some, obviously many don't believe it and therefore, for them, we should legalise assisted suicide. In response I'd ask: is killing really the compassionate response to someone's suffering? Surely offering pain relief, psychological support and human companionship is better? Palliative medicine means helping the whole person, addressing their physical and their emotional pain and trauma. For my mind, this is a far more consistent, compassionate and Christian response to suffering than assisted suicide. James Mildred is Director of Communications and Engagement at CARE, which works to bring a uniquely Christian insight to UK law and policy. US Episcopal leader Bishop Michael Curry temporarily hospitalised US Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michal Curry was admitted to hospital last weekend after experiencing some health issues, his denomination has said. Bishop Curry was treated at a hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, for internal bleeding and an irregular heartbeat, and has since been sent home. "Curry's internal bleeding is under control, and additional test results are expected later this week. He has been receiving treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib), which was detected in an annual physical," said the Church. "While in the hospital, Curry experienced two other episodes of irregular heartbeat, and he will wear a heart monitor to determine what further treatment is necessary." Although he has been released from hospital, the presiding bishop will stay in Raleigh until he is cleared for travel. In the meantime, he will rest and work from home "on a reduced schedule", his office said. The statement concluded with a request for prayer. "As more information becomes available regarding Curry's health and schedule, his staff will provide updates," it said. "Please pray for a full and speedy recovery and for Curry's medical team as they identify the best course of treatment." Curry has been presiding bishop of the TEC USA since 2015. In 2018, he conducted the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Exercises to strengthen feet and ankles was one of the topics discussed during Conmee Townships award-winning Health and Aging Series held in March at the Conmee Community Centre. CRM software provider Zendesk is reducing its workforce by another 8%, citing macroeconomic uncertainty, just six months after the company laid off 300 staffers for the same reason. All this is difficult news to share, but Ive made the decision to reduce our workforce by 8% at Zendesk, CEO Tom Eggemeier wrote in an email to all employees, which was later posted as a blog. The new tranche of layoffs, according to Eggemeier, can be attributed to continued macroeconomic uncertainty and increased competition from rivals. When I joined at the end of November, Id hoped a combination of improving macroeconomic conditions and streamlining costs would help us avoid this moment. Unfortunately, macroeconomic conditions have not improved and we find ourselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace, Eggemeier wrote. In November, Zendesk laid off around 300 staffers from its global workforce of 5,450 employees to reduce operating expenses because the company hired more employees than were commensurate with its growth projections. From 2020 2022, our hiring outpaced our business realities, Eggemeier, who joined the company in November last year, wrote. Zendesks executive team had taken responsibility for the first round of layoffs that came months after it was acquired by a consortium of private equity firms for $10.2 billion. Fareham College (FC) appealed HMRCs refusal to repay 69,757 of VAT, which FC claimed to have overpaid. FC is a further and higher education college which offers courses including catering, hair and beauty and performing arts. Students work in a training restaurant, hair and beauty salon and performing arts centre, operated by FC. FC accounted for output VAT on all supplies made to the public; however, it now considers that the supplies were exempt under item 4, group 6, Value Added Tax Act 1994, on the basis that they were closely related to exempt supplies of education. This follows from the Brockenhurst College decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union. HMRC argued, and the First-Tier Tribunal (FTT) agreed, that item 4 of group 6 to schedule 9 VAT Act 1994 is to be construed as excluding from exemption supplies where the basic purpose of the supply is to obtain additional income for the body through transactions which are in direct competition with those of commercial enterprises subject to VAT. Article 134(b) of the Principal VAT Directive provides for this exclusion but is not written into UK law. The tribunal decided that it was reasonable to imply the words of Article 134(b) into item 4. Therefore, it was for the tribunal to determine whether FCs supplies are excluded from the exemption on the basis that their basic purpose was to generate additional income in direct competition to other businesses. Joyce Materego-Woodall is chief operating officer of the Black Equity Organisation In the wake of George Floyds murder in May 2020 and the ensuing anti-racism protests that took place around the world, some high-profile Black leaders came together to reflect on the state of Black Britain and racial inequalities. Shadow foreign secretary and Labour MP David Lammy convened a work session with individuals including Vivian Hunt, senior partner at McKinsey & Company, to design an organisation in the UK that would have similar aims and, in time, scale as the USs National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People. Some 35 civil society groups and individuals have called the Charity Commissions decision to appoint an interim manager at the Islamic Centre of England politically motivated. In a letter sent yesterday to chair Orlando Fraser, organisations including the Islamic Human Rights Commission and the Scottish Palestinian Society, alongside journalists, academics, and politicians, accused the regulator of perpetrating a vendetta against Muslim charities. They said that the regulators recent decision to appoint a non-Muslim interim manager to run the Centre serves the interest of Islamophobes". Appointment was politically motivated Last month, the Commission appointed Emma Moody of Womble Bond Dickinson as interim manager of the Islamic Centre of England, which has been the subject of a statutory inquiry since November 2022. Previously, the regulator issued an official warning to the Centre after the trustees allowed a candlelit vigil to be held at the charitys West London premises in response to the death of the Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani who had been subject to UK financial sanctions. The signatories to the letter argued that Moodys appointment is politically motivated and serves the interests of Islamophobes who have been targeting this diverse community centre and place of worship. Rather than remaining a neutral arbitrator and serving to address any genuine shortcomings that may exist, you have shown a biased approach and used punitive measures that unfairly penalise Muslim charities, they wrote. Its concerning that the Charity Commission continues to tell religious communities what they can say and who they can invite to their centres. The Commission is not qualified to determine what religious communities should be discussing, its not the business of any state body to tell its citizenry what they can say or believe in their places of worship. Unfair that a Muslim charity is treated in this way The signatories added that choosing to appoint a non-Muslim person shows a clear lack of understanding of the needs of the Islamic Centre and its congregation. To appoint an interim manager who is not from that faith community, not aware of its spiritual and religious needs, nor aware of the specific needs of that particular congregation, shows us that the Charity Commission has yet again failed to protect the best interests of a Muslim religious centre and its congregation. They concluded that such moves could alienate Muslims from their own places of worship and urged the regulator to reconsider its decision. Its wholly unfair that a Muslim charity is treated in this way due to the perception of it not conforming to Western foreign policy interests. Naturally, this behaviour will add to the chorus of voices accusing the Charity Commission of deliberately harassing and hindering the work of Muslim-run charities and adds to the litany of oppressive measures carried out in aid of furthering Islamophobic British state policies and the agendas of politically motivated and divisive pressure groups. Commission: Any suggestion we acted beyond our statutory obligations is misleading The Commission said that its inquiry is ongoing and that it will publish a report once it has reached a conclusion. A spokesperson told Civil Society: The circumstances in which we can appoint an interim manager to any charity under inquiry are set out in the Charities Act 2011, and the Commission must determine when it is considered necessary and proportionate. It is a temporary, protective measure. The Charity Commission is an independent regulator. Any suggestion we have acted beyond our statutory objectives, functions and obligations as a public body is misleading. The Church of England Pensions Board has voted against the re-election of Shell directors over the oil giants lack of progress on climate change. In an online statement , the Board, which is a shareholder in Shell, expressed its dissatisfaction with the company after it showed weakened climate goals and lower investment into renewables and low-carbon energy. The Board said it was concerned by Shells insufficient short and medium-term targets, adding that it can no longer offer its support to the firm. Meanwhile, a recently published annual report shows that the Church Commissioners, the charity investment arm of the Church of England, reported a 5% return in 2022 compared with 13.3% the previous year. A Shell spokesperson said the company strongly disagrees with the positions against Shell voting recommendations taken by the Church of England Pensions Board. Shell has taken a different path The Board said that it has been supporting Shells climate transition plan since 2021, noting the companys commitment to be a net-zero business by 2050. While the plan was not perfect it was positioning Shell as a constructive actor in shaping the long-term transition, the Board wrote in a statement. However, it added that the company has since taken a different path and it has therefore decided to vote against the re-election of all Shell directors. Despite Shell posting record profits in 2022 and having the highest capital expenditure of $25bn among its peers, its capital expenditure into renewables and low-carbon energy is far lower than would be expected by a company seeking to shape a future in the transition. These investments are lower than your most comparable peer, BP. You are investing the most of your European peers in upstream oil and gas production. Short and medium-term goals are insufficient The Board added that Shells short and medium-term goals remain insufficient and said it is prepared to restrict investment in the firm if it does not see a change in direction. It has been widely reported that you are reviewing your plan to reduce oil output during this decade, and the chair of Shell Australia has spoken out against more ambitious climate policy in that jurisdiction. Taken together this is deeply concerning. As a long-term institutional investor our duty is to our pension fund members and their long-term interests as well as the world they will retire into. These interests are not being served by the short-term approach that the company appears to be taking. Shell: The vast majority of our investors remain supportive of our strategy A Shell spokesperson said: We strongly disagree with the positions against Shell voting recommendations taken by PIRC, the LAPF, the PPGM, MN and the Church of England Pensions Board. Our strategy remains unchanged - to become a net-zero energy company by 2050 or sooner. And in the last year weve continued to invest in low-carbon energy and made very good progress towards our targets to reduce emissions. At the start of this year we completed our $2bn acquisition of a leading global biogas company, in the last 12 months we have increased the number of EV charge points we own or operate globally by more than 60%. At the same time, we will continue to invest in producing the energy the world needs today and for the foreseeable future. All of our investments have to provide a rate of return that our investors demand. Were pleased the vast majority of our investors remain supportive of our strategy to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050. 5% return despite challenging markets Separately, the Church Commissioners posted a 5% return last year despite tough market conditions. Overall, the investment fund it manages on behalf of the Church of England increased from 10.1bn to 10.3bn at 31 December 2022. Over the last decade, the fund has delivered an average return of 10.2% per annum. The Church Commissioners committed to increase support for the Church to 1.2bn over the next three years, a 30% rise compared with the previous triennium. It recorded a total income of 148.4m, 0.3m higher than in 2021, against expenditure of 176.9m (226.4m in 2021). Alan Smith, first church estates commissioner, said: The Church Commissioners has continued to be responsible stewards in a challenging year. The strong and resilient returns over the last decade have enabled us to increase our distributions to the highest level in our history for the triennium ahead. Our successful bond issuance, raising 550m, will enable us to continue to pursue intergenerational equity and to maximise our support for the Church of Englands mission and ministry over the long term. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, The owners of a business that loaned McClenny Moseley & Associates $3 million to find clients with hurricane-damaged homes and earn fees by submitting damage estimates to insurers has embarked on a new venture: Transporting unauthorized aliens out of Florida. The Florida Division of Emergency Services has decided to award a contract for its Migrant Transportation Program to ARS Global Emergency Management and two other vendors. The company will continue a controversial program launched by Gov. Ron DeSantis; transporting migrants who volunteer to be relocated to other states and arrange for social services when they arrive at their new homes. ARS Global Emergency Management has the same directors, manager and Conroe, Texas address as Access Restoration Services, a company that filed a lawsuit against McClenny Moseley after the disgraced law firm allegedly reneged on a $3 million loan that was supposed to generate millions in profits. ARS claims MMA also owes it nearly $10 million for estimates it provided for its lawsuits. Seventeen former estimators for ARS filed their own lawsuit against ARS this month, alleging that they were not paid overtime wages or promised bonuses after MMAs plan to file thousands of hurricane-damage lawsuits collapsed because of intervention by federal judges. The estimators lawsuit names as defendants Guiseppe Gagliano, co-owner and director of ARS; and Nathan Normoyle, vice president of operations for ARS. Floridas decision to hire ARS and the other vendors for the Migrant Relocation Program was widely reported earlier thismonth, but the vendors connection to hurricane claims was not noted publicly until New Orleans insurance defense attorney Matthew Monson posted a comment on his LinkedIn page on Tuesday. It was Monsons complaints about MMAs tactics that prompted US District Court judges to order a halt to the law firms mass lawsuit filings. Earlier his month, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon fined MMA and three of its partners $2 million for the illegal insurance scheme. I wonder if anyone in the DeSantis administration knew of these allegations or developments when they decided to award this contract, Monson said in his LinkedIn post. The Claims Journal emailed that question directly to the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Wednesday. The division promised to look into the matter but had not yet responded late Wednesday. Gov. DeSantis transported about 50 unauthorized migrants from San Antonio, Texas to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts last September. After critics launched legal challenges, the Florida state legislature transferred the Migrant Relocation Program from the Department of Transportation to the Division of Emergency Management, according to the Miami Herald. Lawmakers appropriated $12 million to the program, which follows a $10 million appropriation made in February. The Emergency Management Division announced that it selected three vendors for the relocation program on May 8. In addition to ARS, GardaWorld Federal Services and Vertol Systems Co. were selected to arrange transportation. The states request for proposals provides few details, but answers to vendors questions that are posted online show that the state expects the vendors to identify the unauthorized migrants who want to be transported out of Florida, provide either air or ground transportation and then arrange for unspecified social services when the migrants arrive at their destinations. On its webpage, ARS Global Emergency Services says that it is hopes to build on a well-earned ethical reputation and promises to report any unethical, dishonest, illegal or criminal activities. At ARS we believe good ethics is good business, the website says. The field inspectors lawsuit suggests just the opposite. The civil complaint, filed with the US District Court in Houston, calls the $3 million loan suspicious because ARS stated in its lawsuit against MMA that it had been promised a $15 million to $17 million return on its investment. Upon information and belief, it appears that ARS was likely using what were in fact inflated in-house property damage estimates for MMA cases to increase the claim values in those cases, the field inspectors lawsuit says. Monson said in a telephone interview that ARSs connection to MMA should give Florida regulators pause. He noted that the estimators lawsuit was filed after the Emergency Management Division announced that it intended to award a contract to ARS. Would this contract have been awarded to the ARS family of companies if they were aware of the allegations in this lawsuit? he asked. Moseley says he has no ill will toward DeSantis. In fact, he said, Ill probably end up voting for the guy if I have the opportunity. Top photo: Carlos Munoz reaches out to hug Larkin Stallings of Vineyard Haven, Mass., as the immigrants prepare to leave St. Andrews in Edgartown, Mass., Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took the playbook of a fellow Republican, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, to a new level by catching officials flat-footed in Marthas Vineyard, Mass., with two planeloads of Venezuelan migrants. The migrants were being moved voluntarily to a military base on nearby Cape Cod, Mass. (Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times via AP) SFR Services, a Florida restoration firm made famous by its volume of claims litigation and its charges that United Property & Casualty Insurance Co. had instructed desk adjusters to alter their estimates, now finds itself in some legal trouble of its own. A circuit judge in Lee County recently found that SFR had intentionally concealed and misrepresented material facts during the appraisal process in a Fort Myers-area condominium claim dispute with Tower Hill Prime Insurance Co. after Hurricane Irma in 2017. The firm stuck with an estimate of $233,000 and failed to disclose a contract with a roofing company, which charged less than half of that for the actual work, Judge Michael McHugh wrote in his May 9 order. SFR Services was aware that the cost of the scope of roof work was $99,000, at least as of March 20, 2020, the judge noted. Despite knowing this information, SFR Services continued to present an estimate generated by Elite Claims and continued to represent that the value of the roof replacements for the clubhouse and both gatehouses was more than $230,000, while simultaneously indicating that its overhead and profit fell in line with the industry standard of 20%. Members of an appraisal panel, assigned to resolve differences between two other estimates, said they were unaware of the lower price from Castillo Roofing when they awarded the higher amount on the claim. The judge found that SFR, as an assignee of the condominium association, had violated the concealment and misrepresentation provision of the insurance policy and was tainted by fraud. McHugh ruled in favor of Tower Hill and vacated the higher appraisal award, voided part of the coverage and agreed to Tower Hills request for a new umpire on the appraisal. SFR, based in Stuart, Florida, has already asked Floridas 6th District Court of Appeals to review the decision. Unfortunately we are appealing this egregious ruling, SFRs principal, Ricky McGraw, said in an email to Insurance Journal. We have moved to disqualify the judge presiding over the case. Florida has made it hard for contractors that help their clients. SFRs attorney, Melissa Giasi, asked the judge to disqualify himself, arguing that he was prejudiced by his concerns about McGraws allegedly fraudulent activity; the judge did not hold a jury trial; and he adopted a final order drafted by Tower Hill that contained numerous errors. When that motion failed, Giasi asked the appeals court to step in and prohibit McHughs order. The appeals judges declined. In its answer to Tower Hills 2020 motion in Lee County, which asked the court to vacate the high-end appraisal award, the SFR attorney also argued that Tower Hill had unclean hands, had acted in bad faith and had improperly adjusted the claim amount. Judge McHugh did not see it that way. He also pointed out that the insured, Rookery Pointe Homeowners Association, did not participate in the alleged fraud. In fact, the condo association, through its former president, Debbie Kiel, testified they were so concerned with the estimate provided by SFR Services, they got their own estimates which were in line with Castillo Roofings estimate, the judge wrote. McGraw and SFR Services for years have been thorns in the sides of several insurance carriers in Florida. Court records show that the firm has filed hundreds of lawsuits against insurers over AOB claims in recent years. Most famously, in early 2022 SFR charged in a federal lawsuit that United Property & Casualty had conspired with adjuster firms to systematically deny and underpay thousands of roof claims after Hurricane Irma. The lawsuit, charging anti-racketeering law violations, purported to show copies of text messages by a desk adjuster, sent at the behest of UPC, to field adjusters directing them to avoid estimating roof damages altogether because the insurer planned to issue blanket denials. A federal judge dismissed the suit in October, noting that a federal statute leaves it up to states to regulate the business of insurance, so the federal racketeering law did not apply. Florida regulators this year deemed UPC insolvent and have placed the company into liquidation, likely making claims suits against the insurer a long shot. Meanwhile, SFR has made similar allegations in state court against individuals associated with the insurer. In a suit filed last week in Pinellas County, SFR charges that a number of adjusters, UPC officials and UPC board members engaged in a scheme to underpay claims from Irma, no matter how badly peoples roofs were damaged. The complaint cites deposition testimony from a field adjuster who said that UPC officials demanded that he remove portions of his damage estimates. In the Lee County case, the judge said SFR was the party that engaged in misrepresentation, a judgment that has left some insurance defense attorneys with a strong sense of schadenfreude. They said that the alleged tactics by SFR have not been uncommon in the years of claims litigation against insurers, and have helped drive exorbitant defense costs. The Rookery Pointe case began in 2019, when the condo association signed an AOB agreement with SFR. The restoration contractor initially provided an estimate of $355,759 for replacement of three common-area roofs on the gatehouses and the clubhouse, plus a fourth building that was not clearly identified. SFR contracted with Elite Claims Consulting as its public adjuster on the condos, and in 2020 Elite submitted its own estimate of $314,828, the court explained. The next day, SFR contracted with Castillo Roofing to replace the three roofs for $99,000. McGraw confirmed that in his own testimony during the court proceedings, the judges order said. McGraw also signed a sworn proof-of-loss statement, based on the Elite Claims estimate of $314,828. SFR also directed Castillo Roofing to submit a permit application with a declared value of $233,525, something the judge said was intentionally misleading. In response to Elites estimate, Tower Hill in March 2023 requested that the parties submit their differences to an appraisal panel. The insurer also requested information on any bids by roof contractors on the Rookery Pointe structures. Without question, the Castillo Roofing bid submitted to SFR Services would have been responsive to this request, Judge McHugh wrote. Yet, SFR Services did not approve it, nor did it provide the documentation to Rookery Pointe or Elite Claims to produce to Tower Hill. SFR argued in court that it was not obligated to provide the Castillo bid, because it was party to an AOB agreement: It had been assigned the rights and benefits of the policies, but not the duties or obligations. The judge noted that in years past, court rulings have found that assignees did not have to uphold certain duties of the insured. But that case law was superseded by a 2019 AOB reform law passed by the Florida Legislature. That statute also requires assignees to provide up-to-date and revised estimates of repair work, the judge said. SFR also failed to provide the Castillo price during the appraisal process, the judge wrote, citing a 1999 Florida appeals court opinion that held that there must be a meaningful exchange of information for an appeals panel to accurately arrive at a fair number. But SFRs chosen appraiser for the appraisal panel had testified that he was unaware of the Castillo price and based his conclusions on the higher estimates. Tower Hills chosen appraiser said the same. McHugh acknowledged that Tower Hill on its own could have solicited more estimates. Without the Castillo Roofing invoices and information, there was never a meaningful exchange of information necessary for a proper appraisal, the judge noted. McHugh acknowledged that Tower Hill, on its own, could have solicited more estimates on the work. A Tower Hill representative testified in the trial that the insurer would have paid the Castillo $99,000 price, plus standard overhead and profit, if the company had known about it thus avoiding months of litigation. The attorney for Tower Hill in the case, Michael Monteverde, could not be reached for comment for this article. RENO, Nev. (AP) Water conflicts are nothing new to the arid West, where myriad users long have vied for their share of the precious resource from Californias Central Valley to the Colorado and Missouri rivers. But few have waded into the legal question playing out in rural Nevada: To what extent can local residents, farmers and ranchers claim the water that is soaking into the ground through the dirt floor of an antiquated, unlined irrigation canal? A federal appeals court recently breathed new life into litigation that has entangled the U.S. government and the high-desert town of Fernley ever since a 118-year-old canal burst and flooded hundreds of homes in 2008. This year the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began work on a plan to line parts of the 31-mile (50 kilometer) canal with concrete. The canal diverts water from the Truckee River, which flows out of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra, sending it to irrigation ditches supporting alfalfa farmers and livestock ranchers about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Reno. However, farmers and ranchers in and around the town of Fenley said the repairs would stop water from leaking that they have used for a century to help fill their wells east of Reno. The government says locals dont have any rights to the water that belongs to U. S. taxpayers. Government experts say the renovation also willl help guard against future canal failures even though they acknowlege it will prevent leaks into the local aquifer used by Fenleys residents. Completed in 1905, the Truckee Canal was the first major irrigation system in the West under the Newlands Reclamation Act signed by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. The act was named after a Nevada congressman who said the project would make the desert bloom and attract settlers to places like Fernley, where annual rainfall averages 5 inches (13 centimeters). Similar projects followed across the arid West many much larger. Construction began in 1903 on the Theodore Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River in Arizona, which Roosevelt himself dedicated in 1911. By then, two dozen projects had been authorized, including one that dammed the Lower Yellowstone River near its confluence with the Missouri to irrigate cropland in Montana and North Dakota. In Nevada, Fernley and surrounding agricultural users eventually became utterly reliant on the government-subsidized water, their lawyers say. Evoking a sort of finders-keepers doctrine as old as western expansion, opponents of the canal renovation have argued in state and federal court that they have a right to the water partly because, before the canal burst, no one told them they couldnt. The bureau, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District operating the canal and various judges generally have agreed the water belongs to U.S. taxpayers. Fernley is attempting to claim a water right that doesnt exist under state or federal law, irrigation district lawyer Benjamin Shawcroft said in recent Nevada Supreme Court filings. A related, but perhaps unanswerable question is why the City of Fernley is so determined to disrupt a project, the sole purpose of which is to prevent a breach of the canal and flooding of hundreds of homes? he wrote. Fernley lawyer David Rigdon said the town doesnt oppose less expensive alternatives to alleviate the flood risk while still maintaining groundwater recharge. What Fernley opposes is a cure that is worse than the disease, Rigdon wrote in court filings. To fix a problem that affected approximately 500 homes, they have implemented a solution that imperils the primary water supply of all 20,000 city residents. And, to add insult to injury, they now want the very people they are harming to pay for the costs of building the project, he wrote. No one was killed or seriously injured in the 2008 flood, but the irrigation district agreed in 2016 to an $18.1 million class-action settlement with 1,200 people who suffered property damage. Unusual, heavy winter rain put pressure on the canal system, which experts later determined was weakened by decades of rodents burrowing into the sides. The legal battle over the plans to fix the canal followed. Fernley sought relief in state court last year after U.S. District Court Judge Miranda Du threw out its federal lawsuit, which claimed the government failed to adequately consider alternatives required by the National Environmental Policy Act when it approved a $148 million plan to line 12.7 miles (20 km) of the canal. In March, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Dus ruling that concluded the NEPA claims had no legal basis because their interests in the water are economic, not environmental. But the San Francisco-based appellate court also concluded she erred by refusing to allow Fernley to amend its lawsuit to try to prove the harms would be both. Du issued a new order this month giving Fernley until June 12 to file an amended complaint while the Bureau of Reclamation continues work on the first phase lining 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) of the canal for $35 million. About $2.5 million of the initial phase is to be recouped from the irrigation district through assessments on water users who depend on the district to meet the demands of a growing community that has doubled in size over the past 20 years. Fernley now wants to show the loss of an aquifer recharge will have dramatic, complicated impacts on the natural environment, as well as farmers wallets. Its going to kill our community environmentally, said David Stix, a longtime rancher and former Fernley mayor. He said hydrological studies predict a drop in the local aquifer will draw water from salty marshes at the nearby Fernley Wildlife Management Area, degrading the communitys water quality. That migration would be very concerning because treating salt in water is way more expensive than treating arsenic, Stix said. Theres all these unknown domino effects. Hes among those who say lining the embankment walls, but not the dirt floor where the water seeps, would accomplish everyones goals at a lower cost without causing domestic wells to start sucking air. Without aquifer recharge from the seepage, he fears the landscape will eventually revert to its pre-canal condition. It was basically desert, Stix said. There was nothing here. Top photo: A man walks amid the flooded area in Fernley, Nev., on Jan. 5, 2008. A U.S. appeals court has breathed new life into a rural Nevadas towns unusual bid to halt government repairs to an aging, federal irrigation canal that burst and flooded nearly 600 homes 15 years ago. The town of Fernley, area farmers and ranchers in the high desert 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Reno say the renovation that finally began this year might help guard against another failure of the 118-year-old earthen canal. (Tim Dunn/Reno-Gazette Journal via AP, File) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Matthew Hildebrand has become the second candidate for Beachwood City Council to file petitions with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Beachwood voters will be asked Nov. 7 to vote for not more than four candidates for council seats. Hildebrand filed his petitions May 24, three weeks after Councilwoman Danielle Shoykhet filed. Others who have thus far taken out petitions for signature gathering are Councilman Mike Burkons, Howard Darvin, Beachwood Board of Education Vice President Jillian DeLong, Ranjini Ghosh and Lee Janovits. It will be the first time running for office for Hildebrand, 46, who regularly attends council meetings and frequently speaks, often critically, during public portions. Hildebrand, who was raised in Tuscarawas County -- in Dover, south of Canton -- has lived in Beachwood for nearly two years. He also lived a dozen years in the New York City metropolitan area and for a short time in Indianapolis. Im a political person, said Hildebrand, who said he has volunteered on national and state campaigns. I enjoy this sort of thing. I started attending (Beachwood council) meetings at about the time Justin Berns was sworn in as mayor (January 2022) and the new council started. I listened (while at meetings) and then started expressing my views. Hildebrand said he wished more residents would attend meetings. When asked what drove him to run for office, Hildebrand spoke of November 2022, when City Council voted to hire the firm Minc Law to try to determine who sent emails and made social media postings critical of Police Chief Kate McLaughlin and the Beachwood Police Department administration. He called the resultant lawsuit to try to learn the senders identity a violation of the First Amendment. That was the spark for me. That was the ultimate decider for me, Hildebrand said. This idea of us hiring a law firm was just so beyond the pale of what is acceptable for a city. There was no reason to file this lawsuit. They (the city), as the judge said, filed zero evidence. The other part that bothered me was they (council) authorized $25,000 (to hire Minc), even though the police chief, in her own words, said, Im filing this in my personal capacity. She has every right to file this lawsuit, and I have every right not to pay for it. Earlier this month, the lawsuit was dismissed at the request of McLaughlin and the city. Im very vocal about my opinions and I own what I say, Hildebrand said. Hildebrand and his wife, Lori, just celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary. They have a daughter, 12, and a son, 10, who both attend Fuchs Mizrachi School. Hildebrands platform revolves around efficiency in spending. Beachwood is a great community, but pretending that everything we do is perfect and refusing to acknowledge there are serious but correctable issues holds us back from making Beachwood better, he stated. I have been critical of some of the ways the city has spent money, not because I want the city to spend less money, but so they can address more things than just a few. When we spend millions more on a project than is needed, that is millions no longer available for things residents have been asking the city to address for years, like fixing the flooding issues in certain parts of the city, sidewalks on Bryden, better lighting on side streets or better ball fields. There are legitimate pressing needs for our city, Hildebrand said. Being efficient with spending allows us to address more of those faster. Hildebrand is director of regulatory affairs and quality systems for medical device manufacturer Checkpoint Surgical of Independence. If elected, Hildebrand spelled out actions he would like to undertake as a council member. They include: Repealing the Minc lawsuit ordinance, which he calls a stain on our city Requiring all elected officials and director-level city employees to take a class on the First Amendment Requiring all engineering contracts over $50,000 to go out for request for proposal (RFP) Requiring an updated master plan for all aspects of the city, including asset management and new ideas, such as sidewalks for Bryden Road and appropriate side street lighting, and expecting all city departments to execute on this master plan. The time of passing non-emergency spending on a whim is over, he said. Read more from the Sun Press. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Friends of Horseshoe Lake (FOHSL) will now test the waters in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, seeking an injunction against the removal of the Horseshoe Lake dam built by original Shaker settlers in the 1850s. Separate lawsuits were filed Wednesday (May 31) against the cities of Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights, which lease the parkland actually owned by the City of Cleveland. The litigation came after the FOHSL nonprofit sent taxpayer demand letters dated April 20 to the defendant cities, urging them to live up to the terms of the longstanding leases they are accused of violating. Those leases require Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights to preserve the existing conditions encompassing the dam and lake, as well as perform dredging and cleaning, and assume responsibility for any necessary improvements to maintain the park, FOHSL attorney Anthony Coyne stated in a press release. Coyne, with the Mansour Gavin law firm, added that the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer Districts $14 million plan for the proposed destruction of the lake is a blatant violation of several provisions within that lease. He noted that the demand letters also sought a response within 10 days. Unfortunately, the cities sent a joint response that refuted the lease violations, leaving us no choice but to take the next step in our legal plan, Coyne stated in the press release. Reached after filing the lawsuits Wednesday, Coyne said the lake is a historic landmark, important to the community, and one that we believe should be maintained. Representatives from the Friends of Horseshoe Lake, a nonprofit whose members believe the main amenity at the park should be a large body of water, staged an informational picket outside an open house hosted by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District May 18 at the main library in Cleveland Heights. (Photo Courtesy of Korbi Roberts)Korbi Roberts Since the sewer district announced about two years ago that the 170-year-old stone and earthen dam was failing and needed to be removed, FOHSL formed and hired the TRC engineering firm to develop a Horseshoe Lake Restoration Plan. Sewer district officials and the cities have currently opted for realigning the north and middle branches of Doan Brook and converting the drained lakebed into part of a 60-acre park. We have alternative suggestions, but the cities and sewer district dont want to work with us on preserving the lake in a smaller form and in such a way that in fact improves stormwater management, Coyne said. The concept has been presented to the cities and sewer district several times. Despite this, the sewer district has charged forward with their original plan to destroy the lake, stating publicly that they wont consider any alternative that replaces the dam and restores a lake in the same area, the press release stated. Although some city officials saw them as a precursor to a lawsuit, FOHSL had hoped that the recently issued demand letters would create an opportunity for them, the cities and the sewer district to work together on finding a mutually agreeable plan for Horseshoe Lake. We are asking the courts for necessary injunctive relief to save this treasured asset, Coyne concluded in the press release. He added that separate lawsuits were filed because Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights have different leases with different conditions. In addition to seeking a copy of the actual lawsuit, cleveland.com has also requested the joint letter from the mayors in response to the April 20 taxpayers demands, along with any additional comment from all parties. For an extensive review of up-to-date sewer district plans for the Doan Brook Restoration Near Horseshoe Lake Park, visit https://www.neorsd.org/doan-brook-restoration-near-horseshoe-lake-park/ To learn more about FOHSL, visit www.SaveHorseshoeLake.com. (This is a developing story with a follow-up article planned.) Read more from the Sun Press. HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The city commemorated Memorial Day Monday (May 29) as it traditionally does, with a ceremony at its veterans peace memorial, located just east of the fire station at City Hall, 5827 Highland Road. This year, the city added a new wrinkle, hosting a luncheon after the ceremony in the fire station rather than the usual gathering at the citys community center. Residents enjoyed hot dogs, pizza, chips and cookies at the luncheon. Live music was provided by the band Voices for Freedom. Speakers at the ceremony included Mayor Chuck Brunello Jr., who placed a wreath in memory of late U.S. Navy veteran Thomas Swanson, husband of Highland Heights former mayor Virginia Swanson, who served from 1987-1995. Each year on Memorial Day, Highland Heights honors a residents veteran family member. About 250 people attended Memorial Day ceremonies at the Highland Heights municipal complex. (Photo Courtesy of City of Highland Heights) Thomas Swanson, born in Carnegie, Pa., in 1926, began his Navy service in World War II after graduating high school in 1943. The father of five died March 14, 1987. Speakers at the event were Brunello; Highland Heights police Sgt. Dennis McGrath, who served six years as a U.S. Marine; and resident Anthony Corrao, who enlisted with the Navy in 1967 and served as an aviation electronics technician. In all, about 250 people attended the ceremony, including members of the Swanson family. The event also included the participation of a color guard, a rifle salute, Boy Scouts of America Troop 461 boys and girls, representatives of the Cleveland Heights Army recruiting station and more. Highland Heights police officers stand at attention during the Memorial Day ceremony. (Photo Courtesy of City of Highland Heights) Read more from the Sun Messenger. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio A South Euclid man who claimed he was a pedestrian injured in a crash Saturday that killed two people is now facing two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, with police saying he was driving one of the two vehicles involved. Khaleel Johnson, 19, was ordered held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on a $200,000 bond after appearing for a hearing Wednesday in Shaker Heights Municipal Court, according to court records. A news release from University Heights police say the crash occurred just before 4:30 p.m. Saturday near the area of Cedar and Brockway roads. Police say two vehicles, one on top of the other, had crashed into a utility pole and were on fire. NEW YORK A 65-year-old man who fatally shot a man who he says was threatening to rob him is now facing weapons charges, reports say. Charles Foehner was confronted by the suspect, Cody Gonzalez, 32, at about 2 a.m. Wednesday in the driveway of an apartment building in the Queens borough, CBS New York reports. Police tell Fox 5 New York that Gonzalez demanded money and cigarettes from Foehner. Foehner reportedly thought Gonzalez was armed with a sharp object, so he pulled out a handgun he was carrying and shot Gonzalez multiple times, police tell NBC New York. The suspected sharp object turned out to be a pen, reports say. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Bedford man was killed Wednesday in the citys South Collinwood neighborhood. Tallis Moorer, 44, was fatally shot at 9 a.m. in the driveway of a home in the 900 block of East 141st Street, according to police and the office of the Cuyahoga County medical examiners office. The person who lives in the home reported the shooting. COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio students who were held back from fourth grade due to a state law requiring struggling readers to repeat third grade performed better on English language arts in fourth through eighth grades than peers with similar literacy troubles who were promoted, a new study shows. The Ohio Education Research Center at Ohio State University conducted the study at the direction of Ohio Excels, a group of business leaders who are concerned about improving K-12 education. The group, which includes Greater Cleveland Partnership President Baiju Shah, is trying to convince the state legislature to keep the retention component of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. State lawmakers are considering dropping the requirement as other studies have shown it hasnt overall improved Ohios literacy scores on the Nations Report Card. On average, between 2.5% and 4% of third graders have been held back each year, although the retention requirement has been on hold for the last three years due to coronavirus-related education disruptions. If lawmakers dont nix the retention component of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, it will restart next school year. Read: Students must repeat 3rd grade if they dont read proficiently. Some lawmakers want to nix the requirement. The new study looked at third graders in the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years and how they performed on standardized English language arts and math tests in subsequent years through the seventh grade. The researchers looked at scores through the 2018-2019 school year, then stopped because the state didnt require standardized tests the following year due to the pandemic. The sample size was 623,000 students who were not retained and 21,000 students who were retained. Researchers compared two groups of students those who were promoted to fourth grade and those who were held back. The students in the two groups were academically similar, but some of them had achieved the promotion score and others had not. Noteworthy is that the promotion score is not the same as the proficiency score on standardized tests in Ohio. The promotion score is lower, which means some kids are promoted to the fourth grade who are not actually proficient in reading. Even more third graders would have to repeat the year if the state were to hold back every child who was not proficient. Its not politically palatable, said Lisa Gray, president of Ohio Excels. The study found the following: -Students who repeated third grade performed better not just in English language arts tests but also in math in every grade studied than those allowed to advance. Kevin Duff, Ohio Excels vice president of policy and research, said that higher scores in math could be in part because the third graders who were retained got another year to master the math. But reading improvements could also contribute to their better math scores. Youre getting into the age where theyre doing word problems, so you need to be able to read proficiently, have good comprehension, he said. -The gap between students who were retained and those who advanced narrowed over the years. The gap was largest in the fourth and fifth grades, when retained students on average scored at least one performance level better than students who were allowed to advance. Performance levels are not displayed on the school and district report cards on the Ohio Department of Educations website, but parents are notified what performance level their kids fall under when they receive their standardized test results. Performance levels are limited, basic, proficient and accomplished, Gray said. But the gap in English language arts and math performance between retained and non-retained students narrowed each year. This could be in part because the students who were not retained still got help to catch up through intensive reading instruction or tutoring, Duff said. You might have some kids that were retained and initially did better, but then faced some sort of other hardships, whether they were facing homelessness or something, he said. Theres a lot of other factors. -Retained third graders improved quickly. Ninety percent increased their score on the English language arts test in the repeated year of third grade. This is significant, the study said, because standardized tests look not only at proficiency but also at growth in scores. Fifty-three percent of retained third-grade students increased a performance level; 21% achieved proficiency. While the study shows the benefits of repeating third grade when struggling with reading, state lawmakers and educators who want to eliminate the retention requirement point to other research that shows the retention policy hasnt resulted in overall significantly better test scores for fourth-grade readers over time. Threatened with the crushing threat of having to repeat the third grade, kids get test anxiety and some perform poorly on the tests sometimes receiving scores that are lower than their actual capabilities. While the study showed the benefits of the retention requirement, the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, isnt improving reading scores overall. A review of 15 years of Ohio literacy scores on the Nations Report Card, also called the National Assessment of Education Progress, showed fourth-grade reading scores barely budged. The review looked at the years 2002 to 2017, which includes years before and after the Third Grade Reading Requirement and its retention requirement went into effect, beginning in the 2013-2014 year. In 2007, 28% of fourth graders reached proficiency, compared to 29% in 2017. Laura Hancock covers state government and politics for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. South Africa: Progress is being made to resolve national electricity crisis, says President President Cyril Ramaphosa says although South Africa is facing an electricity crisis that appears unrelenting, government is making progress in resolving the challenge. The President was delivering his replies to the debate on The Presidencys Budget Vote in Parliament on Thursday. We have been forthright about the challenges the country faces. The anger and frustration that South Africans feel in the face of sustained load shedding is understandable. At times like this, the electricity crisis appears unrelenting, as if there is no end in sight. Yet, if one considers the work that is being done and the progress that is being made as outlined yesterday by Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa it is clear that we have solid ground for hope. While we have been honest and forthright about the difficult months ahead, we are confident that the measures now in place, including the massive new investment in electricity generation capacity, will enable us to end load shedding and achieve energy security, he said. Operation Vulindlela Turning to matters of cooperative governance, President Ramaphosa said The Presidency is driving collaboration between different government departments, State-owned enterprises (SEOs) and public entities through programmes such as Operation Vulindlela. The latest quarterly progress report on the work of Operation Vulindlela was released earlier this week. It shows that we are moving ahead with reforms that will have a profound effect on the capabilities of our economy into the future, he said. The President emphasised that all spheres of government must work together to better the lives of South Africans. Cooperative governance is a key tenet of the Constitution, and obliges all organs of State to cooperate with one another, consult on matters of common interest and coordinate their actions and legislation. This is not optional, not for national government, or for provinces and municipalities, he said. This cooperation, the President said, is evidenced in the strengthening and implementation of the District Development Model (DDM) geared at placing the municipal district at the centre of an integrated approach to development across the three spheres of government. The [DDM] should assist in addressing some of the problems at local level and better use the powers, capacity and resources of national and provincial governments to ensure effective service delivery, he said. Facing challenges President Ramaphosa emphasised that South Africa has faced some of its most pressing challenges since the sixth administration, which he leads, took office in 2019. Before this administration was a year into its term, a devastating pandemic swept across the world, causing the loss of more than six million lives across the globe and more than 100 000 in our own country. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered what the OECD described as one of the worst job crises since the Great Depression. By some estimates, more than 225 million jobs were lost worldwide, including a substantial number in our own country. Besides the pandemic, we experienced deadly civil unrest in July 2021 that cost over 300 lives and the loss of an estimated R50 billion to the economy. International instability is fuelling higher fuel and food prices, increasing the cost of living for millions of South Africans. On top of all this, we are in the grip of an energy crisis that is many years in the making, the seeds of which were planted more than two decades ago, he said. However, President Ramaphosa insisted that these challenges provide a context and perspective to the work that government has undertook. I state all this not to explain away any of the unresolved challenges we face as a country. I state them because perspective is, as always, critical. Despite the effects of all of these developments, we have been working with determination to fulfil the electoral mandate given to this administration in 2019, he said. The President acknowledged the weaknesses in many parts of the State. We are prepared to own up to our shortcomings and work to correct them; but what we are not prepared to do is to give up. We are not prepared to surrender to pessimism and doubt. We are moving forward with rebuilding, with reform, with recovery and with fundamental social and economic change. These are difficult and painful times. But we will overcome our challenges and we will emerge a better, stronger and more united nation, President Ramaphosa said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-06-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. YORK COUNTY, S.C. A 25-year-old South Carolina man was arrested Tuesday after he used a spray-painted Nintendo Duck Hunt video game pistol to rob a convenience store. David Joseph Dalesandro of Sharon, South Carolina, was arrested on charges of armed robbery on May 30. Dalesandro entered the Sharon Kwik Stop at 5:45 p.m. that day and presented the fake gun while wearing a mask, wig, and a hoodie, officials say. After flashing the plastic Duck Hunt pistol in his waistband, Dalesandro demanded money from the cash register and left with approximately $300, according to a York County Sheriffs Office news release. Deputies apprehended Dalesandro shortly after when they found him in the parking lot of a Dollar General down the street from the Kwik Stop. They found the fake gun in Dalesandros pants and thereafter arrested him and booked him into the York County Detention Center, according to the release. Duck Hunt is a 1984 Nintendo video game where players use the gaming pistol known as the NES Zapper to shoot ducks that appear on the screen. The NES Zapper is most commonly sold in a gray color with an orange trigger, while Dalesandros Duck Hunt gaming pistol was spraypainted black. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Starting Monday, Cuyahoga County and Summit County bus riders will be able to travel between the two with ease. The Akron METRO Regional Transit Authority will begin running fixed-route bus service to and from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authoritys Southgate Transit Center, at 5491 Warrensville Center Road in Maple Heights . It will also make stops at METRO bus stops along Northfield Road in Cuyahoga County. Riders will be able to transfer from one bus authority to the other to reach various destinations between Cleveland and Akron. This is a huge win for residents of Cuyahoga County who may be looking for access to industrial jobs in Macedonia and Twinsburg, and for Summit County residents looking to access the vast opportunities in GCRTAs network, GCRTA Chief Operating Officer Flounsay Caver said in a news release Thursday. The collaboration between GCRTA and Akron METRO RTA provides new mobility opportunities and demonstrates the benefits of regional cooperation. The new Akron METRO RTA routes are numbers 31 and 32. Those routes will run every hour on weekdays and Saturdays, through Hudson, Twinsburg, Stow and Macedonia, continuing on to Northfield and ending at GCRTAs Southgate Transit Center in Cuyahoga County. I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Akron METRO RTA in providing integrated and innovative transportation solutions that increase service across the region and enhances the riding experience for our customers, GCRTAs General Manager and CEO India Birdsong Terry said. Akron METRO RTA bus route schedules can be found by visiting www.yourmetrobus.org/bus-schedules.aspx. Riders can also use the Transit app to purchase tickets or plan a trip. CLEVELAND, Ohio The North Shore AFL-CIO announced Thursday that the president of a local musicians union is its new executive secretary, though its recently ousted leader is appealing his firing. Leonard DiCosimo was appointed as the organizations new leader last week, according to a news release from the North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor. DiCosimo has been president of the Cleveland Federation of Musicians, Local 4 AFM, since 2005. He previously served on the North Shore AFL-CIOs board and as the organizations treasurer. The North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, Clevelands largest labor organization representing about 85,000 members across about 150 unions, removed Dan OMalley from his position as executive secretary in April after a little more than two years on the job. OMalley said Thursday that he is still appealing that decision. About 400 of the federations delegates will vote on whether or not to reinstate him on June 14. DiCosimo was part of the faculty at both Baldwin Wallace University and Lakeland Community College. He has also performed as an associate artists for Cleveland Opera on Tour in Playhouse Square, the Great Lakes Theatre Festival and the Cleveland Playhouse. The North Shore AFL-CIO did not address OMalleys appeal in its announcement. Cleveland.com has reached out for comment. OMalleys ousting centered around his use of the organizations credit card for personal expenses, and reimbursement checks he wrote that initially couldnt be cashed. According to both the North Shore AFL-CIOs board and OMalley, he used the federations credit card for some personal expenses when on business trips, and would write checks to the credit card company to cover his personal costs. The board said doing this didnt violate the organizations credit card policy, because it doesnt have one. But some of OMalleys checks initially couldnt be cashed due to insufficient funds. Because of the bounced checks, the board said OMalley was guilty of not reimbursing the organization and of misappropriating funds. OMalley said he has since paid the organization back for all expenses he owed. Sean McDonnell covers business and consumer topics for cleveland.com. You can reach him at smcdonnell@cleveland.com You can read more Cleveland business stories at cleveland.com/business/. Rotunda Rumblings Gas and go: In the first day under a new legal regime, eight companies applied to the state seeking to drill for oil and gas under state lands, Jake Zuckerman reports. Soon the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will post public notice of the nominations, which triggers a public comment period before the newly formed Oil and Gas Land Management Commission decides whether to allow the drilling. Chronic issue: A newly introduced bipartisan bill in the Ohio House would legalize recreational marijuana for adult use and allow home growing. State Rep. Jamie Callender, a Lake County Republican, said House Bill 168 is similar to a bill he introduced in the last legislative session, however, the timing is different. A coalition of medical marijuana businesses are backing a recreational marijuana initiated statute that could be on ballots in November. Callender said hes working to convince GOP leaders that with his bill, also sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Casey Weinstein of Hudson, the legislature could have control over the details of adult use, Laura Hancock reports. On track: Gov. Mike DeWine has nominated former top aide Dan McCarthy to serve on the Ohio State Racing Commission. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, critics say McCarthy is tainted by his past leadership of a dark-money group that routed money from FirstEnergy to then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householders political operation, though the longtime Democrat does have past experience owning a racehorse. Special delivery: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown wants to close a loophole in trade law that exempts packages valued at under $800 from U.S. duties, taxes and fees, Sabrina Eaton writes. More than 2 million of those parcels enter the United States each day, according to Brown. He calls it a backdoor way for Chinese companies to ship goods to the United States without paying tariffs. Art of the deal: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan spent the evening before a House of Representatives vote on President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthys budget deal urging his reluctant colleagues to support it, Eaton writes. After a cluster of fellow Republicans in the House Freedom Caucus that Jordan co-founded denounced the Fiscal Responsibility Act as a swamp deal that would increase the national debt, Champaign Countys Jordan says he made pitches for the deal to GOP congress members and gave a House Republican Conference meeting a rundown of why he supports it. Checkbooks open: Wondering how to support the campaigns for and against State Issue 1, the proposal to make it harder to amend the Ohio Constitution that will be decided in an Aug. 8 special election? Andrew Tobias reports on the ways both sides of the issue are raising money. Hes out: Port Clinton Republican J.R. Majewski announced on Twitter that hes abandoning his second bid for the congressional seat held by Toledo Democrat Marcy Kaptur due to his mothers health. Last cycle, I lost my father before the primary election and I cant risk not giving my full attention to my family, he wrote. Majewski lost to Kaptur last year after the Associated Press reported he misrepresented his military service and national Republicans canceled ad buys on his behalf. Bundle of joy: The Ohio Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed Senate Bill 39, which would end sales taxes on diapers, strollers, cribs, baby monitors, car seats and other infant items. The bill now heads to the Ohio House, which already passed the tax exemptions in the states two-year budget bill. Gov. Mike DeWines budget recommendations also eliminate the taxes. Sixteen states currently exempt baby products from sales taxes. Budget calendar: For Capitol Square insiders interested in knowing the schedule for the states two-year budget bill, now in the Ohio Senate, Senate President Matt Huffman said a substitute bill with the Senates amendments is expected to be unveiled June 6. He hopes the chamber passes the bill around June 15. That would give the House and Senate the rest of the month to negotiate their differences in the budget. Expect to see tax cuts, school funding changes that he says will be more predictable so districts can better estimate what theyre going to receive for years in advance, and more private school vouchers. Hitting the brakes: Huffman is not a fan of the $1 billion rural highway fund in the Houses version of the two-year state budget bill. In Ohio, the Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) normally helps the Ohio Department of Transportation prioritize highway projects. The state has traffic engineers and planners who have more expertise on where pavement is needed than politicians, he said. The Senates initial version of the two-year budget bill removed the $1 billion, and based on Huffmans remarks, its unlikely to reappear in next weeks Senate substitute bill. The matter will likely be hashed out between the chambers in a conference committee later this month. Croatian caucus: U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce will serve as co-chair of the Congressional Croatian Congress, a bipartisan group that promotes bilateral cultural exchange between the United States and Croatia, seeking to expand the friendship between the two nations by highlighting shared values, engaging in cross cultural cooperation, and advancing business and trade opportunities across the Atlantic. Northeast Ohio is home to roughly 15,000 Americans whose primary ancestry is Croatian, representing the fourth largest concentration of Croatians in the United States, Joyce says. Trash talk: State Sen. Bill Reineke, a Tiffin Republican, has introduced legislation that would change Ohios trash laws in an effort to reduce the amount of out-of-state garbage being dumped in the Sunny Farms Landfill in Seneca County. As Jim Provance of the Toledo Blade reports, Senate Bill 119, if passed, would raise state trash fees from $4.75 per ton to $8.50 per ton, allow Seneca County to leave its regional solid waste authority and regulate its own landfill, and require more local consultation before creating or expanding a landfill. Full Disclosure Five things we learned from the May 15, 2023, financial disclosure form filed by Ohio Senate Finance Committee Chair Matt Dolan, a Chagrin Falls Republican running for U.S. Senate next year. 1. In addition to his Ohio Senate salary of $82,174.20 in 2022, Dolan who comes from a wealthy family that owns the Cleveland Guardians received more than $100,000 last year from one family trust, as well as somewhere between $10,000 and $24,999 each from two other family trusts for which he serves as a trustee. 2. He also reported earning between $50,000 and $99,999 last year as vice president of the 422 Company, Ltd., as well as between $25,000 and $49,999 from his work as a partner at the Cleveland law firm of Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan. He also made somewhere between $10,000 and $24,999 as an executive with the Guardians, though he didnt list a specific job title with the team, and somewhere in the same pay range from serving as vice president of 7th Avenue Management, Inc. 3. Not including his primary residence, Dolan owns two pieces of real estate in Geauga County. 4. At some point last year, Dolan owed at least $1,000 to Chase Financial, Subaru Motors, Classic Ford-Lincoln, Infiniti and a Chase Mastercard. 5. For Dolans trip to Israel last year as part of a trade mission, the Bellefaire Jewish Childrens Bureau and Ohio Jewish Communities each gave him hotel accommodations, transportation, meals, drinks, and tour guide services worth a combined $1,508.20. Birthdays Tod Ralstin, Ohio House document services officer Charles Anderson, Ohios 27th governor (1814-1895) Straight From The Source You can say gravity isnt true, but if you step off the cliff, youre going down. And if you teach other people that gravity is not true, you are morally responsible for anything that happens to them if they make decisions based on the information you provided. - Katharine Hayhoe, a political science professor at Texas Tech University, speaking to Dan Gearino of Inside Climate News about Ohios Senate Bill 83, which if passed would prohibit faculty at public colleges and universities in Ohio from teaching that global warming is an indisputable fact. Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free. OBERLIN, Ohio Hey America: If youre tired of MAGA anti-woke culture war politics and youd like to see a cultural response from the opposite side of the ideological spectrum, Ohio has an art museum for you: The Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College. Special exhibitions on view now at the Allen explore everything from racism at the St. Louis Worlds Fair in 1904 to the question of how artworks communicate the idea of sexual consent a big topic on college campuses, and in workplaces. These subjects would probably not be discussed in the future at Sarasotas New College of Florida, the states liberal art college, which Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wants to turn into a conservative-leaning school as part of his fight against wokeness and indoctrination. To be sure, art museums across the U.S. have embraced racial justice and cultural diversity with newfound fervor after the police murder of the unarmed George Floyd in Minneapolis in the summer of 2020. Its not unusual now to see exhibitions organized to increase racial equity or diversify a museums audience. But such leanings are nothing new at the Allen Memorial Art Museum. For more than a century, the museum has been a critically important anchor at a small liberal arts college long associated with progressive thought, going back to its 19th-century role as a haven for abolitionist opponents of Black chattel slavery. Distinguished history Since it opened in 1917, the Allens excellent collection has grown to encompass more than 15,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of art history. The museum occupies a beautiful building designed by architect Cass Gilbert, who also designed New Yorks Woolworth Building. Instead of the Gothic style Gilbert used for his New York spire, he shaped the Allen to resemble an Italian Renaissance palazzo stretching out horizontally to echo the Midwestern horizon. Following through on its innovative sensibilities, the museum added an expansion in 1977 designed by architects Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. The new wing earned international fame as an early icon of the postmodernist movement in design, known for ironic quotations from pop culture and classical architecture. The architecture also echoes the museums longstanding embrace of cutting-edge contemporary art. But this summer, especially, the museum seems eager to address the culture wars, although its not saying so overtly. The tone of the exhibitions on view is scholarly and above the fray, but theres no mistaking the museums opposition to the current right-wing campaign against the teaching of Black history or the pursuit of rights for LGBTQ persons. A show titled Where Is Consent in Art Museums? asks whether viewing an image of desire or sexual violence somehow implicates the viewer in the power dynamics at play in the artwork. Organized by Hannah Kinney, curator of academic programs, and Sam Adams, assistant curator of modern and contemporary art, the exhibition is on view through August 22. The museums website says the show allows us to think critically about sexual power dynamics that appear throughout art' by juxtaposing images of sexual violence with positive examples of consensual desire by artists utilizing Black, feminist, and queer frameworks.' That kind of framing is exactly what DeSantis would call indoctrination. But heres the great thing: The art on view in Oberlin has the last word, as it always does. You can take or leave the labels. Its possible to imagine how the very same works in the Consent' show, ranging from an ancient Roman sculpture of an adolescent male representing Pothos, a winged god of desire, to a portrait collage by contemporary Black artist Mickalene Thomas, could be combined or recombined to illustrate different views and different arguments. Fighting racism Still, its clear that the Allen is sympathetic to contemporary artists whose politics lean left. One example is a show titled Afterimages (Deflection of a Vision), which focuses on a small group of recently acquired photographic works by the Filipino-American artist Stephanie Syjuco. Syjucos works reproduce vintage photographs she discovered in the archives of the Missouri Historical Society that documented a now-notorious exhibit at the St. Louis Worlds Fair in 1904 in which some 1,000 Filipinos from various ethnic groups were displayed to fairgoers in what is now called a human zoo. In his recent book, The Broken Heart of America, Harvard historian Walter Johnson described the display of Filipinos at the fair as part of the deep current of racism flowing through the history of St. Louis, from Dred Scotts failure to achieve freedom from slavery through the courts before the Civil War to 21st-century redlining. Syjuco printed her reproduced images of the Filipinos on finely-textured gampi paper, which she then crinkled to obscure the faces of the people on display in the zoo, and to express how the Worlds Fair treated them as less than completely human. Of course, artworks such as Syjucos impose todays political and social viewpoints on the past, when different moral beliefs held sway. That approach is also apparent in Like a Good Armchair, an exhibition in the museums 1977 addition that examines how 20th- and 21st-century artists have used chairs, whether empty or occupied, to explore new ways to represent reality. Adams organized the show, also on view through August 22, as an introduction to the museums excellent holdings in modern and contemporary art. He also framed it as a riff on a famous statement by Henri Matisse, who said that art should offer a soothing, calming influence on the mind, something like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue. To the contrary, the shows text panels and labels argue, depictions of seats or sitting can now be read as efforts to expose power dynamics involving privilege and identity from royal court etiquette to Civil Rights sit-ins, disability activism, and manspreading. The point is to highlight what the exhibition calls the racial, ableist, gendered, classist, and ageist politics of who gets to sit, when, and how. This may sound like indoctrination. But in a college setting, its an academic argument. One can agree or disagree. Its up to the viewer to decide whether the shows framing language offers a persuasive context for several dozen works by artists ranging from Pablo Picasso to Andy Warhol. Does Margarita Cabreras 2006 Bicicleta azul platino (Platinum Blue Bicycle), a soft sculpture made of vinyl, foam, string, and wire, refer solely to her experience as a Mexican immigrant growing up in Texas? Or is it also part of the tradition of Pop Art soft sculptures by artists including Claes Oldenburg? Can it be read more than one way? You decide. Is Alison Saars 2001 sculpture Lave Tete, a mixed-media sculpture of a Black woman bent double with a tower of pots and pans rising from her back, simply an image of oppression, or does it embody powerful artistic skills and mastery of materials? Can it be both? Does it match the former description more effectively because it emphatically matches the latter description? Whats clear throughout the show is that Adams wants to complicate the theme of the chair, empty or occupied, as a guiding focus for an exhibition. His show more than meets that goal. Government control Todays culture warriors on the political right are eager to use the tools of big government to police the content of school libraries and classrooms, which sounds like real indoctrination. Widely covered incidents in which conservative speakers have been silenced by hecklers on liberal-leaning campuses are inexcusable. But thats different from the government deciding what can be read or taught. To see what can go awry when the government controls culture its good to turn to another exhibition on view at the Allen, titled, Riding the Strong Currents: 20th and 21st Century Chinese Paintings from the AMAM Collection. Organized by Kevin Greenwood, the curator of Asian art, the show, on view through June 11, juxtaposes examples of government-approved Socialist Realism with traditional Chinese ink paintings, which occupied an ambiguous position under Mao Zedong. During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, traditional Chinese paintings of forested mountainsides and misty lakes were considered part of a corrupt old culture that Maos followers wanted to erase, violently. Yet the ink-painting tradition survived under the Communist regime, as examples on view in the museum indicate. Socialist Realism, on the other hand, was an aesthetic import from the Soviet Union, imposed by Chinese authorities as the countrys new official style. Examples in the show include Climbing Over the Great Snow Mountain, a heroic tableau by the painter Shen Jiawei depicting the Communist hero Zhou Enlai leading a tattered band of soldiers on the Long March in 1934 when the Communist Red Army escaped pursuit by nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek. The painting is a stirring image of military derring-do on a snowy, wind-whipped mountain pass. But its also the product of a system that told artists what they could and could not paint. Its unthinkable that anything similar could happen in the U.S. Then again, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2020 requiring all new federal buildings would be designed in the classical style. Soviet authorities in the 1930s would have applauded. President Joe Biden revoked the Trump order in 2021. If this summers exhibitions at the Allen leave the impression that Oberlin Colleges art museum is a one-note institution with a political axe to grind over everything it does, that would be false. In recent years the institution has organized outstanding exhibitions on everything from Rembrandt etchings to Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and the work of conceptual artist Sol LeWitt, and sculptor Eva Hesse. The Allen is a vital, vibrant institution that has explored art history from a wide range of viewpoints and no doubt will do so in the future. This summer, amid a culture war led by the right, its exhibitions and the guiding principles behind them, are especially resonant. The Allen is raising questions worth asking. And were lucky in Northeast Ohio to have a museum willing to ask them. WASHINGTON, D. C. The U.S. Senate voted 52 - 46 Thursday to rescind a student loan forgiveness program that President Joe Biden announced last year. Ohios U.S. Senators split on the measure, with Cincinnati Republican JD Vance voting to overturn the program and Cleveland Democrat Sherrod Brown voting to to support it. This resolution would just make a broken system worse, said a statement from Brown. You shouldnt have to take on massive debt to get a good-paying job and thats why Ill keep fighting to make education and training more affordable for college, community college, technical schools, and apprenticeships. Cleveland.com has reached out to Vances office for comment. Related Story: Have a student loan? Debt ceiling deal means youll need to restart payments Biden last summer announced plans to cancel up to $20,000 of student loan debt held by the U.S. Department of Education for borrowers who make less than $125,000 per year, or $250,000 for married couples. The potential debt relief has been on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court weighs its legality. Republicans immediately objected to the proposal, saying it would benefit the wealthy and was unfair to people who did not take out student loans and those who paid them off. When taking out debt, borrowers understand they are responsible for paying back what they borrowed, said a statement that U.S. Rep. Bob Latta of Bowling Green released when Bidens plan was announced. This decision signals to future students who decide to take out student loans that they may never have to pay them back. This irresponsible action is a slap in the face to everyone who has already worked hard to pay off their student loans. Disturbingly, todays announcement shifts the responsibility of paying off the remaining debt from the student to all American taxpayers, even if they chose not to pursue a college degree. The House of Representatives last week voted to reject the loan forgiveness by a 218 to 203 margin, with support from all Ohios Republicans and opposition from all its Democrats. The White House says Biden will veto the measure. It did not pass the House or Senate by a sufficient margin to overturn a veto. A statement from the Office of Management and Budget said the student loan forgiveness programs rejection would deprive more than 40 million hard-working Americans of much-needed student debt relief and weaken the middle class. Nearly 90 percent of the relief provided by the Department of Education would go to Americans earning less than $75,000 per year, and no relief would go to any individual or household in the top 5 percent of incomes, the statement said. Americans should be able to have a little more breathing room as they recover from the economic strains associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. DUBLIN, Ireland Three things I learned in Dublin last week: * Irelands centuries-long struggle for independence from Great Britain, finally successful in 1922, pervades so much in this city its religion, its politics and its culture, and was an ongoing theme throughout my visit. * There are more people of Irish descent around the world than there are people in Ireland. * I never thought I liked Guinness, but Ive been drinking it all wrong. I was set straight on a tour of the Guinness Storehouse in downtown Dublin, and Im a new convert. Never ever ever sip on a pint of Guinness, said the tasting instructor at the Guinness Storehouse, part of the beermakers sprawling production complex in west Dublin, and one of the citys most popular tourist attractions. Instead, he instructed my group to gulp below the foam. The real flavor is found in the dark stout, he said. Ninety percent of the people who dont like Guinness complain about the harsh bitter flavor. If you sip on a Guinness, all you will taste is the bitter nitrogen head. The best way is to not drink the foam at all. Just touch the foam to your lips -- you should be creating a mustache of foam if youre doing it right. I would spend the next week perfecting my technique. It might have been the tastiest lesson, but learning the correct way to drink Guinness wasnt the only memorable activity crammed into 48 hours in Dublin. I took a crash course in Irish music, developed a better understanding of the complicated Irish-British relationship, and learned some of the reasons why millions of Irish have left the island over the centuries. I wandered the cobblestone streets of Temple Bar and strolled through lovely St. Stephens Green, pondered the purchase of a gorgeous wool sweater on Grafton Street and consumed an entire days worth of calories with a full Irish breakfast. Most of all, I developed a deep appreciation for Dubliners and their city, now easily accessible to Northeast Ohio travelers via a new, nonstop flight from Cleveland Hopkins. The overnight flight gets you to Ireland by 8:50 a.m., with a full day of fun ahead. Travel agent Mark Hollywood, with Auroras Travel Connection, told me he anticipated some Clevelanders might use the flight to book long weekends in Dublin. Thats not what I did. My two days in Dublin were the start to a nine-day trip around the island, which included four days along the west coast and two days in Northern Island. Depending on how much you enjoy big cities, two days in Dublin probably isnt enough. If I had one more day, I would have added another museum, some more music and another Guinness (or three). Heres what I did: Tour guide Daragh Fitzgerald, right, talks about Dublin Castle, built in the 1200s by "cowardly" King John of England. Fourteen political prisoners were executed at Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin in 1916, which helped ignite the movement for Irish independence. The iconic Guinness harp at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Historic walking tour and Kilmainham Gaol The flight landed at just before 9 a.m., I was out of the airport before 10 and was dropping off my luggage at my city center hotel by 10:30 a.m. To orient me to the city this was my first visit I booked a two-hour Historical Walking Tour of Dublin, led by recent Trinity College graduates. The two-hour tour spans thousands of years of Irish history, from the Viking raids to the Norman invasion to British rule. Guide Daragh Fitzgerald, with a masters degree in modern Irish history, set the tone of the tour with this statement: The last 1,000 years of Irish history were shaped by the countrys relationship with England. It was a very one-sided relationship. It was a colonization. That ended in 1922, with the Ango-Irish Treaty, creating the Irish Free State (later, the Republic of Ireland). The tour started at Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. The school boasts a long list of literary alumni, including Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker. The latter two were classmates and hated each other, according to Fitzgerald, because Bram Stoker stole Oscar Wildes girlfriend and married her. Catholic students were famously excluded from Trinity for centuries. Even after they were allowed to attend, Catholics were banned by their own church from attending. They said youd be brainwashed if you went there, said Fitzgerald. Despite the historical animosity between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, Fitzgerald cautioned against seeing the conflict through the prism of religion. Thats too easy, he said. Instead, the conflict was about power. And religion was used to justify it, he said. The tour took us past Dublin Castle, built by cowardly King John of England in the early 1200s, and the centuries-old Temple Bar area, now the citys primary nightlife district, with cobblestone streets and dozens of pubs and restaurants. We stopped for several minutes outside the grand General Post Office, built in 1814, still riddled with bullet holes from the 1916 Easter Rising, the rebellion that ultimately led to Irish independence. It was here, in April 1916, that Patrick Pearse and other leaders of the rebellion read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, Irelands equivalent of our Declaration of Independence. Its the foundation of our modern republic, said Fitzgerald. (Tour cost is 14 euros; to book: historicaltours.ie.) The walking tour dovetailed well with a tour at Kilmainham Gaol, located about 2 miles west of the post office. The jail famously housed the citys best-known political prisoners, including Pearse and numerous others arrested following the Easter Rising in 1916. The prison, built in 1796, closed in 1924, not long after Ireland achieved independence. It was the execution of numerous political prisoners here that helped secure that independence, said guide Joanne OConnor. Fourteen leaders of the Easter rebellion were executed here, including Pearse, all by firing squad. The prisoners were brought into the yard, blindfolded, their hands behind their back, a white target pinned over their heart, said OConnor. One, James Connolly, severely injured during the rebellion, had to be carried in on a stretcher and tied upright to a chair for his execution, an incident that finally generated widespread support for the rebellion. Up until that point, much of the public was ambivalent toward the cause in part because the rebellion occurred while Irish and British troops were fighting side by side in World War I. You could say it was here, in this yard, that Great Britain lost Ireland, said OConnor. Everything changed here, and it changed forever. Although it is best known for housing political prisoners, Kilmainham housed common criminals as well. In the mid-1800s, during the height of Irelands potato famine, the jail was filled with women and children, jailed for violating the 1847 Vagrancy Act, which made begging illegal. Among the prisoners: 5-year-old Matthew Rossiter, who was imprisoned for two and a half months for stealing a silver chain, most likely to be used to acquire food, said OConnor. (Access to the jail is by reserved tour only; cost is 8 euros; see kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie.) A memorial to victims of the Great Famine on the River Liffey in Dublin. St. Stephens Green, a 22-acre public park in Dublin's center city. Shopping for sweaters on Grafton Street in Dublin. Being a pedestrian from the U.S. in Dublin presents some challenges. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum The potato famine figures prominently in the EPIC museum, which opened in 2016 along the River Liffey in Dublins Docklands area, just east of the city center. The museum chronicles the stories, both tragic and triumphant, of the Irish diaspora across the globe. The first half of the museum covers Motivation the reasons for leaving, which include education, missionary work and political persecution, but mostly economic opportunity. Irelands population decreased by 25% following the great famine, when a disease decimated the potato crop for several years in the mid-1800s, leading to mass starvation and migration. More than 1.5 million Irish headed to the United States in the late 19th century. In New York City alone, five out of six police officers were of Irish descent by the turn of the 20th century, according to the museum. The second half of the museum Influence celebrates the many achievements of the Irish diaspora, in literature, sports, science, arts, politics and more, from Tom Brady to Bob Geldof to Mariah Carey and Grace Kelly. Twenty-three U.S. presidents boast Irish heritage, from William McKinley to John Kennedy to Joe Biden, who was treated like a rock star during a visit to Ireland in April to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Agreement. The museum is highly interactive, with videos and on-screen reenactors telling the story of Irish emigrants, both famous and infamous. An exhibit on literature includes a library with books you can pull off the shelves to listen to passages of famous works, including Dracula by Bram Stoker and Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. A WhoDunIt game asks visitors to match the crime to the criminal, comparing the notorious behavior of Ned Kelly and Machine Gun Kelly. And an exhibit on food and drink includes an Irish Pub Quiz, with this true-false question: There are more Irish pubs in the USA than there are in Ireland. The answer true, with 1,700 in the United States compared to 860 in Ireland. Keep in mind, though, that Ireland is roughly the size of Indiana so the island nation certainly has more pubs for its geographic size. I visited at least a dozen of them in nine days of touring, including several in Dublin. Musicians Anthony Bools and Owen Kenny entertain a crowd at the Ha'penny Bridge Inn in Dublin. The Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Dublin's famous Ha'penny Bridge, built in 1816 over the River Liffey. Mural on the Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum Experience in Dublin's Temple Bar neighborhood. Pubs and Guinness and music My introduction to Dublins pubs was at the HaPenny Bridge Inn, where I joined the Musical Pub Crawl, which features two local musicians talking about their craft while playing a variety of Irish tunes. Several dozens of us listened attentively while Anthony Booster Bools, on guitar and vocals, and Owen Kenny, on the uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes), entertained us with songs and stories of their countrys musical heritage. Much of Irish music has its roots in hardship, said Kenny, a result of British rule that banned books, education and property ownership. The music survived, he said. It was all we had. Bools noted that many people think the Irish sing a lot of drinking songs. He offered this distinction: We have songs about drinking. Theyre all cautionary tales usually written by our wives or our mothers. The music crawl is offered most nights, featuring two musicians in two different locations (you walk to the second location about halfway through). Featured instruments can include the fiddle, banjo, button accordion, harp and the bodhran, a drum that sounds like dancing feet, according to Bools. (Tour cost is 19 euros; information musicalpubcrawl.com). Educated on the basics of Irish music, I needed to be set straight on the basics of Irish beer. I headed to the Guinness Storehouse for that lesson. The Storehouse is located in the brewerys former fermentation plant, which was relocated in 1988. The museum is spread across seven floors, starting with a primer on beers four main ingredients, yeast, barley, hops and water. Its the roasted barley that gives Guinness its signature taste, color and aroma, heated to 450 degrees F (any hotter, it catches fire). Nitrogen was added in the 1950s, which gives the beer its famous surge and settle effect, as well as its smooth, creamy taste. The museum features exhibits on the brewing process, Guinness advertising and historic artifacts, including the 9,000-year lease that Arthur Guinness signed in 1759 when he started the brewery. Its all a bit promotional, but theres a reason this company has been around for nearly 300 years. At the end of the tour, visitors take a tasting lesson and exchange their ticket for a pint at one of several bars, including the penthouse Gravity Bar, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering terrific views of the city. (Tour cost is 26-30 euros; information: www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/home) It was the first of many pints I would consume over the coming days in Dublin and beyond. Daragh Fitzgerald, our walking tour guide, said Guinness tastes different at every pub, based on the way its poured, the age of the bars pipes and other factors. I didnt just take his word for it I taste-tested the beer all over town, at ONeills and Darkey Kellys in the Temple Bar neighborhood, and Patriots Inn near Kilmainham Gaol. Each one was a bit different creamy, smooth, mellow and delicious -- always gulped, never sipped. Pedestrian-friendly shopping in the Grafton Street area of Dublin. The Harding Hotel in Dublin. If you go: Two days in Dublin Where to stay: Dublin hotels are expensive, especially on weekends. I stayed at the Harding Hotel, a three-star hotel in a historic building in a terrific location adjacent to the Temple Bar neighborhood. I paid about $250 a night. What I didnt do: For time considerations, I omitted what is one of the top sites in Dublin, the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript containing the four Gospels of the New Testament, an exquisite example of medieval artistry crafted by Celtic monks around 800 AD. The manuscript is located in the Trinity College library, accessed by advance reservation. Two pages are typically displayed, under glass, surrounded by a crowd of visitors. The tour also includes an exhibit explaining the importance of the work. For information: visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells/ From the airport to the city center: We opted for the Dublin Express, an express bus with regular departures from the airport to numerous spots along the riverfront in Dublins center city. Cost was 10 euros roundtrip if purchased in advance. Information: dublinexpress.ie More information: visitdublin.com Read more: First flight on Aer Lingus: Go to sleep in Cleveland, wake up in Dublin Coming later this summer: Exploring Irelands west coast, from Dingle to Donegal, the Cliffs of Moher and Achill Island Two days in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, the Titanic museum and Giants Causeway Sign up for our newest newsletter, Travels with Susan, delivered to your email inbox every Thursday. The newsletter features the latest from Travel editor Susan Glaser, plus favorite stories from the past few years. Sign up at cleveland.com/newsletters The eight best teams in college softball will battle to be crowned national champion in Oklahoma City starting on Thursday, June 1 with the 2023 Womens College World Series. The double-elimination tournament wraps up with a best-of-three series beginning Wednesday, June 7 to decide the national champion. WATCH EVERY GAME LIVE FOR FREE: Fubo.tv (free trial); DirecTV Stream (free trial); Hulu + Live TV (free trial). Also, Sling TV (promotional offers) and ESPN+. Headlining the field is two-time defending national champion Oklahoma, which comes into the WCWS as the top seed with a record of 56-1 this season. Among the teams trying to deny Oklahoma a third consecutive national title is No. 3 Florida State, which is 55-9. What: 2023 Womens College World Series. When: Thursday, June 1-Friday, June 9, 2023. Where: USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, Oklahoma City (13,000). TV: ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. Cable channel finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, WOW. Live streams: Fubo.tv (free trial); DirecTV Stream (free trial); Hulu + Live TV (free trial). Also, Sling TV (promotional offers) and ESPN+. Here is Thursdays schedule for June 1 (Eastern time): No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 5 Alabama, noon (ESPN) No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Stanford, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 6 Oklahoma State, 7 p.m. (ESPN) No. 7 Washington vs. No. 15 Utah, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN) Check out the full Womens College World Series schedule online, including TV listings. For team hats, shirts or other gear: Visit Fanatics, Lids, Champs Sports, Dicks Sporting Goods or New Era. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff told CNBC's Jim Cramer on Wednesday that artificial intelligence will be and already is a boon for the cloud software company, especially when it comes to one of its recently acquired products, messaging application Slack. "My dream is that all that data that's inside Slack, well, as we work on our own [large language model], that Slack is almost going to like wake up and become intelligent itself," Benioff told Cramer. "It's going to be an incredible revelation for our customers, that they've got intelligence by their side with Slack." Slack announced earlier this month that it plans to add a whole host of generative AI features to the program, including "Slack GPT," which can summarize messages, take notes and even help improve message tone, among other things. "It means that Slack is going to be my assistant, my partner, my copilot, it's helping me to run my company, just as Salesforce GPT is going to let me, be my copilot in running all of my customer relationships," Benioff continued. He added that Salesforce's use of AI has already started to benefit its clients, from New York's Northwell Health hospital group to luxury retailer Gucci, which used Salesforce's AI products to enhance their call center employees' performance. Benioff stressed that Gucci's case shows that AI will enhance workers, not make them obsolete. "We thought it's just going to make them much more productive in handling cases," Benioff said. "It actually transformed the call center agents into sales agents, into marketing agents, it gave them capabilities they did not have, it augmented them." Salesforce reported a decent quarter on Wednesday after the market's close, with profits up 68% year to date by the market's close. First-quarter revenue was $8.25 billion, comfortably exceeding the $8.18 billion estimate. Salesforce (CRM) topped expectations in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2024, while providing strong guidance for the second quarter and raising its margin outlook for the rest of the year once again proving that this is a transformed company balancing profitable growth at scale. Revenue for the three months ended April 30 grew 11% year-over-year, to $8.25 billion, exceeding analysts' forecasts of $8.18 billion, according to estimates compiled by Refinitiv. Non-GAAP* earnings-per-share (EPS) of $1.69, beat the $1.61-per-share EPS predicted by analysts, Refinitiv data showed. Operating margins came in at 5% on a GAAP basis, and 27.6% on non-GAAP basis, compared with expectations of 6.5% and 25.9%, respectively, according to FactSet. Operating cash flow increased 22% from the previous year, to $4.49 billion, beating estimates of $3.76 billion, FactSet data showed. Free cash flow of $4.25 billion outpaced the $3.55 billion forecasted by analysts, according to FactSet. However, the guidance boost was not enough for the stock to overcome lofty expectations ahead of the earnings release, with the stock up 68% this year and trading at a 52-week high. The small beat and raise are prompting some profit-taking, resulting in shares falling roughly 6% after hours Wednesday, to around $210 apiece. But with management committed to margin expansion, we're sticking by the name. * GAAP denotes generally accepted accounting principles. Bottom line The last time the company reported earnings, the market marveled at how fast it was delivering on its profitability goals. While the magnitude of the operating-margin beat wasn't as large this time around, we remain impressed with how efficient the company has become in such a short period of time. It's no secret that the enterprise software industry is going through a difficult period right now. The best way to offset sluggish revenue growth is by driving profitability higher and Salesforce stepped up to the task. With CEO Marc Benioff more engaged than ever, winning over activists who pressed for tough but necessary changes, securing new customer wins, and shepherding the business into this new stage of generative artificial intelligence (AI), better times are still ahead for Salesforce. Shares are pulling back in afterhours trading, but we don't see the decline as a reflection of the quarter. Did management need to raise the full-year outlook more after beating this quarter and providing upside second-quarter guidance? Probably, but the economic environment is far from simple. More importantly, this evening's decline is more of a reflection of how big of a move the stock has made this year in what has become a difficult market outside of tech. We have not been chasers of tech into the extraordinary runs the group has made over the past few weeks. But with our long-term view on Salesforce unchanged, coupled with the stock backing off its recent highs, we can look to be more opportunistic. Quarterly Commentary We are pleased to see Salesforce beat across so many key metrics, despite the challenging macroeconomic environment. The deal environment continues to be less favorable than years past, with many taking longer to close (elongated deal cycles) and smaller in size (deal compression). Still, Salesforce said it continues to see strong adoption of its cloud offerings from customers who are in need of reducing complexity and speeding up processes relative to value. Geographically, on a constant currency basis, sales increased 10% year-over-year in the Americas, 17% in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and 24% in the Asia Pacific region (APAC). Despite the difficult operating environment, Salesforce's revenue attrition remains quite low, at 8%, particularly considering the slowdown in the global economy. New deals may be taking longer to close but the low attrition rates show that enterprise customers can't afford to leave Salesforce's mission-critical software products once in use. They can't afford to miss out on those productivity gains. On the margin side, in order to generate a 1,000-basis-point improvement in the short span of 12 months, a company must really drive efficiencies across each and every part of its business. Looking under Salesforce's hood, its expenses as a percent of revenue are down in every major category relative to last year. Marketing and sales as a percent of revenue was 32% compared to 38% last year; cost of revenues is down to 21% of revenue compared to 22% last year; research and development is down to 12% compared to 14% last year; and general and administrative is a tick lower at 7% versus 8% last year. Reducing headcount helps, too. Salesforce ended the quarter with 72,970 full time employees, down from 77,810 last year. With the support of Salesforce's increased cash flow, the company made good on its commitment to repurchase stock to offset dilution from stock-based compensation. The company bought back $2.1 billion worth of shares in the quarter, resulting in a 1% decline in its diluted share count from last year. The company still has about $13.9 billion remaining on a $20 billion share-repurchase program. Salesforce management on Wednesday noted the company has integrated generative AI into its products. Whether it be Einstein GPT , which conducted 1 trillion transactions for its customers this week, Slack GPT, which helps users quickly summarize conversations, or Tableau GPT, which simplifies data analysis for its users, Salesforce is harnessing the power of AI to allow its customers to be more productive. "The coming wave of generative AI will be more evolutionary than any technology innovation that's come before," CEO Marc Benioff said Wednesday. Salesforce will hold an AI Day event on June 12 to outline more of its strategy around the technology. Outlook Following its strong fiscal first-quarter results, management outlined several positive adjustments to its full-year outlook. Although the company left its revenue prediction unchanged, at $34.5 billion to $34.7 billion, the company expects its profitability will come in better than previously anticipated. Salesforce now sees its GAAP operating margin at 11.4%, compared to a prior outlook of 10.8%, and its non-GAAP operating margin at 28%, compared to a previous estimate of 27%. With margins higher, the company raised what it expects to earn per share for the year. Salesforce raised its GAAP EPS range to $2.67 to $2.69, up from $2.59 to $2.61, and non-GAAP EPS range to $7.41 to $7.43, up from $7.12 to $7.14. Both new EPS ranges are above the consensus estimates of $2.67 and $7.17 per share. For its fiscal second quarter, Salesforce guided revenues to be in a range of $8.51 billion to $8.53 billion, with GAAP EPS coming in at 79 cents to 80 cents and non-GAAP EPS at $1.89 to $1.90. Compared to consensus estimates, these figures are beats across the board. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long CRM. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Marc Benioff, co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, speaks at an Economic Club of Washington luncheon in Washington, DC, on Oct. 18, 2019. Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Images Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing subsidiary of Alibaba, unveiled its ChatGPT-style product Tongyi Qianwen during the 2023 Alibaba Cloud Summit on Tuesday morning. Alibaba on Thursday began rolling out its ChatGPT-style technology as Chinese tech giants look to take a lead in the country's artificial intelligence race. ChatGPT, developed by U.S. firm OpenAI, is an AI chatbot that can answer questions when prompted by a user. It has gone viral, sparking huge interest in the area of generative AI, the technology which underpins ChatGPT. Last month, Alibaba revealed Tongyi Qianwen, its large language model a system that is trained on huge amounts of data in order to recognize and generate content. Alibaba's cloud computing division, which is leading the AI charge for the company, said Thursday that Tongyi Qianwen will be integrated into a digital assistant called Tingwu. Tongyi Tingwu, the AI-powered assistant, will be able to analyze multimedia content and generate a text summary from video and audio files, according to Alibaba. Southeast Asia's digital economy has plenty of growth potential, backed by strong fundamentals including over 460 million digital consumers, young and tech-savvy populations, as well as rising internet penetration. The digital economy across six countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc known as ASEAN-6 and comprising Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam is projected to grow 6% annually. That's according to the latest e-Conomy SEA 2022 report released by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company that predicted that market could reach as much as $1 trillion by 2030. But roadblocks remain. From the urban-rural divide to low digital literacy, the region continues to grapple with challenges that could hold back that growth. "ASEAN's digital economy is expanding, but there is the digital divide," said Anthony Toh, research analyst at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, a think-tank within Nanyang Technological University. "Singapore is the most digitalized ASEAN member. For Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand and Vietnam, they tend to be lacking in some indicators while Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia are lacking in digitalization prospects," said Toh. The 10-member bloc, a regional grouping that aims to promote economic and security cooperation, includes those countries and the Philippines. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Thursday that Ukraine's "rightful place" is within the NATO military alliance. Sunak said he agreed with comments made earlier Thursday by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that Ukraine is on the path toward NATO membership. "I agree with the NATO Secretary-General: Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO," Sunak told CNBC's Silvia Amaro. Britain's prime minister said that allied nations were sending a "strong signal" to Russian President Vladimir Putin that they would safeguard Ukraine's security arrangements for the long term. "We want to make sure that we put in place security arrangements for Ukraine for the long term, so that we send a very strong signal to Vladimir Putin that we're not going anywhere," he said. "We are here to stay and we will continuing backing Ukraine, not just now but for years into the future." Sunak was speaking in Moldova, where heads of state from EU and non-EU countries are gathered for the second annual meeting of the European Political Community. A clear majority of Americans who don't identify as LGBTQ+ believe companies should publicly support the community, according to a new survey from gay rights organization GLAAD. About 70% of more than 2,500 adults who don't identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or an otherwise member of the community said support from companies should come through hiring practices, advertising and sponsorships, according to online responses to GLAAD's annual "Accelerating Acceptance study," conducted in February. "When people are exposed to LGBTQ people and experiences in media it changes hearts and minds and shifts culture and sentiment," GLAAD said in its release. "Measuring comfortability in media is a pathway to 100% acceptance for LGBTQ people." Three out of 4 survey respondents said they feel comfortable seeing LGBTQ people in advertisements, and almost 70% reported feeling comfortable seeing an LGBTQ family with children included in ads. The study comes as retailers like Target , Kohl's and PetSmart have come under attack for their annual LGBTQ Pride merchandise displays and ad campaigns. Mega retailer Target went as far as to pull some of its merchandise from the retail floor last week. A spokesperson for the company said threats to employees were "impacting our team members' sense of safety and wellbeing while at work." Critics continue to incite anti-LGBTQ attacks in stores and on social media, with some calling for boycotts. In April, Bud Light came under fire after partnering with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney. The campaign prompted violent videos of customers shooting cans of Bud Light and a right-wing boycott. In response, the marketing executive who oversaw the partnership at Bud Light parent company Anheuser-Busch Inbev took a leave of absence. Sales of Bud Light since then continue to suffer, according to data by Evercore ISI. In the week ended May 20, Bud Light sales volume the number of units of beer sold declined 29.5% compared with the same period last year. The company has also faced criticism from LGBTQ+ leaders who have dinged the company for not defending its ties with Mulvaney and the community more strongly. In a statement responding to the backlash, Anheuser Busch said it "works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics." GLAAD and more than 100 leading LGBTQ advocacy organizations wrote a letter on Wednesday calling on Target to "reject and speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ extremism going into Pride Month," which is celebrated in June. "Doubling down on your values is not only the right thing to do," the group wrote in a statement. "It's good for business." A separate survey conducted by GLAAD and the Edelman Trust Institute in December found that if a brand publicly supports and demonstrates a commitment to expanding and protecting LGBTQ+ rights, Americans are twice as likely to buy or use the brand. GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis emphasized in her personal call to action on Twitter last week that companies need to stand behind their products and ad campaigns instead of backing down. "Anti-LGBTQ violence and hate should not be winning in America," said Ellis. "But it will continue to until corporate leaders step up as heroes for their LGBTQ employees and consumers and do not cave to fringe activists calling for censorship." Diddy attends The After, hosted by the entrepreneur and Doja Cat, powered by Ciroc Premium Vodka and DeLeon Tequila at Club Love in New York City, May 1, 2023. Sean "Diddy" Combs is suing multinational spirits giant Diageo for alleged racial discrimination in the handling of his vodka and tequila brands, which Combs claims the company typecast as "Black brands." In a lawsuit filed Wednesday with the New York Supreme Court in Manhattan, Combs' lawyers accuse Diageo of neglecting his Ciroc vodka and DeLeon tequila brands, and of marginalizing their appeal by marketing them as "urban" brands. The rapper and entrepreneur, formerly known by stage names Puffy Daddy and P. Diddy, claimed Diageo also "sabotaged" his DeLeon brand tequila with shoddy packaging that "made the product look cheap," while showing other celebrity brands, such as actor George Clooney's Casamigos tequila, more attention and resources. Diageo acquired Clooney's Casamigos in 2017 for $1 billion. It's the top-selling U.S. tequila brand, representing 12.6% of tequila sales in U.S. retail stores, according to data from Nielsen and consulting firm Bump Williams. Combs Wines and Spirits entered an equal partnership with Diageo in 2007 for the marketing and promotion of Ciroc. Following the success of the partnership, Diageo co-purchased the DeLeon tequila brand with Combs' company in 2013. Diageo, a multibillion-dollar, publicly traded spirits company based in London, owns more than 200 brands, including the Don Julio tequila brand. According to court documents, in 2022, Don Julio was distributed in 36% of retail outlets, compared with 34.4% for Casamigos, and just 3.3% for Combs' DeLeon. Combs claims his brands have been "starved" of production, distribution and sales resources. According to the lawsuit, Diageo executive Stephen Rust told Combs in 2019 race was among the reasons the company had limited its distribution of DeLeon and Ciroc. If Combs Wines and Spirits were owned by Martha Stewart, his brands would be distributed more broadly, Rust allegedly said according to the lawsuit. In a statement to CNBC, Diageo called the matter a "business dispute." "Our steadfast commitment to diversity within our company and the communities we serve is something we take very seriously. We categorically deny the allegations that have been made and will vigorously defend ourselves in the appropriate forum," a Diageo spokesperson said in the statement. The company said it has had a "productive and mutually beneficial relationship" with Combs for 15 years, "making significant investments that have resulted in financial success for all involved." "We are disappointed our efforts to resolve this business dispute amicably have been ignored, and that Mr. Combs has chosen to damage a productive and valued partnership. While we respect Mr. Combs as an artist and entrepreneur, his allegations lack merit, and we are confident the facts will show that he has been treated fairly," the company said in its statement. Combs' lawyers are seeking a court order for "equal treatment" they say Diageo "contractually promised" under the partnership. They're also seeking "billions of dollars in damages due to Diageo's neglect and breaches" via separate legal proceedings. In this article TSLA Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Elon Musk last visited China in 2020 for the delivery ceremony of the Model 3. His first visit in 3 years saw the Tesla CEO meet with top government officials and speak to staff at the Shanghai Gigafactory. Ding Ting | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images Musk meets Chinese officials Musk met with China's foreign minister, Qin Gang, on Tuesday. Qin talked up the potential of the electric vehicle market in China, which he said "has broad prospects for development," according to a statement from the Chinese ministry. Musk praised the Chinese people and China's achievements. Tesla opposes "decoupling" and is willing to continue to expand its business in China, the statement said. On Wednesday, Musk met with Jin Zhuanglong, China's minister of industry and information technology. The two sides discussed "the development of new energy vehicles and intelligent networked vehicles," according to a statement from the ministry. On Thursday, Musk met with Chen Jining, the Shanghai party secretary. Tesla's Gigafactory is located in Shanghai, its only production site in China and one of the world's biggest for the electric carmaker. Chen talked about Shanghai as a place for international business, according to an official statement. Musk praised the success of the Shanghai Gigafactory and said he is hoping to continue to increase cooperation with the city in various areas, the statement added. Musk meets the vice premier Musk also met with China's vice premier, Ding Xuexiang, one of the country's top officials, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. Ding is known as a loyalist to Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Ding is part of the Politburo Standing Committee, a top governing body led by Xi. It is not clear what was discussed, but the meeting highlights Musk's close relationships with top Chinese politicians. Musk meets with the chair of the world's biggest EV battery maker Musk also met with Zeng Yuqun, the chairman of CATL, the world's largest electric vehicle battery company and a Tesla supplier, according to local media reports. An image circulating in local media, which could not be immediately verified by CNBC, showed Musk and Zeng walking side by side in a hotel. In March, Bloomberg reported that Tesla was exploring building a battery plant in the U.S. in partnership with CATL. CATL declined to comment, and it was not clear what Musk and Zeng discussed. Musk visits the Shanghai Gigafactory Elon Musk is the wealthiest person in the world again. Elon Musk is the richest person in the world again, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index's updated figures Thursday. The Tesla CEO saw his wealth jump 40.3% this year to $192 billion, after shares of the electric car maker rose about 24% in May, according to Eikon data. Musk owns about 13% of Tesla, according to FactSet data. Musk was knocked out of first place by LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault in December, after shares of Tesla fell after his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter. Most of Musk's wealth is tied to Tesla's stock. He is also the CEO of rocket manufacturer SpaceX and owns social media company Twitter. Musk left Shanghai on Thursday, after a high-profile two-day visit. While in China, he met with foreign minister Qin Gang and other Chinese officials. The visit, which comes amid simmering U.S.-China tensions, was a sign China is an important market to Tesla, analysts have said. During the visit, Qin sought to assure Musk that China is open to foreign businesses and would continue to offer a friendly business environment to them. Musk also reportedly signaled further expansion in China. California lawmakers advanced a bipartisan bill Thursday that would require Big Tech platforms to pay publishers for news they host, just a day after Meta threatened to remove news from Facebook and Instagram should the bill pass. The California Journalism Preservation Act, which passed out of the state Assembly 46-6, still needs to be approved by the state Senate and signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to become law. But if it makes it that far, it could create new challenges for tech platforms and possibly change the landscape of what information is available on social media sites in California versus the rest of the country. "If the Journalism Preservation Act passes, we will be forced to remove news from Facebook and Instagram, rather than pay into a slush fund that primarily benefits big, out-of-state media companies under the guise of aiding California publishers," Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a statement on Twitter Wednesday. "The bill fails to recognize that publishers and broadcasters put their content on our platform themselves and that substantial consolidation in California's local news industry came over 15 years ago, well before Facebook was widely used." According to the text of the bill available on the state government website, the California legislation would require online platforms with at least 50 million monthly active U.S. users, a billion worldwide active users or U.S. net annual sales or market cap over $550 billion to pay a "usage fee" to eligible digital journalism providers who want it. Payments would be calculated based on the amount of each outlet's news products the platform displayed or linked to. The parties would use an arbitration process to come up with the percentage of the platform's advertising revenue that would make up the usage fee. Chamber of Progress, a trade group that counts Meta among its backers, criticized the bill's advancement. The coalition's CEO Adam Kovacevich said in a statement, "the CJPA is riddled with holes" and the bill "includes a questionable arbitration process and supports hedge funds known for cutting news staff rather than hiring journalists." "It's sad the Assembly is passing the buck to the Senate rather than fixing the bill's problems," he added. The News/Media Alliance, which represents over 2,000 media organizations, applauded the Assembly vote. "We are extremely encouraged to see this progress at the state level, which shows that Americans understand the importance and value of journalism to keeping their communities safe and informed and holding those in power to account," News/Media Alliance President and CEO Danielle Coffey said in a statement. "We look forward to the CJPA moving on to the Senate and working with policymakers there to pass the CJPA and restore fairness and balance to the marketplace." The California bill has similar aims to federal legislation that a bipartisan group of lawmakers attempted to advance last year. Tech companies also took issue with that bill, the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, which would create a temporary safe harbor from antitrust laws for news publishers to collectively bargain revenue-sharing terms with tech giants that carry their products. The current conflict between Meta and California lawmakers recalls a similar fight in Australia in 2021, when the government there sought to require online platforms to pay for news content. Days after restricting news pages in the country, Facebook reached an agreement with the government that led to a reversal of the company's policy. Facebook said at the time the government "agreed to a number of changes and guarantees that address our core concerns about allowing commercial deals that recognize the value our platform provides to publishers relative to the value we receive from them." Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. WATCH: Australia slams Facebook's move to block news amid new media bill Microsoft 's massive investment in OpenAI has put the company at the center of the artificial intelligence boom. But it's not the only place where the software giant is opening its wallet to meet the surging demand for AI-powered services. CNBC has learned from people with knowledge of the matter that Microsoft has agreed to spend potentially billions of dollars over multiple years on cloud computing infrastructure from startup CoreWeave, which announced Wednesday that it raised $200 million. That financing comes just over a month after the company attained a valuation of $2 billion. CoreWeave sells simplified access to Nvidia's graphics processing units, or GPUs, which are considered the best available on the market for running AI models. Microsoft signed the CoreWeave deal earlier this year in order to ensure that OpenAI, which operates the viral ChatGPT chatbot, will have adequate computing power going forward, said one of the people, who asked not to be named due to confidentiality. OpenAI relies on Microsoft's Azure cloud infrastructure for its hefty compute needs. Microsoft and CoreWeave both declined to comment. The generative AI rush began late last year after OpenAI introduced ChatGPT to the public, demonstrating that AI can take human input and produce sophisticated responses. Many companies, including Google , have since rushed to add generative AI into their products. And Microsoft has been busy releasing chatbots for its own services, such as Bing and Windows. With so much demand for its infrastructure, Microsoft needs additional ways to tap Nvidia's GPUs. CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator declined to comment about the Microsoft deal in an interview last month, but he said revenue has "gone up by many multiples from 2022 to 2023." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a press conference to present the next North Atlantic Council (NAC) Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on April 3, 2023. Kenzo Tribouillard | AFP | Getty Images NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that all NATO allies agree that Russia cannot prevent Ukraine's eventual membership in the military alliance. Speaking to reporters ahead of an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Oslo, Norway, Stoltenberg said all allies agreed that "NATO's door is open for new members." "All allies also agree that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance, and all allies agree that it is for the NATO allies and Ukraine to decide when Ukraine becomes a member," he said. "It is not for Moscow to have a veto against NATO enlargement, but most importantly, all allies agree that the most urgent and important task now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation. President [Vladimir] Putin and Russia must not win this war." Stoltenberg also called for action beyond the end of the Russia-Ukraine war to guarantee Ukraine's security, in order to ensure that "history doesn't repeat itself" and that the "pattern of Russian aggression against Ukraine" comes to an end. watch now Long-term support for Ukraine will be discussed at the Thursday meeting in Oslo, but Stoltenberg expects a multiyear plan to align Ukraine with NATO standards and protocols to be established at the formal July summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Stoltenberg's support and reiterated that Ukraine is hoping to receive a formal NATO invitation to join. "What is very important is our future in the EU and Ukraine is ready to be in NATO, we are waiting for when NATO will be ready to host and to see and to have Ukraine," he told reporters outside of the European Political Community Summit in Moldova on Thursday. "I think security guarantees are very important, not only for Ukraine, [but] for our neighbors, for Moldova, because of the Russian aggression in Ukraine and potential aggression for other parts of Europe." Asked about the potential end of the war, Zelenskyy said the conflict will only cease if Ukraine wins, adding that "Russia can stop this war earlier, they can go out to their independent territory from our territory." watch now ABUJA, Nigeria - May 29, 2023: Nigeria's President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrives to attend swearing-in ceremony at Eagle Square in the capital. Tinubu inherits a fractured society a crippled economy as he takes the reins of Africa's most populous nation. New Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces the tough task of injecting stability into a society and economy in crisis and reigniting hope in a young population that feels its voice has been ignored for decades. The 71-year-old was sworn in on Monday as the 16th president of Africa's most populous nation, and its fifth since the end of three decades of military rule in 1999. He succeeds Muhammadu Buhari, also of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, who departs with a widely criticized economic record. Meanwhile, judges are considering a legal petition from opposition leaders, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, alleging fraud and challenging the result of February's presidential election. Tinubu inherits an economy saddled with record debt and inflation at an almost two-decade high of more than 22%, along with shortages of foreign exchange reserves and fuel, a severely weakened naira currency, an ailing power supply and declining oil production. Economic turmoil As former governor of Lagos state between 1999 and 2007, Tinubu was credited with modernizing Nigeria's commercial hub and vastly expanding the regional economy. Touting his record, he vowed at his swearing-in ceremony on Monday to expand the Nigerian economy by at least 6% per year, unify the the foreign exchange rate and scrap costly fuel subsidies, along with tackling widespread insecurity. "I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxation and various anti-investment inhibitions," Tinubu told the audience in Abuja's Eagle Square, while also promising a "thorough house cleaning" of monetary policy. His predecessor Buhari deployed a series of protectionist economic policies and spooked international investors. While he claimed in a farewell speech on Sunday that many of the "tough decisions" had boosted the country's economic resilience, the hard data showed unemployment and poverty expanding. Ukrainian forces set up Starlink satellite receivers to provide connection for civilians at Independence Square after the withdrawal of the Russian army from Kherson to the eastern bank of Dnieper River, Ukraine, on November 13, 2022. WASHINGTON The Pentagon said Thursday it has agreed to purchase Starlink satellite internet terminals from Elon Musk's SpaceX for use in Ukraine as Kyiv continues to defend itself against a full-scale Russian invasion. "We continue to work with a range of global partners to ensure Ukraine has the satellite and communication capabilities they need. Satellite communications constitute a vital layer in Ukraine's overall communications network and the department contracts with Starlink for services of this type," the Pentagon said in a statement to CNBC. The Pentagon declined to offer additional contract details, including the price, scope and timeline of the delivery. "For operational security reasons and due to the critical nature of these systems we do not have additional information regarding specific capabilities, contracts or partners to provide at this time," the statement added. Bloomberg first reported the contract on Thursday. SpaceX did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. The first Starlink terminals in Ukraine arrived four days after Russian troops poured over the nation's border in what became the largest air, land and sea assault in Europe since World War II. Ukraine digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had previously asked Musk for the capability on Twitter, posted that Starlink was "here" in Ukraine with a photo showing more than two dozen boxes in the back of a truck. Musk said in October that SpaceX wouldn't be able to continue funding use of Starlink terminals in the country out of its own coffers "indefinitely," after a report from CNN said the company had asked the Pentagon to cover the cost. Western officials have previously hailed Musk's decision to equip Ukraine with Starlink internet, citing the colossal and indiscriminate Russian shelling on civilian infrastructure that has left large swaths of the country without communications. Musk reportedly told the Pentagon in October he would no longer finance the Starlink terminals in Ukraine as the country prepared to fight through the harsh winter months. However, the billionaire reversed course and did continue to fund the service. RBC Capital Markets thinks oil giant Chevron can thrive in an increasingly unstable macroeconomic environment. The bank upgraded Chevron stock to outperform from sector perform Thursday. It also raised its price target to $180 from $165, implying upside of 19.5% from Wednesday's close. RBC analyst Biraj Borkhataria thinks Chevron has managed its balance sheet conservatively in the past, which has helped the company sustain its dividend yield and acquire companies successfully. On May 22 , it agreed to buy PDC Energy . These factors underpin Chevron's ability to surpass peers in a challenging market. CVX YTD mountain Chevron stock has pulled back more than 16% from the start of 2023. "Looking forward, we believe the macro environment is likely to remain volatile, however weaker end product demand and OPEC+ managing the oil market leaves CVX's upstream heavy weighting well-placed," Borkhataria said. "This combined with its fortress balance sheet and commitment to remaining disciplined through organic and inorganic activity should prove defensive over time." Chevron shares have struggled this year, losing more than 16%. Still, Chevron's discipline when it comes to mergers and acquisitions gives RBC more confidence the company isn't only buying companies out of necessity and is instead making prudent moves. "In our view, the company's ability to execute on this front has been impressive, and importantly, it is both about what the company has done, and what it has chosen not to do," Borkhataria said. RBC isn't the only firm getting bullish on Chevron. Last month, HSBC upgraded the oil giant to buy from hold, noting the stock's recent drop has created a buying opportunity . CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. People receive food from AFAT - Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency on November 28, 2022 in Chernihiv, Ukraine. WASHINGTON Russian occupying forces in Ukraine have employed starvation tactics on civilians by targeting food lines, agricultural harvests and water infrastructure, according to a team of international lawyers helping Kyiv investigate alleged war crimes. The investigators focused their efforts on the city of Chernihiv, which was under siege for a little over two months before Russian troops were expelled from the northern Ukrainian city. Catriona Murdoch, a lawyer and expert in starvation-related crimes, described Chernihiv as the "tip of the iceberg in [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's calculated plan to terrorize, subjugate and kill Ukrainian people." The new investigation, which took six months to assemble and was released Thursday, details a number of different starvation tactics employed by Russian forces, including strikes in concentrated areas where civilians gathered to receive humanitarian aid and food supplies. "I think our conclusion at this point is that we believe that this would certainly constitute a violation of international humanitarian law," Murdoch, partner and head of starvation portfolio at international human rights law firm, Global Rights Compliance, told CNBC. "The more information we have gathered and analyzed, the more we can say with confidence," added Murdoch, who leads a Mobile Justice Team, a group of international lawyers and investigators supporting the office of Ukraine's prosecutor general in starvation crimes. Mobile Justice Teams are one component of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, which is funded by the U.S. State Department, European Union and the U.K.'s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The Kremlin has previously denied that its forces commit war crimes or deliberately target civilians and related critical infrastructure. The Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. Read more: At least 20 torture centers in Kherson were directly financed by the Kremlin, international lawyers say in a new report The report details one such incident on the morning of March 16, 2022, outside a supermarket, which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 civilians. According to the report, between 20 to 90 people were waiting in line near the Soyuz grocery store when an explosive with a wide impact range was detonated. Soyuz, according to the lawyers, was known as a place to collect bread deliveries if the store was closed. The lawyers identified heavy artillery weapon systems that could have been used in the Soyuz attack and found evidence that Russian drones were operating in the area and could have provided imagery to direct Russian fire. Subsequent attacks occurred at nearby hospitals "substantially impacting power supplies and thus creating challenging circumstances to treat those injured or dying," according to the investigation. The lawyers and investigators also found that infrastructure related to Chernihiv's water supply was targeted by aerial bombing. Elsewhere in Ukraine, the investigators found that Russian forces prioritized stealing harvests and destroying agricultural machinery. Murdoch, who recently returned from Chernihiv, added that she was confident that the perpetrators can be identified. Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg during a meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi on April 20, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that all NATO allies agree that Russia cannot prevent Ukraine's eventual membership of the alliance. Speaking to reporters ahead of an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Oslo, Stoltenberg said all allies agreed that "NATO's door is open for new members." "All allies also agree that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance, and all allies agree that it is for the NATO allies and Ukraine to decide when Ukraine becomes a member," he said. "It is not for Moscow to have a veto against NATO enlargement, but most importantly, all allies agree that the most urgent and important task now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation. President Putin and Russia must not win this war." Stoltenberg also called for action beyond the end of the Russia-Ukraine war to guarantee Ukraine's security, in order to ensure that "history doesn't repeat itself" and that the "pattern of Russian aggression against Ukraine" is brought to an end. Elliot Smith Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has tested positive again for Covid-19 Thursday, a week and a half after his initial diagnosis, in what his doctors say is a case of rebound infection. SINGAPORE Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has tested positive again for Covid-19 a week and a half after his initial diagnosis, in what his doctors said is a case of rebound infection. "I feel fine but I am afraid I have turned COVID-19 positive again," Lee said Thursday on social media. "My doctors say it is a Covid rebound, which happens in 5-10% of cases. It is still infectious although the risk is not high compared to the initial infection." As a result, Lee missed the consecration ceremony of a Hindu temple in Singapore. His reinfection comes as Singapore prepares to host top defense leaders from Asia Pacific at this weekend's Shangri-La Dialogue, including China defense minister, Gen. Li Shangfu, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Lee, who is 71-years-old, was prescribed the antiviral medication Paxlovid when he first tested positive on May 22 after returning from a six-day official working trip to South Africa and Kenya. He has been serving as prime minister of the Southeast Asian city-state since 2004. Singapore is coming off an April peak in Covid-19 infections and its government has been lauded for its largely effective handling of the pandemic. Around 45 million Americans are now trying to figure out when they'll need to make what could be their first payment on their student loans in three years. Here's what you can expect in the near term. "This bill does end the payment pause," Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said in a press briefing . "But very close to the timeframe we were going to end it, as an administration, when it comes to repayment." The agreement struck between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy that set up the vote comes after weeks of tense negotiations. It also comes with a condition that the student loan payment pause end after August 30. As Young stated, the debt ceiling bill will lift the payment pause at the end of August. The Biden administration had previously planned to end the payment pause, at the latest, 60 days after June 30, which would be around August 30. The bill adds a layer of certainty, though, by codifying that date and preventing Biden from issuing another extension as he has previously done. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona acknowledged borrowers may be feeling anxious around payments starting up, but he says they should feel confident the administration is working to make it a smooth transition. "We're providing support for [borrowers], if they're struggling. We're rolling out a new income-driven repayment plan so their payments are more reasonable and manageable," he told Spectrum News. In her press briefing, Young also acknowledged people could feel disappointed, but pointed out it could have been worse. She highlighted that some Republicans wanted to eliminate the possibility of student loan forgiveness as part of debt ceiling negotiations. That provision didn't make it into the final agreement. "Even though [the] House Republicans' bill sought to do away with [debt forgiveness], we saved it in this bill," Young said. "There's nothing on that in this bill." The bill Young mentioned, which aims to roll back loan forgiveness altogether, passed the House last week, and the Senate on Wednesday voted to advance the bill to debate. Biden has pledged to veto it if it makes it to his desk. German online travel startup GetYourGuide raised $194 million from investors, hoping to capitalize on a bump in demand for travel services in the summer, further an expansion into the U.S., and invest in large language models and other artificial intelligence tools. The Berlin-based company said Thursday it had raised the funding through a mix of equity and debt, with $85 million of equity investment being led by U.S. asset management firm Blue Pool Capital. The investment values the company at nearly $2 billion, up from GetYourGuide's last publicly-disclosed valuation of $1.4 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter. Existing investors KKR and Temasek invested again in this round. The debt portion of the deal was led by UniCredit and also backed by BNP Paribas, Citibank and KfW. Total investment in GetYourGuide, including both equity and debt, now stands at just over $1 billion. GetYourGuide's product differs from those offered by some other major players in the online travel space. Rather than advertise hotels, flights and other forms of transportation, GetYourGuide sells its users experiences and things to do in unexplored places. These experiences are offered through third-party suppliers on its platform, with GetYourGuide taking a commission on each booking. The company has seen a massive jump in demand for its platform with travel returning back to normal following the ending of Covid-19 restrictions and the resumption of normal cross-border transportation. Johannes Reck, the CEO and co-founder of GetYourGuide, said the company had seen its revenues erased during the early days of the pandemic for multiple consecutive quarters the company made no revenue whatsoever, he said. "We were severely depressed in the pandemic," Reck told CNBC. "The travel industry was very hard hit within the travel industry. GetYourGuide was probably one of the worst affected. Experiences were shut down. People didn't go out." "There were some greenshoots in 2021 with the reopening of the U.S. but the real rebound only started when omicron turned out to be a more benign variant and people started to resume traveling in Easter of 2022 and then we had an exploding business on our hands," he said. Former President of the United States Donald J. Trump throws his fist in the air outside Trump Tower prior to his departure to a two day trip to Des Moines, Iowa, in Manhattan, New York, United States on May 31, 2023. Attorneys for Donald Trump have filed a motion seeking to have a judge recuse himself from the Manhattan criminal case against the former president. Trump's campaign website posted a statement from his lawyers Wednesday evening that accused Judge Juan Merchan of having conflicts, which the statement says are detailed in the motion. The motion seeks to have Merchan, who presided over Trump's arraignment on 34 counts of falsifying business records in Manhattan, step aside in the case, Trump's lawyers said. "President Trump, like all Americans, is entitled under the Constitution to an impartial judge and fair legal process," his lawyers said in the statement, adding that the motion alleges Merchan has "significant conflicts." The motion is not yet public and the Manhattan District Attorney's office was making redactions, lawyers involved in the process said. Trump in social media posts has complained Merchan "hates me." Prominent lawyers interviewed by NBC News about Merchan's reputation say the New York Supreme Court judge is fair (in New York, the Supreme Court is the name for the state's highest trial court). In Wednesday night's statement, Trump's lawyers in part raised the fact that Merchan presided over the criminal case against the Trump Organization. Their statement also makes reference to Merchan's daughter's employment with a political firm that worked for President Joe Biden's presidential campaign. Merchan fined the Trump Organization $1.6 million for a long-running tax fraud scheme. The prosecution's star witness was the Trump Organization's former chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, who testified against the company as part of a plea agreement. Weisselberg pleaded guilty to tax fraud charges in August and was sentenced to five months in prison. He was sent to Rikers Island in January and was released in April. Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in March on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to his role in hush money given to adult film star Stormy Daniels weeks before the 2016 presidential election to keep quiet about an alleged affair with him a decade earlier. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has repeatedly denied an affair. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which brought the case before the grand jury, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night. The criminal trial has been set for March 2024. The UAE will host the COP28 climate summit from Nov. 30 through to Dec. 12. The director general of COP28 on Thursday defended the appointment of oil executive Sultan al-Jaber, describing the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company CEO as the "perfect person" to lead the climate talks. The UAE, the third-largest oil-producing member of the OPEC alliance, will host the COP28 climate summit from Nov. 30 through to Dec. 12. Al-Jaber, who in January was selected to lead the summit, serves as the UAE's climate envoy, the government's minister of industry and technology, and the head of ADNOC one of the world's largest oil and gas companies. His appointment as president-designate of COP28 the world's biggest international climate conference provoked a furious backlash from climate activists and civil society groups, with many calling on al-Jaber to relinquish his role as ADNOC CEO, saying it represents a clear conflict of interest with his COP28 position. Last week, more than 130 U.S. and European lawmakers sent a letter to President Joe Biden, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the U.N. to voice their "profound concern" about the potential for private sector polluters "to exert undue influence" on the summit. "We urge you to advocate for the United Arab Emirates to withdraw the appointment of al-Jaber, head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, as President-designate of COP28," the letter said. Signatories of the letter included U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., as well as a host of leftist EU lawmakers. Asked by CNBC's Dan Murphy to respond to the calls to remove al-Jaber as president-designate of the summit, COP28 Director General Majid al-Suwaidi said: "This is a discussion that we've seen a lot in the media. I think that, first of all, it's a small group of lawmakers and what's unfortunate is that they're not coming forward with the solutions to the climate problem." "As the UAE we've been really focused on how do we deliver the results we need for COP28 and I know that Dr. Sultan is the perfect person to do that. Dr. Sultan has a long track record as our climate champion." We are buying 100 shares of Wynn Resorts (WYNN) at roughly $96.89 apiece. Following Thursday's trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 300 shares of WYNN, increasing its weighting in the portfolio to 1.08% from 0.73% Wynn Resorts stock is down Thursday morning, at around $97 a share, extending a roughly 15% slide from the start of May. The stock has been weighed down in recent weeks by a fresh wave of Covid-19 in China a crucial market for the casino operator and broader concerns of a slowdown in the global economy. We see this pullback as a buying opportunity, and are upgrading our rating to a 1. Our buy comes as China's special administrative region of Macao, a gambling hub, on Thursday reported May gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $1.93 billion. That was a 366% increase year-on-year, though slightly below market expectations for a 371% annual rise. Notably, May GGR improved by 6% from April, giving Macao its best monthly performance since January 2020. Wynn Resorts may be known in the U.S. for its luxury properties in Las Vegas and Boston, but Macao is the true center of the story. Before the Covid pandemic, the company generated about 75% of its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) from its Macao properties. After three years of Covid lockdowns in China, Wynn showed its was back on track when it reported a blockbuster earnings report on May 9, while demonstrating its Macao operations had a strong start to May. The pent-up demand we've long been anticipating has been borne out since Beijing lifted its Covid restrictions at the start of the year. And since the Macao properties' cost structure was reduced to minimize losses during the lockdowns, the operating leverage as revenues recover has been both notable and underappreciated by the market. Management's confidence in the future was one big reason why the company reinstated a quarterly dividend, at 25 cents per share. Despite recent weakness due to fresh Covid concerns, the May CGR numbers numbers for Macao indicate that there has not been any material slowdown in gaming. Wynn stock is still up nearly 17% year-to-date, and we believe China's long-term economic recovery is on track. At the same time, continued record performance in Las Vegas and at Encore Boston Harbor only add to the stock's appeal with the numbers far more resilient than what the stock gets credit for. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long WYNN. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Macao's government relies on casinos for over 80% of its income, with most of the population employed directly or indirectly by the casino industry. Dragon For Real | Moment | Getty Images On Monday, Apple is expected to announce its first new major product line since the Apple Watch in 2014. During Apple's software-focused developer conference, WWDC, it could release its first mixed-reality headset, according to analyst research, media reports and increasingly, vague references from Apple itself. The headset, according to reports, will feature high-definition screens in front of the user's eyes. But it could also let users see and interact with the real world through high-powered cameras mounted on the device, a trick sometimes called passthrough or mixed reality. Apple is launching its headset as the broader virtual reality industry sifts through what's been called a trough of disillusionment. "Although the lackluster uptake of the AR/VR market and the transitory enthusiasm about the Metaverse create a backdrop of challenges, it is instructive to remember that Apple invents entire new categories that have the potential to disrupt existing markets and create entirely new markets," Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan wrote in a recent note. When Facebook rebranded as Meta in October 2021, it drew attention to VR and the metaverse headsets could enable. But since then, sales for existing VR headsets haven't been great, usage has been worse and the anticipated explosion in successful VR software companies hasn't happened. Augmented reality, a related technology that shows computer graphics through pricey, specialized transparent lenses, has also failed to thrive. Microsoft's Hololens, announced in 2014, had a high-profile deal to make headsets for the U.S. Army, but it recently stalled. The most visible AR startup, Magic Leap, has changed management and refocused from making a consumer-oriented gaming device to developing a tool for a small set of industries. Apple's headset is expected to be more powerful than what's out there even current $6,500 VR headsets. It's expected to have a 4K resolution screen for each eye and a powerful Apple-designed chip, according to TFI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. It could also be pricey, retailing for as much as $3,000, according to a note from TD Cowen analyst Krish Sankar, and could only sell in the hundreds of thousands in the first year. By way of comparison, the Apple Watch sold millions in its first year. But many people in the industry believe Apple's announcement will energize consumers and software developers and bring the technology closer to its ultimate promise: a headset you wear daily, as you go about your business, or perhaps a pair of lightweight glasses, helping you with contextual information. "It's good to see others get into this business, particularly Apple, who doesn't jump into markets too early," Magic Leap CEO Peggy Johnson told CNBC. "That is a huge validation of what we have been doing to date, and we welcome that, because it's also good for the ecosystem." Here's why Apple could succeed where everybody else has failed. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) is pursuing its planned market expansion in Japan, a move seen as necessary amid declining coal shipments to its largest buyer China. In a disclosure on Thursday, SMPC, the listed integrated energy company of DMCI Holdings Inc., said it would export 50,000 metric tons (MT) of Semirara coal to Shikoku Electric Power Corporation for its 700-megawatt coal-fired ultra-supercritical power station. It marks SMPCs second trial shipment to Japan. The group said it aims to lessen its dependence on China. China is still our main foreign buyer but with their industrial output growing slower than expected, we want to develop other Asian markets like Japan, said SMPC president and COO Maria Cristina Gotianun. In the first three months of 2023, SMPCs coal shipments to China dropped 50% to 1.1 million. Its engagement with China still accounted for the bulk or 72% of exports. South Korea, meanwhile, was a steady market at 300,000 MT. The remaining exports went to Japan and Brunei, the company said. For 2023, we are targeting to export around 30% of our full-year sales target of 15 to 16 million MT, Gotianun said. SMPC saw its profit plunge 41% to 7 billion in the first quarter amid weaker coal revenues. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 31) One of the alleged masterminds in the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo is also behind the recantation of several suspects in the killing, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla. "(Marvin) Miranda true to form as we said was the director of everything, the director of massacre, was again directing the activities around how they are going to make everybody recant," Remulla said at a briefing on Wednesday. "True to his billing as a co-principal or co-conspirator...and co-principal, co-mastermind together with Congressman (Arnie) Teves, so everybody is behaving just true to form of what they have been billed as," the secretary added. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos previously revealed that Marvin Miranda was a long-time bodyguard of Teves. Miranda has yet to give a statement on Remulla's claim. Five more suspects in Degamo's killing have recanted their statements: Winrich Isturis, Eulogio Gonyon Jr., John Louie Gonyon, Joric Labrador, and Benjie Rodriguez. Their lawyer, Jord Valenton, told the media on Wednesday that his clients were forced to sign a confession. "Pinilit lang sila. Pinapirma lang sila ng confession [They were coerced. They were made to confess]...but that's not voluntary," he said. Several other suspects have withdrawn their testimonies, but Remulla said they have only received the recantation of Jhudiel (alias Osmundo) Rivero. READ: 5th Degamo slay suspect recants statement lawyer READ: Suspect in Degamo slay recants statements on killing lawyer "A crime has been committed again by these suspects but we don't know which is the real crime. We are not claiming anything what we think these stories are being made by spin masters, spin doctors that they have employed. Of course their choreographer right now is Atty. Villanueva," he said. Danny Villanueva represents the first five suspects who recanted. The DOJ earlier said it was possible the Teves camp was behind the recantations. But Ferdinand Topacio, the lawyer of Rep. Arnie Teves, denied any links to Villanueva, although Topacio said he expects more recantations to happen. READ: Teves camp possibly behind suspects' recantation DOJ spokesman Remulla also said Teves is still in Timor Leste after his visa was extended pending the resolution of his appeal for asylum before its supreme court. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 31) Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri hailed the passage of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill as a "triumph of the Senate," while touting its sufficient safeguards. "[B]ecause we improved the House version tremendously, we thank the House for accepting the Senate version with all the safeguards. Pwede po natin ipaglaban ito sa Plaza Miranda [We can fight for it in Plaza Miranda]," Zubiri told the media on Wednesday, referring to the place in Manila known for democratic activities. After seven days of plenary discussions, senators swiftly approved its version of the controversial bill early Wednesday morning. The House of Representatives adopted the Senate version hours later. It will now be sent to Malacanang for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s signature. The president has repeatedly endorsed the bill and had certified it as urgent. READ: Maharlika bill now up for Marcos' signature The final version of the measure prohibits the use of government pension money from Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) to bankroll the sovereign wealth account. Wala na kayong kakabahan pa. Kasi ang haka-haka, baka i-pasok daw yung GSIS, SSS, wala na po yan. It is explicitly said twice in the bill, and there is an explicit ban on the use of these funds for Maharlika, Zubiri said. [Translation: You don't have to worry anymore. Because the speculation is, maybe the GSIS, SSS will be included. That's gone.] READ: Senate bars investment of state pension funds in Maharlika, okays key changes in bill's final version The previous plan to get initial investments from state pension funds was abandoned after earning the ire of several groups who argued that doing so may put Filipinos' pension at risk. READ: Marcos: State pension funds not to be used as seed capital for Maharlika The latest version of the MIF bill also cut down the number of directors of the Maharlika Investment Corporation board from 15 to 9, and its members cannot include those with pending cases relating to fraud, corruption, tax evasion, and other similar charges. The penalties for misuse of the Maharlika fund are also more stringent with imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to 10 million. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) Erwin Tulfo, who returns to a government post as representative of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Partylist, said he aims to file three bills that will address the plight of vulnerable sectors in the country. Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Thursday, Tulfo said his three priority bills are for solo parents, persons with disabilities and the elderly, and other Filipino indigents reminiscent to his work at the Social Welfare department. He is eyeing to file around 120 bills and said he already coordinated with the lawyers of his party-list to research and compare his proposals with existing legislation. "First and foremost, a review of the Solo Parent Act," the new lawmaker said. "The problem with the Solo Parent Act, 'yong pagbibigay ng allowance na 1,000 to solo parents, hindi nabibigay [the 1,000 allowance is not being distributed] especially when that solo parent lives in a 5th or 6th class municipality." "Who will take charge, who will pay 'yong kanyang [their] 1,000 na sinasabing monthly allowance from the [local government unit]?" he asked. Tulfo, during his short stint as the first secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the Marcos administration, led the signing of the implementing rules and regulations for the Republic Act (RA) 118611 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2021. He said a panel review must come first before increasing the allowance due to reports some solo parents are not yet receiving the financial subsidy. "Kung hindi kaya ng LGU, maybe we can ask the government, ask the assistance from the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) para mabigay at matustusan 'yong pangangailangan ng solo parents because it's in the law," he said. Tulfo added that he plans to propose a bill requiring private companies and government agencies to accept persons with disabilities and senior citizens for employment. He said he wants 5-10% of their workforce to consist of individuals coming from the two vulnerable sectors. Under Philippine law, government agencies must reserve at least 1% of all positions to persons with disabilities, while private firms with over 100 employees are encouraged to reserve the same percentage. "Ironically, as I look around, marami tayong government agencies na dapat example," he said. "Unfortunately, hindi nagagawa 'yon at mga government agencies pa." [Translation: Ironically, as I look around, many government agencies must serve as examples. Unfortunately, they have yet to fulfill that.] Tulfo also said he aims to pass into law a bill mandating the national government, through the Commission on Higher Education, to cover the expenses for the first review for licensure exams of students coming from poor families. "We need that law kasi maraming mga bata na 'yong kanilang mga magulang [because many parents of college graduates] cannot afford to send them to review schools," he said. Same challenges in assuming government post Tulfo still faces limitations in his new role as a motion has been filed to reverse the Commission on Elections' dismissal on May 25 of a petition to disqualify him as ACT-CIS representative. "It's stressful because nakapagpanumpa na ako [I took the oath] as a member of the House pero [but] I cannot fully function well at this point while waiting for the outcome of the [motion for reconsideration] that a certain Atty. Tolentino filed, " he said during the interview. The Comelec earlier dismissed the petition due to lack of jurisdiction. Issues raised in the petition were his US citizenship and past libel conviction the same reasons why he was bypassed twice by the Commission on Appointments as DSWD secretary. He said he felt bad about not being confirmed as the DSWD chief but it became a "blessing in disguise" to learn about laws needed to be filed. "Somewhere along the line, God sent me there para [so] I will learn and then I can help," he said. "Kung secretary ka naman [As a secretary] you cant do anything, you will just execute what you're supposed to do," he added. "Kung lawmaker ka [But as a lawmaker], you can pass a lot of laws." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) A former candidate in last year's vice mayoral race in Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur survived an ambush Wednesday night in Barangay Dao-an in San Miguel town. Regional police said 48-year-old Rally Caguia Eslit was onboard a vehicle with his family when two men on a motorcycle fired a single shot at the driver's seat. Eslit was hit in the nape and was rushed to the San Miguel Rural Health Unit. He was later transferred to a private hospital in Pagadian City. Authorities said the gunmen fled towards Barangay Betinan also in San Miguel town after the attack. Investigators recovered a bullet slug fired from a .45 caliber pistol from the crime scene. Dozens of bands will play mostly for free in parks and venues around the Pikes Peak region almost every night of the week through the summer. The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form The US is working on drafting new regulations that would prohibit investments and transfer of technology to Chinese firms working on developing advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, a US Treasury official said Wednesday. The new regulations will not only focus on Chinese firms but also military organizations, Paul Rosen, US Treasurys investment security chief, said at a Senate Banking Committee hearing focusing on countering China and advancing US national security, economic security, and foreign policy. We are currently working toward a program that restricts the flow of US investment dollars that comes with know-how and expertise into certain and specific sectors and sub-sectors of concerns such as advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing that can be used by countries of concern in this case, particularly the PRC for the benefit of their military intelligence capabilities, and mass surveillance, Rosen said. The program, according to Rosen, is being crafted in a manner that makes it easy and digestible for the business community and administrators. The US is also holding a dialogue with major allies, such as the EU, in order to highlight its concerns over national security posed by China. The dialogue and concerns are being shared with other nations so that they can individually assess and take steps to address them, if necessary, Rosen said before the committee. Rosens comments come at a time when the US and China are embroiled in a long-term battle to gain technology supremacy that has seen both nations take steps to thwart each others technology prowess. The US first imposed restrictions on exports of chips to China in 2015, extending them in 2021 and twice in 2022. The most recent restrictions were introduced in December. This move was followed by US convincing the Netherlands and Japan to implement a expand a ban on exports of chipmaking technology to China in January this year. The ban, according to analysts, has hit Beijings plans to improve its domestic chipmaking prowess as the Netherlands and Japan are home to the worlds largest manufacturers of semiconductor building machinery and parts. Following the deal with the US, Japan imposed a ban on the export of chipmaking technology to China last week, drawing flak from the Chinese government. Japans decision to impose a ban came shortly after China banned the use of semiconductors manufactured by US-based chipmaker Micron, citing a cybersecurity issue. The US Commerce Department has opposed the decision, saying the restrictions have no basis in fact. Last week, lawmakers in the US said that Washington should look at imposing trade restrictions on Chinese memory chipmaker Changxin Memory Technologies as a counteroffensive to China banning the use of Microns chips. While the Biden administration had earlier said that it was in talks with Beijing to repeal the ban on Micron, Rosens comments could well indicate that the discussions over repealing the ban might not be going the US' way. In the hearing, senators also sought clarity on the government's efforts to limit the supply of US-origin goods to Chinese telecommunications major Huawei. While exports to Huawei require a license, Washington is still analyzing the issue and is yet to formally revoke these licenses, Commerce Department assistant secretary Thea Rozman Kendler testified. Kendler further said that Washington was monitoring exports to China and officials had rejected almost a quarter of export requests they received. Last year, nearly 26% of 5,064 applications were reviewed and denied, Kendler wrote in testimony before appearing at the hearing. At one point or another, we've all wished that we could get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. And sometimes the Universe grants that wish. But not in the nice "lounging at a beach resort for two weeks with a fully covered bar tab" way, but in the "cursed monkey paw" way where you disappear and are never seen again. Case in point ... Advertisement 4 Brian Shaffer Goes Bar-Hopping, Misses Last Call Brian Shaffer was a medical student at Ohio State. On March 31, 2006, he and two friends -- Clint and Meredith -- embarked on an epic bar crawl that encompassed every tavern, drinking house, and moonshine-slinging shack on their campus. Their odyssey culminated in the early hours of April 1 at the Ugly Tuna Saloona, an establishment that made up for body-shaming aquatic life with cheap booze. The three drank there until closing time ... or so it seemed. When the bar's lights came up at 2, Clint and Meredith were unable to find Brian. After checking the bathrooms and trying his cellphone, they figured he'd quietly headed home or taken a side quest for pizza, and left. When Brian didn't resurface the next day, his now-worried family filed a missing person report. The police then noticed something odd on the surveillance tapes they gathered from the Ugly Tuna in an attempt to trace Brian's whereabouts. Here's the footage of Brian, Clint, and Meredith entering the bar at 1:15: Columbus Division of Police So far, the only mystery is how a place called "The Ugly Tuna Saloona" attracts a single customer. And now, here's the footage of Brian leaving: ... There isn't any. The police located footage of Clint and Meredith leaving dazed and confused at 2:15, but the only footage of Brian comes when he briefly exits to talk to two women outside ... and then turns around and walks back in. In all the years that his family has been searching for him, no one has ever managed to explain how Brian disappeared. Did he slip out the back? No, the police checked the camera overlooking that door. Could he have blended into a crowd of people? It's possible, but that doesn't explain why he wouldn't return home, especially given that he was planning to propose to his longtime girlfriend the following week. Was he murdered by another person in the bar? It's unlikely, especially given that they would've needed to dispose of the body right then and there (without being spotted on any surveillance cameras), because the police searched the bar soon afterward. Two years after Brian's disappearance, his father Randy died in an accident. In the comments section of his online obituary, a message stating "Dad, I love you. Love, Brian (U.S. Virgin Islands)" was posted. Police traced it, only to find it had been posted from a public computer in a nearby county. Related: 6 People Who Just Fucking Disappeared 3 Timmothy Pitzen's Mother Promises "You'll Never Find Him." It's always tragic when a child disappears. However, describing the disappearance of six-year-old Timmothy Pitzen as "tragic" is like calling the Sun "kind of hot." Timmothy lived in Aurora, Illinois with his parents, James and Amy. Their marriage was going through a "rough patch," but it wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed (according to James). That is, until May 11, 2011, when Amy pulled Timmothy out of his kindergarten class, claiming there was a family emergency. They then hit the road on a three-day amusement park bender between Illinois and Wisconsin. Timmothy was last seen at 10 a.m. on May 13, standing with Amy while she was checking out of a hotel resort. Amy next appeared on surveillance cam at 7:25 p.m. at a grocery store -- alone. She then checked into a motel in Rockford, Wisconsin, where she died by suicide. In both her suicide note and a letter she sent to her mother, Amy apologized and said that Timmothy was "safe with people who loved him," and that "You will never find him." Here's the thing, though. In all the years that've passed since Timmothy's disappearance, no one has ever come forward to say that they found a boy wandering the woods or sitting on their doorstep in a wicker basket. A police examination of Amy's car found what they called "a concerning amount" of traces of Timmothy's blood, but family members believe that was likely from a nosebleed he had suffered earlier. Then, earlier this year, the case was revitalized when a 23-year-old man came forward and claimed not only that he was Timmothy, but also that he'd just escaped from years-long captivity in Ohio. However, a DNA test confirmed that the guy was just some random lying asshole who had recently been released from prison for burglary. Related: The 5 Weirdest Disappearances No One Can Explain 2 Andrew Gosden Takes A Train To Nowhere Teenagers do dumb stuff all the time; it's kinda their whole thing. Andrew Gosden wasn't about that life, though. He was a super-smart 14-year-old living in Doncaster in the UK. By all accounts, he didn't have any major life problems (like bullying, depression, etc.), and loved video games, rock music, and his family. All told, he had a sweet setup -- which is why it took everyone by surprise when, on September 14, 2007, Andrew skipped school and caught a one-way train to London for reasons no one can figure out. We'd ask him, but there's a reason this article is titled the way it is. He got on the train at 9:35 a.m., arrived at King's Cross at 11:25 a.m., then disappeared off the face of the planet at 11:26 a.m. London Police Something tells us he didn't leave to attend wizard school, either. First, the why. If Andrew ran away, he did a terrible job of it. Before he boarded his train, he cleaned out his bank account to the sum of 200 pounds ... but left 100 sitting in his bedroom. His family had relatives in London ... but he never contacted them. He took a satchel with him ... but didn't pack any clothes or goods, except for his PSP. The most damning piece of evidence is that he only bought a one-way ticket, and refused to buy a return ticket despite being told it would cost less than 1 pound more. How do you make sense of him cheaping out here, when he also didn't take every scrap of money and clothing that he could? He didn't even take the charger for his PSP -- which for a die-hard gamer is like leaving home without your internal organs. The most popular theory is that Andrew traveled to London to watch a couple of shows from 30 Seconds to Mars, HIM, and SiKTh -- because at that age, it's required that you have terrible taste in music. On that same day, there was also a sighting of a teenager resembling Andrew eating at a Pizza Hut on Oxford Street -- because at that age, it's required that you have terrible taste in food. How does someone disappear in one of the most surveilled cities in the world, you might wonder? It's relatively easy when the police don't bother to review the footage until a month after someone vanishes. That's how long it took investigators to get the footage of Andrew leaving King's Cross. By that time, his trail was ice-cold. There's been one "credible" sighting of Andrew since his disappearance. In 2017, someone contacted his parents claiming they'd recently been talking to someone called "AndyRoo," who was e-begging on a forum for 200 pounds to make rent. When someone offered to wire him the money, "AndyRoo" responded that he didn't have a bank account because he'd run away from home when he was 14. Why? He'd "just felt like it." The tip intrigued Andrew's parents, in part because his nickname had been "Roo." When they (and the police) asked the website for information on "AndyRoo," however, the site admitted they'd recently suffered a massive data loss while migrating systems and couldn't help. Was this a shitty troll or a legitimate lead? It's hard to say, which makes it on par with pretty much every other piece of evidence to do with this case. Related: The 5 Creepiest Disappearances That Nobody Can Explain Announced in June 2022, the Cybercrime Atlas is an initiative from the World Economic Forum (WEF) to map activities of cybercriminals and create a database that can be used by law enforcement across the world to disrupt the cyber-criminal ecosystem. Cybercrime Atlas officially launched in February 2023 in a partnership between WEF and Banco Santander, Fortinet, Microsoft, and PayPal. Cybercrime Atlas was conceptualized by WEFs Partnership against Cybercrime, which includes more than 40 public and private organizations. How the Cybercrime Atlas is being developed The first iteration had really smart analysts from organizations throughout the globe brought together to come up with a normalized taxonomy from where samples would be selected. From this, 13 major known threat actors were the initial focus. Using open-source intelligence the analysts looked at things like the bad guy's name, the address that they're known to live at, their bank account details, their crypto wallet details, their social media footprint, known bulletproof hosting, and other malicious services that they're using. The idea was we collect all the information that we knew we could find from open source on these guys, normalize it, vet it, and then put it into a repository, Glenn Maiden, director of threat intelligence operations at FortiGuard Labs ANZ, tells CSO. All the information collected is investigated to find the single source of truth, cull out the noise and have human verified intelligence. The aim is to build a comprehensive picture of the cybercrime landscape covering criminal operations, shared infrastructure, and networks. The result, the involved parties expect, will be that the links between the information gathered about threat actors will help the security industry more effectively disrupt the cybercriminal ecosystem. For this initial iteration, actionable intelligence has been collected from 13 criminal groups across the main attack landscape ransomware, business email compromise, malware, and card fraud. The insights generated will help promote opportunities for greater cooperation between the private sector and law enforcement to address cybercrime, Jeremy Jurgens, managing director for the World Economic Forum, said in a statement. These will eventually be shared with global law enforcement groups such as Interpol and FBI, but it will also help the analysts and vendors involved those who lent their best analysts to find commonalities in the attackers actions and ways. We've actually found linkages between organized crime gangs and even nation state entities, they're all operating together, Maiden says. Build an open-source cybercrime repository In February 2023 was when the project was deemed ready to begin to move from the prototype phase to minimum viable product. Or, in other words, from ad hoc systems and repositories to having dedicated project managers, finding the most appropriate, robust system to build the database, and working out the business logic. There's going to be some people that are contributors, there's going to be some people that are consumers, there's going to be some people that are both, Maiden says. This will require the build of rules around clusters, with need to know clusters for those that might want to collaborate on a particular crime or case. Information being used to build this repository is based on information that is available widely which means no issues with different countries laws on data. That also means once they have an open-source repository there wont be any security or proprietary constraints and sharing. When it is ready it will be able to be shared with local law enforcement participant agencies. Future possibilities for the Cybercrime Atlas Unfortunately, this wont be something that commercial organizations across the world are likely to benefit from directly. Companies that have been supporting the project by sending their best analysts to help in the creation of the data base will have access to it, but this is a tool created for law enforcement. When the database is ready and has been in use, local law enforcement in different countries that have their own non-public intelligence could potentially use it to cross refence those two data sets and augment their own source intelligence. The Cybercrime Atlas is still being developed and not mature enough to consider larger questions such as what happens when threat actors start seeing them as a threat and start producing convincing false information to lead the investigations somewhere else. But a lot of money has been put into this and there is likely to be a lot of interest from law enforcement agencies across the world. Maiden shares that Fortinet is looking at other opportunities with the community that was created and other opportunities to disrupt. This could be us looking at potentially a legal or policy change in a certain jurisdiction where these bad guys are, running some of their operations or infrastructure -- looking at some of these broader implications based on that initial, platform and community. How a worldwide unified cybercrime database can help bring down attackers Despite details of major attacks being usually kept under lock and key, collaboration among cybersecurity professionals has always existed. Having the support of an independent organization such as the World Economic Forum could help not only bringing a worldwide community together, but it may also bring an extra level of trust. It is unlikely that all nations will benefit from it, at least not while state sponsored attacks are a threat and nations where attackers may be based chose to not cooperate with other countries. One recent example of this is that when trying to work with Russia, Five Eyes member Australia revealed it had yet to get a response from Russia regarding the cyberattack on private health insurance provider Medibank. In November 2022, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) revealed that those responsible for the Medibank data breach were in Russia. Following a Five Eyes law enforcement meeting in Melbourne, Australia, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw shared in an interview with Nines 60 Minutes that Australia is still waiting to receive intelligence back from Russia. We have shared our viewpoint on who we think some of these individuals and groups are. Given the fact that we shared some very detailed, specific intelligence, wed like to see a result come back and we are still waiting on that front. Global professional association ISACA has announced a pledge to the European Commission to grow and empower the cybersecurity workforce in Europe. The pledge will see ISACA provide 20,000 free memberships to students across Europe to acquire crucial cybersecurity skills and support the identification of qualified cybersecurity candidates for organizations, supporting the European Unions (EU) cybersecurity agenda, it said. Closing the cybersecurity workforce gap and promoting diversity within the field will be key focus areas, helping the development of a high-quality cybersecurity workforce that instils confidence among employers, according to ISACA. In April, the EU launched the Cyber Skills Academy as part of the European Year of Skills to increase the number of skilled cybersecurity professionals in the EU. Meanwhile, ISACAs recent State of Digital Trust research showed a lack of skills and training remains a significant barrier to achieving digital trust in Europe. The latest (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study puts the global cybersecurity workforce shortage at 3.4 million, with organizations struggling to fill this gap. Pledge focuses on cybersecurity education, training, qualified candidates ISACA has pledged to reduce the cybersecurity skills gap through a combination of education, memberships, and training, it stated in a press release. ISACA said it will collaborate with more than 60 training organizations and academic institutions to ensure teachers and trainers possess the necessary knowledge and credentials to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity training based on ISACAs guidance. It will also provide 20,000 free memberships to students in Europe, enabling them to access ISACAs network in the region. These student members will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge through access to ISACAs resources, credentials, training, and events. Furthermore, ISACA will support the identification of qualified candidates for organizations by facilitating contacts between student members and executives/senior professionals through virtual and in-person events held by over 40 ISACA chapters throughout Europe, it added. ISACA has committed to expanding the reach and impact of its training and credentialing programs throughout Europe, surpassing the milestone of 46,000 certified individuals in alignment with the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework. Finally, ISACA will disseminate knowledge to citizens across each European country through a series of events and publications facilitated by its chapters in the region in an aim to raise awareness and understanding of cybersecurity among the general public, it said. Commitments should give businesses increased confidence in cybersecurity hires The commitments made in the pledge will give European businesses increased confidence that the talent theyre recruiting have the credentials and the skills to use cybersecurity as an enabler of success, promoting customer and overall stakeholder trust, and accelerating the safer adoption of new technologies, Chris Dimitriadis, chief global strategy officer at ISACA, tells CSO. The shortage of cybersecurity professionals in Europe ranges between 260,000 and 500,000, according to the European Commission, Dimitriadis says. Without the right talent in place, businesses worry about when not if theyre going to be attacked, and how this will impact their reputation and success. Our pledge to the European Commission commits to reducing the cybersecurity skills gap in Europe by providing a holistic training and credentialing scheme to empower current and future talent to enter the cybersecurity workforce, opening up the talent pool for businesses and giving them access to a trained workforce. Photo: Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images Amtraks new, high-speed Acela fleet is one of the countrys largest-ever public-transportation investments, ringing up at $2 billion. But over the last three years, as each of the 28 new Acela train sets rolled off the Hornell, New York, assembly line, they have been languishing in a rail yard, all dressed up with nowhere on the Northeast Corridor to go. Now the major Acela upgrade, once planned for 2021, might not be on track until sometime in 2024. The Wall Street Journal reports that the new Acela cars are being held up by requirements that mandate the trains are run in a range of real-world conditions before boarding passengers. The problem is, unlike their siblings in other countries that have their own dedicated rights-of-way, the new Acela trains like all the service Amtrak runs have to share tracks with existing freight and passenger trains, severely limiting what track is available for testing. And among the greatest concerns for the new rolling stock is how it will navigate those antiquated 100-year-old rails, including how trains designed for Frances stick-straight TGV routes negotiate our curvier stretches. (The answer: slowly.) Right now, Amtrak is still using computer modeling to replicate various scenarios that the new cars might encounter during their trips up and down the Eastern Seaboard; so far, the supposedly superfast trains havent seen speeds faster than 90 mph. Veteran commuters will remember that similar issues derailed delivery of the first Acela fleet cracks in brakes took 20 Bombardier train sets temporarily out of service but Amtraks current woes are more infrastructural. And, in a way, more existential. As the federal government grapples with demands to speed up passenger rail service across the country, the conflicts with freight-dominated tracks including the growing threats of deferred maintenance and dangerous derailments will only become more pronounced. Other countries are building trains that exceed 200 mph as well as the dedicated infrastructure to keep them blurring between cities on schedule; by the time these brand-new Acela trains get rolling, theyll only barely qualify as high-speed rail. The promise of Andy Train Daddy Byford, who recently worked magic for the MTA, taking over Amtraks high-speed network could finally spark the U.S. rail revolution we deserve. But with every year, were lagging further behind. Gold Price Analysis, Price, and Chart Gold is trading on either side of a prior resistance turned support level. ADP, US non-farm payrolls near increased volatility heading into the weekend? Recommended by Nick Cawley How to Trade Gold Get My Guide Short-dated US Treasury yields are being pulled one way then another with the US one-month T-bill seeing wild swings over the past few sessions. The 14-day Average True Range - a volatility measure - is at a multi-year high level and this is adding to the current unease in the gold space. Yesterday ultra-short-end US bill yields fell sharply on news that the US debt deal had passed through the House with the bill now off to the Senate for approval. Investors had been demanding higher yields to compensate for a higher US default risk, and this is now fading as a deal nears. The table has turned today with bill yields moving higher as investors sell their low-risk US government debt forcing yields higher as risk markets come back into favor. This move now looks under pressure, adding to the multi-year volatility seen in the market. US One-Month Treasury Yield June 1, 2023 Ahead today and tomorrow, two important US labor reports. After Wednesdays hot JOLTs report, all eyes will be on todays ADP National Employment Report (12:15 GMT) and Fridays US Non-Farm Payroll Report (12:30 GMT). Both have the heft to move US dollar rate expectations and gold. US Dollar Dithers After Debt Deal Passes House of Reps. Will the Fed Now Drive USD For all market-moving data releases and events, see the DailyFX Economic Calendar Gold is trading above a prior level of resistance turned support around $1,960/oz. but todays move higher is not looking overly convincing and could easily reverse lower again. Looking ahead to next week, gold traders will likely have a much clearer idea of direction when the US debt ceiling has passed and the US jobs report are fully digested. Gold Price Daily Chart June 1, 2023 Chart via TradingView Gold Bearish Data provided by of clients are net long. of clients are net short. Change in Longs Shorts OI Daily 10% 7% 9% Weekly 2% -9% -1% Retail Traders Remain Long Retail trader data show 68.63% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 2.19 to 1.The number of traders net-long is 0.36% higher than yesterday and 4.74% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 0.11% lower than yesterday and 6.33% higher from last week. We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Gold prices may continue to fall. Positioning is more net-long than yesterday but less net-long from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed Gold trading bias. What is your view on Gold bullish or bearish?? You can let us know via the form at the end of this piece or you can contact the author via Twitter @nickcawley1. US Dollar, Japanese Yen, USD/JPY Price Action: Earlier this month, USD/JPY rose above the key 138.00 resistance. However, it might be premature to assume the start of renewed period of USD / JPY strength. What is the outlook for USD/JPY and what are the signposts to watch? Recommended by Manish Jaradi How to Trade USD/JPY Get My Guide There are a couple of things that stand out on the charts of the Japanese yen against the US dollar and the closely correlated US Treasury yields recently that could have implications for the trend in the coming weeks. On the monthly charts of USD/JPY, despite the near 10% rally from February, there is hardly any noticeable improvement in momentum (14-month Relative Strength Index). The last time a similar development took place, the spot subsequently went sideways for months. Such conditions typically signify an unwinding of bullish conditions, instead of a renewed leg higher. Eventually, momentum normalized to a level that created the foundations in 2021 for a big rally. USD/JPY Monthly Chart Chart Created Using TradingView This time around, USD/JPY has achieved its measured target of 50.00 equal to the 2012-2015 bullish move. So, in a sense, it has done its part for now (the risk is that the extension turns out to be more than 100% of the move). US Treasury 10-year Yield Weekly Chart Chart Created Using TradingView Similarly, momentum (14-month RSI) on the US Treasury 10-year yield monthly chart hasnt improved materially, even as the yield has most recently broken above key resistance at the April high of 3.64%. The yield continues to be in a well-established downward-sloping range (see the weekly chart). USD/JPY Quarterly Chart Chart Created Using TradingView From a longer-term perspective, as highlighted at the end of 2022 (see Japanese Yen Q1 Technical Forecast: USD/JPY to Consolidate Further, USD/JPY posted a bearish reversal candle on the quarterly charts in December at significant converged resistance. Similarly, the US Treasury 10-year yield has struggled to clear the stiff converged barrier on the 89-quarter moving average, near the upper edge of the Ichimoku channel on the quarterly charts. US Treasury 10-year Yield Quarterly Chart Chart Created Using TradingView The upshot of the above is that the break above 138.00 barrier may not be a sign of renewed strength in USD/JPY. Indeed, it could be part of a broader sideway range developing. If past is any guide, there needs to be a significant build-up in momentum or the bullish conditions would need to be unwound enough to set the stage for a renewed bullish cycle. USD/JPY Daily Chart Chart Created Using TradingView Having said that, there are no imminent signs of a reversal even as USD/JPY has encountered some hurdles, including the upper edge of a rising channel from January (see the daily chart). As the colour-coded 240-minute candlestick charts show, based on trending/momentum indicators, USD/JPY remains in a broad bullish phase from a short-term perspective. Unless it falls below immediate converged support at 137.75-138.50 (including the 89-period moving average and the early-May high), the path of least resistance remains sideways to up for now. USD/JPY 240-minute Chart Chart Created by Manish Jaradi Using TradingView Note: In the above colour-coded charts, Blue candles represent a Bullish phase. Red candles represent a Bearish phase. Grey candles serve as Consolidation phases (within a Bullish or a Bearish phase), but sometimes they tend to form at the end of a trend. Note: Candle colors are not predictive they merely state what the current trend is. Indeed, the candle color can change in the next bar. False patterns can occur around the 200-period moving average, or around a support/resistance and/or in sideways/choppy market. The author does not guarantee the accuracy of the information. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Users of the information do so at their own risk. Trade Smarter - Sign up for the DailyFX Newsletter Receive timely and compelling market commentary from the DailyFX team Subscribe to Newsletter --- Written by Manish Jaradi, Strategist for DailyFX.com --- Contact and follow Jaradi on Twitter: @JaradiManish A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Did Buckingham Palace have advance knowledge of the simmering Schofield affair? On Wednesday May 17s This Morning, Holly pecked Phillips cheek as she cantered off set to attend a Princes Trust reception at Buck House, leaving him as solo presenter. Three days later, Schofield abruptly resigned. Both she and her co-host were celebrity ambassadors for the trust, but only Holly was invited to the shindig. As revealed here on Tuesday, he has now been dropped by the trust. Was the Palace given a heads-up about the imminent storm to spare the King the embarrassment of being photographed alongside Schofield just days before his downfall? Phil Schofield (pictured right) with his younger lover in 2015 on the set of This Morning Celebrating his 70th birthday with friends in Italy, did recently retired ITV chairman Sir Peter Bazalgette raise a glass to toast his narrow escape from the Schofield shambles? Like ITV boss Carolyn McCall, hired by him, Sir Peter remains mute in the face of unsavoury details leaking out about Schofields gay affair and the alleged cover-up that occurred on his watch. The Big Brother innovator will have all his fingers crossed that this debacle wont stymie his ambition to be the next chairman of the BBC. Dumped This Morning co-host Eammon Holmes continues his vendetta against Phillip Schofield, reminding GB News viewers of the official excuse for his and Hollys attendance at the Queens lying in state. They were there to make a film on the Queens funeral. Have you seen the film? he sarcastically inquires. Am I alone in thinking that the increasingly sour Holmes has entertained us enough about the shabby circus at ITV? Eamonn Holmes (pictured left) with his wife Ruth Langsford on the This Morning sofa Assessing his working relationship with fellow former BBC man and now Global co-presenter Jon Sopel, 64, pictured, cocky whippersnapper Lewis Goodall, 33, cheekily describes it as this older, overbearing presenter and then his younger dynamic successor, heir apparent. Precious Sopel responds: Shut up, Lewis. Should have called him Holly, Jon! Raspy warbler Bonnie Tyler, marking the 40th anniversary of her hit Total Eclipse Of The Heart, mourns Tina Turner, telling Classic Rock: Tina really inspired me... Although I did record Simply The Best two years before she did it. Tormented by fellow pupils at school, Alan Carr, promoting Changing Ends, his TV account of growing up as a gay teen in 1980s Northampton, has had the last laugh. Ive done book signings in Northampton, he tells Womans Own. And some of the bullies have turned up with their books for me to sign, saying, Do you remember me? Im like, Yeah you once shoved my head down a toilet! To any of those bullies watching Changing Ends, I can say, Ha! Look at me now. Im an icon! Alan Carr poses at The Brit Awards 2009 Reflecting on the Schofield feeding frenzy, comedy star and former Young One Adrian Edmondson jokily remarks of Schofields original childrens TV puppet sidekick: Weve still heard nothing from Gordon the Gopher. It's often said there are too many rules and regulations and an excess of red tape in the modern world, but not everyone is bound by the constraints of health and safety protocol. Some workers prefer to take a more daring approach, and Calpaclab has put together a series of funny images that show workers from around the world who are a bit too relaxed about staying safe on the job. One construction worker opted to have a smoke on the job right next to a sign warning: 'Danger flammable gas'. In China, a fire hydrant box was rendered completely useless after a staircase rail was installed over it. Who needs scaffolding? The best that can be said about this situation is that this worker must really trust his colleague a lot And in the US, someone will probably have to take their test again after driving a forklift straight into a BMW. After forgetting his protective gear, one worker improvisedby putting a bucket over his head to get on with the job - but at least he tried. Elsewhere, a welder was spotted getting on the job without any protective goggles whatsoever, and was leaning dangerously close to the sparks. This worker in New York decided to ignore the sign that says 'Danger flammable gas' and instead have a cigarette on the job This man has had to improvise and probably grabbed the first thing he saw - a plastic bucket This fire hydrant cupboard in China has lost its purpose due to bad design - the staircase rail means you will not be able to open it This construction worker has no fear about being underneath a digger which weighs several tons Road to hell! This person in the US may need to sit their forklift test again after driving into a BMW Risky! This man has decided to take his chances by welding without any protective headgear on Someone taped this fire extinguisher to a pole - let's hope everyone is carrying scissors in an emergency! These two construction workers could have ended up losing fingers after sanding down brick tiles without wearing protective gear It seems this employee has a death wish after perching on an unstable platform which they could easily fall off Tina Coletta was walking down her High Street with a fellow mum when she spotted something worrying. Two older youths either side of a bewildered schoolboy; one with an arm draped over his shoulder, the other talking closely to him. She instantly recognised it as the prelude to whats known as a hugger mugging, in which attackers pretend to befriend their target before demanding money, phones and even the victims house keys and address a tactic designed to maximise fear. Tina didnt turn a blind eye or call the police. Instead, she went over to confront them. I should probably have felt scared, admits Tina, 62, a transcriber for Oxford University. They were both bigger than me, but I was just intent on stopping them. They were in expensive tracksuits and trainers; there was no way they were his friends. I kept a distance but asked them what they thought they were doing. No nonsense: Mums on street patrol (from left) Mourna, Juliette, Emma, Tina, Glenda and Patricia in Enfield where they are prepared to take on street gangs to keep children safe We were probably the last people they expected to challenge them. They slowly dropped their arms from the boy, stared at us and slipped away across the road at a trot. Their victim, who was 12, was very shocked. We made sure he got home safely, but he was lucky it ended so quickly. This was Tinas very first shift as part of Enfields mum patrol a courageous army of volunteers trying to keep the areas children safe following a wave of violent attacks. A largely middle-class market town, Enfield in North London is known for its green spaces and good state and private schools. But like many such areas across the country, the threat of violence is ever-present. Children mostly boys, often as young as 11 are being mugged as they walk home from school, forced to hand over their phones, wallets or even expensive trainers. But the mothers who patrol Enfield High Street after school, clad in hi-vis and carrying walkie talkies, are having a significant impact. According to official figures from the Metropolitan Police, in the first year of the scheme from March 2019 to March 2020 there was a startling 48 per cent decrease in youth-on-youth robberies in Enfield. There was a fresh spate of attacks when schools restarted after the pandemic but, overall, muggings have been reduced. The month before the patrol started, in February 2019, there were 17 muggings, for example, but in February 2023, there were just two. Victims: Juliette Doggett with her twin sons Baden and Jack. Even though they stand at 6 ft 6 in, the 16-year-old twins were mugged outside Enfield train station in April 2022 The motivation of these fearless mothers is clear: protecting children. Many of their own children have themselves fallen victim. Unbeknown to Tina, while she was preventing her first ever mugging, her own youngest son was being robbed. She says: As we rescued that young boy, my son was waiting at the bus stop on the way home from his sixth-form college. Some older boys approached him and took his phone and Oyster card. I found out when I got home and was horrified. He could have been stabbed. Tinas elder son has been held up at knifepoint, too. The attackers are often local teenagers. But some muggings are carried out by terrifying gangs in balaclavas, sometimes on mopeds and wielding machetes. Enfields mothers are not alone in taking action. Shockingly, even leafy Richmond the safest and one of the wealthiest boroughs in London now boasts a group called Mothers Against Muggings, set up after a spate of them several years ago. Private security forces are also being hired by residents to tackle a rise in anti-social behaviour and thefts. Baden and Jack were approached by a gang of about nine men in balaclavas. They asked for money, and the teenagers initially thought they were joking, but the muggers then pinned Baden to a car and asked if he wanted to be stabbed In Londons swanky Belgravia, Mayfair and Kensington, worried parents can sign up to a service called My Local Bobby, which replaces bobbies on the beat with uniformed security officers. For anywhere from 30 to 100 a month, these bobbies patrol exclusive streets and will even walk children safely home. Its CEO David McKelvey says: We see massive reductions in crime where we patrol. If clients are worried about their teenagers walking through a park or down an alley-way, we can accompany them. Of course, not everyone can afford private security and this is where the mum patrols come in. Dads and grandfathers take part, too. In Enfield, the groups founder Emma Rigby, 45, says its not just about muggings: We approach unfamiliar children and break-up fights. County lines drug gangs are recruiting in Enfield, so we keep an eye on youngsters at risk of that. If we feel in danger, we call in local officers. But mostly we can manage it. Were not scared. The kids who are a problem might swear at us or flip us the finger, but mostly they are scared of us as they know we have links to their schools. They are more scared of their teachers than the police. Emma, who is mother to Jackson, 15, and Meghan, 12, started recruiting volunteers in 2019, after Chris Lamb, headteacher of all-boys school Enfield Grammar, begged for her help. As someone who runs an online platform called Love Your Doorstep, building connections across local businesses and organisations, she was seen as having strong links in the community. When robberies in Richmond in South-West London rose by 114 per cent in 2018, Felicity Barkus (left) and Barbara Lingle-Elliot set up Mothers Against Muggings Chris Lamb says: In early 2019, we had nine boys attacked. They are easy targets as they know not to fight back. The muggers, as I understand it, would often come in from Haringey on the train after school, and do a circuit, sometimes getting 3,000 to 4,000 worth of phones in a few hours from children from all the nearby schools. My school banned smartphones and now only allows children to bring in old Nokia phones worth about 10. March of that year saw a peak in robberies and muggings across England and Wales, according to the National Crime Survey. In Enfield, things were particularly bad. Over the previous year, the borough saw 1,198 muggings, and 7,954 violent crimes, one of the highest rates in London. Emma like nearly everyone I speak to links the rise in violent crime to a dramatic reduction in police presence. Since 2010, 108 police stations have been closed across London. The borough of Enfield has lost two stations, leaving just Edmonton Station, a 15-minute drive from the High Street. More than 200 police and community support officers have been lost from the borough over the past decade. So when Emma suggested an alternative, parents rushed to sign up. Anyone can set up a scheme like this. Volunteers are not trained by the police, but run their own safety courses. They are non-confrontational and call police if required. Part of the reason Felicity and Barbara set up Mothers Against Muggings was due to the closure of the Richmond Police Station in 2017, which many felt must have contributed to the dramatic rise in the number of robberies Over the past four years, the Enfield patrol has gone from strength to strength. It is now 60-strong, and members share a sense of camaraderie fuelled by barbecues and drinks events. Tina was one of the first to sign up for the scheme, which her sons jokingly call Paw Patrol, after the childrens cartoon. The eldest to join the group is Glenda Hunter, 73, a former nurse who moved to Enfield 40 years ago. Glenda who has two granddaughters, aged 12 and nine now patrols three times a week, giving up time she used to spend at the theatre. She says: When I first moved, this was a nice quiet village, but over time it changed. There was lots of trouble and robberies, but I think its now a bit better. Another is Juliette Doggett, 55, a film and TV extra who has twin teenage boys. She was inspired to join when she realised many of their friends had been mugged. It shocked me to my core, she says. I was so angry that their innocence was being taken away. It was heartbreaking. Now, Juliette patrols twice a week and she has seen some extraordinary incidents, including a teenage girl wielding a hammer and a boy with an iron bar. They were shouting that they were going to beat someone up, and about 30 teenagers had gathered around them filming on their phones. Juliette approached the girl, but saw she was so enraged, she called the police. She adds: I directed the public away and spoke to witnesses. The police came quickly as I told them she had a weapon. While Mothers Against Muggings helps keep Richmond's teenagers safe, there is also a campaign underway led by the local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney to re-open the station and bring back a visible police presence Juliette identified the girl and a crisis was averted. Meanwhile, even though they stand at 6 ft 6 in, her 16-year-old twins Baden and Jack were mugged outside Enfield train station in April 2022. Baden says: We were approached by a gang of about nine men in balaclavas. They asked for money, and initially I thought they were joking, but they then pinned me to a car and asked if I wanted to be stabbed. It was terrifying. Two of their friends managed to run off, while three of the boys were forced to hand over their money and phones. Baden adds: It was shocking, and surreal. We were upset. I became much more cautious about going out. It could have escalated. We were lucky. What do they think of their mother patrolling the streets? Jack says: I have so much respect for her for doing it, as do my friends. I do worry about her. Its still not safe, but the mugging rate is down, which is incredible. I understand police are busy, but it might be better if they upped their patrols. Few of the mum volunteers hold out much hope of that. Glenda Hunter, 73, a former nurse who moved to Enfield 40 years ago, is the eldest to join the Enfield group. Glenda who has two granddaughters, aged 12 and nine now patrols three times a week A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police says: Police regularly work with community groups to keep young people safe including this initiative in Enfield. Our schools officers across the borough retain regular contact with this group and take forward any issues that require police involvement. The volunteers have even attracted funding from the London mayors office. The scheme is being replicated in some of the UKs wealthiest areas. Richmond in South-West London has one of the lowest crime rates in the city. Yet in 2018, robberies rose 114 per cent, with many attributing this to the closure of the Richmond Police Station in 2017. In response, Felicity Barkus and Barbara Lingle-Elliott set up Mothers Against Muggings. Mother-of-two Barbara, who works in recruitment, says: So many boys were being mugged. One had been attacked on the green with a knife held to his throat. These were boys we had known since they were four, that wed fed fish fingers to on play dates. But they had now reached the age where they were being targeted. Determined to help, the duo began approaching headteachers and the police. Barbara adds: The police had no idea. No one was reporting it, because people knew nothing could be done. And because the police were so stretched it was quite clear they didnt have enough resources to deal with it. The group began giving talks in schools, telling children how to stay safe. In the summer, they organised patrols by local youth leaders on Richmond Green. Mums making an impact: According to official figures from the Metropolitan Police, in the first year of Enfield's 'mum patrol' from March 2019 to March 2020 there was a 48 per cent decrease in youth-on-youth robberies in Enfield Barbara says: In that first year, we reduced muggings by more than 50 per cent. They crept up again post-Covid, but the current rate is still below the 2019 figure. In Richmond at least there is a campaign led by the local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney to re-open the station and bring back a visible police presence. In the meantime, mother-of-three Felicity, a chartered accountant, says the patrols bring some reassurance. Our teenagers need independence, but at least now we know they are safer. We want to support the police, but the officers often get diverted into the city to deal with protests. Understandably, there is anger and frustration. As Felicity says: We pay one of the highest council taxes in the UK, but we no longer have a police station. She says she doesnt want to point fingers but adds: We all have to work together to keep our kids safe. We cant leave basic law and order like this to the police any more. A woman has gone on seven solo holidays without her partner this year - and says people ask her if she feels guilty. Christina Patel, 30, from Ware, Hertfordshire, has been with her partner for four and a half years. In that time, the pair have been on multiple holidays together but due to his teaching job, Christina often leaves her partner at home while she jets off around the world. In 2022, the couple had two trips together, while Christina had five on her own. Christina Patel, 30, from Ware, Hertfordshire, pictured in Albania, has gone on seven solo holidays without her partner this year The recruiter, pictured on Safari, had a solo month-long trip booked within the first few months of meeting her boyfriend, so he knew what to expect CHRISTINA'S LIST OF SOLO HOLIDAYS IN 2023 - Barbados - USA - Nicaragua - Indonesia - Singapore - Philippines - Sri Lanka Advertisement LIST OF SOLO HOLIDAYS IN 2023 Many people have told Christina that her relationship is 'unconventional' but she disagrees saying that her partner is 'understanding'. Christina, a recruiter, said: 'My partner is a school teacher so we can only go away together in school holidays. 'He knew what he was getting himself into - within our first four months of dating I had five trips booked and one of them was a month-long trip to South America. 'Sometimes people will say, "Your poor boyfriend is home alone do you not feel guilty having fun without him?". 'I mainly get those comments from the older generation or people who hold really traditional values. 'I am very lucky that my partner is very understanding about it and knows I love to travel.' Christina visited south east Asia when she was 22-years-old and said she hasn't stopped travelling since. So far this year, Christina has visited seven countries and none of them have been with her partner. She said: 'I love travelling; it is that feeling of freedom and having different adventures everyday. 'I love meeting new people and trying new foods - it is a combination of those things. 'It is very different from being at home, waking up, going to work, then sleeping. Christina in Singapore - just one of seven trips she's taking this year without her boyfriend, who works as a teacher and can only travel in school holidays Christina, pictured in the Philippines, says she likes to be spontaneous and will often book a trip just a week in advance Christina on a solo holiday in Indonesia. She said her travel habits tend to attract negative comments from older people who live a traditional lifestyle 'I like the spontaneous lifestyle.' Christina said her partner is 'very understanding' as he works as a school teacher so is only available at certain times a year. She admitted she can be very spontaneous and book a holiday a week before she is due to go. Christina said: 'We do have a holiday in August booked and a few weekends booked together. 'I think if I was with someone who couldn't travel with their job and was not understanding of my love of travelling it just wouldn't work - I am very lucky. 'When I tell him I am going away he is like "OK fair enough" he will come back from work and I will tell him how I will be going away next week and he is used to it.' A man shas divided opinion after revealing his neighbour is causing a parking nightmare on their street by leaving two unused cars in his driveway for 14 years. The frustrated resident from Calgary, took to Reddit to explain that the neighbor then has to park the vehicle that they do drive on the street - usually in front of his house. As a result, guests visiting his house struggle to find a place to leave their car, and to make matters worse, their already crowded street is filled to the brim with cars, leading to congestion. He said he'd offered his neighbour help to have the vehicles taken away, but it never came to anything, and asked for advice on what to do next. But commenters were left divided as som hit out at the concerned poster, telling him to 'mind his business', while others said they would be equally enraged. A man sparked outrage when he revealed that his neighbour hasn't moved their car off the driveway in 14 years. Stock image used 'These are not vehicles of value and having them sit in the driveway clogs up an already full street,' he wrote in a post on the r/Calgary subreddit. 'Of course this is also the house on the street in #1 position when it comes to needing repairs and being visibly in decay. 'I know everyone's financial position can't allow for a perfect property, but ditching old cars valued at $0-50 to free up street parking would be nice for everyone.' The annoyed homeowner says that he's already tried to help resolve the situation to no avail. 'I spoke with the neighbour two years ago and offered to have the people at Donate-a-Car Canada give them a call to arrange donation of the vehicles, which they agreed to,' he added. 'One's an early 90's Pontiac Grand Am with flat tires and open window for at least 6 years) and an 80's Chev Pickup truck that had a tree growing into the open passenger window for years until somebody finally trimmed the tree. 'I heard from the Donate-a-car people that they never responded to multiple calls and messages.' The Redditor felt it would be better for the whole community if the extra space could be sorted out. 'Most of the other spots on our street are taken up by other people who have rear garages and don't use them for cars, or have too many cars to fit on their own property,' he explained. Commenters weighed in on the issue, as many slammed the man for being 'petty' and told him to 'mind hi business' 'Definitely super petty,' one slammed. 'Maybe discover a better way to use your free time than complaining about your neighbour's property.' 'Are you also complaining about a noisy AC unit from another neighbour?' a second sarcastically quipped. 'Whats with people like you,' a third remarked. 'Mind your business. Your guest cant park in your drive way? Are you lazy? Are they? 'I hate eyesores as much as anyone else but you seem to be speaking about an east of use for you. I could be wrong here.' He turned to others for advice - but dozens of commenters hit out at the concerned poster, telling him to 'mind his business' Another person wrote: 'Chances are a few of your neighbours feel the same way about you frequently having visitors over clogging up the street with vehicles. 'They'll wonder why they can't take a bus or taxi, or why you can't meet them somewhere. 'Perhaps they'll have complaints about honking when locking, loud stereo or vehicle, driving too fast or too slow. 'Sounds like they told you what you wanted to hear to get ride of you last time, and just want to be left alone.' However, others chipped in with advice for solutions, such as calling bylaw - which refers to regional regulations of a particular area that may be being violated - as property values could be affected by the situation. However, the original poster replied that he didn't want to 'cause grief' by calling bylaw, as he doesn't know their personal financial situation or circumstances. One commenter even suggested offering to buy the vehicles from the neighbour and selling them on. In an update, the Redditor explained that he'll likely try and approach his neighbours once again. 'I'll offer again to help them get some money out of their assets so they can use their driveway IF they choose to,' he wrote. 'Thanks to the folks who made reasonable suggestions and didn't just scream "MIND YOUR BUSINESS, LET EVERYONE ELSE DO WHAT THEY WANT" when the actions of the people around me clearly contravene bylaws - which I wouldn't call them on anyway because I value positive relationships with neighbours.' A brave campaigner who battled to raise 200,000 for specialist treatment for anorexia has died a day after declaring: 'I'm scared'. Amy Eliis, 43, of Broughton, Flintshire, North Wales, set up a TikTok account to raise awareness of her eating disorder while also raising money for treatment. But she passed away just one day after telling her 140,000 followers that she felt unwell - and was feeling 'scared'. Amy shared her experience of her illness after saying she never received appropriate help from the NHS. The former charity worker and artist said her symptoms were regularly misunderstood by doctors as depression or a 'way of life'. Amy Eliis, 43, of Broughton, Flintshire, North Wales, has died after a long struggle with anorexia, which she said she never received proper help for Amy shared a video from her bed telling supporters she had been unwell and was unable to stand up while 'thinking of the worst'. She said: 'I'm scared, I don't know what's happening. What have I got?' Her devastated family released a statement announcing her death just a day later. They said: 'Amy has taken her butterfly wings and flown to her next life. Amy taught us so much. 'Thank you for all your help and support, it meant the world to her as she did what she could to get the specialist help that she was asking for.' A fundraising page set up to help Amy pay for treatment raised over 12,400. Amy died just one day after telling her 140,000 followers that she felt unwell - and was feeling 'scared'. She was unable to stand and needed to rely on a wheelchair Amy had used her fundraising page to pull together more than 12,000 for her potentially life-saving treatment Before she died, Amy said she wanted to get better so she could turn her fundraising efforts into a charity to help other people Before her death, she said: 'I want to get better and then carry on helping other people. I want SavingAmyCymru to turn into a charity. 'I know I can reach so many more people than eating disorder charities to help people because I'm already doing it through my TikTok, but helping other people has got to start with me. 'I've got to raise this money and get better. I cannot help others from the grave.' Amy's tragic death comes after it was revealed that anorexia patients were being abandoned by the NHS because they were 'too sick' to be treated. Student nurse Charlotte Nolan, 23, told the Mail on Sunday she had been suffering with anorexia for seven years. Last November, her mental health plummeted and her eating disorder began to spiral out of control despite weekly therapy sessions. Amy's family confirmed her death in a statement where they thanked her for all she had taught them Amy's death comes amid growing concerns for anorexia patients on the NHS who are being offered palliative care because they are 'too sick' to treat After meeting with health professionals to discuss her future treatment, a decision was made which seemed baffling - discharging her from their care altogether. I was sobbing, trying to express to a room full of strangers that I wasnt sure I could cope, I wasnt sure I could stay safe,' she said. But they said I didnt make it easy for them to help. They said, Youve been with these services since you were 15, isnt it time to do things on your own? Were not here as a shoulder for you to cry on. I was told to go away and get better, and then come back. How am I supposed to do that on my own? It felt as if they were leaving me to die. Charlotte wasn't alone in her experience, according to stories from others who suffer from eating disorders. Hope Virgo, an eating disorder campaigner and former patient, told the MoS: Ive been contacted by people who say they are discharged because theyre too sick or not recovering fast enough, and being told theres nothing more that can be done. Its heartbreaking. Some have been referred to palliative care. We dont give up on patients with physical illnesses, we find different treatment methods which work for them. And yet, with eating disorders, its still a case of one-size-fits-all. Why arent we setting people up to have a chance of recovery? Instead, if treatment doesnt work, services are washing their hands of them. This trend was recognised by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in March, who warned NHS clinics against discharging very ill, treatment-resistant patients in order to save hospital beds for those who were less unwell but more likely to benefit. Disturbingly, this practice is backed by a small but growing number of experts. Some have even coined a term for it terminal anorexia. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, contact BEAT for help and support Two cousins who were torn apart soon after emigrating to Australia as part of the 'Ten Pound Pom' scheme have now been reunited 72 years later. Linda Candy, 75, and her cousin Valerie Linden, 76, travelled Down Under from the UK in the wake of World War II because their fathers, who were brothers, wanted to build a better life for their families. But the pair lost one another when their fathers fell out after arriving in Australia and the families moved thousands of miles apart. Although Linda often thought of the cousin she'd grown up with, she thought they'd never see each other again until Valerie tracked her down, more than 70 years on. The pair were finally reunited in the exact spot they entered the country back in 1951, at Pier One in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge recently. Two cousins (pictured) who were torn apart soon after emigrating to Australia as part of the 'Ten Pound Pom' scheme have now been reunited 72 years later Linda said: 'It was really an incredible feeling to see her again after all this time. I'd given up hope of a reunion many decades before, as we had no way to get in touch. 'I would often think about the fun we had on the ship on the way to Australia. We both had brothers so we gravitated towards each other and were more like sisters than cousins. 'Even though a lifetime had passed, it was as though we had never been apart. We got along like a house on fire. We went to Valerie's daughter's house, near Sydney, and we were dancing at 2am, behaving just like we did when we were four and five, I suppose! 'I'm so grateful she managed to find me again. We've got a lot of making up for lost time to do now.' Valerie managed to track her cousin down using an ancestry website and hesitantly sent her a message on Facebook. Linda's father, Charles Rossiter, had been a seasoned soldier, and served in Africa and the Middle East before and during World War II. His brother, Les, had worked down the mines in County Durham throughout the war. But by 1950, they found themselves living in one room with their parents, spouses and young children. Desperate for housing and job opportunities, and with Charles longing for sunshine and adventure, they decided to travel together to Australia under the Ten Pound migration scheme, which was the Australian government's offer to transport Brits to Oz and provide subsidised housing and jobs for them for 10 per person. Linda Candy (pictured left, aged five), 75, and her cousin Valerie Linden (pictured right, aged four), 76, travelled Down Under from the UK in the wake of World War II because their fathers, who were brothers, wanted to build a better life for their families But the pair (pictured when they were reunited) lost one another when their fathers fell out after arriving in Australia and the families moved thousands of miles apart. Pictured, Valerie (left) and Linda (right) Although Linda often thought of the cousin she'd grown up with, she thought they'd never see each other again until Valerie tracked her down, more than 70 years on. Pictured left to right, Charles, Linda, Valerie, Linda's brother Neil, Valerie's brother Ian, Les Officially titled the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, it ran in various forms from 1945 to 1972 and enticed more than a million and a half Brits, who could apply for Australian citizenship after a year. If they decided to return to Britain within two years, they had to pay back their 10 and fund their own passage back (about 120 then, 6,000 in today's money). The brothers boarded the SS New Australia in Southampton on August 29th 1951, when Linda was aged four and Valerie just five. Linda recalled: 'I remember the boat journey quite well, our mothers were always terrified we would fall overboard so we were kept on quite a tight rein for the journey. 'When we finally landed in Australia, I remember just being overjoyed being able to play on grass, and my mother had quite a hard time getting me onto the train to Bathurst.' The two families lived in migrant hostels, huts made of corrugated iron with basic fittings and no fans let alone aircon in the searing heat. 'It was very difficult for us all,' Linda recalled. 'It was scorching hot, the middle of summer, we had no money and we all caught measles. 'There was no medical care other than calamine lotion I remember my mother putting paper over the windows of the hut because we couldn't bear the light. 'Our mothers must have thought they had made the worst mistake of their lives.' The pair (pictured) were finally reunited in the exact spot they entered the country back in 1951, at Pier One in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge recently Within two years of moving to South Australia, Linda's (pictured on the deck of the ship in which she travelled to Australia) family's fortunes changed after they won 15,000 on the lottery. (Australian currency was still in at that time) The two brothers both planned to travel west to South Australia for work but their plans were disrupted when Les persuaded Charlie to loan 70 to a friend so they could buy a truck to make the journey together. Somehow this didn't work out and there was a fierce argument resulting in Linda's family setting off alone. From then on, the two families went their separate ways. 'There was no way to keep in touch, we moved south to Salisbury, South Australia, and they stayed in Fairy Meadow, New South Wales. 'We had been used to being playmates. It was a huge change getting used to life without them,' said Linda. Within two years of moving to South Australia, Linda's family's fortunes changed after they won 15,000 on the lottery. (Australian currency was still in at that time). They moved back to England and bought a farm but within three years, the Aussie lifestyle was too much of a pull and they returned to South Australia, where Linda went to university and completed an arts degree and became a teacher. Valerie's family also returned to England in 1959, but she and her brother Ian, eventually returned as adults having been schooled in England. She lives there now as do her children. The two cousins discovered they had both spent a lifetime yo-yoing between the places. Valerie said: 'I had been building my family tree on a genealogy site and had tried to track down Linda's branch of the family. Over the years my thought had often wandered to what and where Linda was. 'I couldn't believe it when I found her husband. The rest is history! It might have taken 70 years but it was worth the wait.' Rajwa Al-Saif looked stunning in her ivory wedding gown by Lebanese designer, Elie Saab, during her wedding ceremony today. Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan's future wife, 29, turned heads in the body-skimming white gown. The long-sleeved frock featured asymmetrical ruching detail over one shoulder and flattered her regal figure, as it gathered at the waist. She stunned in a breathtaking detachable train, which had floral detailing, adding an extra touch to her majestic look. Wearing a sparkling diamond tiara, the bride looked nothing less than a real life princess. Rajwa Al-Saif looked stunning in her ivory wedding gown by Lebanese designer, Elie Saab, during her ceremony today She held a bouquet of porcelain coloured flowers and wore glitzy diamond earrings to match her tiara. The ceremony was held at Zahran Palace in Amman, Jordan, where guests and other royals from around the world witnessed the magical event. Queen Rania was beautiful in black as she greeted guests at the palace alongside her husband King Abdullah ahead of the nuptials. The Prince and Princess of Wales, Queen Sofia of Spain, Princess Elisabeth and King Philippe of Belgium were among some of the international royals in attendance. It seems the designer is also popular with British royals, as Kate donned a blush pink lace dress, also by Elie Saab, at the ceremony today. Rajwa was driven to the Palace in a 1968 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, which was custom-made for the late Queen Zein al-Sharaf, the Crown Prince's great grandmother. It was used by King Charles and Queen Camilla (then-Prince and Duchess) on their visit to Jordan in November 2021. The Crown Prince's younger brother, Prince Hashem then walked Rajwa to the gazebo and the Islamic marriage ceremony began. The long-sleeved frock featured asymmetrical ruching detail over one shoulder and flattered her regal figure, as it gathered at the waist The bride stunned in a breathtaking detachable train, which had floral detailing, adding an extra touch to her majestic look The Prince and Princess of Wales were beaming as arrived for Crown Prince Hussein 's lavish wedding to Rajwa Al-Saif today. Pictured: Kate also wearing Elie Saab The bride glowed as she opted for smoky eyeshadow, contour and rose coloured lipstick. Rajwa wore her glossy chocolate locks in a middle parting, with her curls pinned back behind her tiara and sheer veil. Prince Hussein looked dapper, donning his military regalia as he awaited his future wife at the alter. The Saudi Arabian-born architect was the picture of elegance and grace, beaming as she sat down with her new husband. The loved-up couple were unable to take their eyes off each other as they read out their vows. The crowd cheered passionately as the royal couple exchanged their rings. After the ceremony, guests will move to Al Husseiniya Palace for a banquet dinner and to continue celebrations. Aria, now 23, has gone from strength to strength and is preparing for Harvard A young woman whose father tried to marry her off to her cousin when she was just 12 years old is now bound for Harvard. Aria Mustary, from New York, was not yet a teenager when her dad tried to send her to Bangladesh to be married after claiming that she was too 'rebellious' and a drain on the family's financial resources. The youngster was able to convince her mom, who had been a child bride herself, to divorce him - and the mother-daughter duo, along with Aria's younger sister, have been going from strength to strength ever since. Aria, now 23, who is set to study a masters in Entrepreneurship, Education Leadership and Organizations at Harvard, has founded an organization that teaches high-risk girls under the age of 18 how to be self-sufficient in a bid to tackle child marriage. Aria Mustary, from New York, was not yet a teenager when her dad tried to send her to Bangladesh to be married after claiming that she was too 'rebellious' and a drain on the family's financial resources The youngster was able to convince her mom, who had been a child bride herself, to divorce him - and the mother-daughter duo, along with Aria's younger sister (pictured together in 2013), have been going from strength to strength ever since Aria's mother Syeda Mustary, who grew up in Bangladesh, was just 16 when she was forced to wed a man more than a decade older than her. Just two years later the couple moved to the US but - far from finding a land of opportunity - Syeda was trapped in a strained marriage with few prospects. The pair welcomed two daughters and for a moment it seemed that history would repeat itself. Speaking on Instagram, Aria revealed: 'My dad came home with a proposal when I was 12 years old saying that he would send me back to Bangladesh - even though I was born in New York - to get me married off to my first cousin. 'My mom had said no but my dad argued, "She's rebellious, she doesn't go to school anyway and she's not going to go anywhere with her life so let's just get her married off."' Aria claimed that her father said the couple did not have enough resources to look after her themselves. But she revealed: 'I finally convinced my mom to pack it up and leave that day.' Elaborating further, Aria told Insider: 'When my younger sister was born, I became hyperaware of my surroundings. Aria, now 23, is set to study a masters in Entrepreneurship, Education Leadership and Organizations at Harvard 'I saw how my mom basically was a child herself taking care of children, and I became her protector. 'I begged my mom to divorce him and leave the oppressive environment. Enough was enough.' Thankfully, Syeda listened to her daughter's pleas and left her husband which meant Aria no longer had to worry about being a child bride. The mother-daughter duo, along with Aria's younger sister, moved into a new apartment in Queens. Syeda set up her own small fabric business to earn enough money to get the family out of poverty. Aria said that she quickly realized that financial motivations were the reason why most of her female relatives had been married off at an early age - and is now hoping to tackle it head on. She told the publication: 'If parents had a better option for their daughters, they would not marry them. 'Based on my personal life, I wanted to create a program to help young girls secure their own education, have financial literacy, open bank accounts, and create incentives for families so they don't resort to marriage.' Aria's mother Syeda Mustary (pictured together), who grew up in Bangladesh, was just 16 when she was forced to wed a man more than a decade older than her Aria's venture, titled Mai Soli Foundation, aims to 'change systemic issues of gender inequality in developing countries' by teaching young girls to be self sufficient Every year, at least 12 million girls worldwide - which equates to one in every five - are married before they reach the age of 18, according to UNICEF. Aria's venture, titled Mai Soli Foundation, aims to 'change systemic issues of gender inequality in developing countries' by teaching young girls to be self sufficient. Speaking about the program, she said: 'When we continue to dive into potential of these brilliant girls, it creates an everlasting, chain reaction in their communities, and in the world. All they need are the resources.' Aria said: 'I'm inspired every day by my mother's sacrifices.' The entrepreneur is now set to study a masters at Harvard and, celebrating the achievement on social media, wrote: 'No matter where you come from or what your journey is, I hope that this is a reminder that anyone, and I mean anyone can do what they believe in. 'I grew up as a rebellious, eldest daughter, as the main parent to my little sister, and a child bride as a mother. We had no foundations of anything. No money. No resources. And now were here. For women of color in this country, its so hard to see faces we recognize in spaces like Harvard. 'To any girl who may look like me, who may have had the cards stacked against them, to the ones struggling with poverty or carry the burden of the system, their families, others, I want you to know that we did this together.' Kate and William were in Jordan today to attend the royal wedding A lip reader has revealed what was said between the Jordanian royals and William and Kate when the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived for today's lavish wedding in Amman. The Prince and Princess of Wales, 40 and 41, travelled to Jordan - where Kate lived for a short while during her childhood - to watch Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan marry Saudi architect Rajwa Al-Saif, 29. When they arrived at the Zahran Palace, the pair were greeted by King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan and paused to catch up before taking their seats. The last time the couples saw each other was at King Charles' Coronation in May, and according to a lip reader, Queen Rania told William during their chat: 'They were so good'. Although it is unclear who she was referring to, it could be a reference to the couple's three children George, Charlotte and Louis. When the Princess and Prince of Wales arrived at the Zahran Palace, the pair were greeted by King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jorda King Abdullah II also seemed to be reflecting on a memory in the conversation, and told William: 'Yes I remember that, it was beautiful.' Prince William said: 'Yes its mad, I know! They are lovely, yes they are,' although it is unclear who the Prince was referring to. The King grinned before responding with: 'Thank you.' As William and the monarch shook hands at the start of their conversation, the King said: 'Hello how are you feeling?' while the Queen kissed him and said: 'So good to see you again.' The Prince of Wales then added: 'Thank you, youre very kind it was wonderful thank you,' before pausing and adding, 'very much yes'. Kate is then thought to have asked the Jordanian royal couple how they are, adding: 'There's so much going on.' Queen Rania responded: 'Yes there is so much. I am looking forward to going on vacation after this.' William and Kate then both said: 'oh my goodness' - with William laughing. 'See you at the reception,' Kate added. A lip reader has revealed what was said between the King and Queen of Jordan and Kate and William Kate and William greet the bride and groom at the reception - with Kate giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek The Prince of Wales then put his arms around Kate, as Queen Rania said: 'Thank you so much we will see you later.' And then King then - at the same time - holds his hands up and says: 'Lovely, yes we will see you.' Jordan holds a special place in Kate and William's hearts, and the royal couple took their children on holiday to the country in 2021. The Middleton family spent two years in Jordan during the early 80s, beginning when Kate was just two years old, after her father Michael, a British Airways flight dispatcher, was relocated to Amman for work. Princess Beatrice, 34, with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 39, were also in attendance Princess Beatrice and Edo also spoke to Queen Rania and the King during the nuptials Queen Rania was beautiful in a black Dior gown as she greeted guests at the palace alongside her husband King Abdullah ahead of the nuptials Kate and the bride even wore the same designer on the magical day - both opting for Lebanese designer Elie Saab. Kate donned a blush pink lace dress, while Beatrice wore a silver sequined gown from British label Needle & Thread for the occasion. Queen Rania was beautiful in a black Dior gown as she greeted guests at the palace alongside her husband King Abdullah ahead of the nuptials. The mother-of-the-groom was radiant in the floor length dress, which featured pretty gold embroidery down the back. Princess Beatrice, 34, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 39, were also in attendance for the big day. The best way to manage your household finances is to start thinking like a millionaire. Hear me out. I don't want you to start spending money as though you have it to burn. No, this is about being as financially savvy as someone who's got great wealth behind them. Think about it: millionaires are clever with cash they know how to hang on to it and make it work for them. They're well off because they take a proactive approach to their finances, regularly analysing what's coming in, and, just as importantly, what's going out. They don't waste money, and only spend it on what they want or need. Every millionaire I know goes through their personal financial statements quarterly, if not monthly, looking for inefficiencies, waste and money leaks. Today, I'm going to show you how to do the same. Trust me, this could save you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds. The best way to manage your household finances is to start thinking like a millionaire MONTHLY MONEY DATE Millionaires meet regularly with their accountants to audit their expenditure so it pays to go through yours with a fine tooth comb at least once a month. Go through all your bank and credit card statements, utility and general bills and get a full breakdown of all your direct debits and standing orders. Don't forget to include those easily forgotten regular payments that come out via PayPal or a bank card. CALL TO ACTION: Look out for the free trials you signed up for then forgot to cancel and any duplicated services (how many TV streaming accounts does anyone really need?). POTENTIAL SAVING: According to Citizen's Advice, consumers waste an average of 640 a year on unwanted subscriptions. DON'T PAY UP FRONT People with money know that their cash works better for them if they hang on to it for as long as possible. That fancy car they're driving it's on 0 per cent finance. And if the option's there, then they'll be paying for their next holiday in instalments. CALL TO ACTION: Be clever about how you spend only purchase on buy-now-pay-later if you can, categorically, trust yourself to stick to the repayments or put aside money to pay it off in full before the deal ends, otherwise you'll get landed with huge interest fees. And, of course, don't be seduced by a deal if you weren't planning to buy something, but got tempted by a BNPL offer, you didn't really want or need in the first place. Check when any BNPL deals you've taken up are due to end when you've had something for a year it's frighteningly easy to forget you haven't actually paid for it yet. POTENTIAL SAVING: I recently bought a 1,200 sofa on BNPL, putting that same amount into a 2.5 per cent interest savings account instead. I made just over 30 in interest and still had the cash accessible for emergencies. If you did this on every big purchase, think how much money you could make. IDENTIFY CASH LEAKS These are the gym memberships that aren't being used; the phone contracts you took out years ago for your kids and still pay, even though they now have jobs and homes of their own; or the late payment fees you've been charged because you forgot to pay. Rich people have accountants to flag these things you need to be ruthless with a highlighter pen and identify the money you're allowing to slip through your fingers. Identify cash leaks including gym memberships that aren't being used (file photo) CALL TO ACTION: Make sure any regular bill which will see you penalised if you pay late goes out by direct debit you can ask to be billed so that payment will go out on or soon after payday, which will help you to keep on track. POTENTIAL SAVING: The average gym membership costs 500 a year great if you use it, but a money leak that will be sabotaging your finances if not. Meanwhile the average monthly phone bill is around 25 a month, so if you stop paying for just one phone you're not using then, annually, that could save you 300 a year. INVEST IN CLOTHES Are you paying cheap but paying twice? My millionaire girlfriends buy quality clothes never disposable fast fashion then when they want to spruce up their wardrobe they sell what they don't wear any more on sites such as Vinted to fund their next shopping trip. My millionaire girlfriends buy quality clothes never disposable fast fashion then when they want to spruce up their wardrobe they sell what they don't wear any more on sites such as Vinted CALL TO ACTION: Be more intentional in your spending and buy the best you can afford. Quality products last longer and retain value, so you can often sell them on. The same applies if you're looking out for second-hand bargains go for quality brands and they're more likely to be in better condition. POTENTIAL SAVING: I once sold a second-hand pair of Jimmy Choo trainers which had become extremely hard to get hold of as they were so popular and made 75. I have five kids and last year I bought them each a pair of second-hand trainers from vinted.co.uk in the summer, and then again for winter. The bill would have been 500 new so it saved me 450 on shoes alone as I didn't spend more than 50. THE VALUE OF MONEY Rich people use leverage to get what they want and aren't embarrassed to haggle your power lies in the fact that service providers and retailers want your custom. CALL TO ACTION: Look out for any annual contracts coming up for renewal, for example car and home insurance, and go on a price comparison website to see who will look after you better. Call up your broadband provider, and the company you get your mobile phone through and tell them you're going to leave unless they can save you some money. I recently phoned Sky and said I couldn't justify the expense any more they instantly halved the bill for six months and added Disney Plus for free, which I was paying 7.99 a month for on a separate account. During maternity leave I went on topcashback.co.uk and used the site to compare deals then swap all my insurance and mobile phone accounts, saving me money and earning cash back on top. POTENTIAL SAVING: The cheaper Sky deal, being able to cancel Disney Plus, reducing my insurance and phone costs plus the 300 cashback that earned me, came to an incredible 400 saving while still having access to all of the same things that I had previously. THE JOY OF SAVING Spring cleaning your finances doesn't mean stripping out every pleasurable thing in life. It's about rooting out waste. In the spirit of tidiness guru Marie Kondo, look at every non-essential outgoing and ask yourself: Does this bring me joy. POTENTIAL SAVING: If you enjoy the ritual of a takeaway coffee, then that's fine. If it's just a habit, you can save around 1200 a year on that daily medium latte. Identify your wasteful habits, weed them out and see how much you can save. It's addictive once you start. A FIFO worker has shared a glimpse into his day-to-day life living and working on a mine where he's given an impressive banquet of food for every meal. Jordan Dowsett rises at 4am to work a 12-hour shift as an electrician in central Queensland and is well fed in the mining camp where he lives. Fans were wowed by the smorgasbord the former Love Island contestant is treated to which included hot breakfasts, ice cream, curries, pasta, fries, fruit, sandwiches and cakes. Waking up at the crack of dawn, Jordan is down at the mess hall to tuck into his favourite meal of the day by 4.30am. 'Look at the options I get - fruit, yoghurt, cereal, bread, muffins, you name it, hot food, porridge, it's all there,' he said in a TikTok clip. Scroll down for video Jordan Dowsett (pictured) has shared what his typical day is like as a FIFO electrician working on the mines - and all everyone can talk about is the food he's given Fans were wowed by the smorgasbord the former Love Island contestant is treated to which included hot breakfasts, ice cream, curries, pasta, fries, fruit, sandwiches and cakes He said while he doesn't use the 'famous' coffee machine, it gets 'destroyed' by his fellow FIFO colleagues and he treats himself to a 'cheeky' hot chocolate if he's 'feeling naughty'. At 5am, Jordan heads to the 'crib' where there are endless lunch and snack options for the workers to take to the mine. 'We're going to pack our smoko and lunch for the day because once you're in the mine, there's no way of getting any food,' he said. 'We pack it all the morning of and then we are right to go for the day.' At 5.30am, Jordan gets the bus to the site where everyone attends a meeting and does some morning stretches before getting 'on the tools' at 6am. At 5am, Jordan heads to the 'crib' where there are endless lunch and snack options for the workers to take on the mine Jordan's day in the life of a FIFO electrician on the mines 4am - Wake up 4:30am - Brekkie time 5am - Pack smoko and lunch for the day 5:30am - Bus to work 5:45am - Stretches and site meeting 6am - On the tools for the day 12pm - Lunch 6pm - Tools down, end of shift 6:30pm - In the gym, one hour workout 7:30pm - Dinner after gym 8pm - Shower, jump into bed, asleep by 8:30pm Advertisement 'Lunch time hits and what I packed today was a little salad and some fruit or sometimes if there's a healthy alternative, I'll get a chicken and rice or something,' he added. 'And then there's a big smile on my face because it's 6pm, it's knock off time, the day is finally done.' Jordan is back at the camp and in the gym by 6.30pm for an hour-long workout session. 'Love the gym here because no one comes here so I've got the whole place to myself. I smash out a workout for about an hour, that gets me to 7.30 (when) have some dinner,' he said. The sparky showed the range of meals on offer for dinner including curry and rice, fries, corn, green vegetables, stew, chicken schnitzel and salads as well as ice cream for dessert. By 8pm Jordan is in bed and asleep half an hour later 'ready to repeat' the day. Jordan's video was watched more than 333,700 times with viewers most impressed - and jealous - of the food on offer. 'The food looks insane,' one woman wrote and another agreed: 'Wanna go to the mines for the food'. 'This made me miss FIFO,' a third wrote. 'Offt, putting my camps food to shame!!' someone else added. 'Bro that food setup is mean! That's what most of my salary goes on so I'd be saving heaps doing FIFO,' one man said. An American has revealed the two common words she couldn't say in Australia without being mocked - despite living Down Under for a year. Brit, who lived in Sydney, admitted that despite practising to say the words 'partner' and 'kilometre' she could never quite get the enunciation correct. The US expat explained that she sounded like a Texas cowboy saying 'howdy, partner' because of her American accent. She also could never remember which country emphasised which section of 'kilometre' and simply says 'Ks' instead. Formerly Sydney-based Brit (pictured) admitted that despite practising to say the words 'partner' and 'kilometre' she could never quite get the enunciation correct The American has revealed the two common Australian words she cannot say without turning red and cringing, despite having lived Down Under for a year Now that Brit has moved back to the States, she decided to make a video about her struggles Down Under. 'Here are two very common Australian words that I refused to say when I lived there just because of my accent,' Brit said in the now-viral video. 'The first word was "partner" because Aussies typically do not pronounce either "r" when they say it. 'They use that word all the time because they don't really say "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" as much there - they always call people their partners,' the American explained. 'But I never said that, because I sound like...' Brit put on an exaggerated Texan accent and added: 'Howdy, partner.' She immediately cringed at her pronunciation, preferring the seamless Aussie lilt. The American revealed the second word she had trouble saying was 'kilometre'. She didn't know whether to emphasise 'kilo' or 'metre' when she said it. 'I never remember which country says which version of that,' Brit said. 'I just refuse to say it - I say "Ks" instead.' Many applauded Brit's Australian accent and couldn't believe how natural she sounded Many applauded Brit's Australian accent and couldn't believe how natural she sounded. 'Your "partner" in the Australian accent was so good!' a woman said. A second added: 'You saying "partner" was the most accurate Australian accent I've heard from an American, like, ever.' 'I think you should start saying "partner" in an Aussie accent the way people suddenly drop into a French accent to say "croissant". You said it perfectly,' a third joked. Some others clashed over the correct way to say 'kilometre'. 'I think I say "k'lometres per hour" for speed, but "killer metres" for distance,' a man said. 'We usually say all three versions of kilometres,' a second wrote. 'Aussies don't say the full word for anything,' a woman said. 'I've never heard anyone say kilometres. It's "Ks". Quick version always.' A Canadian expat living in Australia has spilled on what she thinks is 'weird' about the shopping centres or 'malls' Down Under. Cassie Chuang has been living in Brisbane for almost a year and while she thought some things about Aussie shops were strange like paid parking and short trading hours, she said others were 'genius'. She was surprised to see that, unlike Canada, shoppers can take trolleys whereever they please around the centre, even on the escalators, rather than only being able to use them in the stores they came from. However, Cassie didn't rate shopping centres closing at 5pm every day bar Thursday or that customers have to pay expensive fees for parking for longer than three hours. The expat shared her thoughts in a TikTok video attracting the attention of hundreds of Aussies who were quick to correct her slang and explain why they love Australian shopping centres. Scroll down for video Cassie Chuang (pictured) has been living in Brisbane for almost a year and shared things she thought were 'weird' about Aussie shopping centres from paying for parking to the escalators Cassie said having to pay for parking at the shops after three hours was 'ridiculous'. 'What if I want to just watch a movie and then spend another three hours at the mall hanging out with my friends?' she said. 'You really have to watch how long you've been there otherwise you then have to pay the expensive-a** parking fees.' Cassie did like the handy feature some car parks have with red and green lights that tell drivers which spots are and aren't free. However, she wasn't as much of a fan of the trading hours of most Australian shops which shut around 5pm everyday and 9pm on Thursdays. Cassie was impressed shoppers can take trolleys out of the store they got it from then return it in the car park which she said was 'so convenient, perfect and amazing' 'Thursday here in Australia is their late shopping days so that's the day where all the malls all the groceries stores are open later,' she explained. 'I would think Friday, Saturday, Sunday is when people actually have time to shopping and back home they always close at around 9 o'clock.' Cassie was impressed shoppers can take trolleys out of the store they got it from then return it in the car park which she said was 'so convenient, perfect and amazing'. 'That was so foreign to me when I first came here and I was like wow, this is genius, this is an amazing idea, why don't we do this in Canada?' she said. 'In Canada you're not supposed to take that shopping cart away from that department store or whichever store you took it from, even the grocery store, you're supposed to return it back to that grocery store.' Cassie was also impressed with the flat escalators in Australian shopping centres and allow customers to take their trolley with them. 'So much better than the way America does it right now. It's just so much faster and so much more convenient,' she said. In northern America, Cassie explained, department stores have a separate escalator specifically for shopping carts. Aussies took to the comments to explain to the expat the terms used Down Under are 'shopping centre' rather than 'mall' and 'trolley' not 'cart'. 'Mall?? Oh! You mean "the shops"!' one woman joked. The flat "escalators" are actually called travelators, escalators are the ones with stairs,' another explained. Others shared the reasons behind the unusual trading hours while others shared how to park without paying fees. 'I am pretty sure Thursday is the late night day because it aligns with most people's paydays and doesn't interfere with Friday night life,' one viewer wrote. 'You can scan your movie ticket to get an extra free hour,' another suggested. 'It depends of the states; some states it's on Thursday night is the long shopping night and in some states it's the Friday night,' a third added talking about trading hours. She breastfed each of her five sons with the nearly- four-year-old still nursing Most moms stop breastfeeding after just a few months, but some are bucking the trend by nursing until their children reach school age and beyond. Priscilla Morton of North Carolina told DailyMail.com she is currently breastfeeding her three-year-old son and still offers her six, 10, and 12-year-olds breast milk from a cup, which she claims protects them from oncoming colds. Health officials say mothers should breastfeed for at least a year, highlighting the benefits to the baby's immune system and development, but there is no definitive guidance on when they should be weaned off, making the issue a medical gray area. Ms Morton, 39, was not breastfed herself as a child and vowed to nurse all of her children for as long as possible. She admits strangers stare when she breastfeeds her children in public, so she uses a sippy cup for the eldest. Other mothers, such as Sharon Spink from the UK, who breastfed her daughter up to age eight and Sheryl Wynne, who did it until her boys turned five and six, say it made them feel more connected with their kids. Priscilla Morton and her husband have five sons ages 18 (not shown), 12, 10, six, and three. Her youngest is still breastfed Ms Morton told DailyMail.com that her husband fully supports her breastfeeding journey, adding: 'Hes really been a lot of what made this possible, I dont think I couldve done it without his support' Extended breastfeeding is common in many parts of the world but less-so in the US, where most women stop after about six months. The vast majority of babies born in the US in 2019 - roughly 83 percent - are breastfed exclusively for the first few months of their lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A mother's breast milk is a baby's primary source of nutrition and antibodies against pathogens for which they cannot get vaccinated. For instance, antibodies against the coronavirus are detected in the breast milk of women who had been vaccinated with mRNA vaccines, and that protection is passed on to the baby, according to a report in JAMA Pediatrics. Still, evidence that a mother's milk confers certain protections and benefits, such as increased cognitive performance down the line, is conflicting and evolving. But by the time baby reaches six months, breastfeeding rates take a nosedive. Less than 56 percent of American babies are breastfed at all by six months, and fewer than a quarter of them are breastfed exclusively. Both the Academy of American Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that mothers breastfeed their child for at least a year. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics supports continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods introduced at about 6 months, as long as mutually desired by mother and child for 2 years or beyond. Ms Morton told DailyMail.com that while the opinions of others do not discourage her from following her instincts and breastfeeding, she fears being confronted in public by people who disapprove Ms Morton was not breastfed by her mother and in fact, knew very little about it until her teen years when she educated herself and made the decision to breastfeed when she had babies. And it went fine at first with her oldest son Ajay, now 18. But her time breastfeeding was cut at least six months short because she needed to return to a full-time job, a predicament shared by millions of new moms. The same happened with her other sons, Alex, 12, Aiden, 10, and Ash, six. When Ace, her fifth son came along she was in a much better position to breastfeed. Now able to work remotely, Ms Morton can happily breastfeed in the comfort of her home when her son gets hungry or fussy. But years of criticism of her decision to nurse, particularly from fellow women, have scared Ms Morton out of breastfeeding her child in public. She said: It almost causes shame like I'm so afraid of being somewhere and getting confronted. Somebody publicly is going to cuss you out or attack you and that's what I was mainly afraid of. I don't really care about their opinion. I care about being attacked in public with my child. In the US, breastfeeding a child well into his toddler years carries stigma. The instances of mothers with school-age children latched on and slung across their laps are fairly uncommon in the US with many people seeing the act as perverse or disturbing. But many mothers do it only part-time, giving their children solid foods for the most part and reserving nursing for right before bed time or when they start acting up. New York-based lactation consultant Leigh Anne OConnor told Dailymail.com: 'It's also a way to calm a toddler. It's a very calming experience. And there are other benefits of nursing too like, when the milk comes in, the toddler can help relieve engorgement. 'It can also help with the bonding of the siblings because it's something they're sharing.' Millions of mothers carry on breastfeeding for more than the nutritional benefits. Breastmilk also has a topical ointment-like quality. Ms Morton said: There have been times where they got burned and I immediately put milk on their burn. Or one of my boys, every once in a while gets eczema behind his knee. He'll come to me and ask me to put milk on his eczema, clears that right up. She also routinely uses her breastmilk to fend off sickness: I still give it to my 10 year old, my six year old, my 12 year old in a cup if we know that there's a cold coming around or anything like that. The movement of extended breastfeeders is gaining ground on social media. The tag for extended breastfeeding on Instagram has more than 117,000 associated posts, while a similar search on TikTok returns over 192 million results. But millions of Americans have yet to accept it. Ms Morton said: The women who are completely against it, the very first thing they come at you with is [thats] child abuse. 'Somebody should call Child Protective Services on you. This is child abuse. This is gross. I mean, they'll literally attack you with those things. The bulk of TikTok videos pertaining to extended breastfeeding show mothers proudly feeding their children while trying to show that the act is not in itself perverse or inappropriate, but rather an entirely normal, wholesome and natural act. Several videos on Ms Morton's TikTok, which she set out to dedicate to educating the public about the benefits of breastfeeding, are also splattered with criticisms from one user saying, Why would u do that on here and another saying, Sorry maam that has become a sexual nature. Very alarming. CPS needs to investigate you. Ms Morton is one of many moms frustrated by a society-wide squeamishness about breastfeeding, chalking it up to the over-sexualization of womens bodies, particularly breasts. Ms O'Connor told DailyMail.com that this attitude is pervasive in the US: Breasts are for sex and selling cars and beer, not for a baby, right? But that's really what theyre for. Ms OConnor runs a support group for breastfeeding mothers of toddlers and said the oldest child in her group is about five. Sharon Spink, from North Yorkshire, says breastfeeding her nine-year-old daughter Charlotte has given them a strong bond and Charlotte a healthy start in life Charlotte, pictured feeding, decided earlier this year that she no longer wanted what she called 'mummy milk', something which Sharon says is natural but that she'll miss In the UK, mom of four Sharon Spink made headlines when it was revealed that she was breastfeeding her eight-year-old daughter Charlotte, who is very healthy and rarely gets ill due to breast milk's boost to the immune system. She said of the experience: 'It's nice for the child to be in control of when they want to wean, rather than forcing the issue. 'She naturally self-weaned earlier this year. It was a gradual process and her choice.' And Sheryl Wynne, also from the UK, was still breastfeeding her sons aged five and six before school, in the evening and throughout the night - and has even fed them in the pre-school playground. Ms Wynne said: 'It's formed part of our relationship and that's my main drive for continuing breastfeeding.' Until the late 19th century, breastfeeding ones infant for at least a full year if not more was as much a given as needing potable water to drink. But the advent of manufactured infant formula drove a steady decline in breastfeeding rates through much of the 1970s. A mothers breastmilk has everything an infant needs to thrive, including antibodies for diseases well before he is of age to be vaccinated. The Covid pandemic made this abundantly clear to Ms Morton when her household was felled by the virus but her breastfeeding son hardly got sick at all. Yet women like Ms Morton are frequently demonized for their choices and sometimes run out of stores or restaurants. Ms Morton for instance no longer attempts to breastfeed her son in public for fear of being confronted in public. Breastmilk is a crucial lifeline to newborn infants into toddlerhood as it confers the necessary antibody protections and nutrients, continuing to provide about half of a childs nutritional needs during the second half of the first year. Britain's medicines safety watchdog was today accused of engaging in 'disturbing' practices regarding the investigation of Covid vaccine deaths. Two prominent Oxford University researchers renowned in the field of evidence-based medicine branded one of the systems used to collate adverse side effects from the jabs as being a 'mess'. Professor Carl Heneghan and Dr Tom Jefferson claimed that chiefs at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) invested almost 2million in an AI-based system to extract data from the agency's Yellow Card reporting system. This database allows the public, and medics, to report any suspected side effects of Covid jabs and other medications. So far, it has seen 2,743 deaths linked to Covid jabs logged, though these are only submitted reports, not confirmed fatalities. Two prominent Oxford University researchers Dr Tom Jefferson (left) and Professor Carl Heneghan (right) branded one of the systems used to in the UK collate adverse side effects from the jabs as being a 'mess' The contract, reportedly paid to data-tech company Genpact in September 2020, aimed to create a better system to process Yellow Card reports relating to Covid vaccines. Yet the pair of experts, writing in their own blog, said 'we can't find a single analysis or publication' from the AI-based system's involvement. They also highlighted how minutes from a meeting of the MHRA's expert advisory group on Clinical Trials, Biologicals and Vaccines in October 2020 has yet to be released due to advice being 'confidential' until 'a final decision is made'. Professor Heneghan and Dr Jefferson wrote: 'What are we to make of all this? 'Contradictions galore and the absence of a gizmo to identify deaths. Yes, deaths, not arcane events. Read more: Beijing's secret Covid lab leak probe: Ex-boss of China's diseases watchdog sensationally reveals investigation was carried out at site at heart of row over pandemic's origin and says: 'Don't rule anything out' Some experts now say Covid may have emerged from within the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Here security personnel are pictured keeping watch during a visit by the WHO in 2021 Advertisement 'Obfuscation and fragmentation sounds like a Cold War thriller, but we are the payers and recipients of the products licensed by MHRA. 'Where is the taxpayers money gone, our money, if they have to manually collate reports, and where are at least the late summary reports? What final decision is the MHRA referring to?' Covid vaccines, which have been rolled out in their millions, have repeatedly been proven to be, overall, both safe and effective in preventing people from becoming severely ill as well as stopping the endless lockdown that crippled the nation. Although the MHRA Yellow Card data lists reports of Covid vaccine deaths, the latest confirmed official count of jab fatalities stands at 77. This includes Brits who died after being struck down with a blood clot triggered by an extremely rare reaction from AstraZeneca's jab missed during the original vaccine trials. These deaths, as well as any other harms, are meant to be picked up by the MHRA's Yellow Care reporting system, where the public and medics can report any suspected side effects from Covid jabs and any other medication. The MHRA then investigates these reports to determine if the medication could be responsible, or if the event was unrelated or a coincidence. Experts have said the 77 figure is likely to be a slight undercount given that some fatalities could have been missed or still be under official investigation. However, anti-vaxxer claims that thousands have died from the jabs are considered to be way off the mark. The authors criticism was labeled at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and its Yellow Card reporting system which allows people to notify them of adverse reactions potentially linked to medications like the Covid vaccine The MHRA said the blog contained a number of inaccurate claims. A spokesperson said the AI-based system aimed to streamline how reports were processed, not perform any analysis. 'The AI tool was introduced to reduce the amount of manual coding for each report, thereby saving resource in processing cases and ensuring they are rapidly available for scientific analysis,' they said. 'The tool was not used for assessment of data, but to help ensure that all the information from the reporter is well structured to support analysis and subject to robust quality assessment. ' They added the AI tool is now no longer in use as per the terms of the contract. The MHRA spokesperson also robustly denied the body was unable to identify and follow-up deaths reported from Covid vaccines, stating a dedicated team of scientists ensure 'all fatal reports are followed up'. They also highlighted how the MHRA had published regular reports on Yellow Card data covering Covid vaccine injuries throughout the pandemic. Jab-injuries in the UK have come under increasing focus after families of those killed or disabled by VITT decided to take AstraZeneca to court over the harms they have suffered. The issue has also highlighted what campaigners have labelled the 'cruel flaws' of the Governments own vaccine injury scheme which only dishes out 120,000 under a strict eligibility criteria. Manufacturers of 'forever chemicals' tried to cover up the dangers they posed for more than 30 years, a new report claims. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, who reviewed dozens of company documents, found executives were first alerted to the health risks in 1961, but scientists said that they failed to raise the alarm until the 1990s. Internal documents revealed chemical manufacturers DuPont and 3M were facing studies warning the chemicals, dubbed per- and polyFluorinated Substances (PFAS), could cause liver enlargement, poisonings and birth defects in children. But the executives were alleged to have sat on the evidence and allow the chemicals to continue to be used in pots and pans, carpets, children's toys and even period underwear. They are used in paints and fabrics to make items non-stick or waterproof. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, reviewed dozens of company documents to find that the risks from PFAS were covered up for years before the alarm was raised. They are used on items such as pots and pans, for their antistick properties There is also evidence of PFAS being present in period underwear, despite studies warning that it raises the risk of infertility Studies suggest that more than 97 percent of Americans now have PFAS chemicals circulating in their blood. But US states are still only just waking up to the threat, with Minnesota set to become the first to ban them completely by 2025. Dr Tracey Woodruff, a gynecologist, and others involved in the study likened the delay to the tobacco industry's response to warnings that smoking can cause cancer. The companies created the chemicals which were then used by other companies in items such as pans and fabrics to make them non stick and give them a waterproof quality. But a single scratch can release millions of these toxic forever chemicals that can then be absorbed through the skin into the blood. They can then enter cells where they damage DNA, raising the risk of cancer, and interfere with vital organs such as the thyroid, affecting metabolism. In the study, published last night in the Annals of Global Health, researchers combed through documents on PFAS. These had been obtained from Minnesota-based PFAS inventor 3M and major PFAS manufacturer DuPont, based in Wilmington, Delaware, in a lawsuit by Robert Billot that began in 1998. He eventually managed to get records from the company spanning 1961 to 2006 which were then donated to the UCSF Chemical Industry Documents Library. The scientists used these documents to construct a timeline of when manufacturers became aware of the risks posed by PFAS chemicals. They then conducted further research to also construct a timeline of when alerts were raised in the public. Results showed that warnings about PFAS chemicals and, in particular, the Teflon chemical coating, were first raised in 1961. The chief of toxicology at DuPont found in experiments that rats exposed to PFAS in low doses had an 'increase in the size of the liver'. They warned that the chemicals should be handled with 'extreme care' and contact with the skin should be 'strictly avoided'. Concerns were again raised internally in the 1970s, when DuPont-funded Haskell Laboratorie found that PFAS was 'highly toxic when inhaled and moderately toxic when ingested'. Tests in dogs in the same decade showed that animals that ingested a single dose of PFAS died up to two days later. In 1980, DuPont also learned that two of eight employees who had been pregnant while working in their factories gave birth to babies with deformities. But the company did not reveal the findings, instead saying the following year that: 'We know of no evidence of birth defects caused by [PFAS] at DuPont.' They also went on to assure employees that PFAS was no more toxic than 'table salt'. Pictured above is the scientists' timeline. Boxes above the timeline show studies that were in the public domain at the time of publication, while those below the line were only circulated internally within the companies. Boxes with blue borders show studies not done by the industry while boxes with orange borders indicate those done by the industry This is an extended timeline following five health effects of the chemicals on humans. These are toxicity (A), Liver damage (B), reproductive problems (C), testicular cancer (D) and other cancer risks (E). Industry papers are shown in orange and non-industry papers are in blue The above graph shows how many studies were being published on the topic by date Again in 1991, they said in a press release that PFAS has 'no known toxic or ill health effects in humans at concentration levels detected'. This was published in response to a research report that year which found that PFAS posed a 'likely risk to human health'. In 1998 and 2002 the manufacturer faced lawsuits over the potential health risks posed by PFAS, which led them to release studies about what the industry knew that were not in the public domain. Dr Woodruff said: 'These documents reveal clear evidence that the chemical industry knew about the dangers of PFAS and failed to let the public, regulators, and even their own employees know the risks. She added: 'As many countries pursue legal and legislative action to curb PFAS production, we hope they are aided by the timeline of evidence presented in this paper. 'This timeline reveals serious failures in the way the U.S. currently regulates harmful chemicals.' The scientists drew parallels between the actions of PFAS manufaturers and those of tobacco companies in the 1950s and 1960s. It was in the 1950s that the major British Doctors Study was published which warned of a link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. The following decade the US surgeon general published a report concluding that smoking did cause lung cancer. But in response to these findings, the tobacco industry sought to question the findings and play-down the risks. Some documents suggest that tobacco companies were aware of the risks posed by smoking, but instead of warning others discussed strategies to minimize or play them down. DuPont has previously denied to NBC News that it hid the risks posed by PFAS and said that it has provided extensive information to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the years on the risk. In 2021, the company agreed to share $4billion settlement costs for the use of 'forever chemicals' with other company spin offs. In 2019, DuPont's chief operating and engineering officer Daryl Roberts called for regulation of two specific types of PFAS. For its part, 3M has previously said last year that it would discontinue the use of forever chemicals. 'We have already reduced our use of PFAS over the past three years through ongoing research and development, and will continue to innovate new solutions for customers,' a spokesperson said. Its senior vice president of corporate affairs Denise Rutherford said in 2019 that the chemicals pose no threat to human health at the current levels. WHO alert over wave of unusual French baby deaths caused by a new virus strain An unusual wave of baby deaths linked to a new strain of a normally harmless virus has caused alarm in France. Seven babies are known to have died after being infected with Echovirus-11, with two more still in hospital, according to an alert from the World Health Organization (WHO). Echovirus-11 belongs to family of pathogens called enteroviruses that normally only cause cold or flu-like symptoms in adults, but can be dangerous to young children. Health authorities are particularly concerned about the current cluster of cases due to the rapid onset of serious illness and high fatality rate. British experts said it was possible that Covid lockdowns could be partly to blame, because mothers lacking immunity from common bugs could have passed this vulnerability on to their babies. Enteroviruses usually cause only mild illness but tend to affect newborns and young children more severely than older children. They can trigger symptoms including a fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, rash and muscle aches The alert from France comes after the UK raised the alarm last month over an unusual cluster of enteroviruses, caused by a different strain, left one baby dead and eight in intensive care. French health authorities detected a total of nine cases of Echovirus-11 among newborns between July 2022 and April this year across three unnamed regions. The babies, eight of which were born pre-term, developed severe sepsis and multiple organ failure following infection, with seven dying as a result. Three of the cases were recorded this year, with the rest occurring in 2022. The newborns are believed to have caught the virus from their mothers by inadvertently swallowing infected bodily fluids during childbirth, the WHO said. Genetic analysis of the Echovirus-11 strain behind the deaths suggests it is a new version of the virus not recorded by global health authorities before. The WHO report said although the possibility that the new strain could be deadlier couldn't be ruled out, further research was needed. 'Although higher pathogenicity of this new lineage cannot be excluded, the severity of infections may also be explained by the young age, prematurity, and the absence of maternal immunity,' it read. 'Further analyses are warranted to delineate the characteristics of this recombinant virus.' However, the WHO added that, although based on the 'limited' information, the risk to the public by the cluster of cases is still considered to be low. It also highlighted that as many countries don't routinely report enterovirus infections, some cases may have slipped under the radar. The WHO alert said the strain Echovirus-11 behind the newborn deaths in France appears to be new, with no record of it anywhere in the world Enterovirus Q&A What is the situation? More than a dozen young children in the UK have developed myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) alongside an enterovirus infection. How many cases have been detected? Ten cases have been spotted in South Wales and five have been detected in South-West England between June 2022 and March 2023. How many children have been hospitalised? Eight youngsters were treated in intensive care, where they were intubated, put on a ventilator and received circulatory support. Details of six cases are unclear, so the number may be higher. Have any children died? One child died before being transferred to tertiary care part of a hospital that delivers highly specialist treatment. However, a couple in South Wales have shared details of the death of their son Elijah, who died in similar circumstances. As this death occurred in March 2022, before the nine-month period defined by Public Health Wales, it is not being probed as part of the official cluster. What is behind the outbreak? Experts don't know. But health chiefs at Public Health Wales are investigating the reasons for the cluster of cases and to spot any others that may be reported in the coming weeks. What's the situation in France? Health chiefs have identified a cluster of cases in newborns caused by a different type of enterovirus to the UK outbreak. Seven babies have died as a result of the infection since June 2022 with two remaining in hospital. The World Health Organization says a new strain of pathogen called Echovirus-11 is responsible. Advertisement No specific antiviral therapy is available for enteroviruses, so treatment focuses on preventing complications. In response to the recent cases, French authorities have urged medics to keep a watchful eye on newborns whose mothers may be ill with an enterovirus. MailOnline understands that there are currently no signs of a similar cluster of Echovirus-11 infections in Britain. However, over the same period UK health authorities have observed a string of unusual cases from a different enterovirus, which they are still investigating. A total of 15 newborns in Wales and south-west England have been struck down with severe myocarditis or inflammation of the heart since June 2022. PCR testing of nine of the children confirmed they had the coxsackie B3 or B4 types of enterovirus. Out of the affected babies, one died. Eight were treated in intensive care, where they were intubated, put on a ventilator and received circulatory support. Details on the remaining six cases have not yet been published. Myocarditis usually occurs following a virus. It is caused by the body's immune system overreacting to being infected and causing inflammation, which can stay in the heart even after the virus has been cleared. While some sufferers have no symptoms, it can cause chest pains, palpitations and shortness of breath. The unwell children in the UK also presented with sepsis which can kill within hours unless it is treated quickly. They were also less interested in eating and drinking. Health authorities consider the two clusters of enterovirus clusters in the UK and France to be unrelated. Previous unusual outbreaks of infectious disease among children, including strep A last winter, have been blamed on lockdowns potentially weakening immunity against the usually harmless bugs. Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline one possible explanation for a recent rise in severity of enterovirus cases could be mothers not being exposed to common bugs during lockdown. He noted however, that there was currently no evidence of this. Professor Jones added that another factor to consider was that because enteroviruses were such a large group of viruses it was easy for them to recombine and spawn new variants. 'The current cases in France appear to be caused by such a recombinant, not a previously circulating virus,' he said. But he added: 'While the cases are notable the absolute numbers are small, and I don't think they signify a general threat.' Dr Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert at Reading, said that the cases in France and UK, while caused by same broad group of pathogens, are unrelated. 'The two WHO alerts are caused by different enteroviruses in babies in different countries, so they aren't linked,' he said. He added that given how people can be infected with enteroviruses unknowingly it may be useful for medics to screen pregnant women for a potential infection. 'Given as they can be carried without causing disease, the message here is that it might be beneficial to screen pregnant women for the presence of certain pathogens that could cause a serious infection in a newborn,' he said, Even if an infection can't be cured, screening may flag up potential problems before they occur.' Health officials have issued a health warning over the rise of black market Ozempic being sold by online pharmacies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports of adverse effects from people using semaglutide - the active ingredients in Ozempic and Wegovy - created by compounding pharmacies. These pharmacies are usually used to create custom-made drugs for patients with special needs, who may have severe allergies to some ingredients. But some direct-to-consumer companies or the pharmacies themselves are now selling compounded semaglutide to cash in on the shortage of Wegovy and Ozempic, which has been going on for months as the drugs continue to make headlines for fueling amazing weight-loss transformations. The drugs work by mimicking the action of a hormone to help someone feel full and reduce their calorie intake. But they are in shortage amid a surge in public interest Pictured above is Khalin Grant, 41, from Florida, who lost 75lbs in seven months while taking weekly injections of Wegovy. She says she now fits into smaller dress sizes than when she was in college The drugs spiraled into shortage amid rocketing demand for the injections which can help someone achieve weight loss. More than five million prescriptions of the drugs, alongside Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, were written last year, which was a 21-fold surge from 230,000 in 2019. To meet surging demand Novo Nordisk, which manufactures the drugs, has opened more and more production lines. But amid the shortages pharmacies have been allowed to mix their own versions of the drug, in a process known as compounding. In their alert, the FDA warned that these compounded drugs should be avoided if the approved versions of the drug were available. It said side effects had been reported in relation to the drugs, but did not detail what these were. Semaglutide is known, however, to cause a range of side effects including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. The agency also said it had received reports of some pharmacies using salt versions of the drug semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate. It said this differs from the active ingredient used in the approved drugs, which only contain the base form of semaglutide. The agency said: 'Patients should be aware that some products sold as "semaglutide" may not contain the same active ingredient as FDA-approved semaglutide products. 'Products containing these salts, such as semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate, have not been shown to be safe and effective.' It added: 'Purchasing medicine online from unregulated, unlicensed sources can expose patients to potentially unsafe products that have not undergone appropriate evaluation or approval, or do not meet quality standards.' Ozempic and Wegovy both use the same drug, semaglutide, which works by mimicking the action of a hormone making someone feel full. This leads to someone consuming fewer calories and, as a result, prompts weight loss in patients. Both drugs have been approved for patients with type 2 diabetes, but only Wegovy has also been cleared to help with weight loss in obese patients. Many doctors are prescribing the drugs off-label to patients for weight loss, however, which is behind the shortage in the US. A record number of women in their 40s are having children, official data shows as the birth rate continues to drop off in younger age groups. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed the birth rate for women aged 40 to 44 rose four percent in 2022 on the previous year to a record high. There was also a 12 percent uptick among women who were aged 45 to 49 years, the first change in this rate since 2015, and to another record level. Experts say that more people are putting off starting a family until later in life, instead choosing to focus on their career, travel and social life in their younger years. The rise of technologies such as invitro-fertilization (IVF) and egg freezing have also played a role. The uptick among older women comes as America's fertility rate hovers at just below 1.7 births per woman. It hit a record low in 2020 at 1.6 when the pandemic led many couples to put off having children. The above map shows the percentage change in the number of births recorded in 2022 compared to the previous year by state. New Mexico, Washington DC and North Dakota saw the sharpest dips. At the other end of the scale, however, Texas, Florida and Delaware saw the sharpest upticks The above graph shows the US fertility rate or the number of children per woman by year. It currently stands at 1.7 per woman, as it continues to trend downwards Celebrities that have become mothers after turning 40 include Hilary Swank, left, who gave birth to twins this April at the age of 48, and Halle Berry, who gave birth to her children when she was 41 and 47 years old Dr Joshua Goldstein, the director of the population center at the University of California, Berkeley, told NBC News that the lower fertility rate 'probably means that more women are having children when they want to have children'. He continued: 'Theyve had chances to get a better education, better chances to find the right partner, more chances to excel in their career. 'Its not the size of the next generation that matters. Its the contribution that generation can make. The fact that women are able to have children at the ages they want and invest in those children is a positive thing.' As more and more women become mothers in their 40s, even celebrities are joining the trend. They include actresses Hilary Swank, who gave birth to twins this April at the age of 48 years, and Halle Berry, who gave birth to her first child Nahla at the age of 41 years and second child Maceo after turning 47. For women aged 40 to 44 years, the fertility rate was 12.5 births per 1,000 women, while for those in the older age group, it was 1.1 per 1,000. There was also an uptick in the birth rate among women who were in their late 30s, where it rose two per cent to 54.9 per 1,000. But birth rates continued to decline among women aged 20 to 34 years and hit a record low among those aged 20 to 24 years. Among teenagers, the rate hit a record low of 13.9 births per 1,000 women in the age group after falling eight percent from 2007 to 2021. Official data showed that overall there were 3,000 fewer babies born last year compared to 2021. The report from the CDC, released today, said 3.661million births were recorded in 2022, down just under one percent on the previous year. The above graph shows birth rates by different age groups. It shows that while there has been a downturn in younger age groups, older ones shave seen a persistent uptick This map shows the total number of births by state. States like Texas, California, Florida and New York which are the most populous led the pack This graph highlights the mean age of women at their first birth. This is continuing to rise as more people put off having children until later in life This was a less steep drop from 2019 to 2020, when it declined four percent amid the pandemic. But it marked a switch from 2020 and 2021, when the birth rate rose by one percent likely as couples who put off having children. America's fertility rate has been in decline for decades, which experts have blamed on the 'Instagram' generation prioritizing careers, traveling and their social lives over having babies. Others have also raised concerns over the rising cost of living and student debt, which they say leave many feeling financially unable to start a family until later in life. Health officials pointed out the data was provisional, but with more than 99 percent of births counted it indicates that the birth rate is continuing to slip. Dr Phil Levine, an economist at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, explained to CNN that when women have children later they tend to have fewer children. America's birth rate has been declining for decades as more and more people prioritize their careers and say it is now too expensive to have children. In the 1800s, when records began, American women were having about seven children each. But this has tumbled consistently over the preceding years, hitting three per woman in the 1900s and then dropping below two in the 2010s the rate needed to maintain the current population. America's birth rate fell a whopping four percent in 2020 to the lowest level on record amid the Covid pandemic as many couples put off having children. It rebounded one percent in 2021 as pandemic restrictions eased to 3.664million, but the latest data suggests it is now trending back to a period of decline. In the latest report, data shows that 38 out of 50 states plus Washington DC saw a decline in births in 2022 compared to the previous year. The sharpest downturn was in New Mexico (eight percent), followed by the District of Columbia (seven percent), North Dakota (five percent) and New Hampshire (four percent). At the other end of the scale was Texas (up four percent), followed by Florida (also up four percent) and Delaware (up three percent). Experts have previously warned that the low birth rate could lead to economic devastation in America down the line, as the federal government would need to collect more taxes to fund programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Dr Melissa Kearney, an economics professor at the University of Maryland, previously told DailyMail.com: 'There has been a greater emphasis on spending time building careers. 'Adults are changing their attitudes towards having kids. 'They are choosing to spend money and time in different ways... [that] are coming into conflict with parenting.' She continued that younger people are also showing more interest in leisure activities and travel now than they did before, on top of career building. '[Wanting to travel] just comes into conflict with parenting,' she said. Many have pointed to the high costs of childcare, student debt held by Americans in their early 20s and other financial pressures for the drop off in birth rates. Doctors removed the cash in his stomach via surgery and he was discharged A man from Colombia was left needing surgery after he swallowed more than three dozen rolls of cash. The 67-year-old, who was not named, was taken to doctors saying he had been suffering from vomiting and extreme constipation for more than a month. He also revealed to the medics in Bogota, the capital, that he had ingested 30 latex-covered capsules filled with cash of which only 20 had been expelled. Doctors removed the packages by making a small incision in his stomach and he was discharged 18 hours later with no long-term ill effects. The money was reported as having become compact masses of paper. The above shows the rolls of cash inside the 67-year-old's stomach. They were removed via surgery It was not clear why the man had swallowed the cash, but he may have been a drug mule - and responsible for getting the illegal money across borders The man did not reveal why he had ingested the cash, although it was possible that he was a drug mule. These are individuals that transport illegal drugs or cash across borders by hiding them in clothes, vehicles or ingesting them. Whole regions of Colombia are also thought to be dependent on the drug trade, with the country being the largest producer of cocaine in the world and behind more than 90 percent of the US supply. The man was taken to hospital for treatment by the National Police of Colombia after complaining of persistent symptoms. Upon arrival, doctors diagnosed him with pyloric stenosis typically seen in infants where the valve connecting the stomach and small intestine is tightened, restricting the passage of food. An examination using an endoscopy putting a camera down the throat revealed the wedges of cash in the stomach. Doctors said the objects could not be extracted by pulling them out through the throat because they were now just compact masses of paper. They opted instead to carry out a laparoscopic surgery to remove the objects. In this operation, doctors create a small incision near the area affected and then remove tissues, organs or foreign objects in this case rolls of cash. The operation was a success and the patient was discharged 18 hours later. It was not clear what happened to the money afterward, but the hospital reported it as being unusable. It comes after doctors in India had to perform surgery to remove a plastic bottle from a man's stomach. The 55-year-old from central India's Madhya Pradesh province had swallowed the bottle whole. The man came to the hospital complaining of stomach pain and doctors removed the bottle via surgery. The incident took place in the Chhatarpur district of the state on May 16, and it is not clear how the bottle ended up in his stomach. After days of terrible headlines, ITV finally believes it is now ahead of the crisis on the sofa of the This Morning show. The appointment of King's Counsel Jane Mulcahy to investigate alleged predatory behaviour by former presenter Phillip Schofield is intended to limit reputational damage to brand ITV and offer breathing space to chief executive Carolyn McCall. She has some hard grind ahead, seeking to reverse a 29 per cent drop in the broadcaster's share price in the last several months. The group is anxious to take some decisive action ahead of the scheduled hearings on the scandal by MPs next Tuesday at which McCall may be required to appear. ITV also recognises that there are banana skins ahead, including potential new disclosures. Hard grind: ITV also recognises that there are banana skins ahead, including potential new disclosures All the indications are that ITV's board, chaired by Andrew Cosslett, are behind McCall, and her five-year stewardship of ITV is in no danger. McCall recognised that ITV needs to be a player in the exploding world of streaming and she is keen to see the growth of ITVX. But British shareholders seem to have a great deal more interest in share buybacks than committing capital to promising but unproven new ventures. The broadcaster ought to have earned trust through the way it has diversified income streams, with about half coming from studio and production. A problem for McCall is that the Schofield affair is not the first time it has found itself blown off course by screen events. The 'suicide' legacy among participants in lucrative Love Island is not fully resolved. McCall also found herself at the vortex of a row over the departure of Piers Morgan from Good Morning Britain. Given this series of incidents, it might have been thought that McCall and her executive team might have found ways of ring-fencing themselves from issues which should have been properly handled by line managers. A possibility might be appointing an internal ethics chieftain. Broadcasting stars have their own deck of agents and are very good at turning the cannons on management.The real test will come if the Mulcahy report uncovers evidence of a systemic cover-up. All of this is an enormous distraction. McCall enjoys a stellar reputation in the City for the growth of Easyjet under her stewardship and the way she stood up to its founder and major shareholder Stelios Haji-Ioannou. In the end, McCall will want to be judged on her decision to plough ahead with the relatively modest 160m investment in ITVX. Early indications suggest that, with 3m people signed up and a wealth of historic programming to call upon, its value will be recognised by sceptical investors. But she has to be careful not to be blown off course by on-screen and behind-the-scenes events before then. Last mile Britain's banks have devised crafty methods of growing earnings. One is by increasing net interest margins, doing a disservice to loyal savers, and the other is by closing branches. Lloyds Bank is at it again slashing 53 branches from its network, from Newcastle to Paignton. We are meant to be relaxed about this on the grounds that 20m customers use online facilities and because there is a Post Office within one mile of the closed branch. This fails to recognise that there are large sections of the population, including the elderly, those rightly suspicious of fraud and sole traders, who value branches. There are any number of us who used to think that branches were a place to go to discuss mortgages, get advice and pick up foreign currency. No one will be comforted by knowing a Post Office is a mile away. Aside from the fact it is a long walk, the network is a nightmare, with crumbling branches and often-resentful staff having to process the millions of Amazon parcels being returned to sender. Chief executive Charlie Nunn needs a reality check. Murky waters There is nothing to like about the financial results from alleged polluter Pennon, home of South West Water. It, like the other water firms, proposes to load 10billion of investment in clean water on to users' bills, while reporting losses and paying out a hefty dividend of 112m. Is there no humility? In November 2020 I bought 25,000 of National Savings & Investments Premium Bonds in one transaction, all with consecutive numbers. They became eligible to be entered into the draw in January 2021, but in 2021 I won nothing at all. However, in 2022 and 2023 I have won quite a few prizes. I am concerned that I received no prizes at all in the whole of 2021 on such a large number of bonds. I appreciate that the draw is random, but my lack of success does seem statistically improbable, and I worry that, due to an IT error, my bonds were not included in the database from which prizes are selected for the whole of 2021, because they were wrongly identified as being first eligible for prizes in January 2022 instead of January 2021. Via email Sought-after savings: Two-thirds of Britons own NS&I Premium Bonds, with millions more owning other NS&I savings deals Sam Barker, of This is Money, replies: Premium Bonds are Britain's most-loved savings product, with more than 22million people owning them. Most 1million jackpot wins come from NS&I customers with large stakes - Britons can save up to 50,000 in Premium Bonds each. Many savers love the excitement of a chance to win 25 upwards in each month's Premium Bonds draw. Premium Bonds Winners Prize Area Value of bond 1,000,000 Essex 5,000 1,000,000 South Gloucestershire 1,000 100,000 Cambridgeshire 9,980 100,000 Cleveland 10,000 100,000 West Sussex 4,875 100,000 Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot 600 100,000 West Midlands 2,000 100,000 Essex 5,000 More June 2023 winners View list of June 2023 winners With a 25,000 stake, winning nothing at all for a whole year seems extremely unlikely. So has there been some sort of mistake, or are you just an unlucky Premium Bond holder - and just how unlucky? NS&I denied that there had been any sort of error with your bonds, and suggested it was all just very bad luck. You should have won a prize 12 times during 2021 with average luck, data shows. I spoke to an expert statistician to find out what the exact odds of our reader winning nothing at all during 2021 were. Statistician Michael Dunne-Willows said the probability of going all year without winning anything with 25,000 in Premium Bonds is equal to 0.00000373. That assumes that all 25,000 1 Premium Bonds were eligible for 12 monthly prize draws in 2021. Dunne-Willows added: 'That's an extremely small probability and is equivalent to odds of over 260,000 to 1. This is extremely unlikely. 'In fact, with holdings of 25,000 Premium Bonds, and given the above assumptions, the customer should have generally expected to win on average about 12 times a year. 'Most of these winnings would generally be the lowest prize value of 25 but even so, that corresponds to an expected total winning of over 300 annually.' An NS&I spokesman said: 'Mrs S opened a formal complaint with NS&I, which was originally responded to on July 5. Further letters were sent to Mrs S on July 15, July 29, September 26 and October 22, 2022. 'These letters explained that the generation of Premium Bonds numbers is completely random and that Mrs S's Bonds were eligible for the prize draws in which they should have been.' Two of the world's biggest figures in banking have set the stage for a showdown over convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Former Barclays chief executive Jes Staley says in court documents that he told his then boss JP Morgan chief Jamie Dimon about the bank's business with convicted sex offender Epstein. Staley, who ran JP Morgan's private banking arm, said Dimon communicated with him when Epstein was arrested in 2006 and, in 2008, when Epstein pleaded guilty to procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute, according to legal documents seen by the Wall Street Journal. Epstein was dropped as a client in 2013. But Dimon maintains that he has no recollection of discussing or reviewing Epstein's accounts and does not believe such conversations with Staley took place. 'There is no evidence that any such communications ever occurred nothing in the voluminous number of documents reviewed and nothing in the nearly dozen depositions taken, including that of our own chief executive,' a spokesman for the Wall Street bank said. At odds: Jes Staley and Jamie Dimon are in a war of words over Jeffrey Epstein 'The one person who claims this to be true is currently accused of horrific acts and dishonesty.' Staley, who left JP Morgan to become chief executive of Barclays, had to step down from the British bank in 2021 after a probe by regulators into his relationship with Epstein. JP Morgan is being sued over its ties to the disgraced billionaire and is accused of knowingly benefiting from his sex trafficking. Separately, JP Morgan has sued Staley, claiming that he misled executives about Epstein. Staley's lawyers have said the allegations are baseless and he has denied that he knew of Epstein's alleged trafficking. Last month Dimon said he regretted his bank's ties to the late financier and paedophile Epstein. 'I am so sad that we had any relation to that man whatsoever,' he told Bloomberg TV. He said the bank would have done things 'differently' if it had known about Epstein's behaviour. Epstein became a JP Morgan client in around 1998 and, over the years, the bank managed dozens of Epstein-related accounts containing hundreds of millions of dollars, according to the lawsuits. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Online car dealer Auto Trader sank into the red after a hit from a shortage of new motors across the industry. The FTSE 100 group said Autorama, the vehicle leasing business it bought in June last year, was affected by supply issues in the pick-up and van markets. The platform posted an 11.2m loss in the year to the end of March and sales of 27.2m, below market expectations. Soaring demand helped it sell cars at the fastest pace since it joined the London stock market in 2015. But this weighed on the number of vehicles listed on the blue-chip firm's website. Revenue rose 16 per cent to 500.2m, driven by higher sales in its core marketplace business. But profit fell 2 per cent to 293.6m. In reverse: Revenue rose 16 per cent to 500.2m, driven by higher sales in its core marketplace business, but profit fell 2 per cent Auto Trader added that new UK car registrations of 1.7m were 3 per cent above the year before but were still down 19 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels amid supply constraints. Shares fell 3.4 per cent, or 21.4p, to 608.6p. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'Auto Trader's website is the one most visited by prospective car buyers because it has the most listings. 'Car retailers are therefore compelled to use its products, reinforcing its leading position.' London stocks made a positive start to June, with the FTSE 100 up 0.6 per cent, or 44.13 points, to 7490.27 while the FTSE 250 rose 0.6 per cent, or 104.86 points, to 18,827.76. Miners made gains on the back of higher metal prices. Fresnillo added 4.5 per cent, or 29.2p, to 677.2p, Antofagasta was up by 3.2 per cent, or 42.5p, to 1380p and Rio Tinto climbed by 2.2 per cent, or 104p, to 4886p. B&M rose 3.8 per cent, or 19.6p, to 529.4p after a hat-trick of broker upgrades, a day after the discount retailer had forecast higher profits for next year. Likewise, WH Smith received a vote of confidence from the City following its positive update on Wednesday as Barclays raised the retailer's target price to 2035p from 2010p. Shares rose 1.7 per cent, or 26p, to 1596p. There was also good news for Convatec as Morgan Stanley raised its rating on the company, which makes high-tech bandages and wound dressings, to 'overweight' from 'equal weight' and increased the target price by 15p. Shares gained 3.1 per cent, or 6.2p, to close at 209p. The boss of ITM Power hailed the speed at which his green energy firm has reined in spending. Dennis Schulz, who took over in December last year, unveiled a 12-month plan at the start of 2023 to slow down cash consumption and expand facilities. It came as results for the year to the end of April were likely to deliver revenues above the 2m which was pencilled in by analysts, losses in line with forecasts and 281m of cash, nearly 30m more than expected. ITM Power shares fell by 1 per cent, or 0.68p, to 68.56p. Ceres Power, the fuel cell developer, says that it is hoping to gain greater exposure and access to international investors by moving its shares from AIM to the main market of the London Stock Exchange. The group, which joined AIM in 2004, expects to enter the mid-cap tier in September. Its shares rose by 5.7p, or 15.8p, to 294.4p. The bidding war for payments firm Network International will spill over into next week after the FTSE 250 firm extended the deadline to table formal bids from yesterday to June 9. A consortium of CVC and Francisco Partners offered 387p a share, while Canadian giant Brookfield Asset Management offered 400p a share, or 2.1billion. Network's stock was down 1.6p, or 6p, to 360p. Stormy Daniels is jockeying to regain custody of a beloved horse from a former friend whom she has accused of secretly selling and then buying the equine herself, while she was boarding it in a stable in Texas, DailyMail.com can reveal. The porn star, who is inextricably linked to Donald Trump, is suing Southern Cross Equestrian, a horse boarding stable in Terrell 30 miles east of Dallas as well as owner Michelle Cheney, who had been keeping her competitive horse, Leo, under pasture care since late 2020. But, Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, now claims Cheney concocted a scheme to take ownership of 13-year-old Leo back in March by quietly placing a lien on the Dutch Warmblood that allowed the stable owner to buy him at a 'nominal price'. The 44-year-old, who moved from Texas to live in Florida with new husband Barrett Blade, 49, also says she now fears Cheney will 'conceal, dispose, or remove' Leo, a 16-hand bay, and is demanding to have the horse promptly returned to her. Stormy Daniels is suing Southern Cross Equestrian, a stable in Terrell, Texas, where she had been boarding her beloved horse Cooley Renaissance Man, aka, 'Leo' since late 2020 The former porn actress, who is also an avid equestrian, is demanding her horse be returned to her in Florida after it was put up for public sale in March Stable keeper Michelle Cheney has countersued Daniels claiming she failed to pay her outstanding bills for Leo's care The lawsuit, filed last month and obtained by DailyMail.com, has resulted in a counterclaim by Cheney, who fired back by accusing Daniels of saddling her with unpaid bills totaling $10,000 after 'routinely' failing to pay the horse's boarding fees and expenses on time. Daniels, who lived in Forney, 12 miles from Terrell, is an avid equestrian who has owned at least eight horses. She first purchased Leo who was formerly known as 'Fair Play' and competes as 'Cooley Renaissance Man' in Ireland in June 2016. But in the fall of 2020, she made the decision to place Leo on pasture care at Southern Cross Equestrian for $350 a month after the horse contracted a neurological condition known as EPM. Daniels had used the facility in the past and had become friends with Cheney, 51, as a result of 'their mutual interest and ownership of horses,' she says. Her arrangement with the boarding stable changed in January 2021, when Cheney offered to 'pick the tab up' on Leo's board and farrier in exchange for rights to lease him out to other riders, the lawsuit states. Cheney pointed out that the deal would benefit both parties as it would allow Leo, who had been 'sitting in our paddock getting fat', to be more active. According to the papers, Daniels relied on Cheney's 'representation' as the owner of the stable that if she 'allowed Southern Cross to monetize Leo, which would also provide Leo more opportunities for exercise and enjoyment, then [Daniels] would not owe money for Leo's board and farrow.' Under the new agreement, Southern Cross began leasing Leo to riders that year and throughout the summer, during which Cheney had informed clients that the horse was not for sale, Daniels claimed. Daniels, who previously lived in Texas, made the decision to put Leo in pasture care at Southern Cross after he contracted a neurological condition in the fall of 2020 The horse was boarded at the stables at a rate of $350 a month but when Daniels moved to Florda she wanted to take it with her Daniels's arrangement with Southern Cross changed in January 2021, when Cheney offered to lease out Leo to other riders in exchange for boarding and farrier, the lawsuit states The agreement continued up until February this year, when Daniels informed Cheney she planned to relocate Leo to Florida According to Daniels, Cheney never sent her a 'final bill' and instead placed a lien on Leo before putting him up for 'public sale', where the stable keeper then purchased him herself in March Michelle Cheney poses with one of her horses at Southern Cross Equestrian The arrangement continued up until February when Daniels moved into a horse farm near Ocala, Florida, with her fourth husband and told Cheney she planned to relocate Leo. According to the lawsuit, Cheney responded: 'Sure, I'll put together your final bill and send that to you. Once we settle up, you're free to take Leo.' However, Daniels claims she 'was not aware of any outstanding bill' at that time and understood that the last board bill from their initial agreement had been paid in full in December 2020. 'Regardless of what the "final bill" would apply to, [Daniels] was willing to promptly satisfy any genuine or honest claim and made efforts to learn what the putative claim was in order to promptly pay over the ensuing weeks,' her suit states. '[Daniels] neither knew that Defendants claimed there were charges due and owing as it related to the care of Leo nor did she know what the amount claimed to be due and owing was so she could pay it.' From that point forward, Daniels claims, Cheney nor anyone acting on Southern Cross's behalf ever sent her a bill or told her how much she owed. When she eventually followed up on February 26 asking for 'the total' so she could pick Leo up, Cheney suggested they talk the next day citing 'things' they had to 'work through' before she could send the full bill, the suit states. But Daniels later learned that Cheney had actually issued a stableman's lien on the horse 'in an amount still not known' to her, and subsequently held a public sale of Leo on March 3. 'Unsurprisingly, the "public" sale resulted in Cheney being the only bidder, allowing her to buy Leo for a nominal price,' Daniels's lawsuit states. Daniels, a life long equestrian, often showcases her love for horses and riding on social media, where she once shared a photo of Leo chomping on a doll of her nemesis, Donald Trump She owns several horses in addition to Leo, who is formerly known as 'Fair Play' and competes as 'Cooley Renaissance Man' and who she purchased in Ireland in June 2016 Stormy Daniels rides a horse in a photo posted to her Instagram on February 18, 2018 Daniels is now demanding damages of up to $75,000 , as well as her legal fees. She is also seeking a sequestration bond and an order of delivery of Leo, who she claims now has a 'lessened' present value of $5,000, due to Cheney's 'actions.' Cheney, meanwhile, has contested her suit, accusing Daniels of racking up a five-figure bill with Southern Cross and failing to pay the outstanding balance. According to her counterclaim obtained by DailyMail.com, Daniels had already owed nearly $10,000 in early 2020 before Leo became ill for 'board, farrier, and health care fees' for Leo as well as a second horse, Fella. Southern Cross's legal team sent her a notice regarding the outstanding invoice in January 2021 warning her that the stable keeper had issued a lien on Leo for the amount owed and could foreclose it to sell the horse in at public sale after the bill goes unpaid for 60 days. Daniels managed to pay her debts by the facility's deadline of February 20, 2021 and continued boarding her horses and paying her bills, although, the countersuit notes, 'not always timely nor consistently, for the next several months, sometimes missing months of payments at a time.' In fact, Cheney and Southern Cross claim, Daniels is yet to pay two invoices from November and December 2020, totaling $1,285. Southern Cross foreclosed its stableman's lien on Leo and held a public sale on March 3, when Cheney 'was the higher bidder' and therefore took 'legal ownership' of the horse In her counterclaim, Cheney does not dispute that she and Daniels had agreed to lease Leo out in exchange for boarding, but notes Stormy was still being billed for outstanding invoices Cheney and Southern Cross claim, Daniels is still yet to pay two invoices from November and December 2020, totaling $1,285 The suit does not dispute that Cheney and Daniels had agreed to lease Leo out in exchange for boarding after January 2021, but notes that the deal was separate to the unpaid invoices and mounting late fees that she still owed. 'At no point did Defendants ever represent that November 2020 or December 2020's unpaid balances were forgiven or washed away in this new deal,...' the suit states. 'The continued invoices reiterated the fact that the November and December bills were outstanding, and Stormy never once questioned or denied the outstanding invoices.' The company also confirmed it foreclosed its stableman's lien on Leo and held a public sale at which Cheney 'was the higher bidder' and therefore took 'legal ownership' of the horse. DailyMail.com reached out to Cheney's lawyers for comment. Daniels has spoken publicly about her equestrian background in previous interviews, revealing she grew up in a rough neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she developed a passion for riding horses and writing. In 2018 she earned a spot on Vanity Fair's Hall of Fame after she was photographed posing on a horse for a spread in the magazine shot by Annie Leibowitz. She also often showcases her love for horses and riding on social media, where she once shared a photo of Leo chomping on a doll resembling her nemesis, Donald Trump. The horse has even appeared in one of her X-rated films called Unbridled, which is based on a retired equestrian who returns to competing to save her family's ranch. The adult film star grew up in a rough neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she developed a passion for riding horses and writing Daniels currently lives on a horse farm near Ocala, Florida with husband Barrett Blade, who she married in December Daniels, who gained notoriety after claiming she was paid to stay quiet about her alleged affair with Trump, recently admitted she regrets going public after she and her family, and even her horses, faced death threats as a result. Speaking to UK TV morning show Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid last week, she said she came forward 'to set an example for my daughter and other young women so that she grows up and says, "my mom wasn't bullied and the people in power can't bully you or control you". But she also admitted that the threats made against her had increased, alleging Trump supporters climbed her fence and attacked her horse, Redemption, earlier this month. The former president himself has launched scathing attacks against Daniels on social media, including his claims earlier this year that he was the victim of a 'Stormy "Horse Face" Daniels extortion plot'. Trump was later indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on a string of charges relating to the case, on March 30. Daniels told Piers Morgan she was riding her horse called Redemption at the time she heard the news. 'I'm straddling a horse named Redemption when he got indicted. Redemption is his name. I can't make this up,' she said in an interview shared in April. She said she received that horse as a 44th birthday present in March. The Pediatrician said Aussie will face mix of viruses A top doctor has warned Australians of a winter virus explosion,with influenza cases set to rise as Covid-19 continues to spread. More than 57,000 flu cases were admitted to hospital in the first half of the year, with half of those treated in the past month alone. Paediatrician Dr Daryl Cheng said this year's winter flu season was 'worrying' as Aussies face a mix of viruses post-pandemic. 'We are seeing a huge increase in people presenting with respiratory illnesses, cases of flu, Covid and also other respiratory viruses as well,' Dr Cheng told Today. 'What we are seeing in this kind of post Covid-19 pandemic is a mix of the viruses, so you can get more than one. Paediatrician Doctor Daryl Cheng (pictured) said this year's winter flu season was 'worrying' as Aussies face a mix of viruses post-pandemic Doctor Cheng explained contracting a mixture of viruses puts vulnerable people at risk including those under the age of five, pregnant women and those 65-years and older. He added Aussies can protect themselves during flu season by using practices learnt during the pandemic. 'Things like hand hygiene, staying home while you're sick, social distancing when you can and also things like flu vaccines to prevent against influenza, especially for the vulnerable populations is really important,' Doctor Cheng said. Doctor Cheng urged parents to seek medical attention if their child shows signs of more than just the common cold. 'If you're worried that your child or a family member or someone that you love is unwell and not doing so well and having more than just the common cold, it's important to seek someone to assess that,' Doctor Cheng said. 'Whether that's a nurse on call, visiting a respiratory clinic or your GP where possible. Especially for these people with medical conditions that is really important.' There have already been 40,318 cases of laboratory-proven influenza from the start of 2023 to May 14, with more than 8,173 cases diagnosed in the first half of May alone (stock image) Doctor Cheng advised Aussies can protect themselves during flu season by using practices learnt during the pandemic including wearing a mask (pictured), social distancing, hand hygiene and staying home when sick There have already been 40,318 cases of laboratory-proven influenza from the start of 2023 to May 14, according to the Australian Government's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. More than 8,173 cases diagnosed in the first half of May alone, making 2023 the second worst year on record. Flu cases dropped to very low numbers during Covid restrictions but the virus is roaring back, with new strains generally brought by travelers returning from the Northern Hemisphere. A squirter wearing dishdash runs from a quala in southern Kandahar province. He appears to be a fighting-age male and might be the HVT that headquarters wants. As an SAS operator, under the ROE would you immediately engage the insurgent with a short burst from an MG, or try to take him back to TK as a puck? Much of the language used in Ben Roberts-Smith's defamation trial against Nine newspapers would not have made sense to Australians who did not fight in Afghanistan. Some of it was slang coined by soldiers, formed out of their shared knowledge and experience in Australia's longest and perhaps least understood war. Most of it was made up of bland acronyms beloved of the military forces. Roberts-Smith will learn on Thursday afternoon if his defamation action was successful when Justice Anthony Besanko makes his findings in the Federal Court. The 44-year-old Victoria Cross recipient, who Nine accused of war crimes, had been out of the regular army for eight years when he gave evidence but still talked like the soldier he once was. Much of the language used in Ben Roberts-Smith's defamation trial against Nine newspapers would have be unfamiliar to anyone who had not fought in Afghanistan. Roberts-Smith is pictured with other soldiers who drank from the prosthetic leg of a slain insurgent In the trial's early days the hearing had to pause several times so that foreign terms could be explained to Justice Anthony Besanko, and recorded for the transcript. What was never spelt out was the precise meaning of a phrase vital to the action - the 'rules of engagement' Australians fought under and Roberts-Smith insisted he always observed. Roberts-Smith's testimony was filled with talk of squirters, spotters, green belts and pucking, and acronyms from ANA (Afghan National Army) to VRI (very reliable intelligence). Barrister Bruce McClintock SC, for Roberts-Smith, defined 'squirter' as 'a person who leaves the scene of a mission when soldiers approach.' It was defined elsewhere in glossaries of the war in Afghanistan as an insurgent runner leaving a target, and as a person attempting to escape a cordoned area. A 'spotter' was Australian Defence Force slang for 'an enemy surveillance operative who reports coalition soldiers' movements to militants.' Dishdash was a traditional form of men's clothing - 'it's effectively a dress, so you can pull it up and there's nothing else under it,' Roberts-Smith explained. Some of the language used in Afghanistan was slang coined by soldiers formed out of their shared knowledge and experience. Most of it is made up of bland acronyms beloved of the military. Special forces soldiers are pictured watching over a valley A quala was a walled, mud-brick series of rooms usually set around a courtyard but was usually just called a compound during the hearing. Dasht was a generic term for any desert area. Afghanistan glossary Blooding: Initiating a soldier in killing Blue on blue: Friendly forces attacking each other Dishdash: Tradition Afghan male dress Drake shooting: Weapons fire directed in the vicinity of an enemy location and without an aimed target in order to suppress incoming fire EKIA: Enemy killed in action FAM: Fighting age male Green belt: A heavily vegetated area full of cornfields, orchards, farms, aqueducts and pockets of bush Kill board: A tally of enemy killed kept by the SAS Outside the wire: Beyond the security perimeter of a coalition base Pocket litter: Personal effects found on an EKIA or PUC PUC: Person under capture/control/confinement Quala: A walled, mud brick compound Rat lines: Enemy escape routes ROE: Rules of engagement Spotter: An enemy surveillance operative who reports coalition soldiers' movements to militants Squirter: An insurgent runner leaving the scene of a mission SSE: Sensitive site exploitation is the gathering of evidence at a scene Throwdown: Weapon or device put in place to suggest a dead Afghani was a combatant Advertisement The 'green belt', where compounds were normally located, was a heavily vegetated place full of cornfields, orchards, aqueducts and pockets of bush. [An aqueduct in Afghanistan was not some complex Roman-style bridge to carry water but a simple irrigation ditch carved out of the soil]. McClintock gave Justice Besanko a glossary of terms which would come up during the trial. Many were used by Roberts-Smith himself; others appeared in battlefield reports. McClintock told Justice Belanto a 'FAM' was a fighting-age male and it was 'a phrase Your Honour will become used to'. He did, along with many other terms. If a squirter or spotter was a FAM and wearing webbing - the belt, pouches and harness used to carry ammunition and soldiering equipment - he was likely an armed insurgent. McClintock said a PUC - pronounced puck rather than spelt out when spoken - was a 'person under confinement', while older glossaries say it is a person under capture or control. If an insurgent is in custody he is pucked. 'All fighting-age males would be pucked until such time they could be processed post-assault,' Roberts-Smith said in evidence. There was no strict description of what 'fighting-age' actually meant but it was 'anyone you felt was old enough' to directly take part in a fight, he said. Nine alleged all the Afghanis they claim Roberts-Smith killed were PUCs. He said he never shot one and never would. Not in any official glossary was the term 'blooding' which Nine alleged referred to initiating a soldier in the practice of killing, 'or giving them the taste for killing'. Roberts-Smith denied any knowledge of it occurring and said he had never heard the term before reading it in media reports about five years ago. The SAS had maintained a 'kill board' - a tally of how many insurgents had been killed on a rotation - in a military tradition dating back at least to the world wars. Many trial observers were familiar with 'IED' for improvised explosive device, and terms used outside the military such as 'SOP' for standard operating procedure and 'sitrep' for situation report. Barrister Bruce McClintock SC defined 'squirter' as 'a person who leaves the scene of a mission when soldiers approach.' It is defined elsewhere in glossaries of the war in Afghanistan as an insurgent runner leaving a target. Australian soldiers are pictured in Uruzgan Province in 2007 Some phrases were euphemistic. 'Engaging' the enemy was to 'use weapons against a target' - or, even more simply, to shoot at them. The machine gun (MG) posts Roberts-Smith stormed to earn his Victoria Cross were 'silenced', rather than the occupants being subject to 'lethal force', or killed. Indirect fire (IF) was delivered at a target which could not by seen by the aimer. 'Drake shooting' was fire directed in the vicinity of an enemy location without an aimed target in order to suppress attack. Once a soldier was in Afghanistan he was 'in country'. To be 'outside the wire' was to be beyond the protective cordon of an Australian or coalition base. Inside the wire, where the 'lines' or troop accommodation are located, was not always safe. A 'blue on blue' incident was an attack by friendly forces on other coalition soldiers. In one blue on blue attack while Roberts-Smith was in Afghanistan a coalition soldier shot dead three Australians playing cards. Roberts-Smith said the SAS maintained a 'kill board' - a tally of how many insurgents had been killed on a rotation - in a military tradition dating back at least to the world wars When Roberts-Smith talked of an 'op', or operation, he meant 'a series of tactical actions with a common unifying purpose'. An SAS soldier was an 'operator' but Roberts-Smith informally called them 'lads'. An operation was defined as planned and conducted 'to achieve a strategic or campaign end state or objective within a given time and geographical area.' A patrol was a detachment of ground, sea or air forces 'sent out for the purpose of gathering information or carrying out a destructive, mopping up or security mission.' Patrols were often inserted and extracted by chopper, or 'birds', which came in and out on an HLZ, or helicopter landing zone. If the chopper landed on the target it was 'on the X' and if it put down some kilometres away, necessitating a long walk, it was 'on the Y'. A load of troops on one aircraft was a 'chalk'. On patrol, an HVT was a high-value target, an HVI a high-value individual and an HVD a high-value detainee. EKIA was an enemy killed in action. When Roberts-Smith talked of an op, or operation, he meant 'a series of tactical actions with a common unifying purpose'. An SAS soldier was an 'operator'. Australian long range patrol vehicles are pictured moving across an Afghan dasht, or desert region EKIAs and PUCs were routinely searched upon death or apprehension and any 'pocket litter' found on their person was bagged. They might be have been carrying an ICOM radio, or integrated communications device. SSE, or sensitive site exploitation, cropped up repeatedly during the hearing and involved the gathering of physical evidence for intelligence purposes. Tactical questioning was conducted at or near the point of capture and focused on collecting information of immediate tactical value or to help fill out the detainee's 'capture tag'. PUCs were taken back to the Australian base at Tarin Kowt, known as TK, where interrogation was done with the help of an interpreter, or 'terp'. Frequently used in Roberts-Smith's descriptions of missions was the OP, or observation post, a position from which monitoring was undertaken or fire directed and adjusted. To be 'outside the wire' is to be beyond the protective cordon of an Australian or coalition base. Inside the wire, where the 'lines' or troop accommodation are located, is not always safe. Australian soldiers are pictured at their Tarin Kowt base in 2007 On a reconnaissance or 'overwatch' mission, patrol members might have been in the OP or lay-up position (LUP), remaining in place undetected for as long as possible to observe and provide intelligence. If the position was compromised the patrol might have to 'bug out' or 'escape and evade' (E&E). The enemy used 'rat lines' to flee an engagement. He was 'lying doggo' if trying not to be seen. The ROE, or rules of engagement, Australian soldiers operated under in Afghanistan were less easy to define. Related to the ROE was the law of armed conflict, or LOAC. McClintock had told Justice Besanko he would not be able to tender a copy of the rules of engagement because they were sill considered matters of national security but a redacted document was eventually provided. It remained unclear exactly what the rules of engagement contained and they were never made public during the trial. What McClintock could say in open court was that the rules of engagement prescribed when and how Australian soldiers could use varying degrees of force, including killing. The ROE, or rules of engagement, Australian soldiers operated under in Afghanistan were difficult to define in court. Related to the ROE was the law of armed conflict, or LOAC. Australian soldiers from 3RAR are pictured in Tarin Kowt in 2008 'Implementing the rules of engagement, to use a lawyers phrase, is a matter of impression unique to the person making the decision,' he said. 'A person putting a hand in his pocket could enliven the rules of engagement and entitle a soldier observing that action to use lethal force.' Nine's amended defence filed before the hearing began had stated a similar unfamiliarity with the exact rules of engagement. 'At all material times the members of the ADF serving in Afghanistan were bound by the Rules of Engagement issued by the Chief of the Defence Force to the Chief of Joint Operations relating to the conflict in Afghanistan (ROE),' the defence stated. 'The ROE are classified as protected information of the Commonwealth and accordingly their precise terms are not known to the Respondents.' Within the ROE a legitimate target was described as 'directly participating in hostilities' or DPH. Also in the glossary was 'throwdown' - defined as 'a weapon, communication device, or electronic evidence to deliberately place at the scene of an incident to support a narrative that the incident was justified and was within ROE and the LOAC.' Australian fashion retailer Kookai has been slammed online by angry shoppers who claim the store is 'fat-shaming'. The brand is famous for exclusively stocking smaller sizes, with their social media and advertising campaigns notably lacking plus-sized models. A growing number of women are coming forward to share their horror stories from just venturing through the store's shiny glass shopfronts to browse, saying they are being subjected to 'side-eye' stares and discrimination. Fashion retailer Kookai (pictured) has been accused of 'fat-shaming' customers at its stores, with some shoppers allegedly being told to go elsewhere if they're looking for larger sizes 'Why are Kookai workers so stuck up? I'm a size medium, and the looks I get as soon as I walk in make me uncomfortable,' one Melbourne woman wrote in a Facebook group. 'Has anyone else dealt with this before?' she added. The post prompted a raft of similar stories from other women who say they've had similar experiences. 'This has been happening for years. They are well-known for it, and they do tend to fat-shame their customers,' one woman said. Another shared that she had 'never been more humiliated in my life' when she entered one of the retailer's stores. 'As someone that has struggled with body image, I can tell you I'll never go back there,' she added. Others noted the store's confusing sizing system where they stock sizes 6 through 14 which translates to sizes 0-2 for their own 'basics' range. In one of multiple TikTok videos that takes aim at the store, Adelle Petropoulos said she visited a store a few months ago and was shocked by the way she was treated. The makeup artist said she is typically a size 8 in tops and 12 in bottoms but when she asked a staff member for the larger size in a dress she was looking at 'she looked me up and down and literally said, "Doll, we don't stock any larger sizes."' 'Now in hindsight, I should have roasted her right then and there, but I wasn't about to tear into the retail assistant because of her poor attitude, so I asked for her manager,' she said. The manager then recommended her some stores that 'stock larger sizes for larger girls'. One person commented on Ms Petropoulos' video that it was an 'absolute joke that they classify 12 as a large size'. Kookai was founded in France but expanded into Australia in the early 1990s with a store on Melbourne's Collins Street, before rolling out countrywide. The brand is famous for exclusively stocking smaller sizes, with their social media and advertising campaigns notably lacking plus-sized models. (Pictured: Australian model Shanina Shaik on the Kookai catwalk in August 2015) The brand was sold in 2017 to the Australian company Magi, but the stores still operate in both countries, each with its own design teams that curate the collections. The French stores are known for their knitwear while the Oceania stores focus on a more glamorous style that dovetails into its politically incorrect niche. Charlene Stojanovski, 32, said she recently visited one of the brand's Sydney stores but would never go back. 'I browsed through their clothing, and there was nothing on the rack past a size 8,' Ms Stojanovski said. 'I sheepishly asked if they had larger sizes and one of the staff said, "Oh, honey, I'm sorry, we only cater for the petite." 'She answered my question like it was the dumbest thing I could ask them, almost condescendingly.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kookai for comment. A 17-year-old girl has been told she is 'lucky to have my arms' after being savaged by an eight stone American bull dog which went berserk in crowded playground. The teenager was badly bitten by the 50kg dog after she tried to stop it attacking a group of kids while taking it for a walk in the park earlier this week in the village of Thorpe Willoughby, near Selby, North Yorkshire. Police arrived on the scene at around 10.26am and soon evacuated the children's playground and the playing fields, while the owner was grabbing hold of the canine. They were able to capture and sedate the eight-month old bull dog in a high fenced area of the park before taking it to a kennel where it was later put down. The 17-year-old and her family had had the dog, called George, or Georgie, for less than a day after it was given to them by a family friend. A 17-year-old girl has been told she is 'lucky to have my arms' after being savaged by an eight stone American bull dog which went berserk in crowded playground Speaking of her ordeal for the first time yesterday, the 17-year-old said: 'I just want to point out that the dog that attacked me did it out of the blue. 'So while he had his jaws around my arm I got someone to ring 999. I never wanted the poor lad to be put down. 'I am not like that. He is a lovely dog. I just wanted him taken to someone who could teach him not to bite. 'He was going for the police when they got there as well. 'For those say it is just a scratch I was told by medical professionals I was bit multiple times and am lucky to still have my arms. 'I may need to be back in hospital soon if it gets worse and an infection sets in. 'I have apologised for any upset this has caused. But I am sick of being blamed when I did the legal thing and handed the dog over to the police.' Another woman who was there said: 'The owner was bitten badly. Her arms are a state. 'She was protecting the smaller kids by holding onto the dog that kept biting her so it didn't go and possibly attack a small child. 'The dog continued to attack the police on their arrival also.' The teenager was badly bitten by the 50kg dog, named George, or Georgie (pictured) which her and her family had for less than a day after it was given to them by a family friend Geroge had been rehomed to the teenager's family less than 24 hours before. His previous owners had another dog and the two pets were not getting on. The family was trying to move to a bigger house so the dogs could be in separate rooms. But having failed to find a suitable property they had rehomed George with a family friend rather than keep both of them caged up. The 17-year-old's sister Dominique, also from Selby, posted on social media: 'My sister's fine - thanks all for asking. Badly shaken and in pain but otherwise OK. 'My sister hasn't had the dog long. It was in a new area with new people. Poor thing got scared and reacted. 'My sister is heartbroken over what's happened but she kept the younger ones safe 'My sister loves animals and obviously wanted to give this dog a home.' Speaking for the previous owners, Laura Wicks commented: 'I had this dog with me. He also lived with my sister and her children. 'He wasn't aggressive. An eye witness said he was not aggressive towards anyone at the park. I was just because of the breed of him.' The children's playground and the playing fields were evacuated and officers could be seen in the car park. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: ' No-one, other than the owner of the dog, was injured during the incident. Their injuries are described as bite marks. They added that the dog was put down with the agreement of the owner, and after taking veterinary advice and assessing the risk to all invovled. Electric scooters have become one of the most popular new modes of transport in recent years, with many drawn to their convenience of use. However, their rise in popularity has led to much controversy, with some exploiting the high speed limits of e-scooters to cause chaos on city streets across the world. But what exactly are the rules regarding electric scooters in the UK? Are they illegal? Do you need a licence to ride an electric scooter? Are you allowed to take them on trains? MailOnline breaks down everything you need to know about the use of electric scooters in the UK. As of May 2023, riders can only use e-scooters via the 30 government trials currently in place across England, which permit riders to rent e-scooters in certain areas Are electric scooters illegal in the UK? While electric scooters are legal to own in the UK, there are a number of restrictions in place, limiting where they can be used. As of May 2023, riders can only use e-scooters via the 30 government trials currently in place across England, which permit riders to rent e-scooters in certain areas. Using an e-scooter via one of these trials is the only way to legally ride an e-scooter on public roads. You can use them on any stretch of private land, as long as you have obtained landowner's permission. The scheme does not currently apply to anywhere in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. The following laws make the use of e-scooters illegal on public roads: Driving a motor vehicle with no insurance you could be liable for a fixed penalty of 300 and six points on your driving licence. Driving vehicles on pavements is generally an offence this applies at all times to all types of e-scooters and powered transporters. The trial has not been popular with many Britons, with two in three people wanting e-scooters to be banned. Do you need a licence for an electric scooter? In July 2022, Transport minister Trudy Harrison confirmed that local authorities in England will have the option to continue trials until the end of May 2024, with scooters involved maintaining a 12.5 mph speed limit. Government guidance states that riders must be aged 18 or over and have the category Q entitlement on your driving licence to use an e-scooter. Anyone breaking the law in relation to carrying or riding an e-scooter could be charged with a criminal offence A full or provisional UK licence for categories AM, A or B includes entitlement for category Q. If you have one of these licences, you can use an e-scooter. If you have a provisional licence, you do not need to show L plates when using an e-scooter. Anyone breaking the law in relation to carrying or riding an e-scooter could be charged with a criminal offence. Anyone with an overseas driving licence can use an e-scooter if they: Have a valid full licence from an EU or European Economic Area (EEA) country (so long as this does not prohibit you from driving low-speed mopeds and motorcycles). Have a valid full licence from another country that entitles you to drive a small vehicle (for example, cars, mopeds or motorcycles) and you entered the UK within the last 12 months. Some of the laws do not apply to mobility scooters or e-bikes (electrically assisted pedal cycles), which are not treated as motor vehicles. After a number of incidents in relation to their use, Paris became the first city in the world to ban e-scooters, doing so in April 2023. Are electric scooters allowed on trains? The majority of private rail operators in the UK have banned customers from travelling with an e-scooter on their services. GWR had previously permitted e-scooters on their trains, but banned passengers from carrying them on their trains as of Sunday May 21 2023. Tier and Lime electric scooters are parked on the pavement in Paris on 29 March 2023, prior to their ban in the city Despite the scheme being authorised by the Department for Transport (DfT), users are not allowed to carry e-scooters or e-unicycles on TfL services or in TfL-owned stations or other premises on our public transport network, even when folded. This safety step comes after defective lithium-ion batteries in privately-owned e-scooters and e-unicycles caused fires on some parts of the TfL network. Over 60 fires related to e-scooters have been reported in the last year. Anyone who carries an e-scooter on TfL services risks a fine of up to 1,000. A staffer at a Pennsylvania middle school was arrested after she had sex with a 15-year-old student from her district in her car and sent nude photos and videos to his 16-year-old friend, police said. Megan Carlisle, 37, who worked as a paraprofessional and in-school-suspension (ISS) classroom monitor at the Elizabethtown Middle School in Lancaster County, was fired for the predatory behavior. She was arrested on May 25 and now faces charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault and dissemination of sexual materials to a minor, the NorthWest Regional Police Department said in a release. The child predator is currently being held in Lancaster County Prison on $200,000 bail. The 15-year-old victim alleged that Carlisle reportedly touched and caressed him inappropriately during several school periods while he was in-school-suspension on April 28. Later that day, Carlisle engaged in sexual activity with the teen while they were parked in her car in an empty parking lot in Mount Joy Township, police said. Megan Carlisle, 37, (pictured) was arrested on May 25 and now faces charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault and dissemination of sexual materials to a minor, Fox News reported The student told officers from the Northwest Regional Police Department that after the pair allegedly engaged in illicit behavior Carlisle sent the teen through a cash app $20 for food, Fox 43 News reported. The student had reportedly asked Carlisle for pods for his vape, which she had allegedly purchased for him the next day. Police believe there are many more victims in this case. During a search of Carlisle's car, home and cell phone the investigation revealed graphic photos and videos made by Carlisle that had been sent and shared to an unknown number of other students at the school, police said in a press release. On May 25, the Elizabethtown Area School Districts followed up with a statement after the charges against Carlisle was filed. 'The Elizabethtown Area School District is aware of the charges filed against Megan Carlisle, former paraprofessional at the high school, for alleged sexual misconduct,' the district said. 'While we do not generally make it our practice to comment on personnel or legal matters, we believe this situation necessitates a statement. 'As such, we are sharing the following information: Ms. Carlisle is no longer employed by the school. The District fully cooperated with local law enforcement on their investigation,' the district said. 'We will have no further comments on this matter as it will be adjudicated in the courts.' The district first learned of the disturbing allegations on May 3 when a school staff member was notified. The school issued a statement to parents immediately after, in which they reassured parents that they were handling the manner and that they had notified the authorities, and Childline, a hotline for child abuse. 'Earlier today, the District was made aware of alleged inappropriate behavior by a support staff member serving as a paraprofessional at the secondary school complex,' the email the district issued earlier this month when the allegations first broke. 'We can share that the alleged behavior was sexual in nature. Upon the disclosure of information, district officials filed a ChildLine report and notified local law enforcement.' 'Rest assured that we will cooperate with any pending investigation,' the district said. The United States raised concerns with Australia that alleged war crimes by special forces troops in Afghanistan could derail joint military operations. The chief of the Australian defence force, General Angus Campbell, made the revelation during a hearing of the Senate's foreign affairs, defence and trade committee on Wednesday. He revealed he had received a letter from the US attache in Canberra in March 2021 warning that the findings in the Brereton war crimes report could trigger a US law known as the 'Leahy Law'. The law prevents US armed forces from working with units linked to 'gross human rights violations'. The Brereton report found 'credible' evidence that 25 current or former Australian SAS soldiers unlawfully killed 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2005 and 2016. The US government warned that the country's military may not work with Australia's special forces unit due to allegations of war crimes (pictured, body camera footage from Australian SAS forces in Afghanistan) General Campbell received the letter from the US about four months after the Brereton report was released. 'I received a letter from the defence attache of the United States Armed Forces based in Canberra to me, indicating that the release of the Brereton report and its findings may initiate Leahy Law considerations,' he said. He explained that 'this is all centred on the question of whether a unit is regarded in some way as being tainted by this question of allegations of unlawful conduct'. He claimed that the US wanted to know 'what Australia was doing' in response to the Brereton report. The military chief suggested that US military cooperation with Australian's SAS forces may have been disrupted for up to a year as defence worked on remedying the issues present within the unit. 'There was a precautionary period where we looked to our arrangements,' General Campbell said. One special forces soldier was reassigned in a bid to quell US concerns about violations of the 'Leahy Law'. The inquiry was told that the soldier's position was 'adjusted' and the defence force member was informed about why he was being reassigned. The chief of the Australian defence force, General Angus Campbell (pictured), revealed he had received a letter from the US warning that the findings in the Brereton report could trigger a US law known as the 'Leahy Law' The military chief initially told the committee he had not briefed the current or former defence ministers about the US concerns raised with him. After checking his records, General Campbell later confirmed the former minister was informed. Independent senator and former soldier Jacqui Lambie said the ministers and public should have been notified about the US concerns because it was also a 'threat', which the general rejected. 'You have crossed the line,' she told him. A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed he had not been briefed on the matter. 'The deputy prime minister is briefed on matters relating to his portfolio as they arise and as is appropriate,' she told AAP. 'Given there are serious privacy issues, it would be inappropriate to comment further.' General Campbell marked March 2022 as 'the conclusion of the issue' and said there are currently no restrictions on co-operation. A transgender teacher's Pride flag was burned at a Los Angeles elementary school where furious parents have vowed to boycott an LGBT event. An intruder broke into Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood over the weekend and set the flag on fire. The full-time teacher, who is a transgender man, discovered its remains in a plant pot which was also broken. He has now been removed from the school by the Los Angeles Unified School District over concerns for his safety, according to the Los Angeles Times. Anger has escalated among the school community due to an upcoming Pride assembly and parents have scheduled a protest against the 'inappropriate' event on Friday. A transgender teacher's Pride flag was burned at a Los Angeles elementary school where furious parents have vowed to boycott an LGBT event An intruder broke into Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood over the weekend and set the flag on fire Los Angeles police have confirmed they are investigating the incident and the school sent a message to parents. 'We experienced a break-in over the weekend at Saticoy Elementary that resulted in vandalism and is being investigated as a hate-motivated incident,' it said. 'We are cooperating with law enforcement. This is a reminder that we rely on our entire school community to keep our school safe and secure by reporting any suspicious activity on campus after hours. If you see something, say something.' The transgender teacher was taken out of Saticoy Elementary School for his own safety, a source who wanted to remain anonymous said. His image was taken down from the school's website but an image of the teacher before and after his transition was posted on Instagram pages used by parents against the Pride assembly. 'Heres the special ed/3rd grade trans teacher (first pic as female, later male) at Saticoy Elementary who has made it a point to send message to [Armenian] kids about [Pride],' the post read. One parent commented they knew he was transgender and that it never bothered anyone before. 'He has now decided to stir things up and make his private sexual business our kids,' they wrote. Another Saticoy Elementary School teacher, who wanted to remain anonymous, said staff do not feel safe anymore. 'Were in an atmosphere especially here in the United States with school shootings where, no, I dont feel safe,' they said. 'I dont think any of our teachers feel safe. And a lot of parents dont feel safe about their children either.' Anger has escalated among the school community due to an upcoming Pride assembly and parents have scheduled a protest against the 'inappropriate' event on Friday The incident comes after parents set up an Instagram account on May 16 called 'saticoyelementaryparents' to protest against the school's upcoming Pride assembly where teachers read a Mary Hoffman book titled 'The Great Big Book of Families'. It talks about diversity and 'all kinds of families' including those with LGBTQ+ parents. And just three days later, parents took their children out of a class which was being taught by a transgender substitute teacher, three school sources said. The teacher is said to have previously worked at the school without any problems before the backlash over the Pride event. 'It was awful,' a staff member said. 'I get that people have freedom of speech and the ability to believe and have their own opinions, but when it directly results in affecting the livelihood of another person, its unconscionable.' The LAUSD refused to confirm the incident and said: 'Due to confidentiality laws, we are unable to address student and personnel matters. 'Please be assured that Los Angeles Unified remains committed to providing a learning and working environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying.' The furious parents plan to protest outside the school on June 2 and have told others who 'share conservative values' and 'dont feel this material is appropriate to teach to the children' to join them. A flower business mogul has bought one of Australia's 'grandest estates' after flipping his previous house for $52.4million more than he bought it. Leo Lynch, former CEO of floral wholesaler Lynch Group, bought the heritage-listed Leura estate in Bellevue Hill, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, for $70million on Tuesday night. That same night he sold his mystery home, just blocks away, for $61.5million after rebuilding the property he had bought for just $9.05million in 2014. The heritage-listed Leura estate (pictured) in eastern Sydney's Bellevue Hill, has been sold for an eye-watering $70million to floral business heir Leo Lynch The Leura estate was previously owned by wealthy Chinese businessman Wilson Lee and his wife Baoyu Wu, and dates back to 1891. The property was built for the prominent Knox family and has passed through numerous hands before landing in Lynch's. The 'monument to the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture' features eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a resort pool and its original ballroom. Who are the Lynch family? The Lynch Family founded the Lynch Group in 1915. The company grows, researches and distributes flowers both nationally and internationally Leo Lynch is the third generation of Lynch's to work within the business He was described as 'instrumental' to the company's expansion while CEO between 2015-2018 He resigned from the board in 2021. Advertisement The price for Lynch's home shocked agents as the 1,300 sqm property scored a suburb-high sale. The price beat the $58million record set in 2018 for the 5,700 sqm Rona estate next door. Few details are known about Lynch's previous house, as no images or marketing material was produced for its sale. First-hand reports suggest the house impressed even among the numerous mega-wealthy mansions that occupy the suburb, reports Domain. Lynch's latest purchase has landed him in a house almost three times the size of his old one, with the Leura estate stretching 4,260 sqm. Leura had previously been bought by Wilson and Wu in late 2015 for $30.8million, before listing it for $70million two years ago after he relocated back to Shanghai. The Leura property was lived in by the Knox family from 1891 until 1956 when Miss Helen Knox died and the house was sold. The house then served as a boarding school for the luxurious private high school Cranbrook, before being sold in 1979 and yet again in 1985. The property was listed in the New South Wales State Heritage List on April 2, 1999, one of five residential properties on the heritage list in the area. The property then landed in the hands of businessman Ken Allen and wife Christina in 1986 for $7.3million, who held it for three decades before selling it to Wilson and Wu for a suburb record at the time. It is believed real estate agent Brad Pillinger negotiated between the two parties to facilitate Tuesday's deal. He declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. The $70million fee is the largest paid in a recent rush to purchase trophy homes in Sydney's east, with more than 20 properties selling for over $20million (pictured: Leura estate) The previous agents to sell Leura, Michael Finger and Di Wilson of Ray White, described the property as 'a landmark residence unparalleled in grace, style and historic significance.' '[It] is a monument to the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture from the era,' the listing reads. The new suburb-high sale of Leura caps a run of huge sales for trophy homes in Sydney's luxurious eastern suburbs. Domain reports that over 20 sales have been completed for prices exceeding $20milion. The highest of which, prior to the Leura sale, was a reported $69million sale of businessman Simon Ehrlich's Point Piper 'Spaning mission' styled home. Lynch's family founded the Lynch Group, an Australian-owned business that grows and distributes flowers both nationally and internationally, in 1915. He is the third generation of Lynches to work within the business, and was 'instrumental' to the company's expansion. He had previously worked as CEO of the family's business between 2015 and 2018 before transitioning to an Executive Director role. Lynch would then resign from the company's board in February 2021. Other executives at the bank were advised in 2011 not to have Epstein as a client JPMorgan's CEO has testified that he had never heard of Jeffrey Epstein and his sex crimes until his 2019 arrest, despite other executives at the bank being advised by general counsel that Epstein was 'not an honorable person' and 'should not be a client'. According to a transcript of the videotaped deposition released Wednesday, Jamie Dimon said he first heard about Epstein and his crimes against teenage girls and young women 'when the story blew wide open [in 2019]. He was arrested, and all the stories came out about all the people he knows. And the reason I remember that is I was surprised that I didn't know about it before.' Asked by a lawyer if he'd ever heard the name Jeffrey Epstein before the arrest, Dimon responded, 'Not that I recall.' But the deposition also revealed that the bank's former general counsel Stephen Cutler sent an email in 2011 to two other executives, Jes Staley and Mary Erdoes, saying Epstein should not be a client of the bank because he wasn't 'honorable'. Dimon said in his deposition he was not aware of the email at the time but 'I know it today.' It comes after former JPMorgan executive Jes Staley accused the CEO of lying about his knowledge of bank accounts held by Epstein that were allegedly used for the trafficking of young women. Jamie Dimon (right) said he first heard about Epstein and his crimes against teenage girls and young women 'when the story blew wide open' in 2019. He is pictured with his wife Judith at the White House State Dinner for China in 2011 Convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell attend de Grisogono in March 2005 Asked by a lawyer if he'd ever heard the name Jeffrey Epstein before the arrest, Jamie Dimon responded, 'Not that I recall'. He is pictured at Senate Banking Committee annual Wall Street oversight hearing, September 22, 2022 Dimon made the revelation during a deposition recorded Friday in New York in connection with lawsuits filed against the nation's largest bank. Extract from Jamie Dimon's deposition from May 26 Q: Did you speak with Mr. Staley at all in the year 2006 about Mr. Epstein? A: I don't recall ever having a conversation with him about Jeff Epstein. Q: During the year 2006, did you speak at any time with Mary Erdoes about the Epstein indictment and whether or not he should continue as a customer of the bank? A: Nope. Q: During the year 2006, did you speak with general counsel Steve Cutler with respect to Mr. Epstein having been indicted and whether he should remain a customer of the bank? A: No. Advertisement The 416-page deposition, portions of which were heavily redacted with entire pages blacked out, was released publicly through an agreement among lawyers in the cases. Confronted at the deposition with an email from Epstein's former assistant suggesting that Dimon was scheduled to meet with Epstein as far back as 2010, the president and chairman of JPMorgan insisted it was untrue. 'I have never had an appointment with Jeff Epstein. I've never met Jeff Epstein. I never knew Jeff Epstein. I never went to Jeff Epstein's house. I never had a meal with Jeff Epstein. I have no idea what they're referring to here,' he said. After the email from Epstein's assistant asking whether 'heavy snacks' or dinner should be prepared for the meeting, Epstein responded 'snacks.' As Dimon responded to being confronted with the email, a lawyer noted that Epstein did not respond by saying, 'you're misinformed, Jamie Dimon is not coming.' Dimon said, 'I don't know what he thought at the time. He was obviously misinformed. I never - this never took place.' 'I don't think Jeff Epstein ever arranged for me to meet with anybody, to my knowledge,' he said. JPMorgan faces lawsuits seeking damages by women who claim that Epstein sexually abused them, and by the U.S. Virgin Islands, where the late financier had a home. Jamie Dimon denied having ever known who Epstein was prior to his 2011 arrest. He is pictured during an interview with Reuters in Miami, Florida, February 8, 2023 The lawsuit brought by the US Virgin Islands against JP Morgan claimed former bank executive Jes Staley visited Epstein's island on 'multiple occasions' Epstein was a JPMorgan client from 2000 to 2013, remaining so after pleading guilty in 2008 to a Florida state prostitution charge. Extract from Jamie Dimon's deposition from May 26 Q: I'm going to ask you to look next at Exhibit 104-101. This is an exchange of e-mails between Mr. Staley and Mr. Epstein on June 17, 2009. Mr. Epstein writes Mr. Staley: '[Redacted] will be staying at 71st Street over the weekend. Do you want to organize either you, or you and Jamie, quietly? Up to you.' Do you see that? A: Yes. Q: Did you meet with Mr. Epstein and/or Mr. Staley at 71st Street over the weekend? A: Absolutely not. Q: Do you know what Mr. Epstein is referring to here? A: I think I've testified many times, I didn't know Jeff Epstein. I never met Jeff Epstein. I never went to his house. I never went to his island. And I do not know exactly what he's referring to here. Advertisement The lawsuits on behalf of Epstein victims and the U.S. Virgin Islands in Manhattan federal court seek to hold JPMorgan financially liable for Epstein's decadeslong abuse of teenage girls and young women. The bank, besides denying the allegations, has sued one of its former executives, saying the man hid Epstein's crimes to keep Epstein as a client. In Dimon's May 26 deposition, he was also asked about the email Cutler sent to former private banking chief Jes Staley and Mary Erdoes, now head of asset and wealth management, calling Epstein 'not a person we should do business with, period.' 'This is not an honorable person in any way,' Cutler wrote. 'He should not be a client.' The email was read by a lawyer for the Virgin Islands during questioning, according to the transcript. 'Had the firm believed he was engaged in an ongoing sex trafficking operation, Epstein would not have been retained as client,' a JPMorgan spokesperson said in a statement. 'In hindsight, we regret he was ever a client.' Epstein was 66 in August 2019 when he apparently killed himself in a Manhattan federal jail cell where he awaited a federal sex trafficking trial after his application for bail was denied. He had pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually abused dozens of girls, some as young as 14. According to the lawsuits filed late last year, JPMorgan provided Epstein loans and regularly allowed him to withdraw large sums of cash from 1998 through August 2013 even though it knew about his sex trafficking practices. A lawsuit brought by the US Virgin Islands suggested the pedophile's JPMorgan bank accounts were used to pay trafficked women. Pictured: The New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein An infamous photo taken in Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion in 2011 featuring Staley and Bill Gates - three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. From left: Staley, Lawrence Summers, Epstein and Gates The revelations came as part of an ongoing lawsuit brought against JPMorgan in which it was claimed that Jes Staley (pictured outside 10 Downing Street in 2011) was close with Epstein and allowed him to maintain accounts with the bank that facilitated his trafficking ring As part of the lawsuit Jes Staley has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman during his visit to Epstein's private island (pictured). He has denied knowing about the trafficking but and admitted to a friendship with the convicted pedophile Dimon denied knowing anything about efforts at the bank in 2006 and 2011 to curtail its dealings with Epstein as he faced criminal charges in Florida. After pleading guilty to state charges there, Epstein spent 13 months in jail and paid settlements to victims. READ MORE: Ex-JPMorgan exec Jes Staley claims Jamie Dimon discussed keeping Epstein as a client even after arrest Advertisement 'After he pleaded guilty to the crime he pleaded guilty to, he - we unfortunately continued to bank him, yes,' Dimon said, according to the deposition. Epstein had a close relationship with Jes Staley, who ran multiple parts of JPMorgan, including its investment bank and wealth management arm, until Staley left the bank in 2013. Staley went on to become CEO of the British bank Barclays, but had to step down from that job when the Epstein indictment was revealed. JPMorgan is trying to make Staley a defendant in its Epstein legal cases, arguing that he downplayed or hid the issues with Epstein. At one point in the deposition, Dimon agreed that Epstein was a 'disaster' and 'terrible' for the bank. 'I think what happened to these women is atrocious, and Im horrified at the amount of human trafficking that takes place,' he said. 'And I wouldnt mind personally apologizing to them, not because we committed the crime, we did not, and not because we believe were responsible. But that any potential thing, what little role that we could have eased it or helped catch it quicker or something like that, or get it to law enforcement quicker or get law enforcement to react to it quicker, which they obviously didnt, you know, I would apologize to them for that, yes,' he said. Dimon talks to reporters as he leaves the U.S. Capitol after reportedly meeting with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer about the possibility of the U.S. defaulting on its debt, May 17, 2023 Donald Trump stands next to Jamie Dimon at the White House on February 3, 2017 Throughout the deposition, Dimon insisted that whether to keep Epstein as a client would have ultimately been left up to the company's general counsel. Dimon was asked, 'If you had known in 2010 that Jeffrey Epstein was a sex trafficker, that Jeffrey Epstein was a client of the bank, that Jeffrey Epstein was withdrawing tens of thousands of dollars of cash every month, would you, as the chief executive officer of the bank, said, `We need to get rid of this guy, regardless of whether the general counsel told you that that was the right thing to do?' 'I think everyone involved, had they known then what is known today, including me, would have taken that position,' he answered. A crocodile has been discovered during an arrest in the backyard of a man's home. The small croc was found when police searched the house at Girraween in the Northern Territory. The 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in Acacia on Tuesday. Police are investigating an incident where two men allegedly assaulted three people sleeping at a shelter in First Street, Katherine on October 10. The crocodile (pictured) was found when police searched the Girraween home of the man in the Northern Territory who has been charged with aggravated assault Images from the raid showed the unusual pet lying next to a blue makeshift water feature filled with muddy water. 'A number of illegal items were seized including an unsecured firearm, sword fish rostrum and a live crocodile,' police said. The man was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, possess/use firearm unlicensed, possess/use firearm without permit and fail to meet storage requirements. He was bailed to appear in Darwin Local Court on June 13. Investigations into the assaults remain ongoing. A suspected serial killed who may have murdered 13 people handed himself in to police in Austin, Texas last week - calling them and saying: 'I think you are looking for me.' Raul Meza Jr, 62, handed himself in on May 24 and on Tuesday was charged with two murders: one in 2019, one on May 20. Meza, who began his violent crimes in 1975 and served multiple prison sentences, was described by Deputy U.S. Marshall Brandon Filla as 'the worst of the worst.' Meza's alleged crimes began as a teenager. Raul Meza Jr, 62, handed himself in to police on May 24 after murdering his most recent victim four days previously. He is suspected of as many as 13 murders Bruce Mills, the Interim Assistant City Manager, said on Tuesday that releasing Meza to kill again was 'a travesty of justice' 'Here's a serial killer that justice was not served. It was a travesty of justice,' said Interim Assistant City Manager Bruce Mills, who was also the primary investigator on the 1982 case where Meza was convicted of murdering 8-year-old Kendra Page. 'We don't know how many more people he killed or would have killed.' On New Year's Eve in 1975, Meza and three other teenagers robbed a convenience store near St. Edward's University in Austin. Meza shot Derly Ramirez, the store attendant, in the back - leaving him paralyzed. He was convicted, aged 15, of aggravated robbery in 1976 and sentenced to 20 years in prison, but was released on parole in 1981. Less than a year after being released, Meza struck again. On January 3, 1982, he strangled and sexually assaulted eight-year-old Kendra Page while she was riding her bike near Langford Elementary School. The little girl's body was found naked near a trash bin at the school. Meza strangled and sexually assaulted eight-year-old Kendra Page (pictured) in January 1982 Meza turned himself in three days later and took a plea bargain, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In 1993, after serving 11 years of his sentence, Meza was released as a result of his time served plus time for good behavior. He was soon back behind bars, however: in August 1994, Meza was found to have violated parole and was returned to prison. Meza was released once more in 2016, and in mid 2019 murdered 66-year-old Gloria Lofton in her own home. Lofton was known to her neighbors as a private but exceptionally kind woman, The Austin American Statesman reported, noting that she was known for helping others - and often invited people off the street to stay with her. They also noted her mental and physical health was starting to deteriorate. Meza's DNA was found at the crime scene, Austin police said on Tuesday. A medical examiner said her cause of death was not conclusive, although there was evidence that she was strangled. Meza is seen in court in an undated file photo. His crime spree began in 1975 Meza's most recent crime was the murder of former probation officer Jesse Fraga, 80, who had allowed Meza to live with him in his Pflugerville home for the last two years And on May 20, Meza allegedly murdered former probation officer Jesse Fraga, 80, who had allowed Meza to live with him in his Pflugerville home for the last two years. The pair had known each other since the 1990s. Fraga was strangled to death with a belt. The Travis County Medical Examiner later noted that Fraga also had a puncture wound in his neck that severed his spine. Meza is thought to have killed up to 10 people in addition to Page, Lofton and Fraga. 'We have between eight and 10 cases that kind of fit these similar circumstances that we're looking at. But that could obviously grow,' said Austin Police Det. Katy Conner during a press conference on Tuesday, announcing Meza's arrest. Bruce Mills, the assistant chief of Austin Police Department, said that 'somebody made a bad decision' 40 years ago by letting Meza 'manipulate the system'. Meza was arrested at his home with a pistol, zip ties and duct tape. Detective Patrick Reed added: 'I will let you know that Mr Meza said he was ready and prepared to kill again, and he was looking forward to it.' As Lula told media, This is a historic moment. After eight years, President Nicolas Maduro is back to visiting Brazil and we have recovered our right to have a foreign policy with the seriousness we have always had, especially with the countries that border Brazil. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and Brazil's envoy Celso Amorim meet, in Caracas, Venezuela March 8, 2023. [ Photo: Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS] Their meeting took place days after Lula and Maduro appointed ambassadors to each others countries on May 24, and formalized the reestablishment of relations. According to statements from their governments, the meeting focused on reactivating trade between the two countries, cooperation on issues regarding the Amazon, advancing regional integration, and issues related to their 1,366-mile border. At the press conference, Lula highlighted that at its height, the flow of trade between the two nations had reached $6 billion and it had now dropped to $2 billion, which he argued is bad for Venezuela and Brazil. Lula also said that he is in favor of Venezuela joining BRICS. Maduro commented on the challenges the country underwent when Brazil closed all of the doors and windows, despite being neighboring countries, countries that love each other as people. He recalled an attempt to invade the Venezuelan embassy in Brasilia, which was defended by Brazilian social movements and solidarity groups. Today, a new chapter of relations between our countries begins, he said. from the Peoples Dispatch / Globetrotter News Service Canada will soon become the first country in the world to put health warnings on individual cigarettes. Smokers will find a label on each cigarette they light with phrases like 'Cigarettes cause cancer', 'Tobacco smoke harms' children and 'Poison in every puff'. The new regulation introduced by Health Canada goes into effect on August 1 and will 'make it virtually impossible to avoid health warnings' on tobacco products. Tobacco companies will be required to print the health warnings directly on each cigarette and they will appear in English and French, the country's official languages. The plan was first announced last year and it is being introduced to encourage more people to quit smoking. Canada will soon become the first country in the world to put health warnings on individual cigarettes Smokers will find a label on each cigarette they light with phrases like 'Cigarettes cause cancer', 'Tobacco smoke harms' children and 'Poison in every puff' The regulations will be phased in and Health Canada anticipates that retailers will only sell tobacco products that feature the new warning labels directly on the cigarettes by April 2025. 'The new Tobacco Products Appearance, Packaging and Labelling Regulations will be part of the Government of Canadas continued efforts to help adults who smoke to quit, to protect youth and non-tobacco users from nicotine addiction, and to further reduce the appeal of tobacco,' officials said. Warning labels are already printed on the front of cigarette packages but the new regulation is part of an effort to reduce tobacco use in Canada further to less than five percent by 2035. Labelled products include individual cigarettes, little cigars, tubes and other tobacco products. King-size cigarettes will be the first to feature the individual warnings by the end of July 2024 before regular-sized cigarettes and other products by the end of April 2025. And other measures will accompany the new regulations to reduce the number of smokers. 'Tobacco use continues to be one of Canadas most significant public health problems, and is the countrys leading preventable cause of disease and premature death,' Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos said. Tobacco companies are going to be required to print the health warnings directly on each cigarette and they will appear in English and French, the country's official languages 'Our government is using every evidence-based tool at our disposal to help protect the health of Canadians, especially young people.' Tobacco is said to kill around 48,000 Canadians each year. Canada's minister of mental health and addictions, Carolyn Bennett, said: 'We are taking action by being the first country in the world to label individual cigarettes with health warning messages.' The country has required warning labels on the front of cigarette packets since 1989, although that is behind the US, which was the first nation in the world to introduce the health warnings in 1965. Smoking rates have significantly dropped since from 42 percent in the mid-1960s to 11 percent in 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease and stroke and is the leading cause of preventable death in the US. More than 480,000 people die in America each year from smoking. Boris Johnson last night piled pressure on the Cabinet Office to 'urgently disclose' his unredacted WhatsApp messages and notebooks to the official Covid inquiry. The former prime minister has handed over all the material requested by probe chairman Baroness Hallett, his spokesman said, and urged that it be passed on to her. In a swipe at the Government, Mr Johnson was said to be 'perfectly happy for the inquiry to have access to this material in whatever form it requires'. The Cabinet Office is refusing to provide all the former PM's WhatsApp messages and diaries to Lady Hallett on the grounds that it would be a 'serious intrusion of privacy'. It has said the inquiry 'does not have the power to request unambiguously irrelevant information that is beyond the scope of this investigation'. The inquiry has set a deadline of 4pm today to hand over Mr Johnson's messages, notebooks and official diaries, having granted a 48-hour extension on Tuesday. Boris Johnson last night piled pressure on the Cabinet Office to 'urgently disclose' his unredacted WhatsApp messages and notebooks to the official Covid inquiry The move by Mr Johnson is likely to be seen as an attempt to put pressure on Rishi Sunak and his deputy Oliver Dowden. Mr Dowden has faced claims from Mr Johnson's allies that he may have been involved in a decision to refer new Partygate allegations about the former PM to the police. A friend of Mr Johnson has suggested that the 'WhatsApps the Government really doesn't want disclosed are Sunak's' a claim dismissed by No 10. A spokesman for Mr Johnson said last night: 'All Boris Johnson's material including WhatsApps and notebooks requested by the inquiry has been handed to the Cabinet Office in full and in unredacted form. 'Mr Johnson urges the Cabinet Office to urgently disclose it to the inquiry. The Cabinet Office has had access to this material for several months.' The spokesman added: 'Mr Johnson would immediately disclose it directly to the inquiry if asked. While he understands the Government's position, and does not seek to contradict it, he is perfectly happy for the inquiry to have access to this material in whatever form it requires. 'Mr Johnson co-operated with the inquiry in full from the beginning of this process and continues to do so. Indeed, he established the inquiry. He looks forward to continuing to assist its important work.' The Cabinet Office is refusing to provide all the former PM's WhatsApp messages and diaries to Baroness Hallett (pictured) on the grounds that it would be a 'serious intrusion of privacy' The decision by Mr Johnson to hand over the material will add to pressure on the Cabinet Office, with Downing Street already forced to deny allegations of a 'cover-up' amid criticism over the public row with the inquiry. Whitehall officials are concerned about setting a precedent by handing over all the requested documents in unredacted form, rather than deciding what material is relevant. Refusing to comply with the request to hand over the documents which include text conversations between Mr Johnson and a host of government figures including Mr Sunak could lead to a court battle with the inquiry. But Whitehall officials hope a compromise can be reached before the 4pm deadline to avoid the need for a damaging legal fight with the inquiry, which was set up to examine the pandemic and the Government's response to it. According to the notice seeking the unredacted messages, the inquiry is requesting conversations between Mr Johnson, ex-No 10 adviser Henry Cook and a host of government figures, civil servants and officials. The list includes Mr Sunak, Dominic Cummings, Matt Hancock, Sir Chris Whitty, and Sir Patrick Vallance. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said the Government intends to 'continue to be absolutely transparent and candid' and it had already provided '55,000 documents, eight witness statements and corporate witness statements' to the inquiry. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesman Christine Jardine said: 'Rishi Sunak must now confirm he will hand over any messages requested by the Covid inquiry. He can't use Boris Johnson any more as an excuse to avoid handing over vital evidence.' The stand-off comes after Mr Johnson was left furious when it emerged that the Cabinet Office had handed extracts from his prime ministerial diaries to the police without telling him. The department referred the former PM to two forces last month over diary entries showing he was visited by colleagues and friends at Chequers and No 10 when pandemic lockdown rules were in place. Jeremy Quin, the Paymaster General, is also understood to have approved the handing over of documents to the Commons privileges committee, which is investigating whether Mr Johnson lied to Parliament over Partygate. Mr Johnson's allies said he had received legal advice that none of the visits broke Covid rules. He has threatened to sue the Government. A renter has issued a desperate plea for help after revealing they are living with black mould and grappling with a terrifying number of health issues because of it. The person, who wished to stay anonymous, posted about their 'desperate situation' and 'poor living conditions' in Sydney on the Don't Rent Me Facebook group. 'Moved in, 2 months into the lease noticed black mould growing on walls and ceiling. I tried to clean it, got dehumidifiers in every room - no result,' they wrote. A Sydney renter suffering health complications due to black mould in their home has been advised by fellow renters to leave now. A young woman is pictured in an apartment 'To make it worse, it seems to have given me an allergic reaction (skin rush, issues breathing, itchy eyes). 'My REA (real estate agent) was quick to get mould cleaners out, and they found issues with ventilation and a roof leak.' But the renter said what the cleaners did was just a temporary fix and they don't know what to do. 'So very likely the mould will grow back. Unless they fix the root cause - which would require a decent renovation.' The person is wondering if they 'should break the lease', but concerned for the legal implications if they do so and the health implications if they don't. They are also worried about trying to find somewhere else to live in the midst of Australia's worst rental crisis in years. 'Think it's easier for (the landlord) to let me break the lease and get new people in while the property still looks mould free after the clean... sick cycle,' they added. There was a furious response from other posters on the board, with many advising them not to risk further damage to their health as mould can be deadly. 'Surely there should be grounds to break a lease with no cost due to health conditions such as this. It's not liveable,' one person wrote. 'My sister broke her lease for a similar issue, she got her REA friend to help her write a letter so she could break her lease at no penalty to her as the unit wasn't safe to live in,' another said. A third commenter advised them to make a report to the 'council about the roof repairs and mould so they cannot re-lease the property without repairs taking place'. The renter said the mould (pictured) clean up was just a temporary fix and they don't know what to do The NSW Tenant's Union said agents and landlords have to disclose mould in a property's condition report if they know about it. 'Whether or not they note the presence of mould/dampness, (the landlord) cannot avoid the obligation to keep the premises in reasonable repair during the tenancy,' their website said. Fair Trading NSW Additionally said the repair is considered 'urgent' if the mould is causing health problems, such as in this case. New research by three Australian universities found a majority of rental properties across the country are putting people's health and wellbeing at risk. 'This leaves many people with no option but to endure poor living conditions such as houses that are cold, damp, or mouldy,' University of South Australia architecture lecturer Dr Lyrian Daniel said. The Don't Rent Me Facebook group allows renters to air their gripes and seek advice from others in a similar position, but it bars landlords and property agents. 'Landlords and agents are not allowed, as they have been found to continuously flame & bait tenants in our group,' the website said. Embattled JPMorgan Chase boss Jamie Dimon has hinted at a potential run for office, and has already gained the support of at least one fellow Wall Street boss. 'I love my country, and maybe one day I'll serve my country in one capacity or another,' the 67-year-old CEO told Bloomberg Television from JP Morgan Chase's annual Global China Summit in Shanghai on Wednesday. 'Everyone knows I am a patriot,' he added. 'I am a red-blooded, full-throated, free-enterprise capitalist.' Dimon has repeatedly denied that he is considering a run for president and said he plans to stay at the bank for five more years. The billionaire's remarks have now set off a fervor on Wall Street, with hedge fund manager Bill Ackman tweeting a lengthy endorsement for Dimon to take on President Joe Biden in a primary election. But Dimon's message comes as he faces two separate civil lawsuits alleging that JPMorgan executives allowed and benefitted from Jeffrey Epstein's child sex trafficking. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon told Bloomberg Television he may 'serve my country in one capacity or another' Still, the 67-year-old billionaire claimed he is 'quite happy' to remain CEO of the United States' largest bank Dimon has waded into politics in the past, admitting in 2019 he was considering a bid for president but decided against it. The year before, Dimon also said he could beat Donald Trump in an election, claiming he was 'as tough' and 'smarter' than the former president. But later that day, he said he should not have picked the fight against Trump, and said he was not running for president. He said at the time that his comments 'proves I wouldn't make a good politician.' There had also been speculation after Trump took office in 2016 that Dimon would join the administration as the Treasury Secretary, but he said at the time he did not think he was suited for the role. That may have changed, though, with Dimon speaking about the current debt ceiling negotiations. He remained optimistic that a deal would be reached, telling Bloomberg Television: 'I think it's going to happen. If I thought it wasn't going to happen, I probably wouldn't be here right now.' Still, Dimon said, he is currently focused on running the largest American bank, a role he is 'quite happy' in. 'I love what I do,' the billionaire said. 'JPMorgan does a great job or helping Americans, for helping countries around the world.' He then reiterated his view that 'business can be a force for good.' But his remarks on Wednesday have seemed to invigorate some business-minded individuals, with billionaire Bill Ackman encouraging Dimon to run for president. In a lengthy endorsement, Ackman, the CEO of hedge fund Pershing Square, called Dimon 'one of the world's most respected business leaders. His announcement on Wednesday has seemed to invigorate some business-minded individuals encouraging him to run for president in 2024 Bill Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square, published a lengthy endorsement of Dimon 'Politically he is a centrist,' Ackman explained. 'He is pro-business and pro-free enterprise, but also supportive of well-designed social programs and rational tax policies that can help the less fortunate. 'He is extremely smart, thoughtful and pragmatic and he knows how to bring opposing parties together. He is highly respected by the right, the left and the center.' Ackman then went on to claim that Dimon is uniquely situated to tackle economic problems facing the nation, saying: 'Our country is at risk with $32trillion of debt with no end to massive deficits in sight, heading into a recession at a time of great political uncertainty. 'We need an exemplary business, financial and global leader to manage through what is likely to be a critically important decade for our country in determining our destiny,' he continued. 'Jamie Dimon is that leader.' Ackman also claimed that Dimon could beat President Joe Biden in a primary and Donald Trump in a general election, 'but he needs to start now and build name recognition among the broad electorate. 'He will easily raise billions of dollars from Democrats and Republicans to fund his campaign, and he knows how to build support.' The Pershing Square boss concluded by saying: 'There is only one better job for Jamie than CEO of [JPMorgan Chase] and that's POTUS. 'Jamie just needs a push from people he respects and from the broader electorate,' Ackman said, as he encouraged others to speak out in support of a Dimon presidential run. 'This will be one of the most important elections in our country's history,' Ackman said. 'Jamie is more likely to run if we build a groundswell of support for him. 'Let's do our civic duty and make it happen.' Dimon is currently facing two separate civil lawsuits alleging JPMorgan Chase enabled sex pest Jeffrey Epstein to transfer large sums of money to be used for the sex trafficking of young women But Dimon is currently facing two separate civil lawsuits alleging JPMorgan Chase enabled sex pest Jeffrey Epstein to transfer large sums of money to be used for the sex trafficking of young women. Dimon has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein's illegal activities despite other bank executives' claims that he was directly involved in conversations about whether to keep Epstein as a client. In a sworn deposition for a case brought by the US Virgin Islands and an unnamed woman who claimed to have been a victim of Epstein's sex abuse on Friday, Dimon said he was not informed Epstein was indicted in Florida for sex crimes in 2006, or of other concerns about him raised by other bank executives. 'I don't recall knowing anything about Jeffrey Epstein until the stories broke sometime in 2019,' Dimon said, referring to when Epstein was arrested on federal child sex trafficking charges. 'I was surprised that I didn't even had never even heard of the guy, pretty much,' he claimed. 'And how involved he was with so many people.' Dimon also suggested that Mary Erdoes, another top executive at the bank, had the power to boot Epstein out as a long-term client. He also claimed that JPMorgan's then-general counsel Stephen Cutler had 'the ultimate authority to kick [Epstein] out' if issues surrounding the sex pest had 'gone too far.' 'He was delegating reputational decisions to somebody else,' the CEO said in a transcript of the deposition obtained by CNBC. During that deposition, CNBC reports, Dimon was shown an email Cutler sent Erdoes about Epstein on July 21, 2011 in which he wrote: 'I would like to put it and him behind us. Not a person we should do business with.' Court documents suggest Erdoes had been suspicious of money transfers coming out of Epstein's accounts since 2006, when he pleaded guilty to sex abuse and had to register as a sex offender. Still, Epstein was not terminated as a customer until 2013, two years after the email and five years after he pleaded guilty to soliciting sex from a minor. The suits claim the bank allowed and benefitted from Epstein's sexual trafficking of kids One of the suits was brought by the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein had a private residence where he would sexually abuse the children Other court documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal tell a different story, with a former top executive at the bank claiming that Dimon was lying about his knowledge of Epstein's bank accounts. James 'Jes' Staley claimed in a lawsuit against the bank by the US Virgin Islands and an unnamed woman who has claimed to have been a victim of Epstein's sex abuse that the CEO was involved in discussions for years about whether the bank should keep Epstein as a client even after his conviction of sex abuse in 2006. He claimed that he and Dimon communicated multiple times about whether they should keep Epstein as a client, even after he was registered as a sex offender and served time in a Florida jail. Staley's lawyers even presented evidence indicating Dimon was at some point due to review the situation involving Epstein. The email, sent by a JPMorgan employee, read: 'I would count Epstein's assets as a probable outflow for '08 ($120mm or so?) as I can't imagine it will stay (pending Dimon review).' The employee appeared to be suggesting that Epstein's account would be unlikely to survive once the situation was reviewed. No evidence was shared by the Journal suggesting the account was indeed reviewed. A JPMorgan spokesperson addressed Staley's accusations in a statement to DailyMail.com on Thursday. 'We believe this is false,' they wrote. 'There is no evidence that any such communications ever occurred - nothing in the voluminous number of documents reviewed and nothing in the nearly dozen depositions taken, including that of our own CEO.' 'The one person who claims this to be true is currently accused of horrific acts and dishonesty,' they added. That position is aligned with the bank's overall defensive strategy in the case - which has been to blame Staley for any connections the bank may have had to Epstein. An infamous photo taken in Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion in 2011 featuring former JPMorgan executive Jes Staley and Bill Gates - three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. From left: Staley, Lawrence Summers, Epstein and Gates Court documents suggest Staley (pictured) was close with Epstein and allowed him to maintain accounts with the bank that facilitated the pedophile's trafficking ring Between 2008 and 2012, Staley exchanged around 1,200 emails with Epstein from his JPMorgan email account, it is claimed. In one exchange Staley is said to have written 'say hi to Snow White' and asked if 'Beauty and the Beast' was free Emails between Jes Staley and Jeffrey Epstein revealed as part of the lawsuit November 1st 2009 Mr Staley is on Epsteins Caribbean island. He writes: So when all hell breaks lo[o]se, and the world is crumbling, I will come here, and be at peace. Presently, Im in the hot tub with a glass of white wine. This is an amazing place. Truly amazing. Next time, were here together. I owe you much. And I deeply appreciate our friendship. I have few so profound. December 4, 2009 Mr Staley to Epstein: I realise the danger in sending this email. But it was great to be able, today, to give you, in New York City, a long heartfelt, hug. Epstein: You were with Larry and I had to put up with. (picture of young woman attached) Mr Staley: Dont tell me, a French wine. July 2010 Mr Staley to Epstein: That was fun. Say hi to Snow White. Epstein: (W)hat character would you like next? Mr Staley: Beauty and the Beast Epstein: Well one side is available Advertisement Earlier this year around 1,200 emails Staley exchanged with Epstein uncovered the extent of what the former referred to as a 'profound' friendship. In one exchange, Staley is said to have written 'say hi to Snow White' and asked if 'Beauty and the Beast' was free. Epstein replied: 'Well, one side is available', seemingly referring to 'Beauty'. In another email, Epstein sent Staley photos of a young woman in a 'seductive pose', according to US court documents. The cache of messages revealed that 'Staley corresponded with Epstein while Epstein was incarcerated' for 15 months for soliciting an underage girl for prostitution. Staley 'visited Epstein's Virgin Islands residence on multiple occasions' and 'Epstein even advised Staley in connection with Staley's salary negotiations at JP Morgan in July of 2008', according to court records. 'Human trafficking was the [principal] business of the accounts Epstein maintained at JPMorgan,' the Virgin Islands' lawsuit reads. The anonymous victim bringing the case with the US Virgin Islands has alleged in a lawsuit that 'at least one of Epstein's friends used aggressive force in his sexual assault of her and informed [her] that he had Epstein's permission to do what he wanted to her.' JPMorgan, in a crossclaim, said that the 'powerful financial executive' not named in her lawsuit is Staley. A lawyer for Staley, who left JPMorgan in 2013, declined a request for comment by the Wall Street Journal regarding the latest claims. In a separate suit JPMorgan has sued Staley for misleading executives at the bank about the nature of his own relationship with Epstein. He has acknowledged he had a friendship with Epstein but denied knowing about the trafficking. A union boss has begged members not to quit after it passed a motion attacking Ukraine. Dr Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and Colleges Union (UCU), said she was deeply disappointed after militant lecturers demanded the Government stop arming Ukraine. Their motion ordered the union to support anti-war organisations and accused Kyivs Volodymyr Zelensky of wanting his country to become an armed illiberal outpost of US imperialism. As outrage from members grew, Dr Grady was yesterday forced to beg members not to leave the union. She said: I was deeply disappointed the motion passed. Dr Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and Colleges Union (UCU), said she was deeply disappointed after militant lecturers demanded the Government stop arming Ukraine As general secretary, I am not entitled to vote in the democratic structures and processes of UCU, but if this were the case I would have voted against the motion, and joined the many who did. I am acutely aware that the passing of the motion at our congress has caused a great deal of understandable upset and anger, and it sends the wrong message about our union. I want to seek ways for UCU to put that right. It has also become a distraction from our industrial agenda at a critical time. I know that some members are thinking about resigning from the union in response. This is the last thing you should do. The motion, passed during the unions annual congress in Glasgow, called for a peaceful resolution to the war. It also acknowledged that Vladimir Putin has the use of nuclear weapons and unleashed war crimes. It comes as students face having their graduations delayed. A marking boycott is part of action by the UCU, which represents 120,000 academics and support staff, in its long-running dispute over pay and working conditions. by Vijay Prashad At the close of the May 2023 Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima (Japan), the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union (EU) released a long and informative statement. In a section titled China, the eight officials wrote that they recognise the importance of engaging candidly with and expressing our concerns directly to China and that they acknowledge the need to work together with China on global challenges as well as areas of common interest, including on climate change, biodiversity, global health security, and gender equality. The diplomatic tone of the statement stands out in comparison to the heated rhetoric that these countries have adopted in recent years and is much softer than the language used at the G7 meeting itself, where the heads of government bandied about the phrase economic coercion, indirectly aimed at China. Andre Pierre (Haiti), Ceremony with Issa and Suz, ca. late 1960s/early 1970s. A close reading of the speeches at the meeting suggests that there are differences of opinion amongst the leaders of the G7 countries, particularly when it comes to China and their own domestic industrial policies. Certainly, several European states are uneasy about the domestic economic consequences of prolonging the war in Ukraine and of a possible military conflict over Taiwan. It is perhaps this uneasiness that prompted US President Joe Biden to say, Were not looking to decouple from China, were looking to de-risk and diversify our relationship with China. For Europe, the notion of decoupling from China is inconceivable. In 2022, EU figures show that China was the third largest partner for goods exported from the region and the largest partner for good imported to the region, with most of the goods imported by China being high-end, value-added manufactured goods. Europes domestic economies have already been grievously injured by the Wests refusal to negotiate a peace agreement in Ukraine; being cut-off from the burgeoning Chinese market would be a fatal blow. The G7 meeting reveals the gaps between the United States and its allies (Europe and Japan), but these differences of interest and opinion should not be overestimated. As part of our work at Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, we have been researching and analysing the nature of the cooperation between the United States, Europe, and Japan the Triad, as Samir Amin called them; while our research is still ongoing, we present some of the data in this newsletter. Following the end of the Second World War, the United States built an international system that was premised on the subordination and integration of Japan and Europe. This process of subordination and integration was evident in the military apparatus constructed by the United States, with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) established in 1949 and US-Japan Security Treaty of 1951 being the lynchpins. Establishing a system of US military bases in the defeated powers Germany, Italy, and Japan allowed Washington to set aside any talk of a sovereign military or diplomatic project for either Europe or Japan (tantrums from France, inspired by Charles De Gaulles grand sense of French destiny, led not to a withdrawal from NATO but only to a removal of French forces from the alliances military command in 1966). There are currently 408 known US military bases in the Five Eyes countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and because they share intelligence with each other Israel), in Europe, and in Japan. Stunningly, Japan alone has 120 US military bases, while Germany hosts 119 of them. It is important to understand that these bases are not merely instruments military power, but also political power. In 1965, Thomas Hughes of the US State Departments Bureau of Intelligence and Research authored an important memorandum, The Significance of NATO Present and Future. NATO, Hughes wrote, remains essential to the US as a well-established and easily available instrument for exercising American political influence in Europe and ultimately it is important for the protection of American interests in Europe. Such a system had already been put in place in Japan, as detailed in this US military memorandum from 1962. The network of US military bases in Europe and Japan are the symbol of their political subordination to Washington. With the signing of the US-Japan Security Treaty in 1951, Japans Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida accepted the dominance of the US military over his country but hoped that the Japanese state would be able to focus on economic development. Similar doctrines were articulated in Europe. In the post-war era, an economic bloc began to form between the United States, Europe, and Japan. In 1966, Raymond Vernon published a significant journal article, International Investment and International Trade in the Product Cycle, in the Quarterly Journal of Economics in which he showed how the large international corporations built a sequential structure: goods would be first produced and sold in the United States, then in Europe, and afterwards in Japan, after which they would finally be sold in other parts of the world. In 1985, Kenichi Ohmae, managing director of the global consulting firm McKinseys Tokyo office, shed further light on this arrangement in his book Triad Power: The Coming Shape of Global Competition. Ohmae illustrated how international corporations had to operate simultaneously in the United States, Western Europe, and Japan; increasing capital intensity, high research and development costs, a convergence of consumer taste, and the rise of protectionism made it essential for international corporations to work in these countries, which Ohmae collectively called the Triad, and then seek markets and opportunities elsewhere (where seven-tenths of the world lived). Samir Amin used that term Triad for a very different purpose. In 1980, he wrote of the gradual consolidation of the central zone of the world capitalist system (Europe, North America, Japan, Australia), and soon thereafter began to refer to this central zone as the Triad. The elites in Europe and Japan subordinated their own national self-interest to what the US government had begun to call their common interests. New institutions and terms emerged in the 1970s, giving shape to these common interests, including the Trilateral Commission (set up by David Rockefeller in 1973 with headquarters in Paris, Tokyo, and Washington) and the concept of trilateral diplomacy (which brought together Western Europe, Japan, and the United States under one unified diplomatic worldview). Intellectuals in these trilateral circles saw the United States as the central power with its vassal states (Europe and Japan) empowered to maintain control over the tributary states (such as South Korea) in order to keep the rest of the world stable. Much harsher language was used by Zbigniew Brzezinski, one of the architects of the Trilateral Commission and National Security Advisor to US President Jimmy Carter. In The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imperatives (1997), Brzezinski wrote, To put it in terminology that hearkens back to the more brutal age of ancient empires, the three grand imperatives of imperial geostrategy are to prevent collusion and maintain security dependence among the vassals, to keep tributaries pliant and protected, and to keep the barbarians from coming together. You can guess who the barbarians are in Brzezinskis imagination. In recent years, the concept of the Triad has largely fallen out of favour. But there is a need to recover this term to better understand the actual world order. The imperialist camp is not solely geographically defined; both the older term, Triad, and the more currently used term, Global North, are geopolitical concepts. The majority of the world the Global South now faces a US-led and dominated imperialist system that is rooted in an integrated military structure. This system is composed of three groups: (1) the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Anglo-American white settler states; (2) Europe; and (3) Japan. The Global North is home to a minority of the worlds population (14.2%) but is responsible for a clear majority of global military spending (66.0%). According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, total world military spending reached $2.2 trillion in 2022, with the Triad and its close partners responsible for $1.46 trillion of that amount (Chinas military spending is $292 billion, while Russia spends $86 billion). It is this immense military power that allows the Triad to continue to assert itself over the worlds peoples, despite its weakening hold on the world economy. In recent years, the United States has encouraged a Japanese rearmament and a German military build-up, both of which were discouraged after the Second World War, so that these vassals can strengthen Washingtons parochial New Cold War against Russia and China as well as the newly assertive states of the Global South. Although some elites in Europe and Japan are able to see the domestic crises in their countries that are being accelerated by the US foreign policy agenda, they lack the cultural and political confidence to stand on their own two feet. In 2016, the European Unions High Representative Federica Mogherini laid out the concept of Europes strategic autonomy from the United States in the EU Global Strategy. Three years later, Frances Emmanuel Macron said that NATO was suffering brain death and that Europe has the capacity to defend itself. Today, it is clear that neither assertion Europes strategic autonomy nor its capacity to defend itself holds any water. Modest returns of Gaullism in France do not offer the kind of courage required by European and Japanese leaders to break with the trilateral bargains that were set up seventy-eight years ago. Until that courage arrives, Europe and Japan will remain entrenched in their conditions of vassalage, and the Triad will remain alive and well. Residents living in an apartment block have been left stunned after finding a note telling them to keep it down when they get intimate with their partners. A brutal handwritten note was found attached to the community notice board in the building in Sydney's eastern suburbs. A mystery neighbour had written the note making it very clear they were fed-up with the noise coming from the building. A brutal handwritten note was found attached to the community notice board in the building in Sydney's eastern suburbs A photograph of the note was shared to the Bondi Local Loop Facebook page on Thursday. 'When you have sex, keep the noice [sic] down,' the note read. 'We hear you and the neighbour buildings.' Social media users were left amused by the note after the photo was shared to Facebook. Some ridiculed the neighbour for the poor grammar while others laughed at the message. 'I couldn't get past the grammar to fully enjoy this,' one wrote. 'You should post it in a Facebook group so everyone knows you're getting a bit,' another added. 'It's noice.' The woman who died alongside three teenagers in an horrific car crash had pledged her love for a young teenage girl and posted pictures of her kissing the youngster. Alicia Montebello, 31, was killed when her red Toyota Corolla hatchback veered out of control and ploughed into a tree near Bochara in south-west Victoria on Saturday. The Coles checkout supervisor died in the devastating smash alongside local Hamilton teens Meghan Fox, 14, Joshua Elmes, 15, and Lucas Gorzali, 14. Meghan's sister Jorja, 17, survived the crash but remains in hospital in a serious condition with critical upper body injuries. A haunting last picture of Jorja taken just days earlier shows her in the car passenger seat of the Corolla without a seatbelt on as it apparently speeds down the road. The photograph, which appeared as the final image in Ms Montebello's last TikTok video, posted on May 14, seems to have been taken by the driver while driving. A haunting last picture of Jorja Fox (above) taken just days before the crash shows her in the car passenger seat of the Corolla without a seatbelt on as it apparently speeds down the road Alicia Monteballo had pledged her love for a young teenage girl and posted several pictures of her kissing the youngster The mangled wreck of the Toyota Corolla that claimed the lives of four people Police believe no-one in the car was wearing a seat belt at the time of Saturday's horror crash, and parents had previously sounded warnings about Ms Montebello. The Adelaide-born woman had twice been banned from driving after she was caught drunk driving an unregistered car and driving while disqualified. But parents also told police they feared their teenage daughter - who is not being identified by Daily Mail Australia - was being groomed for sex by Ms Montebello. Now Daily Mail Australia can reveal a string of online messages from the adult to the teenager almost half her age, telling her: 'I love you...I love you little one.' In another post she added: 'My best friend - I love you little one.' In another message to the teenager after she posted a picture of herself in a party frock, Ms Montebello added: 'Wow u in the blue dress gawjus.' Ms Montebello was charged with stalking and causing damage to a teenager's car in February and was bailed on the condition she didn't contact two teenage girls. But she had bombarded the teenager - who had been in a relationship with one of the teenage boys killed in the crash - with around 30 text messages in late March before turning up at her work. On March 31, she posted a video on TikTok telling the teenagers: 'I miss you - best friends forever and always. Love you guys. My world.' In a second video the same day, she posted more pictures and added: 'I promise that I will always be there for you somehow. 'I will make it work. I love you guys xx' Parents told police they feared their teenage daughter - who is not being identified by Daily Mail Australia - was being groomed for sex by Alicia Montebello (pictured) Alicia Montebello posted a series of pictures showing her smooching with the girl almost half her age in a string of videos and posts on social media Alicia Montebello pledged her love for the teen in a series of messages online (pictured), and bombarded her with 30 text messages before she was fined $700 for stalking She was arrested and charged with breaching her bail conditions when she was caught with the two teenagers in the early hours of the morning in Hamilton in April. Ms Montebello was fined $700 without conviction for wilful damage, two counts of stalking, and four counts of contravening bail, reported the Warrnambool Standard. Police are yet to reveal who was behind the wheel of the car at the time of the crash, with detectives hopeful Jorja Fox can help with inquiries when she's well enough. On Sunday, Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir confirmed a witness saw the group's car leaving a local waterfall park about 1am on Saturday. The wreckage was found by a passer-by about 9am on the single lane Wannon-Nigretta Falls Road at Bochara, 320km west of Melbourne. It's not yet clear when exactly the accident happened and how long it was before the alarm was raised with emergency services. The father of one of the teens killed in the tragic crash has revealed he warned his son against getting in the car with Ms Montebello. Alicia Montebello (left) was arrested and charged with breaching her bail conditions when she was caught with the two teenagers in the early hours of the morning in Hamilton in April Alicia Montebello was charged with stalking and causing damage to the teenager's car in February and was bailed on the condition she didn't contact two teenage girls The wreckage was found by a passer-by about 9am on the single lane Wannon-Nigretta Falls Road at Bochara, 320km west of Melbourne Matthew Elmes, 46, father of Joshua, feared Ms Montebello was a dangerous driver who was feeding the youngsters' need for quick thrills. 'If you want an adrenaline rush, it's probably better to go to a theme park or go skydiving, but don't get in a car,' said Mr Elmes. Ms Montebello had regularly been seen driving the Corolla in the area prior to the crash and reportedly encouraged her passengers not to wear seat belts while she drove 'erratically'. A chilling video apparently taken inside the car was posted to Snapchat just hours before the crash and appears to show it speeding at 130km/h down a country road. Asst Commr Weir said a crash reconstruction on the narrow strip of road where the accident occurred indicated the car was travelling well in excess of 100km/h. 'To do that speed on that road at that time of day, any time really, is just incomprehensible to me,' he said. A police spokesperson said enquiries were continuing and said it was 'inappropriate' to comment further as the crash was now the subject of a coronial investigation. Jorja and Meghan Fox were involved in a shocking crash just outside of Hamilton. Meghan died and Jorja remains in a serious but stable condition Australia's medicine and therapeutic regulator has issued an urgent warning about a common headache medication which contains a dangerous sedative which poses a significant health risk. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has put out a safety alert for EVE-branded tablets containing allylisopropylacetylurea, also known as apronal. The hypnotic sedative has been found in a range of imported products, including EVE Quick for Headache, EVE Quick for Headache DX EVE, EVE A and EVE A EX. The products are banned from sale, supply and use in Australia. The Therapeutic Goods Administration issued warnings about headache medications containing apronal (stock image) DO NOT USE EVE Quick for Headache EVE Quick for Headache DX EVE A EVE A EX Advertisement 'We are warning consumers against taking EVE branded products that contain allylisopropylacetylurea as they pose a significant health risk and are prohibited from sale, supply or use in Australia,' the TGA alert states. 'Apronal is a hypnotic sedative that was withdrawn from clinical use in Australia due to dangerous side effects and is banned in most countries in the world.' 'If you or someone you care for is taking any of these products, stop immediately and take any remaining tablets to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.' Apronal also goes by the names of apronalide, ACE and (2-Isopropyl-4-pentenoyl) urea. Synthesized in 1926 by Hoffmann-La Roche, apronal is no longer used except in Japan. Consumers and businesses are reminded that it's illegal to import, advertise or supply unregistered therapeutic goods in Australia, including EVE or any brand of apronal products. A safety alert was been issued for imported EVE-branded tablets, including EVE A EX The illegal importation and supply of these products may result in massive fines or court action. Consumers are also warned to use exercise extreme caution when buying medicines from unknown overseas websites as they may contain undisclosed and potentially harmful ingredients. They may also not meet the same standards of quality, safety and efficacy as those approved in Australia. BHP has conceded it owes up to $430million in back pay after miscalculating public holiday leave for more than a decade in one of Australia's biggest ever wage theft admissions. A preliminary review indicated about 28,500 current and former rostered employees across the mining giant's Australian operations had leave incorrectly deducted on public holidays since 2010. It is understood BHP's failure to include 2010 changes to the national employment standards in its internal payroll system are to blame for the blunder. The average leave lost was six days per employee or about 170,000 days across the company. 'We are sorry to all current and former employees impacted by these errors,' BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery said. 'This is not good enough and falls short of the standards we expect at BHP. The mining giant BHP has revealed it owes 28,500 current and former rostered employees $430million in back pay after miscalculating public holiday leave for more than a decade 'We are working to rectify and remediate these issues, with interest, as quickly as possible.' In a further blow, initial queries into the payroll of OZ Minerals, which was acquired by BHP in May, indicate a similar, historic public holiday pay error may have also occurred. About 400 current and former BHP employees at Port Hedland were also not paid additional allowances due to an error with the employment entity in their contract. BHP said the estimated cost of remediating the leave issue and the contracting issue would be up to $US280million (A$430million) pre-tax, including necessary superannuation and interest payments (BHP share). In an email to BHP staff on Thursday, Ms Slattery said the issue affected about 19,000 current BHP workers and 9500 former employees. Global assurance firm Protiviti has been brought in to thoroughly review the payroll systems. BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery apologised to the affected workers saying it was 'not good enough' An update is expected when BHP announces its full-year results in August. BHP says it self-reported to the Fair Work Ombudsman and will contact affected current and former employees as soon as possible. A dedicated hotline and website will be running from Friday. The huge blunder comes to light as BHP gears up to fight the Albanese Government and unions over the controversial same job, same pay policy. This would mean labour hire workers are paid at the same rate as direct employees, a change BHP claims could cost it up to $1.3billion a year and 'fundamentally damage' Australia's competitiveness. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke seized on BHP's admissions to fire a few shots back. 'Just last week BHP were trying to assure us that their employment practices were impeccable and the government didn't need to close any loopholes to protect wages,' Mr Burke told The Australian. Current and former rostered BHP employees will be able to use a hotline and a website from Friday to recover money owed to them 'That's clearly not true. Australia can do better to make sure workers are properly paid. That'll be the focus of our legislation in the coming months.' The Fair Work Ombudsman said on Thursday that the regulator would conduct an investigation into the underpayments. 'As regulator we will hold the organisation to account for any breaches of workplace laws,' a spokesperson said. 'Any workers with concerns about their pay should contact us for assistance.' Went with Brittany Higgins to meeting with PM and Labor leader A powerful victim's advocate who stood by Brittany Higgins' side every day in court knew her boyfriend, David Sharaz, prior to the explosive rape allegations. Heidi Yates, the ACT victims of crime commissioner, made the revelation on Thursday during a hearing of a Board of Inquiry, which is looking into the way the investigation and jury trial into Bruce Lehrmann was handled by prosecutors and police. Ms Higgins alleged Mr Lehrmann raped her in Parliament House in 2019. He has always maintained his innocence. During his jury trial in the ACT Supreme Court in October, Ms Yates was a permanent fixture by Ms Higgins' side - appearing heavily in news coverage of the case. On Thursday, Ms Yates was questioned by the counsel assisting the inquiry, Erin Longbottom, about the way she became involved with Ms Higgins' matter. Ms Yates also detailed multiple moments where she became concerned for Ms Higgins' life. One was after Lisa Wilkinson's disastrous Logies speech, and another was after her second police interview when an ambulance was called. ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner Heidi Yates addressed the Board of Inquiry on Thursday morning Earlier on Thursday, Ms Yates agreed with Ms Longbottom's suggestion that she first heard about the rape allegations on January 30, 2021, after she spoke at a community event. Another speaker approached her and said he knew of a woman who was going to make a sexual assault complaint that would 'likely attract media attention', and asked her for a message of support. Ms Yates agreed, but said she did not meet with Ms Higgins until months later in April 2021. Ms Longbottom said: 'By April, Ms Higgins had been public about her allegation of sexual assault and there was an interview broadcast on The Project of that year, and on April 26 you received an email from Ms Higgins' partner [David Sharaz].' Ms Yates replied 'Yes'. Ms Longbottom continued: 'You knew Mr Sharaz from his time as a local news journalist in Canberra?' Ms Yates responded: 'Vaguely, yes.' The inquiry heard that Ms Higgins' now-fiance, David Sharaz, knew Ms Yates 'vaguely' from his time as a Canberra journalist The victims advocate then agreed that she spoke with Mr Sharaz on the phone, during which time he explained Ms Higgins was looking for support in relation to an upcoming meeting with then-prime minister Scott Morrison. Ms Yates first met with Ms Higgins on April 27, three days prior to the meeting with Mr Morrison. 'Ms Higgins sought information from you about systemic issues affecting sexual assault victims,' Ms Longbottom asked. Ms Yates recalled Ms Higgins was looking for advice about systemic issues regarding sexual assault complaints, rather than advice about her own alleged assault. 'She spoke about the issue she wanted to talk to about, such as access and better pathways for victims to make a report, and timely therapeutic support ... so we provided her with information about those matters,' Ms Yates said. Ms Yates then recalled she was invited to attend two meetings with Ms Higgins on April 30 - one with Mr Morrison and another with former opposition leader Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek. Brittany Higgins' struggles Later on Thursday, Ms Yates told the inquiry she had permission from Ms Higgins to speak about personal matters - including the moments her mental health declined. The first occasion was in May 2021, after Ms Higgins gave her second interview with police. Detective Superintendent Scott Moller phoned Ms Yates to say police had found evidence that Ms Higgins had been searching for information about how to end her life. 'During that phone call, Detective Superintendent Moller told you that police were accessing Ms Higgins' phone?,' Ms Longbottom asked. Ms Yates replied: 'Yes.' 'And he expressed to you some concerns about what he found on that phone. Yes. Can you identify what those concerns were?,' Ms Longbottom asked. 'I'm just pausing here noting that these are sensitive matters,' Ms Yates responded. Lisa Wilkinson is pictured, left, with Brittany Higgins 'Superintendent Moller informed me that they had access to material on her phone and they were concerned that she was looking at suicide and self harm websites,' she said. 'I asked her whether her psychologist was someone that she could trust around how she was feeling, and she said that, no.' Ms Yates recalled that Ms Higgins said the protections stopping her from self-harming in that past were no longer in place. 'She was talking about the fact that every time she went online, there was a furore,' Ms Yates said. 'People were contacting her all the time. She can't get away from it, she can't get around the constant contact. She said for the last 100 days, 'I've been finding out more about what's happened to myself from TV', and I don't know how to make that better anymore.' Ms Yates called an ambulance for Ms Higgins because she believed there was an immediate threat to her life. Another occasion was in June 2022, on the day a temporary stay application was granted by the Chief Justice - which meant Mr Lehrmann's trial would be moved from June to October. 'That was in relation to comments made at the Logies,' Ms Yates said. She was referring to a speech Lisa Wilkinson made during her acceptance speech at the Logie awards - during which the TV host appeared to align herself with Ms Higgins. The hearing was delayed over fears Wilkinson's speech could bias a jury. The walk into court Ms Yates flanked Ms Higgins into court throughout the Lehrmann trial Ms Yates was also asked about her decision to walk into court with Ms Higgins every day - given that her title of 'victims of crime commissioner' could imply that Mr Lehrmann was guilty. Ms Longbottom pointed to criticism of Ms Yates in relation to the fact that she was the 'public face' of the support for Ms Higgins - choosing to walk beside her into court every day. Ms Yates said those criticisms 'concern me greatly', but told the inquiry there was general 'misunderstanding' as to what her role actually was. According to the ACT Human Rights Act, the victims of crime commissioner has the ability to support an alleged victim - whether there is a conviction recorded against the defendant or not. She said: 'The ACT government has enabled my office to provide care - if that is known and understood, together we can improve community faith in the justice system, and that each of us has a different role'. Ms Yates then told the inquiry that Ms Higgins decided on the first day of the trial to enter the court in full view of cameras and reporters, even though she was given a range of alternatives. 'Ms Higgins was entitled to to support from our office and she asked me to support her, and it wasn't until the day the trial started that she decided whether she would choose to enter publicly, or take the other options that are available to her,' she recalled. When asked whether it was inappropriate for her to publicly appear with Ms Higgins, and whether her presence by Ms Higgins' side created confusion, Ms Yates said she did not think so. She added that said no other governmental body, including police and the DPP, implied there was any issue with her presence by Ms Higgins' side. Ms Yates further stated that she would have listened to any advice stating her presence was inappropriate and would have taken action, but pointed out the criticism largely came after the trial collapsed. She was asked if, in hindsight, she would still show public support for Ms Higgins. Ms Yates said it was difficult to know, but she would take this situation into consideration if another alleged victim asked for the same kind of support. Walter Sofronoff, who is leading the inquiry, suggested the title 'victims of crime commissioner' stripped Mr Lehrmann's human right to the presumption of innocence. Mr Sofronoff suggested another title, like the 'complainants commissioner' might be better suited. The hearing continues. For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 A mum has opened up about the horrific moment she found out her son, who has special needs, had been stabbed at school and needed emergency surgery. The boy's mother, Nicole Jackson, said she was called by Kruger State School in Ipswich, Queensland, and told her son Xavier, 11, had been injured. 'What I want everyone to understand is that this isn't just happening in our high schools, it's happening in primary schools and it's not safe,' she told Sunrise on Thursday. Queensland mum Nicole Jackson (right) is pictured with her son Xavier, who has special needs 'I don't want to be sending my children to school knowing that it isn't safe out there anymore.' The mother-of-seven said when she was called by the school after the incident last month where her son was stabbed with a stick, staff 'weren't sure' how badly injured he was. Fortunately for Xavier, she decided to take him to a doctor to see if his injuries were bad enough to go to hospital or if they could be treated there. The doctor found a terrible detail that meant her son needed emergency surgery. 'They started to clean him up and realised there was a severed vein, so they sent us straight to emergency to see a surgeon,' she said. 'He's a trooper, he's been really strong through the whole thing. I know if it was me, I'd be sooking. He's shown a lot of strength through it.' Ms Jackson said staff shortages are to blame for what happened. 'It's sad to say, our schools are understaffed. They have so many little people and not enough supervision in the playgrounds, and unfortunately this is what's happening. 'It's not just one school, it's happening everywhere,' she said. She made a plea to the Queensland state government to intervene. 'The government needs to do a lot more to supervise what they are able to do for these schools,' she said. The injury to Xavier Jackson's arm that required immediate surgery is pictured 'These are our babies, we need to step up before it gets any worse.' In a statement, Queensland's Department of Education would not say what punishment was given to the student who stabbed Xavier, but said the matter was 'treated extremely seriously'. 'Whenever a student is injured, staff will always make every attempt to thoroughly assess the injury when possible. The student's parent was called immediately. 'Appropriate disciplinary consequences are being applied following the incident. Details cannot be provided due to student privacy.' The department added that the school was working with Xavier and his mum on the issue and that 'counselling and support services are available for all school community members should they require it'. A dumpster diver has made an incredible haul after finding fresh food while rummaging through an Aldi bin. New Zealand man Brenden Rikihana is a self-confessed 'scavenger' who rummages through supermarket dumpsters in Western Australia. The 53-year-old, who lives in Perth with his family, donates donates most of his haul to families struggling to make ends meet and charities in his community. Mr Rikihana searches bins at Woolworths, Coles and Aldi looking for toys, clothes, fresh vegetables, fruit and other food items and shares his dumpster diving adventures on his 'Bin Living with Big B' social media channels. Brenden Rikihana, 53, (pictured) is a self-confessed 'scavenger' who rummages through supermarket dumpsters in Western Australia looking for products and fresh food items he can donate to charity In a video shared on his 'Bin Living with Big B' youtube channel, Mr Rikihana searches an Aldi dumpster and finds a box of quiche's with two more weeks before its expiration date (pictured) In a video shared on his YouTube channel on April 17, Mr Rikihana highlighted how 'picky' supermarket giant's are after finding a box of quiche lorraine's in an Aldi bin. 'Here we are at another Aldi and straight off the bat we find a whole heap of these, a whole box of Quiche Lorraine's,' Mr Rikihana says. 'Pumpkin, ricotta, spinach, and pineapple. Whole box of them. Firm date. Still in date for another two weeks.' The World Kitchen's 700g quiches retail for between $6 to $7 - and were marked with an expiration date of April 23 - making Mr Rikihana's find of 11 quiches worth more than $65. Mr Rikihana is then seen searching the rest of the bin where he finds a couple bags of coleslaw, tomatoes, a bag of potatoes, bagels, strawberries and nectarines. He checks the expiration date of the items and the quality of the fruit and vegetables before taking them out of the bin and putting them in bags. In a video shared on TikTok on Wednesday, Mr Rikihana shows a range of products and food items he found in a Coles bin the night before. The video shows the haul spread out on his table and kitchen bench, including bottles of dish washing liquid, toothpastes, shower gels, deodorants, dove soaps, bread, eggs, herbs, fruit and boxes of chips. 'Look at all this 's**t,' he said. 'Hell, we even got beer and all for the big fat price of f**k all.' Social media users were outraged by the products supermarkets discard, with many wondering why the items are not donated instead of being thrown away. 'It's actually disgusting what they throw it! Give this stuff to the homeless u fucking supermarkets,' one wrote. 'Why tf (the f**k) would they throw all this out when people are struggling,' another person commented. A third person chimed: 'Thats disturbing how much waste.' Others warned Mr Rikihana not to eat from the 'fun mix' as Coles issued a recall for Smith's chips after foreign plastics and metal shards were found in some of its products. However, Mr Rikihana reassured his followers claiming only the Smith's cheese and onion and original were recalled with the rest still good to eat. East European NATO member Romania finally retired the last of its MiG-21 fighters in May 2023. This ended the nearly 70 years of MiG-21 use by European nations. Small numbers of MiG-21s still serve in a number of African countries. Romania has a small economy, and defense budget, compared to the original (West European) NATO countries and most other new East European NATO members. This has made it difficult, but not impossible to upgrade its military to meet NATO standards. That meant replacing all the Russian combat aircraft with more capable Western models. If you were on a budget, the best inexpensive NATO compliant fighter was the F-16. There was a thriving market in second-hand F-16s and upgrades for F-16s. of all ages. There was an upgrade market for MiG-21s after the Cold War ended in 1991. Romania kept its MiG-21s relevant for a long time via periodic upgrades. This kept Romanian MiG-21 LanceR models in service longer than anyone elses. Romanias transition to F-16s also involved a series of upgraded second-hand F-16s. For example, Romania is replacing its 17 current second-hand F-16Bs with 32 more modern Norwegian second-hand F-16s. Norway upgraded its F-16s to the equivalent of the F-16C Block 50 in 2010. Romania negotiated the purchase of the Norwegian F-16s for $12 million per aircraft. This included spare parts and support equipment plus maintenance and technical training services. Deliveries began on schedule in 2023 and will be completed in 2024. These aircraft are good for at least another ten years. Norway had the best maintained F-16s in NATO, and recently replaced its F-16s with F-35s. The Romanian F-16s from Portugal had been upgraded to a less advanced F-16 version. Romania also had 16 MiG-21 fighters in service until the last of these were retired in 2023. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and retiring its MiG-21s makes it NATO-compliant in fighter aircraft. Romania is one the three NATO nations (including Bulgaria and Turkey) with a Black Sea coastline and the only one bordering Ukraine. That land border is used to get NATO supplies into Ukraine. Romania also provides training for some Ukrainian troops and security for commercial shipping moving between Ukraine and the Turkish exit to the Mediterranean. Romania and many other NATO members have long used the F-16 because this aircraft has the most impressive combat record of any current jet fighter. The U.S. was the earliest and largest user of the F-16 and its F-16 fleet, containing many aircraft acquired in the 1980s, is rapidly aging. The average age of American F-16s is over 30 years, and the average aircraft has nearly 7,000 flight hours on it. Most European nations received their F-16s in the 1980s and have upgraded them since. But they are still basically elderly aircraft. Back in 2009 the first Block 40 F-16 passed 7,000 flight hours. In 2008 the first of the earliest models (a Block 25) F-16 passed 7,000 hours in the air. The F-16C was originally designed for a service life of 4,000 hours. Advances in engineering, materials and maintenance techniques have extended that to over 8,000 hours. Because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, F-16s sent to these areas flew over a thousand hours a year more than what they would fly in peacetime. The F-16 follows the path of previous best-selling fighters. During the Cold War (1947-91) Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s. Since 1991 warplane manufacturing numbers have plummeted about 90 percent. The F-16 was popular enough to keep the production lines going strong into the 2020s. The U.S. still has about a thousand F-16s in service, with about half in reserve units. F-16s built so far were exported to 27 countries. America has hundreds in storage, available for sale on the used airplane market. The end of the Cold War also led to a sharp cut in U.S. Air Force fighter squadrons. Moreover, the new F-35s are replacing all U.S. F-15s and F-16s, a process that will be complete by 2030. That means the U.S. will have plenty of little-used F-16s sitting around, and many allies in need of low-cost jet fighters. Many current F-16 users planned to replace the F-16 with the F-35, but that aircraft costs more than twice as much as a new F-16V so air forces are seeking to operate a mixed force of F-35s and late model F-16s. NATO nations maintain warplanes that are believed capable of handling the Russian air force. The current war in Ukraine has revealed the actual capabilities of Russian warplanes, which turned out to be much less than expected. This means many NATO air forces can get by with upgraded F-16s rather than replacing F-16s with the new American F-35. Most F-35s are going to export customers. Since the 1990s most F-16s produced were for export and these, like the Israeli F-16I, cost as much as $70 million each. Some nations, like South Korea, built over a hundred F-16s under license. The 16-ton F-16 also has an admirable combat record and is very popular with pilots. It has been successful at ground support as well. When equipped with 4-6 smart bombs, it is an effective bomber. Since first entering service some 4,600 F-16s have flown over 12 million hours. Despite fears that a single-engine fighter would be less safe, F-16s have, in the 21st century, suffered a remarkably low accident rate (loss or major damage) of 2.4 per 100,000 flight hours. The F-16 is one of the most modified jet fighters in service. While most are still called the F-16C, there are actually seven major mods, identified by block number (32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60, 70 and 72), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. The F-16D is a two-seat trainer version of F-16Cs. The various block mods included a large variety of new components (five engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit and electrical mods.) Until the Block 70 came along, the most advanced F-16 was the F-16 Block 60. The best example of this is a special version of the Block 60 developed for the UAE (United Arab Emirates). The UAE bought 80 "Desert Falcons" (the F-16E) which is optimized for air combat. It is a 22-ton aircraft based on the Block 52 model, but with an AESA radar and lots of other electronic and mechanical enhancements. The Block 70 goes beyond the Block 60, especially in terms of electronics and airframe enhancement to extend flight life. The most successful F-16 user is Israel which set a number of combat records with its F-16s. Israel plans to keep some of its late-model F-16s flying into the 2030s as it retires the oldest ones. At the end of 2016, Israel retired the last of its 125 F-16A fighters. The first 70 were acquired in 1980 and 1981 and included 8 two-seater F-16B trainers. One of the F-16As achieved a record by being the single F-16 with the most air-to-air kills (6.5), all achieved in 1982 using three different pilots. Israel received 50 used F-16As in 1994 (including 14 B models) and used these mainly as trainers. These F-16As were the first of the nearly 400 F-16s Israel obtained from the United States since 1980. Israeli F-16s have shot down 47 aircraft, which is 70 percent of the 67 kills for all F-16s built. Israeli F-16A aircraft flew 474,000 sorties and spent over 335,000 hours in the air over 35 years. Israel was the most energetic user of the F-16 and also took the lead in developing upgrades and accessories. This helped sell the older F-16As, even in a crowded market with more and more of these oldest F-16s being retired rather than upgraded. That is easier to do with the more recent F-16C models and that is what Israel did with all of its F-16Cs. Anthony Albanese has rallied to the defence of his Health Minister after it was revealed that a firm Mark Butler's wife worked at would benefit from a $23.4million government investment into cyber security. Mr Butler was part of the Federal budget committee which awarded funding in the last Federal Budget to the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), to help protect companies against cyber threats. Daily Mail Australia revealed his wife, former journalist Daniela Ritorto, was employed on a part-time basis as a 'senior consultant' at COSBOA's 'delivery partner' 89 Degrees East. Mr Butler and his wife married in 2021 after three years of dating Opposition Deputy Leader Sussan Ley asked for more detail about situation during Question Time on Thursday. Mr Albanese defended his cabinet colleague, insisting 'the ERC [expenditure review committee] does not consider that level of detail. It's never considered. 'It is a matter for them which contractors they engage to deliver a program.' After his brief statement, the Opposition jeered, with one MP shouting: 'Is that it?'. Ms Ley doubled down on her question, asking Mr Butler why he did not recuse himself from any decision making in relation to the grant. Mr Butler said he takes the mandatory code of conduct 'very seriously', which is why he declared Ms Ritorto's role on his register of interests. He noted Ms Ritorto's contract with the company ended in 2021, and resumed in February 2023. She is no longer working with the firm. 'At no time has any matter been before me for decision about that company. Mr Albanese defended his cabinet member, insisting 'the ERC [expenditure review committee] does not consider that level of detail. It's never considered 'Were that to happen, Id manage that with longstanding arrangements about potential conflict.' The Cyber Wardens initiative which was awarded the government grant lists 89 Degrees East as a 'founding partner'. The connection between the two businesses - which is readily available online - was reportedly not made clear during any expenditure review committee discussions about the funding. As such, Mr Butler was never aware of, or concerned about, any potential conflict of interest. 89 Degrees East was posting about its involvement with the project as early as January, and is listed on the Cyber Wardens website as a 'founding partner' A spokesperson from Mr Butler's office said on Wednesday evening: 'When the measure in question was brought before the ERC, there was no mention of the involvement or potential involvement of 89 Degrees East. 'The Minister had nothing to declare.' 89 Degrees East was posting about its involvement with the project as early as January. The Budget announced the cash funding was on May 9. During Senate Estimates on Tuesday night, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the contract awarded to COSBOA was done in consultation with Labor ministers. She said: 'It was a decision of government to fund this', before adding it was 'part of the standard Budget process'. In justifying the decision to award the funding, Senator Gallagher described COSBOA as 'the peak small business group'. 'They are the obvious choice to run a program like this, but there is a process to go through around the particulars of this grant. That is still to be finalised.' Daily Mail Australia understands the connection between the two businesses - which is readily available online - was not made clear during any expenditure review committee discussions about the funding. As such, Mr Butler was never aware of, or concerned about, any potential conflict of interest The Cyber Wardens program will create up to 60,000 jobs in small businesses within three years, roles primarily tasked with preventing cyber scams and attacks. Senator Gallagher was grilled during the hearing about the grant, but stood firm in her conviction that Labor had made the right choice in allocating the money. Australia has been described as a 'hacker's paradise' following breaches to both Optus and Medibank in recent months. As a result, Labor have invested significantly in the cyber protection sphere, with $101.6million allocated over five years across multiple projects. But there are concerns about the decision making process behind the funding in light of 89 Degrees East's ties with both Labor and COSBOA. Mr Butler is a close ally of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is also a member of the expenditure review committee Ministerial Standards state all official decisions a minister is involved in must be free from bias or 'irrelevant consideration'. 'Ministers must have regard to the pecuniary and other private interests of members of their family, to the extent known to them, as well as their own interests, in considering whether a conflict or apparent conflict between private interests and official duty arises.' The government's expenditure review committee is comprised of some of the most senior ranking members of Government, including; Mr Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Deputy PM Richard Marles and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher. Mr Butler has served in the House of Representatives since 2007, and was a minister in both the Gillard and Rudd governments before being assigned the Health role under Mr Albanese. He and his wife married in 2021 after three years of dating. A grandfather has been killed in a horror workplace accident involving a conveyor belt at a demolition site. The third party contractor, 65, had been at the industrial worksite on Kooragang Island near Port of Newcastle north of Sydney on Wednesday afternoon when a large pole struck him during demolition work. The man suffered severe injuries and died at the scene, despite the desperate efforts of emergency responders and witnesses. The tragedy occurred at a site logistics company Qube leased from the Port of Newcastle. Police and SafeWork investigations have been launched into the fatal incident at a demolition site (pictured) near Port of Newcastle 'We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of a third-party demolition contractor who was working on a Qube ports facility in Newcastle,' a spokesman said. 'Our thoughts are with the person's family, friends and colleagues and we are offering all the support we can during this difficult time.' Devastated relatives who rushed to the site told NBN News the man was a much-loved father and grandfather. Police officers spent Wednesday night examining the scene as an investigation into the incident was launched into the incident. A demolition contract worker died after being struck by a large metal pole at a worksite NSW Police will prepare a report for the coroner. SafeWork NSW has launched a separate investigation into the fatality. 'No further information is available at this time, a spokeswoman said. The man's death has sparked outpouring of tributes. 'It's a terrible accident that took my brother. He is loved very much and forever will be missed,' a heartbroken relative posted. The stepfather of a 12-year-old girl who killed her brother in a 'demonic' attack in Oklahoma was previously jailed for torturing and killing a cat, and beat a jail cellmate so violently that the man was left with brain injuries. DailyMail.com is not naming the girl who remains in juvenile detention following the January 5 attack. She stabbed her nine-year-old brother, Zander Lyda, three times at their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her mother, April, believes the attack was caused by a change in medication but she has not yet given any additional details. Zander's father is 39-year-old Levi Lyda. In 2017 - when Zander was four and the girl was six - he tortured and killed a pet cat that belonged to another of his daughters in Missouri. Levi Lyda, 39, was arrested in 2017 - when Zander was four and the girl was six - for torturing a cat to death. The cat belonged to his other daughter Levi is pictured here with his ex-wife April, holding Zander, after his birth in 2013. The girl now in custody for killing Zander is shown, right, as a toddler Mom April Lyda with her son, Zander, on a GoFundme appeal for the family after his 12-year-old sister stabbed him to death He told police he was drunk and killed the animal in a haze. His family told police he said he didn't want the burden of it anymore. Lyda was taken to the county jail in St Charles, Missouri, where he beat up cellmate James L. Falke two nights in a row. Falke, who was in jail for drunk driving and fleeing the scene of an accident, sued the county for not protecting him from Lyda after the first attack. As part of his lawsuit, doctors described how he'd been beaten by Lyda to such an extent that he was left with a 'moderate brain injury'. Lyda is not the girl's biological father but on the night of the attack, her mother told police how he and his mother treated her like their 'own'. 'She is with Zanders dad and grandma all the time they look at her like shes there granddaughter too. 'She doesnt get left out, I dont understand why she would have so much anger towards him,' she said. Her biological father has not been publicly identified. Levi was pictured in an undated photo driving Zander in an undated photo before his death on January 5, 2023 Lyda is shown in the bodycam footage arriving at hospital while his son was receiving treatment. In the cat killing case, the girl's mother - another former partner of Lyda's - returned home to find drops of blood in the house and the lifeless kitten in the backyard. Police also found drops of blood in the young girl's bedroom, they said. He allegedly told his wife 'I got rid of the cat' just before she found the body but claimed not to remember having killed the kitten because he was drunk after consuming a six-pack of beer and a half-bottle of vodka. When questioned by police, authorities said, Lyda explained that after their family cat gave birth to a litter of kittens, caring for them became a burden on the family. 'It appears the animal had broken bones, had a broken leg,' St. Charles Prosecutor Tim Lohmar said at the time. 'There are pretty clear indications of blunt force trauma to the head.' Lyda later pleaded guilty to that offense, and remained out of jail so long as he underwent substance abuse counseling, mental health treatment and refrained from consuming alcohol. Criminal records obtained by DailyMail.com show that he had previously been cited for public intoxication and a slew of traffic violations. He was also cited just one week before the murder of the cat with stealing a motor vehicle But that was not the first time Lyda had a run-in with the law. Criminal records obtained by DailyMail.com show that he had previously been cited for public intoxication and a slew of traffic violations throughout Oklahoma, where he grew up, and Missouri, where he had lived with April and their two children. He was also cited the week before the cat's murder with a motor vehicle theft. It is unclear how close Lyda was with his daughter following the incident, but he and April separately decided to move back to Oklahoma with their children. He was even pictured driving Zander in an undated photo before his death on January 5, 2023. April told police she was asleep upstairs when her daughter woke her up shortly before midnight that night to say she had stabbed the boy. Recently-released police body camera footage showed the girl, whom authorities have not named, sobbing and repeatedly apologizing to officers as she insisted she was a 'good girl.' The edited video, obtained by The Law & Crime Network, begins with the girl running downstairs as she yells, 'I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.' As the girl is taken out of the home by police, April appears by the door frame saying the boy has stab wounds on his chest. 'You better pray to God he f*****g lives,' she tells the girl. 'I'm so sorry, momma,' the girl replies. 'I don't know what happened.' The handcuffed girl then leads police to the knife she supposedly used to stab her brother, which she had thrown out of a window. Once in the patrol car, the girl asks if she's going to jail as an officer tries to console her saying it's too soon to tell. 'I ruined my life,' she says. 'I ruined my whole future. It's all my fault.' At one point, the girl appears to pray as she says: 'God, please help me. What the f***. Please. F*** please.' While still in the car, she asks, 'Are the handcuffs necessary? I'm a good child.' The officer tells her it is given the nature of the incident. The boy, meanwhile, was rushed to the hospital and taken into surgery, but died from his injuries shortly after 2:30 a.m. CT. Police body camera footage shows the 12-year-old girl running downstairs as she yells, 'I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry' The handcuffed girl then leads police to the knife she supposedly used to stab her brother, which she had thrown out of a window The footage then skips to the police station, where an officer takes pictures of the girl's arms and hands. Lyda is then interviewed by police, and says her daughter has never displayed aggressive behavior in the past. 'I just don't understand why she would have so much anger toward him,' she says. 'Especially at bedtime.' At the end of the video, as two officers are talking, one says to the other: 'You just wonder what's going on in a 12-year-old's mind.' The girl is now in juvenile custody with the Tulsa Police Child Crisis Unit in charge of the investigation. A motive for the killing remains unknown. In a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday, the police department said it is not making any comments on the case as it involves a juvenile and is under seal, per the District Attorney's office. The footage then skips to the police station, where an officer takes pictures of the girl's arms and hands Zander was described as a sweet child who 'loved to ride his bike, play Fortnite, hang our with his best friend or just run errands with his mom' In the meantime, April's friends have started a GoFundMe to help the family with the costs of what they describe as an 'unexpected tragedy.' 'The loss of her 9 year old son to her 12 year old daughter has left this mother and their family completely devastated and confused, we are still trying to figure out why this happened,' the page reads. 'Her daughter was a well behaved child with no prior history of behavioral problems. Her son Zander was the sweetest boy who had the biggest smile, he loved to ride his bike, play Fortnite, hang out with his best friend or just run errands with his mom.' The page adds that April is still raising a three-year-old son as a single parent, and the funds will be used for their move to a new home, as well as legal fees, bills and a car repair. She also wrote in a message on the GoFundMe that it was inappropriate for the police department to release the footage of the arrest. April then went on to claim that the girl started having behavior issues when 'she was put back on a medication she was off for over a year,' adding that 'it wasn't psych meds.' She wrote: 'I can't get into details because I'm not sure what all I'm allowed to share just yet. 'She has never even yelled at me, she was happy and energetic loves school, she is not mentally ill & has not been diagnosed with anything. 'She has been very well behaved the entire 6 months she has been gone and yes I'm very supportive of her and love her very much, obviously there is a lot of healing that we both need before we can ever live together again.' Police are hunting the man who delivered a fatal blow to a father-of-two outside a restaurant and wine bar on Wednesday night. Michael Hayes, 39, died in hospital on Thursday after being struck a single blow by another man he was talking to after exiting the Destino Wine and Cocktail Bar at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast in south-east Queensland. Mr Hayes' sister Lynda Blanch posted a heart-breaking shot of her holding Mr Hayes' hand in the hospital where he died on Thursday morning. 'Forever 39,' she wrote. 'Todays the Day Little Brother. Rest Easy Now. We Love You. Forever in our hearts. Justice will be served. My Twin'. Michael Hayes, 39, died in a Gold Coast hospital on Thursday morning after being felled by a single blow on Wednesday night Mr Hayes sister Lynda Blanch posted a heart-breaking shot of her holding Mr Hayes' hand in the hospital where he died As news of Mr Hayes' death spread on social media, tributes began pouring in. One of those was from Hi-Octane Automotive Events founder Ryan Cobb who saluted Mr Hayes, who was a self-employed mechanic, as a fellow car enthusiast. 'Rest easy big fella. Always happy, always smiling, always willing to help, no matter what,' Mr Cobb wrote. 'The world has lost a legend today. 'Fly high with the other legends that were taken too soon.' Family friend Becky Flint said she was 'devastated' by the news. 'I'm in tears reading this,' she said. 'I will be thinking back today on all our good times together. 'I still have all the little pressies that Michael gave me back in the good old pony club days.' Police are searching for the man who struck Mr Hayes outside a Gold Coast restaurant on Wednesday evening A GoFundMe campaign has been started to look after Michael's children. 'On Saturday the 27th May 2023 our lives changed forever. Michael Hayes was cowardly punched in the side of head In Sanctuary Cove which caused extensive damage,' the site reads. 'Michael was then placed on life support however due to the extend of his injuries on Thursday the 1st June his life support was turned off and Michael peacefully passed away.' 'Michael leaves behind two beautiful kids, Levi, 10 and Nevaeh, 2. 'Michael was a loving, generous, caring man who always put others' needs above his own. He was a self employed mechanic who lived and breathed for his kids.' Police are calling for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island areas between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday to come forward as they hunt for the assailant. The perpetrator is described as Caucasian, between 20 and 30 years of age, with short dark hair. He was wearing dark tracksuit pants and a dark shirt, and had a satchel over his shoulder. The man left the scene on a motorcycle. Climate change protestor causes building to be evacuated Hundreds of employees have been evacuated after a climate change protestor triggered a hoax gas leak at Australia's largest independent oil and gas company. Around a dozen firefighters were called to Woodside Energy Headquarters in Perth at about 10am on Thursday. It came after Disrupt Burrup Hub protestor Kristen Morrisey set off an odourless gas outside the front of the building. The Perth headquarters of Australia's largest independent oil and gas company had to be evacuated after climate change protestor Kristen Morrisey (pictured) used yellow flare guns to create a hoax gas leak Around a dozen firefighters were called to Woodside Energy Headquarters in Perth (second building from the left) at about 10am on Thursday after a Disrupt Burrup Hub protestor set off an odourless gas out the front of the building Morrissey is captured on film using yellow smoke flares outside the entrance to symbolise the emissions from Woodsides mega gas project. The gas is typically used by mining companies in emergencies. Police arrived on the scene a short time later and took Morrissey away in a police car. No charges have been laid. The protest was the latest of many actions against Woodside due to its plans to prolong and expand gas production on the Burrup Peninsula near Karratha. Last month two protesters were arrested at the Perth Convention Centre after they tried to disrupt a Woodside AGM using stench gas. While two weeks ago high-profile activist Deanna 'Violet' CoCo was fined $200 and told to pay $500 in damages after she spray-painted four yellow Woodside Energy logos on Perth Police Station and then tried to glue herself to the window. #Breaking: A climate protester has been arrested after creating a hoax 'gas leak,' forcing the evacuation of staff from @WoodsideEnergy headquarters. The protester simulated the smell of a gas leak by using `stench gas, used on mine sites to sound the alarm about an emergency. pic.twitter.com/dh5iFVFfl2 10 News First Perth (@10NewsFirstPER) June 1, 2023 Two weeks ago high-profile activist Deanna 'Violet' CoCo (left) was fined $200 and told to pay $500 in damages after she spray-painted four yellow Woodside Energy logos on Perth Police Station and then tried to glue herself to the window Disrupt Burrup Hub protesters believe Woodside's presence in the Burrup region threatens both the Indigenous culture in the area and the environment. The Burrup Peninsula, 850km southwest of Broome, is home to one of Australia's biggest collections of Indigenous rock art. Woodside's $50 billion Burrup Hub project involves the development of two new gas fields, Scarborough and Browse, and the expansion of two existing gas fields in Perth's northwest. Woodside Energy is Australia's largest independent oil and gas company, worth $68billion, and ranks in Australia's top ten companies and among the 1500 biggest public companies in the world. A brazen group of thieves in black ski masks were caught on video robbing a family at gunpoint at their front door in broad daylight, the latest in a shocking series of recent robberies in Chicago. In fact, the Chicago Police Department revealed that the city has faced nearly 50 armed robberies just in the past five weeks, with authorities saying in an alert that they believe they've been committed by the same three to four suspects. Crime continues to be a problem in Chicago - up 49 percent from this point last year - just weeks after new Mayor Brandon Johnson, 47, was inaugurated following a close election over a more conservative, 'tough on crime' Democrat rival, Paul Vallas, whom he defeated by around 13,000 votes. The most recent instance of these potentially serial robberies happened in the city's Hermosa neighborhood, according to NBC Chicago. Vincent Galena Sr. was on his way to work at 6 a.m. last Friday morning when he was attacked, according to son Vincent Jr. A brazen group of thieves in black ski masks were caught on video robbing a family at gunpoint at their front door in broad daylight, the latest in a shocking series of recent robberies in Chicago 'The first guy that was sending closer to the truck - he got the guns pulled out to him, and from there, that's when they started pointing a gun at my dad, and the other guy who was up here on those stairs,' Galena Jr. told CBS Chicago. His son said that his father's wife, five kids, sister, and nephews were all asleep inside during the robbery. 'More worried about if they were going to go inside the house,' Galena Jr. said, calling his father a hero and said 'he was trying to protect the doorway, so he didn't want to come down the stairs.' 'In case they try to force their way in there, then he was going to fight back,' he added. He lost all of the money he'd planned to buy construction tools for the day's work with, in addition to losing that day's salary. The community alert sent out by police said they're looking for three to four people who are consistently wearing black ski masks, dark clothing and blue gloves. Police also claimed that they've been consistently attacking people on their way to work, saying they believe the thieves to be responsible for 10 more robberies just that morning alone. The ensuing Memorial Day weekend, at least 41 people were shot and nine killed as shootings ravaged Chicago over the holiday. Vincent Galena Sr. was on his way to work at 6 a.m. last Friday morning when he was attacked, according to son Vincent Jr His son said that his father's wife, five kids, sister, and nephews were all asleep inside during the robbery Crime continues to be a problem in Chicago just weeks after new Mayor Brandon Johnson, 47, was inaugurated following a close election over a more conservative, 'tough on crime' Democrat rival, Paul Vallas, whom he defeated by around 13,000 votes Historically, Memorial Day weekend has been marked by an increase in violent incidents in Chicago, making it one of the most challenging periods for public safety in the city. A total of 52 people were shot and nine killed on the holiday weekend last year. In the hope of de-escalating the violence, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced last week that 'peacekeepers' would be deployed across the city to and address any conflict. But many people were still caught up in the violence as dozens came under attack from gunfire right across the city. The weekend had also been seen as a crucial test for newly inaugurated Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who assumed office earlier this month with a commitment to addressing public safety through 'intelligent and holistic approaches' rather than relying solely on toughness. Through May 28, crime has soared 49 percent from the same period in 2022. That year finished with crime rising 41 percent from 2021, according to the city's own numbers. No doubt assisted by these serial ski masked thieves, robberies are up 28 percent in the Windy City from this point last year. Motor vehicle thefts have risen a shocking 167 percent, while murders are up 21 percent, aggravated battery 25 percent and shootings 55 percent. 'My administration's top priority is building a city where every single resident feels safe, and in order to do that, we need everyone at the table,' Johnson said. Upon being inaugurated in mid-May, the former union rep touted values such as 'hard work' and the Windy City's inherent 'soul. Through May 28, crime has soared 49 percent from the same period in 2022. That year finished with crime rising 41 percent from 2021, according to the city's own numbers One person pulled out a gun and fired it during the fracas which happened at 1.30pm on Friday, as North Avenue Beach opened ahead of Memorial Day weekend At least 41 people have been shot and nine killed as shootings ravaged Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend. A car window is seen smashed following an incident at North Avenue Beach on Friday That said, the speech did not address the potential mass migration of of prominent business owners out of the city, which includes Chicago 's richest billionaire Ken Griffin, who in the fall relocated hedge fund Citadel to Miami. After a shooting outside the firm's Downtown offices, Griffin bought a record-breaking $106.9 million waterfront estate in the Sunshine State - an increasinfly popular destination for jilted blue staters - upon announcing his plans to move his more than 1,000 staffers out of the crime-ridden metropolis. It is not yet clear if CME will follow suit, but as crime continues to persist, it remains a possibility. Meanwhile, the Church of Scientology has issued a statement denying the allegations that members harassed Masterson's accusers One of Danny Masterson's victims has spoken out for the first time since the That 70s Show star was convicted of two counts of rape in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday. In a brief statement to journalist Yashar Ali, Jane Doe 1 said: 'This isn't about me. I just want people to do the right thing. Please tell the truth. Please tell the truth.' During the trial, it was claimed that Masterson's victims and their families had been subject to harassment by representatives of the Church of Scientology. Masterson is a long-time member of the church. The church denied these allegations in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'There is not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the church harassed the accusers. Every single instance of supposed harassment by the church is false, and has been debunked,' the church said. A victim of That 70s Show star Danny Masterson has spoken out after the actor was found guilty of raping her and another woman Bijou Phillips is pictured leaving the courthouse in Los Angeles with actor William Baldwin, after her husband Danny Masterson was found guilty of 2 out of 3 counts of rape in the retrial. Baldwin is married to Phillips' sister Chynna Bijou Phillips and Masterson enter the courtroom Scientology was front and center during both criminal trials. All three women testified the reason they took so long to report him to the police was their fear of retribution from the Church Masterson was convicted of raping two women at his Hollywood Hills home and immediately denied bail and led to the cells in handcuffs. The jurors delivered their unanimous verdicts on the charges and deadlocked on a count that he raped a third woman between 2001 and 2003. All three women who accused him of rape testified the reason they took so long to report him to the police was their fear of retribution from the Church of Scientology. In its statement to DailyMail.com, the Church of Scientology said that bringing the religion into the rape trial was an 'unprecedented violation of the First Amendment and affects the due process of every American.' The statement said that making reference to Masterson's religion in the trial was an effort by Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson to 'introduce prejudice and inflame bigotry.' Anson's references to the Church during the trial are called 'uniformly false.' Leah Remini, who is a former Scientologist, responded to Mastersons conviction and labeled it a 'relief' while praising the victims as heroes. The guilty verdicts on Wednesday came on the eighth day of jury deliberations. Jurors found him guilty of raping victims Jane Doe One and Jane Doe Two. On the third charge of raping Jane Doe Three, the jury was 'hopelessly deadlocked' at eight in favor of guilty and four in favor of not guilty. Remini is an outspoken critic of Scientology and she was in court during Masterson's rape trial. Actress Leah Remini, who is a former Scientologist, responded to Mastersons conviction and labelled it a 'relief' while praising the victims as heroes Remini called the conviction a 'relief' and praised the women for seeking justice despite the 'attacks and harassment from Scientology and Danny's well-funded legal team' Masterson played wise-cracking Steven Hyde (top right) on That '70s Show from 1998 to 2006 Remini is an outspoken critic of Scientology and she was in court during Masterson's rape trial, on April 24 She called the conviction a 'relief' and praised the women for seeking justice despite the 'attacks and harassment from Scientology and Danny's well-funded legal team'. And she promised that more accountability will come from the Church's leadership. 'The women who survived Danny Masterson's predation are heroes,' Remini wrote on Instagram. 'They soldiered on, determined to seek justice. While it is up to them to decide whether they are satisfied with this verdict, I am relieved that Danny Masterson is facing some justice after over 20 years of brutal sexual violence with no criminal consequences.' She addressed the third woman following the jurys split decision on a third charge of rape and said: 'I know Danny raped you; I know that Scientology tried to destroy you. 'However, this case would not have moved forward and resulted in two guilty verdicts if it were not for you. I am sorry you didn't receive a guilty verdict on your charges; you deserved one. 'But please never forget that justice would not have been served were it not for you.' Remini hit out at Scientology officials, including leader David Miscavige, and claimed they obstructed justice in the case. Remini and Masterson pictured at a benefit dinner and concert for Project Restart and the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, November 3, 2007, in Las Vegas She added: 'Although Scientology and its leader, David Miscavige, were not formal defendants, they played a significant role in obstructing justice in this case and other instances of sexual violence. 'Scientology officials, civilian Scientologists, and their proxies have conspired to silence victims and intimidate witnesses for decades. 'This case is just the beginning of our plan to hold them accountable.' Masterson looked stunned as jurors delivered their unanimous verdicts on two of the three charges and his wife, Bijou Phillips, broke down in tears. She was inconsolable as he was led away in handcuffs and Judge Charlaine Olmedo ordered her to 'maintain her composure' or go outside. Immediately after the judge announced she was remanding the actor, a sheriff's bailiff pulled his arms behind his back and handcuffed him. Masterson's attorney, Philip Cohen, argued his client should be allowed to remain on bail, wearing an electronic monitor and being kept on 24-hour house arrest. But Judge Olmedo rejected his request saying Masterson's offenses were 'serious and violent felonies' and called him a 'potential flight risk.' Reinhold Mueller, the deputy district attorney, told the court that he agreed with Judge Olmedo's decision to revoke Masterson's bail, echoing her comment and saying: 'These were serious and violent offenses.' On the charge of raping Jane Doe 3 which jurors remained hung on the judge asked 'if there is any reasonable possibility of arriving at a verdict.' The female jury foreperson answered 'No,' adding the panel voted five times without being able to come up with a unanimous decision. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement after the verdict: 'In April 2003, Masterson raped a 28-year-old woman and sometime between October and December of that year he sexually assaulted a 23-year-old woman who he had invited to his Hollywood Hills home. 'We want to express our gratitude to the three women who came forward and bravely shared their experiences. Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all. 'While we are disappointed that the jury did not convict on all counts, we respect their decision. The verdicts handed down by the jury in this case were undoubtedly a difficult one to reach and we thank the jurors for their service.' All three women are also suing the actor and the Church of Scientology in civil court, claiming that they've been harassed and intimidated since reporting him to police. But the Church of Scientology has denied any wrongdoing and said the district attorney had 'an anti-Scientology agenda' and has 'unconscionably centered his prosecution on religion and fabrications about the Church hoping to prejudice the jury and inflame bigotry'. It also said it does not have a policy that prohibits or discourages 'members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone, Scientologists or not, to law enforcement'. 'Allegations of harassment are nothing but an attempted money grab in a parallel civil suit filed by the Jane Does,' the church said in a previous statement. 'Every single instance of supposed harassment by the church has been debunked.' Masterson who played smart-mouthed Steven Hyde on That '70s Show was accused of raping the three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and he was looking at a sentence of 45 years to life in prison if he had been convicted on all three. The Scientologist, 47, was on trial for rape for a second time after his first ended in a mistrial in November, with a jury deadlocked on all counts His accusers, who DailyMail.com is identifying only as Jane Does 1 through 3, are all former Scientologists. In their civil case they claim that they've been harassed and intimidated since reporting him to police. A status hearing on that case is scheduled for June 28. They said church officials warned them not to use the word rape; that turning in a fellow Scientologist to law enforcement was considered a 'high crime'; and if they disobeyed that doctrine, they could be declared a 'suppressive person' cast out by the church and left alone, cut off from family and friends. In the second trial, prosecutors put much more emphasis than they did in the first on their claims that Masterson drugged his alleged victims by spiking drinks he gave them before raping them. Calling Masterson a 'predator', Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson said in her closing argument: 'It all starts with a drink. This is his playbook. 'The defendant drugged his victims to be in control. When he drugs them, he is completely able to control them. And he does it over and over again.' Her prosecuting partner, Mueller, added as he pointed at Masterson 'After they were drugged, they were raped by this man over here. 'It's beyond reasonable doubt that this man drugged these women and raped them. It's time to hold Mr Masterson accountable for what he's done.' Masterson's lawyer, Philip Cohen, objected Wednesday to the prosecution's frequent referrals to his client drugging his alleged victims before raping them and called for a mistrial, saying, 'drugging does not constitute forcible rape.' But Judge Olmedo denied his mistrial motion, telling him that when considering drugging and use of force in a rape case, 'one does not necessarily preclude the other.' Cohen, pointed out there are no toxicology reports to back up the 20-year-old drugging allegations against his client who has always maintained that the sex with the three Jane Does was 'consensual.' Another difference between the two trials was the addition in the second of testimony from another 'victim' a woman who claimed Masterson raped her in Toronto in 2000, though he was never charged with the alleged assault. Prosecutors added her to the witness list to establish a pattern of 'prior bad acts' by Masterson. But Cohen dismissed the move, saying the new accuser was brought in for the retrial to 'save the case' for the DA. Jane Doe 1 had told the court in the first trial that in April 2003 she was at the actor's house where he gave her a fruity red drink with vodka that made her feel woozy. She said he then threw her in his Jacuzzi and carried her upstairs, where she passed out and woke up to find him raping her. She fought back, pushed a pillow into his face, she told the jury. But he pushed it back into her face, smothering her and she blacked out again. When she woke, she said, Masterson opened a bedside drawer and pulled out a gun which he brandished, telling her: 'Don't f**king move.' Remini also hit out at Scientology officials, including leader David Miscavige, and claimed they obstructed justice in the case Jane Doe 3 who lived with Masterson for six years was only 17 when she met him and he persuaded her to become a Scientologist, the court heard. About a year into their relationship he became very controlling and very aggressive sexually. She said she would often wake up at night and he would be on top of her, having sex with her. In one such incident in November 2001, when she woke up to find him having sex with her, she told him no and tried to push him off, the court heard. When that didn't work, she pulled his hair. But he retaliated by hitting her across the face and calling her 'white trash,' said prosecutors. Jane Doe 2 met Masterson at a bar in 2003 and gave him her phone number. He called her and invited her to his home. She went, and, the court heard, after having a drink and a stint in his Jacuzzi, she found herself in his bathroom shower with him where he 'suddenly shoved his penis into her vagina. 'She said no, I told you no sex.' They ended up in Masterson's bed where, despite her protests, he flipped her over and started pounding her from behind 'like a jackhammer,' she testified, adding that she felt 'like a limp rag doll.' Masterson's attorney, Cohen, challenged 'inconsistencies' in the women's testimony and statements to police, accusing them of 'blatant fabrications.' And he asserted that the three had 'colluded,' choreographing and 'tweaking' their rape stories to help get Masterson convicted which in turn could help them win a big cash payout in the civil lawsuit they have brought against him and the Church of Scientology. Before the judge turned the case over to the jury just before 10am on May 17, Mueller countered Cohen's 'inconsistencies' argument, telling jurors: 'Don't be fooled - he (Cohen) is trying to get you to think there is a grand conspiracy. 'Each of these victims spoke individually about what happened to them before they spoke to each other. So how is that a conspiracy? 'There is no conspiracy. There was no tweaking. He's guilty. 'It's not reasonable to believe any of these victims were lying.' Last year, Masterson was tried on the same charges, but the case collapsed when the jurors were left hopelessly deadlocked. Now, Masterson could get 30 years in prison when he is sentenced. The judge ordered Masterson who had been free on $3.3 million bail since his arrest three years ago to be taken into custody, and scheduled a hearing for August 4, where his attorneys will argue for bail to be reinstated. Australia's most decorated living serviceman is a murderer, bully and a war criminal, according to an explosive federal court verdict handed down today. Justice Anthony Besanko found the key claims made by Nine Newspapers against Ben Roberts-Smith were 'substantially true' in bombshell findings in favour of the media giant in a defamation case dubbed the 'trial of the century'. The court found Nine Newspapers had proved the 'substantial or contextual truth' to all defamatory imputations alleged by Roberts-Smith and all but two of the allegations they had made against the soldier. The judge found Roberts-Smith 'murdered or was complicit in and responsible' for the murder of four Afghan men between 2009 and 2012. The former SAS corporal was said to be involved in the murder of two Afghan males on a mission to Whiskey 108 on 12 April 2009. He was also found to have been involved in the murder of one Afghan male on a mission to Darwan on 11 September 2012 and and Afghan male on a mission to Chinartu on 12 October 2012. The court found Roberts' Smith had murdered one unarmed and defenceless Afghan civilian, by kicking him off a cliff and getting his soldiers to shoot the man. Australia's most decorated living serviceman Ben Roberts-Smith (pictured with wife Emma) has been branded a murderer, bully and a war criminal in the explosive federal court verdict handed down today Justice Anthony Besanko (pictured) found the key claims made by Nine Newspapers against Ben Roberts-Smith were 'substantially true' in bombshell findings in favour of the media giant in a defamation case dubbed the 'trial of the century' He was also said to have committed murder by pressuring a newly deployed SAS trooper to execute an elderly, unarmed Afghan to 'blood the rookie'. The court found he also committed murder by machine gunning a man with a prosthetic leg - which he then took back to Australia for other soldiers to drink out of as a 'novelty drinking vessel' which was 'callous and inhumane'. And that he authorised the execution of an unarmed Afghan by a junior trooper while deputy commander of an SAS patrol in 2009. It also found he was a war criminal for 'breaking the moral and legal rules of military engagement'. He was also found to have assaulted three unarmed Afghan men in 2010 and 2012, attacking one so ferociously he had to be ordered to back off by commanders. He was also found to have bullied a 'small and quiet' soldier known as 'Trooper M' with threats of violence. The judge also found several claims to contextually true, including a domestic violence attack on a woman in a Canberra hotel and that he was a hypocrite for supporting DV campaigner Rosie Batty when he had abused a woman in private. It was also found to be contextually true that he threatened to report one soldier to the International Criminal Court for firing at civilians, unless he backed up his version of a friendly fire incident. The court found Nine Newspapers had proved the 'substantial or contextual truth' to all defamatory imputations alleged by Roberts-Smith and all but two of the shocking allegations they had made against the former war hero The imputations found by the judge to be substantially true: Imputation 1: The applicant while a member of the SASR, murdered an unarmed and defenceless Afghan civilian, by kicking him off a cliff and procuring the soldiers under his command to shoot him Imputation 2: The applicant broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement and is therefore a criminal Imputation 3: The applicant disgraced his country Australia and the Australian army by his conduct as a member of the SASR in Afghanistan Imputation 4: The applicant while a member of the SASR, committed murder by pressuring a newly deployed and inexperienced SASR soldier to execute an elderly, unarmed Afghan in order to blood the rookie Imputation 5: The applicant while a member of the SASR, committed murder by machine gunning a man with a prosthetic leg Imputation 6: The applicant having committed murder by machine gunning a man in Afghanistan with a prosthetic leg, is so callous and inhumane that he took the prosthetic leg back to Australia and encouraged his soldiers to use it as a novelty beer drinking vessel Imputation 9: The applicant as deputy commander of a 2009 SASR patrol, authorised the execution of an unarmed Afghan by a junior trooper in his patrol Imputation 10: The applicant during the course of his 2010 deployment to Afghanistan, bashed an unarmed Afghan in the face with his fists and in the stomach with his knee and in so doing alarmed two patrol commanders to the extent that they ordered him to back off Imputation 11: The applicant as patrol commander in 2012 authorised the assault of an unarmed Afghan, who was being held in custody and posed no threat Imputation 12: The applicant engaged in a campaign of bullying against a small and quiet soldier called Trooper M which included threats of violence Imputation 14: The applicant assaulted an unarmed Afghan in 2012 Justice Anthony Besanko found the key claims against Ben Roberts-Smith were 'substantially true' in bombshell findings in favour of Nine Newspapers in the 'trial of the century' The imputations the judge found to be contextually true: Imputation 7: The applicant committed an act of domestic violence against a woman in the Hotel Realm in Canberra Imputation 8: The applicant is a hypocrite who publicly supported Rosie Batty, a domestic violence campaigner, when in private he abused a woman Imputation 13: The applicant threatened to report Trooper J to the International Criminal Court for firing at civilians, unless he provided an account of a friendly fire incident that was consistent with the applicants But the judge said the there was not evidence to support the alleged murders of an Afghan male on a mission to Syahchow on 20 October 2012, and an Afghan male on a mission to Fasil on 5 November 2012. So far this year at least 160 Palestinians have died because of Palestinian attacks on Israelis. In all of 2022 there were 230 such deaths. Most of these deaths were the result of Israelis responding to Hamas attacks from Gaza and, increasingly from the West Bank and Lebanon. This has been going on for decades and is described by Hamas as an ongoing effort to destroy Israel and drive all Jews from the middle east. Some of the efforts are massive but always end in failure with far more Arabs than Israelis killed. Hamas sees these wars more as media campaigns than military ones, and they see victory achieved by getting more Palestinians killed. A classic example was visible in the aftermath of the 2009 war where Hamas lied regularly to exaggerate the nature and extent of their losses. For example, Palestinians claimed that the 22 day long 2009 War indiscriminately killed civilians. Hamas claimed that 1,434 Palestinians were killed. Hamas further claimed that only 235 were Hamas fighters, while another 239 were police officers, and 960 of the dead were civilians. Hamas admitted that most of the "civilians'' were men, mostly of military age. They also claimed that 121 of the dead civilians were women and 288 were children, which was defined as anyone under 18, even if they were armed teenagers attacking Israelis. It went downhill from there. The Arab world unites behind these lies, and encourages all other Moslem nations to join them. Many Western nations, seeing a cheap way to ingratiate themselves with the Moslem world, join in. One thing Hamas and Fatah (in the West Bank) agree on is that over half a century of failed Palestinian (and Arab) efforts to destroy Israel are not their fault. They insist that Arabs are victims of a conspiracy by Jews and the West, to sustain Israel and keep the Arabs down. This is the core of Palestinian propaganda on all their media, and now accepted by many leftist supporters in the West. Just another conspiracy theory, but one with thousands of heavily armed believers, who will kill if they get an opportunity. And trying to defend yourself against this is called oppressing the Palestinians. Hamas has long been a big believer in using civilians as human shields, often against their will. Israeli soldiers are not allowed to use civilians as human shields, even to protect Israeli soldiers from attacks by Palestinians. Hamas, on the other hand, encourages the use of human shields, and describes, in their training manuals, how best to do it. Lots of dead civilians are essential to Hamas success in getting enough Western countries threatening Israel and forcing ceasefires and concessions. Much of what Hamas knows about using human shields it learned from Hezbollah up in Lebanon. There, Hezbollah has been using human shields for decades. Back in 2006 Israel released video, and other evidence, showing how Hezbollah used civilians as human shields during rocket attacks on Israel. Hezbollah's attitude in response to this was largely one of, "so what?" On a regular basis Israel has to deal with violence coming from Gaza and the West Bank, two neighbors that are obsessed with destroying Israel. These entities are not really countries in the traditional sense. Rather the two began as refuges for Arabs who, in 1948, did not want to live in the new state of Israel. The West Bank was originally part of Jordan, an Israeli neighbor that was a stable monarchy in 1948 and still is. Jordan also had problems with Palestinians and killed or expelled the most troublesome Palestinians, especially those who wanted to overthrow the monarchy and turn Jordan into a bae for carrying out attacks on Israel. Jordan also declared that the West Bank was no longer part of J0rdan but no one else wanted the West Bank either. Palestinians behaved similarly in most other Middle Eastern countries, so their Arab rulers responded like the Jordanians did and killed or expelled the most troublesome Palestinians while tolerating the Palestinians who were willing to behave. Despite that many Palestinians in Lebanon and Syria never became part of the local community. This is a common practice in the Arab world, where non-native Arabs are not welcome as migrants or refugees. That is not the case in most Western countries, even though some of their new Palestinian citizens remain devoted to attacking Israel or local Jews. Ancient feuds and prejudices tend to persist in the Middle East. Israels problem is that it is not a Middle Eastern country. It is a prosperous democracy with an affluent and well-educated population that is mainly Jewish but contains a large Arab minority as well as smaller religious minorities. Many Israeli Arabs are Christians, while Jews which migrated from Arab countries are Middle Eastern, not Western in appearance and behavior. They spoke Arabic and Israel united all these minorities by adopting Hebrew, an ancient Semitic language that ceased to be used by anyone over a thousand years ago. That meant all the different groups forming the modern state of Israel had to learn Hebrew. It was often annoying but also unifying. There are three million Palestinians in the West Bank and two million in Gaza. Their obsession with destroying Israel and the proliferation of armed terrorist and terrorist-related groups in the West Bank and Gaza sustains very corrupt and inefficient local governments. Many Palestinians want to emigrate to less chaotic countries, particularly in the West. That is difficult because so many Palestinians never adapt to their new homelands and resort to criminal or terrorist behavior. Criminal or terrorist behavior continues to thrive in the West Bank, where the local Fatah group running the government promotes violence against Israelis to distract the Palestinians there from overthrowing the corrupt Fatah bureaucrats. During the first three months of 2023, Fatha claimed that there were nearly three thousand acts of resistance toward Israel and Israelis. A more tangible achievement was the murder of twelve Israelis by Palestinians. This is the sort of thing Fatah politicians and Fatah controlled media have been encouraging enthusiastically for decades. Fatah not only encourages all Palestinians, including children, to join in the violence, but also spends a lot of money on rewarding those who succeed but are killed or arrested and imprisoned. This is a common practice throughout the region but no one does it so energetically as Fatah. May 30, 2023: In the West Bank an Israeli civilian was shot dead by gunmen belonging to the Fatah-backed Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. May 29, 2023: In the West Bank, Israeli troops arrested two men. While doing this the soldiers were attacked by Palestinians. The Israelis opened fire and wounded at least eight of the Palestinian attackers. May 27, 2023: Egypts western neighbor Libya remains divided and deadlocked. This is a problem Egypt, and to a lesser extent Israel, have been dealing with for a long time. Currently Libya has two main ruling factions, one in the east based in Tobruk and another in Tripoli, in the west. The UN backs the Tripoli faction, as do local Islamic militias and Turkish troops and their mercenaries. The eastern faction controls most of the oil and export ports. The Russian Wagner Group mercenaries are based in the east but now see themselves as peacekeepers and work with the Turks to maintain a ceasefire. This allows Russian oil firms to operate in Libya and do work for the Libyan national oil company. Both factions support national elections to unite the country but neither faction trusts the others enough to proceed with elections. Russia and the Turks refuse to withdraw their troops from Libya until they receive guarantees that their interests in Libya are respected. The UN and NATO oppose that because the Tripoli faction wants to legitimize an illegal treaty signed by the Tripoli faction in 2019 granting Turkey some of Greeces offshore oil and natural gas rights in an area between Libya and Turkey that ignores existing, and internationally recognized, claims on that area. Turkey and Greece are both NATO members and NATO backs Greece in this matter. Turkey wont withdraw its forces from Libya until a new national Libyan government assures the Turks that the illegal agreement is confirmed by a national Libyan government. Many people in both factions do not want to be stuck with a treaty that the UN and NATO consider illegal. Russia is no friend of NATO and is currently at war with NATO in Ukraine. Turkey is also a NATO member but most other NATO members would like to expel the Turks from NATO and there is no legal mechanism for that. Turks and Russians are troublemakers in Europe and Libya is a foreign branch of that mischief. Egypt, which long supported the eastern faction, is now willing to work with both factions as well as the Turks and Russians to reach a settlement in Libya. For a long time, the primary Egyptian interest in Libya was the threat of Islamic terrorists getting across the Libyan border into Egypt. In Libya the eastern faction proved very effective at controlling Islamic terrorist activities and gradually eliminating most of them. Currently the only Islamic terrorist activity in Libya comes from Islamic terror groups that raise money by working with people smugglers. That is all about getting paid, not carrying out attacks in the name of defending Islam. Another problem Egypt and Israel have to deal with is Iran. Currently Iran is encouraging Hamas to boast of its preparations for another war with Israel. Hamas believes that if they can inflict enough damage on Israel by killing or capturing soldiers and civilians they can prompt Moslem and Western countries to pressure Israel to allow more access to Gaza and send more aid. Hamas also hopes that Israel bombs and ground forces do enough damage inside Gaza to allow Hamas to get away with portraying itself as a victim and again persuading other nations to help. This will be difficult because the Arab donors no longer trust Hamas (or Fatah either) and are put off by the recent Iranian announcement that it was still subsidizing Hamas, which has run Gaza and its 1.5 million Palestinians since 2005. Iran supported Hamas early on. There were recently more rumors that Iran had stopped supporting Hamas. Iran had decreased its support, in large part because of Western sanctions for Iranian support of terrorism and lower oil prices, but never cut off Hamas completely. Although Sunni Hamas sometimes persecutes Shia, Iran supports energetic Hamas efforts to attack Israel. Hamas also supports Islamic terrorists active in Egypt, which turned Egypt completely against Hamas and helped put Egypt firmly into the anti-Iran Sunni coalition. The Iran link makes Hamas an enemy as far as most Sunni Moslem nations are concerned. Hamas has made a lot of bad decisions since 2005 and the Iran link is seen as one of the worst. In response to Arab states who have cut aid to Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinian leaders have quietly told the reluctant Arab donors that if they do not increase aid there will be violent Palestinian protests (in Gaza, West Bank and Jerusalem) against the Arab donors as well as Israel. These Arab donors (mainly Gulf oil states like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait) have lost patience with the Palestinians and not only cut donor aid, which was being stolen or misused by corrupt Palestinian leaders, but also openly allied themselves with Israel against Iran. The Arab world still technically backs the Palestinians and their effort to destroy Israel but has lost confidence in the Palestinians. By providing sanctuary to Islamic terror groups that operate in Egypt, Hamas has made an enemy of Egypt. Thus, since 2012, Egypt has limited the ability of Gaza residents to enter or leave Gaza via Egypt. Worse, the Egyptians have gone after the smuggling tunnels. The most successful tactic has been filling the smuggling tunnels with water. This began in 2013 when the Egyptians dug small canals for seawater that could then be pumped into tunnels discovered. It was eventually found that flooding permanently destroyed the tunnel better than any other method because it caused the sandy soil in the area to collapse and remain unstable. It is believed that only about twenty tunnels are still operating and every week several of those are discovered and flooded. The army engineers have learned that you have to not only flood the tunnels but keep flooding them because the Palestinians can obtain pumps to remove the water and repair the damage. But if you keep the tunnel flooded long enough it collapses and has to be rebuilt as if there were never a tunnel there in the first place. Egypt has also created a buffer zone along the border by moving Egyptians out and destroying all buildings. This means tunnels from Gaza now have to be over a kilometer long and deeper as well to evade detection. To make matters worse Egyptian police watch buildings within a few kilometers of the Gaza border for signs of a tunnel entrance. The police are less likely to take bribes from smuggling tunnel operators because Gaza-based Islamic terrorists have killed a lot of Egyptian police and soldiers in the last few years. May 26, 2023: In the West Bank a Palestinian man was shot and killed as he attempted to sneak into a Jewish settlement and kill Israelis living there. Security camera video shows the man crawling under a gate holding a knife and then walking off looking for a victim. Before he could do that he was shot dead by an armed settler. May 22, 2023: Israel troops carried out a raid in the West Bank to arrest several members of the Palestinian Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. The soldiers were fired on as they approached the building the Al Aqsa men were living in. A gun battle broke out that left three Palestinians dead and one arrested. A large quantity of weapons and explosives was also seized. The Al Aqsa men were manufacturing bombs. The explosives were detonated where they were after nearby civilians were moved away. Al Aqsa blames Israel for all this because Israeli settlers buy land from Palestinians and build settlements. Al Aqsa insists it is illegal for Palestinians to sell land to Israelis. Many land-owning Palestinians want to sell their land and move somewhere else where there is less Al Aqsa and violence in general. Israel has carried out several similar raids in the West Bank this month. May 13, 2023: Israeli soldiers raided a West Bank location where some armed Palestinians were based and planning armed attacks on Israelis. Two Palestinians were there and opened fire on the Israelis. After a brief gun battle the two Palestinians were killed and a large quantity of weapons and ammunition were found with them. In the last few days there have been several of these raids that resulted in 25 armed Palestinians being arrested. May 11, 2023: An unguided rocket fired from Gaza hit an apartment building in Israel, killing one civilian and wounding eight. May 9, 2023: Today a major rocket attack from Gaza began. Over the next five days nearly 1,500 rockets and mortar shells were fired into southern Israel. Most of the rockets headed for populated areas were detected and intercepted by Iron Dome missile defense system. About 20 percent of the rockets fired from Gaza were defective and landed inside Gaza, killing three Gaza civilians and wounding three others. Israel used UAVs, some of them armed with missiles, to find the rocket launching sites and fire on them if there were still rockets waiting to be launched. May 8, 2023: Israel began a major effort to kill leaders of Iran-backed PIJ (Palestinian Islamic Jihad), which is based in Gaza and responsible for the growing number of rocket attacks on southern Israel as well as more ambitious operations in the West Bank to kill or kidnap Israelis. Hamas had a major presence in Gaza when they formed JOR (Joint Operations Room). This was a coalition of twelve Palestinian factions seeking, and sometimes succeeding in attacking Israel or individual Israelis. Hamas supervises JOR and supplies rockets and other weapons from Iran. Israel has armed patrol boats operating along the Gaza coast and regularly intercepting Iranian arms shipments trying to land weapons from fishing boats. These shipments have an even more difficult time getting across the Gaza border with Egypt. The Egyptians are often the victims of Iranian weapons and guard their border with Gaza. Israel and Egypt exchange information on Iranian arms shipments and often cooperate in capturing the smugglers trying to get in via Sinai or Iranian smuggling tunnels. Israel had found and killed at least six leaders of the JOR and that encouraged Iran to increase its weapons smuggling efforts. May 6, 2023: In southern Syria (Daraa province) on the Israeli border, there has been a lot of random violence so far in 2013, with over 200 separate incidents of violence that have caused over 500 casualties. The violence is mainly against Syrian army personnel. This level of violence remained fairly constant since 2018. This is part of the undeclared war between Iranian and Syrian forces going on there since 2018. Anonymous assassins use pistols and hidden bombs to kill those who work, or worked for government forces or Russia and Syria backed local militias. There are also attacks against former members of ISIL and other militant groups. These victims had accepted amnesty. Russian and Assad forces openly force Iran-backed groups and individuals out of the area. There is no open violence because Iran, Syria and Russia are still officially allies. Israel sometimes fires on Iranian forces operating in Daraa, especially near the Israeli border. Israel also shares intel with Russia and Syria about Syrian officers who are secretly working for Iran. The Iranians pay well, and in dollars. Israel will sometimes release evidence of this to the media, so that Iranians back home have another reason to oppose Iranian foreign wars. Negotiations have been underway between Iran and Russia/Syria since 2020 but have not made much progress. The covert Iranian violence is just another incentive for Syria to get the Iranian agents out of the area. In 2022 and 2023 much of the violence is from other groups, some of them criminal gangs retaliating against those who refuse to pay for protection from the violence. Daraa is the most violent province but similar violence continues in many parts of Syria. May 4, 2023: Visiting Syria for two days, Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian president, met with key members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. These two terror groups are based in Gaza and depend on Iran for financial support and weapons. Raisi discussed planned terror attacks in southern Israel, the West Bank, Jerusalem and now from Lebanon. Iran forced Hamas to establish a partnership with Hezbollah to recruit Palestinians living in Lebanon to carry out rocket attacks into Israel. The Lebanese are not happy with this because Hamas could get too aggressive and trigger a major Israeli response against Hamas and the larger Hezbollah in southern Lebanon as well as terrorist targets throughout Lebanon. Iran is using a complex and dangerous strategy with all these terrorist groups. For one thing, these groups are divided by religion. Hezbollah and Iran are Shia while Palestinians are Sunni or Christian. Then there is the ethnicity problem. All the Arabs are Semitic while the Iranians are Indo-European and have a history of treating Arabs poorly. Most Lebanese want Iranian and Palestinian radicalism gone from Lebanon, or at least kept quiet. Firing rockets into Israel is dangerous for all Lebanese. Iran is playing a dangerous and explosive game here, one that could backfire on Iran. Most Iranians oppose these expensive sponsorships of Arab terror groups that cost a lot, make a lot of noise and dont seem to be hurting the Israelis. The popular anger against the government in Iran grows and Raisi has to keep that in mind while working with all these Arab terror groups and their demands for more money. Raisi also met with the Syrian president Bashar Assad to discuss continued cooperation between Syria and Iran as well as problems with Israeli, Islamic terrorist and Turkish operations in Syria, especially the ones aimed at Iranians in Syria. Then there is the Syrian effort to get back in the Arab League and accept large amounts of Arab aid and investment to rebuild Syrias shattered economy. Iran does not get along with many members of the Arab League while Syria wants to get cozy with the League. In late 2011 Syria was suspended from the Arab League and many of the 21 other League members cut diplomatic relations or imposed sanctions. The Arab League was unable to do much more. By early 2013 the Arab League was still unable to muster enough unity to call for international (Western) intervention in Syria. The Arab League did that in 2011 for Libya and many Arabs considered it shameful that the Arab world could not handle the military intervention itself. Despite trillions of dollars in oil income and hundreds of millions of Arabs demanding something be done, the Arab League had to call on outsiders to save Libya from degenerating into an interminable bloodbath. That is what happened in Syria and many Arabs refused to accept responsibility and just blamed the West and Israel for the mess. Given that toxic atmosphere, Western nations, including NATO member Turkey, were reluctant to do what the Arabs wanted done but would not admit they cannot do it themselves. Iran and the Russians intervened in support of the Assads and the slaughter of pro-rebel civilians continued as did Assad efforts to force pro-rebel civilians out of Syria. May 1, 2023: In northern Syria (Aleppo) Israeli airstrikes against targets at the international airport destroyed Iranian weapons recently flown in. Iran claimed the lost material was earthquake aid but the secondary explosions (by the Iranian weapons) indicated otherwise. One soldier was killed during this attack and the airport was closed temporarily. Three members of an Iran backed militia and one Syrian soldier were killed. This was the 16th Israeli airsrike against Iranian targets in Syria so far in 2023. April 29, 2023: In central Syria (Homs province) an Israeli airstrike hit an airport Iran has been using to fly in weapons for Hezbollah and the new Lebanese branch of the Gaza-based Hamas. April 24, 2023: Finland has ordered the Israeli Davids Sling (formerly Magic Wand) air defense system to improve its ability to defeat Russian aircraft and missiles (cruise or ballistic). The initial $345 million purchase is one battery plus support equipment. There is an option to buy a second battery for about $250 million. April 19, 2023: In southern Syria (the Syrian Golan Heights) Israeli artillery fired on stockpiled equipment and supplies belonging to Iran-backed Hezbollah. A grandmother collapsed in grief today after she discovered her daughter and granddaughter had been killed in a Russian missile strike in Kyiv that left three dead. Her agonised screams and wails tore through the deathly silence in the Ukrainian capital as she saw the charred bodies of her daughter and nine-year-old granddaughter on the ground in front of her. The barrage of cruise and ballistic missiles struck at 3am and tore through homes, a kindergarten and a medical clinic in the Ukrainian capital, leaving a scene of utter devastation. The mother, her nine-year-old daughter and another woman were killed in the air strikes, which have been relentlessly hitting the capital for weeks. At least 12 others were injured, including one child. Russia has repeatedly targeted Kyiv with waves of drone and missile attacks since the start of the invasion, but attacks against the capital have significantly intensified over the past month as Ukraine prepares for a counteroffensive. At first, she couldn't understand what she was seeing - but then realisation struck that the charred bodies in front of her were that of her daughter and granddaughter Medics, holding the woman's hands, slowly led her away from the horrific scene - her face etched with utter grief and shock that her loved ones were now lying dead on the ground A relative sits next to the covered body of a 9-year-old girl near a health center damaged in a missile strike in Kyiv on Friday Rescuers and medics work in a local clinic, where fragments of shot down missile fell in Kyiv Following this morning's strike, a heartbroken grandmother discovered the bodies of her daughter and granddaughter, her quivering body soon collapsing with the weight of her grief. Medics, holding the woman's hands, slowly led her away from the horrific scene - her face etched with utter grief and shock that her loved ones were now lying dead on the ground. 'It is international children's day. At night, Russia again killed a child in Kyiv,' said Andriy Yermak, chief of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office. 'Since 2014, the terrorist country has been committing crimes against little Ukrainians. From February 24, 2022, no one has any doubts - this is a real genocide.' Ukraine's General Staff said that the Air Forces managed to intercept 10 missiles, which it identified as short-range ballistic Iskander cruise and ballistic missiles. While most incoming weapons were shot down, many Kyiv residents are anxious and tired after weeks of sleepless nights listening to the sound of explosions. 'Around 3 a.m. there was a strike over there. I woke up and saw the fire. My door was smashed, I woke up my mom and ran to the corridor,' said resident Nikita Maslun of this morning strike. 'Then we went down and ran outside. We saw people running. Windows were shattered and balconies destroyed.' The scale of the suffering and the indiscriminate targeting of men, women and children in Ukraine has seen at least 8,300 civilians killed since the war began. Ukraine's air defence has become increasingly effective at intercepting Russian drones and missiles, but the resulting debris can cause fires and injure people below. In Desnianskyi district, debris fell on a children's hospital and a nearby multistory building. Two schools and a police department were damaged. In another district, Dniprovskyi, a residential building was damaged by burning debris and heavy smoke arose, the blast wave blew out the windows, parked cars caught fire, and debris fell onto the roadway and courtyards. Rescuers and medical workers assist an elderly woman whose daughter and granddaughter died in the missile strike in Kyiv on Thursday An elderly woman reacts in front of the body of her daughter who died as a result of a downed missile explosion outside a polyclinic in Kyiv on Thursday Forensic specialists carry the body of a victim near a health center damaged in a missile strike in Kyiv on Thursday A view of a residential building damaged in a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, on Thursday A police expert examines the body of a woman who died as a result of a downed missile explosion in Kyiv on Thursday Horrified local residents look at the body of a woman who died as a result of a downed missile explosion in Kyiv on Thursday Men clean debris next to a damaged residential building that was damaged during a Russian missile attack, on Thursday in Kyiv Police officers inspect the site of a Russian strike in Kyiv on Thursday In Darnytskyi neighborhood, a water pipeline and a residential building were affected, and the explosive wave broke windows. After a woman was killed watching an aerial attack from her balcony earlier this week, Kyiv authorities urged residents to heed warning sirens and stay in shelters or other safe locations. 'You've got to be vigilant, as ballistic missiles fly at incredible speeds. From the moment the alarm is announced to the rocket's arrival, you have only a few seconds!' they warned in a message to residents. Ukraine also claimed last month to have downed some of Russia's hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted as providing a key competitive advantage. In Russia's western Belgorod region, at least two people were wounded this morning in an attack on the town of Shebekino blamed on Ukrainian troops, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram. 'This night is tense for Shebekino again. Ukrainian troops were shelling the city for an hour,' he said. The attacks have come as Kyiv says it is preparing for a major offensive against Moscow's forces. More than a year since its Ukraine invasion, Russia has suffered stepped-up attacks on its soil, including a drone attack on Moscow on Tuesday. Russia said Wednesday it was evacuating hundreds of children from villages due to the intensifying attacks. The first 300 evacuated children would be taken to Voronezh, a city about 155 miles further into Russia, Governor Gladkov said. Over 1,000 more children would be moved to other provinces in the coming days, he added. On Tuesday, elite districts in and close to Moscow were targeted in drone strikes in what one Russian politician called the most dangerous attack on the capital since World War Two. Several buildings in the wealthy suburbs of Moscow were damaged by suspected Ukrainian kamikaze drones on Tuesday, just hours after Putin unleashed another volley of strikes on Kyiv. The heart-broken grandmother edged closer to the bodies of her daughter and her nine-year-old granddaughter, her quivering body soon collapsing with the weight of her grief Paramedics support a woman, who recognised the bodies of her daughter and granddaughter killed during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, on Thursday Local residents stand near an apartment building damaged in a Russian missile strike in Kyiv on Thursday The Russian defence ministry said eight drones sent to Moscow by Ukraine were shot down or diverted with electronic jammers, though Baza, a Telegram channel with links to the security services, said there were more than 25. Ukraine, which has seen almost nightly attacks on its capital, denied any 'direct involvement'. But Putin and his cronies accused Ukraine of trying to 'frighten' Russians with their 'increasingly reckless behaviour' after the drone attack. Apparently forgetting that Russia has unleashed a series of deadly airstrikes on Ukrainian cities that have killed thousands since the start of the war 15 months ago, Putin claimed Kyiv had chosen the 'path of trying to frighten the citizens of Russia'. Putin said the drone attack was in revenge for earlier Russian strikes on 'command centres'. In reality the Kremlin has targeted residential buildings in Kyiv with its airstrikes. The 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy who died in Bournemouth yesterday were unrelated and enjoying a day out at the beach with family and friends when they got into difficulty in the sea, it was revealed today. Eight other children were hurt after getting into trouble in the water close to the beach and pier in Dorset packed with half-term holidaymakers and locals yesterday afternoon. The 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton, who were not related, died yesterday afternoon, police said. Councillor Vikki Slade, leader of Bournemouth Council said today that their loved-ones 'came to the beach for a great day out and have gone home without a child'. A man in his 40s, who had been 'on the water' at the time of the incident, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. He remains in custody. Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said officers are investigating the 'circumstances or event' that caused a number of people to get into difficulty in the water in Bournemouth on Wednesday. But ACC Farrell refused to reveal what she believed had caused the tragedy despite asking the public not to speculate. Tobias Ellwood, Tory MP for Bournemouth East, said police need to 'reassure' the public. He said: 'Bournemouth beach is one of the best and safest seaside resorts in the UK. The police have an investigation to do but they urgently need to give details of what they believe happened here'. An empty Bournemouth beach today after the tragedy yesterday. Ten were injured, two, aged 12 and 17, have died One tearful mourner laid roses on the sand this morning as Bournemouth mourned the loss of two children The town's historic pier on Thursday morning as litter pickers removed rubbish A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy have died after a major incident took place in the water on Bournemouth beach Mackenzie Creech, pictured with his father Robert, had found the girl unresponsive in the water She said: 'Following our initial inquiries, a man aged in his 40s who was on the water at the time, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. 'As we have a person in custody, you will know there is only limited information I can give about the investigation. 'However, to avoid further speculation, I am able to tell you that it's clear that yesterday a number of people already in the water got into difficulty and we are investigating the circumstances or event that caused that to happen. 'Early investigation indicates that there was no physical contact between a vessel and any of the swimmers at the time of the incident. I can also confirm there is no suggestion of people jumping from the pier or jet-skis being involved.' The Times reports that police are investigating the possibility that the deaths may have been caused by the wash of a vessel. A spokesman declined to comment. But Conservative MP for Bournemouth West, Conor Burns, said he understood that a 'surface vessel' was in the sea around Bournemouth Pier at the time of the 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy got into difficulty. He said: 'It would seem not a far reach to draw a conclusion that while the vessel may not have physically touched the young people perhaps it created the conditions which made being in the water more dangerous by the speed it was going'. Councillor Vikki Slade, leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said what happened in Bournemouth on Wednesday must have been a 'terrifying' experience. She said: 'Again I want to add our sincere condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with the families of the young people that were in the water. 'It must have been a really terrifying experience for everybody. 'The services worked incredibly well together. Our staff on the beach all rallied round to support the emergency services.' She said there are additional staff available for the public on the beach on Thursday and over the weekend, adding: 'The beach is busy. We are making sure that the RNLI are very visible and that our teams are available there to support people and make sure that they feel safe on the beach.' She said Bournemouth 'remains a really fantastic place to visit', adding that the incident needs to be investigated properly. 'And we are confident with our partners that any lessons that need to be learned in the future will will be learned,' she said. One of the men was pulled from the water and had to be given CPR on the beach by lifeguards before being taken away by air ambulance Mackenzie Creech, 18, was with pals on the beach at the south coast holiday spot enjoying the sunshine when they heard shouts and screams from the pier. He looked up and saw crowds pointing to someone in the water and rushed in with a pal to drag her onto the beach but sadly there was nothing they could do to save her. The girl - who has not been named - died along with a 17-year-old boy in the incident which also left eight other children injured after it is believed they were dragged out to sea by a riptide after jumping from the pier. Mackenzie told MailOnline: 'Everything happened so quickly, one minute I was enjoying the beach with some friends and then the next we heard screaming and shouting. 'We were on the other side of the pier but you could hear all this noise so we went over to see what was going on and people were pointing into the water. 'I could see a body in the water, and just rushed in and scooped her up with someone else. She was face down when I got there and not moving. 'She was in a bad way. 'She was in a swimming costume but she didn't appear to have any injuries on her. There were no cuts or bruises and I just knew it didn't look good so I carried her onto the beach. 'I put her down on the sand and by this time the emergency services had come over and they started doing CPR on her. 'People were screaming and shouting and it was all really chaotic and then someone put some towels up as a screen while the paramedics worked on her. 'I was hoping she would make it and I didn't know she had passed away until I saw it on the news. I was gutted when I heard that and it's upset me, it's so sad something like this happened.' Mackenzie, who is from Tilehurst near Reading and studying sport at college, added: 'I don't really know what happened. It was all a bit confusing. 'People were saying they had been hit by a jet ski or a boat but there were definitely no injuries on the girl. There was no blood or cuts or anything like that. 'What amazed me was the amount of people who were just filming everything on their phones when the emergency services were trying to do their work. 'As I left a policeman took my details and said thanks for doing what I did but I just did what anyone would have done.' Mackenzies father company director Robert Creech, told MailOnline: He was very quick in his actions and was just trying to help. When he told me about it, I could see he was upset and when we heard the poor girl had passed away, he was gutted. Its such a shame as all those involved are so young. 'He had just gone down to the beach with his friends for half term and then this happened but I'm proud he did what he could to help. He's a good lad.' Earlier multiple witnesses said that people had been jumping from the pier. The sand close to the pier had to be cleared so two air ambulances could land, but sadly the two schoolchildren later died in hospital. Witnesses described harrowing scenes as CPR was administered on the beach and some 'idiots' with phones were seen filming lifeguards trying to revive the two children. Since 2004, Britain's Maritime and Coastguard Agency has dealt with more than 200 incidents of tombstoning, including pier jumping, leading to at least 70 injuries and 20 deaths. Police today confirmed that no vessel is believed to have been in 'physical contact' with the children following speculation on social media they had been hit by a jet-ski or boat. But there have been claims that the tragedy may have been caused by the wash of a jet ski. MailOnline has asked Dorset Police to comment. But one local surfer said he witnessed three jetskiers 'buzzing the pier' close to the line on Tuesday, the day before the tragic incident. There has been an ongoing issue between jetskiers and water users around the area of the pier. Nicola Holton, who was at the beach with her husband, said: 'One lifeguard went to rescue two swimmers struggling but he couldn't bring them in. He spotted another person struggling and a second lifeguard went out to them but there were multiple people in trouble. 'The remaining lifeguard was trying to get everyone out of the water. The ambulance service came to the struggling person rescued by the second lifeguard. More lifeguards arrived to rescue another swimmer near the pier. My husband spotted another swimmer struggling. He ran to the lifeguards. The guard immediately went in and they picked him up on a jet ski. 'I will never ever get the image out of my head of him being brought out. They cleared the beach for the air ambulance. Then another was spotted and again brought to shore to be worked on. Absolutely horrible. 'Loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones.' Paul Moyce, 61, said he believed those involved had been jumping into the sea off the pier. He said: 'I think they went off the end of the pier and went out too far. They must have got caught by the current. I lived here for 61 years and I've never seen anything like it.' Nicola Holton, 43, and Stuart Clark, 42, were on the beach with their two children when the tragedy unfolded. They said the summertime scene turned into something from 'a horror film.' Mr Clark said: 'As we walked to the east side of the pier there was at least one but probably a few jet skiers going across the right side of the pier. 'We didn't take too much notice of them at the time. 'There were announcements throughout the afternoon telling people not to climb on the pier. After 2pm it seemed like people weren't going near it. 'The next announcement we got was at 4pm about a dangerous riptide in the water and it wasn't soon after that we saw a couple of swimmers in trouble out to sea. 'It got really chaotic when they brought a young man back to shore on a lifeguard jet ski. It was obvious he wasn't alive. That's when people started gathering around and the lifeguards were trying to clear the beach at the same time as helping the others in the water. 'We saw the young girl get brought out too and there were no obvious injuries on her either. I just wanted to get my family off the beach with our belongings.' Miss Holton said: 'It was like a scene from a horror film. After an afternoon of lovely weather and the odd announcement to tell kids to stop climbing on the pier it looked like it had all settled down. 'When we first spotted the swimmers in distress they were far out to the east side of the pier. 'A lifeguard ran into the water with a surfboard and it seemed to take ages for him to get to them. There was an announcement to get out of the water and then the lifeguards started bringing people back to shore. 'A few were taken to the lifeguard tent and then we saw the young man and girl brought out. We were packing up our things to leave as quickly as we could. It was just awful. 'There were loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones.' The first person to reach the girl who died was an 18-year-old boy. His father, Rob Creech, said today: 'My son was on the other side of the pier swimming with a few friends. 'All of a sudden there were a lot of people on the pier shouting and screaming that there was somebody in the water. He swam to the other side of the pier and he found a young girl floating face down in the water. 'The emergency services were just arriving at the beach so he was shouting to them and scooped her up to swim to shore. He managed to get her out onto the beach and the emergency services took it from there.' The operation involved multiple teams from across the emergency services The beach had to be cleared before the air ambulances were able to land There are yellow marker buoys 200m off the beach and water craft operating inside that area are restricted to speeds of 6 knots. One local surfer said he witnessed three jetskiers 'buzzing the pier' close to the line on Tuesday, the day before the tragic incident. Lawrence Hopgood said: 'I was surfing the night before There were 3 jetskiers buzzing the pier and getting close to the line. A lifeguard went out on a jetski and spoke to them, then left. 'The jetskiers didn't leave but proceeded to do donuts near the surfers, whilst filming themselves.' Lifeguards on the busy beach had rushed into the water by Bournemouth Pier after a group of people got into difficulty in the sea at about 4.30pm on Wednesday. It is believed that all of those involved were aged between 12 and 18. None of the other eight who were injured children were seriously harmed and they were treated at the scene by the ambulance service. Emergency services were quickly at the scene and the teenage boy and girl were rushed to hospital after sustaining critical injuries. Speaking last night, Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said: 'I express my deep condolences to the family and friends of the two young people who tragically lost their lives in Bournemouth. 'A dreadful event in circumstances when they were enjoying beautiful weather in our town. So sad.' The MP added that the incident was a 'salutary lesson' that 'danger is ever present' on beaches and the ocean. He went on to thank the life guards and air ambulance members 'who we can take for granted'. Thousands of people were enjoying the sunny weather before being asked to leave the beach by police Two people were taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital Eeman Qamar, from Southampton, was on the beach with her mother and three-month-old baby. She told the BBC that just after 4pm lifeguards began to tell people to clear the beach, saying there had been a major incident. 'After about 20 minutes, the first air ambulance arrived and landed right in the middle of the beach,' she said. Ms Qamar continued: 'The lifeguards started getting on jet skis and boats, searching the sea and about 20 minutes later the second air ambulance arrived and it took another hour-and-a-half for them to finish the whole search and rescue operation.' A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service spokesperson said: 'We were called to East Beach, Bournemouth at 4.39pm to support a multi-agency incident. 'We have crews in attendance from Westbourne and Springbourne, together with a technical rescue team from Poole.' A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: 'We sent two air ambulances, six double-crewed land ambulances, one critical care car, two operations officers, one doctor, one hazardous area response team and one responding officer.' HM Coastguard told MailOnline that 'two people had been pulled from the water and passed into the care of the ambulance service' and that 'coastguards searched to make sure there were no other people missing and are satisfied there are not'. Bus routes that would normally serve the Pier stops were diverted through the square. Anyone with information about what happened should contact Dorset Police on www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230083818. Alternatively, witnesses can contact independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111. The harrowing moment a car doing burnouts slams into a teenager during an illegal hooning meet has been caught in wild footage. The boy, 17, was struck by a blue Ford Falcon on Newhill Drive in Swanbank, Queensland, just before midnight on May 6, as it fish-tailed out of control. Shaky video taken by witnesses shows the boy casually watching the cars before he is hit and sent flying into the air. A 19-year-old who is accused of being the driver has since been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, failure to remain at an incident and render assistance. The boy, 17, was struck by a blue Ford Falcon on Newhill Drive in Swanbank, Queensland, just before midnight on May 6, as it fish-tailed out of control (pictured) Additional footage shows the boy laying against an orange car after being hit, as dazed onlookers move to assist him. The teenager was rushed to hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries. The video also showed another boy in a white t-shirt hanging half out of the Falcon just before it hits the victim. A 19-year-old Rochedale man was charged after a month-long police investigation. Officers located a blue Falcon at Chambers Flat on May 26 and towed it to conduct a forensic examination. It had been partly dismantled. Five days later the accused driver was found and arrested. More footage shows the boy laying against an orange car after being hit, as dazed onlookers move to assist him. Pictured above, the injured boy is helped by another boy He is also facing charges of damaging evidence with intent, participating in group activities for racing, burn out or other hooning offences. 'Police will allege a blue Ford Falcon was driving dangerously on Newhill Drive around 11.50pm on May 6 during an illegal hooning meet,' a police statement read. 'The 19-year-old Rochedale man was charged ... [and was] due before Ipswich Magistrates Court today, June 1.' Another 17-year-old boy was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act in relation to 'hooning offences'. Police officers were pictured helping a disabled Just Stop Oil protester into a taxi on Wednesday as she was arrested for taking part in a slow march in Parliament Square - as it is revealed that new laws designed to crack down on the protests will not be in place until the end of June. Ari Fox, 73, who suffers from post-polio syndrome, was arrested as one of 10 demonstrators including her carer Larch Maxey and taken to Hammersmith police station in a black cab. According to Just Stop Oil, she has been wheelchair dependent for the past 15 years. She was arrested alongside Reverend Sue Parfitt, 81, who has previously demonstrated with Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain. Under the new Public Order Act, police officers have the power to force activists to move out of the road or arrest them within minutes of their protests starting. But tougher laws on the eco-protesters' disruptive tactics will not be in place for weeks, it was reported today, as activists descended on London yet again. YESTERDAY: Ari Fox, 73, is escorted towards a black cab by police officers after being arrested TODAY: At least a dozen police officers arrive at the scene of Just Stop Oil protests on Thursday morning Members of Just Stop Oil arrived in Kensington at shortly after 8am on Thursday, according to the Metropolitan Police. A statement on social media read: 'Police were made aware of Just Stop Oil #protesters #slowmarching in the road at Wellington Arch, Kensington, at 8.07hrs, Thursday, 1 June. 'Officers were on the scene at 8.09hrs, assessing the situation and engaging with the #protesters.' Protesters later also began slow marching on Bayswater Road, Albert Bridge, Chelsea Bridge and outside the Royal Albert Hall. According to police, all protesters moved out of the road when instructed to do so by officers. Photographs from the scene show officers talking with protesters. Since the introduction of the new legislation, the average time taken for officers to remove protesters from the road has been cut to 19 minutes, the Times reports. The upcoming changes will enable officers to act 'immediately' to get protesters out of the road or arrest them. It comes as the group's slow marching enters its sixth week. New legislation last month introduced new offences for locking-on and being equipped for locking-on, causing serious disruption by tunnelling, and obstructing transport works. TODAY: There was a visible, heavy police presence at the scene of protests on Thursday YESTERDAY: Ms Fox said: 'I've come to London to join the Just Stop Oil march for my children and grandchildren' YESTERDAY: Police officers arrest Ari Fox on the roadside at the Just Stop Oil protest on Wednesday The upcoming changes will broaden the definition of terms such as 'community' and 'serious disruption' to allow police officers to take swifter action against slow marchers. However this legislation is still yet to be approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is not set to be voted on until at least mid-June. Ms Fox and the nine other activists were arrested after refusing a police order to leave the road. She said: 'I've come to London to join the Just Stop Oil march for my children and grandchildren. 'They are the ones who are going to have to face the mess that is being imposed on us in Britain, by our illegitimate government. We're not asking that all oil is immediately stopped. 'We are simply asking the Government to stop issuing new licences for oil, gas and coal. We have enough to make the transition to renewables, which are nine times cheaper. We have the technology to make this happen, it is the lack of political will that is the problem.' Separately, footage emerged on Wednesday of police officers resorting to dragging Just Stop Oil protesters out of the road - although the group claimed these efforts were unsuccessful. The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment. Outspoken gender-critical academic Kathleen Stock has revealed how she was bundled into a broom cupboard before her address at Oxford this week over concerns for her safety from trans protesters. The professor, who was hounded out of her job at the University of Sussex by a pro-trans mob two years ago after she said biological males cannot be women, addressed students at the historic 200-year-old debating society on Tuesday afternoon. In an interview with the Times newspaper, Prof Stock said she was escorted by bodyguards to the campus while she wore a cap and sunglasses as a 'Kendall Roy' disguise - before hiding in a broom cupboard. She then sipped a glass of red wine to settle her nerves before the lecture. Hundreds of demonstrators chanted and played loud music to try to drown out the academic - while inside the chamber her address was crashed by anti-royal trans activist Riz Possnett, who glued themselves to the floor as others ranted about 'no more dead trans kids'. Prof Stock told the newspaper that she arrived late to the Union after two trains were cancelled. She joked as she travelled to the event that the enormous reaction, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's defence of free speech where he wished her good luck, was 'bizarre'. Writing later in Unherd, the feminist admitted that it was the 'least weird thing to happen to me all day'. Professor Stock, 50, was accompanied by three security guards as she made her way to the Oxford Union on Tuesday Leaving the Oxford Union, she was asked how she felt about Prime Minister Rishi Sunak lending her support in her free speech campaign A protester, Riz Possnett, 19, glues their hand to the floor in front of Union President Matthew Dick (left) and Professor Stock (right) Thames Valley Police, who were patrolling the streets where the protesters would march for hours before the event began, had mounted officers at the ready, the academic was told. According to the Times, the Material Girls author calmed her nerves with a glass of red wine before the speech, which took the form of a Q&A with Union President Matthew Dick. He apologetically told her that it was not the 'usual room' for speakers and answered when asked if trans activists had needed as much security, 'Er, no'. Mr Dick, an old Etonian and history student at Magdalen College, said while he has had 'not much' uproar for the invitation to the controversial speaker, his female successor had received 'loads'. Student press officers for the Oxford Union repeatedly refused on the day to confirm or deny whether Stock had arrived before the beginning of the event - before some were seen panicking as it became apparent she was late. Her speech had been the focus of one of the biggest free speech rows to ever engulf the historic institution, with activists labelling her 'transphobic and trans-exclusionary' in an attempt to have the event cancelled. Professor Kathleen Stock (right) is pictured giving a talk at the Oxford Union, which was marred by protests. Activist Riz Possnett (left) appeared to glue herself in front of the stage Referring to the protesters, Stock said: 'Most people out there have not read my book or even watched a long-form interview with me. What they have done is read someone's blog post about me' Prof Stock said: 'The suicide discussion has been incredibly irresponsibly weaponised. It's just not true that there's a vast number of people who will commit suicide unless we capitulate' A former professor at the University of Sussex, Kathleen Stock has become an influential figure in gender critical thinking and is the author of Material Girls, which explores the impact of gender activism Guards walked the feminist to the debating society ahead of her talk 19-year-old Riz Possnett, who glued herself in front of the stage, posted on Twitter: 'Trans people in the UK are stigmatised, threatened, and harassed. Life-saving gender-affirming healthcare is near impossible to access, and the process is consistently degrading' Student activist Riz Possnett wore a T-shirt emblazoned with 'No more dead trans kids' and appeared to glue herself to the floor in front of Prof Stock Trans activists who attempted to disrupt Prof Stock's discussion left leaflets proclaiming 'no more dead trans kids' and another warning of 'lost lives on waiting lists'. Neither leaflet provided details of any cases Protesters are seen outside The Oxford Union on Tuesday evening Around 200 trans rights protesters gathered at Bonn Square, in Oxford city centre - far fewer than the 500 Oxford University's LGBTQ+ society, who organised the demonstration, had hoped to attract. The demonstrators held banners which read 'resisting by existing' and chanted 'trans rights equal human rights', before marching towards the university's 200-year-old debating society. A weekend-long programme had taken place, centred around the outrage caused by Tuesday's speech. Welfare rooms with ear plugs and energy bars were laid on for demonstrators affected by the events of the day. President of the LGBTQ+ society, student Addi Haran Diman, who received a death threat in the lead up to the event, told MailOnline that the planned protest was a 'celebration of trans joy' against 'hostile, hateful and intolerant views'. 'We want to show that trans community in Oxford that someone is backing them and someone is fighting for them in time in which hostile, hateful and intolerant views will be amplified by the Oxford Union. 'I really feel sorry for her. Why is she so obsessed with trans women, trans people? A small percentage of the population. We offer no threat - all of the fear around trans people just comes from fear mongering and is intended to incite hate. So why are you so obsessed?' The student said the protest was not an issue of free speech and they supported the right but said the decision to amplify her 'hateful' views was 'misguided'. 'I have read her book, it was the biggest waste of time I have ever committed, and I am a trans person on Twitter, so I waste my time a lot.' About five minutes into the event, two trans activists emerged from the audience waving blue, white and pink trans flags and throwing leaflets before they were drowned out by shouting members of the crowd who clapped and cheered as security pulled the pair out. Another student activist, Riz Possnett, 19, wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan 'No more dead trans kids' and glued herself to the floor in front of Prof Stock. Possnett identifies as 'they/them' and lead a republican group named 'No More Royals' - which was slammed by Piers Morgan in a recent debate ahead of the King's coronation. Police attended the event and began trying to remove Possnett, who was eventually freed from the floor. The Thames Valley police officers were applauded as they entered the chamber. Several audience members then began shouting for the professor to 'carry on' in spite of the protester. One supportive student yelled, 'free speech is a human right,' and was met with a large round of applause. Possnett was later 'dearrested' and returned to join other trans rights demonstrators outside the Union. Turning to the the protests outside, the Material Girls author added: 'Most people out there have not read my book or even watched a long-form interview with me. What they have done is read someone's blog post about me. 'There are people hoovering up my tweets to generate narratives about how evil I am. 'I am a really s*** baddie. I really am terrible.' Prof Stock welcomed the activists' rights to protest but warned against institutions being ruled by the ideology of the woke mob. She added: 'Then everyone else in that institution feels that they can't say what they want to say. And that's happened I'm afraid in lots of places and universities.' Shouts and chants were heard throughout the Oxford Union debate, as well as music - with some activists singing Whitney Houston's 1987 hit 'I Want To Dance With Somebody'. After the talk was over, many activists were heard to chant 'F*** the Oxford Union'. Professor Stock said in an interview after the event that she 'couldn't really tell' how the speech had gone, adding: 'It's all a blur.' Writing later, the embattled academic said the protesters had been 'relatively meek' and described Possnett's glueing as a 'bit Blue Peter'. She added: 'I got the feeling that many in the chamber were pushing back against the sort of tired and hyperbolic cliches usually wielded to shut them up. 'Certainly, there was little apparent sympathy in the room for the superglued superhero, eventually escorted out to the sound of good-natured cheers and some booing.' In an optimistic conclusion, Professor Stock said she had been impressed by the 'self-assured' Union members and said they were 'doing the world an enormous service' by engaging with big ideas. 'In standing firm and holding a space where students are free to engage with big ideas in time-honoured, age-appropriate ways whether by arguing, shouting, laughing, emoting wildly, or indeed glueing themselves to wooden floors they are doing the world an enormous service.' Prof Stock (centre) pictured braving her way past the crowd before her talk at the Oxford Union this evening, which earned her a standing ovation Trans protests carried banners proclaiming 'Trans women are real women' and 'Loved the way I am' Mr Sunak defended Professor Stock's right to debate the subject A previous protest by activists demanding Stock leave seen at the University of Sussex Prof Stock received support from former Oxford Union president Charlie Mackintosh, who said free speech at universities must be protected. He added: 'Whilst the backlash against the talk by Dr Kathleen Stock has been remarkably vitriolic and unpleasant, I am glad that it has brought the issue of free speech at university to the forefront of public discourse. Read more: Trans activist who crashed Kathleen Stock's speech is republican Oxford Uni student who went to 41,000-a-year school Riz Possnett, 19, was pictured kissing their partner, eating snacks and reading a copy of Prince Harry's memoir Spare on the King's bed at Windsor Castle Advertisement 'It needs to be preserved and fought for and I am incredibly proud of the Oxford Union for continuing its 200 year history of doing so.' Oxford graduate student Spencer Shia also lent his voice in support of the academic, saying: 'I believe in the right to protest. Because I believe in a right to free speech. So as they have their right to protest, Kathleen Stock has a fundamental, god-given right to say what she wants to say. 'And it's frankly scary that a bunch of liberal metropolitan elites want to tell the rest of the people what they can and can't say. Because what they want to do is cancel Kathleen Stock. 'What they want to do is tell everybody else what they can and can't say, unless they have a view they agree with. That's fundamentally wrong and these people are out of touch. People can decide for themselves what they believe in.' Dr Edward Howell, an academic who signed a letter to The Daily Telegraph written by academics in support of free speech, said: 'The vocal minority can not be allowed ot win. 'Quite simply, university should be where students are exposed to a diverse range of views and free to hear from people they disagree with.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also intervened in the hotly-contested free speech debate before the event began, telling The Daily Telegraph: 'A free society requires free debate. We should all be encouraged to engage respectfully with the ideas of others. 'University should be an environment where debate is supported, not stifled. We mustn't allow a small but vocal few to shut down discussion. Kathleen Stock's invitation to the Oxford Union should stand.' Customers have staged a boycott of the brand due to the items, which included a 'tuck-friendly' female swimwear range Target has had its stock downgraded by JPMorgan after $14 billion was wiped off its value Retail giant Target suffered another financial setback after JPMorgan downgraded its stock as its market value plummeted by $14 billion, amid backlash to its controversial LGBTQ Pride product release. The embattled brand's shares dropped for the ninth consecutive day Wednesday, falling by a further 2.14 percent as the company is in the midst of its longest stock losing streak in 23 years. Before the controversy, the company's market value had been $74 billion, with shares trading at $160.96 at the close of markets on May 17. And despite efforts by the brand to backpedal on its disastrous campaign, continuous stock falls led JPMorgan to downgrade its stock from 'neutral' to 'overweight' on Thursday, citing 'too many concerns rising'. 'We continue to believe that the consumer is broadly weakening while the share of wallet shift away from goods (51% of [Targets] sales) is ongoing,' wrote JPMorgan analyst Christopher Horvers, according to MarketWatch. Horvers also cited 'recent company controversies' as the reason Target has suffered devastating financial losses, which came after 'an impressive run of 12 consecutive positive quarters'. The swimsuits, which appear in sections set up for Pride month in June, include a label which advertises the 'tuck-friendly construction' and 'extra crotch' coverage. The design is made to help conceal a person's private parts Retail giant Target's market value plummeted on Wednesday by over $13 billion as shares dropped by a further 2.14 percent for the ninth consecutive day It comes as the chain seeks to recover from backlash against the product line, with some customers taking particular offence to its female swimwear range - which came with the option to 'tuck' male genitalia. As customers rebelled against the move, the brand made 'adjustments' to its Pride merchandising plans, including removing displays 'that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior' at some of its stores, CEO Brian Cornell said in a statement last week. Some Southern stores were forced to move merchandise - many of which were designed by Erik Carnell, a transgender man and self-proclaimed Satanist - to the back of stores. It was done to avoid a 'Bud Light situation' - a disastrous marketing decision to promote Bud Light's beer with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney - following a consumer boycott of its Pride Month items. Erik Carnell (pictured) is a transgender designer and artist whose products were pulled by U.S. retailer Target from its Pride Collection amid backlash from some customers Carnell - a British designer whose slogans include 'Satan loves pronouns' - introduced a collection featuring bags and similar paraphernalia as well as a handful of other items, which were pulled by Target. Carnell said his designs - which are printed on pins, stickers and T-shirts - have been labeled 'Satanic' - but were not those being sold in Target as part of Pride month. Companies like Target that launch products and campaigns for Pride Month seek to profit from LGBTQ people but fail to stand by them when challenges arise, Carnell said. 'It's a very dangerous precedent to set, that if people just get riled up enough about the products that you're selling, you can completely distance yourself from the LGBT community, when and if it's convenient,' said Carnell. 'If you're going to take a stance and say that you care about the LGBT community, you need to stand by that regardless.' In tandem, LGBTQIA+ communities slammed the retailer, as did governor Gavin Newsom, who accused Target of 'systematically attacking' the gay community. He wrote on Twitter on May 24: 'CEO of Target Brian Cornell selling out the LGBTQIA+ community to extremists is a real profile in courage. 'This isnt just a couple stores in the South. There is a systematic 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.' In retaliation, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote: 'No one is attacking the gay community Gavin.' Pictured: Pride Adult Bikini Swim Bottom - Black - $25 at Target Target's stock price has plummeted as customers rebel against its controversial LGBT Pride product release, pictured Pride Month merchandise is displayed at a Target store on May 31, 2023 in San Francisco, California 'They dont want their children forcefully exposed to the radical side of pride with tuck it and binding childrens clothes and messaging while simply shopping at Target. We dont support your California child genital mutilation industry. As a matter of fact, I want to end it.' Angered consumers called for the retailer to be boycotted. One wrote: 'Target is far worse than Bud Light ever was. Time to boycott!!!' Another said: 'All Christians and religious need to boycott Target. We need to send a message to these woke companies that choose evil as their marketing tactic. It's just sick. Target Pride Month partner boasts about Satanism: Satan Respects Pronouns.' The retailer has been in the firing line for a host of other LGBTQIA+ related issues, which include an alleged partnership with a K-12 education group focusing on convincing schools to adopt policies which will help restrict parents' knowledge about their child's ongoing in-school gender transition. The education group, according to Fox, provides sexually explicit books to schools as part of its gender-based curriculum. Carlos Saavedra, Vice President, Brand Management at Target Target CEO letter to employees defending decision to pull Pride Collection items Team - I want to end the day where Briefly started: on a note of care. This has been a very hard day for Target, and it follows many difficult days of deliberation and decision-making. To our team in Stores: thank you for steadfastly representing our values. No one is better at working through uncomfortable situations in service to an inclusive guest experience. What you've seen in recent days went well beyond discomfort, and it has been gut-wrenching to see what you've confronted in our aisles. To our team in the service centers, thank you for your patience and professionalism through high volumes of angry, abusive and threatening calls. I recognize how difficult and even frightening those interactions can be, and thank you for the composure with which you've fielded those comments. To the teams who have been working so hard on our plans for Pride - and now are showing incredible agility as we adjust - thank you. Your efforts will ensure we can still show up and celebrate Pride in meaningful ways. To the LGBTQIA+ community, one of the hardest parts in all of this was trying to contemplate how the adjustments we're making to alleviate these threats to our team's physical and psychological safety would impact you and your wellbeing and psychological safety. We stand with you now and will continue to do so - not just during Pride Month, but each and every day. Those were the two guiding principles when it came time for us to act: do all we can to keep our team safe, and do all we can to honor our commitment and connection to the LGBTQIA+ community. From a host of difficult alternatives, we have sincerely sought the best path forward, finding ways to recognize Pride Month, while making adjustments to prioritize safety. As always, we're stronger together, and I want you to know that I'm committed to doing all I can, and all we can as a company, to support a culture across the country of care, empathy, equity and simple civility, in hopes that we'll not have to face these kinds of agonizing decisions in the future. Thank you for the care you've shown each other, our frontline teams and the LGBTQIA+ community. BC Advertisement The group, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) received roughly $2.1 million from Target in donations. The organization offers guidance about how to hide gender transitioning from parents. Carlos Saavedra, 43, is Target's vice president for brand management and also volunteers as a director at GLSEN. Saavedra joined target in July 2019 and was made Vice President, Brand Management in January 2021, according to his LinkedIn page. His profile says he joined GLSEN as a board member in May 2019 and was elected to the executive committee as treasurer in November 2021. Saavedra's profile explains the organization's mission is 'helping create safe spaces in schools for LGBTQIA+ students'. On May 30, a pro-Trump rapper's new single demanding consumers boycott Target shot to number one on iTunes' Top Ten Chart - beating out artists like Taylor Swift in the process. Meanwhile, the Florida man behind the song's historic ascension, alt-right emcee Forgiato Blow, has continued to accuse the music platform of purposely putting a clamp on the song's progress due to its conservative message. Titled Boycott Target, the two-minute track comes in direct response to the superstore's newly announced Pride Collection. Moreover, it features lyrics that accuse the stalwart department store of attempting to instill an LGBTQ 'agenda' with their aggressive clothing campaign - which itself touts several polarizing items including the 'tuck-friendly' bathing suits and pro-trans T-shirts for kids. In the midst of a meteoric - and unlikely - rise that has already likely seen him secure well over $1million, Blow appeared for an interview to decry iTunes for what he alleged is censorship, while taking the time to offer some choice words to brass responsible for the progressive push. 'Its shadow-banned all over the world right now,' Blow told outspoken anchor Brian Kilmeade Monday, using terminology that refers to a certain form of censorship that see a users content blocked from part or all of an online forum without warning. Utilized in the past by big name platforms such as Twitter and YouTube amid a recent rise in heated political discourse - often to mixed results - is a known stealthy strategy platforms limit posts visibility. Speaking with Kilmeade during the day's Fox and Friends broadcast, Blow elaborated on what he believes to be a conspiracy concocted by the Apple-operated application - despite his song already topping iTunes' Hip Hop chart at the time, and standing at the number-two spot on the platform's hallowed all-genre list. 'You cant even search the song on iTunes without going to the music video and clicking the external link,' Blow claimed. 'Theyre trying their hardest to keep it off the radar.' Shortly after the televised interview, the track's popularity continued to burgeon - propelling it to the overall No.1 spot around midday Tuesday. The two centibillionaires have been vying for the top spot for months Tesla boss Elon Musk has won the battle of the billionaires again, reclaiming his position as the world's wealthiest person. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index daily ranking, his net worth is now about $192 billion, compared to LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault's $187 billion. The two centibillionaires, a term used to refer to people with fortunes of more than $100 billion, have been vying for the top spot for months. This week, Arnault's wealth decreased after a 2.7% drop in LVMH's stock Wednesday, according to Bloomberg calculations. Arnault jumped ahead of Musk in December, as his wealth soared due to a boom in luxury goods sales that helped drive up LVMH's stock price. LVMH, one of the world's biggest conglomerates, is home to brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton and Celine. Elon Musk: $192B net worth. Pictured: Musk walks next to Tesla's Senior Vice President Tom Zhu and Vice President Grace Tao as he leaves a hotel in Beijing, China on May 31, 2023 Bernard Arnault: $187B net worth Jeff Bezos: $144B net worth Bill Gates: $125B net worth Larry Ellison: $118B net worth Musk has experienced a meteoric ascent through the world's rich lists in recent years as his fortunes are directly linked to those of electric automaker Tesla. Top ten richest people in the world 1: Elon Musk ($192B) 2: Bernard Arnault ($187B) 3: Jeff Bezos ($144B) 4: Bill Gates ($125B) 5: Larry Ellison ($118B) 6: Steve Ballmer ($114B) 7: Warren Buffet ($112B) 8: Larry Page ($111B) 9: Sergey Brin ($106B) 10: Mark Zuckerberg ($96.5B) Advertisement His greatest asset is the company's stock, of which he owns about 13%, according to Bloomberg. Musk is also CEO of SpaceX, the space exploration firm, and the owner of social network Twitter. LVMH's shares rose 19.7% this year, while Tesla's have increased 65.6% in the year to date. Musk departed Shanghai on Thursday, wrapping up a two-day trip to China in which he met senior Chinese government officials, including the highest-ranking vice premier. It was his first trip to the nation in more than three years. The billionaire has extensive business interests in the country and told Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday that his firm was 'willing to continue to expand its business in China', according to the foreign ministry. China is the automaker's second-largest market and home to its biggest production hub. Photos and a video of Musk's visit late Wednesday to Tesla's Shanghai factory - the automaker's biggest production hub - showed him holding up a 'Giga Shanghai' sign, flanked by hundreds of staff including Tom Zhu, head of global manufacturing. The video released by Tesla showed Musk praising employees for 'overcoming so many difficulties and challenges' and making a heart sign with his hands. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said this week that Beijing welcomed visits by international executives 'to better understand China and promote mutually beneficial cooperation'. UUVs (Unmanned Underwater Vessels) have been around for decades, mainly for scientific research. Ukraine, finding that their attack USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels) were vulnerable to Russian heavy machine-gun fire before the target ship could be hit, decided to try attacking from underwater. This led to the rapid development of the Toloka TLK-150 UUV. There are already torpedoes that can use sensors or remote control via a wire that connects the torpedo with its launcher (a sub or surface ship). The torpedoes are larger, bulkier and more expensive than the TLK-150. The TLK is smaller and more maneuverable than guided torpedoes. The TLK-150 is not intended for attacks but for reconnaissance. To do this it has a long mast that operates like a periscope but contains a digital video camera with night vision to record what is nearby. TLK-150 can be remotely controlled or operate autonomously using GPS. At night the small mast is nearly invisible as it leaves a small wake when moving and no wake at all when it is stationary. There are three models of the battery powered TLK. The TLK-150 is 2.5 meters (eight feet) long, has a range of up to 100 kilometers and top speed of 20 kilometers an hour. Payload size is 20-50 kg (44-110 pounds) depending on battery size. A larger battery provides more range. The TLK -150 can be used for reconnaissance (for enemy targets or underwater minefields). In attack mode the TLK will approach slowly, usually at night when the small periscope containing the video camera and communications antenna is nearly invisible to enemy eyes or surface radars. Sonars would also have a hard time detecting the TLK-150 because the silent electric motors power two propellers, one on each wing of the TLK. Ukraine is testing the TLK-150 and may build a lot more of them if it performs as expected in the Black Sea. If an armed TLK-150 is able to attack Russian warships, that will change the naval balance in the Black Sea. The Ukrainian use of armed UAVs and USVs against Russian ships has been a mixed success because the Russians can spot these and use auto-cannon and heavy (12.7mm or 14.5mm) machine-guns to destroy the attackers, even during night attacks. There two larger TLK designs proposed; the TLK-400 with a range of 1,200 kilometers and a half ton payload. The TLK-1000 has a range of 2,000 kilometers and a five ton payload. Labour council staff have been met with an angry backlash from residents over a 'tone deaf' post marking the anniversary of George Floyd's murder. Four Salford City Council managers, including chief executive Tom Stannard, took the knee last week in an apparent bid to show their support for Mr Floyd. After alleging it was trying to 'push for a more inclusive society', the council was met with fury from Twitter users, who criticised its 'complete lack of self-awareness'. Salford City Council removed the post in response to 'hate' and 'targeted abuse' against the individuals in the photograph. It is understood the council deleted the picture after having temporarily made its account private. Mr Floyd was killed at the hands of US police on May 25, 2020, after an officer pressed his knee to the 46-year-old's neck for more than nine minutes. His death fuelled the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and sparked fervent protests around the world. Four Salford City Council managers, including chief executive Tom Stannard (second left), took the knee last week in an apparent bid to show their support for George Floyd and mark the third anniversary of his killing at the hands of American police George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, after a police officer pressed his knee to the 46-year-old's neck for more than nine minutes Salford City Council removed the post in response to 'hate' and 'targeted abuse' against the individuals in the photograph. It is understood the council deleted the picture after having temporarily made its account private Mr Stannard, who is understood to earn more than 164,000 annually, and his fellow staff posed for photo outside council headquarters last week. The group were seen kneeling, with one member raising his arm in a Black Power salute - both gestures associated with BLM protests. The photo was captioned: 'Today @SalfordCouncil marked the third anniversary of the murder of #GeorgeFloyd. 'May he rest in peace. We will continue to push for a more inclusive society for all.' But the post was met with a backlash from social media users, who questioned what the connection was between George Floyd and Salford. One wrote: 'Id like it to be explained to me why Salford city council feels the need to mark the anniversary of the death of George Floyd. I may be ignorant but I genuinely need this to be explained.' Another, noting how Mr Floyd died in America, echoed: 'I wasn't aware that George Floyd had ever visited Salford. I thought that he was killed in Minneapolis, USA?' 'Im sure the people of Salford are more concerned that you empty their bins, fill in the potholes and look after local citizens,' another said, seemingly questioning the group's priorities. Others branded the council as a 'disgrace' and 'simply pathetic', adding that the post was an example of 'blatant virtue-signalling'. Conservative council member Les Turner questioned what Mr Stannard 'was thinking' when he made the post, alleging the chief executive 'knows full well' that Salford is 'very good with our equality and diversity'. 'I dont think it warrants taking the knee and spreading it all across the media,' Mr Turner told The Telegraph. Similarly, Robin Garrido, the leader of the councils Conservative group, argued the council spends 'too much time' criticising policy and 'not enough time looking after residents'. He added: 'It wasnt necessary. This was an ill-chosen time to do it.' The council's post was met with a backlash from social media users, who questioned what the connection was between George Floyd and Salford Following the backlash, the council limited comments on posts and put the account on 'private', Twitter users allege. City resident Chris Hawkins claimed the council even went as far as to block him from viewing its account after he made a 'critical, non-abusive Twitter complaint' about the photograph. 'I pay them my council tax. Now blocked from seeing anything the council led by @tomstannard & @salford mayor has ro [sic] say,' he tweeted. Toby Young, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, told MailOnline: 'Council officers are supposed to be politically impartial, so this display of allegiance to Black Lives Matter, a hard Left organisation that wants to destroy capitalism, defund the police and dismantle the nuclear family is staggeringly inappropriate. 'For these officers to stop Salford residents from giving them feedback about this behaviour is to add insult to injury.' The council's account is now publicly accessible again, but the photograph has been removed from the platform. Salford City Council tweeted today: 'We've removed a post due targeted abuse against individuals in the photo, others and the council. We feel disagreement on issues should never lead to offensive abuse. 'We dont tolerate hate made on our social media. We will continue to moderate platforms for the welfare of users.' A spokesperson for Salford City Council also told MailOnline today: 'We are currently addressing concerns regarding targeted, unacceptable abuse against individuals and the council on Twitter. The councils main Twitter channel was made private for less than two days (which still allowed registered followers to view messages) to complete the moderation of abusive and hateful content. 'We feel disagreement on any issues should never lead to offensive abuse. We dont tolerate hate, profanity or abuse on any of our social and digital platforms and will continue to moderate our social media in line with our policies. All other council social media and websites have remained active including our customer services twitter account to enable residents to get the support that they need.' With the May half term holiday drawing to a close, many will be looking ahead to summer for when the next school holiday will come. The last summer half term is one of the shorter periods of the academic, and parents can expect to have children back home before too long. There is no set rule for when the holidays start, with every local area setting its own term dates, but there are common themes amongst them. Read on for your guide to when school really is out for summer. School term times are set by local authorities, so it can be a bit of a lottery when finding out your local area's summer break Who decides when schools break up? Local governments across most regions of the UK decide on their schools' term dates, with the exception of Northern Ireland. That means that when your child is off school is down your County Council, Borough Council, or City Council, depending on where you live in Great Britain. Within those constraints, individual schools have freedom over when to put inset and staff training days, so ultimately the best place to see exactly when your child is on holiday is their school's website. While most will land on similar dates, there are some unique areas with different breaks, as well as more consistent differences between the UK's four nations. Summer holidays in England England is divided into 152 local authorities, who decide their respective area's term dates. However, most areas have set the final term to end on Friday 21st July, so most holidays will begin on Saturday 22nd July. There are also a significant number of counties where the summer holiday will start on Wednesday 26th July. Some notable outliers are schools in Nottingham, where unlucky pupils, but perhaps lucky parents, will be waiting to break up until Friday 28th July. Just down the road in Leicestershire, students will have been off since Thursday 13th July. With the May half term holiday drawing to a close, many will be looking ahead to find out when they can book their family getaway Summer holidays in Scotland The summer holiday falls much sooner in Scotland as a result of there only being four terms, rather than three split into six half-terms. Many areas will see schools closing for the summer on Friday 30th June. However, there are outliers here too, such as students in Aberdeen who will be waiting an extra week compared to many other children north of the border. At the other end of the spectrum, schools in East Renfrewshire will be closing on Friday 23rd June. Summer holidays in Wales Welsh summer holidays are much more in line with England's. The majority of schools in Wales will close on Friday 21st July. However, again, to confirm the exact dates on which your child's school will close, go to the school's website directly. Summer holidays in Northern Ireland School holidays in Northern Ireland are broadly dictated by Northern Ireland's Department of Education. This summer, the holiday is due to begin on Saturday 1st July, but individual schools can affect depending on when they place their teacher training days. Two young men have been spared serving their full sentences in jail despite blinding an e-scooter rider by hitting him with a potato during a 'dangerous' prank. Brandon John Nutu Micicoi and Trent Philip Green, both aged 20 at the time, seriously injured a man when they threw the 'rock-like' vegetable at him from the window of their car in Perth's northern suburbs on May 20, 2022. The rider, 28, suffered 'catastrophic' injuries and needed his right eye surgically removed and replaced by a prosthetic. He also broke his nose and arm when he fell off his e-scooter at West Coast Drive near Trigg beach. The Perth District Court court heard that the men could be heard laughing in video footage they took of the incident, which was retrieved from a mobile phone. Trent Green and Brandon Micicoi (pictured above) pleaded guilty in the District Court to charges of committing an act that endangered the safety of others and of causing grievous bodily harm The pair got jail terms of 18 months and 16 months, but the sentence for Green (pictured above) was longer because he had another conviction for a similar offence Two other pedestrians were hit by the pair in the same way but neither were badly injured. The court also heard the pair bought 12 kilograms of potatoes to throw from their car before they hit the rider and bought more intending to repeat their antics again the next day. In total the pair bought 70 kilograms of potatoes to throw, which District Court Judge Michael Gething described as 'an arsenal'. Green and Micicoi pleaded guilty in the District Court to charges of doing an act that endangered the safety of others and of causing grievous bodily harm. Green was handed an 18 month jail sentence and Miciccoi got 16 months, but most of that time will be suspended. Judge Gething ordered both men spend only six months behind bars, taking the mens' ages and levels of immaturity into account. Green's sentence was two months longer because he had another conviction for a very similar offence. The same day he and Micicoi injured the e-scooter rider he was sentenced in his absence at Midland Magistrates Court for throwing an egg at a pedestrian from a moving car. 'He knew throwing things out the car window had criminal consequences,' Judge Gething noted. The rider's victim impact statement revealed Green's and Micicoi's actions 'changed his life forever'. The victim was riding a rental scooter with a friend when Green and Micicoi in a passing vehicle hit him with a 'rock-like' potato (stock image) A man, 28, had his eye surgically removed after he was hit by a flying potato along West Coast Drive (pictured) in Perth He lost vision in his right eye, experienced constant headaches and had lost of a job he loved because of his injuries. He also experienced anxiety in crowds since the incident and was in constant fear his prosthetic eye would fall out. Green's lawyer Kate Turtley-Chappel said her client thought of his actions as a prank, but he realised their seriousness and was undergoing counselling. Micicoi's lawyer said her client also considered the potato-throwing a 'childish prank' and didn't expect the tragic outcome that transpired. He had been subsequently dismissed from his job and was now socially withdrawn. Boris Johnson clashed with his then health secretary Sajid Javid over the need to fund free Covid tests, declaring himself 'epileptically bored' with the pandemic, a former aide claimed today. Guto Harri, Mr Johnson's ex director of communications, said the former PM had an 'almighty' row with Mr Javid, who wanted to keep funding the 2billion monthly cost of free lateral flow packs. Mr Johnson wanted to cut the cost and make all but the most vulnerable pay for them, and eventually got his way. It is the latest allegation to be made by Mr Harri, a former BBC reporter who was also Mr Johnson's spin chief when he was mayor of London. In his 'Unprecedented' posdcast for Global Radio, Mr Harri said: 'There was an almighty row over ending free universal Covid testing. The Saj dug in with a curiously well-rehearsed line about being asked to ''disarm when the enemy is still lurking out there''. Guto Harri, Mr Johnson's ex director of communications, said the former PM had an 'almighty' row with Mr Javid, who wanted to keep funding the 2billion cost of free lateral flow packs. Mr Johnson wanted to cut the cost and make all but the most vulnerable pay for them, and eventually got his way. It is the latest allegation to be made by Mr Harri, a former BBC reporter who was also Mr Johnson's spin chief when he was mayor of London. 'But testing was costing 2 billion a month, dwarfing the budgets of entire departments. Boris, at the time, declared himself ''epileptically bored with Covid. What people are getting now is not killing them,'' he thought. ''It's a matter of stupendous irrelevance, as long as we have a good pair of eyes in the crow's nest, so we will not miss another iceberg''. 'That essentially was what he was after, just being able to spot the next Covid, if God forbid, it ever happened. He carried the day on that occasion and saved a fortune.' While Mr Johnson may have won the argument, Mr Javid was later to play a key part in his downfall. His resignation as health secretary last year was the catalyst for many more to step down, ending the PM's scandal-plagued time in power. Mr Harri also delved into the times the PM clashed with Rishi Sunak when the latter was his Chancellor. The former PM was annoyed by 'the lack of oomph' coming from the Treasury to help boost the UK economy, the former aide claimed. Mr Harri also delved into the times the PM clashed with Rishi Sunak when the latter was his Chancellor. 'I think that's when the tension between him and the then Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, who's now Prime Minister, of course, started to ramp up until it got to the point where it was basically untenable,' Mr Harri said. '''If Rishi is a Thatcherite, let's have it'' he moaned on one occasion without any expectation, sadly, that he'd ever oblige. And on another time, he just blew up, ''f*** this s***'' he said. ''We need to clear out the Treasury. Begin a new as Singapore-on-Thames. The department has basically become a bank manager. The computer just says no.''' A 5% pay rise higher than the government's original offer has been signed off NHS workers have taken part in various strikes for more pay in 2023 The pay for nurses and doctors has been a controversial topic amidst the NHS strikes in 2023. Many workers and NHS supporters believe the pay is not enough, with industrial action taking place as a result. After the various walk outs over the year, health unions have approved the government's offer of a pay rise. The controversial deal has seen a 5% increase and a one-off sum of 1,655 for staff including nurses, doctors and porters. But how much do NHS staff currently make? Nurse strikes (pictured above)could continue according to Royal College of Nursing despite NHS staff accepting government offer How much do NHS nurses make? NHS pay operates on a band system which was introduced in 2004. According to the Royal College of Nursing in 2021 the average pay for an NHS nurse was 33,384. Nurses fall into each category based on experience, each band's pay is different and nurses can climb their way up the ladder. Newly qualified registered nurses in England will start at Band 5, receiving a starting salary of 27,055 and just over 30,000 in outer London. Nurses will receive pay rises within their band with enough years experience, Band 5 nurses can receive up to 34,581. Band 6 salaries range from 33,706 to 40,588 and those in Band 7 can earn up to 47,652. For nurses with Band 8 and 9 experience, the pay becomes much more complex with different pay progression points. The NHS pay calculator allows nurses to understand what pay they will receive. Meanwhile, student nurses do not currently get paid for the hours completed on placement, which has been an ongoing debate for years. Average pay for NHS doctors A doctor's pay can vary depending on their job title, experience, hours worked and which trust they work for. Junior doctors will train from ten years with the average salary being around 50,000 per year. Junior doctor pay has received criticism from the public and health unions for not being enough, they are among the NHS who taken part in walk-out strikes Junior doctors in their first and second years of training will receive between 29,384 to 34,012. For doctors starting their specialist training the salary ranges from 40,257 to 53.398. The salary for specialist doctors ranges from 50,000-91,584 depending on specialist grades. GP pay varies on contracts, pay will vary for independent contractors running their own practice. Salaried GPs employed by independent contractors or directly through organisations will receive from 65,070 to 98,194. As a competitive practice, consultants receive the most with a basic salary of 88,364 to 199,133 per year. Meanwhile private doctors however can earn over 100,000. How much do NHS staff get paid? The NHS in England employs 1.5 million people, with employee costs counting for approximately two-thirds of provided expenses. There are various other NHS jobs that don't require medical training, with over 350 roles to choose from according to the NHS website. The average pay ranges from 21,000 per year for Team Member to 76,387 for Head of Finance. The average pay is just over the national living wage at 10.37. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will likely continue making Netflix shows, writing books and giving interviews - despite claims they will stop, royal experts said today. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to be moving on from publishing memoirs and criticising other royals on TV, according to sources quoted by The Sun today. But royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has now told MailOnline that he does not believe claims that the couple have 'nothing left to say' and will halt their outbursts. Mr Fitzwilliams said there is 'obviously plenty left that they could say in print' and there remains 'enormous' international interest in Harry and Meghan's activities. He added that the Sussexes 'specialise in doing the unexpected', 'have a great deal more to say' and will be considering how what they do will 'help their brand'. Harry promotes his book Spare on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS in January A six-part Netflix TV series called Harry & Meghan was released in December last year Harry and Meghan during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 It comes after a report in The Sun today claimed that Harry and Meghan would stop writing memoirs and making fly-on-the-wall Netflix shows that criticise the Royal Family, and only feature behind the cameras in future productions. ANALYSIS: Anyone who believes Harry and Meghan have 'nothing left to say' is deluded By RICHARD FITZWILLIAMS The Sussexes specialise in doing the unexpected. Anyone who believes they have "nothing left to say is deluded. It was reported that they had a four book deal with Random House. Spare, Harrys controversial memoir, is the first. He has said there were 400 pages cut, that could be the second, he said himself It could have been two books, put it that way. His early life might make the third and Meghan could write a memoir, as has been rumoured. There is obviously plenty left that they could say in print. The question is, would it benefit them and how would it help their brand and the causes they support? Meghan will reportedly be restarting her blog The Tig. She recently won a Woman of Vision Award from Ms Foundation. Thereafter they made world headlines when they were involved in a near-catastrophic car chase with paparazzi in New York. Whatever you think of the incident, some recollections may vary, it showed the international interest in what they do is still enormous. It is obvious, for good or ill as they remain estranged from the royal family, the Sussexes have a great deal more to say. The way they choose to say it in future may be as sensational as the ways they have chosen to do so in the past. Advertisement Sources told the newspaper that the couple have now run out of material, with one insider saying: 'That period of their life is over - as there is nothing left to say.' The apparent turnaround comes more than three years after the Sussexes stepped down as senior royals in January 2020 before moving to North America. Since then they have carried out a series of blistering attacks on the Royal Family most notably with their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in March 2021, a six-part Netflix series called Harry & Meghan in December last year and then Harry's tell-all memoir Spare in January. Harry now lives in Montecito, California, with Meghan and their two children Archie and Lilibet after the couple stepped down as working royals for a life of financial independence. His relationships with his father King Charles III and brother Prince William are strained and he has regularly criticised them while Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla have also been targets. Today, Mr Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'The Sussexes specialise in doing the unexpected. Anyone who believes they have 'nothing left to say' is deluded.' The commentator referred to the Daily Mail's revelation in July 2021 that Harry and Meghan had clinched a lucrative four-book deal with Penguin Random House worth up to 29million. And Mr Fitzwilliams also referenced Harry's interview with the Daily Telegraph at the time of Spare's release in January, when the Duke said there were 400 pages cut from the publication. Harry also said then: 'It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.' Mr Fitzwilliams said today: 'His early life might make the third (book) and Meghan could write a memoir, as has been rumoured. There is obviously plenty left that they could say in print. 'The question is, would it benefit them and how would it help their brand and the causes they support?' Mr Fitzwilliams also referred to reports that Meghan will be restarting her blog The Tig, and how she won a Woman of Vision Award at a glitzy Ms Foundation gala event in New York on May 16. He continued: 'Thereafter they made world headlines when they were involved in a 'near-catastrophic' car chase with paparazzi in New York. 'Whatever you think of the incident, some recollections may vary, it showed the international interest in what they do is still enormous. Doria Ragland, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York on May 16 Harry at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St Paul's Cathedral in London on June 3 last year 'It is obvious, for good or ill as they remain estranged from the Royal Family, the Sussexes have a great deal more to say. READ MORE US government will appear in court over Harry's visa application after his drug revelations Advertisement 'The way they choose to say it in future may be as sensational as the ways they have chosen to do so in the past.' Also today, Charles Rae, former royal correspondent at The Sun, told GB News: 'Let's wait and see if they actually stick to this. They are supposedly now going to stop their royal bashing and be behind the cameras, they say, at Netflix.' He added: I think they've just suddenly woken up to the fact that they're no longer the golden couple of America.' And media commentator Nigel Pauley told TalkTV: 'I think they're addicted to the limelight. Their whole ethos has been putting themselves out there with picture opportunities and soundbites.' He added: 'The Americans like the idea, from my American cousins, of the royalty. They like the idea of princesses and princes. This is the problem - they're not acting like royals. The Americans bought into the royals - the prince and princess overseas.' Harry was in London last month to see his father King Charles being crowned at what was his first public appearance alongside the Royal Family since he criticised his relatives in Spare. Within hours of the historic ceremony at Westminster Abbey, Harry was on a plane back to California to be reunited with wife Meghan, daughter Lilibet and son Archie, who turned four on the day of the Coronation, May 6. The Sussexes made headlines a short while later when a spokesperson alleged the couple and Meghan's mother 'were involved in a near-catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi', after the trio attended the Ms Foundation ceremony in New York where the Duchess was honoured. Also this week, it was revealed that the US government will appear in court next Tuesday to answer questions regarding Harry's visa application after he admitted using illegal drugs. The Heritage Foundation, a Washington DC-based conservative think-tank, is suing Joe Biden 's administration to force officials to release the Duke's immigration files. MailOnline has contacted Archewell for comment on The Sun's report today. A Florida MMA fighter wrestled a 10-foot alligator with his bare hands before emerging triumphant and pinning it down by sitting on its shoulders. Amateur fighter Mike Dragich, 33, took on the killer reptile after it entered the parking lot near a Jacksonville elementary school. Dragich battled with the alligator in front of a crowd of cheering spectators. 'I felt like Batman, for real, you know,' he told FOX 35 Orlando. 'We get there. I walked through the gate. And boom. There it was just ready to go right there in the parking lot, and we just had to get the job done,' he added. Amateur fighter Mike Dragich (pictured), 33, took on the killer reptile after it entered the parking lot near a Jacksonville elementary school. Dragich battled with the alligator in front of a crowd of cheering spectators In the video, the giant beast snaps at Dragich as he tries to grab it by the tail. Dressed in a muscle shirt, he can then be seen trying to pin it down using a catch pole as they battle it out on the grass in front of screaming onlookers. The local veteran puts the loop at the end of the pole around the alligator's neck. The animal can be seen rolling around in circles, desperate to shake off his opponent. With the catch pole still around the alligator's neck, Dragich jumps onto the animal's shoulders and sits on it to hold it down, accompanied by several Jacksonville firefighters. 'A lot of fighters will understand that when you go to the cage, you're nervous but once that cage door closes, you gotta be focused and honestly that's what I remembered from that night,' Dragich said. In the video, with the catch pole still around the alligator's neck, Dragich jumps onto the animal's shoulders sits on it to hold it down, accompanied by several Jacksonville firefighters The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates that the state holds around 1.3m alligators of every size across its 67 counties, which offer around 6.7m acres of suitable wetland habitats for the animals. The commission has kept a record of 'unprovoked bite incidents' since 1948 and reports that, from then until November 2021, there were only 442. Only 26 of those resulted in human deaths. Floridians can report 'nuisance' alligators of more than four feet in length that may pose a threat to people, pets or property so that a licensed trapper can come out to remove them, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The reptiles that are removed are then euthanized so that they do not return to the locations where they were captured or cause disruptions to existing alligator social structures in other areas, the Commission states. In February, an 85-year-old woman was mauled to death by a ten-foot alligator as she tried to rescue her dog from the reptile's clutches near a pond in Florida. The pensioner, Gloria Serge, 85, had been walking her dog by the pond at the Spanish Lakes Fairways community in Fort Pierce when the 700lb alligator launched itself from the water and grabbed the pet. The woman had tried to get the dog away from the alligator's jaws when the reptile attacked her, dragging her into the pond, an eyewitness told CBS News. The victim's body was later recovered by officials. Serge's pup survived the attacked, but the gator was later captured and euthanized. Last month, a 23-year-old man lost his arm when he was attacked by a 10ft alligator after tripping into a pond outside a Florida bar. Jordan Rivera barely remembers the attack when he 'ended up in the water' behind Banditos bar in Port Charlotte in the early hours of May 21 after going outside to relieve himself because the restroom line was too long. Patrons ran to his rescue after hearing him screaming for help during the attack. They pulled him out of the water and put a makeshift tourniquet on his severed right arm. Ben Roberts-Smith claims he was linked to war crime allegations published across multiple newspapers even though he wasn't named because of a distinctive Spartan tattoo, his towering stature and Victoria Cross glory. The 44-year-old said all the features pointed to him being the accused soldier known only as 'Leonidas'. During his final moments of being questioned by his own legal team during his mammoth trial, Mr Roberts-Smith told the court about the damage the 'whispering campaign' wrought on his mental health, career and family. Justice Anthony Besanko found some of the imputations of war crimes and murder put forward across six articles by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times were found to be substantially true in delivering his judgment on Thursday. Justice Besanko officially dismissed the proceedings after finding the articles proved the most serious imputations, while the newspapers made out the defence of contextual truth for the remainder of the untrue imputations. Ben Roberts-Smith said his tattoo, stature and Victoria Cross pointed to him being the accused soldier known only as 'Leonidas' in a 2018 newspaper article Roberts-Smith is pictured with another soldier drinking from the prosthetic leg souvenired from an Afghan shot dead at a Taliban compound dubbed Whiskey 108 Justice Besanko found allegations of threats and domestic violence could not be proven, but was 'satisfied' the defence of contextual truth had been made out in respect of these untrue imputations. While not every murder allegation was established by the newspapers, the judge found the two key killings had taken place. Mr Roberts-Smith strongly denied the claims, but the broadcaster successfully defended those parts of the articles as true. The first article, in June 2018, did not name Mr Roberts-Smith but said a soldier called 'Leonidas' kicked a detainee off a cliff and had him executed. 'They make specific comments about the size of the individual, his stature and his links with high levels of the military which would only come with the Victoria Cross,' Mr Roberts-Smith told the court during the trial. The court heard Mr Roberts-Smith had multiple tattoos including one of a Spartan helmet on his ribs. Leonidas was a Spartan warrior who, in the film 300, kicked a detainee off a precipice. Mr Roberts-Smith said calls came quickly with people believing he was the alleged war criminal in the articles, due to the description of the man in question. During the trial, he told the court he always followed the rules of engagement when killing people in battle. 'I saw things in Afghanistan and did things in Afghanistan like having to engage adolescents that I am not proud of,' he said. 'I live with that.' Mr Roberts-Smith said he saw the Taliban and allies in the Afghan partner force abuse women and children. But he was powerless to intervene because of the rules of engagement. 'I accept that as a trauma I live with, only to come home to have stories written about me that are so demonstrably false,' he said. Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated soldier lost his defamation case against Nine newspapers 'I have had moments in my life in the last three years when I didn't think it was worth it,' he said through tears. When Mr Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for storming machine gun nests, he said, one patrol commander wrote a letter warning he'd become 'a tall poppy' and he'd need to prepare for people trying to cut him down. Years later those attacks took the form of a 'whispering campaign', he told the court, between his enemies in the Australian Defence Force and Nine's journalists. He said he asked his ex-wife's friend to buy him prepaid phones so he could talk to other former soldiers he still trusted about the missions that were at the centre of the war crime allegations. 'I simply did not trust the media were not trying to intercept my communications or gather derogatory information to use against me,' he said. Mr Roberts-Smith said he and the trusted soldiers looked over surveillance images of missions that had been posted to him anonymously in the form of USBs. He denied Nine's allegation he had buried USBs containing important evidence in a container in his backyard. He told the court they'd remained in his marital home and his wife had access to them after they'd separated and he moved out. Mr Roberts-Smith said he lost three years of his life to rumours and he felt he couldn't protect his kids when the articles emerged. 'Every day I think about what people are going to do and say to my children,' he told the court during the trial. 'What is the legacy of my family now because of those articles? It crushes my soul because I gave so much to that job. And it's all lies.' He said he didn't know what people thought of him since allegations he physically assaulted his girlfriend at a hotel in Canberra were published by Nine. 'Now I walk down the street,' he said, pausing to compose himself. 'People will look at me and the first thing I think of is 'they think I've hit a woman'.' Mr Roberts-Smith said he was 'betrayed and humiliated' by the allegations. 'And I say humiliated because everything I've ever cared about was serving my country with distinction and honour and my friends and my unit.' Mr Roberts-Smith did not appear in court in person for the judgment, but reportedly was seen soaking up the sunshine in Bali. Outside court, one of the men who penned the articles Nick McKenzie described Mr Roberts-Smith as being the 'Lance Armstrong' of the defence force. Ben Roberts-Smith relaxes by the pool at a resort in Bali on Wednesday. The decorated soldier finally learnt the outcome of his defamation action against Nine newspapers on Thursday The investigative journalist said the decision would offer some relief to victims in Afghanistan who also gave evidence. 'Ali Jan was a father, a husband,' he said. 'He was kicked off a cliff by Ben Roberts-Smith, and was murdered with his participation. 'There is some small justice for him (and) for all the Afghan villagers who stood up in court.' Journalist Chris Masters, who also wrote the articles, said the outcome was a great relief for media. 'It's a relief for the media, frankly, we know we're so often on our knees,' he said. 'It often feels so hard to even do ordinary work, let alone work as difficult as this.' A cheese company under fire over its depiction of the famous Cerne Abbas Giant has hit back at claims from furious shoppers that the figure had been 'castrated' and made 'non-binary'. Locals alleged the Oxford Cheese Company 'made a mockery' of the club-wielding giant when it 'chopped his bits off' on its Cerne Abbas Man vintage cheddar label, adding that the company has 'no regard for our county'. But the cheesemaker told MailOnline today it has not cut off the giant's manhood, but instead given him a pair of trousers. Company officials claim they were forced into developing a second label for the product a few years ago following complaints from a shopper. The company says it has sold the product in two different packages for several years now - one featuring the giant's penis and one with trousers. The censored version is only sold in one supermarket. The Oxford Cheese Company has been slammed for depicting the famous Cerne Abbas Giant on its packaging without his oversized phallus The 180ft figure, which has a 35ft manhood, is one of Dorset's most famous landmarks, thought to have been created by the Anglo-Saxons in the 8th century as a tribute to Helith, their god of health Robert Pouget, of Oxford Cheese Company, told MailOnline that the company has been selling its Cerne Abbas Man vintage cheddar for the past 15 years. He claims the packaging had always depicted the giant with his penis, as seen in the famous Dorset landmark, but that they were forced to introduce a second label a few years back after a shopper complained. Mr Pouget said a woman was 'offended' by the figure's phallus being shown on the product and filed an official complaint with her store. In an attempt to appease the grocer, the company redesigned the label. Mr Pouget, declining to disclose the name of the supermarket, said the censored label is only sold in that one particular store. He also noted the firm had 'successfully' sold the Dorset-made cheese, which he described as having a nice crunch and sweet after taste, for over a decade 'without any issues' and 'does not know why it suddenly because a problem'. The cheesemaker has sold both labels of Cerne Abbas Man vintage cheddar for the last few years. But the people of the historic village of Cerne Abbas are now slamming the cheese producer for 'defacing' the area's ancient fertility symbol. Vic Irvine, head brewer at Cerne Abbas Brewery, which uses a picture of the giant in all his glory on its branding, said: 'It's abhorrent to castrate him' Vic Irvine, head brewer at Cerne Abbas Brewery, which uses a picture of the giant in all his glory on its branding, said: 'I think it's abhorrent to castrate him. If they are taking his manhood away then I hope nobody buys it. 'It shows no regard for our county. We should call them the Cambridge Cheese Company and see how they like it. 'We love our giant here and defacing him like this is like throwing paint over Nelson's Column. It is clearly a binary giant who has a large phallus. It's that simple. 'If you don't like it, don't use our giant. The whole thing makes me really cross, I'm incandescent with rage.' Alistair Chisholm, the mayor of nearby Dorchester, said: 'That's just wrong. The whole point is that he is depicted the way he is, which is what makes people come to see him.' Referring to Durdle Door, the famous Dorset limestone arch, he added: 'It makes a mockery of it. It's like filling in Durdle Door and making it a solid block of rock. His member is what makes him magnificent. It would just be plain wrong to make him amorphous. 'The whole point is that it provokes a reaction. Remove his member and he is just a white line on the hillside.' Local councillor Jill Hayes said: 'The fact that they have chopped his bits off is very strange. It's even stranger that they would use our iconic landmark instead of one of their own. Any coverage of our landmarks is wonderful, but it is nonetheless odd that they would use one of ours.' Locals criticised the Oxford Cheese Company for 'defacing' the club-wielding man on the label of its Cerne Abbas Man vintage cheddar. They compared emasculating the giant to 'throwing paint over Nelson's Column' and claim the marketing decision has left them 'incandescent with rage' The 180ft man, who has a 35ft manhood, is one of Dorset's most famous landmarks. The hillside figure is said to have been created by the Anglo-Saxons in the 8th century as a tribute to Helith, their god of health. It is seen as a fertility symbol due to its phallus and courting couples have been known to go there under the cover of darkness in the hope of getting pregnant. A spokesman for the company suggested the phallus was removed to keep keep the product packaging from becoming 'cluttered'. Paul Watson, cellar master for the Oxford Cheese Company, said: 'The original owner of the company chose that image because it is so memorable. We use it on our own-brand West Country-style cheddar. 'I'm not sure exactly why he isn't whole on some of the cheeses, but I suspect it is to make sure the label doesn't get too cluttered. On larger cheeses I think all of him is included.' Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said today his mercenaries would fight on in Ukraine if left alone without having to rely on the 'clowns' running the Russian army. Prigozhin, who continues to butt heads with Russian officials, said at a training camp on Thursday that he would pull his forces out 'if the whole chain [of command] is 100 per cent failed and will only be led by clowns who turn people into meat.' The group's leader, who was celebrating his 62nd birthday, has offered up his forces in brutal human wave strikes into Ukraine since the war started, but has clashed with Russian commanders over strategy and 'withheld' supplies needed to sustain his assaults. He also confirmed today that his men would finally leave the eastern city of Bakhmut on June 5 after handing it over to the Russian army. The Wagner Group captured the besieged city after months of relentless shelling and surrounding trench warfare. Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin speaks with servicemen during withdrawal of his forces from Bakhmut in a video released Thursday, June 1, 2023 An aerial view shows destructions in the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released on May 21, 2023 A Ukrainian soldier covers his ears while firing a mortar at Russian positions on the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, May 29, 2023 Speaking to Russian reporters, Prigozhin looked on across a night scene lit by blasts and red flares against burst of automatic gunfire from his mercenaries. 'Beautiful, isn't it?' he said. He spoke to journalists about the prosthetic legs which his wounded men have received, including those who continued to fight. Prigozhin said his men wanted to rest at camps in Russian-controlled Ukraine for around a month and then things would become clearer. 'It has been a tough year. Then we'll see how it goes,' he said. The restaurateur-turned-mercenary has gained widespread notoriety during the 15-month war in Ukraine. He has regularly insulted President Vladimir Putin's top military brass, especially Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, over their performance. Neither Shoigu or Gerasimov have responded to his insults in public. Prigozhin said on Wednesday he had asked prosecutors to investigate whether senior Russian defence officials had committed any 'crime' before or during the war in Ukraine. Despite their success in Bakhmut, many mercenaries have been killed in the handover to the Russian army. Ukraine claims to have killed scores of Wagner mercenaries as they leave. On May 25, as he confirmed the start of the handover, Prigozhin admitted 20,000 of his mercenaries had been killed capturing the completely obliterated city. Bakhmut is considered to be of symbolic importance, contested since Putin's initial wins dried up last year, but of limited strategic value to Russian forces. A Ukrainian soldier covers his ears while firing a mortar at Russian positions on the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, May 29, 2023 A Ukrainian service member smokes in a trench at a position near the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine May 23, 2023 An anti-Kremlin volunteer fighter is pictured alongside a captured Russian armoured personnel carrier Russian groups also claimed today they had launched yet another devastating strike into Russia, saying they were marching into the border town of Shebekino. Fighters of the Russian Volunteer Corps said in a video shared on Telegram that they were moving on the town in Russia's Belgorod region on the border of Ukraine. Later, the group said fighters had hit the Interior Ministry's department in the town with USSR-designed Grad multiple launch rocket systems. Video appeared to show Russian district administration officials in the town burning documents amid fears the settlement would be taken by anti-Kremlin groups. The Free Russian Legion, who made headlines last week as they apparently marched back east into Russia to take hold of bordering villages in Belgorod, also today announced a raid into Russia. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Russia's Belgorod Oblast, was forced to announce a 'counter-terrorist operation' when the Free Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps claimed to have taken the step of taking the fight to Russia on May 22. Again today, he said Ukraine's armed forces had repeatedly shelled Shebekino with Soviet-designed Grad 122 mm rockets, setting alight a dormitory and damaging an administrative building. At least nine civilians were injured in shelling in the region, he said. In unverified video posted on social media, plumes of smoke were shown rising above a large building in Shebekino as flames licked through the destroyed roof. 'As soon as it calms down, we will continue the evacuation of people,' Gladkov said. 'All temporary accommodation facilities are ready.' Photo shared by Vyacheslav Gladkov on his Telegram channel shows the aftermath of Ukrainian shelling in the border town of Shebekino, Belgorod region, Russia, 31 May 2023 Anti-Kremlin Russian soldiers pictured speaking to camera during the last alleged assault The founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps, Denis (C), known as "White Rex", flanked by fighters in camouflage, attends a presentation for the media in northern Ukraine, not far from the Russian border, on May 24, 2023 Russia confirmed it had repelled three attempted incursions along its border with Ukraine by what it casts as pro-Ukrainian militants, while heavy shelling prompted a partial evacuation of civilians from the area. The country's defence ministry accused Ukraine of using what it cast as 'terrorist formations' to carry out attempted attacks on Russian civilians. 'The selfless actions of Russian servicemen repelled three attacks by Ukrainian terrorist formations,' the ministry said. 'No violations of the state border were allowed,' the ministry said. More than 30 Ukrainian fighters had been killed, along with four armoured vehicles destroyed, it claimed. Kyiv has denied any involvement but Russian officials say the group of fighters is a proxy run by Ukraine. The Russian Volunteer Corps also said in March that they had crossed into Russia's Bryansk Oblast, on the border with Ukraine - but the attack was inconclusive. Both groups claim they employ Russian citizens fighting against the regime. The Russian Volunteer Corps was founded by a far-right Russian national last August and comprises Russians who have been fighting in and for Ukraine against their own country. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency says the RVC is an independent underground group inside Russia that also has a unit in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. The Foreign Legion says it has nothing to do with the RVC. The Freedom of Russia Legion says it was formed in spring 2022 'out of the wish of Russians to fight in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against Putin's armed gang'. It says it cooperates with the Ukrainian armed forces and operates under Ukrainian command. It has claimed responsibility for the previous attack in Belgorod and says it has been fighting in eastern Ukraine. One of Britain's top doctors told MailOnline today of the desperate attempts to save two children who died in Bournemouth yesterday - and slammed TikTok fiends who filmed them receiving CPR and mocked medics running to their aid. A 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton, who were not related, died yesterday afternoon. Eight other children were hurt after getting into trouble in the water close to the beach in Dorset, which was packed with half-term holidaymakers and locals yesterday afternoon. However, a minority filmed the tragedy unfolding, even as emergency workers performed CPR on a child. One teenager filmed a lifeguard sprinting across the sand, shouting: 'Oh s**t. You run boy. Run, Forrest Run.' One angry person nearby then yelled: 'Someone is f***ing dying.' Bournemouth-born Dr Rob Rosa, a former GP who is now one of Britains Chief Medical Officers, told MailOnline how he was on the promenade when the first child was brought to the beach and ran down to help when the second child, the 12-year-old girl, was brought in from the sea around 15 minutes later. Witnesses said she had apparently been found face down in the water. He said: Those videoing the desperate CPR attempts should think long and hard at their actions. The tragic death of a child is not something anyone should voyeuristically observe.' 'Idiots' shared video of the chaos on Bournemouth beach where two children died Police officers walk along Bournemouth beach today An empty Bournemouth beach today and the pier where children are understood to have jumped in yesterday. Ten were injured, two, aged 12 and 17, have died One tearful man laid roses on the sand this morning as Bournemouth mourned the loss of two children The town's historic pier this morning as litter pickers removed rubbish The 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy died after several children got into difficulties in the water off Bournemouth beach He said: I have been a doctor for 18 years, including in A&E where I have been battle hardened, but I have never seen anything as bad as this in my career. It was utterly exceptional and harrowing. They were carrying out CPR on two children while searching the water for others. There were police, paramedics, doctors, the RNLI. They did everything they could for those children. Its a terrible tragedy. The lifeguards were teenagers themselves and did an incredible job to try to save those children. Witnesses described harrowing scenes as CPR was administered on the beach and some 'idiots' with phones were seen filming lifeguards trying to revive the two children. The sand close to the pier had to be cleared so two air ambulances could land, but sadly the two schoolchildren died later in hospital. A man in his 40s, who had been on the water at the time of the incident, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. One source claimed he might have been encouraging them to jump. He remains in custody. Since 2004, Britain's Maritime and Coastguard Agency has dealt with more than 200 incidents of tombstoning, including pier jumping, leading to at least 70 injuries and 20 deaths. Police today confirmed that no vessel is believed to have been in 'physical contact' with the children following speculation on social media they had been hit by a jet-ski or boat. But there have been claims that the tragedy may have been caused by the wash of a jet-ski. There has been an ongoing issue between jet-skiers and other people using the water around the area of the pier. MailOnline has asked Dorset Police to comment. One of the youngsters was pulled from the water and had to be given CPR on the beach by lifeguards before being taken away by air ambulance Nicola Holton, 43, and Stuart Clark, 42, were on the beach with their two children when the tragedy unfolded. Ms Holton said: 'One lifeguard went to rescue two swimmers struggling but he couldn't bring them in. He spotted another person struggling and a second lifeguard went out to them but there were multiple people in trouble. 'The remaining lifeguard was trying to get everyone out of the water. The ambulance service came to the struggling person rescued by the second lifeguard. More lifeguards arrived to rescue another swimmer near the pier. My husband spotted another swimmer struggling. He ran to the lifeguards. The guard immediately went in and they picked him up on a jet-ski. 'I will never ever get the image out of my head of him being brought out. They cleared the beach for the air ambulance. Then another was spotted and again brought to shore to be worked on. Absolutely horrible. 'Loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones. 'It was like a scene from a horror film. After an afternoon of lovely weather and the odd announcement to tell kids to stop climbing on the pier it looked like it had all settled down. 'When we first spotted the swimmers in distress they were far out to the east side of the pier. 'A lifeguard ran into the water with a surfboard and it seemed to take ages for him to get to them. There was an announcement to get out of the water and then the lifeguards started bringing people back to shore. 'A few were taken to the lifeguard tent and then we saw the young man and girl brought out. We were packing up our things to leave as quickly as we could. It was just awful. 'There were loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones.' Mr Clark added: 'As we walked to the east side of the pier there was at least one but probably a few jet-skiers going across the right side of the pier. 'We didn't take too much notice of them at the time. 'There were announcements throughout the afternoon telling people not to climb on the pier. After 2pm it seemed like people weren't going near it. 'The next announcement we got was at 4pm about a dangerous riptide in the water and it wasn't soon after that we saw a couple of swimmers in trouble out to sea. 'It got really chaotic when they brought a young man back to shore on a lifeguard jet-ski. It was obvious he wasn't alive. That's when people started gathering around and the lifeguards were trying to clear the beach at the same time as helping the others in the water. 'We saw the young girl get brought out too and there were no obvious injuries on her either. I just wanted to get my family off the beach with our belongings.' Paul Moyce, 61, said he believed those involved had been jumping into the sea off the pier. He said: 'I think they went off the end of the pier and went out too far. They must have got caught by the current. I lived here for 61 years and I've never seen anything like it.' The first person to reach the girl who died was an 18-year-old boy. His father, Rob Creech, said today: 'My son was on the other side of the pier swimming with a few friends. 'All of a sudden there were a lot of people on the pier shouting and screaming that there was somebody in the water. He swam to the other side of the pier and he found a young girl floating face down in the water. 'The emergency services were just arriving at the beach so he was shouting to them and scooped her up to swim to shore. He managed to get her out on to the beach and the emergency services took it from there.' There are yellow marker buoys 200m off the beach and water craft operating inside that area are restricted to speeds of 6 knots. One local surfer said he witnessed three jet-skiers 'buzzing the pier' on Tuesday, the day before the tragic incident. Lawrence Hopgood said: 'I was surfing the night before. There were three jet-skiers buzzing the pier. A lifeguard went out on a jet-ski and spoke to them, then left. 'The jet-skiers didn't leave but proceeded to do donuts near the surfers, whilst filming themselves.' Lifeguards on the busy beach had rushed into the water by Bournemouth Pier after a group of people got into difficulty in the sea at about 4.30pm on Wednesday. It is believed that all of those involved were aged between 12 and 18. None of the other eight injured children was seriously harmed and they were treated at the scene by the ambulance service. The operation involved multiple teams from across the emergency services The beach had to be cleared before the air ambulances were able to land Speaking last night, Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said: 'I express my deep condolences to the family and friends of the two young people who tragically lost their lives in Bournemouth. 'A dreadful event in circumstances when they were enjoying beautiful weather in our town. So sad.' The MP added that the incident was a 'salutary lesson' that 'danger is ever present' in the sea. An investigation has begun into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan, of Dorset Police, said: 'Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the young people who tragically died and we are doing all we can to support their families. 'I understand the beach was very busy at the time of the incident and I would ask anyone with information that may assist our enquiries to please come forward. 'We are at the early stages of our investigation and would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident.' Thousands of people were on the beach at the time, soaking up the sun and playing in the water in the 23C heat during the May half-term holiday. The South Western Ambulance Service told MailOnline that it had 'conveyed two patients to Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital'. Beachgoer Ritta Saruchera said her daughter and her friend were in the sea at the time when they saw what happened. She said: 'They were coming back out of the water when they saw a teenage boy struggling. 'We went to get help from the lifeguard and inform them of what was happening. There were three young men out there and they have been searching for a fourth.' Thousands of people were enjoying the sunny weather before being asked to leave the beach by police Two people were taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital Eeman Qamar, from Southampton, was on the beach with her mother and three-month-old baby. She told the BBC that just after 4pm lifeguards began to tell people to clear the beach, adding: 'After about 20 minutes, the first air ambulance arrived and landed right in the middle of the beach. 'The lifeguards started getting on jet-skis and boats, searching the sea and about 20 minutes later the second air ambulance arrived and it took another hour and a half for them to finish the whole search and rescue operation.' A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service spokesperson said: 'We were called to East Beach, Bournemouth at 4.39pm to support a multi-agency incident. 'We have crews in attendance from Westbourne and Springbourne, together with a technical rescue team from Poole.' A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: 'We sent two air ambulances, six double-crewed land ambulances, one critical care car, two operations officers, one doctor, one hazardous area response team and one responding officer.' HM Coastguard told MailOnline that 'two people had been pulled from the water and passed into the care of the ambulance service' and that 'coastguards searched to make sure there were no other people missing and are satisfied there are not'. Bus routes that would normally serve the Pier stops were diverted through the square. Anyone with information about what happened should contact Dorset Police on www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230083818. Alternatively, witnesses can contact independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111. Tributes have been paid to a British bar owner who died in Lanzarote after allegedly being pushed down a flight of steps during a fight. Chris Thomas, 50, died a day after being rushed to hospital following the incident in the early hours of Sunday morning. A German man aged 46 and described locally as a troublemaker who had reportedly been banned from several bars and pubs in the island resort of Costa Teguise, is in custody. He was arrested on suspicion of homicide and has been remanded in jail pending an ongoing investigation after appearing before a judge on Monday. Friends and loved ones described London-born expat Chris as caring, loving and funny in social media tributes today. Chris Thomas (pictured), 50, died a day after being rushed to hospital following the incident in the early hours of Sunday morning Friends and loved ones described London-born expat Chris Thomas (pictured) as caring, loving and funny in social media tributes today Dozens of Brits have left messages on the Facebook page of The Clock, the bar Chris owned and which remains closed following the tragedy. Ken Moore wrote: 'A huge hole has been left in our hearts and minds. A true gentleman. A lovely man. A great character. A smile that would light up any room. 'The world has lost someone very special. He will be missed by so many.' He added: 'It was a pleasure and privilege to have you as a friend.' Jen Blackburn wrote: 'I've no words that could possibly help at this truly devastating time. So incredibly sorry that you should all be facing such a tragic loss. Chris was a friend to all...One of life's real good guys. His passing will be felt so strongly by so many. I feel privileged to have known him and shared so many laughs. My heart goes out to all of you and you will all be in my thoughts.' Stacey Lee said: 'So sad to hear this, one thing I always noticed about Chris was his amazing smile and twinkle in his eye, may you rest in peace Chris.' Calling him 'caring, lovely and funny' Tracy Wiles wrote: 'We all will never be the same again, but every day you will be in our thoughts you beautiful man. Love you so much Chris and now our friend.' View of Costa Teguise, a touristic resort on Lanzarote island, Spain (Stock image) Confirming it was currently closed, staff at The Clock said in a social media message: 'As you may well be aware now or soon. We have lost Chris. The Clock is closed. 'We will keep you informed.' One local report said the incident that led to Chris's death happened at The Clock, but well-placed sources said it had occurred at a nearby commercial centre by a fast food restaurant. Police were called shortly after 3am on Sunday and assisted in providing emergency medical assistance before making the arrest. The dead man's parents are believed to live in Lanzarote although he has siblings thought to be based in the UK. Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for the killing - which they claim was sparked because of a bitter custody battle A former contestant on Family Feud has been found guilty of breaking into the home of his estranged wife before shooting her dead. Timothy Bliefnick, 40, refused to testify in his own defense after being accused of killing Becky Bliefnick, 41, on February 2 in Quincy, Illinois. The mother-of-three was found dead in her home by her father after her family became concerned that she had not picked up her sons from school. She was shot 14 times, and court records show that the couple had separated and were going through a messy divorce. Bliefnick did not present a defense to the claims but previously pleaded not guilty, and will be sentenced on August 11. Becky Bliefnick (left) was found dead in her home by her father after her family became concerned that she had not picked up her sons from school Timothy Bliefnick, 40, refused to testify in his own defense after being accused of killing his estranged wife in Quincy, Illinois Bliefnick appeared on ABC's Family Feud in 2020, and he joked with the host Steve Harvey that somebody's 'biggest wedding mistake' would likely be getting married at all Prosecutors say he used a crowbar to break into the property through a second-story window before shooting his estranged wife in the bathroom. Becky had also sent a chilling message to her sister Sarah Reilly before she died, warning that if anything happened to her, 'the No.1 person of interest is Tim'. 'I am putting this in writing that I'm fearful he will somehow harm me, come after me, or will try to [do] something to me that takes me away from the kids or the kids away from me,' she said. In a statement after the verdict, Becky's family said: 'We should not be living in a world where a crime like this is possible. We should not have to suffer a life without Becky who was robbed of her life in the most hateful, cowardly and cruel way. 'Her boys were robbed of a loving, devoted mother. I was robbed of my sister and best friend. 'My parents were robbed of their daughter, and as a parent myself, I cannot imagine a greater torture. 'Becky was a niece, an aunt and a cousin; a friend, a colleague and a caregiver. All those who love her carry heavy heartache in the wake of this tragedy. 'The judicial process cannot bring her back nor can it heal our wounds, but we are relieved that the verdict delivers justice, and we are thankful for all who made it a reality. 'As a family of faith, we are deeply thankful for our family, friends and the complete strangers who have rallied around us and prayed for us during these incredibly dark days.' Bliefnick (pictured right as his home was raided in March) was 'very cooperative' with officers, and handed over his keys to the home, which he rents, and his car The court heard Bliefnick researched ways to commit the crime on Google before riding to Becky's home on a bicycle Bliefnick and Becky has three sons together but were living separately at the time of her death, with court records showing their split was filed in February 2021 Becky's family said their priority was now raising her three young children. 'We live with the hope that the worst moment of our lives cannot define who we are, as we pick up the pieces to raise Becky's boys in the way we know she would want,' they said. 'While life cannot be normal in the ways it once was, such love and support does help restore the belief that the world does, in fact, have more good than evil. 'As they go forward with the certain truth that their father murdered their mother, we ask that you keep Becky's three, incredible boys in your prayers. 'We will move forward by leaning on each otherand our faithfor healing. We will speak of Becky warmly and often, remembering the way she lived and loved, not the way she died. She will be missed forever and loved always.' The court heard Bliefnick researched ways to commit the crime on Google, before riding to her home on a bicycle. Investigators retrieved dozens of shell casings in the basement that the state police lab found was fired from the same gun as eight recovered from the crime scene. The couple had separated and were going through a messy divorce when Becky was shot 14 times according to investigators Becky had also sent a chilling message to her sister Sarah Reilly (right) before she died, warning that if anything happened to her, 'the No.1 person of interest is Tim' The nurse (left), had previously filed a restraining order against her estranged husband (right) and his father before she was then hit with a restraining order by her husband Before the shooting, Bliefnick had taken his wife's gun and refused to give it back, her attorney revealed. Officers didn't find the murder weapon, though Becky's handgun remains missing and forensic experts say it was among several models which could have matched the casings. In the weeks after her death, Bliefnick attended her wake, but not her funeral as he didn't want to be a 'distraction'. Police described him as being 'cooperative', after swooping on his property shortly before arresting him. His lawyers also accused Quincy Police Department of failing to 'follow up' on claims that Becky was being stalked but did not release any further information or evidence to back up their claims. Becky's family have branded the killing as 'hateful, cowardly and cruel', and vowed to not shy away from telling the boys who killed their mother Prosecutors say he used a crowbar to break into the property (pictured) through a second-story window before shooting his estranged wife in the bathroom The couple had three sons together, but were living separately at the time of Becky's death, with court records showing their split was filed in February 2021. Court records show that the couple, who married in 2009, was going through a contentious divorce and had both filed restraining orders against each other. Quincy Police said the murder was an unusual act of domestic violence in an otherwise safe town. Bliefnick appeared on ABC's Family Feud in 2020, and he joked with the host Steve Harvey that somebody's 'biggest wedding mistake' would likely be getting married at all. 'Honey, I love you,' said Bliefnick, addressing his wife, before adding cautiously, 'Said, 'I do'?' His response evoked laughter and gasps from the crowd and a blank stare from Harvey. The episode was recorded in the fall of 2019 but aired in the spring of 2020, according to ABC. Caps on tourists numbers in Bali could see an application process that would make the Australian tradition of jetting off to the idyllic destination a lot more complicated. Holidaymakers could have to meet a certain criteria before entering the Indonesian island as the government looks to impose restrictions to prioritise 'quality' tourists over 'quantity'. The restriction on visitor numbers is just one of many changes being introduced as locals lose patience with boisterous and littering foreigners not respecting local customs and sacred sites. Idyllic holiday destination Bali could get a lot more complicated to travel to as officials introduce a series of measures to lift visitor behaviour, including caps on tourist numbers Bali has long been seen as a party destination for Aussies, with thousands visiting the island every year but locals are losing patience for 'arrogant' visitors (pictured, a tourist detained in Bali) Bali has a population of 4.3 million people but there were 6.3 million visitors in 2019 before travel was interrupted by the Covid pandemic. The steady rise in tourists - up from less than 2 million in 2008 - has government officials worried the number could skyrocket over the coming years. The sheer volume of visitors pouring in combined with the island's reputation as a party hotspot has resulted in a string of controversies. Earlier this year a tourist filmed himself naked at a sacred Hindu site. The episode was just one of a series of similar incidents. Another tourist was seen screaming and lunging at security officers outside a religious ritual. While yet another group of travellers filed an official complaint about roosters crowing at dawn which infuriated Bali locals who rely on the poultry to make a living. A figure of seven million tourists is being considered for the cap, which could see tough competition for places as Bali becomes increasingly known across the globe as a holiday destination for those on a budget. The Indonesian Government are attempting to crack down on unruly tourists by handing out cards with 'dos' and 'don'ts' rules to anyone passing through Bali's airport (pictured) In recent months, the holiday island has been cracking down on misbehaving tourists by introducing multiple measures Applicants could have to show they have enough cash to fund their entire trip to successfully gain entry, while the slightest trouble there could result in a ban from returning. The island's governor Wayan Koster told local media: 'These foreigners are very arrogant but I am not anti-foreigners. 'A comprehensive evaluation is necessary to regulate the entry of foreign tourists. 'For instance, there might be a consideration of a limit of seven million individuals based on certain criteria.' Mr Koster said the island should focus on 'quality tourism'. 'This is to maintain Balinese culture and local wisdom which must be dignified,' he said. The island has already banned some tourists from driving mopeds following anti-social behaviour. Marita Daniell (pictured centre) has been kicked out of Bali despite living there for 23 years after abusing officers who stopped her for not wearing a helmet while riding a scooter a road in Canggu, a resort village on the south coast of Island A tourist tax is also being considered by President Joko Widodo's government that would be between $45 and $150 and have the dual effect of boosting revenue from the island and lifting the standard of visitors. 'Income from the tourism tax would help fund a range of measures and prevent Bali from becoming known only as a cheap destination,' Bali Tourism Board chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana said. 'Cheap destinations bring in cheap tourists who tend to cause a lot of problems.' While Bali is less strict than the rest of Indonesia, the island is deeply conservative with many locals frowning upon excessive drinking or scantily-clad social media snaps at temples. Foreigners acting as tour guides or renting out scooters, taking money away from locals businesses, has also become a problem, according to the Indonesian Hotel General Managers Association. The chairman of the Regional People's Legislative Council of the Province of Bali (DPRD Bali) agreed the island should focus on attracting well-behaved visitors. 'We need tourists, but tourists who are classy, not tourists who throw tantrums,' Nyoman Adi Wiryatama told provincial leaders at a meeting, according to The Bali Sun. The tourism board announced plans on March 7 to use billboards to build awareness amongst visitors and educate tourists on how to behave in cultural settings. Authorities confirmed a minimum of 10 large billboards written in English will be installed where violations occur the most, including Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Uluwatu. Just last week a German tourist was filmed disrupting a traditional Balinese dance performance while naked And just this week it was announced a total of 12 dos and eight don'ts will be handed on cards to tourists upon arrival on the island which cover tradition, religion and local law. Among the 'don'ts list', tourists will be told not to defile sacred places or pollute the island such as throwing rubbish into its waterways. Under the 'dos list', tourists are told to respect the customs, dress modestly and behave politely at sacred sites. Anggiat Napitupulu, who is the head of the Regional Office of the Bali Ministry of Law and Human Rights, said the cards will be slipped into passports when travellers hand them over to immigration. 'The card contains what is allowed and what is not allowed to be done in Bali,' he said. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, an influential senior Indonesian politician, has now stressed that Bali must focus on 'quality tourism' instead of 'mass tourism' Her mother, April Lyda, says she was a normal child until she was put on the unspecified medication The mother of the 12-year-old Oklahoma girl who stabbed her brother to death in a 'demonic' rage says she was a normal child until she went back on a medication that she'd been taken off for a year, and that had caused her to start cutting herself. The girl, who DailyMail.com is not naming, is now being treated in a children's facility in Tulsa. On January 5, she stabbed her nine-year-old brother, Zander, to death in their home in an as-yet unexplained attack. Her mother told police she stabbed him three times while he was lying in his bed, trying to sleep. Afterwards, as she was being placed into handcuffs, the girl sobbed: 'I'm so sorry, I don't know what happened. 'It's some demonic s**t'. Scroll down for video The girl, who DailyMail.com is not naming, is now being treated in a children's facility in Tulsa. On January 5, she stabbed her nine-year-old brother, Zander, to death in their home in an as-yet unexplained attack Mom April Lyda with her son, Zander, on a GoFundme appeal for the family after his 12-year-old sister was accused of stabbing him to death ''They were good kids... they were raised as God fearing children and never had behavioral issues until she was put back on a medication she was off for over a year,' the girl's mother said The case resurfaced this week with the release of harrowing bodycam footage of her arrest, and her mother, April's initial conversations with police while her son was in the hospital. He died of his injuries a short time later. In all of the footage released by Tulsa Police Department, the mother and daughter both believe the boy is still alive. In the months since the attack, April's friends have set up a fundraiser to help her move with her three-year-old son. Her 12-year-old daughter remains in a juvenile facility receiving treatment. In an update on the fundraising page - which has so far raised $10,000 - the grieving mother told this week how her daughter was a 'normal' teenage' who never even 'yelled' at her until she went back on an unspecified medication that she'd stopped taking for a year. 'They were good kids... they were raised as God fearing children and never had behavioral issues until she was put back on a medication she was off for over a year,' she said. She did not specify what type of medication the girl was taking but said, 'no it wasnt psych meds'. The stabbing took place at the family home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in January The edited video begins with the girl running downstairs as she yells, 'I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry' Zander Lyda who was stabbed to death in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on January 5 this year MOM'S FULL STATEMENT SIX MONTHS AFTER SON'S STABBING DEATH BY HER DAUGHTER I just want to thank you all for the donations, they couldnt have come at a better moment, I seen the YouTube video, I dont think its legal or appropriate for them to post that, so hopefully it will be taken down, I try not to let the ignorant comments and all the theories get to me, yes my kids have different fathers, but they were good kids and I never let that prevent me from providing for them in every way including emotionally, mentally, financially. They were raised as God-fearing children & never had behavioral issues until she was put back on a medication she was off for over a year - no it wasnt psych meds - and I cant get into details because Im not sure what all Im allowed to share just yet. Just know my kids loved each other and always got along until the very end there. They were fighting a lot more than usual but they never physically hurt each other on purpose, that just wasnt who they were. She has never even yelled at me - she was happy and energetic, loves school, she is not mentally ill & has not been diagnosed with anything. She has been very well behaved the entire 6 months she has been gone and yes Im very supportive of her and love her very much. Obviously there is a lot of healing that we both need before we can ever live together again and she needs mental & emotional help after this. She could have permanent, damage we dont know yet, but she has not had any issues. I want to clarify something, my daughter was not a cutter! She had old cuts from two months prior from when she was first put back on her meds and everyone agreed to take her off immediately and so I did. Unfortunately it was too late the damage was done. The new cuts were from that night she attacked my precious son. She has a very amazing team of experts that spend almost everyday with her for hours sometimes. They have been around her this entire six months, they know her pretty well, they also feel like she is telling the truth, and I believe the experts when it comes to this. She is going to treatment, for how long we do not know yet. Another thing is my son was not asleep. I know its a minor rumor but he was awake because he didnt have school the next day, he was switching from public to homeschool through a homeschooling program here in my state, we used them before and he had just met his teacher a few days prior but we were waiting for his Chromebook before he could start. Anyway I did not find out that he was awake until our interview. I was confused and shocked, I thought someone broke into my home and hurt my kids and I thought my daughter ran away for safety. I did not ever think or imagine that one of my kids would do such a thing. She was as normal as your child. As any 12 year old child who was not allowed to cuss or watch scary evil movies, she was just starting to rebel but she was also just going through normal teenage things, so no there were no signs that would have warned any of us that she was a threat. I feel very guilty I couldnt protect my son. I have promised my children a million times that I would never let anything like this happen to them I would never allow anyone to hurt them and they have nothing to be afraid of at home because its our safe place, you know all the normal things parents say to their kids, I felt like I failed him and her both. I know its not my fault and people can be so cruel and evil especially right now. Anyway with all that said, dont believe everything you see or hear on the internet or from strangers that have never met me or my family. I still have my rights, if I was negligent in anyway I doubt I would still have rights over both my surviving children. Again, thank you so much for the donations, I have to move and I honestly was struggling to pay for it. So I greatly appreciate the donations, and the prayers and kind words. I know I will be reunited with my son again and thats what keeps me going, that and my two surviving children. This was a horrible tragedy that was completely unseen and unimaginable to any parent in any circumstance. God bless you all. And may youre kindness be return 10 fold.' MARCH 18 There isn't much to update on, but my daughter is going to be getting a mental evaluation done soon than we can decide the best treatment plan. Its looking like the medication definitely played a huge part in all this and that makes me so sick because I put her her back on it after taking her off for about 1-1/2 year after her being on it for so long, all the side effects makes sense now although at the time we didnt know that they were side effects, she was treated as if they were separate issues. Its just all very aggravating and heartbreaking. I try to keep my mind busy but if its not, then Im crying and having a panic attack. When I see things of his laying around the house the memories start rolling in. Its so hard to be without my children. Its so hard to know that she did this to him, my poor son. Im trying hard to stay focused and fight for justice for both of them especially my son. He was the light to my whole world and its so dark with out him. I miss goofing off with him, coming up with jokes to tell each other, singing or gaming with him, I just dont know how Im supposed to keep going after such a horrible thing. You would think people that experience something like this would get a pass but they dont, you are forced to continue with life so your other children are not alone in this dark world. Pray for your kids every day and pray over them every day, teach them to pray. It didnt do us much good but I know Satan kills, lies and destroys not God. I just wish he would have helped those doctors save him, he could have lived. He should have lived. His last birthday he will have. #forever9 - April Lyda Advertisement Since killing her brother in January, the girl has been receiving treatment in a center where her mother says she seems to be improving. 'She has been very well behaved the entire 6 months she has been gone. 'Im very supportive of her and love her very much. Obviously there is a lot of healing that we both need before we can ever live together again and she needs mental and emotional help after this, she could have permanent damage we dont know yet...' she said. When she was taken into custody, the girl had cuts on her arms which she told police were self-inflicted. The girl's mother said this week she never self-harmed until she went back on the medication. 'My daughter was not a cutter. 'She had old cuts from two months prior from when she was first put back on her meds and everyone agreed to take her off immediately and so I did and unfortunately it was too late the damage was done.' April with her ex-husband, Zander's father Levi, and the girl when she was a child. They're shown in 2013, after Zander's birth She added that when she first entered the room where her daughter stabbed Zander, she thought an intruder was to blame. 'I was confused and shocked, I thought someone broke into my Home and hurt my kids and I thought my daughter ran away for safety. 'I did not ever think or imagine that one of my kids would do such a thing. 'She was as normal as your child, as any 12-year-old.' It remains unclear what will come of the child if and when she completes her treatment program. The disturbing bodycam footage is 25 minutes long and shows the moment the girl, screaming and running out of the house, is met with police officers. It begins with the girl running out of the family home, screaming 'I'm so sorry mama! I don't know what happened!' She continued to apologize, choking on tears while sitting with her legs crossed on the grass outside the family home. 'I really didn't want this to happen like this, this sucks. I'm probably going to go to jail and live the rest of my life in prison,' she sobbed while helping police retrieve the knife she threw out of her bedroom window after carrying out the attack. Her mother, upon realizing it was her daughter who'd committed the violent attack, is stunned. Pictured: The Family Center for Juvenile Justice in Tulsa, where the 12-year-old girl was being held after the fatal stabbing in January 'You used a knife?! You stabbed him in the chest!? I don't know what happened but I have to go with your brother and make sure he's OK,' she tells her. An ambulance leaves the home with Zander and his mother, leaving the girl at the scene with police. The footage then shows conversations between the girl and a supervising police officer. She cries, wails, and prays - begging in a whisper 'God, help me' - while sat in the back of the police car. At points, she is more upbeat. 'Are these handcuffs necessary? I'm a good child,' she asks at one point. Fixated on the idea of prison, she tells the officer she is convinced she has 'ruined' her life. He consoled her compassionately before taking her to the police station at 03.52am. Upon their arrival, he told another officer that the girl had been asleep in the back of the car. At the hospital, her mother April was desperately searching for answers. 'My 12 year old daughter, I dont understand why she would do something like that, shes 12.' She described how she had been upstairs in the home when she heard the boy screaming. 'He was in bed, he was downstairs trying to sleep. I dont know why she even went down there, I dont understand any of it all I know is I heard him screaming the worst scream ever. I thought maybe he was having a nightmare so I tried waking him up and theres blood everywhere and he said she stabbed me, she stabbed me. 'I was like who?! And then he started going in and out of consciousness.' Police then asked for a search warrant for the home to assist their investigation. 'We need a search waver for the apartment. You dont have to authorize but it would really aid our investigation,' he said. April shot back: 'We know what happened. My daughter says she got a knife and stabbed him three times.' Their interview ended when Zander's father, Levi Layda, and grandmother, arrived at the scene. The cop walked out of the hospital family room and started speaking with a nurse outside. 'She was upstairs, he was downstairs asleep and she just heard screaming, she came down, she thought he was having a nightmare until she saw the blood.' The nurse, horrified, replied: 'You wonder whats going on in a 12-year-olds mind.' Border officers seized three tons worth of meth hidden in a shipment of kale near to the US-Mexico border - making it among the largest meth busts in US history. At around midday on May 27, officers in Southern California stopped a 34-year-old man driving a tractor-trailer with a consignment that was declared to be kale. The truck's load was flagged for inspection and officers subsequently found bundles of the drug packed among the vegetables. The officers, assigned to the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility near Tijuana, found 268 separate packages within the shipment - weighing a total of 5,788 pounds, or around 93,000 ounces. Border officers seized nearly three tons worth of meth in a shipment of kale near to the US-Mexico border in Southern California on May 27 Some 268 separate packages were seized from a tractor trailer and weighed around 5,800 pounds, or 92,800 ounces An eight of an ounce, or an 'eight-ball', can sell on the street for something in the region of $50, according to a Sacramento County police report, so the seized goods had a street value of around $38 million. 'The collaborative effort of our CBP officers to achieve a common goal is remarkably inspiring,' said Rosa Hernandez, Port Director for the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility, in a press release. 'Our officers exemplify this every day as they dedicate themselves to protecting and serving their communities with unwavering commitment and outstanding work.' The driver was arrested for attempting to smuggle narcotics and turned over to Homeland Security for further investigation. CBP officers also seized the tractor, trailer and drugs. The name of the driver was not released by federal officials. This enormous seizure is among the largest in US history. In August 2021 federal authorities made what they said at the time was likely the largest bust when they found 5,528 pounds, similarly in a semitrailer and also in in Otay Mesa. To put the seizure into perspective, the DEA says it seized a total of nearly 131,000 pounds of meth across the country throughout 2022. Much of the meth that enters the US is manufactured in clandestine labs in Mexico. In February, Mexican soldiers discovered an indoor meth lab in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa. Last year in the same region homeland security agents discovered a tunnel (pictured) that stretched from a home in the Mexican border city of Tijuana to a California warehouse The entrance to a tunnel found under a warehouse in Otay Mesa, California, that connected with a home in Tijuana, Mexico and was used to smuggle drugs into the US The US-Mexico border is often exploited for the smuggling of drugs. Last year homeland security agents discovered a tunnel that stretched from a home in the Mexican border city of Tijuana to a California warehouse. The underground passageway was around 1,774 long and 61 feet deep, with a four-foot diameter. It had a rail track, walls supported by metal beams, electricity, and a ventilation system. It was located about 300 feet north of the United States-Mexico border wall in Otay Mesa, where the officers discovered the meth among the kale. Suspected Chinese spies disguised as tourists have made multiple attempts to infiltrate US military bases in Alaska, according to US officials. The attempted breaches may be probes into US military activities in the state, soldiers familiar with the matter told USA Today. On one recent occasion, a vehicle carrying Chinese citizens blew past a security checkpoint at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks. The vehicle was stopped and the occupants claimed to be tourists but a search of their car revealed a drone. Most of the details of suspected Chinese spying incidents in Alaska remain classified and Kathleen Hicks, the Pentagon's No. 2 official, refused to comment on the matter, except to say the military is taking a number of steps to ensure bases are secure. A vehicle carrying Chinese citizens blew through a checkpoint at Fort Wainwright base Alaska has three major military bases, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks During a recent visit to Alaska Hicks told reporters 'We take the safety and security of our people in our installations very seriously.' 'We always live with the possibility of intrusion on our installations, and so we work very hard to make sure, working alongside state and local authorities and others, that those bases and installations are protected from threats. 'We take a lot of measures to do that. And we're going to make sure we can continue to protect our installation so our folks can perform their missions.' Two officials told USA Today that security at some military bases has indeed been beefed up in response to the threat. Iris Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Arctic and Global Resiliences, told a September news conference that Chinese leaders have 'been trying to insert themselves into the Arctic.' 'So, we're being very mindful about their activity and in wanting to ensure that our interests are protected in the region,' he added. Sen. Dan Sullivan called the reported spying incidents in Alaska a 'wake-up call.' 'Whether its a Chinese spy balloon, Russian Bear Bombers, or this new reporting of suspected Chinese spies in Alaska, this is another wake-up call that we are in a new era of authoritarian aggression led by dictators in China and Russia,' Sullivan said in a statement. Two officials claimed that security at some military bases has indeed been beefed up Alaska's largely empty terrain provides the military with the space and cover to perform major training exercises There are currently around 12,000 soldiers and 10,000 active-duty Air Force personnel stationed in Alaska Adding: 'Its also another example of just how important Alaska is for Americas national defense. In my oversight role, I am pressing for more details on these alleged security breaches and will continue to work with the Defense Department to ensure our installations in Alaska remain secure.' Cases of spying are taken over by the Department of Justice and the FBI, which estimate that a new investigation on Chinese-sponsored espionage is opened every 12 hours. The FBI Christopher Wray Director has regularly warned about the threat from Chinese spying, but blames Communist leaders rather than the country's citizens. 'There is no doubt that the greatest long-term threat to our nations ideas, our economic security and our national security is that posed by the Chinese communist government,' Wray said in a speech in April. The Chinese government may be interested in Alaska given some of the Pentagon's most sophisticated military capabilities reside there. Alaska's vast wilderness attracts tourists who come from all over the world to view the Northern Lights. In addition the state's largely empty terrain provides the military with the space and cover to perform major training exercises. Every year the US hosts the Northern Edge war game in the state which allows thousands of troops and more than 150 warplanes from the US, United Kingdom and Australia to train against military adversaries such as Russia and China. Alaska has three major military bases, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, and Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, as well as several other smaller facilities. There are currently around 12,000 soldiers and 10,000 active-duty Air Force personnel stationed in Alaska. Tensions have been rising between the US and China, and the Chinese spy balloon that flew over the US earlier this year caused a diplomatic rupture. The balloon entered US airspace on 28 January and was shot down on 4 February after passing over US nuclear missile sites, including the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. The balloon, which Beijing previously denied was a government spy vessel, launched from southern China in late January. It then drifted east and entered US airspace over Alaska on 28 January and was tracked as it flew over Malmstrom Air Force base in Montana, where nuclear assets are stored. President Joe Biden was briefed two days later and elected to shoot it down over the Atlantic on 4 February, a week after it entered the US. Just last week, tensions came to the fore again when a Chinese fighter jet flew in front of a US Air Force plane, forcing it to encounter turbulence, according to the Pentagon's Indo-Pacific Command. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Texas bishop who accused the Mother Superior of a convent of committing adultery with a priest has gained key backing from the Vatican, after she filed a $1 million lawsuit challenging his authority. In a decree on Wednesday, the Vatican granted Forth Worth Bishop Michael Olson 'full governing powers' over the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, a small religious order that runs a monastery in Arlington. Last month, the nuns' leader, Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach, filed a lawsuit accusing Olson of overstepping his authority by storming into the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity, 'interrogating' the nuns, and confiscating phones and other devices they use to run the convent. In response, Olson issued a public statement saying his actions were part of an 'ecclesiastical investigation' into allegations that Gerlach had 'committed sins against the Sixth Commandment and violated her vow of chastity with a priest.' The nuns had contested Olson's authority over them, saying that as a Catholic religious order they answer directly to Pope Francis -- but the new Vatican decree naming Olson as 'Pontifical Commissary' deals a blow to that position. In a decree on Wednesday, the Vatican granted Forth Worth Bishop Michael Olson 'full governing powers' over the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, a small religious order in Arlington Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach filed a lawsuit accusing Olson of overstepping his authority by storming into the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity and 'interrogating' the nuns 'As Pontifical Commissary, Bishop Olson is the Pope's representative in this matter,' the Diocese of Fort Worth said in a statement. The statement also repeated the claim that Gerlach has admitted to sinning against the Sixth Commandment and violating her vow of chastity, an allegation she strenuously denies. 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. The attorney representing the nuns in their civil suit told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that the Vatican's new decree 'has no authority whatsoever over the law in the state of Texas, nor regarding the civil lawsuit filed by the sisters'. 'The unjust, illegal and immoral actions taken by Bishop Michael Olson in this matter have been explicitly outlined in the past few weeks, and the decree issued by the Catholic Church from Vatican City changes none of the facts of the case,' said attorney Michael Bobo in a statement. 'We will continue to press on representing the sisters according to the law of the state of Texas, for which Bishop Michael Olson is subject to,' added Bobo. Wednesday's decree was issued by the Catholic Church's Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which oversees religious orders, including monastics such as monks and nuns. The decree grants Olson authority to appoint nuns to key authority roles in the Arlington monastery, and also retroactively approves 'all the administrative and legal acts' he has already carried out in the matter. Wednesday's decree was issued by the Catholic Church's Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which oversees religious orders The new Vatican decree naming Olson as 'Pontifical Commissary' means that he can now act as the representative of Pope Francis (seen above) in dealing with the nuns Bobo argued that the decree included a number of 'grave errors', including using the wrong canon case number and year in the header, and the incorrect name for the Arlington monastery. At the heart of the dispute lies the allegation that Gerlach violated her vow of chastity with a priest, although the specific details of that claim remain shrouded in mystery. Gerlach, 45, has severe health issues that require a full-time caregiver, feeding tube, and IV drip for 10 hours a day, as well as confining her to a wheelchair, her attorney has said. She has lived a cloistered religious life in the all-female monastery for 25 years, under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The Diocese of Fort Worth has repeatedly claimed, including in a public statement on Wednesday, that Gerlach admitted to violating her vow of chastity. But Bobo has slammed that assertion as false, saying that the Mother Superior never admitted to such a violation, and that she is not even aware of the specific nature of the allegation she faces. '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,' Bobo told DailyMail.com last week. In a report on the case, Catholic news outlet The Pillar shed some light on the mystery, citing sources who said the allegation against Gerlach may stem from vague statements she made in December 2022, while she was heavily medicated following a hospital procedure. A person close to the matter told the outlet that while Gerlach was 'in-and-out of lucidity,' she made tearful, incoherent remarks to the nun who serves as her caregiver and the diocesan vicar general, saying she had committed some sin against the Sixth Commandment. 'She was crying and upset, but she didn't give any details about any of this, and we didn't really know what she was talking about,' the person said. 'And sometimes she said that it was a violation against chastity which she committed on the phone. So it didn't make a whole lot of sense,' the source added. The person noted that since Gerlach requires a round-the-clock caregiver for her medical issues, 'the notion that she committed some secret sexual sin with a priest even on the phone doesnt stand up to scrutiny.' 'It is much more likely that this whole thing was a hallucination,' the person said. 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 Mother Superior made the extraordinary allegations in a sworn affidavit earlier this month The diocese has not responded to DailyMail.com's request for more information about the specific nature of the sexual misconduct allegation against Gerlach. No information has emerged about the priest involved in the alleged sexual sin, other than a diocese statement saying that he was from outside of the Diocese of Fort Worth, and that his superiors had been notified. According to the lawsuit filed by the nuns, Olson barged into the monastery in April to investigate Gerlach's alleged sinful admissions. 'I was stunned when Bishop Olson for all intents and purposes forced himself onto our peaceful community,' said Gerlach in a sworn affidavit. 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. Since the controversy erupted, Olson's priest have visited the convent to celebrate Mass only on Sunday, and have not heard confession from the nuns, according to Bobo. In a May 26 letter, Olson rejected a request from the sisters to resume daily communion, a tradition the monastery had observed since it was founded in the 1950s. 'At the present moment, daily Mass and Confessions cannot be conveniently provided for the members of Monastery; nor can the courtesy of participation at Mass at the Monastery be extended to the lay faithful,' Olson said in the letter to Sister Francis Therese, who is Gerlach's second in command. 'This is because you and Mother Teresa Agnes (Gerlach) of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D., have lodged a civil lawsuit, together with a request for a protection order, against me and the Diocese of Fort Worth, containing a false narrative relative to the pending investigation,' said Olson. The bishop added the situation 'has led to local, national, and international media coverage and has incited hatred and animosity against me because of my initiation of the investigation and has hindered the freedom of my ecclesiastical power to conduct that investigation.' The diocese alleged that Gerlach admitted to breaching her vow of chastity, and asked for the court to dismiss the nuns' suit, arguing it lacked jurisdiction 'As Pontifical Commissary, Bishop Olson (above) is the Pope's representative in this matter,' the Diocese of Fort Worth said in a statement 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. According to the nuns' 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 were unable to pay bills or operate financially. Bobo told DailyMail.com last week 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. Bobo also noted that the monastery's roughly 72-acre 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.' School hours should be extended to 6pm because the traditional 9am to 3pm classroom times are a 'relic of a sexist, bygone era', according to a fresh-faced Liberal MP. Jordan Lane, 28, who became MP for Ryde with just a 54-vote margin in the New South Wales election in March, used his maiden speech on Thursday to blast the current classroom hours and call for kids to be kept within the school gates until 6pm. 'The great travesty of public policy would be if the education system of the 2050s looks as it did when it was established in the 1950s,' he said. 'It is a relic of a sexist, bygone era where society assumed women stayed at home and were responsible for the school pick-up.' MP for Ryde Jordan Lane (pictured with his wife Natalie) has called for classroom hours to be extended until 6pm, branding the current set-up a 'relic of a sexist, bygone era' Mr Lane, who was formerly the youngest mayor in NSW, called for the day to be extended until the evening to 'be more accommodating of modern employment'. 'Local schools should become hubs for after-school activity where the government guarantees that a child can remain on school campuses until 6pm,' he said. 'It affords parents flexibility while at the same time making school a place for extra curricular excellence.' Mr Lane said schoolchildren could use the extra year in school such a measure would entail to have a 'more rounded experience' doing classes on things like coding, art, music, language, sport and theatre. Former Premier Dominic Perrottet floated the idea of shifting school hours and ordered a trial of a longer day in 14 schools. Mr Lane, who is a keen cyclist, said the measures would bring many benefits. Mr Lane, pictured with former NSW Premier Dominic Perrotet, was formerly the youngest mayor in NSW The fresh-faced MP won his seat in the March election by an extremely tight margin of just 54 votes '...greater flexibility for parents, a productivity and employment boost to the state, financial release from the high cost of child care and an injection of hope for potential but reluctant parents who like me struggle to rationalise how to afford - in terms of both time and money - children, a home and equal employability between partners,' he said. Mr Lane was partly echoing comments made by the former Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, last year. 'The reality is that the traditional school day, like the 9 to 5 workday, is a 20th-century concept which may not be the best model for 21st-century families, schools and the community,' she said. However, Ms Mitchell went on to say that it was not 'necessarily about changing existing class times'. Some social media users were critical of Mr Lane's bold plans. 'School hours are about children being able to learn and still have time to be children and relax,' wrote one. 'Children aren't here to cater to our needs.' Did YOU see the drunk man attack the woman? Families enjoying an outdoor Billy Ocean concert at the Royals' country estate of Sandringham were horrified to see a drunken man violently attacking a woman as the crowds dispersed. Witnesses claimed security staff were 'nowhere to be seen' as the man and the drunken group became more rowdy as the evening wore on, with loud arguments. 'You could see it was likely that something would happen with heavy drinking, straight from vodka bottles and a lot or argy-bargy, but no sign of the security teams, never mind any intervention,' said an eye-witness, a 40-year-old housewife from London, who asked not to be named. But around 11pm, as the music came to an end at the 44-a-head gig at the King's Norfolk estate on Saturday night, one young thug in his 20s began attacking an older woman, said the witness, who she believed to be his mother or mother-in-law. 'My family and many others (including young children) witnessed this assault and it was absolutely harrowing,' she said. The attack happened at the King's Norfolk estate (pictured) on Saturday night, when a young thug in his 20s began attacking an older woman 'I think it is especially bad as Queen Camilla is well-known for her support for domestic violence charities. 'When the man punched the woman, she fell straight to the ground, but he got down and continued hitting her it was a sickening scene with young children watching at a family event. I ran off to try and summon help but I couldn't find any security personnel so I asked a woman selling merchandise to radio for help. 'In the meantime, another man, not part of the group, stepped in and pulled the attacker off his victim, but the man turned on him and punched him, then returned to his female victim. 'It was utterly horrific, and it looked like a case of domestic violence to me as they obviously knew each other, but this man felt comfortable enough to carry out a brutal and sustained assault in front of hundreds of people.' When security staff did turn up, several concert-goers told them what had happened and urged them to call the police. 'But they didn't seem at all keen and I got the impression they wanted to brush it under the carpet,' said the eye-witness. She added: 'When they finally arrived - from somewhere at the back of the venue as far as I could tell - they actually laughed at the man who had tried to intervene, and got aggressive in my face when I asked them to call the police. It was extremely shocking. Families enjoying an outdoor Billy Ocean (pictured) concert at the Royals' country estate of Sandringham were horrified to see the drunken attack 'One of them turned round and shouted at me: ''Are you the victim?'' 'I couldn't believe how unprofessional they were. The whole event was badly managed in terms of security.' The witness took note of the registration of one of the vehicles containing the drunken group and passed it to Norfolk Police later. Colin Ward, managing director of the concert promoters, Live Promotions Events Ltd, told another concert-goer who complained about the security: 'It's a pity that such an incident occurred after such a wonderful concert. 'Please be assured that we take crowd safety very seriously indeed. Our security suppliers are on hand at all times, and likewise in radio contact with us, at ALL times 'In addition to this the concert has CCTV focused on the crowd throughout the evening to monitor any potential disturbance.' Mr Ward, boss of the firm based in Spalding, Lincs, added: 'At the end of a concert it is common practice to allow the crowd to disperse at their own pace but during this time the crowd is still monitored, and security guards are on the perimeter watching. A spokesperson for Norfolk Police confirmed they were investigating a report of assault at the concert 'As soon as this incident was reported, I personally called in the security and directed them promptly to the incident, I also attended personally and logged what had happened. 'Sadly with so many people in attendance it's sad but true that such unfortunate incidents can occur, but please be assured that we do indeed have the very best security on site at all times for everyone's safety.' A spokesperson for Norfolk Police confirmed they were investigating a report of assault at the concert. They added: 'The incident occurred on 27 May 2023 at around 11pm, following a music event at the Sandringham estate, where a man assaulted a woman. Enquiries are currently ongoing.' Security contractor Crowdsafe UK, based in Peterborough, and Live Promotions were contacted by MailOnline for comment. A spokesperson for the Sandringham Estate said they wouldn't comment on a police matter. Advertisement Madeleine McCann, a three-year-old from Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007. Sixteen years later, global police efforts continue to uncover clues around her sudden and unexplained disappearance. Authorities searched the remote Barragem do Arade reservoir in May, some 30 miles from where Madeleine was taken, as investigations ramp up into the possible role of sole remaining suspect Christian Brueckner. Madeleine's parents have waited nearly two decades for information that could bring them closer to understanding how their toddler vanished from the resort in 2007. As prosecutors try to connect Madeleine's disappearance to the reservoir Bruckner once frequented 30 miles away, MailOnline recaps the events around her disappearance. Madeleine McCann (left), who went missing in 2007, and Christian Brueckner (right), the sole suspect in the case The apartment where the three-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 while on holiday with her parents This photograph taken on May 25, 2023 shows a general view of the Arade dam, on the third day of new search operations amid the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance Where did Madeleine go missing? Madeleine McCann was staying with her family at a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal when she disappeared in May 2007. Praia da Luz is a small village in the Algarve home to a tiny population of around 1,000, popular with British holidaymakers. The village, just outside of Lagos, is a 40 minute drive via the A22 from the Arade dam near Sao Bartolomeu de Messines, in the municipality of Silves, where investigators are again now searching for clues linked to her disappearance. Parents Kate and Gerry McCann had taken Madeleine and her two-year-old twin siblings on a seven-night spring break with a group of friends on Portugal's south coast. At the Ocean Club resort, they were joined by seven of their adult friends and five children. The resort had amenities including a Tapas bar, about 165ft from the family's apartment, where the adults chose to dine out on May 3, the evening Madeleine disappeared. The apartment block was on one side of the complex, the bar on the other, with a pool and a short walk separating the two. The twins were left together in a travel cot, with Madeleine - a year older -put in her own bed in the same room. Once asleep, the McCanns joined the 'Tapas Seven' for a meal, as they had done most evenings, and agreed on a rotation for parents to check in on the eight children every half-hour. Police are aiming to build up a picture of sole suspect Christian Brueckner's life on the Algarve and the places he frequented as they search the Barragem reservoir in Silves, Portugal A man walks next to the apartment where three-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007, in Praia da Luz, Portugal, June 5, 2020 When did Madeleine go missing? READ MORE: The big breaks in the Madeleine McCann case that have led us no closer to finding her Advertisement It was the penultimate day of the holiday when Madeleine went missing. After a day of activities, Kate and Gerry McCann put their three children to bed at around 7pm. Madeleine fell asleep in pink pyjamas and the parents relaxed with a bottle of wine. At around 8:30pm, the McCanns joined their friends for a meal at the Tapas bar nearby. Staff had made a note to book the same table for the group, arriving at the same time each evening, for the last four nights of the trip. At dinner, the family arranged a rotation for parents to check up on the children. Gerry McCann checked on Madeleine and her siblings at 9pm and found nothing amiss. But at 9:30pm, one of the friends found the room disturbed, a door left open. He checked in on the children and saw that the two twins were in their cot. He did not look in Madeleine's bed. When Kate McCann went to check up on the children at 10pm, she found Madeleine had disappeared. 'Madeleine's gone! Someone's taken her!' she was reported to have said, running back to the restaurant. Around the same time, a man was seen carrying a child matching Madeleine's description. Madeleine McCann vanished from the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, prompting searches of the region The McCanns joined friends for dinner at the resort, close to the room, on May 3 after a day of activities with the children Two e-fit images of the same man seen in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine disappeared were released by the Met Police in 2013 What happened next? Immediately after the disappearance, police were called to the resort in Praia da Luz. Friends and resort staff joined in a wide search of the area. Investigators looked into claims a friend of the family, James Tanner, had seen a man carrying a sleeping child in pink pyjamas away from the apartment block at around 9:10pm on May 3, but the evidence was later discounted. Police said the man seen with the child was another holidaymaker with their own child. Days turned into months and hundreds of police officers were called in to support the search. Possible sightings were reported. Seven months after her disappearance, a lorry driver told investigators he had seen a woman handing a man a child near Silves, a slightly quieter town due northeast of Praia da Luz. Silves is almost the midway point between Praia da Luz in the southwest corner of Portugal and the Barragem do Arade reservoir now being searched to the northeast. After returning to the UK, a huge publicity campaign led by the family, and with contributions from the likes of J.K. Rowling, led to the naming of first suspects. Astonishingly, Portuguese police named Gerry and Kate McCann as suspects in the case after four months without results. They said they found incriminating DNA evidence at the holiday apartment and in the boot of their hire car. This line of inquiry was later dropped. In July 2008, 14 months since Madeleine's disappearance, Portugal's attorney general ended the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance after they had failed to uncover any evidence. The case was handed over to private investigators working for the family until the Met issued new sketches of potential suspects in 2013. Investigators were the first to scour the reservoir now being searched in 2008 - 12 years before authorities said they were looking into a new German suspect. Again, the investigation struggled to produce definitive results until authorities said they were investigating a 43-year-old in connection to the disappearance, later named as Christian Brueckner. For more than a decade, her anguished parents Gerry and Kate (pictured together in 2017) have waited in vain for any news - any clue - that their little girl is somehow alive after all this time Detectives believe Brueckner was living out of a German campervan in the village of Praia da Luz in 2007 when Madeleine disappeared Brueckner's house in nearby Foral In 2020, authorities revealed a phonecall had located Christian Brueckner in Praia da Luz, where he lived from 1997 until 2007, around the time of Madeleine's disappearance. They traced the call and found it connected to the mast owned by the resort complex where the family had stayed. Brueckner had lived in a warehouse outside the village for several years but moved into a VW campervan just before Madeleine vanished. A Mail on Sunday investigation later found that Brueckner stayed in an old house in nearby Foral between 2007 and 2008 - after Madeleine's disappearance. The Villa Bianca, in a small village due southeast of the reservoir, is a 50-minute drive from the village where Madeleine was staying with her parents. It was rented out to a German woman called Nicole between 2002 and 2009. But a German couple who had lived in the village for more than 20 years said they immediately recognised Brueckner when he was named as the prime suspect in 2020. Lia Silva, the owner of the property, said an intimidating German man would visit the villa and visit Nicole. He reportedly parked his distinctive Volkswagen Westfalia campervan, which was subsequently seized by German police, in the carpark of a nearby restaurant. Some people were afraid of him when he used to go to the restaurant,' Ms Silva said. That year, it was revealed that a witness claimed to have spotted Madeleine getting into a German-owned VW van with a man just weeks after her disappearance. A police file detailed how a witness believed that had seen Madeleine emerging from a restaurant in the Spanish seaside town of Alcossebre in eastern Spain, before climbing into the van with an unidentified man. Praia da Luz, the village of Madeleine's disappearance, is a 40 mile journey away from Foral, Silves The Villa Bianca, a property in Foral where Brueckner stayed in 2007/8, a Mail on Sunday investigation found Authorities gather at a Judiciary Police (PJ) makeshift base camp in the Arade dam area, Faro district, during the new search operation, in Silves, Portugal, 25 May 2023 Portuguese TV journalists send in reports at the end of the three-day search for remains of Madeleine McCann at Barragem do Arade Reservoir on May 25, 2023 in Silves, Portugal Police have continued to investigate Brueckner over the years as he remains in prison on separate charges. Forensic work has now led them to Barragem, a reservoir 30 miles from the Praia da Luz apartment the suspect used as a quiet getaway. Scenes have shown police investigating the barren site surrounding a large body of water in the middle. Brueckner was understood to have called it his 'little paradise', using a small clearing in the trees as an escape after parking up his camper van nearby. He would camp by the reservoir at weekends and is understood to have set up a base there to 'cleanse himself', it has emerged. A former friend of Brueckner, who has lived on Algarve for nearly 30 years and has been helping police with their investigation, claims the criminal would visit the reservoir 'often' but was 'always secretive about it'. Police from around the world continue to investigate the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The original version of a signed letter which Winston Churchill sent to wellwishers after Britain's victory in the Second World War is set to fetch up to 160,000 at auction. The document is on paper marked with the official stamp of the Prime Minister and the address of 10 Downing Street. It was signed by Churchill in May 1945 and copies were then sent to some of the tens of thousands of people who had written letters of congratulations after Nazi Germany's defeat. He said: 'I have been deeply touched by all the messages of good will which have reached me at this time. Thank you so much for your kind thought.' An original signed letter penned by Winston Churchill to wellwishers after Britain's victory in the Second World War is set to fetch up to 160,000 at auction Churchill had risen from the relative political wilderness to enter the war cabinet and then become Prime Minister in 1940 after the resignation of Neville Chamberlain. Above: He gives the 'V for Victory' sign outside 10 Downing Street in 1943 CLICK TO READ MORE: 'Churchill's favourite spy': Incredible life and times of WWII secret agent who 'inspired 007 characters' will be brought to life in new movie Dubbed 'Churchill's favourite spy', beautiful and sexually adventurous Krystyna Skarbek (pictured) became celebrated for her daring WWII exploits throughout Nazi-occupied Europe Advertisement Churchill had risen from the relative political wilderness to enter the war cabinet and then become Prime Minister in 1940 after the resignation of Neville Chamberlain. His rousing speeches throughout the five-year conflict against Adolf Hitler helped to maintain British morale, especially when the country 'stood alone' before the United States entered the war in 1942. The statesman has been praised by many historians for refusing to do a peace deal with Hitler when one was offered in 1940. His May 1945 letter, sent just two months before the PM was turfed out of office after Labour's landslide victory in that year's General Election, is being sold via US firm The Raab Collection and valued at $200,000. Churchill received tens of thousands of letters from ordinary Britons throughout the war and often wrote a single reply - signed in pen - which was then copied as many times as necessary. Also offered for sale is a photograph bearing the signatures of Churchill and wartime US President Franklin Roosevelt, along with his wife Eleanor. The photo shows British steel worker and future MP John H Jones with his family. Jones was part of a delegation of four British workers who were welcomed to New York in 1943 as part of an initiative which saw four Americans come to Britain. Jones and his fellow workers toured the US's war factories and met their American counterparts. As the signatures testify, he also met the British PM and Roosevelt and his wife during the trip. The photograph is valued at $100,000 (80,000). Also offered for sale is a photograph bearing the signatures of Churchill and wartime US President Franklin Roosevelt, along with his wife Eleanor. The photo shows British steel worker and future MP John H Jones with his family. Jones was part of a delegation of four British workers who were welcomed to New York in 1943 as part of an initiative which saw four Americans come to Britain A Daily Mail news report of the 1943 visit reveals how Jones shocked US reporters at a press conference when he told them that Britain had 'stood alone' before the American entry into the war A Daily Mail news report of the 1943 visit reveals how Jones shocked US reporters at a press conference when he told them that Britain had 'stood alone' before the American entry into the war. He told them: 'Ours is a small island compared with this big continent, but we think it is big. We are just ordinary, decent people, working hard to stop the common enemy. 'We don't want anything out of society but the right of all free men to live the way they want to. 'We are thankful to America for the help that she has given us, but when the history of this war comes to be written long after you and I have passed on, it must record that Britain stood alone as a bulwark for the world against Fascism.' Among Churchill's most famous speeches was the one given on May 13, 1940 in what was his first address to the House of Commons as PM. He warned the country: 'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.' The following month, after the successful evacuation of more than 300,000 Allied troops from Dunkirk, Churchill again addressed the Commons. His most famous words came in the final line, in which he vowed the country would 'fight on the beaches' and 'never surrender' if invaded. An anti-vaxx conspiracy theorist has been found guilty of plotting to destroy 5G masts after claiming they were linked to the Covid-19 vaccine - as her neo-Nazi, crossbow-wielding partner in crime was found guilty on eight terror charges. Christine Grayson discussed 'getting rid' of the mobile phone masts with expanding foam and angle grinders during regular discussions online, a court heard. The 59-year-old was found guilty of conspiracy to commit criminal damage by a jury at Leeds Crown Court. Her co-defendant Darren Reynolds, 60, was cleared of the same charge but convicted of eight terrorist offences. Jurors found him guilty of encouraging terrorism with online comments including calling for MPs to be killed. Christine Grayson discussed 'getting rid' of the mobile phone masts with expanding foam and angle grinders, Leeds Crown Court heard Co-defendant Darren Reynolds, 60, was convicted of eight terrorism offences Reynolds was also convicted of disseminating a terrorist publication by sharing a link to the neo-Nazi White Alexandria's Library. He was found guilty of six offences of possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing an act of terrorism, including a manual on how to build a .50 Browning calibre single shot rifle, and a document called How To Become An Assassin. Opening the case to jurors in April, prosecutor Tom Storey said the defendants knew each other through the social media platform Telegram, which both were regular users of between 2020 and 2022. They subscribed to an antiauthoritarian ideology which involved conspiracy theories, jurors heard. Reynolds discussed armed uprisings and advocated violence towards people he called 'traitors', as well as posting extreme right-wing, anti-Semitic and racist views, Mr Storey said. When police searched their addresses they found a crossbow and a number of crossbow bolts at Grayson's home, while at Reynolds' they discovered two replica assault rifles. The police also found copies of documents about how to use assault rifles or manufacture explosive devices on some of Reynolds' electronic devices. The court heard both defendants were strongly opposed to the rollout of the 5G network, and regarded 5G masts as pieces of 'enemy infrastructure'. Grayson said she needed a 'sabotage team' to 'get rid of these 5G b****y near me' in a Telegram exchange on August 7 2021. Counter Terrorism police officers discovered this crossbow and bolts at Grayson's home Officers also discovered a cache of ammunition for the crossbow which remained untouched Police officers found two replica assault rifles at Reynolds' address in Sheffield Reynolds, whose replica weapon is pictured here, openly discussed the use of violence against people he labelled 'traitors', particularly Members of Parliament Jurors were told Reynolds openly discussed the use of violence against people he labelled 'traitors', particularly Members of Parliament. On June 29 2021 he posted: 'Storm parliament and the Lords, drag them ALL outside and hang them ALL on the spot for treason, sedition insurgency, attempted genocide and crimes against the peoples of Great Britain,' the court heard. Reynolds also described murdered MP Sir David Amess as a 'traitor' and reacted with approval to another user's view that Thomas Mair had 'rightly executed the murdered MP Jo Cox because of her alleged treason'. The court heard that in one police interview, Reynolds asked officers: 'Do I look like a terrorist to you?' He then said that terrorists were 'usually Arabs, or Irish from the 70s'. Grayson, of York, was convicted of one offence of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and cleared of one charge of encouraging terrorism. Reynolds, of Sheffield, was found guilty of one count of encouraging terrorism, one of disseminating a terrorist publication and six of possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing an act of terrorism. He was cleared of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and two counts of disseminating a terrorist publication. Judge Guy Kearl KC remanded both into custody to be sentenced at the same court on June 5. A $13.5 million taxpayer-funded research grant is stirring up questions from a top Republican who says it is 'alarming' that such a massive amount of money is being funneled from the Pentagon into a U.S. university with strong ties to China. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mike Gallagher says he has major security concerns regarding a five-year grant by Department of Defense to Alfred University in 2022 to conduct hypersonic weapons research. Gallagher sent letters obtained by DailyMail.com to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Alfred University President Mark Zupan Wednesday evening demanding more information. Alfred University hosts a Confucius Institute and partners with a Chinese university conducting similar weapons research 'on behalf of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).' House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mike Gallagher sent letters obtained by DailyMail.com to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Alfred University President Mark Zupan Gallagher states that 'to put it plainly,' the university - based in western New York - is conducting 'advanced, hypersonic weapons-related research while actively partnering with a Chinese university that performs similar research for the PLA. 'We seek additional information regarding this alarming matter and Alfred's commitment to safeguard sensitive U.S. military research,' Gallagher writes. The chairman references text in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that prohibits the Pentagon from providing money to 'institution[s] of higher education that hosts a Confucius Institute' after October 1, 2023. He points out that since Alfred University's DOD grant to 'improve the performance of ceramic materials used in weapons (i.e., cruise weapons)' goes through 2027, they will be in violation of the law come October. 'As a result of Section 1062, over one hundred U.S. universities shut down their Confucius Institutes as of June 2022. However, Alfred University continues to operate a Confucius Institute to this day,' the chairman states. Gallagher is demanding all communications between the Pentagon and the university by June 14, as well as more information regarding the establishment of Alfred's Confucius Institute. 'It is vital to U.S. national interests that sensitive military research is safeguarded from our foreign adversaries,' he says. According to its website, the Confucius Institute at Alfred University (CIAU) has a mission to 'encourage and enable people to discover the fascinating language and rich culture of China.' 'We serve as a platform for cultural exchange, as well as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between Chinese and American people,' it continues. The institute hosts numerous events throughout the year including a recent spring 2023 festival and dance competition. In 2019, the FBI found that 'foreign state adversaries seek to illicitly or illegitimately acquire U.S. academic research and information to advance their scientific, economic, and military development goals. FBI Director Chris Wray outlined the threat in a 2020 speech, saying China pays scientists at U.S. universities to 'secretly bring our knowledge and innovation back to Chinaincluding valuable, federally funded research.' Gallagher states that 'to put it plainly,' the university - based in western New York - is conducting 'advanced, hypersonic weapons-related research while actively partnering with a Chinese university that performs similar research for the PLA Gallagher writes that he has major security concerns regarding a five-year grant by Department of Defense to the university in 2022 to conduct hypersonic weapons research He says the FBI is seeing an increase in these cases, pointing to a few recent arrests of Chinese researchers at the Cleveland Clinic and at the University of Arkansas who were allegedly committing fraud by concealing their participation in Chinese talent recruitment programs while 'accepting millions of dollars in American federal grant funding.' China's infiltration into universities is just the tip of the spear. In April, two individuals were arrested for operating illegal overseas police station in lower Manhattan, at the direction of the Chinese Government. The defendants worked together to establish the 'first overseas police station in the United States' on behalf of the Fuzhou branch of the CCP. 'It is simply outrageous that China's Ministry of Public Security thinks it can get away with establishing a secret, illegal police station on U.S. soil to aid its efforts to export repression and subvert our rule of law,' Acting Assistant Director Kurt Ronnow of the FBI Counterintelligence Division said in April. DailyMail.com reached out to Alfred University for a response to the concerns outlined by Gallagher. The Pentagon spokesperson told DailyMail.com that with all congressional correspondence, DOD will respond 'as appropriate.' 'We have nothing additional to provide at this time.' Bournemouth beach was busy again today as the seaside resort mourns the tragic deaths of two children who got into trouble in the water 24 hours ago. The 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy who died yesterday were unrelated and enjoying a day out at the beach with family and friends. Eight other children were hurt in the water close to the beach and pier in Dorset packed with half-term holidaymakers and locals yesterday afternoon. As tourists and locals returned to the beach, with large numbers back in the water, Tobias Ellwood, Tory MP for Bournemouth East, said police urgently need to 'reassure' the public having refused to reveal what happened before they got into trouble. He told MailOnline: 'Bournemouth beach is one of the best and safest seaside resorts in the UK. The police have an investigation to do but they urgently need to give details of what they believe happened here'. The 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton, who were not related, died yesterday afternoon, police said. Councillor Vikki Slade, leader of Bournemouth Council, said today that their loved-ones 'came to the beach for a great day out and have gone home without a child'. A man in his 40s, who had been 'on the water' at the time of the incident, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. He remains in custody. Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said officers are investigating the 'circumstances or event' that caused a number of people to get into difficulty in the water in Bournemouth on Wednesday. But ACC Farrell refused to reveal what she believed had caused the tragedy despite asking the public not to speculate. People enjoying the warm weather at Bournemouth beach in Dorset - less than 24 hours after two children died The scene on Wednesday where a 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy died after a major incident took place in the water on Bournemouth beach The seaside resort is very busy in half term week this week People were swimming in the water around the pier today - the scene of the tragedy Dorset & Wiltshire Fire And Rescue Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole, Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell and Vikki Slade leader of Bournemouth council during a press conference. Tobias Ellwood, Tory MP for Bournemouth East, said police urgently need to 'reassure' the public She said: 'Following our initial inquiries, a man aged in his 40s who was on the water at the time, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. 'As we have a person in custody, you will know there is only limited information I can give about the investigation. 'However, to avoid further speculation, I am able to tell you that it's clear that yesterday a number of people already in the water got into difficulty and we are investigating the circumstances or event that caused that to happen. 'Early investigation indicates that there was no physical contact between a vessel and any of the swimmers at the time of the incident. I can also confirm there is no suggestion of people jumping from the pier or jet-skis being involved.' The Times reports that police are investigating the possibility that the deaths may have been caused by the wash of a vessel. A spokesman declined to comment. But Conservative MP for Bournemouth West, Conor Burns, said he understood that a 'surface vessel' was in the sea around Bournemouth Pier at the time of the 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy got into difficulty. He said: 'It would seem not a far reach to draw a conclusion that while the vessel may not have physically touched the young people perhaps it created the conditions which made being in the water more dangerous by the speed it was going'. An empty Bournemouth beach today after the tragedy yesterday. Ten were injured, two, aged 12 and 17, have died One tearful mourner laid roses on the sand this morning as Bournemouth mourned the loss of two children The town's historic pier on Thursday morning as litter pickers removed rubbish Mackenzie Creech, pictured with his father Robert, had found the girl unresponsive in the water Councillor Vikki Slade, leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said what happened in Bournemouth on Wednesday must have been a 'terrifying' experience. She said: 'Again I want to add our sincere condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with the families of the young people that were in the water. 'It must have been a really terrifying experience for everybody. 'The services worked incredibly well together. Our staff on the beach all rallied round to support the emergency services.' She said there are additional staff available for the public on the beach on Thursday and over the weekend, adding: 'The beach is busy. We are making sure that the RNLI are very visible and that our teams are available there to support people and make sure that they feel safe on the beach.' She said Bournemouth 'remains a really fantastic place to visit', adding that the incident needs to be investigated properly. 'And we are confident with our partners that any lessons that need to be learned in the future will will be learned,' she said. One of the men was pulled from the water and had to be given CPR on the beach by lifeguards before being taken away by air ambulance Mackenzie Creech, 18, was with pals on the beach at the south coast holiday spot enjoying the sunshine when they heard shouts and screams from the pier. He looked up and saw crowds pointing to someone in the water and rushed in with a pal to drag her onto the beach but sadly there was nothing they could do to save her. The girl - who has not been named - died along with a 17-year-old boy in the incident which also left eight other children injured after it is believed they were dragged out to sea by a riptide after jumping from the pier. Mackenzie told MailOnline: 'Everything happened so quickly, one minute I was enjoying the beach with some friends and then the next we heard screaming and shouting. 'We were on the other side of the pier but you could hear all this noise so we went over to see what was going on and people were pointing into the water. 'I could see a body in the water, and just rushed in and scooped her up with someone else. She was face down when I got there and not moving. 'She was in a bad way. 'She was in a swimming costume but she didn't appear to have any injuries on her. There were no cuts or bruises and I just knew it didn't look good so I carried her onto the beach. 'I put her down on the sand and by this time the emergency services had come over and they started doing CPR on her. 'People were screaming and shouting and it was all really chaotic and then someone put some towels up as a screen while the paramedics worked on her. 'I was hoping she would make it and I didn't know she had passed away until I saw it on the news. I was gutted when I heard that and it's upset me, it's so sad something like this happened.' Mackenzie, who is from Tilehurst near Reading and studying sport at college, added: 'I don't really know what happened. It was all a bit confusing. 'People were saying they had been hit by a jet ski or a boat but there were definitely no injuries on the girl. There was no blood or cuts or anything like that. 'What amazed me was the amount of people who were just filming everything on their phones when the emergency services were trying to do their work. 'As I left a policeman took my details and said thanks for doing what I did but I just did what anyone would have done.' Mackenzies father company director Robert Creech, told MailOnline: He was very quick in his actions and was just trying to help. When he told me about it, I could see he was upset and when we heard the poor girl had passed away, he was gutted. Its such a shame as all those involved are so young. 'He had just gone down to the beach with his friends for half term and then this happened but I'm proud he did what he could to help. He's a good lad.' Earlier multiple witnesses said that people had been jumping from the pier. The sand close to the pier had to be cleared so two air ambulances could land, but sadly the two schoolchildren later died in hospital. Witnesses described harrowing scenes as CPR was administered on the beach and some 'idiots' with phones were seen filming lifeguards trying to revive the two children. Since 2004, Britain's Maritime and Coastguard Agency has dealt with more than 200 incidents of tombstoning, including pier jumping, leading to at least 70 injuries and 20 deaths. Police today confirmed that no vessel is believed to have been in 'physical contact' with the children following speculation on social media they had been hit by a jet-ski or boat. But there have been claims that the tragedy may have been caused by the wash of a jet ski. MailOnline has asked Dorset Police to comment. But one local surfer said he witnessed three jetskiers 'buzzing the pier' close to the line on Tuesday, the day before the tragic incident. There has been an ongoing issue between jetskiers and water users around the area of the pier. Nicola Holton, who was at the beach with her husband, said: 'One lifeguard went to rescue two swimmers struggling but he couldn't bring them in. He spotted another person struggling and a second lifeguard went out to them but there were multiple people in trouble. 'The remaining lifeguard was trying to get everyone out of the water. The ambulance service came to the struggling person rescued by the second lifeguard. More lifeguards arrived to rescue another swimmer near the pier. My husband spotted another swimmer struggling. He ran to the lifeguards. The guard immediately went in and they picked him up on a jet ski. 'I will never ever get the image out of my head of him being brought out. They cleared the beach for the air ambulance. Then another was spotted and again brought to shore to be worked on. Absolutely horrible. 'Loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones.' Paul Moyce, 61, said he believed those involved had been jumping into the sea off the pier. He said: 'I think they went off the end of the pier and went out too far. They must have got caught by the current. I lived here for 61 years and I've never seen anything like it.' Nicola Holton, 43, and Stuart Clark, 42, were on the beach with their two children when the tragedy unfolded. They said the summertime scene turned into something from 'a horror film.' Mr Clark said: 'As we walked to the east side of the pier there was at least one but probably a few jet skiers going across the right side of the pier. 'We didn't take too much notice of them at the time. 'There were announcements throughout the afternoon telling people not to climb on the pier. After 2pm it seemed like people weren't going near it. 'The next announcement we got was at 4pm about a dangerous riptide in the water and it wasn't soon after that we saw a couple of swimmers in trouble out to sea. 'It got really chaotic when they brought a young man back to shore on a lifeguard jet ski. It was obvious he wasn't alive. That's when people started gathering around and the lifeguards were trying to clear the beach at the same time as helping the others in the water. 'We saw the young girl get brought out too and there were no obvious injuries on her either. I just wanted to get my family off the beach with our belongings.' Miss Holton said: 'It was like a scene from a horror film. After an afternoon of lovely weather and the odd announcement to tell kids to stop climbing on the pier it looked like it had all settled down. 'When we first spotted the swimmers in distress they were far out to the east side of the pier. 'A lifeguard ran into the water with a surfboard and it seemed to take ages for him to get to them. There was an announcement to get out of the water and then the lifeguards started bringing people back to shore. 'A few were taken to the lifeguard tent and then we saw the young man and girl brought out. We were packing up our things to leave as quickly as we could. It was just awful. 'There were loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones.' The first person to reach the girl who died was an 18-year-old boy. His father, Rob Creech, said today: 'My son was on the other side of the pier swimming with a few friends. 'All of a sudden there were a lot of people on the pier shouting and screaming that there was somebody in the water. He swam to the other side of the pier and he found a young girl floating face down in the water. 'The emergency services were just arriving at the beach so he was shouting to them and scooped her up to swim to shore. He managed to get her out onto the beach and the emergency services took it from there.' The operation involved multiple teams from across the emergency services The beach had to be cleared before the air ambulances were able to land There are yellow marker buoys 200m off the beach and water craft operating inside that area are restricted to speeds of 6 knots. One local surfer said he witnessed three jetskiers 'buzzing the pier' close to the line on Tuesday, the day before the tragic incident. Lawrence Hopgood said: 'I was surfing the night before There were 3 jetskiers buzzing the pier and getting close to the line. A lifeguard went out on a jetski and spoke to them, then left. 'The jetskiers didn't leave but proceeded to do donuts near the surfers, whilst filming themselves.' Lifeguards on the busy beach had rushed into the water by Bournemouth Pier after a group of people got into difficulty in the sea at about 4.30pm on Wednesday. It is believed that all of those involved were aged between 12 and 18. None of the other eight who were injured children were seriously harmed and they were treated at the scene by the ambulance service. Emergency services were quickly at the scene and the teenage boy and girl were rushed to hospital after sustaining critical injuries. Speaking last night, Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said: 'I express my deep condolences to the family and friends of the two young people who tragically lost their lives in Bournemouth. 'A dreadful event in circumstances when they were enjoying beautiful weather in our town. So sad.' The MP added that the incident was a 'salutary lesson' that 'danger is ever present' on beaches and the ocean. He went on to thank the life guards and air ambulance members 'who we can take for granted'. Thousands of people were enjoying the sunny weather before being asked to leave the beach by police Two people were taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital Eeman Qamar, from Southampton, was on the beach with her mother and three-month-old baby. She told the BBC that just after 4pm lifeguards began to tell people to clear the beach, saying there had been a major incident. 'After about 20 minutes, the first air ambulance arrived and landed right in the middle of the beach,' she said. Ms Qamar continued: 'The lifeguards started getting on jet skis and boats, searching the sea and about 20 minutes later the second air ambulance arrived and it took another hour-and-a-half for them to finish the whole search and rescue operation.' A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service spokesperson said: 'We were called to East Beach, Bournemouth at 4.39pm to support a multi-agency incident. 'We have crews in attendance from Westbourne and Springbourne, together with a technical rescue team from Poole.' A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: 'We sent two air ambulances, six double-crewed land ambulances, one critical care car, two operations officers, one doctor, one hazardous area response team and one responding officer.' HM Coastguard told MailOnline that 'two people had been pulled from the water and passed into the care of the ambulance service' and that 'coastguards searched to make sure there were no other people missing and are satisfied there are not'. Bus routes that would normally serve the Pier stops were diverted through the square. Anyone with information about what happened should contact Dorset Police on www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230083818. Alternatively, witnesses can contact independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are 'low-grade reality stars' who only want to 'hang out with celebrities', a popular American comedian and podcaster has claimed. Tim Dillon said he knew people in Los Angeles who know the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - and the couple are 'just like moths to the flame trying to hang out'. The 38-year-old broadcaster, who has 540,000 YouTube subscribers to his series The Tim Dillon Show, also claimed Meghan was 'begging people to hang out'. Mr Dillon, who has previously criticised the couple, said in a recent episode: 'I know people in LA that know them, and all they want to do is hang out with celebrities. 'I was at a celebrity party the other night talking to somebody about this and they go 'these people are just... it's constant with them'. Tim Dillon spoke about Harry and Meghan in his series The Tim Dillon Show on May 21 Harry and Meghan attend the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards in New York on May 16 'She was texting the person I was with there - and, 'no, you can't come'. I shouldn't have even been there. But the point is they just won't stop, these two. Who is Tim Dillon? New York comedian who has 348-episode podcast and runs bus comedy tours in Manhattan Tim Dillon is a New York-born comedian, writer and actor who hosts a successful podcast in the US called The Tim Dillon Show that has now run for 348 episodes and has 540,000 YouTube subscribers. He released a Netflix stand-up special last year called Tim Dillon: A Real Hero in which he 'rants about fast food, living in Texas, Disney adults and the reason no one should be called a hero'. Mr Dillon also created and hosts Tim Dillon's Real NY Tour on which he does stand-up for an audience on a double-decker bus through Manhattan. The 38-year-old regularly tours across the US and has also held gigs in the UK - performing last spring in Glasgow and Shepherd's Bush in West London. He has long been critical of Prince Harry and Meghan and their Netflix series, and has previously spoken about them in other podcasts. Mr Dillon tweeted in September 2021: 'Harry and Meghan are such a gift to this county. Thank GOD for them. They make everything OK. Just because they're here. They're helping people by being on NETFLIX! This was such a happenstance thing not at all a plan they had. I love when good things just happen. There IS hope!' Advertisement He added: 'They are just like moths to the flame trying to hang out... They're like low-grade reality stars that are trying to attach to anything. 'I'm literally at the party and they are showing me texts of this woman begging people to like 'hang out'. She is trying to get places. It's sad. 'A lot of it isn't working, and they are rolling their eyes to me, and they're going LOL, and we are all having a good laugh about this because they're just a bunch of goons and no one cares. 'Now listen, at the end of day I respect the hustle, I get what she's trying to do, I get what they are trying to do, but it didn't work, right? 'A lot of people at this party were like 'hey man, you know, we text her back, we tried to be nice, she's the Duchess, but we've had enough, we've had enough of her'.' Mr Dillon made the comments in a recent episode of his show called 'They Come and Go' on May 21, but they have only come to light today. In January, a poll for Newsweek revealed that Harry's popularity had fallen 45 points in US public opinion in one month, while Meghan's had dropped by 36 points. The poll was carried out just before the publication of Harry's book Spare but after the release of their Netflix documentary series last December. Meanwhile, royal experts said today that the Sussexes will likely continue making Netflix shows, writing books and giving interviews - despite claims they will stop. The Duke and Duchess are said to be moving on from publishing memoirs and criticising other royals on TV, according to sources quoted by The Sun today. But royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has now told MailOnline that he does not believe claims that the couple have 'nothing left to say' and will halt their outbursts. Mr Fitzwilliams said there is 'obviously plenty left that they could say in print' and there remains 'enormous' international interest in Harry and Meghan's activities. He added that the Sussexes 'specialise in doing the unexpected', 'have a great deal more to say' and will be considering how what they do will 'help their brand'. Harry promotes his book Spare on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS in January It comes after a report in The Sun today claimed that Harry and Meghan would stop writing memoirs and making fly-on-the-wall Netflix shows that criticise the Royal Family, and only feature behind the cameras in future productions. ANALYSIS: Anyone who believes Harry and Meghan have 'nothing left to say' is deluded By RICHARD FITZWILLIAMS The Sussexes specialise in doing the unexpected. Anyone who believes they have 'nothing left to say' is deluded. It was reported that they had a four book deal with Random House. Spare, Harry's controversial memoir, is the first. He has said there were 400 pages cut, that could be the second, he said himself 'It could have been two books, put it that way'. His early life might make the third and Meghan could write a memoir, as has been rumoured. There is obviously plenty left that they could say in print. The question is, would it benefit them and how would it help their brand and the causes they support? Meghan will reportedly be restarting her blog The Tig. She recently won a Woman of Vision Award from Ms Foundation. Thereafter they made world headlines when they were involved in a 'near-catastrophic' car chase with paparazzi in New York. Whatever you think of the incident, some recollections may vary, it showed the international interest in what they do is still enormous. It is obvious, for good or ill as they remain estranged from the royal family, the Sussexes have a great deal more to say. The way they choose to say it in future may be as sensational as the ways they have chosen to do so in the past. Advertisement Sources told the newspaper that the couple have now run out of material, with one insider saying: 'That period of their life is over - as there is nothing left to say.' The apparent turnaround comes more than three years after the Sussexes stepped down as senior royals in January 2020 before moving to North America. Since then they have carried out a series of blistering attacks on the Royal Family most notably with their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in March 2021, a six-part Netflix series called Harry & Meghan in December last year and then Harry's tell-all memoir Spare in January. Harry now lives in Montecito, California, with Meghan and their two children Archie and Lilibet after the couple stepped down as working royals for a life of financial independence. His relationships with his father King Charles III and brother Prince William are strained and he has regularly criticised them while Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla have also been targets. Today, Mr Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'The Sussexes specialise in doing the unexpected. Anyone who believes they have 'nothing left to say' is deluded.' The commentator referred to the Daily Mail's revelation in July 2021 that Harry and Meghan had clinched a lucrative four-book deal with Penguin Random House worth up to 29million. And Mr Fitzwilliams also referenced Harry's interview with the Daily Telegraph at the time of Spare's release in January, when the Duke said there were 400 pages cut from the publication. Harry also said then: 'It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.' Mr Fitzwilliams said today: 'His early life might make the third (book) and Meghan could write a memoir, as has been rumoured. There is obviously plenty left that they could say in print. 'The question is, would it benefit them and how would it help their brand and the causes they support?' Mr Fitzwilliams also referred to reports that Meghan will be restarting her blog The Tig, and how she won a Woman of Vision Award at a glitzy Ms Foundation gala event in New York on May 16. He continued: 'Thereafter they made world headlines when they were involved in a 'near-catastrophic' car chase with paparazzi in New York. 'Whatever you think of the incident, some recollections may vary, it showed the international interest in what they do is still enormous. A six-part Netflix TV series called Harry & Meghan was released in December last year Harry and Meghan during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 'It is obvious, for good or ill as they remain estranged from the Royal Family, the Sussexes have a great deal more to say. READ MORE US government will appear in court over Harry's visa application after his drug revelations Advertisement 'The way they choose to say it in future may be as sensational as the ways they have chosen to do so in the past.' Also today, Charles Rae, former royal correspondent at The Sun, told GB News: 'Let's wait and see if they actually stick to this. They are supposedly now going to stop their royal bashing and be behind the cameras, they say, at Netflix.' He added: 'I think they've just suddenly woken up to the fact that they're no longer the golden couple of America.' And media commentator Nigel Pauley told TalkTV: 'I think they're addicted to the limelight. Their whole ethos has been putting themselves out there with picture opportunities and soundbites.' He added: 'The Americans like the idea, from my American cousins, of the royalty. They like the idea of princesses and princes. This is the problem - they're not acting like royals. The Americans bought into the royals - the prince and princess overseas.' Harry was in London last month to see his father King Charles being crowned at what was his first public appearance alongside the Royal Family since he criticised his relatives in Spare. Within hours of the historic ceremony at Westminster Abbey, Harry was on a plane back to California to be reunited with wife Meghan, daughter Lilibet and son Archie, who turned four on the day of the Coronation, May 6. Harry at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St Paul's Cathedral in London on June 3 last year The Sussexes made headlines a short while later when a spokesperson alleged the couple and Meghan's mother 'were involved in a near-catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi', after the trio attended the Ms Foundation ceremony in New York where the Duchess was honoured. Also this week, it was revealed that the US government will appear in court next Tuesday to answer questions regarding Harry's visa application after he admitted using illegal drugs. The Heritage Foundation, a Washington DC-based conservative think-tank, is suing Joe Biden 's administration to force officials to release the Duke's immigration files. MailOnline has contacted Archewell for comment on The Sun's report today. Politicians and citizens in Chicago feverishly sparred over funding more migrant care instead of giving the money to black communities as the city faces a financial crunch from the flood of immigrants who have arrived by buses in recent months. A heated meeting Wednesday at Chicago City Hall included tears, finger pointing and yelling as residents and officials debated on the best use of its resources. More than 10,000 migrants have flooded the city since buses started arriving from the US-Mexico border in August and some have had to resort to sleeping in police stations as Chicago ran out of housing options. Officials have pleaded for more financial help for the migrant crisis, but others demanded the money should go to other places neighborhoods. 'We need to allocate some of this money for our black children, for the black community,' a member of the public stated during the meeting. In the end, Chicago leaders allocated an additional $51million to help the city fund its migrant care. During a dramatic session on Wednesday afternoon lawmakers in Chicago voted in favor of a temporary $51 million package to manage the city's escalating migrant crisis. Pictured is an animated man addressing council members The funding, which passed 43-13, is only to last until June and is designed to help Mayor Brandon Johnson adjust to the crisis he inherited from previous mayor, Lori Lightfoot The new funding, which passed 43 votes to 13, is only to last until June and designed to help Mayor Brandon Johnson, who assumed office just two weeks ago, navigate a crisis he inherited from the outgoing mayor, Lori Lightfoot. In her final days as mayor, she declared the migrant situation in Chicago a 'state of emergency'. Officials in Chicago have said they cannot afford to rent hotel rooms for the more than 10,000 migrants, who have arrived in the city and with nowhere else to go, started filling police stations. The new money will be spent on staffing, food, transportation and legal services at temporary shelters, in the hopes it will ease the city's crisis. Alderman Jason Ervin, the budget committee chairman, told ABC7 the city is going to have to come up with a plan for the long term, and that the money is primarily intended to give Johnson's administration breathing room. 'There does need to be a greater plan and I do think this was always designed to give the incoming administration time to do that. This is a stop-gap measure, pure and simple,' he said after the proposal passed. Much of the debate Wednesday afternoon was racially charged and considered black Chicagoans and Hispanic migrants as two separate groups in need. 'We need to allocate some of this money for our black children, for the black community,' shouted one member of the public. However, some speakers encouraged taking a less divisive view. 'We have to help the residents of this big city. It's not an either or. It's both,' Alderman David Moore for the 17th Ward said. Jeanette Taylor of the 20th Ward (pictured) was reduced to tears while pleading with people to empathize with the migrants despite feeling that the city was neglecting black communities Jeanette Taylor of the 20th Ward was reduced to tears when she addressed the crowd, which went on to applaud her remarks. 'We fight just to drink out of a damn fountain, but hurt people don't hurt other hurt people,' she said. Chicago Republican Party chairman Steve Boulton criticized the funding outright. 'We don't know where that money is coming from,' he said. 'We are not being told where that money is going to be spent. We are not being told how it is being spent. 'It is irresponsible for the City Council to appropriate what is no more than stop-gap money that will get us through a month or two and then the problem will still be staring at us in the face.' Alderman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward voted in favor of the extra funding but asked community members to think about black residents too. 'Everybody that is working hard for this, you have to show up for black Chicagoans with the same energy, and that does mean money,' Hadden said during the meeting. Videos and photos in recent weeks have shown hallways in some Chicago precincts lined with mattresses and the personal belongings of migrants Chicago is one of several Democratic-run cities where southern states have bused migrants as the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border grows Videos and photos in recent weeks have shown hallways in some Chicago precincts lined with mattresses and the personal belongings of migrants. Chicago is one of several Democratic-run cities where southern states have bused migrants as the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border grows. Footage posted by photojournalist Rebecca Brannon showed dozens of migrants sitting on and around mattresses in a Chicago police station. Brannon reported many of the migrants had slept and eaten on the floors, which has interfered with the day-to-day police activities. More than 10,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since August, which is when southern states started to bus asylum seekers north. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent migrants to the Democrat-led cities to help ease the burden on border towns. 'To provide much-needed relief to our overrun border communities, Texas began busing migrants to sanctuary cities such as your "Welcoming City," along with Washington, DC, New York City, and Philadelphia, with more to come. 'Until Biden secures the border to stop the inflow of mass migration, Texas will continue this necessary program,' Abbott noted in a letter in May. Migrants been sent to cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia and New York. Migrants have also arrived in Washington, DC, with buses stopping outside the home of Vice President Kamala Harris. MBABANE - The issue of accurate and reliable data needed for the Cooperative Data Analysis System (CODAS) has been addressed. Acting Commissioner for Cooperative Development Bongani Maziya said that before the introduction of CODAS in 2010, the issue of accurate and reliable data was indeed a nightmarish one for the Department of Cooperatives. This was during the launch and handover of tablets by the Centre for Financial Inclusion (CFI) to be used by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade for cooperative data collection. CFI donated 10 tables to assist CODAS with their data collection. He said individuals would use pen and paper to collect data from cooperatives and thereafter use Excel to aggregate the figures, and if the officer was unable to use Excel, they would add up the figures using a calculator. So, this process had a lot of errors because the next time you request statistics, we issue completely different figures, he said. Maziya also mentioned that CODAS brought stability and consistency to the cooperative sector in todays digital and information age. He said the old system was good during its time and with the developments that have taken place over the years. For instance, the onboarding of school cooperatives in 2017 meant we had to add a new age bracket (017) and amend the Act to cater for these changes, and it therefore became apparent that we needed an upgrade, he said. The commissioner added that the old CODAS was cumbersome and time consuming since it involved manual processes such as data collection, data entry, data analysis and validation, and more. He said they were in the process of developing programmes and reviewing policies, in particular the National Cooperative Development Policy of 2017, which was due for review this year. Sector Maziya said it was because they believe that the non-financial sector has the potential to provide demand-driven services and products in the country and on the African continent at large. Eswatini is one of the few countries that have held on to CODAS, and we pride ourselves that every time we present our reports internationally, for instance, we presented one in Kenya on Wednesday last week where there were 34 countries from Africa and beyond and received appreciation from sister countries, he mentioned. Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade Manqoba Khumalo added that before the implementation of CODAS, the country was confronted with a serious challenge due to the lack of complete, accurate, and reliable information in the cooperative sector, thus depriving stakeholders of the ability to gauge the actual contribution of cooperatives to the national economy. With the upgrade, processes are now seamless and automated, and we have a strong belief that it will improve the quality of our database, he said. Khumalo also mentioned that information gathered during monitoring enables the cooperative sector to relate inputs to achievements or outputs and to gauge the input-output effectiveness, thereby initiating changes to the implementation strategy and policies to ensure that the set objectives are achieved. He added that CODAS has been around for more than ten years, and a lot of developments have occurred, including, but not limited to, the introduction of school cooperatives, which also require tracking, and the need to upgrade the old desktop-based system to one that was web-based for ease of access both at the data collection and information consumption stages. The Ministry has since completed the CODAS upgrade through financial support from the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGRV), Pretoria, and is now in the phase of capturing current real data into the new system, mentioned the minister. CFI CEO Nomcebo Hadebe added that the inclusion of MSME data was imperative so that they could market themselves and acquire finances. A group of African American academics is pushing for a UN 'reparations tribunal' to make Washington pay multimillion dollar sums to black citizens for slavery-era abuses, DailyMail.com can reveal. Justin Hansford, a professor at Howard University School of Law, led the charge for $5 million payouts to black Americans at the UN this week, flanked by colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia University. The long-shot effort underscores how reparation payouts are unpopular among white American taxpayers and have little chance of becoming federal law, leaving advocates scrambling for a workaround. 'I come to you today with a novel proposal, that we begin to think our own thoughts, propose our own vision of justice, and implement that justice,' Hansford told UN racial justice talks in New York City this week. Prof Justin Hansford (left) wants the UN to make America pay for slavery-era sins. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the Biden administration's UN envoy, seeks to 'dismantle structural racism' The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent is running at UN headquarters in New York City from 30 May to 2 June 2023 He called for a 'process of apology, and reparation not on their terms, but on our terms.' Hansford, a rising star of the critical race theory movement who draws on the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr, spoke at the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, a group that was created in 2021. The 'special tribunal' was formally proposed by David Comissiong, representing Barbados, a Caribbean island state. Hansford quickly endorsed the plan. He later told DailyMail.com that many African and Caribbean UN members were behind the scheme. The US mission to the UN, which is headed by ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a Biden administration appointee who is black, does not officially support the tribunal. But Hansford said US diplomats at the mission had been 'supportive overall.' Poll Do you support a federal reparation policy directed at the descendants of slaves? Yes No Do you support a federal reparation policy directed at the descendants of slaves? Yes 126 votes No 3917 votes Now share your opinion Thomas-Greenfield also spoke at the event, saying African-American families often lived in polluted neighborhoods. She grew up in Louisiana 'near so-called cancer alley,' she added. 'Let us dismantle structural racism, brick by brick,' said the career diplomat. 'Let's leave our children a cleaner, fairer, more just world.' The UN General Assembly in 2005 created a five-point legal framework for reparations for victims of slavery and other abuses, which can lead to payouts, apologies, and demand policy changes. But like much of the UN system, decisions are not legally binding, and it remains unclear whether a tribunal could do anything other than add some external pressure to buoy racial justice activists in the US. Neither the US mission to the UN nor the UN's human rights team in Geneva, which oversees the permanent forum, immediately answered DailyMail.com's requests for comment. In an interview, Hansford said a UN reparation tribunal was only one route to push the US federal government, as well as state and city officials, to address racial inequalities dating back to the slavery era. Howard University gave legal advice to Evanston, Illinois, which in 2021 became the first US city to make reparations payments to black residents, with $25,000 grants to those affected by racist housing policies before 1969, he said. Payouts to black Americans should be assessed case-by-case, said Hansford, a descendant of slaves in Forsyth, Georgia. From California to Massachusetts, newly-formed panels are grappling with what a reparations scheme should look like Six in ten respondents opposed payouts to the descendants of slaves, while four in ten said the federal government should 'definitely should not pursue' such a policy Los Angeles resident Walter Foster, 80, holds up a sign at a task force meeting on reparations at the California Science Center in Los Angeles in September For families that have endured generations of 'horrific' oppression, sums of $5 million would be 'on the low end of what's appropriate,' he said. Plans to compensate black Americans for slavery-era sins have been around for centuries. They've gained traction in recent months as ever more left-leaning states and cities launch local inquiries into their own atonement schemes. San Francisco made headlines this year with a proposal for $5 million payouts to every longtime black resident, and other plans to address generations of economic losses suffered by the minority group. Advocates of reparations say it's time for America to repay its black residents for the injustices of the historic Transatlantic slave trade, Jim Crow segregation and inequalities that persist to this day. There is no agreed framework for what a scheme would look like. Ideas range from cash payouts to scholarships, land giveaways, money for special banks and investment funds, bespoke grants for housing, or just statues and street names. Critics say they cost too much, are unfair, and will sow divisions between winners and losers. The schemes are popular with 77 percent of the black Americans, who could benefit from payouts, according to Pew Research Center polling. But only 18 percent of whites who would shoulder an extra tax burden support them. A student has told how he desperately tried in vain to save a 12-year-old girl who died on Bournemouth beach yesterday as the father of a woman who survived the tragedy said she had been 'taken out by a rip tide'. Mackenzie Creech, 18, was with his friends enjoying the sunshine at the popular tourist spot yesterday afternoon when they heard shouts and screams from the pier. After seeing crowds pointing to a girl in the water he rushed in with a friend to drag her back to the beach but there was nothing they could do to save her. The girl, from Buckinghamshire, died alongside a 17-year-old boy from Southampton. Eight other children were hurt after getting into trouble in the water close to the beach in Dorset, which was packed with locals and holidaymakers. Recalling the incident today, Mackenzie, 18, told MailOnline: 'Everything happened so quickly, one minute I was enjoying the beach with some friends and then the next we heard screaming and shouting. Onlooker Mackenzie Creech tried to save a 12-year-old girl who died. The 18-year-old is pictured with his company director father, Robert Lauren Tate, 18, who survived the tragedy, has now been discharged from Royal Bournemouth Hospital 'We were on the other side of the pier but you could hear all this noise so we went over to see what was going on and people were pointing into the water. 'I could see a body in the water, and just rushed in and scooped her up with someone else. She was face down when I got there and not moving. 'She was in a swimming costume but she didn't appear to have any injuries on her. There were no cuts or bruises and I just knew it didn't look good so I carried her onto the beach. READ MORE - Doctor who desperately tried to save 12-year-old girl pulled from Bournemouth sea slams TikTok idiots Advertisement Mackenzie, who is from Tilehurst near Reading and studying sport at college, described how paramedics arrived and started doing CPR on the girl. 'People were screaming and shouting and it was all really chaotic and then someone put some towels up as a screen while the paramedics worked on her,' he said. 'I was hoping she would make it and I didn't know she had passed away until I saw it on the news. I was gutted when I heard that and it's upset me, it's so sad something like this happened. I did what anyone else would have done.' Survivor Lauren Tate, 18, spent a short period in hospital and is now continuing her recovery at home. Her father said: Weve seen all the stuff about boats and jet skis but it wasnt like that. She was swimming in the sea with her friends when the rip tide took them out. She was lucky to get pulled from the sea by the coastguard and one of her other friends was rescued by a paddleboarder. I know the boy who died was at college with her, but I dont know anything about him. All she told me is that they all met up on the train and headed to Bournemouth beach for the day. The operation involved multiple teams from across the emergency services The beach had to be cleared before the air ambulances were able to land A friend of Lauren also denied reports a jet ski was involved in the incident. 'I've messaged her and she said they were jumping off the pier,' they said. 'I vaguely know the boy involved but all my friend said is they were jumping in and got into trouble. There was no boat or jet ski involved. 'It's so sad what happened. I think the lad jumped in to save the younger girl but I don't know for sure.' A small number of people in the crowd filmed the tragedy unfolding, even as emergency workers performed CPR on a child. One teenager filmed a lifeguard sprinting across the sand, shouting: 'Oh s**t. You run boy. Run, Forrest Run.' An angry person nearby then yelled: 'Someone is f***ing dying.' It comes as one of Britain's top doctors told MailOnline today of the desperate attempts to save the two children who died yesterday, as he slammed TikTok fiends who filmed them receiving CPR and mocked medics running to their aid. Bournemouth-born Dr Rob Rosa, a former GP who is now one of Britains Chief Medical Officers, told MailOnline how he was on the promenade when the first child was brought to the beach and ran down to help when the second child, the 12-year-old girl, was brought in from the sea around 15 minutes later. Witnesses said she had apparently been found face down in the water. He said: Those videoing the desperate CPR attempts should think long and hard at their actions. The tragic death of a child is not something anyone should voyeuristically observe.' Thousands of people were enjoying the sunny weather before being asked to leave the beach by police I have been a doctor for 18 years, including in A&E where I have been battle hardened, but I have never seen anything as bad as this in my career. It was utterly exceptional and harrowing. They were carrying out CPR on two children while searching the water for others. There were police, paramedics, doctors, the RNLI. They did everything they could for those children. Its a terrible tragedy. The lifeguards were teenagers themselves and did an incredible job to try to save those children. Witnesses described harrowing scenes as CPR was administered on the beach and some 'idiots' with phones were seen filming lifeguards trying to revive the two children. The sand close to the pier had to be cleared so two air ambulances could land, but sadly the two schoolchildren died later in hospital. A man in his 40s, who had been on the water at the time of the incident, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. One source claimed he might have been encouraging them to jump. He remains in custody. Since 2004, Britain's Maritime and Coastguard Agency has dealt with more than 200 incidents of tombstoning, including pier jumping, leading to at least 70 injuries and 20 deaths. Police today confirmed that no vessel is believed to have been in 'physical contact' with the children following speculation on social media they had been hit by a jet-ski or boat. But there have been claims that the tragedy may have been caused by the wash of a jet-ski. There has been an ongoing issue between jet-skiers and other people using the water around the area of the pier. MailOnline has asked Dorset Police to comment. Nicola Holton, 43, and Stuart Clark, 42, were on the beach with their two children when the tragedy unfolded. Two people were taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital Ms Holton said: 'One lifeguard went to rescue two swimmers struggling but he couldn't bring them in. He spotted another person struggling and a second lifeguard went out to them but there were multiple people in trouble. 'The remaining lifeguard was trying to get everyone out of the water. The ambulance service came to the struggling person rescued by the second lifeguard. More lifeguards arrived to rescue another swimmer near the pier. My husband spotted another swimmer struggling. He ran to the lifeguards. The guard immediately went in and they picked him up on a jet-ski. 'I will never ever get the image out of my head of him being brought out. They cleared the beach for the air ambulance. Then another was spotted and again brought to shore to be worked on. Absolutely horrible. 'Loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones. 'It was like a scene from a horror film. After an afternoon of lovely weather and the odd announcement to tell kids to stop climbing on the pier it looked like it had all settled down. 'When we first spotted the swimmers in distress they were far out to the east side of the pier. 'A lifeguard ran into the water with a surfboard and it seemed to take ages for him to get to them. There was an announcement to get out of the water and then the lifeguards started bringing people back to shore. 'A few were taken to the lifeguard tent and then we saw the young man and girl brought out. We were packing up our things to leave as quickly as we could. It was just awful. 'There were loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones.' Mr Clark added: 'As we walked to the east side of the pier there was at least one but probably a few jet-skiers going across the right side of the pier. 'We didn't take too much notice of them at the time. 'There were announcements throughout the afternoon telling people not to climb on the pier. After 2pm it seemed like people weren't going near it. 'The next announcement we got was at 4pm about a dangerous riptide in the water and it wasn't soon after that we saw a couple of swimmers in trouble out to sea. 'It got really chaotic when they brought a young man back to shore on a lifeguard jet-ski. It was obvious he wasn't alive. That's when people started gathering around and the lifeguards were trying to clear the beach at the same time as helping the others in the water. 'We saw the young girl get brought out too and there were no obvious injuries on her either. I just wanted to get my family off the beach with our belongings.' Paul Moyce, 61, said he believed those involved had been jumping into the sea off the pier. He said: 'I think they went off the end of the pier and went out too far. They must have got caught by the current. I lived here for 61 years and I've never seen anything like it.' The first person to reach the girl who died was an 18-year-old boy. His father, Rob Creech, said today: 'My son was on the other side of the pier swimming with a few friends. 'All of a sudden there were a lot of people on the pier shouting and screaming that there was somebody in the water. He swam to the other side of the pier and he found a young girl floating face down in the water. 'The emergency services were just arriving at the beach so he was shouting to them and scooped her up to swim to shore. He managed to get her out on to the beach and the emergency services took it from there.' Ron DeSantis hit back at Associated Press reporter on Thursday for bizarrely asking why he was taking no questions from voters, while he was posing for selfies and chatting with supporters at campaign stop. The 2024 Republican presidential hopeful was signing autographs and mingling with members of the audience in Laconia, New Hampshire, when he turned to reporter Steve Peoples and asked: 'What are you talking about? Are you blind?' He began the event alongside wife Casey with a scripted remarks hitting on his favorite topics including the 'war on woke' and 'sending Joe Biden to his basement'. In a swipe at Donald Trump, he vowed to 'end the culture of losing that has infected the Republican Party' and criticized how recent elections have been 'flubbed'. He then met some of the 250 supporters backstage, when he lashed out at Peoples as reporters surrounded him in a scrum. Scroll down for video Ron DeSantis exploded at an Associated Press reporter on Thursday for asking why he was taking no questions from voters at a campaign stop in Laconia, New Hampshire. He is seen speaking to some voters backstage The moment a frustrated DeSantis turned and responded to the journalist who asked him why he hadn't taken questions from voters, captured by an NBC News correspondent Peoples asked: 'Why are you not taking any questions from voters, Governor?' 'People are coming up to me, talking to me. What are you talking about? Are you blind? Are you blind? People are coming up to me, talking to me whatever they want to talk to me about,' he said in the moment captured by NBC News. 'I'm not blind,' Peoples responded. The Florida Governor was chatting to voters individually, but didn't take questions from the audience. His security detail then whisked him away from the press. 'That's disappointing to hear,' said Vikram Mansharamani, an entrepreneur and former Republican Senate candidate, after viewing the video of the exchange first posted by NBC News. 'I did not want a monologue; I wanted to see how he interacted with the audience,' the 49-year-old added. DeSantis' press secretary Bryan Griffin criticized the media after the tense exchange. After declining to take audience questions after his first New Hampshire campaign event today, Ron DeSantis lashed out at a reporter for asking him about it while he was chatting with members of the crowd individually. Heres the video, via @NBCNews > pic.twitter.com/Z2WtLy0JNj Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) June 1, 2023 The 2024 Republican presidential hopeful began the event alongside wife Casey with a speech hitting on his priorities including the 'war on woke' and 'sending Joe Biden to his basement' He then met some of the 250 supporters in the crowd to pose for selfies and sign autographs, when he lashed out at journalist Steve Peoples 'This AP reporter asked this question while (he) was surrounded by voters in New Hampshire asking him questions and taking pictures,' he tweeted. 'Perfectly illustrative of the modern media shutting their eyes and ears to the truth to push their narrative.' DeSantis' speech to the audience made up mainly of retirees mostly included lines from previous campaign stops. But he gained a huge round of applause when he raised how he had banned gender transition surgery for minors. His dig at Trump when he criticized the GOP for their string of election defeats and failed endorsements. 'But here's the thing, you can't do any of this. If you don't win, there is no substitute for victory,' he told the crowd. 'And we've got to end this culture of losing that has infected the Republican Party in recent years, you know, we should have 55 Republican senators right now. 'And we not flubbed so many races over the last four or six years. .. We've got to get it done and the stakes are high.' DeSantis, dressed casually in blue jeans and black leather boots, was flanked by his glamorous former TV reporter First Lady Casey. First Lady Casey praised took the stage and praised her husband. 'He always puts the interests of the people ahead of his own,' she told the crowd The 42-year-old gave a thinly-veiled nod to her husband's policies in the Sunshine State by sporting a fitted blue sweatshirt with an Alligator logo warning: 'Don't Tread on Florida' 'Too often, and you'll probably see it, you have people who run for elected office, they say they're going to do all these wonderful things,' she said. 'When they go up to particularly places like Washington DC, they go rogue and they become listless vessels bending in the wind, beholden to polls and politics, not delivering accomplishments on behalf of the people that they were elected to represent. And it's very frustrating. 'He never backs down. He never changes. He doesn't cower, never takes the path of least resistance, who always stands up for what's right. And he always puts the interests of the people ahead of his own. Scott Nelson, a 75-year-old retired entrepreneur, said the Governor's performance was 'terrific' but insisted it was 'too early to make any decision' on how to vote. DeSantis returned to the campaign trail as Trump continued to mock him and fellow Republican rival Chris Christie. The former President poked fun at DeSantis for changing his stance on how to pronounce his name and then attacked the former New Jersey governor's weight. Trump issued the insults on his Truth Social platform following reports that Christie, the former New Jersey governor, would soon jump into the race. Former Vice President Mike Pence is also expected to announce his entry within days. The moves establish a crowded field where once again Trump rivals are set to expend considerably energy taking on each other. Trump has been training most of his fire on DeSantis, as he did last night with a post that pointed to repeated changes in how DeSantis pronounces his last name. He pronounced it 'dee-Santis' during the video announcing his campaign, then pronounced it 'da-Santis' during interviews on Fox News, keeping up a pattern that goes back years. Under-fire ITV boss Carolyn McCall has been called to appear before MPs to face questions over the broadcaster's approach to safeguarding and complaint handling in the wake of the Phillip Schofield scandal. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has today written to Dame Carolyn asking her to attend Parliament at 10am on Wednesday, June 14. It comes after she was forced into a humiliating climbdown yesterday by announcing the broadcaster was bringing in a barrister to 'carry out an external review to establish the facts' around the chaos that has engulfed ITV since Schofield admitted to having an affair with a significantly younger male colleague last week. In a letter responding to announcement, CMS Committee chair Caroline Dinenage today said the Schofield affair has raised 'fundamental issues about safeguarding and complaint handling'. She wrote: 'The public must have confidence in the robustness of Public Service Broadcasters safeguarding procedures. Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby pictured either side of the former's significantly younger lover ITV boss Carolyn McCall will appear before MPs to face questions over the Phillip Schofield scandal 'Whilst these are issues that we want to discuss first with ITV, we will also consider them in our regular scrutiny sessions with other Public Service Broadcasters, including the BBC later this month and Channel 4 later in the year.' It comes after Ms McCall wrote a letter to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, Ofcom chief Dame Melanie Dawes and Ms Dinenage yesterday regarding ITV's own investigation into rumours of the affair in 'late 2019/early 2020'. She wrote: 'You will have seen the significant media coverage concerning Phillip Schofield. As you would expect we take the matter extremely seriously and have reviewed our own records over the weekend.' She said ITV investigated 'when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in late 2019/early 2020'. Her letter went on: 'Both parties were questioned then and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours... 'In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on the This Morning and wider daytime team and were not provided with and did not find any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour. 'Given the ongoing rumours, we continued to ask questions of both parties, who both continued to deny the rumours, including as recently as this month.' In a separate CMS Committee session on Tuesday, ITV's group director of strategy, policy and regulation Magnus Brooke is due to appear alongside executives from Channel 4 and Channel 5 as part of a scheduled pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Media Bill. Dame Carolyn left easyJet to become ITV chief executive in 2018 and was tasked with modernising the broadcaster. But on her watch, several scandals have rocked the firm including Ant McPartlin's drink-driving suspension in 2018 and Piers Morgan storming off the Good Morning Britain set in 2021. ITV last night launched an external inquiry into Schofield's relationship with a much younger colleague in an attempt to save embattled This Morning Philip Schofield urged 'let's get the elf smashed' as he shared whiskey with his young lover on This Morning Meanwhile, the future of This Morning, which was jointly hosted by Schofield and Holly Willoughby until his resignation, remains uncertain. Schofield, 61, resigned last Friday and was dropped by his talent agency after admitting in an extraordinary statement to this newspaper his 'unwise but not illegal' affair. In a bombshell statement to the Mail, Schofield admitted he had lied about an on-off relationship with the man, which took place while he was married to his wife, Stephanie Lowe, mother to his two grown-up daughters. The Mail on Sunday revealed at the weekend that Schofield met his lover when he was 15 and the presenter was in his late 40s, giving a talk to a theatre school as a favour to a friend. The relationship began after the would-be runner, having turned 18, moved to London and began working on This Morning. Schofield was today seen for the first time since quitting ITV last week as he was photographed being driven in London while sitting in the back seat of a car next to a woman believed to be his daughter Ruby. The future of This Morning, which was jointly hosted by Schofield and Willoughby until his resignation, remains uncertain Jane Mulcahy KC, of Blackstone Chambers, has been instructed by ITV to carry out an external review Schofield's other daughter Molly - who is said to still be working for his former talent agency YMU - could not be seen in the car. His normal driver was in the front seat. The presenter was spotted as it was revealed Holly Willoughby will be grilled by a top barrister over the scandal - and the show's past and present presenting teams may also be quizzed about what they knew about Schofield's affair, which he revealed last Friday. Alison Hammond, Dermot O'Leary, Eamonn Holmes, Ruth Langsford and Dr Ranj Singh may all be asked to give statements to employment lawyer Jane Mulcahy KC. An ITV spokesman told MailOnline: 'We would expect the KC to be able to ask to talk to anyone she considers relevant in order to conduct the review'. The Government is to go to court to try to prevent it being forced to hand over Boris Johnson's Covid-era notes and messages to the official inquiry into the pandemic. The Cabinet Office said it would seek a judicial review of an order demanding to see the unredacted material, on privacy and scope grounds, arguing some of it is irrelevant. It had been handed a deadline of 4pm yesterday to comply with a direction from inquiry chairwoman Baroness Hallett. Mr Johnson himself has said he wants the WhatsApp messages and notebooks given to the inquiry. But in a letter to the inquiry, released this afternoon, the Cabinet Office said: '(We have) today sought leave to bring a judicial review. 'We do so with regret and with an assurance that we will continue to cooperate fully with the inquiry before, during and after the jurisdictional issue in question is determined by the courts, specifically whether the Inquiry has the power to compel production of documents and messages which are unambiguously irrelevant to the Inquirys work, including personal communications and matters unconnected to the governments handling of Covid. 'We consider there to be important issues of principle at stake here, affecting both the rights of individuals and the proper conduct of government.' Rishi Sunak this afternoon said he was 'confident' in the Government's position. Boris Johnson last night piled pressure on the Cabinet Office to 'urgently disclose' his unredacted WhatsApp messages and notebooks to the official Covid inquiry In a swipe at the Government, Mr Johnson was said to be 'perfectly happy for the inquiry to have access to this material in whatever form it requires'. questioned in Moldova this afternoon Mr Sunak said repeated the government's argument that it has already shared enough data. Former Tory Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said the probe 'must be about the systems of government, not an individual' as there was no point 'trying to pin blame'. Mr Johnson handed over all the material requested by probe chairman Baroness Hallett to the Cabinet Office yesterday and urged that it be passed on to her. In a swipe at the Government, Mr Johnson was said to be 'perfectly happy for the inquiry to have access to this material in whatever form it requires'. But questioned in Moldova this afternoon, just 45 minutes before the deadline, Mr Sunak said repeated the government's argument that it has already shared enough data. "I think it's really important that we learn the lessons of Covid so that we can be better prepared in the future,' he said. "We're doing that in the spirit of rigour but also transparency and candour. We've co-operated - the Government's co-operated thoroughly with the inquiry to date, handing over tens of thousands of documents, and we will continue to comply, of course, with the law, co-operate with the inquiry. "We're confident in our position but are carefully considering next steps." The Cabinet Office is refusing to provide all the former PM's WhatsApp messages and diaries to Baroness Hallett on the grounds that it would be a 'serious intrusion of privacy'. It has said the inquiry 'does not have the power to request unambiguously irrelevant information that is beyond the scope of this investigation'. However, Mr Johnson's allies have also taken a swipe at Baroness Hallett over her demand. Former Tory Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said the probe 'must be about the systems of government, not an individual' as there was no point 'trying to pin blame'. Mr Rees-Mogg said the inquiry needed to answer 'why were we prepared for the wrong kind of pandemic, were lockdowns proportionate and how can we do it better next time. Those are the three questions. What Boris Johnson said to his great aunt on WhatsApp messages seems to me to be of very little relevance to anybody.' The move to release his messages and notes by Mr Johnson is likely to be seen as an attempt to put pressure on Rishi Sunak and his deputy Oliver Dowden. Mr Dowden has faced claims from Mr Johnson's allies that he may have been involved in a decision to refer new Partygate allegations about the former PM to the police. A friend of Mr Johnson has suggested that the 'WhatsApps the Government really doesn't want disclosed are Sunak's' a claim dismissed by No 10. Lord Saville, who conducted the inquiry into Bloody Sunday, today said Baroness Hallett was best placed to decide what information was relevant to her review into the pandemic. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lord Saville said: 'Who is to decide what is relevant or not? In my view, prima facie at least, it is Lady Hallett. 'She is in charge of the inquiry, one of her duties is to do a thorough job. It is for her to decide whether something is relevant or not. If she looks at something and decides it is not relevant then there is no reason to publish it.' A spokesman for Mr Johnson said last night: 'All Boris Johnson's material including WhatsApps and notebooks requested by the inquiry has been handed to the Cabinet Office in full and in unredacted form. 'Mr Johnson urges the Cabinet Office to urgently disclose it to the inquiry. The Cabinet Office has had access to this material for several months.' The spokesman added: 'Mr Johnson would immediately disclose it directly to the inquiry if asked. While he understands the Government's position, and does not seek to contradict it, he is perfectly happy for the inquiry to have access to this material in whatever form it requires. 'Mr Johnson co-operated with the inquiry in full from the beginning of this process and continues to do so. Indeed, he established the inquiry. He looks forward to continuing to assist its important work.' The Cabinet Office is refusing to provide all the former PM's WhatsApp messages and diaries to Baroness Hallett (pictured) on the grounds that it would be a 'serious intrusion of privacy' The decision by Mr Johnson to hand over the material will add to pressure on the Cabinet Office, with Downing Street already forced to deny allegations of a 'cover-up' amid criticism over the public row with the inquiry. Whitehall officials are concerned about setting a precedent by handing over all the requested documents in unredacted form, rather than deciding what material is relevant. Refusing to comply with the request to hand over the documents which include text conversations between Mr Johnson and a host of government figures including Mr Sunak could lead to a court battle with the inquiry. But Whitehall officials hope a compromise can be reached before the 4pm deadline to avoid the need for a damaging legal fight with the inquiry, which was set up to examine the pandemic and the Government's response to it. According to the notice seeking the unredacted messages, the inquiry is requesting conversations between Mr Johnson, ex-No 10 adviser Henry Cook and a host of government figures, civil servants and officials. The list includes Mr Sunak, Dominic Cummings, Matt Hancock, Sir Chris Whitty, and Sir Patrick Vallance. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said the Government intends to 'continue to be absolutely transparent and candid' and it had already provided '55,000 documents, eight witness statements and corporate witness statements' to the inquiry. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesman Christine Jardine said: 'Rishi Sunak must now confirm he will hand over any messages requested by the Covid inquiry. He can't use Boris Johnson any more as an excuse to avoid handing over vital evidence.' The stand-off comes after Mr Johnson was left furious when it emerged that the Cabinet Office had handed extracts from his prime ministerial diaries to the police without telling him. The department referred the former PM to two forces last month over diary entries showing he was visited by colleagues and friends at Chequers and No 10 when pandemic lockdown rules were in place. Jeremy Quin, the Paymaster General, is also understood to have approved the handing over of documents to the Commons privileges committee, which is investigating whether Mr Johnson lied to Parliament over Partygate. Mr Johnson's allies said he had received legal advice that none of the visits broke Covid rules. He has threatened to sue the Government. Vladimir Putin appeared adrift from reality today as he told Russians the 'biggest pleasure and happiness is children' as his ballistic missiles killed a nine-year-old girl and her mother in Kyiv. The dictator addressed his people on Children's Day in both Russia and Ukraine. The out-of-touch 70-year-old president - believed to have a secret young family with Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva who he has hidden from his people - pontificated: 'What is it, to live for yourself? 'What does it mean? Perhaps it means to enjoy yourself, to enjoy life. 'But it looks like those who say it don't understand that the biggest pleasure and happiness is children.' Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed his people on Children's Day in both Russia and Ukraine He spoke as a Kyiv girl was killed and thousands of children were evacuated from Belgorod region - where anti-Putin partisans backed by Ukraine carried out intense shelling. Harrowing photos showed a grandmother collapsed in grief today after she discovered her daughter and granddaughter had been killed in the strike in Ukraine's capital that left three dead. Her agonising screams and wails tore through the deathly silence in the city as she saw the charred bodies of her daughter and nine-year-old granddaughter on the ground in front of her. The barrage of cruise and ballistic missiles struck at 3am and tore through homes, a kindergarten and a medical clinic in the Ukrainian capital, leaving a scene of utter devastation. The strikes have been relentlessly hitting the capital for weeks. Bizarrely, Putin also informed Russians about his sleeping habits as his war inflicted terror both on Ukrainians and his own people. Harrowing photos showed a grandmother collapsed in grief today after she discovered her daughter and granddaughter had been killed in the Russian missile strike in Ukraine's capital that left three dead A relative sits next to the covered body of a 9-year-old girl near a health center damaged in a missile strike in Kyiv on Friday 'Of course, like all people I sleep,' he announced. 'Unlike some people, you know, I try not to give up playing sports, and this helps in my work. 'I sleep, well, in general, maybe a little, six to seven hours, six mostly. 'Today, however, I slept much less, it happened so.' On Tuesday it is believed he was also woken by explosions from Ukrainian drones near his high security official residence in Moscow region. His incongruous ramblings aired today came as videos showed the Russian city of Belgorod hit by powerful explosions. Earlier repeated shelling on blitzed Russian border town Shebekino led to mass evacuations amid fears they will lose control of a swathe of territory in his latest humiliation of the war. READ MORE: Grandmother's agony as Putin kills her daughter and nine-year-old granddaughter: Mother and child are among three people killed in 3am missile strike as Russia keeps up relentless attacks on Kyiv Medics, holding the woman's hands, slowly led her away from the horrific scene - her face etched with utter grief and shock that her loved ones were now lying dead on the ground Advertisement The attacks meant Russians tasted the horror that Putin has inflicted on Ukrainian towns and cities for more than 15 months. It was the most intense day of attacks on Russian territory since the start of the war deepening the failure of Putin's war which was meant to see Ukraine crumble in less than a week. One strike hit a plant of Monocrystal, in Shebekino. Monocrystal is the world's largest producer of artificial sapphires, used in the production of expensive glass for Apple smart watches. But the premises were reportedly used by the Russian military. The Russian Volunteer Corps claimed to be fighting on the outskirts of Shebekino. The Free Russia Legion issued an appeal to Russian servicemen to mutiny. 'The time has come to make the right decision,' they said in a statement. 'You are sent to a criminal, predatory war - but you are not slaves. 'The Putin regime puts you before a choice: go to die in a foreign country, or undergo cannibalistic prison punishments for refusing to become an occupier. 'We urge you to cast aside this slave paradigm and move to the side of good.' They are urged to 'lay down your arms and make a decision - no longer participate in this war and sit out the hostilities in Ukrainian captivity in humane conditions, under the supervision of representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross' - or to join Russian patriots 'who are waging a war of liberation against the Putin regime'. A video showed Russian district administration officials in border town Shebekino burning documents amid fears the settlement will be grabbed by anti-Putin partisans backed by Ukraine. Russians were seen queuing for petrol to escape their own region amid real signs it could be under the control of Putin foes and Ukrainians. A female student told of 'fear and panic' in her blitzed Russian border town Shebekino, highlighting how Putin's war has left residents exposed to acute danger. The frightened and desperate unnamed 18-year-old said in a video: 'My family has no money and no way to travel outside the town. Medics, holding the woman's hands, slowly led her away from the horrific scene - her face etched with utter grief and shock that her loved ones were now lying dead on the ground A view of a residential building damaged in a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, on Thursday Pictured: Russian border town Shebekino on fire. Earlier repeated shelling on Shebekino led to mass evacuations amid fears they will lose control of a swathe of territory in his latest humiliation of the war 'I've been caught in the shelling more than once. 'I've seen people running out of their houses, literally in their underwear to shelters, basements, or [they] just fell on the ground and hid. 'I've seen mothers covering their children. 'I saw fear and panic in people's eyes. 'It scares me to think that children as young as seven know what...Grad shells are. 'This is literally destroying our children's psyche.' The nerves of residents are 'shot', she said, accusing the Russian authorities of failing to provide safety for citizens. The technical college student pleaded: 'I want to live like other cities in Russia. 'Shebekino is part of Russia... 'We are asking for help.' The student added: 'We do not know who will protect us, who will help us. 'Why do we have to leave the city by ourselves? 'Why do we have to leave the land where we were born?' Forensic police tonight are continuing to investigate a pleasure boat at the centre of the Bournemouth beach horror as man arrested for suspicion of manslaughter of the 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy died has been released under investigation. In a fresh statement last night, officers reiterated that there was no suggestion the youngsters jumped off Bournemouth pier or that jet skis were involved amid fears that the youngsters got into difficulty in the water in the wake of a vessel. The arrested man in his 40s had been on the water at the time of the incident, which saw a further eight children harmed and rescued from the waters near Bournemouth Pier. The boy and girl who sadly died were from separate groups visiting the beach and the man arrested was not known to them, police said yesterday evening. His release comes as Dorset Police officers seized a cruise boat called The Dorset Belle placing it under the guard of Poole Harbour, five miles away from Bournemouth Pier where it usually sails from. The Dorset Belle still remained at Poole Harbour last night, being watched by police officers The cruise boat called Dorset Belle, which usually sails from Bournemouth Pier, has reportedly been placed under the guard of Poole Harbour A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy have died after a major incident took place in the water on Bournemouth beach People were seen laying flowers on Bournemouth Beach, near the pier, following the deaths of the two young people No one is currently allowed on board or able to touch the vessel, with photos showing the boat being guarded by police officers this afternoon. On the day of the horrendous incident, the Dorset Belle reportedly had made numerous circuits around Bournemouth Pier according to the online tracker MarineTraffic. A police source told The Times: 'This vessel is under a police cordon. No one is permitted onboard or to touch the vessel.' The seize of the boat comes after an MP claimed that Dorset Police were investigating whether wash from a vessel had impacted the young people getting into trouble. Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West, raised concerns that a vessel may have created 'conditions' that made the water 'more dangerous'. The Conservative politician said: 'It would seem not a far reach to draw a conclusion that while the vessel may not have physically touched the young people, perhaps it created the conditions which made being in the water more dangerous by the speed it was going.' Two uniformed police officers were seen inspecting the tourist boat at 4.20pm, the paper reported. The boat, which can accommodate up to 80 guests, takes tours every hour on the hour between 11am and 5pm, showing tourists views of the Chines, Sandbanks, Studland and Old Harry Rocks. The cruise boat called the Dorset Belle, which usually sails from Bournemouth Pier, has been placed under the guard of Poole Harbour by police The Dorset Belle pictured packed with tourists next to Bournemouth Pier in August 2021 The boat, which can accommodate up to 80 guests, takes tours every hour on the hour between 11am and 5pm, showing tourists views of the Chines, Sandbanks, Studland and Old Harry Rocks. Pictured: The Dorset Belle sailing past the pier in 2021 Tonight, the Dorset Belle remains at Poole Harbour under police watch As of 6pm tonight, MarineTraffic shows the popular tourist boat stationed at Poole Harbour - around five miles away from where it's usually stationed at the pier. Police vehicles surrounded the boat but the force did not provide any details when contacted by MailOnline this evening. Eight other children were hurt after getting into trouble in the water close to the beach and pier in Dorset packed with half-term holidaymakers and locals on Wednesday afternoon. Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan pleaded with the public 'not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident' in a bid to protect enquiries' and 'out of respect for the victims' families'. He urged those with footage to submit it to police officers rather than posting it online. Supt Corrigan added: 'Early investigation indicates that there was no physical contact between a vessel and any swimmers at the time of the incident and there is no suggestion of people jumping from the pier or jet skis being involved. 'We know that the beach was very busy when this incident occurred. I am urging anyone who saw what happened, or has any information that may assist our investigation, to please come forward. 'Also, I urge anyone with relevant phone footage that may assist our enquiries to submit it to Dorset Police via the Major Incident Public Portal quoting Operation Marble rather than sharing it on social media.' The detective chief did not reveal what he believed had caused the tragedy. The Dorset Belle docked against Bournemouth Pier in a photo taken in July 2021 A bunch of flowers left on Bournemouth beach for a 17-year-old-boy and a girl aged 12 who died on Wednesday A sign on Bournemouth Beach which was packed by holidaymakers and locals yesterday 'I would like to sincerely thank the members of the public who went to help the people in trouble in the water. I am also very grateful for the wider beachgoers who cleared the beach really quickly and allowed the emergency services to do their work', he said. 'This incident sparked a multi-agency response from a range of emergency services, including the ambulance service, HM Coastguard, the RNLI, the fire service, BCP Council and Dorset Police. 'All these emergency responders came together to provide a really swift and well-coordinated response and did everything they could to save lives. I thank all of those responders for their professionalism and compassion in the face of this tragedy.' Officers from Dorset police will continue with patrols over the next few days, with support from the local councils beach services and the RNLI. Anyone with concerns or information about the incident are urged to approach them. Councillor Vikki Slade, leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said what happened in Bournemouth on Wednesday must have been a 'terrifying' experience. She said: 'Again I want to add our sincere condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with the families of the young people that were in the water. 'It must have been a really terrifying experience for everybody. 'The services worked incredibly well together. Our staff on the beach all rallied round to support the emergency services.' She said there are additional staff available for the public on the beach on Thursday and over the weekend, adding: 'The beach is busy. We are making sure that the RNLI are very visible and that our teams are available there to support people and make sure that they feel safe on the beach.' She said Bournemouth 'remains a really fantastic place to visit', adding that the incident needs to be investigated properly. 'And we are confident with our partners that any lessons that need to be learned in the future will will be learned,' she said. Families arriving at the beach on Thursday spoke of their shock at the previous day's events. One woman, who did not want to be named, said: 'It's such a shame, people just come here to have fun, it's a real tragedy.' One of the men was pulled from the water and had to be given CPR on the beach by lifeguards before being taken away by air ambulance Body is found after a man failed to return home from an open swimming session at a beauty spot A body has been found after a man failed to return home from an open swimming session at a beauty spot. Emergency services including Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called to Hetton Lyons Country Park in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, late last night, Wednesday, May 31. After a search of the area the body of a man was recovered. A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: 'At around 11.30pm we received a report of concern for the welfare of a 55-year-old man, who had not returned home from an open water swimming session in Hetton Lyons Park. 'Police attended the area, and assisted by colleagues from the National Police Air Service and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service carried out a full and thorough search of the area. 'Sadly those searches led to the discovery of the body of a man. His family have since been notified and are currently being supported by specialist officers.' Advertisement Eyewitness Howard Cohen, from London, said: 'I could see a lot of commotion going on, there were a lot of ambulances, police and people rushing to the beach. 'Later on they cleared the beach. It was just awful. At the time there was a lot of panic going on with the police and ambulance.' Mackenzie Creech, 18, was with pals on the beach at the south coast holiday spot enjoying the sunshine when they heard shouts and screams from the pier. He looked up and saw crowds pointing to someone in the water and rushed in with a pal to drag her onto the beach but sadly there was nothing they could do to save her. The girl - who has not been named - died along with a 17-year-old boy in the incident which also left eight other children injured after it is believed they were dragged out to sea by a riptide after jumping from the pier. Mackenzie told MailOnline: 'Everything happened so quickly, one minute I was enjoying the beach with some friends and then the next we heard screaming and shouting. 'We were on the other side of the pier but you could hear all this noise so we went over to see what was going on and people were pointing into the water. 'I could see a body in the water, and just rushed in and scooped her up with someone else. She was face down when I got there and not moving. 'She was in a bad way. 'She was in a swimming costume but she didn't appear to have any injuries on her. There were no cuts or bruises and I just knew it didn't look good so I carried her onto the beach. 'I put her down on the sand and by this time the emergency services had come over and they started doing CPR on her. 'People were screaming and shouting and it was all really chaotic and then someone put some towels up as a screen while the paramedics worked on her. 'I was hoping she would make it and I didn't know she had passed away until I saw it on the news. I was gutted when I heard that and it's upset me, it's so sad something like this happened.' Mackenzie, who is from Tilehurst near Reading and studying sport at college, added: 'I don't really know what happened. It was all a bit confusing. 'People were saying they had been hit by a jet ski or a boat but there were definitely no injuries on the girl. There was no blood or cuts or anything like that. 'What amazed me was the amount of people who were just filming everything on their phones when the emergency services were trying to do their work. 'As I left a policeman took my details and said thanks for doing what I did but I just did what anyone would have done.' Mackenzie's father company director Robert Creech, told MailOnline: 'He was very quick in his actions and was just trying to help. 'When he told me about it, I could see he was upset and when we heard the poor girl had passed away, he was gutted. 'It's such a shame as all those involved are so young. 'He had just gone down to the beach with his friends for half term and then this happened but I'm proud he did what he could to help. He's a good lad.' Another witness, Tom Saunders, told Sky News: 'I was surfing on the west side with about four other people and we heard the lifeguard sirens going off, making announcements, and the beach got cleared either side. 'Obviously we knew something had gone on and the helicopter was coming so we knew it was serious. 'Unfortunately I saw someone receiving CPR. The lifeguards put up a screen so no-one could see but unfortunately from where we were we could. 'The jet-skis were going round the pier looking for stuff, so me and three other surfers offered to help and actually paddled into the pier to have a look. 'They said there were two people missing at the time, then after about half an hour they said everyone was accounted for and we just carried on.' Earlier multiple witnesses said that people had been jumping from the pier. The sand close to the pier had to be cleared so two air ambulances could land, but sadly the two schoolchildren later died in hospital. Witnesses described harrowing scenes as CPR was administered on the beach and some 'idiots' with phones were seen filming lifeguards trying to revive the two children. Since 2004, Britain's Maritime and Coastguard Agency has dealt with more than 200 incidents of tombstoning, including pier jumping, leading to at least 70 injuries and 20 deaths. Yesterday police confirmed that no vessel is believed to have been in 'physical contact' with the children following speculation on social media they had been hit by a jet-ski or boat. But there have been claims that the tragedy may have been caused by the wash of a jet ski. Mackenzie Creech, pictured with his father Robert, had found the girl unresponsive in the water The town's historic pier on Thursday morning as litter pickers removed rubbish MailOnline has asked Dorset Police to comment. But one local surfer said he witnessed three jetskiers 'buzzing the pier' close to the line on Tuesday, the day before the tragic incident. There has been an ongoing issue between jetskiers and water users around the area of the pier. Nicola Holton, who was at the beach with her husband, said: 'One lifeguard went to rescue two swimmers struggling but he couldn't bring them in. He spotted another person struggling and a second lifeguard went out to them but there were multiple people in trouble. 'The remaining lifeguard was trying to get everyone out of the water. The ambulance service came to the struggling person rescued by the second lifeguard. More lifeguards arrived to rescue another swimmer near the pier. My husband spotted another swimmer struggling. He ran to the lifeguards. The guard immediately went in and they picked him up on a jet ski. 'I will never ever get the image out of my head of him being brought out. They cleared the beach for the air ambulance. Then another was spotted and again brought to shore to be worked on. Absolutely horrible. 'Loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones.' Paul Moyce, 61, said he believed those involved had been jumping into the sea off the pier. He said: 'I think they went off the end of the pier and went out too far. They must have got caught by the current. I lived here for 61 years and I've never seen anything like it.' Nicola Holton, 43, and Stuart Clark, 42, were on the beach with their two children when the tragedy unfolded. They said the summertime scene turned into something from 'a horror film.' Mr Clark said: 'As we walked to the east side of the pier there was at least one but probably a few jet skiers going across the right side of the pier. 'We didn't take too much notice of them at the time. 'There were announcements throughout the afternoon telling people not to climb on the pier. After 2pm it seemed like people weren't going near it. 'The next announcement we got was at 4pm about a dangerous riptide in the water and it wasn't soon after that we saw a couple of swimmers in trouble out to sea. One tearful mourner laid roses on the sand this morning as Bournemouth mourned the loss of two children 'It got really chaotic when they brought a young man back to shore on a lifeguard jet ski. It was obvious he wasn't alive. That's when people started gathering around and the lifeguards were trying to clear the beach at the same time as helping the others in the water. 'We saw the young girl get brought out too and there were no obvious injuries on her either. I just wanted to get my family off the beach with our belongings.' Miss Holton said: 'It was like a scene from a horror film. After an afternoon of lovely weather and the odd announcement to tell kids to stop climbing on the pier it looked like it had all settled down. 'When we first spotted the swimmers in distress they were far out to the east side of the pier. 'A lifeguard ran into the water with a surfboard and it seemed to take ages for him to get to them. There was an announcement to get out of the water and then the lifeguards started bringing people back to shore. 'A few were taken to the lifeguard tent and then we saw the young man and girl brought out. We were packing up our things to leave as quickly as we could. It was just awful. 'There were loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones.' The first person to reach the girl who died was an 18-year-old boy. His father, Rob Creech, said yesterday: 'My son was on the other side of the pier swimming with a few friends. 'All of a sudden there were a lot of people on the pier shouting and screaming that there was somebody in the water. He swam to the other side of the pier and he found a young girl floating face down in the water. 'The emergency services were just arriving at the beach so he was shouting to them and scooped her up to swim to shore. He managed to get her out onto the beach and the emergency services took it from there.' The operation involved multiple teams from across the emergency services The beach had to be cleared before the air ambulances were able to land There are yellow marker buoys 200m off the beach and water craft operating inside that area are restricted to speeds of 6 knots. One local surfer said he witnessed three jetskiers 'buzzing the pier' close to the line on Tuesday, the day before the tragic incident. Lawrence Hopgood said: 'I was surfing the night before There were 3 jetskiers buzzing the pier and getting close to the line. A lifeguard went out on a jetski and spoke to them, then left. 'The jetskiers didn't leave but proceeded to do donuts near the surfers, whilst filming themselves.' Lifeguards on the busy beach had rushed into the water by Bournemouth Pier after a group of people got into difficulty in the sea at about 4.30pm on Wednesday. It is believed that all of those involved were aged between 12 and 18. None of the other eight who were injured children were seriously harmed and they were treated at the scene by the ambulance service. Emergency services were quickly at the scene and the teenage boy and girl were rushed to hospital after sustaining critical injuries. Speaking last night, Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said: 'I express my deep condolences to the family and friends of the two young people who tragically lost their lives in Bournemouth. 'A dreadful event in circumstances when they were enjoying beautiful weather in our town. So sad.' The MP added that the incident was a 'salutary lesson' that 'danger is ever present' on beaches and the ocean. He went on to thank the life guards and air ambulance members 'who we can take for granted'. Thousands of people were enjoying the sunny weather before being asked to leave the beach by police Two people were taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital Eeman Qamar, from Southampton, was on the beach with her mother and three-month-old baby. She told the BBC that just after 4pm lifeguards began to tell people to clear the beach, saying there had been a major incident. 'After about 20 minutes, the first air ambulance arrived and landed right in the middle of the beach,' she said. Ms Qamar continued: 'The lifeguards started getting on jet skis and boats, searching the sea and about 20 minutes later the second air ambulance arrived and it took another hour-and-a-half for them to finish the whole search and rescue operation.' A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service spokesperson said: 'We were called to East Beach, Bournemouth at 4.39pm to support a multi-agency incident. 'We have crews in attendance from Westbourne and Springbourne, together with a technical rescue team from Poole.' A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: 'We sent two air ambulances, six double-crewed land ambulances, one critical care car, two operations officers, one doctor, one hazardous area response team and one responding officer.' HM Coastguard told MailOnline that 'two people had been pulled from the water and passed into the care of the ambulance service' and that 'coastguards searched to make sure there were no other people missing and are satisfied there are not'. Bus routes that would normally serve the Pier stops were diverted through the square. Anyone with information about what happened should contact Dorset Police on www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230083818. Alternatively, witnesses can contact independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111. Im not sure whether Ive mentioned the name Donald Trump in previous articles. I jest of course, though perhaps I shouldnt, since what follows is a serious look at one or two topical issues. But the word Trump does appear. Though not in the thrilling context of a card game; nor will it occupy the entire article and ruin your day. Until recently, within a well-organised, systematic programme to revive his profile in the eyes of the American public, Mr Trump appeared to be revelling in all the negative publicity emerging across a number of fronts; especially the ongoing and imminent court actions. But now a United States Of America (USA) court has found him guilty of sexual abuse of a female magazine columnist in the 1990s. Republican stalwarts will probably still vote for him remember the old political science saying about modern democracies: I would vote for a pig if it stood for my party but it looks unlikely this former president will re-secure full political credibility; unless he has a trump card to play! On the other hand, its quite conceivable that a significant portion of the American public rather admires someone who has survived the scandals; and insulted the plaintiff in court, saying she wasnt his type and that shed made up the story to boost sales of her book. One hopes, however, that the majority will vote on the view that hes got nothing other than the arrogant narcissism of extreme wealth. From a legal perspective, the Trump case must be one of the first of its kind. In the USA, the Statute of Limitations, in common with many countries of the world, limits the time available for civil litigation to six years. But the Adult Survivors Act of 2022 has allowed a one-year window to November 2023 for certain survivors of sexual assault to seek civil damages against their perpetrators and those who protected the perpetrators; and regardless of when the assault was committed. Specifically, the law aims to protect survivors of adult sexual assault. There is a much broader window for litigation where similar offences relate to minors. Justice It is, of course, hugely emancipating for women to be able to bring lawsuits to achieve justice for wrongs done in the days when they had relatively weak status and were easy prey in court and outside. And when comparing criminal and civil lawsuits in the USA, in a criminal case the jury has to find a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt based on the evidence provided. With a civil action the wording becomes much lighter to more likely guilty, than not. That reduces the incidence of all-or-nothing court verdicts, and thus provides a substantially improved chance of some justice for the aggrieved plaintiff. It is perhaps inevitable that this lower threshold on jury verdicts will carry the risk of bogus or exaggerated allegations, especially in view of the size of the damages award to the magazine columnist. She got US$5 million. There are plenty of ambulance chaser lawyers over there, wholl take the chance on a high percentage success-fee basis, where the plaintiff pays nothing if the outcome is unsuccessful. The USA, not alone among the countries of the world, has plenty of sharp lawyers, prepared to exploit the murkier areas of allegation and accusation to get a verdict. Therein lies some risk; presumably manageable. Lets move now to the bigger picture. The USA was up for some criticism in an article published by this publication. But no country will claim to be operating to perfection; because no one would believe it. Capitalism has placed most of the USAs wealth in a tiny number of people. And the country has been an opportunist; though also a provider. It has made some significant mistakes. Reflected Avoiding a comprehensive attack on racism until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s forced its hand, reflected badly on the prevailing morality, more especially in southern states. And then, claiming that Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq until 2003, had weapons of mass destruction, ready to attack the West, was a huge blunder. No such weapons were ever found and its reliably argued that Hussein destroyed them in order to re-establish status with the United Nations. Hussein abused and killed huge numbers of Iraqis but the US invasion was not the required solution. Apart from those aberrations, there can be no denying that the USA has a spectacular history. After refusing colonisation by kicking out the Brits in 1776, it developed a unified nation of 50 states under a common democratic political regime and federal law system; some achievement. And, as the biggest democracy in the world, it endeavours tirelessly to promote and protect sovereignty, transparency and accountability. How many countries can legitimately claim that? It has been a generous benefactor even saviour for many nations across the world, itself developing into the largest economy and the strongest nation technologically. It produces the best athletes and has pioneered the exploration of outer space. It is universally adored and admired for its huge contribution in literature, film and music; all that from one country. Walmart will stand firm on its Pride Month collection despite rivals Target pulling some merchandising in the wake of customer backlash. The billion-dollar American retailer's Chief Merchandising Officer Latriece Watkins said the more than 4,500 stores sell products 'all year that supports different groups' adding that 'in this particular case, we haven't changed anything in our assortment.' Last week, Target pulled some Pride-related merchandise, including items by transgender designer Erik Carnell, saying the products led to 'volatile circumstances,' such as confrontations between customers and Target employees, and customers throwing Pride merchandise on the floor. Walmart also offers LGBTQ-themed merchandise tied to Pride Month, which is celebrated in June, including rainbow-adorned flags, clothing and accessories. The backlash comes amid a broader wave of anti-woke boycotts against brands after Bud Light's disastrous marketing decision to promote its beer with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Walmart will stand firm on its Pride Month collection despite rivals Target pulling some merchandising in the wake of customer backlash Walmart also offers LGBTQ-themed merchandise tied to Pride Month, which is celebrated in June, including rainbow-adorned flags, clothing and accessories Its 'Pride & Joy' collection includes a $7.98 set of enamel pins with messages such as 'Be you. Be Proud.' and 'You are enough' as well as children's pride themed clothes such as a shirt that says, 'I love my 2 moms.' Walmart's Watkins said the retailer hasn't changed its security measures in response to the confrontations Target cited at its own stores, adding that Walmart hasn't seen similar issues. 'In this particular case, when we think about security... we have not done anything in particular differently related to security in our stores,' Watkins said. In an email to DailyMail.com Walmart said its comment hasn't changed from its previous statement adding 'we have nothing more to add beyond Latriece's comments.' DailyMail.com has contacted Target for comment. Target's decision to remove some Pride products came weeks after brewer Anheuser-Busch's partnership with transgender triggered a huge boycott. Since then Bud Light's sales have plunged as much as 30 percent and parent firm ABInBev's shares have been sent sliding. On Wednesday, Target's market value plummeted by $14 billion as shares dropped for the ninth consecutive day by a further 2.14 percent. Walmart's 'Pride & Joy' collection includes a $7.98 set of enamel pins with messages such as 'Be you. Be Proud.' and 'You are enough' as well as children's pride themed clothes such as a shirt that says, 'I love my 2 moms' It comes as the chain seeks to recover from backlash against its female swimwear range which gives adult wearers the option to 'tuck' male genitalia. The company's market value had been $74 billion - with shares trading at $160.96 - as of May 17. But stock fell later that week when it made 'adjustments' to its Pride merchandising plans, including removing displays 'that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior' at some of its stores, said CEO Brian Cornell in a statement last week. Some Southern stores were forced to move merchandise - many of which were designed by Erik Carnell, a transgender man and self-proclaimed Satanist - to the back of stores. It was done to avoid a 'Bud Light situation' - a disastrous marketing decision to promote Bud Light's beer with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney - following a consumer boycott of its Pride Month items. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told shareholders on Wednesday that stock is up more than 14 percent. The latest data indicates a hardening of recent sales trends, after Bud Light's April 1 promotion with Mulvaney (above) sparked anti-LGBTQ backlash and boycott threats Retail giant Target's market value plummeted on Wednesday by $14 billion as shares dropped by a further 2.14 percent for the ninth consecutive day Carnell - a British designer whose slogans include 'Satan loves pronouns' - introduced a collection featuring bags and similar paraphernalia as well as a handful of other items, which were pulled by Target. Carnell said his designs - which are printed on pins, stickers and T-shirts - have been labeled 'Satanic' - but were not those being sold in Target as part of Pride month. Companies like Target that launch products and campaigns for Pride Month seek to profit from LGBTQ people but fail to stand by them when challenges arise, Carnell said. 'It's a very dangerous precedent to set, that if people just get riled up enough about the products that you're selling, you can completely distance yourself from the LGBT community, when and if it's convenient,' said Carnell. 'If you're going to take a stance and say that you care about the LGBT community, you need to stand by that regardless.' In tandem, LGBTQIA+ communities slammed the retailer, as did governor Gavin Newsom, who accused Target of 'systematically attacking' the gay community. 'Satan-loving' Carnell had his products pulled from Target after the retail giant faced a consumer boycott over its Pride Month collection Pride Adult Bikini Swim Bottom - Black - $25 at Target He wrote on Twitter on May 24: 'CEO of Target Brian Cornell selling out the LGBTQIA+ community to extremists is a real profile in courage. 'This isn't just a couple stores in the South. There is a systematic attack on the gay community happening across the country. Wake up America. 'This doesn't stop here. You're black? You're Asian? You're Jewish? You're a woman? You're next.' In retaliation, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote: 'No one is attacking the gay community Gavin. 'They don't want their children forcefully exposed to the radical side of pride with 'tuck it' and 'binding' children's clothes and messaging while simply shopping at Target. We don't support your California child genital mutilation industry. As a matter of fact, I want to end it.' Angered consumers called for the retailer to be boycotted. One wrote: 'Target is far worse than Bud Light ever was. Time to boycott!!!' Another said: 'All Christians and religious need to boycott Target. We need to send a message to these woke companies that choose evil as their marketing tactic. It's just sick. Target Pride Month partner boasts about Satanism: Satan Respects Pronouns.' The swimsuits, which appear in sections set up for Pride month in June, include a label which advertises the 'tuck-friendly construction' and 'extra crotch' coverage. The design is made to help conceal a person's private parts Pride Month merchandise is displayed at a Target store on May 31, 2023 in San Francisco, California The retailer has been in the firing line for a host of other LGBTQIA+ related issues, which include an alleged partnership with a K-12 education group focusing on convincing schools to adopt policies which will help restrict parents' knowledge about their child's ongoing in-school gender transition. The education group, according to Fox, provides sexually explicit books to schools as part of its gender-based curriculum. The group, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) received roughly $2.1 million from Target in donations. The organization offers guidance about how to hide gender transitioning from parents. Carlos Saavedra, 43, is Target's vice president for brand management and also volunteers as a director at GLSEN. This is the moment a father grappled with a massive dog that had attacked his seven-year-old son. Former social worker Anthoney, battled to free his child from the 'devil' German Shepherd's jaws just minutes after it was said to have attacked two other children in Thornton Heath, south London, at around 8am yesterday. The huge dog was seized by police, who are trying to find its owner, while paramedics tended to Anthoney and his son. The unaccompanied dog first launched itself at Anthoney's son without catching him before going on a rampage along Broughton Road. The dog then returned to latch its jaws onto the seven-year-old, 'shaking him like a rag doll' beside his father's car. Former social worker Anthoney, battled to free his child from the 'devil' German Shepherd's jaws just minutes after it was said to have attacked two other children in Thornton Heath, south London, at around 8am yesterday This is the moment a father grappled with a massive dog that had attacked his seven-year-old son Anthoney and his son were hospitalised with dog bites on their right arms after the attack. The boy was also wounded on his right thumb and Anthoney said the dog dislocated his shoulder, with both father and son now on antibiotics. People at the scene said a crying mother later appeared and claimed her children had been attacked by the same dog. The horrifying ordeal started yesterday morning when Anthoney walked out of his house and his son ran ahead beyond the gate. Without knowing the dog was nearby, the former social care worker told his son not to go onto the pavement on his own. As the child closed the gate the huge German Shepherd sprinted up. Anthoney rushed his son inside and watched the dog charge at a mother-of-two's house directly across the road. The ginormous dog was trying to lunge through her open door but she managed to slam it shut. After the dog ran up the hill, Anthoney tried to hurry his son into the car. He said: 'I was putting him inside a car, and then all I heard is 'Dad - it's - it's' and then he screamed. 'It grabbed a hold of his hand and start thrashing like a rag doll. 'I had the keys in my hand and all I could do was grab it and start trying to whack it with them. 'I grabbed hold of the collar and twisted it, and then I was just trying to punch it with the key to try and get it to release him. 'You're not going to touch my child. 'I twisted it a bit tighter and tried get it to release him and then it grabbed hold of my hand. 'I pushed my hand back in its mouth and tried to push it back up against the wall to force it back and my son stood there and started to scream. 'I turned around and shouted ''Get in the car! Get in the car!'' When he got into the car he started screaming ''dad'' again. His shoes and everything were in the road. 'A gentleman ran out and shoved him the car and told him to stay in the car and said ''daddy's alright''. 'I continued to twist the collar and my son started to panic because he saw the dog wasn't letting go, so the gentleman took him into his house and another lady ran down from upstairs and sat with him. 'She said he was crying and the only way of consoling him was crying with him.' Another neighbour called the police at 8.52am, who arrived with riot shields and blocked off the road. However, Anthoney said that officers were reluctant to go near the dog. He added: 'We love animals but how can we domesticate dogs that size? It's massive. 'It's a German Shepherd mix, but it didn't look like it was a good mix because its back legs didn't look right. 'There are so many children living on this street but they don't go out. It's too dangerous.' The huge dog was seized by police, who are trying to find its owner, while paramedics tended to Anthoney and his son Anthoney said: 'I pushed my hand back in its mouth and tried to push it back up against the wall to force it back and my son stood there and started to scream' The Met Police told MailOnline: 'Police were called to reports of a man and a child attacked by an aggressive dog at Broughton Road, Thornton Heath. 'Officers and London Ambulance Service attended. 'At the scene a seven-year-old boy and an adult male were found with bite injuries. 'While at the scene, officers were approached by another man who had also been attacked by the dog. 'None of their injuries were life threatening. 'The dog, which appeared to be a German shepherd breed, was seized by officers and will be assessed. 'Enquiries are underway to identify and locate the owner of the dog.' The California Journalism Preservation Act would force big tech firms to pay a 'usage fee' to news publishers whose content appears on their platforms Facebook owner Meta is threatening to pull news content from its platforms in California if the state passes a bill forcing big tech companies to pay publishers a 'journalism usage fee.' The proposed California Journalism Preservation Act would oblige social media companies and firms, including Google, to pay a cut of advertising revenue to news publishers whose work appears on their websites. The bill is designed to reverse a decline in the local news industry, with publishers who receive payments forced to invest 70 percent of the money into 'news journalists and support staff.' Meta said on Wednesday the act would create a 'slush fund' that benefits large media companies and threatened to pull news from Facebook and Instagram accounts accessed in California, where it is headquartered. Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, said the proposed California Journalism Preservation Act would create a 'slush fund' that benefits large media companies Meta, which has been embroiled in several rows over payments for news publishers, says it provides value to media companies by driving traffic to their websites Meta's communications director, Andy Stone, said: 'If the Journalism Preservation Act passes, we will be forced to remove news from Facebook and Instagram rather than pay into a slush fund that primarily benefits big, out-of-state media companies under the guise of aiding California publishers. 'The bill fails to recognize that publishers and broadcasters put their content on our platform themselves and that substantial consolidation in California's local news industry came over 15 years ago, well before Facebook was widely used. 'It is disappointing that California lawmakers appear to be prioritizing the best interest of national and international media companies over their own constituents.' Lawmakers who support the bill said Meta's threat, which comes amid a global debate about how social media and tech firms compensate news publishers, was a 'scare tactic.' California Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, the Democrat who introduced the bill, said: 'This threat from Meta is a scare tactic that they've tried to deploy, unsuccessfully, in every country that's attempted this. 'It is egregious that one of the wealthiest companies in the world would rather silence journalists than face regulation.' The bill, which will be voted on in the California Assembly on Thursday, would force tech platforms to pay 'a journalism usage fee' to eligible providers that's equal to a percentage of the platforms' advertising revenue. The Media Guild of the West and Pacific Media Workers Guild, two unions which support the bill, said: 'Meta and Google rule as powerful landlords overseeing an ever-expanding slum of low-quality information.' Free Press Action, an opponent of the bill, claims it does 'nothing to support trustworthy local reporting and would instead pad the profits of massive conglomerates.' California Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, the Democrat who introduced the bill, said Meta's threat to pull news from its platforms in the state was a 'scare tactic' Meta and Google are also embroiled in similar rows both at a federal level in the United States and in several other countries. In December, Stone said Meta would remove news from its platforms if Congress passed the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act. The law, similar to the bill in California, would allow publishers to demand payments from big tech platforms. Google and Meta have made similar threats in Canada over a law aimed at forcing the companies to pay news publishers. Meta said it already provides value to news publishers by driving traffic to their websites and helping them attract subscriptions. Australia passed a world-first law in 2021 that compelled big tech companies to strike deals with media outlets to compensate them for content. Facebook initially blocked all news on its platform in the country while the legislation was being debated in the Senate. The historic move also inadvertently blocked non-media pages including some run by the government and emergency services. Facebook restored news to feeds after the government agreed not to apply the code to the company and others such as Google if they entered into licensing agreements with media publishers. Lawmakers said in December that the bill - which has led to more than 30 deals between tech firms and media outlets - had largely been a success. Having agreed to air it for free Thursday in honor of a year since its release, brass are now saying the 95-minute movie contains two instances of 'misgendering' Twitter boss Elon Musk has been accused of flouting free speech for reneging on a deal to air a Daily Wire-funded film over claims it 'misgenders' trans people - claims the CEO later shot down by calling the decision a 'mistake' made by his staffers. Laid bare by the conservative publication's own CEO Thursday, the pulled deal pertains to Matt Walsh's polarizing What Is a Woman - which Twitter brass are now saying contains instances of 'misgendering' that goes against its terms of service. Detailed in a barrage of tweets that tagged Musk direct, Twitter's supposed qualms with the film stem from two scenes staffers categorized as 'hateful conduct' upon viewing, claiming it goes against the site's terms of service. Taking notice of the bizarre saga overseas was Musk - who is currently away on business in China - who seemed to suggest he had no knowledge of his workers' decision, and even fundamentally disagreed. That said, the outspoken mogul quickly criticized misgendering - the use of a person's non-preferred pronouns - as a 'rude' practice he does not approve of. While addressing the matter, the sudden assertion from Musk was somewhat vague, the Wire wondering if the deal was still on - after they were told that the film's previously sponsored screening would now be censored on the platform. Elon Musk has claimed staff working under him 'made a mistake' when they reneged on an agreement to air a Daily Wire documentary Thursday The pulled deal pertains to Matt Walsh's polarizing documentary - which saw him interview various people about constitutes a woman. Twitter brass, after agreeing to air it for free Thursday in honor of its first anniversary, are saying it contains instances of 'misgendering' This was a mistake by many people at Twitter,' Musk, 44, tweeted from China in reply to posts outlining the controversy from The Daily Wire's own CEO, Jeremy Boering. 'It is definitely allowed. Whether or not you agree with using someones preferred pronouns, not doing so is at most rude and certainly breaks no laws.' The film in question, released last year, follows Walsh - a Daily Wire columnist - as he questions the transgender movement and what it means to be 'a woman', often to mixed results. Walsh, a 36-year-old far right activist, has been consistent about his view that transgender people are, in reality, the gender they were biologically assigned at birth - something he seeks to hit home at several points in the 95-minute film. Responding to claims that he and his new company were in violation of the First Amendment, Musk said that while he does not believe the intentional or accidental use of a person's non-preferred pronouns to be a hangable offense, it's still, at the very least, uncouth by his standards. 'I should note that I do personally use someones preferred pronouns, just as I use someones preferred name, simply from the standpoint of good manners,' Musk wrote after Boering revealed the bizarre sequence of events - and apparent miscommunication - that spurred his accusations online. 'However, for the same reason, I object to rude behavior, ostracism or threats of violence if the wrong pronoun or name is used.' Boreing - who launched The Daily Wire with fellow founder Ben Shapiro back in 2015 - minutes late offered up a response asking for clarification on the planned Twitter Spaces screening, as well as the two companies' now-up-in-the air partnership. 'I appreciate the reply,' Boreing, also 44, wrote in response to Musk's tweet, which within the span of an hour had been viewed millions of times. The exec went on to cite that a series of test posts containing scenes Twitter staffers had deemed problematic 'were indeed labeled hateful conduct' with their share functions disabled. 'We are trying to reach your team to determine what this means for those posts, whether or not our event tonight will be allowed to proceed unencumbered, and whether or not we will be allowed to purchase the live event page and reach block as originally agreed,' Boreing explained. Meanwhile, Musk's statement on the matter was decidedly vague, leaving CEO Jeremy Boreing - who unveiled the bizarre saga in a barrage of tweets a few hours earlier - wondering if the deal was still on 'I appreciate your view of polite behavior, but our business is to debate public policy and philosophy,' he continued. 'As such, we have an obligation to speak in ways consistent with our position. Our hope is that Twitter remains a place where we are free to do so.' Twitter - once thought to be a haven for First Amendment revelers following Musk's $44billion takeover last year - recently removed 'misgendering' from their terms of service, but in statements to The Daily Wire, claimed that to be a misunderstanding. Clarifying their decision, staffers reportedly told Boreing they simply removed their pronoun policy to streamline their hate-speech related policies. With Musk away on a surprise trip to China - and the 2012 film set to air for free on Twitter's Spaces in honor of its first anniversary - staffers explained they still consider 'misgendering' abuse and harassment, and would not be airing it as agreed. 'They gave us the opportunity to edit the film to comply,' Boering revealed Thursday in one of several tweets just hours ahead from the agreed air time of 8pm ET. 'We declined.' In the barrage of posts, the 44-year-old Texan revealed it was two scenes in particular that resulted in the deal being pulled, despite the film already being released for the better part of a year. In one of those scenes, Boreing explained, a father refers to his 14-year-old transgender son as a 'her' - while in another, a store owner purposely uses the 'wrong' pronoun during a heated confrontation with a transgender woman. Earlier in the day, Musk - currently overseas in China - was accused by Boreing of flouting free speech for pulling the deal, which Twitter said stems from two scenes in particular In one of those scenes, a store owner purposely uses the 'wrong' pronoun during a heated confrontation with a transgender woman Staffers deemed the scene - and another where a father refers to his 14-year-old transgender son as a 'her'- hateful after an test viewing, despite the film already being released for the better part of a year The aforementioned altercation - and instance of misgendering - occurred after the transgender woman saw this sign hanging in the proprietor's store. The Daily Wire said Thursday the refused to remove the scene to move the screening forward Walsh, a father of four who hosts a Daily Wire podcast, confronts pro-choice protesters in controversial the film, quizzing them on what it means to be a woman Released a year ago Thursday, Walsh's documentary and book of the same title have been generally well received by audiences open to his issue viewpoints, but widely disparaged by individuals left of center Walsh, a 36-year-old far right activist, has been consistent about his view that transgender people are, in reality, the gender they were biologically assigned at birth - something he seeks to hit home at several points in the 95-minute film Using Musk's platform to announce the development, Boering recounted the behind-closed doors saga that predated it - while vowing to still screen the 95-minute film free of charge despite alleged promises from Twitter to 'throttle it.' 'One year ago today, we released What is a Woman?' Boering began, revealing Twitter suddenly pulled the deal with no notice - and its new plans to 'limit the reach of the film and label it as hateful conduct. The exec explained: 'To celebrate the occasion and expand the movie's already enormous impact, we decided to give it away for free for 24 hours on Twitter. 'With Twitter's recent commitments to free speech, we thought it would be the perfect place to distribute the film and drive the conversation forward. 'Twitter responded with enthusiasm and offered us the opportunity to buy a package to host the movie on a dedicated event page,' he added, saying that as part of the deal, Twitter would promote the Twitter Space event to users during its first 10 hours, so that it would get more exposure. 'We accepted and signed an agreement,' Boreing said, before revealing how the newly announced nixing came to be. 'After we signed, Twitter asked to see the film to better understand what parts may "trigger" users, so they could better prepare their response. 'They said they were still all hands on deck for launch, so we sent them a screener.' Once the film got into the Silicon Valley firm's hands, Boreing said, the deal fell apart. Using Musk's platform to announce the development, Boering recounted the behind-closed doors saga that predated it - while vowing to still screen the 95-minute film free of charge despite alleged promises from Twitter to 'throttle it' Using Musk's platform to announce the development, Boering recounted the behind-closed doors saga that predated it - while vowing to still screen the 95-minute film free of charge despite alleged promises from Twitter to 'throttle it' 'After reviewing the film,' he explained, 'Twitter let us know that not only could we no longer purchase the package they offered, they would no longer provide us any support and would actually limit the reach of the film and label it as "hateful conduct" because of "misgendering." 'Specifically,' he said, laying out the aforementioned scenes staffers took issue with while using the film subjects' nonpreferred pronoun, 'In the film, a father refers to his 14-year-old daughter as "her,' and a store owner uses the 'wrong' pronoun in a confrontation with a trans person.' The latter aforementioned altercation occurred after the transgender woman saw this sign hanging in the proprietor's store. The Daily Wire said Thursday the refused to remove the scene solely to move the screening forward. Boreing said: 'We reminded Twitter they removed 'misgendering' from their policy, that the term 'misgendering' itself is misleading, and that enforcing such a policy places them on the side of the most radical elements in society - the side most opposed to their commitment to free speech. 'Twitter clarified they only removed "misgendering" from their policy because they didn't need to be that specific, but that they still consider "misgendering" abuse and harassment,' Boreing added, revealing he turned down a chance to edit the scenes. When he asked how much staffers at the overhauled site would work to limit the the Twitter room's visibility if they posted a link anyway, Boreing claimed he was told it would not turn up on any of the Daily Wire's roughly 1.6million followers' respective feeds. 'When we asked how much they would limit the visibility if we posted the film anyway, Twitter replied that our own followers would not be able to see it in their feeds,' Boreing said. 'This, they said, is part of their speech not reach policy,' he added, referring to one of the new tenets of Musk's self professed Twitter 2.0, which involves restricting the reach of tweets that violate their policies instead of outright pulling them. Boreing pointed out what he claimed to be hypocrisies with the new speech standard. 'Of course, saying "you have the right to speak, but we'll make sure no one hears you' is a bit like saying 'you have the right to cast a vote, but we'll make sure it isn't counted." 'That's not a right at all,' he wrote, before accusing both Twitter and Musk of joining 'the ranks of the other tech superpowers in ensuring one side of the debate is suppressed.' Boreing, however, added that Musk - an outspoken libertarian who over the years has become increasingly right-leaning - 'is not beholden to conservatives', and thus has no official obligation to air the film. The exec went on to cite that a series of test posts containing scenes Twitter staffers had deemed problematic 'were indeed labeled hateful conduct' with their share functions disabled The film features interviews with polarizing figured such as Jordan Peterson, who earlier this year claimed that being transgender is a result of a 'contagion' 'He has the right to run his business as he sees fit,' Boreing explained. 'But if Twitter is going to throttle one side of one of the most important debates facing society, it cannot claim to champion free speech.' He added: 'I hope @elonmusk will reconsider this awful policy. If we can't debate these issues on Twitter, where can we debate them? 'If conservatives aren't welcome on Twitter, where are they welcome? It's unlikely another centibillionaire will come along to offer an alternative.' Amid this uncertainty over the screening, Boreing insisted: We plan to post the movie anyway tonight at 8:00 pm eastern. 'Will Twitter make good on their threat to throttle it and label it 'hateful conduct,' or will Twitter live up to its great promise? We'll all find out together.' Musk has yet to respond to Boreing's public inquiry. A woman who claimed for years to be the secret mother of Vladimir Putin has died in poverty age 97, it was revealed today. Vera Putina for decades said the Russian President was her son, born to her after she had an affair with a married man. The dictator has never publicly acknowledged these claims, despite the woman producing pictures of her son, which showed an uncanny resemblance to the now 70-year-old Russian leader. Vera had lived in the extremely poor village of Metekhi in the former Soviet state of Georgia. She claimed she gave away the Russian leader when he was just 10 years old. The woman first came forward with the claims in 1999, however, Putin wrote in his autobiography wrote that he was born and brought up in St Petersburg by a woman called Maria and his father, also called Vladimir Putin. Vera Putina for decades said Vladmir Putin, born to her after she had an affair with a married man In photos Vera's son looks uncanny to the Russian leader, who has always denied her claims Putin wrote in his autobiography wrote that he was born and brought up in St Petersburg by a woman called Maria and his father, also called Vladimir Putin The Russian leader claimed both of his parents had died from cancer in the 1990s. But details of the leader's childhood have been extremely hard to come by, with often the main sources for his early life being Putin himself. Vera, who nicknamed Putin Vova, said he had never forgiven her after he was sent to his grandparents in Ochyor, Russia and never came back. When Putin's 'secret mother' died this week, she had not had contact with him for 60 years. Sources in Georgia confirmed to The Sun that Vera had died of 'old age' in the capital Tbilisi. She was then buried in her native village of Metekhi on Tuesday. She alleged he was the couple's third son, with both of his older brothers had died, one in infancy and one of starvation. Records from the achieves of the the closet town to Metekhi, show a Vladmir Putin was registered at a village school from 1959 to 1960 and was born Georgian, not Russian. She claimed her time looking after young Putin ended after she fled his drunken father-in-law to her Russian parents. After she reconciled with her husband, she allegedly asked for Putin back, but her parents did not want to let the young boy go instead insisting 'they would take good care of him'. A photo of Vladimir Putin when he was just a toddler at two-years-old Records from the achieves of the the closet town to Metekhi, show a Vladmir Putin was registered at a village school from 1959 to 1960 and was born Georgian, not Russian Vera's account is at odds with 70-year-old Putin's that claims he was born in 1952 in Leningrad - now known as St Petersburg. She told The Sun in one of her last interviews: 'My dream is not to die without Vova seeing me and talking to me at least once. 'I often see him in my dreams, but he doesn't want to talk to me. Both in life and in dreams, he is upset about what I did, he cannot forgive me'. The Kremlin has dismissed these claims. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, previously said: 'The story is not true. It does not correspond to reality at all.' Rishi Sunak has said Ukraine's 'righful place' is in NATO after the PM met Volodymyr Zelensky at a summit of European leaders in Moldova, just 50 miles from war-torn Ukraine. Kyiv has long called for Ukraine to be admitted to Nato, but allies are divided about when and how any accession might happen as the war with Russia continues. Mr Sunak, speaking to broadcasters at the European Political Community summit, gave little further detail of the UK position on the Ukrainian path to membership. 'I agree with the Nato Secretary General that Ukraine's rightful place is in Nato and what we are also talking to Ukraine about right now is making sure they have all the support they need for a successful counteroffensive,' the Prime Minister said. The gathering, on the border of Ukraine, comes ahead of a key meeting of Nato leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July. Mr Sunak, speaking to broadcasters at the European Political Community summit, gave little further detail of the UK position on the Ukrainian path to membership 'I agree with the Nato Secretary General that Ukraine's rightful place is in Nato and what we are also talking to Ukraine about right now is making sure they have all the support they need for a successful counteroffensive,' the Prime Minister said Mr Sunak also said he was 'proud' of the UK's record in supporting Ukraine, adding: 'We want to make sure we put in place security arrangements for Ukraine for the long term, so we send a very strong signal to Vladimir Putin that we are not going anywhere, we are here to stay and we will continue backing Ukraine - not just now, but for years into the future' Mr Sunak also said he was 'proud' of the UK's record in supporting Ukraine, adding: 'We want to make sure we put in place security arrangements for Ukraine for the long term, so we send a very strong signal to Vladimir Putin that we are not going anywhere, we are here to stay and we will continue backing Ukraine - not just now, but for years into the future.' The UK has been among the most vocal backers of Ukrainian requests for support in the face of the Russian assault since last year's invasion. Mr Sunak, in a tweet, said it was 'always a privilege' to meet Mr Zelensky. He wrote: 'We're working with international partners to ensure Ukraine has the combat air capability needed to repel ongoing Russian aggression.' The Government has also offered support to Moldova, amid ongoing tensions with Moscow. 'As the first British Prime Minister to visit Moldova, I'm pleased to announce new support to aid them in the face of Russian aggression,' Mr Sunak tweeted on Thursday. 'Moldova is not alone.' Mr Sunak will tomorrow discuss with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez how they can keep up the momentum on tackling illegal migration waiter serves drinks to Rishi Sunak and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky The PM has already agreed a major deal with France to stop small boats The Prime Minister previously said he wanted to use a meeting of the new European Political Community to urge closer co-operation in securing the continent's borders. He arrived in the capital Chisinau - around 50 miles from the Ukraine border - this morning, ahead of the start of negotiations on an agreement to return illegal immigrants to Moldova. He is also expected to confirm that a similar deal with Georgia has come into force. Mr Sunak will also launch a partnership, including intelligence-sharing with Bulgaria, aimed at destroying the business model of the organised criminal gangs behind the people-smuggling trade. The Eastern European country is at the crossroads of two major routes as well as a key entry point for the dinghies used to cross the English Channel. But it came as Labour suggested the cost of looking after migrants arriving in the UK has quadrupled since the Tories came into power. The cost of the asylum system was 550m in 2012 but had risen to 2.1bn by 2021, according to figures first published by the Guardian. Rishi Sunak will use a meeting of the new European Political Community to urge closer co-operation in securing the continent's borders A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel after being rescued during a small boat incident in the Channel, May 19, 2023 A roundtable discussion will be led by the PM where he will stress the need to deal with immigration crime as well as supporting countries suffering from Russian aggression including not only Ukraine but also Moldova which is now home to thousands of refugees who have fled the war. Mr Sunak, who has made 'stopping the boats' before next year's general election one of his five pledges to voters, said last night: 'Europe is facing unprecedented threats at our borders. 'From Putin's utter contempt of other countries' sovereignty to the rise in organised immigration crime across our continent. Zelensky makes new plea for European weapons Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took his quest for more arms and support to a sprawling summit of some 50 European leaders in Moldova on Thursday, becoming the focal point of an event that seeks to quell regional conflicts and shore up unity in the face of Russia's war. The meeting of the pan-continental European Political Community, which embraces all European nations other than Russia and Belarus, gathered the heads of state and government from 47 countries but its attention was on the continent's south and east - a region pushed to a turning point in its relationship with Moscow because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. The 27-nation EU wants to use the summit to reach out to many Eastern European countries that spent decades either within the Soviet Union or under its immediate sphere of influence, and to bolster the continent's unified response to Russian aggression. The choice to hold the summit in Moldova, a former Soviet republic of around 2.6 million people, is seen as a message to the Kremlin both from the EU and the pro-Western Moldovan government, which received EU candidate status in June of last year at the same time as Ukraine. As he arrived, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell noted the significance of the summit's location, only around 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Ukraine's border. 'It's important that this message reaches Russia,' Borrell said. 'Russia is not here, not because we don't want to invite Russia, but because Putin's Russia was excluded from this community by launching this attack, this war - unjustified - against Ukraine.' Moldova, Europe's poorest country which is cradled by Ukraine on three sides, aspires to join the EU by the end of the decade, and has consistently signaled its support for Ukraine and taken in refugees fleeing the war. Zelenskyy was the first foreign leader to arrive at Thursday's summit venue, a 19th-century castle and vineyard around 35 kilometers (21 miles) from the capital, Chisinau. Dressed in his trademark olive green shirt and cargo pants, he thanked the Moldovan people for hosting Ukrainian refugees, and said both Ukraine and Moldova were destined to work 'shoulder to shoulder' for EU membership. 'What is very important: our future in the EU,' he said, adding that his country is ready to enter NATO whenever the Western military alliance is ready to accept it. Advertisement 'We cannot address these problems without Europe's governments and institutions working closely together. 'The security of our borders must be top of the agenda. The UK will be at the heart of this international effort to stop the boats.' The EPC was proposed by French president Emmanuel Macron a year ago to improve co-operation between countries both within and outside of the EU, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and met for the first time in Prague last October during Liz Truss's brief premiership. Britain will host a meeting of the forum in a year's time, following one in Spain this autumn. Mr Sunak will today discuss with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez how they can keep up the momentum on tackling illegal migration. The PM has already agreed a major deal with France to stop small boats and secured a returns agreement with Albania that has led to more than 1,000 Albanians being sent home. His flagship Illegal Migration Bill will prevent anyone who has entered the UK without authorisation from claiming asylum, and will instead mean they are detained then removed. However, Mr Sunak will tell today's gathering of almost 50 European leaders about the 'devastating humanitarian impact' of illegal migration, No 10 said, and will 'emphasise the need for all countries to grip this problem with a lawful and compass- ionate approach'. The number of small boat migrants who have crossed the Channel so far this year stands at just over 7,600 down 21 per cent on the same period last year. Official Home Office figures show 7,610 arrivals since January 1 excluding any unconfirmed number who reached Britain yesterday compared with 9,577 at the same point last year. Officials say it is too early to tell whether the decline is simply down to weather conditions. But if numbers are still down in one month's time, ministers may be able to claim that tough-talking policies combined with increased police activity against traffickers is beginning to have a deterrent effect. By the end of June last year, there had been more than 12,700 arrivals. The department's official projections set out a worst-case scenario of 85,000 migrants crossing the Channel this year, after a record 45,700 reached UK shores during 2022. A crucial ruling on the Rwanda asylum deal is due from the Court of Appeal within weeks. If judges decide the policy is lawful throwing out arguments made by the Public and Commercial Services trade union, a number of migrant charities and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees there is a possibility that removals flights to Africa could begin soon after. Home Office sources have indicated that charter flights to Kigali could begin even before the launch of any further appeal to the Supreme Court. Yesterday it emerged that the PCS union, which represents 16,000 Home Office workers, has threatened industrial action if they lose in the courts. In a 911 call her driver described the moment shooters fired more than 20 rounds A social media personality was killed when her Uber was ambushed by multiple gunmen as she was making her way home from a notorious Atlanta strip club where she had been dancing. In a panicked 911 call, the Uber driver, fearful to look out of the car and expose himself to gunfire, told an officer, 'Somebody in my car is shot'. Teisha Brewley, 31, was in the back of his Chevrolet Escalade at around 4.30am Tuesday when the car came under fire from shooters in two vehicles who collectively fired more than 20 rounds, according to the driver. Brewley, a Guyanese influencer who went by the name Tavi Badiee, had been on her way from the famous strip club Allure, where she danced regularly, to her home in the wealthy Buckhead neighborhood in the north of the city, Channel 2 Action News reported. Police say they believe it was targeted attack but no suspects have been identified. The deadly attack comes just months after a senate committee rejected a proposal for the neighborhood to secede from Atlanta - a move driven by conservative residents who claimed the Democratic-run city wasn't doing enough to fight crime. Teisha Brewley, 31, was fatally shot in the back of an Uber while on her way from an Atlanta strip club in which she had been dancing Multiple shooters in two cars fired more than 20 rounds at the 2018 Chevrolet Escalade, the Uber driver said The Uber driver told Channel 2 Action News that after he picked Brewley up from the club he was immediately tailed by two cars and that after driving for around a mile shooters, from both cars opened fire. A recording of the phone conversation in which the Uber driver, who was uninjured, called 911 after his car was showered in bullets was released by the Atlanta Police Department Wednesday. When the dispatch officer answered the phone, the driver told her: 'I'm in the road, somebody shot us.' The officer pressed for his location but he was fearful of peering out of the car to read the street signs. 'I don't know where I am,' he said. 'I am scared, somebody will shot.' 'Somebody killed in my car,' he said in a thick accent. When asked for the address again, he said: 'You want me to get out the car and see?' When asked if Brewley was breathing, he replied: 'Yeah. I see some breathing.' When EMS crews eventually arrived they found 'a female with multiple gunshot wounds' and 'pronounced the victim deceased', police said in a statement. Brewley's death came just days after she celebrated her 31st birthday. Various clips posted to her Instagram profile showed she was performing at Allure hours before the ambush. Originally from Georgetown, Guyana, she was said to have moved to Atlanta with her brother. In Georgia, she worked as a dancer and OnlyFans model and occasionally starred in her own rap music videos. Guyanese news outlet Stabroek News referred to her by another name, Tisha Brodie. No suspects have been publicly identified by the Atlanta Police Department, but a spokesperson said they believe it was a targeted attack Brewley is pictured celebrating her 31st birthday just days before the shooting. She was originally from Georgetown, Guyana, and moved to Atlanta with her brother In Georgia, Brewley worked as a dancer and OnlyFans model, and occasionally starred in music videos In a separate call released by police a security company called on behalf of a man who they say ordered the Uber. The caller says they received a 'mobile panic alert for a Uber customer, he stated he ordered a Uber for a friend that hasn't arrived to his location yet and the driver's location is showing to be in one spot for a long period of time'. 'Right now, this appears to be a targeted incident,' Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. of the Atlanta Police said. 'We don't have much to give out, various witnesses have said there's some time of sedan. Just due to the day light and the night time, the lights at night, we don't really know the vehicle color. It might be a light colored sedan,' he said. 'We are just asking anyone who saw anything, heard anything, to call Crime Stoppers, where they can remain anonymous,' he added. The driver's car came to a halt in the middle of Lindbergh Drive near Adina Drive, just one block from where Brewley lived, residents told Channel 2 Action News. One woman who heard the shots said she stayed at the scene after talking to police the Brewley's brother. He told her he didn't know anyone who would want to hurt his sister. 'Turns out she only lives on the next block,' witness Johari Humbles said. 'So she's less than a block away from home at that red light.' Another witness, Nic Taylor, told the station he didn't see who was following the black Escalade but the gunshots woke him up. 'It sounded like a war was going on outside,' he said 'I was shook. I mean, usually, when you hear gunshots, it's just like, "Pow, pow, pow," and it's over with, a quick little two seconds, but that sounded like a good 20 seconds.' The stretch of road on which the Escalade was stopped at the time of the ambush is one of the busiest in the Lindridge-Martin Manor neighborhood of northeast Atlanta, part of greater Buckhead. Allure, the infamous Cheshire Bridge Road strip club, is famous for hosting numerous celebrities including Drake, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. The club opened in 2018 and since then has also been the site of various shootings and violent crimes. Allure, where Brewley had been dancing on the night she died, posted a tribute to her on Instagram and announced a candlelight vigil in her honor at 8.30pm Thursday The notorious Allure strip club in Atlanta has hosted celebrities like Drake, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion since it opened in 2018 but been the site of multiple shootings this year alone Megan Thee Stallion is pictured making an appearance at the Atlanta strip club Allure in August 2020 Locals have petitioned for the club to have its license revoked, citing gunfire, crime, noise, litter and traffic, according to a petition on Change.org that was started in 2018 when the club first opened. On May 12, a security guard at the club was shot by a man in a nearby car park, but he survived with only graze wounds, Fox5 reported at the time. In March, a 25-year-old man was fatally shot outside the club when confronted by a group of men, 11Alive reported. Last April a new effort was launched to close the club after a gunfight involving '30 or 40 bullets' terrified neighbors. One resident told Channel 2 Action News at the time: 'You are awakened to gunfire in the middle of the morning and are having to dive on top of your children to protect them from bullets that are flying.' Allure posted a tribute to Brewley on Instagram and announced a candlelight vigil in her honor outside the club at 8.30pm Thursday. A black bear cub shocked a man relaxing outside his house in Asheville, North Carolina on Wednesday. The cub quietly padded toward David Oppenheimer, who was sitting on a chair outside his home, drinking a coffee and looking at his phone. Oppenheimer's home security camera captured the incident that saw the man remain completely unaware that the bear was moving toward him until the little bear's nose is just inches from his perched foot. When he does notice what's going on, Oppenheimer gasps and jumps in surprise before fast regaining his composure and beginning to comfort the bear, who also seemed to be startled. The young bear startled David Oppenheimer who had his guard down while checking his phone and drinking coffee outside his house 'Hi bear,' he said to the animal that had taken a few steps back. 'We're going to be famous,' he added, perhaps alluding to his immediately developed plans to post the clip online. Oppenheimer then whips out his phone and begins to capture the bear as it navigates how to proceed. 'It's okay, I didn't mean to scare you,' he said softly, then telling the young bear: 'You shouldn't come this way.' After pausing for a few seconds, Oppenheimer asked the bear, 'Which way should I go?' seemingly looking for a cue from the cub about where to move next. 'It's okay, you can walk by,' he cooed to the timid animal, who ultimately took him up on the offer and meandered past Oppenheimer's chair and onto his deck. The bear sniffs around, circles the deck and stands up on its back legs a few times before the video ends. In Asheville, NC, where this encounter occurred, black bear residents of the territory begin making themselves known to locals in the post-hibernation springtime period. In most cases, experts say there's no reason to call for assistance simply due to a bear sighting. The young bear is seen approaching David Oppenheimer. It was able to get just inches from him before the man noticed its presence The bear inspected Oppenheimer's coffee mug before making its way onto his deck The young bear explored the deck for a while before deciding not to dwell there 'If you live in Asheville, you live in Bear Country so there's no reason to call just because you see a bear,' said Ashley Hobbs, special projects biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 'Bears should just be moving through your community and not sticking around so theres no reason to alert us,' Hobbs told the Citizen Times. 'But if you did have something where a bear was approaching people or its lost its fear of people and is, for example, coming up on the porch and trying to get into doors, things of that nature, then you should definitely give the Wildlife Commission a call.' A newly-engaged attorney who is suspected of raping four women while he was a student in Boston has agreed to be extradited back to Massachusetts after the FBI arrested him outside his luxury New Jersey apartment. Matthew Nilo, 35, of Weehawken, New Jersey, was seen in a Hudson County courtroom after his arrest on Tuesday over alleged attacks on four victims in the Terminal Street area of the Charlestown neighborhood in Boston in 2007 and 2008. He was wearing a navy blue prison jumpsuit and gray t-shirt as he arrived in court, as seen in photos obtained by Fox News. The cyber attorney has been charged with aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape, and one count of indecent assault and battery. On Thursday, he waived his extradition after making an initial appearance in a New Jersey courtroom. He will be brought back to Boston, where he used to live in the North End district, to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court. Police said all four attacks have been connected through DNA, which was identified through the genealogy database 23 and Me after family members voluntarily sent samples, according to Fox News. Nilo was nabbed by the FBI and cops outside his swanky apartment on Harbor Boulevard, where he lives with his fiance, after he was 'called down to the front desk of his residence and told that a large package had been delivered to him that did not fit in the facility's lockers where the residents pick up packages,' an affidavit revealed. Matthew Nilo, 35, appeared in a New Jersey court on Thursday after being arrested on Tuesday The cyber attorney has been charged with aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape, and one count of indecent assault and battery Nilo, who once lived in the North End, was arrested at his home in Weehawken, New Jersey, on Tuesday, more than 15 years after he allegedly terrorized four victims in the Terminal Street area After he came downstairs, he was taken into custody and waived his Miranda rights before his four alleged victims were notified, according to the Boston Globe. The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative - a federal program designed to help process a backlog of rape kits - was used in the investigation after the Boston Police Department reached out in October. By April, Nilo had been identified as a suspect, according to FBI Special Agent Joseph R. Bonavolonta said. The agent told a press conference the four victims have been 'waiting years' to learn the identity of their alleged assailant. 'We certainly realize that identifying this individual does not ease their pain nothing can, but hopefully, it answers some questions,' Bonavolonta said on Tuesday. On Thursday, he waived his extradition after making an initial appearance in a New Jersey courtroom. He will be brought back to Boston, where he used to live in the North End district, to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court Several photos posted to Nilo's Facebook page at the time showed him living a life full of parties and drinking with his friends In one of his old photos, he was caught peeing in a hallway 'Today's arrest is the direct result of the FBI's use of investigative genetic genealogy, a unique method used to generate new leads in unsolved sex assaults.' In addition, since the revelation, his employer Cowbell Cyber - whom he started working for in January - have suspended him. The insurance company told DailyMail.com: 'Matthew Nilo was an employee of Cowbell and was hired in January, 2023 after passing our background check. 'Mr Nilo's employment at Cowbell has been suspended pending further investigation.' Prior to Tuesday's arrest, Nilo only had a brush with the law in 2008, where he was charged with a misdemeanor for drug possession and was given pretrial probation before the charge was ultimately dismissed, the Boston Globe reported. Nilo has reportedly been suspended by his employer Cowbell in light of the investigation At the time of his 2008 arrest, he was listed as living on Commercial Street and worked as a cashier in a bagel shop. In addition, his probation docket noted he would be allowed to travel to the University of Wisconsin for school as long as he attended five AA meetings. He had been arrested after being pulled over for a defective headlight on July 12, 2008 and an officer noticed a bag and the smell of marijuana in the car, the Globe reported. Several photos posted to Nilo's Facebook page at the time showed him living a life full of parties and drinking with his friends. Nilo's LinkedIn paints a different picture than a man accused of rape. According to Nilo's Linkedin profile, before he started at Cowbell he was an associate at Atheria Law in New York for three years, after working for Clyde & Co in San Francisco, California for more than five years. He studied for a doctorate at the University of San Francisco School of Law from 2012 until 2015, after graduating with a Psychology degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2010. Nilo was studying at the latter college when the alleged crimes took place. A former coworker of his told WCVS that it was 'very shocking' to see Nilo's arrest as he was a 'was normal, a good-looking kid that did well at anything he put his mind to.' Sir, It is evident that graduands are gradually finding it harder to grind their way through local tertiary institutions as inadequate funding of the institutions continues to compromise the quality of the programmes on offer. The minister of Education and Training should be a very worried woman when key institutions under her watch seem to be crumbling brick by brick, day-by-day. These are institutions responsible for ensuring we have a better educated citizenry tomorrow. Universities The number of universities in the country has increased and at one stage some colleges were in the process of transforming into universities. However, this increase is hardly being matched by the desired scholarships needed to make it sustainable for them. For instance, we now have a medical university, which is an essential institution for a country that has to produce medical practitioners in ways that could drastically reduce the high cost of overseas scholarships for such programmes and ensure we have enough doctors and specialists. Government had great appetite for this project initially having calculated the benefits. Agreements were signed and this made the project viable. However, there suddenly appears to be a total lack of commitment by government to take full advantage of this initiative as financial support for this institution has dwindled sharply. Dream One could expect that the minister would wish to see this dream become a reality under her tenure. Government stands accused of not sufficiently funding the transformation of colleges. Students continue to have running battles with their administrations over funding issues that have seen experienced lecturers depart and programmes not sufficiently funded. All this flied in the face of governments talk of meeting First World targets of building more universities and increasing access for students. But by the look of things, it would appear government is driving all these institutions to privatise. This wouldnt be such a bad idea as government has too many parastatals to subvent anyway and has to find ways to cut this number down because it can hardly keep up with costs. What will most likely follow with our tertiary institutions is the commercialisation of the scholarship fund. In fact this has been suggested in the past. Maybe its time that universities in the country adopted a business model and stop relying on government subventions. Three activists who have been helping protesters of Atlanta's new proposed police and fire training center have been arrested for money laundering and charity fraud. Marlon Scott Kautz, 39, Savannah D. Patterson, 30, and Adele Maclean, 42, were arrested in a dramatic raid on Wednesday at their home. They are leaders of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund that supports the movement against the planned center, which opponents call 'Cop City.' Activists have been trying to block the construction of the police training site since it was announced by then-mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, in 2021. That facility would cover 85 acres of the of forestland south east of Atlanta. Activists have argued the $90million project will irrevocably destroy the local environment and also strengthen the police. Three activists who have been aiding jailed protesters of a planned police training site in Georgia were arrested in a raid on Wednesday Marlon Scott Kautz, 39, Adele Maclean, 42, and Savannah D. Patterson, 30, are charged with money laundering and charity fraud The home where the activists were taken into custody is owned by Kautz and MacLean. Its walls feature messages like 'NO COPS,' and 'COP WATCH' The Fund, part of the Network for Strong Communities, has provided bail funds and other legal resources to protesters. 'The GBI, along w/ the Atlanta Police Department, have arrested three people on charges stemming from the ongoing investigation of individuals responsible for numerous criminal acts at the future site of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center & other metro Atlanta locations,' the Georgia Bureau of Investigations said on Wednesday. Footage of the raid posted online shows at least 10 officers in full gear and with their weapons out entering the activists' home east of downtown Atlanta. The home where the activists were taken into custody is owned by Kautz and MacLean. Its walls feature messages like 'NO COPS,' and 'COP WATCH.' The attorney for Kautz, Patterson and Maclean, Don Samuel, told the Associated Press on Wednesday that he had not yet seen the arrest warrants and was trying to determine the basis for the charges. 'I know what the crimes are that are alleged, but I dont know exactly what the states alleging that these three people did or how they supposedly engaged in charity fraud,' he said. The activists' arrest warrants, seen by DailyMail.com, accuse the trio of 'misleading by using funds collected through the State Registered 501c(3) Network for Strong Communities (NFSC) to fund the actions in part of Defend the Atlanta Forest (DTAF), a group classified by the United States Department of Homeland Security as Domestic Violence Extremists.' Prosecutors say the group used funds from the Network for Strong Communities to provide assistance to members of DTAF. The group is accused of using the funds to buy building and camping supplies, gasoline, signs, COVID tests and forest clean-up supplies. The activist groups are protesting construction of an 85-acre police training facility planned to be built in forestlands southeast of Atlanta, Georgia A Bank of America Office (left) spray-painted by activists in response to plans to build a huge police training facility in Atlanta DTAF said on Instagram that the arrests were 'another desperate and tactless move by the state to squash a rapidly expanding social movement.' In March, Kautz told Atlanta News First that the Atlanta Solidarity Fund was raising money to help protestors of 'Cop City' to post bail. 'As far as we can tell all of the people arrested yesterday were bystanders who were effectively participating in a music festival,' he said. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations for comment. Georgia governor Brian Kemp celebrated the arrest on social media on Wednesday. 'Were proud to share that those who backed their illegal action are also under arrest and will face justice,' he said. 'These criminals facilitated and encouraged domestic terrorism with no regard for others, watching as communities faced the destructive consequences of their actions.' 'Todays announcement is a reminder that we will track down every member of a criminal organization, from violent foot soldiers to their uncaring leaders. We will not rest until they are arrested, tried, and face punishment.' DeKalb County District Attorney, on her part, said in a statement that she believes in the right to peacefully protest and the right for organizations to choose to operate legal bail funds. However, she said she does not condone 'violence or threats of violence or 'Crimes, such as money laundering and charity fraud, to support any illegal acts will not be tolerated.' Lauren Regan, executive director of the Civil Liberties Defense Center, called the arrests an 'extreme provocation' in a statement. Back in March, the Atlanta Police Department released shocking footage showed the moment protesters dressed in all black broke into the site for the planned police training center In April, environmental activist Manuel Paez Teran, 26, was shot 57 times and killed while protesting the site 'Bailing out protestors who exercise their constitutionally protected rights is simply not a crime, Regan said. In fact, it is a historically grounded tradition in the very same social and political movements that the city of Atlanta prides itself on. Someone had to bail out civil rights activists in the 60s I think we can all agree that community support isnt a crime.' Back in March, the Atlanta Police Department released shocking footage showed the moment protesters dressed in all black broke into the construction site for the planned police training center. Nearly 150 rioters were seen entering the site and immediately set off fireworks. In April, environmental activist Manuel Paez Teran, 26, was shot 57 times and killed while protesting the site. Activists have been smashing windows and damaging offices across the US as part of an ongoing protest against a proposal to build a sprawling police training facility in a forest outside Atlanta. Members of the Stop Cop City movement have claimed credit for vandalism in 19 states in the last nine months, targeting businesses like Amazon, Porsche, and Wells Fargo. The group has said they target businesses based on their affiliation with the Atlanta Police Foundation and the proposed facility known as Cop City. Now, Bluesky, a Twitter spin off, has recorded over 100,000 new users and Twitter users are now posting asking for exclusive codes to join the new site Twitter users are desperate for invite-only codes to move away from the Elon Musk-owned social media platform and join Jack Dorsey's rival platform Bluesky. Bluesky, set up in 2019 by former Twitter boss Dorsey, has recently attracted over 100,000 users to the platform which currently operates on rare invite codes. At an event hosted by Bluesky, the Wall Street Journal reported that attendees were hungry for codes to join the platform that was spun out of Twitter in 2021. The newspaper reported that groups had gathered around employees at the tech event in San Francisco who handed out codes written on tiny pieces of paper. Since Musk took charge of the company in October of last year for $44 billion, the popular site has seen finances plummet, big names leave and major glitches. Jack Dorsey, pictured here in 2021, set up Bluesky in 2019 when he was in charge of Twitter as part an Twitter's value is now just one-third of what it was when CEO Elon Musk purchased it in, some $15 billion compared to its sticker price of $45 billion last year In their financial disclosure report released Tuesday, Fidelity estimates their stake in X Holdings Corp - Musk's investment group - at $6,554,644. Bluesky was designed with the intention of becoming a decentralized social media and not to be owned by one organization. The site is incredibly similar to Twitter in that it allows users to interact with one another who share posts similar to tweets. On Twitter, users asking for Bluesky codes has risen also with some people Tweeting out looking to join the platform. One tweeted: 'Hello all. This is me, asking nicely if anyone has a BlueSky invite to bestow upon me. Thanks!' A recent valuation from Fidelity of its stake in the social-media giant showed that the company has hemorrhaged value as their piece - $20 million in October - now sits at just $6.55 million. Musk has repeatedly acknowledged that he overpaid for Twitter when he bought it in October for a whopping $44 billion. In late March, Musk stated he believed Twitter is worth 'less than half' of what it cost him to buy it in the fall. In a company-wide email, he said the social media giant lost so much money since his initial purchase that it was valued at just $20 billion. At the time, he also defended his decision to layoff thousands of employees to help cut costs and the sale of some assets. Earlier this week, Musk was targeted by left-wing Democraic Rep. Ocasio Cortez over a 'verified' account making fun of her. The politician said she was 'assessing' what to do after the billionaire replied to a tweet from the parody account, 'Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Press Release (parody).' On Twitter, the number of users asking for Bluesky codes has risen with people Tweeting out looking to join the platform In March, Musk said he believed Twitter is worth 'less than half ' of what it cost him to buy it Her message came after Musk replied to a tweet from the parody account, which wrote: 'This might be the wine talking but I've got a crush on @ElonMusk' On Tuesday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced she would bid adieu if Musk did not stop engaging and interacting with an account parodying her. 'FYI there's a fake account on here impersonating me and going viral,' AOC tweeted. 'The Twitter CEO has engaged it, boosting visibility.' She claimed the account was 'releasing false policy statements,' after previously tweeting about her boyfriend's farts and other issues. 'I am assessing with my team how to move forward,' Ocasio-Cortez said. 'In the meantime, be careful of what you see,' she warned her followers. Another hit came in the form of a massive tech glitch last week when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attempted to announce his 2024 presidential run. DeSantis' attempt led to mass chaos as staff members scurried to get his planned Twitter Spaces announcement online as 500,000 people waited. Twitter's small Spaces staff numbers - originally 100 but now down to three - was blamed alongside a low server capacity. A decimated staff and shrinking server capacity has been blamed for the disaster presidential campaign launch by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right) on Twitter Spaces Half a million people were waiting for more than 20 minutes for the event to start, and people who were able to join were frequently kicked out. In February it was announced that Twitter is facing lawsuits claiming more than $14million in unpaid bills from landlords and vendors. It was reported in December that Musk had stopped paying rent on the company's Seattle office. Former executives who were part of the mass terminations the day Musk took over, also filed a lawsuit in April against the company. They sued for more than $1million in legal bills. The news hasn't been all bad for Twitter since Musk's takeover with Former Fox host Tucker Carlson announcing plans for a new show on Twitter after he was terminated from the news network. Workers were warned to 'get away' from an 'unsafe' Iowa building just two days before it collapsed, leaving three people presumed dead and families praying for loved ones. Contractor Ryan Shaffer said he told people working near the apartment block in Davenport they were 'going to die' if they stayed there as he could see it creaking and brickwork tumbling. Meanwhile, an engineers' report written five days before the disaster warned the whole face of the building was on the brink of collapse and called for urgent repairs. The revelations have sparked fury from families who have questioned why residents were not evacuated before tragedy struck. Three men, Ryan Hitchcock, Branden Colvin and Daniel Prien, remain missing after the building at 324 Main Street collapsed Sunday. A survey of the apartment block in Davenport by firm Select Structural written just five days before the disaster found the whole face of the building was on the brink of collapse. The survey was released by the city Wednesday Officials are now searching for three missing men ahead of another collapse. Devina Colvin (right), wife of missing Branden Colvin, and son Branden Jr. (sleeping at left) are seen here outside a barrier prohibiting entry to the building Thursday as they await answers from city officials as to their loved one's fate At the de facto protest site Thursday was Branden Jr.'s younger brother - seen here holding a sign in protest of the city's lack of action Colvin's youngest son held a sign that said 'Where is my Dad?' outside the remains of the site Thursday. City officials have been slammed by families for making preparations for the building to be demolished before all are accounted for. Meanwhile, Quanishia White-Berry - better known to friends as Peach - had to have her leg amputated following a desperate rescue Monday. Davenport City Hall released hundreds of documents Wednesday, including reports warning the building was falling into disrepair, notices of violations, orders to vacate some apartments and resident complaints over the past three years. Among the filings is an engineering report by firm Select Structural - written five days before the building collapsed - warning urgent work was required 'to keep the entire face of the building from falling away'. Shaffer, who had been working on a nearby site, said he went to 324 Main Street two days before the disaster and - after seeing a pile of bricks on the ground - told workers around the site: 'Get away. You're going to die.' He said he returned the next day to see more bricks were missing and 'ran up' to a city cleaner working underneath the block and warned him: 'It's not safe. You gotta get out of here.' Wold has been cited for failing to maintain the structure in a safe and structurally sound condition, according to a court document filed by the city Tuesday. He is set to appear in court on June 9. Missing residents Branden Colvin (left) and Ryan Hitchcock (right) are presumed dead among the rubble, city officials said Thursday Eight people have been rescued from the rubble since the Davenport block collapsed Sunday A picture taken by contractor Ryan Shaffer before the building collapsed shows the facade of the building falling into disrepair Wold and the property management team released a statement that didn't address the violation but said their 'thoughts and prayers are with our tenants and families during this difficult time'. The damning dossiers have left city officials scrambling to provide answers to families demanding to know how the building could have been allowed to collapse while residents still lived there. At a press conference Thursday, city mayor Mike Matson said: 'I totally understand their anger. I totally understand their concern. I have the same anger and concern. 'We will continue to investigate.' Rich Oswald, Davenport's Director of Development and Neighborhood Services, said a building inspector who erroneously 'passed' recent repairs at the complex had now resigned. Oswald said the work should have been marked 'incomplete', explaining that although it was an 'administrative' error, 'the magnitude of the situation in the error that was made' meant the official had left their post. Rescue efforts have pulled eight people from the building since Sunday, but the operation was now a matter of 'recovery', Davenport Chief of Police Jeffery E. Bladel said Thursday. He said there was a 'high probability' the three missing men were 'within that collapsed space and all the information provided to us is that space is not sustainable to life'. Protesters held signs saying 'Find Them First' and 'Who is in the Rubble?' Some used a megaphone to shout out the names of residents. The building had 53 tenants in about 80 units, the police chief said In the days since the collapse, more than 100 residents have gathered at the site to protests a panned demolition of the unstable building - which remains up in the air as Colvin and Hitchock remain missing Families of those missing are at odds over whether the building should be demolished. Officials say it the block is 'still shifting' and is 'dangerous' - making recovery operations hazardous and increasing the likelihood that other parts of the building will collapse and put lives at risk. Plans to demolish the building, originally scheduled for Tuesday morning, are on hold. 'We're not anywhere near doing that right now,' Mayor Matson said. 'We are working on a timeline. We are reaching out to experts that have particular expertise in taking it down (in) a dignified and respectful way.' The family of Ryan Hitchcock say they have accepted the likelihood that he is dead and supports the city's plans to demolish the rest of the building to prevent further casualties. Relative Amy Anderson said at a news conference Tuesday: 'Ryan wouldn't want anyone else to put their lives at risk. 'I don't discount that he could be trapped under there miraculously. 'But we don't want to see any more families lose their lives or anybody else be injured in trying to remove that rubble and have anything fall.' But Branden Colvin's family disagrees. 'You know there are people still unaccounted for, but you want to tear down the building. What sense does that make?' Colvin's cousin Preston McDowell told CNN. 'They're not giving us any answers. I just don't get it.' A Christian monument at the heart of a Massachusetts college has been repeatedly vandalized with offensive slogans including 'Hail Satan' and 'Pagan Rule'. The Haystack Monument, which has stood in the center of Williams College campus since 1867, was graffitied with bright red spray paint late at night on May 13 and May 19. Carved in white marble, the 12-foot-tall historical pillar commemorates a prayer meeting held in 1806 by five undergraduates under the shelter of a haystack during a summer storm. The event led directly to the modern American Protestant movement of supporting overseas missionary work, according to the college's website. The Haystack Monument in Williams College, Massachusetts, was graffitied with bright red spray paint late at night on May 13 and May 19 Maud Mandel, the college's President, said in a message to staff and students that the graffiti constitutes a crime and police had been contacted. 'Just after Saturday midnight a Campus Safety officer, responding to a report, found that the Haystack Monument in Mission Park had been defaced with spray-painted graffiti,' she said on May 15. 'The graffiti included an obscenity along with the words and phrases Pagan Rule, Blood, Ouch, and Hail Satan. 'Damaging property is a violation of Williams policies and the law, and costs time and money to address. 'Campus Safety Services (CSS) will try to identify the person or people responsible. 'They will also alert the Williamstown Police.' Built 1867, the white marble pillar commemorates a prayer meeting held in 1806 which led to the modern American Protestant movement of overseas missionary work Haystack Monument before it was vandalized Mandel said staff removed much of the red paint the next day - only for it to reappear less than a week later. This time, the marble structure was defaced with the words: 'Hell is hot,' 'Shame on you,' and 'Ouch'. Following the second incident, Mandel said the college would increase patrols of the area 'immediately' and again notified police. She warned: 'If found, the people responsible will be held to account. 'Given that the Monument memorializes the Christian missionary movement, some people may experience these incidents as attacks on your religion or you personally. 'You belong here, and I will work for your and everyones right to a safe community.' Mandel urged anyone with information about the graffiti to come forward. Maud Mandel, the college's President, wrote messages to staff and students saying the vandalism is being treated seriously and police are involved This is not the first time the Haystack Monument has been defaced. According to student affairs newspaper The Williams Record, four visitors who said they were members of the clergy previously smeared mud on the pillar, and carved concentric circles around it in the dirt. The incident happened in broad daylight on a Sunday in September 2018. Located in rural Williamstown, close to the north-western border of MA, Williams College is among the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts schools in the country. The college is home to around 2,300 current students and has produced notable alumni including President James Garfield, investing billionaire Herbert Allen, Jr. and director John Frankenheimer. A US Marine Corps veteran who was arrested for allegedly plotting terror attacks had classified Defense Department materials on his hard drive. Jordan Duncan, 28, had the documentation on his computer when he was arrested in Idaho in October 2020, according to RawStory. The details of the materials have not yet been confirmed, but they were found along with documents detailing how to make bombs. Neither Duncan, a neo-Nazi, nor the Defense Department has provided any explanation as to how he obtained them. He served as a Russian linguist for the Marine Corps in electronic communications, though it is unclear if he passed on classified information to a foreign government. Jordan Duncan had the documentation on his computer when he was arrested in Idaho in October 2020 He served as a Russian linguist for the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune in electronic communications, though it is unclear if he passed on classified information to a foreign government. Authorities arrested him in October 2020 and executed a search warrant at his apartment in Boise, where they seized an external hard drive. A federal prosecutor later informed a judge that investigators uncovered what 'appeared to be classified material'. Duncan has not been charged with any new indictments in relation to the classified documents. He has been charged in connection with a plot to damage a power grid somewhere in the northwest US, as well as planning to legally manufacture and sell guns. Along with Paul Kryscuk, 36, Liam Collins, 23 and Joseph Maurino, 25, Duncan researched and discussed a previous attack on a power grid by an unknown group. The incident saw the assailants use assault-style rifles in an attempt to explode a power substation, though the location of the attack has not been confirmed. Duncan, who was stationed at Camp Lejeune, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, gathered information on firearms, explosives and nerve toxins and shared it with Kryscuk and Collins. He joined a group organized by Collins, a fellow US Marine, who used a neo-nazi forum to recruit members for a 'modern-day SS', according to the indictment. Duncan joined a group organized by Collins (pictured) , a fellow US Marine, who used a neo-nazi forum to recruit members for a 'modern-day SS', according to the indictment. Alicia Garza, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, was informed by the FBI that her name was on a list obtained during an investigation connected to the arrest of one of the Boise suspects Along with Paul Kryscuk, 36, Liam Collins, 23 and Joseph Maurino, 25, Duncan researched and discussed a previous attack on a power grid by an unknown group The Marines investigated Collins after media reports identified him as one of several former and active-duty service members who anonymously posted messages to the now-defunct Iron March neo-Nazi message board. After leaving the Marines in 2018, Duncan moved to Idaho and discussed the shooting of protesters with a group who watched the BLM rallies in Boise. In an Instagram chat on October, 1, 2020, Kryscuk and Duncan fantasized about shooting protesters in Boise, according to a federal indictment. Duncan: 'How the BSNs finna be pulling up to chipotle after hitting legs.' Kryscuk: 'Death squad. Assassins creed hoodies and suppressed 22 pistols.' FBI agents notified two BLM movement co-founders that their names were on a list kept by a different member of the paramilitary group. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Kocher showed a judge a 90-second recruitment video in December 2020 that she said shows Duncan firing gunshots, participating in military-style exercises and flashing 'Heil Hitler' salutes with three other members. The entrance to Joint Base Cape Cod, where the suspect in an intelligence leak, Jack Douglas Teixeira, served as an Air National Guardsman An undated picture shows Jack Douglas Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the Air National Guard FBI agents arrest Jack Teixeira, an employee of the Air Force National Guard, in connection with an investigation into the leaks online of classified U.S. documents They were all wearing skull masks associated with a neo-Nazi group called Atomwaffen Division, the indictment says. Duncans' possession of classified information would be the second in recent months to rock the US, after a National Guard airman was arrested on suspicion of leaking top-secret Pentagon documents. Defense officials are now investigating how Jack Douglas Teixeira, 21, managed to first get access to and subsequently leak highly classified DoD and military secrets. The lowly airman with less than four years of military service was arrested as he read a book in the garden of his mother's home in Dighton, Massachusetts, about 50 miles south of Boston. Federal agents in an armored car and military gear swooped on Teixeira, with the episode embarrassing the US by revealing its spying on allies and purported Ukrainian military vulnerabilities. Viewers were shocked after The View's liberal panelist Joy Behar confronted her conservative cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin as the former Donald Trump staffer argued the Republican party backed LGBTQ rights. The audience was so stunned, in fact, it let out an audible gasp at Behar's comments. On Thursday, Griffin claimed the Republican party was in support of LGBT rights during a panel discussion, to which Behar retorted 'Yeah, but your party tends to steal elections.' The audience could be heard audibly gasping as Behar added 'They have more advanced ways of doing it, I bet.' Claims of election stealing were popularized by former President Donald Trump against Joe Biden and the Democratic Party. The false belief remains widely held among Republican voters. The discussion of LGBT rights took place on ABC's The View at the start of LGBT Pride Month. Griffin, a former Donald Trump staffer, argued that young right-wing voters support queer rights and Behar argued that the Republican party was targeting the gay and trans communities. 'I think they're using it as a political cudgel to vilify one group of people unifies all these other people,' Behar said of anti-trans and anti-drag laws introduced by conservative lawmakers. She then asked the panel if they felt America may soon rival Russia by limiting LGBT freedoms. 'The answer is no, and those on the right who are targeting the LGBTQ+ community are on the wrong side of history,' Griffin replied. 'The facts bear it out. Eight in 10 Americans favor more laws to protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination 67 percent of those are Republicans. 'The biggest voting block in 2024 will be millennials and Gen Zers, we are the generation of marriage equality. We are the generation of freedom. We're not going backward on these issues' she said. Griffin claimed the Republican party was in support of LGBT rights during a panel discussion The discussion of LGBT rights took place on ABC's The View at the start of LGBT Pride Month The View co-host Sunny Hostin claimed that some white Republican women want to 'protect the patriarchy' because it benefits them Adding: 'To anyone in my party, it's not where the majority of the country is, and it's such an egregious misreading.' Behar then retorted, 'Yeah, but your party tends to steal elections. They have more advanced ways of doing it, I bet.' Griffin did not directly disagree with Bahr, instead responding: 'Well, they tried. They didn't, though. It reminds me of my favorite person in the bible, Ecclesiastes, who says there's nothing new under the sun. 'This has been tried. It's fear-mongering. It's trying to target the minority within the minority to create fear and stoke it. It will not work.' The incident marks the second time this week The View has drawn controversy over comments made by its hosts. On Tuesday The View co-host Sunny Hostin claimed that some white Republican women want to 'protect the patriarchy' because it benefits them. The comments were made during a discussion of a Washington Post article about female voters in Pennsylvania who said they will still vote for former president Trump even after he was found liable for sexual assault and defamation. 'I think that women, white women in particular, want to protect this patriarchy here because it's to their benefit,' Hostin said. 'They want to make sure their husbands do well. They want to make sure their sons do well. They want to make sure their children do well. They want to make sure they do well,' Hostin explained. She added that 'most of the women in some of these studies are married, white women' who 'fall in line with what their husbands are doing, how their husbands are voting.' Griffin: 'Eight in 10 Americans favor more laws to protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination 67 percent of those are Republicans.' Behar accused the Republican party of 'stealing elections' during an LGBT rights debate Conservative Griffin is a former Donald Trump staffer Behar has also clashed with Senator Tim Scott as she said on air that he did not 'get' racism The comments led to a backlash from Fox Business host Lisa Kennedy Montgomery who said that 'there is a special place in hell for women who don't support other women' including those that want to be stay-at-home mothers and support their families. Kennedy said that she believed 'most people vote because they want their husbands, their spouses, their kids especially to have as much opportunity as they can in this country. That's not racism, that's rationality.' After referring to Hostin as 'a garbage person with garbage opinions,' Kennedy said, 'when you have other women like that, shaming moms who are doing their very best to provide for their families and lead by example, and then someone like Sunny in the fart factory is somehow maligning us.' Behar has also clashed with Republican Senator Tim Scott recently, as she said on air that he did not 'get' racism despite being African American and living in the deep South. Behar said on May 23 that Scott was 'one of these guys, like Clarence Thomas, black Republican, who believes in pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, rather than understanding the systemic racism that African Americans face in this country and other minorities,' she said. 'He doesnt get it. Neither does Clarence. Thats why theyre Republicans.' The comment quickly proved divisive on social media, spurring several political commentators to weigh in and criticize Behar. Appearing on a podcast Tuesday, South Carolina's Scott, 57, decried The View host's on-air comments as the 'dumbest, most offensive thing he's ever heard on TV'. 'Im used to having the left attack me because of the truth of my life,' Scott explained to pollical commentators Clay Travis and Buck Sexton. 'This proves their lies.' The former junior South Carolina senator continued: 'I say that because of this when I help write the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act [of 2017], they called me a prop. 'When I started talking about refunding the police, they called me a token. 'When I pushed back on President Bidens most malign agenda, they called me the "n-word". 'Im used to it,' he declared. 'Heres whats dangerous and offensive to me, for every young child in America wanting to think for themselves, draw their own conclusions. 'What they're saying to them is, "stay in your lane, do not stick your head out because we're going to tell you how to think because you never learned anything about what you should think."' A Georgia gun shop owner is shutting down his business because his conscience won't allow him to continue selling guns that could be used to target children. Jon Waldman, the owner of Georgia Ballistics Gun Shop in Duluth, said the rise in mass shootings and gun violence involving children has forced him to shut the doors of the shop he opened in March of 2021. An estimated 495,897 guns were sold in Georgia that year. Gun sales surged to breaking records since the pandemic. However, as gun sales increased across the country, so have mass shootings. And as a father himself, Waldman, 43, said he couldn't continue to keep his shop open with a clean conscience: 'I don't want something that I've personally touched, that I've helped a client with to be used on children,' Waldman said to 11 Alive. Jon Waldman, the owner of Georgia Ballistics Gun Shop in Duluth, says a rise in mass shootings and gun violence involving children is why he is closing his gun shop 'What stops this (holding a gun) from being used against my kid, and that's the problem I have, you never know the person getting it just because they pass a background check.' The number of children killed by gunfire jumped 50 percent over the past two years, leaving nearly half of U.S. parents terrified, according to Pew Research Center. 'The fact that it keeps being kids, after kids after kids, that's the thing for me,' he continued. I understand I'm not the one selling the guns that are doing this but there's a possibility that I could,' Waldman added. Waldman said there is no clear answer on how to solve the problem we're seeing across the country, but by closing his shop, he believes he's doing his part. 'There's not a way to cast a huge net, there's not a magical solution and it's fixed, there's not, it's one of those where the community has to come together, both sides,' Waldman said to 11 Alive. Waldman said his shop is already closed and he plans to have all weapons cleared out by June 15, according to NBC. Dailymail.com reached out to Waldman but received no response from him. While constitutionally, Waldman believes weapons and ammunition should be available for purchase, he emphasizes a lack of training and easy accessibility as key issues in the sale. And as a father himself, Waldman said he couldn't continue to keep his shop open with a clean conscience: 'I don't want something that I've personally touched, that I've helped a client with to be used on children,' Waldman said to 11 Alive. Waldman said when he looks at his own child, he has to have a clear conscience about what he's doing in life Georgia Ballistics Gun Shop in Duluth was opened in 2021 Waldman once backed out of a sale and refunded a client when they attempted to purchase 4,000 rounds of armor-piercing bullets. 'Just because you pass (a background check) that doesn't mean you should have it,' he said. Waldman said when he looks at his own child, he has to have a clear conscience about what he's doing in life. 'This is just my conscience, and it's more important to me than anything else,' he said to 11 Alive. The number of child gunshot deaths grew from 1,732 to 2,590 in 2021 the highest number since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started counting deaths in 1999. There have been 24 school shootings this year that resulted in injuries or deaths, according to an Education Week analysis. Since 2018, there have been a whopping 168 school shootings. In March, a shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, left three adults and three nine-year-old students dead. Just this month, 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia killed eight people, including children, at a Texas mall. And last month, a nine-year-old boy was shot dead in a mass shooting in Texas. Daniel Enrique Laso, 9, was shot alongside four other members of his family and close friends by illegal immigrant Francisco Oropesa, 38. Virginia Giuffre took a tumble outside Manhattan federal court after she faced Rina Oh who is suing her for $10 million for publicly naming her as a recruiter for Jeffrey Epstein. The two have been battling it out in court since 2021 when Oh filed the lawsuit against Giuffre for defamation, citing a series of year-old tweets that asserted that Oh was Epstein's girlfriend and recruited girls for him to abuse. Oh has said the authorities have agreed with her that she was also a young victim of Epstein 20 years ago and not a co-conspirator or part of his inner circle. The two women were back in court in New York on Wednesday. Giuffre was being escorted from the courthouse with a suit jacket over her head when she suddenly stumbled and fell to the pavement. Security rushed to her side and helped her up. Last year, a judge dismissed Giuffre's sex abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew after lawyers reached a deal calling for the prince to pay her $16 million. Virginia Giuffre took a tumble outside Manhattan federal court after she faced Rina Oh who is suing her for $10 million for publicly naming her as a recruiter for Jeffrey Epstein Giuffre was being escorted from the courthouse with a suit jacket over her head when she suddenly stumbled and fell to the pavement. Security rushed to her side and helped her up The two have been battling it out in court since 2021 when Oh filed the lawsuit against fellow Giuffre for defamation, citing a series of year-old tweets that asserted that Oh was Epstein's girlfriend and recruited girls for him to abuse Rina Oh, accused Epstein recruiter, is seen in NYC ahead of her ongoing defamation case against Virginia Giuffre. She was holding a picture of Prince Andrew and Giuffre Giuffre has said she was one of many girls and young women sexually abused by Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell in their years-long sex trafficking ring. Giuffre asserted in a series of October 2020 tweets that Oh was Epstein's girlfriend and recruited girls for him to abuse. 'Rina - if you read this I hope you live in shame for the rest of your life,' said a portion of one tweet cited in the lawsuit. It continued: 'You don't intimidate me any longer & the physical & mental scares you left me with should be enough to put your a** in jail.' Oh (left), who accused Epstein of sexually abusing her, has sued another Epstein accuser Giuffre (right) for defamation. Giuffre has said she was one of many girls sexually abused by Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell in their years-long sex trafficking ring Oh cited a series of year-old tweets in the suit, where Giuffre said: 'Rina - if you read this I hope you live in shame for the rest of your life' Giuffre asserted in a series of October 2020 tweets that Oh was Epstein's girlfriend and recruited girls for him to abuse. Pictured: Oh looks back as she is seen in NYC Oh's lawsuit claimed that Giuffre 'has maliciously reiterated and republished defamations and slanders in prior and subsequent tweets and interviews on podcasts, TV and for magazines, as well as in her memoirs entitled Billionaire's Playboy Club Oh carried aa copy of the infamous photo of Prince Andrew, Giuffre and Maxwell Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell posing in a picture taken in Maxwell's house. Andrew suggested in the Newsnight interview that it had been faked Another tweet suggested that Oh should be in prison next to Maxwell. Another tweet cited in the lawsuit said Giuffre accused Oh of leaving a six-inch scar on her leg from one of their encounters two decades ago. 'The sliced leg bleeding is exactly what she used to do to me, I have a six-inch scar on my left leg from her cutting me. I can let a lot of s**t go, but this I will never forget,' she tweeted before adding: '#PureEvil #LockHerUp' and tagging the FBI. However, Oh's lawsuit claimed that none of that was true and Giuffre 'has maliciously reiterated and republished these defamations and slanders in prior and subsequent tweets and interviews on podcasts, TV and for magazines, as well as in her memoirs entitled Billionaire's Playboy Club. It added the 'defamations and slanders' are causing Oh 'great harm,' including humiliation, shame, disgrace, mental anguish, loss of life enjoyment and anxiety and emotion distress,' according to the suit. Giuffre has her own lawsuit as part of the allegations tied to Epstein. She sued Prince Andrew and alleged she was forced to have sex with three times when she was a teen - all under the orders of Epstein. One of her security guards tried covering Giuffre with his jacket, but she fell down to the ground, after not being able to see where she was walking Security helped Giuffre to her feet and led her away from the courthouse on Thursday. A year ago Giuffre reached a $16 million settlement with Prince Andrew in a civil case In February 2022, Giuffre settled the Prince Andrew lawsuit for $16 million. 'Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights. Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks,' a letter from Prince Andrew's attorneys about the settlement read. 'It is known that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked countless young girls over many years,' the letter continued. 'Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others. He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims.' Ghislaine Maxwell (right) was convicted for her role in Epstein (left) sex-trafficking ring. She is being held in a federal prison A lawsuit brought by the US Virgin Islands and a woman who claims Epstein abused her suggested the pedophile's JPMorgan bank accounts were used to pay trafficked women Epstein was a notorious figure long before his death inside a federal prison in 2019. In 2006 he was arrested for soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution, and in 2008 he pleaded guilty to charges in Florida. Epstein received minimal punishment and it wasn't until years later that his sweetheart deal was revealed. That led to outrage and Epstein was later arrested on federal sex-crime charges. He died by suicide while awaiting trial in New York. This week, former JPMorgan executive James 'Jes' Staley accused its CEO of lying about his knowledge of bank accounts held by convicted Epstein that were allegedly used for the trafficking of young women. He pointed the finger at Jamie Dimon, claiming that for years the CEO was involved in discussions as to whether the bank should keep Epstein as a client - even after his conviction. The details, revealed in legal documents seen by the Wall Street Journal, cast doubt on Dimon's defense of the bank in an ongoing lawsuit arguing it did not do enough to remove Epstein's accounts and slow his horrific crimes. But a spokesperson for JPMorgan denied Staley's claims and painted him to be a disgruntled former employee trying to wash his hands of blame and mitigate his involvement in sexual misconduct. Staley, who went on to serve as the CEO of Barclays from 2015 to 2021 and was driven out over the Epstein connections. He has acknowledged he had a friendship with Epstein but denied knowing about the trafficking. An infamous photo taken in Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion in 2011 featuring Staley and Bill Gates - three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. From left: Staley, Lawrence Summers, Epstein and Gates The revelations came as part of an ongoing lawsuit brought against JPMorgan in which it was claimed that Staley (pictured) was close with Epstein and allowed him to maintain accounts with the bank that facilitated the pedophile's trafficking ring Between 2008 and 2012, Staley exchanged around 1,200 emails with Epstein from his JPMorgan email account, it is claimed. In one exchange Staley is said to have written 'say hi to Snow White' and asked if 'Beauty and the Beast' was free Another banking goliath wrapped up in the Epstein scandal is Deutsche Bank. Earlier in May, it agreed to pay $75 million to settle a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging the German bank also facilitated Epstein's sex-trafficking ring, according to attorneys for the plaintiffs. Lawyers for the plaintiffs said of the judgement that the 'groundbreaking settlement' was the culmination of 'a decade-long investigation to hold one of Epstein's financial banking partners responsible for the role it played in facilitating his trafficking organization.' These most recent allegations implicating Dimon are part of a separate lawsuit against JPMorgan, brought by the US Virgin Islands and an unnamed woman, who said she was abused by Epstein. Dimon gave a deposition on Friday in which he denied Staley's claims. A spokesperson summarized the content of his deposition in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'Our CEO reaffirmed after his deposition that, as he has previously said, he never met with him, never emailed him, does not recall ever discussing his accounts internally, and was not involved in any decisions about his account,' it said. Epstein first became a client of JPMorgan in 1998 and went on to hold dozens of accounts containing hundreds of millions of dollars, according to records submitted to the federal court. The plaintiffs have previously said Epstein frequently used cash withdrawals from some of those JPMorgan accounts to pay for young women to travel to his private island so that he and others could abuse them. The animals were believed to be the creatures that ransacked the Donner Party The sighting is only the second of its kind in 101 years since 'going extinct' A wolverine was spotted at Mammoth Mountain in California by a skier in May A rare and native wolverine has been spotted in Northern California for just the second time since they were believed to have gone extinct more than 100 years ago. A photo of the animal was taken by Ryan Campbell in May when he was enjoying a ski day at Mammoth Mountain in Crowley, California. While riding the gondola up to the top of the mountain, a stranger in his car pointed out the animal in the snow below, 'Is that a wolverine,' the person asked. The sighting marks just the second time since the animals have been seen since vanishing from California in 1922 after hunters wiped out the population. Wolverines are believed to have been the animals that ransacked the Donner Party's camp, leaving them to resort to cannibalism after getting stuck in the snow. The sighting marks just the second time since the animals have been seen since vanishing from California in 1922 after hunters wiped the out. Pictured: Buddy the wolverine in 2010 Wolverines are believed to have been the animals that ransacked the Donner Party's camp, leaving them to resort to cannibalism after getting stuck in the snow In the most recent incident, the group who spotted the animal said they were unsure what they were looking at initially. Campbell told SFGate the animal looked like 'a small bear, except for the white marking, long tail and the head.' Just to be safe, he pulled out his phone and grabbed the long-range photo. The animal quickly was scared away by an incoming skier, however, and took off. 'We saw it running toward a nearby clump of trees. Then, we noticed why it started running,' Campbell said. 'A skier was coming down the slope and took the jump, likely never having seen how close they were.' The photo Campbell took shows the dark-colored animal on a slope, walking on all four legs through the snow. The picture is just the second of its kind since the wolverine - a member of the mammal family that includes otters badgers - disappeared from California. In 2008, a wolverine named 'Buddy' trekked from Idaho, some 600 miles away from the most recent sighting, to California. The animal was caught on camera multiple times over the years. 'He's kind of a transient,' Chris Stermer, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife official told SFGATE in 2008. 'He's a lone wolverine looking for a female he's likely never to find,' Stermer said. The most recent wolverine sighting occurred at Mammoth Mountain in Crowley, California In 2008, a wolverine named 'Buddy' trekked from Idaho, some 600 miles away from the most recent sighting, to California. Pictured: Buddy the wolverine It is believed that there are just 400 wolverines throughout the US, located across Idaho, Colorado, and Montana The animals live for five to 13 years, therefore, officials say they don't believe the California sighting is Buddy SFGate emailed a photo of the animal from Mammoth Mountain to Stermer who seemingly confirmed its species. 'I am 99.9% certain that is a wolverine in the photo, which is pretty exciting!' he wrote in an email exchange with the outlet. 'In fact, the Department has been sent two videos since last week showing what appears to be a wolverine at a distance, and one was taken by someone on a ski lift,' he continued. It is believed that there are just 400 wolverines throughout the US, located across Idaho, Colorado, and Montana. The animals live for five to 13 years, therefore, officials say they don't believe the California sighting is Buddy. Wolverines were best known for their scavenging ways and reportedly were responsible for eating up the Donner Party's food supply. The incident went on to become one of the most famous instances along the California Trail after the group resorted to cannibalism to survive. A third plaintiff has joined a lawsuit against Kanye 'Ye' West and his Donda Academy A third former teacher at Donda Academy - the private school run by Ye, formerly Kanye West - has joined a lawsuit against the rapper in a complaint that alleges health, safety and education code violations, as well as illegal racial discrimination. An amended complaint was filed Thursday at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday that added Timanii Meeks to the suit, a teacher who alleges she was fired last year for reporting a number of issues at the school. The initial suit was brought in April by Cecilia Hailey and her daughter Chekarey Byers, both of whom taught at the private Christian school until being fired in March 2023. The plaintiffs allege they were fired in retaliation for reporting code violations that include exposed and dangerous electrical wiring, as well as bullying and assaults on campus. Among the allegations made against the rapper's school was that he banned students from going outside, even at recess. Pictured: Aerial pictures and general views show the Simi Valley site where West's Donda Academy once was West allegedly banned all color from inside classrooms, including artwork. Pictured: Kanye West on October 21, 2022 in Los Angeles, California The women also claim that they were discriminated against based on their race and illegally had wages withheld or were improperly paid on more than one occasion. They are seeking in excess of $1million in damages. 'Plaintiff Meeks is informed and believes that the building was not safe for occupants, let alone children,' reads the amended complaint. Meeks was hired as a substitute teacher in August 2022, and plans were soon put in motion to hire her as a full time teacher in the school's theatre department. From the beginning of her employment, Meeks says she filed multiple complaints with the principal, vice principal and school director about student safety and building hazards. 'Instead of addressing her complaints, Plaintiff Meeks was simply told, Its a work in progress, and Were working on the kinks,' the lawsuit states. In early October of 2022, Meeks alleged that several parents of students sat in on a math class she was teaching and subsequently complained about the conditions of the classroom. Specifically, they were concerned that there were no textbooks or educational materials to be found. Meeks passed the worries along to school director Brianne Cambell, who in turn, allegedly, retaliated against Meeks by having her terminated. Among the bizarre and unsettling allegations made against the school are that all color, including artwork, was banned from inside classrooms, everyone was forced to wear all black from head to toe and classes were not to be held on the second floor because West was 'afraid of stairs.' The school reportedly enrolled about 100 students and 16 teachers, with a number of students being the children of celebrities. Pictured: Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown with a group of Donda students during a visit to the Academy Students at West's Donda Academy wear Balenciaga uniforms designed by West himself. The lawsuit claims they were forced to exclusively wear all black. Pictured: Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown with a group of Donda students during a visit to the Academy The $15,000-a-year academy, which Byers described as 'like a mental hospital being run by the patients,' was opened by West in California in 2021. Ye now served as the Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of the institution. The school was initially opened in Simi Valley, but was then moved to nearby Chatsworth. Among other disturbing allegations, the suit alleges that teachers were not trained to provide basic life support, that doors were locked from the outside, that students were not given utensils to eat with, and that expired medications were improperly stored. Students were allegedly banned from using 'crossword puzzles' and 'coloring sheets.' West also would not allow the schoolkids to go outdoors during the day, even for lunch or recess. 'In one incident, a student assaulted an eighth grade student by slapping her, then attempted to assault another teacher. The student had multiple accounts of bullying, both physically and verbally, that had gone without discipline,' according to the complaint. 'Clearly, Ye has a big problem on his hands with this school, and the addition of Ms. Meeks to the complaint only serves to reinforce the nightmarish conditions for staff and students at Donda Academy,' said Ron Zambrano, an employment attorney who is representing the plaintiffs. 'Ms. Meeks was fired months before Cecilia Hailey and Chekarey Byers were terminated but all three clearly witnessed the same illegal and disturbing code violations and conduct at the school, and all three were given the same retaliatory and unlawful treatment merely for trying to stand up for the students rights to a meaningful education. Donda and Ye now have an established pattern of retaliation, from two independent sources, to contend with.' According to prior reports, parents at the school were required to sign non-disclosure agreements to enroll their children at the $15,000 per-year academy. Nikki Beach Global, a luxury lifestyle and hospitality brand, has announced the upcoming openings of Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua and Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Baku scheduled for 2025 and Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat in 2024. The property in Antigua will feature a hotel, residences and beach club Nikki Beach Antigua while the location in Baku will include a hotel and residences, the brands first standalone resort without a beach club. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat including a hotel, beach club Nikki Beach Muscat and residences. Developed in partnership with Nardaran Beach Resort LLC, the property in Baku will be located on the coast of the Caspian Sea, a convenient 20 minutes from the city centre and 15 minutes from the airport. The resort will feature six overwater bungalows, 49 beach villas with private pools, and approximately 90 rooms and suites. The villas will be available both for vacation stays and as residences. The resort will also be home to three signature Nikki Beach restaurants Cafe Nikki, Escape, and Soul Lounge while world class amenities will include two expansive swimming pools, Nikki Spa, and Tone Gym. We are excited to welcome Nikki Beach to the market of beautiful Azerbaijan, shared the management team at Nardaran Beach Resort LLC. This will be the first Nikki Beach resort in the Central Asian market and we are convinced that our partnership will not only produce one of the finest resorts in the area, but will also deliver a true added value to the entire luxury lifestyle market and the local community alike. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat, which is situated on Yiti Bay just 30 minutes from the Muscat airport, will also feature 115 rooms, 25 suites, and 30 villas with private pools, as well as a beach club, residences, Cafe Nikki, Escape, Soul Lounge, three swimming pools, a pool bar, Nikki Spa, Tone Gym, and a marina. As a top mega yacht destination, the location will appeal highly to the yachting community. The property is being developed in partnership with Omran Group. CEO of Omran Group, Hashil bin Obaid al Mahrouqi, said: A key objective of the Omran Group is to develop unique and long-term tourism destinations that build lasting relationships between visitors and the Sultanate of Oman while helping the country to achieve economic growth and strengthen its position as a global tourist destination. An excellent example of this is the Yiti Integrated Tourism Development. The opening of Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat marks a significant milestone in the projects development. It is a resort that pays homage to the countrys rich and intriguing culture and the locations picturesque beauty with luxe modernity. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua is currently under development in partnership with White Sand Development Ltd. Further details about the project will be available in the coming months. We are extremely proud to continue our successful global expansion through this exciting pipeline of new hotels and resorts, said Alexander Schneider, President of the Nikki Beach Global Hotels & Resorts Division. Our vision of focusing on tomorrow's destinations in order to provide our well-traveled target group with truly new experiences is fully reflected in this collection. We continuously seek to create innovative concepts that bring our impressive lifestyle approach to life in new and emerging travel markets. These locations offer incredibly unique regional culture that were excited to intertwine with the Nikki Beach Celebration of Life experience and barefoot luxury aesthetic. Since its inception in 1998, Nikki Beach Global has grown into a multifaceted hospitality company with 11 beach clubs and 5 hotels and resorts worldwide. In recent years, the brand has put a focus on expanding the Hotels & Resorts division which currently operates resorts in Koh Samui, Thailand; Porto Heli, Greece; Dubai, UAE; Santorini, Greece and Montenegro, Tivat. TradeArabia News Service Last year, more than 15,000 children were reported in Ohio The cases remained unusually high through the month of May 27 children have been reported missing in the area over just two week An Ohio police chief has expressed concern about the alarmingly high number of children who have gone missing in Cleveland recently. As many as 27 children were reported missing in the area over just two weeks at the beginning of May, according to John Majoy, chief of police of Newburgh Heights, a suburb about five miles south of Cleveland. Majoy, who also serves as board president for the organization Cleveland Missing, called the year 'extraordinary' in terms of the unprecedented levels of reported missing children. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Majoy said the cases of missing children between the ages of 12 and 17 remained unusually high through the month of May. 'For some reason, in 2023, we've seen a lot more than we normally see, which is troubling in part because we don't know what's going on with some of these kids, whether they're being trafficked or whether they're involved in gang activity or drugs,' he told the outlet. Newburgh Heights police chief John Majoy has sounded the alarm about a trend of missing children in the Cleveland area Caleb Ellis, 16, ran away from his home with two other teenagers on April 6, according to police (left). Malikah Nelson, 15, was last seen in Cleveland on April 9 (right) As of mid-May, there were a total of 56 active missing children cases in Cleveland, meaning almost half of the cases were reported in May. Majoy emphasized that he has never seen such high numbers of missing children in his 33-year-career. While Majoy claimed that it's likely the majority of cases are runaways and not abductions, he added that teenagers are naive when it comes to predators, who he can be 'wolves in sheep's clothing.' The 27 missing children were reported between May 2 and May 16. And, unfortunately, most missing children don't make the news, because there is usually no Amber Alert, said Majoy, describing the cases as 'silent crimes happening right under our noses.' There is a strict criteria for an Amber Alert - police have to have reasonable believe there has been an abduction, and that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. There also has to be enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction. Payton Gordon, 16, was last seen in August 2022 in Cleveland (left). Amida Evans, 13, reportedly ran away from his Cleveland home on May 8 Milkeno Ward, 16, was last seen in August 2022 ans is believed to have ran away from home (left). Jevonte Jones, 16, was reported missing on April 27 (right) 'The problem is where are they? Where do they go? They can be in a drug house or farmed to prostitution or caught up in drug trafficking or gangs.' Finding the missing children is even more difficult when considering that most of the cases listed on the website for missing Cleveland children don't include a photo. Last year, more than 15,000 children were reported in Ohio, with four that were found dead. Abductions amounted to 8,525 of the cases, with 34 cases stemming from abductions by a noncustodial parent. Only five of the children had a stranger kidnap them, according to a report by the state's attorney general Dave Yost. Police were able to find 36 percent of the children, but 615 went into 2023 still missing. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Cleveland Police Department's missing persons division for comment on this story. The 12-year-old girl who stabbed her brother to death would have faced life in prison if she was a year older under a unique Oklahoma law that allows kids over the age of 13 to be charged as adults, but will instead likely spend a few years in a juvenile facility before being released home. DailyMail.com is not naming the child. On January 5, she stabbed her brother, Zander Lyda, three times in their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their mother, April, was in the home and came rushing into her son's room to screams. She thought he was having a nightmare until she noticed the blood seeping through his bedsheets. He had been trying to sleep when his sister came downstairs and attacked him. The girl, sobbing and shrieking, ran out of the home, screaming 'I'm so sorry!' Since then, she has been undergoing treatment at a juvenile facility in Tulsa. DailyMail.com is not naming the child. On January 5, she stabbed her brother, Zander Lyda, three times in their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is shown being placed in handcuffs afterwards Zander, left, was lying in his bed trying to sleep when his sister attacked him. They are shown with their younger half-brother, who is three. He was not in the home at the time The details of her case are under seal, so many of the specifics of her crime remain unknown but her mother has claimed online that medication may have played a role in the tragedy. Under Oklahoma Law, a child aged 13 or older can be charged as an adult for a crime like murder. It's unclear how far away the girl was from her 13th birthday but had the attack happened after it, she could have faced five years in a juvenile facility - and the rest of her life in an adult prison. Because she is so young, the court process is drastically different. After being charged, she has the option to either stipulate to the states petition - plead guilty - or request a trial. If a trial goes ahead, she could attempt an insanity defense, and even argue that she was under the influence or had been drastically impaired by the medication her mother claims may have been to blame. Her mother has not made public what that medication was. Carter Jennings, an Oklahoma Criminal Defense Attorney who handles juvenile cases, told DailyMail.com that she would have a low chance of success with an insanity defense because she threw the knife out of the window of her bedroom after running away from her brother's bleeding body. 'The child threw the knife out the window. She tried to cover up her tracks, so I dont know what level of success youd have [with that defense.] 'We dont really have a diminished capacity defense... even in juvenile cases, they legally could put one forward, but based on these facts I dont think it would be a successful one.' Pictured: The Family Center for Juvenile Justice in Tulsa, where the 12-year-old girl was being held after the fatal stabbing in January If she is found guilty or stipulates, she will likely be sentenced to time in a juvenile facility. There are two in Tulsa, including the Tulsa County Juvenile Center, where she was taken after the attack. Her sentence will be focused on rehabilitation, and Jennings stated that the centers are 'not fun'. 'Its certainly not prison, but in terms of juvenile facilities they're under guard. 'They may be restrained by cuffs, eat at certain times, sleep at certain times. Its not quite prison but its very serious,' he said. He added that it would be highly unusual for the child to spend any longer than a few years in the facility - and that she almost certainly would not be there until she turned 18. 'Its unlikely it would go beyond 18 because of the young age of the child. This is very unique, but when someone is placed in a facility like that it can be for six months, a year, 18 months. April Lyda, the children's mother, is standing by her. She has vowed to seek justice for both her daughter - who she believes was influenced heavily by medication - and for her son Zander Lyda who was stabbed to death in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on January 5 this year 'When you get past longer than that you are looking at something unique - which this is - but the child is just too young to have kind of serious consequence at that age. 'The law understands that a 12-year-old may not have all the decision-making abilities that an older child would. 'Barring something crazy, she likely will not be in a facility until she is 18. A couple of years would be a reasonable.' The Tulsa County District Attorney's Office declined to comment, citing the fact the case is under seal. It remains unclear which part of the legal process the case is now in. In March, her mother told well-wishers who had donated to a fundraising page for the family that she was undergoing a psychiatric evaluation. 'Im very supportive of her and love her very much. 'Obviously there is a lot of healing that we both need before we can ever live together again and she needs mental and emotional help after this. 'She could have permanent, damage we dont know yet, but she has not had any issues,' she said in a more recent post. The boy's father, Levi Lyda, has not commented. A brave Montreal resident managed to fight off two balaclava-wearing burglars when he found them looting his garage. The young man, who is yet to be named, confronted the thieves while wearing only a pair of orange boardshorts. The confrontation, which was caught on the Mount Royal home's security cameras, took place after 2am Wednesday. The footage showed the suspects, dressed in black, break into the garage through the door and take out white plastic bags from their pockets. The two men then bagged up goods before the resident came hurtling in from another room. The young man, who is yet to be named, confronted the thieves while wearing only a pair of orange boardshorts The man lunged at the burglars with his fists and managed to quickly tackle one to the ground. Both suspects tried to flee by the same door they broke in using but the resident, who can be heard shouting 'call 911', dragged one of them back into the garage. The man, whose balaclava was removed during the tussle, struggled but ended up on his back inside. The resident then astutely locked the door in order to prevent the burglar's pal from returning and overpowering him. It appears to be an astute move as the garage door's handle was soon seen moving up and down as the second burglar tried to reenter. The brave Montreal resident fought off two balaclava-wearing burglars in his garage The footage showed the suspects dressed in black, break into the garage through the door Both suspects tried to flee through the same door they broke in using The resident, who can be heard shouting 'call 911', dragged one of them back into the garage The man, whose balaclava is removed during the tussle, struggled but ends up on his back inside The resident received numerous blows to the face, but was not seriously injured, local news TVA Nouvelles reported. The thieves managed to steal the resident's sister's bag, but nothing else was taken. The Service de police de la Ville de Montreal is currently conducting an investigation. Police have not made any arrests in the case and the suspects have not been named. Russian security services have accused Apple of cooperating with US espionage agencies in a plot to hack iPhones using 'invisible iMessages' carrying spyware. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed on Thursday it had uncovered an American espionage operation that compromised thousands of iPhones using sophisticated surveillance software. 'The FSB has uncovered an intelligence action of the American special services using Apple mobile devices,' the FSB said in a statement. The FSB claimed the plot showed 'close cooperation' between Apple and the National Security Agency (NSA), the US agency responsible for cryptographic and communications intelligence and security. The FSB provided no evidence that Apple cooperated with, or had any awareness of, the alleged spying campaign targeting its devices. In a statement, Apple firmly denied the allegation, saying: 'We have never worked with any government to insert a backdoor into any Apple product and never will.' Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed on Thursday it had uncovered an American espionage operation that compromised thousands of iPhones using spyware The NSA declined to comment. The FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said that several thousand Apple devices had been infected, including those of domestic Russian users as well as foreign diplomats based in Russia and the former Soviet Union. The FSB said the American hackers had compromised diplomats from Israel, Syria, China and NATO members in the espionage campaign. Israeli officials declined to comment. Chinese, Syrian and NATO representatives were not immediately available for comment. Moscow-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab said dozens of its employees' devices were compromised in the operation. 'The attack is carried out using an invisible iMessage with a malicious attachment, which, using a number of vulnerabilities in the iOS operating system, is executed on a device and installs spyware,' the Kremlin-linked firm said in a blog post. 'The deployment of the spyware is completely hidden and requires no action from the user. 'The spyware then quietly transmits private information to remote servers: microphone recordings, photos from instant messengers, geolocation, and data about a number of other activities of the owner of the infected device.' The FSB claimed the plot showed 'close cooperation' between Apple and the National Security Agency (NSA), the US agency responsible for cryptographic and communications intelligence and security Kaspersky CEO Eugene Kaspersky said on Twitter that dozens of his employees' phones were compromised in the operation, which his company described as 'an extremely complex, professionally targeted cyberattack' that had targeted workers in 'top and middle-management.' Kaspersky researcher Igor Kuznetsov told Reuters that his company had independently discovered anomalous traffic on its corporate Wi-Fi network around the start of the year. He said Kaspersky did not circulate its findings to Russia's Computer Emergency Response Team until earlier on Thursday. He said he could not comment on Moscow's allegation that Americans were responsible for the hacking or that thousands of others had been targeted. 'It's very hard to attribute anything to anyone,' he said. In a blog post, Kaspersky said the oldest traces of infection it discovered dated back to 2019. 'As of the time of writing in June 2023, the attack is ongoing,' the company said. It added that while its staff was hit, 'we are quite confident that Kaspersky was not the main target of this cyberattack.' The United States is the world's top cyber power in terms of intent and capability, according to Harvard University's Belfer Center Cyber 2022 Power Index, followed by China, Russia, the United Kingdom and Australia. Both the Kremlin and Russia's foreign ministry pointed to the significance of the matter. Apple firmly denied the allegation from the Kremlin (pictured is a view of the Senate Palace of the Kremlin from the Red Square in Moscow) saying: 'We have never worked with any government to insert a backdoor into any Apple product and never will.' 'The hidden data collection was carried out through software vulnerabilities in US-made mobile phones,' Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement. 'The U.S. intelligence services have been using IT corporations for decades in order to collect large-scale data of Internet users without their knowledge,' the ministry said. Russian officials said the plot had been uncovered as part of a joint effort by FSB officers and those of the Federal Guards Service (FSO), a powerful agency that runs the Kremlin bodyguard and was also once the KGB's Ninth Directorate. Officials in Russia, which Western spies say has constructed a very sophisticated domestic surveillance structure, have long questioned the security of US technology. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said all officials in the presidential administration knew that gadgets such as iPhones were 'absolutely transparent.' Earlier this year, the Kremlin told officials involved in preparations for Russia's 2024 presidential election to stop using Apple iPhones because of concerns that the devices are vulnerable to Western intelligence agencies, the Kommersant newspaper reported. A Labour MP was suspended from the party yesterday over claims of 'completely unacceptable behaviour' toward younger female colleagues over a number of years. Geraint Davies, who has represented Swansea West since 2010, was accused of subjecting party staff and MPs to unwanted sexual attention, and boasting of bringing sex workers into Parliament. Labour whips have been aware of concerns about the MP's conduct for several years, according to the Politico news site, but received their first formal complaint only last night. Labour staff and MPs who have worked with Mr Davies spoke anonymously yesterday about allegations of unwanted touching and sexual comments directed at younger women in the workplace. Most of the incidents were said to have happened on the parliamentary estate itself over the last five years. Swansea West MP Geraint Davies (pictured) was suspended from the Labour party over claims of 'completely unacceptable behaviour' toward younger female colleagues Geraint Davies (right) pictured with Labour party leader Keir Starmer (right) A former staffer was sent a string of sexually suggestive messages while a party activist was invited back to Mr Davies' hotel room, it was reported. He also allegedly touched two female Labour MPs inappropriately without their consent. Both raised their concerns with the whips but did not lodge formal complaints. Last night a Labour MP and Labour peer claimed Mr Davies 'boasted' about bringing sex workers into Parliament for drinks, Sky News reported. Responding to the claims, Mr Davies, who will now sit as an independent MP, said: 'I don't recognise the allegations suggested and do not know who has made them. 'None of them, as far as I know, has been lodged as complaints with the Labour Party or Parliament 'If I have inadvertently caused offence to anyone, then I am naturally sorry as it is important that we share an environment of mutual and equal respect for all.' A Labour Party spokesman said: 'These are incredibly serious allegations of completely unacceptable behaviour. 'We would strongly urge anyone with a complaint to come forward so that allegations can be swiftly and fully investigated and action taken. 'The party has ensured that there is a wide range of support available to complainants, to provide confidence and confidential guidance.' The Labour MP (pictured) is accused of subjecting party staff and MPs to unwanted sexual attention, and boasting of bringing sex workers into Parliament Labour whips have been aware of concerns about the MP's conduct for several years, according to the Politico news site, but only received their first formal complaint last night Last night Labour's general secretary David Evans told staff that officials had launched a review of the party's complaints system. Tory former cabinet minister Simon Clarke said: 'I make no comment about this case whatever except that the very people who scream abuse at Conservative MPs every day will now be conspicuous by their silence.' Four MPs have been forced to stand down since the last general election because of sexual misconduct, with a total of 15 parliamentarians now sitting as independents. Alesha De-Freitas of the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for women's rights and gender equality, said: 'How many more stories of MPs under investigation for sexual harassment must we hear before something is done?' In 2021, former Hartlepool Labour MP Mike Hill resigned after Parliament's watchdog found he breached its rules in relation to his behaviour toward a woman in both his parliamentary office and his flat. Neil Parish, the former Tory MP for Tiverton and Honiton, sparked a by-election after admitting in April last year to watching pornography in the Commons. Former City of Chester Labour MP Christian Matheson quit in October last year after a report by the watchdog upheld complaints of 'serious sexual misconduct'. Former Afghan interpreters waiting to relocate to the UK have accused the Government of turning them into 'prisoners' trapped in hotels. The translators have been stuck in Pakistan for up to 18 months with 'no clue' of when they will be able to begin their new lives in Britain. RAF flights carrying those who qualify for sanctuary under the flagship Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) were halted last November. But UK officials have told those waiting that they will not be moved until housing is found for each family. More than 1,300 eligible Afghans many of who risked their lives beside UK troops are currently in hotels in the Pakistani capital Islamabad. One former frontline translator has been there more than 520 days and about 70 have been in hotels for more than a year. Among those waiting anxiously for clearance in Islamabad is David Cameron's former translator, Shaffy, who said Afghans 'feel like prisoners' and their rooms 'cells' An estimated further 8,000 who qualify for ARAP and a second UK resettlement scheme are believed to still be in hiding in Afghanistan amid concerns that the delays in Pakistan could mean they remain at risk of Taliban revenge longer. Campaigners say those stranded in Pakistan have been abandoned by the Government. Lawyers for the interpreters are preparing unprecedented legal action in British courts to challenge the open-ended delays which they argue are unlawful. Our lives are stuck on hold Musa says he and his wife have reached 'breaking point' after 16 months spent in an Islamabad hotel room. The 36-year-old said: 'I went on hundreds of missions beside British soldiers and I am grateful that I no longer have to worry about my safety because the Taliban wanted to kill me. But now the lives of many Afghans are on hold.' The father of one added: 'When we crossed the border into Pakistan, there was excitement and relief but now there is frustration, boredom, uncertainty and fear of perhaps having to spend another year in this room.' Courageous: Translator Musa Advertisement While grateful to the UK for promising them relocation, the ex-translators say their lives are on 'hold'. They also fear arrest in Pakistan as they travelled there on 30-day visas believing they would be moved to the UK in that time. They are unable to leave their hotels as a result. Many claim to be suffering from anxiety, stress and mental health problems caused by the uncertainty and years of conflict some have spoken of suicide while 680 children are unable to go to school. One former frontline translator branded the indefinite delays as 'devastating, a betrayal'. Another said he and his family felt 'prisoners of the UK Government system' after spending nearly a year in the same room, their only exercise taking place in a hotel car park. Since the end of the Operation Pitting rescue flights in August 2021, those approved under ARAP by the Ministry of Defence must travel to a third country, usually Pakistan, where they are held in UK-funded hotels until the Home Office issues visas after completing security checks. Campaigners say none have been issued for over seven months as the Government tries to empty the UK hotels where thousands of ARAP-qualified Afghans still live. Among those waiting anxiously for clearance in Islamabad is David Cameron's former translator, Shaffy, who said Afghans 'feel like prisoners' and their rooms 'cells'. The 37-year-old, who spent six years with the British military three on the frontlines and three with senior officers and visiting politicians such as Mr Cameron said: 'There is a sense of betrayal that our lives are on hold and we are effectively trapped in our hotels with only the clothes we escaped with.' Shaffy, who was twice injured by Taliban bombs, arrived in Islamabad nine months ago with his wife and five children after his case was taken up by the Mail's award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign. He said he had expected to begin his new life in the UK within weeks. 'What has happened to us and so many other Afghans is cruel,' he said. 'We are trapped in our hotels, unable to leave the perimeters as our visas ran out after 30 days and so if we are on the streets we are illegal and could be deported back to Afghanistan.' Dr Sara de Jong, from the Sulha Alliance, which campaigns for ex-military translators, criticised the Government, saying: 'Afghan interpreters who are approved as eligible for relocation deserve better than being abandoned in Pakistan hotels.' Dr Jong added: 'It's in the interest of British society to invest in the more than 680 children who will make the UK their home but who are now left stranded without any access to education.' A Government spokesman said: 'We remain unwavering in our commitment to relocate those ARAP eligible Afghans who worked for, or with, UK forces in Afghanistan. To date, we have relocated over 12,200 individuals to the UK. 'While eligible individuals are undergoing UK visa checks and awaiting relocation to the UK, they are entitled to accommodation and welfare support from [our Government] in third countries.' Officials stress that those still in Afghanistan remain the priority and ARAP-qualified Afghans in third countries will be moved as quickly as possible. Brave heroes stranded in Pakistan with no date for move to UK Lloyds has announced the closure of 53 more branches in the latest blow to the high street. It takes the number of branches that have been shut or earmarked for closure so far this year across the industry to more than 500. The new announcement means 21 Lloyds Bank, 15 Halifax and 17 Bank of Scotland sites will go between September this year and May 2024. Like other lenders, Lloyds says it is closing branches because customers are increasingly opting for online banking. However, campaigners argue that elderly and vulnerable account holders some of whom struggle to use internet or app-based platforms are being abandoned. That has been exacerbated by a sharp fall in the number of free-to-use cash machines. Lloyds said the latest 53 branches set for closure had seen their usage fall by an average 55 per cent in the last five years Find a better bank: Best accounts to switch to Our bank account is the financial product that we use more frequently than any other, but many people rarely make sure theirs works for them. Yet, different current accounts suit different people, with options ranging from those that pay interest, to ones that offer cheaper spending abroad, have good apps and budgeting tools, a better overdraft rate or package in extras, such as insurance. This is Money's regularly updated round-up reveals the top deals worth switching to. > Best bank accounts: How to get paid to switch and top perks Figures compiled by consumer group Which? show that 662 branches were closed last year across the industry and 204 have gone so far this year, with 255 more scheduled, giving a total of 1,121 before yesterday's announcement. That total includes 284 Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland outlets the brands operated by Lloyds Banking Group. The latest closures means Lloyds which was rescued by taxpayers during the financial crisis with a 21billion bailout has axed or is due to axe more branches than its rivals over the same period. Lloyds said the latest 53 branches set for closure had seen their usage fall by an average 55 per cent in the last five years. A spokesman said: 'Alongside our digital and mobile banking options, we're introducing more community bankers to provide face-to-face support.' The 'community bankers' visit areas where branches have closed and have dedicated office space in which to meet customers on pre-announced days. Since 2015, more than 5,000 branches, over half the total, have been axed, says Which?. This year, HSBC's UK boss Ian Stuart sparked fury when he told a committee of MPs that closing branches is 'what customers want'. Britain's brightest students are in limbo over their graduation as lecturers refuse to hand out grades. Thousands of undergraduates from the countrys top institutions have been struck by a marking boycott, meaning their final exams wont be graded on time. They include students at Cambridge, who have been warned they will not get their final grades until the next academic year. Students at Edinburgh University have also been told the results of their dissertations may be delayed as a result of the action by the University and College Union. Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, said it was irresponsible of academics not to let students move on with their careers. The marking boycott is set to leave Cambridge University (pictured) students in Limbo He added: Its very hard and unfair on the students and its a great pity the university couldnt come up with a better way of handling the situation. It comes as Cambridge finalists were told this week not to expect their exam results on time due to the marking boycott. In emails seen by the student newspaper Varsity, politics and international studies students as well as sociology students were told to expect results after September 30, if the dispute cannot be resolved. It means some students face receiving conditional offers from employers until they get their final grades. Students at Edinburgh University (pictured) could see marking of their dissertations delayed Instead, they will be given a letter detailing when theyre expected to receive final marks, to give to prospective employers. Dan Hawes, co-founder of the Graduate Recruitment Bureau one of the UKs biggest graduate recruitment consultancies said employees risked being left in limbo. More than 500,000 students face having their graduations delayed as a result of the boycott, the union has warned. Members began the action at 145 universities in an ongoing dispute over staffs pay and working conditions on April 20. It said the boycott will continue until employers make an improved offer. Migrants who pass through Georgia on the way to Britain risk being sent back under an agreement that came into force yesterday. Asylum seekers who lived in or 'transited through' the former Soviet republic and then arrived in the UK can be put on a flight back to Tbilisi. The agreement says requests for a removal must be considered by either country within 12 days and, once agreed, the foreign national will be flown out within three months. Rishi Sunak yesterday insisted the migration crisis could be solved only by international efforts. The Prime Minister hailed 'very productive' talks he held with European leaders during a summit in Moldova yesterday. Asylum seekers who lived in or 'transited through' the former Soviet republic and then arrived in the UK can be put on a flight back to Tbilisi. Pictured: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, where he spoke with Georgian president Irakli Garibashvili At the European Political Community gathering in Chisinau hosted by Moldovan president Maia Sandu, he said: 'Many of the challenges we face whether it's standing up to Russian aggression here in Moldova or in Ukraine, but also tackling illegal migration are challenges that we can only really solve when we work together with other countries. 'I've been having a series of very productive discussions here to strengthen everyone's support for Ukraine but also to work co-operatively to tackle illegal migration, which is one of my five big priorities.' Georgia lies at a crucial migrant crossroads in the Caucasus. Migrants from the Middle East who are trying to avoid entering Turkey, which prevents crossings at its border with the EU, follow the so-called 'Black Sea route'. This involves a land crossing through Armenia or Azerbaijan into Georgia, followed by a crossing over the Black Sea toward Romania or Bulgaria. Intelligence-sharing that follows February's agreement with Bulgaria will also boost efforts against the people traffickers. The deal will see the National Crime Agency lend more support to local law enforcement officers to 'improve their use of intelligence', sources said. The joint work will include specific action to tackle the supply chains of equipment used by traffickers, including inflatable dinghies. Bulgaria is a key land route for 'death-trap' inflatables built in Turkey specifically for cross-Channel smugglers. The boats are manufactured there before being transported by road through neighbouring Bulgaria to secret bases in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The inflatables are often single-hulled and do not have multiple compartments designed to reduce the risk of sinking. The UK Government is also seeking to enhance joint law enforcement operations with Turkey, according to reports. An NCA spokesman said: 'Tackling organised immigration crime is a key priority for us. The NCA alone has more than 90 ongoing investigations into networks or individuals in the top tier of organised immigration crime or human trafficking the highest harm. 'Much of the criminality lies outside the UK, so we have built up our intelligence sharing effort with law enforcement partners.' Qatar Airways has signed a deal with Shell to source 3,000 metric tonnes of neat Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Amsterdam Schiphol airport. It encompasses the existing jet fuel contract with Shell at Amsterdam which will now see Qatar Airways using at least a 5 per cent SAF blend over the contract period for the fiscal year 2023-2024. The Qatar Airways bilateral agreement with Shell is part of a wider effort initiated by the oneworld alliance, which has a set target of using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for 10% of combined fuel volumes by 2030. Qatar Airways is the first carrier in the Middle East and Africa to procure a large SAF amount in Europe beyond government SAF mandates. SAF offers significant potential for decarbonisation as neat SAF can reduce full lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.[1] This means that Qatar Airways will be reducing its emissions on flights from Amsterdam by approximately 7,500 tonnes of CO2 for the fiscal year. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said: At Qatar Airways, we are strongly committed to supporting the industrys effort to ramp-up the use of sustainable aviation fuel, as one of the key pillars to decarbonise the aviation industry. Last year, we signed our first offtake agreement in the US, and now we are placing a multi-million US dollar SAF deal in Amsterdam to illustrate our SAF commitment and reiterate our calls for a more robust SAF supply chain across our global network. We remain steadfast in our ambitious target of 10 per cent SAF use by 2030 and this announcement, establishes another landmark for Qatar Airways that underlines the positive outcome of the industrys collaboration which is critical to accelerating the SAF supply and achieving our target. SAF is still 3 to 5 times more expensive than fossil-based jet fuel. This is why it is essential for all stakeholders to play their part in facilitating research & development of SAF facilities, enhancing economies of scale, providing financing and placing supportive policies. Qatar Airways and Shell have a history of collaboration, so it is fantastic to now work together on decarbonisation as we supply them with SAF for the first time, said Jan Toschka, President of Shell Aviation. SAF is a key lever for decarbonising aviation, but scaling its supply and use requires concerted action from across the aviation sector. Todays agreement is a great example of the collaborative actions that are required to help accelerate aviations progress towards net zero. Passengers and customers of Qatar Airways are able today to compensate for their flight emissions through the purchase of high-quality carbon credits, credited under International Civil Aviation Organization criteria, the UN's aviation body. Qatar Airways currently invests in carbon credit projects that generate renewable energy, which help in reducing carbon emissions. Qatar Airways is also working on introducing a solution which will allow passengers and customers to offset their emissions by contributing to the cost of SAF. TradeArabia News Service The Barefoot Investor Scott Pape has named and shamed Australia's worst-performing superannuation funds. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has released its annual report, which rates super products. Australia's financial services industry regulator's latest report card revealed one in five 'choice' super products had significantly underperformed the regulator's benchmarks. Pape says Aussies should be concerned if their retirement nest egg is sitting in an underperforming fund. Barefoot Investor Scott Pape (pictured) has named and shamed Australia's worst performing super funds listed in the APRA External Report Pape broke down the APRA report by naming and shaming the worst performers. OnePath was singled out in the report, with the company managing a whopping 33 underperforming super funds. 'OnePath was like my Year 8 report card: a total and utter s**t earing show (as my father would say),' Pape wrote. OnePath wasn't the only superannuation company in the firing line. BT Funds Management, Colonial First State, Auscol (Mine Super), Perpetual Super, MLC Super all earned a mention from Pape for their 'significantly poor performance'. Verve Super, Spaceship Super (who target millennials), Student Super Cruelty Free Super also came under scrutiny for their high administration fees. Last but no least, Equity Trustees got a mention for both high fees and poor returns. An estimated $10 billion in retirement savings sit in underperforming funds as Pape doubled down on his attack on underperforming funds. 'Many of them are not taking on new customers because, well, who the hell would actively choose to join them?! However, they're still more than happy to continue milking their existing customers with high fees and/or poor performance,' he wrote. 'Because, unlike their customers, the people that run the funds are making seriously good profits! 'Their only way of keeping this going is to hide their report card, and hope you forget to ask.' Phillip Schofield today admitted his glittering TV career is over and he has been shunned by Holly Willoughby - who responded with an Instagram post about how to keep 'your hair safe all summer long'. In his first broadcast interview since the scandal erupted, the presenter explained how he messaged his former co-host to say he was 'so, so sorry' for lying to her about his 'unwise, but not illegal' relationship with the man who is 34 years his junior. But he denied he had groomed a younger colleague before their affair and revealed that he is suicidal, telling critics: 'Do you want me to die? Because that's where I am'. The broadcaster, 61, also lifted the lid on how Holly Willoughby distanced herself from him when his paedophile brother was jailed and confirmed they are no longer speaking after he left ITV, although he admitted she may have been banned. He said: 'I WhatsApped her on the day I put out the statement. I said that you don't have to reply, you probably can't, but I want to say I'm desperately, desperately sorry', adding Holly, who is currently on holiday in Portugal, hasn't replied. But shortly after Schofield confessed he'd sent her a text begging for forgiveness, Willoughby's social media team took to Instagram to share a blase post about hair care - with no mention of Phil or his apology. Holly Willoughby has taken to Instagram to promote a hair product - but did not respond to Phillip Schofield's interviews Schofield revealed his most recent texts with Holly over the scandal - he has not received a reply to his most recent one (texts recreated by MailOnline above) Phillip Schofield has revealed Holly Willoughby did not reply to his text which said he was 'so, so sorry' for lying to her about his 'unwise, but not illegal' relationship with a much younger colleague Phillip Schofield has said 'I think I understand how Caroline Flack felt', in an interview with the BBC's Amol Rajan following his exit from This Morning last week. He said he is suicidal Uploaded to the Wylde Moon account - Holly's wellness blog - was a makeup-free selfie, with Holly sporting wet hair as she smouldered down the camera lens with newly-washed hair. The post made no reference to her 'feud' with Schofield and instead offered tips on how to keep 'your hair safe all summer long'. Denying their relationship is 'broken', Schofield said today: 'I adore Holly. I've always adored her. She's my TV sister. I don't have a problem with her at all. Schofield told the BBC he first met his lover when he was 15 and in a theatre school where he offered him career advice without 'any whiff of impropriety'. Their sexual relationship began with a kiss in his dressing room at work and led to 'more' on around six occasions when the man was around 20. Schofield said they were never in love, and remained 'mates' afterwards. But he vehemently denied grooming him as a teenager before he began working at ITV, declaring: 'What's wrong with talking to someone?' Speaking for the first time, Schofield revealed: He met the man at the centre of the scandal when he was 15 and in school. They began a sexual relationship when he was 20 and working at This Morning. Schofield denied it was grooming and said any sexual contact was 'consensual' Phillip said that he would have taken his life by now if it wasn't for his two daughters, claiming: 'I think I understand how Caroline Flack felt'; The broadcaster believes his TV career is over and he will never be on the nation's screens again; The star has begged Holly Willoughby for forgiveness by text - but she has not replied. He denied that they had been at the heart of any 'toxicity' or bullying at This Morning, insisting that culture didn't exist; He thanks his family for their support - but admits his relationship with his wife Stephanie is 'not great right now'; Schofield hit back at critic Eamonn Holmes, declaring: 'All I see is angry people shouting about a show they're not on any more'; Phillip claimed the reaction to his age gap romance was 'homophobic' - and said it would have been different if it was a man and a woman; Last Friday, Schofield admitted that he had lied to ITV, his co-host, his agency YMU and lawyers about his relationship with a much younger colleague Breaking his silence last night, Schofield claimed Willoughby distanced herself from him after his paedophile brother was convicted Timothy Schofield (pictured) was jailed for 12 years for a slew of child sex offences including abusing a teenage boy he groomed He said: 'I would say to everyone, my family, friends, my work colleagues, to ITV, the public, my management company, the people I lied to: I am desperately sorry. But principally I would like to apologise to him. 'It may have been consensual, fully legal, but I shouldn't have allowed it to happen and that is a grave error on my part and I know that because if that an absolutely innocent person is being persecuted'. Breaking his silence on the scandal that he admits has ended his career, Schofield claimed he will never be on TV again and revealed he would have taken his own life by now if it wasn't for his daughters, declaring: 'I understand how Caroline Flack felt'. He apologised to his family, friends and ITV viewers for lying about the affair, but insisted that much of the criticism of him since he left This Morning had been homophobic. He also told of a 'catastrophic effect' on his mind. He revealed he texted former co-host Holly Willoughby begging for forgiveness over his This Morning affair lies but she never replied. Speaking to the BBC in an interview broadcast this morning, he said he has 'lost everything' and told of a 'catastrophic effect' on his mind. The former This Morning presenter, 61, said the fallout from the revelations had been 'relentless' and urged the media to leave his former lover 'alone now'. Speaking to the BBC's Amol Rajan, he told of the criticism he has faced since admitting the affair. He said he saw 'nothing ahead' of him and he had to talk about his career in television 'in the past tense'. He said: 'It is relentless, and it is day after day, after day after day. 'If you don't think that that is going to have the most catastrophic effect on someone's mind... do you want me to die? Because that's where I am. 'I have lost everything.' Clutching his vape, Schofield said his career is over Asked by Rajan, the BBC's media editor, if he was strong enough to do the interview, Schofield replied: 'I have to'. When pressed as to why, Schofield said in reference to his former colleague: 'Because there is an innocent person here who didn't do anything wrong, who is vulnerable and probably feels like I do. 'And I just have to say, stop with him... leave him alone...'. Phillip said he felt relieved that his 'biggest sorriest secret' was now public - but claimed he was in the midst of a crisis that has seen him consider suicide. He quit This Morning last Friday having admitted he lied about their affair. Love Island host Caroline Flack was found dead in February 2020 at the age of 40, and a coroner later ruled she took her own life after learning that prosecutors were going to press ahead with an assault charge following an incident with her boyfriend Lewis Burton. Schofield, 61, said today: 'Last week, if my daughters hadn't been there then I wouldn't be here. And they've guarded me and won't let me out of their sight, it's like a weird numbness. 'I know that's a selfish point of view. But you come to a point where you just think, how much are you supposed to take? If all of those people that write all that stuff, do they ever think that there's actually a person at the other end?'. Asked by Rajan, the BBC's media editor, if he was strong enough to do the interview, Schofield replied: 'I have to'. When pressed as to why, Schofield said in reference to his former colleague: 'Because there is an innocent person here who didn't do anything wrong, who is vulnerable and probably feels like I do. 'And I just have to say, stop with him... leave him alone...' Phillip Schofield has said he first started following his former lover on Twitter when he was aged 15 after he was asked to do so by a friend. In an interview with Amol Rajan on the BBC, the former This Morning presenter explained he was invited by a friend to go to a school, something he said he has done 'thousands of times'. Schofield claimed he was later asked to follow 'a fan' back on Twitter, who was aged 15 at the time - to which the presenter agreed. 'I follow 11,300 people and in all the time that I've been on Twitter there has never been any whiff of impropriety', he added. Schofield said the last time he interacted with his former lover was a 'couple of weeks' ago when he organised a lawyer for him because he needed 'independent' support. Schofield later confirmed he is paying for the man's legal advice. Phillip Schofield has told the BBC's Amol Rajan that the first time he had any 'kind of sexual contact' with his former This Morning colleague, the younger man was 20. He said the pair had last spoken when Schofield 'engaged a lawyer for him', adding: 'He needed independent support. So that was the last time'. Recounting the first time they met, Schofield told Rajan: 'I was invited by a friend of mine to go to open a drama school... But whether it was immediately or sometime after, he said, 'will you follow him on Twitter, because he's a fan'. So I said, 'yeah, sure, no problem', which I did.' Rajan added: 'And he was what, 15 at the time?'. Schofield said: 'I follow 11,300 people, and in all the time I've been on Twitter, there has never been any whiff of impropriety.' He went on to say the pair were 'hardly' in touch, but the young man had later gotten in contact to ask 'if he could visit the studios, work experience-type of thing. I said come down and have a look, for sure, which he did.' Schofield told Rajan the man was 19 when he had first expressed interest in a television career, and when asked by Rajan if, looking back on their messages, there was 'any sense in which you were flirting with him?', Schofield said: 'No, I've been 41 years in television. Nothing like this before. No accusations. I mean, this is all accusations.' Phillip Schofield has denied he had any sexual interaction with his former This Morning colleague when the younger man was underage, but said their later affair was 'unforgivable'. Asked directly by the BBC's Amol Rajan if he had any kind of sexual relationship when his former lover was underage, Schofield said: 'God no. 'In my statement, it says 'consensual relationship, fully legal', I mean, that (the statement) was approved by both sides.' Recalling how the affair began, Schofield said: 'He'd been working at the show for a few months and we'd become mates, we were mates. Around the studios we'd hang out together, chat to each other, that sort of stuff. 'And then in my dressing room one day something happened which obviously, I will regret forever for him and for me - mostly him. 'That happened maybe four or five times over the next few months, and I know it's unforgivable but we weren't boyfriends, we weren't in a relationship. 'I was really in a mess with my sexuality at the time and it just happened.' ITV boss Carolyn McCall will appear before MPs to face questions over the Phillip Schofield scandal Schofield has said he 'didn't tell anybody' about his affair with his former This Morning colleague but disagreed with any implication of 'grooming' the young man. Asked by the BBC's Amol Rajan about who on his team knew about the relationship, the presenter said: 'Nobody to my knowledge. I mean somebody has to know something for there to be a rumour later on. I didn't believe that anybody knew.' Schofield reiterated that he never told his former co-host Holly Willoughby, adding: 'That's a bigger question because our make-up room was like a sanctuary so you tell everything in that room. 'Holly knows everything about me, I know everything about Holly. Holly did not know. Nobody knew. I didn't tell anybody.' Rajan said the crux of the issue is whether there was a potential 'abuse of power', adding that it might be perceived as 'grooming'. 'The circumstances are as follows: you met someone who was a child, you were in a position of power over them. You use your power eventually to give them something they craved, which was shot at a job in the media. You nurtured a relationship and then that relationship became sexual. And they might ask, what's the difference between that and grooming?' Schofield replied: 'Well, I would say that the initial list of things was not right anyway. 'Because it was a totally innocent picture, a totally innocent Twitter follow, of which I follow 11,400 people, and then it was a completely innocent backwards and forwards over a period of time about a job, about careers. 'What's wrong with talking to someone no matter what age they are? Does that mean that if you are following anyone on Twitter that you absolutely don't talk to anybody else or you don't give advice? So I disagree with the summation that you just gave, because that does paint a very grave picture.' The 61-year-old, resigned from ITV on Friday and was dropped by his agency YMU after admitting to the tryst, while the network has instructed a barrister to review the facts around the star's exit. Willoughby is among those who may be grilled by the lawyer over the scandal, but those in her circle insisted last night that she has 'nothing to hide'. Alison Hammond, Dermot O'Leary, Eamonn Holmes, Ruth Langsford and Dr Ranj Singh may all be asked to give statements to employment lawyer Jane Mulcahy KC. Breaking his silence for the first time since his sudden departure from ITV, Schofield told The Sun: 'I've lost my best friend. I let her down. I let that entire show down. I let the viewers down. 'Holly did not know. And she was one of the first texts that I sent, to say, ''I am so, so sorry that I lied to you''. 'She didn't reply, and I understand why she didn't reply, as well. So yeah. If anyone is in any way linking Holly to this that is absolutely, wholly untrue.' Since Schofield's resignation, This Morning has been plagued by allegations of 'toxicity' - which has also impacted Willoughby's standing. Producers have also faced guests turning down offers to appear on This Morning - and its biggest sponsor, car dealer Arnold Clark, has confirmed it will not be renewing an existing multi-million-pound deal with the channel in autumn. Yet Holly Willoughby is determined to fight to keep her spot on This Morning's sofa and hopes to 'ride out' the ongoing scandal surrounding Schofield that has plunged ITV into a crisis, a source has claimed. It comes amid fears that the programme will lose more of its advertisers as one insider said 'brands do not feel ITV is a safe bet at the moment'. However, a friend of Willoughby said the star 'has nothing to hide' from an ITV probe. The star was in Portugal when she found out top silk Jane Mulcahy KC would be carrying out 'an external review to establish the facts'. A source told The Mirror: 'Holly will of course 100% cooperate with the inquiry should she be asked, as she has nothing to hide whatsoever. 'She has made crystal clear that Phil lied to her about his relationship with the runner, and is super relaxed about giving her version of events.' Schofield claimed his relationship with his former best friend broke down after his brother was jailed, which made her distance herself from the friendship. The veteran ITV presenter had stepped down from his role on This Morning just days after his paedophile brother Timothy Schofield was jailed for 12 years for a slew of child sex offences including abusing a teenage boy he groomed. The star's 54-year-old brother was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child, after a trial at Exeter Crown Court in April. During the bombshell interview, Schofield said that Willoughby had been one of the first people he confided in after his brother confessed to the horrendous behaviour. He said that his co-host had been incredibly supportive throughout the trial, 'holding [his] hand every step of the way'. Last Friday, Schofield admitted that he had lied to ITV, his co-host, his agency YMU and lawyers about his relationship with a much younger colleague. The revelation sent ITV into meltdown, being forced to launch an external investigation into the affair, after a number of former workers claimed the station's bosses must have known about their romance. Last night, Schofield insisted he 'did not' groom the young boy, who he had met when he was just 15 years old. The young man then asked the former host for a job, landing a role in ITV production when he turned 18. The affair began sometime after that. Schofield has now insisted his interactions with the younger male before he joined This Morning were 'completely innocent.' He told The Sun: 'I did not, I did not [groom him]. 'There are accusations of all sorts of things. It never came across that way because we'd become mates. I don't know about that. 'But of course I understand that there will be a massive judgment, but bearing in mind, I have never exercised that anywhere else.' He also told the newspaper that he did not 'lie to protect' his career, but the colleague who 'did not want his name in public. Schofield said the romance began after a 'consensual moment' in his dressing room in 2017 but insisted 'it was not a love affair'. 'It was not a relationship, we were not boyfriends; we were mates.' 'It wasn't feelings [I was getting], it was more like mates: excitement.' The former This Morning presenter said he was struggling with his sexuality at the time, and the pair were together 'maybe five or six times'. He added: 'We just didn't think anyone knew, there was no lying, we thought, stupidly, that nobody knew.' Schofield said his 'greatest apology' over the fallout from the affair was to his former lover. He went on: 'It has brought the greatest misery into his totally innocent life, his totally innocent family, his totally innocent friends. It has brought the greatest grief to them.' He added: 'I am deeply sorry and I apologise to him because I should have known better. I should have acted the way I have always acted. I should not have done it. 'I'm sorry. And I will forever be sorry. I will die sorry. I am so deeply mortified.' Schofield suggested homophobia could be behind some of the criticism levelled at him over the age gap. He said: 'Attraction is attraction. It's no different in the gay world as it is in the heterosexual world or in the lesbian world. 'There shouldn't be a difference. This is where homophobia comes in. 'We did first meet when he was 15, I visited the drama school (he attended).' He added: 'So yeah, there's a difference. It's accepted by Leonardo DiCaprio, it's not accepted if it's in the gay world.' The fling took place while the TV star was still married to his wife of 30 years Stephanie Lowe, whom he has two daughters with. Schofield's loyal wife has been left both furious and devastated by his admission that he had an affair with a much younger colleague during their marriage. Friends say that Ms Lowe, the mother of the presenter's two grown-up daughters, had no idea he was in a relationship because Schofield had always described the man as a friend and colleague. Recalling the moment he confessed to the affair, having previously denied it when she had asked him, the former host said: 'She got off a plane and I phoned her up and texted saying, 'I need to talk to you'. She called back and I told her.' 'She was very, very angry.' It can also be revealed that the former This Morning star's eldest daughter Molly only found out about her father's statement to the Daily Mail in which he admitted lying over the relationship with the man just minutes before the story broke. Friends say that she was at work at YMU, the talent agency that represented Schofield for 35 years, when she found out. Staff there say she was in such shock she had to be comforted before going home. An interview between Schofield and the BBC's Amol Rajan will be released today. In a trailer released by the broadcaster, Schofield said: 'It was a totally innocent picture, a totally innocent Twitter follow, of which I follow 11,400 people, and then it was a completely innocent backwards and forwards over a period of time about a job, about careers. 'What's wrong with that? What's wrong with talking to someone no matter what age they are? Holly Willoughby is spending half term more than a thousand miles away from the This Morning drama as she holidays with family in Portugal, it has been revealed (Pictured: Holly on a previous trip) Holly Willoughby has been spotted on holiday in Portugal. She is pictured with Phillip Schofield on this Morning earlier this month Schofield was seen today in London for the first time since quitting ITV and This Morning Phillip Schofield broke his silence tonight, saying he's 'broken and ashamed' but not a groomer in his first interview since admitting an affair The former This Morning star said the affair 'never came across' as an abuse of power because he and his lover were 'mates' 'Does that mean that if you're following anyone on Twitter that you absolutely don't talk to anybody else or you don't give advice?' He added: 'The brief communications backwards and forwards up to the point that he came to work on This Morning I think was just chat.' It follows the revelation that under-fire ITV boss Carolyn McCall has been called to appear before MPs to face questions over how the broadcaster approaches safeguarding and complaint handling. The ITV star has been pictured out for dinner with her parents Linda and Brian (pictured together), sister Kelly, and three children near to her 8million Algarve villa. Holly has often spent time with her mother Linda while taking a break from her life on TV She has even mimicked her mother's dress sense. For her 40th birthday (right) Holly wore a dark floral dress that her mother wore when she was younger (left) Holly has even attended red carpet events with her mother. Pictured: Holly and Linda at the 2102 Pride of Britain Awards in London Family: Holly is pictured with Terry in a beaming snap, which she previously shared to Instagram Schofield's admission to the affair with his junior colleague plunged the station into a crisis, seeing sponsors back out of multi-million-pound deals. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has today written to Dame Carolyn asking her to attend Parliament at 10am on Wednesday, June 14. It comes after she was forced into a humiliating climbdown yesterday by announcing the broadcaster was bringing in a barrister to 'carry out an external review to establish the facts' around the chaos that has engulfed ITV since Schofield made his statement last week. Holly Willoughby is spending half term more than a thousand miles away from the This Morning drama as she holidays with family in Portugal, it has also been revealed. The ITV star has been pictured out for dinner with her parents Linda and Brian, sister Kelly, and three children near to her 8million Algarve villa. An onlooker said Willoughby, 42, appeared to be trying to stay under the radar, wearing a hat and sunglasses. 'The area is a holiday hotspot for Brits, so she is probably worried about being asked about the This Morning scandal,' they told The Sun. 'At one point, Holly spoke at length to a waiter who it seemed like she knew personally. ITV announced it had commissioned an external inquiry into Phillip Schofield's relationship with a much younger colleague Jane Mulcahy KC of Blackstone Chambers has been instructed by ITV to carry out an external review 'She seemed to be having a great time - unlike her old pal Phillip.' Willoughby is believed to have spent the week in the 23C sun as the Phillip Schofield scandal deepens. Willoughby is due to return to This Morning next Monday following the half-term break, having taken the early holiday when news of Schofield's departure emerged. Willoughby has been silent since putting out an Instagram statement on Saturday which said it had 'taken time to process yesterday's news' following Schofield's statement, adding: '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.' She is due to return to This Morning next Monday following the half-term break, but former presenter Eamonn Holmes predicted she will not return to the sofa following Schofield's bombshell exit. Jaguar is recalling more than 6,000 I-Pace electric SUVs in the US due to the risk of the battery catching fire. The British luxury carmaker issued the recall for models from 2019 to 2024 and urges owners to park their vehicles outside until recall repairs are completed. The issue is due to the high-voltage battery made by LG Energy Solution, which may overheat and spark fires or force the SUVs to stall while driving. Dealers will check recalled SUV batteries using software capable of identifying conditions linked to overheating and replace faulty modules for free. The US National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTS) shared documents Wednesday about the recall. 'Vehicles have experienced thermal overload, which may show as smoke or fire, that may occur underneath the vehicle where the high voltage traction battery is located. Investigations are continuing,' the documents read. 'A vehicle thermal overload condition such as fire or smoke can result in an increased risk of occupant injury and/or injury to persons outside the vehicle, as well as property damage.' Recalled vehicles will receive an update to the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) software that will monitor the battery pack assembly operational status that indicates where the battery contains conditions that may lead to thermal overload. This software provides an enhanced level of driver warnings about battery conditions. Where the software determines a risk exists, the High Voltage battery charging capacity is limited to 75 percent. Jaguar is set to notify dealers about the recall on June 8 and owners will receive direct communications on July 21. The documents say the vehicle batteries were made by LG Energy Solution, which is under investigation by the NHTSA after five automakers issued recalls due to possible defects that could cause fires or stalling. The NHTSA opened the probe in April 2022, covering more than 138,000 vehicles with the South Korean company's lithium-ion batteries. General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Stellantis and Volkswagen have issued recalls since February 2020, mostly due to internal battery failures that can increase the risk of fires. The agency said it will write to LG and other companies that might have bought similar batteries to make sure recalls are being done when needed. LG Energy Solution, based in Seoul, South Korea, noted that Jaguar is updating the battery-managing software on the vehicles while the incidents that led to the recall are being investigated. 'LG Energy Solution continues to closely work with our client Jaguar Land Rover to ensure that the investigation is concluded,' it said in a statement Thursday. The investigation is another bug in a growing global rollout of electric vehicles by all automakers to replace internal combustion vehicles to cut emissions and fight climate change. Ford and BMW also have recalled batteries in recent years. Also, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board investigated a series of fires in Tesla vehicles and said the high-voltage lithium-ion batteries pose safety risks to first responders after crashes. Many governments are counting on EVs to replace gasoline-burning vehicles that emit greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Documents in the Jaguar recall say the battery energy control module software will be updated by a dealer or online. The dealers also will replace battery modules if needed. The documents say that Jaguar has received eight reports of vehicle fires in the U.S. starting in June of 2019. A natural treatment to help people burn off fat has come a step closer following a scientific breakthrough. A study has cast light on how to activate brown fat, the 'good' fat in the body which burns large amounts of calories to keep us warm in cold conditions. Unlike 'bad' white fat, which people store around their bellies, often leading to obesity, scientists have been keen to harness brown fat to help people lose weight. If they can turn it on, at any time, and not just when people are cold, they could help them to lose weight on demand. This is still a long way off, but scientists have come significantly closer after revealing the detailed molecular structure of the protein which causes brown fat to burn calories. White fat is fat stored around the belly, often leading to obesity The protein, called Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1) is a scientific mystery, and researchers want to understand how it 'switches on' to trigger calorie burning in brown fat. But they now have an insight, after finding the position of two 'gates' within the protein when it is switched off. Because the inside gate is closed and the outside gate is open when the protein is inactive, they believe the gates must be in the opposite position to activate the protein. The next step is to find a drug which alters the gates in this way, to kick-start the calorie-burning activity of the brown fat which could people slim down. Brown fat is the holy grail, because studies show people who have more of it tend to be more lean, and therefore activating it could provide a natural solution to weight loss instead of a slimming pill. Professor Edmund Kunji, who led the study from the University of Cambridge, said: 'This structure will allow scientists to understand how to switch the protein on, leading to the burning of fat. 'This could also remove glucose from the blood, helping to control diabetes. 'This is a significant breakthrough in this field.' Activating brown fat stores could hold they key to preventing diabetes, the study claims The uncoupling protein is too small to see properly through a microscope. But the research team used tiny antibodies from llamas to stick the uncoupling protein to two other proteins. This created a structure large enough to view from all angles using an electron microscope. The researchers simply had to ignore the structure of the other proteins from their image to figure out the structure of the important uncoupling protein. The breakthrough was made by an international collaboration between the University of East Anglia, the University of Cambridge, the University of Pennsylvania and the Free University of Brussels. Dr Paul Crichton, from UEA's Norwich Medical School, said: 'Despite more than 40 years of research, we did not know what UCP1 looks like to understand how it works - until now.' The findings are published in the journal Science Advances. Humans have breached almost all of the boundaries that make the Earth a safe and just environment, researchers have said. In quantifying the limits of the planet's life-support systems, a team of more than 40 international scientists found humans have exceeded seven of the eight Earth System Boundaries (ESBs) they identified. They said social and economic systems based on unsustainable resource extraction and consumption are causing rapid changes that undermine these systems while pushing the Earth towards irreversible destabilisation. Publishing their work in the journal Nature, the scientists analysed climate, biodiversity, freshwater and different kinds of pollution to air, soil and water. They defined safe and just limits as those which regulate the state of the planet, protect other species, reduce significant harm to humans and support inclusive human development. Global warming is our fault, according to a team of more than 40 international scientists found humans have exceeded seven of the eight Earth System Boundaries (ESBs) they identified Only in the category of aerosol pollutants has this limit not been breached, with climate having passed its just limit of 1C but not its safe limit of 1.5C above the pre-industrial global average temperature. The scientists, working under the Earth Commission, said 'significant societal impacts' are already being felt, with tens of millions of people already affected by the changing climate. Professor Johan Rockstrom of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and lead author of the study said: 'The results of our health check are quite concerning. 'Within the five analysed domains, several boundaries, on a global and local scale, are already transgressed. 'This means that unless a timely transformation occurs, it is most likely that irreversible tipping points and widespread impacts on human well-being will be unavoidable. 'Avoiding that scenario is crucial if we want to secure a safe and just future for current and future generations.' UN member states since 2015 have agreed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C and protect biodiversity in 30% of the world's land, sea and freshwater areas. The Earth Commission scientists said we are not on track to meet these targets and that 'nothing less than a just global transformation across all ESBs is required to ensure human well-being'. These transformations must also be systemic and address the economic, technological and political drivers of Earth's degradation and 'ensure access for the poor through reductions and reallocation of resource use', they said. UN member states since 2015 have agreed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C and protect biodiversity in 30% of the world's land, sea and freshwater areas. The Earth Commission scientists said we are not on track to meet these targets Co-author Professor Joyeeta Gupta of the University of Amsterdam said: 'Justice is a necessity for humanity to live within planetary limits. 'This is a conclusion seen across the scientific community in multiple heavyweight environmental assessments. 'It is not a political choice. Overwhelming evidence shows that a just and equitable approach is essential to planetary stability. 'We cannot have a biophysically safe planet without justice.' The researchers said their work is intended for businesses, cities and governments to set science-based targets when addressing human exposure to climate change, biodiversity decline, water shortages, ecosystem damage from fertiliser overuse coupled with lack of access elsewhere and health damage from air pollution. Prof Gupta said: 'Potential future tipping points are not the only risks we consider, damage is already happening to millions of people at 1C of climate warming. 'Our climate Earth System Boundary exposes the injustice in current targets and underscores the urgency of immediately phasing out fossil fuels and accelerating work from all directions to meet Paris Agreement goals. 'By setting our climate Earth System Boundary at 1C we are not advocating that the world should adopt this ambitious target, but we are exposing the injustice inherent in current world targets.' The European Space Agency (ESA) is hosting the first-ever live stream of Mars that should reveal never-before-seen stunning details of the Red Planet. The agency's Mars Express orbiter will share new images every 50 seconds on Friday starting at 11:45 am ET, as it hangs more than 11,000 miles above the Martian surface. And the stream will be accessible through the ESA YouTube channel. While the event will be hosted live, it does take up to 22 minutes for data to travel the more than 187 million miles from Mars to Earth. There are only a few historical examples when humans on Earth have seen live images or video from space, including NASA's DART mission that crashed a probe into a moonlet and the Apollo missions. The European Space Agency is set to host a live stream of Mars on Friday ESA said the live stream honors the 20th-year of the Mars Express in space. Mars Express, so called because of the rapid and streamlined development time, represents the European Space Agency's (ESA's) first visit to another planet in the solar system. The spacecraft, launched in 2003, borrowed technology from ESA's Rosetta and Mars 96 missions. Since beginning science operations in 2004, the durable orbiter has given scientists an entirely new view of Earth's intriguing neighbor. It is now helping to answer fundamental questions about the geology, atmosphere, surface environment, history of water and potential for life on Mars. The spacecraft's high-resolution camera has sent back thousands of dramatic 3D views of the Martian surface. One instrument has discovered hydrated minerals that form only in liquid water, confirming that Mars was once much wetter than it is today. The first radar sounder ever to orbit another planet has detected subsurface layers of water ice. The agency's Mars Express orbiter will share new images every 50 seconds on Friday starting at 11:45 am ET, as it hangs more than 11,000 miles above the Martian surface Another instrument detected enough ice in the polar caps to create a global ocean 36 feet deep, revealing vast permafrost plains around the South Pole. Mars Express found the highest clouds above any planetary surface at 62 miles. READ MORE: First human crew to Mars should be all-female astronauts because 'they are more efficient,' new study claims The team simulated a 1080-day mission with four women astronauts and found they needed 3,736 pounds less food, saving more than $158 million. Advertisement The mission found indications of the possible presence of methane, which is attributed to active volcanism and biochemical processes on Earth. Its highly elliptical orbit has enabled the spacecraft to look beyond Mars to survey its two tiny moons, particularly the innermost satellite Phobos, which has been studied in unprecedented detail. It has acted as a communication relay between Earth and various NASA spacecraft, including the Phoenix lander and several rovers on the surface. 'Mars Express's Visual Monitoring Camera, dubbed the Mars Webcam, was not planned for such record-breaking,' ESA shared in a statement. 'Its primary job, 20 years ago, was to monitor the separation of the Beagle 2 lander from the 'MEX' spacecraft. Once it had done that and reported back, it was turned off. 'Like the monitoring cameras on board ESA's Juice spacecraft, which send back visuals of instruments and solar arrays being deployed, it wasn't meant to be a science instrument. 'It didn't need to take precisely accurate images. And yet, here we are.' In celebration of the long and productive life of Mars Express, teams have spent the last couple of months developing tools that would allow for the higher-quality, science-processed images to be streamed live for a full hour. James Godfrey, Spacecraft Operations Manager at ESA's mission control center in Germany, said: 'This is an old camera, originally planned for engineering purposes, at a distance of almost three million kilometers from Earth this hasn't been tried before and to be honest, we're not 100% certain it'll work. 'But I'm pretty optimistic. Normally, we see images from Mars and know that they were taken days before. I'm excited to see Mars as it is now as close to a Martian 'now' as we can possibly get!' Nimes, a city in the south of France, is an appealing destination for a short break Nimes is home to Roman ruins and a world-class collection of contemporary art and architecture. Theres an easily walkable old town with narrow streets and pleasant cafe-lined squares, making this southern French city appealing for a short break. Where to stay AppartCity Nimes Arenes Five minutes walk from Nimes Centre train station, this grand, 19th-century mansion formerly the citys post office has been a comfortable apart-hotel since 2016. Rooms are decorated with contemporary furnishings some have original features including fireplaces and parquet floors. All rooms have kitchenettes. Double rooms from 83 (appartcity.com). Nimes boasts an easily walkable old town with narrow streets and pleasant cafe-lined squares. Base yourself at AppartCity Nimes Arenes, which lies a five-minute walk from Nimes Centre train station AppartCity Nimes Arenes is housed in a grand, 19th-century mansion that was formerly the citys post office Square Hotel Apart from the fact that its spotlessly clean and has spacious rooms sleeping up to four people, the main attraction at this three-star hotel, on the east side of the old town, is its fourth-floor roof terrace. Its a great spot for breakfast or an evening drink, although youll have to bring your own booze because theres no bar. Doubles from 57 (squarehotel-nimes.com). Hotel des Tuileries Check into Hotel des Tuileries, set around the corner from the Philippe Starck-designed Abribus bus stop (above). Picture courtesy of Creative Commons A homely hotel, run by a British couple, on a residential street around the corner from the Philippe Starck-designed Abribus bus stop. Ask for a room with a little balcony so you can sit outside to enjoy a craft beer or wine from the ground-floor bar. Breakfast bread and pastries come from the neighbouring bakery. Doubles from 65 (hoteldestuileries.com). Hotel de lAmphitheatre This 11-room hotel near the Roman arena, created from two adjoining townhouses from the 17th and 18th century, has been renovated in a minimalist, southern-French style. There is no lift to reach the two upper floors, but at least youll work off the cooked-to-order breakfast. Double rooms from 78 (hoteldelamphitheatre.com). What to see & do Rome around As a former Roman colony, Nimes has sights including Maison Carree, a well-preserved temple, and the amphitheatre (11.40, arenes-nimes.com). For floor mosaics, head to the Musee de la Romanite (from 7.90; museedelaromanite.fr). Admire the floor mosaics at the Musee de la Romanite - tickets are priced from 7.90 Delight in denim The Musee du Vieux Nimes (4.40; Place aux Herbes), has a display tracing the history of denim, which is thought to have originated in Nimes. Great modern art Its the 30th anniversary of the Carre dArt, designed by Norman Foster and housing a modern art collection (from 7, carreartmusee.com). Examine the modern artwork at the Carre dArt, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year Marvel at the market Les Halles de Nimes, a covered market, has stalls piled with enticing local produce (leshallesdenimes.fr). Where to eat Le Bistrot de Tatie Agnes You have to be quick to grab one of the few tables at this lunch-only hole in the wall, down an alley just south of the Maison Carree. Try a salad: La Nimes features tapenade (olive spread), anchoiade (anchovy dip) and brandade (salt cod mixed with olive oil and cream) for 9 (lebistrotdetatieagnes.eatbu.com). Le Napo This pistachio-coloured cafe, with a listed painted and moulded ceiling, has been a popular meeting place for locals since 1813. Drop in for a coffee (3.25) and cake (3.70) or for lunch or dinner. Theres a plat du jour for 9.50 and snacks such as terrine (coarse pate) with bread from 5.70 (le-napo.fr). Le Nicolas Le Nicolas is a family-run restaurant that serves 'good-value regional dishes' Run by the same family for 62 years, this cosy restaurant with a beamed ceiling, stone walls and a brightly tiled floor, serves good-value regional dishes such as gardiane de taureau bull meat slow cooked in red wine from 13 (restaurant-nicolas-nimes.com). Gard O Vin Tucked away in Place du Marche, this wine bar is the place to go to sample the local AOC, Costieres de Nimes (from 3.50 per glass). It opens at 5pm. Settle on a sofa in the vaulted cellar or perch on a stool outside to munch on cheese and charcuterie; a plate of sausage slices comes in at 4.40. Getting there Flights from Stansted and Edinburgh from 12.99 one-way (ryanair.com). The shuttle bus between the airport and Nimes is 6 one way (tangobus.fr). Or take the train from London St Pancras, changing at Lille or Paris, from 75 one way (thetrainline.com). A two-day Nimes City Pass (nimescitypass.com) gives you access to the main sights for 25.50 (nimes-tourisme.com). Advertisement This hotel is the height of fashion. A luxury five-star hotel created by the late designer Karl Lagerfeld has opened its doors in Macau, the Chinese region known as the Las Vegas of Asia. The hotel is the only one entirely designed by Lagerfeld, and as pictures show, the German fashion mogul has undoubtedly left his mark on the property. Lagerfeld worked on the lavish hotel called The Karl Lagerfeld Macau - for several years before he died in 2019, and it carries the legacy of being his final interior design project. A statement says: The designer's imaginative, inimitable style and ethos are infused into its very DNA, from its architectural elements to the specially commissioned furniture and art. A luxury five-star hotel (above) designed in its entirety by the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has opened its doors in Macau, China Lagerfeld worked on the lavish hotel called The Karl Lagerfeld Macau - for several years before he died in 2019, and it has the legacy of being his final interior design project Eye-catching: The hotel features a spa and wellness centre with both indoor and outdoor pools The Chanel fashion maven is said to have dreamt up the hotel's design in collaboration with SJM Resorts based on a 'sophisticated reimagining of modern Chinoiserie fused with traditional craftsmanship'. Classic Chinese design is fused with Western aesthetics Located within the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau complex, the 271-room hotel features a spectacular book lounge filled with 4,000 tomes, a spa and wellness centre with both indoor and outdoor pools, and a restaurant run by Michelin-starred chef Jose Avillez. The Chanel fashion maven, who died aged 85 following a battle with pancreatic cancer, is said to have dreamt up the hotel's design in collaboration with SJM Resorts based on a 'sophisticated reimagining of modern Chinoiserie fused with traditional craftsmanship'. Bold colours and patterns meet 'tailored silhouettes' in the guest rooms, which are said to show 'influences of both classic Chinese design and contemporary Western aesthetics'. Even minute details such as bathrobes and bedsheets are said to exude the designers unparalleled creativity. A statement says: The designer's imaginative, inimitable style and ethos are infused into its very DNA, from its architectural elements to the specially commissioned furniture and art' Amenities conceived by the Chanel fashion mogul include a spectacular book lounge (left) thats filled with 4,000 tomes. The designer, who was the creative director of Chanel from 1983 until his death, died following a battle with pancreatic cancer The rooms' custom headboards were inspired by Chinese coins that represent good fortune, while porcelain vases were handmade in the Chinese city of Jingdezhen and circular room dividers were inspired by traditional rounded Chinese moon gates. Specially commissioned furnishings include 'exquisite' sculptures by Dutch artist Marcel Wanders and French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, while the chandeliers overhead were sourced from the Italian brand Terzani. This design aesthetic carries through to the restaurant, Mesa by Jose Avillez, which is said to reflect Lagerfeld's 'signature style and favourite colours geometric patterns, shapes, and lines in black, white and gold'. Portuguese chef Avillez has crafted a menu with a 'farm-to-table philosophy of dining'. Mesmerising: Bold colours and patterns meet 'tailored silhouettes' in the guest rooms The Mesa by Jose Avillez restaurant is said to reflect the fashion mogul's 'signature style and favourite colours geometric patterns, shapes, and lines in black, white and gold' Dishes at Mesa by Jose Avillez are designed for sharing. Pictured left are tempura cones with tuna tartare and spicy soya and to the right is a serving of crispy suckling pig with French fries and orange salad To the left is one of the restaurant's dishes - spring piri piri chicken with French fries. Michelin-starred chef Jose Avillez (pictured right) has crafted a menu with a 'farm-to-table philosophy of dining' A statement notes: 'Designed for sharing, some of these dishes are inspired by more traditional flavours, such as the spring piri piri chicken with French fries and the crispy suckling pig with French fries and orange salad, and others by more contemporary flavours, such as the tempura cone with tuna tartare and spicy soya.' There is also a wine list that has been 'closely developed in cooperation with Portuguese wineries and local distributors, as well as a wide selection of spirits and liquors'. Summing up the retreat, a statement promises that guests will discover fashion, luxury and beauty, fused together into a one-of-a-kind reflection of the world of Karl. It's not the only hotel that Lagerfeld has helped shape looks-wise - he previously designed a luxury apartment within Paris' famed Hotel de Crillon. The three-bedroom suite has a range of opulent features including glass chandeliers and bathrooms clad from floor-to-ceiling in marble. Lagerfeld dedicated one of the bedrooms to his beloved cat Choupette, who was given $1.5million (1.2million) by the late designer in his will. The opening of The Karl Lagerfeld Macau coincides with an exhibition in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art that's dedicated to the designer - Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty will run until mid-July. In early May, the 2023 Met Gala was controversially themed around the designer. Many pointed out that Lagerfeld, who was the creative director of Chanel from 1983 until his death, had expressed fatphobic, sexist and anti-immigrant views in his lifetime. Rooms are priced from 195.52 (1,949 Macanese pataca) per night. To book, visit thekarllagerfeld.mo. Mexico City, June 1 (UNI) The Supreme Federal Court of Brazil has sentenced Former President and Senator Fernando Affonso Collor de Mello to eight years and ten months in prison for passive corruption and money laundering in 2010-2014, local media reported on Wednesday. Charges of criminal conspiracy against the former president have been dismissed, the G1 news portal reported. The case rapporteur had previously asked the court to imprison Collor for 33 years. The court's decision does not stipulate that Collor would be immediately arrested, as the court's practice shows the serving of a sentence may be delayed until two appeals have been made, the report said. Collor served as the president of Brazil from 1990-1992 and the senator for the Alagoas state from 2007 until February 1, 2023. UNI/SPUTNIK GNK Advertisement The worlds best nude-friendly beaches have been revealed and its Haulover Beach Park in Florida thats number one. The silver medal, meanwhile, goes to Brazils Praia de Tambaba, while third place is taken by Red Beach on the Greek island of Santorini. The ranking is based on new research compiled by lingerie brand Pour Moi. Review data of hundreds of beaches around the world that permit nude sunbathing was analysed to create an index score out of 100 based on average review scores and the number of reviews each beach has received. Spain and Greece are among the best countries to visit if you want to try nude sunbathing - the former has four beaches in the top 20 ranking, while the latter has three. Unexpected destinations for nude sunbathing on the list include a beach in Latvia and Hanlans Point Beach in Toronto (joint 14th) where the winters are fierce. The study also examined the nationalities that are most keen to sunbathe in the nude, using Google search data to discover how frequently countries are searching for information on nudity-friendly beaches and cross-referencing this data with corresponding population sizes. Its been revealed that Australians are most keen to ditch their swimsuits on the beach, followed by New Zealanders (second), the Dutch (third), Canadians (fourth) and the Irish (fifth). Americans (sixth) and Britons (eighth) also make it into the top ten. Pour Moi says: Nude beaches can provide the opportunity for some much-needed peace and privacy compared to potentially crowded mainstream sites. Scroll down to see the worlds top nudity-friendly beaches laid bare NO.1 - HAULOVER BEACH PARK, MIAMI, FLORIDA: Located in the USAs sunshine state, Haulover Beach Park in Florida is a long-established clothing-optional beach, says Pour Moi. The calming blue waters, soft waves and white sand' of the beach, which comes top with a score of 97 out of 100, are said to 'feel great on your skin as you sunbathe or go for a light swim in the nude. And bathers wont go hungry. Pour Moi reveals: The Haulover Beach Park comes complete with a range of food trucks offering a variety of tasty lunch options for when you need a break from relaxing in the buff NO.2 - PRAIA DE TAMBABA, PARAIBA, BRAZIL: Praia de Tambaba, a beach that offers privacy, peace and seclusion, takes the silver medal with a score of 76 out of 100. Pour Moi reveals: Perfect for those new to nude sunbathing, the beach is located a little off the beaten track and features a backdrop of stunning greenery and cascading rock formations that act as a nice barrier if youre a little shy about stripping off for the first time. The brand adds that the beach is said to feature a host of friendly locals who will be sure to ease any anxieties you have about making your nude debut NO.3 - RED BEACH, SANTORINI, GREECE: Are you a fan of otherworldly landscapes acting as a backdrop while you top up your tan? If thats the case then Greece's Red Beach is a must-visit. So declares Pour Moi of this stretch of sand, which receives a score of 70 out of 100 on the index. The fashion retailer continues: The surreal red lava rocks famously stand tall around the beach, offering some much-needed seclusion for those going topless or fully nude. Food options are available at the top of the beach where you can indulge in some lunch while you momentarily press pause on tanning NO.4 - PATARA BEACH, ANTALYA PROVINCE, TURKEY: Turkeys Patara Beach, which snaps up a score of 69 out of 100, is a great beach for many reasons, according to Pour Moi. It explains: It sits along the stunning Turkish Riviera and stretches a massive 12 miles (19km), so theres ample space to find somewhere private to remove your clothes and get in some much-needed me time as you soak up the sun and enjoy the crystal blue waters. While youre there, keep your eyes peeled for nesting sea turtles the beach is a protected area for the creatures, Pour Moi reveals NO.5 - PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS, ALMERIA PROVINCE, SPAIN: Describing this beach, which earns 67 out of 100 in the index, Pour Moi says: Playa de los Muertos comes with the gift of solitude and peaceful tranquillity as it lays tucked away out of sight and can only be reached by a downward hike. Nude sunbathing isn't the only activity that can be enjoyed on this stretch of coast, the lingerie brand reveals, adding: This beach is known to be perfect for snorkelling, with an abundance of wildlife to see in the beachs clear waters NO. 6 - PLAYA ZIPOLITE, OAXACA, MEXICO: Pour Moi says that this beach, known as Mexicos only official nudist beach, had a long history of being a naturist hot spot even before it was granted legalisation in 2016, welcoming those seeking a clothes-free beach experience for more than 30 years'. The lingerie firm added that 'its gained a reputation for being a safe haven for nudists, which could be why people continue to flock here'. Its overall score on the index? Sixty-six out of 100 NO. 7 - ES TRENC, MALLORCA, SPAIN: This naturalist-friendly spot in Mallorca bags a score of 64 out of 100 on the index. Es Trenc in Mallorca is said to be one of the most famous beaches in this region and its easy to understand why, says Pour Moi. It continues: Located in the south of the island, the beach stretches over two kilometres, meaning that naturists have plenty of space to find the perfect spot to lay out their towel and enjoy the Caribbean-esque waters. The remoteness and the areas wild beauty make it feel like the perfect hub for those looking to be one with nature NO.8 - PRAIA DO ABRICO, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL: Praia do Abrico is thought to be something of a hidden gem, even to those who live in Rio de Janeiro, Pour Moi says of this beach, which bags a score of 63 out of 100 on the index. The brand continues: 'This could be partly attributed to its stunning scenery, which gives the beach further protection from any street views. The vegetation and the mountains act as a relaxing setting when paired with the warm temperatures and blue skies.' Pour Moi adds that it's the perfect place in which to 'clear your mind' NO.9 - BANANA BEACH, ZAKYNTHOS, GREECE: Banana Beach is one of the largest beaches on Zakynthos island and is a short 20-minute drive from the town of the same name, Pour Moi reveals. It says that the naturalist-friendly section of the beach which takes home a score of 54.9 out of 100 - is known as Little Banana and is tucked away from the mainstream beach but still offers plenty of amenities for those wishing to enjoy their nude outing. Pour Moi says that you can rent 'luxury' sun loungers and umbrellas in Little Banana and there's a taverna nearby 'where you can sample some delicious Greek cuisine and look out at the picturesque paradise that sits before you NO.10 - PARADISE BEACH, MYKONOS, GREECE: Pour Moi reveals: Paradise Beach is set on Mykonos famous coastline and it certainly lives up to its name. Its far removed from Mykonos renowned party scene and rather than loud music, the only sounds youll be confronted with are the murmurings of gentle chatter or the calming waves that drift in and out of the shore. The beach's tenth-place ranking is thanks to its score of 54.7 out of 100 While Kylie Jenner hasn't showed much (if any) of her relationship with rapper Travis Scott on Hulu's The Kardashians, she is giving fans more insight into her Kylie Cosmetics makeup empire. The new episode - entitled Don't Want It, Don't Need It, I'm Done - follows Kylie as she checks out some of her makeup at Harrod's to see the display of her makeup with five-year-old daughter Stormi. They start shopping for her own makeup, as Kylie says in confession that it means a lot to her that Stormi could be with her and travel the world with her. They stop for tea with her friend Fai Khadra, reminiscing that her and Kendall, 'used to shut down malls,' adding there would be 'thousands of people who would show up to this mall.' They show flashback footage of legions of fans chanting Kylie and Kendall's names, as Kylie jokes, 'We were really cool. I mean, we're cool now, but we were really really really cool back then.' Kylie: While Kylie Jenner hasn't showed much (if any) of her relationship with rapper Travis Scott on Hulu's The Kardashians, she is giving fans more insight into her Kylie Cosmetics makeup empire Kylie and Stormi: The new episode - entitled Don't Want It, Don't Need It, I'm Done - follows Kylie as she checks out some of her makeup at Harrod's to see the display of her makeup with five-year-old daughter Stormi Fai: They stop for tea with her friend Fai Khadra, reminiscing that her and Kendall, 'used to shut down malls,' adding there would be 'thousands of people who would show up to this mall' She gets on a video call with Kendall talking about their mall meet and greets, as Kendall starts laughing adding, 'No it was so much fun.' 'I was able to come here and see my makeup being made, visit Harrod's for the first time and see my displays, and it's been so special,' Kylie says in confession, as they all toast to the 'Kylie world tour.' Earlier in the episode, Kylie traveled to Milan, Italy to visit the places that produce her own makeup. 'I just feel like it's really important to see the places where my makeup is being made,' Kylie says in confession. 'Being here in Milan is really important for that because there is important shade matching to go on, just to make sure everything is perfect,' Kylie says. Kylie is inside the facility, seeing how they make her foundation, adding in confession, 'I love makeup. I think the science behind it is also amazing, and really seeing how it's made.' 'Makeup is very powerful. It makes me feel powerful. I love to be creative and I don't know, it's a form of expression. I definitely knew when I was like 16 that this is what I wanted to do,' Kylie said. 'Playing with my mom's makeup into getting my own, it really truly is a passion of mine, so it's fun for me,' Kylie adds in confession. Video call: She gets on a video call with Kendall talking about their mall meet and greets, as Kendall starts laughing adding, No it was so much fun' Tour: 'I was able to come here and see my makeup being made, visit Harrod's for the first time and see my displays, and it's been so special,' Kylie says in confession, as they all toast to the 'Kylie world tour' Makeup: 'I just feel like it's really important to see the places where my makeup is being made,' Kylie says in confession Confession: 'Makeup is very powerful. It makes me feel powerful. I love to be creative and I don't know, it's a form of expression. I definitely knew when I was like 16 that this is what I wanted to do,' Kylie said Science: Kylie is inside the facility, seeing how they make her foundation, adding in confession, 'I love makeup. I think the science behind it is also amazing, and really seeing how it's made' A producer asks who taught Kylie how to put makeup on, as Kylie adds, 'Khloe was always really good at makeup too, and she would do my makeup sometimes, which was really fun, but I think I just taught myself how to do makeup, a lot of trial and error, and I think the fun thing about makeup is you can't really be wrong. Everyone does their makeup differently and I think that's the beauty about it.' Kylie watches over the making of a blush, adding it was 'inspiring' to be here, adding she thinks she could always 'do more.' 'I took a lot of personal time in my early 20s. I really wanted to be a young mom, but I really feel like the rest of my 20s, I want to focus on work and really dive into it. I think my mom has just instilled in all of us to be really hard workers. So blessed to be able to do what I love every day,' Kylie concluded. Jenner has been romantically involved with rapper Travis Scott since 2017 and they share Stormi together. Scott has not been featured in any of Hulu's The Kardashians, though he has been mentioned plenty by name, including this new episode. Both Khloe Kardashian and Kris Jenner briefly talk about how they're wearing Travis' sneakers while chatting at Kris' home. Salma Hayek is taking one last moment to remind her fans to focus on their mental health on the last day of Mental Health Awareness Month. The House of Gucci star - who celebrated her husband's birthday this week - told a story about a time when she felt like she was terrible because someone else told her she was. The Magic Mike's Last Dance actress, 56, told fans not to let anyone else tell them who or what they are. Their sense of self should not come from somebody else. 'It should not be healed because somebody else likes you,' she said, adding, 'It should be healed because you believe something good about yourself.' 'Be the best that you can be and do not try to be like anyone else. Focus on you, liking yourself. Mental health: Salma Hayek is taking one last moment to remind her fans to focus on their mental health on the last day of mental health awareness month She captioned the post: 'Mental Health Awareness Month might be ending, but let's make every day a time to focus on our mental well-being. 'Let's keep the conversation going and remember, you are strong, valuable, and deserving of love and respect. #MentalHealthAwareness.' Two weeks ago, the Frida actress shared another message on mental health on her Instagram account. 'If I start insulting you in another language, you feel nothing,' the From Dusk To Dawn actress said on May 17. 'They don't mean anything to you because it's you who puts the meaning to it. Me, I know what it means, but it doesn't matter how hard I screamed into you. You might start laughing. 'Take their words, take away the value of the words and drop them to the floor. If you take that away, they fall to the ground,' she continued. 'They never get to touch you. They are nothing. #MentalHealthAwareness, #MindMatters, and #SelfCareJourney.' 'Your mental well-being deserves to be cherished,' she captioned that video. 'This Mental Health Awareness Month, let's unite against bullying and empower each other to embrace self-care, love, and healing,' she captioned the video. Be yourself: She told a story about a time when she felt like she was terrible because someone else told her she was and asked 'Do you like who you are?' Improve yourself: The Magic Mike's Last Dance actress, 56, said you shouldn't let anyone else tell you who or what you are. Your sense of self should not come from somebody else Healed: 'It should not be healed because somebody else likes you,' she said, adding, 'It should be healed because you believe something good about yourself' Be the best: 'Be the best that you can be and do not try to be like anyone else. Focus on you, liking yourself' She captioned the post: 'Mental Health Awareness Month might be ending, but let's make every day a time to focus on our mental well-being' Message: 'Let's keep the conversation going and remember, you are strong, valuable, and deserving of love and respect. #mentalhealthawareness' On May 28, she celebrated her husband Francois-Henri Pinault's 61st birthday. The Fools Rush In star posted a sweet picture of herself giving him a kiss on the cheek with her more than 24.2 million Instagram followers. 'Happy birthday mi amor, you are my sunshine, my warmth, my light, my strength, my joy, my love,' she captioned the snap. Salma and Francois married on Valentine's Day 2009 in Paris, two years after welcoming daughter Valentina. Emily Ratajkowski brought smart sex appeal to the streets of New York City on Wednesday when she paired a busty black top with a chic pair of spectacles. The 31-year-old bombshell who recently turned up the heat in Manhattan with her washboard abs rocked the plunging design as she kept busy on her phone. Emily finished off her look with khaki pants and white kicks, and she drew extra attention to her chest by wearing a large pendent around her neck. The supermodel's chic outing comes amid speculation about who her summer fling will be, since her rumored flame Harry Styles, 29, is allegedly 'growing close' to South African beauty Candice Swanepoel. In March, Emily was seen making out with the Watermelon Sugar hitmaker on the streets of Tokyo, adding another name to her A-list roster and sparking major drama with his ex Olivia Wilde. Stunner: Emily Ratajkowski brought smart sex appeal to the streets of New York City on Wednesday when she paired a busty black top with a chic pair of spectacles Looking good: The 31-year-old bombshell rocked the plunging design as she kept busy on her phone. Emily finished off her look with khaki pants and white kicks, and she drew extra attention to her chest by wearing a large pendent around her neck Since separating from husband Sebastian Bear-McClard last summer, Ratajkowski has been playing the field, dating multiple high-profile men this year. Prior to Styles, the stunner was romanced by comedian Eric Andre, 39, DJ Orazio Rispo, 36, actor Pete Davidson, 29, artist Jack Greer, 35, and she was even linked to 59-year-old heartthrob Brad Pitt. During an episode of the Going Mental With Eileen Kelly podcast, EmRata hinted that shes been dating the pop star since February 2023. 'I just started dating someone that I think I like, so that is different. I was like, "Hes kind of great,' she said, as reported by Style Caster. The episode was actually recorded two weeks before she was spotted making out with Styles. She followed up by revealing her ideal type or partner for a romantic relationship. 'I like someone that is very independent. I think, for me, that's very important because I do have a full life,' she said, adding, 'I'm hoping that dating someone that has more of their own life will prevent the issues I had before.' But Emily is also keen to explore her sexuality and said that she's patiently waiting for the 'right girl' to come along. Harry's new flame? The supermodel's chic outing comes amid speculation about who her summer fling will be, since Emily's rumored flame Harry Styles, 29, is allegedly 'growing close' to South African beauty Candice Swanepoel (pictured) Emrata's roster: Prior to Styles, the stunner was romanced by comedian Eric Andre, 39, DJ Orazio Rispo, 36, actor Pete Davidson, 29, artist Jack Greer, 35, and she was even linked to 59-year-old heartthrob Brad Pitt Get in line ladies: Emily is also keen to explore her sexuality and said that she's patiently waiting for the 'right girl' to come along Em out: Emily Ratajkowski steps out in New York City while waiting for a car service All smiles: Emily Ratajkowski walks to her car in New York City Em's look: EmRata stepped out in a unique black top and brown pants Complete: EmRata completed her look with white shoes Asked by HommeGirls if she'd ever date a woman, the mother-of-one said: 'I would love to. Waiting for the right one to come along. 'Ive always been someone whos more attracted to vibe than specifics of physicality so sometimes itll just randomly hit me, and Ill be like, "Whoa, Im attracted to this person!"' The bombshell went on to reveal that she now refuses to settle down for the sake of being in a relationship. 'I'm proud of myself,' she declared. 'Younger version of myself would have probably settled for some mid dude just to have a [boyfriend]. Glad I'm not in that era anymore.' John Krasinski's title character tries to rid his government of corruption in the new trailer for the final season of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. Amazon Prime Video released the new trailer on Wednesday, the first footage from the fourth and final season that is set to debut June 30. Two episodes will debut on June 30, with two more airing on July 7 with the six-episode season wrapping up with the show's two final episodes on July 14. The fourth-and-final season of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan finds the titular character on his most dangerous mission yet: facing an enemy both foreign and domestic. As the new CIA Acting Deputy Director, Jack Ryan is tasked with unearthing internal corruption, and in doing so, uncovers a series of suspicious black ops that could expose the vulnerability of the country, with Michael Pena joining the cast as Domingo Chavez. As Jack and the team investigate how deep the corruption runs, he discovers a far-worse reality - the convergence of a drug cartel with a terrorist organization - ultimately revealing a conspiracy much closer to home and testing our hero's belief in the system he has always fought to protect. Corruption: John Krasinski's title character tries to rid his government of corruption in the new trailer for the final season of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan New cast: As the new CIA Acting Deputy Director, Jack Ryan is tasked with unearthing internal corruption, and in doing so, uncovers a series of suspicious black ops that could expose the vulnerability of the country, with Michael Pena (above) joining the cast as Domingo Chavez The trailer opens with Ryan testifying in front of U.S. Senate hearing, where he's told, 'Two days ago, a strike team assassinated President Udoh, and yet you cannot prove that we weren't involved. Doesn't that concern you?' Ryan responds, 'No, sir. It terrifies me,' as Ryan is told later, 'You need to manage this, Jack.' James Greer (Wendell Pierce) asks Jack, 'What are you gonna tell them?' Jack responds, 'That this corruption goes way higher than the CIA.' Mike November (Michael Kelly) enters the room, to the surprise of James, as Jack adds, 'Say welcome. I figured we could use the help.' Ryan tells an analyst, 'Get me everything you can on Domingo Chavez (Michael Pena), while, later, Ryan meets face-to-face with Chavez. 'On paper, you might be the deadliest operator the CIA has ever employed. I need to find out who's behind all of this, and to be honest with you, you're all I've got,' Ryan tells Domingo, as we see the operator swing into action. 'See this? Now I'm blushing,' Chavez deadpans, as Ryan explains they are dealing with, 'the fusion of a drug cartel with a terrorist organization.' 'They can move anything. Humans, weapons, suicide bombers. Unlimited resources paired with undying hatred,' Ryan explains. Concern: The trailer opens with Ryan testifying in front of U.S. Senate hearing, where he's told, 'Two days ago, a strike team assassinated President Udoh, and yet you cannot prove that we weren't involved. Doesn't that concern you?' Terrifies: Ryan responds, 'No, sir. It terrifies me,' as Ryan is told later, 'You need to manage this, Jack' Tell: James Greer (Wendell Pierce) asks Jack, 'What are you gonna tell them?' Jack responds, 'That this corruption goes way higher than the CIA' On paper: 'On paper, you might be the deadliest operator the CIA has ever employed. I need to find out who's behind all of this, and to be honest with you, you're all I've got,' Ryan tells Domingo, as we see the operator swing into action Blushing: 'See this? Now I'm blushing,' Chavez deadpans, as Ryan explains they are dealing with, 'the fusion of a drug cartel with a terrorist organization' Cathy Mueller (Abbie Cornish) tells Jack, 'The world is a gameboard of changing hands. Nothing but vipers beyond these walls.' Jack is told, 'You do not know who these people are,' as he jokes, 'I'm sure I'll meet them soon enough.' The trailer heats up with more action-packed shots, including one where Ryan himself is getting electrocuted. 'Jack is out there risking his life,' James tells someone on the phone, while Mike jokes, 'I always wanted to be a Federale. Jack asks, 'So the CIA was second?' But Mike replies, 'Fourth,' as other shots show Jack answering a call from James. 'Jack, where the hell are you?' James asks. Jack answers, 'Are you sure you want to know?' as Jack tells Mike that James hung up on him, which Mike says is, 'Typical,' as the trailer comes to an end. A controversial Australian influencer has been run off social media after mean mums on Instagram criticised her for 'toxic positivity'. Emma Claiir, who received backlash in April when she admitted to killing two cats when she was a child, told her 106,000 followers that she was taking a break from Instagram following the criticism. 'It's just been brought to my attention that my last [post] about having a hard mum day is a form of toxic positivity and can be harmful to other mums out there struggling and that I need to be doing better,' she wrote. Emma went on to say that she was 'going into hiding' for a while to protect her mental health. 'It seems like nothing I post these days is good enough and everything I post is wrong and right now I can't be bothered trying to please everyone,' she snapped. Controversial Australian influencer Emma Claiir has been ran off social media after mean mums on Instagram criticised her for 'toxic positivity' Emma said that she was 'going into hiding' for a while to protect her mental health 'I try my best to be somewhat real and relatable on here and hope that I can help at least one person feel better or less alone, but it's just becoming harder to show up when I'm constantly getting told I'm wrong or toxic or need to do better.' Emma drew widespread criticism and was dropped by makeup company MCoBeauty in April after she admitted to two incidents of historic animal cruelty on an episode of her podcast Simply Chaotic. Three more brands then cut ties with Claiir, including a vegan makeup company that promotes how it does not test its products on animals. Lust Minerals confirmed in a lengthy Instagram post at the time that it would no longer be working with Claiir. 'We are deeply saddened by the events that have taken place regarding Emma Claiir. Lust Minerals does not condone any cruelty of any kind. We stand by our values - our products are cruelty-free and vegan-certified,' the statement read. 'As a company, we take matters like this very seriously and have therefore made the decision to end all activity with Emma Claiir. Our community is our number one priority.' The influencer often posts cute photos with her newborn son to social media Fashion retailers Glassons and Princess Polly also distanced themselves from Claiir and said they would not be partnering with her in future campaigns, according to screenshots of DMs the brand sent to customers. The screenshots, obtained by 'snark' account Influencer Updates AU, confirmed both labels had severed ties with Claiir as a result of her cat controversy. Claiir had shared the bizarre confession earlier this week on her podcast, after she was asked by her co-host Kristy Jean to tell a personal secret. The mother of one left Jean stunned by admitting: 'I killed my cat.' Chuckling awkwardly, Claiir continued: 'I didn't mean to... I was young, I was a child. Emma drew widespread criticism in April after she admitted to two incidents of historic animal cruelty on an episode of her podcast Simply Chaotic 'I was swinging my cat around. Like, I was thinking it was just a stuffed toy. And I accidentally let go of it.' Claiir clarified the animal died 'from the fright', rather than because of any injuries from being hurtled across the room. After sharing a laugh with her co-host, Claiir added: 'I just want to say, I'm giggling about it now, but this happened years and years and years [ago]. 'And, like, I was a f**king little child.' Incredibly, Claiir went on to admit she 'also killed her best friend's cat' by accident. Kerry Katona has accused Phillip Schofield of 'belittling' her in an infamous 2008 interview as she waded in on the 'toxic' culture at This Morning. The former pop star and TV personality, 42, broke her silence by talking to Dan Wootton on GB News on Wednesday evening. In the interview on This Morning 15 years ago Schofield, 61, queried her slurred speech live on air and told her she didn't seem 'right'. Kerry accused him of 'belittling' her and being 'condescending' with his comments and explained that her bipolar medication was affecting the way she spoke at the time. She also claimed she was left suicidal following the TV appearance and criticised ITV for allegedly not reaching out to her following the car-crash interview. Distressed: Kerry Katona broke down in tears as she accused Phillip Schofield of 'belittling' her in an infamous 2008 interview as she waded in on the 'toxic' culture at This Morning Hard time: She reflected on an infamous interview she did on This Morning back in 2008, which saw Phillip, 61, question her on her slurred speech live on air Kerry told Wootton: 'People don't understand what that interview did to me emotionally. 'Even now, when I go back to ITV - which isn't very often - there is a sense of snobbery and that I'm not good enough,' she added. 'I feel like I have to impress them, I've got to watch my speech, I can't slur.' Saying the interview left her at 'rock bottom', Kerry revealed: 'It was just awful. I was suicidal. I wanted to die, I wanted to kill myself. It was everywhere.' Kerry, who has been sober for 14 years, alleged that nobody wanted to work with her following the interview. She broke down in tears as she explained how she still has to defend herself over the interview more than ten years later. She said tearfully : 'Even now, when I look at that video, I feel so ashamed and so hard done by, even now. For ten years, I've had to justify myself.' 'I've got no reason to lie [about the medication], even today I have to justify myself for that interview,' she added. The infamous live 2008 interview saw Schofield question Kerry about her slurred speech and ask her if she was 'OK', despite her insistence it was due to her medication. Unimpressed: Kerry accused him of 'belittling' her and being 'condescending' with his comments and explained how her slurred speech was due to her bipolar medication Struggles: She also claimed she was left suicidal following the TV appearance and criticised ITV for allegedly not reaching out to her following the car-crash interview (pictured) He asked her: 'You don't seem right to me sitting here now, your speech is a bit slurred, how are you feeling now?' Kerry then insisted that she was absolutely fine and had never been healthier or happier as she explained it was due to her medication. In her interview on GB News, Kerry went on to claim that she has met the younger This Morning colleague Phillip confessed to having an affair with. She told how she met with him during her time on Loose Women, adding: 'I met the young runner several times, lovely lad.' MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment. Last Friday, Schofield quit ITV and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting in the Daily Mail to an affair with a younger male This Morning colleague. He confessed to having the 'unwise but not illegal' relationship with a man during his marriage to Stephanie Lowe. He had previously denied the affair when asked about it by his agent. Phillip said he was 'so very sorry' for being unfaithful. Stephanie has two daughters, Ruby, 27, and Molly, 29, with Schofield. Schofield said in his statement last week: '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.' Scandal: Kerry, who often appears on Loose Women, went on to claim that she has met the younger This Morning colleague Phillip confessed to having an affair with Bombshell: Last Friday, Phillip quit ITV and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an affair with a young male This Morning colleague Responding to 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.' Suva, June 1 (UNI) The Fiji police will take a more aggressive approach into various criminal activities over the next two months, in an effort to curb the increase in robbery, theft and other petty crimes. According to local news reports on Thursday, the public has raised concerns about an increase in grab-and-run, pick-pocketing, and other crimes, resulting in police stepping up their operations. The Fiji police said these crimes are often committed by opportunists who have mastered their target areas, adding that there will be a heightened presence of officers on the streets, particularly in hotspots prone to criminal incidents. Police will erect snap road-blocks, static roadblocks, aggressive foot patrols and investigations to be done in a mandate. They will also use sniffer dogs to patrol the streets to ensure the safety of people, reports said. At any given time, there are 15 police officers on patrol, which does not include those in civilian wear, in Fiji's capital Suva. UNI/XINHUA AKS GNK Kendall Jenner was spotted out and about in Los Angeles on Wednesday as she headed to lunch. The 27-year-old supermodel who made a racy appearance on Instagram earlier in the day dressed down in a camo sweatshirt and clinging black leggings. The reality television personality wore her long, dark hair loose and styled in a center part. Kendall shielded her eyes in a pair of narrow black sunglasses and slung a black leather bag over her shoulder. Her look was rounded out with a pair of white tube socks and gray sneakers with yellow, blue, and red accents. Outing: Kendall Jenner was spotted out and about in Los Angeles on Wednesday as she headed to lunch Casual: The 27-year-old supermodel dressed down in a camo sweatshirt and clinging black leggings Kendall appeared to go makeup-free underneath her shades and she wore tiny earrings. Taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Jenner shared new content in a sexy little black dress. The look, styled by Dani Michelle, was designed with a sheer nude panel over the chest, giving the illusion of bare skin. The mini dress had red accents in the form of a long, chic neck scarf and flower accoutrements placed over the breasts. The thigh-grazing dress showed off the runway regular's long, tanned legs. The ensemble was finished with a pair of black, pointy-toe, slingback heels. The former E! star looked staggering as she hit several poses on a yacht at nighttime. Kendall's rich, brunette locks were styled in a chic blowout and she wore a face of bronzy makeup. The influencer also shared with fans two photos of her beloved dog as she gave him a bath in her luxury bathroom. Low-key: Kendall appeared to go makeup-free underneath her shades and she wore tiny earrings Doberman: The influencer also shared with fans two photos of her beloved dog as she gave him a bath in her luxury bathroom Sizzling: Taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Jenner shared new content in a sexy little black dress Days earlier Kendall was spotted taking in the views of Antibes, accompanied by her longtime friend Fai Khadra. The superstar has been romantically linked to Puerto Rican music artist Bad Bunny in recent weeks. They first sparked dating rumors in February, when the gossip blog DeuxMoi reported that sources had seen the two making out at a club in Los Angeles. But Bad Bunny and Kendall later seemingly confirmed their romance when they shared a hug and kiss after a sushi date with her sister Kylie Jenner and their friends. Earlier this month, sources told People that the two have been spending 'almost every day together' amid their budding romance. After a 'slow start,' the two are reportedly rarely out of each other's sight. 'They are very cute together. Kendall is happy,' a source told the publication. 'He is a fun guy. Very much a gentleman and charming. She likes his vibe. He is very chill.' They added, 'He hangs out with her friends and she hangs out with his. It's more of a relationship now. Kendall is not seeing anyone else. She really likes him.' Racy: The look, styled by Dani Michelle, was designed with a sheer nude panel over the chest, giving the illusion of bare skin Pop of color: The mini dress had red accents in the form of a long, chic neck scarf and flower accoutrements placed over the breasts Season three of Kendall's family's Hulu docuseries The Kardashians premiered on the streaming platform last week. Trailers for the latest installment showed high tensions among the famous family, including a spat between Kourtney and Kim Kardashian, and a health scare for Khloe. The first episode saw Kim cope with the stress of single parenting after her high-profile divorce from Kanye West. The show will also document the inside of her breakup from comic Pete Davidson. David Koch has opened up about the terrifying moment he was rushed to safety by police during Sydney's Lindt Cafe siege. The Sunrise star revealed in an interview with Triple M's Rush Hour with Leisel Jones, Liam and Dobbo set to air on Thursday, the incident had a 'massive impact' on him and co-host Natalie Barr. An emotional Kochie explained on the day of the siege he left Channel Seven studios and went to a nearby gym. He was then called to the reception where police told him they would be coming to pick him up and take him home because they were worried he could be a target. 'I've never talked about it. It had a massive impact on both Nat and I,' he said in the interview published by news.com.au. David Koch (pictured) recalled the terrifying moment he was rushed to safety during Sydney's tragic Lindt siege Kochie also revealed he has a car that 'I haven't driven since because the police said it's too distinctive.' 'The bloke involved in that (Man Haron Monis) was on our security watch list because he'd tried to get to me a few times,' he said. The interview comes after Kochie stunned his colleagues on Monday when he announced his resignation from the hit breakfast show after 21 years. During his on air announcement, Natalie looked heartbroken when Kochie said he had spent more time with her over the past few years than with members of his own family. He said he was leaving the hit show to focus on his own businesses and to enjoy more flexible work hours to spend time with his growing family. The Sunrise star revealed in an interview with Triple M's Rush Hour with Leisel Jones, Liam and Dobbo set to air on Thursday, the incident had a 'massive impact' on him and co-host Natalie Barr Just before 10am on December 15 2015, Monis began a 16-hour siege at the Lindt Cafe which resulted in the death of Tori Johnson, the cafe manager, and Sydney barrister Katrina Dawson. During the siege, 12 hostages managed to escape before police smashed their way into the cafe at 2am. Monis was killed in the shoot-out with police and three women received gunshot wounds. The following morning, thousands of people lay flowers to honour the memories of the victims. Courteney Cox showed her continued mastery of the casual-cool ensemble during a brief outing in New York City on Wednesday afternoon. The 58-year-old Friends star was spotted out in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood as she stepped out of a white SUV and headed into a hotel. Although she is usually based on the West Coast, she appeared to be enjoying some time in the Big Apple. Courteney looked relaxed but cool in a plain black T-shirt that highlighted her toned arms. She tucked her shirt into a complementary pair of straight-cut black jeans, and she contrasted the pants with casual white sneakers that enlivened her look. Checking in: Courteney Cox, 58, looked cool in all black as she arrived at a hotel in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood on Wednesday Back in black: Courteney rocked a plain black T-shirt that highlighted her toned arms. She tucked her shirt into a complementary pair of straight-cut black jeans The television star stayed on point with a small quilted black handbag, and she carried a water bottle to help her stay hydrated during her busy day. Courtney added an extra stylish touch with a pair of aviator sunglasses with a modest amber tint. She framed her chic glasses and modestly made-up face by parting her raven tresses which were styled with faint waves down the middle. It's not clear if the Cougar Town star was in New York City to work on a project, or if she had other business going on. Seemingly missing from her outing was her partner Johnny McDaid, a member of the Scottish alternative band Snow Patrol. The keyboardist and guitarist has been dating Courteney for around a decade, and the two even got engaged in 2014, though they later ended their engagement five years later while still remaining in a relationship. Last year, Courteney spoke about her relationship with Johnny to People, and she revealed that their time being separated when he had to quarantine in the UK at the height of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic made her realize just how important her relationship is. 'I've learned that love is precious,' she said. 'As I've gotten older, I've realized that.' She went on to call the rocker a 'great listener,' and she said he is the most 'patient' person she has ever known. 'He's a great advice-giver. I love his heart, his intentions. His morals,' she gushed. 'He's extremely talented and obviously musical, but he's a poet and a writer. He's just so smart, and I find that really sexy. And then he is gorgeous.' Also seemingly sitting out the trip was Courteney's daughter Coco, whom she shares with her ex-husband David Arquette. Lightening up: She contrasted the pants with casual white sneakers that enlivened her look Too cool for school: Courtney added an extra stylish touch with a pair of aviator sunglasses with a modest amber tint. She wore her raven hair parted down the middle and styled in waves MIA: Seemingly missing from her outing was her partner Johnny McDaid, a member of the Scottish alternative band Snow Patrol Family advice: She also seemed to have traveled without her daughter Coco Arquette. Earlier this month she told Harper's Bazaar how she urges her daughter to avoid damaging her skin from the sun, as she did years earlier Earlier this month, the Ace Ventura: Pet Detective actress admitted that she regretted getting too much sun and not using protection when she was younger, and she said she tries to teach her daughter to learn from her mistakes. 'I mean, the obvious is sun care,' she told Harper's Bazaar that she had advised her daughter. 'Don't lay in the sun and dont fry. 'I always say to my daughter: "Coco, your skin is incredible. Let me show you my chest,"' she recounted. 'Then she's like, "Mom, I would never have that kind of skin." I'm like, "Yeah. Your face you always look at, but you forget your body. Wear sunscreen and care about your body. Really use the right products because it catches up."' Angela White has revealed her secret to becoming the best onscreen lover in the porn game during a podcast interview on Pillow Talk this week. The Aussie star, an iconic performer with nearly 10 million Instagram followers, revealed she used to edit her own scenes early in her career. 'You learn on the job,' Angela said, referring to her early days. The multi-talented star, who has been in 900 hardcore scenes over the course of her career, detailed her work behind the camera. 'Early on, I edited my own scenes, so it made me a better performer. I directed my own scenes,' Angela continued. Angela White reveals the secret to how she became the world's biggest porn star during an interview with Pillow Talk, amid fears the beloved star is set to quit making adult films. Pictured She went on to say while it sounds 'mortifying' it ultimately made her a better performer in front of the camera. 'It's mortifying in the beginning because you see everything you do terribly wrong. But it just makes you a better performer. You learn you shouldn't be positioning my body in [this or] that way,' she added. Angela went on to say small 'micromovements' is what makes the biggest differences when filming alongside male stars. 'You learn on the job,' Angela said. The star added she used to edit her own scenes. 'Early on, I edited my own scenes,' Angela said, saying it helped her learn what looks good on camera 'Very small micromovements makes the biggest difference in porn... It's not just about looking into the camera,' she added. Fans have been filled with concern Angela could soon turn her back on the porn industry after appearing in more than 900 scenes. After several high-profile TV and podcast appearances, the adult film star seems to be angling for a career in mainstream media or academia. 'It's mortifying in the beginning but it makes you a better performer. You learn you shouldn't be positioning my body in [this or] that way,' she added She hinted at her future career path last month when she spoke at a conference at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Angela posed for a photo on Instagram next to social sciences and media studies professor Constance Penley. 'Academic pursuit remains an interest of mine and something I wish to return to in the future,' she wrote in the caption. 'Very small micromovements makes the biggest difference in porn ...It's not just about looking into the camera,' she added. Here with Japanese star, Hitomi Tanaka During the college lecture, Angela spoke to film studies students about her career. Not only does Angela have an extensive body of work in adult cinema, but she also holds a degree in gender studies from the prestigious University of Melbourne. The performer, who popularised the sex position 'The Angela', took part in a question and answer session with students after her speech. Angela sparked fears she's set to leave the industry after sharing photos of herself at the University of California, Santa Barbara, alongside professor Constance Penley The performer, who popularised the sex position 'The Angela', took part in a question and answer session with students after her speech 'This is my third time as a guest speaker at this film studies class that approaches pornography as worthy of serious inquiry as a genre and as popular culture,' she said after the lecture. Angela thanked the students for their 'well-informed, thought-provoking questions' about her 'career as a performer and director' as well as her academic research. 'While it has been a number of years since my research dissertation was published in The Routledge Companion to Media, Sex, and Sexuality, academic pursuit remains an interest of mine and something I wish to return to in the future,' she added. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker showed off their distinctive styles while stepping out in West Hollywood on Wednesday. The reality TV star, 44, and her rocker husband, 47, bundled up in warm clothes while grabbing matcha tea together. The Poosh founder who kept production waiting for '20 minute sex session' with Travis in a recent episode of The Kardashians on Hulu covered up in an oversized black hoodie and white cargo pants, which she paired with chunky black boots. She accessorized with black sunglasses and wore her raven tresses in a ponytail for the outing. Meanwhile Travis sported a large puffer jacket, a black and white graphic t-shirt with jeans and Converse sneakers. Staying warm: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker showed off their distinctive styles while stepping out in West Hollywood on Wednesday In Kourtney's hand was a chic black purse. The mother-of-three appeared to go makeup-free for the outing. Travis finalized his outfit with a beanie on his head, and further spruced up his look with a silver necklace. The duo put on a playful show, with Travis putting his arm around Kourtney at one point, as she pulled down her hood over her face. Kourtney has been accompanying Travis on tour with his band Blink-182, which catapulted him to stardom in the 1990s. One of their stopovers was Baltimore, Maryland, where they played the CFG Bank Arena, a venue that can seat up to 14,000 people. While visiting 'Charm City,' Travis took advantage of some of his leisure time to indulge in a boat ride with Kourtney and his daughter Alabama, 17, over the weekend. The trio gathered together on deck for a picture that offered up a glimpse of the sun-dappled water and the city skyline behind. Travis, the longtime drummer for Blink-182, posted the photo to his Insta Stories for the benefit of his eight million followers. Bundled up: The reality TV star, 44, and her rocker husband, 47, bundled up in warm clothes while grabbing matcha tea together Cozy: The Poosh founder covered up in an oversized black hoodie and white cargo pants, which she paired with chunky black boots Playful: The duo put on a playful show, with Travis putting his arm around Kourtney at one point, as she pulled down her hood over her face Rocker look: Travis sported a large puffer jacket, a black and white graphic t-shirt with jeans and Converse sneakers After playing the CFG Bank Arena on Friday, the band headed immediately to Pennsylvania for a concert in Hershey. Their show their took place at Hersheypark, which was founded at the turn of the 20th century as a theme park for employees at the Hershey chocolatier's. Travis shares Alabama and a son called Landon, 19, with his first wife Shanna Moakler, a former beauty queen and Playboy Playmate. The drummer has also famously always been close to his erstwhile stepdaughter Atiana, 24, whom Shanna had with Oscar De La Hoya. Amid the band's travels, Kourtney and Travis marked their first wedding anniversary last Monday, choosing to celebrate on the date they signed their marriage license Kourtney and Travis famously had a drunken Las Vegas wedding on April Fool's Day last year, exchanging vows in front of an Elvis impersonator. However the Vegas ceremony turned out not to be legally binding as they had neglected to obtain the requisite paperwork ahead of time. After obtaining their civil marriage in California, the pair jetted off to Portofino in May for a luxurious wedding surrounded by family at Castello Brown. And the spark between the two appears to be stronger than ever after Kourtney kept sister Khloe Kardashian and production waiting for nearly 20 minutes on season three premiere of Hulu's The Kardashians, so she could enjoy a quick hookup with Travis. Family time: Travis and Kourtney enjoyed a boat ride in Baltimore, Maryland, with his daughter Alabama, 17, over the weekend TMI: It comes after Kourtney kept sister Khloe and production waiting for 20 minutes on a recent episode of The Kardashians on Hulu, so that she could enjoy a quick hookup with Travis Kourtney revealed to her younger sister who stopped by to visit the couple at their home that she's 'ovulating' and needs to quickly take advantage of the opportunity. 'If you give us five minutes to go do something really fast...,' Kourtney hinted through grinning teeth before leaving the room with the rocker. As she basks in the warm glow of newlywed life with Travis, Kourtney is also bringing up three children with her ex Scott Disick. The pair, who dated on-and-off from 2006 until 2015, are famously amicable co-parents to Mason, 13, Penelope, 10, and Reign, eight. On the premiere episode she also revealed that she stopped IVF treatments last year and is now leaving the chances of the pair welcoming a child to 'what God has in store for us.' 'We would love a baby more than anything but I just really believe in what God has in store for us,' she explained in confessional. Kourtney noted that she had 'seven frozen eggs from years ago before Travis' that those around her pushed her to get. 'When I was 38 or 39 everyone was like pushing me to do that and most of mine didn't survive the thaw because eggs are one cell and none of them made it to an embryo,' she reveals. IVF journey: Kourtney also confirmed to fans that she is done with IVF treatments, and that most of the seven eggs she had previously frozen 'didn't survive the thaw' The mother-of-three is aware that the 'freezing of the eggs is not a guarantee.' Regardless, Kourtney told Khloe that she's aware that her and Travis already 'have a full, blessed life.' 'All the thing that came with IVF took a toll on me physically. My health is still impacted because it's hormones. And also mentally it took a toll,' she explains. 'So, I think just being happy is most important and being a good parent to my kids. We are just embracing that whatever is meant to be will be.' Channel 10 is pulling out all the stops to save its ill-fated Bachelor franchise. And it appears the network has hatched a daring plan to inject some much-needed excitement and ratings magic into the show. Daily Mail Australia can reveal Warner Bros., the production company behind Ten's dating series, has managed to snatch a groom originally cast by Channel Nine to star on its upcoming season of Married At First Sight. Sources reveal that the groom in question was fast-track during the lengthy application process by Endemol Shine Australia to play the villain. However, it's understood Ten swooped in and snatched him up, ensuring that he will now take centre stage as the antagonist on the upcoming season of The Bachelor. It seems Channel 10 have a daring plan to inject some much-needed excitement and ratings magic into the franchise by stealing a groom set to appear on future season of the rival show Daily Mail Australia can reveal Warner Bros, the production company behind Ten's dating show has managed to snatch a groom originally cast by Channel Nine to star on it's upcoming eleventh season. Pictured: Felix Von Hofe (pictured) This bold maneuver sets the stage for a heated rivalry between the two shows as they will both be filming around the same time. This is the first time the shows will go head-to-head and the rivalry behind the scenes has already been described as savage. The upcoming season of The Bachelors will follow last year's three lead formula again and the theme will be something like 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly', says the source. Sources reveal that the groom in question was fast-track during the length application process by Endemol Shine Australia to play the villain. Pictured: MAFS expert Mel Schilling However, it's understood Ten swooped in and snatched him up, ensuring that he will now take centre stage as the antagonist on the upcoming season of The Bachelor Both series are slated to start late January 2024 after the Australian Open. Channel 10 has secured Melbourne as the backdrop for their series and has put together a cast that promises to captivate even the most devout MAFS fans. As the battle for talent intensifies, cast and crew members find themselves caught in the crossfire, with producers and camera operators being fiercely fought over by both networks. This isn't the first time ambitious reality stars have jumped ship between shows. The upcoming season of The Bachelors will follow last year's three lead formula again and the theme will be something like 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly', says the source. Pictured: Felix alongside co-stars Jed McIntosh and Thomas Malucelli Harrison Boon, who appeared on this year's season, was dropped at the eleventh hour due to being deemed 'too masculine' by producers. Janelle Han, a popular makeup influencer, revealed that she was in talks to join The Bachelor but ultimately chose MAFS, a decision that has paid off as she has gained a significant following and even garnered attention from the UK audience. 'I just knew I would gain more life lessons off MAFS instead of being locked down,' the 29-year-old told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday. 'I also didn't want to compete with other women for a man that I might not even like.' Harrison Boon, who appeared on this year's season was dropped at the eleventh hour due to being deemed 'too masculine' by producers Janelle Han, a popular makeup influencer, revealed that she was in talks to join The Bachelor but ultimately chose MAFS, a decision that has paid off as she has gained a significant following and even garnered attention from the UK audience The contestants on Channel 10's rival show not only struggled to gain a substantial online following, but also failed to achieve the coveted blue verification tick on social media platforms, further highlighting the success and influence of MAFS. With the stolen MAFS groom set to stir up drama on The Bachelor, Channel 10 hopes to breathe new life into the struggling franchise. Only time will tell if this audacious move pays off and if the battle for ratings between the two shows escalates even further. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel 10 and Nine for comment. Do you have a TIP about Married At First Sight 2024 or The Bachelor? Email ali.daher@mailonline.com Vanderpump Rules alum Stassi Schroeder Clark was removed from the ride The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash for 'being pregnant' while visiting Universal Studios in Universal City, CA with her family on Wednesday. Expectant mothers are restricted from participating in a total of 10 attractions and rides at Universal, but they are permitted to enjoy the Silly Swirly Fun Ride, Super Silly Fun Land, and the WaterWorld stunt show. 'They just had to stop the Secret Life of Pets ride to kick me off because I'm pregnant,' the expecting 34-year-old - who boasts 3.8M social media followers - said via Instastory. 'I'm not embarrassed or anything. Also it goes like negative two miles an hour like [eyeroll emoji]...Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it.' Stassi (born Nastassia) showcased her bourgeoning bump in a black jumpsuit and matching Gucci loafers, which she topped with a chic beige double-breasted coat. Denied! Vanderpump Rules alum Stassi Schroeder Clark was removed from the ride The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash for 'being pregnant' while visiting Universal Studios in Universal City, CA with her family on Wednesday It's unclear how far along Schroeder is with her unborn son, but she was feeling well enough to walk around Southern California's second most popular theme park. The New Orleans-born blonde beamed as she held her two-year-old daughter Hartford Charlie Clark, who clutched a skull-laden wand she got at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Little Hartford also procured a stuffed animal toy of an owl, which she excitedly waved around. Stassi's husband of two years - commercial casting director Beau Clark - Instastoried a clip of their precious princess cuddling up to a statue of The Simpsons' character Milhouse Van Houten on a bench in the Springfield part of the park. At one point, Hartford sweetly asked to hold her mother's hand while clutching a pink shopping bag from Nectar Bath Treats at Universal CityWalk Hollywood. Schroeder joked that her hot dog-loving child's blue Elsa dress was their 'newest family member.' It's because Hartford wore the same exact costume from Disney's Frozen while visiting Disneyland in Anaheim with her parents on May 23. The Good The Bad The Baby podcaster is next scheduled to bring her 19-date Straight Up With Stassi LIVE - The Mommy Dearest Tour to the Balboa Theatre in San Diego this Saturday alongside her 43-year-old hubbie and co-host Taylor Strecker. Safety first! Expectant mothers are restricted from participating in a total of 10 attractions and rides at Universal, but they are permitted to enjoy the Silly Swirly Fun Ride, Super Silly Fun Land, and the WaterWorld stunt show The expecting 34-year-old - who boasts 3.8M social media followers - said via Instastory: 'They just had to stop the Secret Life of Pets ride to kick me off because I'm pregnant. I'm not embarrassed or anything. Also it goes like negative two miles an hour like [eyeroll emoji]' 'Don't worry about it': Stassi (born Nastassia) showcased her bourgeoning bump in a black jumpsuit and matching Gucci loafers, which she topped with a beige double-breasted coat Valet: It's unclear how far along Schroeder is with her unborn son, but she was feeling well enough to walk around Southern California's second most popular theme park 'Oh no. She might be a muggle': The New Orleans-born blonde beamed as she held her two-year-old daughter Hartford Charlie Clark, who clutched a skull-laden wand she got at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter 'Owls owls owls owls!' Little Hartford also procured a stuffed animal toy of an owl, which she excitedly waved around 'She just made Milhuse's day!' Stassi's husband of two years - commercial casting director Beau Clark - Instastoried a clip of their precious princess cuddling up to a statue of The Simpsons' character Milhouse Van Houten on a bench in the Springfield part of the park 'Hold my hand': At one point, Hartford sweetly asked to hold her mother's hand while clutching a pink shopping bag from Nectar Bath Treats at Universal CityWalk Hollywood Obsessed! Schroeder joked that her hot dog-loving child's blue Elsa dress was their 'newest family member' So nice she wore it twice! It's because Hartford wore the same exact costume from Disney's Frozen while visiting Disneyland in Anaheim with her parents on May 23 'One month left of touring, then I'm gonna nest the s*** out of life': The Good The Bad The Baby podcaster is next scheduled to bring her 19-date Straight Up With Stassi LIVE - The Mommy Dearest Tour to the Balboa Theatre in San Diego this Saturday 'One month left of touring, then I'm gonna nest the s*** out of life,' Stassi vowed on Monday. It's been two years since Bravo fired Schroeder off Vanderpump Rules after eight seasons for making 'racially-insensitive comments' on her Straight Up podcast as well as filing a false police report in 2018 against the only African-American on the show - Faith Stowers. The Off with My Head author was also dropped by her UTA agent and her Metro Public Relations representative - according to Variety. Stassi - who also competed in the eighth season of CBS' The Amazing Race with her family in 2005 - currently commands $12.99/month on her Patreon account. Part two of the Vanderpump Rules' explosive 10th season reunion airs Wednesday night on Bravo. Laura Harrier and fiance Sam Jarou put on a loved-up display on Wednesday as they stepped out in Los Angeles. The 33-year-old White Men Can't Jump actress who was seen at Cannes Film Festival and her fashion consultant beau interlocked hands while out and about. Laura, who hails from Chicago, looked chic in a layered look of a black tank top, button-up gray shirt, and a suede black jacket. She added a pair of narrow black sunglasses to the fashion-forward ensemble. For his part, Sam donned a navy blue crew neck sweatshirt and dark wash jeans. In love: Laura Harrier and fiance Sam Jarou put on a loved-up display on Wednesday as they stepped out in Los Angeles Sweet: The couple were spotted sharing an affectionate moment as Jarou adoringly caressed Laura's face Harrier wore her dark locks in a bob haircut that was styled in a center part with the front pieces tucked behind her ears. She wore a pair of silver-toned earrings, which coordinated with the buckle of her black belt. The silver screen siren tucked her shirt into charcoal-colored denim pants and left the buttons undone. She rounded out her timeless look with a pair of black ballet flats with a glossy toe and small string bows. Sam, who is based in Paris, rocked a shadow of a goatee and he wore a cuffed black beanie hat. He wore gray and black sneakers as he stepped out with his soon-to-be wife. The couple were spotted sharing an affectionate moment as Jarou adoringly caressed Laura's face. Lovebirds: The couple pictured at Paris Fashion Week in March 2022 The BlacKkKlansman actress and her love became engaged in September 2022. About the proposal, Laura told Cosmopolitan, 'It was really simple and sweet in Paris.' 'It was really simple and sweet in Paris,' she continued while speaking with the publication. 'The cliche of when you know, you know,' she went on. 'I never really believed it until that happened to me. It's a funny feeling when you just find peace and calm.' 'I also really do believe that you need to be ready within yourself before you can find somebody else to be with, which I also always thought was a cliche until I felt secure within myself and the person I am and where I'm at in life,' she finished. The future spouses met in 2019 but weren't romantically linked until July 2021 when they were spotted kissing during a vacation in Monaco. And the fashionista can rely on her fiance for sartorial advice, thanks to his career, she noted in her interview. Laura explained that Sam is the 'first man Ive dated where Ill actually listen when he gives me outfit advice.' Newly engaged: The BlacKkKlansman actress and her love became engaged in September 2022 Stunner: Harrier commanded attention at the Monster premiere during Cannes Film Festival two weeks ago Harrier commanded attention at the Monster premiere during Cannes Film Festival two weeks ago. She looked stunning in an elegant black gown with a plunging neckline as she walked the red carpet. Flashing a smile for the cameras, she slicked her dark bob haircut down with a flip at the ends. Monster [also known as Kaibutsu] was written and directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, who received praise for his 2018 film Shoplifters. She's met hundreds of celebrities during her 22-year radio career. And on Thursday, Jackie O Henderson revealed she recently had an uncomfortable encounter with a well-known celebrity. Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O show, Jackie O, 48, said she attended Mamma Mia! The Musical and had an 'awkward' interaction with Melbourne Today presenter Clint Stanaway. 'We don't really have any interaction because we are in different cities but on the weekend I went to Mamma Mia the musical with my daughter,' she told her co-host Kyle Sandilands. 'We were all shuffling into the theatre because there are a lot of people trying to file in at once.' Jackie O Henderson (pictured) has revealed an awkward encounter with well-known celebrity after red carpet incident 'As I'm walking in, I saw Clint standing there facing in my direction. He was looking at me, but I didn't think he was looking directly at me,' she explained. Jackie said she did a 'little faint smile' when she approached him and realised he was actually looking at her. She then added: 'Clint is so lovely and I'm sorry that happened.' It comes after Jackie responded to rumours she's set to appear on The Bachelorette on Wednesday. Woman's Day magazine reported on Monday that the perennially single radio host had signed up to the Channel 10 dating franchise in the hopes of finding Mr Right. The publication alleged Jackie had even enlisted her best friend Sophie Monk, who previously starred on Bachelorette, to help her prepare for the show. Jackie was however quick to deny the rumours on Tuesday's Kyle And Jackie O Show, after her co-host Kyle Sandilands cheekily remarked: 'Congratulations on your new TV gig.' Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O show , Jackie O, 48, said she attended Mamma Mia! The Musical and had an 'awkward' interaction with Melbourne Today presenter Clint Stanaway 'That's all untrue Kyle. That's bulls**t. No, I'm not doing that,' the mother-of-one scoffed. 'That's great, because I wouldn't have been happy about that,' Kyle replied, before describing why The Bachelorette was beneath Jackie. 'I put you up on a pedestal. You are a great woman that has achieved amazing things in your life, [you] raised a great daughter... And you're an award-winning, wonderful friend.' He went on to note that Jackie 'finally has a decent body' and is 'rootable again', following her recent 18kg weight loss. Two days celebrating their milestone 25th wedding anniversary, Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber headed out on a romantic dinner date for two. The couple were spotted making their grand arrival to the celebrity hotspot restaurant Nobu, in Malibu, which boasts an incredibly ocean view. The legendary supermodel oozed summer cool when she stepped out of the passenger's seat of their car decked out in an all-white ensemble, consisting of fitted pants and a sheer, see-through blouse Just in case there was a temperature tumble along the shoreline of Malibu as the day gave way to night, the Illinois native also tied a stylish white sweater around her neck. Rounding out her overall look, Crawford also donned a pair of tan open-toe heels, and had her dark brown tresses styled long and flowing well past her shoulders with a part on the slight left. Romantic dinner: Cindy Crawford, 57, opted for all-white when she stepped out with her husband for a quiet dinner for two at the celebrity hotspot restaurant, Nobu, in Malibu, which came just two days after they celebrated their 25th wedding aniiversary Gerber, 61, opted for a little more of a laid back look in the fashion department in blue jeans with a black jacket over a matching button-down shirt and high-top sneakers. The Casamigos tequila co-founder looked to be in a great mood, from the looks of his big beaming smile on his face, just as he handed out the keys to his car to the valet workers. Once situated with his vehicle, the former model and businessman hurried to catch up to his lovely wife, and then the two walked into the entrance doors together. The handsome couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on Monday, May 29, with Crawford marking the occasion with a series of throwback snaps from their wedding in 1998 on her Instagram page that included some sweet sentiments about her husband. The cover photo shows the couple snuggling up together and flashing their newlywed smiles, which was followed by them staring into each other's eye on the beach. There's also an an aerial shot of the bride and groom surrounded by their wedding guests. a photo of them cutting their wedding cake, and couple of shots of them dancing the night away. '25 years ago today, Rande and I got married at the Ocean Club in the Bahamas,' the longtime catwalk queen began. 'It was a picture perfect wedding all captured by @arthurelgort. We spent a beautiful weekend surrounded by family and friends celebrating our love for each other. I would do it all over again in a second.' She then turned the focus to them as a couple and all they've achieved together as a family. Lady in white: The longtime supermodel wore fitted pants and a sheer, see-through blouse, tan open-toe heels and a matching white sweater tied around her shoulders just in case their was a serious temperature tumble along the coastline Casual-cool: Gerber, 61, opted for a little more of a laid back look in the fashion department in blue jeans with a black jacket over a matching button-down shirt and high-top sneakers 'I want to congratulate "us" on making it 25 years. We have been blessed in so many ways, especially our two children @presleygerber and @kaiagerber. She continued, 'I also want to acknowledge that even with all the blessings, life is full of ups and downs and challenges. Im proud of how we have navigated life together looking to each other for strength and comfort. You have been my best friend and rock and I cant imagine a life without you. Happy Anniversary @randegerber!!' About 90 guests attended their private beach wedding, which was catered with seafood, pasta and roast beef, along with Cindy's favorite three-tiered carrot cake, according to People. Their daughter, Kaia, would also take to Instagram and pay tribute to her parentd with a couple of photos. Gerber famously co-founded Casamigos (which translates to 'house of friends') Tequila with acclaimed actor and director George Clooney and Mike Meldman in 2013. Sweet sentiments: Crawford shared a series of throwback snaps from their wedding in the Bahamas in 1998 on to her Instagram page on Monday to mark their anniversary Crawford described their wedding as 'picture perfect' and 'surrounded by family and friends celebrating our love for each other' True love: The former catwalk queen confessed 'I would do it all over again in a second' Giving thanks: 'I want to congratulate "us" on making it 25 years. We have been blessed in so many ways, especially our two children @presleygerber and @kaiagerber,' she gushed Gratitude; 'Im proud of how we have navigated life together,' she added in the message Love letter: 'You have been my best friend and rock and I cant imagine a life without you,' she said of the Casamigos tequila co-founder In 2017, it was sold to the British multinational alcoholic beverage company Diageo for a whopping $700 million dollars, with an additional $300 million possible depending on the company's performance over the next ten years, according to CNBC. As for Crawford, she became one of the most recognizable supermodels in the world, having graced more than 1,000 magazine covers and walked for top designers all over the world since the 1980s. She would go on to become a television personality and actress, to go along with her many entrepreneurial endeavors. After several years of dating, Crawford and Gerber tied-the-knot in 1998, and then wasted little time in welcoming their two children to the world: son Presley, 23, and daughter Kaia, 21. Both of their adult children have followed their parents into the modeling industry, where Kaia, boasting a similar look as her famous mom during her heyday, has become a top, in-demand model for campaigns and runway shows. Lagos, June 1 (UNI) At least six people were killed by unidentified gunmen who attacked two communities in southern Nigeria, according to the police. The attackers stormed Abarikpo and Odiereke-Ubie communities in Rivers State on Wednesday morning, Grace Iringe-Koko, a local police spokesperson, told reporters in Port Harcourt, the state capital. "Yes, I can confirm that six people were killed. An investigation is ongoing to apprehend the suspects," she said. Security sources told Xinhua that the killings were suspected to be a reprisal attack linked to clashes with rival cultists in the area. Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in some parts of Nigeria, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months. UNI/XINHUA GNK Pregnant Roxy Horner cradled her baby bump in a black midi dress as she attended Machine Gun Kelly's private party at Apollo's Muse in London on Wednesday. The model, 31, - who is expecting her first child with comedian Jack Whitehall - looked incredible in the figure-hugging long sleeved number at the event, which was hosted by designer Marc Jacques Burton. She added inches to her frame in a pair of towering silver metallic pointed toe heels and toted her belongings in a chic matching bag. The beauty accessorised by layering two silver necklaces and styled her long blonde tresses poker straight. Roxy applied a flawless palette of makeup to accentuate her beauty including a dramatic swipe of bold plum lipstick. Mum-to-be: Pregnant Roxy Horner cradled her baby bump in a black midi dress as she attended Machine Gun Kelly's private party at Apollo's Muse in London on Wednesday Glowing: The model, 31, - who is expecting her first child with comedian Jack Whitehall - looked incredible in the figure-hugging long sleeved number at the event, which was hosted by Marc Jacques Burton She flashed her gorgeous while gently placing her hands on her blossoming bump as she posed for photos. Roxy was joined at the star-studded event held at the latest Private Members' Club from Richard Caring by VIPs including Megan Fox, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lottie Moss. Roxy's partner Jack, 34, shared the happy news they are expecting their first child together on his Instagram page last month, alongside a couple of adorable shots of the couple with a baby scan. In the snaps, a delighted looking Jack held up a role of photographs showing a scan of their unborn child, while his girlfriend beaming beside him. Roxy later revealed to HELLO she was relieved to 'finally fall pregnant' after the couple tragically suffered a miscarriage last year. In the social media post the model, who was wearing a pretty white summer dress, kept a protective hand on her stomach as she looked over at her beau. Ever the funnyman, he captioned the shots: 'And I thought I wasn't getting enough attention when the dog arrived' Roxy also posted the same images on her own page alongside the words: 'The best news to share [white heart emoji].' Glamorous: Roxy applied a flawless palette of makeup to accentuate her beauty including a dramatic swipe of bold plum lipstick Stunning: The beauty accessorised by layering two silver necklaces and styled her long blonde tresses poker straight Bumping along: She added inches to her frame in a pair of towering silver metallic pointed toe heels and toted her belongings in a chic matching bag Exclusive party: Roxy was joined at the star-studded event held at the latest Private Members' Club from Richard Caring by a host of VIPs (pictured Machine Gun Kelly performing) Following the announcement she told the magazine: 'We had a miscarriage last year and so there was a part of me that was worried to open up too soon about this baby because I was so worried something would happen again and I didn't want to have to kind of tell the world'. She went on to reveal the couple discovered they were expecting a baby during a trip with her family to Australia. Roxy explained: 'It was really lovely because I got to tell my mum pretty much straight away and I don't get to see my parents too often, so it was a really perfect moment before he went off on tour. 'We found out the same week my nan passed away. There's a part of me that feels like my nan knew we were trying for a baby and maybe this was her gift to us. Jack has been dating Roxy for more than two years and they reside in a 17.5million, five-bedroom home in Notting Hill with their pooch Coco. It comes soon after Jack admitted he was unsure about his path in life after losing some friends to 'rehab' while his other pals have had children. He spoke about his relationship with his girlfriend Roxy as he shared that they have bought a house together. He explained that although he has now 'settled down' with Roxy, he is still unsure about his future plans as he hinted he has not yet decided if he wants children. Appearing on Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp, Jack said he has lost friends to 'rehab' and to having 'babies' as he spoke about his own path in life. Speaking to stand-in host Will Manning, he explained: 'I've settled down, I've got a long-term partner, I've bought a house with her, we've got a dog and doing all of that stuff. 'I don't want to say [my tour] is me raging against the dying of the light [laughs] but it's giving me a sense of this man-child getting through this moment in my life, losing half my friends to rehab, half of my friends to babies and trying to find out which path I'm going to take.' Sting and his wife Trudie Styler looked every inch the happy couple as they departed a private screening of her new film in London on Wednesday. The musician, 71, and the actress, 69, appeared in good spirits as they made their way home after hiring out a cinema for them and twenty guests to enjoy the flick. Sting sported a grey and burgundy blazer for the evening which he paired with a blue v-neck top and black trousers. Trudie, who is a prolific film producer along with her acting career, cut a stylish figure in a gold blazer and matching trousers along with a yellow blouse. The star added height to her frame with a pair of brown boots and let her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders. Couple: Sting and his wife Trudie Styler looked every inch the happy couple as they departed a private screening of her new film in London on Wednesday Event: The musician, 71, and the actress, 69, appeared in good spirits as they made their way home after hiring out a cinema for them and twenty guests to enjoy the flick Sting and Trudie have been married since 1992 and are parents to Mickey, 39, Jake, 38, Eliot, 32, and Giacomo, 27. Mickey is an actress who has appeared in films including Frances Ha and Now Is Everything while Eliot is a musician. The outing comes after the couple attended the Ivor Novello Awards where Sting was awarded with a Fellowship which is the highest honour the Academy bestows. Speaking on the carpet, the British rocker said he 'loves' the Ivors Academy and was 'delighted' to be 'granted this wonderful honour'. He said: 'The last time I was here I got a lifetime achievement award which I thought was a bit premature... 'But the fellowship was obviously beyond lifetime and it sounds a bit like Lord Of The Rings, but I think there are more duties attached to a fellowship. 'The Ivors protect the rights of songwriters - that's one of the things they do, not just established songwriters like me, but up-and-coming songwriters. 'It is also a major export of Britain, our songwriting, so they need protecting, so I am very proud to be part of this organisation.' History: Sting and Trudie have been married since 1992 and are parents to Mickey, 39, Jake, 38, Eliot, 32, and Giacomo, 27 Noel Gallagher says his difficult separation from second wife Sara MacDonald changed the tone of his latest album and helped him come to terms with the prospect of divorce. The musician, 56, confirmed the end of his 12-year marriage to publicist MacDonald in 2023, blaming the pandemic and Britain's ensuing series of national lockdowns for putting an intolerable strain on their relationship. And he believes those personal difficulties impacted the musical direction of new album Council Skies, his latest offering with High Flying Birds, while recording at his north London studio. He told The Sun: 'Divorce is a long, drawn-out process, so it affects the mood of the album, for sure. 'The record goes up and down and for every kind of moody melancholy, there is an uplifting counterbalance after it. Inspiration: Noel Gallagher says his difficult separation from second wife Sara MacDonald changed the tone of his latest High Flying Birds album, Council Skies All over: The musician confirmed the end of his 12-year marriage to publicist MacDonald in 2023 'When youre an artist you write about what you know, and I dont really have much to say about life in general, as I dont really give a f**k about most things I see on the news. 'So when things happen in your life that you can articulate, I tend to jump on them, and it makes for better art and it helps you come to terms with it.' The Oasis legend wrote his latest album while Britain was paralysed by COVID-19, and he admits life became repetitive and frustrating as he isolated at the 8million South Downs mansion he shared with MacDonald. 'Id sit around all day, waiting to get p***ed at like, f***ing five oclock,' he recalled. 'Everybodys life had come to a bit of a standstill.' Gallagher has since moved out of the Hampshire property after confirming his separation from MacDonald, with whom he shares children Donovan, 15, and Sonny, 12, in January. A spokesperson for the couple confirmed their split to MailOnline in a joint statement, which read: 'Noel Gallagher and Sara Macdonald has confirmed that the couple are to divorce. 'Noel and Sara will together continue to look after their children who remain their priority. Noel and Sara ask the media to respect their privacy and that of our family at this time.' Gallagher met his second wife, a Scottish publicist, at Ibiza nightclub Space in 2000, a year before his divorce from his first wife Meg Matthews - the mother of his eldest child, 23-year old model Anais. Muse: He believes those personal difficulties impacted the musical direction of new album while recording at his north London studio It's over! The pair (pictured in October 2018) issued a statement to MailOnline in January announcing their split, saying that their two sons 'remain their priority' The former couple were notorious for a party-hard lifestyle at the height of Brit Pop in the mid '90s as they lived it up during rowdy nights with north London's notorious Primrose Hill set, among them supermodel Kate Moss and actress Sadie Frost. But following their split, it was reported that Gallagher had an affair with MacDonald during his first marriage - an allegation they both denied. The couple married in 2011 at the Lime Wood Hotel in the New Forest in a 60,000 ceremony with guests including Russell Brand in attendance - but younger brother and former bandmate Liam said he wasn't invited. 'He goes on about how he wasn't invited to my wedding. No one was at my wedding but Nic's [ex-wife Nicole Appleton] mum and my mum. Get over it, mate. I've not been invited to his wedding,' Liam told the Chicago Sun Times. Liam famously doesn't get along with MacDonald and has had a slew of public rows with the PR exec in the past. He even hinted that she was the reason that an Oasis reunion wouldn't be happening, with Gallagher furious over Liam's relentless public criticism of his wife. The brothers themselves have had little contact in the last ten years, after Gallagher quit the band in 2009. Succession came to an epic close on Sunday evening. And following the nail-biting finale, amid chatter around the world about the intricacies of the conclusion, Nicholas Braun, who plays Cousin Greg on the show, took to social media to give the mourning fans more. A gallery of incredible behind-the-scenes snaps showed his co-stars larking around on-set, including shots of Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kevin Culkin, Justine Lupe and Matthew Macfadyen - much to the delight of followers. One of the most epic of the images, showed his character's building pass, which contributed to the caption: 'Need to get a new keycard', alongside amazing images including a shot showing him speaking to the ultimate successor Matthew. Succession came to an epic conclusion on Sunday night with its 90-minute series finale, which has set social media ablaze, including with comments on Nicolas' photos, following his turn as the Roy sibling's cousin Greg Hirsch. Succeeding! Nicholas Braun, who plays Cousin Greg on the show, took to social media to give the mourning fans more on Thursday, with behind-the-scenes snaps Chatting away: Nicholas was seen speaking to Matthew, who played Tom Wambsgans, in front of a green screen, after the duo became a massive hit in the final series in their alliance as 'The Disgusting Brothers' which led to Tom promising: 'I got you' to Greg The bank of Ken: Kendall's birthday party prop was seen in one image The series finale - entitled With Open Eyes - lead up to the important Waystar Royco board meeting, where the final vote on the merger with Lukas Matsson's - played by Alexander Skarsgard - GoJo was held. The episode's many twists and turns, iconic moments and stand-out lines were so popular that topics like 'Tom Wambsgans,' 'Kendall,' 'Jeremy Strong' and 'I AM THE ELDEST BOY' were trending topics across Twitter on Sunday evening. Nicholas was seen speaking to Matthew, who played Tom Wambsgans, in front of a green screen, after the duo became a massive hit in the final series in their alliance as 'The Disgusting Brothers' which led to Tom promising: 'I got you' to Greg. The big man: Another shot saw the all reigning boss Logan Roy - played by Brian - reclining on a boat with a cigarette in hand Sweet: Sarah was also seen cuddling up to a teddy in a bizarre huge nursery featuring Kendall's name in blocks Stunner: Sarah looked radiant in a close up snap in front of rolling green hills Battling it out: The family were seen waging a war over four seasons Another shot saw the all reigning boss Logan Roy - played by Brian - reclining on a boat with a cigarette in hand, while another black and white shot was taken behind the camera in a rolling field. Nicholas posed for a selfie in front of a prop in the form of a vast mock-up black credit card featuring Kendall's face, after Jeremy's character threw a 40th birthday party adorned with pictures of his face. Sarah's character Shiv, who is the eventual victor by association thanks to Tom's victory, looked stunning in a beaming selfie. Sarah was also seen cuddling up to a teddy in a bizarre huge nursery featuring Kendall's name in blocks. Meanwhile, Justine, who plays former escort and wife of Connor Roy Willa Ferreyra, was seen kicking back in a chair in front of the trailers. Kevin then posed in front of a sensational backdrop while pulling a smouldering pose like his character Rome. Laidback: Meanwhile, Justine, who plays former escort and wife of Connor Roy Willa Ferreyra, was seen kicking back in a chair in front of the trailers Who's that? Kevin then posed in front of a sensational backdrop while pulling a smouldering pose like his character Roman Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter when the show wrapped filming, Nicholas said: 'Weve been doing it for so long it feels like: Of course well be doing more; Im sure we have a start date coming up where well be filming again... 'That isnt true. So Im kind of adjusting to the fact thats it. I feel so proud of the show and the finale. I just really feel a sense of pride and gratitude about it all.' When asked if he thought Greg had longevity in the show, he said: 'Yeah, I figured hed hang around. I kind of knew what the duty of that character is, structurally. It is to be the outsider, the beginner; lowest on the totem pole... 'So it felt like that was the arc. I didnt know where it was going to end up, but I hoped there would be something special happening that would make where he starts worthwhile for a viewer.' A vision: He shared further behind the scenes images Charlotte Dawson looked incredible in a one-shoulder sequin maxi dress as she posed for snaps by the sea in the Algarve on Wednesday. The soon to be mother-of-two opted for a one-shoulder embellished frock as she cradled her bump. Charlotte stunned as her brunette locks were tied in a top knot, whilst she opted for a bronzed glam make-up look. The former Ex On The Beach star paired her outfit with white sandals and finished the ensemble off with minimal accessorises to let the dress steal the show. The TV personality looked every inch of the glowing mum-to-be as she enjoyed a babymoon with her fiance Matthew Sarsfield, 33, and little Noah, two. Glowing: Charlotte Dawson looked incredible in a one-shoulder sequin maxi dress as she posed for snaps by the sea in the Algarve on Wednesday Soon-to-be four: The TV personality looked every inch of the glowing mother-to-be as she enjoyed a babymoon with her fiance Matthew Sarsfield, 33, and little Noah, two Charlotte showcased her babymoon with fans on Instagram as she shared snaps of their holiday. In a series of pictures she posted, Charlotte captioned: 'Last holiday as a fambo of 3, I cant believe we are going to have another little man joining our tribe so soon.. Ive been feeling so emotional/excited/nervous special memories made.' And taking to social media once more, she shared a selection of sweet family snaps from their time away. In one photo, Charlotte looked sensational in a yellow-figure hugging maxi dress as she stares down and cradles her bump adoringly. The beauty showed off her chic sense of style in the yellow number, which featured a thigh high split and paired the look with white sandals. She opened up to her fans admitting it hasn't been the easiest ride in the last few weeks as 'we've had a lot of s*** thrown at us', which she posted on Instagram. Recently Charlotte broke down in tears as she revealed 'disgusting weirdos' reported her to social services. In an Instagram video, Charlotte said that they said disgusting and disturbing things such as Noah is always injured in her care and she's always drunk around him. Stunning: Charlotte also looked sensational in a yellow-figure hugging maxi dress as she stared down and cradled her bump adoringly Support: Charlotte opened up to her fans admitting it hasn't been the easiest ride in the last few weeks as 'we've had a lot of s*** thrown at us' Stressed: Charlotte broke down in tears recently as she revealed 'disgusting weirdos' reported her to social services saying Noah, is always injured in her care She reminded her followers that last July, she got a phone call from social services, who had heard that Noah was always injured in her care. And she worries that they won't stop until Noah is taken away from her and Matt - something she said will 'never happen. Wearing a form-fitting brown belted dress, Charlotte said: 'Sorry, I've been quiet over the weekend, I needed a bit of a breather. Continuing, Charlotte said: 'My work is on here, [social media]. I don't want to come off else they will win and they will get what they want. I can't let them get what they want. They heard that she was always drunk around him, there were multiple hospital admissions and that she and Matthew were not capable of looking after him. She said: 'That was last last year, nothing has come of it.' Adding: 'This person makes accounts all the time. They mocked up Noah's name on a gravestone and say disgusting things all the time. 'They said "my mum's takeaway looks like my miscarriage" and ask why I am trying to make money out of my dad's name when I have never met him. 'They send stuff to family and friends and Matt.' Charlotte said: 'So this time around, I got another phone call on Friday from social services again saying the same thing. 'That Noah's always in hospital, always injured in my care. They are not going to stop until something drastically bad happens, Until Noah gets taken off us which is never goin to happen so stop now you absolute t**t. Breaking down, she said: 'Sorry but I am so heartbroken. I don't need the stress and they are wasting social service's valuable time when there are actual families that need their help. 'I get we will get trolled, but to go to the social services, it's just mad. I'm sick of hearing the same cr*p over and over again. She concluded: 'I need to be strong and positive. I don't wanna stress this baby out. Hopefully I will find this person and I will get them.' New Delhi, June 1 (UNI) India and Nepal on Thursday inked seven agreements and launched six cross-border projects, including for petroleum pipelines, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda held talks here, and resolved to take the bilateral ties to Himalayan heights. The six projects jointly launched by the two prime ministers were: 1. Handing over of Kurtha-Bijalpura section of railway line. 2. Inaugural run of an Indian railway cargo train from Bathnaha (India) to Nepal Customs Yard which is the newly constructed rail link under Indian grant. 3. Inauguration of Integrated Checkposts (ICPs) at Nepalgunj (Nepal) and Rupaidiha (India). 4. Ground breaking ceremony of ICPs at Bhairahawa (Nepal) and Sonauli (India). 5. Ground breaking ceremony of phase-II facilities under Motihari-Amlekhgunj Petroleum Pipeline. 6. Ground breaking ceremony of Indian portion of Gorakhpur-Bhutwal Transmission Line being built by a JV of PGCIL and NEA. The List of MoU/Agreements signed between India and Nepal are: 1. Treaty of Transit between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal 2. MoU between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal for cooperation in the field of Petroleum Infrastructure 3. MoU between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Institute of Foreign Affairs, Nepal 4. MoU between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal for the development of infrastructure at Dodhara Chandani check post along Indo-Nepal Border 5. Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project between M/S SJVN and Investment Board of Nepal 6. MoU between NHPC and VUCL, Nepal for the development of Phukot Karnali Hydroelectric Project 7. MoU between NPCIL and NCHL, Nepal for cross border payments In his remarks after holding delegation level talks with visiting Nepalese PM Dahal, PM Modi said: We will continue to work towards taking our bilateral ties to Himalayan heights. And with this sentiment in mind, we will seek to resolve all our bilateral issues, including of boundary. In his address, PM Modi recalled: I remember that nine years ago, in 2014, within three months after taking over in my first term, I travelled to Nepal for the first time. I had said that we will build such ties with Nepal that our borders should not act as our barriers. At that time I had given the hit formula for making the bilateral ties a hit of highways, e-ways and transways. Myself and PM Prachanda have taken important steps to make our partnership a superhit one, and in this context we have concluded the transit agreement. We have taken steps to open new railway routes for the people of Nepal, and along with that also arranged for inland waterways benefits. PM Modi also proposed fast-tracking work on the Ramayan circuit. India and Nepal have age-old religious and cultural ties, and PM Dahal and myself have agreed to fast forward the Ramayan circuit programmes. On the border issue, Nepalese PM Dahal said: PM Modi and I also discussed about border issues. I suggested that the border disputes should be resolved through established diplomatic mechanism. PM Prachanda also invited PM Modi to visit Nepal. He said that India is not only Nepal's closest neighbor but also its largest trading partner and added that he would soon welcome PM Modi on his visit to Nepal. Prime Minister Dahal said that there will soon be a tripartite agreement for the export of electricity to Bangladesh. PM Modi also said that India will purchase 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal over the next 10 years. An agreement was reached between both sides for the construction of two important petroleum pipelines Two petroleum pipelines-- from Siliguri in India to Jhapa, Nepal; and from Amalekhgunj in Bara to Lothar of Chitwan (both in Nepal) would be constructed for smooth supply of petroleum products. A storage would be constructed in Jhapa. The Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam of India is to construct the Lower Arun Hydropower Project in Nepal, for which a bilateral agreement was inked today. The company has also been undertaking the construction of the Arun-III Hydropower Project. UNI RN ITV may be reeling from the fallout of Phillip Schofield's affair with a much younger colleague - but it is 'Brand Schofield' itself that has taken the biggest hit. As one of Britain's most famous and respected TV presenters, the 61-year-old racked up a series of lucrative advertising deals with the likes of Boots and We Buy Any Car - as well as several charity patronages. Schofield was reportedly paid 730,000 per year for This Morning, plus 200,000 per series of Dancing on Ice. Adding in the profits from his corporate gigs he brought in an estimated 1.73million a year. This was supplemented by other income including his biography, Life's What You Make It, which was released last year. The book became an instant bestseller, netting him a tidy reported sum of 1.45million. However, Schofield's admission that he lied about an affair with a This Morning runner has led to many of his partners reappraising their relationship with the veteran broadcaster. Below, MailOnline appraises the current state of Brand Schofield. Boots homeware and deli range Boots partnered with Schofield for its Christmas range last year but has now removed all mentions of the present from its website. The 61-year-old launched a selection of homeware and deli items with the Nottingham-based retailer, including an olive oil and balsamic vinegar set. But Boots stopped working with Schofield earlier this year and yesterday removed any mention of his products from his website. Schofield launched a selection of homeware and deli items with Boots, including an olive oil and balsamic vinegar set A spokesman said: 'We have already planned the majority of our Christmas range for 2023 and it does not include the Phillip Schofield food range. 'This decision was made at the beginning of the year.' Searches for Phillip Schofield on the Boots website now produce an error message. However, links to some items still show on Google. Searches for Phillip Schofield on the Boots website now produce an error message When in Rome wines Schofield's eponymous wine brand was pulled from sale within hours of the company he linked up with being asked about the issue. When In Rome Wine said their association with the presenter had come to a 'natural end'. However, they were still selling the wine through their website after the scandal broke, and it was only after they received media questions that Schofield's wines disappeared on Tuesday night. Schofield's wine label, which sold two premium Italian wines, launched in 2020 When in Rome joined forces with the former This Morning presenter in 2020 to launch two new boxed wines. Pictured is one of the adverts he featured in READ MORE - This Morning sponsor Arnold Clark 'won't renew' deal Advertisement When In Rome Wine issued a statement to the media yesterday, which read: 'We have worked with Phillip Schofield on his range of Italian craft wines for three years and this collaboration has drawn to a natural conclusion. There are no further plans to continue filling the Schofield range for future orders.' One industry insider told MailOnline that the timing of the 'natural' end of the relationship has raised eyebrows in the wine merchant business. They said: 'It's bizarre that it would be on sale in recent weeks, and in fact right up until the day before the press inquiry, and now seems to have come to a natural conclusion. 'But there's no doubt it would have happened sooner or later as Schofield as a brand is now toxic. To use an industry term, it's corked.' When in Rome's website now says 'there are no products in this collection' when you search Schofield's name When in Rome joined forces with the former This Morning presenter in 2020 to launch two new boxed wines, sold through their website as well as shopping giants Waitrose and Amazon. When in Rome chief executive and co-founder, Rob Malin, proudly said at the time: 'Having someone like Phillip on board to support the box wine category, demonstrates the size of the opportunity we have in the market to educate consumers that there is another way to enjoy high quality wine that doesn't have to be bought in a bottle.' We Buy Any Car We Buy Any Car included Schofield in its campaigns for nearly six years and encouraged shoppers to be 'more like Phil', with the TV personality reportedly paid 1 million per year to front the ads. He appeared in countless tongue-in-cheek WeBuyAnyCar ads, which often portrayed him as 'the most loved man in Britain'. But the firm allowed his contract to lapse last autumn when he and his co-host Holly Willoughby came under fire for queue-jumping while the Queen was lying-in-state. We Buy Any Car included Schofield in its campaigns for nearly six years and encouraged shoppers to be 'more like Phil'. He was reportedly paid 1million per year to front the ads READ MORE - Phillip Schofield breaks cover as ITV calls in barrister over affair Advertisement YouTube ads featuring the presenter have now been wiped. We Buy Any Car declined MailOnline's request for comment yesterday. It is unclear what specifically prompted the firm to now remove the adverts - months after the partnership with Schofield ended. Several of the campaign videos are still available for viewing on other channels on YouTube. We Buy Any Car, which purchases second hand vehicles for cash, was among several brand's teased in the wake of the scandal, with memes changing their branding to We Jump Any Queue shared widely on social media. WeBuyAnyCar dropped Mr Schofield from its advertising campaigns in October last year. He is pictured here in one of its adverts A spokesman told MailOnline at the time: 'WeBuyAnyCar and Phillip Schofield agreed earlier this year that the WeBuyAnyCar/Phillip Schofield campaign would come to an end in 2022, having worked together for over five years. 'The decision was made prior to any recent stories regarding Phillip.' Prince's Trust The Prince's Trust, a charity set up by King Charles back in 1976 to help support disadvantage people under 30, removed Schofield as an ambassador earlier as it was 'no longer appropriate to work together'. The King's charity, which has a number of celebrity partners including Fearne Cotton, Idris Elba and Gareth Southgate, has also taken steps to distance itself from Schofield. References to the Prince's Trust have since been cut from Schofield's own website. Schofield has also been removed as an ambassador from the Prince's Trust website. He's seen with King Charles at an event for the charity in 2019 The charity said it was 'no longer appropriate' to work with Schofield and he does not appear on its list of patrons READ MORE - Phil puts London 'love nest' on the market Advertisement It previously read: 'Outside of work, Phillip is an Ambassador for the charity The Prince's Trust, dedicating time to further the work of supporting vulnerable young people in the UK.' The page which details information 'about' the presenter is currently unavailable due to a website 'error'. Yesterday there were still photographs of Schofield laughing with the Monarch alongside Ms Cotton at a previous event, the Mirror reported. A Prince's Trust spokesperson, however, confirmed last night that Schofield would no longer work with the charity. They said: 'In light of Phillip's recent admissions, we have agreed with him that it is no longer appropriate to work together.' Shooting Star Hospice Surrey-based children's charity Shooting Star has also ended its relationship with Schofield after he spent more than 20 years as a patron. The charity sought to distance its decision to drop Schofield from recent controversies, with a spokesman saying: 'Phillip Schofield has not been an active patron since 2019 and therefore his patronage was formally ended earlier this year. 'The decision to stand down Phillip was part of our review of some of our longer-term inactive relationships.' Schofield used to host an annual clay pigeon shoot in support of the charity and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds while doing so Shooting Star Children's Hospice has ended its relationship with Schofield after he spent more than 20 years as a patron Schofield was listed on Shooting Star Children's Hospices' website as a patron most recently as of April 2. READ MORE - Kerry Katona breaks down in tears as she accuses Schofield of 'belittling' her in 2008 interview Advertisement But he was removed by the next update on May 8, according to internet archive site Wayback Machine - just days before his apparent feud with This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby emerged and a month after his brother, Timothy, was convicted for a string of child sex offences. Schofield used to host an annual clay pigeon shoot in support of the charity and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds while doing so. After the 2016 event, Shooting Star posted on its Facebook page to thank Schofield and described the presenter as an 'awesome patron'. In the post, Schofield was quoted as saying: 'I've known the charity for so long I remember having the plans for one of the hospices on my kitchen table. 'And if you visit, you realise it's not a place of sadness - it's a place of joy and celebration, and a place of happiness for families in those final hours, days, or months. 'It's awful to think anyone has to step through those doors but I'm so grateful the angels that work at Shooting Star Chase are on the other side. 'The charity does an utterly incredible job and that's why I'm proud to be involved.' Royal Voluntary Service The Royal Voluntary Service became the third major charity to distance itself from Schofield after a partnership of more than a decade. The organisation has also removed a statement from its website which thanked him for his support on 'several campaigns'. This includes Sing Your Heart Out, a fundraising initiative to raise money for vulnerable older people. The Royal Voluntary Service has become the third charity to distance itself from Schofield. He's pictured taking part in a fundraising campaign A spokesperson told the magazine Third Sector: 'Philip Schofield hasn't been a very active ambassador to date and we don't have any plans scheduled to work with him in the future.' Prior to yesterday evening the RVS featured a prominent photo of Schofield on its website alongside a section of text praising his work. It said: 'Phillip has been an ambassador for Royal Voluntary Service since 2011 when he supported us in ITV's Text Santa campaign, visiting services across Britain. 'He has since supported us on several campaigns, including Diamond Champions - a campaign to recognise the incredible contribution of Britain's older volunteers.' There was also a quote from Schofield, which read: 'I am very pleased to support the Royal Voluntary Service. The work of the charity makes a real difference to the lives of older people in this country.' It was revealed on Wednesday that Kim Cattrall will make a shock return as Sex And The City's Samantha Jones for the second season of spin-off And Just Like That... - despite her explosive feud with star Sarah Jessica Parker. Kim, 66, will return for only one 'cliffhanger', which she shot on March 22 in NYC, without seeing or speaking with stars SJP, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. The scene was also shot without AJLT showrunner Michael Patrick King. In the scene, Samantha, who has moved to London, will have a phone conversation with Parker's Carrie Bradshaw - in a move that will no doubt stun fans. Their feud has long been documented, with Sarah remaining coy and defiant while Kin has lashed out in a spectacular fashion. Now, after public swipes, pay discrepancies and nasty digs, we take a look at the spat between Kim and Sarah Jessica... Fight? It was revealed on Wednesday that Kim Cattrall will make a shock return as Sex And The City's Samantha Jones for the second season of spin-off And Just Like That - despite her explosive feud with star Sarah Jessica Parker (the duo pictured in 2009) Anger: Their feud has long been documented, with Sarah remaining coy and defiant while Kin has lashed out in a spectacular fashion What pay discrepancy? COLD HARD CASH It was long reported that, Sarah earned a much larger salary than her costars during her time in the show - which eventually led to it going off the air in 2004. In a 2004 interview about the pay-difference: 'I felt after six years, it was time for all of us to participate in the financial windfall of Sex and the City... 'When they didnt seem keen on that, I thought it was time to move on.' Four years after the series finished, it was reported that Kim was furious over Sarah Jessica' executive producer title in the second season, which increased her salary to $300,000. When she learnt this, Kim is said to have tried to negotiate a higher salary - which was met with extreme anger as it was claimed the other stars 'wouldnt even sit with her at meal times. It was also flagged that in 2004, Kim didn't sit with the other actresses at the Emmys - to which she said: 'Are we the best of friends? No. We're professional actresses. We have our own separate lives.' On their friendship, Kim said to Piers Morgan: We've never been friends - we've been colleagues. And in some ways that's a very healthy place to be, as you have a clear line between your professional life, and your personal, too'. Confirmed! Season 2 of And Just Like That... will return June 22 on HBO Max She's back! Kim's public swipes at Sarah Jessica have been numerous, yet an unexpected reaction came after the tragic death of her brother Chris SCRAPS AND THE CITY: HOW DID KIM AND SARAH'S FEUD BEGIN? May 2008: SJP defended Kim when she was asked whether she supported her decision to delay the filming of the first SATC movie due to salary disputes December 2009: Kim and Cynthia Nixon attend SJP's premier for Did You Hear About The Morgans? in a show of support and SJP tells Elle that she wouldn't have done the SATC film without Kim January 2010: In an interview with the Mail, Kim expressed her exasperation over the never-ending feud rumours saying 'People don't want to believe that we get on' May 2010: Kim admits that 'sometimes feelings get hurt' during grueling filming hours due to the amount of time the women spent together August 2016: SJP wishes Kim a happy 60th birthday and addresses her as her 'old friend' October 2016: Kim once again defends feud rumours but admits not every day working together is easy or perfect September 2017: SJP confirmed a third SATC movie... and then announced it was happening Willie Garson, who played Carrie's BFF Stan tweeted, 'Disappointed for all crew holding on for negotiations to conclude for their jobs, and of course, for the fans. Leave it at that. #Truth.' October 2017: Kim Tells Piers Morgan that SJP 'could have been nicer' about the SATC 3 demise February 2018: Kim blasts 'cruel' SJP and says she is not a friend nor family to her Advertisement 'When will that Sarah Jessica Parker . . . leave you alone?' KIM'S BROTHER'S DEATH Kim's public swipes at Sarah Jessica have been numerous, yet an unexpected reaction came after the tragic death of her brother Chris. In February 2018, Chris, 55, went missing when he left the house unlocked without his phone and wallet, after which Kim issued a plea for information. With a heavy heart she then confirmed that he was found dead near his home in Alberta, Canada. Further details were not given, yet it was revealed that police 'had no reason to believe there was anything suspicious involved in his death.' Shortly his death, Kim took to Instagram to thank both her fans and her Sex and the City colleagues for support before hitting out at Sarah. Following her thank yous, four days later, Kim shared an image with words reading: 'You are not my family. You are not my friend. So I'm writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your 'nice girl' persona.' She added a caption on the shot directed at Sarah, reading: 'My Mom asked me today 'When will that, that hypocrite, leave you alone?' Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now... 'Let me make this VERY clear. (If I haven't already) You are not my family. You are not my friend. So I'm writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your 'nice girl' persona.' 'It's a no from me': KIM'S VOW TO SHUN AND JUST LIKE THAT... In 2019, whispers began surrounding And Just Like That, with the presence of Samantha causing widespread whispers, before it was announced that Kim was refusing to get on-board amid unrest behind-the-scenes. The first season of the new incarnation of the show, renamed And Just Like That, ran for ten episodes on HBO in 2021 and the new series is returning soon. Back in 2019, the network's chief content officer, Casey Bloys, reflected on Samantha's exit, saying: 'Just as in real life, people come into your life, people leave. Friendships fade and new friendships start.' It's a no for me: Explaining why she would not return, Kim said in 2019: 'It's a "no" from me. You learn lessons in life and my lesson is to do work with good people and try and make it fun Explaining why she would not return, Kim said in 2019: 'It's a "no" from me. You learn lessons in life and my lesson is to do work with good people and try and make it fun.' Even SJP has claimed she does not want Kim back - when asked by Variety in a 2022 interview if she would be 'OK' if Kim was able to come back to the show if some 'miracle were to happen,' after their very public feud exploded back in 2018. Parker responded: 'I don't think I would, because I think there's just too much public history of feelings on her part that she's shared. I haven't participated in or read articles, although people are inclined to let me know.' 'We didn't go to Kim for this, you know,' Parker said. 'After we didn't do the movie and the studio couldn't meet what she wanted to do, we have to hear her and listen to her and what was important to her.' 'It didn't fit into what was important or needed for us. There's a very distinct line between Samantha and Kim,' Parker continued. Anthony Cincotta has welcomed his first child, a baby boy, with partner Kate. The Married At First Sight star shared the glorious news to Instagram on Thursday evening, alongside a carousel of intimate family images. In the first image, the adorable newborn is seen sleeping, rugged up in a green blanket and matching beanie. Another image shows Anthony kissing Kate, as their bundle of joy lies atop his mother. In a third snap, Kate poses with the little one in her hospital bed, while a fourth image sees Anthony's muscle arms outstretched against the newborn. Anthony Cincotta has welcomed his first child, a baby boy, with partner Kate. Both pictured In the first image, the adorable newborn is seen sleeping, rugged up in a green blanket and matching beanie 'Welcome to the world Milan Michael Anthony Cincotta or Milo as he is affectionately known,' Anthony wrote beside the gallery of snaps. 'Mum and bubba are doing fantastic and we as a family couldn't be anymore in love. 'He has a beautiful mum, a loving sister and a very proud dad ready to take him through his journey. 'Thank you to all the staff at St John of God for their amazing work.' Anthony concluded his post with a sign of things to come. 'PS. This is a warning of future baby spam coming through,' he added. Another image shows Anthony kissing Kate, as their bundle of joy lies atop his mother In a third snap, Kate poses with the little one in her hospital bed A fourth image sees Anthony's muscle arms outstretched against the newborn The reality TV star's post was quickly inundated with well wishes from MAFS co stars. 'Congrats big man. Hes perfect,' wrote Brent Vitiello. 'Omg congrats guys! He is divine. Sending your whole family so much love!,' added Olivia Frazer. 'Welcome to the world little man! Congratulations to you and your gorgeous family,' wrote Domenica Calarco. 'This makes me so happy, congratulations guys. Love you both cant wait to meet the little cutie,' added Kate Laidlaw. Daniel Holmes, Steve Burley, Bryce Ruthven, Tamara Djordjevic and his MAFS wife Selin Mengu also joined the chorus. 'Welcome to the world Milan Michael Anthony Cincotta or Milo as he is affectionately known,' Anthony began beside the gallery of snaps The reality TV star's post was quickly inundated with well wishes from MAFS co stars Anthony revealed the couple were expecting their first child back in December. 'So Kate and I went to Italy a few months back just the two of us and came back as three (I blame the city of romance, Venice),' he wrote at the time. The couple is pictured with Anthony's daughter Gabriella Anthony revealed the couple were expecting their first child back in December. 'So Kate and I went to Italy a few months back just the two of us and came back as three (I blame the city of romance, Venice),' he wrote at the time. 'Pretty sure the travel agent wasn't planning on that, cos we certainly weren't. 'Gotta say this year has been a whirlwind but we keep falling more in love and now our little family is getting bigger. 'Gabby is going to be an amazing big sister and Kate is going to be a wonderful mum, this little boy will be spoilt, can't wait to meet you, mate.' Anthony debuted his relationship with Kate last year when the couple posed for photographs at the Bigger Dreams Foundation HEARTS4ARTS Event in Melbourne. The couple began dating shortly after his 'marriage' to Selin fell apart on Married At First Sight. Holly Willoughby is spending half term more than a thousand miles away from the This Morning drama as she holidays with family in Portugal, it has been revealed. The ITV star has been pictured out for dinner with her parents Linda and Brian, sister Kelly, and three children near to her 8million Algarve villa. An onlooker said Willoughby, 42, appeared to be trying to stay under the radar, wearing a hat and sunglasses. 'The area is a holiday hotspot for Brits, so she is probably worried about being asked about the This Morning scandal,' they told The Sun. 'At one point, Holly spoke at length to a waiter who it seemed like she knew personally. 'She seemed to be having a great time - unlike her old pal Phillip.' Holly Willoughby is spending half term more than a thousand miles away from the This Morning drama as she holidays with family in Portugal, it has been revealed (Pictured: Holly on a previous trip) Holly Willoughby has been spotted on holiday in Portugal. She is pictured with Phillip Schofield on this Morning earlier this month Schofield was seen today in London for the first time since quitting ITV and This Morning Willoughby is believed to have spent the week in the 23C sun as the Phillip Schofield scandal deepens. Just yesterday a former ITV director said Holly will have to leave This Morning amid the scandal over Phillip Schofield because she is now 'damaged goods'. Willoughby is due to return to This Morning next Monday following the half-term break, having taken the early holiday when news of Schofield's departure emerged. Former ITV commercial director Ian McCulloch said although it appears she is 'clinging on', producers now need to make a clean break and 'move the show on'. Mr McCulloch, who left ITV in 2007 after 27 years with the broadcaster, told GB News today: 'I do absolutely agree that none of the on-screen talent, well, those two, they cannot be associated with the show. She's damaged goods. The ITV star has been pictured out for dinner with her parents Linda and Brian (pictured together), sister Kelly, and three children near to her 8million Algarve villa. Holly has often spent time with her mother Linda while taking a break from her life on TV Holly has often posted photographs of herself and her mother to social media site Instagram She has even mimicked her mother's dress sense. For her 40th birthday (right) Holly wore a dark floral dress that her mother wore when she was younger (left) Holly has even attended red carpet events with her mother. Pictured: Holly and Linda at the 2102 Pride of Britain Awards in London Family: Holly is pictured with Terry in a beaming snap, which she previously shared to Instagram 'They need a fresh start. I'm not sure that the talent that they've got, sort of running through at the minute, is the right talent. But I think the show is a good show, but you certainly can't have those two. It comes after former presenter Eamonn Holmes predicted that Willoughby, 42, will not return to the sofa on ITV's daytime show following Schofield's bombshell exit. Schofield, 61, resigned from ITV on Friday and was dropped by his agency YMU after admitting to an 'unwise, but not illegal' affair with a younger male colleague. Willoughby has been silent since putting out an Instagram statement on Saturday which said it had 'taken time to process yesterday's news' following Schofield's statement, adding: '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.' She is due to return to This Morning next Monday following the half-term break, but former presenter Eamonn Holmes predicted she will not return to the sofa following Schofield's bombshell exit. Former ITV commercial director Ian McCulloch also said although it appears she is 'clinging on', producers now need to make a clean break and 'move the show on'. Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on the sofa of ITV's This Morning earlier this month On Saturday, Willoughby wrote on Instagram that it had 'taken time to process yesterday's news' following Schofield's statement Schofield was also today seen for the first time since he quit ITV nearly a week ago. The former This Morning presenter was photographed being driven in London while sitting in the back seat of a car next to a woman believed to be his daughter Ruby. The presenter was spotted as it was revealed Willoughby may be grilled by a top barrister over the scandal - and the show's past and present presenting teams may also be quizzed about what they knew about his affair. Alison Hammond, Dermot O'Leary, Eamonn Holmes, Ruth Langsford and Dr Ranj Singh may all be asked to give statements to employment lawyer Jane Mulcahy KC. An ITV spokesman told MailOnline: 'We would expect the KC to be able to ask to talk to anyone she considers relevant in order to conduct the review'. In a humiliating climbdown after a crisis staff meeting, the broadcaster said it was bringing in a barrister to 'carry out an external review to establish the facts'. Since Schofield's resignation, the show has been plagued by allegations of 'toxicity' - which has also impacted Willoughby's standing. Producers have also faced guests turning down offers to appear on This Morning - and its biggest sponsor, car dealer Arnold Clark, has confirmed it will not be renewing an existing multi-million-pound deal with the channel in autumn. Yet Holly Willoughby is determined to fight to keep her spot on This Morning's sofa and hopes to 'ride out' the ongoing scandal surrounding Phillip Schofield that has plunged ITV into a crisis, a source has claimed. It comes amid fears that the programme will lose more of its advertisers as one insider said 'brands do not feel ITV is a safe bet at the moment'. Since Schofield dramatically left the programme earlier this month, photos of the long-time host have been removed from ITV studios in White City. A large framed picture of Schofield which hung in TV Centre in London where the show is filmed was also removed. All photos of Schofield are said to have been stripped out of the ITV studios following the star's statement on Friday where he confessed that he lied to his employer ITV, to his colleagues, his friends and his agents at the management firm YMU about his relationship with the younger man. READ MORE ITV bosses to face grilling by MPs next week over Phillip Schofield affair scandal as broadcaster faces questions about who knew what and when Advertisement Some have called for the mid-morning show to be cancelled all together, with the editor who launched it 36 years ago calling for it to 'die with dignity' yesterday evening. Dianne Nelmes said the show had become 'tired' and was now 'shipwrecked on scandal'. She added: 'The situation is very sad. Whatever has gone on, Phillip has been a stalwart presenter of the show. 'I dont think that Holly can hold this show on her own, not even with Alison Hammond which is said to be the favoured outcome. I dont think Holly can handle it. Phil will be missed.' As the scandal pushed into its third week, former This Morning star Dr Ranj slammed the 'toxic' culture at the ITV daytime show as the scandal at the programme continues into its third week. The TV doctor, who left the show last year, claimed he was 'managed out' after taking his concerns to 'the top' of ITV, raising even more questions for bosses about whether they knew and when. Dr Ranj - who is now the resident doctor on the BBC's Morning Live - said he thought 'long and hard' before weighing in on the scandal currently engulfing ITV but decided to speak out 'in light of recent events'. And last night, sources told the Mail that the former production assistant insists 'he was never asked' about the romance with the former TV host, while another ITV insider said: 'Everybody just knew about it'. He wrote on Instagram: 'I was on the show for 10 years and I genuinely loved and valued working there. However over time I grew increasingly worried about how things were behind-the-scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated. 'I didn't know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know the issues with TM go far beyond him. It takes more than one person to create a culture.' ITV said it was 'sorry' to read Dr Ranj's post, adding that its 'fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have'. It's statement continued: 'Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent advisor to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.' The travel chaos that preceded her romantic honeymoon trip to Panama appeared to be forgotten as bikini-clad Sophie Habboo unwound on Thursday. The Made In Chelsea cast-member is currently relaxing in the Central and South American country with husband Jamie Laing, little more than a week after exchanging vows with her co-star in Spain. But while the couple were forced to visit four different countries and lost Jamie's luggage during a nightmare journey, the fiasco was clearly behind them as they updated followers on Instagram. Taking to the social media platform, Sophie, 29, showed off her slender physique in a geometric print bikini as she made the most of Panama's soaring 27 degree weather. The TV personality completed the look with a pair of high-slung denim shorts while encouraging Jamie, 34, to take pictures of her outside their lavish honeymoon villa. Don't mind me: The travel chaos that preceded her romantic honeymoon trip to Panama appeared to be forgotten as bikini-clad Sophie Habboo unwound on Thursday Good times: The Made In Chelsea cast-member is currently relaxing in the Central and South American country with husband Jamie Laing, little more than a week after exchanging vows While her husband confirmed his luggage has now been located by airline staff, he was dealt another blow by learning the case has been sent back to London - more than 5000 miles away. Consequently, Jamie has been forced to wear his boxers around the pool and borrow a 'very kind' staff member's clothes for dinner. Teasing her new husband, Sophie took to her Instagram Stories to document his ordeal on Thursday. In one video, Sophie films Jamie lounging by the pool in a pair of black boxers as he attempts to open coconuts for the couple. After his attempts fail, Jamie is then forced to leave their luxury villa and make his way down to reception for help. But unfortunately for him, Jamie is left with no choice but to depart in his underwear, leaving newlywed Sophie particularly amused. Later in the day, Jamie took to his Story to tell his fans about the latest saga with his lost luggage. He explained: 'Update on the luggage, good news and bad news. Good news - apparently they found the luggage, apparently. Bad news is that they've sent the luggage back to London. Fun for some: The Made In Chelsea stars had a nightmare start to their trip as Jamie's luggage got lost while jetting across countries in a bid to make it to South America Worth the wait: Jamie and Sophie finally arrived on their romantic honeymoon on Tuesday 'So apparently they found the luggage which I actually don't think is true, but it's back in London. We're in Panama so what the hell is the point in that? If one more person tells me to pivot or I should have put clothes in Sophie's bag. We 'know, get an Air Tag!' The couple arrived at their honeymoon suite on Tuesday after a nightmare start to their trip that saw travel to four different countries in 24 hours due to flight cancellations. En route to Panama the previous day, he told followers: 'Finally on flight two back to the UK from Amsterdam. This one was delayed 2.5 hours.' The TV personality shared a snap of Sophie looking at her phone while sat in the window seat of their plane as they jetted off on their third flight of the day to Columbia. He later added that he thought they were 'being pranked' as they also had no idea where in the world their luggage had found itself. Making fun: Jamie has been forced to wear his boxers around the pool while waiting for his lost luggage to be delivered after a nightmare journey to Panama resulted in his belongings being shipped back to the UK Jamie continued: 'We're now put on different flights to Columbia and our luggage is still in Amsterdam... I think we're being pranked....' Once landing in Columbia in the very early hours of the morning, the Made In Chelsea star shared a video as the couples 'journey continued'. He said laughing: 'A little update for anyone who cares. We have arrived in Bogota in Columbia it's 3:15am. 'We now have to change flights and go to Panama and then change again to get to the other place. 'We don't even know if our luggage is with us because we think it's still in Amsterdam. The journey continues.' Olivia Bowen was forced to spend the day in hospital after an accident. The Love Island star, 29, took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal she'd headed straight from her friend's hen do in Marbella to the hospital in order to get an X-ray on her wrist. After sharing a snap in the waiting room she gave fans an update four hours later, revealing she'd broken her wrist. Alongside a picture of her cast in a sling, she penned: 'Gutted doesn't cover it.' Later in the day she revealed she was being comforted by son Abel, 12 months, sharing a selfie of the pair having a cuddle. Ouch: Love Island's Olivia Bowen revealed she had to rush straight to the hospital on Thursday after getting back from her Marbella holiday after having a nasty accident Ouch: After sharing a snap in the waiting room she gave fans an update four hours later, revealing she'd broken her wrist While Olivia did not reveal how she sustained the injury, pictures from her trip to Marbella earlier in the week showed her wearing a wrist guard. MailOnline has contacted Olivia's representatives for comment. The injury will have come as a blow to Olivia who had been preparing to take part in a horse race. She revealed with fans last month that had 'a wobble' during training, writing: 'I cried to a couple members of the team & to my trainer on the phone. What am I doing? Am I mad for this? 'I just felt like I couldnt do it, the anxiety that morning was crippling, especially for someone who suffers with such confidence issues.' However, she was determined to get back in the saddle, revealing: 'I got back on, big girl knickers ON & remembering why Im doing this! 'Look were trying to prove that anything is possible as a woman if you give her the tools. So Im picking the tools back up & I am doing this, no matter how scared I am or how hard it gets. I know Ill miss it all when its over!' Olivia had recently taken some time out of training to enjoy a family holiday to Barbados last month. Oh dear: The star, 29, took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal she'd headed straight from her friend's hen do in Marbella to the hospital in order to get an X-ray on her wrist Sweet: Later in the day she revealed she was being comforted by son Abel, 12 months, sharing a selfie of the pair having a cuddle Bad timing: The injury will have come as a blow to Olivia who had been preparing to take part in a horse race The reality star and her husband Alex Bowen had enjoyed a sun soaked getaway alongside their son Abel. Olivia and Alex, formerly a sales executive and scaffolder respectively, soared to fame in 2016 when they appeared on ITV2's Love Island, where she was an original star and he was a late but popular entrant. After leaving the villa, their romance soon when from strength to strength and Alex popped the question in New York in 2016. The couple then tied the knot in a luxurious Essex ceremony two years after meeting on Love Island during the show's second series. Montana Brown displayed her growing bump as she stunned in a orange bikini during her babymoon, whilst practicing hypnobirthing in Marbella on Wednesday. The former Love Island star, 27, is expecting her first child, a baby boy, with fiance Mark O'Connor in a matter of weeks. The TV personality praised hypnobirthing for making her pregnancy journey a positive and mindfulness experience, in a video she shared on Instagram. The mother-to-be looked sensational as she sat peacefully cradling her bump in the shade while executing the birthing technique. In the video the star looked very relaxed as she can be seen rubbing her tummy while looking beautifully bare faced. Calm: Montana Brown displayed her growing bump as she stunned in a orange bikini for a babymoon, whilst practicing hypnobirthing in Marbella on Instagram on Wednesday She captioned the post: 'Mindfulness wins especially in new @swimsociety thank goodness for hypnobirthing its been such a positive and empowering experience.' Montana she shared a behind the scenes sneak peek of her latest swimwear shoot in her latest social media post as she teased fans of the bikini range. She teased the swimwear launch to her 1.2 million followers, revealing she was 'wearing the brand new collection, launching 08.06.23'. The stunner also looked sensational as she shared more pictures on social media of her holiday away. The TV personality looked sensational as she stretched out on a lounger by the pool in the idyllic Spanish setting. Montana styled her brunette tresses in a messy bun and showcased her natural beauty with a makeup-free look. The reality TV personality announced Mark had proposed to her during her exotic babymoon in April. The pair are now inseparable, having got engaged on a sun-soaked trip to Bermuda last year. Relax: The mother-to-be looked sensational as she sat peacefully cradling her bump in the shade while executing the birthing technique Ready to pop: The TV personality praised hypnobirthing for making her pregnancy journey a positive and mindfulness experience, in a video she shared on Instagram She has just returned from a dazzling appearance at Cannes. And Rebel Wilson was bringing the designer glam over to the UK on Thursday afternoon as she stepped out in London in a designer ensemble. The Pitch Perfect star, 43, looked sensational in an outfit which rang in at over 20k - and was casual in style but pricey in substance. The outfit comprised a Hermes Birkin 25cm Bleu Navy Swift, which costs 19,000, Gucci's women's maxi GG Gucci Jordaan loafer costing 620 and Burberry's Monogram Wool Silk Blend Oversized Cardigan, ringing in at 1,050. Having slimmed down her frame in recent years, she was showing off her svelte frame in light wash jeans and the stylish cardigan. Strutting her stuff: Rebel Wilson was bringing the designer glam over to the UK on Thursday afternoon as she stepped out in London in a designer ensemble Splashing out: She wore Gucci's women's maxi GG Gucci Jordaan loafer - costing 620 Bling bling: Rebel held onto a Hermes Birkin 25cm Bleu Navy Swift, which costs 19,000 Pared-back: The Pitch Perfect star, 43, looked sensational in an outfit which rang in at over 20k - and was casual in style but pricey in substance During her trip to Cannes, Rebel was joined by her Lemon Ve Limon founder fiancee Ramona Agruma, 42, in the midst of the 76th Cannes Film Festival. The lovebirds were initially introduced to one another by a mutual friend in late 2021. Rebel previously spoke to People and recalled how the couple had made an effort to establish a genuine connection prior to their first date. The pair had already been dating for several months before the Australian actress announced the relationship and came out of the closet. 'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince... but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess,' Rebel wrote on social media at the time. She announced the couple's engagement in February, posting photos to Instagram of the precious moment she proposed at Disneyland. Here she is: Having slimmed down her frame in recent years, she was showing off her svelte frame in light wash jeans and the stylish cardigan Blonde beauty: She wore her bleach blonde tresses scraped back with a loose fringe around her face The sweet snaps showed her getting down on one knee with a Tiffany & Co. ring for her future wife. Months later, Rebel surprised fans when she announced the birth of her daughter Royce Lillian, born via a surrogate. The outing comes after Rebel and Ramona celebrated their first Mothers Day sharing never before seen photos of their baby daughter. Despite being one of Hollywoods most recognised actresses, the Aussie star let her followers know she is just like everybody else and captioned the sweet pic of Royce in pink: 'Happy Mothers Day! (Just woke up at 5:30am and changed a big (poo emoji how about you?)' A jean-ius idea: She was looked trendy and chic in the ensemble Chariya Khattiyot has been named MasterChef Champion, making her the 19th amateur cook to claim the coveted title on BBC One's prestigious cooking competition. After seeing off 44 other ambitious contestants, Chariya triumphed against the exceptional remaining finalists, Anurag Aggarwal and Omar Foster, during Thursday evening's show. Chariya, 40, a master coffee roaster before taking part in the show, was subsequently awarded the revered MasterChef trophy by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Reacting to her win, she said: 'This is unbelievable. It means the world, the sun, the moon and everything to me. I don't think anything can top this. I'm so happy! 'This just proves that if you dream something and you work really hard and you never give up, you can get it. That's what my grandad said to me never give up. He would be so proud of me!' Well done: Chariya Khattiyot has been named MasterChef Champion, making her the 19th amateur cook to claim the coveted title on BBC One's prestigious cooking competition Emotional: Reacting to her win, Chariya broke down in floods of tears as she became overwhelmed by her incredible achievement All yours: Chariya, 40, a master coffee roaster before taking part in the show, was awarded the revered MasterChef trophy by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace On the very emotional night, both judges also shed a tear as they announced this year's winner, with Chariya sweetly apologising as they all became overcome with emotion. Torode said: 'Chariya's food has always been honest and from the heart. It's always exciting, it's always unusual and it's always been beautiful and addictive. 'And not just punchy, exciting Thai flavours that we saw at the start, but also exceptional, innovative and exciting technique all the way through. A proper master.' Co-host Wallace added: 'Chariya is outstanding and one of the best MasterChef contestants I can remember. Chariya has delighted and amazed me in equal measure. 'Some of her creations are absolutely beautiful - almost with an artist's touch. She is one of the most creative, skilful cooks I've seen on MasterChef for a long, long time.' Delighted viewers were quick to take to Twitter to gush over her victory, with some admitting they were reduced to tears, while others called it the best final in years. One person wrote: 'What an amazing series this has been. What a worthy winner Chariya was. Her food was top notch all the way through.' Another said: 'That has got to be the best #MasterChef final in years. All three were brilliant.' Streets ahead: After seeing off 44 other ambitious contestants, Chariya triumphed against the exceptional remaining finalists, Anurag Aggarwal and Omar Foster Thrilled: Delighted viewers were quick to take to Twitter to gush over her victory, with some admitting they were reduced to tears, while others called it the best final in years Emotional: Reacting to her win, she said: 'This is unbelievable. It means the world, the sun, the moon and everything to me. I don't think anything can top this. I'm so happy' Happy: Chariya couldn't have been happier as she was the 19th amateur star to be handed the revered trophy Overcome: On the very emotional night, both Wallace and Torode also shed a tear as they announced Chariya as this year's winner A third penned: 'Why am I crying with happiness about a cooking competition,' while a fourth tweeted: 'Fantastic result. Well done Chariya! Book me into your restaurant along with Monica please.' Another added: 'Absolutely cannot describe what a fab series Masterchef has been. 'Congrats to Chariya obviously (incredible) but seriously, all three finalists were worthy of a trophy. So, fly free Omar and Anuurag too.' While someone else gushed: 'Probably the greatest EVER winner of Masterchef.' Speaking ahead of the last cook-off, Chariya said: 'From a little girl who cooked in a kitchen with no walls, to lift that trophy is going to be the story I can tell to inspire a lot of girls who have a hard life. If you work really hard, I'm sure you can achieve something.' 'You really want to succeed in something, you set a goal and you go for it, that's what my granddad told me,' she added. Thursday's episode saw the final three take on the most intense challenge of the competition - cooking the best three-course meal of their lives. Chariya's winning menu started with a Thai Lotus Tuille, filled with Coconut Jelly, Fried King Prawns, Pomelo Fruit Salad, flavoured with Honey, Palm Sugar and Coconut. On tasting it, an impressed Wallace said: 'That's fabulous. That's a delicate little morsel, packing a very big punch.' Supportive: Though they missed out on the trophy, her fellow finalists Anurag and Omar appeared thrilled for her and embraced her as she won Tasty: Chariya's winning menu started with a Thai Lotus Tuille, filled with Coconut Jelly, Fried King Prawns, Pomelo Fruit Salad, flavoured with Honey, Palm Sugar and Coconut Ten out of ten: For her main course, Chariya served a traditional Northern Thai 'Khantoke' Sharing Platter of Wagyu Sirloin Steak in Hung Lay Curry Sauce, Minced Lamb in a Spicy Tomato and Shrimp Paste, Jackfruit and Scallop Salad, Sticky Rice and Scallop Crisp Crackers Sweet treat: Chariya finished her menu with her take on Strawberries and Cream - a Strawberry Jelly and Vanilla Cremeux Ring, filled with Macerated Strawberries in Strawberry Liqueur, Pistachio Sponge, Strawberry Shards and a Strawberry and Thai Basil Sauce Bird's eye view: The three dishes that helped Chariya win the 2023 MasterChef crown For her main course, Chariya served a traditional Northern Thai 'Khantoke' Sharing Platter of Wagyu Sirloin Steak in Hung Lay Curry Sauce, Minced Lamb in a Spicy Tomato and Shrimp Paste, Jackfruit and Scallop Salad, Sticky Rice and Scallop Crisp Crackers. 'I could eat that all day long,' Torode admitted after sampling the dish. Chariya finished her menu with her take on Strawberries and Cream - a Strawberry Jelly and Vanilla Cremeux Ring, filled with Macerated Strawberries in Strawberry Liqueur, Pistachio Sponge, Strawberry Shards and a Strawberry and Thai Basil Sauce. The desert was both a nod to the UK and a love of strawberries that stems from her childhood in Thailand, where she would look forward to eating strawberries once a year with her grandfather. After experiencing her menu, Wallace told Chariya: 'Since the first time you walked into this kitchen, it's been dish upon dish of exciting, beautiful food. 'What I really admire about you is just how hard you work in pursuit of perfection - to really uncover new technique, to find bigger and bigger flavour. 'Do you know who else has those qualities? Top professional chefs. You are the real deal. You're an amazing cook.' Chariya emotionally broke down in tears at the touching feedback, saying that her grandfather would be 'so proud', with Wallace reinforcing that he definitely would. She was sweetly comforted by her co-stars as she cried behind the scenes, appearing overwhelmed by her positive feedback. Runner-up Anurag also received glowing feedback from the judges for his dishes - a starter of golgappa, a main course of a roast cauliflower curry and a halwa lentil sponge pudding. Although he missed out on the trophy, Wallace gushed: 'I find your food highly addictive.' Inspirational: 'If you work really hard, I'm sure you can achieve something,' said Chariya following her win on Thursday evening Triumph: The Basingstoke based amateur chef conjured up the meal of her life to impress the judges and win this year's coveted trophy Well travelled: MasterChef viewers have seen Chariya travel to Istanbul, Turkey, for culinary inspiration during her time on the BBC1 show While Torode added: 'You've found where your culinary heart truly is.' Meanwhile, Omar also impressed the judges with a mango and scallop starter, a main course of beef cheek in a black bean and cherry sauce and a parsnip split dessert. Torode told Omar that he 'admired' him for taking a huge risk with his parsnip twist on the standard banana split, while Wallace also heaped praise on it. Wallace said Omar had challenged their minds and tastes throughout, adding: 'I hope you walk away from here knowing you are a very special cook.' A tearful Omar then said: 'I've given everything to this competition, to have the amazing feedback at this end point was perfect, I'll never forget that.' MasterChef viewers have seen Chariya travel to Istanbul, Turkey, where she got a taste of centuries-old cuisine, cooking traditional food for discerning locals in their historic village, mentored by one of Turkey's best known chefs, Refika Birgul. Then at two Michelin starred Istanbul restaurant, Turk, Chariya was tasked by chef Fatih Tutak to recreate a dish from his celebrated tasting menu during a busy service. The trip ended with a challenge at one of Istanbul's most exclusive addresses Pera House home to the British Consulate General. The amatuet chef worked under immense pressure to meticulously create her dessert a Turkish delicacy of chicken breast pudding, which delighted her lunch guests, including the British Consul General Kenan Poleo, Fatih Tutak and Refika Birgul and the three MasterChef Turkey judges. The penultimate challenge of the week saw Chariya face the once-in-a-lifetime culinary test of Chef's Table, hosted at Core - the three Michelin starred restaurant run by one of the most celebrated chefs in the world, Clare Smyth MBE. Here we go: Chariya is seen serving up another treat during Thursday's episode of the show High praise: Both John Torode and Gregg Wallace compared her food to that of any professional chef On her MasterChef experience, Chariya said: 'I've loved watching MasterChef for many years and decided to enter the competition so I could showcase Northern Thai cuisine. 'In some ways I've been mentally preparing for this for a while. I was initially nervous to cook for John and Gregg, but they were so supportive and they made me want to be the best! I'm also very competitive by nature and I think that's helped with my mindset in the competition.' She added: 'I hope there will be opportunities to work with food and I'm excited about getting experience and turning this love of cooking into a profession. 'Long term, my dream is to open a restaurant and eventually multiple restaurants - where I can showcase the food of my homeland in Northern Thailand and hopefully work towards earning a Michelin star! 'I want to show the world that Northern Thai food is amazing, because it really is. I just love to see people's faces light up when they eat my food.' Teen Wolf actor Tyler Posey has ecstatically announced he is engaged to his songstress girlfriend Phem. The 31-year-old actor got down on one knee at the beach in Central California this Valentine's Day and asked her to marry him. Phem broke the news on her Insta Stories this week, playfully posting a clip of herself brushing her hair from her face - and lifting her sparkling ring into view. 'We got engaged in Cambria, California. Phem's favorite place. We spend every Valentines Day there so it only felt perfect to do it there,' Tyler spilled to People. His proposal came two years to the day after he went Instagram official with Phem, whom he had begun dating in 2020. Side by side: Teen Wolf actor Tyler Posey has ecstatically announced he is engaged to his songstress girlfriend Phem; pictured in January Twinkling: Phem broke the news on her Insta Stories this week, playfully posting a clip of herself brushing her hair from her face - and lifting her sparkling ring into view Tyler dished that he designed Phem's engagement ring himself and divulged that the duo are planning to hold their wedding in October. 'It was a total surprise': Tyler made sure to integrate green into the design of the engagement ring because it is Phem's favorite color The proposal, she said, ' just us alone on the beach. I shouldve known when he propped his phone up on a rock to film that something was upbut I had no idea.' 'It was a total surprise,' said Tyler, who made sure to integrate green into the design of the engagement ring because it is Phem's favorite color. 'All my friends and loved ones kept it a secret and I designed the ring without her knowing, so Im very grateful she likes it!' he crowed. 'I didnt expect to feel too different when we got engaged, but it really did change. The love felt deeper and just more confident and settled in. I imagine itll grow even more when we get married,' the sizzling senastion added. Phem concurred, waxing rhapsodic: 'He got 10x hotter all the sudden. But ya, besides that the love feels deeper now.' They were first introduced by the music producer John Feldmann, who encouraged them to collaborate on a musical project together. Tyler shared that he and Phem 'bonded about singing about our exes,' while she cheekily insisted that she 'went into it strictly businessI swear. The thing I like the best is that we were friends first.' Hot couple: Tyler, who revealed in late 2020 that he had been with both men and women, has been exploring his sexual proclivities with help from Phem; pictured this March Their romance flowered, and the month after they went public with their relationship they released a duet called Shut Up featuring Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. The wedding will be kept 'close to home,' Tyler said, teasing mysteriously that they have selected 'a very special place that means a lot to us.' Said he: 'We want a fairly intimate wedding. Or at least the ceremony but the reception will be the dance party everyone can join.' With regards to the venue, Phem hinted: 'Tyler and I are both very spiritually open people so it means a lot we are able to have the service at such a peaceful place.' Tyler, who revealed in late 2020 that he had been with both men and women, has been exploring his sexual proclivities with help from Phem. A few months after he went Instagram official with her, he told NME: 'Ive been with everybody under the sun, and right now Im in the best relationship that Ive ever been in with a woman, and shes queer too.' He explained: 'Shes helped me realize that I fit under the queer umbrella and that Im sexually fluid, I guess.. No, not "I guess." I dont want anyone to take this [interview] and be like: "Well, he was kind of wishy-washy about it."' Britain's Got Talent has become embroiled in a 'copycat' row after singing magician Lewis Fuller was accused of 'ripping off' a routine during his audition. The performer, 24, stunned viewers with his impressive audition last month, which included a woman that levitated and disappeared. But now illusionist Jamie Allan has claimed Lewis act is 'ripping off' a similar one he'd performed a decade earlier. Jamie told The Sun that there are similarities between Lewis' act and his own, particularly given his use of holograms during the show. He said: 'I was watching it through and I thought, 'OK that's really good'. I thought it was great actually and it was only at the end when the girl rose up and I thought, 'Oh no he's not going to do the end of my bit, is he?' Drama! Britain's Got Talent has become embroiled in a 'copycat' row after singing magician Lewis Fuller (left) was accused of 'ripping off' a routine (right) during his audition Nope! The performer missed out on a spot in the BGT finals on Tuesday, despite another impressive magic trick 'When that happened I thought, ''That's such a unique effect, that's never been done anywhere else.'' Then when you look back on the rest of it, you can see the similarities.' 'It's just it's frustrating when you see regular people saying, ''This is fantastic. It's so creative. So original.'' You think, ''Well, I did it 10 years ago''.' Lewis missed out on a spot in the BGT final after competing in Tuesday's semi-final. Jamie added that he has met Lewis on a couple of occasions, and admitted it's 'difficult' when audiences believe he got his magic ideas from the young performer. Ideas themselves cannot be protected by copyright and Jamie admitted that the 'law is very, very fuzzy' when it comes to protecting magic tricks. He also told the publication that Lewis was aware of his work as he previously bought his book. Jamie added that he's spent over a decade and nearly 100,000 honing his act, and he's received support from BGT runner-up Marc Spelmann who finished second in 2019. A representative for Lewis told the publication: 'These claims are false and damaging to Lewis' career. Floating away! The performer stunned viewers with his impressive audition last month, which included a woman that levitated and disappeared See the difference? But now illusionist Jamie Allan has claimed Lewis act is 'ripping off' a similar one he'd performed a decade earlier (pictured) Claims: Jamie (right) also told the publication that Lewis (pictured in his audition left) was aware of his work as he previously bought his book 'To allude that Lewis' act is not his own, is completely false. Lewis did not purchase the book ahead of his audition, and therefore it has no significance to Lewis' BGT act. 'He deserves to have his moment without false accusations being made.' Many BGT viewers claimed they'd figured out Lewis' magic trick during Tuesday's semi-final. He returned to the stage in a bid to gain a spot in the grand final with his unique combination of singing and magic. However, he failed to impress with his teleportation and telepathy trick, with viewers slamming it as 'boring' and 'cheesy'. He asked judges Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell to pick song titles out of a bag, which he then guessed correctly. Using Amanda's ring, Lewis set it alight to represent her song choice, Ring Of Fire by Johnny Cash. He then performed Simon's song and used his teleportation skills as he appeared to move around the stage whilst singing. The magician then seemed to vanish and then suddenly appear behind the judges at the end. But viewers at home complained that the solution to the trick was obvious, stating that the images of Lewis on stage were clearly pre-recorded videos. One said: 'He used a pre record of himself on the box, went down the trap door and there ya have it?' Another agreed, saying: 'Lewis Fuller - his audition was way better, like 100 times better. The boxes on stage were just video'. Really? Many BGT viewers claimed they'd figured out Lewis' magic trick during Tuesday's semi-final No? He failed to impress with his teleportation and telepathy trick, with viewers slamming it as 'boring' and 'cheesy' Others echoed that his audition had been superior, with one writing: 'Shame about Lewis Fuller. If he had done what he had in the audition, he'd have won the entire night. Amanda and Alesha ruined his act by calling it 'too cheesy'.' Another added: 'Lewis is great - however I found his audition better then this performance. The magic was too drawn out from the beginning and I'm not keen on his voice either. He should just stick with the magic and that's it. The singing isn't needed.' But several fans praised Lewis' efforts, with one tweeting: 'Honestly first half was a bit underwhelming, but when he did the singing and magic from his audition again it was utterly astounding. No idea how Lewis Fuller does any of that magic.' Lewis failed to make it to the final, with the two spots being taken by Viggo Venn and Olivia Lynes instead. Molly-Mae Hague looked incredible in a white swimsuit as she posed for an Instagram selfie in Barbados ahead of joining her manager's hen do on Thursday. The former Love Island star, 23, showcased her incredible figure in the one shoulder one piece which she teamed with a sheer co-ord. She opted for a pair of wide legged white trousers and a matching unbuttoned shirt which she teamed with a pair of comfy flip flops. The reality star turned up the heat in a pair of eye catching drop earrings and toted her belongings around in a large woven beach bag. The mum-of-one pulled her long blonde tresses back in a stylish half updo while hiding behind a pair of huge sunglasses. Boat party ready! Molly-Mae Hague looked incredible in a white swimsuit and sheer co-ord as she posed for an Instagram selfie in Barbados ahead of joining her manager's hen do on Thursday Party time: The former Love Island star, 23, coordinated with the rest of the hen party and manager Fran Britton as they posed for a snap in front of the ocean ahead of a boat party Molly-Mae seemed in high spirits as she joined the rest of the hens and bride Fran Britton, who all coordinated in white swimwear and cover-ups. The group were all smiles as they posed up a storm on a balcony over looking the ocean before heading on a boat trip. Molly-Mae also captured a fun snap of Fran, who looked amazing wearing a sheer white dress over a matching bikini, while holding up a bottle of champagne. The duo were later seen beaming for a black and white photo while partying on a lavish boat trip. Molly-Mae has been working alongside manager Fran since leaving the ITV dating show. It comes after Molly-Mae looked typically stylish as she arrived in sunny Barbados with her boyfriend Tommy Fury and baby daughter Bambi. The influencer, who recently returned from a holiday in Nice, posed for a slew of sizzling Instagram snaps on Wednesday. Molly-Mae flashed her abs in a tiny white crop top, teamed with a monochrome patterned shirt and trouser co-ord. Stunning: The influencer accessorised her look with eye catching pair of drop earrings as she beamed alongside Fran who rocked a pair of chic sunglasses Looking good: Molly-Mae also captured a fun snap of Fran, who looked amazing wearing a sheer white dress over a white bikini, while holding up a bottle of champagne The PrettyLittleThing Creative Director completed the look with beige sandals and a Chanel beach bag. She went makeup free underneath a pair of oversized sunglasses, while scraping her blonde locks back into a bun. Alongside the stunning snaps, she penned: 'Barbados. Ft. my bday present from Tommy, the nicest beach bag Ive ever seen' Before taking off on their trip, Molly-Mae took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share a duo of adorable snaps of her baby daughter. Revealing she was off again on yet another holiday, accompanied by her five-month-old daughter, she shared a sweet photo from the plane. Molly-Mae cuddled up to Bambi, while wearing a white jumper and balancing a pair of sunglasses on her head. Her blonde tresses were swept up in an elegant French braid and she opted for a fresh-faced no make-up look for the journey. Cute: Before taking off on their trip, Molly-Mae took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share a duo of adorable snaps of her baby daughter She tagged her manager Francesca Britton in the post, suggesting the getaway may be work related. Over the top she wrote: 'Off on our next adventure'. Molly-Mae also shared a black-and-white photo of Bambi sitting up in a giant double bed in a hotel room. Captioning it, she penned: 'The best few days in London with my little family'. Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham has clarified why she has had a puffy face after sparking fan concern months after backlash regarding her daughter. The reality star - who turned 32 on Wednesday - took to her Instagram to explain her different appearance after a make-up free video sent tongues wagging. She said: 'Hey all as it is my birthday I just wanted to say I have been having a puffy face because I have sinusitis, which is a chronic debilitating situation. 'So you get allergy shots, you get steroids in order to be diagnosed with sinusitis usually it takes a year for your doctor to understand that that's what it is.' Farrah went on to say that she is going to address the issue medically and also sent a defiant message to her haters. Hitting back: Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham has clarified why she has had a puffy face after sparking fan concern Interesting: The reality star - who turned 32 on Wednesday - took to her Instagram to explain her different appearance after a make-up free video sent tongues wagging She continued: 'So I'm actually going under surgery next week after my birthday. 'So thank you to others who are saying negative things and not being educated on the matter and most of us suffer from sinusitis and do not know that that's what is affecting our eyes, our cheeks, our whole nasal area, and so that is just what has happened. Our sinuses give out.' The MTV reality star is currently enjoying a fun birthday vacation with 14-year-old daughter Sophia as they are currently in Amsterdam. Farrah has certainly been focusing on self-improvement as back in March, the mother-of-one snapped a selfie of herself in her vibrant ensemble as she reflected on leaving a rehabilitation center last year. 'One year after my trauma center & I'm back flourishing more than ever! Back to set! Thank you 12 steps!' she captioned the image. In 2022, the Nebraska-born influencer revealed she spent 28 days in a trauma treatment center to improve her physical and mental health, which she called 'life-changing.' In a video, uploaded to her Instagram account at the time, the TV personality announced her plans to go off grid to focus on herself and working toward a 'brighter future.' 'I am taking time for my healing. I have ignored people for over 11 months after having a sexual assault and having my whole body break down, my whole brain break down,' the reality star told her three million followers. She said: 'Hey all as it is my birthday I just wanted to say I have been having a puffy face because I have sinusitis, which is a chronic debilitating situation. 'So you get allergy shots, you get steroids in order to be diagnosed with sinusitis usually it takes a year for your doctor to understand that that's what it is' Farrah went on to say that she is going to address the issue medically and also sent a defiant message to her haters as she said: 'So I'm actually going under surgery next week after my birthday. 'So thank you to others who are saying negative things and not being educated on the matter and most of us suffer from sinusitis and do not know that that's what is affecting our eyes, our cheeks, our whole nasal area, and so that is just what has happened' Bond: The MTV reality star is currently enjoying a fun birthday vacation with 14-year-old daughter Sophia as they are currently in Amsterdam Big day: She commemorated her 32nd birthday with this selfie Abraham added: 'No matter your traumas whether they are physical or mental, people see them or dont see them I wanted to take the time and say I am grateful for my family for hanging with me this year in one of my hardest years.' 'I am looking forward to understanding more medically what I can do for myself and transition,' she concluded. The My Teenage Dream Ended author also sent 'love and light to those who want to improve their lives [and] un-traumatize themselves.' In January, the MTV personality was arrested and taken into custody by the LAPD after allegedly assaulting a security officer at a club in Hollywood. Abraham, who was issued a citation for the misdemeanor following the incident, addressed her brush with the law later in a statement to TMZ. 'Im tired of being maliciously battered, attacked, conspired against while having dinner at Grand Master Records, this was a private person's arrest my lawyer is handling from here,' she said. 'It is terrifying and traumatizing that people attack me and I can not even enjoy dinner as Im the only person out of 3 attacked and harassed when. I look forward to court as always, warning this place is a danger to public figures [sic].' According to the publication, the 16 And Pregnant star said that staff members of Grandmaster Records assaulted her. Stronger than ever: Farrah has certainly been focusing on self-improvement as back in March, the mother-of-one snapped a selfie of herself in her vibrant ensemble as she reflected on leaving a rehabilitation center last year She also claimed that they had filmed the incident intending to leak it to new organizations. Later in the week, Farrah posted video of the altercation to her Instagram Stories, though she left it without audio. The man held her leg and back down, and she appeared to have something tied around her wrists that kept them behind her back. 'Never again,' she captioned the first clip. Rough night: Last year, Abraham was arrested for allegedly slapping a security guard following a confrontation in an LA club 'What a horrible dining experience being battered and assaulted by your staff. Such an unsafe, disturbing environment,' she continued in the next video, which also tagged Grandmaster Records. 'The staff yet again attack a paying customer and hold me against my will and hurt me,' she continued. 'The only 1 out of 3, woman abuse must stop. The staff @grandmasterrecords should be in jail.' Farrah continued her quest to get the employee who had held her down fired in a subsequent video filmed before police arrived. 'Why is a male on top of me holding me down when I was walking. This is scary and he should be fired and in jail for batterment [sic].' Traumatic: During an interview with In Touch magazine back in 2014, the 16 and Pregnant alum was 'drugged and raped more than once' following the release of her sex tape (seen in 2021) She claimed that the events leading up to her arrest were part of a pattern. 'I'm tired of people harassing me, holding me down, hurting me and lieing about me and selling things to tmz it's scary, it effects mothers, it is traumatizing and I'm hurt [sic],' she wrote. Farrah has previously had physical altercations with staff. Doing her best: As a single mother to 13-year-old daughter Sophia, whose father died in a car accident weeks before her birth, Abraham has worked hard to provide for her little girl and is currently focusing on becoming a lawyer; seen 2020 In 2018, she was arrested for allegedly hitting an employee of the Beverly Hills Hotel's Polo Lounge, which resulted in her being banned as punishment. During an interview with In Touch Weekly back in 2014, the 16 and Pregnant alum reflected on her personal trauma, including getting 'drugged and raped more than once' following the release of her sex tape. 'It was a dark time,' Abraham, who has previously spoken about being abused as a child, told the outlet. 'Violence has been a big part of my life.' As a single mother to 14-year-old daughter Sophia, whose father died in a car accident weeks before her birth, Abraham has worked hard to provide for her little girl and is currently focusing on becoming a lawyer. Love Island's Millie Court has given yet another hint she is back together with Liam Reardon after weeks of speculation. The 2021 Love Island winners, who split in July last year, are believed to have reconciled in April after being spotted together in the Lake District. Though they have not officially confirmed their romance, the pair then jetted off on a romantic Mediterranean cruise together and were seen kissing in an airport. Now, Millie, 26, has given yet another hint they are back together as she spoke about the Welsh bricklayer, 23, while attending a McDonald's party on Wednesday. Millie attended McNuggetWorthy: The Experience in Shoreditch, east London, with her pal Emily but did make reference to her rumoured boyfriend. Teasing: Love Island's Millie Court has given yet another hint she is back together with Liam Reardon after weeks of speculation Back together? The 2021 Love Island winners, who split in July last year, are believed to have reconciled in April after being spotted together in the Lake District She cheekily told how she would like to share a meal of McNuggets with Liam, in yet another sign they are still going strong with their romance. Millie also got a temporary tattoo at the party, which was in celebration of McNugget's 40th birthday. Speaking of the tattoo, Millie joked: 'I'm going to be trying to wash this off for days!' It comes after MailOnline revealed the couple had reconciled in April but were taking things slow after they were spotted on a weekend away together in the Lake District. They then set off for a Mediterranean cruise together and shared very similar social media snaps to their Instagrams, but made no reference of each other. Alongside a video montage of the couple's trip, Millie said: 'A week of travelling around the Mediterranean on a beautiful cruise, good food, belly laughs, and hungover mornings. Oh, and nearly missing getting back on the ship from Ibiza.' The pair were also seen sharing a passionate kiss at Barcelona airport, confirming they were very much back together. A source told MailOnline about Liam and Millie getting back together: 'There's no denying that Millie and Liam's romance is very much back on. Hinting: Now, Millie, 26, has given yet another hint they are back together as she spoke about sharing a meal with the Welsh bricklayer, 23, while attending a McDonald's party Holiday: Millie and Liam recently went on a Mediterranean cruise together and shared very similar social media snaps to their Instagrams, but made no reference of each other 'They wanted to keep their relationship private for as long as possible because problems between them happened when they were put under pressure by fans. 'But now they have got to know each other again away from the cameras and spotlight and have reignited the love they first found in the Love Island villa. 'Soon enough they will go public on Instagram but for now they have been enjoying holidays together and keeping their romance off social media.' Millie and Liam met on Love Island in 2021, winning the 50,000 prize fund after viewers voted them favourites ahead of runners-up Chloe Burrows and Toby Aromolaran. During their time on the ITV2 show, Liam played away with Casa Amor bombshell Lillie Haynes, later having to win back Millie once she discovered the betrayal. Liam's behaviour in Casa Amor has since led fans to believe that he would cheat on the outside world, which inevitably caused issues in his relationship with Millie. The reality star revealed the reason she and Liam split was because of continuous rumours surrounding his faithfulness, which put pressure on their romance. Speaking on YouTube, she said: 'Am I dating? There's been a lot of rumours and a lot in the press, but I am going to confirm that I am dating someone but I'm not ready to tell you guys yet 'I love you guys and I love your support but it's early doors and you experienced a whole, full blown, meeting someone, relationship on TV like my whole thing, and then everything afterwards. 'As much as that was the best experience of my life genuinely it is a lot when you have all eyes on you and your relationship, lots of judgements, lots of people sending you messages because they've seen the other person out and it means absolutely nothing just talking to another person and they're like 'they're cheating on you' when they're just having a chat, I chat to boys on a night out, making friends. 'I struggled with that a lot because it wasn't nice, and I don't really want people to be involved in my personal relationship. It ruined things and was a big part of why my last relationship ended. 'It's been a while since then this next chapter, I'll be keeping secret for a little bit just to see how it goes but I will tell you guys because I'm sure we will get pictured together.' All smiles: Liam also posed up for Instagram during the couple's holiday, holding a cocktail as he cheered to his romantic getaway Romance: Millie and Liam met on Love Island in 2021, winning the 50,000 prize fund after viewers voted them favourites ahead of runners-up Chloe Burrows and Toby Aromolaran After splitting in July, the couple moved out of the Essex home they shared together and Millie now lives with her former co-star and best friend, Chloe Burrows. During filming of Celebs Go Dating, Liam discussed his breakup with Millie, saying he had 'instigated' the end of their relationship. He told the show's experts that he needed to 'love himself' to care for Millie, admitting 'the past few months have been a bit you know I need to find myself again.' Liam hinted the pair could get back together, adding 'never say never, I feel like in the future we could rekindle.' Irina Shayk and Bradley Cooper were spotted stepping out in NYC on Thursday as they both held hands with daughter, Lea, while continuing to maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship. The mother of one, 37, and The Hangover actor, 48, first began dating in 2015 and welcomed Lea, six, two years later before their split in 2019. Their sighting comes after news that the Russian supermodel was once called for a meeting with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a vast trove of his private calendars and emails were revealed. While strolling through the city streets, Irina put on a leggy display wearing a black, sleeveless minidress that clung to her toned frame. She slipped into a pair of white socks along with black, Nike sneakers to coincide with the color scheme of her outfit and to stay comfortable during the brief walk. Hand-in-hand: Irina Shayk, 37, and Bradley Cooper, 48, were spotted stepping out in NYC on Thursday as they both held hands with daughter, Lea, as they continue to maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship Shayk easily slung a black, drawstring bag over her left shoulder to hold a few items she needed during the daytime outing. In case she grew chilly, the beauty also carried a black jacket in her left hand. The media personality, who currently boasts 22 million Instagram followers, accessorized her simplistic ensemble by adding large, silver hooped earrings. The model also threw on a pair of black, oval-shaped sunglasses to protect her eyes from the bright sunshine. Bradley also dressed down while stepping out with Irina and their daughter by donning a pair of blue jeans along with a dark gray shirt. The actor rolled up with long sleeves towards his elbows in the warmer spring temperatures. The Oscar-nominated star, who was recently spotted enjoying lunch with Michael J. Fox, slipped into a pair of reddish-colored sneakers and also opted for a pair of stylish shades. The former couple both held hands with their six-year-old, who donned a sundress and slung a pink backpack over her shoulders. During a past interview with Elle, the beauty discussed raising Lea with her ex, Bradley, although the two were no longer a couple. 'I never understood the term co-parenting.' 'When Im with my daughter, Im 100 percent a mother, and when shes with her dad, hes 100 percent her dad. Co-parenting is parenting,' and also gushed that Cooper is 'the most amazing dad.' Stylish comfort: While strolling through the city streets, Irina put on a leggy display wearing a black, sleeveless minidress that clung to her toned frame In the past: The mother of one and The Hangover actor first began dating in 2015 and welcomed Lea, six, two years later before their split in 2019, but the pair continue to raise their daughter together In April, Irina also got candid while talking to Harper's Bazaar about how motherhood has changed her and boosted her confidence. The star admitted that she hasn't always been confident, even as a successful model. 'Its just that Ive learned to love my imperfections. You need to love all of you. My daughter is a big part of why I started to love myself even more.' 'Shell say, "I love Daddy so much, I love Mama so much, I love Nana, I love Babulya" who is my mom. Then she goes, "And I really love myself." And Im looking at my daughter and Im like, "Wow, I wasnt like that at six year sold."' Irina further expressed, 'We're teaching our daughter that the most important thing is to be kind to people. Every time we send her to school, we're like, "Just remember kindness and love." So I think thats what true beauty is.' While explaining that the world of social media that her daughter is growing up in sometimes 'scares' Shayk at times, the importance of 'teaching our daughter bigger values than being pretty on the outside' is key. Both Irina and Bradley, who crossed paths at the MET Gala earlier last month, have been filtering through busy schedules, with the Hollywood actor preparing for the release of his latest biopic titled, Maestro. The film follows the life of conductor, Leonard Bernstein, and his marriage to Felicia Montealegre. Other stars that have been cast in the project include Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Silverman, and also Maya Hawke. Cooper is not only starring in the project as Leonard, but also directed, produced and co-wrote the film. Other producers that joined the project include Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. Maestro is slated to release on Netflix later this year. Upcoming project: Bradley has been preparing for the release of his latest Netflix biopic titled, Maestro, which he starred in, directed, produced, and also co-wrote; seen in April in Hollywood Linked: Their sighting comes after news that the Russian supermodel was once called for a meeting with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein , after a vast trove of his private calendars and emails were revealed Solo outing: Later on Thursday, Irina was spotted once again, but on a solo outing, and donned the same ensemble that she had worn earlier with Bradley and daughter Lea Stylish: Irina donned a pair of silver-hooped earrings that peaked out through her long brunette locks that were parted in the middle and flowed down past her shoulders The Russian supermodel recently wowed during the 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival that came to an end on May 27, and strutted the runway for Versace in celebration of Dua Lipa's collaboration with the designer. It has also been revealed that she had been called for a meeting with late Jeffrey Epstein 11 years earlier. DailyMail.com obtained Epstein's private calendars and emails, with one mention of Irina that had occurred in February 2012. Later on Thursday, Irina was spotted once again, but on a solo outing, and donned the same ensemble that she had worn earlier with Bradley and daughter Lea. The supermodel was seen strolling through the bustling streets of the Big Apple as she made her way to her next destination. The hotly-anticipated extended trailer for And Just Like That... season two sees Carrie Bradshaw make the first move in reuniting with her cuckolded ex Aidan Shaw. The explosive new clip sees Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) - who famously cheated on Aidan (John Corbett) with her true love Mr Big (Chris Noth) - email her first great love while her unsuspecting fling Franklyn (Ivan Hernandez) sleeps in her bed. Elsewhere, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and her comedian partner Che (Sara Ramirez) are seen going from strength-to-strength on vacation - before Miranda realizes that Che's party lifestyle is threatening to overwhelm her. Miranda's scorned estranged husband Steve (David Eigenberg) also makes a long awaited appearance - after the former lawyer broke his heart by cheating on him in the first season. However, there is no sign of Samantha Jones, after it was sensationally revealed Kim Cattrall will make a superstar cameo in the new season - despite warring with SJP for years. Really Carrie? The hotly-anticipated extended trailer for And Just Like That... season two sees Carrie Bradshaw make the first move in reuniting with her cuckolded ex Aidan Shaw Oh dear: Elsewhere, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and her comedian partner Che (Sara Ramirez) are seen going from strength-to-strength on vacation - before Miranda realizes that Che's party lifestyle is threatening to overwhelm her The trailer begins with Carrie's voiceover: 'You don't move on because you want to, you move on because you've outgrown who you used to be.' She is seen opening a box with the bird she wore on her head during her failed first wedding to Mr Big, while Seema (Sarita Choudhury) is seen on a sizzling date with a new love interest A domesticated Carrie is seen cooking in her kitchen, having previously used her oven to store sweaters As a shocked Charlotte (Kristin Davis) looks on, Carrie says: 'I've repurposed my kitchen. Did you know stoves aren't just for storage' Reflecting on her ongoing grieving process for Mr Big, Carrie says: 'I thought I was doing so well. I got through that whole first year Charlotte says: 'The way you've moved on. We're so proud of you.' The voiceover continues: 'Life's too short not to try something new.' Miranda is seen on a romantic beach break with Che, with the pair seen kissing as she says: 'I'm on the precipice of doing something either really stupid or totally liberating.' Yes! Miranda's scorned estranged husband Steve (David Eigenberg) also makes a long awaited appearance - after the former lawyer broke his heart by cheating on him in the first season See you soon: However, there is no sign of Samantha Jones, after it was sensationally revealed Kim Cattrall will make a superstar cameo in the new season - despite warring with SJP for years Hey stranger: The explosive new clip sees Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) - who famously cheated on Aidan (John Corbett) with her true love Mr Big (Chris Noth) - email her first great love while her unsuspecting fling Franklyn (Ivan Hernandez) sleeps in her bed What a man: The trailer flash forwards to Carrie and Aida on a romantic date, with Aidan saying: 'Sitting here with you is like 10 years just -' and clicks his fingers I had a bird on my head! She is seen opening a box with the bird she wore on her head during her failed first wedding to Mr Big Wow: A domesticated Carrie is seen cooking in her kitchen, having previously used her oven to store sweaters Shock: As a shocked Charlotte (Kristin Davis) looks on, Carrie says: 'I've repurposed my kitchen. Did you know stoves aren't just for storage' Lol: Carrie seems to have turned over a new leaf as she moves on with her life Miranda then screams as she pulls a dead crab out of a bucket on the beach. The pair's relationship is seen being placed under strain as Che smokes weed in the living room with their pals, while an irate Miranda tries to get some sleep. Miranda says to Che: 'I don't know who you are. Is there something you're not telling me?' Meanwhile Charlotte is seen getting a job offer but says: 'But my kids need me even more these days.' Charlotte is seen on a boozy night out with pals before stumbling back to her penthouse, with Harry (Evan Handler), Lily (Cathy Ang) and Rock (Alexa Swinton) watching her and asking: 'Are you wasted?' A hiccupping Charlotte says: 'We did some shots!' Seema tells Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman) she will take her to 'the' bar to meet single men - before Nya waxes lyrical about her new love for one night stands. Carrie continues: 'We are all blissfully unaware of when our live are about to change.' Miranda hugs Brady (Niall Cunningham) during an emotional moment while a somber Steve makes his first appearance in the trailer - after his painful split from a cheating Miranda. PDA: Miranda is seen on a romantic beach break with Che, with the pair seen kissing as she says: 'I'm on the precipice of doing something either really stupid or totally liberating' Scream: Miranda then screams as she pulls a dead crab out of a bucket on the beach Not compatible: . The pair's relationship is seen being placed under strain as Che smokes weed in the living room with their pals, while an irate Miranda tries to get some sleep Mom and son: Miranda hugs Brady (Niall Cunningham) during an emotional moment Back on stage: Che is seen returning to their comedy roots Shopping are you? Carrie is seen buying yet more shoes for her cluttered digs Who is that? Seema (Sarita Choudhury) is seen on a sizzling date with a new love interest Carrie then says: 'We never know what tomorrow will bring' as she sends Aidan an email entitled 'Hey Stranger...' as her love interest Franklyn sleeps blissfully unaware in her bed. The email reads: ' Hey Stranger, it's me, Carrie. IF this is still your email, was just thinking about you the other day and wondered how you were doing. Would be good to hear from you.' The trailer flash forwards to Carrie and Aida on a romantic date, with Aidan saying: 'Sitting here with you is like 10 years just -' and clicks his fingers. Cattrall will make a shock return as Sex And The City's Samantha Jones for the second season of spin-off And Just Like That - despite her explosive feud with star Sarah Jessica Parker. According to Variety, Cattrall, 66, will return for only one 'cliffhanger' scene, which she shot on March 22 in New York City, without seeing or speaking with stars SJP, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. The scene was also shot without AJLT showrunner Michael Patrick King. In the scene, Samantha, who has moved to London, will have a phone conversation with Parker's Carrie Bradshaw. New venture: Meanwhile Charlotte is seen getting a job offer but says: 'But my kids need me even more these days' Cheers: Charlotte is then seen on a boozy night out with pals Oh my: She stumbles back to her penthouse with Harry (Evan Handler), Lily (Cathy Ang) and Rock (Alexa Swinton) watching her and asking: 'Are you wasted?' Boozy: A hiccupping Charlotte says: 'We did some shots!' Moving on: Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman) is seen waxing lyrical about her new love of one night stands Duo: Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker) and Herbert (Chris Jackson) are seen Party on: The gang attend a lavish masquerade ball On the prowl: Nya is seen looking for her next beau for the evening Reflective: Carrie is seen staring out her window as she reflects on Big Valentine: Carrie walks down the street in Manhattan ahead of her Aidan meet New guard: Carrie enjoys a drink with Seema in the series The New York Post also revealed that Cattrall's cameo was so secretive that her name did not even appear on the call sheet for the day, leaving people stunned at her presence. An insider said said show staffers were 'definitely shocked, very intrigued on how theyre gonna write this in - and very excited. She said shed never do it! She said shed never come back!' It was claimed her scene was filmed in a town car in a parking garage near Silvercup Studios in Queens. Sex And The City designer Patricia Field, who is not the costume designer for AJLT, returned to dress Cattrall for the scene. AJLT's second season will premiere on June 22 on Max. Samantha did feature in AJLT season one - but only over text message as Carrie repeatedly messaged her to try and repair their friendship. AJLT saw Carrie claim Samantha had cut her off and moved to London - due to fury at the writer firing her as a publicist - in a storyline Cattrall slammed for being inauthentic to the character. Hell has frozen over: According to Variety , Cattrall, 66, will return for only one scene, which she shot on March 22 in New York City, without seeing or speaking with stars SJP, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis (pictured together in SATC season six) Last seen: The explosive reveal will both delight and shock fans of SATC as Cattrall has previously refused to ever reprise her fan-favorite role as the man-hungry publicist - having last played the character in much derided 2008 film, Sex and the City 2 Confirmed! Season 2 of And Just Like That... will return June 22 on HBO Max The explosive reveal will both delight and shock fans of SATC as Cattrall has previously refused to ever reprise her fan-favorite role as the man-hungry publicist - having last played the character in much derided 2008 film, Sex and the City 2. Even SJP has claimed she does not want Kim back - when asked by Variety in a 2022 interview if she would be 'OK' if Cattrall, 65, was able to come back to the show if some 'miracle were to happen,' after their very public feud exploded back in 2018. Parker responded: 'I don't think I would, because I think there's just too much public history of feelings on her part that she's shared.' Adding: 'I haven't participated in or read articles, although people are inclined to let me know.' 'We didn't go to Kim for this, you know,' Parker said. 'After we didn't do the movie and the studio couldn't meet what she wanted to do, we have to hear her and listen to her and what was important to her.' Hailee Steinfeld looked sensational as she arrived at the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse premiere in London's Leicester Square on Thursday. The American actress, 26, sizzled in a figure-hugging grey gown as she walked the evening's blue carpet. Hailee's plunging frock also featured an abstract print, long ties and was completed with quirky sleeves that covered her hands. The stunner - who voices Spider-Man's love interest, Gwen Stacy, in the animated film - accentuated her features with a strong make-up look, opting for lashings of mascara and a smokey eye. Hailee wore a large bejewelled crucifix and choker around her neck, while styling her caramel tresses into loose curls. Glamour-puss: Hailee Steinfeld, 26, slipped into a tight grey gown for the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse premiere in London's Leicester Square on Thursday Sizzle: The American actress sizzled in the frock that also boasted a a racy plunging neckline Hailee has been busy promoting the highly-anticipated sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). The latest chapter follows Brooklyn teenager-turned-superhero Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) as he finds himself back in the Multiverse after reuniting with Gwen Stacy (Hailee). It is here that he 'encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. 'When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero,' reads the official synopsis. While appearing on GMA last week, Hailee said it was 'incredible' to be reprising her role as Gwen Stacy and exciting to delve deeper into the character's story. 'I mean, to get the opportunity to come back and work with the same unbelievable team of filmmakers, animators - we have some amazing new additions, actors as well - it's incredible to dig a little deeper into Gwen's world,' she gushed. Touching on what it was like to voice the animated character, Hailee noted, 'It is far more physical than most people think. '[Our characters] are swinging from buildings and in order to portray that, you can't exactly stand still.' Roar: Hailee's plunging frock also featured an abstract print Quirky: The quirky look also had long ties and was completed with sleeves that covered her hands Gorgeous: The stunner - who voices Spider-Man's love interest, Gwen Stacy, in the animated film - accentuated her features with a strong make-up look Gothic glamour: She sported lashings of mascara and a smokey eye along with a matte lip 'To the best of our ability we try to portray that we are, in fact, swinging,' she explained to GMA presenter Lara Spencer. It comes after producer Amy Pascal confirmed to Variety on Tuesday evening at the movie's LA premiere that though the highly anticipated Spider Man 4 would be happening. 'Are we going to make another movie? Of course, we are,' said Amy. 'Were in the process, but the writers strike, nobody is working during the strike.' She added, 'Were all being supporters and whenever they get themselves together, well get started.' Sony boss Tom Rothman was not as direct as he was asked the same question about SM4, but only laughed, 'If I told you, Id have to kill you.' Pose: The beauty posed up a storm for the cameras Accessorise: Hailee wore a large bejewelled crucifix and choker around her neck, while styling her caramel tresses into loose curls Hello! Hailee posed for selfies with fans who waited in fancy dress to meet her Suave: Also present was Shameik Moore who voices the titular character of Miles Morales / Spider-Man Smart: He cut a suave figure in a white double-breasted suite (pictured with co-star Hailee) Cool: Daniel Kaluuya, who voiced Spider Punk in the film, looked cool in a a cream co-ord On stage: The stars later took to the stage to introduce the flick (L-R) moderator Yinka Bokinni, Daniel Kaluuya, Hailee Steinfeld and Shameik Moore Chinwag: They chatted with the audience ahead of the film Confidence: The stars oozed confidence on stage Legs 11: Dancer Abbie Quinnen put on a very leggy display in a black feathered skirt with racy thigh-high split Sensational: Abbie sported a glam make-up palette with her hair in loose curls Style: She also slipped into a black corset that hugged her trim physique Spider Man: No Way Home came out in December 2021 and has made almost $2B. There have not been too many details so far about Spider-Man 4. Kevin Feige said to Entertainment Weekly in February that scriptwriting was just starting. 'All I will say is that we have the story. We have big ideas for that, and our writers are just putting pen to paper now.' Spider-Man 4 does not have a confirmed release date. Meanwhile, the third Spider-Verse movie called Beyond The Spider-Verse comes out next year. Pascal also talked about a Spider-Woman movie. Red hot: Michelle Heaton turned heads in a pair of red high-waisted leather trousers Toned: The stunner showed off her toned arm as she posed with her hand on her waist Family: Michelle was joined by husband Hugh Hanley and their children Faith, ten, and eight-year-old son, AJ, Spider girl: Danielle Mason (centre) looked ravishing a spider themed frock for the star-studded evening alongside her children Fun times: Will Mellor (right) larked around with comedian Leigh Francis (left) LOL: The duo appeared to be having a great time Buff: Will looked buff in a white t-shirt which he wore with smart trousers and suede loafers Family: He was joined by glam wife Michelle McSween, son Jayden and daughter Renee Quirky: Leigh sported a quirky ensemble with a blue suit and trademark hat Beaming: The former Celebrity juice host beamed ahead of the special screening Figure: Olivia Hawkins showcased her curves in a dramatic sheer gown Lace: The dress featured perfectly placed lace to retain her modesty Hot stuff: The outfit hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping figure Wow: Ellie Spence teased a tint of lingerie beneath her own sheer dress which she layered with a blazer Pose: Actor David Harewood (left) posed alongside Heather Watson Dapper: David (left) cut a dapper figure in a blue suit alongside astronaut Tim Peake And there is also a live-action Miles Morales movie in the works. 'Youll see all of it. Its all happening,' she also told Variety reporter Marc Malkin. Producer Avi Arad added that a Spider-Woman movie will come 'sooner than you expect.' He added, 'I cannot tell you yet, but its coming.' Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse stars Shameik Moore as Miles Morales and Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman. Style: TV's Yinka Bokinn oozed cool in a pin-stripped suit adorned with graffiti Sweet: JLS' Aston Merrygold enjoyed the movie with son Macaulay Say cheese: Victoria Brown and Chris Kowalski also attended Fans: Spiderman fans all dressed to impress for the event Coming soon: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is released in cinemas June 2 And the Variety reporter guessed Hailee might be cast in the Spider-Woman movie after her warm comments about working on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. 'This is like my dream job, sign me up over and over again,' she said about doing voice work. 'I got to be comfortable! And its a dream to be in a space that feels so comfortable but also creative and free and just exciting to be a part of.' Al Pacino, 83, shocked the world this week when he revealed he was expecting a baby with eight-months pregnant girlfriend Noor Alfallah, 29. But mystery now surrounds the circumstances of the pregnancy after fresh claims emerged the actor had demanded a pre-natal DNA test after refusing to believe he could 'impregnate anybody', only found out about the impending arrival two months ago and believed the relationship with Noor was 'long over.' This comes after a source close to the couple confirmed to DailyMail.com on Wednesday that Pacino 'could not be happier' about the pregnancy, that he had not been kept in the dark about the baby for 11 weeks and that the pair were 'very much in love.' They also hit out at suggestions Noor is a 'gold digger' and said she had wanted a baby for years. But TMZ reports The Scent Of A Woman star did not believe the child was his at first due to medical issues that would 'commonly prevent a man from impregnating a woman.' Conflicting reports: Al Pacino, 83, shocked the world this week when he revealed he was expecting a baby with eight-months pregnant girlfriend Noor Alfallah, 29 - but claims have emerged the actor demanded a pre-natal DNA test (Pacino and his girlfriend pictured last month) It is also claimed Pacino only found out about the pregnancy when Noor was six months gone, and was 'shocked' at the revelation. It was further claimed Noor agreed to the DNA test which confirmed Pacino is indeed the father. Pacino and Noor's relationship came under further scrutiny when it was alleged the actor thought the relationship was over a 'long time ago'. Sources claimed to Showbiz411 that Pacino was 'hoodwinked' by Noor and added: 'She knew Al didnt didnt want to have more kids, they have no relationship, its a mess'. They claimed that Noor did not tell Pacino about the pregnancy for the first 11 weeks. Noor is said to have grown closer to Pacino after becoming good friends with his daughter Olivia, 22, whose mother is actress Beverly DAngelo. The actor's representative first confirmed the pregnancy news to TMZ Tuesday. Pacino and Alfallah have been romantically linked since April 2022. They were seen with one another last month at the upscale Los Angeles eatery E Baldi. Questions: It is claimed the actor refused to believe he could 'impregnate anybody' and only found out about the impending arrival two months ago and believed the relationship with Noor was 'long over' - Pictured last month in Beverly Hills The Scarface leading man is already father to three children with two women: he shares 22-year-old twins Olivia Pacino and Anton James Pacino with Beverly D'Angelo; and Julie Pacino, 33, with Jan Tarrant. News of the pregnancy comes the same month that the actor's longtime colleague Robert De Niro, 79, welcomed his seventh child with girlfriend Tiffany Chen. The Hollywood legends have shared the screen in movies including 2019's The Irishman, 1995's Heat and 1974's The Godfather Part II. Alfallah was previously in romances with Rolling Stones icon Mick Jagger and billionaire Nicolas Berggruen. She was seen out with Tinseltown icon Clint Eastwood, 93, in 2019, but said they were just family friends. The year before, she was seen out with Inglourious Basterds actor Eli Roth, 51. Alfallah's age gap with Pacino 'doesn't seem to be a problem,' a source told Page Six in April of 2022, adding that the Kuwaiti-American film producer 'mostly dates very rich older men. 'She moves with the wealthy jet-set crowd, and she comes from a family with money.' Alfallah is a native of Beverly Hills and attended the UCLA School of Film and Television, later pursuing a career as a producer. Dad to be : This comes after a source close to the couple confirmed to DailyMail.com on Wednesday that Pacino 'could not be happier' about the pregnancy - Alfallah posted a shot in Instagram last month alongside the acting icon and artist/filmmaker Bennett Miller The Scent of a Woman star was pictured in 2020 with his three kids, twins Anton and Olivia, 22, and daughter Julie, 33, at the Oscars in LA The couple was seen enjoying a meal with Aquaman star Jason Momoa and friends Beverly D'Angelo opened up about her longtime relationship with Pacino in an Instagram post earlier this month. The 71-year-old actress said she decided to share details about her relationship with Pacino after her 'dm box got filled up with questions' on the topic. 'My story with Al began 27 years ago, two artists meeting, falling in love,' said D'Angelo. The actress, who played Ellen Griswold in the National Lampoon's Vacation franchise, said that they 'lived together for seven years, had two children' and eventually 'broke up.' Despite their split, she wrote, they 'continued steadily on [their] journey as co parents- and came to share [their] lives with a deeper kind of intimacy, honesty and acceptance than a "traditional" relationship would have allowed.' D'Angelo said that she and Pacino bonded through their mutual passion of their craft. 'Weve always been linked on the creative level - our conversations about acting, the search/need for expression - thats a conversation that started in 96 and continues to this day,' she said. D'Angelo, who has been seen on the CBS series True Lies, called her relationship with the Dog Day Afternoon actor 'unique' and 'encompassing a wide breadth/depth of experiences and emotions, through thick and thin, a true friendship.' She added, 'There are infinite layers in every intimate relationship - and for me, Instagram isnt the place to go into detail really.. but I wanna make sure you know I see and hear you, so this vid is a little bare bones primer in response to your questions.' She added that most importantly she received the approval of her children before posting their images and story to social media. D'Angelo opened up in the clip about her start with the House of Gucci actor, saying, 'I lived with Al for seven years and we have two children; in 1996, we were on the same plane going from Los Angeles to New York. 'He was seated in front of me, he said come up and sit beside me and by the time the plane landed, it was on.' She said that the following year, 'He looked me in the eye and said, "I want you to be the mother of my children."' She continued, 'Although I'd avoided that role my while life, I was deeply in love and I was 100 percent in.' She said that they completed a round of in vitro fertilization in 1997, and 'with a lot of effort and the miracles of modern science,' they welcomed their twins in 2001. Beverly D'Angelo, 71, opened up about her longtime relationship with Pacino in an Instagram post earlier this month D'Angelo shared a slideshow of family shots of the twins in their younger years D'Angelo shared a slideshow of family shots of the twins in their younger years. She said that eventually, things 'got complicated' and their 'split was finalized in 2004.' She added, 'The power of our love for our children was the basis for resolving any conflicts and creating a new history as co-parents, leading individual lives separately but always intertwined as a family.' She wrapped up in saying that she and the Any Given Sunday star continue to share 'a unique and profound friendship between two artists that endures to this day - through thick and thin, 27 years now of doing it our way - and there you have it.' Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has confirmed he is returning to the Fast & Furious franchise for a spin-off about his 'legendary lawman' character Hobbs. A year ago his future in the film series was clouded by doubt amid his feud with Vin Diesel, a longtime mainstay of the movies. Near the end of 2021, Dwayne remarked that his time as Hobbs had come to an 'end.' However in last month's release Fast X, Dwayne shocked and delighted fans by briefly appearing in a mid-credits scene. Now in a new Instagram post this Wednesday he revealed that his cameo was the prelude to a full-scale comeback for his character. The 53-year-old also addressed his falling-out with Vin, writing: 'Last summer @vindiesel and I put all the past behind us. Well lead with brotherhood and resolve - and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love.' 'Just got lei'd': Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has confirmed he is returning to the Fast & Furious franchise for a spin-off about his 'legendary lawman' Hobbs Hunk-tastic: A year ago his future in the film series was clouded by doubt amid his feud with Vin Diesel, a longtime mainstay of the movies; pictured in Fast & Furious 6 in 2013 Dwayne broke the sensational news in an Instagram video that showed him wearing a lei while standing on a Hawaiian balcony overlooking a dazzling ocean view. He shared that he and Vin have 'been like brothers for years and despite having our differences, when you lead with the idea of number one, resolve, but then also, you just think about the future and you think about plans that are much bigger than ourselves, and those bigger plans are the bigger buildouts. 'Those bigger plans are the North Star, as I always like to say. The North Star is always my guiding light in whatever endeavor or opportunity that I am in that Im passionate about. I always keep a North Star in my clarity and in my focus,' he said. 'And in this case the North Star is the franchise that we love. The North Star our characters that we love. And the North Star our fans that we love. So when you add all that up, its really not a hard decision to make. Its a yes.' 'Hope youve got your funderwear on,' the Billions heartthrob teased in his caption, crowing: 'HOBBS IS BACK. And he just got leid.' Dwayne explained: 'Luke Hobbs will be returning to the Fast & Furious franchise. Your reactions around the world to Hobbs return in Fast X have blown us away.' He added: 'The next Fast & Furious film youll see the legendary lawman in will be the HOBBS movie that will serve as a fresh, new chapter & set up for FASTX: Part II.' After revealing that he had mended fences with Vin, The Rock wrote: 'Ive built my career on an " Audience First" mentality and that will always serve as my North Star.' 'HOBBS IS BACK': Dwayne broke the sensational news in an Instagram video that showed him wearing a lei while standing on a Hawaiian balcony overlooking a dazzling ocean view The Hollywood hunk went on: 'Congratulations to my Fast Family & Universal Studios on the global success of FAST X and as always, Hobbs & @SevenBucksProd [the production company Dwayne founded with his ex-wife Dany Garcia] are motivated to help take the Fast franchise to new and exciting places for fans worldwide.' He concluded his post by quoting one of his character's lines in the 2015 movie Furious 7: 'Daddy's gotta go to work.' Dwayne joined the series for the 2011 feature Fast Five and remained on board through the 2017 movie The Fate Of The Furious, the eighth in the chronology. His character Luke Hobbes was such a hit with viewers that he also led a 2019 spin-off called Hobbes And Shaw alongside action heartthrob Jason Statham. However The Rock was absent from F9 - and in an emotional Instagram post in November 2021, Vin begged him to return to the fold. Vin called Dwayne 'my little brother' and even invoked their late co-star Paul Walker, who had died tragically in a car crash eight years before. Using his nickname for Paul, Vin wrote in his Instagram appeal to The Rock: 'I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo. I swore that we would reach and manifest the best Fast in the finale that is 10!' Vin's post also invoked his own family: 'As you know, my children refer to you as Uncle Dwayne in my house.' Throwback: Dwayne joined the series for the 2011 feature Fast Five, in which he is pictured with Vin, and remained on board through the 2017 movie The Fate Of The Furious Hunk-tastic: His character Luke Hobbes was such a hit with viewers that he also led a 2019 spin-off called Hobbes And Shaw alongside action heartthrob Jason Statham The Bloodshot star doubled down: 'There is not a holiday that goes by that they and you dont send well wishes... but the time has come.' Dwayne responded by telling CNN: 'I was very surprised by Vin's recent post. This past June, when Vin and I actually connected not over social media, I told him directly - and privately - that I would not be returning to the franchise.' The Rock slammed his former co-star, saying: 'Vin's recent public post was an example of his manipulation. I didn't like that he brought up his children in the post, as well as Paul Walker's death. Leave them out of it.' However he had warm words for the franchise, noting: 'My goal all along was to end my amazing journey with this incredible Fast And Furious franchise with gratitude and grace. It's unfortunate that this public dialogue has muddied the waters.' The Knight family made their dramatic debut in EastEnders on Thursday evening. As the Albert Square residents mourned the tragic death of Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) George (Colin Salmon) and daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford) arrived to stir up proceedings. As Elaine Peacock's lover and new Queen Vic landlord he soon integrated himself into the community, flirting with Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and putting villain Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) in his place. Elsewhere his outspoken offspring found new enemies in the form Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) But viewers were quick to predict the character's 'true identities' after numerous references to the girls' missing mum - as well as Anna saying Walford 'felt like home'. Debut: The Knight family made their dramatic debut in EastEnders on Thursday evening (L-R) Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) George Knight (Colin Salmon) and Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) Cheeky chap: As Elaine Peacock's lover and new Queen Vic landlord he soon integrated himself into the community, flirting with Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and putting villain Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) in his place George confided in Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) his daughters had grown up without a mother, despite his girls' secretly keeping a jewellery box to remember her. Rushing to Twitter fans were convinced that the missing parent was none other than Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) - who is set to return to the soap after 25 years. One fan said: 'Cindy Beale is Anna and Ginas mother! She faked her death after Cindy Jr was born and did it again with Anna and Gina'. While another wrote: ' I would love it if peoples theories about Cindy being the Knight girls mum is true, would be an amazing plot twist! '. A third commented: 'I've worked out how Cindy's coming back to #EastEnders - she faked her death and went to work under a new identity as a holiday rep for Janus Holidays in Marbella, where she met and had a fling with George Knight - you heard it here first'. While someone else mused: 'Eastenders theory: if Cindy is returning, could she be the mother of newbies Gina and Anna and ex-wife of George Knight? Wasn't Cindy's sister called Gina? (Little hint). I could imagine Cindy has been living her days out in Marbella for the past 25 years!'. Actress Michelle Collins starred as Cindy on the BBC soap opera from 1988 until 1998 and is reportedly due to make a return to screens alongside her on-screen husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), who is also heading back to the soap after a two-year break. And, although Cindy was meant to have died in childbirth, the character and Ian will be seen running a catering business in the South of France. Mystery: But viewers were quick to predict the character's 'true identities' after numerous references to the girls' missing mum - as well as Anna saying Walford 'felt like home' Back: Rushing to Twitter fans were convinced that the missing parent was none other than Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) - who is set to return to the soap after 25 years Sure! Racing to Twitter one fan said: 'Cindy Beale is Anna and Ginas mother! She faked her death after Cindy Jr was born and did it again with Anna and Gina' 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.' MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment. It was reported this week that actress 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. '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.' Comeback: Actress Michelle Collins starred as Cindy on the BBC soap opera from 1988 until 1998 and is reportedly due to make a return to screens alongside her on-screen husband Ian Beale ( Adam Woodyatt ), who is also heading back to the soap after a two-year break (pictured in 1989) Big return: Michelle is reportedly due to make a return to screens along with her on-screen husband Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt (pictured last month) MailOnline has contacted the BBC, and representatives for Michelle and Adam for comment. Since her time on Albert Square, Michelle has carved out a successful career on both stage and screen, having enjoyed a stint as Rovers Return landlady Stella Price in rival soap opera Coronation Street. She has also appeared in stage productions of musicals such as Thoroughly Modern Millie and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In 2019, the Two Thousand Acres of Sky actress - who during her time on the BBC soap saw her character have a string of affairs that led Ian to hire a private investigator - remarked that she had not been able to 'shake Cindy off' and remained adamant that a return could not happen because her character was deceased. She said: 'It's just too long now apart from the fact I'm dead. If I went back to EastEnders, that would be it. 'I still haven't shaken off Cindy after all these years. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but it has always been there and I've done a lot of other work over the years.' MasterChef viewers described Chariya Khattiyot as the BBC show's 'greatest ever' winner after she was crowned the 2023 champion on Thursday night. The master coffee roaster, 40, became the 19th amateur cook to be awarded the revered MasterChef trophy by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. After seeing off 44 other ambitious contestants, Chariya triumphed against the exceptional remaining finalists, Anurag Aggarwal and Omar Foster. Reacting to her win, Chariya broke down in floods of tears as she became overwhelmed by her incredible achievement. Judges Torode and Wallace also wiped away their tears at her sweet reaction, while viewers took to Twitter to heap praise on the newly crowned champion. Congratulations! MasterChef viewers described Chariya Khattiyot as the BBC show's 'greatest ever' winner after she was crowned the 2023 champion on Thursday night Emotional: Reacting to her win, Chariya broke down in floods of tears as she became overwhelmed by her incredible achievement Incredible: The master coffee roaster, 40, became the 19th amateur cook to be awarded the revered MasterChef trophy by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace Fans of the prestigious cooking show lauded her as the show's 'greatest ever' winner as they admitted they too were left very emotional by her victory. Viewers also described Thursday's show as the best MasterChef final in years as they commented on the amazing talent of runners-up Anurag and Omar. One fan wrote: 'Fantastic final. Theyre all winners in my book. One of the best ever & 3 lovely humble people to boot.' Another said: 'Congrats to Chariya, one of the best ever Masterchef UK winners,' while someone else gushed: 'Probably the greatest EVER winner of Masterchef.' A third penned: 'What an amazing series this has been. What a worthy winner Chariya was. Her food was top notch all the way through.' A fourth commented: 'That has got to be the best #MasterChef final in years. All three were brilliant.' A fifth penned: 'Why am I crying with happiness about a cooking competition,' while a sixth tweeted: 'Fantastic result. Well done Chariya! Book me into your restaurant along with Monica please.' Another added: 'Absolutely cannot describe what a fab series Masterchef has been. Congrats to Chariya obviously (incredible) but seriously, all three finalists were worthy of a trophy. So, fly free Omar and Anuurag too.' Thrilled: Delighted viewers were quick to take to Twitter to gush over her victory, with some admitting they were reduced to tears as they described Chariya as the 'greatest ever' winner Streets ahead: After seeing off 44 other ambitious contestants, Chariya triumphed against the exceptional remaining finalists, Anurag Aggarwal and Omar Foster Chariya was completely overcome with emotion when judges Torode and Wallace confirmed she would be taking home the trophy after the very close final. Reacting to her win, she said: 'This is unbelievable. It means the world, the sun, the moon and everything to me. I don't think anything can top this. I'm so happy! 'This just proves that if you dream something and you work really hard and you never give up, you can get it. That's what my grandad said to me never give up. He would be so proud of me!' On the very emotional night, both judges also shed a tear as they announced this year's winner, with Chariya sweetly apologising as they all became overcome with emotion. Torode said: 'Chariya's food has always been honest and from the heart. It's always exciting, it's always unusual and it's always been beautiful and addictive. 'And not just punchy, exciting Thai flavours that we saw at the start, but also exceptional, innovative and exciting technique all the way through. A proper master.' Co-host Wallace added: 'Chariya is outstanding and one of the best MasterChef contestants I can remember. Chariya has delighted and amazed me in equal measure. 'Some of her creations are absolutely beautiful - almost with an artist's touch. She is one of the most creative, skilful cooks I've seen on MasterChef for a long, long time.' Overjoyed: Chariya was completely overcome with emotion when judges Torode and Wallace confirmed she would be taking home the trophy after the very close final Tasty: Chariya's winning menu started with a Thai Lotus Tuille, filled with Coconut Jelly, Fried King Prawns, Pomelo Fruit Salad, flavoured with Honey, Palm Sugar and Coconut Ten out of ten: For her main course, Chariya served a traditional Northern Thai 'Khantoke' Sharing Platter of Wagyu Sirloin Steak in Hung Lay Curry Sauce, Minced Lamb in a Spicy Tomato and Shrimp Paste, Jackfruit and Scallop Salad, Sticky Rice and Scallop Crisp Crackers Sweet treat: Chariya finished her menu with her take on Strawberries and Cream - a Strawberry Jelly and Vanilla Cremeux Ring, filled with Macerated Strawberries in Strawberry Liqueur, Pistachio Sponge, Strawberry Shards and a Strawberry and Thai Basil Sauce Bird's eye view: The three dishes that helped Chariya win the 2023 MasterChef crown Speaking ahead of the last cook-off, Chariya said: 'From a little girl who cooked in a kitchen with no walls, to lift that trophy is going to be the story I can tell to inspire a lot of girls who have a hard life. If you work really hard, I'm sure you can achieve something.' 'You really want to succeed in something, you set a goal and you go for it, that's what my granddad told me,' she added. Thursday's episode saw the final three take on the most intense challenge of the competition - cooking the best three-course meal of their lives. Chariya's winning menu started with a Thai Lotus Tuille, filled with Coconut Jelly, Fried King Prawns, Pomelo Fruit Salad, flavoured with Honey, Palm Sugar and Coconut. On tasting it, an impressed Wallace said: 'That's fabulous. That's a delicate little morsel, packing a very big punch.' For her main course, Chariya served a traditional Northern Thai 'Khantoke' Sharing Platter of Wagyu Sirloin Steak in Hung Lay Curry Sauce, Minced Lamb in a Spicy Tomato and Shrimp Paste, Jackfruit and Scallop Salad, Sticky Rice and Scallop Crisp Crackers. 'I could eat that all day long,' Torode admitted after sampling the dish. Chariya finished her menu with her take on Strawberries and Cream - a Strawberry Jelly and Vanilla Cremeux Ring, filled with Macerated Strawberries in Strawberry Liqueur, Pistachio Sponge, Strawberry Shards and a Strawberry and Thai Basil Sauce. The desert was both a nod to the UK and a love of strawberries that stems from her childhood in Thailand, where she would look forward to eating strawberries once a year with her grandfather. After experiencing her menu, Wallace told Chariya: 'Since the first time you walked into this kitchen, it's been dish upon dish of exciting, beautiful food. 'What I really admire about you is just how hard you work in pursuit of perfection - to really uncover new technique, to find bigger and bigger flavour. 'Do you know who else has those qualities? Top professional chefs. You are the real deal. You're an amazing cook.' Chariya emotionally broke down in tears at the touching feedback, saying that her grandfather would be 'so proud', with Wallace reinforcing that he definitely would. She was sweetly comforted by her co-stars as she cried behind the scenes, appearing overwhelmed by her positive feedback. Runner-up Anurag also received glowing feedback from the judges for his dishes - a starter of golgappa, a main course of a roast cauliflower curry and a halwa lentil sponge pudding. Although he missed out on the trophy, Wallace gushed: 'I find your food highly addictive.' Inspirational: 'If you work really hard, I'm sure you can achieve something,' said Chariya following her win on Thursday evening Triumph: The Basingstoke based amateur chef conjured up the meal of her life to impress the judges and win this year's coveted trophy Well travelled: MasterChef viewers have seen Chariya travel to Istanbul, Turkey, for culinary inspiration during her time on the BBC1 show While Torode added: 'You've found where your culinary heart truly is.' Meanwhile, Omar also impressed the judges with a mango and scallop starter, a main course of beef cheek in a black bean and cherry sauce and a parsnip split dessert. Torode told Omar that he 'admired' him for taking a huge risk with his parsnip twist on the standard banana split, while Wallace also heaped praise on it. Wallace said Omar had challenged their minds and tastes throughout, adding: 'I hope you walk away from here knowing you are a very special cook.' A tearful Omar then said: 'I've given everything to this competition, to have the amazing feedback at this end point was perfect, I'll never forget that.' MasterChef viewers have seen Chariya travel to Istanbul, Turkey, where she got a taste of centuries-old cuisine, cooking traditional food for discerning locals in their historic village, mentored by one of Turkey's best known chefs, Refika Birgul. Then at two Michelin starred Istanbul restaurant, Turk, Chariya was tasked by chef Fatih Tutak to recreate a dish from his celebrated tasting menu during a busy service. The trip ended with a challenge at one of Istanbul's most exclusive addresses Pera House home to the British Consulate General. The amatuet chef worked under immense pressure to meticulously create her dessert a Turkish delicacy of chicken breast pudding, which delighted her lunch guests, including the British Consul General Kenan Poleo, Fatih Tutak and Refika Birgul and the three MasterChef Turkey judges. The penultimate challenge of the week saw Chariya face the once-in-a-lifetime culinary test of Chef's Table, hosted at Core - the three Michelin starred restaurant run by one of the most celebrated chefs in the world, Clare Smyth MBE. Here we go: Chariya is seen serving up another treat during Thursday's episode of the show High praise: Both John Torode and Gregg Wallace compared her food to that of any professional chef On her MasterChef experience, Chariya said: 'I've loved watching MasterChef for many years and decided to enter the competition so I could showcase Northern Thai cuisine. 'In some ways I've been mentally preparing for this for a while. I was initially nervous to cook for John and Gregg, but they were so supportive and they made me want to be the best! I'm also very competitive by nature and I think that's helped with my mindset in the competition.' She added: 'I hope there will be opportunities to work with food and I'm excited about getting experience and turning this love of cooking into a profession. 'Long term, my dream is to open a restaurant and eventually multiple restaurants - where I can showcase the food of my homeland in Northern Thailand and hopefully work towards earning a Michelin star! 'I want to show the world that Northern Thai food is amazing, because it really is. I just love to see people's faces light up when they eat my food.' Kyle Sandilands has recounted a harrowing incident in which a former lover chased him while armed. The Kyle and Jackie O Show host told his shocked co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson he once fled from a furious woman 'who may have been carrying several knives'. When why the woman was so enraged, Kyle explained, 'Because I'd been having sex with both of her friends.' 'I can't say it was warranted because it was a very dangerous situation,' said the 51-year-old. The revelation comes after Sandilands tied the knot with new wife Tegan Kynaston earlier this month. Kyle Sandilands has recounted a harrowing incident in which a former lover chased him while armed. Pictured left with co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson The newlyweds will soon enjoy a honeymoon to the South of France surrounded by friends. The couple, who married earlier this month, will bring a posse of pals and stay at a chateau costing around $8200 a night, The Daily Telegraph claimed on Friday. As well as Kyle's KIIS FM co-host Jackie and her daughter Kitty, Kyle will be bringing along his manager Bruno Bouchet, and Bruno's partner Laura. Also coming for the jaunt is newsreader Brooklyn Ross and Kyle and Jackie O Show producer Jaimee Blazquez, as well as their partners. During the two week stay, Kyle is expected to continue recording his radio show as well as having days off. Kyle Sandilands and his new wife Tegan Kynaston will enjoy a honeymoon to the South of France surrounded by friends. Both pictured It comes after Jackie confessed that she has decided to crash the romantic getaway. The radio star appeared to get jealous on her radio show with Kyle that she won't be escaping to Europe soon, so she invited herself along for their post-wedding celebration. 'I'm coming on his honeymoon. Why not? I have never been to the south of France before,' Jackie O said on air. Kyle then said that Jackie will be a 'third wheel' on their romantic honeymoon to France. It comes after Jackie (pictured) confessed that she has decided to crash the romantic getaway The 51-year-old tied the knot with his wife Tegan, 37, in a $1million ceremony at the heritage-listed Swifts mansion in Sydney's Darling Point. Aussie celebrities in attendance at the wedding included NSW Premier Chris Minns, Today host Karl Stefanovic, and 'King of the Cross' John Ibrahim, among others. Kyle moved his wedding guests to tears as he shared a sweet tribute to his new wife. The radio star gave a touching speech in front of 130 guests at Swifts - a late-Victorian Gothic Revival property with a $60million price tag - during the reception. The 51-year-old Sandilands tied the knot with his wife Tegan, 37, in a $1million ceremony at the heritage-listed Swifts mansion in Sydney's Darling Point. Both pictured As the guests sat down to a three-course dinner at the reception that followed, Kyle took the microphone to tell his bride: 'Baby we've done it.' 'I always thought that the love I was looking for and that I wanted was a delusion and wasn't achievable,' Sandilands said in his speech. 'You've changed my life and made me a better man. I love you, baby.' Kyle added that watching Tegan become a mother to their son Otto 'made him fall in love with her all over again'. He was once the enfant terrible of the restaurant world, but is Marco Pierre White's daughter about to make her own mark on culinary culture? I can reveal Mirabelle, 22, appears to have shelved plans to become a ballerina and is now training as a pastry chef at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire the same kitchen her father worked in 40 years ago under Raymond Blanc. Television chef Raymond, 73, tells me: 'Mirabelle's learning all the basics about patisserie and she's lovely. I have high hopes that Mirabelle will come out very strong as she is being trained by the top patissiers.' 'The older generation like to say all the younger generation are rubbish when it comes to learning how to make food, but I disagree profoundly. They just need to be inspired and given the opportunity to be creative.' A proud Marco, 61, says of his Royal Ballet School-trained daughter: 'If I look at Mirabelle, she's very consistent and she's very fast and very driven. And so I think she'll do really well within that world.' Marco Pierre White's stunning ballerina daughter Mirabelle (pictured): Chef's 21-year-old joins him in Sydney for his Out of the Kitchen show in Sydney following the death of Jock Zonfrillo But he suggests his bad boy reputation stems from a misunderstanding. 'How could I have been a wild child? I worked in the kitchen six nights a week, I used to work over 100 hours a week in my kitchens,' he says. 'Most of my reputation is a product of exaggeration and ignorance. I've always been conventional and a classicist.' Mirabelle is Marco's daughter from his marriage to his estranged third wife, fiery Spanish bar manager Mati Conejero, with whom he also has sons Marco, 28, and Luciano, 29. They wed in 2000, but filed for divorce seven years later. They gave up on divorce proceedings in 2011 after years of negotiations, with legal bills reportedly reaching 3 million. In 2012, Mati admitted smashing the windows of Marco's Range Rover and daubing graffiti in blood and scarlet nail varnish on his West London house. The King this week undertook one of the most poignant duties of his reign so far. On Tuesday, at Buckingham Palace, he received Nicolas Bramall who, as custom dictates, returned the Insignia of the Order of the Garter worn by his father, Field Marshal The Lord Bramall. Due to delays caused by lockdowns, it was three and a half years after the death of the Field Marshal, whose final days were blighted by baseless allegations made by Carl Beech, who was jailed in 2019 for perverting the course of justice. Lucy and her hot new role as Marie Antoinette . . . Bohemian Rhapsody star Lucy Boynton says she was almost burnt to a crisp thanks to the billowing dresses she wore to play Marie Antoinette in new film Chevalier. The 29-year-old (right) plays the last queen of France in the story of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate composer son of a slave owner. It was incredible, the scale, height, the width, you have to re-learn your spatial awareness, Lucy, who is dating Bohemian Rhapsody co-star Rami Malek, 42, tells me at the Gala Screening at Everyman Borough Yards in London. I almost caught on fire several times. Youre trained very quickly. Lucy Boynton (pictured May 30) arrives at the UK Gala Screening of "Chevalier" at Everyman Borough Yards Geri gets a spicy 760k dividend She prefers, so it is playfully said, to be known as Geraldine these days as that befits her life as chatelaine of an Oxfordshire estate. But though at ease in her 15th-century manor house, where she and her Red Bull F1 boss husband Christian Horner keep horses, its Geri Halliwells Spice Girls past that still brings home the hay. Twenty-seven years after the Spice Girls sold 23 million copies of their debut album, Geri, 50, has treated herself to a 762,240 dividend from Wonderful Productions. The firm she set up in 1997 holds 1.4 million in retained earnings, which could soon be much more if Geri sheds her jodhpurs to join a reunion tour that bandmate Mel B hankers for. Strong spirits help Ray see supernatural Not sure I had Hollywood hard man Ray Winstone down as a believer in the supernatural. And yet the 66-year-old Sexy Beast star claims to have had loads of encounters with unworldly entities, although there does tend to be a common denominator. I was usually p****d at the time, he tells me at the Gala Performance of Ghost Story 2:22 at the Apollo Theatre in Londons West End, which sees his 38-year-old daughter Jaime (pictured left, together) playing a starring role. And the actress also confirmed to being a believer, telling me at the after party: Of course I believe. Is it science, or is it magic? Its all of it. Before adding: Ive had a few drinks. Do I sense a pattern emerging? Ray Winstone (pictured left) claims to have had loads of encounters with unworldly entities Edith Bowman is a stalwart broadcaster however, the 49-year-old admits to still suffering from nerves before any of her big presenting gigs. I use them constructively, it keeps me alert, the former Radio 1 DJ tells me. I think when I dont get them its time to move on. I see them as a good thing because it shows you care. If you didnt feel anything, then it would be worse, wouldnt it? I still get nervous but it keeps me alive. Her father Lucian was given the Order of Merit and awards seem to keep coming for the Freuds. Novelist daughter Esther, 60, has been handed a sauna diploma, recognising her as a fully-fledged doyenne of dry heat. I am proud to say Im now a member of the Diplomatic Sauna Society, courtesy of the Finnish embassy, she says. I spent the evening with notable Finns, eating, drinking and testing our Sisu (grit) in the highest temperatures. As one does. Blindsided Brad Pitt learned that ex-wife Angelina Jolie had sold half of their celebrated French vineyard to a 'Russian oligarch' from a press release, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. The former couple had a 'mutual and binding commitment' to the $160 million Chateau Miraval business and both agreed never to sell their share without the other's permission. But stunned Pitt, 59, discovered his ex-wife had 'secretly' sold her 50 percent stake when a 2021 press release announced that he had new business partners, according to the actor's lawyers. Worse still, the buyer was part of a 'Russia-affiliated' vodka conglomerate headed by a billionaire oligarch who would use the Hollywood connection to launder his reputation, a new filing alleges. 'As will be demonstrated at trial, Jolie's actions were unlawful, severely and intentionally damaging Pitt and unjustly enriching herself,' states the document, filed in LA Superior Court and obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com. Brad Pitt's lawyers claim that Angelina Jolie secretly sold a 50 percent stake in their French vineyard following their heated child custody dispute in 2021 Pitt states that he was blindsided when Jolie sold her share of Chateau Miraval, a 35-room estate and celebrated vineyard in the south of France that Pitt and Jolie bought for $60 million in 2011. The 1,000-acre estate now valued at $164million is where the couple tied the knot in 2014 Pitt and UN human rights activist Jolie, 47, split in 2016 but are still sorting out their labyrinthine financial affairs and custody arrangements to this day. The latest skirmish began as a protracted business dispute over the Chateau Miraval, a 35-room estate and vineyard they jointly acquired for $60 million in 2011 and the setting for their wedding three years later. Just as the fizz went out of their A-list marriage, this latest dust up has steadily devolved into an ugly mudslinging match with Pitt furious that Jolie has used privileged court documents to repeat unproven domestic violence allegations against him. By selling to Yuri Shefler, Jolie linked the Chateau Miraval to Russia, its homophobic laws, and the invasion of Ukraine - potentially tarnishing the reputation of its highly regarded rose, Pitt alleges In a revised complaint also filed this week, the Fight Club hunk insists he had first refusal on his ex-wife's share of the idyllic winery, situated in Correns, a village in the South of France. By selling instead to Yuri Shefler, Jolie linked the Chateau Miraval to Russia, its homophobic laws, and the invasion of Ukraine - potentially tarnishing the reputation of its highly regarded rose, Pitt alleges. In her $250 counterclaim Jolie accused Pitt of trying to force her into selling to his company, Mondo Bongo, on 'unreasonable terms' and spreading lies that Shefler was 'an ally of Vladimir Putin.' She also alleged that Pitt hid assets and squandered the chateau's funds on vanity projects, including a swimming pool and an ornate staircase that was rebuilt four times. 'The only thing that Jolie's Cross-Complaint gets right is that she and Pitt purchased Chateau Miraval as a 'loving home for their six children,' Pitt's lawyers protest in his latest riposte. 'As set forth in Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint, Pitt and Jolie had a mutual and binding commitment, reflected by their conduct and statements to one another over time, that they would hold Miraval together and, if the time came, that they would sell their interests separately only with the other's consent.' The filing says Pitt trusted his-then wife and thus 'devoted his time and his resources to renovating the estate and building a highly successful wine business'. 'Jolie, though supportive of Pitt's efforts on behalf of the family, did none of the work necessary for Miraval's success,' the filing goes on. 'Instead, she allowed Pitt to pour money and sweat equity into the business in reliance on her promise to hold Miraval together, as well as the contractual rights her holding company Nouvel owed his. By the time of their separation, Pitt's investment exceeded Jolie's by nearly $50 million.' Jolie and Pitt married in 2014 and are pictured together in November 2015. The filing says Pitt trusted his-then wife and thus 'devoted his time and his resources to renovating the estate and building a highly successful wine business' The filing argues that Tomb Raider star Jolie 'initially recognized' her obligation to Pitt and acknowledged that she had two options sell jointly or allow Pitt to buy her out. She even agreed that dividing the business up 68 percent to 38 percent in his favor would be fair, according to her ex-husband's filing. 'But in the summer of 2021, amid a heated child custody dispute with Pitt, Jolie terminated those discussions and secretly purported to sell a 50% stake in the family home and family business to Tenute del Mondo,' the filing adds. Pitt alleges that Jolie's sale to a 'Russian oligarch' would potentially tarnish the reputation of its highly regarded rose 'Tenute del Mondo is part of the Russia-affiliated spirits conglomerate Stoli Group, which is owned and controlled by billionaire Yuri Shefler. Shefler, who has been designated as an 'oligarch in the Russian Federation' by the U.S. Treasury Department, had previously sought to buy Miraval, and Pitt had turned him down. 'Pitt learned of Jolie's putative sale to Stoli by way of a press release announcing that Stoli was 'thrilled to have a position alongside Brad Pitt as curators' of Miraval rose. 'That was by design: Jolie collaborated in secret with Shefler and his associates to pursue and then consummate the purported sale, ensuring that Pitt would be kept in the dark as Stoli and Jolie knowingly violated Pitt's and Mondo Bongo's contractual rights and forced a stranger into Pitt's family home.' Pitt's revised complaint goes to accuse Shefler - a co-defendant and currently based in Switzerland of destabilizing the winery's operations and plotting a hostile takeover. 'Shefler's Russia-affiliated spirits conglomerate has been the subject of repeat boycotts in connection with Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and homophobic legislative agenda,' it argues. 'While Shefler may be seeking to launder his reputation by forcing a partnership with one of the world's most well-known and popular actors, affiliation with Shefler and Stoli jeopardizes the reputation of the business.' It adds: 'All of this is the direct result of Stoli's and Jolie's secretive, unlawful and tortious conduct and that of others acting with them.' DailyMail.com previously reported that Pitt's allies are furious with Jolie for using the Chateau Miraval dispute to repeat unproven allegations that he attacked her and terrorized their kids after drinking heavily on a 2016 private jet ride. Jolie's filing claims Pitt flew into a rage, grabbing her by the head, shaking her, and shoving her into a bathroom wall before punching the ceiling numerous times. When one of their six kids, then-aged between eight and 15, came to their mom's defense, the two-time Oscar-winner is alleged to have 'lunged at his own child', prompting Jolie to grab him from behind. 'To get Jolie off his back, Pitt threw himself backwards into the airplane's seats injuring Jolie's back and elbow,' the countersuit states. 'The children rushed in and all bravely tried to protect each other. Before it was over, Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face.' Jolie and Pitt are pictured in November 2008 with their six children. The couple separated in 2016, following an explosive argument on a private jet The former couple are pictured at Brie-Champniers airport in France as they board a private jet with their kids in 2007, the year before they bought the Miraval property. Jolie's claims Pitt flew into a rage, grabbing her by the head, shaking her, and shoving her into a bathroom wall before punching the ceiling numerous times while on a private jet Pitt is adamant he never laid a finger on his children or philanthropist ex-wife, who filed for divorce five days later. She claims in filings that the incident left her 'increasingly uncomfortable with continuing to participate in an alcohol-related business, given the impact of Pitt's acknowledged problem of alcohol abuse on their family.' Both the FBI and reportedly the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services declined to take further action against him in the wake of the spat. But that hasn't prevented her from weaponizing the 'ever-evolving' allegations at every possible opportunity, according to Pitt's pals, who accuse Jolie of 'seeking revenge' and launching a 'misinformation campaign.' Pitt and Jolie met in 2005 on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, playing a bored married couple who discover they are both assassins hired by competing agencies to kill one another. They married at Chateau Miraval in 2014 and parented six kids - three biological and three adopted. Pitt has not shied away from his flaws, telling GQ magazine in the wake of their split that he was quitting booze and seeking therapy. 'It's hit me smack in the face with our divorce: I gotta be more. I gotta be more for them. I have to show them. And I haven't been great at it,' he said. About 40-50 foreign direct investment (FDI)proposals from countries sharing land border with India under the provisions of Press Note 3 are pending for approval with the government, official sources said. Under Press Note 3, the government has made its prior approval mandatory for foreign investments from countries that share land border with India. These countries are China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan. As per that decision, FDI proposals from these countries need government approval for investments in India in any sector. About 40-50 proposals are pending with the commerce and industry ministry as they require security and political clearances, one of the sources said. Sources added that there is no consideration at present to ease norms under this press note. FDI is not totally banned from these countries. It is just that they (investors from these countries) have to follow the government approval route and of course that takes times, a source said. The government has a commitment to clear these proposals in three months time, but it takes about seven months. As per industry sources, MG Motor, a British brand owned by Chinas largest automaker SAIC Motor Corp, has been awaiting government approval for around two years now to raise funds from its parent. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Satsang is association with good people; It is also about the inner quality of sattva or purity IIt was a desolate sight to see my nonagenarian grandmother. A deeply religious person whose life was dedicated to the Almighty, she lay afflicted by Alzheimers, in an incapacitated condition in a small nursing home in Bangalore. There was just a nurse to attend to her needs. Misty-eyed, I entered the room along with two gentlemen. Grandma was quite unexpectedly injected with vital prana as she stared at us. Moorty garu! she exclaimed, much to the astonishment of the nurse who was involved in an animated conversation with Moorty garu. As we left, my grandmother looked forlorn and her benefactor blessed her. A somnolent 94-year-old woman abruptly awakening upon seeing Shri VSR Moorty, obviously meant that the satsangs he rendered were exemplary. There was one rendition of the Narada Bhakti sutras at our house in Hyderabad which is etched in my memory bank. The year was 2014 and it was a crisp and cool morning in early November. I was posted in Secunderabad on South Central Railway. As I was poring over files, I walked Shri VSR Moorty. Moorty Garu focused his attention on my computer screen. Pictures of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar were flipping across the monitor. He looked at Gurudevs photograph quite intently and uttered, Ravi, I would like to have an interaction with Guruji. This interaction or satsang would be recorded by Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel (SVBC). My jaws fell in astonishment. Millions of devotees of Gurudev wait to have a glimpse of the Master and I had this onerous task of organising an interaction with the Master himself. But that is a challenge for any seeker and I promptly sent a mail to the Master and his secretariat seeking an appointment. He then shared, Ravi, the Sankalpa needs to be pure, rest Almighty God will take ensure that things fall in place, Sai Ram. I was stunned that evening when the Secretariat agreed to fix the appointment at such short notice. We made the peregrination to the Bangalore Ashram of the Art of Living along with the staff from SVBC. For three days and three nights, we were witness to something transcendental. The interaction ranged on a variety of subjects from ancient Hindu practices, and various schools of Hindu philosophy to the present day. It is well-nigh impossible to decode the divine and pen the interaction. A senior teacher of the Art of Living, Shri Vinod Menon was to tell Moorty Garu, This is the closest one could unravel divinity, you are indeed blessed, coming so close to the Divine. In the amphitheatre on my mind the graphic scene of BR Chopras Mahabharata, the television serial played out, where Lord Krishna tells Bhishma, Arjun woh nar hai jo Narayan ke darshan karwayega. (That is, Arjuna is the person who will be the medium to reveal the resplendence of Narayana himself). So, this was satsang What does one mean by Satsang? (I quote Yogapedia to describe Satsang) Satsang is a Sanskrit term derived from two roots: sat meaning true and sangha meaning community, company, or association. It can be translated as associating with good people or simply being in the company of truth. It refers to the act of gathering like-minded, uplifting people, especially those on a spiritual path. Satsang is associated with the inner quality of sattva (goodness or purity), which is one of the three gunas (natural attributes) alongside rajas (passion) and tamas (inactivity). A sattvic person makes a natural Satsangi, or seeker of truth. So let us all be satsangis in quest of the quintessential truth. (The writer is an author and a spiritual teacher) To end this menace Govt must provide alternative employment opportunities and encourage mechanised cleaning technologies Death does not discriminate, but the system does, cried out Rukmani Devi, a grief-stricken relative who lost her cousin, Nand Kushwaha, and his son Nitesh, in a horrifying incident that unfolded in Bahora Ramnagar village. The tight-knit community mourns the loss of four lives, all victims of the archaic and inhumane practice of manual scavenging. On a sombre Sunday morning, tragedy struck as these brave souls descended into a septic tank, unaware of the deadly consequences that awaited them. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Nebua Naurangia police station in the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh, a region plagued by the persisting menace of manual scavenging. Despite numerous promises and legislative measures to eradicate this degrading practice, it continues to thrive, claiming innocent lives and shattering families. Manual scavenging, a practice that involves the manual cleaning of septic tanks, drains, and dry latrines, has been banned in India since 1993 under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act. However, the law remains largely ineffective, with thousands of individuals still forced into this hazardous occupation due to poverty, social discrimination, and a lack of alternative livelihood options. Incidentally, the government, which has introduced several measures to prohibit manual scavenging and rehabilitate those involved, does not consider septic cleaning as manual scavenging, despite the National Human Rights Commissions (NHRC) recommendation to expand the definition of manual scavengers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the hazardous conditions faced by manual scavengers. "Nand was our sole breadwinner," sobbed Rukmani Devi, her voice heavy with grief. "We had hoped for a brighter future for Nitesh, but now he is gone too. Why does no one care about our lives?" The tragedy that befell the Kushwaha family is not an isolated incident. According to a report by Safai Karamchari Andolan, an organization fighting for the rights of sanitation workers, there have been over 1,800 deaths related to manual scavenging in the past decade alone. In four years, between 2017-2021, 330 people lost their lives due to "hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks" in India, as per the data presented in Lok Sabha in August 2022. Each death represents a life cut short, dreams left unfulfilled, and families left devastated, Dinesh Kanojia, an office-bearer of Safai Karamchari Aandolan said and added: We clean society's waste, but society refuses to acknowledge us as humans." Despite the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and the Rehabilitation Act of 2013, which outlawed the employment of manual scavengers and aimed to provide rehabilitation measures, the implementation has been woefully inadequate. The lack of political will, insufficient enforcement, and social apathy have perpetuated this grave injustice. The dangers of manual scavenging extend beyond the risk of asphyxiation and drowning. The workers are often exposed to toxic gases, disease-causing pathogens, and unsanitary conditions that pose serious health risks. The absence of social safety nets and adequate welfare measures further deepens their economic struggles, leaving them with limited choices. The persistence of manual scavenging in India is a grave violation of human rights, as it subjects individuals to dehumanizing conditions, health hazards, and social exclusion, Raghuvanshi, a Dalit activist, said. The tragedy in Bahora Ramnagar village should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities and society at large. Immediate action is needed to ensure justice for the victims and their families and to put an end to this brutal practice. To address this grave issue, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. Strengthening the implementation of existing laws, providing alternative employment opportunities, investing in mechanized cleaning technologies, and raising public awareness are crucial steps toward eradicating manual scavenging. Collaboration between government bodies, civil society organizations, and affected communities is essential to ensure sustainable change. "No more lives should be lost in the depths of septic tanks," declared Smita Yadav, a social worker. "It is time to break the chains of this exploitative practice and work towards a future where dignity and equality prevail." She said: As the Kushwaha family and the entire community grieve the loss of Nand and Nitesh, their deaths must not be forgotten. Their tragedy should ignite a collective resolve to eliminate manual scavenging and create a society where every life is valued and respected. Let us unite in our demand for justice and in our commitment to building a future free from this dark chapter of human suffering. (Writer is Political Editor, The Pioneer, Lucknow) PM Modi's recent tour of Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia can be seen as a marker of his growing popularity and influence In a world filled with diverse cultures, ideologies, and ambitions, PM Modi Ji's engagements have gone beyond the realm of mere diplomacy, becoming more of a celebration of India's global leadership and cultural heritage. The immense respect and goodwill that the world leaders feel for India and its leader, PM Modi Ji is reflected in their various extraordinary gesturesbe it President Biden seeking his autograph or Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea showing his respect by touching PM Modi's feet at the airport or Australian PM Albanese referring to PM Modi as 'The Boss', The New Zealand Prime Minister specially came all the way down to Papua New Guinea to meet our leader, demonstrating a deep appreciation for India's leadership. All these countries may have varying opinions on several issues, but such heartfelt gestures highlight PM Modi Ji's popularity and Indias growing stature. Several unprecedented honours came Indias way too. The highest awards of Papua New Guinea (Companion of the Order of Logohu) and Fiji (Companion of the Order of Fiji) were conferred upon PM Modi Ji, symbolizing his tireless efforts in championing the unity of Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of the Global South. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, referred to PM Modiji as the 'leader of the Global South'. These accolades firmly establish PM Modi Ji's standing as an international leader and further enhance India's reputation on the world stage. At the community reception in Australia, leaders of all hues-- the Australian PM accompanied by the Leader of the Opposition, Foreign Minister, former Prime Minister, and several other ministers walked hand in hand with PM Modi Ji. The illumination of the Sydney Opera House in the colours of the Indian flag, and the renaming of Harris Park to Little India further emphasize the influence of India and its diaspora in Australia. Great Push for Indian Culture, Values, and Ethos. PM Modi Ji also effectively utilized global platforms to showcase Indian culture, values, and ethos. By wearing recycled materials at the G7 and the Forum for IndiaPacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), and hosting a lunch for FIPIC leaders featuring Indian cuisine and millet-based items, PM Modi Ji showcased India's commitment to sustainability. Hiroshima which was the first to face atomic bombing in the history of mankind, today serves as the most fitting setting for commemorating the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and PM Modi ji's unveiling his bust in this historic city symbolises the message of non-violence that Gandhi ji stood for. Also, the release of the timeless Tamil classic, "Thirukkural," in the Tok Pisin language, was an effort to bring Indian thought and culture closer to the people of Papua New Guinea. In his engagements with industry leaders, scientists, academicians, and cultural icons, PM Modi Ji positioned India as the world's preferred investment destination, fostering economic growth and job creation. Nobel Laureate Brian Paul Schmidt, who met the PM, highlighted India's scientific prowess and its ability to undertake world-class research. PM Modi is one of the most visible leaders that India has had in my lifetime. He takes an interest in whoever he talks to, whether its the President of USA or someone he meets for first time from society. Indias ability to do world class science has become an order of magnitude higher, he told reporters after the meeting. In Professor Toby Walshs words, India is absolutely worlds most extraordinary democracy. UPI is a wonderful example of how India can do things itself. During his diplomatic parleys in the Quad, FIPIC, and G7 summits, the Prime Minister underscored India's active role in shaping the global agenda and fostering collaborations among nations. He interacted with over two dozen world leaders throughout his visits. The community event in Sydney was attended by around 20 thousand people. In contrast to some leaders who blame others or badmouth the country, PM Modi Ji's speech singularly focussed on the India Story, highlighting its progress, achievements, and aspirations. From Japan to Papua New Guinea and Australia, the newspaper headlines widely featured PM Modi Ji, capturing the collective attention and fascination of readers everywhere. The world today looks at India with awe and respect. Under PM Modi Ji's leadership, India's ascent to becoming the 5th largest economy has been swift and promises peace, opportunity, development, and sustainability. Opposition politicians, like Rahul Gandhi, have developed a regrettable habit of resorting to abuse and falsehoods. They regularly undermine India's image, and our democracy and heap insults on our Prime Minister, our government and also our nation and leave no stones unturned to downplay Indias staggering achievements. By this, they are doing a huge disservice to the nation and people will never forgive them. PM Modi Jis leadership, diplomacy, and vision have strengthened international relations, garnered admiration from world leaders, attracted investments, and fuelled economic expansion. Without indulging in such petty politicking, we all must work together for India's progress, celebrate its growth and development, in line with the Prime Minister's principle of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. (The writer is MoS, Electronics & Information Technology,) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit South Africa and Namibia starting Thursday. During his three-day visit to Capetown, he will participate in the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) conclave. Thereafter, Jaishankar will travel to Namibia for a visit from June 4 to 6, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) here on Wednesday. Incidentally, it will be the first visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Namibia. The BRICS brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade. Besides, Jaishankar will also hold a bilateral meeting with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor. In poll-bound Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched his partys month-long pan-India campaign, Maha Jansampark from Ajmer and urged people not to be misled by the guarantee habit of the Congress which he said is not new but 50-years-old. Addressing a public rally at Ajmer, Modi said people of Rajasthan have suffered on account of policies of the Congress which is in the habit of tricking people. Fifty years ago, the Congress guaranteed that it will remove poverty. But it turned out to be their biggest betrayal to the poor. It has been a policy of the Congress to mislead the poor. The Opposition insulted the hard work of 60,000 labourers (Shramik) and the sentiment of the country, by boycotting the inauguration of the new parliament, said Modi. The rally marked the start of a series of BJP public meetings over a month in a major outreach campaign as the party completes nine years in power at the Centre. Modi compared the slow speed of vaccination coverage in the country under the Congress with its speed under the BJP Government at the Centre. When there was a Congress Government, the vaccination coverage could reach only around 60 per cent. At that time, 40 out of 100 pregnant women, and children could not receive life-saving vaccines. Had there been a Congress Government (now), 100 per cent vaccination coverage in the country would have taken 40 more years. Several generations would have passed by then. Can you imagine the number of poor women and children who would have died in the absence of life-saving vaccines? Modi said. Modi launched the BJPs month-long country-wide Maha Jansampark which includes over 51 huge rallies, public meetings at more than 500 places, and over 600 Press conferences in over 500 Lok Sabha and 4,000 Vidhan Sabha constituencies. Around five lakh distinguished families will also be contacted in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In the backdrop of the Congress winning the Karnataka elections where it offered five pre-poll guarantees, Modi in his rally cautioned voters in Rajasthan not to be swayed by the Congress guarantees. This guarantee habit of the Congress is not new, it is old. 50 years ago, the Congress gave the garibi hatao slogan to the country. This is the Congress partys biggest treachery with the poor, said Modi. He further said, The Congress strategy has been to trick the poor. People of Rajasthan have suffered due to this. The policy of the Congress has been to cheat the poor and make them suffer. The people of Rajasthan have also suffered a lot due to this. Reminding people of nine years of his Government at the Centre, Modi said, Nine years of BJP Government were dedicated to the service of the people of the country, good governance and welfare of the poor. All top BJP leaders from Rajasthan, including the freshly-inducted Law Minister Arjun Meghwal accompanied Modi during the rally. A court here has criticised the Delhi Police for serving summonses on public witnesses only through WhatsApp and referred the matter to the deputy commissioner of police, West district, for appropriate action. Additional Sessions Judge Hem Raj was hearing a murder case registered at Punjabi Bagh police station which was at the stage of prosecution evidence. Noting that one of the prosecution witnesses was absent and did not respond to repeated calls, the judge said the Delhi Police Commissioner had issued a standing order in February last year regarding the service of summons upon the witnesses. The judge also noted in another case, a letter was received from the DCP (west) stating there is no circular from Delhi Police to serve the summons on WhatsApp. Earlier also, this court has noted in several cases that the witnesses are being served by the police officials on WhatsApp..., the judge said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said here that the Government is committed to restore peace in Manipur and ensuring an early return of all internally displaced people back to their homes. Meeting victims from both Meitei and Kuki communities in relief camps in the State, he assured them of security and said the Governments focus is to ensure their safe return home. The Centre is working on a three-pronged approach to bring the warring Meitei and Kuki communities into a narrow common ground for lasting peace in trouble-torn Manipur, sources said on Wednesday. These include dialogue with the affected people, rehabilitating those who had to leave their homes with enhanced security and control over insurgents, the sources privy to the development said. The major task before the Government is to build confidence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. On his third day of a trip to Manipur to broker peace between warring communities, Shah visited Moreh in Tengnoupal district, followed by a tour to Kangpokpi district, and had wide ranging discussions with civil society organisations. Amit Shah said, We are committed to restoring peace in Manipur as early as possible and ensuring their (refugees) return to their homes. The home minister assured people that the supply of essential items in hill areas and helicopter services for emergency needs in Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi will be ensured. Speaking to media after meeting Shah at Raj Bhavan, Advisor of Meitei Council Moreh Ningthoukhongjam Pulendro Singh said we conveyed to him the need for our resettlement in Moreh and Churachandpur. The home minister is believed to have assured both a safe return home to all interally displaced persons as also return of those who fled to Myanmar, though officials said the latter may take some time. Later, the home minister visited a relief camp in Imphal where the members of the Meitei community from hill districts were sheltering. Our resolve remains focused on leading Manipur back to the track of peace and harmony once again at the earliest, Shah said. The Union Home Minister also held a security review meeting with top officials from Central and State forces in Imphal later in the evening. He directed them to take stern and prompt actions against armed miscreants and recover looted weapons to bring back normalcy at the earliest, the release said. Earlier he had held a similar meeting in Moreh. He was accompanied by Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka on the trip. He met the delegation of the hill tribal council, Kuki Students Organisation, Kuki Chiefs Association, Tamil Sangam, Gorkha Samaj and Manipuri Muslim council in Moreh. The delegates expressed strong support for the governments initiatives to restore normalcy in the state, the home ministry said in a statement. In a tragic incident, an over speeding SUV knocked down a scooty, killing four members of a family, including two minors, in Vikas Nagar police station area in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief at the deaths in the accident and directed the officials to take strict action against the driver of the SUV. A police team, which reached the scene of the accident on getting information, rushed the victims to the King Georges Medical University Trauma Centre and seized the SUV. The victims were pronounced dead by the doctors. Those killed were identified as Ram Singh (34), his wife Gyan Devi (31) and their sons Ansh (8) and Raj (13), all of Tambore locality of Sitapur district. As per reports, the victims, all riding a scooty, were passing near the Gulacheen temple in Vikas Nagar police station area when an over speeding Scorpio hit the two-wheeler. The scooty, which got stuck under the SUV, was dragged up to 100 metres from the spot of the accident. The high-speed Scorpio hit the scooty near Gulacheen temple at around 2 o'clock in the night on Wednesday. After the scooty got stuck under the Scorpio, the couple and the two children were dragged for about 100 metres. The couple and both the children who were trapped under the scooty were pulled out by the people and all four were rushed to the KGMU Trauma Centre where the doctors pronounced them dead, eyewitnesses said. DCP (North) Qasim Abdi said the accused SUV driver, identified as Rajendra Kumar Pal of Rajajipuram in Talkatora, had been arrested. The accused is a property dealer and has his office in Bakshi Ka Talab. He was heavily drunk when he was driving the SUV and that was why he could not apply brakes to avoid hitting the scooty, which was ahead of his SUV, he said. He said the SUV, which was abandoned at the accident scene, was seized. A police team found the owner of the SUV and he confessed to his crime during interrogation on Wednesday afternoon, he said. We are examining the CCTV footage to find the actual sequence of the heart-rending incident, he said. The president of Uttarakhand BJP Mahendra Bhatt has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a lot to Uttarakhand and now it is the turn of the people of the State to return the favour. Interacting with the media persons on Wednesday, Bhatt said that the party is going to the masses through its mega outreach programme with a request to provide support to PM Modi. Releasing the itenary of the month-long programme, the president of State BJP said that the State has been divided into two clusters for successful conduction of the programme. He said that senior leader Ashwini Tyagi and Rekha Verma would be the incharges of Kumaon region while former deputy chief minister of Gujarat Nitin Patel and party MP Vipin Thakur would be the incharges of Garhwal region. They would be assisted by Suresh Bhatt ( Kumaon) and Anil Goyal ( Garhwal). Bhatt said that the objective of the programme is to provide information about the achievements of the Modi government to the head of every family and get a miss call from him on mobile number 9090902024. He further informed that a total of seven media interactions, social media influencer meet and discussions with senior workers of the party would be held from June 1 to 5. Bhatt said that PM Modi would address a mega public rally in the State during the campaign and apart from it rallies would be organised in all five Parliamentary constituencies which would be attended by central leaders of the party. The media in-charge Manvir Singh Chauhan, state spokesperson Suresh Joshi, Vinod Suyal, Vipin Kainthola and others were present on the occasion. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy with widely scattered showers or thunderstorms possible overnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. As the Bharatiya Janata Party started a month-long mass contact programme in which party workers and leaders would interact with people to educate them about the achievements of the nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi rule, BJP state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary said that Modis regime was a reflection of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, the BJP state president said that the Maha Sampark Abhiyan would be organised in all the 80 Lok Sabha and 403 assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh where party leaders would meet people from all walks of life. The programme will be held in all 1,918 mandals, 27,634 power centres and 1,74,359 booths. At the organisational level, a campaign committee has been formed at the state, region, district and divisional level for coordinating with the leaders, Chaudhary said. The BJP state president said that 80 Lok Sabha constituencies had been divided into 21 clusters. In each cluster, programmes have been prepared by assigning responsibilities to the Central ministers. The ministers in Yogi Adityanath government and senior office-bearers of BJP will also participate in this campaign. Guests from the Centre and the state will also participate in this programme. A press conference will be held on the achievements of the Central government. Conferences with intellectuals, traders, beneficiaries of the government schemes, women and students will be held in each Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP state head said. In each Lok Sabha constituency, 1,000 distinguished families such as Padma Shri awardees, sportspersons, artists, industrialists, doctors, former judges, martyrs family members and other famous families will be contacted. Besides, Chaudhary said, a joint convention of the seven frontal organisations comprising Yuva Morcha, Mahila Morcha, Kisan Morcha, Scheduled Caste Morcha, Minority Morcha, Scheduled Tribe Morcha, and Backward Classes Morcha would be organised in each district. On June 21, Yoga Day programme will be organised at all 27,634 Shakti Kendras in Uttar Pradesh, he said and added that from June 21 to June 30, every booth will be contacted door-to-door by the partys MP, MLA, public representative, ministers and workers. In a press conference at the state BJP office today, the party gave detailed information about the programs of the month-long Maha Sampark Abhiyan. Along with this, a missed call number 9090902024 was also issued, through which the leaders and workers of the state will get support from the beneficiaries, special families and the general public by making missed calls during public relations. State General Secretary and MP Aditya Sahu, Dr. Pradeep Verma were also present in the press conference. Addressing the press conference, BJP State President and MP Deepak Prakash said that the 9 years of the Modi government has been dedicated to making India a better India with inclusive development. He said that the Modi government is a government dedicated to service, good governance and poor welfare. It has raised the head of India in the world. Today, not only 141 crore people of the country, but crores of Indians living in different countries of the world are also feeling proud. He said that during the rule of 60 years, the Congress glorified the politics of Apna Parivar Apna Vikas, while the Modi government wrote a new saga of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. The Prime Minister established the politics of development by ending the politics of casteism, familyism, corruption and appeasement. He said that in the last 9 years, from Policy Paralysis to Decisive Policy and Economy has travelled from Fragile Five to Top Five. He said that the Modi government has been dedicated to service, good governance and poor welfare. In the last 9 years, 48 crore Jan Dhan accounts were opened in the country, 9 crore gas connections were distributed, electricity was supplied to about 3.5 crore houses, more than 11 crore toilets were constructed, Kisan Samman Nidhi was sent to the accounts of 10 crore farmers, 12 crore households got tap water. Water facilities have been provided, 3 crore pucca houses have been built for the poor. Along with this, 55 crore people of the country are getting the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Addressing the press conference, Dr. Pradeep Verma, BJP State General Secretary and coordinator of contact campaign, gave detailed information about the programs that will run for one month. He said that the public relations campaign in Jharkhand has been divided into 4 clusters and a program has been prepared for 14 Lok Sabha constituencies, 81 Vidhansabha constituencies and 29464 booths. Verma said that from June 1 to 22, there will be programs to contact specific families and individuals in each assembly constituency. On 2nd and 3rd June, Vikas Teerth program is organized at Vidhansabha level, in which MP, MLA and Lok Sabha level appointed team will visit the places developed by the BJP government and major development works. There will be social media influencers meeting at Vidhansabha level on 4th June, beneficiary conference at Vidhansabha level on 5th and 6th June, food and discussion programs with senior party workers on 7th and 8th June. On June 10 and 11, a huge public meeting would be organized in each Lok Sabha constituency of the state. From June 12 to 15, a joint conference program of all 7 fronts is being organized by the party in all assembly constituencies. A press conference will also be held in all Lok Sabha constituencies on June 15. There will be a business conference at the Lok Sabha level on June 16, 17 and 18. And on June 19 and 20 there will be beneficiary conferences at the assembly level. From June 20 to 30, a door-to-door contact campaign will be conducted at the booth level. And will get support on the missed call number. 21st June is dedicated to Yoga Day at Maha Sampark Abhiyan Mandal level. The Prime Minister will address workers and public at booth level through digital rally on 23rd June, the martyrdom day of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. On June 25, along with listening to the 102nd episode of Mann Ki Baat, an enlightened public conference will be organized in all the assembly constituencies. On 30th June, on the occasion of the martyrdom day of immortal revolutionary Sido Kanho of Jharkhand, the party scheduled by the BJP government discuss the works done for the development of caste. The Border Security Force Training camp and School Meru organized a farewell programme for the retired employees under Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) in the family Welfare center of the camp. Commandant cum IG Inderjeet Singh Rana was the chief guest of the programme. On this occasion the IG said that retirement is a such process which was fixed at the joining of the service. He further said that both the retired employees served the organization with full dedication and honesty. He said that the organisation will not forget their dedication in the future. They have given 21 years to the organization. he further said that this is the time when both the retired employees will start a new life He appealed to both the retired employees to make plans for betterment of the society with their experience in the organization. He assured both the employees that every member of the BSF will be always ready to cooperate in the future. Rana gave them mementoes and certificates and prayed to God for their better future. Those who have been retired under the voluntary retirement scheme are Anish AB and P Rehman. Both are residents of Kerala state. On this occasion IG Devi Sharan Singh, DIG ( Admn.) Rajesh Kumar, DIG R Lall, DIG DK Pramanik, and other officers and jawans were present. MC Chandigarh collects Rs. 42.47 crores as Property Tax for the current assessment Year Chandigarh: The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh collected over Rs. 42.47 crores as Property Tax for the Assessment Year 2023-24, during the rebate period, for which the timeline ended on Wednesday. The property tax amount has been collected from both commercial and residential properties of the city beautiful. As per the records, total amount of Rs. 42.47 crores was collected up to 31st May 2023 from 80520 assesses. Total Rs. 26.89 crores have been collected from 16185 commercial properties and Rs. 12.56 crores have been collected from residential properties. Total Rs. 1.07 crores have been collected from book entries and 1.95 crores have been collected as garbage charges. As the rebate period has ended, the owners of properties who have failed to deposit their dues shall invite 25% penalty and interest @ 12% per annum from the date of issue of the bill to the date of actual payment. In addition to that, action will be initiated in order to recover the arrears under section 138 of the Municipal Corporation Act. Punjab Govt extends deadline for general transfers to Jun 15 Chandigarh: Punjab Government has extended the time for general transfers and postings of employees and officials till June 15, 2023. A notification in this regard has been issued by the state Personnel Department. A Spokesperson said that the period for general transfers of employees and officers serving in various departments and institutions of the State was from April 10 to May 31, 2023. Now this deadline has been further extended till June 15, 2023, after which, there will be a complete ban on general transfers and transfers will be possible only in view of promotion or complaint. Punjab Minister honours brilliant students of Jandiala Guru Amritsar: Raising the level of education across Punjab is the State Governments first priority, said the state Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Wednesday, adding that the State Government is paying special attention to improve the infrastructure of education from the very first day of assuming power. The Minister honoured the children of Jandiala Guru assembly constituency who had secured more than 90 percent marks in Classes X and XII exams. More than 250 children of Jandiala Guru constituency have secured more than 90 percent marks, he added. Punjab VB nabs SDO, PSPCL lineman taking Rs 5,000 bribe Chandigarh: Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday arrested a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Mohan Lal and a lineman Hardeep Singh, posted at PSPCL Focal Point Division, Ludhiana, for accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000. Spokesperson said that the accused SDO and lineman have been arrested on the complaint of Lokesh Modi, a resident of Bittu colony of Bhamian village in Ludhiana. The complainant alleged that the SDO and lineman have visited his factory Jiwan Sons and threatened to pay the bribe otherwise they would disconnect the power connection of his unit. He also alleged that the duo had already taken bribe of Rs 34,000 from the complainant in instalments through PhonePe on different dates and demanding more money as a bribe. Holidays in Punjab Anganwadi Centres from Jun 1 to 30 Chandigarh: Punjab Government has declared summer vacation from June 1 to 30 in all Anganwadi Centres due to heat in the State. The Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Wednesday said that all Anganwadi Centres in Punjab will open on July 1, 2023. In addition, to provide pre-school education to the children coming to Anganwadi centres, the Anganwadi workers have been instructed to provide take home ration and other services to the beneficiaries in a good manner in line with the orders of the Supreme Court. Directing officials to be on alert mode, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that saving lives and property was our priority during floods. He asked all the district-level officials to be on high alert mode and complete preparations for flood management by June 15. The chief minister on Wednesday, reviewed the ongoing preparations for flood management and gave necessary guidelines. The district magistrates of flood-prone districts informed the chief minister of their preparations. Because of the efforts made in the last six years to find a long-term solution to the flood problem, there has been an unprecedented reduction in the number of flood-prone districts. Coordination between departments has been effective in ensuring that people are safe from floods, he said. The chief minister said in the last six years, 982 flood projects had been completed, out of which 282 projects had been completed in this fiscal alone and the work was underway on 412 projects. There are 24 districts which are flood prone. These include Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gorakhpur, Basti, Bahraich, Bijnor, Siddharthnagar, Ghazipur, Gonda, Ballia, Deoria, Sitapur, Balrampur, Ayodhya, Mau, Farrukhabad, Shravasti, Badaun, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Sant Kabir Nagar, Pilibhit, and Barabanki. Adequate reserve stock should be collected for flood emergencies in these vulnerable areas. Adequate lighting arrangements and necessary equipment should also be arranged at these places, the chief minister said. In UP there are 523 embankments with a total length of 3,869 km. In view of the possibility of flood, continuous monitoring of all the embankments should be done and all flood-prone embankments should be repaired. Designated officers in charge should be in 247 alert mode on all vulnerable embankments. The embankments were continuously inspected and monitored by the regional officers, he said. The Uttar Pradesh government also released 113 as flood emergency number and Uttar Pradesh Police Radio Headquarters has been asked to ensure it remains active round the clock during the entire monsoon period. The chief minister also directed that no one with criminal background, or having a bad reputation be permitted to bid on projects for the irrigation department. Any discrepancy in this will be strictly dealt with. Chances of the spread of diseases increase during and after floods. In such a situation, special health kits should be prepared by the Medical and Health Department and sent to the districts. In case of a dog or snake bite, the affected people should get immediate medical help, he said. The chief minister also urged the people to drink the water only after boiling it. There should be no compromise on the quality of relief material provided to the flood-affected people. The quality of food items should be ensured at the relief commissioner level and packaging material should be strong, and easy for people to carry. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan flagged off the Bhopal Gaurav Daud (Bhopal pride run) from the statue of Raja Bhoj at Bhoj Taal VIP road this morning. The citizens of Bhopal, especially the youths, enthusiastically participated in this run. Large number of citizens participated in the Bhopal Gaurav Daud of about 3 kilometers from Raja Bhoj Statue to Bhopal Boat Club. While congratulating the citizens on Bhopal Gaurav Diwas, Chouhan said that Bhopal did not become independent on August 15, 1947, at the time of the country's independence. At that time the then Nawab had refused to merge the princely state of Bhopal with the Indian Union. For this, the citizens had to struggle and Bhopal became independent on June 1, 1949 only after the sacrifice of many fighters as a result of the merger movement. Youngsters were also martyred in this movement in Boras of Raisen district. Chouhan paid floral tributes to the martyrs of the merger movement. Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang, Bhopal Mayor Smt. Malti Rai, former Mayor Alok Sharma, Commissioner Bhopal Division Mal Singh, Collector Bhopal Ashish Singh, public representatives and a large number of youths were present. Chouhan said that today thousands of youths and citizens of Bhopal are participating in the Gaurav Daud with a sense of pride and enthusiasm. Bhopal has got the status of the cleanest capital. Now Bhopal has to be made the cleanest city of India. Our Bhopal should be a clean and a green city, this should be the resolve of all of us. Chouhan said that he plants three saplings daily. The participation of citizens, especially the youth, in environmental protection is increasing. The city of Bhopal is the city of Raja Bhoj, the city of Queen Kamalapati and the city of all of us. Everyone together make Bhopal green and clean. The Chief Minister said that the immense enthusiasm of the youths is being seen in this Gaurav Daud on the Gaurav Diwas. It seems as if the whole of Bhopal is running. Let us all together take a pledge to take Bhopal forward. For this, every citizen has to adopt some noble deed. Do take the responsibility of doing at least one thing. These include cleanliness, planting trees, educating girls, conservation of energy, saving electricity, etc. Along with the government, the society should also become a partner in the works of development. In today's programme, Dr. Alok Gupta and Smt. Anuradha Gupta from the family of Bhai Ratan Kumar, a diligent patriot of merger movement, were also present on the occasion of flagging off of Bhopal Gaurav Daud. Earlier, Chouhan along with other public representatives flagged off the Bhopal Gaurav Daud releasing balloons and himself became a part of the run. A team of popular RJs from Bhopal handled the task of conducting the programme. Bhopal Gaurav Daud witnessed wide participation of citizens from both new and old parts of Bhopal. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan performed the Shila Pujan of the grand Devi Lok of Vijayasan Mata to be built at Salkanpur at a cost of Rs 211 crore today. He said that it is the responsibility of the government to promote religion and culture, which connects people, along with the works of development. About one lakh devotees witnessed the bhoomi-pujan of the grand Devi Lok construction in Salkanpur in the presence of sadhus, saints, mahants and priests from all over the country. In-charge Minister Dr. Prabhuram Chowdhary, Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel along with MLAs, Chief Ministers wife Sadhana Singh, son Kartikeya Singh Chouhan were also present in the programme. Chouhan along with a huge gathering also sang the stuti of Salkanpur Mata. He said that it is due to the blessings of the Mata that the government decided to enact a law for rapists and award them death penalty. The Chief Minister said that the state government is working on a grand Devi Lok with the Matas blessings. It is due to Matas blessings that the government initiated the Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana for the honour of women and to meet their small requirements. Considering the honour of women as the topmost priority of the government, he said that many schemes including Ladli Lakshmi and Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah have been implemented for women empowerment. Chouhan told that along with the temple structures, replicas of 64 yogini, nine forms of Navdurga, Devi Mahatma, Durga Saptashati and various Shaktipeeths and verses will be engraved in the Matas temple premises with Rs 166 crore. The Chief Minister also offered prayers to the water and holy soil from all the Shaktipeeths of the country besides the Shilas. All these materials will be used in the construction of Devi Lok. He informed that construction work will be undertaken under the temple at a cost of Rs 45 crore for the convenience of the devotees. The Chief Minister sought the blessings of Mata and the saints for the happiness and prosperity of the state. MP Vidisha Ramakant Bhargava addressed the people. Earlier, Chouhan visited the Devi Lok exhibition in Salkanpur and the model of Mahadevi Lok under construction. He visited the replica of Mata Vijayasan Temple built at the stage site. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that with the implementation of Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana, the families of eligible beneficiaries will get financial support. Also, with the implementation of the scheme on a large scale, there will be positive impact on the economy of villages and cities. This fact has also emerged from the impact study of the welfare schemes implemented in the past. Therefore, the Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana will become a subject of study for economists, experts related to planning and policy-making. CM Chouhan held a meeting today at Samatva Bhawan CM's residence and discussed about the registration done under the scheme and the activities for the next 10 days. Chief Minister Chouhan discussed with Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang, Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains and other concerned senior officials about the applications received under the scheme and related upcoming programmes. It was told that in the wards of urban areas, a plan has been made to provide acceptance letters to sisters in the presence of public representatives. Ladli Bahna Gram Sabhas will be held in the villages on 8th June. Chief Minister Chouhan said that Ministers, MPs and MLAs will take part in programmes to be held at various places. In the period from June 1 to 7, acceptance letters will be provided to the eligible sisters. Bhajans, Mangal-Geets and Ladli Bahna songs will also be presented in the villages. Some districts have also planned to stage effective street plays based on the scheme, which is commendable. CM Chouhan instructed that these activities should be organised in the form of festival. Chief Minister Chouhan was informed that more than one crore 25 lakh registrations have been done under the scheme. DBT related action has also been taken at the bank level to provide the benefits of the scheme to the eligible sisters. Where this work could not be completed cent percent due to technical reasons, the work is being done at a fast pace there. CM Chouhan will participate in the amount distribution programme in Jabalpur on June 10. He will address them while transferring an amount of one thousand rupees to the accounts of the eligible beneficiary sisters of the scheme. Chief Minister Chouhan will also visit various districts from June 1 to 9 to symbolically provide acceptance letters to the sisters. The Delhi Police on early Wednesday morning recreated the crime scene at the spot where a minor was brutally stabbed to death by her boyfriend. The accused Sahil also accompanied the police. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has asked three friends of the Shahbad Dairy murder victim to join the investigation. According to police, due to security reasons, Sahil was taken to the crime spot at 4 am in the morning and the police tried to understand how he murdered the minor. They also asked him to explain where he waited for her to come to the area. The police are still trying to recover the murder weapon. Though the accused, Sahil has admitted to the crime, he is continuously changing his statements, the police said. The police have got only two days custody of Sahil, so they have only Wednesday to recover the murder weapon. Efforts are on to trace the weapon, the police said. Sakshi was stabbed over 20 times and then bludgeoned with a cement slab, killing her on the spot. She was found to have 34 injury marks on her body and her skull was smashed in. The accused Sahil (20) was arrested from Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh on Monday. The police has asked three friends of Sakshi to join the investigation. A senior police officer said three of Sakshis friends Bhawna, Ajay alias Jhabru and Neetu have been asked to join the investigation and provide the required details in connection with the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Ravi Kumar Singh said, We have the accused in our custody and interrogation is underway. We are looking at all aspects to connect the links. We are working to see all the individuals involved in the incident. Our team is working to recover the weapon used in it. Sahil allegedly threw away the knife used to kill Sakshi into the bushes in Rithala. It is yet to be recovered, he said. Fresh CCTV footage has emerged in which the victim is seen walking into a street minutes before her murder. Ajay said Sakshi had complained to him about Sahil on Saturday. He said that On Saturday, Sakshi came and said Sahil pestered her. Me, along with Bhawna and Sakshi, went to meet Sahil and asked him not to bother her. However, on Sunday, he committed the crime. When I heard about the incident and went to the spot, I saw her body lying there. Her skull was ruptured and her intestines were hanging. I helped the police shift the body into the ambulance, he added. Sunil Kumar, another local who reached the spot, said he saw several people gathered there and Ajay was helping the police to carry the body. The police are yet to recover the weapon used to kill Sakshi. Sahil disclosed that he threw the knife near the metro station at Rithala after the murder. Sahil had planned the murder two days before he killed Sakshi, who had rebuffed him in front of her friends and refused to mend their relationship. Congress Poraiyahat MLA Pradeep Yadav on Wednesday evening reached the ED office at Hinoo in connection with a money laundering case. The four times MLA reached the ED office after the Central probe agency summoned him following raids at 12 places. At the time of filing of this report the ED officials are questioning him regarding his property and investment besides involvement in money laundering if any. An ED source informed that it was getting to 5 pm when the legislator reached the office. Sources said that ED will question Yadav about his properties and source of income. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted raids on the premises of Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav and his associates across Jharkhand in connection with a money laundering case. Several teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 12 places in Jharkhand capital including the locations of Congress Poraiyahat MLA Pradeep Yadav, at Deoghar and other places in State. The raids were conducted at 12 locations across Jharkhand, including four in Ranchi and eight in Deoghar and surrounding areas. ED is investigating the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The case is related to income tax actions on Pradeep Yadav and others. Income Tax department had conducted raids a few months ago, informed sources. Already Yadav is on IT radar for tax evasion. In the raid, the ED got information about investment in movable and immovable properties besides some cash. The ED will now verify the related documents. In the raids conducted in Ranchi, raids were also conducted at the office of M/s Vaishnavi Construction and Supplier Pvt Ltd at Montessori Road HEC Colony, near the bus stand in Dhurva. It is reported that Suchitra Devi is also an associate in this company, who is said to be the wife of a former MLA from Goh in Aurangabad district of Bihar. The second place in Ranchi is of Shiv Kumar. Shiv Kumar has been an Engineer in Ranchi for 15 years. He has a residence at Arvind Marg Krishna Nagar near the firing range in Bariatu. This raid of ED has been done on the basis of inputs received in the raid of the Income Tax Department in the past. In this case, the ED has registered a new ECIR, in which EDs investigation is going on. At that time, two lakh rupees were recovered from the place of MLA Pradeep Yadav, Rs 40 lakh from his close Godda hotelier Shyamakant Yadav, nine lakh rupees from Vinod Kumar Lal of Dumka during the Income Tax raid. Sources said that the raids and searches were in connection with an alleged tax evasion probe against groups in coal trading and transportation, execution of civil contracts, extraction of iron ore and production of sponge iron in Jharkhand. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Ignorance and excessive use of chemical fertilisers by farmers in Uttar Pradesh are posing a significant threat to both the soil and human health, according to a report prepared by the Agriculture department. The report, based on a survey conducted in 15 districts, highlights the need for creating awareness among farmers to prevent future crises. The excessive use of chemical fertilisers not only harms the soil but also poses risks to human health. The department has submitted a report to the government, emphasising the need to raise awareness among farmers to prevent future troubles, Ashok Mitta told The Pioneer on Wednesday. The impact of high nitrogen levels extends beyond the immediate health risks. It also contributes to climate change and groundwater pollution, affecting the environment and overall ecosystem. The excessive use of chemical fertilisers leads to nitrogen loss through evaporation and leaching, resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions and contamination of water sources. The Agriculture departments report highlights the need for a shift towards more environmentally friendly farming methods to mitigate these consequences, Mitta said. While the government has been promoting natural farming, farmers in the state continue to rely heavily on chemical fertilisers in their quest for higher crop yields. This has led to a decline in soil fertility and an imbalance in essential elements. The report, presented by Joint Director Fertilisers Dr Amit Pathak to top officials of the Agriculture department, emphasises the urgent need for action. The survey focused on four major crops: paddy, sugarcane, potato and wheat. The nitrogen levels in these crops were specifically examined, with the recommended levels being 150 in paddy, 180 in sugarcane and potato, and 150 per hectare in wheat. However, it was found that farmers in 15 districts were using more nitrogen than the prescribed standards. In districts such as Shamli, Sambhal, Farrukhabad, Hapur, Kannauj, Prayagraj and Meerut, the nitrogen levels exceeded 200. Excessive use of nitrogen fertilisers not only hampers crop growth but also has serious consequences for human health. Plants only utilise around 30 per cent of the applied nitrogen as urea, while the excess is lost through evaporation and leaching. This excessive nitrogen use contributes to climate change and groundwater pollution, Dr Pathak said. He said urea seeping into the ground combines with nitrogen to form nitrosamines, which could lead to diseases like cancer, reduction of red blood cells and the formation of tumors when contaminated water is consumed. Furthermore, the purification process of fertilisers such as DAP, which is derived from rock phosphate, introduces heavy elements like cobalt, cadmium and uranium into the soil and water. These elements can have adverse effects on human health. Dr Pathak explains, During purification, heavy elements such as cobalt, cadmium and uranium remain in it, the use of which contaminates soil and water. Consuming crops grown in such contaminated soil can lead to health complications. To address these issues, the Agriculture department has established soil testing laboratories at the tehsil and block levels in the state. These labs assess the levels of various elements in the soil, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, sulphur, zinc and boron. Farmers are urged to get their soil tested to identify any deficiencies and adjust their fertiliser usage accordingly. Dr Pathak recommends using nano urea 40 days after sowing the crop, as it requires less quantity and provides longer-lasting benefits. Agriculture Production Commissioner Manoj Kumar Singh has directed the Agriculture department to conduct similar surveys for other crops as well. The aim is to formulate an action plan and raise awareness among farmers about the potential harms of excessive fertiliser use. Singh emphasises that just because there is no shortage of fertilisers does not mean they should be used beyond crop demand, as this can have detrimental effects. The findings of this report underscore the urgent need for a shift towards sustainable farming practices in Uttar Pradesh. Increased awareness among farmers about the appropriate use of fertilisers, coupled with regular soil testing, can help prevent further degradation of the soil and safeguard human health in the long run. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his Himachal Pradesh counterpart Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will meet on June 5 to discuss interstate issues. The issues include construction of Kishau dam, construction of a new parallel linked channel from Dadupur to Hamida Head, Saraswati River Rejuvenation and Heritage Development Project, SYL canal water via Himachal Pradesh and imposition of cess on electricity. The information was given in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Khattar with administrative secretaries to review projects worth more than Rs 100 crore. The Chief Minister directed the officers to formulate various schemes on a large scale to drain out water from the waterlogged areas to the low-water areas of the state; so that the farmers can get its benefit. Khattar said in the meeting that work is being done on various drinking water and irrigation schemes. It is the priority of the state government to provide clean drinking water in sufficient quantities to the citizens across the state uninterruptedly. Also, water will be available for irrigation to the farmers after these projects are completed, he added. The officers apprised the chief minister that work is underway to remodel the Gurugram Water Service channel and construction of the Mewat Feeder Canal project, besides increasing capacity of the JLN Canal and Hansi branch canals carrier system. These irrigation and water projects will provide relief in areas with groundwater crises and water for irrigation will be available to industries and farmers, he said. The officials added that work on remodelling of the augmentation canal in Yamunanagar, concrete linking and remodelling from the Munak Head (Karnal) to Khubru Head (Sonipat), increasing the capacity of the sewage treatment plant channel in Dhanwapur and Behrampur (Gurugram), among others, are being expedited. Khattar said the state government is endeavouring to strengthen the metro and road network in Gurugram and Faridabad. The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority will commence the civil work on the 28-kilometre metro network within a month. Metro connectivity from Rezang La Chowk to Dwarka Sector 21 and the Regional Rapid Transit System from Sarai Kale Khan to Panipat is also being formulated. Khattar directed the officers to expedite the work on the states first international-level convention centre being built in Faridabads Sector 78. The centre will include a 200-room hotel, an exhibition and an auditorium block. It is actually unclear as to why the Supreme Court refused to entertain a PIL seeking direction that the new Parliament building be inaugurated by the President and not the head of the executive, the Prime Minister. The petitioner had rightly referred to Article 79 of the Constitution of India, which says the Parliament comprises President at the top and the two Houses namely Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are expected to be under him or her. The petitioner had also cited Article 87, which says the Parliament session commences with a Special Address by the President. But the apex court bench wondered how the provisions cited were related to the inauguration of the new building. As was normal, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said the petitioner should not be allowed to withdraw the petition as he would file the same petition in the High Court. But the kind-hearted judges paid no heed to the SG's appeal. Incidentally Article 79 of the Constitution points out that the President, the first citizen of the nation, has the power to summon and prorogue the Parliament sessions. It is the President who appoints the Prime Minister and other Ministers and all executive actions are taken in the name of the President. So, not inviting the President for the ceremony is a humiliation and a violation of the Constitution. President Droupadi Murmu was not even invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building. As many as 19 opposition parties boycotted the inauguration ceremony saying Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to ignore the President was not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democratic setup as enshrined in the Constitution. The Parliament cannot function without the President. The boycotting signatories included the Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal (United), Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena (Udhav Thackeray), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Communist Party of India, Indian Union Muslim League, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, National Conference, Kerala Congress (Mani), Revolutionary Socialist Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. Strangely, the Biju Janata Dal decided joyously to participate by choosing to remain oblivious to the fact that the Odisha tribal woman President was being offended openly. Not one creature from the Odisha ruling party raised even a feeble voice to express displeasure. Participating in the event is no sin, but not expressing anxiety is a small sin on the part of BJD. There is a great deal of murmur now that there is some clandestine give-n-take arrangement between the BJD and the BJP up there, for which an absolute silence was maintained. Knowing people say it would be foolhardy to expect Prime Minister Modi, whose pet project is the new Parliament building, to let go the opportunity to bask in the limelight and extract maximum mileage from the event. At a time when the institution of Parliament is seriously imperilled, there are perhaps two things that are more important than the politicking over who gets to inaugurate the new building. The first is the new building itself -- how and why it was conceived and what it symbolises. Second is the choice of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkars birth anniversary being chosen to be the date of inauguration. Even architect Gautam Bhatia wrote at the time that the process was approved in a veil of secrecy mired in an opaque processes'. This is in contrast to the way things work in other democracies, where such momentous architectural changes are carefully considered, opened for discussion, and formulated after a consensus'. Building new Parliament hoses in democracies is not an entirely uncommon proposition, but such a rush to approve designs and the complete lack of public engagement is unheard of. It is instructive to consider the example of the Parliament House in Australias capital Canberra, which took over a decade to plan and complete. In 1975, the Australian Parliament established a joint standing committee for planning, design and construction of the building. On its recommendations, a two-stage design competition was announced in 1979. A total of 379 entries from 32 countries were submitted, of which five were allowed to the second stage. The winner was announced in 1980 and subsequently the design and construction approved by the House of Representatives. The new building was officially opened in 1988. The process is in complete contrast with the undemocratic manner in which the new Parliament building in India was approved and got built. When Hindu religious priests of upper caste were conducting the inauguration of the new Parliament building, it was suspected by a few why Droupadi Murmu is not presiding over the function. This suspicion, though, appeared misplaced. The truth was that unless given the centre-stage, Modi would have no chance to perform theatrics to prove supremacy. He would not like to get lost in dark as the spotlight would fall on the President if she inaugurated the formers dream structure. The Adheenams' would never hand over the Sengol', a monarchical sceptre symbolising power, to a simple tribal woman. But mainly, the new building is intended to symbolise both Modis legacy and also the believable ancient origins of Indias democracy. This was why it was imperative for the new building to come up in time for the 2024 general elections despite the deaths and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The other big issue was the choice of Savarkars birth anniversary for the inauguration. On one level, it reaffirmed the link of the current Government with the exclusivist idea of Hindutva for which Savarkar is best-known. This open Hindufication of the nation is a deviation of the Governments public rhetoric of emphasising inclusivity encapsulated in slogans such as Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. Over the violently-kicked-up row, the most pathetically servile statement President Madam Murmu made has devastated many an Indian heart. As if held at gunpoint, she parroted out, "I am deeply satisfied" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new structure. Several opposition parties had boycotted the event over Modi's decision to inaugurate the new Parliament House and not the President. Obviously, she has been forced by the BJP honchos to vomit out this statement penned by the headless speech writer employed by the saffron gang. Madam Murmu, having been a dream come true' beneficiary, would not have any other choice than to blurp these words. KSDD felicitates Civil services qualifiers New Delhi: Khatu Shyam Dilli Dham felicitated the selected personalities in Sarvasamaj Pratibhawan Civil Services under the guidance of of the national president of the organization, Ghanshyam Gupta Zaveri. The Khatu Shyam Dilli Dham temple is being built in the national Capital, is also called the eighth wonder of the world. Under the guidance of the national president of the organization, Ghanshyam Gupta Zaveri , the talented personalities of the society were honored who were selected in (Civil Service). In the felicitation ceremony, Chief Guest Surendra Singh Yadav, Special Commissioner, Delhi Police, and Rajesh Goyal, Additional Private Secretary, Lok Sabha Speaker, while appreciating the Sarvasamaj Samman event organized by Delhi Dham, guided all the selected talents and honored them including Priyanka Goyal, Anshika Jain, Kunal Jain, Tarun Bansal, Mansi Dahiya, Ayush Goyal, Dimpy Rajoura, Pranjal Jain, Anshika Jain, Kritika Shukla, Shidhart Shukla etc. Fin Min reviews Trade & Taxes depts functioning New Delhi: Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday convened a meeting with senior officials from the Department of Trade & Taxes. He reviewed the current situation of the department, the problems which are being faced and discussed the measures to make the system of tax collection systematic and structured in Delhi. HC bans illicit websites streaming spiderman New Delhi : The Delhi High Court has restrained over 100 rogue websites from unauthorisedly streaming animation films SpiderMan: Across The Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse on their platforms. The courts order came on a lawsuit by Sony Pictures Animation Inc which stated it was the copyright holder of the upcoming release SpiderMan: Across The Spider-Verse and has not licensed the right to broadcast it to any website. Mayor Shelly chairs meeting on stray cattle New Delhi: Mayor Shelly Oberoi chaired a crucial meeting aimed at addressing the issue of stray cattle and capitalising on the potential of cow products. The Mayor said that the MCD explore the possibility for transforming gaushalas into profit centres. Minister unveils 4th issue of DCPCR journal New Delhi: Women and Child Development Minister Atishi unveiled the fourth issue of the DCPCR Children First-Journal on Childrens Lives on Wednesday at Veer Savarkar Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Kalkaji. The fourth issue delves deeper into various domains and multiple disciplines to address crucial issues impacting childrens lives. The condition of a minor girl was critical after she was gang-raped in Gorakhpur. She was admitted to the medical college hospital and the local police registered a case and claimed to have detained a suspect. The cops will record the statement of the victim before a magistrate before initiating further legal action. According to reports, three youths forcibly took a 15-year-old girl inside a closed factory in Kusamhi forest under Khorabar police station in Gorakhpur on Tuesday. It is alleged that the girl was kept hostage for the whole night and the youths raped her one by one after which her condition deteriorated due to excessive bleeding. The girl was admitted to the emergency ward of the district hospital in a critical condition from where she was referred to the medical college hospital. The police registered a case against Rajan Rajbhar, nephew of the sitting gram pradhan, and took him in custody. The villagers claimed that Rajan lured the victim from Khorabar area and took her to the closed factory. On Tuesday night, Rajan along with two of his accomplices raped the girl after taking her hostage and also thrashed her when she protested. On regaining consciousness on Wednesday morning, the girl raised an alarm following which a villager saw her and immediately called her family members. She was shifted to hospital and the local police were informed of the incident. Relatives of the victims claimed that two more accused along with local pradhans nephew were involved in the incident but the police registered a case against only the nephew. Circle Officer of Cantonment, Yogendra Singh, said that the accused had been taken into custody after registering a case. He said that the case was being investigated and action would be taken on the basis of investigation. Meanwhile, a teenage student, who was earlier abducted by a youth from Sultanpur and was set ablaze after being gang-raped in Surat, succumbed to her injuries after two months of ordeal at a hospital in Lucknow on Tuesday. At the end of January, a youth had kidnapped the girl student and gang-raped her along with his accomplice after taking her to Surat. On protesting, she was burnt by the accused who poured petrol on her. She was undergoing treatment in Lucknow. Police have sent two accused to jail in this case. Police said on January 30, the girl, who belonged to Jaisinghpur Kotwali area, was abducted by Mahavir alias Beere of Bahri village in Kotwali area, with the help of some others. The main abductor had taken her to Surat. On the complaint of the father, a case of kidnapping was registered against the youth and others. Two months later, on March 28, Mahavir and his associates raped the girl and when she protested, the accused poured petrol on her and burnt her. The accused himself informed the girls father about the incident on the phone. After this, on March 29, the victims father met Superintendent of Police Somen Verma and narrated the incident. On the orders of the SP, a police team went to the hospital in Surat and brought back the girl in a critical condition. Then her treatment started at SPM (Civil) Hospital in Lucknow. The SP formed three teams under the leadership of CO Prashant Singh that raided Surat and other places to arrest the accused. The police arrested Mahaveer alias Beere and Dhaniram and sent them to jail. The student, who was burnt up to 60 per cent, was brought back home on May 16. When suddenly her health deteriorated on Tuesday afternoon, the kin took her to hospital where she died during treatment. At a time when the BJP government in the State is busy highlighting the developmental achievements of the Narendra Modi government in its nine years tenure in the Centre, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Karan Mahara alleged that the Modi government has remained apathetic to the developmental interests of Uttarakhand. Citing instances of the Centres apathy towards the development of the State, the Congress leader said that the Modi government has not cleared funds regarding some ambitious development projects of the State which, if implemented, could have provided new means of income for the people. This reveals that the Modi government is the least interested in the development of the State, he said. Slamming the Centre further, Mahara said that as Uttarakhand has limited sources of income, the externally aided projects can prove instrumental in the development of the State. But the BJP government at the Centre has been sitting on such projects, harming the long-term developmental interest of the state. Even those externally aided projects which were earlier approved are in jeopardy for lack of funds and the funds spent earlier on the projects may go down the drain, he said, adding that as many as 11 Centrally aided projects worth Rs 20,236 crore have remained in pipeline because of ceiling imposed by the Centre and it is uncertain whether they will ever be executed or not. He further said that the Dhami governments boast of making Uttarakhand a model State rings hollow. The ground reality stands in contradiction to the saffron boast of development, he said. The State Congress president urges the Union finance minister to immediately release the funds for the already approved projects of the State. NTPC Swayamsiddha Ladies Club, Coal Mining HQ on the occasion of Swaactha Pakhwada 2023 which was celebrated from May 16 -31,2023 distributed Sanitary Pad Vending Machine and Incinerator today at Ranchi Universitys Science block building, which included Department of Chemistry Department, Zoology and Botany. The Sanitary Pad Vending Machine and Incinerator was provided for better hygiene and comfort among college girls pursuing higher studies at Ranchi University. The noble initiative was held under the guidance of Padma Reddy, President, Swayamsiddha Ladies Club (SLC), NTPC Coal Mining HQ, A K Delta, HOD, Chemistry Dept, Dr Smriti Singh, Faculty cum PRO, Chemistry Dept, Laxmi Murthy, Vice President, SLC in the august presence of Mansa Verma, Secretary (CSR) & Amit Kumar Behera, Sr Mgr.(Corporate Communication) and other dignitaries from Ranchi University. During observance of Swaachta Pakhwada at NTPC Coal Mining HQ, Ranchi various activities like identification and disposal of obsolete/ unserviceable electronics or e-waste initiative through handing over of old desktops with other accessories to employees as per NTPC buyback policy which helped in managing e waste generated at CMHQ office. Further, under paperless initiative, digitization of 47 lakh pages is completed in the coal mining region, in this regard 379 boxes filled with digitized files are sent to Record Management Services(RMS) facility at Kolkata from Pakri Barwadih , Dulanga and Coal Mining Headquarters. To create awareness, banners and Posters with captions were displayed at CMHQ office and nearby schools for awareness on cleanliness. Renowned philanthropist Dr Syed Abid Hussain has been invited for the Dr Kalam Yuva Ratna Award 2023 as a national representative to receive the prestigious international award. Syed Abid Hussain has received a letter from Foundation President Munna Kumar for receiving the above honor, in which he has written that inviting Dr. Abid Abid Hussain as a national representative to represent Bihar in Kalam Youth Leadership. The felicitation ceremony is based on the theme "Preparing the Future with Prosperity through Youth Clubs to Bring Peace to the World" which is being organized by Khwab Foundation. The said ceremony will be organized at International Youth Center Chanakyapuri New Delhi on August 27, 28 and 29, 2023. The team of Khwab Foundation reviewed Abid's social service work and contribution and also recognized it as a tremendous service towards the society due to which Mr. Abid has been selected as one of the eligible selections for honour. It was said in the letter that Abid's contribution in bringing peace and prosperity to the world is important in paying tribute to Kalam on the occasion of Kalam Yuva Ratna Award 2023 Dr. APJ Abul Purnatithi. Abid has played an important role in bringing back more than 500 people stranded abroad, for which he is being commended. The residents of Ambedkar Nagar along with the family members, well wishers of Abid were happy after information of getting the international honour was received. Abid is basically a resident of Bhagahi village of Tanda tehsil of Ambedkar Nagar district, who is doing social service and lives in Bhopal. Bairagarh police have arrested the accused who used to rape a married woman by threatening to kill her, after the complaint accused went absconding and remained absconding for the past fifteen days, the accused was working in People's hospital by changing his apperance. Police got information about the accused who was working in the hospital. Based on the information police nabbed the accused on the night of Tuesday. On May 16, a 40-year-old married woman lodged a complaint with the Bairagarh police of sexual assault against Sameer Khan. The victim said that she used to do cleaning work in a private hospital where Sameer was the supervisor. At work, Sameer developed a friendship with her. The accused would make physical relationships by taking her to his house for about 2 years and used to threaten to kill if she would protest or report the incident to family members or police. Frustrated over the atrocity, the victim filed a complaint. A case was registered by the police against the accused of rape and threathening to kill. The police tried to search and nab the accused but the accused managed to remain absconding. On May 30, the police received information from the informer that the accused was working in People's Hospital. Based on the information, the police reached the hospital and found that the accused was working by changing his appearance. During interrogation, he was identified as Sameer alias Saddam of Ganjbasoda, Vidisha. The police would investigate those who have helped the accused in remaining absconding. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday envisioned that the Schools of Eminence, set up across the State by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government, will act as the harbingers for ensuring a bright future for the students. Mann, interacting with the students of the ninth standard studying in the Schools of Eminence across the State, said that these schools are a new experiment in the state aimed at ensuring the holistic development of the students. This is a step forward towards providing a good learning experience for the students to excel in various fields. Equipped with ultramodern infrastructure, these schools provide best quality education to the students, he said. The Chief Minister said that his Government is making concerted efforts to strengthen the education sector in the State. Total 117 Schools of Eminence have been set up in 23 districts of the state to provide quality education to the children. These schools are focusing on grooming the students for five professional and competitive courses, including engineering, law, commerce, UPSC and NDA, he said. These schools will set a new benchmark in quality educationThe results of these schools will be the dawn of a new era in school education. The government will felicitate the best performing schools of eminence across the state, said Mann while exhorting the students to work hard for carving a niche in various fields in the international arena. During the virtual meeting, the Chief Minister also asked the students about their experience in the school. He said that he will be holding such meetings regularly to take feedback from the students about the education being imparted to them. He also called upon the students to express their views freely without any fear adding that they can also list any complaint or shortcoming, if any, being faced by them. The District Collector of Kanker in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday suspended sub-divisional officer (SDO) R.L. Dhivar, for giving verbal approval to a junior officer to drain out a huge quantity of water from a weir to retrieve his mobile phone. Earlier, Dhivar was served a show cause notice. He has been suspended under the Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1966. He will be attached to Headquarters Superintending Engineer Indravati Project Circle, Jagdalpur, an official communication said. The suspension order states that Dhivar failed in his official responsibilities. On May 21, on his verbal assurance, Rajesh Vishwas, a food officer in Pakhanjore, released 4,104 cubic metres of water for four consecutive days from Paralkot reservoir. Vishwas drained out the water from the weir to retrieve his mobile phone. The government on Tuesday fined Vishwas Rs 53,092 and also suspended him. The Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ltd (UCCIL) conducted a workshop on Wednesday on Women Entrepreneurs Interface led by Jayashree Mishra, chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurs/ Narishakti Committee of UCCIL. Conducted in association with the World Trade Centre (WTC), Bhubaneswar, the participant women entrepreneurs displayed various indigenous products in textile, food processing, natural cosmetics and tin items manufacturing. Principal Secretary to Government of Odisha Usha Padhee as chief guest encouraged the women entrepreneurs by sharing her domain knowledge and advising them to keep a very positive attitude and a consistency in their pursuit. She said, Chase your dream, be competent, do good and it will return in many folds. Advisor of World Trade Centre and Chairperson of Mahila Atmanirbhar Abhiyan Dr Rina Ray drew examples from Indian mythology and said that women who perform their responsibility with the right spirit get their due respect and honour in society. Choudhury Jyoshna Das, convener of WTC Women Forum, World Trade Centre, urged the entrepreneurs for engaging more and more women from the downtrodden section. PK Gupta, Joint Director, MSME, DI, Cuttack responded to the queries raised by the entrepreneurs. UCCIL president Dr Brahma Mishra, under whose expert guidance and leadership the workshop of a unique kind was organised for the first time, drew examples from the Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway which have demonstrated the maximum empowerment of women entrepreneurs in the world. He assured a brighter future for the women entrepreneurs as the Government of Odisha is planning to set up 30 Industrial Parks dedicated for women entrepreneurs. A vote of thanks was offered by Garonica Mahapatra. Two people including an infant and a bus conductor were killed when a roadways bus of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UK 07 PA 2570) veered off the road near Chandi Chowki in Haridwar on Wednesday early morning. Four people also sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Rishikesh, said the police. The police said that the accident occurred on Najibabad Road near Chandi Chowki in Haridwar on Wednesday. The Roadways bus was on its way from Rupadiya in Uttar Pradesh to Haridwar carrying nearly 40 people. The police said that the bus driver allegedly lost control of the bus and it fell about 20 meters below the main road breaking the side iron railing. They said that two people- the bus conductor identified as Vishwas Bahadur (35) and a 10-month-old girl died on the spot, four sustained serious injuries while the remaining sustained minor injuries. The police said that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Service personnel immediately reached the spot to rescue injured people after receiving information. The police said 37 patients were immediately admitted to the hospital and two were declared brought dead by doctors. They said that four critically injured passengers were admitted to AIIMS to get the required treatment. Though it appears that the bus driver allegedly lost control of the bus that led to the accident, the police are investigating the matter, said the officials. India and Nepal will strive to take their bilateral ties to Himalayan heights and resolve all matters, including the boundary issue, in this spirit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday after holding wide-ranging talks with his Nepalese counterpart Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. In his media statement after the meeting, Modi said he and Prachanda have taken many important decisions to make the partnership between the two countries a "super hit" in the future. Following the talks, Modi and Prachanda jointly launched several infrastructure projects. The two sides also signed seven agreements to boost cooperation in several areas including trade and energy. The two leaders virtually inaugurated integrated check posts at Rupaidiha in India and Nepalgunj in Nepal. They also virtually flagged off a cargo train from Bathnaha in Bihar to Nepal custom yard. "We will continue to strive to take our relationship to Himalayan heights. And in this spirit, we will resolve all the issues, be it boundary related or any other issue," Modi said in presence of Prachanda. To further strengthen cultural and religious ties, PM Prachanda and I decided that projects related to the Ramayana circuit should be expedited, he added. Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old "Roti Beti" relationship which refers to cross-border marriages between people of the two countries. The country shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. Nepal's access to the sea is through India, and it imports a predominant proportion of its requirements from and through India. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations between the two countries. Pakistans former prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday appeared before an anti-terrorism court in four cases, including the attack on Lahore Corp Commander House, and submitted surety bonds in connection with his pre-arrest bail till June 2. Khan appeared before the ATC Lahore judge Ijaz Ahmad Buttar and submitted surety bonds worth PKR 100,000 each in the four terrorism cases in which he had already been given pre-arrest bail till June 2, a court official told PTI. As the 70-year-old chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party appeared in the court amid high security, a group of lawyers chanted slogans in his favour. Khans counsel also challenged the search warrants of the former premiers Zaman Park Lahore residence in the anti-terrorism court. The judge summoned the Punjab police DIG (operations) for next hearing and directed him to submit a reply. On May 9, violent protests erupted after the arrest of Khan by paramilitary Rangers in Islamabad. His party workers vandalised over 20 military installations and government buildings, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time. Khan was later released on bail. Law enforcement agencies have arrested over 10,000 workers of Khans Pakistan party across Pakistan, 4,000 of them from Punjab. Police put the death toll in violent clashes to 10 while Khans party claims 40 of its workers lost their lives in the firing by security personnel. Meanwhile, two lawyers of Khan appeared before a joint investigation team probing the attack on Corps Commander House known as Jinnah House in Lahore. The joint investigation team - formed by the Punjab interim government to probe arson attacks on Jinnah House and the Askari Corporate Tower in Lahore on May 9 - had summoned Khan for Tuesday to record his statement but he sent his lawyers instead. Owl Rock Capital Co. (NYSE:ORCC Get Rating) Director Chris Temple purchased 5,900 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $13.30 per share, for a total transaction of $78,470.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 36,000 shares in the company, valued at $478,800. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Owl Rock Capital Trading Up 0.2 % Owl Rock Capital stock traded up $0.03 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $13.44. 1,287,597 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,761,015. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.05. Owl Rock Capital Co. has a fifty-two week low of $10.18 and a fifty-two week high of $13.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.44 and a beta of 0.93. The firms 50 day moving average is $12.77 and its 200-day moving average is $12.74. Get Owl Rock Capital alerts: Owl Rock Capital Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.82%. Owl Rock Capitals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.02%. Institutional Trading of Owl Rock Capital Analyst Ratings Changes Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Putnam Investments LLC increased its stake in Owl Rock Capital by 396.2% during the 1st quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 324,142 shares of the technology companys stock worth $4,087,000 after purchasing an additional 258,816 shares in the last quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Owl Rock Capital during the 1st quarter worth approximately $351,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in Owl Rock Capital by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 2,439,192 shares of the technology companys stock worth $30,759,000 after purchasing an additional 169,673 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Owl Rock Capital by 41.8% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 220,089 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,775,000 after purchasing an additional 64,908 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new position in Owl Rock Capital during the 1st quarter worth approximately $79,000. 42.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Several research analysts recently issued reports on ORCC shares. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $15.00 price target on shares of Owl Rock Capital in a research report on Monday, March 13th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reduced their price target on shares of Owl Rock Capital from $15.50 to $15.00 in a research report on Friday, May 12th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded shares of Owl Rock Capital from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 31st. Owl Rock Capital Company Profile (Get Rating) Owl Rock Capital Corp non traded business development company seeks investment opportunities in middle market companies located in the United States with an EBITDA of USD 10 250 million and annual revenue of USD 50 million 2.5 billion. The fund focuses on broad range of sectors including business services, healthcare services, pharma & healthcare technology, aerospace & defense, software & technology and manufacturing & industrials. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Owl Rock Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Owl Rock Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Los Andes Copper Ltd. (CVE:LA Get Rating) was down 0.8% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$12.50 and last traded at C$12.50. Approximately 7,212 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 59% from the average daily volume of 17,445 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$12.60. Los Andes Copper Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of C$351.88 million, a P/E ratio of -37.88 and a beta of 1.19. The companys fifty day simple moving average is C$12.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$12.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 29.70. Get Los Andes Copper alerts: Los Andes Copper (CVE:LA Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 25th. The company reported C$0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Los Andes Copper Ltd. will post -0.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Los Andes Copper Company Profile Los Andes Copper Ltd. acquires, explores, and develops copper deposits in Canada and Chile. It operates through three segments: Mineral Exploration, Hydroelectric Project, and Corporate. The company holds 100% interest in the Vizcachitas copper, molybdenum, and silver porphyry project located north of Santiago, Region V, Chile. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Los Andes Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Los Andes Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:FCN Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,390,000 shares, an increase of 6.1% from the April 30th total of 1,310,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 255,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.4 days. Currently, 4.2% of the companys stock are sold short. Insider Activity at FTI Consulting In related news, General Counsel Curtis P. Lu sold 349 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.35, for a total value of $66,781.15. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 29,793 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,700,890.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CEO Steven Henry Gunby sold 9,428 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.87, for a total value of $1,705,242.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 458,717 shares of the companys stock, valued at $82,968,143.79. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, General Counsel Curtis P. Lu sold 349 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.35, for a total value of $66,781.15. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 29,793 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,700,890.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 50,100 shares of company stock valued at $9,263,683 over the last three months. 3.46% of the stock is owned by insiders. Get FTI Consulting alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On FTI Consulting Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in FCN. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in shares of FTI Consulting by 270.4% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 13,865 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,195,000 after buying an additional 10,122 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of FTI Consulting by 33.4% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 22,159 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,484,000 after buying an additional 5,542 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its position in shares of FTI Consulting by 10.5% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 12,566 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,976,000 after buying an additional 1,198 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its position in shares of FTI Consulting by 8.3% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 19,575 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,168,000 after buying an additional 1,505 shares during the period. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of FTI Consulting by 1.6% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 19,080 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,000,000 after buying an additional 308 shares during the period. FTI Consulting Stock Performance FCN stock traded up $1.82 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $188.01. The company had a trading volume of 447,037 shares, compared to its average volume of 239,463. The company has a quick ratio of 2.51, a current ratio of 2.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $189.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $175.72. FTI Consulting has a fifty-two week low of $140.09 and a fifty-two week high of $205.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.39 billion, a PE ratio of 30.08 and a beta of 0.28. FTI Consulting (NYSE:FCN Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The business services provider reported $1.34 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by ($0.33). The company had revenue of $806.71 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $795.44 million. FTI Consulting had a net margin of 7.19% and a return on equity of 13.81%. The businesss revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.66 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that FTI Consulting will post 7.28 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages recently weighed in on FCN. StockNews.com initiated coverage on FTI Consulting in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Truist Financial lifted their target price on FTI Consulting from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 13th. FTI Consulting Company Profile (Get Rating) FTI Consulting, Inc engages in the provision of financial, legal, operational, political and regulatory, reputational and transactional advisory services. It operates through the following segments: Corporate Finance and Restructuring, Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Economic Consulting, Technology, and Strategic Communications. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for FTI Consulting Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FTI Consulting and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF (NYSEARCA:FRTY Get Rating) shares traded down 0.5% on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $12.14 and last traded at $12.14. 607 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 94% from the average session volume of 10,176 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.20. Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF Trading Down 2.4 % The firms 50-day moving average price is $12.13 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $12.09. The stock has a market cap of $28.39 million, a PE ratio of 24.07 and a beta of 0.87. Get Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Tradition Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $146,000. Hunter Associates Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF by 59.8% during the 4th quarter. Hunter Associates Investment Management LLC now owns 25,925 shares of the companys stock valued at $299,000 after purchasing an additional 9,700 shares in the last quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV acquired a new position in Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,044,000. Finally, Fred Alger Management LLC increased its stake in Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC now owns 341,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,016,000 after purchasing an additional 11,594 shares in the last quarter. Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF Company Profile The Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF (FRTY) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell Midcap Growth index. The fund is an actively-managed, non-transparent ETF that provides exposure to US mid-cap companies with growth characteristics. The fund utilizes the Precidian non-transparent model. FRTY was launched on Feb 26, 2021 and is managed by Alger. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amplify Energy (NYSE:AMPY Get Rating) and Battalion Oil (NYSE:BATL Get Rating) are both small-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations and valuation. Institutional and Insider Ownership 44.4% of Amplify Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.0% of Battalion Oil shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Amplify Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 41.0% of Battalion Oil shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Amplify Energy alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Amplify Energy and Battalion Oil, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Amplify Energy 0 0 1 0 3.00 Battalion Oil 0 2 0 0 2.00 Profitability Amplify Energy currently has a consensus price target of $12.00, suggesting a potential upside of 76.21%. Battalion Oil has a consensus price target of $28.00, suggesting a potential upside of 332.77%. Given Battalion Oils higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Battalion Oil is more favorable than Amplify Energy. This table compares Amplify Energy and Battalion Oils net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Amplify Energy 103.74% 186.60% 19.94% Battalion Oil 39.14% 0.80% 0.11% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Amplify Energy and Battalion Oils gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Amplify Energy $458.46 million 0.58 $57.88 million $11.33 0.60 Battalion Oil $359.06 million 0.30 $18.54 million $8.02 0.81 Amplify Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Battalion Oil. Amplify Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Battalion Oil, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Risk & Volatility Amplify Energy has a beta of 2.39, meaning that its share price is 139% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Battalion Oil has a beta of 0.96, meaning that its share price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Amplify Energy beats Battalion Oil on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Amplify Energy (Get Rating) Amplify Energy Corp. is an independent oil and natural gas company, which engages in the acquisition, development, exploration, and production of oil and natural gas properties. It focuses on operations in Oklahoma, the Rockies, offshore Southern California, East Texas and North Louisiana, and Eagle Ford. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. About Battalion Oil (Get Rating) Battalion Oil Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, production, exploration, and development of onshore oil and natural gas assets in the United States. As of December 31, 2021, the company held interests in 40,400 net acres in the Delaware Basin located in the counties of Pecos, Reeves, Ward, and Winkler, Texas. It also had estimated proved reserves of approximately 95.9 million barrels of oil equivalent comprising 58.7 million barrels of crude oil, 16.3 million barrels of natural gas liquids, and 125.0 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The company was formerly known as Halcon Resources Corporation and changed its name to Battalion Oil Corporation in January 2020. Battalion Oil Corporation was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Amplify Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amplify Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. On the afternoon of May 30th, the project signing ceremony of Volkswagen (China) Technology Co., Ltd. was held in Hefei. Han Jun, Secretary of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee, and Wang Qingxian, Deputy Secretary of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee and Governor, witnessed the signing. Ralf Brandstatter, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group (China), delivered a speech. Yu Aihua, Member of the Standing Committee of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Hefei Municipal Party Committee, attended the event. Fei Gaoyun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee and Executive Vice Governor, presided over the ceremony. Representatives from Hefei Economic and Technological Development Zone and Volkswagen Group (China) signed the agreement. Han Jun, Wang Qingxian, and Ralf Brandstatter had in-depth and friendly exchanges, and learned in detail about the cooperation projects, as well as the planning and construction of Volkswagen employee living communities, Volkswagen talent apartments, and the Sino-German Co-Innovation Park. Han Jun said that as the largest new energy vehicle technology center of Volkswagen outside Germany, the establishment of Volkswagen (China) Technology Co., Ltd. in Hefei has a milestone significance. It will create a large number of high-quality employment opportunities in Hefei and is another significant achievement in deepening cooperation between the two sides. It is of great significance for our province to build a new energy vehicle industry chain ecological system integrating research and development, testing, manufacturing, sales, and core component supporting. It is hoped that Volkswagen Group (China) will accelerate the landing of cooperation projects, help Anhui gather more upstream and downstream enterprises, projects, and talents in the industrial chain, and help Hefei become a new energy vehicle capital. Relevant units of Hefei and the province should fully support the project construction, continuously create a first-class business environment, and make every effort to provide Volkswagen employees with living, medical, and children's education services, so that Volkswagen employees can work with peace of mind and work together to turn the vision of cooperation into a reality. Ralf Brandstatter expressed his gratitude for the strong support given by Anhui Province and Hefei City. He said that reaching an investment agreement in such a short period of time is a successful example of Anhui's speed and another milestone achieved on the basis of successful cooperation with Anhui Province, Hefei City, and JAC Motors. Volkswagen Group (China) will continuously strengthen its "in China, for China" research and development capabilities, more keenly respond to the needs of Chinese customers, better adapt to the rapid growth pace of new energy vehicles and intelligent connected vehicles in China, and provide high-quality research and development services for Volkswagen Anhui and other cooperative enterprises. The R&D company project will absorb a large number of local talents, attract high-quality talents from other regions to settle in Hefei, attract a group of supporting suppliers to invest in Hefei, and seek new opportunities in this technology highland, making greater contributions to the development of Anhui. It is reported that in order to improve R&D efficiency in response to the Chinese market demand and enhance the in-China R&D capabilities for the whole vehicle platform and core components, Volkswagen Group has set up a wholly-owned R&D company. The R&D company will cooperate with the German R&D headquarters to jointly undertake the R&D work of the new electric vehicle platform, the whole vehicle, and key components of Volkswagen Group, and undertake the core component procurement function of the new R&D electric vehicle platform. Reported by Zong He, Yang Zhu Translated by Zheng Chen Shares of Aviva plc (LON:AV Get Rating) have earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seven research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 526 ($6.50). A number of brokerages have issued reports on AV. Berenberg Bank reduced their price objective on shares of Aviva from GBX 546 ($6.75) to GBX 532 ($6.57) and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Barclays reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a GBX 545 ($6.74) price objective on shares of Aviva in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 520 ($6.43) price objective on shares of Aviva in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Aviva from GBX 545 ($6.74) to GBX 535 ($6.61) and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 560 ($6.92) price objective on shares of Aviva in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Get Aviva alerts: Insider Activity In other news, insider Amanda Blanc sold 322,369 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 416 ($5.14), for a total transaction of 1,341,055.04 ($1,657,260.31). In other Aviva news, insider Pippa Lambert purchased 1,302 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 419 ($5.18) per share, with a total value of 5,455.38 ($6,741.70). Also, insider Amanda Blanc sold 322,369 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 416 ($5.14), for a total value of 1,341,055.04 ($1,657,260.31). Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Aviva Stock Performance Aviva Increases Dividend LON AV opened at GBX 394.20 ($4.87) on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 3.31, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.38. The firms fifty day moving average price is GBX 414.13 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 433.85. Aviva has a 1 year low of GBX 366.70 ($4.53) and a 1 year high of GBX 473.70 ($5.85). The firm has a market capitalization of 10.84 billion, a P/E ratio of -1,066.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.09 and a beta of 1.03. The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 30th were paid a dividend of GBX 20.70 ($0.26) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 4.6%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. This is a positive change from Avivas previous dividend of $10.30. Avivas dividend payout ratio is -8,157.89%. About Aviva (Get Rating) Aviva plc provides various insurance, retirement, investment, and savings products in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and internationally. The company offers life insurance, long-term health and accident insurance, savings, pension, and annuity products, as well as pension fund business and lifetime mortgage products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Aviva Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aviva and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CAE (TSE:CAE Get Rating) (NYSE:CAE) had its price objective reduced by equities research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from C$36.00 to C$35.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, The Fly reports. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential upside of 25.94% from the companys previous close. A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on CAE. National Bankshares raised their target price on CAE from C$34.00 to C$37.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on CAE from C$35.00 to C$37.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on CAE from C$33.00 to C$35.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th. CIBC boosted their price target on CAE from C$33.00 to C$37.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on CAE from C$30.00 to C$35.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$36.56. Get CAE alerts: CAE Price Performance Shares of TSE:CAE traded up C$0.03 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching C$27.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 326,364 shares, compared to its average volume of 481,944. CAE has a fifty-two week low of C$20.90 and a fifty-two week high of C$34.85. The company has a market capitalization of C$8.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.53, a P/E/G ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 2.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 73.28, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is C$30.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$29.37. About CAE CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions worldwide. It operates through three segments: Civil Aviation, Defense and Security, and Healthcare. The Civil Aviation segment provides training solutions for flight, cabin, maintenance, and ground personnel in commercial, business, and helicopter aviation; flight simulation training devices; and ab initio pilot training and crew sourcing services, as well as end to end digitally enabled crew management, training operations solutions, and optimization software. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for CAE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CAE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 2,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $186,000. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of ADM. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 71.9% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 18,699 shares of the companys stock worth $1,688,000 after purchasing an additional 7,821 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the first quarter worth about $277,000. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 1st quarter valued at about $226,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. increased its stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 22.0% during the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 31,004 shares of the companys stock worth $2,798,000 after buying an additional 5,586 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 2.1% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 459,907 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,512,000 after acquiring an additional 9,327 shares during the last quarter. 78.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Archer-Daniels-Midland alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $87.00 to $85.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $100.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays cut their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $99.00 to $95.00 in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $94.00 to $85.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Archer-Daniels-Midland presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $100.33. Archer-Daniels-Midland Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of ADM traded down $0.08 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $70.57. 436,768 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,111,616. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a fifty-two week low of $69.92 and a fifty-two week high of $98.28. The stocks 50-day moving average is $77.02 and its 200-day moving average is $83.39. The company has a market cap of $38.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.51. Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.38. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a return on equity of 18.39% and a net margin of 4.36%. The company had revenue of $24.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.90 EPS. Archer-Daniels-Midlands revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 6.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Archer-Daniels-Midland Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 7th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 17th will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 16th. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.58%. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company Profile (Get Rating) Archer-Daniels-Midland Co engages in the production of oilseeds, corn, wheat, cocoa, and other agricultural commodities. It operates through the following segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, Nutrition, and Other. The Ag Services and Oilseeds segment includes activities related to the origination, merchandising, transportation, and storage of agricultural raw materials, and the crushing and further processing of oilseeds such as soybeans and soft seeds cottonseed, sunflower seed, canola, rapeseed, and flaxseed into vegetable oils and protein meals. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ADM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Allego (NYSE:ALLG Get Rating) and Mister Car Wash (NYSE:MCW Get Rating) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership and earnings. Profitability This table compares Allego and Mister Car Washs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Allego alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Allego N/A N/A N/A Mister Car Wash 11.16% 13.15% 3.91% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Allego and Mister Car Washs revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Allego $141.10 million 1.04 -$321.11 million N/A N/A Mister Car Wash $883.05 million 2.89 $112.90 million $0.29 28.48 Risk and Volatility Mister Car Wash has higher revenue and earnings than Allego. Allego has a beta of 0.41, meaning that its share price is 59% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Mister Car Wash has a beta of 1.02, meaning that its share price is 2% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Allego and Mister Car Wash, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Allego 0 0 2 0 3.00 Mister Car Wash 1 4 0 0 1.80 Allego currently has a consensus target price of $7.10, suggesting a potential upside of 234.91%. Mister Car Wash has a consensus target price of $10.00, suggesting a potential upside of 21.07%. Given Allegos stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Allego is more favorable than Mister Car Wash. Insider & Institutional Ownership 34.2% of Allego shares are owned by institutional investors. 82.7% of Allego shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 71.2% of Mister Car Wash shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Mister Car Wash beats Allego on 7 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Allego (Get Rating) Allego N.V. operates as an electric vehicle (EV) charging company. The company offers charging solutions for electric cars, motors, buses, and trucks. It has a charging network with renewable energy and charging solutions for business-to-business customers, including leading retail and auto brands. The company has approximately 28,000 charging ports in Europe. It also provides Allego EV Cloud, a customer payment tool that offers essential services to owned and third-party customers comprising authorization and billing, smart charging and load balancing, analysis, and customer support. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Arnhem, the Netherlands. About Mister Car Wash (Get Rating) Mister Car Wash, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides conveyorized car wash services in the United States. It offers express exterior and interior cleaning services. As of June 16, 2022, it operated 407 car wash locations in 21 states. The company was formerly known as Hotshine Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Mister Car Wash, Inc. in March 2021. Mister Car Wash, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. Receive News & Ratings for Allego Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Allego and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gitterman Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HPP Get Rating) by 15.8% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 23,397 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 3,188 shares during the quarter. Gitterman Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Hudson Pacific Properties were worth $228,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties by 31.9% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 22,812,665 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $249,799,000 after acquiring an additional 5,516,360 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Hudson Pacific Properties by 0.7% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,183,249 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $615,584,000 after purchasing an additional 160,204 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Hudson Pacific Properties by 12.0% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,287,870 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $229,988,000 after purchasing an additional 885,181 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Hudson Pacific Properties by 12.3% in the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,298,007 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $63,782,000 after purchasing an additional 469,341 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PGGM Investments purchased a new stake in Hudson Pacific Properties in the third quarter worth approximately $40,154,000. Institutional investors own 95.57% of the companys stock. Get Hudson Pacific Properties alerts: Hudson Pacific Properties Stock Performance HPP stock traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $4.65. The company had a trading volume of 1,100,496 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,299,458. Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. has a 12-month low of $4.08 and a 12-month high of $20.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.80, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $5.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.34. Hudson Pacific Properties Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 20th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 21.51%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 17th. Hudson Pacific Propertiess payout ratio is currently -249.99%. Several brokerages recently issued reports on HPP. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $6.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 31st. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $6.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $8.00 to $7.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Hudson Pacific Properties currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $10.46. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Arthur X. Suazo purchased 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $5.86 per share, for a total transaction of $58,600.00. Following the purchase, the executive vice president now directly owns 87,102 shares in the company, valued at $510,417.72. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Hudson Pacific Properties news, CIO Drew Gordon bought 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 27th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $5.96 per share, for a total transaction of $149,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive now owns 116,958 shares of the companys stock, valued at $697,069.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Arthur X. Suazo bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $5.86 per share, for a total transaction of $58,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 87,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $510,417.72. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have purchased a total of 38,975 shares of company stock worth $232,523 in the last 90 days. 2.95% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hudson Pacific Properties Company Profile (Get Rating) Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc is a real estate company, which acquires, repositions, develops, and operates sustainable office and state of-the-art studio properties in high-barrier-to-entry submarkets in California, the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, and Greater London, United Kingdom. It operates through the Office Properties and Studio Properties segments. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HPP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HPP Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Martingale Asset Management L P lessened its position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) by 9.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 342,887 shares of the retailers stock after selling 34,445 shares during the quarter. Walmart accounts for 0.9% of Martingale Asset Management L Ps portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Martingale Asset Management L Ps holdings in Walmart were worth $48,618,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Avalon Investment & Advisory lifted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Avalon Investment & Advisory now owns 2,070 shares of the retailers stock worth $294,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Financial Advisory Group lifted its holdings in Walmart by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Advisory Group now owns 6,950 shares of the retailers stock valued at $901,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Transparent Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Walmart by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Transparent Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,076 shares of the retailers stock valued at $436,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Elgethun Capital Management lifted its holdings in Walmart by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Elgethun Capital Management now owns 6,045 shares of the retailers stock valued at $784,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kistler Tiffany Companies LLC lifted its holdings in Walmart by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Kistler Tiffany Companies LLC now owns 1,917 shares of the retailers stock valued at $272,000 after buying an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 31.27% of the companys stock. Get Walmart alerts: Walmart Price Performance Walmart stock traded up $0.55 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $147.42. The company had a trading volume of 3,176,285 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,200,334. The company has a market capitalization of $397.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.20, a P/E/G ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.48. Walmart Inc. has a 12-month low of $117.90 and a 12-month high of $154.64. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $149.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is $146.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.23. Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart Walmart ( NYSE:WMT Get Rating ) last released 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. The company had revenue of $152.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.91 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 21.30%. Walmarts quarterly revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.30 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 EPS for the current year. In other Walmart news, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 1,957,377 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.72, for a total value of $275,442,091.44. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 255,973,516 shares in the company, valued at approximately $36,020,593,171.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.00, for a total value of $660,625.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 286,617 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,279,167. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 1,957,377 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.72, for a total transaction of $275,442,091.44. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 255,973,516 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $36,020,593,171.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 18,427,491 shares of company stock worth $2,611,986,386. Insiders own 47.06% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on WMT shares. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $159.00 to $162.00 in a report on Sunday, May 21st. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Walmart from $165.00 to $175.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Walmart from $161.00 to $160.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Erste Group Bank reissued a hold rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Walmart from $165.00 to $170.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Walmart currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $166.13. Walmart Company Profile (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. Read More 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. M&T Bank Corp boosted its position in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Get Rating) by 4.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 105,301 shares of the airlines stock after buying an additional 4,434 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corps holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $3,547,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Korea Investment CORP grew its position in Southwest Airlines by 14.5% in the 4th quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 50,764 shares of the airlines stock worth $1,709,000 after purchasing an additional 6,430 shares in the last quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. grew its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 330,806 shares of the airlines stock valued at $11,196,000 after purchasing an additional 28,088 shares during the last quarter. Concentric Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Concentric Wealth Management LLC now owns 57,845 shares of the airlines stock valued at $1,948,000 after purchasing an additional 1,845 shares during the last quarter. ING Groep NV grew its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 8.6% in the 4th quarter. ING Groep NV now owns 100,952 shares of the airlines stock worth $3,399,000 after acquiring an additional 7,956 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 118.4% in the 4th quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 21,533 shares of the airlines stock worth $725,000 after acquiring an additional 11,675 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.71% of the companys stock. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth LUV has been the topic of a number of research reports. Redburn Partners lowered shares of Southwest Airlines from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $40.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Melius downgraded shares of Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $39.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $64.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Barclays cut shares of Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their target price for the company from $42.00 to $38.00 in a report on Friday, March 10th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Southwest Airlines currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $44.71. Insider Activity at Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Stock Performance In related news, EVP Ryan C. Green sold 4,936 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Shares of NYSE LUV opened at $29.87 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $30.60 and a 200-day moving average price of $33.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The stock has a market cap of $17.77 billion, a PE ratio of 29.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.14. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 1 year low of $28.40 and a 1 year high of $46.46. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The airline reported ($0.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $5.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.73 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 6.99% and a net margin of 2.65%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 21.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.32) earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 20th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.41%. Southwest Airliness payout ratio is 72.00%. Southwest Airlines Company 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 Stories 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. WebSafety Inc. (OTCMKTS:WBSI Get Rating) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $0.18 and traded as high as $0.23. WebSafety shares last traded at $0.23, with a volume of 20,485 shares trading hands. WebSafety Stock Performance The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $0.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.18. About WebSafety (Get Rating) WebSafety Inc, a software company, develops mobile apps for Android and iOS mobile operating systems. The company's WebSafety app allows parents to monitor their children's mobile device activities that include downloaded apps, websites visited, social media, GPS tracking, and curfew blocking. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for WebSafety Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WebSafety and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. As per the NCERT, the decision has been taken to reduce the content load on students in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: ANI) NEW DELHI: In a bid to reduce the burden on students, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has dropped the full chapter on Periodic Classification of Elements, a full chapter on Democracy and Diversity, a full chapter on Challenges to Democracy, and a full page on Political Parties from the newly released textbooks of Class 10 students. As per the NCERT, the decision has been taken to reduce the content load on students in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Complete chapters on these above subjects now stand deleted as a part of a "rationalisation" meant to reduce the "burden on students". Among the topics dropped from the science textbook is also the chapter on environmental sustainability and sources of energy. According to the NCERT website, "The National Education Policy 2020, also emphasises reducing the content load and providing opportunities for experiential learning with a creative mindset. In this background, NCERT has undertaken the exercise to rationalise the textbooks across all classes. Learning Outcomes already developed by the NCERT across classes have been taken into consideration in this exercise." "Contents of the textbooks have been rationalised in view of the Overlapping with similar content included in other subject areas in the same class, Similar content included in the lower or higher class in the same subject, Difficulty level, Content, which is easily accessible to students without much interventions from teachers and can be learned through children through self-learning or peer-learning, Content, which is irrelevant in the present context," NCERT said. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has called for grand celebrations of the event across the state for 21 days, till June 22. He will kick off the celebrations with a public address in the morning. (File image: DC) Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will launch Telangana's 10th Formation Day celebrations at the Secretariat on Thursday morning, after paying homage to those who died in the statehood struggle and unfurling the National Flag at the Secretariat. The Chief Minister has called for grand celebrations of the event across the state for 21 days, till June 22. He will kick off the celebrations with a public address in the morning. The BRS government and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will also complete nine years in office on Thursday. With this, Chandrashekar Rao will become the longest-serving Chief Minister of a Telugu state, occupying the top post uninterruptedly for nine years across two successive terms. The previous record was held by N. Chandrababu Naidu, who served as Chief Minister of then-undivided Andhra Pradesh for eight years and 256 days, from September 1, 1995, to May 14, 2004. Late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy held the post for five years and 111 days, across two terms, from May 14, 2004, to September 2, 2009, till his death in a helicopter crash. According to the itinerary shared for the statehood celebrations for the first week, June 3 will be celebrated as Telangana Farmers Day. Farmers meetings will be held at Rythu Vedikas in villages. Officials said that flexis and posters will be put up to explain the achievements of the BRS government in the agricultural sector, including free electricity, Rythu Bandhu and Rythu Bima. June 4 will be celebrated as Safety Day, with programmes planned on the day to explain the efforts, friendly approach and efficient services of the police to maintain law and order in the state. In Hyderabad, patrol cars will take part in a Blue Ccolts rally at P.V.N.R Marg (Necklace Road) All those under the jurisdiction of Hyderabad, Rachakonda and Cyberabad police commissionerates will take part in the event, with police bands holding demonstrations in front of the 125-foot Ambedkar statue. June 5 will be celebrated as Telangana Electricity Victory Day. At the constituency level, a meeting will be held with farmers, consumers, electricity employees, public representatives and at least 1,000 people, to explain the qualitative change achieved in the power sector. June 6 will be celebrated as the Telangana Industrial Growth Festival, with meetings set to be held in industrial and IT corridors to explain the progress achieved in the industrial sector. The details of investments in the state and the increased employment opportunities will be explained, said officials. A meeting of aspiring entrepreneurs will also be organised at T-Hub and We-Hub. June 7 will be celebrated as Irrigation Day, with the government preparing a documentary on the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project for screening across constituency centres. June 8 will see festivities at water bodies in every village, while June 9 will be observed as the Telangana Welfare Day, with constituency-level meetings planned with at least 1,000 Aasara Pension and Kalyana Lakshmi beneficiaries. A meeting will be held at Ravindra Bharathi, explaining the way Telangana achieved the golden age in welfare, officials said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks during an interactive session at Stanford University, in California, USA. (PTI Photo) Stanford (California): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that he did not imagine his disqualification from Lok Sabha was possible when he joined politics but asserted that it has given him a "huge opportunity" to serve the people. Gandhi, who is in the US for a three-city US tour, made the remarks on Wednesday night in response to a series of questions from Indian students at the prestigious Stanford University Campus in California. The Wayanad (Kerala) Member of Parliament was disqualified from Lok Sabha earlier this year after he was convicted by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. In his remarks, Gandhi said that when he joined politics in 2000, he never imagined this is what he would go through. What he sees is going on now is way outside anything that he had thought when he joined politics. Referring to his disqualification from Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament, Gandhi, 52, said he didn't imagine that something like this was possible. "But then I think it's actually given me a huge opportunity. Probably much bigger than the opportunity I would have. That's just the way politics works, he said. "I think the drama started really, about six months ago. We were struggling. The entire opposition is struggling in India. Huge financial dominance. Institutional capture. We're struggling to fight the democratic fight in our country, he said, adding that at this point in time, he decided to go for the Bharat Jodo Yatra'. "I am very clear, our fight is ours fight, he said. But there is a group of young students from India here. I want to have a relationship with them and want to talk to them. It's my right to do it, he said during his interaction with Indian students and academicians of Indian origin at the University here. He also emphasised in his frequent foreign trips like this, he is not seeking support from anybody. "I don't understand why the prime minister doesn't come here and do it, Gandhi asked amidst applause from the audience who had packed the entire auditorium at Stanford. The moderator said that the Prime Minister is welcome to come to Stanford anytime and interact with the students and academicians. Some of the students were denied entry as the auditorium was packed. Students started queuing up two hours before the event started. In the last one and a half years, several Indian ministers have interacted with Indian students. The iconic University College of Arts and Social Sciences, popularly called Arts College, on the Osmania University campus witnessed a spectrum of events unfolding before it all for the sake of separate Telangana. (DC File Image) HYDERABAD: Similar to the earlier phases of the Telangana movement, the students, especially from Osmania University, played a crucial role in its last phase which began late in 2009. The iconic University College of Arts and Social Sciences, popularly called Arts College, on the Osmania University campus witnessed a spectrum of events unfolding before itfrom silent student marches to brutal police crackdowns on peaceful protests by students from hunger strikes against injustices to massive celebrations that started after the Centre announced the process of forming Telangana all for the sake of separate Telangana. When the Supreme Court declared Hyderabad as a free zone for recruitment of police jobs in October 2009, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K. Chandrashekar Rao decided to protest against the free zone order. Accordingly, KCR launched his indefinite fast on November 29 opposing the decision to declare Hyderabad a free zone and urging the Central government to declare the formation of a separate Telangana state. On the intervening night of November 27 and 28, over a thousand students of Osmania University gathered in front of the Arts College, demanding the UPA government declare the formation of Telangana state. The universitys first semester exams had just begun. The students were ready to sacrifice their academic year for the greater cause of Telangana and had declared their support to the TRS president who was to begin his fast unto death the next day for Telangana. However, when media reports came in that KCR ended his fast on the third day, the OU campus witnessed protests denouncing KCRs move to end his fast. The OU students JAC, which was already formed in November 2009 for spearheading the Telangana movement, came down heavily on the TRS chief and announced that they would continue their protest demanding Telangana be granted statehood at the earliest. According to Mohammad Saleem Pasha, one of the founding members of OU Students Joint Action Committee (OUJAC), about 13 student unions came forward to form OUJAC to spearhead the movement urging the Union government to abolish the free zone status to Hyderabad and accordingly grant statehood for Telangana. OUJAC organised a massive rally on November 29 in support of KCRs hunger strike. However, the rally was stopped and students were brutally chased and beaten by the central forces which were already stationed on the university campus in the run up to the anti-free zone protest. The police crackdown and subsequent ending of fast by KCR angered the student community and the agitation got more vigorous and violent in the campus, says Saleem, who was a student of Nizam College and an inmate of E-2 hostel on OU campus. Hostel messes were closed and student leaders were picked up from the hostel rooms and were taken to different police stations further angering the student community. It was the student community that carried out a sustained-protest on the university campus, Saleem adds. The campus erupted in celebration on midnight of December 8-9, when Home Minister P. Chidambaram announced the process to form Telangana. However, the delight of students was short-lived with Chidambarams second announcement on December 23 that the Centre would consult all stakeholders on the Telangana issue. Students in thousands assembled at the Arts College and at least a dozen students began fast unto death the next day. Massive tents were erected in front of Arts College and leaders from all political parties would line up to extend their solidarity with the protesting students. Dozens of students would take up a relay hunger stir in support of students who were on an indefinite hunger stir which went on for eight days before police removed tents and shifted fasting students to various hospitals in Vidyanagar after the midnight crackdown. On every major development, the inmates of the 13-odd hostels on the OU campus then would rush to TV halls for evening bulletins to catch up with the latest developments on the Telangana statehood issue. The Vidyarthi Maha Garjana on January 5, 2010, organised OUJAC saw close to two lakh students converging on the OU campus from across the state. The success of the event encouraged students across the universities in Telangana region to take up agitations more vigorously. Professionals, and employees unions too supported the students. After the success of the Vidyyarthi Garjana, two teams of OUJAC leaders set on padayatra- one toured north Telangana, the other covered south Telangana district to mobilise support for the statehood movement. Student suicides on the campus also caused commotion and the statehood movement further got intensified. The first such incident took place on January 19, 2010 when a student K. Venugopal Reddy, an off-campus student, was found dead near Tagore Auditorium who took the extreme step as he was depressed over the delay in Telangana state formation. With the students death, the campus was on the boil again. While the students were planning a massive rally with the student body, police denied the same which eventually led to the firing of teargas shells and then a lathi charge on students. Another major event that sent shockwaves across the Telangana region and flared up emotions was the brutal crackdown on students on February 14, 2010. Police chased students of B-Hostel to their rooms. When students locked themselves inside hostel rooms, the police broke windows and fired tear gas shells inside hostel rooms. Dozens of students were injured and were shifted to DD Hospital in Vidyanagar post midnight. As if this was not enough, the very next day, the police attacked media personnel who were on the campus to cover the developments. The equipment of the TV crew was damaged and the scribes were mercilessly beaten near the State Bank of Hyderabad branch on the campus. Scores of journalists sat on protest on the campus seeking action against cops for attacking journalists. OU campus remained an epicentre of the statehood movement till the AP Bifurcation Bill was cleared by the Parliament. Lawyers, teachers, and employees would visit the campus and extend solidarity with students who stayed put under tents in front of Arts College to keep the statehood movement going until it was realised in early 2014. Prof Kodandaram, who headed JAC, which was formed after the Centres announcement on January 23, 2010, delaying the process of Telangana, told Deccan Chronicle that the role of Osmania University students in the Telangana movement is very crucial. Students kept the movement sustained and going despite facing severe hardships. It was their struggle that gave tense moments to both the AP government and the Centre and forced them to take a call on Telangana positively. The governments were under tremendous pressure to take a call in favour of Telangana, he adds, citing deliberation that took place during a meeting of all party leaders with then chief minister K. Rosaiah. However, the retired professor, who played an instrumental role in unifying different political and social organizations for Telangana cause, laments that the aspiration for which Telangana was formed still eludes. This government is going contrary to the values and ideas that were enshrined in the movement. The objectives of the Telangana struggle are irrelevant to the KCR government. The government is no longer interested in them. They feel there is no point in talking about them. That is the reason why they have even given up the name Telangana and renamed TRS to BRS, said the academician, who is now president of Telangana Jana Samithi. "OU students kept the movement sustained and going despite facing several hardships. It was their struggle that gave tense moments to both the AP government and the Centre and forced them to take a call on Telangana positively. The governments were under tremendous pressure." - Prof Kodandaram, TJS president Union minister for culture, Kishan Reddy will unfurl the National Flag at 7 am, followed by a parade by contingents of Central forces. (File photo: DC) Hyderabad: The Telangana Formation Day celebrations to be held at Golconda fort on Friday, being organised by the Central government, will see the attendance of a wide section of people who played an active role in the struggle for statehood, Union minister for culture G. Kishan Reddy has said. Speaking to mediapersons after inspecting the preparations at the fort, Reddy said Telangana was made possible not just by one person or a small group of people but with the involvement of every section of the society in the state. "The BJP played a key role and was the only national party to join the political joint action committee (JAC) and was also at the forefront of various agitations and stood solidly with the people of the state at every step of the way, including ensuring the passage of the Bill in Parliament that made statehood possible," he said. Kishan Reddy will unfurl the National Flag at 7 am, followed by a parade by contingents of Central forces. In addition to cultural programmes by well-known artistes at the fort and competitions for school children, there will also be two photo exhibitions, one depicting the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government in the country over the past nine years, and another showcasing BJPs role in the statehood movement, he said. Last year, the Central government celebrated Telangana Formation Day in Delhi and this year, it is doing so in Hyderabad at Golconda fort," he said. Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. (Image: Twitter) KURNOOL: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy disbursed financial assistance to farmers for the fifth consecutive year under YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan at an event held in Pattikonda on Thursday. With the press of a button, the Chief Minister distributed Rs 3,923.21 crore as the first tranche of this year to 52,30,939 farmers. With this, he said, each farmer receives Rs 5,500 directly into his bank accounts from the government. Another Rs 2,000 from the Centre as part of the PM Kisan Yojana was also disbursed to the beneficiary farmers across the state. The Chief Minister said," We have distributed Rs 61,500 to each farmer till now." With the present distribution of Rs 3,923 crore under Rythu Bharosa, the state government has disbursed Rs 30,985 crore to farmers in the last four years. "By comparison, the previous TD government, which had promised to waive Rs 87,000 crore of crop loans in 2014, paid only Rs 15,000 crore to them, betraying the mandate of the farmers, he said. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the YSRC government has distributed more than what was assured to the people by him during the 2019 elections. A financial assistance of Rs 12,500 per year for four years had been promised in the YSRC manifesto for the farmers in 2019. "However, this government has extended the scheme for its full five years, the extended assistance coming to Rs 13,500 every year," he stated. The Chief Minister said the TD government had procured 2.65 crore tonne of paddy from the farmers in its five years. By contrast, the YSRC government completed procurement of 3.09 crore tonne till now in a the past four years. "We are going to establish 11 district-level seed and soil testing laboratories attached to Rythu Bharosa Kendras," he said. "We are going to deposit insurance support to the farmers in July or August this year marking the birth anniversary of former chief minister late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy," he said and assured the farmers that farm equipment worth of Rs 1,052 crore would be available for farmers at the RBKs with a 10 per cent beneficiary contribution, 40 per cent subsidy and 50 per cent of bank loan component. He said the government is converting Gram Sachivalayam offices in villages into sub-registrar offices for transactions at the doorsteps of villagers. "Farmers have benefited hugely in the dairy sector after the entry of Amul brand in the state. Amul has increased milk procurement price by Rs 10-17 per litre. As a result, the private dairies such as Heritage had to increase the milk purchasing price. Farmers relying on the dairy sector have gained significantly," he said. The Chief Minister described the TDs latest election manifesto as a "kichadi of imitative stuff copied from other manifestos," while the YSRC manifesto took birth from the hearts of the people." "The TD manifesto was born in Karnataka, like the bisi bele bath," he said in jest. Jagan Mohan Reddy mentioned some stories from Indian mythology, saying the TDs Mahanadu resembled episodes of Puthana in Bhagavad Gita, and Ravana and Mareecha in Ramayana, for "attracting the innocents" and said, "Chandrababu is a mixture of all these evil characters." He said Chandrababu Naidu backstabbed NTR when he was alive and now the TD is claiming him as a Yuga Purush, Rama and Krishna. "The opposition leader has no regard to truth, honesty and credibility and he doesnt even have candidates for all 175 constituencies." Jagan Mohan Reddy said the 2024 polls would be like a Kurukshetra battle in the Mahabharatha epic and there will be an ideological clash between the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of the YSRC government and DPT (Dochuko, Panchuko, Tinuko) policy of the Telugu Desam. He urged the people to make a wise choice in the upcoming polls. Finance minister Buggana Rajendranath, agriculture minister Kakani Govardhan, local MLA K. Sridevi, MLCs Gangula Prabhakar, Ishaq Basha, legislators Rambhupal Reddy, Hafeez Khan, Chennakesava Reddy, Arthur, Sudhakar and district collector Srijana, SPs Raghuveera Reddy and G. Krishnakanth were present. It's a known fact that compared to Google Play, Apple App Store has been more lucrative for app developers. However, not many know how big and wide the gap has grown over the years. In the latest report, the app developers made a whopping $1.1 trillion worth of business in terms of billings and sales on apple App Store. That's more than the annual Gross Domestic Product(GDP) of several countries around the world. There is a notion among commoners that Apple charges a premium of 30 per cent cut on every in-app purchase. However, in recent years, particularly during the Covid-19 outbreak-induced lockdown, Apple in a bid to support small and medium-sized app developer companies (with less than $1 million/year revenue), reduced the gate-keeping charge by 50 per cent. Add to that, Apple offers local payment options around the world. Currently, it supports more than 195 local payment methods and 44 currencies across 175 storefronts. Not just that, App Store allows developers to expand their reach beyond their nation's borders and help them become global brands. Thanks to such thoughtful initiatives, Apple App Store ecosystem is thriving better than ever before and registering a healthy 29 per cent growth. The independent study conducted by economists from Analysis Group says more than 90 per cent of the total revenue ($1.1 trillion) from sales and billings directly went to app developers, with no commission to Apple. Apple App Store statistics. Credit: Apple Weve never been more hopeful about or more inspired by the incredible community of developers around the world. As this report shows, the App Store is a vibrant, innovative marketplace where opportunity thrives, and were as committed as ever to investing in developers success and the app economys future, said Tim Cook, Apples CEO. The report also revealed that sectors such as travel and ride-hailing, rebound stronger and also there was good growth in advertising spend in apps like social media and retail apps. As App Store turns 15, Apple shared interesting statistics about its strong growth over the years since its inception in 2008. Apple App Store now houses more than 1.8 million apps, 123 times more than when it started operation. And, iOS users have downloaded apps more than 370 billion times from 2008 to 2022. Must read | WWDC 2023: Indore girl gets top honors at Apple Swift coding challenge Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech. Taiwan and the United States will sign the first deal under a new trade talks framework on Thursday, both governments said, boosting ties between the two at a time of heightened tensions with China over the democratically-governed island. Taiwan and the United States started talks under what is called the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade last August, after Washington excluded Taiwan from its larger pan-Asian trade initiative, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations said in a brief statement the first agreement under the framework would be signed in Washington on Thursday morning U.S. time, but gave no other details. Also Read | Taiwan excluded from WHO annual assembly following Chinese opposition The US Trade Representative's office said Deputy United States Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi would attend the event, but also did not elaborate. Last month, the two sides reached agreement on the first part of their trade initiative, covering customs and border procedures, regulatory practices, and small business. After the initial agreement is signed, negotiations will start on other, more complicated trade areas including agriculture, digital trade, labour and environmental standards, state-owned enterprises, and non-market policies and practices, the USTR has previously said. The pact is not expected to alter goods tariffs, but proponents say it will strengthen economic bonds between the United States and Taiwan, open the island to more U.S. exports, and increase Taiwan's ability to resist economic coercion from China. Beijing has denounced the trade talks as it does with all forms of high level engagement between Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory, and the United States. Taiwan strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims, which Beijing has been trying to push on Taipei through repeated military activities including war games around the island. The Centre on Thursday announced a slew of measures including investigation by a CBI special team and a Judicial Inquiry Commission in order to restore peace and bridge distrust in Manipur, which has been in turmoil since May 3. Home Minister Amit Shah, who was camping in Manipur since Monday evening, told reporters at Imphal on Thursday that the CBI team would take over six cases related to the riot while the Judicial Inquiry Commission headed by a retired High Court judge would probe into the genesis of the violence and identify those behind the possible conspiracy that pushed the Northeastern state into a turmoil. Also Read 3 cops injured in gunfight with alleged Kuki militants Shah reached Manipur on Monday evening and held meetings with leaders of at least 22 Meitei and 25 Kuki organisations, 11 political parties and others, both in the Valley and in the Hills, as part of the Centre's efforts to restore peace. The Home Minister further announced that a peace committee headed by Manipur Governor, Anusuiya Uikey, meanwhile, will talk to all stakeholders to restore peace. "The peace committee will have representatives from the field of industry, sports, politics and others. They will visit various parts of the state and will continue to hold talks with all stakeholders for restoring peace," Shah said. The Home Minister said that it was also decided to constitute an Inter-Agency Unified Command to be headed by Kuldip Singh, retired DG of CRPF, for better co-ordination among the security forces including the Army and Assam Rifles. Singh was rushed to Manipur on May 5 as the Centre's security adviser to the Manipur government. The Manipur government on Thursday removed Director General of police, P Doungel, a Kuki, and appointed IPS officer Rajiv Singh as the new chief of the state police. Doungel was appointed as Officer on Special Duty (Home), a newly created post. The riot involving the Meitei and Kuki community since May 3 have killed at least 75 persons and resulted in the displacement of over 35,000 others. Over 2,000 houses have been burnt down. The Army and other paramilitary forces, called in on May 3, controlled the riot but sporadic incidents of firing and house burning have remained a concern for nearly a month now. Incidents of firing and house burning were reported even during Shah's visit to the state. "Peace came back to Manipur due to our hard work in the past six years and the process of development started. But violence broke out due misunderstanding over a judgement of the High Court," he said. Violence broke out on May 3 after a protest march organised by the tribals (mainly Kukis), opposing an order of Manipur High Court that asked the BJP government in the state to submit a proposal to the Centre for ST status to the majority Meitei community. Relief and restoration Shah said a special package for relief and rehabilitation will also be announced on Friday. An ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh (Rs. five lakh each from the Centre and Manipur government) will also be given to the kin of those killed in the ongoing violence. "A total of 30,000 metric tons of food grains has been allotted for the next two months and the distribution will soon start. LPG, petroleum products and other essential items are being sent to Manipur for uninterrupted supply of essential commodities," he said. Warning to militants Shah also warned that the Centre would be compelled to end the Suspension of Operation agreement with the Kuki insurgent groups if they violated the ground rules of such agreement. Shah said biometrics of all people coming from neighbouring countries (mainly Myanmar) will be collected while the survey for fencing of the India-Myanmar border will be taken up. "We have already completed fencing of 10 km borders while a tender has been issued for fencing of another 80 km. Survey for such fencing in the remaining stretch will also be carried out soon," he said. Manipur shares about 400 km of border with Myanmar. "Illegal migration" from Myanmar has been a concern in the state, mainly by the Meiteis. A khap 'mahapanchayat' to discuss the ongoing protest by wrestlers against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh started in Soram village here on Thursday, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leaders said. The 'mahapanchayat' was called by BKU leader Naresh Tikait on Wednesday, a day after he and other farmer leaders managed to dissuade some of India's top wrestlers from throwing their medals in the Ganga river to protest police inaction against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief in two cases of sexual harassment. Also read | Wrestlers' protest: Security tightened at Delhi borders ahead of demonstrations called by farmers Tikait is the head of Balyan khap. The 'mahapanchayat' is being attended by khap leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. The 'mahapanchayat' will pass a resolution at the end of the meeting. It is likely to be passed by the evening after the khap leaders from all states have expressed their views on the issue, a BKU leader said. On Tuesday, Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, and Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat went to Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar along with their supporters to throw their medals in the Ganga. However, they relented after khap and farmer leaders sought five days' time to address their grievances. The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs against Singh. While the first FIR relates to allegations by a minor wrestler and has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second is related to outraging modesty. Singh, who has repeatedly denied all charges against him, said on Wednesday that he would hang himself if a single allegation is proved against him. He is scheduled to hold a press conference later on Thursday in Gonda district to highlight the achievements of nine years of the Modi government. The Health Ministrys move, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, to develop 100 food streets in 100 districts of the country is a welcome initiative intended to encourage healthy food habits and make affordable food accessible to large numbers of people. Street food is a major part of the food business in India and plays a great role in preserving the countrys diverse food traditions and local tastes. Street food is popular mainly because it is easily available in quick time and at affordable prices. These should be the guiding ideas of the proposed food streets. There will be a clear emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene which are not the top positive points of street food. Food streets already exist in many cities but the new proposal envisages the setting up of more of them with clear guidelines about their nature and functioning. The government has said that the practices to be followed on the food streets will promote the eat right campaign and improve the hygiene credibility of local food businesses, boost local employment, tourism and economy and lead to a cleaner and greener environment. Also Read | Serving hope on a platter: Congress to restore Indira Canteens This is intended as a pilot project to set an example for other food streets. The government will provide financial assistance of Rs 1 crore for each food street and the initiative will be supported by technical assistance from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The assistance will be given under the National Health Mission with the condition that standard branding of these food markets will be done in accordance with FSSAI guidelines. The project is expected to help reduce the incidence of food-borne diseases and improve overall health outcomes. The FSSAI has estimated that there are about 20 lakh street food vendors in the country. The street food map is changing with more food trucks coming on the scene, which is still dominated by food carts. Food trucks have greater mobility, more space and more items on the menu than carts. They can be more hygienic. The cart needs lower investment and the food may be less expensive. While the food street and the food trucks are promoted, it is necessary to help the street vendors to improve their quality and standards, mainly in terms of cleanliness and hygiene and waste disposal. The livelihood of lakhs of families depends on them and so they should not be pushed out of the streets. Food streets should be considered as another expression of the countrys food culture, and should add to its diversity, like the countrys diverse tastes and food traditions. All eyes are set on the State Cabinet meeting on Friday where a decision will be taken on implementing the five guarantees promised by the ruling Congress during the Assembly elections in May. The Congress had said that it will implement these schemes if its government is formed in Karnataka. The party stormed into the Vidhana Soudha by winning 135 out of 224 seats winning an absolute majority. Now it is the Congress's turn to fulfill its promises after the people reposed their faith in it. Also Read | Congress will stand with those who strengthened us: D K Shivakumar The five guarantees promised are 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (YuvaNidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti). The Congress government has estimated that the implementation of these schemes may cost about Rs 50,000 crore. "We have announced five guarantees. We discussed them elaborately yesterday. Tomorrow we will take a decision. We have assured that we will give 10 kg rice. There is no second thought about implementing it but I will explain to you after the Cabinet decision," Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa told reporters on Thursday. Explaining further, he said, "We will implement the guarantees we have promised in a phased manner." With regard to the Anna Bhagya scheme, he said the state government will ask the Centre and the Food Corporation of India to provide rice to Karnataka. "In case, they (Centre and the FCI) refuse, we on our own will procure rice through tender or though organisations and distribute it to the beneficiaries, Muniyappa said. D During elections, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said these schemes will be implemented on the day the government took over. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after assuming power on May 20 said the government has agreed in principle to implement the guarantees and sought time till the next cabinet meeting. "We have given approval in principle. We will get details, discuss, financial implications will be looked into and then we will do it for sure. Whatever the financial implications may be, we will fulfill these five guarantee schemes," Siddaramaiah told reporters after the first Cabinet meeting. When asked when it will be implemented, he said, "Most likely it will be implemented after the next cabinet meeting," and added, "Already cabinet decision has been taken. We need to work out details such as its financial implications." When asked why these aspects were not looked at before making the promises, the chief minister underlined, "The promises have been agreed upon. We will not go back." Also Read | Serving hope on a platter: Congress to restore Indira Canteens Siddaramaiah said spending Rs 50,000 crore on these guarantees will not be a burden for the state, whose budget is about Rs three lakh crore annually. The opposition BJP is also waiting with bated breath to see how the Congress implements these guarantees, which according to them, will push the state towards financial bankruptcy. The BJP has alleged that the government has no intention to implement the guarantees and had made false promises to come to power. "They said they will implement it on the day they assume power but they could not do it. The delay has proved that the Congress is a party of cheats," BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel said. According to some Congress leaders, there will be some conditions attached to these schemes. The Gruha Lakshmi promising Rs 2,000 to the women head of the families is meant for those who are Below Poverty Line. Even the Anna Bhagya scheme providing 10 kg food grains is for BPL families. Even Gruha Jyothi scheme offering 200 units of free power is for the economically weaker sections, they said. Regarding Shakti scheme, Congress leaders said there will be no conditions attached but it will specify in which buses women can travel free of cost. An estimate prepared by the BMTC shows that its operational cost itself is over Rs 12,000 crore whereas its revenues are just over Rs 9,000 crore. Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,640,000 shares, an increase of 6.2% from the April 30th total of 4,370,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,720,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.7 days. Insider Activity In related news, Director J Kenneth Thompson sold 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.58, for a total transaction of $170,030.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 29,907 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,452,882.06. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock. Get Alaska Air Group alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alaska Air Group Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. ProShare Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 6.3% in the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 38,417 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,612,000 after purchasing an additional 2,261 shares during the period. American Trust grew its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 8.7% during the first quarter. American Trust now owns 8,455 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $355,000 after buying an additional 678 shares during the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 1.8% during the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 119,857 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $5,029,000 after buying an additional 2,118 shares during the last quarter. Impala Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group in the first quarter worth about $2,098,000. Finally, Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 1.6% in the first quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC now owns 74,112 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $3,110,000 after buying an additional 1,160 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.04% of the companys stock. Alaska Air Group Price Performance Alaska Air Group stock opened at $44.93 on Thursday. Alaska Air Group has a 12 month low of $37.19 and a 12 month high of $53.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $42.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $45.41. The company has a market cap of $5.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 97.67, a PEG ratio of 0.30 and a beta of 1.51. Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The transportation company reported ($0.62) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.48) by ($0.14). The firm had revenue of $2.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.19 billion. Alaska Air Group had a net margin of 0.58% and a return on equity of 17.03%. Alaska Air Groups revenue for the quarter was up 30.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($1.33) EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Alaska Air Group will post 6.3 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have commented on the company. Raymond James raised Alaska Air Group from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $60.00 to $68.00 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. StockNews.com began coverage on Alaska Air Group in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Alaska Air Group from $71.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Alaska Air Group from $91.00 to $70.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Barclays raised Alaska Air Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $54.00 to $62.00 in a report on Friday, March 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $63.86. 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. Further Reading 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. First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO Get Rating) by 23.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 153,947 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 29,218 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP owned about 0.08% of Vornado Realty Trust worth $3,204,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 1.0% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,358,232 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $633,617,000 after buying an additional 282,152 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 3.3% in the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 16,910,236 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $391,641,000 after buying an additional 540,856 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 5.6% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 14,749,324 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $341,594,000 after buying an additional 776,978 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 22.4% in the second quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,868,704 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $139,196,000 after buying an additional 891,435 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 6.4% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,233,871 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $51,736,000 after buying an additional 134,092 shares in the last quarter. 75.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Vornado Realty Trust alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets downgraded Vornado Realty Trust from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $26.00 to $18.00 in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. StockNews.com began coverage on Vornado Realty Trust in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Vornado Realty Trust from $18.00 to $13.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 31st. TheStreet cut Vornado Realty Trust from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Finally, Piper Sandler cut Vornado Realty Trust from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and cut their target price for the company from $16.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vornado Realty Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $18.00. Vornado Realty Trust Stock Down 1.3 % Vornado Realty Trust stock opened at $13.56 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $14.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $19.14. The company has a quick ratio of 4.75, a current ratio of 4.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The firm has a market cap of $2.60 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.37. Vornado Realty Trust has a twelve month low of $12.31 and a twelve month high of $35.27. Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by ($0.61). Vornado Realty Trust had a positive return on equity of 2.51% and a negative net margin of 20.39%. The company had revenue of $445.92 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $452.70 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.79 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up .9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Vornado Realty Trust will post 2.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Vornado Realty Trust announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, April 26th that authorizes the company to buyback $200.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the real estate investment trust to repurchase up to 7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Insider Activity In other Vornado Realty Trust news, Director Russell B. Wight, Jr. acquired 5,341 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 25th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $11.30 per share, for a total transaction of $60,353.30. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 12,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $135,600. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Russell B. Wight, Jr. bought 16,000 shares of Vornado Realty Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $11.21 per share, for a total transaction of $179,360.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 7,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $78,470. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Russell B. Wight, Jr. bought 5,341 shares of Vornado Realty Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 25th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $11.30 per share, with a total value of $60,353.30. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 12,000 shares in the company, valued at $135,600. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders acquired 25,341 shares of company stock worth $285,033. Insiders own 8.03% of the companys stock. Vornado Realty Trust Company Profile (Get Rating) Vornado Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the ownership of office, retail, merchandise mart properties, and other real estate and related investments. It operates through the New York and Other segments. The company was founded by Steven Roth on March 29, 1993 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VNO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Vornado Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vornado Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. REV Group (NYSE:REVG Get Rating) is scheduled to announce its earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, June 8th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.17 per share for the quarter. REV Group has set its FY 2023 guidance at EPS.Investors that are interested in participating in the companys conference call can do so using this link. REV Group (NYSE:REVG Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, March 8th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02) by $0.06. REV Group had a net margin of 0.10% and a return on equity of 8.49%. The business had revenue of $583.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $504.73 million. On average, analysts expect REV Group to post $1 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get REV Group alerts: REV Group Stock Performance Shares of REVG stock opened at $10.14 on Thursday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $10.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.22. REV Group has a 52 week low of $9.50 and a 52 week high of $16.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The company has a market cap of $602.92 million, a PE ratio of 253.56 and a beta of 1.91. REV Group Dividend Announcement Institutional Inflows and Outflows The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. REV Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 500.13%. Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in REVG. Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in REV Group by 4,975.0% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 519,936 shares of the companys stock worth $6,562,000 after acquiring an additional 509,691 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of REV Group by 10.9% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,177,194 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,176,000 after buying an additional 214,781 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of REV Group by 32.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 791,875 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,645,000 after buying an additional 195,632 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of REV Group by 563.6% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 222,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,979,000 after buying an additional 188,800 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of REV Group by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,222,050 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,776,000 after buying an additional 186,146 shares during the period. 98.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently issued reports on REVG. Robert W. Baird raised shares of REV Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $16.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 6th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of REV Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Credit Suisse Group lifted their price target on shares of REV Group from $9.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Thursday, March 9th. Finally, DA Davidson lifted their price target on shares of REV Group from $12.00 to $13.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, March 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $13.17. About REV Group (Get Rating) REV Group, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services. The company sells its products to municipalities, government agencies, private contractors, and industrial and commercial end users. It operates through the following segments: Fire and Emergency, Commercial, and Recreation. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for REV Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for REV Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sandys African Food Hub (SAFH)- the first African food restaurant in Derry and the Northwest- has opened its doors in the city. Situated on Bonds street, the restaurant and takeaway is an innovative food service located in the heart of Derry. SAFH offers customers a unique culinary experience centered around home-grown African vegetables, herbs, spices and recipes and ensuring high quality and taste. The business is focused on providing customers with a wide range of authentic African cuisines in a restaurant or takeaway setting. Owner, Sandra Nkechi Agoha, said the menu has been developed to include dishes that will appeal to African, Caribbean and European customers. Originally from Nigeria, Sandra said she wants to bring the taste of home to Derry and bring a new dining experience and culture to the city. Sandra has lived and worked in Derry for the past 10 years and currently works with the NHS as a senior nursing assistant. Sandra explained: "I have a passion for cooking and caring for people. I have had past experience in similar business from Nigeria which also comes from the family background. "I was brought up in a family where both parents worked in the hospitality industry and I was lucky enough to always be surrounded by good food, I will give the credit to my parents. "After good encouragement from family and friends, I decided to open the Sandys African Food Hub. My husband and four kids are so supportive. Sandra pictured with her husband and four children who are extremely supportive of her new business venture "SAFH is allowing me to follow my passion and also provide an avenue to bring a different kind of food culture to the city." The core service at SAFH is online food orders and delivery in collaboration with JUST EAT. Other services they provide includes outdoor catering and corporate services; birthday surprise packages, event planning, decorations and kid's birthday parties. Sandra added: "We bring a different kind of food culture into the city and if you are looking to taste something different from what you see in the menu, the good news is that you can now enjoy them from the comfort of your own home; Sandy's African Food Hub is here to have your back. "Whether you're looking for a quick lunch on the go or a sit-down dinner with friends and family, Sandy's African Food Hub has you covered." You can find Sandys African Food Hub (SAFH) located at 36 Bonds Street, Derry, BT47 6EE. The opening hours are Wednesday - Sunday from 1pm -9pm. You can contact via phone on 02871164424 or email at sandysafricanfoodhub@yahoo.com You can also follow their socials via Instagram:@Sandys African Food Hub or Facebook: @SandysAFH Christy Ring Final Derry vs. Meath Croke Park Saturday, 5pm Johnny McGarvey believes a first Christy Ring Cup win at Croke Park this Saturday will mean the world to everyone in red and white. After what can only be described as a rollercoaster start to his time as Derry boss, McGarvey will lead his team out against Meath this weekend, hooping for the win which he feels will be just rewards for his players, who have shown great resolve to make it this far. I think thats a fair enough remark to make, he said. Were there because of the effort that the boys have put in and the work rate that theyve put in. They left no stone unturned and this is just a testament to them, for me anyway. McGarvey and his players have had a time of it since he came in at the eleventh hour back in January, and on the back of turmoil, luck evaded the Oakleafers almost entirely in a league campaign that ended in relegation from Division 2A. But the Christy Ring campaign which has followed has revealed that with hard work and real belief, anything is possible. Thats a whole team job; thats the whole backroom team and the players buying into what were trying to do, McGarvey explained. If you dont have that, youre wasting your time. From the day I got there, our players have been exemplary, in everything that they have done. They are so professional, and they are so riven. They want to work hard and they want to be successful. To be honest, it makes my job fairly easy. It took a while, but the first win eventually arrived against Sligo at Owenbeg towards the end of April, a significant moment for everyone, including the boss himself. Winning the Sligo match, especially in the manner that we won the Sligo match was just such a relief at that time, he admitted. We had come close against Down in Ballycran, and we had come close in Omagh against Tyrone. We felt that had played reasonably well in spells in the league, and maybe not got what we deserved, but we didnt get results which we probably could have got. So finally getting the win over Sligo probably had the lads thinking Right, maybe we can push on here. Maybe we can make the Christy Ring final. Fair enough we lost the next match to Meath, but at least we had that wee bit of confidence that we knew we could play. Highlight The real highlight of the Christy Ring campaign was undoubtedly that incredible win in London, a 1-30, 4-19 victory which saw Derry come from behind to record a remarkable win. That experience in itself, should be enough to galvanise the players ahead of Saturdays final according to McGarvey. Our performance in London was as good maybe as Ive ever seen from a Derry team, he insisted. The character that we showed in London was unreal. The Mayo match was competitive for 15-20 minutes, but it petered out because they had nothing to play for and we were playing for a place in the Christy Ring final. It was alright now and I have to say that were happy with where were at. No matter how hard the match is at the weekend, I dont think it will be as hard as that. London threw absolutely everything at us, as Meath will at the weekend, but the London match was totally different circumstances. More than once in the match, we looked dead and buried and we fought our way back into it. The character that we showed was first class. I think thats more like what were about and where were at, at the minute. McGarvey now leads Derry into a third Christy Ring final, with defeats in 2015 and 2021 still fresh in the mind for the countys hurling fans. But there is a real belief that it will be third time the charm for the county on this occasion. It would mean the world to all of us, McGarvey stated. Meath are no different to us because they will have done the hard work as well and they will go in full of confidence. But it would mean the absolute world to us and we truly believe that we have worked hard enough to win this match and well give it absolutely everything we have on the day. The boys are looking forward to it, but weve been very clear; were not going down there to do the tour. Were going there and our only focus is to win the Christy Ring. The city is set to host the first ever Derry Peace and Conflict International Summer School. Organised by Bloody Sunday Trust, the Conflict Transformation Seminar will take place from Monday, June 5 to Monday, June 12. Speaking to Derry Now, Maeve McLaughlin the Director of the Bloody Sunday Trust said the event was the culmination of five years work around the conflict transformation work known as The Derry Model. Explaining the Model, Maeve said: Effectively we know that in this place we have delivered much in terms of outcomes. Among that could be: the Public Inquiry into Bloody Sunday; the public apology from former British Prime Minister, David Cameron; and the agreement on parading. In addition we have our ongoing processes around dialogue and around risk-taking and leadership. It is one of the dynamics of conflict transformation in Derry that we were very influenced by the Civil Rights Movement elsewhere. You only have to look back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. Now there is almost the reverse of that, where there is an international view which looks at Derry as a place that tackles injustice, promotes equality and actually delivers outcomes. The Bloody Sunday Trust has always been an organisation which looked creatively at human rights issues and made the connections around One World One Struggle. It is right that we should platform this work internationally, said Maeve. The participants attending the inaugural Derry Peace and Conflict International Summer School are from the Balkans Regions. They are: Valentina Gagic (co-founder of Sara-Srebrenica); Teresa Vazquez (Director of Development, International Coalition of Sites of Conscience); Sofija Todorovic (Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Serbia); Bio Nebojsa Glisic (B92 Fund, youth activism); Marko Klajic (Program Director, Post-Conflict Research Center); Marigona Shabiu (Executive Director, Youth Initiative for Human Rights - Kosovo); Justine Di Mayo (Senior Program Manager for the Global Networks department); Dzevada Susko (Chief-of-Office, International Cooperation and Bosniak Diaspora at the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina); Branka Vierda (Program Director, Youth Initiative for Human Rights - Croatia); and Amina Krvavac, (Executive Director, War Childhood Museum). Our participants are all high profile human rights and social justice activists in their own rights, said Maeve, and we are delighted to be welcoming them to Derry. The idea is they come here and they explore our models of dialogue. For example, they will look at the whole justice legacy piece. When you look at the Balkans, these are communities and societies which are coming out of conflict themselves. So, during the Conflict Transformation Seminar, we will examine what we have done around that here. We will also look at some of the challenges around the current legacy legislation going through Westminster, for example, in relation to the unresolved issues around legacy which is a major challenge for us all coming out of conflict. The participants will also hear about the process around the parading agreements in the city. They will meet with the Apprentice Boys, they will meet with the Bogside Residents Group, they will meet some of the Loyalist groupings through Action for Community Transformation (ACT) in Belfast, said Maeve. The ACT Initiative emerged in 2008 as a conflict transformation programme to facilitate the civilianisation of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), following its Statement of Intent (May 2007). Our visitors will meet former combatants to look at how peace was built and how it is maintained, added Maeve. Our hope would be that this would be an opportunity to platform what we have achieved and what remains unresolved and, importantly, I think, sharing those lessons and learnings. During the last few days of the Derry Peace and Conflict International Summer School, we will also examine the possibility of our participants developing a partnership project with Derry. That would be an outcome I would like to see. I think it is right the Bloody Sunday Trust would host this event. It is great that this is our first International Summer School but I would view it as something which would happen annually, for different parts of the world. There are many parts of the world that are coming out of conflict and are looking at shining a spotlight on systems and government and trying to hold systems to account, in the interests of justice and equality. We would hope that this would be a really, really successful week, that the participants would gain from it, the local panels would gain from it and potentially the city could develop this as an annual event. Dr. Mairead McCormack is celebrating 25 years employment with Glenshane Community Development Limited in Dungiven today (June 1). She was first appointed Project Manager in 1998, then Manager and now Chief Executive. Over this period, GCD has undertaken many projects including environmental improvements to Dungiven Main Street, the restoration of Dungiven Castle, the construction of Phase II of Glenshane Enterprise Centre, the acquisition of McCloskey House and sustaining the services of Dungiven Community Resource Centre. Her primary degree was the BSc (Hons) in Housing with Diploma in Industrial Studies, for which she shared the Chartered Institute of Housing Prize for Best Overall Student in her graduating class from Ulster University. Upon her commencement with GCD Ltd, she transferred the skills of residential tenancy management to commercial tenancies and went on to undertake studies which would support in the management of a rurally located social enterprise. This resulted in her gaining an MSc in Rural Development from Queens University, the Advanced Diploma in Management Practice and the Advanced Diploma in Social Enterprise both from the Ulster Business School at Ulster University and the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management from the ILM. In addition to this, she holds a certificate in New Perspectives of Economic Development from QUB and the Level 5 Diploma in Practical Economics from the Institute of Leadership and Management. She holds a Doctorate in Childhood Studies from Queens University and has overseen a number of projects supporting children, teenagers and young adults for Glenshane Community Development Limited. These include the Wider Horizons trans-national project, delivered in the Roe Valley, Co Leitrim and Canada, on behalf of the International Fund for Ireland; delivery of the Active Families programme on behalf of the Western Trust and as a facilitator for ASCERT (Action on Substances through Community Education and Related Training) on their parenting programme. In order to support migrant workers who were coming to Dungiven and presenting to Glenshane Community Development Limited for assistance, Mairead and Mary Brolly, Administrator with GCD, undertook training in Manchester to qualify as Immigration Advisors with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner in 2007 for which they complete annual continual professional development to keep their registrations alive. Mairead served for five years as a Board Member of the Foyle Multi-Cultural Forum. In addition to this, she has undertaken significant international study, studying Rural Development and EU Rural Policy at the Irish College in Leuven, Belgium; undertaking an Intensive Management & Development Training Programme at Boston College University, Massachusetts and attending the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro as a Santander Scholar. Owing to Glenshane Community Development Limiteds work promoting good relations and positive cross community interaction, she undertook part-time study with Queens University to complete her qualifications in Managing Conflict Through Dialogue Within The Shared Future Of Northern Ireland and Developing Facilitation Skills Skills for Peace and Reconciliation to support cross community working. She was appointed onto the organisational team which coordinated the Peace-x-Piece International Conference, held in Belfasts Waterfront Hall. There, she had responsibility for overseeing the Janet Benshoof workshop which covered the activities of the Global Justice Centre in New York and the Yvonne Galligan Lecture on Democracy within the European Union. Mairead has sat on each of the local EU Special Programme for Peace and Reconciliation Peace boards since their inception in Northern Ireland. She has represented Northern Ireland Rural Women as part of a delegation which made a presentation to the United Nations 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women which was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The presentation was entitled Emerging from Conflict - What has been the experience of Northern Ireland Women? Reflecting on her 25 year tenure, Mairead said: I am very grateful for the opportunities afforded to me by Glenshane Community Development Limited. I have met really amazing people and been part of a variety of remarkable projects over the years. A new organ donation law for Northern Ireland has come into effect from today. The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) legislation, known as 'Daithi's Law' in honour of six-year-old Daithi Mac Gabhann, will change the way consent is granted. The legislation means all adults in the region will be considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group. Social Democratic and Labour Party Leader Colum Eastwood MP paid tribute to the MacGabhann family . Mr Eastwood said the legislation would both change and save lives. Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: The introduction of Daithis Law is a momentous day for both the MacGabhann family and the North as a whole. I cannot commend the MacGabhanns highly enough for the way they worked tirelessly to get this legislation over the line, no matter what obstacles were put in their way they refused to give up and fought for solutions that will have a profound impact on the futures of many people here. Anyone who has been lucky enough to meet young Daithi knows just how inspirational he is and the courage he and his family have shown in the face of his illness can be a lesson to us all. Not only did they push for these long overdue changes to help their son, but for the good of everyone in need of an organ transplant and their selflessness in the face of adversity has been astonishing. This legislation shows us what can be achieved when we set our differences aside and work together for the common good, unfortunately that has far too often been in short supply in recent times. As a result of Daithis Law people who have been waiting on organ donation waiting lists now stand a better chance of finding a donor which will change and, in many cases, save their lives and I cant think of many achievements more significant than that. Those excluded from deemed consent legislation are children under 18, people who lack the mental capacity to understand the change in law and visitors to Northern Ireland and temporary residents. A woman who is on bail charged in connection with an attack on a man in John Street last month has been given her 'final warning' at Derry Magistrate's Court after breaching her bail. Tanya Murray (34) of Lawrence Hill in Derry appeared charged with breaching her bail on June 1 by having taken alcohol. A police officer told the court that police were in attendance at Murray's address and noticed she was intoxicated. A breath test was carried out and she was found to have a reading of 96mgs with the legal limit being 35mgs. Bail was opposed as the officer said it was her second breach with the first one occurring some three days after her being granted bail. Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that this case was one of her being intoxicated at home and not in public. He said police were in attendance at her address due to an unrelated matter and there were no further offences. The solicitor said that Murray had alcohol issues and was seeking help for that. Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that the difficulty for Murray was that she was on bail for 'very serious violence' and had received a warning on her last appearance. He told the defendant that this was her final warning and re-released her on bail to appear again on June 8. A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court today said that disorderly behaviour in the hospital 'deserves the longest possible sentence.' Deputy District Judge Liam McStay was speaking as he jailed Gary David Crossan (40) of no fixed abode who admitted a charge of disorderly behaviour in Altnagelvin Hospital on May 7 and a charge of criminal damage to a police vehicle. The court heard that police had taken Crossan to Altnagelvin Hospital for treatment. While there he became 'extremely aggressive' in front of children and was shouting about 'f-----g Taigs'. He became very abusive towards police using a variety of insults and despite being warned on numerous occasions he persisted in being abusive in A&E. Crossan was taken to a police cell van and he 'lashed out' kicking the van and spitting on the windows. He shouted to police 'open this door I will kick the f--k out of you both.' When interviewed about the incident he said his memory was 'scant'. Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that his client realised custody sentence was inevitable. He said Crossan was 'remorseful' about his behaviour and it had brought 'a great degree of shame' on him. Judge McStay said that 'unfortunately' the maximum he could impose for the disorderly behaviour was six months and he had to give the defendant credit for his guilty plea. He sentenced him to 4 months on the charges but imposed a consecutive 4 months of a suspended sentence making Crossan's total prison term one of 8 months. The Press Council of Ireland is to enter a partnership with four leading Irish universities to launch a new annual Bursary to assist a student to pay the fees for a Masters Degree in Journalism. The Bursary is named after the late Lyra McKee, a brilliant young journalist aged 29, who was shot dead while observing riots in Derry in 2019. Lyra McKees family has welcomed the initiative. The Lyra McKee Bursary is worth 3,000, half of which will be paid by the Press Council and half by whichever of the universities the student is to attend. The participating universities are the University of Limerick, University of Galway, the Technological University Dublin and Dublin City University. It will be awarded to a student who has already been offered a place and will go directly towards paying their fees. The Press Ombudsman, Susan McKay, said the Lyra McKee Bursary was targeted at students who might not be able to afford to do a postgraduate degree without support. Lyra was keenly aware of the struggles faced by students from working class backgrounds, and she was passionate about promoting diversity and inclusivity in higher education and in the media, she said. Ireland has become a diverse country and our press needs to become more reflective of this. We see this Bursary as a signal of our intention to support such change. The Chair of the Press Council, Rory Montgomery, said the Press Council was looking forward to the partnership. The Press Council of Ireland promotes the highest standards in Irish journalism, and these four universities are offering first class courses for students who are serious about embarking on a journalistic career, he said. We are delighted that the four universities have joined with us in launching this exciting initiative in memory of Lyra McKee, whose own career was so tragically cut short. Details of the Lyra McKee Bursary can be found on the website of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, a link to which you will find here India wants to be a dominant player when it comes to repairing electronic goods, as the government flagged off a pilot program for electronics repair services in order to grow the sectors outsourcing industry. Currently, India is the world's biggest smartphone market and in addition to that the country is loaded with millions of purchases for laptops, wearables, television and others. The program is set to launch in Bengaluru for 3 months on a trial basis. Also read: Indian govt wants betting apps removed, Apple says its complicated Five companies, namely Flex, Lenovo, CTDI, R-Logic, and Aforeserve have volunteered for the pilot. Post the pilot a detailed assessment will be carried out and modifications made in the process and policy as necessary, the IT ministry said. The government with this program aims at building the electronics repair services for not just the Indian market but also for the services to be exported globally. As per the Manufacturers Association of Information Technology (MAIT) report, the sector is to generate revenues of $20 billion yearly in the next four years. The sector is speculated to become the fastest growing and eventually the largest industry across the globe. Hence, the program aims at grabbing hold over 20% of the global electronics repair industry. This is expected to be achieved through relaxations on e-waste rules and customs. In addition, giving permission to companies to repair electronics and telecom devices from other regions. Also read: Qualcomm and MediaTek under threat by this change in ARM licensing policy Currently, Indias revenue from the electronics repair services is approximately $350 million. It is speculated that within five years with the ERSO scheme India aims to hold 20% of the market which is currently worth $125 billion. According to reports, the electronics repair market is projected to grow to $241.79 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 6.82% growth for the period 2023 to 2032 and the Asia Pacific region is projected to have the highest growth. This is an awesome opportunity for India to create a global expertise in. With the increasing use of refurbished gadgets the market for automated repair systems has also taken a flight and it is predicted that home appliances/consumer electronics would be the largest product market in coming years and currently out-of-warranty repairs dominate the market and may continue to. Also read: Flipkart's refurbished phone business: Buying and selling of used phones explained Currently, Europe holds the highest share, of 27%, in the electronics repair market next to North America and the United States. However, China, India and the UK are expected to have the highest CAGR growth 11.8%, 10.5% and 6.1% respectively. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Europe's 6G-IA and Taiwan's TAICS ink MoU on future 6G, bridging the gap between research, standards and industry The Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) and the European Union (EU) DG CONNECT co-hosted the "2023 EU-Taiwan 6G SNS Joint Workshop" at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC) today. The purpose of the workshop is to share the vision for 6G and advanced research and development. Furthermore, Europe's 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) and the Taiwan Association of Information and Communication Standards (TAICS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to exchange information and establish a cooperative partnership in the field of future 6G communication systems and networks. In the future, there will be a strengthened collaboration between Taiwan and the EU in 6G technological research and development. Dr. Chyou-Huey Chiou, the Director General of DoIT, MoEA, indicated that 6G is expected to be commercially available in 2030, and it has become a key focus for many countries such as the US, Europe, Japan, and Korea. Starting from this year, the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) has been supporting the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Institute for Information Industry (III) in their research and development of advanced 6G technologies. The EU is leading in global 6G technology, and Taiwan and the EU already have a solid foundation and trust in 5G collaboration. This year both parties will focus on jointly discussing future industry development and collaboration directions for 6G. This will enable Taiwan to establish our own independent technological capabilities and stay ahead in 6G industry development opportunities. Taiwan's semiconductor and information and communications industries possess a strong technological foundation, while the EU holds a global leadership position in innovation. With highly complementary industries, this collaboration is expected to create a win-win situation for both parties, allowing us to seize huge business opportunities in the 6G market. Ms. Aleksandra Kozlowska, Section Head of the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO), stated that this is the first EU-Taiwan Innovation Week event after the lifting of pandemic restrictions. 6G is one of the key topics, and building upon the cooperative achievements of the EU and Taiwan in 5G development, we will continue to explore the bilateral opportunities for 6G development and cooperation. The aim is to deepen industry collaboration and strengthen the global supply chain capabilities of 6G. Dr. Colin Willcock, Chairman of SNS-JU and 6G-IA, in his remarks mentioned that they will invest 250 million in the first phase of the SNS-JU 6G research program under Horizon Europe. This funding will support 35 projects exploring the advantages of 6G and developing innovative technologies in key areas such as media, industrial IoT, energy, construction, automotive, smart healthcare, culture, agriculture, and education. Dr. Willcock is delighted to be invited to Taiwan by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) and establish a partnership with TAICS. The collaboration will focus on 6G, aiming to accelerate the development of the 6G ecosystem. He believes that by working together, the ICT industry on both sides can expand their influence and position in the global supply chain, creating mutual benefits. Dr. Jyuo-Min Shyu, Chairman of TAICS (Taiwan Association of Information and Communication Standards), acknowledged that in the coming years, 6G technology will become the mainstream trend in the global ICT industry. With its higher spectrum efficiency and stronger IoT capabilities, 6G technology brings tremendous business opportunities to the global digital economy. In preparation for the arrival of the 6G era, TAICS actively participates in global standardization and technological research, contributing to the development of the global ICT industry. Currently, Taiwan-EU cooperation at the working level for 6G has been actively initiated, but it requires strategic dialogue between high-level government officials to ensure effective progress. TAICS appreciates the support from the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), MoEA for promoting international collaborative research and facilitating the signing of the collaboration agreement between TAICS and 6G-IA. We look forward to working closely together with international partners to jointly promote the development and application of 6G technology. The event attracted over 130 participants from more than 20 countries, both online and on-site. This included domestic companies that have shown active interest in 6G, such as Chunghwa Telecom, Pegatron, Compal, Auden, LITEON, Askey, Alpha, Keysight, YTTEK, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Institute for Information Industry (III), National Taiwan University, National Taipei University, and others. They attended the event to witness and engage in the workshop. After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 6G-IA, TAICS will lead the industry, academia, research institutes, and EU counterparts in a series of collaborative business arrangements. Both parties will discuss future 6G cooperation projects through mutual visits and jointly organize events such as seminars on 6G technology development and application. This will assist Taiwan's industries in early positioning within the international 6G ecosystem and mark a significant milestone in Taiwan's 6G development. 6G-IA and TAICS signed a MoU to start 6G collaboration on research and standards under the witness of EETO and MOEA, Taiwan. Photo: Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs MOEA, Taiwan and DG CONNECT, European Commission jointly organized the "2023 EU-Taiwan 6G SNS Joint Workshop" on May 30th to explore future 6G cooperation between Taiwan and the European Union. Photo: Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs Computex 2023 opens with the world's best igniting the AI craze The 2023 Computex and InnoVEX will be held today, May 30, in Halls 1 and 2 of the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. President Tsai Ing-wen, the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs C.C. Chen, Deputy Director-General of the EU Growth Agency Maive Rute, James Huang, Chairman of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), and Paul Peng, Chairman of the Taipei Computer Association (TCA), attended the opening ceremony of Computex. This year is the first in-person Computex since 2019. President Tsai Ing-wen extends a warm welcome to participants from around the globe at Computex, the biggest ICT tradeshow in Asia. Renowned for its cutting-edge expertise in areas such as foundry, PCB, and satellite positioning, Taiwan aims to leverage this year's tradeshow to enhance its global presence and foster stronger international collaborations. Moving forward, the government and local enterprises will continue to work hand in hand to cultivate a more resilient economy and industry, enabling Taiwan to wield a greater influence in the global supply chain. James Huang, Chairman of TAITRA indicated, "As a leading global ICT and computing technology exhibition, Computex has witnessed major breakthroughs in the human technology industry for more than 40 years. Humans are stepping into the era of AI. The key to artificial intelligence is computing power. Therefore, we redefine Computex as Computing Tech, which is the most important platform for driving computing power in the AI era." Computex focuses on cross-border cooperation in the ICT industry and outlines a blueprint for industry trends This year Computex establishes a new positioning - "Together we create," focusing on high-performance computing, artificial intelligence application, next-gen connectivity, hyperreality, innovations and startups, and sustainability. Over 1,000 exhibitors participate in 26 countries and regions, such as the US, Korea, Canada, France, Japan, Belgium, and Italy. Exhibitors include Acer, ADATA, ASRock, ASUS, BenQ, Delta, ESSENCORE, GIGABYTE, G.SKILL, Hanmi Micronics, InWire, Innodisk, Kioxia, MSI, Pro Gamersware GmbH, Quanta Cloud Technology, Realtek, Supermicro, Thermaltake, Transcend, YFC-BonEagle ELECTRIC CO., LTD., ZOTAC, Aten, AIC Inc., Chenbro Micom, Posiflex, Seasonic, PNY Technologies, Team Group, Ingrasys, and more, demonstrating the powerful energy of the global technology ecosystem. With the opening of borders, international visitors look forward to participating in Computex. More than 30,000 people from 126 countries have registered to visit. To strengthen the connection between Taiwanese industry players and international buyers and expand international cooperation opportunities, Computex will hold several matchmaking activities, including the Computex procurement meetings, the global ICT industry government procurement meetings, the Taiwan-EU business and industry cluster matchmaking meetings, European Bank ICT procurement, and more. In addition, representatives from the European Union Growth Agency and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development led a delegation to visit Computex, and representatives of industry associations such as the Mumbai Information Association in India and the Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association in Vietnam also organized buyer groups to visit Computex. It is the first time since 2019 that people from all over the world exchange again in Taiwan. With the ChatGPT craze sweeping the world and in addition to the exhibitors launching solutions equipped with AI technology, TAITRA has invited international technology companies to participate in the Computex Keynote & Forum. The keynote speakers include NVIDIA CEO and founder Jensen Huang, exploring how AI can reshape various industries around the world, as well as CEOs or global senior executives from companies such as Qualcomm, NXP, Acer, and Supermicro, who will share futuristic trends. In addition, with the rise of the green supply chain wave, the ESG GO! event will also be held during the exhibition to achieve the net zero transformation goal jointly. Finally, local and international technology influencers will be invited to unbox the highlights of Computex, striving to create a new look for the exhibition after the pandemic. InnoVEX showcases the strength of technological creativity while strengthening local innovation and international links InnoVEX 2023 joins hands with 400 startup teams and technology elites from 22 countries to showcase their diverse creativity. Eight countries: Belgium, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, Israel, the Netherlands, and Poland organized national pavilions. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development led startup teams from Greece, Romania, and Egypt. The Epoch Foundation and FarEasTone Telecom Startups Accelerator also lead startup teams to participate. The exhibits cover 5G & IoT, AI & Data, Smart Devices, and other fields. To connect Taiwan with the global startup ecosystem, the InnoVEX exhibition holds a series of activities, including the InnoVEX Pitch Contest to help international corporate venture capital connect with target startup teams, Global Demo Day showcases innovative solutions from different regions, and holding "What's New: The future technology and the next startup trend 2023" to analyze the international startup ecosystem and discuss technological innovations such as AR, VR, and AI. Computex 2023 and InnoVEX 2023 are exhibited in Halls 1 and 2 of the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, respectively, showcasing hot technological trends, industrial applications, and the latest solutions. Chairman of TAITRA James Huang announces that this year is the first in-person Computex since the pandemic The Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs C.C. Chen hopes that the industry will stimulate innovation through international cooperation The 2023 Computex and InnoVEX will be held in Halls 1 and 2 of the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Regional competence centers key to EU-Taiwan semiconductor cooperation The European Union (EU) has been seeking deeper synergy with Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem as it pursues greater autonomy in the sector. As a part of this effort, the EU-Taiwan Semiconductor Seminar was held in Taipei on May 30, gathering representatives from leading European semiconductor clusters. In her opening remarks, Lucilla Sioli, the director for AI and digital industry at the European Commission, pointed out that even though the European semiconductor industry leads in R&D, manufacturing equipment, and raw materials, it faces capability gaps when it comes to intellectual property (IP), digital design, design tools, manufacturing, and packaging. The director also noted that the EU is missing the capability to translate its R&D prowess into new markets. The EUR43 billion European Chips Act, finallized last month, partly aimed to "bridge the gap from lab to fab", according to Sioli. Alongside measures to develop new pilot lines, provide a virtual chip design platform, and set up a dedicated chip fund to faciliate SME access to equity and loans, a network of regional competence centers also underpins European efforts to bridge the gap. According to Sioli, these competence centers possess distinct areas of expertise that can match with user needs. In addition, they can also facilitate access to design platforms, pilot lines and support technology transfers. Participants of the event include representatives of such regional competence centers: Frank Bosenberg, the managing director of Germany's Silicon Saxony, Pascal Viaud, the ambassador of French Silicon Valley, and Maciej Nowakowski, the director of operations of the Polish Technology Platform for Photonics (PPTF). Ther German state of Saxony currently hosts the biggest microelectronics cluster in Europe, with every third microchip made on the continent coming from the region. Saxony is also the site where TSMC is considering to build its first European fab. As an independent industrial network, Silicon Sacony also has 460 members, mainly SMEs covering approximately 80% of the whole ICT value chain. With the potential investment from TSMC, the region hopes other players of Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem to follow up. Though TSMC has grabbed most of the spotlight, Bosenberg also believes that green manufacturing presents a cooperation opportunity between Europe and Taiwan. When it comes to cooperation opportunities with Taiwan, Nowakowski points to Poland's strong competency and fast pace in the field of photonics. Currently, the Polish Technological Platform on Photonics coordinates the microelectronics, electronics and photonics cluster in Poland. According to Nowakowski, there are approximately 250 companies in Poland's photonics and microelectronics industry, with 90% of them being SMEs. Among the country's strengths are photonic IC design, III-V semiconductors, OLED and PV materials, and industrial femtosecond lasers. Sharing his observations on EU-Taiwan semiconductor cooperation, Dr. Mathieu Duchatel, director of the Asia program from Paris-based think tank Institute Montaigne, indicated that the main target of European public policies remains support for R&D and innovation, instead of manufacturing. However, manufacturing will present more supply chain opportunities for Taiwanese SMEs. Notably, as semiconductor and geopolitics become intertwined, Sioli from the European Commission emphasized that the EU is not pursuing a strategy to de-couple from China, but is instead "de-risking" its supply chain. Given the dual-use nature of semiconductors, especially compound semiconductors and silicon photonic technologies that have significant defense applications, DIGITIMES Asia asked if there are concerns that some technologies will be targeted by EU export controls regime in the future, thus impeding transnational technology cooperation. Giuseppe Izzo, STMicroelectronics' VP for Asia Pacific, observed the continuously evolving nature of export controls regimes as well as the blurred line between civilian and military applications, making it hard for the industry to anticipate relevant measures. Maciej Nowakowski, director of operations of Polish Technology Platform for Photonics Local Kilkerley mother Cecelia Sage has raised a whopping 18,139 for the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation by running a gruelling 50 kilometre challenge on Saturday 27th May at Kilkerley Emmets GAA club, cheered on in the warm sunshine by family, friends and neighbours. Cecilias six year old daughter, Sarah, was born with an extremely rare brain abnormality called ZTTK Syndrome and has received great support from Jack and Jill, which left her parents Peter and Cecilia determined to give back to the charity by raising critical funds and awareness. Sarah is one of less than 100 children worldwide who have been diagnosed with this condition and has complex needs, requiring 24/7 care. She is non-verbal, suffers from a developmental delay but despite all these challenges is a very sociable little girl who loves the company of family and friends. Peter is vice chairman of Louth GAA and the family got great support from the GAA and wider local community throughout this big challenge in May and Jack and Jill is the charity partner of the Gaelic Players Association this year too. So that sense of local community was really at the heart of this family fundraiser. Jack and Jill CEO Carmel Doyle was at the start line on Saturday to wish Cecilia well, along with the charitys local liaison nurse manager Anne Reilly. Welcoming this great news she said: We are so proud and honoured to know Cecilia, Peter, Sarah and her brother Jamsie and their efforts will help the 400 families we support around the country, including 6 in county Louth and 11 in county Meath. "I was lucky enough to be there on the day, along with our local liaison nurse manager Anne Reilly, and I can tell you it took true grit determination from Cecilia to complete this gruelling 50k challenge in the heat and her smile never waned. "So many people turned up to support her on and it was a privilege to see such local community spirit in action. To every single person who donated to Cecilias 50k Challenge for Jack and Jill we say thank you and what a result! "To put this amount in context, this 18,139 will fund 1,008 hours of home nursing care and in-home respite for the 400 children we support across the country, including 6 in Co. Louth and 11 in Co. Meath. Or, to put it another way, it gives another family the kind of support Sarah received for up to 6 years which equates to a wonderful gift of time and peace of mind. "On behalf of all our families and nurses, we say and huge thank you to Cecilia who has been a real champion for Jack and Jill, along with her husband Peter who is such a great volunteer. Our charity wouldnt exist without the generosity of families like the Sages who understand the importance of community and giving back and we salute them and thank them most sincerely. According to proud husband Peter Sage: This event was made possible with the help of Kilkerley Emmets and Yvonne Quigley; Clive at Kelleher Insurance; Karl at Player Fit for the t-shirts; The Brew Cafe and Caoimh; Taste Smash; Beir Bua Bakes and Sean OMahoneys Kilkerley ladies who ran and walked laps with Cecilia and everyone who joined us on the day and, of course, everyone who donated. "However, I have to mention how proud I am of Cecilia, my wife, my hero who has the courage and compassion of an army, and who is was always going to keep going and finish this 50km, as her way of honouring the support we got from Jack and Jill which kept us going for so many years. I was so proud to cheer her on. The Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation is an Irish childrens charity that funds and delivers in-home nursing care and respite support for children with severe to profound cognitive delay, up to the age of six. This may include children with a brain injury, genetic diagnosis, cerebral palsy or undiagnosed conditions. Another key part of the service is end-of-life care for all children up to the age of six, irrespective of diagnosis. To do this, the charity must raise over 6 million per annum to keep its vital service going, and currently supports over 400 families with up to 80 hours of home nursing care per month at a cost of 1,440, or 17,280 per year. Jack and Jill mobilises a crew of community nurses and carers, operates seven days a week, with no means test, no red tape and no waiting list. In fact, over 2,800 families have been supported since Jack and Jills establishment 26 years ago. The support is often described as a gift of time or a lifeline, giving parent carers a break from their 24/7 care regime, safe in the knowledge that their child is well cared for at home, where they belong. For more information, visit jackandjill.ie 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. Lebanons military tribunal has today charged five men with the killing of Irish UN peacekeeper Sean Rooney in December, a senior judicial official said. The official said all five are linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The charges follow a six-month investigation after an attack on a UN peacekeeping convoy near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah. The shooting resulted in the death of Private Sean Rooney, 24 and seriously wounded Private Shane Kearney, 22. The wounded peacekeeper was medically evacuated to Ireland. Two other Irish soldiers sustained light injuries. The charges include evidence from bystanders statements, as well as audio recordings and video footage from surveillance cameras, the Lebanese official said. In some of the recordings of the confrontation, the gunmen reportedly could be heard telling the peacekeepers that they are from Hezbollah. Hezbollah has denied any role in the killing, and a spokesman for the group declined to comment on Thursday. One of the five charged, Mohamad Ayyad, is in the custody of Lebanese authorities. The four others facing charges, Ali Khalifeh, Ali Salman, Hussein Salman, and Mustafa Salman, are at large. Private Rooney and several other Irish peacekeepers were on their way from their base in the south to Beirut airport. Two UN vehicles apparently took a detour through Al-Aqbiya, which is not part of the area under the peacekeepers mandate. Initial reports said angry residents confronted the peacekeepers, but the charges conclude that the shooting was a targeted attack. The UN peacekeeper vehicle reportedly took a wrong turn and was surrounded by vehicles and armed men as they tried to make their way back to the main road. UNIFIL spokeswoman Andrea Tenenti said the charges were an important step towards justice. Attacks on men and women serving the cause of peace are serious crimes and can never be tolerated, she told the AP. We look forward to justice for Private Rooney, his injured colleagues, and their families. UNIFIL was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israels 1978 invasion. The UN expanded its mission following the 2006 war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, allowing peacekeepers to deploy along the Israeli border to help the Lebanese military extend its authority into the countrys south for the first time in decades. Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon frequently accuse the UN mission of collusion with Israel, while Israel has accused the peacekeepers of turning a blind eye to Hezbollahs military activities in southern Lebanon. Our website uses cookies We are always working to improve this website for our users. To do this, we use the anonymous data provided by cookies. Learn more about how we use cookies Cork City Council in conjunction with Creative Ireland, has announced their Cruinniu na nOg Cork city programme with over 40 free interactive events for young people taking place on Saturday, June 10. Over 40 cultural partners will host creative events suitable for young people of all ages in locations all over Cork city. Experience how much fun it is to read a poem out loud with the Munster Literature Centre and Nano Nagle Place, dance outdoors with New Moon Dance Company, discover clay hand-building with Shandon Art Studio, and try out your drama skills with UCC Youth Theatre. The Circus Factory is hosting a circus skills class, while a cave art workshop is taking place in The Glucksman. A wonderful day of creativity will take place at Rock the Block in Elizabeth Fort including songwriting, rap and traditional music for young people. There will be live performances from groups including Creative Tradition, Music Mash Up, Foroige Link Point Knocknaheeny, Mahon Youth Development Project, UBU, The Hut Youth Project CDYS, Mahon Community Pop Academy, Mahon Community Concert Band, and Cork Academy of Music. A range of arts, crafts, story, play experiences, exhibitions and competitions will take place in libraries across the city. Enjoy family friendly play activities in Ballincollig Library, trace your ancestors in Mayfield Library and take part in an art workshop and reading of the book The 13 Storey Treehouse in Blackpool Library. Parks and libraries in Cork city are hosting a special poetry jukebox, featuring poetry by young writers installed in city parks. Family friendly tours will take place at the Crawford Art Gallery, The Everyman and The Butter Museum. Triskel Arts Centre are screening the animation film Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit and there is a screening of youth productions hosted by The Everyman Theatre Making and Citizenship Programme with Rebel Youth Creatives. Full details at www.corkcity.ie/cnn. CORK City Councils refusal of planning permission for an apartment scheme in the heart of Douglas has been upheld by An Bord Pleanala. Sirio Investment Management Ltd had sought permission to construct 65 apartments, 45 of which would have been build-to-rent, as well as four commercial units for retail use at East Douglas Street and East Douglas Village. The application, lodged in October 2021, proposed that the apartments would be spread across three blocks, with 20 apartments in a four- to six-storey block, 15 apartments in a six-storey block, and 30 apartments in an eight- to 10-storey block. The proposed development would have involved the demolition of two existing buildings and associated structures. In documentation submitted with the application, it stated that the subject site contains a former Permanent TSB located to the north east of the site and a former Bank of Ireland branch to the south west. PLANNING REFUSAL Cork City Council refused planning permission for the proposed development on the basis that it would be out of character with the pattern of existing development and would be visually obtrusive within the Douglas village streetscape and the Church Street Architectural Conservation Area. In its reasoning, the council also noted that the application did not meet objectives set out in the Ballincollig/Carrigaline Municipal District Local Area Plan of 2017. Sirio Investment Management Ltd subsequently appealed this decision to An Bord Pleanala (ABP). In the appeal report, it stated that the applicants initial intention for the site was to provide a higher density development with around 130 residential units incorporating a taller building but, following pre-application consultation through the strategic housing development (SHD) process and with the benefit of views expressed by Cork City Council and ABP, the applicant and the professional design team decided to significantly reduce the scale of the proposed development and reduce the height of the tall building to 10 storeys. In its decision to uphold the councils decision, ABP stated that the density of the proposed scheme would fail to comply with the Core Strategy and the Density and Building Height Strategy of the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028. The board also deemed that the proposed development by reason of its height, scale, and design would represent an overly dominant and monolithic form of development relative to its immediate environment. THE way has now been cleared for the ambitious redevelopment of Cork citys South Docks after appeals against two major developments have been withdrawn. The news has been welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Deirdre Forde as a shot in the arm for the city. In December 2021, OCallaghan Properties (OCP), through Leeside Quays Ltd, lodged a planning application with Cork City Council seeking 10-year planning permission for a mixed-use development comprising four new buildings and the conversion of the long-idle Odlums building as well as a separate planning application with the council seeking 10-year planning permission for a proposed rehabilitation hospital, all within the citys South Docklands. Cork City Council granted conditional planning permission for both developments, but appeals were subsequently lodged with An Bord Pleanala (ABP). A spokesperson for OCP told The Echo on Wednesday that the appeals have been withdrawn, clearing the way for the redevelopment to begin. The site works will commence in Q4 on Kennedy Quay. All things going well its hoped that construction will begin in the middle of 2024. It is likely that the development will commence with apartment construction, the spokesperson said. OCP is delighted that the way is now clear for the roll-out of this very significant project for the Docklands and for the city. 'MACRO VIEW' The Lord Mayor said the update is an immensely positive one for the Cork. This news is a shot in the arm for us in Cork and its very welcome and I would like to pay tribute to the tenacity and the hard work of everyone concerned because Cork will really start to take off when we have projects like this getting the go-ahead, she said. Independent councillor Mick Finn also welcomed the update on the developments. Redevelopment of the Docklands is key to the future of Cork, from both residential, cultural and business perspectives and I think news that the OCallaghan plans can go ahead is a hugely positive leap forward for the city, he said. However, he said it is important that a macro view be taken in terms of the planning for the area and said he would like to see a cultural or museum space incorporated into the plans for the redevelopment of the former Odlums building. The development of Marina Park, the multi uses of Pairc Ui Chaoimh and the push of the city eastwards means that this is absolutely critical for the expansion of Cork and must be done right, he added. First-party appeals had previously been lodged by Leeside Quays Limited against conditions attached to Cork City Councils approval of both developments. Both conditions relate to the maximum parking permitted by the council. However, these appeals by Leeside Quays Limited have been withdrawn to allow the developments to proceed. Third-party appeals had also been lodged with ABP in respect of both developments. These appeals were lodged by Southern Milling Limited but have now also been withdrawn. The planning application lodged in December 2021 for the mixed-use development sought permission to demolish the R&H Hall silos and to construct four buildings in which office space, cafes, convenience retail and 80 apartments would be developed in blocks ranging from nine to 12 storeys over a double basement. The applicants also sought permission for a range of conservation works including part demolition, alterations, extension and change of use of the Odlums building to provide the likes of office space, food and beverage space, a cinema including a bar/dining area and 84 apartments. The way has now been cleared for the ambitious redevelopment of Cork citys South Docks after appeals against two planning applications have been withdrawn. The creation of amenity areas for residents and visitors and a public realm plan also formed part of the application. Cork City Council sought further information before deciding on the application which resulted in some changes. One request was that the developers would consider retaining a portion of the R&H Hall silos. Responding, OCP said that a review concluded that there would be significant financial and safety implications associated with retaining a portion of R&H Hall if its retention is possible at all. However, architects Henry J Lyons on behalf of the applicants, have said that the existing building offers a number of cues from which a sensitive response can be formed that pays tribute to the industrial and maritime heritage of the area. Meanwhile, the proposed rehabilitation hospital is set to be operated by ORPEA Group, a French multinational healthcare company. 'KEYSTONE' Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy said he believes the developments will be the keystone in unlocking further development in the area. The restoration of the old Odlums building is very positive. I am still very saddened though to see that the grain silos will be knocked. They are so iconic within that space. I appreciate that it is difficult to harness them into the proposed development because of their construction DNA, but my call remains to showcase much of the local dockland history as much as possible in a physical and storytelling way, within the proposed development, he added. Speaking about further ambitions, the spokesperson for OCP said the company intends to lodge a further application for more residential development elsewhere in the South Docks. Within the next few weeks, OCallaghan Properties are submitting a separate planning application for 1,325 apartments on the Goulding site [near Kennedy Quay], they said. That planning permission is dependent on Gouldings getting planning permission to move that operation to the former IFI [Irish Fertiliser Industries] site in Marino Point. That is under appeal at the moment. A personal trainer who was caught with cocaine for his own use was ordered to do a community service order to avoid jail. Judge Colm Roberts commented during the hearing at Cork District Court: Personal trainer and cocaine do not go. 27-year-old Brian Manning of Sydney Park, Wellington Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to the offence of having the drug for his own use. Sergeant Gearoid Davis said that on August 14 2021 at Grand Parade, gardai were notified by a passer-by of drug use in plain sight of the public. Gardai approached and one of the men was sniffing a substance off his wrist. This man Brian Manning was searched at the scene and found to have a small bag of cocaine worth 100 in his possession. Judge Colm Roberts said the accused could do 80 hours of community service instead of two months in prison. Cork City FC has confirmed that two individuals have received lifetime bans from Turners Cross as a result of their actions after last weeks game against Shamrock Rovers. Both persons have admitted their involvement in directing abuse at Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley and have apologised for their behaviour. Cork City FC had previously condemned the abuse directed at Stephen Bradley following the League of Ireland game at Turner's Cross on Friday last, saying it would work with all relevant authorities to identify those involved and apologising to Mr Bradley for the actions of the individuals. Mr Bradley had called for lifetime bans for the City fans that sang disgusting songs about his son and Cork City owner Dermot Usher posted on social media following the incident confirming that lifetime bans would be given out to those involved. In a statement issued by Cork City FC on Thursday, the club confirmed that investigations into the matter by the relevant authorities are ongoing and that the club has offered full support and cooperation with the process. The club wishes to reiterate its zero-tolerance policy with regard to abuse of this nature. We also commend all of those who have shown their support and solidarity with Stephen Bradley and his family in the aftermath of this incident, the statement read. BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy advisor to the German chancellor, on Wednesday in Beijing. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that as all-round strategic partners, China and Germany should not only steadily develop bilateral relations, but also contribute to jointly addressing global challenges. He said that in the face of increasing instability and uncertainties in the international situation, China and Germany should work together to make the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation a success, and send a positive signal to Europe and the world. Plotner said the foundation of Germany-China relations is solid and Germany will continue to firmly pursue the one-China policy. "We are full of expectations for the upcoming round of inter-governmental consultation between the two countries and will work together to speed up the preparatory work," Plotner said. The two sides also exchanged views on Ukraine and other international and regional issues of common concern. A MAN was arrested and charged with involvement in a break-in to Starbucks on Princes Street in Cork in the early hours of Tuesday, May 30. Garda Kevin Roche arrested Kieran Quilligan and brought him before Cork District Court where he objected to bail being granted to the accused. Quilligan was charged with causing criminal damage to the front window of Starbucks and burglary at the premises. Garda Roche said it was alleged that Quilligan kicked a front window of the premises until it smashed and this was seen on CCTV. It was further alleged that a second man went into the premises and took a cash register which he handed to Kieran Quilligan who remained outside the premises. Judge Colm Roberts said factors against him getting bail included the seriousness of the charges, the strength of evidence, and the defendants ongoing addiction difficulties. Eddie Burke, solicitor, called the accused to give evidence in his application for bail. The defendant said he was about to get into Riverview apartments through Cork Simon Community and was on a methadone treatment programme. The judge said there was a serious risk of re-offending and he was refusing bail. The strength of evidence is too strong. The risk is too high, he said and remanded the 48-year-old in custody until June 6. Kieran Quilligan said he was on a methadone treatment programme and was reducing the amount of methadone each week. Judge Roberts referred to two doctors with an expertise in heroin addiction who had informed him that for some addicts it was necessary to stay on a high dose of methadone for an indefinite period and that reducing the quantity was not always recommended even though some recovering addicts had a preference for reducing their methadone. Judge Roberts said that when methadone was reduced too quickly, users sometimes ended up supplementing the reduced methadone with actual heroin. A drunken man threatened a member of An Garda Siochana that he would rape him and rape his mother and also called him a dead pig. Judge Colm Roberts said gardai should not have to accept this sort of behaviour which he described as outrageous, disgusting and nasty. The same man, who has now been jailed for over eight months, also spat at gardai during the highly abusive incident. Gardai encountered Alan McCarthy of 50 Glencurrig, South Douglas Road, Cork, at Probys Quay on December 10 2022. Officers saw the 29-year-old at 8.30 p.m. that evening and observed that he had visible injuries. They had also received a report to go to Probys Quay where it was alleged that a man had been assaulted. However, Alan McCarthy said to the guard who approached him that he had fallen. Then he said, I will f***ing rape you and your mother. He added, Youre a f***ing dead pig. Ill cut your f***ing throat." He stood up and attempted to box the garda and to grab him by the neck. Incapacitant spray had to be used on the defendant and he was handcuffed, Sergeant Gearoid Davis said. During the incident there were members of the public present as well as an ambulance crew and the gardai. When he was being released on station bail he continued to threaten gardai and their families and also spat at them. He pleaded guilty to resisting arrest, engaging in threatening behaviour and being drunk and a danger. Judge Colm Roberts said that on the basis of the evidence that was outlined in court, much more serious charges could have been brought against Alan McCarthy. There is a threat of assault and a threat of a sexual assault. It is a serious matter. 'DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR' Gardai should not be have to put up with outrageous and disgusting behaviour like this It is beyond anything that guards sign up for, Judge Roberts said. Previous convictions included 28 for being drunk and a danger and 15 for engaging in threatening behaviour, one for obstruction, two for assault and one for assault causing harm. Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said the accused was doing very well in prison and was engaging with addiction services. There is no excuse for his behaviour on the day. He had a very bad addiction to alcohol in the main, Mr Burke said. Judge Roberts said, He is not just a bad drunk, he is a nasty drunk If you know you are a nasty piece of work when you take drink you cannot go on with it. Mr Burke said the problem was that Alan McCarthy could not stop himself from drinking. Because of another offence of shoplifting at Centra, Maryborough Hill, Cork, over a month later on January 22 this year - the judge imposed consecutive sentences totalling just over eight months. Addressing the accused directly, Judge Roberts said, I hope you make changes to your life if this is who you are when you have drink or drugs. WE often here about bringing it all back home or making connections, and sometimes amazing things happen that may look like simple coincidences, but I often wonder: are they set somewhere in the stars? Like last Friday, as most of our parish were agog with film fever in anticipation of the local GAA clubs Big Night At The Oskars event. Well, the glamour and style of the red carpet is most associated with Hollywood and big cities in the USA. The lights, cameras and action command from producers and directors was always a world away from us in our local community. Then this Spring, all changed, utterly changed, and hundreds of us became part of that glamorous razzamatazz - if only for a few months! It was wonderful, gave us all a lift, and raised funds for the club. So, there I was on Friday, preparing to walk that red carpet at the Rochestown Hotel, when American visitors dropped in to see us in the midst of the silver screen mayhem. True, Id got an email from Gwenn Wilson some time back stating she was coming over to Ireland from the Home of Uncle Sam and could we meet. She reckoned she might be of the same clan as me, so on Oskar day I met this remarkable woman for the first time. The Arnolds round here go back a long time - 1687 is the oldest date on an Arnold headstone in Rathcormac Cemetery. I recall years ago when I first met 105-year-old Ciss Geaney in Fermoy - she died aged 110. Well, when Ciss heard my surname, she said: Ah, the Arnolds, ye were big people one time and yeve nothing now. In her youth in the late 1880s, the Arnolds had a public house, a shop, a bakery, a mill and a farm. They were like the merchant princes of the area. Ciss and myself became great friends and often laughed about her pithy summary of the fortunes of the Arnold family in Rathcormac. Different Arnolds went to England, Australia, New Zealand and America. Were we all related? Probably, and if not blood relatives, then certainly connected on a multi-branched family tree. In the early 1800s, Bartholomew Edward Arnold was born in Rathcormac - we think his father was William; this William was my great grandfathers father as far as I can make out. Edward married a girl from Lisgoold, Johanna Doyle, and like so many other Irish families, they emigrated to America and settled in the Connecticut area. The Arnold couple brought their children State-side with them. One of their sons was Michael Edward - always called Michael E. Arnold. The newly-arrived emigrants worked at different jobs over the years until they settled into the American way of life. Like so many who left Ireland, they seemed to have had no contact with their relatives back in the Rathcormac/Bartlemy area - understandable, I suppose, because they were starting a new life in a new country and in reality the prospects of ever seeing Ireland again were miniscule. Bartholomew Edward died in 1895 aged 70 and his son Michael E passed away in 1936. Michaels son, Harold Arnold, was a fairly successful businessman and became a meat salesman. He had sisters, one of whom, Helen, ran a very lucrative speak-easy establishment in New York during the Prohibition years. Her establishment was frequented by many upwardly mobile citizens, including several clergymen! Back down the country, Harold Arnold employed a housekeeper, Mary Elizabeth Lincinkis. They developed a relationship and she became pregnant. Harold was not married at the time but must have decided he was not accepting any responsibility for his romantic dalliance. When the time came for the child to be born in June, 1936, Harold drove Mary Elizabeth to a maternity Home some distance from where they lived. On June 6, their baby son was born. Harold registered him with the name Edward Raymond Thompson and wrote Edward Thompson down as the childs father - he recorded the correct name for the mother. Harold then high tailed it to New York where he worked in sister Helens unlicensed premises - basically, he abandoned his son and the childs mother. So the little boy grew up as Edward Raymond Thompson and was reared in different orphanages and institutions and with a few foster parents. He had really no family around him at all and no relations anywhere. His mother eventually married and had two sons, but young Edward knew nothing of this. He joined the US services just as World War II was ending. He married and had four children - Gwenn is one of these four. Growing up, Gwenn asked her father about his extended family and other relatives, but unfortunately Edward knew very little. He remembered his mother but had not met her since he was a child. With his permission, Gwenn started trying to unravel the mystery of her fathers background. It took her 12 years, but solve it she did. In 1994, she found her fathers mother, then aged 79. So after decades apart, Edward Raymond Thompson met his mother in 1994. She told them the full story of Harold Arnold and his departure from her life. For the next three years, mother and son had a good relationship, but he died aged just 61 in 1997. His mother lived until 2004. Gwenn told me her father had looked at the possibility of reclaiming his identity as an Arnold, but it was so complicated and he decided to leave things as they were. His mother had two sons from her marriage and he met both. Overall, the coming together and meeting up was very emotional but they all got on really well. After her grandmother passed away, Gwenn tried to trace other possible Arnold relatives, but with little success - until last week. We met on Friday afternoon, a tearful, joyful, happy and emotional meeting. We hugged for a long time. Gwenn was so overcome to be with her Arnold flesh and blood. The motions overflowed again when we stood amongst the rows of Arnold headstones in Rathcormac cemetery. We were both standing on the hallowed ground where our people had been buried since the 1600s. We met again on Saturday and Kieran Jordan and Robert Barry joined Gwenn and her husband ken. Kieran and Robert are brilliant genealogists and were quickly able to put branches, roots, twigs and leaves on our common Arnold family tree. I went back on old emails and letters Id got over the years from other Arnold relatives in America. Gradually, a tapestry of relations, cousins and connections was woven before our eyes. Gwenn and Ken left for home yesterday, but theyll be back. Gwenn was born a Thompson, married a Wilson, but now she knows that truly she is an Arnold. I have recently renewed my passport and I have the free travel, so theres an open invitation to cross the Atlantic, just like so many of my Arnold relatives did in the past. I won two Oskars last Friday - one for a part in a film and the second for Finding A New Family. IRISH National Operas stunning production of Cosi Fan Tutte opened last night at the Opera House, but if you werent able to get a ticket, try for tomorrow night, Friday, June 2, when they have arranged a second performance. Our own Majella Cullagh sings Despina, a character that, she says, suits her perfectly, being confident, sassy and energetic. I get to pull the strings, manipulate the cross-plots, and also disguise my voice from time to time, which is great fun, she said. On Saturday, its another kind of music at the venue, with Cash Returns, the multi-award-winning tribute act back by popular demand with all those great songs from both Johnny himself and June Carter. Speaking of great songs, thats followed on Sunday, June 4, by The Simon and Garfunkel Story. After sold-out performances in Londons West End, a worldwide tour, and standing ovations at every performance, this iconic show is sensational must-see. It uses huge projection photos and original film footage, as well as a full live band performing all those much-loved hits. A nostalgic evening is promised, as you remember where you were when you first heard Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Homeward Bound, The Sound of Silence A change of genre on Wednesday and Thursday next, June 7 and 8, when Bolt Productions present 12 Angry Men. Made famous by the 1957 film starring Henry Fonda, this viscerally gripping drama sees a boys life tremble in the balance as a jury composed of widely differing views and opinions argue over his guilt or innocence. And here is something you need to know of right away - Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance is coming to the Opera House from Wednesday, August 9 to Sunday, August 13 and tickets are on sale now! It marks 25 years of worldwide success for a show people told Flatley could never be done. Booking for all Opera House events on 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie. Abigails Party, presented by London Classic Theatre at the Everyman, is a delightfully sharp black comedy and landmark of 20th century theatre. Directed by Michael Cabot, it runs until Friday at 8pm. On Saturday, Corks Choral Con Fusion Choir perform The 3 Years Late Show - a feast of music to celebrate their 10-year anniversary, albeit belated (thanks, Covid!). Then, Wednesday, June 7 brings The Magic of Motown, with all the hits, glittering costumes, dazzling dance routines and outstanding musicianship in a live concert spectacular. Celebrate Queen at the Everyman. Next Thursday, June 8, Radio Ga Ga promises a night like no other in the ultimate celebration of one of the biggest bands to have ever graced the stage - Queen. Two magical hours playing all your favourite hits including Dont Stop Me Now, I Want to Break Free, We Are the Champions, We Will Rock You, and of course Bohemian Rhapsody. And a complete change of style on Friday and Saturday when Pat Kinevane performs King, the story of Luther, a man from Cork named in honour of his Granny Bee Baws hero, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Luther only leaves his apartment for essential journeys, and to perform as an Elvis impersonator. The play explores prejudice, privilege and resilience, as he struggles to live life to the full. Both poignant and compelling. Booking for these and all Everyman shows on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com. Currently, at the Cork Arts Theatre, Oh Brother, by Callum Maxwell, is a witty but thought-provoking story of two boys, each of whom has always wanted a brother, and who have to juggle the dream with the reality when at last they meet. Shades of Blood Brothers here, we think. Until Friday at 8pm, with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com for all bookings at the venue. Thomson Reuters A military tribunal in Lebanon has formally accused five members of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement of killing an Irish peacekeeper last year, according to a senior Lebanese judicial source. Private Sean Rooney (23) was killed on December 15th in the first fatal attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon since 2015. The five accused are among seven already charged by Lebanon's judiciary in January, but a new court document filed on Thursday identifies some of them as members of Hezbollah, the armed group that controls the part of southern Lebanon where the attack took place. Hezbollah's media office did not immediately respond to attempts to reach it. The Amal Movement, which is headed by Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri, declined to comment. The judicial source said the military tribunal judge accused them of conducting a criminal act that led to Rooney's killing and to the attempted murder of three other soldiers. The source said the accusation was punishable by the death sentence, adding that the document referred to evidence drawn from camera recordings in which the accused refer to themselves as members of Hezbollah. A second judicial source confirmed that camera evidence was mentioned in the 30-page court document. One of the accused had already been detained in connection with the case in late 2022 by the Lebanese military and charged with murder. He was identified at the time as a supporter of Hezbollah. The other six suspects face charges ranging from attempted murder to damaging a vehicle. None are in custody. Hezbollah has officially denied involvement in the incident, calling the killing an "unintentional incident" that took place solely between the town's residents and UNIFIL, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. On December 16th last year, then-minister for foreign affairs and defence Simon Coveney told RTE that he did not accept Hezbollah's assurances that it had no involvement. UNIFIL has operated in Lebanon since 1978 to maintain peace along the border with Israel and was expanded by the UN resolution that halted the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war in southern Lebanon. Pte Rooney was killed when the UNIFIL vehicle he was in was fired on as it travelled in southern Lebanon last year. David Raleigh Celebrity fitness model and nurse Judy Fitzgerald was one of a kind and a beautiful person inside and out, her funeral mass heard on Thursday. Ms Fitzgerald (32), who had a successful modelling and nursing career, died suddenly in Adare, Co Limerick, last Saturday. One of Irelands frontline nursing heroes during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Fitzgerald provided maternity healthcare and support to expectant mothers whose family were restricted from visiting them in hospital during the worst of the pandemic. In a loving tribute to his sister, William Fitzgerald told mourners who attended the funeral mass at St Nessans Church, Raheen, Limerick: We are all gathered here to celebrate Judys life, for she was one of a kind. Judy touched the lives of so many people in her short lifetime, she was successful in everything she did, be that in her nursing, midwifery and modelling careers. She travelled the globe working with top designers and photographers, yet Judy remained a very down to earth person who would do anything for anyone. During the Covid restrictions she brought presents to new mothers who werent allowed visitors. She nursed our late grandmother when she was very ill, and she always checked in on her friends. Mr Fitzgerald said his family are shocked by the untimely death of my sister Judy, and we will miss her very much as she always lit up a room. Paying tribute, he said Ms Fitzgerald had just completed a Green Cert which qualifies a person as a trained farmer, and she was planning to build a house on the family farm. She loved animals and the outdoors and she often visited my uncle PJ to help him with his sheep when she was growing up. She had talked about so many plans for the future, he said. Mr Fitzgerald thanked all those who had provided the family with such beautiful support by our lovely neighbours and our family after they received the devastating news last Saturday. We thank everyone for their kind words of sympathy and the condolences we have received, he added. Items symbolising Ms Fitzgeralds life were placed on a table next to a coffin and photograph of the model and nurse. Ms Fitzgeralds nursing degree to remember Judys care and dedication to mothers and babies; a self-penned healthy living book to symbolise her passion for health and fitness; and a framed photograph of her walking the catwalk at New York Fashion Week in 2015 to represent her modelling career were brought to the altar by friends. Miss Bikini Ireland Ms Fitzgerald rose to fame in 2014 when she was crowned Miss Bikini Ireland. A well known ambassador and advocate for positive mental health, she had developed a successful modelling career, appearing on the covers and pages of magazines and newspapers and online platforms, culminating in an appearance on the catwalk at New York Fashion Week in 2015. She had also qualified as a fitness instructor and had competed in fitness modelling events around the world. In 2019 she was crowed overall European Fitness Model Champion 2019. Fr John OShea said the heart of the community had been filled with sadness at the untimely passing of this kind-hearted beautiful lady. Conscious that we are very vulnerable and very fragile and in need of kindness, Fr OShea said the emphasis of the mass was a celebration of Judys life, and the joy she brought during her life. Ms Fitzgerald, who is survived by her parents Liam and Imelda, siblings Lucy and William and brother-in-Law Pedro, was laid to rest in Castlemungret Cemetery in Co Limerick. US beef producers oppose USDA proposal to allow Paraguayan imports A proposal by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to permit beef imports from Paraguay into the US market is facing strong opposition from American producer groups, Agri-Pulse reported. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently concluded a comment period on the proposed rule, which outlines the conditions for allowing Paraguayan fresh beef imports, including the requirement that the product must not come from a region where foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been detected in the past 12 months. Justin Tupper, representing the US Cattlemen's Association, expressed concerns about the USDA's underlying information, which is based on visits conducted in 2014. Tupper pointed out the nearly 10-year gap since the last site visit and questioned the confidence it inspires in Paraguay's regulatory approach. The possibility of an FMD outbreak, coupled with APHIS's acknowledgment that Paraguay is not free of the disease, raises serious concerns about the safety of the US cattle herd if the proposal moves forward. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) also raised concerns about the outdated information and the presence of FMD in Paraguay. While the NCBA supports expanding international markets for US beef, the organization said there is a need for caution in trade and diplomatic relations. The NCBA's trade lobbyist, Kent Bacus, said that while building alliances in South America may be a long-term interest of US diplomacy, it should not come at the expense of US cattle producers or jeopardize the health and livelihood of the world's safest and most efficient cattle and beef production system. - Agri-Pulse Australian dairy farmers face lower price offerings for upcoming season Australian dairy farmers are bracing for a challenging season ahead as the country's major dairy processors revealed lower price offerings, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. Leading processor Fonterra Australia has announced a significant 10% reduction in its farmgate milk price, setting the opening offering at AUD 8.65 (~US$5.64; AUD 1 = US$0.65) per kg of milk solids or AUD 0.65 (~US$0.42) per litre. Despite stating that it is higher than the international market, this decision has left many dairy farmers concerned about their future prospects. Other dairy companies have also revealed their price offerings. Bulla took the lead earlier in the week, offering a starting position of AUD 8.80 (~US$5.74) to AUD 9.90 (~US$6.46) per kg of milk solids. Mondelez, the parent company of Cadbury, said that it would offer AUD 8.73 (~US$5.69) per kg or AUD 0.66 (~US$0.43) per litre to farmers who supplied them exclusively, while non-exclusive contracts would receive AUD 7.93 (~US$5.17) or AUD 0.60 (~US$0.39) per litre. Canadian dairy giant Saputo announced an opening weighted average of AUD 8.90 (~US$5.80) to AUD 9.05 (~US$5.90), which represents an approximate 8% decrease compared to last season's price. Rene Dedoncker, the managing director of Fonterra Australia, expressed pride in the relationships built with farmer suppliers and the company's commitment to continue the partnership. Victorian dairy farmer Greg Peddle, who operates a sizable herd of 800 cows in Yarram, south Gippsland, believes that Fonterra's pursuit of profit is leaving dairy farmers at a disadvantage. Peddle said that Fonterra seems to have forgotten what it means to lead the industry and should be taking a more proactive role to attract supply. Alan Davenport, chairperson of the Fonterra Australia Suppliers Council, echoed the sentiment, describing the news as "disappointing but not surprising." He said there is a significant financial impact on dairy farms, such as a potential AUD 270,000 (~US$176,000) drop in income for an average dairy farm in Tasmania. - Australian Broadcasting Corporation Saudi Arabia invests in BRF SA, Brazil's largest poultry producer Saudi Arabia continues its rapid expansion into the global food industry through a significant agreement to acquire shares of BRF SA, Brazil's largest poultry producer, Gulf News reported. Under the deal, state-owned Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co., also known as Salic, and Brazil's Marfrig Global Foods SA have agreed to purchase up to US$890 million worth of new BRF shares. This transaction will provide Salic with a stake ranging between 10% and 15% in the company. Leandro Fontanesi, an analyst at Bradesco BBI, said that Saudi Arabia has been a major importer of chicken from BRF in recent years, accounting for approximately 7% of the company's total sales. Having heavily relied on food imports, Saudi Arabia has actively pursued agricultural investments in recent years. In 2015, Salic acquired a majority stake in the former Canadian Wheat Board, marking the beginning of the kingdom's agricultural deal spree. The country has intensified its focus on agriculture in the aftermath of the pandemic and disruptions in global trade caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine, which has led to soaring food prices and exposed vulnerabilities in the world's supply chains. - Gulf News Norway officially adopts 25% salmon farming tax After an intense eight-month period, the Norwegian parliament has finally approved the implementation of a 25% tax on salmon farming, IntraFish reported. The highly debated ground rent tax for the aquaculture industry received a 93 to 76 vote in favour of adoption. The proposal for a new tax on the salmon industry was initially introduced by the government in September, suggesting a 40% tax rate. After considering feedback received during the consultation period in the fall, an updated proposal of a 35% tax was presented in March. Last week, the Norwegian government unveiled the final revised details, settling on a tax rate of 25%. The final proposal gained the necessary majority support in the Norwegian Parliament from the Labor Party (AP), the Center Party (SP), the Liberal Party (Venstre), and Patient Focus. It maintained the minimum threshold of NOK 70 million (~$6.3 million; NOK 1 = US$0.090) at which companies are required to pay the tax, as previously suggested in March. The Norwegian salmon industry expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome. Geir Ove Ystmark, CEO of Seafood Norway, said there are significant flaws in the tax model, adding that it is burdensome for companies to administer and retroactively imposed. He also said that the overall tax burden along the coast remains excessively high, even with the downward adjustments made from the government's initial and revised proposals. - IntraFish Depression in children is more common than some parents may realize. Approximately 2.7 million children in the United States have depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Research shows depression is on the rise in kids and teens. The proportion of children whove been diagnosed with depression increased by 24 percent from 2016 to 2019, and the direction of these trends continued in 2020, according to a study published in March 2022 in JAMA Pediatrics. Factors such as social media, mass violence, the fallout from COVID-19, natural disasters, climate change, and political polarization have all contributed to rising depression rates among kids and teens in the United States, according to a report published in January 2023 by the American Psychological Association. There are also significant disparities when it comes to racial and ethnic minority youth and youth that identify as LGBTQ+, says Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, PhD, New York Citybased psychologist and media advisor for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation. Thats because of factors including discrimination, lack of access to high quality mental health care, and cultural stigma related to mental health care, among other contributors, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Some signs of depression may appear differently in kids than adults, which is why knowing the signs of childhood depression is crucial, says Mayra Mendez, PhD, a licensed marriage and family therapist and program coordinator for intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health services at Providence Saint John's Child and Family Development Center in Santa Monica, California. One reason it can be difficult to recognize depression in children is that they may explain or express their depression differently than adults do, especially if theyre young and learning how to express their emotions. A tantrum, for example, may not just be a kid being mad at the moment, but a sign that they are emotionally struggling, notes Dr. Mendez. When a child struggles with depressive symptoms but does not show behaviors that are typically associated and recognized as signaling depression, the negative behaviors may be misinterpreted, and the signs of depression missed, says Mendez. 7 Key Signs of Depression in Children Its normal for kids to experience emotional ups and downs, but feeling down for at least two weeks could mean that a child has depression, especially if what theyre experiencing interferes with their usual routines, activities, and interests, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Missed signs of childhood depression can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Without early intervention, depressive symptoms can worsen and lead to many emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges in a kids life, Dr. Lira de la Rosa says, This may mean that by the time a child receives mental health treatment, their depression may have worsened and may take longer to treat. Here are seven signs your child may be experiencing depression. 1. They Seem Angrier or More Irritable Than Usual For some kids, depression may show up in the form of angry outbursts at the dinner table or in class, for instance. This sign of depression in children is sometimes mistaken for troublemaking, according to the CDC. Some of the common signs may include anger and irritability more so than feelings of sadness that may be more common in adults who have depression, says Lira de la Rosa. They may also begin to act out or misbehave at home and at school or experience significant fluctuations in their mood. 2. Theyve Withdrawn From Friends and Their Favorite Activities Similar to adults, kids who have depression may also have behavioral changes such as withdrawal from friends or social activities they normally love, Mendez says. This is often due to anhedonia, a common sign of depression involving loss of interest or pleasure in activities they used to enjoy. 3. Youve Noticed Changes in Their Appetite Typically, I would recommend keeping an eye out for changes in a childs appetite, Lira de la Rosa says. Consistently eating more or less than they usually do and resulting weight loss or gain are potential signs of depression in children, according to Boston Childrens Hospital. RELATED: How Depression Affects Your Appetite Plus, 5 Ways to Manage It 4. Their Sleeping Patterns Have Changed Sleeping more than usual or having trouble falling or staying asleep can signal depression in a child, says Lira de la Rosa. Not only are sleep issues a potential sign of depression in kids, but theyre also a risk factor for developing depression in the first place, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies published in JAMA Network Open. 5. Their Academic Performance Has Slipped A decline in grades at school can be a sign of depression, especially among middle and high school students, says Mendez. Survey data published in the fall of 2022 by the nonprofit YouthTruth showed that among nearly 223,000 students in grades 6 through 12 across the country, depression, stress, and anxiety were the biggest obstacles to learning at every grade level. 6. They Have Unexplained Aches and Pains Unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches can be a sign of depression, according to the U.K. National Health Service. Headaches in particular can be common among kids with depression who have difficulty recognizing feelings of loneliness or sadness, according to Mayo Clinic. 7. They Talk About Death or Dying Talking about death or dying can be a sign of suicidal thoughts, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Thoughts of death or suicide are a potential sign of depression, and having depression is a known risk factor for suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children ages 10 to 14, CDC data show. Other warning signs that a child may be thinking of suicide, per the Cleveland Clinic, are: Self-harm and increased risky or self-destructive behaviors Social withdrawal Feelings of hopelessness Giving away their possessions without a logical reason for doing so What Should You Do if You Think Your Child Has Depression? If you suspect your child has depression, start by talking to them about it. Consider these tips for getting the conversation started, suggests Lira de la Rosa: For younger kids, make the conversation part of play time or another activity, and bring up feelings like sadness. Lira de la Rosa recommends Sesame Workshops Emotional Well-Being resource as a potential tool to help young children learn about their emotions. For older kids and teens, consider planning a fun activity with them, such as getting ice cream or going to their favorite store, and ask them how theyre doing emotionally. Oftentimes, older kids and teens have already been exposed to the topic of depression through media and school, Lira de la Rosa adds. When talking to your child about depression, try to emphasize how common this mental health condition is. If it's relevant, consider sharing your own experiences with depression in an age-appropriate way. Its important to note that the aforementioned signs dont automatically mean your child has depression, but if you notice them in your child, its worth talking to a doctor. Your childs pediatrician or a licensed mental health professional can screen your child for depression if theyve experienced the signs for at least two weeks. This means theyll ask you and your child some questions to determine if what your child is experiencing is depression or something else. If your child does have depression, its important to work closely with their pediatrician or a mental health professional to come up with a treatment plan. Evidence-based treatments for childhood depression, according to Boston Childrens Hospital, include: Amid the looming US debt deadline, recent developments have triggered a turn towards gold as an instrument of risk hedge. Investors are closely examining the potential impact of a US debt ceiling agreement and its implications for federal spending. "Fitch moved the US sovereign rating on a watch negative radar as debt deadline looms. Investors are also assessing the possible impact of a US debt ceiling deal and how it could cut federal spending" says Ehsan Khoman, Head of Commodities, ESG and Emerging Markets Research at MUFG. Gold is being eyed as a promising refuge in the light of certain economic conditions. Khoman adds, "This had pushed investors towards gold, as a hedge against risk." The complexity of the current financial environment has particularly strengthened gold's attractiveness. Gold Outperforming in a Challenging Economic Environment While the Federal Reserve persists in tightening despite the rise in producer prices, money supply, and bank deposits, gold has emerged as a shining performer. Khoman mentions, "The unprecedented combination of the Fed still tightening in H1 2023 despite elevated producer prices, money supply and bank deposits, favour gold." The precious metal has outdone other constituents of the Bloomberg Commodity index on an annualised basis. According to the analyst, gold's beneficial position is likely to persist as the world navigates beyond the Federal Reserve's hawkishness. "Golds value proposition remains constructive as we are moving past Fed hawkishness since the US is seemingly slowing without derailing growth elsewhere," says Khoman. This economic slowdown could spur increased investment demand for gold, which has been relatively dormant in recent years. Emerging Market Central Banks Keep the Demand for Gold High Central banks in emerging markets (EM) are actively acquiring gold, a trend that has kept the demand for the precious metal robust. This purchasing pace is driven by geopolitical risks and de-dollarisation trends. "EM central banks continue to purchase gold at pace a trend that we expect to continue to dominate gold demand on the back of elevated geopolitical risks and de-dollarisation trends," Khoman explains. Amid these forces, the trajectory for gold prices is set to rise, albeit at a potentially slower pace than seen previously. The analyst further states, "Overall, this suggests gold is poised to move higher, although it may be more of a slow grind than continued spike." MUFG's gold price models project an average of USD1,980 per ounce this year, with a tendency for the price to exceed this prediction. Khoman suggests, "Our gold price models signal an average of USD1,980/oz this year, with risks skewed to the upside." The gold analyst concludes that in a climate of increasing anxiety and looming recession risks, the potential downside for gold under a soft landing or further hawkish moves from the Fed is significantly less than the upside in the event of a growth shock pushing the US economy into recession. However, it might be challenging for gold to cross the USD2,100 per ounce threshold without the Fed resorting to rate cuts in response to a recession that necessitates pivoting towards growth support. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds light and variable. Twelve years ago, FBI agents in Baltimore sought to wiretap former Brookings Institution analyst Igor Danchenko on suspicions he was spying for Russia. But the counterintelligence analyst they were assigned to work with a Brian Auten a told them he could not find their target and assumed the Russian national had fled back to Moscow. But Danchenko had not left the U.S., court documents show. He was living in the Washington area. In fact, he had been arrested in Maryland in 2013 by federal Park Police for being drunk and disorderly, something the FBI analyst could have easily discovered by searching federal law enforcement databases. Clueless, the FBI closed its espionage case on Danchenko. Auten would quickly rise to become the FBIs top Russian analyst. In 2016 and 2017, he failed to properly vet the Steele dossier, a collection of salacious allegations created for Hillary Clintons campaign which sought to tie Donald Trump to the Kremlin, before clearing it as the central piece of evidence used by the FBI to obtain warrants to spy on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Working out of headquarters as a supervisor, Auten knew Danchenko helped Christopher Steele compile the dossier while living in the area. But instead of contacting the Baltimore agents, Auten secretly groomed him as an informant, arranging payments of $220,000 to target Donald Trump and his former aide Page. One result: Danchenko, the suspected Russian spy, falsely accused Page, a former U.S. Navy officer who had previously helped the FBI, of being a Russian spy in the dossier. Auten also never informed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court about the FBIs longstanding concerns about Danchenko. Like the Baltimore agents, investigators at FBI headquarters relied on Auten to build their counterintelligence cases on Page and three other Trump advisers. Auten provided the reports and memos they used to establish probable cause in each case. Auten also supported investigators working on Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe. Autens conduct was first singled out for rebuke by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who in 2019 issued a report detailing how Auten cut corners in the dossier verification process. Horowitz referred Auten to the FBI for discipline, which does not appear to have been administered. His earlier and deeper connections to Danchenko have only been more recently revealed in the report issued by Special Counsel John Durham. His findings suggest that if Auten had done his job over a decade ago, chances are the now-discredited dossier never would have been created and used by the FBI to eavesdrop on Page and help launch the Russiagate probe. Its likely that Danchenko, the main source of the dossiers allegations, would have been deported years earlier and flagged in the system, according to the recently released Durham Report. The embattled analyst was recommended for suspension from the bureau last year, and his case has been under disciplinary review for several months. Contacted by RealClearInvestigations, an FBI spokeswoman declined to say if Auten has been suspended. In keeping with our usual practice, she said, we have no comment on personnel matters. According to the Durham Report, Danchenko came onto the radar of agents working out of the Baltimore field office in 2010 after two former Brookings colleagues entering the government told the FBI that he had solicited classified information. The agents subsequently opened an espionage case after discovering Danchenko had previous contacts with the Russian Embassy and known Russian intelligence officers. In particular, the FBI learned that in September 2006, Danchenko informed one Russian intelligence officer that he had an interest in entering the Russian diplomatic service, the report stated. Four days later, the intelligence officer contacted Danchenko and informed him that they could meet that day to work on the documents and then think about future plans. The next month, Danchenko contacted the intelligence officer so the documents can be placed in [the following days] diplomatic mail pouch, according to the report. In addition, Danchenko had been identified as an associate of two other espionage suspects, Durham learned from a review of his case file. In July 2010, the FBI initiated a request to obtain a FISA warrant to conduct surveillance on Danchenko. Auten helped research Danchenko and provided information for wiretap applications. However, the investigation was soon closed after the FBI incorrectly concluded Danchenko had left the country in September 2010. Danchenko and his wife continued to reside openly in the Washington area. But the probe wasnt completely dead. In 2012, Auten exchanged emails with one of the Baltimore agents in which they speculated whether Danchenko had actually left the country. Then in 2013, the U.S. Park Police arrested Danchenko in Greenbelt, Md., on drunk-and-disorderly charges, court records first obtained by RCI show. Danchenkos case was visible in the federal law enforcement database and prosecuted by then-U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein, who years later, as acting attorney general, would sign one of the 2017 applications to renew a wiretap targeting Page and authorize an expansion of the FBIs Trump-Russia investigation. The Russian-born Danchenko, who was living in the U.S. on a work visa, was released from jail on the condition he undergo drug testing and participate in a program of substance abuse therapy and counseling, as well as mental health counseling, the records show. His lawyer asked the court to postpone his trial and let him travel to Moscow as a condition of his employment. The Russian trips were granted without objection from Rosenstein. Danchenko ended up several months later entering into a plea agreement and paying fines. Despite the flurry of legal records generated on Danchenko in the federal system, it is not clear why the FBI failed to take note of his presence in the country. What the record does show is that the bureau did not reopen the espionage case against him. Danchenko reappeared on Autens radar in late 2016 as he and the FBI were using the Steele dossier he helped create on Trump to seek warrants to spy on Page. Auten identified his old espionage target in December 2016 as the primary subsource of the document. Instead of wiretapping Danchenko, the FBI recruited him as an informant and paid him $220,000 to help the bureau continue wiretapping the former Trump aide. FBI headquarters proposed paying Danchenko an additional $300,000 even as Durham was actively investigating him as the linchpin to the uncorroborated allegations contained in the Steele Reports. After asking officials at FBI headquarters about the bureaus relationship with Danchenko, Durham determined that they were unable to justify keeping him open as a confidential source, much less making hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments to him. After examining FBI documents, Durham discovered that Auten interviewed Danchenko over three days in January 2017 as part of a plan to recruit him as a paid informant, despite the unresolved counterespionage investigation. Working with then-DOJ official David Laufman, the FBI offered immunity from prosecution to the longtime spy suspect and invited his lawyer to sit with him during the interviews. If this recruitment was successful, the FBI planned to mine Danchenko for information that was corroborative of the damaging allegations about President-elect Trump in the Steele Reports, Durham said in his report. Auten confessed to Durham that Danchenko was not able to provide any corroborative evidence related to any substantive allegation contained in the Steele Reports a and critically a was unable to corroborate any of the FBIs assertions contained in the Carter Page FISA applications, according to the Durham report (emphasis in the original). Danchenko was kept on the FBI payroll for more than three years. In internal FBI documents, Danchenkos handling agent Kevin Helson incorrectly stated that there was no derogatory information associated with Danchenko and that he had not been a prior subject of an FBI investigation. This was clearly not true as there had previously been the unresolved Baltimore FBI counterespionage investigation of Danchenko that was only closed because it was believed he had left the country and returned to Russia, Durham pointed out. Agent Helson later learned that the informant he was assigned to handle had been investigated as a suspected spy. However, Auten advised Helson that the espionage case against Danchenko was interesting, but was not a significant matter, according to the Durham report. Notably, the report added, Auten did not inform Helson that he had previously assisted in the Baltimore investigation. A Suspected Kremlin Agent 'Hiding in Plain Sight' The Baltimore agents were shocked to learn from Durhams office that Danchenko had been signed up as a confidential FBI source. One of them interviewed by Durhams investigators believed Danchenko was a Kremlin agent hiding in plain sight in the U.S., while frequently traveling overseas to be debriefed by Russian intelligence. The other Baltimore agent said the counterintelligence case on Danchenko remained unresolved and, in her opinion, certainly a lot more investigation should have been conducted on Danchenko. It is extremely concerning that the FBI failed to deal with the prior unresolved counterespionage case on Danchenko, Durham concluded in his report. Given Danchenkos known contacts with Russian intelligence officers and his documented prior pitch [to colleagues at Democratic think tank Brookings] for classified information, the Crossfire Hurricane teams failure to properly consider and address the espionage case prior to opening Danchenko as a CHS [confidential human source] is difficult to explain, particularly given their awareness that Danchenko was the linchpin to the uncorroborated allegations contained in the Steele Reports, the special prosecutor added. Crossfire Hurricane was the code name for the FBIs Russia investigation. In an RCI interview, Danchenkos lawyer denied his client ever spied for the Russian government. He said Danchenko feared Russian President Vladimir Putin and was concerned for his personal safety. However, Durham examined immigration records which revealed that Danchenko lived in the U.S. but traveled frequently to Russia, casting doubts about his security concerns. Yet in sworn affidavits to obtain the FISA warrants targeting Page, FBI agents led judges on the secret surveillance court to believe Danchenko was Russian-based and therefore presumably more credible as a source of the allegations that Page was a Russian agent. By 2017, Auten knew the Russian-based claim was untrue. Even so, he let case agents slip it into two FISA renewal requests targeting Page. And so the Russian-based fraud lived on through 2017. Auten assured the court that Danchenko was truthful and cooperative, never telling the judges about unresolved questions that made him a suspected Russian agent. And Autens imprimatur carried great weight. In Durhams telling, Auten was known internally as one of the Triumvirate of Control in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, along with senior counterintelligence official Peter Strzok and intelligence section chief Jonathan Moffa. Some case agents working under them believed the surveillance of Page was a dry hole, but the triumvirate insisted they continue secretly intercepting his emails, text messages, and other communications, according to Durham. On Sept. 19, 2016, the FBIs Crossfire Hurricane team formally received a dossier report alleging that Page had held secret meetings with sanctioned Kremlin officials in Moscow earlier that summer in which they allegedly discussed lifting U.S. sanctions on Russia. That same day, an anxious Auten urged department lawyers to consider including the dossier report as part of the initial FISA application targeting Page. In an email to attorneys, Auten forwarded an excerpt from the dossier report and asked, Does this put us at least *that* much closer to a full FISA on [Page]? The attorneys thought it was a close call when they first discussed a FISA targeting Page in early August, but the dossier report in September pushed it over the line in terms of establishing probable cause. Except that the dossier allegation about secret Kremlin meetings was bunk. Auten knew there were serious doubts about it a yet withheld those concerns from FISA judges. On Oct. 17, 2016, Auten received an email alerting him to a conversation an informant covertly recorded with Page that day in which Page outright denied meeting with the Russian officials a or even knowing them. Nevertheless, Durham noted, Pages exculpatory statements were not included in the initial FISA application signed just four days later. Before the application was submitted, Auten also was aware that the dossier was being funded and promoted by Hillary Clintons campaign. On Sept. 2, 2016, CIA personnel briefed Auten at FBI headquarters about credible foreign intelligence they received about the Clinton campaigns machinations. Yet Auten took no steps to analyze the intelligence and how it might impact the Trump campaign investigation and surveillance requests. Nor did he inform the FISA court about it. Asked why he failed to disclose the Clinton plan intelligence, Auten told Durhams office that it was just one data point. As the FBI made requests to renew its spy warrants throughout 2017, Auten continued to gloss over major holes in the dossier. He even pressured agents and analysts to back off looking into a questionable source of key allegations, according to the Durham report. It turns out that source, Charles Dolan, was also tied to the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party. Agent Helson told Durham that Auten told him to hold off on interviewing Dolan, who was never interviewed. Auten also told a female FBI analyst working for Mueller to cease all research and analysis related to Dolan, according to the Durham report. She wrote a memo in September 2017 documenting Dolans ties to the dossier, but said that Auten had made edits to her memorandum, some of which removed information regarding Dolan. She said she was frustrated by the censorship and wondered if there was a political motive behind it. The analyst told Durham she prepared a contemporaneous timeline in case she was ever questioned about her role in the Mueller investigation. Perhaps most concerning was Autens reluctance to corroborate even the existence of a ghost-like source Danchenko claimed had provided him a stream of bombshell allegations that were essential to the FBIs case for probable cause against Page. The alleged source, Belarus-born businessman and Trump booster named Sergei Millian, actually had no connection of any kind to Danchenko. There is no evidence the two men ever met or spoke. Yet Danchenko attributed to Millian the dossiers core allegation: that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to steal the 2016 election in a well-developed conspiracy of cooperation. This claim, which Durham found to be completely conjured up by Danchenko, formed the backbone of all four of the FBIs applications to the FISA court to spy on Trump. Auten knew there were serious problems with the attribution. While debriefing Danchenko in January 2017, Danchenko was dodgy about his supposed conversations with Millian. Still, Auten made no effort to validate Millian as a source. He never examined either Danchenkos or Millians phone records, for starters. Durham did pull the call records, however, and easily determined that Danchenko never actually spoke with Millian. He also learned from Danchenkos email records that he fabricated his conversations with Millian, which means he also made up the dossier allegation that Carter Page masterminded the Democratic National Committee email leak, a claim the FBI also vouchsafed to the FISA court to attain the Page wiretaps. Nevertheless, the information allegedly provided by Millian remained in the Page FISA applications, Durham stated in his report. Auten told Durham that he did, however, check with the FBIs partners at the CIA to see if they had anything on file to corroborate Danchenkos areporting in the dossier. They received no corroborating information back, Durham said. Durham interviewed a career counterintelligence analyst at Langley who said the dossier was transparent fiction. Indeed, after the dossier was leaked and became public, Durham relayed in his report, that [CIA] experts reaction was to ask the FBI, You didnt use that, right? For several years, Auten moonlighted teaching law enforcement, intelligence, and surveillance courses at Patrick Henry College in North Virginia. He was removed from the Patrick Henry website soon after RealClearInvestigations published a July 2020 story first identifying him as the anonymous Supervisory Intelligence Analyst singled out in 2019 by DOJ Inspector General Horowitz for cutting corners verifying the dossier. Auten also is no longer listed as a member of the colleges Strategic Intelligence Board of Advisors. Patrick Henrys communications director did not reply to requests for an explanation for Autens removal from the website. But a faculty spokesman confirmed over the phone that he is no longer teaching there. He is, however, apparently, still employed by the FBI. Autens most recent activities that have come to light? Possibly using false information to undermine allegations of criminal activity on the part of Hunter Biden. According to a July 25, 2022, letter from Sen. Chuck Grassley to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Autens scheme entailed using deceptive and derogatory information to derail the FBIs investigation. First, its been alleged that the FBI developed information in 2020 about Hunter Bidens criminal financial and related activity, Grassley wrote. It is further alleged that in August 2020, FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Brian Auten opened an assessment which was used by an FBI Headquarters (FBI HQ) team to improperly discredit negative Hunter Biden information as disinformation and caused investigative activity to cease. Correction, Thursday, June 1, 2023, 10:28 AM Eastern Because of an editing error, an earlier version mischaracterized Brian Auten's recollection of an interaction with the CIA. He told Special Counsel John Durham that he did check with the agency in an effort to corroborate Igor Danchenkosareporting in the Steele dossier. It is not the case that he said he never checked. The Jeannette Rankin Foundation has awarded grants to 51 Indigenous women attending Montana tribal colleges. The Native Woman Scholar Grant program launched earlier this year and provides $2,500 unrestricted education grants to Native women. Grants this year total $127,500. Every reservation in Montana has a tribal college, which offer various two- and four-year degrees. The grants are awarded directly to students and aim to ease financial burdens associated with pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree. Sandra Boham, president of Salish Kootenai College, said education "empowers (Native) women to achieve economic independence, build self confidence and allow for the integration of Indigenous knowledge, culture and language into all aspects of the workplaces and organizations in the communities where they live." Several grant recipients said the funds will help them achieve their educational and career goals. Sara Meyers, who is pursuing an associate's degree in Native Language education at Salish Kootenai College, said she wants to be part of the "revival of our Salish language." "With my education, I aim to be a Salish language teacher and encourage others to get their education, be rooted in their culture and serve the community," she said. Morgan Harrison-Woolf, a student at Blackfeet Community College, said as a mother, stroke survivor and student, "I am thrilled to keep pushing forward and continue facing the odds. I hope to be fully independent again and find a position within my community." Cheyenne Robinson, a student at Little Big Horn College on the Crow Reservation, is pursuing a degree in business marketing. "I plan to use my degree to run a nonprofit I've founded to help encourage, inspire and protect our community while bringing awareness to missing and murdered Indigenous people," she said. The Rankin Foundation will accept applications for its second round of Native Woman Scholar Grants in November 2023. The foundation was founded in 1976 to honor Jeannette Rankin, who was the first U.S. Congresswoman and first woman to hold federal office. For more information, visit rankinfoundation.org. Judge Michael Moses of Yellowstone County at a court hearing on July 11, 2022 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). In a court case dealing with how to change a birth certificate in Montana, previous hearings have been so contentious that the states Supreme Court had to step in to clarify to the state how a preliminary injunction works, Thursdays district court hearing struck a completely different tone. Thane Johnson, who represented the State of Montana on Thursday, apologized to the court, saying the department understood the rulings and had not followed the orders, while assuring the court it would change course. Yellowstone County District Court Judge Michael Moses had the hearing on a motion for summary judgment of the two-year-old case that spun out of the 2021 legislature and why the state should be held in contempt for not complying with several court orders. At issue is how Montanans can change birth certificates. In 2021, the legislature changed the law, saying residents could only change the sex designation on a birth certificate by a surgical procedure and a judges order, a departure from the 2017 rule that allowed residents to change the marker with a simple, one-page form. Almost as soon as it was passed, the ACLU of Montana challenged the law, and Moses issued a preliminary injunction that should have halted the new law and kept the 2017 process in place. However, the state repeatedly tried to maneuver around that order by proposing new rules, or saying Moses previous orders were unclear. Despite the state Supreme Court affirming the process Moses used by a unanimous decision, the state has still not relented, and that led attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana, which is representing two plaintiffs, to ask Moses to hold the state in contempt and issue an order finding the 2021 law unconstitutional. Thursdays hearing was meant to address both issues. Contempt Attorneys for the ACLU argued the state should be held in contempt because it refused to acknowledge the orders by the district and state Supreme Court. The defendants saying they were not obligated to do so is unprecedented behavior by a state agency and co-equal branch of government, said ACLU staff attorney Akilah Deernose. No agency is above the law. Court orders must have meaning and they must be followed. Never to our knowledge has a state agency disregarded a lawful court order. Its not acceptable for any individual, let alone a state agency. Attorneys for the ACLU have asked Moses to hold the department in contempt if granted, an order that may be unprecedented in state legal history as well as impose sanctions and award attorneys fees for the work that has taken a team of lawyers to fight the states intransigent position. Johnson, who arrived at the department in January and took over the case, said it was his top priority to come up to speed on the case and determine how to handle it. Today, your honor, I come to you with my hat in hand, Johnson said, apologizing for how the State of Montana had handled the case. Its very hard to justify non-compliance, and I can only explain it and apologize, he said. Johnson told the court that he couldnt divulge the conversations hes had with the department due to attorney-client privilege, but he said the attorneys on the case understood the order and agreed there is no legal uncertainty about the rules. The law was clear at the time of the original injunction and even clearer in the second order, Moses said. The preliminary injunction rule is to be enforced in the same way, and it applies to cases like this all across the U.S. The law is clear as a bell and it has been clear for years and was clarified by the Supreme Court. Now, I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but when the Supreme Court says what the law is, I follow it and I expect the counsel to follow it. Johnson said in 30 years of practice, hes only stood before the court one other time on possible contempt sanctions and was willing to take whatever the court decided, and only asked that attorneys fees be kept reasonable. Deernose clarified with the court that Johnson and the attorneys had been cooperative and the ACLU has advocated for sanctioning the executive department, not the current attorneys. Even though Johnson apologized and said attorneys for the department were clear on the rule, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, which has oversight for the vital statistics division, has still not reverted back to the 2017 rule change procedure. The Daily Montanan reached out to the DPHHS on Thursday morning for comment and clarification on its current practice, but received no response by the time of publication. Summary judgment Thursdays hearing also marked a legal strategy shift. Both sides argued that Senate Bill 280 should be declared void and unconstitutional because the law was so vague that it was impossible to enforce. For example, changing a birth certificate requires a surgical procedure, according to the law, but it doesnt say what type of procedures suffice. Meanwhile, attorneys for the State of Montana argue that sex cannot be changed by any surgical procedure. Attorneys for the ACLU also argued that the law does not give enough guidance to an average Montana citizen about how they could comply with the vague law to change a birth certificate, so the law violated a constitutional guarantee of equal protection. Moses told the attorneys that he would likely issue an order quickly, but stopped short of declaring the law void from the bench. He also appeared pleased that attorneys had finally agreed with the what the law and courts had previously said. He called Thursdays hearing outstanding and told both sides he appreciated the civil discussion. The State of Montana took 14 months and the court had looked at this matter and given it a hard look a long, long time ago, Moses said. Plaintiffs, you were right. Even though it appeared likely that Moses would grant the contempt motion as well as strike down Senate Bill 280, the issue of amending a birth certificate will likely face a new challenge, this time from the 2023 legislature. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte recently signed legislation that narrowly defines sex. Several different groups have said they plan to challenge the states law, which could violate portions of federal law, leaving Montana open to the possibility of losing federal funding. Moses will likely rule on this 14-month lawsuit quickly. He is scheduled to retire at the end of the end of the month. Gianforte has named City of Billings Assistant Attorney Thomas Pardy as Moses replacement. The post Court likely to declare birth certificate rule unconstitutional and hold state agency in contempt appeared first on Daily Montanan. Under the Gianforte Administration, Montana is opting out of $10 million of federal money that would have paid for childrens meals this year, according to an estimate from the Montana Food Bank Network. Citing administrative burdens, a Department of Public Health and Human Services spokesperson said in an email Tuesday the state will not participate in the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program, or P-EBT a program meant to be temporary for the 2022-23 school year or summer. The decision brings the total amount of dollars to address hunger the state has left on the table to more than $135 million since 2021, according to the Montana Budget and Policy Center. What Ive gathered from the state is that they dont see the need for P-EBT, said Jackie Semmens, with the Budget and Policy Center. And as a parent, Im getting emails every week from my school saying theyre doing a food drive, theyre doing a coin drive, to assist families over the summer. The need is very real. There are kids who are not sure where their meals are going to come from this summer. The decision also comes as at least one food bank, the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center, experienced a record daily high of individuals coming through 428 on Tuesday compared the last record of 390, which the nonprofit hit one day last month, said executive director Amy Allison Thompson on Wednesday. She said 30% of the people the organization serves are children; one year ago, the food bank served 3,500 households a month, and its now serving 4,500 a month. This decision means that as a state, we are leaving over $10 million in federal food assistance for children on the table, Thompson said. So we are extremely concerned about that, especially because of what were seeing here at the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center. Congress created P-EBT in March 2020 to help families whose children would have received free or reduced-price meals at school if the pandemic had not struck, and all 50 states used the program, according to the Childrens Defense Fund. The national organization said it reached as many as 12.9 million children. Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture lists 35 states, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as having approved plans to help school children receive meals this summer. Montana has received $94 million in P-EBT benefits since 2020, according to the Budget and Policy Center. But the program isnt easy to administer, according to the Health Department. The reality is the requirements of the P-EBT program are labor intensive for both school districts and DPHHS, said agency spokesperson Jon Ebelt in the email. The program does not follow traditional SNAP processes or rules. Instead, it requires manual processes for data integrity, quality control and benefits issuance, which is a significant administrative burden for what was meant to be a temporary program. SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Last year, after public outcry, the Health Department reversed course and applied for the funds for the 2021-22 school year, and former agency director Adam Meier then praised the federal government for being flexible with requirements. The application made the state eligible for summer support as well, and Montana received some $27 million last year, according to an earlier estimate from the Food Bank Network. This program has been a valuable resource for thousands of Montana families in helping to supplement their food budgets, in a time when grocery costs continue to rise, said Meier in a May 2022 update from the Health Department about the program. The Health Department lists 96 schools or districts that participated last summer. In Montana, the program would have helped 73,000 students this summer, when schools and their cafeterias are generally closed and families have a more difficult time making sure their children get enough to eat, according to the Budget and Policy Center. Rob Watson, with School Administrators of Montana, said he spoke with a couple of administrators about the program, and he didnt get the impression from them it was a lot of extra work, at least during the summer, a less busy time. He said administrators are adamant that during the school year, its difficult for kids to learn if theyre hungry. He also said many districts run summer meal programs because children are vulnerable then and dont have the same access to food through their schools. The insecurity happens in the summer, Watson said. Bruce Day, executive director for Helena Food Share, said the food bank serves roughly one in five children in the Helena area. Since the pandemic, he said the organization has seen rising need. Helena Food Share provides roughly 1,200 Kid Packs for children each week of the school year, a program thats specific to youngsters, he said. The packs contain healthy snacks and nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals. Day said Helena Food Share has seen an increasing number of families seeking assistance as well, 15% to 20% more every month year over year. Thats 1,500 to 1,600 families a month, or roughly 3,000 individuals. Since coming out of COVID, we just continue to see the numbers rise, Day said. In a blog post this month, Semmens, policy analyst with the Budget and Policy Center, noted the money from P-EBT would have been spent at 750 grocery stores that accept the benefit. She also noted one in eight children in Montana faces food insecurity, or three students in a classroom of 24. However, the analysis also noted a pattern has emerged in Montana of politicians foregoing food assistance to children. Montana ended its additional pandemic assistance before nearly every other state, denying the opportunity for these federal funds to support families during a period of sharply rising food prices, Semmens said in the post. In the analysis, she pointed to Gov. Greg Gianfortes veto of a 2021 bill that would have helped SNAP recipients buy more fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets; the state ending a pandemic-related boost to SNAP worth $125 million to communities; the states decision not to apply for food assistance for children on free and reduced lunch last school year; and the tabling this legislative session of a bill that would have provided free school meals for students. This pattern of denial is having devastating consequences on Montana families, the blog post said. Typically, Semmens said the program would split administrative costs so the state and the federal government each would pay half, but currently, the feds are picking up 100% of those costs. They could really be getting their systems figured out while theres full federal funding, Semmens said. The Montana Food Bank Network had urged the governor and DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton to apply for the funding, and in an email Wednesday, chief policy officer Lorianne Burhop described the states decision as incredibly disappointing. She said there isnt a deadline to apply, but because all the benefits have to be issued by the end of September, the state is quickly running out of time, even if it did decide to change direction. This decision comes at a time when families are hurting, trying to keep up with the cost of housing, childcare, and food, Burhop said. The need for this program has not gone away. Montanas food pantries are struggling to provide enough food for the people coming through their doors. The states decision to turn down these federal funds is a lost opportunity to help Montana families make ends meet and keep food on the table. The post DPHHS declines millions in federal food assistance for children as food banks see soaring need appeared first on Daily Montanan. BUTTE, Mont. -- It's spring, and that means it's time for some good old-fashioned spring cleaning. But instead of throwing that unused appliance in the trash, you might be able to find it a happy home. That's where Butte's Habitat for Humanity ReStore is here to help. Doors, lighting fixtures, various knobs, and even toilets are just a few of the items available for sale at the ReStore. To promote sustainability and affordable living in the Mining City, Habitat for Humanity is encouraging Butte residents to bring in their unused wares for resale at cheaper prices. As assistant manager Maria Ralph says, it helps provide affordable resources to the less fortunate. And it really brings out all the creativity that Butte has to offer. "We see all kinds of folks come in here," Ralph said. "Our demographic covers everybody from people who run and rent properties, people that have just bought their first home and are trying to fix it up, DIYers who just want to give it a go and do their first project at home." "We enjoy working with those people," Ralph continued. "They come in and they've got cool ideas or questions, and a lot of times, we can kind of guide them in the right direction." The ReStore has also been instrumental in addressing the growing issue of affordable housing, as the profits from sales go right back into Habitat for Humanity's home construction program--the results of which can be viewed far and wide across the Mining City. "Take a look at where the Habitat neighborhoods are, and you'll definitely see an improvement in the area," Ralph said. "That creates this home pride--you've got a beautiful house, well-built, and everybody else takes notice of that, and that also helps the neighborhood and the area." "There are quite a few Habitat neighborhoods in Butte, and you can almost spot them," Ralph said. "They make things look nice when they're there." The ReStore is open for donations and purchases every Wednesday through Saturday. Their spring sale lasts through the end of this week, Saturday, June 3. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 78F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. GREAT FALLS, Mont. - A man involved in an officer-involved shooting in March has been charged with attempted deliberate homicide. On March 7, the Great Falls Police Department warned of a critical incident going on in the 1100 block of 5th Ave. S that started with a routine traffic stop. An officer attempted to stop a car for a traffic violation, but the driver refused to pull over. A second officer spotted the car on 6th Ave. S, and one suspect, identified as Jacob Kane Bradley, got out and fled on foot. Bradley was located near 12th St. and 5th Ave. S, and an officer pursued him on foot. According to Great Falls Chief of Police Jeff Newton, shortly after the start of the chase, Bradley reportedly turned and fired several rounds at the officer, who was seriously injured. Medical procedures were performed on the injured officer, who was taken by another officer to the hospital in a patrol car. The officer has since been released from the hospital. Bradley continued to flee, but was confronted by another officer a block away. Newton reported several shots were fired, and Bradley was shot in the head and taken to the hospital by an ambulance with critical injuries. On Wednesday, May 31, an arrest warrant was signed, and Jacob Kane Bradley was charged with attempted deliberate homicide. A second suspect, identified as Nikki Snell, remained on scene and was charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm by convicted person and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. UPDATE, MARCH 15: The Great Falls Police Department shared this information on the officer who was injured in a recent shooting: On March 7, 2023, a routine traffic stop turned violent when Senior Police Officer Tanner Lee was shot in the chest and arm by a fleeing suspect. Officer Lees bullet resistant armor stopped the shots to the chest but his arm sustained serious injury. Officer Lee underwent surgery and has been released from the hospital. Though the prognosis is positive, he will need further medical care, likely more surgery, and re-habilitation. Officer Lee, GFPD badge 343, is just short of his four-year anniversary with the Great Falls Police Department. Officer Lee is currently assigned to the Patrol Services Bureau as a Patrol Officer. He and his wife, Harly, both from Great Falls, have two children. Officer Lee is Graduate of Great Falls High School and holds a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science from Montana State University. In 2019, Officer Lee was recognized with a GFPD Lifesaving Award for the actions he and two other GFPD officers took, saving the life of a suicidal female. Our department is dedicated to lending continued support to Officer Lee and his family, as they move forward. We are proud to serve the Great Falls community and are grateful for the continued support for the Department and Officer Lee. The incident remains under investigation by the Montana Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Details of the event will only be released with the authorization of DCI. On March 13, 2023, DCI authorized this release of the name of the officer shot during the incident. We do not allow links to fundraising efforts on this page, unfortunately any such links posted in the comments will be deleted. UPDATE, MARCH 8 AT 3:36 PM: Great Falls Chief of Police Jeff Newton shared more information on Tuesdays officer-involved shooting. The incident started around 3:50 pm when an officer tried to pull over a vehicle for a routine traffic violation. According to Newton, the driver of the car did not stop, and the officer chose not to pursue. Shortly after, a second officer saw the car on the 1400 block of 6th Ave. S, and one suspect abandoned the car, fleeing on foot. The suspect was located near 12th St. and 5th Ave. S, and an officer pursued him on foot. Shortly after the start of the chase, the suspect reportedly turned and fired several rounds at the officer, who was seriously injured. Medical procedures were performed on the injured officer, who was taken by another officer to the hospital in a patrol car. The suspect continued to flee, but was confronted by another officer a block away. Newton reported several shots were fired, and the suspect was shot in the head and taken to the hospital by an ambulance with critical injuries. The suspect has been identified as Jacob Kain Bradley, 37, who is on parole out of Yellowstone County. Charges against Bradley are pending. A second suspect, identified as Nikki Snell, remained on scene and was charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm by convicted person and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. As of the writing of this update, the injured officer has serious, but not life-threatening injuries. The names of the officers involved have not been released. The Montana Department of Justice has been requested to lead the inquiry into the incident. Several crime scenes related to the incident are expected to be released soon. We would also like to thank several law enforcement agencies who responded to assist, including the Cascade County Sheriffs Office, the MT Department of Corrections, Adult Probation and Parole Great Falls office, the United States Marshal Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. In addition, we would like to thank Great Falls Fire Rescue, the Great Falls Emergency Services, and emergency medical personnel at Benefis Health System. Last, but certainly not least, we would like to thank the community for their support during this time, Newton said. UPDATE - 5:20 PM: Great Falls Police have shared additional information about an active investigation in the area of 5th Avenue South. In an update on their Facebook page, GFPD says they attempted a traffic stop of a car, and the driver failed to pull over. The suspects in the car fled the scene on foot. GFPD says officers found the suspects within a couple blocks of the area, and began to chase the suspects on foot. Shortly after the pursuit began, shots were fired. Police say one officer and one suspect were shot. Both were taken to a hospital with serious injuries. There was no indication as to who fired shots that injured either person. Several scenes are being processed in connection to the incident, and will likely be heavily restricted for what they're saying will be an undetermined amount of time: 1100 block 5th Ave S 500 block 12th St S 1200 block 6th Ave S 1400 block 6th Alley S GFPD says they are not looking for anyone else at this time, and thank the public for their patience and support. UPDATE - 4:48 PM: Cascade County Sheriff's are also at the scene and authorities have blocked the alleyway as well as parts of 5th Ave South and 12th St. While school is out for the day this is located by Lady of Lourdes School as well as Longfellow Elementary. Great Falls, MT - This announcement was taken directly from the Great Falls MT Police Department Facebook Page. We are working on getting more information as it becomes available. Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signs Senate Bill 419, which bans TikTok in Montana, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (Handout photo) They heard the pitch and they believed in it. At least two of the Montana residents who have sued the state over its first-of-a-kind ban of the social media app, TikTok, told the Daily Montanan: They believed it when Gov. Greg Gianforte and other state leaders went on a campaign to recruit young couples back to Montana, where the restrictions were few and the opportunities plentiful. Now, theyve said the same state leaders, including Gianforte, himself a multi-millionaire who founded a tech company out of his garage after moving to Bozeman, are putting their livelihoods at risk through the ban, which could force them to relocate in order to pay the bills and feed their families. Thats why they decided to file a first-of-its-kind lawsuit, challenging the states ability to ban the popular app. They filed before social media giant even waged its now-filed lawsuit. Currently, there are two lawsuits that are challenging Senate Bill 419, which bans TikTok from Montana beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, and fines any company who allows the app to be downloaded as much as $10,000 per download. While TikTok filed suit against Montana, claiming that its rights were being violated, and along with it, the constitutional rights of all of its American users, five Montanans also filed a separate suit, saying it was important to stand up for their rights in the place they call home. Its a big deal to have this taken away in such a state with a small population, said Samantha Alario, one of the plaintiffs. Alario lives in Missoula and uses TikTok to market her sustainably-sourced swimwear company, Gemini Mountain Swimwear. She said she and other TikTok users are concerned about data security, but that is a larger issue, much bigger than just one social media app. This is a step into censorship, she said. She said the actions by the Montana Legislature this year seem to be an erosion of rights from healthcare to what state residents can watch online. She explained that TikTok offers things other social media applications do not. For example, Facebook, which is owned by Meta, doesnt allow her to market to new users without advertising. The algorithms, or codes which help select content, are not the same. On TikTok, a wider audience sees her products, which helps build a different community. Alario said that she uses both applications and must to keep her business afloat, but theyre different tools. I sell bikinis. In Montana. We cant even wear them here half the year, Alario said. In Montana, the only other way would be going door to door or word of mouth. This ban is taking away my livelihood. For Carly Ann Goddard, one of the other plaintiffs, the ban is even more profound. She and her husband grew up in the South and wanted to move to the West where they could continue their dream of ranching. She and her husband worked hard to get into the business, him managing a feedlot for a time in Belfry, her working as a waitress. We literally had ramen every night. Thats what we ate because thats what we could afford, she said. She started on TikTok as a way to connect with others who lived in rural areas and wanted to raise a family there. Now, they live on a small acreage in Custer. Even though the small town is in the same county as the largest city in Montana its a world away. She and her husband are raising a family, him working a small cattle operation while she earns income from product reviews and a popular blog about parenting and rural lifestyles. Goddard connected with similar folks scattered throughout the U.S. She talked about different products she used as she was parenting and decorating. The extra money she earns from product reviews means no more ramen, but it also pays for more important things, like a recent trip to the doctor. You wouldnt imagine what this income does, Goddard said. Its a lifeline. We love it here and we want to be here. Alario said her business helps pay the expenses of her household, which includes two young children. This app allows us to enjoy and provide for our families, Alario said. Were not living big luxurious lives. For Goddard, if the TikTok ban stands, she not only loses her connection to nearly 100,000 followers, but also essential family income. We may have to figure out something. But we want more kids, but were waiting to see what happens, she said. Both Alario and Goddard said they share concerns about data, and believe if politicians would have done more outreach, they may have crafted something that protected data better without targeting one company. Alario said even though she wrote letters and reached out to the entire Montana delegation, only one politician responded, Jon Tester. If you are using Amazon or Google or any apps, they are doing the same thing with our data, she said. The data issue needs to be processed better. The Daily Montanan also reached out to Gianforte about his marketing campaigns to recruit residents to Montana as well as his stance on TikTok. It received no response. After she joined the lawsuit with other TikTok users in Montana, Goddard said shes been getting a lot of hate, mostly by people who dont understand that the terms and agreements of other apps are similar to that of TikTok. And shes built a community of followers that extends beyond the states borders a group that she calls supportive and amazing. I do love Montana and I want to stay here, she said. I feel like I am supporting small business and I hope the governor looks at what creators do for the state. They dont realize how I use it to put food on my table for my family. Thats why I am fighting. I wish I could make them understand. Alario said that she is proud of her Montana business and is happy to contribute as a resident of the state, but the laws are making it harder to do that. They want us to come here and now they dont want us to contribute to the State of Montana? Alario said. The post We use it to feed our families: Montanans talk about why theyre challenging TikTok ban appeared first on Daily Montanan. The following is a condensed version of "Taylor Sheridan's Fallen World" by Mark Eckel, published at Law & Liberty. Each 21st century Taylor Sheridan hero fights for ideals in realitys gray landscape. Sicario offers a hard look at the drug trade, questioning whether a man can be a hero when he himself does heinous things. Hell or High Water displays an economic system that punishes the generational poor encouraging anti-hero brothers to steal to balance the financial scales. The Mayor of Kingstown shows the defects of the prison system and explores the volatility of holding a tension between good and evil, where the definitions of those terms are anything but clear. Wind River calls to account those who would forget the marginalized, specifically, missing Native American women for whom no ledger is kept. Sheridan always shows a desire for universal idealswhat he calls transcendent concernsin tension with the hard realities of life. Sicario, for instance, shows Sheridans scriptural worldview, a seemingly black-and-white world, the clarity of good and bad, right, and wrong. As the film opens, Benicio del Toros character first appears to us as a righteous, avenging angel. But given the heinous drug cartel warfare that begins the movie, del Toros Alejandro Gillick must himself be the very essence of evil to battle the evil he faces. Sheridan returns to his oft-used metaphor explaining almost any protagonist in his writing, Im trying to let characters live in the gray, let the hero do some really bad things. I dont think Ive ever met a purely good person. It is the streaming series Yellowstone where America sees its reflection in this struggle. Sheridan expects America to be answerable for her sins, showing the reverberations of consequence over the nations 400 years. At the very same time, Yellowstone shows that no one is without excuse; those once wronged now want to bear the cudgel against those they can dominate. Here is where Sheridan's storylines turn into American history lessons with application for our present day. Sheridan desires sameness that will give this country a sense of community, what America needs. Acknowledging wrongdoing, in Sheridans narrative, begins by conceding, As a nation the problems affecting anyone in that society are a problem affecting everyone in that society, holding in tension the ideal and the real. As viewers come to know John Dutton, patriarch of Yellowstone Ranch, they may conclude he is a moral tyrant. Yet all the characters are deeply flawed. Everyone seeks their view of justice, which is sometimes a simple pretense for power. The Native American leader Thomas Rainwater desires a return to the land of his ancestors, but also fashions his own authoritarian rule within his tribe. Beth Dutton protects the ranch by turning the flame of her childhood sin into a raging inferno, consuming every enemy who dares cross her path. Even Native American Monica Dutton, despite her honorable commitment to remain unsullied from Dutton sin, lives within Yellowstones advantages, using its power to her benefit. Every external foe, from developers to environmentalists to political opponents to business conglomerates, wants what they want, when they want it. They are really no different from the Dutton family whom they so often envy and despise. Living in the tension between ideal and real, the protagonist and antagonist are constantly changing roles. Just ahead of the finale in Hell or High Water, the two marshals chasing the bank-robbing brothers discuss the universal principle of people changing roles. Alberto Parker, a Native American marshal, instructs his European American partner Marcus Hamilton in the way of all flesh. The marshals look across the street at a bank branch from which the brothers are stealing to right the wrongs perpetrated against their family. Parkers soliloquy speaks the principle for all people, all time, all places, and all cultures. A long time ago your people were the Indians, till someone came along and killed them, broke them down, made you into one of them. One hundred and fifty years ago, all this was my ancestors land. Everything you could see. Everything you saw yesterday. Shifting from ethnic to economic injustices, Parker concludes, Till the grandparents of these folks took it. And now its been taken from them. Cept it aint no army doin it. Then pointing at the bank, he says, Its those sons o bitches right there. In Yellowstones opening episode, Sheridan has a Native American grandfather explain what makes all humans the same: Nothing will change until they find a cure for human nature. None of us is unsullied from the ills of society because we are society. There is no nation, and no group that can claim to pontificate on goodness when evil resides in every human heart. All humanity seeks Sheridans transcendent ideals yet Sheridan makes us all look in his mirror. Mark Eckel is president of the Comenius Institute. From 1980 to 1986, the U.S. Army allowed former service members to slip away with unpaid bills totaling $150 million over $415 million in 2023 dollars for things like unpaid bar tabs and reenlistment bonuses they didnt deserve. Sen. William Proxmire, a Democrat from Wisconsin, awarded the Army his Golden Fleece Award for this egregious lack of accountability and oversight. According to Proxmire, not only did the Army lose track of tens of millions of dollars worth of expenses members owed it, but it also refused repayments from former service members that tried to settle their debts. Citing a General Accounting Office report, Proxmire details how one former service member owed $942 to the Army, but returned an unsigned affidavit claiming he had no money, family, or assets and couldnt pay it back. The Army wrote off his debt despite having documentation he had a family, $23,000 a year salary, and a $70,000 house. In another case, a soldier discharged due to drug use was required to pay back his $973 reenlistment bonus for not serving out his full term. The soldier offered to pay back $5 a month until it was paid off, but the Army simply closed his case and wrote off his debt. In another case, the Army offered a $50 per month payment plan to a debtor, who then never made a payment. That debt was also written off, according to Proxmire. Other stories detail similar cases of the Army skirting official policy to discharge large amounts of debt at its discretion. Its official policy was already lax, giving service members that had less than $600 in debt and that didnt respond to their mail and automatic write off. If you owe money to a landlord, a private company, or a bank, you must pay it back, or else theyll send it to collection and force you to pay it back. If you owed money to the Army, however, you got blanket forgiveness courtesy of the taxpayer. The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com Sedimentation is the number one resource concern in all of eastern Ohio. Soil erosion has many effects, both at the site and elsewhere. Loss of soil productivity is the main effect, but sedimentation and increased nutrient load of our waterways and reservoirs are common. The costs of soil erosion are far-reaching, but when intensified by human activity, it can have negative environmental, societal and economic impacts. Soil erosion happens when there is not enough cover on the soil, causing the soil to leave due to rain or wind. Activities like tilling farmland and clearing land of trees leave the soil vulnerable to erosion. The soils that are washed away contain nutrients and sometimes herbicides and pesticides. Once that soil leaves it eventually ends up in our streams, rivers and lakes causing harmful algal blooms. Water quality issues Algal blooms occur when algae grow out of control and can produce toxic or harmful effects to people and wildlife. Oftentimes, these lakes are used to supply fresh drinking water to towns and cities and these algal blooms make the water dangerous for consumption. Im sure everyone has heard about the issues within the City of Toledo and its harmful algal blooms that caused issues with their drinking water. But lets think about a more local example, the Village of Cadiz uses surface water drawn from Tappan Lake, which was created by impounding Little Stillwater Creek. Besides drinking water quality, soil erosion is also the main cause of lakes needing to be dredged, a process that removes nutrient-rich sediments to increase the depth and health of the lake and costs a lot of money. Economic loss Lets take a different look at soil erosion. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, lost farm income is estimated at $100 million per year due to soil erosion in the U.S. If the soil that leaves your farm is rich in nutrients, how much money is leaving your farm? While most erosion is not visible to the naked eye it is happening, but some soil erosion can be so severe that you visibly see it in your farm field, yard or stream bank. The average soil loss rate is 5.8 tons per acre per year. That is 1/32 inches of soil across an acre which amounts to a little more than the thickness of a dime and when you lose soil, youre losing yield, to the tune of about 15 bushels per acre per year. With last years average price per bushel of soybeans that is equal to $210 in earnings lost. But thats not all! According to the soil scientist Francisco Arriaga, of the University of Wisconsin, 1 ton of optimal soil contains 2 pounds of nitrogen, 9 pounds of phosphorus and 31 pounds of potassium. If the average soil loss is 5.8 tons, that value is $77.02 per acre just in lost nutrients, not to mention loss of future productivity. Thats a loss of $287 per year per acre, which amounts to $43,050 per year on a 150-acre farm! Remember, when soils are eroding off your field, thats dollars washing away and it takes many years to replace what is lost in moments. And this example is with average soil erosion. If you till your ground or you find yourself having to disc your gullies back in, you are losing much more than the average soil erosion, both in money and productivity. Food for thought, according to the USDA, it takes 500 years to form one inch of new life-giving soil. One of the easiest ways to protect your soil and keep it from eroding is to cover and protect what is thereand stop tilling it. Examples of covers that could be used to protect the soil include cover crops if used in a crop field, or trees or other vegetation on a stream bank. But you dont have to do this alone. If you are interested in saving the soil on your property or farm and dont know where to start, call Carroll Soil and Water Conservation District. Our staff has the knowledge and tools to help you get started conserving your soil today. Because, as Theodore Roosevelt once said, I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use the natural resources of our land: but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob, by wasteful use, the generations that come after us. Over 50 percent of the food calories eaten daily by the worlds 7.9 billion people come directly from grains. In impoverished nations, that percentage is 60 percent and, in the poorest, it tops 80 percent. The three most important grains, in order of production, are corn, wheat, and rice. All are critical elements in global food security but all are not equal. Corn and wheat each serve both as a foodgrain for people and a feedgrain for animals. Rice, however, is and has been for millennia the worlds most widespread, most critical foodgrain. More than 3.5 billion people get 20 percent or more of their calories from the fluffy grains, reported Science News in Sept. 2021. And both those numbers are increasing in Asia, Latin America and especially Africa. As human pressure on rice ratchets up, humans are also ratcheting up assorted problems growing it, reports the May 20 New York Times. In fact, Rice is in trouble as the earth heats up, threatening the food and livelihood of billions of people. Todays rapid climate change, notes the Times, is creating never-before-seen problems that will require never-before-seen solutions. Sometimes theres not enough rain when the seedlings need water, or too much when the plants need to keep their heads above water, the story explains. As the sea intrudes, salt ruins the crop. As nights warm, yields go down. And its happening now. A study in China found that extreme rainfall reduced rice yields over the past 20 years. India limited rice exports [to ensure] enough to feed its own people. In Pakistan, heat and floods destroyed harvests, while in California drought led many farmers to fallow their fields. The May 2023 Rice Outlook, the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report examining both the U.S. and world rice markets, reversed dire forecasts of last winter. USDA now foresees a spike in U.S. and global rice production this year, mostly due to expanded plantings fueled by earlier, higher price forecasts. Still, U.S. rice imports are projected at a near-record 39.0 million cwt (raw rice is measured in hundredweight, or cwt, by USDA, not bushels) mostly because last years carryover was 31 percent lower. At the same time, U.S. exports of rice will increase 21 percent to 74 million (cwt). The combined domestic and residual use in the coming year is projected at a record 154.0 million cwt, up almost 8 percent from a year earlier. While thats good news for rice-loving Americans, the 2023/24 season-average farm-price for long-grain rice paid to American farmers is projected to drop 11 percent to $15.00 per cwt. The unforeseen production increase here, says USDA, will boost global rice production two percent, to a record 520.5 million tons. But that now-rosier, 2023 forecast cannot mask a years-long decline in global stocks, reckons USDA; world stocks are slated to drop for the third consecutive year. The biggest cause for the growing shortfall is extreme weather, notes the Times. But weather isnt the only problem. The very solutions pushed by Big Ag for 50 yearssuch as high-yielding hybrid seeds and chemical fertilizers are now delivering new, more intractable woes. Today, that very system has created new problems [like] depleted aquifers, driven up fertilizer use, reduced the diversity of rice breeds that are planted, and polluted the air with the smoke of burning rice stubble. In short, the rhythm of sunshine and rain that rice depends on has been upended. Solutions, if found, will take years to implement. Researchers like Dr. Argelia Lorence, an Arkansas State University plant biochemist, tells the Times that rice itself holds the key, the genetic key, to enable rice plants to survive hot nights, one of the most acute hazards of climate change. Maybe. Hopefully. In the meantime, rice is todays singing canary to warn farmers and governments alike that climate change is real and carries real consequences. And not just about how well grow tomorrows food, but who may get to eat what we grow. Farm and Dairy reporter Rachel Wagoner took home top honors in an international writing contest. Wagoner earned first place in the features category of the North American Agricultural Journalists 2023 Writing Awards. Her story, Balancing love, loss and life after a farmers suicide, was selected from among 49 entries. The story, published in September 2022, explores how a family moves forward after the sudden loss of their beloved husband, father, and what can be learned about how to save a life in a farm community. The contest judge wrote in her comments that Wagoner combines aching human experience with solid information on mental health to breach the wall of silence that too often surrounds this timely topic. Rachel Wagoner has created an extraordinary canvas on which to explore the deep aftershocks of one mans death as well as the broader mental health crisis so many others face and fear, the judge said. She brings the man and the woman who survives him to vivid, relatable life, while adding solid advice on recognizing the risks and finding help. The North American Agricultural Journalists is a professional international group of agricultural editors and writers with members in the U.S. and Canada. The writing award winners were recognized during the groups annual meeting April 24 in Washington, D.C. Biosecurity experts Livetec Systems have launched a national outbreak plan (NOP) for farmers and backyard bird keepers. As UK farmers count the cost of the worst season of avian influenza yet, Livetec Systems the industry leader for livestock protection and biosecurity - has launched the NOP to help protect flock health. The NOP is the first step toward more robust farm contingency planning and will help poultry farmers take a more preventative approach to safeguard their flocks and farm workers. As the disease continues to spread at alarming levels amongst commercial, backyard and wild birds, contingency planning has never been more important. Gordon Samet, commercial director at Livetec, said this was the worst season of AI the country had ever faced. He said: "Its only through increasing the standards of contingency planning everywhere, while applying more stringent biosecurity measures that seek to prevent AI, that we can be truly vigilant and mitigate the risks of avian influenza." The NOP is a comprehensive document that simplifies the regulations and legislation set by assurance schemes and the UK government. As suitable for backyard flocks as it is for commercial producers, it gives vital information for all poultry keepers to help them protect their birds and be prepared in case an outbreak of HPAI impacts them. Julian Sparrey, technical director at Livetec, said: The plan is filled with up-to-date information, detailing everything farmers need to know to and the steps they should take if a disease outbreak is confirmed in their area. "It covers everything from licensing issues, to what to do in restriction zones, such as the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) or a Surveillance Zone (SZ), it is also packed with information on avian influenza including the symptoms of the disease and virus survivability of different strains. "Having all the information at hand will save farmers time and allow them to be as robust as possible in their response, taking a firm prevention rather than cure stance. The Livetec National Outbreak Plan includes: A how-to guide for disease declaration Information reporting when zones are implemented Explanation of movement restrictions Movement licensing and their conditions of use Zone definitions and their requirements How to deal with the media Farming related support services and mental health planning A guide on how to change or update your CPH number Updates of the Governments exotic diseases control and AI policy An acronym glossary to quickly define key terms Julian Sparrey, technical director at Livetec, said: Despite being over 18 months into the largest AI outbreak we have known, many poultry keepers are still unaware or confused about the measure the government take. "This booklet explains the response process and disease prevention requirements in simple language, to save you time. It is designed to support you, your birds and your staff. "An outbreak of AI on your farm is distressing to everyone and understanding the process and planning for it reduces the impact on you and your birds. "The NOP from Livetec is designed to enhance preparedness and understanding of the current landscape and how farmers should operate within it. It is available for free to everyone in the UK for a limited time, including poultry farmers and backyard keepers by using code NOP2023. Get your free National Outbreak Plan here. Who are Livetec? Livetec were established in 2010 and is dedicated to shaping the future of biosecurity. Their primary focus lies in providing tailored disease prevention solutions for on-farm operations, assisting farmers in developing proactive strategies to safeguard their livestock and secure their livelihoods. With over a decade of experience, Livetec has collaborated with farmers dealing with a wide array of challenges. Additionally, they have partnered with esteemed academic institutions, as well as commercial and industry organisations, to advance evidence-based research in the field of biosecurity. A new 1m project will research new varieties of peas to reduce the UKs reliance on soya imports while offering new economic opportunities for farmers. The pea protein project is being spearheaded by Aberystwyth University and grass and forage seed specialists, Germinal. In 2022, the UK imported three million tonnes of soya for use in human and animal feeds. Soya is also a crop associated with deforestation in South America, which contributes to the acceleration of climate change. Demand for plant-based proteins is increasing, as soya forms the basis of most plant-based protein options, but they are currently difficult to grow in a UK climate. The aim of this project is to use peas as a home-grown protein source that can replace soya in human foods. Researchers say peas are suited to the UK climate, are environmentally friendly, boost soil health by fixing free nitrogen from the air and even leave some in the ground for the next crop. The project also aims to offer new economic opportunities for farmers to replace soya with a home grown alternative. The project will include testing on farms to ensure that only the varieties that meet market demands and the agronomic requirements of UK farmers will go to market. Germinal Horizon, the companys research division, will collaborate with Aberystwyth University, the John Innes Centre, and PGRO on the project. Dr Catherine Howarth from Aberystwyth University, one of the researchers on the project, said peas had an excellent nutritional profile and were an important part of sustainable rotations in UK agriculture. "They can also help reduce our reliance on imported soya, which will support society in meeting the governments net zero target," she said. "There is a vast array of products that include peas as an ingredient, and we are excited to be part of this project. Paul Billings, managing director of Germinal UK, said finding a sustainable alternative to soya was a priority for the food industry. "Protein crops such as peas are ideal for the UK climate but one of our challenges is their flavour profile in human food. "Pea flavours are undesirable for consumers in processed food, so the goal is to produce peas that are tasteless but retain nutritional value. This exciting breeding programme will use innovative research in pea genetics to develop new varieties without the traditionally associated problems. The programme is part-funded by Defras Farming Innovation Pathway via Innovate UK, which is part of UK Research and Innovation. An Aberdeen Angus breeder has tapped into the generosity of the British beef industry to raise 27,000 to support fellow farmers in war-torn Ukraine. Following his own journey across Europe to deliver a fully loaded pickup earlier in the year, Daniel Whiteford came up with an initiative to create a unique Pedigrees for Peace online sale of top British beef genetics. Donations from around the UK of Angus, Hereford, Limousin and Charolais genetics, gave auctioneer Harrison & Hetherington (H&H) a quality online sale of 51 lots. The lots sold out on 25 May and 26 for a total of almost twice the expected target of 15,000, reaching 27,000. The money will pay for three or four used pick-up trucks and their full complement of supplies, to be delivered to the 24th Lviv Danylo Separate Mechanized Brigade, as part of the Pickups for Peace campaign. Daniel Whiteford, of Borewell Farm in Berwick-upon-Tweed, said he could hardly believe how successful his fundraising venture had been. When I went out to Ukraine last month to donate my own truck, I saw for myself what the Ukrainian people were facing, and what a difference these pickups are making to the 24th Brigade," he said. "Working with Josh we started asking other beef farmers if they would donate lots for an online sale, and the response and generosity was incredible. "So was the response from H&H and Mart Eye, who organized and carried out the sale at no charge, and from the buyers who raised this amazing total of over 27k." Scott Donaldson, managing director of Harrison & Hetherington, added that the initiative was "a wonderful testimony" to the UK farming community. "Daniel secured some top class lots from the leading beef breeds and buyers from the four corners snapped them up for very generous prices to give us a result far beyond our expectations. "Congratulations to Daniel for the idea and the energy to make it happen, and thank you to every single donor and buyer who made this such an unbelievably successful sale in the best possible cause. Pickups for Peace is an initiative aiming to send at least 200 used pickups filled with essential supplies to farmers in Eastern Ukraine. The sheep sector has raised concerns over 'pandemic puppies' following a spike in livestock worrying incidents. The National Sheep Association (NSA) believes an increase in dog ownership, which rose during the pandemic, could be to blame for a spike in sheep attacks. The issue has been of growing concern during recent years, with evidence gathered from sheep farmers showing a particular rise in attacks during the past few years. The NSA said that across the UK, sheep farmers were faced with "the ongoing stress and worry associated with attacks on their livestock". And figures released by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) suggest that half of UK vets have seen a rise in clients with concerns about their dogs' increasingly aggressive behaviour. It is estimated that around 3.2 million households in the UK acquired a dog in the first year of the Covid pandemic. The NSA said 'pandemic puppy' owners were more likely to be first-time dog owners that may be unaware of the risk to livestock from dogs. The body said these dogs were "allowed to run off their lead in the countryside, potentially chasing and attacking sheep." NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker said: NSA survey results from the past few years combined with recently reported figures from industry partners show a concerning increase in the number of cases of sheep worrying by dogs since the pandemic began. With dog ownership increasing so significantly during the covid pandemic and this latest research from BVA suggesting dog aggression is on rise and dog owners do not know what to do about it, it is no surprise were seeing more cases. "Action must be taken, to educate people about the responsibilities of dog owners and to strengthen both the law and law enforcement around protecting livestock. Periods of lockdown may have prevented new dog owners from accessing adequate training and socialisation for their new pets, the NSA said, factors that "are crucial in the development of puppies future behaviour". Concerns over dog behaviour were also highlighted in a People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) survey in 2022. This showed 45% of owners had concerns walking their dogs, with reasons for this including 11% of dogs not returning on recall, 10% concerned about their pets behaviour during walks and 6% stating their dog was too strong for them. Mr Stocker said the sheep sector wanted the public to be responsible and to keep their dogs safe, as well as livestock and farmers' livelihoods. "As dogs are natural predators they will often follow their instincts to chase sheep if given the opportunity. "Chasing and barking as well as a physical attacks can be enough to severely distress sheep with often devastating consequences. But this really does not have to be the case. If dogs are kept on a lead and walked at a distance away from sheep the risk is significantly reduced." A social media campaign looking to improve ATV safety has launched, with farmers and contractors invited to share photos of themselves wearing a helmet. The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) is behind the campaign, which has a particular focus on the importance of wearing a helmet. In the last five years, ATVs were involved in 14 deaths in agriculture - the most significant cause of deaths involving moving vehicles in the industry. NAAC said: "Thats fourteen families destroyed. Many, other serious and life-changing incidents are happening all the time. Yet there is still resistance to wearing a helmet." The body wants to raise the question why anyone would choose to ride, or deliberately send a worker or family member out on a job with a sit-astride ATV, with no helmet. It added: "The aim is to make all operators ask why anyone would put themselves, or their workers, at risk by not wearing a helmet on a sit-astride ATV." It is a legal requirement for farmers and farm workers to wear a helmet when using a quad bike. HSE has confirmed if there is an incident and someone was not wearing a helmet, this will be a key part of the investigation and could result in enforcement, including prosecution. Enforcement action will also be taken if an inspector sees someone working without a helmet on farm.? Wearing a helmet applies to the farmer, self-employed workers, employees and any other person using the farm quad. This includes children or farm visitors. Jill Hewitt, NAAC chief executive said ATV users should "take pride" in wearing a helmet to protect their safety. "None of us are infallible and the NAAC wants the industry to get behind us by sharing photos of themselves wearing a helmet under #wearitandshareit." The dangers of wildfires have been highlighted by landowners after firefighters say they have contained one of the largest ever recorded in the UK. Nearly 3,000 hectares of land has been burned by a wildfire in the Cannich area of the Scottish Highlands. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said they have now brought it under control, since the incident started on Sunday (28 May). Two firefighters responding to the blaze on Tuesday were injured when their ATV collided. They were airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment and have since been released. At the wildfire's height, SFRS mobilised nine appliances, and a helicopter was used to water bomb the area. It follows on from the huge wildfire near Glenuig in April, which was estimated to be the second largest ever recorded in the UK. (Photo: Balintore Fire Station/SFRS) Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), a group which consists of landowners, said wildfires had a "devastating impact on wildlife and habitats, generating catastrophic carbon emissions". The group said they were becoming increasingly frequent in Scotland "partly due to climate change and partly due to a lack of fuel load management in some areas". Ross Ewing, director of moorland at SLE said: This wildfire demonstrates how important it is to utilise all the tools at our disposal to manage the fuel load of vegetation, which has been shown to increase wildfire risk. We urge anyone going out into the countryside to take care and follow guidance in relation to campfire cooking and when the ground is so dry its recommended not to use either a campfire or a camping stove. (Photo: Balintore Fire Station/SFRS) A wildfire warning in place since Friday (26 May) has been extended to 5 June by the SFRS. As the warm and dry weather continues, so too does the risk of wildfire, said SFRS group commander, Niall MacLennan. Advice for public Rural groups have issued guidance and advice to the public to help prevent wildfires: Do not discard cigarettes. Do not start fires or use BBQs as they frequently cause wildfires. Dispose of all litter appropriately. Do not release sky lanterns. Once released, there is no control over where they end up. If anyone finds themselves in a position where they encounter a wildfire that they are unable to bring under control safely, move to a safe location up wind and call the emergency service on 999 immediately, giving an accurate location of the fire. Emmanuel Macron believes that the West may have to negotiate with Vladimir Putin in the Ukraine war. Emmanuel Macron isn't ruling out talks with Vladimir Putin Ukraine's allies are pursuing for Putin to face justice in a war crimes trial but the French president has suggested that Europe cannot rule out talks with the Russian leader and other Kremlin figures if the conflict continues to rage. In a speech at an EU leaders conference in Bratislava, Macron insisted that Russia had lost all legitimacy but did stress that Europe would have to assess the nature of future support for Kyiv if the impending Ukrainian counter-offensive did not meet its objectives. Macron said: "The timing issue and this is where I want to be very transparent and honest with you. The question is if in a few months to come, you have a window for negotiation with the existing Russian political power, the question will be an arbitrage between a trial and a negotiation, I will be very frank with you. "And you will have to negotiate with the leaders you have, de facto, even if the day after you will have to judge them in front of them of the international justice. So this is a question of articulation. Because otherwise you can put yourselves just in an impossible situation where you say: I want you to go to jail, but you are the only one I can negotiate with.'" A Russian politician has sensationally called for Vladimir Putin to be removed from power on state television. A Russian politician has called for Vladimir Putin to be ousted from power The opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin - who has criticised Putin's decision to invade Ukraine - has called for the country to select a different leader in the elections next year. The outspoken Putin critic told the NTV channel: "We need to choose somebody else, and not Putin. Everything will be good then." Britain's Ministry of Defence says it marks the first time anyone on state TV has called for the tyrant to be ousted since the war in Ukraine started in February 2022. Nadezhdin warned that there is "no way" that Russia will be accepted back into Europe as long as Putin rules the country. He said: "We simply have to choose different authorities to govern the country that would stop this story with Ukraine." Nadezhdin argues that having a different government in power would enable Russia to "build relations" with other European nations and "everything will come back into place". The show's anchor, Putin propagandist Ivan Trushkin, appeared to be shocked by the politician's rant against the despot. In a frantic attempt to interrupt his guest, he said: "I wasn't expecting you to say all of this word for word." Bruce Willis daughter sensed something was wrong with her dementia-stricken dad for a long time before he was diagnosed with a rare form of the condition. Bruce Willis daughter sensed something was wrong with her dementia-stricken dad for a long time before he was diagnosed with a rare form of the condition Tallulah Willis, 29, who father-of-five Die Hard actor Bruce, 68, had with his ex-wife Demi Moore, 60, spoke about noticing the early signs he was sick before his family publicly announced his illness in March 2022 as part of a long essay she wrote for Vogue magazine. She said: Ive known that something was wrong for a long time. It started out with a kind of vague unresponsiveness, which the family chalked up to Hollywood hearing loss: Speak up! Die Hard messed with Dads ears. Later that unresponsiveness broadened, and I sometimes took it personally. Tallulah added she felt like her dad had lost interest in her when he had his two daughters, Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, eight, with his second wife, Emma Heming Willis, 44, and was struggling with an eating disorder as his condition worsened. She said about her fear he was focusing too much on his new family: Though this couldnt have been further from the truth, my adolescent brain tortured itself with some faulty maths: Im not beautiful enough for my mother, Im not interesting enough for my fatherI admit that I have met Bruces decline in recent years with a share of avoidance and denial that Im not proud of. The truth is that I was too sick myself to handle it. For the last four years, I have suffered from anorexia nervosa, which Ive been reluctant to talk about because, after getting sober at age 20, restricting food has felt like the last vice that I got to hold on to by the spring of 2022, I weighed about 84 pounds. I was always freezing. I was calling mobile IV teams to come to my house, and I couldnt walk in my Los Angeles neighbourhood because I was afraid of not having a place to sit down and catch my breath. She insisted she can now bring an energy thats bright and sunny to Bruce and can savour time with him. Tallulah added: I know that trials are looming, that this is the beginning of grief, but that whole thing about loving yourself before you can love somebody else its real. Bruces family announced he had frontotemporal dementia, known as FTD, in a statement signed by Emma Heming Willis, Demi Moore, and his five daughters, who also include Rumer, 34, and Scout, 31. It said: Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis. Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruces condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research. Jason Oppenheim has split from Marie-Lou Nurk. Jason Oppenheim has announced his split from Marie Lou Nurk The 46-year-old reality star has taken to social media to announce that he's split from Marie-Lou after ten months together. Jason - who is the president and founder of The Oppenheim Group, a real estate brokerage in Los Angeles - wrote on Instagram Story: "While we still love and care about each other very much the distance between us has proven to be too great a challenge to overcome." Jason also insisted that they will remain friends. The 'Selling Sunset' star said: "We remain close friends and continue to talk often and support each other and we want the very best for one another. We thank everyone for their support throughout our relationship." Marie-Lou recently confessed that she's found it tough to maintain a long-distance relationship. The 25-year-old model - who splits her time between Los Angeles and Paris - said on Instagram: "The truth is, we both knew from the beginning that I would have to move back because of my job, friends, and family being here. "Long distance relationships can be tough, but we're both committed to making it work. We make sure to communicate regularly and make time for each other despite the distance." Prior to that, Jason suggested that he was open to the idea of marrying Marie-Lou. The reality star explained that he was actually more open to tying the knot than becoming a dad. He told PEOPLE: "I'm more open to being a husband than I am a father right now. I like the idea that there's no pressure, or a thought about having to have a child with Lou. So it just makes it easy for us." Sydney Sweeney has experienced a series of "pinch-me" moments over the last five years. Sydney Sweeney has likened her success to a dream The 25-year-old actress has enjoyed huge success in recent years, starring in shows such as 'Euphoria' and 'The White Lotus', and Sydney has likened the experience to a "long dream". Speaking about her 'Euphoria' experience, Sydney told the Irish Times newspaper: "It did change my life for sure. And 'White Lotus' was like a double whammy. "When people come up to me, they might say they know me from 'White Lotus' or they might say they know me from 'Euphoria'. Sometimes its 'The Handmaids Tale'. Its all over the place. But I find fan interactions are supersweet. "Its great to get these reactions and meet all these amazing people. I feel like the last five years have been a long dream. I keep having pinch-me moments." Sydney credits her success to her work ethic, revealing that she's fully committed to all of her projects. She said: "I love doing homework. Its no matter if Im on a role or a project for a day or if Im on it for five months. I will put the same exact amount of work and ethic and effort behind what I do." Meanwhile, Sydney recently revealed that she feels "excited" to shoot season three of 'Euphoria'. The actress stars as Cassie Howard in the HBO teen drama, and Sydney can't wait to reprise the role for season three of the show. Sydney told Variety: "I just hope that I get to continue to challenge myself as an actor and get to go to crazy places through her, because shes such a crazy, dramatically heightened character and its fun to play her. "Whatever Sam [Levinson, the show's writer] decides he wants to do with her, I fully entrust in Sams vision. Im excited." Tina Turner is said to have died unafraid of death. Tina Turner died unafraid of death The late Private Dancer designers long-time friend Stephen Sills said he spoke with the music icon, who died of natural causes on 24 May at her Swiss estate, just before she died and added she was ready for whatever lay ahead after years of battling health issues. He told People: She told me two years ago, she said, Stephen, Im ready to go anytime. Im not scared of death. Ive had a wonderful last part of life. Ive enjoyed it, but I'm tired. Tina had finally found love in 2013 with her husband Erwin Bach, a former music executive she married after 27 years together and following her marriage to abusive Ike Turner. A source told People: In her final years, she was happy and secure in her relationship. She had found true love and was able to live without fear. She had a group of friends in Switzerland, and truly loved the people she was around. Stephen helped the star decorate her home in the South of France and said Tina struggled with dialysis after receiving a kidney from Erwin in 2017, but remained optimistic. He added about a recent phone conversation with Tinas housekeeper about three weeks ago, as he had plans to visit the star at her home in Switzerland this spring: I said, How's she doing? He said, Shes happy and shes comfortable. Everythings good. She was such an amazing friend and she had such a force of creativity. The Tina Turner persona of performing, that was a made-up person. We used to talk about it, and she created that and it was a beautiful image. But she was absolutely positive and energetic and interested and curious. She was just an amazing person. The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has granted registration certificates to three new investment projects that necessitate a combined capital of $15.4 million. The projects, which are anticipated to generate over 3,000 jobs, will be implemented by Bolito Garment Co, Ltd, Xin Li An Shoes Co, Ltd, and New HM Knitting Clothing (Cambodia) Co, Ltd. The CDC announced that Bolito Garment plans to establish a garment tailoring factory in Kandal Province, committing an investment of approximately $3.6 million. The venture is set to create 1,003 jobs, according to the CDCs statement on its Facebook page. The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has approved investment projects with a total capital of $15.4 million by Bolito Garment, Xin Li An Shoes, and New HM Knitting Clothing. The new projects will be focusing on clothes and shoe accessories manufacturing. More than 3,000 jobs for Cambodians are expected to be created as a result. The second investment project comes from Xin Li An Shoes, intending to set up a shoe accessories factory in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. With an investment of around $4.1 million, the project will generate around seven jobs. Lastly, New HM Knitting Clothing (Cambodia) is set to launch a garment tailoring factory in Kampong Speu Province. This project, involving an investment of about $4.1 million, is expected to create 1,211 jobs. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB) Vietnams ministry of transport recently unveiled a plan to develop logistics infrastructure until 2030 in the southeast region. The plan, with a vision till 2045, covers Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh. A national- and international-level logistics system will be set up in association with current seaports, airports, international border gates, key economic corridors and inter-regional trading routes. The ministry will cooperate with related localities to create an air logistics centre linked to Long Thanh International Airport as well as a port logistics system in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and HCMC, especially at deep-water seaport in Cai Mep-Thi Vai area, according to a report in a Vietnamese media outlet. Vietnam's transport ministry has devised a plan to develop logistics infrastructure until 2030 in the southeast region. With a vision till 2045, the plan covers Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh. An appropriate legal corridor for the management of the logistics market will be first prepared. The ministry will initially prepare documents necessary to create an appropriate legal corridor for the management of the logistics market to cultivate coherence and harmony among different transport modes, multi-mode transportation and logistics services. Next, it will study feasible support measures to improve the operational performance of transport trading floors while encouraging transport businesses to implement advanced technology in monitoring their own vehicles and actively participating in road freight trading floors to optimise current routes and minimise movement of empty vehicles. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Hrithik Roshan news: For Vikram Vedha, Hrithik Roshan didn't just play Vedha but became Vedha embracing the character's eccentricities and flaws - The massive effort and prep paid off as Hrithik took home the IIFA Award for 'Best Actor - Male'. As the audience, critics and fellow-industry mates echo how deserving Hrithik Roshan's IIFA Best Actor win was, we take a look at the performances over the years that bagged the superstar multiple 'Best Actor' awards - Kaho Na Pyaar Hai - Hrithik in his debut film pushed the boundaries by attempting a dual role. Essaying the characters of Raj and Rohit, the superstar made a splash with his very first film that made him an overnight sensation. For his portrayal, Hrithik became the first actor to win both the 'Best Debut - Male' and 'Best Actor' award. Koi Mil Gaya - A performance that was listed amongst Filmfare's Top 80 Performances of Bollywood, Hrithik Roshan's portrayal of Rohit, a developmentally disabled young man, won him awards for 'Best Actor' and 'Best Actor (Critics)'. Critics unanimously praised the superstar's performance calling Hrithik 'the turbojet that propels the film to the realm of the extraordinary'. Krrish - Becoming Bollywood's first and most loved superhero, Hrithik Roshan stepped into the shoes of Krrish. Blood, sweat and tears went into the role as Hrithik travelled to China to train with Tony Ching for the cable work that would be needed to make his character fly. Among the several injuries he sustained during production, Hrithik tore the hamstring in his right leg and broke his thumb and toe. Dhoom 2 - For his role as an enigmatic master thief in Dhoom 2, Hrithik won an Award for Best Actor. Bored by playing the "good guy", HR was excited to play an anti-hero who lacks heroic attributes, for the first time. For the role, Hrithik underwent intense prep including learning skateboarding, snowboarding, rollerblading and sand surfing. Jodhaa Akbar - Director Ashutosh Gowariker believed Hrithik Roshan possessed the regal bearing and physique required to play the role of a king. For the role, he learned sword-fighting and horse-riding, and also took Urdu lessons. The superstar slipped into the character and stayed there and his performance earned him another Best Actor Award. Guzaarish - Essaying the role of a former magician suffering from quadriplegia, who after years of struggle, files an appeal for euthanasia, Hrithik Roshan won over audiences and the critics with his nuanced and heart-touching performance in Guzaarish. He received the Best Actor (Critics) and several nominations for his performance. Agneepath - With Agneepath, Hrithik proved that when it comes to reimaging iconic roles no one does it better than him. The Kaabil star mentioned in an interview that Agneepath was "the hardest [project] he ever worked on in his life", citing the exhaustion he felt while shooting the flick. Breathing fire and soul into the role, that some critics mentioned was even better than the original, Ageenpath won Hrithik an Award for Best Actor in a Drama. Super 30 - Hrithik Roshan won the 'Best Actor' award for his performance in Super 30. Playing the role of Anand Kumar, mathematics teacher and educator who established an educational program, Hrithik Roshan was heavily praised for his performance and his ability to get under the skin of the character - so much so that even Anand Kumar said no one could essay the role better than Hrithik. Vivek Agnihotri Cannes: Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri is known for his unfiltered views and controversial tweets, taking a dig at Bollywood celebs and everything related to them. He once again initiated a debate when he tweeted about fashion taking over films at the Cannes Film Festival. The filmmaker reminded people that the recently concluded 76th Cannes Film Festival is about films and is not about "showcasing films and it's not a fashion show". And now, Vivek has elaborated on his views, lashing out at Bollywood for remaining silent over fashion usurping films at Cannes. VIVEK AGNIHOTRI LASHES OUT AT BOLLYWOOD FOR REMAINING SILENT ON FASHION TAKING OVER FILMS AT CANNES Elaborating on his opinion, Vivek Agnhotri said that fashion has replaced films. Speaking to the Hindustan Times in an interview, Vivek Agnihotri bashed Bollywood actors for not voicing their opposition to fashion taking over films at the Cannes Film Festival and said, "They are busy doing brand promotions, and that's why they have to keep quiet." 'Death Of Cannes: Vivek Agnihotri Shares Disappointment With Films Replaced With Fashion At Film Festival He added, "It's like if you dance at somebody's wedding and take money for it, you can't criticize the food at the wedding. They have no spine left. Also, Bollywood actors have become social media influencers, so they are not acting anymore. For them, life is cool." Further, taking a sly jibe at the presence of several social media influencers on the red carpet, he stated, "And they even got a lot of limelight. I don't understand what do these influencers have got to do with feature films? It was very unfair for audiences in general because this is a dumbing down process." "You are corrupting (the festival). Nobody cares about the central theme of the festival. Nobody knows which film was being screened or which won in what category. I am not commenting on anyone's competence or capability, but most actors who attended Cannes from India had none of their films being there, and some didn't even have a release in many years," he added. Cannes Is Not A Fashion Show: Vivek Agnihotri Passes Snide Remark At Celebs Attending Festival's Red Carpet Professionally, Vivek Agnihotri is known for films such as The Kashmir Files, Buddha in Traffic Jam, Hate Story, and others. His most recent movie, The Kashmir Files, established him as one of the leading directors in the industry. Next, Vivek's projects include The Vaccine War and The Delhi Files. Sunny Hinduja, the versatile actor known for his roles in popular web shows like "Aspirants" and "The Family Man," was mobbed by an enthusiastic crowd while shooting for his new project in Allahabad. Surrounded by fans chanting his name, Sunny graciously posed for selfies and signed autographs, deeply touched by the overwhelming support, from his fanbase. The frenzy began as news of Sunny's presence spread, attracting a massive gathering of fans eager to catch a glimpse of the beloved actor. Despite his fame in urban areas, it was the Sunny, renowned for his humility and warmth, greeted the crowd with a smile, expressing his gratitude for their unwavering support. As he continues his shoot in Allahabad, Sunny remains grateful for the affection and looks forward to captivating audiences once again in his upcoming projects. His upcoming projects include second season of the popular show 'Aspirants', YRF's 'The Railway Men' along with other exciting unannounced projects. Actress Abhirami Reveals Personal Experience Of Colorism: Abhirami, a renowned actress among Malayalis, has made a mark in the film industries of Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu with her stellar performances. After a period of relative absence, Abhirami is making a comeback and recently shared a troubling experience she had to endure. In an interview with Movie World Media, Abhirami candidly discussed facing discrimination based on her skin colour. Known for expressing her opinions and taking a stand, Abhirami is also active on social media, where she addresses various issues. Navya Nair Opens Up About A Post-Marriage Folly: Once Seen As Romantic, Now Regarded As A Misstep According to Abhirami, the discrimination she faced was not within the film industry itself but rather during her time living abroad. The most distressing experience occurred due to her dark complexion. The actor mentioned severing ties with the person responsible for the incident. "I have faced rejection due to my colour. On the Indian spectrum, I may appear slightly fairer, but during my seventeen years in America, I was considered dark-skinned. I have had many negative experiences because of it," revealed Abhirami. However, she also emphasised that she hadn't experienced discrimination based on skin colour in India, though she acknowledged experiencing other forms of discrimination in India. Abhirami went on to share her personal encounter in America, clarifying that it was a one-on-one interaction. Recognising the person's biassed mindset, she decided to distance herself from them. The actor firmly stated that she terminated the relationship upon realising the individual's true nature. Furthermore, Abhirami clarified that she did not encounter any such negativity within the film industry. Misogyny Prevalent In The Films Previously, Abhirami had openly discussed the misogyny prevalent in the films she had acted in, and this topic also arose during the interview. She emphasised the importance of evolving perspectives over time. Films from the past reflected the prevailing mindset of that era, and it wasn't limited to a single movie but rather a prevailing trend. However, she noted that society and perspectives have changed significantly since then. "Now we are more aware and engage in discussions. I have realised that my past actions were wrong. It wasn't about any particular individual; it was about acknowledging the mindset of that era. I am glad that such perspectives are not prevalent today," expressed Abhirami. Actress Geetha Addresses RUMOURS: Dispels Misinformation And Reveals The TRUTH When watching movies that perpetuate body shaming and other incorrect notions, Abhirami strongly believes that such films should never have been made. She further added that if she disagrees with certain dialogues, she speaks up. Being a respected and courageous industry veteran, Abhirami is unafraid to voice her opinions. She also acknowledged positive changes implemented in many films based on her feedback. The issue lies in glorifying wrongdoing. While negative characters may exhibit such traits, applause should not be sought through the glorification of villainous behaviour. Abhirami stressed that this sentiment applies not only to Malayalam cinema but also to other languages. Venkatesh About His Role In Rana Naidu Photo Credit: Gallery Rana Naidu is one of the web series which stirred up quite some controversy and received backlash for its content from the Telugu audience. Although the OTT platforms have erased all borders for viewers all over the world, who are now used to watching anything on the show, if it is successful, Rana Naidu hit otherwise. The main reason for the amount of criticism Rana Naidu drew was Venkatesh. The veteran star, who has no haters and is absolutely loved by his audience in the two Telugu states, shocked everybody with his experimentation in his debut web series. Rana Naidu showcased Venkatesh in a different and rather new light, which didn't go down well with the people who love him. Venkatesh mouthing vulgar dialogues and foul language, coupled with his hand gestures and body language for portraying the role of Naga Naidu, was heavily trolled. Venkatesh gave his all and was genuinely expressive as his role demanded but his characterization was what didn't impress his fans. Venkatesh On Rana Naidu's Sequel Venkatesh, who was interacting with the media about Abhiram Daggubati's debut film Ahimsa by director Teja, was questioned about his take on Rana Naidu issues. Venkatesh reportedly said, "Despite all the criticizm and backlash, the series has been getting raving reviews and good response from the viewers. It is irrespective to think about what has happened, and we should only look forward. It is true that a couple of scenes in the first part showed an impact but the second season will definitely impress all. I can assure this much," added the Saindhav star. Ahimsa The movie which is going to hit the screens on June 2 marks the acting debut of Abhiram Daggubati, Rana's younger brother. The movie stars Geethika Tiwary, Bindu Chandramouli, Kalpalatha, Sadhaa, Rajat Bedi, and Kamal Kamaraju among others in key roles. The movie was made under the banner of Anandi Art Creations, produced by P Kiran and P Kumar. Teja's close aid and friend, RP Patnaik, who composed many successful music albums with Teja has united with Teja for Ahimsa. Mohanlal In SSMB 29? Photo Credit: Gallery The Oscar-Award-winning Naatu Nattu from RRR is the brainchild of epic filmmaker SS Rajamouli. The director, who is settling down from the RRR buzz and is now working on his next with Mahesh Babu for SSMB 29, hit the headlines again. SS Rajamouli is reportedly looking for a versatile actor from South Industries to play an important role in the film, which is not only crucial but has an impact on the story's narration. Mohanlal In SSMB 29? According to the available information, Rajamouli is in talks with the team of Mohanlal, and the actor, for an important role in SSMB 29. Looks like the director had already narrated the basic point of the story and the veteran was keen on considering the offer. However, by the end of June, the actor might respond to the offer, as per the sources. SSMB 29 The movie carries heavy expectations as the Oscar Award-winning director SS Rajamouli has been joining forces with Mahesh Babu, for the very first time. In addition to this terrific combination, the movie is said to be a globe-trotting drama, along the lines of Indiana Jones. Fans of such adventure films are kicked about the same. However, the movie will only hit the screens in another 3 years. The movie will be made on a budget that is over Rs 500 Crore and could even touch Rs 1000 Crore. As suggested, this adventure drama requires the team to plan their shooting schedules in several places all over the world. According to an inside birdie, the movie will largely depend on CGI, VFX, and AI, to bring down the costs, stress, and the number of shooting days and to maximize the use of tech for the best output. Meanwhile, the writer of the film, Vijayendra Prasad, has hinted that the movie's story and screenplay are under process and it would be suitable to be made in several parts with sequels. SS Rajamouli earlier said, "SSMB 29 could be a trilogy but it is not clear if Mahesh Babu will play the lead in all three parts. My next with Mahesh Babu is a globetrotting actioner. It will be like James Bond or Indiana Jones film with Indian roots." SSMB 29 Crew As usual, the film's entire music and background score will be composed by the Oscar-Award-winning composer MM Keeravani. SS Rajamouli's staple cameraman KK Senthil Kumar will be cranking the camera. Highlights Solis signs binding agreement effective May 29, 2023 to acquire the "Jaguar" project in Bahia state, north-east Brazil Jaguar pegmatite has confirmed Spodumene grades in oxidised pegmatite up to 4.95% Li 2 O from rock chip samples Extensive pegmatite body mapped over 1km of strike, with widths in excess of 50m with coarse visible Spodumene exposed across pegmatite body Solis' largest shareholder, Latin Resources, to provide exploration guidance and country experience The Jaguar pegmatite is located proximal to a large granitic source, and its geological setting is consistent with other hard rock lithium provinces in Brazil Jaguar project is located on a granted mining lease with permits in place to commence drilling. Solis has secured a drill rig and plans to initiate drilling in June Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 31, 2023) - Solis Minerals Ltd. (ASX: SLM) (TSXV: SLMN) (OTCQB: SLMFF) (FSE: 08W) ("Solis Minerals" or "the Company") is pleased to provide shareholders with an update on its entry into a binding option agreement to purchase the "Jaguar" hard rock Lithium project in Bahia State Brazil. Executive Director Matthew Boyes quoted: "Brazil is fast becoming a significant player in the hard rock Lithium space. Solis's primary objective is to quickly position itself by acquiring highly prospective underexplored projects in the northeast of Brazil. The Jaguar pegmatite hosts confirm LCT-bearing pegmatites with some of the coarsest and most abundant Spodumene occurrences I have seen. These tenements in what may be a new Lithium province are a fantastic addition to our already large tenement position in the northeast of Brazil, and with drilling to commence immediately, I am excited by this opportunity to better understand the potential of this very exciting system." Sampling and Li2O grade confirmation A series of surface samples were collected from the exposed portion of the Jaguar pegmatite within an artisanal open pit or "Garimpo" located at the Jaguar project (see Table 1 and Figures 1 & 2). Samples were taken from the Spodumene-rich pegmatite quartz core primarily to confirm the grade of the visible Spodumene mineralisation. All samples were assayed at SGS GEOSOL Laboratories Ltda Brazil (see Appendix 2 for additional information on the quality of assay data and laboratory tests). A field campaign will commence in the coming weeks to complete systematic geochemical sampling of all the known outcrops plus mapping and target generation for follow-up drill programmes; Solis has secured a drill rig and plans to commence drilling in June. Sample ANM Easting Northing R.L. Litho1 Lab_Number K ppm Rb Li2O% RSA0401 871427/2006 361024 8883732 690 Spodumene GQ2304332 16656 368 2.84 RSA0402 871427/2006 361031 8883730 690 Spodumene GQ2304332 6826 162 4.29 RSA0403 871427/2006 361016 8883731 691 Lepidolite GQ2304332 51301 2284 0.11 RSA0404 871427/2006 361017 8883727 690 Spodumene GQ2304332 9113 238 4.95 RSA0405 871427/2006 361024 8883706 692 Spodumene GQ2304332 5876 222 0.43 Table 1: Results of grab samples taken from the Jaguar artisanal working. *Samples were selectively taken from outcropping Spodumene crystals strictly to confirm Lithium contents within weathered minerals, samples are not to be considered representative on the entire exposed width of the exposed pegmatite body within the workings Project Location The tenements 871427/2006 and 873426/2021 are located in the province of Bahia in northeast Brazil. The tenements cover a combined area of 1,143Ha with mineral extraction rights granted for the extraction of dimension on the northernmost tenement. The Jaguar project is located 86km from Petrolina and Juazeiro, two major regional cities on the San Francisco River, which forms the border between Pernambuco and Bahia states. Road access is via a paved highway and 4km of unsealed track to the project. Hydro-generated power is distributed along the main highway and located within 4.5km of the northern 871427 tenement. Land use is restricted to goat pasture and vegetation and is typical of a semi-arid tropical environment. Figure 1: Artisanal workings with exposed pegmatite and Spodumene mineralisation visible, Geologist standing in front of face for scale * Samples RSA0401,402,403,404 were collected from positions along exposed face To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/168274_solisfigure1.jpg Figure 2: Large white weathered spodumene crystals within Jaguar artisanal workings-G Pick for scale To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/168274_solisfigure2.jpg Figure 3: Location map showing infrastructure and tenements acquired at the Jaguar project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/168274_solisfigure3.jpg Figure 4: Tenement map with satellite image and mapped pegmatite body with proposed drill hole locations To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/168274_solisfigure4.jpg Terms of Agreement As consideration for the acquisition of 100% of the tenements 871427/2006 and 872376/2021 from Marico Mineracao ltda and Igramar Industria de Ganitos e Marmores Ltda ("Vendors"), Onca Mineracao Ltda a 100% owned subsidiary of Solis has agreed to; pay the Vendors an upfront option fee of USD$300,000 ("Option Fee") which will grant Solis (via Onca) a 90-day period to conduct due diligence on the Jaguar project ("Due Diligence Period"); Pay to the Vendors, prior to the expiry of the Due Diligence Period and at the election of Onca, a fee of USD$700,000 in order to exercise the option and acquire a 100% interest in the Jaguar project ("Option Exercise Fee"); and within 12 months from payment of the Option Exercise Fee, pay USD$2,900,000 ("Deferred Consideration"); and simultaneously with payment of the Option Exercise Fee and subject to the exercise of the option, utilising Solis's Listing Rule 7.1 placement capacity, issue to the Vendor (or its nominees) 3,000,000 performance rights ("Performance Rights") which convert on a one-for-one basis into fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of SLM ("Shares") upon delineation of an inferred (or greater) mineral resource of 10Mt at 1.0% Li2O or greater within 24 months from the issue of the Performance Rights. About Solis Minerals Ltd. Solis Minerals is a Latin American battery mineral-focused mining exploration company. The Company recently acquired a 100% interest in the Borborema Lithium Project in NE Brazil, covering 24,800 ha, and holds a 100% interest in 32,400 ha of combined licences and applications of highly prospective IOCG (iron oxide copper/gold) and porphyry copper projects in southwestern Peru within the country's prolific coastal copper belt - a source of nearly half of Peru's copper production. This Announcement has been authorised for release to the TSX-V by the Board of Solis Minerals. For further information, please contact: Australia Matt Boyes Chief Executive Officer Solis Minerals Limited +61 8 6117 4798 Stephen Moloney Investor Relations Corporate Storytime +61 (0) 403 222 052 North America Jason Cubitt Non-Executive Director Solis Minerals Limited +01 (604) 209 1658 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. The transaction is subject to review and approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. Securities of the issuer will remain halted until relevant documentation is received and reviewed by the TSX Venture Exchange. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that relate to future events or performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected, including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. Qualified Person Statement The technical information in this news release was reviewed by Fred Tejada, P.Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). Mr. Tejada is an arm's length consultant to the Company. Competent Person Statement The information in this ASX release concerning Geological Information and Exploration Results is based on and fairly represents information compiled by Mr Anthony Greenaway, a Competent Person who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Greenaway is an employee of Solis Minerals Ltd. and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the exploration activities undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr Greenaway consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. Mr Greenaway has provided his prior written consent regarding the form and context in which the Geological Information and Exploration Results and supporting information are presented in this Announcement. All information about exploration results that were previously released to the market is appropriately referenced in this document. APPENDIX 1 Borborema and Jaguar Project licence areas Licences - acquired by Onca Mineracao Ltd (100% owned subsidiary of Solis Minerals Ltd). Number License Number Registered Owner Status Ha 1 846.232/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 675 2 846.233/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 172 3 846.234/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 460 4 848.411/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 1,666 5 848.412/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Option for a license area due to interference 1,563 6 848.413/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 714 7 848.414/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 1,488 8 848.415/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Ongoing 3-year exploration license 1,839 9 848.416/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 614 10 848.417/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 710 11 848.418/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 381 12 848.419/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 1,275 13 848.420/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 70 14 848.423/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 1,572 15 848.424/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 1,689 16 848.425/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Ongoing 3-year exploration license 1,918 17 848.426/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 1,662 18 848.427/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 798 19 848.428/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Ongoing 3-year exploration license 1,667 20 848.429/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 664 21 848.430/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 1,688 22 848.431/2022 Onca Mineracao Ltda. Waiting for publication 1,525 23 871427/2006 Mineracao Marico Ltda. Preliminary mining license granted. 294 24 872376/2021 Igramar Industria de Granitos e Marmores Ltda. Ongoing 3-year exploration license 849 Total 25,953 Table 1: Licence areas acquired with total ground accumulated licence areas from Borborema and Bahia provinces Brazil APPENDIX 2 Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Sampling was predominantly cut channels and rock chips. Sampling was focused on confirmation of mineralisation of Lithium from selected mineral species in the case of Jaguar "Weathered Spodumene". Samples are not to considered representative of exposed widths of the pegmatite body, samples were not collected over standard widths or perpendicular to orebody orientations. Samples size ranged between 1.5-3kg and industry standard an acceptable weight to ascertain a representative sample for preparation and assay. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face- sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). N/A - No drilling has been undertaken. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. N/A - No drilling has been undertaken. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Solis Minerals geologists logged all sample noting mineralogy, lithology, alteration and weathering sate of samples obtained. Logging is both quantitative and qualitative in nature. All samples including any submitted CRM material are individually photographed before submission. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Samples were taken to check the grades of exposed spodumene mineralisation, no systematic sampling across known exposed pegmatites was completed, samples were rock chips only and no systematic channel sampling completed to date. Duplicate samples were taken and stored for future reference. Samples are considered to be representative of exposed Spodumene crystals within Jaguar open pit and of appropriate size with respect to sampled material. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. All samples were assayed at SGS GEOSOL Laboratories Ltda Brazil. Analysis procedures are considered to be appropriate for Lithium and multielement analysis. Rock chips and grab samples are assayed via ICM90A (fusion by sodium peroxide and finish with ICP-MS/ICP-OES) for a 56-element suite at the SGS Geosol Laboratorios located at Vespasiano/Minas Gerais, Brazil. If lithium results are above 15,000ppm, the Lab analyze the pulp samples just for lithium through ICP90Q (fusion by sodium peroxide and finish with ICP/OES). Solis inserted industry standard OREAS CRM for analysis, standards utilised were OREAS 750 and OREAS 22h, reported values are within 1SD of CRM certified values. Verification of Sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. All Solis Minerals data is verified by the Competent person. All data is stored in an electronic Access Database. Assay data and results is reported, unadjusted. Li2O results used in the market are converted from Li results multiplying it by the industry factor 2.153. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Specification of the grid system used. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Data is shown using the UTM SIRGAS 2000 zone 23 South grid system. All samples were captured using a handheld GPS. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Whether sample compositing has been applied. No set sample spacing or pattern has been applied die to the preliminary nature of the sampling programme. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. N/A - No drilling has been undertaken. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. N/A - No drilling has been undertaken. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. There have been no detailed external audits or reviews undertaken. Solis Minerals has conducted an internal technical review of the available geological and other publicly available data. Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section) Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. The Jaguar Project area consists of 2 exploration licences held in the name of Marica Mineracao Ltda, and Ingramar Ltda. Onca Mineracao has signed a binding option agreement sheet with both companies giving Onca the right to purchase 100% of both licences "see section terms of agreement" in release. Exploration Licences: 871427/2006, 872376/2021 . . Licences are in good standing and have no known environmental or liabilities of any kind. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. N/A - the Company is not aware of any previous exploration being undertaken within the tenements. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. Prospective potential host units for the mineralised pegmatites are similar to the suite hosting the Colina-Salinas pegmatites held by Latin Resources Limited (ASX:LRS) in the state of Minas Gerais. They consist predominantly of metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks (schist, gneiss and quartzites) located close to the large Granitoids from the G3 suite with batholiths, stocks and dykes represented. Pegmatites are located within 0-5km of the granite contacts. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole hole length If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. N/A no new drilling data is included in this report. Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. N/A no new drilling data is included in this report. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g. 'down hole length, true width not known'). N/A no new drilling data is included in this report. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. The Company has included various maps and figures showing the sample results and geological context. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced avoiding misleading reporting of Exploration Results. N/A no new results are included in this report. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. N/A no new results are included in this report. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Solis Minerals will undertake extensive validation field confirmation and sampling of the regional geological setting including all known outcropping pegmatites. Solis has signed a diamond drill contract for 2500m of HQ diameter drill core to be performed on existing targets and below the known outcropping mineralisation at the Jaguar project. It is premature to provide diagrams of possible extensions. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168274 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 31, 2023 / Joint actors of JW Asset Management, LLC ("JW"), an adviser to several funds (the "Acquiror"), have acquired 411,208 common shares of TerrAscend Corp. (CSE: TER; OTCQX: TRSSF) ("TerrAscend") between December 28, 2022 and May 31, 2023. As a result of the issuance of additional Common Shares by Terrascend, primarily related to the conversion of exchangeable shares into common shares, as well as the expiration of warrants held by joint actors of the Acquiror, the Acquiror's total percentage holding in TerrAscend has decreased by 4.08%. JW and its joint actors now beneficially own or exercise control or direction over (a) 88,621,984 common shares of TerrAscend (b) 7,129,517 warrants to acquire common shares of TerrAscend (c) 10,000 convertible preferred shares of TerrAscend (d) 1,200,000 options to acquire common shares of TerrAscend and (e) 23,923 restricted stock units of TerrAscend, carrying 36.51% of the total voting power attached to all TerrAscend securities on a partially diluted basis (assuming conversion of only the TerrAscend convertible securities owned or over which JW or its joint actors exercise control or direction and no others). This press release is being issued pursuant to section 5.2 of National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids. For inquiries or a copy of the related early warning report for the above-named companies, which will be filed on www.sedar.com, please contact: Jason Klarreich, Chief Financial Officer at jk@jwfunds.com. SOURCE: JW Asset Management, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758535/JW-Asset-Management-Announces-Changes-to-Holdings-in-TerrAscend-Corp Dongguan, China--(Newsfile Corp. - May 31, 2023) - Direct Drive Tech stole the limelight at the ICRA 2023 (2023 International Conference on Robotics and Automation) held in London on May 29th, as the company proudly unveiled its groundbreaking product: TITA Robot. Direct Drive Tech Launches TITA Robot: Introducing a New Era of Advanced Wheeled Bipedal Robotics To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8520/167977_ab622c7094d2787d_001full.jpg Combining exceptional perceptual capabilities with advanced decision-making capability, TITA Robot is a wheeled and bipedal robot. With an impressive 8 degrees of freedom, this innovation harnesses the speed and agility of wheeled robots while leveraging the adaptability of their legged counterparts through state-of-the-art, direct-drive joints and hub motor drive technology. Its streamlined, integrated design and superior maneuverability makes it a standout performer across various tasks. Featuring versatile rails on its upper body, TITA Robot offers quick modular disassembly of accessories. Additionally, these rails enable the stacking of built-in speakers, catering to the specific demands of individual scenarios. Equipped with exceptional anti-falling capability, enhanced self-recovery capability, instantaneous responsiveness, and heightened obstacle avoidance awareness, TITA Robot effortlessly adapts to complex terrains, ensuring efficient movement. TITA Robot supports secondary development in multiple modes, empowering users to operate it at any level through RPC (Remote Procedure Call) or on-board programming. This includes behavior-level and joint-level operations, offering users unparalleled flexibility and control over the robot's functionalities. The impressive launch once again exemplifies Direct Drive Tech's dominance in the robotics area. The introduction of TITA Robot opens up new horizons of innovation and application possibilities across a wide range of industries, providing flexible and efficient solutions for users. With its cutting-edge features and limitless possibilities, TITA Robot is poised to revolutionize the field of robotics, empowering users with unparalleled potential. Contact info Company: Direct Drive Technology City: Dongguan City Website: https://shop.directdrive.com/ Contact Person: Xin Gou Email: MKT@directdrivetech.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/167977 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 31, 2023) - RDARS Inc. (CSE: RDRS) ("RDARS" or the "Company"), an autonomous robotics and drone technology company developing advanced systems for alarm system augmentation and surveillance, is pleased to announce that its board of directors have approved a consolidation (the "Share Consolidation") of the Company's share capital on a twenty-for-one basis. The Share Consolidation was approved at the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 31, 2023. The Company will begin trading on a post-consolidation basis on June 6, 2023, at the commencement of trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"). The Share Consolidation will reduce the number of issued and outstanding common shares ("Common Shares") from 354,425,745 Common Shares to approximately 17,721,287 Common Shares. A letter of transmittal will be sent by mail to registered shareholders advising them that the Share Consolidation has taken effect. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how registered shareholders can exchange their share certificates or Direct Registration System ("DRS") statements evidencing their pre-consolidation Common Shares for new share certificates or new DRS statements representing the number of post-consolidation Common Shares to which they are entitled. The exercise or conversion price and the number of Common Shares issuable under any of the Company's outstanding warrants and stock options will be proportionately adjusted to reflect the Share Consolidation in accordance with the respective terms thereof. The Company will provide further details regarding the Share Consolidation as soon as they become available. Completion of the Share Consolidation remains subject to the approval of the CSE. About RDARS Inc. RDARS possesses a disruptive technology that is advancing the security industry's approach to protecting commercial, industrial, and residential properties, by introducing protection with autonomous artificial intelligence systems that allows for real time response, situation awareness, verification, intervention, evidence recording, data capture, analysis, and immediate downstream transmissions to public safety agencies. RDARS has the ability, upon a property security breach, in real time to receive, analyze, and downstream the data and inform public safety agencies who the perpetrators potentially are before they even arrive at the property. Founded in 2019, RDARS is an originator in its innovative equipment manufacturer of its flagship product, the Eagle Watch Platform comprising of Eagle Eye, a drone, Eagle Nest, a drone station, Eagle Rover, an indoor robotic system, and Eagle Watch Command & Control Software. The Company's autonomous robotic systems provide situational awareness in a cost effective and reliable manner. The Company's mission is to improve alarm response and situational awareness by obtaining required approvals from federal regulatory agencies for BVLOS operations. RDARS is currently developing its technology for private and enterprise customers in the United States and Canada, where these customers require a more reliable and advanced understanding of their property security. For more information about RDARS, please visit its website at www.rdars.com and its profile page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Cautionary Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance of the Company. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "may", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions, and negatives thereto, and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to the Company completing the Share Consolidation and the timing thereof. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the parties. The material factors and assumptions include the Company completing the Share Consolidation and receiving all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals to complete the Consolidation. Forward-looking information necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and factors include, but are not limited to, risk that the Company may not complete the Share Consolidation and may not receive all applicable regulatory and stock exchange approvals. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the parties are not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. For further information, please contact: RDARS Inc. Charles Zwebner Chief Executive Officer T: (786) 564-5602 E: charles.zwebner@rdars.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168298 Hyundai Mobis held a groundbreaking ceremony for global EV dedicated battery system plant, attended by 150 guests including local government officials on 31. The new plant to supply battery systems for local flagship models in the first half of 2024, completing an EV ecosystem that covers EV cells, battery systems, and automakers. Invests a total of KRW 80 billion (approx. USD 60 million ) on this new plant near an automaker and a joint cell venture to maximize supply efficiency. JAKARTA, Indonesia and SEOUL, South Korea, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Mobis began construction of a new EV dedicated battery system plant in Indonesia, which it plans to have completed by the first half of next year. Hyundai Mobis intends to set Indonesia as a beachhead as the country is emerging as the heart of the ASEAN market, and catapult to being a leader of the electrification ecosystem, which include cells, battery systems, and OEMs. Hyundai Mobis announced that it had held a groundbreaking ceremony for the battery system plant in Bekasi, West Java (Jawa Barat) on the outskirts of Jakarta on 31. The ceremony was attended by about 150 participants, including Mochamad Ridwan Kamil, Governor of West Java Province, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Lee Sang-deok, Oh Heung-sub, Senior Vice President of Electrification at Hyundai Mobis, Indonesian Government officials, industry leaders, and local journalists. The battery system plant in Indonesia will become a solid footing for Hyundai Mobis' global electrification business targeting the ASEAN market in particular. Building on the country's ample natural resources, the Indonesian government is accelerating efforts to secure leadership in the EV market. The need for EVs in ASEAN region, centered on Indonesia, is increasing rapidly. Hyundai Mobis will use battery cells supplied by a joint battery cell venture, HLI Green Power, and will turn them into modules that include a controller and a heat controller. They will then be supplied to global automakers as large battery systems. Hyundai Mobis will play a role of an intermediary and complete the EV ecosystem. Hyundai Mobis' plant in Indonesia will be located in Deltamas industrial complex, about 60km southeast of the capital city of Jakarta. It is 3km from Hyundai Motor Company's plant in Indonesia and 10km from HLI Green Power, which will maximize the delivery efficiency of the battery system. For the plant, Hyundai Motor Group has invested a total of USD 60 million on a land area of approximately 33,000?. The battery systems will be supplied first to flagship EV models slated to be released in Southeast Asia next year. The Indonesian Government was reportedly highly supportive with administrative matters necessary for the construction of the plant, which was in line with their policy to strengthen the local EV market and the ecosystem. They provided enthusiastic support on various fronts not only in the construction approval process, but also in the environmental assessment, logistics costs, and tax benefits. Oh Heung-sub, Senior Vice President of Electrification at Hyundai Mobis, thanked the Indonesian Government for their generous support in his congratulatory remarks saying, "Hyundai Mobis will become a partner for Indonesia and will play a pivotal role in establishing the EV ecosystem." Hyundai Mobis holds half of the stake (Hyundai Mobis 25%, Hyundai Motors 15%, Kia 10%) in Hyundai Motor Group's total investment in HLI Green Power, a joint battery cell venture currently being built near the company's local plant. With the rise of the ASEAN market, Hyundai Mobis seeks to expand and develop the Indonesian plant into a long-term strategic base capable of accommodating major customers worldwide. Hyundai Mobis is currently producing EV components, including battery systems, in both Korea and Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia). In October last year, the company announced a plan to invest USD 1.3 billion by 2030 in a bid to expand the electrification production base in North America. Today, Hyundai Mobis is constructing a total of five additional electrification component plants in Alabama and Georgia, USA. This will complete the electrification value chain that links major continents stretching from Asia (Korea and Indonesia), and Europe, to North America. This is also expected to reinforce Hyundai Mobis' capability to respond to the EV market. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2090286/image.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1166884/hyundaimobis_CI_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hyundai-mobis-breaks-ground-in-indonesia-for-a-new-battery-system-plant-301839457.html Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Schweiter strengthens its Core Materials business - acquisition of JMB Wind Engineering completed Schweiter Technologies is increasing its 40% minority holding by taking over the remaining 60% of the stock. The agreement to purchase the rest of the shares in JMB Wind Engineering ("JMB") has been signed and completed, further strengthening the Core Materials business of 3A Composites. Steinhausen, 1 June 2023 - JMB) is a leading developer and producer of core material kits - primarily balsa and PET products for wind turbines. It is headquartered in Goleniow, Poland and has subsidiaries in Poland, Portugal and Brazil. The company acquired has approximately 430 employees and achieved sales of around EUR 70 million in the 2022 business year. Schweiter Technologies acquired a 40% share of JMB in 2021 to establish a strategic partnership with a leading European kitting company. The acquisition of the remaining holding in JMB and the successful commissioning of a new PET production line at JMB Poland in early 2023 saw 3A Composites further expand its leading global market position for balsa and PET core material solutions for the production of wind turbine rotor blades. This addition to the value chain will enable the company to offer an even better portfolio of solutions to wind customer OEMs and place itself in an ideal position to benefit further from the pending growth cycle in the wind energy industry, which is expected to last for a number of years. For further information please contact: Martin Kloti, CFO Tel. +41 41 757 77 00 investor@schweiter.com ABOUT SCHWEITER Schweiter Technologies, with its head office in Steinhausen, Switzerland, is a globally active Group focusing on composites solutions with its division 3A Composites. The main activities include the development, production and distribution of high-quality composites, plastic sheets, foamboards and core materials based on balsa wood and PET foam. These materials are used primarily in the areas of visual communication (display), architecture, wind energy, industry, train and bus manufacturing and shipbuilding. The company has offices, distribution facilities and production sites at 40 locations in Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region, and employs 4,300 people. Schweiter Technologies AG is listed on SIX Swiss Exchange with the ticker symbol SWTQ. Please find the Media release in the PDF attached: Media release BRUSSELS, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On World No Tobacco Day, Members of the European Parliament expressed their concern with the EU's approach towards smoking cessation and emphasised the need for a sensible, risk-based approach, following the Swedish smoke-free policies. MEPs Charlie Weimers and Johan Nissinen called for a more open approach towards harm reduction in the EU at the press conference in Brussels, hosted by the World Vapers' Alliance. "The Swedish case presents the third and final determining pillar in the pro-harm reduction argument. The science, the experience of the consumers, and now the Swedish example are proof that harm reduction works in achieving a smoke-free society. Now we have an undeniable case that the EU-wide regulation must be risk-based and evidence-supported," said Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers' Alliance. "Policy should be evidence based. WHO will soon classify Sweden as Europe's first smoke-free country because of harm reduction policies and widespread use of snus. Sweden has a wide range of harm reduction products: we have snus, nicotine pouches, vaping, etc. People are given a choice!" commented MEP Charlie Weimers. "Sweden is reducing harm and it's working very well," concluded MEP Weimers. To reinforce the impact of the Swedish model, MEP Johann Nissinen said: "It is clear that smoking kills, and we need to do everything we can to prevent those unnecessary deaths. Sweden is the best example of how this is achievable, namely with a pragmatic harm reduction approach. It is the only country in the EU where snus is legal and popular with 18% of the population using it. Consuming snus instead of cigarettes saved many Swedish lives. It is time that the EU Commission expects this reality and starts acting accordingly." "Snus has been used since the 1800s, so we have more than two hundred years of a case study that proved that tobacco harm reduction works. Snus is a great way to continue consuming nicotine without harmful chemicals you take from the traditional combustible cigarettes," said Carissa During, the Director of the Considerate Poachers. "Many countries in Europe are trying to overregulate or ban alternative nicotine products. Policymakers believe that banning something will make them disappear. We know that it is not true." "World No Tobacco Day is a sad reminder that a new approach in the fight against smoking is needed. Instead of fighting less harmful alternatives like vaping or pouches, the EU must start accepting reality: harm reduction works! Only with the harm reduction approach as a centrepiece of the new Tobacco Products Regulation, so the EU can achieve its smoking-free goals before the target," concluded Landl. Following the press conference, the World Vapers' Alliance hosted an installation called Beat Smoking Like The Swedes, with vikings deflating the 5-metre tall cigarette as a symbol of the Swedish success in achieving smoke-free status. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5584596b-4521-4528-b2df-1bfc13e296d0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/daa9eca4-7647-4a1d-94a1-f11d4328bad1 Sandoz AG to remain based in Basel, Switzerland following proposed spin-off from Novartis Announcement of planned city-center HQ marks important milestone as Sandoz prepares to become independent company Basel, as a global life sciences center, ideally located to attract top talent Basel, June 1, 2023 - Sandoz AG, a global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, has announced the location of its future permanent headquarters in central Basel. The Sandoz AG headquarters plans to move to a landmark office building called "Elsassertor" in the center of Basel, right by the Basel SBB train station. Sandoz expects to move from the Novartis Campus to its new headquarters in mid-2024. The announcement confirms the Sandoz commitment to Basel following its proposed separation from Novartis in the second half of 2023. Sandoz CEO Richard Saynor says: "I'm delighted to confirm that we will continue to call Basel home. This is an important milestone on our way to becoming an independent company. "Our planned location in the heart of the city will allow us to create a working environment that meets our business needs and reflects our identity, culture and values. Basel is a global center for the life sciences industry, attracting an unrivalled pool of talent and experience that will help us to grow further and achieve our ambition of being the sustainable global leader in generics and biosimilars." The planned new workspace will be designed to enable closer collaboration and teamwork across the organization. The move into the new office building will not impact the management of the Sandoz global business. Sandoz Pharmaceuticals AG, the local Swiss affiliate, and Sandoz Group AG, the entity planned to be listed on the Swiss SIX stock exchange, remain based in Rotkreuz, Switzerland. In August 2022, Novartis announced its intention to separate Sandoz, its off-patent medicines division, via a 100% spin-off. The proposed spin-off is due to complete in the second half of 2023 and would see Sandoz listed on the SIX Swiss exchange. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that, if approved, such generic or biosimilar products will be approved for all indications included in the reference product's label. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; competition in general, including potential approval of additional generic or biosimilar versions of such products; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; litigation outcomes, including intellectual property disputes or other legal efforts to prevent or limit Sandoz from selling its products; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. # # # About Sandoz Sandoz, a Novartis division, is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. Our purpose is to pioneer access for patients by developing and commercializing novel, affordable approaches that address unmet medical needs. Our ambition is to be the world's leading and most valued generics company. Our broad portfolio of high-quality medicines, covering major therapeutic areas, accounted for 2022 sales of USD 9.2 billion. Sandoz on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandoz (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandoz) Twitter: https://twitter.com/sandoz_global (https://twitter.com/sandoz_global) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandozglobal/ (https://www.facebook.com/sandozglobal/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandoz/global (https://www.instagram.com/sandoz/global) CEO Richard Saynor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-saynor/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-saynor/) # # # Air Liquide announces that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with Safran Aerosystems for the sale of its oxygen and nitrogen aerospace technology activities, excluding marine-related cryogenic activities. Regulatory News: Air Liquide's (Paris:AI) oxygen and nitrogen aerospace technology activities have been developed since 1983 on the Campus Technologies Grenoble site to serve the aerospace market in the field of on-board gases and associated equipment. Today, these activities represent 218 employees located on the Campus Technologies Grenoble, France, and more specifically concern its portable oxygen breathing equipment, its on-board oxygen and nitrogen generation, storage and distribution solutions, as well as its ground support and optronics1 activities. Air Liquide will also continue to operate the remaining advanced Technologies activities located on its Campus Technologies Grenoble, and will retain the possibility of supplying hydrogen cryogenics technologies to the aerospace industry. This decision reflects Air Liquide's strategy of regularly reviewing its business portfolio in order to focus on the Group's key activities or territories and thus maximize its performance. This operation, which should be finalized by early 2024, is subject to final and definitive agreement between the parties, and will be carried out within the framework of the regulatory social processes and ongoing dialogue with the employee representative bodies. Campus Technologies Grenoble The Campus Technologies Grenoble, which gathers about 1,400 employees, is responsible for designing and manufacturing innovative high-tech solutions for the growing deep tech and energy transition markets. Expert in extreme cryogenics, the Campus Technologies Grenoble serves customers worldwide, particularly in the areas of industry, space, scientific research and new energies such as hydrogen and biomethane. A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 73 countries with approximately 67,100 employees and serves more than 3.9 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902. Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide's strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition-particularly with hydrogen-and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies. Air Liquide's revenue amounted to more than 29.9 billion euros in 2022. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good and DJSI Europe indexes. 1Optronics generally combines an optical sensor, an image processing system, and a display or memory system and is used in equipment or systems using both optics and electronics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230531006079/en/ Contacts: Corporate Communications media@airliquide.com Investor Relations IRTeam@airliquide.com New evaluation recognizes model-driven approach of AVEVA MES AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, driving digital transformation and sustainability, announced that it has been positioned in the Leaders Category in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Process Manufacturing Execution System 2023 Vendor Assessment (doc EUR150526323, April 2023). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005060/en/ Keith Chambers, Vice-President, Operations Management Software, AVEVA. (Photo: Business Wire) According to the IDC MarketScape, "AVEVA MES is a model-driven solution that supports the modelling of operational workflows, production processes, and equipment. This configurable business process management approach enables standardization of operational processes across multisite operations and provides a centralized management platform for data analysis with visualization." In explaining the strengths of AVEVA MES, the report said, "The model-driven and process-based approach have been some of AVEVA's core strengths for a long time now. This is a differentiator for the company, aligning with the needs of core industries served by AVEVA. Over time, the company also built a comprehensive core domain knowledge in process manufacturing both through the manufacturing execution side and the plant design optimization. These capabilities are essential to drive digital transformation (DX) across the asset and operational life cycle for capital-intensive industries. These features, together with a strong momentum in innovation toward a new cloud architecture, will contribute toward AVEVA's long-term success in process manufacturing." Lorenzo Veronesi, Associate Research Director, IDC Manufacturing Insights, said: "Companies in continuous process or batch and hybrid manufacturing sectors should consider a Manufacturing Execution System that provides strong operational agility across multiple facilities and locations has." Keith Chambers, Vice-President, Operations Management Software, AVEVA, said:"We're proud that AVEVA has been recognized as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Process Manufacturing Execution System Software Providers 2023 Vendor Assessment. Manufacturers continue to see every link in their value chains massively disrupted. With this assessment, they can be assured AVEVA MES will bridge the business-to-plant collaboration gap and improve the efficiency of their manufacturing networks by proving agility and resilience at a time when it is desperately needed." The IDC MarketScape noted the following among a list of AVEVA's distinctive MES capabilities: "Model-based approach: AVEVA's MES includes a built-in full business process management (BPM) functionality. Pre-configured workflow templates provide a reusable option for execution of business logic in standard operator workflows. This enables multi-site standardization and deployment, standardization of global key performance indicators (KPIs), industrial best practices, and continuous improvement. AVEVA's MES includes a built-in full business process management (BPM) functionality. Pre-configured workflow templates provide a reusable option for execution of business logic in standard operator workflows. This enables multi-site standardization and deployment, standardization of global key performance indicators (KPIs), industrial best practices, and continuous improvement. " Production optimization analysis: AVEVA Insight is a cloud-based tool in which native AI cloud capabilities/models sit and data is analyzed to provide predictive warnings and prescriptive actions. In the future, the company intends to deliver artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) capabilities for AVEVA MES as value-added cloud services in AVEVA Insight by connecting on-premises AVEVA MES and PI System historical data to the cloud. AVEVA Insight is a cloud-based tool in which native AI cloud capabilities/models sit and data is analyzed to provide predictive warnings and prescriptive actions. In the future, the company intends to deliver artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) capabilities for AVEVA MES as value-added cloud services in AVEVA Insight by connecting on-premises AVEVA MES and PI System historical data to the cloud. "Breadth of adjacent solutions: AVEVA provides a broad range of solutions to complement its MES product functionalities including asset performance management and value chain optimization (integrated production planning, scheduling and execution capabilities). AVEVA System Platform and the AVEVA PI System are also integrated with MES to enable agnostic device and control system connectivity for production event detection and automatic and semi-automatic data collection." AVEVA has a significant presence in process manufacturing, food and beverage and consumer packaged goods sectors, with key references cited in the report including Danone, Henkel, Valmet Automotive, Barry Callebaut, and Borg Manufacturing. In February, AVEVA launched its AVEVA Manufacturing Execution System 2023, which helps standardize and introduce best practice more quickly and at scale, to improve operational and cost efficiency and promote sustainability. The new product also promotes increased supply chain resilience and agility with unified visibility, reporting and KPIs across multi-site operations. A complimentary copy of the report excerpt is available from the AVEVA company website at https://engage.aveva.com/IDC-MarketScape-Worldwide-Process-Manufacturing-Execution-Systems.html About IDC MarketScape: IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors. -ENDS- About AVEVA AVEVA is a global leader in industrial software, sparking ingenuity to drive responsible use of the world's resources. The company's secure industrial cloud platform and applications enable businesses to harness the power of their information and improve collaboration with customers, suppliers and partners. Over 20,000 enterprises in over 100 countries rely on AVEVA to help them deliver life's essentials: safe and reliable energy, food, medicines, infrastructure and more. By connecting people with trusted information and AI-enriched insights, AVEVA enables teams to engineer efficiently and optimize operations, driving growth and sustainability. Named as one of the world's most innovative companies, AVEVA supports customers with open solutions and the expertise of more than 6,400 employees, 5,000 partners and 5,700 certified developers. With operations around the globe, AVEVA is headquartered in Cambridge, UK. Learn more at www.aveva.com Copyright 2023 AVEVA Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. AVEVA Solutions Limited is owned by AVEVA Group. AVEVA, the AVEVA logos and AVEVA product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of AVEVA Group plc or its subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and other countries. Other brands and product- names are the trademarks of their respective companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005060/en/ Contacts: Catherine Singh catherine.singh@aveva.com The event will serve as a unique opportunity to promote the Dominican Republic within the international aviation ecosystem SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the presence of the Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Pena; the Minister of Tourism David Collado; the CEO of AERODOM, Monika Infante Henriquez; and more than 200 international guests have kicked off to the CONNECT New World event, a prominent forum where aviation decision makers are participating in a series of seminars with high-level speakers, one-to-one meetings and a programme of featured events. Thanks to the management carried out by AEROODM and VINCI Airports with the Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Republic was selected to host this important international event in recognition of the extraordinary recovery of post-pandemic air traffic and the outstanding performance of the tourism industry exhibited by the country globally. With more than 15 years of production, CONNECT is a leading event in Europe and other markets. Throughout its history, it has established itself as one of the main meeting points for airlines, airports and tourism authorities, with the purpose of discussing the strategy of air transport in the region. CONNECT is being held in the city of Santo Domingo on May 30, 31 and June 1 in the event hall of the fifth country of the JW Marriott hotel, with the participation of relevant CEOs and executives of airlines, airports and service companies in the air transport industry. "On behalf of AERODOM and our parent company VINCI Airports, I am delighted to welcome you to the international event CONNECT New World. In this show, we are making history since it will be here where airlines, airports and tourism authorities will define and discuss the strategy of air transport in the region, which we trust will allow us to have new routes and frequencies to more destinations" said Monika Infante Henriquez, general director of AERODOM. CONNECT is a route development event established by The Airport Agency. The forum offers its participants unlimited face-to-face meetings and a diverse conference program, as well as social events including evening functions, morning activities and excursions. The Minister of Theology, David Collado, said: "We are sure that Santo Domingo will be an excellent host and that we will continue to connect a new world. In the last two years we have had an exemplary performance in this industry and we are convinced that through shared experiences, the identification of solutions to global challenges and openness to new strategies, we will be able to take tourism development to new levels." The Ministry of Tourism, AERODOM and VINCI Airports are the main sponsors of CONNECT. Similarly, to welcome the delegates the event has 3 official operators that offer discounts on their rates: Arajet, Air Europa and Sky High Dominicana. CONNECT New World also has the support of Air Europa, Altice, Aps International, Arajet, Aviam, Banco Popular Dominicano, Banreservas, BD Experience, Dufry, Globocambio, Grayline, Iberia Lineas Aereas, Induban with its brand Cafe Santo Domingo, Inprotec, MGI, Samsic Handling Dominicana, Servicolt, Avis Rent a Car, Budget Rent a Car, Hertz Rent a Car, Nelly Rent a Car, Europcar, Sichala, Simlimites, Sky Cana, Sky Cateers, Sky High, Terpel, Universal Aviation. Likewise, CONNECT has the presence, participation and support of all airports in the country: Punta Cana International Airport, Cibao International Airport, La Romana International Airport, in addition to the concessioned state airports operated by AERODOM. For more information about CONNECT, you can visit: https://newworld.connect-aviation.com/ About AERODOM AERODOM is a Dominican company that holds the concession to operate six state airports in the country, expiring in 2030. It is responsible for the International Airports of the Americas, Jose Francisco Pena Gomez, in Santo Domingo; President Dr. Joaquin Balaguer, in Santo Domingo Norte; Gregorio Luperon, in Puerto Plata; Maria Montez, in Barahona and Presidente Juan Bosch in the province of Samana; in addition, the Arroyo Barril Aerodrome, also located in Samana. Since 2016, the company has been part of the French international airport group VINCI Airports. www.aerodom.com | @AerodomRD About VINCI Airports VINCI Airports, the world's leading private airport operator, manages more than 65 airports in 12 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Thanks to its experience as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by contributing its investment capacity and know-how in terms of optimising operational performance, modernising infrastructures and deploying its environmental transition. In 2016, VINCI Airports was the first airport operator to commit to implementing an international environmental strategy to achieve net-zero emissions across its network by 2050. For more information: www.vinci-airports.com | @VINCIAirports https://www.mitur.gob.do/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2089815/MITUR_CONNECT.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2081402/4063069/MITUR_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/santo-domingo-hosts-the-international-aviation-event-connect-new-world-301839668.html Survey of 1,000 employees in Japan 76 percent of employees in Japan welcome AI services like ChatGPT to help them make the right decision at the workplace. A big majority of 80 percent though wants such digital tools to be instantly recognizable as machines. These are results of the automatica trend index 2023. For the study, 1,000 employees were surveyed in Japan on behalf of the leading trade fair for smart automation and robotics "automatica" (June 27 June 30 in Munich, Germany). "Robotics and Artificial Intelligence software like ChatGPT rapidly shape the workplace of the future. If we get the use of these technologies right, we can vastly improve workplaces," says Patrick Schwarzkopf, advisory board member of automatica at Messe Munich in Germany. Japan is highly robotized, with a density of 399 robots per 10,000 employees in manufacturing. Japan ranked third after the Republic of Korea and Singapore, the International Federation of Robotics reports. As machines and humans interact more closely, people in Japan advocate for a human-in-command approach. 81 percent say the use of digital technology needs to leave control to people. Today, demand for industrial robots in Japan is strongly driven by the global semiconductor scarcity. This is benefitting the electrical and electronics industry. The country is also taking strong efforts to decarbonize its economy. In addition, Japan's chronic worker shortages drive the need for investment in modern production technology. 70 percent of people think that robots help manufacturers to deal with the lack of factory workers. The majority embraces the benefits smart machines can provide: 77 percent welcome robots in a factory, taking on harmful work like lifting heavy loads or dangerous tasks involving hazardous materials e.g. chemicals. "We need to actively manage the transition to good collaboration between machines and humans, making sure that people are not left behind," says Patrick Schwarzkopf. "How traditional manufacturing changes and how the workplace of the future will evolve is one of the key topics at the world's leading exhibition for smart automation and robotics 'automatica 2023' in Munich, Germany. About automatica automatica The Leading Exhibition for Smart Automation and Robotics (automatica-munich.com) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005555/en/ Contacts: econNEWSnetwork Carsten Heer +49 (0) 40 822 44 284 newsroom@econ-news.com The Engagement Appeal ("TEA"), a platform for inclusive investor relations, announced today that a Yonder research showed that a majority of UK retail investors feel undervalued by the companies in which they invest, with shareholders aged 35 years and above statistically being the most likely to feel overlooked. Results of a recent survey commissioned by TEA indicate that 52% of shareholders who participated feel the companies to which they have committed capital do not sufficiently engage with them in terms of ease of access to information and levels of communication. This percentage rises to 59% for those investors over 35 years old who are likely to have contributed significant equity to improve their personal wealth, or perhaps to secure their financial future for them and their families. Such objectives are typically pursued via a traditional investment strategy, in the hopes of increasing their pension pots, retirement plans and various funds for children once they reach adulthood. As such, these investors are all the more expecting communication and greater reassurance from companies that their capital is safe. This is further evidenced by greater utilisation of wealth managers by older generations, who are governed by strict mandates to protect their clients' best financial interests. In contrast, Millennials and Gen Z- investors are typically more tech-savvy, and more likely to primarily invest via mobile apps which lack this level of protection. The survey affirms findings made by TEA independently and its belief that much more needs to be done to ensure retail investors have their voice heard. Over the past 20 years, TEA has noted that there has been a genuine democratisation of buying and selling shares. However, this trend has not resulted in or led to any meaningful improvement on the engagement side. Lord Lee of Trafford, an active private investor and the UK's first ISA millionaire, said: "We currently live in an era of rapid and ever-increasing digitisation. The traditional model, by which retail shareholders are updated via written communications and physical AGMs, is no longer sustainable. It is important that we adopt a hybrid model of dialogue allowing equitable access for all stakeholders with the companies in which they invest. So, whilst I believe there should still be the option of a physically attended AGM, remote access should also be made available." Sheryl Cuisia, co-founder and director of The Engagement Appeal said: "The Engagement Appeal believes that all investors should have equal voice in how their investments are managed. We are committed to driving real change by developing solutions that meet the needs of companies and shareholders alike, allowing all stakeholders to benefit from corporate decision making." Sheryl and Lord Lee will both be speaking at the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Annual Conference 2023 "Energising Public Markets", on Thursday 8th June. This will be followed by an 'Afternoon TEA' talk on inclusive investor relations and capital markets, which will take place in the City. For more information, please visit the TEA website https://teaxall.org/. Note to editors About Sheryl Cuisia, Co-Founder of The Engagement Appeal Sheryl is a social entrepreneur, individual investor, and advocate of stakeholder capitalism. In 2011, she founded Boudicca Proxy, the leading shareholder engagement consultancy, which became part of the FTSE 250 company Equiniti Group in 2018. Over 20 years in corporate governance advisory, she has overseen 1,000 campaigns across multiple industries and markets. She was briefly a director and then Chair of the UK Individual Shareholders Society (ShareSoc) between September 2021 and March 2022. Sheryl was the inaugural Entrepreneur-in-Residence at King's College, Cambridge, and a non-executive director of CTFN UK. Please visit https://teaxall.org/, or email social@TEAxAll.org to learn more. Lord Lee of Trafford A private investor for over 50 years, he has written over 300 articles for FT Money and published two investment books: 'How to Make a Million Slowly: Guiding Principles From A Lifetime Of Investing' and 'Yummi Yoghurt -- A First Taste of Stock Market Investment' aimed at novice investors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005150/en/ Contacts: Enquiries The Engagement Appeal Sheryl Cuisia, Director https://teaxall.org/ c/o Gracechurch Group Gracechurch Group Harry Chathli, William Moray, Anysia Virdi +44 (0)20 4582 3500 LILLE, France, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Openbravo, global provider of a cloud-based unified commerce platform for retail chains, today announced the roll-out of its store solution to SMCP Group. Close to 200 stores in France and Netherlands are today already using Openbravo which is to be increased to around 350 before summer including stores in other countries like Ireland, which will be followed by all other stores in the months after the summer, for managing the store operations of the four group brands. To accelerate SMCP's unified commerce strategy and to further strengthen its reputation for a premium shopping experience and personalized services, the group chose Openbravo as a single cloud-based commerce platform for its four brands: Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac, in over 1.600 stores and 46 countries. The new solution will help SMCP to gain centralized management and visibility of all stores and POS terminals from one single point and facilitate the deployment of new features and faster innovation sharing across brands. "We chose Openbravo because of its modular, cloud-based technology and its broad unified commerce coverage. We are betting on a fast-growing company that offers us a true strategic partnership. With a strong focus on the future, we believe that the Openbravo solution will give us agility to innovate for our customers and achieve our business objectives," said Marie-Caroline Benezet, Director of Operations and Transformation at SMCP. Thanks to Openbravo, SMCP will be able to support more efficiently a variety of shopping scenarios and options. These include unified commerce services such as Ship-from-Store, more flexible management of prices and in-store operations, as well as enhanced payment options through Openbravo's certified connector with Adyen. The new solution will also allow to improve visibility and management of in-store inventory during all daily and end-of-season operations. The project will also include integration with various legacy systems facilitated by Openbravo's rich web-services based API. "We are very proud to work with SMCP, a reference customer in the accessible luxury fashion & accessories sector, through a strong co-innovation partnership that shows again our value for this type of retailer. We are delighted to accompany them in this journey, which will result in key benefits for the business to support SMCP future growth and challenges," said Marco de Vries, CEO Openbravo. About SMCP SMCP is a global leader in the accessible luxury market with four unique Parisian brands: Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac. Present in 46 countries, the Group comprises a network of over 1,600 stores globally and a strong digital presence in all its key markets. Evelyne Chetrite and Judith Milgrom founded Sandro and Maje in Paris, in 1984 and 1998 respectively, and continue to provide creative direction for the brands. Claudie Pierlot and Fursac were respectively acquired by SMCP in 2009 and 2019. SMCP is listed on the Euronext Paris regulated market. To learn more visit smcp.com. About Openbravo Leveraging its modular and high-performance cloud technology, Openbravo, as part of DL Software, enables retail chains to accelerate their unified commerce strategies, delivering great shopping experiences and increasing agility and innovativeness of their operations. With international customers such as BUT, Decathlon, Norauto, Sharaf DG, SMCP, Toys'R'Us Iberia and Zodio, who have a presence in more than 50 countries, Openbravo today has over 10,000 back office users and more than 40,000 touch points, such as POS and self-service terminals, kiosks and others, managing over 20 billion euros per year in sales transactions. www.openbravo.com www.dlsoftware.fr Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2088736/Openbravo_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2089333/SMCP_Logo.jpg Contact: Xavier Places Marketing Director +34 607 676 568 xavier.places@openbravo.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/leading-french-accessible-luxury-fashion-group-smcp-chooses-openbravo-to-reinforce-its-premium-shopping-experience-301838379.html Microsoft Azure customers worldwide now gain access to SQL Express on Windows Server 2022 to take advantage of the scalability, reliability, and agility of Azure to drive application development and shape business strategies. PRAGUE, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Belinda CZ s.r.o., with 25 years of IT experience, today announced the availability of SQL Express on Windows Server 2022 in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, an online store providing applications and services for use on Azure. Belinda CZ s.r.o customers can now take advantage of the productive and trusted Azure cloud platform, with streamlined deployment and management. Moving business computing needs to a high-performance cloud solution is an exciting prospect that promises to revolutionize every process in the organization. But also moving local servers into the cloud is a very complex and time-consuming process. If the cloud servers are not standardized, it may result in different configurations in deployment, which in turn will lead to many problems in the final production environment. Therefore, providing Azure cloud servers should be done by means of pre-configured templates. SQL Express on Windows Server 2022 is powerful and reliable to use Windows Server 2022 template which contains pre-installed SQL Server Express as well as SSMS to manage SQL databases. This version of Windows Server 2022 is ideal for a small and large business. The standard pre-configured virtual server template provides a fast and easy installation without wasting time. You don't need more big data centers to have a server, only internet access and access to Azure. "Through our standardized solutions, we can minimize the complex and time-consuming processes of our customers," says Andre Stippel, CEO of Belinda CZ s.r.o. "The availability of Windows Server 2022 with SQL Server Express in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace gives us the opportunity to offer our advantages to a wider range of organizations." Belinda CZ s.r.o. has set itself the goal of automating and standardizing server provisioning to prevent different configurations during provisioning, which can lead to problems in production. Therefore, the server deployment on Azure should only be done through templates. "Jake Zborowski, General Manager, Microsoft Azure Platform at Microsoft Corp. said, "We're pleased to welcome Belinda CZ s.r.o. to the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, which gives our partners great exposure to cloud customers around the globe. Azure Marketplace offers world-class quality experiences from global trusted partners with solutions tested to work seamlessly with Azure." The Azure Marketplace is an online market for buying and selling cloud solutions certified to run on Azure. The Azure Marketplace helps connect companies seeking innovative, cloud-based solutions with partners who have developed solutions that are ready to use. Belinda CZ s.r.o. are highly skilled engineers with excellent technical knowledge and experience. The company helps customers grow their business by providing modern technology/service support and individual solutions. Focused on decreasing IT costs, whilst increasing team productivity, Belinda CZ s.r.o. work with large and start-up scale companies across any industry to deliver impactful software solutions that maximize benefits. For more information, press only: Belinda CZ s.r.o. www.belinda-cz.com (+420) 228 887 715 info@belinda-cz.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2089727/belinda_cz_sro_azure_marketplace.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/belinda-cz-sro-now-available-in-the-microsoft-azure-marketplace-301838959.html LONDON, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- enfinium is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Emery as a Non-Executive Director to the Board. Peter Emery is Chair of Greater Manchester's Energy Innovation Agency and the energy appointee to the Board of Innovation Greater Manchester, part of the Government's Innovation Accelerator Policy. Mr Emery has held senior management and Board positions at Drax Group plc, Electricity North West Limited and Capture Power. He was recently a non-executive director at N G Bailey and is Deputy Chair of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Sir Peter Gershon, Chairman of the Board said "I am delighted to welcome Peter Emery to the Board as a Non-Executive Director. Peter brings power, energy, and decarbonisation expertise at an important time for the development of enfinium's business. These capabilities are complemented by a wide range of expertise gained in his earlier career in the broader power sector and will further strengthen the experience, skills and attributes of the existing Board and leadership team". Notes to editor About enfinium enfinium is one of the largest energy from waste businesses in the UK and is an industry leader in the conversion of non-recyclable residential and business waste into heat and partially renewable power. enfinium currently has a platform of six (two in construction) strategically located facilities across the UK. Today, enfinium has an annual waste processing capacity of over 2.3 million tonnes, and a total combined electric generating capacity of 265MW (gross) - enough energy to power more than 500,000 UK homes. For more on enfinium, please visit www.enfinium.co.uk. About Igneo Infrastructure Partners Igneo Infrastructure Partners invests in high-quality, mid-market infrastructure companies in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Operating since 1994, the team works closely with portfolio companies to create long-term sustainable value through innovation and proactive asset management. Igneo manages US$16.5 billion in assets as at 31 December 2022 on behalf of more than 120 institutional investors around the world. It is an autonomous investment team in the First Sentier Investors Group. For more information, visit www.igneoip.com. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2089912/Peter_Emery.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1852291/4063298/enfinium_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/enfinium-appoints-non-executive-director-peter-emery-to-the-board-301839114.html Money20/20, the world's leading fintech show, regarded as the place where money does business, is set to host a series of regulatory sessions featuring top policymakers at its upcoming European show in Amsterdam. Taking place at RAI Amsterdam on 6-8 June 2023, the show's sessions focused on regulatory developments have been carefully curated to provide its over 8,000 expected delegates with valuable insights and understanding into Europe's ever-evolving regulatory landscape. "Money20/20 is the place where the entire money ecosystem comes together to debate and understand the rules for the future of financial services," said Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy Growth Officer at Money20/20. "As one of the regulatory centres of the world, Europe is driving advancements in open banking, digital assets, privacy and security, and the conversations taking place on our stages in Amsterdam will have a direct impact on every player in the industry, from surging startups to global banks and tech giants." Kicking off the regulatory conversations will be Alexandra Maniati, Senior Director, Innovation and Cybersecurity at the European Banking Federation, on Tuesday, 6 June at 10:35 CET on the Fusion Stage. She will be part of a session titled "Cloud on Europe's Terms: Sovereignty and Security in the Banking Sector", which will explore what a newly ignited sovereignty focus means for Europe's financial sector and how cloud service providers have created dedicated initiatives to serve European customers. Beyond Europe, Orly Grinfeld, EVP, Head of Clearing at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) and Gil Cohen, Senior Deputy Accountant General, Head of Debt, Finance and Credit Division at the Israel Ministry of Finance will share insight from Israel's pilot to issue government bonds using a blockchain platform. "Digitising the Financial System, One Bond at a Time" will take place on the Fusion Stage on Tuesday, 6 June at 11:40 CET. On Tuesday, 6 June at 12:10 CET, Petra Plompen, Head of New Initiatives at EBA Clearing will be joined by Barclays and Swift on a session on "What Makes a Successful ISO 20022 Implementation?". Hear from early adopters who have embraced this change and understand why the new format has a number of significant implications for all participants across the industry. Wondering how you can strike the right balance between openness and protection? That's what Patrick De Neef, Chief Innovation Officer at De Nederlandsche Bank (Dutch Central Bank), Sheldon Mills, Executive Director, Consumers and Competition at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Emily Martin, Assistant Secretary, Policy, and Engagement Branch, Consumer Data and Digital Division at The Treasury (Australia), will debate on a session titled "Open Banking: The Quest for Harmony" on Tuesday, at 12:30 CET on the Elements Stage. And if you're looking to understand how regulators are creating competition between payment methods in Europe, how open finance will unlock opportunities outside of core banking, and discover whether Europe's ambition to be the global trailblazer for open finance will be realised, make sure you tune in for the "What's Next for Open Banking and Open Finance in Europe?" session with Eric Ducoulombier, Head of Retail and Payments at the European Commission's Department of Financial Stability and Capital Markets (DG FISMA) on Tuesday, 6 June at 15:50 CET on the Fusion Stage. "Making sense of MiCA" on the Elements Stage on Wednesday, 7 June at 11:20 CET is Vishal Sacheendran, Director, MENA Europe at Binance. The European Union has greenlighted its MiCA regulation plans, offering the first major step towards international legal clarity in crypto asset regulation. But while legal experts will be poring over every page of MiCA, what does a typical crypto professional or entrepreneur need to know? Among this year's most anticipated sessions counts "Finding DORA: A Deep Dive with European Banking Authority (EBA) Director Marilin Pikaro", which will take place on the Encore Stage on Wednesday, 7 June at 14:05 CET. Marilin will share the next steps from the EBA and its partners on the new regulatory framework, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), which is meant to strengthen the IT security of financial entities such as banks, insurance companies and investment firms against cyber attacks. At 15:20 CET on Wednesday, 7 June on the Fusion stage, it's Germany's turn to discuss tokenised securities. Dr Florian Toncar, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance (Germany) will take on the stage to share how German regulators are driving the adoption of blockchain in the financial ecosystem on a session titled "Fully Regulated Tokenization of Real World Assets: Germany". Discover all of the regulatory sessions at Money20/20 Europe by exploring the full agenda here. Media can register for a complimentary press pass here. ENDS About Money20/20 Founded in 2011, Money20/20 creates destination shows where the most innovative people in payments, fintech and the broader financial services industry connect. Famed for their high-impact networking, the Europe edition, held in Amsterdam (6-8 June 2023) and the USA edition, held in Las Vegas (22-25 October 2023), are regarded as the place where money does business by financial services professionals. Money20/20 today officially launched an Asia edition in Bangkok on 23-25 April 2024. Money20/20 is the space where the industry's smartest visionaries and innovators come together to create the future of money. Visit Money20/20's Asia site here. Money20/20 is an Ascential show. Follow Money20/20 on Twitter and LinkedIn for show developments and updates. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005590/en/ Contacts: Media contacts Tina Loncaric Global Head of Public Relations Money20/20 tina@money2020.com +1 469 288 5556 A renowned Cold Plasma medical device manufacturer globally, celebrates the establishment of the business as a separate entity on Thursday 1stJune 2023. LONDON, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Adtec Healthcare Limited, originally part of the European subsidiary of its parent company Adtec Technology Japan, was the first company worldwide to introduce Cold Plasma on wounds in clinical trials. It is a leading technology delivering a pioneering treatment for chronic and infected wounds, with strong antibacterial properties and no side effects. Adtec Healthcare's demonstration of the strong clinical benefit of microwave-powered Cold Plasma for the management of infections in chronic wounds, has paved the way for further Cold Plasma research on additional clinical applications. Adtec Healthcare's flagship medical device, the SteriPlas, has the most extensive collection of clinical trials and studies of any cold plasma company, is already CE marked and is being widely used across the UK and Europe. The purpose of this spin-out is to enable Adtec Healthcare to further expand the use of Cold Plasma in regions that have yet to adopt it in the clinic. Adtec Healthcare seeks to meet with investors and wound care companies to introduce its patented technology and collaborate to accelerate sales in Europe as well as launching the technology in the USA where a strong interest for Adtec Healthcare's Cold Plasma from clinicians has already been established. The new investment will be used towards clinical studies and gaining FDA approval. Adtec Healthcare offers its thanks and praises to Adtec Technology Japan for its continued financial support and guidance which without whom they would not be the leading Cold Plasma company they are today. The experienced Adtec Healthcare team, led by Mary McGovern, are excited to start this next chapter on their mission to revolutionize the global wound care market working alongside financial and strategic partners. Contact: Mary McGovern 0208 737 5500 mary@adtecplasma.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2090650/Adtec_Healthcare_Limited.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/adtec-healthcare-limited-a-leading-cold-plasma-medical-device-manufacturer-spins-out-from-adtec-europe-ltd-301839802.html Held under the Patronage of The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, the 41stGlobal edition of World AI Show is set to take place on 7-8 June 2023 at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai. The event will bring together Investors, global AI leaders, government officials, and industry experts to explore the latest trends, applications, and solutions in AI. DUBAI, June 1, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The rapid advancement in the field of Artificial Intelligence continues to create a seismic impact on the technological landscape especially in the Middle East and North Africa region. With global big tech players vying for an advantage in the market, new innovators continue to weave their magic in the field. In a recent PWC report, the AI industry could contribute up to US$ 15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030. While the world all over is slowly integrating AI into their ecosystem, the report suggests a bright future for the MENA region. The report estimates that by 2030 the region will accrue 2per cent of the total global benefits equivalent to US$ 320 billion. The annual growth is estimated to be between 20-34 per cent per year. With AI having a potential to disrupt industries and create new opportunities, the region has embraced the winds of change. Enterprises in the UAE play a central role as a part of their strategic vision in becoming a global innovation and technology leader. Initiatives such as the Dubai AI Ethics Board and AI Lab ensure the ethical use of AI while helping innovators in developing state-of-the-art technology. The MENA edition of World AI Show will play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI in the region by bringing together thought leaders and experts from various industries to share insights and best practices. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the latest AI solutions and technologies at the event. The show will also provide a platform for discussions on the role of government regulations in shaping the future of AI. According to Naveen Bharadwaj, Group CEO, Trescon, "World AI Show is a unique platform that will bring together global AI experts, government officials, and industry leaders to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in AI." He added, "We are excited see this event grow every year in Dubai, which is quickly becoming a hub for AI innovation and growth." "World AI Show is a remarkable gathering of top leaders, innovators, and disruptors in the AI industry. It is an opportunity to witness the latest trends and advancements in AI while exploring its impact on businesses, society, and the world at large." stated Dr. Salim Al-shuaili, Director, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology at Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology. He further stated "The show will provide a platform for meaningful discussions, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration that will shape the future of AI. It's an honour for me to participate in and witness the vibrant AI community in Dubai. I am excited to see new ideas and initiatives that will be sparked at the show and how they will continue to drive innovation and progress in AI." Notable speakers include: Dr. Ramadan Alblooshi - Senior Advisor to the Director General, Dubai Health Authority, UAE Salwa Al Blushi , Head of Digital Standards and Operations, MOHAP, UAE Dr. Fethi Filali, CTO, Qatar Mobility Innovations Center (QMIC), Qatar Dr. Salim Al-shuaili , Director, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology at Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology, Oman Fatmah Alabdouli , Director of Data Management & Statistics, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, UAE Ali Abdulla -Chief of Information Technology, Ministry of Oil and Environment, Bahrain Mamoun Alhomssey - GCEO Technology Advisor, ADIB, UAE Debbie Botha - Chief Partnership Officer, Women in AI; UAE, to name a few According to Ali Abdulla - Chief of Information Technology, Ministry of Oil and Environment "World AI Show will be a great opportunity for technology leaders to get together with global AI experts, witness real-world use-case presentations, product showcase, and panel discussions." Additionally, World AI Show will be hosting the World AI Awards, recognizing the most innovative and impactful AI solutions and implementations across various industries. The awards ceremony will showcase the best practices and success stories of AI adoption, highlighting the transformative potential of AI for businesses and society. The 41st Global edition of World AI Show is supported by: Gold Sponsor: Almawave Official Cybersecurity Partner: Darktrace Silver Sponsor: Voiceweb; Soothsayer Analytics , data iku Bronze Sponsors: Run:ai; Aventior; E42 ; Beinex ; Zoho Start Up Exhibitor: BasicAI , Scaletorch ; DSW | Data Science Wizards ; NeuralSpace ; TechVariable ; Banuba ; Qualitas Global ; Veriom Association Partner: Women in AI Affiliate Partner: Enlightened Minds ; AIFB (AI for Business) Ecosystem Partner: Entrepreneur Middle East Regional Media Partner: Sky News Arabia Official Arabic Business News Partner: CNN Business Arabic About World AI Show World AI Show is a thought-leadership-driven, business-focused, global series of events that takes place in strategic locations across the world. As part of the world tour, the Dubai edition is gathering pre-qualified CIOs, CEOs, CTOs, Heads of AI, Chief Digital Officers, Heads of Innovation and International AI experts from the industry. The show features exciting keynotes, enterprise use-case presentations, product showcase, panel discussions and tech talks to discuss the latest challenges for the sector arising out of the pandemic situation. Witness next-gen AI solutions from global leaders and explore its relevance and impact on your organisation. For more information visit: www.worldaishow.com About Trescon Trescon is a global business events and consulting firm that provides a wide range of business services to a diversified client base. Trescon is founded and managed by a group of specialists with more than 10 decades of combined expertise in successfully developing business events, training, and consulting for corporates, governments, associations, and high-net-worth individuals across the world. With a deep understanding of the realities and requirements of the growth markets we operate in - we strive to deliver innovative and high-quality business platforms for our clients. For more information, visit: www.tresconglobal.com For further details about the announcement, please contact: Nupur Aswani Head Media, PR and Corporate Communications Trescon +91 95559 15156 media@tresconglobal.com Source: tresconCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. CHICAGO, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Offshore Support Vessel Market is projected to reach USD 31.4 billion by 2028 from USD 22.6 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 6.7% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. An offshore support vessel (OSV) is specially designed to support offshore exploration, drilling, production, and construction activities in the oil & gas industry. These vessels provide a range of services, such as transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies, maintenance and repair, and oil spill response. The market growth of OSVs is driven by substantial investments in the offshore oil & gas and renewable sectors. The rise in deepwater activities and the decommissioning of aging offshore infrastructure present promising opportunities for the offshore support vessel market. However, the volatility of crude oil prices has hindered the growth of the market in recent years, leading to an oversupply of vessels. As a result, this is expected to restrain the market's growth during the forecast period. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1212 Browse in-depth TOC on "Offshore Support Vessel Market" 248 - Tables 57 - Figures 292 - Pages Offshore Support Vessel Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 31.4 billion in 2028 Growth Rate 6.7% of CAGR Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Offshore Support Vessel Market by material, fuel type, type, application, end-user industry, and region Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East & Africa. Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Decommissioning and replacement of aging offshore infrastructure Key Market Drivers Increasing investments in offshore wind and oil & gas projects The MPSV, by type, is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on type, the offshore support Vessel market has been split into AHTS, PSV, MPSV, Standby & Rescue Vessels, Crew Vessels, Chase Vessels, Seismic Vessels, and Other Vessels. MPSVs, or Multi-Purpose Support Vessels, play a crucial role in subsea operations within the offshore oilfield industry and offshore wind farms. These versatile vessels are specifically designed to carry out maintenance and supply functions. They are equipped with various specialized equipment such as cranes, moon pools, and helipads. With their dynamic positioning capabilities and firefighting systems, they have the capacity to handle equipment weighing up to 120 tonnes at depths of up to 3,000 meters. One notable advantage of MPSVs is their ability to accommodate a large crew and carry substantial equipment. In addition to their supply role similar to that of a PSV, they are capable of performing an array of tasks including accommodation services, pipe laying, diving operations, well intervention, and the deployment of remotely operated vehicles and cranes. The offshore oil & gas segment, by end-user industry, is expected to be the largest segment in the offshore support Vessel industry This report segments the offshore support Vessel market based on end-user industry into two segments: offshore oil & gas and offshore wind. The offshore oil & gas segment is expected to be the largest segment during the forecast period. Offshore support vessels are purposefully designed to provide essential support services for a wide range of oil and gas operations. They play a crucial role in supporting offshore drilling rigs and oil-producing assets, including production platforms and FPSO units. These vessels are instrumental in facilitating pipe laying activities and the decommissioning of offshore rigs. In the oil and gas sector, particularly in regions like the North Sea, where a significant number of platforms, pipelines, and wells are expected to undergo decommissioning by 2040, the demand for offshore support vessels is projected to be substantial. Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest region in the offshore support Vessel market Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest offshore support Vessel market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region, comprising major economies such as China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, is witnessing a significant focus on expanding offshore exploration and production (E&P) capital expenditures (CAPEX). According to Scottish Development International, the region is expected to account for approximately 25% of global spending on new offshore developments, highlighting its crucial role in the offshore industry. Policymakers in Asia Pacific are placing emphasis on advancing offshore activities in deep and ultra-deep waters, marking a strategic shift in the region. Prominent offshore projects in the region include Australia's Briseis, Scarborough, and Laverda projects, Malaysia's Rotan, Gumusut-Kakap, and Petai projects, India's KG-D6 complex, and Indonesia's Gehem project. Furthermore, the region is witnessing an increase in the number of offshore support vessels, with a growing presence of vessel manufacturers, particularly from China and South Korea. In February 2021, China National Offshore Oil Corporation unveiled its business strategy for the year, outlining plans to enhance hydrocarbon production. The growth of the offshore support vessel market in the Asia Pacific region is driven by factors such as escalating deepwater activities, the development of new oil fields, and the expansion of offshore wind farms, signifying a positive outlook for the industry in this dynamic region. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=1212 Key Market Players: Some of the major players in the Offshore Support Vessel Companies are DOF ASA (Norway), Solstad Offshore ASA (Norway), Tidewater Inc. (US), A.P. Moller - Maersk (Denmark), Siem Offshore (Norway), BOURBON (France), and Vroon (Netherlands). The major strategies adopted by these players include sales contracts, agreements, alliances, partnerships, acquisitions, and expansions. Recent Developments In April 2023 , Bourbon Marine & Logistics announced its partnership with the Guyanese company- Tethys Marine & Logistics, which will become a 51% shareholder of the Bourbon Guyana Joint Venture. With 75% Guyanese Directors, Bourbon Guyana will become the first indigenous offshore support vessel operator, fully compliant with the most recent local content regulations. , Bourbon Marine & Logistics announced its partnership with the Guyanese company- Tethys Marine & Logistics, which will become a 51% shareholder of the Bourbon Guyana Joint Venture. With 75% Guyanese Directors, Bourbon Guyana will become the first indigenous offshore support vessel operator, fully compliant with the most recent local content regulations. In March 2023 , Maersk entered into a three-year contract with Petrobras, a state-owned Brazilian multinational corporation in the petroleum industry, to use three L-class anchor handlers to carry out a range of anchor handling activities and rig movements. This move is part of Maersk's efforts to strengthen its position in the Brazilian market for supply chain services and become a respected integrated solutions provider in the region. Maersk Supply Services has already secured several contracts, including a series of solutions contracts for the FPSO Fluminense on behalf of Shell and the Mero 2 contract for. , Maersk entered into a three-year contract with Petrobras, a state-owned Brazilian multinational corporation in the petroleum industry, to use three L-class anchor handlers to carry out a range of anchor handling activities and rig movements. This move is part of Maersk's efforts to strengthen its position in the Brazilian market for supply chain services and become a respected integrated solutions provider in the region. Maersk Supply Services has already secured several contracts, including a series of solutions contracts for the FPSO Fluminense on behalf of Shell and the Mero 2 contract for. In March 2023 , Tidewater Inc. announced a definitive agreement to purchase 37 of Solstad Offshore ASA's (SOFF) platform supply vessels (PSVs). , Tidewater Inc. announced a definitive agreement to purchase 37 of Solstad Offshore ASA's (SOFF) platform supply vessels (PSVs). In January 2023 , Maersk entered into an assignment agreement with TechnipFMC for the comprehensive towing and mooring campaign of Petrobras's Buzios 6 Project, the seventh module of Buzios, offshore Brazil . The scope of work includes the pre-installation of the mooring system and hook-up of the FPSO P-78, which will be the seventh FPSO in the Buzios field, located in the Santos Basin, Brazil . The project is expected to take nearly two years to complete, with onshore work already underway, including engineering, procurement, and project management. Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=1212 Browse Adjacent Markets: Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Marine Engines Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Offshore Decommissioning Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Dynamic Positioning Systems Market - Global Forecast to 2026 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/offshore-support-vessel-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/offshore-support-vessel.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/offshore-support-vessel-market-worth-31-4-billion-by-2028---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-301839686.html LD Micro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Freedom US Markets, was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the micro-cap space. Whether it is the Index, comprehensive data, or hosting the most significant events annually, LD's sole mission is to serve as an invaluable asset for all those interested in finding the next generation of great companies. For more information on LD Micro, visit www.ldmicro.com. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - HighGold Mining Inc. (TSXV: HIGH) (OTCQX: HGGOF) ("HighGold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, at the annual general and special meeting of the Company held on May 30, 2023 (the "Meeting"), the shareholders of HighGold (the "Shareholders") approved the proposed Plan of Arrangement (the "Arrangement") involving HighGold and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Onyx Gold Corp. ("Onyx Gold"). For details regarding the Arrangement, see the news releases of the Company dated May 24, 2023, March 17, 2023 and February 22, 2023. At the Meeting, the special resolution approving the Arrangement (the "Arrangement Resolution") was overwhelmingly approved by 99.56% of the Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy. Accordingly, the shareholder approval required to proceed with the Arrangement has been obtained. The Arrangement is expected to become effective on or about June 6, 2023 (the "Effective Date"), subject to, among other things, HighGold obtaining a Final Order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia in respect of the Arrangement and final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") of the Arrangement and other conditions customary in transactions of this nature. All HighGold shareholders as of the Effective Date will receive one (1) common share in the capital of Onyx Gold for every four (4) common shares held in the capital of HighGold. At the Meeting, all other matters submitted to the shareholders for approval as set out in the Company's Notice of Meeting and Information Circular dated April 25, 2023, were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the Meeting. Update on Onyx Gold Concurrent Financing The Company is also pleased to note that, further to its news release dated May 24, 2023, due to strong demand the Company intends to upsize the Onyx Gold concurrent financing to C$7 million, consisting of units and flow-through units for Onyx Gold (the "Concurrent Financing"). The Company expects to apply to list the common shares of Onyx on the TSXV and expects to close the Concurrent Financing concurrent with listing, which will be subject to the receipt of TSXV approval. About HighGold HighGold is a mineral exploration company focused on high-grade gold projects located in North America. HighGold's flagship asset is the high-grade Johnson Tract Gold-Zinc-Copper Project located in accessible Southcentral Alaska, USA. The Company also controls one of the largest junior gold miner land positions in the Timmins, Ontario gold camp. This includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, which is renowned for its high-grade mineralization, and the large Golden Mile and Timmins South properties. HighGold also has 100% ownership of a group of properties in Yukon's emerging new Selwyn Basin Reduced Intrusive Related Gold district. HighGold's experienced Board and senior management team, are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration. On Behalf of HighGold Mining Inc. "Darwin Green" President & CEO For further information, please visit the HighGold Mining Inc. website at www.highgoldmining.com, or contact: Darwin Green, President & CEO or Naomi Nemeth, VP Investor Relations Phone: 1-604-629-1165 or North American toll-free 1-855-629-1165 Email: information@highgoldmining.com. Website: www.highgoldmining.com Twitter: @HighgoldMining Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's plans to complete the Arrangement, the anticipated closing date of the Arrangement, the anticipated listing of Onyx Gold on the TSXV, the completion by Onyx Gold of the Concurrent Financing, and the closing of the Concurrent Financing are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include, among other things, the ability of the Company to obtain requisite approvals for the Arrangement and the listing of Onyx Gold on the TSXV, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168306 Empowering German Patients: Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. and WEECO Pharma GmbH Unite to Deliver High-Quality Cannabis Products LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co., a leading cannabis lifestyle brand, is proud to announce its exclusive partnership with WEECO, a European multi-country operator dedicated to patient safety and responsible dispensing of medical cannabis. This strategic collaboration marks Cheech & Chong's entry into the European medical cannabis market, with WEECO serving as the sole distributor of Cheech & Chong products in Germany. Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. Company Logo "We are excited to partner with WEECO to bring our premium cannabis products to the German market," said Cheech Marin, co-founder of Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. "Germany is a rapidly growing medical cannabis market and we are thrilled to offer our safe and innovative products to the German patients in need." "With Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co., a true cannabis legend and industry hero enters the arena of pharma grade Cannabis. We are proud to warmly welcome them to the German medical cannabis market," said Borge Diessel, CEO of WEECO Pharma GmbH. "By combining our proven competencies, we will continue to drive growth and innovation in a developing German cannabis industry. Together, we are committed to further improving the well-being of every German patient in need." WEECO Pharma GmbH is the pharmaceutical arm of the WEECO Group and a leading distributor of high-quality cannabis products throughout Europe. Based on multiple years of industry experience in several U.S. states, the company has quickly established itself as a trusted source for premium cannabis products with real dedication to the plant. "We chose WEECO as our exclusive partner in Germany because of their reputation for excellence within the industry," said Jonathan Black, CEO of Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. "Their commitment to quality aligns perfectly with ours, making them an ideal collaborator for this venture." The partnership between Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. and WEECO represents a powerful combination of two industry leaders, united by their commitment to quality and innovation. With over 50 years of combined experience, both companies have established themselves as leaders in their respective fields. The partnership will allow patients throughout Germany to experience the unique culture and high-quality products that have made Cheech & Chong a household name. About Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. is a leading cannabis lifestyle brand that has been entertaining and educating for over 40 years. Their mission is to provide high-quality, safe, and reliable cannabis products to their customers while promoting the benefits and positive impact of the plant. At Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co., they believe that cannabis is more than just a plant; it is a lifestyle that brings people together and promotes well-being. Their company's history and legacy are rooted in humor and activism, and they continue to honor those values today. Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. is not just a brand; it is a cultural phenomenon that has stood the test of time. At Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co., they are dedicated to providing the highest quality cannabis products, promoting sustainability and responsible production practices, and maintaining their legacy as a leading brand in the industry. https://cheechandchong.com/ About WEECO, GmbH WEECO unites the world's most outstanding EU-GMP producers and brands on one single distribution platform. The company holds all necessary approvals and licenses to distribute medical cannabis products in Germany and is permitted to export its products worldwide. Its sustaining commitment to quality made WEECO a well-known actor in shaping the early German Medical Cannabis Landscape and a trusted partner to most of the major domestic brands. The group's pharmaceutically licensed cannabis breeding and clone-export facilities in Denmark supply L.A. heritage genetics to the world's leading GMP-Producers and directly to tens of thousands of international Medical Cannabis patients. An active role in the roll-out of the Swiss cannabis pilot projects reflects the group's laser focus on the forefront of European cannabis legalization and allows it to cater a unique experience into an emerging German recreational- or pilot project scenario. https://weeco.com/ Media Contact Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. Brooke Mangum CMO brooke@cheechandchong.com WEECO Pharma GmbH Jessica Koy Head of Communication jessica.koy@weeco.com International Partner Inquiries David Epp davidepp@cheechandchong.com SOURCE: Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758432/Cheech-and-Chongs-Global-Holding-Company-and-WEECO-Pharma-GmbH-Partner-to-Bring-Iconic-Cannabis-Brand-to-European-Medical-Market Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 5,337,772 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.145 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately $773,997 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.20 per Warrant Share for a period of 48 months from the closing date of the Offering, provided that if the volume weighted average closing price of the Shares on the TSXV (or such other stock exchange on which the Shares are traded) is equal to or greater than $0.25 for any ten consecutive trading days, the Company may at its option to elect to accelerate the expiry of the Warrants by providing notice to the holders thereof, in which case the Warrants will expire thirty calendar days following delivery of such notice. The Offering is being completed pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions and therefore the securities issued in the Offering will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and at https://plurilock.com/. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. In addition to the Offering, the Company intends to complete a concurrent private placement of up to 3,103,448 Units (the "Placement Units") to certain purchasers pursuant to applicable exemptions under NI 45-106 for aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately $450,000 (the "Concurrent Placement"). The Concurrent Placement will be subject to the same term as the Offering. The Placement Units will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period following the closing date. In connection with the Offering and the Concurrent Placement, the Company may pay certain finders (each, a "Finder") a cash commission equal to 7% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised from those purchasers introduced by such Finder and/or issue such Finder such number of non-transferable share purchase warrants equal to 7% of the total number of Units sold to investors introduced by such Finder, which provide that such Finder may acquire common shares of the Company (each a "Finder's Warrant Share") at $0.145 per Finder's Warrant Share for a period of 48 months from the date of issuance. The Company intends to use the proceeds raised from the Offering and Concurrent Placement for general corporate purposes and market awareness advertising. The Offering and Concurrent Placement may close in tranches. The first tranches of the Offering and Concurrent Placement is expected to close on or around June 16, 2023. The Offering and Concurrent Placement are subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering and Concurrent Placement have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Plurilock Plurilock secures workforces, delivering least privilege access management and advanced IT solutions to commercial and government customers worldwide. With industry-leading artificial intelligence and patented real-time identity confirmation technology, Plurilock combines next-generation cybersecurity with a comprehensive line of products and services that enable teams across North America and the globe to compute safely in a remote work world. For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact: Ian L. Paterson Chief Executive Officer ian@plurilock.com 416.800.1566 Prit Singh Investor Relations prit.singh@plurilock.com 905.510.7636 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, and unforeseen events and developments. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168318 Cristiano Fagnani named CEO of Off-White; remains responsible for the Reebok Business as CEO of NGG++ Stephanie Phair appointed Chair of New Guards Group (NGG); retains her role as Group President, FARFETCH NGG co-founders Davide De Giglio and Andrea Grilli step down from their roles nearly four years after FARFETCH's acquisition of NGG FARFETCH, the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry, today announced that Cristiano Fagnani has been named CEO of Off-White and also remains responsible for NGG's Reebok business as CEO of NGG++. Stephanie Phair has been appointed Chair of NGG. The company also announced that NGG CEO, Davide De Giglio, along with his co-founder, Executive Director and Off-White CEO, Andrea Grilli, are stepping down from their roles. The existing leadership team for Palm Angels remains unchanged; with Stefano Robino as General Manager and Francesco Ragazzi as Founder and Creative Director. The leadership of the other NGG brands remains unchanged as well. Founded in 2015 and based in Milan, NGG manages the design, production and distribution for a range of global brands, including Palm Angels, Off-White and Reebok. It was acquired by FARFETCH in 2019. Mr. Fagnani has over 20 years of industry experience, including as Chief Marketing Officer for NGG where he worked closely with Off-White. Prior to joining NGG more than three years ago, he had a highly successful career at Nike, where he led Energy Marketing, Brand Experience and Product Collaborations. Stefano Robino has more than two decades of experience in the luxury fashion industry, having held senior roles with brands including Ami, Tom Ford, Zegna and Lanvin, prior to joining NGG more than three years ago. Under Mr. Robino's leadership, the Palm Angels brand more than doubled its revenues from 2020 to 2022. Ms. Phair, who has been working closely with the NGG Group, including as a member of the operational boards for the NGG brands, will support the NGG leadership team toward achieving the goals set out for the business and foster the continued successful integration with the FARFETCH Group. She maintains her role as Group President, FARFETCH. A seasoned luxury executive, she founded TheOutnet.com while an executive at Net-a-Porter, and has held roles with Issey Miyake and Vogue. Previously, the multi-lingual Ms. Phair also served on the Board of Directors for Moncler S.p.A., and was the Chair of the British Fashion Council. Jose Neves, Founder, CEO and Chair, FARFETCH, said: "New Guards has performed extremely well since 2019, and has continued to execute on its strategy with the recent launch of Reebok. I would like to thank Davide and Andrea for their dedicated leadership over the past four years, and for building a very strong team of successors to continue driving the strategy and operations of NGG. They leave with my fondest best wishes for their future endeavours. With a very experienced management team in Cristiano, Ib, Stefano and Francesco and the added benefit of Stephanie's oversight, I am confident in the continued success of NGG." Davide De Giglio said: "As the co-founder of NGG, I take this moment to reflect on the remarkable decade that has transpired since the inception of our platform. This journey, filled with challenges, learnings, and victories, has been nothing short of extraordinary. From an initial idea to a leading light in the fashion world, NGG's evolution has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. We've been a symbol of innovation, creativity, and independence, setting trends and collaborating with phenomenal talent. We are indebted to FARFETCH, who recognized our potential and backed our ambitions. Their acquisition has not just fostered our growth but has also ensured our global presence and influence. Today, after a beautiful ten-year journey, I step down from my position at NGG. My heart is filled with gratitude for the opportunities I have been given, the extraordinary individuals I had the privilege to work with, and the collective successes we achieved. I leave behind a resilient, dynamic, and robust group that I'm confident will continue to flourish and uphold our shared vision. I look forward with excitement to seeing where the next decade will take NGG." Andrea Grilli said: "Nine years, more than 800 employees, over 70 stores, customers in more than 100 countries and over 170 collaborations and capsule collections. Behind these numbers are endless emotions that can't really be summed up in a few lines. Contributing to the development of NGG by helping the brands gain global visibility and respect in the luxury industry since day one is a priceless experience because it highlights all the efforts made by the wonderful people who I've had the good fortune to work with. NGG, today more than ever and thanks to the involvement and support of FARFETCH, is in an incredible position. I wish them and the team all the best and will carry this experience with me forever." ENDS Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future operational and financial performance of our New Guards Group business, as well as statements that include the words "expect," "plan," "aim," "enable," "believe," or the negative of these terms and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on our website at http://farfetchinvestors.com. In addition, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements that we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release are inherently uncertain and may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. In addition, the forward-looking statements made in this release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. About FARFETCH Farfetch Limited is the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry. Founded in 2007 by Jose Neves for the love of fashion, and launched in 2008, Farfetch began as an e-commerce marketplace for luxury boutiques around the world. Today, the Farfetch Marketplace connects customers in over 190 countries and territories with items from more than 50 countries and over 1,400 of the world's best brands, boutiques and department stores, delivering a truly unique shopping experience and access to the most extensive selection of luxury on a global platform. Farfetch's additional businesses include Browns and Stadium Goods, which offer luxury products to consumers, and New Guards Group, a platform for the development of global fashion brands. Farfetch offers its broad range of consumer-facing channels and enterprise level solutions to the luxury industry under its Luxury New Retail initiative. The Luxury New Retail initiative also encompasses Farfetch Platform Solutions, which services enterprise clients with e-commerce and technology capabilities, and Future Retail, which develops innovations such as our Connected Retail solutions. For more information, please visit www.farfetchinvestors.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005627/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: Susannah Clark EVP Communications, FARFETCH Limited susannah.clark@farfetch.com +44 7788 405224 Brunswick Group farfetch@brunswickgroup.com US: +1 (212) 333 3810 UK: +44 (0) 207 404 5959 Investor Relations Contact: Alice Ryder VP Investor Relations, FARFETCH Limited ir@farfetch.com New Collaboration Set to Onboard Mainstream Gamers into Web3 Games TORONTO, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Telos Foundation ("Telos") today announced a strategic collaboration with GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) ("GameStop") that will allow the Telos blockchain to access mainstream gaming distribution via GameStop's upcoming Web3 game launcher, GameStop Playr . This collaboration signifies a meaningful opportunity to expand the global GameFi ecosystem and bring Web3 gaming to mainstream users. The collaboration will enable users to enjoy Web3 games supported by Telos, which is a decentralized blockchain with proven scalability, affordability, low carbon footprint, and impressive lifetime track record of continuous uptime. "We are thrilled to enter into this transformative collaboration with GameStop," said AJ Dinger, Head of Business Development at the Telos Foundation. "We believe this collaboration will be a meaningful driver of new users into the Web3 space. By combining GameStop Playr with Web3 games utilizing Telos' high performance blockchain infrastructure, we can break down many of the barriers currently deterring Web2 players from embracing Web3." Justin Giudici, CEO of the Telos Foundation, shared Mr. Dinger's excitement. "Telos offers an ideal environment for GameStop's push into Web3 game distribution," said Giudici. "We believe the prerequisites for advancing this dynamic space require a platform that's fast, secure, sustainable and scalable." As traditional gaming studios, publishers and distributors explore Web3 technology, the collaboration's objective is to help bridge the gap between the conventional gaming community and the Web3 audience. About Telos Foundation: The Telos Foundation is a decentralized, independent, not-for-profit organization that oversees the development and governance of the Telos blockchain. In 2021, Telos introduced tEVM, the world's fastest Ethereum Virtual Machine to run concurrently alongside the native Telos Network. In an ever-evolving world, Telos is focused on advancing decentralization through sound, reliable, eco-conscious and trustless technology while providing solutions that can lead to greater adoption of blockchain technology globally. Press Inquiries: press@telosfoundation.io Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2090312/Telos_Foundation_Telos_Announces_Strategic_Collaboration_with_Ga.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/telos-announces-strategic-collaboration-with-gamestop-to-expand-web3-gaming-301839485.html Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Quarterly Report Highlights Fashion Brands Gaining Traction with Influencer Strategies Tagger Media, the global technology leader powering influencer marketing and social intelligence, releases its inaugural Fashion Influencer Marketing Report today. The report, which looks at data for Q1 2023, unveils how and where consumers interact with influencers and which brands are gaining traction as a result. Leveraging the company's social intelligence engine, Signals, the report looks at overall brand performance for the first quarter and how high-profile events like New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week increased visibility for many. The Fashion Influencer Marketing Report shows an impressive 10 million influencer posts across social platforms in Q1, with Instagram leading the pack as the most popular. However, TikTok has the highest engagement rate of any platform at 2.36%. This is a trend Tagger sees across all industries as followers respond positively to the platform's short-form video format. "The fashion industry has long been a leader in influencer marketing, and Q1 reflects the extraordinary investment made by brands," said Dave Dickman, CEO at Tagger Media. "But, this industry is constantly evolving with fresh trends and captivating content resonating with audiences. Our Fashion Report helps make sense of the space, empowering brands to discover the path to success and seize existing opportunities to build awareness and loyalty." Here are some key takeaways from the Fashion Influencer Marketing Report: Format is Everything: There are clear top performers for fashion influencers when it comes to content types. Tagger found that TikTok videos, Instagram Reels and Instagram Carousels are the best content types by a mile, with engagement rates surpassing 1.6%. There are clear top performers for fashion influencers when it comes to content types. Tagger found that TikTok videos, Instagram Reels and Instagram Carousels are the best content types by a mile, with engagement rates surpassing 1.6%. Organic Chatter Wins: Zara, Amazon, and Christian Dior are the Q1 organic chatter winners, with 23,000+ profiles posted and 65,000+ posts collectively. In addition, Christian Dior was the most discussed brand during the major Fashion Weeks for the quarter, followed by Prada and Gucci. Zara, Amazon, and Christian Dior are the Q1 organic chatter winners, with 23,000+ profiles posted and 65,000+ posts collectively. In addition, Christian Dior was the most discussed brand during the major Fashion Weeks for the quarter, followed by Prada and Gucci. Talking Twitter: Interestingly, Twitter is the second most popular for post volume across social channels but has the lowest engagement rate at 0.17%. It's clear this platform and its content types are not resonating with followers, possibly due to its text-heavy nature. As a result, brands may want to shift their focus to other platforms and invest less in Twitter content. "The inaugural Fashion Report highlights how leading brands are making noise and gaining momentum through strategic influencer relation efforts," explained Dickman. "One prime example is Dolce Gabbana, a brand leveraging the Tagger platform and experiencing undeniable results, with an overwhelming surge in organic social chatter. So, we feel confident about the benefits our solution provides leaders in the space, and we are excited to keep a pulse on how it evolves." For Tagger Media's full Q1 Fashion Influencer Marketing Report, visit: https://www.taggermedia.com/research/fashion-index-q1-2023 About Tagger Media Tagger Media has revolutionized the social media marketing industry for some of today's biggest brands and agencies, including Omnicom, Havas Media, Ketchum, Social Chain, Spindrift, Takumi, Valvoline, and Dolce Gabbana. The data-driven social intelligence platform allows marketers to research and analyze industry trends, plan campaigns, maximize workflow efficiencies, discover, and connect with creators, and accurately measure ROI. To learn more, visit taggermedia.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005155/en/ Contacts: Katie Huff Trevelino/Keller 404.214.0722 khuff@trevelinokeller.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Fathom Nickel Inc. (CSE: FNI) (FSE: 6Q5) (OTCQB: FNICF) (the "Company" or "Fathom") is pleased to announce that with the final cash payment of $75,000, it has now fulfilled all requirements under the agreement to acquire the Watts Lake Mineral Claims ("Watts Lake") from SKRR Exploration Inc. ("SKRR"), dated March 21, 2023 (the "Acquisition Agreement")1. As a result, Fathom now holds 100% of Watts Lake, consisting of twenty-four (24) mineral claims totalling 13,708 hectares. Watts Lake, together with the lands covered by the original Gochager Lake Option Agreement and subsequent staking (ten [10] mineral claims in all, totalling 5,851 hectares) now encompasses a contiguous land package of 19,559 hectares, collectively referred to as the "Gochager Lake Property". (See Figure 1). Ian Fraser, CEO and VP Exploration, stated, "With the acquisition of Watts Lake now complete, we have begun the process of incorporating the historic exploration data obtained as part of the Acquisition Agreement with our modeling and data information system covering the original Gochager Lake dispositions. We are particularly excited to assess the Watts Lake ground that is covered by the historic 2008 VTEM survey. Based on initial analysis of the VTEM survey area, our geophysical consultants have now identified 11 prospective nickel targets away from the historic Gochager Lake deposit. These have become high-priority areas (areas not previously explored), for additional geophysics/geological mapping, prospecting, soil geochemistry and, ultimately, drilling as we continue our exploration work at Gochager Lake. We will also begin analysing the Borys Lake VMS-style Pb-Zn deposit occurring within the Watts Lake ground. The VMS mineralization, coincident with the known magmatic Ni sulphide mineralization at the Gochager Lake deposit and Mal Lake occurrence within this contiguous property, speaks to the potential of a significant metal endowment and the tremendous exploration potential of this combined land package". Summer Exploration Update The Company is currently finalizing its plans for the initial phases of exploration at both Gochager Lake and Albert Lake. Geophysical crews are expected to mobilize to Gochager Lake on June 6 and initiate a geophysical program expected to last two to three weeks. A separate geophysical crew is expected to mobilize to Albert Lake later in June. Gochager Lake Program The Gochager Lake geophysical program will consist of additional borehole electromagnetic ("BHEM") surveys on all drillholes probed in the Q1-2023 drilling program (see Press Release April 12, 2023) utilizing a multiple-loop configuration and Induction and Fluxgate ("FG") Probes. The same loop configuration will be used to run surface profiles in the area of the high-grade nickel mineralization encountered in the Q1 drilling. The goal of these surveys will be to better define the orientation and geometry of what we anticipate are steeply plunging, highly-conductive, semi-massive to massive sulphide, nickel bearing lenses. It is anticipated that certain historic drillholes drilled in 1989-1990 will be open for additional BHEM surveys. Once the BHEM and surface EM results are interpreted and modelled, the Company can then design proper drilling azimuths and dips to be utilized in a drill program expected to begin mid-summer. Albert Lake Program The Albert Lake geophysical program will consist of surface, time domain electromagnetic surveys ("TDEM") utilizing multiple fixed loop configurations within the area of the very robust soil geochemistry anomaly occurring within the Tremblay-Olson Claims area (see Press Release January 17, 2023). It is anticipated this survey will better define airborne conductors outlined in an AirTEM survey conducted by Fathom in Q2/Q3 2022 and results from a VTEM survey flown over the area in 2008. Furthermore, this survey will better define and orient the off-hole conductors defined in drillholes AL23073 and AL23074 drilled Q1 2023 (see Press Release May 5, 2023). This program, expected to last approximately three weeks, will produce a deeper view and better-defined imagery and Maxwell Plate models. The results from the summer program will lead to additional drilling to be conducted in Fall-2023/Winter-2024. Figure - 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7843/168328_41f22da2b42208b0_001full.jpg Qualified Person and Data Verification Ian Fraser, P.Geo., CEO, VP Exploration and a Director of the Company and the "qualified person" as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of the Company. About Fathom Nickel Inc. Fathom is an exploration company that is targeting magmatic nickel sulphide discoveries to support the rapidly growing global electric vehicle market. The Company has a portfolio of two high-quality exploration projects located in the prolific Trans Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan: 1) the Albert Lake Project, a 90,000+ hectare project that was host to the historic and past producing Rottenstone deposit (produced high-grade Ni-Cu+PGE, 1965-1969), and 2) the Gochager Lake Project, a 19,560-hectare project that is host to a historic, open-pitable resource consisting of 4.3M tons at 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu2. 2The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMID#0880) reports drill indicated reserves of 4,262,400 tons grading 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu mineable by open pit. Fathom cannot confirm the resource estimate nor the parameters and methods used to prepare the reserve estimate. The estimate is not considered NI43-101 compliant and further work is required to verify this historical drill indicated reserve. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Ian Fraser P.Geo." CEO, VP Exploration, Director For Further Information Please Contact: Ian Fraser, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-President, Exploration 1-403-650-9760 Email: ifraser@fathomnickel.com Or Doug Porter, President & CFO +1-403-870-4349 Email: dporter@fathomnickel.com Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding payment of terms under the Option Agreement, permitting for the Property, receipt of an exploration permit, timing of the exploration program on the Property and the Company achieving the earn-in thresholds under the Option Agreement. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. 1 Under the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, Fathom acquired 100% interest in Watts Lake by making an initial cash payment of CAD$75,000, issuing 2,000,000 common shares of Fathom to SKRR and making a final cash payment of $75,000 within 60 days of the execution of the Acquisition Agreement.. The Acquisition Agreement provides for a 2% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty in favour of Edge Geological Consulting Inc., a company controlled by Ross McElroy. The NSR is subject to a buy down to 1% for CAD$1,000,000. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168328 PETACH TIKVA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address oncology, inflammatory and liver diseases, today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Clinical and Corporate Development Highlights Include: NAMODENOSON Oncology Pivotal Phase 3 Liver Cancer Study-Can-Fite's ongoing pivotal Phase 3 liver cancer study is designed to assess Namodenoson in the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and underlying Child Pugh B7 (CPB7) who have not responded to 1 or 2 other lines of therapy. The primary endpoint is overall survival. An interim analysis will be performed. During the first quarter, a study titled "Targeting the A3 adenosine receptor to treat hepatocellular carcinoma: anti-cancer and hepatoprotective effects" was published in the peer-reviewed journal Purinergic Signalling. Phase 2a Pancreatic Cancer Study-Can-Fite is preparing for an open-label Phase 2 exploratory trial to assess the safety and efficacy of Namodenoson in the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer who have received at least one previous systemic therapy. Safety and efficacy endpoints including objective response, progression-free survival, duration of response, disease control, and overall survival will be monitored. The study will be conducted by Dr. Salomon Stemmer, an oncology key opinion leader and Professor at the Institute of Oncology, Rabin Medical Center, Israel. In pre-clinical studies, Namodenoson had a significant anti-cancer effect in pancreatic carcinoma as a monotherapy and an additive effect when combined with gemcitabine, the standard-of-care chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. The mechanism of action entails de-regulation of the Wnt signal transduction pathway, a key modulator of pancreatic carcinoma cell growth. Can-Fite filed a patent application that covers the use of Namodenoson for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Moreover, Can-Fite's pancreatic cancer program received recognition from ASCO when its study titled "Effects of Namodenoson on Pancreatic Carcinoma: Preclinical Evidence" was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology supplement of the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings. Pancreatic cancer is an unmet medical need. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), in 2020, an estimated 496,000 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer globally and an estimated 466,000 died from the disease. The 5-year survival rate for people with pancreatic cancer in the U.S. is 11%. Acumen Research estimates the global pancreatic cancer therapeutics market was valued at approximately $3.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to approximately $6.6 billion by 2030. Liver Diseases Phase 2b NASH Study-A Phase 2b NASH study is currently ongoing to evaluate Namodenoson's efficacy as compared to placebo, determined by a histological endpoint. Namodenoson met its primary endpoint of reducing liver fat, inhibiting fibrosis, and demonstrating an anti-inflammatory effect in a prior Phase 2a NASH study. Compassionate Use in Patients with Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis-Based on data showing that Namodenoson has liver protective effects, Namodenoson is now given to patients with decompensated cirrhosis, an advanced form of cirrhosis associated with liver failure for which there are no therapeutic options other than liver transplantation. Patients will be treated with Namodenoson at the Soroka Medical Center in Israel under compassionate use. Decompensated cirrhosis is an acute deterioration in liver function in patients with cirrhosis, characterized by jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, or variceal hemorrhage. This is an unmet medical need and there is no therapeutic approach that has shown efficacy in slowing disease progression. An estimated 10.6 million people globally had decompensated cirrhosis in 2017, with few treatment options available aside from liver transplants if the decompensated cirrhosis has reached an advanced stage. The treatment of liver cirrhosis in the U.S. is estimated to become an approximately $15 billion market by 2030. PICLIDENOSON Green Light from EMA for a Pivotal Phase 3 Psoriasis Study-The European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave Can-Fite a positive opinion on its registration plan for a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for Piclidenoson in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. The pivotal study and the safety of the 3 mg twice daily dose of Piclidenoson are accepted by the agency. Can-Fite has submitted a comparable data package to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and expects a similar response. Corporate Developments New Management Structure as Advanced Stage Pipeline Moves Toward Commercialization-Effective June 30, 2023, executive changes go into effect to support the Company's continued success. Motti Farbstein will lead Can-Fite as Chief Executive Officer and continue to serve as its Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Pnina Fishman, Can-Fite's Scientific Founder, will move from her position as CEO to become Executive Chairman of the Board as well as continuing to serve as Chief Scientific Officer. Raised $7.5 Million-In January 2023, Can-Fite raised $7.5 million through a concurrent registered direct offering and private placement. The Company's cash and equivalents on March 31, 2023 was $12.4 million and is expected to cover all clinical development programs and general and administrative expenses for more than a year from the date of this press release. "During 2023 we plan to increase our efforts towards establishing additional distribution deals and partnerships. We continue to make progress with our two main indications, liver cancer and psoriasis, as we open additional avenues with niche indications based on evidence of the efficacy and safety of our drugs," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. Financial Results Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $0.19 million, a decrease of $0.01 million, or 4.40%, compared to $0.20 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in revenues is considered to be immaterial. Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $2.06 million, an increase of $0.24 million, or 13.17%, compared to $1.82 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2023 comprised primarily of expenses associated with the completion of the Phase 3 study of Piclidenoson for the treatment of psoriasis and two ongoing studies for Namodenoson, a Phase 3 study in the treatment of advanced liver cancer and a Phase 2b study for NASH. The increase is primarily due to an increase in expenses associated with Namodenoson. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $0.84 million an increase of $0.09 million, or 12.33%, compared to $0.75 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase is primarily due to the increase in travel expenses and increase in accrued bonuses to the Company's employees. We expect that general and administrative expenses will remain at the same level through 2023. Financial income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $0.16 million compared to finance expense, net of $0.06 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in financial income, net was mainly due to exchange rate differences which in 2023 was recorded as income and in 2022 was recorded as expense and revaluation of our short-term investment which in 2023 was recorded as income and in 2022 was recorded as expense. Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $2.55 million compared with a net loss of $2.43 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to an increase in research and development expenses which was partly offset by an increase in finance income, net. As of March 31, 2023, Can-Fite had cash and cash equivalents and short term deposits of $12.4 million as compared to $7.98 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in cash during the three months ended March 31, 2023 is due to the issuance of share capital and warrants which was offset by ongoing operations of the Company. The Company's consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are presented in accordance with US GAAP Reporting Standards. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS U.S. dollars in thousands (except for share and per share data) March 31, December 31, 2023 2022 Unaudited ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,264 $ 2,978 Short term deposit 11,135 5,001 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 962 1,170 Short-term investment 18 8 Total current assets 13,379 9,157 NON-CURRENT ASSETS: Operating lease right of use assets 70 84 Property, plant and equipment, net 40 42 Total non-current assets 110 126 Total assets $ 13,489 $ 9,283 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS U.S. dollars in thousands (except for share and per share data) March 31, December 31, 2023 2022 Unaudited LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Trade payables $ 963 $ 896 Current maturity of operating lease liability 42 48 Deferred revenues 783 783 Other accounts payable 1,103 775 Total current liabilities 2,891 2,502 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES: Long - term operating lease liability 6 14 Deferred revenues 2,099 2,295 Total long-term liabilities 2,105 2,309 CONTIGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Ordinary shares of no-par value - Authorized: 5,000,000,000 shares at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022; Issued and outstanding: 1,224,837,393 and 815,746,293 shares as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 - - Additional paid-in capital 160,763 154,192 Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,127 1,127 Accumulated deficit (153,397 ) (150,847 ) Total equity 8,493 4,472 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 13,489 $ 2,983 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS U.S. dollars in thousands (except for share and per share data) Three months ended March 31, 2023 2022 Unaudited Revenues $ 196 $ 205 Research and development expenses (2,061 ) (1,821 ) General and administrative expenses (847 ) (754 ) Operating loss (2,712 ) (2,370 ) Total financial income (expense), net 162 (64) Net loss attributed to ordinary shareholders (2,550 ) (2,434 ) Basic and diluted net loss per share (0.00 ) (0.00 ) Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share 1,178,872,101 815,746,293 About Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF) is an advanced clinical stage drug development company with a platform technology that is designed to address multi-billion dollar markets in the treatment of cancer, liver, and inflammatory disease. The Company's anti-inflammatory drug Piclidenoson reported topline results in a Phase 3 trial for psoriasis and is expected to commence a pivotal Phase 3. Can-Fite's cancer and liver drug, Namodenoson, is being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), enrollment is expected to commence in a Phase 3 trial for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the Company is planning a Phase 2a study in pancreatic cancer. Namodenoson has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Europe and Fast Track Designation as a second line treatment for HCC by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Namodenoson has also shown proof of concept to potentially treat other cancers including colon, prostate, and melanoma. CF602, the Company's third drug candidate, has shown efficacy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. These drugs have an excellent safety profile with experience in over 1,500 patients in clinical studies to date. For more information please visit: www.can-fite.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements, about Can-Fite's expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding, among other things, its product development efforts, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects. All statements in this communication, other than those relating to historical facts, are "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "may," "should" or "anticipate" or their negatives or other variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Can-Fite's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include, among other things, our history of losses and needs for additional capital to fund our operations and our inability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all; uncertainties of cash flows and inability to meet working capital needs; the initiation, timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies, clinical trials and other product candidate development efforts; our ability to advance our product candidates into clinical trials or to successfully complete our preclinical studies or clinical trials; our receipt of regulatory approvals for our product candidates, and the timing of other regulatory filings and approvals; the clinical development, commercialization and market acceptance of our product candidates; our ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships and other corporate collaborations; the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business and product candidates; the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our product candidates and our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; competitive companies, technologies and our industry; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine; risks related to not satisfying the continued listing requirements of NYSE American; and statements as to the impact of the political and security situation in Israel on our business. More information on these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included from time to time in the "Risk Factors" section of Can-Fite's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023 and other public reports filed with the SEC and in its periodic filings with the TASE. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Can-Fite undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws. Contacts Can-Fite BioPharma Motti Farbstein info@canfite.com +972-3-9241114 Former UK CAA Director takes on instrumental role to launch airline Stephenson will deputise for CEO, James Asquith , and lead commercial and operational development LONDON, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Airlines, the world's newest long-haul airline, has announced the appointment of Richard Stephenson OBE as a board director and chief commercial officer. Stephenson, who has been advising Founder and CEO, James Asquith, since last summer, has now taken up a fulltime post within the business, with more senior appointments imminent. Stephenson started his career on an industrial placement at British Airways in 1998 and describes his role with Global Airlines as 'a dream come true'. He spent six years as a director of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, during which he managed some of the biggest crisis situations to hit the sector and vigorously defended consumer rights. James Asquith, CEO and Founder of Global Airlines said, "I could not be more delighted to welcome Richard to our team. His leadership and vast aviation experience, not to mention his communications, political and consumer background, makes him an invaluable addition to the Global team as we prepare to launch our transatlantic services next spring. We've now acquired our first aircraft, with more to follow soon, and Richard will be instrumental in leading the team responsible for getting us ready to take to the skies." Richard Stephenson said, "James' vision for Global Airlines is compelling and this is the most exciting role; indeed a dream come true. As the aviation industry continues to thrive, our ambition is to offer passengers the very best service and experience. As aviation lovers, we are committed to bringing the very best to the sky and working with our amazing partners, we will do just that. We have built an excellent team and we are on the cusp of making a number of exciting appointments and announcing some game changing partnerships that will really demonstrate our ambition and determination." Global Airlines plans to use its fleet of owned A380 aircraft to reinvigorate the flying experience, courtesy of the unrivalled spaciousness offered by the super jumbo. Global Airlines is poised to revolutionize the travel industry and establish itself as the preferred choice for long-haul travel. The airline is now in advanced discussions to acquire three more A380 aircraft and is expected to announce more hires and a crew recruitment drive in the weeks ahead. Global Airlines is now focused on working closely with the relevant authorities and partners in preparation for inaugural flights in the Spring of 2024. About Global Airlines Global Airlines was launched in 2023 with an aspiration to offer passengers the best way to fly. The airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Holiday Swap and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The airline is led by CEO James Asquith and backed by aviation experts and investors around the world. The airline has commenced an aircraft acquisition programme with one A380 secured and more to follow in the summer of 2023. The inaugural transatlantic flights are expected in the Spring of 2024. About Richard Stephenson OBE Richard Stephenson is an award-winning executive who has served at and advised Board level operations across business, politics, charity and regulation. Richard undertook an industrial placement at British Airways in 1998 and went on to develop his career in the City of London. In 2015, Richard joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority as an executive committee director and attending member of the authority's Board. In six years at the regulator, Richard led the award-winning strategic communications function and directed the response to some of the biggest crisis situations to face the aviation industry. Richard has advised a number of aviation companies on a range of strategic issues. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's New Year Honours in 2019 for his public and charitable service and was named 'Communications Professional of the Year' by CorpComms Magazine in November 2019. He is a Life Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts. In 2004 he was nominated by the US State Department to join the prestigious 'International Visitors Leadership Programme' in Washington DC. He has around 40 hours of supervised flying time, mostly in Cessna aircraft, and is hoping to get his PPL one day. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2090505/Richard_Stephenson_OBE.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/richard-stephenson-appointed-as-global-airlines-board-director-and-chief-commercial-officer-301840004.html ISACA will provide 20,000 free memberships to students across Europe to acquire crucial cybersecurity skills ISACA, a leading global professional association helping individuals and organisations in their pursuit of digital trust, is proud to announce its pledge with the European Commission to grow and empower the cybersecurity workforce in Europe. This pledge signifies ISACA's commitment to supporting the cybersecurity agenda of the European Union (EU) and fostering innovation, economic growth, and societal well-being. ISACA welcomes the establishment of the EU Cybersecurity Skills Academy as a key initiative launched in 2023, as part of the "European Year of Skills," to increase the number of skilled cybersecurity professionals in the EU. The current cybersecurity landscape in Europe faces significant challenges, with ISACA's State of Cybersecurity research revealing that 62% of cybersecurity teams are understaffed, and 60% struggle to retain skilled staff. Recognising the vital importance of cybersecurity in fostering digital trust, ISACA is dedicated to creating a holistic cybersecurity workforce in Europe and closing the skills gap by equipping cybersecurity professionals with knowledge and skills across digital trust domains. The pledge aims to ensure a secure digital environment while advancing the success and innovation of European organisations in this way. The guidance and certifications provided by ISACA, which map to the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework, actively support the development of a high-quality cybersecurity workforce that instills confidence among employers. As revealed by ISACA's recent State of Digital Trust research, a lack of skills and training remains a significant barrier to achieving digital trust, according to 49% of the respondents in Europe. By eliminating this barrier, ISACA aims to equip cybersecurity and digital trust professionals with the holistic knowledge to address evolving cyber threats effectively. ISACA pledges to reduce the cybersecurity skills gap by offering: Digital skills in education: ISACA will collaborate with over 60 training organisations and academic institutions to ensure teachers and trainers possess the necessary knowledge and credentials to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity training based on ISACA's industry-leading guidance. Digital skills for the labour force: ISACA will provide 20,000 free memberships to students in Europe, enabling them to access ISACA's extensive network in the region. These student members will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge through access to ISACA's vast resources, credentials, training, and events. ISACA will support the identification of qualified candidates for organisations by facilitating contacts between student members and executives/senior professionals through virtual and in-person events held by over 40 ISACA chapters throughout Europe. ISACA is committed to expanding the reach and impact of its training and credentialing programs throughout Europe, surpassing the milestone of 46,000 certified individuals in alignment with the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework. Digital skills for all citizens: ISACA will disseminate knowledge to citizens across each European country through a series of events and publications facilitated by its chapters in the region. This effort aims to raise awareness and understanding of cybersecurity among the general public, fostering a cybersecurity-conscious society. Tracey Dedrick, CEO at ISACA, said: "I am excited to announce our pledge to the European Union, emphasizing our commitment to strengthening the cybersecurity workforce in Europe through enhanced education and resources." Chris Dimitriadis, Chief Global Strategy Officer at ISACA, explained: "This pledge underscores our dedication to supporting the cybersecurity agenda of the European Union by equipping professionals with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in a secure digital environment." More information about ISACA credentials is available here, and ISACA cybersecurity resources can be found here. ABOUT ISACA ISACA (www.isaca.org) is a global community advancing individuals and organizations in their pursuit of digital trust. For more than 50 years, ISACA has equipped individuals and enterprises with the knowledge, credentials, education, training and community to progress their careers, transform their organizations, and build a more trusted and ethical digital world. ISACA is a global professional association and learning organization that leverages the expertise of its 170,000 members who work in digital trust fields such as information security, governance, assurance, risk, privacy and quality. It has a presence in 188 countries, including 225 chapters worldwide. ISACA's member base in Europe exceeds 30,000, and the organization has further strengthened its presence in the region by establishing a regional office in Dublin, Ireland, in 2022. Through its foundation One In Tech, ISACA supports IT education and career pathways for underresourced and underrepresented populations. Twitter: www.twitter.com/ISACANews LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/isaca Facebook: www.facebook.com/ISACAGlobal Instagram: www.instagram.com/isacanews View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005475/en/ Contacts: ISACA Esther Almendros, +34 692 669 722, ealmendros@isaca.org Firstlight group, +44 7526 565 507, isacateam@firstlightgroup.io As part of the fight against rare diseases discussed extensively at European level, the 'All United for MG"1 coalition, a group of patient associations and representatives2, is organising the first European Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Day. The objective is to raise awareness of this rare neuromuscular autoimmune disease and its consequences for patients and their caregivers. The disease has a huge impact on patients' social, professional and family lives as 80% of them have difficulty working, 80% feel frustrated and almost 60% find it hard to meet family needs 3. To elevate the understanding of the disease and improve MG patients' lives, All United for MG issues a call for action with six concrete recommendations in the European Parliament, with the support of European leaders. BRUSSELS, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The #AllUnitedforMG coalition, with the institutional support of argenx, brings together European patient associations and representatives from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Poland and Spain and aims to create awareness and gain recognition of this life-threatening disease, strengthen patients' rights for a better quality of life and obtain better patient care. The disease affects between 56.000 and 100.000 people in Europe 4. "Raising awareness about myasthenia gravis is not just about spreading knowledge, it's about empowering those who are living with it. It's about fostering compassion and understanding amongst the general public to improve healthcare, break down stigmas, and ultimately create a world where people with MG can thrive. Our aim is to enhance patients' quality of life and reduce their mental burden," conclude the founders of the European Myasthenia Gravis Day. The burden of the disease is not universally well-understood or recognised across Europe, which creates inequalities in patient care and leaves many patients with underserved needs. The first-ever European Myasthenia Gravis Day is meant to challenge the status quo and is meant to be the kick-off for a broader campaign, in the context of the global MG Awareness month. The coalition - which was formed in February 2023 - is organizing an event today at the European Parliament to raise awareness about the disease and patients' needs, but also to share concrete policy propositions for the EU. "The first European Awareness Day for Myasthenia Gravis marks an important milestone towards increasing awareness and understanding of this rare disease. The call for action and recommendations contribute to a broader reflection of the role and added value the European Union can have in improving lives of all rare disease patients. It is our responsibility to ensure that the voices of those affected by rare diseases are heard and that they receive the support they need to live their lives to the fullest. By shining a light on the challenges faced by those living with Myasthenia Gravis, we can work towards improving the necessary care." - Istvan Ujhelyi, Member of the European Parliament. The AllUnitedforMG coalition formulated six concrete recommendations aimed at championing real change for people living with MG and rare diseases, more broadly: Expand knowledge and expertise of rare diseases and reduce diagnosis errancy by ensuring that healthcare professionals both GP's and specialists, such as neurologists and opthalmologists for MG, have easy access to informative resources and materials on the disease Reinforce cross-border cooperation for the treatment of rare diseases like MG, notably by ensuring that patients are eligible for reimbursement of treatments received in other EU Member States. Ensure mutual recognition of MG patients' disability status and its associated benefits across all EU Member States Raise awareness about the disease amongst the broader public by creating a European Day dedicated to Myasthenia Gravis, in coordination with stakeholders in each EU Member State Provide patients and caregivers access to resources on the disease and its potential impact to their daily lives Promote the creation of centres of expertise across all EU Member States, particularly in Member States where none currently exist. "The call for action is only a first step towards the improvement of the awareness, understanding and management of this devastating disease. We hope that many more European and national representatives from the health community at large will support our recommendations and help us translating them into tangible actions at European and national level." - Tomislav Sokol, Member of the European Parliament. Understanding the devastating and life threatening impact of Myasthenia Gravis MG is a serious, rare and debilitating neuromuscular autoimmune disease with complex and chronic physical symptoms that weaken the body's muscles and can be potentially life-threatening. Up to 58 % of patients suffering from MG may have difficulties in their daily activities 5, which requires more than 50 hours per week6 of support from a caregiver. 15.6% of caregivers needed to cut back their working hours, and up to 20,8% of caregivers needed to give up paid employment due to the demands of caregiving tasks.6 The unpredictability and invisible nature of the disease creates long-term challenges for both the patient and caregiver. "Myasthenia gravis often manifests first in the face, with early symptoms such as drooping eyelids, or double or blurry vision due to weakness in the eye muscles. Additionally, facial expressions, speaking, chewing, swallowing and breathing may be affected, as well as arm and leg movements. The higher the symptom burden of the patient, the more help they need from a caregiver: amongst patients most severely affected by MG, 4 out 5 require a caregiver," says Dr. Renato Mantegazza, Director of the UOC IV Neurology of the IRCCS Carlo Besta Foundation in Milan. "Because it is a rare disease, some medical professionals are not fully aware. It is frustrating as this regularly results in misdiagnosis, mismanagement and misunderstanding. That is why it is crucial to raise awareness to ensure early diagnosis and proper treatment." Significant challenges in daily life Living with a chronic disease can be incredibly challenging, not only physically but also mentally. Patients often struggle with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues as they navigate the challenges of living with their condition. Furthermore, the burden of the disease also impacts the social and professional lives of both patients and caregivers. Because of the difficulties to plan their lives, they often have to abandon their careers or change their working hours, leading to potential financial problems, as well as isolation, frustration and guilt. According to a study that was conducted by MyRealWorld MG3, 80% of patients have difficulty working due to their illness. On top of that, only 50% are employed, while the employment rate of the general European population aged 20-64 is approximately 73%. In addition, 80% of patients feel frustrated or overwhelmed, due to the daily obstacles they face. Finally, 59% experience difficulty responding to family needs and 43% of patients struggle with their social activities and moving around in public places. "Living with Myasthenia Gravis is a daily battle, where each breath, each movement, is a continuous effort. The constant physical limitations and emotional strain take a toll not only on me, but on my loved ones as well," says a patient. "Furthermore, our illness is invisible and hard to understand. Therefore we are very happy that there is finally a European Myasthenia Gravis Day to put a spotlight on this disease." This press release was produced with the institutional support of argenx. 1 MG is short for "Myasthenia Gravis", the English name for the disease. 2 Belgium: ABMM, MG Liga, Scientific board member of MG LIGA. France: AMIS, AFM-Telethon Myasthenia interest group. Italy: AIM, Besta Institute. Spain: AMES, San Pau Hospital Barcelona. And with the institutional support of Argenx. 3 MYRealWorld MG Survey; data collected in April 2021. 4 Sanders DB, Wolfe GI, Benatar M, Evoli A, Gilhus NE, Illa I, et al. International consensus guidance for management of myasthenia gravis: Executive summary. Neurology. 2016;87(4):419-25. 5 Publication BMJ OPEN: Patient-reported burden of myasthenia gravis: baseline results of the international prospective, observational, longitudinal real-world digital study MyRealWorld-MG, Sara Dewilde et al 6 Productivity Losses for Myasthenia Gravis Patients and their Caregivers: Association with Disease Severity ICNMD presentation, July 2022 Jacob, S MD, Dewilde, S, PhD, Qi, C, MBA, Sacca, F, MD, Meisel, A, MD, Palace, J, MD, Claeys, K, MD, PhD, Mantegazza, R, MD, Paci, S, PhD, Phillips, G, PhD,.1argenx US Inc., Boston, MA, USA. 2Services in Health Economics (SHE), Brussels, Belgium View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/all-united-for-mg-organises-first-ever-european-myasthenia-gravis-day-on-june-2nd--leads-to-pan-european-call-for-action-supported-by-european-leaders-301835934.html SAN FRANCISCO and BERLIN, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- T-knife Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing T cell receptor-based immunotherapies that deliver transformational benefits to cancer patients, today announced presentation of a poster titled, "MAGE-A1 targeting TK-8001 TCR-T cells currently being investigated in the IMAG1NE Phase 1/2 clinical trial demonstrate broad in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity and are superior to human-derived MAGE-A1 TCRs" at the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) Annual Meeting being held from May 31 - June 3, 2023 in Paris, France. "These preclinical findings further highlight that TCRs derived from T-knife's unique MyT platform provide differentiated results when compared to TCRs isolated from human donors," said Elisa Kieback, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer of T-knife. "Specifically, leveraging our MyT platform, we isolated TK 8001, a naturally optimized high-affinity TCR specific for the cancer testis antigen MAGE-A1. TK-8001, has repeatedly demonstrated superior in vitro anti-tumor activity against cancer cell lines derived from a wide range of tumors and superior in vivo anti-tumor activity in a very challenging syngeneic tumor mouse model." MAGE-A1-specific TCRs were isolated from MyT platform mice immunized with the MAGE-A1 epitope. Human donor-derived TCRs reactive to the same epitope were synthesized based on publicly available sequences, including a clinical-stage TCR. All TCRs were expressed in primary T cells and compared in assays measuring cytotoxicity, peptide sensitivity, T cell engraftment, IFN-? secretion, anti-tumor response and potential to recognize and kill cancer cell lines with different expression levels of MAGE-A1. The data demonstrated that T cells expressing TCR 8001, the TCR in our lead program TK-8001, performed better than human donor-derived TCRs in all evaluated metrics, including: Higher peptide sensitivity, a measure of affinity; Longer cytotoxic capacities upon repeated antigen stimulation; Long-term cytotoxic capacity, in a variety of different tumor types, at very low effector-to-target ratio; Superior T cell engraftment, leading to significantly enhanced relapse-free survival in a challenging tumor model; And higher IFN-? secretion upon tumor cell recognition, even in instances with low levels of MAGE-A1 expression. About The IMAG1NE Study The IMAG1NE Phase 1/2 trial is an accelerated dose-titration, open-label, multi-center Phase 1/2 trial designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of TK-8001 in patients with MAGE-A1 positive solid tumors. The dose escalation part of the study is focused on the selection of the recommended Phase 2 dose to advance into the dose expansion part of the study. Once the recommended Phase 2 dose has been identified, TK-8001 will then be evaluated in the expansion part of the study. About T-knife Therapeutics T-knife is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing T cell receptor-based immunotherapies that deliver transformational benefits to cancer patients, initially focused on T cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cell therapies (TCR-Ts), a modality that holds the potential to generate transformational responses in patients with solid tumors. The company's unique approach leverages its proprietary MyT Platform, a next-generation T cell receptor and epitope discovery engine that produces fully human, tumor-specific TCRs, naturally selected in vivo for optimal affinity and specificity. T-knife is advancing a portfolio of TCR-T product candidates against targets with high unmet medical need, including cancer testis antigens and commonly shared tumor-driving neoantigens. The company's lead program targeting MAGE-A1 positive solid tumors is in a Phase 1/2 clinical study. T-knife was founded by leading T cell and immunology experts utilizing technology developed at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine together with the Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, and is supported by a leading group of international investors, including Andera Partners, EQT Life Sciences, RA Capital Management and Versant Ventures. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.t-knife.com. The expanded Professional AudioVisual and Transformative Technology Solutions tradeshow attracted 7,298 business visitors and hosted close to 600 high-profile buyers. BANGKOK, Thailand, June 1, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The three-day InfoComm Asia 2023 came to a close on 26 May, marking another successful showing for the annual event. This year's 38% larger InfoComm Asia - featuring 160 exhibiting companies from 18 countries, some 60 of whom are new at the Show - attracted 7,298 unique business visitors from all over Asia. THE EXHIBITION Where Valuable Tech Discoveries and Partnerships are Made Visitors comprised of AudioVisual (AV) and IT professionals looking to stay updated and for collaborative opportunities, entrepreneurs in search of technology-based inspirations, and technology end-users seeking solutions to advance their organizations and businesses. The energetic interactions on the show floor and comments that emerged reveal what a rewarding outing it had been. Exhibitor Aleksandr Yakimov, Business Development Manager, Unilumin enthused, "We have had a remarkable experience at the Show, and our participation has been consistently strong. The Asia Pacific region holds immense potential as a robust market, and we anticipate significant growth." "We've had very good response at the Show, having met so many end-users from different parts of the region. And as such we have even decided to expand our space for next year," another exhibitor, Jerry Park, Executive Director, Crestron added. "We're very excited to tap on InfoComm Asia as a catalyst to drive and promote our technologies and solutions." Some exhibitors - Jabra and Bose, for example - even took the opportunity to gather more than 150 of their regional partners and distributers collectively in one location, in conjunction with InfoComm Asia, and conducted their own activities to deepen connections with their associates. INVITED GUEST PROGRAM Top-profile Solution Seekers from All Over Asia Get Inspired by Latest Solutions and Technologies Among the business visitors, InfoComm Asia hosted close to 600 key senior decision-makers - 65% more than last year - under the Invited Guest Program. From Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, The Philippines and various parts of Thailand outside of Bangkok, these guests come from government agencies involved in education, healthcare, defense and security, smart cities, urban planning, transportation and citizen services, as well as private sectors involved in retail, media and advertising, and real estate development. Invited Guest Andi Permadi, Director of Operational & Digital Transformation, PT Jakarta Tourisindo (Jakarta Experience Board) beamed as he commented, "InfoComm Asia offers unique opportunities to see the latest AudioVisual technologies in the market which is exactly what we need now. The products and solutions featured at the Show can help accelerate the digital transformation and efficiency in our organization." Mr Permadi also added that PT Jakarta Tourisindo is currently renovating seven of their hotels in Indonesia and this is the best time for him to explore new AV technologies that can be implemented in those properties. Another Invited Guest was glad to have been accorded the chance to see first-hand and up-close the latest technologies and solutions in action. Nguyen Xuan Tung, Deputy Head of Academic Office, Hanoi University of Science and Technology said, "Through the Invited Guest Program, I now have the opportunity to meet face- to-face with solution providers, talk to them, and experience live product demonstrations to understand the solutions better." THE SUMMITS AND AV TECHNICAL TOURS Where Sharing, Learning and Networking Open Minds and Doors The InfoComm Asia Summit and NIXT Summit saw 1,057 delegates attended the 42 free-to-attend learning sessions, which cut across five different tracks, each catering to a different vertical market like education, retail, healthcare, agriculture, smart cities and urban planning, banking and finance, and enterprise. Delegates found these sessions highly relevant in addressing current and foreseeable challenges facing vertical market decision-makers and AV industry stakeholders. Fernando Paras, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, University of the Philippines expressed, "Attending the Summits, I learnt a great deal, including current trends and future direction in the education sector." Some 87 visitors joined the fast booked-out AV Technical Tours that provided a close-up live presentation of Hikvision's customizable, high-performing LED screens that were recently installed in the meeting rooms and along high-traffic routes at the newly-built Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. INFOCOMM ASIA 2024 Anticipation for a Larger Showcase with Expanded Halls "At the close of this year's Show, more than 90% of the exhibitors have booked their booth space for InfoComm Asia 2024 Show. Next year's Show will occupy halls 2, 3 and 4 of the same venue, a 50% increase in show floor space compared to this year," said Alicia Chen, Project Director, InfoCommAsia. Show Organizer InfoCommAsia announce that InfoComm Asia 2024 is slated for 17 to 19 July next year, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC). Stay informed of latest updates at www.infocomm-asia.com. About InfoCommAsia InfoCommAsia Pte. Ltd. is the region's preeminent organizer of tradeshows for the Professional AudioVisual (Pro-AV) and Transformative Solutions industries. Through industry-leading shows for China, India and Asia, InfoCommAsia connects global and regional solution providers, vertical market end-users and the supply chain with the most important markets of Asia Pacific. Additional information is available at: infocomm-china.com | nixt-china.com | infocomm-india.com | infocomm-asia.com For more information, please contact: Rest of the World Angie Eng Marketing Director InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd angieeng@infocommasia.com Thailand Kanokwan Sukchaisri Managing Director Expo Inter Co., Ltd kanokwan.infocommasia@expointer.net Source: InfoCommAsiaCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. BalticSeaH2 project creates a large-scale, cross-border valley around the Baltic Sea. The main valley is between southern Finland and Estonia. BalticSeaH2 builds the first significant, cross-border hydrogen valley in Europe. The goal is to create an integrated hydrogen economy around the Baltic Sea to enable self-sufficiency of energy and minimise carbon emissions from different industries. The project includes 40 partners from nine Baltic Sea area countries. Combining local areas into a broader valley supports creating an integrated, interregional hydrogen economy, which has not been done previously on this scale in Europe. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230531005647/en/ BalticSeaH2 builds the first significant, cross-border hydrogen valley in Europe. (Photo: Business Wire) The area between Finland and Estonia is an optimal location for a cross-border hydrogen market. The necessary infrastructure natural gas pipelines, electricity grids, and active marine traffic already exist in the Gulf of Finland. The project will support the reduction of the carbon emissions from existing marine traffic. In addition, Gasgrid Finland is already preparing hydrogen infrastructure: Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor, Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector and Nordic Hydrogen Route enable strong growth for hydrogen economy and hydrogen markets in the Baltic Sea region. BalticSeaH2 projects enables 25 demonstration and investment cases to showcase the different sectors of hydrogen economy, adding up to over 4000 million euros in total investments. The production potential for hydrogen will reach 100 000 tonnes of hydrogen annually by the end of the project. The hydrogen and its derivatives can be utilised or sold by different industries brought together by the project. ABB, for example, develops and demonstrates megawatt-class fuel cell solutions that enable emission-free maritime transport in collaboration with its partners. Another key objective at ABB is to optimize the interplay between the various sectors of the hydrogen valley and the entire value chain using digital platforms. Finnish energy company Helen intends to produce green hydrogen with a PEM electrolyser. The first pilot plant should be running by 2024 and serve primarily heavy transport. Hydrogen can also be delivered to industry needs in containers. The faculty decreases carbon dioxide emissions in traffic and district heating production by 400 000 tonnes within the 20-year life cycle of the plant. With the hydrogen production pilot project, Helen can create necessary expertise and skills for widescale Power-to-X production needs. Finland ambitiously targets carbon neutrality by 2035, supported by our significant wind power potential. Producing and refining clean hydrogen for industry use, transport, and into new products creates new export opportunities. BalticSeaH2 project has prerequisites to create a fast-growing clean hydrogen market to accelerate the development of hydrogen economy in the Baltic Sea region and the whole Europe. The project starts in the beginning of June and lasts five years. The consortium includes 40 partners from nine Baltic Sea region countries: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The project and consortium were prepared by Finnish CLIC Innovation, who is also the project coordinator. Gasgrid Finland is a co-coordinator for the collaboration in the project. The total volume of the project is 33 million euro, with a 25 million funding from the EU. Clean Hydrogen Partnership supports European hydrogen valley projects with RePowerEU funding from the commission. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230531005647/en/ Contacts: Press contacts: Jatta Jussila, CLIC Innovation CEO, CLIC Innovation p. +358 40 825 6500 jatta.jussila@clicinnovation.fi Sara Karki, Gasgrid Senior Vice President, Gasgrid Finland Oy and at COO Gasgrid vetyverkot Oy sara.karki@gasgrid.fi p. +358 40 158 1722 Interview requests through Gasgrid communications: satu.linkola@gasgrid.fi, puh 046 877 3392 Simo Saynevirta Head of ABB Green Electrification ecosystem Chairman of Hydrogen Cluster Finland simo.saynevirta@fi.abb.com p. +358 50 332 4475 Jaana Viitakangas, Helen Development manager, Hydrogen and P2X, Helen jaana.viitakangas@helen.fi p. +358 44 751 3879 Onera Health has announced the formation of a Medical Advisory Board ahead of SLEEP 2023, the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS) annual meeting, where the company exhibits and presents two poster abstracts. Onera Health, a leader in transforming sleep medicine and remote monitoring, today announced the formation of a Medical Advisory Board to continue delivering on its commitment to making clinical-grade remote diagnostics and monitoring broadly accessible and user-friendly. The Medical Advisory Board consists of Prof. Dr. Ludger Grote (Gothenburg), Prof. Dr. David White (Boston/Denver), and Prof. Dr. Hartmut Schneider (Baltimore/Frankfurt), with each of these experts offering scientific and medical expertise as well as profound knowledge and perspective on a variety of sleep health-related topics. "When we founded Onera in 2017, we set out to define a new gold-standard in sleep diagnostics by building our solution on a strong scientific base. Today, we further strengthen that foundation with the formation of our Medical Advisory Board," says Ruben de Francisco, Founder and CEO of Onera. "The insights and guidance from this respected and passionate group of advisors will be critical in ensuring that we remain rooted in science as we grow as a company. We are honored and excited to work closely with each of them and tap their unparalleled expertise "I look forward to aligning with the expertise of my colleagues and adding to Onera's clinical perspective and vision," says Hartmut Schneider, Chief Medical Officer and Onera Co-Founder. "Onera's groundbreaking technology offers such great potential in our field at scale. Ensuring the delivery of clinical-grade data is vital to this opportunity. Alongside my fellow advisors, it is fantastic to work with an organization like Onera that puts scientific validation and the needs of patients and physicians at the heart of its innovative solutions Sleep disturbances are linked to poorer overall health and chronic diseases. I believe Onera's solution for conducting sleep studies in the patient's home will provide physicians with the necessary tools to improve health outcomes beyond sleep. The board will convene regularly, with different topics being highlighted for discussion during each meeting to get comprehensive and constructive feedback on Onera's technologies and solutions. Furthermore, Onera will exhibit its solution and will present its latest research at the 37th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS), SLEEP 2023, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis from June 5-7, 2023 (Booth #934). Details of Onera's abstract and poster sessions are as follows: Title: A wireless patch-based polysomnography system for conducting in-lab sleep studies Presenting author: Hartmut Schneider Abstract ID: 507 Poster Presentation Session: P-30 Poster Presentation Date and Time: June 6, 2023, 5-6 PM Poster Board Number: 190 Title: Patient-reported experience with a wireless patch-based polysomnography system results from a pilot study Presenting author: Steven Coughlin Abstract ID: 546 Poster Presentation Session: P-30 Poster Presentation Date and Time: June 6, 2023, 12-1:15 PM Poster Board Number: 191 About Onera Onera Health is a leader in transforming diagnostics and monitoring. Their breakthrough products and technologies are poised to help millions of people struggling with health ailments and chronic conditions in a variety of medical fields, including sleep, neuro, cardiac and respiratory care, ultimately improving the health and quality of life for patients around the world. The company's innovative solutions provide comprehensive physiological and health-related data to physicians in a variety of clinical and non-clinical environments to optimize patient care and reduce healthcare costs. Onera has offices in the Netherlands and the US. For more information, go to www.onerahealth.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005076/en/ Contacts: Swea Ann Hagenhoff P: +31 (0)40 3082177 E: media@onerahealth.com BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- In an effort to prevent major workplace accidents, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Wednesday called for workplace safety risks to be eliminated and for the fulfillment of management responsibilities to be ensured. Zhang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a ceremony in Beijing marking the launch of the country's annual workplace safety month. The campaign should be used as an opportunity to improve safety awareness, strengthen management, and enhance emergency response capabilities, Zhang said. The vice premier also stressed the importance of screening safety hazards, including illegal outsourcing and chaotic management, and said that local authorities must fulfill their responsibilities and improve the quality of risk detection and rectification. SAINT HELIER, Jersey, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Elwood Capital Management Limited ("Elwood" or "the Company"), a leading OTC Desk providing institutional access to digital asset markets, has announced it has successfully obtained an Investment Business license by the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC). Today's announcement is the first Investment Business licence granted to a native digital asset business in Jersey, further enhancing Elwood's OTC capabilities. Elwood can now provide trading in security tokens and derivatives, in addition to non-securities, under Elwood Capital Management Limited's Virtual Asset Service Provider ('VASP') Schedule 2 Registration. As one of the world's most respected offshore financial regulatory authorities, the JFSC rigorously evaluates and monitors businesses operating within the Jersey financial service market. Commenting on the announcement, Oliver Butlin, Director & Global Head of Trading, said, "We are incredibly proud of the Elwood team working with the Jersey Financial Services Commission to secure this Investment Business licence. This step is an essential milestone in bringing the same regulatory expectations of our clients in traditional asset classes to digital assets." Elwood remains dedicated to providing their clients a positive and user-friendly experience while ensuring the highest security and regulatory compliance standards. Disclaimer: Trading in security tokens and/ or derivatives may not be available to all clients and is available only to institutional clients that are non-U.S. persons located outside of the U.S.. About Elwood Capital Management Limited Elwood Capital Management Limited is a leading digital asset trading firm, delivering execution services that offers deep liquidity and client led solutions for institutions, family offices and professional investors. Leveraging Elwood Technologies' crypto-native platform and connectivity, Elwood Capital Management allows financial institutions to access the digital assets market quickly and efficiently, minimising market impact. For further information, contact: press@elwood.io View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/elwood-secures-investment-business-licence-strengthening-the-firms-digital-asset-otc-capabilities-301840048.html Ivanhoe Mines to release Kamoa-Kakula production results for month of May on Monday, June 5 London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) announced today that it is not aware of any company-specific reason that might be contributing to the recent decline in the company's share price, other than general market volatility. Ivanhoe will release production results for the month of May from the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex on Monday, June 5, 2023. About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the construction of the tier-one Platreef palladium-nickel-platinum-rhodium-copper-gold project in South Africa; and the restart of the historic ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ivanhoe Mines is also exploring for new copper discoveries across its circa 2,400km2 of 90-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Foreland, which are located adjacent to the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Information contact Follow Robert Friedland (@robert_ivanhoe) and Ivanhoe Mines (@IvanhoeMines_) on Twitter. Investors Vancouver: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034 London: Tommy Horton +44 7866 913 207 Media Tanya Todd +1.604.331.9834 Website www.ivanhoemines.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168335 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / McDonald's Corporation Think about the last time you stepped inside a McDonald's restaurant. Did you notice anything that surprised you? Perhaps you enjoyed table service for the first time or lounged in the comfort of a stylish interior. Many McDonald's restaurants, both inside and out, look and feel different than they did in years past - and that's no accident. Meet Nika Samedova and Silke Korporal: two women who are helping change the way McDonald's restaurants look and feel around the world. Combined, Nika and Silke have spent more than a half century working under the Golden Arches, and their work can be seen at McDonald's restaurants around the world. Together, they're challenging the status quo to make McDonald's restaurants more modern, sustainable and welcoming for customers and crew. "It never gets boring," Silke says. How Nika and Silke's Careers Crossed Paths Silke - now McDonald's Lead for Global Design Standards - started her McDonald's career as a restaurant crew member in Hamburg, Germany at age 18. "I wanted to buy designer jeans, and I needed a job," she remembers. She worked at the restaurant throughout her time at university, and ultimately landed a job with the German McDonald's development department after graduating and becoming a trained architect and urban planner. Because of her experience as a restaurant crew member, Silke always pays attention to how small changes to restaurant design can impact the people working there. She's proud that McDonald's invites architects the company works with to experience a "restaurant day," where they spend time in a McDonald's kitchen to understand where changes may be necessary. "It's so important to consider the crew's perspective," Silke says. Nika, who was raised in Azerbaijan, began her career with an approved design and production supplier for McDonald's in the United States. Years later, Nika joined McDonald's, and she and Silke became coworkers at the McDonald's Design Hub in Europe. Now, they've worked closely together for more than a decade, with Nika ascending to Global Restaurant Design Lead - IRLX (In Real Life Experience) and New Format Design. For years, Nika dedicated her efforts to enhancing the family and play experience for customers in McDonald's restaurants, including re-imagining McDonald's play strategy and deploying new solutions across markets. Nika has helped bring many family-focused McDonald's restaurants to life, with her current favorite located in Fulvio Testi, Italy. Today, Nika leads the development of design concepts and in-restaurant solutions suitable for a wide range of customers, occasions, locations and store types. This means that she's the mind behind many of the things customers see, feel and experience when they visit McDonald's restaurants. Silke, meanwhile, leads the technical and material side of restaurant design development. She works with external design agencies, whose drawings are turned into prototypes and value engineered, and helps select raw materials that meet our high sustainability and quality standards. Silke also works closely with the McDonald's Global Strategic Sourcing Services to ensure countries receive the best materials to maintain the caliber of their unique spaces. All these steps result in the creation of restaurant standards, product catalogues and design guidelines. Transforming The McDonald's Customer Experience One Restaurant at a Time One of the highlights of Silke's career thus far has been helping McDonald's improve the customer experience by integrating self-order kiosks and table service into restaurants. "Table service allows people so much more time to relax," Silke explains. "It can feel like an elevated experience." Another highlight of Silke's career has been helping McDonald's become more sustainable. She helps discover building efficiencies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sources more sustainable materials that help McDonald's improve its carbon footprint. Nika is equally as passionate about keeping McDonald's agile as the world keeps changing. "Different restaurant formats and new building types with full ranges of fulfillment channels for our guests are new ways to push boundaries," she says, adding that McDonald's is challenging the status quo through innovative thinking and approaches. As delivering great "on-premise" experiences remains one of McDonald's key business priorities, Nika is dedicated to ensuring restaurant design creates feel good moments for customers and employees. "We want our spaces to feel comfortable and playful, and we encourage cheerful gatherings and carefree moments in our restaurants," she explains. One of the projects she's most proud of is renovating the McDonald's restaurant she would visit as a little girl. "I remember waiting in line to visit my first McDonald's restaurant 30 years ago," Nika says. "Years later, I was part of the team that modernized that very restaurant." View original content here View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from McDonald's Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: McDonald's Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mcdonalds-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758589/Meet-the-Team-Making-McDonalds-Restaurants-More-Modern-Sustainable-and-Welcoming CHELTENHAM, England, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cylera, a global leader in healthcare IoT cybersecurity and intelligence solutions, has partnered with Oman's first and largest integrated telecommunications services provider, Omantel. Omantel plays a significant role in the development and digital transformation of Oman. It contributes to the country's economic growth by facilitating communication, connectivity, and digital services for businesses, individuals, retail, and government entities. Omantel's services are crucial for Oman's social and economic progress. The partnership will further cement Cylera's position in the Middle East and increase its global market reach, following the successful rollouts of its cybersecurity and asset management platform, and its patented technologies in the UK, U.S., and Europe. Together, Omantel and Cylera will deliver advanced solutions designed specifically to support the rapid digitalisation of healthcare in Oman, a region which will see 11 new hospitals built and upgraded over the next two years. Global healthcare's critical infrastructure is digitalising at pace as demand grows for better patient care and services. In 2020 it was estimated that 646 million new and legacy devices worldwide were connected to hospital networks, with tens of thousands more added each year. This uptake in IoT and IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) is contributing to the complexity of hospitals' digital estates and expanding their online attack surface, driving the need for better management and visibility of devices on the network to reduce cybersecurity risk and streamline patient care. Timur Ozekcin, CEO and Co-Founder of Cylera, said: "The increased global usage of IoT and IoMT in healthcare settings is critical to helping improve patient care and safety. However, with these organisations being a continued focus for cybercrime, hospitals must be able to view and map their entire connected landscape including their unmanaged and unknown devices, to efficiently assess risk while also being able to deliver the best in service." Cylera's platform provides a centralised dashboard for IT teams to view, profile, manage and risk assess their entire connected environment in one platform. Its partnership with Omantel will combine the telecommunication giant's best-in-class data analysis capabilities and innovative approach to digital transformation with Cylera's pioneering healthcare cybersecurity technologies to bring world-leading enterprise management solutions for complex connected environments. Aladdin Bait Fadhil, Chief Commercial Officer at Omantel, said: "This is a partnership which will greatly enhance the cybersecurity of growing connected environments and continue to enable the rapid digitalisation occurring in Oman, positioning the country as a world-leader in healthcare. Adding Cylera's ground-breaking technologies to our existing class-leading product portfolio will further strengthen our offering in Oman's medical space, delivering the most advanced digital healthcare solutions to the region." Timur added: "Cylera is honoured to be working closely with Omantel. With the continued investment in critical infrastructure in the region, Oman is an exciting market for Cylera to be operating in and is playing a pivotal role in our ambitious global expansion plans." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2088659/Cylera_Omantel.jpg Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2088836/Cylera_Omantel.mp4 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pioneering-healthcare-iot-cybersecurity-specialist-cylera-partners-with-omans-leading-telecommunications-services-provider-omantel-301840066.html True Talent Group announces their new Client Success Partner focused on driving growth and expanding reach in the Chicagoland and Milwaukee markets. CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / We are excited to announce that True Talent Group has hired Alexis Blank to direct growth in the Chicagoland market. She will focus on serving mid- to large-sized corporations and marketing agencies with creative consulting and direct placement services. Alexis brings deep industry experience and years of Chicagoland service to the role, a first of its kind for True Talent Group. "This is an exciting phase of our growth, and we're thrilled to welcome Alexis to the team to take us to the next level. With her passion for client service and great Marketing experience, we know she'll serve our clients well," says Stacey Stratton, CEO and Founder. "As companies re-evaluate their relationships with traditional marketing agencies, they're looking for creative solutions to their talent needs. That's where Alexis comes in-to provide best-in-class marketing talent solutions for companies in Chicago." True Talent Group is headquartered in Minnesota and has been an award-winning provider of best-in-class marketing, creative, and digital talent solutions for 15 years. They provide staffing and direct placement for marketing, creative, and digital talent professionals in over 20 states. Contact Information Alexis Blank Client Success Partner, True Talent Group alexis@truetalentgroup.com 872-254-4882 Stacey Stratton Founder & CEO, True Talent Group stacey@truetalentgroup.com 612-860-0370 SOURCE: True Talent Group View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758109/True-Talent-Group-Expands-Commitment-to-the-Chicagoland-Market-With-New-Client-Success-Partner-Hire VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Silver X Mining Corp. (TSX-V:AGX)(OTCQB:AGXPF)(F:AGX) ("Silver X" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Enrique Garay, P.Geo., as Chief Operating Officer ("COO") effective June 1, 2023. The appointment of a new COO is part of the Company's commitment to operational improvement and its overarching strategy to ensure its growth potential at the Nueva Recuperada Project (the "Project") in Peru. Mr. Garay is a seasoned senior exploration and mine geologist with almost 30 years of experience in maximizing the potential of operating assets and bringing new mines into production in the Americas. Throughout his career, he was a key member in the evaluation, acquisition, development, construction, commissioning and operation of three gold mines: Pierina, La Arena and Shahuindo, all in Peru. Mr. Garay served as Senior Vice President, Geology, for Rio2 Limited from 2018 to 2022, monitoring $100 million CapEx and $10 million OpEx budgets with exploration teams based in Peru and Chile. Prior to joining Rio2 Limited, Mr. Garay was Corporate Manager, Geology and Exploration, for Nexa Resources in Peru, supervising the Cerro Lindo mine, Peru's largest underground polymetallic mine, and El Porvenir and Atacocha mines and Nexa's exploration program in Peru. Mr. Garay has also held positions with Rio Alto Mining Limited, Consorcio Minero Horizonte, Hochschild Mining PLC, and Minera Barrick Misquichilca S.A. Mr. Garay holds a degree in Geological Engineering from the National University of Engineering, Lima, Peru, a Master of Science, Mineral Economic degree from Queen's University, Canada, and is a Professional Geoscientist in British Columbia. As part of his appointment as COO, Mr. Garay will also become the Qualified Person (QP), as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, for Silver X. "I am very excited to have Enrique join our team, one of the leading mining professionals in Peru" stated Jose M. Garcia, President & CEO of Silver X. "This appointment is a key step forward in Silver X's strategy to establish itself as an intermediate silver producer in the Americas. Enrique brings unparalleled experience in the management and growth of operating mining companies. Enrique's focus will be on building a sustainable and profitable operation, bringing our costs in line with our performance in the third quarter of 2022, and demonstrating the growth potential of our Project." As ramp up to nameplate capacity at the Nueva Recuperada mill continues, the Company has focused its resources on the development of the Tangana Mining Unit with record performance in terms of development and mine preparation as well as accessing higher grade areas. In addition, among other measures, the Company has reduced headcount and engaged contractors to carry out most of its operations making changes to the management team and appointing Carlos Trillo Medrano as General Manager of Operations. These adjustments are expected to deliver more sustainable levels of production in future quarters while improving effectiveness and reducing costs. RSU and Options Grant The Company also announces it has awarded of 70,000 restricted share units of the Company ("RSUs") pursuant to the Company's Restricted Share Unit Plan to an officer of the Company. The RSUs have a term of one year and vest as to 50% on the date that is six months from the date of grant and as to the other 50% on the date that is 12 months following the date of the grant. Additionally, the Company announces that it has granted 250,000 stock options (the "Options") to purchase common shares of the Company pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan to an officer of the Company. The Options are exercisable to purchase common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.29 per common share for a period of five years expiring on June 1, 2028, and vest as to 30% immediately upon grant, as to 35% on the date that is six months following the date of grant and as to the final 35% on the date that is 12 months following the grant. Non-Brokered Private Placement Further to the Company's announcement on May 17, 2023, of its intention to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Financing"), the Company has amended the terms of the warrants forming part of the units of the Company that are expected to be issued under the Financing to remove the acceleration clause. About Silver X Mining Corp. Silver X is a rapidly-expanding silver developer and producer. The Company owns the 20,000-hectare Nueva Recuperada Silver Project in Central Peru and produces silver, gold, lead and zinc from the Tangana Mining Unit. Our mission is to be a premier silver company delivering outstanding value to all stakeholders and we aim to achieve this by consolidating and developing undervalued assets, creating value by adding resources and increasing production while aspiring to social and environmental excellence. For more information visit our website at www.silverxmining.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jose M. Garcia CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Fiona Grant Leydier Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Marketing T: +1 647 259 6901 x 101 E: f.grant@silverxmining.com 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 Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". All information contained in this press release, other than statements of current and historical fact, is forward looking information. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may include, without limitation, exploration plans, results of operations, expected performance at the Nueva Recuperada Project (the "Project"), the ability of the new zones at the Project to feed production at the Company's Nueva Recuperada Plant in the near term, the expected ramp up at the Nueva Recuperada mill; the expected resource expansion potential at the Tangana Mining Unit,; the expectation that the Company will have sustainable levels of production and reduced costs in the future quarters; and the expected financial performance of the Company.The following are some of the assumptions upon which forward-looking information is based: that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; demand for, and stable or improving price for the commodities we produce; receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals, permits and renewals in a timely manner; that the Company will not experience any material accident, labour dispute or failure of plant or equipment or other material disruption in the Company's operations at the Project and Nueva Recuperada Plant; the availability of financing for operations and development; the Company's ability to procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; that the estimates of the resources at the Project and the geological, operational and price assumptions on which these and the Company's operations are based are within reasonable bounds of accuracy (including with respect to size, grade and recovery); the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and directors; and the ability of management to execute strategic goals. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to those risks described in the Company's annual and interim MD&As and in its public documents filed on www.sedar.com from time to time. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Silver X Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758511/Silver-X-Mining-Announces-the-Appointment-of-New-Chief-Operating-Officer-and-Bolstered-Operational-Focus-for-2023 Brampton, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. (CSE: SNA) (OTC Pink: SNAVF) (FSE: S3O) ("Star" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Letter of Intent "LOI" with Caverton Helicopters Limited for the STAR-ISMS (In-Flight Safety Monitoring System) as its complete aviation solution for their current Fleet of Helicopters and Aircraft. Caverton will also become a Channel Partner, and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul ("MRO") installation service provider in West Africa. Caverton Helicopters Limited is a subsidiary of Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc. Caverton Offshore Support Group is the first fully integrated offshore support company in Sub-Saharan Africa providing quality Aviation and Marine logistics services to businesses operating in the oil and gas industry. By embracing technology and building a formidable asset base and several physical infrastructures in the region, the Caverton Group is well positioned to harness the abundant opportunities currently available in the African market with the highest level of Safety and Efficiency. With a total staff strength of 650 employees across 4 West African countries and a combined fleet of 30 Helicopters and Aircraft, the Caverton Group has emerged as a true Pan African success story and partner of choice for the major players in the oil and gas sector, and certainly the Partner of choice for Star Navigation in bringing this technology to West Africa. Capt. Ibrahim Bello, Managing Director and Accountable Manager of Caverton Helicopters Limited stated, "Our focus has always been to provide an efficient unwavering commitment to highest standards of safety' reliability, quality and customer experience, which has uniquely positioned Caverton to exceed all our clients' expectations with the STAR-ISMS product and provide for Maintenance, Engineering, Offshore Oil & Gas, Military/Defense, the inspiration in embracing the latest Technological improved developments within the aviation sector of Africa." Capt. Jonathan Kordich Executive VP, Star Navigation Systems stated, "We are very impressed by the capability, services, forward-looking thinking of Caverton. We praise the intent of Caverton to implement such significant technological changes in the interest of Air Incidents and Accident Preventions, Operational Optimization, Cost Savings, and precision Tracking to the ICAO GADSS (Global Aeronautical Distress Safety Systems) Standard. Additionally, we are pleased to announce our intent to become a Channel Partner with Caverton Helicopters in Lagos, Nigeria and are confident the relationship will be further solidified within 30 days of this LOI." About Star Navigation Systems www.star-navigation.com Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. manufactures the In-flight Safety Monitoring System, STAR-ISMS, the heart of the STAR-A.D.S. System. The STAR-A.D.S. System has real-time capability with GADSS capability Tracking, All Aircraft Systems Performance trends and predicting incident-occurrences which enhances aviation safety and improves fleet management while reducing costs for the operator. In addition, Star's MMI Defense Division designs and manufactures high performance, mission critical, flight deck flat panel displays for defence and commercial aviation industries worldwide. About Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc. www.caverton-offshore.com Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc is an integrated provider of logistics, aviation, and marine services in Africa, listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and operates out of Lagos, Nigeria. The group's flagship company, Caverton Helicopters Limited, is the largest indigenous aviation logistics support company in Nigeria, with two decades of experience providing services to the oil and gas industry. Since 2021, our aviation business is also offering third party training and maintenance services via a recently commissioned Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility and the Caverton Aviation Training Centre, both in Lagos. The marine subsidiary, Caverton Marine Limited, is one of Nigeria's oldest shipping companies and has been repositioned for growth through a foray into the local manufacturing of Glass Reinforced Plastic boats servicing the growth of Nigeria's mass transit ferry transportation. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release may constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are statements that address or discuss activities, events or developments that Star expects or anticipates may occur in the future. When used in this news release, words such as "estimates", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "projects", "will", "believes", "intends" "should", "could", "may" and other similar terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations and beliefs of Star's management. Because forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, actual results, performance or achievements of Star or the industry may be materially different from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking information that may be contained in this news release include statements regarding; growth and future prospects of our business; our perceptions of the industry and markets in which we operate and anticipated trends in such markets; expectations regarding the operation of our app; and our future revenues. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making an estimate set out in the forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, our ability to execute on our business plan, increase visibility amongst consumers and convert users to revenue producing subscribers and the success of the business of our partners. Forward-looking statements involve significant uncertainties, should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be an accurate indication of whether or not such results will be achieved. The risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to the airline industry are real and substantial but cannot be defined or measured in any meaningful way at this time. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Accordingly, readers should exercise caution in relying upon forward-looking statements and Star undertakes no obligation to publicly revise them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. NEITHER CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Please visit www.star-navigation.com or contact Anoop Brar, Interim-Chief Executive Officer at 1-416-252-2889 anoop.brar@star-navigation.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168336 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTC Pink: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), an innovative fintech technology services provider and operator of the Cubeler Business Hub, announced today that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing of units of the Company ("Unit") for proceeds of up to $3,000,000 (the "Offering"), conducted in tranches of a minimum of $300,000 per tranche over a period of six months. The First Tranche Offering will be comprised of 2,142,858 Units. Each Unit sold in the First Tranche Offering (referenced below) is comprised of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant") to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.175 per share any time prior to two years following the closing of the First Tranche Offering, subject to certain terms and conditions. The first tranche offering (the "First Tranche Offering") of 2,142,858 Units is offered at a price of $0.14 per Unit (the "First Tranche Offering Price"), for gross proceeds of $300,000.12. The First Tranche Offering will take place by way of a private placement to a Cayman Segregated Portfolio Company, Open-Ended Fund, (the "Investor") managed by an investment firm headquartered in Hong Kong. It is the intention of the parties that the offering of the Units will be made in reliance on the exemptions available in OSC Rule 72-503 Distributions Outside Canada. The Company expects to close the First Tranche Offering on Thursday June 7th 2023. Subsequent tranches of Units in the Offering will be priced at the time of each such tranche, within the pricing policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement for working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes, including safeguarding the Company's financial position in the short-term and allowing the Company to meet its payroll obligations. Forward-looking information Certain statements included in this presentation constitute "forward-looking statements" under Canadian securities law, including statements based on management's assessment and assumptions and publicly available information with respect to the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "assumes," "outlook," "plans," "targets", or other similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, holding company with significant operations in China; general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting the Company's business in China such as pandemics (ex.: COVID-19); legislative and/or regulatory developments; Global Financial conditions, repatriation of profits or transfer of funds from China to Canada, operations in foreign jurisdictions and possible exposure to corruption, bribery or civil unrest; actions by regulators; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; timing and completion of capital programs; liquidity and capital resources, negative operating cash flow and additional funding, dilution from further financing; financial performance and timing of capital; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by the Company with securities regulators in Canada, the United States or other jurisdictions. We refer potential investors to the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the Company's MD&A. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other risks and uncertainties carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.: Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, includes Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries provide various analytics and AI-based services to businesses and financial institutions through the Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: http://www.tenetfintech.com For more information, please contact: Tenet Fintech Group Inc. Christina Boyd, Director, Investor Relations 416-428-9954 cboyd@tenetfintech.com Follow Tenet Fintech Group Inc. on social media: Twitter: @Tenet_Fintech Facebook: @Tenet LinkedIn: Tenet YouTube: Tenet Fintech To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168337 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Doubleview Gold Corp. (TSXV: DBG) (OTCQB: DBLVF) (FSE: A1W038) (the "Company or "Doubleview") is pleased to announce assay results of Hat Project drill holes H045, H046, H047, H048, H050 and H051. Drill hole H050 intersected the strongest Cobalt mineralization yet with 2240g/t over 3 meters. Drill hole H045 intersected one of the longest and strongest sections of mineralization reported in this news release with 459m at 0.91% CuEq. The Hat Project is a large alkalic copper-gold porphyry-type deposit located in northwestern British Columbia that since 2011 has been explored by Doubleview utilizing technical surveys and diamond drilling operations. Hat Property surveys and drilling have been largely directed to the Lisle copper-gold-cobalt-scandium mineral zone. Principal minerals are chalcopyrite, pyrite and magnetite hosted in volcaniclastic and gabbroic formations. The Lisle Zone has indicated dimensions of approximately 2.7 km by 1.7 km and is still being delimited laterally and at depth. Drill holes reported in this news release were positioned as follows: H045 and H046 expanded the West Lisle area, H047 extended an area of strong mineralization north-northeast of the Main Lisle Zone that was discovered by drilling in 2022 and holes H049, H050 and H051 added significantly to the west side of the Main Lisle Zone. Assay data are included in Table 1. Assays are summarized as follows: North-Northeast of Lisle Zone: Drill hole H047 intercepted 343.6 meters* with 0.91% Cu Equivalent** from surface, including 120.9 meters with 1.05% CuEq. West of the Lisle Zone: Drill hole H045: intercepted 459.0 meters with 0.92% Cu Eq from 28m depth, including 127.0 meters with 0.98% Cu Eq. Drill hole H046: intercepted 315.1 meters with 0.81% Cu Eq from 66m depth, including 141.0 meters with 0.97% Cu Eq. Main-west of the Lisle Zone: Drill hole H049: Assays pending. Drill hole H050: intercepted 290.1 meters with 1.03% Cu Eq from near surface, including 207.6 meters with 1.08% Cu Eq. Drill hole H051: intercepted 313.4 meters with 0.96% Cu Eq from near surface, including 44.8 meters with 1.30% Cu Eq. Note: (*) Drill hole intercepts are presented as drilled. The company does not have sufficient information to provide true deposit dimensions. Significant intercepts are presented in Table 1 and discussed below. Drill hole locations and sections are shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 and coordinates and other location details are presented in Table 2. Farshad Shirvani, Doubleview's president and CEO, comments that "Recent drilling exploration has shown continuity and strength of mineralization in the Lisle deposit, although boundaries in all directions are not yet known. The year 2023 is crucial for the development of the Hat project, as it involves metallurgical studies and the maiden resource estimation, which will provide insights into the significance of this deposit. I am delighted that we have one of the largest and potentially viable Scandium and Copper deposits in the Western Hemisphere." TABLE 1. Assay results DDH From (m) To (m) Length (m) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Co (g/t) Cu (%) Sc (g/t) CuEq (%)* incl Sc2O3 H045 28.0 487.0 459.0 0.49 0.09 87.4 0.15 29.5 0.92 Inc. 28.0 184.0 156.0 1.00 0.07 85.0 0.20 27.7 0.91 Inc. 91.0 184.0 93.0 1.10 0.09 93.5 0.28 27.0 0.98 Inc. 336.0 463.0 127.0 0.31 0.16 141.1 0.22 26.8 0.98 Inc. 338.0 418.0 80.0 0.37 0.19 183.6 0.26 29.2 1.11 Inc. 338.0 385.0 47.0 0.43 0.22 205.1 0.30 32.9 1.27 Inc. 352.0 385.0 33.0 0.49 0.28 228.3 0.37 30.0 1.30 H046 44.0 359.1 315.1 0.53 0.10 108.8 0.16 23.8 0.81 Inc. 128.0 281.0 153.0 0.92 0.15 142.7 0.26 24.0 0.95 Inc. 128.0 356.0 228.0 0.66 0.14 119.7 0.20 22.2 0.84 Inc. 128.0 269.0 141.0 0.70 0.15 145.9 0.26 25.0 0.97 H047 7.6 351.2 343.6 0.55 0.11 73.9 0.12 30.0 0.91 Inc. 14.0 336.7 322.7 0.57 0.11 75.2 0.13 29.4 0.91 Inc. 99.0 219.9 120.9 0.86 0.20 97.1 0.17 31.0 1.05 Inc. 99.0 158.3 59.3 1.22 0.37 135.8 0.25 32.0 1.26 Inc. 99.0 120.3 21.3 0.37 0.58 147.6 0.09 31.5 1.24 Inc. 145.5 158.3 12.8 3.83 0.45 195.5 0.75 29.3 1.71 Inc. 219.5 219.9 0.4 18.70 0.36 192.0 2.28 18.1 2.76 H050 64.2 342.3 278.1 0.85 0.11 143.9 0.21 29.0 0.99 Inc. 12.8 302.8 290.1 0.81 0.10 148.3 0.19 31.0 1.03 Inc. 99.1 306.7 207.6 1.11 0.13 178.9 0.26 29.2 1.08 Inc. 99.1 165.6 66.5 2.96 0.24 350.9 0.55 29.6 1.49 Inc. 127.3 130.2 3.0 45.90 1.31 1715.0 5.87 16.4 7.19 Inc. 146.5 149.5 3.0 2.85 0.23 2240.0 0.34 3.1 1.58 Inc. 202.5 247.4 45.0 0.35 0.14 190.3 0.20 29.8 1.04 H051 7.0 320.4 313.4 0.35 0.06 76.4 0.11 33.7 0.96 Inc. 107.9 152.7 44.8 1.78 0.27 221.4 0.51 24.9 1.30 Inc. 117.5 118.7 1.2 19.60 2.41 1490.0 5.17 14.7 6.98 Notes: - Metal equivalents should not be relied upon for future evaluations. - Drill hole intercepts included in this news release are core lengths that may or may not be true widths of mineralization. It is not possible to determine true widths. **Copper Equivalent (CuEq%) is estimated using the following metal values and equations: - *CuEq(%) =(Ag(g/t) x Price_Ag x Rec_Ag/31.1035 + Au(g/t) x Price_Au x Rec_Au/31.1035 + Co(%) x Price_Co x Rec_Co x 22.0462 + Cu(%)x Price_Cu x Rec_Cu x 22.0462 + Sc(g/t) x Price_Sc x Rec_Sc x Sc_con) / (Price_Cu x 22.0462) - Price_Ag = $22.20/troy oz, Price_Au=$1,812.14/ troy oz, Price_Co = $23.30/lb, Price_Cu = $3.84/lb, Price_Sc TABLE 2. Drill Hole Data Drill Hole ID UTM - East UTM - North Elevation Max-Depth Azimuth Dip Area H044 347,148 6,454,257 972 18 290 -55 Lost Hole H045 347,151 6,454,269 972 562 45 -60 Lisle West H046 347,151 6,454,269 972 482.3 180 -65 Lisle West H047 348,035 6,454,681 1,034 352.2 0 -90 Lisle West H050 347,471 6,454,073 964 557.5 0 -59.33 Lisle West H051 347,471 6,454,073 964 461.5 30 -67.5 Lisle West Quality Assurance and Quality Control: Core samples were prepared at the North Vancouver facility of ALS Canada Ltd. using their PREP-31, PGM-ICP24, ME-MS61, and ME-ICP06 packages. Each core sample is dried, then crushed to 70% passing a 2mm screen. All material is processed in an automatic Riffle splitter to yield a 250g homogenized, representative sample. This sub-sample is then pulverized to 85% passing a 75-micron screen. All samples are analyzed for Au, Pt, Pd by 50g fire-assay fusion/ICP-ES finish, using PGM-ICP24 package. A separate 0.25g pulp split is analyzed by Four Acid digestion/ICP-MS finish, reporting 48 elements. Over limit elements are analyzed by Ore Grade Four Acid digestion/ICP-ES finish using ME-OG62 assay package. All of Doubleview's core samples are analyzed or assayed at independent ISO 17025 and ISO 9001- certified laboratories. The following map and sections show the location of the reported drill holes. Figure 1. Drill PLAN MAP To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/168327_57d8eee8c4f4c907_001full.jpg Figure 2. Section A - A' To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/168327_57d8eee8c4f4c907_002full.jpg Figure 3. Section B - B' To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/168327_57d8eee8c4f4c907_003full.jpg Figure 4: Section C - C' To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/168327_57d8eee8c4f4c907_004full.jpg Doubleview maintains a website at www.doubleview.ca which is under construction at the moment. Qualified Persons: Erik Ostensoe, P. Geo., a consulting geologist, and Doubleview's Qualified Person with respect to the Hat Project as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this news release. He is not independent of Doubleview as he is a shareholder in the company. Cautionary Note: Although a mineral resource estimation is currently being prepared by an independent engineering firm, no mineral resources have been estimated at the Hat Property and there is no assurance that further work will result in the Lisle Zone, or other zones if present, being classified as mineral resources. About Doubleview Gold Corp Doubleview Gold Corp., a mineral resource exploration and development company, is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and is publicly traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange (TSXV: DBG), (OTCQB: DBLVF), (GER: A1W038), (FSE: 1D4). Doubleview identifies, acquires and finances precious and base metal exploration projects in North America, particularly in British Columbia. Doubleview increases shareholder value through acquisition and exploration of quality gold, copper and silver properties and the application of advanced state-of-the-art exploration methods. The Company's portfolio of strategic properties provides diversification and mitigates investment risks. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Farshad Shirvani, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information please contact: Doubleview Gold Corp Vancouver, BC Farshad Shirvani President & CEO T: (604) 678-9587 E: corporate@doubleview.ca NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168327 EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement on the Progress of A-Share Repurchases through Centralized Bidding Transactions 01.06.2023 / 14:51 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG Announcement on the Progress of A-Share Repurchases through Centralized Bidding Transactions Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hong Kong, 1 June 2023 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) today published an announcement in accordance with applicable trading rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and applicable PRC laws in relation to the Progress of A-Share Repurchases through Centralized Bidding Transactions. The announcement is fully available at: https://smart-home.haier.com/en/dggg/P020230601683269799069.pdf?appdesc=Announcement%20on%20the%20Progress%20of%20A-Share%20Repurchases%20through%20Centralized%20Bidding%20Transactions IR Contact: Haier Smart Home Hong Kong T: +852 2169 0000 Email: ir@haier.hk Press Contact: CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH Sara Pinto Sven Pauly pi@crossalliance.de T: +49 (0) 89 1250903 35 About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as small household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience. 01.06.2023 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Brigadier Gold Limited (the "Company") (TSXV:BRG)(FSE:B7LM)(OTC PINK:BGADF) is pleased to announce that Phase-1 exploration has commenced at its recently expanded Nemaska2 Lithium Property ("Nemaska2"), James Bay, Quebec. The focus of the program is to confirm and further delineate pegmatite outcrops mapped and sampled in historical government work programs that will lead into a mid-summer drill program. The Phase-1 program at Nemaska2 is being carried out by the Company's technical partner Geologica Groupe-Conseil ("Geologica") of Val D'or Quebec. Spring 2023 Exploration Program Exploration at Nemaska2 will feature a particular focus on the ~20 white pegmatite outcrops, each approximately 1,000 square metres in size. Particular attention will be applied to discover the possible existence of additional pegmatite dykes or other favorable structures. The Company anticipates this initial program will delineate targets for a mid-summer inaugural drill program. "We are excited to initiate our Phase-1 of work on the Nemaska2 Property", stated Robert Birmingham, President, and CEO of Brigadier Gold. "This crucial first step of exploration alongside our technical partner Geologica, will help aid us in advancing the property to reaching our objective of launching a drill campaign this season." Nemaska2 may be one of the most conveniently located properties in the region for access, logistics and infrastructure, which will allow Brigadier to conduct its exploration programs and publish results in an efficient and timely manner. With the recently closed private placement the Company is fully funded to carryout Phase-1 exploration at Nemaska2. Historical Exploration The Quebec government has previously carried out a large sampling program and also an airborne magnetometric survey over Nemaska2 which shows the presence of several low magnetic anomalies likely corresponding with fractures or shear zones within the granitic Valiquette Pluton. These structures are generally favourable to the formation of pegmatites and other metals. The presence of pegmatites recognized during the regional reconnaissance mapping, anomalous values of Li and Cs in regional till sampling, and the presence of a major lithium deposit (Whabouchi Deposit) in the area, are all elements favourable to the existence of mineralization sought by the Company. More information can be found in the National Instrument 43-101 technical report filed by the Company under its SEDAR profile on March 14, 2023 Nemaska2 Expansion On March 20, 2023, the Company entered into a property option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with a private British Columbia corporation (the "Optionor"), to acquire a 100% undivided interest in one hundred and five (105) mining claims, covering approximately 5,300 hectares, located in the Nemaska area of Quebec, approximately 160 kilometres west of James Bay, Quebec (the "Nemaska2 Extension") (see press release dated March 22, 2023). The Nemaska2 Extension is a continuous extension of the Company's existing Nemaska2 lithium project (see March 17, 2023 Press Release for details) bringing the total land package to 8,300 hectares. The Nemaska2 Extension covers several geological areas, containing Archean pink granite and pegmatite as well several outcrops with similar geology as Pontax Lithium showing with the Formation d'Anatacau-Pivert 1 amphibolitized basalt and amphibolite. The Pontax Lithium showing is located 40km to the west. There are several lithium metal lake bottom sediment anomalies combined with other anomalous critical elements. The geochemical signature is comparable to that observed at Pivert-Rose and Pontax-Lithium, with higher values in the secondary environment. Under the terms of the Option Agreement, in order to acquire a 100% interest in and to the Nemaska2 Extension, subject to a 2% NSR and Bonus in favor of the Optionor, the Vendor must pay an aggregate of $250,000, including a cash payment of $10,000 within fourteen days of the effective date of the Option Agreement (paid); a cash payment of $40,000 within ninety days of the effective date of the Option Agreement; and cash payments of $100,000 or at the Company's discretion, issuance to the Optionor of shares in the Company with a then equivalent value of $100,000, on each of the first, and second anniversaries of the Effective Date of the Option Agreement. Under the terms of the Option Agreement, the Optionor will receive a one-time payment in the amount of $1 million, in cash or shares of the Company, in the event a report compliant with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") establishes mineral resources valued over $100,000,000 with respect to the Nemaska2 Extension (the "Bonus"). Qualified Person Mr. Garry Clark, P. Geo., a member of the Company's Board of Directors, a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101, has reviewed the technical contents of this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein. For further information, please contact: Brigadier Gold Limited www.brigadiergold.ca Robert Birmingham, Chief Executive Officer rob@brigadiergold.ca (604) 424-8131 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". Forward-looking statements include those relating to the focus of the Phase-1 exploration program, the discovery of additional pegmatites, and target generation for and the timing of future drill programs. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Company's ability to complete all payments and expenditures required under its mineral property option agreements; and other risks and uncertainties relating to the actual results of current exploration activities; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with adjacent properties and the Company's expectations; operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); environmental and regulatory requirements; availability of permits, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, political risks, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks involved in the mineral exploration industry, and those risks set out in the filings on SEDAR made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities legislation. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. SOURCE: Brigadier Gold Limited View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758527/Field-Work-Commences-at-Brigadiers-Nemaska2-Lithium-Project-James-Bay-Quebec BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Fortify, a leading full-stack materials science and additive manufacturing company, announced today that it has raised $12.5 million in a funding round from investors, including Lockheed Martin Ventures and RTX Ventures, the venture capital arms of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies, respectively. This strategic investment will enable Fortify to expand its capabilities and accelerate the development of its groundbreaking Digital Composite Manufacturing (DCM) platform. Fortify's DCM platform revolutionizes the manufacturing of complex structures by offering unique mechanical, electrical, thermal, and electromagnetic properties. The platform has garnered significant interest across more than 50 Fortify partners and customers in digital tooling, medical devices, electronics, aerospace, and defense. Key customers in the A&D space beyond Lockheed and Raytheon Technologies include: In-Q-Tel, US Department of Energy, Rogers Corporation, Lawrence Livermore National Labs, TTM Technologies, and Ierus Technologies. "We are thrilled to have Lockheed Martin Ventures and RTX Ventures as strategic investors in this funding round," said Lawrence Ganti, CEO of Fortify. "Their expertise and global reach in the aerospace and defense industries will be invaluable in helping us to continue to innovate and scale our Digital Composite Manufacturing platform. We are excited to work together to drive the next generation of advanced materials and additive manufacturing." "Lockheed Martin Ventures' continued investment in Fortify underpins the strategic advantage the company can bring to the defense industrial base," said Chris Moran, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures. "We believe Fortify has the potential to deliver tailored solutions not only to the aerospace and defense industry, but a range of sectors that can benefit from their platforms." Daniel Ateya, President of RTX Ventures, added, "The Fortify team has demonstrated an innovative and laser-focused vision that should advance additive manufacturing capabilities to the next level. Their DCM platform aligns with our commitment to investing in cutting-edge technologies that can deliver significant value to our customers and partners." Eric Wolford, Partner at Accel, and an early investor in Fortify, was pleased to have Lockheed Martin Ventures and RTX Ventures join the team. "This investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures and RTX Ventures confirms the potential behind the Fortify technology platform. It is my understanding that this is the first time these two A&D giants have co-invested. So, this is a big win for the company and a strong validation." Fortify has raised funding from Accel, Cota Capital, Neotribe, Prelude, Mainspring, and Ocean Azul. These investors continue to support the growth of Fortify through follow-on investments. With this latest funding round, Fortify is poised to strengthen its position as a leading innovator in materials science and additive manufacturing and has the potential to unlock new possibilities in advanced materials and manufacturing technologies, and transform industries across the globe. About Fortify Fortify is a full-stack materials science and additive manufacturing company based in Boston, MA. Its innovative Digital Composite Manufacturing (DCM) platform enables the production of complex structures with unique mechanical, electrical, thermal, and electromagnetic properties, revolutionizing the way advanced materials are developed and manufactured. For more information, visit www.3dfortify.com. Contact Information Holly Hitchcock holly@gofrontlines.com SOURCE: Fortify View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758529/Fortify-Secures-125-Million-in-Funding-From-Investors-Including-Lockheed-Martin-Ventures-RTX-Ventures-to-Accelerate-Growth-in-Advanced-Materials-Additive-Manufacturing AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / DataSnipper, the Amsterdam-based Intelligent Automation company focused on transforming data in the audit and financial industry, today announced the appointment of Vidya Peters as its new Chief Executive Officer to further accelerate the growth of DataSnipper. Vidya Peters Vidya Peters - CEO at DataSnipper A large part of audit and finance work involves the manual review and reconciliation of data. DataSnipper provides audit and finance teams with an intelligent automation platform that automates the process of finding, matching, and reconciling unstructured data from multiple sources to drastically boost productivity and efficiency, saving time to focus on what matters. Backed by Insight Partners, DataSnipper is used by over 500K audit and finance professionals in 85+ countries and serves all four of the largest global auditing firms: KPMG, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and PwC, and other enterprises across the world. "As DataSnipper continues to scale globally, it is the perfect moment to bring in Vidya Peters as the new CEO of DataSnipper," Maarten Alblas, founder at DataSnipper, explains. "She strongly believes in DataSnipper's mission and has extensive experience leading fast-growing organizations at this scale and beyond." Vidya was the Chief Operating Officer at Marqeta, leading the go-to-market organization of 350+ people. Before Marqeta, she was the Chief Marketing Officer at MuleSoft. Vidya helped both Marqeta and MuleSoft go public in 2021 and 2017. Prior to those roles, she led teams in Product and Marketing at Intuit, where she developed a deep understanding of the accounting and financial software industry. "DataSnipper solves a problem that has been long overlooked - identifying, verifying, and reconciling unstructured data, freeing up auditors to be more strategic assessors of the business," said Vidya. "I see tremendous opportunity for growth and expansion globally and am excited to lead this next chapter at DataSnipper." Alessandro Luciano, Board member at DataSnipper and Vice President at Insight Partners, said, "We are delighted to welcome Vidya as the new CEO of DataSnipper. Vidya is a dynamic, values-driven business leader with a track record of delivering in high-growth markets. Her strategic capabilities, proven operational effectiveness, and strong experience in both developed and developing markets convinced us that Vidya is the right person to lead DataSnipper in this exciting journey ahead." DataSnipper aims to become the global brand for an intelligent automation platform for audit and finance professionals. As part of this strategy, the company will focus on expanding its operations globally. The company will also continue to innovate on its "Intelligent Automation Platform" and "Financial Statement Suite" products, making them more powerful for both auditors and other finance professionals. DataSnipper founders Maarten Alblas and Jonas Ruyter will join the DataSnipper Board and will continue to operate within the company: advising the DataSnipper team on product innovation and the strategy going forward, while continuing to work closely with customers. About DataSnipper DataSnipper is a global tech scale-up focused on transforming data in the audit and financial industry. Founded in 2017, DataSnipper provides audit and finance teams with an intelligent automation platform to drastically increase the quality and efficiency of audit and finance procedures. DataSnipper is used by over 500K audit and finance professionals in 85+ countries and serves all four of the largest global auditing firms: KPMG, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and PwC. DataSnipper's team is driven by shared values to help auditors and finance professionals across the globe to be more successful and impactful. About Insight Partners Insight Partners is a global software investor partnering with high-growth technology, software, and Internet startup and ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. As of Dec. 31, 2022, the firm has over $75B in regulatory assets under management. Insight Partners has invested in more than 750 companies worldwide and has seen over 55 portfolio companies achieve an IPO. Headquartered in New York City, Insight has offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto. Insight's mission is to find, fund, and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with right-sized, right-time practical, hands-on software expertise along their growth journey, from their first investment to IPO. For more information on Insight and all its investments, visit insightpartners.com or follow us on Twitter @insightpartners Contact Information: Bas Willems VP of Marketing bas.willems@datasnipper.com SOURCE: DataSnipper View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758583/DataSnipper-Appoints-Vidya-Peters-as-CEO Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQX: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce final assays from the 2022-2023 drilling program at the Company's flagship Separation Rapids Lithium Project, confirming potential to significantly expand its lithium resource at depth. New significant intercepts shown below are from three of the four final drill holes. SR23-85: 1.56% Li2O over 47.71 metres ("m") SR23-91: 1.06% Li2O over 10.38m and 1.66% Li2O over 7.01m and 1.36% Li2O over 10.61m SR23-92: 1.47% Li2O over 3.42m and 1.14% Li2O over 4.35m and 1.49% Li2O over 4.52m The assays for drill hole SR23-93 (the fourth hole) have confirmed the petalite mineralization to 566-metre depth increasing the potential depth of the deposit by 80%. The drilling has also confirmed that the deposit is open to the east and west, and to depth, over a 300-strike length, with similar grades to the current mineral resource estimate, supporting a conceptual target to double the size of the deposit through future drilling. "These drill results truly demonstrate what our team has always believed - the resource at Separation Rapids is potentially much larger than what is currently understood," commented Rickardo Welyhorsky, Chief Operating Officer at Avalon. "I am extremely excited to begin the next drilling program to reveal its true potential." Drilling Program Final Assay Details The 2022-2023 drill program consisted of 12 drill holes on the existing resource and one vertical drill hole on the centre of the deposit; all 13 holes totalled 4,179m and was designed to examine the potential to expand mineralization to the east and west as well as the depth extent. Hole SR23-85 (see Figure 1) was one of six targeting either gaps in existing drilling (for 85) or below the current mineral resource estimate, with hole SR23-85 intercepting 1.56% Li2O over 47.7m (estimated true width). As a result, all six holes (SR23-81 to SR23-86) confirm that the deposit is open to depth. All drill holes will be used to update the existing mineral resource estimate, which is currently underway. Drill hole SR23-93 was drilled vertically to test the depth extent of the deposit (see Figure 2). This hole was terminated at 570m due to weather constraint and the start of early spring breakup. SR23-93 assays returned 1.51% Li2O over 565m (drilled width) confirming the previous report of visual petalite mineralization to depth. This extends the depth of the deposit by 249m from the previously reported deepest intercept at 315m (drilled in 2017) below surface. The grade of the lower half of hole SR23-93 returned 1.48% Li2O over 244.45m (from 321.6m to 566.10m) (see Table 1), which indicates that the mineralization continues at a virtually identical grade to the current mineral resource estimate. The two holes (SR23-91 and SR23-92) that were drilled in a gap on the western part of the deposit have confirmed the extension and openness of the deposit to the west with intercepts of cumulative about 27m (estimated true width) in hole SR23-91 and cumulative 12 metres in hole SR23-92. They have also, similar to hole SR23-85, potentially improved and expanded the mineralized area. All drill hole data has been brought into Avalon's database and resource block model in order to develop an independent updated resource estimate for the deposit. "As a consequence of our refreshed strategic plan, we are delivering on key milestones and accelerating developments at Separation Rapids," noted Zeeshan Syed, President of Avalon. "Ontario continues to be well positioned as an international economic hub within the critical minerals value chain and Avalon is poised for growth to help support that important mandate." Future Drilling at Separation Rapids The recent drill program indicating the significant resource expansion potential is an encouragement for very significant future drilling program in order to both increase the inferred resources and upgrade inferred and indicated resources to indicated and measured categories. Such a program may be between 10,000m and 30,000m. The results of the recent program suggest a conceptual exploration target of doubling the existing resource estimate at similar lithium grades. This may be between 15 and 20 million tonnes at 1.2 to 1.6% Li2O. At present there is insufficient drilling below the recent holes SR23-81 to SR23-92 to delineate a resource and it is uncertain that a deeper resource will be delineated. This news release was reviewed by the Dr. Bill Mercer, P. Geo. (ON). Dr. Mercer is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, who has reviewed and approved the technical information included in this news release. About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in niche market metals and minerals with growing demand in new technology. The Company has three advanced stage projects, all 100%-owned, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, niobium, and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on its Separation Rapids Lithium Project, Kenora, ON and its East Kemptville Tin-Indium Project, Yarmouth, NS. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones. For questions and feedback, please e-mail the Company at ir@AvalonAM.com, or phone Zeeshan Syed, President at 416-364-4938. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, that there is potential to significantly expand its lithium resource at depth, that there is support for a conceptual target to double the size of the deposit through future drilling, that the resource at Separation Rapids has the potentially to be much larger than what is currently understood, that certain drill holes will be used to update the existing mineral resource estimate, that the recent drill program indicating the significant resource expansion potential is an encouragement for very significant future drilling program in order to both increase the inferred resources and upgrade inferred and indicated resources to indicated and measured categories, that such a program may be between 10,000 to 30,000 metres, that the results of the recent program suggest a conceptual exploration target of doubling the existing resource estimate at similar lithium grades, that this may be between 15 and 20 million tonnes at 1.2 to 1.6% Li2O. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "scheduled", "anticipates", "continues", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "scheduled", "targeted", "planned", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" or "will not be" taken, reached or result, "will occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Avalon to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. Although Avalon has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to market conditions, and the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses as well as those risk factors set out in the Company's current Annual Information Form, Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.SEDAR.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such forward-looking statements have been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Avalon does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Figure 1: North-South Drill Section, Separation Rapids Lithium Deposit To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3386/168339_33b26edfa46ecbbc_002full.jpg Figure 2: West-East Long Section, Separation Rapids Lithium Deposit To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3386/168339_33b26edfa46ecbbc_003full.jpg Table 1: Significant drill intersections Drill hole From (m) To (m) Drilled Width (m) Estimated True Width (m) Li2O % SR-22-81 325.00 371.50 46.50 19.65 1.69 SR-23-82 336.00 367.70 31.70 11.36 1.50 and 378.10 390.80 12.70 4.55 1.66 and 397.35 412.75 15.40 5.52 1.10 SR-23-83 269.45 321.80 52.35 17.90 1.35 and 357.75 380.60 22.85 7.82 0.99 SR-23-84 187.00 410.00 223.00 76.27 0.96 including 203.00 321.25 118.25 40.44 1.46 SR-23-85 158.00 275.30 117.30 47.71 1.56 SR-23-86 167.25 300.00 132.75 45.40 1.01 and 216.00 248.90 32.90 11.25 1.53 and 274.40 300.00 25.60 8.76 1.92 SR-23-87 40.10 54.80 14.70 7.35 1.16 and 62.30 72.00 9.70 4.85 0.95 SR-23-88 84.25 93.00 8.75 4.38 1.13 SR-23-89 7.00 17.00 10.00 5.74 1.69 and 47.55 52.05 4.50 2.58 1.44 SR23-90 13.15 36.35 23.20 9.80 1.76 and 69.00 73.35 4.35 1.84 1.54 SR23-91 67.40 83.55 16.15 10.38 1.06 and 91.10 102.00 10.90 7.01 1.66 and 110.50 127.00 16.50 10.61 1.36 SR23-92 42.80 50.90 8.10 3.42 1.47 and 61.00 71.30 10.30 4.35 1.14 and 77.10 87.80 10.70 4.52 1.49 SR23-93 1.25 566.10 564.85 NA 1.51 Including 321.65 566.10 244.45 NA 1.48 Notes to TABLE 1: True widths are estimated assuming the mineralized zones are vertical and true width is horizontal. The near vertical nature is clearly apparent in drill sections. "NA" indicates for the vertical hole that the mineralization width is not known. For interval calculations a cutoff grade of 0.50% Li2O was utilized which is similar to that used in previous resource estimates. Mineralized intervals with overall grades considerably below 1% Li2O are not quoted. All drill core was split by Avalon staff on site near Kenora and shipped to ALS Global in Thunder Bay for preparation and on to ALS Vancouver for analysis by methods ME-MS81, ICP-06, and ME-4ACD81for multielement analysis including Li, Ta, Cs and Rb. Some drill core samples had lithium values overlimits for the initial analytical method (>10.000ppm Li) and were reanalysed utilizing ALS method ME-ICP82b. As a result, some intervals increased in grade from those announced in News Release 23-04. Avalon inserted company certified lithium standards and blanks into the sample stream for QAQC purposes. The results of the Avalon and laboratory standards and blanks were reviewed for acceptance by the QP, Dr. Bill Mercer, P. Geo. (ON), qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, prior to accepting the laboratory results. Lithium (Li) analyses in ppm were converted to Li2O values by multiplying by 2.1527. The drill program was supervised in the field by J.C.Pedersen (P.Geo) and A. Meek (P.Geo). To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168339 FintechOS and fintech enablement allow banks and insurers to innovate and modernize at the same time, rapidly creating digital products, journeys, and channels for both existing and new books of business without disrupting their core systems FintechOS, the leading fintech enablement platform, today announced a series of accomplishments from 2022 to the present, illustrating its momentum and leadership in the new industry category of fintech enablement. The accomplishments illustrating the momentum of FintechOS, and the interest of financial institutions in modernizing and innovating with FintechOS and fintech enablement, include launching in North America with five banks in 2022; overall revenue growth of 70% year over year; cash-in increases from customer operations by more than 200% year over year; 300% year-over-year insurance revenue growth; a new release of the FintechOS platform; and a SOC 2 Type2 report assuring the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of FintechOS in addition to previously received ISO 27001 and ISO 9007 certifications. FintechOS also added Glenn Anschutz to its management team as COO in November 2022. Anschutz formerly served for 21 years as president and CEO of a leading provider of cloud-based insurance platforms. FintechOS customers experience major momentum from fintech enablement. FintechOS customers also report major momentum and ROI as a result of implementing FintechOS for fintech enablement. ROI that FintechOS customers experienced includes 70% lower cost of building new financial products; 80% reduction in servicing costs; three times faster time to market with new products; and 120% growth in profitability. "Established financial services and insurance companies are facing a perfect storm of challenges including nimble fintech and insurtech startups, legacy core platforms that aren't sufficiently agile to support modern imperatives such as digital transformation, personalization, and rapid application development, and pressure to modernize core platforms safely and securely," said Teodor Blidarus, CEO and co-founder, FintechOS. "The momentum that we and our customers are experiencing indicates that we're addressing these challenges and advancing fintech enablement with solutions empowering digital transformation and low code/no code development while allowing customers to continue using legacy core platforms or modernize them at their own pace. This combination of capabilities is the essence of fintech enablement." Fintech enablement integrates legacy and modern systems. Fintech enablement is the synthesis of modern cloud-native systems and rapid application development methodologies with the ability to leverage and integrate legacy core platforms, enabling incumbent financial services and insurance companies with legacy systems to operate and innovate like fintechs and insurtechs. Fintech enablement also allows incumbents to leverage their financial resources, industry expertise and brand awareness to enter new markets and better compete in the creation of new products and revenue streams that often are the domain of fintechs and insurtechs. Fintech enablement with FintechOS reduces time to market for new products from years using legacy systems to as little as three months. Banking industry experts agree on the importance of fintech enablement and modernization. Banking industry experts recognize the importance, timeliness and increasing momentum of fintech enablement and modernization. For example: According to Aite-Novarica Group in a report, The Benefits of Fintech Enablement: New Strategies for Scalable Innovation, "Financial organizations that can innovate and offer smarter, better, faster financial products and services that are contextually relevant to both consumers and business customers will achieve greater differentiation and revenue growth. The ability to rapidly innovate and iterate is fast becoming a competitive differentiator. However, the demand for innovation poses a significant resource management challenge, one made worse by financial institutions' ongoing reliance on legacy architecture and an extremely competitive market for technical staff." As recently discussed by a leading analyst for IDC Financial Insights' Worldwide Banking Digital Transformation Strategies program, "Now is the time for banks to modernize core banking. Between modern technology approaches like microservices and APIs and the use of cloud platforms ensuring scalability and resiliency for the bank's back office, banks would do well to start the journey to core system modernizations without delay." According to Capgemini in its World Retail Banking Report 2022, "Structural challenges keep most banks from fully leveraging data-driven analytics to attract customers and grow relationships. In our executive survey, 95% said outdated legacy systems and core banking modules inhibit efforts to optimize data- and customer-centric growth strategies, while 80% agreed that underdeveloped data capabilities hinder customer lifecycle process improvements. For example, 82% said they have difficulties identifying new customer segments; 55% struggle to provide seamless onboarding experiences." FintechOS increased its product momentum and capabilities with new release. FintechOS also introduced major enhancements to its product this year. With the most recent release of the FintechOS platform, FintechOS customers can: Further accelerate the launch of financial products, while also measuring their impact New accelerators for small business provide predefined products and digital journeys based on industry best practices. Reusable UI libraries enable teams to more effectively manage their design assets, reducing maintenance and accelerating development. Product performance analytics provides a dashboard for customers to view and analyze their financial product's sales performance. Supplement their existing core with key servicing capabilities for loan and policy administration, contract lifecycle management, third-party distribution management and operational ledger New service extension apps enable FintechOS servicing capabilities such as loan management and policy administration to be extended using no code and low code without creating friction during upgrades. Workflow and task management upgrades include improvements to the inbox, routing and delegation, activity history, and new dashboards for employees and managers. Innovate quickly and securely on top of a purpose-built fintech operating system Observability and telemetry upgrades help developers troubleshoot issues and identify potential performance issues before they become a problem. New tools for developers include support for the latest JavaScript versions, remote debugging, upgraded code editors' capabilities and more. The product momentum will continue with additional investments in 2023. This year, FintechOS will continue to fuel its momentum and the capabilities of fintech enablement to support modernization through legacy integration by increasing its customer operations and success investments by 30%; and by investing millions in research and development and these planned product enhancements to the FintechOS platform: A product factory will enable customers' business teams to autonomously innovate their financial products with no training required across businesses such as personal and SME loans, savings, mortgages, general insurance, health and life insurance. A journey designer will let anyone including business teams design digital journeys, using prebuilt templates. Hyperscaling capabilities will be further enhanced through cloud-native infrastructure. Additional back-office servicing capabilities will enable customers to automate their back-office processes across the entire contract lifecycle. About FintechOS FintechOS is the leader in fintech enablement, with a mission to make fintech innovation available to every company. The FintechOS platform simplifies and accelerates the launching, servicing, and expansion of financial products and services, helping businesses recognize value five to 10 times sooner than with other approaches: with FintechOS, companies can get up and running with new financial solutions in as little as 12 weeks. Unlike others, FintechOS breaks data free from the core, enabling the creation of personalized and differentiated products and customer journeys at scale. FintechOS connects with any ecosystem tech or service financial and non-financial and can plug anywhere in the tech stack, working with existing and legacy tech that companies want to keep. A global employer co-headquartered in London and New York, FintechOS customers range from globally strategic companies like Groupe Societe Generale, Admiral Group, and BPCE Oney, to game-changing players like Vibrant, eMag, and Howden. Its partners include both niche consulting agencies and global consulting firms and systems integrators. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005152/en/ Contacts: Grant Zehnder PRforFintechOS@bospar.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Pool Safe Inc. (TSXV: POOL) ("Pool Safe" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered debenture financing (the "Debenture Financing"). The Company closed on 420 Debenture Units ("Debenture Units") for gross proceeds of $420,000. Under the terms of the Debenture Financing, each Debenture Unit consists of (a) one $1,000 face value debenture ("Debenture"), and (b) 28,500 common share bonus warrants of the Company (the "Financing Warrants"). The Debentures mature thirty-six (36) months from the date of the issuance (the "Maturity Date"), and bear interest at a rate of eight percent (8%) per annum (the "Interest"). Each Financing Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one (1) common share of the Company ("Common Share") at an exercise price of $0.05 for a period of 36 months from the closing date of the Debenture Financing (the "Closing Date"). If at any time the Common Shares trade at higher than $0.15 per Common Share (on a volume weighted average basis) for a period of 20 consecutive trading days (the "Early Expiry Event"), the Company has the right to accelerate the expiry date of the Financing Warrants by providing the holder with written notice of an Early Expiry Event (the "Early Expiry Notice"). The period whereby the holder is entitled to exercise any portion of outstanding Financing Warrants shall expire 30 calendar days following the date on which the company provides Early Expiry Notice to holders (the "Early Expiry Date"). Furthermore, if a portion of the Debentures are repaid during the first year following the Closing Date, a proportional number of the Financing Warrants shall have their term reduced to the later of one year from the Closing Date and 30 days from repayment of that portion of the Debenture. All Debentures and Financing Warrants issued pursuant to the Debenture Financing are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities legislation. As part of the first tranche of the Debenture Financing, the Company has not paid any finder's fee. The Company intends to use approximately 30% of the net proceeds from the Debenture Financing to increase its inventory and production capacity for future Loungenie builds. In addition, approximately 10% of the net proceeds will be used to evolve the Company's communication technology and enhance Loungenie's IoT capabilities. The remainder of the net proceeds will be applied to working capital and general corporate purposes. In addition, due to ongoing investor interest, it is extending the Debenture Financing for a period of 30 days until June 30, 2023. As previously announced, the Company intends to raise up to $1,000,000 through the sales of up to 1,000 Debenture Units at a price of $1,000 per Debenture Unit. The terms of the Offering remain the same as disclosed in the Company's news release dated April 17, 2023. About Pool Safe Inc. Pool Safe Inc. designs, develops and distributes a product known as the "PoolSafe," recently rebranded to the "Loungenie," which functions as a multi-purpose personal poolside attendant. The Loungenie is designed to provide safety, convenience and peace of mind for hotels, resorts, waterparks and cruise ship guests. Functions include: lockable safe, solar-powered charger for USB compatible electronic devices including phones, cameras and tablets, in addition to a server call-button, a beverage cooler and holders. Conveniently located alongside pool or beach lounge chairs, the Loungenie is a unique way of providing vacationers with a comforting sense of security for their belongings, while they enjoy their vacation. For more information, please visit www.poolsafeinc.com or www.loungenie.com. Pool Safe Inc. is a fully reporting publicly traded company which is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "POOL". Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such information and statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this press release or as of the date of the effective date of information described in this press release, as applicable. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by use of words such as "outlook", "expects", "intend", "forecasts", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages, "assumes", "needs", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms or similar expressions, and other similar terminology) are not statements of historical fact and are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: information with respect to the Debenture Financing and the use of proceeds from the Debenture Financing. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to, use of the proceeds from the Debenture Financing, the general state of the economy will not materially worsen and Pool Safe is able to sustain its level of sales and earning margins. Pool Safe considers these assumptions to be reasonable in the circumstances. However, there can be no assurance that any one or more of the operational or financial targets as set out herein will be achieved. Inherent in the forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to, risks associated with the failure of Pool Safe's inability to effectively use the proceeds of the Debenture Financing and Pool Safe's inability to develop and implement a business plan in general and for any reason whatsoever. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The forward-looking statements contained herein are current as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, Pool Safe does not have any obligation to advise any person if it becomes aware of any inaccuracy in or omission from any forward-looking statement, nor does it intend, or assume any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. Any and all forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement, and except as otherwise indicated, are made as of the date of this press release. Pool Safe Inc. Steven Glaser C.O.O. & C.F.O. E: sglaser@poolsafeinc.com T: 416-630-2444 Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168341 HAMILTON, BERMUDA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Bacardi Limited, the world's largest privately held international spirits company, announces the appointment of Alicia Enciso to the Company's Board of Directors. Alicia brings more than 30 years of experience with multinational Fortune 100 Companies in the Food and Beverages sectors with roles as General Manager, President, Chief Marketing Officer, and E-Business Officer. Since 2017, she has served as Chief Marketing Officer of Nestle USA and previously served as President of the Beverages Division. She recently announced her retirement from Nestle. Prior roles include Principal Consultant and Managing Director of Zyman Group, a subsidiary of MDC Partners and various marketing leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and Estee Lauder. "Alicia is a well-rounded business leader and global marketer who has presided over some of the world's best-known brands," says Facundo L. Bacardi, Chairman of Bacardi Limited and fifth-generation family member. "Her enthusiasm for modern marketing and building sustainable brands are a great complement to our long-term business ambitions and to continuing the family legacy for generations to come." Originally from Mexico, Alicia has been recognized as one of "Most Influential 100 Latinas" by Latino Leaders Magazine and named "Latino Marketer of the Year" by the Hispanic Marketing Council. Alicia also serves on the Executive Board for the Association of National Advertisers and the Board of the Alliance for Multicultural & Inclusive Marketing. She previously sat on the Advisory Board of Google 21st Century Marketing. The Bacardi Limited Board of Directors is comprised of 13 members. About Bacardi Limited Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held international spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDI rum, GREY GOOSE vodka, PATRON tequila, DEWAR'S Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON'S Scotch whisky, ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur, and ERISTOFF vodka. Founded more than 162 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 9,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter. Media Contacts: Jessica Merz, VP Global Corporate Communications, jmerz@bacardi.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bacardi Limited on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Bacardi Limited Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bacardi-limited Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Bacardi Limited View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758604/Bacardi-Limited-Appoints-New-Director-to-Board Engage Mobilize's intelligent field operations software streamlines complex field service workflows by unifying E&P operators and oilfield service companies on a single digital platform - from ticket to invoice. Engage Mobilize's flagship E-ticketing solution set the standard for fluid hauling and logistics efficiency, and its capabilities now include electronic invoicing and more than 250 oilfield services. DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Engage Mobilize Inc. (Engage Mobilize), the foremost provider of intelligent field operations software, is pleased to announce the launch of its new brand, complete with an updated logo and website. This strategic rebranding effort aims to align Engage Mobilze's visual identity with its future vision and enhance the overall user experience. Engage Mobilize Logo Engage Mobilize Logo The new logo incorporates fresh elements representing the evolving mission and commitment to innovation. With a bold color palette, the redesigned logo symbolizes the company's energy and dynamism as it revolutionizes the field operations landscape through digitalization. The sleek and contemporary typography conveys Engage Mobilize's brand values: innovation, moxie, customer focus, integrity, sustainability, and thinking differently-core values ingrained in the company's culture. Engage Mobilize has also unveiled a revamped website offering an improved and intuitive user experience to complement the new logo. The updated website boasts a clean and modern design, making it easier for visitors to navigate and find relevant information about Engage Mobilize's software solutions, industry insights, and customer success stories. "Engage Mobilize's rebranding is an exciting milestone for our company," said Scott Cilento, Chief Executive Officer at Engage Mobilize. "Our updated logo and website align with our vision to provide intelligent field operations software that helps businesses achieve new levels of operational efficiency, productivity, and cost savings. We think the new brand reflects our commitment to delivering innovative solutions to help organizations simplify and streamline our customer's field workflows." We invite you to explore the enhanced Engage Mobilize website. About Engage Mobilize Engage Mobilize's intelligent field operations software streamlines complex field service workflows by unifying E&P operators and oilfield service companies on a single digital platform - from ticket to invoice. Engage Mobilize's flagship E-ticketing solution set the standard for fluid hauling and logistics efficiency, and its capabilities now include electronic invoicing and more than 250 oilfield services. Engage Mobilize enables clients to achieve new levels of operational efficiency and reduce costs while increasing transparency and mitigating risk. Discover more at engagemobilize.com. Contact Information Engage Mobilize Marketing Marketing Team marketing@engage-m.com (303) 809-7458 SOURCE: Engage Mobilize View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758324/Engage-Mobilize-Unveils-New-Brand-Logo-and-Website-to-Enhance-User-Experience-and-Reflect-Its-Vision-for-Achieving-New-Levels-of-Operational-Efficiency-in-Field-Workflows HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Techwave, a prominent global IT and engineering service firm, receives the prestigious "President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)" in recognition of its unwavering commitment to volunteerism and community service. This esteemed accolade highlights our steadfast dedication, honoring our employees for their positive impact on communities globally and serving as an inspiration to others. It serves as a testament to our resolute dedication in confronting and effortlessly tackling the pressing challenges. Mr. Raj Gummadapu, CEO of Techwave, along with his team Techwave prioritizes volunteerism and community service, encouraging every Techwavian to contribute to the betterment of the community. One of our notable initiatives includes partnering with the Houston Food Bank and America's Grow-a-row for a Seed to Table initiative. Techwavians actively participated in various stages of the food chain, such as planting seeds, harvesting crops, and distributing food to local families in need. We covered the associated expenses, including seeds, crop management, packaging, and transportation, demonstrating our commitment to making a difference. In addition, throughout the year, Techwavians enthusiastically volunteered their time and effort to assist the Houston Food Bank in providing nutritious food to individuals in the Greater Houston area who are grappling with chronic health conditions as part of their Food for Change Program. During the challenging times of the Covid pandemic, Techwave launched the Feed the Frontline initiative, where our team personally showcased support to frontline workers and local Houston restaurants that were impacted by the uncertainty of the pandemic. Speaking of the Celebration, Mr. Raj Gummadapu, CEO of Techwave said, "We are delighted to receive the President's Volunteer Service Award. This recognition truly humbles and honors our team at Techwave. It underscores our unwavering commitment to giving back and creating a positive impact in communities worldwide. We firmly believe that through the power of volunteerism, we can effectively address the pressing challenges our world faces today." Adding to it, he said "Techwave's employees have consistently demonstrated their passion and dedication by actively engaging in various community initiatives, volunteering their time and expertise to make a lasting difference. We take immense pride in our employees, whose efforts have transcended local boundaries, making a global impact and inspiring others to join our cause. Their dedication and passion have touched communities far and wide, serving as a catalyst for positive change." About Techwave: Techwave is a leading global Information Technology and Engineering services and solutions company revolutionizing digital transformations. They believe in enabling clients to maximize the potential and achieve a greater market with a wide array of technology services, including, but not limited to, Enterprise Resource Planning, Application Development, Analytics, Digital, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Founded in 2004, headquartered in Houston, TX, USA, Techwave has a team of experts, leveraging Digital Transformation, Enterprise Application, and Engineering Services expertise, in 11 countries. Visit us on https://techwave.net Contact Information Sravya P Sr. Public Relations Executive sravya.palukuru@techwave.net 6302616391 SOURCE: Techwave View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758586/Techwave-Earns-Prestigious-Presidents-Volunteer-Service-Award-for-Exemplary-Commitment-to-Community-Service Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Bayhorse Silver Inc, (TSXV: BHS) (OTCQB: BHSIF) (FSE: 7KXN) (the "Company" or "Bayhorse") is pleased to provide a Corporate Update on the Company's progress on its Bayhorse Silver Mine Operations, ongoing permitting, as well as other corporate activities. Bayhorse Mine In March, 2023, the Company received a comprehensive structural analysis of the Bayhorse Silver Mine from its long time geological consultant, Dr. Clay Conway, P.Geol. The Company was finally able to access all the historic underground workings in 2022 and this allowed Dr. Conway to better understand the complexity of the geological structure and potential trends of the high grade mineralization. Subsequent to the analysis, and reviewing the Big Dog mineralization evident in the 2021-2022 drill program, and surface sampling of rock faces in the exposed underground mineralized zones, the Company now believes it has identified a strike length of the Big Dog mineralized zone of between 250 - 300 ft, (75- 90 meters) with widths varying between 2.5 ft (0.7 meters) to 20 ft (6 meters) and a vertical extent of 40 ft (12 meters). Subject to financing, the Company intends to do confirmation drilling both from the south and north across and down dip of the mineralized zone with the objective of better determining the strike length, the grades and vertical extent of the Big Dog Zone. The Company is now able to safely access the southern area of the Big Dog mineralized zone that appears to be trending more westerly than the historic workings would indicate. This will allow for an underground drill program to drill to the north across the zone, and down dip, with the intent of extending the vertical extent and to confirm the continuity of grades along strike. Structural analysis is ongoing and will be reviewed when further drill data is available. Safe access to the historic workings in the Big Dog Zone was completed in 2022. Panel samples taken by the Company at the eastern end of the exposed hanging wall of the Zone ranged from 91.7 oz/t (2,836.63 g/t) to 184.2 oz/t oz/t 5791.47 g/t ) silver, (see BHS2018-34 News Release) The strike length of the Zone t was only confirmed after a drill intersection, 300 feet (90 meters) along strike, returned 20 ft (6 meters) of silver with an average grade of 210 g/t (6.75 oz/t), including a 0.6 meter intersection (2 ft) grading 668g/t (21.48 oz/t) (see BHS2022-08 News Release). During development of the intermediate drill station, approximately midway between the exposed eastern end of the Big Dog Zone, and the drill intersection as described in BHS2022-08, the Company took panel samples across and down an exposed 2.5 ft wide and 10 ft vertical face, that returned combined silver assays of 1,642 g/t (54.8 oz/t). Two prior faces sampled before safety blasting was conducted returned 549 g/t (17.65 oz/t) and 112.6 g/t (3.63 oz/t) respectively.(BHS2022-05) Ongoing Operations Permitting In February 2023 the Company was notified by Oregon's Department of Geology and Mining Industries ("DOGAMI") that there were deficiencies in its Operating Permit Application, and the Company has been working towards remedying those deficiencies. The major concern was the confirmation of baseline data in support of the Application. The Company has engaged Mark Abrams, CPG, an Oregon Licensed Professional Geologist, who has experience in permitting Oregon mines, to assist in reviewing the supporting baseline data submissions and the geological reports, and eliminating the deficiencies for the full Operating Permit documentation with DOGAMI. The Company has access to the substantial availability of baseline data by Idaho Power Corporation on the Brownlee Reservoir, where the mine is located, that was developed by Idaho Power through its relicensing of the Brownlee Dam and Reservoir. Additionally, with the availability of current data from air quality monitoring stations maintained by Idaho and Oregon DEQ in the immediate area, and water quality stations maintained by Idaho Power on the Brownlee Reservoir, we anticipate completing the deficiencies for resubmission to DOGAMI in the third quarter of this year. Approval of the Operating Permit will allow the Company to recommence full mining and processing operations. Bayhorse Mill. Preliminary discussions have been held to process silver and gold mineralization from a nearby third party Idaho gold/silver mine that is in the process of reopening. The Company will provide an update as more information becomes available. Reclamation Bond. The Company's prior project, the Flagstaff Project, has a reclamation bond of US$140,000 with the US Bureau of Land Management, that is being held subject to completion of the reclamation on the Flagstaff property. Reclamation commenced in late October 2022, however, an early snowfall, and late Spring thaw, made the property inaccessible to complete the reclamation. The Company estimates with a week's work, the balance of the reclamation will be complete. Subject to availability of equipment, the Company intends to complete this work by mid July 2023. The Flagstaff Mine, at Northport, Washington, was operated by the Company prior to the acquisition of the Bayhorse Silver Mine. Once the reclamation work is approved by the US Bureau of Land Management, the reclamation bond will be refunded to the Company. Brandywine The Brandywine high grade gold silver project fully permitted drilling program is on hold as the Company is prioritizing permit completion at the Bayhorse Silver Mine. Dr. Stewart Jackson Bayhorse CEO, Graeme O'Neill, regrets to announce that Dr. Stewart Jackson, P.Geol., a long time and highly valued geological consultant to the Company, and a good friend, passed away in April of this year, after a short illness. This News Release has been prepared on behalf of the Bayhorse Silver Inc. Board of Directors, which accepts full responsibility for its content. Dr. G.E Ray, P.Geo., a Qualified Person and Consultant to the Company has prepared, supervised the preparation of, and approved the geo-technical content of this press release. On Behalf of the Board. Graeme O'Neill, CEO 866-399-6539, 604-684-3394 About Bayhorse Silver Inc. Bayhorse Silver Inc. is an exploration and production company with a 100% interest in the historic Bayhorse Silver Mine located in Oregon, USA. With state of the art Steinert Ore-Sorting technology reducing waste rock entering the processing stream by up to 85%, we have created a minimum environmental impact facility capable of mining 200 tons of mineralization per day and the ability to process and supply 3,600 tons per year of silver/copper concentrate ranging between 7,500 to 15,000 g/t using standard flotation processing at its milling facility in nearby Payette County, Idaho, USA, with an offtake agreement in place with Ocean Partners UK Limited. The Company also has an option to acquire an 80% interest in the Brandywine high grade silver/gold property located in B.C. Canada. The Company has an experienced management and technical team with extensive mining expertise in both exploration and building mines. The Company is not basing any decision to produce on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and advises there is an increased uncertainty and specific economic and technical risk of failure with any production decision. These risks include, but are not limited to, (i) a drop in price of commodities produced, namely silver, gold, copper, lead and zinc, from the pricing used to make a production decision; (ii) failure of grades of the produced material to fall within the parameters used to make the production decision; (iii) an increase in mining costs due to changes within the mine during development and mining procedures; and (iv) metallurgical recovery changes that cannot be anticipated at the time of production. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168350 The "Global Infrared Imaging Market Size By Type (Fixed IR Imaging Products, Portable IR Imaging Products), By Wavelength (Far-Infrared, Long-Wave Infrared), By Technology (Cooled IR Imaging, Uncooled IR Imaging), By Application (Aerospace, Defense and Military, Automotive), By Geographic Scope & Forecast, 2023-2030" report has been published by Verified Market Research. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the global Infrared Imaging Market, including its growth prospects, market trends, and market challenges. JERSEY CITY, N.J., June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Infrared Imaging Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.70% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 6.24 Billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 12.17 Billion by the end of the forecast period. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample?rid=6013 Browse in-depth TOC on "Infrared Imaging Market" 202 - Pages 126 - Tables 37 - Figures Infrared Imaging Technology Drives Advancements in Disease Detection and Surgical Applications Infrared imaging, a non-invasive technique utilizing infrared radiation for disease detection, is revolutionizing the healthcare industry. This innovative imaging method has demonstrated its effectiveness in identifying a range of diseases, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and breast cancer. By minimizing patient discomfort and providing enhanced magnification capabilities for soft tissue tumor detection, infrared imaging offers distinct advantages over alternative techniques. One of the key benefits of infrared imaging is its ability to measure hemoglobin and oxygen levels in the brain, muscles, and other bodily tissues, facilitating real-time image assessment during surgical procedures. This feature ensures heightened safety for patients and enables surgeons to make informed decisions during operations. Moreover, the field of infrared imaging is witnessing significant advancements with numerous novel technologies undergoing clinical testing, particularly in the context of surgical applications. Within this domain, near infrared imaging has emerged as a standout technology, experiencing notable growth due to its superior tissue penetration capabilities. The increased adoption of near infrared imaging has proven invaluable during surgical interventions, offering improved visualization and enhancing patient outcomes. Additionally, near infrared imaging market exhibits great potential in identifying coronary artery blockages, further expanding its applications in cardiovascular health. The application of near-infrared technology extends across various surgical disciplines, including plastic and reconstructive surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, cancer surgery, cardiovascular surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and neurovascular surgery. By incorporating near infrared imaging into these procedures, surgeons can effectively monitor tissue viability, blood flow, and perfusion, contributing to better patient care. The rising prevalence of diseases such as cancer, neurovascular disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases has stimulated the demand for infrared imaging systems, with continued growth anticipated in the forecast period. Notably, near infrared imaging market play a critical role in cancer-related procedures by facilitating the differentiation between healthy cells and cancerous cells. This factor is expected to drive the adoption of infrared imaging systems in the coming years. Key Market Segments: Short-Wave Infrared Segment: The Short-Wave Infrared segment is predicted to hold the most significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period due to its wide range of applications. Short-Wave Infrared imaging is increasingly being adopted in various appliances such as high-temperature thermography, surveillance, spectroscopy, moisture detection, semiconductor inspection, scientific research, and art inspection. Uncooled IR Imaging Segment: The Uncooled IR Imaging segment currently dominates the market, holding the largest market share. This segment's popularity is attributed to the lower cost of uncooled infrared imaging cameras compared to cooled counterparts, leading to a significant rise in demand. Key Players in the Infrared Imaging Market: FLIR Systems (US) Fluke (US) Sensors Unlimited (US) Leonardo DRS (US) Xenics (Belgium) Axis Communications (Sweden) Allied Vision Technologies (Germany) Opgal Optronic Industries (Israel) New Imaging Technologies (France) Sofradir (France) To maintain their market positions and drive innovation, these key players focus on product benchmarking, SWOT analysis, and the implementation of key development strategies. In conclusion, the remarkable advancements in infrared imaging technology are transforming disease detection and revolutionizing surgical applications. With its non-invasive nature, enhanced imaging capabilities, and real-time assessment during surgical procedures, infrared imaging is paving the way for improved patient outcomes and enhanced safety. The forecasted growth in the market, coupled with the increasing adoption of near infrared imaging, emphasizes the significance of this technology in the healthcare industry. Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Infrared Imaging Market into Type, Wavelength, Technology, Application, And Geography. Infrared Imaging Market, by Type Fixed IR Imaging Products Portable IR Imaging Products Infrared Imaging Market, by Wavelength Far-Infrared Long-Wave Infrared Mid-Wave Infrared Near-Infrared Short-Wave Infrared Infrared Imaging Market, by Technology Cooled IR Imaging Uncooled IR Imaging Infrared Imaging Market, by Application Aerospace Defense and Military Automotive Consumer Electronics Fire Fighting Industrial Medical Surveillance and Security Infrared Imaging Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America Browse Related Reports: Near-Infrared Imaging Market Size By Product (Devices, Probe/Dye), By Application (Preclinical Imaging, Clinical Imaging), By End-Users (Hospitals & clinics, Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies), By Geography, And Forecast Medical Imaging Workstations Market By Component (Visualization Software, Display Units), By Usage Mode (Thin Client Workstations, Thick Client Workstations), By Application (Diagnostic Imaging, Clinical Review), By Modality (Ultrasound, Mammography), By End-User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers), By Geography, And Forecast Preclinical Imaging Market By Modality (Optical Imaging Systems, Nuclear Imaging Systems), By Reagent (Preclinical Optical Imaging Reagents, Preclinical Nuclear Imaging Reagents), By Geography, And Forecast Artificial Intelligence In Medical Imaging Market By Product (Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Others), By Application (Neurology, Cardiovascular, Breast & Lung, Other), By Geography, And Forecast 10 Best Diagnostic Imaging Services Brands facilitating better health management Visualize Infrared Imaging Market using Verified Market Intelligence -: Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling in this market. VMI offers in-depth forecasted trends and accurate Insights on over 20,000+ emerging & niche markets, helping you make critical revenue-impacting decisions for a brilliant future. VMI provides a holistic overview and global competitive landscape with respect to Region, Country, Segment, and Key players of your market. Present your Market Report & findings with an inbuilt presentation feature saving over 70% of your time and resources for Investor, Sales & Marketing, R&D, and Product Development pitches. VMI enables data delivery In Excel and Interactive PDF formats with over 15+ Key Market Indicators for your market. About Us Verified Market Research is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ customers. Verified Market Research provides advanced analytical research solutions while offering information-enriched research studies. We offer insight into strategic and growth analyses, Data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions. Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance use industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 15,000 high impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research. We study 14+ categories from Semiconductors & Electronics, Chemicals, Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Energy & Power, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive & Transportation, Information & Communication Technology, Software & Services, Information Security, Mining, Minerals & Metals, Building & Construction, Agriculture industry and Medical Devices from over 100 countries. Contact Us Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Verified Market Research US: +1 (650)-781-4080 US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 Email: sales@verifiedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2015407/VMR_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infrared-imaging-market-zooms-towards-billion-dollar-valuation-estimated-to-reach-usd-12-17-billion-by-2030-verified-market-research-301840057.html BANGALORE, India, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Natural Surfactants Market is Segmented by Type (Anionic Natural Surfactants, Nonionic Natural Surfactants, Cationic Natural Surfactants, Amphoteric Natural Surfactants), by Application (Industrial & Institutional Cleaning, Detergents, Personal Care, Agricultural Chemicals, Oilfield Chemicals): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2023-2029. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Chemicals Industry Category. The global Natural Surfactants market was valued at USD 11470 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 15650 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period 2023-2029. Major Factors Driving the Growth of the Natural Surfactants Market: Due to increased industrialization and urbanization, the demand for the commodity has grown among industries. The market is expanding as a result of rising consumer demand for detergents and personal care items as well as stringent government restrictions on the use of conventional surfactants. The Natural Surfactants market is expanding as a result of rising R&D spending, technical developments, and applications in numerous sectors. Download Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-0A7465/Global_Natural_Surfactants TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF NATURAL SURFACTANTS MARKET: Surfactants have the ability to produce micelles that trap oil, dirt, or sebum because of their amphiphilic nature. It removes them from your skin's surface so they can simply be wiped off. They are included in goods including face washes, shampoos, and soaps. Due to their propensity to produce the largest foam and the finest cleaning power, anionic surfactants are the most widely utilized surfactants in detergent. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the Natural Surfactants market. Surfactants are used in cosmetics to clean, froth, thicken, emulsify, solubilize, increase penetration, have antibacterial actions, and provide other specific effects. Surfactant molecules' ability to coexist with both water and oil is the primary characteristic that makes them valuable as ingredients in cosmetic products. When creating skincare or haircare products with a surfactant foundation, natural and organic skincare formulators primarily use non-ionic surfactants. Due to their compatibility with various surfactant kinds, they first choose non-ionic surfactants. All the other groups we described in the previous chart get along well with non-ionic surfactants. Second, it is simple to formulate with non-ionic surfactants. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the Natural Surfactants market. In recent years, petroleum biotechnology has improved. This is a result of the rising petrochemical processes in the oil sector and the strong global demand for renewable technology. The petrochemical-based synthetic surfactants are widely used in the petroleum industry as mobilizing agents to enhance the availability or recovery of hydrocarbons and different extraction, handling, washing, and transportation applications. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the Natural Surfactants market. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-0A7465/global-natural-surfactants NATURAL SURFACTANTS MARKET SHARE During the forecast period, the market for natural surfactants (bio-based surfactants) is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR in APAC. Get Regional Reports: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-0A7465/global-natural-surfactants/3 A Large Share of the Global Market Will Be Held by the Anionics Segment. Anionic surfactants dominate the surfactant market, which includes uses in dishwashing and laundry. The three most prevalent anionic surfactants in terms of volume are linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), alcohol ether sulfates (AES), and alpha-olefin sulfonates (AOS). The two major sustainable anionic surfactants, alcohol ether sulfate (AES) and methyl ester sulfonate (MES), are produced from palm or coconut oil. MES can be used in place of LAS because it is biodegradable. AES can be used to replace ethylene-based surfactants and petroleum-based AES. Both MES and AES give detergents useful surfactant characteristics. The sector for detergents held the biggest market share globally and is anticipated to expand quickly over the coming years. Due to the growing adoption of washing machines in developing nations, demand is anticipated to increase. A number of vendors set up factories in developing nations where there are abundant business opportunities in an effort to increase their footprint. The rising use of washing machines in homes in developing nations' economies supports this tendency. For instance, Indian consumers overwhelmingly favored fully automatic washing machines to semi-automatic ones. In general, urban areas have a higher need for washing machines than rural ones. Key Companies Profiled: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-0A7465/global-natural-surfactants/6 By Company BASF Dow Air Products and Chemicals Stepan Company Clariant Croda International Kao Corporation Sasol India Glycols Galaxy Surfactants Akzonobel Solvay Enaspol Buy Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-0A7465/global-natural-surfactants/1 Buy Now for Single User + Covid-19 Impact : https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-0A7465&lic=single-user SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. SIMILAR REPORTS - Organic Laundry Detergents Market - Beauty and Personal Care Surfactants Market - Surfactants market size is projected to reach USD 38320 Million by 2027, from USD 31910 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 3.1%. - Agricultural Surfactants market size is projected to reach USD 1732.1 million by 2027, from USD 1376.8 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 3.9% - Alkyl Polyglycoside Surfactant Market - Superwetting Surfactants Industry - Bio-based Anionic Surfactants Market - Amphoteric Surfactants Market - Specialty Surfactants and Bio-Surfactant Industry - The Biosurfactants market was valued at USD 1386.4 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 1697.6 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 2.9% during the forecast period 2023-2029. - Cationic Fluorosurfactants Market - Cosmetic Anionic Surfactants Market - Cationic Surfactants market was valued at USD 111.6 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 157.1 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period 2023-2029. - Silicone Surfactants For Flexible Foam Market - Amino Acid-based Surfactants market was valued at USD 728 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 1613.8 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period 2023-2029. - Anionic Surfactants market size is estimated to be worth USD 15420 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 17780 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 2.4% during the review period. - Liquid Nonionic Surfactant Market - Alkyl Polyglucosides (APG) market was valued at USD 312 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 379.4 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 2.8% during the forecast period 2023-2029. - Amphoteric Fluorosurfactant market was valued at USD 523 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 650.5 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period 2023-2029. - Anionic Surfactant for Personal Care Market - Oilfield Surfactants market was valued at USD 1064.5 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 1354.2 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period 2023-2029. - Hand Sanitizers Market - Hydrogen Peroxide market size is estimated to be worth USD 4338.3 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 5240.8 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.2% - The cleanroom consumables market was valued at USD 3688.38 million in 2020, and it is anticipated to reach USD 6658.35 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of about 5.40% - Quaternary Ammonium Compounds market was valued at USD 1178.6 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 1545.5 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 4.3% - Antiseptic and Disinfectant market size is about 46 Billion in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% - Lung Surfactants Market - Surfactant Blend Market - Sustainable Bio-based Surfactant Market - Natural Source Surfactant Market - Polymeric Surfactant Market Click here to see related reports on Natural Surfactant Market ABOUT US: Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. 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CONTACT US: Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 For IST Call +91-8040957137 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Sitemap: https://reports.valuates.com/sitemap/html/reports https://reports.valuates.com/sitemap/html/reports/887 https://reports.valuates.com/sitemap/html/reports/888 https://reports.valuates.com/sitemap/html/reports/889 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/natural-surfactants-market-to-grow-usd-15650-million-by-2029-at-a-cagr-of-4-1--valuates-reports-301840222.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / SkysTheLimit.org, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and their allies, brings the community together to celebrate Pride Month by spotlighting the success of entrepreneur Amnoni Myers and inspiring others to make their dreams happen. LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs represent a significant portion of the entrepreneurial landscape. According to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, there are 1.4 million LGBTQIA+ business owners, who are contributing $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy annually. Amnoni Myers embodies the spirit of resilience, determination, and innovation. Amnoni became a ward of the state at birth, and through her experiences, in foster care, she became committed to helping others understand the importance of their voice and experiences so that they can break the cycle of poverty. She is the Founder of You Are the Prize LLC., a service-based company that offers speaking, training and consulting to child welfare agencies, educational institutions and foster parents who work with young people who have experienced trauma. With the success of her book: You Are the Prize: Seeing Yourself Beyond the Imperfections of Your Trauma and her experiences working with the White House and Congress, she developed a brand to help people working with children understand the impacts of trauma. "Mentors are a form of social capital, and I am realizing that an essential element to building a business is being able to rely on people where you may lack experience. Each mentor has given me more confidence by affirming the work I am doing. They each have encouraged me to seek after clients who are willing to pay for my services. Because I've stayed firm on my prices, I've seen that I have gained about three clients since," said Amnoni. Read more about her remarkable success story here. To further honor Amnoni's achievements and inspire others, Sky's the Limit will be hosting the highly anticipated Limitless! premiere featuring founder Amnoni Myers. Limitless! is a groundbreaking series, where entrepreneurs can share their experiences, insights, and strategies for success. This episode will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to learn from Amnoni's journey, gain valuable knowledge, and connect with like-minded individuals. More details can be found here. As an organization committed to building a global community that embraces diversity, Sky's the Limit recognizes that inclusivity is the key to innovation and progress. By providing a platform for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, identities, and orientations, we foster an environment where creativity thrives, ideas flourish, and meaningful relationships are formed. Join Sky's the Limit this Pride Month in celebrating the diversity, strength, and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. Together, we can create a future where every entrepreneur's potential knows no bounds. For more information about how to get your company involved in mentoring, please visit skysthelimit.org/partnerships. Sky's the Limit offers opportunities for traditionally marginalized entrepreneurs - typically those who identify as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, women, veterans, disabled people, and people from low-income backgrounds - to connect with mentors to come together to foster, grow, and shape modern and future enterprise. # # # About SkysTheLimit.org: SkysTheLimit.org is a digital platform that connects young, historically excluded entrepreneurs with one-on-one support from experienced business advisors and mentors, entrepreneurship training, and community-voted startup grants. SkysTheLimit.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Amnoni Myers, Founder of You Are the Prize LLC. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Skys the Limit on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Skys the Limit Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/skys-limit Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Skys the Limit View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758624/SkysTheLimitorg-Celebrates-Pride-Month-Amplifying-the-Success-of-Amnoni-Myers-and-Fostering-the-Future-of-Entrepreneurship NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Suncor Energy The morning was calm and quiet when Mike climbed into the passenger's seat of a truck to make the commute to his worksite south of Fort McMurray, Alta. Both he and the driver were Suncor summer students in 2006, each taking turns driving to work. It was Mike's turn to sit back and nap on the drive, so he reclined his seat and dozed off. He was startled awake as the truck hit a ditch along Highway 63, the only road leading in and out of town. "The truck was upside down and I was having difficulty breathing, so I was mostly focused on trying to breathe, not on what happened," says Mike. "It took a couple of hours to get me out of the truck using the Jaws of Life. But once I got out, I was in good spirits; joking around with everyone and laughing." Fortunately, both Mike and the driver survived the accident, but Mike had a spinal injury that left him paralyzed. "I'm paralyzed from the chest down and technically classified as a quadriplegic because I lost some use of my hands as well as my legs," explains Mike. "I was also burned on my legs and needed skin grafts, but because of my spinal injury, I didn't feel much pain." Since the accident, Mike has become a passionate accessibility advocate, working to raise awareness of everyday tasks that can be challenging for those with disabilities. "There are so many 'invisible,' life-changing accessibility features that make navigating the world easier for me," says Mike. "A lot of time, thought, care and the voices of countless people with disabilities and allies have advocated for these benefits and I'm privileged to take advantage of them." Although features like ramps, elevators, automatic doors and accessible washroom stalls are familiar to all of us, there are other accessibility tools that are less obvious such as alt text on images in a social media feed, and screen readers for computers and mobile devices. "Things like being able to use the tap feature debit and credit card machines; taking my kids to tourist attractions designed with accessibility in mind ensuring I have a clear view; not having to worry if my wheelchair will fit through doorways or having hand controls installed in rental cars are just some 'luxuries' that would be less common had I been injured a decade before." Mike returned to Suncor as a student the following summer, and eventually met another student who would later become his wife. "At this point, after meeting my wife and raising two amazing young girls, the accident seems like a lifetime ago. But because of it, accessibility will always be a part my life," he says. Almost 20 years after the accident, Mike now works for Suncor as an accounts payable administrator and is an active member in Suncor's accessibility employee inclusion network, enABLE. Through the network he hosts regular sessions on accessibility, providing a safe space for persons with disabilities, caregivers and allies to discuss a range of disability related topics. "Many people don't speak up about things they know will make their life easier, often because they're worried about what their colleagues might think," adds Mike. "But when we are vulnerable and open up, we give our coworkers the chance to help make this an even better place to work." National AccessAbility Week runs from May 28 to June 3, and is an opportunity to celebrate the valuable contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities, highlight the work of people, organizations and communities that are removing barriers and improving accessibility, and reflect on the ongoing efforts to become more accessible and more inclusive. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Suncor Energy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Suncor Energy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/suncor-energy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Suncor Energy View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758626/Why-Suncors-Mike-Barker-Advocates-for-Accessibility NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Inogen Alliance is proud to announce that we will be an official sponsor exhibitor at The Global Summit on ESG reporting for the Energy & Extractive Industries! The conference will be held in Brussels, Belgium on June 20th. Our global Alliance team will be represented by six co-sponsoring Associates, including Antea Group Belgium, Ayrton Group in Ireland, Baden Consulting in Switzerland, denxpert in Hungary, HPC Germany and HPC Italy. According to the Global Summit on ESG Reporting website, "The conference aims to bring together the senior decision-makers from the Energy, Mining and Oil & Gas Industries for a business networking-oriented event. The attendees will have the opportunity to witness a program that focuses on insightful case studies and panels which will promote in-depth exchanges and discussions that address the industry's challenges." This conference aims to promote transparency and accountability in the extractives sector by providing a forum for discussing key ESG issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and human rights. Program highlights include: ESG Metrics and KPIs ESG Commitments that are "Greenwashing Proof" Reporting Requirements Collecting Quality Data Accurate Visibility Across your Carbon Footprint Data Transparency Misinterpretation of ESG Disclosures Green Bonds and Sustainability-Linked Finance Investor Relations and Sustainability Social Issues in the Context of ESG Reporting Standards Bill MacDonald, Antea Group USA, Energy Working Group leader states "The collective energy project experience of the Alliance membership rivals any global consulting firm. Our mission is to collaborate with each other to expand our consulting capabilities geographically, and to win multinational client opportunities." This is a unique opportunity to exchange experiences with energy and mining industry leaders and build connections with members of the wider community. Check out more on the event and request a brochure to register on the site here and make sure to connect with our Associates in attendance at the table exhibit! Or watch for more content to come from our team that will be attending representing the Global Energy Transition Working Group and Sustainability Working Group. Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local consultancies with more than 6,000 team members and experts skilled in delivering solutions and supporting client success across the globe. Click the links below to learn more about us and how we can use our global expertise to meet your local needs. Explore our Associates, News & Blog updates, Contact Us or follow us on LinkedIn. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Inogen Alliance on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Inogen Alliance Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/inogen-alliance Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Inogen Alliance View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758628/Inogen-Alliance-Sponsors-The-Global-Summit-on-ESG-Reporting-for-the-Energy-Extractive-Industries Strategic combination accelerates US expansion Domestic General Group ("D&G"), the leading appliance care specialist headquartered in London, UK, has entered into an agreement to acquire US based, post-sale warranty specialist After Inc ("After"), a Galway Holdings company. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005779/en/ Gayle Terry, President of D&G US (Photo: Business Wire) The acquisition will significantly strengthen D&G's proposition and operations in the US, enabling the group to meet strong US consumer demand for post-sale appliance care and protection. The combined capabilities of the companies will accelerate D&G Group's expansion into the US warranty market, helping to build on the Group's track record of more than 20 years of consecutive revenue and profit growth. To lead D&G's growth in the US, today we announce that Gayle Terry has been appointed President of D&G US, with immediate effect. Gayle has been with D&G for over nine years and until recently has held the position of Group CMO as well as being executive lead in the US for 12 months; successfully building our warranty subscription business in the US and accelerating our global vision. The Board are confident that Gayle's leadership and expertise are well placed to lead the US business at this strategically critical time. Matthew Crummack, CEO of D&G said: "We are really excited to combine with the After Inc. team with the aim of creating the very best in domestic appliance care and protection in the US market. By combining D&G's innovative and market leading subscription program with After's strong reputation and consistent service delivery, we will build a market-leading appliance care business in the US. I'd like to personally welcome the After team to the D&G family and look forward to our new journey together." Nate Baldwin, CEO of After said: "We are delighted to be joining forces with D&G. From the first conversation, we had a common vision of the opportunity ahead of us where we can leverage our combined resources and expertise to seize new opportunities, service our customers better and drive even greater growth in the US market. We look forward to working together to achieve our shared vision by serving the needs of our customers and giving them the best possible service" D&G Group With a strong focus on sustainability and customer-care, D&G's appliance care plans protect individuals and families against the unexpected costs of appliance repairs and replacements. Present in 12 countries across Europe, Australia and the US, D&G protects over 21 million appliances for approximately 13 million customers. Globally D&G has ~3000 employees. It has a leading position in the UK market and is present in 1 in 3 households. D&G has been present in the US for 18 months and this acquisition supports D&G's ambitious global growth plans. After Inc Headquartered in Connecticut, and with operations in Louisville, Kentucky, After Inc has been a pioneer in the warranty industry sector since 2005, and helped some of the world's top manufacturer brands transform their businesses after the point of sale with its industry-leading technology, analytics, and marketing. After has ~100 employees. For more information, please visit https://investors.domesticandgeneral.com/ - END - Notes to editors: The extended warranties market in the US is estimated to be worth $58.63 billion in 2023 and is projected to be worth $63.80 billion in 2025, demonstrating consistent growth driven by a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.6% from 2020 to 2028 (U.S. Extended Warranty Market globenewswire.com) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005779/en/ Contacts: Investor enquiries to: For investor related enquiries please use your existing contacts or email us at: investor.relations@domesticandgeneral.com Media enquiries to: Sam Turvey (Maitland) Telephone: +44 7827 836246 Email: domesticandgeneral@h-advisors.global Tori Rees (Domestic and General) Telephone: +44 7342 093331 Email: tori.rees@domesticandgeneral.com MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Tarku Resources Ltd (TSXV:TKU()FRA:7TK)(OTCQB:TRKUF) (the "Company" or "Tarku") is pleased to provide an update on its marketing and social media strategy and the results of its efforts to raise awareness within the retail investor community over the last year. A growing number of studies and articles, such as a recent Forbes article (March 3rd, 2023), show that most young adults and a rising number of older adults get not just their basic information on companies but also their financial advice from social media platforms, hence the Company's decision to complement its marketing efforts with a larger social media presence. Over the last year, the Company has been working on increasing its social media presence to reach current and potential investors in Canada, the United States and Europe, with the help of Global One Media Limited ("Global One"). Global One manages Tarku's social media channels, including distribution of interviews and company news and other similar services. This initiative, which mainly consists of the sharing of posts, descriptive videos and interviews about the Company's mining projects, have resulted in a significant increase in the number of Tarku followers in the last year, on Facebook (+145%), Instagram (+51%), Twitter (+27%) and LinkedIn (+15%), and an increased presence on YouTube. During the same period, the average daily trading volume of Tarku's shares rose significantly on both its Canadian and U.S. listings, which the Company believes to be linked in part to its social media activity. Julien Davy, President and CEO of Tarku Resources, said: "We are delighted with the impact our social media campaign has had over the last year. It is important for us to reach as many potential investors as possible around the world and we understand that the various social media platforms play different roles and reach different people. We have seen a marked increase in trading on our stock, which now has greater liquidity. We are also thrilled with the exploration results we have achieved and our success in communicating them to a larger group of potential investors. Social media is by far the most cost-effective means of communicating, with global reach. We are pleased to have Global One as our social media partner and to be able to benefit from their marketing strategy, content creation and execution expertise." Commenting on the partnership, Bastien Boulay, Managing Partner at Global One Media, said, "With millions of young, savvy investors turning to social media for investment advice, we are very excited to be able to introduce Tarku and enhance the Company's exposure to its target audience, who consume investment information on digital channels such as YouTube, TikTok, Spotify and Instagram. By presenting the information in a way that is relevant to that audience and easy to digest and understand, we aim to help Tarku Resources develop a dynamic online following across their social media channels." Follow @TarkuResources Over the last year, Tarku has significantly improved its presence on various social media platforms to expand its reach to a larger number of investors. On top of its website at www.tarkuresources.com, the Company is active under @TarkuResources on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarkuresources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarkuresources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tarkuresources Twitter: https://twitter.com/TarkuResources YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGS5QFh4A4Tk9u3L9hc_APw About Global One Media Global One Media is an innovative investor-focused digital marketing agency solving the needs of small and mid-cap listed companies. We deliver creative and effective solutions for brand positioning and strategic communications across all industries, specializing in investor engagement and growth marketing for listed and pre-IPO companies. Using our global network, we help public companies dominate their sector amid the web and social media landscape, tell their story in an engaging manner, and reach millions of investors around the world. About Tarku Tarku Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TKU | FRA: 7TK | OTCBQ: TRKUF) is a mining exploration company focused on advancing the development of new discoveries by using modern techniques in favourable mining jurisdictions such as Quebec and Arizona. In Arizona, within the famous Tombstone District, Tarku owns 100% of the 29 km2 Silver Strike project. Silver Strike has been interpreted by management to have the potential for similar Carbonate Replacement Deposits (CRD) comparable to the Hermosa project, located 80 km west in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, which South32 acquired for USD 1.8 billion in 2018. In Quebec, Tarku owns 100% of the "Three As" exploration projects (Apollo, Admiral and Atlas) in the Matagami Greenstone Belt, interpreted by management as the eastern extension of the Detour Belt, which has seen recent exploration successes by Midland Exploration, Wallbridge Mining Company and Probe Metals. In addition, the Company owns the MAX Lithium project, located 4 km southwest of Sayona Mining's North American Lithium mine. On behalf of Tarku Resources Ltd. Julien Davy, President and CEO Tarku contact information: Email: investors@tarkuresources.com Website: www.tarkuresources.com Please follow @TarkuResources on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and activities to vary materially from targeted results and planning. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Tarku's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Tarku from time to time with securities regulatory authorities. SOURCE: Tarku Resources ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758632/Tarku-Sees-Rise-in-Investor-Awareness-Thanks-to-Social-Media-Strategy MIAMI, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During the Italian National Day, celebrating Italian Republic Day, organized by the Italian Consulate General in Miami, 1000 Miglia presented upcoming events to be organized in the United States. The evening, which took place at the Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gable, was an important opportunity to announce developments in the Red Arrow's activities on the East Coast. Three cars, representing examples of Italian automotive history, were on display during the event, a 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America, a 1950 Maserati A6GCS 2000 'Monofaro' by Fantuzzi and a 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS. 1000 Miglia has confirmed the fourth edition of Warm UP USA, scheduled from October 31 to November 5, 2023 in the Washington DC area. The event is open to the 1000 Miglia Era (built up to 1957) and Post 1000 Miglia Era (built 1958 to present) classes of cars. It will consist of a one-day training session on the techniques peculiar to Italian regularity races and a three-day competition in full 1000 Miglia style that will pass through the fall scenery of West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland and finish in the center of the U.S. Capital city. For 2024, 1000 Miglia is previewing 1000 Miglia Experience Miami: the vibrant Florida city will be the perfect setting to welcome classic car enthusiasts and offer them an unparalleled driving experience surrounded by spectacular scenery and a unique atmosphere. Participants will be able to immerse themselves in the local culture and enjoy an extraordinary event. "First of all, I would like to thank the Consul General for offering 1000 Miglia the opportunity to introduce itself in this setting that celebrates Italy and the excellence that makes it unique in the world," said Alberto Piantoni, CEO of 1000 Miglia Srl."The almost 100-year history of the 1000 Miglia, combined with the daring and pioneering spirit that, true to its DNA, continues to renew and innovate, allows us today to export these events to every part of the world, narrating the uniqueness of the places that host us and giving exclusive experiences to fans. With this opportunity I would like to remind you that the 1000 Miglia 2023 is just around the corner: from June 13 to 17, in fact, the forty-first re-enactment of the Race will take place, travelling through Italy from Brescia to Rome and back, offering the more than 400 historic cars in the race a unique experience that only the most beautiful race in the world can give." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2090807/Mille_Miglia.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2090867/1000_Miglia_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/1000-miglia-presents-upcoming-events-in-the-united-states-in-miami-on-the-occasion-of-the-italian-national-day-the-presentation-of-warm-up-usa-2023-and-the-launch-of-1000-miglia-experience-in-florida-301840272.html Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd - Result of AGM PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, June 01 Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited (formerly known as BMO Commercial Property Trust Limited) LEI Number: 213800A2B1H4ULF3K397 (The "Company") 01 June 2023 RESULT OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING At the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 31 May 2023, all Ordinary Resolutions set out in the Annual General Meeting Notice sent to Shareholders dated 25 April 2023 were duly passed. Details of the proxy voting results which should be read alongside the Notice are noted below: Ordinary Resolution For Against Abstain 1 404,976,231 4,299 1,933,127 2 398,918,135 7,811,119 184,403 3 398,928,581 7,826,153 158,923 4 406,868,891 2,143 42,623 5 401,901,531 4,884,675 127,451 6 395,508,866 11,278,323 126,468 7 401,871,815 4,914,808 127,034 8 401,898,568 4,887,638 127,451 9 406,332,230 454,393 127,034 10 406,590,169 220,918 102,570 11 406,752,720 35,277 125,660 12 406,653,048 190,252 70,357 Special Resolution For Against Abstain 13 403,410,993 3,446,521 56,143 14 377,408,074 27,297,221 2,208,362 Note - A vote withheld is not a vote in law and has not been counted in the votes for and against a resolution. The Special Resolutions were as follows: Special Resolution 13 THAT the directors of the Company be and they are hereby generally empowered, to allot and issue ordinary shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert securities into, ordinary shares in the Company ("equity securities'') for cash, including by way of a sale of ordinary shares held by the Company as treasury shares, as if any pre-emption rights in relation to the issue of shares contained in Article 6.2 of the Company's articles of incorporation did not apply to any such allotment of equity securities, provided that this power: (a) expires at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution or on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, save that the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired; and (b) shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal value of 701,550 being approximately 10 per cent of the nominal value of the issued share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares), as at 17 April 2023. Special Resolution 14 THAT the Company be authorised, in accordance with section 315 of The Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008, to make market acquisitions (within the meaning of section 316(1) of The Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008 of ordinary shares of 1p each ("Ordinary Shares'') (either for retention as treasury shares for future resale or transfer, or cancellation), provided that: (a) the maximum number of Ordinary Shares hereby authorised to be purchased shall be 14.99 per cent of the issued Ordinary Shares on the date on which this resolution is passed; (b) the minimum price which may be paid for an Ordinary Share shall be 1p (exclusive of expenses); (c) the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for an Ordinary Share shall be the higher of (i) 105 per cent of the average of the middle market quotations (as derived from the Daily Official List) for the Ordinary Shares for the five business days immediately preceding the date of purchase; and (ii) the higher of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the trading venue which the purchase is carried out; and (d) unless previously varied, revoked or renewed, the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution, or on the expiry of 18 months from the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, save that the Company may, prior to such expiry, enter into a contract to purchase Ordinary Shares under such authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiration of such authority and may make a purchase of Ordinary Shares pursuant to any such contract. Enquiries: Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited The Company Secretary Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3QL Tel: 01481 745001 END VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / EvokAI Creative Labs Inc. (TSX-V:OKAI) ("EvokAI" or the "Company"), a leading MedTech AI-powered company dedicated to the development of transformational and innovative technologies for the healthcare sector, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the "Share Purchase Agreement") dated effective May 16, 2023, that was negotiated at arm's length, pursuant to which the Company intends to acquire (the "NeuroCarrier Acquisition") all the issued and outstanding securities of NeuroCarrier Oy ("NeuroCarrier"). NeuroCarrier combines cognitive neuroscience, extended reality ("XR") and artificial intelligence ("AI") technologies for enhanced performance screening and spatial perception of a person as well as risk behavior. Following the closing of the NeuroCarrier Acquisition, NeuroCarrier will be a wholly owned subsidiary of EvokAI. Completion of the NeuroCarrier Acquisition is subject to a number of standard conditions, including receipt of all regulatory approvals and the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The NeuroCarrier Acquisition is expected to close in June, 2023. "The acquisition of NeuroCarrier allows us to redefine the evaluation of human performance, enhance safety in various contexts, and transform the early detection and management of brain diseases. NeuroCarrier's unique technology provides a comprehensive and objective assessment of an individual's cognitive abilities, risk behavior, and driving maturity. In the United States alone there are 233 million licensed drivers, and when it comes to accidents, people aged 21 to 24 are most at risk1. There is an urgent and growing need to assess brain health, not just because people live longer but also because the importance of cognitive enhancement in today's fast-paced world. NeuroCarrier's virtual reality driving simulator using high performance eye-tracking technology fills this need, allowing EvokAI to exponentially increase its revenues given the low-cost XR test and its easy-to-scale path," commented Alejandro Antalich, CEO and Director of EvokAI Creative Labs. "With a deep understanding of deep brain simulation from our previous acquisition of Head Instruments, we recognize the significant challenges faced by individuals with neurological disorders, as well as those seeking to optimize their cognitive abilities, which motivates us to take a significant step towards brain implants, enabling precise interventions and personalized treatments. By providing neurostimulation, neural modulation, and real-time monitoring, our implants could potentially alleviate symptoms, restore lost functions, and improve overall quality of life for patients," added Antalich. "Our team of dedicated scientists, engineers, and medical professionals work tirelessly to refine brain implant solutions that are safe, effective, and designed to target a wide range of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain injuries. We envision a future where brain health and cognitive function are no longer hindered by neurological disorders or limitations. Through our relentless pursuit of breakthrough technologies, we strive to transform lives, empower individuals, and contribute to the greater understanding of the human brain," concluded Antalich. NeuroCarrier is a private company founded in 2021 under the laws of Finland by renowned professionals with unique expertise in psychophysics and neural mechanisms of the somatosensory system (tactile system and haptics) to biases in spatial attention and perception. Its CEO is a former Finnish Air Force Officer who has over 15 years of experience in training and high-tech simulation starting from flight instructor and reaching the position of Chief of Air Force Training. "The science of assessing cognitive performance in a virtual reality driving environment, measuring more than thirty variables from reaction times to eye movement and fixations or reaction curves provide unprecedented accuracy. Our AI-powered technology allows us to handle large amounts of data, finetune the XR test and determine performance thresholds individually. Traffic has become an area of life that concerns millions of people every day and we are excited to provide a scientifically valid solution to increase safety," said Jarmo Majapuro, Founder and CEO of NeuroCarrier. "We are proud to see that XR-technology originating from our university finds a route to commercialization through EvokAI. We are ready to support the further development of the technology also in the future," commented Professor Vesa Taatila, President & CEO of Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland, shareholder of NeuroCarrier. Pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, holders of 100% of NeuroCarriers' common shares ("NeuroCarrier Shares") will be issued 2,202,000 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") having an aggregate value of EUR 3,000,000, as consideration in exchange for their NeuroCarrier Shares. The Shares issued will be subject to an agreed hold period ending 1 year from the date of issuance. Up to an additional 367,000 common shares of the Company may be issuable to the current holders of NeuroCarrier Shares upon NeuroCarrier achieving certain milestones on or before November 16, 2023. 1Statista: Total number of licensed drivers in the United States in 2021 About EvokAI Creative Labs Inc. EvokAI is a MedTech AI-powered company dedicated to the development of transformational and innovative technologies for the modern healthcare sector. We deploy machine learning models to search medical data and uncover insights to help improve health outcomes, patient experiences, drug development, preclinical and clinical decisions and provide more accurate diagnoses. EvokAI tailors its AI algorithms across the whole healthcare system, from hospitals, private clinics, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, to medical professionals, patients, healthy individuals aiming at preventing any kind of disease and beyond, protecting the aging genome. On behalf of the Board of Directors of EvokAI Creative Labs Inc. Alejandro Antalich CEO & Director For more information, please contact: EvokAI Creative Labs Inc. Alejandro Antalich Chief Executive Officer Email: hello@evokailabs.com Phone: +358 50 5512 848 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. This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Generally, any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information or statements. The forward-looking information or statements in this news release may relate, among other things, to: the completion of the NeuroCarrier Acquisition; the anticipated benefits of the NeuroCarrier Acquisition to the Company and its shareholders; the future growth potential of the Company on a post-transaction basis; the intention to scale operations; the accretive nature of the NeuroCarrier Acquisition, including expected synergies thereof; future financial performance; and receipt of all regulatory approvals. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: the expected results from the completion of the NeuroCarrier Acquisition; receipt of all required regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSXV; business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; the Company's limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the technology industry; unproven markets for the Company's product offerings; lack of regulation and customer protection; the need for the Company to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; network security risks; the ability of the Company to maintain properly working systems; foreign currency trading risks; use and storage of personal information and compliance with privacy laws; use of the Company's services for improper or illegal purposes; global economic and financial market conditions; uninsurable risks; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated; and those factors described under the heading "Risks Factors" in the Company's filing statement dated March 27, 2023 available on SEDAR. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. SOURCE: EvokAI Creative Labs Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758644/EvokAI-Creative-Labs-to-Acquire-Extended-Reality-AI-Powered-Company-NeuroCarrier-Oy Regulatory News: Median Technologies (ALMDT) announced today that the Company will be participating in the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting taking place from June 2 to 6, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, USA. The Median team, with iCRO and iBiopsy representatives as well as the Company clinical team will be pleased to welcome the ASCO participants at booth #2050, South Building, Hall A, McCormick place, from June 3 to 5 (exhibition dates), from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Two Median Technologies' abstracts have been selected for online publication: Abstract e20599: CT Based Radiomics Signature for Phenotyping Histopathological Subtype in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer The study in this abstract aimed to use a CT-based radiomics model to predict the histopathological subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The study included 678 patients, with 531 used for training and 147 for testing. The robust radiomics features extracted from the CT scans were used to train a support vector machine (SVM) classifier, which achieved an accuracy of 0.80 on the training set and 0.77 on the test set. The study showed that CT-based radiomics can accurately predict the histopathology subtype of NSCLC patients, offering a less invasive and more cost-effective alternative to traditional tissue analysis methods. Abstract e20515 Multicenter Evaluation of AI-Based CT Radiomics for EGFR Mutation Prediction in NSCLC This abstract discusses using CT image-based radiomics model as a non-invasive solution to predict EGFR mutation status in NSCLC. The study collected CT images from multiple centers and open-source databases to investigate the performance of the model. The model achieved promising results with an AUC of 0.83 on cross-validation and an AUC of 0.76 on the test set. The authors conclude that AI-powered medical image analysis has the potential to serve as predictive biomarkers for guiding targeted therapies in the future. The Median's Imaging Lab team will be at booth #2050, to discuss abstract results. The team will also host two sessions on June 3rd and June 4th, at 4:15 pm CDT at booth, to highlight how Imaging Lab is shaping the future of clinical development with the latest in AI-powered imaging intelligence. The ASCO Annual Meeting is the world's premier oncology conference, organized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the largest oncology society in the world. Each year, the ASCO conference brings together more than 35,000 oncologists from all around the globe, and is attended by all medical, educational and industrial stakeholders involved in the field of oncology worldwide. More about the ASCO Annual Meeting: https://am.asco.org/ About Median Technologies:Median Technologies provides innovative imaging solutions and services to advance healthcare for everyone. We harness the power of medical images by using the most advanced Artificial Intelligence technologies, to increase the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment of many cancers and other metabolic diseases at their earliest stages and provide insights into novel therapies for patients. Our iCRO solutions for medical image analysis and management in oncology trials and iBiopsy, our AI-powered imaging platform for the development of software as medical devices (SaMD) help biopharmaceutical companies and clinicians to bring new treatments and diagnose patients earlier and more accurately. This is how we are helping to create a healthier world. Founded in 2002, based in Sophia-Antipolis, France, with a subsidiary in the US and another one in Shanghai, Median has received the label "Innovative company" by the BPI and is listed on Euronext Growth market (Paris). FR0011049824- ticker: ALMDT. Median is eligible for the French SME equity savings plan scheme (PEA-PME). For more information: www.mediantechnologies.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005030/en/ Contacts: Median Technologies Emmanuelle Leygues Head of Corporate Marketing Financial Communications +33 6 10 93 58 88 emmanuelle.leygues@mediantechnologies.com Press ALIZE RP Caroline Carmagnol +33 6 64 18 99 59 median@alizerp.com Investors ACTIFIN Ghislaine Gasparetto +33 6 21 10 49 24 ggasparetto@actifin.fr Tampa, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - In a significant stride towards eradicating period poverty, Florida has passed a groundbreaking law, H.B. 389: Menstrual Hygiene Products in Public Schools. The legislation, enacted on May 17, 2023, authorizes school districts across the state to provide their students with menstrual hygiene products free of charge. Aanya Patel, the founder of the Global Girls Initiative, collaborated with Representative Kelly Skidmore to garner support for the bill and bring it to fruition. Anaya Patel of Global Girls Initiative The law stipulates that menstrual hygiene products should be readily available in various locations within schools, including the nurse's office, health service facilities, and restrooms, ensuring accessibility for all students, including those requiring wheelchair-accessible facilities. The enactment of this law is set to have a profound impact on over 1.5 million students in Florida's school system. By providing direct access to menstrual hygiene products, the legislation enables students to manage their menstrual cycles with dignity. The benefits extend beyond physical health and comfort; the law improves students' mental and social well-being by fostering a sense of confidence among students, encouraging participation in after-school activities, and increasing class attendance, thereby allowing them to reach their full academic potential. Anaya Patel of Global Girls Initiative Aanya Patel expressed her enthusiasm for the new law, stating, "I am very excited that Florida now has a structured solution addressing young menstruators within the school system so they do not miss out on educational opportunities simply because they lack access to a basic hygiene necessity". Patel further emphasized the importance of Menstrual Hygiene Day, calling for increased conversation and awareness to break social stigmas surrounding period poverty. About Global Girls Initiative The Global Girls Initiative (GGI), a Tampa-based non-profit organization, was founded by Patel. Over the past three years, GGI has donated over 350,000 menstrual hygiene products to students and youth in underserved communities. The organization also provides free educational workshops, known as P.A.D.S (Period Awareness with Dignity & Self Esteem), to empower young menstruators and help them manage their cycles with dignity. In addition, GGI has pioneered the development of cost-effective menstrual hygiene dispensers, which are being installed in various institutions, including Hillsborough County's Title I middle & high schools, the University of Tampa, Johns Hopkins University, and more, as part of its mission to end period poverty. Contact Details Contact Person: Aanya Patel Email: aanya.p@globalgi.org Website: https://globalgi.org/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/167721 WACO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / SBR Energy announces that it has engaged DelMorgan & Co. (www.delmorganco.com), an internationally recognized investment banking firm, to explore strategic growth options on a capital raise to finance projects in its robust pipeline of new high-quality projects in the upstream oil and gas space. "We have optimized methods in the oil and gas extraction process that can deliver excellent long-term results to shareholders while at the same time being responsible stewards of the environment," Spencer Brown, CEO of SBR Energy, commented. DelMorgan's Chairman, Rob Delgado, commented, "We are excited to be working with the team at SBR Energy. They have some exciting prospects, and we look forward to helping them establish the financial strategies and partnerships to realize their potential." Neil Morganbesser, President & CEO of DelMorgan, added, "We are confident that this is an exciting time in the oil & gas sector for investors to hear about the development opportunities that SBR Energy currently has to utilize its transformative approach and technology to truly deliver speedy and impressive financial returns." With over 100 years of collective team experience, SBR Energy leverages its advanced exploration and production technologies to redevelop leases into profitable producers. The Texas-based company is looking to acquire under-producing, low-risk oil and gas reserves. SBR Energy develops smaller lease blocks that are less expensive and can be completed faster with more oversight. It uses technologies such as nitrogen injection and refrigeration units to increase production of oil and gas wells. We are very focused on maximizing the total barrels of oil that can be recovered per well. "We leverage advanced technologies to claim untapped oil and gas reserves," Brown said. "Our experts use different production techniques to add value and ensure the most cost-effective and efficient results." SBR Energy already has established business relationships with BML Crude Oil Marketing, Energy Transport Logistics, Enterprise Products, GulfMark Energy Inc, Shell, Sunoco, Supply Partners, Truth Resources L.P., and Valero. About SBR Energy SBR Energy is an innovative upstream oil & gas producer with a focus on advanced efficient recovery methods which are underutilized by the industry. Our Motto: Energy Innovators In Motion. Its Corporate headquarters are located in Waco, Texas. For more info, go to sbrenergy.net. About DelMorgan & Co. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, DelMorgan & Co. is an internationally recognized investment bank and financial advisor. With over three decades of experience and over $300 billion in successfully completed transactions, the professionals at DelMorgan & Co. provide world-class financial advice to companies, institutions, governments and individuals around the world. For more information, please visit www.delmorganco.com. Contact Information Spencer Brown , Jr. CEO spencer@sbrenergy.net 2547443713 SOURCE: SBR Energy, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758206/SBR-Energy-Engages-DelMorgan-Co-for-Energy-Financing MEMPHIS, TN / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) partnered with legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz on an iconic storytelling series to celebrate the company's 50th birthday on April 17. Named Driving Passions, this collection incorporates the power and possibilities of FedEx by showcasing three small businesses that represent the startups, innovators, and legends in the making-individuals and teams intrinsically connected by the innovative FedEx spirit bridging now and the next 50 years. The collection will be available on FedEx.com and on display at the Memphis International Airport. "This campaign is an opportunity to celebrate our customers-the entrepreneurs and visionaries of tomorrow," explained FedEx Chief Customer Officer, Brie Carere. "These three FedEx small business customers were chosen to be photographed to serve as a direct reflection of the modern FedEx brand- inclusive, innovative, and intelligent." Driving Passions portrait series tells the story of how the visionary founder of FedEx, Frederick W. Smith, brings the support and dream of entrepreneurship to small businesses full circle. Unlimited Tomorrow was founded by Easton LaChappelle, a millennial inventor who wanted to create affordable prosthetic limbs using 3D printing technology. With his team of engineers, LaChappelle is changing lives by providing customizable prosthetics that are both personalized and functional. Terra Beauty Bars is co-founded by three Brazilian-American sisters, one a U.S. Army Veteran, and their mother. The women cultivated their combined skills and heritage as building blocks for a small business success story. Terra provides award-winning products that are good for you, sustainably made, cruelty-free, plant-based, and always crafted with a dash of family love. Ginjan Bros. is a beverage company founded by two brothers who wanted to share the taste of their African heritage with the world. Their signature drink, ginjan, is made from a blend of ginger, pineapple, and hibiscus, and enjoyed by people of all ages. "Every day, these entrepreneurs break barriers and change lives with their innovative ideas, commitment to their customers, and products," added Carere. "These photographs capture their essence in a way that is both authentic and inspiring." Lifting up customers has been the company's top priority over the past 50 years, and it will continue to remain front and center as FedEx moves into the next 50. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: FedEx Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758669/FedEx-Collaborates-with-Annie-Leibovitz-to-Spotlight-and-Elevate-Small-Business-Customers NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Comcast Corporation: Each year, Comcast is proud to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Founded in 2012, GAAD represents a moment for us all to reflect on the importance of creating equitable and inclusive experiences. We've made a lot of progress, which is inspiring, but there are always new technologies on the horizon, like AI for example, that make it exciting to think about future applications. At Comcast, accessibility isn't an afterthought. My team and I partner with teams across the company to deliver first-rate, accessible products and services. From day one, we have a seat at the table working closely with product teams to identify solutions to enhance the experience for the widest possible audience. In addition, we spend a lot of time talking with external audiences-through direct customer interactions and in partnership with leading disability organizations like the American Council of the Blind, the National Association of the Deaf, National Federation of the Blind, Team Gleason, United Spinal Association and many others-to get their feedback about how we can improve our products to be even more inclusive for people with a variety of disabilities. As a consumer with a disability myself, I can always tell when I'm using a product that has taken accessibility to heart. It shows when a company has brought individuals with different types of disabilities into the product design conversation early as well as throughout the entire development lifecycle. I'm proud to say that for more than a decade at Comcast this approach has been fundamental to our product innovations. Most recently, we followed this method with our Large Button Voice Remote, which was launched last fall. Since then, it has been lauded by USA Today and FastCompany for its inclusive design. During the development process, we worked with our Experience Design research team in senior centers, independent living facilities and at disability-focused technology and consumer conferences where we could talk directly with people who offered us a wide range of perspectives and feedback. Last week, I revisited one of those locations, New Horizons, near Hartford, Connecticut, which houses seniors and adults with physical disabilities. I had the opportunity to thank them for their input and participation in helping us build such an innovative device. The Large Button Voice Remote builds on our many years of other product innovations. These include our Xfinity Web Remote app, which won TIME Magazine's "Best New Invention" in 2019, and enables customers to independently control Xfinity X1 and Flex using their preferred assistive technologies. We also have our " Talking Guide" that reads the menu of our X1 TV menu as you move through the screens. All these options are important because we know accessibility isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. So, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day we reflect on all that we've been able to accomplish so far, but we're also thinking creatively about what other new solutions are just around the corner. Comcast is proud to join with other organizations to raise awareness and inspire others to have conversations about creating a more inclusive world. Tom Wlodkowski is Vice President of Accessibility at Comcast. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Comcast Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Comcast Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/comcast-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Comcast Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758693/Recognizing-Global-Accessibility-Awareness-Day-and-Beyond SAN JOSE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / With growing concerns about the business impacts of biodiversity loss and the climate crisis, GreenBiz Group is launching Bloom 23, a conference focused on company strategies to protect and regenerate nature, to be co-located with VERGE 23, the largest climate tech event in North America. Over the course of two interactive days, Bloom 23 will help catalyze a community of companies, innovators and experts from leading organizations and Indigenous groups. Participants will explore the markets, technologies and partnerships key to addressing the climate and biodiversity crises hand-in-hand. "Corporations are waking up to the reality that biodiversity impacts their operations' bottom lines, including their ability to deliver on climate commitments," said Theresa Lieb, Senior Director of Nature and Food Systems at GreenBiz. "Bloom aims to build and nurture a new community focused on accelerating solutions to both." VERGE 23 is the center of gravity for the climate tech community - leaders from business, government, finance and startups - working together to address the climate crisis across the six key programs that comprise the event: Buildings, Carbon, Energy, Food, Startups and Transport. The annual event attracts thousands of participants and convenes some of the biggest actors leveraging the power of technology to confront the climate crisis and ensure a just transition to a clean economy. "The co-location of Bloom 23 with VERGE 23 acknowledges the inextricable interconnection between climate and biodiversity," said Shana Rappaport, Senior Vice President of Climate Tech and Executive Director of VERGE. "While the climate crisis has been front and center for much of today's business world, companies are recognizing that we can't solve the climate crisis without also solving for biodiversity loss. We are thrilled to expand our scope and reach by co-locating Bloom and VERGE." The co-location of the two events underscores that flourishing ecosystems are critical to both mitigating and adapting to growing climate impacts. Moreover, companies are recognizing the importance of global biodiversity to the overall health and resilience of their operations and supply chains. Among the topics to be covered at Bloom 23: Creating a "nature-positive" business strategy Engaging Indigenous and local groups, suppliers and other partners Understanding the fast-changing biodiversity policy landscape Emerging tools, technologies and other resources Case studies from leadership companies "We are in a race against time, and the private sector has a critical role now to turn risk into opportunity at speed and scale. We need all innovators, disruptors and ecopreneurs on deck for nature and climate," said Tim Christophersen, Vice President of Climate Action at Salesforce. "As Indigenous Peoples, we think long term, and we try to do what we think is going to be best in the long term. Land, culture, and identity are interwoven, they are one and the same, resulting in 80% of the remaining global biodiversity being on Indigenous Peoples' lands and waters. I look forward to participating in Bloom to help other stakeholders understand how to respect Indigenous Peoples' jurisdictions and invest in their knowledge," said Steven Nitah, former Chief of the LuTsel K'e Dene First Nation. Bloom 23 is launching with the support of more than two dozen allied organizations, including the Biomimicry Institute, Business for Nature, Capitals Coalition, MRV Collective, Nature for Justice, Science Based Targets Network, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Wildlife Habitat Council and WWF. "There's a powerful, pivotal movement taking shape: companies acknowledging, measuring and addressing the value that nature brings to their operations and supply chains," said William Sisson, Executive Director of WBCSD North America. "WBCSD is proud to partner with Bloom as we work alongside our members who will play critical roles in accelerating this important movement." Professionals interested in learning more can visit the Bloom 23 and VERGE 23 websites. Select media are invited to attend for free. To apply, contact Sam Dow, samantha@greenbiz.com. Category-exclusive sponsorship and brand integrations for Bloom 23 and VERGE 23 are still available. For more information, contact Natalie Rasmus, natalie@greenbiz.com. ABOUT GREENBIZ GreenBiz Group empowers professional communities to confront the climate crisis. We do this through media, events and peer networks that help professionals understand the emerging technologies, business practices, policies and societal expectations that companies, cities and others need to know to succeed. www.greenbiz.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GreenBiz on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: GreenBiz Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/greenbiz Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: GreenBiz View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758694/GreenBiz-Launches-Bloom-23-to-Highlight-How-Business-Leadership-Can-Confront-the-Climate-and-Biodiversity-Crises Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Iconic Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ICM) (OTCQB: BVTEF) (FSE: YQGB)(the "Company" or "Iconic") is pleased to announce that the Supreme Court of British Columbia has granted the final order approving the previously announced arrangement (the "Arrangement") whereby Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. ("Nevada Lithium") will acquire, by way of plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), Iconic's 50% interest in the Bonnie Claire Lithium project located in Nye County, Nevada (see news releases dated March 27, 2023 and May 29, 2023). As previously announced, the Arrangement was approved by Iconic shareholders at the annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on May 26, 2023. The completion of the Arrangement remains subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, including final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") of the Arrangement, and satisfaction by the parties of the TSXV's closing conditions and other conditions customary in transactions of this nature. Further information on the Arrangement can be found in the Iconic management information circular dated April 28, 2023, which is available on Iconic's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors SIGNED: "Richard Kern" Richard Kern, President and CEO For further information on Iconic, please visit our website at www.iconicminerals.com, or contact: Keturah Nathe, VP Corporate Development at (604) 336-8614. The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the expected completion of the Arrangement, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that Nevada Lithium and Iconic will obtain all necessary approvals for the Arrangement, that market fundamentals will result in sustained lithium demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of the Bonnie Claire project in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of the Bonnie Claire project, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities at the Bonnie Claire project, estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals and copper, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays or the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSXV acceptance, financing or other planned activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID 19, including the impact of COVID 19 on the Company's business, risks related to joint venture operations, and risks related to the integration of acquisitions, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's latest Management's Discussion and Analysis and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information in this news release or incorporated by reference herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168399 EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Adtran Holdings, Inc. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Adtran Holdings, Inc.: Release according to Article 50 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution 01.06.2023 / 20:15 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / On Monday, May 1, Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke visited Vogtle Units 1-4 to tour the project and talk with nuclear professionals across the station. Grace, a senior at University of Wisconsin majoring in nuclear engineering, is using her national platform to promote her platform "Clean Energy - Cleaner Future" and educate audiences about the value of nuclear energy in a carbon-free environment. The Vogtle 1&2 Women in Nuclear chapter hosted her for breakfast, where she shared details about her passion for nuclear energy and her desire to encourage students, especially women, to pursue careers in STEM - science, technology, engineering, and math. "That was particularly meaningful for me - her drive to empower females in STEM careers, where we sometimes face challenges as women," said WIN Chair Irimar Bradl. "She's a phenomenal communicator who is dispelling the myths and misconceptions about nuclear energy through her interactions across the country and even internationally." Seeking to learn more about core design, she met with reactor engineers at Vogtle 1&2 and visited the spent fuel pool. Later, the Vogtle 3&4 chapter of North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) hosted Grace for lunch and a Q&A session, where she talked about what drew her to nuclear (her dad was an engineer who has survived cancer with the aid of nuclear medicine). She answered questions based on her classwork, research on advanced reactors, and internships related to fusion and commercial nuclear power. She also shared stories from her childhood, competition experiences and fun facts such as she's a classical violinist who also learned fiddle tunes like "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." "Grace is a rockstar for nuclear!" said Vogtle 3&4 NAYGN Chair Paul Rodi. "She was relatable, down to earth, and hilarious! Our NAYGN members are excited to hear more from her as a keynote at our national annual conference next month." Grace was thrilled to be on site as the project announced a new milestone for Unit 4 - the completion of Hot Functional Testing. She went in Unit 4 containment to see the reactor vessel firsthand, visited the Unit 3 Control Room, and was able to run simulations at the Unit 3&4 Training Center - including initiating a manual reactor trip. She noted how exciting it was to experience first-hand the digital modernization at the site. "The energy industry is fortunate to have Grace as an ambassador," said Communications Coordinator Mike McCracken, who accompanied her throughout her time in Augusta. "As a nuclear engineer, she understands the importance of a diverse energy mix and helps her audiences, who typically don't know anything about either nuclear or the energy grid, understand how all of the technologies work together to ensure clean, reliable electricity. It's exciting to watch her tell our story." Following graduation, Grace wants to have hands-on plant experience while learning energy policy and continuing to positively advocate for the future of the nuclear industry. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southern Company on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Southern Company Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/southern-company Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Southern Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758718/Miss-America-Grace-Stanke-Visits-Georgias-Plant-Vogtle-Nuclear-Site One in four Brits will choose tropical tipples like the pina colada and mojito over a pint of beer HAMILTON, Bermuda, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the weather warming up across the UK this week, new research from BACARDI Rum has revealed over a quarter (29%) of Brits asked are opting for rum-based drinks this Summer, over cold pints of lager (15%). In fact, the pina colada ranks top as Brits' favourite summer cocktail (9%), followed by sex on the beach (7%) and a mojito (5%). Londoners are particularly partial to a pina colada, with 1 in 3 (35%) Londoners revealing Rum is their spirit of choice in Summer months. With warmer months on the horizon, the research has also seen Brits rank their top summer scents and flavours, with coconuts (31%) topping the chart along with freshly mown grass (74%) and chip shop chips (22%). In fact, over half of Brits asked (59%) confirmed to choosing the flavour of coconut as soon as the Summer sets in, with coconut (59%), pineapple (52%) and mango (43%) being the top tastes of the summer that transport them to warmer climes. The research follows the launch of the new BACARDI Caribbean Spiced which features pineapple and coconut as core flavours, alongside vanilla and cinnamon, it's sure to set the nation's tastebuds tingling, transporting them to the tropics every single sip. Marie Peyto, UK Brand Director of BACARDI Rum said "With a combination of aged rum, pineapple, coconut, and spices, I'm delighted that our new BACARDI Caribbean Spiced includes the UK's favourite summer flavours. It's made for mixing, perfect for the nation's favourite tropical serves or adding the taste of the Caribbean to simple drinks. We're opening the Caribbean Flavour Rooms next week to give Brits the chance to experience their favourite flavours and our new rum in a truly immersive way. With the weather warming up, it'll be a great way to kick off BACARDI Rum's series of events across the country this Summer". To celebrate the UK's favourite summer flavours, Londoners will be able to visit the BACARDI Caribbean Flavour Rooms, devised with sensory expert Natalie Alibrandi to bring the flavours to life. The unique sip-along experience will take cocktail lovers on a sensory journey designed to engage with the sensory system through sight, sound, smell, and taste. Highlighting the pineapple, coconut, vanilla, and cinnamon tasting notes of the new BACARDI Caribbean Spiced. BACARDI Rum's Caribbean Flavour Rooms is open from Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th June. Tickets for this exclusive cocktail experience are available from Secret London for 8 . For anyone unable to make it, the flavours of the summer can be enjoyed at home with a bottle of the new BACARDI Caribbean Spiced, available on Amazon and nationwide for 24. BACARDI and the bat device are trademarks of Bacardi & Company Limited, please drink responsibly. *Research of 2,011 respondents, May 2023, Prospectus global NOTES TO EDITORS: About BACARDI Rum - The World's Most Awarded Rum In 1862, in the city of Santiago de Cuba, founder Don Facundo Bacardi Masso revolutionised the spirits industry when he created a light-bodied rum with a particularly smooth taste - BACARDI. The unique taste of BACARDI rum inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world's most famous recipes including the BACARDI Mojito, the BACARDI Daiquiri, the BACARDI Cuba Libre, the BACARDI Pina Colada and the BACARDI Presidente. BACARDI rum is the world's most awarded spirit, with more than 1,000 awards for quality, taste, and innovation. Today, the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico is home to BACARDI rum where it is crafted to ensure the taste remains the same today as it did when it was first blended in 1862. www.bacardi.com The BACARDI brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. LIVE PASSIONATELY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2091094/BACARDI__CoconutChamber_PopUp.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2091128/BACARDI__Lifestyle.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2091131/BACARDI__VanillaCloudRoom_PopUp.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2091148/BACARDI__CaribbeanSpiced_CocoDaiquiri.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2091199/Summer_Drinks.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/1-in-four-brits-will-pick-tropical-tipples-over-beer-this-summer-301840577.html Bringing together an intricate collection of iconic hairstyles, this unique photobook pays tribute to East Williamsburg's vibrant community, demonstrating the resilience and creativity of Salon87 stylists Hiro+Mari during the pandemic. Maru Teppei's exceptional photography further amplifies the compelling narrative of the Brooklyn neighborhood. BROOKLYN, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Hiro+Mari, renowned hair stylists and founders of Salon87, in collaboration with acclaimed photographer Maru Teppei, proudly announce the release of their anthology photobook, "87 Heads." 87 Heads Hair Photobook Cover "East Williamsburg Shines in '87 Heads': An Artful Hairstyling Photobook by Hiro+Mari & Maru Teppei" An embodiment of innovative hairstyling, fashion, and artful photography, "87 Heads" is a unique love letter to East Williamsburg, a neighborhood revered for its vibrant culture and community. The photobook captures the iconic hairstyles and beauty trends conceptualized and created by Hiro+Mari, transforming everyday individuals into extraordinary models. Originally intended to deepen connections with locals of Graham Avenue, the project experienced a temporary hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, Hiro+Mari and Maru Teppei resumed their project, creating a testament to resilience, beauty, and creativity amidst adversity. "87 Heads" celebrates not just craft but the resilient spirit of East Williamsburg. The community was a constant source of inspiration. In the face of an unprecedented pandemic, Hiro+Mari wondered what they could give to their community. By creating hair art on their neighbors, family and friends, they realized they could bring joy through their creative work. Featuring the meticulous Japanese techniques and New York style that Salon87 is known for, "87 Heads" takes readers on a journey to showcase and celebrate diverse counterculture styles ranging from nostalgic Japanese Sukeban perms to iconic flat-tops with Basquiat embellishments. Maru Teppei's photography, which has previously been recognized for its surrealistic aesthetics and vivid engagement with the subject, adds an arresting visual depth to the anthology. This collection is a testament to Salon87's mission: to create new trends in the fashion and beauty industry worldwide from Brooklyn, NY. "87 Heads" is a tribute to the perseverance and passion of its stylists: Chika Nishiyama, Izumi Sato, Miwako Urasugi, and Yu Nakata. The photobook serves as a testament to the profound talent and vision of Hiro+Mari and Maru Teppei and as a tribute to the resilient East Williamsburg community. "87 Heads" is more than just a showcase of hairstyles; it's a portrait of a community, a snapshot of a moment in time, and a celebration of human connection, solidarity, and creative expression. "87 Heads" is available for purchase now. Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement of hair art, community resilience, and the beauty of East Williamsburg. About Salon87 Salon87 is home to a team of expert stylists from Japan, with world-class beauty techniques that combine meticulous Japanese sensibilities with New York style and flair. Salon87 is also the base of 87 Artists Agency, which expands stylists' activities into wider creative industries, including art and fashion. Contact Information: Elle Gillette PR and Publishing Coordinator salon87contact@gmail.com 9144821636 Related Files Screenshot 2023-05-31 at 4.13.23 PM.png Screenshot 2023-05-31 at 4.12.24 PM.png SOURCE: Salon 87 View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758737/East-Williamsburg-Shines-in-87-Heads-An-Artful-Hairstyling-Photobook-by-HiroMari-Maru-Teppei WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has published a new, first-of-its-kind study on how neo-Nazi, white supremacist, and other extremist groups and individuals are using or planning to use using artificial intelligence (AI) for criminal activities. The study, from MEMRI's Domestic Terrorism Threat Monitor (DTTM) project, is titled "Neo-Nazis And White Supremacists Worldwide Look To Artificial Intelligence (AI) - A National Security Threat In The Making To Which No Government Is Paying Attention - For Purposes Such As Recruitment, Harassing Minorities, And Criminal Activity Including Hacking Banks, Overthrowing Government, Attacking Infrastructure, Promoting Guerilla Warfare, And Using WMDs." Noting that while it has been clear for some time that extremists are using artificial intelligence (AI) for nefarious purposes, and that it allows extremism, the study examines how extremists around the world - some with programming experience - are viewing AI as a tool for spreading their message. They are also exploring the use of AI-generated voices to bypass voiceprint verification to hack into bank accounts, using it to write articles about guerilla warfare, and more - for example, one leading extremist used ChatGPT to find out where "American critical infrastructure" is most vulnerable to attack. The answer was "the electrical grid." Another prominent extremist called for engineers with experience in AI to contact him, and discussed the potential uses of ChatGPT. Since January 2023, there has been a major increase in online chatter about AI by leading extremists on platforms they favor. Many of the individuals listed in this report are tech-savvy, and have created their own software and platforms. The threat of terrorist groups and entities using AI is a growing national security issue; NATO warns that AI is one of the "emerging and disruptive technologies" that "represent new threats from state and non-state actors, both militarily and to civilian society." This report reviews online discussion of AI, including plans for using it, by neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other extremists. As MEMRI Executive Director Steven Stalinsky, Ph.D., lead author of the study, explains, "The most troubling examples found by the MEMRI Domestic Terrorism Threat Monitor (DTTM) research team in its work studying this topic involve extremists actually discussing the use of AI for planning terror attacks, including making weapons of mass destruction. One accelerationist group which seeks to bring about the total collapse of society recently conducted, in a Facebook group, a conversation about trying to trick an AI chat bot into providing details for making mustard gas and napalm. These and other examples are detailed in a new MEMRI DTTM report to be released later this month." Dr. Stalinsky adds: "Others are talking about using AI to plan armed uprisings to overthrow the current U.S. governmental system, and sharing their AI-created versions of U.S. flags, military uniforms, and graphic designs of the White House. They also discuss AI's use for recruitment and for spreading their ideology and propaganda online, including with videos they create." Government agencies and media may request access to this report by emailing dttmsubs@memri.org with their full credentials. ABOUT THE DOMESTIC TERRORISM THREAT MONITOR (DTTM) PROJECT For over three years, the MEMRI DTTM team has been monitoring and analyzing the online activity of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, accelerationists, and other domestic extremists in the U.S. and worldwide. The project's main focus is these groups' activity as reported, discussed, and documented in their online communications, including incitement, calls to action (including to violent attacks), real-world activity such as rallies and vandalism, and recruitment and outreach efforts by these groups aimed at a wide range of populations. Most importantly, we monitor violent threats against Jewish organizations and institutions; the Black, Asian, and other minority communities; the LGBTQ+ community; political and other public figures; government officials and agencies, and government in general; and the public at large. ABOUT MEMRI Exploring the Middle East and South Asia through their media, MEMRI bridges the language gap between the West and the Middle East and South Asia, providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, Urdu-Pashtu, Dari, Turkish, Russian, and Chinese media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends. Founded in February 1998 to inform the debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East, MEMRI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. MEMRI's main office is located in Washington, DC, with branch offices in various world capitals. MEMRI research is translated into English, French, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and Hebrew. MEMRI - Middle East Media Research Institute: www.memri.org MEMRI TV - www.memri.org/tv Jihad & Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) - www.memri.org/jttm Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) - www.memri.org/cjlab MEMRI Twitter: https://twitter.com/memrireports/ MEMRI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59Cpk70K2TwdmApJOTuW9g/videos MEMRI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memrireports/ Contact Information: MEMRI media@memri.org 202-955-9070 www.memri.org SOURCE: MEMRI View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758749/New-MEMRI-Domestic-Terrorism-Threat-Monitor-DTTM-Study-Focuses-On-National-Security-Threat-From-Artificial-Intelligence-AI-Use-By-Neo-Nazi-And-White-Supremacists-Worldwide WESTBURY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / FAVO Capital Inc. (OTC Pink:FAVO) Key Highlights from The FAVO Group of Companies: Exponential year on year revenue growth since entering the alternative finance business in Q4 of 2020. Revenues 2020 - $122,000 Revenues 2021 - $10.6 million Revenues 2022 - $17.5 million Participated in over 12,300 business fundings across multiple states and industries. Participated in the Syndication of approximately $840 million worth of capital to small and medium size businesses across the United States, which equates to a total Right to Receive (RTR) of over $1.1 billion of which the company represents 10% of the portfolio. Directly Funded $24.1 million in capital through our direct sales organization. Raised over $22.8 million in Long-Term Debt. Benefited from a further $3.5 million in additional capital through existing and new syndication partners. Developed best in class in-house underwriting protocols and guidelines which are tailored to each individual merchant's specific needs. Implemented industry leading software and service providers to facilitate the growth of our direct funding operations. Partnered with key funders in the industry to secure deal flow and spread portfolio risk. FAVO Capital is pleased to announce the acquisition of all entities comprising of the FAVO Group of Companies. Over the past two and half years the FAVO Group of Companies have built a multi-faceted business providing working capital to small and medium size businesses across the United States. FAVO Group of Companies have been key strategic partners with multiple industry leaders over the past two and a half years. This acquisition allows FAVO Capital to take the lead funding role and benefit from the foundation built by the FAVO Group of Companies. Vincent Napolitano, CEO, stated, "I am pleased to confirm that we have reached an agreement and the transaction has been executed. This is an historic day for FAVO Capital. This merger will provide the platform for our continued growth and steps to becoming a top tier funder in our space." He added, "FAVO Capital intends on expanding operations and adding new and exciting products to our platform." With this acquisition FAVO Capital will have the necessary resources, expertise, and relationships to expand on its current portfolio and product lines. FAVO Capital will now be able to provide small to medium-sized businesses with end-to-end financial solutions. Shaun Quin, President, stated, "We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Stewards Investment Capital Limited. The level of skill and expertise this brings to the organization will provide value for our entire ecosystem and our future growth strategies." He added, "We plan on investing in our employees, bringing value to our investors and shareholders and dealing ethically with our merchants to help them grow and thrive in any economic environment." Stewards Investment Capital ("SIC") is part of the Stewards affiliation of financial services companies, which has been established for two decades. SIC specializes in providing investment management services to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors across various asset classes. Holding a Global Business License and an Investment Adviser (Unrestricted) License from the Mauritius Financial Services Commission, SIC is committed to driving and nurturing successful investment portfolios. Strategically located in Mauritius International Financial Centre (IFC), SIC's philosophy, centers around preserving and enhancing assets, while mitigating risks. Glen Steward, Chairman of Stewards Investment Capital Limited, stated, "This strategic partnership marks a milestone for us as a company, along with our partners and associates. This transaction gives our network access to true global alternative investment opportunities in a fully regulated environment, creating the conduit for emerging market investors to gain access to developed world assets." Bilal Adam, CEO of Stewards Investment Capital, stated, "We are impressed by the incredible growth trajectory FAVO has achieved to date. Tightened liquidity in big banks present a massive opportunity for FAVO Capital by supporting the smaller business sector. The timing of this transaction is strategically opportune for Stewards as we assist our institutional clients to diversify their emerging market portfolios into currency hedged USD income strategies". FAVO Capital Inc. will continue to have two divisions - Lending and Commercial Real Estate (CRE). Lending will fall under the FAVO Capital brand and CRE will be under the FAVO Realty brand. Both divisions will focus on adding long-term value to the brand, shareholders, investors, and partners. More About FAVO Capital Inc.: FAVO CAPITAL is a Direct Funding Company, which provides customized, short-term funding to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. FAVO Realty is a Real Estate Investment Company which invests in a diversified portfolio of quality commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. "FAVO" is "Honeycomb" in Latin - The Honeycomb (Hexagon) is the most efficient shape in the universe. FAVO Capital Inc. intends to be Efficient, Flexible & Durable. www.favocap.com More About Stewards Investment Capital ("SIC"): www.stewardsinvestment.com More About Favo Group of Companies: A fully integrated group of companies that provide short-term alternative financing to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. FAVO Group's Management Team has over 100 years of collected business and finance experience with offices in Westbury, NY and Hollywood, FL. www.favogrp.com CONTACT: Email: info@favocapital.com Tel: 833.328.6477 Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements, estimates, and projections of future trends and of the anticipated future performance constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Series' expectations, beliefs, or future strategies that are signified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," or similar language. These forward-looking statements concern the Company's operations, economic performance and financial condition and are based largely on the Company's beliefs and expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from expected results. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release FAVO Capital, Inc and its Management Team expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, unless specifically required by law or regulation. SOURCE: FAVO Capital, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758734/FAVO-Capital-Inc-has-Acquired-the-FAVO-Group-of-Companies-The-Transaction-is-Valued-at-37-Million-Dollars-Which-Includes-Cash-Stock-Assumption-of-Debt-The-Company-has-Partnered-with-Stewards-Investment-Capital-Limited-to-Expand-Its-Global-Footprint Outlines Artificial Intelligence Principles for Development Asana, Inc. (NYSE: ASAN)(LTSE: ASAN), a leading work management platform, announced its latest product capabilities focused on generative artificial intelligence. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005825/en/ With goal-based resource management, Asana monitors and intelligently surfaces resource recommendations based on team capacity and changing business needs to accelerate decision-making. (Graphic: Business Wire) Launched today, Asana Intelligence makes enterprise AI capabilities core to Asana's work management platform, powering organizations to accelerate decision-making, improve productivity, and focus on what matters. Leveraging the Asana Work Graph?, the essential foundation for facilitating human and AI collaboration, leaders will get real-time clarity into team, project, and business health, empowering organizations to make faster, more informed decisions. With Asana Intelligence, teams become more productive and gain the edge needed to accelerate their missions and business outcomes. "Asana was made for this moment. We've been laying our AI foundation and product building blocks for years, and the recent developments in AI play right into our core strengths," said Dustin Moskovitz, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Asana. "Asana is an AI-first product now and we intend to help customers maximize impact by weaving AI into the fabric of our architecture. We see a future where AI and human ingenuity combine to radically improve the lives of individuals and how teams work together, unleashing the full potential of every business and organization." Asana Intelligence Powers Human-AI Collaboration With these latest product introductions, Asana Intelligence will support individuals and teams to do their best work and drive focus on what matters. Only Asana combines the power of artificial intelligence with the Asana Work Graph?, a rich, connected map of an organization's work data, to amplify the impact of teams. Asana Intelligence enables companies to: Accelerate decision-making Goal-based resource management: Monitors and intelligently surfaces resource recommendations to hit goals based on team capacity and changing business priorities. (Now available in beta) Health check: Identifies unseen issues and roadblocks, enabling efficient progress toward company objectives. Improve productivity Self-optimizing workflows: Creates automated plans based on goals; suggests and implements workflow improvements to achieve results faster. (Now available in beta) Writing assistant: Enhances communication clarity and tone. (Now available in beta) Instant summaries: Transcribes and summarizes action items and highlights from meetings, tasks, and comment threads. Maximize impact (Now available in beta) Ask Asana anything: Offers timely answers and insights on projects without additional meetings. (Now available in beta) Work organizer: Auto-generates custom fields, smart rules, and suggestions to add structure to projects. Asana is quickly building in-product AI capabilities with new LLM features, powered by OpenAI, now available to customers in a closed beta. "I'm incredibly excited about our participation in the Asana Intelligence beta and the possibilities it will unlock for our teams at Benevity," said Rob Woolley, VP of Technology Operations, Benevity. "These capabilities will enable us to work more efficiently than ever, allowing us to better fulfill our mission of powering purpose-driven business." Asana AI Principles Additionally, Asana has codified a set of artificial Intelligence principles that guide its research and development efforts. As a company we are committed to using AI in service of helping humanity thrive. This includes ensuring AI safety and transparency in practice and in product. Achieving this vision for the application of AI requires meaningful co-creation between Asana, our customers, and our partners. Asana's Five Guiding Principles for human-centered AI AI should help people achieve their goals: We focus on helping individuals and teams achieve their goals and helping organizations deliver on their mission faster. AI should be used in service of augmenting, supporting, and celebrating people's contributions like never before. Humans should always set the destination; AI is a tool to help them get there. We design for human AI teams: AI has joined the team. We see enormous potential for AI to help teams to work together more effectively and efficiently. We will prioritize our efforts towards fostering the right workflows and partnerships between people and AI-catalyzing human-AI teamwork and ultimately empowering people. People are accountable for decisions: With Asana, AI will assist and enhance human decision-making. However, we believe accountability rests with people and will design our product accordingly. We also believe in providing people with choice and control over the role of AI in their work. We are committed to safety-in the short and long run: We believe AI will be transformative for humanity and for our mission, but we will balance speed with responsibility. In the near term, we will prioritize safety and security with AI providers. And we'll take the same approach while developing AI solutions. In the long run, we are motivated to ensure AI remains aligned with human values and objectives in Asana. We promote transparency, in practice and in product: We commit to being open and clear about our partnerships, security, data collection, data protection, and management practices. Transparency is also fundamental to our product ethos. We will build solutions that lead AI and humans alike to unpack their thinking and assumptions in order to strengthen our collective thought processes, foster trust, and build on each other's ideas. To learn more and see Asana Intelligence in action, join the live demo waitlist. About Asana Asana helps organizations orchestrate their work, from small projects to strategic initiatives. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Asana has millions of users in over 200 countries and territories. Global customers such as Amazon, Affirm, Japan Airlines, and Sky rely on Asana to manage everything from company objectives to digital transformation to product launches and marketing campaigns. For more information, visit www.asana.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our ability to execute on our current strategies, our technology and brand position, expected benefits of our offerings, Asana's market position, and potential market opportunities. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Asana's future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and in some cases can be identified by terms such as "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "continue," "could," "potential," "may," "will," "goal," or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including factors beyond Asana's control, that may cause Asana's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: Asana's ability to achieve future growth and sustain its growth rate, Asana's ability to attract and retain customers and increase sales to its customers, Asana's ability to develop and release new products and services and to scale its platform, including the successful integration of artificial intelligence, Asana's ability to increase adoption of its platform through Asana's self-service model, Asana's ability to maintain and grow its relationships with strategic partners, the highly competitive and rapidly evolving market in which Asana participates, Asana's international expansion strategies, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and broader macroeconomic conditions. Further information on risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from forecasted results or anticipated impact are included in Asana's filings with the SEC, including Asana's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2023 and subsequent filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on assumptions that Asana believes to be reasonable as of this date. Except as required by law, Asana assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons if actual results differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statement. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005825/en/ Contacts: Stephanie Hess press@asana.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Pegmatite One Lithium and Gold Corp. (CSE: PGA) ("Pegmatite One" or the "Company") announces the resignation of Mike England from its Board of Directors. The Company's Board of Directors would like to thank Mr. England for his valuable contributions and wishes him success in his future endeavours. About Pegmatite One Lithium and Gold Corp. Pegmatite One is a publicly traded company exploring for lithium and gold. The company is committed to responsible mining practices and operates two mining properties in Northwestern Ontario and on Vancouver Island. The Morrison River property consists of 222 claims and 335 cell claim units in the Morrison River area, Muskrat Dam Lake, Northwestern Ontario. The Morrison River property is Pegmatite One's flagship lithium asset; the company sees its potential lithium production to be part of the world's continued shift toward electric vehicles and green technologies. The Georgina property, a gold prospect located in the Nanaimo mining division, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, consists of one mineral claim covering an area of 2,069 hectares. For more information, please contact: Kelly Abbott Chief Executive Officer and President E: Kelly.abbott1117@gmail.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168415 GEORGETOWN, KY / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Ananda Professional, the leading brand of practitioner and independent pharmacy cannabinoid products, has been certified by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration, the governing authority responsible for regulating therapeutic goods. The certifications cover Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacture and full product medicine manufacture for medicinal cannabis oil. The TGA is renowned for its high standards of quality validation and is considered one of the strictest regulatory agencies in the world. Ananda Professional manufacturing facility This new certification enables Ananda Professional to continue to execute on its mission to bring premium cannabis products to healthcare practitioners in the U.S. and Australian markets. Practitioners in both markets require strict compliance to quality and safety regulations and in Australia, all cannabinoid products are regulated by the TGA. Alex Nance, President of Ananda Professional, added, "Achieving this certification is a milestone in Ananda Professional's continued efforts to push the level of quality in this ever-evolving industry. By holding both the TGA certification along with our SGS Certification, our customers know they are getting the quality and patient outcomes they've come to expect from Ananda Professional." Ananda Professional operates several brands across the U.S. and Australian markets and offers private label, white label, and bulk manufacturing for owned and external brands. Operating in a 50,000-sq-ft. LEED Platinum facility, Ananda Professional has full oversight of the growing, extraction, and manufacturing of all consumer goods. For manufacturing opportunities, contact cbd@ecofibre.com. About Ananda Professional: Since 2018, Ananda Professional has been a pioneer in the hemp and CBD industry, with a core focus on improving patient outcomes through professional healthcare channels. Top-quality seed genetics, a team of clinical formulators and a state-of-the-art production facility make Ananda Professional the most trusted brand of practitioners, pharmacists, and patients. Contact Information Chris Lee Brand Director - Ananda Professional chris.lee@anandahealth.com 888-388-1119 SOURCE: Ananda Professional View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758684/Ananda-Professional-Expands-Its-List-of-Good-Manufacturing-Practice-GMP-Certifications-With-the-Addition-of-Australias-Therapeutic-Goods-Administration-TGA-Certification Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2023) - Canadian Nexus Team Ventures Corp. (CSE: TEAM) ("Canadian Nexus", "the Company" or "TEAM") The Company announces that its Board of Directors has approved a consolidation of the Company's issued share capital on the basis of seven (7) common shares for one (1) new share of the Company (the "Consolidation"). The Company currently has 62,836,878 common shares outstanding and will have 8,976,696 common shares outstanding after completion of the Consolidation, subject to rounding and the elimination of any fractional shares resulting from the Consolidation. The number of outstanding stock options and warrants of the Company will similarly be adjusted by the Consolidation ratio, and the exercise prices adjusted accordingly. The Consolidation is being implemented to position the company for future strategic opportunities. The Consolidation is subject to Exchange approval. The Company will continue to trade after the Consolidation under the name "Canadian Nexus Team Ventures." If the Consolidation is approved by the Exchange, the Company will disseminate a further news release which will set out the effective date for the Consolidation. Upon completion of the Consolidation, a letter of transmittal will be sent by mail to registered shareholders advising them that the Consolidation has taken effect. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how registered shareholders can exchange their share certificates or DRS statements evidencing their pre-consolidated common shares for new share certificates or new DRS statements representing the number of post-consolidated common shares to which they are entitled. No action is required by non-registered shareholders (shareholders who hold their shares through an intermediary) to affect the Consolidation. The Common Shares are expected to begin trading on the Exchange on a post-Consolidation basis, after the Exchange issues its final bulletin advising of the effective date of the Consolidation. About Canadian Nexus Team Ventures Corp. Canadian Nexus (CSE: TEAM) is an investment issuer that actively invests in a diversified portfolio of early-stage to mid-level companies and projects. Canadian Nexus leverages its extensive network of operators and global thought leaders to provide investors with a unique multi-opportunity portfolio. From time to time the company may acquire or dispose of shares in the open market as defined in the Company's investment policy that can be found on Sedar under Canadian Nexus Team Ventures Corp. Contact: Scott Young, CEO 604-960-1878 Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements the timing, consideration, and completion of the joint venture are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the completion of the Acquisition, the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Acquisition, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), changes in laws, regulations, and policies affecting the Company's operations and the Company's limited operating history. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/168434 Launches New AdvertiseCast 5x5 Podcast Referral Program PITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / June 1, 2023 / Today, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn"), the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, announced its May 2023 Podcast Advertising Rates, including the highest and most accessible CPM categories. Additionally, the Company launched a new AdvertiseCast 5x5 Podcast Referral Program designed to reward referrals for the industry's premier podcast advertising marketplace. AdvertiseCast's 5x5 Podcast Referral Program The Advertisecast 5x5 Podcast Referral Program allows individuals to refer a podcaster to AdvertiseCast and earn a 5% commission on their revenue for the first five months for each successful referral. By leveraging their networks and advocating for AdvertiseCast's comprehensive advertising platform, including its Automatic Ads solution, anyone can generate additional income while supporting the growth of the podcasting industry. "We believe in the power of word-of-mouth and the incredible influence our community holds as valued ambassadors," said Trevr Smithlin, Chief Innovation Officer and Head of Publisher Relations at Libsyn's AdvertiseCast. "We've established AdvertiseCast as a trusted platform, connecting podcasters with reputable advertisers and enabling them to monetize their content effectively. With our new referral program, we're making it easy for our members to earn rewards while introducing others to the benefits of AdvertiseCast. It's a win-win for all." To learn more about the AdvertiseCast referral program and start earning rewards, visit the official program page. May 2023 Podcast Advertising Rates The following rates, which are denoted as cost per thousand or CPM, are published monthly by Libsyn's AdvertiseCast, the industry's premier podcast advertising marketplace that connects advertisers with podcasters. The Company releases the figures to empower the podcaster and advertiser communities to readily monitor market pricing and provide greater insight into podcasting advertising as a monetization vehicle. The data is derived from actual sales data across AdvertiseCast's network of thousands of shows, including more than 225 exclusive podcasts. Dave Hanley, Chief Revenue Officer at Libsyn's AdvertiseCast remarked, "Our podcast advertising rates are fueled by the dynamic interplay between the expanding listenership and the rising demand from advertisers. The diverse range of content is drawing in more brands that are recognizing the tremendous potential to forge intimate connections with listeners that's translating to a more memorable and effective ad experience." For May 2023, the average CPM rate was $23.09 for a 60-second ad spot. That figure is fairly stable compared to last month (April 2023 avg. CPM rate: $23.06) and has decreased year-over-year (May 2022 avg. CPM rate: $23.71). The three highest CPM categories in April based on delivered advertising were: Technology: $26 Education: $26 Business: $26 Moreover, three categories where advertisers can effectively tap into highly engaged audiences at more accessible CPM rates include Fiction, Music, and History, which averaged around the high teens in May. Libsyn's AdvertiseCast combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that makes it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns, while providing maximum return for creators. Historical monthly CPM rates can be found on AdvertiseCast's website at: www.advertisecast.com/podcast-advertising-rates. About Liberated Syndication Founded in 2004, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn") is the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers to host, distribute, monetize, amplify, and measure their audio content. In 2022, the Company hosted over 75,000 shows and delivered over 8 billion downloads to listeners globally. Libsyn's AdvertiseCast marketplace combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that make it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns on over 3,000 shows. Based in Munich, Germany, Libsyn's Julep Media platform is the leading podcasting hosting platform and advertising marketplace in Europe. Libsyn also powers podcast membership platform, Glow, and web hosting platform, Pair Networks. Visit libsyn.comor investor.libsyn.comfor more Company information. #? #? # Media Contacts: Ray Yeung + Nancy Zakhary | ray@relev8.co + nancy@relev8.co Investor Contact: investor@libsyn.com SOURCE: Liberated Syndication, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758821/Libsyn-Unveils-May-2023-Podcast-Advertising-Rates Credit Genie, a Plymouth Meeting, PA-based provider of a digital personal finance platform, raised $4M in Series A funding. The round was led by Tippet Ventures and Khosla Ventures, with participation from Gabriel Investments. In connection with the Series A financing, Credit Genie has also secured a credit facility with affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, to help it finance its cash advance and credit card receivables. The company intends to use the funds to expand products and hire talent. Founded by Ed Harycki, Credit Genie provides a mobile platform delivers financial insights and credit-related services that use personal transaction data instead of traditional credit data to extract financial intents and desires behind the transactions. From a single app, members can get a snapshot of their financial lives and have access to personalized tips and products to build and improve their credit. The platform also utilizes machine learning and AI algorithms as well as Open AI to identify patterns and predict credit risk, resulting in accurate credit scores and improved lending decisions. FinSMEs 01/06/2023 Left Yair Vardi and Guy Katsovich Credit: Bar Cohen Santa Monica, CA and Tel Aviv, Israel-based accelerator program Fusion closed its $20m fund. The fund is backed by industry leaders, including global software investor Insight Partners, Gigi Levy-Weiss, Liad Agmon and Ofer Ben-Noon, among 70 other serial entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from Israel and the US. The funds special advisors include Daniel Shinar, Michael Ronen, Perry Wallack, Hagi Schwartz, Hemi Zucker, Clancey Stahr and Shani Zanescu. Founded in 2017 by Guy Katsovich and Yair Vardi, Fusion VC invests in pre-seed startups built by Israeli entrepreneurs. The firm invests $150K in startups across verticals that are between the idea stage and the initial product/revenue stage. Its platform supports entrepreneurs targeting the American market- with California offices, as well as direct access and introductions to future investors, mentors, advisors and potential clients. The fund has already invested in over 30 Israeli startups since its first closing last year. Fusion intends to remain the most active pre-seed platform in Israel targeting 60-80 new investments by 2026. Twice a year, Fusion holds an intensive bootcamp in Tel Aviv with leading investors and entrepreneurs. After completing a two-month bootcamp, the participating founders fly to a three-week roadshow in Silicon Valley, New York and Los Angeles, where they meet American investors and mentors. Throughout the program, founders meet over 150 mentors from Israel and the US. After completing the accelerator program, founders join Fusions alumni network which provides a broad platform of ongoing workshops and forums covering fundraising, management of a company/board in later stages, hiring, sales and partnerships. The programs alumni network includes over 200 founders, who use supportive forums to share their dilemmas, lessons, and tools for leading a startup in uncertain times, overcoming obstacles and dealing with stress and anxiety. Since 2017, Fusion has invested in over 100 startups through 12 cohorts, including Agora, DigitalOwl, Base.ai, Innplay Labs and Hoopo. FinSMEs 01/06/2023 Elon Musk has once again become the worlds richest person. The Tesla CEO surpassed Bernard Arnault after shares of latters LVMH tumbled 2.6 per cent in Paris trading. As per Bloomberg, Elon Musks total net worth now stands at $192.3 billion, while Bernard Arnaults assets stood at $186.6 billion. Musk and luxury tycoon Arnault have been neck-and-neck this year for the top spot in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index that lists the worlds 500 richest people. How Elon Musk once again became worlds richest person? Wealth of Arnault, the chief executive of luxury brand Louis Vuittons parent company LVMH, slid this week after a 2.6 per cent drop in LVMHs stock in Paris trading on Wednesday. This worked in favour of Musk. The drop in LVMHs shares pushed Arnaults networth down and in turn helped Musk to reclaim his position of the worlds richest person. There was a point in trading when the volatility in market wiped out $11 billion from the 74-year-old Arnaults net worth in a single day. When did Arnault surpassed Musk? In December last year, Arnault surpassed Musk after his wealth climbed due to a boom in sales of luxury goods which pushed up LVMHs stock price. Also, a steep drop in value of Teslas stock worked in favour of the Frenchman. Musks net worth dropped below $200 billion in 2022 as investors dumped Teslas shares on worries the top executive and largest shareholder of the worlds most valuable electric-vehicle maker was more preoccupied with Twitter, which he bought last year for $44 billion. However, Musks networth rebounded this year with gains valued at over $55.3 billion, as Tesla shares rallied 66 per cent year-to-date. Meanwhile, Arnault worth gained $24.5 billion year-to-date, Bloomberg report said. Besides Tesla, Musk also heads rocket company SpaceX and Neuralink. 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. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has decided to stop creating shows and writing memoirs that criticise the Royal British family. The abrupt change would prevent further attacks on royal family and avoid revealing additional details about their decision to step back from royal duties. An Insider told the Sun magazine that the couple has run out of material to discuss, which will be welcomed by the audiences and the audiences too are simply tired of their complaints. And if Prince Harry plans to make a journey back to UK without Meghan Markle, which many British experts are speculating, Its time he stops disgracing the Royal British family. On the other hand, there is a strong rumour floating around about Harry and Meghans divorce. According to GeoTv report, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem to be heading in different directions five years after their marriage, according to an article published on the fifth wedding anniversary of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. In fact, according to sources, Prince Harry has a separate room to get away from Meghan Markle. As per reports a royal commentators believe all is not well in the Sussexs marriage. Eagle-eyed observers say the couple did not release a family photograph on Christmas and Harry was seen promoting his book Spare without Meghan by his side earlier this year. They think no acknowledgment of their five-year wedding anniversary, Harrys solo appearance at the coronation of King Charles and Meghans solo brand relaunch with WME are enough of evidence to corroborate their claims that the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is on the rocks. According to Sky News Contributor Daisy. The Royal Family would absolutely welcome Prince Harry back home and most of them expect him to return. So, is the brand Harry & Meghan finally breaking up? Experts believe that its for sure, since all is not well in the fairytale marriage. Prince Harry has been called the prodigal prince for years. Charles will take him back home with open hands. William will also welcome him back; after all they are brothers. On the other hand, ex-royal staff believes that Meghan Markle brainwashed Prince Harry and tied him down to the California mansion. On a lighter note sky news also mentioned that probably Harry was whipped. Harry & Meghan leading separate lives Looks like this was bound to happen; the breakup of Harry and Meghan. Harry was just too much under the spell of Meghan Markle who was kind of ruling her life and every decision he too, Meghan was the mastermind. Celia Walden told GB News that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pursuing different agendas. She added that the couples public duties are resulting in them leading slightly separate lives. Relationships is about sharing and caring, but here Meghan is completely overpowering Harry and kind of poisoning him against his family. Meghan Markle was the mastermind behind Harrys controversial memoir, Spare. It was she who encouraged him to write the book. According to marca.com report experts had mentioned that Meghan would be tired of her husband and could be looking for an exit plan in the not too distant future. The rumors, according to royal expert Tom Bower, are coming out of London. There are many now in London who say Meghan is getting tired of Harry. There is speculation that the Duchess of Sussex, 41, will at any moment say This is enough and negotiate with King Charles III some deal to break off the marriage. Harry has a separate room to get away from Meghan a new report has surfaced that could be shocking for their fans and critics alike. The report goes like this- Prince Harry has an escape place, a room in a hotel that he uses to get away from his wife Meghan Markle and kids, from time to time. But Harrys representative has dismissed all such claims by saying all these reports doing the reports are not true. The story according to a British newspaper, says, He occasionally stays there without Meghan Markle. The hotel in question is allegedly San Vicente Bungalows, a club that is extremely big on maintaining the privacy of its members. Meghans half-sister confirms that the couple is heading for a divorce According to the Daily Mail report, Meghan Markles estranged half-sister has launched another blistering attack on the Duchess of Sussex by claiming that her marriage to Prince Harry will end in divorce unless they get extensive counselling. Samantha Markle suggested the Duke may already be questioning the marriage and predicted it could get nasty until he starts dissenting or pulling back from her. The 56-year-old American also called on the Sussexes to go on an apology tour after the couple made accusations of racism within the Royal Family during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. A royal commentator had earlier mentioned that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are breaking apart and leading separate lives. The rumors, according to royal expert Tom Bower, are coming out of London. There are many now in London who say Meghan is getting tired of Harry. There is speculation that the Duchess of Sussex, 41, will at any moment say This is enough and negotiate with King Charles III some deal to break off the marriage. (With added 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. Cast: Arshad Warsi, Barun Sobti, Anupriya Goenka, Meiyang Chang Director: Oni Sen Language: Hindi Spoilers Ahead I first heard the term Asur while watching Akshay Kumar ranting about his father-in-law in 2017s Toilet- Ek Prem Katha. He snarled- Sasur nahin asur hai asur. The whole theatre erupted and I struggled to understand what it meant. Three years later, creators Gaurav Shukla and Vibhav Shikdar and director Oni Sen came up with a show on that name. Asur means demon. And the show was indeed about destruction and demonic intentions. The final episode saw a cliffhanger and three years later, season two drops on JioCinema. Asur 2 isnt only about unfinished business, its about redemption, revenge and regrets. Hidden purposes have been unraveled and the mystery to find that demonic child Shubh continues. Just like The Kerala Story, Asur bases its narrative on brainwashing. Shubh quotes mythological references and Shlokas with both fluidity and sternness, successfully creating his disciples out of even the educated. Its all about the battle between the good and the evil, with a murder mystery thrown in for kicks. What psychology does it take to create monsters out of sanity? In the last three years, the three central characters are all washed-out and emotionally scattered. Arshad Warsi suffers from regret, Barun Sobti and Anupriya Goenka go through a sinking marriage and the loss of their daughter. Asur returns, and so does the trios conscience. Its not over until its over. The series shows some unseen modus operandi and certain scenes keep you hooked. Its all very dense and complicated for people who havent really re-watched season one. Warsi has always been a delightful and dazzling actor to watch, and he needed an equally delightful and dazzling material to truly capture his flair. Here, he playes Dhananjay Rajpoot aka DJ, a CBI officer who can be both cool and cold-blooded. Look how coolly he interrogates a lead in the murky case, or how cold-blooded and remorseless he is when he stabs and slices a culprits neck. But the series is definitely not seamless. Warsis suspicion on Rasul (Amey Wagh) that acted as the cliffhanger of season one in the form of the last stare is never addressed. When Naina tells DJ about this suspicious mole in the team, his reaction suggests he nearly forgot about his existence. When we first meet DJ in season two, hes almost turned into a monk, praying and turning to spirituality at Dharamshala. When a 11-year old miracle boy imparts some life lessons, Warsi tells him exactly what he told Shubh in season one. I cracked a smile. However, its nearly impossible to binge-watch the show; there are eight episodes with an average runtime of 50 minutes. Given how complicated the first season was, the second one is equally dense if not more, with new characters thrown in that have conflicts of their own. Also, the whole idea of sacrificing your own life over throwing in the towel feels too convenient and cliched now. Also convenient is how quickly Naina (Goenka) shows up whenever Nikhil (Sobti) needs her for assistance or help, be it in office or one of the masterminds hideout. And every time the two meet this season, a sense of awkwardness and aloofness fills the room, theres an unhandy stare, a stutter before the conversation can truly begin. The series captures the scenic beauty of Himachal and the hideous side of Varanasi meticulously. The latter, in particular, has been purposely shot with a certain sense of gloom, whereas Dharamshala bursts with liveliness. This could be to suggest two contrasting behaviours or beings- Demonic and Angelic. The angel here is the aforementioned miracle boy. Its hard to think if theres ever going to be a more powerful and effective antagonist than Shubh. As the show progresses, it keeps digging deeper into his psyche. Hes not a murderer or a serial killer. Who is he? In season one, we saw his fathers brutal assaults on him and how he always considered his son a monster and a curse. Most of the villains need an origin story, a justification of why they became what they did; for Shubh, it was a haunting and terrifying past. For all his intimidating gaze and discourses, he finally breaks down while talking to his grandfather, and blames his father for the birth of this demon. Also, another scene informs (or spoon-feeds?) us about who he really is. Its about the five stages of anarchy that range from denial to negotiation to war. The whole nation is on its feet and on the brink of absolute collapse. The makers throw some nice twists and turns that may seem amusing, but since the battle has turned way too personal, anything goes, no holds barred. But in between so much chaos, mayhem and murders, the idea to have a live television debate between the good and the evil seems implausible. I think one of the news readers also imitated Arnab Goswami in a film very recently. No parody of him here mercifully. But not so very mercifully, season 2 has a cliffhanger too, and now the wait for season 3 has begun. What the show is trying to preach is that bodies die, spirits dont. In that case, the show may never see an end despite an impressive story. Anyones k(asur)? Asur 2 is now streaming on JioCinema 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 US government will appear in a federal court next Tuesday to answer questions regarding Prince Harrys visa application after he admitted to using illegal drugs. Prince Harry admitted in his book Spare mentioned that he used psychedelic drugs to deal with him mother Lady Dianas death. During Harrys interview with Anderson Cooper for 60 Minutes, he touched upon a topic from his book about how he used psychedelic drugs to deal with the death of his mother several years later. He mentioned that he had a lot of trouble coping with the loss, even having a hard time believing she was truly dead. According to Dailymail report, the Heritage Foundation, a Washington DC-based conservative think-tank, is suing Joe Bidens administration to force officials to release the Duke of Sussexs immigration files. The organisation wants to know how the prince managed to get into the US, considering he subsequently confessed in his bombshell memoir Spare to taking cocaine, cannabis and magic mushrooms. Legal experts have concluded Prince Harry could be denied re-entry to the United States thanks to the drug-taking admissions the Duke of Sussex made in his autobiography. The development means Harry may be stopped by US border officials after his upcoming trip to London to testify in his legal battle with Mirror Group Newspapers over allegations of phone hacking. Public interest in Harrys current visa situation has increased following the release of Spare in January, which described his drug use in both the UK and on trips to the US. Prince Harry could be denied re-entry to the US by any border official who was aware of his drug-taking admissions in his autobiography, legal experts have claimed. The border officials could grill him on the admissions if he failed to declare it on his visa application form. It means the Duke of Sussex could be stopped from returning to the US next month after his trip to London as he sues Mirror Group Newspapers over allegations of phone hacking. The Duke of Sussex admitted to experimenting with controlled substances including marijuana, cocaine, ayahuasca, and even used magic mushrooms at actress Courteney Coxs house. Harrys drug connection In the memoir, the Duke of Sussex also describes being dragged into the office of an unnamed member of the Royal Household staff during his grandmother the Queens Golden Jubilee in 2002 after a journalist asked the Palace about his drug-taking habits. He revealed that he was offered a line of cocaine during a hunting weekend. Admitting that he lied to the Royal Household staff during his interrogation, Harry mentioned that taking cocaine wasnt much fun and he did it partly to be different and because he was a seventeen-year-old willing to try almost anything that would upset the established order. He wrote: It wasnt much fun, and it didnt make me feel particularly happy the way the others seemed to, but it did make me feel different, and that was my main goal. To feel. To be different. (With added 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 pencil that purportedly belonged to German dictator Adolf Hitler is going under the hammer next week. It is expected to fetch anywhere between 50,000 (around Rs 51,28,581) and 80,000 (around Rs 82,05,729). The pencil was gifted to Hitler by his long-term partner Eva Braun on his 52nd birthday on 20 April 1941, as per a Guardian report. Lets take a closer look at the story. Adolf Hitlers pencil The 8.5 cm-long pencil, made of white metal, will be sold by Bloomfield Auctions in Northern Irelands Belfast on 6 June. An original signed photograph of Hitler, which is expected to sell for between 10,000 (around Rs 10,28,393) and 15,000 (about Rs 15,42,589), is also going under the hammer. As per the UK daily Guardian, the pencil was originally purchased by a collector at an auction in 2002. The pencil has an inscription in German with Eva engraved on the side and the initials AH on the top. Hitler and Braun, who kept their relationship under wraps, reportedly got married days before dying by suicide in April 1945. Speaking to The Guardian about the auction, Karl Bennett, managing director of Bloomfield Auctions, said: The importance of Hitlers engraved personal pencil lies in the fact that it helps to unravel a hidden piece of history, giving a unique insight into Hitlers personal relationships, which he scrupulously kept hidden from the public eye. Much of Hitlers personal appeal during his dictatorship derived from his carefully constructed identity as the father of the German nation, who rejected personal connection in favour of loyalty to his country. This love token of a personalised pencil from Eva on his birthday helps reveal the deception behind Hitlers public facade. Talking to The Independent earlier this week, Bennett said he understands why people might be hesitant about the Nazi dictators belongings being auctioned. I understand why some people may struggle to understand why items like these are sold and collected, but for me, as a high-end collector of militaria items, they preserve a piece of our past and should be treated as historical objects, no matter if the history they refer to was one of the darkest and most controversial in recorded history, he said. These items give us concrete ties to the past so that we can never forget. Blood-soaked item The European Jewish Association (EJA) has opposed the sale of Hitlers items. In a letter to Bennett, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, the chairman of the association, argued that the auction could potentially glorify the actions of the Nazis, reported The Jerusalem Post. Rabbi Margolin also said that such items do not have inherent historical value and create a macabre trade in the belongings of mass murderers. Would you sell a pen belonging to Robert Murphy who killed 12 and injured 30 at LaMon? Then why is a pencil given as a trinket to a man who murdered six million Jews? he asked. The EJA chairman further called on the Irish auction house to pull out the Nazi leaders belongings from the sale. We are repeatedly told by auction houses that Hitler sells. This may indeed be true. But what is sold and to whom is a matter of public decency and moral responsibility at the end of the day. It is in this spirit of decency that I ask you again to withdraw the Nazi auction items, to send a message that some things particularly when so metaphorically blood-soaked, should not and must not be traded, he wrote, as per Belfast Telegraph. Controversies over previous sales of Hitlers items The backlash over auctioning of Hitlers personal items is not new. In July 2022, a watch said to have belonged to the Nazi leader was sold for $1.1 million at an auction in the US. Ahead of the auction, Alexander Historical Auctions, which also sold other items related to Hitler, faced criticism from Jewish leaders. An open letter signed by 34 Jewish leaders had asked the auction house to cancel the sale of Nazi items, calling it abhorrent. Rabbi Margolin wrote at the time that the sale gave succour to those who idealise what the Nazi party stood for. Whilst it is obvious that the lessons of history need to be learned and legitimate Nazi artefacts do belong in museums or places of higher learning the items that you are selling clearly do not, he said, as per BBC. The auction house had defended the sale and told German media that it wanted to preserve history. In 2021, an Australian auction house had come under fire for selling items, including cigarette box, decanter, ice bucket, gravy boat and hairbrush, that were purportedly owned by Hitler. The countrys Anti-Defamation Commission had slammed the auction, calling it a kick in the stomach to Holocaust survivors. 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. Baby boys have seized centre stage in the babbling arena. Contrary to the popular belief that girls have an early linguistic advantage, these tiny chatterboxes prove that they are capable of talking circles around their female counterparts. According to a scientific paper out on Wednesday baby boys are found more vocal in their first year than girls. But girls catch up and overtake them by the age of two. What did the study find? The findings, published in iScience after the largest ever study on the subject, came as a surprise even to the papers authors. They say it might be the result of an important sex difference that emerged during our species evolution. A team led by D Kimbrough Oller of the University of Memphis, Tennessee used an algorithm to trawl through a data set of more than 450,000 hours of non-stop audio from 5,899 infants, recorded using an iPod sized device over two years. This is the biggest sample for any study ever conducted on language development, as far as we know, Oller said in a statement. While young babies dont talk, they produce pre-speech vocalisations squeals, growls, raspberries, and later word-like sounds such as ba and ga collectively called protophones that eventually give way to real words and sentences. The idea that girls acquire language faster than boys has long held sway in scientific circles, and with it the assumption that baby girls vocalise more than baby boys. However, the results showed that boys made 10 per cent more utterances in the first year of life, before the girls caught up and made seven per cent more sounds by the second year. Evolutionary theory The differences occurred despite the fact that adult care-givers spoke more to girls than to boys across both years. One theory for the finding was that male infants were more vocal because they were more active in general. But the data did not support this, since higher male vocalisations gave way to females around the 16-month mark, but higher physical activity did not. Instead, the team suggests their findings might fit an evolutionary theory which holds that infants make sounds in order to signal their wellbeing to their caregivers, who in turn invest more energy and attention in them. Boys have higher mortality rates than girls in their first year of life, according to a broad body of research, and so it may follow that more vocal baby boys in the distant past were more likely to survive and pass on their genes. But by the second year of life, death rates have dropped dramatically for both sexes, and the pressure on special fitness signalling is lower for both boys and girls, said Oller. Next, Oller plans more research on how caregivers respond to baby talk. We anticipate that caregivers will show discernible reactions of interest and of being charmed by the speech-like sounds, indicators that fitness-signalling by the baby elicits real feelings of fondness and willingness to invest in the well-being of infants, he said. With inputs from AFP Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. After many months of warning users that the end of password-sharing was nigh, Netflix finally bit the bullet. The streamer rolled out its crackdown on the practice in major markets including the United States and the United Kingdom in May after previously experimenting with borrower or shared accounts, in which subscribers can add extra users for a higher price or transfer viewing profiles to separate accounts, in a few markets. Your Netflix account is for you and the people you live with your household, the company wrote in an email. According to BBC, the company in May alerted customers in over 100 countries including Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico and Singapore. But that hasnt stopped people from finding ways to get around it. Lets take a closer look: How does Netflix determine a household? According to the website Life Hacker, the company defines a household based on the device you use to watch the contact. Once you log into that device, Netflix identifies that as the anchor for the household. It further designates all devices that are on the same WiFi as members of the household. How are people circumventing password-sharing in US and UK? According to Mashable, people in the United States were being asked to enter verification codes that the company sends. Thats a simple matter for primary account holders trying to watch from outside their homes. But the persons who share the account were then asking for the code from the primary account holder, as per the website. But that no longer seems to be the case, as per LifeHacker. Now, Netflix users need to go to the primary account holders home, connect to their wifi and sign in on their device. Meanwhile, in the UK, people are using VPNs to change their location to Turkey, according to Ladbible.com. One person even suggested using a Netflix gift card and using the account after a few weeks. Just be patient. Once it works, it works, the person added. Why is Netflix cracking down on password-sharing? To increase revenue. This account sharing initiative helps us have a larger base of potential paying members and grow Netflix long term, co-chief executive Ted Sarandos said on an earnings call. Netflix earlier in 2023 said that more than 100 million households were sharing accounts at the service, impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films. As growth at Netflix cooled last year, the Silicon Valley- based streaming company set out to nudge people watching for free with shared passwords to begin paying for the service without alienating subscribers. The streaming television giant told financial analysts recently that it had delayed a broad crackdown on sharing of account passwords to improve the experience for members. Netflix said it made sure subscribers have seamless access to the service away from home or on various devices such as tablets, TVs or smartphones. Netflix in April said that its number of subscribers hit a record high 232.5 million in the first quarter of the year and that its nascent ad-supported tier was faring well. The company said in a recent presentation to advertisers that it had more than 5 million subscribers to its ad-support tier. For the first time ever, US adults will spend more time this year watching digital video on platforms such as Netflix, TikTok and YouTube than viewing traditional television, Insider Intelligence has forecast. The market tracker expects linear TV to account for less than half of daily viewing for the first time ever. 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. China has started drilling over a 10,000-meter (32,808 feet) hole in the Earths crust. As per Xinhua News Agency, the operation to dig the countrys deepest-ever borehole was launched on Tuesday (30 May) in the Tarim Basin, located in the oil-rich Xinjiang region. But what is the motive behind the expedition? Lets take a closer look. Why is China digging the hole? To carry out scientific exploration. According to Xinhua News Agency, the undertaking represents a landmark in Chinas deep Earth exploration, providing an unprecedented opportunity to study areas of the planet deep beneath the surface. Earlier in 2021, Chinese president Xi Jinping had pushed for advancement in deep Earth exploration while addressing the countrys leading scientists, as per a Bloomberg report. This expedition can help scientists unearth rich minerals and energy resources. Moreover, it can also be beneficial for evaluating the risks of environmental disasters, including earthquakes and volcano eruptions, the report added. Drilling of the deepest-ever hole into the Earths crust began in northwest #Chinas #Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Tuesday with a depth of more than 10,000 meters. #ChinaInspires pic.twitter.com/GxgWzsf26y CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) June 1, 2023 The news of this new venture comes just days after the Asian nation finished building a 12,000-tonne offshore oil and gas drilling platform to mine geological reserves of natural gas, reported Interesting Engineering. Notably, the demand for petrol and jet fuel has increased in China after the scrapping of the zero-COVID-19 policy last December. As per Reuters, Beijing is likely to import a record quantity of crude oil this year amid the huge demand. How will the drilling work? The drill has a design depth of 11,100 meters, reported Xinhua. The 2,000-tonne heavy equipment, which has drill bits and drill pipes, will drill into the ground, penetrating over 10 continental strata or layers of rock, the report added. The drilling also aims to reach the Cretaceous system, which has rocks dating back 145 million years, noted Bloomberg. What are the challenges? The drilling process can have its own challenges as the borehole is being dug in the Tarim Basin, which, as per Britannica, is a vast depression drained by the Tarim River. In the centre of this basin lies the Taklimakan Desert the largest desert in China which spans over an area of 342,000 square km. This borehole is located in the hinterland of this desert, reported Xinhua. Owing to the harsh ground environment and complicated underground conditions in the Tarim Basin, drilling such a deep hole into the Earths crust will not be a piece of cake. Explaining the challenges of the project, Sun Jinsheng, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told Xinhua: The construction difficulty of the drilling project can be compared to a big truck driving on two thin steel cables. ALSO READ: Scientists in Arctic race to start drilling to preserve ice memory The deepest hole ever dug Even though digging a 10-kilometre hole is ambitious, it is not the deepest human-made hole on Earth. That title still belongs to the Russian Kola Superdeep Borehole, which was dug over a period of 20 years. The drilling process began in 1970 and the borehole reached a depth of 12,262 meters (40,230 feet) in 1989. The work had to be stopped in 1992 when the temperature reached 180C (356F), which was twice the expected mercury at that depth, as per a BBC report. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the dearth of money for such exploration projects, the facility was shut down three years later, the report added. Americans had begun Project Mohole, aimed at drilling through the Earths crust to reach and explore the mantle, in the early 1960s. They dug through the Pacific Ocean floor off Guadalupe, Mexico. However, after reaching 183 metres beneath the seafloor, the project was called off due to its skyrocketing costs. Germany also tried its hand at Earth exploration with the German Continental Deep Drilling Program (KTB) in Bavaria in 1990, which arrived at a depth of 9 km. This project was also eventually closed. Uli Harms of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program told BBC in 2019 that continuing these expeditions need a large amount of money. In the end, it really is a cost issue. These expeditions are extremely expensive and therefore they are difficult to repeat. They can cost hundreds of millions of euros and only a small percentage will actually be for the earth sciences, the rest will be for technological development, and of course, operations. That day still seems far when all these challenges can be overcome and humans are finally able to explore the Earths mantle. But scientists are hopeful. 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 and China ties have been frosty and on a downward spiral since 2020 owing to the clash between the troops of both sides in the Galwan area in the Ladakh heights. Even as the two sides held talks on Wednesday to discuss proposals for disengagement in the remaining friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the relations between the two Asian countries are deteriorating even further this time over the issue of media access. This has prompted a reaction from Beijing, saying it would take appropriate countermeasures against Indias unfair and discriminatory treatment of Chinese journalists, but called for practical action so that normal media exchanges could resume. What exactly has gone wrong? Why is Beijing angry with New Delhi? Whats the latest spat all about? We have the answers for you. Tit-for-tat game over journalists visas On Tuesday, American newspaper Wall Street Journal reported that India and China are virtually wiping out media access to each other by ejecting each others journalists. The report, quoting people in the know, said that New Delhi had denied visa renewals this month to the last two remaining Chinese state media journalists in the country, from state-run Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television. Following their visa expiration, the two scribes have left India and with this, there are now no remaining Chinese state media reporters in India a first since at least the 1980s. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused India of being unfair to its journalists since 2017. In her statement on Wednesday, she said that India had without reason shortened the validity period of Chinese journalists visas to between one and three months. Also, in 2020, New Delhi had refused to approve applications for Chinese reporters to be permanently based in India. What I can tell you is that for a long time Chinese media reporters have suffered unfair and discriminatory treatment in India, she said during a regular press briefing. Faced with this long-term unreasonable suppression by the Indian side, China has no choice but to take appropriate countermeasures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese media, Mao said. However, it is important to note here that China has also expelled Indian journalists from their soil. Last month, reporters from The Hindu and New Delhis state-owned public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, who were travelling outside China were barred from returning. Moreover, a Hindustan Times reporter was told in May that his press credentials were being invalidated. Ananth Krishnan of The Hindu also confirmed the news through a tweet he published on Wednesday, saying that India was down to only one accredited reporter on Chinese soil. The only Indian media coverage from China in the near future is likely to be from such organised visits (ABP News has been advertising global exclusives this week) as were down to only one accredited Indian reporter in Beijing and unfortunately, probably zero soon. pic.twitter.com/cTyY82zWy7 Ananth Krishnan (@ananthkrishnan) May 31, 2023 Interestingly, the Wall Street Journals report came out hours after the Chinese Embassy said that visas have been granted to 60,000 Indians this year for purposes of business, study, tourist, work, family reunion, etc. In the first 5 months of this year, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General have issued over 60000 visas to Indian people traveling to China for purposes of business, study, tourist, work, family reunion etc. Welcome to China. Wang Xiaojian (@ChinaSpox_India) May 30, 2023 China has squarely blamed India for the actions, but said that it was willing to maintain communication with New Delhi based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. We also hope that the Indian side can meet us halfway, seriously respond to our legitimate concerns, and take practical action as soon as possible to create favourable conditions for the resumption of normal media exchanges between the two countries, Mao Ning was quoted as saying. India-China worsening ties India and China, two major players in Asia, have increasingly been at odds with each other. The Galwan clash in June 2020 has led to high tensions in the Ladakh area with both sides amassing tens of thousands of soldiers along the border, who remain there despite 18 rounds of talks between top military officials. In recent months, China has exacerbated the situation by renaming 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh in April this year. The changed names include that of mountain peaks, rivers and residential areas. This act, a third for Beijing, was promptly rejected by India, with New Delhi reiterating that the northeastern state will always remain an integral and inseparable part of India. Besides the military aspect, India and China are also at loggerheads in the business sector. New Delhi has banned dozens of Chinese mobile apps, including TikTok, WeChat and others, effectively locking them out of the fast-growing Indian market. And the recently-held G20 tourism meeting in Kashmir on 22 May was another sticking point between the two sides. Prior to the meet, China pulled out of the visit, citing its opposition to holding any kind of G20 meetings in disputed territory, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. India is also seeking to develop closer ties with Western countries, including Quad members the United States, Japan, and Australia, which see Delhi as an alternative to China. Journalists accreditation & geopolitics This isnt the first time that accreditation and treatment of journalists has become an issue. In early 2020, China expelled more than a dozen American reporters, including those from The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and The Washington Post. The following year, the Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) released a report highlighting how the authorities in Beijing were finding new ways to intimidate foreign journalists, due to which six left the country. The FCCC report stated that the attacks demonstrated an emboldened Chinese government willing to go to great lengths to discredit foreign journalists and their work. However, it noted that none of this has stopped foreign journalists from doing their job, nor major global news organisations from going after the stories that matter. 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. Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen was giving a traditional speech as Parliament gets ready to close for the summer. She takes a pause in the middle to announce that the speech was not written by her or any other human. But the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT. The head of the Danish government on Wednesday delivered a speech to Parliament partly written using artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to highlight the revolutionary aspects and risks of AI. What I have just read here is not from me. Or any other human for that matter, Frederiksen suddenly said part-way into her speech to legislators, explaining it was written by ChatGPT. Even if it didnt always hit the nail on the head, both in terms of the details of the governments work programme and punctuation it is both fascinating and terrifying what it is capable of, the leader added. Lets take a closer look. The speech written by ChatGPT The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, used ChatGPT to help write a part of her speech in Parliament. She wanted to highlight both the groundbreaking aspects and the potential risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The part of Frederiksens speech drafted by ChatGPT included sentences like the following: It has been an honour and a challenge to lead a broad government in the last parliamentary year. We have worked hard to co-operate across parties and ensure a strong and sustainable future for Denmark, and We have taken steps to combat climate change and ensure a fairer and more inclusive society where all citizens have equal opportunities, ChatGPT also wrote. Although we have faced challenges and resistance along the way, I am proud of what we have achieved together in the last parliamentary year. Frederiksens regular speechwriters have yet to comment on the quality of the writing. ChatGPTs rise triggers alarm and a gold rush of investment ChatGPT burst into the spotlight late last year, demonstrating an ability to generate essays, poems and conversations from the briefest of prompts. The programmes wild success sparked a gold rush with billions of dollars of investment into the field, but critics and insiders have raised the alarm. Common worries include the possibility that chatbots could flood the web with disinformation, that biased algorithms will churn out racist material, or that AI-powered automation could lay waste to entire industries. The subject is on the agenda of a high-level meeting on trade between the United States and the European Union this Wednesday in Lulea, Sweden. A group of industry chiefs and experts, including Sam Altman whose firm OpenAI created the ChatGPT bot, warned Tuesday about the potential threat of extinction posed by the technology. Some feel disappointed Some Danish citizens, however, were not impressed by this. According to the Business Standard, one user on Twitter stated, I am glad that Christiansborg is starting to take AI seriously. But letting a chatbot write a speech is already oh so yesterday. Yes, thats how fast it goes. Another user pointed out that for Sweden, the potential of AI was still not fully comprehended and this moment was enlightening. Another user stated, The Prime Minister should convene the social partners to discuss artificial intelligence! Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has just held an interesting closing speech, i.a. about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT. With inputs from AFP Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Indian textbooks and controversy seem to be linked inextricably. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on 1 June dropped a slew of topics from the Class 10 textbooks including chapters on the Periodic Table, contribution of agriculture to the national economy, challenges to democracy and sustainable management of natural resources. The NCERT says it carried out this rationalisation exercise on the basis of expert recommendations. The NCERT in a note on the changes in the textbooks last year said, In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to reduce content load on students. The National Education Policy 2020, also emphasises reducing the content load and providing opportunities for experiential learning with creative mindset. In this background, NCERT has undertaken the exercise to rationalise the textbooks across all classes. Learning Outcomes already developed by the NCERT across classes have been taken into consideration in this exercise, it said. This isnt the first time subjects have been dropped from textbooks. Lets take a closer look at all the things you wont find in Indian textbooks: Bye-bye Periodic Table, Darwin As per India Today, the NCERT has permanently deleted the periodic classification of elements from the Class 10 textbooks. It must be noted that the Periodic Table remains part of the syllabus for Class 11. Experts have raised an alarm over the elimination of the Periodic Table, saying it forms the foundation of chemistry education and provides a comprehensive understanding of elements and their properties. They warned that such an omission could thwart students grasp of essential chemical principles, as per India Today. Emphasising the importance of the topic, a text by American chemist Glenn T Seaborg cited in the Class 11 Chemistry textbook reads, The Periodic Table is arguably the most important concept in chemistry, both in principle and in practice. An awareness of the Periodic Table is essential to anyone who wishes to disentangle the world and see how it is built up from the fundamental building blocks of chemistry, the chemical elements. Also gone from the Class 10 textbooks? Charles Darwins theory of evolution, the origins of life, and heredity. This move caused a furor in April with over 1,800 educationists and researchers sending the body an open letter criticising the move. The letter, entitled An Appeal Against Exclusion of Evolution from Curriculum was signed by representatives of esteemed institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and Indian Institute of Technology. The countrys scientific community is seriously dismayed to see that the theory of biological evolution, which was an integral part of the science syllabus at the 10th standard, has been dropped. It was first dropped as an interim measure for syllabus reduction during the Corona pandemic. But the NCERT document states that it is dropped permanently as a step in content rationalisation! the letter reads, as per India Today. According to India Today, experts said the theory of evolution is a concept that is central to biology. This, as it allows students to comprehend the connection between all life on Earth and all its diversity. Experts warned that removing the theory of evolution may hinder the ability of students to understand the natural world. Topics that have been struck off the science textbooks include chapters on Fibre and Fabrics in Classes 6, 7 and 8. One deletion that stands out is that of the Why do we fall ill chapter from the Class 9 Science textbook. Mughal Empire The Indian Express in April reported that topics about the Mughal and the Delhi Sultanate were removed from textbooks. A two-page table listing the triumphs of Mughal emperors Humayun, Shah Jahan, Akbar, Jahangir and Aurangzeb were removed from the Class 7 textbook. Passages on the hereditary nature of varnas, classification of people as untouchables and rejection of the varna system were removed from the chapter Kingdom, Kings and Early Republic from the Class 6 history book. However, NCERT director in April insisted that chapters on Mughals had not been dropped from CBSE books. Its a lie. (Chapters on) Mughals have not been dropped. There was a rationalisation process last year because due to COVID, there was pressure on students everywhere, the NCERT director told ANI. The NCERT chief further said that expert committees examined the books from standards 6-12. They recommended that if this chapter is dropped, it wont affect the knowledge of the children and an unnecessary burden can be removedThe debate is unnecessary. Those who dont know can check the textbooks, Saklani said. He said that even today students are studying the history of the Mughals in NCERTs class 7th book. Along with this, the history of Mughals is being taught in Empires in section-2 of the 11th class book. And in the class 12th book there were 2 chapters on the history of the Mughals, out of which theme nine was removed last year, while theme eight is still being taught to the students. This year no chapter has been removed from any book, Saklani further said. We are working as per NEP (National Education Policy) 2020. This is a transition phase. NEP 2020 speaks of reducing the content load. We are implementing it. NCF (National Curriculum Framework) for school education is being formed, it will be finalised soon. Textbooks will be printed in 2024 as per NEP. We have not dropped anything right now, the NCERT chief said while stressing the National Education Policy. Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal Delhi Universitys Academic Council dropped a chapter on renowned Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal who composed the song composition Sare Jahan Se Achha from its political science syllabus. Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan, also known as Allama Iqbal, was dropped from the Political Science syllabus during a discussion on the undergraduate course in the 1014th Academic Council meeting of Delhi University. Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh on Wednesday sparked a row when he said Iqbal may have penned the song but never believed in it. I dont know why we were teaching his (Muhammad Iqbals) part in the syllabus for the past 75 years. I agree that he served India by composing the popular song Sare Jahan Se Acha but never believed in that. Iqbal wrote songs supporting the Muslim League and the Pakistan Movement. He was the first to raise the idea of the partition of India and the establishment of Pakistan. Instead of teaching our students about such people, we should impart lessons on our national heroes, Singh added. Singh earlier presiding over the meeting of the Academic Council said that those who laid the foundation to break India should not be included in the varsitys syllabus. Singhs proposal was unanimously passed by the House. According to Business Today, chapters on the Cold War and US hegemony in world politics were removed, while chapters on Central Islamic lands, Confrontation of Cultures and The Industrial revolution were deleted. Whitewashing with vengeance Dropping several topics and portions from the NCERT textbooks last month triggered a controversy, with the Opposition blaming the Centre for whitewashing with vengeance. At the heart of the row was the fact that while the changes made as part of the rationalisation exercise were notified, some of these controversial deletions were not mentioned. This led to allegations about a bid to delete these portions surreptitiously. The NCERT had described the omissions as a possible oversight but refused to undo the deletions, saying they were based on the recommendations of experts. It also said the textbooks are anyway headed for revision in 2024 when the National Curriculum Framework kicks in. However, the NCERT later changed its stand and said minor changes need not be notified. 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. Aurangabad, Osmanabad and now Ahmednagar. What do these three cities in Maharashtra have in common? For starters, they have all undergone a name change in this year. After the first two cities, Aurangabad and Osmanabad, underwent a change in name earlier this year they are now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv the Maharashtra government announced that Ahmednagar will be renamed Ahilyanagar. Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday announced at a function, Our government works keeping in mind the ideal of governance set by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Ahilyadevi Holkar. Therefore, as per the wish of all of you, we have decided to rename (the district) for Ahilyadevi Holkar. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he would request CM Shinde to rename Ahmednagar city as Ahilyanagar, after the Maratha warrior queen Ahilyabai Holkar. He further added that had Ahilyadevi Holkar not been there, there would not have been Kashi, temples of Lord Shiva. We examine who she was and why the Maharashtra government has decided to rename Ahmednagar. The great Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar Indias history and the strides made in womens education and empowerment is incomplete without the mention of Ahilyabai Holkar, the hereditary noble Queen of the Maratha Empire. Ahilyabai was born in 1725 in the village of Chondi near Jamkhed, Ahmednagar, into an ordinary family of Indore. Despite the fact that womens education was a far-fetched idea in those days and especially in the village, Ahilyabais father, Mankoji Rao Shinde home-schooled her to read and write. She entered royal life when Malhar Rao Holkar, army commander to Peshwa Bajirao, saw her at a temple service when she was eight years old. Taken aback by her dedication, devotion and character, he decided to get his son, Khande Rao, married to her. Her married life was short-lived as Khande Rao was killed in the Battle of Kumbher in 1754. However, she didnt commit sati where a widow lies on her husbands funeral pyre. She was dealt another blow when she lost her sons in the following years. It was then that she decided to take matters into her own hands and took up the kingdom of Malwa. She also petitioned the Peshwa to become the ruler, backed by the support of her army. While there was a section of the kingdom that objected to her assumption to the throne, her army of Holkars stood by her and supported their queens leadership. Within a year of taking up the throne, Malwa was encircled by invaders. However, she was determined to protect her land and led her soldiers into battle. A fearless warrior, who was skilled in archery, sword fighting and horseback riding, she led her army to victory. First Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru wrote in his book of Ahilyabai, saying that she had a rule of 30 years. The reign was almost legendary as a period during which perfect order and good government prevailed and the people prospered. She was a very able ruler and organiser, highly respected during her lifetime, Nehru wrote. Such was her time that even British historian John Keay wrote in her favour, Ahilyabai Holkar, the philosopher-queen of Malwa, had evidently been an acute observer of the wider political scene. Along with being a fierce queen and skilled ruler, Malwas Queen was also a learned politician. Even when the Maratha Peshwa had failed to understand the British and their objectives, she cautioned him against them. History shows that in 1772, she had warned the Peshwa of the British, writing: Other beasts, like tigers, can be killed by might or contrivance, but to kill a bear it is very difficult. It will die only if you kill it straight in the face, Or else, once caught in its powerful hold; the bear will kill its prey by tickling. Such is the way of the English. And given this, it is difficult to triumph over them. Ahilyabai is today also remembered for constructing multiple forts and roads in Malwa, as well as for supporting festivals and donating to numerous Hindu temples. Ahilyabai is famous for rebuilding Varanasis Kashi Vishwanath Temple. She also welcomed intellectuals such as Marathi poet Moropant, Shahir Anantaphandi, and Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram into her city. Moreover, the queen went on to create a textile industry in the city as well; she introduced the tradition of the Maheshwari sarees. In her lifetime, she strove hard to end the practice of sati. As Annie Besant wrote of her, Far and wide the roads were planted with shady trees, and wells were made, and rest-houses for travellers. The poor, the homeless, the orphaned were all helped according to their needs. The Bhils, who had long been the torment of all caravans, were routed from their mountain fastnesses and persuaded to settle down as honest farmers. Hindu and Musalman alike revered the famous Queen and prayed for her long life. The queen died at the age of 70 and was succeeded by her commander-in-chief, Tukoji Rao Holkar I. Renaming of cities in Maharashtra A name change for a city or town is not new in India and theres been a growing movement to rename areas in Maharashtra. It was in 2022 that then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray just before stepping down from his post announced the decision to rename Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv. Thackerays announcement was in line with his fathers demand. On 8 May 1988, Sena supremo Bal Thackeray announced the renaming of the city to Sambhajinagar after Sambhaji Maharaj. Also read: Aurangabad is now Sambhajinagar, Osmanabad is Dharashiv: How cities get new names In 1995, the Aurangabad Corporation passed a resolution to do so, and the then Sena-led government in the state issued a notification seeking suggestions and objections from people on this. The notification was challenged in the high court by then Ahmednagar Municipal corporator Mushtaq Ahmed. The decision to rename the city was put off then. Finally, on 16 July 2022, the Eknath Shinde government approved the proposal to rename Aurangabad and Osmanabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv and it got the go-ahead from the Centre in February this year. 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. It might come as a shocker but necrophilia is not considered rape in India. The law says so. The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday ruled that the sexual assault of a body did not come under the ambit of rape or unnatural offences under the Indian Penal Code. The court passed the order while acquitting a man from charges of raping a 25-year-old woman after murdering her. It said that unfortunately in India no specific legislation is enacted, including under the provisions of IPC for the purpose of upholding dignity and protecting rights and crime against the dead body of the woman. A lower court had convicted Rangaraju of murder and sexual assault. The Karanataka HC, who was hearing the appeal filed by the man upheld the order convicting the accused on charges of murder. However, the bench of Justices B Veerappa and Venkatesh Naik also recommended that the Centre amend the law to ensure that necrophilia would be considered an offence. Observing that attendants appointed to guard bodies in mortuaries of many government and private hospitals indulge in sexual intercourse on the corpses, it called for the amendment of the Indian Penal Code under the definition of the offence of unnatural sex or introduce a new provision in IPC to make necrophilia an offence. It is high time for the state government to ensure such crimes do not happen, thereby maintaining dignity of the dead body of the woman, observed Justice B Veerappa, who authored the judgment for the bench, reports The Hindu. It is high time for the Union government, in order to maintain right to dignity of the dead person/woman, to amend the provisions of Section 377 of IPC to include dead body of any man, woman or animal or to introduce a separate provision as offence against dead woman as necrophilia or sadism as has been done in other countries to ensure the dignity of the dead person, the bench observed. What is necrophilia? Necrophilia is an act where the perpetrator gets sexual pleasure by having sex with the dead. It is associated with several other paraphilias a condition characterised by abnormal sexual desires, often involving extreme activities including sadism, cannibalism and necrophagia (eating the flesh of the dead). Necrophilia is a term derived from the Greek words philios (attraction to/love) and nekros (dead body). It was coined by Belgian Alienist, Joseph Guislain, who first used it in a lecture in the year 1950. It became part of popular parlance in the 19th century. However, this sort of sexual abuse dates back centuries ago and has been documented in Greek mythology, the Greco-Roman period, and the Middle Ages. Why do people want to have sex with the dead? An article in The Conversation quotes a study that reviewed 122 cases (88 from the world literature and 34 unpublished cases), of necrophilic acts or fantasies and classified them into three types necrophilic homicide, regular necrophilia, and fantasies of committing necrophilia. It found the most common motive for necrophilia was possession of an unresisting and unrejecting partner, rather than explicit psychopathic tendencies The authors said necrophiles as they are also called often chose occupations that put them in contact with corpses. People with such tendencies could take up jobs at a mortuary or funeral home. Cases of mortuary attendants or funeral home workers caught sexually assaulting corpses are not uncommon, something even the Karnataka high court mentioned. Is necrophilia a psychological disorder? The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) classify necrophilia as paraphilia in their International Classification of Diseases diagnostic manual. Neither psychosis, mental retardation, nor sadism appears to be inherent in necrophilia. The most common motive for necrophilia is the possession of an unresisting and unrejecting partner, says a 1989 study titled Sexual attraction to corpses: A psychiatric review of necrophilia. However, necrophiles might suffer from other disorders. Necrophilia is not associated with any one mental illness or disorder. However, it is known that some necrophiles had previously been diagnosed with Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder, according to a report in Psychology Today. There have also been suggestions that those who have committed necrophilia have suffered from depression or schizophrenia. Which countries criminalise necrophilia? In the United Kingdom, any sexual penetration or inappropriate physical conduct with dead bodies is against the law. If convicted, a person can end up in prison for anywhere from six months to two years and receive a fine, The Conversation reports. Necrophilia laws also exist in Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. The Criminal Code of Canada, 1985 makes necrophilia illegal without specifically using the word necrophilia, penetration or any sex-oriented word. The law states whoever behaves indecently or improperly or offers any indignity to the dead body or its remains is guilty of the offence and is liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years. In New Zealand, misconduct in respect of human remains leads is punishable by a term not exceeding two years. The US has fifty states and each has different laws. In several states including California, necrophilia is not specifically prohibited by law. Which are the most infamous cases of necrophilia? In 2006, the Nithari serial murders sent shockwaves across India. The two accused were Moninder Singh Pandher, a rich businessman and his caretaker, Surinder Koli. Investigations revealed that Koli would lure his victims to Pandhers house in Nithari, an urban village near Noida. The case involved sexual abuse, murder, cannibalism and attempted necrophilia. In March 2023, Ravinder Kumar, a daily-wage labourer working in Delhi, was convicted. He committed several crimes between 2008 and 2015 and confessed to being guilty of at least 38 cases of rape and murder of minor children across Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh; some of these were also cases of necrophilia. Last September, Netflixs true-crime documentary Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story put the spotlight on Jeffrey Dahmer. He was born in Wisconsin, US and then became infamous as the Milwaukee Monster. He murdered and dismembered 17 people over 13 years and was also known for paedophilia, cannibalism, and necrophilia. Dahmer was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and psychotic disorder but was found to be legally sane at his trial. He was sentenced to 15 terms of life imprisonment in February 1992 but two years later was beaten to death by a fellow inmate. Ted Bundy was also one of Americas most infamous killers. He kidnapped, butchered and raped more than 30 girls and women during the 1970s. After beheading and dumping the bodies, he often returned to have sex with the corpses. He received three death sentences in two trials and was executed in January 1989. 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. When the debt limit fight began, it was widely assumed that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, untested and inexperienced in high-stakes negotiations, would either preside over an economically and politically calamitous government default or lose his hard-won post in a right-wing mutiny after caving to Democrats. So far, he has managed to avoid both outcomes while claiming some fiscal and policy wins. With House approval Wednesday night of the debt-limit package he personally negotiated with President Joe Biden, McCarthy defied expectations and even earned grudging respect from White House officials while defusing the debt-limit time bomb he himself planted by insisting on concessions in return for raising the nations borrowing limit. The bar was set low for McCarthy, known more for politicking and fundraising than for policymaking, after he struggled mightily to win his post in the first place as House Republicans took control in January. But in the end, he delivered an agreement that met his goal of cutting spending from current levels. It was not pretty; in fact, it was downright ugly. He managed to do so only with significant help from across the aisle, as Democrats rescued him on a key procedural vote and then provided the support needed for passage. McCarthy exceeded his goal of winning the support of the majority of his members with 149 backing it, but more Democrats 165 of them voted for the bill than members of his own party, an outcome that will fuel Republican criticism that he cut a deal that sold out his own people. Also Read: How a US debt default will affect everyday Americans That is not the way powerful speakers of the past have typically accomplished their goals. But McCarthy has proved uncommonly willing to endure political pain and even humiliation a trait that was on ample display during his 15-round fight for the speakership in January while focusing on extracting a few marquee concessions from Biden that could allow him to claim victory and avert a default he plainly wanted to avoid, even if many of his members did not. His allies gave him credit for taking on the White House and Senate Democrats and emerging with a positive result when most Democrats were counting on him to fail. White House officials and congressional Democrats privately predicted that McCarthy would be unable to corral his extraordinarily fractious troops, and would therefore have no leverage in fiscal talks, allowing them to force through an increase in the debt ceiling with few, if any, concessions to Republicans. Underestimated for damn sure, said Representative Patrick McHenry, R-North Carolina, one of the lead GOP negotiators. Kevin McCarthy has always been underestimated. McCarthys achievement may yet come at a cost. Far-right conservative Republicans remain outraged at the agreement he struck with Biden, saying it fell woefully short of what he promised and what Republicans committed to as they pursued the majority last year. Some feel personally betrayed and say he went back on his promise to insist on paring back spending even further. More than two dozen rank-and-file Republicans registered their dissatisfaction with McCarthy by opposing the procedural measure bringing the package to the floor, an aggressive challenge to the leadership that also showed they were not worried about payback from the speakers office. Also Read: US debt ceiling crisis: How this could create turmoil in the financial world Representative Ken Buck, R-Colorado, said McCarthy had hurt himself with many House Republicans big time, big time. I think this is going to be a problem for him, said Buck, who along with other critics of McCarthy said lawmakers would be talking among themselves about how or whether to proceed with an attempt to force out the speaker. McCarthy, in an interview on Fox News, said talk of unseating him was not a worry. To govern is not easy, but I dont want to be on the wrong side of history, he said, saying that critics of the package would regret their opposition. Every single one of those members who vote no will miss the opportunity to vote for the largest cut in American history. That is almost certainly an exaggeration, though the agreement was chock-full of side deals and complex details that allowed the GOP to claim far larger spending cuts than they secured. One factor working in McCarthys favour in holding off a move to oust him is that conservatives with standing among House Republicans, such as Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, remained in his corner. There is a distinct segment of House Republicans who are eager to move past the fiscal fight and focus more on the investigations and culture-war issues that they think play better with their voters and are being lost in the current moment. McCarthys backers say his critics do not truly understand the limits of their leverage in controlling only the House while Democrats hold the majority in the Senate and Biden is in the White House. They say that McCarthy was never going to get the type of agreement the most extreme elements of House Republicans could embrace unless he was willing to force a devastating default. He made it clear early on that he was not. For months, White House officials and Senate Democrats figured they could hold off McCarthys demands to begin talks with Biden on budget and spending issues by declaring that he must first show that he could pass something through the House. They saw that as unlikely, given his four-seat margin for error and the varying ideologies of his membership. The pivotal moment came in late April when, much to the surprise of the administration and congressional Democrats, he did just that, squeezing through a partisan measure that cut spending and rolled back Biden initiatives. The legislation had no chance of advancing in the Senate but served as a marker and won him a seat at the negotiating table. No question the White House miscalculated on this one, said Representative Garret Graves, R-Louisiana, another of the key GOP negotiators. They misjudged the speaker. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, downplayed suggestions that McCarthy had outmanoeuvred the Democrats. Look at the result, Schumer told reporters. It is a far, far cry from where the Republicans started out. Administration officials conceded they may have taken McCarthy too lightly. They say privately that he proved a stronger adversary in negotiations than many of them were expecting. Also read: How past US debt ceiling crises affected the economy and politics He also won some policy concessions that administration officials had not expected to give. For months, top administration officials had privately predicted that Biden would agree to modest caps on discretionary spending to accompany a debt-limit increase. But McCarthy successfully pushed to protect military spending from the cuts, forcing domestic programs in such areas as education and environmental protection to bear the brunt of the reductions a condition that Democrats have strenuously resisted in past budget negotiations. He also secured a side deal that would cut $20 billion (Rs 1.64 lakh crore) in new funding for an IRS crackdown on tax cheats, which Republicans had made a top target for cuts. Such successes were still not enough to satisfy hard-right critics who wanted more. But McCarthy was willing to take what he could get and declare victory and absorb the abuse he was already receiving in return. Carl Hulse, c.2023 The New York Times Company Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Numerous climbers arrive at Mount Everests base camp each year with the aim of reaching the top with the assistance of Sherpa guides who are familiar with the mountain properly. Nepal is reportedly considering moving the base camp elsewhere, but sherpas and climbing companies are vehemently opposed to the idea. This is because the Himalayan glaciers are melting due to climate change, and the routes up the worlds tallest peak are choked with people. The south base camp, which is located on the rapidly receding Khumbu glacier, has previously been claimed to be risky for climbers due to human activities and climate change. Lets take a closer look. Significant opposition The current Mount Everest base is 5,364 metres (17,598 feet) above sea level. The worlds tallest mountain base was intended to be relocated 200 to 400 metres below. Sherpa leaders assert that the proposal is not only impractical but that the authorities have also failed to come up with a feasible alternative. According to BBC, Mingma Sherpa, head of Khumbu Pasanglhamu, a rural municipality that includes the base camp and most of the Everest region, I have come across not even a single person in our community who supports the idea of moving the Everest base camp. Happy International Everest Day, 2023! pic.twitter.com/8vGLzSbvog Everest Today (@EverestToday) May 29, 2023 It has been there for the previous 70 years; why should they relocate it now? said Ang Norbu Sherpa, head of the Nepal National Mountain Guides Association, adding, And even if they wanted to, where is the study on a viable alternative? Sudan Kirati, Nepals recently appointed tourism minister, claimed that the matter was not urgent. I have seen no interest or concern from any quarter on the issue of moving the base camp, he claimed. According to the BBC, the proposal of moving the Everest base camp was rejected by more than 95 per cent of delegates at a recent consultation meeting between the government and the mountaineering business, thus killing the idea in the short term. Also read: How Mount Everest has been preserving peoples germs from coughs and sneezes The risk is growing The Khumbu glacier, like many others in the Himalayas, is melting quickly as a result of climate change, making the area unsafe for climbers. The sherpas livelihoods as well as their sense of kinship with the mountain are at risk because the glacier near base camp thinned at a pace of one metre every year, according to a 2018 study by Leeds University researchers. Seventy years have passed since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stood atop the world, conquering the formidable summit of Mt Everest (8848.86 m) on this day, 29.05.1953, 11:30 NPT. The conquest of Mt Everest was not just an individual triumph; it represented the culmination of pic.twitter.com/m24sMZlinj Everest Today (@EverestToday) May 29, 2023 Additionally, field research revealed that the worlds tallest glaciers ponds and lakes were merging and growing, posing new difficulties for climbers, reported BBC. Professor Bryn Hubbard of Aberystwyth University told the outlet, As the ice melts, beneath the rocky debris, the surface becomes more variable, encouraging the formation of surface ponds that gradually coalesce to form large lakes. Shifting the base would make more sense, according to experts, as the current base may see more avalanches, storms, ice and rockfalls in the future. Base camp is crammed with people Although there are differences of opinion on the bases potential relocation, practically everyone can agree that it is becoming too crowded. 478 Everest climbing permits were given during this climbing season, which is a record, according to Wion. It implies that more than 1,500 people, including the support staff, would be using the base. The size of the base camp has doubled in recent years, claims Dambar Parajuli, head of Expedition Operators Association Nepal. The region was also becoming overrun by needless luxury services, including massage parlours, so he added that there werent any hard rules about what was allowed and what wasnt at the base camp. Pasang Yangjee Sherpa, an anthropologist who works at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, claims that while Nepal has welcomed a growing swarm of tourists every year, it has paid a price for it. She said in an Al Jazeera podcast from last year that sherpa climbers claimed the mountain changed every time they returned. Research on the Sherpa diaspora and human aspects of climate change was conducted by Yangjee Sherpa. Its happening right before our eyes, and its difficult to ignore and its as important as it can be, she said. And Im speaking of the sherpa climbers who go there every season, that is twice a year, and every season theyre going up and down the mountain several times Theyre saying that every time they go back. the mountain looks different. So where there used to be ice last year, theres water; where there used to be hard snow, now its soft snow. According to Yuba Raj Khatiwada, the director of Nepals tourism bureau, the high number of fatalities on Mount Everest this year is primarily due to a changing climate. He previously told Bloomberg that the death rate is quite high this season because of the climate and climate change. There isnt another explanation. Despite our best efforts, mountaineering still carries some danger. Climate change was having a big impact in the mountains, he told The Guardian, adding, In the past, we have seen that not all of the areas [over which] modern base camp stretches are safe, he declared. Some areas are vulnerable to avalanches from the surrounding terrain and gravitational mass movement. 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. Best Adderall Alternatives of The Year Summary: Vyvamind the most potent option for users looking to get rid of ADHD symptoms permanently. Uses a clean formula with the ingredients that are all focused on ADHD symptoms such as lack of focus, stress, anxiety, low productivity, and low energy levels. Contains caffeine. NooCube a caffeine-free option with natural and clean formula combining nutrients that support overall brain health as well as the immune system. We like the addition of antioxidants such as Resveratrol and Pterostilbene which are essential for cardiovascular health and reducing inflammation. However, NooCube is not ideal for extremely sensitive people due to the formula that has a lot of nutrients. For the majority of people, it wont cause any adverse reactions. Nooceptin another caffeine-free option, suitable for everyone, including sensitive people. Contains eight nutrients powerful at improving memory recall and retention and supporting long-term brain cell health. Can also help treat ADHD due to several ingredients like Rhodiola Rosea, Panax Ginseng, and L-Theanine. No matter which of the three you choose, you cant go wrong. All three supplements on our list are extremely potent at improving overall brain function. If you are a person having a poor quality of life due to ADHD, an old person suffering from memory issues, or simply a young folk looking to prevent mental problems that could occur as you age, all three nootropics on our list are natural and work like a charm for the brain when used consistently. We give them a thumbs up! Adderall how does Adderall work? Is it safe? Should you take it? Adderall is a prescription stimulant, commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It has also been used off-label as a cognitive enhancer by individuals looking to increase their focus and productivity. The question is, is it safe? And should you take it? Adderall can have potentially dangerous side effects, including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Therefore, it should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional who can assess your individual needs and monitor your dosages. Think carefully before deciding if Adderall is right for you. What do we think? We think you shouldnt take Adderall if youre looking for a product to take long-term to sharpen your mind. The chemicals inside Adderall can cause adverse reactions in the long run, while natural nootropics (brain supplements) can benefit you significantly, while exponentially reducing the risk of side effects. What exactly is ADHD? facts about ADHD ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way people think, pay attention, and manage their behaviour. It is characterized by difficulty in sustaining attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This can lead to problems with social interaction, communication, learning and academic performance. The exact cause of ADHD is still unknown but it is believed to be linked to genetic factors that impact brain development. The symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. It is important to remember that ADHD is a real medical condition with significant psychological impacts on individuals and their families, and it is recommended to treat the early symptoms to prevent it from getting worse. When were nootropics invented? In recent years nootropics have become increasingly popular as people look for ways to increase their productivity and feel more alert. But when did these substances first come into existence? It turns out that the history of nootropics goes all the way back to 1972 when a Romanian scientist named Corneliu Giurgea first invented them. He coined the term nootropic which is derived from the Greek words nous and trepein which mean mind and bending respectively. Since then these substances have been studied extensively in order to understand their effects on cognition and how they can be used for therapeutic purposes in various medical conditions. Natural Nootropics for ADHD Do they work? While medication is a common form of treatment for this condition, natural nootropics have recently been gaining interest as an alternative option. We like to call these multivitamins for the mind, since they deliver certain nutrients that nourish the brain and benefit it in the long run. It is not a surprise to us that nootropics have been gaining interest; they do indeed work, but only the proper ones. What do we mean by saying the proper ones? We mean that each individual nootropic must contain ingredients that are supported by science. The dosages must be optimal, and there should be no proprietary blends or additives. We have a certain criteria when reviewing brain supplements. We look at the manufacturers reputation and customer reviews, the ingredient formula, dosages, safety, and if the manufacturer offers a money back program. On our list of best Natural OTC ADHD Medication, we have prepared the three best nootropics that are currently available and that tick every box when speaking of our criteria. They are of exceptional quality, have been tested, and offer fast and huge results. They are also over-the-counter you can purchase them without any permission, and since they are natural, the risk of side effects is at minimum. No more talking, lets learn more about them! Vyvamind The Best Natural Over-The-Counter ADHD Pill Vyvamind is a nootropic made by SAP Nutrition which is a very popular company with outstanding customer reviews. The company places a lot of dedication and effort on making high-quality supplements, and you will soon see how we know this. SAP Nutrition is currently offering great deals on the official website, and offers fast shipping worldwide. Vyvamind is currently the best-ranked nootropic by SAP Nutra. It is focused on eliminating ADHD symptoms and improving overall brain health and function. By taking it consistently, you should expect the following benefits in the long run: Increased mental focus and clarity which is often quite bad in people suffering from ADHD Boosts energy levels and motivation to a high degree Burnout protection No more brain fog, stress, depression, and anxiety Helps to improve memory retention and recall Keep in mind that Vyvamind is not a magic tool, but if youre going to take it consistently, you should experience all of the benefits. Infrequent usage wont be as good as frequently taking it. The most of the benefits of Vyvamind should be felt within the first three months. In some cases, the positive effects could occur earlier, while in other cases it might take longer. All in all, the longer you take it, the higher cognitive enhancements you will experience. It is safe to take Vyvamind for a long period of time, unlike Adderall or other prescribed drugs. What ingredients are included in Vyvamind? Vyvamind features six nootropic ingredients which cover every necessary area of brain health. While it does not seem like a lot, this is way better than an overcrowded ingredient formula that could be harsh on the stomach for sensitive people. With Vyvamind, even sensitive people shouldnt experience any adverse effects. Vitamin B6, B12, L-Tyrosine, Citicoline, L-Theanine, and Caffeine Anhydrous are all included inside this powerful nootropic. For those who like a stimulant effect, caffeine is included inside in an optimal dosage (approximately equals to caffeine content in a cup of coffee) Lets analyze every particular ingredient so you can learn more about them and see why they are so powerful for the brain! Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 plays a vital role in the healthy functioning of the brain. It helps to improve cognitive performance, reduce anxiety and stress, and support mental health. It is essential for the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine which are responsible for regulating mood and emotions. Additionally, it helps in breaking down carbohydrates into energy that is used by the body and brain. Vitamin B6 also plays a role in protecting the brain from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in keeping the brain healthy and functioning properly. It helps to regulate neurotransmitter activity and promote proper nerve conduction, which is necessary for good cognitive performance. Vitamin B12 also helps to produce energy-producing molecules, which are important for overall brain health and those with a lack of energy which is often associated with ADHD. Additionally, it plays a role in synthesizing DNA, which helps the brain develop new neurons and form new connections between them. L-Tyrosine L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that has been proven to be beneficial for cognitive functions. It is an important component of many proteins in the body and helps the brain to produce hormones and neurotransmitters. It can also help improve mood, mental clarity, focus, and alertness by providing a natural source of energy to the brain cells. This makes it one of the best nutrients for individuals looking to improve their cognitive functioning and overall mental health. Citicoline Citicoline is a natural compound that is believed to stimulate the production of elements important for healthy brain functioning. It helps to increase levels of dopamine and acetylcholine, two neurotransmitters which are essential for cognitive processes. By doing so, it can help improve memory, alertness, focus, and overall cognitive performance. Research has demonstrated that citicoline can also help protect against age-related decline in brain health and even provide some protection from stroke-induced brain damage. L-Theanine L-Theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves. It has been studied for its potential benefits to the brain and its potential uses as a natural treatment for ADHD. Research has shown that L-Theanine can improve focus, concentration, and alertness, as well as reduce anxiety, stress, and restlessness. It has also been shown to increase alpha brain wave activity which is associated with relaxation and improved mental performance. For those suffering from ADHD, L-Theanine may be one of the most beneficial ingredients overall. Caffeine Anhydrous Caffeine anhydrous is becoming increasingly popular among those who suffer from ADHD. It has been found that it can help with focus and concentration for those with the disorder. It also has been found to provide energy and alertness for people who are not suffering from ADHD, and these are the primary benefits that are well-known to all who drink coffee. Be careful and make sure not to take caffeine anhydrous at nighttime; it can cause sleep disturbances. Is Vyvamind Expensive? Vyvamind is a quite expensive supplement, and this could be disappointing for the majority of people. A bottle of Vyvamind costs $74.99, however, this should last you for 60 days (entire 2 months) by taking one serving size daily. We can see that the manufacturer has put a lot of hard work into the making of Vyvaminds formula, and the ingredients inside are without a doubt quite costly. Because of that, we understand the high price, and if you can afford it, it will provide you with the best value for money. So, Is Vyvamind Good For Me? If youre looking to neutralize all the ADHD symptoms permanently, Vyvamind might be worth a shot. This powerful supplement combines all the key nutrients that will help with precisely that, as well as support overall brain health. This is an ideal nootropic even for young folks looking to prevent brain disorders that could happen as we age. If you are often experiencing a lack of focus and energy, which makes it hard to do daily tasks efficiently, Vyvamind is the solution in our opinion. With it, there is no reason to worry about adverse reactions, unlike with prescribed drugs. The risk is minimal due to a natural and clean formula. PURCHASE VYVAMIND AT THE MAIN SITE HERE. NooCube The Second Best-Ranked Nootropic for ADHD The next best over-the-counter brain supplement for ADHD is NooCube, made by the reputable Wolfson Brands company. This is the cheapest option on our list, and offers a bit different ingredient formula from the competition. NooCube combines some of the best nutrients for memory and overall brain health, as well as antioxidants such as resveratrol for the immune system. NooCube is marketed as an Adderall alternative for all those with deadlines. By taking it regularly, you should experience destroyed brain fog and mental fatigue, less depression, anxiety, and stress, more sharpness, focus, and alertness, as well as better memory retention and recall. Another major advantage of NooCube is that it can help to protect the eyes from fatigue that can happen by looking at the screen for a long period of time. If you dont like caffeine, but want a safe and effective alternative to prescribed medication such as Adderall, you might consider giving NooCube a try, as it will benefit the brain and the immune system to a significant degree. You can always return the product, since the manufacturer offers a 60-day money back program for all the unsatisfied users. Lets jump onto the ingredients. These are all the ingredients in each serving of NooCube: Vitamin B12 2.5mcg Vitamin B7 50mcg Vitamin B1 1.1mg Bacopa Monnieri 250mg L-Tyrosine 250mg Oat Straw Extract 150mg Cats Claw Extract 175mg Alpha GPC 50mg L-Theanine 100mg Lutemax 20mg Huperzia Serrata 20mg Pterostilbene 140mcg Resveratrol 14.3mg Vitamin B1 Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. It helps to keep the body functioning optimally and can help reduce the risk of certain diseases. Additionally, vitamin B1 has been linked with cognitive benefits, such as improved memory and focus. Bacopa Monnieri Bacopa Monnieri is one of the best nutrients that you can find a nootropic. It helps to keep you as sharp as possible, which is crucial for those with ADHD. It can even help reduce the risk of developing certain neurological disorders such as Alzheimers disease. Oat Straw Extract Oat Straw Extract has been used for centuries to improve general health and brain health. It is known to provide a variety of benefits from improving cognitive function and reducing stress levels to decreasing inflammation, enhancing immunity, and supporting cardiovascular health. Oat Straw Extract is gaining recognition in the medical world as an effective natural remedy for a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression, Alzheimers disease, ADHD, MS, and Parkinsons disease. Cats Claw Extract The active compounds found in Cats Claw Extract (some of them being isopteropodine, rhynchophylline, pteropodine, and mytraphylline) have been studied extensively and some of the most commonly understood benefits include improved cognitive performance, better memory, reduced stress levels and improved mood. Furthermore, research suggests that it may also help reduce inflammation in the brain which can lead to improved energy levels, better sleep and overall better mental health. Alpha GPC Alpha GPC (Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine) is a naturally occurring choline compound that has been studied for its potential benefits for general health and mental wellbeing, as well as improving cognitive performance. Alpha GPC has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects, including improving memory and learning, reducing anxiety and depression, and providing neuroprotective benefits by increasing acetycholine levels. It may also help to improve focus, reduce fatigue, and increase energy levels. Furthermore, there is evidence that it can help to boost physical performance by increasing the production of growth hormone. Lutemax Lutemax offers a wide range of health benefits, including improved general health and brain health. It contains a unique blend of powerful antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that can help support overall vitality. Huperzia Serrata Huperzia Serrata, also known as Chinese club moss, is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for its numerous health benefits. It has been found to be especially beneficial for overall health. It can help improve cognitive function, reduce inflammation, and increase energy levels. Furthermore, it can boost the immune system and help protect against neurological diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Pterostilbene Pterostilbene is a naturally occurring compound found in blueberries and other fruits. Its been known to have numerous health benefits, including fighting inflammation, boosting cognitive function and improving cardiovascular health. Research has shown that pterostilbene may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and may even be beneficial in treating diabetes. Resveratrol Resveratrol is an antioxidant found naturally in red wine, grapes, peanuts, and some berries. It has been gaining attention for its potential to improve health and wellness as a result of its anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and protective effects on the body. Availability NooCube can be purchased for $64.99 for a one-month supply, which is still considered very expensive for most people. So, Is NooCube The Right Choice For Me? If youd like a stimulant-free nootropic that works to support your immune system and brain health, look no further. If you have a sensitive stomach and still want a stimulant-free nootropic, we recommend taking a look at the next nootropic on our list. NooCube uses a lot of nutrients which can cause minor side effects in those who are extremely sensitive. PURCHASE NOOCUBE AT THE MAIN SITE BY CLICKING HERE. Nooceptin The third best brain supplement for ADHD on our list is Nooceptin. In total, Nooceptin comes with 8 natural ingredients and a completely clean formula without any additives or proprietary blends. This is another product made by the respected SAP Nutra in FDA inspected and cGMP facilities. To get the most out of Nooceptin, take it for 90 days consistently, although it is safe to use it for longer than that. Lets take a closer look at the ingredients and their doses per serving: Lions Mane Extract 400mg Citicoline 200mg L-Theanine 200mg Rhodiola Rosea Extract 150mg Panax Ginseng Extract 200mg Ginkgo Biloba 150mg Bacopa Monnieri Extract 150mg As you can see, everything is shown and you know what you are buying, unlike many supplements on the market that hide particular ingredient doses through proprietary blends. If you have a sensitive stomach and you are looking for a stim-free nootropic for ADHD with the minimal risk of side effects, Nooceptin should work for you, since it has less ingredients than NooCube, so it will be less harsh on the stomach. Even though it has less ingredients, it doesnt mean it is less potent than its competition. All 8 ingredients here are focused on different parts of the brain, which makes them extremely potent at improving focus, memory, reducing stress and anxiety, and protecting brain cells. Our team of young folks tested Nooceptin and they experienced increased levels of focus, making it easier to complete their daily tasks, as well as higher energy levels and motivation. This is extremely important for individuals that struggle with ADHD. Availability If you want to give Nooceptin a try, it can be purchased for $69.00 for a bottle with 90 capsules (a 30-day supply). NOOCEPTIN IS AVAILABLE ON THE MAIN SITE. CONCLUSION BEST NATURAL OTC ADHD MEDICATION There you have it, that was our guide to the best natural over-the-counter alternatives to Adderall. Specifically designed for users with ADHD, Vyvamind is the winner of the three. It contains the least ingredients, however, they are all focused on relieving all the symptoms that people with ADHD disorder struggle with. Alongside that, it is superb at supporting memory, brain cells health, and eliminating mental fatigue. This is a caffeine-containing nootropic. The second best-ranked Adderall alternative of the year is NooCube, delivering a rich formula with natural ingredients that support the brain, as well as the immune system. This is a stim-free nootropic, but can be a bit harsh on the stomach for sensitive people. The third best supplement on our list designed for sensitive people who want a stimulant-free option is Nooceptin. It is ideal if youre looking to keep your mind as sharp as possible and support memory, since it uses ingredients that are mostly focused on that. Nooceptin will also help to reduce anxiety and stress associated with ADHD through some ingredients like Rhodiola Rosea and L-Theanine. Disclaimer: This is a partnered post. The information provided in this post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced product or service do not necessarily reflect those of Network18. Network18 does not vouch for the efficacy or safety of any products mentioned in this post. The reader is advised to conduct their own research and due diligence before purchasing or using any product. Network18 shall not be held responsible for any negative consequences that may arise from the use of any product mentioned in this post. The information does not constitute advice or an offer to buy. Any purchase made from the above press release is made at your own risk. Consult an expert advisor/health professional before any such purchase. Any purchase made from this link is subject to the final terms and conditions of the websites sales as mentioned above as a source. The Advertising Agency and its downstream distribution partners do not take any responsibility directly or indirectly. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the company this news is about. Advertising and Marketing by: This content was marketed by Brandingbyexperts.com on behalf of their client. For queries reach out support@brandingbyexperts.com This is a Partnered Post. Over 60 government doctors in Bihar have been served notices for being on unauthorised leave for at least a year or more. A senior government official familiar with the matter said on Thursday that the state health department has issued notices to doctors across the state for being absent from duty. A notice containing names of such doctors of different health centers and hospitals in this regard was uploaded on the departments website, they said. If no reply is received from the individuals within the stipulated time, it will be construed that he/she has no explanation to offer. In that case the department has the power to initiate disciplinary action against them, said a senior official of the department. Unauthorised absenteeism invites action, including dismissal, under the provisions of government servant conduct rules, he said. The doctors, who were served the notices, have been abstaining from their duty for a minimum of one year and there were some who had not been coming to work for the past five to six years, the official said. The department had sought explanation from the doctors earlier. However, they did not reply. The doctors who have been served the notices include community health centers and those posted in the district hospitals, he said. Patna has the maximum of 14 doctors who have been served notices for unauthorised absence from their duties for several years. Besides, notices have been served to doctors posted at health centers and hospitals at Buxar, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Jamui and Kaimur among others. In January the Bihar government had dismissed 64 doctors who were posted in different districts and hospitals in the state from service for unauthorised absence from their duties for more than five years. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Before taking the step, the government doctors concerned had been given several opportunities to clear the reason for their absence, but they did not submit their replies, the officials 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. Three sniffer dogs with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) called it a day after serving the unit for at least eight years. In a grand ceremony to bid them adieu, they were honored with a ceremonial medal around their backs, offered a cake and showered with flower petals as a token of appreciation for their years of service. A video shared by ANI shows two of the three dogs receiving their awards on the red carpet. Have a look at the video: CISFs three sniffer dogs Rocky, Romeo and Sony of the DMRC unit retired today after completing more than eight years of service. The canines were felicitated for their selfless duty Sony, the German Shepherd dog could not take part in the ceremony due to ill health, the news agency wrote on Twitter. Although the third canine, Sony could not attend the ceremony due to a tumour in its spleen, the other two were seen wiggling their tails. In addition, the dogs got lots of pets and treats as they walked the red carpet accompanied by their handlers to receive their awards. Towards the end of the clip, they were seen sitting in a car decorated with flowers. Over 3 Lakh viewers have watched the clip since it was posted on 31 May. Additionally, more than 3,000 likes have been posted. Heres how Twitter users reacted: Heartwarming ceremony, wrote a Twitter user. Heartwarming ceremony The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) May 31, 2023 Brave Soldiers !!!, joined another. Brave Soldiers !!! GAPPI (@gappi7276) May 31, 2023 Thank you for your service. Good doggies., added a user. Thank you for your service. Good doggies. Arun (@arunparam) May 31, 2023 Thank you for your service you four legged friends of humans. Better than them in most of the cases. Hope you have a healthy and peaceful post retirement period, expressed an account. Thank you for your service you four legged friends of humans. Better than them in most of the cases. Hope you have a healthy and peaceful post retirement period. FFSshutup (@FFSlisten) May 31, 2023 This is so so so beautiful and so much of respect love and care, mentioned a user. This is so so so beautiful and so much of respect love and care gpvinayraj (@gpvinayraj23) May 31, 2023 With the help of Friendicoes-SECA, an animal welfare organisation in Delhi, the retired dogs will now be able to find loving homes for themselves. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Sahil Khan took a nap at a park after stabbing his alleged girlfriend 16-year-old Sakshi on Sunday evening. To avoid being traced, the 20-year-old had switched off his mobile phone and dumped it in a drain near Gupta Colony. His phone has been recovered, but the police have intensified search for the knife used by Sahil in the brazen killing. During the interrogation, Sahil said he threw the weapon in Rithala area. What Sahil did after murdering Sakshi? A report by ToI quoted police saying after throwing away his phone, Sahil walked to Rithala metro station on red line of Delhi Metro. He then took a RTV (rapid transit vehicle) to reach Samaypur Badli. Also Read: Delhi murder: New video shows Sakshi running minutes before being stabbed by Sahil Since it was late at night, Sahil slept at a park and early next morning, he took a bus to Anand Vihar ISBT to take another inter-state bus to his aunts house in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr from where he was arrested. Why Sahil stabbed Sakshi? The report quoted an official privy to the investigation saying that Sakshi, her friend Bhavna and her male friend Jhabru had a fight with Sahil on Saturday. During the fight, he claimed he was threatened and Jhabru who is a known person in the area even told him that he would thrash him if he did not stay away from Sakshi, the official said. Dont Miss: Shahbad Dairy Killing: Not crime of passion, Sahil planned murder for 3 days, say Delhi Police The officer said that Sahil got angry by the threats as the four had a verbal spat in which Sakshi also said demeaning things to him. We are verifying his claims, he added. Sakshis audio message to Sahil Police said that in a purported audio sent by Sakshi to Sahil on Instagram, she asked: Gali ka badmash hai kya tu (are you the goon of the area?) Must Read: Watch what just happened moments before Sahil brutally killed 16-year-old Sakshi Sakshi and Sahil were in a relationship for over a couple of years. Sahil changing statements Police said that Sahil initially said he bought the knife, which he used for stabbing Sakshi, around 15 days back from Haridwar. He later changed his statement and said that he purchased the weapon from Dehradun. Sahil, who worked as AC and fridge mechanic, said that he had bought the knife to show his clout in the neighbourhood and for his safety. We are looking at the cameras at the locations he is speaking about as well as scanning his call data records, the report quoted police official as saying. Sahil was sent to two-day police remand on Tuesday after he was brought to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh on Monday. 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 Unified Payments Interface crossed the milestone of 9 billion monthly transactions in May, according to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The UPI recorded a total of 9.41 billion (941 crores) transactions during the month, NPCI said. Celebrating a milestone moment! Weve crossed a phenomenal #9billion transactions on UPI in the month of May23, & its all thanks to you, India! Together, we are shaping the future of payments. Lets continue this journey of growth and innovation!, NPCI tweeted. According to available data, UPI recorded 8 billion transactions in January this year, followed by 7.5 billion in February, 8.7 billion in March, and 8.89 billion in April. The data also showed that in FY23, the payment system processed a total of 83 billion transactions, amounting to a value of Rs 139 lakh crore, News 18 reported. News 18 cited estimates of PwC India that say UPI transactions are expected to exceed 1 billion per day by 2026-27, accounting for 90% of retail digital payments in the nation. UPI provides services from hundreds of banks and mobile payment applications. The platform has been used by FinTech, banks, and telecom operators, who have further boosted its expansion through QR code placements at merchant point-of-sale. Overall, observers say UPI has been a revolution for the whole economy due to its rapid adoption. News18 recently reported that about 35-40 nations are in negotiations with India to adopt UPI for digital payments. Japan was the latest to say earlier this month that it was considering joining the UPI system. Bhutan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Oman, Qatar, Australia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, and Bahrain are among the nations that have reportedly expressed interest in the digital payments system. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. In a dramatic series of events, chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) nabbed suspected child traffickers in the dead of the night intervening May 30 and 31. Priyank Kanoongo, NCPCR chairperson, was travelling by train from Katni in Madhya Pradesh to Delhi. The entire episode was captured on camera. I suspected a couple who were with a girl, approximately 15 or 16 years of age. They did not seem like her parents and their behaviour towards her was unusual. Upon checking their identity documents, our suspicion was confirmed. We found they were not the girls parents. I called the police and the CWC at the next station that was Sagar. The girl was handed over to CWC and the duo were taken into police custody, NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo told Firstpost. "The Sagar CWC is conducting the girls counselling upon which her statement will be recorded. We have also directed a person to prepare a social report of her home in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. A social report is a sort of survey the NCPCR conducts at the home of the affected child to ascertain the conditions that led to their trafficking as also to determine if the living conditions are healthy enough for the kid to be sent back. 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 is looking for a partnership with the United States (US) to develop marine gas turbine engines that will power the next generation of warships for the Indian Navy. At present, the Indian Navy is dependent on gas turbine engines built by Zorya-Mashproekt of Ukraine. However, due to instability triggered by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the Indian government has now made a move to develop indigenous alternatives through the AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative. If successful, this move by the Indian government may significantly affect the future warship programs of the Indian Navy. Currently, the Indian Navy is using over 150 gas turbine engines manufactured by Zorya-Mashproekt. The LM2500 marine gas turbine engines, made by GE Marine, are already assembled in India by the government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). For 11 Indian naval vessels, including the homegrown aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline warships like those in the P-17 and P-17A class, HAL has successfully delivered 22 LM2500 gas turbines. India is progressing in the development of the Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine (KMGT), the nations first marine gas engine, in addition to the partnership with GE Marine. The 12MW KMGT is capable of producing the same amount of power as a 16MW gas turbine. Full-scale manufacture of the engine wont begin for a few more years until problems with its aero-engine form are being resolved. However, the process of producing indigenous engines for Indian Navy warships will not be an easy task. The transition to indigenous engines is expected to be a complex and time-consuming process that will need to go through elaborate stages such as extensive research, development and testing. Partnerships with global companies such as GE Marine is expected to accelerate this process by leveraging their expertise and experience in marine gas turbine technology. 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 and Nepal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the Phukot Karnali Hydro-Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal. Both countries inked the deal in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. NHPC Limited (A Govt. of India Enterprise) and Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL), Nepal signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) in New Delhi today for the development of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal, the Ministry of Power said in an official statement. It added, NHPC Limited (A Govt. of India Enterprise) and Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL), Nepal signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) in New Delhi today for the development of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal, the Ministry of Power said in an official statement. The project will be capable to carry 480 MW of electricity and generate over 2448 GWh of power. Among the key features of the project, a 109-meter-high RCC dam and an underground powerhouse have been highlighted. Additionally, to utilize minimum environmental release one Surface Power House of 6 MW capacity i.e. two machines of 3 MW each is also planned, the press release added. About the project, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said, As regards our generation, an MoU was signed for the development of 480 MW Phukot Karnali hydropower project in Western Nepal by NHPC India. Further, the signing of the project development agreement for the 679 megawatt Lower Arun Project by Indias Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) was welcomed by the two Prime Ministers. The investment proposal from SJVN worth 92.68 billion Nepali Rupees was given approval in the 53rd meeting of the Investment Board chaired by Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in April this year. During the meeting, both Prime Ministers also expressed their commitment to achieving tangible and time-bound progress on Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, the Foreign Secretary added. With inputs from ANI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Two terrorists associated with the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were arrested along with arms and ammunition in Baramulla, informed Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday. According to the police, the security forces placed a Mobile Vehicle Checkpoint (MVCP) at the Frestihar Waripora crossing after specific information regarding the movement of terrorists in Frestihar Kreeri village. The terrorists tried to flee while noticing the checkpoint but were apprehended by the security forces at Frestihar Kreeri village. The arrested persons were identified as Suhail Gulzar and Waseem Ahmad Pata, said police. A case was registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act at Kreeri police station. The police recovered two Chinese Pistols, two pistol magazines and fifteen live pistol rounds from the accused. During their personal search two Chinese pistols, two pistol magazines and 15 live Pistol rounds were recovered from them and were taken into custody immediately, said police officials. Further investigation was underway. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Thursday said Nepal occupies a very special place in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and that Indias relationship with Nepal is unique and characterised by open borders and civilisational ties. Nepal occupies a very special place under Indias Neighbourhood First Policy. Our relationship with Nepal is unique and characterised by open borders and civilisational ties that are anchored in our shared cultural and religious traditions manifesting strong people-to-people linkages including kinship, the Foreign Secretary said during a special briefing on the visit of the Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda to India. Prachanda who assumed office in December last year is on an official visit to India from May 31-June 3. This is his fourth visit to India. The Foreign Secretary on talks between PM Modi and Nepal PM Dahal said: The talks between the two PMs characterised the traditional warmth and cordiality between our two countries. The two leaders engaged in fairly comprehensive and constructive and future-oriented discussions directed toward taking the India-Nepal bilateral relationship forward in a manner that is constructive, progressive & beneficial for both our societies. According to the Foreign Secretary, the discussions and outcomes covered the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, including political, economic, trade, energy, connectivity, infrastructure cooperation and also development partnership. Kwatra said that the Agniveer issue was not discussed during PM Modi and PM Prachandas meeting. Prachanda on Thursday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an official visit to the Himalayan nation. He said that he is looking forward to welcoming PM Modi to Nepal soon. I have extended a cordial invitation to PM Modi Ji for a visit to visit Nepal. I look forward to welcoming him in Nepal soon, Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal said during the joint press meet at Hyderabad House in Delhi. Speaking to reporters after his meeting with PM Modi, Dahal said that the ties between India and Nepal are age-old and multifaceted. He said that Nepal is happy to see the growth of Indias economy and political landscape under PM Modis leadership. This is my fourth visit to India as the Prime Minister of Nepal. I fondly recall my previous visit in September 2018 and then twice in September and October 2016. I bring with me the greetings and good wishes of the government and the people of Nepal. We are happy to see the remarkable transformation of Indias economy and political landscape under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dahal said. He also congratulated PM Modi on completing nine years in office and said that the ties between the two countries stand on the solid foundation built by the rich tradition of civilizational, cultural and socio-economic linkages. I congratulate Prime Minister Modiji on the completion this week of nine years in government with far-reaching achievements on many fronts. The relationship between India and Nepal is age-old and multifaceted. These relations stand on the solid foundation built on the one hand by the rich tradition of civilizational cultural socio-economic linkage and on the other, by the two countries firm commitment to the time-tested principle of sovereign equality, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, Dahal added. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Manipur violence will be probed by multiple agencies including CBI which will investigate 6 separate incidents of violence, said Home Minister Amit Shah. Addressing the media, Shah said that several agencies are working in Manipur to investigate violent incidents. A high-level CBI probe will be conducted in six incidents of violence that hint at a conspiracy, he said. #WATCH | Several agencies are working in Manipur to investigate violent incidents. High-level CBI probe in 6 incidents of violence that hint at a conspiracy. We will make sure that the investigation is fair: Union Home Minister Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/uH334y3bRF ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2023 Joint Secretary, Joint Director level officers of the Home Minister and other ministries will be present in Manipur to help people and take stock of the situation in the state, he added. The home minister further said I urge citizens of Manipur to not pay heed to fake news. Strict actions will be taken against anyone violating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. Those carrying weapons must surrender before the police. Combing operations will start from Thursday and strict actions will be taken if weapons are found with anyone, he added. The central government has provided 8 teams of medical experts including 20 doctors to Manipur to provide aid to victims of violence in the state, he said, adding that five teams have already reached here and three others are on the way. Education officials will also reach her and will have discussions to provide uninterrupted education facilities to the students, Shah said, adding that online education and examination will be held as per plan. 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 Narendra Modi on Thursday held talks with his visiting Nepalese counterpart Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda, focusing on boosting India-Nepal cooperation in several areas including energy, connectivity and trade. The Nepalese PM began his four-day visit to India on Wednesday. It is the first bilateral trip abroad by the 68-year-old Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) leader after he assumed the top office in December 2022. Transforming the civilisational ties between India and Nepal with deeper cooperation in areas of connectivity, economy, energy and infrastructure will be a focus area of talks between Modi and Prachanda, people familiar with the Nepalese leaders visit to India said. Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old Roti-Beti relationship which refers to cross-border marriages between people of the two countries. The country shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. Nepals access to the sea is through India, and it imports a predominant proportion of its requirements from and through India. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations between the two countries. Nepalese Foreign Minister NP Saud, who is part of Prachandas delegation, said on Wednesday that a wide range of issues including trade, transit, connectivity and the border issues will figure in the bilateral talks. (With inputs from PTI) Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, convicted in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his Modi surname remark, has said he had never imagined that he would get maximum punishment and would be disqualified as Lok Sabha MP. Gandhi made the remarks while delivering a lecture at the Stanford University Campus in California. The Congress leader said that he never thought his disqualification from Lok Sabha was possible when he joined politics, but asserted that it has given him a huge opportunity to work and serve the people. Democracy isnt about opposition, it is about sacred institutions that support the opposition, and those institutions by the capture certainly want to change the role it is supposed to do, Gandhi said. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) of Wayanad (Kerala) till early this year after which he was disqualified from Lok Sabha following his conviction a Surat court in Modi surname remark. First person to be given maximum sentence on defamation The Congress leader said when he joined politics in 2004, he ever imagined what I see going on in our country. It was way outside the way I imagined. To be the first person to be given the first maximum sentence on defamation and maximum sentence to get disqualified. I didnt imagine that something like this was possible, Gandhi said. Opposition is struggling But then, I think its actually given me a huge opportunity. Probably much bigger than the opportunity I would have. Thats just the way politics works, the 52-year-old Gandhi said. I think the drama started really, about six months ago. We were struggling. The entire opposition is struggling in India. Huge financial dominance. Institutional capture. Were struggling to fight the democratic fight in our country, he said. It all happened when he along with his party leaders had decided to walk across the India (through Bharat Jodo Yatra). And we never imagined for a second what would happen when we walked across the country. What would happen not just politically, but in terms of the type of response we got, what would happen to us when we walked across our country he said. Gandhi went on to say that a lot of people asked him what were the lessons learnt from it. And for a long time I couldnt find an answer I have picked up so much information about the country and what needs to be done. It was a beautiful experience of my life, 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. Sakshi Murder Case: The sensational murder of a young girl by her alleged lover in Delhis Shahbad Dairy area has left the family of the victim devastated. After the murder of the victim Sakshi, her mother is in a bad condition. Talking to the media, she rued the fact that no one came to save her daughter when she was being murder brutally in the street. This rumor is being spread that we already knew about Sahil Khan. The truth is that we did not know anything. Humanity had died in the street that day. But, no one came forward to save my daughter. Had I been passing by, I would have pelted stones. I just want justice, no matter how long it takesjust justice, the victims mother said. Both of Sakshis parents had reportedly fallen unconscious after hearing of the fate of their daughter. People are saying that our family knew Sahil much before this incident, but it is not so. He has killed my daughter and I want justice, Sakshis mother said. Referring to Neetu, Sakshis mother says, The husband of the girl she used to live with is in jail. My daughter used to teach tuition and take care of two children. No one can imagine what would be going through the mind of the mother of a girl who is no more. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There have been many instances when citizens have taken action against potholes and the bad condition of roads. But this video doing the rounds of social media is different. Lets just say that you will have never seen something like this. Wondering what the fuss is about? A video that depicts villagers using their bare hands to lift a recently built road has stunned the internet. The incident, which reportedly happened in Maharashtra, showcases a carpet-like material placed directly beneath the road. The road was constructed by a local contractor, identified as Rana Thakur in the video. In the clip, the villagers express their discontent with the poor quality of work, referring to it as bogus, as they hold the carpet beneath the asphalt. In traditional road construction, a blend of gravel, sand, and compacted soil is employed to ensure long-lasting durability. But, in this instance, the mixture was carelessly applied directly onto a carpet-like material, indicating a hurried approach to finish the project. At present, the villagers are reportedly pursuing justice and making efforts to identify the engineer responsible for approving this substandard work. The video received a wide range of remarks in the comment section from the users. Some people said that the contractors must be extra cautious as their work is being closely monitored by a large number of people. The contractors should be doubly sure that their work is being observed by so many People. Unlike earlier situations, people are very vigilent. A KAMASASTRY (@saisastry2010) June 1, 2023 An account wrote, Strict action is needed on this. Strict action is needed on this Jinxpm (@Jinxpm1) June 1, 2023 As reported by the Free Press Journal, the occurrence unfolded in Karjat-Hast Pokhari, a region situated in Maharashtras Jalna district. The construction of the road took place under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PM Rural Road Scheme). According to the outlet, the contractor purportedly utilised German technology for the roads construction. The video reveals that this claim turned out to be unfounded as the villagers exposed the makeshift solution. The local residents also voiced their criticism towards the Maharashtra government and demanded action against the engineer who approved the substandard work, as reported by the Free Press Journal. As per information provided on the Make in India website, India possesses the second largest road network globally, spanning approximately 63.32 lakh kilometres. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has established multiple agencies to carry out road construction, including the National Highways Authority of India, the Public Works Departments of various states and Union Territories, the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, the Border Roads Organisation, and the Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE). 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 Karnataka Assembly Elections are now done and dusted. The results have been analysed to death. It has added a new spring in the feet of Congressmen. And, they can barely conceal their excitement. The renewed confidence was evident in their recalcitrant stand on the opening of the new parliament building. It is being amplified in the speeches of Rahul Gandhi on his just commenced tour of the United States of America. Many factors have been attributed to the partys performance that surpassed the expectations of pollsters and political observers the primary one being the Five Guarantees to the electorate. These included 200 units of free electricity per month to every household, 2,000 every month to every woman head of a family, 10kg of rice every month to every member of BPL family, 3,000 dole to unemployed graduates, Free travel for women in ordinary public transport buses across Karnataka. Post poll surveys indicate a major swing among the economically weaker section towards the Congress. Thus, obviously, the lure of sops worked in its favour. A similar trend was observed earlier in Himachal Pradesh where Congress pipped BJP to the post. There too Congress made a number of populist promises. The primary one being reverting to the old pension scheme which struck a chord among the large population of retired government employees in the state. Similarly, the Aam Aadmi Partys phenomenal performance in Punjab was based on its Delhi template of freebies. Interestingly, in Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has been decrying the culture of freebies that the prime minister famously called Rewadis (candies), buckled under pressure and made counter offers of three free gas-cylinders and half-a-litre of milk. Even in Himachal Pradesh it had talked of providing 125 units of free electricity against Congress pledge of 200 units. Thus in a way it may be said that all political parties are equal opportunity offenders when it comes to electoral populism. The problem is of course the cost to the exchequer. The 5 Guarantees of the Congress in Karnataka, if implemented, is estimated to cost the state exchequer over Rs 50,000 crore. This would amount to around 22 per cent of the states total revenue receipts. This may not look alarming at face-value because Karnatakas fiscal position is relatively better than many states. However, the situation is not so hunky-dory in all states. Telangana, for example, has committed nearly 35 per cent of its revenue receipts to populist schemes. The Congress has already indicated that having tasted success in Karnataka it is going to replicate the template in other large states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan that are coming up for polls later this year. This will no doubt trigger a new cycle of competitive populism. The implications of such fiscal profligacy are worrying. Many of our states are deep in debt. The national average of liabilities of states is as high as 31 per cent of their total GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product). A large part of state revenue earnings is spent in servicing debts. In the case of some large states like Punjab, West Bengal, Kerala the figure is above 20 per cent. Simultaneously, the revenue receipts of most states have been falling as a percentage of GSDP. This creates a financial situation that is untenable in the long run. However, this is not likely to stop with the states. It will be safe to assume that having failed to market its idea of an universal basic income NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana) in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections the Congress will relaunch it again with a new packaging. That might force the BJPs hands to come up with something even more attractive, taking us back down the road of socialist economic policies from the path of reforms the country had embarked upon. The political roots of such a policy U-turn lies in the belief that the BJP has been the beneficiary of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes for the weaker sections of the society, especially during the pandemic. This created for BJP a labharthi (beneficiaries) constituency that the opposition is trying to break into. It has been argued that the DBT schemes served the country well in tiding through the Covid Crisis when the prospects of food scarcity were real. But having navigated through the troubled waters, in which India fared better than most large economies around the world, it was time for us to move towards fiscal consolidation and usher in the next wave of reforms. A return to the socialist era will be retrograde at this juncture. The counter argument to this is when basic survival is in question the future can wait. However, to make it a binary proposition would be a mistake. Here is where targeted welfare programmes in which the last mile delivery is ensured through DBT becomes important. It also allows focussed intervention over blanket schemes such as free bus which are prone to wastage and misuse. The need of the hour is capacity creation which for example means skill development rather than providing unemployment doles that will further breed an aversion to work, as already seen in several parts of the country that were spoiled by sops. Often the choice is stark between building social infrastructure such as rural schools and public healthcare over vote catching vows that are seldom fulfilled. The world is talking of Indias demographic dividend. The way to encash it is by empowering the youth with relevant skills (not necessarily text book education) to take advantage of the opportunities that are knocking at the countrys doors due to the changing geo-politics and readjustment of global economic power equations. The path of reforms is always painful. The job of the government is to hold the hands of the people through this difficult journey and not distributing candies or administering placebo. The second is a slippery slope. Though India may not go the way of Sri Lanka, it can set us back by several years. The Narendra Modi government must find creative means of meeting peoples aspirations without walking into the trap of populist politics. That is what the nation would expect of a visionary leader. The author is a current affairs commentator, marketer, blogger and leadership coach, who tweets at @SandipGhose. 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. The ongoing tussle between the army and Tehreek-e-Insaf has taken an ugly turn, with the latters leader Imran Khan alleging that thousands of women workers from his party have been picked up by the establishment and they are being raped, tortured and kept in inhumane conditions. This also brings back the focus on the status of women political workers in Pakistans polity. It couldnt have been more ironical that the issue of mistreatment and harassment of women political workers has come back to the fore when the first lady of Pakistan is known for having suffered a great deal. Tehmina Durrani, wife of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, came to be known as a strong feminist voice after she wrote an explosive first-hand account of exposing the rottenness of Pakistani society and polity especially in the context of women. Durranis My Feudal Lord shocked the outside world as she gave first-hand account of how she suffered at the hands of Pakistani politician Ghulam Mustafa Khar. Durrani was the sixth wife of Khar and while she was married to him, he was sleeping with her younger sister who was 13 years old. Durrani explained that she wrote this book to give an insight into the socio-economic disorder in Pakistan. Mustafa Khar and other feudal lords thrive and multiply on silence. Muslim women must learn to raise their voices against injustice. For me, conventional politics was no longer the answer. In Pakistan, the system is merely used to hoodwink further those who are already exploited. I realized that I could do no greater service for my country and our people than to expose the camouflage, wrote Durrani. Rafia Zakaria explains quite aptly the feudal mindset of Pakistani society and establishment, especially when it comes to dealing with women activists, through her book, The Upstairs Wife: An intimate History of Pakistan. She recounts an incident that happened on 16 November, 1988, that tells you how women are treated in Pakistans polity if they try to raise any issue. On 16 November, 1988, a young college girl, Bushra Zaidi, was run over by a bus. Three of her friends were badly injured. The bus was driven by a Pashtun and the police refused to take any action against the driver. According to Zakaria, All indications were that this event would be quickly forgotten. At least an hour after the accident the incident was revealed to be different. (But) a new generation of girls had been brought up behind the walls of that educational facility, unprivileged girls raised just like Bushra Zaidi inside the tight limits of airless rooms and insecure respectability, Karachi girls who had believed in college and education, and stared down and dodged the very buses that had killed their classmate. When these girls heard that no police report had been filed and no charges lodged against the driver for killing Bushra Zaidi, they grew agitated. Wet with tears and reddened with anger, they congregated in clusters around the cheap, painted desks, holding textbooks of anatomy and geography and Urdu literature, sweating and crying under the slow-moving fans. Their anguish and frustration swelled when their teachers tried to force them to sit down and fix their gaze once again at the blackboards covered with equations. They refused. When they were pushed out of the classrooms, they collected in the corridors; when they were pushed out of the corridors, they came outside. Hours after Bushra Zaidi died on the street outside Sir Syed Girls College, the girls came out into the heat, into the hordes of men that still waited at the gates, into the blood puddles that marked the spot where their friends were hit. The police who had surrounded the college after the incident, the police who were refusing to register a report against the driver, now panicked. They had never before seen girls emerge into a street, young girls, college girls shouting slogans. The crowd of girls grew as more and more emerged from the buildings. A few hours after Bushra Zaidis death, in the scorching late afternoon heat of a Karachi April, the street was full of angry, young girls. Slowly, the demonstration inched toward a police van parked outside the gate, their every step forward marked with their collective chant for justice for the dead Bushra. The policemen in the van were outnumbered. Zakaria shares the harrowing details of how it ended for these college girls. Rather than standing by, allowing the wispy, unarmed girls, they charged at them with the police van. It was mayhem. One girl at the front of the line folded to the ground in the first frontal assault of the van. Then the policemen in their black and khaki uniforms stormed the crowd of chanting girls and began to beat them with batons. These were untouched girls who never spoke to strange men, girls who were permitted to leave their homes only to get an education, girls who asked shopkeepers to place objects on counters to avoid even the barest brush of a male hand, girls who had never protested. The policemen didnt care. They grabbed and groped the girls, their breasts, faces, and hair, intent on teaching them a lesson. They were being taught not to leave the boundaries of their campus, not to ask for something the men did not want to give them; they were being taught the consequences for speaking up. Other police vans arrived, with more men and more batons and more guns and more anger. Crumpled by their numbers and their guns, the weeping, beaten girls retreated inside the college walls and the terrified college administration shut the gates to hold back the swarm of armed police. But this still didnt end. The military assault on the girls continued. Shells were lobbed over the college walls, streaming tear gas through the open windows of the buildings and leaving hundreds of girls crouched on the ground, coughing, sputtering, and crying. After the killing of Bushra Zaidi, Karachi erupted. Zaidi was a Muhajir. There were clashes between Pashtuns and Muhajirs. Zakaria says, In the days that followed, hundreds died, and from their blood a fifth ethnicity emerged in Pakistan. There were no longer Sindhis, Punjabis, Balochis, and Pashtuns, each neatly attached to a province in a country that then had four of them. This new ethnicity was called Muhajir, or refugee, an umbrella name for all those whose families migrated to Pakistan post-1947, all those who now lived in a Karachi straining at its seams. Justice for Bushra Zaidis death did not come until almost two years later, and it was a justice erected on the shoulders of ethnicity, of who belonged where. Benazir Bhutto won the general elections but she had lost Karachi that was swept by the Muhajir Qaumi Movement (a political movement to obtain equal rights for Muhajirs, migrants from India). However, MQM was later crushed by the Pakistani army. In fact, women activists in several other parts of Pakistan such as Balochistan and Sindh have been suffering at the hands of the Pakistani army and establishment for more than seven decades. The same had happened earlier to Eastern Pakistan also where women were specifically targeted by Pakistans Punjabi generals and politicians. History is repeating itself but with a little twist as this time it is not the Baloch, Sindhi or women from NWFP or POJK which are being targeted, it is Punjabi women activists who are being targeted by the Pakistani army. And all that is happening with the backing of Shehbaz Sharif. This is truly the latest generation of Pakistani feudal lords! The writer, author and columnist, has written several books. He tweets @ArunAnandLive. 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. A particularly bad idea refuses to go away. A high-level committee of American lawmakers at a meeting held on 24 May as recommended strengthening the NATO-Plus framework by including India in the grouping. NATO-Plus is a five-member security arrangement that brings together NATO, the 31-member post-War military alliance between the United States and Europe, and five treaty allies of the US Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea. The aim, say media reports, is to boost global defence cooperation and win the strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US on 22 June, the recommendation by the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the US and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) led by chairman Mike Gallagher and ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi holds added significance. Interesting to note that the policy proposal, centred around enhancing Taiwans deterrence, was overwhelmingly adopted by its members, consisting of 13 Republican and 11 Democratic representatives. It reflects bipartisan consensus on India in a deeply polarised Washington DC. While the China committee has no regulatory authority beyond recommendations, it is a bellwether of the mood in at least a section of Capitol Hill that believes envisaging Indias help is not only important to counterbalance Chinas influence in Indo-Pacific, New Delhis active participation should be sought or is even expected in the event of a conflict between US and China. These presumptions are intriguing for a strategic partnership that is underwritten by no security guarantees, nor are there any expectations of mutual defence, let alone obligations of joining or contributing towards any military coalition. And yet, even though it might not be true of the White House, such an expectation seems to have taken root in Washington if Ashley Telliss much-discussed lament is anything to go by. Tellis, one of the strongest backers of US-India ties in Washington, in a piece titled Americas Bad Bet on India in the May issue of Foreign Affairs magazine, wrote that should a major conflict between Washington and Beijing erupt in East Asia or the South China Sea, India would certainly want the United States to prevail. But it is unlikely to embroil itself in the fight. Americas desire to embroil India in a formalised defence relationship isnt a terribly new idea. Congressman Ro Khanna, a progressive Democrat from California, has long been advocating tying India closer to a defence security alignment with the US. He told an Indian news agency last year that adding India as the sixth country to the NATO-Plus framework would facilitate and make it easier to have a growing defence partnership and formalise the alignment in a way that makes it easier for India to get quick Congressional approvals for defence agreements. As we shall presently see, thats a compelling, but not a convincing argument. Khannas comments came close on the heels of the US House of Representatives in July last year approving with an overwhelming majority an amendment to the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) that seeks to deepen India-US defence ties. Hewing India closer to NATO is an idea that has found acceptance even across the Atlantic. In April this year, Julianne Smith, US NATO ambassador, said that the alliance is open to more engagement should India seek that even if the expansion of the military alliance was not yet on offer. She was quite clear that in terms of the future with India, I think NATOs door is open, hinting at more possibilities. The idea has found acceptance among some influential Indian commentators. C Raja Mohan, for instance, has written that a pragmatic engagement with NATO must be an important part of Indias new European orientation, especially amidst the continents search for a new role in the Indo-Pacific. Yet the idea of India engaging with NATO, or becoming a member of the extended NATO-Plus framework, deserves closer scrutiny. Washingtons enthusiasm for enmeshing India into a security alliance is understandable. It seeks to build on Indias shared interest in thwarting Chinese hegemonic plans in Indo-Pacific and hopes that bolstering Indias capabilities through close security cooperation and military-to-military teamwork will eventually lead to a formalization of the relationship resembling the Euro-Atlantic framework. American strategic culture is partial towards treaty-bound alliances, unlike limited-liability partnerships that India favours. The carrot being held out, as the US Congressional panel points out, that NATO-Plus allows for seamless intelligence sharing between members and India would therefore access the latest military technology without much of a time lag. For a country desperate to attain and upgrade its defence industrial capabilities, this should be a deal-breaker. Or is it? There are compelling arguments against Indias joining of the NATO framework, and the carrot being dangled by the US albeit at a nascent, ideational level isnt a deal-sealer. First, it is possible to argue that India may still enjoy tangible benefits of an ally of the US without binding itself in a treaty-based framework. The backbone of India-US defence partnership is the bilateral initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) signed in early 2023, that has injected much-needed impetus into defence industrial cooperation by expanding technology partnership between governments, businesses, and academic institutions. The impact of iCET has been significant. Before its signing, despite more structured and organized security cooperation, as Gopal Nadadur and Dhruva Jaishankar point out in a paper for ORF America, defense coproduction and research and development (R&D) have not grown as significantly, despite some marginal successes. The Defense Trade & Technology Initiative (DTTI), despite some modest success with air-launched unmanned aerial systems, has not produced the results that were once envisioned. That has changed rather dramatically. Indian media is reporting that Modis state visit to the US might witness the announcement of a major defence deal a multi-billion-dollar government-to-government agreement for Americas GE (General Electric) to coproduce F414 jet engines in India for MK2 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) being built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The spadework for this deal was done during Ajit Dovals meeting with Jake Sullivan in Washington in January when the iCET initiative was announced. A White House fact sheet released on January 31 had pointed out that the United States has received an application from General Electric to jointly produce jet engines that could power jet aircraft operated and produced indigenously by India. The United States commits to an expeditious review of this application. The speed with which it fructified indicates Biden administrations urgency in producing a tangible. The deal, pending Congressional review and approval, involves 100 percent transfer of technology (ToT) aimed at boosting Indias capabilities in defense innovation and production. This wouldnt have been possible without the iCET framework and the White House lifting the heavy load in lowering the barriers. The Print reports, quoting sources in Indias defence establishment, that once production of GE F414 starts in India, it will power all future fighter jets including the Tejas Mk II, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) as well as the indigenous Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) for the Indian Navy. To circle back to the original question, has Indias status that of a strategic partner and a major defence partner, but not a treaty ally been a hindrance in achieving a breakthrough in a deal of such import? Importantly, though its not a done deal yet, the answer is in the negative. So, the argument that India must join a NATO-Plus or an equivalent security alliance to get access to sophisticated tech bypassing the export control framework isnt a valid one. The counter-argument is that American allies get better and faster access to top tech. Scratch the surface and it becomes evident that even the staunchest of US treaty allies, such as Australia, fall prey to Americas gargantuan bureaucracy and iffy-ness from some lawmakers when it comes to cutting-edge technology. An Australian defence official has recently blamed the permafrost layer of middle management for delay in transfer of technology on AUKUS. As Seema Sirohi writes in Times of India, The hope is the GE deal wont get caught up in the wider debate on tech transfer issues related to the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) nuclear submarine deal, which is experiencing delays because of export controls. India is a middle power situated in a tough neighbourhood. The case may be made for India hitching its boat to NATO or any other military-defence framework led by the US. There have even been murmurs of the upgradation of QUAD into a defence alliance. Yet the moment India signs into a hub-and-spokes alliance system (that includes NATO, which has expanded to evolve into a US-centric alliance from a multilateral system), New Delhi relinquishes its great-power aspirations and makes it difficult for itself to rise as the third pole. Indias unique positioning, which External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has described as a responsible development partner, a First Responder, and a voice of the Global South aspects (that) reflect a quest towards becoming a leading power, along with its status as the fastest-growing large economy, the worlds most populous nation (with a young demography to boot), the fifth largest economy that powers the worlds second-largest military, endow New Delhi with ambitions that cant be met with junior-partner status. India is still in the state-building stage, trying to enhance its capacities and unlock the full potential of its citizens. The best option for India right now would be to manage external turbulences, leverage rival power centres and derive benefits for itself as it has done in dealing with the war in Europe and create more policy space to facilitate its own rise. Given the formidable threat posed by China, the prospect of joining a US-led alliance system may be lucrative, but ultimately self-defeating. Third, Tellis is right when he says that India wont rush to assist the US or involve itself in any confrontation with Beijing that does not directly threaten its own security. On the flip side, India does not expect the US to explicitly provide support in the event of a China-related crisis. Does this provide a basis for a security alliance or operational integration? The answer is, no. Any security pact constraints Indias hand and does not allow it to pursue an independent China policy, even though both nations have a mutual interest in arresting Chinas aggressiveness in Indo-Pacific. Writing in Foreign Affairs, Arzan Tarapore points out that India and the United States sometimes have differing policy priorities and use different tactics to achieve similar goals These differences do not make India an outlier among Washingtons global partners. Even formal US alliesthose with written security guaranteesdo not see eye to eye with Washington when it comes to China. What this means in real terms is that India seeks to profit from its status as a swing state amid great power rivalries. Though it has steadily intensified security and defence partnership with the US, it is under no obligation to take part in the security competition or any possible conflict over Taiwan. In fact, if such an eventuality were to arise, India would hope that by not taking a direct part in the conflict between China and US-plus-allies, or avoiding a strong antagonistic posture against Beijing, it may ease off some of the tension that exists in its Himalayan border. It hopes that the West will not hold its neutrality against it because it has never pretended otherwise. The West may out pressure but as the Ukraine conflict has shown, India is adept at dealing with it. Joining a US-led security alliance would harm Indias attempt at optimal positioning and pursuit of interests during conflicts and degrade its ability to walk the tightrope or be diplomatically nimble, whichever the case may be. New Delhi is well positioned to become Chinas biggest rival in Asia, the democratic bulwark against an authoritarian one-party system that aims to become Asias hegemon. The West would be well served to facilitate Indias rise, not force it into a treaty alliance. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had a dialogue with South Africa Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Durban on Thursday. A warm meeting with Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor of South Africa. Thank her for hosting us in the Indo-Atlantic city of Cape Town. Reviewed the progress of our strategic partnership and agreed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic ties in a fitting manner. Exchanged views on BRICS, IBSA, G20 and UN where we have a strong tradition of cooperating closely, Jaishankar said in a statement on Twitter after the meeting. Earlier on Thursday, Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and discussed issues of bilateral and global interests. Jaishankar, who is in South Africa to participate in a conclave of five-nation grouping BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa), held talks with Lavrov on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting. Good to meet FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia in Cape Town this morning on BRICS FMM sidelines. Our discussions covered bilateral matters, BRICS, G20 and SCO, Jaishankar said in a tweet. India will hold the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and G-20 summits in July and September respectively. In the last few months, India has become a leading importer of discounted crude oil from Russia notwithstanding increasing disquiet in the West over the procurement in view of Russian invasion of Ukraine. Indias economic engagement with Russia has been on a major upswing in the last one year, largely due to its procurement of discounted Russian oil. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been pushing for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. On Wednesday, Jaishankar said these are still early days for conflict resolution between Ukraine and Russia as presently, the focus is on problems such as a grain corridor, nuclear issues and matters related to the exchange of prisoners of war. In an interview to DD India, Jaishankar noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of global trade. Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other BRICS nations. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and discussed issues of bilateral and global interests. Jaishankar, who is in South Africa to participate in a conclave of five-nation grouping BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa), held talks with Lavrov on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting. Good to meet FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia in Cape Town this morning on BRICS FMM sidelines. Our discussions covered bilateral matters, BRICS, G20 and SCO, Jaishankar said in a tweet. India will hold the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and G-20 summits in July and September respectively. In the last few months, India has become a leading importer of discounted crude oil from Russia notwithstanding increasing disquiet in the West over the procurement in view of Russian invasion of Ukraine. Indias economic engagement with Russia has been on a major upswing in the last one year, largely due to its procurement of discounted Russian oil. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been pushing for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. On Wednesday, Jaishankar said these are still early days for conflict resolution between Ukraine and Russia as presently, the focus is on problems such as a grain corridor, nuclear issues and matters related to the exchange of prisoners of war. In an interview to DD India, Jaishankar noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his other BRICS counterparts. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for official visit to Himalayan nation. He said that he is looking forward to welcoming PM Modi in Nepal soon. I have extended a cordial invitation to PM Modi Ji for a visit to visit Nepal. I look forward to welcoming him in Nepal soon, Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal said during the joint press meet at Hyderabad House in Delhi. Speaking to reporters after his meeting with PM Modi, Dahal said that the ties between India and Nepal are age-old and multifaceted. He said that Nepal is happy to see the growth of Indias economy and political landscape under PM Modis leadership. This is my fourth visit to India as the Prime Minister of Nepal. I fondly recall my previous visit in September 2018 and then twice in September and October in 2016. I bring with me the greetings and good wishes of the government and the people of Nepal. We are happy to see the remarkable transformation of Indias economy and political landscape under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dahal said. He also congratulated PM Modi on completing nine years in the office and said that the ties between the two countries stand on the solid foundation built by the rich tradition of civilizational, cultural and socio-economic linkages. I congratulate Prime Minister Modiji on completion this week of nine years in government with far-reaching achievements on many fronts. The relationship between India and Nepal are age-old and multifaceted. These relations stand on the solid foundation built on the one hand by the rich tradition of civilizational cultural socio-economic linkage and on the other, by the two countries firm commitment to the time-tested principle of sovereign equality, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, Dahal added. Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that he and PM Modi made an extensive review of the progress in the India-Nepal ties and appreciated Neighbourhood First policy of India. He stated that they discussed on further strengthening cooperation between two nations. Today, as Prime Minister Modiji mentioned, we made an extensive review of the progress in our relation and renewed our commitment to further extend this relation and cooperation. I appreciate Prime Minister Modijis Neighbourhood First policy. In our meeting today, we discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas including trade, transit, investment, hydropower development, power, trade, irrigation, agriculture, connectivity including air entry routes, railways, bridge, transmission line, expansion of petroleum pipeline, construction of integrated checkposts as well as cultural and people to people contact, Dahal said. Dahal said that he and PM Modi discussed the boundary matter. He said that Nepal is happy to join Indias multilateral initiative of the International Solar Alliance. Prime Minister Modiji and I discussed the boundary matter. I urged Prime Minister Modiji to resolve the boundary matter through the established bilateral diplomatic mechanism. I commended the role played and initiative taken by Prime Minister Modiji during Indias G20 presidency as well as SCO Chairmanship including for giving voice to the issues of concern to the global south. Nepal is happy to join Indias multilateral initiative of the International Solar Alliance and more recently the International Big Cap Alliance, he said. He called India Nepals close neighbour and important partner for the development and prosperity. He congratulated India for its achievement as New Delhi celebrates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. We also discussed about the establishment of fertiliser plant in Nepal in joint venture and well try our best to work together for the successful completion of the project. India is Nepals close neighbour and important partner for the development and prosperity. As Nepal moves ahead on the path of graduating from LDC status by 2026, Indias continued support and goodwill remains important for us, Dahal 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. During a recent conference in Manhattan, Dr Garry Nolan, an immunologist and professor at Stanford University, and Nobel Prize nominee made a bold assertion, stating that there is an absolute certainty, a 100 per cent, that extraterrestrial life forms have visited Earth in the past and continue to be present on our planet today. Also read: Alien mock signal sent to Earth from Mars for the first time Drawing an analogy to historical events, Nolan compared the potential encounters with aliens to the first sightings of Spanish ships by South American tribes, suggesting that humans might have already come across these beings without realizing their true nature. Aliens among us, but not how we think them to be According to him, these intelligent life forms likely utilize intermediaries or some advanced form of intelligence, rather than directly mingling among us disguised as humans. Nolan views this as a test of intelligence, a challenge to perceive the presence of these entities. However, the Stanford professor emphasized that he harbours no concerns about aliens posing a threat to humanity. He dismissed notions of alien invasions or abductions, emphasizing that his interest lies in exploring how humans could benefit from any alien technology that may have been left behind on Earth. Also read: US probing 650 incidents of possible UFO sightings Nolan further disclosed his involvement with the CIA, where he utilized his expertise in immunology to investigate medical issues experienced by individuals allegedly affected by interactions with unidentified aerial phenomena. He noted the striking similarity between the symptoms exhibited by these patients and the condition known as Havana syndrome, which was first reported in Cuba in 2016 and has affected several US officials and military personnel stationed abroad. Worked with the CIA Additionally, Nolan asserts that he was involved in CIA research initiatives that involved the examination of materials purportedly discovered at locations where UFOs had been sighted. He claims to have been in contact with individuals who have either worked or are presently involved in covert programs focused on the reverse engineering of UFO technology. Nolan and attorney Daniel Sheehan revealed that, recently, several whistleblowers, believed to be up to six in number, spoke with the US Congress. These individuals claimed to have been part of programs reminiscent of the Roswell incident, involving the retrieval of crashed UFOs and subsequent efforts to understand and replicate their advanced technology. The US changing attitude to UFOs In response to the growing interest in UFO-related matters, President Joe Biden signed a law last year mandating that the Pentagon provide classified reports to high-ranking senators regarding any undisclosed programs pertaining to UFOs. Congress also enacted legislation to safeguard whistleblowers who had participated in such programs. Also read: Out of this world: As first public hearing on UFOs in 50 years begins, a look at the term and most infamous sightings However, during a Senate hearing last month, Sean Kirkpatrick, the head of the Pentagons All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), testified that there is still no conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial life. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Amazon employees appear to be quite unhappy with various mandates imposed by the company. In recent months, the e-commerce giant has laid off thousands of workers and changed its policies regarding working from the office, which has negatively impacted many employees and caused frustration. As a result, 1,816 employees are planning to stage a protest today in front of Amazons Spheres building in Seattle. This number may increase to 2,000 as more workers are encouraged to join. Walkouts taking place globally According to Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ) and Amazons Remote Advocacy community leaders, The walkout is confirmed! Approximately 1,816 employees worldwide have already pledged to participate, with 873 of them based in Seattle. We invite you to join 1,816 of our coworkers (and counting) in walking out. The protesting employees are demanding a voice in the companys decision-making process, particularly those that directly impact them. The main focus of their concerns is Amazons recent mandate regarding returning to the office, which was implemented earlier this month. They added, Employees should have a say in decisions that affect our lives, such as the return-to-work mandate and how our work contributes to the acceleration of the climate crisis. Agitation over work-from-office policies and layoffs Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently stated in a letter to shareholders that employees are required to come to the office three days a week, as he believes people learn and perform better in a physical office environment. He also believes that innovation thrives when employees work together in person. A company spokesperson shared, We are pleased with the positive results we have seen in the first month of having more employees back in the office. There is a greater sense of energy, collaboration, and connections, and we have received positive feedback from many employees and neighbouring businesses. The spokesperson further added, We understand that the transition back to the office will take time, and we have multiple teams working hard to ensure a smooth adjustment for our employees. Regarding the protest, Amazon told GeekWire that they always listen to their employees and will continue to do so. Amazon moving in the wrong direction, say employees scarred by layoffs In response to the situation, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice and Amazon Remote Advocacy expressed in a statement, This protest is a reflection of Amazon moving in the wrong direction and losing the trust of its employees. We want what is best for Amazon. Long-term thinking and employee voices are integral to the Day 1 culture that has contributed to Amazons success, and we aim to reignite that culture. It is worth noting that Amazon recently terminated an additional 9,000 employees after letting go of around 18,000 earlier this year. The layoffs affected various departments, including advertising, human resources, Twitch units, and cloud computing. Amazon attributed the layoffs to overhiring and uncertain economic conditions. In total, the company has now terminated 27,000 employees if we combine both rounds of layoffs. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. On Wednesday, Amazon reached an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to settle allegations that it violated a child privacy law and deceived parents regarding the storage of childrens voice and location data collected by its popular Alexa voice assistant. As part of the settlement, Amazon agreed to pay a civil penalty of $25 million. Additionally, the company agreed to refund customers $5.8 million for privacy violations related to its Ring doorbell camera. Problem with how data is collected and stored The action taken against Amazon in relation to Alexa includes requirements to revamp its data deletion practices and implement more stringent and transparent privacy measures. Furthermore, the tech giant is obligated to delete specific data collected by its internet-connected digital assistant, which is widely used for various purposes such as checking the weather, playing games, and streaming music. Samuel Levine, the consumer protection chief of the FTC, stated that Amazons past actions of misleading parents, retaining childrens recordings indefinitely, and disregarding parents requests for deletion violated the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and prioritized profits over privacy. COPPA, enacted in 1998, aims to protect children from online dangers. FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya emphasized that when parents requested Amazon to delete their childrens Alexa voice data, the company failed to delete all of it. Consequently, the agency instructed Amazon to delete inactive child accounts and specific voice and geolocation data. Amazon collected childrens voice data to train smart speakers According to Bedoya, Amazon retained the childrens data to improve its voice recognition algorithm, which powers Alexa, Echo, and other smart speakers. The FTCs complaint serves as a warning to all technology companies racing to develop AI datasets, indicating that such practices will not be tolerated in the face of fierce competition. FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya tweeted that nothing resonates more with a parent than the sound of their childs voice. Amazon recently announced that it has sold over 500 million Alexa-enabled devices worldwide and experienced a 35 per cent increase in service usage last year. The case against Ring Regarding the Ring case, the FTC alleges that Amazons subsidiary, responsible for home security cameras, allowed employees and contractors to access private videos of consumers. Furthermore, lax security practices enabled hackers to gain control of certain accounts. Amazon acquired Ring, headquartered in California, in 2018, and many of the violations mentioned by the FTC occurred before the acquisition. The FTCs order mandates Ring to pay $5.8 million for consumer refunds. Amazon stated its disagreement with the FTCs allegation ns concerning both Alexa and Ring, denying any violation of the law. However, the company acknowledged that the settlements would resolve these matters. A defiant Amazon According to Amazon, their devices and services are designed to safeguard customers privacy and provide them with control over their experiences. The Seattle-based company expressed its commitment to complying with the FTCs orders. In addition to the fine related to Alexa, the proposed order prohibits Amazon from using deleted geolocation and voice data to create or enhance any data products. The order also requires Amazon to establish a privacy program for its utilization of geolocation information. The proposed orders are subject to approval by federal judges. The charges brought against Amazon in both cases were unanimously voted upon by FTC commissioners. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. According to a report from Toms Hardware, a Chinese computer hardware producer recently introduced a new chip that is suspected to be a rebranded version of an integrated circuit (IC) from Intel Corp. This suspicion arose after a central processing unit (CPU) benchmark test conducted by Geekbench, an online cross-platform utility run by Primate Labs, revealed that Powerleaders Powerstar P3-01105 CPUs were identical to Intels Core i3-10105 Comet Lake CPU. Chinas history of silicon and scandals The findings from Geekbench were widely reported by both Chinese and foreign media outlets specializing in computer hardware. If confirmed, this would be the latest scandal to affect Chinas efforts in developing domestic chips, following the notorious Hanxin case in 2006. The Hanxin chip initially celebrated as a project that would establish Shanghai as a leading chip manufacturing centre, was later revealed to involve serious falsification and fraud by Chen Jin, the developer from Shanghais Jiaotong University. Powerleaders manipulative move Powerleader, a company manufacturing servers and personal computers since 1997, had previously relied on Intel processors before announcing on May 7 the release of its first-generation Powerstar CPUs. The company is owned by Shenzhen Powerleader Investment Holding, which also owns the Hong Kong-listed PowerLeader Science & Technology Group Co. Prior to its Powerstar chip development initiative, Powerleader had been using Intel processors for its flagship computer products for a considerable period of time. Powerleader previously stated that its Powerstar CPUs were built on the x86 architecture and were well-suited for a wide range of applications, including government, education, energy, industry, finance, healthcare, gaming, and retail. In addition, the company introduced desktop personal computers and workstations that were equipped with the Powerstar chip. These products are manufactured in multiple production facilities located in provinces such as Guangdong, Sichuan, Hunan, Hebei, Guangxi, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, and also in Beijing. Chinas struggle to make their processing chips or CPUs China has been striving to develop its own ICs but has faced obstacles such as intellectual property (IP) limitations and a lack of locally created instruction set architecture. As a result, Intels x86 architecture continues to dominate the computer market, while Arms architecture leads in the mobile devices sector. Chinese companies have sometimes resorted to purchasing chip designs from foreign companies, as was the case with Advanced Micro Devices licensing its Zen x86 processor design to Chinese chip designer Haiguang in 2016. Fabless semiconductor company Zhaoxin, a joint venture between VIA Technologies and the Shanghai municipal government, manufactures x86-compatible desktop and laptop CPUs for the domestic market. Additionally, Montage Technologys Jintide CPUs are based on Intels proprietary x86 IP cores, with certain modifications to ensure data-processing security. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. China seems to be developing a new weapon to take on its adversaries in a future conflict in the Pacific Ocean region. According to media reports, a Chinese university is developing a kamikaze drone that can be launched underwater. This latest weapon in the Chinese armoury is likely to be used against the United States (US), Taiwan and other adversaries in the Pacific Ocean region. The underwater launch ability makes this kamikaze drone a perfect weapon for China during a potential invasion of Taiwan in the future. Tensions between China, Taiwan and the United States (US) in the Taiwan Strait have been high in recent times. The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) of China has carried out military exercises around Taiwan in recent weeks in preparation for a possible invasion of the island nation. This comes amid increasing involvement by the US, Japan, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in eastern Asia. The most difficult aspect of an amphibious operation for the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is having US military advisors manage operations and provide technical intelligence in addition to just arming Taiwan. In addition to other significant capital platforms like the Type 05 amphibious tank, Type 075 amphibious landing helicopter dock, and Z-10 attack helicopters, a small tactical infantry support system like a loitering munition would be a great asset in breaching the dense coastal and inland defences the defending Taiwanese will have erected. The Republic of China (ROC, the official name for Taiwan) army has set up barriers on the beach that the PLA soldiers must dash through while expending a tremendous amount of money and personnel. They will eventually be defeated, but given the Chinese advantage in equipment and personnel, it is likely to be a terrible battle. Thus, using kamikaze drones to attack the defenders adds to the sources of precise fire available. The attacker can advance by using this to either disorient them or demolish their positions. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. In Chattisgarhs Raigarh district a pregnant woman was allegedly killed by her Muslim boyfriend after she reportedly refused to convert to Islam. The grieving family has accused the deceaseds Muslim boyfriend of coercing her to convert to Islam. When she refused, he allegedly administered abortion pills that resulted in her death, along with her unborn child. According to reports, the accused, identified as Danish, had been living with the deceased in a rented house near Ambedkar Awas Medical College in Raigarh. The deceased passed on March 8 in the middle of receiving treatment at a local hospital. Her family informed the police about their suspicions, accusing Danish Khan, aka Sameer Hasan, of having fed the woman with medications to induce an abortion. Local media reports highlighted the allegations levelled by the brother of the deceased. He has alleged that his sister had become a victim of love jihad. According to his complainant, Danish befriended his sister by concealing his true identity. He purportedly feigned affection, and they moved in together. Subsequently, Danish began pressuring the girl to convert to Islam. When she steadfastly refused, he resorted to physical and mental torture. Upon the emergence of the love jihad angle, BJP leaders demanded a swift inquiry into the matter. Raigarh MP Gomti Sai called for a thorough investigation, emphasising the need for prompt action. BJPs State General Secretary OP Chowdhary also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore to the girls family. The deceaseds family, however, demanded inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a High Court judge. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday and discussed issues of bilateral and global interests. Jaishankar is in Capetown to participate in a conclave of five-nation grouping BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa). He held talks with Lavrov on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting. Good to meet FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia in Cape Town this morning on BRICS FMM sidelines. Our discussions covered bilateral matters, BRICS, G20 and SCO, Jaishankar said in a tweet. India will hold the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and G-20 summits in July and September respectively. In the last few months, India has become a leading importer of discounted crude oil from Russia notwithstanding increasing disquiet in the West over the procurement in view of Russian invasion of Ukraine. Indias economic engagement with Russia has been on a major upswing in the last one year, largely due to its procurement of discounted Russian oil. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been pushing for resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. On Wednesday, Jaishankar said these are still early days for conflict resolution between Ukraine and Russia as presently, the focus is on problems such as a grain corridor, nuclear issues and matters related to the exchange of prisoners of war. In an interview to DD India, Jaishankar noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his other BRICS counterparts. (With inputs from PTI) Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. During his trip to China, Elon Musk was showered with admiration through lavish meals, gushing praise, and memes referring to him as Comrade Musk. The Tesla CEO is widely admired in China, and the companys electric vehicles have become very popular in the country. Images of an extravagant 16-course dinner menu prepared for Musks arrival, featuring seafood, New Zealand lamb, and traditional Beijing-style noodles, quickly became viral, reported AFP. Some users seized the opportunity to jest about strained relations between the United States and China, highlighting Musks warm welcome in contrast to diplomatic tensions. Also Read Elon Musk In China: Tesla CEO meets Chinese Foreign Minister and Commerce Minister Dont miss Is Elon Musk going to compromise Twitter for his business prospects in China? Musks visit garnered significant attention on Chinese social media platforms, with hashtags related to his trip accumulating billions of views on Weibo. Upon arriving in Beijing, Musk held meetings with top ministers and commended Chinas vitality and potential. He then visited Shanghai, where Tesla has a large manufacturing base, before departing the city on Thursday. A humorous meme circulating on Weibo portrayed Musk as Comrade Musk, standing behind a podium adorned with Chinese flags while suited officials applauded in the background, reported AFP. However, some users pointed out a post made by a Tesla vice president after midnight, showing Musk posing with hundreds of workers in Shanghai. This drew criticism, as it was seen as outdated to keep employees working late into the night solely for photo opportunities. Such sentiments reflect the growing discontent among Chinese tech workers regarding long hours and high-stress company cultures. In summary, Elon Musks visit to China was marked by admiration, extravagant meals, and humorous memes. While his presence was warmly received by many, it also sparked discussions about Chinas education system, diplomatic relations, and labor practices within the tech industry. 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. Alaska has been home to Chinese citizens trying to infiltrate the US military bases under the garb of tourists for quite some time, officials have revealed. According to a report by USA Today, a Chinese citizen who drove past a security checkpoint in Alaskas Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks was apprehended and was found carrying a drone inside his vehicle. The occupants of the car, however, claimed to be tourists who got lost on their way. The officials, however, admitted that many of these encounters were made by mistake after innocent tourists were caught off guard trying to witness the northern lights and other attractions in Alaska. Meanwhile, others, posing to be tourists, are deployed as spies in a foreign land, one officer said. Why is China interested in Alaska? China has shown interest in USAs Alaska for quite some time. The region holds three large military bases Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, and Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks. Apart from these, there are several smaller installations in the region as well. Owing to the tight competition in the Arctic region, the US has increasingly funnelled resources in Alaska to make itself more secure in the region. The state is also seen as a key location due to its proximity to Russia. Also, the vast wilderness of Alaska offers the Pentagon opportunity to conduct military exercises in land and sea. Hence, it is no surprise that Beijing deployed spy balloons over the region in February this year and now spies posing as tourists live in Alaska. Lawmakers take action The report by USA Today has given a wake-up call to authorities in the US. On Wednesday, Senator Dan Sullivan said, Whether its a Chinese spy balloon, Russian Bear Bombers, or this new reporting of suspected Chinese spies in Alaska, this is another wake-up call that we are in a new era of authoritarian aggression led by dictators in China and Russia. Its also another example of just how important Alaska is for Americas national defence. In my oversight role, I am pressing for more details on these alleged security breaches and will continue to work with the Defence Department to ensure our installations in Alaska remain secure, he added. Republican Mary Peltola told Gray DC, Many other countries and nations understand the strategic importance of Alaska. I think that this re-emphasizes the need for the United States of America to really understand and keep investing in the strategic location. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. United by economic and security interests compounded by a joint rivalry with regional bully China, both India and Vietnam have decided to further strengthen bilateral ties. Both India and Vietnam will now bolster shared efforts and existing frameworks in areas such as marine scientific research, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime connectivity, maritime security, maritime law enforcement and capacity building. This will include increased co-operation between the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard with their counterparts in Vietnam. The 3rd India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held in the national capital, New Delhi, on Wednesday. According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday, the Indian delegation was led by Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs and the Vietnamese delegation by Ambassador Trinh Duc Hai, Vice Chairman, National Boundary Commission. The delegations comprised senior officials from the respective ministries and services concerned with maritime affairs. During the dialogue, the two sides deliberated on ways to sustain a secure maritime environment conducive for inclusive growth and global well-being. They reviewed ongoing cooperation in the maritime domain and avenues of reinforcing international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security. India and Vietnam also discussed ways to maintain a maritime environment that is secure and supportive of inclusive growth for both nations. 3rd India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue held today in New Delhi. Senior officials from the respective Ministries and Services concerned with maritime affairs participated in the Dialogue, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, tweeted on Wednesday. Also reviewed maritime cooperation initiatives and avenues of reinforcing international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security, Bagchi added. Notably, the first India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue took place in Hanoi in March 2019, while the second was held virtually in April 2021. India and Vietnam held their second maritime security dialogue in a virtual format on 6 April 2021. The consultations involved exchanges on developments in the domain of maritime security, regional cooperation activities and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, the MEA said in a statement. India and Vietnam have friendly and warm relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese colleague Pham Minh Chinh recently had a private discussion at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Both leaders talked about the partnership between the two countries, notably its defence cooperation. Prime Ministers @narendramodi and Pham Minh Chinh held talks in Hiroshima. They discussed different aspects of India-Vietnam friendship, particularly in areas like energy, technology, commerce and defence, the Prime Ministers Office tweeted. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Blaming terrorism as one of the biggest threats to international peace and security, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that all countries must come together to take strict action against this menace and uproot the source of its financing and propaganda, in a veiled attack on Pakistan. Jaishankars comments came as he spoke at the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting in South Africa. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar also said that all nations must combat all forms of terrorism. #WATCH | Among the key threats to international peace & security, is that of terrorism. All nations must take resolute measures against this menace, including its financing and propaganda. It must be combated in all its forms and manifestations and never be condoned under any pic.twitter.com/hGEgZutEU4 ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2023 He said, Among the key threats to international peace and security is that of terrorism. All nations must take resolute measures against this menace, including its financing and propaganda. Earlier today, Jaishankar also met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. Noting that the international situation is challenging, Jaishankar said the global environment today demands that the BRICS nations should approach key contemporary issues seriously, constructively and collectively. Our gathering must send out a strong message that the world is multipolar, that it is rebalancing and that old ways cannot address new situations. We are a symbol of change and must act accordingly, he noted. This responsibility is even greater as we contemplate the devastating aftereffects of the COVID pandemic, the stresses arising from conflict and the economic distress of the Global South, he said without mentioning the war in Ukraine. He also brought up the much-needed reform in UN Security Council. For two decades, we have heard calls for reform of multilateral institutions, only to be continuously disappointed. It is, therefore, imperative that BRICS members demonstrate sincerity in regard to reforming global decision-making, including that of the UN Security Council, he said. He explained that the heart of the problem lies in the fact that too many nations continue to be at the mercy of too few others. He said, This may be in regard to production, resources, services or connectivity. We urge that BRICS give it particular consideration and promote the economic decentralisation that is so essential to political democratisation, he said. He said the bloc has many crucial issues to deliberate upon and we will do so in the spirit of equality, mutual respect, and complete consensus. That is the hallmark of BRICS. The five-nation grouping BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade. With inputs from PTI 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 highest number of executions in 2023 so far come from Iran and out of the 300 people sentenced to death, 142 people were put on the gallows in May alone, the highest monthly average since 2015. According to a report by Sweden-based Iran Human Rights, 307 people have been executed in Iran which is 75 per cent more than last year. The horrific figures show that in May, four people were hanged every day in the Islamic Republic. Seven men have been hanged in cases related to the protests but activists say executions have surged in less high-profile cases, particularly over drug and murder convictions, with ethnic minorities disproportionately targeted. Executions carried out to spread fear Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the head of IHR said, The purpose of the executions is to create societal fear, not to fight crime. The Islamic Republic has executed one person every six hours in the last ten days while the international community has remained silent. More than half of those executed were Baluch minorities and drug defendants from the most marginalised communities who are low-cost victims of the governments killing machine, he added. Another report by IHR in collaboration with Frances Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) showed that executions in Iran rose by 75 per cent in 2022 with at least 582 people hanged to spread fear in the society. Only 71 of these executions were officially recorded last year, official reports show. The rest were unannounced and secretly carried out and were reported by family members and eyewitnesses. Mahmood said, The international reactions to the death sentences against protesters have made it difficult for the Islamic Republic to proceed with their executions. Judiciary Chief defends executions Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, the head of Irans judiciary has defended the administrations decision to execute people. He said that sentences for those who should be executed will be carried out without exception while maintaining legal standards and fairness. Iran announced the death of Habib Farajollah Chaab for killing dozens of people in 2018. Chaab had been sentenced to death for being corrupt on Earth. In 2022, Chaab was put on trial for leading the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz, a separatist movement that sought a state in the oil-rich Khuzistan province in southwestern Iran. He was also accused of plotting and carrying out numerous bombings and terrorist operations. 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. Ever since he took over the platform, Elon Musk has been tweeting consistently, and constantly barring his time in China. Being the most followed person on the platform, Musk is a prolific tweeter. However, during his visit to China, Musk has been conspicuously absent from the platform. Needless to say, Musks radio silence on the platform is uncanny. Even when he has been in areas where Twitter or any other platform has been blocked, Musk has used VPNs to access the platforms he usually does. So why isnt he doing so in China? Musk, Twitter and China a complicated relationship Twitter has been blocked by China for a long time. With that being said, several Chinese citizens, especially journalists have been using VPNs to access blocked websites and platforms, like Twitter. Before Musk took over, Twitter, which was often considered to be left-leaning by the Americans, was also considered too liberal and too American by the Chinese. Before Musk Took over, Twitter would often call out and label posts from Chinas state agencies and businesses that had Chinese propaganda. As a result, interaction with those posts went down dramatically. Twitter also had at times blocked Chinas attempt to find out the details of certain users whose tweets and posts were critical of China. The world got to see the best examples of this, during the COVID pandemic, and how the CCP cracked down on people, especially doctors over their social media posts on the way the situation was being mishandled. Also read: Elon Musk In China: Tesla CEO meets Chinese Foreign Minister and Commerce Minister Because Chinese social media platforms were complying with the CCPs orders, people turned to Twitter through a VPN. Of course, the use of a VPN is also illegal, but thats more difficult to track. However, those who have been caught using VPNs have paid dearly for this. Even Musk had a tussle with China during the pandemic. Musk has been a believer that the COVID pandemic was the result of a lab leak in Wuhan. At this, the CCP went berserk, essentially warning him to refrain from making such comments. There were several editorials across Chinese dailies that basically said the same thing that Musk was breaking the pot thats feeding him, which, is similar to the proverb biting the hand that feeds one. Musks businesses in China The pot that was being referred to in those Chinese editorials from earlier this year refers to Teslas Shanghai plant, which Musk has been planning to expand. However, because of the crunch of natural resources that China is facing, the CCP has set limits on the production capacities that EV factories need to abide by. The Chinese have the fastest-growing EV market in the world and are among the fastest adopters of EV technology. Despite the premium it charges, Tesla enjoys a particular following in the EV market in China. However, to win over customers, Tesla has had to lower their prices through discounts, thus getting rid of the premium that people paid. Also read: Tesla wreaks havoc in Chinas EV market with new price war, gives 50% discount on all cars Moreover, Musks recent interviews and tweets seem to suggest that he plans on expanding SpaceX into China. Musk has been very vocal about his praise of Chinas space programme and has made it clear that he believes the US has no idea just how capable the Chinese space programme is. There are several other businesses that he may be trying to either establish, propagate, or even save in China. The Chinese military has had an issue with Starlink for some time, so theres a good possibility that he might have to face some questions over that as well. How all of this endangers Twitter Given the position of the American government as well as the sentiment of most Americans towards China and the CCP, it is quite possible for China to tighten the screw around Musk. Yes, Musk is surrounded by niceties during his visit to China, with people conferring him with the title Brother Ma. But it does not take a political analyst to realise that all of this may be superficial, at least as far as the Chinese state is concerned. Also read: Elon Musk greeted with 16-course lavish meal, hailed as Brother Ma during China trip With China trying to influence the guidelines and regulations that dictate how social media, AI, web3 and tech industries are run all over the world, albeit to no major avail, Musk presents himself as a major pressure point, a lynchpin of sorts. Musk, who is a prolific tweeter, must be itching to tweet something out, especially if he has some great news about Tesla. However, given Twitters past with China, he wouldnt want to risk upsetting the CCP in any way. Even if we consider the best of scenarios, with the kind of rhetoric that we have about China on Twitter, especially from countries that are in some sort of a dispute with the country, it would be safe to assume that China would want such content and rhetoric repressed. Moreover, it would want to suppress any dissidents that it may have within its own borders. From muzzling international reporters writing on China to squashing out dissenters for using Western media, we know what China will be up to. And, if history is anything to go by, we can all make an educated guess about where will Elon Musk the free speech absolutist will stand. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SALALAH, Oman, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Oman hosted on Tuesday night a completion ceremony for the Zheng He Monument in the coastal city of Salalah in Dhofar Governorate to commemorate the great Chinese mariner who once traveled to the coast of Oman as well as the traditional friendship between the two countries. Chinese Ambassador to Oman, Li Lingbing, delivered a speech at the ceremony, stating that Oman is an important country along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, and the protagonist of this monument, Zheng He, a Chinese navigator of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), visited Oman, including Dhofar, four times. Li said that as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the completion of the Zheng He Monument at this momentous historical occasion holds special significance. It is believed that this unique landmark building will become a new symbol of the continued advancement of China-Oman friendship in the new era, she said, adding that it will witness the continuous enhancement of mutual understanding and exchanges in various fields between China and Oman, and contribute to the construction of a community of shared future with mutual benefit and common development, bringing greater benefits to the peoples of both countries. Khalid bin Salim al Saeedi, chairman of the Oman-China Friendship Association, said in his speech that the Zheng He Monument clearly demonstrates the long-standing and uninterrupted exchanges between the civilizations of Oman and China. The wise leaders of both countries have been committed to the development and growth of bilateral relations in various fields. Zheng is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished seafarers in Chinese history. He commanded the massive Ming Dynasty fleets to embark on seven expeditionary voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and East Africa during the 15th century. Designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, the monument draws inspiration from the graceful ocean waves and the bow of a ship, capturing the dynamic curves that vividly portray Zheng's fleet triumphantly sailing through wind and waves. Notably, the construction of the monument employed cutting-edge 3D printing technology, executed by the China Communications Construction Company. The site chosen for the Zheng He Monument is in the core area of the national-level coastal traditional culture, tourism, and business district developed by the Dhofar Governorate. The monument will serve as a permanent landmark for Salalah. China and Oman established a strategic partnership in 2018 and signed cooperation agreements under the Belt and Road Initiative. Israel has discovered a new natural gas field off its coast and the Ministry of Energy has officially certified it on Wednesday. A recognition from Israels National Infrastructure, Energy, and Water Minister means that Energean, a British-Greek energy company can draw up plans to develop the reserve. The natural gas field has been named Katlan and is entirely inside Israeli territorial waters. Katlan boasts approximately 68 BCM [billion cubic meters] of natural gas, and we are working diligently to develop it as efficiently as possible to create sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We believe this discovery will open new opportunities for Israeli gas supplies in both local and regional markets, Energean CEO Mathios Rigas said while explaining its specifications. The size makes Katlan Israels fourth largest gas reserve. Energean is already developing the Karish, Karish North and Tanin offshore reserves, as well as several blocks in the larger Tamar gas field. The ministry has not certified any offshore gas discoveries since 2015. Energy Minister Katz said, There is potential for additional discoveries in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the office under my leadership will continue to develop the natural gas reserves that are in our territory and to promote the exploration & discovery of additional natural gas reserves for the sake of the energy security of the State of Israel and for ensuring a reliable, clean and affordable Israeli energy economy. With inputs from ANI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns powerful sister said Thursday that Pyongyang would correctly place a spy satellite into orbit soon, a day after their first attempt crashed. Pyongyang has pitched its military satellite as a necessary counterbalance to the growing US military presence in the region, pointing to Washingtons ongoing joint drills with Seoul as one example of many. North Koreas new Chollima-1 rocket lost thrust and plunged into the sea with its satellite payload on Wednesday, state media said in a rare same-day announcement following the failed launch. Kim Yo Jong, who also serves as a spokesperson for the regime, said a second attempt would soon be made. It is certain that the DPRKs military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put on space orbit in the near future and start its mission, she said Thursday, referring to North Korea by its official name. Pyongyang also released photographs of what it said was the new Chollima-1 rocket taking off from a seaside launch site surrounded by flames and smoke. The rocket named after a mythical winged horse that often appears in Pyongyangs propaganda featured a bulbous nose, apparently used to carry the satellite payload. The United States, South Korea and Japan slammed the launch, saying it violated UN resolutions barring Pyongyang from any tests using ballistic missile technology. Kim Yo Jong said such critiques were a self-contradiction, given that the United States and other nations have already launched thousands of satellites. The US is a group of gangsters who would claim that even if the DPRK launches a satellite in space orbit through balloon, it is illegal and threatening, she said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. Analysts warn that if North Korea succeeds, the satellites monitoring capabilities would be a major issue, enabling Pyongyang to target US and South Korean forces more accurately. The use of a satellites for military purposes includes reconnaissance (intelligence collection), global positioning information and the attacking of opponents satellites. Space warfare, Chun In-bum, a retired South Korean army general, told AFP. Since diplomatic efforts collapsed in 2019, North Korea has ramped up military development, conducting a string of banned weapons tests, including test-firing multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles. Leader Kim declared last year that his country was an irreversible nuclear power and called for an exponential increase in weapons production, including tactical nukes. Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi, an UN-designated terrorist who trained the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) attackers for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, died in a Pakistan jail while serving a sentence for terror financing, his aide said on Wednesday. Bhuttavi, who founded LeT headquarters in Muridke in Punjab, was deputy to the outlawed Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed. The JuD is the front organisation for the LeT. Bhuttavi, 77, was incarcerated at District Jail Sheikhupura, some 60 kms from Lahore, since October 2019 in a terror financing case. On May 29, he felt severe pain in his chest and was shifted to hospital where he was pronounced dead (due to cardiac arrest) on arrival, said a JuD official. His funeral was held at the LeT/JuD headquarters in Muridke in which a large number of the supporters of the banned organisation participated amid high security. A source in the Punjab government told PTI that JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, who is lodged at the Kot Lakhpat jail since 2019 serving multiple sentences in terror financing cases, had requested the government to allow him to attend Bhuttavis funeral but permission was not granted. An Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore had given Bhuttavi a jail term of 16 years in a terror financing case in 2020. A close aide to Saeed, Bhuttavi faced sanctions from the US treasury department in 2011. The UN Security Councils ISIL (Daesh) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee added Bhuttavi to its list of designated terrorists in March 2012. Bhuttavi was designated a terrorist by the UN Security Council for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of or otherwise supporting acts and activities of LeT. A summary by the UN committee described him as a founding member of LeT who served as the acting emir of the LeT and the JuD on at least two occasions when Saeed was detained. Saeed was detained days after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and held until June 2009. Bhuttavi handled the groups day-to-day functions during this period, and made independent decisions on behalf of the organization, according to the summary. Saeed was also detained in May 2002. Bhuttavi was also a scholar who issued fatwas authorising LeT/JuD operations. Bhuttavi helped prepare the operatives for the November 2008 terrorist assault in Mumbai, India, by delivering lectures on the merits of martyrdom operations, the summary says. Born in August 1946 in Pattoki, Kasur district of Punjab, Bhuttavi was the head of 150 JuD seminaries in Pakistan. His native town is Dipalpur, Okara district of Punjab, from where the lone captured LeT attacker Ajmal Kasab hailed. Since 1992, he was looking after the affairs of the LeT/JuD headquarters in Muridke before the government took over its charge four years ago. The LeT was responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. The US Department of the Treasury designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice. He was listed under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. 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. In a bid to move Turkey for Swedens NATO membership, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that he will travel to Istanbul to discuss the process that has been delayed due to objections from member countries Turkey and Hungary. During a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Oslo, Stoltenberg said that he held conversations with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. I will also travel to Ankara in the near future to continue to address how we can ensure the fastest possible accession of Sweden, Stoltenberg told reporters. NATO officers expect Turkey to lift its apprehensions about Stockholms admission to NATO since elections are now over. Now that Turkish elections are over, it is important that Turkey goes on with the ratification process, said Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. Stoltenberg said at the end of the meeting that with the Turkish election over, it is important to restart the dialogue and the process, noting that Sweden had on Thursday implemented new terrorism legislation, thus addressing a key Turkish concern. Sweden has delivered, Stoltenberg said. The time has come to ratify Sweden(its membership) and I am working hard so that it happens as soon as possible. Several foreign ministers expressed confidence Sweden could become a member before or at a NATO summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania. There is a very high expectation that the Swedish flag will be raised (in Vilnius), said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. Sweden, invited to Oslo, stressed again it had fulfilled all the conditions set to become a member of the military alliance. We have fulfilled all our commitments, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told reporters. It is time for Turkey and Hungary to start the ratification of Swedish membership to NATO. With inputs from Reuters Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, declared that Pyongyang would soon launch a military spy satellite and made a commitment to bolster military surveillance capabilities, according to state-run media KCNA on Thursday. It is certain that (North Koreas) military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put on space orbit in the near future and start its mission, Kim, a powerful government official in her own right, said in an English-language statement carried by KCNA. Her remarks came after the failure of a North Korean satellite launch on Wednesday. It may take weeks or more to resolve the problems that caused the rockets failure, a South Korean lawmaker said on Wednesday, citing the Souths intelligence agency. In a rare admission of a North Korean setback, KCNA reported that the Chollima-1 rocket, carrying a military reconnaissance satellite known as Malligyong-1, crashed into the sea after an accident. KCNA also published on Thursday images of what it said was the new rocket lifting off from a coastal launch pad. The white-and-gray rocket had a bulbous nose, apparently for carrying a satellite or other cargo. The photos confirmed that the rocket is a new design, said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The launch used the new coastal launch pad theyve built at Tongchang-ri, so we might see a larger space launch vehicle use the traditional gantry that has seen some work recently, he added. U.S.-based monitors, including 38 North and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, reported that commercial satellite imagery showed significant activity at the main pad after Wednesdays launch. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said it could be presumed from North Koreas state media photos that the rocket was launched from a new pad. South Korea has dispatched ships and aircraft to recover parts from the space launch vehicle, the military said. Wednesdays launch was widely criticised, including by South Korea, Japan and the United States. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said any launch by Pyongyang using ballistic missile technology breaches Security Council resolutions, a spokesperson said. In her statement, Kim said the criticisms of the launch were self-contradiction as the U.S. and other countries have already launched thousands of satellites. The U.S. is a group of gangsters who would claim that even if the DPRK launches a satellite it is illegal and threatening, she said, using the initials of North Koreas official name. In a separate statement carried by KCNA, North Koreas vice foreign minister Kim Son Gyong criticised US-led military drills in the region including a multinational anti-proliferation naval drill. 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. Satellite TV channels across Pakistan have been told to boycott hate mongers, perpetrators and their facilitators by the countrys electronic media watchdog. Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has advised TV channels to refrain from giving airtime to zealots of a political party following the May 9 mayhem, a media report said on Thursday, hitting former prime minister Imran Khans party. In a notification released on Wednesday, PEMRA directed all satellite TV channel licensees that they should remain vigilant and not to promote any hate monger, perpetrators and their facilitators inadvertently. Violent protests broke out on May 9 across many cities in the country following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party Chairman Khan by paramilitary Rangers in Islamabad. Khans party workers vandalised over 20 military installations and government buildings, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The mob also attacked the Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi for the first time. Khan was later released on bail. Referring to the events of Black Day on May 9, the notification said that zealots of [a] political party attacked state and public properties, endangered innocent lives, and promoted anti-state to weaken the country and state institutions which is a horrific trend, Geo News reported. While the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of expression, there are exceptions to this right. It is crucial to strike a balance between protecting freedom of speech and maintaining public order, the order said. Underlining that national unity should be promoted, PEMRA directed that hatemongers be blacked out and should not be promoted on television, and violent, discriminatory content should not be broadcast, the report said. The notification directed all licensees to adhere to [the] provisions of PEMRA laws and orders of the superior courts by refraining from providing their airtime to such individuals who propagate hate speech and provoke public sentiments against the Federation and State Institutions. The licensee shall ensure that nothing is contained in any programme, or an advertisement, which is prejudicial to the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan, Ideology of Pakistan, security, friendly relations with foreign states, public order or which may constitute contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence or brings into disrepute the State institutions including armed forces, the notification read. No licensee shall broadcast any live programme unless there is an effective delaying mechanism put in place in order to ensure effective monitoring and editorial control in conformity with this Code, it added. (With inputs from PTI) 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 Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistani government will negotiate a new programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) immediately after the budget as it is reportedly planning to conclude the $6.5 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) without completing all the pending reviews. Since November last year, Pakistan has been negotiating with IMF to revive its bailout programme, with the financing gap among the biggest roadblocks. About $2.5 billion is left to be disbursed from the $6.5 billion programme thats scheduled to expire on June 30, Geo News reported. While negotiations on the ninth review were almost complete, a staff-level agreement is yet to be reached, the report quoted sources as saying. Even when ninth one completes, the 10th and 11th reviews will remain pending. Completion of both reviews before June 30 seems impossible and the government has decided against seeking an extension, Geo News quoted sources as saying. They added that Pakistans Ministry of Finance will approach the Fund for a new programme after budget which is expected to be tabled on June 9. If the coalition government fails to complete the negotiations before its term ends in August, in that case the caretaker government will hold talks with IMF, sources shared. On the new programme, sources told Geo News that the economic team has begun working on the agreement which is expected to be tougher than the existing programme agreed in 2019 by Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. The new bailout programme will likely be for more than three years, sources said and added, Pakistan will desperately need an IMF programme in September as the country needs to pay around $9-11 billion dollars in repayments of external debt by December 2023. (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. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on his top national security officials to prepare for worst-case scenarios and stormy seas as China faces increasingly difficult and complex internal and external threats. According to a CNN report, citing state-run Xinhua, in a meeting with Chinas top security officials in Beijing, Xi said, The complexity and difficulty of the national security issues we now face have increased significantly. We must adhere to bottom-line thinking and worst-case-scenario thinking, and get ready to undergo the major tests of high winds and rough waves, and even perilous, stormy seas, he added. He added that more efforts were needed to modernise the nations security architecture and get prepared for actual combat and dealing with practical problems. He also called for China to push ahead with the construction of a national security risk monitoring and early warning system, enhance national security education and improve the management of data and artificial intelligence security. The latest stern instructions from Xi came as he chaired a meeting of the National Security Commission, his first since securing an unprecedented third term as leader of Chinas ruling Communist Party at its 20th congress in October. Xi heads both the commission and the Chinese military. Beijing is facing a host of challenges, from a struggling economy to what it sees as an increasingly hostile international environment. US, China lock horns Rival powers China and the United States have been locking horns on many fronts. Just this week, Beijing declined Washingtons request for a meeting between the two countries defence chiefs when both men attend a security conference in Singapore in June, citing the need for US officials to respect Chinas sovereignty and security concerns. China cut off defence and climate ties with Washington last August over alleged meddling by US officials in Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning demanded on Wednesday that the US stop flying spy planes over the South China Sea, calling the flights dangerous provocations. Her statement came one day after the US Indo-Pacific Command accused a Chinese pilot of causing a near-collision by buzzing his fighter jet in front of an American reconnaissance plane in international airspace above the South China Sea. The Pentagon has labeled China the most consequential and systemic challenge to US national security an assessment that Beijing derided as an excuse to expand Washingtons nuclear arsenal and maintain its military hegemony. Both sides have also stepped up national security scrutiny, especially in the technology sector, with the US slapping sanctions on a slew of Chinese companies in the past few years citing security concerns. Xi urged his security chiefs to build up strategic self-confidence, improve the coordination of their operations and utilise more advanced technology. He called for enhanced real-time monitoring of security threats, a better early warning system and improved handling of computer data and artificial intelligence (AI). In March, in a rare public comment on the US tech rivalry, Xi directly named Washington for leading the Western suppression of China. 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. US-based messenger service WhatsApp has been fined three million roubles by a Russian court for failing to remove deleted content on its platform. This is the first time that Metas WhatsApp has been slapped with a fine for such an offence. Russia banned WhatsApp from operating in the country and branded it as an extremist platform. The case that invited the fine involved a chat group that offered an anti-depressant whose sale is forbidden in Russia, according to Russian news agencies. Meanwhile, Metas other platforms like Facebook and Instagram have also been banned in Russia. Google, Twitter, TikTok and another messaging app, Telegram, have been fined for failing to delete illegal content in the past. WhatsApp was previously fined for not keeping the data of Russian users on servers located in Russia, which violates local rules. On the other hand, the same court also fined Wikimedias owner Wikimedia Foundation three million roubles for not removing what Russia considers false information about Moscows military campaign in Ukraine. Wikimedia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has previously said information that Russian authorities complained about was well-sourced and in line with Wikipedia standards. Moscow has for years clashed with Big Tech over content, censorship, data and local representation in disputes that escalated after Russia sent its armed forces into Ukraine on February 24, 2022. 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. South Africa has decided to send four of its cabinet ministers to G7 nations to explain the countrys non-aligned position on Russias war on Ukraine. The countrys move to abstain from several United Nations votes to condemn Russias actions and refusal to back sides in the ongoing conflict, has angered key trading partners including the US. The move to send envoys to G7 countries came after it faced widespread condemnation for supplying weapons to Russia. The stance was called into question earlier this month when American Ambassador Reuben Brigety accused South Africa of supplying weapons to Russia, Bloomberg reported. However, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied the allegation. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor and two other cabinet members will be deployed to explain the countrys commitment to the non-aligned position, he said. We will continue to maintain an independent foreign policy and will use our presence in international forums to promote dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflict, Bloomberg quoted him as saying on Thursday. As we work to strengthen ties of trade and investment, we also seek to build support for a more inclusive, representative and equitable world order. Last month, South Africas presidential security advisor said the country was actively non-aligned in Russias war against Ukraine after U.S. allegations it had supplied weapons to Moscow led to a diplomatic crisis this week. The U.S. ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety said last month that the was confident a Russian ship under U.S. sanctions had collected weapons from a base near Cape Town in December. Senior U.S. officials had profound concerns about South Africa not respecting its professed policy of non-alignment, he added. A spate of recent events including naval exercises with Russia and China this year and hosting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have raised questions about South Africas stance. 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. Sudanese army forces blasted paramilitary bases with artillery in Khartoum on Wednesday after pulling out of US and Saudi-brokered ceasefire talks, accusing their foes of failing to honour their commitments. Mediators have blamed both sides for violating the truce which was supposed to enable secure corridors for delivering aid to an increasingly needy population. In both the north and south of the capital, key bases of commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglos Rapid Support Forces came under attack by troops loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, residents said. One witness said there was heavy artillery fire from army camps in northern Khartoum, on the 47th day of a war that researchers said has claimed 1,800 lives. Another reported artillery blasts on the RSF camp in al-Salha in southern Khartoum the largest paramilitary base and arsenal in the city. The attacks came two days after United States and Saudi mediators said the warring parties had agreed to extend by five days the initial week-long humanitarian truce. The mediators of the talks, held in the Saudi city of Jeddah, acknowledged repeated breaches but have held off imposing any sanctions. The army walked out because the rebels have never implemented a single one of the provisions of a short-term ceasefire which required their withdrawal from hospitals and residential buildings, a Sudanese government official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press. Mediators admitted the truce had been imperfectly observed, but said the extension would permit further humanitarian efforts. Despite repeated pledges from both sides, fighting has flared this week both in greater Khartoum and in the western region of Darfur. The army is ready to fight until victory, Burhan declared during a visit to troops in the capital. The RSF, led by Burhans deputy-turned-foe Daglo, said they would exercise their right to defend themselves and accused the army of violating the truce. Sudan specialist Aly Verjee said the mediators had been eager to avoid a complete breakdown of the talks, for fear of a major escalation on the ground. The mediators know that the situation is bad, but were hoping for arrangements that are better respected, Verjee, a researcher at Swedens University of Gothenburg, said before the armys withdrawal from the talks. On Sunday the mediators said both forces had disrupted humanitarian efforts, including through the presence of snipers near hospitals in RSF-controlled territory, and army elements stealing medical supplies. They said RSF occupied civilian homes, private businesses and public buildings, some of which were looted, while Burhans forces flew military aircraft daily during the ceasefire, including a confirmed air strike that reportedly killed two people. Mediators have blamed both sides for violating the truce which was supposed to enable secure corridors for delivering aid to an increasingly needy population. In both the north and south of the capital, key bases of commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglos Rapid Support Forces came under attack by troops loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, residents said. One witness said there was heavy artillery fire from army camps in northern Khartoum, on the 47th day of a war that researchers said has claimed 1,800 lives. The attacks came two days after United States and Saudi mediators said the warring parties had agreed to extend by five days the initial week-long humanitarian truce. The mediators of the talks, held in the Saudi city of Jeddah, acknowledged repeated breaches but have held off imposing any sanctions. The army walked out because the rebels have never implemented a single one of the provisions of a short-term ceasefire which required their withdrawal from hospitals and residential buildings, a Sudanese government official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press. Mediators admitted the truce had been imperfectly observed, but said the extension would permit further humanitarian efforts. Despite repeated pledges from both sides, fighting has flared this week both in greater Khartoum and in the western region of Darfur. The army is ready to fight until victory, Burhan declared during a visit to troops in the capital. The RSF, led by Burhans deputy-turned-foe Daglo, said they would exercise their right to defend themselves and accused the army of violating the truce. Sudan specialist Aly Verjee said the mediators had been eager to avoid a complete breakdown of the talks, for fear of a major escalation on the ground. The mediators know that the situation is bad, but were hoping for arrangements that are better respected, Verjee, a researcher at Swedens University of Gothenburg, said before the armys withdrawal from the talks. On Sunday the mediators said both forces had disrupted humanitarian efforts, including through the presence of snipers near hospitals in RSF-controlled territory, and army elements stealing medical supplies. They said RSF occupied civilian homes, private businesses and public buildings, some of which were looted, while Burhans forces flew military aircraft daily during the ceasefire, including a confirmed air strike that reportedly killed two people. African Union spokesman Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt said that suspension of the talks should not discourage mediation efforts. After a meeting with East African bloc IGAD, and other officials, he said a plan for broad talks among all Sudanese would be proposed as soon as possible. Since fighting erupted on April 15, more than 1,800 people have been killed, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The United Nations says 1.2 million people have been internally displaced and more than 425,000 have fled to neighbouring countries. More than half the population 25 million people are now in need of aid and protection, the UN says. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Amid growing threats from China, the US and Taiwan signed a trade deal on Thursday to further deepen economic cooperation between the two nations. The deal called the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, aims at boosting trade by streamlining customs checks, improving regulatory procedures as well as establishing an anti-corruption mechanism. Washington and Taipei manage to maintain unofficial diplomatic relations via a de-facto US Embassy in Taiwan. The US has always backed Taiwan as China claims it as part of its own territory. the first agreement under the new deal was signed by representatives of the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, said the US Trade Representatives (USTR) press office on Thursday. USTR spokesperson Sam Michel said that the pact is intended to strengthen and deepen the economic and trade relationship between both sides. Deputy US Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi attended the signing ceremony, he said. We thank our Taiwan partners for helping us reach this important milestone and look forward to upcoming negotiations on additional trade areas set forth in the initiatives negotiating mandate, Michel said. A new beginning Ahead of Thursdays ceremony to ink the deal, cabinet spokesman Alan Lin said, The deal that will be signed tonight is not only very historic but also signals a new beginning. Relevant tasks are yet to be completed. Taiwan will continue to move towards a comprehensive FTA (free trade agreement) with the United States to ensure Taiwans economic security, he added. Meanwhile, the government in Taiwan has hailed the deal as the most comprehensive trade agreement that the country has signed with Washington since 1979. China warned Washington earlier on Thursday against signing any pact with connotations of sovereignty or of an official nature with Chinas Taiwan region. The United States must not send the wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces in the name of trade, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a media briefing. With inputs from AFP 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 night-time attack on an eastern district in Ukraines capital Kyiv killed three people, including two children, and injured several others, officials said. In a post on the Telegram messaging app on Thursday, the Kyiv military administration said the two children died in the Desnianskyi region on the capitals eastern outskirts. Among the three dead in the Desnianskyi district, there were 2 children (aged 5-6 and 12-13), the military administration wrote on Telegram. Moscows forces have launched a series of aerial assaults on the Ukrainian capital, including an unusual daytime attack on Monday that sent residents running for shelter. Thursdays attack, which began around 3:00 am local time (0000 GMT), also injured 10 people, officials said. Russia said on Wednesday it was evacuating hundreds of children from villages due to intensifying shelling in the border region of Belgorod, where the situation was deemed alarming by the Kremlin. More than a year since its Ukraine invasion, Russia has suffered stepped-up attacks on its soil, with an unprecedented incursion last week in Belgorod and a drone attack on Moscow Tuesday. Authorities began evacuating children from the border districts of Shebekino and Graivoron, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram. The question of childrens safety in the two districts is very important, Gladkov said. All of us, adults, are very worried. Tensions between Russia and the West escalated further Wednesday, when Germany announced it would drastically reduce Moscows diplomatic presence on its soil in reply to a similar move from the Kremlin. Moscow called Germanys decision ill-thought-out and vowed a response. And in the United States, the Pentagon announced a new $300 million arms package for Ukraine, including air defence systems and tens of millions of rounds of ammunition. Alarming situation Governor Gladkov said the first 300 evacuated children would be taken to Voronezh, a city about 250 kilometres (155 miles) further into Russia. And over 1,000 more children will be removed to other provinces over the coming days, he added. A correspondent for state-run agency RIA Novosti near Voronezh said buses had arrived with around 150 people on board. Gladkov said the situation was worsening in the village of Shebekino, where he reported more shelling during the day that injured four people, but didnt cause any deaths. On Tuesday, one person was killed and two others were wounded in a strike on a centre for displaced people in the region. Several oil depots have also been hit in recent weeks. The attacks have come as Kyiv says it is preparing for a major offensive against Moscows forces. The situation is quite alarming, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said about shelling in the region. We have not heard a single word of condemnation from the West so far, Peskov said. Moscow drone attack The Kremlin has accused Ukraine and its Western backers of being behind the increasing number of reported attacks. On Tuesday, the foreign ministry said the West was pushing the Ukrainian leadership towards increasingly reckless acts after a drone attack on residential areas in Moscow. At least three buildings were lightly damaged, including two high-rise residential buildings in Moscows affluent southwest. Ukraine, which has seen almost nightly attacks on its capital, denied any direct involvement. The United States said it did not support any attack inside Russia, instead providing Kyiv with equipment and training to reclaim its territory. The Defense Department said Wednesday the fresh aid shipments would bring the total value of US security assistance to Ukraine since Russias February 2022 invasion to $37.6 billion. Also Wednesday, Berlin said it had ordered four of Russias five consulates in Germany to close. The move comes after Moscow put a limit of 350 on the number of German government personnel allowed in Russia, a decision that Berlin says will force hundreds of civil servants and local employees to the leave the country. Fatalism in Belgorod Last week saw the biggest armed incursion into Russia from Ukraine since the offensive began, with two days of fighting in the Belgorod region. AFP journalists went to the regional capital city, which is also called Belgorod, over the weekend. Residents confessed to a certain amount of worry, but a sense of fatalism prevailed. What can we do? We just shout Oh! and Ah!. What will that change? said retired teacher, 84-year-old Rimma Malieva. Most people said they trusted the authorities to fix the weaknesses laid bare by the latest raid. Evgeny Sheikin, a 41-year-old builder, still said it should not have happened. At least five people were killed and 19 wounded in a nighttime bombardment in Ukraines Lugansk region, Russia-installed officials said Wednesday. The Russian army also said it destroyed a Ukrainian navy warship, the Yuri Olefirenko, in Odesa, a claim AFP could not independently confirm. 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 US has delivered a shipment of Stinger missiles and other military equipment to Taiwan which was originally approved in 2019, as Washington works to fulfill a backlog of nearly $19 billion in weapons sales to the island nation. The US and Taiwan are alarmed that Chinese aggression towards the island nation that Beijing claims as part of its territory is a prelude to a wider conflict and are working to outfit the island with defence capabilities they say will deter a Chinese invasion. According to a report in The Hill, citing State Department spokesperson, the shipment arrived in Taipei last week and is part of the $223.56 million weapons sale initially approved in July 2019. Responding to the reports of the delivery of Stingers on 26 May, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning slammed the US for interfering in Chinas internal affairs, calling the weapons delivery extremely wrong and dangerous. According to a Wall Street Journal report, arms sales to Taiwan since 2019 include systems also being used in Ukraine, including Javelins, Stinger missiles, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and howitzers. Taiwan also signed an agreement in March for Harpoon anti-ship missiles, which are not scheduled to be delivered until at least 2026, the report cited officials as saying. The weapons sales included more than 250 Stinger missiles an anti-aircraft weapon favored for its light weight and capability to be fired from a soldiers shoulder, which has proven to be a favored weapon for Ukrainian forces battling Russian aggression. While Taiwans Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said earlier this month that President Joe Biden is expected to announce the first tranche of a $1 billion weapons transfer to Taiwan directly from Department of Defence stockpiles and approved by Congress for 2023 the spokesperson confirmed the Stingers that arrived in Taiwan are related to the earlier approved arms sale. In 2019, we notified a proposed [Foreign Military Sale] case to TECRO [Taipei Economic And Cultural Representative Office In The United States] for this system, The Hill quoted the spokesperson as saying. As such, this case predates authorities included in Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (TERA) as incorporated into the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act, the spokesperson added. China has continued to increase diplomatic, economic, and military pressure on Taiwan in recent years and has never ruled out trying to take the country by force. Incursions into the countrys air defence identification zone have become a nearly daily commonplace since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan in August last year and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visiting Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in California in April. 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. Amid ongoing political crisis in cash-strapped Pakistan, US Representative Michelle Steel has voiced concern about Shehbaz Sharif government being engaged in human rights abuses and oppression of dissent. In a tweet, Steel called upon US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take appropriate diplomatic steps to preserve democracy in Pakistan. I share the concerns of many of my colleagues that the government of Pakistan is engaged in human rights abuses and oppression of dissent. I join calls for Secretary Blinken to take appropriate diplomatic steps to preserve democracy in Pakistan, she tweeted. This comes after over 60 US lawmakers highlighted issues related to human rights violations in Pakistan in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and urged him to exert pressure on the Pakistani government to address the issue. The letter, co-authored by Elissa Slotkin and Brian Fitzpatrick, and signed by 65 other lawmakers, was written after the efforts of the Pakistani-American Political Action Committee (PAKPAC), Geo News reported. Pakistan recently witnessed the illegal arrest of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, who was deposed as prime minister through a no-confidence move in April last year. Khan was arrested on May 9 amid deadly protests across the country. The former PM was detained in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, but was later released after the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared his arrest against the law. (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 United States announced sanctions Thursday on Sudanese leaders it blamed for the collapse of US and Saudi-brokered ceasefire efforts after shelling and air strikes killed 18 civilians at a Khartoum market. For nearly seven weeks, Khartoum and other parts of Sudan have been gripped by bloody warfare between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, both of which Washington held responsible for breaking the ceasefire and provoking appalling bloodshed. We are following through by levying economic sanctions, imposing visa restrictions against actors who are perpetuating the violence, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement. Fighting continued Thursday, with witnesses reporting heavy artillery in north Khartoum, days after the two sides had agreed to extend by five days an initial week-long ceasefire meant to allow essential aid deliveries. The army on Wednesday blasted RSF bases in the capital after pulling out of the truce talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah, accusing its rival of violating the ceasefire. Eighteen civilians were killed and 106 wounded by army artillery fire and aerial bombardments Wednesday on a market in southern Khartoum, a committee of human rights lawyers said. The toll was confirmed by a neighbourhood group that organises aid, which said the situation was catastrophic and appealed for medical help and blood donations. Sanctions a tool In both north and south Khartoum on Wednesday, troops loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan attacked key bases of the RSF led by commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, residents told AFP. Sanctions are a tool, according to Sudan expert Alex de Waal, who calls the northeast African country a classic case where sanctions never solved the problems they had meant to. Sudans warring sides both rose to power and built considerable wealth under decades-long sanctions against the regime of former dictator Omar al-Bashir, with Daglos RSF controlling many of the countrys lucrative gold mines. According to Sudanese pro-democracy activist and author Raga Makawi, sanctions bring inhumane consequences on communities and cities at large: they weaken economies and turn them towards illicit transactions. Despite repeated pledges from both sides, fighting has flared this week both in greater Khartoum and in the western region of Darfur. The health ministry published a list Thursday of 34 health facilities that the rebel militia continues to use as army barracks and has not vacated despite the truce. Since fighting erupted on April 15, more than 1,800 people have been killed, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The UN says 1.2 million people have been internally displaced and more than 425,000 have fled abroad. Humanitarian corridors that had been promised with the ceasefire never materialised, according to aid agencies that have managed to deliver a fraction of the aid currently needed. Looting of food World Food Programme chief Cindy McCain condemned Thursday the looting of WFP food and assets happening right now in El Obeid, 350 kilometres (220 miles) southwest of Khartoum. Medics and humanitarian agencies have reported repeated looting since the start of the conflict, which has killed 18 aid workers. Food for 4.4 million people is at stake, McCain wrote on Twitter. More than half the population 25 million people are now in need of aid and protection, the UN says. Entire districts of Khartoum no longer have running water, electricity is only available for a few hours a week, and three quarters of hospitals in combat zones are not functioning. Hundreds have been killed in Darfur, on Sudans western border with Chad, the United Nations said. The UNHCR said Thursday more than 100,000 Sudanese refugees had fled to Chad since April, and called for emergency financial support. Darfur has never recovered from the years-long war that began in 2003 when a rebel uprising led strongman Omar al-Bashir to unleash the Janjaweed militia, from which the RSF are descended. Experts say Burhan is facing increasing pressure from his own Islamist supporters and remnants of the Bashir regime, with whom he had built a symbiotic relationship in order to gain power. 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 US on Wednesday announced a new $300 million arms package for Ukraine, including air defense systems and tens of millions of rounds of ammunition, bringing the total value of US security assistance to Ukraine to $37.6 billion since Russias February 2022 launch of the invasion. Washington warned Kyiv that US weaponry should not be used to attack within Russia. Addressing the reporters, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, We have been very clear with the Ukrainians privately weve certainly been clear publicly that we do not support attacks inside Russia. We do not enable and we do not encourage attacks inside Russia. The United States has been leading an unprecedented effort by NATO and other allied countries to supply Ukraine with weaponry and other aid. The United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements, the Pentagon said in a statement. The latest arms shipments come as Ukraine prepares a counter-offensive aimed at driving Russian forces back from swaths of occupied territory in the east and south of the country. The assistance also comes after a spate of attacks made in shadowy circumstances on targets inside Russia itself, including an unprecedented barrage of drone attacks on Moscow. Kirby said the United States has laid out its ground rules to Ukraine. We dont tell them where to strike. We dont tell them where not to strike, he said. Ultimately, President (Volodymyr) Zelensky and his military commanders decide what theyre going to do. However, we certainly dont want to see attacks inside Russia that are being propagated, that are being conducted, using US-supplied equipment. Kirby said that despite the growing tensions over the issue, the White House remains confident that Ukraine will keep its promise not to use US-built F-16 warplanes set to be supplied by European countries against targets beyond Ukrainian borders. We have gotten that assurance at various levels, Kirby said. Kirby said that while Washington is fullheartedly backing the Ukrainian effort to defeat the Russian invasion, it wants to avoid situations that suck in the West and NATO and the United States and to avoid World War III. The Pentagon said the $300 million package includes munitions for Patriot air defense systems, AIM-7 air defense missiles, Avenger air defense systems and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. Also part of the package is ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, 105mm tank ammunition and Zuni aircraft rockets. The United States is also sending more than 30 million rounds of small arms ammunition to Ukraine, the Pentagon 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. Airtel has announced that it has witnessed a growth of 108% in the subscription of packs for customers travelling abroad from Delhi and 95% from Chennai as compared to last year. To cater to this surge and provide last-minute assistance, Airtel has set up an international roaming kiosk at the departure terminal of Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport in the duty-free area. The company refreshed its International Roaming Plan a few months back. With the Rs. 3999 per month pack, you spend as little as 133/day at the starting point, making it more economical than the local SIMs of most countries, said the company. With the change in costs, there is a significant jump in pack subscriptions in both the prepaid and postpaid segments, said Airtel. The 10-day validity packs remain the most popular pack subscriptions among the Chennaiite out roamers USA and UK are the most frequently travelled destinations from India The most popular international holiday destinations on Airtels network for Chennaiites are countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, USA and UK. Key features of the Airtel IR Plan Airtels IR plans costs as little as 133/day Customers simply need to select the duration of their travel, ranging from 1 day to 90 days, or even opt for an annual International Roaming Pack for NRIs Even if customers exhaust their data limit, essential services such as messaging, emails and web browsing will continue to work. Top-up options are also available through the Airtel Thanks App and the Airtel website. Through the Airtel Thanks App, customers can easily manage their plans, switch the service on or off, change the plan, purchase extra data and activate international roaming upon landing in their destination country. Airtel provides dedicated support through the toll-free number +91 99100-99100, available everywhere. Customers can call or message through WhatsApp to receive assistance from experienced executives. Commenting on this, Nidhi Lauria, CEO, Delhi, Bharti Airtel and Tarun Virmani, CEO, Tamil Nadu, Bharti Airtel, said: At Airtel, we are continuously challenging ourselves to keep improving our customers experience. Our new international roaming plans once again focus on putting the customer first. Reliable connectivity when travelling abroad is an absolute necessity nowadays. Our industry-leading roaming plans are very affordable and will ensure that our customers can stay connected all the time, wherever they are, without the hassle of changing their SIM cards or numbers. We are seeing travel already soar this holiday season and we look forward to serving Chennaiites through a more connected travel experience. Foxconn intends to build an iPhone assembly facility in Bengalurus Devanahalli by April 2024. M B Patil, the Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries, broke the announcement. In a recent tweet, Patil claimed that he had met with senior management from Foxconn to discuss the project and its challenges. According to the report, the Karnataka government has pledged to provide the necessary land to Foxconn by July 1. The company has already given the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board Rs. 90 crore, or 30% of the land cost. With a goal of producing 20 million iPhones annually, the project is anticipated to be finished in three stages. Foxconn iPhone assembly plant at Devanahalli Senior Management representatives of #Foxconn visited me to discuss the establishment of an #iPhone assembly plant at Devanahalli. We addressed project-related challenges, emphasizing the development of vital industrial infrastructure and maximizing the creation of employment pic.twitter.com/h9vu3JPBSk M B Patil (@MBPatil) June 1, 2023 The government has guaranteed the provision of essential infrastructural facilities, such as a supply of 5 million liters of water per day, reliable power, and road connectivity, to support the projects effective implementation. Additionally, the government intends to set up training courses to give qualified applicants the abilities needed by Foxconn for job openings. Along with Minister Patil and the Minister for IT and BT, Priyank Kharge, Foxconn officials George Chu, Paul Liu, Tonn Liu, Simon Song, and Bharath Dandi attended the meeting. It is believed that the ambitious project, with a projected cost of Rs. 13,600 crore / $1.7 Billion, will provide about 50,000 job possibilities. By building an iPhone assembly facility, Foxconn hopes to improve its manufacturing capabilities in India and support the expansion of the regional economy. The partnership between Foxconn and the Karnataka government demonstrates the states dedication to luring in international capital and promoting industrial growth. SEATTLE June 1, 2023 Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center research findings and other news. If youre covering the American Society for Clinical Oncologys annual meeting, June 2-6 in Chicago, Illinois, see our list of Fred Hutch research highlights at ASCO and contact media@fredhutch.org to set up interviews with experts. And, if youre looking for resources for Junes National Cancer Survivor Month, please see Fred Hutchs Survivorship Program for a list of our offerings. Cancer research Project Stella enables novel pediatric AML immunotherapies, potential cure Dr. Soheil Meshinchi, a Fred Hutch pediatric hematologist/oncologist, studies a rare subtype of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia. His work is supported by Project Stella, a philanthropic initiative to raise funding for development of a new immunotherapy to treat this cancer. Meshinchis work has resulted in several potential drugs against this cancer, as well as developing immunotherapy treatment. Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org National study recommends starting SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination three months after bone marrow transplant Patients with cancer whose immune systems are being supported or rebuilt by bone marrow transplantation should be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 three months post-transplant, according to new research from Fred Hutch. The study, with Fred Hutchs Dr. Josh Hill as lead author, involved 22 cancer centers and research institutions in the United States and focused on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-based vaccines. The current guidelines, based on limited evidence, in the U.S. call for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination to start three to six months post-transplant. Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org Infectious disease Researchers identify strong T-cell response in first-in-human nanoparticle HIV vaccine Researchers from Fred Hutch have characterized robust T-cell responses in volunteers participating in the IAVI G001 Phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety and immune response of a self-assembling nanoparticle HIV vaccine. The work, published in Science Translational Medicine, signals a major step toward development of a vaccine approach to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic worldwide. Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org Infectious disease scientists look beyond the pandemic Researchers specializing in protecting immune-compromised people from infectious disease gathered at the 4th Symposium on Infectious Diseases in the Compromised Host, an event organized by Fred Hutch. Speakers stressed the need to include people with weakened immunity in clinical trials of new vaccines and treatments so they comprising about 6% of the U.S. adult population can benefit from scientific evidence to support their care. Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org Community news Fred Hutch pioneer Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb dies Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb, a stem cell biologist who worked at Fred Hutch for 45 years, died Friday, May 5, at her home in Seattle. She was 75. A professor in Fred Hutchs Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Torok-Storbs contributions to science and to education in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, were substantial and far-reaching. Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org Dr. Philip Greenberg elected to National Academy of Sciences Dr. Philip Greenberg, head of the Fred Hutch Program in Immunology, was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Greenberg was involved in some of the first clinical trials to administer genetically modified T cells to people to target and eradicate disease. One of 120 new members elected by their peers, Greenberg is the 13th Fred Hutch faculty member elected to the academy. Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org Brain cancer expert Dr. Eric Holland receives Endowed Chair in Cancer Biology Brain cancer expert Dr. Eric Holland was named the endowed chair in cancer biology. Holland directs Fred Hutchs Human Biology Division and Seattle Translational Tumor Research, an interdisciplinary and cross-institutional program developed to enhance collaboration and accelerate progress among solid tumor researchers. He also leads a laboratory team dedicated to advancing treatments for brain cancers by untangling the molecular underpinnings of this spectrum of diseases. Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org Science spotlight Science Spotlight is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows at Fred Hutch that summarize new research papers from Fred Hutch scientists. If youre interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact: media@fredhutch.org # # # Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center unites individualized care and advanced research to provide the latest cancer treatment options and accelerate discoveries that prevent, treat and cure cancer and infectious diseases worldwide. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is an independent, nonprofit organization and the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington. We have earned a global reputation for our track record of discoveries in cancer, infectious disease and basic research, including important advances in bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapy, HIV/AIDS prevention, and COVID-19 vaccines. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services and has network affiliations with hospitals in four states. Fred Hutch also serves as UW Medicines cancer program. Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts 1. United States On 4 July 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence unanimously, which marked the break from the United Kingdom. The military action that started against the British in April of 1775 continued until October of 1781 with the surrender of the British troops at Yorktown. The war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in September 1873. The celebration of Independence Day became an annual event after the War of 1812. 2. Haiti The French had started a colony on the island that went by the name Saint-Dominic in 1659, and 1 January 1804 is the day that marked the end of French colonial rule in Haiti. The colonists set up sugar and coffee plantations and they got the necessary labour force by importing slaves from Africa. The conditions for these people were harsh and brutal, and finally, in 1791, they revolted and started killing plantation owners and destroying plantations. The colonists formed their own militia and slaughtered about 15 thousand slaves. Despite the fact that the French government abolished slavery in 1794, the tensions were still running high and another revolt took place in 1802. The final battle was fought in November 1803, with the slaves winning. The colony's named was changed to Haiti, which means "country of mountains", and independence was declared on 1 January 1804, making the country the first independent nation in the Americas with a black majority. 3. Chile Chile was ruled by Spain for more than 300 years, and finally gained independence on 18 September 1810. The example of the Americans throwing out the British was very recent, and the people were ready to follow in their footsteps. The corrupt governor appointed by the Spanish and the invasion of France into Spain in 1808 fanned the desire for independence even more. A rebellion followed, which lasted more than ten years. The 18th is marked as the Independence Day and it is celebrated with parades and other festivities. This holiday is called "Fiestas Patrias". Chile was ruled by Spain for more than 300 years, and finally gained independence on 18 September 1810. The example of the Americans throwing out the British was very recent, and the people were ready to follow in their footsteps. The corrupt governor appointed by the Spanish and the invasion of France into Spain in 1808 fanned the desire for independence even more. A rebellion followed, which lasted more than ten years.The 18th is marked as the Independence Day and it is celebrated with parades and other festivities. This holiday is called "Fiestas Patrias". 4. Greece Greece was under Ottoman rule for 400 years until 25 March 1821. There were various failed attempts before 1821 to liberate the county. In 1814 in Odessa a group of merchants established the "Friendly Society" with the aim of staging a revolt with the aim of liberating Greece. They attracted support from Greek communities in England and the United States, as well as liberal minded people in Europe. Although the revolution had started in February, the bishop of Patra Germanos, proclaimed the uprising on March 25th. The war lasted until September 1829. In 1827 the Great Powers decided to intervene and destroyed the Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Navarino in October of that year. A war between Russia and the Ottoman empire tipped the balance in favour of the Greeks and other people in the Balkan peninsula. The Ottomans were forced to accept Greek autonomy in the Treaty of Adrianople, and Greece was finally recognized as an independent state under the London Protocol of February 1830. 5. Czech Republic Czechoslovak independence was declared on 28 October 1918 at Wenceslas Square. Up to then the two countries had been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The majority of the Czech people did not like being under the control of the Empire. They believed the real war was against the Empire's oppression. A National Committee was formed that tried to prevent the supplies of foodstuffs from Czech territories towards the military. In January 1918 the Committee issued a declaration calling for independence. On the 28th of October the National Committee issued a decree for the creation of an independent state. This first republic lasted until the Munich agreement in 1938. 6. India Following the end of the second world war, Britain realised that they didn't have the resources and local man power to maintain the occupation of India. In February 1947 Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced that Britain would grant full self-government rights to the people of India as soon as possible. It was later announced that India would be granted independence on the 15th of August, 1947. At the same time, Britain decided to partition India into two separate states along religious lines. This led to the creation of Pakistan (East and West) and India. This was a really violent operation with people forcibly moved to different territories, which led to clashes and over a million people dying. On the 15th of August, 1947 the first Prime Minister of India, Nehru, raised the Indian flag over the Red Fort. 7. Libya The date, 24 December 1951, marks the complete independence of Libya from foreign rule. The area which makes present day Libya was first settled by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans. In 643 AD, the Arabs conquered Libya. In the 16th century it become part of the Ottoman Empire, and remained part of it until 1912 when it was seized by Italy. In 1942, during WWII, Libya was freed from Italian rule and divided into two territories controlled by the French and the British. After WWII the United Nations requested the independence of Libya. The unified provinces became the Kingdom of Libya under King Idris As-Senussi on December 24, 1951. 8. Malawi The area that is now Malawi was used as a migrating ground of the Bantu tribes. Towards the end of the 19th century the British moved in and created the Central African Protectorate. In 1907 it was renamed Nyasaland. Although the British built roads and railways, this was seen by the locals as being done for their own benefit and not for the local population. In 1953, despite local opposition, the British formed the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. In 1958 Dr. Hastings Banda returned from his studies abroad and took the leadership of the Nyasaland African Congress, which was later renamed to Malawi African Congress. The Federation was dissolved in 1963 and Malawi became independent on 6 July 1964. The area that is now Malawi was used as a migrating ground of the Bantu tribes. Towards the end of the 19th century the British moved in and created the Central African Protectorate. In 1907 it was renamed Nyasaland.Although the British built roads and railways, this was seen by the locals as being done for their own benefit and not for the local population. In 1953, despite local opposition, the British formed the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.In 1958 Dr. Hastings Banda returned from his studies abroad and took the leadership of the Nyasaland African Congress, which was later renamed to Malawi African Congress. The Federation was dissolved in 1963 and Malawi became independent on 6 July 1964. 9. Mozambique The first known inhabitants of the area were San hunters and gatherers and later were followed by Bantu people, who came to the area after crossing the Zambezi River. The first colonists from Portugal landed in the area in 1498. During the 16th century, the Portuguese colonised more areas of Africa, establishing the Portuguese East Africa colony. The arrival of the British in the area prompted the Portuguese to define the border of is now Mozambique in 1891. The actual control of the country was given to various companies, such as Mozambique Company and Niassa Company, which were financed by the British and exploited the natural resources of the country. In 1902 the Portuguese established Lourenco Marques as the capital. Following the end of WWII, demands for self-determination increased and were further fanned by the granting of Independence to other African Nations. The Portuguese were reluctant to grant independence and as a result a war of independence began in 1964 and lasted for eleven years until the country gained its independence on 25 June 1975. 10. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 18 April 1980 The first known inhabitants of the area that is Zimbabwe today were San hunters and gatherers, who were later followed by Bantu speaking people. Afterwards Shona people moved in from Southern Africa. In the 1880s the BSAC company owned by Cecil Rhodes moved in the area and in 1898 the area was named Southern Rhodesia. Signing various treaties and concessions, Rhodes managed to get hold of an area than was named Zambesia that covered the territories between the Limpopo and Lake Tanganyika and named the whole area Rhodesia. In 1923 Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing colony. In 1930 the country was divided into four separate types of land, with the vast majority of it going to the white minority. In 1965 the white minority government of Ian Smith declared UDI and in 1970 declared the area Republic of Rhodesia. A long and bloody war followed that lasted until 1980. The country finally gained independence on 18 April 1980, adopting the name of Zimbabwe. The first prime minister of the country was Robert Mugabe. Source: Author gme24 This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system. 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 last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind to say the least, he said. We were pleasantly surprised that most of the artists that sang or wrote these records have all reached out. Weve interacted with them all online and everyones pretty pumped to actually get these songs out, which is pretty cool. Renowned American rapper Rick Ross has recently created a buzz online with a special shoutout to rising Nigerian songstress Ayra Starr, whose real name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe. In videos circulating on social media platforms, the hip-hop star referred to Ayra Starr as a beautiful superstar and expressed his desire to meet her during his next visit to Nigeria.During the footage, Rick Ross can be seen holding a bottle of Bumbu cognac, raising a toast to both Ayra Starr and her home country, Nigeria.He lavished praise on the young artist and shared his excitement about the prospect of meeting her, promising a celebration befitting their status as bosses.In his words; Quote I wanna take it all the way to Nigeria, to a superstar, beautiful the one and only Ayra Starr. Ama make a toast to Ayra Starr, Nigeria, when I come over there, we gonna celebrate like bosses. The video quickly gained traction online, with fans and music enthusiasts sharing their excitement over the unexpected recognition Ayra Starr received from the esteemed American rapper.See below; Former Governor of Kano state and senator representing Kano Central, Ibrahim Shekarau has decried Nigerias high cost of governance.Shekarau who sat for an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, May 31, asked President Bola Tinubu to reduce the cost of governance by cutting down the number of federal lawmakers.The National Assembly is made up of 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members. He said; Quote Its costing the country. I agree, a democracy means getting as many involved as possible, but the way it is going on now, its almost 500 legislators nationwide; I dont think we really need this much at the moment. Left to me, we dont need to have the two chambers, the two houses.Its costing the country. I agree, a democracy means getting as many involved as possible, but the way it is going on now, its almost 500 legislators nationwide; I dont think we really need this much at the moment. Quote I wonder if hell have the courage to do all the constitutional amendments and go through the process, and reduce all of this. The former Governor also said that cutting the number of parastatals would affect the number of oversight assignments, reducing the burden at the centre. He added; Quote Then youll discover that the legislative arm will also have to be [downsized] because if there isnt much to do at the centre, you dont need all of this sea of hundreds of people really to do oversight assignments. I have been subscribing to the idea of devolution of powers. The Federal Government should really cut its own costs by devolving a lot of these responsibilities down the line, to the states and to the local governments. Unfortunately, weve not had leadership that has the courage. There was the Oronsaye report during Jonathans time, which has yet to be implemented. The Benin-Lagos highway and other areas in Benin metropolis was blocked by some residents following the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).The protesters who are mainly members of the Edo State Civil Society Organisation (EDOCSO), called for urgent reversal of the fuel pump price. The road blockage led to a gridlock, forcing commuters to trek to their destinations. Former coordinator general of EDOCSO, Omobude Agho, told newsmen; Quote We are protesting because of the increase in fuel price which started yesterday, marketers moved the price from N210 to over N500. We were shocked to see that even the NNPC Limited fixed over N500 as the pump price. So, we feel this is a plan to kill Nigerians or send us to our graves. The strategy is called local protest, we are localizing the protest. It is currently ongoing in places such as Uselu shell, Ologbo, Siluko and Agbor park. Agho added that if by Friday the government fails to address the situation, the protest will spread to other areas. Twitter Introduces Community Notes to Address Issue of AI-Created Media in Images News oi -Kabir Jain Twitter has recognized the growing issue of AI-generated and manipulative media being shared on its platform. In response to this concern, the company has introduced an experimental feature called Notes on Media. This new feature expands on the existing Community Notes, which previously only covered text-based content. This innovative addition allows contributors with a Writing Impact of 10 or above to add notes not only to their tweets but also to the images shared within those tweets. Addressing Manipulative Images Manipulative images often have a significant impact and can quickly go viral on social media platforms like Twitter. People tend to share these images along with their own comments, further amplifying their reach. Moreover, individuals have been known to create fake accounts to share the same image with different text, increasing the potential for misinformation. The Purpose of the Update The introduction of Notes on Media aims to combat the spread of disinformation and prevent incidents like the dissemination of a fake image claiming to show an explosion near the Pentagon. By allowing contributors to attach notes directly to images, Twitter enhances its ability to provide context and discourage the sharing of false or misleading content. How Notes on Media Works When a note is added to a tweet, it is only visible to others when that specific tweet appears in their timeline. However, the approach is different when a note is attached to an image. In such cases, the note becomes visible across all tweets that contain that particular image. This strategy is particularly effective because manipulative images are often shared with different captions or comments. From AI-generated images to manipulated videos, its common to come across misleading media. Today were piloting a feature that puts a superpower into contributors hands: Notes on Media Notes attached to an image will automatically appear on recent & future matching images. pic.twitter.com/89mxYU2Kir Community Notes (@CommunityNotes) May 30, 2023 According to Twitter, the notes attached to an image will automatically show up on both current and future tweets containing that image. However, the matching process for images prioritizes accuracy over matching every visually similar image. Twitter acknowledges the importance of striking a balance between expanding coverage and avoiding incorrect matches. The company is committed to improving this aspect and refining the feature's functionality. Future Enhancements Although the Notes for Media feature is currently limited to tweets with single images, Twitter is actively working on expanding it to include videos and tweets with multiple images/videos. While there is no specific timeline for this expansion, it is expected to be rolled out in the near future if the initial testing proves successful. This enhancement will significantly improve the platform's ability to provide context and combat the spread of misinformation through various media formats. Source Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Motorola Razr 40, Razr 40 Ultra Launching Today: How To Watch, What To Expect? News oi -Alap Naik Desai Motorola will launch the Motorola Razr 40 series today, which should include premium foldable Android smartphones: Moto Razr 40 and Moto Razr 40 Ultra. The Lenovo-owned brand will be offering these devices in multiple markets. Motorola had recently started teasing the clamshell-style foldable Android smartphones under Razr 40 series. As the official announcement of these handsets is only a few hours away, let's take a look at all the available information on the flagship foldable smartphones from Motorola. Motorola Razr 40 Series Smartphones Live Stream The Motorola Razr 40 series is scheduled to launch today, June 1, 2023. The smartphones in the series will be launched in China. The same devices, without altering their names, should also be available in select global markets. Motorola should announce the regions besides China, in which the Motorola Razr 40 series smartphones will be available, today. However, there's no official confirmation from Motorola yet. The launch event in China should be live-streamed on Motorola's official social media handle on Weibo, besides other platforms. We will update our readers if Motorola offers alternative sources to watch the launch event. Motorola Razr 40, Razr 40 Ultra Specifications, Features The Motorola Razr 40 series is expected to include two smartphones: Razr 40 and Razr 40 Ultra. The smartphones are tipped to be similar in terms of hardware, except for the outer display and the color options. The base edition Motorola Razr 40 is rumored to feature a vegan leather finish and be available in at least three colors: Olive Green, Purple, and Cream Shades. The hinge cover would be made out of metal. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra will be available in Infinite Black, Glacier Blue, and Viva Magenta color options. A poster of the flagship, Motorola Razr 40 Ultra leaked recently, confirming the final specifications of every component, including the sizes of the dual displays, chipset, RAM, internal storage, battery, and imaging hardware. The top-end Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a 6.9-inch Full HD+ P-OLED display that can be folded. This display has a 2400 x 1080 pixels resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate. The 1080p screen supports HDR10+. The Moto Razr 40 series smartphones are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. They will have 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. There could be other RAM and storage variants. Smartphones under the Motorola Razr 40 series will run stock Android 13 OS and have an under-display fingerprint scanner. These flagship smartphones are IP52 rated for resistance to dust and water splashes. Razr 40 series smartphones would be able to accommodate a nano-SIM and an eSIM. The devices will support Wi-Fi 6e and Bluetooth 5.3. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Nothing Phone 2 to Launch on July 2nd With an Upgraded Display: Heres Everything You Need to Know News oi -Kabir Jain In the world of smartphones, anticipation builds whenever a new device is about to be released. The upcoming Nothing Phone 2, set to launch on July 2nd, has already sparked excitement among tech enthusiasts. Nothing, founded by Carl Pei, former Co-Founder of OnePlus, has been gradually revealing key specifications of the Phone 2, heightening expectations for this highly anticipated smartphone. Having already spilled the beans on the device's processor, Nothing recently shared exciting details about the Nothing Phone 2's display size. In a Twitter thread, the company revealed that the Phone 2 will sport a 6.7-inch screen, which is 0.15 inches larger than the 6.55-inch full-HD+ display of the Phone 1. Battery Upgrade and Environmental Sustainability Commitment Carl Pei previously mentioned that the Nothing Phone 2 would feature a 4,700mAh battery, providing a 200mAh increase compared to its predecessor. This battery upgrade not only enhances overall performance but also showcases Nothing's commitment to sustainability. Phone (2) is the first time weve achieved a lower carbon footprint on a second-generation product. A significant step towards a more sustainable smartphone industry. Let's explore its milestones. A thread pic.twitter.com/1zYdmU3yqL Nothing (@nothing) May 31, 2023 Despite the battery upgrade, Nothing takes pride in minimizing the carbon footprint of the Phone 2. The company announced that the Phone 2's carbon footprint stands at 53.45 kilograms, over 5 kilograms lower than that of the Phone 1. Packaging and Material Sustainability The Nothing Phone 2 will be sold in plastic-free packaging, demonstrating the company's commitment to minimizing environmental harm. The phone will also incorporate three times more recycled or bio-based parts compared to its predecessor, the Phone 1. Nothing utilizes 100 percent recycled tin on 9 circuit boards, 100 percent recycled copper foil on the main circuit board, over 90 percent recycled steel on all 28 steel stamping parts, and sources 80 percent of plastic parts sustainably. These efforts ensure that the Nothing Phone 2 embodies a more environmentally conscious approach. Software Support The company also announced that the Nothing Phone 2 will receive 3 years of Android updates, keeping users up to date with the latest features and security enhancements. Were committed to making beautiful products that you feel proud to own. To sustain our efforts, well continue to offer 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security updates. So Phone (2) can go further with you. Nothing (@nothing) May 31, 2023 Moreover, Nothing commits to providing 4 years of security updates, assuring users of a secure and reliable smartphone experience in the long term. Source Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. 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Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Colorado Springs to host DEL 15, 2 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance squadrons Published May 31, 2023 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Space Force's Space Delta 15, activated in March 2023, is expected to be permanently based at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, along with the new 75th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron. Additionally, the service expects the 74th ISR Squadron, activated in November 2022, to be based at Peterson SFB, Colorado. DEL 15, a command-and-control organization within Space Operations Command, provides mission-ready forces in support of the National Space Defense Center's protect and defend space mission. The unit currently operates at Schriever SFB and is expected to remain there permanently. The two ISR squadrons will provide additional capabilities within Space Delta 7, which has embedded detachments in each of the command's other deltas to provide real-time ISR support to their respective missions. The 74th ISR Squadron provides tailored threat analysis and intelligence production for tactical space operations. The squadron's intelligence gathering is used to empower space operations to combat current, emerging and future adversaries. The new 75th ISR Squadron will be responsible for the federated targeting mission through orbital targeting sections focusing on integrating kinetic and non-kinetic targeting for the Joint Force across several orbital regimes. The Department of the Air Force's decision to host DEL 15 and the two ISR squadrons came after conducting thorough site surveys which assessed the location's ability to facilitate the missions and infrastructure capacity while accounting for community support, environmental factors and cost. The DAF will now conduct environmental impact analyses at each base, which are expected to be completed later this year before final decisions are made. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Top MOD leaders highlight the importance of the transatlantic alliance at GLOBSEC Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 30.05.2023 Over the past few days, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar and Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer have participated in the GLOBSEC 2023 Bratislava Forum, engaging in panel discussions on topical defence and security issues in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine driving a change in the security environment. At GLOBSEC, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar has taken part in two panel discussions titled Strengthening Deterrence Capabilities in the 21st Century' and NATO: Bigger, Better, Stronger'. Discussing the strengthening of NATO and partner countries' deterrent capabilities, he praised the unity of the Alliance as a crucial element of deterrence, saying: "If unity and cohesion, in our case those of NATO and EU countries, are part of deterrence against an existing threat, then it is precisely our alliance that acts as the biggest deterrent for the aggressor. Deterrence works not only because we are united, but also because other countries are signing up for the initiatives supporting Ukraine." Appearing on the Defending the Barricades: NATO's Presence on the Eastern Flank' panel discussion, Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer noted that the North Atlantic Alliance is ready to face challenges better than ever before and that this is especially so for the Allied countries on the eastern flank. Whilst at GLOBSEC, Martin Sklenar and Marian Majer have taken the opportunity to hold bilateral talks with their partners from Ukraine, Germany and Lithuania as well as with representatives of the private sector. GLOBSEC, supported by the SVK Ministry of Defence, serves as a unique forum for subject matter experts from various professional backgrounds, taking place in a relatively small space which presents a concentrated opportunity for the international security community to have fruitful discussions and meetings. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Government endorses procurement of 246 infantry fighting vehicles Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic 31.5.2023 Author: by editorial staff The Government of the Czech Republic authorised the procurement of 246 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles for CZK 59.7 billion and on the very same day, the Director General of the MoD Armaments and Acquisition Division Lubor Koudelka signed an agreement with the Swedish party. Under the leadership of Minister Cernochova, the MoD contracted for the acquisition of fighting vehicles less than a year after the previous tender was discontinued. We are embarking on the realization phase nine years after the decision to procure these vehicles which are necessary to deliver the key commitments to the Alliance, that is, to build a heavy infantry brigade by 2026. We are procuring vehicles that meet the requirements of the Czech Armed Forces. The contract also ensures that the participation of the Czech defence industry will amount to at least 40% of this contract. "The procurement of infantry vehicles is an important milestone for building a heavy brigade, modernizing armed forces, and for strengthening our defence posture," Minister Cernochova said. Despite all proclamations, governments in the preceding two electoral terms did not fulfil this commitment. The previous competitive bidding ended in failure in 2021. None of the tenderers whose offers had been rejected by the previous MoD leadership accepted the adjustments of the tender conditions which had been recommended by the legal study commissioned by Minister Cernochova, meaning the tender had to be cancelled. Therefore, the Government authorised the Minister of Defence to negotiate the procurement of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles directly with the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden. This vehicle was chosen because it is the only combat proven vehicle, it is used in various European countries and it fulfils the requirements of the Czech Armed Forces. The Czech Republic is going to acquire 246 units of CV90, including 29 maintenance vehicles, training, spare parts, and other accessories for approximately CZK 59.7 billion including VAT, which is approximately CZK 49.3 billion excluding VAT. The Czech Armed Forces previously demanded 210 pieces and the possibility of an option for another 36 pieces in the future. In the end, decided decision was made to acquire all 246 pieces. "Past experience with different vehicles proved that sufficient stock reserves are necessary. Furthermore, due to a worsened security situation, prices of equipment are constantly increasing. That is why we decided to accept the favourable Swedish offer which observes the original unit price," the Director General of the MoD Armaments and Acquisition Division explained. It was possible to keep the original price also thanks to the cooperation with Slovakia which is purchasing these vehicles for Slovak Armed Forces as well. "With today's signature of the contract, we are welcoming the Czech Republic to the expanding family of CV90 infantry fighting vehicle users. It is a vehicle designed for harsh conditions and difficult terrain which was also tested in combat during international missions. Introduction of this first class Swedish-developed vehicle will strengthen not only the Czech Armed Forces, but NATO as well," Swedish Minister of Defence Pal Jonson stated. As part of the contract, Sweden undertakes that the participation of the Czech defence industry will amount to at least 40% of the contract value. In case of non-compliance, sanctions will be imposed. This means that Czech industries will have the opportunity to cooperate on the production of vehicles for the Czech Armed Forces and also, after agreement with the producer, to potentially participate in future contracts with other European countries. The Swedish producer BAE Systems-Hagglunds is responsible for the involvement of Czech companies. Prior to signing the contract with the Czech Government, BAE signed contracts with major Czech subcontractors - state-owned enterprise VOP CZ, VR Group a.s. (owned by LOM PRAHA state enterprise) and the companies Excalibur Army, Meopta, and Ray Service. Approximately 30 Czech companies will cooperate on the contract and the estimated participation on the overall value during the realization of the contract will exceed the "mandatory" mark of 40%. In the past, the involvement of the state-owned enterprise VOP CZ and its participation in the project, namely the contract-based calculation of its share in the overall participation of Czech industry, was questioned. Transactions for VOP or other state-owned enterprises are, in some aspects, considered to be accounting more, as under the 2030 Armaments and Defence Industry Development Support in the Czech Republic Strategy, VOP as a state-owned enterprise holds a key position for ensuring the security of supplies in the vital cycle of military materiel. The conflict in Ukraine has shown that having enterprises with such capabilities in our territory and under the control of the state is an essential strategic advantage that determines the power to defend our territory. The contractual provision of the whole agreement is specific. Two contracts were signed - firstly, a bilateral agreement between the Czech Republic and the Kingdom of Sweden, represented by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), which regulates civil and military cooperation with regard to the procurement of infantry fighting vehicles. Furthermore, the agreement ensures close cooperation between the Czech Republic and the Kingdom of Sweden for decades. Secondly, a tripartite agreement was signed between the Czech Ministry of Defence, the Swedish agency FMV and BAE Systems Hagglunds, the manufacturer of the vehicles. The subject matter of the agreement is the procurement of the CV90 vehicles itself. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moldova: Press remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the handover of EPF financed equipment European External Action Service (EEAS) 31.05.2023 Chisinau EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Thank you, dear Minister of Defence [Anatolie Nosatii]. Thank you, dear Minister of Foreign Affairs [and European Integration, Deputy Prime Minister, Nicu Popescu]. I want to say hello to all representatives of local authorities and institutions, to distinguished guests and partners of this ceremony. I am very glad to be here, at this impressive, I would not say beautiful, but really impressive - Museum of the National Army, which is also the Museum of History of Moldova. I am here to demonstrate our firm support to Moldova. But our support should not be something abstract. I want to present concrete, visible and tangible results of our security and defence cooperation. We have seen it, we have touched it - we have even weighed [it]. We are handing over this first [batch of] equipment provided through the European Peace Facility (EPF) to Moldova. It will support the military medical and explosive ordnance disposal capacities of your national army. It includes drones, laptops, Explosive Ordnance Disposal suits, ultrasound machines, individual protection kits and surgery sets. As you see, there is no lethal [equipment]. But an army is something more just than arms. Behind the arms, there is a lot of logistics, a lot of surgery, transport, fueling, control, observation capacities. And this is what we try to support you to develop. And this is just the start, Minister. This is just the start. It is part of a first step of our support under the European Peace Facility, which amounts to 87 million. But more equipment will come in the next months, [such as] ambulances, mobile demining robots, metal detectors, radios, radars. Our support will continue to reflect the challenges that Moldova is facing. Our support will be responding to the emergencies provoked by Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and we will provide you, as I said, for example, with an air surveillance radar. Someone asked me: "How can you protect us?". Well, [by] looking at what is happening in the sky. This is [why] surveillance radars are very much needed. This will enhance Moldova's air security in the future. This support will help modernise Moldova's defence sector and will build your capacity to take part in our civilian and military missions around the world, contributing to our peace-building efforts. As I said, our support from the European Peace Facility is just one part of our comprehensive cooperation on security and defence. Moments ago, earlier today, together with you, dear Minister, we officially inaugurated the new civilian mission to Moldova (European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova), where European experts will be working jointly with Moldovan counterparts to enhance Moldova's capacity in cybersecurity, in combatting hybrid threats, and countering disinformation. Last month, we established a new sanctions regime to target those involved in attempts to destabilise the country and immediately after - yesterday - we sanctioned the first group of individuals. Dear Ministers, we will continue working jointly. We will contribute to the security, stability, and prosperity of both Moldova and its people, that have endured this history that this Museum keeps the memory of - [an] impressive memory of the sufferance of the Moldovan people on their way to their independence - and making you stronger. As I said, we - also - will be stronger and [more] secure. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chengdu topped the ranking of the new first-tier cities in China according to the Ranking of Cities' Business Attractiveness in China 2023 released by the Rising Lab on Tuesday. Using urban big data from 17 internet companies and data agencies, the research branch of Shanghai media group Yicai, evaluated 337 cities at the prefecture level and above based on five first-level dimensions: concentration of commercial resources, city hub, activity of city residents, diversity of lifestyle and future plasticity. The 15 new first-tier cities in the 2023 list are Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Suzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Changsha, Tianjin, Zhengzhou, Dongguan, Qingdao, Kunming, Ningbo and Hefei. Compared with the previous year, Kunming returned to the new first-tier, replacing Foshan which had previously been climbing. Former new first-tier cities Shenyang and Wuxi dropped to the second-tier. Moldova: Press remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the launch of the EU Partnership Mission in Chisinau European External Action Service (EEAS) 31.05.2023 Chisinau EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Minister [of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Deputy Prime Minister, Nicu] Popescu, dear friend, Minister [Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ana] Revenco, Head of Mission, Ambassadors, distinguished guests and colleagues, I am very happy today to be here, in Chisinau, to celebrate the official inauguration of the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova. Thank you for allocating this fantastic building to the mission. You know that Moldova is one of the countries most directly affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Everybody is being affected - mostly the Ukrainians, and Moldovans also. In addition, Russia is trying to destabilise Moldova, with interference and with hybrid actions. I am here to send a clear message: Moldova is not alone. You are our strategic partner. You are a future European Union member. Today, the deployment of this mission is another important political sign of the European Union's support in these current difficult circumstances. This mission will join another 12 [EU] civilian missions around the world. Here, we have the head of these missions - all of them [Stefano Tomat]. I know how complicated it is to manage 12 civilian missions all around the world. This will be another one, a very important one. A very important one because here, in Moldova, we are facing real challenges, and that is why this mission is an innovative mission, based on three pillars. First, it has to contribute to strengthening the crisis management capacities of the security sector of Moldova. We all have been impressed by the solidarity that Moldova has shown with the refugees fleeing Ukraine. I was here in the first days when the war started [and] I witnessed this solidarity with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing and escaping Ukraine. I was also impressed by the professionalism of your services in managing it. So, congratulations to the Minister of Internal Affairs [Ana Revenco]. This mission will also provide a further strategic and operational support to prepare you better for future crises. Secondly, the mission will assist in enhancing resilience to face hybrid threats - especially cybersecurity - and countering foreign information manipulation and interference, which is a danger that is growing and growing everywhere and putting our democracies at risk. This will require developing strategies and policies, identifying the necessary capacity building for early warning, detection, attribution of threats, and effective response to them. And finally, thirdly, the mission will have a project cell offering targeted operational support to help Moldova respond in both areas. Overall, the aim of the mission is to strengthen Moldova's resilience. And once again, I am very pleased to be here with the EU Civilian Operation Commander, Stefano Tomat - please, Stefano, take a lot of care of this mission - and to introduce the Head of Mission, Ambassador Cosmin Dinescu. We are here with an initial team of 15 people [as] staff. This team will grow to at least 40 staff in the coming weeks. I want to thank all [those] who worked to put this mission in place, in a very short time. The deployment of this new civilian mission is part of our strong commitment to work hand in hand with Moldova on comprehensive cooperation on security and defence. Defence is not just the military [side], it is also the civilian side. But also, the European Peace Facility (EPF) will be providing 87 million of non-lethal support to enhance national security, stability and resilience in the defence sector. I want to stress that it is non-lethal arms. It is non-lethal support, but you know, an army needs a lot of logistics, a lot of organisation. It needs a lot of things which are not arms and this will be provided by this 87 million of support. Allow me to say something that I think is important and interesting. Last month, we established a new sanctions regime to target people involved in trying to destabilise this country. Yesterday, we sanctioned the first group of individuals . They are Moldovan and Russian politicians and businessmen, linked to this famous "Bank Fraud" case, which resulted in huge losses for the Moldovan budget, such as Ilan Shor, or Vladimir Plahotniuc, or the parliamentarian Marina Tauber. Others, like Gheorghe Cavcaliuc or Igor Chaika, that are linked to efforts orchestrated by the Kremlin to destabilise Moldova through, for instance, the planning of violent demonstrations, by financial misconduct, unauthorised exports of capital, and support to the Russian Federal Security Service. This is the first time that we make use of this dedicated sanctions regime for Moldova. But this list is not final. We are ready to use this new [sanctions] regime any time again when we see attempts to destabilise Moldova economically or politically. Ultimately, the European Union presence in Moldova is driven by a shared goal: to ensure peace, to ensure security and stability of both the citizens of Moldova and the citizens of the European Union, because we are facing the same challenges. And by making you stronger, by making Moldova stronger, we make also the European Union stronger. So, you can count on our support. We are [all] in the same boat. Thank you. Q&A (at app 29:40") Q. On the security situation in the region, we are very close to the Ukrainian border, and considering the situation that has been escalating, I wanted to ask you if you agree with the recent statements made by the United Kingdom State Secretary Cleverly, that there are certain times when it is appropriate for Ukraine to attack a military target in Russia? The other security issue in the Balkans refers to the security in Kosovo. You will have the leaders of the two countries at the meeting tomorrow. Will you try to put them at the same table, considering that you are pushing for the accord between the two countries? You know, I am not a commentator of other people's declarations. About the situation in Kosovo, I take this opportunity to repeat that the European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the violent acts against citizens, against the KFOR troops, against media, against law enforcement, in front of the municipal premises in the north of Kosovo. And we stand firmly behind NATO's mission - behind KFOR - behind our [EU Rule of Law] mission EULEX in fulfilling their mandate. They have been showing an incredible amount of professionalism in fulfilling this difficult mission. They deserve all our support. At the same time, I have to say that any unilateral action has to be avoided and calm has to be restored urgently. Violent protests and acts of violence are not acceptable. An investigation on what was happening on 29 May has to take place and [the] perpetrators have to be held accountable because the safety and the security of the citizens should be fully guaranteed. So therefore, we urge Kosovo and Serbia to immediately and unconditionally de-escalate. We expect Serbia and Kosovo to act responsibly and engage immediately in our facilitated Dialogue to find a sustainable solution for the situation in the north of Kosovo. The escalation took place against clear calls from the European Union, in particular from me, to avoid it. And it could have been avoided. Shall the parties fail to de-escalate, it will have consequences in our bilateral relations. Q. [In Russian - Can the EU protect Moldova against Russian threats?] We know there is dissatisfaction from the Russian Federation towards Moldova, that is why we try to support you, that is why we try to support you with this civilian mission and by providing non-lethal equipment to your armed forces. And among them, there are radars that can scrutinise what is happening in the sky, and detect any attempt to attack you. Q. Is there any possibility that tomorrow, as part of the Summit, you will try and convene the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia in order to defuse tensions? And secondly, what symbol or signal do you hope that tomorrow's summit sends to Vladimir Putin in Moscow? I have been talking with Prime Minister of Kosovo [Albin Kurti] this morning, a couple of hours [ago in Bratislava]. And tomorrow, I hope that I will be able to meet the President [Aleksandar] Vucic from Serbia to pass the same message. We need to de-escalate. We have to defuse [the tensions]. We have to condemn the violence against the police, against the media. We have to ask the perpetrators to be held accountable, and we have to de-escalate and go back to the [Belgrade-Pristina] Dialogue. There is no other solution. There is no other solution than Dialogue in order to implement the past agreements. I hope that they will be able to get it. But I have to say that we have gone too far and the levels of violence that we witnessed at the beginning of this week have to stop immediately. Otherwise, the situation can become very dangerous. And the message to everybody is clear: the European Political Community is something more than the European Union. The European Union is a set of countries linked by a lot of agreements, treaties [and] common policies but around the European Union Member States, there are many other States. Some want to become members [of the European Union], others do not want. But anyway, they share the same principles, the same values, the same attachment to freedom, economic prosperity and social cohesion. And these are our values, this is our strength, this is our model. And it is good that everybody that shares this meets together in order to stress "here we are, a political community, refusing war, defending the United Nations Charter, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of everybody and in particular today, Ukraine". Q. I am just wondering what your reaction is to the fact that it seems that President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan of Turkey is not going to attend the Summit. Is that a disappointment? What kind of message does this send given Turkey's importance as a geopolitical power and a part of this broader European community that this Summit represents? I am one of the most modest members of this assembly. I am not a Head of State or government, I am just the one in charge of building the foreign policy of the European Union. And surely I - personally - would have appreciated a lot to have here the Turkish representative and, in particular, President Erdogan who has just won the elections. Q. In your opinion, would it be appropriate in any circumstances for Ukraine to launch an attack on Russian military assets? I am in charge of building a foreign policy, and I am supposed to be taking very much care of what I am saying and of what you want me to say. Q. [in Romanian - on remarks regarding Moldova's EU entry with a frozen conflict on its territory - Transnistria] There are precedents of Member States that became Member States having a territorial problem inside - that is the case of Cyprus. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister of Foreign Affairs Tsahkna to British colleague: grey areas in Europe only exacerbate instability Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31.05.2023 Yesterday, on 30 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna met with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in Tallinn to discuss continued support for Ukraine, the security situation in Europe, and deepening bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, Tsahkna thanked the United Kingdom for contributing to the security of Estonia and Europe, including to strengthening NATO's eastern flank. "The United Kingdom is a close ally NATO," Tsahkna said. "The United Kingdom made a significant contribution to Estonia's freedom already in 1918, when we first became independent from Russian rule, and continues to do so today." "We are pleased to continue to host the UK-led eFP Battlegroup in Estonia, and we appreciate your contribution to the Baltic Air Policing mission from Amari Air Base," Tsahkna said. The Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that while we are protected and secure here in Tallinn, a brutal war is being waged by Russia at the heart of Europe, in Ukraine. "Aggression as a means of international relations must be completely discredited, and the idea of spheres of influence belongs in the trash heap of history," he said, adding that there should be no grey zones in European security. "We have learned from history that grey areas only exacerbate instability." "Now that Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and the right to choose its allies, we need to show that as an Alliance, we are ready to take a step toward what we promised to them in Bucharest 15 years ago," Tsahkna said. "The way to achieve that goal is for Ukraine to one day become a member of the Alliance." Estonia and the United Kingdom are also linked through their cooperation in developing new and breakthrough technologies, including the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). "This will help us further strengthen our cooperation in developing cybersecurity and digital solutions," Tsahkna said, adding that cooperation with the UK will also help to maintain the integrity of Ukraine's digital sector. Tsahkna also praised the United Kingdom for its leadership in supporting Ukraine. "The UK has done a remarkable job of helping Ukraine through its leadership of the coalition of tanks and aircrafts and by organising this year's Ukraine Recovery Conference." Today, Tsahkna and his UK colleague will travel to Oslo, Norway, for an informal meeting of foreign ministers of NATO. The meeting will focus on preparations for the Vilnius Summit on 11-12 July and feature discussions on the security situation in Europe and practical and political support for Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Moldovan President Sandu European Commission Statement 31 May 2023 Chisinau President Sandu, dear Maia, It is wonderful to be back in Chisinau. Indeed, Moldova is this week the political heart of Europe. And I think it is natural and self-explaining that the second Summit of the European Political Community takes place in Moldova. Because your country embodies Europe's core values. That is solidarity, which you showed towards the Ukrainian refugees; resilience, which you showed to Russia's blackmail; and unity which you showed to link your destiny to the European Union. It was very moving to see a sea of European flags here in Chisinau's streets last week. And my message to the people of Moldova is that we stand by you. We support you every step of the way on your path to the European Union. And today, I am glad to announce a new support package for Moldova with a double objective: We want to support you to address the impact of the war on your doorstep. And we want to bring you closer to the European Union. This package has five very concrete initiatives. First, indeed, we will lower the roaming charges between the European Union and Moldova. Today, the telecom operators signed an agreement, which I warmly welcome, to lower data and voice roaming starting next year. And I think it is a very good step which will benefit the people and our companies. Because indeed, cheaper roaming is good for the business, and it is good for the people. This is our experience, too. It literally connects people. The second point is that we will provide additional economic support. Since October 2021, the European Union has provided more than EUR 1 billion to Moldova. This includes EUR 300 million in macro-financial assistance for this year. Now on top of this, we are stepping up support with our Economic and Investment Plan for Moldova. Our initial target was to reach EUR 600 million of additional investments. The good news is that we will be almost tripling that amount. Indeed, with the additional financing that we will mobilise, we can now leverage up to EUR 1.6 billion. And that will bring great opportunities for Moldova's companies, so this will be a direct investment into the economy. The third strand of the package is support for the energy sector - you mentioned it. The energy crisis provoked by Russia is still hurting Moldova. We are here to support you both with short-term and with long-term measures. For the short term, we will provide more than EUR 100 million to cover the immediate needs. That is, for example, to help the vulnerable people and households, to make residential buildings more energy efficient and, of course, to prepare for the next winter. I am very pleased that Moldova is participating in our European Union's common gas purchasing mechanism. This is a platform where all the Member States are aligned, and we go to the gas market to have the best offers. Moldova is part of this gas purchasing platform. And it is already a big success because we could see that 80% of the volumes of gas that you have requested via this platform have already been matched. This is very important because it means better prices and reliable suppliers. I think this will help ensure Moldova's security of gas supply enormously. And looking at the long term for energy, we are working together in a way that we will fund projects to facilitate Moldova's integration into our European Union's energy market. So, we will invest in renewable energy, which is crucial to reduce your dependency on fossil fuels. And we will work on electricity interconnections, with two new high voltage power lines between Moldova and Romania. Finally, a brief look at the transport networks: For this, we will make available EUR 50 million for the rehabilitation of railway lines as part of the European solidarity lanes. My fourth point is on security and resilience. Earlier this month, the European Union agreed a EUR 40 million package for Moldova to finance military supplies and strengthen your armed forces, including through technical training. Now we want to further increase the European Peace Facility support to Moldova. We clearly see, dear Maia, how Russia is trying to destabilise Moldova with hybrid actions. So, we are stepping up our support to increase your resilience against Russia's hybrid threats. We have just launched a Partnership Mission to provide you with strategic advice on crisis management and hybrid threats, for instance cybersecurity and countering foreign interference. My final point is about Moldova's reforms to advance on the EU path. I can clearly see that you are making big progress. This is good to see, and it is amazing. And we will support you to advance even faster. This is why we will now significantly increase the number of staff of our EU Delegation in Chisinau. It is basically to support you in the development of the reforms but also to support you to build the administrative capacity that is necessary. Let me end, dear Maia, by thanking you for hosting us here in Chisinau. The presence of 50 European leaders, 50 Heads of State or Government right now in Moldova, in Chisinau, gives a very strong message. Moldova is at the heart of Europe. Moldova is Europe. And today and tomorrow, the whole of Europe is Moldova. Thank you very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock prior to her departure for the Informal Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Oslo Germany Federal Foreign Office 31.05.2023 - Press release I am pleased that Norway has taken up the baton of this still young tradition of conducting an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, which Germany established only last year. Like at last year's meeting in Berlin, our task in Oslo will be to prepare for the upcoming NATO Summit of the Heads of State and Government, by getting an overview of the current security policy situation and jointly addressing the core strategic issues facing the North Atlantic Alliance. In this context it is clear that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and against the international order, which has now been raging for more than 450 days, must not be allowed to become normality. Every day of the war, every new Russian drone and missile attack, will prompt us only to provide even more support for the Ukrainian people in their self-defence and their fight for peace. Here, NATO is absolutely vital for the security of us all. For Putin has demonstrated that he will ride roughshod over any norm that is not defended by force. That is why, in Oslo, we will also talk about how we can resolutely strengthen NATO's capabilities for defence and deterrence - not only for today and tomorrow, but for the coming years, so that people everywhere in our Alliance can enjoy security. We have taken a tremendous step towards strengthening the Alliance with Finland becoming its 31st member. The next logical step is now for Sweden to join - as we all agreed together at the last NATO Summit in Madrid. It remains the aim of the Federal Government for the Vilnius Summit to have 32 Allies seated at the table. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Oslo: getting ready for the summit in Vilnius Germany Federal Foreign Office 31.05.2023 - Article On 31 May and 1 June, the NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs will be meeting in Oslo. Their agenda will focus on getting ready for the summit in Vilnius in early July. This, however, is no ordinary ministerial meeting. Norway is only the second country to host a NATO meeting of an informal nature. The Ministers will meet here in a very small and confidential setting. Instead of a pre-structured programme, the plan is to enable a more open, direct and interactive exchange. In concrete terms, this means that only Ministers will be in the room, without their advisors. No prepared statements will be read; instead, Ministers will engage in discourse and discussions and have a genuine debate. Foreign Minister Baerbock emphasised: I am pleased that Norway has taken up the baton of this still young tradition of conducting an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, which Germany established only last year. Like at last year's meeting in Berlin, our task in Oslo will be to prepare for the upcoming NATO Summit of the Heads of State and Government, by getting an overview of the current security policy situation and jointly addressing the core strategic issues facing the North Atlantic Alliance. Topics to be addressed at the meeting: drawing the relevant conclusions from the war of aggression against Ukraine The main focus of the discussions of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs will be preparing for the Vilnius Summit in early July. One key topic will be further development of NATO's partnership with Ukraine. Ministers will also look at how to continue supporting Ukraine's defensive efforts and its fight for peace against Russia's attack, which has lasted for more than 450 days so far. Another issue will be what conclusions NATO must draw for its own security from Russia's aggressive conduct. NATO is the key pillar for Euro-Atlantic security. "That is why, in Oslo, we will also talk about how we can resolutely strengthen NATO's capabilities for defence and deterrence - not only for today and tomorrow, but for the coming years, so that people everywhere in our Alliance can enjoy security," the Foreign Minister said ahead of the meeting. In this connection, Ministers will discuss reaffirming what is known as the Defence Investment Pledge, as well as how to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure in the Alliance. This includes, for example, critical undersea infrastructure. Ratification of Sweden's membership still needed from Turkey and Hungary There is little time to obtain ratification so that Sweden can join the Alliance prior to the Vilnius Summit in early July. Hungary has repeatedly declared that it will ratify before Turkey does, as soon as the required steps have been taken there. Now that Turkey's new parliament has been formed, there is the opportunity to swiftly bring before it a motion to ratify Sweden's accession to NATO. Foreign Minister Baerbock made the following comments on this before her departure: We have taken a tremendous step towards strengthening the Alliance with Finland becoming its 31st member. The next logical step is now for Sweden to join - as we all mutually agreed at the last NATO Summit in Madrid. It remains the aim of the Federal Government for the Vilnius Summit to have 32 Allies seated at the table. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press briefing by Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt Government of Norway Speech/statement | Date: 31/05/2023 By Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt Press briefing by Minister Huitfeldt held May 31 before NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Oslo. Welcome to Oslo and to the second informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers. It is a pleasure for Norway to be hosting this meeting at this crucial time. Because there is a war in Europe, it is important for the NATO foreign ministers to maintain close contact. It further cements the already strong unity within the Alliance. All 31 member countries and invitee Sweden will participate. The meeting is the final meeting of foreign ministers before the NATO summit in Vilnius in July. A primary focus for discussions here in Oslo will be our continued relations with and support for Ukraine. Long-term civilian and military support to Ukraine is essential. Norway is doing its part with the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. This multi-year support programme will provide almost 7 billion Euro over a period of five years. Norway is a major contributor to NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine, which is another important long-term commitment. But most importantly, this meeting will reaffirm our strong transatlantic ties and to address common challenges in our neighbourhood. The war in Ukraine has highlighted how important NATO is to our security. This meeting provides an opportunity for me to draw attention to the important role Norway plays as NATO in the north. Maintaining a presence in the High North is one of Norway's most important tasks in the alliance. With the war in Ukraine, Russia is weakened conventionally. But the strategic nuclear arsenal is still in place close to our border. We are monitoring military activity in the region closely. Another of Norway's key tasks is to ensure a stable energy supply to Europe. We have 80 installations at sea and almost 8800 km of pipelines. We take our responsibility as the main supplier of gas to Europe very seriously. This implies strengthened surveillance related to critical energy infrastructure. Lessons from the last year have showed the link between security and energy security. We welcome NATO's engagement in efforts to protect critical infrastructure on the seabed. At the last meeting of Foreign Ministers in Brussels, we welcomed Finland into the Alliance. It was a special moment for the Nordic countries in the alliance. Now we are impatiently waiting for Sweden. I am glad my good Swedish colleague Mr Billstrm is here. Sweden now participates in NATO meetings as an official NATO Invitee. Sweden must become a fully-fledged NATO member as soon as possible, and before the summit in Vilnius in July. With the Nordic region united in NATO, the alliance will be stronger. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Polish-Bosnian political consultations in Warsaw Republic of Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31.05.2023 The Russian aggression against Ukraine, the EU's enlargement process, and compensation for losses suffered as a result of World War IIthese were the central themes of the talks Secretary of State Arkadiusz Mularczyk held with Deputy Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Josip Brkic. The political consultations focused on the developments in Ukraine. Both diplomats highlighted the importance of solidarity and support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Deputy Minister Brkic stressed that difficult wartime experiences of Bosnia and Herzegovina's citizens have led to a better understanding of victims of the conflict and a genuine readiness to provide humanitarian aid. Despite the fact that Bosnian political elites differ in their assessment of the war, the issue of helping Ukrainian refugees is subject to a nationwide compromise. The two officials agreed that Russia's actions pose a challenge not only to Ukraine, as it is struggling with direct military aggression, but also to the whole Western Balkans region, which is exposed to numerous hybrid threats. Deputy Minister Mularczyk pointed out that Poland, as is the case with Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, supports the European ambitions of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as of other Western Balkan countries, and has been actively promoting their membership of European structures. Deputy Foreign Minister Brkic thanked for the support Poland has provided to date and for its technical assistance. Moreover, he called for the acceleration of the integration process, particularly in the context of the ever-growing involvement of third countries. The talks also covered German reparations for Poland for the losses suffered as a result of World War II. Deputy Minister Mularczyk presented his interlocutor with the methodology used to compile a report on the issue and with plans for Poland's future actions to obtain war compensation. Very good relations between the two countries were emphasised. The deputy head of the Polish MFA also stressed that establishing a direct air link between Warsaw and Sarajevo last year provided an impetus to developing economic cooperation. A better transport link means not only growing trade but also increased cultural, social, and tourist contacts. MFA Press Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on incidents in Northern Kosovo Republic of Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31.05.2023 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its serious concern about the increase of tensions in Northern Kosovo and strongly condemns the unprovoked attacks on NATO troops taking part in the KFOR operation, which resulted in several dozen of Allied soldiers being wounded. The aim of the international forces' presence in Kosovo is to ensure security of all inhabitants of the region. We express our solidarity with the KFOR soldiers wounded while on duty. We call on all sides to refrain from unilateral actions, which can cause the situation to escalate. We urge them to halt violence, deescalate the situation, and return to dialogue under the auspices of the European Union, as well as to implement the agreement on the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo. MFA Press Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 27th Meeting of the Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border affairs (WMCC) India - Ministry of External Affairs May 31, 2023 The 27th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border affairs (WMCC) was held on 31st May 2023 in person in New Delhi. Joint Secretary (East Asia) from MEA led the Indian Delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by the DG of Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2. The two sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in Western Sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in remaining areas in a frank and open manner. Restoration of peace and tranquillity will create conditions for normalising bilateral relations. 3. In order to achieve this objective, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (19th) round of Senior Commander's meeting at an early date. The two sides agreed to continue discussions through military and diplomatic channels. New Delhi May 31, 2023 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A look at Defence news 22 - 28 May Netherlands Ministry of Defence News item | 31-05-2023 The EU Defence Ministers met in Brussels this week. The topics discussed included military support to Ukraine, scaling up production capacity and new defence projects. Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren informed the council that the Netherlands will be contributing 260 million to a joint ammunition procurement initiative for Ukraine. Red Berets train in combat operations in Greece during Swift Response Soldiers from 11 Airmobile Brigade participated in the multinational airborne exercise Swift Response, which took place in Greece. An important element of the exercise was the deployment of a medical unit. Training for the entire operational medical chain was completed in realistic conditions. Netherlands Air Force trains in smart use of tactical networks in future air operations Integrating multiple tactical networks while in the air was the focus of a US-led experiment in future helicopter operations. The smart use of systems allows targets to be disabled before they pose a serious threat. The Royal Netherlands Air Force took part in this Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event. First drugs haul for HNLMS Groningen since return to the Caribbean HNLMS Groningen has made its first drugs capture since the Royal Netherlands Navy ship returned to the Caribbean recently. Over 500 kilos of marijuana was intercepted during the operation. Ministers discuss Belgian-Dutch cooperation in Den Helder Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren and her Belgian counterpart Ludivine Dedonder discussed Belgian-Dutch maritime cooperation during a joint visit to the Royal Netherlands Navy in Den Helder. 75 years of UN peacekeeping missions A ceremony was held at the Malieveld in The Hague to commemorate 75 years of UN peacekeeping missions. Several peacekeepers shared their experiences. Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren and Netherlands Chief of Defence General Onno Eichelsheim laid a wreath in honour of all military and civilian personnel deployed on UN missions. The event had been organised by the Dutch Association for the United Nations. Margraten: symbol of a lasting European-American bond A US Memorial Day service was held at the American Cemetery in Margraten, Limburg, commemorating the American soldiers who died in Europe during the Second World War fighting for our freedom. During the service, Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren remarked on how the service honours the sacrifice of many young American men and women. Their sacrifices are marked by the white crosses and stars of David that stretch over the hills at Margraten, a confirmation of the lasting bond between Europe and the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan army suspends participation in ceasefire talks Iran Press TV Wednesday, 31 May 2023 7:30 PM Sudan's army has suspended its participation in the Saudi-backed talks with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to end months of fighting. Despite peace efforts, fighting continued unabated in the African country on Wednesday, with the army and the RSF trading blame over truce violations. Brigadier Nabil Abdalla, a spokesman for the army, said that the decision was taken in light of repeated breaches of ceasefire by the paramilitary group. He said the RSF also failed to implement a provision that required their withdrawal from hospitals and residential buildings. The RSF in a statement accused the army of halting the talks in the Saudi port city of Jeddah so that it could undermine them and of violating the ceasefire by using airpower and heavy artillery to attack its positions. The African Union (AU) later on Wednesday said the suspension of talks should not discourage further attempts at mediation. "In difficult negotiations, it is a classic phenomenon that one party suspends or threatens to suspend" its participation, said Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt, chief of staff to the AU Commission president, and its spokesman for the Sudan crisis. "But that should absolutely not discourage the mediators... the United States and Saudi Arabia, who we support very strongly, from continuing their efforts." Until late on Tuesday, intense clashes were reported in Khartoum, with residents reporting intensive fighting in all three of the adjoining cities that make up Sudan's greater capital around the confluence of the Nile - Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North. Areas of the capital have been hit by widespread looting and frequent cuts to power and water supplies. Most hospitals have been put out of service. Some aid agencies, embassies and parts of Sudan's central government have moved operations to Port Sudan, in Sudan's Red Sea state, the main shipping hub which has seen little unrest. The new development comes after US and Saudi mediators on Sunday announced that the warring sides had agreed to extend a humanitarian truce by another five days. The war has forced nearly 1.4 million people to flee their homes, including more than 350,000 who have crossed into neighboring countries. More than six weeks into the conflict, the United Nations estimated that more than half the population require aid and protection. Leaders of the army and the RSF had held the top positions on Sudan's ruling council since former leader Omar al-Bashir was toppled during a popular uprising in 2019. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UAE rejects Western media's 'mischaracterization' of talks with US over Persian Gulf security Iran Press TV Wednesday, 31 May 2023 4:31 PM The United Arab Emirates has rejected the Western media's "mischaracterization" of the country's talks with the United States over the Persian Gulf's security, and announced its withdrawal from a US-led maritime coalition in the region. In a report on Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal claimed that the Emirati decision to withdraw from the coalition came in frustration at the US failure to respond to what the newspaper claimed to be Iranian threats. Citing US and Persian Gulf officials, the US newspaper claimed the UAE was disappointed and had demanded the US take action against Iran after the recent seizure of oil tankers. In a statement, the UAE foreign ministry, however, said that the newspaper's report was inaccurate, saying it was a "mischaracterization" of the country's talks with Washington. The statement said the UAE is committed to peaceful dialogue and diplomatic engagement as a means of advancing the shared goals of regional security and stability. "The UAE remains committed to responsibly ensuring the safety of navigation in its seas," the UAE statement added. It, however, said the country is no longer part of a US-led maritime security coalition in the region, without giving any reason for its withdrawal from the coalition. "As a result of our ongoing evaluation of effective security cooperation with all partners, two months ago, the UAE withdrew its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces," said the statement, referring to the Bahrain-headquartered force, which was established in 2001 to purportedly fight terrorism and piracy in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf regions. Iran has seized a number of vessels in the Persian Gulf over the past years citing various violations, with the most recent seizures taking place in late April and early May. This month, a Panama-flagged oil tanker was confiscated by the naval units of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in the Hormuz Strait following a complaint by a plaintiff and on a judicial order. Nearly a week before that, the Iranian Army's Navy seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Sea of Oman, citing its involvement in a maritime accident with an Iranian fishing craft, which resulted in the injury and missing of a number of its crew. There have also been various encounters between Iranian forces and US warships in the waters over the past years. Iran says it views US military vessels in the Persian Gulf waters as a source of tension and instability in the region, stressing that countries in the region can well protect the Persian Gulf waters themselves if they work together. The UAE's withdrawal from the US-led coalition came amid warming ties between the Arab kingdom and Iran. Last month, Iran appointed a new envoy to the UAE, ending a seven-year absence of an Iranian ambassador in the country. Iran has also normalized relations with Saudi Arabia under a China-brokered deal that includes the reopening of the two countries' diplomatic missions in the respective countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Explosion kills five at Palestinian base in Lebanon: Lebanese security source Iran Press TV Wednesday, 31 May 2023 1:50 PM Five members of a Palestinian resistance group have been killed in an accidental blast overnight at a base near Lebanon's border with Syria, according to a Lebanese security source. "An old rocket exploded in an arms depot on the base and five fighters were killed," the security source told AFP, referring to the blast that killed members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command. However, a spokesman for the PFLP-GC has blamed Israel for the explosion, saying the Tel Aviv regime carried out overnight raids at the base in Qusaya. Anwar Raja told AFP that five fighters were killed and 10 wounded, adding that "for now we do not have more detailed information on the operation." An Israeli source, however, denied any involvement in the deadly blast. Back in August 2019, suspected Israeli strikes targeted the PFLP-GC in Qusaya. In July 2015, a security official also reported a blast at the PFLP-GC base in Qusaya, saying seven people were wounded, while the Palestinian group blamed it on an Israeli strike. The PFLP-GC was founded in 1968 after splitting from the similarly named Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. It has close ties to Lebanon's Hezbollah group as well as the Syrian government and has bases in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley as well as in al-Naameh, just south of Beirut. Its founder, Ahmed Jibril, was based in Damascus until he died in 2021. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palau says Chinese vessel slowed over undersea cable during incursion into waters Palau has reported 4 unwanted forays into its waters by Chinese research vessels since 2018. By L.N. Reklai for BenarNews 2023.05.31 -- A Chinese research vessel appeared to show interest in Palau's undersea fiber optic cable during a days-long foray into the Pacific island country's waters, a government official said. Palau, one of a handful of Pacific nations to recognize Taiwan rather than Beijing and an ally of the United States, has reported four unwanted incursions into its remote waters by Chinese research vessels since 2018. "Clearly they [China] do not respect the rules-based order," Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. said on Tuesday. Whipps said his government will send a diplomatic note to China's embassy to the Federated States of Micronesia. The research vessel, Haiyang Dizhi Liuhao, entered Palau's exclusive economic zone without providing any notification on the afternoon of May 24, according to Palau's National Security Coordinator Jennifer Anson. "It slowed to about 1-2 knots as it passed over Palau's fiber optic cable. It continued with questionable maneuvers, passing about 45 nautical miles from Kayangel [Palau's northernmost state and islands]. Attempts by the Joint Operation Center to contact the vessel via VHF radio were unsuccessful," Anson said. Palau's dozens of islands, between the Philippines and Guam, have a combined land area of about 189 square miles - 2.5 times the size of Washington D.C. - and an exclusive economic zone spanning some 238,000 square miles of ocean. Under international law, nations have rights to economic exploitation of a 200 nautical mile zone around their land borders. The seas beyond a 12 nautical mile territorial zone are international waters so foreign vessels can pass through them. However unnotified research vessel activity in the exclusive economic zone could be perceived as an economic or security threat. Due to bad weather, Palau's maritime security force couldn't deploy its patrol boat or aircraft to intercept the Chinese vessel, according to the government. On Monday, the China-flagged ship appeared to be heading toward Micronesia. China's embassy in Micronesia did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Island nations in the vast Pacific Ocean have become the focus of increased rivalry between China and the U.S. Growing Chinese influence. Beijing's influence in the region has increased over several decades through a combination of trade, infrastructure and aid as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, gain allies in international institutions and advance its economic and security interests. The U.S. has recently sought to reinforce its close relationships with Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall islands in the militarily strategic northwestern Pacific. It provides economic assistance to the three countries and has rights to military control of their territories under compacts of free association. Palau, home to about 20,000 people, earlier this month signed an agreement for increased economic assistance from Washington. The U.S. military also plans to install over-the-horizon radar in Palau by 2026, adding to its early-warning capabilities for the western Pacific as China's military strength increases. The previous incursion by a Chinese vessel into Palau's waters was in July 2022 when the Yuan Wang 5 passed within 90 nautical waters of Palau's southwestern islands. Yuan Wang 5, which bristles with surveillance technology, has been described by China's state media as mainly undertaking "maritime tracking, monitoring and communication tasks concerning rockets, satellites, spaceships and China's space station." Another research vessel, Da Yang Hao, stayed in Palau's exclusive economic zone for seven days in December 2021. "Conducting research without authorization and carrying out questionable activities within Palau's waters threatens security and disregards sovereignty and rules-based order," Anson said. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service. 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 EU Intensifies Effort To Calm Crisis In North Kosovo As Serb Protesters Rally By RFE/RL's Balkan Service May 31, 2023 European Union officials met on May 31 with Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Bratislava as part of international efforts to end a crisis in Kosovo that for days has drawn ethnic-Serb demonstrators into the streets of northern towns in the former province of Serbia. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell met Kurti on the sidelines of a security conference in Bratislava to discuss the tensions. "The current situation is dangerous and unsustainable," Borrell said on Twitter. "We need urgent de-escalation and a solution through the Dialogue to return to our work on implementing the Agreement reached." Kurti, who was also to meet with Miroslav Lajcak, the EU envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, has rejected a demand by the protesters in ethnic Serb-majority northern Kosovo to remove ethnic Albanian mayors whose forced entrance into municipal buildings in three towns in the region triggered a standoff after violent clashes with Kosovar police and KFOR troops. Ethnic Serb demonstrators gathered again on May 31 in Zubin Potok and Zvecan after clashes two days earlier in Zvecan and a vow from the largest Kosovar Serbian party to continue protests over the presence of the mayors, who were recently elected in a vote boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Belgrade-backed Serbian List (Srpska Lista) said the protests will stop only when their demands for the removal of Kosovar Albanian mayors and the withdrawal of special police units from the north are met. Amid the presence of Kosovo police and KFOR troops, who have installed barbed-wire barricades around municipal buildings to keep protesters at bay, the situation in Zvecan, Leposaviq, and Zubin Potok was calm on May 31. NATO announced the day before plans to deploy 700 more troops to Kosovo to help stop the violent protests, and the leaders of France and Germany announced plans to meet top Serbia and Kosovo officials on June 1 at a summit in Moldova. Despite appeals by the United States and the European Union to return to dialogue, Kurti has insisted that the ethnic Albanian mayors have the legal right to take over municipal buildings in the towns where they were elected. Mayors of the three towns were sworn in despite a turnout of under 3.5 percent in the April 23 by-elections amid the Serb boycott. The United States has proposed allowing the mayors to work from locations other than the municipal buildings, but Kurti told RFE/RL in a brief interview in Bratislava before his meetings with the European leaders that such an order would be regarded as proof of a parallel structure being created within Kosovo. "What I am doing is my duty. There are parallel structures in the northern part of our country. If I would now order mayors to leave that office to another office somewhere elsewhere, it would be as if I am engaging in creating sort of a parallel structure to parallel structures, copying [Kosovo's Serb leaders] method. I would join their illegality. I cannot do that," he said, referring to Serbian structures that have been operating in the north of Kosovo since the 1998-99 war that led to Kosovo declaring independence from Serbia in 2008. Kurti made the comments after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on both Kosovo and Serbia to return to the European Union-mediate dialogue on the normalization of relations. Blinken reiterated that the Kosovar government's decision to forcefully install the mayors had escalated tensions "sharply and unnecessarily." Kurti and his government "should ensure that elected mayors perform their interim duties from alternative locations, outside municipal buildings, and withdraw police forces from there," Blinken said in a statement. Blinken also said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian government "should downgrade the security status of the Serbian Armed Forces and call on the Kosovo Serbs to stop defying KFOR and refrain from further violence." U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier said the decision of Kosovar authorities to forcibly install Albanian mayors led NATO to cancel Kosovo's participation in the alliance's largest military exercises in the Balkans. The NATO exercises began in Kosovo on May 21 and were set to last until June 2. Kurti decried the move as "unfortunate and unfair" in a statement to RFE/RL but reiterated that Washington remans an indispensable ally for Kosovo. With reporting by RFE/RL's Rikard Jozwiak in Bratislava, AFP, Reuters, dpa, and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-serbs- party-protests/32436412.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 'Z' Marks The Trouble Spot: Russia's Symbol Of War Appears In Northern Kosovo By Mila Djurdjevic, Andy Heil May 31, 2023 As ethnic trouble brewed and the latest confrontations erupted this week in northern Kosovo, a powerful symbol of Russian expansionism emerged alongside the Serbian flags denoting resistance to Pristina's authority. RFE/RL's Balkan Service and other media shared images of the "Z," which was used by Russian forces invading Ukraine, painted or otherwise scrawled on Kosovo police and NATO peacekeepers' vehicles. Some even caught a group of masked men in the act of spray-painting it on the armored blue trucks of Kosovar special police units in Zvecan, the scene of the worst violence on May 29. More than 30 NATO peacekeepers were injured there in what its KFOR mission called "unprovoked attacks," and dozens more Serb protesters were hurt. The unrest was sparked by the Kosovar authorities' insistence on forcibly seating ethnic Albanian mayors in predominantly Serb northern Kosovo after boycotted elections and despite Western urgings to avoid escalating tensions. Northern Kosovo is a locus of ethno-nationalist unrest in the Balkans and, outside of Ukraine itself, one of Europe's most dangerous flash points, pitting Western-oriented political forces against pro-Russian counterparts. In the days since the violence, official Belgrade and Serb representatives have remained silent over some of the protesters' embrace of the "Z" symbol, a clear middle finger to Pristina and the West for its support of Kosovar independence and a possible show of solidarity with Serbia's traditional ally Russia. Neither the region's dominant Serb political party, the Belgrade-backed Serbian List, nor Serbia's office for relations with Kosovo responded to RFE/RL queries about the symbol's appearance in the northern Kosovo hot spots. And no one else has come forward to explain how it might help the Serb cause. But given Serbs' and ethnic Albanians' ongoing failure to overcome the Serbian-Kosovar dispute -- and Moscow's diplomatic backing for Belgrade's refusal to recognize Kosovo despite EU and U.S. prodding -- analysts in the region have some guesses. 'Politically Motivated Performance Art' The say it could seek to imbue minority Serbs with the "optics of identifying with a larger power" to boost their collective confidence, undermine the legitimacy of the Serbia-Kosovo dispute while "supporting aggressive actions" to resist Kosovar authority, and undermine Serbian willingness to cooperate with perceived Kosovo allies in the West. "Visual identification with a larger power like Russia is a symbolic way to build self-confidence and encourage the suggestion that this population [minority Serbs] is an important part of a larger geopolitical mosaic," Artan Muhaxhiri, a political analyst and professor of sociology at the University of Pristina, said. But he also warned that such activities can prove ineffective and thus come off looking more like "politically motivated performance art." Naim Leo Beshiri, executive director of the Institute for European Affairs in Belgrade, said Russian aggression against Ukraine "has already caused great suffering and destabilized the region." The appearance of the "Z" in northern Kosovo comes with Serbia and Kosovo reportedly in what could be the final phases of Western-mediated talks toward normalization between the Balkan neighbors, following oral commitments in March, he said. Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti in January requested an increase in the number of NATO troops in his country, citing a purported strengthening of cooperation between Russia and Serbia, which Pristina says poses a threat to Kosovar security. "It's clear that, above all, the pro-Russian elements in Serbia and the north of Kosovo want to destabilize everything that has been agreed so far," Beshiri said. The giant "Z" first came to international attention daubed in white across Russian military vehicles in the early weeks and months of the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022. But, as Ukraine's outnumbered defenses held and an unprecedented international response further dashed Kremlin planners' hopes of a quick victory, the "Z" came to symbolize support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his military gamble. The "Zwastika," as its detractors dubbed it, appeared all over pro-Kremlin social and other media, and has been flashed at major sporting and other international events despite bans. It also made its way into the discourse of the Serbian far right, which has traditionally espoused revanchist, Orthodox, and pan-Slavic ideals. 'An Unacceptable Act' Within weeks of the invasion, pro-Russian right-wingers in Belgrade were using the "Z" in their demonstrations to pressure nationalist-populist President Aleksandar Vucic to keep Serbia out of EU and other Western sanctions regimes punishing Russia for its war on Ukraine. A March 2022 demonstration in Belgrade organized by the People's Patrol group featured dozens of vehicles marked with a "Z" and flying Serbian and Russian flags. Many of those same groups are staunch supporters of Putin's war in Ukraine and vocal opponents of normalized relations between Belgrade and Pristina. A notorious Serbian ultranationalist was among the visitors last year to the newly opened headquarters in St. Petersburg of the Wagner group, whose mercenaries fight alongside regular Russian army troops in Ukraine. Also last year, Wagner opened a "friendship and cooperation center" in Serbia's capital. Images of the appearance of the "Z" symbol in northern Kosovo were subsequently shared by a handful of Balkan-focused, pro-Russian, or pro-war accounts on social media. They included Telegram pages such as "Rusija u srcu" (Russia Close To My Heart), "Zli orlovi" (Evil Eagles), "Evroazija" (Eurasia), and "Bunt je stanje duha" (Rebellion Is A State Of Mind). Russia's English-language international media arm, RT, also noted the arrival of the "Z." In comments after the violence in Zvecan on May 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov drew a parallel between international recognition of Kosovo and Crimea, which was occupied and annexed in 2014 to start the earlier phase of Moscow's war on Ukraine. Analyst Muhaxhiri suggested to RFE/RL's Balkan Service that Moscow "needs" a complicated situation in Kosovo in order to "maintain its hopes" that it will be at the table once a "historic final agreement" to normalize relations is reached between Kosovo and Serbia. Beshiri from the Institute for European Affairs had a blunter -- and potentially worrying -- explanation. "That action represents an unacceptable act of supporting aggressive behavior," he said. Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Balkan Service correspondent Mila Djurdjevic Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-serbs- party-protests/32436412.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 Hague Panel Rejects Appeal By Milosevic Spymasters, Lengthens Prison Sentences By RFE/RL's Balkan Service May 31, 2023 A panel of United Nations judges on May 31 have rejected the appeals by two former Serbian intelligence officers against their convictions two years ago for murder, crimes against humanity, and other offenses in western Bosnia during the 1992-95 war there, and expanded their sentences in the process. Jovan Stanisic and Franko Simatovic were each sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2021 in a retrial that followed acquittals in 2013. They were convicted of crimes that included murder, deportation, forcible transfer, and persecution in what prosecutors called brutal "ethnic cleansing" at Bosanski Samac in 1992. Prosecutors asked that Stanisic and Simatovic be convicted of crimes of which they were previously acquitted in addition to additional actions in Croatia. They also say both men oversaw the establishment of training centers throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, and that the brutal crimes of Bosanski Samac reflected a pattern used for months at other locations. The judges on the Appeals Chamber of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (UNIRMCT), the successor to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), agreed with the prosecutors, lengthening the sentences to 15 years in the final case the panel will hear concerning the regime of the late Yugoslav and Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. "The Appeals Chamber granted part of the Prosecution's appeal, finding that the Trial Chamber erred in not convicting Mr. Stanisic and Mr. Simatovic under the mode of joint criminal enterprise liability," the panel said in a statement. "The Appeals Chamber determined that the Trial Chamber erred in assessing Mr. Stanisic's and Mr. Simatovic's other contributions to the common criminal purpose. The Appeals Chamber also found that they shared the intent to further the common criminal purpose," it added in an explanation for the decision. Stanisic was head of the Serbian Interior Ministry's State Security Service in 1992-98. Simatovic commanded an elite special forces unit within the Yugoslav State Security Service in 1991-98. Stanisic's defense lawyers argued that he became "a key peacemaker" who contributed to ending conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. Stanisic and Simatovic were detained in 2003 and their initial trial lasted from June 2009 until January 2013. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-serbia-stanisic- asimatovic-prison-sentences-hague/32437064.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 Places Sanctions On Seven For Destabilizing Moldova, Doubles Macroeconomic Support By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service May 31, 2023 The European Union has announced sanctions on seven individuals accused of destabilizing actions against Moldova and that it was doubling its grant of macroeconomic support to 290 million euros ($310 million). Among those hit with EU sanctions are Moldovan oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc, seen as the main organizer of a $1 billion fraud in 2014-2015; and Moscow-backed tycoon Ilan Shor, the head of the Shor Party now in Israel; and Marina Tauber, a vice president of the Shor Party who has been behind mass anti-government protests in the capital, Chisinau. Shor was sentenced to 15 years in prison by a Moldovan court last month. The others are fugitive former acting police chief Gheorghe Cavcaliuc, wanted in Moldova for aiding Shor in organizing the violent Chisinau protests; Grigore Caramalac and Aleksandr Kalinin, accused of actions against Ukraine; Russian businessman Igor Chaika, the son of Russian Prosecutor-General Igor Chaika, accused as acting as a "piggy bank" for Russia's Federal Security Service actions against Moldova. Chaika is the only non-Moldovan citizen on the list. Shor, Plahotniuc, and Chaika have already been put under sanctions by the United States and Britain. The EU assets of those on the sanctions list were frozen and they are banned from traveling to and through the bloc. The announcement was hailed by Moldova's pro-Western president, Maia Sandu. "Moldova is not alone in its effort to keep the country safe & stable. I welcome the EU's decision to sanction those who endanger our democracy, stability & security. Together, we will ensure a strong & prosperous future for Moldova, Sandu wrote on Twitter. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement that the seven were "responsible for actions aimed at destabilizing, undermining, or threatening the sovereignty and independence" of Moldova and Ukraine. "Moldova is one of the countries most affected by the consequences of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. There are serious, intensified, and persistent attempts to destabilize the country," Borrell said. Moldova, a country of 2.6 million that is among the poorest in Europe, has received hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees after Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The EU announcement about the sanctions came two days ahead of Moldova's hosting the first summit of the European Political Community, where Sandu wants to secure promises that Moldova will soon start membership negotiations with the 27-member bloc. Moldova was invited together with Ukraine to open accession negotiations with the EU in June last year, just months after Russia invaded. The 44-member European Political Community, the creation of which was the idea of French President Emmanuel Macron, is meant to improve cooperation between the EU and nonmembers, including aspiring countries in the Western Balkans and the Caucasus region. With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-eu-sanctions- destabilizing/32436966.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 UAE Withdraws From American-Led Naval Coalition, Dealing Blow to US Military Prestige Sputnik News 20230531 Wyatt Reed US officials are rushing to downplay the withdrawal as a temporary state of affairs, but the United Arab Emirate's recent diplomatic overtures to Iran suggest otherwise. The United Arab Emirates discontinued its participation in a US military-led naval coalition in recent months, the country's foreign ministry revealed Wednesday. "As a result of our ongoing evaluation of effective security cooperation with all partners, two months ago, the UAE withdrew its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces," a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted. The announced withdrawal from the 38-nation task force came in a statement which rejected a recent Western media report claiming UAE officials are privately expressing frustration with their US counterparts over recent seizures of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf by Iranian forces. "The UAE has rejected the mischaracterization, in recent press reports, of US-UAE conversations regarding maritime security," the UAE's official news agency wrote Wednesday. The foreign ministry "stressed that the UAE remains committed to responsibly ensuring the safety of navigation in its seas, in accordance with international law," the report concluded. American officials reportedly insisted, however, that the Gulf nation hasn't officially withdrawn from the US-helmed maritime task force. Instead, a spokesman for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain is claiming the UAE "withdrew their participation for the moment in the task forces but not their overall membership." Western media has echoed that assertion, with one major British outlet pointing to the fact that the CMF's official website still lists the UAE as a member nation as proof that Abu Dhabi has "not left the CMF." Such reports tend to paint the UAE's lack of participation in the US military project as an expression of anger towards the US for not being aggressive enough towards Iran. But the recent warming of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Abu Dhabi suggests a different dynamic may be at play. In fact, the announcement came the same day a senior UAE diplomat met with Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian for a visit in Tehran which was officially described as an effort to "expand cooperation to achieve shared interests and promote regional stability and prosperity." Last month, Iran appointed a new envoy to the UAE, after having gone seven years without appointing an ambassador to the country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Artillery Strikes Reported on Paramilitary Bases as Sudanese Army Leaves Ceasefire Talks Sputnik News 20230531 Fantien Garidnier Sudan has sat on the verge of open civil war since April 25, when a powerful paramilitary group revolted against an attempt to integrate it into the Sudanese military. However, the violence has flared for years as the military attempts to hold onto power amid a swelling civilian movement for democracy. The Sudanese military suspended their participation in talks with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, accusing the group of a lack of commitment and of continuously violating the existing ceasefire. "The General Command of the Armed Forces has decided to suspend the current talks in Jeddah due to the rebel militia's lack of commitment to the implementation [of] any of the terms of the agreement and its continuous violation of the ceasefire," the military said in a statement carried by Sudanese media. Brig. Nabil Abdalla, a spokesperson for the army, told US media that the decision was in response to "repeated violations" of the humanitarian ceasefire by the RSF, including their continued occupation of hospitals and other civilian infrastructure in Khartoum, the country's capital and largest city. Following the collapse of the talks, Sudanese artillery strikes were reported on RSF bases in several Sudanese cities. A day earlier, Sudanese leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan warned that the military would resort to "full lethal force" if the RSF "doesn't respond to the voice of reason." A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters on Wednesday that the UN chief had made the rare move of asking to brief the Security Council about "the dramatic situation in Sudan" behind closed doors. Since the fighting began on April 14, more than 1,800 people have been killed. According to UN statistics, more than 1.2 million people have been displaced by the fighting, with the World Food Program providing aid to 782,000 people in Sudan in the last four weeks. However, the country has been in political turmoil since late 2018, when a pro-democracy movement erupted that forced longtime military leader Omar al-Bashir from power the following year. After his ouster, a shared military-civilian interim government was formed and the protesters continued to clash with the RSF, which was sent to crush the mass movement. In October 2021, the Sudanese military ousted the civilian prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, and Burhan took over, sparking a renewed civilian resistance movement. A new power-sharing agreement was agreed to last December, but as the date neared for it to be signed, disagreements between Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the RSF militia, began to harden and Dagalo criticized the ouster of Hamdok as a "mistake." Sputnik 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.. Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre After Their Meeting US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Government Guest House Oslo, Norway May 31, 2023 PRIME MINISTER STRE: Secretary Blinken, I welcome you to Oslo. You are here at an important informal NATO meeting, but informal can be even more important than formal because it is about critical issues: how we will support Ukraine being attacked in a brutal aggression, which is really the most serious security policy situation we have dealt with in recent years and in modern times. And we've had the opportunity to exchange views on this and to underline again how closely Norway and the United States are working on this, how important this relationship is to Norway's security. We had the USS Gerald Ford here recently, underlining the defense cooperation. But this is about the political cooperation, and Secretary, I appreciate you coming, spending time in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. And for the Nordic region as a whole and for Norway, that is of great importance. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Prime Minister, thank you. I'm, first, grateful for the prime minister's - not only his hospitality, but for the very good exchange that we just had. We're grateful. We're grateful to have Norway as such a strong friend, partner, and ally, particularly at a time when there are so many challenges not only in the European area but around the globe. And the fact that we are such close partners in working together, of course, in support of Ukraine and against the Russian aggression - but also quite literally around the world in working to advance food security, energy security, climate security, and dealing with the many challenges that countries around the world are facing, that's more meaningful than ever. We are partners in trying to find peace in areas of conflict. That remains vitally important. And again, here in Europe, the solidarity that you have shown with other European partners in defense of Ukraine and against the Russian aggression I think has been absolutely remarkable. The role that Norway has played, its own generosity and support of Ukraine, the work that Norway has led on to provide for greater energy security in Europe and to help move Europe away from long-term dependencies on Russia - that has been very, very powerful. I think that's come further than anyone would have anticipated a couple of years ago. And we're grateful as well to you for hosting the foreign ministers here. We're working together to prepare a very good Vilnius Summit that the prime minister will be at. But mostly, this was an opportunity to compare notes and to say thank you. Thank you for a partnership that for us is quite simply invaluable. Thank you. PRIME MINISTER STRE: Thank you. 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 31 May 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Outer Space Good afternoon, why don't we start in a place far, far away? Today, the Secretary-General published a policy brief on outer space governance, the seventh in the Our Common Agenda series that is aimed at informing Member States ahead of the Summit of the Future next year. The brief was released to coincide with today's start of the session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. In the policy brief, the Secretary-General says we must ensure that effective governance is in place to propel innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The brief also outlines a number of recommendations for Member States and the UN system relating to the sustainability, security and governance of outer space. ** Former Yugoslavia You may have seen that in a press release earlier today, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals concerning the delivery of the appeal judgment in the case against Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic. The Secretary-General takes note of this appeal and extends his thoughts to the victims, and survivors and their families who have suffered from the crimes for which both defendants have been found guilty. The judgment marks the conclusion of the last case relating to core crimes that the Mechanism inherited from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, which, as you will recall, was established in 1993 to prosecute persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1991. The Secretary-General commends the judges and staff involved in this case for their unfaltering dedication and hard work since 2003, when the first indictment was filed. ** Sudan A number of you have been asking me this morning about Sudan and the closed consultation this afternoon, I can confirm that the Secretary-General did, indeed, ask to brief Security Council members on the dramatic situation in Sudan; that will be done in closed consultations this afternoon. And moving on to the situation on the ground, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says more than 1.2 million people have been displaced inside Sudan as a result of the conflict. IOM's estimates are based on preliminary reports from field teams, while additional reports are likely to emerge as humanitarian access improves. To help those in need, we and our partners continue to deliver aid wherever and whenever we can. The World Food Programme (WFP) continued its distributions in Khartoum State, reaching 15,000 people trapped in the Omdurman area with emergency food. Across the country, WFP has now reached more than 782,000 men, women and children with food and nutrition support over the past four weeks. The agency is also providing emergency telecommunications services to all of the UN system and the wider humanitarian community in Sudan, where as you can imagine basic connectivity remains very much a challenge. As the UN Population Fund (UNPFA) has started to provide life-saving medicines and reproductive health supplies to maternity hospitals in Wad Medani in Al-Jazirah state. Medical teams at this hospital are also providing reproductive health services to women and girls who have fled from the capital, Khartoum. ** Ukraine On Ukraine, our humanitarian colleagues are telling us that hospitals and other health facilities in the country are being hit almost daily. They note that these attacks are putting health services at risk for millions of people, particularly those living in the front lines. Our humanitarian colleagues said that yesterday alone, at least three health facilities in the Donetsk region were reportedly damaged. This was on both sides of the front lines; that's according to authorities on both sides of the humanitarian line. As a reminder, the targeting or hitting of health facilities is a violation of international humanitarian law, wherever they may occur. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine 15 months ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified more than 1,000 attacks on health facilities in the country, causing 240 deaths and injuries among health workers and patients. As a result, up to 50 per cent of health facilities in eastern and southern Ukraine are now not functional. For this year alone, we and our humanitarian partners have reached nearly 3 million people with emergency health services and medicines and plans to reach 8 million by the end of this year. Today, we delivered enough medicine to treat some 2,000 civilians remaining in the community of Preobrazhenka, just 5 kilometres from the frontline of the Zaporizhzhia region. Today's convoy was organized by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and also delivered food, clean water, emergency shelter kits and construction and hygiene materials. These supplies were provided by the International Organization for Migration, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency), WHO and the NGO (non-governmental organization), World Vision International. ** Cambodia Regarding Cambodia, I wanted to say that the Secretary-General reiterates that inclusive elections, in which a plurality of views and voter choices is represented, are important to engender confidence in the electoral process and underpin the ability of Cambodia's people to exercise their democratic rights. As he said during his visit to Cambodia last year, it is vital that civic space be open, for human rights defenders to be protected, and for civil society to play a wider role in society, all of which remain critical in preserving Cambodia's substantial development gains and consolidation of peace. The Secretary-General reaffirms the commitment of the UN to support a peaceful and democratic Cambodia that fully respects the human rights of all its citizens. ** Myanmar Quick update from Myanmar and our response to Cyclone Mocha, not too long ago: Two weeks after the cyclone hit, we and our partners have distributed shelter and other relief items to more than 63,000 people and over 230,000 people have received some food assistance. While humanitarian workers continue to ramp up support where they have authorizations and available stocks, wider access for distributions and approvals for the movement of supplies are urgent. Shelter needs continue to be a priority as the monsoon season approaches. Our humanitarian colleagues also warn that the food reserves for households impacted by the cyclone are dwindling, and communities are facing rising food prices. ** Central African Republic Quick update from MINUSCA (United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic) and our peacekeepers in the Central African Republic: This week, the Mission carried out long-range patrols in the country's western parts on the Bouar-Bayanga-Dili and Beloko-Gaudrot axes, as well as actions to clear roads of mines and explosive devices. Meanwhile, in the eastern part of the country, where the security situation remains unpredictable, MINUSCA is increasing patrols and aerial reconnaissance, while also providing safe passage to humanitarian workers, enabling them to reach the most vulnerable communities. ** Cameroon Quick update from Cameroon, where the number of people internally displaced has exceeded 2 million, mostly due to climate-related impacts and attacks by non-State groups. Led by our Resident Coordinator, Matthias Z. Naab, the UN team is supporting the Government to provide emergency assistance and durable solutions for communities hosting vulnerable populations impacted by displacement. That includes UNHCR and ILO (International Labour Organization) offering training for eco-friendly enterprises and improved access to social protection and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services. Also, initiatives led by young people having received grants of at least $5,000 each, promoting economic resilience and youth entrepreneurship. UN-Habitat and UN-Women are bolstering land access for agriculture, also focusing on women, and improving housing conditions for 360 internally displaced people. We have more online in our highlights. ** Democratic People's Republic of Korea Just for the record, you will have seen that last night we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General strongly condemned the military satellite launch conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Any launch using ballistic missile technology is contrary to the relevant Security Council resolutions. The Secretary-General also reiterates his call on the DPRK to cease such acts and to swiftly resume dialogue to achieve the goal of sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. ** Uganda And we also issued a formal statement last night in which the Secretary-General expressed deep concern about the promulgation of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda. He called on Uganda to fully respect its international human rights obligations and the respect for personal privacy, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity. ** World No Tobacco Day Today is World No Tobacco Day, and the theme is "Grow food, not tobacco". On this day, the World Health Organization urges Governments to stop subsidizing tobacco farming and support more sustainable crops that could feed millions. ** Press Briefings Tomorrow, it will be a busy day. Our guest at the briefing will be the Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Philippe Lazzarini; his agency is better known as UNRWA. Then at 1 p.m., being 1 June, tomorrow you will have the pleasure to hear from the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates, Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, who will preside over the Security Council for the month of June. ** Questions and Answers Spokesman : Edith? Question : Thank you very much, Steph. On Sudan, can you elaborate a little on why the Secretary-General wants to see the Security Council today? And are we going to get any kind of a readout, or is he going to stop afterwards to talk to us? Spokesman : Well, my preference would always be for him to stop afterwards, but everything is in negotiations. We will see if that happens. I don't want to pre-empt the messages that he will give to the Council, but needless to say that we are facing a dramatic situation in Sudan, both on the political and the humanitarian end, and the Secretary-General wanted to share some thoughts that he has with Council members. Question : I had one other question on Kosovo. Does the Secretary-General have any comment on the violence that erupted that has sparked NATO sending an additional 700 troops? Spokesman : We continue to express our concern at the situation there and condemn the violence that we've seen. Our representative on the ground continues to do what she can to appease the situation. Maggie, and then Kristen. Question : Back to Sudan, UNITAMS (United Nations Mission in Sudan) is due for renewal, I believe, on 3 June. So, will the SG as part of his discussion be asking for any changes to the mandate? I think there's talk of just a technical rollover. So where does he fall? Spokesman : The mandate of UNITAMS or any political [or] peacekeeping mission is firmly in the hands of Security Council members. The Secretary-General, as I said, will share his thoughts and ideas on the current situation, but I don't want to pre-empt what he will say, and I think he wants to say it first to Council members. Ms. Saloomey? Question : I was just wondering if you could give us an update on where Volker Perthes is, and if he's still able to do his job, given the... [cross talk] Spokesman : The Mission continues to do its job the best it can, given the circumstances. We continue to have a political presence in Port Sudan. Mr. Perthes will make his way back to the region, I believe, in early next week. Madame? Correspondent : Thank you, Steph. Spokesman : That's okay. Go ahead. Go ahead, Linda. Correspondent : Whoever it is can go ahead. Spokesman : No. Go ahead. Question : Shall I go ahead? Spokesman : All right, go. You go ahead. Question : Hello. Let me introduce myself. I'm Serife from Anadolu News Agency. Thank you, Stephane, for the opportunity. I just wanted to ask you if you have a reaction on reports that the Sudanese Army has suspended participation in the ceasefire talks that was led by Saudi Arabia and the United States. Apparently yesterday, they said that they would extend the ceasefire for another five days. But today, there are reports in Sudanese media that they have suspended their participation. Thank you. Spokesman : We are not a party to that agreement, to those talks. I can tell you that our humanitarian colleagues on the ground and our partners continue to try to identify and resolve challenges to humanitarian access. On the ground, we are in touch both with the Government and the Rapid Support Forces in order for us to be able to coordinate the movement of humanitarian convoys, to deconflict wherever possible. Our overall message continues to be that we need to see an immediate stop to all the fighting, so we can tend to those Sudanese people who need our help. And as we've been saying, there are millions and millions of Sudanese who need immediate humanitarian assistance. Ms. Linda? Question : Thank you, Steph. Apropos of Sudan, you mentioned that the SG wants to share his views with the Security Council today, and we've just heard, reiterated what the big problems are. Do you think he might want to share his views and ideas with the actual leaders of the Sudanese conflict? Spokesman : Well, of course; in person, no. I don't anticipate any travel anytime soon to Sudan, but he had been in touch with both generals and will continue to do so as needed, whether it's in person, by phone or an exchange of letters. Grigory? Question : Thank you very much, Stephane. Today, Reuters reported, according to the source, that the UN has proposed to Russia, Ukraine and Turkiye to start preparatory work for transiting Russian ammonia through the territory of Ukraine. So, can you confirm such talks or details? Spokesman : Well, I'm not going to go into a detailed discussion of what may be going on. As you recall, the Secretary-General had put forward some ideas to the parties to improve the facilitation of the work of the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) to also work on the issue of ammonia export, which is part of the deal that was signed. Those conversations and contacts are continuing, but that's as much as I'll say right now. Margaret Besheer? Question : Thank you. One more on Sudan. So, you say humanitarian colleagues are trying to resolve aid access issues and challenges. Are you getting good cooperation from both sides to the conflict in terms of delivering aid? And can you give us figures on how many trucks and such have gone over the past week? Spokesman : Yeah. I can give you an accounting of the... I can go back and look at the accounting of the trucks that we said have moved. I don't recall this. To your point, it's really on a place-by-place situation. I don't think I want to say we're getting great or good cooperation for both sides. We are able to deliver humanitarian goods in certain places when we can manage to talk to the men with guns and to ensure safe passage. WFP has been able to resume food distribution in Khartoum. We've had a large number of trucks being able to move. But what we would like to see is a nationwide cessation of hostilities, so we don't have to do a case-by-case negotiation for each convoy or each movement, which is time-consuming and which is also risky. Benno? Question : Thank you, Steph. I have a story that you as a cyclist might like. You've seen that some ambassadors were complaining about not having the opportunity to lock their bikes in front of the GA Hall. Now they have a very new bike rack. It's usually empty. It's in front of the building. You might have seen it. Turns out, it seems that just ambassadors and deputy ambassadors can use it, not normal diplomats, not people who speak in the GA. Isn't that a double standard? Spokesman : Well, we're very happy that PRs (Permanent Representatives) and others will have the ability to bike into work and we hope everyone uses that facility. What I can tell you is that in his programme budget for 2024, the Secretary-General has put forward a proposal to the General Assembly to expand bike parking for staff and even for reporters. We would basically double the capacity of bikes that we have and create a new space much closer to the 43rd Street entrance, also with charging stations for e-bikes and scooters. We want to see greater bike access. We want to be more bike friendly. We want to be more friendly, full stop. And this is a step in the right direction. It's gone to the General Assembly because, obviously, as everything that anybody does in New York that implies real estate, implies cost. So, we hope they will go through the General Assembly. Question : Thank you. Spokesman : On that note, I will pedal out of here and leave the space to Paulina [Kubiak]. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN commends Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, as final judgement is delivered 31 May 2023 - The UN chief on Wednesday commended the work of the judges and staff of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), as its final judgement was delivered, increasing the prison sentences on appeal of two former top Serbian security officials. Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic were convicted by the court - part of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) which took over from the ICTY - in 2021, for their roles training death squads accused of ethnic cleansing during the conflict that saw the breakup of the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. The two were originally sentenced to 12 years by the court in 2021, but Wednesday's appeal judgement against them, increased that to 15 years, on the grounds that they were "liable as members of a joint criminal enterprise for crimes committed by various Serb forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992", as well as responsible for murder, in the same year. Justice for the victims In a statement, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "takes note of this appeal and extends his thoughts to the victims, and survivors and their families who have suffered from the crimes for which both defendants have been found guilty." The judgement marks the end of the final case relating to "core crimes" that the Mechanism inherited from the ICTY, which was established in 1993 to prosecute suspected war criminals. The IRMCT Chief Prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, said that the decision demonstrated that the international community, "when united, can deliver justice to the victims and hold the most senior perpetrators responsible for their crimes. Remembering the victims and survivors, and sheer courage of witnesses who have come forward, he added that there were still thousands of war crimes suspects throughout the former Yugoslavia, "who remain to be prosecuted." "We will continue our intensive efforts to provide assistance to national counterparts, to ensure that more justice is achieved for more victims." Truth triumphs UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, also welcomed Wednesday's final judgement, describing the outcome as a major step to establishing the truth and addressing impunity. "The extraordinary work and legacy of the Mechanism and of the International Criminal Tribunal before it, have not only contributed to establishing truth, justice and accountability over the years but have also powerfully advanced international criminal justice standards globally," Mr. Turk said. Like the Secretary-General, the UN rights chief highlighted the courage, resilience and perseverance of survivors and families who, despite appalling trauma, never stopped seeking truth and justice. "I want to praise, strongly, the survivors and their families, whose suffering is unimaginable but who persisted in demanding their rights," he said. He also stressed that many survivors and their families are still awaiting truth, justice and reparations. Threats continue Many victims continue to face threats, intimidation, hate speech and revisionist rhetoric, including rejection of the tribunals' decisions; denials that crimes were committed; justification of atrocities; and the glorification of war criminals. "Verdicts like today's, remind us of an awful past to which we must never return. He urged the authorities, "media outlets and people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo, to step up efforts to advance truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence. "Revisionist narratives, genocide denial, divisive rhetoric and hate speech, from any quarter, are unacceptable." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cameroon Asks for More Border Troops after New Boko Haram Attacks By Moki Edwin Kindzeka May 31, 2023 Officials in northern Cameroon have in a crisis meeting on Wednesday requested more troops from Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad to be deployed to their common border after fresh Boko Haran attacks killed at least 12 people including six soldiers on Tuesday. The officials say several hundred heavily armed Islamist extremists have infiltrated the volatile Lake Chad region attacking, looting and causing panic. Cameroon military and government officials in the central African state's northern border with Nigeria say they held a crisis meeting on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after a fresh wave of deadly Boko Haram attacks were reported. Midjiyawa Bakari is the governor of Cameroon's Far North region that shares a border with Chad and Nigeria. Bakari spoke on Cameroon state broadcaster CRTV on Wednesday. Bakari said Cameroonian President Paul Biya ordered officials and troops in Cameroon's Far North region to hold an emergency crisis meeting and make sure armed Islamist extremists who infiltrate the volatile Lake Chad region are stopped. He said Biya ordered the crisis meeting after several hundred militants killed three soldiers, two customs officers and two civilians in surprise attacks on Cameroon government troops stationed in the northern towns of Mora and Zigague on Tuesday. Mora and Zigague are towns in Cameroon's Far North region that share a border with Nigeria and Chad. Bakari said Boko Haram is weakened but still very actively attacking communities to kill their opponents and to steal cattle, food and money. The Cameroon military on Wednesday said troops found five other civilian corpses in the bush near Zigague and several dozen houses and government buildings were destroyed by the insurgents. Military officials say soldiers killed several insurgents along the border with Nigeria and Chad but gave no details. Government officials say villagers who escaped to the bush should return and be protected by the Cameroon military. Bakari said civilians should help stop the new wave of attacks by reporting suspected militants to military officials. He said local chiefs and community leaders should reactivate militias to assist government troops in fighting the militants. Hamidou Aladji is a community leader in Mora. He said Tuesday's attack on civilians and government troops in Mora indicate that Boko Haram is still a nuisance with an ability to create surprises. He said while the military is protecting civilians, it is imperative for community leaders and the clergy to assist in stopping or reducing terrorist attacks by reporting strangers in their communities to the military. The Cameroon government says Boko Haram fighters crossed into the central African state from Nigeria in large numbers on Sunday and Monday evening before carrying out the attacks. Military officials say the vast Lake Chad basin that stretches across the borders of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad is infiltrated by the militants who want to reestablish bases on the lake's many small islands. In June 2022, the Multinational National Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin said 3,000 troops it deployed killed more than 800 extremists in about two months of fighting in the volatile Lake Chad region. The force is made up of 11,000 troops from Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad. Officials at the crisis meeting ordered by President Paul Biya on Wednesday in Maroua, the capital of Cameroon's Far North region, requested that troops from Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad be deployed to stop militants from reconstituting groups and advancing. VOA could not independently verify if Chad and Nigeria have agreed to deploy troops to the three nations' common border. Boko Haram attacks escalated in northern Nigeria in 2009 before spreading to neighboring countries. The United Nations says more than 36,000 people have been killed, mainly in Nigeria, and three million have fled their homes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vengeance Drones In Moscow, the morning of Tuesday, 30 May 2923, began with reports of a massive drone attack. According to media reports, Moscow was attacked by 25 to 32 UAVs. Telegram channels reported the first explosion at approximately four in the morning Moscow time. According to the Russian publication Baza, it was about 25 drones that attacked the capital of the Russian Federation and the Moscow region. According to the Russian publication RBC, 10 drones were shot down. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation provides other data, talking about eight drones and claiming that all of them were shot down. Russian mass media report three drone strikes on residential buildings. The deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Oleksandr Khinshtein in his Telegram channel in the first half of the day published a "primary list" of places where, according to preliminary data, drones shot down in the Moscow suburbs fell. In particular, the fall of drones was recorded in the villages of Ilyinske and Tymoshkino in the Krasnohorsk district, the villages of Rozdory and Romashkovo in the Odintsovo district, as well as the village of Greenfield in the Istryna district. So, according to the Russian publication "Projekt", the house of the head of Gazprom Oleksiy Miller is located in Greenfield. The targets seemed to have been located in one of the most affluent parts of the Russian capital, namely the Rublyovka area in the west, where Putin and other significant Russian figures have homes. Several of the drones landed near Putin's residence in Novo-Ogaryovo. The drones could have taken off from Ukraine, as these models have a range of between 800 and 1,000 kilometers (500-620 miles) and can evade anti-aircraft defenses due to their ability to fly at very low altitude. The shortest distance in a straight line between Ukrainian territory and the Russian capital is about 560 kilometers (350 miles). Two days before the Moscow attack, Russian state television had been questioning how drones of this type could evade its air defenses. State Duma deputy Andrey Gurulyov, a retired Lieutenant General, said during an interview on one of Russias flagship state television talk shows, Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, that the countrys anti-aircraft systems are designed to act against ballistic missiles and other weapons capable of carrying large explosive charges. Gurulyov said that drones such as those used in the attacks had different specifications and characteristics than conventional missiles, and the Russian Federation did not have the means to stop them. He also urged Russian oil companies and other strategic enterprises to arm their facilities with electronic warfare devices, such as jammers, to knock out drones. Our Armed Forces cannot protect all critical infrastructure, he added. If the information is accurate and one of the drones was shot down over the village of Rozdory near Moscow, then it is not far from the residence of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin , Russian journalist Farida Rustamova notes in her Telegram channel. "This is part of Rublyovka, where there are state dachas, private houses of officials and businessmen. Putin's residence Novo-Ogaryovo (in the village of Usovo) is a 10-minute drive away," Rustamova wrote. President Putin spent the night at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo during drone attacks on the Moscow region the day before , writes The Moscow Times, citing a source. According to him, Putin was raised early in the morning by the security service due to an air threat. This was previously reported by journalist Peter Kozlov. From the list of drones shot down in the Moscow region, published by State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein , it follows that air defense systems neutralized drones a few kilometers from Putin's residence. When two UAVs were shot down over the Kremlin in early May , Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was an assassination attempt on the president. This time the Kremlin did not give such assessments. As for Moscow itself, as reported by the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation, "the incidents occurred in the morning of May 30 in residential buildings on Atlasova Street in New Moscow, as well as on Profspilkova Street and on Leninsky Prospect. As a result, there is damage to the houses." According to Russian mass media, the explosions occurred in a high-rise building on Atlasova Street; on Leninsky Prospekt, a UAV flew into an apartment on the 14th floor, but did not explode; a building on Profspilkova street was also damaged, its facade and glass elements of the building were destroyed. The attacks came after Russia launched a heavy barrage of missiles and drones at Ukrainian airfields, ammunition dumps, and decision-making centers responsible for plotting similar terrorist actions, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Vladimir Putin confirmed on 30 May 2023 that the headquarters of the Ukrainian militarys Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) was among the decision-making centers hit. Weve been talking about the possibility of striking the decision-making centers. Naturally, Ukraines military intelligence headquarters falls into such a category, and it was hit two or three days ago, Putin stated. Moscows anti-aircraft defense fared okay in repelling the latest attack, Putin noted, admitting that there still was room for improvement. Kievs ultimate goal of indiscriminately striking Moscow and other Russian cities is provoking a mirror response from Russia, the president stated. They are provoking us into taking mirror actions. Well se what we can do about it. Yet, Ukrainian citizens, who of course have no say about anything now, since Ukraine has unleashed a total terror against its civilian population, must realize what the incumbent authorities are pushing for, Putin said. He went on to say that the most grave threats include the continuous effort by Kiev to disrupt the work of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, as well as potential attempts to use a dirty nuclear device. The drone raid on Moscow was an attempt at payback by Kiev for Russias latest airstrikes on a Ukrainian decision-making center, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed. It is clear that we are talking about the response of the Kiev regime to our very effective strikes on one of the decision-making centers. This strike took place on Sunday, Peskov told journalists after the attack. President Vladimir Putin later confirmed that Russian forces struck Ukraines military intelligence headquarters in Kiev two or three days ago. By 1943 the tide of war was turning and Germany was on the defensive. It was then that intelligence of a new threat to Britains cities began to emerge missiles and rockets. The V1 missile, once launched, flew without a pilot until it ran out of fuel and came crashing down, blowing up. The V2 rocket was a long distance weapon that could travel at many times the speed of sound. They were known as Vergeltungswaffen [retaliatory weapons, vengeance weapons] used by Germany to terrorise British civilians and undermine morale. Anger is cloquent; vengeance is sweet: but to stand calm and collected; to suspend the blow which passion was urgent to strike; to drive the reasons of clemency as far as they will go; to bring forward fairly in view the circumstances of mitigation; to distinguish between surprise and deliberation, infirmity and crime or if infliction be deemed necessary, to leave God to be both the judge and the executioner; this patience to labor after. People love to sting the passionate: they who are easily provoked, commit their repose to the keeping of their enemies; they lie down at their feet and invite them to strike. He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit, exalteth folly.' Wisdom gives large, various, comprehensive views of things; the very exercise operates as a diversion, affords the mind time to cool, and furnishes numberless circumstances tending to soften severity. Dignity requires it. It is the glory of a man to pass by a transgression.' The man provoked to vengeance is conquered, and loses the glory of the struggle; while he who forbears comes off victor, crowned with uncommon laurels. A flood assails a rock, and rolls off unable to make an impression; while straws and boughs are borne off in triumph, carried down the stream, driven and tossed. The Temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) occupied the centre of the eastern side of the Forum of Augustus. It was dedicated by Octavian Augustus in 42 BC on the eve of the battle of Philippi fought together with Mark Antony against Brutus and Cassius to avenge the assassination of Julius Caesar, his uncle and adoptive father. The temple was inaugurated in the year 2 BC. The significance of this group lies in the legitimization of power for the Iulia family who, according to the legend, descended from Iulus Ascanius, son of Aeneas, son of Venus. The Temple was completely destroyed around the times of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric (493-526) in order to reuse the marble and other construction materials. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 31 May 2023 - Day 462 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 since the start of May 2023, Russia has increasingly ceded the initiative in the conflict and is reacting to Ukrainian action rather than actively progressing towards its own war aims. During May 2023, Russia has launched 20 nights of one-way-attack uncrewed aerial vehicle and cruise missile attacks deep inside Ukraine. Russia has had little success in its likely aims of neutralising Ukraine's improved air defences and destroying Ukrainian counter-attack forces. On the ground, it has redeployed security forces to react to partisan attacks inside western Russia. Operationally, Russian commanders are likely attempting to generate reserve forces and position them where they believe a Ukrainian counter-attack will occur. However, this has probably been undermined by uncommitted forces instead being sent to fill gaps in the front line around Bakhmut. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of May 31st, Russians carried out 2x missile and 22x air strikes, launched about 20 MLRS attacks on Ukrainian settlements and Ukrainian Defense Forces. The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine. Russia continues to focus its main efforts on attempts to completely occupy the Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts. During the day, Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled 16x Russian attacks. Volyn' and Polissya axes: the operational situation remains stable, there are no signs of the formation of offensive groupings. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the Russian forces continue to maintain an enhanced military presence on the border of Ukraine. They carried out mortar and artillery strikes on the Galaganivka in the Chernihiv Oblast, Seredyna-Buda, Fotovizh, Hirky, Atynske in the Sumy Oblast, as well as Udy, Hoptivka, Liptsi, Strelecha, Zelene, Ternova, Staritsa, Hatyshche, Vovchans'k, Pletenivka, Vovchans'ki Khutory, Ohirtseve, Mala Vovcha, Varvarivka, Chugunivka, Ambarne, Hryhorivka in Kharkiv Oblast. Kup'yans'k axis: the Russian forces carried out unsuccessful offensives west of Masyutivka in the Kharkiv Oblast and on Novoselyvskyi and Stelmakhivka axes in the Luhansk Oblast. Russian airstrikes recorded in Kislivka and Kotlyarivka districts of Kharkiv Oblast. Krasne Pershe, Figolivka, Novomlyns'k, Zapadne, Masyutivka, Kislivka, Berestov in the Kharkiv Oblast and Novoselivs'ke in the Luhansk Oblast were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Lyman axis: the Russian occupiers carried out unsuccessful offensive operations in the Bilogorivka area. They carried out airstrikes in Terni and Sivers'k districts of Donetsk Oblast. Nevs'ke, Belogorivka of the Luhansk Oblast and Novosadove, Tors'ke, Spirne of the Donetsk Oblast were shelled by artillery. Bakhmut axis: the Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive near the Orihovo-Vasylivka and Bila Gora. Kramatorsk, Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Novomarkove, Hryhorivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivs'ke, Predtechine, Bila Hora, Diliivka, Zalizne and New York of the Donetsk Oblast suffered from Russian artillery shelling. Avdiivka axis: the Russian forces did not conduct offensive. They carried out an airstrike in the Avdiivka area of the Donetsk Oblast. russians also shelled Novokalynove, Orlivka, Avdiivka, Tonenka, Severne, Netaylove, Karlivka, Pervomais'ke, Nevels'ke of the Donetsk Oblast. Mar'inka axis: our defenders repelled all Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'inka. The Russian forces launched an air strike, while Kurakhove, Maksimilyanivka, Heorgiivka, Mar'inka, Pobyeda, Elizavetivka, Katerynivka, Kostyantynivka and Novomykhailivka of the Donetsk Oblast were shelled by artillery. Shakhtars'k axis: the Russian forces launched airstrikes in the area of Vugledar, Prechistivka. They shelled Bogoyavlenka, Vugledar, Novoukrainka, Prechistivka, Zolota Niva, Shakhtars'ke, and Velyka Novosilka. Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russian forces are on the defensive. Shelled settlements bordering the contact line, including: Vremivka, Vilne Pole, Novosilka, Zelene Pole, Novopil', Temyrivka of the Donetsk Oblast; Olgivske, Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Hulyaipils'ke, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanilivka, Novoandriivka and Stepove Kam'ians'ke, Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Beryslav, Kozatske, Ivanivka, Antonivka, Komysany, Dniprovs'ke, Kizomys, Shiroka Balka of the Kherson Oblast and the city of Kherson. Ukrainian Air Force conducted 9x strikes on manpower and military equipment concentration areas. Ukrainian Defense Forces shot down 2x Russian reconnaissance UAVs. Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 1 control post, 1 artillery unit at a firing position, 2x ammunition depots and 2x electronic warfare stations. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that on May 29, as a result of a high-precision strike launched by the Russian Aerospace Forces against a military berth in the port of Odessa, the last of the Ukrainian warships, Yuri Olefirenko was destroyed. In Kupyansk direction, assault detachments, Operational-Tactical aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Zapad Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) close to Tabayevka, Molchanovo, Novomlynsk, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), and Novoselovskoye and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic). Three sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been disabled close to Timkovka, Sinkovka, and Kotlyarovka. Up to 70 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured vehicles, and four pick-up trucks were neutralised. Moreover, ammunition depots of the 60th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Liptsy and Sinelnikovo (Kharkov region). In Krasny Liman direction, aviation and artillery of the Tsentr Group of Forces engaged the units of the enemy close to Makeevka, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), Torskoye, Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and the Serevryansky forestry. Over 50 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two D-20 howitzers, one D-30 howitzer, and one Grad MLRS system the enemy has lost in this direction. In the Donetsk direction, the fiercest hostilities are taking place near Avdeevka. In the course of active operations by assault detachments of the 1st Army Corps supported by aviation, artillery fire, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Yug Group of Forces, the enemy was dislodged from occupied positions in a number of areas near the settlements of Krasnogorovka and Yasinovataya ( Donetsk People's Republic). Operational-Tactical and Army aviation launched strikes to engage AFU units near Avdeevka and Khimik. In addition, a warehouse of rocket and artillery weapons of the 110th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been obliterated. The 5th Motorised Rifle Brigade and the Akhmat Special Forces Detachment are carrying out successful offensives in Maryinka direction. In this direction, the enemy has suffered losses of over 200 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, one D-30 howitzer, and two Grad MLRS vehicles during the day. In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on the AFU units close to Velikaya Novosyolka, Pavlovka, Vladimirovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Malinovka (Zaporozhye region). Up to 185 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles have been eliminated in this direction during the day. ?? Moreover, ammunition depots of the 65th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were wiped out close to Preobrazhenka and Chervonaya Krinitsa (Zaporozhye region). In Kherson direction, up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles have been destroyed. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 103 AFU artillery units, manpower and hardware in 149 areas during the day. Moreover, a command post of the 33rd Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Trudovoye (Zaporozhye region). A command and observation post of the 'Skala' assault battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was eliminated close to Avdeevka (Donetsk People's Republic). Air defence forces have intercepted 12 HIMARS MLRS projectiles and one Storm Shadow long-range cruise missile during the day. Moreover, 11 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Verkhnekamenka, Zaliman (Lugansk People's Republic), and Pokrovskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). In total, 429 airplanes and 235 helicopters, 4,390 unmanned aerial vehicles, 424 air defence missile systems, 9,345 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,103 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 4,946 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 10,574 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General, Allies commemorate victims of 22 July terrorist attacks NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 31 May. 2023 In a tribute to the victims and survivors of the 22 July 2011 terrorist attacks in Norway, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised the resilience of the Norwegian people and the strength of democracy on Wednesday (31 May 2023). "Our democratic values prevailed" and "terrorism failed,"the Secretary General said. "There is a line between UtAya and Ukraine," he said, "between a brutal act of terrorism and an illegal war of aggression." The values of democracy, freedom, and diversity of thought, opinion and belief, which were attacked then are the ones attacked now, the Secretary General stressed. "We will not let authoritarian states break down the rules-based international order. We will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. And we will not let terrorists crush our free and open societies. We will stand united to protect our values and our people," he added. Mr. Stoltenberg was Prime Minister during the deadly terrorist attacks, which killed 77 people at government headquarters in Oslo and at a Labour youth camp on the island of UtAya on 22 July 2011. Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr StAre, the leader of the support group for the victims, Lisbeth RAneland, and NATO Foreign Ministers attended the ceremony. The event preceded an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers and invitee Sweden which will take place on Thursday (1 June). The meeting will address key issues to help prepare for the Vilnius Summit on 11-12 July, including NATO's enduring support for Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spacecraft Carrying Saudi Astronauts Splashes Down Successfully in Atlantic Ocean Saudi Press Agency Riyadh, May 31, 2023, SPA -- The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) said the spacecraft carrying astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Alqarni, and the crew of the "Ax-2" mission to Earth has returned, marking the end of the two Saudi astronauts' distinguished scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station. The two astronauts have successfully contributed to scientific research that benefits humanity, utilizing the promising opportunities provided by space exploration and its many related industries, and boosted Saudi-manned flight capabilities. This pioneering mission is a significant accomplishment and a source of pride for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; it contributed to the country's technological and scientific advancement in the field of space. The Kingdom is one of a select few nations in which a team conducts space science missions and research journeys in orbit around the Earth. According to SSC, the spacecraft carrying Barnawi and Alqarni safely landed in the Atlantic Ocean. The spacecraft's entry into the Earth atmosphere caused the landing to slow considerably. Large airbags and umbrellas were also employed to slow it down. When the capsule touched down in the water, SpaceX boats were at hand to retrieve the astronauts. The mission of the Saudi crew is testimony of the Kingdom's advancement in the field, its commitment to innovation and an important step toward achieving its goal of becoming a leader in space exploration through pioneering research, strategic partnerships and advanced education. The "Ax-2" mission was launched from Florida on May 21. The spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station about 16 hours after launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. The two Saudi astronauts conducted 14 scientific experiments in space before returning to Earth. --SPA 11:11 LOCAL TIME 08:11 GMT 0009 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Department of the Air Force announces preferred locations for STARCOM HQ, 3 Deltas Published May 31, 2023 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The Department of the Air Force selected Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, as the preferred location to hostthe Space Training and Readiness Command Headquarters, along with Space Delta 10. Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the preferred location for Space Delta 11 and Schriever SFB, Colorado, is the preferred location for Space Delta 12. STARCOM, one of three U.S. Space Force field commands, is responsible for the deliberate development, education and training of space professionals in addition to the development of space warfighting doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures, and the operational test and evaluation of Space Force systems. Space Delta 10, which is responsible for doctrine and wargaming, is expected to also be located at Patrick SFB, Florida. This delta develops Space Force doctrine and tactics, conducts the service's Lessons Learned program and executes and supports wargames to adequately posture space forces and designated joint and allied partners. Space Delta 11 is expected to be located at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, and is responsible for all ranges and aggressors. This delta delivers realistic, threat-informed test and training environments through the provision of live, virtual and constructive range and combat replication capabilities. Space Delta 12 is expected to be located at Schriever SFB, Colorado, and is responsible for test and evaluation. This delta prepares space forces to prevail in contested, degraded and operationally-limited environments through the independent test and evaluation of Space Force capabilities and delivery of timely, accurate and expert information in support of weapon system acquisition, operational acceptance and readiness decisions. The decision to host STARCOM HQ and the three deltas at their respective bases came after conducting site surveys at each location to assess their ability to facilitate the mission and infrastructure capacity, while accounting for community support, environmental factors and cost. The Department of the Air Force will now conduct environmental impact analyses at each base, which are expected to be completed later this year before final decisions are made. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minsk Believes Deploying Russian Tactical Nuclear Arms to Cool Down War-Like Rhetoric Sputnik News 20230531 MINSK (Sputnik) - Minsk expects that agreements with Russia on the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in the republic will cool down the war-like rhetoric of neighboring Western countries and Ukraine and will not allow a more global military confrontation, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said on Wednesday. "I have recently signed with my Russian counterpart a regulation on the procedure for keeping nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus. This is an effective measure that should cool the aggressive character and war-like rhetoric that comes from our neighbors and prevent it from escalating into some kind of global, large-scale war," Khrenin said in his address to the parliament. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on March 25 that Moscow and Minsk had agreed to station Russia's tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which does not breach Russia's commitments on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. 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. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brazil's Lula calls for instituting common S American currency Iran Press TV Wednesday, 31 May 2023 10:21 AM Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for the establishment of a common currency for the South American region in efforts to reduce its reliance on the US dollar. Lula made the remarks during a meeting with South American leaders in the capital Brasilia on Tuesday, while seeking a more integrated bloc to address common problems within the region. "[I propose] creating a common credit in trade, thus reducing dependence on extra-regional currencies," he said, while emphasizing the need to "strengthen the South American identity in monetary policy." Lula further noted that regional development banks such as the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), the Bank of the South, and Brazil's development bank BNDES should do more to finance social and economic development in the region. He also called for the revival of the regional bloc previously known as the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), saying South America functioning as a single economic bloc is the only way to effectively deal with problems. "For more than 10 years, UNASUR has allowed us to get to know each other better. We consolidated our ties through a broad political dialogue that accommodated differences and allowed us to identify common denominators," Lula said. "We implemented cooperation initiatives in health, infrastructure, and defense. This integration also contributed to important trade gains. We formed a robust free trade zone, whose figures reached a record value of $124 billion in 2011," he added. Tuesday's regional summit was attended by eleven of the continent's 12 heads of state, including the leaders of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Surinam, Uruguay, and Venezuela at the invitation of Lula. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte did not attend the summit for diplomatic reasons and was instead represented by the leader of the Council of Ministers of Peru. This is not the first time that regional leaders have proposed the creation of a common currency in South America. The idea of a shared currency within the Mercosur trade bloc, comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, has been discussed intermittently since its establishment in 1991. However, analysts are skeptical that the project could take off anytime soon due to varying monetary policies across the region. The latest development comes amid efforts by a growing number of countries across the globe to ditch the US dollar in favor of local currencies of trading partners. The global trend to substitute the US dollar with local currencies in trade transactions continues to accelerate as more nations have taken steps to ditch the greenback. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US hypes on 'China threat' ahead of Shangri-La Dialogue Global Times By Chen Qingqing and Liu Xuanzun Published: May 31, 2023 09:21 PM Updated: May 31, 2023 09:17 PM Ahead of the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue toward which there has been growing speculation about the meeting between the Chinese and US defense ministers, the US, following its commonly-used tactics, hyped again China's "unprofessional" intercept of a US spy plane over the South China Sea, aiming to peddle the "China threat" theory and create some "sensational topics" for the defense summit. Despite the recent resumption of some high-level engagements between the US and China, the US-China rivalry, driven by Washington's new Cold War mindset of treating China as a competitor, has entered a much profound and multi-dimensional scope, some experts said. Echoing the first meeting of the National Security Commission under the 20th CPC Central Committee, which indicated that China must be prepared for "worst-case and extreme-case scenarios," experts also called for the need to be prepared to deal with those scenarios in the China-US relations as Washington's China policy could become "more extreme" when the elections loom. The US military on Tuesday accused China of conducting an "unprofessional" intercept of a US spy plane over the South China Sea. But according to Chinese officials and experts, it is the US that has initiated the provocative military operations near China in the first place. Extended US close-in reconnaissance operations on China seriously violate China's sovereignty security and are a source of maritime safety issues, and the US should stop such dangerous provocations immediately, Mao Ning, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a routine press conference on Wednesday, responding to the intercept incident. China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard sovereignty security, Mao said. Meanwhile, PLA Southern Theater Command said on Wednesday that US RC-135 spy plane made an intrusion into PLA Navy Shandong aircraft carrier group's training zone in the South China Sea on Friday, and PLA Southern Theater Command organized aerial forces to monitor, track and professionally dealt with the situation in accordance with law and regulation. Also on Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in the US expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition to US sanctions on 13 China-based entities and individuals over alleged involvement "in the international proliferation of equipment used to produce illicit drugs." "While saying it hopes to resume counter-narcotics cooperation with China on various occasions, the US has again brazenly sanctioned Chinese individuals and entities, which is a serious violation of the lawful rights and interests of the companies and individuals concerned," the Chinese Embassy in the US said. Most recently, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been lobbying the EU partners at the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, to align for a stronger line on China as the US has been pushing the so-called ''China's economic coercion.'' From diplomacy to military to economy, there have been mixed signals from the already complex China-US relations, signaling that Washington's China policy characterized as rivalry and confrontation remains unchanged, some experts said. They also noted that China should not have "any fantasy" about the US changing or improving its China policy, warning that the US-China rivalry has become multi-dimensional and could get more intense in the future. Provocation, sanctions A Chinese J-16 fighter jet performed an "unnecessarily aggressive" maneuver during the intercept of a US Air Force RC-135 aircraft on Friday when the latter was "conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace," the US Indo Pacific Command said in a statement on Tuesday. The Chinese warplane "flew directly in front of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the US aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence," read the US statement, with a video attached showing the abovementioned incident. Chinese experts said it is the US that should reflect on its own provocative military operations near China in the first place, and it's also Washington's commonly used tactics of hyping China's threat ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue. For example, during the defense summit in 2022, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin talked about "alarming increase in the number of unsafe aerial intercepts and confrontations at sea" by the Chinese aircrafts and vessels, after Canada made a similar accusation against China. For this year's Shangri-La Dialogue, some US media outlets have been hyping China "rebuffing" a possible meeting between Chinese and US defense chiefs. Tan Kefei, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, said on Wednesday that the responsibility for the difficulties facing military-to-military exchanges lies entirely with the US, urging the US to show its sincerity and correct its mistakes, creating necessary conditions and atmosphere for the exchanges. "The US ignores the basic courtesy by keeping our defense chief on its sanction list while seeking communication with us, and how would any talks under such circumstances be possible?" asked LA Xiang, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu was once sanctioned by the US for purchasing Russian weapons for the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The US-China rivalry has entered a deeper and multi-dimensional scope from security to trade and politics, LA said, who also calls for the need to be prepared for "possible extreme-case scenarios" such as on the Taiwan question and the South China Sea. Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the first meeting of the National Security Commission under the 20th CPC Central Committee on Tuesday. The meeting said the national security issues China faces today are "considerably more complex and much more difficult to be resolved," stressing the necessity of being prepared to deal with worst-case and extreme-case scenarios and being ready to withstand the major test of "high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms." Besides the hype-up in military, the latest US sanctions on Chinese entities and individuals are also part of its broader agenda of competing and confronting with China, some experts said. "The US has not entered the year of elections yet but there have been growing rivalry scenarios between the US and China, which shows that Washington's China policy will continue being confrontational, even become more extreme," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Mixed signals While the US President Joe Biden recently hinted on a thaw of the US-China tense relations, there have been growing high-level re-engagement within which the interactions in trade and commerce have become more palpable, especially when the ongoing trip of Tesla's CEO Elon Musk in China has attracted wide attention and more US executives like JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said they are committed to the Chinese market. "There are two groups of people in the US in dealing with the US-China relations, one represents the interests of military-industry complex who are unwilling to see any improvement in the bilateral ties," LA said. While the other group, representing the interests of commerce and trade, showed the willingness of engaging with China to develop a pragmatic relationship, hoping to find a path of cooperation when rivalry remains in some areas. "In fact, it's the wrestling between various forces within the US," he noted. Xie Feng, China's newly appointed ambassador to the US, recently said the China-US relationship has once again come to a historical crossroads, toward which some experts believe that how the China-US relations shape will profoundly influence the world's security and interests. "The current US' China policy if not changed will undoubtedly lead to a new Cold War landscape with more fierce confrontation in the future, which could create a tragic situation in Asia or even in the world with more divisions," Li said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US accusation of Chinese intercept of US spy plane aims to hype 'China threat' theory at Shangri-La Dialogue: experts Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: May 31, 2023 05:34 PM Updated: May 31, 2023 05:31 PM The US military on Tuesday accused China of conducting an "unprofessional" intercept of a US spy plane over the South China Sea, however it is the US that should reflect on its own provocative military operations near China in the first place, Chinese experts said on Wednesday. Coming before the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, the US is hyping this accusation to again push the "China threat" theory after a meeting between Chinese and US defense chiefs at the event was reportedly turned down by China, analysts said. A Chinese J-16 fighter jet performed an "unnecessarily aggressive" maneuver during the intercept of a US Air Force RC-135 aircraft on Friday when the latter was "conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace," the US Indo Pacific Command said in a statement on Tuesday. The Chinese warplane "flew directly in front of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the US aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence," read the US statement, with a video attached showing the abovementioned incident. However, the US side failed to mention the exact location where the incident took place, intentionally using a vague description of "international airspace," Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Chinese pilots take maneuvers to expel foreign aircraft only after failed radio warnings, and when it happens, foreign aircraft usually are very close to Chinese islands and reefs or the mainland, Zhang said. "No country's military will sit by and watch this kind of close-in reconnaissance." The US frequently carries out close-in reconnaissance of China, sometimes taking provocative activities including low-altitude fly-bys and buoy-dropping, which are the real "unnecessarily aggressive" maneuvers, Zhang said. Judging from the video, the Chinese fighter jet did an outstanding job professionally in sending a warning to the US spy plane without risking a collision, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday. The US is like a thief crying "stop thief." If someone keeps wandering around on your doorsteps and taking photos all the time with obvious malicious intentions, it is not your fault if you make them go away, the expert said. Extended US close-in reconnaissance operations on China seriously violate China's sovereignty security and are a source of maritime safety issues, and the US should stop such dangerous provocations immediately, Mao Ning, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a routine press conference on Wednesday, responding to the intercept incident. China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard sovereignty security, Mao said. The incident took place shortly before the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, a major defense forum in the Asia-Pacific region to be held from Friday to Sunday in Singapore. China has turned down a request to arrange a meeting between Chinese and US defense chiefs at the event, the US Defense Department said on Monday. In response, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei said in a statement on Wednesday that while China values China-US military ties and bilateral military interactions are not suspended, dialogue can't take place without principles and communication can't happen without a bottom line. The US is responsible for the current challenges, as it is creating obstacles and sabotaging mutual trust. It should show sincerity with actions to create conditions for communication, Tan said. The hyping of the intercept incident is yet another example of the US creating obstacles rather than the necessary conditions for dialogues, as the information was obviously intentionally timed to release before the Shangri-La Dialogue, another Chinese military expert told the Global Times on Wednesday, requesting anonymity. It has become a habit for US secretary of defense to make accusations against China and hype the "China threat" theory during the speech at the forum, the expert said, expecting more fierce confrontations between the Chinese and US delegations at the event. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US recon aircraft spies on Chinese aircraft carrier, professionally dealt with by PLA: PLA Southern Theater Command spokesperson Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Fan Wei Published: May 31, 2023 09:03 PM Updated: May 31, 2023 08:58 PM The US reconnaissance aircraft that was intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet was spying on and disturbing a routine exercise by the Shandong aircraft carrier group in the South China Sea, and the US' accusation calling the Chinese interception "unprofessional" is a false countercharge as the US is the one to blame, experts said on Wednesday. In a routine exercise by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Flotilla 17 in the South China Sea on Friday, a US military RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft intentionally intruded into the training area for reconnaissance and disturbance, leading the PLA Southern Theater Command to organize aerial forces to track and monitor it through its entire course, with maneuvers in a professional manner and in accordance with law and regulations, said Senior Colonel Zhang Nandong, a spokesperson at the PLA Southern Theater Command, in a statement. The Flotilla 17 represents the Shandong aircraft carrier group, with the aircraft carrier Shandong carrying the hull number 17. Later on Saturday, the carrier group sailed north from the South China Sea through the Taiwan Straits, according to the defense authority on the island of Taiwan. Zhang's statement came after the US Indo Pacific Command said in a statement on Tuesday that a Chinese J-16 fighter jet performed an "unnecessarily aggressive" maneuver during the interception of a US Air Force RC-135 aircraft on Friday when the latter was "conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace." The US statement didn't mention details including the location of the incident or the mission of the US spy plane on the PLA Navy flotilla. The US' move seriously sabotaged regional peace and stability, the related reports disregarded facts and attempted to confuse the international community, Zhang said. "We sternly urge the US to restrict its frontal maritime and aerial forces' actions and strictly abide by related international laws and relevant agreements, so as to prevent maritime or aerial accidents from happening, or all consequences are for the US to bear," the spokesperson said. The command troops are on high vigilance at all time to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty security as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea, Zhang said. In addition, according to open-source intelligence, the US spy plane also flew to less than 50 kilometers away from Jieyang, South China's Guangdong Province, for close-in reconnaissance, the Global Times learned from Chinese technology and intelligence company MizarVision on Wednesday. The RC-135 is a type of reconnaissance aircraft that is equipped with a number of antennas and electronic reconnaissance equipment that enable identification and monitoring of multi-band electromagnetic signals with a range of 240 kilometers, experts said. It would allow the US to gain access to key Chinese military intelligence that can support US aggressions if a conflict breaks out, making the interception necessary, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday. From the video released by the US side, while the Chinese fighter jet made a warning move toward the US spy plane, it maintained a safe distance, so the US exaggerated the incident, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Since the incident took place shortly before the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, a major defense forum in the Asia-Pacific region to be held from Friday to Sunday in Singapore, experts also pointed out that the US' hype aim to push the "China threat" theory at the event. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on May 31, 2023 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China At the invitation of the Chinese government, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand will visit China from June 1 to 6. This will be Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn's 50th visit to China. CCTV: You just announced that Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand will visit China. Can you share more about this visit? What does China expect to achieve through this visit? Mao Ning: The Chinese and Thai people are brothers and our fraternity lasts forever. China warmly welcomes Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn, a good and old friend of the Chinese people and recipient of the Friendship Medal, to pay the 50th visit to China. I believe that this visit will be another good story in the history of China-Thailand friendly exchanges, further enrich the profound culture of China-Thailand community with a shared future and create a new chapter of the special friendship between the two countries as close as one family. During the visit, the Chinese leader will meet with Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn and jointly attend the event held by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to celebrate Her Royal Highness's 50th visit to China. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn will also travel to Guangdong besides Beijing. TASS: During his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade Chen Bo yesterday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic asked the Chinese Ambassador to convey to the Chinese leadership the message of exerting influence on the international community regarding Kosovo and Metohija. Do you have any comment? Could you share more information? Mao Ning: Yesterday, the Chinese Ambassador to Serbia met with President Aleksandar Vucic upon invitation. The two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. China and Serbia are comprehensive strategic partners and iron-clad friends. China always supports Serbia's effort to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Under the current circumstances, escalation of tensions needs to be avoided and the peace and tranquility of the Western Balkan region upheld. The Paper: According to reports, relevant institution recently released a report on incidents in the village of Moura pointing out that Malian forces and foreign mercenaries violated human rights in anti-terrorist operations. What's China's comment? Mao Ning: China supports the Malian government's effort of fighting terrorism and safeguarding national security and stability. China always advocates that all sides should have constructive dialogue and cooperation on human rights issues and opposes meddling in other countries' internal affairs under the excuse of human rights. Yonhap News Agency: According to reports, the DPRK fired a "space projectile" on May 31 and it fell into the Yellow Sea due to its engine failure. The ROK, the US and other countries accused the DPRK of violating the UN Security Council resolutions. What's China's position? Mao Ning: How the Korean Peninsula issues developed into the current situation is clear and the situation today is not what China wants to see. The only way to prevent the situation from worsening is that all sides should face up to the crux of the absence of a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula, resume meaningful dialogue under the "dual track" approach and address each other's reasonable concerns in a balanced way. Reuters: Our first question is that the US said a Chinese fighter jet carried out an "unnecessarily aggressive" maneuver near a US military plane last week over the South China Sea in international airspace. Will the ministry comment on this? The second question is that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has met with the Foreign, Commerce, and Industry ministers last evening and earlier today. Which other ministries or senior officials will Elon Musk meet, and what has Elon Musk expressed to officials so far about what he hopes to achieve from his meetings in China? Mao Ning: On your first question, I would like to point out that for quite some time, the US side has frequently sent aircraft and vessels to conduct close-in reconnaissance on China, seriously threatening China's sovereignty and security. Such provocative and dangerous moves are the root cause for maritime security issues. The US needs to immediately stop such dangerous acts of provocation. We will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard our sovereignty and security. On your second question, China has released information on the relevant meetings, which you may refer to. I have nothing more to share at the moment. Bloomberg: Does China support NATO's efforts to send more troops to Kosovo and does China think that sending more troops is truly contributing to peace? Mao Ning: China pays high attention to relevant developments. We support Serbia's effort to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose unilateral actions by the temporary institutions in Pristina, and hope that the duty of establishing an association/community of Serb majority municipalities will be fulfilled. As for NATO, we hope NATO will respect relevant country's sovereignty and territorial integrity and truly make contribution to peace in the region. RIA Novosti: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Venezuela would like to become part of the BRICS as this association forms a new world order. Do you have any comment on this? Mao Ning: As an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS is committed to upholding multilateralism, vigorously advancing the reform of the global governance system and increasing the representation and say of emerging markets and developing countries. It has become a positive, stable and constructive force in international affairs. China always believes that BRICS is an open and inclusive mechanism and supports the BRICS expansion process. More and more countries have applied to join BRICS and hope to join BRICS cooperation. We stand ready to bring more like-minded partners into the big family of BRICS.aa Joong-Ang Ilbo: My first question is, today The Hankyoreh reported that Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong visited Seoul last week, conveying the "four noes" position of the Chinese government. China's Foreign Ministry said at the time that "he made clear China's serious position on its core concerns". Is this the "four noes" position? Do you have any comment on The Hankyoreh report? My second question is, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the ROK Fang Kun said at an ROK-China-Japan cooperation day event yesterday that China always supports ROK-China-Japan cooperation. Do you have any comment? Mao Ning: On your first question, we shared information on the consultations Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong had in the ROK last week and you may refer to that. I want to stress that the current difficulties and challenges in the China-ROK relations are not caused by China. In recent consultations, China has seriously and comprehensively made clear its solemn position on its core interest to the ROK side. The ROK side should have an in-depth understanding of the crux of the problem, take it seriously and work with China to make positive effort for the sound and steady growth of China-ROK relations. On your second question, China, Japan and the ROK are close neighbors. Cooperation among the three countries serve the common interests of all. China attaches importance to China-Japan-ROK cooperation. The three sides need to work together to safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations and promote the steady, healthy and sustained growth of the trilateral cooperation. AFP: The Wall Street Journal reports that China and India have effectively kicked out a large number of each other's journalists recently by denying visa renewals. Can you confirm that this is happening and tell us why? Mao Ning: Chinese journalists have suffered unfair and discriminatory treatment in India for a long time. In 2017, the Indian side shortened the period of validity of visas held by Chinese journalists in India to three months or even one month without any valid reason. Since 2020, the Indian side has refused to review and approve Chinese journalists' applications for stationing in India. As a result, the number of Chinese journalists stationed in India has plummeted from 14 at the normal time to just one. As we speak, the Indian side still has not renewed the visa of the last Chinese journalist in the country. The number of Chinese journalists stationed in India is about to drop to zero. Considering this, the Chinese side has no choice but to take appropriate counter-measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese media organizations. However, I would like to stress that China is still willing to maintain communication with India under the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. We hope that India will work in the same direction with China, seriously respond to China's legitimate concerns, and take concrete steps as soon as possible to create favorable conditions for restoring normal exchange between the media organizations of the two countries. AFP: Myanmar media reports that China's military official met with Myanmar vice-senior general Soe Win yesterday and the two of them discussed cooperation between the two countries' armies. Can you confirm that this meeting took place and do you have any details of what was discussed? Mao Ning: I'm not aware of what you mentioned. Please refer to the competent authorities. Bloomberg: The US has accused several Chinese companies of shipping machines that make counterfeit pills to the US and Mexico and has hit more than a dozen entities with sanctions. Does the foreign ministry have any comment? Mao Ning: The US has taken the so-called illicit drug-related crimes as an excuse to impose unreasonable sanctions on Chinese entities and individuals, which severely harms the lawful rights and interests of these companies and individuals. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this. The excuse for the US sanctions is that relevant Chinese companies and individuals exported pill press machines and die molds to the US and Mexico. It is well known that these are common goods that are not under control both in China and the wider world. In international trade, the responsibility for preventing relevant equipment from being used for making illicit drug lies with the importer. I'll make an analogy to explain the situation: A knife can be used for cutting up vegetable or for killing. If someone attacked others with a knife, who should be brought to account? The one who used the knife to attack others or the producer of the knife? I think the answer is quite clear. The US has itself to blame for its domestic drug abuse. Unilateral sanctions will not solve the US's own problems but will only create further obstacles for China-US cooperation. China will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals. AFP: Just to clarify the previous question on Indian journalists, you mentioned that China has to take appropriate countermeasures against India's actions. Does it mean that China has indeed refused to renew visas for Indian journalists? Mao Ning: We have been actively providing assistance and convenience to Indian journalists working and living in China. We treat them like friends and family. I believe many of you here know that some Indian journalists have been working and living in China for more than 10 years. The current situation is not what we want to see. We hope that the Indian side will immediately correct its wrongdoing and provide facilitation to the normal work and life of journalists from both countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China In Eurasia Briefing: What Beijing Is Learning From The Western Response To Ukraine By Reid Standish May 31, 2023 What Beijing Is Learning From The Western Response To Ukraine Greetings from Bratislava, where I'm at GLOBSEC, an international strategic conference that's gathered leaders and thinkers from across Europe. The mood here is generally positive because of how the West has managed to stick together over nearly 16 months of war in Ukraine, but an undercurrent of anxiety is growing over how fragile that unity is. Finding Perspective: The focus of the conference is squarely on Europe and the fallout from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The West has so far managed to surprise many of its critics since the onset of the war, but there are concerns over Western unity for continued military support for Kyiv and a waning appetite to keep enforcing sanctions. With many elections on the horizon across the West in the next few years -- from Slovakia to the United States -- there's also worry that new populist and isolationist politicians could widen the cracks that are appearing now. China has not been a centerpiece of the conversation here, but I sat down on the sidelines of the conference with Roy Chun Lee, Taiwan's deputy foreign minister, for a wide-ranging interview. Lee's main point was that Taiwan and Ukraine's fates are linked together and that the best way to deter China over Taiwan is to support Kyiv against Moscow. "Until a final victory arrives, defending Ukraine against Russia has [direct] implications for Taiwan," the senior Taiwanese diplomat told me. "In particular, it shows the potential support that we will receive from our democratic allies in the case of a Chinese military invasion." Why It Matters: Beijing views Taiwan as a rogue province and has vowed to unify it with mainland China -- even by force, if necessary. U.S. President Joe Biden has also vowed to defend the island if it's attacked, fueling concerns that Taiwan could be the next geopolitical flashpoint after Russia's war in Ukraine. In our conversation, Lee offered a generally positive, but by no means stellar, report card for the West's support for Ukraine. While he said that Ukraine's successful, Western-supported defense of its territory has so far had a deterring effect on China, he adds that Beijing is assessing the war over a "longer time span" and is closely following cracks within Western unity. "I think China is waiting to see what happens two years from now, and three years from now, and if the Western democratic camp will be able to hold their position," he added. He was also quick to push back against increasing statements from some Republican voices in Congress that aid for Ukraine is limiting Taipei's defenses and should be scaled back. Lee said that Taiwanese leadership "does not agree with that" and that the best form of support for the island nation of 24 million at the moment is to avoid "making the same mistakes twice" with China that were made with Russia in the years before February 2022. "That's why we're asking everybody to support Ukraine. It's the best way to deter China," he told me. Expert Corner: Why Taiwan Is Urging The West Not To Abandon Ukraine Here are a few more notable passages from my interviewwith Lee. On Macron's Taiwan comments in April: "Of course, everyone was a little bit confused about the signal that President [Emmanuel] Macron was sending. "I don't think France is trying to play this appeasement game anymore. [Macron] is just keeping with their strategic autonomous approach in relation to the U.S." On the connection between Ukraine and Taiwan: "It's too late already for us to stop Russia, but I think we still have time to build up our solidarity to deter China from making the worst-case scenario into reality. "Taiwan has benefited from the very fact that it was Russia who invaded Ukraine before China invaded Taiwan.... We can learn [from Ukraine], and we can start to accelerate the preparations along with the United States and European countries." On Taipei's relations with Europe: "I think the Czech Republic and Slovakia are demonstrating in a very ambitious way that you can do a lot of substantive work with Taiwan without violating your One China policy. "I think we're looking at a model [set by Bratislava and Prague] that we would like to see increasing in a number of European countries that will take a similar pragmatic approach. "We're seeing more countries, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, assess the situation pragmatically and start to follow the footsteps of the leadership set by Slovakia and the Czech Republic." Do you have a question about China's growing footprint in Eurasia? Send it to me at StandishR@rferl.org or reply directly to this e-mail and I'll get it answered by leading experts and policymakers. Three More Stories From Eurasia 1. Unpacking The Summit In Xi'an China hosted a landmark summit in Xi'an on May 18-19 with Central Asian leaders, signaling Beijing's growing attention to the region at a time when Russia, its long-standing hegemon, is seeing its influence wane. What You Need To Know: The summit in Xi'an was complete with sparkle as Chinese leader Xi Jinping gave a lavish, red-carpet welcome to Central Asia's leaders that was rich in symbolism despite sometimes being light on substance and details. In terms of the most notable takeaways, we saw Chinese promises to invest billions of dollars more in Central Asia's economies and calls to open up China's own economy to Central Asian businesses. For Central Asian leaders, that's welcome news, especially after years of pandemic-era measures that left borders closed and Central Asian trade restricted. But beyond the economic focus of Xi's so-called "new paradigm" for relations with Central Asia were calls to deepen cooperation on defense and security, two areas where China has generally been hesitant to deepen its footprint. According to a summary delivered by Chinese state media, "Xi stressed that China is ready to help Central Asian countries improve their law enforcement, security, and defense-capacity building in an effort to safeguard regional peace." But beyond those loud pronouncements, few details emerged from Xi's statements, and we're left to speculate about where this might lead. Tajikistan is of particular interest to Beijing as the only country bordering both China and Afghanistan. It has already been a focal point of Beijing's limited security cooperation in the region by hosting Chinese border outposts and having already accepted Chinese funding for the construction of a police base in 2021. A potential early area of cooperation could be reviving anti-terrorism drills on a bilateral basis with Tajikistan, which have been carried out in the past, or looking to use the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) again as a vehicle for security exercises with the region, which China did on a limited basis previously. China's focus has been and continues to be its own domestic security and it sees Central Asia as an extension of that. The focus on policing and counterterrorism highlights this and is the latest step in Beijing's long-term strategy for the region, which is not to break the previous status quo but rather to rewrite many of the rules on China's terms. 2. A Russian Visit To Beijing And Pipeline Politics Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited Beijing on May 24 to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, where he hailed growing economic ties between the two countries and saidthat Western pressure is pushing them closer together. What It Means: Mishustin's visit was another sign of Beijing's enduring support for Moscow amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russian prime minister cited government statistics that said that bilateral trade turnover between China and Russia may reach $200 billion this year and that Russia will continue exporting hydrocarbons to China on a "long-term basis" and that Moscow is ready to significantly increase agricultural exports to China. But Mishustin left Beijing without a clear commitment from China on Power of Siberia 2, a long-prized gas pipeline project that could transform Asian energy flows. The Power of Siberia -- a different Russian pipeline to China -- was launched in 2019 and is expected to reach its maximum capacity of 38 billion cubic meters per year by 2024. The Power of Siberia 2 is particularly important as it looks to supply China with gas from Russia's northeastern Yamal Peninsula, which historically served the European market through several pipelines, including Nord Stream, whose supplies had ceased to flow in disputes with the EU even before it was sabotaged in 2022. Analysts believe that Beijing is taking its time in talks with Moscow as part of a negotiating strategy to secure a lower price for gas through the pipeline. In the meantime, China has been pursuing alternatives. At the summit in Xi'an, Beijing pushed for the construction of the so-called Line D pipeline, which would be China's fourth in the region bringing gas from Turkmenistan. 3. Pakistan And Debt Pakistan's economic woes are continuing to grow and putting China's lending practices under scrutiny. The Details: Pakistan expects China to roll over more than $2 billion in debt that's due in June, but Islamabad is still bracing itself for other repayment deadlines that risk tipping the country into default. With a crucial International Monetary Fund (IMF) lending program stalled, Pakistan has about $3.7 billion in overseas debt due in May and in June against its current foreign reserves of just $4.3 billion. That economic pressure has led to some calls for debt forgiveness from Beijing -- something that China has traditionally been reluctant to provide. Earlier this year, Beijing rolled over some loans to Pakistan, and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang pledged continued financial support during a recent visit. Pakistan, which has long relied on lenders such as the IMF and China to finance its budget deficits, is trapped in one of the worst economic crises in its history. The mounting debt in Pakistan and elsewhere has renewed criticism that Beijing is engaged in so-called "debt trap diplomacy," despite many experts pushing back on this notion. Chinese lending -- much of which has come under the banner of the Belt and Road Initiative over the last decade -- has come from dozens of banks in the country that have tended to be uncoordinated and haphazard. Rather, experts such as Brad Parks, the executive director of AidData, a research lab at Virginia's William & Mary, have argued that Chinese lenders are unwilling to take losses because it could cause fallout at home where many are grappling with reckless lending to China's real estate sector and a slowing domestic economy. "They're kind of making it up as they go along. There is no master plan," Parks recently told the Associated Press. Across The Supercontinent Flowing East: Uzbekistan has resumed natural gas exports to China, sending volumes worth $40.5 million in April, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reports. Railing On: One of the concrete deliverables from China's Central Asia summit was that a trilateral document for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway was signed that details its next steps, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported. A feasibility study has already been completed; next comes the development of more detailed designs and a financing scheme for the project, according to the document. 'That's For The Historians To Decide': Fu Cong, China's ambassador to the EU, recently gave a wide-ranging interview to the New Statesman magazine. Among many notable passages, Fu -- when asked why China has not condemned Russia's invasion -- said Beijing has its "own diplomatic style. I think at this stage actually a simple condemnation does not solve the problem. It may reduce your space for diplomacy." When asked if Russia started the war, he said: "That's for the historians to decide." Iron Brothers: Earlier this month, Pakistan was plunged back into political turmoil after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested, sparking protests and violence across the country. But what does it mean for China? Listen to my Talking China In Eurasia podcast, where guest Daud Khattak, the managing editor for RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, explains how the latest instability could strain ties between Islamabad and Beijing. One Thing To Watch Tesla and Twitter billionaire Elon Musk visited China for the first time in three years and met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. China is Tesla's second-largest market after the United States, and its Shanghai plant is the electric carmaker's largest production hub. The trip comes as Tesla is grappling with multiple issues, including intensifying competition with Chinese automaker that are exporting their locally made electric vehicles as demand in the world's largest auto market weakens. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-in-eurasia- standish-taiwan-ukraine-china-pakistan/32436457.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 US Says Chinese Fighter Jet Conducted 'Unnecessarily Aggressive Maneuver' Near US Reconnaissance Plane By VOA News May 31, 2023 The U.S. military says a Chinese fighter jet flew close to one of its reconnaissance aircraft during a patrol mission over the South China Sea last week. A statement by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command says a Chinese J-16 fighter jet "flew directly in front of the nose" of the RC-135 plane "in an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver," forcing the pilot to fly through the turbulence caused by the fighter jet. Video footage of the incident from the cockpit of the U.S. reconnaissance plane showed the plane shaking soon after the Chinese fighter jet flew across its flight path. The statement said the RC-135 reconnaissance plane was conducting "safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law." Last week's incident occurred six months after a similar incident in December, when the crew of another RC-135 plane was forced to take evasive maneuvers to avoid colliding with a Chinese fighter jet. The incidents come during a time of rising tensions between Beijing and Washington over a host of issues, including China's aggressive expansion across the South China Sea and its increasing military and diplomatic pressure on self-ruled Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province of China. Along with the aerial reconnaissance missions, the U.S. has also sailed its naval warships through the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait under the concept of "freedom of navigation." The Pentagon said that China has rejected an invitation for Defense Minister General Li Shangfu to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue regional security summit in Singapore this week. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK/North Korea: Statement by the Spokesperson on the attempted satellite launch European External Action Service (EEAS) 31.05.2023 The EU strongly condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launch using ballistic military technology that occurred on 31 May. The DPRK's continued and complete disregard for its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions threatens international and regional peace and security. It is critical that all Members of the United Nations, especially Members of the UN Security Council, speak out and demonstrate that such actions will never be accepted. The EU calls on the DPRK to cease all actions that raise tensions and instead choose the path of dialogue with the main parties. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General condemns North Korea military satellite launch NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 31 May. 2023 I strongly condemn the attempted military satellite launch by the DPRK, using ballistic missile technology. This raises tensions and poses serious risks to the security of the region and beyond. It is in blatant breach of multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions. NATO calls on the DPRK to cease these provocative actions and to return to dialogue in order to achieve sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. We stand together with our close partners in the region, the Republic of Korea and Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea vows to try again after failed satellite launch The rocket failed when the second stage did not ignite, state media said. By Eugene Whong for RFA 2023.05.31 -- On the heels of a failed spy satellite launch on Wednesday, North Korea vowed that a second launch would come soon, state media reported. Taking off from the Sohae Satellite Launching ground at 6:27 a.m., the Malligyong-1 satellite mounted on the new-type Chollima-1 rocket lost thrust over the Yellow Sea, the state-run Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA reported. The second stage of the rocket engine did not ignite properly, the report said, citing remarks made by a spokesperson from the National Aerospace Development Administration. "Scientists, technicians and experts concerned [will] start discovering concrete causes," KCNA said. After determining them, the scientists will "take urgent scientific and technological measures to overcome them and conduct the second launch as soon as possible through various part tests." Had the launch been successful it would have been the first time North Korea managed to place a reconnaissance satellite in its proper orbit. In seven attempts, only two satellites have reached orbit but both failed shortly after, U.S.-based satellite imagery expert Jacob Bogle told RFA's Korean Service. "It's a clichA to say that 'space is hard', but that's because it is. Failures commonly happen in both government-led space programs like the ESA as well as in privately-funded programs such as SpaceX," said Bogle. Bogle said it was very likely that North Korea would try again. "The launch window was from May 31 to June 11, and they launched on the very first day of that window. We don't know what the internal decision-making process was but this could have been a rushed launch," he said. "North Korea is the only country in the region without a reliable spacefaring capability, and Kim Jong Un has placed a lot of importance on acquiring it. ... North Korea will likely try another satellite launch in the near-term." North Korea's account of the failed launch is likely true, the Rand Corporation's Bruce Bennett told RFA. "This is possible, but other failures could also have happened. Kim has already promised to try again, so I think we can expect it," said Bennett. The goal of the launch was to put the spy satellite in a polar orbit, optimal for spy satellites, he said. "A polar satellite travels roughly over the North Pole and the South pole as it circles the Earth. It flies at a much lower altitude, usually 200 to 1,000 km," said Bennett. A polar orbit is usually used for reconnaissance ... [and] lets them see areas all over the Earth as the Earth turns, and the altitude is low enough for relatively good pictures on a periodic basis (weekly) for any given location." Renewed condemnation Despite its failure, members of the international community reminded North Korea that the launch, even despite its failure, violated U.N. resolutions meant to limit Pyongyang's missile and nuclear capabilities. "The EU strongly condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launch using ballistic military technology that occurred on 31 May," Nabila Massrali, the regional bloc's Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said in a statement. "The EU calls on the DPRK to cease all actions that raise tensions and instead choose the path of dialogue with the main parties." The International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Commission adopted a resolution that condemned North Korea for conducting the launch without proper notification and for not adhering to UN resolutions, and called for North Korea to "cease unlawful and unannounced ballistic missile launches across international shipping lanes." Lawmakers Anne-Marie Trevelyan of the U.K. and Young Kim of the U.S. also wrote tweets condemning the launch. "Kim Jong Un's consistent & rogue aggression must be taken seriously by the United States & our Indo-Pacific allies," Rep. Kim (R-Calif.) said. "We must stand firm in holding him accountable & working toward complete, verifiable, & irreversible denuclearization of North Korea." Reported by Lee Sangmin and Kim Soyoung for RFA Korean. Copyright 1998-2016, 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 UN chief strongly condemns DPRK spy satellite launch 31 May 2023 - UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres has strongly condemned the latest satellite launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), his spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday. The country, commonly known as North Korea, attempted to fire off its first military reconnaissance satellite earlier that day but it crashed into the sea, according to media reports. The DPRK has reportedly pledged to conduct another launch after it learns what went wrong. The UN chief noted that any launch using ballistic missile technology is contrary to relevant Security Council resolutions. "The Secretary-General reiterates his call on the DPRK to cease such acts and to swiftly resume dialogue to achieve the goal of sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the statement said. Chaos and confusion The launch sparked confusion in neighbouring South Korea and in Japan. Authorities in South Korea's capital, Seoul, sent text messages urging residents to move to safety but later said they were sent in error. The Japanese Government also issued a warning to people in Okinawa prefecture, located in the south of the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kim Son Gyong, Vice Foreign Minister of DPRK, Releases Press Statement Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, June 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Son Gyong, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, released the following press statement titled "Dangerous sea intercepting drill escalating the regional tension" on June 1: The U.S. and the south Korean puppets are persistently resorting to the saber-rattling against the DPRK despite deep concern and protest of the international community. The U.S., which staged the actual nuclear war exercises Freedom Shield and "combined joint formation drill" in the light of its form and contents in March and April, is going to stage a sea intercepting drill together with Japan, south Korean puppets, Australia and other vassal forces according to the "Proliferation Security Initiative" (PSI) in the open waters off the South Sea of Korea in late May. The U.S. cooked up PSI in 2003. In the past 20 years it has systematically expanded it and tried to use it as means for pressurizing the anti-U.S. independent countries. It is illogical and mockery of the international law for the U.S., the world's biggest proliferator of WMDs and direct destroyer of international nuclear non-proliferation system, to talk about the control of someone's "WMD proliferation". This is evidenced by the fact that the U.S. openly connived at Israel's possession of nukes and cooked up a nuclear proliferation mechanism called AUKUS to destroy the international nuclear non-proliferation system by itself. It is just like a guilty party filing the suit first that the U.S., which has built bio-chemical weapon laboratories in south Korea, Ukraine and other regions and unhesitatingly spread WMDs to the whole world, is talking about "non-proliferation". The main purpose of the U.S. that fabricated the PSI is to legalize unilateral maritime transport interception and blockade against those countries which are not obedient to it and thus realize its strategy for hegemony. The U.S. and the south Korean puppet military are making far-fetched assertions that the drill is aimed at "defence" and "non-proliferation" but in view of the scale of the forces and the performance of equipment involved in the drill, it is quite clear that they are extremely dangerous military exercises for bolstering up the maritime operation capability with Japan and south Korean puppets in the Korean Peninsula and for perfecting the overall embargo on the export and preparations for preemptive attack on a specified state in contingency. The drill is being staged at a time when the U.S. and the south Korean puppets are going to stage the largest-ever "combined joint fire annihilation drill" in particular, which adds to the gravity and danger of the situation. The drill is being staged in the place adjacent to the sensitive waters where disputes over the issue of dominium continue. This shows that the sea intercepting drill has a multi-purpose nature to put pressure on the neighboring countries of the DPRK. The recent drill will be a catalyst for escalating the tension in Northeast Asia as it is being staged at a time when the U.S. has recently shipped various types of warships into the Straits of Taiwan under the pretext of "freedom of navigation" and NATO member states continue to take part in the U.S.-led joint military exercises in the Asia-Pacific. As the U.S. is steadily expanding the multi-national military cooperation frameworks such as PSI, the possibility of catastrophic military conflict in Northeast Asia is turning into reality day by day. All the facts clearly prove once again that the U.S. is chiefly to blame for heightening tension and increasing the danger of a nuclear war in the Korean Peninsula. If the U.S. and its vassal forces attempt to impose any hostile blockade on the DPRK or infringe upon our inviolable sovereignty even a bit, the armed forces of the DPRK will regard it as a declaration of war against it. The U.S. should stop at once the hostile acts of destabilizing the situation in the Korean Peninsula, bearing in mind that the ceaseless and dangerous war gambles being staged before our eyes will result in leading it to self-destruction. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden aide visited Oman to seek mediation with Iran: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 31, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- US President Joe Biden's senior West Asia adviser took a low-profile trip to Oman earlier this month for talks with Omani officials on "possible diplomatic outreach" to Iran over its nuclear program, according to a report. Brett McGurk traveled to Muscat on May 8 to discuss "a new diplomatic push over Iran's nuclear program with Omani mediation," the US-based news website Axios claimed in a report on Tuesday, citing Israeli and US officials. "The Omanis are holding proximity talks between the US and Iran," Axios quoted an Israeli official as saying. The report added that the White House is exploring through the Omani government whether Iran is open to taking steps that would put some limits on its nuclear program and what it would want in return. Negotiations between Iran and the other parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement hit an impasse in August 2022 over Washington's failure to guarantee that it would abide by the deal. The US left the deal, officially called the JCPOA, in 2018 and slapped "maximum pressure" sanctions against Iran despite Tehran's full compliance with its commitments under the deal. Those negotiations were aimed at reviving the JCPOA and making sure all parties, particularly the US, would fully comply with it. Axios reported in April that the Biden administration discussed with its European and Israeli partners a possible proposal for an "interim agreement" with Iran that would include some sanctions relief in exchange for Tehran freezing parts of its nuclear program. Iran has rejected a partial removal of US sanctions and has repeatedly warned that the window of opportunity to reach an agreement would not remain open forever. **9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IAEA chief confirms progress between Iran, nuclear watchdog IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 31, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi confirms that Iran and the agency have made progress on certain issues. Speaking to reporters in New York on Tuesday, Grossi said his report on the status of Iran's nuclear program is due to be published soon. "We are working on several issues with Iran, and we are making progress in some of them and not in others," he said. The remarks came days before a quarterly meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna. Earlier in the day, informed sources said that Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog have resolved two important issues raised against Tehran's peaceful nuclear program. A Tuesday report by IRNA's Persian service quoted the sources as saying that the case of one of the alleged "undetected" sites, known as Abadeh, has been closed as a result of negotiations between Tehran and the IAEA. They also said that the IAEA's claims about uranium particles with 83.7 purity allegedly found at undeclared nuclear sites in Iran have been resolved as well. **9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian FM: Tehran, Washington communicate through mediators/ Iran in touch with EU ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Wed / 31 May 2023 / 15:51 Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that there is a direct interaction between Iran and European Union and also communication with the US over nuclear deal is made through mediators. Amir-Abdollahian in an interview with Le Figaro, a French newspaper emphasized that the close ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia are not merely a tactical deal. He added that Iran had reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia based on the expansion of trade and economic relations. Iranian Foreign Minister noted that Iran is in touch with Saudi Arabia to cease Yemeni war and start dialogue with all parties. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also stated that diplomatic process and negotiations with EU over nuclear issue are still underway. "I am in touch with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell and my own colleague Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Ali Bagheri is in touch with the Vienna talks coordinator Enrique Mora about nuclear issue. In addition, communications are made between Tehran and Washington through regional and even European mediators," he added. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to double gas imports from Turkmenistan Iran Press TV Wednesday, 31 May 2023 7:10 PM Iran will soon double its gas imports from Turkmenistan as the two energy-rich nations seek to rebuild ties that were once affected by arrears. Reza Noshadi, a senior official at the National Iranian Gas Company, said on Wednesday that Iran's gas imports from Turkmenistan will soon double to 20 million cubic meters (mcm) per day. Noshadi said Iran currently imports 10 mcm per day of gas from Turkmenistan under a swap deal that also involves Azerbaijan. He added that under a new agreement, Iran will soon begin to import another 10 mcm per day of natural gas from Turkmenistan without accepting any swap commitments and only for domestic consumption in its north and northeastern regions. "Thus 20 mcm of gas provides a good capacity for trade between the two countries and we expect that this cooperation will continue and contracts and memoranda of understanding for petroleum cooperation between Iran and Turkmenistan will increase," said Noshadi. Iran and Turkmenistan are two major global gas suppliers. Cooperation between the two countries stalled for a period last decade over disputes on settlement of Iran's energy arrears to Turkmenistan. Iranian Oil minister Javad Owji said on Tuesday that Iran had fully settled a gas debt of $1.6 billion to Turkmenistan to enable the two countries to re-engage in gas trade projects. The announcement on double increase in Iranian gas imports from Turkmenistan came as top Turkmen official Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was in Tehran for talks with senior Iranian officials. Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Syyed Ali Khamenei said in a meeting with Berdimuhamedow on Wednesday that Iran and Turkmenistan were "like a family" as he voiced support for increased energy cooperation with Iran's northeastern neighbor. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Farda Briefing: Journalists Who Broke Mahsa Amini Story Stand Trial Behind Closed Doors By Golnaz Esfandiari May 31, 2023 The Big Issue A revolutionary court in Iran this week began the trials of two female journalists who helped break the story of Mahsa Amini's death. Amini's death in September soon after she was arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating the country's hijab law triggered months of nationwide protests against the clerical establishment. Reporters Nilufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi helped expose the case of Amini to the world by reporting, respectively, from the hospital where she died and her funeral. The women, who have been held in pretrial detention since September, face a number of charges that include "collaborating with the hostile government of America, conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against national security, and propaganda against the establishment." The trials are being held behind closed doors, despite widespread calls inside and outside Iran for them to be open to the public. The women have complained that they were allowed to meet their lawyers only last week. Hamedi denied all charges against her as her trial began on May 30, her husband said. The 30-year-old said she "had performed her work as a journalist within the framework of the law and did not take any action against Iran's security," her husband, Mohammad Hossein Ajorlu, wrote on Twitter. Mohammadi's trial began a day earlier. Her lawyer, Shahabeddin Mirlohi, said the Tehran Revolutionary Court was not qualified to rule on the cases. Revolutionary courts mainly deal with prominent political cases and are seen to be less regulated and more hard-line in their judgments than ordinary courts. Why It Matters: Hamedi and Mohammadi are being tried for simply doing their job. Hamedi of the Shargh daily had reported from the Tehran hospital where Amini died from the injuries she allegedly suffered in custody. Mohammadi of the Hammihan daily reported from Amini's funeral in her hometown of Saghez, where the first protests erupted. Their cases have highlighted the Iranian authorities' renewed crackdown on dissent in the wake of the antiestablishment protests. What's Next: Rights groups and media watchdogs are closely watching the trial of Hamedi and Mohammadi, who have both been hailed for their reporting and honored by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Shargh editor-in-chief Mehdi Rahmanian expressed hope that the two will be acquitted and able to return to their jobs. But the fact that the trials are being presided over by hard-line judge Abolqasem Salavati, who is known for handing out harsh sentences, is potentially bad news for the reporters. Stories You Might Have Missed Tensions remain high following the deadly clashes between Iranian and Taliban border troops as tensions over water supplies boiled over. But while both Tehran and the Taliban are doubling down on their water rights, they are leaving the door open for a diplomatic resolution. The Iranian government has submitted a draft bill to the parliament that calls for tougher measures against women who do not observe the Islamic dress code in public. But the proposed legislation has angered hard-liners who say the bill does not go far enough. What We're Watching Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he would welcome full diplomatic relations with Egypt, during a May 29 meeting with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in Tehran. Ties between Tehran and Cairo deteriorated sharply following the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the ousting of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was granted asylum in Egypt where he later died. The two countries have maintained diplomatic contacts. "We welcome the Omani Sultan's statement about Egypt's willingness to resume relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and we have no problem in this regard," Khamenei said, according to his official website. Why It Matters: Khamenei's comments come as Tehran seeks to improve its ties with regional powers. In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia, longtime rivals, agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties. The surprise agreement was brokered by China. According to reports, Iranian and Egyptian officials have held behind-closed-door meetings over improving relations since March. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/farda-briefing-iran- amini-reporters-trial-esfandiari/32437091.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 Judiciary Chief Defends Executions Of Protesters By RFE/RL's Radio Farda May 31, 2023 The head of Iran's judiciary has staunchly defended issuing death sentences for several demonstrators involved in nationwide protests that erupted in September 2022 following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini soon after she was detained by morality police for allegedly violating the mandatory hijab law. In a speech delivered on May 30, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei stated that the sentences for those who "should be executed" will be carried out without exception "while maintaining legal standards and fairness." Iran has so far executed at least seven protesters, sparking outrage among rights activists and many Western governments who have called the legal proceedings against the accused "sham" trials where proper representation is not always granted and decisions are rushed behind closed doors. Amnesty International in a recent report warned about the imminent execution risk of seven more detainees from the protests. The human rights group named the seven as Ebrahim Naroui, Kambiz Kharot, Manochehr Mehmannavaz, Mansoreh Dehmardeh, Mohammad Ghabadlo, Mujahed (Abbas) Korkor, and Shoaib Mirbaluchzehi Rigi. Mohseni-Ejei characterized the civil resistance against mandatory hijab, which has been led by Iranian women, as a "challenge of chastity and hijab" while claiming that such resistance has been influenced by the "hand of the enemy." He did not elaborate, but Iranian officials have consistently blamed the West for the demonstrations -- the biggest threat to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution -- and have vowed to continue to crack down hard on protesters. Last November, Mohseni-Ejei's defense of the execution of Mohsen Shekari, a young protester accused of waging war against God for "closing a street and injuring a Basij paramilitary member," has been met with fierce criticism. Legal experts have decried the imposition of the death penalty for the charge of "waging war against God," a crime often applied to political dissidents. Responding to the worrying trend, six prominent legal scholars and an Iranian human rights lawyer penned a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to express their grave concern over the escalating number of executions in Iran. The signatories cited the abuse of national sovereignty principles by the Islamic republic to justify widespread executions, resulting in limited global capacity to prevent these inhuman actions effectively. Human rights activists say authorities in Iran are using the executions to try to instill fear in society rather than to combat crime. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-judiciary-chief- defends-executions-protesters/32437451.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 Myanmar troops torch Sagaing region village a second time Other communities also burned, forcing thousands to flee. By Khin Maung Soe for RFA Burmese 2023.05.31 -- Disaster has once again hit a community in northwestern Myanmar's war-torn Sagaing region. Junta troops on Monday burned down 17 homes in Mon Taing Pin village in Ye-U township, a former local lawmaker and resident said. It was the same army battalion that massacred 29 villagers and torched more than 70 homes there in May 2022. Other Myanmar troops and supporting militias torched 30 homes in Kyunhla township on May 29 and 30, forcing more than 3,000 residents to flee, according to villagers. Sagaing has been an anti-junta stronghold and cradle of resistance to the country's brutal military rule since the army seized power in a February 2021 coup. In the latest incident, soldiers from the army's Light Infantry Battalion 708 based in Ye-U burned the houses after local pro-junta informers took them to the homes of civilians they accused of being democracy activists, they said. "The military did it to suppress a village that has unity, honor and great revolutionary strength," said Myint Htwe, an elected parliamentarian representing Ye-U township before the coup and a leader of the local People's Defense Force operating under Myanmar's parallel government. "We can see it because they chose to destroy only this village again and in particular with malice among all villages that they entered," he said. Myint Htwe said he requested photo evidence of the latest torching incident, and that the shadow National Unity Government has given 50,000 kyats (US$24) in humanitarian aid to each affected family. Nowhere to live Junta forces have swept through villages across Sagaing region, sometimes more than once, to find and punish suspected resistance fighters belonging to People's Defense Forces and their civilian supporters. A Mon Taing Pin resident told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity for safety reasons that families who lost their homes now have nowhere to live. "Since we have lost our houses, we have to stay in other people's houses," the villager said. "My house, my daughter's and my brother-in-law's were among the houses burned down." Junta forces torched not only the houses of families they suspect of being revolutionaries, but also those of teachers who participated in the nationwide civil disobedience movement following the coup. Myanmar soldiers and members of the pro-regime Pyu Saw Htee militia also raided and set ablaze 30 homes in Koke Ko Kone and Hlut Taik village tracts in Kyun Hla township, prompting thousands to flee to safety, though some returned after the forces left the area, a resident said. "They came in an area-clearing strategy," the villager said. "They attacked places along the river banks and burned down huts and buildings there. They also carried away civilian property on their vehicles. Some villagers could return to their homes, but others are still in hiding." RFA could not reach the junta spokesman for Sagaing region for comment. Between Feb. 1 2021 a the date of the coup a and this Feb. 28, junta forces burned an estimated 60,000 houses, of which between 50%-75% were in Sagaing region, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA. Translated by Myo Min Aung for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin 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 Junta clamps down on displaying photos of Aung San Suu Kyi "Of course they have malice toward her." Reported by Soe San Aung for RFA Burmese 2023.05.31 -- Military junta authorities are threatening - and sometimes arresting - people who display photos of Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi in their homes, residents in Yangon, Mandalay and the Ayeyarwaddy region told Radio Free Asia. In Ayeyarwady, soldiers and police often make surprise visits to civilian homes to check for any unregistered guests. If they see pictures of prominent politicians, including Suu Kyi, hanging on walls or stored on mobile phones, they threaten them with arrest, residents said. "Of course they have malice toward her," said a resident of Mandalay, where home inspections have also taken place. "Their brainless heads cannot accept the idea of Mother Su or Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. In fact, we the people never like the dictator. We never like the dictator by any means," referring to junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. Suu Kyi is often referred to with the honorific "Daw," which means aunt. During her 35-year political career, she has been repeatedly arrested and prosecuted by successive military governments. The Nobel laureate is currently being held in solitary confinement at a prison in the capital, Naypyidaw. Similar arrests of civilians for keeping photos of Suu Kyi happened under previous military dictatorships. Photos of her reappeared in homes after she was released from house arrest in 2010. Landslide victory The practice became more popular after the National League for Democracy formed a civilian government following a landslide victory in the 2015 national elections. Suu Kyi served as Myanmar's de facto leader after 2015, and some homes also displayed photos of her father, Gen. Aung San, who led the country to independence from British rule in the 1940s and is regarded by many as the father of modern Myanmar. The NLD also won the 2020 national elections, but the military staged a coup on Feb. 1, 2021 and arrested civilian leaders of the national and state governments, including Suu Kyi, Myint and several dozen other senior officials who were in Naypyidaw for the convening of the newly elected lower house of parliament. Since the coup, Myanmar has fallen to the bottom of international rankings for freedom of speech. Residents in Ayeyarwady, where support for Suu Kyi and the deposed National League for Democracy party is strong, have been living in fear because of the inspections and threats from the military, according to Sin Yan Shin, who heads the local Pathein Guerrilla Force. "Not many people hang the photos of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi or President Win Myint in their homes as of late," he said, referring to another former leader arrested by the junta. 'Under any law that they name' A resident of Yangon, the former capital and the country's largest city, had to sign a promissory petition recently because she was found to have hung a photo of Suu Kyi at home, according to a man close to the resident. "They took him to the police station," he said. "I heard that he had to sign a confession there and come back." The resident refused to answer many of RFA's questions, saying she was concerned about her personal security. "They can visit your home by surprise at any time to check if there are any guests," the resident said. "They can take action against you under any law that they name if they see something they don't like." This week, most of the civilians who experienced threats or arrests over their involvement with photos of Suu Kyi refused to answer RFA's questions as they were too concerned for their security. "Please keep this confidential," said one person. "Or else, I'll be in trouble." RFA called a military junta spokesperson to ask about the arrests and threats over the photos, but there was no response. Instilling fear "They are insane," said veteran lawyer Kyee Myint. "Power craziness is the worst. They will do anything to stay in power." The junta is trying to rule the country by instilling fear in peoples' minds, he said. "Fear is very bad for people. The military showed many examples of terror to put fear in the people's mind. They suppress people who are scared even more." Renowned artist Nu Yin, who is famous for her portraits of Suu Kyi, said the lack of freedom of expression was one of the reasons she fled the country following the coup. "I could guess what they would do to me if I stayed," she told RFA. "They see democracy and democracy activists as their opponents or enemies. They don't know better than to respect human rights. They don't cherish the truth." Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Matt Reed 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 Pakistan Urged to Desist from Trying Civilians in Military Courts By Ayaz Gul May 31, 2023 Global and local human rights campaigners in Pakistan asked the government Wednesday to transfer political activists who are set to be prosecuted in military courts for arson to the civilian justice system. Pakistani authorities have handed dozens of former prime minister Imran Khan's supporters to the army recently for trial in military tribunals. They are accused of attacking public and defense installations during several days of protests sparked by Khan's dramatic, short-lived May 9 arrest on corruption charges. Human Rights Watch said in a statement that a military trial of civilians would breach Pakistan's obligations under international human rights law. "Pakistan's military courts, which use secret procedures that deny due process rights, should not be used to prosecute civilians, even for crimes against the military," said Patricia Gossman, the U.S.-based watchdog's associate Asia director. She questioned the integrity of the military tribunals, noting that their judges are serving officers and are not independent of the government. Gossman said that while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's administration is responsible for prosecuting those committing violence, it should try civilians only in independent and impartial civilian courts. The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said Wednesday it strongly opposes the government's decision to try civilians under military law. Hina Jilani, the commission's chief, said that "the arbitrary manner" used to select cases to be tried by military courts denies the suspects' constitutional right to a fair trial. "There is no due process in military courts. Independence and impartiality of these courts are always questionable and people do not get real justice," Jilani told VOA. Police have rounded up thousands of members of Khan's opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, party in connection with the protests amid allegations of abuses against female detainees in particular. Critics describe the nationwide military-backed crackdown as an attempt to crush the country's largest political force. On Tuesday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah threatened that even Khan could face a military court trial, accusing the 70-year-old opposition leader of being the "architect" of the violence against defense installations. The former prime minister and his party have condemned the violence, alleging that government intelligence agencies infiltrated saboteurs to justify the ongoing crackdown on the PTI. The army says it has collected "irrefutable evidence" against arsonists. Sharif has endorsed the military trials under what is known as the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act. He has pledged to use special anti-terrorism courts to try those responsible for vandalizing public property. Speaking in parliament last week, Sharif denounced attacks on military installations as an "outright enmity" against the country. "Therefore, all these cases will be tried under the Army Act," he said, referring to the platform exclusively used to prosecute military personnel and enemies of the state. "For the Pakistani government to threaten to prosecute Imran Khan in compromised military courts is a virtual admission that the "case" against him is weak. If he really did something wrong, why not prosecute him in independent civilian courts?" tweeted Kenneth Roth, a former executive director of Human Rights Watch. A parliamentary vote of no-confidence removed Khan from power in April 2022, nearly four years into his coalition government. He accused the military of plotting the vote in collusion with Sharif and the United States. Washington and Sharif reject the allegations. The government has also maintained elections would be held later this year when parliament completes its mandated five-year term. According to opinion surveys, Khan is still the most popular politician in Pakistan, but he remains embroiled in more than 100 legal cases instituted against him since his ouster. The allegations range from corruption and terrorism to sedition and blasphemy. The deposed prime minister rejects all the charges as politically motivated and an attempt by the military to disqualify him from the national electoral process. Military's role The ongoing crackdown on Khan's party has forced dozens of PTI leaders, including former lawmakers and ministers, to either quit the party or take a break from politics, paving the way for their release from police custody. Almost all of the defectors in televised news conferences made identical statements. They condemned the attacks on military installations, pledging their loyalty to the powerful security institution and saying they were not abandoning Khan under duress. Critics continue to point figures at the military, saying the institution was behind Khan's rise to power and is now trying to keep him from staging a comeback. "I think the aim of this political engineering at this time is to clean up the mess that the military had created in 2018. The military has no business to engineer politically or re-engineer," Jilani said. In a recent editorial, the prestigious English-language daily newspaper Dawn raised questions about the motives behind the desertions. "One wonders what kind of duress they were under: was it simply the terrible conditions of the prison, or blackmail, threats against family, or something worse? It is difficult to say," the paper wrote. "What isn't as difficult to surmise is who is behind the campaign to break apart yet another political movement that has grown too big for the state's liking. Their playbook hasn't changed," said the editorial, indirectly referencing the Pakistani military's long-standing intervention into national politics. Khan has also contacted British and U.S. lawmakers to draw their attention to alleged human rights violations against his supporters. Republican Sheila Jackson Lee, the chairwoman of the U.S. House's Congressional Pakistan Caucus, wrote on Twitter last Friday she would be writing to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to ask them to help bring an end to "human rights violations" against the opposition. "I am extremely concerned about the reports that are coming out of Pakistan of human rights abuses and the lack of protection for those who express peaceful opposition to the government," Jackson Lee said. The military has staged three coups and ruled Pakistan for more than three decades. Former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa acknowledged in a televised speech just days before his retirement last November that the military had been interfering in politics for the last seven decades. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answer to a media question during a joint news conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi Albert Shingiro following talks, Bujumbura, May 30, 2023 30 May 2023 16:51 1047-30-05-2023 Mr Minister, Friend, It is a pleasure to be in your beautiful country among the friendly and hospitable Burundian people. Our talks were held in a meaningful and trust-based manner. We touched on every area of cooperation in bilateral affairs and in the international arena. We positively assessed the recently intensified steps taken by Russian and Burundian representatives in a number of areas. I would like to note cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy and public health. With regard to nuclear energy, a roadmap has been signed between State Corporation Rosatom and its Burundian partners. Preparations for an intergovernmental agreement in this area and a memorandum on training personnel for the nuclear power industry of the Republic of Burundi in the Russian Federation are nearing completion. Close cooperation has been established in public health, especially with regard to combating the spread of infectious diseases. In February, Head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova visited Burundi bringing along a large number of COVID-19 test kits and taking part in a ceremony for opening a state-of-the-art laboratory outfitted with Russian equipment at Burundi's National Institute of Health. This interaction will continue through 2023. A series of events on public health issue, infectious diseases and biological safety will be held in the Russian Federation, and specialists from Burundi will participate. Broad prospects are opening up for pursuing new ways to interact in connection with the upcoming participation of a high-ranking Burundian delegation in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in mid-June. Our humanitarian ties, in particular in education, are expanding rapidly. Mindful of the Burundian students' great interest in obtaining a higher education in the Russian Federation, we have doubled the number of grants for the new academic year. From now on, 100 grants will be made available annually. A Russian Language Class operated by the Russkiy Mir Foundation at the University of Burundi opened in Bujumbura on May 15. It will be used to improve Russian language teachers' skills. When reviewing the main international and regional issues, we found that our approaches are similar regarding the importance of democratising international relations and eliminating injustices which, at the initiative of the US-led collective West, are being ramped up in the international arena. Russia and Burundi consistently stand for respecting the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnection, primarily, the principle of the sovereign equality of states, which is grossly violated by the United States and its allies on a daily basis. We appreciate our close coordination in the United Nations, which will continue. We reaffirmed our support for reforming the UN Security Council by addressing the problem of underrepresentation of countries of the Global South, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We discussed in detail ways to overcome the ongoing crises in Africa. Burundi plays an active role in promoting peace initiatives. The peacekeepers from this country are active in the DRC, the CAR, and Sudan. Burundi's presidency in the East African Community deserves the highest praise. We are fully supportive of the principle the Minister has just expressed, that is, African solutions to African problems. We consistently support this approach. We will continue to be guided by this when considering specific crisis situations in Africa at the UN Security Council. We discussed preparations for the second Russia-Africa summit to be held in St Petersburg a couple of months from now. We will be pleased to host a high delegation from your country there. With regard to the international agenda, we discussed, as Minister Shingiro mentioned, the developments in Ukraine. We highly appreciate Burundi's balanced position and good understanding of the reasons behind the ongoing events. They go deep into the West using the Kiev regime to create threats to Russia's security right on our borders and to destroy the legitimate rights of the people who want to remain part of the Russian language and culture. This situation is a hallmark of the course that the West is pursuing in order to ensure its dominance on all continents and regions around the world. Conflicts like this cannot be considered separately from the general geopolitical situation and the designs that the West harbours with regard to almost any country that is, in one way or another, pursuing an independent policy. Problems around the world abound, which calls for our continued interaction. We agreed on this today and will report to President of the Republic of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye in a couple of hours. Question: You mentioned the situation in Ukraine earlier. We can see that the West has taken a steady course of ramping up weapon supplies to Kiev. The Western elite have become increasingly vocal about exterminating Russians, civilians in Russia. How do you inform your African partners about this, if at all, especially since the situation is now reminiscent of genocide? Sergey Lavrov: We discussed this in detail today. There is no doubt that the Kiev regime has long taken up openly terrorist methods using weapons that the West is supplying. The West saying that the supplied weapons should not be used against the Russian Federation is another lie. With regard to threats against Russians, we updated our friends today on our assessment of this situation. Threats to kill Russians have been made by many representatives of the Kiev regime, including Secretary of the Security Council Alexey Danilov, Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mikhail Podolyak, and several Ukrainian ambassadors abroad. Now, an American senator has opened up on this issue as well. The West insists that there's no baseline for resolving the Ukrainian situation other than Zelensky's infamous "peace formula." At the same time, his team threatens to kill all Russians and destroy everything Russian in Crimea after liberating it and eastern Ukraine. The upshot is that the West is outright supportive of the genocide. To a certain extent, this is a whole new turn of events, when the West first became a direct participant in the war unleashed against the Russian Federation, and is now calling for genocide. It is always good to know who is up to what with regard to you. We found out this truth a long time ago. We will operate on the premise that this is where the West stands. We understand that against this background, the ideas expressed by the countries of the Global Majority, including African countries, to the effect that they would like to contribute to the efforts to find a way to overcome this situation, are coming from the heart, out of a desire to be helpful. We appreciate this stance. But these ideas and initiatives should be considered in the context of the geopolitical confrontation that the West launched against the Russian Federation and China, and for that matter, as the G7 recently declared in its documents. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki Vladimir Putin had a meeting with President of the State of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki at the Kremlin. May 31, 2023 16:40 The Kremlin, Moscow Beginning of of Russian-Eritrean talks President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, colleagues, friends, we are glad to welcome you to Russia. This is your first official visit to our country. Mr President, Eritrea has recently marked 30 years of its independence. This was when our two countries established diplomatic relations too. Allow me to congratulate you on this occasion and thank you for all the efforts to promote and strengthen relations between our countries over all these years that you have been leading your country. Of course, trade and economic relations deserve our primary attention. I would like to note that we have a lot of potential in many areas, and we will discuss them today. We have also expanded our political ties. Earlier this year, you received our foreign minister [Sergei Lavrov]. I would like to thank you for that. We work together within the United Nations, and have been quite effective in promoting our humanitarian ties. Several dozen students from Eritrea completed their studies in the Russian Federation, and the process carries on. The agenda for today's meeting includes the signing of several intergovernmental agreements. I hope that our colleagues have done their job so that we can do it. As you know, this year Russia will be hosting the second Russia-Africa Summit. Mr President, you are among those invited to attend it. I do hope that you will have the opportunity to do that. We are delighted to have you here, Mr President, with your delegation, and I am certain that our talks today will be a success and help the Russian Federation and Eritrea step up their relations. Welcome, Mr President. President of the State of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki: Your Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation! Allow me first to convey my profound gratitude to Your Excellency for the invitation and opportunity accorded to me. As Your Excellency is aware, substantive consultations on partnership were carried out recently, both during the visit of your delegation that was led by Foreign Minister [of Russia Sergei] Lavrov to Asmara, and the subsequent visit of our delegation led by his counterpart [Osman Saleh Mohammed] to Sochi. In this context, I am convinced that our consultations today will reinforce and elevate our overall partnership to a higher level. Dear Mr President, In my view, the global order, which is on the cusp of a radical transformation, requires objective appraisal and mutual consultations on the timeless subject matter and phenomena of paramount importance and significance. The common assessment that we undertake will, in turn, revitalise the formulation of programmes and partnership that we chart on. The reckless ideology and unbridled acts of domination pursued in the past 30 years to impose a unipolar world order have engendered multiple crises and massive destruction. They have constituted the principal impediment to the progress of mankind. The hallmarks and the legacy of this ideology are economic, military, industrial, technological, informational, cultural and structural, using the UN and the various international and regional organisations as malleable vehicles of domination. The specific details, in terms of spatial and temporal occurrences, can be further elaborated with incontrovertible facts and evidence. The ideology and strategy of domination was prevailing during and before the advent of the Cold War. Nonetheless, its intensification in the past 30 years was not sudden. The forces of domination saw the fragmentation of the Soviet Union, which essentially resulted from its own internal weakness and mistakes - an unexpected opportunity that was given to them on a silver platter. This even led them to an erroneous calculus that they believe that they can henceforth dominate the world without any rival. As it happened, they frantically set out to control the world by dividing it into spheres of influence, while also using surrogate anchors when suitable. In this respect, what they termed "containment" was one of the principal tactics and schemes in their tool box, in the strategy of international order that they mapped out and that was predicted by the ideology of domination. To all practical purposes and intents, containment is no different from a declaration of war. The undeniable fact that containment of the economic, military, industrial, technological, informational, cultural and institutional growth of other free peoples and countries is tantamount to and cannot have practical meaning other than the declaration of war. And what are the methodologies and tools of containment? Demonisation, ostracism, interferences, political subversion, instigation of crises, sanctions, flagrant violations of law that include open military assaults. Free peoples and countries could not succumb to these egregious transgressions. The resistance and defiance of the free peoples is indeed the primary reason why the ideology and strategy of the forces of domination did not succeed in the past 30 years. Dear Mr President, The Russian Federation was the primary competitor and rival of the policy of encirclement and containment by the forces of domination from the early 1990s, and its global impact in the past 30 years was considerable indeed. The Russian Federation, too, did not undertake, at the outset, all the necessary preparations for effective resistance. An integrated and comprehensive strategy of resistance was not accordingly set in motion. But with time, and as the latent policy of containment against China becomes more transparent, international awareness of the free peoples has increased. It is imperative to expand and deepen this awareness, chart out a comprehensive strategy and concrete plans that encompass all fields, create dynamic mechanisms, marshal the necessary resources so as to ascertain the advent of and transit to a civilised international order of mutual respect, cooperation, complementarity and prosperity, where justice and the rule of law prevail. This is not an option but an obligation. There is hope and conviction that the Russian Federation will play its appropriate role in this mission of humanity in solidarity and cooperation with the free peoples. In this spirit, I wish you all success in your journey. Thank you for this opportunity. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow decries Germany's 'ill-thought-out' move after Berlin closes Russian consulates Iran Press TV Wednesday, 31 May 2023 7:35 PM Berlin has closed four of Russia's five consulates in Germany as bilateral ties between the two countries have hit a new low over the Ukraine war. Moscow has denounced the decision as an "ill-thought-out" move and vowed a response. On Wednesday, the German foreign ministry said that it has decided to drastically reduce Russia's diplomatic presence on the country's soil and told the Kremlin to close four of the five currently operating Russian consulates in the country by November. The decision "was communicated to the Russian foreign ministry today," said German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christofer Burger at a press conference, adding that the move came after Moscow put a limit of 350 on the number of German government personnel allowed in Russia. "Therefore, we have decided to withdraw the operating license of 4 of the 5 (Russian) consulates general operating in Germany," he said, emphasizing that "the Russian government has taken a step aimed at escalating tensions." "This unjustified decision forces the government to make very substantial cuts in all areas of its presence in Russia," Burger added, Russia slams 'provocative actions' Russia slammed Germany's decision to reduce Russian diplomatic presence on its soil and vowed a proper response to Berlin's "ill-thought-out" provocation. "There should be no doubt in Berlin that these ill-thought-out provocative actions will not remain without our proper reaction," the Russian foreign ministry said. Relations between Germany and Russia have been very strained for months over Berlin's military support for Ukraine. Russia's order to reduce German presence on its soil means that hundreds of civil servants and local employees working for German institutions in the Russian Federation will have to leave the country. According to Burger, Moscow's decision would include closing the German consulates in Kaliningrad, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk, with operations to be significantly limited and discontinued by November. However, Germany's embassy in the capital Moscow and its consulate in Saint Petersburg will not be affected. "For the Russian presence in Germany, our decisions apply reciprocally... in order to ensure a balance of the mutual presences both in terms of personnel and structure," Burger further said. The Kremlin slammed Berlin's move as "ill thought out", vowing a response. "There should be no doubt in Berlin that these ill-thought-out provocative actions will not remain without our proper reaction," said the Russian foreign ministry in a statement, without providing further details. Back in April, Berlin expelled several Russian diplomats "to reduce the presence of intelligence services", prompting a retaliatory response from Moscow, which expelled around 20 German embassy staff. Earlier in May, Berlin announced plans to ship a massive package of weaponry for Ukraine worth 2.7 billion euros in its latest bid to further fuel the US-led war effort against Russia. Berlin's arms package for Kiev includes 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 tank, 15 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, 200 reconnaissance drones, four additional Iris-T anti-aircraft systems including ammunition, additional artillery ammunition and more than 200 armored combat and logistics vehicles. Germany, along with the United States, has served as one of the biggest suppliers of weaponry to Ukrainian military. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Medvedev: UK waging an 'undeclared war' against Russia Iran Press TV Wednesday, 31 May 2023 5:19 PM The United Kingdom is waging an "undeclared war" against Russia, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said. Medvedev, currently serving as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, made the remarks in a Twitter post on Wednesday, a day after Britain condoned a large-scale drone attack on Moscow. Medvedev argued that by providing Ukraine with weapons and training, the UK "de facto is leading an undeclared war against Russia." He also described the UK as Moscow's "eternal enemy." Based on international law, "including the Hague and Geneva Conventions with their additional protocols," the UK "can also be qualified as being at war," Medvedev added. His comments came just a day after British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that Ukraine "has a right" to project force "beyond its own borders" as part of its self-defense, a few days after a series of drone strikes hit Moscow's wealthiest neighborhoods. According to Cleverly, eight combat drones were detected in Moscow's airspace on Tuesday morning, in what Russian officials described as a "terrorist attack" by Kiev. He claimed that Ukraine's aerial might that struck inside Russia would "undermine" what he called the Kremlin's ability to continue its war in the ex-Soviet republic, which has officially denied responsibility for the drone attack. Medvedev replied, saying that based on what the British foreign minister said, "legitimate military targets beyond Ukraine's border are part of its self-defense." Russia began its "special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24 last year with a declared aim of "demilitarizing" Donbas, which is made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk self-proclaimed republics. Back in 2014, the two republics, which are predominantly Russian-speaking, broke away from Ukraine, prompting Kiev to launch a bloody war against both regions. The years-long conflict has killed more than 14,000 people, mostly in the Donbas. Since the onset of the February conflict between the two countries, the United States and its European allies, including the UK, have unleashed an array of unprecedented sanctions against Russia and poured numerous batches of advanced weapons into Ukraine to help its military fend off the Russian troops, despite repeated warnings by the Kremlin that such measures will only prolong the war. Earlier in May, Britain also announced during a summit of European leaders in Reykjavik, Iceland, that it was working with the Netherlands to build a so-called international "jet coalition" to help Ukraine, which is in desperate need of upgrading its air force with advanced warplanes, obtain F-16 fighter jets from its mostly Western allies. A number of countries have volunteered to host the training of Ukrainian pilots. Poland, a neighbor to Ukraine and one of its biggest supporters has said for months it is ready for the training. Russia has repeatedly said that the collective Western nations are engaged in a proxy war with Russia over Ukraine, warning that the conflict could escalate into a much bigger fight. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Medvedev Bashes 'Goofy' UK Officials for 'Leading De Facto Undeclared War' on Russia Sputnik News 20230531 On May 30, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly evaded a question about Kiev's involvement in Tuesday morning's drone attacks on Moscow, but said that Ukraine has the right to project force beyond its borders. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev took to Twitter to unload on the UK for "leading an undeclared war against Russia". "The goofy officials of the UK, our eternal enemy, should remember that within the framework of the universally accepted international law which regulates modern warfare, including the Hague and Geneva Conventions with their additional protocols, their state can also be qualified as being at war. Today, the UK acts as Ukraine's ally providing it with military aid in the form of equipment and specialists, i.e., de facto is leading an undeclared war against Russia. That being the case, any of its public officials (either military, or civil, who facilitate the war) can be considered as a legitimate military target," Medvedev tweeted. The Russian Defense Ministry said the Kiev regime on Tuesday launched a terrorist drone attack on Moscow. It said eight aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were involved: five were shot down from an anti-aircraft gun system in the Moscow Region, three were suppressed by electronic warfare and deviated from their intended targets. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the attack, said it was Kiev's response to Russia's effective strikes on one of Ukraine's decision-making centers on Sunday. On May 11, UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace confirmed that London was sending long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Kiev. Ukraine has been using this weaponry to target Russian positions since then. The strikes have resulted in injuries among civilians, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Western countries have been supplying Kiev with various types of weapon systems, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns, since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine over a year ago. The Kremlin has consistently warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Anti-Refugee Rhetoric, Forced Deportations of Syrians Increase in Lebanon By Dale Gavlak May 31, 2023 As many as 1.5 million Syrian refugees have fled death and destruction engulfing their homeland by crossing into Lebanon. Their presence has drawn more hostility from Lebanese since the country's economic crisis came to a head in 2019. While observers blame the political elite for years of corruption and mismanagement and for now impoverishing most of the population with its policies, the same political class is scapegoating the refugees to deflect from its own responsibilities, said Lebanese analyst Dania Koleilat Khatib. The governing apparatus includes the Iran-backed Hezbollah political party and its onetime ally, former President Michel Aoun, and his Free Patriotic Movement. "How can they divert this anger? They divert it to the refugees," Khatib said. "The narrative that is so populist against the refugees is mainly coming from Hezbollah, the Aoun people: They are costing so much, they are causing trouble, they are a burden on the economy and they have to go. But the U.N. is supporting the education system because they want these refugee kids to go to school. The aid that is coming is also aiding host communities." Observers argue there is a false impression that Lebanese must compete with Syrians for resources and that refugees get lots of money from relief organizations. Khatib, president of the Research Center for Cooperation and Peace Building in Beirut, told VOA that Lebanese politicians may be using the refugee situation as a pawn. She characterized governing authorities' position as: "If the international community doesn't do what we want, if you put sanctions on us, we will create a problem for these people knowing they can't go to [Syrian President Bashar al-) Assad." Observers note that Syrian refugees face dire living conditions in Lebanon and although many would like to leave, they fear returning home because of retribution by Assad's leadership, which considers them traitors. Meanwhile, rights groups reported in recent weeks an increase in anti-refugee rhetoric from Lebanese politicians. They allege such misinformation contributes to violence and discrimination against Syrian refugees. Ramzi Kaiss, the Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, told Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper that an alarming rise in anti-refugee rhetoric has accompanied forced deportations, which he believes is "part of the strategy to create a coercive environment in order to get refugees to leave the country." The Access Center for Human Rights in Beirut says that the military recently conducted many raids to apprehend and deport 336 Syrian refugees who entered the country irregularly. The center is a nongovernmental organization monitoring conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Lebanese analyst Khatib told VOA that international refugee law requires a voluntary, safe and dignified return of all refugees. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese mainland blasts US-DPP collusion as escalating tension shows Washington's 'bankrupt credibility' Global Times By Wang Qi Published: May 31, 2023 11:16 PM The Chinese mainland on Wednesday lashed out at a series of recent moves by Taiwan's secessionists Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities and the US over arms sales, trade deals, political visits to the US and attempts to obstruct cross-Straits exchanges, adding that such collusions would only push Taiwan island into a more dangerous situation. Experts said that it is the US and DPP colluding to challenge mainland's red line that has made the situation grimmer and more complicated. And the mainland will continue to take effective measures and will not have any illusions or expectations from the US. In response to the recent delivery of US FIM-92 Stinger missiles to the Taiwan island, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council, said that by playing the "Taiwan card" and trying to turn Taiwan into a "porcupine," the US is in essence "destroying" and "damaging" the island, as it is by no means serving the interests of Taiwan compatriots by treating them as "cannon fodder." The DPP authorities' stubbornness to seek "independence" by relying on the US will only push Taiwan into a more dangerous situation, Zhu warned. In terms of the first part of trade agreement recently reached by the US and Taiwan authorities under the "US-Taiwan Initiative of 21st Century Trade," Zhu stressed that China is firmly opposed to the negotiation of any agreement of sovereign connotation or official nature between diplomatic partners and China's Taiwan region, "and this position is consistent and clear." Zhu said the so-called agreement is an unequal political deal under the guise of trade and economic cooperation, costing the interests of enterprises and people in Taiwan to curry favor with Washington. Zhu also expressed strong opposition of a US trip made by You Si-kun, head of the "legislative" authorities on the island of Taiwan. "We firmly oppose any form of official exchanges between the US and China's Taiwan region, oppose any form of collusion between the DPP authorities and external forces." Wang Jianmin, a senior cross-Straits expert at Minnan Normal University in East China's Fujian Province, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the escalation of US-DPP collusion in military, political, and economic areas is the root cause of the increasingly tense situation in the Taiwan Straits. Two amphibious landing ships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy were spotted in waters off the eastern side of the island of Taiwan on Friday. Later on Saturday, a PLA Navy flotilla led by the aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Straits, which sent a strong warning to secessionists and external interference. The mainland will continue to take strong measures to counteract in political, military and economic aspects, Wang added. On May 19, Chinese mainland authorities announced the allowing of travel agencies to resume group tours for Taiwan residents visiting the mainland after a three-year freeze due to COVID, however, the DPP authorities said it would not lift the ban on tourist groups from Taiwan visiting the mainland. Zhu said the move would only hurt the interests of the Taiwan people and the tourism industry and would not be popular. The US is dragging its allies to the Taiwan question to obstruct China's reunification process, and the mainland will make all kinds of preparations to deal with the situation, Wang said. "The US is already a country with bankrupt political credibility. They say they want to interact with China, but they have never stopped undermining China's core interests on the Taiwan question," Wang said. "The US may want to use interactive exchanges to hide their substantial progress in containing China." China has no expectations or illusions about the US, Wang said. The US defines the countries it does not like as "rogue states," and in fact the most politically rogue country in the world is the US, Wang noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese mainland respects Taiwan-funded companies to independently choose their listing place: Taiwan Affairs Office of State Council Global Times By Global Times Published: May 31, 2023 02:01 PM Updated: May 31, 2023 01:58 PM The Chinese mainland respects Taiwan-funded companies to independently choose their listing place, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson from the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council told a press conference on Wednesday. Zhu made the remarks in response to a question about the impact of a 35-point rule for overseas listings of Chinese firms issued by China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) on Taiwan-funded enterprises in the mainland. According to the CSRC, the rules, effective from March 31, stressed an improvement in the supervision mechanism and requested that domestic companies seeking overseas direct or indirect listings fulfill their due filing and information reporting obligations. Zhu said that the rules adhere to market-oriented principles and legal requirements, creating a more transparent and predictable business environment for Chinese enterprises to list overseas. The relevant standards apply to all domestic enterprises, including Taiwan-funded enterprises whose main business activities are in the mainland. The spokesperson noted that the overseas listing of domestic enterprises is an important part of the two-way opening of the mainland capital market, and is of positive significance in supporting enterprises to better integrate into global development. "The mainland respects the independent choice of listing place by Taiwan-funded enterprises, and supports qualified Taiwan-funded companies to list abroad in compliance with relevant law, making use of the two markets and two resources to achieve standardized and healthy growth," Zhu said. Zhu also said that the mainland has always been the best choice for Taiwan enterprises to invest and set up their businesses, in response to remarks by some secessionist politicians in the island, alleging that business conditions of the mainland are not as good as before. Zhu said that those politicians on the island are "habitual liars". In fact, the mainland has long been the most popular destination for investment from Taiwan Island. Data from the Ministry of Commerce showed that from 2012 to 2022, the total number of Taiwan business investment projects in the mainland has increased from 88,000 to 129,700, with the cumulative actual use of Taiwan capital rising from $57.05 billion to $72 billion. And, 60 Taiwan enterprises have been listed in mainland capital market. "The vast number of Taiwan compatriots, businessmen and enterprises have actively participated in cross-Straits economic cooperation and integrated development, achieving better development owing to huge opportunities of the mainland," the spokesperson noted. In the future, as the mainland accelerates the construction of a new development pattern and promotes high-quality development, there are more opportunities, more space and better prospects for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises to develop in the mainland. "We will continue to improve the system and policies to protect the well-being of Taiwan compatriots and enterprises. The mainland was, is, and will remain the best choice for Taiwan enterprises to invest," Zhu said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government Wednesday, 31 May 2023 Germany provides support for Ukraine by supplying equipment and weapons, these come from supplies of the Federal Arms Forces and from deliveries from industry financed from the Federal Government's funds for security capacity building. An overview. This list provides an overview of military assistance provided by the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine. It includes deliveries from the Federal Armed Forces, from industry and assistance measures together with partners, which have, inter alia, been financed from Federal Government funds for security capacity building. Funding for the security capacity building initiative amounts to 5.4 billion Euros for 2023 (after 2 billion Euros for 2022) and additional authorisations to enter commitments in the following years amounting to 10.5 billion Euros. These funds are to be used primarily for military assistance to Ukraine. At the same time, they will be used for re-filling Federal Armed Forces stocks for items delivered to Ukraine as well as for Germany's contributions to the European Peace Facility (EPF), from which costs incurred from providing military assistance to Ukraine can be re-imbursed to EU member states. Delivered military support to Ukraine: (Changes compared to the previous update in bold) Armoured fighting vehicles ammunition for LEOPARD 1* 18 LEOPARD 2 A 6 main battle tanks with ammunition (German share in joint project with further LEOPARD 2 operators) 40 infantry fighting vehicles MARDER with ammunition (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*) 50 MRAP vehicles DINGO 54 M113 armoured personnel carriers each with 2 MG* (systems of Denmark, upgrades financed by Germany) 118 MG3 for LEOPARD 2, MARDER and DACHS Spare parts for LEOPARD 2 and MARDER Air defence 1 air surveillance radar TRML-4D* 2 air defence system Iris-T SLM* Iris-T SLM missiles* air defence system PATRIOT with missiles 34 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns GEPARD including circa 6.000 rounds of ammunition* 53,000 rounds ammunitions for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns 4,000 rounds practice ammunitions for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns 500 Man Portable Air Defense Systems STINGER 2,700 Man Portable Air Defense Systems STRELA Artillery 5 multiple rocket launchers MARS II with ammunition (German share in joint project with USA and Great Britain) ammunition for multiple rocket launchers MARS II 14 self-propelled howitzers Panzerhaubitze 2000 (German share in joint project with the Netherlands) 23,500 projectiles 155mm 155mm precision guided ammunition* 20 rocket launchers 70mm on pick-up trucks with rockets* counter battery radar system COBRA* Military Engineering Capabilities 8 bridge-laying tanks BEAVER* 11 mobile and protected mine clearing systems* 15 armoured recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 2* 4 armoured engineer vehicles DACHS* 2 armoured recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 3 2 mine clearing tanks WISENT 1* 3 mobile, remote controlled and protected mine clearing systems* 17 heavy and medium bridge systems* 6 palettes material for explosive ordnance disposal Protective and Special Equipment 54 reconnaissance drones VECTOR* 40 frequency range extensions for anti-drone devices* 130 border protection vehicles* 1 communications electronic scanner/jammer systems* 32 reconnaissance drones* 42 mobile antenna mast systems* 90 drone detection systems* 40 laser target designators* 55 anti-drone sensors and jammers* 10 unmanned surface vessels* 10 anti-drone guns* 28,000 combat helmets 125 binoculars 600 safety glasses 1 radio frequency system 3,000 field telephones with 5.000 cable reels and carrying straps 353 night vision goggles* 12 electronic anti-drone devices* 165 field glasses* 38 laser range finders* 6 mobile decontamination vehicles HEP 70 including decontamination material 10 HMMWV (8x ground radar capability, 2x jamming/anti drone capability)* 7 radio jammers* 8 mobile ground surveillance radars and thermal imaging cameras* 1 high frequency unit with equipment* Logistics 19 truck tractor trains 8x8 HX81 and 14 semi-trailers* (before: 17) 14 tracked and remote controlled infantry vehicles THeMIS* (before: 7) 4 load-handling trucks 8x6 with 20 roll of containers* 288 vehicles (trucks, minibuses, all-terrain vehicles) 179 Pick-ups* 92 trucks Zetros* 12 tank transporter tractor M1070 Oshkosh* 26 load-handling trucks 15t* 12 heavy duty trailer trucks and 4 semi-trailers* 35 load-handling trucks 8x8 30 protected vehicles* 10 roll off containers Combat Readiness and Survivability 83,520 rounds ammunition 40mm* 160,000 first aid kits* 103.000 tourniquets 500 pistols SFP9* 2 hangar tents* 8 lift trucks* 295 generators 10 winter camouflage nets 168 mobile heating systems* 36 ambulances* 36.400 wool blankets 14,000 sleeping bags Mi-24 spare parts* spare parts for heavy machine gun M2 200 tents 116.000 winter jackets 80.000 winter trousers 240.000 winter hats 405,000 pre-packaged military Meals Ready 67 fridges for medical material* 3,000 anti-tank weapons Panzerfaust 3 with 900 firing devices 14,900 anti-tank mines (9,300* from industry stocks) 22 million rounds of ammunition for fire arms 50 Bunkerfaust with 15 firing devices 100 machine gun MG3 with 500 spare barrels and breechblocks 100,000 hand grenades 5,300 explosive charges 100,000 m detonating cord and 100.000 detonators 350,000 detonators 100 auto-injector devices 15 palettes military clothing 1,200 hospital beds 18 palettes medical material, 60 surgical lights protective clothing, surgical masks 1 field hospital (project jointly financed with Estonia)* medical material (inter alia back packs, compression bandages) Diesel and gasoline* 10 tons AdBlue* 500 medical gauzes* MiG-29 spare parts* 7,944 man-portable anti-tank weapons RGW 90 Matador* Military support to Ukraine in planning/in execution (due to security concerns, the Federal Government abstains from providing details on transportation modalities and dates until after handover) Armoured fighting vehicles 64 tracked all-terrain vehicles Bandvagn 206 (BV206) 66 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) 110 LEOPARD 1 main battle tanks* (project jointly financed with Denmark) 20 infantry fighting vehicles MARDER* ammunition for LEOPARD 1* ammunition for MARDER* Air defence 6 air defence system IRIS-T SLM* Iris-T SLM missiles* 12 launchers Iris-T SLS* Iris-T SLS missiles (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*) 7 air surveillance radars TRML-4D* 18 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns GEPARD* 300.000 rounds of GEPARD ammunition Artillery 26,350 projectiles 155mm* 18 wheeled self-propelled howitzers RCH 155* 16 self-propelled howitzer Zuzana 2* (project jointly financed with Denmark and Norway) Military Engineering Capabilities 5 bridges for bridge-laying tanks BEAVER* 18 bridge-laying tanks BEAVER* 3 mobile and protected mine clearing systems* 40 mine clearing tanks WISENT 1* 1 armoured engineer vehicles DACHS* 3 heavy and medium bridge systems* Protective and Special Equipment 71 reconnaissance drones VECTOR* 121 reconnaissance drones* 10 unmanned surface vessels* 40 ground surveillance radars* 3 drone sensors* 1 Satcom surveillance system* 2000 portable light systems* 8 mobile antenna mast systems* 5 mobile reconnaissance systems (on vehicles) * 370 border protection vehicles* vehicle decontamination system 11 communications electronic scanner/jammer systems* Logistics 12 tank transporter tractor M1070 Oshkosh* 30 tank trucks (water/fuel)* 78 truck tractor trains and 86 semi-trailers* 3 load-handling trucks 8x6 with 8 roll of containers* 71 heavy duty trailer trucks 8x8 HX81 and 76 semi-trailers* 2 tractors and 4 trailers* 10 protected vehicles* 108 trucks Zetros* Combat Readiness and Survivability 13 ambulances* continuing deliveries of medical material* 100 machine guns MG5* 100 grenade launchers GMG* 11,000 group module rations 40,000 first aid kits* 17 mobile heating systems* 132,480 rounds ammunition 40mm for grenade launchers* field hospital (role 2)* 5,032 man-portable anti-tank weapons* * Deliveries from industry stocks financed by German funds for security capacity building. Some of the deliveries require upgrades or productions is ongoing; also training measures take place. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May 31, 2023 By Joseph Clark , DOD News DOD Announces New Security Assistance Package for Ukraine The Defense Department announced an additional security assistance package for Ukraine today that contains key capabilities to arm against Russian airstrikes targeting critical infrastructure across the country. The latest package, valued at up to $300 million, marks the 39th drawdown of DOD equipment for Ukraine since August 2021. The newly announced assistance comes on the heels of Russia's recent drone attacks aimed at Ukraine's civilian infrastructure far from the front lines. "Russia has continued to wage a brutal, completely unprovoked war against Ukraine, launching yet more airstrikes and bombarding Ukrainian cities across the country," said National Security Council spokesman John F. Kirby during a briefing at the White House. Russia's recent onslaught included 17 separate air assaults targeting Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, in May alone. Those attacks harmed civilians and hit critical civilian infrastructure, Kirby said. "In response, the United States is going to continue to help give them things that they need to better defend themselves," he said. Included in the package are additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems, Avenger air defense systems, Stinger antiaircraft systems and AIM-7 missiles for air defense. The package also includes more artillery and antiarmor capabilities, in addition to precision aerial munitions and other items. The Biden administration has committed more than $37.6 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022. Kirby said the U.S. and its allies remain firmly committed to supporting Ukraine going forward. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored the urgent need to help Ukraine defend its skies during last week's meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. "One of Ukraine's most urgent requirements is ground-based air defense," Austin said. "And this contact group will continue driving hard to help Ukraine defend the skies. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its sordid bombardment of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. And the Kremlin's cruelty only underscores Ukraine's need for a stronger, layered ground-based air defense architecture." Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has led 12 meetings of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, an alliance of more than 50 countries committed to the defense of Ukraine. Austin underscored the United States' continued support for Ukraine at the conclusion of the latest summit, saying the contact group committed to doing even more to support Ukraine's fight for freedom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian drone sparks fire at Russian refinery: Governor Iran Press TV Wednesday, 31 May 2023 7:57 AM Russia has blamed Ukraine for a fire at an oil refinery in the south of the country, saying the blaze was likely caused by a Ukrainian drone striking the facility. The fire that broke out at the Afipsky oil refinery was likely caused by a Ukrainian drone strike, said Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev in a Telegram post on Wednesday. He further noted that the refinery fire was quickly extinguished by emergency services and that there were no casualties. The Afipsky oil refinery, near the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk in the Krasnodar region, has been attacked several times this month. There was no immediate information on who launched the drone but Moscow has accused Kiev of increased attacks inside Russia in recent weeks. Ukrainian authorities have never publicly confirmed Kiev's attacks against targets inside Russia, but top Ukrainian officials have occasionally welcomed news of successful drone strikes on Russian soil. Separately, Belgorod's Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a Telegram post on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces have shelled the border town of Shebekino for the third time in a week, leaving at least four people wounded. Gladkov blamed Kiev for the artillery strike, adding that two of the injured were hospitalized in serious condition. He also noted that the shelling had damaged buildings and set vehicles on fire. Ukrainian authorities have not yet reacted to the reported attack. The latest developments came a day after both Ukraine and Russia reported that their capitals have been targeted by drones coming from the other side. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said the drones have caused minor damage to two residential buildings, emphasizing that no one was seriously hurt as he ordered the evacuation of residents from the two apartment blocks that were targeted. Ukrainian officials also claimed that "massive" Russian drone raids on Kiev have killed one person and injured four more, but later explained that the casualties resulted from "falling debris" of shot-down drones. Russia began what it described as a "special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 as part of a national security measure against the persisting eastern advance of the US-led NATO military alliance. Moscow also said the military operation was aimed at defending the pro-Russia population in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk against persecution by Kiev, and also to "de-Nazify" Ukraine. Since the start of the war, the US and its Western allies have been providing Kiev with military equipment worth tens of billions of dollars. Western weapons supplied to Kiev include advanced missile systems, armored vehicles, tanks, and communication systems. Long-range attack drones have been also added to the list of Western weapons supplied to the Ukrainian forces fighting against Russian troops. Russia has repeatedly warned against flooding Ukraine with weapons, insisting the massive shipments of armaments to Kiev will only prolong the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address War At 'Important Moment' Ahead Of Ukraine's Expected Military Push, Potential Peace Talks, Macron Says By Reid Standish May 31, 2023 BRATISLAVA -- Ahead of a looming counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for advancing peace negotiations on the war in Ukraine on Kyiv's terms. Speaking at the GLOBSEC security conference in Bratislava on May 31, Macron said there should be no compromises in terms of Ukraine's territorial integrity and that Kyiv has battlefield momentum on its side. "This is a very important moment," the French president said about the expected military moves by Kyiv. "Whatever happens, I do believe they [the Ukrainians] will deliver." Macron, however, cautioned against expecting that the military push would create a breakthrough in terms of diplomatic negotiations with Moscow to end the war. The counteroffensive "will not create de facto acceptance from the Russians to negotiate," Macron said. Despite expressing caution toward diplomatic talks with the Kremlin, Macron said "a new energy" to engage in diplomacy from countries in the Global South is under way and that it could lead to a "conclusive" peace process that is "not a cease-fire" in the coming months. "If we accept a cease-fire or a frozen conflict [in Ukraine], time will be on Russia's side," Macron said. The comments come after The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine and its allies are planning a summit of global leaders that would exclude Russia and would be aimed at garnering support for Kyiv's terms for ending the war. The report, which cited senior Ukrainian officials and European diplomats, said plans for the summit were in the preliminary stages and Macron had lobbied to also include countries that have sided with Russia or declined to take a position on the war such as China, India, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. In response to a question from the audience while on stage at the GLOBSEC conference, Macron said Europe needed to "provide clear and tangible security guarantees" to Ukraine and progress could be achieved at the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius in June, although he cautioned that he does not expect the meeting to reach a consensus. "I think this debate will happen in Vilnius, and this is what we will discuss with [German] Chancellor [Olaf] Scholz next week and other players," Macron said. "But we need a path toward [NATO] membership" for Ukraine. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-russia- macon-peace-talks/32437274.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 U.S. Announces More Military Aid For Ukraine Amid Uptick In Attacks Inside Russia By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service May 31, 2023 The United States on May 31 announced an aid package for Ukraine that includes Patriot air-defense batteries, ammunition, and other defense equipment as Ukrainian authorities said attacks by Russian troops killed one person in Ukraine's Donetsk region and one person in the Kherson region. The security assistance package worth up to $300 million was announced by White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. It represents the 39th drawdown of equipment from the Defense Department inventories, the Pentagon said. In addition to the Patriots, the package includes Stinger antiaircraft systems, missiles for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), tank ammunition, and other equipment. Indiscriminate Russian shelling earlier on May 31 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. Russian troops also attacked a community in the Kherson region, killing one person, said Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the regional military administration. The reports could not be independently verified. 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. Malyar said that in Bakhmut, which has been the epicenter of the monthslong war in the east, Russian troops have not been conducting infantry operations, apparently regrouping their forces, but have been continuing shelling and launching air strikes on Ukrainian positions. Valeriy Zaluzhniy, commander in chief of Ukrainian forces, said he spoke by phone with U.S. Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss the situation at the front, further plans for the liberation of Ukrainian territory, and the possible actions of the enemy. Zaluzhniy said on Telegram on May 31 that he and Milley discussed weapons supply, including ammunition, and the need for long-range projectiles. They also discussed the importance of working to strengthening Ukraine's air defense and F-16 fighter jets, he said, adding that they agreed to continue the dialogue. 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. There were no casualties in the attack, part of an uptick in attacks on Russian territory. Russia on May 30 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. Late on May 30 the governor of Russia's Belgorod region said one person was killed and six were wounded in shelling of a temporary shelter for civilians. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov blamed Ukrainian armed forces for artillery fire that hit the shelter, which he said housed displaced people, including elderly civilians and children. On the same day, Moscow was subjected to a rare drone attack that damaged several buildings. The Russian Defense Ministry 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. Ukrainian denied any involvement, and White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on May 31 that the Biden administration does not know who is responsible for the attack. He added that the United States does not tell Ukraine where to strike. 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. Both sides say they are targeting the buildup of military equipment and troops ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-drone-strikes- russia/32436469.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 IAEA Chief Outlines Principles To Prevent Nuclear Catastrophe At Zaporizhzhya By RFE/RL May 31, 2023 UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi has urged Ukraine and Russia to adhere to five principles to prevent nuclear catastrophe at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on May 30 outlined the principles to the UN Security Council in New York during a briefing on safety at the plant, which has been a concern since Russian forces seized it shortly after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. "The nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhya NPP...continues to be extremely fragile and dangerous. Military activities continue in the region and may well increase very considerably in the near future," he said in an apparent reference to Ukraine's expected counteroffensive. Grossi told the Security Council that "there should be no attack of any kind from or against the plant" and said that it should not be used as storage or a base for heavy weapons such as multiple rocket launchers, artillery systems and munitions, and tanks, or for military personnel that could be used for an attack from the plant. He also called for off-site power to the plant to remain available and secure, for all its essential systems to be protected from attacks or acts of sabotage, and for no action to be taken that undermines the principles. "I respectfully and solemnly ask both sides to observe these five principles," said Grossi. "These principles are to no one's detriment and to everyone's benefit." The IAEA intends to start monitoring the principles on-site, he added. Russia said it would do all it could to protect the power plant, it did not explicitly commit to abide by Grossi's five principles. "Mr. Grossi's proposals to ensure the security of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant are in line with the measures that we've already been implementing for a long time," Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said. Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Serhiy Kyslytsya said the principles "must be complemented with the demand of full demilitarization and de-occupation of the station," a demand previously made by the United States. In response to Grossi's statement, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, "It is entirely, entirely within Moscow's control to avert a nuclear catastrophe and to end its war of aggression against Ukraine." Grossi has been trying for months to establish an agreement to reduce the risk of a nuclear accident caused by military activity at Europe's biggest nuclear power plant. The plant, which is not generating electricity, has been affected multiple times by shelling that has caused outages of electrical power, which the plant needs to maintain the cooling of its reactors. The plant, located in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhya, supplied around 20 percent of Ukraine's electricity before power production was halted late last year. With reporting by AFP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-zaporizhzhya- nuclear-grossi-un/32436377.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 Ukrainian Shelling of Zaporozhye NPP Creates Risk of 'Nuclear Bomb Scenario' Sputnik News 20230531 Ilya Tsukanov International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi has proposed a five-point plan to help ensure safety and security at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant. Renowned nuclear expert Chris Busby says Grossi's concerns about the plant's safety are fully justified, but that much more needs to be done. In an address before the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, Rafael Grossi outlined measures which should be taken to prevent a deadly incident at the ZNPP - key among them an immediate halt to attacks of any kind against the facility. Other necessary measures, he said, include a commitment that the plant won't be used to store heavy weapons or launch attacks, the preservation of the safety of onsite backup cooling systems and offsite power connections, and assurances that no actions are taken which could undermine these principles. Grossi characterized the situation at the plant as "extremely fragile and dangerous," and urged for the measures to be implemented immediately. As usual, he did not attribute responsibility for the deterioration of the security situation around the plant, which has been controlled by Russia since March 2022, and regularly shelled by Ukrainian forces since then. Ukrainian Permanent Representative to the UN Serhiy Kislitsa disingenuously assured the Security Council that Kiev had "never resorted and will never resort to any steps that could lead to a nuclear incident" at the ZNPP. Russian Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzya told the body that the Russian side is already in compliance with Grossi's recommendations, having implemented them independently "in accordance with decisions taken at the national level." "Thus, there have never been any attacks from the territory of the ZNPP [by Russia]. Heavy weapons and ammunition have never been deployed at the plant. There are no military personnel at the Zaporozhye NPP which could be used to carry out attacks from the territory of the plant," Nebenzya said. Furthermore, he said, Moscow has taken "concrete steps" to protect the plant's most sensitive structures and systems from sabotage and attack. 'Absolutely Right to Be Freaking Out' The IAEA chief "is fully aware" of the dangers associated with the deteriorating security situation at the ZNPP, is "understandably panicking," and is "absolutely right to be freaking out," says Chris Busby, a veteran chemical physicist with decades of experience studying the health effects of internal ionizing radiation, who currently serves as the scientific secretary of the European Committee on Radiation Risk. Speaking to Sputnik and commenting on Grossi's recommendations, Dr. Busby said that the "common sense" proposals are really just "a list of things that everyone must have been aware of from the very beginning" of the Ukraine crisis, but that regular shelling and missile attacks, and the possibility of the ZNPP becoming a direct battleground in a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive, makes them all the more pressing. "The Ukrainian ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Kislitsa, apparently stated [that] 'we have never resorted and never will resort to steps that could lead to a nuclear incident.' Well, one problem I have with this is the pronoun 'We.' I am a scientist, not a political commentator, but it seems to me that there are many different groups fighting in this war, and all kinds of attacks occur in all kinds of places, people are assassinated, bridges are blown up, undersea pipelines are destroyed, and no one seems to blame the Ukrainian government. Maybe there are a lot of independent nationalist groups (Terrorists? Assassins?) who take matters into their own hands and devise independent strategies," Busby quipped. 'Controlled Nuclear Bomb' "Nuclear energy is a very dangerous technology," the scientist emphasized, pointing out that at their core, nuclear power plants are "effectively a controlled nuclear bomb." "The enormous energy released when a nuclear bomb is detonatedaand we have seen the pictures of Hiroshimaais released all at once. Bang! But the chain reaction in uranium that levelled Hiroshima and killed all those people is the same neutron-controlled reaction that occurs in nuclear power plants, except that the reaction is controlled with materials that moderate the rate of production of neutrons, so that the uranium fuel remains at a temperature where it can turn cooling water into steam which in turn turns the turbines that make the electricity," Dr. Busby explained. "The problem is, that if the cooling system is damaged, so that the water cannot circulate, the neutrons heat up the uranium fuel very quickly, and there is a meltdown. When the uranium fuel rods melt, they fall to the bottom of the reactor pressure vessel, and at that point, the neutron density increases, a chain reaction occurs and the reactor turns into a bomb and explodes, as happened at Fukushima, and as happened at Chernobyl. Other bad things can also happen: the enormous increase in temperature and radiation can produce hydrogen and this can also explode," he added. The same thing could happen to spent fuel, the scientist said, with these elements continuing to contain all of the fission products of uranium, and will continue to be radioactive for thousands of years. "These spent fuel rods are still very hot, and have to be kept apart and cooled, just as in the reactor. So, they are stored in spent fuel ponds and cooled with water, or else dry stores and cooled with air and heat exchangers. If the cooling to the spent fuel fails, you have another nuclear bomb scenario," Busby said. The scientist estimates that there are about 20,000 tons' worth of spent fuel rods at the ZPP, plus 60 tons in each of its reactors. "If one component goes up, they all will, because the radiation levels will, just as with Fukushima and Chernobyl, prevent anyone getting near the plant," he stressed, noting that this includes even robots - whose electronic circuits would be "wiped out" by the radiation. The radioactive fallout from a disaster at the ZNPP would "make Europe pretty much uninhabitable," in Dr. Busby's estimation, leading to skyrocketing rates of premature deaths from cancers, fertility loss, congenital defects and a host of other illnesses. According to the scientist, the Ukrainian forces shelling the plant probably don't "have the faintest idea" of what they're doing, and "what Grossi has termed 'the rolling of the dice.'" What Can Be Done? Dr. Busby believes the best thing that can be done to ensure the ZNPP's safety is putting the Ukraine crisis to bed. "Failing that, the integrity of the [plant's] lake must be ensured," which means protecting the dam feeding it. "It is water from the lake that is at the base of the cooling system. A buffer zone capable of protecting the power station from attacks should be organized, and this must constitute a no-fly area for missile attacks or personnel incursions. What else? Prayer. It is as bad as you can imagine," Busby summed up. The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, with its six reactors capable of generating up to six gigawatts of power - enough to power over 1.8 million average European homes. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address West Must Provide Ukraine With Tangible, Credible Security Guarantees - Macron Sputnik News 20230531 PARIS (Sputnik) - The western countries should provide Ukraine with "tangible and reliable" security guarantees, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday. "We are massively arming Ukraine, but we do not include it in any strategic dialogue. We must provide Ukraine with tangible and reliable security guarantees," Macron said at a session of the Globsec 2023 Bratislava Forum. Earlier, the French Foreign Ministry said that France was ready to conclude agreements with Ukraine on providing it with security guarantees together with NATO partners. Paris will continue discussions together with its partners on the best form of support for Ukraine in all sectors of the economy in the long term, the ministry added. On May 15, Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in a joint statement that France would train and equip several battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10RCs. In addition, Paris said it would be focusing its efforts on supporting Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Western countries have ramped up their military support for Ukraine after Russia launched a special military operation, by providing various types of weapons to Kiev. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against further escalation leading to direct NATO involvement in the conflict. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address White House: US 'Does Not Encourage Attacks on Russia' Sputnik News 20230531 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States does not encourage Ukraine to attack Russia and does not want to see the military conflict escalate, White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said on Wednesday, following the recent drone attacks on Moscow. "We do not want to encourage attacks inside Russia because we do not want to see the war escalate," Kirby said. At the same time that Kiev has the right to self-defense, he said. Kirby pointed out that it is up to the Ukrainians to decide what to do with US-made weapons they are receiving. "They have given us assurances that they will not use our equipment to strike inside Russia, but once it goes to them, it belongs to them," he added. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukraine on Tuesday launched a terrorist drone attack on Moscow. It said eight aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were involved: five were shot down from an anti-aircraft gun system in the Moscow Region, three were suppressed by electronic warfare and deviated from their intended targets. Ukraine is going to launch an offensive in summer, and the United States is preparing new arms deliveries for Kiev, John Kirby said. "We have been in touch with our Ukrainian counterparts as they have begun their planning for this counter-offensive. We remain in touch with them," Kirby said. Ukraine is planning to begin a counter-offensive in summer, and the US is preparing new arms deliveries to Kiev, he added. Western countries have been supplying Kiev with various types of weapon systems, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns, since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine over a year ago. The Kremlin has consistently warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Akhmat Fighters Successfully Advance Near Maryinka - Russian MoD Sputnik News 20230531 Earlier, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said that Chechen units had received orders to redeploy their forces, and their zone of responsibility had become the territory of the DPR - the Akhmat Special Forces and the Sever Akhmat Regiment were transferred to the Maryinka direction. The assault troops of the 5th motorized infantry brigade and the fighters of the Akhmat Special Rapid Response Unit are advancing in the Maryinka direction, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "The 5th motorized infantry brigade and the Akhmat special-purpose troops are successfully advancing in the Maryinka tactical direction," the ministry said. Russian Defense Ministry added that the fiercest battles during the special military operation over the past 24 hours have been taking place in the Donetsk direction, near Avdeevka. Earlier, it was reported that the Akhmat special forces fighters had received orders to relocate and now the Donetsk people's republic is their area of responsibility. According to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, the units have the task of switching to active military operations and liberating a number of populated areas. The head of Chechnya said in his Telegram channel that the redeployment of Chechen units is supported by the Ministry of Defense. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Interior Ministry Puts Another 3 Ukrainian Military Commanders on Wanted List Sputnik News 20230531 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Interior Ministry has put Ukrainian First Deputy Chief of the General Staff Ihor Kolesnyk and two other generals of the Ukrainian armed forces on wanted list, according to the ministry's database. "Grounds for search: wanted on criminal charges," the profiles of the Ukrainian commanders said. On Tuesday, the Russian Interior Ministry put US Senator Lindsey Graham on the wanted list on criminal charges in connection with the remarks he made during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In early May, Russian Investigative Committee chief Alexander Bastrykin told Sputnik that charges in absentia were filed against Kolesnyk, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Oleksandr Lokota and Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces Andriy Grishchenko, who coordinated the military aggression against residents of Donbass. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Drone Falls on Territory of Oil Refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Region Sputnik News 20230531 KRASNODAR (Sputnik) - A drone has fell on the territory of the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, the infrastructure of the plant was not damaged, the regional operational headquarters said on Wednesday. "[Early in the morning], an unidentified unmanned vehicle allegedly fell on the territory of the Ilsky oil refinery. As a result of the fall, the apparatus crashed, the infrastructure of the plant was not damaged, and there was no fire. Security services and law enforcement agencies are on the scene," the operational headquarters said in a statement. There is no threat to the life of residents and no casualties, the authorities said, adding that no property was damaged. On Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Ukraine attacked the Russian capital with eight unmanned aerial vehicles, adding that all drones were shot down. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Foreign Ministry Calls Vile West's Position on UAV Attacks Against Moscow Sputnik News 20230531 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The position of Western countries on the drone attacks on Moscow is "absolutely vile," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday, adding that the West comments only on what it wants to comment. "This is, of course, an absolutely vile position. There is no other word, no definition: they [Western countries] see and comment only on what is beneficial to them. And this is propaganda," Zakharova told Radio Sputnik. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukraine on Tuesday launched a terrorist drone attack on Moscow. It said eight aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were involved: five were shot down from an anti-aircraft gun system in the Moscow Region, three were suppressed by electronic warfare and deviated from their intended targets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the attack, said it was Kiev's response to Russia's effective strikes on Sunday on one of Ukraine's decision-making centers. Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyov said that several drones had been shot down while approaching Moscow. The Russian capital's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, said several buildings had been slightly damaged by the drone attack. Nobody was seriously injured, he added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Additional U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine US Department of State Press Statement Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State May 31, 2023 Russia is continuing to wage a brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine. In the month of May alone, Russia launched 17 air assaults against Kyiv, threatening Ukrainian families and devastating civilian areas. In response, the United States will continue to work with Ukraine to strengthen its air defenses and help Ukraine protect its people from Russia's aggression. Pursuant to a delegation of authority from President Biden, I am authorizing our 39th drawdown for Ukraine, which will provide $300 million worth of U.S. arms and equipment. This security assistance package includes significant air defense capabilities, additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and artillery, anti-tank weapons, tens of millions of rounds of small arms munitions, and other field equipment essential to strengthening Ukraine's brave forces on the battlefield and helping them retake its sovereign territory. Russia could end its unjust war today. Until Russia does so, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's actions in Ukraine have been reprehensible and cowardly: UK statement to the OSCE UK military advisor, Ian Stubbs, says the Kremlin is struggling to explain its litany of strategic mistakes and failings on the battlefield to the Russian people 31 May 2023 Thank you, Madam Chair. Russia continues to launch large-scale missile and drone strikes on towns and cities across Ukraine. The repeated barrages launched on the people of Kyiv, as they celebrated the anniversary of the founding of Ukraine's capital, were particularly deplorable. Whilst reports indicate that most attacks continue to be successfully intercepted by Ukraine's air defences, Friday's strike against the medical facility in Dnipro was a particularly egregious act. Such indiscriminate missile and drone attacks constitute major human rights violations, are contrary to international humanitarian law, and achieve nothing. Russia has repeatedly underestimated the strength and determination of the courageous Ukrainian people to defend their homeland. These horrific tactics did not work during the winter, when Russia targeted power stations and water supplies throughout Ukraine, and they will not work now. They will not compensate for Russia's failings on the battlefield. Madam Chair, on Monday [29 May] President Putin signed a bill on Russia's denunciation of the CFE Treaty. Although symbolic, Russia has refused to abide by the CFE Treaty since 2007, this represents another step in Russia's incremental rejection of the international rules based order. From its failure to abide by the 1999 Istanbul Agreements, to non-compliance in the Open Skies Treaty, through to weaponisation of the Vienna Document, Russia has deliberately and systematically attempted to tear apart the European Security Architecture that was designed to keep the continent safe and free from war. We should be clear, over the past decades, Russia has disregarded, manipulated or withdrawn from international agreements and treaties whenever they no longer supported its nefarious aims. The outcome of this approach is evident in Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and more widely. On Monday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov proclaimed that Russia was not at fault for the "huge void" in arms control. Well, the facts tell a different story. The "Russia is the victim" argument is so tired and so ridiculous that even the Russian people must see it for what it is - an overused and desperate retort by the Kremlin to try and explain its litany of strategic mistakes that have decimated Russia's once proud global reputation. Russia's actions in Ukraine have been reprehensible and cowardly. Russia has demonstrated complete disregard for International Humanitarian Law; Russia has unleashed horrendous violence, conducting heinous attacks impacting on civilians and civilian infrastructure; and Russia has demonstrated its willingness to sacrifice its own people in their thousands to try and overcome persistent and institutional poor decision making by the Kremlin. Putin's horrific war of choice has created a legacy for which millions will be forced to bear the cost of for years to come. Madam Chair, Russia's announced intention to deploy nuclear weapons and nuclear-capable systems on Belarusian territory is the latest in a long pattern of irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. It is designed to distract and deter us from supporting Ukraine. Russia should seek to reduce tensions and the risk of miscalculation, not increase them. Madam Chair, we again call on the Belarusian regime to desist from supporting Russia's attempts to stoke further instability in the region and stop its support of Russia's illegal invasion. Madam Chair, the UK and its international partners are steadfast in our support for Ukraine as demonstrated by the continued provision of military assistance. Ukraine has regained territory and liberated thousands of Ukrainian people thanks to the awe-inspiring bravery of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the resilience of the Ukrainian people and overwhelming international support. Together, the UK and partners are ensuring that Ukraine will win. Our united approach of providing Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself and push Russia out of Ukraine's sovereign territory is the swiftest, and only, path to a just and lasting peace. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The world is aware of a fundamental role of our maritime grain exports for food security - address by the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 31 May 2023 - 22:53 Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians! Today I am on a working trip to our Odesa. Here I thanked our warriors for defending the region and the whole of Ukraine. In particular, I visited a hospital and our wounded defenders. I wished them a speedy recovery. I was honored to present state awards. I thanked our doctors. I held a special and lengthy meeting in Odesa on the security and social situation in the region. The regional leadership, military, law enforcers. The region is a priority from all points of view. It is Odesa region that is one of the pillars of security for our entire south, and therefore for the state. The Security Service of Ukraine has achieved very important results in Odesa region in countering Russian saboteurs. General Moskalov delivered a report on the situation in the areas of responsibility of the Odesa operational and strategic groups of troops. We analyzed in detail how to strengthen the defense. We also discussed economic issues, jobs, and social security in detail. I also held an offsite meeting of the Staff. Constant attention to the front. Reports from the commanders of Khortytsia, Tavria, and the Commander-in-Chief. Special reports from the heads of the Main Intelligence Directorate and the Security Service. Details will follow later. Special attention is paid to our grain corridor and security in the Black Sea. The world knows the fundamental role of our maritime grain exports for food security. In general, security in the Black Sea, the effectiveness of international law on navigation is a globally important security factor. All the maritime countries of the world see now what could threaten their ports and their water areas if Russia gets away with blocking navigation in the Black Sea. Let me give you just one example. Currently, out of the 3 ports that have been agreed upon as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the Pivdennyi port is actually blocked. More than 1.5 million tons of agricultural products have been accumulated in Pivdennyi alone. And this grain is expected by at least ten countries, including TArkiye, Egypt, Bangladesh and China. Obviously, the less food is supplied to these countries, to these regions, the higher the food prices are, the more people in these countries lose from their family budgets. That is, the blockade of one port in Ukraine creates extremely severe risks for different nations. In particular, for those countries relations with which Russia is also trying to speculate on. I thank everyone in the world who helps us increase the security space in the Black Sea, who puts pressure on Russia to unblock food supplies. Today in Odesa, I also held a meeting on the development of our port infrastructure. And one more thing. We are working to make the second half of this week meaningful for our relations with partners. Our international team is doing everything to ensure that this week ends with the news Ukraine needs. And now I thank the United States of America, President Biden personally, both parties of Congress and every American - everyone who values freedom - for a new defense package for our warriors. Missiles for Patriots, rockets for HIMARS, artillery and other strongly needed weapons. Needed right now! Glory to all our warriors who are now in combat for the sake of Ukraine, who are at combat posts, on combat missions. I thank everyone who works for our country! Thank you, Odesa, for this day! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Odesa region, the President introduced the new Head of the RSA and held a meeting on the situation in the region President of Ukraine 31 May 2023 - 18:22 During a working visit to Odesa region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the military command and heads of law enforcement agencies of Odesa region to discuss the current situation in the region. At the beginning of the meeting, the Head of State introduced the newly appointed Head of Odesa Regional State Administration Oleh Kiper. Addressing the new RSA Head, the President emphasized that the work in Odesa region is very responsible. "This is a priority region of our independent state. I think that from the point of view of your experience, you understand your tasks perfectly well. This is the coordination of all institutions in wartime. Especially all government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and local authorities. It is very important to communicate with our military and commanders," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. According to the Head of State, maritime security is a special priority, as it is necessary to ensure the operation of the grain corridor, which is fundamental for the Ukrainian economy. During the meeting, the President heard a report from Commander of the Odesa operational and strategic group of troops Eduard Moskalov on the operational situation in the area of responsibility of the South operational command and the readiness of military units and subdivisions to perform assigned tasks. Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Oleksiy Neizhpapa informed about the current situation in the area of responsibility of the Navy. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also heard information from the relevant leaders on the activity maintenance of Odesa region and the city of Odesa, as well as the operational and criminogenic situation in the region. The President praised the work of the regional office of the Security Service of Ukraine in countering the enemy's intelligence and subversive activities. The participants discussed the restoration of the region's economy, which suffered losses as a result of Russian shelling of the energy infrastructure, and ensuring its stable functioning, as well as the reboot of key enterprises under martial law. Particular attention was paid to social issues, including meeting the needs of internally displaced persons. Special attention was paid to the functioning of the healthcare sector, with an emphasis on the importance of rehabilitation of the military. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia kills and injures Ukrainian children, children's lives and destinies are broken or destroyed - Daria Herasymchuk President of Ukraine 31 May 2023 - 13:58 Advisor - President's Commissioner for Children's Rights and Children's Rehabilitation Daria Herasymchuk on the eve of Children's Day highlighted Russia's violations of children's fundamental rights. "Given the consequences of the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine on the lives and destinies of Ukrainian children, today, on the eve of Children's Day, I would like to emphasize that the Russian military violates all the fundamental rights of Ukrainian children under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international or national legislation," said Daria Herasymchuk at the briefing. She stated that even if a child is not injured, the rights to privacy and protection from encroachment, to protection from physical and psychological violence, to rest and leisure, education and family of each of the 7.5 million children who lived in Ukraine before the large-scale invasion of the Russian Federation have been affected. "Russia kills and injures Ukrainian children. Children's lives and destinies are broken or destroyed," emphasized the President's Commissioner. Since February 24, 2022, as of May 30 this year, 483 children have been killed and 989 injured.19 484 young Ukrainians have been deported to Russia or the Republic of Belarus or forcibly transferred to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea. Darya Herasymchuk noted that this list is incomplete, as there is no information from the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories. The Advisor - President's Commissioner for Children's Rights and Children's Rehabilitation also recalled the crimes of sexual violence against children, which is a violation of the child's right to protection from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, as well as the violation by the Russians of the child's right to protection from exploitation that is harmful to various aspects of the child's well-being, protection from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. "For a month now, my daughter has been sleeping in the corridor because she is afraid of a missile or UAV hitting our house. Isn't this a violation of her right to privacy and is she really protected from encroachment on it?" said Daria Herasymchuk. She emphasized that Ukraine is doing everything to bring the Russian aggressor to justice and at the same time create the preconditions for a peaceful and safe future for Ukrainian children. "Every child deserves a peaceful childhood filled with warmth and care from loved ones. And Ukrainian children have lost their childhood because of Russia," she added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President got acquainted with the plan of returning children illegally deported by Russia, Bring Kids Back UA, and took part in the opening of the Center for the Protection of Children's Rights President of Ukraine 31 May 2023 - 09:02 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the opening of the Center for the Protection of Children's Rights, which will counteract Russia's crimes against Ukrainian children. The Head of State inspected the children's leisure corner and the premises where the Center's specialists work according to the Barnahus model. This is an interagency center for children who have become victims of crimes or witnessed them, where relevant specialists can receive information from children and their families, conduct medical examinations, including for forensic purposes, and provide the necessary therapeutic assistance. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also took part in the presentation of the Bring Kids Back UA action plan. Pursuant to the President's instruction, government officials have developed this comprehensive action plan that unites the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities, foreign governments and international organizations to bring all young Ukrainian citizens back home. The Head of State thanked for the creation of the Center for the Protection of Children's Rights and the development of an action plan for the return of young Ukrainians home. "The first step has been taken, 371 children are at home in Ukraine. We will do everything to bring them all back, and the key meaning is probably in the name of the program Bring Kids Back UA. I sincerely wish us this - to bring all the children back home to Ukraine, and I fully support this program. We want to bring the children back as soon as possible. This is the most important thing," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The event was also attended by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, Advisor - President's Commissioner for Children's Rights and Children's Rehabilitation Daria Herasymchuk, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, and Head of the Coordination Center for the Development of Family Upbringing and Child Care Iryna Tuliakova. The implementation of the Bring Kids Back UA action plan will be coordinated by the Coordination Council for Child Protection and Safety under the President of Ukraine chaired by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak. "Today we are presenting to the President a developed program: what exactly we have to do to return all our Ukrainian children who were illegally deported, to ensure their rights, which were violated by the Russians, and, of course, to do everything to return them the childhood and the life they deserve," said Andriy Yermak. The Bring Kids Back UA action plan unites the efforts of Ukrainian government agencies, international and non-governmental organizations, and concerned citizens who are ready to work to return all illegally deported Ukrainian children to their homeland. Many of Ukraine's foreign partners have also expressed their support and readiness to help protect the rights of young Ukrainian citizens. Advisor - President's Commissioner for Children's Rights and Children's Rehabilitation Daria Herasymchuk informed the Head of State in detail about the blocks that make up the Bring Kids Back UA plan. In particular, these are: return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia; development of family-based forms of upbringing; reintegration of children returned from Russia, organization of their socialization and educational initiatives; Child Rights Protection Center; recording crimes and bringing Russia to justice; inter-parliamentary cooperation; communication and public events. Each of the blocks is assigned to responsible government agencies. Head of the Coordination Center for the Development of Family Upbringing and Child Care Iryna Tuliakova noted that an algorithm for accompanying a child returning to Ukraine has already been developed, and that all necessary services are being unified. "Today, all authorities are working to create the necessary conditions for returning children," she emphasized. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, informed that 371 Ukrainian children have been returned to date. He expressed belief that the opening of the Center for the Protection of Children's Rights will demonstrate to both Ukrainian society and the international community that children are a top priority for the Ukrainian state and the President. "The state of Ukraine is fighting for everyone: for prisoners of war, for civilian hostages, for children. It is clear that the main task is to return and achieve fair accountability of the Russian Federation and those criminals who actually continue to kill the future of our country," emphasized Dmytro Lubinets. Andriy Kostin, for his part, informed about the work of the Prosecutor General's Office to protect Ukrainian children. According to him, a group of PGO prosecutors recently returned from Kherson region, where, in cooperation with representatives of the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, they collected new evidence of Russian war crimes, including the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke with the family of Mariupol defenders who were held in Russian captivity and released as part of a prisoner exchange. The father, Ihor Dmytrykovskyi, who served as a sailor of the medical service and a driver of a military hospital in Mariupol, was released on April 26, 2023, after a year in enemy captivity. The mother, Kateryna Skopina, a lieutenant in a medical unit, was released after nine months of captivity on December 6, 2022. The daughter of Ihor Dmytrykovskyi and Kateryna Skopina, Anna-Maria Dmytrykovska, was forcibly taken to Russia by the occupiers. The girl was returned to Ukraine on May 10, 2023. Ihor Dmytrykovskyi and Kateryna Skopina thanked the Head of State for the release from captivity and the return of their daughter. They presented the President with a flag with the symbols of the 503rd separate mechanized brigade and a souvenir with the image of Mariupol. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latest in Ukraine: Russia Blames Ukraine for Luhansk Attack, Claims Kyiv's Forces Also Hit Russian Town By VOA News May 31, 2023 Latest developments: Fighting in Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk has continued over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian military said early Wednesday. Russia said Wednesday that Ukrainian shelling in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine had killed five people and wounded 19 others. Ukraine's military did not immediately comment on the Russian allegation. The United States will provide another $300 million in military aid for Ukraine in a package that is expected to include munitions for Ukraine's Patriot missile defense system, defense officials told VOA. Russian authorities said Wednesday that Ukrainian shelling in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine had killed five people and wounded 19 others, and that Kyiv's forces had also attacked a Russian town for the third time this week and struck two oil refineries. The strikes inside Ukraine hit a poultry farm in the village of Karpaty, Russian authorities said. They added that Ukraine had used HIMARS rockets provided by the United States. Ukraine's military did not immediately comment on the Russian allegation and rarely publicly takes credit for such attacks. Russia controls much of Luhansk, one of the areas that Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to annex last year in a move that the international community rejected. Russian regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that in the Russian town of Shebekino, 7 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border, two of four wounded people were hospitalized. He said shelling damaged an apartment building, four homes, a school and power lines. Ukraine's general staff said its forces had fended off 22 Russian aerial attacks in eastern Ukraine over the past day, and that Ukrainian aircraft had carried out 11 strikes on Russian personnel and military equipment. No location was given. Russia said, without providing any evidence, it had destroyed Ukraine's "last warship" during a missile strike on the Black Sea port of Odesa. Nuclear plant concerns The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said the world was "fortunate" that a nuclear accident had not yet happened in Ukraine and issued a set of five principles to help ensure the safety and security of Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which is located in the country. "I see these commitments as essential to avoid the danger of a catastrophic incident," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the U.N. Security Council in a briefing Tuesday about the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, or ZNPP. The five principles include committing to no attack of any kind against or from the plant; not using it as storage or a base for heavy weapons or military personnel; not putting the plant's off-site power supply at risk; protecting all structures, systems and components essential to the safe and secure operation of the ZNPP; and not acting in a way that would undermine these principles. "What we are doing is giving ourselves a better tool to deal with a very bad situation," the IAEA chief told reporters regarding the five principles. The Zaporizhzhia plant, which Russia seized in March 2022, has repeatedly been in the crossfire of shelling. It has lost off-site power seven times and had to rely on emergency diesel generators to prevent a nuclear accident. The last such incident was on May 22. Grossi called on Russia, which occupies the plant, and Ukraine, which owns it, to observe the principles. He also called on council members to "unambiguously" support them. He said the IAEA would immediately start monitoring implementation of these principles through its own team at the ZNPP and "report publicly" on any violations. Each side has repeatedly accused the other of militarily targeting the plant. Russia is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow has taken specific steps to protect the most sensitive installations and components of the ZNPP. "Russia will take the most severe measures to respond to any attacks by Ukraine against the nuclear power plant, its critical infrastructure, including its power lines, as well as the city of Enerhodar, which is home to the personnel of the power plant and their families," he told the council. Ukraine's envoy said his government has never done anything that could lead to a nuclear incident at the facility, saying Kyiv realizes the "catastrophic consequences" that would have for the country and its neighbors. "To ultimately remove the nuclear stress stemming from the illegal Russian presence at the plant, the troops and weaponry must be withdrawn, the station must be de-occupied and returned under the legitimate, full control of Ukraine," Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said. He also urged the IAEA chief to expand the five principles to include guarantees of an uninterrupted power supply and a humanitarian corridor to ensure the safe rotation of staff at the power plant. Grossi told reporters he hoped to return to Ukraine "soon" and would also "expect to be visiting Russia" as part of his diplomacy to engage with both sides. VOA's Cindy Saine and Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Providing $300 Million in More Aid for Ukraine By Carla Babb May 31, 2023 The United States will provide another $300 million in new military aid for Ukraine in a package that is expected to include munitions for Ukraine's Patriot missile defense system, defense officials tell VOA. The officials, who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity ahead of the package's expected release Wednesday, said the latest aid also includes rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and more tank ammunition and anti-armor capabilities ahead of an expected Ukrainian offensive. Zuni unguided aircraft rockets and AIM-7 radar-guided air-to-air missiles are being provided for air support, and Avenger air defense systems and Stinger surface-to-air missile systems will also be included, according to officials. Once released, the aid package will mark the 39th authorized presidential drawdown of military equipment from Defense Department inventories since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The latest aid package comes as about 200 Ukrainian soldiers have begun combined arms training on M1A1 Abrams tanks in Germany, according to a statement from U.S. Army Europe. Another 200 Ukrainian soldiers are training on tank fueling operations and maintenance, according to the statement. The Ukrainians will train on 31 Abrams tanks that arrived in Germany earlier this month. U.S. officials have said that a different set of 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks are being refurbished in the United States and will be delivered to Ukraine by the fall. The training in Germany, which started on May 26, is expected to last about 10 weeks, according to a senior U.S. military official. Abrams tanks, in particular, have been a long-awaited addition to the fight. The tank's thick armor and 1,500-horsepower turbine engine make it much more advanced than the Soviet-era tanks Ukraine has been using since the war's beginning. The U.S. has pledged more than $37 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia's invasion, although the Pentagon continues to work through an accounting error that overstated the amount of value going to Kyiv. When calculating its aid package estimates, the Department of Defense was counting the cost incurred to replace the weapons given to Ukraine, while it should have been totaling the cost of the systems actually sent, officials told VOA. The error that is expected to translate into about $3 billion available for more aid to Ukraine, according to officials. Moscow began a renewed offensive in Ukraine earlier this year that has stalled, and Kyiv is preparing for a massive counteroffensive that is expected to begin in the coming days or weeks. A senior military official, speaking to VOA on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, said the Ukrainian counter-offensive would probably not be "as dramatic" as some people expect but still would be carried out "deliberately and effectively" by targeting Russia's ability to control its defenses inside Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Official Discusses Timetable for Deploying Fighter Jets By Misha Komadovsky May 31, 2023 Earlier this month the White House changed its stance on providing F-16 warplanes to Ukraine, agreeing to allow the jets to be sent to the country to better help it defend itself from Russian attacks. The timetable for the F-16s joining the war remains unclear, as it can take months for Ukrainian pilots to be trained. Andrii Yermak, head of the Office of Ukraine's President, tells VOA how the country is quickly pivoting to get the planes into the battlefield and the security guarantees Ukraine's government is still seeking from the U.S. and NATO. The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. VOA: One of the major topics during the summit was the F-15 and F-16 aircraft. President (Joe) Biden made it clear that the United States will provide Ukraine with everything it needs for a counteroffensive, but it seems that F-15 and F-16 aircraft are not necessary for that purpose. However, President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy emphasized the word "accelerate" when answering my question on the delivery of these fighter jets. How do you reconcile these statements, and when can we expect to see Western fighter jets in Ukraine? Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of Ukraine's President: Regarding the aircraft, I can confirm what President Zelenskyy said. We appreciate the official statement from President Biden, where he assured us of the United States' participation in the aircraft coalition. Moreover, we have heard statements from partner countries such as France, Poland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, expressing their readiness to train our pilots. This is a significant initial step that paves the way for the future delivery of aircraft to Ukraine. We anticipate that the training exercises will commence very soon, perhaps within days. We also expect countries that have expressed their readiness to deliver aircraft to Ukraine to follow suit. We believe this process will begin within a matter of months, rather than an extended period. Naturally, we anticipate the same commitment from the United States. Therefore, this matter is no longer up for discussion; it is a resolved issue. The President openly discussed the timeline, and we addressed this during the meeting in Hiroshima. We are determined to make it happen as soon as possible, as the aircraft are essential for protecting our skies and maintaining Ukrainian superiority in that domain. VOA: When you mention the aircraft coalition or fighter jet coalition, can you clarify what it means to be part of it? Not all NATO member countries have the F-15 and F-16s we've been discussing. Could you explain the nature of this coalition and who has expressed their support? Yermak: Being part of this coalition means that countries are willing to start by training pilots on the strategic aircraft available to them. Official statements have already been made by France, Poland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and several other countries. I anticipate that this coalition will grow, and it is crucial for us. Just like the tank coalition, which was established and has already yielded results with the deployment of our partners' tanks in Ukraine, we expect the same outcome with aircraft. VOA: Ukraine has requested specific security guarantees, including from the United States. Can you elaborate on the nature of these security guarantees? Are they similar to the Budapest Memorandum, or do they follow a different format, such as the Israeli model or the Kyiv Security Treaty? Yermak: Concerning security guarantees, President Zelenskyy has been advocating for them in our path towards NATO membership for several months. NATO membership is our primary guarantee. NATO is currently the strongest alliance in the world, a fact acknowledged by all. When we initiated discussions with our partners, we didn't merely talk; we presented a concrete proposal. President Zelenskyy mandated the development of a document called the Kyiv Security Compact. This document takes into account the prevailing situation and outlines the potential guarantees we can receive. It also explains the rationale behind these guarantees. It is essential to note that we do not discuss Article 5 until we become NATO members. Therefore, these guarantees are tangible and realistic. During President Biden's visit to Kyiv, he made it clear during his meeting with President Zelenskyy that he respects our desire for guarantees and supports it. In subsequent consultations with our partners, we have taken the position that the ideal format would be a document combining elements from the Kyiv Security Compact and the various agreements and arrangements between the United States and the State of Israel. We sense positive receptiveness from our partners, and there is widespread support for this approach. We are engaged in constructive work, and I believe we will achieve results soon. Thus, Ukraine sees security guarantees through its NATO membership, which can be realized when the security situation permits. There is no alternative to this, and we consider ourselves future members of NATO. VOA: Analysts I have spoken to suggest that Ukraine's invitation to join NATO, even in writing, could serve as an argument to end the war a a catalyst for Russia to cease-fire. Do you believe this invitation could contribute to peace, if at all possible? Yermak: Absolutely, I believe that extending an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO can be a decisive factor in ending the war. Russia's aggression on February 24 altered the reality, and it is now a reality that we must acknowledge. Finland has already become a NATO member, and Sweden is on the path to membership. The same should apply to Ukraine. Ukraine wants to join NATO, and I firmly believe that NATO needs Ukraine to establish a new security structure in Europe and the world. This desire is not solely ours; it is a reality demanded by the modern world and modern Europe. Without Ukraine, there can be no viable new security system in Europe. The existing system has proven ineffective, as demonstrated by the events of February 24th. Europe requires a secure world, and that is impossible without Ukraine. Russia must accept this reality, as it cannot be denied. They initiated the change in reality through their attack on Ukraine, and they cannot simply ignore it. And they will have to eventually accept it. VOA: How do you envision the peace following the end of the war, and how will it impact the world globally? Yermak: I am certain once the war ends, the world will be safer. It will reflect the desires of people worldwide. I am certain of it, as are all reasonable individuals worldwide. For Ukraine, the end of the war means the restoration of our territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders. We will not compromise on this point. It will signify the emergence of a prosperous, modern, and rebuilt Ukraine, standing as the best nation globally. We will foster partnerships and friendly relations with all those who have stood by our side. Furthermore, Ukraine will play a pivotal role in establishing a new security system in Europe and become a crucial component of the emerging global order that unites Europe, the Global South, and all other continents. Our struggle and the symbolism it carries demonstrate to the world that our courageous people have restored faith in the triumph of good. We should not fear fighting for our values, and every nation's sovereignty must be respected. Today, we symbolize the world's aspiration for peaceful, secure, and safe living. We should focus on future generations rather than merely surviving each day and wondering if our loved ones will see another day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ottawa, May 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WWF-Canada is excited to announce three award recipients of the Nature x Carbon Tech Challenge, which is catalyzing the development of cost-effective, innovative and user-friendly technologies and approaches to facilitate the community-led measurement of carbon in nature. The following organizations will be awarded $100,000 in contracts: Innovatree Carbon Group Ltd., Kamloops, B.C., for its forest carbon monitoring software. for its forest carbon monitoring software. Korotu Technology, Toronto, for its LandSteward platform that enables community forest monitoring and carbon reporting through CarbonWatch. for its LandSteward platform that enables community forest monitoring and carbon reporting through CarbonWatch. Digital Forest Lab at Laval University, Quebec City, for its Forest BIOmass measurement system, which uses 3D terrestrial LiDAR SCANning (BioScan3D) To reach the global climate targets and keep warming below 1.5 degrees, greenhouse gas emissions must be cut drastically. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has recognized the significant role that nature can play in fighting climate change, but there are historical challenges like cost and timeliness of measuring and monitoring conservation actions to ensure that the expected carbon benefit is realized. How does one measure the carbon benefit of approaches such as restoration and protection? How can it be assessed if these efforts are making any difference for climate? These were the questions that the Nature x Carbon Tech Challenge set out to answer. After piloting five technologies, WWF-Canada is pleased to announce the final award recipients who will continue to work with communities to better track the impact of conservation actions. Megan Leslie, President and CEO at WWF-Canada says, The implementation of user-friendly technologies will support the tremendous amount of conservation work, including efforts led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities across Canada. Using these technologies to measure the carbon benefits of restoring and protecting nature in Canada will support the implementation of nature-based climate solutions.It has been proven that nature is carbon, nature is habitat, and nature is a key solution. Garrett Whitworth, Director at Innovatree Carbon Group Ltd. says, This award will allow our team to provide valuable ecosystem and carbon sequestration information to First Nation communities and give us the flexibility to continue software development in a challenging and extraordinarily biodiverse coastal forest ecosystem. Agata Rudd, co-founder at Korotu Technology says, Working with WWF-Canada will help Korotu Technology accelerate the development of the technology and get it into the hands of users to help protect the climate and biodiversity. Martin Beland, Associate Professor of Environmental Remote Sensing at Laval University says, Through this award our aim is to make the technology more accessible to community users by providing low-cost access to lidar instruments, creating a software pipeline that will simplify the data processing chain, and produce reliable reports on above ground carbon.... The impact of the technologies extends far beyond this challenge by supporting community conservation efforts. Understanding the impact that the recent wildfires have had on the forest ecosystem in the interior of B.C. is critically important to successful restoration and future ecological adaptation to climate change, says Angela Kane, CEO at Secwepemculecw Restoration and Stewardship Society. Our forest carbon monitoring is building a justification for increased biodiversity across the landscape, particularly as it applies to culturally important trees and plants. WWF-Canada created the Nature x Carbon Tech Challenge as part of its 10-year strategic plan to Regenerate Canada. The plan outlines the organizations commitment to restore 1 million hectares of land, steward 100 million hectares and reduce carbon emissions by 30 million tonnes. WWF-Canadas Nature x Carbon Tech Challenge, supported by founding partner RBC Tech for Nature and national technology sponsor Microsoft, catalyzes the development of user-friendly and innovative technologies to support community-led measurement of carbon in nature. Techhub.wwf.ca Video available about project here: https://youtu.be/7zNEvVnsHqA About WWF-Canada WWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a future where wildlife, nature and people thrive. For more information visit wwf.ca. About Innovatree Carbon Group Ltd. Innovatree has been collaboratively developed between AIB Innovation Ltd., an R&D company specializing in sustainable innovation, and Second Pass Forestry Ltd., a First Nation-owned forestry consulting company. The Innovatree software relies on LiDAR data and machine learning to calculate the carbon found in forest biomass. This technology is combined with a minimal number of field-plot inventories and produces georeferenced maps and datasets with information scaled down to the individual tree level. About Korotu Technology Korotu Technology helps communities protect natural areas to support climate and biodiversity stewardship. Korotus LandSteward platform continuously monitors and measures the forests, wetlands and grasslands communities depend on. Satellite based LiDAR and Optical Sensors allow the platforms web users to rapidly estimate and visualize heat maps of the carbon contained in nature. About the Digital Forest Lab at Laval University The team from Laval University is developing a data processing chain that utilizes data captured from terrestrial LiDAR scanners which are then used to generate 3D point clouds and estimate above-ground biomass in forests. In addition, estimations of the uncertainty are provided and allow for detailed estimates of carbon found in the above-ground biomass in any given forest. This will allow those with minimal training to measure the carbon found in forests. Attachment Selbyville, Delaware,, May 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The directed energy weapons market valuation is anticipated to reach USD 15 billion by 2032, as reported in a research study by Global Market Insights Inc . As per the report, favorable government support for the military sector is among the leading factors driving market expansion. Governments in developed and developing nations are investing heavily in advanced weapons to strengthen their military sector. In December 2022, the U.S. government signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, awarding USD 816.7 billion to the Defense Department. This act authorizes USD 30.3 billion for national security programs in the DOE and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. With respect to type, the non-lethal directed energy weapons market size will expand significantly through 2032. These weapons can be designed to deliver various effects depending on the situation. They can be used for crowd control, riot suppression, perimeter security, or disabling vehicles or equipment. This versatility allows a range of non-lethal options to address different scenarios effectively. Also, they enable operators to engage targets from a distance, reducing their exposure to immediate danger. This helps enhance the safety of personnel in law enforcement or military operations. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/5715 Based on technology, the directed energy weapons market from the high energy laser segment will garner huge gains through 2032. Weapons based on this technology have the potential for extended-range engagements, depending on the power and quality of the laser system. Moreover, by adjusting the energy level and beam characteristics, these weapons can be optimized for different types of threats, providing flexibility and adaptability in dynamic operational environments. In terms of application, the directed energy weapons market share from homeland security segment will grow at a considerable CAGR from 2023 to 2032. These weapons can be employed as a non-lethal option for perimeter security, protecting critical infrastructure, or government installations. They can deter and incapacitate intruders without resorting to lethal force, enhancing the safety of security personnel and minimizing collateral damage. Growing spending on homeland security will bolster the demand for directed energy weapons. Asia Pacific directed energy weapons market size will grow significantly from 2023 to 2032. Increasing government investments in the defense sector will propel the demand for directed energy weapons in the region. In fact, many regional economies are focusing on modernizing their armed forces and seeking advanced military capabilities. Moreover, regional expansion can also be attributed to the presence of leading market players who are constantly developing products with advanced capabilities. Some of the major key players operating in the directed energy weapons market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Moog Inc., Qinetiq Group PLC, L3harris Technologies Inc., and Applied Companies, among others In December 2022, Lockheed Martin Corporation, an American aerospace company, teamed up with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd., an Israel-based defense technology company inclusive of joint development of High Energy Laser Weapon Systems in the U.S. and Israel. Secure a copy of the premium research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/securecheckout/paymenta/5715?gmpaycod=sugmp Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC): Chapter 2 Executive Summary 2.1 Directed energy weapons market 360 synopsis, 2018 - 2032 2.2 Business trends 2.3 Regional trends 2.4 Type trends 2.5 Technology trends 2.6 End-use trends 2.7 Application trends Chapter 3 Directed Energy Weapons Market Insights 3.1 Impact on COVID-19 3.2 Russia- Ukraine war impact 3.3 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.4 Vendor matrix 3.5 Profit margin analysis 3.6 Technology & innovation landscape 3.7 Patent analysis 3.8 Key news and initiatives 3.9 Regulatory landscape 3.10 Impact forces 3.10.1 Growth drivers 3.10.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.11 Growth potential analysis 3.12 Porters analysis 3.13 PESTEL analysis Browse our Reports Store - GMIPulse @ https://www.gminsights.com/gmipulse Browse Related Reports Weapon Mounts Market Size By Type (Static, Non-static), By Mode of Operation (Manual, Remotely Operated), By Application (Land, Sea, Air), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2020 2026 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/weapon-mounts-market Smart Weapons Market Size By End-Use (Land, Airborne, Naval), By Weapon Type (Missiles, Munitions, Guided Rockets, Guided Projectiles, Guided Firearms), By Component (Infrared, Laser, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Radar) Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2020-2026 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/smart-weapons-market Military Laser Systems Market - By Product (LiDAR, 3D Scanning, Laser Weapon, Laser Range Finder), By Application (Laser Countermeasures, Laser Communication Systems), By Technology (Fiber Laser, Solid-state Laser, Gas Laser), By End Use & Forecast, 2023-2032 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/military-laser-systems-market About Global Market Insights Inc. Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology. English French PRESS RELEASE Neuilly-sur-Seine, France June 1, 2023 Availability of preparatory documents for Bureau Veritas Combined Shareholders Meeting of June 22, 2023 Bureau Veritas Combined (ordinary and extraordinary) Shareholders Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., in the Auditorium of the Companys registered office located at Immeuble Newtime, 40/52, boulevard du Parc in Neuilly-sur-Seine (92200), France, for the purpose of discussing the agenda and the draft resolutions contained in the preliminary Notice of Meeting (Avis de reunion) published on May 10, 2023 in the legal gazette Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires no. 56. The main instructions for participating and voting at the Meeting are described in the above-mentioned preliminary Notice of Meeting (Avis de reunion) as well as in the convening Notice of Meeting (Avis de convocation) published in the legal gazette Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires no.65 and in the newspaper Actu-Juridique of May 31, 2023. The preparatory documents and information relating to the Combined (ordinary and extraordinary) Shareholders Meeting will be made available to shareholders in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The documents and information referred to in Article R. 22-10-23 of the French Commercial Code are available on the page dedicated to the Shareholders Meeting on the Companys website (https://group.bureauveritas.com/investors/financial-information/shareholders-meeting). They are mainly included in the Notice of Meeting (Brochure de convocation) and the 2022 Universal registration document. Shareholders are invited to regularly visit the updates of the page dedicated to the Shareholders Meeting in the Investors section of the Companys website mentioned above. About Bureau Veritas Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has close to 82,000 employees located in nearly 1,600 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its 400,000 clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility. Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40 ESG, CAC Next 20 and SBF 120 indices. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI. For more information, visit www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on Twitter (@bureauveritas) and LinkedIn. Our information is certified with blockchain technology. Check that this press release is genuine at www.wiztrust.com. ANALYST/INVESTOR CONTACTS MEDIA CONTACTS Laurent Brunelle Caroline Ponsi Khider +33 (0)1 55 24 76 09 +33 (0)7 52 60 89 78 laurent.brunelle@bureauveritas.com caroline.ponsi-khider@bureauveritas.com Colin Verbrugghe Primatice +33 (0)1 55 24 77 80 thomasdeclimens@primatice.com colin.verbrugghe@bureauveritas.com armandrigaudy@primatice.com Karine Ansart +33 (0)1 55 24 76 19 Karine.ansart@bureauveritas.com Attachment Rentschler Biopharma to conduct adeno-associated virus (AAV) process development work for manufacturing scale-up at their ATMP site in Stevenage, UK Ikarovec is developing novel gene therapies to treat serious, but common eye diseases With accelerated timelines, Rentschler Biopharma incorporates early process development strategies, increasing the chances of success for groundbreaking therapeutics NORWICH, United Kingdom and STEVENAGE, United Kingdom and LAUPHEIM, Germany, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rentschler Biopharma SE, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biopharmaceuticals, including advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), and Ikarovec, which is developing novel multicistronic gene therapies to treat major ophthalmic indications, today announced that the two companies have entered into a collaboration. Under the agreement, Rentschler Biopharmas ATMP site in Stevenage, UK, will support the bioprocess development of AAV material for planned pre-clinical testing of Ikarovecs novel gene therapy for the treatment of geographic atrophy. This condition is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration that can result in the progressive and irreversible destruction of retinal tissue, which can lead to loss of vision over time. Dr. Katie Binley, Chief Scientific Officer of Ikarovec, said: We are delighted to collaborate with Rentschler Biopharma on our lead program. As we look to find new and better ways to treat ophthalmic diseases, we want to get it right and ensure that our product candidates can be scaled up appropriately for each development stage and, ultimately, for commercialization. Thus, it is critical to work with a team that has strong AAV experience in our field and that will be a true partner every step of the way. Dr. Robert Panting, General Manager of Rentschlers ATMP business, said: We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Ikarovec, which is developing truly innovative treatments for major ophthalmic indications. With our client-focused, highly tailored approach, our seasoned team will work closely with Ikarovec scientists to enable them to move forward into pre-clinical testing as rapidly as possible. By laying the foundation with process development and scale-up work, we aim to ultimately improve development timelines and increase the chances of success for our clients, who are working tirelessly to advance potentially groundbreaking treatments. Rentschler Biopharma is set up to offer a full range of services for the clinical supply of AAV, including bioprocess development through to cGMP manufacturing at their Stevenage facility in the UK. The companys experienced, multi-faceted team takes a holistic approach, looking at a program from concept through to market, while a highly flexible business model is able to effectively address each clients specific needs. Continuing Rentschler Biopharmas well-established practice, the company works to be a true partner to entrepreneurial players to enable them to transform their ideas into real products with the potential to treat and even cure patients with serious and life-threatening diseases. Dr. Christian Schetter, Chief Scientific Officer of Rentschler Biopharma, added: With Rentschler Biopharmas ATMP offering, we aim to address an important gap in specific support for innovative, early-stage cell and gene therapy programs. Ikarovec and its novel candidate are a perfect fit for our services. Understanding the needs of early start-up companies for robust and tailored CMC processes integrated optimally into the overall development plan, we collaborate closely with our clients as true partners and handle their projects as if they were our own. Thereby, our focus lies on constantly optimizing our latest service offering for AAV to complement their needs. By creating value sustainably, across the entire biopharmaceutical value chain, we are committed to enabling our clients to bring truly innovative therapies to patients. BIO International Convention: Rentschler Biopharma will attend BIO in Boston, MA, June 5-8, 2023. Federico Pollano , Senior Vice President Business Development and Client Program Management Rentschler Biopharma, and Kassim Kolia , Vice President BD of Rentschlers ATMP business, together with the BD team, will be available for additional information and requests at the Rentschler Biopharma booth (#1135) . , Senior Vice President Business Development and Client Program Management Rentschler Biopharma, and , Vice President BD of Rentschlers ATMP business, together with the BD team, will be available for additional information and requests at the . Meetings can also be scheduled through the partnering system. About Ikarovec Established in 2018, Ikarovec is developing novel, differentiated gene therapies for major ophthalmic indications. Its lead product, a bicistronic gene therapy for geographic atrophy, is in preclinical studies, and earlier programmes are targeting wet-form age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular oedema and intraocular hypertension. Building on intellectual property spun-out of Quethera (bought by Astellas in 2018), Ikarovec was founded by UKI2S and recently raised a 2.5m seed round with co-funding from LifeArc and Parkwalk Advisers. There is an experienced senior management team in place with business development and commercial success in ophthalmology and gene therapy Dr. Peter Widdowson (ex Quethera) is Founder and Chief Technology Officer, and Piers Morgan (ex UniQure) is Executive Chairman. About Rentschler Biopharma SE Rentschler Biopharma is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused exclusively on client projects. The company offers process development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals, including adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies, as well as related consulting activities, project management and regulatory support. Rentschler Biopharma's high quality is proven by its long-standing experience and excellence as a solution partner for its clients. A high-level quality management system, a well-established operational excellence philosophy and advanced technologies ensure product quality and productivity at each development and manufacturing step. Rentschler Biopharma is a family-owned company with about 1,200 employees, headquartered in Laupheim, Germany, with a second site in Milford, MA, USA. Rentschler ATMP Ltd., located in Stevenage, UK, is dedicated to cell and gene therapies. For further information, please visit www.rentschler-biopharma.com. Follow Rentschler Biopharma on LinkedIn and Facebook. New York, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) Market Report 2023-2033" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06464262/?utm_source=GNW The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) Market Report 2023-2033: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region. Increasing Environmental Regulations, Advancements in Technology, and a Growing Demand for Sustainable Transportation Options the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market is experiencing significant growth due to a combination of factors, including increasing environmental regulations, advancements in technology, and a growing demand for sustainable transportation options. While the market is currently dominated by a few major players such as Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda, there is potential for new entrants to make an impact as the market expands. Government initiatives and investments in hydrogen infrastructure will also play a significant role in the markets growth, particularly in regions such as Europe, Asia, and California, where there are already significant efforts to establish a hydrogen economy. The availability and affordability of hydrogen fuel, as well as the development of supporting infrastructure such as refuelling stations, will be critical to the markets success. However, there are also challenges such as high costs, limited range, and a lack of public awareness that will need to be addressed. Overall, the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market has the potential to revolutionise the transportation industry, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. With continued technological advancements and support from governments and industry players, the market is poised for significant growth in the coming years. What Questions Should You Ask before Buying a Market Research Report? How is the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) market evolving? What is driving and restraining the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) market? How will each hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2033? How will the market shares for each hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) submarket develop from 2023 to 2033? What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2023 to 2033? Will leading hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others? How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2033 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2033? Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period? What are the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) projects for these leading companies? How will the industry evolve during the period between 2023 and 2033? What are the implications of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) projects taking place now and over the next 10 years? Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) market? Where is the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market? What are the best investment options for new product and service lines? What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite? You need to discover how this will impact the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) market today, and over the next 10 years: Our 331-page report provides 112 tables and 170 charts/graphs exclusively to you. The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them NOW. It contains in-depth analysis of global, regional and national sales and growth. It highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors. This report tells you TODAY how the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) market will develop in the next 10 years, and in line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years. Forecasts to 2033 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects In addition to revenue forecasting to 2033, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares. You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments. Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) prices and recent developments. This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report. Segments Covered in the Report Market Segment by Technology Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs) Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) Market Segment by Vehicle Type Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles Material Handling Vehicles Military Vehicles Other Vehicles Market Segment by Component Fuel Cell Stack Hydrogen Tanks Battery Electric Motor Power Electronics Other Components In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for four regional and 20 leading national markets: North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany Spain United Kingdom France Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East and Africa GCC South Africa Rest of Middle East and Africa The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) Market, 2023 to 2033, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations. Leading companies and the potential for market growth Air Liquide Ballard Power Systems Inc. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG Cummins Inc. General Motors Company Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies Hyundai Motor Company Linde plc Mercedes-Benz Group AG Nel Hydrogen Nikola Corporation Plug Power Inc. Riversimple Toyota Motor Corporation Overall world revenue for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) Market, 2023 to 2033 in terms of value the market will surpass US$10.46 billion in 2023, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2033. Our work identifies which organisations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead. How will the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) Market, 2023 to 2033 report help you? In summary, our 330+ page report provides you with the following knowledge: Revenue forecasts to 2033 for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) Market, 2023 to 2033 Market, with forecasts for technology, vehicle type, and component, each forecast at a global and regional level discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues. Revenue forecasts to 2033 for four regional and 20 key national markets See forecasts for the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) Market, 2023 to 2033 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Australia among other prominent economies. Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market including company profiles for 15 of the major companies involved in the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) Market, 2023 to 2033. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06464262/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ DUBLIN, Ireland , June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DIDWW , a leading global provider of VoIP and SIP trunking services, has expanded its strategic partnership with AssistYou , a top developer of AI-driven voice assistants for large-scale phone customer service operations. By harnessing the power of DIDWW two-way SIP trunking, this collaboration aims to deliver enhanced voice services and further expand the global reach of AssistYou's innovative voice assistant solution. Seeking to deliver best-in-class technology and services, AssistYou recognizes the crucial need for a partner, like DIDWW, capable of providing worldwide coverage for call termination, ensuring high-quality and secure VoIP communications. By employing the potential of voice technology, AssistYou helps businesses to reduce customer service workload, increase availability, and elevate overall customer satisfaction. Additionally, AssistYou Analytics tool enables organizations to analyze and enrich every phone call in real-time, generating valuable insights to optimize customer service and operational processes. Through this extended partnership, AssistYou will benefit from secure and uninterrupted voice services provided by DIDWW, which will ensure premium call quality and access to local routes with guaranteed caller ID functionality. By leveraging the DIDWW API, AssistYou will experience swift turnaround times and enhanced operational efficiency, helping to meet the ever-evolving business demands of customers worldwide. DIDWW vast experience in telecommunications, combined with its extensive coverage of virtual phone numbers, will enable AssistYou to expand its global presence and cater to a growing customer base all over the world. Bram van Zanten, founder and CEO of AssistYou, stated, DIDWW has proven to be an excellent partner in building our business internationally. We place tremendous value on DIDWWs ability to provide us with worldwide reach for PSTN termination, as well as secure encryption for incoming and outgoing traffic for both signaling and media. These capabilities form the core building blocks for successfully delivering our AI-driven voice assistance and analytics solutions. We are glad to have found a partner that delivers constant quality and security within an easy to use and customer-friendly framework. We are delighted to further extend our partnership with AssistYou, added Agne Abakiene, Key Account Manager at DIDWW. Our robust infrastructure and industry expertise perfectly complement AssistYou's innovative voice assistant technology, creating an unbeatable combination for businesses looking for reliable AI voice solutions. About DIDWW DIDWW is a platform for telecommunication professionals with full self-service access and real-time provisioning, APIs and all the necessary building blocks for achieving the ultimate control over Voice and SMS services. The company offers the largest fully compliant international coverage of local, national, mobile, toll-free voice and SMS-enabled virtual phone numbers, two-way local and global SIP trunks, access to local emergency services, flexible capacity options, free global number portability, and more. To learn more about DIDWW, please visit https://www.didww.com/ . About AssistYou Calling customer service can be frustrating. We've all had our share of bad experiences. That's why AssistYou is on a mission to take the friction out of calling customer service. After all, customer contact can be an enormous source of value for every business. Each interaction with a customer essentially provides the organization with feedback. Our AI-driven digital voice assistant and analytics solution enable organizations to profoundly listen to its customers, to take their feedback seriously and use it as a starting point for continuous improvement. Our products impact large, global organizations with high call volumes, like Belron, Coolblue, Just Eat Takeaway and Air France / KLM. To learn more about AssistYou, please visit www.assistyou.ai . Press Contact: Vilija Simkiene Marketing Department vilija.s@didww.com +1 (212) 461 1854 www.didww.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ae9c1db-f084-4fe8-b0b2-cf5f8a3ac6bc VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | FSE: TO1) (the Company or Collective), is pleased to announce the mobilization of its field crew to commence exploration activities at the Princeton Project (the Project). Initial exploration will consist of initial orientation on the property, comprising 70,570 acres west to southwest of Princeton (see Fig. 1). The field crew will make an initial evaluation of each of the high-priority target areas previously identified on the property, undertaking mapping and additional due diligence sampling to identify and confirm alteration and/or mineralization. An initial evaluation will be conducted of the existing logging road network that is available to access the property, which will be used to plan subsequent work programs. The initial field work will take approximately two weeks to conduct current objectives. Christopher Huggins, Chief Executive Officer of Collective, commented, With the potential the Princeton Project presents, the team is excited to get the 2023 exploration program underway, as we believe the Project presents a significant opportunity for the Company and its stakeholders. We expect to follow-up the initial field visit with additional exploration activities this summer. Neighbouring Geological Similarities These target areas are also spatially associated with a large high intensity magnetic anomaly (see Fig. 2). This large magnetic feature is separated from a similar magnetic anomaly spatially associated with the Copper Mountain Intrusive Complex, which hosts the Copper Mountain mine, owned and operated by the Copper Mountain Mining Corporation, which hosts a Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve of 702 Mt of 0.24% Copper, across the Boundary Fault. A previous operator interpreted the Project area to be similar to that of the Copper Mountain Intrusive Complex, but representing a different level of exposure. At Copper Mountain, erosion has exposed alteration and mineralization at the surface, which drove subsequent development into the current mining operation. In contrast, the level of erosion in the Project area has been less extensive, resulting in the exposure of relatively numerous, yet comparatively small, high-level diorite intrusions in the uppermost portions of the intrusive complex proposed for the Project area. As a result, the magnetic signatures of both the Copper Mountain Intrusive Complex and that evident in the Project area are very similar, arguably comparable, however, the extent of alteration and mineralization documented to date on the Project area is consistent with the uppermost levels of a similar intrusive complex. Under this interpretation, the magnetic anomalies discussed may document a single, very large, composite intrusive complex, subsequently segmented and down-dropped to the west across several faults, including the Boundary Fault (see Fig. 2) and the Whipsaw Fault along Whipsaw Creek in the Trojan-Condor Corridor. The most important implication of this interpretation is that the Project area has considerable mineral potential, similar to that is currently being exploited at the Copper Mountain Mine and represented by the alteration and mineralization documented to date on the Project. The main objective of the 2023 exploration program is to undertake a Due Diligence evaluation of the multiple target areas previously identified. Work will emphasize the Trojan-Condor Corridor as the highest-priority drill target. In addition, the other target areas will be thoroughly evaluated as the Project is interpreted to host strong potential for the identification of one (or more) copper-gold alkalic porphyry occurrences similar in age and deposit type to the Copper Mountain Mine. Princeton Project Geology & Previous Work The previous News Release briefly discussed several high priority targets, including Trojan Condor Corridor and iron carbonate - silica alteration in the upper portion of the Fourteen Mile Creek drainage. The highest priority area is the Trojan Condor Corridor, where a 3D Induced Polarization and Magnetic survey was completed by the previous operator, followed up by an initial diamond drill program, totaling 728 metres in four widely spaced holes ranging between 135 and 215 m. The holes were intended to test near surface mineral potential associated with numerous moderate to very strong, sub-surface IP anomalies. The holes documented weak copper mineralization with associated porphyry-style alteration (including chlorite and epidote). The IP anomalies and porphyry-style mineralization are spatially associated with, and interpreted to result from, several comparatively small exposures of diorite exposed along Whipsaw Creek. Iron carbonate-silica alteration is associated with chalcopyrite mineralization in the upper portion of the Fourteen Mile Creek drainage. Alteration and mineralization are, again, spatially associated with a comparatively small diorite intrusion exposed along a logging road, with more extensive alteration exposed by more recent logging road construction. The Lamont Ridge target area is, again, spatially associated with a comparatively small diorite intrusive exposed at surface, together with porphyry-style alteration and mineralization. Figure 1 Collective Metals Princeton Project Regional Location Figure 2 Total Magnetic Intensity map underlying the mineral tenures comprising the southern property. Collective Metals mineral tenures outlined in yellow. Qualified Persons This news release has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P. Geo., who is acting as the Companys Qualified Person for the Princeton Property project, in accordance with regulations under NI 43-101. About Collective Metals: Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specialized in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3. The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project, which is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. Collective Metals is also advancing the Uptown Gold Project 4 km outside of Yellowknife, adjacent to several high grade past producing mines. The Uptown Gold Property is a high-grade Archean lode gold prospect adjoining the Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property consists of 4 claims covering over 2,000 hectares and borders the west side of the Giant Mine leases. Social Media ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC. Christopher Huggins Chief Executive Officer T: 604-968-4844 E: chris@collectivemetalsinc.com Forward Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: completion of the Acquisition. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/de236802-99e5-404f-82b2-d8fea570f66b https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fb55c883-df05-4a35-9a88-b61583b1a906 TORONTO, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Is there anything Canadians wont do to be nice? As a country thats famous for being polite, data suggests the country is split on if its worth being a little less than real to keep the peace: according to a recent survey commissioned by Simply Spiked Lemonade, just over half (51%) of Canadians 19+ have lied to avoid conflict and/or protect someones feelings. New-to-Canada Simply Spiked Lemonade, on the other hand, is all about whats real, all the time. Made using REAL fruit juice and with an honest-to-goodness taste thats shaking up alcohol cooler aisles across the country, Simply Spiked is bringing REAL taste to Canada this summer with a refreshingly simple shake-up and three distinct flavours: Signature Lemonade: Bright and refreshing, with a perfect balance of sweet lemonade and fresh, lemony tartness. Bright and refreshing, with a perfect balance of sweet lemonade and fresh, lemony tartness. Strawberry Lemonade: Ripe, jammy strawberry notes combined with an elevated, tart lemonade finish. Ripe, jammy strawberry notes combined with an elevated, tart lemonade finish. Blueberry Lemonade: Unique and refreshing, with ripe blueberry notes blended with smooth lemonade flavour. Whats more, Simply Spiked is daring the country to ditch the fakeness by challenging Canadians to keep it REAL this summer - and leading by example. Thats right, we are so committed to hearing the real and juicy truth that weve created the Keep It Real Can : the worlds first lie-detector-in-a-can, to help Canadians to serve up some Cold. Hard. Truth. Featuring Galvanic Skin Response to monitor sweat gland activity and Pulse Rate electrodes to measure heartbeat, the Simply Spiked Keep It Real Can spots the fakes and determines when someone is truly keeping it real. The Simply Spiked-commissioned survey suggests that our Canadian willingness to be nice might be preventing us from being our truest selves - and the country can surely relate to the things were being less than real about Of all Canadians 19+: 39% have rejected invites because they had plans 39% have said no problem when it was definitely a problem 26% have been dishonest about liking a birthday/holiday gift 23% have lied about their thoughts on someones new look (Hey, maybe that haircut isnt for everyone?) And as it turns out, British Columbians find themselves in situations where they feel they should lie more than any other province: 23% of British Columbians 19+ say they feel compelled to lie often or very often, versus 18% in Ontario, 17% in Atlantic Canada, 13% in Alberta, only 9% in our sweet, sweet prairie provinces, and merely 7% in Quebec! Luckily, the Simply Spiked Keep It Real Can is here to help every Canadian be more unapologetically themselves. Visit KeepItRealCan.ca and follow @simplyspikedca on Instagram to keep it real with the rest of Canada, and look out for sweet summer pop-ups near you for your chance to try Simply Spiked and the Keep It Real Can. Plus, capture your honest, juicy review of our equally juicy, spiked lemonade at KeepItRealCan.ca by July 15, 2023, and well reward the REALEST reviewer with $5,000 CAD. See? Sometimes honesty does pay off! About the Simply Spiked Survey This Maru Public Opinion survey conducted on behalf of Citizen Relations was undertaken by the sample and data collection experts at Maru/Blue . 1,529 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada online panelists were surveyed from April 24th to April 25th 2023. The results of this study have been weighted by education, age, gender and region (and in Quebec, language) to match the population, according to Census data. This is to ensure the sample is representative of the entire adult population of Canada. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size has an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability) of +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals when compared to the data tables are due to rounding. About Molson Coors For more than two centuries, Molson Coors has been brewing beverages that unite people to celebrate all lifes moments. From Coors Light, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, Carling, and Staropramen to Coors Banquet, Blue Moon Belgian White, Blue Moon LightSky, Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Leinenkugels Summer Shandy, Creemore Springs, Hop Valley and more, Molson Coors produces many beloved and iconic beer brands. While the companys history is rooted in beer, Molson Coors offers a modern portfolio that expands beyond the beer aisle as well. Our Environmental, Social and Governance strategy is focused on People and Planet with a strong commitment to raising industry standards and leaving a positive imprint on our employees, consumers, communities, and the environment. Learn more about Molson Coors Beverage Company, visit molsoncoors.com , MolsonCoorsOurImprint.com or on Twitter through @MolsonCoors . About Maru Group The experience & insights platform. Maru is a world leading CX and insights software and advisory services company. The company was founded to disrupt the data and insight delivery industry with a combination of software and advisory services delivering data in real time via a unique service model. Maru helps its clients make informed decisions in near real time by combining proprietorial software, deep industry experience, and access to the best minds in research. A flexible service model makes it possible for clients to choose to self-serve using the software platform directly to create, launch and analyze projects; or choose to utilize the software along with knowledgeable support from insights experts. Maru is a proud member of the Stagwell Marketing Cloud . For more information, please contact: simplyspikedMR@citizenrelations.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d45bf2b-51ed-45cb-8797-cd1df72136c6 An Emerging Markets Sponsored Commentary ORLANDO, Fla., June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Earlier this week, we had the great honor of introducing you to VERSES AI Inc. (VERS.NE) (OTCQX:VRSSF), a cognitive computing company specializing in next-generation Artificial Intelligence. We touched on VERSESs human thinking AI model, how it differs from ChatGPT and the possibility that the Companys technology is changing the very Art of Artificial Intelligence. Today, we would like to provide a deep dive into the phenomenon that seems to be taking over the world and what accomplishments VERSES has achieved to move up in the industry. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a concept that can be hard to define because it does not come down to just one thing. Much like the actual human brain, AI is very complex. It is a collection of things, or technologies, that are brought together to basically replicate the human mind. AI is said to be different from other forms of automation because rather than coding, this technology is able to decide how to react after analyzing data. The four capabilities of AI in particular are: Sense Comprehend Act Learn Learn, lets focus on that one for a moment. VERSES has previously acknowledged that other Generative AI and Large Language Models like OpenAIs GPT and Googles BARD excel at creating content based on patterns inferred from their training data, but lack the ability to incorporate new information post-training. According to the Company, This can produce inaccurate, biased, and potentially harmful responses which have resulted in calls for global AI regulation to ensure that AI can be aligned with human values and goals. Like we emphasized in the last report, VERSES is developing AI technology to replicate human understanding, not to mimic. This model of technology allows the machines to learn from the outcome of its actions, therefore continuously optimizing its performance. So, perhaps AIs ability to learn is one of the most important capabilities, and one VERSES does not overlook. Now that we have a grasp on the concept of technology that the world cant stop talking about, lets take a look into what VERSES has most recently accomplished in the industry, a feat that involves the companys real time mobility portal, powered by its operating system for AI, KOSM. As part of Flying Forward 2020 (FF2020), a European Commission-funded special research and innovation project developing Urban Air Mobility infrastructure, and in collaboration with the Center for Advanced Technologies in Health and Well-being of the San Raffaele Hospital (OSR) which is the technological research unit that coordinates the activities of the FF2020 living lab in Milan, VERSES successfully deployed multiple autonomous drones to deliver medicines in the campus and monitor their perimeter against intruders. This was the third of five tests taking place in five cities in five different countries as part of FF2020, for which VERSES received a US$1,000,000 grant from the European Commission. Founder and CEO of VERSES, Gabriel Rene, expressed his enthusiasm for the accomplishment stating, This was an exciting project for VERSES, and we appreciate the collaboration with OSR on deploying autonomous drone management for the hospital. The implications of VERSES work with Flying Forward are that they are providing the European Commission with an example of the underlying Regulatory Geospatial Digital Infrastructure that all AI-powered drones (and perhaps other vehicles) will likely operate on, guiding them on where, how fast and how high they can fly relative to regional EU laws. At a moment when big tech AI companies are scrambling to figure out how to comply with upcoming EU AI regulations, VERSES has been working with them directly for the last few years to define and trial the methods to regulate AI. VERSES will continue to work with autonomous drones and master its AI model that elevates human potential through innovations inspired by nature, and we will continue to provide updates with this technology and its patent protection. For more on VERES AI Inc., visit: https://www.verses.ai/ About VERSES AI Inc.: VERSES is a cognitive computing company specializing in next-generation Artificial Intelligence. Modeled after natural systems and the design principles of the human brain and the human experience, VERSES flagship offering, GIA, is an Intelligent Assistant for everyone powered by KOSM, a network operating system enabling distributed intelligence. Built on open standards, KOSM transforms disparate data into knowledge models that foster trustworthy collaboration between humans, machines, and AI, across digital and physical domains. Imagine a smarter world that elevates human potential through innovations inspired by nature. Learn more at VERSES, LinkedIn, and Twitter. About The Emerging Markets Report: The Emerging Markets Report is owned and operated by Emerging Markets Consulting (EMC), a syndicate of investor relations consultants representing decades of experience. Our network consists of stockbrokers, investment bankers, fund managers, and institutions that actively seek opportunities in the micro and small-cap equity markets. For more informative reports such as this, please sign up at: https://emergingmarketsconsulting.com/ Must Read OTC Markets/SEC policy on stock promotion and investor protection Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 requires that any person that uses the mails to publish, give publicity to, or circulate any publication or communication that describes a security in return for consideration received or to be received directly or indirectly from an issuer, underwriter, or dealer, must fully disclose the type of consideration (i.e. cash, free trading stock, restricted stock, stock options, stock warrants) and the specific amount of the consideration. In connection therewith, EMC has received the following compensation and/or has an agreement to receive in the future certain compensation, as described below. EMC has been paid $150,000 by VERSES AI Inc. EMC does not independently verify any of the content linked-to from this editorial. https://emergingmarketsconsulting.com/disclaimer/ Dublin, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Green Data Center Market - Industry Analysis & Outlook 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Europe green data center is expected to reach a value of $12.25 billion in 2028 from $7.94 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 7.49% Hyperscale players such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, Meta, and Microsoft are procuring renewable energy for their data centers. AWS meets 85% of its energy requirements from renewable energy. Google and Meta meet 100% of their energy requirements for data centers from renewable energy.Microsoft will power all data centers with 100% renewable energy by 2025. Colocation operators in the Europe green data center market such as Equinix, Digital Realty, CyrusOne, Vantage Data Centers, OVHcloud, VIRTUS Data Centres, QTS Realty Trust, and others are proactively signing PPAs and procuring renewable energy to power their facilities to meet their sustainability goals. In September 2022, OVHcloud started constructing a new facility in Germany, renewable energy will be procured from Energieversorgung Limburg (EVL). GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS The Nordic region is the most suitable region for green data center development as there is no need for water cooling. Nordic countries also source the maximum power supply from renewable energy. Site selection for data centers across Europe will mostly depend on access to renewable energy. There is continuous investment in renewable energy projects across Nordics and Western Europe, where data center companies also participate. KEY MARKET PARTICIPANTS Renewable energy companies like Engie, TotalEnergies, EDF Renewables, ENEL Group, Orsted, and much more supply renewable energy to European green data center market operators. These companies are setting up new plants exclusively for data center companies, thus providing clean power sources for companies. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 259 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $7.94 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $12.25 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.4% Regions Covered Europe KEY HIGHLIGHTS Climate Neutral Data Center Pact has played a major role in increasing the sustainability of European data centers as all the signatories will be relying on renewable energy for their facilities by 2030. As of October 2022, over 100 companies have signed the Climate Neutral Data Center Pact, which operates more than 90% of data center capacity across Europe. Hyperscale operators in the Europe green data center market like AWS and Microsoft and colocation operators like Kao Data, NorthC Datacenters, and Data4 are taking multiple steps to improve their sustainability credentials. A few of the initiatives taken by major operators are: Replacing diesel with HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) Use of recycled construction material Use of Fuel cells, vegetable oil, and other sustainable fuel sources Replacement of VRLA batteries with Lithium-ion batteries Data Center investors are moving to new locations like Spain, Portugal, Greece, and other sites where the availability of renewable energy is high with average land prices. Europe is at the forefront of renewable energy adoption. Europe's commitment to adopting renewable energy and phasing out fossil fuels will promote the growth of renewable energy adoption by data center companies. SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS Electrical Infrastructure: Efficient and sustainable power infrastructure replacing traditional power systems. The increasing demand for efficiency in data centers has fueled the growth of efficient infrastructure such as lithium-ion UPS systems, fuel cells, HVO, Natural Gas generators, nuclear energy reactors, and more. AWS will use HVO across all of its European facilities. It has already replaced diesel with HVO in Ireland facility. Companies are using Microgrids and Smart grids to further stabilize power supply to the data center and back to the grid in the hour of need. Microsoft has partnered with Eaton, which will outfit all of Microsoft's data centers with grid-interactive UPS. Mechanical Infrastructure: Europe is to witness an increase in advanced cooling technologies. Most companies have deployed free cooling, and zero-water cooling, leveraging the cold temperature of the region. Colt Data Centre Services uses free cooling most of the year in the Paris Southwest data center; the same will be used in the announced expansion of this data center. DigiPlex has deployed air-free cooling in Sweden's Stockholm 1 data center. General Construction: Adopting sustainable and innovative construction design/material in Europe in data centers. Hyperscale operators like AWS, Microsoft, Apple, and Google are leading in using sustainable materials to construct facilities. Companies introduce technologies like green concrete, modular data centers, and more in their data center construction. Data4 has been using low-carbon concrete in its data centers since 2021. Zetto, a TV streaming service provider, placed its servers in windmills of WestfalenWind from where it has been streaming. Companies are investing in additional infrastructure like Aquifer Thermal Storage Systems to conserve heat. Key Vendors Amazon Web Services (AWS) Atman Beyond.pl Bulk Infrastructure CyrusOne Data4 Digital Realty EdgeConneX Equinix Google Green Mountain Iron Mountain Kao Data Keppel Data Centres LCL Data Centers Microsoft Nautilus Data Technologies NorthC Datacenters NTT Global Data Centers OVHcloud Switch Datacenters STACK Infrastructure Serverfarm Scaleway Telehouse Vantage Data Centers VIRTUS Data Centers Verne Global Renewable Energy Providers ACCONIA Energia Better Energy Bryt Energy Conrad Energy Datafarm Energy Eneco Enel Group Engie ERG GreenYellow HDF Energy Ilmatar Energy Neoen NTR Orsted RWE Renewables ScottishPower Shell TotalEnergies For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1frpfo About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment TORONTO, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red Pine Exploration Inc. (TSXV: RPX, OTCQB: RDEXF) (Red Pine or the Company) outlines its planned 2023 exploration program. The anticipated program follows the success of our 2021-22 drill programs and will focus within and around the Surluga and Minto deposits areas. Specifically, those areas that have the greatest potential to increase the anticipated updated resource. Proposed exploration program for 2023 The Company will immediately increase drilling to include two drills on site with a proposed program averaging 3,600 to 4,400m of drilling per month. Based on the most recent financing, the program will consist of approximately 20,000m of diamond drilling that will focus on the targets which have the highest probability towards material progression of an updated resource. The updated resource is anticipated to be based on both a pit and underground constrained development scenario. 90% of the drilling will be allocated to Pit Constrained Exploration Targets located within and in the surroundings of the area as outlined on Figure 1 The balance of the drilling will be allocated to exploration targets outside the area outlined on Figure 1 or at vertical depths exceeding 500m The drilling program will represent a significant milestone for the Company in its work to update the mineral resource and provide a better understanding of the geological targets. This will serve to prove which gold zones have meaningful exploration potential with strong indications of size and continuity that should be added to an optimized mineral resource and to support an economical evaluation. Exploration targets that will be the focus of the 2023 drilling program: 45% of the total meterage concurrently testing: the Minto B Shear Zone, the Minto C Shear System, the Minto Mine Shear Zone, strategic infill and verification drilling in the Jubilee Shear Zone, Old Tom Vein Network and untested areas of the Jubilee Shear Zone HW over the 65 zone; 35% of the total meterage to test the HW of the Jubilee Shear Zone (Pit Constrained Exploration Target); 20% testing the Surluga North Vein Network + the Surluga North Discovery in the Jubilee Shear Zone and strategic infill in the northern extension of the JSZ to convert the exploration targets in that area to mineral resource. Figure 1 - Exploration targets for the 2023 drilling program https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94e3256d-64c7-4722-89f5-03ba4d98c1a8 Exploration Permit PR-23-000112 To further expedite the exploration on the Wawa Gold Property, Red Pine has received an exploration Permit to drill on 11 additional mining claims to the West of the Jubilee Shear. Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures Drill core samples were transported in security sealed bags for analyses to Actlabs in Ancaster, Ontario. Individual samples were labelled, placed in plastic sample bags and sealed. Groups of samples were then placed into durable rice bags and shipped. The residual coarse reject portions of the samples remain in storage if further work or verification is needed. Red Pine has implemented a quality-control program to comply with best practices in the sampling and analysis of drill core. As part of its QA/QC program, Red Pine inserts external gold standards (low to high grade) and blanks every 20 samples in addition to random standards, blanks, and duplicates. Qualified Person Quentin Yarie, P.Geo. and Chief Executive Officer of Red Pine and the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the news releases technical information. About Red Pine Exploration Inc. Red Pine Exploration Inc. is a gold exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Company's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RPX" and on the OTCQB Markets under the symbol RDEXF. The Wawa Gold Project is in the Michipicoten Greenstone Belt of Ontario, a region that has seen major investment by several producers in the last five years. Its land package hosts numerous historic gold mines and is over 6,900 hectares in size. Led by Quentin Yarie, CEO, who has over 25 years of experience in mineral exploration, Red Pine is strengthening its position as a major mineral exploration and development player in the Michipicoten region. For more information about the Company, visit www.redpineexp.com Or contact: Quentin Yarie, President and CEO, (416) 364-7024, qyarie@redpineexp.com Carrie Howes, Director Corp Communications, (416) 644-7375, chowes@redpineexp.com 1 National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for the Wawa Gold Project, Brian Thomas P.Geo. Golder Associates Ltd, report effective August 18, 2021. 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 Information This news release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained in this news release includes but may not be limited to: the potential for a hybrid pit and underground project. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect managements expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Such opinions, assumptions and estimates are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the Company's expectations in connection with the projects and exploration programs being met, the impact of general business and economic conditions, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future conditions, fluctuating gold prices, currency exchange rates (such as the Canadian dollar versus the United States Dollar), variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in the Company's mineral reserves and resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in project development, construction, production and commissioning time frames, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, higher prices for fuel, power, labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and general risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, unexpected changes in mine life, seasonality and weather, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, and limitations on insurance. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by the Company, including the Companys annual information form, financial statements and related MD&A for the year ended July 31, 2022, and the interim financial reports and related MD&A for the period ended January 31, 2023, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. NEW YORK, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Resonance is a leading advisor in tourism, real estate and economic development, and its Best Cities rankings quantify and benchmark the relative quality of place, reputation and competitive identity for the planet's urban centers. They are lauded as the world's most thorough city ranking, based on original methodology that analyzes key statistics, user-generated reviews, social media and online activity. The eighth annual Americas Best Cities ranking is an important, timely analysis of the urban centers that are leading the nation, and the world, in post-pandemic economic recovery. Access the 2023 America's Best Cities Report and all 100 city profiles at WorldsBestCities.com. Learn more about Resonance Consultancy at ResonanceCo.com. The 2023 Americas Best Cities rankings benchmark the overall performance of more than 110 metropolitan centers with populations of 500,000 or more, based on a wide variety of measures in order to identify the top 100 places to live, visit and invest in the U.S., says Resonance President & CEO Chris Fair. The overall Best Cities rankings are determined by analyzing the performance of each city for a wide range of factors that have historically shown positive correlations with attracting employment, investment and/or visitors to cities. Based on each city's performance in the 26 factors analyzed, these are Americas Top 10 Best Cities for 2023: New York, NY Chicago, IL Los Angeles, CA San Francisco, CA Washington, D.C. Miami, FL Boston, MA Seattle, WA Houston, TX San Jose, CA The full ranking and profiles of all 100 of America's best cities are available at WorldsBestCities.com. About Resonance Consultancy Resonance is a global consultancy of strategic and creative place makers. As leading advisors in real estate, tourism and economic development, Resonance combines expertise in research, strategy, branding and communications to make destinations, cities and developments more valuable and more vibrant. ResonanceCo.com About World's Best Cities Best Cities is the home of Resonance's exclusive ranking of the world's top urban destinations. The data is used by leading news outlets and Bloomberg calls it, The most comprehensive study of its kind; it identifies cities that are most desirable for locals, visitors, and businesspeople alike, rather than simply looking at livability or tourism appeal. WorldsBestCities.com | #BestCities Attachments New York, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Global Market Report 2023" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06464037/?utm_source=GNW , Innovent Biologics Inc., Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., 9 Meters Biopharma Inc., Intarcia Therapeutics Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc., and PegBio Co. Ltd. The global GLP-1 receptor agonist market is expected to grow from $12.48 billion in 2022 to $13.07 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted the chances of global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in the short term. The war between these two countries has led to economic sanctions on multiple countries, a surge in commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions, and affecting many every markets across the globe. The GLP-1 receptor agonist market is expected to reach $15.54 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 4.4%. The GLP-1 receptor agonist market consists of sales of dulaglutide, bydureon b-cise, exenatide, and semaglutide.Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods. A GLP-1 receptor agonist is a type of medication that stimulates insulin release at high blood glucose levels and suppresses glucagon secretion under low blood glucose conditions. They are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. North America was the largest region in the GLP-1 recepto agonist market in 2022.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the GLP-1 recepto agonist market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The main drug class of GLP-1 receptor agonist are liraglutide, dulaglutide, lixisenatide, and others.Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that acts by helping the pancreas to release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. The route of administration involved are parenteral, and oral which are used by hospitals, surgical clinics, and others. The rising prevalence of diabetes is expected to propel the GLP-1 receptor agonist market going forward.Diabetes is a chronic illness that develops when the pancreas either produces insufficient amounts of insulin or when the body cannot properly utilize the insulin that it does. High blood sugar is a symptom of the metabolic disorder diabetes mellitus.GLP-1 receptor agonist is used in diabetes to stimulate the body to produce more insulin, which helps to lower blood sugar levels, so the rising prevalence of diabetes will propel the market growth. For instance, in December 2021, according to the International Diabetes Federation, a Belgium-based umbrella organization of over 230 national diabetes associations, the global population living with diabetes is approximately 537 million adults and further it is projected to rise to 643 million by 2030. Therefore, the rising prevalence of diabetes is driving the GLP-1 receptor agonist market. Product innovations are a key trend gaining popularity in the GLP-1 receptor agonist market.Major companies operating in the GLP-1 receptor agonist market are focused on developing innovative solutions to strengthen their position. For instance, in May 2022, Eli Lilly and Company, a US-based pharmaceutical company that creates medicines that make life better for people, launched the FDA-approved new Mounjaro, a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.It is specially designed using a single molecule that turns on the bodys receptors for the incretin hormones GIP and GLP-1. It is available as a pen auto-injector with a pre-attached, hidden needle that patients do not need to handle or see, and it comes in 6 doses. In February 2022, Sanofi S.A., a France-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company that provides life-changing treatments, acquired Amunix Pharmaceuticals Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, combined resources with Sanofi are expected to provide access to various products and technologies to Sanofi that can deliver next-generation conditionally activated biologics. Amunix Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a US-based immuno-oncology company that develops (GLP-1) receptor agonists and transformative therapies for cancer. The countries covered in the GLP-1 recepto agonist market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products. The GLP-1 receptor agonist market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides GLP-1 receptor agonist market statistics, including GLP-1 receptor agonist industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with GLP-1 receptor agonist market share, detailed GLP-1 receptor agonist market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the GLP-1 receptor agonist industry. This GLP-1 receptor agonist market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06464037/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Battery Metals Inc. (Vital or the Company) (CSE: VBAM | OTC: VBAMF | FRA: C0O) is pleased to announce, in partnership with Coast Mountain Geological Ltd. (CMG), that it has commenced its summer Exploration Program (the Program) at its Sting Copper Project in northwestern Newfoundland. The Company has previously reported assay results of grab samples at its Sting Copper Project including 14.2% Cu, 11.6% Cu, 14.2% Cu, 13.9% Cu, with complimentary gold values ranging from 7 to 470 ppb. Vital is targeting high grade copper and precious metals in western Newfoundland on its Sting Copper Project. The mafic rocks that underlie the Jumbo Lode Prospect are part of the Bay of Islands Complex that is host to copper and copper/zinc deposits such as the York Harbour Mine, a former producer located 35 km to the south-southeast. Additionally, York Harbour Metals recently reported (news release dated April 21, 2023) final results of its Phase 4 drilling program which included a drill hole (YH22-73) that intersected 44.93 meters of 1.292% copper including 5.36 meters of 2.938% copper. The current work Program is designed to follow-up from the previous encouraging results and to expand known mineralized zones. The Program also includes gridded prospecting, mapping and geochemical sampling to provide coverage over underlying favorable regional geology and geophysics. The three separate grids include the North Sting, Jumbo-Lode and South Sting grids. The North Sting grid covers 240 ha of ground and is draped over the NE-trending contact between mafic volcanic rocks and mafic intrusive rocks, a regionally important lineament for copper mineralization. Adrian Lamoureux, Vitals Chief Executive Officer and President, comments, Our initial exploration Program at the Sting Project yielded impressive results as high as 14.2% Cu and gold values ranging from 7 ppb to 470 ppb. Building on our previous program, we are looking forward to further exploration of high-priority targets, which we believe will continue to provide strong copper and gold values. The Jumbo-Lode area has historically compelling copper anomalies which surround and extend from the Jumbo, Red Love and Lode 9 mineral showings. The team will infill, expand upon, and verify the historical results, as well as test the eastern contact between mafic volcanic/intrusive rocks for copper anomalies. The South Sting grid provides coverage over the same lineament further south, where no record of exploration work exists. Figure 1 - Vital Battery Metals Sting Copper Project 2023 Exploration Program Areas Qualified Person The technical information in this presentation have been reviewed and approved by an Independent Qualified Person defined by National Instrument 43-101 Derrick Strickand P.Geo. The qualified person has not verified the information on the York Harbour Mine and the information disclosed is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Sting Copper Project. About Vital Battery Metals Inc. Vital Battery Metals Inc. (CSE: VBAM |OTC: VBAMF | FRA: C0O) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to the development of strategic projects comprised of battery, base and precious metals in stable jurisdictions. The Company is working to advance its Schofield Lithium, Dickson Lake Lithium, Sting Copper Project, and Vent Copper-Gold Projects. The Schofield Lithium Project covers 8,824 hectares and is adjacent to Brunswick Explorations Hearst Lithium Project. The Schofield Lithium Project is located ~60 km south of Hearst, Ontario. The Dickson Lake Lithium Project covers 464 single-cell mining claims and approximately 9,780 hectares and is near a Brunswick Exploration Lithium Project, Imagine Lithiums Jackpot Deposit and Rock Techs Georgia Lake Deposit. The Sting Copper Project covers approximately 12,700 hectares and hosts multiple historic Newfoundland and Labrador Government documented mineral occurrences and is located within a 50 km corridor known for significant volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), copper quartz vein lode and low sulphation epithermal gold showings. The Vent Copper-Gold project covers 1,562 hectares in British Columbia. Vital continues to evaluate value-add assets to bolster its project portfolio. For more information, visit www.vitalbatterymetals.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors Adrian Lamoureux Chief Executive Officer, Director +1 (604) 229-9772 info@vitalbatterymetals.com Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the Project acquisition bringing a low-risk opportunity, the Company building a strong battery metals portfolio with low-risk opportunities that positively impact the Company and its shareholders and the Company providing an initial work plan are "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Sting Copper Project and its mineralization potential; the Companys objectives, goals or future plans with respect to the Sting Copper Project; the commencement of drilling or exploration programs in the future; the completion and anticipated results of the Program. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/124b2b94-9ca9-486a-a514-bacf449e8964 Jacksonville, FL, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pace Center for Girls, a nationally recognized model that provides education, counseling, training and advocacy for more than 3,000 girls and young women annually, received a $90,000 grant from State Farm Insurance to support career and college preparation. The funding supports Paces comprehensive vocational and education program dedicated to providing at-promise girls with the necessary tools to obtain a high school diploma or GED, long term employability skills and support pursuing an education past high school, whether at a professional training program, the military, a community college or a four-year college or university. One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a society is to ensure all girls and young women have access to opportunities to be successful as adults, said Mary Marx, President and CEO of Pace Center for Girls. We are grateful to State Farm for investing in Pace and providing us the opportunity to enhance our life-skills training and career and college readiness pathways. As part of the investment, girls like Emily willl represent 21 communities across the state of Florida and receive a State Farm Scholarship supporting college, vocational school, or certificate training. She will study psychology at Broward College this summer with plans to transition to Florida International University and become a therapist. Having lost someone close to her by suicide, she shared maybe I can help people and change future outcomes so its not devastating to the person, the family, and people around them. Pace has seen transformational improvements among girls personally and professionally. Eight out of 10 girls graduate from high school, pursue higher education or secure employment after the program, and nine out of 10 have experienced overall academic improvement. We are proud to support Pace in their commitment to provide career and college opportunities to all girls, said Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst. Our agents enjoy volunteering at Pace and accompanying girls on experiential trips that focus on job and school placement. For more information about Pace Center for Girls, visit www.pacecenter.org. ### About Pace Center for Girls Founded in 1985, Pace provides free year-round middle and high school academics, case management, counseling, and life skills development in a safe and supportive environment that recognizes and deals with past trauma and builds upon girls individual strengths. Dedicated to meeting the social, emotional, and education needs of girls, Pace has a successful and proven program model that has changed the life trajectory of more than 40,000 girls and is recognized as one of the nations leading advocates for girls in need. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, visit www.pacecenter.org. About State Farm For 100 years, the mission of State Farm has been and continues to be to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its more than 19,400 agents and approximately 61,764 employees serve over 91 million policies and accounts which includes auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 42 on the 2022 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com. Attachment Assumes the Role of Vice President of Integration Charged with Integrating Electrical and Photonic ICs Using Advanced Packaging Technology BOSTON, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightelligence, the global leader in photonic computing, today appointed Dr. Ben Chen to the newly created position of Vice President of Integration. Dr. Chen, responsible for integrating electrical and photonic integrated circuits using advanced packaging technology, and transitioning that into industry-ready products, joins the skilled and experienced Lightelligence executive management team headed by Dr. Yichen Shen, its Founder and CEO. "We are delighted to welcome Dr. Ben Chen to the Lightelligence team as our VP of Integration, says Dr. Shen. Dr. Chen's track record of success and deep expertise in integrated photonics make him an invaluable addition to our leadership team. His strategic insights and commitment to innovation align perfectly with Lightelligence's vision, and we are confident that his contributions will accelerate our mission to deliver groundbreaking solutions to our customers. The opportunity is irresistible to be part of an innovative team developing new technology to solve so many of the challenges facing the semiconductor industry, remarks Dr. Chen. I look forward to the response from companies across the industry when they discover what Lightelligence is delivering. As a former CTO with cross-function and cross-culture expertise, Dr. Chen has a proven track record and in-depth knowledge of advanced technologies in advanced electronics and fiber optic technologies. His background includes proficiency with signal integrity (SI)-based photonics integration, 2.5D and 3D packaging and SI front- and back-end processes for chip packaging. About Dr. Ben Chen Dr. Ben Chens technical expertise spans VLSI design, optical component, module and photonic integration. He received a Bachelor of Microelectronics from Tianjin University in 1983, and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1987 and 1990 respectively. After a two-year research and teaching career at Tokyo Tech, he joined Fujitsu/Fujitsu Labs in 1992, focusing on VLSI design methodology and formal verification. He joined Lucent Technology Japan in 1998 and Lucent Technology in the U.S, in 2000. Since then, Dr. Chen has been working on optical module and subsystem R&D and held several technical and marketing leadership roles at Lucent Technologies/Bell Labs, Optium (Finisar), OCP (Oplink/Molex, Hoya Xponent, Accelink and Hengtong Rockley. About Lightelligence Lightelligence has transformed cutting-edge photonics technology into groundbreaking computing solutions that offer exponential improvements in computing power and dramatically reduce energy consumption. As the only company to publicly demonstrate complete silicon photonics computing systems that beat state-of-the-art performance, Lightelligence is the global leader in the photonics computing industry. Founded in 2017, Lightelligence has approximately 200 employees globally and has raised more than $200 million in funding. Engage with Lightelligence: Website: www.lightelligence.ai/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightelligence-ai/ Twitter: @lightelligence For more information, contact: Nanette Collins Public Relations for Lightelligence nanette@nvc.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b63d1373-8a4b-4aaa-9b77-a0b8b87df916 LIVERMORE, Calif., June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UNCLE Credit Union, serving four counties in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Valley, has re-elected four members to its Board of Directors. Peter Goldstein, Robin Morris, Mila Shapovalov, and John Stein were re-elected on April 20th, as part of UNCLE Credit Unions Annual Meeting. Some of the re-elected Directors have been serving as part of UNCLE Credits Unions Board for more than 10 years, many of which also serve on the Audit Committee for the credit union. Given that UNCLE Credit Unions roots began at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, it comes as no surprise that members of the Board, including Goldstein and Shapovalov, are employed by the laboratory. It is important to have representation from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on our Board of Directors since we want to ensure we are meeting the needs of a large portion of our membership, while carrying out the vision that our founders had for the credit union, says Chung Bothwell, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for UNCLE Credit Union. We are pleased to have Peter and Mila returning in their roles on the Board for another term. Goldstein, who holds a Ph.D. in Physics from University of California at Santa Barbara, currently works in project management at Lawrence Livermore, and is an avid volunteer in the Livermore community working with Livermore Performing Arts, Livermore Area Recreational & Parks Department, and more. Shapovalov brings with her an MBA from Golden Gate University, as well as her expertise in managing budgets, performance analyses, and policy compliance, all of which come in to play for her role as the credit unions Board Treasurer. Stein and Morris are also heavily involved within the local community outside of the credit union, a key core value for the organization. Stein has served as a City Council member and on the City of Livermore Planning Commission and has also served on the Board of Directors for the credit union for over 12 years. Morris is connected to the community through the Livermore Police Department, serves as the Chairperson for East County Animal Shelter, and previously served as the Audit Chair for the credit unions Audit Committee. In addition to the re-elected officials, Chung Bothwell will continue in her role as Chairman of the Board, Neda Gray as Vice-Chair, Mila Shapovalov as Treasurer, Clay Smith as Secretary, Hugh Bussell as Audit Committee Chair, and John Freeman and Bob Corey as Audit Committee members. About UNCLE Credit Union Established in 1957, UNCLE Credit Union is a $734+ million financial institution serving approximately 35,000 members. The organization offers the benefits of credit union membership with a full array of financial services to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, or Stanislaus counties. UNCLE has been recognized by both its industry and the communities in its field of membership for excellence in service, culture, financial performance, growth philanthropy, and community engagement. To learn more, visit www.unclecu.org. CONTACT: Michele Milz 925.724.2188 mmilz@unclecu.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5bef6484-67ef-40b6-8e4b-a315c50017d1 Astana, Kazakhstan, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) was launched five years ago, filling a significant void in Central Asia's global financial map. Today, the AIFC has emerged as a leading financial hub, facilitating trade and financial transactions between Asia and Europe. With its robust growth and strategic location, Central Asia is now attracting financial institutions and investors seeking partnerships in the region. Central Asia's GDP has grown over sevenfold in the past 20 years, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. This growth surpasses that of developing countries and is more than twice the global average. The AIFC has played a pivotal role in leveraging the region's transit potential, fostering large-scale investments in major infrastructure projects such as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which promotes cross-border trade across the Eurasian space. Since its inception, the AIFC has made significant strides in establishing a unique financial ecosystem in Central Asia. Currently, nearly 2,000 companies operate within the AIFC, attracting $8 billion in investments to Kazakhstan's economy. The AIFC operates under the English Common Law, ensuring impartial and enforceable decisions. Financial disputes are resolved by British judges at the AIFC Court and the independent international arbitration centre. Furthermore, the AIFC offers a favourable tax regime for participants engaged in licensed financial activities, aligning with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's global standards of tax transparency. In just five years, the AIFC's Astana International Exchange (AIX) has developed into a world-class capital market and a reliable trading platform. AIX provides a complete business cycle, including trading and clearing operations, offering global investors access to Kazakhstan and enabling local and international issuers to raise funds in both the Kazakh and global markets. To date, AIX has attracted over $356 million of equity and $2.68 billion of debt capital. Recognizing the importance of sustainable development, the AIFC has spearheaded the integration of green principles into the financial ecosystem of Kazakhstan and the region. Initiatives include the development of a carbon market and a platform for trading carbon units, as well as the implementation of green and social bonds and subsidies for green projects. AIFC's Tech Hub is dedicated to promoting startups, venture capital markets, e-commerce, and corporate innovation. The Tech Hub has attracted approximately 300 companies from around the world to register within the AIFC jurisdiction, supporting approximately 200 startups to date. As global investors increasingly turn their attention to emerging markets, Kazakhstan's growing financial role becomes more prominent. With a resilient economy, abundant natural resources, strong commodity market fundamentals, and political and economic reforms, Kazakhstan ranks first in the region in terms of foreign direct investments. Kazakhstan's economy, which grew by 3.2% in 2022, is now nearly one third larger than the combined economies of other Central Asian countries. To foster active cooperation with global stakeholders and harness Kazakhstan's new status, Kazakhstan will host the Astana International Forum and Astana Finance Days this month. These events will convene senior government representatives, international organizations, and business leaders to explore ways of navigating global challenges and reviving global growth, with a focus on Central Asia's contribution. Renat Bekturov, Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre expressed confidence in the AIFC's trajectory, stating, "Our objective is to become a global center for business and finance, connecting the economies of the whole of Eurasia. We remain committed to meeting the needs of investors and our region." About the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC): The AIFC was established in July 2018 as Central Asia's premier financial hub. It operates under the English Common Law, providing a transparent and impartial legal framework for businesses. The AIFC fosters economic growth, attracts investment, and serves as a platform for the development of the financial services industry in Kazakhstan and the region. Disclaimer: There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. This is not investment advice. Please do your own research. For media inquiries, please contact: Name: Ainur Issabayeva Organisation: Astana International Financial Centre Location: Astana, Kazakhstan Email: a.issabayeva@aifc.kz Denver, June 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denver, Colorado - Garage Service Co, a garage door installation and repair services provider in Denver, Colorado, is drawing attention to the positive effect that a contemporarily designed and well-maintained garage door can have on a homes resale value. Real estate brokers have long recognized the significance of curb appeal in influencing property values, and they often advise their clients to invest in regular upkeep and home improvements. In fact, according to statistics from the NAR (National Association of Realtors), 97% of the organizations members believe that curb appeal is important to a potential buyer. Home buyers who start their search online are also likely to pursue a listing only if they find the overall look of the home attractive and appealing. Your garage door is easily one of the most conspicuous and visually identifiable markers of your property, says the spokesperson for Garage Service Co. You can choose from a wide range of styles that perfectly complement the rest of the architecture and even personalize it with specific colors, layouts, and finishes. Some of the additional embellishments that you can use to customize your garage door include decorative windows and decorative hardware such as handles and hinges. Moreover, depending on your budget and needs, you can even select garage doors made of materials like steel or wood, with or without insulation. Some studies have even successfully quantified the influence that curb appeal can have on the resale value of a property. For instance, a recent study published in The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics revealed that improving curb appeal can potentially increase a home's value by up to 7%. Exterior renovations such as landscaping, entry door replacements, window replacements, and, of course, garage door replacements can give homeowners a significant return on their investment. The spokesperson for Garage Service Co explains the other benefits of replacing or upgrading a garage door by saying, Apart from the increase in curb appeal, modern garage doors can also be equipped with features such as smart door openers to make operating them a breeze. The openers we install have Wi-Fi monitoring and controls built right in, allowing you to open and close the door from wherever you might be. Garage Service Co. provides a variety of garage doors from reputable brands, including C.H.I., Amarr, Clopay, doorLink Manufacturing, Inc., GARAGA, and Northwest Door. These doors are available in a wide range of styles, including traditional, carriage, aluminum with full glass view, ranch, and wood. Denver homeowners are urged to visit the companys website to browse through the various popular garage door styles, construction methods, and customization options available to them. Homeowners in Denver and nearby areas have profusely praised Garage Service Co. for delivering high-quality garage door installations and prompt and reliable emergency repairs. On its Google Business Profile at Garage Service Co., the company has a near-perfect overall rating of 4.9 out of 5.0 from almost 150 reviews, customers note the workmanship of the companys technicians, helpful customer service, and affordable pricing. One Denver homeowner talks about their garage door replacement experience with the company by saying, I highly recommend Avi and his team. They did a great job replacing a non-functioning 1935 garage door. Our garage door was a custom size as well. He came back to us with a great price and loads of options! We were impressed - the whole process was seamless and professional, and the workmanship was amazing! Thanks, Avi! The family-owned and operated business offers free installation estimates. The companys repair services include replacing broken springs, fixing faulty motors, rollers, cables, panels, weather seals, and much more. Servicing all brands and models of garage doors and garage door openers, Garage Service Co. offers a minimum 90-day warranty on labor, a 1-year workmanship warranty on installation, a minimum 1-year warranty on parts, and up to a lifetime warranty on a range of products. Readers can get in touch with Garage Service Co. at (762) 936-0602 to get all their questions about garage doors, openers, and the companys services answered. More information about the company can be found at https://garageserviceco.com/. ### For more information about Garage Service Co., contact the company here: Garage Service Co. Aviram Azulay 720-936-0602 garageserviceco@gmail.com Garage Service Co. 7900 E Union Ave #1100, Denver, CO 80237 Vancouver, May 31, 2023 - Molten Metals Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:MOLT) (FSE:Y44) (ISIN:CA60872A1066) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 6,250,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.08 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $500,000. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company, and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.18 per share for 2 years from the date of the closing of the offering (the "Closing Date"), provided that if, at any time prior to expiration of the Warrants, the Company's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange at or above $0.30 per share for a period of 10 consecutive days, the Company may, by issuing a news release or by providing written notice to the Warrant holders, reduce the exercise period to 30 days from the date of such notice. The Company may pay finder's fees in connection with the financing. Securities issued under the financing will be subject to a four month hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company intends to use the proceeds for general working capital and for advancing its projects with a particular focus on the Trojarova Antimony-Gold project. Consequently, a significant portion of the capital raised will be used to produce a Preliminary Economic Assessment on Trojarova. The work will be undertaken by DMT and may require a preliminary exploration program, which will include re-opening and expanding the Trojarova adit. Previous exploration programs on Trojarova undertaken in 1992 under the Soviet system suggested that there was 0.831 million tonnes of resource at @5.645%Sb and 0.676g/t Au. The aim of this program would be to substantiate these findings. If successful, Molten Metals would be home to one of the largest undeveloped Antimony mines globally. More Information on the use of funds Part of the funds raised will be used to advance Trojarova. The exploration program for Trojarova will be carried out by DMT Group Natural Resources Consulting Services (Germany) in two Stages: Stage 1 - Data compilation, review and preparation 3D geological and block models of the deposit based on existing historic data These models will be prepared to show the various veins and metals (antimony, and gold) so that a formal assessment of the deposit size and grade(s) can be made by DMT to assess the potential mining viability, ideally (assuming it is safe underground) samples are to be taken from locations that can be properly referenced within the structure of the ore body. DMT will prepare a 3D geological model and a Mineral Resource Estimate based on a block model and following best industry practices. This model is expected to, inter alia, provide Molten Metals with a level of confidence to go to the next Stage. In addition, the block model will assist in planning for a twinning or infill drilling program and most critically will inform Molten Metals, how and where representative bulk samples can be collected and composited for ore characterisation and processing metallurgical test work. Stage 2 - Preliminary Economic Assessment The PEA is an assessment of the mine/process plant viability (at a relatively high level) using the information from Stage 1 and will include base-case information on Capex for achieving production, Opex estimates on how the min/process plant would operate, recoveries, metal to be produced and potential sales values. The PEA would include an outline mine plan and information on pre-production Capex, LoM sustaining capital, mine life and cash flow, as well as details on processing and production methods and rates. Typically PEAs include information on project economics at various metal pricing levels, given that there are several "high value" metals contained in the raw ore. In summary, the PEA will include a discounted cash flow financial model showing economic viability and key financial indicators (e.g. NPV, IRR, payback period, etc) using historic data and following either NI 43-101 or JORC guidelines. Should the PEA prove the Project to be viable, Molten Metals will move towards calculating a resource estimate on the whole property which, once finalised, will allow the Company to apply for a mining license. About DMT With its roots dating back to 1737, DMT is a Tier 1, global engineering services and consultancy group with the aim of assessing the veracity and viability of mining and processing activities, and ultimately improving mine safety. Today DMT has engineering and consulting companies on six continents, and is focused on mining, plant and process engineering, infrastructure and civil engineering, and natural resources in general. Today DMT is the fulcrum of TUV NORD GROUP's minerals resources assets, has numerous officially recognised expert bodies and established working relationships with most of the accredited test laboratories, and employs more than 1,000 recognised experts globally. The DMT Group has engineering as a core competence which is ably assisted by the natural resources consulting group based out of Essen in Germany. About Molten Metals Corp Molten Metals Corp. is a mining company exploring for and developing antimony projects. Antimony is a critical element with many industrial applications. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or contact the Company by email at brooklyn@moltenmetalscorp.com or by telephone at 778.918.2261. For Additional Information Please Contact Brooklyn Reed for general information on Molten Metals Corporate Secretary Molten Metals Corp. 778.918.2261 Email: brooklyn@moltenmetalscorp.com Hugh Oswald to participate in the Private Placement Non-Executive Director Molten Metals Corp. 604.838.2855 Email: hugh@nobocap.com Forward-Looking Information Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Molten Metals believes that the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, weather, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Disclaimer This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this news release in the United States. Such securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements. Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Notice of Annual General Meeting NICOSIA, June 1, 2023 - Atalaya Mining plc (AIM:ATYM) announces that it will host its 2023 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") on Wednesday, 28 June 2023 at 11:00 a.m. BST at Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London EC4Y 0HA. A circular, incorporating the Notice of AGM for 2023, together with forms of proxy, the 2022 Annual Report and other relevant documents are available on the Company's website at www.atalayamining.com. Shareholders on register on 29 May 2023 are eligible to attend the meeting and vote at the AGM and should refer to the voting instructions set out in the Notice of AGM. AGM Webcast Details To ensure that shareholders can follow the proceedings of the AGM without attending in person, the Company will provide access online through the Investor Meet Company platform. However, shareholders should note that online participation will not constitute attendance at the AGM and therefore cannot vote online. Consequently, shareholders are urged to submit their votes via proxy as early as possible. Shareholders who wish to attend the AGM remotely should register by visiting the following link: https://www.investormeetcompany.com/atalaya-mining-plc/register-investor Immediately after the formal business of the AGM, the Company will give a corporate update presentation, which will be made available on the Company's website at www.atalayamining.com and shareholders will have the opportunity to ask questions. Questions can be submitted pre-event via the Investor Meet Company dashboard up until 9:00 a.m. the day before the meeting or at any time during the AGM. Contacts: SEC Newgate UK Elisabeth Cowell / Tom Carnegie / Matthew Elliott +44 20 3757 6882 4C Communications Carina Corbett +44 20 3170 7973 Canaccord Genuity (NOMAD and Joint Broker) Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio / Thomas Diehl +44 20 7523 8000 BMO Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Tom Rider / Andrew Cameron +44 20 7236 1010 Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker) Ross Allister / David McKeown +44 20 7418 8900 About Atalaya Mining Plc Atalaya is an AIM-listed mining and development group which produces copper concentrates and silver by-product at its wholly owned Proyecto Riotinto site in southwest Spain. Atalaya's current operations include the Cerro Colorado open pit mine and a modern 15 Mtpa processing plant, which has the potential to become a centralised processing hub for ore sourced from its wholly owned regional projects around Riotinto that include Proyecto Masa Valverde and Proyecto Riotinto East. In addition, the Group has a phased earn-in agreement for up to 80% ownership of Proyecto Touro, a brownfield copper project in the northwest of Spain, as well as a 99.9% interest in Proyecto Ossa Morena. For further information, visit www.atalayamining.com. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Atalaya Mining plc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/758534/Atalaya-Mining-PLC-Announces-Notice-of-AGM /Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States./ VANCOUVER, June 1, 2023 - Vizsla Copper Corp. (TSXV: VCU) (OTCQB: VCUFF) (FSE: 97E0) ("Vizsla Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced marketed best efforts private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $6,002,000 (the "Offering"), including the full exercise of the over-allotment option. The Offering was led by PI Financial Corp. (the "Agent") as sole bookrunner and lead agent. "This financing demonstrates strong interest in great copper and gold projects," commented Craig Parry, Executive Chairman. "Of the critical metals, we think copper is the most important of all - and with a large copper and gold resource base already defined, our shareholders are set to benefit from anticipated increases in metal prices in the years to come. The financing was strongly supported by Inventa Capital and existing shareholders. We are now in great shape to commence our planned 8000m high-impact summer drill campaign at Woodjam where we will be drilling near historic wide, high-grade copper and gold intercepts. We will also begin to test some of the many discrete magnetic anomalies we have identified in an area where the potential for discovery of porphyry mineralization has been demonstrated. Investors can expect strong news flow through the second half of the year as we drill on the this highly-prospective property." In connection with the Offering, the Company issued 9,100,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.22 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,002,000, and 16,668,333 flow-through shares (the "FT Shares" and, together with the Units, the "Offered Securities") at a price of $0.24 per FT Share for gross proceeds of approximately $4,000,400. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole such common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant shall be exercisable into one additional Share (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering at an exercise price of $0.30 per Warrant Share. The net proceeds raised from the Units will be used to fund the ongoing advancement of exploration and development at the Company's exploration projects in British Columbia, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Each FT Share qualifies as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares will be used before 2025 by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Tax Act (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's mineral exploration projects in British Columbia, Canada. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the FT Shares effective December 31, 2023. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid the Agent a cash commission of $330,144 and issued 1,421,050 compensation options of the Company (the "Compensation Options") to the Agent. Each Compensation Option entitles the Agent to purchase one Share at an exercise price of $0.22 per Share for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering. The Offered Securities are subject to a four-month and one day hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. Closing of the Offering is subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Directors and officers of the Company subscribed for an aggregate of 2,125,200 FT Shares and 45,500 Units for gross proceeds of $520,058 under the Offering. Participation by insiders of the Company in the Offering constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance of securities is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of Section 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 as the common shares of the Company are listed on the TSX-V. The issuance of securities is also exempt from the minority approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value was less than $2,500,000. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Vizsla Copper Vizsla Copper is a Cu-Au-Mo mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The Company is focused on its flagship Woodjam Project, located within the prolific Quesnel terrane, 55 kilometers east of the community of Williams Lake, British Columbia. It has two additional copper exploration properties, the Blueberry and Carruthers Pass projects, and has recently entered into an agreement to acquire a third, the Redgold project, all of which are well situated amongst significant infrastructure in British Columbia. The Company will grow through the exploration and development of the copper properties within its portfolio in addition to value accretive acquisitions. Vizsla Copper's vision is to be a responsible copper explorer and developer in the stable mining jurisdiction of British Columbia, Canada and is committed to socially responsible exploration and development, working safely, ethically and with integrity. Vizsla Copper is a spin-out of Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSX.V: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) and is backed by Inventa Capital Corp., a premier investment group founded in 2017 with the goal of discovering and funding opportunities in the resource sector. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and the Company's website (www.vizslacopper.com). Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to: obtaining the required regulatory approvals; the intended use of proceeds of the Offering; the incurrence of Qualifying Expenditures and the renouncement of such expenditures; exploration and development of the Company's properties; and the Company's growth and business strategies. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, the limited operating history of the Company, the influence of a large shareholder, aboriginal title and consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, availability of third party contractors, availability of equipment and supplies, failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Vizsla Copper Corp. BacTech Engages Moody's to Provide Green Bond Accreditation for Gold Recovery Plant Funding TORONTO, June 1, 2023 - BacTech Environmental Corp. (CSE:BAC), (OTC:BCCEF), (FSE:0BT1) ("BacTech" or the "Company"), a commercially proven environmental technology company delivering eco-friendly bioleaching and remediation solutions for precious metal and critical mineral recovery, today announced that President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador has issued Decree No. 754 related to the Reform of the Regulations to the Organic Environmental Code, which regulates the Social Participation Process for Environmental Consultation in the Environmental Regularization Process ("the Consultation Process"). As previously communicated, this is the final major permit required to approve the Company's planned project in Tenguel, Ecuador. Upon completion, the facility is expected to be the largest and most efficient bioleaching plant in South America using naturally occurring bacteria, harmless to both humans and the environment, to treat gold and base metal concentrates along with toxic tailings created through local mining operations. BacTech was granted its Environmental Impact Study Permit in September 2022, further illustrating the government's commitment to the launch of this important project. "We have waited patiently for this day to happen," said Ross Orr, President, and CEO of BacTech. "The Company is fully prepped and highly confident that the local community will formally welcome BacTech's pursuits for several reasons. First, Ecuadorian law dictates that employees will share in a bonus pool equal to 15% of the after-tax income of the project. Our bankable Feasibility Study numbers, adjusted to current gold prices, confirm that future BacTech plant will see their pay grow substantially over their current farming wages. Secondly, the Tenguel plant will be built with ESG governing principles in mind, mitigating all potential disturbances emanating from the bioleach plant. And most importantly, unlike most other companies that have been waiting for this consultation process to be finalized, BacTech plans to introduce environmentally friendly bioleaching and remediation solutions that have captured the attention of key officials and community leaders. We are set up to succeed and believe we'll benefit from an expedited final permitting process." In addition, the Company also announces it has selected Moody's to provide third-party verification of BacTech as qualified Green Bond issuer. Moody's provides investors with a comprehensive view of global debt markets through credit ratings and research. Toronto-based Sequestr, a company recently announced by BacTech providing ESG-based market infrastructure, continues to assemble the appropriate data for Moody's evaluation. Finally, BacTech announces the closing of a small 2nd tranche of its recent placement for $20,000. The offering consists of a common share and a common share purchase warrant that allows the holder to purchase an additional common share at $0.12 for a period of two years from closing. The unit is priced at $0.08. About the Tenguel - Ponce Enriquez Bioleaching Project BacTech is planning to build a new owner-operated bioleaching facility in Tenguel, Ecuador, in a region where arsenic is associated with sulphide gold ore (Arsenopyrite). The Company's plan is to build a 50 tpd bioleach plant capable of treating high gold/arsenic material. A 50 tpd plant, processing feed of 1.75 ounces of gold per tonne, similar to feeds available to the Company from local miners, would produce approximately 31,000 ounces per year. Plant designs are modular and can be expanded without affecting ongoing production. The total concentrate market in the Ponce Enriquez area is estimated to be between 200 and 250 tonnes per day, allowing for increased throughput potential with a larger plant. BacTech has signed an agreement with the government to build a Phase 2 plant that would see the addition of 150-200 tpd of capacity capable of producing in excess of 100,000 ounces per annum. Key economic highlights, assuming a base gold price @ $1,600 per ounce: Pre-tax NPV (Net Present Value with 5% discount rate) of $60.7M Pre-tax IRR (Internal Rate of Return) of 57.9% Annual Gold Production of 30, 900 ounces Capital Cost of $17.0M Bioleach Operating Cost of $212 per tonne Pre-tax Earnings Prior to Employee Bonus - $10.9M annually Estimated local employee bonus pool - $1.64M In total, there are over 100 small mines operating in the area. BacTech continues to investigate the prospects of establishing additional modern bioleaching facilities across other areas of Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. Where possible, the Company will partner with national and local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others to assist with the funding of these projects and ensure that they meet the Company's high expectations not only for environmental standards, but also for the highest standards in all ESG considerations. About BacTech Environmental Corporation BacTech Environmental Corp. is a company that specializes in environmental technology. We use a process called bioleaching to recover metals like gold, silver, cobalt, nickel, and copper, while also safely removing harmful contaminants like arsenic. This process is eco-friendly and uses naturally occurring bacteria that are safe for both humans and the environment. By using our proprietary method of bioleaching, we are able to neutralize toxic concentrates and tailings while also creating profitable opportunities. The company is publicly traded on several stock exchanges, including the CSE, OTCQB, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange. For further information contact: Ross Orr President & CEO, BacTech Environmental Corp. 416-813-0303 ext. 222, Email: borr@bactechgreen.com Website: https://bactechgreen.com/ Investor Presentation: https://bactechgreen.com/investors/ Follow us on: Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BacTechGreen Twitter http://twitter.com/BacTechGreen LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/1613873 Vimeo http://vimeo.com/bactechgreen YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBgXr3ej2_BMOtoeFoKIgEg (1) "Green Bond Growth to Return in 2023," Markets 360, BNP Paribus, February 7, 2023 https://globalmarkets.cib.bnpparibas/green-bond-growth-to-return-in-2023/ Disclaimer: Stated goals of raising US$20 million to finance planned construction of the project in no way guarantees process approval. Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information", which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to future tailings sites, sampling or other investigations of tailing sites, the Company's ability to make use of infrastructure around tailings sites or operating performance of the Company and its projects. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified using words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the shares, nor is it a solicitation of interest from a prospective investor. Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ TSX: TML OTCQX: TSRMF TORONTO, June 1, 2023 - Treasury Metals Inc. (TSX: TML) (OTCQX: TSRMF) ("Treasury" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), raising gross proceeds of approximately $1.41 million through the issuance of 3.11 million common shares ("FT Shares") at a price of $0.452 per FT Share which qualify as "flow-through shares" with respect to "Canadian exploration expenses" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "ITA"). The gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used by the Company to fund exploration programs related to the Company's projects that qualify as "Canadian exploration expenses" and "flow-through mining expenditures" (as those terms are defined in the ITA) (the "Qualifying Expenditures"). All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the FT Shares effective no later than December 31, 2023. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and any applicable securities regulatory authorities. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities to be offered have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, U.S. Securities Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. About Treasury Metals Inc. Treasury Metals Inc. is a gold-focused company with assets in Canada. Treasury's Goliath Gold Complex, which includes the Goliath, Goldlund and Miller deposits, is located in Northwestern Ontario. The deposits benefit substantially from excellent access to the Trans-Canada Highway, related power and rail infrastructure and close proximity to several communities, including Dryden, Ontario. The Company also owns several other projects throughout Canada, including the Weebigee-Sandy Lake Gold Project JV, and grassroots gold exploration property Gold Rock. Treasury is committed to inclusive, informed and meaningful dialogue with regional communities and Indigenous Nations throughout the life of all our Projects and on all aspects, including creating sustainable economic opportunities, providing safe workplaces, enhancing of social value and promoting community well-being. To view further details about Treasury, please visit the Company's website at www.treasurymetals.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "potential", "feasibility", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. Since forward-looking information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, exploration and production for precious metals; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of resource estimates; health, safety and environmental risks; worldwide demand for gold and base metals; gold price and other commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties and environmental regulations. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking information and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits may be derived therefrom and accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. SOURCE Treasury Metals Inc. Rival Formula 1 teams are "dismayed" as much as they are excited about the details of dominant Red Bull's newly-revealed car floor. At Monaco, the underbody of Mercedes' 2023 car was also revealed to scores of photographers when a crane lifted it up. "Red Bull will certainly have been more annoyed than us because they have more to reveal than we do," said Mercedes' Toto Wolff. "If you want to copy our floor, I say 'go for it!'" Indeed, the behind-the-scenes buzz is that Red Bull's rivals are fascinated with the complexity and intricacy of the floor but also the blackened colouring of the plank - indicating the extent to which the car touches the ground. "There must be one or more clever aerodynamic and mechanical tricks going on," Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Andreas Haupt said. Dr Helmut Marko is confident Red Bull's rivals do not understand those secrets. "The floor is very important," he said, "but if you don't have an understanding of the other parts, copying is extremely difficult." Williams' performance boss Dave Robson agrees. "I took a quick look at the floor of the Red Bull," he admits. "It's so complex and curved that you can hardly draw any conclusions with two-dimensional photos, because it also depends on how the light falls." F1 correspondent Haupt, however, thinks Red Bull's rivals will actually be more concerned than confused. "We hear that the competitors are somewhat dismayed at how much further along and how much more complicated the underbody of the Red Bull is," he said. (GMM) Gunther Steiner says he regrets one insult hurled at axed Haas driver Mick Schumacher. The small American team's boss insists he has no regrets about replacing the struggling 24-year-old with his older and more experienced fellow German Nico Hulkenberg. "After the first race it was clear that it was the right decision for the team," Steiner told Sport Bild. "He brings a lot of experience and stability with him. Everyone here was enthusiastic about it, nobody was negative. "He (Hulkenberg) immediately got along with his engineers and mechanics. He works hard but is also easygoing." To keep his F1 career alive, Schumacher became Mercedes' official reserve driver this year and he will get his first taste of the 2023 car in the post-Spanish GP Pirelli tyre test. What Steiner does regret, however, is a particular phrase he used earlier this year to justify Schumacher's axe. "You cannot beat up a dead horse," he said in March. Given the fact that Mick's family has a horse ranch in Texas, and given Michael Schumacher's grave health situation, Steiner admits it was insensitive. "It's a saying in America," he told the German magazine. "But I didn't want to say that Mick was dead or something. That was perhaps a clumsy statement because the German translation was far too harsh and direct. "I should have put it differently. I didn't think about it at the time because for me it was a statement that you make when you speak English openly." However, he also insisted that directness is simply in his nature. "If you know me, you have to deal with it," said Steiner. "Mick never spoke to me about it. It was also driven from the outside to put me down. "But I didn't sleep badly because of it." Steiner admits that he has barely spoken with Mick at all since their split. "We've said hello in the paddock as we came in," he revealed. "For sure I'll speak to him if the opportunity arises. Sometimes you have to wait a bit. "Personally, I have no problem with the boy. The relationship was made out to be worse than it was. Maybe it wasn't fantastic but it definitely wasn't bad. "If you criticise me, it doesn't bother me. I live with it, draw my conclusions and do what I want to do." (GMM) Two former Formula 1 drivers have added their scepticism to rumours Lewis Hamilton might consider a switch to Ferrari for 2024. All involved parties, including Mercedes' Toto Wolff, stridently denied the speculation in Monaco - but that is generally the nature of the 'silly season'. However, long-time Ferrari test driver and ambassador Marc Gene also doesn't believe it. "I am not the one who decides the drivers," the 49-year-old Spaniard told Diario Sport newspaper. "But knowing the Scuderia today, it does not fit the philosophy. I see him ending his career at Mercedes," Gene added. Also not believing the rumours is former Swiss F1 driver Marc Surer. "I don't think this would be a step forward for Hamilton, so I think he will continue to distance himself from these rumours," he told formel1.de. (GMM) Fan Milk Plc posts huge loss last year Share price plummets, no dividend to shareholders Charles Benoni Okine Business News Jun - 01 - 2023 , 07:28 Fan Milk Plc Limited faced a difficult 2022 financial year as the companys financials and share performance on the local bourse suffered significantly. From a net loss position of GH13.4 million at the end of the year 2021, the company, once the toast in the market, posted another loss of GH41.6 million in the year under review. The amount is thrice more than that of the previous year. The price of the companys shares also suffered a major hit after it fell on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) at the end of last year. It dropped by a whopping 25 per cent from GH4.00 in January 2022 to GH3.00 per share on December 31, 2022. Dividend As a result of the challenging financial position, the expectation of shareholders to have some dividend paid to them for their investment in the company was dashed as the directors failed to recommend any such payment for the year ended December 31, 2022. Net assets According to the companys financial statement posted by the GSE, Fan Milk Plc at its 62nd Annual General Meeting also saw the net assets of the company decrease from GH 246.7 million as at December 31, 2021, to GH205.1 million as at December 31, 2022. Capital expenditure During the year under review, the company also reduced its capital expenditure from the 2021 figure of GH47.19 million to just GH11.704 million. The amount, which is also more than three times less than the previous, was spent on acquiring additional intangible assets and property, plant and equipment to support the companys troubled operations. Portfolio & product innovation With regard to its portfolio and products innovation, the Managing Director of Fan Milk Ghana, Ziobeieton Yeo, in his annual report, said at the onset of the year 2022, Our business was invigorated by our unwavering mission to promote good health through food, with a view to reaching as many individuals as possible. He said throughout the remaining months of the year, the company continued to strengthen its core pouch business while executing its flagship programme, the FanMilk Schools caravan, which had been dedicated to promoting healthy snacking and sanitation. This educational initiative reached 200,000 schoolchildren and resulted in the collection of one million plastic wrappers. Customer service development Mr Yeo said the companys distribution network continued to serve as a critical component of its growth strategy, as it enabled it to fulfil its commitment to making its brands widely available throughout the country. Last year, we made significant investments in forging stronger partnerships to promote growth, and we continue to capitalise on our unique RTM, which is made up of 29 key distributors and over 800 agents. As a performance-oriented business, we incentivised 406 agents and key distributors (KDs) through the 2022 Akyede Kese Reloaded Promo to encourage trade partners to increase sales while investing in their businesses. Operating and financial review By way of financial review, Mr Yeo said Fan Milk Plc's financial results for the year ended December 31, 2022, showed a growth in revenue of about 15 per cent but noted that despite that achievement, the company posted a net loss of GH41.6 million. Cash and cash equivalents declined from GH65.6 million in 2021 to GH61.3 million in 2022. The drop, Mr Yeo attributed to the operational loss recorded in the year. By way of investment, he said the company continued to invest in its priority areas. He said within the year under review, the companys investment of GH11.7 million covered the biomass boiler, sales equipment and IT/IS infrastructure. Optimism Despite the serious challenges, Mr Yeo was optimistic about the future of the company and pledged the commitment of the company to continue working closely with local communities to create sustainable development projects that benefit all. I would like to thank each one of you for your continued support of FanMilk, he said, adding: Together, we have achieved great success, and I have no doubt that we will continue to do so in the years to come. Lets continue to innovate, grow and have some fun along the way. Graphic Business-Access Bank SME Fair & Clinic in Kumasi today Graphic Business Business News Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:13 The Ashanti Region edition of the Graphic Business/ Access Bank SME Fair and Clinic comes off today at the Prempeh Assembly Hall Grounds. The three-day fair is being held on the theme: Running Sustainable Businesses in a Challenging Economic Landscape. Activities lined up for the fair include a public lecture, exhibition, sales and a networking opportunity for participants. Participants would also be trained in cyber security to sensitise them to be conscious of their safety while running their businesses. Access Bank would also offer business advisory services, training and loan facilities to the participants as part of efforts to address their financial challenges that hinder their growth. SMEs who would participate in the fair would also be introduced to digital technology and digital solutions. In an interview ahead of the fair, the Head of the SME and Support Unit of Access Bank Ghana, Eugenia Addo, said the bank had built the capacity of more than 160,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the Graphic Business/ Access Bank SME Clinic. Out of the number, 10,000 SMEs received access to finances through the banks instant business loan facility where more than GH50 million has been dispensed since 2019. Beneficiaries have received up to GHc200,000 to be repaid over a three-month grace period, with most of them renewing the loan agreements. The bank, in line with its commitment to be the number one go-to SME Bank in the country, has over the last three years embarked on a capacity-building drive by organising workshops for SMEs across the country. Engagements Ms Addo said the plan was to reach every small and medium-scale enterprise across the country through the provision of financing solutions, training and building of capacity. So far, she said the bank had held engagement for SMEs in nine regions across the country with the target to reach operators in major business hubs, including Tamale, Techiman, Accra, Kasoa and Cape Coast. Since 2020, Ms Addo said, the bank had collaborated with the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) to support the growth of operators in the SMEs sector even though we have been doing business with them in the past, we decided to focus specifically on SMEs. She said the partnership with Graphic was strategic because of the leverage Graphic has. Graphic has a wide reach and because we wanted to reach every SME across every corner of the country, we realised we could get the message about the solutions we have to every SME no matter where they are. The collaboration with the GCGL, Ms Addo added, had propelled the bank to receive five awards and recognitions from both local and international establishments, including the Most Innovative SME bank and Best SME credit bank. The focus on SMEs, she further explained, was based on the realisation that there were a lot of opportunities in that sector as they were the largest contributor to the nation's GDP and the backbone of economic activity and employment. We did not given them much attention in times past, she said, adding that the bank projects to control 30 per cent of the SME sector market share through solutions that it had developed to help them to become successful in their businesses. Fan tells Delay to join Alpha hour if she wants to have a baby Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jun - 01 - 2023 , 20:10 A fan of popular media personality and entrepreneur, Deloris Frimpong Manso popularly known as Delay, has encouraged her to join Alpha Hour, an online prayer session, if she wants to have a baby. Alpha Hour is a one hour prayer session held online on social media on a daily basis. It has gradually become popular among many Ghanaians who join the session at midnight on weekdays. The fan by name Priscilla Abena Empres made the suggestion in the comment section of a Facebook post by Delay which reads, I want to have a baby. You'll definitely have babies in Jesus Mighty Name. There's nothing God cannot do. Join Alpha Hour and you'll have testimony soon , she posted Apart from Priscilla, a number of her followers commented under the said post suggesting other ways she could have a baby. Franlyn Nii Dodoo Dicardi Nelson wrote, Without much delay, Delay you can. Not just a baby but twins; a handsome boy and a pretty little girl. This is not the first time Delay has expressed a desire to have a baby on social media. She brought it up last year among some of the many things she endured on her career path. Unlike many female celebs who freely enjoyed massive support at their early stages, Delay had mentioned in an interview in November 2022 that she didnt have such privilege. According to her, she fought for the fame she is currently enjoying and confidently sang her praises that nobody could take the prestige from her. There are people who come and Ghanaians decide to show them all the love and fully support the person. In my case, I didnt have that kind of love and support. Nobody handed fame over to me. I have become Delay because Im talented and hardworking. From beginning, I thought people hated me but Ive come to understand that it was a phase I needed to go through to strengthen me. I fought and I went for it so no one can take it away from me, she said. New articles Disturbing neighbours with loud prayers not Christ like-Diana Hopeson Marriage is still a beautiful thing divorced actor Nedu says Tina Turner's husband who donated his kidney to her expected to receive half of $250million fortune Latif Abubakar, Spanish Embassy thrill audience with 'Life is a dream' GraphicOnline Showbiz News May - 31 - 2023 , 18:14 Following a successful partnership with the Spanish Embassy that saw the adaptation of the first Spanish play into an Afrocentric version last year, Ghanaian Playwright Latif Abubakar has again adapted another Spanish play that drew huge patronage over the weekend. Fused with suspense, dance, educational pieces, and a blend of rich Gonja culture, the play, 'Life is a dream' which is an adaptation of a Spanish script by Pedro Calderon de la Barca had its setting in Gonjaland. The audience who were left in awe could not help but applaud in excitement as they were treated to a buffet of drama, music and laughter, with each scene and act leaving them in suspense. Synopsis The play tells the story of Prince Tijani who had been imprisoned in a tower by his father, King Abdullah, following a prophecy that he would bring disaster to the Kingdom and ultimately the death of the King. The plot which started with murmuring from Prince Tijani, who had been locked up in the tower since birth, as he recounts events of the last 30 years, wondering what exactly he had been imprisoned for, continued with him being released from prison to rule over Gonjaland as his father, King Abdullah waits with bated breath to see if the prophecy would be fulfilled. The play focused on morality, honour and vengeance, and centred on conflict between freewill and fate, and the restoration of one's honour. Featuring veteran actor, Ecow Smith Asante, Bright Kekeli Jefferson, Pearl Darkey, OB Black, Kofi Boakye, Abraham Macpratt Dadzie and Ghana Most Beautiful Winner 2020, Naa Deede Botchwey, it explored escaping from life's confusion to awareness of reality and self-knowledge as well as the deepest mysteries of human experience. Huge patronage Birthed in 1635 and performed on almost all stages in Europe, the play is being adapted to a Ghanaian and Afrocentric stage play for the first time drew huge patronage that saw the conference centre filled to capacity for all four shows. Projecting Ghana's theatre Celebrated Playwright and Chief Executive Officer of Globe Productions, Latif Abubakar revealed that his partnership with the Spanish Embassy does not only focus on deepening the Spain-Ghana relationship beyond traditional trade to arts and culture, but also aims at projecting Ghanas theatre industry to the world. "This partnership would again set Ghana on the world stage," he said. Describing the production as an honour, Mr Latif Abubakar who is adapting a Spanish play for a second consecutive time said, he was honoured to produce an Afrocentric version of the play in the country and on the continent for the first time. Growing collaboration Commending Mr Abubakar for embarking on this project, the Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Javier Gutierrez indicated that, the play among other things, sends a strong message of always striving for goodness, whether asleep or awake. He said the play highlighted the growing collaboration between Ghana and Spain in the arts and cultural sector, adding that, the Spain-Ghana relationship goes beyond traditional trade to arts and culture. "Life is a dream" is in partnership with the Spanish Embassy, M&C Group, Spain-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, The Second Coming of Nkrumah, and supported by Graphic Communications Group Limited and Multimedia Group Limited. Marriage is still a beautiful thing divorced actor Nedu says Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Jun - 01 - 2023 , 14:30 Nollywood actor and media personality, Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, popularly known as Nedu has cautioned singles to avoid falling for the lie propagated on social media that marriages are no longer successful. The actor urged people not to be deceived by the negative portrayal of marriage on social media by reminding them that it did not accurately reflect the real potential and success of marriage. Nedu, who was in a contentious divorce last year and accused his ex-wife of adultery and paternity fraud held that people who have failed in their marriages tend to speak out the loudest and that many people in successful marriages would like to keep their relationship private. Nedu's activism was motivated by Teddy A, a guest on the recent episode of his audiovisual podcast The Honest Bunch who shared his happy love story with his wife and reiterated his belief that marriages still functioned in modern society. This is me telling you guys that marriage works. Dont be deceived by what you see on social media. On social media, the voice of the ones that dont work is the loudest. The many that work, they want to keep it private because na wetin person know na e he dey spoil. He emphasised that many happy marriages exist, but that they are not publicised because of individual preference. Read also: Tina Turner's husband who donated his kidney to her expected to receive half of $250million fortune Men and menses: scaling the fences Derek Tagoe Opinion Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:31 My earliest encounter with menstruation as a young boy came while I was in primary school. A female classmate who was late to school was punished with two strokes of the cane on her backside. Seconds later, she soiled herself with blood and quickly, she was whisked away from the pandemonium that had started. Our teachers came back to tell us she was alright and was being catered for. There was no mention of what had happened to her, only that she had changed schools. Months later, we heard she had her 'period' while she was being caned and felt ashamed coming back to school. That experience stayed with me and left me rather confused. For as long as we have known, men (both young and old) have always had a complicated understanding of menstruation, or what we term "women's period'. It is a narrative that is not only surprising but also outdated and must give way to a more progressive understanding of what this natural cycle is all about. We must change the narrative. While considerable progress is being made to change the male perspective on womens menstrual health and hygiene, there is a need to make a concerted effort to ensure this narrative is totally revamped. Men and menses The result of the prevailing status quo is this: most women, especially young girls, are left to themselves with no support during their monthly period because the whole conversation of menstruation is shrouded in secrecy and, in most cases, between mother and daughter, without recourse to men. On the other hand, I have encountered some young men who also feel that issues around menstruation or periods are private matters and that an attempt to discuss them in public or create awareness of them constitutes an invasion of privacy. We see this line of thought displayed in how males treat their female partners during their menstruation. This is as absurd as it can get; if for nothing else, it is imperative that men take a keen interest in the menstrual cycles of their partners. Taboo & myths In our own local setting, the situation is no different. In a typical Akan traditional setting, conversations related to menstruation and menstrual hygiene are less spoken about in public. In most cases, euphemisms, which are often negative, have been employed to cover up such conversations. In his seminal work, Menstruation as a Verbal Taboo among the Akan of Ghana, K. Agyekum (2002) notes that, "the use of euphemisms that portray the negative aspects of menstruation makes Akan women feel bad and suppressed and somewhat elevates the status of men. In contrast, the "positive" euphemisms reflect the role and value of women in society. In schools and some homes, conversations around menstruation are relegated to the 'backroom', between mother and daughter. The male members of the family are left out altogether because it is not considered an issue for men. In my case, although I had witnessed a schoolmate's uniform soiled with blood in primary school, I had no knowledge of what menstruation was until I was in senior secondary school. I recollect that during one of our reproductive health lessons in primary school, there was a brief mention of 'period' by my tutor, and that was it. Perhaps men show little interest in these matters because there is no deliberate attempt to carry them along in such situations. In our schools, conversations on menstruation should go beyond surface tutoring to in-depth knowledge of menstruation. The curriculum must be expanded, redefined to reflect new trends and information on menstruation and menstrual hygiene management. Once we demystify it; we create an environment where everyone is comfortable discussing the matter, and that ensures girls are comfortable seeking help when they are in distress during this period. To expand this conversation and increase awareness, the workplace must be employed as a medium to disseminate information on menstruation. Forums such as employee town hall meetings, seminars, webinars, and staff meetings can be strategically used for an open discussion on the matter. The home is the first point of socialisation for everyone of us; it is the most common and surest place where perceptions and opinions are created. The nuanced conversation around menstruation can also be traced to our homes; if the narrative should change, it must begin from there. The church, mosque, or temple are sacred places; however, such a platform can be instrumental in helping society accept and destigmatise issues around menstruation and menstrual hygiene management. Commemorating World Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, show that the fences must come down just like new knowledge and interest brought down the Berlin Wall. We are not protecting the privacy of women. The fences are only abstract, an imagination in our minds, and with the right information and understanding, they will come crushing down. AHOY is celebrating this years world Menstrual Hygiene Day by breaking the fences. The writer is a Senior Manager, AHOY Adapt to changing trends in education - Dr Yayra Dzakadzie Daniel Kenu Education Jun - 01 - 2023 , 13:29 The Director of Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, Dr Yayra Dzakadzie, has urged new graduates from the colleges of education to adapt to the changing trends in the industry in order to remain relevant in transforming Ghana. He said education worldwide was going through a new phase hinged on technology and critical thinking beyond just textbooks. Dr. Dzakadzie gave the advice at this year's graduation ceremony of the Agogo Presbyterian Womens College of Education (APWCE) at Agogo last Friday. Graduates A total of 363 students graduated from the college out of which 146 were awarded bachelor's degrees in primary education and 217 with bachelors degrees in junior high school education. Dr Dzakadzie said the new era calls for realignment and serious adjustment in the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge. He called on the graduates to pursue academic excellence through discipline. The Director of Tertiary Education urged them to be humble, innovative, disciplined and to work hard, saying "The world requires these qualities at all levels of engagements." He implored them to make effective use of the knowledge and skills acquired so they could navigate life with ease and bring about the change the world had been yearning for. Dr Dzakadzie assured colleges of education of the government's continual funding support to expand infrastructure to meet international standards. Principal The Principal of APWCE, Rev. Dr. Mrs Grace Sintim Adasi, congratulated students as well as parents and guardians for their dedication and sacrifice in churning out the graduates. She urged graduates to be the catalyst of change, advocate for equitable access to quality education and be a voice for those whose voices have been marginalised. Rev Dr Mrs Adasi charged them to be committed and determined to face any challenge with confidence and aspire for greater heights. She said although there have been works done in the college to improve teaching and learning a lot more needed to be done. Appeal The principal pleaded with the government and stakeholders to assist tile the school's roads, building hostels, science and ICT labs, and library, purchase of a standby generator and a school bus. Also, following the fact that a portion of the school's land has been encroached on, she appealed for help to fence the facility. Discipline A representative from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Rev. Prof Seth Asare Danso, emphasised the need for graduates to be disciplined anywhere they find themselves and enforce discipline wherever they go. He urged them to add value to their training in order to be competitive in the job market. Lets focus on critical thinking instead of rote learning Former MP Delali Sika & Yaa Kuffour Senyah Education Jun - 01 - 2023 , 07:23 The Association International School has marked its 60th anniversary with a call on stakeholders to build the education system on critical thinking rather than learning by rote to make the products suitable for leadership and agents of change. The school, which, for the last 60 years, has trained thousands of responsible personalities in society, including motivational speaker and business executive, Comfort Ocran; the founder of Ashesi University, Dr Patrick Awuah, and the former Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Lauretta Vivian Lamptey, marked the anniversary with a durbar that attracted many high-ranking personalities. The dignitaries included the aspiring flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Alan Kyerematen; the Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour; the Deputy Majority Leader, Alex Afenyo Markin; the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Brian Acheampong; a broadcaster, Oheneyere Gifti Anti, parents and alumni, among others. Critical thinking A former NPP Member of Parliament for Twifo Atti Morkwa in the Central Region, Abraham Dwuma Odoom, who made the call, expressed the need for the content of the education system to be built on critical thinking rather than on remembrance if we want the children to take up leadership positions and be agents of change. At the anniversary launch, he explained that the style of education of the country was mainly for chew and pour purposes, which did not help students think and make practical decisions to build their societies. Hence, changing the methods of teaching and learning to emphasise thinking on issues rather than remembering things will develop innovative minds necessary for development. So, let us endeavour to look at our education in the light of thinking rather than remembrance because that is what we need now as a country, he said. Values Mr Odoom added that the value of education was important; thus, the private sector needed to invest in the field of education as it was currently the engine of growth in the country. "Let us be sincere to ourselves when it comes to the contributions of the private sector to the growth of a country and economy," he said. Anniversary The anniversary, which also marked the Founders Day celebration, was characterised by performances from the students of the school, which included orchestra performances, traditional performances, dance performances and drama. The event was climaxed with the official launch of the anniversary cloth and merchandise, which would be used throughout the year-long celebration. God factor For his part, Mr Markin commended the institution for the strides in building and developing children in a Christ-like manner since its inception. That, he said, was laudable because, in the current global village where children were exposed to a lot of things on social media, institutions needed to centre on instilling good morals, which he said, the school had actively done over the years. Mr Markin, however, urged that children are rightfully invested in to ensure that a responsible generation is churned out to promote and develop the country and the world at large. 86 illegal miners who entered Obuasi mine underground in police custody Graphic.com.gh Jun - 01 - 2023 , 16:02 Eighty-six illegal miners who entered the underground of Obuasi Mine of Anglogold Ashanti in Ghana have been arrested by the police. They were all picked up when they exited the underground through one of the main shafts of the mining company into the waiting arms of the police and security personnel of the biggest gold mining company in Ghana. The suspects are currently in police custody being processed for court. They reportedly entered the underground using unapproved routes. However, the mining company reportedly sealed the unapproved routes and so the illegal miners had no option than to exit through the main shaft. Three of them managed to escape arrest, according to the police. About 38 of them came out first and they were arrested. It first started with seven illegal miners who exited a shaft on Monday (May 29, 2023) and were arrested. The rest did not want to come out so they sent out an alarm that they have been trapped in the underground. This resulted in tension in the gold mining town of Obuasi and resulted in family members of the said suspects massing up in town and staging a protest. Protesters clash with soldiers Heavily armed police and soldiers fired shots to disperse the protesters, amid the crackdown on the illegal miners. Reports then trickled in on Tuesday that hundreds of other miners were trapped underground. The management of the Obuasi Mine responded on Tuesday and said nobody was trapped and that those underground were reluctant to get out, fearing they will be arrested. AngloGold said in a statement on Tuesday that unauthorised persons underground are able to exit. No person underground has been confined in any way and the main exit ramp from the mine remains open, the company said Relatives argued that the illegal miners had been trapped for days without food or water. Dozens who got out were arrested for operating illegally in the area. As of Thursday morning (June 1, 2023), all those who were reportedly underground, said to have been trapped had exited with 86 of them being arrested and placed in police custody. Authorities however said despite the incident, new persons were still sneaking into the underground. The menace of illegal miners sneaking into the underground of the 126-year-old Obuasi Mine is something the mining company has been dealing with over the years. Read also: No one trapped in AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi underground mine - Management Domelevos leave unconstitutional Supreme Court Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:26 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo breached the 1992 Constitution when he directed a former Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, to proceed on leave in 2020, the Supreme Court has declared. In a unanimous decision yesterday, a seven-member panel of the apex court also held that it was unconstitutional for the President to have appointed an acting Auditor-General when Mr Domelevo was still in office. We declare the directive by the President appointing an acting Auditor-General when the substantive Auditor-General had not retired or been removed from office purportedly in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution as unconstitutional, null and void, the court declared. Unconstitutional directive It was the considered view of the court that the directive by the President for Mr Domelevo to proceed on leave which was contained in a letter dated June 29, 2020 and signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, violated Articles 70 (1), 187 (7) (a), (12) (13) and 146 of the 1992 Constitution and was, therefore, null and void. Article 70 (1) of the Constitution deals with the power of the President to appoint certain public officers, including the Auditor-General. Article 187 (7) (a) stipulates that the Auditor-General shall not be subject to any control or direction when performing his functions. Article 187 (12) makes it unconstitutional for the salaries, allowances and right of leave of absence of the Auditor-General to be varied to his disadvantage during his tenure in office, while Article 187(13) states that the Auditor-General can only be removed from office per the procedure set out for the removal of Justices of the Superior Court as stipulated in Article 146 of the Constitution. No consequential orders However, the highest court of the land did not issue any consequential orders or put an injunction on the directive of the President as sought by the plaintiffs. It was the considered view of the court that Mr Domelevo had retired and, therefore, such reliefs by the plaintiffs were moot. The court did not immediately give the full reasons for its decision, which it said would be filed at the courts registry by June 21, this year. Justice Nene Amegatcher presided over the seven-member panel, with Justices Prof. Nii Ashie-Kotey, Mariama Owusu, Avril Lovelace- Johnson, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, Prof. Joy Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, as members. The suit culminating in the judgment was filed by nine civil society organisations. They include the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the Ghana Integrity Initiative, (GII), the Citizen Movement Ghana, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), and the Parliamentary Network Africa. Others are Penplusbytes, the Media Foundation for West Africa, SEND Ghana, and One Ghana Movement. Background On June 29, 2020, President Akufo-Addo directed Mr Domelevo to proceed on his 123 accumulated leave days from 2017 to 2019, with effect from July 1, that year. Mr Domelevo replied the President in a letter dated July 3, 2020, asking the President to reconsider his decision on the basis that it was unconstitutional and was not in the best interest of the Office of the Auditor-General and the nation at large. In a subsequent reply by the President, signed by Mr Bediatuo on July 4, 2020, the President extended the leave of Mr Domelevo by 44 days by adding the leave days of 2020, bringing the total leave days to 167. After persistent calls by CSOs and other interest groups for the President to reconsider his decision did not materialise, the nine CSOs invoked the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to interpret and enforce the 1992 Constitution. It was the case of the CSOs that the directive by the President for Mr Domelevo to proceed on leave, as well as the appointment of Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu as acting Auditor-General were unconstitutional. The CSOs urged the Supreme Court to declare the two acts as unconstitutional and also put a perpetual injunction to restrain the President from directing Mr Domelevo to proceed on leave, and also to appoint an acting Auditor-General. ECOWAS delegation visits Armed Forces Northern Command Mohammed Fugu Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:44 A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has paid a working visit to the Headquarters of Operation Enhanced Kaudanlgou, a multi-national joint task force (MNJTF) at the Northern Command Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to familiarise itself with operations at the command. Member countries Operation Kaudanlgou member countries are Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote D'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Togo. The multi-national task force seeks to incapacitate armed terrorist and organised crime groups operating along the borders of member countries. It also works to prevent a spillover of terrorism activities from the Sahel and transnational organised crime and violent extremism in member countries' border areas. Ghana is expected to deploy about 1,250 troops to support the operations. Support The leader of the delegation, Ambassador Abdul-Fatau Musah, said efforts by member states had been recognised by the regional body and, therefore, was ready to fully support the operations of the task force. He added that the success of their operations would eliminate activities of organised crime and armed terrorist groups who caused harm and destruction in member countries. Commendation The Commander of MNJTF, Major General Michael Amoah Ayisi, expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and said it would go a long way to strengthen the operational capabilities of the task force. He emphasised the need for member states to develop the necessary standards of operating procedures and rules of engagement with other protocols to support their operations. The commander also reiterated the need to use more non-kinetic approaches to encourage citizens to volunteer information to help combat threats of terrorism and violent extremism. Vice-President inaugurates House of Chiefs building Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Jun - 01 - 2023 , 08:05 The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has inaugurated the refurbished office building of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs. The refurbishment, which started in September last year and completed in March this year, was fully funded by the United States Agency for International Developments (USIAD) Office of Transition Initiatives at the cost of $140,000. The support formed part of the United States commitment to promoting community cohesion, peace and stability in Ghana. The renovation works carried out included re-roofing of all the offices, tiling of the floors of all rooms, construction of new places of convenience and drainage works. The rest are fixing of ceiling fans and air conditioners, paving the compound and landscaping. The renovated building is expected to provide a conducive and inclusive space for meetings, work and training for chiefs, queen mothers and technical staff of the facility. The ceremony was graced by the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng; the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, a member of the Council of State, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nalebetang, among other dignitaries. Not surprised The refurbished office building At the inauguration ceremony in Bolgatanga yesterday, Dr Bawumia commended the chiefs and people who contributed in diverse ways to bring the project to fruition. The Vice-President said he was not surprised about the gesture by the USAID as it was in line with what the agency had been doing across the country over the years, as a way of contributing to Ghanas development. High esteem The Vice-President said the governments worry was chieftaincy- related issues which were being tackled with scarce national resources which could have been channelled into other basic developmental projects. Vice-President Bawumia called for more collaborative efforts towards the prevention and control of conflict in the north. Touching on the unending Bawku conflict, he expressed the hope that the ongoing initiatives taken by the government would help bring lasting peace to Bawku and fast-track the towns development for the benefit of the people. Critical issues For her part, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E. Palmer, said traditional authorities were the centre of many of Ghanas most critical issues in the areas of justice, peacebuilding, womens empowerment and development. Ms Palmer stated that the renovation of the House of Chiefs facility formed part of efforts between both countries to further solidify the long-lasting friendship. Security under threat She noted that Ghanas security was under threat from forces not too far from the region, indicating our investment shows that we recognise the concerns of the region and that the USA is committed to supporting her partners in Northern Ghana to remain resilient. Old building an eyesore In a welcome address, the President of the House of Chiefs, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, said since 1971, the building of the House of Chiefs had not seen any renovation works, and the dilapidated offices was an eyesore. To tackle the problem, Pe Ayagitam noted that efforts were underway through intense lobbying, leading to the renovation of the offices, saying we wish to thank officials in Ghana and the USA who worked tirelessly to put this great smile on our faces. Pe Ayagitam III, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, informed the gathering that efforts were in place to settle the protracted Bawku conflict and others before the judicial committee through alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and formal judicial process. KATH suspends 2 doctors for extortion Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:21 Two doctors of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi have been suspended for extorting money from patients. The two were each given a months suspension without pay. While one has already served his suspension, the other will start from today. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATH, Professor Otchere Yaw Addai-Mensah, disclosed this yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at his palace at Manhyia, Kumasi. The visit was to introduce himself and the management of the hospital to the Asantehene since he assumed office six months ago. Discipline Prof. Addai-Mensah told the Asantehene that when he took over the management of the hospital, his first priority was to inject discipline into the work ethics of the facility as part of efforts to make the hospital customer-centred. He noted that some of the clinics were also not starting work on time, thus prolonging the waiting period for patients. The CEO of KATH said with the support of the Board of Directors, measures had been put in place and now all clinics start work at 8 a.m. To ensure proper supervision on holidays and weekends, Prof. Addai-Mensah said directors at the hospital had been scheduled on a roster such that there were always two directors on duty every weekend and on statutory holidays to guarantee seamless flow of work and proper supervision. The CEO further indicated that for six months at the helm of affairs, he had been able to solicit sponsorship to give a facelift to the doctors and nurses flats at KATH and also introduced the Point of Sales (POS) and Mobile Money (MoMo) payment systems to make it easy for patients and their relatives to pay bills. Prof. Addai-Mensah informed the Asantehene, however, that work on the Maternal and Baby Unit and the Sickle Cell and Blood Transfusion Centre of the hospital, which was being sponsored by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), had come to a standstill. He said for about a year now, no work had been done on either of the projects and prayed the Asantehene to intervene to get the projects completed. Military land Another challenge facing KATH, the CEO explained, was funding to acquire the military land close to the facility for expansion. Prof. Addai-Mensah said even though the military had agreed to relocate and give the land to the hospital, there was the need for funding to relocate the military facilities to a new place and the money involved is quite huge. No need for money However, in his response, Otumfuo Osei Tutu explained that the military had already been relocated and the hospital would not have to pay for the land again. The Asantehene said the issue had been discussed with the President and the Minister of Defence and the issue has already been sorted out and you dont have to pay any money to them for the land. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said if there would be the need for any money maybe to build new schools but that has to be handled by the Ministry of Defence. Commendation The Asantehene commended the new CEO for starting on a good note and urged him to continue in that stead. Although Otumfuo said he was yet to visit the facility, he said he had heard about the transformation brought to the place and commended Prof. Addai-Mensah for the feat. No matter what you do, some people would not be happy with you and would surely step on your toes. But if you would have to displease two people to satisfy eight people, go ahead and do it, the Asantehene implored. The CEO was accompanied by the Board Chairman, Nana Effah Appenten, all members of the board, the Bompatahene, Maxwell Opoku Agyemang, Charles Dontoh and the Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, Prof. Daniel Ansong. Positive attitude towards TVET key to industrialisation Dep. Education Minister Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Jun - 01 - 2023 , 07:01 A Deputy Minister of Education, Gifty Twum Ampofo, has stated that for the country to achieve its goal of industrialisation, there is the need to change peoples mindset about Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). She explained that because skilled technical and vocational personnel were essential for the country to industrialise, the notion that such skills were meant for unintelligent persons had to be exterminated so that more students and young people would be eager to acquire the skills. It is never true that TVET is only done by unintelligent people because when you see some of the machines and equipment they use, youll have to be very smart to learn to operate them, Mrs Ampofo stressed. Roundtable The deputy minister was speaking in Accra yesterday at a roundtable on the Vocational Training for Females (VTF) under TVET organised by a Presbyterian non-governmental organisation (NGO). The discussion was on the theme: Beyond the reforms: Gains, Challenges and way forward in Advancing TVET in Ghana. It brought together experts, government officials, TVET practitioners, captains of industry and students, among others, to deliberate on issues affecting the sector and provide solutions to inform policy change for the sectors progress. As part of the event, an 11-member Advocacy Committee, made up of representatives from institutions with interest in youth development and national socioeconomic transformation, was inaugurated. The committee will support the work of the programme by acting as the mouthpiece and engage stakeholders, actors and players in the TVET space to articulate the concerns of the sector and jointly address them. Collaboration Mrs Ampofo, who is the Deputy Minister in Charge of TVET, cautioned parents against enrolling their children in TVET institutions just because they could not perform in traditional schools. She also urged factories and the private sector to collaborate with institutions by accommodating students for internships and give them the opportunity to be practical. You should view them as free labour who, when trained properly, can add to your output. They are not there to buy waakye for you and to make photocopies, the Deputy Minister of Education said. The Deputy Chairperson of the National Labour Commission, Rose Karikari Anang, called on advocacy groups to step up their campaign against the negative mindset about vocational and technical education, saying; theres too much quietness on the advocacy front. Mrs Anang, who chaired the event, called for the establishment of crash courses for technical and vocational practitioners that would enable them to join the national qualification framework and enable them to boost their confidence. The Director of VTF Programme, Linda Agyei, said the organisation remained committed to pushing the TVET agenda because it was the master key that could alleviate poverty, promote peace, protect the environment and improve the quality of life. Promoting responsible fishing: Protection of ocean vital - President Akufo-Addo Emelia Ennin Abbey Jun - 01 - 2023 , 07:06 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stressed the need to prioritise the sustainable management of the ocean through robust enforcement of regulations. He said that would prevent overfishing and promote responsible fishing practices. That was necessary, the President stressed, as the ocean presented an incredible opportunity to accelerate the nation's development agenda and cautioned against the consequences of negative human activities in the ocean. Opening the countrys first-ever National Blue Economy Summit in Accra yesterday, President Akufo-Addo said: "We are witnessing the consequences of human activities. The ocean is the life source of the planet. A healthy ocean, human well-being and sustainable ocean management are inseparable. He, therefore, called for collaboration to develop sustainable solutions to address the ocean crises since the challenges facing the ocean transcended boundaries which no single nation could fight alone. Hence, the need to foster international cooperation, share data and research findings, collaborate on joint projects to develop sustainable solutions to address the ocean crises, President Akufo-Addo posited. Summit The two-day summit is aimed at mobilising transformative ocean action to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs). It attracted 300 participants, including policymakers, academia, development partners, and local and international champions of the fishing industry. It is being hosted by the SDGs Advisory Unit at the Office of the President in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI); the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). On the theme: "Our Oceans Health, Our Prosperity, Our Planet's Security", the summit is expected to come up with a document that will drive the mainstreaming of ocean actions in national development, bridge the gap between academic research and industry, and establish an annual ocean summit in the country. Five-point proposal The call by the President is part of a five-point agenda he proposed for urgent action to contribute to the protection of the ocean. President Akufo-Addo also noted that the country must work closely with its international partners to establish marine protected areas, safeguard marine-habitats and promote biodiversity on the sea. "We have to deepen our strategic partnerships and build a progressive collaboration for an enhanced ocean health," he said. Also, the President said the country must be deliberate in ensuring greater and smarter investment in ocean actions. Currently, he said, Ghana's ocean actions were financed largely through public philanthropic sources. Although Ghana's private capital investment landscape in the past decade had seen significant growth, "not much of capital is deployed to the blue economy." To attract private capital into more sustainable marine-based actions, President Akufo-Addo stated that there was the need to encourage public-private partnerships. The President added that there must be increased investment in research, technological advancements and new knowledge. "By harnessing the power of research and innovation, we can navigate the challenges facing the ocean and pave the way for a brighter future," President Akufo-Addo averred. Time bomb The Special Advisor to the President on the SDGs and Ocean Action, Dr Eugene Owusu, said the ocean had been an integral part of human life but it was now being depleted through over-exploitation. "We are sitting on a time bomb and the clock is ticking," a development he said was threatening the lives and well-being of millions of people. "It is important to come together. We cannot achieve a sustainable and prosperous future without a healthy ocean," Dr Owusu said. He said since the ocean did not have a voice, people collectively should be the voice of the ocean. Norway's commitment The Ambassador of Norway to Ghana, Ingrid Mollestad, said her country had a deep connection with the sea and that she respected and loved the ocean and believed that using marine resources in a sustainable way was vital for society. Norway, she said, had its share of challenges with management of its ocean such as overfishing and that her country "had to fix this by implementing some policies. We have not been very good at fixing it. Sincerely, our eyes tell us something is wrong," Ms Mollestad said. The Ambassador said Norway was committed to working with Ghana and other members of the high-level panel to spearhead global efforts in sustainable ocean management. "If we do it right now it will benefit nature and humans," she said. Role of traditional leaders The Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, in a speech read on his behalf by the Chief of Asere, Nii Kwao Donkor, said traditional leaders had an important role to play in the sustainable management of the ocean. He, therefore, pledged the support of the traditional leaders for initiatives aimed at saving the ocean. We will use our privileged position to create awareness and mobilise resources for safe and proper management of the sea," the Ga Mantse said. King Teiko Tsuru stated that while putting in place innovative and sustainable solutions to save the ocean, the culture of people living along the coast must not be neglected. Suhum Technical students plant 200 trees Haruna Yussif Wunpini Jun - 01 - 2023 , 07:11 Students of the Suhum Senior High Technical School (SUTESCO) in the Eastern Region have planted 200 different species of tree seedlings in the school compound as part of the governments Green Ghana initiative. The exercise was organised and funded by ASA Savings and Loans Company Limited in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Office of the Forestry Commission, and involved tree species such as acacia, mahogany, neem, royal palm and rain tree, among others. The event, which took place last Friday, also formed part of a nationwide tree-planting exercise being undertaken by the company to plant over 2,000 tree seedlings every year. Speaking during the exercise, the Headmistress of SUTESCO, Elizabeth Ama Agyakwa, asked students of the school to take centre stage in tree planting. That, she said, could only be done by educating their parents at home about the need to plant and nurture tree seedlings to preserve the ecology. The headmistress also stated that it had become necessary to involve students in tree planting, not only to safeguard the environment but to also serve as wind-breaks to protect school buildings, especially the roofing, from falling off during rainstorms. Theory Mrs Agyakwa said hitherto, the students were taught tree planting theoretically, but they had to be educated on it practically by planting and nurturing the tree seedlings. She explained that trees enabled previous generations to live longer as compared to the present generation because most of the trees had been cut down. "Our forefathers lived longer because the trees were there but now that we are cutting them down unnecessarily, people are dying early because if the last tree dies then we are all perishing," Mrs Agyakwa stated. Mrs Agyakwa stated that trees provided oxygen and took in carbon dioxide, all necessary for human beings. She lauded the company for choosing the school to plant tree seedlings to provide shade for the students and at the same time create a conducive environment for studies. Shade The Koforidua Area Manager of ASA Savings and Loans, David Amevor, said the main purpose of carrying out the tree planting exercise in the school was because the students needed oxygen and shade at all times. He said already they had covered the Koforidua Prisons and Suhum Senior High Technical School, and would be engaged in similar exercises, not only in the region but in the entire country. Mr Amevor stated that the company's tree planting exercise was its corporate social responsibility to support the government's Green Ghana Project, where tree seedlings were to be planted in communities to preserve the ecology. He advised the students to focus fully on their studies instead of engaging in activities such as illegal mining (galamsey) to get rich quickly, as such activity will destroy their future as well as the environment. Tree species An official from the Eastern Regional Office of the Forestry Commission, Alex Adonteng, said so far, his outfit had planted various tree species such as acacia, mahogany, neem, rain tree and royal palm. He noted that the exercise, which was in support of the government's tree-planting initiative, was also to reduce carbon emissions. Mr Adonteng advised the school's management to ensure that the tree seedlings planted were nurtured and added that the company would follow up to ensure that the trees were taken care of. The school's Compound Prefect, Tayviah Raymond, expressed his appreciation to ASA Savings and Loans for the tree seedlings that were planted on the school compound because currently there are very few trees on the premises. Tourism sector catalyst for growth Donald Ato Dapatem Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:49 The World Bank has commended the countrys effort to make tourism a priority for growth, and said it would have an impact on the development of small and medium enterprises, job creation and livelihoods. The Country Director of the World Bank to Ghana, Pierre Laporte, said it was in line with such effort that his outfit was supporting the sector with some $40 million under a Ghana Tourism Development project. He made the commendation when he addressed a Presidential Summit on Tourism at the Peduase Presidential Lodge in the Eastern Region last Tuesday on the theme: Rethinking tourism for economic growth and job creation. The two-day summit, organised at the instance of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, attracted participants from government agencies, departments and the private sector who brainstormed tourism development in the country. Initiative Mr Laporte said while the tourism development initiative took off slowly, under the leadership of the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Ibrahim Awal, its implementation accelerated remarkably and the project had made some significant progress. The bank stands ready to work with the government to further improve the huge tourism potential, including developing capacity and physical infrastructure, he added. According to Mr Laporte, the world economy suffered immensely in recent times from a series of shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine to rising food and oil prices, among other challenges. The bank nonetheless commends highly the bold initiatives of the Government of Ghana in managing the current crisis, he said, adding that the recently approved IMF support programme for the country and from other development partners such as the World Bank should pave the way for the restoration of the countrys macroeconomic sustainability. We stand resolute in supporting Ghana in this period of recovery in collaboration with other institutions such as the IMF, the Country Director said. Significance The Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, said the summit was a landmark event that brought together visionary minds and influential leaders in the countrys pursuit of progress in tourism. He expressed appreciation to the President for his leadership and personal interest which had culminated in the growth and development of the industry. The Presidents unwavering commitment in promoting the nations unique cultural heritage and fostering a welcoming environment for visitors has yielded unprecedented results. One such notable initiative was the Year of Return, Mr Agyeman added. He also mentioned a transformative campaign in 2019 where people of African descent from around the globe were invited to the country to reconnect with their roots to experience the nations rich history and culture. According to him, the programme did not only put the country on the global map, but also led to another initiative - A December in Ghana. Dr Akoto to address African Agriculture Forum in Turkey Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Politics Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:51 A flag bearer hopeful of the governing New Patriotic Party and immediate past Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has been invited as the special guest of honour for the African Agriculture, Food and Industry Forum in Istanbul and Tekirdag, in Turkey. The event organised by the African Investors Council (AIC) would be held from Sunday, June 5, 2023 to Friday, June 10, 2023. The Agriculture Economist, who has worked in the United Nations system for over 18 years, is expected to address captains of Turkish Agribusiness industries on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the forum. A statement issued by Dr Akoto's office said his invitation to the event was spurred by his deep knowledge and vast experience in the field of agriculture as an Economist, industry player and policy expert. Forum The world business and cooperation forum gathers various sectors and institutions working for the development, modernisation and technification of agriculture, textiles, agribusiness and renewable energies, food and livestock farming, construction and infrastructure. It offers a platform for captains of agribusiness industries to meet and exchange ideas with Turkeys largest agricultural producers and investors. AICs mission is to bring together companies and entrepreneurs with the common goal of being a pioneer for the development of the African continent in the fields of sustainable and innovative agriculture and food, within a cooperative of professionals from all over the world. A statement issued by the organisers said the council's objective was to connect the various public and private actors in order to share their experiences, knowledge and investment opportunities for the continent. "Turkey and Africa have a long history of encounters, dialogue and peace for centuries. We hope that this Summit will further strengthen these ties and create economic opportunities for both sides," it added. EC fixes June 27 for Assin North by-election Justice Agbenorsi Politics Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:26 The Electoral Commission (EC) has fixed Tuesday, June 27, 2023 for the by-election in the Assin North Constituency of the Central Region. This follows a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 17) declaring as unconstitutional, the election of James Gyakye Quayson as the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament (MP) for that constituency. A statement issued and signed yesterday by the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, said nominations would be received at the Assin North District Office of the Commission from Monday, June 12, 2023 to Wednesday, June 14, 2023 between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The statement said interested candidates could download the nomination forms from the Commission's website (www.ec.gov.gh) from June 1, 2023. Alternatively, the statement said, a prospective candidate may personally deliver or cause to be delivered on his/her behalf by either the proposer or seconder of his/her nomination, the completed nomination forms to the Returning Officer at the Assin North District Office of the Commission, on the dates and times stated above. Fees The statement added that the filing fee for the election is GH 10,000 per candidate. Additionally, the EC announced that all nomination forms should be delivered in quadruplicate. The nomination forms for each candidate shall be witnessed by the signature or mark of two registered voters, as proposer and seconder, and supported by 18 other registered voters in the constituency as assenting to the nominations. The nomination forms shall also be endorsed with the candidate's consent to the nomination. A Candidate shall at the time of submitting his/her completed nomination forms, provide the Returning Officer with two copies of a recent post card (bust sized) photograph against a red background, showing his/her full face and ears, the statement added. SCs decision In its judgment in the case of Michael Ankomah Nimfah vs James Gyakye Quayson, the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Attorney-General on May 17, 2023, the apex court ordered Parliament to expunge Mr Quaysons name as a sitting MP from its records. The court held that the whole process leading to the election of Mr Quayson filing of nomination forms, the election itself and swearing-in--were all in violation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, which bars a person with dual citizenship from contesting as an MP. It was the considered view of the court that as of the time Mr Quayson filed his nomination forms in October 2020 to contest the Assin North seat, he had not renounced his Canadian citizenship and, therefore, was not qualified per Article 94(2)(a) of the Constitution. In view of that, the court further held that the EC also violated Article 94(2)(a) of the Constitution when it permitted Mr Quayson to contest the election. Parliament Following the judgment, Parliament wrote to the EC to notify it of the vacancy in the Assin North Constituency. The Clerk to Parliament, Cyril Kwabena Nsiah, signed the letter dated May 29, 2023, which was addressed to the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa. The notification, he said, had been necessitated by the judgment of the Supreme Court (SC) dated May 17, 2023. He, therefore, requested the EC Chairperson to take the appropriate consequential action as required by law. Hohoe hosts June 4 Celebration Daily Graphic Politics Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:44 This year's June 4 Uprising celebration would take place at Hohoe in the Volta Region. The celebration, which will be the 44th year since its inception in 1979, is on the theme: Saving Our Democracy: the Spirit of the June 4th". Activities A release issued and signed by the Volta Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sorkpa K. Agbleze, said activities to commemorate the day would begin with a health walk on June 3 in the morning and followed by a public lecture at 2:00pm at the campuses of the St. Francis College of Education. The celebration will be climaxed the next day Sunday June 4 at 8a.m with a wreath laying ceremony at the E.P Park in Hohoe. Dignitaries The special guest of honour for this year's celebration is former President and flag bearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama. Other party members expected to attend the event include the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah; General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey; Volta Regionalb Chairman, Mawutor Agbavitor, and Member of Parliament (MP) for Adaklu and Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza. Other members include MP for Ho West and Regional Caucus Chairman, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, and MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Uprising June 4 is an annual event prominent on the NDC's calendar, celebrated to mark Ghana's 1979 Revolution meant to awaken the conscience of the nation and imbibe in the citizenry the principles of probity and accountability. The uprising came about due to a combination of corruption and perceived bad governance. Joe Ghartey picks Presidential nomination forms for NPP primaries GraphicOnline Politics Jun - 01 - 2023 , 22:04 An aspirant for the presidential candidacy of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Joe Ghartey has officially picked up his nomination forms to contest the upcoming presidential primaries. Accompanied by several constituency executives and chairpersons, Mr. Ghartey said he aims to bring a fresh direction to the party and create opportunities for all, particularly the youth across Ghana. His primary objective is to address poverty and foster unity within the NPP and among Ghanaians from diverse backgrounds. He also spoke about the need for Ghanaians to collectively "fight poverty" instead of fighting against each other. An accomplished politician and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Ghartey had his nomination forms picked up by some NPP constituency executives and chairpersons on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the NPP headquarters in Accra. Leading the delegation of NPP executives from all 16 regions of Ghana was Ernest Oti Akenteng, the Constituency Chairman of New Juaben North. Having introduced the 'Justice For All' program during former President John Agyekum Kufuor's administration, Mr. Ghartey envisions an NPP that promotes equal opportunities for all Ghanaians. As a former Minister of Railways Development and Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Ghartey aims to revitalize the NPP and provide young people and party executives with opportunities to serve Ghana, should he win the primaries and subsequently be elected President in 2024. During an address to NPP executives at the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Hon. Ghartey emphasized his commitment to serving the party and the country, adding that his intentions are not driven by personal gain. He underscored the importance of unity within the NPP and urged politicians to focus on the future of Ghanaian children. Adams Abdul Majid, a senior aide to Mr. Ghartey, expressed the unwavering support of NPP youth from across the country. Mr. Majid described Hon. Ghartey as a competent and visionary leader who will guide Ghana towards prosperity once elected as President. He highlighted Hon. Ghartey's grassroots connection and transformative leadership qualities. Kennedy Agyapong confident of victory in NPP Flagbearer election GraphicOnline Politics Jun - 01 - 2023 , 17:59 Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a prospective flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed confidence in his chances of winning the party's flagbearer election. His team conveyed this sentiment after collecting his nomination forms from the NPP headquarters in Accra on Thursday. As the ninth individual to pick up the forms since nominations opened, Agyapong, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, is positioning himself as a formidable candidate. Speaking to pressmen after picking the forms, Kwame Owusu, Agyapong's campaign manager, highlighted the candidate's appeal to the party's grassroots due to his perceived disciplinary nature. Owusu emphasized that Agyapong's stance against indiscipline and his commitment to the nation's well-being have resonated with the people. He stated, "Honourable Ken does not stand for indiscipline. Honourable Ken is honest in his dealings with the country. Honourable Ken is patriotic and has demonstrated his willingness to die for Ghana." According to Owusu, Agyapong's strong principles and commitment to the ordinary citizens give him an advantage over his competitors. He explained, "People desire a disciplined leader because there is an abundance of indiscipline in this country. Indiscipline breeds corruption, and when you have an individual whom you believe is honest and you are ready to work for him, you must be prepared to face the consequences if you deviate from the right path." Agyapong's campaign team firmly believes that his discipline-oriented approach and dedication to the country's betterment will resonate with the NPP members and secure him victory in the flagbearer election. Market queenmothers pick forms for Alan Kyerematen Justice Agbenorsi Politics Jun - 01 - 2023 , 06:33 A Former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, yesterday became the eighth flag bearer aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to pick his nomination form to contest the party's presidential primary slated for November 4. The forms were picked on his behalf by two teams of 15 each of market queen mothers from Accra and Kumasi, all dressed in traditional kente over white lace. True to their earlier promise, the queenmothers, described as loyalists of Mr Kyerematen, pooled resources to raise the filing fee to pick the nomination forms. The convoy to the party's headquarters in Accra was led by a former general secretary of the NPP, Nana Ohene Ntow, supported by other party top brass, including Alhaji Abukar Sadiq; a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Joseph Nii Ayikoi Otoo, and a former director of communications, Yaw Boaben Asamoah. Speeches Speaking on behalf of Mr Kyerematen, the Tomatoes Queenmother of Kumasi, Abena Serwaa, said the immediate past Minister of Trade and Industry had been very supportive of the market women as trade minister and it was time to show appreciation to him. She said it was their firm belief that when Mr Kyerematen got the nod he would help bring Ghana's ailing economy back to its feet. For his part, Mr Boaben Asamoah said the presidency would move on to the right path with Mr Kyerematen in the driving seat "for he's a man of action and not mere words." Aspirants Those who have already picked their forms are the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; a former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko; former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimo; a former Minister of State, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, and a businessman and energy expert, Kwadwo Poku. Those yet to pick their forms are MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong; a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General and MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, and a senior lecturer at the Department of History Education of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Eric Sakyi Nketiah. The Government of Canada announced support for the latest cathode active materials (CAM) facility to be operational in Canada, to be built by a joint venture between General Motors (GM) and POSCO Future M in Becancour, Quebec (earlier post). CAM are key battery materials that consist of components such as processed nickel, lithium and other materials that make up about 40% of the cost of a battery. The federal government is investing through the Strategic Innovation Funds Net Zero Accelerator initiative to support GM-POSCOs more than $600-million project. The governments of Canada and Quebec will each contribute around $150 million to the project. The GM-POSCO joint venture, called Ultium CAM, will create around 200 jobs and strengthen Canadas electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem and economy for years to come. The project was first announced in March 2022 to supply General Motors fast-expanding battery production in North America. The JV project is under construction and on schedule to begin CAM production in the first half of 2025. Government support, Becancours excellent industrial site and the ability to access Quebecs low carbon hydro-electricity for EV critical mineral processing were all important factors in selecting the Quebec plant location. GM is executing plans to install 1 million units of annual EV capacity in North America in 2025 and grow from there. GM has also announced four US battery cell joint venture plants with one already open and two under construction. The Ultium CAM joint venture project will support production of electric Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Buick and BrightDrop vehicles in North America. Honda celebrated production of the 30-millionth engine built at the companys Anna Engine Plant in Ohio with the production of the newly refined 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, which is part of the two-motor hybrid-electric system that powers Honda Accord and CR-V hybrid-electric models. The Anna plant, Hondas largest engine plant in the world, is now preparing to retool to add production of the casings for the battery modules that will power Honda and Acura EVs made in Ohio. Since starting engine production in 1985, the Anna facility has produced a diverse array of powertrain and other components, ranging from motorcycle and automobile engines to transmissions, suspensions and wheels. The 2.0-liter hybrid Atkinson-cycle engine represents the continued evolution of the plants capabilities and an important step in Honda's electrification strategy, as nearly 60% of US sales of the popular Honda Accord and CR-V are powered by the two-motor hybrid-electric system. The Anna plant will continue to play a vital role in Hondas future electrification plans as more hybrid-electric systems are introduced to core models to reduce CO 2 emissions and bridge customers to the volume battery-electric Honda and Acura vehicles in development, Honda said. In October 2022, Honda announced a $700-million investment in Ohio to establish a new Honda EV Hub in Ohio, which includes retooling the Anna Engine Plant, the East Liberty Auto Plant, and Marysville Auto Plant, as Honda prepares for the production of battery electric vehicles. (Earlier post.) While Honda initially indicated production would start in 2026, in April, Honda announced that it will pull forward EV production in Ohio to 2025. Honda expects to maintain employment stability across all locations during this transition. As part of the new EV Hub, the Anna Engine Plant will produce the cases for the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) that houses the EV battery module and its controlling hardware. Honda and LG Energy Solution (LGES) recently broke ground for a new joint venture battery facility in Ohio that will produce these lithium-ion batteries, which will power the EVs to be produced at the East Liberty and Marysville Auto Plants. Honda and LGES have committed to invest $3.5 billion in the new JV battery facility, with the overall investment projected to reach $4.4 billion. The 2.9 million sq. ft. Anna Engine Plant reflects previous Honda capital investments totaling $2.9 billion and employs 2,900 Honda associates who build V6 and inline 4-cylinder engines, including 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0-liter turbo engines, the 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle hybrid engine and various engine components for Honda plants in the US and throughout the world. The Anna Engine Plant has a total annual production capacity of 1.18 million engines. Honda has produced automobiles in Ohio for more than 40 years, beginning in November 1982 with the start of automobile production at the Marysville Auto Plant. Honda established US manufacturing operations in Marysville in 1979 with the start of motorcycle production. Today, Honda employs more than 15,000 associates in Ohio across five plants with total capital investment of $14.5 billion and the capacity to produce 680,000 Honda and Acura automobiles, 1.18 million automobile engines, and more than 1 million automobile transmissions and two-motor hybrid systems, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Europes growing use of animal fats to power its cars and planes is becoming increasingly unsustainable, according to a new study by Cerulogy funded by European NGO Transport & Environment (T&E). The green group calls for greater transparency so that consumers know what is going into their tanks and fueling their flights. Use of animal fat biodiesel has doubled in the past decade and is 40 times higher than it was in 2006. Demand for animal fats in biofuels is also projected to triple by 2030 compared to 2021 according to data collected by T&E from Stratas Advisors. European lawmakers have been promoting the by-product of industrial meat farming as a way of reducing the carbon impact of transport fuels.They are now setting their sights on planes and to a lesser extent ships. However, there is not enough fat to go around. Nearly half of all European animal fats already go into biodiesel, despite being used extensively in the pet food, soaps and cosmetics industries. With the burning of animal fat biofuels set to triple by 2030, there will not be enough to scale it up sustainably, warns T&E. Airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air have recently struck large deals with oil suppliers for what are termed sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Details of the exact feedstocks used in SAFs are often vague. But projections obtained from Stratas Advisors, a consultancy, shows that animal fats are expected to be the most common waste feedstock used in SAFs, alongside used cooking oil. Like all waste biofuels, the availability of animal fats is limited. Scaling up industrial meat farming is neither doable nor desirable. A flight from Paris to New York needs 8,800 dead pigs, T&Es calculations show. Applying the current 50% maximum blend of HEFA that can be certified, 4,400 dead pigs per flight would alternatively be needed. This is particularly problematic for the pet food and soap and cosmetic industries who use animal fats extensively with few or no alternatives. Pet food makers have already warned that they will have to switch to less sustainable options such as palm oil, while soap and cosmetic producers will also most likely switch to palm as it is the cheapest option available. In the most extreme case, where virgin palm oil substitutes animal fats in the oleochemicals industry (soaps, cosmetics), CO 2 emissions of animal fats biofuels could be nearly twice as bad for the climate asconventional diesel. The competing uses for animal fats lay bare the challenge of scaling up waste biofuels production. Animal fats dont grow on trees. Pet food suppliers, for example, will now have to reduce the sustainability of their products by using palm oil instead. And as we have seen with used cooking oil, this also increases the risk of fraud. The potential mislabelling of animal fats suggests fraud could be taking place on an industrial scale. Barbara Smailagic, Fuels Policy Officer at T&E Animal fats are divided into three categories. Categories 1 and 2 include animal fats that cannot be consumed by humans or animals, as they are poor quality or likely carry disease. These are normally only used in transport fuels and for heating. Category 3 animal fats are better quality and are used by a number of different industries. The EUs Renewable Energy Directive (RED) encourages the production of animal fats for transport fuels by allowing fuel suppliers to meet renewables targets with them. The RED prioritizes categories 1 and 2 for transport fuels by allowing them to count for double in meeting targets. Animal fats consumption for biodiesel in the EU (SHARES and EFPRA data). Source: T&E Last year, European countries reported consuming twice the amount of biofuels derived from the categories 1 and 2 as the animal fats industry reported producing. This suggests higher-grade category 3 animal fats are being mislabeled as categories 1 and 2, T&E said. As these animal fats are more valuable in transport fuels, there is a risk that producers and suppliers downgrade high quality animal fats to meet renewable transport targets. If this is being done deliberately it would represent fraud at an industrial level, warns T&E. Illustration of potential animal fats fraud case. Source: T&E T&E suggests the following recommendations to EU decision-makers and national authorities: Toyota will assemble an all-new, three-row, battery electric SUV at Toyota Kentucky starting in 2025. The companys first US-assembled BEV will be powered by batteries from Toyota North Carolina. The new battery plant, which is currently under construction, will receive an additional $2.1 billion investment to support future expansion in the companys drive toward carbon neutrality. This brings total investment in Toyota North Carolina to $5.9 billion. The facility will be Toyotas hub for developing and producing lithium-ion batteries needed for its expanding portfolio of electrified vehicles. Production at the Liberty plant is slated to begin in 2025 with six battery production lines, four for hybrid electric vehicles and two for BEVs. Over the last two years, the company has invested more than $8 billion in its US manufacturing operations primarily to support its product electrification efforts. Green River Police Department reports for May 23 At 7:46 a.m., officers responded to Colorado Drive for a report of possible property damage. Officers met with an individual who requested a trespass warning be issued to the individual. Officers met with the individual, issued the trespass warning, and completed a report of the incident. At 10:29 a.m., officers responded to a report of an individual with an active arrest warrant. Officers met with agents and the individual. The arrest and hold order was confirmed and officers placed Rachael Rodriguez, of Green River, under arrest. Officers transported Rodriquez to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed a report of the incident. At 3:05 p.m., officers responded to New Beginnings located at 1835 Colorado Drive for a report of an individual causing a disturbance. Officers met with staff and the individual, gathered information, offered assistance, and completed an incident report. At 6:21 p.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision in Smiths parking lot located at 905 Bridger Drive. It was reported one vehicle was traveling west and another vehicle was traveling north in the adjacent lane when the first vehicle pulled through the parking spaces and struck the drivers side of the other vehicle. Officers met with both drivers, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. At 10:58 p.m., officers responded to the area of E 2nd S Street and S 2nd E Street in reference to a two-vehicle crash. It was reported one vehicle was traveling east on E 2 S Street when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a second vehicle, which was parked and unoccupied on the south side of the roadway. The driver Bryce Archibald, of Green River, was later found to be impaired and not able to safely operate a motor vehicle and was placed under arrest. Officers issued citations for alleged DWUI of alcohol .08 or greater, speed, failure to maintain liability coverage, open container, and careless driving. Officers transported Archibald to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed a report of the incident. May 24 At 5:30 a.m., officers were dispatched in reference to a juvenile runaway. Officers met with a parent/guardian, gathered information, located the juvenile, age 12, of Green River, transported the juvenile home, and completed a report of the incident. At 10:01 a.m., officers responded to a report of a verbal domestic in progress. Officers met with the individuals involved in a verbal dispute and gathered information. The parties separated and officers completed an incident report. At 10:06 a.m., officers were dispatched to a phone detail in regards to a violation of a court order. Officers made contact with an individual who reported the violation, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. At 1:33 p.m., officers responded to Probation and Parole located at 140 Commerce Drive for an arrest and hold order. Officers met with the agents and the individual, confirmed the arrest order, and placed Cole Barnes, of Rock Springs, under arrest. Officers transported Barnes to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed a report of the incident. At 2:45 p.m., officers responded to a report of a verbal domestic. Officers met with the individuals involved in a verbal dispute and gathered information. Officers conducted a civil standby while the parties separated and completed an incident report. At 3:03 p.m., officers were dispatched to Hitching Post Restaurant at 580 East Flaming Gorge Way in reference to a request for a trespass warning to be issued for their properties. Officers made contact with the individual, issued trespass warnings for the requested properties, and completed a report of the incident. At 5:13 p.m., officers were dispatched to a phone detail involving a dispute over civil issues. Officers spoke with the reporting party and responded to a residence on Easy Street where officers met with both involved parties. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 7:46 p.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance. Officers met with the reporting party and gathered information. Officers then attempted to speak with one of the involved individuals, who did not want to speak with officers. Officers located the other half and made contact. Officers advised of the complaint and completed an incident report. At 7:51 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Crossbow Drive in reference to a disturbance. Officers met with an individual who reported another individual entered their residence uninvited and an argument ensued. The subject left before the officers arrival and was not located. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 8:19 p.m., officers were notified by Probation and Parole agents of an individual that was in violation of probation and had an active arrest and hold order. Officers subsequently placed Bryan Merrick, of Green River, under arrest per the active order, transported Merrick to the Sweetwater County Detention Center, and completed an incident report. At 11:07 p.m., officers responded to the area of Firehole Drive in reference to a report of several suspected juvenile subjects throwing eggs at a residence. Upon arrival, officers observed three subjects running across the street near the intersection of Trail Drive at Church View. Officers then observed a white passenger car stopped in the middle of the road picking up the subjects. Officers observed the vehicle which drove forward with one subject who ran after the car. Officers conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver and the subjects. Officers gathered information and then contacted the subjects parents/guardians. The subjects cleaned all the egg spatter off the three homes and one vehicle and were turned over to a parent/guardian. Officers completed a report of the incident. May 25 At 6:17 a.m., officers responded to a report of an abandoned bicycle in the back parking lot of Lincoln Middle School. Officers collected the black and orange BMX-style Huffy, booked it in for safekeeping, and completed an incident report. At 8:35 a.m., officers were dispatched to Crossbow Drive in regards to a disturbance. Officers met with the reporting party who reported an individual was knocking on their door and causing a disturbance. Officers met with the individual, advised of a trespass warning that had been previously issued, and completed a report of the incident. At 9:53 a.m., officers responded to the Green River High School for a report of vandalism. Officers met with the principal who reported finding a bathroom that had been vandalized. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 3:21 p.m., officers emptied the prescription medication drop off box in the lobby. Officers collected and booked in the medications for future destruction and completed an incident report. At 9:41 p.m., officers responded to the area of Riverview Drive for a report of an individual who was trespassing and causing a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers observed the alleged suspect drive away from the area. The vehicle then exited the parking lot without stopping at the stop sign and continued onto Collier Circle. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop and the driver of the vehicle failed to comply. Officers followed the vehicle with lights activated to a residence on Stephens Street. Once the vehicle stopped, the driver exited the vehicle and attempted to enter a residence. Officers made contact and subsequently placed the driver Shanna Shaffer, of Green River, under arrest and issued citations for an alleged stop sign violation; failure to stop when emerging from alley, building, private road, or driveway; interference with a peace officer; resisting arrest; and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. Officers transported Shaffer to the Sweetwater County Detention Center, issued a trespass warning, and completed a report of the incident. May 26 At 1:45 a.m., officers responded to the area of I-80 eastbound near mile marker 89 and assisted a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper with a traffic stop. The driver was arrested and the vehicle was towed. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 7:51 a.m., officers responded to a report of an abandoned bike located on the Green Belt walking path just east of Bridger Drive. Officers collected the white and pink Northwoods mountain bike for safekeeping and completed a report of the incident. At 8:59 a.m., officers responded to a residence on Pennsylvania Boulevard for a report of a vehicle that backed a U-Haul truck into a chain-link fence at a residence. Officers met with the driver and the fence owner, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. At 12:57 p.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. Officers met with an individual who reported being harassed by another individual and requested a trespass order be issued. Officers met with the individual, issued the trespass warning, and completed a report of the incident. At 12:31 p.m., officers responded to the area of W Railroad Avenue for a report of property damage. Officers met with an individual who reported finding damage to a barricade located in the alleyway. It appeared a vehicle had struck the barricade and attempted to push it out of the way. Officers located pieces of vehicle debris and were able to determine the type of vehicle that had hit the barrier. Officers successfully located the suspected vehicle and met with the driver. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 3:17 p.m., officers responded to the area of Crossbow Drive for a report of an individual knocking on peoples doors and causing a disturbance. Officers met with the individual, advised of the complaint, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. May 27 At 11:30 a.m., officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on E Teton Boulevard. It was reported the driver of one vehicle was traveling east while a second vehicle was stopped in the westbound lane waiting to turn into a driveway. The first vehicle crossed the lane and struck the second vehicle and then continued on and struck a tree. EMS and fire personnel assisted at the scene. Fire extracted the driver of the first vehicle from the vehicle and EMS evaluated both drivers. Both vehicles had to be towed and one individual was transported by ambulance. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 12:18 p.m., officers responded to W Flaming Gorge Way in reference to a crash. The driver of the vehicle, who was pulling a fifth-wheel camper trailer, pulled into a parking lot in an attempt to turn around and get back on Flaming Gorge Way. The driver attempted to drive under an overhead awning and the air conditioning unit on top of the camper struck a support beam on the awning. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 2:21 p.m., Animal Control Officers responded to the area of New Mexico Street and California Drive for a report of an individual that was bitten by a stray dog. Officers located and impounded the dog, then met with the victim and owner of the dog. Officers gathered information, put the dog on a 10-day Rabies quarantine due to no proof of a current Rabies vaccination, and completed a report of the incident. At 3:11 p.m., officers responded to the area of W 2 S Street in reference to a two-vehicle crash. The driver of one vehicle was stopped facing east on Second South waiting to turn left onto South Center Street. The driver of the second vehicle was traveling east on Second South approaching the first vehicle when the driver of the second vehicle struck the rear of the first vehicle. Officers gathered information; issued the driver of the second vehicle, a juvenile, age 17, of Green River, a citation for alleged inattentive driving with a crash; and completed a report of the incident. At 4:20 p.m., Animal Control Officers responded to the area of Crossbow Drive for a report of a dog that was attacked by another dog. Officers met with an individual who reported they were walking their dog when another dog ran up and attacked their dog. It was determined both dogs had been on leashes but were able to get close enough for an altercation. No injuries were reported. Officers issued the owner, Richard Osborn, of Green River, a citation for alleged nuisance animal and completed a report of the incident. At 8:51 p.m., officers responded to the area of W 3 N Street for a report of two suspicious individuals. Officers met with an individual who reported that two individuals were loitering around in the area that appeared to have been scoping out a vehicle. When the reporting party spoke to the individuals they took off running. Officers gathered information, attempted to locate the individuals, and completed a report of the incident. May 28 At 12:29 a.m., officers responded to a report of domestic battery. It was reported one subject left the residence prior to officers arriving at the residence. Officers met with an individual who reported a verbal altercation. Officers gathered information, attempted to locate the other involved individual, and completed a report of the incident. At 9:50 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Hitching Post at 580 E Flaming Gorge Way in reference to a disturbance. Officers met with the individual causing the disturbance and the staff at the establishment. Officers gathered information, conducted a civil standby, and completed a report of the incident. At 11:20 a.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. Officers met with an individual who reported receiving threatening notes from an individual. Officers met with the individual, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. At 1:16 p.m., Animal Control Officers responded to the area of Schultz Street for a report of a dog being aggressive towards a child. Officers met with an individual who reported a dog had been at large when the dog ran at their child and scared them. Officers met with the owner of the dog, advised of the complaint, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. At 3:32 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and E Flaming Gorge Way for multiple traffic violations. Officers met with the driver and subsequently placed Cameron Cowpar, of Colorado, under arrest and issued citations for alleged DWUI of alcohol .08 or greater - 2nd offense; expired or improper registration, driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked; and failure to maintain liability coverage. Officers transported Cowpar to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed a report of the incident. May 29 At 1:31 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Astle Avenue and E Teton Boulevard and issued citations to the driver, Edward Sanchez, of Texas, for alleged vehicle exceed over 30 mph in urban district (6+) and expired temporary license, permit/improper registration. At 5:04 a.m., officers, along with the Green River Fire Department and Castle Rock Ambulance, were dispatched to a report of smoke around the area of Truman Elementary School. While responding, smoke was visible and coming from about 2-3 blocks away. It was determined the smoke was coming from a structure fire on Elk Mountain Circle. Officers confirmed nobody was at home while GRFD personnel extinguished the fire. Upon investigation, the cause of the fire was found to be unintentional. Nobody was injured during the blaze and the homeowner was able to salvage some items within the home. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. Someone over at OnePlus is a huge fan of Genshin Impact last year the company released a special edition of the Ace Pro (aka 10T), then this April it launched the OnePlus x Genshin Ace 2, its first phone with a vegan leather back (the Ace 2 is identical to the 11R). OnePlus Ace Pro Genshin Impact limited edition OnePlus x Genshin Ace 2 limited edition Whats next? The flagship OnePlus 11 is getting its own Genshin Impact limited edition, according to leakster Max Jambor. Unfortunately, the design is yet to leak, so we dont know the extent of the modifications for this edition. Max does say that the new game-inspired edition will launch this month, so expect official teasers soon. The OnePlus 11 already has one limited edition, the Jupiter Rock for China, which was also available in India under the name Marble Odyssey. Source Like every smartphone supporting Qi wireless charging, the Pixel 8 just passed through the Wireless Power Consortium certification process. Unfortunately, the listing contains a placeholder image of the Google Pixel 6, so it doesn't reveal the design. The model number GKWS6 checks out, though. Interestingly enough, last year's Pixel 7 family appeared on WPC's website a week after release, so the Pixel 8 popping up this early could be signaling an earlier release. Either way, the Qi charging is once again rated at 12W, shutting down rumors and speculations about support for the newer Qi2 standard, announced in January this year. Source | Via According to a new report from South Korean publication The Elec, LG Display will increase its LTPO OLED panel supply share for the iPhone 15 Pro series. LG has reportedly expanded its LTPO OLED production capacity to accommodate the large demand for this years iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. This development could spell bad news for Samsung which reportedly supplied up to 70% of all OLED panels for last years iPhone 14 Pro series. As a reminder, LG suffered low LTPO OLED yield rates last year which limited the supply to Apple and in turn led to some shipment delays for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This allowed Samsung to come in and take up additional display panel orders in place of LG but at a higher cost to Apple due to the short notice and extremity of the situation. LG and Samsung recently struck a deal which will see LG supplying OLED panels for Samsungs 77 and 83-inch OLED TVs from 2024 to 2026. Source (in Korean) After a week of power restoration since Condition of Readiness 4 was announced, the Guam Power Authority had restored 34.5% of the system load as of 1 p.m. Thursday, according to a press release from GPA. An additional five feeders/circuits were also added to the island-wide system for a total of 44 feeders/circuits partially energized, and 23 out of 24 total major GPA substations energized. The Humatak substation restoration is in process. Substations need to be energized before feeders and circuits can get power, and then service to customers can be restored. GPA also stated numerous key restoration events to critical infrastructure within the past 24 hours. Water & Wastewater Systems The Tipalao Wastewater Treatment Plant was energized to avoid sewage overflows. P-294 from Pulantat to DPHSS Mangilao was energized, providing power to critical Pago Bay Water Booster Pump station and additional wells in Area. Communications Piti and Tumon communications stations energized. DoD Energized Navy SRF Substation. GPA also listed key objectives for Thursday: Energize GAAN wastewater pump station in Hagat. Continue to energize GWA wells near Yigo GFD fire station and Yigo Amusement Park. Energize Umatac Substation in order to begin restoration in South. Energize Route 16 Wastewater Sewage Pump Station and Fort Juan Muna. Energize Navy Radio Barrigada Substation. Energize water wells in Dededo and on to Route 3. Continue work on urgent needs islandwide. GPA published key objectives specifically for generation capacity: Current operable capacity is 111MW which is adequate for Thursdays load of 69MW. Baseload capacity to be paced online within the next 2 days. Capacity available to serve customers energized. GPA also stated their process going forward. Continue addressing critical water, wastewater, communications, health and other critical services infrastructure. Launch the next phase of recovery by this weekend (delayed due to the need to address more water well stations): Divide crews into three or more sectors (north, central and south) to begin concentrated efforts in restoring as many customers as possible in parts of the circuit with minimal damages. This phase of restoration will result in significantly boosting our recovery percentage over the 2nd week of our post-typhoon restoration. Recovery effort resources: 12-line crew personnel from Commonwealth Utility Corporation/CNMI are arriving in the next few days to assist in recovery efforts. American Public Power Association member utility and GPA nearing an agreement to bring in 12-line crew personnel with two bucket trucks to assist in restoring the 115kV transmission lines from Cabras to Hagatna. Again, our crews have begun to restore power to circuits and ultimately to customers. We are working to restore your power service as soon as possible, said GPA in the release. GPA continues to ask for your patience and understanding as we work on restoring power to the entire island. One of nearly 200 standby generators installed at Guam Waterworks Authority pump stations to keep water flowing if power is lost because of the typhoon. GPA operates and maintains those generators. The government of Guam doesnt have enough funding left in this years budget to cover $50 million in typhoon-related cash payments to residents, according to administration officials, who said the governments general fund currently has a deficit of about $8 million. Lawmakers met in emergency session Thursday to debate Sen. Amanda Sheltons Bill 129-37, which would pay $500 to everyone who filed a 2021 tax return and those who did not earn enough money to file a return. The bill would allow the governor to fund the payments using any available local or federal funding source, including tapping GovGuams Rainy Day fund, which currently has a balance of about $11 million. If there were ever a rainy day for the people of Guam, I think that day is today, Shelton said in support of her bill. We endured a supertyphoon in the last week. The people of Guam are strong and resilient we know this but we could use some help right now We shouldnt have to make them beg. We cant do it, Bureau of Budget and Management Research Director Lester Carlson said about the proposed typhoon payments. The money in this years budget already is spoken for, Carlson told senators, and Guam also cant use any of its $228 million in federal pandemic relief money because the expense is not pandemic-related. It also would take at least a month, until sometime in July, for the Department of Revenue and Taxation to create and implement the program, Rev and Tax Director Dafne Mansapit-Shimizu told senators. Sen. Chris Duenas called the emergency session ridiculous and said if lawmakers want to fund a typhoon assistance program they must pass a revised budget bill, making cuts in order to fund the program. Carlson told Sen. Frank Blas, Jr., that FEMA will provide direct cash assistance of $1,000 for home and property damage and grants of up to $41,000 for home repairs. The Red Cross is providing cash assistance cards of $560, he said which in some cases can be increased by an additional $560. There are assistance programs, Blas said, even if there the proposed typhoon payments are not approved. We havent even given FEMA a chance to help us with the recovery and all the funds that may materialize out of this, said Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas. I think Ive heard enough, that there is no money. You want to be compassionate, but you also want to be truthful and honest. The people elected us to assist. They did not elect us to deceive them, said Sen. Thomas Fisher, who is one of several lawmakers who objected to the bill. The author of this bill knew there was no money available when they drafted it. Theres no money, said Sen. Jesse Lujan. As much as we want to we absolutely cant. Shelton mentioned several possible funding sources, including: the money GovGuam will save in power bills because of the recently lowered fuel surcharge; Another option, she said, would be to shift the funding source for the LEAP business relief program entirely to federal pandemic funds, which would free up money in the general fund. Shelton also asked if a bill passed this week, which gives the governor a $50 million budget transfer authority in order to pay for recovery expenses, could be used to cover the assistance payments. Carlson said its too early to understand the extent of damage caused by Typhoon Mawar and the cost to recover, or if the $50 million approved by lawmakers will cover it. A United Airlines representative said no tickets were purchased at exceptionally higher fares displayed on Uniteds website in the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar. Earlier this week, Attorney General Douglas Moylan opened an investigation into the higher fares. Ron McNinch is a longstanding member of the Guam community and frequently gives his opinion on a wide range of topics. Dededo resident, Vincent Mantanona, is happy to be one of the many customers who were able to purchase a bag of ice available at the Dededo Pay-Less Supermarket on May 31, 2023. Haiti - Politic : Canada launches a new process to welcome qualified newcomers Canada is launching a new process to welcome qualified newcomers with work experience in priority jobs. With employers eagerly seeking to fill countless vacant positions across the country, immigration emerges as a vital piece to solving this puzzle. Recognizing this reality, the Government of Canada is building an immigration system that acts as a catalyst for growth, empowering businesses, helping address their labour needs and strengthening French communities. When combined, these efforts will ensure Canadians benefit from economic and social prosperity for years to come. Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the first-ever launch of category-based selection for Canadas flagship economic immigration management system, Express Entry. Category-based selection will allow Canada to issue invitations to apply to prospective permanent residents with specific skills, training or language ability. Further details on the timing of invitations for individual categories and how to apply will be announced in the coming weeks. This year, category-based selection invitations will focus on candidates who have : a strong French language proficiency or work experience in the following fields : - Healthcare - Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions - Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors - Transport - Agriculture and agri-food By allowing us to invite more skilled workers in these professions, category-based selection supports Canadas commitment to welcoming in-demand professionals into communities across the country. Additionally, by placing a special focus on Francophone immigration, the Government of Canada is ensuring that French communities can continue to live their life in Canada in the official language of their choice. Category-based selection will make Express Entry more responsive to Canadas changing economic and labour market needs, while building on the high human capital approach that has been a hallmark of Canadas successful economic immigration system. These priorities maintain the focus on bringing in skilled workers with the potential to integrate and contribute to Canadas future. Read also about the Express Entry Program : https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/federal-skilled-workers.html https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Seizure of weapons and ammunition On Wednesday May 31, 2023, Saint-Marc customs officers discovered and seized in the morning several automatic weapons hidden in "igloos" as well as thousands of cartridges of different calibers. Review of Operation Tornado 1 On Wednesday May 31, 2023, Commissioner Garry Desrosiers, Spokesperson for the National Police of Haiti (PNH) presented the results of Operation Tornado 1 launched last January by the PNH. 2,730 individuals were arrested, approximately 70 firearms and ammunition seized, 27 stolen vehicles recovered and 40 others confiscated. The Director of Sogebank in rue Darguin, wanted The Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ) has launched a wanted notice against Jean Ralph Antoine, the Director of the Sogebank branch at rue Darguin (Petion-ville), he is accused of complicity in theft, breach of trust and criminal association. He would have left the country for the United States after a first hearing, informed Wednesday, May 31, Commissioner Garry Desrosiers, Spokesperson for the National Police of Haiti (PNH). The judicial police are also looking for other individuals in connection with this file, including Jean Junior Memnom, internal audit manager for the SOGEBANK group, and cashier Stephane Joseph. Commissioner Desrosiers specifies that the main person concerned in this case Anne Kettia Georges has abandoned her post. Alleged cattle thieves, killed with machetes Petrus Dorisma and Levens Bernard were killed with machetes on the night of May 30 to 31, 2023, in Fort-Liberte. They were returning from a funeral wake, informs the spokesperson for the police in the Northeast, Jean Ronald Lusier. Accused of cattle theft by the population, Petrus Dorisma and Levens Bernard had been arrested by the police and then released by judges, denounced residents of Fort-Liberte. U-21 volleyball : Haiti at the NORCECA Cup tournament Our men's Under-21 Volleyball team is flying out this Friday, June 2 to compete in the NORCECA PanAmerican Under-21 Cup tournament taking place June 3-11 in Havana. Former Minister Nader, heared Wednesday, May 31, Joaseus Nader, the former Minister of Public Works was heard by Judge Walter Wesser Voltaire as part of the investigation of the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. HL/ HaitiLibre By William Schwartz | Published on 2023/05/31 Actor Lim Ji-ho made his major film debut in 2014 with a small role in "Socialphobia" following recognition in the short film festival circuit for other work. More recently, he had a significant role in the independent film "We Gon' Be Alright" and a leading role in "Is It Love BAR" which were both released in 2021. But "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938" is the first for the actor in a named role as Akira Saito. In a recent interview, Lim Ji-ho discussed these experiences. Advertisement In "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938" Akira Saito is a Japanese agent of the Occupation of Korea- but also a mystical Japanese spirit much like the title character. Lim Ji-ho has earned viewer attention from his very first appearance, where he confronted Kim So-yeon's character on a train. Lim Ji-ho credits his acquisition of the role with connections he made during "Cheer Up" who were impressed by his portrayal of a villain. Of course, in the historical action fantasy setting, this is a significant difference from "Cheer Up" and its modern college romance setting. Regarding Kim So-yeon specifically, Lim Ji-ho claimed that she is quite different in person compared to her standoffish character, speaking in a friendly, comforting tone to him even today. Lim Ji-ho described her acting style as getting very deep into her character, and not relying on her own natural personality. Lim Ji-ho claimed that Kim So-yeon was quite polite and at ease even in highly physical scenes that required she grab his leg. She always made sure to ask if he was all right first. What's more, during the full nine months of filming she always maintained that same attitude. Lim Ji-ho stated that he aspired to be a senior colleague like her if at all possible. Lim Ji-ho said that working in television dramas has been quite different from independent film, where he often spent his own money. Lim Ji-ho said that despite often feeling like his career was only just starting, it was only with "Hospital Playlist Season 2" that his acting technique seemed perfected, as people recognized him from the role. He has had the same thankful from "Cheer Up" and "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938" where he has likewise been recognized. Lim Ji-ho credited his eagerness to work with his current success, noting that actors have few choices and are often rejected. Written by William Schwartz ___________ "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938" is directed by Jo Nam-hyung, Kang Sin-hyo, written by Han Woo-ri, and features Lee Dong-wook, Kim So-yeon, Kim Beom, Ryu Kyung-soo, Hwang Hee, Kim Yong-ji. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/05/06~Now airing, Sat, Sun 21:20 on tvN. Lorenzo Claxton, HUD field office director for North Carolina, speaks to event attendees. Photo by Zack Hill By Zack Hill More than 60 local politicians, community advocates as well as representatives from state and federal agencies and organizations gathered at the Hospitality House in Boone on Wednesday to celebrate Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina receiving $446,625 in grants to combat rural homelessness. The money comes from grants of more than $22 million awarded to the state from the department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD. Hospitality House of Northwest NC includes Watauga, Wilkes, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties. Lorenzo Claxton, HUD field office director for North Carolina, spoke of how Hospitality Houses mission and activities align with HUDs goals for the grants. Bringing people home is at the heart of what we do every day, Claxton said. The work we do creates strong, sustainable communities and ensures quality homes for all. I would like to say again: Thank you [Hospitality House staff and volunteers] for all the hard work youre doing. You take the services to the people who need it most. County commissioner chair Larry Turnbow said it was inspiring to see the diversity of the audience who share the same mission. The commonality of everyone in this room is caring about this community and homelessness, Turnbow said. This is lifesaving work that I cannot accomplish alone as a county commissioner, but we can accomplish as a community working together. Boone Mayor Tim Futrelle echoed Turnbows sentiments. This is a beautiful expression of our community to come together in this endeavor and celebrate what the Hospitality House has been able to do, Futrelle said. We live in a town thats vibrant and compassionate and its important to address unsheltered homelessness with empathy. This is about restoring dignity and hope to those who may have lost their way. By working together we demonstrate our values for inclusivity and compassion. We recognize everyone, regardless of circumstances, deserves a chance to thrive. A society can be judged on how it takes care of its most vulnerable. Id like for us to remember the power of kindness and compassion. Executive director of Hospitality House of Northwest NC Tina Krause said she was thankful for the money and appreciative of the work that went into getting it. When HUD opens a grant competition it is very competitive, especially since theyre open to all communities in the United States, Krause said. There were 178 awards given across the nation and only two awarded to NC. We got one of them. This is a step forward for HUD to acknowledge the unsheltered needs of rural homelessness. She also spoke of the differences and difficulties homeless people may experience in rural communities versus urban. Its more difficult for people to get to populated areas where services are available, Krause said. They often live in abandoned barns, deep wooded areas and cars. Its important to remember mountain culture to build relationships and trust. HUD recognizes the growing need in this community. Chief development director for the Hospitality House Todd Carter was thankful for the grant and the packed house. Its so good to see everyone here today, Carter said. It makes my heart happy. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here The revamp includes a shift from an 8-tier to a 25-tier price system that, in theory, promises savings to passengers booking their trip early and additional costs to passengers buying a ticket at the last minute, according to YLE . VR , the Finnish state-owned railway operator, has carried out a pricing revamp in an attempt to steer consumer demand toward less-busy hours and periods. The price of a journey is determined based not only on the route and distance, but also on the time of booking and projected demand for the travel dates. The price can also change several times in a day based on real-time fluctuations in customer demand as the price system utilises artificial intelligence to analyse large quantities of data on, for example, sales, bookings and passenger volumes for specific dates and routes. Artificial intelligence and algorithms assist us, but just like in other companies ultimately its people who guide the pricing process, Piia Tyynila, the director of long-distance services at VR, stated to YLE on Tuesday. And we create the principles for the pricing ourselves. Maiju Eskelinen, an expert in sustainable development at the University of Eastern Finland, argued to the public broadcasting company a day later that the revamp is a step in the wrong direction from the viewpoint of both equality and carbon-neutrality targets. People should be encouraged to travel more sustainably. This kind of a price policy doesnt serve as an incentive, she stated. If the price changes steer people to travel by car or, at worst, fly, this will increase the carbon footprint significantly. The revamp, she added, can also increase inequalities between passengers as not everyone has the opportunity to plan their journey well in advance or travel on a weekday. Im concerned about the situation of students, said Eskelinen. Im sure many of them will have to reconsider travelling, and that can also have an impact on well-being if they dont get to meet their friends or family [as a result]. Aleksi Teivainen HT Progressive Alliance announces Wear Orange Day to protest gun violence The Progressive Alliance of Henderson County invited the public to join Moms Demand Action for Gun Safety in America in a Wear Orange community gathering 4-6 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the Historic Courthouse on Main Street. PAHC is a sponsor of the event organized by the North Carolina Chapter of Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America. Wear Orange Day to Stop Gun Violence is an annual community gathering to honor victims and survivors and work to end gun violence. In 2022, grassroots volunteers hosted more than 350 events and activities in all 50 states in collaboration with hundreds of local partners, engaging thousands of supporters nationwide PHILLIP Schofield has been dropped by the Chiltern Centre in Henley after it was revealed he had lied about having an affair with a male ITV colleague. The former presenter of This Morning admitted that he had lied about the relationship while he was still married to his wife, Stephanie Lowe, during an investigation in 2020. The couple lived together in Fawley. Schofield had been a patron of the Chiltern Centre, which supports young adults with disabilities, since 2009. The charity said this week that following recent admissions, it no longer felt it was appropriate for the presenter to represent it as a patron. In a statement, Schofield said: Contrary to speculation, while 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 said he was deeply sorry for lying about the relationship to ITV, his friends, family and colleagues. He has since stepped down from all roles at the broadcaster and will not host the British Soap Awards. In 2019, Schofield surprised the Chiltern Centre with a 20,000 donation after receiving a cheque from DJ Chris Evans, who had raised it through his Carfest music and motoring festival. The charity publicly supported him when he came out as gay in 2020 on This Morning. In a statement, it said: We have been incredibly lucky for many years to have the patronage of Phillip Schofield. His generosity, kindness and support has been consistent and deeply appreciated. His recent donation of 20,000 is just one example of his wonderful community spirit. We stand firmly with Phillip as he and his family move forward from the announcement that he is gay and commend both him and his whole family for their bravery in honestly and openly talking about matters that are very personal to them. Schofield has opened Fawley village fete and given out festive treats at the Herb Farm in Sonning Common. In 2012, he was profiled in 100 Faces of Henley, a book containing photographs and potted biographies of noted local residents which was sold in aid of various good causes. In a statement, ITV said: We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made by Phillip Schofield. The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Phillip 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 FORMER councillor has criticised Thames Water for leaving traffic lights in place even though no work was taking place, writes Chloe Plummer. Long queues of traffic built up in both directions on Reading Road, Henley, on Friday morning due to the three-way lights at the junction with Boston Road. The work to make two connections in Boston Road began on Wednesday last week and caused queues, particularly during the rush hours. But even though no work was taking place on Friday, the lights were still in place. Paul Harrison, a former South Oxfordshire district councillor, who witnessed the queues when he came into Henley from his home in Sonning Common, said: This is Henley on a bank holiday weekend and the start of half term as well. We will be getting a lot of tourists in Henley, so why are the lights still in place when they could be easily removed and then reinstated when they decide to start working again? Surely the traffic lights could be removed to let the traffic through on a bank holiday weekend? It will affect trade in Henley. I could understand if the road surface had been taken up but neither Boston Road nor Reading Road have anything blocking them apart from these traffic lights and cones. A Thames Water spokesman said: We are sorry for any inconvenience to residents and motorists in Boston Road while our teams carried out work on two new water connections. He said the work was completed on Thursday last week and added: Our team is reinstating the road and expect to finish the work in the coming days. Hong Kong: Govt green bonds well received The Government today announced the successful offering of close to US$6 billion worth of green bonds denominated in US dollars, euro and renminbi under its Green Bond Programme. The Monetary Authority, acting as the Government's representative in this green bond offering, said it was well received with close to US$30 billion equivalent in orders. In particular, the RMB tranches were expanded from a combined RMB10 billion from the January issuance to RMB15 billion this time, with the additional issuance of a new 10-year RMB tranche, the authority added. Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the enthusiasm for Hong Kong green bonds from global investors demonstrates their recognition of Hong Kong's efforts in green and sustainable development. The offering has included our first 10-year RMB green bond, which extends the offshore RMB yield curve and continues to enrich offshore RMB product offerings, promoting RMB internationalisation in an orderly manner, Mr Chan said. We will continue to regularly issue green bonds to promote innovation and further development of the market. The Green Bonds are being issued under the Global Medium Term Note Programme dedicated to green bond issuances established in early 2021. The Green Bonds expected to be settled on June 7 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange. They have been assigned credit ratings of AA+ by S&P Global Ratings and AA- by Fitch. Proceeds raised will be credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund to finance or refinance projects that provide environmental benefits and support the sustainable development of Hong Kong. This story has been published on: 2023-06-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Breast cancer specialists are medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of breast cancer. Here are some of the specialists involved with latest treatment innovation and technologies in breast cancer care: 1. Dr Anita Malik- Cancer Specialist / Oncologist (MD, Radiation Oncology) Book an Appointment Today Visit Now Website: https://www.dranitamalik.com/oncologist Check out patients feedback Google Profile link: CLICK HERE Contact No: +91-9310491198 WhatsApp Now for quick response directly from Dr Anita Malik: CLICK HERE Experience: More than 17 yrs. in the field of Oncology Speciality: Oncology (MD Radiation Oncology) Position: Senior Consultant (Oncologist) Education: MBBS MD | NUH Singapore (Clinical Trained) Dr. Anita Malik obtained her Medical Graduation from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical Collage Jabalpur (M.P), Post-Graduation from Govt Cancer Hospital Indore (M.P). She had an experience of more than 17 yr from prestigious institute like All India Institute of Medical Sciences Ansari Nagar (AIIMS), Medanta the Medicity Gurugram and National University Cancer Institute (NUH) Singapore.She has had publications in National and international Journals and attended various conferences in India and abroad. She is trained with modern and minimally invasive Radiotherapy Techniques with high precision (IMRT, IGRT, VMAT, Stereotactic SBRT/SRS/SRT). Dr. Anita is a member of Association of Radiation Oncologist of India (AROI) & European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), etc. What are breast cancer symptoms? a. Lump or thickening in the breast or underarm: A new lump or mass that feels different from the surrounding breast tissue is often the most common early sign of breast cancer. b. Breast pain or discomfort: Although most breast cancers are not painful, some individuals may experience discomfort or tenderness in the breast area. c. Changes in breast size or shape: Unexplained changes in the size or shape of one or both breasts, such as swelling or shrinkage, may be a symptom of breast cancer. d. Skin changes: Breast cancer can cause changes in the skin of the breast, such as redness, dimpling, puckering, or thickening. Some individuals may also notice an orange peel-like texture on the breast skin. Cure for Breast cancer The treatment for breast cancer typically depends on various factors, including the stage of the cancer, the presence of specific receptors on the cancer cells, overall health, and personal preferences. Common treatment modalities include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy. These approaches aim to remove or destroy the cancerous cells, prevent their growth and spread, and manage symptoms effectively. It's important to note that research and clinical trials are ongoing, and new treatment methods are being developed. It's always recommended to consult with healthcare professionals and oncologists for the most up-to-date information on breast cancer treatment options and advancements. 2. Dr Harit Chaturvedi Dr Harit Chaturvedi is currently associated with Max Group of Hospitals in New Delhi, where he is the director of its cancer care department. He is responsible for managing a team of 80 oncologists spread across 7 different super speciality hospitals. 3. Dr Anshuman Kumar Dr Anshuman Kumar holds membership in medical societies like the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology, European Society of Surgical Oncology, and The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He is also associated with Tara Cancer Foundation & Cancer Help India as the current vice president. 4. Dr S Kaul Dr S Kaul is the founder and the President of Breast Cancer Patients Benefit Foundation, which focuses on delivering better cancer care to underprivileged patients at an affordable cost. Dr Sameer Kaul specializes in providing treatment for breast cancer, head & Neck cancer, GI cancer, Bone cancer and other related. 5. Dr Rohit Nayyar Dr Rohit Nayyar currently works at the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences. Dr Rohit Nayyar has also gained additional training in performing breast oncoplasty and breast surgery from Royal College of Surgeons (UK) and Head & Neck Cancer from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA 6. Dr Sarin Dr Sarin is a member of medical societies like Indian Society of Oncology, Indian Menopause Society and Association of Surgeons of India. Her special interests include breast cancer. She has also written several national and international medical papers. 7. Dr Rajeev Kumar Dr Rajeev Kumar has worked at Rockland Hospital, Fortis Hospital, and Dharamshila Hospital & Research Centre. Dr Rajeev Kumar is also associated with societies like Indian Society of Oncology and Association of Surgeons of India. In summary, consulting an oncologist is essential for accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment, and comprehensive care during and after the cancer journey. Oncologists have the expertise and experience necessary to guide patients through this challenging time and work towards the best possible outcome. To know more about cancer specialist visit: https://www.dranitamalik.com/oncologist Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. The Delhi High Court has ordered low-fare airline SpiceJet to pay 380 crore to its former promoter, Kalanithi Maran of the Sun Group, and asked it to submit an affidavit of assets within four weeks. The High Court ruling on May 29, 2023 originates from a long-running battle between the Maran family and the current promoter, Ajay Singh, and SpiceJet, over contractual obligations. (File) The ruling is a setback to the airline, which surprised with a four-fold increase in earnings to 106.8 crore in the December quarter, and comes amid a battle with aircraft lessors over payments. Mint has reviewed a copy of the order. The High Court ruling on May 29, 2023 originates from a long-running battle between the Maran family and the current promoter, Ajay Singh, and SpiceJet, over contractual obligations. Maran sued SpiceJet in 2017 for allegedly causing losses by failing to issue convertible warrants and preference shares to him and his KAL Airways. SpiceJet ended up paying Maran a principal amount of Rs.579.08 crore after a protracted court fight, but the interest portion was pending. The interest stood at 242 crore in October 2020, accumulated to 362 crore by February 2023 and finally touched 380 crore. A SpiceJet spokesman said SpiceJet is already in discussions with Maran and KAL Airways for a comprehensive settlement. We are confident of resolving the same mutually as we have already paid the entire principal amount earlier awarded by an arbitral tribunal. Sun Group had no comment. Shares of SpiceJet were trading at 26.85, up 3.95%. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Elon Musks private jet has departed Shanghai, wrapping up his first visit to China since the pandemic that included meetings with senior government officials and a late-night visit to Tesla Inc.s Shanghai Gigafactory. Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk walks at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai.(Reuters) The billionaires plane took off from Shanghais Hongqiao airport around 11:22 a.m. local time Thursday bound for Texas, flight tracking website Umetrip showed. Musks visit started Tuesday in Beijing, where he met Foreign Minister Qin Gang and emphasized the importance of maintaining ties with China. He also met with the president of battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., Yuqun Zeng on Tuesday, according to photos posted on social media. On Wednesday, he met Jin Zhuanglong, Chinas minister for industry and information technology, and visited the Ministry of Commerce, accompanied by Tom Zhu, Teslas senior vice president of automotive, and Grace Tao, Teslas vice president in charge of government and public affairs in Greater China. He was also photographed at Peking duck restaurant 1949. He then flew to Shanghai, where he paid a late night visit to the Tesla plant, greeting around 100 employees. He treated them to hamburgers and soft drinks and left about an hour later, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to identified discussing private matters. In a video released by Teslas China team on Thursday, Musk was shown waving to the workers, then thanking them for being at the factory late at night. He also congratulated the staff on their amazing work, and how they were able to overcome difficulties and challenges. It warms my heart, said Musk, making a love-heart gesture with his hands. Cars produced here are not just the most efficient production, but also the highest quality, he said. Teslas China team also showed Musk the first trial production car of the revamped Model 3, Bloomberg News reported earlier. The updated Model 3, Teslas first mass-market sedan, is slightly longer and sportier than the earlier version and has a sleeker interior design, Bloomberg reported last month. The automaker has enjoyed significant support from Chinas central government as the first wholly-owned foreign carmaker in the nation as well as the from Shanghai authorities, such as access to cheap land and expedited planning approvals. City officials even provided the EV maker with masks and protective equipment at the start of the pandemic. During the most recent lockdown, authorities helped Tesla secure an old military camp to house workers so it could restart production under a closed-loop system. The Shanghai plant accounted for more than half of Teslas global production in 2022, and the facility can now produce as many as 1.1 million cars a year. In return, the US automaker contributed almost one-quarter of Shanghais total automotive production value last year, and local authorities pledged last month to continue to boost ties with the company through autonomous driving and robot modules. Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday accused former CM N Chandrababu Naidu of copying schemes for his party's manifesto for the state assembly elections scheduled next year. Speaking at an event in Kurnool, he termed Telugu Desam Party (TDP)'s mini election manifesto as a bisi bele bath'- a popular rice-based rich from Karnataka and a pulihora (lemon rice) by copying other parties schemes, including those from his father, YS Rajaseskhar Reddy's regime. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.(PTI) Also Read| Andhra govt orders CID to attach assets of Margadarsi Chit Fund N Chandrababu Naidu's manifesto was not born in Andhra Pradesh. It is a bisi bele bath cooked manifesto taken from the two parties, the Congress and the BJP in the recently concluded elections in Karnataka, Reddy said, reported news agency PTI. Andhra Pradesh like Kurukshetra The chief minister also said Naidu, who is the current leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, copied schemes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) from his party such as Amma Vodi and Rythu Bharosa, and compiled them. Comparing Andhra Pradesh to Kurukshetra, he said, Next war will be between DPT (Dochuko, Panchuko, Tinuko - Loot, Distribute, Consume) and DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), while requesting voters to choose the next government wisely. Naidu's seven promises Naidu on Sunday announced his seven promises -- Maha Shakthi, Thalliki Vandanam, Yuvashakthi, Annadatha, access to drinking water, Act for backward classes (BC), and Vision 2047 and said that these would change the destiny of the people of the state in the coming years. Under the Maha Shakthi scheme, a monthly financial aid of 1,500 will be given to every woman in the 18-59 age group, while Thalliki Vandanam, would provide an annual financial aid of 15,000 to every mother without any pre-requisite conditions, Naidu said. Naming the manifesto as Bhavishyathuku Guarantee (Guarantee to a bright future), the TDP chief said it was the first of the two-part manifesto. The second part of the manifesto would be released around the Dasara festival in October, after obtaining the feedback on the first part, he said. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday raised a pitch for the contentious Mekedatu balancing reservoir across Cauvery river near Kanakapura and appealed to Tamil Nadu government to be generous. Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar. Shivakumar, who hails from Kanakapura and is an MLA from there, said the Karnataka government will have to make preparations required for the project. He also insisted that it will benefit not only Bengaluru but also the farmers of Tamil Nadu. "With regard to Mekedatu, we had marched for water (in 2021). Tamil Nadu will not have any problem. After our march, (the then) Chief Minister (Basavaraj Bommai) had earmarked 1,000 crore for the project. It has been proposed but has not been spent yet. We have to make the requisite preparations," Shivakumar told reporters here. He said, "Its not that we have any hatred for Tamil Nadu or wage a war against it. Those residing there are our brethren and their brethren are here as well. So, there is no scope for hatred or jealousy. It is our project. It will benefit them as well. We have to help all the farmers in the Cauvery basin." Stating that the key to unlock the Mekedatu issue is with the Centre, Shivakumar said there were orders on how much water Karnataka has to release. He wondered how Tamil Nadu will be at loss if Karnataka sets up a power plant there. "We will store water and supply it to Bengaluru. It has been approved in the Cauvery Tribunal award. So there is no need to panic," the Deputy Chief Minister said. He appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to consider the project as it will not affect their interest. "I request you (Tamil Nadu government) that we will not trouble you. Be generous. We too are generous. We are neighbouring states. We have fought enough and seen enough legal battles. It never helps. May we deal with it harmoniously. It will help in providing drinking water and benefit your farmers as well," Shivakumar said. The Mekedatu multi-purpose (drinking and power) project involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district. The estimated 9,000-crore project, once completed, is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) and it can also generate 400 MW of power. Karnataka has maintained that the project within its territory will benefit both states as the surplus water stored can be managed between the two during a distress year, and its implementation will in no way affect the interests of Tamil Nadus farming communities, as there will be no impact on its share of water. However, the neighbouring state is of the view that the project would impound and divert the uncontrolled water flow due to Tamil Nadu from Kabini sub-basin, the catchment area below Krishnarajasagara, and also from Simsha, Arkavathy and Suvarnavathi sub-basins besides other small streams. The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday strongly opposed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's reported remarks on his state going ahead with the construction of a reservoir across river Cauvery at Mekedatu, expressing surprise over his 'teasing' the neighbour within days of coming to power. State Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan sought to remind Shivakumar that the proposed project in Karnataka found no mention in the order of the Cauvery disputes tribunal or the Supreme Court's final verdict. State Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan sought to remind Shivakumar that the proposed project in Karnataka found no mention in the order of the Cauvery disputes tribunal or the Supreme Court's final verdict. "I am surprised that Shivakumar is resorting to teasing a neighbouring state within days of being sworn-in (as deputy CM). I believe the officials have not explained the full details of Mekedatu," he said in a statement here. READ | Mekedatu padayatra chargesheet against Congress leaders stayed Duraimurugan, the senior most minister in the State Cabinet after Chief Minister M K Stalin, was responding to reports in a section of media that claimed Shivakumar expressed his government's resolve to construct the balancing reservoir across the inter-state Cauvery at Mekedatu. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were locked in a dispute over the sharing of river water. The said project or any other unapproved construction will affect Tamil Nadu's interests, Duraimurugan added. "It is not welcome to say that the reservoir will be constructed in the uncontrolled intermediate catchment area where TN has its rights," he added. READ | Mekedatu row: Tamil Nadu's objections illegal and meaningless, says Karnataka CM "Tamil Nadu will oppose at all levels, if Karnataka's plans to construct the reservoir at Mekedatu. Soon there will be an opportunity to meet you. I think the issue can be discussed in detail then. I think honourable Shivakumar will remain patient till then," Duraimurugan told the neighbouring state's deputy Chief Minister. The Mekedatu multipurpose (drinking and power) project involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district of Karnataka. The project once completed is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) and generate 400 MW power. The estimated cost of the project is 9,000 crore. Incidentally, Shivakumar, who represents Kanakapura, had undertaken a 'padayatra' (footmarch) in January last year, demanding for the implementation of the project. His party, the Congress was in the Opposition then. The Haryana Police on Thursday claimed to have arrested 10 shooters associated with notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar from Gurugram district and seized four pistols and 28 live cartridges. The arrested sharpshooters of Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the four pistols recovered from them, in Gurugram on Thursday. (Parveen Kumar/HT) Among the arrested shooters, at least two hail from Punjab. Police also recovered two vehicles (a Scorpio and a Honda City) and seven police uniforms from the possession of the accused and one of the vehicles recovered was reported stolen from Delhi. Police said the accused were identified as Rakesh Kumar, alias Anil; Harjot Singh, alias Leela; Ajay Isharwalia, alias Punjabi; Prince, alias Golu; Joginder, alias Joga; Sandeep, alias Deep; and Sinderpal, alias Bittu. These seven accused were arrested on a specific input from Mehandwada, Bhondsi, Gurugram, while they were plotting to commit a crime, said police. After interrogating them, their three other companions Dharmendra alias Dharma; Deepak, alias Dilawar, and Bharat were also apprehended near Rajiv Chowk Devi Lal Stadium. During interrogation, police said, it came to the fore that the arrested accused were active shooters for Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar gangs. They had come to Gurugram to carry out a major dacoity and kidnapping. Their plan involved posing as police officers, with Joginder alias Joga acting as a fake police inspector, and the other members wearing police uniforms during the crime. Their plan was to kidnap someone and demand a ransom of crores of rupees. However, the police managed to apprehend them before they could execute their plan, said police. Police said during interrogation the arrested accused confessed that they carried out crimes under the instructions of Goldie Brar, Rohit Godara, and Veeru, who are believed to be residing abroad. They had bought police uniforms, belts, shoes, and other items to facilitate their operations in Gurugram. The gang members maintained regular contact with Goldie Brar and others abroad, following their instructions to carry out kidnappings and collect ransom. Police said that multiple cases have been registered against the arrested individuals, including charges of robbery, dacoity, attempted murder, theft, assault, possession of illegal weapons etc. These cases have been filed in various districts of Haryana, including Bhiwani, Panchkula, Sirsa, Ambala, Gurugram as well as Mohali (Punjab), and Rajasthan. A case has been registered against all the arrested accused. Police are conducting thorough interrogations of the arrested accused to gather more information, said police. Box Police dossier on shooters Jogendra, alias Joga He is the leader of the arrested gang members and is associated with the gangs of Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar. He hails from Baddunai in Bhiwani district and has more than 15 charges against him, including robbery, dacoity, attempted murder, and extortion. Jogendra has been to jail multiple times and served a five-year sentence in Ambala jail from 2017 to October 2021. He was released from jail in 2021 and was arrested again in February 2022 but obtained bail after about 35 days. He has been absconding since then and has not appeared in court. During his stay in Patiala jail, he met Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang members and after that he became an active member of this gang. Harjot Singh, alias Leela He is originally from Badraklai village in Moga district, Punjab. He has six cases registered against him in Badhni Kalan Moga police station, including charges of assault, attempted murder, and drug-related offenses. Sinderpal, alias Bittu He belongs to Kalwanu village in Patiala district, Punjab. Three cases, including dacoity and drug offenses, have been registered against him in Patiala. Sandeep, alias Deep He is from Sisai village in Hisar. He has been charged with attempt to murder. Ajay Isharwalia, alias Punjabi He is from Isharwal in Bhiwani and also faces charges. The BSF men on Thursday morning gunned down a Pakistani intruder along the 198-km long India-Pak international border in Samba district, said officials. The army on Wednesday had foiled an infiltration attempt on the line of control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmirs Poonch sector and arrested three terrorists. (File photo) In the early hours of Thursday, the alert BSF troops noticed a suspicious movement of a person, who crossed the IB (international border) from Pakistani side in Samba area, said a BSF spokesperson. The intruder was challenged by the troops but he kept advancing towards the border fence. The troops fired on him and shot him dead, he added. Prima facie, no weapon or narcotics were found with him. Further details were being ascertained. The army on Wednesday had foiled an infiltration attempt on the line of control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmirs Poonch sector and arrested three terrorists. The army had also seized a consignment of arms and ammunition which included a 10-kg improvised explosive device (IED) from the terrorists, who belonged to Karmara village. Deputy commissioner Surabhi Malik on Thursday directed officers to highlight Punjab governments welfare schemes and flagship programmes through Khabran Ludhianavi newsletter, so that maximum people avail benefits. The DC said newsletter was launched by administration on May 6 to ensure that information about governments policies and schemes reaches maximum people. (HT Photo) Presiding over a meeting in Bachat Bhawan, Malik said the newsletter was launched by administration on May 6 to ensure that information about governments policies and schemes reaches maximum people of Ludhiana. The DC asked officers of several departments to send information about schemes and their success to concerned persons so that it can reach the general public. The plan to hold camps, meeting and functions must also be shared well in advance to ensure maximum public participation, she added. The DC said that sometimes people who fulfil criteria under a government scheme, are not aware of the ways to avail it, adding that the newsletter will also help them to register for the scheme. The official said citizens would have the opportunity to provide suggestions to administration through the newsletter by emailing on acgludhiana@gmail.com. Among those present on the occasion included District Planning Board chairman, Sharanpal Singh Makkar, additional deputy commissioners Sandeep Kumar, Major Amit Sareen and others. The Special Court, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Jalandhar, convicted a drug peddler Mahabir Singh of Dhun village in Amritsar district, for four years of rigorous imprisonment on Thursday. After investigation, the ED filed a prosecution complaint in the year 2017 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The enforcement directorate spokesperson said the special judge PMLA Nirbhow Singh Gill found Mahabir guilty under Section 4 of PMLA for committing the offence of money laundering as defined under Section 3 of the act. The spokesperson stated that the investigation in this regard was initiated by ED, Jalandhar, in 2009 based on an FIR registered at Sadar police station, Amritsar, under Section of NDPS Act and Arms Act after Mahabir was arrested with 15kg of heroin. Investigation pursued by assistant director JP Singh revealed that the proceeds of crime generated from the drug trade were invested by the accused in immovable properties which were subsequently attached by the directorate of enforcement. After investigation, the ED filed a prosecution complaint in the year 2017 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. This is the first such conviction in the case of ED in Punjab where the accused has been convicted for the offence of money laundering, the ED spokesperson said. Ahead of the paddy sowing, the fertiliser and pesticides wholesale dealers in the state have alleged that the fertiliser manufacturing companies are forcing the dealers to buy other products by tagging them with DAP (Diammonium phosphate) and urea. Fertilisers and Pesticides Dealers Association, Moga, has given a written complaint to the agriculture department claiming that despite directions by the agriculture department, all the companies are supplying other products by tagging them with DAP and urea fertilisers. (HT File) The wholesale dealers have also sent a letter to the Union ministry of chemicals and fertilisers stating their concerns. Last year in November, the ministry warned companies about selling non-required products with fertilisers to the farmers. Fertilisers and Pesticides Dealers Association, Moga, has given a written complaint to the agriculture department claiming that despite directions by the agriculture department, all the companies are supplying other products by tagging them with DAP and urea fertilisers. If any dealer refuses to purchase the tagged products, the companies stop the supply of fertilisers. We request this practice should be stopped, they said in their complaint. Association president Pawan Kumar said that the companies are tagging bio-fertilisers and organic manure with DAP and urea. They are forcing dealers to purchase the tagged products, he said. Following the complaint, Moga chief agriculture officer Manjit Singh said the department will ensure no additional material is sold with fertilisers through tagging. Strict action will be taken against the company if they are found forcefully supplying fertilisers with tagged material, he said. Moga agriculture officer Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar said, Almost all the fertiliser manufacturing companies are forcefully tagging products with fertilisers and supplying them to wholesale dealers, who further sell to retailers across the state. Ultimately, the farmers are forced to buy the tagged products. It is a new trend to get more profits under the table. On the other hand, the government gives subsidies on urea, DAP and Potassium fertiliser, he added. Brar said the organic manure was readily available in villages and it was much cheaper than the product being tagged with the DAP and urea. Organic manure is available in villages at a cheap price of approximately 30 per quintal. The companies pack the same material under the name of organic manure in shiny bags and are selling it to private dealers as well as cooperative societies at around 30 per kg, said Brar. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A special NIA court in Chandigarh has declared a wanted member of the proscribed terror group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who is currently based in Germany, a proclaimed offender in the Model Jail tiffin bomb case of April 2022, an official said. The NIA official said Jaswinder Singh, alias Multani, of Mansoorpur-Mukerian village in Hoshiarpur district has been identified as the mastermind behind planting the IED bomb outside the wall of Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh, with the intention of spreading terror and causing violence. The official said Jaswinder Singh, alias Multani, of Mansoorpur-Mukerian village in Hoshiarpur district has been identified as the mastermind behind planting the IED bomb outside the wall of Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh, with the intention of spreading terror and causing violence. Multani has been declared a proclaimed offender under section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), a federal agency spokesperson said. The tiffin bomb, along with a detonator, was found in a black bag outside the jail on April 22 last year. The spokesperson said, Multani is currently based in Germany and has a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him.The NIA court issued the NBW on January 5. The National Investigation Agency has also declared a reward of 10 lakh and issued a lookout circular against him. The tiffin bomb case was originally registered against unknown persons by the Chandigarh Police under the Explosive Substances Act. The NIA subsequently take over the case in May 2022 and re-registered it with additional provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Investigations by the NIA revealed that Multani had masterminded the crime from Germany. He was in touch with pro-Khalistan operatives based in India, Pakistan and other countries, and was using them to promote violence and terror, the spokesperson said. The official said investigations revealed that Multani was identifying, recruiting, motivating and radicalising the youths of Punjab through social media. He was also sending or raising funds and coordinating the movement of arms and ammunition, as well as explosives from Pakistan into India, the spokesperson said. A Faridabad court on Thursday granted bail to Haryana IAS officer Dharmender Singh who was arrested by the Faridabad police on May 15 for allegedly seeking illegal gratification in a 2022 case. A Faridabad court on Thursday granted bail to Haryana IAS officer Dharmender Singh who was arrested by the Faridabad police on May 15 for allegedly seeking illegal gratification in a 2022 case. (Shutterstock) Additional sessions judge (ASJ), Faridabad, Amrit Singh granted regular bail to the IAS officer and asked him to appear before the court on June 13. This court after considering the fact that the custody of the accused is no more required by the investigating agency, except for taking his voice sample for which accused has given his consent, is of the view that no useful purpose would be served to keep the accused in custody. It is also pertinent to mention here that accused is a senior Haryana government officer and there is least possibility of his absconding from trial, said the court while granting bail. A case was registered in June 22, 2022, under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 506 (criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Kotwali police station in Faridabad on the complaint of one Lalit Mittal. Mittal, who has a construction company M/s Harchand Das Gupta, had alleged that he met one Pankaj Garg of Sector-15, Faridabad, six years ago. He alleged that Pankaj Garg introduced him to one RB Sharma who assured that they can get a big government tender or building construction work. The complainant (Mittal) alleged that he paid 1.11 crore to Rambir Sharma for getting a government contract. Counsel for the accused Sanjiv Rao argued that the accused IAS officer is innocent and has been implicated. He argued that the allegations of the prosecution nowhere revealed that he demanded any money from the complainant or any other person. He said the entire case of the prosecution is vague because the complainant at the first instance has alleged that he has given the money for the contract work of Charkhi Dadri whereas there was no tender pending at Charkhi Dadri, as alleged in the FIR. He further pointed out that later on, the police recorded the supplementary statement and the complainant has changed his allegations that he has some tender work at Sonepat. The counsel for the accused said the allegations against the present applicant are that he took bribe for recommendation of enhancement of work already allotted to M/s Harchand Dass Gupta, the firm of the complainant, and took bribe to the tune of 1 crore for the enhancement. He submitted that the enhancement of tender is not within the purview of the accused and he had sent it to director, urban local bodies (ULB) Haryana. Neither there is any transaction nor any evidence on record to show that applicant has received any amount or has any official dealing with the complainant. Public prosecutor argued a sum of 1.11 crore was paid by Lalit Mittal to RB Sharma out of which 11 lakh was given to Sharma and the remaining Rs. 1 crore was given to IAS officer Dharmender Singh. He argued that the IAS officer has not followed the guidelines issued by the ULB department. He argued that as per December 11, 2018, letter issued by director, urban local bodies, the tender amount may be increased upto 10% but if there is an increase of more than 10%, then a fresh tender should be invited. This court has meticulously examined the December 11, 2018, letter issued by the ULB department whereas the project in question was allotted in 2017. Although the investigating officer has stated that this letter has a retrospective effect. However, clause 5 of the letter clearly mentioned that these guidelines are applicable for future contracts. Therefore, this court is of the view that the present project does not fall within the ambit of said letter. During police remand, nothing has been recovered from the custody of the accused, the ASJs court said. It further said that when no recovery is to be made from the accused and he has consented to give his specimen voice samples, then the accused is entitled for concession of bail. The accused is directed to join investigation as and when required by the investigating agency, failing which the investigating agency may approach this court for cancellation of his bail. The accused is in custody since May 15, 2023 and it is settled law that bail is a rule and jail is exception. In the light of above, the present bail application is allowed and he is ordered to be released on bail on furnishing bail bonds in the sum of 1 lakh with one surety, the court said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a rare display of solidarity, opposition leaders of Punjab came together on one stage in Jalandhar on Thursday to protest the vigilance bureau (VB) probe against Ajit Group editor-in-chief Barjinder Singh Hamdard. Punjab opposition leaders at the protest against the AAP-led state government for issuing summons to Ajit Group editor-in-chief Barjinder Singh Hamdard. (HT Photo) In response to a call by the Congress, senior leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party joined the protest against the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, and senior party leaders Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Navjot Singh Sidhu were joined by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, state BSP president Jasbir Singh Garhi, state BJP president Ashwani Sharma and party leader Sunil Jakhar and Lok Insaf Partys Simarjit Singh Bains at the protest. Also read: Now, VB arrests Punjab AIG Ashish Kapoor in assets case The VB had summoned Hamdard on May 29 in an inquiry into the alleged misuse of funds during the execution of the 315-crore Jang-e-Azadi Memorial dedicated to freedom fighters at Kartarpur, 18km from district headquarters. However, the summons were deferred after Hamdard sought 10 days time. Hamdard, who was instrumental in the conception and construction of the project since 2012, had quit as member secretary of the Jang-e-Azadi Memorial Foundation and as its managing committee president on April 10, blaming the AAP government of repeatedly maligning the name of the memorial by sending police and vigilance teams. In March, on the basis of complaints of alleged misuse of funds in the construction of the memorial, the Jalandhar vigilance bureau initiated a probe. Besides conducting multiple checking at the site and confiscating official records from drawings to funds sanctioned by the state government from 2014-16, the VB questioned the memorials managing committee secretary. Spread over 25 acres at Kartarpur and located 18km from Jalandhar, the mega project was the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP governments dream project. The memorial was one of the dream projects of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal as the first phase was opened to the public in 2016. During his tenure, Captain Amarinder Singh ensured all financial assistance and logistics to complete the second phase of the project in 2018. The memorial is a unique piece of art that has a minaret, a seminar hall, an auditorium, a movie hall, a cafeteria, a library, an open-air theatre for laser show and an amphitheatre. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Navrajdeep Singh Navrajdeep Singh is a senior staff correspondent. He covers agriculture, crime, local bodies, health and education in the Patiala district of Punjab. ...view detail Punjab governor and UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit will take a final call on issues related to Panjab University (PU) on June 5. Punjab governor and UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit chairing a meeting to discuss issues related to Panjab University with chief ministers Bhagwant Mann and Manohar Lal Khattar in Chandigarh on Thursday. (HT Photo) This was discussed at a meeting on Thursday morning in which the Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar were present. PU vice-chancellor (VC) Renu Vig was also present. According to sources at the meeting, the financial constraints that PU is under was the main issue discussed. Haryana is willing to offer money to the university to meets its expenses but is demanding affiliation from PU for its colleges in the districts of Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar, it is learnt. Also read: Punjab opposition leaders put up united front against AAP govt probe UT administrator-cum-Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit chaired the meeting on the direction of Union home minister Amit Shah during the recent zonal meeting. Shah asked the UT administrator to convene a meeting at his level to sort out the issues as he is head of the UT administration. While both the states put forward their points, their resolution was not possible in the meeting held on Thursday. It is expected that the governor will take a final call at the meeting on June 5. As an inter-state body, PU annually receives maintenance grants from both the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Punjab government. The university had written to the Punjab government before the state budget was presented this year. In a letter to the principal secretary, department of higher education, Punjab, on March 28, apart from the 334 crore liability, the state was informed that there are development needs of the university amounting to 117.62 crore. In the 2023-24 session, there was a shortfall of 4.25 crore that had been carried forward from last year. In the last reminder sent to Punjab, it was reiterated that the government had not even released the grant with 6% annual enhancement as agreed for 2022-23. In March 2018, the state had informed the Punjab and Haryana high court that it would be enhancing the grant to PU by 6% in the 2018-19 financial year. Thereon, it had increased the grant by 6% till 2021-22, when the enhancement was 4.81%. However, for 2022-23, no enhancement had been sanctioned. The university has a recurring liability of both teaching and non-teaching employees, including pensions at 56.23 crore. The arrears of pay revision from January 1, 2016, including pensions, will amount to 278.17 crore. The university needs a total 334.4 crore in funds for this. PU has also written to the UGC to enhance its grant for it to implement the revised pay-scales but the Centre in a recent communication refused to further revise this and stated that the university is given salary grants and as agreed to by the ministry of education, this is increased by 6% every year. Police have launched a hunt for online fraudsters who made a 17-year-old boy transfer 1.18 lakh to their bank account by offering him escort services via WhatsApp. Police were alerted by the teenagers father, a property consultant from Sector 20, Panchkula. Police were alerted by the teenagers father, a property consultant from Sector 20, Panchkula. The father, aged 40, told the police that on May 2, he was away at Karnataka, while his wife had gone to her parents home, when their home-alone son received a web link on his mobile phone that led him to a WhatsApp chat. The person on the other end offered him escort services by sharing pictures of women. Through various steps, the accused made his son transfer 1.18 lakh via his mothers bank account. Also Read: Delhi doctor scammed for 4.5 cr in city's biggest cyber fraud Eventually, when the fraudster asked him to come to a hotel in Peer Muchalla, his son got scared and refused to go. Later, the swindler deleted all WhatsApp messages. On returning home on May 7, the complainant realised 1.18 lakh were transferred from his wifes account to an account in Rajasthan. On being coaxed, his son revealed the matter, following which a police complaint was filed. A case under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 384 (extortion) and 120 (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code was registered at the cyber police station on May 31. In August 2022, a student of Chandigarh University was kidnapped from Kharar after being honey trapped. He was later rescued from a flat in the towns Ranjit Nagar in less than 48 hours. Three members of the honey trap gang, including a woman, who had demanded 50 lakh as ransom, were arrested from the flat. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON State investigation unit of Kashmir Police on Thursday attached an underconstruction house in Kokernag South Kashmir as the house, according to the police, was used by militants of Hizbul Mujahideen. The spokesman warned general public not to harbour or provide shelter or extend logistics to terrorists/terror associates in their houses, failing which strict legal action will be taken against anyone doing so. The police said the attached house was owned by a militant associate identified as Mohammad Ishaq Malik of Danwathpora Kokernag in Anantnag district. Continuing its crackdown on harbouring terrorists and providing logistic support to them, SIU Anantnag attached under the construction residential house of a terrorist associate in Danwathpora Kokernag area of Anantnag district used for terrorist activities after obtaining necessary sanctions from the competent authority, said police spokesman in a statement. The spokesman further said during the course of investigation in case FIR No. 103/2022 of police station Kokernag under the UA(P) Act, one under construction residential house belonging to terrorist associate namely Mohammad Ishaq Malik has been found used by terrorists of proscribed terrorist outfit HM. Accordingly, process for attachment of property belonging to the above accused falling within the ambit proceeds of terrorism was initiated by SIU Anantnag under Section 25 of the UA(P) Act and the conformation related to the attachment of property was accorded by the Kashmir divisional commissioner. The spokesman warned general public not to harbour or provide shelter or extend logistics to terrorists/terror associates in their houses, failing which strict legal action will be taken against anyone doing so. The SIU shall continue identification and initiation of attachment/confiscation of properties falling under the ambit of proceeds of terrorism to shake the ecosystem of terrorism in UT of J&K. Sharaddha Walkar's brother Shreejay Walkar testified against 28-year-old Aaftab Poonawala in Delhi's Saket court as trial began and statement of prosecution witnesses in the case were recorded on Thursday. Shreejay told the court that two weeks after she left her home, Shraddha told him that she and Aaftab were fighting a lot verbal and physical. She had told him that Aaftab would beat her up occasionally. Aaftab Poonawala, 28, allegedly sawed Shraddha Walkars body into 35 pieces and kept them in a 300-litre fridge for almost three weeks at his residence in south Delhis Mehrauli before dumping them across the city over several days. (File) Shreejay told their mother about the same. He said, We again tried to reason with her and that she should not be in this relationship and she should come back home. She said Aaftab would apologise after every fight and she would accept the apology and continue living with him. He also told the court that Shraddha often visited her home when their mother was unwell. However, their mother passed in January last year. He added, Shraddha stayed back for a bit with Aaftab. Heated arguments continued. We were not happy that she was in such a relationship. My interaction with my sister reduced substantially as we understood that she is completely influenced by Aaftab. Shreejay also said that he lost complete contact with his sister after mid-2021. I did not see my sister after Feb 2020. She was in touch with her classmates Shivani Mhatre and lakshmanan Nadar. Mid-2021 lost contact with her. If i called either it was switched off or unreachable. Statements of two more witnesses, including an auto driver and Shraddha and Aaftab's Chhatarpur neighbour were also recorded on Thursday. The matter will be next heard in July. What happened? Poonwala allegedly strangulated his live-in partner Shraddha in November last year. He sawed her body into 35 pieces and kept them in a 300-litre refrigerator before dumping them across various locations in the city over several days. In January, the Delhi Police had filed a 6,629-page chargesheet in the case. The chargesheet was filed 75 days after the police had started investigations. Shraddha and Aaftab Poonwala and Shraddha, hailing from Mumbai, were in a relationship and had moved to Delhi in May 2022. The murder came to light when a friend informed Shraddha's father that he had not heard from her for nearly two months. After being unable to contact his daughter, Shraddha's father informed Mumbai Police last October. The Mumbai polices probe led police to the couples rented room in South Delhi's Chhattarpur Pahadi. The crime The breakthrough came when 13 decomposed body parts, mostly pieces of bones, retrieved on Poonawalas insistence led to a DNA match that confirmed Shraddha was murdered. Poonawala was arrested in November last year and is currently lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi chief minister and Aam Admi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal will meet Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin in Chennai on Thursday and his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren in Ranchi on Friday in his continued bid to shore up support against the services ordinance promulgated by the Centre, senior party officials said on Wednesday. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo) Kejriwal has been meeting opposition leaders, seeking their support to defeat the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha. He has already met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) head Sharad Pawar, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav and CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury. Also Read| Rise above party line to oppose ordinance: Kejriwal to Congress The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central 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 nullified the five-judge bench Supreme Court Constitution bench order which gave primacy to the elected government in all services except those departments of land, law and order and police. The ordinance seeks to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and reverses the Supreme Court judgement by providing greater control to the lieutenant governor over bureaucrats in the Capital. The AAP on Wednesday said that these series of meetings with key opposition figures are being held to gather support against the anti-Delhi ordinance. Kejriwal on Wednesday tweeted that he will seek DMKs support against Centres unconstitutional-undemocratic and Anti-Delhi ordinance. On May 23, Kejriwal started a nationwide tour to seek support from the Opposition parties against the ordinance. Kejriwals meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge did not materialise amid opposition by the Delhi Congress leaders. Delhi Rohini court of the metropolitan magistrate on Thursday extended the police remand of Sahil, who is accused of stabbing a 16-year-old to death on Sunday evening at E-block in Shahbad Dairy area, for three days. Minor girl murder accused Sahil was arrested on Monday (File Photo) Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) (outer north) Ravi Kumar Singh said the investigator produced Sahil before a duty metropolitan magistrates residence on Thursday morning with a request to extend his police remand for three more days for his further interrogation. Due to security reasons, Sahil was produced in the early court, instead of the regular court. Considering our request, the court extended his police custody till Saturday, said the DCP. Also Read: Shahbad Dairy killing: Girls murder planned for 3 days, say Delhi police Singh said that Sahil has so far given many contradictory statements about the incidents and weapons used in the commission of crime, to mislead the police investigation. We have searched all the spots from Shahbad Dairy to Rithala metro station, where the accused had claimed to throw the knife. But, the weapon has not yet been recovered. We may take him to his aunts place in Bulandshahr from where he was arrested, to trace the entire route. Since the weapon of offence will be vital evidence for the prosecution, we are mainly focusing on its recovery right now, the DCP added. According to Delhi police, Sahil stabbed the minor girl at least 16 times, kicked her limp body, and battered her relentlessly with a stone slab in a brutal attack in a narrow lane in northwest Delhis Shahbad Dairy on Sunday. He then fled to his aunts house in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr and was arrested from that city on Monday after police traced a call he made to his mother. As a call was traced from his aunt to his father, Sahil was arrested and brought to Delhi on Monday. The Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday allowed businessman P Sarath Chandra Reddy to turn approver in the alleged excise policy scam being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court also granted pardon to Reddy in the case. Businessman P Sarath Chandra Reddy The move could lead to more trouble for Delhi's former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who is facing money laundering charges by the ED. The ED is investigating alleged irregularities in the implementation of the now-scrapped liquor policy of the Delhi government. The money laundering case stems from a CBI FIR. According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours were extended to licence holders. The Delhi government implemented the policy on November 17, 2021, but scrapped it at the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption. Who is Sarath Chandra Reddy? 1. Reddy, a whole-time director and promoter of Aurobindo Pharma, was arrested by the ED in November last year. 2. Reddy was recently charge-sheeted by the probe agency in the case. He is the second person to become an approver. 3. In November last year, liquor businessman and accused in the case, Dinesh Arora turned approver. 4. Reddy through his counsel had moved a plea before the Rouse Avenue Court requesting the court to let him be an approver. The court allowed his move, and also pardoned him in the matter. 5. The ED had claimed in the supplementary charge sheet that Vijay Nair, businessman and AAP's communications in-charge, on behalf of leaders of Aam Aadmi Party received kickbacks to the tune of 100 crore from South Group, whose prominent persons are Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, Raghav Magunta, Sarath Reddy and K Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. (With inputs agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Delhi high court on Thursday asked former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia to explain why he chose to withdraw the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 if it was as good as the it was as good as the Delhi government claimed. The judge asked Sisodias counsel to get a reply to his query. (File) Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma made the remark while hearing the bail plea of Vijay Nair, a co-accused in a money laundering case arising from an alleged scam into the policy, and asked Sisodias counsel to get a reply to his query. If policy is so good, why did you withdraw it? Get a definitive reply for this, said the judge. Sisodias counsel submitted that the policy was rolled back after the Delhi lieutenant governor did not let liquor vends to open in non-conforming zones, leading to losses. He said the vends were allowed to operate in such areas under the earlier policy, which was in place for 10 years. Also Read| ED: Sisodia got 2.2 crore bribes in Delhi excise case Additional solicitor general SV Raju, who appeared for ED, however, claimed the policy was withdrawn because the wrongdoings of the accused had been exposed. During the hearing, the counsel for ED and Sisodia, who is an accused in the case and is currently in judicial custody, told the court that fresh pleas have been filed on behalf of the former deputy chief minister seeking interim bail on account of the deteriorating health of his wife, which are likely to come up for hearing on Friday. Separately, a city court on Thursday ordered the preservation of CCTV footage at Rouse Avenue court from May 23, after Sisodia moved an application alleging that security personnel had misbehaved with him inside the court premises. The Delhi Police also moved an application before the court seeking its permission to produce Sisodia only via video conferencing, adding that producing him physically creates chaos, with AAP supporters and media persons gathering in the corridors of the court. Lieutenant governor VK Saxena, invoking special power under section 24(8) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), has approved a proposal from the Delhi governments home department to appoint 20 advocates as special public prosecutors and has sent the file to the Union ministry of home affairs for notification of the appointment, officials in the LG secretariat aware of the matter said on Thursday. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and lieutenant governor VK Saxena have had several run-ins over the control of Delhi since May 26, 2022, when the latter took charge. (PTI) The Delhi government, responding to the development, termed the LGs move illegal, and said that the action will be challenged in the Supreme Court when the apex court opens after vacation. Delhi is a union territory with legislature and it has a multi-layered overlapping governance system. The executive power of the Union government in the capital is confined to land, police and public order while the elected government has control over transferred subjects like health, education, revenue, etc. Kejriwal and Saxena have had several run-ins over the control of Delhi since May 26, 2022, when the latter took over as LG. The appointment of the public prosecutors is latest in a raging confrontation between the elected government and the Centre-appointed LG over a range of issues, including on a vigilance inquiry into the expenditure for the reconstruction of the CMs official residence, the routing of files, and the transfer/posting of officials, among other issues. Seemingly kicking off a new row, LG secretariat officials on Thursday said that the file for the 20special public prosecutors was cleared for the speedy disposal of 20 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act which are pending in different courts of the Capital. They claimed that Saxena had to invoke special powers because chief minister Arvind Kejriwal allegedly delayed their appointment. The LG secretariat said in a statement, In another case of characteristic inaction, blatant disregard of court orders and insensitivity, the Arvind Kejriwal Government has been sitting over a trial courts order to appoint senior public prosecutors/prosecutors from CBI for speedy disposal of 20 POCSO cases in different POCSO courts of the city for the past 09 months. The file related to this has been doing rounds from the CM to different ministers since 11.01.2023, and is currently pending with CM Kejriwal for the last 25 days. Constrained by this inaction and unexplained delay on part of the AAP government and CM Arvind Kejriwal, the LG has approved the home department proposal to invoke the power of Central government u/s 24(8) of CrPC and send the proposal for issue of notification for appointment of Sr. prosecutors to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In response, the Delhi government in an official statement said, The LG has issued these orders behind the back of the elected government. Neither the minister nor the CM was taken in confidence by the LG. We are surprised that despite facing strong reprimand from the SC repeatedly, LG has issued orders without jurisdiction. LGs orders are illegal as many of his earlier orders. We will challenge this in SC when it opens. A Delhi government official, declining to be named, said, The people of Delhi are fed up with the LG, who, rather than doing his own job of maintaining law and order, is repeatedly interfering in the working of the elected government. Delhi has never seen such a negative-minded LG. At a time when the women of Delhi are feeling unsafe, the LG should be devoting his energies to providing safety to the people of Delhi. A second Delhi government official said that Supreme Court, in a February 14, 2019 order, categorically found the elected government of Delhi to be the state government in the context of the appointment of special public prosecutors under CrPC. Thus, the exclusive power to grant sanction to prosecute under Section 196 of the CrPC. is also vested in the elected government, and the LG is bound to follow the aid and advice of the cabinet, the official said. Police are investigating two people for their alleged role in the murders of a 64-year-old woman and her 39-year-old daughter in east Delhis Krishna Nagar, said officers, adding that they are probing a range of possible motives, including robbery or a purported property dispute. Locals stand outside the house where the mother-daughter duo were murdered in Delhis Krishna Nagar on late Wednesday night, on Thursday. (Sonu Mehta/HT) Officers involved in the investigation, relying on CCTV footage, said the two women were killed between 10pm and 11pm on May 25 and that the suspects stayed in the house for roughly half an hour. Police, however, did not divulge any details about the two suspects, arguing that it would interfere with the investigation. The two women were found murdered, with their throats slit, in their flat on Wednesday evening. The victims bodies remained in the first floor three-bedroom flat for a week, going unnoticed till neighbours were thrown off by a foul smell on Wednesday. Police said the two women had little interaction with others in the four-storey building. Police identified the victims as Rajrani Karar (64) and her daughter Ginni Karar (39). Rajrani retired as an artiste with All India Radio. Her husband died in 2011, said police. Also Read| HT Exclusive: Police recover weapon used in Shahbad Dairy murder Investigators said the woman was involved in some property disputes, but added that other motives, including robbery, have still to be ruled out. Rohit Meena, deputy commissioner of police (Shahdara), said, We are questioning several people, including the two daughters. Officers involved in the matter said relations within the family were frayed after disagreements over Rajranis inheritance. Rajrani had three daughters, two of whom are settled with their families in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Ginni, her youngest daughter, a postgraduate in fine arts, suffered from autism and a speech disability, said police. Her mother had hired a tutor and a speech therapist for her disability, Meena said. She had made Ginni the legal heir of her three properties Delhi-NCR, said officers. Rajrani was not on cordial terms with her two older daughters. She interacted very little with them, Meena said. The two shifted to the Krishna Nagar flat from Rohini four years ago and were planning to sell this and move to another house near Nehru Place in south Delhi, said Meena. Police checked the footage from CCTV cameras in the neighbouring building and identified two suspects entering the house on the night of May 25 and leaving half an hour later. That was the last time anyone entered the flat, police said. However, the DCP added that the exact cause of the murder is still to be ascertained. HT tried to reach out to Rajranis two daughters for their response, but was unable to obtain their contact details. The residents of the building had a discussion among ourselves before alerting the police, said Manoj, a resident who lives on another floor. Police received a call from one of the residentsat 8pm. They reached the building within a few minutes of the call, smashed a window to look into the house and spotted the bodies inside. Rajranis body was found on the drawing room floor and Ginnis in a hall near the kitchen. The bodies, a week old, were decomposing, said officers. Their throats appeared to be slit using a sharp weapon, they said, adding that it was difficult to comment on the precise nature of the injuries because of the decay. DCP Meena said the autopsy will be conducted on Friday. The drawers had been opened and checked, but police were still to ascertain if any valuables were missing, and did not rule out the possibility that the house was ransacked to mislead investigations. Meena said evidence on the spot suggested the role of people acquainted with the victims. The building has a video buzzer system to allow people inside and the building had a security guard. Even the flat had two sets of doors. The murderers had to be acquainted with the victim, he said. The outer door was latched from the outside and the inner one was shut as well, said police. Several teams have been sent to different cities to pin the suspects, Meena said, but added that the most definitive clues suggested that at least one of them is in Lucknow. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Police arrested 10 members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang on Tuesday night from Bhondsi and Rajiv Chowk while they were allegedly planning to kidnap a businessman. As per Gurugram police, they had received a tip-off after which raids were conducted to nab the suspects. Police officers address a press conference following the arrest of the 10 suspects. (Parveen Kumar/HT) Police said the suspects had met in Bhondsi on Tuesday to plan the kidnapping but were arrested before they could commit the crime. We had set up barricades in Bhondsi and Rajiv Chowk and were checking vehicles to ensure no one passes the barricades. We arrested seven persons from Bhondsi while the others were arrested from Rajiv Chowk. The police uniform recovered from the suspects were stitched from Hisar and all the members were using system generated number that were similar to international number, said Narender Chauhan, inspector and in-charge of crime unit agency, Sector 17, adding that gangster Goldy Brar would get in touch with them through these numbers. The suspects were identified as Rakesh Kumar alias Anil, Harjot Singh alias Leela, Ajay Isharwalia alias Punjabi, Prince alias Golu, Joginder alias Joga, Sandeep alias Deep, and Sinderpal alias Bittu, who were arrested from Bhondsi. On the other hand, Dharmendra alias Dharma, Deepak alias Dilawar and Karan, were arrested from near Devi Lal stadium in Rajiv Chowk. Police said illegal weapons were found in their possession. Among the items seized were four pistols, 28 live cartridges, a Scorpio and a Honda City car, and seven police uniforms among others, said police. A case under sections 399, 402 and 171 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and 25 (1-B) (a) of the Arms Act was registered at Bhondsi police station., said police. Varun Dahiya, assistant commissioner of police (crime), said the suspects during questioning revealed that they were planning to wear police uniforms to intercept vehicles and commit dacoity and kidnapping posing as policemen. Our teams raided two locations on Tuesday after a tip-off and arrested members of the Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gangs, ACP Dahiya said. ACP Dahiya said that the seized Honda City car was robbed from Delhi recently. During questioning, suspects revealed that all of them were active members of Bishnoi-Brar gang. They had come to Gurugram to carry out a major robbery and kidnapping. Joginder alias Joga planned to pose as an inspector posted at Bhondsi and others his team members, he said. Police said the suspects revealed that they were working under the instructions of Brar, Rohit Godara and Veeru, all of whom were based abroad. The police uniforms and other accessories were procured from Haryana and Delhi, said Dahiya. Police said several cases of robbery, dacoity, attempted murder, theft, assault, threatening, and possession of illegal weapons are registered against these suspects in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Building new a house in Rajasthan up to 90 square metres will now require owners to plant at least two trees. This will increase the number of trees required to be planted as per the area, the Jaipur Town Planning Department amended the building bylaws on Thursday. The step by the town planning department was taken after there was a decrease in the proportion of the greenery area to the construction area in big cities like Jaipur. (File) The plants will have to be looked after until they become trees, failure to do so will lead to a fine of 1,000 per tree, the amendment stated. The step by the town planning department was taken after there was a decrease in the proportion of the greenery area to the construction area in big cities like Jaipur. Right now, the required percentage of dense greenery as compared to a construction area is 15 per cent. However, the current percentage stands at seven. The amendment stated nothing about the requirement for building owners to maintain the green area proportion in relation to as the height of buildings increases. A day before the World Earth Day, which is celebrated on April 22, Jaipur International Airport had announced that it will plant 7,500 trees across the city in 2023-2024. Airport director Vishnu Mohan Jha had inaugurated the plantation drive at the Terminal 1 of the airport. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sanskriti Falor Sanskriti Falor is a Senior Content Producer at the News Desk of HT Digital. Having worked in Digital Media for the past two years, she is interested in covering civic issues and global affairs. ...view detail Opposition parties targeted the ruling-Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday, hours after Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sujay Krishna Bhadra, a prime suspect in the West Bengal school recruitment scam. The ED on Wednesday arrested Sujay Krishna Bhadra, a prime suspect in the Bengal school recruitment scam (Twitter Photo) Bhadra was arrested late on Tuesday night after an 11-hour interrogation and was produced before Kolkatas Bankshall court, which rejected his bail petition on Wednesday and remanded him in EDs custody till June 14. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state leadership saw Bhadras arrest as a significant development although three TMC legislators, including former education minister Partha Chatterjee, are already in judicial custody. This arrest will expose the main beneficiaries of the scam, Sukanta Majumdar, Bengal BJP president, said. The Congress alleged that crores of money collected from bribe givers were being sent to foreign countries by the TMC. Also Read: ED arrests Bengal job scam suspect who claimed to be Abhishek Banerjees employee We have received information that TMCs top leaders are trying to convert a huge amount of money from various scams into American dollars and siphon it to foreign countries, state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said at a press conference on Friday. Jay Prakash Majumdar, TMC state vice-president, said: Bhadra is not a member of the TMC. Also, it is not clear what charges he faces. Bhadra, who was earlier questioned by both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), told the media on March 23 that he works for Abhishek Banerjee. Abhishek Banerjee is my boss. I work for his company. Since Banerjee cannot be touched by anyone, the agencies are targeting other people. It wont help, Bhadra said on March 23. Banerjee, who is touring the districts as part of the TMCs Nabo Jowar (new tide) programme, did not comment on Bhadras arrest. On May 20, the ED raided 16 locations in and around Kolkata, including Bhadras home, and seized documents relating to several properties and companies. His mobile phones were also seized. The 15-hour ED raid was conducted when the CBI questioned Banerjee for almost 10 hours in connection with the recruitment scam. According to senior advocate Phiroze Edulji who represented the federal agency, the court was told that Bhadra was in regular contact with some of the prime suspects in the bribe-for-job scam in the state education department and he facilitated illegal recruitments. Also Read: SC to hear Abhishek Banerjees plea against go-ahead for probe against him He also admitted before the media that the CBI had grilled him in the coal smuggling case. Banerjee and his wife Rujira have also been questioned by the ED in the coal scam. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will on Friday hear Banerjees petition challenging the Calcutta high courts order permitting the CBI and ED to proceed with the inquiry against him in connection with an alleged scam in the recruitment of teachers in West Bengal. The CBI on Saturday questioned Banerjee for over nine hours two days after a single judge bench of the high court gave the go-ahead to the central agencies to interrogate Banerjee after his name was mentioned by Kuntal Ghosh, another prime suspect and a former TMC state general secretary. The chief metropolitan magistrates (CMM) court in Kolkata ordered on Wednesday that a complaint letter from Saradha chit fund owner Sudipta Sen, sent to the court from Presidency correctional home alleging financial irregularities at Contai municipality in East Midnapore district, should be forwarded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), court officials said. Saradha chit fund owner Sudipta Sen was arrested by CBI in 2013 (File Photo) In April, Sen wrote to the CMM court that in 2011-12 he was pressured to pay a few crores of rupees to the Contai municipality for sanctioning a high-rise complex of Saradha Realty, but neither was the building plan was sanctioned, nor the money returned. The Contai municipality chairman at that time was Soumendu Adhikari, the younger brother of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari. Both were in Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2011-12. Also Read: All about the Saradha chit fund case that triggered CBI-Mamata row Suvendu Adhikari joined the BJP in December 2020. His brother followed him a few weeks later. Contai is their hometown. Their father Sisir Adhikari and brother Dibyendu Dibyendu are TMC Lok Sabha members from East Midnapore. Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the CMM courts decision to forward Sens complaint to the CBI. Sen was made to write the letter. I know when and how it was done. I wrote to the CBI about this conspiracy in December last year. My job has become easier now. Let the CBI start a probe, he said. Sen, who was chairman of the Saradha group of companies, was arrested by West Bengal police from Kashmir in 2013 while he was on the run. He is in judicial custody since then. The Saradha chit fund scam involves an estimated Rs.2,460 crore raised from around 1.8 million depositors from different states, including West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. The CBI is probing the chit-fund scam under orders the Supreme Court passed in 2014. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency on Thursday informed the special court that former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma is again admitted to the Sassoon General Hospital in Pune and urged the court to call for a report of his health status. The NIA on Thursday drew the courts attention towards Sharma and said that he was in the hospital for the last 43 days. Special public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves submitted that a report must be called for on the health status of the accused and why he has been admitted to the hospital. Besides, he said, the court should also call for details of the people who all visited Sharma in the hospital. (HT PHOTO) The NIA also informed the court that Sharma is allowed to meet his family members, people who are convicted in the Lakhkhan Bhaiya fake encounter killing case and some others wanted in other cases inside the hospital. The special NIA court is likely to pass orders on the agencys plea on June 5. NIA arrested Sharma, a retired senior police inspector, in connection with the parking of an explosives-laden SUV outside Antilia, the south Mumbai residence of billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, and the subsequent murder of a Thane-based car accessories shop owner Mansukh Hiran. The NIA on Thursday drew the courts attention towards Sharma and said that he was in the hospital for the last 43 days. Special public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves submitted that a report must be called for on the health status of the accused and why he has been admitted to the hospital. Besides, he said, the court should also call for details of the people who all visited Sharma in the hospital. A medical report of Pradeep Sharma along with the need or necessity for his hospitalisation and how long the treatment is required for the same, may be called for from Sassoon Hospital and the list of visitors who have visited him also be called from the dean of the hospital and the jail authorities, states the plea filed by Gonsalves in special NIA court. While arguing, Gonsalves said, Sharma had in July last year got himself admitted in the hospital and stayed there for 190 days. Later again he was admitted for 26 days and now he is in the hospital for the past 43 days. He is misusing the medical facility. He added that when the federal agency came to know about it, the investigating officer wrote a letter to the dean of the hospital to know about Sharmas hospitalisation. The officer came to know that during Sharmas stay in the state-run hospital, his wife and daughter came to meet him. He said apart from the family members, Tanaji Desai and Shailendra Pandey, who are convicted in the Lakhkhan Bhaiya fake encounter killing case, also visited him in the hospital. He pointed out that Desai is cited as a witness by the NIA in the Antilia explosives scare case. The prosecution also claimed that some other accused also met the former encounter specialist in the hospital. Meanwhile, Sharma, who has been acquitted in the Lakhkhan Bhaiya fake encounter case, has asked for all the documents and statements of witnesses which are recorded but not submitted by the NIA before the court. Acting on his plea, the court called the investigating officer with all the records on Monday. Gangster Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje aka Chhota Rajan has approached the Bombay high court (HC) against filmmaker Hansal Mehta and owners of Matchbox Shots LLP, who have produced the web series Scoop, slated to drop on the OTT platform Netflix on Friday. The Netflix series is based on the story of journalist Jigna Vora who was accused of murdering a fellow journalist Jyotirmoy Dey (J Dey). Dey was killed near his residence in Powai on July 11, 2011. The series is inspired by Voras biographical book Behind the Bars In Byculla: My Days in Prison. (HT PHOTO) In his suit, Rajan has objected to his picture and voice being used by the filmmaker. He learnt about it from his wife after she saw the trailer of the series. This, according to Rajan, was an infringement of his rights, as the filmmaker did not seek his permission. Therefore, he has said that the producers should be permanently restrained from releasing the series. He has also sought removal of the trailer. Rajan filed the suit through advocate Akash Pandey, on Thursday, which is likely to be heard by the vacation bench of the HC on Friday. Also Read: Shahid Kapoor's Bloody Daddy, Hansal Mehta's Scoop, School of Lies: Web series and films to watch out for in June The Netflix series is based on the story of journalist Jigna Vora who was accused of murdering a fellow journalist Jyotirmoy Dey (J Dey). Dey was killed near his residence in Powai on July 11, 2011. The series is inspired by Voras biographical book Behind the Bars In Byculla: My Days in Prison. Referring to the trailer of the series, which was released on May 15, the plea stated that Rajans wife came across two interviews of Mehta on various television networks on May 22 and 25 after which she alerted him about the series. The plaintiffs wife is disturbed and affected by the repeated and widespread gossip of the web series, said the plea, underscoring that it was causing a fear of threat to life to the plaintiff and other family members. The interim application stated that making any direct or indirect reference to the plaintiff without receiving prior consent amounts to infringement of his rights, which could be passed on as defamation as well. The plea stated that although he and nine others were convicted for the murder of Dey in 2011, he had filed an appeal against the special CBI court order of 2019 before the high court, the same year, which is yet to be decided. Rajan has stated that as the appeal was pending, the producers of the series were maligning his image in public by linking him to a concocted storyline, with an intention to commercially benefit from it. This, the plea claimed, amounted to defamation. It added that if the series was allowed to be aired his fundamental rights to privacy will be infringed as nearly 200 million subscribers of Netflix will view the series and will be prejudiced against him and hence, the court should issue a permanent injunction against the release of the series. Strap: 35 cases of attack and bite in last one year; animal lovers want more feeding points Navi Mumbai, India - June 01, 2023: Stray dogs with Alka Wanikar in the wake of the animal feeding controversy at Jalyavu Vihar CHS, Kharghar, in Navi Mumbai, India, on Thursday, June 01, 2023. (Photo by Bachchan Kumar/ HT PHOTO) (HT PHOTO) A plush housing society in Kharghar has virtually turned into a battleground between a large chunk of residents who complain of attacks from stray dogs living in the compound and a handful of dog lovers who demand more feeding points to control the animals aggression. Caught in the crossfire, the society management says it is abiding by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) rules, as directed by the civic body. Jal Vayu Defence Enclave CHS Limited (phase I), known as Jal Vayu Vihar, is spread over 10 acres in sector 20. Along with 632 families, which are predominantly of retired defence personnel, the building also shelters nearly 50 stray dogs. D S Johal, an ex-serviceman, said there have been several dog bite and attack cases which have left senior citizens and children injured. Unfortunately, the law is in favour of the animals. AWBI seems to be harassing us. A handful of dog lovers are holding the residents to danger. Seconding his opinion, Apoorva Wanikar, another resident, said despite residing here for years she still gets scared at times when they rush towards her. For visitors, especially at night, it is a nightmare. I live on the 11th floor and am myself disturbed by their barking, so you can imagine the decibel level. In fact, our society, which is one of the best in the node, is now known for its stray dogs, she said. Animal caregivers are, however, feel differently. Alka Wanikar, who has already approached the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) over the issue, said, The management has provided just one feeding place outside the rear gate, unlike in the past when there were 4-5 points and there were no instances of attack. Explaining the animals behavioural changes, she said there are more than 40 dogs and not all of them get to eat at the single feeding point since the bigger ones have the control. There are several dogs that live in various corners of the society and are unable to get food. This leads to aggression. The management fines us 1,000 if we have given even a biscuit to the strays elsewhere. We are also facing threats and abuses from residents. There are no corrective measures being taken like sterilisation, she added. When contacted, buildings secretary Vikram Rawat said residents are terrorised as children, including a five-year-old girl, have been bitten. There have been 35 cases of attack and bite in the last one year alone. We are following up with the PMC to vaccinate the dogs and to sterilise them to help control their population. The managing committee is certainly not against the stray dogs and is fully complying with the AWBI norms, he said. We have made provision for a feeding place where there are no senior citizens and children. About the fine, he clarified that penalty is for feeding the animals at wrong places. Some feed dogs near their buildings, on cars, in parking areas, at playground etc. PMCs deputy municipal commissioner Sachin Pawar said, Following a complaint by a resident, we have issued a letter asking the society management to follow the AWBI guidelines. Samod Sarngan, a former journalist residing in the society, said there is a need for both sides to work out a solution. You cannot expect senior citizens and children to not step out of their homes, just because someone loves dogs and wants them to be here. The residents cant be fined either, he pointed out. The law stipulates that animal caregivers can feed at designated spots after following norms. The management wants a dogs-free complex, but it should explore the possibility of relocating the animals elsewhere. When Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday announced the renaming of Ahmednagar as Ahilya Nagar after Ahilya Devi Holkar, it was, by all accounts, more than the party ideology-based renaming that politicians are known for. The Holkars belong to the Dhangar or shepherd community, which is an important one on the political map of Maharashtra, with a significant presence in about 12 Lok Sabha and 80 assembly constituencies. The move then is clearly to woo this community. Shinde attended the birth anniversary event of Ahilya Devi Holkar at her birthplace, Chondi village in Ahmednagar, where he announced the renaming. (PTI) Shinde attended the birth anniversary event of Ahilya Devi Holkar at her birthplace, Chondi village in Ahmednagar, where he announced the renaming. The BJP has been demanding the renaming of Ahmednagar district since February when the government changed the names of Maharashtras Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Osmanabad to Dharashiv. Also Read: Uddhav Thackeray abroad, NCP's Sharad Pawar meets Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde For the BJP, the Dhangar community has a political significance, as it was part of MADHAV (Mali, Dhangar and Vanjari), a caste combination of Other Backward Castes in the 1990s to counter the socio-political base of the Congress-NCP which was Maratha-Scheduled Castes-Nomadic Tribes-Muslim. Before the 2014 assembly elections, the BJP had promised to clear a proposal for Dhangar reservation in the first cabinet once it came to power but failed to fulfil that promise. On May 28, a political controversy erupted when the statues of Ahilyadevi Holkar and Savitribai Phule at Maharashtra Sadan were shifted to another place in order to celebrate the birth anniversary of V D Savarkar. This evoked sharp reactions from the Dhangar community, leading the government to quickly use Ahilya Devis birth anniversary event to announce the renaming of Ahmednagar after her. Also Read: Shinde calls for probe into BMC projects over 15 yrs The same day, BJP leader and minister for medical education Girish Mahajan announced that a medical college in Baramati (the home turf of NCP chief Sharad Pawar and the Lok Sabha constituency of his daughter Supriya Sule) would also be named after Ahilya Devi Holkar. These two announcements are an indication that the BJP is taking every possible step to woo the Dhangars. The community has a significant presence in North Maharashtra, Western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Western Vidarbha, said Prakash Pawar, political analyst at Kolhapur University. The BJP has been working for three decades to get the attention of this community which is divided between several parties, mainly the BJP, NCP and Congress. Voters from the Dhangar community play a major role in about 12 to 14 Lok Sabha seats like Baramati, Shirur, Madha, Sangli, Parbhani, Buldhana, Yawatmal and Hingoli. They are also significant in about 80 assembly constituencies. Pawar said that the renaming and naming of a city and a college after Ahilya Devi helped political parties to an extent. However, they are symbolic decisions, he said. The actual leadership or the face of the community is important during elections. Now Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has been seen as the pride and face of the Dhangar community. If he comes to campaign in Maharashtra, he could shift community votes to his party or alliance. But one thing is certain: we are now going to see a competition between the ruling alliance and the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to woo Dhangar voters. Dhangar leader and former state minister Mahadeo Jankar welcomed the renaming decision. Its obvious that this decision has been taken because of Dhangar voters influence in assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies, he said. The Dhangars were once a ruler community but due to political ignorance have been exploited by ruling parties for decades. Now that there is awareness in the community, we hope that all parties will think about this when deciding candidates in the elections. Jankar added that his party has not yet decided on an alliance with either the MVA or the BJP. Opposition parties too welcomed the decision to rename Ahmednagar but also expressed scepticism. Devendra Fadnavis had promised to give reservations to the Dhangar community but never did, said state Congress president Nana Patole. The renaming is clearly for votes. Besides, Ahilya Devi never indulged in the politics of hatred, unlike the BJP which spreads acrimony in the name of caste and religion. She is remembered for her inclusive governance. A 28-year-old man from Kalyan was arrested late on Wednesday night after onlookers caught him allegedly attempting to kill his girlfriend at Bandstand. The woman is currently undergoing treatment at a government hospital. HT Image According to the police, Akash Mukherjee and Lubna Sukte, 28, met at work a couple of years ago and have been in a relationship for the last 13 months. On Wednesday, the couple from Kalyan decided to spend the day in Mumbai, a police officer from Bandra police station said. They visited Gateway of India before coming to Bandstand in the evening. The two discussed their wedding plans. When they were sitting on the docks around 9.30 pm, Sukte told him that she would like to go home, the officer said. However, Mukherjee suggested they spend some more time together and later they take a cab, instead of a train, home. In the meantime, he suggested they get intimate, which scared Sukte. She then started crying to which Mukherjee reacted by pressing his hands on her mouth, the police officer said. Suddenly, he started to strangulate her. He also held her by the hair and pushed her head towards the rocks. He also shoved her face into a nearby puddle. The woman screamed for help which drew the attention of others sitting nearby, the officer said and added that Sukte was rescued and Mukherjee, who tried to flee, was caught. Due to the commotion, some policemen who were deployed in the vicinity also came to the spot, the officer said. Our team took the woman to the hospital. The accused has been booked on charges of attempted murder and is currently in police custody. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mumbai: in a bid to woo voters ahead of civic body polls, chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday directed the officials concerned to prepare a proposal for the removal of property tax on flats below 500 square feet in Navi Mumbai. HT Image Though a resolution was passed by the general body meeting of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) in 2019 and sent to the state government, the urban development department did not act on it. As residents owning houses less than 500 sq ft in Mumbai are exempted from paying property tax, the issue of providing the same relief to Navi Mumbai residents was raised by Belapur MLA Ganesh Naik in a meeting with the CM. The meeting was attended by MLA Mandatai Mhatre, CIDCO managing director Sanjay Mukherjee, principal secretary urban development-2, Sonia Sethi, MMRDA commissioner SVR Sriniwas and NMMC commissioner Rajesh Narvekar. Shinde said that the proposal should be submitted to absorb project-affected people working in NMMC and CIDCO on the lines of those Barvi dam-affected people, who were absorbed in the permanent jobs. The CM also told the officials concerned to implement the Abhay Yojana. He also reviewed various issues in the Belapur constituency. Shinde said that the proposed Maharashtra Bhavan in Vashi should be made in the best possible way and it should be a model for introducing the cultural identity of our state. Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party on Thursday evening met Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde at Varsha bungalow, the official residence of the CM. This was their first meeting since the transfer of power in Maharashtra. NCP chief Sharad Pawar meets Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde at his residence on Thursday evening. The purpose of the visit remains unclear, but it has sparked discussions as Pawar made an unexpected visit to Shinde, raising eyebrows in the political sphere. The meeting is also considered significant since former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, a key figure in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, is abroad on a holiday. Thackeray is with family for vacation and is expected to return to Mumbai after the first week of June. Consequently, there is speculation that this meeting could be related to the pending expansion of the cabinet or the ongoing investigation by the ED into NCP leaders. Maha Vikas Aghadi government In 2019, the Shiv Sena had ended the alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party and formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra with the Congress and Pawar's NCP. Last year, the government collapsed after Shinde split the party and joined hands with the BJP to form a new government. Earlier in April, Maharashtra leader of Opposition and NCP chief Ajit Pawar met Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis at Sahyadri guest house. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON PATNA Bihars health department has issued final show cause notice to 62 absentee doctors in Patna division, comprising six districts, officials familiar with the development said on Thursday. Bihars deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who also holds the health portfolio, had said last October that there were around 700 doctors in the state who were absent for long and were still drawing their salary. (HT Photo) Among the 62 doctors put on notice are three who have been absent since August 2016, one from October 2017, two from 2018, six from 2019, 21 from 2020, 19 from 2021 and 10 from last year. The department has given them 15 days time to reply to the show cause notice, failing which the health department will take action against them, said a press release, signed by Sudhir Kumar, joint secretary of the state health department, on Tuesday. The department had previously issued them two show cause notices, on September 14 and November 4 last year, through press releases published as advertisements in newspapers. Among those issued show cause notice is Dr Virendra Kumar, medical officer of sadar hospital, Nalanda, who is due to superannuate on attaining 67 years of age this month. Dr Kumar has been absent since February 18, 2018. At least six doctors in the list are under 30 years of age, with the youngest being Dr Upasana Kumari, 25. She was posted at the headquarters of the health department in Patna, but has been absent since September 7, 2021, said the communique, which listed the names of doctors, their date of birth and period of absenteeism. The department has prepared a list of over 400 doctors who have been absent for at least six months or more, and has issued them show cause notices. Bihars deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who also holds the health portfolio, had said last October that there were around 700 doctors in the state who were absent for long and were still drawing their salary. Around 250 doctors had joined their respective places of posting after the ministers warning, said officials. Though the health department had stopped disbursing salaries of most such doctors, it began taking action against them after Yadavs resolve to curb absenteeism among doctors. The government has sacked around 100 doctors so far, with the state cabinet giving its nod to the termination of 81 such doctors on January 13 this year. Among the 81 doctors sacked in January, 64 doctors had remained absent from duty for more than five years, an official said without wishing to be named. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pune: A 22-year-old man has been arrested on charges of abduction and rape of a minor girl, who had gone missing four years ago in Pune district, an official said on Thursday. The 22-year-old man has been arrested by the rural police on charges of abduction and rape of a minor girl who had gone missing four years ago in Pune district. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION)) The rural police issued a statement sharing details about the case and sequence of the incident following allegations that the girl was tortured by the suspect. According to the police, the girl had gone missing from Manchar town in Pune district in March 2019 following which they had registered a case of kidnapping. The accused, identified as Javed Mukhtar Sheikh, 22, from Manchar in Pune district, was arrested on May 17, a day after he and the girl returned to Manchar. Police officials said relatives rescued the girl from a room where she was staying with the accused. Based on the medical report and statement by girl, police later registered a case against Sheikh under Sections 363 (kidnapping), 376 (rape), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 344 (wrongful confinement) of the IPC and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Deputy superintendent of police (Khed Division) Sudarshan Patil said, As per the statement given by the survivor and her relatives, we have invoked various sections of the POCSO Act and further investigation is underway. Accused has been sent to judicial custody. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopichand Padalkar and family members of the survivor alleged that girl was tortured by the suspect. Padalkar claimed that the police did not help the victims family even after repeated requests from the parents. Rajasthan Class 10th board exam results will be announced this week, Rajendra Gupta, Deputy Director of Public Relations at RBSE has informed HT Digital. RBSE 10th Result 2023 Live Updates RBSE Rajasthan board Class 10th result 2023: Official update (Getty Images/iStockphoto) However, the official did not give an exact date for these results. Once declared, students can check their marks on the website of the Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan (RBSE or BSER), rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in. RBSE has already declared Class 12 board exam results. Class 8 final exam results were announced by the state's Education department last month and Class 5 results will be out today, June 1. Rajasthan board Class 5th result 2023 live updates. As seen during announcement of past results, RBSE is likely to hold a press conference in which Primary and Secondary Education Minister BD Kalla will announce RBSE Class 10th results. After the official announcement, students can go to the board website, use their login credentials, and check marks. In the result press conference, among other information, pass percentage of students, gender-wise result, attendance of students in the exam, etc. are likely to be revealed. For further details on Rajasthan board Class 10th results, students should visit the official website of RBSE. In November last year, actor Arjun Kapoor had called out a publication and journalist for spreading gossip articles' that claimed Malaika Arora and him are welcoming a child soon. The actor had taken to Instagram Stories and condemned the fake news. During a recent interview, Arjun was asked about the nasty media reports that keep cropping up about the couple. The actor said today's clickbait was to blame, as well as the media for propagating it. Also read: Malaika Arora says she discusses marriage plans and kids with Arjun Kapoor Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor have been dating for many years now. Sharing a screenshot of the 2022 news article, Arjun had written, This is the lowest that you could have gone and you have done it by being casual, insensitive and absolutely unethical in carrying garbage news. This journalist has been writing such pieces regularly and getting away with it because we tend to ignore these fake gossip articles while they spread across media and become the truth. This is not done. Don't dare to play with our personal lives. People forget celebs are also human beings Clickbait culture is more about negativity... I think negativity is easier to get people to pay attention because thats been building for a while. Listen, we are actors, our personal life is not always very private. There is a certain amount that exists and you have to be okay with it already joining the profession. There might be that element that remains, but I think we rely on you all (journalists) to reach the audience. We need you all to be at least cognizant of the fact that we are human beings. So, check with us once in a while if youre going to write something that is very, very important. At least do that much and I think that was all that I did. It was more about that it should be checked; it should not be assumed. You should not put something that can be life-altering out there," Arjun told Bollywood Bubble. Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor on the red carpet at a recent event. On his post slamming reports of Malaika being pregnant Speaking about his recent post, Arjun further said, "I did that because I trust all of you (journalists). I have never hidden, I have never held back... why do you want to put something out there that will forever remain, and that is not the truth and then I have to keep justifying myself... information for any journalist should be verified, it should not just be put our casually, especially when it comes to your personal life... we are all here to do our job, don't make it about having fun at other people's expense. Don't try and make it personal, don't become vindictive, and don't become what you are trying to sell... don't start believing your lies." Arjun and Malaika's relationship Malaika was earlier married to actor-producer Arbaaz Khan. The two divorced in 2016 and co-parent their son, Arhaan Khan. Malaika and Arjun went public with their relationship in 2019 after years of dating. Wedding rumours of the two have been swirling for a while now, but neither Arjun, nor Malaika have confirmed, when or if they plan to marry. In a December 2022, Malaika had said she discusses marriage plans and kids with Arjun. She was speaking with her friend, filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan, on the first episode of her reality show Moving In With Malaika. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A self-confessed chain smoker, actor Vipin Sharma quit smoking some 18 years back and since then has inspired many friends and industry mates. The Taare Zameen Pe actor says that one can keep contemplating kicking the butt for years, but it takes a moment for it to happen! Also read: Amitabh Bachchan recalls how he gave up drinking and smoking together, shares the 'very best way' to do it Vipin Sharma was recently seen in Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. When Vipin realised how addicted he was I remember, it was February 2004 and I was going through some personal crisis, I had become a chain smoker, was heavily into drinking and seeing therapists as well. In Toronto (Canada), it was -40 degree C at night, and I was out of cigarettes. I started searching for the leftover butts and that was the time I had a realisation about how addicted I had become, shares Sharma. How Vipin quit smoking The actor says that he searched on the Internet how the f@#k I can quit smoking? The first website that appeared was WhyQuitSmoking and I started reading and hours went by...I joined its community and gained all knowledge about its harm, quitting and life after. Thodi bahut initially pareshani zaroor hui but I quit smoking. Trust me, its not tough to kick the butt! Realisation of its harm to ones body is important. I had quit smoking during my toughest phase so can anyone, says Sharma. He was recently seen in Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai and Saas, Bahu and Flamingo. Inspiring friends to quit smoking Sharma had inspired many of his friends to quit including filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, Daas Dev co-producer Anil Patil and actor Anil Choudhury. Some of my friends in Canada quit smoking. I once told Anubhav sir to quit and count how many cigarettes he has not smoked. He calculated that in 22 months he would have smoked 15,000 cigarettes had he not quit. So, I just try to spread the awareness and tell that its achievable. In my life, best things have happened when I gave up smoking I came back to India and got Taare Zameen Par and that was just a beginning, says Sharma. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tom Holland, the talented and versatile actor, celebrates his 27th birthday on Thursday. Rising to fame as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he has captured the hearts of audiences globally. Known for his range and charm, Holland has become one of the most sought-after actors of his generation and has a huge fan base. (ALSO READ | Spider-Man 4: Tom Holland, Zendaya locked in, but progress delayed. Why?) Tom Holland's break came when he was cast as the legendary Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.(Marvel) Holland's birthday is a memorable occasion for his followers, who are expressing their feelings on social media. Happy birthday to the most chaotic, funny, kind, and charming person ever, you have bring so many joy on people's faces not only your fans but kids that looked up to you, may you always be happy right throughout your life, and continue to be succesful HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM HOLLAND, a user wrote sharing the star's funny videos. Fans rejoice in their star's birthday by sharingintriguing images, videos, and anecdotesabout him. Another user tweeted,"He in spiderman is ultimate, but man, "In the heart of the sea" giving the best one of the best! Recalling the very first moment my head went over heels for him." From a gymnast to 'Spider-Man': 5 points on Tom Holland 1. Tom Holland's break came when he was cast as the legendary Spider-Man in the MCU, making his debut in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War." His depiction of Peter Parker, theSpider-Man, rapidly won him fans across the world, and he went on to feature in threesolo films, "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017), "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (2019), and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021). Work on fourth Spider-Man film with Tom Holland as lead is already in pipeline. 2. Holland is well-known for his versatility. In 2012, he made his debutin "Billy Elliot the Musical," displaying his remarkable dancing and singing ability. 3. Tom Holland's work includes a substantial share inanimation, where he has contributed his voice to various characters, notably Jip in the 2022 film "Dolittle" and Ian Lightfootin the 2020 animated film "Onward." 4. Holland was a gymnast before he became an actor. His gymnastics training seemed to have served him well in his role as Spider-Man, since he was able to do the acrobatic manoeuvres himself. 5. Tom Holland is said to be dating Spider-Man: Homecoming co-star Zendaya. They are frequently seen spending somequality time. Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse gets both bigger and smaller than its 2018 predecessor. Grander and still more intimate, flashier, and more personal with truckloads more of the heart and humour that made 2018s clutter-breaking Into The Spider-Verse one of the most distinctive, refreshing, and beloved superhero movies of the decade. Once again we get the same enchanting concoction of action, emotion, and inventive, eye-popping animation. Writing, imagination, and vibrant visual style come together gloriously to ensure that, if you enjoyed the first part, its near impossible not to have a blast with much of this second film. (Also read: Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse review) Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse review | Miles Morales is back for a new adventure. Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) is Spider-Man in a universe of Spider-Men. His by-the-book story is so well known, so set in stone, its as if theres no room for his own. The world keeps telling him who he is and who hes going to be. Hes just another Spider-Man, forced to live out the same core beats of every Spider-Man - bitten by a radioactive spider, dealing with the death of an uncle, the villain of the week, struggling with two lives. Saving the day, paying the price. The journey has been charted out, he merely has to follow it. Among the elements that made Into The Spider-Verse so memorable was that Miles, like the movie he inhabited, refused to fall in line. He made the journey his own. He defined his story. A journey into the multiverse Its been over a year since the events of the last film. 16-year-old Miles is the only Spider-Man of his world and hes getting pretty great at it. When a new inter-dimensional villain called Spot arrives on the scene, who appears to have a strange connection to Miles, hes once again yanked into another multiversal adventure. To track Spot down, Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) AKA Spider-Woman from a parallel universe, is back. Shes recently joined an elite team of Spider-Men who serve as a sort of multiverse police, stopping villains from one dimension causing havoc in others. (For those whove seen the MCU series Loki - think of them as a kind of Time Variance Authority). At the top running the show of this new team is the gruff, self-serious Spider-Man 2099, Miguel OHara (Oscar Isaac). Before all the dimension-hopping adventures kick-off, the beautiful first leg of Across The Spider-Verse gives us something we almost never get in modern superhero blockbusters - quiet and humanity. Alongside Miles Spider-Man-ing, we get scene after scene of just two people talking. Portraits of family, love, and connection. The movie lets Miles be a person first and a superhero second. Its Miles struggling to balance his dual lives while missing his friends. Its his parents attempting to let go and come to terms with the fact that their boy is becoming a man. Its fathers struggling to connect with their children, wondering if theyre doing right by them. Pavitra Prabhakar MVP But soon enough, Gwen arrives on the scene and Miles is sucked into the plot. Their first adventure tracking Spot down takes them to a parallel world whose Spider-Man is Pavitr Prabhakar (a wonderfully playful Karan Soni). Pavitr is the protector of a futuristic city called Mumbatten. In arguably the most dizzyingly fun sequence of a movie full of them, were transported to the richly imagined, densely populated metropolis of Mumbatten (picture multiple Mumbais all stacked on top of each other). Whats endlessly exciting and whistle-worthy about this sequence, apart from the everything about it, is how culturally specific the humour is. This isnt the glaringly outsiders perspective of India we see time and again. Come for the cheeky background references to everything from Zomato to the ridiculousness of chai tea, stay for the cheeky poke at white people who come to India to find themselves. Like much of the Mumbaitten scene, so stunning and evocative are many of this films frames, so bursting with imagination and background gags are many of its moments, that youd have to watch this movie twice to fully appreciate them and take it all in. That said, unpopular as the opinion may be, I did struggle with the first movies frenetic visual style. As inventive and ambitious, creative and commendable as the animation is, I found much of it to be immensely overactive and overexcited. The kind that makes you wonder - is there such a thing as too much animation? While I didnt feel that as much in this sequel (perhaps Im just used to it now) there are times when it limits your ability to fully comprehend whats happening on screen. Take many of the action scenes, for example. As undeniably fun as they are, you cant always tell where one kick ends and the next punch begins. Pavitra Prabhakar is voiced by Karan Soni. What didn't click And then the last leg of the Across The Spider-Verse happens. Im not quite sure when, but somewhere along the way, amidst the immensely crowd-pleasing thrills of Miles meeting the hundreds of other Spider-Men (My personal favourites were Lego Spider-Man, horse Spider-Man, and Peter Parked-Car), things start to feel scattered. The proceedings gradually seem to descend into an unfocused blur of multiversal mumbo jumbo. The kind weve come to expect from most blockbuster sequels - bigger, flashier, messier. Whats even more frustrating - theres a moment half an hour from the end that sets up a clear climactic showdown to end the story. Instead, we get an empty, out-of-nowhere unsatisfying cliffhanger as a means to set up the next movie (slated to release next year). Even Avengers: Infinity War - a giant set-up movie if ever there was one - had the decency to give us some sense of finality and closure. Its why the last half an hour here has nothing to say. The bigger issue here are the callbacks and cameos we get through the film not only refer to the old, they also set up new movies outside this franchise. The purity and honesty of The Spiderverse movies, which once felt like a kind of antidote and refreshing response to the blurry glut of exhausting interconnected superhero franchise universes, are made to fall in line and become just that. Miles Morales is Spider-Man in a universe of Spider-Men. Despite his by-the-book story, like the movies he inhabits, what made him so memorable is his refusal to fall in line and his determination to do it his way. But Across The Spiderverse risks making his journey, and this series, the one thing it never was. More of the same. Taylor Swift, who is currently in the midst of her Eras Tour, once lived in a historic New York home, while her penthouse in Manhattan's TriBeCa was undergoing renovations. Its now been reported that the property is on the market for almost $18 million. Also read: Step inside Akshay Kumar's Mumbai home for first time ever The Cornelia Street home that Taylor Swift rented in 2016 and 2017 was built in 1870. (Pics: Corcoran.com) The house, which Taylor reportedly rented for $38,000 a month in 2016 and 2017, had inspired her hit song Cornelia Street, regarded as a song for her then-boyfriend Joe Alwyn. The house was listed one week ago for $17.99 million, according to StreetEasy. Taylor Swifts old New York house came with stunning city views. Inside Taylor Swifts former New York rental As per Corcoran Group, a US real estate firm, the Cornelia Street home was built in 1870 as a carriage house in the heart of West Village. It was later transformed into a home with a modern design, including a drive-in garage, pool, walk-in closet and washrooms with skylight. The house with a classic brick facade has four bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms. The spacious home also offers city views. It also has three fireplaces and beautiful hardwood floors throughout. There's also an indoor pool with soaring 27-feet ceilings. Near the pool is the lounge area in front of an patio with fireplace. There is also a rooftop terrace to enjoy views of Cornelia Street. Taylor Swifts rental was right in the middle of West Village. Meet Taylor's former landlord At the time Taylor lived there, the house was owned by one David Aldea, but was sold in 2019 to an Italian investor for $11.5 million, according to a 2019 report by Inside Edition. David Aldea said he didn't even know who Taylor was at first. "I got this call saying somebody by the name of Taylor Swift wanted to rent the place. Although I had her songs on my running list, I didn't entirely know who the artiste was," he had told Inside Edition in 2019. Once word got out she was living there, the paparazzi was everywhere, but David said the home had all the security amenities that Taylor was looking for, including cameras and guards 24/7. Taylor owns more than $150 million in real estate She may be best known for her music career, but Taylor Swift's real estate portfolio is equally impressive. It spans more than $150 million, according to the Wall Street Journal, with homes across the US from TriBeCa and Beverly Hills to Rhode Island. In 2009, as per the report, after releasing her first album, Taylor paid more than $2 million for a family home in Nashville, where she initially moved to pursue a music career. In 2014, she spent almost $20 million on two penthouse units in New York, among her other lavish properties, added the report. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Danny Masterson has been found guilty of two counts of rape by a jury at Los Angeles Superior Court, on Wednesday. The court found him guilty of raping two women in 2003. Masterson was sent to jail and could get 30 years to life in prison. His next hearing will happen on August 4. Danny Masterson(Wade Payne/Invision/AP) While the court convicted him for two counts of rape, they could not reach a verdict for a third count of rape on Masterson. Jury comprising 12 members reached the verdict after deliberating for seven days. ALSO READ| The Real Housewives: How they changed from their past to their present We want to express our gratitude to the three women who came forward and bravely shared their experiences. Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement on Wednesday. While we are disappointed that the jury did not convict on all counts, we respect their decision. The verdicts handed down by the jury in this case were undoubtedly a difficult one to reach and we thank the jurors for their service, added Gascon. Masterson's wife, Bijou Phillips was seen crying when the actor was taken into custody. I am experiencing a complex array of emotions relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior, said one of the women, whom Masterson was convicted of raping. Prosecutors had alleged Masterson forcibly raped three women in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. They alleged "That '70s Show" actor drugged the women's drinks before he raped them. Meanwhile, Masterson's lawyers told the court that the acts were consensual. They highlighted that the women complainants' statements had inconsistencies over time. After the verdict, Los Angeles County District Attorney Gascon said: We also recognize that preventing sexual assault is critical and we will continue to educate the public on the importance of consent, healthy relationships and bystander intervention. We believe that by working together, we can create a safer and more just society for all. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The shoot of Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa: The Rule, also known as Pushpa 2, is progressing at brisk pace. On Wednesday, a bus carrying artistes of Pushpa 2 was returning to Andhra Pradesh from Telangana, when it hit another bus that was stationary. As per reports, the accident took place on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada highway near Narketpally. Two artistes, who sustained injuries in the accident, were immediately rushed to the nearby hospital. Also read: Allu Arjun scares tigers, returns from dead to rule in Pushpa 2's first look Pushpa 2 is an upcoming Telugu action film written and directed by Sukumar, and features Allu Arjun in the lead role. Police investigation underway As per news reports, the driver of the Pushpa 2 unit bus didnt notice the stationary Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation bus, and rammed into it. Due to the accident, there was a heavy traffic jam for a few hours. Police investigation is already underway. Reports added that the police is looking into nearby CCTV footage to find out more about the accident. Where is Pushpa video Pushpa 2 went on the floors last November with a look test. The films cinematographer Miroslaw Kuba Brozek took to Instagram to share a picture from the sets and captioned the post as the beginning of the adventure. In April, the makers teased fans with a special video that was released on April 7 on the occasion of Allu Arjuns birthday. The video titled Where is Pushpa reveals that Pushpa has escaped from Tirupati prison with bullet wounds and hes on the run. The video ends with the question, Where is Pushpa. In the video, we get some quick shots of riots and people going berserk. It is unclear whether it is the actual footage from the second part or just random shots that have been put together for this video. About Pushpa 2 The second part will focus on the face-off between Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil, who was introduced as the prime antagonist towards the end of the first part. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna, who plays the character Srivalli. It is directed by Sukumar. In Pushpa: The Rise, Arjun popularised the catchphrase Thaggedhe Le. Last year, he went on to introduce the new catchphrase for the second part at an event. He said that he hopes that the excitement he has for the movie touches the fans as well. ott:10 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a world dominated by David Brent and Michael Scott, it's time to make way for a new office boss who will bring her own brand of hilarity to the workplace. The announcement of The Office Australia, a remake of the beloved sitcom, has sparked excitement and curiosity among fans worldwide. What sets this version apart? Well, for the first time ever, we will have a female lead at the helm of the chaos. Michael Scott (Steve Carell) (Left) in American version of The Office. Hannah Howard (Felicity Ward) (Right), the lead in the Australian version of The Office. It's no secret that The Office set the bar sky-high with its British original, masterfully crafted by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Then, along came the US adaptation, introducing us to the bumbling antics of Steve Carell's Michael Scott. And while some may have been skeptical at first, the American version carved its own path and won over audiences, including this writer. Now, it's time for The Office Australia to take center stage with Hannah Howard, brilliantly portrayed by comedian Felicity Ward. As Prime Video prepares to launch the show in 2024 across more than 240 countries and territories, anticipation builds for how it will reflect the contemporary Australian workplace, a side rarely seen by international audiences. The diverse cast, including Edith Poor, Steen Raskopoulos, Shari Sebbens, Josh Thomson, Jonny Brugh, Pallavi Sharda, Susan Ling Young, Raj Labade, and Lucy Schmidt, suggests that Flinley Craddick, the packaging company in the series, takes diversity seriously. With a female protagonist, we can expect a departure from the underlying theme in the UK and US versions, where incompetent men like Brent and Scott were oddly rewarded by the system. The story of The Office Australia revolves around Hannah Howard receiving the dreaded news that her branch will be shut down. In a desperate attempt to keep her "work family" together, she finds herself making promises she can't keep. Chaos ensues, and we can only imagine the laughs that will ensue as Howard tries to save the day but ends up flapping around like a fish out of water. Comedy thrives on chaos and crisis, and previous Australian workplace shows have expertly explored the horrors of bureaucracy and various industries, providing fertile ground for comedic gold. From a production standpoint, The Office's mockumentary format proves cost-efficient and easily replicable, as demonstrated by other successful shows like Parks and Recreation and Modern Family. The challenge for the creators of The Office Australia lies in striking the delicate balance between staying true to the established style while injecting freshness into the format. They must capture the genuine and effortless essence of the workplace, avoiding any sense of forced humor or inauthenticity. All eyes will be on Felicity Ward as she steps into the shoes of Hannah Howard, aiming to be the boss, friend, and entertainer to her employees, just as Ricky Gervais embodied the iconic David Brent. Gervais himself has expressed his excitement to see how Australia will modernize The Office, acknowledging the changing landscape of office politics in the past two decades. Also read | Disney's mass content purge, Over 105 titles removed from Hulu and Disney+ As production gears up to begin in Sydney in June, the world eagerly awaits the arrival of The Office Australia, ready to embrace the unique blend of Aussie humor and workplace shenanigans. One thing is for sure: with Felicity Ward leading the charge, this fresh take on the beloved sitcom is bound to bring laughter, surprises, and a new chapter to The Office legacy. A video of the world's first and only all-white panda was released by the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Chinas Sichuan province. In the video, captured by an infrared camera, the white panda was seen approaching a black and white mother panda and her cub. Having no spots on its body and red eyes, the all-white panda was declared an albino one of its kind in the world after it was first spotted in 2019. (YouTube/CGTN) The panda was earlier captured 2,000 metres above the sea level in the reserve in 2019, when it was just a cub. The video, which was released by the Nature Reserve, showed the white panda walking over to a mother and her cub, who were resting in a tree hollow. After the mother did not leave the hollow, the white panda wandered off. However, it returned to the spot and sniffed around. A senior engineer at the China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Pandas, Wei Rongping, told Singapore-based media organisation The Straits Times, The cub in the footage is about one to two years old, and the all-white panda is nearly the size of an adult. At the end of February, wild pandas in Wolong have entered the oestrus season, during which the female pandas with cubs can be very aggressive when an adult panda approaches or invades. This female panda was extremely calm and did not conform to the general rule. One possibility is that the female panda is the mother of the all-white panda. All-white panda was declared albino Having no spots on its body and red eyes, the all-white panda was declared an albino one of its kind in the world after it was first spotted in 2019. A researcher at the Peking University Li Sheng told Chinese television network CGTN, There is another rare colour variation of the giant panda in the northern Qinling Mountains, where the giant panda is distributed. It is a brown-and-white colour variation. A very rare all-white panda was recorded at Wolong, and this may be due to a genetic mutation. This individual may have been the first wild all-white giant panda recorded since the official documentation began. He added, However, it is unclear if its unique genetic traits will spread within the small population and ever be stably inherited. Further research is required to completely understand the implications of this discovery for the genetics and conservation of giant pandas. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced a probe panel led by a retired judge to investigate the widespread violence that Manipur witnessed leading to loss of lives and damage to properties. Six cases pertaining to the violence will be probed by a special CBI team, Amit Shah announced after his three-day visit to the violence-hit northeastern state. Stern action will be taken if there is any violation of the SoO agreement, the home minister said urging everyone to surrender arms. Read | Govt committed to restoring peace in Manipur: Amit Shah Amit Shah in Manipur Amit Shah said he held several rounds of meetings with every section of the society, including officers, political parties and the representatives of Kuki and Meitei civil groups. "A probe panel will be set up to look into the reasons for the violence and to identify who was responsible for it. This probe panel will be headed by a retired judge of the rank of the chief justice of a high court. This probe will be done by the Centre. A peace committee will be set up under the guidance of the Manipur Governor," the Union home minister announced. An inter-agency unified command will start working in the state from Thursday under Kuldeep Singh, retired DG, CRPF -- overseeing the coordination among the agencies deployed in the state to manage the situation, Amit Shah said. Six cases will be probed by a special team of the CBI under the Centre. I want to assure all Manipur people that there will be an impartial and fair probe. The future course of action to ensure that no such violence takes place in future will also be deliberated, the Union minister said. As Amit Shah addressed a press conference, he announced an ex gratia amount of 10 lakh ( 5 lakh from the state and 5 lakh from the Centre) to families of those who lost their lives in the violence. 'Surrender arms, combing operation from tomorrow' Appealing to everyone who may have arms in their possession, Amit Shah said, "Surrender your arms to the police today. From tomorrow, a combing operation will start. Action will be taken if arms are found by the police." I want to appeal to all civil society organisations to not pay heed to rumours. Now is the time to maintain peace from both sides, Amit Shah said. Situation in Manipur Manipur has been the seat of violence for the past few weeks which escalated on Sunday when five persons, including a Manipur police officer, were killed, a BJP MLA's house was vandalised and over 1,000 arms and ammunition were reportedly looted by a mob from armories of Manipur Rifles and IRB. The first violence was witnessed on May 3 during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The march was organised in protest against the demand for inclusion of the state's Meitei community in the ST category, following an April 19 Manipur High Court directive. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has kicked off a massive public outreach programme that will include public rallies by the partys top leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president JP Nadda, party leaders said on Thursday. U (Screengrab) BJP state general secretary Prithwiraj Harichandan said the outreach campaign was part of a national plan and would help keep the party ready in case the assembly elections, scheduled to be held in May 2024, are advanced. We are keeping our cadre ready in case elections are advanced. Even if the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) prepones elections, it would not be able to stave off defeat. About 80% of BJD leaders are mentally ready to quit the party and join BJP, he claimed. Senior BJD leader Debi Mishra last month said the possibility of early elections could not be ruled out. It is a possibility, provided the Election Commission wants Odisha to go to elections with five other States scheduled next after Karnataka, he said. The BJP won 23 of Odisha assemblys 146 seats in the 2019 assembly elections and emerged as the second-largest party in the state elections with 32.5% vote after the ruling BJD which won 112 seats and a 42.7% vote share. Harichandan said the BJP will focus on the Lok Sabha seats it lost in the 2019 elections. We have set a target to reach out to all households covered by 37,606 booths in the state. Around 5 lakh BJP workers will participate in the campaign and explain to people the politics of development of the Modi government and its achievements during the last nine years. The district units have to reach out to 250 families of influential persons. Local MPs and MLAs will reach out to intellectuals, media personnel, young achievers and people belonging to different categories and share details on the achievements of the NDA government, he said. The BJP has also planned four rallies proposed to be addressed by PM Modi, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh among others. The party is also analysing the reasons for its defeat in seven assembly by-polls including the recent Jharsuguda bypoll held after the 2019 assembly elections as well as its sub-par performance in the 2022 panchayat and urban body polls. The BJP secured a 30% vote share in the 2022 panchayat polls and won 16 of the 108 municipal chairman posts as against 76 won by the BJD. BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said he would not be able to comment on whether early polls would be held, but it is quite common in politics for politicians to switch allegiance. BJP MLAs are in touch with our party while our MLAs are in touch with their party, he said. Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Gujarat's Rajula city Hira Solanki has been gathering praises after he took a gallant step to save three youths from drowning in the sea. A total of four youths had gone to take a bath in a creek on the sea shore in nearby Patwa village following which they started drowning, according to LiveHindustan. BJP MLA Hira Solanki(Twitter/Screen grab) After learning about the incident, Solanki immediately reached the spot and jumped into the sea to save the youths, with the help of some other people. They successfully took out three youths, however, couldn't save the fourth, whose body was later recovered after a long search, according to the report. All four of them have been identified as Kalpesh Shiya, Nikul Gujaria, Vijay Gujaria and Jeevan Gujaria. People started praising Solanki after the video of him saving the youth went viral on social media. Five children in Gujarat's Botad district had recently drowned in the Krishna Sagar Lake. Reportedly, two children were swimming in the lake when they started drowning. Following this, three others jumped into the lake to save them and eventually they also drowned. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rajasthan minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas taunted prime minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party Thursday as the desert state preps for an Assembly election later this year. Khachariawas declared 'the condition of the BJP will be worse in Rajasthan in comparison to what happened in Karnataka' and vowed the BJP 'will vanish from Rajasthan'. Rajasthan minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas(ANI) Speaking a day after the prime minister's visit to Rajasthan's Ajmer - at which Modi accused chief minister Ashok Gehlot's administration of corruption - Khachariawas also criticised the BJP for having 'taken away' ex-Congress president Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership. "Prime minister Narendra Modi came here yesterday. However, he kept abusing the Congress and talked nothing about the BJP's achievements," the Rajasthan minister said. "BJP took away the membership of Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha after (he) spoke of the party's corruption. They lost the Karnataka election after this Congress stands with everyone who raises an objection against the corrupt BJP," he declared. What happened in Karnataka? The BJP was in power in Karnataka - after the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government fell in 2019 - till last month, when the Congress secured a massive win. The Congress won 135 of the state's 224 Assembly seats on a campaign that relied heavily on allegations of corruption in the BJP's government; the party's '40% sarkara' jibe - a reference to claims BJP ministers and officials used to demand a 40% commission from contractors. READ | What is Congress' '40% commission' charge against Karnataka government? The crisis exploded in April last year after the death (by suicide) of a contractor named Santosh Patil, who accused BJP leader and former minister KS Eshwarappa of extortion. Modi's '85% commission' retort In Ajmer on Wednesday the prime minister accused previous Congress governments of 'misguiding and depriving' the poor, and referred to '85% commission' that they had allegedly taken from money meant for development of the state. "We have given 29 lakh crore to the poor through direct benefit transfer. If Congress government would have been there, then 24 lakh crore would have been looted" "Congress takes a cut of 85% commission in every project. We were able to do development because we plugged the leakages created by the Congress," the prime minister declared. Rahul Gandhi's disqualification: A recap What happened to the top Congress leader? Rahul Gandhi was found guilty of criminal defamation by a court in Modi's home state of Gujarat. The then-Lok Sabha MP from Kerala's Wayanad was convicted in the 2019 'Modi surname' case. NEW DELHI: The Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping must act as a symbol of change at a time when the world community is grappling with the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and stresses caused by conflict, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. India's foreign minister S Jaishankar, South Africa's foreign minister Naledi Pandor and Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov attend a Brics foreign ministers meeting in Cape Town on June 1 (REUTERS) Addressing a meeting of Brics foreign ministers at Cape Town in South Africa, Jaishankar urged the groupings members to make sincere efforts to push reforms of international bodies such as the United Nations Security Council and to combat all forms of terrorism, including its financing. The meeting is expected to shape the agenda for the Brics Summit to be hosted by South Africa in August, including issues such as the groupings expansion and a push for greater trade between the members in national currencies against the backdrop of Western sanctions imposed on Russia. Jaishankar said the meeting is important in view of the challenging international situation, which demands that Brics members approach key contemporary issues constructively and collectively. We are a symbol of change and must act accordingly. This responsibility is even greater as we contemplate the devastating after-effects of the Covid pandemic, the stresses arising from conflict and the economic distress of the Global South, he said without directly referencing the Ukraine crisis. Brics, he said, must send out a strong message that the world is multipolar, is rebalancing and that old ways cannot address new situations. Contemporary challenges underline the deep shortcomings of the current international architecture, which does not reflect todays politics, economics, demographics or indeed aspirations, he added. In the face of disappointment over calls to reform multilateral institutions, Brics members should show sincerity in transforming global decision-making, including that of the UN Security Council, he said. In an apparent reference to China, Jaishankar said: At the heart of the problems we face is economic concentration that leaves too many nations at the mercy of too few. This may be in regard to production, resources, services or connectivity. Recent experiences impacting health, energy and food security only highlight this fragility. He urged Brics to consider Indias efforts to raise the issues of the Global South at the G20 and to promote the economic decentralisation that is so essential to political democratisation. Jaishankar listed terrorism among key threats to global peace and security and said: All nations must take resolute measures against this menace, including its financing and propaganda. It must be combated in all its forms and manifestations and never be condoned under any circumstances. External affairs minister S Jaishankar also met Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Cape Town on sidelines of Brics meet (Twitter/DrSJaishankar) Jaishankar tweeted that he met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the margins of the Brics meeting and discussed bilateral matters, BRICS, G20 and SCO. A readout from the Russian side said Lavrov and Jaishankar discussed issues on the bilateral agenda and international and regional problems. The ministers commended the dynamics of cooperation in the most important areas of the special and privileged strategic partnership between [the] two countries, it said. The two sides also reaffirmed that they will work to build a fair multipolar system of interstate relations, including the prevention and [impeding] the use of the neo-colonial practices. Jaishankar also tweeted that he met Saudi Arabian foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan and had a productive exchange of views on the global situation. In another tweet, he said he and South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor reviewed progress in the bilateral strategic partnership and exchanged views on Brics, IBSA, G20 and UN. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mount Everest has been conquered, according to a copyright message published in The Times today. HT This Day: June 2, 1953 -- Mount Everest conquered at last News of the successful bid of the British expedition in reaching the summit of Mt. Everest was given by announcers who broke into U.S. radio and television programmes today. The news came as a graphic and welcome addition to the details of the Coronation which had been filling American newspapers for days. Col. John Hunt, leader of the British Expedition, was believed to have planned the final assault on May 29 or 30. Observers in Kathmandu had earlier thought that the expedition had again been thrown behind schedules as happened in the first abortive attempt. Col. Hunt, leader of the expedition, had earlier reported failure of the first assault due to bad weather and snow. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is a peak of the Himalayas situated in Nepal. Its elevation is approximately 29,140 ft. After a reconnaissance attempt in 1921, the first assault on the mountain was made in 1922. Brig.-Gen. C. G. Bruce was in command. The second attempt was made in 1924. Brig.-Gen. Bruce was again in command. Mallory and Irvine who, in 1924, reached an altitude of 28,230 feet, never returned to tell their tale. The pre-1935 attempts were all from the north side and an altitude of about 28,000 feet was reached, after which a yellow pass presented a very steep and slippery approach, leading to a still more hazardous black pass, whose condition could not even be guessed with any measure of accuracy. Also. the route is subject to blizzards and almost impossible weather conditions. The west and south route, which was followed by the Swiss and the 1953 British expedition, is in an ice valley which is not only safe from strong winds, but also gets longer sunlight. The Border Security Force on Thursday morning gunned down a Pakistani intruder along the Indo-Pak international border in Jammu & Kashmirs Samba district, officials familiar with the matter said. Border Security Force personnel patrol near the India-Pakistan border, on Thursday. (BSF Twitter) The incident took place near Mangu Chak border outpost (BoP) in Samba, they said.In the early hours of Thursday, alert BSF troops noticed a suspicious movement of a person, who crossed the IB (international border) from Pakistani side in Samba area, said a BSF spokesperson, on anonymity. He was challenged by the troops but the intruder kept advancing towards the border fencing. The troops opened fire, killing him, the spokesperson said. The intruder was challenged by the troops but he kept advancing towards the border fence.The troops fired on him and shot him dead, he added. Prima facie, no weapon or narcotics were found with him.This is the second such incident along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu division in two days. The army on Wednesday had foiled an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmirs Poonch sector and arrested three terrorists. The army had seized a consignment of arms and ammunition which included a 10kg improvised explosive device (IED) from the terrorists. Solapur As one nears Solapur, 405km from Mumbai, the sweet sound of rubber hitting the macadam is drowned by the overwhelming hum of thousands of automated sewing machines working at full pelt. PREMIUM Each of Solapurs 700 units at the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation park produces 10,000 uniforms per day. (representative/HT photo) Bolts of fabric are being turned into school uniforms with great precision and at impressive speed. The city produces 30 million sets of uniforms annually for schools across India, including about 5 million sets that are exported to Dubai, Ghana, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar and France and the US. At its peak, ahead of the start of a new academic year, each of Solapurs 700 units at the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation park produces 10,000 uniforms per day. Over 60,000 families are involved in the trade which is estimated to be worth 1,000 crore according to a FICCI report. But a new Maharashtra government order threatens to slow down Solapurs buzzing industry. Production of government school uniforms, says education minister Deepak Kesarkars order, will now be decentralised, and given to womens self-help groups across the state. Maharashtras government schools order 9 million uniforms from Solapur every year, which is nearly one-third of the total number of uniforms produced in the city. This order puts the livelihood of thousands of people in Solapur, as well as in villages across the border in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, who are employed by the textile industry, at risk. On the one hand, the government has been trying to get the tag of Uniform City for Solapur, then on the other, it cuts our business at the knees, complained Prakash Pawar, secretary of the Solapur Readymade Kapad Utpadak Sangha (SRKUS). Pawars own unit, Prakash Garments, employs over 400 people. If the government does not reconsider its decision, the citys economy will suffer greatly, say local stakeholders, especially impacting women who have shifted from beedi-making to sewing. At present about 35,000 women are employed in the uniform business. We strive to provide employment to as many women as possible so that they do not have to work in the hazardous beedi business. Nearly every home in the areas that neighbor the MIDC park now has a woman or two working in the uniform business. What will happen to them if a bulk of our business goes? asked Pawar. Kanchana Goli, who runs a unit of 20 sewing machines in Sunil Nagar, says many of the women she employs have come to her after finishing school. She says her husband, Lakshminarayan Goli, decided to start their business with the aim of providing employment to the women who rolled beedis in the factories nearby for minimum wages. A woman earns up to 18,000 a month sewing 300 uniforms whereas in the beedi trade they would earn 200 a day after rolling 1,000 beedis. But if the government takes away the work of small entrepreneurs like us, we will not be able to expand our industry, said Goli. Until some years ago the beedi rolling industry was big in Solapur and it employed mostly women, but when two of the biggest beedi factories in the city shut down, we received calls from many women who became jobless. Which is when we called these uniform sewing companies to train and employ women, said Chandrika Chavan, a local social worker who works in the field of womens rights. We started providing women with food, which was a big draw for them to come work in the sewing business. This new decision by the government to provide cloth centrally and give out work orders to women across the state, may be right in principle, but we are not equipped to handle the fallout of this change here, said Chavan. How Uniform City rose Solapurs textile industry dates back to 1874 with the setting up of its first textile unit, Solapur Spinning and Weaving Mills. In 1946, the city began manufacturing the famous Solapur chaddars, said Nitin Pawaer who runs his own uniform manufacturing unit, Sneha Garments. In 1998, the plan to distribute uniforms to all government schools under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was announced by the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which is when we decided to move wholesale to sewing uniforms in the city, he says how Solapur became Indias largest uniform-manufacturing hub. The city became so renowned for producing bulk uniforms that it even began getting orders for producing uniforms for taxi drivers in Dubai, it is here that Air Indias uniforms, including those of its pilots and male ground staff are produced, as are uniforms for sailors on INS Chilka, and also for the staff at Tata Motors. However, the backbone of our industry is the uniforms for government schools under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, said Pawar. If that goes, we will struggle. It was on account of the boom in stitching uniform that so many young men in Solapur decided to stay back and join their family business, he added. In the early 2000s, other states tried to emulate the Solapur model and set up units inviting our people, said former textile minister Subhash Deshmukh, now a BJP MLA from south Solapur. When I took charge as a textile minister I gave them several sops to ensure they stayed back in Solapur. I would request Devendra Fadnavis to reconsider this decision of decentralizing the uniform business. Other stakeholders, too, say the state governments proposed revamp of the uniform business may not go as planned. A similar experiment to buy cloth centrally and then get it stitched from many units, failed in Karnataka. There are many challenges in this business that have not been anticipated. For instance, who will buy the extra cloth if the allotted material for one shirt or tunic falls short? says Chanbasappa Mhalge, an entrepreneur from Solapur who has been supplying uniforms to Karnataka government schools for over a decade. School education minister Deepak Kesarkar, the man behind the move, says he decided to change government policy after he received several complaints about the quality of the uniforms. We have decided to provide uniform cloth under a centralised system as opposed to letting the Solapur units procure on their own. We have also asked the Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) to train womens self-help groups in sewing, he said. Anita Malage, owner of Yashaswini, a cooperative that produces agro by-products for households, and is the head of a womens self-help group, said, We welcome the governments policy to provide this opportunity to the womens self-help groups. In Solapurs uniform industry, almost 35 percent of labourers are women. This will empower them in the city and nearby villages. If we get the jobs independently, we will certainly meet all requirements. Four of 10 women self-help groups are part of the sewing workforce but for sewing uniforms we will also require training and infrastructure to be able to perform. In Solapur, the manufacturers are upset that there has been no dialogue with the minister. If only he had reached to us with what the complaints are or what the government is specifically looking for, we could have made changes. This is a drastic solution, said SRKUSs Prakash Pawar. A Dalit man was allegedly thrashed for wearing good clothes by a group of individuals belonging to an upper caste community in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, said police on Thursday. The accused also thrashed the victims mother who was trying to save him, said police. The case put under the spotlight vulnerability of Dalits (Shutterstock) The incident occurred at Mota village in Palanpur taluka, on Tuesday night. According to the police, the accused expressed their displeasure over the victims choice of clothing, including his well-dressed appearance and sunglasses. Police said the victim was identified as Jigar Shekhalia. Based on the victims complaint, a first information report (FIR) was filed against seven people. According to the complaint, one of the seven accused on Tuesday approached the victim outside his house, abused him and issued death threats saying he was flying too high these days, news agency PTI reported. Also Read: 42 years on, 90-year-old gets life term over killing of 10 Dalits in UP Later that night, six others from the same community confronted the victim near a village temple. They questioned him about his attire and sunglasses before assaulting him and dragging him behind a dairy parlour. When the victims mother rushed to his aid, she was also assaulted, threatened, and her clothes torn, said police. The victim and his mother are currently receiving treatment at a hospital, said an official familiar with the matter. The FIR has been registered at Gadh police station, under sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rioting, unlawful assembly, outraging the modesty of a woman, voluntarily causing hurt, and using abusive language, according to police. They were also booked under relevant sections of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. No arrest has been made in connection with the incident so far, the police official said. (With inputs from PTI) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After the Indian Army lost 10 troopers in terror attacks in Rajouri-Poonch region in the past two months, the Army Headquarters has had hard talk with both the Northern Army Command and the 16 Corps commanders to underscore the importance of laid down standard operating procedures by formations involved in counter-insurgency operations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with J&K Lt Gov Manoj Sinha in Rajouri a day after the May 5 attack. The Indian Army along with security agencies and Jammu and Kashmir Police is currently conducting full scale Operation Trinetra to flush out terrorists of Pakistan in the Pir Panjal region particularly after the terror attack on Army vehicle at Bhatta Dhurian in Poonch on April 20 and at an ambush in Kesari Hill in Rajouri sector on May 5 in the run-up to Srinagar G20 meeting on May 22-24. The Indian Army lost five troopers each in both the encounters including four of them belonging to the elite 9 Paratrooper battalion. Since the two incidents, Army Chief General Manoj Pande has visited the incident site with Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi making multiple visits to the Rajouri-Poonch sector as late as last Saturday. While Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation in Poonch-Rajouri sector a day after the May 5 incident and pumped the morale of the troops involved in CT operations, the Army Headquarters laid the law on the SOPs in the terror hit districts to avoid any further casualties to the formations involved in CT duties. The insistence that SOPs cannot be ignored has been passed on to the 16 Corps Commander and the 25 Division commander under whose jurisdiction is the entire Rajouri-Poonch sector. The post attack analysis of both the incidents showed that the terrorist could have got back better response and lives saved had the troopers followed the laid down procedure on deployment and patrolling in terrorist infested areas. Both the Poonch and Rajouri attacks were carried out by Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Toibas Habibullah Malik aka Sajid Jutts module based in Kotli in Occupied Kashmir. Jutt, who has been involved in terrorist recruitment and weapons drop through drone in Poonch, has been designated as a Pakistani terrorist under the UAPA by the Home Ministry. He is married to a Kashmiri Muslim, who has moved to Pakistan, and has a son living in the Valley. While the Indian Army has launched a deliberate operation in the 16 Corps sector to ensure minimum casualties, the military aided by security agencies and the UT police are committed to avenge the killing of 24 troopers in this area since 2021 along with number of civilian casualties. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indian Air Force's (IAF) intermediate jet-powered trainer aircraft HAL HJT-16, also known as Kiran, crashed into an open field in Karnataka's Chamrajnagar village today. According to IAF's official Twitter page, two pilots aboard the aircraft successfully ejected using parachutes and landed safely. The aircraft was taken for a routine training sortie. IAF's Kiran trainer aircraft crashed.(ANI) The IAF has ordered an inquiry into the incident to find out the cause of the accident. Kiran trainer aircraft was designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which performed its maiden flight in 1964. It is used by IAF to conduct intermediate training to pilots also called the Stage 2 training, before they move onto to the next stage to train on board the Hawk jets. The incident comes after an IAF fighter jet crashed last month in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh, killing three people. The MiG-21 was taken out for a routine sortie. The pilot escaped unhurt. Following the incident, the Air Force decided to ground the entire fleet of Soviet-origin aircraft. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) student Darshan Solanki who allegedly committed suicide had told his mother that caste-based discrimination existed on the institute's campus, a chargesheet filed in the case by police has said. People participate in a protest against the death of 18 year old IIT-B student Darshan Solanki, organised by SFI and DYFI, in Mumbai.(PTI) He also told his mother during telephonic conversations that the behaviour of fellow students changed when they learned about his caste, it claimed. The statement of Solnaki's mother is part of the chargesheet filed by the city police on Tuesday before a special court for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Read | IITs told to ensure zero discrimination on campus after spate of suicides by students The chargesheet named fellow student Arman Khatri who is out on bail after being arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide. Solanki, a first-year student of B-Tech (Chemical) course who hailed from Ahmedabad, allegedly jumped to death from the seventh floor of a hostel building on the IITB campus in Powai area of Mumbai on February 12, 2023, a day after the semester exams ended. The police claimed Khatri had allegedly threatened to kill Solanki after the latter spoke 'offensively' about religion. Solanki's mother in her statement to police said during a telephonic conversation in December 2022, Solanki told his sister that there was caste-based discrimination at the premier institute. When his friends came to know of his caste, there was a change in their behaviour, Solanki's mother said in the statement. Solanki again spoke about this to his sister when he visited them in January 2023 during Makar Sankranti holiday, the chargesheet said. On February 12, he spoke to his mother on phone around 12.20 pm and said he would visit home on February 14 and they should invite all their relatives for a get-together, his mother told the police. Only two hours later, Solanki's father got a call informing his son had suffered a fall, she said in the statement. Solanki's sister and aunt too, in their statements, claimed he faced discrimination and observed change in the behaviour of other students when they learnt of his caste. He spoke about how he was enjoying his studies, but also mentioned that some students and friends always told him that he was getting free education and taunted him, Solanki's aunt told the police. The chargesheet included statements of 55 witnesses, including some students and professors. India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra was on Thursday elected as one of the three vice-presidents of the World Meteorological Organisation, the UN agency for monitoring climate change, early warnings, and disaster preparedness. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra At the WMO elections held in Geneva on Thursday, Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of United Arab Emirates National Center of Meteorology, was elected President of WMO for a four-year term. Also read: Argentine meteorologist becomes first female head of UN weather agency Daouda Konate, director of meteorology of Cote d'Ivoire and Eoin Moran, Director Met Eireann, the Irish Meteorological Service were elected the first and second vice presidents. Earlier this week, Earth Sciences Secretary M Ravichandran was elected as the Vice Chair of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Mechanism (ATCM). The WMO has a President and three vice-presidents who preside over World Meteorological Congress and the Executive Council. The Secretariat, headquartered in Geneva, is headed by the Secretary-General. Prof Celeste Saulo of Argentina has been appointed as the first female Secretary-General of the WMO. Mohapatra's election is expected to allow India to influence the global policy on early warnings and disasters. Similarly, Ravichandran's election at the ATCM may allow India to play an important role in polar research. Washington: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi backed the Indian governments stance on the Russian war in Ukraine, said that democratic world had failed to come up with a vision to counter the non-democratic vision of China, and called for a new system of production and manufacturing where India and the US can work together. Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi addresses students at Stanford University Campus in California. (ANI) Watch: Rahul Gandhi backs Modi's Russia stand amid Ukraine war in U.S.; 'You won't like my answer but...' While claiming that his disqualification from Parliament has offered him a bigger political opportunity than he had earlier, Gandhi insisted that his international engagements are not meant to seek support in Indias internal political battles, a key criticism directed at him by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During an interaction at Stanford University on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning IST), when asked about Indias position on the Ukraine war, Gandhi offered the most categorical expression so far of his support for Indias stance. We have a relationship with Russia. We have had a relationship with Russia. We have certain dependencies on Russia. So I would have a very similar stance as the government of IndiaAt the end of the day, we have to also look out for our interests. Also Read: From 'if Modiji sits next to God' to 'Guru Nanak went to Thailand': Rahul Gandhi's US trip so far Gandhi said that Indias size meant that it would always have relationships with a large range of countries. We will have better relations with some countries, evolving relations with other countries. That balance is there. But to say that India wont have a relationship with this set of people is difficult for India to do. Gandhi is on a six-day visit to the US. After spending two days in San Francisco and the Bay Area, he arrived in Washington DC to engage with think tank community, diaspora, and press in the US capital on Thursday. Gandhi said that when he joined politics in 2004, he never imagined he would be disqualified from Parliament. To be the first person to get a full sentence on defamation, to get a maximum sentence, to be disqualified from Parliament. I didnt imagine that something like this was possible. But, he added, this had given him a huge opportunity, a bigger opportunity than he would have had in Parliament. Responding to a question on how the Opposition usually doesnt seek support from outside the country and he has gone rogue in some respects, Gandhi said that he is not seeking support from anybody. I am very clear that our fight is our fight But there is a group of young students from India here and I want to have a relationship with them. I want to talk to them. Its my right to do it. I dont understand why the Prime Minister doesnt come here and do it. Gandhi said that it was important for political leaders to put themselves in situations where they faced questions and learnt, and if that meant not being able to answer some questions or occasional slip-ups, it was fine for he still learnt a lot. On the theme of the US-China competition, Gandhi said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) promised prosperity and a vision a non-democratic vision of the world but he did not see the actual crystallisation of a vision on the other side in terms of a democratic vision. How do you compete with the production engine of the Chinese? What does a democratic system of production look like? Gandhi said. This is where he said that the US and India could work together and leverage each others strengths. Describing the India-China relationship as rough, Gandhi said, They have occupied some of our territory. Its rough. Its not going to be an easy relationshipBut India cannot be pushed around. That certainly cannot be allowed and it is not going to happen. Gandhi also spoke about democracies struggling with concentration of wealth, growing inequality, and the inability of the political system to keep up with the pace of technological change and social media. There is a bit of lag between the political system and technological progress and democracies are struggling with thatthe systems are not designed for this level of connectivity. So it is going to take some time. But it will happen. Gandhi said that social media creates asymmetry of information and clusters people and creates silos with their own belief systems. So it paradoxically reduces conversation. On Wednesday, Gandhi also visited a tech incubator called Plug and Play in Silicon Valley that has 250 startups, said Praveen Chakravarty, chairman of the Congresss data analytics cell who is accompanying Gandhi during his US visit. According to its website, Plug and Play works across 20 industries, including advanced manufacturing, agricultural tech, animal health, brand and retail, crypto and digital assets, energy, among others. According to a PTI report, Gandhi then participated in a fireside chat, where he spoke about the importance of a decentralised ecosystem for technology, the bureaucratic hurdles vis a vis drone regulation, and the need for appropriate data safety and privacy policies. In the context of the Pegasus spyware revelations, Gandhi claimed his phone was being tapped, and said, turning to his phone, Hello Modiji. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON India is looking at mutual recognition of food certification system with Canada for seamless export and import of edibles, keeping in view the growing Indian diaspora in the North American country, people familiar with the matter said. Last month, an Indian delegation led by representatives from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India took part in the 47th session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling in Quebec, Canada. Last month, an Indian delegation led by representatives from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) countrys apex food regulator took part in the 47th session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling in Quebec, Canada. The delegation met Indian high commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma to facilitate the initiative. a discussion took place on wide issues ranging from harmonisation with the Codex standards to import and export of food items, with an emphasis on the export of traditional food products, keeping in mind the sizeable and growing Indian population in Canada, FSSAI said in a statement on May 25. Also Read: FSSAI working on standards for nutraceuticals He [high commissioner] is likely to meet the President of CFIA [Canadian Food Inspection Agency] soon to discuss about the mutual recognition of food certification system to improve the export of Indian Food products to Canada also emphasised on the mutual recognition of few of the Food Testing Laboratories in India and Canada for facilitating trade of food products, it added. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international food standards body established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both agencies of the United Nations in 1963 with the objective of protecting consumers health and ensuring fair practices in food trade. The core Codex texts typically deal with hygienic practice, labelling, contaminants, additives, inspection and certification, nutrition and residues of veterinary drugs and pesticides, and apply horizontally to products and product categories. Among the areas being considered for exports from India include standards related to food labelling norms, use of new technologies in labelling, labelling of food allergens, labelling for e-commerce, according to the top food regulator. Previously, India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Canada for the mutual recognition of food labs in both the countries. India has been working on putting in place measures to ensure food safety standards are maintained effectively. Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday inaugurated the state-of-the-art National Training Centre (NTC) for the top food regulator. Good quality nutritious food can go a long way in keeping diseases at bay. The people who will train at the National Training Centre of FSSAI will play a significant role in creating healthy citizens in the country, as they will ensure quality standards for food are followed in the country, he said. According to the health ministry, NTC aims at providing structured instruction, practice, and learning experiences to bridge the gap between existing knowledge or skills and desired knowledge or skills in the field of food safety and standards. As mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, FSSAI is responsible for providing training to individuals involved in food businesses, including operators, employees, food safety officers and designated officers. Recognising the importance of continuous skill upgrading for officials, food business operators, and other stakeholders, FSSAI has established the National Training Centre to offer various training programmes, the ministry said in a statement. This dedicated centre fills the void that previously existed, ensuring the development of a future-ready workforce committed to ensuring safe and wholesome food for the citizens of India. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhythma Kaul Rhythma Kaul works as an assistant editor at Hindustan Times. She covers health and related topics, including ministry of health and family welfare, government of India. ...view detail NEW DELHI: India and China held another round of diplomatic talks on Wednesday on the dragging standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with the only outcome being a decision to hold the next round of discussions between military commanders at an early date. This undated photograph released by Indian Army on February 16, 2021 shows PLA soldiers and tanks during military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control at the India-China border in Ladakh. (AFP) The 27th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs was held in-person in New Delhi, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. While noting that restoring peace and tranquillity will create conditions for normalising bilateral relations, the statement said: In order to achieve this objective, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (19th) round of Senior Commanders meeting at an early date. The military standoff on the LAC, currently in its fourth year, has taken India-China ties to their lowest ebb in six decades. Soon after the standoff emerged in the open, a brutal clash at Galwan Valley killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops in June 2020. In the face of calls from the Chinese side for the border row to be placed in its appropriate place in bilateral relations, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has maintained that relations cannot be normalised till peace and tranquillity are restored along the LAC. During the WMCC meeting, the two sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in remaining areas in a frank and open manner, the statement said. Restoration of peace and tranquillity will create conditions for normalising bilateral relations, the statement said. The two sides also agreed to continue discussions through military and diplomatic channels. The joint secretary (East Asia) from the external affairs ministry led the Indian delegation at the meeting, while the Chinese team was led by the director general of the boundary and oceanic affairs department of the foreign ministry. The Indian Army and Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) held the 18th round of senior commanders talks on April 23 to ease tensions along the LAC. Prior to this, the two sides had held talks between the corps commanders in December 2022 to discuss outstanding issues along the border. Despite four rounds of disengagement of frontline troops at Galwan Valley, Pangong Lake, Gogra and Hot Springs, the Indian and Chinese armies still have more than 60,000 troops each and advanced weaponry deployed in the Ladakh theatre. Prominent among the remaining friction points along the LAC are Depsang and Demchok. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: India and Nepal on Thursday unveiled initiatives to ramp up cooperation in energy, including increasing import of hydropower and allowing power exports to Bangladesh, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal of resolving a boundary dispute in the spirit of friendship. New Delhi, India - June 1, 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda during their joint press statement after a meeting at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by Sanjeev Verma/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times) Following a meeting of the leaders, the two countries launched several projects to improve rail connectivity for both passenger travel and trade, inaugurated a new integrated check post to boost cross-border trade, and unveiled plans to extend South Asias first cross-border petroleum pipeline and to build a second such pipeline. The two sides also signed seven agreements, including the revised Treaty of Transit that will, for the first time, give Nepal access to Indias inland waterways, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Nepal Clearing House Limited (NHCL) for faster cross-border payments that will benefit businesses, students and tourists. The dragging border dispute figured in the talks between the two premiers, and Modi told a joint media interaction after the meeting that the issue will be resolved in keeping with the strong religious and cultural ties between the two sides and in a spirit of friendship. Also Read: On 4-day visit to India, Nepal PM seeks to maintains fine balance We will keep working to take our relationship to the height of the Himalayas. And in this spirit, we will solve all issues, be they boundary related or any other issue, Modi said, speaking in Hindi. Dahal, also known as Prachanda, added: Prime Minister Modiji and I discussed the boundary matter. I urged Prime Minister Modiji to resolve the boundary matter through the established bilateral diplomatic mechanism. Most of the 1,850-km border between the two sides has been demarcated, except for two disputed sections at Kalapani and Susta. Nepal triggered a border row in 2020 by issuing a new political map that showed Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh all controlled by India as part of Nepalese territory. The row affected ties for several months before a sustained outreach by the Indian side helped improve the situation. Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a media briefing that the two premiers outlined how the boundary issue will be addressed. Their remarks not only speak of the intent of the two leaders and the two systems, they also speak of the specifics through which that intent is to be carried forward, he said. Modi and Dahal said the two sides reached an agreement on long-term power trade, under which India will import 10,000 MW from Nepal in the next 10 years. Dahal appreciated Indias import of 450 MW and thanked Modi for his positive response to a proposal for increasing this by 1,200 MW. I also appreciated Indias willingness to facilitate the export of hydropower from Nepal to Bangladesh through India. We have agreed that export of up to 50 MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh via India would commence soon and the three countries would work out an agreement to this effect soon, Dahal said. The two leaders marked the handing over of the Kurtha-Bijalpura section of a railway line, with a length of 17km, for passenger trains and launched the inaugural run of an Indian cargo train to the Nepal Customs Yard via a rail link constructed with an Indian grant. The new rail links will cut transportation costs and time for trade between Nepal and Kolkata and Haldia ports. The two leaders inaugurated the Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at Nepalgunj in Nepal and Rupaidiha in India and marked the ground-breaking for ICPs at Bhairahawa (Nepal) and Sonauli (India). Ground-breaking was done for the second phase of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline, to be built at a cost of 183 crore. This is South Asias first trans-border petroleum pipeline, launched in 2019, and has supplied 2.8 million metric tonnes of diesel to Nepal. The two sides said another pipeline will be built to link Siliguri and Jhapa in Nepal. The two leaders also did the ground-breaking for the Indian portion of the Gorakhpur-Bhutwal power transmission line to be built at a cost of 462 crore. This is expected to be commissioned in 24 months. Among the seven agreements signed by the two sides were an MoU for developing infrastructure at Dodhara Chandani ICP, the project development agreement for the 679-MW Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project and an MoU for developing the 480-MW Phukot Karnali hydroelectric project. Modi referred to the HIT formula Highways, I-ways and Trans-ways that he unveiled during his visit to Nepal in 2014 and said: Today, after nine years, I am happy to say that our partnership is truly a HIT. He added, We decided to increase physical connectivity by setting up new rail links. Along with this, it has been decided to provide training to railway personnel of Nepal in Indian railway institutes. To boost connectivity to the far western region of Nepal, two more bridges will be built at Shirsha and Jhulaghat. Dahal congratulated Modi on completing nine years in government and said bilateral ties are based on the firm commitment of both sides to the time-tested principle of sovereign equality, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation. In order to reduce Nepals increasing trade deficit, Dahal sought non-reciprocal market access with more flexible and easier quarantine procedures for agricultural products and simplified rules of origin for other goods. He also sought the lifting of anti-dumping duties on Nepals jute products and the review of the treaty of trade. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi reacted to Rahul Gandhi's statement that Muslims are the most attacked in the BJP government in India and said political secularism has destroyed the Muslims of India. "Rahul Gandhi should teach this to Ashok Gehlot. When Junaid and Nasir were killed in Rajasthan, the Congress chief minister took 15 days to meet their family members. The families were promised an ex gratia of 15 lakh, while others get 50 lakh. In Chhattisgarh, your Congress government sponsored Dharam Sandad where Mahatma Gandhi was abused. Tell them," Owaisi said. Read | Rahul Gandhi's reaction to 'Khalistan slogans' in US and a political row: Watch Owaisi said political secularism destroyed the Muslims in India and stopped their empowerment. Answering a question at a gathering in San Francisco, Rahul Gandhi said Muslims are feeling the impact of the BJP government the most as they are the main target while other minorities like Sikhs, Christians, Dalits and tribals are also feeling the same. "You can't cut hatred with hatred, but only with love and affection," Rahul Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi's Muslim -Dalit parallel in US speech "What is happening to Muslims in India today happened to Dalits in the 1980s. If you went to UP in the 1980s, this was happening with Dalits...We have to challenge it, fight it and do it with love and affection and not with hatred and we will do that," he added. While the BJP considered his parallel between the Muslims now and the Dalits in the 1980s when the Congress government was in power as a gaffe by Rahul Gandhi, his comments on Muslims drew flak from Owaisi. "You supported Amit Shah in 2019 to bring in UAPA. This is the reason why the maximum number of Muslims, Dalits and government dissenters are incarcerated in jail. Why did you support UAPA? Why did you welcome the Babri Masjid verdict? Your government in Madhya Pradesh wants Hindu religious festivals from the party platform. Is this Mohabbat ki dukan?" Owaisi said. "I have been saying this from the beginning that because of political secularism Indian Muslims have been destroyed. Their empowerment did not take place. Political secularism was used to end Muslim representation in Assembly and Parliament. I have and will be against political secularism," Owaisi said. "I stand by the secularism that the Constitution told us. Now you will say secularism was added to the Constitution later, but liberty, equality, fraternity, justice, right to equality are all secularism. Rahul Gandhi should talk on these issues without wasting his words," Owaisi said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A judicial commission headed by a retired high court chief justice will probe the violence in Manipur and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will look into six cases connected to the clashes, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Thursday as he announced a slew of steps to quell the riots that have convulsed the northeastern state for close to a month and killed 80 people. HT Image On the final day of his visit to Manipur, Shah also announced the formation of an inter-agency command for better coordination, a peace committee to be headed by governor Anasuiya Uikey, promised to improve connectivity, and assured an impartial investigation into the ethnic clashes that have pit the dominant Meitei community against the Kukis, a tribal group. A judicial commission headed by a retired high court chief justice will probe the violence in Manipur, the reasons for it and those responsible for it. The probe will be conducted by the Indian government, Shah told journalists in Imphal. Dialogue is the only solution to the ongoing crisis in Manipur, he added. Shah said that a special team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will investigate six cases -- five registered till date for the violence that started on May 3 and another one on the general criminal conspiracy behind the clashes. I would like to assure the people of Manipur that this probe will be completely impartial and neutral, to find out the main reason that led to the violence. Proper action will be taken against all those responsible with the aim of ensuring that theres no repetition of such violence in future, said the minister. Shah said that the peace committee headed by Uikey will include businesspersons, prominent players, representatives of political parties, legislators and members of civil society groups. Several agencies are at present working in Manipur to ensure peace, he added. To maintain better and non-partisan coordination, an inter-agency unified command headed by former Central Reserve Police Force chief and Manipur security adviser Kuldiep Singh will start working from Thursday, Shah added. To ensure smooth functioning of all arrangements in Manipur, a joint secretary level officers of Union home ministry and five director level officers of different ministries will be present in the state, he said. On one key demand by some Kuki groups of a separate administration not under the control of the Manipur government, Shah said: The central government cleared its stand on Manipurs territorial integrity earlier. I dont want to make any statement to sensationalise the issue and make headlines. The home minister arrived in Manipur on Monday night and held talks with chief minister N Biren Singh, senior officers, and Uikey. On Tuesday, he reviewed the security situation, held an all-party meeting and met delegations from Meitei and Kuki communities. On Wednesday, Shah visited the Kuki-dominated town of Moreh on the border with Myanmar and Kangpokpi district. He also went to relief camps in Kangpokpi and Imphal, and later held a security review meeting in the state capital. Shahs visit was important in a state where ethnic divides run deep and where the local administration has repeatedly struggled to quell violence and build bridges between the communities. The state government needs to dispel the perception of bias and focus on confidence-building measures and bring both sides to the negotiating table for forging a long-term solution. An impartial judicial probe can go a long way in rebuilding that trust. Manipur has been roiled by ethnic violence since May 3, with the bulk of the clashes between the Meitei community, which constitutes the majority of the states population and lives largely in Imphal, and the Kukis, who comprise 16% of the state and live largely in the hill districts. At least 80 people have died and 40,000 displaced. The clashes erupted during a protest against a court-ordered tweak to the states reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. Violence quickly engulfed the state, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods into jungles, often across state borders. The authorities clamped a curfew and suspended the internet, pumping in additional security forces to force a break in the spiraling clashes. Internet is still not back in the state. But tensions were simmering for much longer, owing to the state governments decision to exit a tripartite accord and move against some forest dwelling groups it termed as encroachers. In his press conference, Shah appealed to all sections to maintain peace, hold discussions and promote harmony. Expressing condolences to those killed in violence, he urged residents not to pay heed to rumours and maintain peace. The minister said monetary compensation of 5 lakh each from the Centre and the state government will be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives. A detailed relief and rehabilitation package for those injured and who lost their properties will be announced on Friday. A significant chunk of his press conference was devoted to logistical and connectivity issues in a state where dilapidated roads are often the only link to far-flung districts that have been rocked by rioting. Shah said an additional 30,000 metric tonnes of rice will be provided to Manipur in the next two months. Eight teams of doctors will arrive in the state to provide medical relief to people in Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi areas. 15 petrol pumps were identified across the state to provide fuel round the clock to those in need, he added. As various groups have blocked interstate highways and arterial roads, the minister said a temporary platform will be built at Khongkang railway station in Tamenglong district so that goods can arrive by train. A temporary helicopter service is being started from Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi, which will provide transport facility to airport and remote places with charges of 2,000 per person only. The rest of the cost will be borne by the government, Shah said. The home minister hailed the Bharatiya Janata Party government, and said in the past six years, Manipur was free from bandh, blockade, curfew and violence and achieved unprecedented progress. Violence was a temporary phase, misunderstandings will go away ... the situation will soon be normal, he added. He said that trial work on 10km fencing along the Myanmar and Manipur border was completed by the Centre while the tendering process for another 80km was also completed. He said biometric data of people coming from neighbouring countries was also being collected. He also held out a warning, saying any violation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed between the Centre, Manipur government and 25 Kuki outfits in 2008 will be dealt with strictly. During his four-day visit, Shah visited relief camps, and interacted with delegations and victims in Imphal, Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. He also held a meeting with state cabinet ministers and womens organisations. Apart from this, Shah met about 22 civil society groups from the Meitei community and about 25 from the Kuki community. Discussions were also held with 11 political parties, prominent sportspersons and elected representatives of all parties. Shahs announcements were received with cautious optimism. The only thing that we care about is fulfilment of our political demand which is total separation from Manipur. He didnt mention anything about that today. In talks with us, Shah had assured us our demands will be addressed after 15 days. We are hopeful that he will deliver on his promise after that, said Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), an umbrella group of Kuki organisations in Churachandpur district. The reaction from the Meitei side was also mixed. All memorandums submitted by Meitei groups to Shah had called for withdrawal of the suspension of operation (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups. We were expecting the Union minister to say something about that, said Khuraijam Athouba, spokesperson of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a conglomerate of five civil society organisations. ANYTHING FROM STATE GOVT? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is a Senior Assistant Editor based in Guwahati. He covers seven states of North-East India and heads the editorial team for the region. He was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times. ...view detail Franco Mulakkal - who was temporarily relieved of pastoral duties in 2018 following allegations of rape by a nun - resigned as Jalandhar Bishop on Thursday. The 59-year-old Bishop's resignation was requested by the Vatican for the good of the Jalandhar diocese which needs a new bishop and not as a disciplinary measure imposed upon him, reported news agency PTI citing sources. He will now serve as Bishop Emeritus of Jalandhar, reports said. Franco Mulakkal (ANI) Traditionally, Bishops hand in their resignation when they turn 75. The Kerala nun rape case In 2018, a Kerala nun filed a case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accusing him of raping her multiple times during his visit to her convent in Kottayam between 2014 and 2016. Following this, Mulakkal was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. During this time, he was also temporarily relieved of his responsibilities in the diocese by Pope Francis. However, in January 2022, the Additional District and Sessions Court in Kottayam, Kerala acquitted Mulakkal of sexual assault charges. Despite the verdict, he was not given any new responsibilities in the church. The nun - who is a member of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation based in Punjab which runs two convents in Kerala - has moved the Kerala High Court against his acquittal in the case by the trial court. On the other hand, Mulakkal has rejected the allegations, calling them a conspiracy against the church. (With inputs from PTI) An ageing Kiran trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), flown by one of Indias finest test pilots and with a woman flight test engineer aboard, crashed on the outskirts of Karnatakas Chamarajanagar on Thursday, putting the spotlight on the decades-old plane and the pressing need to replace it with a modern aircraft, officials said. Local residents at the site where a Kiran trainer aircraft crashed, in Karnatakas Chamarajanagar district, on Thursday. (PTI) Both aircrew ejected from the doomed trainer and were airlifted to Command Hospital Air Force, Bengaluru, for treatment. The air force did not release the names of the pilot or the engineer. The aircraft and the aircrew are from the premier Bengaluru-based Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) that conducts flight testing of aircraft and airborne systems, said one of the officials cited above, asking not to be named. IAF has launched a probe into the accident. Also Read: IAF Heritage Centre expansion: Air force to submit proposal to Chandigarh admn in 10 days A Kiran trainer aircraft of the IAF crashed near Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, today, while on a routine training sortie. Both aircrew ejected safely. A court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, the IAF said in a statement. The test pilot is an air commodore while the flight test engineer is a squadron leader, said a second official cited above, who also asked not to be named. Only a handful of women officers in the IAF serve as flight test engineers professionals who are responsible for evaluating aircraft and airborne systems. Squadron Leader Aashritha V Olety was the first woman officer to qualify for the role in May 2021, and till last year, there were only three women flight test engineers in the IAF. The air force plans to retire the Kiran trainers by 2025, said a third official. The much-delayed Sitara intermediate jet trainer (IJT), being developed by state-owned plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was planned as a replacement for the IAFs Kiran fleet to carry out stage-II training of fighter pilots. The IJT project is several years behind schedule and testing activity is still on. Rookie IAF pilots go through a three-stage training involving the Swiss-origin Pilatus PC-7 MkII planes, Kiran trainers and finally the British-origin Hawk advanced jet trainers before they can fly supersonic fighter jets. The Kiran trainers were first inducted into the IAF in the 1960s. The crash on Thursday took place at Bhogapura, about 10 km from Chamarajanagar town, local police said. Somashekar, a local resident and eyewitness, said: The plane came from the Bengaluru side, turned around, then turned upside down and finally came crashing down. It crashed around half a kilometre from our gram panchayat building. A helicopter from HAL flew the senior test pilot and the flight test engineer to Command Hospital Air Force. Both landed around half a kilometre from where the plane crashed. The pilot complained of back pain and the flight test engineer suffered minor injuries, said a police officer. The replacement of the Kiran aircraft is long overdue, said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general, Centre for Air Power Studies. It has played a critical training role for decades and served the IAF well. It is about time that it be replaced with a new intermediate jet trainer to meet important stage-II training requirements of the IAF, Chopra added. The IJT or the HJT-36 single-engine aircraft has completed a raft of crucial trials, but the testing process is still on, the officials said. The inordinate delay in the IJT programme, conceived almost 25 years ago, upset the IAFs calculations and forced it to fly the Kiran trainers longer than it would have liked, the officials added. The project was sanctioned in July 1999 with a grant of 180 crore. The IJT was expected to get initial operational clearance by 2006. In January 2022, HAL announced that the IJT had successfully demonstrated the capability to carry out six turn spins, a key requirement for trainers and the most crucial phase of flight testing. The capability to enter and recover from a spin is a necessity for a trainer aircraft to familiarise trainee pilots with departure from controlled flight and the actions required to recover from such situations. To be sure, the IJT project is no longer backed by the IAF, and HAL had to dig into its internal funds to carry out critical trials after the project suffered a critical setback during spin testing in 2016 and brought the programme to a temporary halt. The future of the IJT project looks uncertain and the IAF could lease trainer aircraft to meet its requirements after the Kirans retire, the officials said. To be sure, at Aero India 2023, held at the Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru in February, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari led the gurukul formation in the light combat aircraft Tejas. The HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft, the IJT and the Hawk-i aircraft were part of the four-aircraft formation. Apart from intermediate jet trainers, the IAF also needs basic trainer aircraft to meet stage-I training requirements. In March, the defence ministry signed a 6,838-crore contract with HAL for 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft. The new trainer aircraft, a longstanding need, will provide a boost to the ab initio training of air force pilots. Just like the Pilatus PC-7 MkII planes, these indigenous basic trainers could also be used for stage-II training if needed, the officials said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that PM provides benefits to industrialists but whenever Congress tries to mobilise the resources and benefit the poor, he makes fun of it. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.(ANI) Read here: 'BJP-RSS lies exposed': Kharge on new parliament inauguration, wrestlers protest "PM Modi can provide concessions and give other benefits to big industrialists, but he has a lot of a problem whenever we promise to provide anything for the benefit of the poor," he told news agency ANI. Kharge's comments came a day after Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot announced to waive electricity bill on consumption of power till first 100 units in the state ahead of the assembly elections. Read here: No electricity bill for consumption of first 100 units of power in Rajasthan: Gehlot In a twitter post late Wednesday, Gehlot said, The families consuming more than 100 units of power will receive a waiver for first 100 units. For the middle class, the customers will get free electricity for first 100 units. Their fixed charges, fuel surcharge and other charges for first 200 units will be waived off and the cost will be paid by the state government. Congress president also accused the BJP-led central government of carrying out a "fire sale" of national assets and PSUs to its crony capitalist "friends" and claimed this was the "single biggest anti-national" act. This "destructive loot" is snatching away job opportunities for India's poor, SCs, STs, OBCs, he alleged. Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi addressed a mega poll rally in Ajmer where he took a jibe at Congress' tussle between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. He said, "You gave a mandate in Rajasthan five years ago. What did Rajasthan get in return? Instability and anarchy. For the past five years, ministers, MLAs and the CM are busy fighting with each other." Read here: BJP govt closing corruption paths paved by Congress: Modi The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has planned a month-long campaign to celebrate the ninth anniversary with various mass connect programmes. Congress-ruled Rajasthan goes to polls later this year. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday hit out at the PM Modi-led central government for not taking action earlier on the violence in Manipur, saying that the Centre's inaction is the reason why the state is bitterly divided. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. (PTI File Photo) The Union Home Minister has made a series of announcements today on measures related to bringing Manipur back to normalcy that are welcome. Why couldnt he have done this weeks ago? Why did the Modi govt let Manipur burn for a month? Are only Manipuri votes valuable and Manipuri lives dispensable? Jairam Ramesh questioned in a tweet. He added, The RSS agenda, the BJP state govts diabolical acts and the Union govts inaction is the reason why Manipur is bitterly divided today. And what has happened in Manipur has implications for the entire Northeast. Earlier in the day, Union home minister Amit Shah announced a probe panel led by a retired judge to investigate the widespread violence in the northeastern state. He also announced that six cases pertaining to the violence will be probed by a special CBI team. The union minister further appealed to people to surrender any arms in their possession. Surrender your arms to the police today. From tomorrow, a combing operation will start. Action will be taken if arms are found by the police, he said after three days of his visit to the violence-hit state. I want to appeal to all civil society organisations to not pay heed to rumours. Now is the time to maintain peace from both sides, he added. Also read: Questions raised as Kuki DGP not heading Manipur police force over ethnicity Shah also said that the Centre will soon announce a relief and rehabilitation package for families who have lost members to the violence or suffered injury or damage to property. Situation in Manipur Manipur began witnessing tensions from May 3 after an interethnic violence erupted during a solidarity march called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in protest against an April 19 Manipur high court order directing the state government to consider giving Centre Scheduled Caste (ST) reservation to the Meitei community. Around 80 people have been killed in the violence so far, while thousands of people have been displaced. Mizoram , which has become home around 8,000 refugees from neighbouring Manipur, mostly Kukis, over the past few weeks following violence in that state, and which is also home to refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh is working to ensure it takes care of the newcomers without compromising its own interests and Indias security concerns. PREMIUM Ethnic violence in Manipur has left at least 80 people dead and another 40,000 displaced. (ANI) Mizoram shares a 95-km long border with Manipur, a 722-km border with Myanmar, and a 318-km border with Bangladesh; it is also home to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo ethnic group, which has close cultural and linguistic ties with the people of the Chin Hills in Myanmar, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh, and the Kukis in Manipur; and it has now become a natural destination for people fleeing violence, persecution and instability. According to state government records, there are over 40,000 Myanmar nationals, 700 Bangladesh nationals, and around 8000 people from Manipur who have taken shelter in Mizoram. Also Read| Surrender arms or face action: Amit Shah's stern warning in Manipur; probe panel announced The Mizoram government has ignored the Union home ministrys strict orders against hosting any refugees, and been vocal in its support of Myanmarese refugees who started streaming in after the military coup of February 2021, and the Bangladesh nationals who came to the state after clashes between the Bangladesh Army and the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) began in October last year. Officials from the State Home Department say the state has spent over 38 crore on the Myanmarese and Bangladeshi refugees. NGOs have pitched in too. For instance, the Central Young Mizo Associations (CYMA) President R. Lalngheta said the NGO has spent 57 lakh in supporting Myanmar refugees and 31 lakh on Bangladeshi ones. Also Read: After the violence: A Myanmar twist as Manipur searches for its own The real issue, though, isnt the money -- it is security. India is yet to officially recognize Myanmar or Bangladesh refugees , and has asked the state government to prevent illegal immigration and deport those who do not have valid documents. Assam Rifles, which is manning the Indo-Myanmar border, have plans to increase and tighten security along the border to prevent further influx of illegal migrants, drugs and other contraband items. Though CYMAs Lalngheta refutes claims of an increase of drugs smuggling and crimes in Mizoram with the influx of refuges, an official from Assam Rifles said: We have to tighten security along the Myanmar border to prevent the entry of illegal migrants into Mizoram. These illegal influxes can severely hamper the law and order situation of the state, and have led to an increase in drugs and arms smuggling. Assam Rifles also claims that three illegal bridges have been constructed at three different locations at the India-Myanmar border -- a hanging bridge over Tiau River at Lungkawlh, Ngharchhip, and Thekte villages. An Assam Rifles official added on condition of anonymity added: Many illegal immigrants who have entered from Myanmar and Bangladesh have managed to acquire fake identity cards. They have even managed to travel out of the state and one has recently been apprehended with a fake ID in Bengaluru. Mizorams concern for refugees has moved up a notch with happenings in Manipur. Manipur has been convulsed by ethnic violence since May 3, with the bulk of the clashes between the Meitei community, which constitutes the majority of the states population and lives largely in Imphal, and the Kukis, who comprise 16% of the state and live largely in the hill districts. At least 80 people have died and another 40,000 displaced by ethnic violence between the tribal Kukis, who mostly reside in the hill districts, and the Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley. After Mizorams lone Rajya Sabha MP, K. Vanlalvena wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and appealed for the Central Governments immediate intervention to put an immediate end by stopping the Manipur Government from trying to convert the tribal land into forest reserves, and to restore peace in the region, the NGO Co-ordination Committee of Mizoram met with the Union Home Minister on May 15 and submitted a memorandum requesting the ntervention of Central government to restore peace in Manipur and ensure a safe environment for the tribals of Manipur. Samuel Zoramthanpuia, President of Mizo Students Union (MSU) said, As the current violence in Manipur is between two communities, it is important that Zo ethnic tribes across the globe and the Government of Mizoram extend a strong support for the demands of the tribals in Manipur. Lalngheta also added that the YMA will extend unconditional support to their Zo ethnic kin. The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, during a speech at the Mizo National Fronts office on May 19 said that the unification Chin-Kuki-Mizo ethnic group in India, and bringing them under one administrative unit, Greater Mizoram, was one of the main objectives of the founders of his party. His statement was met with harsh criticism from the World Meitei Council (WMC). There has been some internal opposition to Mizorams refugee-friendly policy. One of Mizorams political parties, the Peoples Conference (PC) has said the government is not keeping track of the movement of refugees. PCs president Vanlalruata wants the state government to build refugee camps where their movements can properly be monitored. He also accused the state government of not keeping a record of those displaced from Manipur who are entering Mizoram. Experts say Mizorams refugee crisis is a reflection of the complex and dynamic realities of Northeast Indias borderlands, where ethnic ties transcend national boundaries, and where conflicts persist despite peace agreements. It is also a reminder of the need for compassion and solidarity among people who share a common history and destiny. In this age of globalisation, no community is an island, it is a multicultural world we live in. Ethnic concentration in a particular region is an impossible task. We must accept this truth, whether we like it or not. A majoritarian community in a particular region could be a minority community in another state. Therefore, ethnic cleansing by majoritarian community against ethnic minority with the help of the state is unthinkable. Only Us, not others is unacceptable. Manipur is a case in point. Thousand of Meiteis are also currently living peacefully outside Manipur where they is a small fraction of the entire population. Intimidation and threat against minority is inhuman. But, if what is happening in Manipur is a grand design of a majoritarian community to systematically drive out minority tribals, it must be resisted at all cost to defeat such unprincipled objective, said Dr Lallianchhunga, associate professor in the Department of Political Science in Mizoram University. The progress of the monsoon is likely to be dampened after its expected arrival in Kerala around June 4 with a model error of +/-4 days due to the chances of the development of a low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea around two days later, officials said even as the model outputs remained highly variable. The monsoon covers the entire country by July 5 . (REUTERS) June 1 is the normal date for monsoon arrival in Kerala. But India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a marginally delayed onset on June 4. The advance of the monsoon over the Indian mainland is marked by its onset in Kerala. It is an important indicator characterising the transition from the hot and dry season to the rainy season. The monsoon covers the entire country by July 5 and brings relief from scorching summer. It is critical for Indias economy with 51% of the countrys farmed area, accounting for 40% of production, being rain-fed. Also Read: 16 of 22 El Nino years in India resulted in drought-like situation An IMD official said the models were showing the likelihood of a low-pressure area development over the Arabian Sea around June 6. Everything will depend on the trajectory and intensity of that low-pressure system. Will it move towards the Indian coast or away from our coast? Models are indicating several different scenarios The official said they cannot announce anything five days in advance. So, we have to wait and watch and issue a warning soon. If it [the low-pressure areas] forms and intensifies, there are high chances of monsoon progress being impacted, said the official. We have not seen an indication of a strong monsoon/cross-equatorial flow yet. It may boost in the next couple of days following which favourable onset conditions may begin to develop over Kerala. The northern limit of the monsoon continued to pass through the Bay of Bengal while the monsoon line covered Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Conditions were favourable for further advance of the monsoon into parts of Maldives and Comorin, Southwest Bay of Bengal, Southeast Bay of Bengal, Central Bay of Bengal, and Northeast Bay of Bengal during the next two to three days, IMD said in its bulletin. Skymet Weather vice president (climate and meteorology) Mahesh Palawat said they were expecting monsoon onset to happen around June 3 or 4 but there is a lot of uncertainty over its progress. The low-pressure area is expected to develop over the Arabian Sea around June 6 or 7 and may intensify into a depression. There is no certainty if it will develop into a cyclone. Once it develops, all the moisture will be concentrated around the depression which will hamper the further progress of the monsoon. He said there may be good rains on the west coast but monsoon may not touch interior areas till around June 10. The cross-equatorial flow, a must for monsoon onset, is getting organised. We have to see when the wind direction changes to southwesterly and when monsoon onset can be declared but conditions are at the moment not very favorable for monsoons progress immediately. A western disturbance was lying over north Pakistan and an induced cyclonic circulation over Punjab at lower tropospheric levels. Another western disturbance was lying over northeast Afghanistan in the middle tropospheric level and was likely to merge on June 1. High moisture feed from the Arabian Sea to northwest India in middle tropospheric levels was bringing thunderstorms and rainfall to parts of northwest India. During monsoon, western disturbances normally do not impact the Indian region, except during monsoon breaks when they can interact with other systems. Western disturbances move to northern latitudes and a southwesterly wind pattern is established during monsoon season, said former earth sciences ministry secretary M Rajeevan. There is a nearly 100% probability of El Nino conditions during monsoon and is expected to continue until next year, IMD said last week. The 2023 El Nino is expected to develop following a triple dip La Nina event (2020-22). La Nina is the opposite of El Nino and is characterised by cooler currents in the equatorial eastern Pacific. El Nino is characterised by an unusual warming of waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific, which has a high correlation with warmer summers, drought, and weaker monsoon rains in India. On Rahul Gandhi's 'Guru Nanak went to Thailand', BJP leader says, 'How much...' BJP Sikh leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa countered Rahul Gandhi's statement that Guru Nanak went to Thailand and asked where the Congress leader came across this information. "How much should we keep forgiving in the name of your stupidity? Where did you read that Guru Nanak went to Thailand? Is it too much to expect that you should talk like a sensible intelligent person when it concerns religion?" Sirsa tweeted. Read more BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Rafale jets conduct exercise in strategic Indian Ocean region An Indian Air Force strike force of four Rafale fighter jets took off from the Hasimara airbase in West Bengal, outmanoeuvred a large engagement force of hostile warplanes, and carried out a precision strike against a high value target in the strategic Indian Ocean region (IOR) in an exercise that showcased the air forces capability to strike far and strike hard, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday. Read more Khaps to hold mahapanchayat today amid wrestlers protest Representatives of khaps or clan-based groups from outfits in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab Rajasthan and Delhi will meet in Muzaffarnagar on Thursday to discuss the ongoing protests by Indias top wrestlers against sexual harassment, senior community leaders said, the first signs of a new mobilisation to back the protracted stir. Read more 'He has a bright future when it comes to...': Wasim Akram's massive prediction for India star after IPL 2023 The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed the rise and rise of superstar Shubman Gill. Fresh from smashing multiple centuries for India in the international arena, opener Gill spearheaded the batting charge of Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL 2023. Read more When R Madhavan's supportive wife Sarita was ready to move into 1BHK if his film failed In the last decade, R Madhavan has turned both producer and director. The actor, who turns 53 on June 1, shared in an old interview how he faced difficult times when he was producing bilingual film Saala Khadoos. Read more Janhvi Kapoor channels glam icon vibes in two beauteous gowns, serves the perfect sangeet night look: See pics Actor Janhvi Kapoor delighted her followers recently by dropping a photo dump on her official Instagram account. The star is known for sharing several behind-the-scene pictures from her day-to-day life on sets or while chilling at home with her favourite people. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON For the first time, the Chhattisgarh government on Thursday organised a three-day Ramayana national cultural festival in the Raigarh district's Ramleela Maidan. Inaugurating the festival, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said that Lord Shri Ram spent a significant period of his exile, ten years, in Chhattisgarh, forging a deep connection with the state. National Ramayana Festival (Representative image) Chhattisgarh is the land of Kaushalya Mata, Lord Shri Ram was expected to be crowned but instead embarked on his exile. During his time in the state, Lord Shri Ram met with Nishadraj, Shabri, and various sages, symbolizing the diverse experiences he had during his journey. Lord Shri Ram belongs to everyone, including Nishadraj and Shabri, CM Baghel said. According to a press release, Baghel further emphasized that despite facing numerous challenges, Lord Shri Ram never compromised his dignity. People of Chhattisgarh have a special relationship with both the Vanavasi (exile) Ram and the Kaushalyas Ram, considering him nephew and revering him accordingly, he said. About National Ramayana Festival The National Ramayana Festival - which is being held in Chhattisgarh for the first time ever - is set to see several devotional performances based on Ramkatha by Ramayana troupes from 12 states of the country including Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Assam, Goa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, as well as those from Cambodia and Indonesia. On the last day of the festival, eminent Hindi poet Kumar Vishwas will extol the glory of Lord Shri Ram with his special performance at Apne-Apne Ram Music Night, said a press release. According to the release, the festival is being widely appreciated not only in Chhattisgarh but also across the country and trended number one on several social media platforms. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hyderabad The Telangana high court on wednesday granted conditional anticipatory bail to YSR Congress party MP from Kadapa Y S Avinash Reddy in Vivekananda murder case. (PTI) A day after the Telangana high court granted conditional anticipatory bail to YSR Congress party MP from Kadapa Y S Avinash Reddy, his father Y S Bhaskar Reddy, too, filed a petition in a local court in Hyderabad on Thursday, seeking bail in a case related to the murder of former Andhra Pradesh minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy, people familiar with the matter said. In a petition filed before the special court for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases, Bhaskar Reddy requested that he be granted bail on health grounds, as he had been suffering from heart ailments and hypotension. The court is expected to take up the hearing on his bail petition on Friday. Bhaskar Reddy, who was arrested by the CBI authorities from his residence at Pulivendula in Kadapa town on April 16, had been lodged in Chanchalguda jail on judicial remand. On May 26, he fell sick due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. After being examined at Osmania General Hospital initially, he was later shifted to the Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) for specialised treatment for heart ailments. He is presently undergoing treatment at the NIMS. The CBI, while seeking judicial remand for Bhaskar Reddy on April 16, told the court that he had been influencing key witnesses in the Vivekananda Reddy murder case and trying to mislead the case. The Central agency alleged that Bhaskar Reddy, along with his son Avinash Reddy, had played a key role in conspiring for the murder of Vivekananda Reddy. The MPs father also tried to destroy the evidence after the murder, the CBI said. Meanwhile, a police official familiar with the development said the CBI was contemplating moving the Supreme Court challenging the Telangana high courts order granting anticipatory bail to Avinash Reddy. The high court found fault with the CBI for not being able to produce enough evidence to prove the interference of Avinash Reddy in the investigation and that he was involved in tampering of evidence and threatening the witnesses, except the allegation that he had tried to destroy scene of offence. The gravity of accusation (against the MP) has not yet been clearly brought on record by the CBI so far. No direct evidence is available against him to prove his participation in larger conspiracy, the judge said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable rescued a female passenger at Telangana's Begumpet railway station on Wednesday. The woman attempted to board a moving train. However as the train picked up speed, the passenger was at risk of falling into the gap. RPF constable of Begumpet, Sanitha noticed the lady passenger and rushed to help her. She was successfully rescued, and a potential tragedy was averted. RPF personnel rescues woman(ANI) K Sanitha, hailing from the Tirumalgiri village of Nalgonda District, Telangana State got appointed to Railway Protection Force in the year 2020. Sanitha has helped passengers in troublesome situations earlier too. The heroic act of the woman constable exemplifies the spirit of Mission Jeevan Raksha, an official statement said. Being "citizens in uniform" our personnel go beyond the call of duty risking their own lives to save other lives. There are incidents where passengers try to board/de-board a moving train slip and fall with the risk of coming under the wheels of the train. Under mission "Jeevan Raksha" RPF personnel, risking their own lives, saved 02 passengers in the year 2023, the statement said further. RPF, Secunderabad Division in its official statement also said that it remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of railway passengers and creating awareness about the potential risks associated with boarding or alighting from running trains, with the ultimate goal of preventing accidents and protecting lives. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BJP Sikh leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa countered Rahul Gandhi's statement that Guru Nanak went to Thailand and asked where the Congress leader came across this information. "How much should we keep forgiving in the name of your stupidity? Where did you read that Guru Nanak went to Thailand? Is it too much to expect that you should talk like a sensible intelligent person when it concerns religion?" Sirsa tweeted. Read | 'Is this Mohabbat ki dukan, Rahul Gandhi should tell Gehlot': Owaisi's jibe Rahul Gandhi in his US speech on Wednesday said Guru Nanak went to Thailand. As Rahul Gandhi was speaking about his Bharat Jodo Yatra at a gathering in the US, he referred to Guru Nanak and his teachings of being humble. "We walked nothing compared to Guru Nanak ji. I read somewhere that Guru Nanak ji had gone all the way to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, he had gone to Thailand, he had gone to Sri Lanka. So, these giants did Bharat Jodo before we were born, right? I can say the same for my friends from Karnataka, Basavanna ji, for my friends from Kerala, Narayanaguru ji. Every state in India has had these giants...Adi Shankaracharya.. who said listen to each other, be respectful," Rahul Gandhi said. BJP spokesperson RP Singh said he expected either the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee to react to Rahul Gandhi's statement where he compared Guru Nanak's Udasis with his Bharat Jodo Yatra. "I thought @SGPCAmritsar or other Sikh clergy will react to Rahul's drawing parallel between his shallow political #BharatJodoYatra & Udhasis of Guru Nanak Dev ji which were conducted with the purpose of spreading religious and spiritual knowledge & humanity to the masses & to explain the true nature of religion and God, but to my dismay none of@SGPCAmritsar or @DSGMCDelhi present or previous members uttered a word." Congress on Rahul Gandhi's Guru Nanak-Thailand statement Congress leader Pawan Khera showed an excerpt from Organiser - an RSS-affiliate publication which said Guru Nanak, during the third Udasi covered Thailand. BJP vs Congress on Rahul Gandhi's US speech In his speech, Rahul Gandhi criticised the Sengol row and said the government could not address real issues like unemployment, price rise etc and that's why they had to do the 'sceptre' thing. In a jibe at PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi said the country was being run by a group of people who were convinced that they knew everything and that if PM Modi sat with God, he would explain to God how the universe worked. The comments drew flak from the BJP leaders who again accused Rahul Gandhi of insulting the country on foreign soil. This is Rahul Gandhi's first official foreign visit after he lost his Lok Sabha membership following his conviction in the 2019 Modi surname case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Congress will 'definitely' attend a potentially crucial meet of 'like-minded' political parties - those that do not support the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party - expected to be held in Patna in Bihar on June 12, the party's communications in-charge, Jairam Ramesh, told reporters Thursday afternoon. However, whom the party will appoint as its representative is not yet decided, Ramesh added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar at the former's residence in New Delhi. (ANI Photo/Ayush Sharma) "We will attend the meeting on June 12 (in Patna). Who (will be deputed) has to be decided. I am sure Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) and other leaders will decide but we will attend the meeting," he told news agency ANI. "We had appealed to advance date of meeting but the organisers are probably unable to extend it. Rahul Gandhi is out (the Congress leader is a on 10-day visit to the United States) and party president (Kharge) also has many programmes. If they are not able to go then someone else will" READ | From 'if Modiji sits next to God' to 'Guru Nanak': Rahul's US trip so far This comes less than 10 days after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar met Kharge to discuss strategy for the June 12 meeting, which sources said focused on understanding differences between state- and national-level issues. Country will be united now. Strength of democracy is our message Rahul Gandhi and myself discussed current political situation with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar Kharge tweeted after the meeting with Nitish Kumar. DMK 'will surely attend', JMM too Tamil Nadu's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam - an ally of the Congress - is also expected to attend but chief minister MK Stalin, who is understood to have a prior commitment on June 12 - may not be present. "I will attend inaugural ceremony of Mettur Dam on the same date... even Congress president will be at different event and won't be able to attend... So, I have asked for meeting to be pushed back (but) DMK will surely participate..." ALSO READ | Kejriwal gets Stalin's support in Delhi ordinance row The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha of chief minister Hemant Soren will also be present; "Since all opposition parties have enlisted participation, we, too, will attend," Soren told reporters. The Congress and the JMM are allies in Jharkhand. The opposition's big meeting The meeting later this month is (possibly) a big step forward in the opposition's bid to unite against the BJP before next year's Lok Sabha election, in which the ruling party will bid for an unprecedented third consecutive term in power. READ | Opposition unity meeting in Patna likely on June 12: CM Nitish Kumar That they will meet in Bihar reflects outreach efforts by Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, who have met several major opposition leaders over the past few weeks in a bid to cobble together support for the anti-BJP front. Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav have met ex-Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, as well as Nationalist Congress Party boss Sharad Pawar. All three are expected to attend the Patna meeting. The Bihar leader also met his Odisha counterpart but Biju Janata Dal boss Naveen Patnaik - who met prime minister Narendra Modi before Nitish Kumar's arrival in Bhubaneshwar - refused to be drawn on assurances of support. READ | Nitish Kumar, Naveen Patnaik meet say no alliance talks After his meeting with Pawar, Nitish Kumar said: "What the BJP is doing is not in the country's interest. So, the more opposition parties come together the better it is (for) the nation. We have spoken with several parties" The 'historic' meet with the Congress Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav's outreach kickstarted after an April meeting with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. After the meeting - which the Congress leaders later referred to as a 'historic' step before the 2024 - Nitish Kumar began reaching out to opposition leaders who have kept distance from the Congress, like the Aam Aadmi Party of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress. READ | 'Historic step to unite opposition': Rahul Gandhi after meeting Nitish Meanwhile, Kejriwal (accompanied by party colleague and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann) and Tamil Nadu CM Stalin met in Chennai on Friday. READ | Kejriwal gets Thackeray's support in battle against centre's ordinance Interestingly, Kejriwal has also been meeting opposition leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, to gather support in the AAP's battles against the BJP-led centre's ordinance over control of bureaucrats in Delhi. The BJP's response Significantly, opposition parties will meet as the BJP (and prime minister Narendra Modi) holds a 'Jan Sampark Abhiyan' to 'reach out to the people (of Bihar)' from May 30 to June 30. PM Modi is expected to visit Bihar this month and address a public event in Patna as part of his programme. READ | As Nitish preps for opposition's unity meet, BJP plans big in Bihar "As stated recently, we had urged the PM to visit Bihar during the 'Jan Sampark Abhiyan'... we have received in-principle approval," Bihar BJP chief Samrat Chaudhary told news agency PTI. Battleground: Bihar? Bihar is also emerging as a potentially key state for the BJP in its efforts to win the 2024 election despite the party-led National Democratic Alliance winning 39 of 40 seats in the 2019 poll. The fact Nitish Kumar - whose Janata Dal (United) won 16 of those seats - cut ties with them and re-aligned himself with Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal hasn't helped. With input from agencies SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren on Wednesday confirmed his party's attendance at the meeting of leading Opposition forces in Patna on June 12. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren being felicitated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at CM House in Ranchi.(ANI) To a question on whether his party would attend the meeting of Opposition forces in Patna, CM Soren said, "Since all Opposition parties have enlisted their participation at the meeting, we, too, would attend it." Earlier, on Sunday, Janata Dal (United) leader Manjit Singh said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will chair a meeting of leading Opposition players in the state capital on June 12. The Bihar CM has been spearheading efforts to bring all Opposition parties together against the BJP government at the Centre, with an eye on next year's Lok Sabha polls. As part of the effort to galvanise the Opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, he has already met the likes of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. Speaking to ANI earlier, the JDU leader said, "On June 12, there will be a grand meeting of Opposition parties in Bihar under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, which will send a message to the whole country. Bihar will lay the groundwork for the change in the country." "You will see all like-minded parties standing together," he added. Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Bihar unit president Samrat Choudhary confirmed earlier that Prime Minister Modi will visit Bihar in June and is likely to address a public meeting, ahead of the opposition meeting in Patna. "BJP is doing 'Jan Sampark Abhiyan' from May 30 to June 30 across Bihar in a bid to reach out to people and for that, we have invited PM Narendra Modi to visit the state. We got a positive response from the PM and are looking forward to his visit," Samrat Choudhary told media persons earlier. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepal counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal signed seven agreements between the two nations Thursday afternoon after a bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House in Delhi. Recalling his first visit to Nepal - in 2014, after he became PM for the first time - Modi said he had then given a 'HIT formula' to improve India-Nepal relations and that today's agreements would help that relationship become a 'super HIT'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday. (Source: ANI) "I remember... nine years ago, in 2014, I made my first visit to Nepal. At that time I had given a 'hit' formula for India-Nepal relations - Highways, I-ways, and Trans-ways. I said we will establish such contacts that our borders do not become barriers. Today, the Nepal PM and I have taken many important decisions to make our partnership a super HIT," Modi said. READ | On 4-day visit to India, Nepal PM seeks to maintains fine balance "We will continue to strive to take India-Nepal ties to Himalayan heights." On his first bilateral trip abroad since assuming office in December last year, the Nepal PM said he had extended a 'cordial invitation' to Modi to visit his country. "This is my fourth visit to India. The relationship between India and Nepal is age-old. Today we discussed over steps to strengthen the ties between both nations. We also jointly launched many ground-breaking projects," Dahal said. The two prime ministers signed key agreements that include new rail links to increase physical connectivity and a long-term deal expected to strengthen the electricity-generating sectors of each country. READ | Trade, transit and energy top agenda for Nepal PMs India visit These are in line with the expectations from the Nepal PM's visit. The power sector Cooperation in the power sector was designated a 'key focus area' by sources privy to the discussions; it was pointed out that Nepal exports over 450 MW of electricity to India. Indian firms have shown interest in developing hydropower projects in Nepal and was part of a summit in Nepal in April, at which several participated. READ | Akhand Bharat mural inside new Parliament kicks up a storm in Nepal India has also built several hydroelectric projects, like Pokhara (1 MW), Trisuli (21 MW), Western Gandak (15 MW), and Devighat (14.1 MW) etc. Further, agreements have been signed between Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd and the Nepal Electricity Authority for the development and implementation of the 490.2 MW Arun-4 hydropower project. The project is expected to generate electricity for Nepal and India as well as Bangladesh. SJVN has a 51 per cent share and the NEA has 49 per cent. Indian firms have been invited to invest in the West Seti Hydropower Project. Talks on trains and transit Modi and Dahal virtually inaugurated integrated check posts at Rupaidiha in India and Nepalgunj in Nepal and flagged off (virtually again) a cargo train from Bihar to Nepal. The Nepal PM had also been expected to discuss the opening of more air travel routes. The Ramayana Circuit "Religious and cultural ties between India and Nepal are old and strong. To further strengthen this, we have decided that projects related to the Ramayana Circuit - one of 15 tourism circuits identified for development - should be expedited," Modi said. Nepal's importance Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old 'roti beti' relationship, which refers to cross-border marriages between people of the two countries. The country shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services and access to the sea is through India. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations between the two countries. With input from agencies SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to the United States later this month, US-India Business Council (USIBC) president Atul Keshap said both New Delhi and Washington DC can be the arsenals of democracy in the Eastern and Western hemispheres which would ensure deterring any potential conflict. He also said that the whole country (the US) and city are excited about PM Modi's upcoming visit. USIBC president Atul Keshap(ANI) The world is watching. It is a big deal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming here. The whole country and city are excited and buzzing here at the Chamber, at USIBC, we're buzzing about it. I think both governments are putting full effort in, Keshap, who is also a former US envoy to India, told news agency ANI. The former US diplomat recalled that both the US and India used to have a very difficult relationship back in the days which is going fantastic now. Referring to the meeting held between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan at the top American Chamber in January on building a trusted partner ecosystem in the area of critical and emerging technologies, Keshap called it as important as the nuclear deal. We are now QUAD partners together. We now are working on bringing the industrial convergence of our two great societies together to ensure that the deep tech and future tech of the 21st century is developed and designed by Americans and Indians for the happiness and prosperity of all of the free people of the world, he added. PM Modi will travel to the US for an official State visit from June 21 to 24, the third by any Indian Prime Minister so far. Despite PM Modi's earlier visits to the US, it was not marked as State visit which is considered to be the highest ranking visit based on diplomatic protocol. This is only the third State visit by an Indian visitor and the Indian leader to the United States in all of the history of our relationshipThis is a really big deal in the way that the United States treats, honour visitors diplomatically. States visits are reserved for our closest friends, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the nodal agency of the Indian government to disseminate information, marked its centennial anniversary on Thursday. HT Image Set up as a temporary cell under the home ministry of the then British government in Shimla in June 1919, its primary task at the time was to prepare an annual report on India for presentation to the British Parliament. The first head of the cell was Dr LF Rushbrook Williams of Allahabad University who was designated as officer on special duty. Towards the end of 1920, the cell became the Central Bureau of Information and on June 1, 1923, the bureau was formalised and made permanent as the Bureau of Public Information. In 1941, J Natrajan became the first Indian to head the bureau as principal information officer. The organisations name was changed to the Press Information Bureau in 1946. It was reconstituted several times since 1947 and is currently led by Rajesh Malhotra. Former PIB chief Jaideep Bhatnagar said that over the years, the agency has not just effectively disseminated information on government policies, but also helped promote various programmes and initiatives. New technologies like UPI were promoted by PIB. Now, digital payments are used regularly by the people, he said. PIB has also worked with consistency on the PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) which has been a success, he added. In 2019, PIB established the FCU to tackle fake news pertaining to the government and its organisations. Throughout its existence, PIB has played a crucial role in providing accurate and timely information to the public and the media, a PIB official said. PIB disseminates information through different modes of communication such as press releases and factsheets, and also through social media. The information is released in English, Hindi and Urdu and subsequently translated in other Indian languages to reach out to about 8,400 newspapers and media organisations in different parts of the country, its website said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that he did not imagine his disqualification from Lok Sabha was possible when he joined politics but asserted that it has given him a "huge opportunity" to serve the people. Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi interacts with activists, academics and civil society at University of California, Santa Cruz in California on Wednesday. (ANI) Gandhi, who is in the US for a three-city US tour, made the remarks on Wednesday night in response to a series of questions from Indian students at the prestigious Stanford University Campus in California. The Wayanad (Kerala) Member of Parliament was disqualified from Lok Sabha earlier this year after he was convicted by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. In his remarks, Gandhi said that when he joined politics in 2000, he never imagined this is what he would go through. What he sees is going on now is way outside anything that he had thought when he joined politics. Referring to his disqualification from Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament, Gandhi, 52, said he didn't imagine that something like this was possible. "But then I think it's actually given me a huge opportunity. Probably much bigger than the opportunity I would have. That's just the way politics works, he said. "I think the drama started really, about six months ago. We were struggling. The entire opposition is struggling in India. Huge financial dominance. Institutional capture. We're struggling to fight the democratic fight in our country, he said, adding that at this point in time, he decided to go for the Bharat Jodo Yatra. "I am very clear, our fight is our fight, he said. But there is a group of young students from India here. I want to have a relationship with them and want to talk to them. Its my right to do it, he said during his interaction with Indian students and academicians of Indian origin at the University here. He also emphasised in his frequent foreign trips like this, he is not seeking support from anybody. "I don't understand why the prime minister doesn't come here and do it, Gandhi asked amidst applause from the audience who had packed the entire auditorium at Stanford. The moderator said that the Prime Minister is welcome to come to Stanford anytime and interact with the students and academicians. Some of the students were denied entry as the auditorium was packed. Students started queuing up two hours before the event started. In the last one and a half years, several Indian ministers have interacted with Indian students. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday slammed Rahul Gandhi for the remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the US. Calling Gandhis hatred for Modi incomprehensible, Rijiju said that his only motive is to speak ill about India. Adding that Gandhi couldnt digest the fact of a common man becoming Indias PM, the minister said that his words were not taken seriously by anyone. Kiren Rijiju (L) hit out at Rahul Gandhi's remarks in the US.(PTI) He said, Be it within the country or abroad, wherever Rahul Gandhi might be, he has just one job, verbally abusing Prime Minister Modi and defaming the country. I don't understand why he hates PM Modi so much and speaks against the country. He should know that this country gave his family everything, more than a common man can ever imagine. Rahul Gandhi is unable to digest a common man becoming the country's PM. Nobody takes him seriously. BJP hits out at Gandhi Earlier, union minister Anurag Thakur also condemned Gandhi for his statements in San Francisco, California. Accusing Gandhi of insulting India during his visits abroad, Thakur said that the Congress leader didnt want to accept the popularity of PM Modi amongst world leaders. "Recently, the Australian PM said that 'PM Modi is the Boss'...and the Prime Minister of a country greeted him by touching his feet. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party are unable to digest this," he said. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonwalla termed Gandhi an entitled dynast who mocked Tamil culture abroad. "Rahul perhaps cares little for Indian way of showing respect," he added. What Gandhi said in the US Calling PM Modi a specimen of a group that believes it knows it all, even more than God, without understanding anything, Gandhi said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-BJP combine is attacking the Indian constitution. Responding to a question on Muslims in India, he said that what is happening to Muslims in India today, happened to Dalits in the 1980s. Speaking at the 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' event in San Francisco, Gandhi alleged that the country was not a fair place for Dalits, tribals, minorities, and the poor. Gandhi, who is on a six-day visit to the US, also referred to the economic inequality in India and the row over the new Parliament building inauguration. How Owaisi reacted to Gandhis remarks AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi responded to Gandhi's statement on Muslims being the most attacked in the BJP-led government at the Centre and said political secularism has destroyed the community. "Rahul Gandhi should teach this to Ashok Gehlot. When Junaid and Nasir were killed in Rajasthan, the Congress chief minister took 15 days to meet their family members. The families were promised an ex gratia of 15 lakh, while others get 50 lakh," Owaisi said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leader Rahul Gandhi began his 10-day visit to the United States on Tuesday, May 30 - a trip that will see him visit capital Washington DC, New York and San Francisco. The ex-Lok Sabha MP arrived in the latter city on Tuesday. On his first day he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed issues like data safety, politics, and the state of democracy in India. He even talked about his disqualification as a Member of Parliament - the ex-Congress chief was disqualified after being convicted of criminal defamation in March by a Gujarat court in the 2019 'Modi surname' case - when asked to comment on the subject by Indian students during an interaction at Stanford University. Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi interacts with the Indian diaspora in San Francisco, California. (ANI) Hello, Modi!: Rahul Gandhi, in US, alleges his phone is being tapped On the issue of Pegasus spyware and similar technologies, Gandhi told the audience he is not worried about it. At one point of time he said he knows his phone is being tapped. And jokingly said, "Hello! Mr Modi" on his iPhone. Read more Huge opportunity: What Rahul Gandhi said in the US about Lok Sabha disqualification Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that he did not imagine his disqualification from Lok Sabha was possible when he joined politics but asserted that it has given him a "huge opportunity" to serve the people. Read more Thank you for holding up Indian flag, Rahul Gandhi addresses Indian diaspora in San Francisco Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the Indian diaspora in America in San Francisco, made strong remarks about politics, unity, and the state of democracy in India. Read more 'If you sat Modiji down next to God': Rahul Gandhi in US; BJP did Sengol thing as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in an address in the United States on Wednesday said India was being run by a group of people who were 'absolutely convinced' that they knew everything. Read more Rahul Gandhi's reaction to 'Khalistan slogans' in US and a political row: Watch As Rahul Gandhi was speaking about 'mobbat ke dukan (shops of love)' in 'nafrat ke bazaar (market of hatred)', some slogans were raised. "Welcome, welcome," Rahul Gandhi said reiterating 'nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukan'. Read more On Rahul Gandhi's 'Guru Nanak went to Thailand', BJP leader says, 'How much...' As Rahul Gandhi was speaking about his Bharat Jodo Yatra at a gathering in the US, he referred to Guru Nanak and his teachings of being humble. "We walked nothing compared to Guru Nanak ji. I read somewhere that Guru Nanak ji had gone all the way to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, he had gone to Thailand. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Delhi Police to grant protection to a 20-year-old woman who allegedly ran away from home and is apprehending threat to her life from her family members. Supreme Court The top court passed the order while declining to interfere with a Madhya Pradesh High Court order cancelling the anticipatory bail granted to a man accused of kidnapping her. Also read: SC dismisses plea against eligibility criterion of 75 per cent marks in Class 12 board exams for admission to IITs As the matter was being heard by a vacation bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, the woman appeared via videoconferencing and requested the court to permit her to appear in-person. After being granted permission, she appeared before the bench and expressed apprehension that there is a threat to her life from her family members and alleged that her brother is following her. The woman expressed apprehension that she will be forcibly taken back to her home, where she does not want to go. According to her, she stays in Varanasi and wants to return there. However, she sought protection. When the women told the court about her condition, the bench said the high court had cancelled the anticipatory bail granted to the man by observing that he was not cooperating with the investigation and not responding to the investigating officer despite being called. "We are not inclined to interfere with the impugned orders passed by the high court. "In that view of the matter, it is directed that the petitioner shall surrender to the concerned police station within two days. However, it shall be open for the petitioner to make appropriate application seeking bail as may be permissible under the law and the same shall be decided by the concerned court as expeditiously as possible without being influenced by the observations made in the present order," the bench said. Since the woman has expressed apprehension that there is a threat to her life, the apex court directed the Tilak Marg SHO in New Delhi to provide protection to her. It also ordered the SHO to make necessary arrangements to drop her in Varanasi on Tuesday itself. The parents of the woman had lodged a case of kidnapping against the man. The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a plea challenging the Delhi high courts order refusing to interfere with the May 19 decision of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) permitting the exchange of Rs.2000 denomination currency notes without any identity proof. The RBI on May 19 announced the withdrawal of Rs.2000 currency notes from circulation (Representative Photoi) The Delhi high court had on May 29 held that the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) decision followed by another notification a day later by the State Bank of India was not in the nature of demonetisation as the Rs.2000 note continues to be legal tender. Taking note of the submission, a vacation bench of justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and KV Viswanathan said, This kind of case we are not taking up during vacation. You are at liberty to mention before the Chief Justice of India on reopening. Also Read: 2,000: Delhi-NCR shopkeepers take note of panic, cash in with discounts and cashback Seeking urgent listing, advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay said that the high-value currency is commonly used as black money by criminals, anti-social elements, illegal miners, drug mafia and corrupt persons and the currency should be accepted into the respective bank accounts only. Upadhyay pointed out the gravity of the matter quoting media reports which said within a week, the total amount in Rs.2000 denomination exchanged by banks was to the tune of thousands of crores. The lawyer said the notes are being exchanged without any requisition slip and ID proof like an Aadhaar card by criminals and terrorists. All black money is being exchanged as there is neither any requisition slip nor identity proof insisted upon by banks exchanging Rs.2000 notes, Upadhyay said, adding that such a decision is happening for the first time in the world. The bench told Upadhyay, You bring all this to the notice of the RBI. A Delhi high court bench of chief justice Satish Chandra Sharma and justice Subramonium Prasad had on May 29 held that the present case is not the case of demonetisation but the withdrawal of Rs.2000 denomination banknotes from circulation. It said that the government has taken a decision not to insist upon the requirement of identity proof for the exchange of Rs.2000 denomination banknotes so that everybody can exchange the same with the other denomination banknotes. Therefore, it cannot be said that the decision of the Government is perverse or arbitrary or it encourages black money, money laundering, profiteering or it abets corruption, the court had said. The high court had also stated that the decision taken by the Centre in relation to the economic policies is not ordinarily interfered with by the Courts unless it is manifestly arbitrary. The high court noted that Rs.2000 notes were brought into circulation after the demonetisation exercise of November 2016 to meet the shortfall of currency requirements to meet the day-to-day requirements of citizens. Also Read: Chidambaram, Sitharaman in war of words over 2,000 note The high court further held that the decision to withdraw 2000 currency notes, six years after the demonetisation exercise, was purely a policy decision and courts should not sit as an appellate authority over such decisions. The RBI had on May 19 announced the withdrawal of Rs.2000 currency notes from circulation, and said existing notes in circulation can either be deposited in bank accounts or exchanged by September 30. The printing of 2000 currency notes stopped in 2018-19. The RBI notification of May 19 disclosed that presently, Rs.2000 denomination banknotes account for Rs.3.62 lakh crores of the total currency in circulation and they are not being commonly used for transactions. For this reason, the central government decided to withdraw these banknotes from circulation. Forty-two years after 10 Dalit people were shot dead in Uttar Pradeshs Firozabad district for complaining against a higher-caste ration shop owner, a local court in Firozabad has sentenced the only surviving accused to life imprisonment. He is 90-year-old. 42 years on, 90-year-old gets life term over killing of 10 Dalits in UP Nine other men who were accused of the crime died during the protracted trial. The case was transferred to Firozabad in 2021 and was decided accordingly said district government counsel (DGC), Rajeev Upadhyay Priyadarshi while denying to comment on delay caused in the case in past. Ganga Dayal, the lone surviving accused in this 42-year-old case was alive on the day of judgement (May 31, 2023) and was sentenced to life imprisonment by district judge Harvir Singh, said the DGC. The verdict was pronounced by the district and sessions court in Firozabad on Wednesday. Also Read: Dalit man thrashed over good clothes in Gujarat The case was heard in court of chief judicial magistrate and then in court of district and session Judge at Mainpuri. Dayal was held guilty for murder (Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code) and sentenced to life imprisonment, and levied a penalty of 50,000. The accused was also held guilty for attempted murder (Section 307 of the IPC) and sentenced to 10 years in jail and a penalty of 5,000. The killings took place in Sadhupur village in the Shikohabad police station area in December 1981, said the DGC. The cause of enmity was a complaint lodged by a few Dalit villagers against a ration shop owner who took revenge along with nine of his associates and fired indiscriminately at these people who were cooking food in their house said Upadhyay. A railway official made a call to Shikohabad police station about the killings after he got information from Muni Chandra, the chief of Sadhupur village, he added. The charge sheet was filed in the Mainpuri chief judicial magistrates court as Shikohabad was part of the Mainpuri district at the time of the incident. After the formation of Firozabad district in 1989, Shikohabad became a part of Firozabad. The trial continued at Mainpuri court. In 2021, it was transferred to Firozabad court, but by then nine out of 10 named accused had died, said Upadhyay. The prosecution alleged that such mass killing fell in the category of rarest of rare cases, and therefore Ganga Dayal deserved capital punishment. But the defence pleaded for a sympathetic view because of the age of the accused. Ganga Dayal, out on bail during the pendency of case, was arrested by the Firozabad police on Wednesday and was sent to jail after the courts order. The prosecution had proven successful in proving the presence of accused at the site of occurrence. Further the crime was established on basis of statement by eye witness stated the court order. Reacting to the sentence, Premwati (80), one of the survivors, complained that the main accused in the case died before case could be decided. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hyderabad YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said the election manifesto of the YSRCP was born out of the issues and difficulties raised by people during his Praja Sankalpa Yatra. (HT Photo) The pre-election manifesto released by Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu is like a bisi bele bath (a popular dish of Karnataka) made with ingredients stolen from others, YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Thursday. The chief minister was addressing a rally at Pattikonda in Kurnool district, after releasing 3,923.21 crore under YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan benefiting 5,230,939 farmers at 7,500 each across the state. The amount, released as the first tranche for the fifth consecutive year, would be directly credited into their bank accounts. Jagan also released 53.62 crore towards input subsidy to farmers to compensate for the crop loss suffered by 33,851 farmers due to natural calamities. Input subsidy is paid at the end of each season in which the crop loss occurs. Speaking on the occasion, Jagan pooh-poohed the manifesto released by Naidu during the TDPs two-day Mahanadu held at Rajahmundry on May 27 and 28. The promises made in the so-called manifesto were copied straight from the manifestos of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party released during the recent Karnataka assembly elections. It is a like a bisi bele bath and the needed masala for the stuff was copied from the YSR Congress party schemes like Amma Vodi, Cheyutha and Rythu Bharosa, he said. The chief minister pointed out that the election manifesto of the YSRCP was born out of the issues and difficulties raised by people during his Praja Sankalpa Yatra. Naidu has neither originality nor credibility. By copying from the manifestos of other parties, he has once again proved that he is a big cheat and he wants to take the people for a ride once again as he did in the past, Jagan said. Questioning the motive of TDP leaders calling the manifesto attractive, Jagan said a manifesto should not be attractive, but solution-oriented. How can they justify the manifesto which provides neither direction nor solution? he asked. Jagan also found fault with Naidu for invoking former chief minister late N T Rama Rao during the Mahanadu. It is preposterous that Naidu who backstabbed and killed his father-in-law NTR 27 years ago is now garlanding his portrait aiming at grabbing power. He is ready to backstab the people again, he said. The chief minister said the TDP did not have candidates to contest in all 175 constituencies. That is why he is craving for convenient alliances with other parties. It is ridiculous that the man who had become the chief minister way back in 1995 is now asking for one chance from the people. The power-monger is eager to pursue the policy of plunder, stash and devour once again with the support of his friendly media and foster son, he said. Reacting to Naidus comment comparing the forthcoming elections with a Kurukshetra war of Mahabharata, Jagan said it was indeed a Kurukshetra war, but between social justice and social injustice. It is a war between pro-peoples government and the capitalists-backed Naidu, he said. He appealed to the people to stand by the YSRCP and become his soldiers in the next elections and bring victory if they believe they were benefitted from the welfare schemes being implemented by his government. Reacting to Jagans comments on TDP manifesto, senior TDP leader and former minister Alapati Rajendra Prasad said Jagan, being in prison for 16 months in the past, did not understand the vision of Naidu, which was reflected in the partys election manifesto. Jagan is afraid that if the manifesto is extensively taken into the people, he would be routed out of power in the next elections. He has no guts to explain the good work done by him to seek votes; instead, he is trying to sling mud at the TDP out of frustration, Prasad said. The TDP leader wondered whether the so-called welfare schemes claimed to have been implemented by Jagan had enhanced the living standards of the people and eradicated poverty. He should come out a white paper on the conditions of the people in the state in the last four years, he demanded. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced the formation of a judicial commission to probe the ethnic violence in Manipur, a federal investigation into six cases related to it, a peace committee, an inter-agency unified command for non-partisan coordination among security agencies, and 10 lakh compensation to the families of those killed as he concluded his four-day visit to the state. Union home minister Amit Shah. (PTI) He said a retired high court chief justice will head the commission. [The commission]...will probe the violence, the reasons for it, and those responsible for it, Shah told journalists. He added governor Anusuiya Uikey will head the peace committee, which will include businesspersons, representatives of political parties, legislators, and members of civil society to ensure an early return to peace. Shah said several agencies were working in Manipur to ensure peace and that Kuldiep Singh, who was appointed the states governments security advisor when the violence broke out, will head the unified command. Shah said the Central Bureau of Investigation will investigate six cases including one related to criminal conspiracy behind the violence. He promised an impartial probe into the reasons that led to the violence. Proper action will be taken against all those responsible to ensure that there is no such violence in the future. He said the Union and the state governments will pay 5 lakh each to the families of those killed in the violence. A relief and rehabilitation package for those who were injured and or lost their properties in the violence will be announced on Friday. Shah said 30,000 metric-tonne of rice will be provided to Manipur for the next two months. Eight teams of doctors will arrive in Manipur to provide medical relief to people in Moreh, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi. Three of these teams have arrived and five more will reach the state on Thursday. He said 15 stations have been identified across the state to provide fuel round the clock to those in need. Shah held talks with groups on both sides of the ethnic divide. He visited the Kuki-dominated town of Moreh on the border with Myanmar and Kangpokpi district, one of the worst hit by the clashes, and relief camps in Kangpokpi and Imphal, and held a security review meeting. Shah arrived in the state on Monday as the local administration struggled to control violence amid a deepening ethnic divide. At least 80 people have died and another 40,000 displaced since violence between the tribal Kukis, who mostly reside in the hill districts, and the Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley, erupted on May 3. The violence was triggered during a protest against a court order for granting scheduled tribe status to Meities. Violence quickly engulfed the state and displaced tens of thousands of people. The authorities clamped a curfew and suspended the internet. Additional security forces were rushed to the state amid spiraling clashes but tensions simmered. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday asked people to surrender arms and ammunition before the Manipur police by the end of the day and warned of strict action against those who failed to do so, announcing combing operations to retrieve weapons in the state rocked by ethnic clashes. A house damaged during violent clashes in Sugnu area of Kakching district. (PTI) Speaking on the final day of his visit to the northeastern state, Shah also held out a warning to groups that violated a tripartite suspension of operations agreement, saying any violation of the pact between militant groups, the state government and the Centre will be dealt with sternly. To those who have weapons, I appeal to them to surrender the weapons before the police. From tomorrow police will start combing operations to find the weapons. If police find the weapons from them during the combing operation, they will be dealt with strictly under stringent sections of the law, he said. Authorities have confirmed that at least 2,000 weapons have been stolen by mobs from several government armouries since violence first broke out on May 3, largely between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Only 605 have been recovered. An official familiar with the matter, however, said these numbers could rise. As parts of the agreement between government and Kuki insurgent groups in Manipur, all weapons were to be surrendered and deposited in a safe room under a double lock system. Some members were allowed to keep weapons as self defence but only confined to the camps where the leaders stayed. Earlier this year, however, the state government unilaterally walked out of some pacts. ....I want to tell groups involved in the suspension of operation agreement that any violation will be dealt strictly and will be treated as a breach of the agreement. All the terms of the agreement should be strictly followed by the concerned parties. We will monitor this strictly from today, Shah said. The mob targeted police stations and offices of Manipur Rifles, which is the armed wing of the state police. In his security review meeting with police officers and paramilitary forces on Wednesday evening, Shah had directed authorities to recover weapons at the earliest and restore normalcy in the state. On May 3, ethnic violence rocked Manipur in the wake of a high court order that recommended to the government that Meiteis, the largest community who make up 53% of the states population, be included in the scheduled tribe list. This prompted protests from tribal groups, particularly from the Kuki community, which in turn sparked clashes that snowballed across the state for days. By May 5, top officials had confirmed seven to eight instances of looting of arms from police personnel and armoury by groups over 5,000 people. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose on Thursday appointed 10 senior professors as vice-chancellors of as many state-run universities, in a fresh standoff between the Raj Bhavan and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, which termed the move illegal, according to education department officials. West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose. (PTI) The governor, who is also the chancellor of all 31 state-run universities, met the 10 senior professors earlier this week before taking the decision on Thursday, a Raj Bhavan official said, requesting anonymity. There was no official statement from the Raj Bhavan on the appointment of V-Cs. States education minister Bratya Basu, however, termed the move illegal and urged the professors to refuse the appointments. I came to know of the appointments from a section of the media. V-Cs were appointed at 10 universities in violation of the laid down process. The education department was kept out. This is completely illegal, Basu said in a tweet. We are seeking legal opinion to decide our next course of action, he added. The V-Cs appointed illegally are being requested on behalf of the higher education department to refuse the appointments. According to education department officials, tenure of 29 V-Cs ended last year, following which their services were extended till May 31. The extension was ordered following meetings between the state government and the governor at Raj Bhavan on February 28 and March 1. Recently, the state government started the process to form search committees to select new V-Cs, officials said. However, the Calcutta high court on March 14 overturned the extension order, saying the state had no power to appoint, re-appoint or extend tenure of V-Cs. In its order, the court cited the University Grants Commissions 2018 regulations that said V-Cs should be appointed on the recommendation of a search committee comprising representatives of UGC, the governor and the state. The court passed the order after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the validity of amendments in appointment rules in 2012 and 2014 brought in by the state government, an education department official said, requesting anonymity. The 2014 amendment excluded UGC from the appointment process. A bill seeking to make the chief minister the chancellor of all state-run universities, replacing the governor, was passed by the assembly last year. The West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022 is pending with the governors office for clearance. The bill was not cleared by former governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, now the Vice-President of India, with whom the TMC government had an acrimonious relation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON India and Nepal on Thursday unveiled initiatives to ramp up cooperation in energy, including increasing import of hydropower and allowing power exports to Bangladesh, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal of resolving a boundary dispute in the spirit of friendship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda during their joint press statement after a meeting at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by Sanjeev Verma/ Hindustan Times)(HT_PRINT) We will keep working to take our relationship to the height of the Himalayas. And in this spirit, we will solve all issues, be they boundary related or any other issue, Modi told a join media interaction, speaking in Hindi. Dahal, also known as Prachanda, added: Prime Minister Modiji and I discussed the boundary matter. I urged Prime Minister Modiji to resolve the boundary matter through the established bilateral diplomatic mechanism. Following a meeting of the leaders, the two countries launched several projects to improve rail connectivity for both passenger travel and trade, inaugurated a new integrated check post to boost cross-border trade, and unveiled plans to extend South Asias first cross-border petroleum pipeline and to build a second such pipeline. Also Read: Mural in new Parliament with Akhand Bharat overtones upsets Nepals politicians The two sides also signed seven agreements, including the revised Treaty of Transit that will, for the first time, give Nepal access to Indias inland waterways, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Nepal Clearing House Limited (NHCL) for faster cross-border payments that will benefit businesses, students and tourists. The dragging border dispute figured in the talks between the two premiers, and Modi said after the meeting that the issue will be resolved in keeping with the strong religious and cultural ties between the two sides. Most of the 1,850km border between the two sides has been demarcated, except for two disputed sections at Kalapani and Susta. Nepal triggered a border row in 2020 by issuing a new political map that showed Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh all controlled by India as part of Nepalese territory. The row affected ties for several months before a sustained outreach by the Indian side helped improve the situation. Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a media briefing the two premiers outlined how the boundary issue will be addressed. Their remarks not only speak of the intent of the two leaders and the two systems, they also speak of the specifics through which that intent is to be carried forward, he said. Modi and Dahal said the two sides reached an agreement on long-term power trade, under which India will import 10,000MW from Nepal in the next 10 years. The Nepal premier appreciated Indias import of 450MW and thanked Modi for his positive response to a proposal for increasing this by 1,200MW. I also appreciated Indias willingness to facilitate the export of hydropower from Nepal to Bangladesh through India. We have agreed that export of up to 50 MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh via India would commence soon and the three countries would work out an agreement to this effect soon, Dahal said. The two leaders marked the handing over of Kurtha-Bijalpura section of a railway line, with a length of 17km, for passenger trains and launched the inaugural run of an Indian cargo train to the Nepal Customs Yard via a rail link constructed with an Indian grant. The new rail links will cut transportation costs and time for trade between Nepal and Kolkata and Haldia ports. The two leaders inaugurated the Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at Nepalgunj in Nepal and Rupaidiha in India and marked the ground-breaking for ICPs at Bhairahawa (Nepal) and Sonauli (India). Ground-breaking was done for the second phase of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline, to be built at a cost of 183 crore. This is South Asias first transborder petroleum pipeline, launched in 2019, and has supplied 2.8 million metric tonnes of diesel to Nepal. The two sides said another pipeline will be built to link Siliguri and Jhapa in Nepal. The two leaders also did the ground-breaking for the Indian portion of the Gorakhpur-Bhutwal power transmission line to be built at a cost of 462 crore. This is expected to be commissioned in 24 months. Modi referred to the HIT formula Highways, I-ways and Trans-ways that he unveiled during his visit to Nepal in 2014 and said: Today, after nine years, I am happy to say that our partnership is truly a HIT. He added, We decided to increase physical connectivity by setting up new rail links. Along with this, it has been decided to provide training to railway personnel of Nepal in Indian railway institutes. To boost connectivity to the far western region of Nepal, two more bridges will be built at Shirsha and Jhulaghat. Among the seven agreements signed by the two sides were an MoU for developing infrastructure at Dodhara Chandani ICP, the project development agreement for the 679-MW Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project and an MoU for developing the 480-MW Phukot Karnali hydroelectric project. Dahal congratulated Modi on completing nine years in government and said bilateral ties are based on the firm commitment of both sides to the time-tested principle of sovereign equality, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation. Sandwiched between India and China, Nepal has always occupied a place of strategic importance. The slew of agreements signed on Thursday are crucial because they signify New Delhis strong ties with the regime in Kathmandu, and they will help to forestall Beijings aggressive push to increase its influence in the region. The government should continue the outreach. In order to reduce Nepals increasing trade deficit, Dahal sought non-reciprocal market access with more flexible and easier quarantine procedures for agricultural products and simplified rules of origin for other goods. He also sought the lifting of anti-dumping duties on Nepals jute products and the review of the treaty of trade. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON When a little cat named Shi Fu was walking along a balcony on the sixth floor of a building in Bangkok, Thailand, it suddenly slipped and fell. The 20-pound (approximately 9-kilogram) cat crashed into the rear windshield of an empty car but fortunately survived with a few injuries. Cat falls from sixth floor and crashes into a car's window.(Facebook/@Apiwat Toyothaka) The staff at the apartment block called the car owner, Apiwat Toyothaka. Upon arriving at the scene, he saw his car's broken glass and Shi Fu's owner, who was holding the injured cat, The Metro reported. The cat was later taken to the vet, who reported several bruises, two broken claws, and a swollen nose, but no life-threatening injuries. Apiwat Toyothaka shared about the incident on their Facebook and wrote, At 7 am, Niti called to inform that there was a cat in the car. I was confused. Why did it fall into the car? They said the cat 8.5 kg fell from the 6th floor and broke the back glass. Take a look at the post here: This post was shared on May 27. Since being posted, it has been liked over 24,000 times and has received several comments. Check out a few reactions below: An individual wrote, "Poor baby." A second added, "It must have hurt." "Oh no," shared a third. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Zealand's national airline is asking passengers to step on the scales before they board international flights. A woman hands her bag to a staff member to be weighed ahead of a flight in Auckland, New Zealand. (AP) Read here: Earthquake of magnitude 6.2 strikes New Zealand's Auckland Islands Air New Zealand says it wants to weigh 10,000 passengers during a monthlong survey so pilots can better know the weight and balance of their planes before takeoff. But the numbers from the scales won't be flashing up for all to see. There will be no visible display anywhere, the airline promised, and the weigh-in data will remain anonymous even to airline staff. We weigh everything that goes on the aircraft from the cargo to the meals onboard, to the luggage in the hold," said Alastair James, a load control improvement specialist for the airline, in a statement. "For customers, crew and cabin bags, we use average weights, which we get from doing this survey. Indeed the numbers are required by the nation's industry watchdog, the Civil Aviation Authority. Under the authority's rules, airlines have various options to estimate passenger weight. One option is to periodically carry out surveys like Air New Zealand is doing to establish an average weight. Another option is to accept a standard weight set by the authority. Currently, the authority's designated weight for people 13 and over is 86 kilograms (190 pounds), which includes carry-on luggage. The authority last changed the average passenger weight in 2004, increasing it from 77 kilograms (170 pounds). Health statistics show New Zealanders are becoming heavier. The latest national health survey put the adult obesity rate at 34%, up from 31% a year earlier. Childhood obesity rates increased to 13%, up from 10% a year earlier. Customers on Air New Zealand domestic flights were asked to weigh in a couple of years ago. Read here: Air New Zealand world's safest airline for 2022. Top 20 list James said there was nothing for passengers to fear by stepping on the scales. Its simple, its voluntary, and by weighing in, youll be helping us to fly you safely and efficiently, every time," he said. The airline said the survey began this week and will run through July 2. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez are paying a whopping $600,000 a month in rent for Kenny Gs Malibu home, says a report by TMZ. Jeff Bezos (AP file photo) The 5,500-square-foot house and the estate has a huge backyard, pool, screening room, recording studio and other facilities. Bezos and Sanchez are living in the rented accommodation while they await the completion of their $175 million Beverly Hills house. ALSO READ| US House passes debt ceiling deal as default threat looms As per reports, Bezos checked into Kenny G's estate in March, with his own furnishings. It means the $600,000 a month in rent is being paid without getting the home furnished. It is another thing that the huge amount might not be a big deal for Bezos who is reportedly the third richest person in the world. Meanwhile, Bezos is constructing a dream house in 10-acre Beverly Hills estate which he bought from former Warner Bros. president Jack Warner in early 2020. Recently, Bezos got engaged to Sanchez on his $500 million yacht named Koru while in the South of France for the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. For the engagement, Bezos proposed with a 20-carat diamond ring, estimated to cost $2.5 million. Bezos' superyacht has a sculpture resembling Sanchez. The 417-feet vessel is the world's tallest sailing yacht and was meticulously constructed in the Netherlands. It boasts three majestic masts, enabling it to reach impressive speeds of up to 20 knots. The annual upkeep costs for the yacht is approximately $25 million. Koru is reported to accommodate up to 18 guests. It requires a skilled crew of 40 sailors to ensure its seamless operation and navigation. Comprising three lavishly designed levels, one of the decks even houses a splendid swimming pool. Interestingly, the yacht is accompanied by a support vessel named Abeona, which includes a helipad, luxurious vehicles, jet skis, and various extravagant amenities. A leading Argentine meteorologist has been elected as the first female head of the United Nations weather agency. The World Meteorological Organization said Celeste Saulo received the necessary two-thirds backing from member states Thursday. Celeste Saulo Saulo has served as the director of Argentina's National Meteorological Service since 2014. An experienced academic and researcher, she succeeds Petteri Taalas, who steps down after two terms as secretary general of the Geneva-based WMO at the end of the year. Saulo joined the WMO's executive council in 2015. The agency plays a key role coordinating international meteorological work, an issue that has become increasingly prominent due to the weather extremes resulting from climate change. Australia's most decorated living war veteran unlawfully killed prisoners and committed other war crimes in Afghanistan, a judge ruled Thursday in dismissing the claims by Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith that he was defamed by media. War veteran Ben Roberts-Smith(AP) Federal Court judge Anthony Besanko ruled that the articles published in 2018 were substantially true about a number of war crimes committed by Roberts-Smith, a former Special Air Service Regiment corporal who now is a media company executive. These allegations included that Roberts-Smith, who was also awarded the Medal of Gallantry for his Afghan war service, killed a prisoner who had a prosthetic leg by firing a machine gun into the man's back in 2009. He kept the man's prosthetic as a novelty beer drinking vessel. The accusations also included Roberts-Smith had kicked an unarmed, handcuffed farmer off a cliff into a riverbed where an SAS colleague shot the farmer dead in 2012. Reports of domestic violence allegedly committed by Roberts-Smith were found to be unproven and defamatory. But the judge found this would not have further damaged the veteran's reputation. Roberts-Smith had made claims of defamation against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times over their articles. His lawyer Arthur Moses asked for 42 days to consider lodging an appeal to the Full Bench of the Federal Court. Roberts-Smith's legal costs have been underwritten by billionaire Kerry Stokes, executive chairman of Seven West Media where Roberts-Smith is employed. Roberts-Smith is one of several Australian military personnel under investigation from Australian Federal Police for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The first criminal charge for an alleged illegal killing in Afghanistan was made in March. Former SAS trooper Oliver Schulz was charged with the war crime of murder in the death of an Afghan who was shot in 2012 in a wheat field in Uruzgan province. Canada has become the first country in the world to stipulate that individual cigarettes carry mandatory health warnings. HT Image While packets carry such warnings of the risks associated with smoking, the Canadian Government is taking this measure to ensure that it becomes virtually impossible to avoid health warnings altogether. These regulations will come into effect on August 1 this year. These cigarettes will be introduced in a phased manner. The individual health warnings will first appear on king size cigarettes by the end of July 2024, and by the end of April 2025, other varieties, regular size cigarettes and little cigars with tipping paper, and tubes, will follow. Retailers will start selling packages with updated warnings by the end of April 2024, a release from Health Canada on Wednesday said. Tobacco use continues to kill 48,000 Canadians each year. We are taking action by being the first country in the world to label individual cigarettes with health warning messages. This bold step will make health warning messages virtually unavoidable, and together with updated graphic images displayed on the package, will provide a real and startling reminder of the health consequences of smoking, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Carolyn Bennett said. These measures were welcomed by anti-smoking advocates. The requirement for a health warning directly on every cigarette is a world precedent setting measure that will reach every person who smokes with every puff, Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society, noted. Also in support was Doug Roth, CEO of Heart & Stroke, who felt that these strengthened health messages on tobacco packaging will reinforce the deadly nature of these products. Canada first adopted pictorial warnings on tobacco product packages in 2000. Current health warnings on cigarette packets were introduced in 2011. Beginning next year, these new measures will help make sure that everyone across the country can receive credible information on the risks of tobacco use so they can make healthier choices for their wellbeing, Canadas Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirudh Bhattacharyya Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb. ...view detail Donald Trump is pushing back on Ron DeSantis for telling voters he is preferable to the former president who can only serve one more term if elected. Former US President Donald Trump arrives to meet with local Republican leaders at the Machine Shed restaurant in Urbandale, Iowa, US, on Thursday.(Bloomberg) The Florida governor, Trumps chief rival for the GOP nomination, has repeatedly pitched voters that by backing him Republicans could get a conservative president for two terms. When he says eight years, every time I hear it, I wince, Trump, 76, told a standing-room only crowd Thursday at a Westside Conservative Club meeting near Des Moines, Iowa. Because they say if it takes eight years to turn this around, then you dont want him as your president, he added. Trump said it would only take him six months to get significant results. Trump is following DeSantis, 44, on a campaign trip to Iowa, home to the first-in-the-nation GOP caucuses. DeSantis held five events across the state on Tuesday and Wednesday to officially kick off his presidential campaign. DeSantis, dressed in jeans and a blue fleece vest Wednesday, told Iowa Republicans that they should nominate him because it really does take two terms as president to be able to finish this job. Trump, dressed in his signature blue suit and red tie, is meeting privately with faith leaders on Thursday in Des Moines and also taping a Fox News town hall in Iowa that will air later Thursday. He predicted during his speech at the Westside Conservative Club meeting that it would be a nasty race. He said in an interview on a Des Moines radio station on Wednesday that hes attacking DeSantis because the governor is in second place and was disloyal. This is a war of a certain kind, Trump said in the interview. Trump, who enjoys a 22-point advantage in the RealClearPolitics average of Iowa polls, predicted his campaign would have to do some really bad things to lose the state at this point. He bragged about the relief money he secured for farmers when he was in office. The former president also answered questions at the meeting and took an implicit jab at DeSantis, who didnt take audience questions during his events in Iowa and snapped at an Associated Press reporter who asked him about that. I see these politicians, they all dont want to take questions. They read a speech, Trump said. The recent meeting between Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, and China's foreign minister, Qin Gang, has caused quite a stir. As China-US relations remain tense, Musk's stance on decoupling and his remarks referring to the two countries as "conjoined twins" have attracted attention. Handout picture taken and released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (Left). Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023. (Right)(AFP) However, not everyone is pleased with Musk's approach, as presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy publicly criticizes the CEO's meeting and accuses him of being submissive to China's President, Xi Jinping. China's Welcoming Gesture China's foreign ministry released a statement expressing their openness to visits from business figures like Elon Musk and their desire for mutually beneficial cooperation. The world's second-largest economy has always been an attractive destination for global companies, and Musk has a clear vision of exploring and expanding in this vast market. Decoupling Dilemma The United States, driven by national security concerns, has implemented restrictions on investments and technology exports to China. The aim is to decrease reliance on Chinese production. While President Biden's administration is expected to adopt a less confrontational approach towards China compared to his predecessor, Donald Trump, the decoupling of economies continues. China has long been working to reduce its dependence on foreign technology, and this strategy is set to continue for years to come. However, some American entrepreneurs are skeptical of this approach, fearing the potential loss of their investments and progress in establishing a presence in China. Vivek Ramaswamy's Outrage Vivek Ramaswamy, a presidential candidate for 2024, took to Twitter to break what he calls an "unspoken rule in the GOP." He vehemently condemned Elon Musk's meeting with China's foreign minister and shed light on a favor allegedly received by Tesla from China. Ramaswamy claims that China waived Tesla's purchase tax after Musk made statements suggesting that Taiwan should become a special administrative zone of China. Pathetic Obedience In his scathing tweet, Ramaswamy accuses Elon Musk of promoting an "outspoken" image in the United States while behaving like an "obedient sheep" to Xi Jinping. He finds such behavior pathetic and calls for leaders who are not influenced or controlled by China, contrasting them with President Joe Biden. Elon Musk's meeting with China's foreign minister has sparked controversy and brought to the forefront the ongoing debate surrounding the decoupling of the US and Chinese economies. Vivek Ramaswamy's criticism adds fuel to the fire, questioning Musk's loyalty and urging for stronger leadership independent of China's influence. Also read | 'Bidens not gonna: Foxs Rachel Campos-Duffy makes huge claim about Michelle Obama on 2024 presidential election As tensions persist, the future of China-US relations and the role of influential figures like Musk remain topics of great interest and scrutiny. The heatwave that struck parts of North Americas Pacific coast in 2021 propelled temperatures in Lytton, a village in British Columbia, to 49.6C4.6 higher than the previous record. On the fourth day of this torment the place erupted in flames and was almost completely destroyed. These events were so out of the ordinary that, in a press conference held some weeks later by climate modellers, they struggled to explain how circumstances had conjured them. PREMIUM The shift in weather patterns has inspired modellers to pay more attention to the tails of the frequency distributions of meteorological possibility that their models generate, in search of such unprecedented extremes(PTI File Photo) Climatologists reckon the North American heatwave of 2021 was one of the most extreme deviations from meteorological norms ever recorded, anywhere. But others have come close. As the world gets hotter, phenomena once considered rare are becoming common and others, believed impossible, are happening. This shift in weather patterns has inspired modellers to pay more attention to the tails of the frequency distributions of meteorological possibility which their models generate (see chart), in search of such unprecedented extremes. One recent exercise, led by Erich Fischer at ETH Zurich, a technology university in Switzerland, and presented at last years annual jamboree of the European Geosciences Union, shows how the heatwave that destroyed Lytton could have been foreseen with data available at the time. Cite UNSEEN The approach Dr Fischer used, ensemble-boosting, is one of several developed recently. Another, from Britains Met Office, is UNSEEN (Unprecedented Simulation of Extremes with Ensembles). This was first put to work by Vikki Thompson and her colleagues at the Met Office in a retrospective analysis of floods that had drowned parts of the country in 2014, resulting in 451m ($743m) of insurance claims. More than 130 years of English records had offered no indication such a biblical deluge was possible. Yet, here it was. As Thierry Corti, a climate-risk analyst at Swiss Re, a reinsurance company, observes, The risk landscape is evolving. So if you simulate probabilities of a rare event you need to take that against the backdrop of something thats changing. That makes it much more complex. To try to understand what had happened, Dr Thompsons team simulated British winters between 1981 and 2015 many thousands of times, and looked at the spread of possible outcomes, including rare events. Into this methodical repetition, they added a sprinkle of chaosthe famous flap of a butterflys wing, or, more realistically, the revving up of a factorys engines to add a small and local amount of heat to the atmosphere. By repeatedly simulating the present climate, perturbed each time in minute ways, the Met Office modellers generated a range of virtual winters which included extremes that are possible but have not yet manifested themselves. In the case of floods, the group found a 34% chance each winter that rainfall records would be broken in at least one of four broad regions of Britain. They concluded that decision-makers would do well to prepare for new record-breaking inundations in the next few years. They were vindicated when their warnings came to pass in the early months of 2020. The UNSEEN approach is inspiring others. For example, various groups are now looking at near-miss events, in which an extreme drought or flood befalls a region with low population density, thus affecting few people. With UNSEEN and UNSEEN-like methods, it is possible to assess the risk of a similar event striking a neighbouring but more populous areaand with what consequences. Others have taken an interest in bits of the future when an extreme weather event would be particularly damaging. The Paris Olympics, to be held next year, will take place during that citys hottest weeks. A group of meteorologists from various French research institutes, therefore, wondered just how bad a heatwave manifesting itself then might be. Using yet another approach, they found a chance of temperatures being more than 4C higher than they were during a catastrophic heatwave in 2003, in which tens of thousands died. Since that happened, France has built a heat plan which includes an early-warning system and provisions for opening cool spaces if needed. Whether this will be enough to ameliorate the effects of a record-breaker coinciding with the arrival of thousands of athletes and hundreds of thousands of visitors remains to be seen. That something could happen does not mean it will, but in some cases, such as the Paris Olympics, either the risk or the consequences are clearly high enough to warrant close attention. Another example is a study published in 2019, by Dr Thompson and her colleagues, which found that, in south-east China, each summer holds a 10% chance of there being a record-breaking hot month. The temperatures warned of were within the range of the records set during last years deadly heatwave. Other research has asked if a region is overdue for an extreme event because of the changing climate, or whether its infrastructure or economy is particularly ill-prepared for what could happen. In the case of Kansas, Americas breadbasket, both look true. The state produces 17% of the countrys wheat, and is said to foster ideal conditions for growing this crop. But what pertained before 1900, when wheat farmers were moving in, may not hold now. In todays climate, heatwaves that were once once-a-century events are likely to occur once a decade, according to a study to be published soon by Erin Coughlan de Perez of Tufts University. Model behaviour Dr de Perez also found that hot weather sufficient to damage wheats growth by inhibiting its enzymes is likely to occur in the same years as periods of low rainfall. But the irregular pace of weather change may lull farmers into a false sense of security, for she and her colleagues discovered, too, that recent years have been cooler than expected. Several regions might have gotten lucky in terms of their recent experience of extreme events, they write. The same study predicts similar, if less pronounced, patterns in Henan, a wheat-producing province of central China. Information about low-likelihood but high-impact events is also of interest to insurers (who carry out their own modelling as well) and can help, too, in the design of climate-resilient infrastructure. In the Netherlands, for example, Climate Adaptation Services (CAS), a charity, gathers data on possible consequences of climate change between now and 2050, including detailed maps that the authorities can draw on to test their plans. Timo Kelder, an UNSEEN modeller at CAS, says they are thinking about how they might add new stress tests which assess how successful plans would be in the face of the brutal and unprecedented events these studies suggest are plausible. Meanwhile, in Britains Met Office, researchers are now looking at another sort of extreme eventthe risk of wind droughts which would wipe out a lot of the countrys wind-turbine-base electricity supply. It would be ironic indeed if Britains huge effort to combat climate change in this way were, itself, to fall victim to a changing climate. Curious about the world? To enjoy our mind-expanding science coverage, sign up to Simply Science, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter. For coverage of climate change, sign up for The Climate Issue, our fortnightly subscriber-only newsletter, or visit our climate-change hub. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com One sign of an impending presidential campaign is the appearance of a memoir marketed as a tell-all that, in fact, tells little. On February 28th Ron DeSantis , the Republican governor of Florida, who many donors think is the partys best chance to thwart Donald Trumps re-run for the White House, gave his entry to that literary tradition when he published his book, The Courage to Be Free. Mr DeSantis owes his status among Republican primary voters, who are torn (early opinion polls suggest) between him and the former president, to his bare-knuckled prosecution of domestic culture wars around the teaching of critical race theory, covid-19 lockdowns and censorship of conservatives on social media. But while an ambitious governor may concern himself only with a war on wokeness, a president must manage war. PREMIUM Foreign diplomats in Washington have been scouring Mr DeSantiss scant public comments and past political record to guess how he would remake Americas foreign affairs and trade relations(REUTERS) Already, foreign diplomats in Washington have been scouring Mr DeSantiss scant public comments and past political record to guess how he would remake Americas foreign affairs and trade relations. Some are cosying up to the Israelis, with whom Mr DeSantis has been close since his days as a congressman, in the hope that they have the scoop. The book might have helped fill in some gaps, they thought. Unfortunately for them, the queries will have to continue for a while longer. The book is not a deep meditation on international affairs but a positioning document for the bruising primary election to comeoffering only some clues and few details on how a President DeSantis might manage policy on China, Ukraine and trade. Despite the books title, Mr DeSantis does not yet have the courage to criticise Mr Trump, whom he praises lavishly throughout. Whereas the governor takes the time to disparage the messianic impulse of the neoconservatives who dominated during the presidency of George W. Bush, the nationalism and protectionism of the Trump era earn warm praise. Mr DeSantis writes that, along with rightly building the wall on the Mexican border, Mr Trump also rightly ripped American failures at home, notably the outsourcing of manufacturing from our heartland to mainland China; and abroad, the endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Questionable moments like the Trump administrations withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, or from the Paris climate accords, or the Doha Agreement in 2020which set into motion the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021are not discussed much and certainly not criticised. He takes some credit for Mr Trumps decision to relocate the embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, saying that the warnings about the cataclysmic consequences of doing this confirmed the bankruptcy of our bureaucratic expert class. (The rottenness of the deep state and the national legacy press [that] is the praetorian guard of the nations failed ruling class are recurring themes.) Foreign policy is of so little concern to American voters in the abstract that presidential candidates tend to describe their stances in domestic terms. Mr Trump wanted to return to an era when America was first, which meant slapping tariffs on allies and competitors alike and threatening to leave NATO. President Joe Bidenwho said that theres no longer a bright line between foreign and domestic policyhas alternated between describing his ideas as a pedestrian foreign policy for the middle class or as a grand, existential contest between democracies and authoritarians. That framing, which annoys Chinas president, Xi Jinping, is meant to evoke the shameful attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters on January 6th 2021. This is true of Mr DeSantis, too, who views Americas foreign and domestic blunders as the result of the same phenomenon: a reliance on a decadent, globalist elite who embrace policies that ignore the importance of national sovereignty, favouring open borders and a global economy. As a congressman, Mr DeSantis was a noted Russia hawk, who urged the Obama administration to provide lethal aid to the Ukrainians after the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. As he contemplates a presidential run, Mr DeSantis is a critic of Mr Bidens blank-cheque policy on Ukraine which does not have a strategic objective. This is not quite the same disengagement as that of Mr Trump, who now seems to want to cut support, but is out of line with the views of other mooted Republican contenderslike Mike Pence and Mike Pompeowho are more staunchly supportive of Ukraine. While in Congress, Mr DeSantis voted to expedite the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade initiative launched by Barack Obama, which floundered. Now, in line with his party, Mr DeSantis is quiet about trade deals. Like almost all Republicans and most Democrats, he is hawkish on China and in 2021 signed legislation aimed at cracking-down on theft of corporate secrets and intellectual property in Florida. Mr DeSantis is a shrewder politician than his pugilistic reputation may suggest. He has managed to appeal to all the factions of his partythe MAGA diehards, the cosmopolitan donor class and the religious rightby hewing to a strict policy of strategic ambiguity. Abortion is mentioned only in passing in his new book, for instance; January 6th, not at all. Although Mr Trump has been itching for a fight, searching for provocations in Mr DeSantiss public statements, the governor has refused to punch back. The other anticipated contenders for the nomination are also refraining from attacking Mr Trump, who remains popular with the base. Nikki Haley, a former governor and member of the Trump cabinet who has declared her candidacy, recently dodged a question on how she differed from her former boss. The Foreign Affairs essays on how the Florida governors worldview differs from Trumpism can wait until after the nomination contest, it seems. Until then the placeholder DeSantis doctrine will be to say little and change the subject. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Thousands of people on Thursday marched in Jerusalem's Pride parade an annual event that took place for the first time under Israels new far-right government, which is stacked with openly homophobic members. People take part in an annual LGBTQ Pride parade in Jerusalem, Friday.(REUTERS) The march in the conservative city is always tense and tightly secured by police, and has been wracked by violence in the past. But this year, Israel finds itself deeply riven over a contentious government plan to overhaul the judiciary. The plan has torn open longstanding societal divisions between those who want to preserve Israel's liberal values and those who seek to shift it toward more religious conservatism. Jerusalem's march is typically more subdued than the one in gay-friendly Tel Aviv, where tens of thousands of revelers pour into the streets for a massive, multicolored party. But Thursday's parade, amid tight security, drew bigger crowds than usual in a show of force against the government and its plan to reshape the legal system. There isn't one struggle in Israel for democracy, and another one for LGBTQ rights, opposition leader Yair Lapid said in a speech to the crowd. It's the same struggle, against the same enemies, in the name of the same values. Other opposition politicians and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, joined Thursday's march. I don't find this controversial one way or the other, Nides said. This is about the rights and human rights, and this is what brings America and Israel together. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is made up of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties who openly oppose homosexuality, although the Israeli leader has promised to protect LGBTQ rights and a member of his party who is gay is the Knesset speaker. The country's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has in the past declared he was a proud homophobe. Before entering politics, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who now oversees the police, was a fixture at Pride parades, joining a group of protesters who oppose the march. Avi Maoz, a deputy minister with authorities over some educational content, has said he wanted the legality of the Jerusalem Pride parade examined. Ben-Gvir said Wednesday there would be a massive police presence guarding the marchers and that he supported the freedom of expression manifested by the parade. Israeli police said more than 2,000 officers were deployed along the parade route. It will be the police's duty to protect, guard and ensure that even if the minister disagrees with the parade, the safety of the marchers is above all else, Ben-Gvir said. At one point during the parade, Ben-Gvir was jeered with chants of shame as he walked on the sidelines for what he said was a visit to monitor security. Hagar Ponne, of Jerusalem, called the march a happy occasion but also said it was the antithesis to the national climate. "There are people who are very much homophobic and very much transphobic who are in the government today and hold positions of power and budget and are working against us actually right now, she said. People carried a flag that read: There is no pride without democracy. Like other years, a small group of anti-LGBTQ activists attended Thursday's parade. At the parade in 2015, an ultra-Orthodox Israeli man stabbed 16-year-old Shira Banki to death and wounded several others. Israel is generally tolerant toward the LGBTQ community, a rarity in the conservative Middle East, where homosexuality is widely considered taboo and is outlawed in some places. Members of the LGBTQ community serve openly in Israels military and parliament, and many popular artists and entertainers are openly gay. Yet activists say there is a long road toward full equality. Jewish ultra-Orthodox parties, which wield significant influence over matters of religion and state, oppose homosexuality as a violation of religious law, as do other religious groups in Israel. The conservative make-up of Netanyahu's government sparked new fears in the LGBTQ community, which had seen gains under the previous, short-lived administration led by Netanyahu's rivals. Those fears were exacerbated when the government pushed ahead on its plan to overhaul the judiciary, a plan that was put on hold in March after a burst of spontaneous mass protests. The plan would weaken the judiciary and limit judicial oversight on laws and government decisions, what critics say poses a direct threat to civil rights and the rights of minorities and marginalized groups. Protests have continued even though the government and opposition are in talks to find a compromise on the plan and demonstrators are expected to show up in Jerusalem to lend their support to the community. The government says the judicial plan is meant to rein in what it says is an overly interventionist Supreme Court and restore power to elected legislators. Critics say it will grant the government unrestrained power and upend the country's system of checks and balances. US President Joe Biden on Wednesday welcomed the passage of the debt ceiling bill by the US House of Representatives and urged the Senate to "pass it as quickly as possible" so that he can sign it into law. US President Joe Biden. (AFP) Read here: Americas debt-ceiling deal means it should now avoid Armageddon "This agreement is good news for the American people and the American economy," Biden said in a statement released by the White House. The House on Wednesday voted 314-117 to send the legislation to the Senate. The United States president Joe Biden on Thursday said that his country will not waiver in its support for Ukraine, adding that it will always stand up for democracies. President Joe Biden speaks during the 2023 United States Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony at Falcon Stadium, Thursday. (AP) "The American people's support for Ukraine will not waiver," Biden said. His remarks came during the address at the US Air Force academy. Biden, in a flag-waving commencement address in Colorado Springs, Colorado, warned graduates they will enter service in an increasingly unstable world, citing challenges from Russia and China. Biden made clear the United States would not back down from the challenge posed by China amid deep strains in the relationship. "The United States does not seek conflict or confrontation with China. China and the United States should be able to work together where we can to solve some global challenges, like climate," he said. "But we are prepared for vigorous competition," he said, adding the United States would stand up for its interests and that of its partners. The 80-year-old president, who is seeking re-election in 2024, stood, apparently unfazed by the thin air throughout the presentation of more than 900 diplomas, shook hands and gave sharp salutes to the blue-uniformed graduates. The Air Force Academy stands at 7,258 feet (2,212.3 meters) above sea level. The White House announced Thursday that it will levy sanctions against people "who are perpetuating the violence" in Sudan as warring sides fail to abide by a cease-fire agreement. Smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan,(Reuters/File) The United States is imposing visa restrictions on specific people in Sudan, including officials from the warring Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and leaders from the former Omar al-Bashir regime, who are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining Sudans democratic transition, according to the State Department. President Joe Biden on May 4 laid the groundwork for the sanctions when he issued an executive order that expanded U.S. authorities to respond to the violence and help bring an end to the conflict. These measures are intended to hold accountable those responsible for undermining the peace, security, and stability of Sudan, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. The Treasury Department said in a statement that four companies are being designated: Al Junaid Multi Activities Co. Ltd., which is controlled by RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and his brother RSF Deputy Commander Abdul Rahim Dagalo; Tradive General Trading LLC, a front company controlled by RSF Major Algoney Hamdan Dagalo, who also is a brother of the RSF commander; Sudans largest defense company, Defense Industries System; and the arms company Sudan Master Technology, which is linked to the SAF. Through sanctions, we are cutting off key financial flows to both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, depriving them of resources needed to pay soldiers, rearm, resupply, and wage war in Sudan, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said. The United States stands on the side of civilians against those who perpetuate violence towards the people of Sudan. The United States urged Sudans warring sides on Thursday to return to cease-fire talks and make a concerted effort to abide by a lasting truce after peace efforts collapsed yet again. The appeal from the U.S. State Department came after Sudans military on Wednesday suspended its participation in the talks, hosted in Saudi Arabia, with a rival paramilitary force. The fighting between the Sudanese military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Dagalo, broke out in mid-April. The violence has killed at least 866 civilians, according to a Sudanese doctors group, though the actual toll is likely much higher. On Wednesday, heavy shelling near a market in a neighborhood in the south of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum killed at least 17 civilians, the Sudan Doctors Syndicate said. The scope and scale of the bloodshed in Khartoum and Darfur, in particular, is appalling, Sullivan said. And, the failure of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to abide by the cease-fire only further deepens our concern that the people of Sudan will once again face a protracted conflict and widespread suffering at the hands of the security forces. The Sudanese militarys withdrawal from the talks is a setback for Washington and Riyadh, which have been mediating between the two sides. Once the forces make clear by their actions that they are serious about complying with the cease-fire, the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are prepared to resume facilitation of the suspended discussions, the State Department said. Washington and Riyadh brokered a cease-fire on May 21, to allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of vital services. There have been seven declared cease-fires since the conflict broke out and all have been violated. Later Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Oslo, Norway, that both sides were continuing to violate the cease-fire agreement that was renewed last Monday. We will continue to be engaged. At the same time, were also looking at steps that we can take to make clear our views, Blinken said. In late May, Blinken threatened Sudan's warring generals with possible sanctions in the event of cease-fire violations. Last week, Riyadh and Washington accused the military of continuing to carry out airstrikes, while condemning the RSF for occupying peoples homes and seizing property. Theft was occurring in areas controlled by both forces, it added. The nearly seven weeks of fighting has reduced the Sudanese capital of Khartoum to an urban battlefield, with many districts without electricity and running water. The conflict has also stoked ethnic violence in the western Darfur region, killing hundreds there. Accor Unveils The Captivating Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse Hotel, Illuminating Western Australia's Coastal Charm. Australia's largest hotel operator, Accor, is thrilled to be expanding its portfolio in the picturesque seaside town of Bunbury in south-west Western Australia with the opening of Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse. Overlooking the Indian Ocean and the iconic Bunbury Lighthouse, this newest addition to Accor's portfolio is set to captivate both leisure and business guests with its enchanting location and exceptional facilities. With the Bunbury Lighthouse an emblem of the area for decades, Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse is a renowned landmark in the region. The hotel features 71 guestrooms and suites, Bunbury's largest conference space for up to 425 guests, an onsite restaurant and bar, and an assortment of leisure facilities such as an indoor swimming pool, sauna and spa. Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse is owned by Mandala Hospitality Group, whom Accor share a long-standing partnership with. Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse marks the fifth franchise agreement signed between Accor and Mandala Hospitality Group, joining Mercure Albury on the Victorian border, Mantra Mackay in central Queensland, Mercure Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, and Mantra Bathurst in central New South Wales. Accor Pacific CEO, Sarah Derry, said: "We are excited to partner with Mandala Hospitality Group again to develop this landmark hotel. Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse represents an exciting opportunity for Accor to expand its network in Western Australia and focus on our strategy to deliver exceptional accommodation in all locations. We look forward to leveraging our global expertise in hospitality to deliver unforgettable moments to guests." Mandala Hospitality Group Manager, Murray Emerton, said: "We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Accor as we make our debut in Western Australia. Bunbury, a dynamic destination for both business and leisure, presents an exciting opportunity for our hotel. Over the next 12 months, we eagerly anticipate breathing new life into this already remarkable property through a planned soft refurbishment. Together with Accor, we aim to create incredible experiences for our valued guests." Located just two hours south of Perth, Bunbury is one of Western Australia's most sought-after holiday destinations. Boasting a stunning natural coastline, superb fishing, swimming and sandy beaches for kids to play, Bunbury is an aquatic playground with a thriving community hub. With its prime location, Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse serves as a gateway to a plethora of recreational activities and attractions. Guests can embark on whale watching tours, explore the nearby Tuart Forest National Park, enjoy water sports, or immerse themselves in Bunbury's vibrant arts and culture scene. Mantra is Australia's largest hotel brand with 75 properties across the country. It's renowned for having a great selection of hotels, resorts and spacious self-contained apartments in vibrant cities and favourite holiday hotspots. Since the brand was born in 2007, Mantra has experienced a great journey of growth. The brand has achieved considerable success in the Australian market and, while the Mantra brand has expanded internationally, its core market is, and will remain, domestic. From luxury to economy, Accor has 19 international brands across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, such as Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissotel, Movenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget as well as SO/ and TRIBE, which are both part of the Ennismore collective of lifestyle brands. Five years after Doris Greif departed from her role as SVP operations for the entire Jumeirah Group, she has made a comeback to Dubai. She has joined IHG, serving in a new position as VP of luxury and lifestyle MEA, which puts her in command of Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Kimpton, and Hotel Indigo. Previously, Greif held the position of managing director for Langham Hospitality, managing its renowned London property and simultaneously acting as the regional VP of operations for Europe and the Middle East. Since then, a Langham hotel has been confirmed for Diriyah Gate. Doris Greif has a long-standing association with Jumeirah in Dubai, which she initially joined in 1999. Her roles over the years have included executive assistant manager in charge of rooms at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, general manager of Jumeirah Beach Club Resort & Spa, general manager operations, and general manager of Jumeirah Emirates Towers. In 2008, she stepped away from the company to take on the role of COO - city operations at DIFC Investments LLC, before reuniting with Jumeirah in 2010 to serve as the general manager of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi. Recently, IHG's luxury portfolio has been witnessing significant growth. This month, the first Kimpton in the region was announced for Saudi Arabia; in March, a contract for a Hotel Indigo in the Kingdom was signed; and towards the end of 2022, a Vignette Collection was confirmed. Additionally, the company has two upcoming Six Senses in the Red Sea area, another one in Diriyah Gate, and an InterContinental Resort in the Red Sea. In Dubai, a Six Senses hotel is planned to open in the Palm Jumeirah. As a graduate of the renowned Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Justin Furkhan joins the team as Business Support Manager, Australia bringing with him extensive hotel industry experience across several leadership roles at luxury brands including The Fullerton and InterContinental. His new role will play a critical role in supporting the growth and performance of La Vie's Australian portfolio while driving commercial objectives across the portfolio. View Justin Furkhan's LinkedIn Profile Justin Furkhan is a graduate of Les Roches in Bluche - Switzerland The Australian team also welcomes Abhey Sachdeva as Business Development Manager, Australia, a role which will see him drive sales performance for hotels within the Australian shared services portfolio. His extensive experience in hotel sales will see him provide valuable insights and support to the teams while playing a crucial role in driving revenue growth of La Vie's hotels in the Australian market. La Vie Hospitality Group Woolloomooloo, Sydney Australia Website Peachtree Hospitality Management ("PHM") announced the appointment of Caroline Royster to vice president of business development, responsible for growing its third-party management partnerships by leveraging industry relationships and identifying new management opportunities. She will report to Patrick Short, PHM's president. "We're pleased that Caroline is joining our team with a focus on expanding our already significant third-party management services business," said Short. "With a proven hospitality track record, Caroline brings a wealth of expertise and strategic vision to Peachtree. We look forward to the exciting opportunities and achievements that lie ahead under her guidance." Royster is a 15-year lodging industry veteran with a wide range of consulting, acquisition and development experience. She most recently served as vice president at R.M. Woodworth & Associates, a hotel advisory company. Before that, she was head of business development for Legacy Ventures, a hospitality developer, owner and operator responsible for identifying, underwriting and analyzing acquisition, ground-up development and third-party management opportunities. Royster has also held leadership positions with PKF Consulting USA/CBRE Hotels, TPG Hotels & Resorts, and Goldman Sachs & Co. Royster holds a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bucknell University. PHM, a division of Peachtree Group, operates premium-branded, limited-, select- and compact full-service hotels primarily in the upper-midscale and upscale segments. Today, the company manages 94 hotels across 28 brands with 11,492 rooms in 22 states. The Hotel Revenue Summit by Booking.com and AxisRooms will bring together the brightest minds from the online travel industry, hospitality technology, hotels, and other experts to explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities. Being a part of this event, you will know how to distribute online, predict demand, and optimally adjust your rates to sell more, increase occupancy, and boost revenue. For more information, kindly reach us at [email protected] or +91 9880330001. This event is organized by AxisRooms in partnership with Booking.com FTC Hotels, the lifestyle hotel franchise collection company, which owns the two lifestyle brands Casa Cook and Cooks Club, has been acquired by the Real Estate business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Goldman Sachs) for an undisclosed consideration. The Casa Cook and Cooks Club brands feature 16 franchised properties across prime sun and beach locations in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. The investment from Goldman Sachs will accelerate expansion across European destinations, while remaining loyal to the brands founding ethos of creating individual and unique places united by signature luxe-minimalist design and laid-back spirit. Casa Cook is an eclectic collection of lifestyle boutique resorts catering for a growing generation of independent travellers. Each hotel has its own distinct personality where architecture, interior design, and individual offerings vary by location and hotel, yet common to all are low-key vibes and contemporary aesthetics. Launched in 2016 with Casa Cook Rhodes, the Casa Cook collection features five properties, three in Greece (Mykonos, Samos, and Rhodes) and two in Egypt (El Gouna and North Coast). Cooks Club is a new, innovative hotel concept aimed at millennials and cosmopolites who prioritise good times and quality experiences with friends. The brand brings a touch of modern urban lifestyle, offering a more stripped-back experience across its 11 hotels in Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Spain, and Bulgaria. The brand prides itself on offering outstanding cuisine, resident DJ live sets, and a sleek contemporary design. Speaking on the acquisition, Alessandro Dassi, the brands Managing Director, said: This is an exciting time for both brands and is a move which will enable them to continue to improve the holiday experience of our guests. The investment by Goldman Sachs is a testament to the strength of our brands and unique proposition in the growing lifestyle resort market segment. Together we will further unlock business value and take the brands to the next level." Nabil Aquedim, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, added: This investment aligns with our strategy to build a portfolio of differentiated hotels and resorts across the Mediterranean. We look forward to working with Alessandro and his team to continue to grow the brands they created across Europe". For more information on Casa Cook and its properties, please visit https://www.casacook.com, and for more information on Cooks Club, please visit https://www.cooksclub.com. About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Real Estate Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the worlds leading institutions, financial advisors, and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and marketoverseeing more than $2.5 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of March 31, 2022. Driven by a passion for our clients performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Goldman Sachs Asset Management invests in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate, and infrastructure. Established in 1991, the Real Estate business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management is one of pequity and credit. Our global team invests across all sectors with deep expertise across the capital structure derived from three decades of investing experience. Follow us on LinkedIn. My Place Hotels of America, an extended-stay hotel brand known for franchising clean and comfortable hotels with modern rooms, amenities, and excellent customer service, has entered into a two-phase franchise and development agreement with Rimrock Companies, a privately-held real estate development and investment company headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, for 10 extended-stay hotels throughout the South over the next six years. We're honored to be partnering with the top extended-stay hotel brand in the business and grateful for the trust My Place Hotels has placed in us to develop a minimum of 10 new properties in the Southeast region of the U.S., said Micah Linton, president and CEO of Rimrock Companies. Our mission from the beginning has been to create exceptional commercial spaces to enhance the communities we serve. Each of these new properties represents an opportunity for us to create something extraordinary for not only guests but also the businesses in the surrounding area. The properties will be in three states, growing My Places presence in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia. Some of the properties are already under development. All 10 are expected to be completed by 2029. The team at Rimrock is competent in development, and we have a ton of confidence in their ability to execute this business plan, said Ryan Rivett, founder, president, and CEO of My Place Hotels. Their proven track record of focus on quality and integrity in their deals made this an easy agreement to structure plus, theyre just good people, and thats who were looking to do business with at the end of the day." The second phase of the development plan continues to focus on the country's Southeast region and incorporates at least as many franchises as the first phase. This deal comes on the heels of a multiple-development agreement My Place Hotels announced in October 2022. Nearly 70 My Place Hotels are open across 29 states with more than 130 hotels in the pipeline. About Rimrock Companies Rimrock is a leading national commercial real estate developer with experience in the development of a broad range of commercial real estate projects across multiple industry sectors. The company is based in Jacksonville, Florida and has a hospitality division that is specifically focused on extended stay hotel development. Rimrock currently has multiple extended stay hotels in development in Idaho, Montana, as well as in the Southeast and Florida. About My Place Hotels My Place Hotels of America, LLC ("My Place Hotels") is a hotel franchisor focusing on franchising clean and comfortable hotels with modern rooms, amenities, and excellent customer service, all at an affordable price. The company is based in Aberdeen, SD, and offers two hotel brand options to potential and current franchisees. There are nearly 70 My Place Hotels open across 29 states with more than 130 hotels in the pipeline. For more information on franchising with My Place or to book your next stay, please visit myplacehotels.com/franchising or contact Terry Kline at (605) 725-5685. PRAGUE - Mews, the industry-leading hospitality cloud, is transforming the way hotels operate thanks to its open APIs, which have enabled customers to build and connect more than 1,000 of their custom applications to the hospitality management platform. Mews, as the pioneer of open APIs in the hospitality industry, has seen a remarkable surge in the adoption of interconnected and tailored integrations over the past year. With over 20,000 installations of these applications across Mews-powered properties, the daily volume of messages exchanged through Mews APIs has exceeded 10 million. We have dedicated teams working on Mews Open API, which means we develop it in parallel to the rest of Mews Hospitality Cloud. This allows us to release new APIs immediately alongside new products and features, giving our users and partners total flexibility when it comes to connecting with Mews. Jirka Helmich, CPO at Mews As unique, personalized experiences become a growing priority for guests, hoteliers are increasingly turning to technology to enable them. This often requires bespoke solutions that need to be able to seamlessly integrate with an established hotel tech stack. For instance, Cabiner, a unique Dutch wilderness brand, has a custom integration that connects food package orders to their supplier via Mews Open API. Because the API is open, were able to build a whole custom front end that exactly fits our needs, but still runs on Mews, said Sander Ejlenberg, Co-Founder of Cabiner. Mews is the glue in the middle that connects everything it fits our open mindset where everything is a network. Other common API use cases include connecting bespoke booking engines and kiosk solutions. Mews is also introducing new multi-property functionality that will improve performance and development speed for multi-property products, both custom-built and public integrations. Having access to open APIs is vital for our own software development and for any tech-enabled operator that wants to build our own solutions. Mews connectivity is what sets it apart from other hotel software systems, especially the legacy systems, both in terms of their APIs and their marketplace of integrations. Rami Zeidan, Founder and CEO of Life House, the innovative US hotel brand I In addition to its APIs, Mews Marketplace provides a pool of over 750 integrations to hospitalitys best tech solutions. Many of these purpose-built connections are plug-and-play, making it fast and easy for hotels to build their ideal tech stack. About Mews Mews is a leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Over 3,500 properties in 80 countries are powered by Mews. The Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include Accor, Generator-Freehand, Nordic Choice Hotels, The Social Hub, Life House and Les Airelles. Mews has been named the World's Best Independent Hotel PMS Provider by World Travel Tech Awards (2022) and won Best Place to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022) from Hotel Tech Report. The company has offices in Europe, the United States and Australia. George Barker Director of Communications As a large majority of hotels have adopted some sort of dynamic pricing for their rooms, the next evolution of revenue management is moving beyond rooms, and many leaders have adopted total revenue management strategies for a more holistic approach. One area that is ripe for innovation is F&B Revenue Management, and hotels are adopting the same principles and techniques that apply to room revenue management in their various F&B outlets, including full-service restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and grab-and-go marketplaces. F&B revenue management techniques largely focus on dynamic pricing, or adjusting the prices of menu items based on customer demand; and menu engineering, or adjusting the menu offerings to maximize profits. To unpack F&B dynamic pricing, lets identify four different fences that could influence dynamic price changes at your hotel F&B outlet: Time of day. Prices may vary depending on the time of day or meal period, such as breakfast, lunch, dinner or happy hour. Day of the week. Prices could potentially be higher on weekends or during peak times. Portion sizes. Prices may also vary depending on the portion sizes offered, with larger portions typically costing more. Location in the restaurant. Items may be priced differently depending on where they are located on the menu or where they are served within the restaurant, such as at the bar or in a private dining room. A recent National Restaurant Association report on the State of the Restaurant Industry 2023 addressed dynamic pricing in restaurants. It found that 79% of consumers are favorable or somewhat favorable toward variable pricing. Just over 70% of consumers reported they would order smaller-sized portions if the price was lower, and nearly 80% of consumers would be favorable toward discounts on lower demand days and times. Consumers are fine with variable pricing when done in a consumer-friendly way, writes Cornell University Professor Emeritus Sherri Kimes. This means offering value to the consumer. It doesn't mean discounting all the time. If restaurants offer lower prices during low demand times, it also means that restaurants can charge higher prices during other periods. The key to F&B revenue management is using data to analyze guest demand and purchase behavior. Data can also help you identify which items contribute to the highest average checks, which employees are skilled at tasks like upselling, and which menu items (or bottles of wine, for example) drive the most to the bottom line. With some basic practices, you can improve performance in several areas, including traffic (covers), sales (average check), and service (improved reputation and guest satisfaction). Access to structured data and intuitive visualization across these outlets will allow you to make more profitable decisions. Success Story: Analytics Power F&B Profits at Sea Island Resort Sea Island Resort on St. Simon's Island off the coast of Georgia is home to 12 full-service and three quick-service restaurants, including the only Forbes Five Star restaurant in the state of Georgia, The Georgian Room. It is the only resort in the world to have received four Forbes Five-Star awards for 10 consecutive years. Daniel Zeal started as a Sous Chef at Sea Island more than 17 years ago, and over time worked his way up through the kitchen into executive positions. For the past four years, he has served as executive chef. His time these days is spent less often hovering over a hot grill and more often in the office crunching numbers to ensure Sea Islands 15 F&B outlets run with the highest profit margins possible. Every day we have a running P&L. Prior to working with Datavision, when I needed to look at my labor costs or my food costs, every day I would be pulling those numbers from our Point of Sale systems at each outlet and frankensteining an Excel doc to make sure I was hitting my budget, Zeal says. About 10 years ago, I met with my F&B director and with the Datavision team and said, There has got to be a better way. We built a spreadsheet, and Datavision began extracting revenue numbers by location from Micros into that. Now we just pull purchases for day prior, enter them and hit F9, and we have a running food cost. Zeal uses Datavision to monitor everything from revenues to quantity of items sold, all the way down to the individual check. He can see items sold by outlet, by meal period and by server. For the past 10 years, it's the only reason we've been able to consistently achieve food cost results, he said. About MDO myDigitalOffice (MDO) is the world's fastest-growing hotel data platform, providing nearly 10,000 hotel owners and operators across the globe with centralized, digital access to their most critical documents and cross-functional performance metrics. Through integrated data feeds, document workflow management, and award-winning custom dashboards, hoteliers are able to reach greater levels of profitability by operating more efficiently, improving budgeting and forecasting, and reducing their environmental impact. Learn more at www.mdo.io. Jason Freed Hospitality Data Evangelist myDigitalOffice Comfort Inn and Suites in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan Alpine Realty Capital, LLC, a member of Hotel Brokers International, is pleased to announce that it has completed the sale of the Comfort Inn and Suites and Conference Center in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. This 137-unit property with adjacent 10,000 square foot conference center benefits from its location adjacent to the main campus of Central Michigan University. Situated on more than 10 acres of land leased from CMU, the hotel enjoys a beautiful campus-like setting with amenities unrivaled in this part of the State, which Alpine utilized to achieve maximum pricing in a very difficult transaction environment. Alpine was engaged by the seller of this asset to pursue a targeted marketing process in order to maintain maximum confidentiality. We were able to identify a small number of highly qualified buyers, received numerous offers, and negotiated a deal that worked for both buyer and seller in order to close in a timely manner and at the contracted price. As always, Alpine managed the due diligence process on behalf of the seller and assisted throughout the process up to and including the closing, assuring that the seller had the professional advisory services it needed. Alpine works daily with groups looking for opportunities to provide capital investment or other means to provide equity returns. In an environment in which the supply of lodging properties for sale is scarce and development costs continue to rise, Alpine is seeing ever-increasing interest in acquisitions from various groups, including owner-operators who are seeking to participate in the industrys strong returns. The ability to acquire a hotel asset and provide a capital infusion while remaining well below replacement cost is driving these transactions. About Alpine Realty Capital Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Alpine Realty Capital is a mortgage banking and real estate brokerage firmspecializing in hotel asset investment, valuation, financing, marketing, and transaction. Edward P. Walsh, CHB, serves as President and Principal Broker of Alpine Realty Capital. Mr. Walsh is a dedicated lodging industry professional whose career spans more than 30 years in the lodging industry. He has held numerous positions in consulting, valuation, and for the most recent years as a hospitality real estate and mortgage broker, founding Alpine Realty Capital in 2007. His expertise includes providing services regarding all phases of investment, from site selection and acquisition to feasibility analysis and appraisal, and from mortgage financing to construction cost analysis and divestment. In all, Mr. Walsh has provided real estate consulting and/or transaction services for more than $1 billion worth of hospitality real estate assets. About Hotel Brokers International Founded in 1959, Hotel Brokers International is the industrys oldest network of hospitality broker professionals. HBI hotel brokerage specialists have successfully negotiated more than 11,000 hotel real estate transactions and consistently account for the largest share of all select-service and economy hotel sales in the United States. The organizations website features a large inventory of hotel assets listed for sale and attracts site visitors from around the world. HBI is the founder and administrator of the Certified Hotel Broker program the industrys only professional designation for Hotel Brokers. In addition to hospitality real estate advisory services, HBI offers affiliate membership to professionals in allied fields, including franchising, lending, appraisals, and investment services. For more information about HBIs hotel listings or to become a broker or affiliate member, visit hbihotels.com. Contact: Edward P. Walsh, CHB, President Alpine Realty Capital Ann Arbor, Michigan 734.372.7130 ewalsh@alpinerealtycapital.com Glenda J. Webb, Executive Director Hotel Brokers International 816.505.4315 gwebb@hbihotels.com Rendering of the Corinthia Maldives Resort Corinthia has signed a hotel management agreement to operate a luxury resort in the Maldives in 2025. The developer of the luxury resort to be operated by Corinthia is Maarah Pvt Ltd, a Maldivian entity, affiliated with Maarah Holdings Ltd, a United Arab Emirates company registered within the Dubai International Financial Centre, being part of Niro Investment Group, one of the most prestigious investment companies in Romania, which is further strengthening its international operations, both in the Middle East and South Asia. Early works on reclamation and the first phase of the development of the resort located on the Kaafu Atoll have commenced and will feature two islands hosting a 73-key resort on the larger of the two and a second, smaller private island for exclusive use. Corinthia Maldives will feature aquatic-inspired architecture designed by global firm HKS. The main pavilion and all villas are taking on forms and shapes that take inspiration from the gentle curves of the ocean's Manta Ray. The resort will also include state of the art wellness facilities, multiple fitness spaces and a choice of five restaurants operated with internationally renowned brands. "We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Corinthia in the Maldives. Together with our partners, the developers, we will work to create a unique architectural statement that will delight the senses." commented Mr. Simon Naudi, CEO of Corinthia Hotels. "We are excited about this milestone Maldivian luxury resort development, which is located only 15 minutes from Male International Airport and which will provide long-term local employment opportunities whilst contributing towards the growing destination tourism economy of the Maldives." stated Mr. Rene Beil, Managing Director, Maarah Holdings and Maarah Pvt Ltd "We are fortunate of our thirty years' legacy of real estate investments and developments of pioneering nature and we are privileged to be partners with a leading luxury hospitality brand such as Corinthia". Other than HKS as lead architects, several contractors and engineering firms have been engaged on the project. These include RLB Hoolooman as Project Managers, having already completed 14 resorts within Maldives, working alongside Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTTC) which has been appointed as the main contractor for land reclamation and shore protection works. China State Construction has been appointed as the General Contractor while Beaufort Global a leading and reputable hospitality asset management firm based in Dubai UAE has been appointed as Asset Manager. Chicago, IL (60637) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Hazy. High 77F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. 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. 5 reasons why every musician that plays live needs merch Not only does merch make money, but it can be an integral tool for serving fans and building an artists brand. Heres how to get started. by Janelle Borg of Amplify You For gigging artists like you, music merch should be an integral part of your brand-building strategy. Its not only a great way to project your musical identity through a tangible item, but also serves as a much-needed financial lifeline. Best of all, music fans love merch, and are ready to spend money on quality pieces they truly like. If you need convincing, here are 5 reasons why you should start selling merch now rather than later. Amplify your brand identity One of the most obvious but still underestimated reasons why you should sell merch is the simple fact that its a great tool for building brands. Its the tried-and-tested way to showcase your logo, artwork, and artist motifs in a format thats worn over and over again. Simply put, your fans become walking billboards, advertising your wares, while simultaneously benefitting from a quality product they genuinely like. Its also good to mention that it builds a certain camaraderie between fans, as music merch is a signifier of being part of a distinct community. Generate Additional Revenue Streams As a gigging artist, money can be tight. Youre spending a lot of money on fuel, accommodation, your vehicle, and food so a little extra change can go a long way. Selling physical products at your show, and even online through your website or platforms like Bandcamp, is a great way to monetize your fan base. With thoughtful, well-designed merch that appeals to your audience, youll be turning your creativity into dollars that can go into funding your next tour. Forge Deeper Fan Connections Theres nothing like the T-shirt of your favorite band to forge a connection with a random person in a cafe. Undoubtedly, music merch creates a deep connection not only between fans, but also between you (the artist) and the fan. Its a cherished memento that serves as a reminder of an unforgettable concert or meet and greet. So if we look beyond the finances and branding of everything, it all boils down to the community. Enhance Your Concert Experience Part of the beauty of a live concert is bagging music merch before or after the show. Therefore, merch is a good way to enhance the concert experience and give fans something that they can take home with them that reminds them of that concert. It also adds an element of collectibility to your shows, which is a plus for most music fans. Expand Your Reach and Visibility Music merch extends your reach beyond the confines of a venue. It can serve as an icebreaker among strangers, a talking point at an awkward party and, above all, a powerful form of free promotion. By harnessing the visibility of your music merch, your fans act as ambassadors and bring more people into your fan community. Janelle Borg knows a thing or two about the music industry. Having been involved in the industry since the age of 13, shes now involved in a variety of music-related projects and is always keen to share industry tips n tricks with fellow musicians. Share on: Dalton Expects July Delivery of Ladder Truck DALTON, Mass. The Fire District is projected to have its new ladder truck delivered in five weeks, the interim Fire Chief Chris Cachat said during the Fire District meeting on Tuesday night. As of last week, the truck was in the paint shop, Cachat said. The ladder truck has been completely refurbished from the ground up. Since the start of the project Northern Fire Equipment has had people leave, which set them back on a lot of their projects, Cachat said. Water Commissioner Michael Kubicki questioned the expected delivery date saying that when he spoke to the owner of Northern Fire Equipment, he informed him that it would be delivered at the end of May and that there was only one other truck ahead of them in line. Cachat said the owner told him last week that the truck ahead of Dalton in line was completed but that Northern Fire Equipment is now experiencing staffing issues. The uncertainty about the fire truck stemmed from not knowing where it was due to a communication problem with the former Fire Chief James Peltier and the time issues with the company refurbishing the vehicle, commission Chair James Driscoll said following the meeting. "We have talked fully with the people up in Watertown (N.Y.). They have assured us it's there. We can call up anytime we want and see it and any questions we have, we can directly talk to them now. So we're comfortable with what's going on with the truck," Driscoll said. The Dalton Fire Department sidelined its 32-year old ladder truck in 2022 due to mechanical and safety concerns and has been loaning a truck from the Boston Fire Department. The new ladder truck is from 2000. The Boston Fire Department has replacement trucks that will lend them out to other fire companies in the state, Driscoll said. Peltier had connections there so that the Dalton could get a loaned ladder truck. The district has not been paying to use the truck but the Boston Fire Department will call at some point requesting it back, Driscoll said. Hopefully the new ladder truck comes in before the district needs to return the Boston truck "but if it's not, then we have to send it back," he said. The town purchased its new ladder truck for about $100,000, including having it refurbished. Normally a ladder truck can cost a million and a half to $2 million, Cachat said. Although Cachat has only seen pictures of the truck, he said when it comes close to the truck being ready for delivery he plans to drive the 4 1/2 hour ride to Buffalo, N.Y., to "OK everything" before it's delivered. Prima Music Foundation at Ventfort Hall LENOX, Mass. Prima Music Foundation returns to the Berkshires with a concert at Ventfort Hall on Sunday, June 4 at 4 p.m. A cocktail reception will follow with light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Beer, wine and a new signature cultural cocktail in collaboration with Berkshire Mountain Distillers will be served. Tenor, David Guzman, and Pianist, Anastasia Dedik, a founder of the Prima Music Foundation, will perform works by Hahn, Ives, McCrae, Turina, De Falla and De Fuentes. The Prima Music Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission of supporting young artists from under-represented areas, as well as providing first class music education and performing opportunities. Dedik is an avid educator and an Artistic Director of Rising Stars piano camp, which takes place at Berkshire Music School in Pittsfield, from June 24 to July 1, 2023. Dedik has performed as a soloist, chamber musician and collaborator in more than 22 states and abroad, including venues such as Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, The Great Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, Russia and others. Born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Russia to a family of distinguished musicians, Anastasia graduated from The Saint Petersburg Conservatory in 2004 and moved to the United States to continue her education at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and The Juilliard School on full talent scholarships. She is a candidate to receive a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. She currently resides in New York City with her husband and their 8-year-old daughter. David Guzman, hailed by the Tampa Bay Times as the "one to watch," is known for his exquisite tone and impeccable musicianship. He has been praised for his "impressive tenor, singing with force and ease throughout his range, with ringing tone at full voice, thoughtful in quieter moments." (Houston Chronicle) He holds a B.A. in Music Education from Universidad Pedagogica Nacional de Colombia, a M.M. in Voice Performance from Texas Christian University, and a D.M.A. in Voice performance from SUNY at Stony Brook. His recent CD released, Latin-American Art Songs, is the first result of his continuous research of Latin-American forgotten art song repertoire and performance practices. Dr. Guzman is an Assistant Professor of Music in Voice at Boston University since 2020. South Berkshire Rural Health Network Gets State Grant BOSTON The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced an award of nearly $250,000 in Local Food Policy Council program funding to 17 organizations across Massachusetts. This includes an $11,820 grant for South Berkshire Rural Health Network that will be used to develop a strategic plan and improve connections to the region's most vulnerable residents. "Massachusetts' local food policy councils and food working groups are vital to the fabric of our food system and help connect communities to healthy, nutritious foods. We are happy to recognize and invest in this important work," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "This support is critical, especially as our local food system weathers an increasingly volatile climate." The capacity of the South Berkshire Rural Health Network's coordinator will be supported by funding for increased time and consultant support. Outcomes will include the development of a Plan that addresses system change, increased capacity of the coordinator to facilitate ongoing strategic planning, equity as a vital component of the work, and the strengthening of collaborative relationships among partners through formal and informal structures to build a healthy food network and sustainable local system.??? The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' (MDAR) grants will enhance the work of existing and new local food policy councils and food working groups across Massachusetts. The grants will help to accelerate their development, expand their capacity, and increase their connections and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning to support the Massachusetts local food system. "We greatly appreciate this appropriation from our partners in the state legislature to provide these grants to our Massachusetts local food policy councils and food working groups," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "Projects and initiatives funded through this program will develop and continue work to impact the long-term viability and sustainability of our local food system in Massachusetts." Clarksburg town meeting votes in favor of an amended article transferring funds from the stabilization account. Voters approved all articles on the warrant during the nearly two-hour meeting. Clarksburg Town Meeting OKs $5.1M Budget, Passes All Warrant Articles Town Clerk Marilyn Gomeau takes the role of moderator for the annual town meeting at Clarksburg School on Wednesday. CLARKSBURG, Mass. Voters at town meeting on Wednesday swiftly passed $5.1 million in spending for the next fiscal year with no discussion. But other articles, including a proposal to open the town's capped landfill to a solar operator, prompted some debate and amendments from the floor. All 24 business articles passed during the nearly two-hour meeting attended by 67 voters. Town Clerk Marilyn Gomeau was elected as moderator for the meeting because Ronald Boucher, re-elected Tuesday by write-in votes, was unable to attend. Town meeting approved a school budget of $2,838,417.24, up 2 percent over this year; the town's operating budget of $1,880,046, up $63,561, and the McCann Technical School assessment of $383,921, up $70,875 or 18 percent over this year. But voters raised concerns over an article that gave the Select Board the authority to enter into a 20-year lease with an operator of a solar array. Several voters questioned why there wasn't more public participation, how much the town might make and if the array would be by right since it the town land was in the solar overlay district. Town Administrator Carl McKinney said any array would have to have a building permit and would have to go before the Planning Board if that was required, in response to questions from Planner Karin Robert. But he couldn't say how much the array would bring in, though he had heard rumors of how much was possible. He pointed out that it would create two revenue streams for the town through leasing the land and the personal property tax on the equipment. Several voters pressed for more public input, including waiting until a bid was in hand before taking a vote on the article. McKinney said no business would be interested if its proposal had to go through a public vote. "We are near our levy capacity limit," he said. "We have a structural deficit to the tune of $200,000. ... You can vote yea, you can vote nay, but at some point there will have to be a decision on where to cut further." . Dan Tanner motioned to amend Article 17 to include that a public hearing would be held prior to the Select Board's signing any agreement to gauge the wishes of the community. The Select Board members in attendance, Robert Norcross and Dan Haskins, indicated that they had no problem with the amendment. "We just want ensure we're taking the time to do the proper things," said Planning Board member Erin Scott. Tanner added that he thought the solar overlay district should be revisited, noting everything west of the school was allowed but everything east was not. "I do believe this is something we need to address," he said. "If you have the required setback and put in suitable screening you should be allowed .... a private citizen should also be allowed to do so." Voters also amended Article 23, a request to transfer $231,000 from the town's stabilization account to reduce the tax rate, to ensure it would be replenished. The transfer will basically deplete the account until several years of free cash can be certified. Danielle Luchi motioned to amend the article to read that "when free cash is certified, whatever funds are available will go back into stabilization." There was some talk about whether all the free cash should go in but the amendment and the article passed easily. Voters also approved the establishment of a revolving fund account for fine and forfeitures to fund police training and equipment, and the creation of a special stabilization account for monies from the opioid settlements. The town will be getting some funds annually over the next 15 years as part of the state's lawsuit and town meeting authorized transferring $6,773.94 into the account from stabilization. McKinney explained that there had been conflicting instructions from Boston on how to account the funds but then Attorney General and now Gov. Maura Healey had indicated they should be segregated from general funds. This will allow the town to better track how much it has; the funds can only be used for recovery, harm reduction, treatment and prevention. Voters also approved the establishment of an agricultural commission on a citizen's petition submitted by Martha Tanner. Robert asked why the commission would be appointed by the Select Board rather than elected like other town boards and commissions. Tanner said the rules and guidelines for agriculture commissions are set by the state's Department of Agriculture. "It was showing that it was appointed by select boards. Lanesborough just instituted one, two years ago and ... I basically followed their protocol," Tanner said. "It is kind of unusual, but that's how it's done." Voters also gave the OK to cleaning up and updating language in the zoning bylaws (approved last year but not certified by the AG's office because a public hearing had not been held) and the Council on Aging; two zoning changes reduced lot size from a third of an acre to a quarter in where sewer and water were available and halved the road frontage in Upland Conservation District to 125 feet in an effort to "tweak" the state's formula for payments in lieu of taxes to get more money. The district is largely state forest that McKinney said would bring in $264,000 in private hands; the state's last PILOT was $26,000. Finally, town meeting voted to move the town election from the last Tuesday to the second Tuesday in May. Gomeau said she requested this because the Monday Memorial Day holiday made setting up for the election difficult and "disenfranchised" voters because there were two days Friday and Monday when they could not return absentee votes. Town meeting will remain on the fourth Wednesday. Under "other business," Eric Booth asked that the Select Board resume evening meetings because it is difficult for residents to attend meetings being held in the morning or early afternoon, as has been the case since last year. Several other voters agreed with him that there should better options for participation. McKinney said the hours were adjusted to accommodate the board members and that it has been rare for any residents to attend meetings for years. Norcross said the board would discuss the matter at its next meeting, In closing, Gomeau said she was disheartened by the lack of names on Tuesday's town election ballot. "It doesn't take a whole lot to take papers out and run for office," she said. "I find it very disheartening when I see offices that are all blank. ... "You have a small little town, you have a nice little community here. ... I think it's important people in the community get more involved." She also thanked town meeting for "being patient with me because moderator is not my job" and received a round of applause. Name: Eric Kedrosky Organisation: Sonrai Security Job title: CISO Date started current role: February 2020 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Eric Kedrosky, has been in the information security industry for more than 20 years building and leading security teams and has been a pioneer in securing the cloud for the past 7 years. He has experience across the high-tech and fintech industries. He is an active contributor to the information security community by providing thought leadership in cloud security. What was your first job? My first job coming out of school (computer engineering) was actually in the information security space. I started as a security analyst in the IT department of a very large multinational company that built hardware and software for telecommunication networks. How did you get involved in cybersecurity? See above. I remember applying for the role while I was doing my 4th-year engineering project. I worked as a co-op for many years at the company, saw a job come up, and thought I would be installing anti-virus software. It was not a bad place to start, so I applied and in the first interview they explained what the job really was and I was hooked. The job description did not do the job justice. What was your education? Do you hold any certifications? What are they? Bachelor of Engineering degree focused on Computer Systems from Carleton University. I also have my CISSP. Explain your career path. Did you take any detours? If so, discuss. Yeah, there were a couple of detours. I went from being a security analyst to working as a security solutions architect/consultant to moving into product management. I then took this experience and moved on to a product management role. I found myself back in an information security building and then leading the security organisation for another multinational company After a merger, I left to work with my mentor and did M&A for a couple of years. I was able to use my technical and security background/risk management thinking. I was responsible for making sure mergers work smoothly by mitigating risk. I learned a lot about the business side of the house and it is something that has greatly helped me in my career from there on. Was there anyone who has inspired or mentored you in your career? George Head has been my mentor and friend for over a decade now. He is a fantastic person to work with and has been quite fundamental in my career. He helped me get my feet under me as a leader and taught me a lot about leadership over the years. He has always been there for me when I needed him and I contribute a lot of my success today as an Executive to him, his wisdom, his patience, his mentorship, and his friendship. George always brings his A-Game What do you feel is the most important aspect of your job? My role as CISO at a cloud security company really has two parts: internal and external. Internally, one of the most important aspects is to communicate effectively, not just upwards, but up, down, right, and left; working with peers to get their support for the security program, to help them understand risks not just from a technical perspective but also from the business perspective and show that Im on their side. Understanding and communicating with the teams that are executing the work is really important for a role like this. Externally, the most important aspect is helping our customers and CISOs put cloud security in context to help them move into this new generation of cloud. Thats a big onehelping people understand why doing security in the cloud is important and how it is different from on-prem. What metrics or KPIs do you use to measure security effectiveness? I like using classic measurements, to focus on risk and how you choose to measure risk. I like to look at the speed at which we are solving problems, not just counting the number of problems. It's one thing to say we have X problems or we solved X problems, but we should also be looking at the mean-time-to-resolution (MTTR). Are we getting better, are we stagnant, or are we getting worse? What is our in-rate vs our out-rate? I also like to stretch metrics out over a longer time horizon to better visualise how we are doing from that perspective. Oftentimes we get very focused on the immediate or near term, which isnt necessarily bad, but in my career stepping back and looking at the forest for the trees has been a strategy that has really worked for me. Is the security skills shortage affecting your organisation? What roles or skills are you finding the most difficult to fill? The skills gap is affecting every organisation. Upskilling and training existing employees is key and where most organisations fail miserably. Too many times they take an experienced person, often a top talent admin, engineer, arch, etc., and then simply call them their cloud